If you're a sucker for punishment, or happen to be one of those undeterrable humans without any mortal fear of heights, you're going to love this. Airbnb have revealed their latest terrifying stay, a penthouse apartment at the end of Norway's famous Holmenkollen ski jump. At the end. Of a ski jump. Yep, seems people aren't content dangling from cable cars overnight, there's apparently a market for taking a nap hanging high over the ski fields. The clincher? Your checkout is by zipline, like a regular James Bond (or you can take the lift if you hate fun/prefer your pants unsoiled). Airbnb is providing one lucky, brave-ass couple the opportunity to spend a night in the admittedly beautiful Holmenkollen penthouse apartment, built where daredevil world champion athletes usually meet to prepare before a bowel-defying jump and will be used by skiers at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, held at Holmenkollen later this month (March, 14-15). The chosen Airbnbers will enjoy two nights in the fully-furnished, panoramic apartment, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting you gaze out over Oslo beneath the Northern Lights. This is particularly aimed at the hardcore skiers among you. The world’s first ski museum is right below you on the first floor. You can grab a pair of cross country skis and enjoy 1500 kilometres of fresh powder right outside your door — although only pros are allowed to use the ski jump, so don't think you're going to be pulling any tricks on your toboggan. Feeling peckish? The highest roof terrace in town is right above the apartment, and breakfast is served in the VIP lounge. All you have to do to enter the competition is tell Airbnb by 11.59pm on March 16 why you (and your most courageous friend) would like to spend the night. Best bit? Airbnb will fly the winners in from anywhere in the world outside of Norway. Head here to apply.
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” So begins both the film and the song ‘Straight Outta Compton’, and it’s equal parts preview and warning. The ‘street knowledge’ of NWA’s leading trio — Dr Dre (played by Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr, playing his real-life father) and Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell) — was an affront to the establishment, a threat, even, but also helped facilitate the group's rapid rise from neighbourhood group to musical ascendancy. Acquired over two decades of daily exposure to gang violence, racial vilification and police persecution, it instilled in them a bravado, passion and unyielding determination that permitted neither retreat nor weakness. It also came at a price, however, because not all streets are the same, and when Crenshaw Boulevard became Rodeo Drive, the blinders and shortcomings of that knowledge became all too apparent. Straight Outta Compton, then, is not just an NWA biopic but a cautionary tale about loyalty, friendship and the corrosive effects of celebrity. Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job), Straight Outta Compton doesn’t push the genre in any new directions but does a superb job of keeping the focus on the chemistry and appeal of its leading men. Its earliest scenes are easily its strongest, chronicling the group’s formation and revealing how the constant police harassment contributed to not just NWA’s message and appeal but also its most iconic song ('Fuck the Police'). In light of the shocking number of black deaths at the hands of police this year alone, it’s a tragically timeless sentiment that continues to resonate with an especial significance. Hawkins, Mitchell and Jackson Jr put in excellent performances, with the latter's resemblance to his father so remarkable as to make his scenes feel more documentary than recreation. Paul Giamatti, too, is once again utterly engaging as their manager Jerry Heller, never quite allowing you the confidence to say whether he’s hero or villain. Regrettably, most of the female performances are relegated to bare breasts and bouncing buttocks, with key figures like Michel’le and Tomica Woods-Wright given little to no attention, while Dre’s history of violence towards women is completely ignored. Still, a film can only cover so many bases, and Straight Outta Compton shouldn’t be faulted too heavily for electing to keep its focus on the band and its significance rather than the individual stories within. Ice Cube once described NWA as journalists, reporting on a world that the mainstream media refused to. But in the end it was less what they said and more their preparedness to keep saying it as loudly and publicly as possible that made them such an important and ongoing musical force. Straight Outta Compton is a slick, provocative and timely film that absolutely warrants your viewing.
By now you've probably heard the news that this morning we awoke to a world a little less wondrous. After a long battle with a form of Alzheimer’s disease, beloved fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett has passed away at the age of 66. Best known for his ever-popular Discworld series, Pratchett published more than 70 books over the course of his lifetime, and won countless fans with his irreverent writing style and limitless imagination. With so much writing under his belt, there's a Pratchett line for seemingly any situation. In tribute to the well-lived author, we’ve collected some of our favourite Pratchett advice. ON OPTIMISM "There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!" – The Truth ON SEX “He'd noticed that sex bore some resemblance to cookery: it fascinated people, they sometimes bought books full of complicated recipes and interesting pictures, and sometimes when they were really hungry they created vast banquets in their imagination - but at the end of the day they'd settle quite happily for egg and chips.” – The Fifth Elephant. ON GENDER RELATIONS ON MARRIAGE “A marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores.” – The Fifth Elephant ON AMERICANS “A European says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with me?’ An American says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with him?’” ON DRINKING “Death: "THERE ARE BETTER THINGS IN THE WORLD THAN ALCOHOL, ALBERT." Albert: "Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.” – Death’s Domain ON FOOD “Sham Harga had run a successful eatery for many years by always smiling, never extending credit, and realizing that most of his customers wanted meals properly balanced between the four food groups: sugar, starch, grease and burnt crunchy bits.” – Men at Arms ON STYLE ON EDUCATION “Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.” – The Hogfather ON EXAMS “It is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street- cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.” – Moving Pictures ON HARD WORK “If you trust in yourself…. and believe in your dreams…. and follow your star… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy.” — The Wee Free Men ON GOD “God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players, to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.” – Good Omens ON EVIL “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.” – I Shall Wear Midnight ON DIFFERENCE ON LOVE “‘And what would humans be without love?’ ‘RARE’, said Death.” – Sourcery ON CREATIVITY "Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one." ON GETTING OLD “Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.” – Moving Pictures ON DEATH “It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living.” Image: Dementia Friends.
Forget stale chips and overpriced packets of lollies. Two Australian companies are looking to change the way you think about vending machines, with new, healthy options coming to Melbourne and Brisbane (Sydney, fingers crossed). First up, Melbourne's FüD vending machine, is officially up and running. Built out of recycled timber, the new automatic outlets dispense a variety of gourmet meals made using healthy, organic produce, including salads, falafel and even freshly-chopped celery and carrots. Best of all, unsold salads are donated to Homeless of Melbourne, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Total legends. Jars of salad will cost you $10 a pop, and come in a number of different varieties including the ‘Pump It Up’ (pumpkin, roast shallots, beetroot chips and white bean mousse), the ‘Super Soba’ (green tea soba noodles, zucchini and carrot) and ‘Overnight Oats’ (organic oats soaked in coconut milk, with banana, hazelnut and rice malt syrup). Got dietary requirements? The FüD vending machine is stocked with a number of choices for people on paleo, vegan, sugar-free or gluten-free diets. All meals are made fresh and delivered daily, and the machine is refrigerated to ensure nothing spoils. Brisbane's taking the healthy vending machine thing one step further — to a 'self-service cafe'. That's not just marketing jargon, that's what health food merchants All Real Food are calling their automated eateries, and it's a name that fits. With no junk food in sight, what you'll find instead are delicious, healthy snacks and meals, all freshly packaged and stocked each and every day. Think ready-to-go breakfasts and sweets, and soups down the track. Their touchscreen machines also feature a vertical herb garden to bring you back in touch with nature, and a gratitude board filled with health tips and inspiring messages that change daily. Just where and when they'll start popping up all over Brisbane is yet to be determined, but one thing is certain: eating on the run has never been so appetising (or so good for you). For more information, visit The Fud Revolution or All Real Food's websites. Via Good Food. Words by Sarah Ward and Tom Clift.
Whenever the Biennale of Sydney hits town, it always makes a splash. Returning for its 23rd event in 2022, the Biennale's next huge celebration of art won't be any different. On the bill this year: portraits made out of grass, mirrored pavilions, a 600-square-metre bamboo structure and the sounds of 15,000 animals. The 23rd Biennale of Sydney unveiled its full lineup at the beginning of February. And as proves the case every two years, it's about to be a great time to be an art-lover in Sydney. Running from Saturday, March 12–Monday, June 13, the complete Biennale program will present more than 330 artworks by 89 participants, plus 400 events, all linked to its central concept — which means 'stream' in Latin. In terms of what you'll be able to check out at venues such as The Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Circular Quay, Information + Cultural Exchange, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, National Art School in partnership with Artspace, The Rocks and Walsh Bay Arts Precinct including Pier 2/3 across the city, it's a varied bunch. A huge inclusion on the program comes from multidisciplinary studio Cave Urban, with the Sydney locals creating a work called Flow — which happens to be one of the largest bamboo structures ever produced in Australia. It's the studio's biggest-ever project, and will span 600 square metres through The Cutaway at Barangaroo. If all things shiny and mirrored appeal to you, Irish artist John Gerrard will be displaying a six-by-six metre LED wall on a polished mirrored pavilion, also at Barangaroo. AGNSW will also play host to a wallpaper work in its entrance by Barkandji elder Badger Bates, which'll be based on one of his linocuts of the drying Lake Menindee; and to Naziha Mestaoui's One Beat, One Tree, which made its debut during the United Nations Climate Conference in 2015, and encourages folks engaging with the interactive piece to plant a virtual tree. At the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, there'll be large-scale tapestries from American artist Kiki Smith and the display of a 365-million-year-old fish fossil from Canowindra for the first time, while Pier 2/3 will feature 100 3D-printed replicas of Tasmanian stone tools thanks to Trawlwoolway artist Julie Gough. Entry to the Biennale is free — and the event also includes a program of talks and experiences, called The Waterhouse, at The Cutaway at Barangaroo.
One of those people who doesn’t care what your food looks like, as long as it tastes good and there’s plenty of it? Turns out you might be psychologically abnormal. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to 'plating' (i.e. how chefs in fancy pants restaurants arrange the food on your plate), new research has some answers for you. Chef and scientist Charles Michel has led a brand new study at the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, which shows that we react best to food when it's shaped in a triangle. Not just any old triangle, mind you, but one that points away from us (just like the image above). When this optimised arrangement turns up on our table, we’re willing to pay for more for it and we feel safer. Safer? Well, apparently a triangle that points towards us is perceived as threatening. Conducted in conjunction with The Science Museum, London, and published in Food Quality and Preference, the study drew its conclusions from the responses of 16,667 participants. "(Plating is) such a small detail of the dining experience — something people rarely think about — but it does matter," Michel told Vice. "It seems that many principles of visual aesthetics and art perception apply when it comes to food. "I guess my aim is to make people have more thought when it comes to placing the food on their plate, heightening awareness. At the same time, using modern tech and the internet to give tools to chefs and people serving a lot of food a way to enhance the enjoyment." Via Vice.
There's so much to see and do in St Kilda. So much, you kind of need to stay in the area for a couple of nights in order to experience it all. There's the beautiful coastline, the palm tree-lined Catani Gardens, running tracks by the water, bars, restaurants and local institutions. We want you to experience St Kilda in all of its glory, so we're giving you some spending money and accommodation for a weekend. We'll put you up in a one-bedroom Adina apartment for two nights (a stay worth $1000). You can use our local's guide to St Kilda to fill in the gaps, but you'll go stand-up paddleboarding at St Kilda Beach with the experts at St Kilda Stand Up Paddle Boarding, indulge in a massage and eat dinner at the luxurious, Italian Cafe Di Stasio on the first night, and Andrew McConnell's Luxembourg Bar and Bistro on the second night. The big kicker is that you'll also be in the area for St Kilda Festival — a highlight on Melbourne's event calendar. There will be food, workshops and activities as well as music from Tiny Little Houses, The Smith Street Band, Archie Roach and Bec Sandridge among many other talented Melbourne locals. Accommodation will be for two nights in a spacious Adina Apartment Hotel on February 11 and 12 (you'll check out on the morning of the February 13). The apartment is on St Kilda's vibrant Fitzroy Street — steps away from some of the area's best cafes as well as the tram to St Kilda Beach and the CBD. If you're able to make your own way to St Kilda, this competition is open to our lovely Brisbane and Sydney audience too. Enter your details below, say yes to the terms and conditions and you're in the running. Entries close on Thursday, February 2. [competition]607306[/competition]
It's not your imagination — there really has been a heap of stunning new hotels open in Australia this year. Australia's hotel scene is already stacked with some remarkable stays, both in the major cities and in the regional corners of the country. And as our tourism economy has continued to boom, the last six months has seen more boutique and luxury chain hotels open on our shores. From boutique hotels with lush gardens to a wine lovers' dream stays or vibrant 'choose-your-own-adventure' lodgings, there are some seriously impressive (and incredibly designed) new hotels awaiting your arrival — whether on an interstate trip or a sneaky staycation. Read on to find out which 2018 hotel openings to pencil into your travel calendar as soon as possible. [caption id="attachment_671141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] W Brisbane[/caption] W BRISBANE, BRISBANE Brisbanites should be well aware of the CBD's riverside stretch that's synonymous with bland buildings and a hurried expressway. But with the arrival of W Brisbane — marking W Hotels' first foray back into Australia before it opens hotels in Sydney and Melbourne — the northern bank has received a much needed spruce. Offering views across the water to Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland and GOMA, the five-star hotel boasts 312 designer rooms equipped with ten-gallon drum baths and in-suite cocktail stations. On the fourth-level, you'll find a pool with some funky geometric décor. There's also a 150-seat restaurant from celebrated restaurateurs Three Blue Ducks. Looking out over Brisbane River, guests can enjoy signature dishes like spanner crab scramble, congee with pulled pork and hay smoked salmon kedgeree. W Brisbane is location at 81 North Quay, Brisbane. Make a reservation here. [caption id="attachment_660519" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sharon Cairns[/caption] PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL, SYDNEY When Paramount House Hotel was first announced back in August of 2017, the hotel promised it wouldn't be your standard luxury hotel, but rather an immersive experience that would embed patrons into the culture of Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills. All we can say is that it's delivered on that guarantee. Set in a 1940s warehouse above Paramount Coffee Project, the 29-room hotel features soaring ceilings with exposed brickwork and rafting and even has a rooftop gym and cafe. And while there's luxury copper finishes, Jardan sofas and premium kilim rugs from Pakistan, the appeal of the place is less tangible in its nature. It's both the vibe and history of the surrounding community that make Paramount House Hotel special. Paramount House Hotel is located at 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Make a reservation here. UNITED PLACES, MELBOURNE Positioned opposite the Royal Botanical Gardens, United Places' remit was to create a home away from home. And its success is immediately apparent, with the outside greenery extending into the 12 luxury suites, creating a space that you'll never want to leave. Each offers hardwood floors and polished kitchens, while terraces with sweeping city and parkland views round out the cosy living spaces. While you're there, you'll get to have a taste of Melbourne chef Scott Pickett's latest restaurant, Matilda. Pickett's contemporary Australian cuisine is produced entirely over open flames and hot coals — and you won't have to leave your room to enjoy it, with the high-end meals delivered directly to your suite. Dining at the restaurant is an experience in itself though, so we'd recommend heading in one night, too. United Places is located at 157-159 Domain Road, South Yarra. Make a reservation here. THE COLLECTIONIST, SYDNEY From rooms inspired by wine vintages to rooms that a spy might book for the night, Camperdown's The Collectionist is set on offering patrons something different. The place has a rather unique approach, in that it lets you pick which one of its 39 rooms you want to spend the night in when you check in. Billed as a 'choose-your-own-adventure' hotel, it's meant to be a highly individualised experience, with patrons touring the rooms and getting their access code via SMS. The hotel has collaborated with seven designers and 13 artists to create the innovative experience and each space features its own distinctive colours, textures and mood. While there's no restaurant on-site, the lobby hosts daily social drinks from 4–8pm. The Collectionist Hotel is located at 9–13 Marsden Street, Camperdown. Make a reservation here. OVOLO INCHCOLM, BRISBANE If you're the type who appreciates a bit of old-world glamour, then Brisbane's new Ovolo Inchcolm is the hotel for you. A former residence and medical centre, the 1930s building has been returned to its roots — albeit with a distinctly modern twist — presenting a charming art deco fit-out. But the hotel doesn't get lost in the past in every aspect. The addition of Salon de Co, a sprawling bar and restaurant, serves up modern rhubarb martinis or goji berry and vodka combos. Meanwhile, chef Anthony Hales' menu adds a bit of mystique with a sparse list of ingredients to keep diners guessing. The rooms, suites and a split-level loft dial back the theme a touch, but with a free minibar, and bookshelves loaded with timeless novels, you might find yourself dreaming of a simpler time. Ovolo Inchcolm is located at 73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill. Make a reservation here. WILLIAM INGLIS HOTEL, SYDNEY Named after Australia's renowned thoroughbred company, William Inglis and Sons, Western Sydney's latest hotel is a sure thing if you're after a mini Sydney staycation. As part of the Sofitel's MGallery collection of boutique hotels, the William Inglis Hotel's centrepiece is its fresh rooftop bar boasting a pool and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Warwick Farm. Once you've built up an appetite, head downstairs to the Newmarket Room, a paddock-to-plate restaurant led by chef Sercan Kesici. Whisky fans will be at home here, too — the mezzanine's 1867 Lounge serves high-end cocktails and boutique wines. William Inglis Hotel is located at 155 Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm. Make a reservation here. MITCHELTON HOTEL, NAGAMBIE Set in the scenic Goulburn Valley wine region in Victoria, this recently opened accommodation is as good as the on-site winery. Featuring a palette of moody, rural tones designed by acclaimed architectural practice Hecker Guthrie, the Mitchelton is a wine lover's dream escape. Chef Daniel Hawkins (POW Kitchen, Newmarket Hotel, Stokehouse) helms restaurant The Muse, which serves ethically farmed produce found throughout the Nagambie Lakes district. Boutique chocolate producers The Ministry of Chocolate run the decadent café, while Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art displays works from 15 Indigenous communities from across Australia. If you're lucky enough to stay here, you'll get a full selection of Mitchelton Wines as soon as you step inside the door. Mitchelton Hotel is located at 470 Mitchellstown Road, Nagambie. Make a reservation here. FELIX HOTEL, SYDNEY Airport accommodations are normally pretty drab, but the lively Felix Hotel is bucking this trend with a truly first class stay. Inspired by the 1960s Golden Age of air travel — that is, before budget airlines made you pay for water — the seamless experience starts from the get-go with guests heading straight to the top-level penthouse to check-in. From here, overlooking the runway, guests can enjoy the rooftop cinema, a 24-hour general store and a colourful cocktail bar that'll undoubtedly be a departure from the monotonous airport hotels that you've grown accustomed to. Felix Hotel is located at 121 Baxter Road, Mascot. Make a reservation at here. THE BYRON AT BYRON, BYRON BAY While The Byron at Byron may not exactly be new, this year's massive revamp makes it worthy of a place on this list. Having shut up shop for six weeks to undergo the renovations, renowned interior designer practice Luchetti Krelle — and executive chef Matthew Kemp — led the extensive face-lift of the restaurant, bar and accommodations. Working closely with a range of local artists, the enhancements manifest themselves quickly. There's a fancy copper island bar and a verandah that blends into the lush surrounding forest. Kemp's restaurant serves seasonal cuisine with Asian, modern Australian and European flourishes, while the rooms and suites are warmly furnished making for a homey resort stay. The Byron is located at Byron at 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay. Make a reservation here. WEST HOTEL, SYDNEY It's hard to ignore the West Hotel's 'Chanel handbag' façade, which according to designers Fitzpatrick + partner, was the visual representation of the hotel's entire space and vibe. Set on the Darling Harbour waterfront, the 182 designer rooms feature bold furnishings aimed at judicious travellers who seek out luxury. With botanical motifs abound, there's also an openair atrium serving as an oasis from the busy city streets below. The restaurant, Solander Dining, embraces sustainable seasonal produce from across New South Wales, while the accompanying bar is the perfect spot to enjoy some boutique drops while seated at a mesmerising emerald-green terrazzo marble counter. West Hotel is located at 65 Sussex Street, Sydney. Make a reservation here. And there are more where those came from, too. Melbourne is set to score a new luxury Jackalope Hotel on Flinders Lane, a new Art Series hotel will open at Brisbane's new Howard Smith Wharves precinct, and W Hotels will be opening hotels in both Sydney and Melbourne in 2020.
One of the most significant works in the new Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei exhibition will be staying in Melbourne permanently. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday night, Ai donated the major installation Letgo Room to the National Gallery of Victoria. Made from more than two million Lego-like bricks, the piece pays tribute to Australian human rights activists who have become symbols for a broader movement – much like the artist himself. Constructed by a team of nearly 100 local volunteers and artists on directions from Ai, Letgo Room features portraits of 20 Australian activists who have fought for justice and equality on issues including asylum seekers, women's rights, social welfare and freedom of information. Among those depicted in the work are family violence campaigner Rose Batty, barrister Julian Burnside, indigenous activist Dr Gary Foley, journalist Peter Greste, transgender icon norrie mAy-welby and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who Ai met in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London earlier this year. A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Sep 16, 2015 at 10:10am PDT The Letgo Room received considerable media attention ahead of its construction after Lego refused Ai's bulk order of bricks on the grounds that Lego "cannot approve the use of Legos for political works." Many saw the refusal as being itself political, with the artist pointing out that the company had just inked a deal to open a Legoland in Shanghai. The decision sparked outrage on social media, while many galleries and museums around the world set up Lego donation points, where art lovers could drop off their excess bricks for use in Ai's art. Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei at the NGV is now open to the public.
Warehouse parties are great. Secret Mexican holiday-inspired, neon-drenched, immersive warehouse experiences are even better. Curated by a group of Mexican visionaries and artists, Day of the Dead 3.1. promises to be one heck of a Burning Man-channeling spectacle you'll want to lock down tickets for — on sale this Saturday, August 15 at 12.30pm. And with the demand already high, this event is expected to sell out within hours, so your crew had better be ready. For hundreds of years, El Dia de los Muertos has been one of the biggest parties in Mexico honouring the dead. The 4000 year-old tradition's history can be traced back to Mexico's indigenous beliefs of the afterlife — that death is only the beginning. Now it's Australia's turn to delve into the underworld, as The Day of the Dead finds its way to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this spring, in secret locations within each city. Expect interactive art installations, light projections, extravagant costumes, murals created by renowned street artists and an exclusive lineup of local and international DJs and musicians — including one big ol' festival favourite headliner. The lineup will be released closer to the day, so stay tuned. Pop-ups by a handpicked bunch of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's go-to local Mexican eateries, like Playa Takeria, have been selected to create Dia de los Muertos menus. Plus, there'll be Mexican cervezas and tequila/mezcal cocktails to provide you with enough sustenance to dance the night away. With instructions being sent to ticket holders just one week before the event, this is secret warehouse party business at it's best. Each city's locations are more closely guarded than an abuela's special mole sauce ingredient and will only be released one day before the party. Get ready to nab a ticket and start preparing your best Dia de los Muertos outfit. Day of the Dead will visit Sydney on October 24, then Melbourne on October 31 before ending in Brisbane on November 7. Tickets are $75 and go on sale here on Saturday 15 August at 12.30pm and are expected to sell out super fast. Don't stall on this one, it'll be the death of you.
For those of you who don’t know/have more important things to worry about, the Pirelli calendar is a yearly project by the Pirelli Tyre company that collates sexualised photos of the world’s 'hottest' models (shot by the world’s 'hottest' — read: mostly male — photographers) into a calendar, so that you can feel strange arousal every time you glance at your schedule for the month. This year however, they’ve taken a different tact and we don’t think it’s too much to burl yasssss queen! from every balcony we can find. The 2016 calendar features figures from the other 99.99% of the population that aren’t supermodels but are damned fine, including Amy Schumer (patron saint of the everywoman), Serena Williams, Patti Smith, Tavi Gevinson and Fran Leibovitz among others — and yes, they could choose to be clothed (what a world we live in). The portraits have been making headlines not just for the obvious departure from Pirelli calendar tradition but because the images themselves, shot by none other than Annie Leibovitz, are powerful and refreshing in a mediascape of so often saturated in airbrushed Kardashians. Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitz pic.twitter.com/kc0rIDvHVi — Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) November 30, 2015 Amy Schumer is grabbing headlines for her choice to get raw and nekkid. Schumer posted her images to Twitter with the caption “Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman.” The general Internet consensus has been one of frenzied, supportive agreement. Serena Williams also opted to go nude, probably to show off the fact she could break your neck (and heart) with her general power. Other women featured include Yoko Ono, film mogul Kathleen Kennedy, Melody Hobson, Yao Chen, Agnes Gund and Sadie Rain Hope-Gund, artist Shirin Neshat, director Ava DuVernay and Natalia Vodianova. Pirelli has been applauded for celebrating ‘real’ women this year, but corporeal semantics aside, the overwhelming response to the calendar has been positive: a joyful celebration of women of all ages, races, religions and professions and we simply cannot wait to get out hands on one. Via SMH.
Common wisdom tells us that, if you really want to innovate, you need to think outside the box. But it turns out thinking inside the box can sometimes be just as effective. Case in point: Freight Farms, a shipping container farm company aiming to revolutionise urban agriculture. It's the brainchild of owners Jon Friedman and Brad McNamara, and the result of some out-of-the-figurative-box, inside-the-literal-box thinking. As the name suggests, the American company specialises in sustainable farm systems built inside portable shipping containers. The so-called Leafy Green Machines (LGMs) are outfitted with LED lighting that replicates sunlight, a drip irrigation system that uses just ten gallons of water a day, and sensors that balance temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. Crops such as lettuce and kale are grown in vertical towers to avoid wasted space and ensure the maximum possible yield. "Freight Farms is just a much more efficient use of land," Friedman told The Huffington Post. "You're talking about growing vertically in a very condensed footprint." Apparently, the farms can yield the equivalent of two acres of conventional farmland. "The cost to get a farm right now is right around $80,000" says McNamara. "But the operating cost is going to be under $20,000 a year. We have farmers who are clearing revenue anywhere from $60,000 a year growing certain crop, all the way to $90,000 and above." And according to the pair, the farms don't require a great deal of expertise or in-depth training to run. "We focused a lot on creating a platform that people can use with only motivation — not requiring advanced degrees or advanced schooling or long training." Anyone up for growing their own kale? Freight Farms Allow You To Grow Food AnywhereThis portable vegetable garden's growing inside a 320-square-foot shipping container that can yield as much as two acres of farmland. Posted by The Huffington Post on Friday, January 8, 2016 Via The Huffington Post.
Merry Christmas, music lovers! Radiohead have gone and dropped a brand new track in time for the holidays, and we don't mind saying that it's pretty damn spectacular. Turns out that Thom Yorke and his bandmates were commissioned to write the theme song for the recently released James Bond movie, although for some baffling reason the producers didn't end up using it. But the group finished the song anyway, and released it via SoundCloud overnight. So, without further adieu... First impressions? This is definitely how we'd expect a James Bond tune by Radiohead to sound. Which is to say that it won't be for everybody, although personally we like it a hell of a lot more than Sam Smith's eventual effort. The existence of this track, which shares a name with the movie, isn't entirely surprising. Rumours that Radiohead would be composing the Spectre tune circulated on the internet for months prior to the film's release, before it was eventually revealed that Smith had been tapped instead. As it happens, Radiohead were approached, but according to York "it didn't work out." Last year we were asked to write a tune for Bond movie Spectre. Yes we were ........... — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 ... It didn't work out ... but became something of our own which we love very much .... — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 .. As the year closes we thought you might like to hear it. Merry Christmas. May the force be with you ... https://t.co/BXN8MQKJyQ — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 Bit weird that he finished that tweet with a Star Wars reference, isn't it? Unless...wait a minute...could Radiohead be working on a track for Episode VIII? You heard it here first people. Let the rampant speculation begin.
The National Gallery of Victoria is wrapping up this wild year in style, hosting the blockbuster second edition of its much-hyped NGV Triennial. Taking over the gallery from Saturday, December 19, the exhibition looks set to be the biggest art event to hit the city in three years, featuring works from over 100 artists, representing 30 different countries. Among them, you can expect a diverse response to this year's themes of illumination, reflection, conservation and speculation. With a lineup like this — and many months of missed art appreciation to make up for — it's hard to know where to even start. You'll wander through the halls and discover a large-scale, neck-tilting celebration of light and movement; a layered, shimmering sphere of used lenses; and even a giant octopus crafted from hand-felted cigarette butts; and a life-size, mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture based on an 18th-century porcelain figurine. The exhibition is huge, we've offered up a sneak peek here, but, if you'd like to delve deeper, we've also pulled out five must-see artworks over here. Start plotting your art gallery debut now. The NGV Triennial 2020 will be on show at NGV International from Saturday, December 19 until Sunday, April 18, 2021. For more info and to see the full program, visit the NGV website.
In a piece of news we're filing under 'how is this just happening now?', New York City is getting ready to host its first ever Donut Fest. Taking over Verboten, a music venue and bar in the heart of Williamsburg, the festival will see the finest bakers in the city gather for a day of deep-fried, sugar-glazed, sprinkle-coated goodness. It's all set to go down on Saturday January 23... giving you just over two weeks to sort out a plane ticket. Vendors in the lineup include The Doughnut Project, whose far out flavours include pineapple with habenero and salted chocolate with buttered pretzel; Erin McKenna's Bakery, whose doughnuts are egg, dairy and gluten free; and Dun-Well Doughnuts, who boast a range of more than 200 flavours including Peach Cobbler, Raspberry Pistachio and Pina Colada. A number of New York's specialty coffee outfits, including Cafe Grumpy and Brooklyn Coffee Roasters, will also be on hand for dunking purposes. Now that's all very well and good, but technically speaking Melbourne actually beat NYC to the punch with Day of the Donut in June last year. Classic New York... always two steps behind. Each vendor at Donut Fest 2016 will submit their favourite creation to compete for the title of New York's Best Donut. All entry fees will be donated to Food Bank for New York City, an organisation that helps combat food poverty in the five boroughs. Via The Gothamist. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Breakups are usually associated with loss (and copious amounts of wine and Meg Ryan). But they can be profitable, too. And we’re not talking about ‘whatever-doesn’t-kill-you-makes-you-stronger’, new age, Facebook-meme kind of profit. We’re talking about cold, hard cash. Well, that’s the idea behind a brand new service called Never Liked It Anyway, anyway. Dubbed ‘eBay for breakups’, it’s a platform that lets you sell everything that reminds you of your ex – without feeling bad, guilty or ashamed about it. The range of products on sale is mind-boggling, maybe even slightly unsettling. There are wedding dresses, engagement rings, mink shawls and even a bracelet with a coin from 35 B.C — all relics of past love ready for new owners. Because, out of sight, out of mind, right? It’s tough to forget your ex when your home is littered with his/her gifts. And, why burn them on a bonfire when you can turn them into your next shopping spree or dinner out or (depending on your ex’s generosity levels) holiday? Rather than just being any old online shopping platform, Never Liked It Anyway sees its job as bringing relief to the broken-hearted. “We started [it] to make moving on easier. It’s a place to shed the stories and the stuff,” founder Bella Acton told The Atlantic. Not only can you buy and sell on the site, you can tell your story, read the site's highly useful blog for tips on moving on, and read other tales of heartbreak. The site isn't just about making cash money out of closing a chapter, it's about looking forward to the next. The nicest bit of the whole site? The 'Break-Up Services' section, where you can procure a a 'Bounce Back Stack' (50 cards of warm fuzzies and advice to help mend your broken heart) or a 'Bounce Back Box' filled to the brim with things meant to 'get you back to fabulous': lip gloss, nail polish and a whole host of treat yourself goodies. Via Refinery29. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
We've all been there: you're interested in a movie, check Rotten Tomatoes to see what the critics thought, and disagree with the consensus. That's exactly what Suicide Squad fans are going through at the moment. Unhappy at the far-from-positive word the comic book adaptation has been receiving (especially on the popular online review aggregator), these fans don't just want to get on a soapbox — they want to shut down the whole site. In fact, Suicide Squad defender Abdullah Coldwater was so angry that took to Change.org to mobilise his fellow aficionados. Yes, really. At the time of writing, that petition had 17,614 signatures protesting against the site, motivated by the film's paltry 31 percent Tomatometer rating and the large number of negative reviews. Anyone who has caught a glimpse of similar backlash in recent times — take, for example, the huge response when reviewers dared to like the female-focused take on Ghostbusters — won't be surprised, because this type of behaviour is becoming all-too-familiar. A highly anticipated movie comes out, critics reveal their thoughts, and the online masses react. The next big title comes out, and the cycle repeats. But there's excitement about an upcoming movie, and then there's this. We see it all the time. Just read the Facebook comments on Concrete Playground's own take on Suicide Squad — many readers voiced their displeasure at our negative review, which is how it should be. Our critic didn't love, or even like, or find much of merit in the film. Scrolling through the responses provides just a glimpse of the general social media outrage swirling around the David Ayer-directed, Margot Robbie, Will Smith and Jared Leto-starring entry in the DC Comics movie. Sure, this might just be a storm in a teacup. But the worrying part of this move isn't just the instantly-attacking mindset of fans upset that someone — or more than a few someones — doesn't think the flick they've been counting down the days to watch isn't the best film ever made. Agreeing to disagree doesn't always happen on the internet, we know, but there's also the matter of timing. Given that Suicide Squad didn't start releasing around the world until today, most of those in the distressed camp — like Coldwater — haven't seen the film yet. Coldwater has since changed his tune, with the last post on the petition page noting that it was supposed to be "just for fun". After grabbing plenty of headlines with his action — something that he calls a victory in an earlier post — he has now deemed it pointless. "The only thing that it does is spreading a speech of hate and online fighting among the supporters and objectors," he writes. He's right.
One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks — whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a day out, heading to the pub after a long day of work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for having friends over. When you have friends this summer, heed our advice and take it to the next level by implementing a killer theme. We've spoken to a few of our favourite chefs, musicians and artists, to get their insights on creating the perfect balmy afternoon. On this adventure we've spoken to Luke Lucas — uber talented, Sydney based typographer, creative director and co-creator of the now defunct Lifelounge magazine (may it rest in peace). Each issue of Lifelounge was themed, so we thought Luke was the perfect person to ask for some tips. Read these, and get creative the next time you have friends over. THEME COMES FIRST, IDEAS COME SECOND The first step in throwing a next-level summer party is choosing the theme. No exceptions. You'll probably have a million ideas, but they'll most likely be unrelated to each other. Having a theme is a great way to bring everything together in a cohesive format. You could be really into the idea of having a pinata in your backyard. Once you've decided that your party is going to be all about food, you can make it into the shape of a burger. "Coming up with the theme was the very first process we went through for each edition of the magazine," says Luke. "I think if you try to retrofit content to suit a theme then it can feel a little contrived or forced so for us the theme had to come first. For the most part curating content or designing within the bounds of a them gives you the ability to connect concepts and ideas that don't naturally go together but when presented within the theme are perfect partners. It can be lot of fun." IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING, CHANCES ARE OTHERS WON'T EITHER Everything in Lifelounge made it in because it was something Luke liked — not what he thought other people would like. "We were mostly creating the magazine for ourselves," he says. "It was a way of expressing thoughts and ideas about things we were passionate about. There wasn't a great deal of thought put into how appealing it might be to others." When you're thinking of a party theme, make sure it's something you're into. Don't go for a double denim theme just because you know your friends will like it. Pick something your passionated about — that could be a 90s theme. You're much more likely to get people hyped up. "I think if you are passionate about something then the way you present that passion is naturally infectious," Luke says wisely. DON'T COPY YOUR FRIENDS Trying to one-up your mates with a better 90s party than they threw last year isn't going to work. You won't be able to do anything new, and everyone's costumes or activities will most likely be the same as last year. Instead, use last year's raging party for inspiration. If they did 90s, shy away from decades and try for something else – a clothing related double denim theme for example. As Luke says, "there needs to be enough of a point of difference between themes so we can create unique content and design treatments for each edition." WHERE TO GET YOUR INSPIRATION "We're influenced by everything we see, hear, touch and experience. Inspiration can come from any combination of those sources but for me it rarely presents itself if I'm searching too hard for it. Ideas present themselves when my mind is clear or I'm doing some kind of activity that involves little thought — like taking a shower or waiting in between sets in the surf." In the words of Mad Men's Don Draper, "think about it deeply, then forget it. An idea will jump up in your face." Enjoy your summer afternoons with the new low-carb Heineken 3 — we're helping you make the most of them. Images: Luke Lucas.
It's the news Australian film and television fans have been dreading ever since they signed for a geododging service and a Netflix account. The streaming media behemoth might've taken your cash and looked the other way for years — even when they launched here in 2015 — but now that they're operating in 190 countries around the globe, it seems like they're gearing up to stop users accessing overseas libraries. In a post that appeared on the Netflix blog overnight, Vice President of Content Delivery Architecture David Fullagar advised, "Those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are." Exactly how they'll shut out everyone using VPNs, proxy servers and smart DNS services hasn't been disclosed, though the statement does mention that "technology continues to evolve and we are evolving with it." So, if your account is almost permanently logged into the US service, your viewing options could be about to take a bit of hit. While Netflix-produced fare like House of Cards, Master of None, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, BoJack Horseman, Jessica Jones, Making a Murderer and A Very Murray Christmas are available everywhere, the American library currently has almost three times the number of titles than its Australian counterpart. Plus, plenty of content varies between the two; local comedy is quite popular on the Aussie version — or Netflix sure hopes it will be, seeing that their library is packed with it — for example. If you're a bit puzzled by this turn of events, particularly given that Netflix only recently trumpeted their plans to make sure everyone who subscribes to the service can access the same content regardless of the country they're in, that's understandable. They haven't really changed their tune — it's safe to assume that they're working towards that goal, which involves complex rights negotiations in each territory, by first locking down any loopholes that currently allow customers to circumvent geographic restrictions. Of course, just what will eventuate in the long- and short-term is anyone's guess, because Netflix has promised to stamp out geododgers before and then promptly done nothing about it. All Aussie customers can really do for now is watch this space — and maybe start thinking about signing up to Stan or Presto. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
From the owners of Melbourne's most beloved Greek restaurant, Stalactites, Hella Good is the takeaway souvlaki joint of your dreams. With three locations across Melbourne that are always busy, we can only hope they keep expanding — as it really is hella good. The menu is as long as your arm, so we can't go through it all, but the reason you've clicked on this is because of souvlaki, so let's start there. Rolled in warm pita bread and stuffed full of lettuce, onion, tomato and homemade tzatziki sauce, the souvlakis make the perfect lunch or dinner. Options include the Kotter with marinated boneless chicken, fresh from the spit; the Terry with a veggie and feta fritter, tomato, onion and cucumber; the Harvey with boneless chicken and marinated lamb (our pick); the Arnie, with just lamb; and finally its vegan option with a veggie fritter and homemade hummus. They're all amazing and if you're not vegetarian you will still love the veggie options. Elsewhere on the menu are mains, including snack packs with chicken and lamb gyros, hope chips and pita bread, as well as naked souvlakis with both meats, topped with lettuce, carrot, cucumber, tomato, onion, feta, olives and homemade tzatziki. Hungry yet? Snacks and sides include spanakopitas with baked spinach, feta and herbs in a crispy pastry, and the fritters or hot chips on their own. If you're after something sweet to cap off your Greek odyssey, try the baklava finger pack with walnuts and honey or the rice pudding which is dusted off with cinnamon. Hella Good also offers a catering service, slinging truckloads of souvlakis at offices and parties across the city.
Convincing people to eat their daily dose of fruit is about to get a whole lot easier. In the single greatest agricultural triumph since Nick Offerman opened that pizza farm back in July, Australian supermarkets will soon be stocking fairy floss flavoured grapes. And who said you can't improve on nature? Officially trademarked as Cotton Candy Grapes, the variety was developed by Californian grape growers Grapery, who created it accidentally while cross-pollinating different breeds. The result is an extra sweet grape that reportedly tastes uncannily like everyone's favourite school fete treat — although Grapery CEO Jim Beagle assured The Huffington Post that they have "basically the same nutritional content as almost any grapes in the grocery store." Cotton candy grapes please never go away.???? I may or may not buy 2 bags at a time whenever I see them at the store.? #tiumeals #tiuteam #fitforfall #charitychallenge @toneitup #cottoncandygrapes A photo posted by Lyndsay (@lyndsayruns) on Sep 14, 2015 at 1:32pm PDT Unsurprisingly, the grapes have proven a major hit in the United States, blowing up on social media and warranting mentions on both The Today Show and Good Morning America. If that wasn't enough, they've also been given the official Ryan Seacreast seal of approval — a sure-fire sign of quality if ever there was one. Cotton candy flavored grapes exist. There is hope http://t.co/qVUXXy3GjJ — Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) August 9, 2013 Australia, meanwhile, will be getting its first taste of these little miracles come February next year, after Grape Co. Australia secured the license from Grapery to grow and sell the variety down under. Of course, the question on everyone's lips is whether or not you can turn them into fairy floss flavoured goon. Because that would be a gamechanger. Cloudy? Worry not, there's candy cotton grape gelato. I mean, cotton. candy. Grape. Cotton candy grape! (one of those silly saturday today, definitely :D ) A photo posted by Rebecca M (@reblondonfridge) on Sep 12, 2015 at 4:10am PDT Via Good Food and The Huffington Post. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
UPDATE, February 5, 2021: Thor: Ragnarok is available to stream via Disney+, iTunes and Amazon Video. How many clues did you need before you knew that this one was going to be different? The choice of director alone ought to have gotten you most of the way there. New Zealand's Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows) doesn't do conventional. Then there was the trailer: a neon-infused, synth-rock-pumping Flash Gordon throwback that favoured humour over action. As it happens, so does the film – and it's a delight from the first frame to the last. Thor: Ragnarok is the third picture to focus on the eponymous God of Thunder, and the 17th in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe. Led by Australia's Chris Hemsworth, it also stars Cate Blanchett as the Goddess of Death, Tom Hiddleston as the God of Mischief and Jeff Goldblum as the Oh My God He's Just Fabulous. Mark Ruffalo also returns as The Hulk, having not been seen since The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Rounding out the cast are franchise regulars Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins in small but affecting roles. With Waititi at the helm, Ragnarok has a distinctly casual, cheeky and irreverent feel compared to Marvel's previous offerings, as well as a noticeable 80s aesthetic in both its style and soundtrack. It's a genuine breath of fresh air in a franchise within a franchise, and something that the MCU sorely needed. Waititi is obviously known for his sense of humour, yet what truly distinguishes him as a filmmaker is a pronounced absence of cynicism. No matter the theme or story (Wilderpeople dealt with some tragic issues amidst all the chaos), the overwhelming sensation upon leaving a Waititi movie is optimism. For Marvel, whose movies have grown darker as they hurtle towards the up and coming Infinity War, the contrast is as noticeable as it is necessary. Like a Roger Moore Bond film, Ragnarok still has its action and moments of gravity, but above all else it's fun. You can see it in the performances. Hemsworth's obvious comedic abilities – which were also on display in Paul Feig's Ghostbusters reboot – are given ample room to breathe in Ragnarok right from the opening scene. A significant portion of the film's dialogue was reportedly improvised, resulting in a free-flowing and naturalistic feel that also serves to accentuate the fractious relationships between the various lead characters – most notably Thor, Loki and Hulk. Then there's franchise newcomer Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie. Most recently seen in HBO's Westworld, Thompson proves a genuine scene stealer, which is no small accomplishment given hers is an almost exclusively human performance in a movie jam-packed with special effects and CGI-characters. Through Valkyrie we see Marvel's ability to create lethal, confident, independent, wise-cracking female heroes who are every bit as capable (if not more-so) than their male counterparts. There are shortcomings, of course. For all its strengths, Ragnarok is not a perfect film. Blanchett and Elba are both seriously under-utilised, Hopkins comes face to face with some bewilderingly bad special effects, and Karl Urban's character has a clunky pro-gun schtick that feels entirely out of place with the rest of the film. The humour is refreshing, but comedy is not every actor's greatest strength, and at times Ragnarok feels too heavily skewed towards laughs when instead the scene calls for something a little meatier. Still, what Waititi and his team have crafted here is a remarkable reimagining of the MCU, one that is at once respectful of its place in the world, but still self-aware enough to never take itself too seriously. It's a big movie that somehow still feels small and intimate, and a near-perfect example of a blockbuster done right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue80QwXMRHg
This spring, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will host an extensive retrospective by renowned South African photographer David Goldblatt, as part of the Sydney International Series. Running from October 19 until March 2019, David Goldblatt: Photographs 1948–2018 will dive deep into the life and work of one of recent history's most legendary photographers, covering a career of more than sixty years. Goldblatt is best known for his portrayal of South Africa's tumultuous history, especially surrounding apartheid. As the photographer's first major retrospective in the southern hemisphere, the exhibition will feature Goldblatt's most famous photo series, along with early vintage prints, never-before-seen footage from his personal collection and a new feature-length documentary. As MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE explained, "visitors will discover an extraordinary artist whose documentary eye has not strayed from the complexities of his country of birth, but resonates with other global histories (including Australia's own) through narratives of race and racism, and industry and the land." The Sydney-exclusive exhibition is the first major retrospective of Goldblatt's work in the southern hemisphere. The exhibition was also the Goldblatt's final project before his death earlier this year. Images: David Goldblatt, A plot-holder, his wife and their eldest son at lunch, Wheatlands, Randfontein. September 1962 (3_4907), 1962. Image courtesy the artist and Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg © the artist; David Goldblatt, Shop assistant, Orlando West, 1972. Image courtesy Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town © The David Goldblatt Legacy Trust.
Ring in the Year of the Monkey sipping on whisky cocktails at a custom-built pop-up bar. Presented, appropriately, by Monkey Shoulder whisky in partnership with the City of Sydney, the bar will be open for the entire run of Sydney's Chinese New Year Festival, from February 6-21. To celebrate, we're giving away a sweet Sydney trip, so you can get up to a little monkey business of your own. Valued at $1000, this killer giveaway includes two return flights to Sydney from anywhere in Australia, two nights free accommodation, transport, and entry into the Monkey Shoulder Whisky Bar. Not too shabby, if we do say so ourselves. While in Sydney you can check out the Chinese New Year festivities, including talks, tours, exhibitions, installations, performances and one-off events. Assuming you can drag yourself away from the bar, that is. The Monkey Shoulder Whisky Bar will pop-up in Martin Place from February 6-14, before hightailing it over to World Square from February 15-21. Beverages on offer will include the Monkey's Mojito, the Monkey old-fashioned and a spin on the Pina Colada named Jungle Juice. Visitors to the bar will also receive a fortune cookie, which will hopefully predict good tidings for the year ahead. Thanks to Monkey Shoulder, we have one sweet, sweet trip for two to Sydney from anywhere in Australia up for grabs. The prize includes two return flights to Sydney from anywhere in Australia, two nights free accommodation, transport, and entry into the Monkey Shoulder Whisky Bar (value $1000). To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Good luck, whiskey fiends. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Public transport could be about to get a whole lot more delightful thanks to pioneering auto company Local Motors. After last year unveiling the world's first fully functioning 3D-printed car, the US-based startup has continued to innovate, and this week introduced the world to a self-driving bus named Olli. Rolling out across Washington D.C., the electric shuttle can transport up to 12 passengers at one time, and is capable of travelling at speeds of around 20km/h. Also, it's ridiculously cute. The autonomous, 3D-printed vehicles can be summoned by D.C. commuters using a mobile app. Moreover, thanks to IBM's AI Watson technology, they're also capable of understanding voice commands. So basically it's like Uber, except your driver is a computer. If your first thought after reading that sentence was to freak out over an inevitable Terminator-style robot uprising, don't worry. Although Olli drives itself – and is capable of making decisions much faster than human drivers – all vehicles are monitored by real people at all times. Y'know, just in case. Assuming things go well in Washington, Local Motors are hoping to bring fleets to Las Vegas and Miami by the end of the year. They've also outlined a number of other potential uses for Olli...which you can hear about, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymz4SYVr_EE Via Quartz.
Southbank's busy bar scene just got a little more crowded. Opening this week in the Southgate precinct, Waterslide Bar has put together a first-class selection of boozy beverages. Just don’t get your hopes up: despite the name, they don't actually have a waterslide. Or at least they haven't for about 100 years. As it happens, the name Waterslide is actually a hat-tip to Melbourne's early twentieth century history. Long before Southgate and Crown Casino, the south of the Yarra was home to an outdoor amusement park, complete with toboggan rides, a Japanese teahouse and a yes, a waterslide. Unfortunately the park only lasted a few years — turns out Melbourne's winter weather wasn't any better back in the day. Lack of aquatic fun times notwithstanding, Waterslide Bar does look pretty promising. Bar manager Tim Wastell (previously of The Blue Diamond in the CBD, The Saint in St Kilda and Rockpool Bar in Perth) has teamed up with Fred Siggins (Black Pearl in Fitzroy) on a historically themed cocktail menu. The Grace Kelly (gin, fresh pressed pear juice, Earl Grey, honey, cinnamon syrup and dehydrated apple) pays tribute to Hollywood's quintessential leading lady, while The Cure (vodka, blueberry, balsamic syrup and ginger) promises to relieve all common afflictions "including dolefulness, scurvy and turgidity." The food menu, while not quite as well-stocked, still offers plenty of great choices, including twice-cooked pork belly skewers with plum sauce, mini soft shell crab po'boys with zucchini pickles, and Mediterranean style pickled and marinated octopus with feta. Waterslide Bar can be found in Shop MR3 Mid Level East End in the Southgate Centre, Southbank. They're open 4pm – 2am, seven days a week.
If you think beer is for men only, think again (and FFS welcome to 2015). But the brewing industry itself, that's pretty damn male-dominated. So you should really meet Pink Boots Society. Founded in 2008 by the award-winning craft brewer Teri Fahrendorf, the Portland based not-for-profit supports women in the beer industry through education. Self-proclaimed as the industry's "female movers and shakers", Pink Boots members aren't only brewers but also writers, hospitality staff, designers, and owners of craft beer bars, bottle shops and restaurants. Fahredndorf has 25 years in the industry under her belt and is committed to empowering women who are just starting out in beer world, with donations, sponsorships, fundraisers and seminars. While many of the chapters are based in the States, its 2472 members span the globe, and it's no surprise that the Australian chapter president, Jayne Lewis, is also the co-founder of Australia's first female owned and operated brewery, Two Birds Brewing. Along with business partner Danielle Allen, the duo are paving the way for Australian women in brewing both with their own brewery and with their involvement in Pink Boots Society Australia. TWO BIRDS WALK INTO A BREWERY Allen and Lewis met 16 years ago in Perth. "Jayne's passion for brewing and her excitement around the beers she wants to brew got me onboard, " says Allen. Lewis is an incredibly innovative brewer, with 12 years in the industry and a flare for making creative, accessible brews. The flagship Golden Ale and the Sunset Ale were both gold medal winners at this year's Craft Beer Awards, with the Sunset Ale also winning the title for Best Beer in the 2015 Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival. While Two Birds continues to rake in awards for their core beers, the 'bird' behind the operation know the importance of giving back. In 2015, they brewed a Red Ale for International Women's Day and the Neneh Cherry Saison for SCBW; this beer won Champion French/Belgian Ale at the Craft Beer Awards, and the profits for both beers were used for the Pink Boots scholarship fund which awards a grant for aspiring women in the industry. In November, Two Birds also kicked off a few Sydney events, including donating a keg of their Taco Ale to Lord Raglan and joining the Broads Who Brew night of Dove and Olive's Craft Beer Fight Club. The proceeds for both will also go directly to the Pink Boots' scholarship fund, with more donation events planned for 2016. THESE PINK BOOTS WERE MADE FOR BREWIN' As Allen describes, Pink Boots "is set up to empower women beer workers and their confidence in the beer industry." Lewis and Allen proudly encourage women in brewing, setting their own brewery as an example for other women in the industry. There are quite a few recognisable names in the Australian chapter, including the women involved with the Rocks Brewing and Wayward Brewing Company. The best part? You don't need to be a member to benefit from these scholarships, which include beer-focused courses and workshops. The final scholarship offered for 2015 is the Oregon State University Craft Brewery Start-up Workshop, for women who are planning to open a brewery. Pink Boots has a bucketload of ways for you to get involved, from volunteer work and networking, to sponsorships and scholarships. Check out their website for more information.
The National Gallery of Victoria's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei double bill is the exhibition to lock in this summer. A show dedicated to just one of these artists would be a blockbuster in its own right, but the two of them together side by side, will undoubtedly see this international exhibition reach epic proportions. Max Delany, senior curator of contemporary art at the NGV, sees the exhibition as a great opportunity to explore the work of two artists from two very different times. “It is an opportunity to present one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century — the century of modernity and what is often referred to as 'The American Century' — alongside one of the most significant artists living today, an artist from what is often said to be the 'Chinese Century' to come," Delany says. "It's actually a very interesting opportunity to consider the role of both artists and art of their time." The exhibition will draw out some of the untapped connections between these two artists. For instance, both artists have transformed the concept of the artist's studio, building highly interdisciplinary spaces. Both have radically reconsidered notions of artistic value, turning against the prevailing aesthetic trends of their time. And both are highly attuned to new modes of communication; Weiwei uses virtual networking and the internet to produce his work, while Warhol might be thought of as a social media artist working before his time. In the midst of a busy installation period, Delany took some time to speak about his five favourite works featured in the exhibition — five you should make no mistake to miss when the exhibition opens this Friday, December 11 in Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_551750" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ai WeiweiChinese 1957–Forever Bicycles, 2011, installation view at Taipei Fine Arts MuseumImage courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio© Ai Weiwei[/caption] 1. AI WEIWEI — FOREVER BICYCLES (2011) "We are going to be installing a new version of Ai Weiwei's Forever Bicycles. This will be a major installation – it's made from almost 1500 bicycles. On the one hand, the bicycle wheel engages with Marcel Duchamp and the whole idea of the readymade. On the other hand, it's quite Warholian and is engaged with repetition. There is an intensely spectacular effect from the repetition of these objects. It also has an important biographical relevance to Ai Weiwei because Forever was the brand of a very popular mass-produced bicycle in China. It's something Weiwei would have desired as a child. The nice thing about these bicycles, which are all linked together, is that the bicycle is related to the individual, but there's also a connection to the multitude. It's very much about collective energy and social progress." [caption id="attachment_551761" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Steve SchapiroAndy Warhol Blowing Up Silver Cloud Pillow, Los Angeles 1966© Steve Schapiro[/caption] 2. ANDY WARHOL — SILVER CLOUDS AND COW WALLPAPER (1966) "Upon arrival to the exhibition, you will encounter Andy Warhol's Silver Clouds from 1966, which will be presented alongside his Cow Wallpaper. This is a fascinating work, which was first shown in 1966 at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York. Basically, these silver floating pillow forms float through space and are propelled by the bodies of viewers and air currents. It's an immersive experience, very much coinciding with the idea of 'the happening' during the '60s. It also introduced participation into artistic practice. Cow Wallpaper is significant because it is the very first or several designs Warhol did in wallpaper." [caption id="attachment_551740" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ai WeiweiChinese 1957–Coloured Vases, 2006 Neolithic vases (5000-3000 BC) and industrial paintdimensions variable Image courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio© Ai Weiwei[/caption] 3. AI WEIWEI — COLOURED VASES (2006) "I'm excited to be showing Ai Weiwei's Coloured Vases, which is a newer work. These are painted Neolithic pots which really do enact an uneasy confrontation between cultural heritage and tradition on the one hand, and modernity on the other. One is mapped onto the other in quite a violent or iconoclastic way, kind of obliterating history. On the other hand, it also signals new beginnings and possibilities." [caption id="attachment_551739" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Andy WarholElectric Chair, 1967 synthetic polymer paint screenprinted onto canvas137.2 x 185.1 cm National Gallery of Australia, CanberraPurchased 1977© 2015 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc./ARS, New York. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney.[/caption] 4. ANDY WARHOL — ELECTRIC CHAIR (1963) "Quite often people think of Warhol as quite superficial. However, if you look at some of his depictions of violence and tragedy in American society, he's really quite an epic history painter. One of the most profound and striking works in the exhibition is Warhol's Electric Chair from 1963. It's an example of his innovations in silkscreen painting from that time., but it's also a very stark and austere image. It puts the relationship between the state and the individual into sharp relief. This is also an important subject for Ai Weiwei, whose work really does address some of the critical issues of our time, such as human rights and freedom of expression." 5. AI WEIWEI — STUDIES IN PERSPECTIVE (1994) "This is a very cheeky body of work, but it is also very considered. You're probably familiar with Studies in Perspective where he raises his middle finger to various buildings representing state authority, from the White House to Tiananmen Square. On the one hand, this is a playful work about measuring the distance between the artist and his subject. On the other hand, it sets up an interesting relationship between the individual and the state. These works were made from 1994 onward and they remind me very clearly of that extraordinary image from Tiananmen Square in 1989 — that lone demonstrator standing in front of a Tank and the asymmetrical relationship between the individual and an authoritative figure." Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei will run at the National Gallery of Victoria from December 11 until April 24. For more information, visit the NGV's website.
It's not just a case of the show needing to go on for the folks at the Moulin Rouge. It must, and it is. 17 years after the big-screen release of Baz Luhrmann's smash-hit movie musical, the story of doomed lovers Christian and Satine has made its way to the stage in an expectedly spectacular fashion. The lavish adaptation premiered at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre on July 10, with its first season running through until August 19 before an expected Broadway bow afterwards. Moulin Rouge! the Musical follows the tale film fans fell in love with, as well as the music — plus new pop tracks that hit the airwaves in the nearly two decades since the movie's original release. It's directed by two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers — who also has a Golden Globe to his name for co-created TV series Mozart in the Jungle — with music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by his frequent collaborator Justin Levine. Aaron Tveit (TV's Gossip Girl; stage productions of Wicked, Rent and Catch Me If You Can) takes on the role of Christian, as played by Ewan McGregor in the movie, while Tony-winner Karen Olivo (the revival of West Side Story, In the Heights, Hamilton) steps into Nicole Kidman's shoes as Satine. "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love," said Luhrmann in a statement when the state adaptation was first announced in 2016. "I immediately recognised the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts." Continuing the show's list of talent, writing duties fell upon acclaimed playwright and screenwriter John Logan, whose resume includes Skyfall, Spectre and Alien: Covenant as well as the Tony Award-winning play Red. "It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm," said Luhrmann. Image: Moulin Rouge the Musical/Matthew Murphy.
Sometimes, the semblance of reality can be just as powerful as reality itself. Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich has put this idea to the test (in the prettiest way possible). He’s built an underground swimming pool that looks like it’s filled with water. Built in 2004, the pool is a permanent installation at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan — after a stint at MoMA PS1 in New York. Standing above it, watching the sunlight filter through what seems to be shimmering liquid, viewers are pretty much ready to jump in. But, stepping closer, they soon discover that, what looks like a deep pool is a 10cm-high layer of water, encased in glass, and suspended over an empty space. Visitors can actually step into this empty space and look upwards — it’s a photographer’s dream. Consequently images of fully-clothed toddlers and adults in business suits seemingly submerged have flooded the Internet. The 21st Century Museum site reads, “While undermining our everyday assumptions about what we think to be obvious, the work invites our active involvement in its spaces — once we catch on to its deception — and produces a sense of connection between people looking at each other.” Erlich was born in Buenos Aires in 1973 and still lives there. He has exhibited all over the world, from London’s Barbican to New York’s Sean Kelly Gallery. Via Fubiz. Images: Leandro Erlich.
Longrain has still got it. After serving up contemporary Thai eats on Little Bourke Street for over 15 years, it really hasn't lost its shine. If anything, this beloved Thai restaurant has only risen up the ranks in the city's dining scene ever since Scott Picket (founder of Estelle, Matilda and Pastore) took over in late 2020. He didn't change much, keeping the same team in place and only tweaking small parts of the menu. Longrain's original formula always worked — it was Covid and leasing issues that led the original owners to step back from the business. These days, you'll still dine within the converted horse stables in the downstairs dining room and grab drinks upstairs in the huge bar, Longsong. [caption id="attachment_909618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Squadrito[/caption] Food wise, big flavours and generous portions of classic Thai dishes (that have been given a slightly glammed-up twist) remain as well. The team isn't reinventing the wheel here. They're simply serving up some their favourite dishes from regions across Thailand. There is also a big focus on sharing. Grab a bunch of plates from the a la carte menu, setting yourselves up for a feast, or opt for the banquet option. For Longrain's banquet, you'll get roughly nine dishes (varying in size) for $89 per person. The menu changes relatively regularly, but you can expect the likes of fresh oysters in a roasted red chilli nahm jim, scallops with shrimp floss (served in a edible betel leaf) as well as bloody good caramelised pork belly. This bad boy has it all going on — being sweet, sticky, fatty, crunchy and tender all at the same time. [caption id="attachment_909617" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Squadrito[/caption] From the a la carte menu, the yum kao tod is also a standout. Crispy rice, pork mince, ginger, mint, coriander, chilli and peanuts are all mixed together in this flavour bomb of a dish. Scoop it all up with a salad leaf, squeeze on a generous amount of lime and make a proper mess of it all. We also highly recommend getting around the dessert tasting option. The team will deliver an assortment of five different sweet treats to the table on a big lazy susan. Spin it around the table with your mates, scooping up a few bites of each dish. It will always change, but you can expect some housemade sorbet and gelato (with Thai flavours) as well as a few more intricate desserts that'll certainly impress. Pair the whole experience with some great vinos that have been chosen to complement the vibrant Thai food and your set for a great night out. There is no official wine pairing, but the waiters will gladly recommend a few of their favourite drops by the glass so you can taste your way through the impressive offerings. While Melbourne's Longrain is a somewhat of a fine diner, you are encouraged to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. It does an excellent job of striking the balance between being fancy and refined while still being laidback and fun. [caption id="attachment_909619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Squadrito[/caption] Top image: Eugene Hyland Appears in: The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Going out for a meal in Melbourne is often a celebration in itself. We're ludicrously spoiled for choice, with a huge variety of cuisines hiding in every nook, cranny and alleyway of this glorious city. Unfortunately, buying drinks out on the town can sometimes cost you as much as meal — sometimes much more, depending on how extravagant you're feeling. Don't panic, good people of Melbourne, we hear your budgetary woes, and so do a number of Melbourne's restaurants. Whether you are trying to save a few bucks on beers or you've had a particular drop reserved for a special occasion, here are some of Melbourne's finest establishments where you can bring your own beverages. LAKSA KING, FLEMINGTON If you're after a knock-your-socks-off laksa to stave off the winter chill, you can't go past Flemington's Laksa King. While there are plenty of delicious menu items that are sure to catch your eye, we believe that everyone in Melbourne should have a combination curry laksa at least once in their lifetime, filled with mixed noodles, shrimp, fishcake and chicken for good measure. Believe it or not, all this slurping is still pretty thirsty work. It's BYO wine only here, with $8 corkage per bottle. THE RECREATION, FITZROY This North Fitzroy restaurant is not just a restaurant. It's part wine bar, part bottle shop and part French bistro, all wrapped up in one delightful package and helmed by the expert trio of chef Steven Nelson (ex-Bistro Gitan and Jacques Reymond), sommelier Mark Protheroe, and FOH gun Joe Durrant (both ex-Grossi Florentino). The kitchen's plating up modern iterations of some classic French flavours — think veal tartare, flat iron steak and free-range chook. The food is fancy, so prepare for a fancy corkage fee — $20 a bottle. But, if you're celebrating, this is good chance to bring in a (really) fancy bottle of bubbles. PIZZA MEINE LIEBE, NORTHCOTE If you're a BYO Bundaberg type, maybe a takeaway Dominos is your best bet. For everyone else, the gourmet pizzas at Pizza Meine Liebe are ideal for consuming alongside a cracking bottle of red from home. Case in point: the Ring of Fire ($16) with buffalo mozzarella, green chilli and chilli salt or the vegetarian Greenpeace ($15) with brocolli, silverbeet and taleggio. Gluten free pizza bases are available, too, and corkage comes in at an affordable $4 per person. Probably the only issue here is the restaurant's decision to use un-pitted olives — a controversial strategy, but maybe that's how they cut down on labour costs to offset the BYO licence. HUTONG, CBD At the high-end of Chinatown's dumpling bar district, HuTong is a buzzing CBD eatery that shouldn't be missed. Book in advance, because the restaurant's three levels of seating are consistently occupied with diners. Don't bother with anything else on the menu — just come for the hand-assembled bliss-bombs (otherwise known as dumplings), served fried or steamed or spurting with hot soup, xiao long bao-style. Despite being a little more upmarket than the usual dumpling canteen, the traditional suburban Chinese restaurant BYO ($4 per bottle) format is still honoured. TRATTORIA EMILIA, CBD It's not often that a restaurant offers a nice wine list and allows you to bring your own booze. And while Emilia isn't new — it's took over from Gills Diner back in 2015— it's pasta is some of the best in the city. It offers BYO wine on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night or $15 a bottle. It's a little on the steep side, so dust off something nice you've been saving (or splash out a little at the bottle o) — it will go extremely well with your pork and beef ragu. [caption id="attachment_568916" align="alignnone" width="1280"] a11m33 via Instagram[/caption] JIM'S GREEK TAVERN, COLLINGWOOD Jim's Greek Tavern is one of those venues that's been around for yonks, long before cold-drip cafes and bespoke barbershops began to take over the Smith Street strip. With a BYO anything policy, it's the kind of venue where customers can comfortably settle in for a night on the brews. There's no formal menu here — just a banquet of hot chips, gyros, calamari, octopus, a continuous stream of traditional Greek treats. While the internet's public jury is continually deliberating over the quality of the service here, the word 'authentic' tends to be thrown around a lot at least. FRANCE-SOIR, SOUTH YARRA Since 1986, France-Soir has been serving up classic French fare on Toorak Road. Choose from an extensive list of timeless, simple French classics — escargot, tuna tartare, rillettes de canard and steak au poivre, to name a few. But it's not just the food that keeps the restaurant packed after nearly 30 years. The raw intimate, atmosphere of is nearly impossible to replicate. As is it's cellar. With 30 wines available by the glass (and hundreds more available by the bottle) you are destined to find something you like. But if you don't, they also accept BYO — for $16.50 a bottle (but it's not allowed on Saturday nights). LADRO, FITZROY Every Monday, Ladro waives their usual $15 corkage fee in favour of a $5 transfer from your pocket directly to charity. For Fitzroy Ladro, that money goes straight to the local Vinnie's soup van or the Prahran Mission Christmas Day lunch. Team up a special (or not so special — there's nothing wrong with a casual award-winning Aldi tipple on a Monday night. after all) bottle with a salami board ($15) before unleashing the pizza procession. Keep a look out for the porcini e gorgonzola number ($24) and the gamberi piselli ($21) with tomato, lemon garlic prawns, peas, chilli, basil. MAMAK, CBD Malaysian-inspired, this Sydney import smashes the senses with ita satay, curry, roti and sambal, and as such, is bustling with spice-sweaty bodies on a nightly basis. Brave the queue for its BYO privileges ($2 a head), and find yourself reliving your gap year travels with hawker-style delights. A dozen charred satay sticks ($22), teamed with the flaky pastry of fresh roti ($7.50) and a selection of curries — we suggest the kari ikan ($17) fish curry with tomato, okra and eggplant — make the wait worth the effort. THAILA THAI, BRUNSWICK EAST Finding a venue that caters for a large group, allows BYO, and isn't cheap dumplings in the city is not easy. Thankfully, we've found just what you're looking for, as Thaila Thai does not fail to deliver on the good times and tasty Thai cuisine. Conveniently, there is a pub across the road that has a nifty little bottle-o attached. We recommend you duck in there, pick up a six pack of beer or a bottle of white and order yourself some pad thai. As previously mentioned, Thaila Thai is perfect for large group catch-ups, with an upstairs section decked out with plenty of table space. In other great news, the BYO fee is $1.50 per person for beer, wine and whisky.
Melbourne's favourite controversial stage practitioners, Malthouse Theatre, have announced an intriguing, weird and broad 2017 program. Malthouse are known for pushing boundaries with their next-level productions but this year is particularly saucy with a big international quotient. They've announced that 13 productions will make up the 2017 program, featuring a mix of Aussie and international talent. Some of the highlights include the spine-tingling The Black Rider, by Matthew Lutton and Tom Waits. The Black Rider is based on the German folk tale of the freischutz, a marksman in contract with the devil for bullets that always hit their mark, and stars Kanen Breen, Paul Capsis and cabaret dynamo Meow Meow (otherwise known as Melissa Madden Gray). We also like the look of Wild Bore, created, directed and starring Zoe Coombs Marr, Ursula Martinez and Adrienne Truscott (so much talent in one play — bring the smelling salts, we're overwhelmed). They aim to turn the tides on critics and criticism they've received over the course of their illustrious careers and give it right back in their characteristically sassy and off-centre way. The Homosexuals, or Faggots, is another not to be missed — it's self-described as "[swerving] across the road like a drunken driver to create a howlingly funny hour of blistering satire". Written by funny man and one-half of theatre group Sisters Grimm Declan Greene and directed by Griffin Theatre's artistic director Lee Lewis, the play explores hypocrisy and political correctness from the point of view of two married gay men. The rest of the jam-packed program includes an exploration of the psychological effects of China's one child policy directed by Wang Chong, an unapologetically furious critique of language, behaviour and feminism written by Alice Birch, and the story of an up-and-coming country music star and her tumultuous road trip love affair by siblings John and Margaret Harvey. Hold on to your butts. Check out Malthouse Theatre's entire 2017 program at their website.
After last week dropping a couple of new tracks from his forthcoming album Starboy, The Weeknd again has fans hopping with excitement, announcing the locations for four new pop-up stores around the world. The Canadian musician took to Twitter to reveal the locations of four more Starboy merch pop-ups: Tokyo, Toronto, Berlin and our very own Melbourne. They follow a round of stores that popped up in Miami, LA, New York, and London earlier this month. SEE YOU IN TORONTO pic.twitter.com/kF42jdlQXn — The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 21, 2016 The Australian outpost will pop up in Melbourne Central this weekend, from November 25-27. Of course, if this retail venture proves to be anywhere near as insanely popular as Kanye's Pablo pop-ups, you'd best start lining up now. Find The Weeknd's Australian pop-up shop from November 25-27 at shop 239, level 2, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne. It will be open from 10am - 8pm on Friday, 10am - 6pm on Saturday and noon - 6pm on Sunday.
The sun is shining, your out of office is set and you've already spent a good amount of time curled up streaming tv shows. Now's the chance to catch up on your reading — so, find a shady spot on a beach, next to a pool or by a waterfall and start making your way through our favourite ten books of 2018. It's a mixed bag this year, we've been turning the pages of the latest brain-contorting Murakami novel, a chilling — real — look inside American prisons, a witty retelling of the Illiad and a homegrown memoir that's both moving and educational. Some of them are immersive, some of them knotty and uncomfortable, which makes them perfect for mulling over during the holidays, and provide flavourful fodder for otherwise bland Christmas dinner conversations. Take your pick. MILKMAN BY ANNA BURNS In search of a cerebral workout? Anna Burns' Milkman is just the ticket. The novel made her this year's Man Booker Laureate and continues the prize's trend of riving audiences into seemingly irreconcilable factions with its dense prose and no-easy-answers-given plot. There is its 18-year-old female protagonist, its undeclared always opaque setting (Belfast, in the 1970s), and its dearth of habitual interpretative signposts including paragraph breaks, dialogue and punctuation. But such a formalist echoing of the narrative's own syncopated and lacerated content (sexual harassment, the IRA, civil unrest and bombings) is meant to confound our ordinary ways of apprehending narratives, since these mechanisms fail or risk misconstruing tales of trauma. To truly enjoy the book, one must simply give oneself up to its paranoid, relentless cadence; its rules (or lack thereof). As Harriet Baker of the Times' Literary Supplement puts it, "Burns doesn't write about fear so much as create the experience of it." NORMAL PEOPLE BY SALLY ROONEY Sally Rooney's writing will make you feel lots of things. First, it will make you feel under-accomplished — she's just 27 and her new novel Normal People is not only her second, but is also so commended that it's been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Then, it will make you feel uncomfortable, empathetic, frustrated, hopeful and heartbroken. The Irish story follows Marianne and Connell's relationship from high school through to their mid-twenties, and, from each of their perspectives, explores the nuances of the power dynamics between them. From a literary point of view, it's easy to get through, but sometimes hard to digest — its relatability for anyone who's ever tried to navigate love and relationships can be, at times, exposing and confronting. Like her first novel Conversations with Friends, the book hinges on its excellent dialogue, which is fluid and effortless, and includes some of the most real and 'millennial' conversations in contemporary literature. Would recommend if you liked Girls but wished it was elevated to the standards of The New Yorker. KILLING COMMENDATORE BY HARUKI MURAKAMI You know you're reading a Murakami when a seemingly mundane situation — say, a recently divorced man painting a portrait — suddenly isn't so mundane anymore, and now you're asking an invisible man to help you save a young girl, probably a mental manifestation of your dead sister, who's lost in another dimension. And Killing Commendatore is a typical Murakami novel: the unnamed protagonist is a lonely young man and the book is filled with scenes that are both routine and brain contorting. While it can feel like a bit of a slog at 704 pages, there's enough Murakami mind-boggling to keep you interested — and a hilariously bad sex scene (which was shortlisted for a Bad Sex in Fiction Award) thrown in for good measure. And what better time to while a way a day with a lengthy novel than during the summer holidays. EGGSHELL SKULL BY BRI LEE The mark of a good book, in my opinion, is that it makes you either learn or feel something. This does both. Eggshell Skull is a memoir from Bri Lee tracking her year spent as a judges associate in the Queensland District Court, working mostly on sexual assault cases. Lee details the legal process and her experience within it, both professionally and personally, with brutal candour. In 370 pages, expect to feel a wide range of emotions — sadness, confusion, rage, shame — at how bafflingly unjust our legal system can be, particularly for women. ENIGMA VARIATIONS BY ANDRE ACIMAN If, like me, you only discovered André Aciman last year with the release of the film adaptation of his first novel Call Me By Your Name, you too may find yourself itching, or indeed aching, to read more of his work. Though its title appropriates the name of Edward Elgar's famed suite, Aciman's latest effort bears a rather 'enigmatic' relationship to those glorious pieces of music (they are never mentioned in the text, but without saying too much, there are a number of textured thematic coalescences). As was assuredly the case with Call Me By Your Name, the estival settings of a number of Enigma Variations' sections make it the perfect companion for a lazy sun-dappled afternoon beneath a tree, cider or other appropriate beverage in hand. CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN BY SAYAKA MURATA Best-selling Japanese author Sayaka Murata's English-language debut is a quietly brilliant critique of late-capitalist culture and society. In particular, it addresses the conformism that this system often demands and perpetuates. Her novel never moralises nor condemns the choices of those who do conform in order to get by, but it certainly penetrates its subject with fluorescent lighting of a convenience store. Told through the eyes of its 36-year-old protagonist Keiko Furukura who, realising at an early age that society has only disdain for figures of alterity, has pursued anonymity by working at the same convenience store for the last 18 years. And so Convenience Store Woman performs that rare literary art of de-familiarisation: what Keiko finds at the store, appositely named Smile Mart, are purpose and a place of belonging. Her boss furnishes her with a manual (more of a script, in the theatrical sense, actually) and a uniform. Keiko's humble hard-working existence then is neither to be transcended nor deified. Instead, it offers her a vantage point from which to call into question the arbitrary rules of society: she is the social misfit who aspires to, and in her perfection thereof, defamiliarises the coordinates of conformity. This de-familiarisation is also achieved through Murata's fabulous characterisation of Keiko as someone to whom society's mores seem impenetrable and amusing ("Good, I pulled off being a 'person,'" she says). At this time of the year, this novel invites us to recognise the ways in which convenience is almost always a chimera of ease made possible by the invisible labour of others. THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS BY PAT BARKER With a title that speaks volumes, Pat Barker's retelling of the Iliad is the summer must-read book for all of us out there who sat through Classical Studies wondering, and what about the women? (Not just the regal Helens, mind you, the other women). Barker (re)narrates The Trojan Wars from the perspective of a female slave, Briseis. (In Homer's original, Briseis is less a character than a plot point; a princess-turned-trophy). This is of course an 'impossible' history, since such a woman as Barker's protagonist would have been deprived of all means of inscribing her voice into history. She acknowledges this, saying: "We need a new song." In this the novel gets right to the heart of the matter that history's structure and shape often exclude women 'before the fact,' since 'feminine' expression is often understood to be subjective, unreliable, and the like. But why do we deem 'masculine' modes more objective? Barker has to imagine — and does so admirably well — what the idiom of a woman whose body is fought over by two Greek soldiers would have looked like. And so from the beginning of her narration, Briseis deconstructs masculinist history: "Great Achilles [...] Brilliant Achilles, shining Achilles, godlike Achilles…How the epithets pile up. We never called him any of those things; we called him 'the butcher.'" AMERICAN PRISON: A REPORTER'S UNDERCOVER JOURNEY INTO THE BUSINESS OF PUNISHMENT BY SHANE BAUER Like the collocation of the words 'business' and 'punishment' in its title, Shane Bauer's fascinating book-length work of investigative journalism should unsettle you. Yes, it's about American prisons, one if we're to be as objective as possible, but in case you should naively believe that we in Australia live in some antipodean paradise, let us remember that private for-profit prisons exist here too and continue to treat inmates appallingly. Bauer's perspective is all the more fascinating when we turn to his biography: he was imprisoned for two years in Iran, and wrote about this elsewhere (A Sliver of Light, 2014). Now, in American Prison, he writes about his four months tenure as a guard in a private prison (he infiltrated Louisiana's Winn Correctional Center). Understaffed, underpaid, with cut-throat budgets for inmates and prison guards alike, such institutions ensure anyone who wasn't a fully fledged criminal when they went in, will almost certainly be one when, or if, they get out (setting a prisoner is free is almost always detrimental to a prison corporation's bottom line). Bauer notes how insidious the late-capitalist mechanisms that wear down bodies are, writing that "to treat everyone as human takes too much energy. More and more I focus on proving I won't back down." This book will likely leave you feeling enraged — I for one believe that's a good thing. SMALL FRY BY LISA BRENNAN-JOBS Steve Jobs has been firmly deified by society, not least of all by predominantly young male techies. It seems we're always willing to excuse behaviours in a 'genius' that would be immediately recognisable elsewhere as rather sociopathic. Sometimes these behaviours even receive the euphemistic title of 'eccentricities'. In her controversial memoir Small Fry, Lisa Brennan-Jobs supplements the public persona of her father with that of the private one she knew (or hardly knew, he denied he only recognised her as his own daughter when sued by the government for failure to pay child support). It would be too forgiving, though, to say that this somehow humanises the godly Jobs. But nor is Small Fry a tell-all work of scandal or revelation. As one reviewer put its, "Brennan-Jobs's book seems more wounded than triumphant; it can feel like artfully sculpted scar tissue." To say more here would be to spoil this enthralling work of autobiography. NO FRIEND BUT THE MOUNTAINS: WRITING FROM MANUS PRISON BY BEHROUZ BOOCHANI Kurdish journalist Behrouz Boochani has been detained on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, which was, until last year, one of Australia's offshore refugee detention centres — or as Boochani calls it "a prison" — for five years. While he's been there, he's written damning articles for The Saturday Paper and The Guardian, among others, and a book: No Friend But the Mountains. He wrote it, not on paper or a computer, but "thumbed on a phone and smuggled out of Manus Island in the form of thousands of text messages". The book is blistering in its condemnation of Australia's treatment of asylum seekers and, at the same time, poetic. Boochani weaves together, and juxtaposes, lyrical verse describing another time and place with disturbing scenes from the present: attempted suicides, violence, hunger. Boochani gives a voice, and a face, to the refugees that Australia's government tries so hard to silence. Words by Leah Lynch, Lauren Vadnjal, Melanie Colwell and Samantha Teague.
Between work, family and maintaining an impeccable (but relatable) online presence, life can sometimes get away from us. We tend to romanticise going interstate, going overseas, heading out to the country for a weekend without looking closer to home for new experiences. But the city you call home might surprise you if you let it. Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, a final destination for so many creative enterprises and we're #blessed (not even sarcastically) with world class restaurants on every corner. These foodie experiences might cost a small fortune, but, when you think about it, they're cheaper than a weekend away — and the best (and most delicious) way to find luxury in this fine city of ours. We've partnered with Grey Goose, one of the most luxurious brands of vodka you can get, to bring you the best luxury experiences in your city, start ticking these foodie experiences (and paired cocktails) off. OMAKASE AT MINAMISHIMA If you're prepared to pay big bucks (and willing to never again be able to eat shopping mall sushi rolls with satisfaction), the omakase selection at Miniamishima is for you. Omakase means chef's choice so you'll be in the very capable (and diligent) hands of chef Koichi Minamishima while he serves up an incredible 15 courses of Melbourne's best sushi. Cocktail to try: Keep it simple, let the Japanese flavours come through and try a Grey Goose Vodka on the rocks. THE 16-COURSE DEGUSTATION AT LÛMÉ Lûmé is an establishment that needs no introduction. If you haven't considered a Lûmé degustation to celebrate a special occasion, hand over those dollar bills and do so now — you won't regret it. You can choose between three degustation options ranging from 4 courses to 16, but the big daddy here is The Road, a 14 to 16-course journey through culinary enlightenment. It'll set you back $170 per person (and another $120 each for bevs) — but you'll then be able to let the experts take you on a journey that's part artistic, part culinary and fully life changing. Cocktail to try: A pre-dinner Dirty Martini — made with vodka, vermouth and muddled olives. A THREE-COURSE MEAL AT THE TOWN MOUSE The Town Mouse inhabits a dark little corner of Carlton away from the hustle and bustle of Lygon Street, but within the chic, tiled interior is a warm venue bursting with character. The protein-heavy menu can cater to you whether you're just feeling peckish or grappling with the hunger of a bear — but we recommend going the whole hog with three courses. The wine list is perfectly matched as well and the dessert menu in itself is worth a trip — as are the oysters with Chardonnay sorbet. Cocktail to try: A simple Gimlet — made with vodka and lime juice. PRIVATE DINING AT SAKE Sake offers a banquet-style dining experience in their Hamer Hall restaurant, overlooking the Yarra. The set menu will walk you through the Japanese classics for which Sake is renowned, plus a few more you might not be game enough to try if given the choice. Expect the freshest seafood alongside umami flavours galore. Cocktail to try: Sake's Japanese Ice Tea — vodka, Umeshu, Monin peach syrup, ginger, fresh mint and soda served over ice. THE SEVEN-COURSE TASTING MENU AT ESTELLE BY SCOTT PICKETT The menu at Scott Pickett's fine dining room of Estelle is Australian in more ways than one. The seven-course tasting menu — which features smoked wallaby alongside a medley of Aussie seafood — is served up simply but packs in big flavour. The northside restaurant is beautifully (and monochromatically) decorated to tick all your luxury dining experience boxes. Cocktail to try: Estelle's Capnophobia — made with vodka, single-malt whisky and bitters. SIT AT THE CHEF'S TABLE AT DINNER BY HESTON A visit to Dinner by Heston is a visit you will remember for a long time. The menu of Blumenthal's Crown restaurant is inspired by classic British gastronomy, so while it's not exactly vegetarian-friendly, it certainly is educational as it walks you through a history of dinner and dessert dishes. You can dine à la carte or spend your entire pay cheque on a seat at the chef's table, where Executive Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts will serve up your food himself and you'll get your own personal sommelier. It's perhaps a little less luxurious than dining at The Fat Duck, but that doesn't make it any less worthy of a visit. Cocktail to try: Dinner by Heston's Bloody Mary — made with Worcestershire Sauce-infused vodka, horseradish, clear broth, pepper distillate, tomato consommé and celery oil. THE TASTING MENU AT NORA When you step into your Nora degustation, discard any preconceived notions you have about Thai food. Chef and owner Sarin Rojanametin's approach to cooking and degustations are refreshingly playful, taking you on a journey through his childhood favourites. He describes the Nora experience as "punch in the face, dance in the mouth flavours of Thailand", so you know you're set for a wild ride. Cocktail to try: Mint Julep made with mint, sugar, lemon, soda and vodka. THE SET MENU AT IDES Peter Gunn's new project Ides started as a pop-up and only transitioned to a permanent venue in Collingwood earlier this year. The ethos behind Ides is experimentation. On Sundays, you can get right into the spirit with their experimental rotating tasting menu or go for the more traditional six-course offering throughout the week. It's well-priced luxury at $110. Cocktail to try: A Grey Goose Dry Martini — made with vodka, vermouth, orange bitters and lemon zest. THE DEGUSTATION AT CUTLER & CO. Cutler & Co. is an understated but must-do Melbourne dining experience. The elegant hole-in-the-wall on Gertrude Street serves up some decadent dishes (that look more like art than food, mind you) alongside a well-paired drinks menu. It's $150 for six courses, and another $80-130 for matched bevs. And make sure you stop by their sister venue, Marion, next door for a post-feast digestive. Cocktail to try: Cutler & Co.'s The Black Drum Martini — made with vodka, Vermut Negre, orange, cucumber, olive and brine. THE TASTING MENU AT VUE DE MONDE Okay, this one's an obvious one. But if your idea of luxury equates to eating some of the city's finest food by one of the city's best chefs atop the city's highest buildings, then Vue de Monde will tick all the boxes. Located on the 55th floor, the restaurant is the epitome of fine dining in Melbourne — and dishes like one above are just the start. The tasting menu costs a small fortune at $230-275 per person, but takes you on a dazzling journey that will brilliantly blind you to anything but the food in front of you (including, hopefully, the bill at the end of the night). Cocktail to try: Lui Bar's Vodka Pour Over for a pre-dinner drink. It's vodka, 5 senses coffee and a hint of white chocolate served ice cold.
Life on the streets of Melbourne is tough for bright-eyed, bushy-tailed restaurants. New eateries appear just as quickly as they disappear — a reflection of Melbourne's high expectations for quality food, organic atmosphere and something uniquely special. We're a difficult crowd to impress. So if a restaurant can stay busy and bustling for over 30 years, they're clearing doing something right. Whether it's a distinct atmosphere or authentic, rich cuisine, these are the restaurants Melburnians have been visiting (and revisiting) for decades. Image: France-Soir by Brook James.
Another beloved Australian music festival is sitting 2025 out, with the Listen Out team revealing that the event won't be on the calendar this year. In 2024, when Groovin the Moo announced its dates then cancelled, and Splendour in the Grass sadly did the same, this electronic-meets-hip hop fest still toured the country. Now, though, it's "hitting pause on Listen Out as you know it", organisers announced via social media. "We've always tried to build something special — where the lineup reflects the culture and the energy flows both ways between the artists and you," the statement advises. "The last few years have been tough." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Listen Out (@listenout) Although Listen Out isn't going ahead in 2025 in its usual format, the crew is putting on a series of shindigs badged Listen Out Presents, however. Music lovers can expect "one-off, carefully curated parties in killer locations around Australia all year long" featuring "some of the best artists in the world", the festival team announced. No further details have been revealed so far. Skipping the big fest setup for a smaller affair yet still boasting impressive names was Spilt Milk's approach in 2024 — when it ditched its usual festivals but had Troye Sivan, Glass Animals and G Flip take to the stage Newcastle, Perth and on the Gold Coast. The fellow fest is returning in its full form in 2025, headlined by Kendrick Lamar. That said, Listen Out's cancellation this year in favour of parties comes after both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass failed to make 2025 comebacks following their year off. [caption id="attachment_957230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samm Venn[/caption] In 2024, Listen Out did the rounds for its 11th year with a lineup featuring 21 Savage, Skepta, Tyla and Flo Milli among its hip hop and R&B names, plus John Summit and Sub Focus on the electronic side. The year prior, in 2023, the fest held its most-successful event at the time in terms of ticket sales ever, with the crew behind it hoping to continue that trajectory by turning the fest into a 16-plus event, age-wise, which was a first for 2024. [caption id="attachment_957228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Warr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957224" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Venn[/caption] Listen Out is not taking place in 2025, with Listen Out Presents parties set to pop up instead — we'll update you when more details are announced, and keep an eye on the festival's social media in the interim.
From 47 wild, WTF and wonderful finalists, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has announced their 204 Archibald Prize winner. Newcastle artist and former armed robber Nigel Milsom has taken out the coveted trophy (and a cheeky $100,000 prize) for his straight-up Edgar Allan Poe-like portrait of Australian author, barrister, and filmmaker Charles Waterstreet. Awarded the top gong at the Art Gallery of New South Wales's fancy award ceremony this afternoon, Milsom beat out 46 other finalists — including Bruno Jean Grasswill’s Packing Room Prize-winning portrait of Australian actor and The Castle legend Michael Caton. It's not the first time Milsom's cleaned up at a prestigious art competition; he won the 2013 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the 2012 Sulman Prize, and casually, this is his third time in the Archibald. Unlike many subjects for the Archibald, Waterstreet has been in Milsom's life for longer than a portrait sitting. "I’ve known Charlie indirectly and directly since birth," says Milsom. "I was born in Albury around the corner from the Waterstreet Hotel, owned and managed by his parents. On Friday afternoons, my father used to sell them freshly caught Murray cod to earn extra money for materials he needed to complete a boat he was building at home, which later sank to the bottom of the Murray River during its maiden voyage one freezing afternoon. "My relationship with Charlie took on more significance a few years ago when he represented me and in the pursuit of justice stood up to what seemed an unfair, impenetrable brick wall. He put his head on the chopping block and restored my faith in the legal system. "Charlie is a very complex person. He isn’t just a law man. He’s a writer, a social environmentalist and is involved in film, photography and theatre too. Despite personal struggles with his own demons over the years, he has managed to dedicate most of his time to the welfare of others. My portrait is an attempt to depict him as a giant: part-man, part-mythical creature with hands that appear otherworldly, as though the anatomy of his hands has been designed to grasp unnatural disasters, naturally." The Archibald Prize exhibition opens to the public at the AGNSW on Saturday, July 18. To view all the Archibald, Sulman and Wynne finalists, head over here. Images: Archibald Prize, AGNSW.
You guys, the future is here. The future that has been rendered so many times in Tom Cruise sci-fi movies and '90s music videos is finally here. Although Marty McFly is not the prophet we once believed him to be and the hoverboard is still only a prototype, a new UK-based project will let us have electric cars that charge via the road as they go. Although electric cars in the UK are currently becoming more common, they can be tricky to charge if you live in a densely populated city and are bereft of a private parking garage. Electric cars can only be charged from home/special charging stations, so if you're an electric car owner with only on-street parking facilities, you might have to hang around for hours at designated charging spots. Annoying. Enter charging lanes, to save the day. Highways England have announced an 18-month plan to trial the feasibility of charging lanes before bringing them to public roads. Charging lanes are exactly what they sound like — lanes that charge your electric car as you drive along it. How? With black magic, of course (or electric cables installed under the road surface which generate electromagnetic fields, funnelled into a coil in the car and converted into useable electricity). And a nice little bonus for eco-warriors driving electric cars is the ability to zip up a dedicated lane, charge your car and skip traffic all at once — no regular cars are allowed in this lane. Charging lanes have already been implemented to great effect in South Korea, to charge electric buses in the public transport system, and — if the popularity of 'Gangnam Style' is anything to go by — it’s only a matter of time before electric charging lanes become standard across the world. We haven't been this excited about roads since this solar-powered genius. Via Mashable.
You've just finished up in the clurb, you're headed home to solo feast on potato gems, when the call of nature moves from a low rumble to a panicked roar. Rather than exerting precious stores of your own personal energy, rather than politely asking a nearby establishment to use their facilities, you unleash a powerful gush of acidic gold on the nearest library wall, unsuspecting playground, residential rose bush. You wouldn't give it a second thought, you've got potato gems to demolish. But your neighbours and fellow residents would. And your local government and police force would. Taking cues from Hamburg's recently unveiled and straight-up genius solution to epic outdoor peeing stats, Gold Coast authorities are looking into bringing urine-repellent paint to the area, according to the Brisbane Times. Usually used on ships and designed to splash back any substance straight back onto the rogue slasher's shoes, the paint has been used heavily by fed-up residents in the German city's St Pauli nightclub district — complete with cheeky signs warning "Hier nicht pinkeln! Wir pinkeln zurueck" (Do not pee here! We pee back!). Now, looks like the walls of the Gold Coast could finally take their revenge. Gold Coast councillor Lex Bell told the Gold Coast Bulletin that Hamburg's idea had been passed on to the local authorities as a means to combat the area's high levels of public leak-taking. If Hamburg's example is anything to go by, drunken hotspots like Surfers Paradise would probably be targeted for trolling unknowing chumps draining the tank. Apparently it's not going to be a cheap process though, according to Reuters — it'll set the government back about $AUS700 to cover a six-square metre area. Yeesh. Maybe the ol' hosedown is cheaper for now. But it could be well worth it in the long run. Public pissers like their shoes dry as much as residents like their picket fences unsoiled. Just one question: what about the dogs? Via Brisbane Times.
One of New York's initially best and eventually worst kept secrets is coming to Melbourne for one of the most squealworthy pop-ups we've seen in an age. East Village's Please Don't Tell (or PDT) is locked in to take over Fitzroy's Black Pearl this August, with legendary PDT bar team Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell at the helm. Ever found your way to PDT? Hidden behind a secret wall in a vintage phone booth, inside Crif Dogs hotdog joint on St Marks Place in the East Village, PDT is one of NYC's most beloved speakeasies — and the cocktails are seriously next level. Bell, who was crowned 2013 Diageo World Class US Bartender of the Year, is one of the best in the game, with marvels like the Bulleit Bourbon Sweet Tea Smash. But you won't just be sampling Bell's world-famous cocktails, Bell and Meehan will join forces with Bluebonnet Barbecue chef Chris Terlikar for an Australian version of PDT's menu — featuring two hot-dog variations: 'The Spicy Redneck' (house dog, bacon wrapped, with chilli, coleslaw and jalapenos) and a yet to be announced local adaptation. Locked in for August 6 to 9 in The Attic at Black Pearl, PDT's trailblazing cocktail aficionados will have three sittings available at Black Pearl: 6-8pm, 8-10pm and the last at 10pm-12am — and it goes without saying, you're strongly advised to make reservations to avoid disappointment. PDT pops up at Black Pearl (304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) Thursday 6 – Sunday August 9. Sittings are 6-8pm, 8-10pm or 10pm-12am, Reservations through Eventbrite. Image: PDT.
When we first meet Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and her best friend Alexandra (Mya Taylor), it's over a doughnut in a dingy shop on the corner of Santa Monica and Highland, a notorious Los Angeles intersection known for its high numbers of transgender sex workers. Sin-Dee is back on the block after a month-long stint in prison, although she won't be getting back to the hustle right away. First, she's got to track down her pimp and boyfriend Chester (James Ransone), who according to Alexandra has been stepping out behind her back — and with a biological woman, no less. At first description, Sundance hit Tangerine sounds like it could be a bit of a slog to sit through — a micro-budget indie film about people on the fringe of society with no good options and no way out. Thankfully, that could not be further from the truth. What on paper has the makings of a despondent 'issues' movie is instead a loud, stylish, ultra high-energy romp — a film that is both uproariously funny and unexpectedly poignant without ever resorting to cheap tricks, condescension or cliche. Of course the first thing that makes Tangerine stand out is not its subject matter but its style. Director Sean Baker shot the entire film using tricked-out iPhone 5s, a cost-saving measure that proved to be a blessing in disguise. The jerky, unvarnished camerawork suits the film's characters to perfection, while filters added in post-production ramp up the colours to unnaturally vivid level; rarely has LA's ugly side looked so electric on screen. On a technical level alone, this is a truly exciting piece of art, one that raises the bar for low- and no-budget productions while at the same time demonstrating how technology is democratising moviemaking like never before. Still, even more so than its incredible aesthetic, the true success of Tangerine lies in the collaboration between Baker and his two leads. Despite a combined zero hours of screen acting experience between them, Taylor and Rodriguez, who Baker recruited from a local LGBT centre, give two of the best performances of the year. It's hard to imagine 'professional' actors bringing the same levels of authenticity – or attitude – to the film's immensely quotable dialogue, much of which was improvised on set. Indeed, the unvarnished, no-fucks-given edge that both stars bring to the film speaks volumes about the hardships faced by poor transwomen of colour. Tangerine, to its eternal credit, never shies away from these hardships. But it also refuses to paint its characters as helpless victims. These women don't want or need your sympathy, although they certainly deserve your respect. So too does this film. As transgender issues continue to get more of the spotlight, narratives such as this – unflinching and, perhaps more importantly, entertaining – have the power to alter public perception. Frankly, it's hard not to root for characters like these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSwWTb88ZU
Johnston Street continues to be one of Melbourne's coolest strips — packed with some of the city's top bars, cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. But the sheer amount of places to drop by can be really overwhelming. You'd need days to properly explore all of its best bits. Knowing this, three neighbouring businesses — JUDE, Shop Gal and Addict — have joined forces to create a mini-shopping trail that includes free styling sessions and a ramen workshop — an unlikely but still brilliant pairing (that's also very Johnston Street). [caption id="attachment_982871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Addict[/caption] Starting at 6pm on Thursday, December 5, you'll first drop by JUDE — an independent fashion label championing Melbourne-made and gender-neutral clothing — to get free styling advice and do a spot of Christmas shopping. You'll then take a few steps down the strip to Shop Gal — Melbourne-based designer Tara Whalley's boutique fashion store that's home to her own colourful creations as well as a heap of other local designers' wares — for more styling tips and shopping opportunities. This is a must-stop spot for those looking to add a bit of colour and pattern to their summer wardrobe. [caption id="attachment_982877" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JUDE[/caption] The final stop is Addict — a cafe and ramen haunt — where punters can join a hands-on ramen workshop ($20) that comes with a complimentary cocktail. Either spend the rest of the night drinking and eating here or head back to JUNE and Shop Gal for more shopping. As a special treat, the teams have also created a limited-edition JUDE x TARA designer tote bag filled with goodies from all three stores. These will be available for purchase exclusively on the night, which is running up until 9.30pm. The event is free to attend, but booking is essential. [caption id="attachment_982870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shop Gal by Tara Whalley[/caption]
Back in 2021, famed plant-based restaurant Smith & Daughters and its sibling spot — all-vegan delicatessen Smith & Deli — moved in together, into their huge Collingwood home. The combined offering now spans across a 500-square-metre ground floor site on Cambridge Street, encompassing a deli-cafeteria, restaurant and food store. It's become one of the largest vegan dining hubs in the world. The refreshed iteration of Smith & Deli takes cues from the delicatessens of Europe, with a homely yet stylish aesthetic and — for the first time — a dine-in offering. There's a menu of grab-and-go eats, alongside a tight selection of top-quality pantry essentials, ready-made meals, and other goodies like cheese and pastries. [caption id="attachment_824522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ashley Ludkin[/caption] An adjoining cafeteria-style eatery showcases a rotation of hot and cold dishes, complete with a vegan carvery. Patrons are able to slide trays along the canteen with fresh fruit and mueslis on offer at breakfast, or an array of hot dishes and salads at lunchtime and dinner. A daily-changing deli plate comes loaded with a main, two sides, a dessert and a beverage from the curated drinks list, which celebrates a rotating pick of wine and beer. Smith & Daughters' 80-seat restaurant is a little more high-end, with a seasonal menu steeped in Mediterranean flavours and an aesthetic inspired by Vivienne Westwood. An open kitchen also features ringside seats, where you can sit at and enjoy a Chef's Table experience on Fridays and Saturdays — you'll be spoilt with a surprise lineup of dishes made using the day's fresh ingredients. But don't worry if you can't get one of these prized spots, Smith & Daughters also offers a three- and four-course set menu for diners in all other parts of the main dining room. Images: Ashley Ludkin Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Inspired by the theme of 'step into the light', the major commission of this year's Melbourne Fringe is a breathtaking city-wide laser installation from audio-visual artist Robin Fox. Invisible from some angles and impossible to miss from others, powerful beams of light will connect iconic buildings across the Yarra, while an electronic soundscape captures the ephemeral beauty of the city after dark. Start your journey at Princes Bridge on St Kilda Road and then see where the light takes you along the river. Fox's other work, White Beam, which will light up Prahran's Grattan Gardens, likewise shapes up as a major festival highlight.
Sleeping under the stars on holiday is a romantic notion of old, taking us back to the days of our ancestors and bringing us closer to nature — that is, until nature finds its way into your campsite and rummages through all of your Tim Tams. Hotels and resorts around the world are finding creative ways to bring the open-air to you in style, allowing guests to embrace their surroundings in pure luxury. If you love glamping, you're going to go nuts for these five-starry retreats. [caption id="attachment_582573" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Atelier für Sonderaufgaben.[/caption] THE ONLY STAR IS YOU WHERE IN THE WORLD: Swiss Alps, Switzerland WHAT IT WILL COST: $310AUD per night Making headlines for the last couple of weeks, this brand new hotel in the Swiss Alps lets travellers experience a roofless, door-less and even wall-less night's stay — the luxury double bed is all that makes up this hotel 'room'. Be prepared to really immerse yourself in your surroundings, since the great outdoors will act as your bathroom and shower. This project comes as the antithesis to Null Stern Hotels' 2008 project, Zero Star Hotel, which was built in a nuclear bunker. THE LOISABA STARBEDS WHERE IN THE WORLD: Loisaba Conservancy, Kenya WHAT IT WILL COST: $300AUD per night Among Loisaba Conservancy's 56,000 acres of wildlife lies their Starbeds — handcrafted, four-poster beds which are wheeled onto raised wooden platforms. These are built into the rock face and offer unrestricted views of the African night sky, as well as the illusion of being suspended in mid-air. The communal area includes brass-fitted bathrooms, wooden decks and dining rooms, all overlooking the Kiboko Waterhole which is frequented by hippos and other wildlife. AMANGIRI WHERE IN THE WORLD: Canyon Point, Utah WHAT IT WILL COST: $3000AUD per night Open-air hotels don't get more glamorous, or pricier, than Amangiri. The 600-acres of protected desert is approximately two hours from the Grand Canyon. The resort is built into the rock-face for maximum exclusivity, with each suite offering indoor and outdoor sleeping arrangements. Travelling with friends? The four-bedroom mesa home includes a 15-metre private pool, fireplace, underfloor heating and personal bar, and will cost you a cool $12K per night. CABRIOLET ROOM WHERE IN THE WORLD: L'Albereta Resort, Italy WHAT IT WILL COST: $550 AUD per night If you're looking for romantic star gazing, nothing beats the Cabriolet room at L'Albereta, where a push of a button reveals a retractable roof and the gorgeous Italian night sky beyond. The plush canopy bed is only out-luxed by the marble-clad bathroom, which includes a hydro-massage tub. The views aren't limited to the stars, either — the balcony faces the resort's vineyards, as well as Lake Iseo. VIEW WITH A ROOM WHERE IN THE WORLD: Bangkok, Thailand WHAT IT WILL COST: $285 per night Bangkok Tree House is an eco-conscious, 12-room boutique located on the island of Bang Krachao, just outside the smog of Bangkok. The hotel takes us back to the basics, allowing visitors to sleep in a seven-metre-high, bamboo floored treehouse which is open to both the sky and surrounding mangroves. The showers are heated by the sun, and free homemade fruit ice cream is available 24/7. In this case, living out your childhood will also do some good — the hotel removes one kilogram of rubbish from the nearby Chao Phraya River with every booking made, having removed over 3000 kilograms of trash to date.
