Overview
Winter weekends haven't looked this wonderfully packed for many a cold, cold week. There's plenty of Bastille Day treats to be eaten, films to be snuggled into and live music to warm your hands on, doonas have never looked so unappealing. Get out there, put a dumb-looking animal beanie on and lap up that wintry goodness — there's plenty of time to worry about prepping for bikini season later.
Thumpers
According to The Guardian, Thumpers "make spiritual feelgood music for people who don't necessarily want to go to church". In January last year, the London-based indie-electro-pop duo made the UK media institution's prestigious 'new band of the week' page. Since then, they've released their debut studio album, Galore, in both the US and the UK via independent Seattle label Sub Pop Records. That's the very same legendary platform responsible for first bringing Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney to your ears. And just in case you're wondering, the name has nothing to do with Bambi.
When: Friday, 11 July - 8:30pm
Where: Northcote Social Club , 301 High St Northcote VIC 3070
How much: 33 +bf
All This Mayhem
A thrilling sports film, heartbreaking drama and eye-opening cautionary tale all rolled in to one, All This Mayhem will transcend your expectations of its subject matter. Ostensibly a documentary about the rise and fall of two former skateboarding champions, in execution the Australian-made production bears closer resemblance to (in the words of its director) a modern-day Greek tragedy, full of hubris, temptation and a reckless disregard for long-term consequences. In what is shaping up to be a banner year for Australian cinema, this wild and powerful doco has officially stolen the lead.
When: Thursday, 10 July - Wednesday, 6 August
Where: Cinema Nova
How much: $14 - $19
Domestique Tour de France Pop-Up Bar
Is your sleep schedule still ruined from the FIFA World Cup? Are you gradually making your way to being fully nocturnal? Good news, sleepyheads: the Tour de France is about to touch down on the streets of France (and late night SBS), and we have the perfect place to huddle up and watch it. Presented by the legends from The Shadow Electric, Domestique is a pop-up bar now in its third annual form. Far from the bogans that pack our your local while the footy's on, the organisers of this slick little happening knowingly describe it as "a sports bar for those who prefer bars to sport". Domestique will feature a live feed of the mountain stages and time trial via HD projection, music, drinks, food, heating and ping pong. Friday and Saturday nights will offer food from Fancy Hank's BBQ and DJs, and every other night you can snag yourself some Polish dumplings from Peirogi Peirogi.
Domestique will be open 7pm till late on select dates of the Tour de France. Head to their Facebook page for more details.
When: Saturday, 5 July - Friday, 25 July
Where: Domestique Pop Up Bar , 83 Kerr Street, Fitzroy
How much: FREE
Greg Sestero Presents The Disaster Artist
Oh hi Mark! Best known for his immortal role in Tommy Wiseau's cult classic The Room, actor Greg Sestero is headed to Australia. Part of a publicity tour to promote his tell-all book, The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside the Room, Sestero's visit will hopefully shed new light on what is undoubtedly one of the worst films ever made. Sestero (or 'Sestosterone', as he is affectionately known) will be in Melbourne on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, for a special event at Cinema Nova that includes an interactive script reading, an audience Q&A session and a behind-the-scenes documentary that explores the making of this unintentional comic gem. Whatever you do though, be sure to leave your stupid comments in your pocket.
When: Friday, 11 July - Saturday, 12 July
Where: Cinema Nova
How much: $23 - $25
The Preatures
The most talked-about band Australia's seen in recent times since The Jezabels, The Preatures have unveiled their latest single 'Two-Tone Melody' and have announced their highly-anticipated upcoming debut album with accompanying national tour. Signing to Mercury Records in 2012 with a whopping five album deal, the Sydney fivesome's success snowballed in 2013 after the release of their second EP and ultra-catchy single 'Is This How You Feel?', prompting international touring and national high-fivery. The easily replayable single nabbed an ARIA nomination for Best Pop Release, number nine in the triple j Hottest 100 and just today nabbed a top five nomination for APRA|AMCOS Song of The Year. The Preatures will tour the US and Canada during June, make their way over to festivals in Europe and the UK before venturing back home for an Australian tour, stopping by Splendour In The Grass this July alongside fellow Sydneysiders RÜFÜS, The Jezabels and Sticky Fingers.
When: Saturday, 12 July - 8:30pm
Where: Corner Hotel , 57 Swan Street, Richmond
How much: 30 +BF
Bakehouse Studios Open Day
Think about your favourite musician. Now, have a little ol' fantasise about where they rehearse, record and hang out with your other favourite musos. If you can't get a clear image in your head of such a heavenly place, relax. The legendary Bakehouse studios are throwing open the doors for an open day at their Richmond digs. With musicians the likes of Nick Cave, Tool, Beck, The Cat Empire, The Drones, Paul Kelly, Ladyhawke and a bucket-tonne more to have played within these walls, Bakehouse is a pretty special place. The Hoddle Street staple will be opening their glorious doors for the first time ever and to celebrate, Leaps and Bounds Festival are throwing a street party with plenty of music and frivolity. There's also going to be enough contemporary Aussie art to poke a metaphorical stick at, and Bakehouse have also let loose their artist buds to create innovative and immersive installations within the rooms of the studio.
When: Saturday, 12 July - 11:00am
Where: Bakehouse Studios , 27-29 Hoddle St, Richmond
How much: FREE
Henry V - Bell Shakespeare
Battles will be had, blood will be shed, and brothers will unite on stage in this Bell Shakespeare production of Henry V, but not quite as you remember it from high school lit. Shakespeare's tale tells the story of King Henry V who, having ascended the throne following the death of his father, promptly — after a few people tell him he should probs do something else — declares war on France. In this production, director Damien Ryan is bringing the story to life with a contemporary take, inspired by a true story. During the London Blitz in 1941, a group of young men, bored and stuck in a bunker, started a club, where they would rehearse and perform plays to others in the shelter.
When: Tuesday, 1 July - Saturday, 12 July
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
How much: $65 - $79
Bastille Day at Albert St Food & Wine
A Francophile is many things. They are passionate about France, bang on (and on) about French food, French wine and French country houses, and seem to know exactly how to piss everyone off with their incessant French-ness. It's enough to ruin friendships — except when it comes to Bastille Day. Commemorating the storming of the Bastille, the 14th of July is a celebration of everything French that everyone can get on board with, particularly foodies. And all you have to do its travel to Brunswick, not Bordeaux. This year Albert St Food & Wine is celebrating Bastille Day on the Sunday prior with a hunter's feast, inspired by chef Jason Rodwell's own travels through regional France.
When: Sunday, 13 July - 12:30pm
Where: Albert St Food and Wine , 382 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056
How much: $75
Scandinavian Film Festival
Step into your local arthouse theatre these days and you'd be hard pressed not to find a regional film festival going on. In 2014, the line-up is getting that little bit more crowded, with the inaugural edition of a brand new festival highlighting the films from Europe's frozen north. Covering Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, the first annual Scandinavian Film Festival is set to put the kvikmynd in kvikmyndahátíð. For more information about the Scandinavian Film Festival, visit their website.
When: Thursday, 10 July - Sunday, 27 July
Where: Palace Cinemas Melbourne , Melbourne
How much: TBC
Abundance Fundraising Party
Strength in numbers works a treat for fundraisers and benefactors alike. St Kilda's Theatre Works are putting on a fundraising party for four of Melbourne’s leading independent theatre companies and their latest productions. They aim to raise $20,000 for Elbow Room’s The Motion of Light in the Water, Uninvited Guests’ I Heart John McEnroe, Dirty Pretty Theatre’s Thérèse Raquin and Little Ones Theatre’s The House of Yes. Set to be a night filled with quirky and playful performances, this collaboration marks the second annual Abundance Fundraising Party. Hosted by Present Tense's Bryce Ives, expect comedy, cabaret and musical performance from a lineup of very special guests, including acclaimed US actress Jane Badler and Grammy award-winner Jeff Bova alongside Virginia Gay, Roderick Cairns, Beau Heartbreaker, Nicholas Renfree-Marks, Angela Hogan, Joseph Chetty and Luisa Hastings Edge.
When: Saturday, 12 July - 7:30pm
Where: Theatre Works , 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
How much: $40 - $50