I don't know about you, but I usually don't associate Russia with summer homes. In fact, 'Russian summer home' seems a bit of an oxymoron. However, Moscow-based architect Peter Kostelov has created this all-white 'origami house' for Russia's reality show, Dachniy Otvet. His only guidelines were to create a summer home where the family could enjoy athletic activities outdoors and host gatherings for friends. The house has no doors or windows, allowing guests to get some of that Russian sunshine (catch it while you can) whilst still being protected from Russia's often unpredictable weather. Built with sustainably-sourced timber, the origami house also uses a solar battery to heat water. The design folds and wraps, representing an origami-like structure. Check out some photos of this unique contemporary design.
Sometimes, a mid-week day off needs a little magic. As part of their Cult Japan program — and the Miyazaki retrospective nestled within it — the Gallery of Modern Art is serving up cinema at its most enchanting. Two of the beloved animator's classics combine for an afternoon filled with witches, cats and a half-human half-fish princess. Whether you've seen the Studio Ghibli delights that are Kiki's Delivery Service and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea before, or if you're discovering them for the first time, prepare for a simply wondrous Wednesday at the movies.
In the coming years, works by Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya, Brett Whiteley and Arthur Boyd will find a new home on the New South Wales south coast. The pieces will form part of an art gallery that's set to spring up on the Bundanon property at Riversdale in the Shoalhaven region, with the New South Wales government committing more than $8.5 million to revamp the site. A quarter of a century since the 1100-hectare property was gifted to the Australian public by artist Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne Boyd — becoming a haven for creativity, arts and education, as well as remaining a working farm — it'll welcome a new space to house the Boyds' other gift: over 3800 items, including with more than 1300 works by Arthur Boyd himself. At present, hundreds of pieces can be viewed in the existing Bundanon Homestead, as well as in Arthur Boyd's studio; however the forthcoming expansion will see the construction of a gallery and storage facility for the huge art collection, which is valued at $43 million. While the new plans centre around the gallery itself, which will built into the site's hillside and boast windows that frame the artwork with glimpses of the natural splendour outside, that's not the only addition as part of the project. A 140-metre-long by nine-metre-wide structure will branch out of the gallery, into a bridge spanning across the Bundanon bushland and parkland, and across to 34 bedrooms, a teaching and dining space, and a public cafe. Stepped terraces, an openair arrival hall and an outdoor learning space are also mooted. The NSW government's contribution has been allocated through the state's Regional Cultural Fund, with $28 million required in total to complete the project — and an opening date yet to be announced. "Arthur Boyd's extraordinary works live on as enduring inspiration for the many passionate and talented artists across regional NSW," commented NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin. "This new facility housed on this famous landscape will pave the way for the Bundanon Trust's revered $43 million collection to be housed and presented for all visitors to enjoy." Images: Kerstin Thompson Architects.
The nine to five can be tough. Sometimes there's just too much to do, and not enough time to do it — and sometimes you just struggle to put a sentence together without any typos. But before heading to the cafe next door for another short black, you might want to consider Silicon Valley's pick-me-up alternative: psychedelics. Yep, acid is the new caffeine. It's called 'microdosing' and apparently it's the new thing for overachieving, overworked Silicon Valley yo pros to partake in when they're having a bit of an off one. It involves taking about a tenth of the 'normal' dose of a psychedelic drug (usually LSD or mushrooms) which has an energising and insightful 'subperceptual' — rather than a tripping — effect on the body. And, according to this Rolling Stone article, it's helping them concentrate, and be more productive and creative at work. The concept itself isn't entirely new. Author of The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide James Fadiman introduced microdosing into the mainstream when speaking at a psychedelic research conference back in 2011. Since then, however, the practice has become more widespread, particularly with twenty-something professionals in the San Francisco area, according to Fadiman. Although the dose of the (illegal) drugs is minute, their effects are still hard to predict. So for now, perhaps stick to your single origin coffee beans and a selection of cat GIFs to get the creative juices flowing. Via Rolling Stone.
Like leggings? Like coffee? Why not combine the two! It's the stuff caffeine-loving fashionista's dreams are made of — a certain Brisbane fashion label has unveiled their own cafe. It makes perfect sense, their brand name has been telling everyone how they like their hot cups of joe for years now. Whether your wardrobe is full of too many — or not enough — Black Milk popular culture-inspired tights, skater dresses, catsuits, shorties and gymwear, or even if their style isn't quite for you, Black Milk HQ is something everyone can agree on. Initially due to start trading late last year, the new eatery has finally opened its doors to bring more than form-fitting fashion to Newstead’s Commercial Road. The usual range of coffee, smoothies and snacks are on their menu, and of course everything looks delicious. Open from 6.30am til 3pm, Black Milk HQ is certain to become the new place to be for breakfast, lunch and bites to eat in between — and to cause many a label fan to flock to the area. In the future, you will be able to browse their latest lines before and after devouring a tasty brew, when their concept store joins the mix. For now, its all about the food and drinks — and hanging out in air-conditioned comfort while watching live art displays. Either way, you’ll be looking and feeling great, inside and out. Find Black Milk HQ at 62 Commercial Road, Newstead.
Has it ever crossed your mind that this is a ridiculously impossible idea and that you might not actually be able to do it? Artist Willoh S Weiland is on the other end of Skype and laughs at the question. "What I love about this project is that it's about the audience — people love doing stuff that's impossible. I think it's our job as a project team to make it a reality." The project in question is Forever Now, an epic artistic and curatorial collaboration between MONAFOMA director Brian Ritchie (of Violent Femmes fame), Jeff Khan (director, Performance Space), Thea Baumann (artistic associate, Aphids) and jokingly self-titled 'Evil Overlord' Weiland (artistic director, Aphids). With the launch on June 15, the fantastic four will open the call out to anyone and everyone in the world to submit one-minute audiovisual artworks that represent humanity in the 21st-century. The team will select 44 applications to go on a digital golden record, which will then be launched into outer space at MONAFOMA 2014. "Forever Now is the third in a trilogy of art science works that I've been doing over the last four years, all of which have explored space and astrophysics," says Weiland. "I thought that the ultimate challenge to complete this trilogy would be for us to try and get contemporary art actually into the galaxy." Thirty-six years ago, NASA launched a Golden Record of its own into outer space on The Voyager spacecraft. Like the sci-fi version of the classic message in a bottle, there is hope that intelligent extraterrestrial life might discover the record, have the brains to correctly decipher the instructions, the fingers with which to operate them on a turntable and the sensory capacities to consume the record's contents and learn about our lonely planet. The Voyager is the furthest human thing from planet Earth, currently floating on the edge of our galaxy, about to enter interstellar space. Moreover, the Golden Record is made from gold-plated copper and uranium-238 that is designed to last over 4 billion years. Weiland describes the differences between NASA's 1977 Golden Record and what she hopes to achieve with Forever Now: "Firstly, [the Voyager Record] was created in six weeks in a totally closed curatorial process by a group of scientists and cultural experts." The Forever Now launch and open call for submissions is a direct reaction to that. "There was no digital democracy in 1977," says Weiland, "so the idea is that the curatorial process is completely transparent and able to be influenced by the public and that the record we compile will be an evolving process over six months." A second point of difference, as she sees it, is to the curatorial limitations that NASA worked within. "They deliberately didn't send anything that was about conflict or war or argument or famine or anything — it was a very shiny, upbeat representation of humanity. So we want to look more at the queer and the horrible.” On whether or not she believes in aliens, Weiland replies, "I think that one of the most exciting developments of the last thirty years compared to when the Voyager went out is the discovery of exoplanets (planets outside our Solar System) and also the absolute certainty that we will within my lifetime find biological life somewhere else." And how might an alien respond if it got its hands (or other limbs) on the Forever Now record? "If they weren't a gas, I can only say what I'd hope, which is that they'd be curious about us and be compelled to find us," she says. "I think we've been trying to understand our own aloneness for a long time and I think finding that out, that we weren't, would be such an intense, massive shift. It would be like when they worked out that the world wasn't flat." Plans for sending the physical record into outer space are yet to be confirmed, though Weiland declares, "We will do our valiant best to get it into space. We have a lot of possible plans ranging from gifting it to NASA, or to lesser known space programs like South Korea. The main issue in that is dealing with how much you have to compromise the content in order to participate in what is essentially a really militarised industry." There is also the possibility of launching Forever Now privately, "though this will carry implications for how far the work will be able to travel". More information about the project will come to light at the official unveiling ceremony on June 15 at the State Library of New South Wales. "The launch in June is also the launch of the research and implementation for both Susan Cohn, who's making the record, for Erin Milne, who's working out how to get it into space, and for the curators, who are going to be talking to the public and dealing with the submissions process." Forever Now is an Aphids project in association with Performance Space, MONAFOMA and Vitalstatistix. It launches as part of the Performance Space Switched On season, and the launch webcast can be watched on the their website.
Dark Mofo, the Museum of Old and New Art's Hobart winter arts festival, has done what everyone thought impossible — it's managed to lure people to one of the coldest places in Australia in the most freezing months of the year. (Which is no easy feat — that place is cold.) And as a big pat on the back for both bringing in a heap of extra cash to the Tassie economy (and just being downright incredible), the Tasmanian Government yesterday announced a new five-year funding agreement to support Mona and the festival. Dark Mofo will receive a whopping $10.5 million over five years to continue to grow and throw the festival until 2021. This cash splash doesn't come without some caveats though. As part of the funding, Dark Mofo will have to deliver a regional program each year and invest at least $250,000 of that money to support Tasmanian arts-based organisations. Plus, they obviously want them to increase the number of visitors to Tasmania over winter, grow festival attendance and up the media exposure too. Seems like a no-brainer for the Tassie Government. Because while it seems arts funding is sadly getting cut left, right and centre around the country, we can see why they want to invest in this program. Last year's Dark Mofo returned an estimated $46 million to the economy and created about 400 new permanent and short-term jobs. On top of the funding news, Dark Mofo also announced their 2017 dates: June 8-21. The festival, which started in 2013, is centred around celebrating the winter solstice — or the longest night of the year. Image: Rosie Hastie, courtesy Mona Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
With the recent celebrations of our Queen's Jubilee, we thought it would be relevant to showcase another country's celebration of their royal heritage. London correspondent Dan Maas (who gave us London, What Are You Listening To?) offers his insights into his recent bender at Queen's Day in Holland and why orange is the new black? Growing up with Dutch parents, but born in New Zealand, I guess you could say I am a Kiwi in clogs. Although I am an absolutely stoked New Zealander, it is nice to have a home away from home especially within an hour of London. Visiting Oma (Grandma) was a little more difficult growing up I have to say. Of course on these visits back, I have always had the fortune of being able to visit the Dam which is undoubtedly a great place. Of course it is known for the obvious stuff which has its place, but get past all of that and you will find a truly unique city that oozes urban culture. If you are into cool people, sweet kicks, unreal clubs, history, arts, screamers and croquets, then this is your town. At the center of Holland, Amsterdam is always going to be the place that positions itself in the front row for any big national event. If you have not heard of Queen's Day, their national celebration, then brace yourself to dial Flight Centre. The Dutch are one of the most passionate people for their country around, and this is the weekend they really let people know about it. I was so keen to show it off to you guys, that I made a little video to prove it. Enjoy.....
In an ironic makeover, a former Chicago meatpacking plant and slaughterhouse has found a new purpose as the city's first self-sustaining, vertical farm. Located in Chi-Town's Union Stock Yards, the 93,500 square foot brick building once specialised in mass-producing red meat - one of the least environmentally-friendly industries out there. Now, it is a sci-fi-like space dedicated to non-waste-producing urban farming. Projects inside 'The Plant' include a tilapia fish farm, beer and Kombucha tea breweries, aquaponic farms which harvest vegetables, and a mushroom garden. The Plant will also host to a group of bakers and caterers that will work together in a communal kitchen area. Upcoming projects include 'living' walls, and rooftop gardens. All of these endeavors have taken up a zero net waste policy, made possible by an interconnecting indoor ecosystem of sorts. The used grains from the beer brewery will be used as fish-food for the tilapia; the waste produced by the fish will nourish the mushroom garden and hydroponic plants; those plants will clean the water, which may be cycled back up to the fish tanks. Initially aided by a combined heat and power system, as well as an anaerobic digester, the Plant will be entirely self-sustaining. The project hopes to be taken off the power grid in just a few years. By the end of this year, the Plant hopes to have five rentable tenant spaces, and its renewable energy system up and running by next June. By 2016, the building is set to be fully functional, creating 125 neighbourhood jobs, and keeping over 10,000 tons of food waste out of landfills each year. Human waste is an obvious problem, says Melanie Hoeskstra, the Plant's director of operations. The renovations made to the Plant are workable in any old building: “It’s not a perfect system, but it’s really close," she says of the Plant. Sounds like city planners should take a note or two.
Watching The Vow, you can be forgiven for wondering how the details and events that fill its frames all managed to actually happen. It tells a tale that seems like it should be a work of fiction, as many of the best true-crime docuseries do. But as the old adage goes, truth is stranger than fiction — and that definitely proves to be the case when there's a creepy self-improvement group involved. NXIVM dates back to the 90s, but it wasn't until the past few years that it started attracting newspaper headlines, with its leader Keith Raniere first arrested and indicted, and then convicted of a spate of crimes including sex trafficking. Across its first nine-episode season, The Vow chats with former members of the group about their unsurprisingly disturbing experiences, and also spends time with journalists who've dedicated a hefty chunk of their lives to exposing NXIVM. Yes, it's one helluva story.
Cinephiles, picnic-lovers and everyone in between, rejoice — the annual combination of movies, outdoor eating and park hangouts that is Moonlight Cinema is back for another round. After locking in their dates back in September, Australia's biggest outdoor cinema this morning announced their full 2026-17 summer program — and it's a goodie. Kicking off on the first day of summer (how fitting) in Sydney and Adelaide before launching in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth just a few days later, this year's setup boasts all the regular features that make this one of the country's most popular summer events. Big screen shimmering beneath the stars? Check. Food trucks serving the ultimate movie munchies? Check. Letting super-organised patrons BYO their own snacks? Check. A huge lineup of new releases and cult classics? You betcha. Expect all the big summer releases, like sci-fi thriller Passengers, the much-anticipated La La Land with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and Lion, based on the true story of Saroo Brierley who found his birth mother in India via Google Earth after 25 years of separation. Naturally, they'll also be playing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which was released today) as well as the yet-to-be-released Star Wars: Rogue One and game-turned-film Assassins Creed. As always, they'll also throw in a few cult favourites — this year it's Grease and Back to the Future — and some Doggie Nights, which will kick off with The Secret Life of Pets. Of course, heading to Moonlight isn't just about the movies shown, as fun as getting a sneak peek of upcoming flicks or sharing the joyous glow of watching iconic favourites on a big screen is. It's also about the experience, which is why you're allowed to start getting excited without knowing which films you'll be watching — and why you should be blocking out December through to April in your calendar. Tickets are on sale now. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2016-17 DATES: Sydney: December 1 – April 2 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: December 8 – April 2 (Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: December 8 – March 5 (New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse) Adelaide: December 1 – February 19 (Botanic Park) Perth: December 3 – April 2 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Moonlight Cinema's 2016-17 season starts screening around the country from December 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit moonlight.com.au.
Now that each and every university kid is back studying for semester two, their priorities clearly lie with excess alcohol, dancing and canoodling others. Considering that this breed of people are also notorious for being lazy, it’s both convenient and lucky that the people behind Happy Endings, Bats, and Woodland have done some brainstorming. Starting August 13, once a month there will be a party of epic proportions held at Woodland that encourages casual relationships, liver problems and awesome Australian bands. Playing the inaugural event will be Love Connection, Tiger Beams and the Tiny Migrants, so it's obvious that the event is off to a great start. Oh yeah, it’s also a Jungle-themed party, so act/dress accordingly and don’t miss out.
Ever wondered what it'd be like to listen in on a chat between known besties Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer? Well, wonder no longer. The latest edition of Dunham's Lenny Letter features an interview between the two, touching upon everything from tramp stamps to body image to boundaries in comedy. Their discussion is timed to coincide with the release of Schumer's new memoir, The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo, which is currently rocketing to the top of best-seller lists. Because they're the power pals we all know and love, both prove frank and funny as they also compare experiences at this year's Met Gala ("I attempted to grind my ass on Michael B. Jordan," Dunham notes), and talk about Schumer's gun control campaign following the tragic shooting during a screening of her film Trainwreck last year ("You know, that is actually when I felt the closest to Jennifer Lawrence, because that day she texted me, 'It's your fault.' And in times like that only jokes make you feel a little better", Schumer shares). Plenty of other tidbits also come up during the piece, including something Girls fans might be particularly interested in. In the lengthy introduction, Dunham reveals that the two first met when Schumer auditioned for the role of Shoshanna. We'll give you a minute to imagine how that version of the show could've turned out. Yep, it's the kind of reading your weekend needs — and the next best thing to managing to become the third musketeer in their best friendship. And sure, it's the type of affectionate, amusing chat you'd expect from the two; but hey, if these two talented ladies want to share their banter with the world, you won't hear us complaining. Via Lenny Letter.
With Bannisters' duo of hotels at Mollymook now a firm fixture on New South Wales' south coast, the accommodation brand is turning its gaze to the north. Later this year, Port Stephens will be in for a good dose of swank, with the company taking over the Soldiers Point site previously occupied by Salamander Shores. As at Mollymook, you can expect luxury. Of the 80 four-and-a-half-star rooms, 50 will afford views straight across Karuah River, while the other 30 will look over bushland. If you've cash to splash about, book the penthouse or one of four extra-fancy suites. Wherever you sleep, you'll be welcome to make the most of the infinity pool, hang out in the high-ceilinged lobby and kick back at the onsite pub over a pizza — or indulge in a course or three at the Rick Stein signature restaurant. "The abundance of top-quality seafood is a massive attraction, as is the proximity to the Hunter Valley's wineries," said Stein. "I will be working closely with head chef Mitchell Turner, designing a menu featuring local king prawns, Yellowfin bream, flathead, calamari and school whiting, not to mention the fabulous oysters." Looking the part, all these spaces — and the rest — will be sorted out by Bannisters' stellar design team, made up of architect Tony Freeman, interior designer Romy Alwill and landscape designer Will Dangar. And as for bringing the Bannisters brand to the area, general manager Peter Bacon said "there is so much potential in Port Stephens, and it is a natural progression for us to take a formula that works and replicate it." Find Bannisters Port Stephens at 147 Soldiers Point Roadd, Soldiers Point from later in 2018.
The ongoing saga that is Daft Punk's new album Random Access Memories continues. Last week, the French duo had us shakin'-in-our boots with excitement over the release of a 1 minute teaser from their newest single "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams, and now, they've given us the whole thing. While we've become increasingly disenfranchised by the slow drip reveal of pop culture (I mean, do we really need a teaser and three separate trailers for The Great Gatsby?), somehow the Daft Punk fellas are getting it just right. With the leak of each new detail, Daft Punk have managed to get the internet drooling; drawing us in with each juicy new shred of information and leaving us hungering for more. Whether its their unexpectedness (I mean, Wee Waa, who saw that coming?), their enigmatic anonymity (those once annoyingly kitsch helmets have become something of a cultural phenomenon) or just how damn infectious their music and videos are, we're addicted. And what about the song itself? We absolutely love it! "Get Lucky" manages to sound both brand new and yet naggingly familiar all at the same time, immediately hooking the listener in with its funky-as-hell groove. It's kinda like the aural equivalent of meeting an old girlfriend who has got herself a sexy new haircut. It's comfortingly familiar, but somehow intoxicating in a whole new way. On top of this, the whole Earth, Wind and Fire vibe they've got going on means "Get Lucky" looks set to dominate every radio station and dancefloor for the rest of 2013. Keep doing exactly what you're doing you ridiculously talented Frenchmen! Update: On Saturday night, a limited number of tickets to Daft Punk's album launch party in Wee Waa were made available via The Crossing Theatre's website. To book, click here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vxp0PFoIdmU
Covering no more than 6 square metres of space, Jay Shafer's Tumbleweed XS House encompasses all the domestic necessities of a home in adorable miniature. The world's smallest house, valued at AU$37,325, has recently gone up for eBay auction; all proceeds will go to help fund early art education at the Toledo Museum of Art. The current bid on the house is AU$24,300 with 20 days left to bid. Contained within this tiny home is a sleeping loft fit with a queen-size bed, a bathroom complete with a shower, a kitchenette and a living area. The house is fully furnished, right down to the space-saving mini-fridge. RV-style water and electricity hookups are featured too, so the only amenity the buyer would have to provide is an external sewage tank. As the art museum says, "The small house movement is about quality of space and design, not quantity." The Tumbleweed XS House was originally commissioned to be a part of Toronto's Museum of Art exhibition 'Small Worlds'. Building materials and a workspace were donated by a local mercantile, The Andersons. 'Pared down' may be an understatement for this little home and the lifestyle which accompanies it, but for those seeking a simplistic way of life these 6 square metres may be the perfect fit.
All hail the Keanaissance — for bringing him back to our screens, and often; and for giving everyone an excuse to shower his past hits with love as well. Before he was Neo and John Wick, he wasn't just one half of Bill and Ted or Point Break's surfing FBI agent Johnny Utah, but also a guy trying to stop the bus that couldn't slow down. We know you're a fan, because who isn't? Alongside the aforementioned Point Break, Speed is one of action gems of the 90s — and Keanu is at the heart of both of them. And, we know you've always wanted to relive the latter film's high-stakes action movie magic, so here's your chance. Brisbanites, get ready to step onboard a vintage bus and prepare for the ride of your life. After thrilling fans and making plenty of new ones during several past Brisbane runs, Speed: The Movie, The Play is bringing its high-octane thrills back to the the Queensland capital in 2023 at Wynnum Fringe. It's taking on passengers between Friday, November 17–Saturday, December 2 from George Clayton Park, with shows held Friday–Sunday — and this is one stint of public transport chaos (and 90s nostalgia) that you should willingly sign up for. Need to whet your appetite? Check out the trailer for the original film:
Monster movies have their place. Slasher films, and every horror flick about fiendish foes, too. But features about real-life atrocities — events such as the Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were murdered and 23 others wounded — should never share the same notions of evil. Director Justin Kurzel and screenwriter Shaun Grant understand this, and demonstrate a canniness so astute that it's unnerving. They make movies that take this notion as a given, unpacking dark chapters of Australia's history guided with it as their guiding principle. That's clear in Nitram, their new film about the events preceding that tragic incident in Tasmania in 1996, just as it was in their 2011 debut Snowtown. Both movies dive into loathsome true crimes. Both films are difficult, distressing, disquieting and disturbing, understandably. Both features are also brilliant for many reasons, the fact that they're about people rather than monsters high among them. It's terrifying to contemplate something so gut-wrenchingly abominable as the bodies-in-barrels murders, which Snowtown depicts, and to face the fact that people rather than evil were behind them. Nitram courts and provokes the same response as it focuses on something equally as ghastly, and similarly refuses to see the perpetrator in shades of black and white. In their third collaboration — with 2019's bold and blazing True History of the Kelly Gang in the middle — Kurzel and Grant don't excuse their protagonist. They don't try to justify the unjustifiable, explain it, exploit it, or provide neat answers to a near-unfathomable crime. Rather, they're exactingly careful in depicting the lone gunman responsible for Australia's worst single-shooter mass killing, right down to refusing to name him. (The movie's title comes from his moniker backwards, and it's all he's ever called on-screen.) Nitram does depict its eponymous figure's mental health issues and medication, and his status as an outcast, but not as reasons for what's to come. It shows his complicated relationships, mentions his struggles as a boy and sees how he's teased as an adult, yet never deems these motives. All such things can be part of someone's life, or not, and that person can commit heinous deeds, or not — and Nitram doesn't ever even dream of seeing that as a straightforward cause-and-effect equation. In his fifth stint behind the lens — 2015's blistering Macbeth and 2016's abysmal Assassin's Creed are also on his resume — Kurzel does adopt a hazy aesthetic, though. The film isn't dreamy, instead resembling anxious memories worn and frayed from too much time looping in someone's mind. Its imagery is boxed in within a constricted frame, heightening that sensation; however, cinematographer Germain McMicking (Acute Misfortune) shoots Nitram (Caleb Landry Jones, The Outpost) as if he's roving around the space to test the boundaries. The character does just that narrative-wise. He earns his wearied mother's (Judy Davis, Mystery Road) constant exasperation, and almost everyone else's dismay. His father (Anthony LaPaglia, Below) expresses more warmth, but is just as affected. After knocking on her door attempting to start a lawn-mowing business, eccentric lottery heiress Helen (Essie Davis, Babyteeth) shows Nitram kindness and showers him with gifts, but even with her he's still pushing limits. When she sees him shooting at an old car with an air rifle in her sprawling backyard, she forbids it. It's her sternest moment. She also asks him not to lunge at the steering wheel as she's driving and, as turbulent as ever, Nitram keeps doing it. Crucially, Nitram anchors its namesake's notions of right and wrong in a childhood interview with the real-life gunman, with the archival footage opening the film. In hospital after frolicking with fireworks, the boy who'll grow up to blight Australian history forever is asked if he has learned from the experience. "Yes" is his answer, "but I'm still playing with 'em," he continues. Nitram isn't ever so overt as to echo those words throughout the movie, and it also doesn't need to. The idea ripples through every scene anyway, whether its central figure is later trifling with firecrackers at a school as an adult, lapping up Helen's affection amid her beloved brood of dogs and the constant sound of Gilbert and Sullivan show tunes, or slapping his dad out of an emotional low. Another scene — a powerhouse due to the inimitable Judy Davis, and a searing monologue delivered with festering pain — cements the idea that Nitram is cognisant of how his actions affect others, but that truth also resounds in Jones' Cannes Film Festival Best Actor-winning performance. He plays the part like Nitram knows he's testing boundaries, and knows the effect he frequently has on others. While even later still, the character tells his mother that when he watches himself on camcorder footage, he's not certain who he sees, there's never any doubt he's cognisant of how the world perceives him. Jones' work here is fragile but weighty, volatile but lived-in, boisterous but anguished, and petulant but intimidating. It's all these things at once and, even with other menacing roles in his on-screen past, it's phenomenal. Davis, LaPaglia and Davis make as much of an impression, one stiffened by time, one stripped bare through denial, one lonely and generous, and Kurzel shows that his winning way with actors is just as masterful here as in almost everything (Assassin's Creed aside) on his filmography. His love of sound and fury remains intact here as well, and it certainly signifies plenty. Every second of Nitram is designed to keep unpacking not only the lead-up to the Port Arthur tragedy — an event that's purposefully never shown itself, but inherently tints the film with foreboding, tension, horror and unease — but also the views of masculinity that've become as baked into Australia as the ochre-hued soil. Every moment is meticulously crafted to unsettle, to challenge, and to confront the reality that something this abhorrent happened at the hands of this man. Nitram doesn't trade in answers, but it does come with a message. Its gun scenes haunt, including when amassing weapons proves effortless if you have the cash and inclination. These sequences also help explain why Kurzel and Grant have taken on a clearly nerve-wracking endeavour, as the movie's post-script underscores. Australia's response to April 1996, in enacting tough gun legislation and buybacks, helped console a grieving country, but those laws have since been watered down. Now, more firearms exist across the nation than did then. That too is blood-curdling and traumatic, and making sure it resonates is another of this tremendous film's achievements.
Australian cult hero Ned Kelly is no stranger to the screen and stage. Having been portrayed by both Heath Ledger and Mick Jagger, Kelly has been long depicted as one of Australia’s most infamous and heroic icons. Viewed by many as a cold-blooded killer, and to others as a folk hero, the story of Ned Kelly is one which has captured the hearts and imaginations of people and performers alike. Now, in a new performance by Brisbane based playwrite Matthew Ryan, the Ned Kelly story is portrayed in a new light, distinctly different to that of the violent, exciting tale taught to us in school. The show masterfully balances light and shade, as well as including quick-witted banter and iconic Australian bush humour. The action-packed, fast paced story is coherent to that expected of a bushranger tale, and focuses on the family bond and strains between Kelly and his brother. The show premieres on the 16th of September and is running until the end of October, with some performances having already sold out.
Lather up! All the way from Germany, directors Markus Pabst and Maximilian Rambaek bring their world renowned performance SOAP to Brisbane. As a performance described by our very own Daily Telegraph as being “Sizzlingly Sexy”, this show is sure to wow crowds with its acrobatic, design and artistic feats. As the name suggests, SOAP combines on-stage acrobatics and bath time. The perfomance contains seven bath tubs as a platform for splash-filled, water-soaked acts, ranging from a mop-ballet to a rain-filled finale. The show contains breathtaking acts ranging from dance trapeze to contortion and SOAP even has its own live opera singer, Diva. Having captivated the hearts of over one and a half a million spectators, SOAP promises a vibrant performance that will have you bubbling over with awe.
Budding Australian Artists Britta Gudd, Alexandra Chica, Lisa Hundt and Yvie Klysv come together in Jugglers' latest exhibition, In Retrospect. Instead of showing off the creme da la creme of each artists' collection, In Retrospect provides a full spectrum of their work from the 'is this just a hobby?' phase, through to their first exhibitions, to now. In this timeline of artistic progress and awareness, In Retrospect showcases work dating back to 2000, as well as pieces that have been created especially for the exhibition. Opening night for In Retrospect is Friday, 19 February at 6pm. Alongside the exhibition, Brisbane singer-songwriter Meece will be performing a collection of her retro songs. Meece went from coming second in the Caboolture State High School 1987 Talent Quest to having a string of gigs and an EP to her name, so she knows a bit about the theme of the evening. Make sure to hop along and check out the humble, artistic beginnings of some homegrown artists with very bright futures.
If one man's trash is another man's treasure, then a trunk full of junk may as well be a treasure chest. Suitcase Rummage gets that when it comes to shopping, second-hand reaps the best bang for your buck. For years they've been hosting regular events at Brisbane Square and Brisbane Powerhouse, and now they're back for 2018,. Kicking off at midday on January 21 at Brisbane Square, the event will feature a crowd of open suitcases filled with the type of clothes, knick-knacks and craft you probably don't need but definitely deserve. If you can't make it this time around, try again on February 4 and 18 — and, if you've got a pile of unwanted bits and pieces that someone else could love, you could always sign up to be a stallholder and take your own suitcase along. Image: Yan Chen via Suitcase Rummage.
Brisbane based Yaron Lifschitz is a man of adversity. Coming from a Jewish background, with parents who hoped he would become a doctor or a lawyer, Lifshitz is credited for resurrecting the circus company ‘Circa’. Having had his very own Australian Story, Lifschitz and his troupe are being defined as ‘world beaters' in the field of acrobats and tricks. Now, QPAC's Playhouse Theatre hosts Circa’s latest venture, S, described as being sinuous, sophisticated, sensual and savage. Having received rave reviews from the New York Times, S draws inspiration from the letter S; it’s structure, its grammatical functions and purpose. Accompanied by the music of The Kronos Quartet, Kimmo Pohjonen and Samuli Kosminen, S is a home grown act that combines intoxicating music with a melange of bodies. Watch out Cirque du Soleil, there’s a new act in town and they’re serving up something surprisingly spectacular. Circus & Cabaret at Brisbane Festival 2012
If you've ever seen the popular television show, Thank God You're Here or watched the inter-school theatre sports competition, you would know that the combination of talented actors and funny scenes often leads to side splitting results. Theatre Sports requires actors to think on their feet as they are plunged into a foreign and often ridiculous situation. Stage Fight features eight witty actors skilled in the art of improvisation split into two performance teams, battling it out over two rounds. At the end of the night, judges will declare on team as the Improvisation Champions. The night also features music from the soulful Captain Dreamboat and the charming Matt Whitney. These talented musicians won't only provide toe-tapping music, but will also take part in the improvisation. The night will include a 'song-off' between the two based on a silly unknown concept. Don't miss out on a night of belly laughs this Thursday at West End. Make sure you catch both rounds of Stage Fight, the first starting at 7.30pm. It takes a special sort of person to improvise on stage and with this amount of ad-lib talent, Stage Fight is sure to provide quality entertainment.
If the music world is lacking one thing at the moment it's 'ska' bands - those saxophone infused ballads, acoustic Caribbean sounds and sickly sweet guitar riffs. But to those who thought that 70s rockers Madness left us high and dry with their abundance of ska hits, think again. Strange Tenants are Australian 'ska' legends. Formed and led by duel vocalists and prolific song writers Ian and Bruce Hearn, their music was often infused with political and social commentary, best evidenced by their alternative hits Soldier Boy, Hard Times and Grey Skies. As one of the biggest bands in the 80s, these boys toured with the likes of Style Council, UB40 and U2, and performed an incredible 1200 gigs between 1982 and 1986. While other bands 'lost themselves' to the growing trends and fads of the music industry, Strange Tenants have stayed strong with their striding independence and uncompromising commitment to mixing their own ska-reggae sound. After an amazing 32 years, Strange Tenants will be hitting The Zoo stage for one night of live performance. Whether you were there in the Strange Tenant's prime, or just want to rediscover this great era of music, this legendary band are a must see. Strange Tenant's classic 'Two Steps Back'
When you're whipping up a batch of cookies, do you spoon your creations onto the tray and pop them straight into the oven, or do you sneak a taste of the delicious, uncooked dough? We all know that we should say the former — and we all really do the latter. Eating the mushy morsels we'll call pre-bikkies is frowned upon thanks to that little thing called food safety; however New York's newest cafe has the solution. Dō makes their cookie dough from pasteurised eggs and heat-treated flour that ensures those gorging on their products won't get ill. After selling their wares online, they've branched out into the bricks-and-mortar space, setting up shop in Greenwich Village. https://www.instagram.com/p/BPfiYFHF0m4/?taken-by=cookiedonyc There, you'll find scoops of dough, served with or without ice cream, plus sundaes, ice cream sandwiches and cookie dough milkshakes. Pick from flavours such as sugar cookie, brownie batter, salty and sweet, cake batter and peanut butter snickerdoodle — from a range of five classic, eight signature and three seasonal varieties — then indulge in guilt-free gooeyness. Baked snacks such as actual cookies, cookie sandwiches, and cookie cakes are also available, but where's the fun in that? Or, try cookie dough fudge, cookie dough ice cream pie, cookie dough brownies or a cookie bomb — which looks like a cupcake, but is actually dough and frosting. Yum. Via Food and Wine.
Where bigger festivals rely mostly on a precise combo of big name international acts plus Pitchfork-approved indies, the Secret Garden sells out each year before its line-up is even announced. How you do that in today's musical climate is pretty astounding, until you look at what else the Secret Garden has to offer, at which point it becomes astoundingly obvious. Free booze, a magical farmland location revealed only to ticket-holders, and bands so close you can smell them all provide good reasons to get your unicorn onesie covered in glittery mud. And the food doesn't suck. "We are pretty different to what's out there," says festival director Clare Downes. "We are completely focussed, almost anal, about putting on a brilliant event. This includes lots of small creative areas, luxury camping facilities, great bars, brilliant music, award-winning food, interactive stuff and surprises. Gardeners love our surprises!" But that's not to say the music isn't a big draw card. This year the organisers have pulled together another excellent slew of bands and DJs that read like a cross-section of rising and risen local talent. PVT-approved Sydney duo Collarbones will make an appearance alongside Cub Scouts and The Griswolds, with The Preatures adding some artful gloom to the glitter. Rounding out the first line-up announcement are Alison Wonderland, DCUP, the Delta Riggs, Frames, Lancelot, Rufus, Spit Syndicate, Vance Joy, and Softwar and Slowball presenting Secret Garden After Hours. Secret Garden is also not a bratwurst in a bun sort of occasion. This year the festival is embracing Sydney's fleet of food trucks, with Eat Art Truck (headed by Stuart Magill of Tetsuya's and Brenton Balicki of Quay), Mexican masters Al Carbon, Tsuru's pan-Asian street food, and Jafe Jaffles confirmed to be in attendance, while Porch & Parlour takes care of breakfast. Knowing that the dinner table is the heart of the family and new dining experiences the soul of Sydney, organisers have also lined up a Secret Garden Banquet. Limited tickets are available for the feast, which will be held in heritage-listed stables in a secret area of the already secret location, and hosted, of course, by a secret group of foodies. The final component of today's announcement is no minor detail; it's the Friday theme, a greatly cherished part of the festivities. In 2013 Secret Garden is extending the hand of friendship to the scene perhaps best known for cosplay, the sci-fi convention, with Secret Garcon. For all those festivalgoers who'd feel outgeeked at Comic Con but have always wanted to dress up as their favourite Star Wars/Mass Effect/Ghostbusters character, this is for you. As Downes says, "Secret Garden is the kind of festival where you can dress as a pineapple, talk to the guy standing next to you, dabble in some karaoke, send a postcard to your mum and listen to some great bands. There are so many elements to it, beyond what happens on the stage and what we serve at the bars." It all comes together to create an immaculately tailored weekend away that you don't have to plan a thing for. Tickets for Secret Garden 2013 have sold out, but the festival is run entirely by volunteers, and it's not too late to become one of those. In exchange for four hours of work on the day, you can then run free at the venue. Secret Garden is run as a not-for-profit, with all proceeds going to the Sarah Hilt Foundation, which helps sufferers of meningococcal disease. Just another thing that separates this festival from the rest. By Hannah Ongley and Rima Sabina Aouf.
When streaming first infiltrated our viewing habits, paid online services such as Netflix boasted a hefty advantage over free-to-air television: no pesky advertisements interrupting while you watch. That wasn't the only drawcard by any means, but it wasn't a minor one, either. Now, however, the platform is betting that some folks won't mind commercials here and there in exchange for a cheaper subscription. This move has been in the works for a few months now, but Netflix's new 'basic with ads' package is about to become a reality in Australia — starting Friday, November 4. Sitting below its existing ad-free basic, standard and premium plans, the new subscription tier will cost $6.99 per month, and is being positioned as a budget-saving option. Here's how it works: firstly, you'll need to opt into the new plan. If you're already a Netflix subscriber without advertisements, that won't change. If you choose to switch to the ad option, you'll be served around four-to-five minutes of ads per hour. Those commercials will run for either 15 or 30 seconds in length, and play before and during films and shows. Also, there'll be fewer titles — and you won't be able to download them. Netflix advises that the smaller range will affect "a limited number of movies and TV shows" which "won't be available due to licensing restrictions", which the service is working on. And, video quality will only go up to 720p/HD, which is the same as Netflix's ad-free basic plan. Australia is part of a 12-country initial rollout, alongside Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, the UK and the US. A bonus for your bank balance? An annoying distraction? You choose. Again, you have to actively opt in for the ad-supported plan, so it won't just pop up unexpectedly while you're deep in a Stranger Things or DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story marathon. Netflix subscribers aren't new to the streaming service's tinkering, with the platform testing and rolling out plenty of new features over the years — including its 'play something' shuffle function for when you can't decide what to feast your eyeballs on next, and blocking password sharing. A huge motivation for this move: the plethora of competing services also competing for viewers, because there's never a shortage of things to watch. Netflix's 'basic with ads' package will be available for $6.99 per month from Friday, November 4.
Winter might be all about staying in doors, rugging up and avoiding the frosty weather, but if you want to see a trio of meteor showers this week, you'll want to head outdoors. Not one, not two, but three celestial events will be visible in Australia's skies: the Southern Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids and Piscis Austrinids. Arriving in the thick of winter, the Southern Delta Aquariids may not be quite as famous or frenetic as other meteor showers, but it's still considered a strong one, with around 15–25 meteors hurtling across the heavens per hour during its peak. In good news for those Down Under, it's also typically best seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Caused by the breakup of the Machholz comet, the shower is visible each year from around July 12–August 23 — so now. But the ideal time to catch it is between July 28–July 30, aka from Thursday–Saturday this week. And, like many astronomical shows, catching an eyeful around midnight is recommended — when the moon has set and its light will not interfere. [caption id="attachment_862773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mike Lewinski via Flickr[/caption] Also soaring through the skies at the moment: the Alpha Capricornids, which tends to run from around July 7–August 15. Yes, that means that you can peer up at night and catch a glimpse now, too, but it tends to peak around July 30–31 — so Saturday and Sunday this week. This one comes from the comet 169P/NEAT, and was discovered in 1871. It's known for its bright meteors and even fireballs, although they're infrequent, at around two-to-nine per hour. Then there's the Piscis Austrinids, giving stargazers yet another reason to look up. It usually runs between July 15–August 10, and peaks around July 28 — so on Thursday this week. As for the speed of its meteors, they're even slower than the Alpha Capricornids. For your best chances of getting a glimpse at all three, the usual advice applies. Get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. The Delta Aquariids' name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Aquarius. Accordingly, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. For the Piscis Austrinids, you're looking for the Piscis Austrinus constellation. And for Alpha Capricornids, the Capricornus constellation. To locate them all, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky, and is also a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night. The Delta Aquariids, Piscis Austrinids and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers will peak between Thursday, July 28–Sunday, July 31. Top image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
On Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, Palace James Street will become the most magical place in Brisbane. Split across the two days, all ten Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films will grace one of the venue's screens, serving up a whole weekend of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to get through it all otherwise. Ten films, you say? Yep, this really is a celebration of every Potter-related flick there is, which means the eight movie versions of J.K. Rowling's original seven books, plus both Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald as well. Watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and co. spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. And, then jump back several decades earlier to explore the exploits behind one of their textbooks. Potterfest: A Harry Potter Marathon kicks off at 10am on Saturday, runs through until 11.40pm that evening, and then screens again from 10am–10.45pm on Sunday. Dressing up in costume is always highly recommended, as is indulging in the whole two days of Potter nerdery — with tickets costing $50, or $40 for Palace members.
When it comes to cellaring alcohol, it's important to remember that wine isn't the only player in town. 'Aged like a fine beer' might not be a common expression, but it's a helluva true one, and with the 2017 edition of the Coopers Vintage Ale, you'd be hard pressed to find a finer, tastier or more exciting place to start. Coopers' iconic limited release ales are a unique and hotly anticipated annual fixture for beer enthusiasts, and this year (for the first time in a decade) they've revised their distinctive grist recipe to produce an extraordinary crimson-red ale with an enriched malt flavour. Even better, thanks to the seeding of live yeast, the longevity of this fine ale is not only assured, but recommended. The Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 is designed to mature with time and evolve with distinctly different flavours. This isn't about the creation of new tastes; it's about change — the gentle fade of the initially prominent flavours in favour of those that grow bolder over time. So when and how should you enjoy the many stages of the Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 journey? Let us count the ways... YEAR ZERO: BAR SNACKS We're always being told to live in the now, so the first rule of cellaring beer is that at least one bottle should be consumed immediately after purchase. Not only does this have the obvious benefit of enjoying a fresh brew, it also gives you a baseline against which all your future tastings can compare. For the Coopers Vintage Ale 2017, that initial taste is going to be a tantalising combination of the bitter, aromatic hop varieties Denali and Calypso, which deliver a delicate spectrum of fruity aromas in these early days. That's why the intensity of a bowl of hot chips, stacked nachos or, even better, a full plate of poutine with chips, cheese curd, bacon and the works are the perfect balancing points for the beer's initial strong and vibrant characteristics. Enjoy these in the comfort of home or head out to one of the pubs currently offering the vintage ale on tap. YEAR TWO: INDIAN FOOD Flavour isn't fixed; it's constantly evolving, which is why the cellaring experience is such a joy. Early in its life, the ale boasts distinct pineapple and pear characteristics, alongside pine and citrus notes that all finish with a respectable level of bitterness. But after two years in the vault, that bitterness will have eased off just enough to make an Indian dish the perfect meal with which to partner it. That's because hop flavours blend so seamlessly with Indian staple spices like tamarind and coriander, at first amplifying them, then helping to ease. YEAR FIVE: MEXICAN EATS Like a caterpillar in its chrysalis, by year five Coopers' 2017 vintage will be well and truly in a state of transformation. Its early, fruity, estery flavours and initial bitterness have at last begun to mellow, giving way to rich, sweet, caramel-like characters, and it's that very caramelisation of malts that works so perfectly with a hearty Mexican dish heavy on the meat. Why? Because Mexican dishes are basically the beer's food equivalent: they're a delicious blend of caramels and citrus that deliver light and dark flavours all at once. It's hard to go wrong with Mexican, but we'd suggest pairing your drink with pork or beef tacos with extra chilli, coriander and queso fresco, then drizzled with a little lime. YEAR EIGHT: CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE Sometimes pairing food with a drink is all about counterpoints and balance. Other times, it's about complimenting and amplifying. At the year eight stage of the vintage beer's maturation, there could be no better time to indulge in the rich malt, honey and dry nutty characteristics arising from its special blend of caramalt. From that blend, Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 not only gets its bold malty flavours, but also its fine and creamy head. Nothing could go better with flavours and feel like that than decadent desserts of toffee, chocolate and cheese. For starters, try pairing it with ginger-spiced chocolate truffles, allowing the malt to accentuate the caramel of the milk chocolate and the hops to intensify the spice. As for cheese, an aged Gouda will bring out the best of the beer's rich malt, dried dark fruit character and deep caramel flavours. YEAR TEN: RED, RED MEAT The time has come. The sands have emptied from the hourglass, and at long last the vintage ale you cellared in 2017 now celebrates its big tenth birthday. What began as a bitter, full-bodied hop profile now has a mature, enriched malt flavour running deep with notes of caramel and toffee. This is no time for snacks and finger food. The time has come for firing up the flames and getting your grill on, because now all that can match the glory of the ten-year-old Coopers Vintage Ale 2017 is a big, fat, juicy steak. The caramelised crust on the meat will accentuate the beer's matured taste, while the now diminished hop and bitterness will subtly complement the meal's savoury side. A limited number of the 2017 Coopers Vintage Ale cartons have been released, so get to stocking your cellar quickly. Otherwise, you can find the vintage available on tap at a few key venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond. Find your closest pub serving the brew here.
When Disney revealed that it was moving into streaming, it also announced a slew of high-profile titles designed to keep everyone's eyes glued to the company's new platform. Naturally, that included Marvel, with a number of new Disney+ series commissioned to broaden out the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you loved Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) on the big screen, you'll now get to enjoy more of each in a variety of spinoff shows. So far, in typical Mouse House style, details have been kept close to Disney's chest. We know that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision are due to release later in 2020, with Loki set to follow in 2021. Thanks to their titles, we obviously also know who they're about. And, we know that they'll all star the familiar faces that brought the characters to big-screen fame — and that they'll each run for six episodes apiece. Broadly, we know the premise for each series, too. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will take place after the aforementioned huge blockbuster, following its eponymous characters as they team up in the aftermath. As for WandaVision, it's a sitcom-style series exploring the home lives of Wanda and Vision, although there's undoubtedly more to it. And when Loki hits next year, it'll see the God of Mischief return — and it'll be set after Endgame. Until now, however, we haven't seen any footage from any of the three shows — but, during this year's Super Bowl, Marvel dropped its first sneak peek. The company released a combined teaser for the trio of series, so there's still not much in the way of substantial detail. That said, if you've been hanging out to see what's in store post-Avengers: Endgame, a quick glimpse is better than nothing. Check out the teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=62EB4JniuTc&feature=emb_logo The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision will hit Disney+ sometime later in 2020, with Loki due to premiere in 2021 — we'll update you with release dates when they're announced.
They've been making ace threads for almost two decades, and now they're making a spot in Sydney their own. Jumping from the shelves of other stores to their bricks-and-mortar outlet, denim label Ksubi has set up shop in Paddington. While they've dabbled in their own retail outlets in the past, the new digs mark the brand's only current stand-alone store in the world. Opening its doors at 130 Oxford Street as part of the designer boutique-filled The Intersection shopping precinct, the new Ksubi store turns 250 square metres into a minimalist, monochromatic space for their full clothing collection, plus YSL frames and Henson jewellery. On the shelves, think distressed denim jeans, jackets, cut-off shorts and skirts aplenty, obviously. Interior design-wise, think industrial-esque touches that evoke Ksubi's unfussy style. Indeed, inside eager shoppers will find white neon lighting, flat black fixtures, raw concrete floors, and an array of very memorable magenta change rooms complete with defaced doors. Plus, Ksubi's new digs also feature a number of permanent installations by commissioned artists. Find Ksubi at 130 Oxford Street, Paddington, or head to their website for further information.
With a new TED Talk posted every weekday, there is certainly no shortage of brilliance shared on the TED site. We are regularly amazed by the genius and passion of the thought leaders who grace the stage at ideas conference. Here, we have rounded up seven of the best TED Talks delivered in 2012 thus far. https://youtube.com/watch?v=GZadCj8O1-0 'The $8 Billion iPod' by Rob Reid Reid delivers an enlightening look at 'copyright math' (TM), a new field of study that analyzes the state of the entertainment industry based on numbers from entertainment lawyers and lobbyists. https://youtube.com/watch?v=fWInyaMWBY8 'Why I Must Speak Out About Climate Change' by James Hanson Climate scientist Hanson tells of his involvement in the debate over global climate change, revealing and outlining his intense worry about the future of the planet. https://youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4 'The Power of Introverts' by Susan Cain Cain points out the shamefulness society has assigned to introverts, prizing outgoing qualities and overlooking the immense talents introverts can offer. https://youtube.com/watch?v=c2tOp7OxyQ8 'We Need to Talk About an Injustice' by Bryan Stevenson Stevenson reveals difficult truths about the American justice system, challenging racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, as well as social apathy towards the issue. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2MYsx6WArKY 'Religion, Evolution and the Ecstasy of Self-Transcendence" by Jonathan Haidt Psychologist Haidt explores the human fascination with self-transcendence, hypothesizing on the scientific reasoning behind our obsession with 'losing ourselves'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4ErEBkj_3PY 'Robots That Fly...And Cooperate' by Vijay Kumar Within his University of Pennsylvania lab, Kumar has been building small robots that fly, sense each other, and form teams autonomously. Like a flock of birds, these multi-robot formations possess control and coordination, which Kumar studies in this talk. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BltRufe5kkI 'Abundance is Our Future' by Peter Diamandis With all the doom and gloom talk of our civilisation's fate, Diamandis' optimism stands in stark contrast. Diamandis makes the case that, as a civilisation, we are capable of inventing innovations to cope with our changing world. He believes that we can, and will, conquer the challenges facing humanity today.
Before there was The John Butler Trio, Ash Grunwald and Xavier Rudd, there was Jeff Lang. He’s an old school talent with a discography to rival all the upstarts currently cramping his style and stealing Triple J airtime from him. To celebrate the release of his new album Carried in Mind, he will be performing in his distinctive style at the Judith Wright Centre this Saturday. His many years on the scene have resulted in a reputation that precedes him and you can be sure that his performance will involve a soulful evening of guitar, acoustic melodies and unique lyrics. In fact, it has been said that seeing Mr Lang is a religious experience of sorts, which makes you ponder, would you rather chat with God on a Sunday morning or a Saturday evening? His new album Carried in Mind is a metaphor for life, with each song created to tell individual parts of a life story. It features a cacophony of emotions meant to cause reflection on the current human condition. So catch a preview of his new work live, and wake up with your existence feeling rejuvenated on Sunday morning.
Celebrated chef Matt Moran is already one of the most significant players in the Australian hospitality scene, running accomplished Sydney restaurants like Aria, Chiswick, Barangaroo House, North Bondi Fish and the always-busy House Canteen at Opera Bar, as well as Brisbane's Riverbar & Kitchen. Now, Moran is spreading his footprint beyond Australia and partnering with Marriott International to take over the kitchen at two luxury resorts in Fiji. Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort will now both boast his signature farm-to-table ethos and hearty modern cooking from March until August this year. The Tatavu Grill & Bar at the newly-refurbished Sheraton resort offers guests a luxury barefoot dining experience and the kitchen crew cooking over a multi-level open vertical grill, while Fish Bar at Marriott's Momi Bay resort serves up panoramic ocean views alongside a menu that will pull from both land and sea, experimenting with local meat and seafood paired with flavoured Fijian salt. [caption id="attachment_889838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fish Bar[/caption] "Fiji offers an exciting canvas to create something truly special with the freshest line caught seafood and an abundance of fresh vegetables and lush tropical fruits," says Moran, who will also be hosting a pair of culinary events to celebrate the takeovers. On Tuesday, March 21, he'll be popping-up at Tatavu, before travelling to Fish Bar the night after. For both occasions, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner showcasing highlights from the new menus, hosted by the chef. [caption id="attachment_889840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort[/caption] "I love teaching people about food and how pure, fresh ingredients, treated simply, are the basis for creating extraordinary dining experiences and I know that Marriott International Fiji aligns with this philosophy," Moran says. The takeover will run until Thursday, August 31 and is open to guests at both resorts. The one-off dinners hosted by Matt Moran are available to book for 399 Fijian dollars or around $260AUD. [caption id="attachment_889841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tatavu Grill & Bar[/caption] Matt Moran will take over the kitchens at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort from Thursday, March 23 until Thursday, August 31. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If your adventures have taken you to Melbourne's Westgate Park in the past few weeks, then you might've noticed something a little unusual. The lake has turned a pretty shade of pink. And, before you ask, no, it's not a Mother's Day thing. Nor is it fairies. In fact, the change in colour is due to a bunch of factors all happening at once, namely: lots of salt, lots of sunlight, hot temperatures and a lack of rain. The lake bed is covered in salt crust and, when matters get extra salty, the algae growing there creates beta carotene during photosynthesis. Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment, contained in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, mangoes and papayas, among other fruits and veggies. The pink salt water lake at Westgate Park (6 May 2018). . . #pinklake #saltwaterlake #saltwater #westgatepark #pink #pinkwater #algalbloom #melbourne #australia A post shared by Isaac Borthwick (@isaac.b.photo) on May 15, 2018 at 4:42am PDT In the case of Westgate Park Lake, the beta carotene has seeped into the water, giving it a somewhat magical look. This is not the first time the phenomenon has happened — you've probably seen it pop up on Instagram before — but it has stuck around for longer than usual this year. Given that the pinkness is a natural event, neither Parks Victoria nor we can tell you how long it's going to last, but it will probably start to fade as winter hits. If you're keen to take a peek, then find it on the eastern banks of Yarra River at Fishermans Bend. It's closest to Port Melbourne on one side and Yarraville on the other, and is most easily accessed by car or bus (take the 235 from the city or 606 from Elsternwick/St Kilda). Just note that Parks Victoria asks that visitors stick to official paths and avoid poking around the lake's edge. Although it might look tempting in these images, definitely do not swim in the water. Unlike the water, it will not be pretty.
I love the idea of growing my own food. The problem is, I’m one of those people who only has to look at a plant for it to turn into an aphid colony. I’m pretty convinced Indira Naidoo is a magician fronting as a journo and gardener of edible balconies. If you know what I’m talking about, here’s some good news. A couple of graduates from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) have created a personal farm that you can grow in your kitchen. And they know it works because they’ve already been providing home-grown veg to their college friends. Named ‘The Grove’, the farm looks a bit like a trendy hutch. It’s actually comprised of plant modules stacked on top of one another. A fish tank is included to provide nutrients. You don’t need any soil, because growth happens through aquaponics. But you do need to know how to work a smartphone. The ‘Grove OS’ enables users to monitor and control variables such as pH levels, moisture and temperature, as well as buy plants. All you have to do is swipe through and click on any vegetable, herb or fruit that catches your eye. “Farming — how we feed our growing and urbanising population — is a big problem on so many levels,” says Grove Labs CEO Gabe Blanchet. “A fundamental shift in culture enabled by powerful but simple technology, is the solution we, as humans, desperately need.” Pre-orders are available online. Via PSFK.
In good news for people who hate spending more than ten seconds on a single task, you can now get personalised contents insurance with just one swipe. A new app named Trōv has just launched in Australia, and it allows you to insure individual items quickly, painlessly and potentially without even having to ask your parents for help. It's being described by media outlets as the 'Tinder of insurance', which is honestly quite ridiculous as the only similarity between the two apps is the generic swiping motion and the fact you access it on your smartphone. But despite the fact that the app can't offer you a date for Friday night, Trōv is pretty cool. The app allows you to insure individual items against damage, loss and theft on-demand. So you add your valuables to your account (at the moment they're just insuring common electronics), choose your excess, and — much like switching Wi-Fi on and off — 'turn on' protection for that particular item. You can 'turn off' protection in the same way as well. Insuring individual items means that you don't need to take out a hella expensive blanket contents insurance plan just to cover the one or two things you own that actually have monetary worth. And, during periods when you're not using your gear or it's packed away safely, you can turn insurance off to save some moolah. Best of all, it's a good alternative to not insuring any of your stuff and simply praying that the God of small things is a merciful one. Another concession to the tech generation is the claims process, which can be started by sending a text. It's not quite at the level of ordering takeaway with an emoji but it's certainly better than being on hold with an insurance claims operator for ten hours. The San Fransisco start-up behind Trōv have obviously tried to understand the way Gen Y use technology and apply it to something we largely don't understand: insurance. According to The Age, Trōv has gained $US39 million in funding so far, which includes $US5 million from Australian insurance company Suncorp — hence the Australian launch. It will expand to the UK later this year, and the US in 2017. Trōv can currently only insure electronics and appliances, but is working to add more options to their repertoire. In the meantime, you can insure some of the most precious items we have: our laptops and phones. They're the bringers of GoT, memes and UberEATS, after all.
The famed works of artists like Monet, Renoir and Pissarro are set to make their way down under, with the Art Gallery of South Australia announcing it'll host a major French Impressionism exhibition curated by Paris' Musée d'Orsay. Featuring over 65 world-celebrated Impressionist works from the French museum's collection, Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay will grace the gallery's Elder Wing from March 29 to July 29, 2018. Exploring the use of colour throughout the Impressionist movement, the exhibition is set to serve up a pretty sensational visual feast. Expect the luminous tones of Monet's La Pie (The Magpie), the rich blues and greens of Cézanne's French countryside imagery and the moody hues of Manet's Spanish-influenced pieces, alongside scores of other innovative nineteenth century masterpieces. With many of the works having never before travelled to the southern hemisphere, Colours of Impressionism is a huge coup for the Aussie art world, with director Nick Mitzevich calling it "the most important exhibition ever to be shown at the Art Gallery of South Australia." As the state's Premier and Arts Minister Jay Weatherill notes, "the works of artists such as Monet and Cézanne, for example, are so well regarded that this exhibition is bound to be very popular among Australians who would welcome the chance to see such an extensive display of Impressionist works in their own backyard." Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay will exhibit at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Thursday, March 29 to Sunday, July 29, 2018. For more information, visit the gallery website. Image: Claude Monet, The Water Lilies Pond, pink harmony, 1900, oil on canvas, 90 x 100 cm, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France, ©photo Musée d'Orsay / rmn
It has been six months since The Handmaid's Tale dropped its first teaser for its upcoming fourth season, which, like plenty of other things this year, was postponed until 2021. But, even though new episodes won't bless screens this year, fans of the dystopian series can rejoice at the latest news — because the show has just been renewed for a fifth season. Yes, even though The Handmaid's Tale's fourth season won't air until sometime next year, it already has an extra batch of episodes beyond that locked in. The news was announced as part of Disney's big 2020 Investor Day, because the Mouse House owns a majority stake in Hulu, the US streaming platform that produces the series. That means that audiences can look forward to more time with the show's protagonist, June (Elisabeth Moss), following season three's cliffhanger ending. And, it means more of the series' oh-so-relevant dialogue that's full of lines that feel like they could be said today, in reality, in everyday life. Using a deeply dystopian scenario to reflect the modern world has always been one of the acclaimed, award-winning series' strengths, of course. It was true of Margaret Atwood's 1985 book that started it all, too, and it doesn't look likely to change on-screen anytime soon. So, this tale of rebellion and revolution isn't anywhere near done yet. Toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality doesn't happen quickly, after all. If you're wondering what's in store next, June is set to strike back against Gilead and become a fierce rebel leader in season four — but, like everything in this series, that comes with risks and challenges. Obviously a sneak peek of The Handmaid's Tale's fifth season isn't available yet, and won't be until after its fourth season both airs and finishes – but you can watch (or rewatch) the season four trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WLqBUi4r6o The fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit screens in 2021 — on SBS in Australia — and we'll update you with further details when they're announced. The show's fifth season will air sometime after that, likely in 2022.
Introducing Live! Celebrating the ‘soundtrack of our state’, The State Library of Queensland is putting on a diverse exhibition of live performances and events to commemorate the bands and musicians that have helped shape Queensland since the 1800s. From now until September, the SLQ will be a hub of music fanaticism and wonderment. The State Library is turning itself into one massive music venue, with spaces being dedicated to live performance and art exhibitions. Each piece of this massive celebration relates to the notion that music has shaped our community immeasurably, due to the expression of ideas, the commentary on political ideals and the creation of new social values. Live music venues will be celebrated as iconic landmarks, musicians as cultural pioneers and their styles and sounds as the voices of new generations. There is simply too much happening at Live! to share here, so do yourself a favour and head on over to the SLQ Website for a closer look at all the installations, talks, exhibitions and events and immerse yourself in Queensland musical culture.
"I'm a muddler freak," laughs mixologist Tomas Vikario. He's talking, of course, about the bartenders' tool which is used to muddle or mash ingredients together at the bottom of a cocktail glass. (Tomas has an unhealthy collection of 20 muddlers; one is even custom-made). Concrete Playground's favourite cheeky mixologist is showing us how to make a simple summer cocktail that's easy to recreate in the comfort of your very own herb garden. (Or kitchen. We just couldn't resist making ours in the sunshine.) For Tomas, a muddler is an essential tool for a good mojito. Tomas has been a mixologist ever since a graphic design course drove him to drink*, over eighteen years ago. Born in Croatia and now living in Sydney, he first shared his passion and experience with CP for our first DIY cocktail recipe 'A Perrier Tea Break'. Today, Tomas shows us his fresh, fruity twist on the classic Cuban mojito. "I like to put a twist on every classic drink," Tomas tells us. "The Perrier Summer Berry Mojito actually improves with every sip – the mint, rum, berry and lime flavours become more intense as the ingredients have time to mingle together." And mingling at home with friends and Ernest Hemingway's tipple of choice is exactly what we fancy doing this summer. Here's how you can too. *Half true. Tomas assures us that the end of his graphics design career and the beginning of his passion for mixology has no correlation. Ingredients: 30ml lime juiceWhite cane sugarBlueberriesStrawberriesMint50ml Havana Club rumPerrier sparkling mineral water STEP 1 It's just not a mojito without that fine balance between sweet and sour. So to start, add two spoons of white cane sugar to a tall glass; Tomas suggests using a highball or Collins glass. (Too many friends, not enough highballs? Tomas has the answer for that one too: old jam jars or tin cans. Be sure to clean them out first, obviously. Take a look at the final image for an example.) STEP 2 Add 30ml of freshly-squeezed lime juice (that's the juice of approximately one lime). STEP 3 Add two chopped strawberries and six blueberries, before gently pressing the sugar, berries and lime together using a muddler. This extracts the juice and aromas of the fruit. STEP 4 Now add two stalks of fresh mint (approximately 10-15 mint leaves). Tomas recommends tapping or scrunching the mint before adding it to the glass, this helps to release the flavour and aroma of the herb. Muddle the ingredients together and try not to break the leaves – 0r the glass! STEP 5 Add 50ml of rum. Tomas uses Havana Club rum for that authentic Cuban taste. STEP 6 Using a long-handled spoon, stir in a few cubes of ice. STEP 7 Top up with more ice and add chilled Perrier sparkling mineral water for 100% natural, long-lasting bubbles. STEP 8 Decorate with a sprig of mint. Place a straw next to the mint for extra minty aroma as you drink. MIX IT UP: FLAVOUR VARIATIONS "People have so many childhood memories of eating mangoes – so it's a great alternative flavour instead of the berries," says Tomas. If you like the sound of a Perrier Mango Mojito or a Perrier Watermelon Mojito, simply replace strawberries and blueberries with half a small mango, or four cubes of watermelon. Or, try all three. ¡Qué rico!
At least once each summer we're lying spread-eagled under a fan, too hot to move and wishing there was a way to retrieve an iced treat without having to step out in the 42-degree heat. These days there are a lot of services that could deliver you a box of Icy Poles or a tub of Messina, but 7-Eleven have just completed the ultimate hot-day delivery — they delivered a Slurpee to a customer in Reno, Nevada by drone. This is pretty big news because not only is it absolutely heaven-sent to see a Slurpee coming at you slowly from the sky, but it's also the first completed drone delivery to a customer's home in the United States. The convenience store retail chain teamed up with local drone developers Flirtey to make the delivery, which comprised of Slurpees, a chicken sandwich, doughnuts, coffee and lollies. Solid haul. The drone delivery system in something that 7-Eleven hope to roll out across the world, but with new rules that will allow the operation of small drones coming into effect in the US next month, it looks like that's where they'll start. It means that the company could potentially start delivering goods to those who can't easily leave the house or need items urgently. It's been a big week on the drone delivery front. Over in the UK, Amazon just got approval from the government to start testing their drone delivery service after they decided to lift some strict flying restrictions. The test runs — which, up until now, have been done only in rural areas — will start immediately, and could deliver small packages to people in as little as 30 minutes. As for here at home, Australia Post is currently in the process of trialling drone technology for small parcel delivery. So we might see Slurpees in the sky sooner than you think. Via TechCrunch and The Telegraph.
Now that summer has dropped its anchor, it's time to fancy up your cocktail making and shaking skills. And, as many a pro mixologist would tell you, this doesn't mean manufacturing a whole new wheel. Your best bet is to rehabilitate a classic, but give it a subtle modification or two. After all, if a beverage has made its way through the years better than Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire', then surely we owe it our utmost respect. Here are three renovated cocktails to whip up at pool parties, languid beachy gatherings and festivals before January has slipped away. BEACHY DAYS: THE JAMAICAN STORMY The spicy, refreshing Jamaican Stormy is made for long evenings on – or near – the sand, whether you're camping or kicking back in a beachfront house. It's an evolution of the Moscow Mule, a vodka-ginger beer-lime combo that was invented in Hollywood in the early '40s and soon became the go-to drink at L.A. beach parties. In this concoction, the vodka is replaced with rum for a deeper flavour profile. Line up 1 part Appleton Estate V/X, 2 parts spicy ginger beer, 3 lime wedges and 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional). Squeeze the limes into a highball glass, pressing them with a muddler. Add ice, build in the remaining ingredients and give it a gentle stir. The more fiery the ginger beer, the better. POOL PARTIES: THE ESTATE DAIQUIRI Ernest Hemingway had one named after him. John F. Kennedy drank a few on the night he was elected president. The daiquiri, which, as far as we know, was first incarnated in Cuba in the 1890s, is one of the world's most-ordered drinks. Its sweet-and-sour easy drinkability makes it perfect for summer pool parties. In this recipe, the addition of Appleton's versatile Estate Reserve creates an especially smooth version. Take 1½ parts Appleton Estate Reserve, 1 part fresh lime juice and 1/6 part simple syrup. Pop them in a cocktail shaker with ice, give it a good shake and strain into a chilled Coupette glass. Add a twist of orange peel for garnish. POST-FESTIVAL NIGHT CAP: THE ESTATE OLD FASHIONED The Old Fashioned's unique combination of class and comfort makes it the ideal post-festival night cap. According to Slate gentleman and scholar Tory Patterson, the Old Fashioned is at once "the manliest cocktail order" and "something your grandmother drank." Having been around since 1806, it's one of the oldest cocktails on record, which means all kinds of wondrous variations have emerged. Here, the Old Fashioned is served premium-style, with the inclusion of Appleton's indulgent rare blend 12-year-old. You'll need 2½ parts Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old, 1/2 part sugar syrup, 2 dash Angostura bitters and 2 dash orange bitters. Put all ingredients in a mixing glass with a large cube of ice. Stir quickly until the glass frosts, then strain into an Old Fashioned glass, over a large block of ice or an ice sphere. Add orange peel for garnish.
He was cast as Aquaman before Jason Momoa. He starred in a reimagined version of The Great Gatsby directed by Martin Scorsese. He played Pablo Escobar in a big crime epic as well — and if you're currently wondering just who fits the bill, it's Entourage's protagonist Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier). Of course, all of the above is purely fiction. Still, as loosely based on Mark Wahlberg's own journey from his everyday life to the Hollywood A-list, Entourage takes Vinnie on quite the ride. The eight-series comedy-drama chronicles all the details, including not just its central figure's many exploits in show business, but also those of his older brother and fellow actor Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon), plus his childhood pals Eric (Kevin Connolly) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara). The show is called Entourage, after all.
Catching public transport in Brisbane can be a soul-crushing experience. Fewer services, expensive fares, buses and trains that don't show up at all, changing routes, ridiculous traffic, constant track work: if you're a regular bus or train commuter, you'll be acquainted with all of the above. Oh yes you will. Early in 2016, the Brisbane City Council announced a possible solution, or a step in the right direction at least. Almost five decades after the city's trams were ripped out back in 1969 (yes, that's why we have a museum dedicated to them), light rail is back on the agenda — and now the powers that be have released more details. The Brisbane Metro concept now involves not one but two high-frequency lines linking existing busway stations, with the first running between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street to take care of southern residents, and the second linking the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital to the University of Queensland. In total, 21 kilometres will be traversed by a fleet of approximately 60 trackless, rubber-tyred vehicles capable of carrying up to 150 people. Services will run as frequently as every three minutes in peak periods, stopping at 18 stations, and will link in with the State Government's proposed 10.2-kilometre Dutton Park to Bowen Hills Cross River Rail project at Boggo Road and Roma Street. As part of the plan, a new underground Metro station will be built at South Bank at the Cultural Centre, and the adjacent Victoria Bridge will be turned green. That means cars will need to find another route into the city, with the stretch of road dedicated to buses and Metro services only. Don't go changing the words of The Simpsons' monorail song to "light rail" just yet — we still have a few years to wait, with the new system expected to begin construction in 2018 for a 2022 finish. And, we can probably reasonably expect more than a few delays and inconveniences during that tie. But hey, if the project really does improve the public transport situation in Brisbane, it'll be worth it.
Who said we were running out of space in our urban centres? Berlin has found enough room for a farm in the heart of the city, large enough to supply its inhabitants with tons of fresh produce each month. What better place for a vegetable garden than the roof of an abandoned malt factory, or a fish farm in the factory's empty cylinders once used to dry barley? The 'Fresh From The Roof' project aims to plant 7,000 square metres of crops in this haven above the urban sprawl, fertilised entirely by the excrement of the city-slicking fish below. In return, the plants work to purify the fish tank water, making it the ideal venture for regions suffering water shortages. If only all apartment dwellers could work out how to reside in such utter harmony with their neighbours. The three German entrepreneurs behind Fresh From The Roof have already seen small-scale success, producing lettuce and tomatoes from their prototype for the urban farm built out of a recycled shipping container. But while the large-scale project won't be guzzling too much energy, there's no promise that it won't guzzle plenty of cash. The running cost of the rooftop farm is estimated at a whopping $6.7 million. But with an increasing consumer demand for organic, home-grown produce, and of course that pressing need to get creative in the way we use our space, hopefully this little farm will produce a positive return on investment.
Do you like comics? How about pies? And surely you must like fun right? How can one combine these likes into an event I hear you ask? Ashcan Comics are way ahead of you. The Queensland based collaborative bring together super talented comic artists and writers, give them the opportunity to have their work published in print, then have a massive party to celebrate! This Saturday marks the launch of Ashcan Comics 4th Issue, being held at Pie Face in the Brisbane City. The $10 entry fee includes a copy of Ashcan #4 as well entertainment such as speed painting and DJs. Usually a term reserved for comics destined to go straight from printer to trashcan, Ashcan comics are passionate about getting their self-published independent comics to the masses, strengthening the Brisbane comic community in the process. Although the party doesn’t kick off until 7.30pm, head over to The Edge at South Bank where the Ashcan team will be running mini comic workshops throughout the day from 1pm. All events are for all ages, so come support local talent, embrace your inner nerd and learn a few tricks of the trade in the process!
It's a classic cycle: we say we want to discover somewhere new, then we end up at the same holiday spots. We're creatures of comfort, after all. But, with such fantastically varied landscapes at our Australian fingertips, it's the year to switch things up. Let's start with your coastal weekender. Instead of another (delightful) beachside vacay, why not opt for some riverside charm? The serenity of the Murray Region is overlooked by city-slickers, but it's an area enlivened by passionate locals, immense natural beauty and deep history and culture. The riverside towns here are jam-packed with rich First Nations history, a thriving contemporary arts scene and some seriously niche slices of Australia's past. So, if you're ready to hit the road, the banks of the Murray will take you on a journey through time — think ancient lakebeds, a giant shed dedicated to Aussie beers from decades gone by and an insanely intricate display of replica paddlesteamers. Together with Destination NSW, we've got you covered with this extensive list of ways to enjoy the region. [caption id="attachment_894057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MURRAY ART MUSEUM ALBURY Opened in 2015, Albury's contemporary art museum is a cultural hub for Australian artists, both established and emerging. With a backdrop of quaint, small-town charm, the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) brings vivid modern creations to this regional centre. From now until mid-July, the museum is hosting No Easy Answers. The exhibition invited artists — such as Ella Barclay and Tracey Moffatt — to use their creativity as a medium to tackle the issues of today. If regional charm meeting arty creations sounds good to you, opt for two nights at the Mercure Albury, just around the corner from MAMA. [caption id="attachment_894595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wentworth Victoria[/caption] BARKINDJI WIMPATYA MURRA CENTRE Right on the banks of the river, the Dareton region is thriving with stunning natural wonders, culinary delights and rich cultural history. A trip to this country locale would not be complete without a visit to The Barkindji Wimpatya Murra Centre (Bmeet), a spot where you will be sure to learn about the area's unique Indigenous history. This Aboriginal art gallery showcases an array of local art ranging from traditional to more contemporary work and artefacts. Expect a warm welcome at Bmeet, with local artists often in the workshop and happy to answer any of your curiosities. YARRAWONGA-MULWALA PIONEER MUSEUM Located in the fishing town of Mulwala, The Yarrawonga-Mulwala Pioneer Museum is a treasure trove of local history. This complex, established by the Historical Society, contains a range of exhibits to fascinate any visitor. From aviation to agriculture, vintage vehicles to photography, the curated collection delivers a snapshot of time in this riverside locale. THE GREAT AUSSIE BEER SHED & HERITAGE FARM MUSEUM We all know that beer is a big part of Aussie culture. That's why, in 2003, Neil Thomas opened The Great Aussie Beer Shed. Displaying an unbelievable array of Australian paraphernalia — including over 20,000 beer cans — this museum really is a must-see, located in northern Victoria just three kilometres from Echuca. Proudly showing off a collection that's taken him over 45 years to build, Neil himself will guide you through his treasures. And, it doesn't stop at beer. This 5000-square-foot shed is filled with iconic Aussie products, machinery and more. Afterwards, check out Neil's Farm Museum and its extensive display of equipment dating back to the late 1800s. [caption id="attachment_894059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] OLD WENTWORTH GAOL The historic Old Wentworth Gaol gives a fascinating peek into our regional history. The lock-up is the oldest Australian-designed gaol in the country, built between 1879 and 1881. Until 1927, it operated with harsh conditions, though now is a popular tourist attraction and an important historical landmark. The structure has been well maintained, meaning you can get a pretty good idea of what it was like to be a resident back in the day. There's plenty of information on display, including an Indigenous history collection, so you're set to school-up on your visit. [caption id="attachment_894058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] RIVERBOAT ROD'S MODEL PADDLESTEAMER DISPLAY Not only does Wentworth contain the country's oldest Australian-designed gaol, this charming NSW town was also once our country's busiest inland river port. If you want a better idea of what the turn-of-the-century paddle steamers looked like — or simply appreciate some dedicated craftsmanship — look no further than Riverboat Rod's. The charming space is home to a pretty incredible display of over 30 handmade paddlesteamer replicas. This collection is possibly the largest and only of its kind in the world and showcases a lifetime of attention to tiny, intricate details. Whether you are interested in aquatic history or not, these models are impressive just as they are. [caption id="attachment_894055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] HOLBROOK SUBMARINE MUSEUM Holbrook is a great stopover town when exploring the Murray. Where else could you uncover a life-size submarine hanging out in the middle of rural NSW? This, and the accompanying fascinating history, can be discovered at the Holbrook Submarine Museum. After you've seen the HMAS Otway out front, head to the museum and stroll through its impressive display of submarine memorabilia from the depths, while you busy yourself learning some WWI history. [caption id="attachment_894763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MUNGO NATIONAL PARK Mungo National Park is a remarkable destination that cannot be missed when exploring the Murray. It's home to ancient lakebeds and plenty of incredible relics of early Aboriginal culture. This national park is truly an experience to remember. But to make the most of it, make the Mungo Visitor Centre your first stop. Here, you can view amazing displays and learn of the area's First Nations heritage and the archaeological evidence that revealed the once-full Lake Mungo. [caption id="attachment_895130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] EXPLORE DENILIQUIN Deniliquin is a locale found on the Edward River — a tributary of the Murray — making it a primo spot for any riverside activities. Whether you're into water skiing, fishing, bushwalking or just soaking up beautiful surrounds, you're covered here. Stay at Centrepoint Motel, where you'll be just a five-minute walk to the centre of town. What's nearby? The Long Paddock Touring Route, the stock route that's still used today and dishes up a slice of history with a side of tranquillity and art. Along the track, which starts in Echuca Moama and heads out to the Outback, there's both local history on sporadic info boards and public artworks — plus plenty of country pubs. This area is also home to the flattest, most open natural plains on the planet, which deliver spectacular expansive vistas into the horizon (pictured above). Here, you'll also find a cycle loop, The Depot and its incredible collection of automobiles and memorabilia, a vibrant towering mural splashed across a water tower and plenty more. Looking to visit later in the year? The Deni Ute Muster takes over the town in September, and is a celebration of the region's 'ute culture' and unique landscape. For more ways to enjoy the Murray region, check out our foodies guide or guide to a rejuvenating trip. Or, to start planning your history and culture trip to the Murray region, head to the website. Top images: Destination NSW (Walls of China; Barmah National Park; Mungo National Park).
