One device to brew them all? Blending slow cold drip coffee with cold/hot pourovers in one genius brewing device, two Queensland coffee companies are teaming up to crowdfund the Brewover. Green coffee supplier Bean Grean and roaster Manna Beans are trying to raise $65,000 toward this new controllable flow hot/cold brewer, which would prick the ears of many an Australian cafe needing to save on space (or straight-up coffee nerds in general). The Kickstarter campaign, which prices the Brewover at around $60 a pop, has currently raised $13,300 with 29 days to go. So how does it work? Coffee purists might turn their nose up, but the team truly know what's up when it comes to coffee brewing methods. The Brewover all hinges on what's called the flow control valve, allowing to switch between three different brewing methods: hot/cold pourovers and cold drip. Pourovers are easy stuff; just pop a Chemex filter in the glass cone and brew hot/cold as usual. Cold drip? Just use the same glass cone as a water reservoir and attach an Aeropress filter under the brew chamber. Pure, well-brewed genius. Via Daily Coffee News.
As we learn to live our lives of social distancing and self-isolation (for the near future, at least), it's easy to feel overcome with boredom. Even worse is our tendency to go looking for the latest news update, fuelling our fears in the midst of a global pandemic. But there are better ways of entertaining ourselves than being trapped in a today's news cycle. Right now, podcasts are your friends. Whether you listen to one in bed after waking up, on the balcony while you get a breath of fresh air, or in the kitchen while you cook that fun new recipe, podcasts can help you escape from today's hectic environment — without being glued to a screen all day. Whether you're a podcast veteran or a skeptic, this list has something for you. Being stuck at home can feel a little less restrictive when you can dive into brilliantly written fictional narratives, are consumed by true crime and mystery, or even learn a new language. Here are a five podcasts that will have you hooked in no time. DISGRACELAND True crime, excess and rock 'n' roll. Host Jake Brennan insists, when it comes to rock stars, we like them as bad as can be. This podcast tells stories of murder, drugs and sex, protagonised by your favourite music legends — and how they got away with it all. Disgraceland unveils the darkest side of old-school stardom, with a laidback, no nonsense narrative style. Dive into the Rolling Stones' wild lifestyles, Frank Sinatra's mobster adventures and Whitney Houston's hidden descent into drugs. If you manage to go through all 69 episodes, check out 27 Club. A new project by the same creators, this podcast takes a closer look at the unsettling truths behind rock 'n' roll, this time focusing on the members of the 27 club. The first season tells the story of iconic guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who died of an overdose at age 27. What? 69 30-minute episodes. THE WAY I HEARD IT Mike Rowe's soothing voice takes you on a guessing frenzy in every single episode, as he narrates a story about a famous historical figure, without telling you who he's talking about until the very end. He'll be talking about a prominent academic and you'll be picturing a rockstar. He'll tell you the story of a prize cow and you will be convinced he's talking about a femme fatale. With unexpected twists and so many random interesting facts, you can expect to chuckle when an episode's protagonist you've been so invested in is revealed to be someone totally unexpected. What? More than 150 20-minute episodes. ROOM 20 This LA Times investigative reporting podcast will keep you on the edge of your seat. Journalist Joanne Faryon tells the story of her search for a man's identity. A man only known as Sixty-Six Garage who has spent more than 15 years on life support in a San Diego nursing home. As a teenager, he suffered from severe brain damage after he was thrown out of a truck in a car accident. An undocumented Mexican immigrant in the United States, his identity remained unknown, and there were no paper trails to help track down his family — until Faryon launched her own investigation. What? Six 30-minute episodes. MOTHERHACKER A divorced PTA mom gets scammed out of her savings. She has no choice, but to join the team of scammers who took everything from her. Surprisingly, she's amazing at it. Told as an old-time radio drama, Motherhacker is a fictional podcast that explores the lengths someone might go to in order to stay afloat in a dire situation. Think Black Mirror meets suburban mom. Motherhacker's perfect mix of suspenseful and quirky will leave you wanting more every time you finish an episode. With only nine episodes lasting around ten minutes each, this podcast could easily become a one sit-down binge. Open a bottle of red, enjoy a few snacks and make a night of it. What? Nine ten-minute episodes. COFFEE BREAK LANGUAGES Are you a more practical listener? If so, why not take advantage of your free time to learn Italian, or fine tune that rusty Spanish you haven't worked on since uni? Coffee Break offers podcasts in seven languages, with content ranging from beginner level, where you can learn phrases and grammar, to more advanced, where you can expand your vocabulary. These podcasts use stories situated in your language's country of origin to teach you how to speak it, engaging you beyond a typical grammar-based language program. It's said that listening to native speakers hold conversations is one of the most effective methods of learning it. By doing so, you can also keep your brain busy through self-isolation and social-distancing times and gain a valuable new skill that will definitely come in handy in the future. What? Podcasts in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin and Swedish. Need more? Check out our favourite true crime podcasts.
Here comes the songs, Beatles fans — but not quite as you know them. In fact, Lady Beatle isn't just for die hard aficionados of the fab four. It's for everyone that likes their pop culture a bit out of the ordinary. As she did with Miley Cyrus in Wrecking Ball, Naomi Price turns one of the most famous catalogues of tracks in history into something completely different and new. If you saw that show, then you'll be eager to see how this turns out. It hits Brisbane Powerhouse for four nights, running from Wednesday, November 18–Saturday, November 21. Come together, because all you need is love and a modern memory play (aka a stage show where a character tells the tale from their recollections, with this one inspired by true accounts). Given the title, expect to see her standing there. Price, that is. Also expect the likes of 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds', 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Lady Madonna' and 'Penny Lane' come to life in a kaleidoscopic cabaret. Images: Dylan Evans Photography.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Rekorderlig. Foraging through the snow in search of electronic music just got significantly easier; Rekorderlig (ever keen to demonstrate that Aussies should be tackling winter with a tad more brio than a pack of grizzlies) has revealed the 'mystery location' for free upcoming music event Sounds in the Snow. On September 13, just as the flakes start to melt and smack bang in the middle of the Toyota One Hit Wonder Mountain Festival, Sounds in the Snow will take place by the Rekorderlig Hot Pools at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. Sydney synth pop boys Panama will appear in Thredbo to deliver their so-called hopeful house music live. Fronted by Perth-born songwriter and classically-trained pianist Jarrah McCleary, the trio are currently touring Europe and the United States on the back of sophomore EP Always. Sounds in the Snow is just one of the many excuses that Rekorderlig's giving you to head to the snow this season. Afternoon sessions are happening at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 3pm and 6pm; fire pits are burning; the Rekorderlig Hot Pool is providing serious apres-ski relaxation; and their tasty cinnamon and vanilla-fused Winter Cider is at the top of the drinks menu. Sounds in the Snow is a free gig happening from 4-5pm on Saturday, September 13 by the Rekorderlig Hot Pools at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. For the latest updates, join the Rekorderlig Facebook page. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UylPrMcurB8
Filling your summer with overseas travel mightn't quite be on your agenda yet, but packing it with artworks from around the Asia Pacific can be at the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. As the two Brisbane galleries do every three years, they're turning their attention to the Asia-Pacific region — to take stock of Brissie's place in this part of the globe, and to celebrate the exceptional work being created by the area's talented artists. Displaying across the two South Bank sites from Saturday, December 4–Monday, April 25, this Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art marks the tenth hosted by either QAG, GOMA or both — and has been its flagship series since first gracing Queensland Art Gallery's walls almost three decades ago. To celebrate, APT10 is showcasing 69 artworks from more than 150 Asia-Pacific creatives, covering more than 30 countries. Among both newly commissioned and recent pieces, one key highlight is participatory shrine installation Shrine of Life/ Benjapakee Shrine by Vipoo Srivilas. It'll feature five hand-crafted ceramic deities decked out with gold and floral embellishments, with the quintet signifying identity, love equality, creativity, security and spirituality. Or, there's also the striking Hairloom by Rocky Cajigan, which does indeed possess a descriptive title. The Filipino artist has made a ten-metre-long loom of human hair, which is designed to comment on the Cordillera region of the Philippines. [caption id="attachment_834721" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vipoo Srivilasa Thailand/Australia b.1969. Shrine of Life / Benjapakee Shrine (detail) 2021. Mixed-media installation with five ceramic deities. Installed dimensions variable. Commissioned for APT10 / Purchased 2021 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Photograph: Simon Strong ©Vipoo Srivilasa.[/caption] Also on the bill: a cave-like environment made out of found materials, as crafted by Balinese artist I Made Djirna; huge sculptural vessels fashioned out of fibreglass and synthetic resin by Kuwait City- and San Juan, Puerto Rico-based artist Alia Farid; and Indonesian Australian artist Jumaadi's large-scale painted stories on cloth prepared by Indonesian artisans. Plus, Chong Kim Chiew will provide an installation that paints maps directly onto tarpaulin, and comments on reorientiation — geographically and politically — in Malaysia and throughout southeast Asia. The full roster of APT10 participants also spans artists from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Myanmar, Iran, India, Singapore, China, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Vietnam — and yes, the list goes on. [caption id="attachment_834719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannon Novak. Aotearoa New Zealand. b.1979. Nexus Central Installation (Installation detail). Pataka, Wellington, New Zealand, 2018. Courtesy: the artist.[/caption] Announcing this year's lineup, QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said that "APT10 is full of stories of travel, journeys, migrations and connections to place. It's layered with responses, questions and ideas about the present moment, the many issues facing humanity, and propositions towards the future from a diversity of cultural perspectives. It includes works of art that are by turn highly personal, deeply political, and full of joy." He continued: "with the global impact of COVID-19, APT10 has presented logistical challenges, but it has also been exceptionally rewarding to see how artists work through such tremendous change. It has necessitated new approaches to exhibition-making, and we've worked virtually with artists, advisors and collaborators to facilitate exchanges and outcomes from afar." Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art's 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10) will run from Saturday, December 4–Monday, April 25. For more information, head to the GOMA website. Top image: Rocky CajiganFontok and Kankanaey people, The Philippines. b.1988. Hairloom 2021 (installation view, APT10). Human hair, cotton thread, gauze, wood bars, acrylic glass, wooden beater, bamboo shed rod, aluminum heddle rod, wooden shuttles, rope, carved wooden board, carved hands, colonial sandstone piedras (bricks), gauze and woven shirts, fishhooks, stainless steel racks and rods. Case of Emergency (Dalican, Bontoc, Mountain Province 2616 Philippines) 2021. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas with etched acrylic glass, wooden box frame and stainless steel fastenings. Commissioned for APT10. Courtesy: The artist. Photograph: Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA.
Already an enormous success on Broadway, in London's West End and in Melbourne, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away is touring its remarkable true tale around Australia's east coast. Based on real post-September 11 events, the acclaimed production will actually return to Melbourne in January 2021 for an encore season of kind-hearted charm, before heading to Brisbane in March and Sydney in June — visiting the Queensland and New South Wales capitals for the first time. If you aren't familiar with the musical's plot or the actual events that inspired it, it's quite the exceptional story. In the week after the September 11 attacks in 2001, 38 planes were unexpectedly ordered to land in the small Canadian town of Gander, in the province of Newfoundland. Part of Operation Yellow Ribbon — which diverted civilian air traffic to Canada en masse following the attacks — the move saw around 7000 air travellers grounded in the tiny spot, almost doubling its population. Usually, the town is home to just under 12,000 residents. To create Come From Away, writers and composers Irene Sankoff and David Hein spent hundreds of hours interviewing thousands of locals and passengers, using their experiences to drive the narrative — and, in many cases, using their real names in the show as well. The result is a musical not just about people coming from away (the term that Newfoundlanders use to refer to folks not born on the island), but coming together, all at a time when tensions were running high worldwide. Since being workshopped in 2012, having a run in Ontario in 2013, then officially premiering in San Diego in 2015, Come From Away has become a global smash hit. After opening on Broadway in 2017, it was still running before the theatre district closed due to COVID-19. The musical wowed crowds in the West End, too — and, when it first opened in Melbourne in July 2019, it became the Comedy Theatre's most successful musical in the venue's 91-year history. Along the way, the show has picked up a Tony Award for best direction of a musical, six other nominations, and four Olivier Awards out of nine nominations. Come From Away was actually initially due to head from Melbourne to Sydney in 2020, but that's one of the many things that didn't happen this year. COME FROM AWAY 2021 AUSTRALIAN TOUR Melbourne: January 19–March 21, Comedy Theatre Brisbane: March 26–April 18, QPAC Lyric Theatre Sydney: June 3–July 21, Capitol Theatre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zmvy1p2FOE&feature=emb_title Come From Away will return to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from January 19–March 21, then hit Brisbane's QPAC Lyric Theatre from March 26–April 18 and Sydney's Capitol Theatre from June 3–July 21. For further information — or to buy tickets — visit the musical's website. Images: Jeff Busby.
Since setting up in Rotterdam in 1997, Superuse Studios have been leading the way when it comes to sustainable architecture and design - both interior and exterior. Their portfolio includes a children's playground made out of old windmills, a contemporary art space that was once a shipping yard and a residence constructed entirely of recycled materials. Superuse are currently showcasing their latest designs at London's Architecture Foundation, where they'll be hanging about until July 31st. Some of their most recent developments have arisen from collaboration with students at the Royal Academy of Art at the Hague. Founder Jan Jogert has told The Guardian, the aim is to 'identify and connect available flows in the urban ecosystem.' One success story is that of GRO Holland, a project that involves recycling the 98.8% of produce wasted in the coffee-making process. Left-over grounds are gathered from cafes and blended with spores from oyster mushrooms, then cultivated in a dark, warm place. The resulting fungi are sold back to the cafes, while the waste produced goes to local tulip farmers. Superuse are also about to embark on the construction of a visitors' centre, which will again feature mushrooms and coffee grounds, this time as insulation. 'It is only through transparency that things will change,' Jongert says. 'The idea of connecting these disparate flows will become a big part of the economy. It will have to happen – we have no other choice.' [Via PSFK]
Throughout 2021 so far, the Queensland Government has been trying to entice the state's residents out of the house by handing out travel vouchers. First came 15,000 to use in the state's north, then 30,000 for Greater Brisbane and 6000 for The Whitsundays. They were followed by another release of 5000 for folks already holidaying in the Cairns region, and then 30,000 more for Queenslanders heading to the Gold Coast. That's a hefty batch of incentives; however, more are coming — 38,000 more, in fact, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced. For those keen on spending some time on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane or in Cairns, you now have a second chance — with 10,000 on offer for the Goldie, 19,000 for Brissie and 9000 for the Far North. The new vouchers for the first two spots are being distributed to folks who missed out the first time, too. Accordingly, if you entered then but didn't score anything for your troubles, you're automatically in the running now. The Gold Coast vouchers were allocated yesterday, Sunday, July 11 — and they operate exactly the same way as the first batch. So, recipients receive a $100 voucher to be used on tourism experiences and accommodation in the area. You'll score a 50-percent discount on whatever you're booking, up to $100 maximum, and you need to book by Wednesday, July 21 for use before Friday, September 17. Keen on a Brissie staycation — or getaway, if you're located elsewhere within Queensland? Those vouchers are being distributed today, Monday, July 12, and are also worth $100. The same rules that were in place for the last Brisbane vouchers — and for the Gold Coast vouchers, as explained above — still apply. This time, though, you need to book and use the vouchers by Sunday, August 15. And, if you're headed to Cairns soon, you could nab a 50-percent-off voucher just by walking through the airport. They're being given to people who've just gotten to the city — so those already going on holidays up north — with the $200 passes being handed out in the arrivals hall at Cairns Airport. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1413968292566372355 Like all of the past voucher drops, the ongoing concept has two obvious objectives: enticing Queensland residents to go venturing throughout the state, and helping support tourism businesses. With parts of the Sunshine State going through not one, not two, but three lockdowns so far this year, they're all important aims. When the first Holiday Dollars scheme was announced back in March, Premier Palaszczuk said that it could keep being rolled out if the vouchers are popular. That's obviously happened quite a few times now, but there's no word as yet about whether other parts of Queensland might be covered in the future — or if these areas of the state will score even more vouchers in the future. For more information about the Queensland Holiday Dollars program, head to the scheme's website.
If you're a fan of Australian music, you must have heard of BIGSOUND. Australia's answer to Austin's South by Southwest, Brisbane's annual music conference/festival is tailor made for true music fans and industry reps alike. Although the event doesn't boast huge international headline acts, BIGSOUND does something better. The three-day event helps to unearth and promote up-and-coming Australian and New Zealand acts, as well as informing the world of the current and future trends and ideas cooking within the music industry. Bigwigs from all over the world head to Brisbane's Fortitude Valley to check out what Australia has to offer, and it can be a huge boost for any band on the lineup to simply attend and connect with the right people to help them on the way to stardom. There's a significant amount of networking afoot for Aussie artists wanting to snag an overseas door-opener. Best of all, BIGSOUND attracts thousands of punters into Fortitude Valley over two nights to witness 140 bands play across 14 venues. They don’t call it BIGSOUND for nothing. There is a lot to see and do. If you're struggling to decide who to check out on Wednesday or Thursday night, we have handpicked a few artists that, in our humble opinion, are absolute must-sees. Bad//Dreems Adelaide rock foursome Bad//Dreems have been on a roll over the past two years after meeting at their local football club. The lads have earned high acclaim for their brand of straight shootin' rock and roll that embodies the dispassionate psyche of our youth under that hot Australian sun. These guys put on a great show — mark them on your timetable and make sure you're front row when they rock out. Wednesday night: JBL Live Stage, The Brightside (Outdoor) @ 9:40pm. Blank Realm Brisbane band Blank Realm are the dark horse of Australian music. After making moves in the underground, this psych rock band has been playing some big festivals overseas including Glastonbury, Spain's Benicassim and Valkhof Festival in the Netherlands. Their past two albums have also been widely critically acclaimed, so find out what's behind the hype and see this band. Wednesday night: New Globe Theatre @ 11:20pm. Client Liaison Melbourne duo Client Liaison produces pop music that oozes style. Although retro in aesthetic, Client Liaison are entirely new age. Don’t let the big hair and glittery synthesizers fool you – the debut EP from these dudes is a modern slice of cool. If you want to dance at BIGSOUND, stop by and check out Client Liaison. Thursday night: triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello! @ 11:30pm. D.D Dumbo Castlemaine multi-instrumentalist, D.D Dumbo aka Oliver Hugh Perry specialises in minimalist compositions that incorporates traditional instruments with percussive loops and crooning vocals. D.D Dumbo’s 'Tropical Oceans' is one of the best songs of the year by one of the most unique artists operating today. One of Splendour's runaway goalkickers, make sure you have D.D at the top of your priorities. Wednesday night: Alhambra Lounge @ 11:20pm. Klo Klo is cousins Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul. The duo are one of the freshest on the BIGSOUND lineup, having only started making music together in 2013. Lush electronic arrangements mix with ethereal and dreamy vocals to make an alluring sound, one that will take Klo very far. Wednesday night: triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello! @ 9:50pm. Oscar Key Sung As one part of Oscar + Martin, Oscar Slorach-Thorn grew accustomed to playing big stages. Under his solo guise, Oscar Key Sung, the producer has created some of the best tunes in the tightly-knit Australian electronic spectrum. OKS has toured internationally and has sold out more shows than he can count; his performance is sure to be BIGSOUND highlight. Wednesday night: inthemix Stage, Woolly Mammoth @ 11:30pm. Pikelet Evelyn Morris has been performing as Pikelet since 2007, sharing the stage with some of the best in the game over the years. If Sufjan Stevens, Goldfrapp and Devendra Banhart are names you're fond of, make sure you check out the musician they handpicked as their support act. Thursday night: The Underdog @ 8:50pm. Teeth & Tongue New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based musician Jess Cornelius is Teeth & Tongue. Her third album, GRIDS, is a great collection of emotive pop — drum machine and evocative guitar lines are her forte, songs about love, loss and life are her passion. Critically acclaimed and well travelled, Teeth & Tongue is a sure BIGSOUND thing. Wednesday night: Black Bear Lodge @ 9pm. Tkay Maidza If you've turned on the radio over the past 12 months, you've certainly heard Tkay Maidza. The 18-year-old's massive hit, 'Brontosaurus' got feet stomping nationwide. Fresh from huge appearances at Splendour in the Grass and Groovin'The Moo, the Zimbabwe-born, Australia-raised MC is on a rapid rise to international recognition. Be there for bragging rights before she takes over the world. Thursday night: JBL Live Stage, The Brightside (Outdoor) @ 9:40pm. Yeo Brisbane-raised, Melbourne-based Yeo is a worldly soul who creates evocative and emotive R&B electronica. This super talented musician writes, records and produces his own music, entirely in control of his own unique artistic vision. Anyone with such talent and drive is worth seeing, especially the sonically intriguing Yeo. Wednesday night: inthemix Stage, Woolly Mammoth @ 9pm. The go-to happening for Australian music fans and industry leaders alike, BIGSOUND is your ticket to big gigs, big rubbing shoulders ops and even bigger ideas. Check out the full BIGSOUND program of panels, events and gigs right here.
This Valentine's Day, the sound of tap, tap, tapping will be echoing around Victoria Park's mini golf course. While that's hardly unusual, it'll be making hearts go all a-flutter between Thursday, February 10–Monday, February 14. Because nothing says romance like getting putting — or so Victoria Park hopes — the venue is celebrating the date with a themed makeover. Yes, it has also previously marked easter, Halloween and Christmas in much the same way; however, this time one of its greens will be turned into a lovers' lane. Hearts, flowers and the colour pink feature heavily at the course's revamped first hole, and there's also a pop-up seltzer bar from 5pm onwards each day — aka your go-to for a pre-game drink. This temporary makeover is much shorter than Victoria Park's past pop-ups — but if you're looking for an excuse to compete with your other half for mini golf glory, or just find putt putt inherently romantic, this'll be the event for you. Grab your special someone and swing by from 6am–10pm on the Thursday and Sunday, or between 6am–11pm on the Friday and Saturday — which means that you can stop by on your way to work, during your lunch break or after quittin' time as well, with tickets costing $20 and online bookings essential. Images: Pandora Photography. Updated February 11.
Australia's theatre scene hasn't had much to smile about in 2020; however, when 2021 rolls around, some venues around the country will kick back into gear with a little help from their friends. Well, with Friends! The Musical Parody to be specific — with the comedic, song-filled satire of everyone's favourite 90s sitcom touring the country next year. Initially, the show was due to hit local theatres in August and September this year. Then, when the pandemic struck, the musical rescheduled to November and December instead. But it seems that 2020 hasn't been anyone's year — or included anyone's favourite day, week or month, for that matter — so the production has now shifted its entire run to 2021. Scheduled to kick off on the Gold Coast before being there for audiences in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, Friends! The Musical Parody will spend time with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe, of course. Here, they're hanging out at their beloved Central Perk — and sitting on an orange couch, no doubt — when a runaway bride shakes up their day. Call it 'The One with the Loving, Laugh-Filled Lampoon', or 'The One That Both Makes Good-Natured Fun of and Celebrates an Iconic Sitcom'. Yes, no one told you that being obsessed with the Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer-starring show about six New Yorkers would turn out this way — with on-stage skits and gags, recreations of some of the series' best-known moments, and songs with titles such as 'How you Doin?' and 'We'll Always Be There For You'. That said, no one told us that being a Friends aficionado would continue to serve up so many chances to indulge our fandom 16 years after it finished airing, including via an upcoming reunion special that'll gather the TV series' main cast back together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Friends! The Musical Parody (@friendsthemusicalau) FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Gold Coast: Thursday, February 11–Saturday, February 13 at The Star Gold Coast Melbourne: Wednesday, June 16–Saturday, June 19 at the Comedy Theatre Brisbane: Thursday, Augustt 19–Saturday, August 21 at the Tivoli Theatre Parramatta: Thursday, September 2–Saturday, September 4 at Riverside Theatre Adelaide: Friday, September 24 at Her Majesty's Theatre Perth: Saturday, October 16 at Regal Theatre Friends! The Musical Parody tours the country from February–October 2021. For further details, and to buy tickets, visit the production's website.
When it comes to exercise, we all need motivation. Making sure you're healthy works, but sometimes even the best among us need a bit more of a nudge — like a great view, for example. Leafy greenery does the trick. Water, too. If you're an early bird who starts their weekend the absolute first second they can, so does soaking in the morning sunshine. Grass, the river, the sun — yep, they're all on the agenda at Newstead's Yoga in the Park by the waterfront. Taking place on Saturday mornings (from 7am in summer and 8am in winter), it's a reason to roll out of bed with the sparrows. And, to pump up your energy, make the most of Brisbane's sunny weather, and feel fighting fit as well. Sessions are free, but bookings are required to secure your spot. You will need to bring your own mat, and you'll want to bring a water bottle as well — all those sun salutations are bound to make you thirsty.
It's something we've all thought a million times before: "It's a Monday / It's so mundane / What exciting things will happen today?". In her huge single, 'Avant Gardener', Melbournian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett has managed to capture our first world struggles perfectly in her hilariously matter-of-fact, charming drawl, stream of consciousness lyricism and folky-psychedelic tunes. Barnett has received a ton of press since last year's release of her double EP A Sea of Split Peas, on which 'Avant Gardener' was the lead single. She's been compared to Bob Dylan by Rolling Stone, debuted in the US on Jimmy Fallon, and had the privilege of performing at Glastonbury and Coachella this year. Now, you can catch her playing a string of shows on her headline tour around Australia (supported by Castlemaine's supremely talented multi-instrumentalist D.D Dumbo). https://youtube.com/watch?v=bcnIhzaDTd0
With musical numbers from notable composers like Cy Coleman and Marvin Hamlisch, the Australian Dance Performance Institute is putting their best foot forward for their 2012 showcase. ‘Doors’ is the name of this years showcase and aims to explore the aspects of the inner lives of people – fantasies and ideas that would appear behind the closed doors of the mind. These fantasies will be interpreted ably through emotive and humorous songs performed by the Institute’s performers. The performance is directed by Jacqui Devereux and choreographed by Michael Edge, Jason Duff and Helena Moore. This is sure to be a great showcase of ADPI’s up and coming performers who are learning the craft to take centre stage.
Do you have the physical endurance of Cadel Evans and the creative genius of Picasso? Michael J. Wallace has found a neat way of combining both of these talents, all while getting the daily dose of fresh air and outdoor exercise that we so dearly need. Wallace creates bicycle routes in his hometown of Baltimore, and then rides them with the accompinament of a GPS tracker. Amazingly, all of these bicycle routes are in fact pictures. So as he pedals along innocently down the streets of B'more, he is in fact drawing his very own geographical masterpiece. Collected in the website WallyGPX, he's drawn and rode some characters and scenarios that are impressive in their complexity. These include a man surfing, a semi-trailer, and even a depiction of the landing on the moon. Given that one wrong turn could effectively ruin his canvas, you've got to appreciate this man's ambition. Do you have the energy and skill to create your own artistic bicycle or running routes? Give it a go in your hometown, and see if your friends can guess what picture you've mapped out. In effect, this could become a game of Draw Something - but way harder and infinitely more awesome.
Romeo and Juliet, the worlds most tragic lovers of antiquity have travelled forward 500 years in time to re-play their love life on the Powerhouse platform. Okay, no that’s not what is happening but it would have been great if they didn't die in tragedy and went on to become the oldest living couple of their century. But that wouldn't be poetic enough, right? You can re-live their love life being performed on stage by the Bell Shakespeare Group at the very fitting outdoor area of the Powerhouse. It may be lacking the Leo lovin’, but it will showcase the revered playwright’s timeless tragedy for this year’s Brisbane Festival. Shakespeare would fit in well with today’s Gen Y, all caught up in lovesick teenagers, strict parents and rebellion. At least Romeo and Juliet had a bit more class than today’s stereotypes, even if slightly more dramatic. Take some friends for some theatrical entertainment and relax at the QUT Festival Theatre outside the Powerhouse. Don’t forget your cushions and blankets, but any potions or daggers will be confiscated.
This article is part of our series on the diverse highlights of NZ's Canterbury region, from city to snow. To book your Canterbury trip, visit the 100% Pure New Zealand website. There's nothing quite like a road trip. Even if you're not completely sold on the idea of long hours wedged into the backseat of your friend's Corolla, the high points of a roadie — driving along the highway, windows down, the purpose-made road trip playlist blaring, obviously — definitely outweigh the low ones. Especially when you've got incredible scenery and lots of awe-worthy stops along the way. That's why New Zealand is made for road trips. Not only is it crazy beautiful with a landscape that changes at every turn (right or wrong), it's a country that you can cross in little more than three hours. It's tiny. Unlike Australia, driving around NZ isn't a ridiculous task — everything's compact, and it never takes more than a few hours to get somewhere great. In fact, you probably won't even need to pee on the side of the road once. There are a slew of routes you can take to get right down the North and South Islands, but for an easy drive and a chance to see the most in a short amount of time, take your road trip to Canterbury. The region that includes Christchurch and its surrounds — from Kaikoura all the way down to Timaru and across to the Southern Alps — it boasts a landscape that's so incredibly diverse, it's almost unbelievable. In any one day you can be driving across the plains, through snow-topped mountains and around glaciers — without even leaving the snug confines of the region. So what exactly should you mark on your map? Start in Christchurch and make your way down to the ski region, pull up under the stars at Lake Tekapo and put your hiking boots on at Mount Cook — it's all in our guide to the ultimate Canterbury road trip. Christchurch In Canterbury, Christchurch is your best base. It's New Zealand's second biggest city so you can get a direct flight with Air New Zealand from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne for a coupla hundred bucks. It's choice. From the airport, pick up your ride and head into the city — it's a simple enough drive and, bonus, road rules are basically the same for Australians. It just gets a bit tricky (read: impossible) once you hit the city centre, as a heap of roads are either one-way or closed and lanes are defined by a small army of witches hats. Christchurch is a city rebuilding, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot happening. The locals here are making it work, and it's incredible to see how they're reinventing the city as their own. You'd be best to take a full day here — two if you can — to eat, drink, see and learn. The CBD isn't that big, so you can easily walk from breakfast at Black Betty to the Re:START shipping container mall and the Christchurch Art Gallery. Make sure you take a walk to the Botanic Gardens (they're the third biggest city gardens in the world, behind New York and Munich) and head over to New Regent Street for dinner and then a drink in the Christchurch's cosiest whiskey bar, The Last Word. The surrounding suburbs have it going on too, so, seeing as you've got wheels, head out to The Tannery shopping precinct in Woolston and picturesque port town Lyttleton. Stay: The George, 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central, thegeorge.com Methven Whether you have a carload of ski bunnies or not, Methven is the perfect little ski town to stop off at once you leave Christchurch. Just an hour or so out of the city, Methven sits near the base of Mt Hutt, so it's teeming with ski pros and staff that work up on the mountain. They frequent the Blue Pub and the Brown Pub — they sit opposite each other on the main street, it's all very quaint — and The Last Post of an evening, all of which house fireplaces, hearty dishes and lots of booze. And you'll need all of these things if you do or don't decide to go skiing up at Mt Hutt. You are? A shuttle picks up skiers from most hotels each morning (no need to book) and will bring you back down in the afternoon. Just be warned: the drive up is unsealed and unnerving as hell if it's your first time. Not heading up the mountain? There are plenty of walks you can do around the area, and thanks to the cooperation of local farmers, some of them pass through some very pretty private land. Just don't forget your beanie. Stay: Ski Time Lodge, 39 Racecourse Road, Methven, skitime.co.nz Lake Tekapo When you've had enough of skiing (or sitting by the fire in the pub), it's onward to Lake Tekapo. If you haven't seen photos of Tekapo, refrain from doing so before your trip — it'll make your first sighting even better. The water in this lake is the bluest of blue, so much so that I'd be inclined to say it was magic if someone didn't tell me that it comes from the reflective rock flour that gets ground into the lake by the glacier that feeds it. Whatever the reason though, this place has snow-topped mountains bordering the lake and the adorable Church of the Good Shepherd sitting on it's shores, and it's stunning. In winter it's covered in a blanket of snow, and later in the year it's blooming with lupins — you really can't lose. Spend a day or two hiking up Mt John, stargazing, bathing in the hot pools or sipping wine by the fire. Have a look at our Tekapo itinerary for deets. Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort, State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo, peppers.co.nz/bluewater or the YHA Lake Tekapo for some great indoor views of the lake, 3 Simpson Lane, Lake Tekapo, yha.co.nz Mount Cook In a country full of really big mountains, you know that the biggest one of the lot of going to be massive. So, yes, Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki) is really, really big. If you know what you're looking at you can even see it from Tekapo, but it's worth getting up close. Take State Highway 8 and stop along the banks of Lake Pukaki — it's even bigger than Tekapo and there's a salmon shop with some incredibly fresh smoked salmon that comes straight from the salmon farms that are dotted around Canterbury's canals. (Just make sure you get at least two servings because that stuff is seriously good.) From there you head around the blue oasis of Pukaki and up towards Mount Cook. The township is tiny, but there's plenty of accommodation as plenty of people come here to hike and do heli-skiing and other adventurous things. So unless you're an experienced hiker, you won't be climbing to the summit of this big boy, but there's a whole heap of walks you can do, whether you want to be walking for an hour or a whole day. It's best to drive up to the car park of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Reserve and take it from there; you'll get some sweet views from Kea Point and the Hooker River swing bridge without even having to venture too far. Christchurch Round off your road trip by heading back to Christchurch. It's the longest stretch at about four hours, but it will be a welcome excuse to stay stationary if there's been hiking involved. If you do have an extra day or two in the city and want to get a feel of the Canterbury Plains, take a drive out to Arthur's Pass — it's one of the most scenic you can do. Or else, book yourself in for jetboating (it's something of a national pastime here) on the Waimak Gorge or four wheel driving over Mt Torlesse Station through Alpine Safaris. Both give you some killer views that you wouldn't be able to get without their help.
We all work hard so when the weekends roll around, you want to make them count. That could mean enjoying a bottle of vino or a craft beer over some quality eats. Perhaps you hot-foot it out of the city to explore our beautiful country. And then on the rare (or perhaps not so rare) occasion, it will be spent tearing up the d-floor. So, what if we told you that you could enjoy all three activities in one epic weekend? Wine Machine promises just that. Now in its second year, the event is heading to Canungra Valley on Saturday, March 3, 2018, to throw the ultimate dance party amongst the grapevines. Proceedings will kick off in the early afternoon with Australian acts including Kite Street Tangle, Touch Sensitive and Sneaky Sound System all taking to the stage. DJ Tom Loud will end the evening with one of his now-legendary Hot Dub Time Machine sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as he mixes an iconic song from each year. And it's all set within the picturesque fields of O'Reilly's Winery with top-notch bites and drinks — including frosé and bottles of O'Reilly's wine — to keep you going. It'll be a weekend that's hard to top but we're going to try: we're offering you the chance to win double AAA passes to the festival. You and a mate will spend the evening at the Artist Bar enjoying complimentary drinks and rubbing shoulders with the musos before they head onstage. When the time comes for Hot Dub Time Machine's set, you get the coolest seats in the house: side stage. And to top it off, you get to be part of the magic by throwing confetti and giant inflatable grapes into the crowd. To enter, see details below. [competition]656585[/competition]
If you didn't know that Jordan Peele was involved with HBO series Lovecraft Country, it really wouldn't take you long to guess. As based on the novel of the same name, the horror-drama steps back to 50s-era America, to a time of segregation, and into the life of Atticus 'Tic' Freeman (Jonathan Majors). He has returned from the Korean War, is trying to track down his missing father (Michael K Williams), and soon finds himself surrounded by monsters of the fantastical and very real kind. Yes, as he did so impressively in Get Out and Us, Peele once again examines the historical and current treatment of Black Americans through an unflinching and unsettling genre lens. He's Lovecraft Country's executive producer, rather than taking on writing or directing duties, but this is another exceptional, thematically powerful and visually engaging addition to his resume.
Moosejaw, an online shop that sells outdoor recreational apparel, has created the X-Ray Catalog App, available at their website. Once the app is downloaded, the user holds their smartphone over photos of models sporting ski parkas and other fairly unsexy items, only to see the app 'strip' them through the use of augmented reality technology, revealing what they are wearing underneath their clothes. It's true that a lot more people (probably men) are suddenly going to be a lot more interested in this catalogue. If you wanted to look at soft porn in a public place or avoid embarrassment when your mum finds your stash under the bed - she'll just think you really love camping - this technology might just hold the answer. Or maybe it's about giving people the chance to feel as if they have superhero skills. Either way, if you see people reading the catalogue on the train with a little too much interest, you can either tsk them or give them a knowing wink, depending on whether you think this is creepy or brilliant.
In a bid to contain the latest coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government yesterday, Monday, March 29, mandated the wearing of masks across Greater Brisbane for during the region's lockdown. That spans the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands local government areas, running through until 5pm on Thursday, April 1. But if you're located elsewhere throughout the state, you'll need to mask up, too. This is the first time that wearing a mask has been made compulsory everywhere across Queensland; however, different rules still apply in different places. While Brisbanites are currently required to don a mask everywhere except inside their own homes — which you're only allowed to leave to go to work, to shop for essentials, for exercise and for care reasons — folks elsewhere have a bit more leniency. Still, you'll always have to carry one with you. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today, Tuesday, March 30, released a roadmap outlining current restrictions across the state, which outlines mask rules beyond Greater Brisbane. Outside of the capital, they must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible. People affected by a medical condition are exempt from the mask rules, as are children under 12. And, you're also allowed to temporarily remove your mask for eating and drinking, and if it's necessary for your job. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1376732543119073287 A number of other restrictions are in place for residents outside of Greater Brisbane, which could give Brisbanites an idea of what may be in store if the lockdown does end on Thursday as planned. They include 30-person limits on at-home gatherings, including folks who live with you; 500-person caps on outside gatherings in public; no dancing at venues (yes, it's Footloose time again in Queensland); and only allowing seated service at cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown, masks and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
How are you planning to spend gravy day in 2023? If you'll be listening to Paul Kelly sing about making gravy when it's the 21st of December, that's understandable. How are you planning to spend gravy day in 2024? Here's our suggestion: watching the movie How to Make Gravy, which is indeed adapted from Kelly's Christmas classic tune 'How to Make Gravy'. News that the flick was coming first dropped in 2022, with musician Meg Washington and writer/director Nick Waterman announcing that they'd locked in the rights to make the song into a film. Now, Australian streaming platform Binge has revealed that it's behind the movie, which will mark its first-ever original feature. Production has also started head of a planned 2024 release. Set to star: The Royal Hotel co-stars Daniel Henshall and Hugo Weaving, as well as Brenton Thwaites (Titans), Damon Herriman (now that he's no longer playing Charles Manson in both Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Kate Mulvany (The Clearing) among the homegrown talents. Joining them is French actor Agathe Rousselle from Titane, who'll be making her first English-language film. Will Kelly feature? More cast members are still to be revealed, but cameos by Adam Briggs and Dallas Woods have been announced so far. Filming is currently underway on the Gold Coast. The exact story that the movie will tell hasn't been unveiled as yet; however, as anyone who knows the words to 'How to Make Gravy' by heart and is currently singing them right now while they're reading this is well aware, Kelly's tune tells a tale itself, starting with a prisoner called Joe who writes to his brother Dan. Presumably, Stella, Frank and Dolly will all also feature, and Rita, Roger, Mary and her new boyfriend. Junior Murvin will have to pop up on the soundtrack, of course. Also, the words "and give my love to Angus" better get uttered — or would it really be a How to Make Gravy movie? Although Binge hasn't advised exactly when in 2024 the film will release, either, you could probably put money on it hitting screens on or around December 21 to start a new gravy day tradition. (And, given the character of Joe also pops up in other Kelly songs such as 'To Her Door' and 'Love Never Runs On Time', cross your fingers that we're about to get a PKCU — Paul Kelly cinematic universe — too.) "It's a dream to be working with such an incredible cast and crew on our debut feature film. It's testament to Paul's songwriting that the world and characters within the song are so vivid, and we are proud to have the honour of bringing it to life," said Waterman and Washington. "It's a uniquely Australian story, made for film lovers and music fans alike. We can't wait to share our adaptation of 'How to Make Gravy' with the world." There's no trailer for the movie yet, of course, but here's the music video for the song. How to Make Gravy, the movie, doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Via Variety.
Fancy yourself a heist film? Well, take a load of this one. Think Ocean's Eleven, but without the tuxedos and flashy casinos. Logan Lucky takes you down to the American south, the home of NASCAR in North Carolina. Steven Soderbergh, of the Ocean's movies and Magic Mike, pairs Channing Tatum and Adam Driver as two brothers eager to break a 90-year family curse in the soon-to-be-released heist-comedy. The film follows Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) as they plot to steal from NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway. With help from their friends, the so-called 'Redneck Robbers', the Logan brothers set out to pinch themselves $14million from the race. The film has already garnered positive reviews from critics, especially with a stellar cast also including Riley Keough, Seth MacFarlane, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes and Daniel Craig, taking on a very different role to his iconic James Bond as an escaped inmate. Logan Lucky releases on August 17, and we have double passes to giveaway in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eqC27nxHJ4[/embed] [competition]630960[/competition]
Sneezing into our elbows, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and washing our hands thoroughly and often: they're just some of the practices that Australians adopted in 2020 and have been continuing into 2021 in response to COVID-19. So is paying particular attention to where we've all been, which links into ongoing contact-tracing efforts — because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a crucial part of the country's containment strategy. That includes in Queensland, where today, Thursday, January 7, state authorities have just announced a local COVID-19 case in a quarantine hotel worker. In response, Queensland Health has issued a health alert outlining places that residents should note. By now, it has become a familiar routine — and, in this case, if you've visited these spots on the dates and during the times outlined, you should get a test for COVID-19 immediately and self-isolate until you receive your results. This applies regardless of whether you have any coronavirus symptoms or not — and, if you get negative test result, you're still asked to keep monitoring for symptoms and then get retested if necessary. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1346994615862194177 On the list: two train trips, two shopping centres and a newsagents. If you caught the train from Altandi to Roma Street on Saturday, January 2 at 7am, and from Central to Altandi at 4pm at the same day, then you need to get tested and self-isolate. The same applies if you went to Woolworths in Calamvale North from 11am–12pm on Sunday, January 3, to Coles in Sunnybank Hills from 7.30–8am on Tuesday, January 5 and to the Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town Newsagent from 8–8.15am on Tuesday, January 5. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also advised that anyone who lives in Algester, Sunnybank Hills and Calamvale and has symptoms of COVID-19 — even mild symptoms — should get tested. Queensland Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. Queensland currently has 20 active cases of COVID-19, from a pandemic-wide total of 1265 to-date. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Denisbin via Flickr.
Usually, you don't go to someone's house to see a live theatre show. You don't normally go to an underground reservoir, head to a church, wander around an old paint factory, pop into a plant nursery or sit on a jetty, either. But, as its name suggests, performances can happen in plenty of places at the Anywhere Festival. Indeed, bars, restaurants, sports clubs, cafes, universities, laneways and shops are some of the more ordinary locations. From Thursday, May 5–Sunday, May 22, this huge fest takes over Brisbane — after kicking off on the Sunshine Coast since Friday, April 29, and later heading to the Moreton Bay region from Saturday, May 14–Sunday, June 5. That means that you have plenty of places to visit in more ways than one, whether you're eager to make the most of the fest's Brissie season or head north. If you're new to Anywhere Festival, the key part really is all there in its moniker — and this year, for the Brisbane run, that means 60 productions putting on more than 500 shows during the event. It also means turning any space possible into an arts space, including backyards, World War II aircraft engine testing facilities and senate rooms. The one kind of spot you won't see an Anywhere Festival performance, however? A traditional theatre. [caption id="attachment_852663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bruce Heath[/caption] At its creative and makeshift venues around town, on the bill is everything from theatre, comedy, dance and cabaret to music, circus, spoken word and poetry. The 2022 fest kicks off with a big laneway party on Fish Lane, complete with pop-up performances — then spans cabaret under a 117-year-old church roof, French tunes and treats in a garden centre, and a show at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium that's focused around the Northern Lights. Also on the lineup: a series of intimate circus performances in parks in Moorooka, Morningside, Nudgee and at Northey Street City Farm; an escape room-style show in a cafe; a rendition of Little Shop of Horrors; a whodunnit delightfully called Murder at the Bowlo; and a 1920s-style murder-mystery that takes cues from Agatha Christie. Or, there's a roaming and immersive performance that turns that aforementioned paint factory into an intergalactic prison, plus sea shanties in the Spring Hill Reservoir. [caption id="attachment_852664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Geoff Lawrence[/caption] "Performers really love bringing shows to life in these unique locations and audiences love the experience and the thrill of not quite knowing what they are going to get, so it's a win-win," explains Anywhere Festival Founder and Artistic Director Paul Osuch, if you're wondering how the event first came to life back in 2011 — and then became a key part of Brisbane's annual cultural calendar. "The idea came about because I believe that performance and the arts should be central to our lives and not just something we go to a theatre for," Osuch continued. "By making it possible for performances to happen anywhere, many people realise that the arts can and should be anywhere and start seeing the local spots in a completely new light." Anywhere Festival's Brisbane season runs from Thursday, May 5–Sunday, May 23 in spots all over the city. For more information or to book tickets, head to the fest's website. Top image: Stuart Hirth.
Getting really into craft beer and growing a beard has been the overwhelming trend of the past year and while beards are apparently on the out, our love of craft beer is only getting stronger. The designers at Swedish-Italian company Sempli know this and they’ve created a set of glasses that not only look like modern art but are engineered to give you the ultimate beer experience. The Monti range includes four pieces of glassware (yes, these babies are not just glasses, they’re glassware) that look like something you'd find on a gallery plinth but are designed for optimum drinking conditions. In the four-set, you'll get a glass for pilsners, IPAs, pints and 12-ounce bottles for a cool (excuse the pun) $100. The glasses are designed to maximise bubbliness and keep the liquid at the optimum drinking temperature for each different type of beer. It’s true what they say: once you go engineered glassware, you never go back to a beer helmet. Bartenders: prepare for yourself the ultimate snobbery of patrons bringing customised IPA glasses to the pub with them. It’s the craft beer snob’s equivalent of using a tin camping mug as your takeaway coffee cup, except slightly more functional. Monti glassware by Sempli will set you back $55 for a two-set or all four for $100 at Sempli.com. Via Fast Co.Design.
Laura Marling soars with her latest work of staggering genius, a couple of Sydney's best-kept secrets wow with new material, and Perth producer Sid Pattni wants to get you pregnant. Don't be one of those people who stumbles exhausted into the weekend — these five tracks will put a spring in your step and a boogie in your groove. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KCnK3FMuMAs 1. 'When Brave Bird Saved' - Laura Marling Okay, I'm cheating slightly with the five songs thing, as this video is built around the first four songs of Marling's fourth album, Once I Was an Eagle (out May 27). With this album Marling confirms her incredible talent, her songs full of dense symbolism and metaphor while at the same time being utterly human and relateable. Marling could well be the finest songwriter of her generation, and there are plenty of people who agree with me. <a href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing" mce_href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing">It&amp;amp;amp;#39;s Coming//Sure Thing by Oscar Key Sung</a> 2. 'It's Coming' / 'Sure Thing' - Oscar Key Sung Oscar Key Sung is the new project from Oscar Slorach-Thorn, who's half of spare, sugary R&B duo Oscar + Martin. (He's Oscar.) Both tracks up so far are killer, but it's especially worth checking out 'Sure Thing', a cover of a track by R&B's best kept secret: Miguel. 3. 'Canker' / 'If It Works' - Cull Canker is what happens when Tame Impala and Jeff Buckley and some wolves all take acid together and everything goes horribly right; 'If It Works' is a looser, heavier, longer beast. This Sydney act have been around all of about three months but their strike rate's already kinda undeniable. 4. 'Mr. Alpha' - Sid Pattni featuring Whisky Winter This week's Shut Up and Take My Money award goes to this immaculate conception of a jam from Perth producer Sid Pattni. It feels warm and elemental, all glassy shimmers and lazy claps, as the vocals (by guesting duo Whisky Winter) fade between treated and natural tones, distant and intimate at once. If this is what Flume hath wrought, bring it the fuck on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rNNygktmQB4 5. 'Contact' - Daft Punk No matter what you think of the new Daft Punk album, there's no doubt it was a departure from the French duo's usual crunching riffs and apocalyptic beats — except for 'Contact'. The last song on the album is an absolute monster, and uniquely Daft Punk, and this video (recorded at the Wee Waa Agricultural show by our friends at Castle Awesome) shows just what impact it has on an audience. It starts with a recording of astronauts from Apollo 17 talking about what the earth looks like from space; the anticipation builds as the Phantom of the Opera organs do, and by the time the beat finally drops the whole crowd is at fever pitch, leaping up and down in rapture.
2019 is shaping up to be a mighty big year for Elton John. Biopic Rocketman launches into cinemas in May, starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton as the singer and covering his wild 70s antics. The live-action version of The Lion King hits screens come July, featuring the musician's iconic tunes from the original, as well as new songs. And to cap it all off, the star himself is headed our way at the end of the year for a huge farewell tour. Bringing his 300-stop Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows to Australia and New Zealand between November 2019 and February 2020, John has announced 18 concerts across more than two months — including gigs in capital cities, a number of regional dates, and shows at A Day on the Green. More concerts, including shows in north Queensland, will be announced later this year. He kicked off the extensive tour last September, embarking on a three-year global goodbye trip. When it comes to an end, he'll retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his six Saturday shows. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career, which'll be displayed throughout the show, as well as a new tour wardrobe designed by Gucci. ELTON JOHN 'FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD' 2019 TOUR DATES Perth — Saturday, November 30, 2019 and Sunday, December 1, 2019 at HBF Park Adelaide — Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Botanic Park Melbourne — Tuesday, December 10, 2019 and Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Rod Laver Arena Brisbane — Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre Sydney — Saturday, December 21, 2019 and Monday, December 23, 2019 at ICC Sydney Theatre, plus Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Qudos Bank Arena Hunter Valley — Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Hope Estate Mount Cotton — Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sirromet Wines Bathurst — Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Carrington Park Woodend — Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Hanging Rock Rutherglen — Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at All Saints Estate Yarra Valley — Friday, January 31, 2020 at Rochford Wines Dunedin — Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Forsyth Barr Stadium Hawke's Bay — Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Mission Estate Winery Auckland — Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Mt Smart Stadium Tickets for Elton John's Australian capital city and New Zealand shows are available from 9am (local time) on Thursday, February 14, 2019, with all other concerts available from 9am (local time) on Friday, February 15, 2019. Visit oznz.eltonjohn.com for further details, as well as information about pre-sales. Image: Ben Gibson.
How far would you go for the love of gelato? If you're La Macelleria owner Matteo Zini, trekking from Bologna to Brisbane is just the beginning. With his Italian artisan joint already a Teneriffe favourite, he's expanding his authentic gelato dreams to the other side of town, setting up a second store in West End. Opening its doors on September 21 just in time for the warmer weather, La Macelleria's fresh digs proves a case of same great taste in a brand new location, serving up everything frosty treat lovers know and love on Montague Road. That includes their menu of Italian flavours, ranging from the classic deliciousness of fior di latte to the chocolate-speckled stracciatella to the aromatic caffe, as well as the more creative likes of castiglione (ricotta with caramelised figs), mandorla al caffe (roasted almonds with roasted coffee beans) and malaga (rum and raisin). Also making the jump is their sorbets, specials and cakes — three mini cones, a custard semifreddo covered with lemon meringue or brioche filled with gelato, anyone? Plus, at a place where "quality and passion are our first ingredients," as Zini explains, customers will be able to see the magic happen. Like its Teneriffe sibling, everything is made in store every day in La Macelleria's beloved vertical, traditional-style gelato machine. Patrons will also be able to sip coffee at the same time, and book in for hands-on workshops. If you're thinking what we're thinking, then yes, folks in the inner west do have quite the gelato crawl on their hands, with La Macelleria West End's second big arrival in the frozen dessert stakes this year. Whether you start here and wander over to Gelato Messina, or vice versa, your tastebuds win. To make things extra tempting, La Macelleria will be hosting their grand opening celebrations on October 1, complete with their famous prosecco sorbet from 3pm to 7pm. La Macelleria West End is now open at 321 Montague Road, West End. Head to their website and Facebook page for further details.
The sounds of cracking will soon be echoing through Bowen Hills, all thanks to the latest crustacean-slinging addition to the inner-city suburb's King Street. In the space that food truck park Welcome to Bowen Hills previously called home, Claw will start serving patrons from August. On the menu: the kind of shellfish you need to don a bib to eat, plus barbecue fare and a sports bar. Claw heroes its fondness for seafood in its moniker, with king crab its hero menu item. While the venue's full menu hasn't been revealed as yet, its culinary lineup for functions and events also includes buffalo shrimp — including on po'boys — plus freshly shucked rock oysters, shrimp cocktails, fried calamari, fish tacos, and buckets of steamed mussels and clams. But the ocean's finest is just one aspect of this Californian-inspired eatery, even though it proudly calls itself a crab shack. [caption id="attachment_657635" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Savannah van dier Niet[/caption] Elsewhere, diners will be able to tuck into Texas smoked beef brisket, Carolina pulled pork and buffalo chicken wings. If the functions menu is any guide, fried pickles with blue cheese sauce, jalapeño poppers, southern fried chicken, barbecue baked beans and Cheetos mac 'n' cheese will also feature. To wash all of the above down with, craft beers will be in the spotlight. Claw promises a hefty range on tap, plus an exposed keg room. Or, as well as choosing from a range of spirits and wines, patrons can sip slushie cocktails. Given its location, this casual seafood and beer joint will be able to accommodate 1000 patrons — and, as Welcome to Bowen Hills did before it, it'll boast games and an arcade setup. For sports fans, large-screen TVs are a given, while DJs and live music will provide a soundtrack. Plus, because this is a family-friendly joint, there's even a playground for children, Claw adds another venue to Potentia Solutions Leisure's growing Brisbane footprint, with rooftop spots Lina and Soko also in the hospitality company's stable. [caption id="attachment_706403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Welcome to Bowen Hills[/caption] Claw will open on 631 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, in August — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced.
They’ve been releasing albums since 2004. There are eleven musicians in their ensemble. They’ve been compared to The Triffids, The Go Betweens and The Band. They’ve toured Australia numerous times, supporting acts such Band of Horses and Paul Kelly and playing various festivals. And now, they’ve just signed with manager Dominic Miller of Bluebeard Music and are about to release a new album. Who are they? The Gin Club of course! Back in Brisbane to celebrate their recent good news, The Gin Club will be performing a Christmas show at The Zoo this Friday with support acts, The Stress of Leisure, Little Scout, and Harley Young. Putting on one of their legendary shows, the troupe of talented musicians will be at it again performing a range of their discography. Included in that collection now is their new live album. It was recorded throughout the last five years at various gigs just like this one! The live CD offers the best of The Gin Club, with a carefully selected variety of songs so listeners feel like they were in the action. So what better way to get the proper Gin Club experience than to see them live and then take home their new album to relive the night?
Back in August, Webjet gave Australian travellers a mighty great reason to book a holiday in the Northern Territory: super-discounted flights to Uluru and Alice Springs starting at $15. Fancy hitting up Darwin instead, or using it as a base to explore the rest of the Red Centre? Now the booking site is doing a flight sale on fares to the NT's capital city, with prices from $19 one-way. For less than a lobster, you can indeed fly from Adelaide to Darwin — and fares obviously vary depending on your departure city. They're still cheap from much of the east coast, though, including starting at $20 from Brisbane, $35 from Sydney and $56 from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_868754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Helen Orr[/caption] The whole sale includes $150 off one-way trips, which is where those budget-friendly prices come from. From some cities, the end cost isn't quite as cheap, however — costing $122 from Hobart, $159 from Perth and $169 from Darwin. Still, if you're the kind of person who picks their getaway spots based on travel bargains, then this might be the sign you were looking for. You've got until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15 to book, or until sold out. Booking ASAP is recommended, because some fares might be snapped up earlier. [caption id="attachment_868753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Backyard Bandits[/caption] The sale covers trips to Darwin for travel between September 2022 — yes, this month — through to March 2023. Fancy a spring jaunt to the middle of the country? Making summer plans to help cope with the last of the winter chill? Know that you'll be craving an early-autumn break next year? They're all options. One key caveat: the discounted prices are available for inbound flights only, so you won't receive the same discount to come home. Webjet's Darwin sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15, or earlier if sold out. First top image: Tiwi Island Retreat, Tourism NT.
Winter's rolling in, but if you're not ready to let the warm days slip away just yet, a summery whisky cocktail could be your answer. Normally, the belly-warming properties of whisky call for a cosier setting. See: dimly lit bars, roaring fires, snuggle sessions. But this season, that's all changing. Ardbeg, makers of one of the world's smokiest whiskies, is getting ready to release a summer carnival-inspired drop, Ardbeg Drum. This special blend has been created by taking the traditional Ardbeg drop from ex-bourbon casks and then resting it in rum casks, adding a uniquely Carribean note to the already complex favourite. This limited-edition drop will be released in stores on Saturday, June 1, coinciding with the brand's annual party, known as Ardbeg Day. Yep, it seems that Ardbeg — and whisky fans — have a lot to celebrate. So, in the lead-up to this big day, Ardbeg has teamed up with a bunch of Brisbane bars to keep the warm weather vibes going. Across the entire month of May, the bars will be slinging the salty, smoky tones of Ardbeg 10 Years Old in a selection of cocktails. From the aromatic essence of a fine Cuban cigar to the spice of barbecue jerk seasoning, here are six ways bars will infuse the spirit of Caribbean summer into their menus.
Australia has scored some pretty high-quality ice creams this summer. First, Peters and Messina teamed up for a limited-edition run of gourmet drumsticks. Now, Streets is getting onboard. It has just dropped a whole heap of vegan ice creams — and all its most-popular brands are involved. Vegan Magnums, Cornettos and Weis Bars, as well as four new dairy-free Ben & Jerry's tubs, have hit the freezer-aisle shelves in supermarkets and convenience stores nationally. The Magnums, available in either dairy-free Classic or Almond, are made using pea protein, which sounds kind of strange, but we're certainly willing to give them a crack. They're $4 each or $7 for a three. The Cornetto can be found exclusively at Woolworths and is made using soy ice cream, hazelnuts and vegan chocolate. They're $9 for a four-pack, but are currently on sale for $6 — so now's the time to try. Dairy-free Weis Bars comes in raspberry and coconut and will set you back $3.20 a pop (or $6.80 for four) while Ben & Jerry's new almond-milk based flavours ($12 for a pint — that's about 475ml) feature fudge brownie, cinnamon buns, peanut butter and cookies and something called the Coconut Seven Layer Bar, which is filled with fudge chunks, walnuts and swirls of graham cracker and caramel. Check out the vegan Almond Magnum and Cornetto in all their dairy-free glory: If you're a Halo Top fan, you'll be happy to know that Ben & Jerry's has also dropped a line of low-cal tubs — chocolate cookies, caramel cookie and peanut butter cookie dough — which clock in at 150–160 cals a pop for 115ml. They're also $12 each and can be found at Coles, petrol stations and convenience stores nationally. There's no word on how long these dairy-free delights are going to hang around for (we're hoping they're in for the long haul) but just in case — run, don't walk. Vegan Magnums, Weis Bars and new Ben & Jerry's tubs can now be found at supermarkets and convenience stores around the country. The Vegan Cornetto is available at Woolworths only.
October is made for weird, wild and wonderful movies filled with shocks and scares. 'Tis Halloween season, after all. So, the world obliges, including on screens big and small — and, in 2023, via the return of Australia's genre film festival Monster Fest, which is dedicated to flicks of the spooky, dark, twisted, offbeat and out-there variety. Monster Fest doesn't always pop up in the month when everyone is worshipping pumpkins and thinking about costumes; however, the timing obviously couldn't be more perfect. In Brisbane, it's heading to Event Cinemas Uptown between Friday, October 27–Sunday, October 29. On the lineup: the latest and greatest in genre filmmaking, spanning horror, sci-fi, comedies with elements of either and all-round unnerving movies. Standouts titles on the 2023 program include Suitable Flesh, which stars Heather Graham (Extrapolations) as a doctor going mad, takes its inspiration from HP Lovecraft and boasts Joe Lynch (Creepshow) behind the lens; The Last Video Store, a horror-comedy set, yes, in one of the last video stores; and Norwegian flick There's Something in the Barn, about a gnome uprising that plagues an American family (including Party Down's Martin Starr) who've relocated to Scandinavia. Or, there's also sci-fi comedy Time Addicts, Australian slasher Bloodmoon getting a 4K restoration 33 years after its OG release and Trim Season's nightmarish trip to a weed farm.
The Church are one of those bands that have been around for what seems like forever. Some might say almost as long as, ahem, Jesus (Yes? No? Okay). Despite this, instead of tiring audiences with years of music and constant touring, they have somehow managed the reverse and their time in the business has only caused a growing fan base. Although they are often on the road, don’t be fooled into thinking that every performance The Church puts is uniform in its structure and song choices. This tour, Future Past Perfect, in particular, is special for the band as it’s a celebration of their 30th anniversary. After touring around both Australia and America this year they have finally returned to Brisbane and it is set to be a joyous occasion. For the first time in Church history they will be playing three of their renowned albums in their entirety, making the cost well worth it. Taking one album from each decade, the 30-year discography span is absolutely sure to provide for every fan the band has.
Head interstate to see a big show, or cross your fingers that it comes to Brisbane? When it comes to huge theatre productions, that's the regular dilemma. Thankfully, the musicals and plays that don't premiere on our turf tend to make their way here eventually — and West End and Broadway hit Girl From the North Country is about to become one of them. For Bob Dylan fans, that name will be familiar. It's the title of one of the legendary folk singer's 1963 songs — a tune that features in this musical, naturally. Indeed, the entire show uses Dylan's tracks, including everything from 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Hurricane' to 'Slow Train' and 'I Want You', all weaved throughout a story of American life during the Great Depression. Girl From the North Country enjoyed its Australian premiere at this year's Sydney Festival, and is also headed to Melbourne from April; however, to save you the trip interstate, it's coming to Brisbane as well as part of Brisbane Festival 2022. So, block out Thursday, September 8 in your diary, as that's when its season will get started at QPAC's Lyric Theatre. Story-wise, the musical is set in a guesthouse in the US state of Minnesota in 1934. The narrative revolves around owner Nick, who is deeply in debt; his wife Elizabeth, whose mind is fraying; and their pregnant daughter Marianne — as well as a bible-slinging preacher and a boxer endeavouring to make a comeback. Overseas, Girl From the North Country has enjoyed sell-out seasons since it first debuted in London in 2017 — heading from The Old Vic to West End, next leaping to the US for an off-Broadway run, and then hitting up Toronto, returning to West End and premiering on Broadway before the pandemic in early 2022. And locally, the debut Aussie season stars Lisa McCune (The King and I, South Pacific), Terence Crawford (Escape From Pretoria, 1984) and Helen Dallimore (Wicked, Legally Blonde). Girl From the North Country will play at QPAC's Lyric Theatre from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 18 as part of Brisbane Festival 2022. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the QPAC website.
That feeling you get when a decades-old band either reforms its classic lineup and hits the road, or tours your way with a huge history behind them, kickstarting all those nostalgic old memories? If you're blink-182 fan, you'll know the right words for that: well I guess this is growing up. Actually, if you're a blink-182 fan, you'll be feeling all of the above right now. The group's best-known lineup is indeed back together, with Tom DeLonge rejoining Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker to play together for the first time in nearly a decade. They're heading around the world on a massive tour, and yes, as part of that, they're coming to Australia and New Zealand. 'Coming' is the theme of the announcement video the band put together to reveal the news — so if you're already wondering "what's my age again?", there's another reason for that train of thought. In much of the world everybody will like seeing blink-182 live again in 2023; however, Down Under, that'll happen in February 2024. DeLonge, Hoppus and Barker — with Rise Against in support — will start their Australian run in Perth, then head to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In NZ, they're playing two shows: Auckland and Christchurch. For three decades, blink-182 have been the voice inside punk and rock fans' heads, especially in the late 90s and early 00s thanks to albums Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Now that they're back together after DeLonge left the band in 2015, blink-182 are also recording new music together, with single 'Edging' releasing on Friday, October 14. Expect to hear everything from 'Dammit', 'Josie' and 'What's My Age Again?' to 'All the Small Things' and 'I Miss You' live, though — and yes, the latter feels oh-so-apt right now. BLINK-182 2024 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR: Friday, February 9 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 11 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, February 13 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, February 16 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 19 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, February 23 — Spark Arena, Auckland Monday, February 26 — Christchurch Arena, Christchurch Blink-182 will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Blink-182 fan club pre-sales start at 12pm on Thursday, October 13, with Live Nation and Spotify pre-sales from 1pm on Wednesday, October 19 — and general sales from 1pm on Thursday, October 20 (all local time). For more information, head to the Live Nation website. Top image: Jack Bridgland.
It’s party time people! The crafty folk at Etsy are throwing their second annual global craft party and you’re invited! If you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, designer, illustrator, jewelry maker, vintage lover or just great with a glue gun, Etsy are rejoicing your creativity and hosting the craftiest celebration of the year in your honor. There is just one condition upon your entry to this party: every guest must bring a plate of delicious homemade food – this means if you bring a cake you bought from the Woolies reduced section, they won’t let you in! There are some amazing prizes to be won on the night including Bris-Style goodie bags, Etsy bits and bobs, vouchers, one month’s free rent at In.Cube8r gallery AND a one hour photo shoot with you and your hand made wares with Salt Image. Last year over five thousand people attended the party from across the globe! RSVP here and get baking. Don't show them up or they’ll be after you with their staplers. Image credit: The Craft Revival
The literary work of Edgar Allen Poe collectively represents quality and greatness in poetry and fiction. Surviving the centuries, his infamous poem, The Raven is one upon many of Poe's influential pieces that continues to live on through the generations. Blurring the boundaries between audience and performer, home truths and vicious lies, The Raven represents a journey into the mind of a man whose imagination has taken liberties with his life. Fall deep inside an intimate and sensory experience at Metro Arts and take a seat at Poe's table as the poet shifts through splintered memories forged with his beloved wife. For those unfamiliar with the literary work of Poe, The Raven represents a dark journey into the mind of a man whose imagination has taken liberties with his life. Telling the tale of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, you experience a man's man's slow descent into madness. Written in the 1800s The Raven is a poem that has truly latest the test of time. A performance that will both educate and inspire, Metro Art's adaptation of The Raven is one not to be missed.
Sydney will play host to the best bartenders in the world next year, when the 11th annual Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final heads Down Under. If you haven't heard of it, the competition pits the best bartenders from over 60 countries against each other. Apart from the main tournament, the competition includes a week-long festival of pop-ups, collaborations and tastings. So, while nothing has been announced just yet, expect Sydney to be buzzing with exciting one-off events come next spring. Launched in 2009, the competition boasts some notable local winners, including Bulletin Place's Tim Philips-Johansson (2012) and, most recently, Lûmé's Orlando Marzo (2018). This year's World Class, held in Glasgow, featured another Aussie finalist: Alex Boon — the lauded bar manager at the Melbourne instalment of The Speakeasy Group's famed Viking-inspired restaurant Mjolner. Bannie Kang of Singapore bar Antidote took out the top gong for 2019. [caption id="attachment_721694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bulletin Place by Cesar Echeverri[/caption] The competition comes to Sydney at an exciting time, too, with Sydney's lockout laws set to be scrapped in the CBD early next year and the City of Sydney planning to introduce 24-hour trading in the area. The CBD is also home to an exciting lineup of new bars — including Maybe Sammy, Employees Only, Prince of York, Cantina OK! and Double Deuce Lounge — which have all opened in the last twelve months, and join world-class stalwarts like Bulletin Place, The Baxter Inn, The Lobo Plantation and PS40. The 11th annual Diego World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final will take place in Sydney in 2020. For more information and to stay up to date, head to the website. Top image: World Class 2018 winners, Orlando Marzo and Alex Boon.
Just when you thought IKEA had ruined enough relationships with its 'easy-to-follow' 'three-step' 'anyone-can-do-it' DIY furniture, they're now giving punters the opportunity to do it all again over dinner. The Swedish company will next week launch The Dining Club, a pop-up 'DIY' restaurant on London's Shoreditch High Street. If you're thinking a 'DIY restaurant' sounds a little suss — it is. It's like a restaurant in that there will be tables, chairs and food, but less like one in that you have to cook the meal yourself. There will be a sous chef and maître de on-hand to help out though. The whole thing is meant to allow punters to have "an intimate foodie experience in a homely kitchen environment", according to a statement on IKEA's website. Sittings will run for brunch, lunch and dinner, and will feature "a range of modern sharing dishes, including some Scandinavian classics" — which we'll take to mean meatballs will totally be on the menu. The whole experience — including the food, drinks and service — is free of charge but there's only 38 up for grabs in a ballot-like system. Hopeful hosts can register their interest (which includes dreaming up a creative answer to 'who would you invite?') and, if selected by the IKEA gods, can bring along 7-19 friends. Earlier this year IKEA announced it will finally launch an online store for Australian customers — so who knows, maybe a pop-up kitchen will be coming our way too? The Dining Club will run from September 10-25 at 3-10 Shoreditch High Street, London. If you're in London, you can register your interest for a booking at ikeathediningclub.com. Image: Jay Wennington.
Sit down for a drink at Amsterdam's Vesper, and your cocktail just might contain more than just alcohol, garnish, ice and mixers. As part of a waste-reducing initiative called Trash the Place!, the Dutch bar is recycling all food-related items that it can, finding imaginative ways to use them, and throwing it all in their beverages. "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is the fitting line of thinking behind it, which sees Vesper's bartenders recovering and re-using food offcuts that were otherwise destined for the garbage pile, particularly where fruit is involved. As the bar's Julian Bayuni told MUNCHIES, "for example, we use strawberries to make our own strawberry Campari.. [then] we filter the fruit out of the Campari and mix it with some mango, fresh tomato, cilantro, and onion to make a fermented salsa, which we serve with our tortilla chips." While operating in a more sustainable fashion is an ongoing focus, Vesper are specifically showcasing their creative, environmentally conscious concoctions until the end of September, with not only their staff getting in on the task, but guest bartenders from other Amsterdam establishments as well. In an industry that creates as much waste as hospitality, it's an inventive and inspiring step — and joins the likes of fellow Dutch venue De Fruithaven, who run on power generated by food waste, plus New Zealand-based vodka company 42BELOW, who've been turning leftover bar garnishes into hand soap. Via MUNCHIES. Image: Vesper.
If your state was just weeks away from legalising marijuana for recreational use, what plans would you be hatching? Well, one Californian winery has gone and created the world's first commercially available marijuana-infused sauvignon blanc. The winemakers at Rebel Coast Winery — who produce Californian blends and Sonoma chardonnay — have invented a wine that's infused with THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis. It's all ready to start shipping within California on January 1, 2018, which is when recreational marijuana becomes legal across the state. Infusing wine with cannabis is no new thing, but this is the first time is will be sold by official means. There is a difference though: THC and alcohol can't legally be mixed, so the winemakers have switched out the wine's booze content for 16 milligrams of THC per bottle. Apparently it "smells like weed, tastes like wine" and won't haunt you with a hangover the next day. And the high? As Rebel Coast explains on its website, "after one glass you won't be thinking your couch is a hippo with short legs or anything. Our goal is not to kill you after you've had a few glasses. The goal is to get giggly and naked with someone." Obviously recreational use of cannabis is not legal in Australia or New Zealand, so this sav blanc isn't either. However, both countries have recently legalised the consumption and sale of low-THC hemp food products.
Well I am of course. That is the assertion of each of the performers appearing in this quirky, funny new production. Created by Sydney performance trio post, Who’s the Best is the troupe at play, but with the very serious issue of determining who is in fact the best amongst them in any way they can. The determinants of best-ness are varied, they include Dolly quizzes, anagram tests, underwear comparisons, hand-eye coordination assessments, voting, debates and pie charts. Each of the performers vie for the most audience attention, and the title of ‘The Best’. They'll steal lines from one another, and generally demand they be the centre of attention. With references to classic comedy, reality TV, corporate presentation and contemporary performance, the production attempts to define what makes you the best, and settle any possible impending debate. post are back to their piss-taking ways with this production, using their mix of satirical comedy and biting truth to explore the self-obsession of the culture we live in – the need to win at all costs, and the desire, no matter the consequences to prove who is the best.
With Australia's COVID-19 curve flattening, exactly how and when restrictions will be relaxed has dominated conversation of late. Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that some social distancing and public gathering rules could be loosened in mid-May. Today, Thursday, April 23, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy shed some light on when international travel could restart. But don't go packing your suitcase just yet. At a senate inquiry meeting into Australia's response to COVID-19, Murphy said that opening borders would be one of the last stages of easing restrictions. "At the moment, any relaxation of border measures would be very risky," Murphy said. "I wouldn't be envisaging any material changes [to border measures] in that three to four months." One exception to that, Murphy hinted to, could be allowing travel between Australia and New Zealand. The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment in a press conference in the middle of the senate inquiry meeting (yes, a busy day), saying that he'd already been in discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about potentially reopening borders. "If there is any country in the world with whom we can reconnect with first," Morrison said. "Undoubtedly that's New Zealand." [caption id="attachment_596427" align="alignnone" width="1280"] A PurePod in New Zealand[/caption] Some of the restrictions that could be eased before then, and possibly as soon as in three weeks, are those in small groups. In NSW, Victoria and Queensland at present, public gatherings are restricted to a maximum of two people or the members of your household. While Murphy said they "would not be contemplating large-scale gatherings" just yet, "some relaxation of the size of small groups is possible". Other restrictions Murphy says the government is currently looking into loosening include "things like community sport and some retail measures". But, as has been the message repeated in the past week, "we have to weigh up the public health risk versus the benefit to society and the economy". If you're wondering why we're hearing a lot from Murphy during COVID-19, and why his opinions hold weight, Murphy is not only the principal medical adviser to the Federal Health Minister, but also he's the chair of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which makes big decisions in health emergencies — such as global pandemics. There's no exact date on when we'll be able to travel just yet — locally or internationally — but if you want to start dreaming, here are some of our favourite spots to visit in New Zealand. Top image: Mueller Hut Track in New Zealand by Corey Parsons.
It only takes one perfect record to make a musician a legend. For Ms Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was that album. The American singer and rapper fronted The Fugees before dropping her only solo release. She starred in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit as well. But come 1998, when the record that bears her name hit, it ensured that she'd always be an icon. 2023 marks 25 years since The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill first arrived — and to celebrate, Hill is touring. Down Under, she has locked in three stops: a headlining gig at Promiseland Festival on the Gold Coast, plus stadium shows in Melbourne and Sydney. Home to singles 'Doo Wop (That Thing)', 'Ex-Factor', 'Everything Is Everything', 'Lost Ones' and 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a smash on the charts, with critics and at the Grammys. It peaked at number two in Australia; has been named in oh-so-many lists of 90s, hip hop and rap records, as well as albums of all time and releases by women; and earned five Grammys from ten nominations. During her tour, Hill will play tracks from her time with The Fugees, too — killing audiences softly with the iconic cover that the band is best known for, plus 'Ready or Not', 'Fu-Gee-La' and more. On the Gold Coast, she's part of a two-day lineup that also includes Six60, L.A.B., Davido, Tems, Fiji, House of Shem, Koffee and Fireboy DML, all playing Doug Jennings Park across Saturday, September 30–Sunday, October 1. On her solo shows in New South Wales and Victoria, Koffee will be in support. "The Miseducation album has been a consistently special artwork that has allowed me to tour for 25 years, sharing the message and energy with its loyal appreciators. I'm not even sure if it feels like 25 years have gone by to me," said Hill, announcing the tour. "I'm excited to celebrate this landmark anniversary with the fans in Australia, and I look forward to this time capsule experience. The music itself was born to be anachronistic, at the same time reclaiming precious jewels from the past, and infusing them with the potency and energy of the present, in order to enrich it and the future. Revisiting the album live has renewed my love and appreciation for the music and the period in which it was born, when hip hop was ripe with potential and uncomplicated enthusiasm." MS LAURYN HILL'S THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL TOUR: Sunday, October 1 — Promiseland Festival, Gold Coast Tuesday, October 3 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, October 5 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Ms Lauryn Hill will play three shows in Australia in October 2023, with tickets on-sale now — head to the Promiseland website and tour website for further details: Top image: Città di Parma via Wikimedia Commons.
Everything that humans can eat, dogs think that they can eat too. But, as every responsible pet owner knows, your adorable canine can't share your every meal — no matter how much it might wish otherwise. On Sunday, March 28, your four-legged friend can eat pies, though. So can two-legged attendees. Pie Town's pooch-friendly event is called Pups and Pies, but naturally people are catered for as well. Head along from 11am–2pm, and enjoy a dog-friendly party where treats for both humans and puppers are on the menu. Bring your own barking bestie along, and watch the cutie's eyes light up when it gets to munch on something special. There'll also be brews, and the festivities will raise money for Safe Haven Animal Rescue Inc, including via a raffle. Plus, the folks from Safe Haven will be around if you have any questions about fostering doggos — and they'll be bringing a few four-legged friends with them, should you be keen to adopt a new member into your family.
The future is coming and Jason Silva is excited. Very excited. Silva is an American filmaker and self-proclaimed "wonder junkie, ideas DJ, performance philosopher", and he's coming to an Opera House near you this weekend for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Concrete Playground spoke with him about his provocatively titled festival lecture 'We Are the Gods Now'. We are the Gods is quite the title for a talk. What can we expect to hear from you at the Opera House? In his book about the exponential growth curve of technology, Raymond Kurzweil says, "There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen." In 40 years we've seen computers contract in size from half a building to something 1000 times more powerful that fits in your pocket: the smartphone. If we continue along this exponential trajectory, we can expect computing power to enhance while the physical unit shrinks from pocket-size to the size of a blood cell. Speaking of blood cells, the thing I'm really excited about is the way that biology [the field of study] is fast becoming information technology. If you think growth in computing power is impressive, the rate that we are sequencing genomes is outpacing Moore's Law. Freeman Dyson, the physicist, says we are going to compose genomes the way we compose verse. I know, I know, it sounds like we're tripping, but history tells us this is what we should expect! Artistry is going to spill off the canvas and into the biology lab, and I think we should be excited — and not fearful — of what we're going to create in there. What it means to be human is to transcend our limits, to rebel, to be "cosmic revolutionaries", in Aaron Harrington's words. So, yeah, that's the crux of what I'll be talking about. Really, you think we're fearful of new technology? Apple has people frothing at the mouth about the launch of the iPhone 5 this week. I think the success of the iPhone attests to our love of these tools — we are living in a techno-utopian society — and yet the alarmist media bang on about the demise of interpersonal connections because people are supposedly texting more than they're talking, so on and so forth. I like to remind people that around the advent of the telegraph there was a moral panic that it would hurt our brains, that it wasn't natural. In fact, even Socrates railed against writing! He claimed that the act of transcribing something would atrophy our brains. But there is some truth to what Socrates said, at least in sentiment. I read Nicholas Carr's piece for the Atlantic Is Google Making Us Stupid?, wherein he discusses the netizen's diminishing capacity to "deep read", which he claims is a direct consequence of the way we engage with screen texts, constantly drifting and never really focusing. I totally agree with the concept of bandwidth anxiety — I personally experience it! But you have to think of bandwidth anxiety as analogous to downloading an HD film via a 56k modem connection rather than a fibre-optic cable. In our case, the human biological brain is fixed, but our technology is infinitely upgradeable. We're like a drooling dog looking at a lineup of 50 dogs on heat and we can't possibly mate them all! We have so many options to connect with the world around us, but we have to be disciplined and disconnect. I mean, I turn off my cell phone when I go see a movie or when I read a book. I think Carr's case is that the damage is done, that our brains are capable of rewiring to optimise our experience of digital culture. The damage isn't beyond repair; the brain is plastic, but I can say from personal experience that I now struggle to engage with longer novels where I used to devour them, and I think it's because I'm increasingly feasting on the easy-to-digest, pretty, shiny things — things like your short videos, the so-called "shots of philosophical espresso". Fair enough. I started producing short videos because I felt there was a gap in the market for them. There's no end of intelligent, philosophical discourse in the blogosphere, but there's a real paucity of engaging, short-format video content on the web. I wanted to capture that feeling of two in the morning, in your college dorm with a beautiful girl, discussing the meaning of life — and amplify it to the scale of a cinematic experience. Sure, these short-form bursts of inspiration trigger the release of dopamine and that's an addictive chemical so we have to self-monitor how much we take in. So when you talk about losing the capacity to "deep read" or appreciate silence, I think it's just a matter of growing pains, because we aren't yet equipped physiologically to handle the kind of content we're creating. Once we upgrade our own brains using biotechnology and genetic engineering, we'll be like a computer you can add RAM to — this issue of not being able to multitask will be a thing of the past! This is the Singularity! I can see how these videos might inspire organisations to foster creative culture or even spark cross-industry collaboration, but how to you hope these videos will affect people's day-to-day lives? Art and media are mediums for preparing us for the future. I'm trying to present intelligent content in a cool and sexy format — which, in turn, means the act of engaging with it is cool and sexy. I want there to be an alternative to the overwhelming share of media space given to the likes of Jersey Shore, something that has pop culture cred but doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence. At the end of the day, if you want someone to really care about your product, you need to make them feel something; you need to induce a feeling of wonder, of awe. Once you achieve this, you've set in motion a lust for learning. At a consumer level we have access to an incredible array of tools [high-speed internet, mobile devices, etc.] for engaging with the world of ideas, but most people don't know or don't care for what's out there. What's lacking is a viral outbreak of wonder. The phenomenon of trolling is on the rise and just recently a local TV personality who came under a torrent of online abuse was admitted to a psych ward. And last weekend here in Sydney there was a protest that turned into a riot sparked by the indie film released on YouTube, The Innocence of Muslims. I just wonder how culpable social media is in this sequence of events, given that it's so easy to be offensive when speaking from a disembodied perspective. Dude! The right to offend is a hallmark of a free society! I mean, I don't want to say that riot was an act of cultural or religious immaturity, but violence, no, violence is never justified because someone offended you. Okay, but I'm quoting you from earlier this year when I say, "As we increasingly become sophisticated, cosmopolitan people, the religious impulse is less relevant." Well, look, I sort of abide by the opinions of Ernest Becker, who wrote the book The Denial of Death. He says that the 'religious impulse' is one solution to the problem we face when we contemplate our own mortality. The second, alternative, way we deal with death is the 'romantic impulse', where we turn our lovers into our gods, and the third, and this one I think is the healthiest, is the 'creative impulse', which is to create great work. I think religion had a time and place and was effective at teaching people to be kind to each other as part of a moral system, but time and again we see it corrupted. So you see yourself as your own god? [laughs] Let's just say I think there will come a day when it will be possible with the aid of technology to transcend our biological limitations and manifest a Being that is extraordinarily smart, ultra-powerful, and immortal. But if there comes a day when saying "you only live once" has no motivational power because we've engineered eternal existence, I wonder if we'll just be crippled by chronic procrastination? Ha! You know, man, that's very possible. But if the universe is infinite, with creative possibilities, then so should we be. Sure, some people will just play Grand Theft Auto for all of eternity if that's what they want to do with their existence, but others will amass a phenomenal bank of knowledge and break new frontiers in science. You know, I hate the way we ennoble death. It's a brute biological horror that kills everyone we care about, and yet we say things like 'death gives life meaning'. I say, you know what gives meaning to life? Life! Death was necessary for the evolutionary process, but now that we're switching from genes to memes, death has become obsolete. We don't need to keep dying in order to create new things. But the creation of most new things only comes about because there's a viable commercial application for it, and if technology is replacing itself at an ever-increasing rate, perhaps the threat of rapid supersedence in the marketplace will slow the generation of new technologies? Hmm. I guess I'd have to agree that, yeah, that's very possible. I mean, already we're seeing college graduates emerge into the workforce only to find that their skillset is already obsolete. Interesting. Thanks so much for chatting with me today. Absolutely, man! It's been a mind-meld! Catch Jason Silva at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Sunday, September 30, at 3pm.
It seems that, even though it falls on the same day every year, Christmas creeps up on us. To be fair, it's a pretty hectic time — we're organising holiday plans, tying up loose ends at work and figuring out some resolutions for a brand new year. Even if you have a bunch of post-it note reminders of 'Choose a good gift for Mum' and 'Buy pressies before Christmas Eve', it's easy for those good intentions to fall by the wayside. Plus, it gets pretty expensive when you're buying under time pressure. In partnership with Square, we've searched through Queensland's independent shops to bring you a gift guide that won't break the bank — and you'll be buying from local legends who, after a pretty tough year, need your support. If you are a small business owner, Square has the tools you need to take payments and maximise your sales, including an ebook with tips to help you get started this holiday season. STAINLESS STEEL FLASK, WILDFLOWER ($29) For the gin lover, a sleek flask that they can take along to picnics, house parties and camping trips over summer is a gift that they can keep for life. Wildflower Gin, based out of Burleigh Heads, has a 200-millilitre, leather-wrapped stainless steel flask for a steal at $29. Shipping is free for orders over $100, so add a few bottles of gin to your cart while you're at it. JASMINE ROBE BLACK, HOMEBODII ($49.95) If you're buying for someone who exudes elegance wherever they go, Homebodii's chic black robe could be just what you're after. This silky number has kimono-inspired sleeves, a non-crush satin finish and is the perfect thing to throw on when lounging around at home, which, let's face it, we're all doing a fair bit more of these days. Shipping is $10 or free for orders over $100. CROWD PLEASER CHEESE PACK, THE CHEESEBOARD ($40) You can't go wrong with next-level cheese when picking up gifts for your foodie friends. If you'd rather skip the shops and get it delivered directly to them, jump online at The Cheeseboard and pick from one of its many cheesy delights, with everything from stinky fromage to a box filled with bubbles and brie. When in doubt, the approachable Crowd Pleaser pack comes with artisanal Aussie cheese — think cheddar, camembert and gruyere — and a jar of locally made fruit paste. IVY & WOOD ORCHID AND GINGER CANDLE, SHANNON HAWKES ($39.95) Boutique florist Shannon Hawkes is a one-stop-shop for beautiful blooms. On top of its gorgeous bouquets, it peddles fragrant candles from Ivy & Wood, too, so you can have the smell of fresh flowers, without the upkeep. Ivy & Wood's candles are hand poured and come in a range of stunning scents, we particularly like this orchid and ginger one. LIFE IS TOUGH PRINT, OAK & AVE ($30) This year has dealt many of us a dud hand, so why not give a gift that'll give your pal a little boost? Rather than buying them a Tony Robbins book, get them a fun art print that does the motivational talking instead. This one from Oak & Ave is sure to add some positive vibes to any WFH office. You can either pick it up in person or get it delivered straight to your mate's doorstep. KIM WALLACE CERAMICS TAKEAWAY CUP, NOOK ($39–44) It should come as no surprise that Nook makes the list. Known for showcasing ethical and fair Australian designers, ceramicists and artists, it's a go-to shop for Brisbanites when Christmas comes around. If you have a caffeine fiend in your life, you can't go wrong with one of these handmade, reusable takeaway cups by ceramic queen Kim Wallace. Made in Wallace's studio in Noosa, these cups are available in two sizes, six and eight ounces, and are ideal for your friend who cannot function before they have their first cup of joe. FIDDLE LEAF FIG SMALL, LITTLE LEAF DECOR ($28) Plants are a go-to gift for good reason. Rather than buying blooms, though, why not give something that will last for years to come? The Little Leaf Decor offers a range of plants, including a fiddle leaf fig tree for a reasonable $28. Whether you're buying it for your mum with a green thumb or your mate who just moved house, it's a winner. You'll just have to pick it up from the Little Leaf Decor's Coorparoo store. STAUNCH ORIGINAL BEARD WASH, THE BEARDED CHAP ($45) If your partner, dad, brother or cousin is choosing to keep their funky facial hair after Movember, then this is the gift for them. Made with all natural ingredients and produced in very small batches to ensure the highest of quality, The Bearded Chap's beard wash will clean even the dirtiest of beards and leave your hairy faced friend looking well-kempt. Shipping is free for orders over $20, too. THE CLASSIC WHITE TEE, NEWSTEAD BREWING CO ($25) We all know someone who loves a good craft brew. Rather than buying them booze which, let's be honest, will get consumed fairly quickly over the silly season, get them some cool merch instead. Independent Brisbane brewery Newstead Brewing Co has three mighty fine cotton tees available to purchase online, including this simple white one. You can either get it shipped, or swing by to pick up in person — and have a brew while you're at it. OYSTER KEY RING, SEASHELLS & CO ($18) It's true that you don't have to spend a wad of cash on presents to show someone how much you care. But, if you don't want to turn up empty handed on Christmas Day, these oyster key rings from Seashells & Co make for an excellent pressie. They're handmade in sunny Port Douglas and come individually gift wrapped, so you don't have to worry about picking up wrapping paper either. Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. If you are a small business owner, Square has guidance on how best to maximise sales in the run up to the Christmas holiday period in its ebook, found here. Top image: The Bearded Chap
