Leaning into Coorparoo's love of community is Maude. This family-friendly cafe and restaurant is owned and run by local husband and wife duo, Brandon and Caity Hemmings. Here, guests are treated to breakfast and lunch every day of the week with a broad range of healthy, indulgent and simple dishes on offer. Classics like the breakfast burger, pancakes and calamari sit beside fresh takes on dishes such as broccoli fritters, bacon-wrapped bangers and mash, and charred octopus. The drinks menu covers coffee, smoothies and wine, plus some pimped up sparkling waters that are a must-try — think combinations like vanilla bean and passionfruit, rosella and raspberry and lavender and elderflower. And you can add in a shot of your favourite spirit to make it into a cocktail if you're in the mood for something cheeky. Images: Kiel Wode
It has been just over six months since Amazon finally launched in Australia, promising an array of goods delivered quickly and affordably, as shipped from Melbourne. But you're probably still making purchases from the company's US and UK sites, aren't you? Given that Amazon's Aussie range and prices don't quite match its overseas counterparts, that's understandable. But, come July 1, that'll no longer be an option. In emails sent out to customers today, Amazon advised that purchases from its international platforms will no longer be shipped to Australian addresses once the new financial year hits. The new policy is the result of an upcoming change to the country's GST laws, with the standard goods and services tax of 10 percent set to be applied to all online overseas purchases. At the moment, GST only applies to transactions over $1000. "We have taken this step to provide our customers with continued access to [our] international selection and allow us to remain compliant with the law which requires us to collect and remit GST on products sold on Amazon sites that are shipped from overseas," advised Amazon in its correspondence to customers. Anyone in Australia trying to purchase from Amazon US, UK or elsewhere will have the option of buying from a new Amazon Global Store, launched today, which will apparently "provide customers with continued access to [Amazon's] international selection". Still, it won't quite be the same. The Guardian reports that the Amazon Global Store currently has around four million items, which isn't even one percent of the range available in the US. And while Amazon states that more than 60 million products are currently available on its Australian site, if you're a seasoned online shopper, you've probably come across more than a few gaps. Or, you've found the same goods on sale to Aussie customers for a much steeper price, even taking exchange rates and international shipping into account. Given that the ban applies to all Australian addresses, we're sorry to say that sneaking around the block with a VPN won't work. Using a shipping forwarding service — where orders are initially sent to an overseas address, then forwarded on to Australia (for an extra fee) — will be an option though. If you're worried that this could change online shopping in Australia, you're not alone. With the change in GST laws and Amazon's precedent, it seems inevitable that other online retailers will follow in the global retailer's footsteps.
Yeah, we're thinking he's back — John Wick, that is. Five years after Keanu Reeves introduced everyone's favourite assassin (and dog owner) to the world, and two years after the film scored its first sequel, the action-packed franchise is bringing its third instalment to the big screen in 2019. Entitled John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum and due to hit cinemas in May, the series' latest follow-up picks up where the last flick left off, aka with Wick being hunted down by his fellow killers. With a $14 million price tag on his head, plenty of hitmen and women are out to collect the bounty. And all of this because, in the first movie, he became the proud owner of an adorable pooch. As Wick notes, of course, "it wasn't just a puppy". If you're not up on your Latin, parabellum means 'prepare for war', which is just what a kick-ass Keanu looks primed to do. This time, he'll have Halle Berry in his corner — and he's not adverse to brandishing some firepower while atop a horse or mowing down his enemies while he's riding a motorbike. With this year marking two decades since The Matrix first arrived and blew movie-goers' minds, he's not against quoting one of that film's most famous lines either. Like John Wick: Chapter 2, Parabellum does re-team Reeves with Laurence Fishburne once more, so prepare for another Neo and Morpheus reunion. As for the rest of the cast, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Jason Mantzoukas all return from the previous flicks, while Anjelica Huston ranks among the new additions. Behind the lens, former Keanu stunt double turned filmmaker Chad Stahelski directs again, as he has did with the previous John Wick flicks. The film's first trailer arrived earlier this year, and now a second sneak peek has dropped. Check them both out below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU8-7BX9uxs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2P3cpPOXY&feature=youtu.be John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum releases in Australian cinemas on Thursday, May 16.
He cultivated his love of movies by working in a video store, jam-packs all of his films with references and homages to genres and flicks he loves, and once committed one of the worst Australian accents ever heard to celluloid. If you already knew all of the above — and know how much a shake costs at Jack Rabbit Slims, where to get the best sword in Japan, and which stuntman you should never get into a car with — then you're all set for The Brightside's Tarantino Movie Trivia. On Friday, July 5, end your working week with plenty of questions about the distinctive filmmaker. It'll cover everything from QT's highly quotable lines, to his soundtracks, to every other tidbit that's relevant, and justify all that time you've spent watching Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown and Inglourious Basterds. And we're not saying it'll definitely be relevant, but you can always study up by reading our chat with the director, from back when he came to Australia for the release of The Hateful Eight. Entry is free, it all kicks off at 6.30pm, and you'll be able to nab pizzas from Holey Moley, too. And the timing couldn't be better, with Tarantino's latest flick, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, due in cinemas in August.
There's never been a better excuse to indulge in a hair of the dog. 4 Pines Beer, in collaboration with Surry Hills' Single Origin Roasters, have conjured up the equivalent of Up & Go for beer enthusiasts by adding banana bread and espresso butter to the brewing process. It follows in the footsteps of such notable food/beer crossovers as spreadable beer and avocado beer. They'll be launching the ultimate breakfast beer, along with their new Porky Fig creation (a beer that tastes like East Village Hotel's famous pig and fig pizza), on Thursday October 24, at 7pm, as part of Sydney Craft Beer Week. Two free public 'Beer Mimics Food' events will run simultaneously, catering to beer connoisseurs on either side of the bridge — one at the 4 Pines Brew Pub, Manly, and the other at the East Village Hotel, Balmain. So how did two such unlikely taste breakthroughs come about? In the first case, 4 Pines head brewer Andrew Tweddell, along with Single Origin's head barista, Sean McManus, and coffee buyer, Wendy de Jong, spent a day dressed in banana suits, figuring out how to blend their specialities into one flavoursome, alcoholic powerhouse. Adopting a wheat-style brewing method, they diverted from the usual grain-driven strategy by adding 16 kilograms of banana bread and a batch of carefully selected Brazilian coffee beans to the mix. In the second, it was a matter of recognising that one of Balmain's most popular dishes could translate into drinkable goodness. The Porky Fig is reputed to smell as good as it tastes. Both beers are limited edition, and following the launch events, will be stocked at the 4 Pines Brew Pub and the East Village — only until they run out.
Almost thirty years ago, the combined talents of Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie brought audiences one of the best seasons of television ever made. Today, they might be better known for Love Actually, We Will Rock You, Mr Bean and House; however Blackadder the Third will always remain one of their claims to fame. The third series to focus on the titular character found him acting as a butler to Prince George during the Regency era, and served up plenty of period gags, witty dialogue and general silliness in the process. It worked a treat on the small screen across six episodes, so Growl Theatre is hoping it'll do the same in their latest stage show. Watch the community-focused group revisit a show that made big trousers, over-sized wigs and abundant turnip references more than a little amusing, and bring their own spin to a TV comedy classic as well. Plus, they're not only paying tribute to a beloved program — they're also showcasing the inner-north finest aspiring theatre talent.
"Fan art" comes in a bizarre array of forms. Couch-dwelling admirers of films and television series have brought us such timeless works of art as Elvis murals made from burnt toast, life-size stormtrooper costumes and the burgeoning industry of "fan fiction". While this sort of fandom, at times bordering on obsession, tends to be fairly laughable, Spanish artist Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has transformed her TV fixation into something truly fascinating, creating hand-drawn, blueprints of some of television's most beloved apartments. With these intricate aerial views fans can now take a virtual tour through the apartments of Sex and the City, The Big Bang Theory and Friends, while forever wondering how a bunch of characters that seem to divide their time fairly evenly between coffee houses and trendy bars manage to afford these fab pads. Friends - Chandler & Joey and Monica & Rachel's Apartments The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon & Leonard and Penny's Apartments Frasier - Frasier Crane's Apartment Sex and the City - Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment Original Batman TV series - Wayne Manor
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear," Buddy (Will Ferrell, The Boys) tells Jovie (Zooey Deschanel, Physical) in end-of-year staple Elf. The musical version of the hit festive flick takes that idea to heart. Debuting on Broadway in 2010, it brings the beloved movie to the stage with a swag of merry songs. Fourteen years later — and 21 years since cinemas first discovered Elf's seasonal fun — Elf: The Musical has finally locked in its Australian premiere. Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall will stand in for both the North Pole and New York City across Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, as Buddy goes on a journey of self-discovery. If you've seen the film, as almost everyone has, you'll know the storyline already; however, unless you've caught Elf: The Musical overseas, including a West End season in 2015–16, you haven't seen it like this before. Buddy isn't an elf, but he was raised by them — and he doesn't realise that he isn't like Santa's other helpers until he grows up. Cue his trip to the Big Apple to discover who he is, and also who he wants to be, as first told in a movie directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau before he helmed Iron Man, The Jungle Book and the photorealistic version of The Lion King. The stage adaptation's Aussie debut comes courtesy of Sydney's most-famous venue and John Frost for Crossroads Live, with the pair serving up the ideal way to get jolly in the Harbour City this festive season (as well as a gift of an excuse to take a festive-season trip to the New South Wales capital if you reside elsewhere across Australia). Elf: The Musical boasts a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (who also helped bring The Producers, Hairspray, Cry-Baby and Young Frankenstein from picture palaces to theatres) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), plus songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (more film-to-stage veterans courtesy of The Wedding Singer). The Australian run is being staged as a concert production, in a presentation designed for Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall. If it's been a while since you watched Elf, the film, check out the trailer for it below: Elf: The Musical plays Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall from Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, with presale tickets from 9am on Tuesday, August 20 and general ticket sales from 9am on Friday, August 23. Head to the Sydney Opera House website for more details.
"Like Fishbowl but with fruit." That's the phrase adorning a door at Fruitbowl, and it couldn't sum up the eatery's concept better. When the craving for vegetable-filled bowls strikes, Fishbowl has the answer, launching in Brisbane in 2022 six years after opening its first-ever store in Sydney. Now, next door to its original Queensland venue at Gasworks in Newstead, its new sibling Fruitbowl is doing the same with another healthy food group. On the menu here: fruit, obviously, as topping acai and froyo. Like its neighbour, Fruitbowl is all about building your own dishes, starting with your pick of base — or both if you like — then whichever fruit and toppings that you'd like. If you're after granola, that's homemade and roasted in-house. With the fruit range, obviously the freshest produce reigns supreme. And the vibe and ethos mirror Fishbowl, including the bright but casual setting and a focus on sustainability. The idea is that you'll head to Fishbowl for a meal, then to Fruitbowl for dessert, although no one will know if you skip the former. New to all things Fishbowl? Before it branched out into fruit, the chain began by heroing fast but healthy vegetable-filled bowls, all revolving around its range of house favourites. So, you can enjoy Fishbowl's original salmon sashimi number, its coconut chicken bowl and a warm 12-hour braised brisket option — among other varieties — but personalise it by choosing from brown rice, sushi rice, glass noodles, mixed cabbage, mixed leaves and soba noodles as bases. Down south, where Fishbowl operates stores across Sydney and Melbourne as well, the company serves up more than 10,000 bowls of its most popular dish — The OG, that salmon sashimi bowl with kale, savoy, beets, shallots, edamame, red onion, roasted sesame dressing, seaweed salad, tobiko and crispy shallots — every week. Since first making its name in Bondi in 2016, back when founders Nathan Dalah, Nic Pestalozzi and Casper Ettelson were all uni students, the brand has clearly expanded its footprint considerably. But it's not just about tucking into bowls, be it vegetables or fruit; Fishbowl has also set up run clubs and created its own surf team, and also opened smoothie and salad bar Side Room, seafood eatery Fish Shop and takeaway joint FSH MKT. Find Fruitbowl at Gasworks, 76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead — next to Fishbowl.
If there's one thing Brisbanites love, it's eating, drinking and strolling around market stalls — and thankfully, plenty of places serve up this kind of goodness. There aren't plenty of places like Bakery Lane or their new Providore Markets, however. Where else has more tasty treats than you could possibly devour, plus a pile of fancy pantry staples you're dying to take home, all wrapped up in Brisbane's newest restaurant and retail precinct? From May 2, the first Saturday of every month should see you headed in that direction, and hanging around for a morning of food and fun. Bakery Lane's brand-new tenants will be getting in on the action, as will a host of other outfits certain to get your stomachs grumbling, such as Bee One Third Honey, Crust & Co Artisanal Bread, Mapleton Falls Farms produce, Raw Health Probiotics and My Granola. In between the shopping frenzy, you can learn more about your favourite brew with cuppings from Reverends Fine Coffee pop-up, and wander through the shops to the sounds of live, local music. If that's not a great way to start your weekend — while filling your stomach and stocking your cupboards — then we don't know what is.
Since launching in 2008, Airbnb has drastically changed the short-term accommodation market. Travellers can now stay somewhere other than a hotel — and find more than three million places in 65,000 cities and 191 countries around the world — while anyone with a spare room or an empty house can rent them out and make some cash. Alas, their gains can come with pain for folks living next door to an Airbnb-listed property. There's no shortage of stories about neighbours finding themselves faced with an endless stream of parties, for example. Enter Airbnb's next move, Niido. Set to open in 2018, it's a Florida complex that's designed specifically with house-sharing in mind. In partnership with property developer Newgard Development Group, Airbnb will build a 324-unit block near Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida, rent out its apartments to tenants, and allow anyone who signs a lease for a year to offer up their homes on the website for up to 180 nights each year. If residents just wish to list a single bedroom, then there's no cap. If this sounds familiar, that's because it's rather similar to plenty of concepts that already exist, including ones that Airbnb is in direct competition with. Basically, it's their version of a hotel and time-share accommodation combined. Other hotel-like touches include keyless doors, housekeeping and cleaning services, and an on-site "master host" (aka, a concierge) who checks-in visitors, helps during their stay, and can act as an intermediary between hosts and guests. Speaking to Financial Times, Newgard CEO Harvey Hernandez said that 2,000 Airbnb-branded units are planned in the next two years. Airbnb aren't the first to attempt to reinvent something that already exists — Lyft announced plans for a bus-like shuttle service earlier this year. Via Financial Times / Forbes. Image: Airbnb.
If listening to "Last Christmas" by Wham and watching Love Actually for the 100th time doesn't sound appealing, Australian streaming service Stan is providing viewers with an alternative. If you know you'll have festive fatigue by the time Boxing Day rolls around, the streamer is releasing all eight episodes of the new Australian dark comedy Sunny Nights on December 26. While some streamers have taken to releasing TV series weekly or even splitting seasons into two parts, you won't be held hostage by any cliffhangers while waiting for the next episode with this new show. Dreamt up by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, the Stan Original series is directed by Trent O'Donnell (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, New Girl, Hacks) and stars Hollywood comedians Will Forte (Four Seasons, Bodkin, Saturday Night Live) and D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Nobody Wants This, Barry). For fans of crime shows, Sunny Nights offers a twist on the genre. Forte and Carden play siblings Martin and Vicki Marvin, who move to Australia to start a new spray-tanning business. Additionally, Martin is determined to win back his estranged wife, Joyce (Ra Chapman), who just happens to reside in Sydney. After the Marvins get mixed up in an extortion scam, they get sucked into the city's criminal underworld with their lives on the line. While the two main characters are from the USA, this show is undoubtedly Australian. From crocodiles to the chokehold footy has on our country, there are inside jokes littered throughout the series that Aussies can appreciate. Plus the ensemble cast is made up of some established and emerging local talent, including Rachel House (Heartbreak High, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Kangaroo), Jessica De Gouw (Dracula, Kath & Kimderella, Arrow), George Mason (Home and Away, My Life Is Murder, The Survivors) and Ra Chapman (Five Bedrooms, Wentworth, Neighbours). The former NFL player Willie Mason also makes his acting debut as Terry Torres, a tough member of Sydney's criminal underworld. It all begs the question: Why aren't we embracing more local content? In an era where we have been constantly fed reboots, sequels and remakes, Sunny Nights is proudly local. Major scenes take place in and around Sydney, dry conversations are had with mortgage brokers, and there's even a Chemist Warehouse-esque pharmacy. So, if you're already dreading the holiday season, Stan Original Sunny Nights is something you keep an eye on. With the absence of cheesy Christmas storylines, this is an antidote to all of the festive films that have likely been clogging up your streaming services. So, grab yourself a plate of Christmas Day leftovers and tune in on Boxing Day to see the Sydney skyline and some Aussie talent instead. It's time to get sucked into the dark world of Sunny Nights. Stream the Stan Original 'Sunny Nights' Boxing Day, only on Stan. Image credit: Supplied
Fish Lane's Town Square is putting its patch of pavement to good use, with markets now popping up in the South Brisbane spot. While bars and eateries line the laneway, and festivals have taken it over as well, Fish Lane has only hosted its own stalls for two years now — and given you a reason to head by to browse and buy locally made art, ceramics and other goods. In 2022, that also includes the return of Fish Lane's Christmas markets. Running from 9am–1pm on Sunday, December 18, it'll span a heap of stalls filled with everything from fashion, plants, art and jewellery to natural skincare and accessories for your dog. In fact, the road between Hope and Grey streets will be closed down for the day to accommodate the market — and you can obviously bring your four-legged friend with you as you browse. Food-wise, Fish Lane's existing cafes and eateries will keep you feed and caffeinated while you shop.
Unexpectedly tucked away in the middle of Hendra, Dandelion & Driftwood is an inner suburban gem. Stripy awnings, bright umbrellas, cream cast iron tables and a dapper chap peddling an outdoor coffee cart draw your attention. The art, science and religion of coffee all culminate here. Devout followers can be seen lining up at the cart for each day's morning service. The smell of coffee grasps your senses. Once inside, the cafe's old-world ambience charms with an urban chic. Lace curtains and pressed tin walls meet rustic tables and perspex chairs. Attention is in the detail, with staff decked out in stripy aprons, collared shirts and bowties. At the counter, cakes stacked high in tiers temp with mini sweet tarts, cupcakes and macarons. Weekends are a busy affair, so it pays to book ahead for groups. Husband-and-wife team Peter and Penny Wolff's passion for coffee is evident in the wall of accolades and awards. Peter, a roaster with 30 years experience, has created D&D's two signature blends — aptly named 'Dandelion' and 'Driftwood'. Described as the Yin and Yang, one is smooth and sweet, the other sharp and bitter. All coffees are delivered to your table with a small card detailing the origin, grower and even the bean's growing altitude. Sip by sip, follow each card's tasting notes. Dandelion gives hits of toasty caramel and dark cocoa, ending on a fruity note, whereas Driftwood is heavier with notes of molasses and cedar, creamy ganache and subtle apricot ($4 each). The experience is like wine tasting; good luck stopping after one. Speaking of tastings, pull up a chair at Dandelion and Driftwood?s 'Brew Bar'. More like a science lab than a cafe bar, what looks like an experiment with beakers and test tubes is in fact a range of high-tech glass, wooden and metal contraptions used to extract the beans. Penny says coffee from the 'Brew Bar' is to be savoured over half an hour or so. And it?s worth taking note; Penny was a judge for the Australian International Coffee Awards. Food is a simple affair. For a sweet morning treat, try the grandpa-style waffles ($14.50) with warm berry compote and vanilla ice cream, and for those needing a savoury indulgence, the Big Bad Wolff egg, bacon and onion jam toastie ($10.50) is a hit (also available gluten free). Coffee novices do not despair. Staff are more than willing to share their knowledge and make recommendations on the blends and single-origin coffee available that day. The owners ensure rotating single-origin choices (sourced direct from the grower) are on offer at all times from their roasting house.
Sorry, everyone who has written and sung a catchy and funny tune over the past 15 years or so. When it comes to getting hilarious songs instantly stuck in everyone's heads, Flight of the Conchords has all other candidates beat. And, when it comes to charting the exploits of two New Zealand shepherds-turned-folk musicians trying to make it in New York, too, the cult HBO series of the same name wins hands down as well. By now, everyone in Australia is well acquainted with FOTC — and with Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's musical and comedic genius, of course. But, in addition to letting the talented duo play fictionalised versions of themselves and belt out their very amusing ditties, this sitcom introduced us all to the wonders of Rhys Darby as the pair's over-eager manager Murray, and to Kristen Schaal as their ultra-devoted (and only) fan Mel. And the Bowie episode, where the singer appears to Bret in a dream sequence (as played by Jemaine), is simply sublime.
If you're a fan of poultry pieces, then you might want to mark Thursdays in your calendar. Circle them on your wall, put a reminder in your phone, drop them into your work schedule and, if you really don't want to forget, set an alarm, too. The reason: that's when Beerhaüs in Bowen Hills does one-cent wings — each and every week. Nope, that figure isn't short a numeral. The special runs all day, as well, through until 7pm. You can even choose between seven different sauces, including teriyaki, barbecue and chipotle. The catch? Yes, there is one, but we don't think you'll mind. You have to buy a full-priced drink to access the oh-so-cheap wings, and you can only get ten wings per beverage. Want more? Buy another beer, cocktail, wine or soft drinks, then pay another ten cents for ten more wings.
You can't finish off a week of shaking up your routine with your regular avo and eggs. Instead, spice up your usual Sunday brunch with the menu at Chop Chop Chang's in West End. Forget about your regular eggs Benny, and get acquainted with the bao Benedict, which features roast pork belly, poached egg, kale, lemon hollandaise, ginger and chilli sauce. Or if you're after a pan-Asian take on something a little more sweet, go for the French toast with glazed mango, strawberry, tropical fruit and coconut ice cream.
Travel is a salve to all of life's problems. There's something truly healing about that first dip into a faraway sea, a bite of a food you've never heard of before, or the background hum of a language you can't understand. But sometimes, all it takes is a hotel to have you packing your bags and buckling into your plane seat. There's no better place to find that holiday feeling than in Asia. From the patchwork blue seas of the Komodo Islands to the tranquil jungles of Ubud and into the hawker centres of Singapore, Asia is dotted with spectacular hotels that are worth making the trip for. As a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can access exclusive rates immediately on stays at participating properties (700 of them in Asia alone). Membership is free, so once you've signed up, book with the app and earn points for future stays worldwide. [caption id="attachment_1045361" align="alignnone" width="1920"] TA'AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa[/caption] TA'AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia Depending on who you ask, there are anywhere from 16,000 to 18,000 islands in Indonesia. Flores, Bali's quiet neighbour, may just be the most underrated of them all. The town of Labuan Bajo on Flores is the gateway to the Komodo Islands—a patchwork of sparkling blue water, technicolour coral reefs and sacred Komodo dragons. It's quickly becoming Indonesia's best-kept treasure and is only a one-hour flight from Bali. When in town, TA'AKATANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa is the place to stay. The resort's over-water villas draw inspiration from Flores' distinctive spider-web style rice paddies, offering epic views that look out over the Komodo Islands. Here, your villa also includes a luxurious butler service. Inspired by the mystical caves of Rangko and Batu Cermin, Di'a Spa is where hot tubs and cold plunge pools overlook the turquoise Flores Sea, offering not just relaxation but also renewal. It's your chance for a soulful pause in one of Indonesia's most captivating settings. [caption id="attachment_1045362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel[/caption] The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok is a direct flight away from most Australian capitals, but the second your feet hit the buzzing streets, you feel a world away. You arrive to tropical warmth, towering, gilded temples, and fragrant, heaped bowls of street food passing by on vendors' carts. Not to mention, Bangkok is quickly earning a reputation as one of South East Asia's creative hotspots with galleries, bars, endless vintage shopping and local fashion labels popping up across the city. When in town, our editors check into The Athenee Hotel. Here, you're staying on the grounds of Kandhavas, the palace of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, the daughter of King Rama V. The five-star, luxury hotel is also located right in the heart of Bangkok—perfect for a trip spent hitting the city's exceptional shopping malls like Siam Paragon. After a day exploring Bangkok, head back to your hotel to de-stress with a holistic treatment at the Athenee Spa. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove, Singapore Sentosa Island is Singapore's island getaway—yet, you're still connected to the mainland. Singapore's hawker centres, futuristic skyline and unrivalled shopping make it one of the best city breaks going. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove is one of the coolest places to stay when you're in town. The hotel's sleek design and freshly-renovated rooms were born from blending city and sanctuary. The result is a space that channels the tropical microcosm that is Singapore: abundant energy, buzzing atmosphere, and an element of surrealism. While on Sentosa Island, check out Universal Studios, laze your day away at Siloso Beach or Palawan Beach (the southernmost point of continental Asia) or simply unwind in W Singapore's free-form outdoor pools. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud, Indonesia Found deep inside the Balinese jungle, on the shores of the Ayung River, sits Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property. Ubud, a green, spiritual enclave in Bali, is often overlooked in favour of beach clubs. But, check into Mandapa — within an Indigenous village — and you'll soon realise that this is the best way to experience Bali. You'll find 35 suites, 25 pool villas and four unique dining concepts dotted across the resort's lush grounds. The best part, though, is their restorative spa and Disconnect to Reconnect Wellness Journey Program. You'll receive a personalised wellbeing and health program tailored just for you. The experience is guided by three pillars: wellness, gastronomy, and sustainability. For those seeking a stay that truly renews, this is your sanctuary. [caption id="attachment_1043648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juliana Barquero[/caption] Aloft Osaka Dojima, Japan If you're anything like us, your social feeds are currently filled with friends living it up in Japan. And, with ski season approaching, your jealousy is about to get worse. If you've always wanted to go, let this be your sign to book that trip now. The vibrant, technicoloured streetscapes of Osaka's litter social feeds everywhere — especially with the city's vintage designer shopping. But they're really just the backdrop of Aloft Osaka Dojima. The sleek, design-focused hotel is for the traveller who likes being in the heart of the city. Stay here, and you're never more than a short walk from Osaka's viral food spots and expansive train network. Take a day trip to Kyoto or Nara, stop into Universal Studios or try the world-famous Kobe beef before heading back to base. [caption id="attachment_1051746" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, Malaysia[/caption] Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, Malaysia Think of Malaysia, and chances are your mind rushes to steaming bowls of fragrant laksa, a buzzing Kuala Lumpur and its Petronas Towers at night (or that scene from Entrapment). But, did you know its coastline is dotted with tropical islands and pristine beaches? One of our editors' favourites is the Perhentian Islands on the east coast of Terengganu. It's here, on Perhentian Kecil, that you'll find Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa. Their private villas are perched on the cliffside with panoramic views out onto the azure shores of the Perhentians, and even come complete with a private pool and luxurious baths. Outside the resort grounds, island hop the day away, swim with turtles and snorkel through pristine coral reefs, then watch the sun slip below the horizon on a sunset cruise. Become a Marriott Bonvoy member (for free) for access to the best rates on the website. Then, download the app to discover a world of unparalleled rewards and earn and redeem points for your next trip with Marriott International's award-winning travel program and marketplace. And, to celebrate the end of 2025, you can even earn 2,025 bonus points when you book if you register at Marriott's website.
Central's name is accurate in two ways. Located in the Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street in Brisbane's CBD, this 80-seater subterranean restaurant is indeed central in the River City. The venue's moniker also takes inspiration from the Central district in Hong Kong, as its menu does with its dishes. Eat at Fish Lane's Southside in South Brisbane, or at Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, and you'll likely grab a serving of dumplings with your meal. Some feature lobster and prawns. Some come stuffed with truffle pork or chilli crab. The bite-sized favourite is a staple of both restaurants, but it isn't the star attraction at either. For a place with that focus — and plenty of love for Hong Kong — the team behind the two beloved eateries has launched Central. Southside Executive Chef Benny Lam, one of Central's driving forces alongside Southside's General Manager Maui Manu and co-owner David Flynn, has worked in the favourite tourist destination, and is now bringing some of the parts of it that he loves to Brisbane — including the rush, the dining-out culture and the flocking to third places. If Central can be that kind of space for Brisbane, the pair will be happy. The menu does its part, with the dim sum range the highlight. Peking duck potstickers and prawn har gao sit beside mushroom dumplings, barbecue pork puffs, king crab and prawn spring rolls, and more. Eager to hang around for a bigger dinner? Just like serving up snack-sized options if you're dropping by on your way elsewhere, Central can cater for it. Mixing Cantonese meals with western influences, Central's other dishes include lobster noodles and wagyu short ribs, both to share; drunken chicken with aged shaoxing rice wine, plus red date and golden sesame, as a starter; smoked foie gras with youtiao, aka Chinese fried dough, plus Davidson plum, also to begin; and traditional steamed Queensland grouper among the bigger fare. Char siu pork and roasted half duck feature as well — and for dessert, mango pudding leads the list. Whatever you pick — dim sum, raw plates, barbecue, sweet treats and more — it's whipped up in the venue's raised kitchen. After helping revamp Gerard's Bistro, architect and designer Jared Webb of J.AR OFFICE turned his attention to Central, where granite and timber are heroed among exposed-rock walls. The lighting remains low, befitting the restaurant's underground berth. Another inspiration comes from one of the space's past guises. Primitif Cafe called it home in the 50s and 60s, with jazz and poetry a feature. As for the drinks, sommelier Peter Marchant — also the Group Wine Director — has built a wine list of around 30 drops that can be mixed and matched with the food menu. Available by the glass, half glass and bottle, it spans both Australian and overseas tipples, and also vino from producers doing new and exciting things in the industry. The cocktails nod to the Hong Kong nightclub scene, as well as to Primitif, including a house harvey wallbanger, a Sichuan Martini Sidecar and a nitrogen-compressed piña colada.
SXSW Sydney's big 2024 return is only days away — and it's still expanding its already jam-packed lineup. If you're a fan of both movies and TV, the event's Screen Festival has been stacking its program for months, but it isn't done yet. Newly added to the bill across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20: a 90s-set disaster comedy on opening night, television sneak peeks and world premieres, Japan's submission for 2025's Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars and plenty more. When the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival kicks off for this year, it'll do so with a movie that bowed at its Austin counterpart, heads back to the 90s, sports a Saturday Night Live alum behind the lens and boasts plenty of well-known faces on-screen, including the Harbour City event's music keynote speaker for 2024. The film: A24's Y2K, the directorial debut of Kyle Mooney (No Hard Feelings), with Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), Julian Dennison (Uproar), Jaeden Martell (Arcadian) and The Kid LAROI starring. The storyline: it's New Year's Eve in 1999, a heap of folks are at a high-school party and the Y2K bug strikes. The fest's new small-screen highlights span debuting and returning fare, as well as a new show that's the latest version of a popular hit that just keeps being remade. Plum, which stars Brendan Cowell (The Twelve) as a footballer who learns that his concussions have led to a brain disorder, and also features Asher Keddie (Fake) and Jemaine Clement (Time Bandits), is premiering at SXSW Sydney before airing on ABC. Apple TV+ delight Shrinking with Jason Segel (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) is showing a sneak peek of its second season, and the new Australian take on The Office joins the program via a panel discussion featuring lead Felicity Ward (Time Bandits) with executive producers and writers Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) and Julie De Fina (Aftertaste). Back on movies, Matt Damon (The Instigators)- and Ben Affleck (The Flash)-produced sports drama Unstoppable will enjoy its Australian premiere. Telling Anthony Robles' true tale, it stars Jharrel Jerome (I'm a Virgo) as the wrestler born with one leg — plus Bobby Cannavale (MaXXXine), Michael Peña (A Million Miles Away), Don Cheadle (Fight Night) and Jennifer Lopez (Atlas). Also on the film list: the world premiere of the Chicago-set Pools, which features Odessa A'zion (Ghosts) as a college sophomore at summer school; Messy, another summer-set flick, this time featuring Alexi Wasser (Poker Face), Ione Skye (Beef) Adam Goldberg (The Exorcism); First Nations coming-of-age tale Jazzy, with Lily Gladstone (Fancy Dance) as a star and executive producer; and They're Here, a documentary about UFO fanatics. Or, from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Before We Vanish) comes both Cloud and Serpent's Path — the first of which is Japan's aforementioned Oscar entry, with the second remaking the director's own 1998 revenge film in French. The new additions join already-revealed headliners Saturday Night, Smile 2, Nightbitch, The Front Room and Pavements — and, as seen in other past lineup announcements, everything from cults, cat-loving animation and Christmas carnage thanks to Azrael, Ghost Cat Anzu and Carnage for Christmas. Movie buffs can also look forward to Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty)-led mom-com Babes; the maximum-security prison-set Sing Sing with Colman Domingo (Drive-Away Dolls); and Inside, which features Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders). There's also doco Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird, spending time with At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala; Teaches of Peaches, which goes on tour with its namesake; the Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder)-directed doco Never Look Away about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth; Peter Dinklage (Unfrosted) and Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) lead western-thriller The Thicket; and Aussie documentary Like My Brother, about four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands. The list goes on, with The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons, That Sugar Film and 2040 filmmaker Damon Gameau's Future Council, and Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker also set to screen. SXSW Sydney 2024, including the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
Indian cuisine has well and truly earned its spot as a faithful food choice amongst other old favourites like pizza or fish and chips. It's easy to know why Australians have fallen in love with this hunger-busting food that's packed full of flavour and bursting with character. Indian restaurants are sprinkled across the city like cumin seeds, and we have tasted everything from butter chicken to lamb saag to find our top-quality eateries. From a quick food fix to a sit-down dinner that will make you feel like a maharaja, these Indian restaurants are the best of the best. Kanishk On the outside of the restaurant there is a sign that boasts Kanishk has "the best butter chicken in Brisbane". Although it's a pretty grand statement, the team have definitely managed to create a top contender for this favourite dish as the creaminess of the tomato gravy and swirl of yoghurt was a perfect partner to the tandoor coated chicken. The service at Kanishk is impeccable and our waiter was more than happy to share the process behind the meticulous preparation of their food and homegrown spices. If things get a little too spicy for you, choose the sweet treat, galab jamun. These tasty deep fried hot milk dumplings are drizzled in cardamom syrup and served with saffron, almond floss and vanilla ice cream. 730 Sandgate Road, Clayfield The Spice Avenue Balti Restaurant Make the trek to Birkdale where traditional UK Balti curries await. Although the prices are a little bit steeper, the quality of the food and professional service ensures you get what you pay for. Served in large steel balti bowls, the curries are designed to be devoured in whatever way you please - be that with rice or a steaming naan. The fish masala is a knockout due to the intense flavour and delicately marinated fish. Another favourite is the balti madras which is described as being more popular in the UK than in India. Choose it for a well done curry that will transport you to the middle of London. The secret is well and truly out so make you book a table in advance, particularly on the weekend. 190 Birkdale Rd, Birkdale Indian Kitchen Indian Kitchen has developed a loyal following (predominantly consisting of students) and it's no surprise why. They are absolute masters of quick no-fuss food as they offer a small range of curries waiting to be spooned onto your plate. It's a bustling little eatery and often a line of hungry customers snakes its way towards the entrance. While the décor is not the most glamorous, the quality, generous portion sizes and low price of the meals at this diamond in the rough are unparalleled. Try their two meat and one vegetarian curry combo while you slurp down a sweet mango lassi. 91 Vulture Street, West End Halims Indian Taj Restaurant Located in the busy restaurant precinct of Rosalie, Halims gets a lot of love from folks on the prowl for great food and service. Halim's banquet options are very filling and reasonably priced and along with being BYO, this is a match made in group dinner heaven. Picks from the menu for a magical main course include the rich butter chicken, sprinkled with crunchy cashews, sweet raisins and fresh herbs. If you're a herbivore try the aloo gobi, a delicious vegetarian dish or sample their range of dahl curries. 1/155 Baroona Rd, Rosalie Punjabi Palace If you fancy yourself as a bit of an Indian food buff you will no doubt have heard of Punjabi Palace in West End. Inside this Indian food lovers haven you'll find plenty of seating areas including the public restaurant and the private function room upstairs. Must tries include the butter matar paneer consisting of cubes of homemade cheese and peas cooked in a think gravy of tomatoes and ground cashews. Those with a preference for hot, hot, heat will find their match in the deliciously spicy vindaloo. Whether you're looking for a quiet business dinner or somewhere to get a meal and swig down a bottle of wine before a night out, Punjabi Palace is a trustworthy choice. 135 Melbourne St, West End Taj Mahal Next Saturday night go for a stroll past the main BYO district of China Town mall and visit Taj Mahal in New Farm for some seriously good Indian. Classic tandoori chicken wings or chicken tikka are a good way to quieten a rumbling tummy. Follow these appetisers with a prawn madras and add a naan on the side - now you've got a party on your hands. Sweet toothes breathe a collective sigh of relief as other standouts include the gajjar halwa (carrot pudding) and ras malai (dumplings in milk). Good service and a lively atmosphere tops off a great experience at Taj Mahal. 722 Brunswick St New Farm Hello India A long time ago I fell head over heels with an Indian curry named lamb saag from a now closed northside restaurant. After years of visiting restaurants hoping I would find another contender for the best lamb saag, I tried Hello India's and the spicy romance was reignited. The creaminess of the spinach sauce is ridiculously tasty and the meat super tender. For a classic entree, choose the vege samosas which are packed full of potatoey goodness all enclosed in a crunchy shell. If you'd rather stay in the comfort of your trackie dacks than eat out, you're in luck as Hello India delivers to select northern suburbs. 1246 Sandgate Rd, Nundah
If we asked if you wanted to hang out at IRL in IRL, you might think that we're repeating ourselves. We're not — we're talking about going to the IRL Digital Festival in real life. That's Brisbane Powerhouse's latest event, an interactive art and gaming playground designed to combine the virtual world with a physical experience. Running from May 7–17, IRL is a celebration of technology and creativity in its inaugural year. That means rad things like playing with electronic art works and reliving the history of gaming. It also means these five events that you won't want to miss. IAM8BIT When it comes to revelling in the retro gaming world, no one does it quite like the iam8bit gang. It might be just one of the fields the creative production company plays in, but it's one they're quite dedicated to. To celebrate their tenth year of operation, they're bringing two art shows to Brisbane from their iconic Los Angeles gallery. The first pays tribute to the incredible world of '80s video games, while the second looks to the future to predict what might come. It's fun, it's free, and it is accompanied by a pop-up store selling limited edition prints from both exhibitions. May 5 to June 28 ENTER THE MASHUP Ever watched a mashup and thought "I can do that"? Ever watched a mashup, thought "I can do that" but then never taken it any further? Don't worry, we're not here to make you feel lazy — we're here to help nudge you towards achieving your dreams. At Enter the Mashup, you're not just making your own film mashup from snippets of video and animation, or wrangling whatever you can from clips of gritty urban streets, blue-skyed pastures, hypnotic galaxies and candy-hued utopias. You're also in charge of seeing your work projected large, as you control the screens in this interactive installation. May 7–17 POP-UP VIRTUAL REALITY LOUNGE When it comes to virtual reality, movies sure do have a lot to answer for. We're not all living in The Matrix, we can't experience someone else's memories like Strange Days promised, and no one is taking the leap into software as seen in TRON. Well, not yet. Instead, we currently have to be content with whatever simulated experiences we can get, such as strapping on some goggles in the Pop-Up Virtual Reality Lounge and delving deep in a different form of storytelling. From frights to free-falling and action to fantasy, it's as immersive as it sounds — and it's also your taste of the virtual future. May 7–17 RGB LASER SHOW Lasers aren't just something that cats love (and by golly, do they love them). Here, they're something people love too, in an audiovisual feast of synchronised sound and visual electricity in hyper-amplified 3D space. In simpler terms, that's a signal that you'll see and hear at the same time. That's artist Robin Fox's thing, and it's something the Australian artist has performed in over 50 cities worldwide and counting. If you've wondered what the hype coming out of past RGB Laser Show performances at MONA FOMA and Vivid Festival was all about, here's your chance to find out. Just don't run around trying to chase the bright lights, however feline you might be feeling. May 10 QSO AND TOM THUM Orchestral music and beatboxing don't really seem like likely bedfellows. They're not, really, but that doesn't mean they can't try to be. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and international star beatboxer Tom Thum are certainly going to give it their best shot, teaming up for a world-first production by acclaimed composer Gordon Hamilton. Testing out a possibly amazing marriage of different styles and sounds, they're aiming for a combination that ends up like jazz meets hip hop. This really isn't the type of thing you see and hear everyday — or will again any time soon, we're betting. May 16 IRL runs from May 7–17. View the full program at the Brisbane Powerhouse website.
Heading to the Ekka is a different experience for everybody. For long-time locals it can be a nostalgic journey; for country folk it is a big reunion with their fellow farmers; for kids it means conning mum and dad into buying as much junk food for them as possible; and for some it means exploring Queensland’s pedigree animals, and top foods. Whatever food experience you are looking for, the Ekka has it all. Let’s start with the nostalgic journey of Ekka favourites, mostly found at the Royal Snack Bar. Dagwood Dog - found all around the Ekka, the Dagwood Dog (also known as a Pluto Pup in some parts) is your batter-soaked and fried sausage, dipped in tomato sauce. Not the healthiest snack, the Dagwood is an acquired taste, but if you’re into savoury junk on a stick, then the Dagwood is a Wiener. Fairy floss - this can be found all over the showgrounds. Ranging from bucket-size to bags, this cotton candy is mass-produced spun sugar, sure to rot the teeth and give the kids* a sugar comedown at the end of the day. *You, you sugar addict. Strawberry Sundae - definitely the Ekka’s most famous food item, the Strawberry Sundae’s are made in front of your eyes with fresh and beautiful strawberries. The Sundae comes in a cone, which has strawberries down the bottom then topped with vanilla and strawberry ice cream and more strawberries. According to our Ekka expert (my mum) these taste exactly like they did from back when she was working at the Kirks stand in 1965. A compulsory purchase for all Ekka attendees (minus the lactose intolerants). Fresh Butter Sandwiches - no, these are not pieces of bread exclusively covered in butter, these are just sandwiches made with real butter. Another classic, you can purchase delicious toasted sandwiches here. Baked potatoes - just what you’ve always desired – a mobile baked potato. These bad boys are popular, so there may be a line up. Topped in sour cream, cheese and buttery goodness, yet another one of Ekka’s healthy choice snacks. We’ll move on to the gourmet foods now. For those of you after a healthier option, or at least, something where the main ingredient isn’t butter, then you need to head to the Gourmet Harvest. Five local foodies prepare the perfect mix of cuisines to suit all taste buds: CJ’s Pasta serving Italian; Let’s Do Yum Cha serving Chinese; Steakhouse Snackbar serving Australian*; Sultan’s kitchen serving Indian food; and Ii-Naa serving Japanese food. For an entrée, the dumplings at Let’s Do Yum Cha are absolutely delicious – we recommend the pork dumpling, prawn dumpling, and chicken dim sim. At $2.50 each or 5 for $10, for show prices, which are regularly exorbitant, this ain't bad, especially for the quality. The Ekka burger from Steakhouse Snackbar was the perfect meal to give a tiring Ekka attendee a much-needed energy boost. Made with wagyu beef and topped with salad, cheddar and bacon, it is an impressive burger. This will set you back $10. *Steaks, burgers, vegetable stacks. If you like to try a lot of different things, and you want to purchase food to take home with you then you need to go to the Woolworths Pavilion. Full of local food and wine producers keen to sell their wares, the Woolworths Pavilion is not only packed with people, but also a tremendous array of foods to taste and buy. Ranging from beef jerky to olives to fudge, if you are on a budget, you could probably fill yourself up with the samples at these stalls. If you are keen to spend, then this is the place to do it, with enviable deals for fresh and quality produce. The Woolworths Pavilion also hosts the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show cooking demonstrations, with a range of local celebrity chefs taking you through some of their cooking specialties. Finally, if you like to look at food that is made to look like something else, then go no farther than the Agricultural Pavilion. Rows of fruit and vegetables are made into designs by local organisations such as the Scouts and Girls Brigades. Here you can taste the fresh produce and also eat honey right from the beehive - a wonderful and organic experience.
It's no secret that most new year's resolutions fall by the wayside by mid-January. But there's one goal that's worthy of a year-round effort — and that's to cut back on meat. It's well documented that eating less meat is good for the environment, so that should probably be reason enough for most of us to introduce more plant-based meals into our lives. But the truth is that most of us need a couple of selfish incentives to really get the ball rolling — thankfully, vegetarian options have plenty of those, too. Firstly, plant-based meals are just as tasty as their meat-laden siblings (we promise), but they're also often a bit cheaper and, anecdotally speaking, fill you up without giving you that too-full bloat we know all too well. To get the creative juices flowing, we've teamed up with Yumi's to put together a list of cracking plant-based dinner ideas that you can easily whip up mid-week, or as a weekend feast with friends. [caption id="attachment_817040" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melanie Dompierre (Pexels)[/caption] EGGPLANT PARM Heading to the pub for a parmi or parma (depending on where you are, of course) is one of life's little joys, but did you know you can make an eggplant version at home that pretty well involves the same ingredients you know and love in the pub staple (minus the chicken) but stays true to its Italian roots? Essentially a layered Italian bake (picture a lasagne without the heavy lifting), an eggplant parm sees slices of grilled eggplant sandwich a fresh tomato pasta sauce and finely-grated parmesan, and is topped with mozzarella and pangrattato to add some crispiness. Alternatively, you could even try this fun mushroom-based parm for something a little different. Of course, if you want to go vegan then you simply need to switch to a dairy-free cheese alternative — vegan parmesan definitely stacks up against the real deal. [caption id="attachment_817045" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alesia Kozik (Pexels)[/caption] SOUTHERN-STYLE CAULIFLOWER Cauliflower is a perfect gateway for any person considering a plant-based lifestyle. Its ability to soak up flavours and maintain its structural integrity during the cooking process makes it a no-brainer when making vegetarian versions of fan favourites, including Southern-style wings. You have a couple of options when making cauliflower 'wings' and your decision will largely depend on how much effort you're willing to put in. If you've got some time or are cooking up a feast for your mates, then whipping up a sweet and smoky marinade to mimic a buffalo wing is a great shout. For a simpler take, these sriracha-spiced spiced cauliflower bites are ideal, and can be eaten for lunch the next day on a sandwich, salad or even as a taco. [caption id="attachment_817052" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ketut Subiyanto (Pexels)[/caption] MUSHROOM BOLOGNESE Did you grow up with a weekly spag bol night? We all love mum's (mom's?) spaghetti, but just because you're going meat-free you don't need to miss out. Adapting your bolognese to be vegetarian every once in a while is perhaps one of the easiest and most satisfying meat-to-vegetable swaps you could make. The combination of the meaty mushrooms and fragrant herbs sitting pretty on a pile of comforting spaghetti will always be a thing of pure joy. Of course, it's going to taste a little bit different when you swap meat for lentils and mushrooms (so you can't trick your mates into thinking they're eating meat) but at its heart, this version is just as delicious and warming a dinner. FALAFEL BOWL Gone are the days of having to hunt down falafels from a specialty store (or even making your own) — Yumi's are serving up a great range of ready-to-eat falafels, which you can find in all major supermarkets. Falafel bowls are the probably simplest plant-based meal to prepare, and a great jumping-off point if you're new to the meat-free world. Simply fill a bowl with all of your favourite salad ingredients (fresh herbs, tomato, cucumber and olives, for example) and top with falafels, which are best enjoyed after a 30-second zap in the microwave. We also highly suggest you mix through a generous dollop of Yumi's Classic Hommus or flavoured dip to amp up your dressing. After something a little more indulgent? Trade the HSP for an FSP — a smashed falafel snack pack that will satisfy at any time of the day. [caption id="attachment_817058" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Alesia Kozik (Pexels)[/caption] CHICKPEA AND TEMPEH CURRY A curry is perhaps the quintessential winter dinner. Not only are they often nice and spicy, but they're also loaded with flavour and warm you from the inside out. Choosing a curry that combines filling vegetarian ingredients like protein-rich chickpeas and tempeh with a flavoursome sauce is the key to creating a satisfying dinner you'll want to make again and again. For the uninitiated, tempeh is similar to tofu in the sense that it's made from soybeans, but unlike tofu, it's much firmer and is made from fermented soybeans. The firmness and nuttier flavour are what makes tempeh ideal for curries because it won't disintegrate into mush when you cook it in the sauce, and. You can grab it at your local supermarket and simply cut it into cubes before adding it to your favourite curry recipe. JACKFRUIT TACOS The best gotcha in the vegan world is making jackfruit tacos for a friend who vehemently believes a meal isn't a meal unless there's a truck-tonne of meat. From the same family as the fig tree, jackfruit is native to the Western Ghats of southern India, Sri Lanka and the rainforests of Malaysia, so it's fairly common in these nations' cuisines. Arguably the best way to trick your friends into thinking they're eating pulled pork, though, is to whip up a batch of jackfruit tacos. You'll struggle to come by a jackfruit in the produce section of your supermarket, but you'll definitely find canned unripe, green or young jackfruit in the canned vegetable section, and it works best for this recipe anyway. The main difference between preparing jackfruit (versus pork) is that you drain the can and shred it prior to cooking it in your sauce. If you find any large, woody chunks, simply chop these up before cooking. For more meat-free dinner inspiration, check out the full range of Yumi's falafels, veggie bites and dips.
Once upon a time, in a time of silver chairs, and powdered fingers, one particular teenager reigned Queen, and no one questioned otherwise. Her name was Ella Hooper, and her band of allegiance was Killing Heidi. They were praised with Arias, did wonders for Rage, made it to CD5 of 101 Great Aussie Hits, and broke up in 2006. Fortunately for us, Ella Hooper stuck to the music scene, made a name for herself on TV and radio and has continued her reign in rock royalty. Now, this Spicks and Specks team captain, Triple J regular and once black-haired, piercing laden punk, is heading to Black Bear Lodge to show off her new single Low High. As an artist whose already ‘made it’ and ‘made it’ damn well, don’t expect anything less than a second round of perfection, with just a little less screaming. Don’t be the one guy or girl yelling out, “We want Weir!” Because even though we’d all like that, it’s not wishful thinking to assume Ella Hooper has something newer and beauter up her sleeve.
The beer festival scene will look a little different in 2026, as one of the country's premier events, GABS, or the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, is being paused for the year. But don't fear, the announcement comes with the assurance that it will return in 2027 with a reimagined format that does the event's legacy justice. The news was revealed by Dr Jerry Schwartz, owner of Sydney Brewery, whose Schwartz Family Company (SFC) recently followed up on a 2023 investment in GABS with a full takeover. While events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are being restructured over the next 12 months, regional events in Canberra and the Hunter Valley are moving ahead unchanged. "The craft beer landscape has never been more challenging, but we are confident that with fresh new ideas and the support and expertise of our extensive craft beer and hospitality network, GABS will remain the benchmark for craft beer promotion in Australia," said Dr Schwartz in a statement. Founded in 2011, GABS has built a stellar reputation for showcasing the best of Australia's boundary-pushing independent brewers. Yet in recent years, some regulars have felt that the festival has lost the atmosphere that once made the event so special, not helped by numerous smaller brewers turning away due to the high cost of attending. "We have plenty of great plans, but we always listen and learn from our partners involved in our festivals. We plan to reassess the venues, timings of festivals, even the number of sessions, and possibly add cider and spirits to the events, so that we can grow the customer base and provide a memorable experience," said Dr Schwartz. As for the ever-popular GABS Hottest 100, the poll is going ahead as usual, with beer-lovers invited to vote for their favourite five breweries until Sunday, January 11, 2026. With Mountain Culture Status Quo completing the three-peak in 2024, becoming just the second brewery to do so, only time will tell if a new champion claims boozy bragging rights. GABS Festival is expected to return to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in 2027. Head to the website for more information.
Not that long ago, inner-city Brisbane was a hive of movie-going activity, with no fewer that five cinemas operating within the CBD. However, in recent times film lovers have become accustomed to seeing theatres close rather than open — but the approved new use for the Tara House building on Elizabeth Street is about to reverse that trend. That's right Brisbanites, the iconic CBD building is will soon be the Elizabeth Picture Theatre — and it's full steam ahead after the Brisbane City Council gave the project the tick of approval. After working wonders turning the old Village Twin on Brunswick Street into the revitalised New Farm Cinemas after more than a decade of inactivity, and running the Yatala Drive-In as well, the Sourris family have set their sights on turning the space previously known as the Queensland Irish Club into a seven-screen cinema. According to the development application, the heritage-listed venue will retain many of its existing features, including transforming the current first-floor ballroom into a grand yet intimate 121-seat theatre, alongside another 57-seat screen on the same level. Five other darkened rooms will grace the ground and basement storeys, and accommodate between 22 and 34 patrons each. Street-level retail tenancies — aka shops and eateries — will also feature. As we first reported last September, the new cinema will mark 179 Elizabeth Street's first significant change since 1919, when the Irish Club first moved in. Prior to that, it housed produce merchants and warehousing firms, with the building initially springing up in 1878. Of course, Elizabeth Picture Theatre's location won't escape the attention of the city's cinephiles; it's directly across the road from what's currently a giant hole in the ground, but previously housed the much-loved Regent Cinema until 2009. As well as its close proximity to the now-demolished movie theatre, it's just up the road from two other former cinema sites: the Forum on the corner on Albert and Elizabeth Streets (which then became a Borders and is now a Topshop store) and the Albert around the corner, which Dymocks, Vapiano and more now call home. Over in George Street, fellow CBD venue Tribal Cinema is still standing, but hasn't been in operation since 2013, though it was listed for lease in 2015. Via Skyscrapercity.com / Brisbane Times.
If you endured Morbius in 2022, finding joy only in the 'it's morbin' time' meme, you weren't alone: the annual Golden Raspberry Awards also deemed it one of the past year's worst movies. Famously designed to recognise that all films can't be great, good or even watchable, the accolades always drop its winners for the year just before the Oscars — and as the current awards season comes to an end, it's that time again. Morbius took home Worst Actor for Jared Leto and Worst Supporting Actress for Adria Arjona, with the supervillain flick tying with Blonde and Elvis for the most amount of wins: two apiece. Blonde, starring Ana de Armas in her Oscar-nominated role as Marilyn Monroe, was anointed 2022's Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay, while Baz Luhrmann's king of rock 'n' roll biopic Elvis notched up a pair of awards for Tom Hanks. Firstly, the beloved actor nabbed the Worst Supporting Actor prize for playing Colonel Tom Parker. Secondly, he took out the Worst Screen Combo Award for his partnership with his latex-laden face (and, in the words of the Razzies, "that ludicrous accent"). Elsewhere, Disney's live-action Pinocchio — which isn't the same as Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, as the Razzies also point out — won Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel. And, Machine Gun Kelly's stoner comedy Good Mourning collected the Worst Director accolade for Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun. The Razzies also gave itself a gong: the Worst Actress Award. Back when its 44th nominations were announced, child actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong was among the Worst Actress contenders for Firestarter, which unsurprisingly sparked a backlash. So, the Razzies removed her from the nominees and took the prize itself instead. "The Razzies, for the first time in their history, took a Razzie themselves. After their blunder of nominating someone who should not have been considered, the organisation was put through the cyberworld blender," the awards said in its winners announcement. "They publicly apologised to the actress, changed the rules for anyone under 18, rescinded the nomination and put themselves in her place on the ballot — which won by a landslide," the Razzies continued. These accolades aren't just about calling out terrible movies, or terrible aspects of them — a task that, like handing out all awards, is subjective. The Razzies also give a prize to someone it decides has redeemed themselves from their past Razzie-level work. This year's recipient: Colin Farrell, awarded for going from 2004 Worst Actor nominee to 2022 Best Actor Oscar frontrunner (for The Banshees of Inisherin). Check out the full list of 44th Annual Razzie Award nominees and winners below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES 2022: WORST PICTURE Blonde — WINNER Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning The King's Daughter Morbius WORST ACTOR Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly), Good Mourning Pete Davidson (voice only), Marmaduke Tom Hanks (as Gepetto), Disney's Pinocchio Jared Leto, Morbius — WINNER Sylvester Stallone, Samaritan WORST ACTRESS The Razzies for their 43rd worst actress nominations blunder — WINNER Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic Park Dominion Diane Keaton, Mack & Rita Kaya Scodelario, The King's Daughter Alicia Silverstone, The Requin WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Pete Davidson (cameo role), Good Mourning Tom Hanks, Elvis — WINNER Xavier Samuel, Blonde Mod Sun, Good Mourning Evan Williams, Blonde WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Adria Arjona, Morbius — WINNER Lorraine Bracco (voice only), Disney's Pinocchio Penelope Cruz, The 355 Bingbing Fan, The 355 and The King's Daughter Mira Sorvino, Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend WORST SCREEN COMBO Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning Both real life characters in the fallacious White House bedroom scene, Blonde Tom Hanks and his latex-laden face (and ludicrous Aaccent), Elvis — WINNER Andrew Dominik and his issues with women, Blonde The two 365 Days sequels (both released in 2022) WORST DIRECTOR Judd Apatow, The Bubble Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) and Mod Sun, Good Mourning — WINNER Andrew Dominik, Blonde Daniel Espinosa, Morbius Robert Zemeckis, Disney's Pinocchio WORST REMAKE, RIPOFF or SEQUEL Blonde Both 365 Days sequels: 365 Days: This Day and The Next 365 Days Disney's Pinocchio — WINNER Firestarter Jurassic World Dominion WORST SCREENPLAY Blonde — WINNER Disney's Pinocchio Good Mourning Jurassic World Dominion Morbius RAZZIE REDEEMER Colin Farrell for going from 2004 Worst Actor nominee to 2022 Best Actor Oscar frontrunner.
It happened with The Nutcracker, Mary Poppins Returns, Aladdin, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Frozen II, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few past Disney movies, and it's occurring again for Snow White: to immerse everyone in the world of the Mouse House's new film beyond cinemas, The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney has given itself a temporary makeover. Expect social media feeds to be filled with snaps of this enchanted garden, plus the themed dishes now on the menu for the next couple of months — and expect Harbour City locals and visitors alike to flock in. How have all things Snow White taken over? With scenery that looks like it's been transported out of the film — greenery aplenty, plus woodland creatures as well — and everything from red apple mocktails to sweet treats inspired by the movie on offer. Yes, there's a magic mirror on the wall. And also yes, you'll spot more than a few apples. You've got until Sunday, May 25, 2025 to head by, and to sip that Evil to the Core drink (made with red apple, raspberry and citrus) at The Cafe, The Garden and The Potting Shed at The Grounds of Alexandria. Food-wise, Waiting on a Wish (a toasted almond sponge with pear cream and blackberry compote) is on the menu in The Cafe and the Poison Apple for two (spiced caramelised apple, dulcey crèmeux and mascarpone cream) is available in The Potting Shed over the same period. The film in the spotlight releases in cinemas on Thursday, March 20, starring Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) as Snow White and Gal Gadot (Heart of Stone) as her evil stepmother. Marc Webb (The Only Living Boy in New York, Gifted, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro) is behind the lens. Remaking Disney's 1937 animated hit, Snow White joins list of the company's cartoon classics given a live-action or photorealistic do-over. See also: The Jungle Book, Maleficent and its sequel, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Pinocchio, Peter Pan & Wendy and The Little Mermaid so far, with Lilo & Stitch and Moana also to come. It's been a great time to be a pop-culture fan in Down Under of late, and to take that love beyond the screen, following multiple Squid Game pop-ups, plus a Stranger Things experience on the way. Snow White at The Grounds runs at The Grounds of Alexandria, Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria, Sydney until Sunday, May 25, 2025 — head to The Grounds of Alexandria's website for further details. Images: Scott & Co.
Film festival time is about to roll around in Brisbane, but things look remarkably different this year. BIFF is gone, with BAPFF taking its place. That’s the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, a showcase of 80 movies from more than 30 countries in the region. A new event organized by Brisbane Marketing that aligns with the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the inaugural BAPFF remains true to its specific focus. Primarily screening at Palace Barracks Cinemas and the Gallery of Modern Art’s Australian Cinematheque, the festival opens with Indian effort The Crow’s Egg, closes with Zhang Yimou’s anticipated Coming Home, and features 20 films from the APSA shortlist. As the bookending picks show, BAPFF isn’t about movies familiar to the average cinemagoer – it’s about celebrating the diversity of work from its titular locale. Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk advised that in the festival’s first year, “it is brave act, in some regards, but it is an important act, because our future lays in the Asia Pacific and we need to make sure we engage in that space.” With titles direct from the international festival circuit, dedicated cinephiles have plenty to get excited about. In their Australian premieres and arriving with much critical fanfare, comedy The Owners shows another side of Kazahkstan, and documentary The Iron Ministry rides China’s railways. If you can sit still for long enough, long-form master Lav Diaz offers six hours of From What Is Before. Cherry-picking from the Sydney and Melbourne film festivals, as well as a host of smaller cultural festivals that have toured the country since, BAPFF will also feature Sion Sono’s latest chaotic epic Tokyo Tribe, Australian time travel rom-com The Infinite Man, Wim Wenders' photographic tribute The Salt of the Earth, eclectic South Korean black comedy A Hard Day, Chinese crime thriller Black Coal, Thin Ice, and what shapes up to be the feminist vampire film to end all feminist vampire films, Farsi-language effort A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Taking a more universal approach in looking not just at films made in the region but also at themes relevant in the Asia Pacific and beyond, BAPFF also includes Jean-Luc Godard’s eye-watering Goodbye to Language 3D and Russian endurance test Hard to Be A God, both must-sees on a big screen. Events form a sizeable part of the BAPFF schedule, including the previously announced collaboration with World Movies Secret Cinema in a Brisbane first. As part of a focus on his films, festival guest and this year’s APSA jury president Asghar Farhadi will share highlights of his career at an in-conversation session, while a Women in Film panel brings together female film practitioners at the top of their game to explore roles both in front of and behind the camera. Gala showings of five films, including New Zealand foreign-language Oscar submission The Dead Lands and Palme d’Or winner Winter Sleep, include drinks either before or after the session. Music and movies will mix at the remastered screening of Korea’s oldest surviving silent film Crossroads of Youth, the second Korean retrospective title alongside 1960’s The Housemaid. If you like free things (and who doesn’t?), Movies on the Green features two evenings of lengthy Taiwanese cinema at QPAC. The young at heart can head along to the South Bank piazza for sneak peek screening of Australian family-friendly effort Paper Planes before it opens in January, complete with actual paper planes (well, the sheets of paper to make them, we’re guessing). Indeed, at a time when going to the cinema only seems to be getting more expensive, BAPFF does boast good news in general for film fans’ bank balances. Adult tickets are $12.50 this year, with a 20% discount available for buying 10 or more tickets in one transaction. Alas, though the festival has only been bubbling away in the city’s consciousness since June, not everything it first promised has come to fruition. If you were excited about seeing a restoration of the original Godzilla to celebrate the film’s 60th anniversary, we are sad to report that there’s no signs of everyone’s favourite monster movie in the schedule. We blame Mothra. The Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival runs from November 29 to December 14. For more information, visit the BAPFF website.
At the heart of Ze Pickle is the bar; covered with American numbers plates painted copper it sets the scene for the whole venue. Add copper pipes, raw light bulbs, rusted steel tables, leather bar stools, a black and white stripy awning, the right crowd, some pumping beats – and you’ve got yourself some good vibes. The truth is, you’re probably not cool enough to drink at Ze Pickle – but that shouldn’t stop you. Always packed on weekends, the bar can be found full of young 20 to 30-somethings meeting for a beer or three and chowing down some fine eats. The Americana-influenced Ze Pickle is known for its burgers – ranging from full-size to sliders – and its sweet potato fries. Be sure to order a bowl ($8.50); the massive serving comes with housemade aioli. The only thing better than the taste of the food is the names of the menu items. Our favourite (name and flavour) is the Pablo Escoburger ($15) – ground wagyu, cheese, guacamole, queso spread, jalapeno aioli and corn chips. The crunch of the corn chips take the burger from tasty to flavour-sensation. Also found on the menu are philly cheese steak, pulled pork, lamb and chicken mixed with everything from goat’s cheese to bacon jam. If you’re game, and for whatever reason need to prove your own masculinity (though, not excluding women here), go for the Triple Loco Burger ($34). Nicknamed “The Widow Maker”, the burger is made up of three wagyu patties, triple cheese, bacon jam, pulled pork, lettuce, tomato relish, caramelised onion, slaw and served between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Sign the waiver and kiss your family goodbye. The GC is a few steps behind the craft beer revolution, but not here. With a bunch on tap, including a delicious ginger beer, Ze Pickle will have your night sorted with everything from NYC to San Fran hops. On the cocktail side of things, try the Ryan Gosling – using gold leaf vodka the drink is as intense as the man himself. Last but not least, we hope you’ve saved room for the Oreogazm – it’s every bit as pleasurable as it sounds. Oreos are coated in doughnut batter before being deep fried to perfection and served with ice-cream and chocolate sauce. Only your arteries will be complaining.
Usually, when a new Pixar film hits screens — typically cinemas, but occasionally being fast-tracked to streaming as well — it unleashes a whole heap of emotions. Getting viewers to ponder their feelings is a big part of the animation company's formula, after all, and it's been working well for them for a quarter-century. See: everything from Wall-E and Ratatouille to Inside Out and Soul. When the next Pixar flick arrives in June, it'll tap into a very specific sensation that's been bubbling up since early 2020. And, it's one that we're all familiar with. Are you craving a vacation? Do you feel a strong yearning to travel the globe and see somewhere other than your own backyard, city, state or country? Have you been dreaming of beaches far, far away every night for 12 months? Then the fact that Luca is set in the Italian Riviera and follows two teenagers over summer is certain to stoke your wanderlust. If the just-dropped first trailer for the film is anything to go by, first-time feature director Enrico Casarosa (Pixar short La Luna) and his team seem to have crafted a gorgeous-looking movie that'll have you wishing you're on the other side of the globe. Against those striking animated backdrops, two teens eat gelato, devour pasta, ride scooters, explore caves and splash around in the gleaming blue ocean. Oh, and they try to hide the fact that they're actually sea monsters — which becomes obvious whenever they get wet — too. As this tale unfurls, viewers will hear Jacob Tremblay (Room, Good Boys) as the eponymous 13-year-old Luca Paguro, while Jack Dylan Grazer (Shazam!, We Are Who We Are) voices his pal Alberto Scorfano. Also among the cast: debutant Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph (The Good Place), Marco Barricelli (The Book of Daniel) and Jim Gaffigan (Tesla). Check out the trailer for Luca below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i1fgoMyoG8&feature=youtu.be Luca is set to release in Australian cinemas on June 17. Images: © 2020 Disney/Pixar.
When is a gallery more than just a gallery? When it transforms its exhibition space into a local pop-up market. That's what's happening at Artisan, and with a name like that, there couldn't be a better place for it. The link between food and craft is what Melinda Gagen, Artisan’s emerging curatorial fellow, is really looking at in Marketplace, from idea to crafted product — or paddock to plate, as you might know it. The show looks back at the art of baking, brewing and bread-and cheese-making, while looking forward to the concerns now plaguing the industry, including waste, excessive consumption, food miles, food security and an increasing disconnect with food production. Not only can you explore food as a craft while thinking about its evolution and issues but you can also do that one thing we all love: eat it. The exhibition also connects audiences with local craft makers and food producers — they exact right people to seek out when you're feeling hungry. Image by Jaala Alex.
Thanks to the franchise's increasingly over-the-top sequels, it's easy to dismiss John Rambo as an idiotic and cartoonish action hero whose movies readily employ more bullets than brain cells. That would be to forget how pointed and politically charged First Blood was when it came out in 1982. Grappling with issues such as the hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder and the disenfranchisement of Vietnam vets, the original film presented Rambo as a tragic figure simply trying (and failing) to slip silently through society's cracks as a harmless and withdrawn loner. In the original cut, he actually committed suicide, only for test audiences to declare the ending too disheartening and morose — hardly the stuff of action heroes. So it was that a franchise was born — one in which Rambo was slowly reinvented as a one-man killing machine and poster child for US military might. Politics and social themes were still in there, but the emphasis shifted with each instalment. First Blood Part II held mostly true to its origins, showing the secret abandonment of American prisoners-of-war and the disposability of assets like Rambo by the very government they vowed to serve. By Rambo III, however, the villain was now the Soviet Union, with the film concluding with a dedication to "the gallant people of Afghanistan". Yet even with the third movie's souped-up action, Stallone continued to present Rambo as a tragic figure, suffering in silence, tormented by demons, seeking penance wherever opportunity presents and as uncomfortable as ever over his god-given gift: dealing death better than anyone else. Rambo, coming out 20 years after its immediate predecessor in 2008, focused its politics on the atrocities of the army in Myanmar, however it also introduced a level of violence and gore that went far beyond anything previously seen in the franchise. There was a bloodlust to it, taking it out of harmless action-movie fun, and into something uncomfortable and almost voyeuristic. There were still some great moments, but it was clear that the franchise and character had changed forever. Which brings us to Rambo: Last Blood — a film that aspires to be Logan, yet lands somewhere closer to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Plot-wise, the trailers intimated something to do with hidden secrets coming back to claim their dues. Not so. Co-written by Stallone and directed by Adrian Grunberg (Get the Gringo), this is essentially Taken, Mexico-style. Rambo's niece Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal) is drugged, kidnapped and groomed as a sex slave south of the border, compelling him to use his "very particular set of skills, skills... acquired over a very long career, skills that make [him] a nightmare for people like [cartels]" (as Liam Neeson would put it) until he baits his new enemies to chase him back to Arizona. It's a bizarre mishmash of storylines, all trying to ground themselves in Rambo's ongoing PTSD. Sometimes that's done well, revealing that he sleeps underground in a Viet Cong-styled network of tunnels beneath his family ranch — or when he admits he never got better, but rather he's just trying to "keep a lid on it". Most of the time, though, the film feels rushed and clumsy. Cheap, even. Rambo is still softly spoken and withdrawn, but the nuance is no longer apparent. He abhors violence, yet maintains a terrifying arsenal of knives, guns and explosives. And beneath that picturesque ranch is a straight-up house of horrors, physically and psychologically. But is the film still enjoyable? Mostly, no. Last Blood's quiet moments feel forced compared to the surprisingly tender or revealing offerings from earlier instalments, and the action is heavily abbreviated for most of the movie — no doubt because Stallone is now 73. The ending, however, is a different story. It's at once insanely silly and confessedly satisfying: a veritable smorgasbord of gruesome deaths packed into a tight 10-minute sequence, culminating in one of cinema's most gory finishes. Suffice it to say, the audience in the press screening was both hiding behind its hands and cheering amidst horrified laughter. It's one of those rare cinematic experiences that brings a room of strangers together in a weird but wonderful way. And as for this being Rambo's Logan moment... we'll save the spoilers and leave it up to you to find out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83nGns3pErk
"Darling it's better down where it's wetter" isn't just a line that The Little Mermaid fans have had stuck in their head for the last two decades. It's also the first thing likely to pop into the minds of anyone heading to one particular Norwegian restaurant. Now open in the coastal village of Båly in the country's south, Under plunges hungry patrons into watery surroundings, offering more than just the usual scenic vistas. At this eatery, diners tuck into their dishes underwater. As first announced in 2017, patrons feast on seafood under the sea. If you're going to open a space underneath the ocean, you have to serve up the fish, which is just what head chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard is doing. There's just one food option, with a seasonal set menu serving up 18 courses and taking around four hours to get through — with optional wine or juice pairings. Here, however, the surroundings are as much of a drawcard as the cuisine. Visitors descend down three colour-coded levels to sip sparkling tipples in a champagne bar that boasts views of the shoreline, then enjoy dinner in the completely submerged dining room. The latter sits five metres below the water's surface, and is surrounded by panoramic acrylic windows for quite the aquatic view. For those wondering about pressure and safety, metre-thick concrete walls will keep everyone nice and dry, in a structure designed by architecture firm Snøhetta. Describing the space as "a sunken periscope", the building was constructed not only to wow those stepping foot inside, but to fit in with its surroundings. The grey exterior colour scheme is designed to blend in with the rocky coastline, with coarse surfacing that encourages molluscs to cling on. Indeed, over time it's hoped that Under will become an artificial mussel reef. As well as offering quite the place to eat, the project also aims to champion biodiversity, functioning as a research centre for marine life. This includes informational plaques educating visitors about the area, helping to expand not only the list of places you've tucked into a meal, but your knowledge. Bookings are open — start planning your next Scandinavian trip now. Images: Snohetta.
It's about time for her arrival: Christina Aguilera's, that is, with the 'Dirrty', 'Genie in a Bottle', 'What a Girl Wants', 'Lady Marmalade' and 'Beautiful' singer heading Down Under this November for a one-night-only gig. Hitting Australia for the first time since 2007, the singer headlines Victoria's statewide music celebration Always Live, which is returning in 2023 for its second year after a successful debut run in 2022. Aguilera will play Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 25, in a show that'll also mark 20 years since her album Stripped. One of pop music's former Mouseketeers, the six-time Grammy-winner leads a bill that spans more than 165 artists at 60-plus events — all in Victoria. In other words, she spearheads a lineup that's designed to get the state's residents hitting up live gigs, and to entice tourists from the rest of the country to make music-filled holiday plans. 2023's leg of Always Live runs for 17 days, from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 10, with a feast of shows — also including Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz bringing his HOLO set our way in an Australia–New Zealand exclusive; songwriter and producer Jai Paul also playing his only shows in this neck of the woods; and Jessie Ware putting on two intimate evenings outside her Summer Camp headlining stint. Already on the Meredith bill, Caroline Polachek has added a solo gig at Melbourne's Forum Theatre. Also a huge highlight: BLAKTIVISM at Hamer Hall, with King Stingray, Tasman Keith, Emma Donovan, Uncle Bart Willoughby, Deline Briscoe, Sorong Samarai and Suga Cane Mamas. For Swifties, tribute gig Taylor Made will see Alex The Astronaut, Charley, Clare Bowditch, Emily Wurramurra, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lisa Mitchell and Sophia J Smith shaking off their best Taylor Swift covers. [caption id="attachment_899478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Returning from last year, Emma Donovan and Friends will again hero acoustic tunes from First Nations artists, while purpose-built pop-up studio SOUNDBOX will be back at the Arts Centre Melbourne forecourt. The jam-packed program also boasts the Tones and I-curated Music In the Park in Mornington, featuring The Cat Empire, The Veronicas, Budjerah, KAIIT and The Pierce Brothers; the Gonna Be Good series, with everyone from Holy Holy, Aleksiah, ILLY and The Temper Trap to Northeast Party House, Casey Barnes and Ruby Fields; Summer Camp, as already announced; and SOULTRAINS, which is getting Lee Fields & The Expressions, plus Surprise Chef, playing four venues along four Metro train lines. Still on a railway theme, there's End of the Line, a festival popping ip at the end of the train lines in Sandringham and Williamstown. Clare Bowditch headlines the former, and Alex Lahey the latter. And, music lovers can look forward to the Jamaican Food and Music Festival at Seaworks, the Ballroom Mix Tapes series at Brunswick Ballroom — which will launch brand-new releases — and a regional tour by Amyl and the Sniffers. Throw in Peter Garrett and The Alter Egos hitting Wangarratta Arts Centre, Cosmic Psychos marking their 40th anniversary and A.B. Original headlining a free show at Victoria Park Lake, and clearly the list well and truly goes on. In fact, there's so much to fit in that an event called Garage Band will pop up on Saturday, October 14, before the Always Live dates, featuring 25 emerging bands playing an original song each on four stages in Federation Square. Always Live 2023 runs from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 10, with one pre-festival gig on Saturday, October 14. For more information, and to get tickets, head to the festival website. Christina Aguilera will play Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 25, with pre sales from 12pm AEST on Tuesday, August 29 and general sales from 12pm AEST on Wednesday, August 20.
Once a year, Gelato Messina gives Australia's dessert fiends the chance to fill their freezers with its coveted frosty wares. While anyone can walk into the chain's stores on any day and leave with a stockpile of gelato thanks to its take-home packs, being able to choose from Messina's greatest hits is a special treat. Can't live without tubs of Robert Blondie Jnr (white chocolate gelato, blondie and white chocolate fudge sauce) at hand? Adore You Cannoli Live Twice (chocolate crème patisserie gelato with chocolate hazelnut fudge, candied hazelnuts, and crushed cannoli shells) so much that it's all you'd eat if you could? This is your annual time to shine. In the two decades that Messina has been in dessert business, more than 4000 special flavours have made their way through the chain's gelato cabinets around the country. Each year, it releases 260 specials, in fact. Yes, that's a lot of scoops. To celebrate some of these oldies but goodies, the chain brings a selection of these flavours back every now and then — and also occasionally busts out its entire top 40 greatest hits. That's happening again this winter, based on the past year's top flavours. Lucky folks in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide will be able to treat themselves to a treasure trove of limited-edition gelato varieties. Originally, the greatest hits specials were a buy-in-shop-only deal, but the chain went with preordered tubs in 2020, so no one had to worry about long queues and empty cabinets. In 2024, Messina is splitting the difference, meaning that year's run will be a little different. Only 20 of the 40 flavours will be available for preorder, then 20 more will be spread across its weekly specials for a month. So, gelato fiends can initially preorder 473-millilitre tubs of 20 flavours from Monday, July 22. You'll then need to pick them up from Sydney's Marrickville, Tramsheds, Bondi, Darlinghurst, Norwest, Brighton Le Sands and Rosebery stores; Fitzroy and East Brunswick in Melbourne; South Brisbane in Brisbane; Braddon in Canberra; Highgate in Perth; and Kent Town in Adelaide — all between Friday, August 2–Sunday, August 4. Individual tubs are filled with just one flavour and will set you back $19, or you can get three for $54, six for $100, nine for $135 or — if you have the freezer space — 20 for $280. After that, head by your local Messina weekly from Tuesday, July 23 to see which other 20 adored varieties temporarily rejoin the menu. For the first batch, Messina has unveiled the list of faves making a comeback. As always, it's stacked with deliciousness, just like your freezer will be. Get Baked (with baked caramel cheesecake gelato with dulce de leche and smashed baked cheesecake), Have a Gay Old Time (caramel and milk chocolate gelato with chocolate-covered biscuit crumbs) and Cinnamon Cone Crunch (cinnamon cereal milk gelato with waffle cone crunch) are all among the choices. Good luck trying to pick just one, or even a mere few. The first 20 of Gelato Messina's 2024 Greatest Hits will be available to preorder on Monday, July 22 with pick up between Friday, August 2–Sunday, August 4 from Perth's Highgate store (orders from 11am AWST); Fitzroy and East Brunswick in Melbourne, South Brisbane in Brisbane and Braddon in Canberra (orders from 12pm AEST); Sydney's Bondi, Norwest and Rosebery outposts (orders from 12.15pm AEST); Sydney's Marrickville, Tramsheds, Darlinghurst and, Brighton Le Sands venues (orders from 12.30pm AEST); and Kent Town in Adelaide (orders from 12.30pm ACST). The remaining 20 will drop in-store from Tuesday, July 23 across a month.
When 2023 first kicked in, it brought a multi-sensory Frida Kahlo installation Down Under, letting art lovers in Sydney immerse themselves in the iconic Mexican artist's works. Consider that exhibition the appetiser before the main meal that is Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution: a huge winter-long tribute to Kahlo, her well-known spouse Diego Rivera and the entire Mexican modernism movement, which is now on display in Adelaide. Open at the Art Gallery of South Australia since Saturday, June 24, running until Sunday, September 17 and one of the venue's headlining exhibition for 2023, this showcase is sizeable. Visitors can currently see more than 150 works, spanning everything from paintings and photographs to works on paper and period clothing, as drawn from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution has two key aims: examining why Kahlo's work, and Kahlo herself, holds such enduring appeal; and placing Kahlo and Rivera's art in context with their contemporaries. "'Each generation brings a new lens to the profoundly inspiring figure that is Frida Kahlo. A 21st-century muse, Kahlo is today revered as a feminist and as a singular political and creative force. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution speaks to the influence and ingenuity of art practice in Mexico and aims to recontextualise the enduring allure of Kahlo within today's society," said AGSA Director Rhana Devenport ONZM. "These iconic paintings from the extraordinary Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection form the heart of this exhibition. Close friends of Kahlo and Rivera, the Gelmans were pioneering collectors who formed an outstanding collection of works foregrounding Mexican modernism," adds Tansy Curtin, AGSA's Curator of International Art, Pre-1980s. Amid suitably colourful walls, attendees can also spy large-scale reproductions of folk art-heavy Rivera's murals. Another highlight: exploring Kahlo and Rivera's home life and artistic practice, as inspired by their La Casa Azul house and studio. That said, while Kahlo, Rivera, and their art, connection, politics and influence all sit at the centre of this wide-ranging showcase, it also highlights pieces by Manuel and Lola Álvarez Bravo, Miguel Covarrubias, María Izquierdo, Carlos Mérida, David Alfaro Siqueiros and more — as any survey of Mexican modernism should and must. Focusing on the first half of the 20th century, this an Australian-exclusive exhibition, too — meaning that you'll have to go to Adelaide to see it — as well as most comprehensive exhibition of Mexican modernism that the country has ever seen. Unsurprisingly, South Australia expects it to be a big tourist attraction. Accordingly, Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution is being accompanied by a series of events, and not just at AGSA, to cater for locals and travellers alike. Think: clay and cocktails sessions, making paper-cut flowers in the traditional Mexican decorative craft style, a dining experience to mark Mexican Independence Day, Mexican-themed menus at Adelaide restaurants and a La Casa Azul installation in Rundle Mall. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution is on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia until Sunday, September 17, 2023. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the AGSA website. Images: installation view: Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; photos: Saul Steed.
When it comes to decking out your home with impressive but affordable homewares, Kmart has been giving IKEA a run for its money in recent years. Indeed, if you're already a convert, you probably know just how popular the Aussie department store gets whenever it drops a new range — or, you've likely seen everyone else's Instagram snaps that prove it. Spent too much timing staring at your same old furniture this winter, thanks to the cold and the pandemic? Wish you were somewhere beachy? Always wanted to kit out your place with a bohemian vibe? Today, Thursday, July 28, Kmart has just unveiled its latest home-focused lineup, and it takes care of all of the above. Expect it to fly off the shelves as always. With prices starting at $1.75 — for bowls, should your kitchenware need a revamp — the August Living range goes heavy on pastel hues, natural materials and coloured glass. There are two main themes: timeless and urban. The former skews soft, delicate and homely, with curvy shapes, chambray fabrics and pops of block colour. The latter, which is still designed to mix-and-match with the rest of the range, is where bold silhouettes and gleaming surfaces come in. Covering items for the dining room, bathroom, bedroom and living room as well, Kmart's current drop spans everything from fringed cushions and swivelling single-seater couches through to coastal pics, palm tree-adorned bed linen and cane bathroom furniture. Yes, it's all very 70s chic, too, especially the pink, brown, mustard and other earthy colours. Among the standout pieces: two-packs of cute sea shell-shaped candles for $5, shaggy cushions for $14, cane chairs to pop them on for $149 each, and wicker lampshades and bases ranging from $39–59. If you'd like to throw in some marble, there's three different tables, all with metal bases, including a $49 side table, $69 hallway table and $89 coffee table. And white-panelled bathroom storage starts at $69. You know how they say that change is as good as a holiday? It isn't, obviously, but swapping your home decor to the kinds of items that you might find in a Byron Bay beachhouse should help lift the vibe at least. The August living range is on sale online and in-store from Thursday, July 28–Wednesday, August 17, and also includes wallpaper, flooring, curtains and blinds, as well as a new DIY line. Kmart's August Living range is on sale online and in-store from Thursday, July 28–Wednesday, August 17.
RAW started in the US, migrated to Australia and has been providing steady platform to some of our most ambitious emerging artists to date. And while the term ‘emerging’ may be a tenuous, lazy label to throw on someone with a Joy Division tattoo or a Soundcloud, this creative group have filtered down the best to provide a healthy crop of local talent. Encompass is their latest instalment of said talent, and promises dozens of acts, names and talents who will humbly show off the craft they’ve made a life perfecting. Music-wise, songstress Deena, pop-friends Go Van Go and easy listening equines Bad Pony will be providing the tunes. Visual art by Jessie Bird, Scott Hynd and Erin Michelle – plus a heaped handful more – will be on display for all those with an eye for skill. Live make-up displays, film by Mikey Hill, as well as a photography and fashion showcase (pictured: clothing label, Hunting Faith) will be adding to this big bang of artistic explosion. Tickets are $15 pre-sale, so get in quick and discover what’s up and coming in our local creative scene.
Come October 2023, Disney fans Down Under can enter a whole new world, hitting the sea on the Mouse House's cruise line on its first voyages from Australia and New Zealand. Fancy sailing further afield, from Sydney to Honolulu or vice versa? In 2023 and 2024, the company is also launching its first-ever South Pacific cruises — one coming to Australia, the other heading to Hawaii. These legs are known as repositioning cruises, aka the journeys that ships take when they've finished their stints in one area and need to make their way to another for a new season. Of course, vessels don't make those trips without passengers, so if you're keen on spending a couple of weeks floating around the South Pacific surrounded by all things Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, now you can. Tickets go on sale at 8am AEDT on Thursday, October 13, with two voyages scheduled around the Mouse House's maiden 'Magic at Sea' Australian and NZ cruises: a 13-night voyage from Honolulu to Sydney departing on October 13, 2023, then a 15-night trip the other way leaving on February 16, 2024. Unsurprisingly, the 'Magic at Sea' legs between Australia and Aotearoa have proven as popular as Disney movies with, well, everyone, so expect these legs to attract plenty of interest. And yes, these lengthy South Pacific trips are only sailing to and from Sydney — so if you live elsewhere, you will need to factor that into your travels. Disney has been running cruises for nearly a quarter-century, taking fans of its ever-growing array of pop culture wares on themed vacations, all thanks to its Disney Cruise Line. Alas, setting sail to and from Down Under hasn't been a possibility until now. Onboard, you'll watch live musical shows, see Disney characters everywhere you look and eat in spaces decked out like Disney movies. Those musicals include a Frozen show; another production dedicated to the company's old-school favourites like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella and Aladdin; and a Golden Mickeys performance, which is obviously all about Mickey Mouse. Or, there's a Mickey party set to DJ beats, nightly fireworks and a pirate shindig on the vessel's deck. The entertainment also includes Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Moana, Tiana, Cinderella, Woody, Jessie and more wandering around the ship. Plus Chewbacca, Rey, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel and Thor as well, if you like hanging out around folks in costumes. The dining setup rotates, so each day of the cruise takes you to a different location with a different theme. One day, you'll hit up the Animator's Palate, which focuses on bringing Disney characters to life — including getting patrons to draw their own characters — and on the next, you'll get munching in a restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog, and serving up New Orleans-inspired dishes. Or, there's also Triton's, which offers an under the sea theme given it's named after Ariel's father, and serves four-course French and American suppers. For folks travelling with young Disney devotees, there's also a whole range of activities just for kids — but adults without littlies in tow are definitely catered for, complete with a dedicated pool for travellers aged 18 and over, an adults-only cafe, the Crown & Fin pub, cocktail bar Signals, Italian eatery Palo, and a day spa and salon. Room-wise, there's ten different types to choose from — some with private verandahs, and some with ocean views through portholes. Disney Cruise Line's 'Magic at Sea' cruises will sail from Honolulu to Sydney in October 2023, then from Sydney to Honolulu in February 2024, with bookings open from 8am AEDT on Thursday, October 13, 2022. For more information, head to the cruise line's website. Images: Matt Stroshane / Kent Phillips / Todd Anderson. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Step inside a great hotel and the staff will make you feel welcome. Check in for a stay at QT Melbourne and you'll now be greeted by a very special (and adorable) employee: Russell the wellness dog-cierge. The accommodation chain's Victorian site has announced a partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria to enlist the help of a four-legged friend at the hotel — bringing cuteness, joy and companionship to patrons. If you know where QT Melbourne is located, then you'll know where this cute pooch gets his name. Russell Street's newest resident trained as a guide dog, but it was decided that he's better suited to aid with wellbeing due to his affectionate and friendly nature. While his job at the hotel from Thursday, February 27, 2025 involves being charming, greeting guests and leading walks, he also gives the venue a walking, tail-wagging tribute to the work done by Guide Dogs Victoria, even if he hasn't been dispatched to assist people with blindness or low vision. Consider this your latest reason to book in a staycation if you're a Melburnian — and great motivation to pick where to slumber on your next trip to the Victorian capital if you're located elsewhere. "We're incredibly proud to welcome Russell to QT Melbourne," said the hotel's General Manager Kristen Foat. "His presence represents not just a commitment to our guests' wellbeing, but also a deep appreciation for the important work Guide Dogs Victoria does in the community. Through this partnership, we're able to give back in a meaningful way while creating an environment of joy, connection and compassion." For more pup-centric fun, QT Melbourne is also launching a trio of experiences for or involving pooches, all of which will donate their proceeds Guide Dogs Victoria. Fancy bending and stretching on a rooftop with puppies in training to be guide dogs? Monthly Pups & Poses sessions have you covered. Keen to drop by with your own barking bestie instead? Puppacinos are on offer, as are pup staycations. You'll be heading to Deli QT, the hotel's sandwich bar, for a pup-friendly sip from 8am–3pm Monday–Saturday. And during pet-friendly sleepovers, your pooch will be able to get snacking thanks to the in-room menu for dogs. Russell joins QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne from Thursday, February 27, 2025 — head to the hotel's website for bookings and more details.
When you're standing on a Brisbane lawn bowls green, hurtling bowls and having a cold beer or two, you really come to appreciate the phrase 'roll with it'. Going with the flow is what an afternoon lawn bowls session is all about — even if you tend to take the fun pastime seriously. Thankfully, finding somewhere to indulge in a spot of lawn bowls in the city is easy. Choosing the best of the bunch is a little more difficult — but that's where we come in. Here's our top ten places to play lawn bowls in Brisbane. MERTHYR BOWLS CLUB, NEW FARM Given its prime riverside location in New Farm, it's no wonder that Merthyr Bowls Club is one of Brisbane's best bowls clubs. Who doesn't want to pair an afternoon on the green with a water view and a refreshing breeze? From Wednesday to Sunday all year-round (and on Mondays and Tuesdays too in December), you'll fork out a mere tenner for a two-hour session, which even includes coaching if you need it. A bar on-site will take care of your thirst and, when it comes to food, Merthyr's group barbecue menu is another reason to stop by with all of your mates. THE BOO, NEWSTEAD Okay, so you can't enjoy a game of bowls right in the heart of the CBD, but venturing to the Breakfast Creek area in Newstead is just as good. The Boo, short for Booroodabin Bowls Club, is the city's only 100 percent social bowls club and also Queensland's oldest, having opened back in 1889. Basically, history and fun are the highlights here — not forgetting the rather hefty drinks menu, of course. CAMP HILL BOWLS CLUB, CAMP HILL This Brisbane bowls club has that perfect blend of old school charm and new wave experiences. It will still just cost you just $6 to play a game for two hours, but there's stacks more to do here. You can also play a round or two of bocce and petanque or head over on Friday nights for the special social competition — pop $20 in the communal kitty and you'll be in the running for a few prizes. Regular trivia, live music and comedy nights are also on the cards, making Camp Hill Bowls Club popular with plenty of Millenials, too. During busier days and nights the outdoor bar is pumping out local craft beers, decent wines and some sparkling for those looking to celebrate. And the Pan Thai Restaurant ain't a bad spot to hit up after a day of playing lawn bowls in Brisbane with a few of your favourite people. NORMAN PARK BOWLS CLUB, NORMAN PARK There's clearly something special going on in Brisbane's inner southeast. A mere suburb away from Camp Hill's great facilities sits Norman Park's own bowls club. As well as the game everyone knows and loves, you'll also find trivia twice a week and live music on Sundays. The fact that it's run by the same folks behind Merthyr Bowls Club makes it clear that they know what they're doing. It's hard to beat a Brisbane bowls club like this local haunt. WEST TOOWONG BOWLS CLUB, TARINGA If there's one thing that'll get even the laziest person to a bowls club, it's the prices at the bar and restaurant. Located between the Toowong shopping centre and the University of Queensland, West Toowong Bowls Club knows this, and you can expect to find one of the city's cheapest pot of beer — the Bowlers Brew. As far as good value goes, schedule in a Wednesday or Saturday arvo visit, and pay $15 for bowls and afternoon tea. Come Friday night, you can go in on the traditional Australian meat tray raffle before joining the Saturday morning breakfast buffet that'll only set you back $15. This Brisbane lawn bowls joint is a bargain in stacks of ways, and a really important meeting place for locals of all ages. WINDSOR BOWLS CLUB, WINDSOR Windsor Bowls Club is the unsung hero of Brisbane's barefoot bowls world. Thanks to its sizeable yet cosy bar, dropping in just for a beverage — or for a parma on Wednesday and Friday nights — is completely understandable. Luckily, the main attraction is just as fun. Plus, we know from first-hand experience that this is an ace venue to throw a party, no matter what the occasion. RED HILL COMMUNITY SPORTS CLUB, RED HILL Let's face it: food, drinks, bowls — you can find all three at a whole heap of places around town. You won't find a cute cafe anywhere other than Red Hill Bowls though — which is what makes this inner west spot stand out from the crowd. To take advantage of their cafe, make sure you head to the green before 2pm. Then grab a few bevs at the club once you've crowned a winner. This laidback spot is certainly one of the best places to play lawn bowls in Brisbane. NEW FARM BOWLS CLUB, NEW FARM Trust New Farm to boast not one, but two spots for barefoot bowling fun. At New Farm Bowls Club you'll spy greenery as far as the eye can see, with the club just across the road from New Farm Park. For those keen on an evening roll, this is the place for it, with night sessions available from August to May. Dinner, bowls and drinks — now that's a great way to end the day. GALLOPERS SPORTS CLUB, ASCOT If you're a keen foodie, you've probably spent plenty of time in Ascot and Hamilton. You mightn't have ventured to the bowls club nearby, though — in fact, you mightn't even know that it's there. Gallopers can host up to 112 lawn bowlers at one time and, yes, because it's a sports club, there's also a bar and a bistro on-site featuring weekly meal deals like Barra Munday Special and Parmi Paradise. POINT LOOKOUT BOWLS CLUB, NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND We know, we know — because Point Lookout Bowls Club is on Straddie, you can't just organise an impromptu game of lawn bowls whenever the feeling strikes, but pre-planning is a small price to pay for a prime island location. If we need to convince you further, the burgers and beers at the bistro are also a drawcard, and the change of scenery is as good as a mini holiday.
No one's saying streaming isn't convenient, but most of the time, there's no denying movies hit different on the big screen. With plenty of discourse in recent weeks about the future of the humble movie theatre, Palace Cinemas has just revealed a brand-new discount designed to get more people watching flicks not on the couch, but where they were meant to be seen. As a national-first initiative, Australia's premier independent cinema group has announced the Royal Discount, where movie-lovers can score discounted tickets on Mondays and Tuesdays across every Palace Cinemas location. Launching on Monday, February 2, this cost-saving discount means more chances to catch must-see flicks for a stellar price every week. "Royal Discount is our way of keeping great cinema accessible while also ensuring our cinemas stay full during off-peak times. It is good for audiences, good for film culture and good for the long-term health of cinemas," says Palace Cinemas CEO Benjamin Zeccola. Priced at $10 for Palace Movie Club members or $12 for non-members, you'll have more room in your budget for a night at the cinema — or at least more to spend at the candy bar. According to Zeccola, it's not just about lowering ticket prices, but maintaining the cultural importance of cinema. "In an increasingly private and digital world, that shared experience matters more than ever," he says. That idea was echoed by a host of stars at the recent Golden Globes, with beloved actor Stellan Skarsgård offering up a similar message in his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in Sentimental Value. "In a cinema where the lights go down, and eventually you share the pulse with some other people — that's magic. Cinema should be seen in cinemas." And with loads of highly anticipated films and Oscar contenders now screening — think Marty Supreme, Hamnet, Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident, and No Other Choice — trading the remote for the big screen makes perfect sense. "No matter where you are in Australia, you will know that Monday and Tuesday are your Royal Discount days at Palace Cinemas," says Zeccola. Palace Cinemas' Royal Discount is launching nationwide on Monday, February 2. Head to the website for more information.
There's no doubting that Death and Other Details loves whodunnits, or that it's made with a murderers' row of them in mind. Playing "spot the nod" is one of this ten-part Disney+ series' games. Sleuthing along with its plot is the other, obviously. So, as an odd couple with an age discrepancy team up to attempt to solve "a classic locked-room mystery" — the show even calls it such — among the preposterously wealthy on holiday, and on a boat at that, where everyone has a motive and a battle over who'll seize control of a family business is also taking place, gleaning what creators and writers Heidi Cole McAdams and Mike Weiss (who also worked together on Stumptown) have been reading and watching isn't a puzzle. Nudges and references are regularly part of the murder-mystery genre anyway; here, they sail into a tale that's also about what we remember and why. Recalling Agatha Christie's oeuvre, its movie adaptations — complete with Kenneth Branagh's recent spate — and especially Death on the Nile is as blatant as knowing that no one onboard Death and Other Details' SS Varuna will be exactly who they appear. Thinking about Only Murders in the Building, Knives Out, Poker Face and The White Lotus is also instantly easy. So is pondering Succession, with narratives about business empires passing down the reins bound to pop up as frequently as detective capers even now that the HBO hit is over. But when other films and shows earn a wink here, Death and Other Details also digs into the purpose behind the minutiae that sticks in our memories. It's a savvy yet risky gambit, getting viewers ruminating on how they spy patterns and filter their perspectives, too, while chancing coming off as derivative. Mostly the series bobs in the first direction; however, even when it sways in the second, it still intrigues its audience to keep watching. That seemingly mismatched pair: Imogene Scott (Violett Beane, God Friended Me) and the Hercule Poirot-esque Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin, Homeland), with the second regularly dubbed "the world's greatest detective". Most folks might believe that label, but Imogene does not. The duo shares a history spanning two decades, from when she was a child (Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Popular Theory) mourning the shock killing of her mother that he couldn't solve. Back then, Rufus was on the case at the behest of the wealthy Colliers, who work in textiles, employed Imogene's mum as a personal assistant to patriarch Lawrence (David Marshall Grant, Spoiler Alert) and took the girl in when she had no one else. Now, both Rufus and Imogene are guests on a cruise chartered by them — she's there as basically a member of the family; he's accompanying the Chuns, with whom the Colliers are in the middle of a billion-dollar business deal. The entire decadent jaunt is in aid of getting crucial signatures, securing the Colliers' future and anointing Lawrence's daughter Anna (Lauren Patten, a Tony-winner for Jagged Little Pill) as the next CEO — she hopes. Death and Other Details doesn't lack in people taking to the seas, though, not only including the aforementioned characters. Chun matriarch Celia (Lisa Lu, American Born Chinese) and her granddaughter Eleanor (Karoline, Dead Ringers), Lawrence's dutiful spouse Katherine (Jayne Atkinson, Baby Ruby) and coked-up son Tripp (Jack Cutmore-Scott, Oppenheimer), Anna's paranoid former-journalist wife Leila (Pardis Saremi, Hell of a Summer) and the Colliers' slimy long-serving manager Llewellyn Mathers (Jere Burns, NCIS: Los Angeles) are all onboard. So is ship owner Sunil Ranja (Rahul Kohli, The Fall of the House of Usher). The unruly Keith Trubitsky (Michael Gladis, The Company You Keep) is also among the passengers, until he's found dead via a harpoon in his cabin. Everyone is eventually a suspect, from a pool that features Washington Governor Alexandra Hochenberg (Tamberla Perry, They Cloned Tyrone), the politically influential Father Toby (Danny Johnson, The Equalizer) and his social-media star son 'That' Derek (debutant Sincere Wilbert), Jules (Hugo Diego Garcia, Touchées) from the vessel's security outfit, and hospitality head Teddy Goh (Angela Zhou, Promising Young Woman) and her sister Winnie (Annie Q Riegel, Kung Fu) as well. But fingers initially point in Imogene's direction, after she's caught on camera in the victim's room not long before he met his end. Rufus, who she's furious to see but has been tasked with looking into the matter until Interpol arrives, can assist — and wants her help cracking the mystery in turn. No one needs to be badged "the world's greatest detective" to pick that their current situation and Imogene's mother's murder have connections. "Pay attention: details matter," advises Rufus early, with Death and Other Details endeavouring to fill its frames with tidbits that prove that notion. And there are tidbits; just like the lengthy list of folks associated with the show's two cases, there's no shortage of backstories, links, twists, detours, motives, secrets, lies, affairs, clues and other finer points. Although not everything convincingly earns its place, the non-stop flow gives Imogene and Rufus plenty to dive into, in the present, common past and much in-between. And while the extravagant ocean liner that the bulk of the current-day timeline is set upon doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere, the series' plot is pacy and bouncy, never letting a moment drag. Death and Other Details' jumps backwards are always tied to memories and, in another choice that could've sunk or swum — thankfully, it's the latter — often insert Imogene into the recollections. Accordingly, the act of scouring one's brain and scrutinising someone's story for aspects that've might've been overlooked receives a visual representation. The underlying idea isn't just a passing theme, either. That almost everything is subjective isn't a unique revelation, but examining the distortions of our minds, what we choose to see and to block, and what recurs again and again, is particularly potent in unpacking grief and trauma. Such is Imogene's tale, which Death and Other Details never forgets even as it luxuriates on an opulent ship, splashes around sunnily and glossily shot sights, and also steams into the eat-the-rich realm. As the investigators sifting through a motley crew of players with their own idiosyncrasies, Patinkin and Beane unsurprisingly leave the biggest imprint among the cast. Ever-reliably great, he's in classic gumshoe and Columbo-type mode, while she's shrewd and determined. The contrast — as familiar as it is — works a charm. Indeed, as the series coasts entertainingly along, wanting more of Rufus and Imogene sleuthing together, and more of them stepping beyond their present boat-bound scenario, is the main takeaway. For now, their maiden Death and Other Details' voyage boasts much to keep audiences wanting to continue breezing along with them. Check out the trailer for Death and Other Details below: Death and Other Details streams via Disney+ from Tuesday, January 16. Images: Hulu.
Art galleries don't just showcase great works by renowned talents on their own walls. They also loan out their collections, touring them to other sites around the globe. That's great news for Australians, who've been able to check out pieces from London's Tate Britain and New York's Museum of Modern Art in recent years, all without leaving the country. In 2021, you'll also be able to feast your eyes on two big collections of European masterpieces from two different overseas institutions: from New York's The Met, which is heading to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, and from London's National Gallery, which'll take over the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. The latter, called Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, will hit the Australian Capital Territory from March 5–June 14, 2021. If you were looking for a reason to take a local holiday interstate this year, the NGA has not just one but 60, because that's how many works this huge exhibition will feature. The gallery isn't joking about the showcase's title, either. When you'll be exhibiting Van Gogh's Sunflowers, you can throw around the word 'masterpiece' as much as you like. Other high-profile works include Rembrandt's Self Portrait at the Age of 34, plus Vermeer's A Young Woman seated at a Virginal. And, artist-wise, Titian, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Renoir, Cézanne, Botticelli, El Greco, Constable, Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Gauguin are all also on the bill. [caption id="attachment_792837" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers 1888, National Gallery, London, Image courtesy the National Gallery, London[/caption] When peering at the exhibition's pieces, art aficionados will be taken through seven important periods in Western European art history, from a range that spans 450 years. That means exploring work from the Italian Renaissance, checking out the Dutch painting of the Golden Age, and feasting your eyes on British portraiture — as well as scoping out pieces from the 17th- and 18th-century Grand Tour, Spanish art from the 17th century, works that focus on landscape and the picturesque, and examining the birth of modern art. When Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London hits our shores, it'll mark a big milestone, too — as the largest batch of works to venture beyond the United Kingdom in National Gallery's 192-year history. Announcing the exhibition, National Gallery of Australia Director Nick Mitzevich mentioned exactly what you're probably now thinking — that is, that the showcase is a nifty way to see the world in a period when we can't venture far physically. "At a time when Australian audiences are unable to travel overseas, we are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors to Canberra to see this exclusive showcase of world-class art," he said. Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from March 5–June 14, 2021, with tickets on sale now. Top images: Installation view, Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Anthony van Dyck, Lady Elizabeth Thimbelby and Dorothy, Viscountess, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Giovanni Giralomo Savoldo, Mary Magdalene (far left), The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London.
We know. We've all done it. Home alone with a block of cheddar, a few scraps of brie and a lone Kraft Single. It all seemed so promising. When your mum/housemate/significant other returned, though, the truth became apparent. You'd made a cheese quagmire in your microwave, hadn't you? Hadn't you. Fortunately, the guys behind PappaRich, the ST Group, are now getting set to help you realise all of your cheese dreams without the weird kitchen smell three weeks later — they're bringing Malaysian chain Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart to Brisbane. With multiple stores in Kuala Lumpur and other areas of the country — plus a handful in Melbourne and Sydney, as of last year, as well as Pacific Fair since July — the cheese tart connoisseurs are continuing their expansion with not one, but two Brisbane ventures. In the coming months, prepare to flock to the Myer Centre and Garden City. Their namesake is the cornerstone of their offering: a savoury-sweet three-cheese situation encased in a shortcrust shell, designed to be eaten either hot or cold. The cheese, while made with local produce, is based on the distinct taste and texture of the dairy products of Hokkaido. The Japanese island is known for their dairy — it produces half of Japan's total milk and a huge 90 percent of their natural cheese — and HBCT have worked tirelessly to replicate it. Malaysia has gone nuts for it, and Melbourne and Sydney have jumped firmly on board; people have been queuing out the door to get their hands on one (or 12). Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart will open in the Myer Centre and Westfield Garden City in the coming months. For more info and to look out for an opening date, keep an eye on their Facebook page. Images: Tim Grey.
There's no better feeling in the world than emerging victorious from a match — whether you had to fight tooth and nail or it was a landslide defeat, winners are most definitely grinners. And no matter which sport you play, position you're in or team you play for — if you have something to celebrate, you'll want somewhere to celebrate it. You know the deal — you're pumped from the game and want to revel in that winning glow. Going home just won't cut it. Cracking open a Heineken 3 and chatting incessantly about how great the game was, well, that's more like it. To help you do just that, we've put together a list of four spots that'll help you bask in the post-match glory.
A year goes slowly when you're waiting for one weekend but, at last, Harvest Rock season is almost upon us. We're all in full prep mode for the 2023 iteration of the huge South Australia music festival, and it's looking like it might be one of the biggest yet. The good news doesn't stop coming, after the absolute banger lineup dropped our attendance was all but guaranteed. Luckily, we have an exclusive deal over on Concrete Playground Trips that wraps up a brilliant VIP package under one ribbon of convenience. That package includes nearby accommodation, VIP entry to the festival and loads of goodies (from exclusive dining options to an Archie Rose gift pack) to complete your experience. In case you're not across the deets of this year's festival, it's taking place on the weekend of October 28–29 in Adelaide and offers a real superstar lineup that includes exclusive Australian performances from Jamiroquai and Beck. This is a show curated by Secret Sounds, after all, the maestros behind Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival. It's not all music though, the festival splits the spotlight onto food too. Everything from fine dining curated by leading APAC chefs to food trucks and live mixology sessions with culinary geniuses from around Australia, like wine expert and personality Nick Stock and Sydney distillery Archie Rose, will be on offer. This year the festival also features The Grape Escape, a dedicated wellness centre designed to help you unwind from the hectic activities outside. Expect hot drinks, tarot readings, massages and more to help you enjoy some well-deserved time to yourself. Harvest Rock will take over Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park/Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. Tickets are on sale now. To secure yours and find more info, visit the website, or visit Concrete Playground Trips to book our exclusive VIP package.
Hearing the right song at the right moment can instantly improve your mood, and we all have dance floor stories that attest to that fact. Now, imagine hearing a killer track while you're painting up a storm. In fact, just think of the masterpiece that you could whip up. That's the concept behind Brushes & Beats, Work-Shop's latest art class. As guided by artist Shannon Toth, it embraces the cathartic, de-stressing pleasures of painting and music, but not in a classical tunes and watercolours kind of way. Arrive empty-handed, get given all the tools and skills you need, and prepare to blend toe-tapping rhythms and your creativity. If that's not enough of a drawcard, or in case you need some added inspiration, Brushes & Beats also taps into Brisbane's current art and alcohol craze.
