When RISING 2025 announced everything that'll fill Melbourne across 12 June days, it didn't skimp on details. A free installation by a teamLab alum, exclusive Suki Waterhouse gigs, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an art exhibition that's also a nine-hole mini-golf course in Flinders Street Station Ballroom, Yasiin Bey with Talib Kweli, Portishead's Beth Gibbons, Aotearoa favourite Marlon Williams, Olivier-winning hip-hop dance work BLKDOG: they were just some of the standouts. What happens when you've already unveiled a huge 65 events featuring 327 artists, but you still have more fun to share with the Victorian capital? Enter a new round of additions to RISING's 2025 program. More music, more comedy, a fest-within-the-fest: that's where the latest batch of RISING events starts, jamming even more things to do into its Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 dates. If you didn't already feel spoiled for choice — whether you're a Melburnian kicking off winter in the best possible way at home or you're making plans to head to the festival from interstate — you will now. "This next chapter of the program expands RISING's reach across the city — with more artists, more public moments and more ways to encounter art in the everyday," explains RISING Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Fox and Gidoen Obarzanek. "From the full-scale Fed Square takeover led by some of Pakistan's most-vital contemporary musicians, to a new live variety show by the brilliant Zoë Coombs Marr, to an all-in community dance at Melbourne Town Hall with Country Struts, these works speak to the energy, humour and cultural depth that define RISING." Fox and Obarzanek have mentioned some of the new highlights, such as the lineup for BLOCKBUSTER, a free ode to South Asian culture in Federation Square — and also Zoë Coombs Marr's new variety show. The first features street food, Pakistani R&B, Punjabi rap, art trucks, workshops and more in general, and Faris Shafi, Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan aka Xulfi, Annural Khalid, Zain and Zohaib, Sherry Khattak and the Coke Studio Pakistan house band specifically. The second, Wrap It Up, takes its cues from Coombs Marr's love of late-night television. Also now part of RISING's program: Tropical Fuck Storm playing The Forum, in what'll be their last show in Melbourne before heading to Europe; a film retrospective dedicated to Miranda July, fittingly given that the Me and You and Everyone We Know, The Future and Kajillionaire filmmaker is among the artists curating Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf 's greens; and Matthew Barnes aka Forest Swords putting on his first Melbourne live show in a decade, blending electronic landscapes on ACMI's cinema screen with electronic tunes [caption id="attachment_1001603" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jamie Wdziekonsk[/caption] The Country Struts Winter Hoedown at Melbourne Town Hall also joins the lineup, if you're keen to make boot-scootin' shapes. Then there's the free roster of tunes and performances as part of the returning Night Trade between Capitol Arcade and Howey Place, with Kgomotso, LUNA, Zjoso and Nyege Nyege Collective all on the bill. Prefer a pop-up tiny rave? These little dance floors are also a Night Trade special, and will boast big-name DJs. That Melbourne Art Trams' latest iteration would roll around town during RISING was both expected and confirmed in the initial program drop, but now the artists doing the honours have been revealed. This year's talents include Kelly Koumalatsos, Maree Clarke, Jennifer Mullett and Patsy Smith, all creating works about the lived experience of First Nations women. One tram will sport a collaborative piece by Laurel Robinson, Amy Briggs, Cynthia Hardie and Rochelle Patten, while Beruk's Corroborree (Women in possum skin cloaks) from 1897 will also feature. [caption id="attachment_1001604" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tamarah Scott[/caption] There's still more from there — back from the March program drop and from the just-announced new additions. So, get ready for return of eight-hour music fest-meets-block party Day Tripper, spontaneous supergroups forming at The Toff in Town, septuagenarian grime stars Peter Bowditch and Basil Bellgrave, Black Star, RONA, Soccer Mommy, Japanese Breakfast, The Wrong Gods from Counting and Cracking's S Shakthidharan and a celebration of Divinyls legend Chrissy Amphlett via cabaret, too. Or, get excited about artists talks, food specials, sound artist Sara Retallick using The City Baths as a composition space, SHOUSE's Communitas making a comeback, a playful stage musing on heartbreak with the appropriate soundtrack, six performers working through 36 Shakespeare plays using household objects and Hamlet staged by a neurodiverse cast as well. [caption id="attachment_994702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mathieu Bitton[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ryan Cara[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994700" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Woopsyang[/caption] RISING 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 across Melbourne. Head to the event's website for further information. Top image: Tobias Titz.
Marina Mirage has scored its own floating beach club, La Luna, which is also Australia's first venue of its kind. But if you'd like to check out the site's same-named eatery for a stint of cider mussels and pineapple margaritas, the waterside spot has good news: that's where La Luna Dining comes in In a space filled with soft, crisp shades — on the walls, and in the linen and curtains — and plenty of natural light from its big windows, diners can tuck into a meal and a few drinks while looking over the marina. Unsurprisingly, plenty of the ocean's finest earns a spot on the menu, including seafood platters, oysters three ways, scallop sashimi, lobster rolls, beer-battered prawns and seafood linguine from across the full lineup. The mezze range also spans goose liver and black truffle pate, wagyu bresaola and dips; the cold bar selection features crispy wonton crackers and spicy beef tartare; and saganaki cheese, four cuts of steak, three types of pizza, and mains such as miso pork belly and confit duck leg will also tempt your tastebuds. From the drinks list, expect sparkling, white and red wines to suit all budgets, plus local and international brews on tap and by the bottle — and several options spirits-wise, no matter whether you're a gin, vodka, tequila, bourbon, rum or whisky drinker. If the whole seaside setup screams cocktail to you, the signature offerings include barrel-aged negronis and mai tais, as well as non-boozy spritzes, sours and watermelon highballs.
Do bats haunt your dreams? Is your mother called Martha? Do you have a secret identity? Maybe you've just always wanted to don a cape and run around Brisbane, starting — where else? — at the very Gotham-looking State Law Building. It's not the most expected way to mark Batman's 80th anniversary, however all of the above is on the agenda at the DC Batman Run Experience. With the iconic character becoming an octogenarian this year, this is your bat-loving chance to celebrate and get active all at once. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. The five-kilometre race will start at George Street, send costumed participants jogging through the streets, and then end with an after-party at the Maritime Museum at South Park. Entry costs $59 per person, which includes a limited-edition shirt, a Batman medal if you finish, and a chance to scope out the Batmobile. No, you can hop in it and speed your way through the track. The race kicks off at 5pm, with the party getting into gear from 8pm — with themed food with names such as 'Batwings', 'Holy Hamburgers Batman' and 'The Pork Belly Knight Bao' available to purchase.
With its snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes and long, starry nights, Tasmania experiences winter more intensely than any other state in Australia. If you've been dreaming of a spot where you can settle in front of a crackling fireplace and sip a whisky after a day of exploring some rugged Aussie landscapes, a trip to Tassie will do just the trick. There are stacks of toasty places to stay — from luxe pavilions with mind-blowing views to 19th-century country manors to cosy, off-grid studios. So we've scoped out seven of the most divine spots to book this winter. At each of these extraordinary abodes, you'll find yourself snuggled up and relaxing in total comfort. Spend your entire time inside — basking in luxury – or get out and about exploring, safe in the knowledge that a super-warm hideaway awaits your return. [caption id="attachment_718979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Gibson.[/caption] PUMPHOUSE POINT, LAKE ST CLAIR Even if you've never been to Tasmania, you've probably seen Pumphouse Point. Set on the deepest lake in Australia and encircled by heritage-listed Tasmanian wilderness, this retreat is an Instagram star. And the most famous building is The Pumphouse itself, a converted hydroelectric station that lies at the end of a 250-metre-long jetty. Inside, you'll feel like you're floating on the water. Back on land, there's the art deco-inspired Shorehouse and The Retreat, a timber-rich studio with floor-to-ceiling glass aplenty, so you can still get those stellar views of snowy Lake St Clair while staying toasty by the fire. Plus, to make your stay extra luxe, you can settle into the outdoor tub for a soak beneath the stars. [caption id="attachment_718981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Saffire Freycinet.[/caption] SAFFIRE FREYCINET, COLES BAY The decadent Saffire Freycinet afford views over some of Tasmania's most renowned landmarks, including the Hazards mountain range, Freycinet Peninsula and Great Oyster Bay. If you're keen to splurge, book a private pavilion. It comes with a courtyard featuring a plunge pool that's set at 30 degrees all winter long (though you can adjust the temperature to whatever warmth you prefer). Plus there's the option to have a chef come to cook you dinner. What's more, you can take things to the next level this winter with a 'Double the Luxury' experience. A seaplane or helicopter will greet you in Hobart and fly you over Wineglass Bay to your accommodation. You can then return the same way, or you can casually travel back in a premium sports car instead. [caption id="attachment_718987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Piermont.[/caption] PIERMONT, SWANSEA This eco-friendly, luxurious stay is quite the rustic experience set among the trees. Surrounding the 180-year-old homestead, there are 15 sustainable cottages to stay in, each designed and built to blend seamlessly with nature. Set on the pristine shores of Great Oyster Bay, the tranquil abode is dotted with she-oaks, gum trees and dune grasses, which is arguably even more beautiful when blanketed in snow. Expect expansive spa bathrooms overlooking the surrounding winter wonderland, outdoor decks and log fires. There's also an onsite restaurant, where you can feast on some of the freshest seasonal organic produce. What should you expect in the cooler months? Think local cheeses, sesame-roasted quail with a fermented shiraz and chilli dressing and Wild Clover lamb served with a salsa of Piermont olives, fresh herbs, blue gum-smoked oysters and seasonal greens. [caption id="attachment_718978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prospect House Private Hotel.[/caption] PROSPECT HOUSE PRIVATE HOTEL, RICHMOND Built in the 1830s as a two-storey Georgian mansion, this grand hotel, surrounded by landscaped gardens and rolling hills, will transport you straight to the 19th century. Take your pick of one of ten high-ceilinged rooms overlooking the courtyard, or opt for the epic grand suite. Whichever you choose, you'll be greeted with a drink on arrival, treated to afternoon tea and, in the mornings, cooked a farmhouse breakfast. The stately Prospect House lies a 30-minute drive northeast of Hobart, on the edge of the picturesque Coal River Valley wine region, so you can knock on some neighbouring cellar doors on your way. After a day of sampling local vinos, come back and get cosy by the large open fireplace (perfect for marshmallow toasting). [caption id="attachment_718977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Walter Pavilion.[/caption] MONA PAVILIONS, HOBART Don't just see MONA. Stay there, at one of the dazzling MONA Pavilions. The eight beauties are each dedicated to an Australian artist or architect and contain artworks from the MONA collection. The stays range from Sidney, a cosy studio devoted to Sidney Nolan, to Roy, an expansive three-bedroom penthouse inspired by Roy Grounds with a stunning outdoor spa. All offer breathtaking views of the River Derwent, plus there's a heated infinity lap pool, sauna, gym and winery. What's more, MONA and its more than 1900 artworks are right next door and, if you're staying from June 6–23, you'll be in the thick of Australia's biggest winter festival — Dark Mofo. [caption id="attachment_718976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Magnolia Garden Pavilion. Courtesy of Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett.[/caption] HATHERLEY BIRRELL COLLECTION, LAUNCESTON Take two multi-award winning designers, a bunch of contemporary artworks and a heritage-listed Italianate mansion, and you get the Hatherley Birrell Collection. Found in Launceston, this property has been transformed into four unique stays each as luxurious as the next. Sleepover in The Ballroom, a lavish suite with a translucent glass bathroom, marble fireplace and balcony overlooking Ben Lomond Mountain. Or, laze away at the Magnolia Garden Pavilion, where you can soak in the outdoor bath in the company of a 150-year-old magnolia tree. [caption id="attachment_718984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rocky Hills Retreat.[/caption] ROCKY HILLS RETREAT, SWANSEA Surrender yourself to nature at Rocky Hills Retreat, a spectacular, glass-walled studio designed by Australian architect Craig Rosevear. 90 minutes northeast of Hobart and set atop 250 acres of bushland, this escape affords incredible views over Great Oyster Bay and Maria Island on Tasmania's east coast. In Tasmania's cooler months, the vistas are a snowy wonderland. As soon as you get there, start filling the Huon pine bath on the outdoor deck. That way, it'll be ready by sunset for you to soak in the (very) crisp Tassie air among some spectacular rugged surrounds. Pro tip: tee up a glass or two of sparkling wine to go with your soak. Feel like getting creative? Head to the well-stocked private art studio, where you can draw, paint, sculpt and knit — all perfect indoor activities on a cold winter's day. Top image: The Retreat at Pumphouse Point by Jarrad Seng.
Today, Public Transport Victoria released its twice-yearly fare compliance figures, stating that 95 percent of travellers on metropolitan services have been touching on and off. But what about the other five percent — namely, those that have no choice but to fare evade to get to where they need to go? In an attempt to help out on this front, the Victorian Government has today launched a trial 'emergency relief' ticket system for those that need it. This will allow homeless and disadvantaged Victorians to access free weekly and monthly travel passes so that they can get to appointments and access basic services. Approved schools and community organisations (like the Red Cross and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, for example) will purchase the passes at a "heavily discounted" rate, and then pass the onto the people they support for no cost. The passes are valid in zones one and two, and on regional buses . The decision comes after a review found that those that can't afford to buy a ticket are often forced to fare evade — and, in turn, get fined and stuck in the legal system — to get access the services and care they need. This trial will attempt to avoid this. Previously, disadvantaged Victorians could access free day passes, but these longer passes will allow for more flexibility and changing circumstances. "This is the next step in our ongoing work to make our public transport ticketing system simpler and fairer for passengers across Victoria," said Minister for Housing Martin Foley today in a statement. The trial will run for 12 months — if it's deemed successful, it's likely that it will continue indefinitely. And, hopefully, be introduced in other states.
Spending more time at home is much easier to stomach with a hefty range of desserts on hand, or at least that seems to be Gelato Messina's long-running pandemic motto. The gelato chain keeps spoiling our tastebuds with specials, with everything from decadent cookie pies to 40 of its best flavours and full tubs of its indulgent limited-edition desserts on offer over the past year or so. It has also whipped up its own take on that vanilla and chocolate-layered ice cream cake everyone considered the height of extravagance as a child, too — and now it's bringing that tasty take on Viennetta back for another round. If you've been indulging your sweet tooth as a coping mechanism lately — frozen desserts were subject to strict item limits last March, so plenty of folks clearly went big on sugary comfort food — then consider yourself primed for this super-fancy version of the nostalgic favourite. It's another of Messina's limited releases, with tubs of the rippled gelato creation available at all its stores for a very short period. There's a twist this time, however, with this Messinetta (as Messina calls its Viennetta) also inspired by its take on Golden Gaytimes. If you've tried a scoop of the brand's popular Have a Gay Old Time flavour, then imagine that, but turned into Viennetta. This limited-time-only dessert combines layers of caramel and milk gelato, then covers it with chocolate-covered biscuit crumbs, and finally tops it all with ripples of vanilla and caramel chantilly cream. And yes, the end result looks like the dessert you know and love, but in a caramel colour for a change. The latest release in Messina's new 'Hot Tub' series, the Have a Gay Old Time Messinetta can only be ordered online at 9am on Monday, August 2, with a one-litre tub setting you back $35. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, August 6–Sunday, August 8. If you're in Sydney, just remember that you'll now need to be headed to a store within ten kilometres of your house. Gelato Messina's Have a Gay Old Time Messinetta tubs will be available to order at 9am on Monday, August 2, for pick up between Friday, August 6–Sunday, August 8 from all stores except The Star — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
Forget the plastic tablecloths and lazy Susans that you might find at many other BYO joints in the Valley; the decor at Vietnam House is as fresh as the food. Exposed brick walls, polished wooden floors and modern fixtures create an edgy dining space and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you make it your first stop on a night out with friends or a quick weeknight meal because you haven't done groceries, the menu is packed with choices and will have you coming back for more. The menu is extensive but standouts for appetisers include salt and pepper squid ($8.95) — you'll taste the first plate, fall in love and order a second, I guarantee — as well as san choy bow ($15.95) and rice paper rolls ($8.95). The flavours are fresh and the meals appear on your table before you've settled in to your first glass of wine. When it comes to mains, choice becomes even more difficult as you scan the many pages of the menu. Duck with chilli and basil sauce ($22.95), combination stir-fried noodles ($17.95), and sizzling Mongolian beef ($19.95) are merely three great options among many. The restaurant is fully licensed with a wine list specifically designed to complement the meals; however, if you wish to BYO it will cost you $10 for a bottle of wine or six-pack of beer/cider.
Maybe you love croissants. Perhaps you can't go past a pain au chocolat. If it's a pastry and it has a French history, it could just get your tastebuds melting. If any of these apply and you've been in the vicinity of Sanctuary Cove since 2022, then you might've enjoyed Rise Bakery's wares. Now, Brisbanites can tuck in without the trip to the Gold Coast. Next stop: Portside Wharf. When this riverside stretch announced that big changes were in the works back in late 2022, complete with exciting new eateries on the way, the precinct wasn't kidding around. Also last year, the restaurateur behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Massimo Restaurant, Yamas Greek + Drink and George's Paragon revealed plans to open a seafood venue, Fosh, at the Hamilton spot. That'll come in August, and the Gold Coast's Rosé Gelateria has also set up shop — and now so has Rise. After their pastries quickly proved a hit on the coast, French-born chef pâtissier Adrien Marcinowski and fellow chef Maxime Bournazel have now done what plenty of popular eateries on the Glitter Strip did in the past: capitalised upon that success by expanding up to Brisbane. This is the first Brissie outpost for the company, with customers able to pick up artisanal bread as well. At the moment, however, Rise's Portside venue is doing takeaways and serving just a limited in-store menu as it gears up for a full official opening in August. Both now and in the future, the chain is serving up its bites in a space spanning across 75 square meters indoors, plus an extra 80 square metres over an al fresco terrace — to make the most of the waterfront location. Even better: Rise Bakery's Portside venue features a champagne bar for sips over croissants and cakes. "Our Portside Wharf store menu will give people a taste of everyday French life with items made fresh daily, using recipes our team have learned while training back home in Europe," said Bournazel. "Some customer favourites from our menu include buttery croissants, pain au chocolat, delicate pastries and artisan bread. We also have a selection of drinks to suit every occasion, including premium organic Tavalon tea to enjoy with pastries, a speciality coffee mix from local-based Bear Bones Coffee and, true to French tradition, an extensive wine list with boutique champagnes." Marcinowski and Bournazel were drawn to Portside because it reminded them of the French Riviera, with the design and decor of Rise's new white- and pink-hued location nodding in the same direction. "Growing up in France, many cherished memories made during child and adulthood are created when visiting pâtisseries and boulangeries with loved ones," added Marcinowski. "Through Rise Bakery, we wanted to recreate this experience, encompassing not just the flavours but also the entire sensory experience — from the beautifully designed space to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. We look forward to introducing Brisbane customers to Rise Bakery and providing them with an authentic boulangerie and salon de thé experience at Portside Wharf." [caption id="attachment_778600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Find Rise Bakery at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — open 7am–4pm daily.
UPDATE, MARCH 2, 2022: Due to flooding in Brisbane, Ocean Film Festival World Tour's 2022 stop at Brisbane Powerhouse has been postponed until Thursday, June 16–Saturday, June 18, 2022. This article has been updated to reflect that change. There's something oh-so-relaxing about staring at the sea, even if you're feasting your eyes on the water via the big screen. That's the concept behind the Ocean Film Festival Australia. You can't always spend all your time at the beach, by the river or in a pool — but you can spend an evening peering at the next best thing in a cinema. From Thursday, June 16–Saturday, June 18, the festival will unleash a cinematic feast of water-focused wonders onto the silver screen at Brisbane Powerhouse. Sessions screen at 7pm each night, and there's a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday as well. Film-wise, viewers will spend time both above and below the ocean's surface thanks to a compilation of shorts from around the world. Expect to chase big waves, explore a range of sea life and get a hefty ocean rush, plus a heap of other sea adventures. The program is united by a love of the ocean, an appreciation of the creatures who dwell in its waters and a curiosity to explore the substance that comprises more than two-thirds of the earth. It's the next best thing to diving in, all without getting wet. [caption id="attachment_840734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Kowitz[/caption]
2016 might now seem like a lifetime ago, but it's when the very first Holey Moley started pairing pop culture-themed putt-putt courses and cocktails in Australia — right here in Brisbane, in fact. Since then, the OTT chain has spread across the Sunshine State and interstate, including opening a second Brissie spot in the Wintergarden in 2019. There's always room for more places to tap, tap, tap and sip, sip, sip, though. To the delight of northsiders, Brisbane will score a third Holey Moley come November, setting up its greens at Chermside shopping centre. If you're known to pick up your Christmas presents at the huge Gympie Road spot, consider this an extra-festive piece of news — because this year's browsing and buying can now include a mini golf break. Holey Moley Chermside won't be small, catering to 350 people when it launches on Friday, November 18. Patrons will play their way around 18 holes, channelling their inner Happy Gilmore before hitting the Caddyshack bar. If you've been to the chain before, you know the general setup, vibe and menu — it'll just be in a different location. Those courses will include four new designs that've been exclusively tailored for the Chermside venue: Surfs Up, Dart Board, Moonshot and the Mini Sonic Loophole. They'll be joined by a heap of the brand's well-known decor from other venues, however, such as The Simpsons' Evergreen Terrace and The Flintstones' Bedrock n Roll. And, some holes will take their cues from Brisbane and its weather; 'tis the place for it, after all. At the bar, expect an 80s and 90s theme, as well as creative concoctions and stomach-lining bites to eat. Again, well-known faves like the Sugar Caddy and Rub a Dub Tub cocktails will be on offer — the latter served in a tiny bath tub that even has rubber ducks floating in it — while the snacks lineup will feature ingredients sourced from local Australian producers. When it opens, the Chermside Holey Moley will mark the sixth site in Brisbane for Funlab, the company behind it (and Strike Bowling, Archie Brothers and B Lucky & Sons), as well as the ninth in Queensland. Find Holey Moley Chermside at Chermside shopping centre, on the corner Gympie and Hamilton roads, Chermside, from Friday, November 18. Images: Eugene Hyland.
In 2009 Phoenix Keating, at the young age of 17, was immediately put into the fashion spotlight when his first collection caught the eye of music icon Lady Gaga. And he became a legend in 2011 when Lady Gaga wore two of Keating's outfits at her spontaneous show in Sydney. His designs are unique and striking, mixtures of classic and avant-garde with a touch of vintage flare. Since then, Keating has gathered quite the media following and his career has quickly developed into a successful label. His debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia without a doubt took Keating's label to the next level. Keating's sophisticated, dramatic and powerful designs contradict his age and the low-key, relaxed attitude of many other Australian designers. Keating has brought a new drama to the Australian fashion industry, similar to that of Europe's industry. Some fashion experts even say that the industry is looking much more promising because of Keating. His response to this? Surprise! And gratitude. We chat to Keating about fashion, success at a (absurdly) young age, the outer space/spaghetti western nexus and Lady Gaga. What was it like preparing for your first solo show? It was incredibly nerve-racking. I wasn't sure what people were going to think of the collection. I'm still not sure what people are going to think of the collection. And I was a big perfectionist, to my team's dismay for this collection. But it was so great to have the support of my team. What was your inspiration behind the collection shown today? The story from today's collection, well, it's about an alien who comes to Earth and is trying to blend in. She can only study humans through film so she studies a lot of films. She stumbles across spaghetti western films, like Clint Eastwood films. And she becomes obsessed, absolutely obsessed by these films. She also becomes obsessed with Clint Eastwood. So she does herself up in a western way, she's taken a bit from the '40s and a bit from the '50s, [but] she comes to Earth and she looks a bit off. She's trying to look human but she's not really looking too human. The collection develops and then it's about her journey to find Clint Eastwood. And when she finds Clint Eastwood, she is a little bit let down because he dismisses her. And when he does this she becomes completely evil. So the colour scheme of the collection goes from white to black and I've developed these big black shapes. So,what I did with this collection is take the western and really modernise it and I made it alien — so it's alien western I guess you could say. It's about how no matter which worlds we can travel to and no matter how advanced we've become we can still feel that deep pain and deep sorrow. That's so interesting. Does each collection have a background story like that? Every single collection I've done. How does it feel to be done with your debut? It's bittersweet and it's also lovely. What are your next steps now that the show is over? Next collection! I've started to design it but nothing too solid yet. So, you emerged as a designer in 2009. Do you feel your artistic style has changed or evolved since then? It's a lot more cohesive than before. I'm not doing things in a rushed fashion like I used to. And I think it's just me growing as a designer, I finish things now. How would you describe your signature look as a designer? I just feel like I juxtapose. I take opposites and make them work together. I love vintage and I love past eras. I love Lauren Bacall and I love Audrey Hepburn. I always get my inspiration from those types of women but I take it somewhere modern and quite new and fresh. You're only 21, but many fashion experts and writers say that you have the talent of a designer twice your age, what do you think about that? I'm very passionate about what I do and I think that reflects in my work. It hasn't just been a two-minute affair with fashion; it's been a prevalent thing for many, many, many, many years. In high school all I did was sit there and draw, and I guess I knew that I had something from that age on. Everything I designed from then on I look at now. I think it's just something that I really, really love to do. So, fashion has been prevalent in your life for quite some time. When did you know that you wanted to be a designer? At the age of 13. I wanted to be an actor before then and I don't know why but my dreams were dashed. And I don't know why I did it, but I made a dress for my year eight project and I just fell in love with the way it looked. It was like a '50s dress and it was pretty cool actually. I fell in love with it (designing clothes) then. Your career seemed to skyrocket after Lady Gaga was seen wearing your clothing in 2011. How has your career developed since Lady Gaga? Undoubtedly she has propelled me much faster then I would have on my own. I probably owe this to her right now. I probably owe this show to her right now. I have a great deal of respect for her helping me and helping other young designers around the world. It's priceless and it helps so much!
One of soccer's biggest events is heading Down Under, with the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 unleashing a month of fierce global competition across Australia and New Zealand this winter. There's no shortage of ways to celebrate the tournament, including heading to matches, barracking for the local squads, donning team colours head to toe, watching along at the pub or turning your couch into World Cup central. Here's another: hitting up the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, June 25. For one morning only, to celebrate 25 days until the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 kicks off, the Harbour City's famous structure will close to traffic and open to soccer festivities instead. Whether you're keen for a kick, run, jog or dance across the iconic roadway, or to be in the company of local and international football legends, this'll be an event like no other. At a festival of football that's been dubbed the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge Unity Celebration, the fun will start from 6am, running until 8.45am. Exactly what the lineup will entail hasn't yet been revealed — or who those soccer stars will be — but there'll be activities and activations linked to the Women's World Cup, music from participating nations, and grassroots football and multicultural communities coming together. If you do want to take the invitation to dance across the bridge literally, that's encouraged. In fact, there'll even be a 'unity beat' for you to bust out your best moves to. Folks eager to head along will need to book in a free spot in advance, with registrations open now. "Football unites the world," said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, announcing the World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge Unity Celebration. "The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the perfect setting to rally and unite our communities and create an enticing and distinctive experience that truly goes beyond greatness!" The tournament itself runs from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20, with Sydney hosting at least 11 matches, including the Australian team's opener against the Republic of Ireland and the final a month later. Games will also be played in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, as well as Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Hamilton. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge Unity Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 25 on the Sydney Harbour Bridge — and registrations for tickets are open now. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 runs from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20 across Australia and New Zealand, with tickets available from the FIFA website. Images: Destination NSW.
Being a fan of the world game means adjusting to world time zones, especially if you're keen to watch Australia's national women's soccer team take on the globe. When the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup took place Down Under, it was a rare tournament friendly to Aussie schedules. The 2024 Paris Olympics definitely don't fall into that category. Set your alarms, Matildas obsessives: the Tillies have qualified to chase a gold medal, but their first three games are all at 3am Australian time. The squad plays Germany, Zambia and the United States in the group stage. Their schedule from there depends on the results, aka if they make it through to the next rounds. First up is the Germany match on Friday, July 26 Aussie time. Then, come Monday, July 29, Zambia awaits. After that, on Thursday, August 1, the Matildas will take on the US. While they're competing at the Paris Olympics, none of these three games are actually in the City of Light. Instead, the first and third matches are in Marseille, while the second takes the Tillies to Nice. If you're watching along at home, Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport are your viewing destinations. Given the hour, that's definitely your cosiest option. But if you're keen to head out to watch the matches with a crowd, you do have some options thanks to Olympics live sites around the nation — although most won't be screening the action quite that early, so you'll be catching replays. In Sydney, the Tumbalong Park Sound Shell is your Olympics viewing spot, albeit only running from 12–11pm daily. In Melbourne, Federation Square is devoting its big screen to the games, normally running from 12–10pm daily but also showing the Tillies live — but you'll need to register for the latter. In Brisbane, head to South Bank; however, the screens will only be on from 6.30am–midnight. Yagan Square Amphitheatre in Perth will be celebrating green and gold from 7am–midnight. Some Westfield shopping centres are also getting into the action in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. As the entire country has known for months, Sam Kerr is injured — and, unlike at the Women's World Cup, isn't in the team as a result. But the squad is filled with high-profile names, including Steph Catley donning the captain's armband, plus Ellie Carpenter and Emily van Egmond as vice captains. Also in France representing the nation: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Cortnee Vine, Claire Wheeler and Tameka Yallop among the forwards and midfielders; Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Kaitlyn Torpey among the defenders; and Mackenzie Arnold and Teagan Micah as goalkeepers. Sharn Freier, Lydia Williams, Charlotte Grant and Courtney Nevin are the travelling alternates — and Williams is retiring from international football following the Olympics. The Matildas Group-Stage Matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics: Friday, July 26 — v Germany at 3.00am AEST Monday, July 29 — v Zambia at 3.00am AEST Thursday, August 1 — v United States at 3.00am AEST The Matildas' Paris 2024 Olympics matches place from Friday, July 26 Australian time — and you can watch via Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport. Images: Tiffany Williams, Football Australia.
A scroll through your social media feeds can often leave you feeling like you're the only one not on holidays. While you're doing the same old nine-to-five slog, there are your peers inconsiderately boasting about all of the worldly arts and culture (and food) they're consuming. But, as it happens, you don't need to fork out the big bucks for a plane ticket to see some of the world's most important artworks. Come October, the Art Gallery of NSW will launch its next major exhibition Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage. It'll see 65 artworks from some of the early 20th century's most revered artists — think Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso and Gauguin, plus their celebrated Russian contemporaries Malevich and Kandinsky — drawn extensively from St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum. This landmark exhibition focuses on a revolutionary era in art history when these now legendary artists "freed themselves from tradition" and began to imagine art in previously untold vibrant, innovative and abstract ways. The collection acts a self-contained timeline tracking this defining period, with highlights including Monet's Poppy Field (1890), Picasso's Table in a Café (1912) and Kandinsky's Landscape near Dünaberg (1913). The exhibition also delves into the lives of visionary Russian art collectors Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov — more than two-thirds of the exhibition has been drawn from their art collections. Realising the potential of the French modern masters, from the beginning of the 20th century, both Shchukin and Morozov acquired many of today's most acclaimed artworks. The Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage is half of the 2018/19 Sydney International Art Series, with the Museum of Contemporary Art's David Goldblatt making up the other half. Master of Modern Art from the Hermitage will run from Saturday, October 13, 2018 to Sunday, March 3, 2019. You can purchase tickets now from the Art Gallery of NSW website. We also have double passes to the exhibition to give away. To enter, see below. [competition]687134[/competition] Images: Paul Cézanne 'Fruit' 1879-1880. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Claude Monet France 1840–1926 'Poppy field' 1890/91. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Pavel Demidov and Konstantin Sinyavsky; Henri Matisse 'Game of bowls' 1908. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Vladimir Terebenin and H Matisse/Copyright Agency; Wassily Kandinsky 'Landscape: Dünaberg near Murnau' 1913. Courtesy The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg and Vladimir Terebenin.
Blending the work of a modern-day superstar and some of Japan's most renowned historical artists, Japan Supernatural is the Art Gallery of New South Wales' latest blockbuster exhibition. The exhibition features 180 works drawn from collections around the world — an eclectic mix of paintings, traditional woodblock prints, animation work and sculptures — which each delve into the Japanese folktales that continue to influence pop-culture today. The exhibition's headline act is contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, a dazzling spectacle of an artist that shines almost as bright as his massive works of art. Famous for his paintings and sculptures that incorporate motifs from both traditional and popular Japanese culture, at Japan Supernatural, Murakami debuts an enormous ten-metre-wide mural that depicts folk stories, anime characters and a litter of other cultural references. Running until March 8, 2020, the exhibition features work by other modern-day legends, such as the late manga artist Mizuki Shigeru and contemporary artist Taro Yamamoto. Meanwhile, there are also works by seminal artists from a bygone age, including Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Kawanabe Kyosai. Presented as part of the 2019–20 Sydney International Art Series, Japan Supernatural also includes an array of public events. Just some of the special happenings on offer include a rare lecture by Murakami, a retrospective of global horror cinema, a festival showcasing beloved Studio Ghibli films and a Japanese summer art school. With so many ways to explore the AGNSW's newest exhibition, don't miss your chance to discover the stories and magical creatures behind Japan Supernatural. [caption id="attachment_749854" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An installation view of the exhibition Japan Supernatural at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW/Jenni Carter.[/caption] TAKASHI MURAKAMI: JAPAN SUPERNATURAL The full title of Murakami's mural, Japan Supernatural: Vertiginous After Staring at the Empty World Too Intensely, I Found Myself Trapped in the Realm of Lurking Ghosts and Monsters, is quite the mouthful. But you'll likely find your mouth agape once you set your eyes upon this huge undertaking. Stretching ten-metres wide and three high, the colourful mural features an arrangement of various images drawn from ukiyo-e prints, which were reproduced by Murakami's 350 employees back at his bustling studio in Tokyo. Made from 502 silkscreens, Japan Supernatural is the largest single work to enter the gallery's international collection, which depicts demons from Japanese folklore battling it out with samurai beneath the spirit of a massive cat. KENTARO YOSHIDA: NIGHT PROCESSION OF THE HUNDRED DEMONS The first work you'll encounter as you arrive at Japan Supernatural is that of Sydney-based artist and illustrator, Kentaro Yoshida. Born in a small fishing village in Japan, Yoshida heard many of Japan's popular folk stories as a child, learning about a world of ghosts, spirits and demons. His mural takes inspiration from these tales, specifically the centuries-old legend Night procession of the hundred demons (Hyakki Yagyō). It was created in four sections and positioned at the gallery's entrance court — if you download the Artivive app (via Apple or Google Play), you can experience the stunning creation with an augmented reality twist. [caption id="attachment_749467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Mitsukuni defies the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha' 1845–46 by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, British Museum, donated by American Friends of the British Museum fromthe collection of Prof Arthur R Miller. Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum[/caption] UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI: MITSUKUNI DEFIES THE SKELETON SPECTRE CONJURED UP BY PRINCESS TAKIYASHA Considered one of the last masters of ukiyo-e printing and painting, Utagawa Kuniyoshi was also known for being incredibly prolific. Throughout his expansive career during the 19th-century, Kuniyoshi created some of the style's most popular prints featuring everything from warriors and ghosts to satire and erotica. Loaned from the British Museum, one of Kuniyoshi's celebrated works, Mitsukuni defies the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha, is a striking triptych woodblock print telling a well-known tale about revenge. Kuniyoshi's art fell from relevance for many years until it was rediscovered in the 1920s, with his work going on to become some of the best known from the Edo period. TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI: NEW FORMS OF THIRTY-SIX GHOSTS Published between 1889 and 1892, New forms of thirty-six ghosts is perhaps Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's most acclaimed series. Highlighting numerous characters from ancient Japanese and Chinese folktales, it was also the final major woodblock collection he would ever produce. Having lived through many years of Japanese societal uncertainty, Yoshitoshi's work often focused on violence and conflict. But later in his career, his prints became much more reflective, capturing some of his own personal struggles. With this series drawn from the AGNSW's own collection of Japanese art, Yoshitoshi is often credited as the godfather of contemporary manga and anime. UTAGAWA YOSHITSUYA: SHUTEN-DOJI AT OEYAMA Utagawa Kuniyoshi was responsible for tutoring many of Japan's greatest woodblock artists, but few were as special as Utagawa Yoshitsuya. Emerging in the late Edo period, the political instability of the time led to artists being banned from illustrating performers in their work. Instead, Kuniyoshi focused on creating images of powerful warriors, as well as tattoo designs that he became famous for during the 1840s and 50s. This colour print highlights a well-known story where the popular hero Minamoto Yorimitsu slays the ogre Shuten-doji in his mountain lair at Oeyama, a part of modern-day Kyoto. Japan Supernatural is on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until March 8, 2020. Head to the website to grab your tickets. Top images: An installation view of the exhibition Japan Supernatural at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW/Jenni Carter.
What looks like it takes its design cues from The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Shining's Overlook Hotel and Willy Wonka's chocolate factory? What gives the escape-room concept a game-fuelled twist and drips with nostalgia as well? What also combines all of the above with booze for the ultimate in kidulting fun? And, what marks the latest Queensland venue for Funlab, the company behind Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, and B Lucky and Sons? Actually, another question: what's now open in Surfers Paradise, and wants you to play and sip your way through it over summer? The answer: Hijinx Hotel, Funlab's adult-focused twist on sleuthing your way through various spaces with a beverage or several in your hand. Instead of escaping here, patrons here hit up challenges. Making its Queensland debut on the Gold Coast first opening in Sydney midyear, the new venue spans ten game rooms filled with entertaining things to do. That includes a ball toss room, one dedicated to television, another that's all about basketball and yet another that's devoted to Rubik's cubes. Basically, the whole concept is a bar decked out like a hotel, but getting attendees to complete challenges rather than get a-slumbering in its various spaces. It also gleans inspiration from all those supremely Instagrammable pop-up installations that include ball pits, but this one is sticking around southeast Queensland permanently. And, it boasts bars for cocktail-drinking opportunities, nods to New York hotels in its facade, and just generally overflows with homages to movies and board games from the 80s and 90s. Shaking off your regular routine is clearly the name of the game here, and partying like you would've before you were old enough to drink alcohol — but with the hard stuff definitely on offer. That all starts when you enter via the faux hotel lobby bar, which is full of colour and surrealist touches. Instead of merely checking in, though, that's where you'll find cocktails. As for the not-quite-hotel rooms themselves, you gain access by heading to reception t0 pick up a swipe card. As well as the aforementioned activities, Sydney faves such as the Adore-a-ball, Scrambled, Threenicorn and candy ball pit rooms have been replicated in Surfers. And, yes, the Big-style piano room with a giant keyboard across the floor is included here as well. Open since December 2022, Hijinx Hotel has company at its Piazza on the Boulevard home, underneath Cali Beach on Elkhorn Ave in Surfers Paradise, as part of a 3279-square-metre precinct with a capacity for 410 guests. Fellow Funlab brands Holey Moley and Archie Brothers have also opened their doors, for tapping around 18 pop culture-themed greens and getting a sideshow experience. In total, the entire space — encompassing Hijinx Hotel, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers — features 72 arcade machines, six bowling lanes, ten game rooms and 18 holes of golf. Also a highlight: those three bars serving up creative cocktails, and breaking up all that kidulting.
If your "new year, new you" thinking has already started as 2024 approaches, you might be justifying your end-of-year excesses during the festive season by making a health kick one of your New Year's resolutions. IKEA wants to assist. Sure, walking around its stores is already a workout, but the Swedish retailer is going a step further by releasing its first-ever fitness range — on Monday, January 1, 2024, of course. So, gyms aren't for you, but you'd like to get active and you need some equipment to help? The DAJLIEN collection features exercise mats, ring dumbbells, step-up boards and more. Indeed, the whole aim of the range is making working out accessible for wherever suits you to get sweaty — and making it a part of your everyday routine. The collection's moniker is the Swedish word for daily, in case you need a reminder that fitness should be more than a now-and-then thing. IKEA designed the limited-edition range by exploring how folks workout at home, even doing visits in New York, Chicago, London and Shanghai. Factoring into the end products: issues surrounding space, time, motivation and exercise gear not fitting in with home decor. Some items also double as storage, and others are meant to be both practical and stylish. When the collection drops in-store and online, prices will span from $6–149, with hand towels the cheapest items and a bench with storage that can also work as a coffee table the most expensive. You can also pick up belt bags, massage balls, bath ponchos, air purifiers, slippers, blankets, trolleys and valet stands, with the range's colour scheme including dark and light green, yellow and white — plus bamboo. If some of the above items don't sound like they'll help you when you're actually exercising, that's because the recovery process and just stress relief in general are also covered by the DAJLIEN collection. "Not everyone feels safe or comfortable going to a gym, and at home we often deal with small space and time constraints. DAJLIEN was born from the desire to find smart solutions that address these limitations, and help people create a convenient and motivating place for exercise," explained IKEA Designer Sarah Fager. "We wanted to create smart, beautiful products to inspire and redefine training as a fun, easy and natural everyday activity." "DAJLIEN is all about supporting movement and helping people live more active lives at home. We have designed a collection that helps bridge the gap between home and active life, that recognises that training can take many shapes and forms — and that you don't need a lot of space to do a simple workout,"added fellow IKEA Designer Akanksha Deo. IKEA's DAJLIEN collection goes on sale across Australia, in stores and online, from Monday, January 1, 2024 — until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
The crew behind Grange in South Bank has relocated, bringing the bikes and brew setup to the Paddington space formerly occupied by Atticus Finch. Setting up shop in this unassuming converted Queenslander, it offers both a fun (and dog-friendly) suburban coffee spot and a fully functioning bike shop and servicing centre. You can bring your bike in for a tune-up and enjoy one of the brews from Sunday's Coffee Co — artisan roasters from the Sunshine Coast — while you wait. Of course, you can pop in sans bike to kick back at the casual coffee bar or relax al fresco while sipping your brew of choice alongside a fresh pastry or slice from the cake cabinet. For something more substantial, grab special quiche of the day, a toastie or a wrap to go. It even has doggy treats on-hand for your furry friend. Images: Kiel Wode
Your dream plans for 2025 can now include jetting off to Japan, Hawaii, Bali, South Korea, Thailand, Vanuatu, Singapore and New Zealand, then flying home for free — or, holidaying in Australia while scoring the same deal for getaways to Hamilton Island, Uluru, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and more. For Black Friday 2024, Jetstar has brought back its popular 'return for free' sale. You buy a ticket to your vacation destination, then the carrier covers the cost of you coming home. This time around, in this year's biggest 'return for free' sale, the airline is doing discounted flights across Australia and to a range of international destinations, including to Tokyo, Osaka, Honolulu, Bangkok, Phuket, Seoul, Auckland and Queenstown. Wherever you'd like to head, the key part of this sale is making your way back without paying for the return flight, which'll also make your holiday oh-so-much cheaper. Running from 12am AEDT on Friday, November 29 1–11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, December 1, or until sold out if that happens earlier — with Jetstar members getting an extra 12 hours to access the sale from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, November 28 — it really is as straightforward as it sounds. Whatever flights you opt for as part of the sale, you'll get the return fare for nothing. Prices obviously vary depending on where you're flying from and to, but some include Brisbane to Tokyo from $373, Sydney to Osaka from the same price, Melbourne to Bali from $219, Perth to Singapore from $165, Sydney to Port Vila from $209, Melbourne to Honolulu from $316 and Sydney to Seoul from $349. Domestic fares span deals such as Sydney to Ballina/Byron from $42, Sydney to Melbourne from $51, Melbourne to Hobart from $67, Sydney to Hamilton Island from $109, Melbourne to Uluru from $115 and Perth to Cairns from $189, You'll be travelling within Australia from mid-July to late October 2025, and from mid-February to mid-September 2025 if you're going global. The caveats that are always in place with Jetstar's 'return for free' deal remain this around. So, you need to book an outbound fare, then you'll get the return fare for free — and the deal only applies to Starter fares, and only on selected flights. Also, checked baggage is not included, so you'll want to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. Plus, you have to use the same arrival and departure ports for your flights — which means that you can go from Brisbane to Tokyo and back, for instance, but can't return via another place or to another city. Jetstar's 2024 Black Friday 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEDT on Friday, November 29–11.59pm AEDT Sunday, December 1 — or until sold out prior. Jetstar members get an extra 12 hours access to the sale from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, November 28. 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.
The UK city of Kingston upon Hull (better known as Hull) made big news this weekend as over 3000 locals and visitors walked the streets naked, painted in four different shades of blue. While this sounds like something Tobias Fünke would inadvertently find himself in the middle of, the nudity was all in the name of art — specifically, for New York-based artist, Spencer Tunick's latest installation. The artwork, appropriately titled Sea of Hull, is a celebration of the seaside town and its relationship with the sea. The 3200 blue participants, which came from 20 countries, traipsed across many of the city's most historic sites for installation and photographing. They even posed on the Scale Lane Bridge, an award-winning swing bridge that crosses the River Hull. The installation is the largest of its kind to be staged in the UK, beating Tunick's previous installations in Gateshead (2005) and Salford (2010). A photo posted by The Best Picture of the Day (@zumapress) on Jul 10, 2016 at 12:09pm PDT A photo posted by La Vanguardia (@lavanguardia) on Jul 9, 2016 at 9:53am PDT Tunick's newest piece was commissioned by Hull's Ferens Art Gallery, who will highlight this piece in their 2017 program. Next year will be a big one for the city, as Hull has once again secured the bid for UK City of Culture, which they also hosted in 2013. The award is given every four years to a city that demonstrates the belief in the power of culture, and Hull City Council is promising to deliver a 365-day program of transformative cultural activity in 2017. Having staged over 90 installations, Tunick's art has encouraged mass nakedness worldwide, including his nude shoot for diversity in front of the Sydney Opera House back in 2010. Other such locations — apart from New York, of course — include the Dead Sea, Mexico City and Cleveland, Ohio. Via SMH.
Tennis is a game of serves, shots, slices and smashes, and also of approaches, backhands, rallies and volleys. Challengers is a film of each, too, plus a movie about tennis. As it follows a love triangle that charts a path so back and forth that its ins and outs could be carved by a ball being hit around on the court, it's a picture that takes its aesthetic, thematic and emotional approach from the sport that its trio of protagonists are obsessed with as well. Tennis is everything to Tashi Duncan (Zendaya, Dune: Part Two), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist, West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor, La Chimera), other than the threesome themselves being everything to each other. It's a stroke of genius to fashion the feature about them around the game they adore, then. Metaphors comparing life with a pastime are easy to coin. Movies that build such a juxtaposition into their fabric are far harder to craft. But it's been true of Luca Guadagnino for decades: he's a craftsman. Jumping from one Dune franchise lead to another, after doing Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All with Timothée Chalamet, Guadagnino proves something else accurate that's been his cinematic baseline: he's infatuated with the cinema of yearning. Among his features so far, only in Bones and All was the hunger for connection literal. The Italian director didn't deliver cannibalism in Call Me By Your Name and doesn't in Challengers, but longing is the strongest flavour in all three, and prominent across the filmmaker's Suspiria, A Bigger Splash and I Am Love also. So, combine the idea of styling a movie around a tennis match — one spans its entire duration, in fact — with a lusty love triangle, romantic cravings and three players at the top of their field, then this is the sublime end product. Challengers is so smartly constructed, so well thought-out down to every meticulous detail, so sensual and seductive, and so on point in conveying Tashi plus Art and Patrick's feelings, that it's instantly one of Guadagnino's grand slams. In 2019, the picture's present day — a choice that enables Challengers to avoid everything pandemic-related — Art and Patrick go racquet to racquet in New Rochelle, New York. Pinging in-between their on-the-court confrontation, after they progress through the tournament on opposite sides to clash in the final, are flashes to moments from 2006 onwards. It was in that year, as teen doubles partners known as "Fire and Ice" (and best friends, and childhood tennis academy roommates), that the pair met Tashi. She's as confident when she's not standing on a green surface as she is on it, and on it she's an undoubtable prodigy. They're both immediately attracted to her. They each ask for her number at the same party while all three are together. In Challengers' later timing, however, Art is her husband and Patrick her ex-boyfriend. Art has also enjoyed almost every success that a tennis player can hope for, other than winning the US Open. Completing his career slam is his aim, with the New Rochelle contest about getting him back into form to stop a losing streak. Patrick has to sleep in his car to make the fixture; for him, earning a wildcard to the bigger dance and a chance at the kind of glory his former pal has long been basking in is the mission. The duo hasn't talked in years. The reason: a falling out about matters of the heart. But Challengers doesn't simplistically have its two men battle it out for Tashi as a prize, even when she promises a date to whoever wins their first game against — not with — each other in the mid-00s segments. Tashi is a force to be reckoned with. She'd never let herself become a trophy. Her career is cut short due to injury, sparking a move into coaching Art, and she's as ferocious and strategic there — and in their marriage — as she was when pursuing her own tennis fame. Then there's the inescapable bond between Art and Patrick anyway; Tashi's home-wrecker comments about sliding into the middle of their relationship aren't empty in Guadagnino's hands, whether a three-way kiss or loaded words are being exchanged. The director works with the first feature script by playwright, novelist and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes — and it's no wonder that authenticity beats at the heart of this deeply sultry, raw and evocative (and horny) movie. While this isn't a tale taken from actuality, Kuritzkes is the husband of filmmaker Celine Song, whose Oscar-nominated 2023 debut Past Lives not only leapt into another complicated love triangle but was loosely drawn from her own experiences. The two movies are playing different games, though, yet share the same richness of chemistry, lingering sexual tension, and understanding of how burning love and pining to be seen are life-shaping and -changing sensations. They're each so precisely helmed in their vastly dissimilar ways that they're works of art, and so expertly cast that their stars will always rank the respective flicks as career and performance highlights. Continuing the trend of Spider-Man love interests giving tennis films a whirl (see: Civil War's Kirsten Dunst with Wimbledon, then Poor Things' Emma Stone with Battle of the Sexes), Zendaya doesn't just make Tashi formidable and unforgettable; her portrayal, which is one of her best ever alongside Euphoria, firmly matches. Neither the movie nor its leading lady polish over the character's fierceness and ruthlessness when it comes to her passion, instead exploring what's behind her intensity from the outset: being a Black star who isn't from a comfortable background in a world that's all about whiteness and privilege. She's magnetic to viewers, and to Art and Patrick, who are brought to the screen with romanticism and vulnerability by Faist, and with spirited but comfortable charm by O'Connor. Challengers loiters at the net, where two sides are pushed together — not as any balls bounce through the bouts depicted, but in unpacking every pairing that can be made from its main trio, racial and economic divides that definte their realities, and the thin line that can become a vast chasm regarding genuinely grasping your dreams versus forever chasing them. As it hops and rushes about — including between time periods, characters, games and romances — Challengers zips and zings, and lunges and thrusts. Guadagnino's knack for immersion keeps working up the bracket film by film, to hypnotic effect here. There's no Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives or Memoria dreaminess to cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom's lensing, but the same crispness, as seen in his work on Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria as well, remains. New for Challengers is the dynamism of the sports scenes, and of switching from character to ball vantages, each absorbing visual choices. Marco Costa, who returns from Bones and All, edits just as energetically. And amid songs by Donna Summer, Lily Allen and Nelly, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' second Guadagnino score, also after Bones and All, is an adrenaline-dripping disco and electronica whirlwind that couldn't better set and reflect the propulsive mood. Talk about an all-round ace.
Australians looking to travel to New Zealand must consider the current COVID-19 advice. For information on quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub. You don't need to ski or snowboard to have a great time on New Zealand's powder-topped slopes. Alpine resorts across the country have a huge variety of other snow-based activities to choose from during the magical winter months. All you have to decide is whether you'd rather take a high-performance vehicle around a snow-covered race track, drive your own team of sled dogs, or ride a high-speed gondola through the clouds. FLOOR IT AROUND A SNOW-COVERED RACE TRACK Ice Driving is considered the ultimate winter driving challenge. The tyre-sliding experience invites anyone with a drivers licence and a wad of cash to jump in the hot seat and hoon around more than 40 hectares of snow-capped alps. It happens in the deep south from July to August every year with participants invited to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle on a snow-covered race track. The experience is held at the iconic Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds on Mount Pisa, which sits 1500 metres above sea level between Queenstown and Wanaka. The snow track is the winter test centre used to test cars around the world. It's suitable for groups of ten and up who are keen to learn what it takes to drift around a snow circle, weave around a slalom course and bury the accelerator on ice. TUBE DOWN A 150-METRE SLOPE IN TEKAPO Tekapo Springs is the nerve centre for alternative winter activities in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin. Open from June until mid-September, the snow tubing park is just one attraction on offer, taking thrill-seekers on a slippery ride down a 150-metre slope. And there's no uphill walking involved once you're ready for another run — simply hop aboard the magic carpet back to the top. Once you've completed your one-hour tubing session, there's plenty to keep you occupied at the resort. Hit the outdoor ice rink, unwind in the on-site sauna and steam room, or soak in stunning lake and mountain views from one of three hot pools. [caption id="attachment_757146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism New Zealand.[/caption] RIDE NEW ZEALAND'S NEWEST, LONGEST AND FASTEST GONDOLA Riding Mt Ruapehu's newly opened Sky Waka will take you on a journey into the clouds. Called New Zealand's largest and most technically advanced gondola, the high-speed Sky Waka travels 1.8 kilometres in just five minutes above the snow-capped terrain of Whakapapa. From the Top of the Bruce base station you'll traverse over icy waterfalls and ancient lava flows and catch a glimpse of Ruapehu and its neighbouring volcanoes, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, through the floor to ceiling windows. Touch down will bring you to the award-winning Knoll Ridge Chalet where a selection of dining options await. DRIVE YOUR OWN TEAM OF SLED DOGS Cardrona's home of cross-country skiing is also where you can carve trails with a pack of friendly malamutes and huskies. UnderDog New Zealand has been practising the northern tradition of dogsledding in the Southern Alps since 2013, and allows visitors to drive their very own team of dogs or sit back and enjoy the ride. Exhilarating experiences start from $255 and range from one-hour high country journeys to after-dark runs and full-blown overnight stays. SNOWSHOE TO A SECLUDED BACKCOUNTRY HUT Snowshoeing is nearly as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. At Cardrona Valley's Snow Farm you can make a night of your winter adventure by trekking to a backcountry hut in the Pisa Ranges. Overnight snowshoe rental and the trail pass will set you back $29, while a spot in one of the secluded huts starts from $35. There are three to choose from: Meadow, Bob Lee and Daisy Lee. While each features a gas cooker and log burner, the former has room for 20 people. All you need to bring is food, drinks, a sleeping bag and your overnight things. For those who haven't been to a backcountry hut before, don't expect electricity and running water. WHIP AROUND THE MOUNTAIN ON A SNOWMOBILE Queenstown Snowmobiles offers the only heli-snowmobiling experience in New Zealand. The company has access to trails and backcountry riding, only by way of helicopter. The snowmobiles are easy to operate and no previous experience is required. Each wilderness tour is around two and a half hours and includes a 15-minute scenic helicopter flight each way. All of the tours come with an experienced guided and can cater for both individuals and small groups. In no time you'll be cruising across pristine snow at an altitude of up to 6000 feet above sea level. Just don't forget your camera. HAVE LUNCH ON TOP OF A GLACIER An outing with Mount Cook Ski Planes lets you toast the breathtaking beauty of Aoraki National Park with a glass of bubbly. The operator offers a range of experiences through the Southern Alps, including private ski plane flights over snow-capped peaks and chopper excursions to ice caves — which, depending on snow and ice conditions, can be explored with a guide. Once you've taken in all that mountain air, your pilot will land on one of the region's many glaciers for a private picnic on the snow. From there, you'll fly towards Mount Cook to give you a better view of the highest peak in New Zealand.
It just might be Australia's brightest festival, and it's returning to light up Alice Springs once again. That'd be Parrtjima - A Festival In Light, which will deliver its latest annual program in 2022 — between Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 17. It's been a chaotic few years for the radiant fest, after its 2020 event was postponed to September due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions — and after moving to an autumn time slot back in 2019, too. But, following a few years of change and adaptability, Parrtjima will finally mark two consecutive stints in its April dates, after 2021's festival lit up the Red Centre over six months ago. While it's too early to announce the event's lineup just yet, visitors can once again expect a big — and free — ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including an eye-catching array of light installations. That'll all take over Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and yes, the event will dazzle, like it usually does. [caption id="attachment_801811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greg McAdam[/caption] If you haven't yet made the trip and you're wondering what could be in store, this year's Parrtjima included various luminous pieces, such as a 20-metre-long entranceway made out of light tubes of different lengths, an animated sequence of curated artworks projected onto the sands of Alice Springs Desert Park and a train of five illuminated camels. One thing that'll definitely be on the bill in 2022: the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival. Registrations for the 2022 fest have just opened, if you'd like to nab an early spot in line for tickets when they go on sale. Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. If you're keen to start making Parrtjima plans, remember to check out the Northern Territory's COVID-19 border restrictions first. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 8–17, 2022 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Top image: Greg McAdam.
When anyone hits 30, they tend to look backwards — to reminisce, lament leaving their twenties behind and avoid accepting that they've just hit a big milestone birthday. Ministry of Sound marked that occasion this year, and it's also getting nostalgic. The brand that started as a London club night back in 1991 is now set to tour an orchestral show around Australia, in fact, which will be filled with three decades of dance music bangers. If you've ever wanted to hear classical renditions of Basement Jaxx, Darude, Röyksopp, Robin, Underworld, Moby and more — played by an orchestra, and with live vocals — then this is your chance. Dubbed Ministry of Sound Classical, unsurprisingly, the 2022 tour will kick off in Melbourne, before heading to the Gold Coast and Darwin. Those shows all have dates and venues locked in, but more are set to be announced for the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Brisbane. Dance music fans in Perth and Adelaide will also get to listen to orchestral takes on club-filling tunes, but it'll be the second time around for both cities after shows in 2021. The vocalist and support lineup changes in each place, so Melburnians can look forward to hearing Zoë Badwi, Ben Woolner from SAFIA, 'Dreams' vocalist Reigan and Karina Chavez under a big top at Reunion Park — plus Touch Sensitive, Dirty South, Goodwill and John Course — while folks on the Gold Coast will get Miss Connie, Danny Harley from The Kite String Tangle and Reigan, as well as Sneaky Sound System, Touch Sensitive and John Course. As for what you'll be listening to, the list of tunes getting the orchestral treatment also includes songs by Robert Miles, Cafe del Mar, Laurent Garnier, Shapeshifter, Temper Trap and Fisher. And yes, it all sounds a lot like Synthony, which does the same thing — but who doesn't love getting multiple opportunities to hear dance-floor fillers given a classical spin? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ministry of Sound Aus Events (@ministryofsoundeventsau) MINISTRY OF SOUND CLASSICAL TOUR 2022: Saturday, April 9 — Reunion Park, Melbourne Saturday, April 30 — HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Saturday, June 11 — Darwin Amphitheatre Dates TBC — the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide The Ministry of Sound Classical tour will kick off in Melbourne in April 2022, before heading to the Gold Coast, Darwin, the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Brisbane — and doing encore shows in Perth and Adelaide. For further details — and for pre-sale tickets to the Melbourne, Gold Coast and Darwin gigs until 12pm local time on Monday, December 6, or general sales from 12pm local time on Wednesday, December 8 — head to the tour website.
Australia is no stranger to boasting venues on worldwide best bar and restaurant lists. In 2021, four local favourites were named among the 50 best in the world, while two Melbourne spots landed on the longlist for the best restaurants across the globe. Now, another beloved eatery Down Under can now claim to be among the upper echelon of its respective field, with Sydney's Firedoor making an appearance in the top ten of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants rankings for 2022. The renowned Surry Hills spot took out third place, being beaten out by Buenos Aires' Parrilla Don Julio at number two and London's Hawksmoor in first. Anyone with a trip to the US planned for the near future should take note, with Keens in New York and Gibsons Italia in Chicago rounding out the top five. Cut in Beverly Hills came sixth, while Bavette's Steak House in Las Vegas was named in seventh place. And, while Carcasse in Koksijde in Belgium sits in eighth spot and El Capricho in Spain's Jiménez de Jamuz ranked ninth, Nick and Stef's Steakhouse in Los Angeles wrapped up the top ten. Other Australian steak houses could be found further down the list. Narrowly missing the top ten, Rockpool Bar and Grill came in at number 12, while fellow Sydney spots Chophouse and Kingsleys clocked in at numbers 17 and 34 respectively. [caption id="attachment_695230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chophouse[/caption] Still on the local front, while Sydney dominated the top half of the list with four entries, those Harbour City spots weren't the only local venues to make an appearance. Three Melbourne restaurants also placed — Butcher & Vine (#77), Macelleria (#90) and Entrecote (#97). And across the ditch, Auckland's Jervois Steak House popped up at number 65 on the list. Firedoor is the creation of British-born chef Lennox Hastie, who possesses a string of Michelin stars. All the meats on the restaurant's menu are wood-fired and paired with seasonal and locally sourced produce. Reservations at the inner-city spot are notoriously hard to score, opening three months in advance and often snatched up quickly after they become available. If you want to secure a table, you'll have to head online at midday on the first Wednesday of each month. For the full rundown of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants, head to the list's website. Top image: Nikki To
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Brisbane, as happens each year once Halloween ends and November arrives. But come Friday, November 25, for a whole month leading up to the big day, the Brisbane CBD and South Bank will be brimming with festive cheer — whether you're keen on shopping your way through markets, peering at dazzling lights or getting comfy (and merry) with a drink in your hand. Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner have unveiled the lineup of Christmas events that'll be decking out the city's two major inner-city precincts, and it's filled with both beloved returning highlights and new reasons to get merry. Some, like the Enchanted Garden in Roma Street, are popular favourites set to dazzle again — so much so that tickets to see its 22,000 square metres of lights have already sold out. Others, like the 'Tinsel Tavern' and Christmas jazz lounge, are fresh additions to your seasonal itinerary. It all kicks off on Friday, November 25 with the annual lighting of King George Square's 22-metre-tall Christmas tree, as well as the Enchanted Garden's launch. If you missed out on a booking to the latter, mark out most of December in your diary, as that's when the bulk of the rest of the events take place. For nabbing gifts, Brisbane Arcade's two-day Christmas markets, the BrisStyle twilight Christmas markets in King George Square and The Collective Markets' six-day Christmas edition at South Bank all return, joining the city's hefty list of places to browse and buy beyond shopping centres. In the CBD, there'll also be nightly light shows at City Hall, running from 7.30pm–12am from Friday, December 9–Saturday, December 24; daily roving performances in the mall across the same dates; and the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols on Saturday, December 10 at the Riverstage. Or, kick back at the jazz lounge around the Queen Street Mall's stage, with performances by Scat Jazz. South Bank will concentrate its festive fun between Saturday, December 17–Thursday, December 22, including daily pantomime shows, a free Santa photo station at Flowstate, and the return of Christmas Cinema by the river — complete with free double features, with Elf, Last Christmas, Arthur Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Holiday, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Happiest Season among the flicks on the bill. And, the Tinsel Tavern will set up on Little Stanley Street Lawn, serving tipples nightly from 4.30–10pm — and thoroughly saying cheers to the silly season. Brisbane City Council's 2022 Christmas program will take over the Brisbane CBD and South Bank from Friday, November 25–Saturday, December 24. Head to the Visit Brisbane website for further details.
Need a little more spice in your life around Valentine's Day? Gelato Messina has combined forces with the well-loved Asian sauce brand, Lee Kum Kee, to create two bold new flavours. And for one day only this weekend, it's your chance to score free scoops at this Brisbane pop-up. Sure, classic flavours like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are staples for a reason, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment from time to time. After months of testing, Messina and Lee Kum Kee are ready to release their limited-edition flavours into the wild, celebrating Chinese New Year and the power of sugar and spice. Your first option is caramel and soy sauce gelato with Premium Soy Sauce brownies. As decadent as it sounds, Lee Kum Kee's sauce pairs with Messina's signature dulce de leche to take it to even smoother, richer heights. Next, coconut & kaffir lime gelato with peanut topping and Chiu Chow Chili Oil peanut crisps delivers a tangy and refreshing hit. If you're a spice fan, drizzle a little more of this classic sauce on top. Ready to scoop? Get down to Fish Lane from 11.30am–2.30pm on Saturday, February 15 to see what this unexpected collaboration is all about.
It was one of the biggest celebrity scandals of the 90s, and it's now heading back to screens. When a sex tape featuring Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and her then-husband Tommy Lee was stolen from their home in 1995, then leaked online, it fuelled tabloid headlines (and internet downloads) for years and years. Now, the whole saga has been turned into a drama called Pam & Tommy — starring Lily James (The Pursuit of Love) as Anderson and Sebastian Stan (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as the Mötley Crüe drummer. Even better: streaming platform Disney+ is bringing the eight-part show Down Under in February and, after dropping the first teaser for the series in 2021, it has just unveiled the full Pam & Tommy trailer. James obviously dons the red swimsuit that Anderson was so famous for wearing for 76 episodes of everyone's favourite 90s lifeguard drama, because you really couldn't make a series about her without it. Also, given that the focus is squarely on the couple's intimate recording, how it became public, and the impact it had on Anderson and Lee, things clearly get chaotic rather quickly. In both sneak peeks so far, a mullet-wearing duo played by Seth Rogen (An American Pickle) and Nick Offerman (Devs) can't quite believe what they've stumbled across. That's the main focus of the first trailer, alongside Anderson and Lee's reaction when the tape makes its way out into the world — and the second trailer goes big on the latter. Pam & Tommy's stars firmly look the part — calling James' appearance a transformation definitely fits — and the trailer sports an expectedly hectic vibe. Australian-born director Craig Gillespie has jumped into larger-than-life true tales before with I, Tonya, so he's in somewhat familiar territory. He also keeps being drawn to decades gone by: the 90s here and in I, Tonya, the 80s in aerobics-focused dark comedy series Physical, and the 70s in 2021's live-action Cruella as well. Disney+ will start streaming Pam & Tommy in Australia and New Zealand from Wednesday, February 2, dropping the first three episodes on that date and then streaming the rest week-to-week afterwards. Yes, there's something to add to your 2022 must-see TV list. Check out the full Pam & Tommy trailer below: Pam & Tommy will start screening via Disney+ Down Under from Wednesday, February 2.
This neighbourhood eatery in Paddington was once called Shouk Cafe. One of its biggest fans, who used to be a guest at Shouk, has taken over the old Queenslander to run transform it into Naïm — now, six years later, the owner B.J. Wall runs the venue alongside co-owner, Vince Estacio. Their friendship and love of food has remained a constant. Estacio was formerly a chef at Michelin-starred restaurant, Mourad, and he brings his contemporary take on Middle Eastern cuisine to Naïm. One of the stand-out dishes is the shakshuka — eggs are baked with a tomato and capsicum sauce, paired with saffron labneh, white beans and kalamata olives. You'll also nab some housemade challah bread, which comes toasted, to help soak it up. Keeping with the joint's Middle Eastern-theme, you can add an optional merguez sausage as well.
Summer season is officially here — and that means it's time to gather the crew and celebrate in style. A set menu is a fun, super easy way to achieve this. Placing your faith in the will of the chef means you can waste less time um-ing and ah-ing and instead focus on catching up with your pals — that's what the season is all about, after all. Choosing the venue — and menu — for your seasonal get-together depends a lot on what your crowd looks for on a night out. Posh nosh? Clever gourmet twists? Wine pairings? Comfort food and chilled vibes? Whatever you're in the mood for, we've put together a selection of five top-notch options that'll satisfy any clique without breaking the bank.
Laughing in a doubled-over, can't breathe, feels-like-you-have-a-stitch kind of way isn't a planned thing. It happens spontaneously. It happens without warning. It happens at times and from sources you mightn't expect. That's what Brisbane Comedy Festival's After Hours component is all about when it returns for 2025: making the humorous magic happen in a different fashion, away from the usual routines, well-oiled jokes and hilarious shows that unleash the same comic gems night after night. Taking over the Fairfax Studio at Brisbane Powerhouse on Saturday evenings throughout the fest — on May 3, May 10, May 17 and May 24, to be exact — this always-changing late-night show is a chance for everyone involved to get loose. As for who that might be each evening, well, that's part of the surprise. The lineup changes weekly, and tickets to this variety show cost $22.
If you were camping near a secluded body of water and things took a turn for the creepy, what would you do? It's the question every horror movie fan has asked themselves, and it's one you'll be able to answer at Dark Lake. An interactive theatre experience, the production takes you to an ominous spot where things definitely go bump in the night. You'll enter, get immersed in the eeriness and react accordingly. Containment fans, think something similar but with scary lakeside action instead of zombies. Upping the thrills, the short Brisbane run on January 5 and 6 will take place at a secret location — but rest assured, it's in a central place so it'll be easy enough to get to. If you're not too fond of horror, this isn't for you. If you are, you can double up on the frights by taking part on the sequel, Dark Lake 2: Rising Waters. If you dare, obviously.
One of the stranger reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic was the panic buying of toilet paper. If you didn't stock up early, you were probably left scouring the shelves for the last roll of TP — and never want to be that person again. Luckily, you don't have to be. How We Roll is delivering bulk boxes of toilet paper to homes across Australia, so you can finally lay your TP nightmares to rest. And the company is worth supporting for less selfish reasons, too. How We Roll offers 100 percent biodegradable and recycled TP — so it's good for the planet, not just good for you (and your pipes). If you haven't yet jumped on the recycled TP train yet, it's time to get on it. Regular toilet paper production sees a whopping 27,000 trees cut down daily. Plus, the How We Roll partners with One Tree Planted, a non-profit which has planted over 15-million trees to date. For every box of How We Roll TP sold, one tree is planted in an Australian bushfire-affected area. During the devastating bushfires that ravaged the country earlier this year, 12.6 million hectares were burned — so regrowing the country's flora is important. At How We Roll, you have two TP options: first there are the three-ply, double-length classic rolls, made from 100 percent recycled paper pulp; then, there's the luxe bamboo rolls, which are sustainably sourced, naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial and stronger than paper. You can bulk order 24 or 48 rolls ($28–58) and get them delivered to you in as little as one-to-two business days. Along with all that TP, you can also add compostable bin liners, paper towels and tissues to your order. If you subscribe — to fortnightly, monthly, six-week or three-month deliveries — you'll save 10 percent, too. To find out more about How We Roll and purchase some sustainable bog roll, head over over here.
Keen for a sneak-peek at tracks from The Strokes' new album, 'Angles'? Not due for release until March 22, you cynically reply? Think again. Thanks to a glitch in the iTunes UK store, 30-second previews of every track from the album were prematurely uploaded. They've since been taken down, but not before being ripped by fans eager to hear what the band have been up to for the last couple of years. 'Angles' has been five years in the making. Check out snippets of the new songs, compiled conveniently into one YouTube video. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hjyIxgiryHo [Via Addict Music]
When Drake plays his first Australian shows in eight years on his 2025 Anita Max Win tour, he isn't just dropping in for a few dates. Since first being announced in November 2024 for a run in February, the Canadian artist's trip Down Under keeps being extended. Now, he's even sticking around at the beginning of March, adding new shows in Sydney and Brisbane. That makes five gigs in the Harbour City and three in the Sunshine State capital. Drake will play Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17, then on Wednesday, February 19–Thursday, February 20, and now on Friday, March 7 as well. In Brisbane, he's headed to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, February 24–Tuesday, February 25, and also on Tuesday, March 4. Yes, you're now going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head. Drake last hit the stage in Australia in 2017 on his Boy Meets World tour. Also on the five-time Grammy-winner's Australian itinerary this time: two gigs at RAC Arena in Perth and four at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star and platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. Last time that he played to Aussie audiences, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. The Anita Max Win tour's initially announcement wasn't new news if you'd been paying attention to Drake's social media, where he'd been teasing details — but it keeps expanding. Drake's 'Anita Max Win' Tour 2025 Australian Dates Tuesday, February 4–Wednesday, February 5 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10 + Wednesday, February 12–Thursday, February 13 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17 + Wednesday, February 19–Thursday, February 20 + Friday, March 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 24–Tuesday, February 25 + Tuesday, March 4 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Drake is touring Australia in February and March 2025, with tickets to the new Sydney and Brisbane shows on sale from 1pm local time on Wednesday, January 15. Head to the tour website for more details. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
Brisbane will never get tired of finding things to do near, around, in or on its very own river, including hitting up overwater bars and hiring picnic boats. If there's one thing that the Sunshine State capital particularly loves when it comes to the Old Brown Snake, however, it's party vessels cruising down the waterway while pairing views, tunes and drinks. Now floating out of the City Botanic Gardens River Hub each weekend, Oasis is the latest — and your new excuse to temporarily say goodbye to dry land. Oasis follows in The Island, Seadeck and Yot Club's slipstream. For this stint of ditching the shore for a watery jaunt, Brisbanites can hop onboard a $10-million steel-hull catamaran. And the soundtrack? It comes via DJ-backed gatherings by both day and night. This vessel isn't small, stretching to 35 metres in length and accommodating 500 people across three levels. And, it's sticking around permanently, rather than cruising in and out seasonally. Oasis was also custom-designed for Brisbane's windy waterway, with Alex Zabotto-Bentley — who also did the honours for Seadeck and Sydney's Glass Island — taking care of the hues, fixtures and fittings. The aim: to immerse partygoers in a Sicily and Capri vibe. Thanks to The White Lotus' second season, nodding to Italian islands is quite the vibe right now. Taking to the water for weekly Saturday and Sunday festivities — and the occasional Friday-night special event — Oasis lets its passengers rove its trio of floors, each of which is decked out in its own way and provides a different experiences. They all come with their own bar, sound system, standing areas, and seating including VIP tables — but, the lower floor goes with copper, dark tones and a pressed tin ceiling, and the middle deck with greenery and wood aplenty. Up on top, pink and white stripes are a feature, alongside tropical plants. The boat's lineup of DJs and artists rotates weekly, and Oasis also serves up sips and bites to eat. And, if you want to book the whole place out for your own soirée, that's available Monday–Friday.
Every December, the Geminids meteor shower lights up our skies. Considered to be the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it's caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The shower is expected to be visible from around 11pm in Sydney, midnight in Melbourne and 9pm in Brisbane on Friday, December 14 through to the early morning on Saturday, December 15. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere. At that time, you could catch as many as 120 meteors every 60 minutes — each moving at about 125,500 kilometres per hour. To catch the spectacular shower, get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. If there are, NASA will be live streaming from its Marshall Space Flight Center via its Facebook page. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower will take place during the night on Friday, December 14. Image: NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai. Updated: December 14, 2018.
This review was written about the Sydney season of this production in December 2013. People have been known to cry in the opening ten minutes of The Lion King, as the rapturous 'Circle of Life' brings throngs of hand-crafted, often life-size animal figures to the stage. The toughest nuts will at least get a few shivers, and somewhere near me, one susceptible person screamed. It's a powerful reminder that spectacle isn't all superficial. See an awesome spectacle and your spirit swells; you feel alive and open to the world. That's got to be one of the big purposes of art, and it's there by the gallon in The Lion King. Premiering in 1997, the musical has become Broadway's highest grossing and won a stack of Tony Awards. It's back in Sydney with an Australian cast, and the thing is unbelievable to witness — full of innovative spirit and super super high production values. It's probably the pinnacle of musical theatre, and you should count yourself powerless to resist. The songs you remember by Elton John and Tim Rice from the 1994 cartoon are all there — 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', 'Hakuna Matata', 'Be Prepared' — plus some lesser new additions. The highlights among these are beautiful, tribal instrumental numbers that accompany dance. The lowlight? The hyenas' 'Chow Down', which sounds like awkward Bon Jovi. The story is realised through majestic and brilliantly creative puppetry, costume and stagecraft, most of it conceived by director, co-designer and sometime lyricist Julie Taymor. As well as the aforementioned opening, the scene in which young Simba gets trapped in a stampede of wildebeest pouring into a gorge is pure magic. Are some of the performances dwarfed by all this pageantry? Indubitably. But more often than not they rise to meet it. Honourable mentions go to Cameron Goodall's committed clowning in the role of Zazu and to Kiwi newcomer Nick Afoa, playing adolescent Simba, whose big movement, voice and energy should be put to use on plenty more musical theatre stages. Buyi Zama, the only long-time Lion King-er, is next-level brilliant as the inimitable baboon Rafiki, while Josh Quong Tart does a delicious Scar — a perfect musical theatre villain if ever one was written. I wished I knew some small child I could take along to this and introduce to the magic of live theatre. But in the absence of one, I'm sure I made a suitably wide-eyed observer (and actually, considering the near-total recall of the cartoon I can't help having after a '90s childhood, I'm probably the second-best target market). Don't be a cynic; go fight for your seat at Pride Rock. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-pgZtzDj_7o
Attention ghostbusters and costume enthusiasts: your favourite season is fast approaching. Trick or treating might not have exactly caught on here, but after a couple of years sans socialising, we'll be damned if we won't use this Halloween as an excuse for a celebration. If your only experience with Halloween shindigs is hot and crowded parties filled with half-assed costumes, throw those preconceived notions aside. In 2022, we're all about sophisticated-yet-spooky soirees. We turned to the devilish experts at Devil's Vine for help on how to host the ultimate Halloween dinner party — complete with on-theme food offering and of course, delicious (and affordable) drops. SET THE SCENE Any great Halloween dinner party relies on one thing — atmosphere. Concrete Playground's Halloween aficionados have two rules: no tacky decorations (we don't want to see even a hint of a plastic lantern) and vibes on from entry. That means going all out and using all the tools you have at your disposal. Maybe you tape the front section of your house off with crime-scene tape, have fake blood tricking out of the bathroom sinks and doors, or use carefully placed dry-ice canisters to create a smoke-filled scene. The pièce de résistance is of course the dinner table, where you can really let your imagination run wild. Your theme? Elegance meets eeriness — think of the dinner party thrown in a hunted mansion, with sexy candlelight and Addams Family vibes (Morticia and Gomez are couple goals, after all). We recommend showing your guests to their spots with blood-splattered name cards written in delicate cursive. For your table setting, opt for contrasting gold and black cutlery and crockery topped with one single stemmed red rose for horror Bachelor-realness. Scatter the rest of the table with a mix of candelabras, roses and bottles of Devil's Vine wine — you could even drip candle wax down the sides of the bottles before guests arrive. Then not only do you have a bold red ready for your guests to sip, you have an elegant (but spooky) scene setter. That's what we call a win-win. EAT OR BE EATEN Embrace the opportunity to impress your friends with your cooking prowess (be it newly learned or well-honed). This is not the time to bung a plate of saussy rolls down and call that dinner. Instead, you'll be providing a delicious and impressive three-course meal, while having a little fun playing with the food offering — sorry, mum. Kick things off with an array of finger foods for nibbling: think on-theme snacks like smoky pumpkin devilled eggs, a 'gory guts' tear-and-share pizza bread and of course, charcuterie and cheese boards to accompany your Devil's Vine vino — just make sure you get an extra-mouldy blue option on there to add a deliciously ghoulish twist to proceedings. When serving the main course, keep things simple: a rare bloody scotch fillet and a delicious roast jack-o'-lantern pumpkin salad are sure to please the crowd. Or take things to the dark side by opting for a squid ink linguine — the contrast of black pasta on a white plate creates a striking scene with minimal effort. For dessert, serve a decadent dark chocolate cake, bloody jam desserts and a candy station with goody bags for trick-or-treating — adult style. More important are the beverages — any good dinner party can really ride or die on the drink selection. For your signature cocktail, whip up this impressive-looking but actually very easy 'bloody' Halloween sangria, using one of the bold South Australian varietals from Devil's Vine, such as a shiraz, cab sauv, merlot or red blend. The slightly sweet yet intense flavour lends itself perfectly to a sangria — as does the wine's sub-$15 price tag. If you have the time and energy, you can also try your hand at creating a toil-and-trouble atmosphere with a smoked cocktail like this unorthodox old fashioned — to finish things off, serve digestifs in vials like you're a crazed scientist (rather than just a slightly tipsy one). WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A GAME? While the main attraction at your dinner party will be the scintillating conversation, it doesn't hurt to have a few entertainment options up your sleeve. Keep the atmosphere rolling with a groovy horror-themed playlist — the one below is our personal favourite. It's also a great idea to have some camp horror films on in the background — leave them on mute with subtitles on, then turn up the more iconic scenes for everyone to enjoy. Some of our faves include What We Do in the Shadows, Beetlejuice, Shaun of the Dead, the OG Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, Ready or Not and Hocus Pocus. Once the dining portion of the evening is done, it's time for a game or two. Keep things simple and effective with the forehead detective game where every guest is a different horror creature or scary villain — think Ghostface, the Boogieman, Jigsaw, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho…you get the gist. If you want to really impress, invest in hiring a specialist company to run a murder mystery evening. With someone due to die during dinner, all the dinner party guests must figure out the killer using their new personas. You can run it yourself using a guide like this one, but we're guessing it might be less stressful to sit back and let someone else handle the admin. Then you sit back, sip your sangria and admire your dinner party festivities feeling satisfied — and start planning next year. Image credit: Chester Newling This Halloween, make a date with the Devil's Vine. Available for RRP$11.99 per bottle at Dan Murphy's and RRP$14.99 at per bottle at BWS, head online or in-store to check it out.
In 2015, Brisbane celebrated the arrival of a new film festival. In 2016, the boutique, curated fest doubled in size. Marking its third year in 2017, Queensland Film Festival is back and once again bigger than ever, serving up an 11-day cinema showcase complete with 62 features and shorts, including 46 Australian premieres. Taking place from July 13 to 23, QFF 2017 boasts straight-from-Cannes hits, local flicks, tributes to Australian hits and a festival-first collaboration with Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, in what's shaping up to be a feast of filmic fun. Indeed, the event kicks off with Hong Sang-soo's Claire's Camera, which doesn't only hit Brisbane fresh from the biggest film fest in the world, but is set there as well, starring this year's Oscar nominee Isabelle Huppert. Bookending the fest is Gillian Armstrong's 1982 comedy-musical Starstruck, with the iconic Aussie director in attendance. In between, the lineup of films — which will largely screen at QFF's long-term home of New Farm Cinemas — will deliver the kind of eclectic array of international cinema that you won't see elsewhere in Brisbane. That includes the Kristen Stewart-starring Certain Women, which hasn't hit the city's screens despite a release down south, as well as Robert Pattinson at his very best in crime thriller Good Time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVyGCxHZ_Ko Hong Sang-soo pops up again with Berlinale best actress winner On the Beach Alone at Night, Amat Escalante's The Untamed will gift attendees a slice of erotic alien social realism (yes, that's a thing), and, after showing his murder mystery mini-series P'tit Quinquin in 2015, Bruno Dumont's musical Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc comes to QFF from Cannes Director's Fortnight. If you've spotted a musical trend, you're right — and a retrospective screening of Chantal Akerman's Golden Eighties, plus '80s-infused mermaid camp cabaret The Lure, are also among this year's QFF highlights. Other standouts include enlivening fireworks documentary Brimstone & Glory, Raoul Peck's must-see race relations doco I Am Not Your Negro, and queer romance The Ornithologist, as well as Japanese auteur Sion Sono up to his over-the-top tricks with Antiporno, cult-focused sci-fi/horror The Endless, provocative terrorist thriller Nocturama, and Grace, Who Waits Alone, the debut feature from Brisbane's own Georgia Temple. In addition to a shorts session at the Institute of Modern Art, and an editing panel and screening at QUT, the festival will also serve up a four-film focus on Czech filmmaker Juraj Herz at GOMA. Cinephiles, prepare for a busy July.
In 2015, Brisbane celebrated the arrival of a new film festival. In 2016, the boutique, curated fest doubled in size. Marking its third year in 2017, Queensland Film Festival is back and once again bigger than ever, serving up an 11-day cinema showcase complete with 62 features and shorts, including 46 Australian premieres. Taking place from July 13 to 23, QFF 2017 boasts straight-from-Cannes hits, local flicks, tributes to Australian hits and a festival-first collaboration with Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, in what's shaping up to be a feast of filmic fun. Indeed, the event kicks off with Hong Sang-soo's Claire's Camera, which doesn't only hit Brisbane fresh from the biggest film fest in the world, but is set there as well, starring this year's Oscar nominee Isabelle Huppert. Bookending the fest is Gillian Armstrong's 1982 comedy-musical Starstruck, with the iconic Aussie director in attendance. In between, the lineup of films — which will largely screen at QFF's long-term home of New Farm Cinemas — will deliver the kind of eclectic array of international cinema that you won't see elsewhere in Brisbane. That includes the Kristen Stewart-starring Certain Women, which hasn't hit the city's screens despite a release down south, as well as Robert Pattinson at his very best in crime thriller Good Time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVyGCxHZ_Ko Hong Sang-soo pops up again with Berlinale best actress winner On the Beach Alone at Night, Amat Escalante's The Untamed will gift attendees a slice of erotic alien social realism (yes, that's a thing), and, after showing his murder mystery mini-series P'tit Quinquin in 2015, Bruno Dumont's musical Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc comes to QFF from Cannes Director's Fortnight. If you've spotted a musical trend, you're right — and a retrospective screening of Chantal Akerman's Golden Eighties, plus '80s-infused mermaid camp cabaret The Lure, are also among this year's QFF highlights. Other standouts include enlivening fireworks documentary Brimstone & Glory, Raoul Peck's must-see race relations doco I Am Not Your Negro, and queer romance The Ornithologist, as well as Japanese auteur Sion Sono up to his over-the-top tricks with Antiporno, cult-focused sci-fi/horror The Endless, provocative terrorist thriller Nocturama, and Grace, Who Waits Alone, the debut feature from Brisbane's own Georgia Temple. In addition to a shorts session at the Institute of Modern Art, and an editing panel and screening at QUT, the festival will also serve up a four-film focus on Czech filmmaker Juraj Herz at GOMA. Cinephiles, prepare for a busy July. Queensland Film Festival runs from July 13 to 23 at New Farm Cinemas, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Institute of Modern Art and Queensland University of Technology's Creative Industries precinct, with a pre-festival screening taking place at the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre on June 24. To view the full program or buy tickets, head to the festival website.
You've survived Monday and Tuesday, but if you don't shake things up on hump day you're risking some serious Groundhog Day vibes. Seeing as it's a Wednesday lunch, we aren't suggesting you go too hard — you've gotta save a little stamina for the weekend and keep it together for the rest of the day — but there's nothing wrong with having a few mid-week, Heineken 3s to break up your week. So round up some coworkers and go for a cheap eat, or sip on a beer with your face in your phone for an hour — that's cool, too. However you choose to play, we've partnered with Heineken to find the best spots in Brissie where you can score a delicious hump day feed and celebrate making it through 50 percent of the working week.
You know that drinking coffee is addictive, right? Well, in Amber and Cynamon Norris' case, so is selling it. After making sure that Mount Gravatt's residents can get their caffeine fix since 2011, the Hallowed Grounds Espresso owners have brought their favourite hot brews to Daisy Hill. The duo's latest coffee spot doesn't simply replicate their past successes, though, with St Coco Cafe a brand new venture. Here, they're shining a spotlight on specialty beans, blends and more, including nitrogen-infused cold brews from Cold Wolff on tap. If warm rather than cooler caffeinated beverages are what you're after, then you can't go past the signature blend. Yep, it's a reason enough to head to this new southside haunt. Who doesn't want to try a cuppa that you won't find anywhere else? St Coco also offers up sweet treats that are wholesome, nutritious and vegan-friendly, with Rawr Foods' so-tasty-yet-so-good-for-you wares taking pride of place on the menu. And, every great cafe needs an all-day brekkie menu, much to the delight of those who like eating bacon and eggs whenever they feel like it (yeah, everyone). Or a bratwurst bennie, and rosella and ricotta hot cakes — yum. Find St Coco Cafe at 3 Cupania Street, Daisy Hill. Check out their website and Facebook page for further details.
If making TV shows and movies bubbles down to a formula, it's simple to see how The Tourist came about. Starring Jamie Dornan as a man caught up in a mystery in Australia's sprawling outback, this six-part series jumps on several popular trends — saddling a famous face with battling the Aussie elements chief among them (see also: the upcoming film Gold, which plonks Zac Efron amid the nation's dusty, yellow-hued expanse). Dornan's trip Down Under also plunges into a familiar thriller setup, with memory loss playing a key role. Memento famously did it. The Flight Attendant did as well. Combine the two, throw in all that striking scenery that constantly defines Australia on-screen, and that's the template beneath this easy-to-binge newcomer. Every thriller that hits a streaming platform and drops all of its episodes in one go wants you to keep watching until you've watched the whole thing at once, of course. That's television 101 in the online age. The Tourist fits the bill perfectly again, but also because it has fun with its premise — and its onslaught of twists. Dornan isn't in goofy, silly territory here, as he was so gloriously in 2021 standout Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. The Tourist doesn't satirise any of its underlying components, either. Nonetheless, it knows that zigzagging thrillers that work from a clearcut roadmap should make their familiar pieces feel anything but. They should take their audience along for a wild ride and ensure they enjoy the many sights, even if they're largely driving down a recognisable road. Adding another TV role to his resume alongside The Fall, Death and Nightingales, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time — and another part to his eclectic filmography, given that he's been in the vastly dissimilar Synchronic and Wild Mountain Thyme in the past year, and looks set to get an Oscar nomination this year for nostalgic drama Belfast — Dornan plays an Irish traveller in Australia. The character's name doesn't matter at first, when he's using the bathroom at a petrol station in the middle of nowhere. But after he's run off the road by a steamrolling long-haul truck shortly afterwards, he desperately wishes he could remember his own moniker, plus everything else about his past. Local Constable Helen Chalmers (Danielle Macdonald, French Exit) takes a shine to him anyway; however, piecing together his history is far from straightforward. His other immediate questions: why is he in the middle of Australia, why does a bomb go off in his vicinity and why is he getting calls from a man trapped in an underground barrel? A diner waitress called Luci (Shalom Brune-Franklin, Line of Duty), the American-accented Billy (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Trapped), city-based Detective Inspector Lachlan Rogers (Damon Herriman, Mindhunter) and the determined Kostas (Alex Dimitriades, Total Control), who flies in from Greece and won't stop sipping from his water bottle: they all factor into The Man's fish-out-of-water, stranger-in-an unforgiving-land tale, too, and they all inspire plenty of questions as well. Why does that aforementioned bomb go off just as The Man and Luci step out of the diner? What does Billy want at the hospital? Why does Rogers take the case when he could easily leave it with junior officers? And what's motivating Kostas' trip to the outback? Written by brothers Harry and Jack Williams (Angela Black), and hailing from the Emmy-winning production company behind The Missing and Fleabag, The Tourist enjoys teasing out those queries — and diving headfirst into its slickly uneasy air. It expectedly draws tension from its setting, but also benefits from a visual palette that bleaches every image of its cooler hues, and from framing that repeatedly dwarfs The Man against his surroundings. They're smart touches in a show that has its protagonist take in his life with fresh eyes, hardly relish what he spots and understandably feel overwhelmed by all the chaos that keeps speeding his way. The Tourist rarely dwells on The Man's inner turmoil — it isn't a character study, and doesn't pretend to be — but it still savvily expresses his emotional state in every shot. Pushing 50 Shades of Grey and its sequels further into the past with every new role, Dornan slips into The Tourist like someone rediscovering their comfort zone — and he's in excellent company. Macdonald has been impressing on-screen since 2017's Patti Cake$, and ensures that The Tourist is as much Helen's story as it is The Man's. It's as much about the ambitious-but-constantly-underestimated rookie cop finding herself as her new pal is doing, too. Fresh from playing Charles Manson not once but twice thanks to Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Herriman also turns what might've been a stock-standard part into something far more complex. The Williams siblings deserve plenty of credit for baking many of their twists into their characters, but there's an almost-comic air to Herriman's determined detective that's all the Aussie talent's own. A well-greased concept, a confident approach, clever plotting, a fabulous cast: they're all on offer here, and they hit their marks. Add the script's smattering of memorable, nearly Coen brothers-esque lines and, whether it's hurtling in a straight line or zipping quickly around unexpected corners, The Tourist couldn't be more watchable — or bingeable. Check out the trailer for The Tourist below: The Tourist is available to stream via Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand.
If you're a Brisbanite who hasn't ever visited Annerley Road's heritage-listed The Princess Theatre, you're definitely not alone. That'll change come August 2021, however, when the 133-year-old spot just past the Mater Hospital will reopen after a hefty makeover The Woolloongabba venue is actually Queensland's oldest-standing theatre — and it'll soon be giving fans of live tunes and performances plenty of reasons to stop by. The Tivoli owners Steve Sleswick and Dave Sleswick have joined forces with local businessman Steve Wilson to snap up the building, and now they're revitalising it as part of their big future plans. As they did with The Tiv back in 2016, the Sleswick brothers will help preserve and revamp The Princess, with an aim of turning it into Woolloongabba's new music and arts hub. So, you'll soon have a new must-visit spot just a stone's throw away from the CBD, South Bank and the Gabba — and Brisbane will gain a new live music venue in a part of town that's sparse on gigs otherwise. As part of the makeover, the eye-catching building will become home to a state-of-the-art auditorium that'll be able to welcome in 900 standing patrons, or sit a 500-person crowd — so expect concerts and shows aplenty to grace its lineup. Also in the works: four different bars, a public cafe and private event spaces, giving Brissie residents several reasons to drop in. Princess Theatre's renovation will fit it out with a rehearsal room, co-working creative office and workshop space, too, plus an outdoor courtyard. And, it'll see visual theatre company Dead Puppet Society call it home, using it as its base and a workshop and gallery space. As for what you can expect to check out come August, the venue's relaunch program will be announced in mid-May, spanning music, contemporary performance, programming for families and younger audiences. In a statement, Dave Sleswick revealed that The Princess Theatre will share "the same independent spirit as The Tivoli and will have live music at its heart, providing a home for Brisbane and Queensland artists, musicians and entertainers, as well as those from throughout Australia and across the world." "The Princess was created as a theatre in 1888, originally known as the South Brisbane Public Hall. We feel it's vital for us to reclaim the building for Brisbane's vibrant world-class arts sector and return it to the community to be used as it was originally intended," he continued. Works are currently underway, courtesy of architecture firm JDA — who also helped revitalise the Elizabeth Picture Theatre — plus interior designer Sophie Hart and builder Herron Coorey. Find The Princess Theatre at 8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba — with the venue's renovations presently in progress ahead of a slated August 2021 reopening.
Cooler winter weather is starting to set in across Brisbane (well, Brisbane's version of cooler weather), which means it's time to bust out your warmer outfits once again. And if you're a fan of frostier climates, you might want to celebrate with some mates over a few beverages and a bite to eat — perhaps while partying in your own private igloo. Dubbed the Pop-Up Igloo Garden, this winter wonderland will take over the Cleveland Sands Hotel's beer garden from Friday, June 19. With Queensland's current stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions allowing restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs to accommodate 20 patrons per area, it's a way for you to hang out with your mates in your own space while still being part of a socially distanced crowd. Each igloo can fit up to four people and comes with twinkly fairy lights. You can hire out the igloos for a two-hour time slot, which includes a three-course meal — featuring options such as karaage chicken, pork belly ramen, coconut and carrot barramundi, pavlova and apple crumble — and a cocktail. Priced at $60 per person, your time in an icy haven is pretty reasonable. So that you can not only enjoy a winter escape without having to leave the city, but can do so safely, Cleveland Sands Hotel's COVID-19 policies include 30-minute cleaning breaks between igloo bookings, plenty of hand sanitiser on offer, floor markers for queueing and contactless ordering and payment. The pub's wintry lairs are available for dinner seven days a week, and for lunch from Friday–Sunday. The Cleveland Sands Hotel's Pop-Up Igloo Garden kicks off on Friday, June 19, with igloos available to hire for $60 per person. For further details or to make a booking, visit the pub's website.
If you're starting to pencil in some strategic long weekends and well-deserved trips this year, here's one to add to the mix: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas has just launched a Bali-inspired floating breakfast. Designed for a loved-up pair or two partners-in-crime, this luxurious floating breakfast is available exclusively for guests staying as part of the Sheraton's Float Into Paradise accommodation package, which includes a three-night stay in a Mirage Studio Garden View Room. The menu runs to the likes of smashed avocado with perfectly poached eggs, charred sourdough and kale with whipped feta and seeds. A vegan-friendly scrambled tofu is paired with avo and tomato bruschetta, or a climate-appropriate coconut acai bowl is made with an almond-milk base and loaded with yoghurt, banana, macadamia and goji berries. If you take a more flexible approach when it comes to holiday nutrition, look towards the indulgent part of the menu. You can expect a three-cheese and tomato sourdough toastie, fresh banana bread or a brekkie burger with hash brown, smoked bacon, cheese and a fried egg. [caption id="attachment_888044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ellen Seah[/caption] The crowning jewel of the floating breakfast menu is a succulent half-lobster, served stuffed with creamy scrambled eggs, chives and garlic Turkish bread. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, a pair of coffees and juice are also included. The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort itself boasts over two hectares of sparkling saltwater pools in Tropical North Queensland, meaning you can spend more time lounging by the water and less time travelling. Lagoons on-site include spots with sandy beaches, as well as serene private cabanas nestled on the waterfront. The five-star resort is also home to 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens, an 18-hole golf course and seven restaurants and bars on-site. In particular, the hatted Harrisons headed up by Spencer Patrick is a must-visit as one of Port Douglas' best restaurants. [caption id="attachment_888046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sunset Sessions[/caption] While the pool (and poolside) food and cocktails will keep you plenty busy, the hotel also runs Sunday sunset sessions complete with tapas and live tunes, or you can head along to a monthly rum masterclass. If you are keen to venture further during your stay, there are a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable tour options you can book. Locally-run Back Country Bliss runs swimmable tours through the Daintree Rainforest, which includes a snorkel and float tour of Mossman Gorge. Sailaway is a family business running half-day and full-day charters to Great Barrier Reef, including the Low Isles and Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef. Finally, Four Mile Beach adventures with a twist can be booked with locally-operated Port Douglas Segway Tours. You can book the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort floating breakfast via the hotel website. It is available until December 18, 2023. If you want to extend your Queensland getaway, check out our curated Whitsundays packages on CP Trips which includes a four-day stay, snorkel and sail adventure with a day cruise.
The National Gallery of Victoria's blockbuster Triennial 2020 exhibition is still in full swing, but, already, the gallery has announced the next fresh dose of artistic goodness heading our way. Today, Monday, March 1, it revealed a jam-packed lineup of exhibitions and programs for 2021. Among them, the international exclusive French Impressionism, featuring more than 100 French impressionist masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts. Yep, overseas trips might still be on hold, but come June 2021, you'll be able to catch iconic works from the likes of Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, when they hit the NGV for this huge showcase, as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. French Impressionism is set to feature 79 works never before shown in Australia, and will wrap up with a groundbreaking presentation of 16 Monet pieces displayed on curved walls — a nod to the oval gallery at Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris that the artist helped design for his famed Water Lilies paintings. [caption id="attachment_801662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Henrot, The Pale Fox (2014) installation view. Copyright courtesy of the artist and kamel mennour, Paris/London; König Galerie, Berlin; Metro Pictures, New York. Photographer: Anders Sune Berg.[/caption] Turning the lens closer to home, large-scale exhibition She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism will feature a huge 270 artworks plucked from major public and private collections across the country. It aims to explore Australia's own position within the impressionist movement, showcasing both recognised and lesser-known works from names like Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Jane Sutherland, Jane Price, Clara Southern and John Russell. Elsewhere in the program, catch an Aussie-first survey of works by celebrated French-born, New York-based contemporary artist Camille Henrot, showcasing a diverse spread of media created across the last decade. NGV Collection exhibition Big Weather shares a new appreciation for our weather systems, as told through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while Bark Ladies features two decades of stunning works on bark by masterful Yolngu women artists from Northeast Arnhem Land. And in groundbreaking show Queer, more than 300 works displayed across five different gallery spaces will mark the most historically expansive thematic presentation of artworks relating to queer stories ever shown in an Australian gallery. For more details about the just-announced NGV 2021 Season, jump over to the website. Image one: Claude Monet, Water Lilies (1905). Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes. Photography copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Image two: Alfred Sisley, Waterworks at Marly (1876). Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Gift of Miss Olive Simes Photography copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Image three: Tom Roberts, Shearing the rams (1890). Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Felton Bequest, 1932.
Christmas isn't the only source of cheer in Sydney this month, especially if you like heartwarmingly endearing baby animals. After introducing the world to its new koala joey and lion cubs earlier this year, Taronga Zoo has just unveiled footage of its pygmy hippo calf, which was born at the zoo on Monday, November 22. The calf doesn't yet have a name; however, Taronga visitors will get to see her in the flesh in the coming weeks — with the adorable critter set to make her public debut just in time for the upcoming school holidays. She was born to parents Kambiri and Fergus, and marks the first calf born at the zoo in more than four years. At the moment, the calf's day involves spending time in an off-exhibit nursery den with Kambiri — suckling, getting energetic in short bursts and napping. And, learning how to navigate the water, because pygmy hippo calves aren't born knowing how to either swim or hold their breath. So, that's something that Kambiri is teaching her offspring. Once the calf masters splashing around, she'll be able to enter the public hippo exhibit, which has had its pond floor raised so it's easier for the calf to access. The new calf will call Sydney home but, in the wild, pygmy hippos are native to West Africa's forests and swamps. Only around 2000–3000 are estimated to remain outside of zoos, which makes the species endangered. And, in the wild, they only tend to come together for breeding. That's enough words about this new cutie, because we all know that you're here to get a glimpse. Check out Taronga Zoo's footage below: [video width="1080" height="1920" mp4="https://cdn.concreteplayground.com/content/uploads/2021/12/HippoAnnouncement.mp4"][/video] [video width="1080" height="1920" mp4="https://cdn.concreteplayground.com/content/uploads/2021/12/Pygmy-hippo-antics.mp4"][/video] Taronga Zoo's new pygmy hippo calf will make its public debut sometime in the coming weeks. For further information, keep an eye on the zoo's website.
