Traditional horizontal gardens are a fantastic aesthetically pleasing addition to any house, park or natural area. Yet by simply rotating these gardens 90° to make them vertical, their purpose, possibilities and magnificence can completely and utterly transform. Vertical gardens are a recent craze, which are taking the world by storm. Gardens on museum walls, on the outside of buildings, in shopping centres or as feature pieces are popping up in almost every major city of the globe. Aside from adding a wonderful visual and organic element to the concrete shackles of urban centres, vertical gardens also offer a host of environmental benefits. Adding a vertical garden to any space can help improve air quality and respiratory functions, keep the air cool and humidity comfortable through the process of transpiration, reduce harmful levels of CO2 and provide natural insulation and acoustic absorption; not to mention the instinctive elated sensation humans feel when in close proximity to plant life, called biophilia. Here are ten of the most beautiful, useful and impressive vertical gardens from around the world that will make even the most elaborate horizontal garden look boring and mundane. Miami Art Museum Patrick Blanc is the world's most renowned vertical garden specialist and his incredible creations have spread like wildfire across the globe. With his designs appearing in every continent, and his recent publication, 'The Vertical Garden: from Nature to the Cities' being widely acknowledged as the expert book on this new trend, you simply can't go past Blanc's inspired works of art. This amazing garden from the Miami Art Museum is one of Blanc's projects, designed together with Herzog & De Meuron. Who needs the Hanging Gardens of Babylon when we have our own hanging gardens of Miami? Alpha Park II Les Clayes sous Bois At 2,000m², the Alpha Park II Les Clayes sous Bois just West of Paris will become the largest vegetal facade in the world. The shopping centre is being reopened sometime this month with its new organic coating of various plants and flowers. Melbourne Greenhouse Restaurant Joost Vertical Gardens are an up-and-coming business in Australia, which specialises in living walls and columns. Their vertical gardens have appeared in art exhibitions, sculptural installations and high-end architectural fitouts, highlighting their aesthetic value and practical purpose. Through popular demand, Joost's unique designs are now available online and by consultation for restaurants and both domestic and commercial spaces. Vertical Garden Institute Philip and Vicki Yates set up the Vertical Garden Institute in 2007 after witnessing the awe of Blanc's huge vertical garden in Spain. They wanted to promote vertical gardens through sales, research, education and the development of vertical garden partnerships throughout the globe. This vertical art garden was released in July 2010. Berlin Another stunning design from Patrick Blanc, this garden wall in Berlin is a beautiful and eco-friendly addition to the city's streets. Increased temperatures in cities can partially be attributed to the absorption of heat by concrete buildings and roads. However, the natural processes of transpiration in plants ensures that they never go 5°C above the atmospheric temperature, thus helping to keep the urban area cooler. Madrid Caixa Forum This feature wall in the capital of Spain is a magnificent piece of natural artistry that provides a perfect place for tourists and locals alike to marvel at. The building was a former power plant built in 1899 and a rare example of industrial architecture in the old part of the city. The vertical garden is another design from Patrick Blanc and reaches four stories high, with over 15,000 plants from over 250 species. Tokyo AKROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall This 15-stepped terrace was shifted from a 10,000m² park in the city centre of Tokyo by US architect, Emilio Ambesz. To stand out from other city park areas, Ambesz opted instead for a garden resembling a mountain, culminating in a belvedere, which offers magnificent views of the harbour. The building is 14 floors above ground and 4 below, making it one of the largest vertical gardens in the group. Bangkok Siam Paragon Shopping Center The vertical garden craze has also reached Thailand, with this example of beautiful plants lining the balconies of the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre in Bangkok. Gardens appear not only in this courtyard of the shopping mall but they also decorate the elevator shaft as well as even some of the shopping booths. Living Walls, Netherlands Rather than being concrete, this colourful wall is made up of a thin layer of felt and rock wool material. To keep the vertical garden alive and vibrant, it also has water pumping through the material. This Dutch house is a perfect example of how easy it is to spice up any building with some floral flair. Bilbao Guggenheim Art Museum Outside the Guggenheim Art Museum in Bilbao, Spain, one would find a giant 43-foot tall 'plant puppy' made out of a steel substructure and an array of colourful vegetation. Jeff Koons created this cute and vibrant vertical garden masterpiece in the mid-1990s and we just couldn't go past this impressive creation. Especially since it made its own notable visit to the lawns of Sydney's MCA in 1995.
Not content with becoming a fixture on Australia's roads, and possibly taking to the skies as early as next year, Uber is now hitting the water at one of the country's greatest natural features. If you've always wanted to cruise the Great Barrier Reef by submarine, now you can now book one via the Uber app. No, this isn't a joke — but it's definitely a marketing stunt. Aptly named scUber, the new service — which will be available between Monday, May 27 and Tuesday, June 18 — is a collaboration between Uber and Queensland's state tourism body. Of course, diving down deep via scUber is incredibly pricey at $3000 for two people. But if you're particularly flush with cash and have always dreamed of seeing the reef this way, now you can. According to research by Tourism and Events Queensland, plenty of people have this exact experience on their bucket list. Your big stack of bills gets you a trip to the southern Great Barrier Reef's Heron Island from May 27, or to north Queensland's Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas from June 9. You'll be picked up from your location by Uber, naturally — although you'll need to be in Gladstone, Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Then you'll be taken by helicopter to either scUber destination, where you'll jump inside the submarine and dive under the water for an hour. Afterwards, you'll head back to your original pickup spot. The submarine actually holds three people — someone who knows what they're doing will be going down with you. They'll take you deep, down to 30 metres, where 180-degree views await. Obviously, there are a few other drawcards: you don't have to learn how to dive or get a license, and you won't get wet. Uber will also be partnering with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef as part of scUber, donating $100,000 to the protection and conservation organisation, as well as the equivalent value of every scUber ride purchased. And, in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland, it's giving away a scUber package complete with flights and five nights accommodation — which is open to eager folks not only from Australia, but from New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the UK and France too. You'll need to enter by 1.59pm, Australian time, on Monday, June 1. scUber will be available from Monday, May 27 to Tuesday, June 18 in Gladstone, Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas. For more information, visit scUberqueensland.com. Images: Tourism and Events Queensland.
A near-silent depiction of a nightmare boarding school for girls, a stage adaptation of a 1950s pornographic novel, a drag odyssey through Australian history — this is hardly the usual fare for the MTC crowd. Yet it's all on the program at NEON, the Melbourne Theatre Company's festival of independent theatre. It's packed with the kind of edgy theatre-making you'd more expect to find in shoebox venues around Fringe season, rather than in a mainstream house like Southbank Theatre. It is, says artistic director Brett Sheehy, one of the company's most significant initiatives to date. "With NEON, we celebrate Melbourne's unique and thriving independent theatre landscape and its astonishing artists," Sheehy says. "Part of our mission is to literally throw open our doors to all of Melbourne and to make Southbank Theatre a place of connection, accessibility and welcome, no matter what form of theatre Melbourne desires." For the festival, which runs from May to July, 2013, Sheehy approached five of Melbourne's most innovative little theatre companies — The Hayloft Project, THE RABBLE, Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, Fraught Outfit and Sisters Grimm — and offered them free access to MTC's stage and technical resources, as well as free creative rein. Benedict Hardie of The Hayloft Project, whose By Their Own Hands looks to be a confronting and stripped-back take on Greek tragedy, says that while creative freedom comes with the territory of independent theatre, practitioners need to work hard for that freedom and it is rare to get the kind of support MTC has offered. Having that support, Hardie says, has enabled the artists involved to push themselves further creatively. "It's an opportunity to dream a bit bigger," he says. The shows on the lineup promise to be confronting, intense, bizarre or even — as with THE RABBLE's adaptation of Story of O, a French novel that was the 50 Shades of Grey of its day — erotic. THE RABBLE's co-artistic director Emma Valente sees the festival as a turning point for the companies involved, not just because of the resources and the greater audience potential provided by MTC but because of what the very existence of the festival says about changing attitudes toward the independent theatre scene. "What it means for independent theatre at large is exciting," says Valente. "In fifteen years doing independent theatre, playing in a mainstream house is something I never would have thought possible." The festival opened on May 16 with Menagerie, Daniel Schlusser's homage to Tennessee Williams and will also feature a program of forums and free workshops featuring a topnotch lineup of playwrights, producers, performers and critics. So whether you are an audience member avid for the avant garde or an underrated artist working on a society-shaking script of your own, Southbank Theatre is, perhaps surprisingly, about to become the place to be. To see the full program of events, head to the MTC website. Tickets to each show are $25, or you can see all five for $100. Top image: The Hayloft Project by Patrick Boland. Second image: Daniel Schlusser Ensemble by Sarah Walker.
Both Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement will be present when Flight of the Conchords make a long-awaited, eagerly anticipated return to television — as part of a one-off live special filmed during the duo's recent sold-out tour. Announced earlier in 2018, Flight of the Conchords: Live at the London Apollo now not only has a US airdate but also an Australian one. The special will screen on HBO in America on Saturday, October 6, and on The Comedy Channel in Australia on Tuesday, October 9 at 8.30pm. As the name really does makes plain, it was recorded in the UK, where Flight of Conchords took their show on the road in March and then returned in late June and early July, following a forced break after McKenzie broke his hand. Yes, it'll be business time, Bowie will be in space and no one will have hurt feelings. Fans can expect to hear the classic tracks that everyone has had stuck in their heads since the folk parody pair's TV series aired between 2007 and 2009, of course, as well as a few new songs. It's also a case of Conchords almost coming full circle, with nabbing a spot on HBO's One Night Stand in the mid-00s one of their big breaks. Foxtel Now subscribers can stream the special live when it airs, but whether it'll be available on demand afterwards has yet to be revealed. In the interim, check out the trailer, as well as the initial HBO date announcement video featuring McKenzie and Clement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLZQfnFyelTBOQ15kmHSgEbdjzLMWzZpL7&v=xz_-9PlcouE
Float on, festival fans: come April, Australia's newest excuse to see a heap of bands in one spot will make its way along the country's east coast. That touring event: the just-announced Daydream. It's hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with quite the roster of indie-rock talent — headlined by Modest Mouse three decades after the Washington-born group first got together. Don't listen to the title of the band's acclaimed 2004 album, though — this is good news for people who love good news, not bad. Joining Modest Mouse on the bill are Britain's Slowdive, who initially formed in 1989, the reformed in 2017, as well as Australian favourites Tropical F*ck Storm. Daydream will hit up Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, April 22 to kick things off, then head north. The fest plays the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on Saturday, April 29, followed up Brisbane's Riverstage on Sunday, April 30. The lineup varies slightly per city, with Beach Fossils and Cloud Nothings taking to the stage at all stops, but Majak Door missing Brisbane. And no, it isn't too early into 2023 to start packing your calendar with music festivals. New year, new diary to fill, after all — and Daydream, the also just-announced Lazy Mountain and more are firmly here to help. DAYDREAM 2023 LINEUP: Modest Mouse Slowdive Tropical F*ck Storm Beach Fossils Cloud Nothings Majak Door DAYDREAM 2023 DATES: Saturday, April 22 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Saturday, April 29 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Sunday, April 30 — Riverstage, Brisbane [caption id="attachment_886745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Jardine[/caption] Daydream will hit Australia's east coast capitals in April. Early-bird pre-sales start at 9am local time on Thursday, February 2, with general sales from 9am local time on Friday, February 3 — head to the tour website to sign up for the pre-sale, or for more information. Top images: Modest Mouse by Matthewvetter via Wikimedia Commons; Tropical F*ck Storm by Somefx.
As a food writer and critic based in Western Australia, Max Brearley lives a life of truffle hunting, native-food foraging and long, wine-led lunches across Margaret River's rolling estates. The southwest lifestyle is what lured him over from the UK, and his work is now regularly published in The Australian, delicious., The Guardian and Halliday. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Margaret River, we've called in Max, whose favourite spots range from the region's best winery restaurant to a burger truck run by a street-food doyen he's followed around the world. A stay at Pullman Bunker Bay in the Margaret River region will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you rest and digest in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Max's top food hot spots in his own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. CULLEN WINES A founding winery of the region, Cullen has an international reputation for their wines and the manner in which they're produced. Chief winemaker Vanya Cullen has a commitment to the land, seeing herself and her team as custodians. It shows in the wine, which is certified both organic and biodynamic, and it's always a stop when I'm introducing people to the region. A taste of the Kevin John (Chardonnay) and the Diana Madeline (predominantly Cabernet) — both named after Vanya's parents, the winery's founders — is non-negotiable at cellar door. Also high on the must-taste list is the Amber, a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc that is an expression of low-intervention technique. The grapes are fermented in different vessels, including amphora and open fermenters, with extended skin contact. Some describe it as a white, made like a red. MIKI'S OPEN KITCHEN Mikihito Nagai's handle on tempura is masterful. While it may not seem like an obvious dining destination to showcase the region, Miki's Open Kitchen is the essence of what makes the Margaret River region so dynamic; it is a place where winemakers, chefs, artists, photographers, writers and other creative souls are drawn by the ocean, the land, the wine, food and lifestyle. Miki is no exception, and in a matter of years has built a fervent local following for his skill, use of the region's best produce and, well, just being Miki. A seat at the counter for the second sitting ensures plenty of time to watch the master at work. It's fully licensed, though you can also BYO wine, and they serve two sittings an evening. BURGER BONES I first met cook come raconteur Cooper in a south London pub. Then, he was at the forefront of the street food movement and known for making the city's best loaded dogs, with an eye on raising the quality of his ingredients. I didn't think that conversation would lead to a friendship on the other side of the world. Returning home to the southwest after twenty years, he flipped to burgers but is no less fastidious about the meat, the grind, the bread and his technique. Made to order in his customised food truck, Burger Bones isn't fast food, so expect a short wait as he shapes the patty and steams each bun. I favour the Filthy Dirty Burger — a double patty with black cherry barbecue sauce, onions and cheese — but I'm always open to off-menu suggestions. EAGLE BAY BREWING CO The beer community is strong between the capes, and for those with an interest in grain as well as grape, Eagle Bay Brewing Co is a must-try. It's available at bars and bottle shops throughout the region, but there's no better place to drink it than at the source. The d'Espeissis family have been on their Eagle Bay property since 1950, and while the previous generations were more concerned with farming than brewing, it was the younger d'Espeissises who built the brewery and restaurant back in 2010. I'm a fan of their robust Pale Ale, but look out for the Brewer's or Single Series drops. A solid food offering makes it a popular lunch spot, with an atmosphere that is pure southwest; you could be sat next to a mining magnate, a pro-surfer or a jobbing food writer. VASSE FELIX It's a difficult call to name just one winery restaurant, but Vasse Felix never disappoints. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the wares of chief winemaker Virginia Willcock and her team, with an elevated view over some of the estate's original vines. Chef Brendan Pratt took the reins in September 2017 from local legend Aaron Carr (to be found at Yarri, in Dunsborough from early 2018) and he's immediately proven his talent. Asian and European techniques meet, with Pratt celebrating the best of each season. If you've time in the region, Will's Domain in Yallingup) and Knee Deep in Wilyabrup are also home to two of the regions youngest, and most accomplished chefs. YALLINGUP WOODFIRED BREAD Gotthard Bauer, the German baker behind the region's best bread, is modest in a world of hyperbole. He takes an all together slower approach to his craft, using certified biodynamic flour, proper fermentation and resting, and woodfired ovens — a process that is the antithesis of the factory-scale bakeries many have become used to. As well as baking your daily bread, the Bauers also have the Gugelhupf, a candy-striped shack at 18 Yallingup Beach Road, selling the sweet and savoury cake of the same name. I've bought many of these savarin baked treats as intended presents over the years, but strangely they never quite make it to their intended recipient. There is now a Woodfired Bread outpost in Margaret River (Unit 2/2 Boodjidup Road) and at the weekly Margaret River Farmers Market. WHITE ELEPHANT CAFE This is the place to come to understand what Margaret River life is all about, with an Indian Ocean view over Gnarabup Beach. Take a coffee from the kiosk and have a walk on the boardwalk or down on the sand, or sit up on the deck and take breakfast or lunch. White Elephant is a year-round haunt for locals. Beyond just a standard beach cafe, it has great hospitality pedigree, alongside sister venues Morries (Margaret River) and The Common (minutes away, at Gnarabup). While it seems blasé to ignore the view, I'm partial to a spot by the fire in cooler months with a newspaper and the pick of the menu. I've been known to file copy from here. THE COLOURPATCH CAFE At the southern end of the capes, Augusta has no shortage of spectacular views and places to find fish and chips (at least five at last count). The Colourpatch Cafe has in recent years been slowly refurbished, retaining its coastal town charm, with river views from the cafe and terrace. Local fish is chalked up, with Augusta whiting from the Blackwood River a sustainable favourite. While eating in is always an option, my ritual is finding a spot down towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with a view over the Southern Ocean and the possibility, in season, of a whale sighting. SETTLERS TAVERN A Margaret River institution, Settlers Tavern has one of the best wine cellars in Australia. While on the surface it is a traditional pub, owners Karen and Rob Gough have a passion for wine built through years in the industry; Rob was a one-time San Francisco sommelier and Karen worked to import Australian wines to the States. With many labels not having a cellar door presence, this is the perfect place to discover the region's smaller and often most interesting producers. Added to this, the Goughs aren't parochial in their outlook, and you'll find a good representation of premium Aussie wine from across the country. That's why this is a hub for winemakers, both resident and visiting. RIVERSMITH One-time winemaker Lachlan MacDonald is a familiar face at Riversmith, his cafe and retail space. The whitewashed walls, art deco frontage and sleek design give little hint to its former life as a garage and petrol station. At one time I'd fill the tank here, but I'm much happier filling up on coffee and diving into their menu, which has a focus on good local produce. Licensed, they've got a small selection of local wine and beer available. Homewares, books and design items are available in the rear retail area — a lifesaver on a number of occasions for forgotten birthdays and the odd Christmas present. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
It's been almost twenty years since the aliens of Independence Day came down and made a global nuisance of themselves. Fair to say a lot's happened since then, mostly to do with iPhones and TV shows about 'real housewives'. But in the world of Roland Emmerich's movie, things have advanced even further. We're talking flying cars, moon bases and even above ground monorails! Hybrid alien/earth technology has led to giant leaps forward in almost every facet of life, not to mention ushering in an unprecedented era of global peace. But then, wouldn't you know it, the aliens return, and – surprise surprise – they are pissed. Independence Day: Resurgence reunites pretty much the entire cast of the original film save for Will Smith – who has been unceremoniously killed off – while also introducing some newer, younger and more marketable faces in the form of Liam Hemsworth, Maika Monroe, Jessie Usher and Chinese superstar Angelababy. Then it does EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS LAST TIME. First, aliens invade and park a giant ship where there was clearly a no parking sign, ruining several perfectly lovely cities like London and Hong Kong in the process. Next, Earth launches a counter-attack with an impressive aerial armada, only to be completely scuttled and sent packing with our tails between our legs. Then the aliens reveal their true purpose (literally to do again what they came to do last time, exactly the same way), before Bill Pullman gets into a fighter plane and brings down the invaders with not a second to spare because – and we can't stress this point enough – 'that's what worked last time'. The result is an altogether dull blockbuster, assuming that's not an oxymoron. There's zero chemistry between any two members of the cast, while the battle scenes feel disappointingly familiar. It's also one of those frustrating films where giant plot holes are constantly pulling you out of the story, as you find yourself wanting to yell questions at the screen. These may include: "Why are we still baffled by the alien shields if we knew they had them twenty years ago?" or: "Why are we surprised by the speed of the alien ships when they've not changed since the last time?" and of course: "Why do we have countdowns on our earth-defending weapons, when all they do is give the aliens more time to blow them up?" Big, dumb and fun is an established genre in Hollywood these days, and one that's not entirely without its merits. Silly blockbusters are great for whiling away a rainy afternoon or getting you to the end of a long-haul flight. But when the 'dumb' is so overbearing that it drowns out the 'fun', and the 'big' being made 'bigger' represents the only substantive change, then you're left with a massively expensive yet spectacularly hollow sequel that quite simply fails to entertain. Rest in peace, Will Smith's character. Yours is the only one whose memory hasn't been soiled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbduDRH2m2M
Calling all sneakerheads: you can get your kicks while looking at kicks at Australia's new Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street exhibition. Making its debut Down Under, this wide-ranging showcase has arrived at Gold Coast's HOTA Gallery, where it's making its only Aussie stop. It's always a good idea to wear trainers when you're walking around a gallery, but they're obviously the only footwear that'll do here. First staged by The Design Museum in London, Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street pays tribute to the footwear's origins and evolution — through sports to fashion, surveying iconic brands and names, and obviously touching upon basketballers Chuck Taylor and Michael Jordan's relationships with the shoes. In total, more than 200 sneakers are on display at exhibition's six-level Australian base, with HOTA giving over its walls and halls to shoes, shoes and more shoes for the summer of 2023–24. Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street started on on Saturday, November 25, and marks the site's first major design exhibition since opening in 2021. While a hefty amount of trainers feature, the entire showcase includes 400-plus items. The other objects at Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street span photos, videos, posters, artworks and process material, all helping to explore the journey that the footwear style has taken in its design and culturally. Attendees can learn more about sneakers that were initially made specifically for getting sweaty, which is where the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars and Nike Airs come in (and, with the latter, to add to a year that's already seen the movie Air step through the story behind them). Also featuring: the shoes that've become cultural symbols (such as the Vans Half Cab and Reebok InstaPump Fury), future advancements in making kicks (as seen with Biorealize for Puma) and big-name collaborations (Jordan, of course, plus Run-DMC and more). From there, visitors can check out sneakers that've made a splash on the runway (Comme des Carçons and A-Cold-Wall*, for instance), find out more about plant-based sneakers (such as Veja and Native Shoes) and customisable kicks (as Helen Kirkum and Alexander Taylor are doing), and dive into celebrity endorsements (Travis Scott with Nike, Pharell for Adidas and the like). Laid out in chapters called 'STYLE' and 'PERFORMANCE', the exhibition's first part goes big on aesthetics and its second on the act of making the best trainers — covering Chuck Taylor's basketball clinics, sneaker culture in New York City and everything that's happened since. Also, Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street's Aussie run isn't forgetting its location, adding rare homegrown shoes and collaborations to the mix. Remember the Nike Air Presto that the Australian Olympic team wore at Sydney 2000? You'll see it here. The same with the New Balance 997.5 Tassie Tiger and BespokeIND's Melbourne Rules, with the latter made for the 2016 AFL grand final. Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street is the Gold Coast venue's second huge Australian-exclusive in 2023, following Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection, New York and its focus on Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring from February–June. In 2024, the site will welcome Italian Renaissance Alive, the latest multi-sensory art experience from the folks behind Van Gogh Alive and Monet in Paris, giving both locals and tourists alike plenty of reasons to drop by. Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street opened on Saturday, November 25 at HOTA Gallery, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast — head to the exhibition's website for further details and tickets. Images: Milk and Honey Creative.
Injecting a little sparkle and shine into otherwise dull neighborhoods, these architectural designs celebrate all that glitters. Gilded in gold, sequins, crystals, and more, each structure looks fit to house a disco party, or perhaps a drag-queen. Peruse 10 of the world's most blinged-out buildings, and indulge in a little decadence, dahhhling. 1. Maison Martin Margiela @ Beverly Hills, US 2. Golden House @ Nuweiba, Egypt 3. 8 Woningen Kettingstraat @ The Hague, Netherlands 4. Zaha Hadid’s proposal for a new gold Lego-covered courtyard building at The Louvre @ Paris, France 5. Theresa Himmer's 'Glacier #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 6. Swarovski flagship store @ Tokyo, Japan 7. Copper sulphate crystal-covered abandoned housing estate @ London, England 8. Theresa Himmer's 'Volcano #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 9. Theresa Himmer's 'Waterfall #01' @ Reykjavik, Iceland 10. The Visionary Art Museum @ Baltimore, US [via Flavorwire]
Just like their killer villains, some horror franchises never seem to die. In 2021, two big recent sagas have released their latest instalments, with Spiral: From the Book of Saw and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It keeping their respective spook-filled realms going. Alas, neither movie was anywhere near either series' best, but the fact that both Saw and Conjuring flicks are still reaching screens is a great testament to James Wan. The Australian filmmaker has been a key figure behind both franchises, directing their early instalments and still earning executive producer credits now — as he's followed the tried-and-tested path from horror movies to Hollywood blockbusters. Wan mightn't have been behind the lens of Spiral and The Devil Made Me Do It, but he is returning to his favourite genre this year — after detouring into action with Fast & Furious 7, Aquaman and the upcoming Aquaman 2. His latest flick Malignant will hit cinemas in September, marking his first horror film that isn't attached to an existing franchise since the initial Conjuring movie released back in 2013. This time around, he's playing with nightmares — but of the daylight variety. Malignant's protagonist Madison (Annabelle Wallis, Boss Level) keeps having visions of disturbing murders, only to find out that they aren't just figments of her imagination. Also complicating matters, as seen in the just-dropped trailer: the fact that, as a kid, she told people that she was speaking to the devil. The suitably moody and dark-hued trailer teases out this exact scenario, throws in a few bumps and jumps, but obviously leaves the key details for horror fans to discover when the film hits the big screen. Wan co-wrote the story behind the movie, with screenwriter Akela Cooper (upcoming Conjuring Universe sequel The Nun 2) penning the script. And, cast-wise, Maddie Hasson (Mr Mercedes), George Young (Containment), Michole Briana White (Songbird), Jacqueline McKenzie (Palm Beach), Jake Abel (Son of the South) and Ingrid Bisu (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) all co-star. Check out the trailer for Malignant below: Malignant opens in Australian cinemas on September 7.
In a bid to contain the most recent coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government made wearing masks compulsory across southeast Queensland in late June. It then extended that requirement in Brisbane and several other parts of the state until mid-July, and then extended it again for 11 Local Government Areas in and around Brisbane for another week. So, the news that masking up will continue to be mandatory in parts of Brissie for a further week really shouldn't come as a surprise. Today, Thursday, July 22, Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced a number of changes to Greater Brisbane's current COVID-19 restrictions, including easing gathering and venue caps — however, in the Brisbane City Council, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim LGAs, masks are staying. You'll now need to keep wearing them as you are now until 6am on Friday, July 30. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418011226559246336 If you need a refresher, the mask rules apply whenever you're spending time indoors somewhere other than your own home. In those situations, you must wear a mask. They must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, and in taxis and ride share vehicles. And, outdoors, you need to wear them when social distancing isn't possible. Accordingly, you always need to have a mask with you. The Deputy Premier also advised that masks will now be mandated in all indoor ticketed venues, including stadiums, theatres and cinemas, statewide as well. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1418011562866970624 "It's great to see the restrictions or ease from 6am tomorrow, but I have for an additional week asked for people please wear their masks," said Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young at the same press conference. "We know that has protected us. I'm positive the reason we've not had communities spread recently is because people have been genuinely wearing their masks," she continued. Queensland currently has 26 active cases, with none reported in the past 24 hours. As always, the usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms also still apply — as they have since March last year. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Food fans, rejoice. One of the most anticipated food festivals in Queensland is back this year — Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. And, to make up for last year's cancellation, it's set to be even bigger and better than previous years. The event will take place from Friday, August 19 till Sunday, August 21 at Apex Park in Woody Point as part of the wider Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival event. Shining a spotlight on farmers, local producers and the freshest seafood, the event will highlight the abundance of local produce in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay areas. You can expect a line-up of talented chefs and big-name restaurants from throughout the region who'll be doing live cooking demonstrations at the festival. Plus, there'll be live music to enjoy as you gaze over the glorious bay with a local wine in-hand — bliss. Keen to head along? The full program and tickets are now available. For more information and to book your tickets to enter the festival precinct, visit the website.
On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Instead of banding together — it was humanity's attempts to combat climate change that caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — the residents of the Snowpiercer have instead transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and this year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick proved a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens early in 2020. And while it doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order — the planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer will premiere on US TV network TBS in 2020, with airdates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
Travel junkies now have another big-ticket festival to add to their overseas itineraries as organisers behind legendary California music fest Coachella announce plans for a new London festival to launch next year. Kicking off on May 25, 2018, All Points East will feature a three-day, multi-genre music festival held across six stages in east London's Victoria Park. On top of that, the festival will span an extra week of free entertainment for the community before culminating in a trio of standalone headline shows. Already confirmed on the bill for the first portion are London heavyweights The xx, Jamaican MC Popcaan and Swedish pop act Lykke Li. Punters will be able to grab tickets to one, two or all three days. There'll then be free access to the site over the following week, as it plays host to a diverse program of comedy shows, food and drink events and an outdoor cinema. Finishing strong from June 2, the APE Presents headline shows will feature the likes of American indie rockers The National and The War On Drugs, synth-pop trio Future Islands, LA act Warpaint and Pennsylvania rock outfit The Districts. Further All Points East artist announcements are set to drop next week. Stay tuned. Via The Guardian.
When a composer pens music, it's the tune that they want the world to enjoy, not the marks on a page scribbling it into existence. When a conductor oversees an orchestra, the performance echoing rather than their own with baton in hand and arms waving is their gift. In Maestro, Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) is seen as Leonard Bernstein in both modes. His portrayal, especially in an unbroken take as the American great conducts Mahler's Resurrection Symphony at England's Ely Cathedral in 1973, is so richly textured and deeply complex that it's the career-best kind of astonishing. But Cooper as this movie's helmer, co-writer and one of its producers wants Maestro's audience to revel in the end result, not just in his exceptional on-screen contribution to bringing this virtuoso feature to fruition. And if he wants the love showered anyone's way first, it's towards Carey Mulligan (Saltburn), who the second-time director (and second-time director of a music-fuelled film, since his debut behind the lens was A Star Is Born) gives top billing for stepping so astoundingly into Felicia Montealegre Bernstein's shoes. Symphonies should erupt for Mulligan's awards-worthy turn, which deserves to claim her third Oscar nomination (after 2010's for An Education and 2021's for Promising Young Woman) at a minimum. As the Costa Rican actor — a talent herself, of the stage and small screen — hers is similarly a never-better performance. It's a chalk-and-cheese partner to Cooper's, too; his is all about playing someone whose entire reason for earning a biopic is his effort and what it wrought, while she makes everything from the screwball-esque early sparks of connection to soul-aching pain feel natural. When she says "you don't even know how much you need me, do you?", the words melt, and the moment with it. When she beams by Cooper's side during a TV interview about his achievements, the practicalities of spending your life with someone have rarely felt as giddying. When Maestro's main pair quarrel on Thanksgiving, away from their family and as the parade trots along outside the window, each word is a cut. Every scene with Mulligan lays its emotions bare so thoroughly, yet never forcefully or showily, that she virtually spirits the audience into Felicia's footwear with her. No matter who else receives Leonard's affections — clarinettist David Oppenheimer (Matt Bomer, Magic Mike's Last Dance) is one of the first — Maestro sees its story as a duet between him and Felicia, its key stars singing their parts accordingly. The crooning isn't literal, but the marital melodrama double act is perfectly attuned. The Bernsteins were harmonious in their love for each other, yet often in different ditties, bands and genres otherwise, which Cooper and Mulligan ensure hums as the baseline across the entire movie. Their relationship is as much the narrative's throughline as music, plus the clashing constantly pulsing inside Leonard. Indeed, the conflicts and contradictions that comprise a man who needs to be introverted to compose but extroverted to conduct — who can light up a room and descend into his own dark recesses — are all the more palpable and resonant because they're reflected through Felicia. Maestro examines not merely what it meant to be one Bernstein, but two. Cooper's screenplay with Spotlight, The Post and First Man's Josh Singer isn't a strict birth-to-death tale, ignoring Leonard's childhood. It starts with another television chat as an elderly man at the piano, smoking and swooning about Felicia, before zipping back to when perhaps his existence truly began: November 14, 1943. On that day, the then-assistant conductor discovered he'd be guiding the New York Philharmonic for the first time that evening. Charted from the call that got the 25-year-old Leonard out of bed, and initially framed against a black rectangle with a white border — the light endeavouring to sneak in from behind a blind — this sequence, the film's second, says everything about Cooper's approach. The elated Leonard runs from his room to Carnegie Hall's balcony as if only a corridor links them, a technique to be repeated aesthetically and emotionally. Maestro skips from beat to beat like there's no pause in-between, and like it can't get from instant to instant fast enough. Some biopics serve up a slice of life as a symbol for the whole, such as fellow 2023–24 awards contender Ferrari. Maestro hands around several plates, each dishing up a vignette that helps paint its overall portrait. As it leaps across five decades, it flits from heady thrills, buzzing parties and professional heights to complicated choices, heartbreak and loss. So swirls Leonard and Felicia meeting at his sister Shirley's (Sarah Silverman, The Bob's Burgers Movie) cocktail soiree, him marvelling at her acting, her questioning advice given to him to change his name and attitude, wedded bliss, domestic disharmony, children (Asteroid City's Maya Hawke plays their eldest Jamie), affairs, rumours, arguments, illness, hard conversations and tougher realisations. So dances a sweepingly dynamic feature that takes the concept of basing its style on its subject, and using that style to do its subject's intricacies justice, to its core. With its jumps from black and white to colour as well, and between the 1.33:1 and 1.85:1 aspect rations — A Star Is Born returnee Matthew Libatique's 35-millimetre-shot cinematography is ravishing — Cooper's handling of Maestro in look, format, air and atmosphere isn't new. But it couldn't feel more fitting for someone who put his all into track after track, composition after composition and conducting performance after conducting performance, each of which said something about Leonard. Cooper lets the maestro's music do ample talking, his soundtrack filled with it. Cue the symphonic suite from On the Waterfront; pieces from Fancy Free, On the Town, Trouble in Tahiti and Mass; and the prologue to West Side Story. Each is deployed precisely and powerfully, whether in turning courtship into a fantasy ballet that also demonstrates the push and pull of Leonard's bisexuality, or getting tension dancing when romantic discontent can only lead to confrontation. That said, some of the movie's best music moments are set to other tunes, and not just Mozart and Mahler's works that Leonard led orchestras to perform. (Yes, this is 2023's second film Down Under to unpack a baton-wielding figure who adores the Austro-Bohemian icon, after Tár; that picture's fictional Lydia was a Bernstein protégée, it advised.) Shirley Ellis' 'The Clapping Song' bounces with bittersweetness, with the inherently upbeat track arriving when there's little to be cheerful about in the Bernstein household except appreciating what time you can with those you cherish. With Tears for Fears' 'Shout' late in the piece, catharsis and release thumps as heavily as the song itself. Donning his filmmaker's cap, Cooper arranges every inch of Maestro this meticulously, and with a monumentally moving and meaningful viewing experience in mind. Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans) produce the film after each originally planning to helm it — and holding its own with the idea of a Scorsese- or Spielberg-directed Leonard Bernstein movie is another of Maestro's resounding triumphs. Maestro screens in cinemas from Thursday, December 7 and streams via Netflix from Wednesday, December 20.
Come April, the eyes of the sporting world will turn towards the Gold Coast, with the Queensland city hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That's great news if you're a fan of athletes and nations vying for glory — and, while it might not initially seem like it, it's great news for arts and culture lovers too. As well as the expected competitive endeavours, the event will also feature a huge multi-arts festival, called Festival 2018. First announced last year, Festival 2018 mightn't boast the most exciting name, but it does promise a plethora of exciting programming across 12 days. Taking place from April 4 to 15, the fest will feature more than 1000 arts and cultural experiences, complete with 1440 artists from 50 countries, and including 35 world premieres and 15 Australian premieres. From the just-revealed full program, highlights include the inflatable labyrinth that is Arboria, which will take over Broadbeach's Kurrawa Park; plus Circa's world-first take on The Rite of Spring, but in circus form; and Dancenorth's 360-degree dance performance Surge. Elsewhere, Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project will kick off the music offerings, while an evening of African tunes will mark what would've been Nelson Mandela's 100th year, and Courtney Act will host a celebration of LGBTQI pride. Also on the bill is the Gold Coast's own Amy Shark; the all-female Electric Lady, bringing together Aussie female-fronted acts; Hot Dub Time Machine 's latest stint; the seven-metre-wide, floating moon sculpture that is Museum of the Moon; and Holoscenes, the performance artwork which comes to Australia for the first time after wowing crowds in New York City's Times Square. Or, attendees can take part in a participatory dance performance featuring hundreds of people; and sing karaoke as they've never experienced it before — via a field of microphones on Surfers Paradise beach. Other standouts include a Champagne party, an extensive food program at Helensvale's NightQuarter, a silent disco tour, a seaside meditation zone and open-air short film screenings showcasing talent from across the Commonwealth. As previously announced, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Jungle Giants and Mau Power will also feature, as part of a lineup of art, music, theatre, dance and more spanning from from Coomera to Coolangatta. To deliver the massive event, The Festival has joined forces with the existing Bleach* Festival — and will also include satellite events held across the state. For Brisbanites not heading to the Goldie, that includes free music from Regurgitator, The Preatures, Bob Evans, Kev Carmody, Cheap Fakes, Airling, Major Leagues and more at South Bank's Cultural Centre Forecourt, a screening of Warwick Thornton's Aussie flag-focused doco We Don't Need a Map and the return of La Boite's refugee production The Village. Festival 2018 takes place from April 4 to 15 across the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland. Visit the festival website for further details. Image: Dancenorth, Amber Haines
It started back in 1956 as a singing contest between a mere seven nations. Now, more than six decades later, Eurovision is a glitter and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Forty-one countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere compete — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse each May to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their playlists. But with COVID-19 continuing to spread, the show won't go on in 2020 in Rotterdam as planned. With this year's event cancelled, that leaves a huge Europop-shaped hole in plenty of music fans' lives. Thankfully, while the live contest isn't happening, SBS is screening an alternative. Between Sunday, May 10–Sunday, May 17, the Aussie broadcaster is hosting a week-long Eurovision festival filled with new specials and repeat airings of the Eurovision grand finals from 2015–2019. It all kicks off with Road to Eurovision 2020 on Sunday, May 10, which is hosted by this year's hosts and was actually filmed in the Netherlands in December — and charts the journey towards this year's now-axed event. Then, between Monday, May 11–Friday, May 15, viewers can check out the contests that featured Australia's entrants so far — Guy Sebastian, Dani Im, Isaiah, Jessica Mauboy and Kate Miller-Heidke — with each grand final screening in full. Next, on Saturday, May 16, SBS is putting together a new special called Eurovision 2020: Big Night In. As well as watching along, Aussie Eurovision aficionados can take part. Viewers are asked to head to the SBS website before Sunday, May 3, check out all the songs and artists that would've competed if this year's contest went ahead, and then vote for your three favourites, with the results revealed on the night. SBS' usual local hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey will be overseeing the show, and this year's Australian entrant, Montaigne, will perform live as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974&feature=emb_logo Finally, on Sunday, May 17, it's time for Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light. All 41 of this year's songs will get their time to shine in a non-competitive format, with the special made in The Netherlands and hosted by Dutch Eurovision presenters Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit. SBS' week-long Eurovision festival will air from Sunday, May 10–Sunday, May 17 on SBS and SBS Viceland. For further details — or to vote for your favourite 2020 Eurovision acts for Eurovision 2020: Big Night In before Sunday, May 3 — head to the SBS website.
Come March 2021, it will have been 12 months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Accordingly, just when jetting overseas will be back on the agenda has been the subject of much discussion. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate, in fact — and now it looks like that could remain the case in 2021 as well. This isn't particularly surprising news; however, with a COVID-19 vaccine currently being rolled out around the globe — with the first jabs slated to hit Aussie arms sometime in February — there was hope that 2021 could see a slow return to normality. But Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has now forecast that the travel situation is unlikely to change soon, even with the vaccine. Appearing on ABC New Breakfast on Monday, January 18, Murphy — who is now the Secretary of the Department of Health — said "I think the answer is probably no. I think we will go most of this year with still substantial border restrictions. He continued: "even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus, and it is likely that quarantine will continue for some time". "At the moment, we have this light at the end of the tunnel — the vaccine — so we're going to go as safely and as fast as we can to get our population vaccinated," he also advised. "And then we'll look at what happens." https://twitter.com/breakfastnews/status/1350911014544449538 Murphy also said that, early on in the pandemic, he told Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he didn't want to "predict more than two or three months ahead" — because, "one of the things about this virus is that the rule book is being made up as we go". Eager travellers might remember that last April, Murphy advised that international travel wouldn't be back for at least three-to-four months. With COVID-19 cases continuing to spike elsewhere in the world, that timeframe just keeps extending. At the moment, Australia has implemented a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide. It's presently only one-way, though, meaning that New Zealanders can come to Australia, but Australians aren't yet able to holiday in NZ. It's worth noting, as everyone should be well and truly aware, that Australia's domestic border situation keeps changing with frequency, too — including recent updates in response to cases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne — so travelling anywhere beyond your own city probably isn't guaranteed to be straightforward for the foreseeable future. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
If you're looking for a weekend of relaxation, heading to the coast and zoning out by the beach is up there with the best options around. Throw in Queensland's sunny tropical weather and you have a recipe for a perfect warm-weather vacay. Whether you're looking for a lavish waterfront mansion, a quaint beachside cabin or an eco-friendly floating houseboat, there's a spot for everyone around southern coastlines of Queensland. Check out these twenty charming spots — then check your calendar and book in your next getaway. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly-Stays in Queensland The Best Places to Go Glamping in Queensland The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Island Stays in Queensland The River House, Noosa Heads It doesn't get much more summery than this waterfront house. Step out your front door to palm trees, white sand and a private jetty, or enjoy a drink and the dusk breeze from the expansive al fresco area. $1057 a night, sleeps six. Quirky Black Shack, Burnett Heads If you're looking to be consumed by the sounds and sights of the ocean, this unique three-bedroom beach house will set you up nicely with panoramic views of the beach from the laid-back front porch. $490 a night, sleeps six. The Lake Shack, Weyba Downs As the name suggests, this lush natural haven is closer to a lake house than a beach house, sitting on the banks of Lake Weyba. It's still only a short drive from multiple white-sand beaches, and the renovated fisherman's cottage comes decked out with a pool, outdoor bathtub and fire pit. $390 a night, sleeps two. Sophisticated Coastal Sanctum, Noosa Heads You'll find views of the Noosa river system, Mount Cooroy and Mount Tinbeerwah from this expansive three-storey house. You'll never run out of new reading spots here, with multiple expansive living areas both inside and out. $950 a night, sleeps eight. Floating Oasis, Noosa Heads This dreamy part-house boat, part-eco-friendly tiny house promises morning views and tranquil relaxation like no other. $589 a night, sleeps two. Bicentennial Oasis, Agnes Water You can find this quiet stay resting among the trees, just one kilometre from a dog-friendly beach and less than three kilometres from Agnes Water's main beach. Sit around the fire pit and enjoy watching the local kangaroos that wander the property. $100 a night, sleeps eight. Arkaba Views, Noosa Heads With a seven-metre pool, air hockey table and smart TV, this Noosa Heads house is a perfect group getaway. The sleek architectural style, abundance of light and picturesque views will have you slipping into complete holiday mode on arrival. From $1494 a night, sleeps eight. Mango Lodge, River Heads If you're looking for a relaxing home base before jetting off on day trips, try this bushland property. The wheelchair-accessible house is located just three minutes from the Fraser Island ferry and a short drive from Hervey Bay. $225 a night, sleeps four. Waterfront Resort, Banksia Beach This five-bedroom waterfront house sits on the banks of a pontoon, and comes fitted with a home theatre, pool, kayaks and outdoor barbecue. $550 a night, sleeps 14. Decked Out Holiday Home, Woorim Park yourself in this sleepy beachside town and enjoy a relaxation-filled stay at this leafy coastal house with shaded front and back decks. From $297 a night, sleeps six. Eclectic Oasis, Doonan An abundance of trees overrun this sunny coastal stay. The two-bedroom space comes with everything you need for a wholesome, nature-filled holiday including hammocks, board games and stars aplenty once night rolls around. $400 a night, sleeps four. Glass on Glasshouse, Glass House Mountains While this glass-walled house is less beachy than other stays on this list, what it lacks in direct access to the surf it makes up for with its picturesque location on Glass House Mountains. Plus, it's still less than 30 minutes to multiple bodies of water, including Golden Beach and the Bribie Island waterways. $494 a night, sleeps three. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. All photos supplied by Airbnb.
It's been more than two decades since Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet changed the game when it came to screen adaptations of Shakespeare — and delivered a stunning soundtrack along with it. There are many things that make the 1996 movie great, from its stellar casting to the filmmaker's inimitable style. But tracks by everyone from The Cardigans to Radiohead to Everclear to Garbage rank right up there with its biggests strengths. It's no wonder, then, that Brisbane Festival is throwing quite the soiree to celebrate one of the best-ever collections of movie tunes. At Young Hearts Run Free, The Tivoli will become a rock masquerade, with patrons dressing up, dancing the night away, and listening to live performances of the entire soundtrack — with Tom Dickins, Greg Chiapello, Airling, Electric Fields and Miss Blanks on the lineup.
As The Delta Riggs return home for their national tour one wonders if these Brit rock look-a-likes from Melbourne, in their extra skinny jeans, Vince Noir haircuts and lyrics about winklepickers and marmalade shoes, will miss the Notting Hill scene they seem so at home in. The four-piece band, known for their gritty blend of blues, psychedelica and classic Brit rock are fresh off the plane from this year's CMJ Music Marathon — New York's five-day music mecca — keeping up the brutal momentum of an epic year in which they've hit over 20 European gigs and toured Australia with their long-time idols Kasabian. The new album Dipz Zebazios is described by lead singer Elliot Hammond as a "sonic shift" from their previous work, with singles 'The Record's Flawed' and 'Supersonic Casualties' dialling up the psychedelic guitars and keyboard to give an intoxicating, almost sinister sound. It's sure to be a high-energy, whisky-drenched tour as The Delta Riggs endeavour to perfect their unique Brit-rock-from-Fitzroy sound. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KEgB2ra5su8
If you've always wanted to follow in the footsteps of Rasputin, but just couldn't find the right Contiki tour, we're here to help. There's a certain stigma that, in order to travel through Russia, you need to simultaneously wield a knife and be prepared to denounce democracy at any moment. There's some weird idea that it's filled lunatics, haters of English-speakers and that every street peddler possesses a stare of death. Well, take it from our experience — that's a total load of rot. Russia is home to some of the world's most incredible architecture, highest fashion and interesting people, and flights are on par with the cost of a trip to London. English isn't widely spoken — and you might have to adopt a diet of carrot cake and Cornettos to avoid attempting the language — but if you're chasing great experience over a great tan, lock in Russia for your summer vacay. [caption id="attachment_554510" align="alignnone" width="1280"] farhad sadykov via Flickr[/caption] WHERE TO GO If it's your first time in Russia and you're strapped for time, stick to the Western side — that is, St Petersburg, Moscow and Sochi. St Petersburg is an artist's dream, Sochi is the adventurer's city and Moscow is the New York of Russia (though they'd never admit it). Each city has every scene you can imagine — dive bars, high-end food precincts, live music venues, and a cathedral on every corner. If you want to experience a less hectic and clustered Russia — but still want to survive as an outsider — travel around the small towns outside Moscow, commonly known as the Golden Ring. It's a great route if you're chasing the peaceful life in the Russian province, beautiful countryside views and ancient architecture. [caption id="attachment_554526" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Kyle Taylor via Flickr[/caption] HOW TO GET A VISA Nothing great comes without at least one hurdle — and this one is a toughy. You're going to have to print some forms, post them off and pay some cash money for a little piece of paper to stick in your passport. Normally you have to apply for a Russian visa in person, but the Sydney consulate kindly allows you to post your application in. Check out their guidelines here. On your application form, you'll have to make sure you list every single country you've visited before. Seriously, if you forget that brief stopover you had once in Singapore, there'll be no visa for you. Oh, and you'll need an invitation from the hotel or hostel you're staying at during your stay in Russia. If you're Airbnb-ing it, you will have to obtain an invitation online. Stress Free Visas is a reliable, UK-based company that will help you obtain an invitation compatible with your visa within a day (for $40). [caption id="attachment_554509" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Chao Mama Hostel[/caption] WHERE TO STAY Hostels in Russia are seemingly some of the cleanest and cheapest in the world, but, of course, you're always at risk of getting a flea-ridden dud. In St Petersburg, Chao Mama hostel should be your go-to — seriously, work your trip around their availability so you can stay here. Its location is walking distance to St Isaac's Cathedral and a bed in a six-bed dorm is around a stupidly affordable $9AUD a night. They have homemade Belgian waffles for breakfast and the entire place is slick, clean and modern. If you're willing to empty your bank account on a luxe stay, then W Hotel is by far the trendiest, most convenient stay this side of the Baltic. In Moscow, just Airbnb it. The best hostels are on Airbnb anyway, and there are truly some pretty remarkable, not-too pricey views you could be waking up to. It's pretty easy to sort the reliable hosts from those looking to lend their dirty couch out for some quick cash. Use your know-how and, for God's sake, don't take a chance on a place that only shows one pixelated photo of a kettle. And if the listing is written in Cyrillic, steer clear — purely because making contact is going to be more hassle than it's worth. [caption id="attachment_550676" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Severyanin[/caption] WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK Unfortunately, not all Russian cuisine isn't something to get excited over. It seems all the time they spent building cathedrals, museums and invading different countries meant they simply forgot to forge an interesting cuisine. Most meals are meat and potato based, and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables are somewhat of a myth. So you can either eat cheap Chinese (of which there is plenty of) or take our advice on where to find meat and potatoes done not so bad. The traditional, must-try Russian dishes are stroganoff, borsch (beetroot soup), meat dumplings and honey cake. You can order delicious interpretations of these meals in St Petersburg's Severyanin. Their honey cake is famous (with good reason), and every Sunday from 2-5pm they host a Russian tea ceremony, complete with the homemade pies, jams, bagels and sweets pictured above. Other great restaurants in the area include Zoom Cafe (for breakfast), Pelmenya (for dumplings) and Macarena (for seafood). [caption id="attachment_550687" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Cafe Pushkin[/caption] In Moscow, head to the Novokuznetskaya District for a great bite. You can grab anything from a Japanese curry from Tanuki to a croque madame from Paul French Bakery — and of course there's some great Russian restaurants around too. Cafe Pushkin is one of the more famous, pricey restaurants in Moscow with renowned borsch, a dining room as posh as a museum and service that will have you feeling as royal as Catherine II. They're open from breakfast for dinner, and we recommend booking a table a few days in advance. On the drinks front, here's a serious don't: don't drink homemade vodka. If you're a traveller that has a tendency to make friends with locals and hence accept their invitation for a meal in their cabin in the woods, then this is your hot tip. Stay away from the moonshine. It'll probably kill ya. Just stick to the store-bought spirits, beers, illegally-imported Moldovan wine and rooftop bars (of which, there are many). [caption id="attachment_554517" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Larry Koester via Flickr[/caption] WHAT TO DO St Petersburg is a marvel of a city, made of more colours than Faber Castell HQ. Its architecture is incredible — the kind of exotic avant-garde structures, alien sensibilities, and strict Stalin-era designs you really won't find in any other country. St Isaac's Cathedral, The State Hermitage Museum and The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood are all must-sees. You could easily stay here a week and still not have done everything in and around St Petersburg, but the necessary out of town stops include heading to Pushkin to visit Catherine Palace and Peterhof State Museum Preserve. If you're a solo traveller, make a hearty attempt at catching public transport there, but if you're in a group of three or more, a taxi is affordable (and makes the trip a lot easier). [caption id="attachment_554524" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ana Paula Hirama via Flickr[/caption] In Moscow, allocate a good, sunny day to Gorky Park (pictured). Then another good, sunny day to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Hire skates or a bike (not a Segway) at both places as each are enormous and almost impossible to see properly without a set of wheels. If you're looking for more galleries and museum, The State Tretyakov Gallery, Tsarytsyno Open-Air History and Architectural Museum and Lenin's Mausoleum (where you can see Lenin's embalmed body) all deserve top rungs on the to-do list. [caption id="attachment_550679" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Adam Baker via Flickr[/caption] OTHER TIPS Bite the bullet, and learn to read Cyrillic as well as basic phrases and words.This isn't Bali. Most everyone speaks Russian exclusively, with perhaps a smidgen of German or English. Spa-see-ba is thank you. Stras-voot-yeah is hello. Make sure you have the Google Maps app on your phone. It gives the correct metro lines and stopovers right down to the minute. Use Uber, and always put your address in before you head out in case you don't have internet — it's much easier to have the address stored than having to pronounce a Russian street name. You might find yourself in a traffic jam with an Uber driver who is about to crack it because he's being dolled by the mile, not the minute. That's a good time to say spa-see-ba. He'll probably call you a prostituka. Don't lose your passport. That visa inside is the most important thing you have in Russia. If you lose it, you'll be detained in our embassy, promptly kicked out of the country and dished out a five-year ban from returning. No ifs, no buts — and don't even bother with the waterworks. These guys have dealt with more international disputes than you have Instagram followers. The empathy card is about as useless as a Georgian flag in South Ossetia. There's so much to see and do in Russia, and this is really only a snapshot of what this country has on show. It's a place everyone should venture to at least once — and there's no riskier/better time then now. Here's some Boney M to get the ball rolling. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTVWXYctoY[/embed] Top image: haylee via Flickr
Chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are among the spirits now available for tasting just outside of Melbourne in Healesville, following the opening of brand new distillery Alchemy. The business has taken over a century-old bakery, which you'll find hidden away up a laneway, off the main street. And not only is there a cellar door, there's a cocktail bar and accommodation too. At the centre of Alchemy's operations is a hybrid pot still with a 100-litre capacity. This mighty machine enables founders Evan Kipping and Jannick Zester to experiment with a variety of left-of-field flavours and ideas. While the aforementioned chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are Alchemy's core products, there's also a bunch of small-batch spirits on the go at all times. "Sinking our teeth into making multiple spirits has allowed us to collaborate with local producers," says Zester. "We've been overwhelmed with support and are currently playing with local strawberries, cumquats and grapes from the Yarra Valley." You're invited to taste Alchemy's offerings and/or settle in for a signature cocktail, craft beer or local wine — either indoors, at the bar, or out in the sunny beer garden splashed with greenery. If you want or need to sleep over, there's a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the main street that'll sort you out. To get more deeply involved, join Alchemy's barrel-ageing program. The crew is giving 100 people the opportunity to own their own 20-litre barrel. You'll start by going through the whiskey-making process, including mashing, distillation and fermentation, then, throughout maturation, make return visits to sample your creation. Two years down the track, choose to release the whiskey, stick with it as it continues to age or pop it in a bottle and take it home. Alchemy Distillers is now open at 242 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. For more info or to book a room, visit alchemydistillers.com.
Been spending the start of 2018 looking to the future? That's what new years are all about, but tonight you might want to look to the skies as well. As part of a summer filled with supermoons, an extremely rare celestial event will occur: a super blue blood moon — or a supermoon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse, aka a blood moon, all at once. On the evening of January 31, it'll be time to peer above to see a piece of history. The last time this trifecta happened at the same time was back on March 31, 1866. They'll be more frequent in the coming decades, with others expected on December 31, 2028 and January 31, 2037. Still, if you miss it this month, ten years is a long time to wait. WHAT IS IT? If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know. As we all learned back in November 2016, a supermoon is a new moon or full moon that occurs when the moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. They're not uncommon; two have taken place since the beginning of December. The supermoon at the end of January will be a full moon, which is why it's also a blue moon. A blue moon refers to the second full moon occurring in a calendar month. Despite the saying, they happen more often than you might think, with the last taking place in July 2015, and another due in March this year. And then there's the lunar eclipse, when the moon passes directly behind the Earth, into its shadow, blocking direct sunlight. When the three celestial bodies are lined up, it makes the moon look like it has been tinted red. WHEN CAN I SEE IT? If you're keen to catch a glimpse, timeanddate.com has put together a handy to-the-minute schedule of when the eclipse will be happening in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The super blue blood moon is expected at around 12.30am in Sydney and Melbourne, and 11.30pm in Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_655292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney total lunar eclipse times via timeanddate.com[/caption] Have your cameras at the ready, obviously — and see if you can outdo the last big batch of supermoon snaps. WHERE CAN I SEE IT? Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world — weather permitting, of course. Everyone in Australia should be able to catch a glimpse, but, even so, if you're living in the city, it would be best to as far away from light pollution as possible. Typically, clouds and rain are predicted for today along the east coast, which could prove really screw up visibility. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live streaming the eclipse from 10.30pm AEST (9.30pm in Brisbane) here. Otherwise, there will be another total lunar eclipse on July 28. Via Space.com and timeanddate.com. Updated: January 31, 2018.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will be transformed next week when the Games of Thrones Exhibition hits Sydney. With over 100 real artefacts, props and costumes (no replicas) the free exhibition will keep fans from gnashing their teeth as they await season five. The exhibition features a virtual experience that simulates life on top of the wall, where fans can catch a 360 degree panoramic view over Castle Black, as well as the opportunity to snap a selfie atop the Iron Throne. Liam Cunningham, who plays Davos Seaworth on the most downloaded program in history, is in town to launch the show. On a sunny winter morning outside Three Williams cafe, we caught up with the Irish engineer-turned-actor to talk finger puppets, potatoes and patricide. So thanks for chatting to us after no doubt a long flight. It's wonderful. I've a mate here who I've been threatening to come and see forever and I just haven't had the opportunity and when this came up they didn't have to ask me twice. This exhibition has gone all over hasn't it? Toronto, Amsterdam, Belfast, London. It's a real treat. What's really cool about it now is that HBO aren't trying to make a quick buck out of it. It's free. It's a little thank you to the fans for, you know, making it as big as it is. But it needs to finish real soon, otherwise I'll be naked in the next show, which would be unheard of. All my costumes are in this exhibition. For the fans, it's just a real treat. There are some fans, aren't there? Nobody knew it was going to be such a phenomenon. It's just this really expansive backdrop to an incredible story of family and paranoia and jealousy and power and how power corrupts and how the powerful, generally speaking, are just taking care of themselves. Our first female PM loved the show. Yeah she's a fan, a big fan! And Barack Obama. He insisted on getting season four before the public got it. So power does corrupt. That's how you know you've got power. He's a big fan. Jack Nicholson is a fan. Martin Scorsese. Who else? It's extraordinary the amount of people who love this show. You see it at the exhibition. You've got the emos and the goths and those people coming along who are kind of hardcore but generally speaking it's kids from sixteen to one hundred and sixteen watching it. It's not a niche program at all because it's unpredictable. Right from when our leading man Ned Stark got chopped it was a game-changer, because it broke, especially for the States, where your leading man gets in trouble, overcomes, gets the girl and disappears, boring boring boring. People went, 'What? Hold on, we need to watch this thing properly, because this is just messing with our heads.' If Davos suddenly turned around and told Stannis to shove it I don't think we'd see that coming. It's not in his nature. He's the kind of guy, if you were in trouble you'd want him in your corner. His loyalty and decency is unquestionable. Listen, he's treated well apart from having his hand chopped off. Is it a glove you use? Sometimes it's a glove. Sometimes it's little green puppets on my fingers that then get digitally removed. Pop quiz: If Davos was going to be killed off would you prefer his head was chopped off, his skull was popped or torture? Torture's always good 'cause you have the audience on your side. You're sort of a veteran but you started late as an actor. You worked as an engineer, lived in Africa and got married all before taking up the game. Your career before GoT is pretty accomplished but has your life changed in a big way since – I've been outed. I feel like I've been gay and kept it quiet and now people know. But you're coping. But I'm in front of the pride march with a stick. There is a bit of that. Listen, people's memories are really short. What's good about it is I have to wear this [gestures to beard], my pubic balaclava, when filming and when I finish filming off it comes and nobody knows who I am. Luckily I started late enough not to be impressed by myself. But you're Ireland's pin-up boy… There's a very healthy begrudgery in Ireland. No one gives a fuck who I am. You're not allowed to get on any sort of pedestal. It's kind of healthy. My ego's enormous anyway. I don't need it massaged. I can do that myself. You've brought your youngest along. Are you the coolest dad ever? Of course. Isn't that obvious. No, yeah, he's my travelling companion. He keeps me out of trouble. He keeps me out of the pip. I think he had a book. I'm impressed. A kid with a book. Yeah, but it's a book about guns. I'm raising a small serial killer. At the moment he's choosing which weapon to end my life with. He's probably looking at me through the window and saying I'm gonna pop a cap in your arse, Dad. No, he's cool. He's a sixty-year-old man trapped in a thirteen-year-old body. He's the kind of dude I got to for advice. He's an extraordinary little fella, my boy. In my last 35 seconds I have to ask, for my editor, reflections on The Little Princess? She's a fan! Quite a few tweets come through — OMFG Davos Seaworth is the dad from The Little Princess. The Little Princess was nineteen years ago so a lot of those eight-year-old girls are now watching me as Davos. And now they're hugely attractive, gorgeous-looking women, and I'm close to death at this stage, but at least I've kept these ladies very happy when they were kids and I'm keeping them happy when they're grown-ups. I love my job. There's not many movies for daddies and little girls. Can you think of any other ones for fathers and daughters? Oh man, the The Shiralee. It's this Australian one … It's got Bryan Brown in it. I used to look like Bryan Brown. Just quickly, I'm working on a story and I want to list all the things you can do with potatoes. Because you're Irish, and I don't mean to be racist, but I was wondering if you could add anything to my list. So far I've got mashed potato, fried potato, boiled potatoes, potato bake, potato soup... Mashed potato sandwiches. Keith Lemon's favourite dish. If you had to give up onions or potatoes? Well this is not an option. No. I cook. You have to give up one. Shit. Onions or potatoes? Onions are so incredibly important but listen, we'd die without potatoes. Now you're going to remember The Shiralee or will you forget? It's S-h-i-r-a – [A lady walks past and tells us to shut up our very female-specific body parts several times before moving on.] ...Welcome to Australia! That's fantastic. I wonder if she arranges flowers for a living. When do you head home? I leave Tuesday. We're going to open the exhibition. I couldn't wait to get down here. Does Australia really feel as far away as everybody – It's the moon. It's the moon. Next stop, the Sea of Tranquillity. Game of Thrones: Season 4 is now available on Google Play. The Game of Thrones Exhibition is at the MCA from July 1-5.
Earlier in 2020, when events worldwide started cancelling, postponing and rescheduling due to COVID-19, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s Dark Mofo was sadly one of many that had to pull the plug. It's also just one of the annual festivals that the venue holds but, thankfully, MONA's summer event will be forging ahead — and, if the first sneak peek at its program is anything to go by, Mona Foma's 2021 festival is returning in a big way. Come January, arts and music fans will be able to soak in the fest's eclectic sights and sounds across two weekends — and in two locations. Although Mona Foma was originally held in Hobart, where MONA is located, the event made the move to Launceston in 2019. In 2021, however, it'll split its program between both Tasmanian cities. Launceston will be up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. After revealing back in September that Mona Foma would definitely return next year, MONA has now announced two parts of its 2021 lineup — one per city — which is great news for everyone who loves arts, culture, festivals, lights, lasers, gorges and warehouses. [caption id="attachment_790928" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Aqua Luma, Robin Fox. Photo Credit: Nick Roux. Image courtesy of the artist and and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] First up, in Launceston, the city's Cataract Gorge will host the latest work by audio-visual artist Robin Fox. Yes, that means the site's landscape will be taken over by an immersive installation, called Aqua Luma — which'll be making its world premiere, will run on a 20-minute cycle from 9.30am–11.30pm, and will be free to attend. Aqua Luma will feature multiple components, too, all adding to one impressive experience. First, it'll include 12 metre-high water jets that'll erupt in time with subharmonic frequencies. Also, there'll be lasers tracing geometrical patterns in the watery mist. Basically, you'll feel like you're standing beneath a canopy of light and sound — and there'll be an electronic composition sent straight to your smartphone as well. [caption id="attachment_790934" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] K&D Warehouse, Hobart, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Over in Hobart, Mona Foma is turning the site of former hardware store K&D Warehouse into a gallery — with exhibition No Place Like Home filling the entire place with video installations, art and sculptures all selected by Mona curator Emma Pike. You'll be able to wander through one of the city's best-known buildings, which dates back 118 years, and see works by artists such as Tony Albert, Zanny Begg, Andy Hutson, Rachel Maclean, Nell, Ryan Presley and Phebe Schmidt. Entry will cost $10 per person. Revealing Aqua Luma and No Place Like Home, Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie said that the festival was excited about hosting "installations in two of the state's most dramatically different but equally beloved locations". He continued: "Robin Fox has been involved in every festival program since Mona Foma's inception, so it's appropriate that he has created a new work to address a year like no other. While at K&D Warehouse, the art will take you over the rainbow after the storm that was the year 2020." If you're wondering what else the event has in store, Mona Foma's full program will be released on Monday, December 7, with tickets going on sale at 8am the next day. Of course, before you go making big plans for a weekend getaway down south, you'll want to keep an eye on Tasmania's current border restrictions — which, at the time of writing, requires 14 days in quarantine for non-Tasmanian residents entering from a location considered medium-risk, such as Victoria and South Australia. Restrictions on Victorians are due to ease on Friday, November 27, however. Mona Foma will take place from January 15–17, 2021 in Launceston, and from January 22–24, 2021 in Hobart. We'll update you when the full program is announced on Monday, December 7 — but head to the festival website in the interim for further details. Top image: Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Rob Burnett. Image courtesy of the artist and Visit Northern Tasmania.
When Australia was saying goodbye to border restrictions, the country's various states started giving away vouchers and incentives to get folks travelling around the nation again. Those days are gone, but Queensland still wants everyone — Queenslanders, interstate residents and New Zealanders alike alike — to make holiday plans in the Sunshine State. To help, it's giving away five impressive getaways over five weeks. The catch: you will need to actually answer your phone. If you're the kind of person who always texts about everything over calling, you'll need to change your ways if you want to score a free vacation. First, you'll need to register online, too, to be on the Sunshine State's call list. Then, it's time to wait for the phone to ring. [caption id="attachment_842401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] On offer: a different free getaway each week, starting with a 12-night road trip for two through Queensland's outback. The first holiday focuses on the Sunshine State leg of the Savannah Way, and will see you start off in Mount Isa, get a 4x4 hire vehicle with rooftop tent for hitting the bitumen, camp in Burketown and Croydon, go up in a hot air balloon, spend two nights in Karumba, glamp (and soak) at Talaroo Hot Springs, stay at (and tour) Undara Volcanic National Park, then end with an evening at Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns before flying home. You'll need to be able to go between July 8–21. After that, you could nab an island-hopping stint in the Torres Strait for four nights, which covers four people and will happen from May 28–June 1; a four-night Sunshine Coast Hinterland trip for two that's all about artisanal experiences, and runs from July 28–August 1; and six nights in the Bundaberg and Capricorn regions, including hiking the Carnarvon Gorge, from August 15–21. [caption id="attachment_650357" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Or, there's a gather-the-gang getaway in the Granite Belt wine region, flying you and five mates to Brisbane, then sending you out Stanthorpe way. Running from July 14–17, it includes three nights staying at the Barrel View Luxury Cabins. Tourism and Events Queensland is teaming up with Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Webjet, MyQueensland, Accor, Helloworld, Luxury Escapes, Expedia/Wotif and Experience Oz on the giveaways, which folks from around Australia and in New Zealand can enter. Do so once and you're in the draw for all five holidays — or however many are left after you sign up before 5pm AEST on Wednesday, April 19. You can only win one, however, and you don't get to choose. Also, if you get lucky, you will be up for some costs such as food. [caption id="attachment_702568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland / Jewels Lynch[/caption] To go in the running for the Queensland Is Calling giveaways, sign up online — and find out more via the Queensland.com website, too. Top image: Talaroo Hot Springs. 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.
In these cutthroat days of citizen journalism, a single tweet can obliterate a career. Just ask all these people. That which has been posted — and shared 20,000 times — cannot be unposted. And whether you were drunk, feeling sorry for yourself, on some kind of weird ego trip (Anthony Weiner = Carlos Danger?), really bad at conveying irony, genuinely misunderstood or just plain stupid when you penned the fatal line, excuses aren’t likely to get you out of hot water. Precedent suggests that neither your employer nor the angry mob is likely to be too easily persuaded. But if your most ill-thought-through posts are still buried deep in your feed, rather than across the front page of the Daily Mail, there’s hope. A new app by the name of Clear can burrow into your social media past, analyse your history and flag posts that seem inflammatory or offensive. Based on a mix of miraculous algorithms and Watson, a supercomputer created by IBM, the app works on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Clear’s creator is a man who’s name you might have seen in the headlines. Earlier this year, EthanCzahor was working on a campaign for Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and possible 2015 presidentialcandidate, when a flurry of old tweets appeared out of thecyber-ether. One read, “Most people don’t know that Halloween is German for ‘night that girls with low self-esteem dress like sluts.’” And another, “When I burp in the gym I feel like it’s my way of saying, ‘sorry guys, but I’m not gay’.”Czahor lost his job within 48 hours of starting, which was a huge blow for a 31-year-old who’d spent his twenties pursuing a career in politics. From the get-go, Ethan maintained that the tweets were jokes, the meaning of which had become skewed. “I was telling jokes with my friends and they were completely tongue-in-cheek and completely harmless,” he told Time. “But years later after I had forgotten about them, they’d been pulled out of context and it looked terrible.” “You exist in a lot of places on the Internet,” he said. “And I just feel that you have the right to at least know what’s out there, and to take care of it.” Via Mashable and Time.
Pipes blow gently. The camera swirls. Rows of plants fill the screen. Some are leafy and flowery as they reach for the sky; others are just stems topped with closed buds. Both types of vegetation are lined up in boxes in an austere greenhouse. Soon, another shoot of green appears among them. Plant breeder Alice (Emily Beecham, Cruella) is cloaked in a lab coat far paler than any plant, but the symbolism is evident — and, although audiences don't know it yet, her cropped red hair resembles the crimson flowers that'll blossom in her genetically engineered new type of flora, too. "The aim has been to create a plant with a scent that makes its owner happy," she says. She explains that most research in her field has involved cultivating greenery that requires less human interaction; however, her new breed does the opposite. This species needs more watering and more protection from the elements, and responds to touch and talk. In return, it emits a scent that kickstarts the human hormone oxytocin when inhaled. Linked to motherhood and bonding, that response will make everyone "love this plant like your own child," Alice advises, beaming like a proud parent. So starts Little Joe, which shares its name with the vegetation in question — a "mood-lifting, anti-depressant, happy plant," Alice's boss (David Wilmot, Calm with Horses) boasts. She's borrowed her son's (Kit Connor, Rocketman) moniker for her new baby, although she gives it more attention than the flesh-and-blood teen, especially with the push to get it to market speeding up. The clinical gaze favoured by Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner (Amour fou) is telling, though. The eerie tone of the Japanese-style, flute- and percussion-heavy score sets an unsettling mood as well. And, there's something not quite right in the overt eagerness of Alice's colleague Chris (Ben Whishaw, Fargo), and in the way that everyone dismisses the one naysayer, Bella (Kerry Fox, Top End Wedding), who has just returned to work after a mental health break. Making her first English-language feature, Hausner layers this tension across every image, sound and interaction within Little Joe. Dread, too. Agitation blooms inescapably in a movie that quickly becomes a disquieting sci-fi/horror masterwork. Like many features in the genre, this is a film about possibilities and consequences, creation and costs, and happiness and sacrifices. It's about both daring to challenge and dutifully abiding by conformity as well, and about the societal need not just to thrive and survive, but to prosper and propagate by creating order out of chaos. And yet, as recognisable as these themes and ideas are, Little Joe is always its own beast. Aspects of Frankenstein are at play, and The Day of the Triffids, and even Side Effects. The film also has much to say about motherhood, the expectations that come with it, and the way that women are supposed to acquiesce to everything around them. But as anyone familiar with Mary Shelley's iconic work knows, combining familiar elements can give birth to an intriguing new entity that's much more than just the sum of its components. Little Joe, the plant, is alive — obviously. As it scent wafts through nostrils, it evokes change. Like Frankenstein's creature, it yearns for love and attention. It doesn't scream, but it still clamours to be cared for. As Alice notes in the aforementioned opening scene, her creation is specifically designed to respond to human affection. It reacts when it's nurtured, though, rather than rankling against its absence. And, as Alice begins to discover slowly but noticeably, that response has repercussions. Co-scripting with Géraldine Bajard, who she also worked with on Amour fou and Lourdes, Hausner tinkers with a classic tale to make several statements. She ponders the advertising-reinforced need for bliss that we're all meant to covet, and the way we're conditioned to accept progress and advancement — and to actively work towards it — no matter the ramifications. She also interrogates wellness bandwagons, purportedly easy cures and profiting from the quest for happiness, as well as the notion that normality and being like everyone else is worth striving for. The more that Little Joe examines the impact that Alice's work has upon her home life, too, the more it explores the pressures and demands that come with balancing personal and professional spheres. As a science fiction film, this savvily unnerving creation has much germinating within its frames. As a horror movie, it unpacks existential and primal worries with slickness and smarts. Hausner also calls upon aspects of The Little Shop of Horrors and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers — and, although it premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, before the pandemic, Little Joe slides into the cohort of contagion-focused flicks that contemplate the way infections spread, evolve and reshape everything in their image. Plus, this is a feature about awakenings, as Alice cottons on to exactly what she's created. Its aesthetic might be sparse — whites, greys and glassy surfaces punctuated by small bursts of colour, including from Little Joe's petals and the pink lights needed to make them blossom — but its musings and impact are anything but. Indeed, if there's any stylistic flourish that epitomises the film overall, it's Martin Gschlacht's exacting and controlled cinematography. In his camera placement and shot composition, he peered just as meticulously in the exceptional Australian horror film Goodnight Mommy, and he demonstrates the festering unease that lingers in icy restraint here once again. Watching Alice navigate all of the above, it should come as no surprise that Beecham has earned awards for her performance — the Best Actress prize at Cannes, in fact. She plays a creator forced to face the reality of her dreams, achievements and choices; a mother confronted with changes in both of her children; and a woman weathering the world's expectations. As Alice's status quo crumbles, Beecham's quiet distress and sprouting doubts are palpable, and she couldn't be more crucial to the film. Hers isn't an overt portrayal, though. Its power grows, fittingly, in a movie that's constantly striking in its premise, tone, look, emotions and concepts. Little Joe's audience won't need a plant to alter their mood — this distinctive and beguiling standout manages that all by itself.
Big names from Australia and overseas. A new stage dedicated to dance music. A health and wellness zone with guided meditation and ice baths. With the returning lantern parade, too, as well as Steven Bradbury hosting the Great Australian Pineapple Toss and the onsite ferris wheel offering a helluva view, that's how The Big Pineapple Festival is making the most of its 2025 event. Taking place on Saturday, November 1, the Sunshine Coast is marking its ten-year anniversary with Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire, The Jungle Giants and PNAU leading the bill, as well as Polaris, SIX60, Hands Like Houses, MKTO, Rum Jungle and Thelma Plum. Superlove Arena, that purpose-built haven for electronic tunes, will feature Baauer, Bushbaby, Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas, KLP B2B Mell Hall, Little Fritter B2B Wongo, Paluma B2B Kessin, Shimmy and Raw Ordio. And Betty Taylor, Beckah Amani, HEADSEND and IVANA are also on the fest's lineup as well, all helping the event back up being named the Festival of the Year for the fourth time at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards. For those keen to dance in the shadow of a giant piece of tropical fruit — and one of Australia's most-famous big things — hitting Pineapple Fields in Woombye also comes with the option of camping, whether you'll be bringing your own tent, hiring one onsite or glamping. The Big Pineapple Festival 2025 Lineup Hilltop Hoods The Cat Empire The Jungle Giants PNAU Polaris SIX60 Hands Like Houses MKTO Rum Jungle Thelma Plum Baauer Bushbaby Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas KLP B2B Mell Hall Little Fritter B2B Wongo Paluma B2B Kessin Shimmy Raw Ordi Betty Taylor Beckah Amani HEADSEND IVANA Select images: Claudia Ciapocha / Charlie Hardy.
Well-known for his visual distinctive style and fondness for symmetry across films such as The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson is now playing museum curator. Alongside his partner, set designer and illustrator Juman Malouf, he's put together an exhibition for Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum: Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures. The creative couple were given a task that plenty would envy: trawling through the Kunsthistorisches Museum's more than four million objects, and selecting their favourites from the incredibly broad collection of in-house artifacts. The end result includes items from all 14 of the museum's collections, which span old master paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Imperial coins and more. Think pieces like historical musical instruments, suits of armour, foreign antiques, carriages and sleighs, plus a fully illustrated catalogue. If you're wondering what inspired Anderson, he explains in the exhibition catalogue that, with Malouf, he harbours "the humble aspiration that the unconventional groupings and arrangement of the works on display may influence the study of art and antiquity in minor, even trivial, but nevertheless detectable ways for many future generations to come". And if you're not planning to be in Austria before April 28, 2019 — or in Italy afterwards, with the exhibition set to travel to the Fondazione Prada in Milan at a yet-to-be-announced date — here's a look at what's on offer. [caption id="attachment_703302" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband[/caption] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband [caption id="attachment_703299" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband[/caption] Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband Exhibition view. © KHM-Museumsverband Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures exhibits at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum until April 28, 2019. Images: © KHM-Museumsverband.
You've watched her on television. You've cooked her recipes. Her books might sit in your kitchen. You could've even heard her culinary tips live and in-person. The next way to take your cues from Nigella Lawson? Eat where she did, and then raved about, during her recent trip to Brisbane. Fortitude Valley's Agnes is no stranger to attention — we named it Brisbane's best restaurant — and the latest comes from Lawson. The author of How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food, Nigella's Cook, Eat, Repeat and more — the star of Nigella Bites, Nigella Feasts, Nigella Kitchen, Nigellissima, Simply Nigella, Nigella: At My Table, Top Chef, MasterChef Australia and My Kitchen Rules as well — took to the stage at QPAC Concert Hall on Thursday, March 14, 2024 for An Evening with Nigella Lawson. Around that speaking engagement, she also headed to the restaurant that recently welcomed in Adam Wolfers as Group Chef (alongside Biànca, sAme sAme and hôntô). And, she couldn't have more praise for Agnes. "Ever since I found out that Adam Wolfers was opening Agnes Restaurant, I'd been longing to go, and lo, the food gods looked favourably upon me and made sure it came to pass. What a cave of delights!" Lawson said on social media. In a lengthy post, the celebrity chef then went on to call out the "fabulous space", Skull Island tiger prawns with fermented chilli butter that she says are now "imprinted on my taste-memory", plus the rock oysters with coal mignonette that she dubbed "an extraordinary experience". She also had kind words for Agnes' raw beef with dripping toast and Bangalow pork chop. "But the dish that quite spun my senses was the chicken skewer with fenugreek: chicken oysters brined in onion juice, flamed and brushed with toum, along with turmeric and fresh fenugreek. Still reeling with pleasure," Lawson advised. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nigella (@nigellalawson) Lawson's visit came just after Wolfers, Gerard's Bistro's former Head Chef, took on his post at hospitality group Anyday — which is behind Agnes, Biànca, sAme sAme, hôntô, LOS (sAme sAme's cocktail bar) and Agnes Bakery (Agnes' woodfired pastry offshoot). Located in a three-level space in an old brick warehouse on the street that shares its name, Agnes focuses on woodfired cooking, and features not only a main dining room — which overlooks the open kitchen and its two charcoal pits — but a wine bar and a rooftop bar as well. Also boasting Ben Williamson as Executive Chef and a co-owner, it's been worth stopping by since opening in 2022. Now, however, it officially comes with Lawson's glowing adoration and tick of approval. Find Agnes at 22 Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley — open for lunch from 11.30am Friday–Sunday and for dinner from 5.15pm Monday–Saturday. Head to the restaurant's website for further information. Top image: Cathy Schusler.
Picture this: you're having a lazy evening at home in front of Netflix, and you promise yourself you'll power through just one — and only one — more episode before tapping out for the night. How many times have you broken that promise? Let's face it, you'd probably prefer not to count. And if you're like us, you probably also reach for the Ben & Jerry's for a quick sugar fix to keep you going. Convenient it may be, but healthy? Not so much. Next time you're planning a lazy night in, level up your snack game with something more wholesome (and equally delicious). We've teamed up with Yumi's to compile a collection of quick, easy and delicious alternatives to your favourite couch-time snacks. Here's what to dig into next time you're doing Netflix and chow. INSTEAD OF CHARCUTERIE...ASSEMBLE A GRAZING PLATTER Look, there's nothing wrong with a well-prepared charcuterie board — piles of delicious deli meats, indulgent cheeses, pâté and preserves, salty crackers, and the odd smattering of fruit. Add some variety with crunchy crudites — and, of course, dip. Yumi's have a huge range of dips that are all dairy and gluten free, and packed with real ingredients. We love the classic sweet potato and cashew dip, while the classic hommus is also excellent — variations like the rocket and almond pesto are also winners. They're great paired with fresh veggies (think carrots and cucumber), but perhaps even better with Yumi's selection of preservative-free and ready-to-eat falafel or veggie bites. We recommend zapping them in the microwave for a minute. INSTEAD OF ICE CREAM...MAKE SORBET Real talk: telling yourself that you're having just one more scoop of ice cream is the same as telling yourself you'll only watch one more episode before heading to bed. Before you know it, it's an ungodly hour and you're staring at the bottom of an empty tub. Lessen the lactose by making a swap for an easy, refreshing homemade sorbet — no churning required. You'll need to dice and prefreeze your favourite fruit — mango, cherries, pineapple or banana always work a treat, while store-bought, prefrozen berries are great for a quick win. Then, pop a cup (or two) in a blender with three to four tablespoons of sugar or maple syrup, and blitz until smooth. You can balance out the sweetness with a hint of lemon or lime juice, too. [caption id="attachment_815090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Margarita Zueva (Unspalsh)[/caption] INSTEAD OF PIZZA...MAKE BRUSCHETTA An evening on the couch with a juicy series lined up and a big, cheesy pizza — is there a better way to Netflix? Perhaps not — but there are healthier ways (that also don't rely on Uber Eats). Making your own pie is simple as can be, especially with so many types of premade bases available in just about any supermarket, including ones that cater for just about every dietary requirement. Crank up the oven and lather your base with tomato paste (you can even make your own, should you wish), cheese and your choice of toppings. Feel like something more refreshing? It's hard to go wrong when you make your own bruschetta. Pick up a crusty baguette, whack it under the grill, give it a rub with some olive oil, garlic and salt, and then load it up with fresh diced veggies, herbs or deli meats. It's an easy — and delicious — way to make sure you get in your five a day. [caption id="attachment_815095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charles Deluvio (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF SALTY CHIPS...MAKE VEGGIE CHIPS Love the salty crunch of potato chips? Us too — so we also know how hard it is to know when to stop. For a healthier alternative, leave the prepackaged morsels in the supermarket aisle and pick up some sweet potato or kale instead. It couldn't be more simple to get snacking, either. Just slice up your veg, toss it in some olive oil and pop it in the oven until crispy. Kale is full of good things, from beta-carotene to help eyesight, and Vitamins C, K and E. As for sweet potato, it's loaded with antioxidants, fibre and Vitamin A — it's also lower GI than a regular potato. Want some extra flavour? Kale chips are even better when tossed in a bit of za'atar, while sweet potato and paprika is a spicy match made in heaven. Dip liberally in some hummus and you've got yourself a serious snack. [caption id="attachment_815092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anshu A (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF BIKKIES...MAKE OATMEAL COOKIES We stan a Tim Tam as much as the next sweet tooth. And don't get us started on our ongoing love affair with an Iced Vovo. But of course, they're not the healthiest treats to snack on. If you too have trouble keeping your mitts out of the bikkie tin, try your hand at making your own oatmeal cookies. They're surprisingly easy to put together and will easily satisfying any sweet cravings. The benefits of trading sugar for oatmeal are plentiful — oats are higher in fibre, can stabilise blood sugars and are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. There's also the added benefit of the warm aroma of freshly baked goods waiting through your house. [caption id="attachment_815093" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abbie Whiddett (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTEAD OF CAKE...MAKE CACAO BALLS There's a better way to get your gooey chocolate fix. Enter date and cacao balls. They're ridiculously easy to make, and they last longer than cake does, too (though if they disappear from the fridge quickly, we won't blame you). There are a heap of health benefits, too — dates are high in antioxidants and fibre, and can also improve bone health, while cacao has been shown to help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. For more wholesome snacking, check out the full range of Yumi's falafels, veggie bites and dips.
It's hard to get a true snapshot of a place you're holidaying in when you don't have a friend who lives there to show you around. The Margaret River region presents its own unique set of challenges — with over 150 wineries and six days' worth of stunning coastal walking track, you're just not going to get to do it all are you? We've teamed up with Pullman Hotels and Resorts to bring you a guide to Margaret River that you can do in a few days, and that should leave you feeling like you really got to know the area. (If you ever decide to leave, that is. You do realise it's a food and wine mecca with a boho beach vibe that's long been punching above its weight in the culturescape, right?) Putting our heads together with Pullman Bunker Bay ambassador Shane Hilder — a creative consultant, entrepreneur and passionate amateur photographer who shot the most stunning images in this article — we've curated a list of ten must-dos that will expose you to Margaret River's many strengths. They range from a brewery in a dairy farm to a beach beloved for its stingrays, because the southwest of this country has no room for ordinary, apparently. Check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. FOOD & DRINK [caption id="attachment_643873" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Larry Cherubino winery[/caption] MARGARET RIVER WINERIES You didn't come all this way, to one of Australia's premier wine-growing regions, not to taste a truckload of wine. Plenty of tour operators offer group trips that will help you blitz a selection of the area's more than 150 cellar doors. Alternatively, sort your own car or bike and follow an itinerary of your own invention. Taking responsible service of alcohol to heart, several of the wineries also have strong food offerings that will more than line your stomach. Cullen Wines and Vasse Felix (the region's first winery, dating back 50 years) are two estates with excellent restaurants, while Woodlands Wines has some of the best reds in the region. Don't miss: The brand spanking new cellar door at Larry Cherubino. The former head winemaker at Houghton, Larry started producing wines under his own label in 2005 and has just opened a cellar door in Wilyabrup. METRICUP'S BEER FARM Right in the midst of Margaret River's zoned agricultural area is this brewery, recently converted from a working dairy farm, and with cows still roaming its fields. The Beer Farm's old creamy is now an entrance, and the roundhouse where the cows were milked is the brewhouse, but you'll spend most of your time in the old hay shed — which has been transformed into a bar filled with handmade wood benches, chesterfield couches and floor-to-ceiling murals. An atmosphere of casual fun pervades the whole space (pinball machines, lawn games and footy posts help kick that along), and you can get a good feed from the on-site food truck. Don't miss: Their lovely cloudy cider, made from local Manjimup apples. THE GOOSE BEACH BAR & KITCHEN The main attraction of The Goose is its position at the start of the Busselton Jetty — the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. The views from here out over the waters of Geographe Bay will make you Zen out so deeply you could forget to eat. Though, don't — it's all local southwest produce here, whipped into comforting cafe classics. Start your day with eggs any which way, the house granola with coconut yoghurt, or a more adventurous salmon pastrami and 63-degree egg on rye. Don't miss: Walking off a meal on Busselton Jetty — it stretches nearly 2 kilometres into the ocean, with an underwater observatory at the end. MARGARET RIVER FARMERS MARKETS Is there anything more pleasing than a farmers market in an actual farming area? Everything is so damn fresh, it's practically still growing, and the people manning the stall are the actual growers. On every Saturday morning at the Margaret River Education Campus, this farmers market has been running for more than 13 years. It's where residents do their weekly shop, producers test out their new creations, and visitors go to try out everything from regional honey and olive oil to kimchi and kombucha. It's only about 50 stalls, but the good vibes are disproportionately huge. Don't miss: Having a coffee by local roastery Yahava and a plate of Má Là dumplings — made in the northern Chinese style but stuffed with the produce of Australia's southwest. WELLBEING & LEISURE [caption id="attachment_643870" align="aligncenter" width="1980"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] HAMELIN BAY Two words: Friendly. Stingrays. These guys just love swimming around the jetty here and don't care if you hop in the water with them. While patting and feeding of the rays isn't strictly encouraged, people often do it anyway, so just use your common sense and be respectful. Otherwise, Hamelin Bay is great for swimming, walks or just some solid lolling around. The beach is open to the northwest, so skip it if it's a windy day and opt for somewhere more secluded. There's a reason 11 vessels have been shipwrecked here over the centuries. Don't miss: On the plus side, that's 11 sites to explore if you've got a snorkel or scuba gear. [caption id="attachment_643871" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] CANAL ROCKS While you're in Margaret River, you've got to do a section of the Cape to Cape Track — the 140 kilometre coastal path from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin that take about six days to walk in whole. A good segment to pick is around Yallingup, as it means you can take in the Canal Rocks. Waves have eroded a narrow path through the rocks in this headland over time, and watching the waters roar through it now is transfixing viewing. Unlike many other coastal spots, this one is great when the seas are rough, as the force of the waves is accentuated. There's a boardwalk over the rocks so you can get up close. You can swim around here too, but — need it be said — use caution. Don't miss: Watching the sunset from here over the Indian Ocean. If you're used to east-coast sunrises, you've been missing out on a world of colour. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL Margaret River is betting that interest in mountain biking will continue to boom — it's apparently planning 500 kilometres in new trails in the coming years. There's already plenty there, winding through the region's famous jarrah and karri forests, with options for riders of all levels. Beginners can try the 10 Mile Brook track, following the Margaret River for some 15–20 kilometres, with an option to detour to the Colonial Brewery for lunch. Advanced riders might be more drawn to the Creek Trails, which include some sharp descents and what Margaret River Tourism terms the "flowy magic dirt" of Goobers Pool. Check their website for more tracks. Don't miss: Fat biking on the beach with The Margaret River Adventure Co. The oversized tyres mean your bike won't sink into the sand and it's actually fun. [caption id="attachment_643648" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Shane Hilder[/caption] BUNKER BAY One of the many excellent beaches along the southwest coast, Bunker Bay has the advantage of being relatively sheltered from the winds of the Indian Ocean. You'll only ever be facing smallish waves, which makes it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling. Fishing is also permitted in this area. Pullman ambassador Shane Hilder also rates this area for its photographic opportunities, especially the "forever-changing" characteristics of its afternoon versus morning light. Don't miss: A post-swim meal at Pullman Bunker Bay's restaurant The Other Side of the Moon (the name comes from a nearby surf break), which focuses on local ingredients like Manjimup truffle, Cape Naturaliste beef, and line-caught fish. ART & DESIGN RED CLOUD ART SPACE Opened in 2012 in Yallingup, Red Cloud Art Space is a gallery with two artists' studios attached. It's also the place you're most likely to find non-wine gifts for friends and family back home, as it brings a contemporary, minimal and accessible style to the Margaret River scene. Works on sale here range from WA artist Lisa Payton's abstracted and textural mixed-media canvases capturing the ocean hitting rocks (which hit around the $1000 mark) to individually handcrafted ceramic flowers by Perth's Bronwen Holding (which start at just $3). Don't forget to poke your head into the studios and watch the resident artists at work. Don't miss: Quarterly event Kaleidoscope. There's live music and drinks alongside displays of the latest work by Red Cloud artists, and your donation at the door goes to a chosen charity. MARGARET RIVER GALLERY If your budget stretches slightly higher, or you just want to get a look at some of the best contemporary art in the state, head to Margaret River Gallery. Located on Charles West Avenue in Margaret River town proper, this light and bright gallery focuses on works by leading WA practitioners and emerging artists, but it also catches some interstate names in its net. Look out for objects by local studio Melting Pot Glass, the oceanscape photography of Tony Warrilow, and poetic, migration-themed small sculptures by Lesley Whitham. Don't miss: The great jewellery selection by WA artists — clever, contemporary and not-too-exxy designs that make a great treat for someone (especially yourself). Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
In celebration of the XX Commonwealth Games currently being held in Glasgow, one Scotland bar has created a marathon cocktail. Like many of the athletes competing this year, this cocktail is also a record breaker, with 71 ingredients used to represent each country participating in the Games. Mal Spence, of Kelvingrove Cafe in Glasgow worked with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau to create this extravagant concoction. "Most classic cocktails have three or four ingredients.” Spence explained to the Evening Times. “To find a recipe that could combine all these different flavours and also taste good was a challenge I couldn't resist.” Spence experimented with 300 different ingredients before finally achieving the right blend of flavours. While most alcohol aficionados would squash up their face at the thought of such a busy cocktail, in this case we’re satisfied that the research has been done and we will happily be the judge of this debate if someone would like to make us one. While the cocktail uses some familiar flavours of English red Apple and Scottish wild strawberry, the Commonwealth Cocktail includes a few things we’ve barely heard of, let alone tried in a cocktail. Really, when else would you get to sample The Cook Islands’s custard apple seeds, Swaziland’s sycamore fig, or Malaysian galangal? Australia’s contribution to the mix is an aniseed myrtle (syzygium anisatum), in case you were wondering. Spence is doing a limited run of 71 of these cocktails (of course) until August 3. If you’re unable to get to Glasgow Spence has made a simpler version, which you can make at home as you watch Australia dominate the Games. Here's the full list of ingredients: Africa Botswana: devils claw (genus clerodendrum) Cameroon: bitter leaf (piper umbellatum) Ghana: taro (psidium guajava) Kenya: chives Lesotho: rosehip Malawi: cacao (pycreuscyperaceae) Mauritius: wild raspberry (rubus rosifolius) Mozambique: cassava Namibia: prickly pear Nigeria: utazi leaves Rwanda: papaya Seychelles: citronella Sierra Leone: cashew nut (piassava) South Africa: roobus Swaziland: sycamore fig Tanzania: cloves Uganda: nakati eggplant Zambia: sorrel Americas Belize: dragonfruit Bermuda: arabica coffee beans Canada: logan berry Falkland Islands: bitter cress Guyana: sugar cane St. Helena: St. Helena tea plant Asia Bangladesh: jujubi Brunei Darussalam: durian fruit India: mangosteen Malaysia: galangal Maldives: pomegranate (annaaru) Pakistan: saffron Singapore: rambutan Sri Lanka: ripe jakfruit Caribbean Anguilla: mango Antigua & Barbuda: tamarind Bahamas: egg fruit Barbados: sour cherry British Virgin Islands: noni Cayman Islands: sage (salvia caymanensis) Dominica: guava leaf Grenada: lemon grass Jamaica: okra Montserrat: devil’s horse whip St. Kitts & Nevis: tamon St. Lucia: sweet basil St. Vincent & The Grenadines: arrowroot Trinidad & Tobago: tonka bean Turks & Caicos Islands: sapodilla Europe Cyprus: basil-thyme (???????) England: red apple Gibraltar: maqui berry Guernsey: blueberries Isle of Man: new potatoes Jersey: lavender Malta: star anise Northern Ireland: bog rosemary Scotland: wild Scottish strawberry Wales: wild cotoneaster Oceania Australia: aniseed myrtle (syzygium anisatum) (gundabluie) (bardi bush) Cook Islands: custard apple seeds (annona reticulata) Kiribati: dried coconut meat (copra) Nauru: pumpkin seeds New Zealand: manuka honey Niue: paw paw Norfolk Island: yam Papua New Guinea: taro (colocasia esculenta) Samoa: ladies finger (small, sweet banana) Solomon Islands: taro leaves Tonga: avocado (avoka) Tuvalu: breadfruit Vanuatu: plantain Fiji: kava root Via The Evening Times and Grub Street.
Southeast Queensland isn't lacking Mexican joints. But, still, it's set to get another dose of colourful, unapologetic Tex-Mex when El Camino Cantina opens its third local outpost in Robina on Wednesday, July 22. El Camino already has spots in Bowen Hills and Chermside — and Sydney and Melbourne, too — and is part of Rockpool Dining Group, which also owns Sake, Beerhaus, The Bavarian, Munich Brauhaus and WingHaus. If you've been to the chain already, you'll know this casual dining venue is loud, colourful, and filled with over-the-top with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes and lively Tex-Mex fare. The new El Camino — which will be located on The Promenade dining strip at Robina Town Centre — will hold 280 patrons, including in a rowdy neon-lit dining room, as well as an outdoor area that has room for 175 people to spill out in front of the restaurant. Slushie machines signal big nights and brain freezes, with El Camino's margaritas coming in multiple sizes and renditions — such as a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations, and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. It'll also have El Camino's signature specials, including $2 tacos on Tuesdays and ten-cent wings on Wednesdays. El Camino Cantina will open at Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina at 4pm on Wednesday, July 22. Images: El Camino Cantina Manly by Tom Ferguson.
During this last week of April there's been a bit of good news about Australia's battle to contain coronavirus. Queensland and NSW both announced the easing of some restrictions from this Friday, May 1, South Australia has had seven days in a row of no new cases and the ACT, as of today, has zero active cases. Also unveiled today was the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal, which includes the reopening of restaurants, bars and cafes — in just two weeks. Announced today by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, the roadmap is broken into three parts. From midday tomorrow, May 1, some "simple and safe" outdoor activities are allowed — including weddings and funerals, outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained (so tennis is OK, but not basketball) and fishing, boating and sailing with other people — and public swimming pools, water parks, playgrounds and campgrounds (outside biosecurity areas) can open. Stage two, set to start from midday on Friday, May 15, allows "safer" indoor activities for "less than two hours". Places of worship, public libraries, gyms, beauty therapy salons (for non-facial services), shopping centre food courts and restaurants, cafes and bars can all have customers for short bursts. So, you can go and have a couple of pints at a bar or a bowl of pasta and a wine, but not sit down for an eight-course degustation. The venues wanting to reopen as part of this second round of eased restrictions must submit a "simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist" to prove they're operating within physical distancing and hygiene guidelines, but these do not need to be approved. At present, the Chief Minister has not outlined exactly what these physical distancing guidelines are, but the checklist will be made public on May 5. [caption id="attachment_714483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney's Cantina OK is currently closed. Image by Kimberley Low.[/caption] If the guidelines include the Federal Government's previous one person-per-four-square-metre limit, it's possible it won't be viable for all hospitality venues to reopen. When this restriction was first introduced back in March 20, many hospitality spots — including tiny Sydney mezcal bar Cantina OK — chose to close. Some closed even earlier, when the government introduced a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Part three of the NT government's plan is set to be rolled out on June 5, and includes the removal of the two-hour limit and the commencement of more indoor and outdoor activities, such as going to a football game and the opening of cinemas, theatres, concert halls, nightclubs and entertainment venues (in an "approved configuration"). The territory's 14-day forced quarantine rules for all non-essential interstate travellers does not have an end date as part of the plan — so, no, don't expect to go on a holiday to the Top End anytime soon. The NT has had significantly less cases compared to other states and territories, with a total of 27 — as of 6am on April 30 — compared with 1034 in Queensland, 1354 in Victoria and 3016 in New South Wales. But the two-month plan could be an example of what the road out might look like for the rest of the country, albeit a little later on. You can find out more about the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal here.
The top end of the Northern Territory is postcard-perfect Australia — World Heritage-listed national parks, islands, wetlands, pristine beaches and off-the-beaten-track (and croc-free) swimming holes are all within its borders. And Darwin is its gateway. Darwin is Australia's only tropical capital city. With hot, balmy summers and dry, sunny winters, it feels worlds away from the inner-city hustle of our nation's other capitals. On top of its incredible natural beauty, there are plenty of action-packed adventures to be had. From a helicopter pub crawl around the Darwin region to an outdoor deckchair cinema and a music festival right on the beach, the city is the perfect launchpad. Really, it's the perfect summer getaway for when it's cold everywhere else and it's right on our doorstep. Go on, get acquainted with Australia's Top End. SAIL INTO THE SUNSET Darwin is a city known for its harbour and close proximity to the crystal-clear Timor Sea, so kicking back on a cruise is a must when it comes to exploring. Grab a beer and sail into the sunset. You won't have a care in the world with that balmy breeze and endless ocean as far as the eye can see. There's a variety of sailing tours available from Darwin Harbour, lasting from a few hours to adventurous overnight and multi-day trips. But if you're just after a relaxing mini jaunt, the sunset harbour cruise is a winner. Operated by local company Darwin Harbour Cruises, you can choose to either just jump on board and see the sites or indulge in a sunset buffet dinner while being ferried around. Darwin Harbour Cruises sunset tours typically run between April and December, from 6–8.30pm daily. For more information and online bookings, visit the website. SWIM WITH CROCS No trip to Darwin is complete without saying hello to a few crocodiles. Get up close and personal with the prehistoric beasts at Crocosaurus Cove — a croc and reptile haven in the heart of Darwin. It houses the world's largest display of Australian reptiles and is home to Australia's only crocodile dive for the Steve Irwin enthusiasts among us. If the Cage of Death is too far out of your comfort zone, there's a bevvy of other scale-studded attractions like the aforementioned reptile house, croc feeding shows — where you'll see Burt (the star of iconic Australian film Crocodile Dundee) — a freshwater aquarium, a swimming pool and a chance to hold a baby croc. Better to see a croc here than while sunning yourself at the beach. Visit the website for more details and bookings. BOOGIE ON THE BEACH Going to music festivals isn't strictly a summer activity — at least, not in Darwin. Mid-May sees the return of Darwin's huge one-day music shindig, the People's Choice BASSINTHEGRASS festival. This year's lineup features a stack of ace musicians, including Hilltop Hoods, Nick Murphy FKA Chet Faker, Amy Shark, Broods, Meg Mac, PNAU and more. Plus, for the first time in its 17 years, BASSINTHEGRASS will take place at Mindil Beach. So, in between catching your favourite artists, you can gaze out at the Timor Sea and forget that winter is waiting for you back home, as you soak up bucketloads of Top End sunshine. BASSINTHEGRASS 2019 will take place from 11am–11pm on Saturday, May 18. For the full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit the website. WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS Run by the local not-for-profit film society, Darwin's Deckchair Cinema grew from the desire to screen films that were not otherwise available in the city. Since it began in the 90s, it has become a go-to activity for locals and passersby alike, hosting an eclectic mix of films in a beautiful outdoor setting. Based on the edge of the harbour, Deckchair Cinema is decorated with fairy lights, artworks by local artists and, of course, deckchairs. There's also a licensed bar and food by local caterers, plus complimentary cushions and (very mandatory) bug repellent. It's the ideal balmy evening activity. Deckchair Cinema runs from mid-April to mid-November with daily screenings. Visit the website for more information and the current program. VISIT DARWIN'S MASSIVE WATERFRONT PRECINCT Darwin Convention Centre, shopping, restaurants, a park, swimming lagoons and a wave pool are all part of the mammoth precinct along Darwin's harbour. The lagoons and wave pool are notable drawcards, offering croc-and-stinger-free cooldowns in the Top End heat. Plus, it's home to some of Darwin's top eateries, including casual Vietnamese eatery CHOW!, Il Lido and the luxe Oyster Bar, which boasts waterfront views and some of the best seafood in town. For more information on the Waterfront Precinct, visit the website here. WANDER THROUGH MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKETS Held every Thursday and Sunday night from late-April to October, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are undoubtedly Darwin's largest and most popular markets. Alongside arts, crafts, and entertainment stalls, there are over 60 food vendors offering up cuisines from almost every international corner — Mexico, Greece, Turkey, Sri Lanka, South America, North Africa, India and across South East Asia. Enjoy a picnic on the beach, then check out what the jewellers, tarot readers, indigenous artists, tailors and leatherworkers have on offer. Oh, and expect street theatre, magicians and plenty of musicians to keep you entertained while you peruse. For more information, visit the website here. [caption id="attachment_718143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Pritchett[/caption] EXPLORE KAKADU NATIONAL PARK AND STAY IN A LUXURY SAFARI LODGE If you're planning a visit to Darwin without venturing to one of its surrounding national parks — Litchfield, Mary River and Kakadu — you're really missing a trick. Australia's Top End is abundant with wildlife, exotic flora, rock art, waterfalls, floodplains, colossal termite mounds and swimming holes — it's some of the most diverse terrains in the country. World-Heritage-listed Kakadu, the largest national park in Australia, is 253 kilometres east of Darwin. Cruise down the remarkable Yellow Waters, visit Nourlangie Rock — famed for its indigenous rock art — and see some crocs and Australia's most diverse bird population. Be sure to fit in a visit to Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and dive into a few of the croc-free swimming holes, too. While day tours from Darwin exist, we recommend going all out and staying at Bamurru Plains — Australia's version of an upscale safari lodge — situated on the Mary River floodplains on the edge of Kakadu. Nine bungalows, artfully kitted out in timber and corrugated iron, are enclosed in mesh that offers sheer views over the wetlands. Be warned though — it'll set you back a cool $1360 per night. Visit Kakadu National Park's website for more information. For bookings and more information on Bamurru Plains go here. GO ON A HELICOPTER PUB CRAWL Being a tourist is thirsty work. Luckily, Airborne Solutions has got you with its helicopter pub crawl, which stops at some of the region's more remote watering holes. While up in the air, you'll see unparalleled views of the Top End's natural beauty, covering Darwin, its harbour and coastlines, eucalypt woodlands, termite mounds, billabongs and mangroves. Offered as both a half-day and full-day tour, this pub crawl is sure to get you rubbing shoulders with some quintessentially Aussie characters. You'll visit The Lodge of Dundee, Crab Claw Island Resort, Darwin River Tavern and Goat Island Lodge, before deciding between Humpty Doo Hotel and Noonamah Tavern for your final stop. Although the tours don't come cheap — $795 each for a half-day and $975 a pop for the full Monty — it's a pretty fair dinkum deal for a chopper ride and a beer (or few). For more information and bookings visit the website. To help get you to Darwin this season, and BASSINTHEGRASS festival, Northern Territory Major Events has partnered with Virgin Australia to release a bunch of discounted holiday packages. For more information and to book a flight and accommodation package, head this way. Top Image: Emma Pritchett.
Brisbanites, your recycling routine is about to change, and, as well as being great for the planet, it's good for your wallet. Come Thursday, November 1, Queensland's Containers for Change refund scheme will come into effect, letting you exchange your used containers for a ten-cent refund per eligible vessel. Announced last year, it's the state's latest effort in the war on waste, after phasing out single-use plastic bags on July 1. And while similar schemes exist in most of the country — in South Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and the ACT, with SA's dating back four decades — it's a case of better late than never. Apparently almost three billion beverage containers have been used by Queenslanders this year alone, so here's everything that you need to know. HOW DOES IT WORK? While we've all become accustomed to popping our empty drink containers into our yellow-topped wheelie bins, Containers for Change wants you to break that habit. From Thursday, November 1, you'll be able to take your beverage containers to one of Queensland's 230 refund sites instead (more on where they are below). The container refund scheme (CRS) does include a few rules, however. Queenslanders are asked to remove the lids from their containers before taking them to a collection site, and to make sure they don't contain sand or dirt, paint, petrol, noxious substances. You don't need to rinse them, but they do need to be empty. The CRS is also only open to containers purchased within Queensland. WHAT CAN YOU RECYCLE? Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers that range between 150ml and three litres in size can be recycled. To be eligible, they need to display the refund mark — many of them already will, but the ones that don't have until December 1, 2019 to add it. That said, there are some exceptions. You can't get a refund on any containers that held plain milk, or concentrated or undiluted cordial or syrup. The CRS also won't accept glass wine or pure spirits bottles of any size, or containers over one litre that held flavoured milk, pure fruit or vegetable juice or cask water. These containers can still be recycled through kerbside collection. And if you accidentally (or purposefully) place CRS-eligble containers in your wheelie bin, the kerbside operator and/or local council will be able to collect the ten-cent refund. WHERE DO YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR EMPTY CONTAINERS? Container Exchange, the organisation managing the CRS, has set up 230 refund sites across the state. They include over-the-counter depots, drop-off sites (where you can leave already bagged and tagged containers), reverse vending machines that collect your containers and spit out refunds, and mobile and pop-up refund points. In Brisbane, the spread of sites spans the entire city, including depots located in West End, Geebung, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Salisbury, Tingalpa, Creastmead, Yerongpilly, Banyo, St Lucia, Darra, Samford Valley and Kedron. HOW WILL YOU GET PAID? To receive the ten-cent-per-container refund, you have several options. Some sites offer cash, but for those that process the payment via EFT, you'll need to sign up for a scheme account. You can also opt to not only do the environment a solid, but someone in need as well. The CRS allows you to donate your refund to a community group, not-for-profit or school, either at the collection point, or by taking your containers to a drop-off site run by a registered group or charity. Queensland's drink container refund scheme comes into effect on Thursday, November 1. For more information, visit the Containers for Change website.
If your ultimate Saturday morning is a leisurely Bunnings shopping session followed by a saucy snag in bread, why let the fun end there? Soon, you'll be able to make a proper weekend of it with a new Mercure Melbourne Doncaster hotel set to open smack bang on top of a Bunnings Warehouse. The work of global hotel group Accor and developer Accord Property Group, the unlikely pair are slated to be up and running by late 2021. Located in the heart of the bustling Doncaster Hill precinct, together they'll provide the prime spot for a snag-based staycation. Along with a couple of levels dedicated to retail offerings, the mid-range hotel will boast 183 rooms across six floors with interiors that reference parts of the area's history, including the southern hemisphere's first electric tramway: the short-lived Box Hill to Doncaster tram. It'll have all the usual trimmings you need for an overnight stay, too: a dining terrace, restaurant and bar, rooftop pool, fitness centre and sundeck — as well as a full-size, sparkly new Bunnings Warehouse, of course. And if tools, paint and plants don't offer quite enough retail therapy for you, Mercure Melbourne Doncaster also sits handily adjacent to the huge retail precinct that is Westfield Doncaster shopping centre. Mercure Melbourne Doncaster is set to open at 659 Doncaster Road, Doncaster in late 2021.
Yep: whenever Jordan Peele drops a new film, it instantly proves a must-see, as both the Oscar-winning Get Out and the equally exceptional Us have shown so far. Also yep: when it comes to making the leap from an iconic sketch comedy series to helming horror movies — and having a hand in bringing everything from BlacKkKlansman and the ace latest Candyman flick to Hunters and Lovecraft Country to our eyeballs, too — the former Key & Peele has been having a helluva past five years. And one last yep: the comedian-turned-filmmaker's next flick, his third big-screen directorial effort Nope, couldn't look more eerie, enticing and exciting (aka the classic Peele combination). That was true back in February, when the first sneak peek at Nope dropped and had Get Out star and Judas and the Black Messiah Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya ask "what's a bad miracle?". Now that the film has released a full trailer that sheds further light on its narrative, that still remains 100% accurate. The setup: the Haywood ranch is proudly run by the only Black-owned horse trainers in Hollywood (played by Kaluuya and Hustlers' Keke Palmer), whose connection to show business dates back to the very birth of cinema. But their remote patch of inland California soon becomes home to a disturbing discovery — and the fact that everyone spends a fair amount of time either looking up in horror or running away from something chilling in the sky in both trailers says plenty. In the new sneak peek, Kaluuya and Palmer's brother-and-sister duo OJ and Emerald are rocked by tragedy, then spooked by what's happening above. And, yes, Kaluuya utters the movie's title. Emerald decides that they need to capture what's happening on film, which is where Michael Wincott (Veni Vidi Vici) and Brandon Perea (The OA) come in — one charged with standing behind the lens, the other selling tech equipment. With Nope also lending its attention to other California residents who see this uncanny presence in the sky, Steven Yeun (Minari) also pops up as a rodeo cowboy. As with all of Peele's celluloid nightmares so far, the less you know going in when the movie hits cinemas Down Under in August, the better. That said, the two trailers so far do a fantastic job of teasing all of the unsettling imagery that the filmmaker is about to get lodged in your brain, including fields of colourful inflatable tube men waving in the breeze, the creepiest of clouds and shadows, and a big leap into X-Files territory. Check out the full trailer for Nope below: Nope will release in cinemas Down Under on August 11, 2022.
A Noel Coward play, a series of Haydn string quartets, a concert by Clannad — wait, is this Melbourne Festival? It is, but it's the new-look Melbourne Festival, now in its first year under new artistic director Josephine Ridge. Ridge's goal with her first program has been to broaden the festival's appeal. While there will as always be a range of offerings on the weirder side of wonderful, from an epic dramatisation of a verbatim phone conversation (Nature Theater of Oklahoma's Life and Times), to an artist who makes playable musical instruments out of disarmed assault weapons (Pedro Reyes), the 2013 program is also aiming to draw in audiences who may normally have seen Melbourne Festival as not their thing. An expanded music program is a big part of that, bringing an eclectic range of acts from pop bands such as British India and Polyphonic Spree to a celebration of ska, a classical program put together with the help of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Richard Tognetti and a concert in the dark by blind artists Amadou and Mariam. This year also sees a greater focus on commissioned works, both from local artists such as Eddie Perfect and Daniel Schlusser and from big international names such as British choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Other guests of note include much-loved Indigenous singer Archie Roach, who will be playing in a grand welcome to country to kick the festival off, Hollywood legend John Landis and celebrated French ballerina Sylvie Guillem. There’s plenty for free and even if you can’t get yourself to a single film screening, gallery exhibit, concert or performance, the art will be coming to you anyway, via a series of decorative 'art trams'. Ridge has just come from nine years working on the Sydney Festival, an event which she says seems to draw more emotional engagement from its audience, compared to the intellectualised response typical of Melbourne. She’s hoping this year to bring a bit of that passion south, with a program that truly gets into Melbourne's heart. Tickets for the Melbourne Festival are on sale on Friday, 16 August. For tickets and the full program, see the festival website.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Brisbane is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Brisbane. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, sneak in a lunchtime gallery visit, take a tour of a Buddhist temple and hit up a free comedy show. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
In the initial two episodes of Scenes From a Marriage, Mira (Jessica Chastain, IT: Chapter Two) and Jonathan (Oscar Isaac, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) brush their teeth in front of their ensuite mirror. It's an everyday task in a familiar place, spanning something we all do in a space we all use, but this powerful five-part HBO miniseries turns these two scenes into a complex snapshot of its central couple. It takes not just skill but feeling and understanding to turn such a mundane activity into a must-see; however, that's this weighty show's remit. Scenes From a Marriage gets viewers engrossed in cleaning teeth because it's ordinary, and because everything within its frames fits the same description. Its central relationship careens from happy to heartbroken, comfortable to distraught, and assured to messy, but it also charts a path that countless others have before it. When they first pick up their toothbrushes, Mira and Jonathan attend to their dental hygiene side by side. They chat between foamy mouthfuls. They're relaxed. They've had an unusual day, after talking to a researcher about their nuptials and then hosting a tumultuous dinner with friends, but they're settled in their usual regime. Seconds afterwards, they'll discuss significant news, but they approach that, too, with a sense of unthinking security. But just one episode later, when they brush again, everything has changed. Mira returns from a work trip to share a bombshell revelation, Jonathan doesn't take it well, and he stands back and stares at they each clean. She can't meet his eyes. He won't look away. Their tension, pain and sorrow fills the entire room, as does their uncertainty — and it's a case of two moments, two people, two vastly different pictures of their relationship. Dedicating each episode to a significant day over the course of several years — hairstyles change, and the couple's daughter ages (primarily off-screen) — Scenes From a Marriage is filled with these routine moments. It's a show about patterns, cycles and echoes, how they ripple through relationships and, when broken or changed, how their absence is felt. Much of the series takes place in the same domestic space, too, as the pair rove around the house they've made their home. So, viewers see the duo walk through the same rooms, sit in the same chairs and recline in the same bed. They have variations of the same discussion over and over as well. Every romance is an ongoing conversation that loops, sprawls and repeats, but Scenes From a Marriage pushes this notion to the fore. Mira and Jonathan are always talking, in some way, even when they're not. Their dialogue continues whether it seems like it's just another evening in the bathroom, or it's a terse morning after everything has disintegrated — and as a whirlwind of love, sex, heartbreak and chaos whips through their relationship again and again. It shouldn't be easy, peering into a romance as its bliss fades, and stepping into its ongoing conversation. That idea isn't Scenes From a Marriage's alone, and it wasn't new in 1973, when iconic film director Ingmar Bergman ran with it in his Swedish TV miniseries of the same name. But as penned and helmed here by The Affair's Hagai Levi, HBO's take on the concept turns the familiar and complex into the raw and the riveting. It breaks a relationship down into pivotal moments to strip away the blissful front that couples build for themselves, and the image they project to the world, and it refuses to look away as things turn difficult. Sketching out anything this complicated via just a few scenes is a gimmick, obviously, as the series even nods to in opening scenes that follow Chastain and Isaac getting into character. Still, in the right hands, and with the right tale of a marriage's minutiae, it's also devastating and powerful. Scenes From a Marriage circa 2021 is shot and scored to ramp up that intensity, that simmering uncertainty, that seesawing between two extremes. Cinematographer Andrij Parekh, a veteran of Blue Valentine and its similarly haunting exploration of a romance in decline, prowls carefully and patiently around comfortable spaces adorned in neutral tones — places The White Lotus' characters might've gone home to post-Hawaii — but lets both light and darkness visually clash and compete for attention. Composers Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine craft a score that also rides an emotional rollercoaster, setting the tone as precisely as they previously did with fellow HBO miniseries The Undoing. Each element of Scenes From a Marriage is fine-tuned to amplify the highs, the lows, and the constant to-and-fro between them. That said, this tale of an ambitious tech industry executive, her ex-Orthodox Jewish philosophy professor husband and their fraying nuptials was always going to live and thrive via its two lead performances. Chastain and Isaac, welcome additions to any on-screen project, have played a married couple before. In fact, 2014's A Most Violent Year also saw them navigate a stormy union — and it, like its main duo, was exceptional. The pair certainly know how to project intimacy on the red carpet, as they did at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Scenes From a Marriage. They don't falter in the series itself, even with a concept that could've played like an acting exercise. Again, the conceit is highlighted in those opening seconds of the duo as themselves; however, as Chastain and Isaac walk across the set that swiftly becomes their Mira and Jonathan's home — doing so with masks and distancing, because this was shot during the pandemic — they also help viewers step into their characters with them. When the camera is rolling rather than flashing, Chastain and Isaac are both experts at unpacking someone's entire emotional journey in just their gaze and stance. Accordingly, when the series flickers from the pair as actors to the duo as Mira and Jonathan, it feels seamless even though the artifice is being called out. They take the plunge, the audience does with them, and we all explore what's happened after Scenes From a Marriage's protagonists did just that. On-screen, opposites attracted, then this pair combined their lives and marched forward towards the future, and now everyone weathers the fallout. Chastain and Isaac are also masterful at responding to each other, and at letting those reactions tell as much of the story as the dialogue they're speaking. It's been done before, and will be again — officially and in everything else that's taken cues from the original Swedish series — but here and now, this series works as grippingly and movingly as it does because of its stars. No one can look away as they brush their teeth, share long looks and fling all manner of words at each other. They don't want to themselves, and neither do we. Check out the trailer below: The first two episodes of Scenes From a Marriage are available to stream via Binge, with new instalments dropping weekly. Images: Jojo Whilden/HBO.
Between the inaugural So Pop festival, drawing names like Vengaboys, Aqua and Lou Bega, and RNB Vine Days, headlined by the likes of Nelly and Craig David, the list of international music heroes hitting Aussie stages this summer is already huge. But it's about to get even heftier, with news that the world's biggest hip hop festival Rolling Loud is set to make its southern hemisphere debut next January. The independently owned one-day event hits Sydney Showgrounds on Sunday, January 27, and while the lineup won't be released until later this week, it's set to be seriously buzz-worthy, if previous years' offerings are anything to go by. Since its first outing in Miami back in 2015, Rolling Loud has expanded to Los Angeles and San Francisco, pulling crowds of up to 135,000 earlier this year. Past sell-out events have seen names like Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Future, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Post Malone, Migos and Lil Uzi Vert all grace the festival's stage. For Rolling Loud's first Australian foray, young founders Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif are teaming up with local production and events company HSU Events, who has previously brought us big international headliners for the likes of Midnight Mafia and Knockout Circuz. If you're keen to catch Rolling Loud's Aussie debut, you can sign up now for exclusive pre-sale access. The festival will take over Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park, on January 27. We'll fill you in on who's headlining as soon as they're announced later this week. Images: Beth Saravo and Sebastian Rodriguez
Sydney's rambunctious leotard-loving lads, Bluejuice, are calling it a day. The beloved pop/rock/dance/errrthang ratbags Jake Stone, Stavros Yiannoukas, Jamie Cibej and James Hauptmann have announced their final national tour and an upcoming greatest hits tour to wrap everything up by the end of 2014. "After 13 years of broken bones, broken hearts, sore heads, passive aggression, regular aggression, several arrests, questionable skin infections, and a busload of infuriated tour managers, Bluejuice are announcing they are calling it quits at the end of 2014," says today's press release. Abercrombie-going Purple Sneakers alumni are shedding many a tear today. Since 2001, the beloved Sydney outfit have had one heck of a ride, keeping the chin of Australian music up with three celebrated albums (Problems, Head of the Hawk and Company) on the shelf and still holding the position of most played track on triple j ever ('Vitriol'). https://youtube.com/watch?v=ldBhDmvWFXE Bluejuice have decided to part ways to test the waters in other projects, with the sad intention of giving those leotards a rest. Before they take their final bows, the team will release a big ol' greatest hits album — a retrospective ride dubbed Retrospectable, with all your favourite mid-2000s sticky-floored party go-tos, best bits from their three albums, extra rare content and new single 'I'll Go Crazy', produced by Dann Hume (Sticky Fingers/Alpine). Bluejuice will kick it on their final national tour this September/October. Starting at Adelaide's Uni Bar, the pair will meander through the capitals and rural centres before finishing up where it all started — Sydney (at the Metro Theatre, where many a drunken Bluejuice escapade has roamed before). In one of the most emotionally-charged press releases we've ever seen, Bluejuice's legacy is laid down. "They shall leave behind a body of work of which they are all very proud, and they look to the future with a mix of hope and fear of starvation, not unlike the chick at the end of Children Of Men." Top notch. Bluejuice — Retrospectable: The Farewell Tour (with special guests to be announced) Tickets on sale August 9 THU 25 SEPT — Uni Bar, Adelaide. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 26 SEPT — Capitol, Perth. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 27 SEPT — Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha. Tickets via REAF. THU 02 OCT — Hi-Fi, Brisbane. Tickets via Oztix. FRI O3 OCT — Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 04 OCT — Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 10 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. (Under 18's only Matinee show 12-3pm) Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave. Tickets via Ticketmaster and Village Green Hotel. SUN 12 OCT — Barwon Club, Geelong. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 17 OCT — Waves, Wollongong. Tickets via Moshtix. SAT 18 OCT — ANU Bar, Canberra. Tickets via Ticketek. THU 23 OCT — Bar on the Hill, Newcastle. Tickets via BigTix. FRI 24 OCT — Metro Theatre, Sydney. (LIC/ALL AGES)? Tickets via Ticketek.
If you've been following the Aussie strawberry scandal and want to do your part to help the farmers impacted by it, then there's a beer with your name on it. Following Ekka's strawberry sundae fundraiser, the folks behind Spring Hill's Archer Brewing are launching a Strawberry Ale and giving the proceeds back to the fruit growers. The launch will happen at Fortitude Valley's Bloodhound Bar on Friday, October 5, from 5pm, where Archer is providing a karma keg of its seasonal Patch Strawberry Ale — Patch is one of the brewery's sister brands that specialises in fruit beers and cider using only fresh, local ingredients. At the party, patrons will pay what they wish for a pint (while considering it's for charity, not a cheap booze handout) and all proceeds from the keg will go to the strawberry growers that made the beer possible. In this case, it's the Sunshine Coast's Piñata Farms. The team drove to the farm just this week to nab some seriously fresh picks for brewer Gavin Croft to throw into the batch. Also available on the night will be some of Patch's other seasonal releases, like the Pine Lime, Pomegranate and Mandarin Ales, along with a few from Archer's core range (a lager, pilsner, pale ale and IPA). Keep on eye on the Facebook event where the complete tap list will soon be revealed. When the event is over, you'll be able buy Patch's Strawberry Ale at local bars and at Archer's Bunker.
The Colonel's finest chook pieces have helped line many a stomach before a big night out. They've proven tasty in the boozy early hours of the morning, too, and also when a hangover strike the next day. KFC isn't usually eaten at a nightclub, however, but the fast-food chain itself is changing that for one night only in Sydney. From the brand that's done 11-course fine-dining degustations, Peking Duk-led festivals, weddings, cocktails, ugly Christmas sweaters for humans and pets alike, and a soothing playlist of chicken frying and gravy simmering — which is genuinely relaxing — of course a place to hit the dance floor with KFC in hand is next on the list. Dubbed The Fried Side Club, it's popping up from 8pm–3am on Saturday, October 21 at a secret venue in central Sydney. And yes, it comes with free chicken. There'll be tunes, too, courtesy of Luude — which means hearing 'TMO (Turn Me On)' as well as his 'Down Under' remix — plus Kinder and Foura. So, you'll make shapes and eat chicken. If someone decides to give the 'Chicken Dance' a spin, it'd be mighty fitting. The Fried Side Club will also be selling KFC x Luude t-shirts and KFC footwear (yes, sliders will come in there, too) both at the club and online, with proceeds going to the Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. The reason for KFC setting up a temporary nightclub is to launch Luude's Zinger sliders, a new menu item that's served in pairs featuring two varieties. One uses chilli relish, the other KFC's Supercharged sauce — and both include half a Zinger fillet. They'll be given out free all night at The Fried Side Club, so no need to grab dinner before showing up. "KFC has been a staple on the diet forever — so when they reached out to partner on a project, I was 100-percent keen," said Luude. "We're setting up a secret club that is a replica KFC store, you've even got to go through the fridge to get in — it's sounding wicked. They've also let me create a secret menu item too, so you'll be able to ask for Luude Zinger sliders all over Australia. A childhood dream collab." If you're eager to head along, you'll need to grab a ticket, which are available from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, October 4. Everyone who nabs a spot will be told the secret location 48 hours out. And if you just want to try Luude's Zinger sliders without experiencing a KFC nightclub, they're available from now until Monday, October 30 via the secret menu on the KFC app. The Fried Side Club will pop up from 8pm–3am on Saturday, October 21 at a secret venue in central Sydney — get tickets from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, October 4.
If you're keen to soak in the Great Barrier Reef's natural underwater delights, 2019 has served up plenty of new ways to do just that. This is the year that Uber launched a submarine, albeit temporarily. A few months back, an underwater art trail also opened in The Whitsundays. And, just this month, Australia's first underwater hotel started sailing through the waters off Airlie Beach. Now, add the Museum of Underwater Art to the list. Created by marine sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the new attraction just just installed its first two artworks. Four pieces are planned in total — located off the shore from Townsville, and at Palm Island and Magnetic Island — with the project aiming to highlight reef conservation, restoration and education. The first artwork, Ocean Siren, can be found 30 metres offshore from The Strand jetty at Townsville — and while it actually towers above the water, it interacts with live water temperature data. Designed to resemble Takoda Johnson, one of the area's Wulgurukaba traditional owners, it receives information from the Davies Reef weather station on the Great Barrier Reef, then changes colour in response to variations as they happen. "She is a visual representation of current conditions underwater and a warning of potential stresses to the marine ecosystem," deCaires Taylor explained in a statement. [caption id="attachment_756032" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Museum of Underwater Art, Jason deCaires Taylor[/caption] As for the second just-unveiled artwork, Coral Greenhouse, it sits well beneath the ocean's surface on the John Brewer Reef off Townsville — 18 metres below the waterline, to be specific. Measuring 12 metres high, weighing around 58 tonnes, and made out of stainless steel, neutral marine grade cement and zinc anodes, it does indeed look like a greenhouse. In fact, it's an underwater building. It's also filled with more than 20 sculptures, many resembling local school children — and has been made to both stand up to wave pressures and cyclones, and remain visible to divers and snorkellers. Most importantly, it isn't just a greenhouse in name, with the piece featuring coral garden beds. With that in mind, Coral Greenhouse is also designed to "offer opportunities for scientists, marine students and tourists to engage in action-based learning and to conduct globally important research on coral reef restoration and new technology," deCaires Taylor noted. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6OoyKooA6D/ Marking the southern hemisphere's first underwater museum — and Australia's — the project has taken more than three years to come to fruition. Once it is fully operational, it is expected to attract 50,000 visitors each year. Palm Island's forthcoming installation will connect the spot's the cultural story to the land and sea, according to the MOUA's website, and is expected to be in place by the end of 2020. And no timeline has been set for Magnetic Island as yet, with funding currently being sought. Find the Museum of Underwater Art off the shore of Townsville, Queensland. For more information, visit the museum's website. Image: Museum of Underwater Art.
If it wasn't for Violet Crumbles, the world wouldn't have quite a few things. Firstly, we wouldn't have the pleasure of biting into those chocolate-honeycomb bars themselves, and tasting that delicious flavour combination. We also wouldn't have the slogan "it's the way it shatters that matters", which is up there with the catchiest advertising lines of all time. And, Bertie Beetles wouldn't exist, because the showbag favourite was initially created to use the pieces of honeycomb left over from making — you guessed it — Violet Crumbles. Thankfully, no one needs to live in a world without either Violet Crumbles or Bertie Beetles — or, thanks to your next must-try cocktail, without Violet Crumble espresso martinis, too. The latter has just hit the market thanks to the Melbourne-based Feminaè Beverage Co, and it is indeed exactly what it sounds like. Now it's the way your caffeinated boozy tipple shatters that matters, too. Sold in hefty two-litre ready-to-drink casks, the VC espresso martinis are made with cold-drip coffee, vodka and Australian cream, and then infused with Violet Crumble honeycomb, caramel and chocolate flavours. A box will set you back $79.90, and includes 24 standard drinks — for parties, or just to keep in the fridge for when the urge strikes. You'll also get a Violet Crumble bar to shatter over the cocktails — or just to eat if you'd prefer. (Let's face it, if you're keen on this kind of espresso martini, you're already a fiend for the chocolate bar itself.) Feminaè is only releasing a limited run, which means ordering sooner rather than latter is recommended — and they're already shipping the casks out. The company also has a passionfruit and pavlova cosmo in its range — now sold out, sadly — if you're already thinking about what other sweet treats deserve to be turned into cocktails. Our suggestion: Bertie Beetles, naturally. Feminaè Beverage Co's Violet Crumble espresso martini casks are available to buy online for $79.90 while stocks last.
