Music festivals and writers festivals have existed for years, but they rarely mix. Sure, you'll hear poetic lyrics at the former, and maybe attend a tunes-inspired session at the latter. A true fusion of the two, though, is an elusive beast. Well, it was, until a few smart-thinking folks decided to organise a rock and roll writers festival. In an Australian first, the weekend-long event will explore the relationship between the literary and musical worlds. It's an idea that's so great, we can't believe that no one has done it locally before. Come April 2016, some of Australia’s finest authors, songwriters, lyricists and music commentators will converge upon Brisbane for two days of discussions, interviews, panels and more. An initial lineup boasting stacks of talented speakers has just been announced, featuring performer Jackie Marshall, previous jMag editor Jenny Valentish, journalist and Australian Music Prize judge Kate Hennessy, former Time Off editor and owner Sean Sennett, Courier Mail music writer Noel Mengel, and Pig City: From The Saints To Savage Garden author Andrew Stafford, among others. They'll all natter on about everything that's great about words, songs and the combination of the two, while trying to surprise, entertain, enlighten and challenge attendees in the process. And they'll do at the Brightside, because if you're going to throw a rock and roll writers festival, you have to do it at a rock and roll venue. The Rock and Roll Writers Festival runs from April 2 – 3, 2016, at the Brightside, 27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information, visit their website.
When you're on holiday, we think it's a rule that you can't leave the city without exploring the local pub scene. But often, there are so many pub options that the whole choosing-where-to-go thing can be a little overwhelming. What you need is a go-to guide that saves you a lot of research and tells you exactly where to go depending what mood you're in or what vibe you're after. Whether you're keen for a party, a chilled beverage in a beer garden, a good quality pub feed or a drink by the water, we've got you covered. We've partnered with Hahn Brewers and come up with a few failsafe options for you to visit. Never be lost for pub options in Perth again. FOR LIVE MUSIC: THE ROSEMOUNT, NORTH PERTH The affectionately-named 'Rosie' hosts national and international bands like Spoon, The Panics and Tiny Little Houses regularly in its live music room. It's the regular venue for album launches, karaoke nights and open-mic nights where undiscovered Perth talent can often make an appearance. If you're in Perth and looking to go to a gig, this is definitely the place to be. Sometimes there are food stalls and vintage markets out in the 'backyard', which consists of the 'deck' and the 'lawn'. Both spectacular spots to grab a beer to drink outside while checking out what's happening on the day. FOR THE VIEW: OCEAN BEACH HOTEL, COTTLESLOE The Ocean Beach Hotel, opposite Cottlesloe Beach, has everything — it serves coffee and breakfast from 7am, there's a sports bar, pool tables, a dining room, accommodation and most importantly, a huge, sunny rooftop with stunning views of the beach. Famous for its Sunday sessions and rooftop beer garden, it's the perfect spot to stop for a feed and a cold beer after a swim, or the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the ocean. [caption id="attachment_605929" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: The Local[/caption] FOR A FEED: THE LOCAL HOTEL, SOUTH FREMANTLE The Local Hotel in South Fremantle is one of Perth's stylish and recently renovated pubs. It's the perfect place to grab a slightly fancy pub feed, with a menu that accommodates almost every meal and appetite. There are simple cheese boards and starters, more substantial mains such as the sirloin steak, beef and veggie burgers and the grilled lamb loin. At the Local there's a public bar, a casual dining area and a whisky bar. There's also the Local Garage — a drive-through bottle shop that's been converted into a pop-up garden bar, open for breakfast on weekends and hosting food trucks in the afternoon. Should you need to stay the night, The Local also has beautiful boutique accomodation options. Each of the eight rooms are styled by local designers and offer their own light and airy features. FOR THE BEER GARDEN: THE NORFOLK, FREMANTLE Much loved by locals in Fremantle, The Norfolk is a failsafe option for a beverage in Perth. On the menu are all the pub classics like pizza, pasta, parmas and steaks, but the real highlight of the place is the two outdoor beer gardens. Leafy, half-sunny and half-shaded just like a good beer garden should be, the Norfolk is famous for its huge limestone walls. They make for a great, cosy atmosphere where you can sit back and watch some live music. [caption id="attachment_605945" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Raffles Hotel[/caption] FOR THE WATER: RAFFLES HOTEL, APPLECROSS The Raffles Hotel is located in the riverside suburb of Applecross. It's worth the trip from Perth to the other side of the river, because Raffles has beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere where you can grab a drink and chill out by the water. Gourmet pizzas are on the menu alongside upscale pub classics like burgers, parmas and big plates of fresh seafood and pork belly to share. Raffles has multiple levels of outdoor seating, which means it hosts quite a few summer parties. Fashion launches, dinners, New Year's parties and Australia Day gatherings by the water. That kind of thing. FOR A BIT OF HISTORY: THE WINDSOR, SOUTH PERTH The Windsor Hotel in South Perth is an institution in the area. It's that classic, huge, old pub that everyone knows and occasionally visits. There's a sports bar, a beer garden out the back, and DJs that play on the weekends as well as all the classic events like Melbourne Cup, Australia Day and New Year's. The old building is surrounded by a historic verandah — a great place to settle down with an afternoon beer and read about one of the city's oldest pubs. FOR THE GAME: THE VIC, SUBIACO If you're in Perth and there's a game on (whether it's football, NRL, AFL, tennis, golf or anything else really), the place to watch it is at The Vic in Subiaco, one of Perth's popular inner-west suburbs. This place is as classic as an old-school sports pub gets, with parmas, burgers and cheap pints of beer served up in the beer garden and multiple dining rooms alongside local live music and trivia nights. The Vic packs out especially on big AFL days. The projector screens are rolled out and the building is filled with sports fans and footy scarfs. FOR A PARTY: BOTANICA BAR AND BISTRO, INNALOO Botanica boasts 'the best Sunday Session in Perth'. It's a big call, but if you're a regular you'll know that this Innaloo pub throws a few parties, and they tend to go off. During the day (or when there's no special event on, like the Silent Disco pictured), the outdoor beer garden is packed with people enjoying the sunshine, a brew and a pub feed. At night (and on Sundays) the DJs come out to play. There's also a sports bar attached to the Botanica — the crowd can get rowdy (in a good way) when there's a big game on the screens. Sign up to Hahn Brewers and settle down with a drink this weekend.
If you're one to simultaneously munch a durrie and schnittie combo, we've got some bad news for you. Smoking in all outdoor dining areas in New South Wales is banned from today, thanks to the implementation of the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000. From July 6, 2015, all commercial outdoor dining areas in licensed venues (including clubs and hotels), restaurants and cafes must be smoke-free. Basically, if food is being served, there's no smoking. There's going to be some serious penalties (we're talking fines up to $5500) for venues who don't comply with the new smoking bans, enforced by NSW Health Authorised Inspectors — so you can rule out a cheeky smoke, even if you 'know the owner'. Plus, you could land yourself a $300 fine for gettin' y'puff on. It's not just courtyards and beer gardens that are about to clear the air; areas within four metres of a pedestrian entrance to or exit from a licensed venue, restaurant or cafe must be smoke-free (so on-street dining and footpath areas too). But venues are allowed to create designated smoking areas — so beer gardens are still allowed to section off glamorous shame corners or build blue-lit miscreant booths (lookin' at you Beach Road). From today, venues will have to put up 'no smoking' signs of approved size and staff will be trained to deal with the new laws. Let's be honest, this was always coming. The 2013 NSW Smoking and Health Survey showed 75 percent of surveyed folks approved banning smoking in all outdoor areas in hotels, restaurants and cafes. And really, trying to enjoy a burg with cigarette smoke in your face isn't the best. But we're pretty sure this one's going to stir up some furious pub debate. Via NSW Health.
A new prepaid initiative from Uber looks set to deal yet another blow to the rapidly dying taxi industry. You remember taxis don’t you? They were those cars that used to drive around the city not picking you up, which didn't show up when you called them and whose drivers didn't know how to operate a GPS. They were all the rage back in the day, before people had literally any other option. Rolling out in New York City over the next couple of weeks, UberEVENTS will allow event organisers to arrange prepaid Ubers for their guests. You simply log on to the Uber website and enter your information, including how many guest passes you'd like to prebook. Uber then sends those passes to you so you can forward them on to your guests. When the big day arrives, they enter their passcode into the Uber app, and before they know it they're being whisked away to your very exciting party. If you didn't follow all that, don't worry: this nifty little graphic helps lay it all out. "When planning a company happy hour, client appreciation dinner, or even upcoming nuptials, there is a lot that goes into ensuring that your event goes off without a hitch—including how your guests can safely get to and from without any fuss," wrote Uber Senior Marketing Manager Kimiko Ninomiya in a post on the Uber blog. "We want to make the experience of planning transportation logistics as seamless as ordering a ride at the touch of button [sic]." The service will only be available to select riders and Uber for Business users at first, although assuming it's a success, then presumably it won't be too long before it becomes a standard feature. In the meantime, Uber's legal status in Australia remains a point of contention. A Victorian state Magistrate yesterday rejected the company's attempts to have a legal case against one of its drivers thrown out of court. The taxi industry, for their part, continues to flail around feebly in the face of progress. A strike in Melbourne a couple of weeks back saw about 500 cabs taken off the roads – Uber retaliated by offering people free rides across the city. Yeah, it's pretty clear who's winning this fight. Via Tech Crunch.
Listen to some of Australia's best emerging and early-career writers in a new podcast series produced by SBS. A tie in with the station's new crime-drama The Principal, which is set to premiere in the first week of October, True Stories consists of seven short stories written and performed by up-and-coming writers from all walks of life. Each story presents a different take on the Australian high school experience – and the six they've dropped so far have been really, really good. The young writers worked in collaboration with Sweatshop, a literary initiative by the University of Western Sydney founded by doctoral candidate and writer Michael Mohammed Ahmad. Ahmad also wrote one episode of the podcast, as did his fellow recipients of the SMH's Best Young Novelist award Luke Carman, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Omar Musa and Ellen Van Neervan. "I think the particular writers that SBS has engaged with are probably the best suited in the country to conform and adapt to the oral storytelling that these podcasts require," says Ahmad. "We're talking about the best up-and-coming writers in the country, and it just so happens that a vast majority of those writers represent traditions who come from rich oral storytelling practice. Omar Musa from a Malaysian background, Maxine Beneba Clarke an Afro-Caribbean background, Ellen van Neerven an Aboriginal background and myself an Arab background...if you look at our novels there is a strong oral technique that is being used most of the time, which is drawing from traditions that come from all over the world." You can certainly feel the influence of these different cultural backgrounds in the content of True Stories. Ahmad's episode, for example, was inspired by his time as a student at Punchbowl Boys High School during the late nineties and early two thousands, a time when the "Arab Australian Muslim community was one of the most stigmatised groups in the country." Loaded with profane language and instances of violence, his story reflects a troubled period in the school's history, yet refuses to indulge stereotypes about the students or their community. "I think if you listen to my story, there is undoubtedly an exploration of violence, sexism, misogyny, homophobia and classic cases of aggression and hostility that exist within certain underclass communities," Ahmad says. "But they're resilient spaces. They're not spaces that are miserable. The people in those spaces are intelligent, critical. They're aware of their circumstances, and most of the time they're responding, or even performing their underclass-ness, because that can be empowering." "It's very hard, I think, for the white imagination to see those places as joyful, resilient, critically conscious places," he continues. "I think there is an assumption that under every poor young man of colour is a middle class white boy yearning to break free." You can currently find the first six episodes of True Stories on the SBS website and on iTunes. The Principal premieres on Wednesday October 7 at 8:30pm.
About damn time, Pinterest. The global social media giant and lover all things wedding-related has joined the world of e-commerce; revealing a 'Buy It' button to allow users to shop their favourite pinned products. Revealed on Tuesday at a big ol' shindig at the San Francisco Pinterest HQ, the new 'buyable pins' have been a long time coming for the globally-celebrated website worth a cheeky $10 billion and singlehandedly dedicated to sharing pretty, pretty thingies users immediately want to hand over their dosh for. According to TIME, 50 billion pins have been added since the company's launch and 93 percent of active Pinners were keen to use the site to plan purchases — that's a genuinely gargantuan customer base eager to throw their money at someone, anyone. Plus, 80 percent of users access the site through their phones (prime online shopping grounds), so the whole thing's a no-brainer (albeit a late-to-the-party one) for Pinterest. So how does it work? After clicking on select pinned products, users will be able to scope out the price, size and colour options of their chosen Pretty Thing and select the quantity to order. You'll be able to use credit card or Apple Pay to nab your chosen item and you'll pay no additional fees. Crazy. So far, even Pinterest merchants won't have to pay commission to sell their wares — all of which makes it a little ambiguous how Pinterest will make any money out of this. We're guessing, with the recent introduction of promoted pins for big advertisers, merchant fees will be introduced down the track after everyone signs up. Pinterest will roll out the buyable pins in the US on iPhone and iPads in late June. Already signed-up merchants include Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Nordstrom, Kate Spade and Cole Hahn. We're still waiting to hear when Australia will get its mitts on the buttons. Instagram just revealed a 'buy it' button for advertisers and Facebook's apparently also working on one too. Social media e-commerce, come at us. Via TIME. Images: Pinterest, Dollar Photo Club.
Mere days after Keep Sydney Open launched their commemorative plaques for live music venues campaign, Sydney's loudest anti-lockout lobby group have an even bigger surprise for Sydney, with fresh news that Flume has called in from the old US of A to release a brand new jam especially for KSO's new video today. Have a peep, below. Plaques organiser and KSO activist Jonno Seidler says: "This is such incredible news to receive at the 11th hour. Harley is currently on tour in North America, playing sold out theatres across the country. But he is proud of where he's from and really backs the Sydney scene, and this just shows how dedicated he really is to the future of local music." The track, called 'Heater' will presumably form part of Flume's next release, which is anyone's guess but could be an EP, coming off the international success of Skin, which dropped earlier this year. "The plaque for Harley was the easiest one to make, because I was there!" says Seidler. "It was a double header with him and Chet Faker [now Nick Murphy] at Goodgod Small Club, my favourite venue for years. Ask anyone who was in the audience, you could tell something was cooking even way back then. I've seen Flume play to tiny rooms in New York city and huge stages at Byron, and he's been world class the whole way." The video, prepared by Keep Sydney Open, features interviews with Gang of Youths Dave Leaupepe in Kings Cross and Jim Finn and Dan McNamee of Art Vs Science, who showed up at Oxford Street to play a trio of songs dedicated to NSW premier Mike Baird, including 'I Love The Nightlife', 'All Night Long' and 'Blame It On The Boogie.' "I met Jim and Dan seven years ago, and it was pretty much a mutual love fest from then on in," says Seidler. "I think they're largely seen as a festival band, but they have amazing musical chops. I've been lucky enough to jam with them a few times and they are the real deal. You have no idea how fast they learned all of those songs." The response to the plaques has been immediate, picked up by media across the country. Seidler says he that while he, Tyson Koh and the rest of Keep Sydney Open are beyond thrilled, they're not surprised at how quickly it took off. "The reason we went with this method is that everyone relates to music. We have so much incredible talent that started right here in small to medium venues that are now literally world-class talent, from Anna Lunoe and Alison Wonderland to The Preatures. When you see those names and you put the two things together, the lockouts starts to become a much bigger problem than just where you can have a drink late at night." More on Keep Sydney Open's plaque campaign over here.
Each September, as the weather warms up and spring begins to truly blossom, music fiends head to Brisbane and spend some time in, well, dark rooms. Over a few days, the Queensland capital becomes the centre of the Australian music universe, with artists and industry practitioners doing what they do best — rocking out, discovering new talent, partying and discussing the future of Australian music. First appearing in 2002, BIGSOUND is a conference, festival and celebration of Australia's best musical talent. Each year, it takes over the inner city Fortitude Valley area, attracting 1300 delegates and more than 6000 music fans. The festival's previous lineups read like a dream: Flume, Rufus, Courtney Barnett, Megan Washington, The Temper Trap, A.B. Original, REMI and Gang of Youths have all graced its stages, while Nick Cave, Neil Finn, Kim Gordon, Billy Bragg and Amanda Palmer have shared their knowledge, experience and wisdom. The event itself isn't the only source of fun, however. At this time of year, the sun is shining, the vibe is buzzing and Brisbane is truly jumping. In fact, with a vibrant cultural scene and an array of delicious dining options on offer, it's the perfect time to discover just why Australia's third-largest city is one of the country's gems. Some Australian events (like this one) are worthy of a road trip, and aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing BIGSOUND into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you plan your out-of-the-city trips ahead of time, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. Here's how to spend your days before, during and after your trip to Brisbane — where to stay, what to do, and what to eat and drink from September 5 to 8. [caption id="attachment_498758" align="alignnone" width="1127"] Limes Hotel Rooftop.[/caption] STAY Over the past decade, Brisbane has become a boutique hotel wonderland — the Fortitude Valley area in particular. If you have some cash to spare, the Emporium leads the pack with their rock star-like indulgence — think dark interiors, a rooftop pool and a killer view of the Valley. Still staying central, the nearby Limes Hotel remains a favourite for its plush rooms and rooftop bar, as well as its proximity to beloved local haunts like Alfredo's Pizzeria and Alfred and Constance. Looking for something a little bit different (or cheaper)? For the artistically inclined, TRYP Fortitude Valley wears its love of street art on its walls — once a warehouse, it's now an affordable option that's appealing to both the eyes and the wallet. Or, look to resident budget option, the Snooze Inn, to save as many pennies as possible for having fun rather than hitting the hay. It's cosy rather than fancy, and is located literally just down the road from the Valley — meaning you'll remain close to everything BIGSOUND, as well as neighbourhood arcade-game bar, Netherworld. [caption id="attachment_622127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tkay Maizda at BIGSOUND.[/caption] DO This year at BIGSOUND, Aussie icons Archie Roach and Tina Arena will lead the speaker program, as well as Quentin Tarantino's regular music supervisor Mary Ramos, aka the woman responsible for all of those ace tunes on the Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and Kill Bill soundtracks. As far as the band schedule is concerned, prepare to hop around faster than a rabbit on Easter, with every bar, space, nook and cranny around Fortitude Valley boasting a gig or party. The official program will include over 150 acts at more than 15 venues, and the unofficial parties — which have included backyard blowouts and ping pong showdowns in previous years — will likely double that number. When you're not experiencing sonic wonders, you should spend your time wandering around Australia's only designated special entertainment precinct, and venturing further afield. In the Valley, keep indulging your love of music with a record store crawl — starting at Foundry Records and ending at Tym's Guitars, where you can scope out a hefty range of instruments. And while you're strolling and perusing, drop by some of the many galleries in the area — Artisan, the Institute of Modern Art and Heiser Gallery are all worth a visit (keep your eyes peeled for street art as well). [caption id="attachment_622138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Institute of Modern Art.[/caption] If spending time inside during BIGSOUND has you hankering for some fresh air, sneak a trip to New Farm Park. Enjoy a picnic by the river, laze around on the grass, or just go for a walk through one of the city's best nature-filled spots. You could also stop by the neighbouring Brisbane Powerhouse — more often than not, there'll be an event on that's worth checking out. If the itch to keep exploring hits, jump on a CityCat and see the sights from the river. Go one way, and you can continue soaking in parklands at Northshore Riverside Park. Go the other, and you'll cruise right through the city. Disembark for a walk through South Bank, and go for a dip in the free, beach-like pools, before moseying around the Gallery of Modern Art. [caption id="attachment_581014" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Gerard's Bistro.[/caption] EAT Spending four days listening to chatter about music is enough to work up an appetite. Thankfully, you're in the right spot. Heading down to Chinatown, which runs adjacent to the Brunswick Street Mall, is the best way to get the classic Fortitude Valley experience. You can easily pick a place at random, or opt for one of the mainstays. For Chinese and yum cha, that's King of Kings, and for Vietnamese, the appropriately-named The Vietnamese Restaurant will treat your tastebuds to an explosion of flavour. Try the salt and pepper quail, and thank us later. In the opposite direction, you'll find a few Brisbane faves. If you like burgers — and this is a burger town, believe us — then Ben's Burgers on Winn Lane will satisfy your cravings with their simple, delicious menu. Or, leap over the road to Bakery Lane, where newcomer Johnny's Pizzeria combines Italian staples with a disco theme, and I Heart Brownies will have you doing just that with their jaffa, salted caramel and cherry-coconut baked goods. Sticking with the area's laneways, wander down to New Farm and off James Street to Gerard's Bistro for a relaxed, award-winning sit-down lunch or dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Expect a blend of modern Australian and Middle Eastern dishes, including the adventurous likes of lamb's tongue toast, the meaty goodness of slow-roasted wagyu brisket for two, and sheep's yoghurt sorbet with honeycomb, milk and orange blossom for dessert. [caption id="attachment_619623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Newstead Brewing Co.[/caption] DRINK Think beer in Queensland, and everyone immediately thinks XXXX. Think breweries, though, and it's a trip to the inner north that's recently started topping booze-loving Brisbane visitors' wish lists. Newstead Brewing have spread their wings and opened a new Milton headquarters, but their original Doggett Street birthplace is always pouring something yeasty from their 12 taps. Green Beacon's multi-award-winning 3 Bolt Pale will ensure you know exactly where you are thanks to notes of fresh mango — and other fruits — in its fresh, golden ale. And a post-gig hang out over a few beverages in The Triffid's beer garden, owned by Powderfinger bassist John Collins, will do you well. Fans of spirits can get their fix at tequila bar Alquimia and whisky haven Nant, and if you like the bubbly stuff, even champagne gets its time to sparkle at Baedeker. As for every other bar in the area, you'll probably end up at most of them anyway, thanks to BIGSOUND's huge gig lineup. BIGSOUND 2017 takes place in various venues across Brisbane and Fortitude Valley from September 5 to 8. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
Of all the ingenuity and creativity that helped make the original Star Wars films some of the most iconic sci-fi pictures of all time, one characteristic deserves credit above all others: it was a universe that had been lived in. Compared to the pristine, almost sterile visions of space portrayed by every other film of its kind, Lucas showed us something that felt entirely ‘real’, thanks to its grimy establishments, malfunctioning droids and a Millennium Falcon that only worked after a sturdy thump from its captain. Director J.J. Abrams has done well to remember this lesson. Things that were new at the close of Return of the Jedi are now old, and those that were old are now ancient, forgotten or gone entirely. Such is not just the feel, but indeed the very plot, of Episode VII: The Force Awakens. As the opening title crawl explains (yes, it's still there), Luke Skywalker has vanished and in his absence a sinister adjunct of the former Empire has arisen under the banner of ‘The First Order’. Led by a Sith-esque figure known as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the Order is scouring the galaxy for any information as to Luke’s whereabouts so as to finally erase all vestiges of the very last Jedi. In its way (and also seeking Skywalker) stands the small yet unshakeable Rebel Alliance, now marshalled by General Leia Organa. Each side has part of a map, but neither can yet complete the full picture, and time is of the essence. There can be few things more intimidating than embarking upon the production of a new Star Wars movie. So steeped is the series in lore, so fanatical its supporters, that even the tiniest of missteps will attract the most merciless and unceasing fury the galaxy has ever seen (i.e: sternly worded blog posts). Thankfully, via his Star Trek reboot, Abrams has already proven his extraordinary deftness when it comes to blockbuster space operas, and The Force Awakens is no exception. It is riddled with allusions to the past, yet few are accorded more than a glance (you will find no stormtroopers sporting ‘vintage death star t-shirts’ here, for example, unlike the indelicate homages of Jurassic World). Instead we are made to feel right at home amongst our new heroes (the exceptional Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac) thanks to familiar musical flourishes from John Williams, the spine-tingling sound and visual effects from Industrial Light and Magic, and the return of our beloved Han and Chewie. New planets and old faces, original characters and veterans to guide them – this is a franchise reborn but not reinvented. If criticisms are to be levelled, they fall mainly upon the villains. Few cinema foes will ever match the menace of Darth Vader and his Emperor mentor, however here the film’s antagonists feel particularly thin. Andy Serkis’ CGI overlord Snoke is more distracting than daunting, Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux is surprisingly hammy and Kylo Ren, whilst evil, is underscored by a petulance that borders on comedic. Thankfully, despite being masked and heavily synthesised, his voice does remain entirely comprehensible, as distinct from the recent broken PA system that was Tom Hardy’s Bane. Not to mention that his force grip is dead-set spectacular. Given the choice between normal and 3D, the latter does actually add that little bit extra here, and whilst parents will doubtless be eager to introduce their younglings to the franchise, be warned – Abrams shies not away from the ‘wars’ in Star Wars. Gritty, intelligent and utterly electrifying, buckle yourselves in folks, because we’ve got a damned good feeling about this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE
There's a big, white container coming to South Bank. But, like most shipping containers in the city, it's not being used to transport furniture. And the word 'séance' will be written on the side in black. It's kind of ominous. Séance is actually a new installation where participants take a seat inside the tiny space, put on a headset and place their hands flat on the table in front of them. The lights go out and the container enters complete darkness. For the next 20 minutes, participants are fed 'suggestible information' through their headsets. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser assures us that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. And so Séance is a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of a group sitting together. Despite not being a horror or supernatural-themed piece, it's a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, information overload and the people siting right next to us to affect our judgment. Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. It's not recommended for the claustrophobic or the easily frightened. The spooky installation visited Sydney and Melbourne late last year, and is now descending on the Treasury Brisbane Arcadia, South Bank Cultural Forecourt, from September 8–29 this year as part of the 2018 Brisbane Festival.
First it was cupcakes, then it was brownies, and now it's doughnuts; Brisbane sure loves a sweet treat. It can't have escaped anyone's attention that purveyors of tasty pastries are popping up all over the city, and now two more are about to join the fold. Say hello to The Doughnut Bar and Donut Boyz. It's kind of a second greeting for the Doughnut Bar, given that they've been calling the CBD their temporary home since April — and that's when they're not doing the rounds at markets in their brightly painted van. Their short stays around the city have been so successful that they're now opening a permanent Wintergarden base. Come late June, you'll find their cafe trading all day to service your doughnut needs. Over in West End, Donut Boyz opens its doors on June 12, bringing iced delights to the other side of the river. Anyone in the vicinity of Boundary Street will have a new place to get their sugar fix from. Their full menu is yet to be revealed, but their salted caramel popcorn donuts sound like bliss. It all sounds like dessert heaven, actually, and a good reason to wear stretchy pants more often. More doughnuts — or donuts, if we're being democratic — is never a bad thing, whichever way you prefer to spell it. Find the Doughnut Bar in the Wintergarden, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, from late June, and visit their Facebook page for details of the market stalls. Find Donut Boyz at 93 Boundary Street, West End from June 12, and visit their Facebook page for more information. Image: Donut Boyz.
A great meal or classic dish isn't just the sum of its ingredients. How it's cooked can make all the difference — take a piece of poultry coated in flour, salt, herbs and spices, for instance. Yes, we're talking about fried chicken, the ultimate Southern food, a mighty fine companion to an ice cold beer, and something they call finger lickin' good for a reason. So where can you find Brisbane's best? Check out these local fried chicken joints, but be warned — you won't find a certain fast food brand on this list. LEFTY'S OLD TIME MUSIC HALL Without a souped-up Delorean at your disposal, you're unlikely to experience 19th century American life. Lefty's Old Time Music Hall is the next best thing, and it's had two years to show Brisbane why. As its name suggests, the music is a major drawcard (think bluegrass and toe-tapping country-style tunes), as is the honky-tonk vibe. The drinks list is a beer and whiskey lover's dream, and there's plenty of Southern-style bites to line the stomach with. Our pick: deep-fried chicken wings, of course. Just don't fill up on the free popcorn on the way in, because that crispy chook is going to need some room. 15 Caxton Street, Brisbane; www.leftysmusichall.com SHADY PALMS Good things really can come out of reality television, and Shady Palms is proof. Owners Mal and Bec went from braving the competitive restaurant TV scene to running two off-screen cafes. Shady Palms is the kind of place people head to Stones Corner especially for. Their Southern fried chicken is more than partly responsible, served with equally delicious smoked chipotle gravy and apple currant slaw. After taking a look at that thick coat crusted over sizeable servings, you won't be able to resist. And don't forget the James Squire to wash it down with. 427 Logan Road, Stones Corner; (07) 3324 2917; www.shadypalmscafe.com SOUTHERN ATTITUDE Another Brisbane eatery, and another place on the American-style bandwagon, but don't overlook Southern Attitude for staying on trend. They love all things from the US south — including a dish that combines fried goodness with succulent chicken breast. Pick your choice of honey and hickory barbecue or mushroom sauce to slather it in, and two sides (including bourbon glazed carrots and pale ale onion rings) to go with it. And the best part? It's also available on their takeaway menu, so you can enjoy fry fry chicky chick at home without going down the fast food route. Shop 2, 189 Oxford Street, Bulimba; (07) 3217 9600; www.southernattitude.net.au KING OF THE WINGS What's better than going to a fried chicken place? Finding a fried chicken place that roams all over town. That'd be King of the Wings, one of Brisbane's favourite food trucks, and the home to quite the range of tasty poultry. Non-fried morsels are also on their menu, but who can resist the spicy Southern stuff? Not us. Their sweet potato fries are also a treat for those wanting to rock the old school chicken and chips combo — but the wings really are a satisfying and scrumptious meal all by themselves. Around Brisbane; 0433 177 478; www.facebook.com/kingofthewingsbrisbane GREASER This Fortitude Valley dive bar might be greasy by name, but thankfully it's not by nature. When it comes to food — and chicken pieces marinated in buttermilk in particular — the place is downright delectable. Note the pieces part of the menu listing — you're getting much more than wings here, much to your stomach's delight. The bird comes with red eye gravy and smoked chipotle mayo too, all served in a basket. Wednesdays have become their default chicken evening, but of course this yummy fried dish is available on other nights as well. 259 Brunswick Street, The Valley; (07) 3648 9036; www.greaser.com.au BIRD'S NEST YAKITORI & BAR Want your fried chicken Japanese style? You're not alone. West End's Bird's Nest is a yakitori (which means grilled bird), so that kind of poultry is their bread and butter. Don't worry though — they've still left room for some karaage (deep fried) morsels as well. You'll find them among their side dishes, made from free-range thigh meat, turned crispy and golden with the restaurant's traditional seasoning, and complemented by wasabi mayonnaise. They're worth dropping in for all by themselves — and if you don't want to pair them with a full dinner, smaller set menu or some of their famed skewers, the tori karaage are cheap enough to order several servings. Shop 5, 220 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane; (07) 3844 4306; www.birdsnestrestaurant.com.au THE FLYING COCK Trust a bar with a cheeky reference to chicken in its name (yes, that's how we're choosing to take it) to boast plenty of tasty fried dishes. Wings are their thing, both of the crumbed and wet variety, and they sell them by the kilo to let you know that they're serious. Burgers also rank as one of The Flying Cock's go-to meals, including the CBC — that's chicken, bacon and coleslaw — made with fried chicken breast crusted in Doritos. Yeah. Doritos. Run, don't walk, and enjoy a James Squire Nine Tales Amber Ale fresh off the tap with it. 388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley; (07) 3172 6109; www.facebook.com/theflyingcock HOT STAR Okay, okay, so we said that we weren't going to include one particular chain of chicken joints that everyone's been to. We didn't say we wouldn't include a Taiwanese chain that everyone should go to, though, because we just couldn't keep that promise. Head out to Sunnybank for a place that promises 'large fried chicken' in its tagline. And with face-sized pieces of both original and crispy style chicken breast fried to order, they really do mean large. Smaller chicken bites are also on the menu, but we say go big or go home. 19D Market Square, Sunnybank; (07) 3423 8008; www.hotstarchicken.com.au LUCKY EGG They're the new kids on the chicken block, but they're fast becoming a Brisbane favourite. They're also another reason to visit the Brightside — in addition to the venue's packed roster of events, that is. Whether you prefer yours on a bun or in a basket, you'll find crispy fried chicken in various guises, including Dorito popcorn chicken and a cup of karaage. Those on the very hungry side (or with friends to share with) won't want to go past the Waxman's whole bird, which comes with 12 pieces of buttermilk-coated deliciousness, plus a large slaw and fries. 27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley; www.luckyeggfc.com
Calling all late-night Tour watchers, cycling enthusiasts and anyone who wants to know what a 'peloton' is. The NSW Government has today announced the first ever Tour de France event to be held in Australia, locked in for 2016. Dubbed L’Etape Australia and locked in for the next three years, the upcoming race is an official offshoot of the Tour de France — the oldest and most prestigious road cycling event to rival all road cycling events. It's not the first Tour side quest, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile and Argentina have all seen their own stages. Destination NSW and the NSW Government have recruited SBS to broadcast the race, who've been your late night Tour broadcaster pal for 25 years. So where's the race going to be held? (Read: where can we place a huge CP logo on someone's rural property for sick helicopter coverage?) Designed to replicate the infamous Tour mountain stages, L’Etape Australia will weave through Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo. Rather than Alps and Pyrenees, riders will pump those legs through the beautifully formidable Snowy Mountains, where the Ultimate Snowy Challenge breaks people. These pretty, pretty NSW locations will inevitably boost the tourist dollar for the state; Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said he anticipated the race to deliver in excess of $4 million in visitor expenditure across the three years. So you're a bit of a mad cyclist? Get up every morning at sparrow's fart just to beat the tradies to the tar? Want to see how you'd fare in the Tour? An expected 10,000 riders of varying levels are up to compete for the legendary Tour de France yellow, green, polka dot and white jerseys, and the waitlist is now open at the official L’Etape Australia website. Riders can register for updates, pick their level of difficulty (The Race is the big one, The Ride is slightly shorter for seasoned riders, and The Ramble is the fun, easier course) and reserve their place on the start line. L’Etape Australia by Tour de France is happening in December 2016. To register or for more info, visit the website. Images: Dollar Photo Club and NSW National Parks.
What are you doing right now? No, stop. Whatever it is, it most likely doesn’t compare to what you could be doing at this exact time next year. Sea N Beats, Australia’s first ever music festival at sea, is on March 5-8, 2016 — and if you’re into electronic dance beats and/or super chilled-in-a-chilla-way cruises through aquamarine waters (and isolated island paradises to boot), it's probably going to float your boat. The Sea N Beats ship will boast seven stages (so we know this is ain’t no dinghy), and a huge pool deck, where you’ll dance till the wee hours in the middle of the deep blue sea sea sea (hey, there’ll be no noise complaints here). Plus, included in your ticket is entry to an exclusive mystery island festival on an exclusive mystery island, somewhere off the exclusive mystery Queensland coast. After the seafaring shenanigans that went down at It’s the Ship — Singapore’s inaugural festival on a boat — last November, plus the fact that SS Coachella and the Weezer cruise are actual things that exist, it was high time we got one of these boat-fests of our own. Those festivals attracted sailors like Basement Jaxx, Lil John, Toro y Moi, Pulp and Hot Chip. No word on who’s going to be (literally) onboard for ours yet — but it’s safe to say this is going to be one hull of a party. Now's probably a good time to start training yourself out of your sea sickness. But it sounds well worth stocking up on those ginger tablets for; Sea N Beats reckon there's no other experience like this in the southern hemisphere. The ship sets sail from Brisbane on March 5 next year, and the festival runs till March 8. You know your psych-up music, crank it. Via Pedestrian. Image: Falls Festival.
In a rare instance of critics and audiences agreeing with each other, Mad Max: Fury Road and The Dressmaker were the two big winners at the 2016 Australian Film Critics Association Awards. Held last night at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne, the ceremony reflected on the past 12 months of Australian cinema, with the year's two biggest box office takers proving popular with critics as well. Critically acclaimed action blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road took home the award for Best Film, as well as Best Director for George Miller and Best Cinematography for John Seale. The Dressmaker, meanwhile, swept through the acting categories, with Best Actress for Kate Winslet, Best Supporting Actress for Judy Davis and Best Supporting Actor for Hugo Weaving. The film's director and co-writer Jocelyn Moorhouse was present to accept the awards of behalf of her cast, while also taking home the Best Screenplay Award for herself and husband P. J. Hogan. Ryan Corr won Best Actor for his work in Holding the Man. In the international film categories, last year's Oscar winner Birdman took home Best English Language Film, while German drama Phoenix won for Best Foreign Language Film. Amy Winehouse doco Amy won Best Documentary. The association also gave out its annual writing awards, bestowed by a panel of journalists and film industry practitioners. This year's winners were critics Rebecca Harkins-Cross, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Luke Goodsell. You can check out the winners here. To get a head start on the next crop of likely AFCA Award winners, check out our list of the ten Australian films to watch out for in 2016.
Successful documentaries are often boiled down to a well-worn old adage, with the best films frequently benefiting from filmmakers simply being in the right place at the right time. The saying seems to ring true for Australian Jennifer Peedom, although calling the experienced high-altitude director 'fortunate' isn't quite appropriate. When she went to Nepal in 2014, she was motivated by reported tensions between travellers and their Sherpa guides. With the chasm between the two groups screaming for more attention, Peedom planned to make a movie about one of the local workers, the unassuming Phurba Tashi Sherpa, who was on the cusp of making history. But then nature struck, and the movie had to change. A time capsule of the toughest climbing season imaginable, as well as an exercise in quick-thinking filmmaking at its best, Sherpa is undoubtedly the superior Everest-based movie of the last 12 months. Forget re-enactments, high-profile actors looking frosty, strained accents and 3D special effects. In capturing the blackest day the mountain has ever seen with on-the-ground footage of a tragedy unfolding, as well as the build up to the Khumbu Icefall avalanche and the harrowing, heartbreaking aftermath, the film presents devastating details that could only spring from real life. Phurba's feat — ascending the world's highest peak for a record-breaking 22nd time — would've made a rousing story in its own right, as well as a powerful testament to the largely unrecognised role the Sherpa people play in the mountain's growing tourism industry. The weather had other plans, however. As the ice and snow began to move, his tale became even more emblematic of the broader situation facing Nepalese residents, and brought the appalling labour conditions of the Sherpas, who make wealthy Westerners' treks possible, sharply into focus. With the precision of a master craftsperson and the breathtaking vision to match, Peedom balances the personal plight of one pivotal figure with the anger-inspiring human rights issues that surround the mountain. Viewers will find themselves simultaneously marvelling at the images Peedom and her trio of cameramen have recorded, and wanting to leap out of their seat with frustration at the dangers the Sherpas face just to make a living. In that way, Sherpa is more than just a tale of triumph over adversity. Instead, it's a high-stakes, high-altitude dissection of commercial and financial interests triumphing over a very human cost, as pieced together with an insider's perspective and understanding. Interviewees hail from all sides of the business of climbing, but there's never any doubting the film's allegiances. That's not a consequence of Peedom's lack of balance, but simply a reflection of the galling reality on the mountain. Offering an astonishing account of a just-as-astonishing slice of life, documentary filmmaking doesn't get much better than this.
One of Australia's biggest beats-loving festivals has been canned. Mushroom Group have announced the discontinuation of Future Music Festival today, after reporting low ticket sales for the last two years. Despite attracted huge crowds to this year's March festival nationwide, Future apparently underperformed with ticket sales. This means Future isn't returning for 2016, with Mushroom looking to steer away from large-scale travelling festivals and put more focus on its touring adventures with Frontier Touring, A Day On the Green, Melbourne's Sugar Mountain and under-18s event Good Life. "The decision to discontinue Future Music Festival was not made lightly," says Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski. "A point came though where it simply no longer made sense to continue. We believe in the festival industry in Australia and plan to announce an exciting new festival concept in the coming months." Mushroom Group are developing a new festival concept, planned for the same time period previously held by Future and set to be announced later this year. Image: Future Music Festival.
Got some spare cash burning a hole in your bank account? Then you could own one of Brisbane's top spots. Ten years after it revamped an otherwise unloved patch of Fortitude Valley and started a trend, Limes Hotel is for sale. Over the past decade, most of Brisbane has made an excuse to drop by the boutique establishment, not that one was needed. Maybe you've had a drink at its rooftop bar. Perhaps you've plunged in the rooftop pool (one of our favourite outdoor swimming pools in Brisbane) while watching a movie under the stars. You might've even treated yourself to a night in one of its pretty rooms. Either way, change is a-coming to the pioneering place on Constance Street behind the train station, which previously hosted some of the worst real estate in Brisbane. Just what the future holds is yet to be determined; however logic dictates that whoever the new proprietor turns out to be ought to be thrilled with the booming business they're buying. Current owner, Damian Griffiths, has plenty of other things to keep him busy. Les Bubbles is due to open on September 10, a spate of kiosks are set to take over South Bank in October, and then there's the already operational Alfred & Constance, Doughnut Time and Kwan Bros, aka some of the city's most beloved hangouts and suppliers of tasty treats and Asian meals. Via The Courier-Mail.
Less than a month after being cancelled due to alleged financial mismanagement, the iconic Tropfest short film festival has been thrown a much needed lifeline. On the very day that the festival was originally meant to take place, Tropfest founder John Polson has announced the event will instead be held on Valentine's Day next year, after securing a last minute sponsorship deal with CGU Insurance. "It’s incredibly encouraging to see that the Australian public and corporate community really want to see Tropfest return," said Polson, who was forced to cancel the festival after discovering what he, at the time, called "a terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds." No word yet on whether the CGU deal extends beyond this year, or whether it will help Polson cover the festival's six figure debt. Details on how the money was actually lost likewise remain unclear, although it's worth mentioning that Polson is currently engaged in legal action against Tropfest managing director Michael Laverty. He told the Sydney Morning Herald that "in my opinion, we've done nothing wrong but respond as best we can to a terrible situation brought about by bad management." Polson also took a swipe at the lack of assistance from the NSW government, saying "many people have asked what has the NSW government done since this crisis…the truth is not a lot at this point." "Tropfest is a great festival, providing unique platforms for talented filmmakers through its events and initiatives, and we are excited to be able to help them get back on their feet," said Ben Bessel, Commercial Insurance Chief Executive for IAG, which owns CGU Insurance. "Supporting this fantastic cultural event is about creating a renewed opportunity for Tropfest and all those small businesses associated with the event to continue to thrive and get some business done." In recent years Tropfest has attracted a national live audience of up to 150,000 people along with hundreds of thousands more via live TV broadcast. Polson confirmed that all 16 of this year's finalists will make their premiere as planned – albeit a few months late – live in Sydney's Centennial Parklands on February 14. Trop Jr., the festival's competition for filmmakers aged 15 years and under, will also go ahead.
Imagine a culinary creation that's part burger, part doughnut. Imagine a juicy, hand-pressed wagyu beef patty sandwiched between two halves of glazed, doughy pastry. Double jack cheese is also part of the equation, as is smoky bacon flavoured with Nutella. Stop salivating and prepare to be in food heaven, because this fantastical concoction is now a reality. It's not hard to guess who's behind such a wondrous treat: the legends at Ze Pickle and Doughnut Time. Not content with crafting their own taste sensations, they're pairing up to serve up something that's a little bit sweet, a little bit savoury, and a whole lot of awesome. The 'Doughnutfukwitdis' might be the first collaboration between the two popular eateries, but neither is making their maiden voyage into such delicious territory. Remember the Elvis Burger, which Doughnut Time cooked up with Chur Burger earlier this year? Or the Cronut Burger, which is still raved about by anyone lucky enough to have had one at Ze Pickle's Burleigh Heads outlet? Think of them as warm-ups for what's likely to prove the burger event of the year. The burger is now available at both their Brisbane and Burleigh Heads store, so you can chow down on this morsel of greasy goodness right away. For more information about this mighty, mighty collaboration, keep an eye on Ze Pickle's Facebook page.
"Beer and pies are a match made in heaven," says Goat Pie Guy owner and chef Mick Hobson. "The bite and flavour of hops or wheat or barley is perfect to cut through the buttery pastry and rich fillings that I make for my winter pie range." Brisbane-based bakery maestro Hobson is no stranger to mixing beer and baked goods. Rather than enjoying the two separately, Mick uses beer in his pies — there are no less than five pies on the Goat Pie Guy menu made with beer (and they're all Great Aussie Pie Competition gold medal winners). If he's using a brew in a pie recipe, Mick always matches his drinking beer too. "If it's a curry pie, I like to drink a pale ale or if it's one of my seafood pies, I always pair it with an amber ale." Mick actually uses beer in a lot of his recipes, not just pies. "Beer's an awesome base to build lively broths for seafood, rich sauces for grilled meat and lovely sweet and savoury layers in a slow braise." Certain beers with a more crisp edge, like a Little Creatures Original Pilsner, can cut through heavier, more buttery dishes, refreshing and reviving the palate, while more hoppy beers, like a Kosciuszko Pale Ale, can help you soldier on through spicy food. Let's get back to those award-winning beery pies. We're keen to test this secret ingredient for ourselves, so we asked Mick for a cheeky recipe. So what's Mick cooked up for Concrete Playground? One heck of a hearty wagyu beef and porter pie. "This one came about when I was experimenting for a meeting of brewers and meat merchants. It was important that both parties had their produce showcased in the best possible way so I decided to highlight the chocolatey flavours in the porter by caramelising it with the onions and adding the figs for extra sweetness. The beef flavour was intensified with allspice, black pepper and rosemary. Then I tossed them in a pot together, filled it with porter and crossed my fingers for six hours! And man, was it worth the wait." Let's do this. MICK HOBSON'S WAGYU BEEF AND PORTER PIE Ingredients: 2 medium brown onions sliced 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 50g raw sugar 1kg diced wagyu brisket 3 litres beef stock 60ml olive oil 4 sprigs rosemary chopped 2 bay leaves 10g cracked black pepper 15g allspice 150g dried figs 3.5 bottles James Squire Jack of Spades Porter 150g corn flour 1 egg whisked for brushing 4 sheets of shop bought shortcrust pastry (Borgs is a good brand) 2 sheets of shop bought puff pastry (Borgs is good for puff too) *(If you want to make your own shortcrust my recipe is below) Heat half olive oil in a heavy base pot. Brown onions in oil, add half a 330ml bottle of James Squire Jack of Spades Porter, balsamic vinegar, diced figs and sugar and reduce until sticky, then remove from pot and set aside. Heat remaining oil in the same pot and brown beef in small batches adding more oil as needed. Add all beef back into pot along with black pepper, allspice and chopped rosemary. Stir on low heat to completely coat beef. Add caramelised onion mixture, bay leaves, stock and porter. Bring to the boil then let simmer on low for three to four hours until beef can be cut with a fork. Combine corn flour with enough water to dissolve, and pour in slowly as you stir to thicken. You might like to add more or less corn flour depending on how thick you like your gravy. Grease pie tins with butter and line with shortcrust pastry, leaving a little overhang. Fill with thickened pie mixture and brush pastry edge with egg mixture. Cut puff pastry lids to suit base size and place on top, crimp base and top together with fingertips or a fork. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a cold James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. *Shortcrust Pastry 1 250g plain flour 125g unsalted butter, chilled, finely chopped 1 egg, chilled Process flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk egg and one tablespoon chilled water in a bowl until combined, then with food processor motor running, add to flour mixture. Process until mixture begins to form large clumps, stopping machine before mixture forms a ball. Turn pastry out on to a work surface and knead gently to bring together. Form into a disc for a round tart or into a log shape for a rectangular tart. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours. Roll out to 3-4mm thickness and cut out required size. If you love discovering more things you can do with beer (and some surprising facts, like beer being 99.9 percent sugar free), visit www.beerthebeautifultruth.com. You'll find information on fusing beer and food, matching different styles of beer with your meals, and how particular foods can enhance the distinct flavours of a well-brewed beer. You can even learn a few nutritional myths around beer, and bust 'em while you're at it.
Little Stanley Street is a popular restaurant mainstay and easy go-to when finding a place to eat. But with so much choice, where to start? We’ve been around the block and selected our choice of old favourites and new neighbours. NEXT DOOR KITCHEN & BAR Travel back in time to jazz music, wild parties and sophistication at Next Door Kitchen and Bar. The prohibition-themed venue is bringing back jazz and naughtiness with a modern twist. Next Door Kitchen offers share plates, and while one dish could keep an individual happy, it’s much better to share a few. As one might expect at a prohibition-era venue, you come for the food but you’ll stay for the cocktails. With drink names such as Hootenanny, Giggle Juice and Cotton Club Swinger’s Punch, book your cab home now. Shop B11, Little Stanley St CHE ASADO New kid on the block Che Asado has just replaced The Point Bistro and brings a fresh Argentinian flavour to the street. Asado pretty much means barbecue, so if you’re after a not-your-average steakhouse, head in here for a meat-filled feast. Not just playing to Aussie tastes, the venue offers a handful of traditional South American drinks and dishes too — try the pickled veal tongue if you dare. Wash it down with a jug of sangria. Shop 15, Little Stanley St SOUTH SIDE DINER What would a multicultural street be without a slice of American pie? Step into a diner for the 21st century. South Side is decked out with pop art and polished concrete floors. Maintaining a retro vibe (but not sparkly red vinyl a la Hungry Jacks), South Side Diner’s subtle ode to yesteryear is in its small touches: sauce bottles on the table and a tasteful tiled bar with chrome bar stools. Pop by at lunch for a New York Skyscraper burger ($13.50). Towering high in the basket, this guy is stacked with a beef patty, caramelised onion, cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mustard mayo — all makings of a great burger. OLE Your mother would approve of the Spaniards, who choose not to drink on an empty stomach, and instead accompany their tipple with some of the finest Mediterranean flavours your mouth can try. Mum’s the word, so with that in mind say, ‘hola, Ole!’ and order a jug of their finest sangria - red of course, we’re fond traditionalists. With a swish of the wooden sangria spoon, stuff some deep-fried, cream cheese-filled olives ($6) down your gob and chase it with more sangria. Ahhh, the temporary mindset of summer is settling in and the best way to keep is there is order more tapas. More friends = more tapas = more fun. See, maths is easy. 12 Little Stanley St DENIM CO Can you believe that Little Stanley Street’s unique combo cafe and fashion boutique has been around for 20 years? Always on trend, the venue does a mean breakfast – whether it’s a classic benny and pancakes, or a health-kick breakfast board, bliss balls or acai bowl – Denim Co has it all. Just be sure to save room and the calories to indulge in the thick Italian chocolate and peanut butter drink. It’s worth it. Shop 9a, Little Stanley St HOP & PICKLE Hop & Pickle is another newbie stepping up the pub stakes (or steaks). The ex-Beastie Burgers owners have reinvented the space by opening this gastronomy pub. A set of bar plates are mainstay, while mains change daily and you can pop by on Saturdays for pub classics and Sundays for roast. Perfection. Shop 6e Little Stanley St AHMETS Oh Ahmets, it feels like you’ve always been there for us. When you don’t know where to eat in South Bank, you go to Ahmets – and for good reason, the food is damn tasty. Combining culture and dining in one, enter the bazaar and sit your tush on a Turkish rug draped stool where you can peruse the menu while watching belly dancing or listening to live music. The first Sunday of every month Ahmets also hosts a special ‘Istanbul Night’ with belly dancing, coffee reading, a grand bazaar and live music.
Two Birds Brewing is celebrating five years of making stellar, award-winning beers. Australia's first female owned and operated brewery is celebrating in fashion with an Australia-wide, week long birthday bash. As a big thank you to patrons around the country, co-owners Danielle Allen and Jayne Lewis are offering up their Golden Ale and Sunset Ale flagship brews for just five bucks a schooner — in a whopping 25 venues across Queensland, Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania. Lewis and Allen have also each brewed a birthday beer — the Two Birds G&T IPA and Two Birds PX Belgian Dubbel — which will be tapped at each venue on Thursday, June 16. This is one killer way to celebrate and we'll be raising a glass to these two badass birds throughout the week. The Two Birds $5 birthday schooners will be available from Monday, June 13 – Sunday, June 19, with the Birthday beer tapped on Thursday, June 16. Their beers will be tapped at the following bars and pubs. VICTORIA The Nest - Two Birds Brewery and Tasting Room, Spotswood The Valley Cellar Door - Wine Bar, Moonee Ponds Stray Neighbour, Preston Junction Beer Hall & Wine Room, Newport Freddie Wimpoles, St Kilda The Park, Werribee Beer Deluxe, Hawthorn Cookie, Melbourne CBD Terminus Hotel, Fitzroy North Cambrian Hotel, Bendigo NEW SOUTH WALES Hotel Sweeney's, Sydney CBD Royal Albert Hotel, Surry Hills The Welcome Hotel - Ajò Restaurant, Rozelle The Public, Cammeray Grain Store, Newcastle East QUEENSLAND The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba Flux Restaurant & Lounge, Noosaville Lester and Earl, Palm Beach Death Valley Bar & Records, Morningside Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
FOMO — Australia's clash-free, one-day summer festival — is back for a third year. After a Brisbane debut in 2016, this time, the event is hitting Melbourne for the first time too, with a new evening edition called FOMO by Night, as well as making a return to Sydney and Adelaide. Leading the program is California's RL Grime, who's been headlining festivals all over the world with his experimental, high energy mash-ups of sound, colour and texture. Hot on his heels is Montreal's Kaytranada, who was here last year and bass lines have had him topping hip hop and dance charts (that is, when he's not collaborating with Alicia Keys or Chance the Rapper). Meanwhile, New Jersey-based neo-soul singer SZA is making her Australian debut on the back of debut album CTRL, and Texan rapper-singer Post Malone is coming back, after winning a lot of love during his Australian tour earlier this year. Also on the schedule is Grammy nominee ZHU with a brand new show and a live band, performing tunes from his dark and mesmerising EP Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams, along with London-based Grammy winner Tourist, and LA's Drezo, whose underground house has won admiration from Diplo, Destructo and Porter Robinson, among others. As always, FOMO is lining up homegrown talent up next to international stars. Representing Australia are The Kite String Triangle, Nina Las Vegas and Sweat It Out signee Dena Amy. Plus, there's an Australia-wide competition on the boil, which will see four emerging local artists join the bill. FOMO will kick off on Brisbane's Riverstage on Saturday, January 6, before moving to Parramatta Park in Sydney, on Saturday, January 13. Melbourne will get a slightly smaller lineup at their FOMO by Night, which will take place at Festival Hall on Thursday, January 11. Pre-sales start at 10am on Tuesday, September 5 and general sales on Wednesday, September 6. $1 from every sale is going to music charity Heaps Decent and, if you can't afford your ticket in one fell swoop, you can opt for a payment plan, which lets you pay it off via monthly instalments. Here's the full lineup. FOMO 2018 LINEUP RL Grime Kaytranada ZHU Post Malone SZA Tourist The Kite String Tangle Drezo Stööki Sound Nina Las Vegas Dena Amy FOMO BY NIGHT 2018 LINEUP Kaytranada Post Malone SZA The Kite String Tangle Dena Amy Mimi FOMO 2018 DATES Saturday, January 6 — Riverstage, Brisbane Sunday, January 7 — Elder Park, Adelaide Thursday, January 11 — Festival Hall, Melbourne Saturday, January 13 — Parramatta Park, Sydney FOMO will take place in January 2018. Tickets go on sale this week. For more info, visit fomofestival.com.au. Image: Mitch Lowe.
Imagine a place that caters to your every cheese need, whether stocking up on the best creamy goodness money can buy or enjoying a delectable dairy-oriented dinner takes your fancy. No, this isn't a fantasy fuelled by too many late-night brie eating sessions. Brisbanites, this cheese heaven is about to become a reality. Fromage [The Cow] is the store dreams are made of — it's the city's first-ever licensed fromagerie. Sure, that's just a fancy French term for cheese shop, but it sounds delicious, doesn't it? When the new addition to Milton's Park Road opens its doors in May, it really will grant all your cheese wishes at once. Not only will Fromage [The Cow] boast a full-service, cheese-centric restaurant — complete with a droolworthy walk-in cheese room as the centrepiece of the space — but it'll also include a bar matching all things sharp and gooey with tasty tipples of wine, beer and sake. Plus there'll be a takeaway coffee and (wait for it) cheese toastie window as well. Basically, whatever type of coagulated buffalo, cow, sheep or goat milk protein you like — and whichever way you like it, be it on crackers, paired with a glass of red, oozing out two warm pieces of bread, melted into fondue or smeared through macaroni — it'll be on offer here. Yep, we're calling it: this is about to be everyone's new favourite hangout. Cheese is good for you, isn't it? Find Fromage [The Cow] at 14 Park Road, Milton, from May. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more information.
For three days every September, Brisbane becomes the centre of the music industry. At least that’s how it feels when BIGSOUND, the annual music conference to end all music conferences, comes to town. In 2015, Australia's answer to South by Southwest sees Fortitude Valley pumping with events, including keynotes, panels, discussions, seminars and live gigs showcasing 150 bands across 15 venues. Everyone from former Federal Arts minister and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and rapper and activist Brother Ali to Katy Steele, Major Leagues, Muscles and Stonefield will be there — and that really is only the beginning. Of course, the official program is just part of the fun, with events happening around the main attraction always proving equally as exciting. To help you plan for what's certain to be a big few days, here are our picks of the five BIGSOUND events you should schedule into your diary.
When Three Blue Ducks announced that it was closing its first-ever River City outpost, which has sat inside the W Brisbane hotel since 2018, the inner-city space it has called home for five years was never going to be empty for long. The site's original tenant will shut up shop at the end of May, leaving room for The Lex to get cosy. And get cosy it will — and fast — with the new New York City-inspired restaurant set to open its doors on Thursday, June 15. Pairing the space's spectacular water views with nods to both the Big Apple and Queensland — aka the chain's starting point and its Sunshine State berth — W Brisbane is keeping things in-house with The Lex, which boasts the venue's Chef de Cuisine Pawel Klodowski overseeing the menu. "Having been lucky enough to be a part of The Lex since its very inception, this has felt like more than just a project for me," says Klodowski. "I put all my heart into carefully crafting every step of the dining journey along with the team and it's been an incredible feeling to see this coming to life. I can't wait to reveal the experience to Brisbanites and guests to the city and showcase the unique culinary experience we've curated here." The NYC vibes will flow through in a grill-heavy eatery, and in the style of dishes served; however, southeast Queensland produce will be the star of every plate. Think: oyster brine martinis, dry-aged beef using local cuts and tableside caesar salads. The full culinary lineup hasn't yet been unveiled, but hyper-locality will be a big feature. So too will familiar comfort-food dishes given a playful twist, dashes of the old and the new, and natural cooking techniques. And while you're tucking in, you'll sit in an airy terrace-style setup that's designed to bring the outside in, complete with that vantage over the river. "We are excited to be unveiling this new restaurant concept and adding to our diverse beverage and food programming at W Brisbane. We are continually innovating to enhance our guests' experiences, and The Lex will really elevate the hotel's culinary offering with a refined menu and sophisticated dining experience from start to finish," adds Haldon Philp, W Brisbane's General Manager. "Inspired by the birthplace of W Hotels in New York City, The Lex builds strongly on the W origin story and not only brings a highly sought-after dining experience to Brisbane, but one that connects us with our brand globally." [caption id="attachment_891335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Blue Ducks, W Brisbane, Marriott International Hotel[/caption] Find The Lex at W Brisbane, 81 North Quay, Brisbane, from Thursday, June 15. For more information about the hotel, visit the website. The Lex images: Markus Ravik.
Every day, worldwide, McDonald's feeds approximately 1% of the earth's population. Like a partially-digested chicken nugget entering your bloodstream, we'll just let that sink in for a moment. The Founder, by writer Robert D. Siegel (The Wrestler) and director John Lee Hancock (Saving Mr. Banks) tells the true story of Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman from Illinois who in 1954 stumbled across an innovative hamburger joint run by the McDonald brothers (Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch) and convinced them to franchise it into the 92nd largest economy in the world. Again, just let it siiiiink on in. Played magnificently by Michael Keaton, Kroc presents as a ruthless and relentless businessman for whom 'no' is just a soft yes waiting to be solidified. "Contracts are like hearts" he explains at one stage to the brothers, "…they're meant to be broken". And so it was that the McDonalds empire began to form, with or without the support of the two men to which everything was owed. It's a fascinating, heartbreaking story to behold. Offerman and Carroll Lynch are perfectly cast as a pair of brothers whose steadfast belief in the importance of authenticity and quality seems at once admirable and naive - not to mention antithetical to the very ideas that would eventually turn each of them into multi-millionaires. Of course, the fact that they only make millions, and not billions, is what forms the bulk of the film's story, as it catalogues the means by which Kroc manoeuvred himself into a position of unmatchable power over the pair via manipulative and underhanded yet entirely legal means. By the time "gentleman's handshakes" are being proposed, you already know how things are going to end, just as you lament the feeling that there's nothing else the brothers could have done to stop it. This is a slick production from top to bottom, beginning with Siegel's superb script and its equal measure of laughs and wince-inducing severity. The direction, too, is impressively restrained, allowing the performers and script to shine without embellishment. As in the recent Birdman, Keaton is the standout in a field of outstanding actors, bringing similar levels of narcissism to the role. His serpentine smile and darting eyes betray much of the Kroc personality before he ever opens his mouth. Do not be surprised to see Keaton's name appear on the nomination roll for next year's awards season. In all, The Founder is an admirable piece of cinema that's at once a character study and a history lesson, just as its lead offers an uncomfortable mix of bastardy and astounding foresight. You won't like much about Ray Kroc by the end of this film, but you'll be hard-pressed to deny his determination, business acumen or impact upon a world in which 62 million customers eat at McDonalds every day. 62 million customers. That's more than the population of Great Britain. So yeah…just let that sink in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2uz2XYkbo
Hankering for something sweet, fluffy and moist, but of the healthy (or healthier) variety? Finding something that ticks both boxes is usually no mean feat; however thanks to Nutri Hitt, it's about to become much easier. You could even say it's now a piece of cake (couldn't help it). The new Geebung-based shop specialises in tasty morsels that are actually good for you, which includes raw, vegan and paleo options, as well as goodies free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar. If you've been to a market or deli around town, you might've tried their wares. Now, like many a stall before them, they've made the leap to a permanent store. That's where you'll find all the guilt-free cakes that you could want, including the slice of white chocolate heaven that is the Snow White, childhood nostalgia in the form of the Rainbow Swirl, and everything from lemon, lime and coconut and tiramisu too. If you're after a smaller bite, don't despair — you'll still find slices and cupcakes at Nutri Hitt's stockists around the city. Snow White White Chocolate Cake covered in our own raw White chocolate shards #nutrihitt #nutrihittcakes #raw #rawcake #rawwhitechocolate #chocolate #snowwhite #whitechocolate #rawlife #treatyourself Posted by NUTRI HITT on Sunday, November 8, 2015 Nutri Hitt started out when owners Candi Coonan and Tamara Lord just wanted to serve delicious treats without the kilojoules. As their success shows, they've achieved that aim — and now everyone keen to have their cake but avoid the not-so-good ingredients has become a winner. Find Nutri Hitt at 8/328 Newman Rd, Geebung, or visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
No cruise ship festival fun for you, Australia. Sea N Beats, the event set to be Australia’s first ever music festival at sea, was supposed to set sail March 5-8, 2016. But this morning, the crew announced the cancellation of the event, due to "challenges that could not be overcome". Posted on their website and Facebook this morning, the organisers said: "Australia’s first cruise ship Festival, Sea ‘N Beats, announces with regret the cancellation of their March 5-8, 2016 event. Whilst every possibility in the hope of proceeding with Australia’s first cruise ship festival has been looked at, ultimately all parties involved concluded that conducting a music festival at sea comes with challenges that could not be overcome." "The risk factors surrounding the event were ultimately assessed by all parties involved as too great to continue. Whilst every potential avenue to save Sea N Beats was exhausted, ultimately we have been left with no option but to cancel." All ticket buyers have been individually contacted via email and full refunds will be issued. At this stage, Sea N Beats will not be looking at another departure date for the cruise. Set to boast seven stages and a huge pool deck, Sea N Beats was set to be one huge enterprise, with the likes of Alison Wonderland, Peking Duk, Allday, SAFIA, Wave Racer, Cyril Hahn, Tkay Maidza, Hayden James and more on the lineup. Tickets also included entry to an exclusive mystery island festival on an exclusive mystery island, somewhere off the exclusive mystery Queensland coast. Looks like the anchor will stay put on Australia's first answer to S.S. Coachella. By Shannon Connellan and Jessica Surman. Image: Sea N Beats.
When the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl kicked off in 2016, it did so in simple but great style. Recognising that the key to many a good night out is a multi-venue itinerary, it made hopping between Fortitude Valley's finest hangouts a streamlined, well-organised yet still laidback experience — with brews aplenty and an ace live music soundtrack. Come 2022, the sprawling music and beer festival will still be going strong — even after the events of the past few years. On Saturday, February 12, attendees can jump between nine Valley spots to see a huge heap of interstate and local artists. The simultaneous sonic fun takes place at The Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside (both indoors and outdoors), Greaser, Kick Ons, O'Skulligans, Ric's Backyard, The Zoo and Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar. As always, the agenda includes running between each to sip frosty beverages and catch crackin' sets, with the entertainment once again sponsored by a brewery. The whole shindig kicks off at 5pm, so the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace day of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. Well, that and check out the 36-act lineup below: MOUNTAIN GOAT VALLEY CRAWL 2022 LINEUP: ARTISTS: Kwame (a-z) 1300 Adam Newling Bec Sandridge Flowertruck The Lazy Eyes Melaleuca Milan Ring Nyxen RAT!Hammock (a-z) 90Ivy Blue Velvet Bored Shorts The Buzzing Towers Cheap Date CityPiss Cloe Terare Elcid Flores Fomi Fraser Bell Girl and Girl Haliday Hollie Joy Isabel Wood Lucy Francesca Dron Melrose. Monet's Pond Passionfruit Band Radium Dolls Slowrip Square Stage Presence Straight Girls The Tinderboxers Tjaka Willis and the Lovely Ones VENUES: Black Bear Lodge The Brightside The Brightside — Outdoors Greaser O'Skulligans Ric's Backyard Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar Woolly Mammoth Mane Stage The Zoo The 2022 Mountain Goat Valley Crawl takes place from 6pm on Saturday, February 12. Entry is free, but you'll need to RSVP for free tickets online. Images: katexjean / Jared Hinz Photography.
When you've opened an Italian joint with a mean negroni menu, a Chinese Peruvian bar and eatery, and a Palm Springs-inspired gin-pouring garden bar, what comes next? If you're Vincent Lombino and Jared Thibault — aka the hospitality industry figures behind The Talisman Group — then you follow it up with a European-influenced wine bar and wine shop. And you base all four spots in one location, all in Woolloongabba — giving visitors to South City Square a choose-your-own-adventure food and drink experience. South City Wine boasts eye-catching decor designed to transport you to the other side of the world — think marble tabletops, dark timber panelling, brass finishings and oil paintings, plus a heavy use of emerald-green hues. Brisbanites will find that colour gleaming brightly from South City Wine's exterior, striped awning and all; yes, its shopfront does indeed look like something you'd see in Europe. The venue also boasts plenty of outdoor seating, including booths, giving it a laneway feel. The long communal indoor table, backdropped by a wall of wine, is also great for groups. Those vinos have been co-curated by Thibault and Michael Phipps and take a global approach. Expect to sip Australian, New Zealand, French, Italian, German, Austrian, Spanish, Greek, Lebanese, American, South African and Argentinian drops from the opening wine list — 15 types of French champagne among them. South City Wine also goes big on French-inspired cocktails, with seven varieties on offer. Standouts include the 'Serein River' with St Germain and rosewater gin, and the 'Apricot Deauville' made with cognac and apricot brandy. Food-wise, the focus is on European bistro bites — and a hefty range of cheese and charcuterie to start, plus tins of anchovies, sardines and yellowfin tuna. Culinary highlights span lemon and vin rouge oysters, scallops crudo, escargot in garlic butter, chicken liver parfait and venison tartare among the small plates, as well as fish of the day, roasted pumpkin, and the trusty combo of steak frites among the mains. Images: Max Homer / Judit Losh.
Like mole people and the residents of Coober Pedy before them, New Yorkers are heading underground. Although New York City is traditionally famous for raised Chelsea-dwelling walkway The High Line, a space-hungry and innovative team headed by James Ramsay of Raad Studio have put together a Kickstarter campaign to fund a brand new underground park. Far more ambitious than anything imagined by Parks and Rec legend Leslie Knope (albeit with less miniature horses), the goal is set at $200,000. The money, earmarked to develop and test the solar, landscape and social components of such an ambitious scheme, is just halfway there. With the team's July 8 campaign deadline looming, there's never been a better time to throw some dosh at genuinely inspired urban development. While the team are still working towards New York City council approval, the project has been in development for five years, aiming to convert the unused Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal into a fully functional, naturally-lit park. Natural light will be channeled into the subterranean space using some sort of bizarre, above-ground flower system (we clearly don’t understand the science but the Kickstarter video will explain it better). The park itself looks like a combination of the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the citadel from Mass Effect; in essence it looks amazing and we want to stroll through it immediately. In the modern context of urban density and population crises erupting across the globe, alongside the generally fast-paced craziness of street-level New York, it’s no surprise that the city is leading the way in environmentally and socially friendly solutions to complex space problems. You go, NYC. Watch Lena Dunham in the Lowline promo video here, because of course Lena Dunham's in it: You can contribute to The Lowline Kickstarter here. Via dezeen. Images: The Lowline.
Warehouse parties are great. Secret Mexican holiday-inspired, neon-drenched, immersive warehouse experiences are even better. Curated by a group of Mexican visionaries and artists, Day of the Dead 3.1. promises to be one heck of a Burning Man-channeling spectacle you'll want to lock down tickets for — on sale this Saturday, August 15 at 12.30pm. And with the demand already high, this event is expected to sell out within hours, so your crew had better be ready. For hundreds of years, El Dia de los Muertos has been one of the biggest parties in Mexico honouring the dead. The 4000 year-old tradition's history can be traced back to Mexico's indigenous beliefs of the afterlife — that death is only the beginning. Now it's Australia's turn to delve into the underworld, as The Day of the Dead finds its way to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this spring, in secret locations within each city. Expect interactive art installations, light projections, extravagant costumes, murals created by renowned street artists and an exclusive lineup of local and international DJs and musicians — including one big ol' festival favourite headliner. The lineup will be released closer to the day, so stay tuned. Pop-ups by a handpicked bunch of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's go-to local Mexican eateries, like Playa Takeria, have been selected to create Dia de los Muertos menus. Plus, there'll be Mexican cervezas and tequila/mezcal cocktails to provide you with enough sustenance to dance the night away. With instructions being sent to ticket holders just one week before the event, this is secret warehouse party business at it's best. Each city's locations are more closely guarded than an abuela's special mole sauce ingredient and will only be released one day before the party. Get ready to nab a ticket and start preparing your best Dia de los Muertos outfit. Day of the Dead will visit Sydney on October 24, then Melbourne on October 31 before ending in Brisbane on November 7. Tickets are $75 and go on sale here on Saturday 15 August at 12.30pm and are expected to sell out super fast. Don't stall on this one, it'll be the death of you.
Merry Christmas, music lovers! Radiohead have gone and dropped a brand new track in time for the holidays, and we don't mind saying that it's pretty damn spectacular. Turns out that Thom Yorke and his bandmates were commissioned to write the theme song for the recently released James Bond movie, although for some baffling reason the producers didn't end up using it. But the group finished the song anyway, and released it via SoundCloud overnight. So, without further adieu... First impressions? This is definitely how we'd expect a James Bond tune by Radiohead to sound. Which is to say that it won't be for everybody, although personally we like it a hell of a lot more than Sam Smith's eventual effort. The existence of this track, which shares a name with the movie, isn't entirely surprising. Rumours that Radiohead would be composing the Spectre tune circulated on the internet for months prior to the film's release, before it was eventually revealed that Smith had been tapped instead. As it happens, Radiohead were approached, but according to York "it didn't work out." Last year we were asked to write a tune for Bond movie Spectre. Yes we were ........... — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 ... It didn't work out ... but became something of our own which we love very much .... — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 .. As the year closes we thought you might like to hear it. Merry Christmas. May the force be with you ... https://t.co/BXN8MQKJyQ — Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) December 25, 2015 Bit weird that he finished that tweet with a Star Wars reference, isn't it? Unless...wait a minute...could Radiohead be working on a track for Episode VIII? You heard it here first people. Let the rampant speculation begin.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and do that giant street artwork you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Sydney street artist and skateboarder Sid Tapia is no stranger to the concept of fear and overcoming it. In a career that started at age ten, he's hung out of train doors to tag them, skateboarded at a pro level and even founded his own label, Crown St. But it was in channelling a little 'Sine Metu' that Sid ultimately found his direction. You can read the interview over here. Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Sid's being a total legend and helping us give away a personalised street art piece by Sid himself on a free wall somewhere in Sydney. You'll get a high-res photo taken with the work and we'll frame it and deliver it to your door, so you can see for yourself what happens when bold humans take big creative chances with big payoffs. Enter here to win.
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 celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that 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, mash buttons and hit flippers at Brisbane's first arcade bar, discover a market with food options to suit your every want and need and challenge your fear of heights at the top of the Story Bridge. 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?
Dodge laser trip wires. Hack computers. Crack the safe and go home with the gold. Pop Up Playground's newest immersive game, Small Time Criminals, takes you into every old school cops and robbers movie ever made. With the slogan "one last job before going straight", the game will be a dream come true for fans of Ocean's Eleven, The Pink Panther, Heat and The Score. The newly opened immersive simulation gives guests the run of a two-story building in Preston where they will find themselves in the throes of a 'real live' bank heist. You'll have the option to play as a team of master thieves or as detectives hot on their trail, though we find it hard to believe anyone will choose the latter. How often do you get to rob a bank without the inevitable consequence of Al Pacino hunting you down? Australian-based live games company Pop-Up Playground has been knocking out these types of genius concepts since 2011, with clients across Melbourne, New York, the UK and Copenhagen. They've worked with the likes of the Freeplay independent games festival and NY's Come Out and Play, so you can bet this one will be worth the pretty penny. Immersive theatre has continued to become increasingly popular across Australia — from The Hungry Ghost Walk app to Sydney's The Age of Entitlement, last year's Blackmarket performance around Kings Cross to an immersive Halloween Feast, we can't seem to get enough of the action. As far as Small Time Criminals goes, the day will combine live performers, digital puzzles and environmental challenges to keep players thoroughly in the game. From embezzlement to love affairs and murder, this immersion will make you feel as dangerous as it gets — as long as you don't get caught. Small Time Criminals will run at The Bank Immersive Theatre located at 641 Plenty Rd, Preston. Bookings are available from Thursdays to Sundays.
If you think gin is just for your grandma, think again. Dutch Courage Officers' Mess has united gin lovers all over the city and created a cult-like following for the oft-forgotten spirit. Boasting more than 80 gins among 240 liqueurs behind the bar, signature cocktails and a lively weekend crowd are staples at the Alfred Street address. So do like the officers did, and get wild at the mess for a night. Inspired by British colonial outposts of the late 19th-century, hessian curtains, rattan furniture and wide blade fans set the mood to party like its 1889. Brisbane's balmy (read: hot, humid and sweaty) summer evenings create an authentic atmosphere, so you'll feel like you're chilling out in the jungle for real. Hang up your plinth hat, kick up your heels and focus on the booze, the tunes and the good times at hand. If there's too much going on for your downstairs, make your way to the verandah upstairs, where more intimate seating is available. Be courageous and check out the extensive cocktail menu ($16-18) studded with the likes of the 24 Gun Salute with Beefeater 24, elderflower, egg white and chamomile flowers. If gin ain't your thing, don't worry, there are plenty of other spirits to go around. The bartenders are more than happy to oblige classic and customised creations on request, keeping all thirsts at bay. If you need a feed while sippin' on your gin and juice, the Mess has got you covered. Chow down on the buttermilk fried chicken with sweet mustard dipping sauce ($18), a ploughman's platter ($24) or the jungle burger ($20) to satisfy your gin-soaked stomach. Struggling to make it through the working week? Dutch Courage has your back. Tuesday nights are filled with the greatness of beer and boardgames from 4pm till late. For $7 you can enjoy a handle of craft beer and impress your rivals with with your general knowledge of pop culture in Trivial Pursuit, making lines of the same colour in Connect Four, or whatever else is your bag. Come play.
Hold our calls, feed our fish, tell our mums we love 'em. There's a brand new, purpose-built pop-up hotel travelling around Australia called 'The Spontaneity Suite', and it's just landed in Victoria's Yarra Valley. Hotel booking app HotelTonight (which just launched in Australia in June) and Ovolo Hotels (Sydney's 1888 and Blue Hotel and Melbourne's Laneways Hotel) are behind this, teaming up for one jaw-dropper of an activation. This stunning little moveable hotel room, valued at $32,000, is built from — what else — two shipping containers, and will be travelling around Australia. It's a fully-stocked suite with all the trimmings, with interiors designed by Coco Republic. We're talking rooftop hot tub, cocktail station, rain shower, stone bathtub, Egyptian cotton robes, lambskin recliners, terrace and straight-up insane panoramas of the nearby vineyards, framed by a floor-to-ceiling glass window wall. Sick of that horrible, horrible view? The suite's equipped with Apple TV. Available to book exclusively through the HotelTonight app, lucky adventurers can book a stay in The Spontaneity Suite for a one-night stay for just $99, with limousine transfers from Melbourne, a personal concierge, a TarraWarra Estate wine-tasting tour, all your meals and everything from the minibar included. Yep, what the actual. The catch? It's only available between August 27 and 31. There's another night you could aim for on September 1, but the price starts at $32,000, dropping by $1000 every ten minutes until someone snaps it up. All dosh raised from this night and all other nights booked will go straight to OzHarvest, top marks. Sydneysiders, if you can't make it to the Yarra Valley, keep your hat on. The Spontaneity Suite will pack up and move to a secret location somewhere in Sydney next, then head on to other pretty Australian sites. Want to try your luck at booking a night? Download the HotelTonight app via Google Play or iTunes. Via Traveller.
Every decade or thereabouts, change comes to Montrachet. Back in 2017, more than ten years into its life, the French fine-diner made a massive move from the Given Terrace location in Paddington that it had always called home over to Bowen Hills' King Street. Now, with the restaurant over 20 years old, it's undergone a new switch. After going into administration in the middle of 2024, Montrachet is back open under a new owner. French chef Clément Chauvin has taken over the acclaimed eatery, which was previously part of chef Shannon Kellam's hospitality empire. Welcoming patrons through the doors since Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the new Montrachet mixes fresh touches with classics on its menu — and in general. Diners can still say bonjour to double-crab soufflé, escargot, bouillabaisse, steak frites and crème brûlée, should you already know your favourite Montrachet dish. Clément's additions, however, include spring lamb two ways, beef wellington with red wine jus, and roasted pumpkin and mushroom pie featuring a sage and brown butter crumble on top. For dessert, there's also now a passionfruit soufflé paired with a chilli explosion and coconut sorbet as the sweet signature option. The menu also spans a range of multi-course feasts for the table, whether you're after two plates, three or a six-round degustation. On Saturdays for lunch, there's also a surprise five-course option created by the restaurant's kitchen team. Among the single dishes, other highlights include steak tartare, dry-aged roasted duck with orange duck jus, upside-down caramelised apple tart and dark chocolate mousse-filled cigars. Chauvin is already behind fellow French restaurant Les Bistronomes in Canberra, running the award-winning eatery as its sole owner and Executive Chef since 2019. Now, the figure that started his career aged 15 — complete with stints at Gordon Ramsay's Claridge's in London, plus Sydney's Restaurant Balzac and Bistro Paris — takes on an adored slice of Brisbane's dining scene. Find Montrachet at 1/30 King Street, Bowen Hills — open for lunch Thursday–Saturday and dinner Tuesday–Saturday. Head to the restaurant's website for more details.
If you're keen to score good deals on flights and accommodation, then it's never too early to start planning next year's international adventure. Chances are, though, that between Christmas shopping and hitting the beach, you don't have a lot of spare time on your hands. So, we've done some research for you. Here are ten spots around the world that are definitely worth a visit in 2018. For spectacular scenery, head to the Azores Islands off Portugal; for incredible colonial architecture and watery sunsets, try Cartagena in Colombia or Valletta in Malta; for world-class cocktails and Gordon Ramsay-defeating laksa, make tracks to Singapore; and for a live music marathon, there's New Orleans, which is gearing up to celebrate its 300th anniversary. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA New Orleans turns 300 this year, so prepare for the shindig of all shindigs. Official tricentennial events include gigs, art exhibitions, parties, film screenings and more. There's a block party dedicated to Martin Luther King, a burlesque opera celebrating Tabasco sauce and a concert telling the story of jazz history, among loads of other happenings. 2018 will also mark 13 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, but rebuilding has been extensive and tourist numbers have recovered to pre-2005 numbers (about 10 million visitors annually). In between anniversary parties, head to Bourbon Street for a 24/7 music festival, St Claude Avenue for jazz bars and Royal Street for art galleries. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO With a population of more than 21 million, Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world. Once considered a place to avoid, on account of its high crime rate and even higher pollution levels, the metropolis has transformed over the past few years. Public spaces have opened up to emphasise majestic architecture; restaurants and cantinas are flourishing; art exhibitions, live gigs and museum are countless. Be sure to visit the Palacio Nacional, famous for the Diego Rivera murals which convey Mexico's history from the moment the Quetzalcóatl (a serpent god of the Aztecs) arrived to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Like Mexico City, Colombia was once struck off many travellers' lists for fear of kidnappings, guns and cocaine deals. However, it too, has gone through a bit of a renaissance. The country's most beautiful city is Cartagena, which you'll find on the northern coast, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Expect dreamy sunsets, stunning 16th century architecture, brightly-coloured flowers and old-fashioned horse and cart. A short boat ride away are the Rosario Islands, part of a national park that offers exceptional snorkelling and diving. Other spots for underwater aficionados include the Providencia and Santa Catalina islands: the gateway to the world's biggest coral reef system. [caption id="attachment_650530" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SDSU[/caption] AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL The extraordinarily beautiful Azores Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,360 kilometres west of Portugal. They form one of the nation's two autonomous regions, the other being Madeira. If you're looking for a nature-centric holiday, this is the place to go to. You'll be wandering along calderas covered in greenery and filled with sparkling lakes, lazing about on subtropical beaches watching out for whales and dolphins (year-round), diving among loggerhead turtles and blue sharks, and walking through intricate cave systems. Even though the Azores are becoming more popular with visitors, the natural environment continues to be well protected by the locals — only 5% has been developed. VALLETTA, MALTA Valletta is the capital of Malta, an island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 80 kilometres south of Italy and 284 kilometres east of Tunisia. Described by locals as "the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen", it was created in just 15 years from 1566 — entirely by hand. Not only the complex architecture — dotted with forts, churches, palaces, fountains, sculptures, hidden gardens and narrow alleyways — is spectacular, but the location, too. Valletta covers the rugged Mount Sceberras peninsula, which is flanked by two deep, steep harbours. [caption id="attachment_651184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robinson[/caption] SHEFFIELD, UK Sheffield? You're probably thinking gloomy weather, industrial cityscapes and, of course, steel. While all these things are or have been true of this Northern English city, there's a lot more to it. Firstly, Sheffield is the happiest city in the UK, according to a 2013 survey. Secondly, there's a happening arts scene, which has given rise to several big bands, including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp and Def Leppard. The theatre complex is also the largest outside of London. Thirdly, extensive redevelopment during past few years has added loads of greenery and, if you're keen to get deeper into nature, the Peak District National Park is just next door. [caption id="attachment_651175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Göran Höglund[/caption] LAYA, BHUTAN While we're on the topic of happiness, let's talk about Bhutan. This tiny Himalayan nation, which lies just east of Nepal, is famous for measuring progress in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH), instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On top of meeting lots of friendly people, you'll find yourself surrounded by dramatic mountain scapes, ancient monasteries and prayer flags. If you can, venture to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement — and one of the highest in the world — at 3,800 metres. It's home to just 3,000 indigenous Layap people and every October hosts the Royal Highlander Festival, a celebration of their unique culture. [caption id="attachment_651085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasmine Crittenden[/caption] SINGAPORE Have you always struck Singapore off your list because it's "boring" and "sterile"? Such things are often said of this island city found just south of Malaysia, but, get beneath the surface, and you'll discover some diverse, dynamic neighbourhoods — as well as the best laksa on the planet. A good way to start is with a ramble around Little India, which should include curry at Banana Leaf Apollo and chilli crab at Wing Seong Fatty's. After that, head to Katong, home to Singapore's Peranakan population, whose culture combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and European influences. Finally, be sure to end a hot day with a stop at one of Singapore's many new cocktail bars, such as the Tippling Club, which came 31st in the 2017 World's Best Bars Awards. More tips are in our Less Obvious Guide To Singapore. [caption id="attachment_651178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arian Zwegers[/caption] GEORGIA Georgia is smack bang in the middle of the Caucasus, with the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and Turkey to the south. So, on one side, there's beautiful coastline, and the other, rugged mountains. In between, you'll pass flower-dotted meadows, rushing rivers and enchanting villages, with tavernas full of welcoming, carousing locals. Yes, they'll probably expect you to sing. Although tourism is growing, Georgia still has a wild, undiscovered feeling to it. The best way to travel is with an openness to adventure and surprises, rather than a strict itinerary. [caption id="attachment_651191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vahid Yarmohammadi[/caption] IRAN Speaking of adventure and surprises — if you're a fan of them, then book a ticket to Tehran, the buzzing, colourful capital of Iran. For a shopping experience you're unlikely to forget, spend a morning getting lost among the mazes of The Grand Bazaar, poring over spices, gold jewellery and handwoven carpets. At the Golestan Palace, you'll get an insight into Iran's royal history; it was here that the Qajars, the country's second to last dynasty, had their seat of power. Think marble fountains, blinding mirror halls and magnificent furniture. The city also has a strong contemporary art scene. Check out Aaran Gallery for work by young artists and A.J for photography.
Easter is one holiday that can lose its sheen pretty quickly. Usually once your parents decree you’re “too old” for Easter egg hunts. But with the four-day break and eating-centred celebrations (because you fasted for the last six weeks for Lent, right?), there’s plenty to get excited for. While some venues shut, others turn on the charm. Only the best have made it into this list, our ultimate Easter Weekend itinerary.
Throw a stone in Brisbane's inner city and it'll likely hit a bar. Try to find somewhere that doesn't just pour wine, but makes it, and it's a completely different story. Until now, that is. Thanks to the opening of Brissie's first urban micro-winery in 2019, stomping, and sipping in the shadow of the CBD now go hand in hand. First announced in late 2018, and now nestled into Campos Coffee's old 500-square-metre warehouse in Fortitude Valley, City Winery Brisbane clearly doesn't boast its own sprawling vineyard on-site. But, after sourcing grapes from around the country, it is now barrelling, bottling and serving vino in Wandoo Street. Locals can even help with all of the steps in the process — and drink it too, obviously, with the winery open daily for tours and tastings. As well as a barrel room and winery that can double as a function space when each year's vintage is complete, and a cellar that can also be used as a 20-person private dining room, the site features a 70-seat restaurant that's open for lunch and dinner. On the menu: a chef's feast where the kitchen takes you on a culinary tour of their favourite dishes; charcuterie boards, twice-cooked potatoes and coal-baked brie among the smaller and share options; and mains that include almond-fed pork belly, roasted glazed duck and woodfired pasta with smoked cream and truffle. A collaboration between winemaker Dave Cush and City Winery Brisbane's managing director Adam Penberthy, the venture was more than two years in the making — largely due to the difficulties of finding the right warehouse-style location. As well as letting Brisbanites visit a winery without leaving the big smoke, this relative newcomer actually nods to the city's winemaking history. "In the 1800s, there were over 350 acres of grape vines planted throughout the city," Cush explains. "The Lamberts had a vineyard along Lambert Road in Indooroopilly, there were substantial vineyards throughout Mitchelton, and of course Carl Gerler who had a 14-acre vineyard along the Brisbane River where Kingsford Smith Drive is today." In honour of the latter, City Winery Brisbane's own wine label is named Gerler. Images: Grace Elizabeth.
The Australian Bar of the Year isn't in Sydney or Melbourne this year. Culinary heavyweights Victoria and New South Wales clean up year after year at the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, announced last night at Sydney's Carriageworks, but the coveted Bar of the Year gong was instead nabbed by Queensland, hitherto known as the little engine that could. Perhaps not best known for fine dining, Queenslanders do love a good bevvy so shouldn't come as a surprise Brisbane’s crowd favourite The Gresham won bar of the year. Sydney's gained points for friendliness and food this week, as Neil Perry's Sydney restaurant Rockpool has taken out the Restaurant of the Year title, along with many other impressive wins for the Sydney food scene. Rockpool won out in the end with judges citing reasons such as the luxurious fit-out, inventive food and genuine old-school service from the star sommelier (who is, no doubt, about to get quite a raise). Other Sydney award winners include the just-opened Bennelong, which took out the award for best new restaurant of the year; Billy Kwong took out best wine list (we wonder how they’ll be celebrating the win); Raffaele Mastrovincenzo of Kappo won sommelier of the year and Lennox Hastie of Surry Hills' Firedoor was awarded best new talent. Melbourne was Sydney’s main rival in food and wine stakes and won maître d’ of the year (Vanessa Crichton of Rosetta) and Melbourne legend Joost Bakker (owner of zero waste cafe brothl) was recognised for his service and awarded the outstanding contribution to hospitality. Regional New South Wales and Victoria also got in on the action, with Dan Hunter of Brae in Birregurra winning chef of the year and Byron Bay's new chapter of Three Blue Ducks taking out regional restaurant of the year. And the list of three-star winners (the equally mortgage-your-house-to-eat-here contest of culinary fanciness) was crawling with Sydney royalty, including Sepia, Vue de Monde, Quay, Momofuku Seiobo and The Bridge Room alongside Melbourne’s eternal flame, Ben Shewry’s Attica. Image: Gourmet Traveller.
If you're thinking about the Gold Coast, you're likely thinking about theme parks. Most Brisbanies have been to Dreamworld, Movie World and Sea World, and not just once. Anyone visiting from the rest of the country seems to head straight through one of their gates the moment they get to Queensland. Soon, there could be another ride-filled area luring in locals and holidaymakers alike — and we don't mean Dreamworld offshoot White Water World or the similarly splashtacular, slip 'n' slide-centric Wet'n'Wild. You'll have Chinese conglomerate the Wanda Group to thank for this new source of fun and fried foods, given that they're currently in negotiations with the State Government to add to the tourist strip's attractions. The theme the park might adopt is still anyone's guess, even if The Gold Coast Bulletin has dared to throw the D word — yes, that'd be "Disney" — into the mix. Wanda did buy Australian cinema chain Hoyts earlier this year, and do have an entertainment focus as part of their operations in China. You can never have too many rollercoasters based on movies, of course — and who doesn't want to see two competing parks battling it out to be crowned the real 'Hollywood on the Gold Coast'? Whatever the branding, keen thrillseekers can expect something big if Wanda's existing Chinese spaces are anything to go by, including the Wanda Xishuangbanna International Resort and its five lands, 27 recreational facilities, 45-metre high rollercoaster and 1200-seat theatre. Then there's the Wanda Movie Park, which the company claims is the world's first film-oriented indoor space of its type. It seems when it comes to theme parks, they don't do anything by halves — and nor should anyone. Via The Gold Coast Bulletin. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Get your bingo cards ready, movie lovers — the Oscar nominations have arrived! This year's contenders are a motley crew, ranging from action blockbusters to little-seen indie flicks and worthy social dramas. And while there aren't many surprises, there are still plenty of great films on the ballot. Let's dive right in, shall we? Leading the pack with a dozen nominations is the grizzly DiCaprio vehicle The Revenant, although box office favourite Mad Max: Fury Road is hot on its heel with ten. Both scored nods for Best Picture, where they'll compete against current favourite Spotlight as well as The Martian, Room, The Big Short, Brooklyn and Bridge of Spies. The Best Director race, meanwhile, will come down to Alejandro G. Inarritu for The Revenant, George Miller for Mad Max, Tom McCarthy for Spotlight, Adam McKay for The Big Short and Lenny Abrahamson for Room. Were Innaritu to come out on top, it would mark back-to-back directing wins for the Mexican filmmaker, following his gong for Birdman last year. Perennial runner-up Leonardo DiCaprio might finally be in with a chance of taking home Best Actor for his work in The Revenant. He'll be competing in the category against last year's winner Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl, Matt Damon in The Martian, Bryan Cranston in Trumbo and Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs. Australia's Cate Blanchett has been nominated for Best Actress for her role in Carol, along with Brie Larson in Room, Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years and Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn. Worth noting is that, for the second year in a row, no person of colour has been nominated in any of the acting categories. Other notable omissions include the absence of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in all major categories, although the film has been nominated for a number of technical awards including Best Film Editing and Best Special Effects. Quentin Tarantino missed out on a screenwriting nomination for his racially-charged Western The Hateful Eight, though the film is up for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score, and earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Jennifer Jason Leigh. The 88th Academy Awards will take place next month on February 28, and will be hosted by Chris Rock. For the full list of nominations, go here.
Gin: a juniper spirit of botanicals, varied aromatics and oh-so-many mysteries. The gin resurgence has lasted over a decade now, with new local distilleries joining the larger, more established gin maestros — and libation aficionados everywhere, just can't seem to get enough of the stuff. But with all those G&Ts and Negronis you've been chasing around town, how much do you really know about gin? Well, we've teamed up with Tanqueray No. TEN to expand your horizon with five fun facts about gin that you (probably) didn't know. GIN IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL IN MODERN VERSIONS OF CLASSIC COCKTAILS From the reinvigorated Negroni to the new Tom Collins and the many versions of fizzes and slings, few spirits can match gin for mixing attributes. Let's not forget about the Martini, which classically consists of gin, dry vermouth and optional bitters, with a cheeky olive if you're so inclined. Thank the Mad Men era of Martini lunches and that roguish chap James Bond for this modern menu mainstay. But although Mr Bond favours a vodka base, Martini purists often argue that gin is the way to start this highly elegant classic, using something truly classic like the iconic Tanqueray No. TEN. Importantly, unlike 007's preference, many bartenders believe in a stirred Martini, as some consider shaking overly dilutes the gin. THE PHILIPPINES DRINKS THE MOST GIN IN THE WORLD Russia drinks the most vodka in the world and the US/Mexico drink the most tequila, but neither of these fun facts are at all surprising. What doesn't seem as obvious, though, is that the Philippines drinks by far the most gin — and when we say by far, we mean over 22 million cases of the stuff a year, accounting for 43 per cent of the global gin market. Much of this popularity is due to the long-standing presence of Ginebra San Miguel, a company that also makes the region's most popular beer and was established in 1834. Locals even have a term for these gin-drinking sessions: ginuman, literally translated as 'gin drinking time'. THE G&T ORIGINATED IN INDIA This classic bar drink was actually created in 19th century India as a combatant for malaria. The 'Indian Tonic Water', as called by the army of the British East India Company, contained high levels of quinine, which was said to prevent and treat the disease. Quinine provides the bitter flavour in today's tonic, but is completely undrinkable on its own. Since the British soldiers were already given a regular gin ration, they took to adding it to the quinine tonic, along with a mixture of water, sugar and lime, sprucing the drink up a little. It turns out quinine does not actually prevent malaria (what? no!) and so is a minor, non-curing — albeit highly effective — component in the modern G&T. GIN HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN USED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES Apart from the G&Ts original medicinal purpose, gin itself has been used medicinally since the 13th century. This is primarily due to the presence of juniper, the main and necessary botanical in all gins. Juniper is good for you — it's a natural antibacterial, antiviral, diuretic and antiseptic. That being said, historically gin's uses weren't always the most medically sound — the Bubonic plague was considered to be spread by nothing more than bad odour, so laymen started eating, drinking and bathing in the stuff. The Royal Navy mixed gin with lime cordial to stop scurvy. If we'retalking morningafter a party, gin and tomato juice was the number one option in 1928 NYC, years before the Bloody Mary came on the scene. And that is medicine. THERE IS A LOT OF LITERATURE DEDICATED TO GIN DRINKS Gin, in all its wonder and cures, has compelled many a comment over the centuries, some of which distiller and contemporary author Jared Brown happily compiled a list of. Writer E. B. White called the Martini "the elixir of quietude", while journalist H. L. Mencken said it's "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet". In 1823, one Londoner published a 149-line poem in a newspaper praising said virtuous gin, while Winston Churchill's own love affair with gin is well documented. He's quoted as saying, "I would like to observe the vermouth from across the room while I drink my Martini." Photography by Steven Woodburn at Moya's Juniper Lounge. Still want to know more? Check out our bluffer's guide to gin.
Want to see every last term you've ever searched on Google? Yeah, probably not. But just in case you're curious about the twisted inner workings of your browsing mind, Google is now letting you download all the searches you've ever made while you've been logged into your Gmail account. Every search. Tempted? According to The New Daily, Google's had this feature available since January, but they've kept pretty quiet on this one. In fact, no one really flagged it until blogger Alex Chitu was all,' ICYMI Google's got all your secrets so you might as well take a sneaky peek'. Google's even given you a step-by-step guide to airing out your online closet. "You can download all of your saved search history to see a list of the terms you’ve searched for," says this Google support page. "This gives you access to your data when and where you want." Remember (and this isn't really news to anyone), this also means that Google can also see your entire search history when they want. But you knew that, and pressed enter anyway huh? Not even an incognito window in sight. Here's how to look into the terrible recesses of your own shameful mind. And in case you were thinking Google's not on your side entirely here, they do flag the probability of 'sensitive data' within the folder; so you're really making your own bed here. How to download a copy of your past searches (if y'wanna): Visit your Web & App Activity page. In the top right corner of the page, click the Options icon and then click Download. Click Create Archive. When the download is complete, you’ll get an email confirmation with a link to the data. Big ol' heads up. Downloading your past searches does not delete it from your Web & App Activity page. So looking does not equal wiping. Want to learn how to delete your searches and browsing activity? Google's also got a support page for that. So where does your sordid information go once you've peered through your search terms? When you download your past searches, a copy of your history will be saved to your Google Drive as a ZIP archive. Then — if you're one to play with fire — you can download the files to your computer if you want a copy. Here's a pro tip. Don't download them while you're using someone else's computer, say a work laptop or a public computer. Or just don't download them at all. So there's that. Go ahead and peek into Pandora's Box. We're probably going to sit this one out — you can't argue 'in the name of journalism' for every questionable search. Via TDN.
It has been more than three years since Bruce Munro's spectacular Field of Light started illuminating Uluru, with more than 450,000 people flocking to the Red Centre to see its ocean of colour over that time. In fantastic news for anyone who hasn't made the trek yet, or anyone keen to view its beautiful, multi-hued splendour again, the eye-catching installation's stay has been extended — and, while that's happened before, this time the gorgeous piece will keep shining indefinitely. This is actually the third time that Field of Light's run has been lengthened. Initially set to remain in place until March 2017, it was first expanded until March this 2018, then until December 2020. Now, the artwork's 50,000 glass lights will twinkle across an area of 62,500 square metres — the size of nine football fields — without an end date. To keep the installation beaming as brightly as possible, Field of Light has just undergone a $1 million refurbishment, overseen by Munro. As part of the process, each individual stem of light was replaced, as was the entire fibre optic cabling that connects the sea of frosted glass spheres. [caption id="attachment_619578" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Field of Light: Bruce Munro. Photo by Mark Pickthall.[/caption] As well as casting Australia's sacred rock in a whole new light, the Uluru display is the largest incarnation of Munro's project, which previously illuminated the grounds at the likes of London's Victoria & Albert Museum and the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Run on solar power, and named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku — which translates to 'looking at lots of beautiful lights' in local Pitjantjatjara — for its Northern Territory stint, the installation took 40 people six weeks to set up. Between late 2018 and early 2019, the artist also created an ANZAC-inspired version in Western Australia, called Field of Light: Avenue of Honour. The British-born Munro, who first came up with the idea for Field of Light while visiting Uluru back in 1992, said in a statement that he is "truly honoured that the Field of Light will remain at Uluru". He continued, "the ancient landscape of the Red Centre continues to inspire my thoughts, feelings and ideas that shape my life and work." Keen on making the trip? Check out out Weekender's Guide to the Red Centre During Field of Light. Images: Field of Light: Bruce Munro. Photos by Mark Pickthall.
