Some people love last-minute New Year's Eve plans, going wherever the mood takes them. Others can't start planning early enough. If you fall into the latter category, here's something for your calendar: the return of end-of-year staple Lost Paradise, which turns a slice of Glenworth Valley on the New South Wales Central Coast an hour out of Sydney into one helluva shindig. There's no lineup as yet, but you can mark Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in your diary now. This multi-day fest includes live music and DJ sets spanning both international and Australian talents, and regularly sells out — 2023's fest did. [caption id="attachment_965685" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Jordan K Munns[/caption] Tunes are just one part of the Lost Paradise experience. Art, culture, wellness, and food and drink also get a look in, with the 2024 event set to include a lineup of yoga and healing arts, and also workshops covering fashion, sustainability and more. So, you can not only farewell one year and see in the next with a party, but by relaxing, feasting and learning something. Last year's lineup will give you an idea of the usual mix of musicians, with 2023 ending with help from headliners Flume, Dom Dolla and Foals, alongside Basement Jaxx, Bicep and Carl Cox on the decks. Other notable names included local festival favourites like Lime Cordiale, PNAU, Winston Surfshirt, Royel Otis and Sycco; pop heavyweight Holly Humberstone; 'Afraid to Feel' hitmakers LF System; and international dance mainstays Kettama, Barry Can't Swim, Ewan McVicar and Yung Singh. [caption id="attachment_965687" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become a go-to way to wrap up one year and embrace the next — including if you're keen to camp for its duration. Just as in 2023, this year's Lost Paradise is also opting to steer away from a traditional first-, second- and third-release ticket strategy. Instead, ticket prices gently increase in accordance with demand, while maintaining fair market pricing. [caption id="attachment_965686" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Amar Gera[/caption] [caption id="attachment_965688" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley, New South Wales from Saturday, December 28, 2024–Wednesday, January 1, 2025. To sign up for presale tickets, head to the festival's website — with general tickets set to go on sale in August. We'll update you when the lineup is announced. Images: Jess Bowen, Jordan K Munns, Byravyna and Amar Gera.
If you live in Brisbane, you've heard all about the city's connections with Asia; we are the home of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, after all. Since 2013, the BrisAsia Festival has also been on that list, paying homage to the culture of our neighbours. As always, this year's program features another mix of traditional and contemporary Asian arts, channelled into events across Brisbane. And while one of the unmistakable highlights will serve up a feast for your stomach — yes, that'd be Wandering Cooks' Dumpling Day — that's just the beginning of the fun. Where do we start? Work your way through Asian films such as In This Corner of the World and A Silent Voice, attend a lunar new year rooftop party screening of Studio Ghibli's The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, dress up for a cosplay-filled summer shindig at the South Bank Piazza or head to Brisbane Powerhouse for an intimate club night. Or, learn how to paddle a dragon boat, enjoy a tai chi lesson, embark on a food tour of Sunnybank, listen to traditional Japanese instruments or take part in a Mario Party battle.
One of 2018's most interesting Australian documentaries told a unique and intriguing tale, stepping into the life of Sydney's Jason King. When the real-life figure isn't working as a security guard, he's out hunting ghosts, although he's not always doing the latter quite as literally as it might seem. King does indeed have a penchant for the paranormal, as well as a side business busting spirits out of people's houses. But, given that the first ghost he says he ever saw belonged to his own brother, who told him that he needed to find their estranged father, he's also haunted by his past. After hitting the big screen last year at film festivals and in general release, Ghosthunter is now taking on a second life — a fitting development, given its subject matter. As hosted by documentarian and filmmaker Ben Lawrence (who helmed the doco about King, plus this year's Hugo Weaving-starring Hearts and Bones), the film has now inspired a five-part podcast, delving further into this strange and compelling story. Released by Audible, it's available to listen to from today, Tuesday, July 23. It's great news for anyone who saw the movie and wanted to know more, and for folks who didn't get around to watching it just yet as well. And, it's obviously a stellar development for true-crime buffs, with Ghosthunter's five 30-minute episodes featuring police investigations, court dramas, family secrets, difficult traumas, murky mysteries, estranged figures from King's history and — naturally — hunting ghosts. Lawrence spent seven years turning King's tale into a documentary, so he has plenty of extra details to share. He starts with King's first ghostly memory, unpacking the rollercoaster ride of a story from that point onwards. In a podcast that doesn't just dabble with true crime, but with family memoir, it helps that King himself makes for an equally charismatic and eccentric character. As Lawrence explains: "you never know how deep the rabbit hole will take you. There were so many personal twists and turns over the seven years creating Ghosthunter that I found myself deeply immersed in Jason's life — I was even the best man at his wedding." Ghosthunter joins Audible's growing slate of Australian content, following in the footsteps of Marc Fennell's It Burns podcast, about the competitive world of breeding super hot chillies. Ghosthunter is available now on Audible — as part of existing member subscriptions, or free with a 30-day trial. The documentary can be rented on YouTube, Google Play and the iTunes Store.
For locals and tourists alike, Mt Coot-tha is one of Brisbane's must-see spots, particularly if you like peering down on cities a great height. From next year, visitors won't just drive up to the lookout to enjoy the view, walk along its trails or picnic in its parklands, however — they'll also be able to glide through the treetops and soar down from the summit via a zipline. Approved by the Brisbane City Council in 2017, set to start construction later in 2018 and due to be fully operational by 2020, the Mt Coot-tha zipline will consist of three parts, each of which will open in stages. Actual ziplines comprise two of the components, and yes, there'll be more than one, with nearly three kilometres of zipline included in the entire project. Firstly, a treetop canopy tour will span 1.5 kilometres between multiple platforms, starting at the west of the summit and finishing to the west of JC Slaughter Falls. As its name suggests, it'll zip through the trees to take riders on a tour of the site's flora, fauna and indigenous cultural heritage. It'll be the first to open to the public, from sometime in 2019. In 2020, it'll be joined by a two stage 'megazip' tour that features six parallel lines between the summit and the Mt Coot-tha botanic gardens. As well as that 1.1-kilometre stretch — all in a single span, without any platforms along the way, and with users reaching speeds of around 60 kilometres per hour — there'll also be a second 340-metre run within the gardens, taking patrons zooming over the Melaleuca Lake. The final section of the project will involve a guided indigenous experience across a new 335-metre suspension bridge that'll be built above JC Slaughter Falls, connecting to the treetop canopy tour and the new arrival centre on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. And, so that everyone can get between destinations other than via zipline, there'll also be a shuttle bus linking various points. Brisbane City Council will put $1 million towards the zipline, which will be built by Zipline Australia — and, once it's finished, it'll be the longest zipline in the country. The project has also attracted criticism, including worries about its environmental impact throughout the vegetation-heavy area. In response to concerns, "extensive independent expert studies have been undertaken as part of the project to ensure the Mt Coot-tha zipline design is sensitive to the environment, including the natural habitat and Botanic Gardens," Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk advised The Courier-Mail. Images: Brisbane City Council.
If savouring a cocktail from Cobbler's new autumn menu doesn't make you exclaim yippee ki-yay!, well, you're doing it wrong. Fans of '80s action movies — and lovers of possibly the best Christmas film ever made — will know exactly what we're talking about. West End might not boast its own Nakatomi Plaza, but all things Die Hard are taking over a certain boutique Browning Street bar for the next few months' worth of drinking fun. This isn't Cobbler's first stint of themed beverages, as anyone who knocked back a Top Gun-oriented tipple over summer will know, but it is their most explosive. Wearing a white singlet smeared with grime from crawling around in air ducts is optional. While you're pretending to be Bruce Willis circa 1988, you'll need a drink to match — and there's 25 gracing Cobbler's new lineup. Who can go past a John McClane (made with Talisker 10 smoky whisky, Delord Fine Armagnac, peppermint tea, rosemary syrup, lavender bitters and a lemon twist) or a Hans Gruber made with a mix of Monkey Shoulder whisky, crème de noyaux (an almond-flavoured cream liqueur), cinnamon and caraway, red gum honey and orange bitters? Plus, the latter doesn't just pay tribute to one of the greatest bad guys to grace the big screen, but to the late, great Alan Rickman, who actually made his film debut playing the German terrorist everyone loves to hate. Everything from the No Shit Lady! Does it Sound Like I'm Ordering a Pizza (of mandarin, Beefeater gin, quandong bitters, cinnamon and caraway, red gum honey and lemon juice) to the Ho Ho Ho, Now I Have a Machine Gun (Espolón tequila, yellow chartreuse, apple and tarragon syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice and fresh grapes) are also on the menu, meaning that you'd best turn your next Cobbler trip into a lengthy one because you're going to want to try them all. And yes, the Yippee Ki-yay Motherfucker (Appleton Estate VX rum, lemon juice, pineapple, rose and jasmine orgeat, and orange blossom water) features on the list too. Now that's going to be the most enjoyable drink you've ever ordered. Just don't destroy the building afterwards. Cobbler's Die Hard menu will run for the length of autumn. Find them at 7 Browning Street, West End, or check out their Facebook page for more information.
Socials have been abuzz for the past couple of weeks with the news that KFC, one of the most hallowed fast food institutions, is hosting an 11-course degustation dinner in collaboration with Surry Hills fine diner Nel. In the two weeks after the news broke, more than 24,000 hungry and curious Sydneysiders added their name to a lottery, in the hopes of scoring an elusive seat at the three-night dinner series. I was lucky enough to score an invite to the media preview for a first peek at the mad scientist-like creations of celebrated chef Nelly Robinson. Here's everything that happened. THE VIBE The dinner takes place in an airy warehouse space at the end of an unmarked Alexandria alleyway, at the entrance to which lies the most unobtrusive of red carpets. Already this isn't feeling like a typical dinner. Once inside, there's free-flowing pre-dinner sparkling in a staging area that is dominated by what your correspondent thought was a fluffy cloud hanging over the bar. Then it's pointed out to me that I'm looking at it from the wrong angle. It turns out that the focal point of the room is, in fact, an illuminated cloud that takes the unmistakable form of a KFC drumstick, because of course it is. We soon move into the spacious, elegant dining room, which is all dark tones and understated pendant lighting. Once seated, a candle is brought to the table, lit and glasses are topped up. It's showtime. THE FOOD Eleven courses of KFC with a wine pairing to boot? Challenge accepted. Course One: You Call That a Burger? This KFC burger-inspired take on Nel's signature savoury marshmallow is a mind-boggling delight. It's light, it's fluffy, it nearly falls apart in your fingers and immediately disintegrates on contact with your tongue — but it also hits the sweet, salty, umami notes of a burger. Course Two: Zinger Katsu Who would have ever thought that a micro Zinger could be so satisfying? But enough about my last Grindr date. Course two of this KFC feast is an immediate hit at the table, a two-bite appetiser featuring a finger-sized Zinger patty on a pillowy oblong of deep-fried potato finished in katsu jus, and then topped with a drizzle of curry mayo and a dusting of dill. I would very much like this in burger form. Course Three: Supercharged Wings Wicked wings, but light them on fire. Perfectly crunchy and juicy wings are presented on a bed of charcoal sticks that are lit on fire at the table — because who doesn't love dinner and a show — which makes them about 15 percent better than a normal KFC wing. Course Four: Potato and Gravy Remember that candle I mentioned earlier? By the time our beautifully brown, perfectly spherical potato buns are placed on the table after the amuses-bouche are cleared, the candle has melted. No, it's not a cheapo that couldn't even last until mains, but in fact made of KFC chicken fat (what else) which, now completely liquefied, is garnished at the table with a couple of rounds of gravy and into which the potato buns can be dipped. And they are. Liberally. Course Five: Zinger Kingfish The first of the mains is, in the very best way, an absolute mindfuck. Slightly torched kingfish is coated in a crumb of the eleven secret herbs and spices and served on a bed of ever-so-smoky yoghurt slaw — itself an elegant take on the classic KFC side. Though it could have very well been actual KFC coleslaw. At this stage up was down and left was right. In introducing the dish, Robinson told us that there was some resistance from team KFC around putting fish on the menu, but he stuck to his guns and the menu is all the better for him having done so. Course Six: Tongue Twister/Twister Sister I still remember when the Twister was launched. Wraps were having a moment thanks to the Atkins diet and variations incarnations thereof (the 90s were truly wild) and it was like Christmas had come early for this chunky, primary school-aged kid who could not get enough fried chicken. Any excitement I might have had about lower-carb KFC was quickly dashed, however, when my first (and to-date only) Twister led to a bout of gastro... So when I discover that the second main course of the evening was a two-part take on the KFC wrap, I'm a little sceptical. That is, until I see the Colonel's face on a plate — or at least a colourful interpretation of it made of emulsified fried chicken, lettuce, tomato and pepper mayo. Our task: pick up the plate and lick the Colonel right off it. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd be tonguing old mate Sanders, but now that I've had a chicken fat candle and KF-fish, I guess the rulebook is out the window. To accompany this surprisingly sensuous dish comes a jazzed-up take on a Twister in the form of a fried chicken taco on a soft spinach tortilla and finished with lettuce, pearl barley risotto, sundried tomato, pepper mayo and an edible flower. It's very, very good. Course Seven: Popcorn Chicken You know what's better than popcorn chicken? Popcorn chicken in a creamy celeriac and mushroom soup with fresh gnocchi and fragrant basil oil. Says my dining companion: "Next time I get popcorn chicken, I'm going to buy a tin of Campbell's cream of mushroom to go with it." Sure, it's a cheat version of this silky, umami-laden dish, but I suggest you consider doing the same. Course Eight: La Di Da Drumstick AKA Fried Gold A dramatic hush suddenly descends upon the room. From the moment the first tall, glass, smoke-filled cloche enters the dining room for the final savoury course, the anticipation for what we know is coming is truly palpable. Underneath, revealed in a hypnotically synchronised flourish, lies a single KFC drumstick. But, reader, this is no ordinary drumstick. This is a gently smoke-infused piece of original recipe resting on a bed of black garlic and cauliflower purée, quinoa and edible gold, and looked like something out of a fairy tale. It tasted as good as it looked. Course Nine: Chips for Dessert Facts: fries dipped in ice cream is a god-tier pairing. For me, this is usually happening when coming out of a drive-through with one hand trying to get my soft serve-to-chip ratio just right, while the other hand is actually trying to drive. No such theatrics are needed for this first of three desserts, however, as I practically inhale this delightful dish of a single dehydrated, de-starched potato chip with wattleseed ice cream and burnt pineapple and mead purée. Course Ten: Our Chocolate Mousse Here, generous nugget-sized serves of light and airy chocolate mousse are dipped in liquid nitrogen and topped with popping candy. I've never eaten chocolate mousse — or any mousse, for that matter — with my hands, but this is so finger lickin' good (you know I had to) that all decorum flew the coop (I'll stop now). Course Eleven: Petit Krusher This is a creative take on an after-dinner mint inspired by the gone-but-not-forgotten KFC Krusher. I'd tell you what this tasted like but, despite being told to have this truffle ball-looking morsel in one bite, I somehow forgot how to eat and ended up inelegantly spraying most of this all over the table. But after all, what's KFC without a bit of mess? THE VERDICT This dinner series might begin on April Fool's Day, but it's no joke. It's a clever, creative menu that serves as both a love letter to KFC and a truly fascinating exploration of the possibilities of fried chicken. A wanky take? Perhaps. But when I'm eating KFC with knives and forks and liquid nitrogen and, it must be said, an excellent wine pairing, the least I can do is get a bit extra with a review. I was asked by a colleague if the meal is as good as big bucket of KFC, and the answer is both yes and no. This dinner doesn't hit the same spot that only a Family Feast can, but that's not the point. It's pure escapism — fun for the sake of fun, an opportunity to just enjoy what's in front of you. And these days, who can argue with that?
Forget the pub with no beer — in central western Queensland, a resurrected watering hole will soon operate in a place with no residents. After closing its doors back in 1997, the Betoota Hotel will reopen in the ghost town in coming months. Brisbane smash repairer Robert Haken is bringing the iconic spot back to life, telling Brisbane Times that he first fell for its charms around 30 years ago. Revisiting the empty, rundown site in 2015, he was driven to act. "When I walked into the place I just thought, what an amazing bit of Australia history and why isn't someone doing something with it." After buying the pub before Christmas, he's now set on restoring it to its former glory by August, in time for the famous Betoota Races. Once it's up and running, it'll operate during the area's tourist season between April and November, serving up frosty beer, plus sausage sizzles, steak burgers, and pies and sausages roll from the Birdsville Bakery. Due to the heat, it won't open in summer. The pub remains the only building in Betoota, and boasts quite the past, dating back to 1885. Previous owner Sigmund Remienko ran the place for 44 years until 1997. When he passed away in 2004, the town lost its last remaining resident. If it sounds like the kind of story you might read in The Betoota Advocate, that's understandable; however, while the satirical publication takes its name from the deserted spot, this isn't one of their amusing tales. For anyone keen to make the drive when the pub reopens, expect to trek more than 1500 kilometres west from Brisbane. Via Brisbane Times. Image: Ian Cochrane via Flickr.
The term 'best of both worlds' certainly applies to beer yoga. Exercise, alcohol — what's not to love? And we'll all just happily overlook the fact that one counteracts the other because simultaneously sipping and stretching is just so much fun. Brisbane's latest batch of brew-fuelled active sessions boast a little something extra, however. When you're doing your best downward-facing dog and then pausing to take a drink, you'll be doing all of the above in a brewery. Just join the folks at Ballistic Beer Co. fortnightly on Thursdays, with the next sessions happening on October 31, November 14 and 28, and December 12 and 26. You'll want to head to its Salisbury digs, and arrive at 5.45pm for a 6pm start. It'll only set you back $15, which includes the class and a Ballistic beer — and it's a BYO yoga mat situation. Updated October 30.
Some holidays arise from months of planning. Others happen simply because an airline has cheap flights on offer. Both are perfectly acceptable ways to lock in a getaway — and if you're keen for the latter, Jetstar is doing a big 48-hour sale with 400,000-plus fares to Bali, Phuket, Hawaii, Vietnam, Japan and Seoul, among other destinations. Actually, the Australian carrier is doing discounted flights across Australia as well as to international spots — but after the couple of years we've all had, with closed borders both locally and overseas, you're probably (and understandably) itching to venture to other countries. International fares start from $199 return — yes, both ways — because this is Jetstar's 'return for free' sale. Running from 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 4–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, May 5, or until sold out, it's as straightforward as it sounds. Whatever flights you opt for as part of the sale, you'll get the return fare for nothing. Overseas, one big caveat is worth keeping in mind: some destinations, such as Japan, haven't yet opened to international tourists. But if you'd like to book cheap flights to Tokyo or Osaka and back for later in the year and cross your fingers that the border situation changes, you can. Also on the list: fares to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, to name a few, with 29 international routes covered. Locally, you've got a choice between 59 routes — all with return legs for free — starting from $69. Tickets in the sale are for trips from this coming spring onwards, with exact days varying in each region. There are a few other rules, as is always the case. You have to the same departure and arrival ports for the two fares — so you can go from Melbourne to Honolulu and back, for instance, but can't return via another place or to another city. And, the sale fares don't include checked baggage, so you'll need to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. Jetstar's 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 4–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, May 5 — or until sold out.
Thanks to the chaotic weather that saw out summer, the past month has been immensely difficult across Queensland and New South Wales. That includes in the Northern Rivers region, which has been impacted by the floods to a devastating degree. Eager to help? Not sure where to start? Here's an event that'll get you to Byron Bay, showcase the area's fresh produce and put some cash towards flood-relief efforts. Just block out your calendar on Saturday, March 26 and prepare to do your part by attending a long lunch. Taking place at Crystalbrook Byron at 1pm local time, this Flood Relief Long Lunch says it all in the name. You'll hang out at the hotel's restaurant Forest, eat your way through a leisurely two-hour meal, sip cocktails and assist an enormously worthy cause. Menu highlights include oysters paired with a granita made from Brookie's Byron Slow Gin and davidson plum; hand-stretched Byron Bay mozzarella with house-made pickles; that cheese outfit again, this time with a ricotta gelato atop treacle tarts; and zucchini flowers stuffed with green and sundried olives, them battered in Stone & Wood Pale Ale. Your $160 ticket includes two cocktails — and the complete price will be donated to aid locals via Givit.
If a cruisy Byron Bay getaway is your dream kind of getaway, you'll soon have a new place to stay at your favourite vacation spot. After welcoming Hotel Marvell in 2023, the beachside New South Wales town will next see the boutique Basq House join its accommodation options, complete with 32 rooms, communal spaces that encourage guests to hang out and a focus on wellness. Set to open in autumn 2024, with an exact date yet to be revealed, Basq House is pitching itself as an oasis for relaxing, rather than a base for being seen among the always-popular tourist spot's social scene. Accordingly, as well as a place to slumber, the hotel will feature plenty of inclusions for making the most of your accommodation — by the pool, at the bar and on the roof. If you're keen for a splash, the pool will sit in the centre of the property, flanked by sun loungers, cabanas and ample greenery. Some hotel rooms will look out over the glistening water, with others getting a Marvel Street or Fletcher Lane view. Eager for an onsite beverage? The hotel's reception will double as a bar, while there'll also be a lounge room that takes its cues from speakeasies. Prefer to while away your holiday with a book in your hand? That's where the library with its floor-to-ceiling shelves, sofas and fireplace for the winter months will come in. Head up to the rooftop and yoga, meditation sessions and sunset drinks will await, plus stargazing stints. Personal training classes with a view will also grace the hotel's top level, giving guests prime motivation to enjoy a workout while they're vacationing. For de-stressing elsewhere, a wellness centre will reside over multiple levels, featuring massages and floatation tanks as well as ice plunges and infrared saunas. Among the design features and decor, the staircase leading to the rooms will boast a skylight. In the suites themselves, expect high ceilings, natural textures and calming colours. "Our remit was to deliver an authentic hotel with soul and one that stays true to its location. With Basq House, we will place a significant emphasis on strong placemaking; hotel interiors; sensory inputs such as light, sound and smell; out-of-guest-room experiences' and the delivery of pre-emptive service," said David Jones, Director of Jeremy and Jones, which is operating the hotel. Find Basq House at Fletcher Lane, Byron Bay, in autumn 2024 — head to the hotel's website for further details.
In excellent news for anyone who loves scouting out new tunes from fresh local talent, the folks at Rare Finds have announced an east coast touring circuit, kicking off in January 2018. The Sydney-based PR and artist management company has long been a champion of emerging Aussie artists, hosting regular showcases in Brisbane and Sydney over the past two years. Now it's teamed up with Oporto and creative collective Pilerats to bring its latest musical finds to a stage near you. Touring once a month across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, each Rare Finds circuit will feature a curation of up-and-coming acts, providing an all-important live platform for these emerging artists. Headlining the first tour in January 2018 is Sunshine Coast songstress Ayla, off the back of her second EP Let's Talk Monday. She'll be joined by a different lineup in each city: Asha Jefferies, Royal & The Southern Echo and DJ Tom Bloomfield in Brisbane; Otious, Magnets and British India DJs in Melbourne; and Aikonawena, The Longboys and Rare Finds DJs on the Sydney leg. Catch the first iteration of the Rare Finds circuit on January 12 at Brisbane's Black Bear Lodge, January 19 at Melbourne's Penny Black and January 20 at Oxford Art Factory's Gallery Bar in Sydney. Tickets to the Sydney and Brisbane shows are less than $15 and the Melbourne gig is free. The Rare Finds east coast circuit will take place in January 2018 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For more info and to buy tickets, visit rarefinds.com.au.
In 2022, McDonald's coveted Szechuan sauce finally became a reality in Australia, and Rick and Morty fans across the country were grateful. Here's something even better: new episodes of the hit animated series, which'll arrive worldwide in September. Everywhere across earth where television is screened and streamed — interdimensional cable, too — Rick and Morty will return in spring. US network Adult Swim has announced that the show's sixth season will hit on Sunday, September 4 in America, which is Monday, September 5 Down Under, where it beams into your queue via Netflix. Yes, that's the way the supremely great news goes today. Yes, you can get schwifty if you want to. And if you're wondering what kinds of chaos are in store this time around, Adult Swim advised that the new season will pick up with its titular pair "where we left them, worse for wear and down on their luck". "Will they manage to bounce back for more adventures? Or will they get swept up in an ocean of piss! Who knows?! Piss! Family! Intrigue! A bunch of dinosaurs! More piss!" the network also teased. Anything can happen in Rick and Morty — but you probably expect that Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland, Solar Opposites) will keep wreaking havoc, and that the series will keep zipping between as many universes as it can. And, it's likely that Rick and Morty's hijinks will still draw in Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane), father Jerry (Chris Parnell, Archer) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer, Tell Me a Story). Ripped and ready - Season 6 coming September 4th pic.twitter.com/RfvA1x5ELj — Rick and Morty (@RickandMorty) July 27, 2022 Also still certain to be present: the fact that the show clearly gleaned inspiration from Back to the Future, but has taken that whole setup — a genius scientist going on wild adventures with a high schooler — in a zillion out-there directions. If you're keen to rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe, start getting excited for September — unless you're a total Jerry, that is. There's no trailer for Rick and Morty's sixth season yet, but you can watch an old clip below: Rick and Morty's sixth season will premiere globally on Monday, September 5 Down Under. It streams via Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
Ready for it? Whether you danced in the aisles at your local cinema or you haven't yet seen the concert film version of one of the biggest music tours currently traversing the globe, you'll be able to enjoy Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour at home from Thursday, December 14. Swifties, you'll be able to celebrate the pop star and newly crowned TIME Person of the Year's blockbuster film to celebrate the singer-songwriter's birthday. That falls on Wednesday, December 13 in 2023; however, with the time difference, Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour is hitting digital on the Thursday in Australia and New Zealand. If your wildest dreams have been about getting in on Taylor Swift's Eras tour since it was first announced, then the pop superstar comes bearing gorgeous and enchanted news, clearly — including while the movie is still in cinemas. Missed out on tickets to see Swift when she plays Melbourne and Sydney in early 2024? Consider this the next best thing. Look what the world made Swift do: turn her current massive tour into a movie that's also proven a smash, taking in almost $250 million at the worldwide box office since releasing in October, ranking it in the top 20 for takings so far this year. While fans have been able to experience a money-can't-buy view of the 'Shake It Off', 'We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Bad Blood' musician's gig — working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular — on the big screen, the extended version is coming to digital. Accordingly, donning your friendship bracelets at home means seeing three songs performed that aren't in the theatrical cut. The IRL Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, then headed to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. Next on the list: Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada, a return to the US and, of course, Australia, all in 2024. Check out the trailer for Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film below: Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour is still in cinemas, and will be available to rent on digital from Thursday, December 14 in Australia and New Zealand. Read our review.
The Gold Coast, with its enviable combination of good weather and beaches, already gives off festival vibes all year round. But the real kicker happens when you add beer to all of that goodness. Add vitamins B (beer) and C (cider) to the vitamin D you cop on the coast with the Crafted Beer and Cider Festival, which takes place from 12–8.30pm on Saturday, November 28. Held at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach — and postponed from its originally slated September date — the beer festival will unite more than 40 of Australia's top craft breweries, over 200 different brews, and some good food and live music to line your stomachs and ears. It's as good an excuse as any for a cheeky getaway to the Goldy. Locals like Balter Brewing Company, Black Hops Brewing and Currumbin Valley Brewing join up with visitors from elsewhere in Queensland and interstate, such as Brouhaha Brewery, Jindabyne Brewing, Soapbox Beer and Gage Roads Brewing Co — and that's but a few of the many beer houses to be represented on the day. More of a cider person? Expect a range of cideries making the pilgrimage to the Coast, too. Food-wise, there'll be food trucks and other street food eats. As for music lineup, Cheap Fakes, Beddy Rays, Sunflower, Citrus Daze and Eyethewild are among the bands providing the soundtrack to your day. Also on the day's agenda is beer yoga, where you can perform a few downward dogs before you down your beer — it's all about balance, after all. Updated October 21.
If you've ever wanted to enjoy a beverage in a speakeasy, pretend you're drinking bootlegged liquor, or get glammed up 1920s style, you're about to get your chance. Welcome to Prohibition Brisbane, the venue that brings the fun of almost a century ago to Fortitude Valley's nightlife district. It's a theme the underground haunt takes seriously, as its grand arrival space, complete with moving ceiling, makes clear. Inside the 1100 square metre warehouse, three separate basement spaces — the main hall, a speakeasy-style bar and an exclusive VIP lounge — evoke times gone by via earthy tones and aged finishes. Need proof beyond the fancy decor? It's all in the drinks list. The hard stuff reigns supreme, of course, as Prohibition's packed bar shelves prove. For those fond of shaken or stirred concoctions, the extensive cocktail range mixes time-honoured tipples that date back to the '20s with brand new house originals. Twists on classics are a highlight, including 'The Peach and Passionfruit Rickey' and the 'Du Pont Daiquiri'.
A sleepy small town. A body on a beach. A local detective trying to solve the case, plus an outsider dropping in to lend their expertise. Viewers have seen this scenario plenty of times before, complete with secrets swirling, a killer lurking among a close-knit community and ample friction between the new arrival and the town's inhabitants — but until now, we've never seen Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's take on the situation. Anything that The Katering Show and Get Krack!n's duo make is an instant must-see — see: those two very shows — and Deadloch, their newest effort, is clearly no different. Announced in 2022 and set to hit Prime Video from Friday, June 2, this mystery-comedy series is created, written and executive produced by the comic duo, with McCartney and McLennan acting as showrunners as well. They're not listed among the cast, sadly, but The Kates are still back. Another Kate — Kate Box (Stateless) — stars as local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins. When a local man turns up dead on the beach, her life and Deadloch's titular seaside spot are thrown into chaos, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show illustrates. And no, it isn't by accident that the series subverts the usual dead-girl trope that's such an engrained part of these kinds of TV setups, even when they're at their best as in Twin Peaks. Enter Darwin-based senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami, The Breaker Upperers), too, who isn't afraid to make a splash as she teams up with Dulcie to get to the bottom of the case. There's also junior constable Abby (Nina Oyama, Koala Man), who couldn't be more eager to join in, all while Deadloch is busy getting ready to launch its annual Winter Feastival — an arts, food, and culture festival. "We are both so thrilled to share the dark, strange little town of Deadloch with the world. We're particularly excited for everyone to meet Dulcie and Eddie, performed by the powerhouses Kate Box and Madeleine Sami, who are far better actors than we'll ever be," said The Kates. "The supporting cast is sublime, the crew are a delight, and the experience of making this story with Prime Video globally on the incredible land of lutruwita (Tasmania) is one we'll never forget." As well as Box, Sami and Oyama, Deadloch's cast spans a heap of recognisable faces, including comedian Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner (Wakefield), Susie Youssef (Rosehaven), Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Kris McQuade (Irreverent), Duncan Fellows (The Letdown), Harvey Zielinski (Love Me) and Shaun Martindale (Sissy). Shot in and around Hobart, Deadloch's eight-episode run also sports a stacked roster of directors: Ben Chessell (The Great), Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) and Beck Cole (Black Comedy). Check out the trailer for Deadloch below: Deadloch streams via Prime Video from Friday, June 2, 2023.
Adrenaline junkies, meet your new action sports go-to: a massive three-level skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing and bouldering facility that'll also mark an Australian-first. Come late 2024, American chain Woodward is making its Aussie debut, and also opening its first-ever international site, with a 3650-square-metre venue in Castle Hill in Sydney. If it gets your blood pumping, odds are that there'll be a space for it at Woodward Sydney, which'll set up shop adjacent as part of Castle Towers Shopping Centre. Think: climbing and bouldering walls, a skate park, mini ramps and a mega ramp, foam pits, a pump track, a spring floor, trampolines and a gym. And, whether you're a professional, an Olympian, aspiring to make action sports more than just a pastime or a complete beginner, the purpose-built centre promises to cater to all ages and abilities. That includes hosting individual classes, programs that span for multiple weeks, competitions, birthday parties and events — and having casual-access passes for folks who just want to give it a go. Plus, for winding down after getting sweaty, there'll be an onsite cafe and bar. "Sydney is the ideal city for our first expansion overseas given its history as a destination that embraces sports and commitment to the action sports lifestyle," said Woodward President Chris 'Gunny' Gunnarson, announcing the Castle Hill venue. "Woodward Sydney will be our most innovative concept to date — and a model for future Urban Centres. Woodward has historically been known as the place to go if you are an aspirational professional athlete, and we want all Woodward locations to be focused on empowering athletes of all abilities and ages to safely progress on a clear path at their own pace using our unique blend of innovative environments, dynamic programming, and passionate staff. Woodward Sydney will epitomise that mission." Also set to be a big focus: encouraging women to get more involved and feel more empowered in action sports, one of the brand's key missions. Woodward started out in 1970 in central Pennsylvania, and now boasts eight venues across the US, including in California, Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Vermont. The New South Wales Government is putting $1.8 million towards the company's first Australian action sports centre, via a grant from the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, with an aim to both increase opportunities for Sydneysiders to get active and support athletes. "Investing in new and existing facilities to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure across Greater Sydney was a priority for the NSW Government," said Minister for Sport Alister Henskens. "The NSW Government recognises the critical role sports infrastructure plays in keeping communities healthy and active. Woodward Sydney will provide an indoor action sports facility which will improve participation and pathway opportunities for emerging and elite athletes." Woodward Sydney will open at Castle Towers Shopping Centre, 22 Showground Road, Castle Hill, in late 2024. Keep an eye on the Woodward website for further details.
They're red, sweet and juicy — and they're everyone's favourite fruit. They're also grown in abundance around Queensland. Did you know that around 40 percent of the state's strawberries come from the Moreton Bay region? Well, you do now — and you might just want to celebrate that fact. All you need to do is head on over to Sandstone Point from midday on Sunday, September 24 for the returning Strawberry and Dessert Festival. Because you can never have too much of a good thing, this Sandstone Point Hotel event will paint the pub pink with farm-fresh strawberries — and strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, scones with strawberry jam and chocolate-coated strawberries are all usually on the menu. So is a strawberry-eating competition and a bar serving strawberry-flavoured cocktails. As you might've noticed, this isn't just a strawberry festival. It's a showcase of many a sweet treat as well. Basically, arrive hungry — and wear something stretchy — as you prepare to devour desserts aplenty. Also on the lineup: cooking demonstrations, spanning strawberries and desserts; dessert cocktail-making demos as well; and live tunes and rides for kids. Tickets cost $13.60, and you'll pay for whatever you eat and drink. Images: Sandstone Point Hotel.
The newest initiative from Metro Arts proves once and for all that it was the egg that came before the chicken, at least when it comes to performance anyway. FreeRange allows the perfect incubation space for artists whose voices demand to be heard, from laying down the ideas and nurturing them into fruition in the spirit of creative exchange. The resulting work to be hatched out of this four-week process is fresh, fast and fearless – and Metro Arts FreeRange wants to share the finished product with you over CROSS-STITCH, a two-night event curated by emerging Artistic Director Steven Mitchell Wright. One of the FreeRange(rs) showing is David M. Thomas, showcasing his work ‘Artists Gamble with Time/Portrait of Clint Doyle, An expanded portrait of Everyone’, a performance piece based on over 10 years of correspondence between Thomas and his friend Clint, who lives in a remote location. Artists Gamble with Time is a culmination of performance, music, photography, interviews, installation, video and paintings that Thomas has used to explore the construction and maintenance of one’s self. Put all your eggs into one basket this Monday and Tuesday, but without the guilt of cage-laid ideas – remember: it’s all FreeRange. Image credit: Interviewer (2010) by David M. Thomas
Keeping a beef-slinging diner running, transforming it into an upscale fine-diner, launching that new restaurant to the world: that's The Bear story so far. In the first, second and third seasons of hit series, those challenges awaited Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw), plus his colleagues and his loved ones, including fellow chef Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri, Inside Out 2) and the Berzatto family's lifelong pal Richie Jerimovich Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Hold Your Breath). Next, in season four, keeping the show's namesake fine-diner in business is the focus. There's even a literal countdown clock ticking down to the eatery's possible demise in its fourth run, as the just-dropped trailer for the series features. "That clock is telling you how much money we have left," Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med), The Bear's key investor, advises in the sneak peek. "When that shows zero, this restaurant needs to cease operations". Accordingly, "chaos and turmoil" are still being plated up in this award-winning favourite, so much so that they're specifically mentioned by Syd. "It's hard and it's brutal, and that's what makes it special," notes Carmy. Also part of the trailer: reviews calling out concerns about the restaurant's consistency, new menus, ample food shots, advice not to hide from things, the return of Carmy's mother (Jamie Lee Curtis, The Last Showgirl), and everyone from Carmy's sister Natalie (Abby Elliott, Cheaper by the Dozen) to eatery staff Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Shell), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, Cat Person), Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Unprisoned) and Fak (IRL chef Matty Matheson) dealing with the pressure in their own ways. As announced earlier in May, The Bear returns in June 2025 for prime winter binge-viewing. The date for your diary: Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Australia and New Zealand. As in past years, season four will drop its entire season — ten episodes this time — in one hefty helping. The fourth season of the series has been in locked in since before season three even aired and, while throwing new challenges at its characters, is set to continue to raise a perennial question along the way: what should you cling to when you're chasing greatness, and in life in general? If you need more details about The Bear to date, its debut season jumped into the mayhem when Carmy took over the diner after his brother's (Jon Bernthal, The Accountant 2) death. Before returning home, the chef's resume featured Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim. Then, in season two and three, Carmy worked to turn the space into an upmarket addition to his hometown's dining scene, with help from the restaurant's trusty crew. Check out the trailer for The Bear season four below: The Bear season four will stream via Disney+ in Australia from Thursday, June 26, 2025. Read our reviews of seasons one, two and three. Images: FX / Disney+.
Fresh off his US headline tour, Kilter has returned to Australia's sandy shores with a studio album in tow. Over the last few years, the artist has outgrown his position on the outskirts of Australia's electronic music scene to become an established EDM up-and-comer. With his new album, Through The Distortion, Kilter delivers seven previously unheard tracks alongside critically acclaimed singles 'They Don't Know Us', 'Count On Me' and 'I Hear You'. Its sound is typically versatile, showcasing Kilter's ability to blend elements of dancehall, garage, breakbeat, hip-hop, big beat, R'n'B, electro and chill. What's more, the album features collaborations with a selection of his favourite Australian musicians, including LANKS, Yaw Faso and Woodes. Along with his new album, Kilter has gifted fans with a massive antipodean tour taking him across Australia and New Zealand in September. And it just so happens that you can go in the running to win a double pass to either his Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane show. We're offering you the chance to win a heap of Kilter-related prizes, including double passes to his Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane shows, a meet and greet and a tonne of merch. TOUR DATES Brisbane — Friday, June 23rd, 2017 at The Triffid Melbourne — Friday, July 7th, 2017 at Prince Sydney — Saturday, July 8th, 2017 at Max Watts Whether you've been a Kilter fan from the beginning, or you've recently joined the bandwagon, enter your details below to go into the draw to win big. [competition]624378[/competition] Image: Maclay Heriot
Walk into most bottle shops and the script is predictable: fluorescent lights, shelf after shelf of labels you've seen on billboards, a transaction that begins and ends at the register. But scattered across Brisbane's suburbs, a collection of independent wine stores is rewriting that story — one handwritten tag, one tasting table, one conversation at a time. Tony and Tanya Harper know Brisbane's hospitality scene inside out. They've spent decades on the floor, as well as in wine judging and food media. When they opened Craft Wine Store in Red Hill in 2012, it was with one clear rule: if a wine appeared in chain advertising, they didn't stock it. The strategy wasn't just contrarian; it came from decades of watching Queensland's liquor retail scene flatten into a monoculture of familiar brands. "There were hundreds of retailers all selling the same beer, wine and spirits," Tanya Harper remembers. "We wanted to offer something more interesting." [caption id="attachment_808928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craft Wine Store Coorparoo. Credit: Kiel Wode.[/caption] Craft quickly became a pioneer, introducing Brisbane drinkers to producers that are now household names: Four Pillars, Stargazer, Stone & Wood, Unico Zelo and more. It also set a new standard for how bottle shops could feel. Both the original Red Hill space and the 2018 Coorparoo store were designed to be warm, tactile and human-scale. Red Hill's rambling nooks contrast with Coorparoo's sleek rectangle and central cold room, but both invite browsing and conversation. The design of each shop was highly intentional, and "entices folk to think a little more broadly," Harper says, "like a bookshop." That philosophy now defines Brisbane's independent retail scene, though creating these spaces in Queensland isn't easy. Queensland's liquor laws have long favoured big players — publicans, then national supermarkets — through expensive, restrictive commercial hotel licences. But the newer wine merchant licence offers small windows of creativity: the ability to taste, sample and linger, more European cave than bottle-o transaction. [caption id="attachment_1038760" align="alignnone" width="1920"] L.P.O. Neighbourhood Wine Store. Credit: Matt Pettigrew.[/caption] For Dan Wilson, co-owner of LPO Neighbourhood Wine Store in Tarragindi, that licence was the key to coming home. After opening his third restaurant in London, Wilson returned to Brisbane in 2021. "From the moment I got back, I wanted to open something like LPO," he says. "In London, places like this were where I built community. They were gathering points for people with strange and very emotionally-laden passions." To qualify for the wine merchant licence, Wilson made his own Queensland wine. He reached out to friends Sam Cook and Alistair Reed at Konpira Maru in the Granite Belt, and produced a skin-contact Verdelho called SQUID — named in honour "of the chaotic mess of doing something new with no legs." [caption id="attachment_1038763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] L.P.O. Neighbourhood Wine Store. Credit: Matt Pettigrew.[/caption] Having opened in March 2025, LPO now occupies a former post office in a strip of shops Wilson calls "quintessential Brisbane suburban beauty." Eight to 12 bottles are open daily for tasting, blurring the line Brisbanites are used to seeing between retail space and bar. "All the wines are there for education, for conversation and for fun," he says. "We're all about discovery, education and that little touch of joy a new experience can bring." Liz and Ian Trinkle took a similar approach with Wineism, which opened in late 2021 in the Albion Fine Trades precinct. The venue operates as both bar and bottle shop, grounded in Ian's years as a sommelier at Aria Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves. The industrial-chic design mirrors the neighbourhood's creative edge, while the constantly evolving wine list is built on relationships and taste. [caption id="attachment_1038774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wineism. Credit: Supplied.[/caption] "I think people generally have great palates," Ian Trinkle says. "They can taste the difference between mediocre, good and great once it's in the glass — but they often lack the vocabulary that comes with years of tasting experience. The romance of wine is also its mystery. Part of my job is to make it less mysterious." Before Wineism, Trinkle was already teaching the internationally recognised WSET courses. That educational approach carries through, whether you're asking about a bottle at the bar or signing up for the weekly wine education classes. "There is so much appetite for education," he says, citing the volume of WSET enquiries he receives every week as proof. [caption id="attachment_1038770" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wineism. Credit: Supplied.[/caption] At Craft, education takes the form of weekly tastings that have become part social ritual, part neighbourhood event. "They're equal parts socialising and learning," Harper says. "Lots of chatter, plenty of familiar faces and always a few new ones." Across the city, independent bottle shops — including Cru Bar & Cellar on James Street, The Reserve Cellar in Wilston, and The Wine Emporium in Newstead — host free weekly tastings of wines, spirits and beers, arguably the best way to expand your palate in Brisbane: follow them on Instagram or subscribe to their newsletters, turn up, talk to the people pouring, and taste what's new. These shops assume you're curious, not just thirsty. Conversation replaces transaction. They also make it possible for small producers to reach drinkers who might otherwise never discover them. [caption id="attachment_637497" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cru Bar & Cellar. Credit: Anwyn Howarth.[/caption] "Fifteen years ago, Tanqueray No.10 was considered premium," Harper says, emphasising how it now sits among hundreds of local and imported options — a reflection of how tastes have evolved. "Independent bottle shops exist to fulfil the thirst that they've helped create," she continues. "People have become bored with big, familiar brands and are seeking different experiences." In a state where alcohol consumption is still shaped by legacy licensing policies and supermarket dominance, every independent shop that opens represents both persistence and possibility. These businesses aren't just selling good booze — they're teaching, tasting, and transforming how Brisbane drinks. Need more vino inspiration? Check out the Best Wine Bars in Melbourne or discover How to Decode a French Wine List.
This Toronto-based quartet are bringing their special breed of indie electronica to the Forum for one night only this December. Emily Haines is undoubtedly one of today’s greatest frontwomen, and her tenacity has in no way wavered since Metric's inception in 1998. Five albums and a handful of film scores later, Metric continue to perform to sold out arenas and headline music festivals all over the world. Metric have mastered the ability to convey contrasting emotions through their music; at times they are outspoken and aggressive, and at others vulnerable and tired from the fight. It is their highly identifiable sound of new wave synth combined with indie rock that unifies their music despite its thematic variation. This uncompromising sound is what has made them stand out and survive while trending genres have rotated around them. See them perform at The Tivoli this Wednesday.
A Love Supreme have been responsible for many great musical experiences. Their brand of niche-showcases of eclectic electronic and hip-hop music has set them up as tastemakers of sorts, and now they are upping their game with a huge show at Coniston Lane. This time around, A Love Supreme in collaboration with Niche Productions present Onra, who is touring the country this month. Known for his 2010 album, Long Distance – Onra blends funk and boogie styling with soul and a heavy dose of excellent beats. This Parisian knows how to party, so if you have to party along with him, buy a ticket now and boogie on over to Coniston Lane this Thursday night. Onra will be supported by Elroy 4.0 and Yumø.
Geelong may not strike you as an obvious destination for a weekend away. The small port city is currently straddling that awkward growth stage between small town and bustling metropolis. As such, it manages to feel like both. Although Geelong wears the vestments of a big place, it still treats you like a small town would. You don't feel anonymous (an odd feeling for veteran city dwellers) and people look you in the eye while genuinely questioning how you are and what you're doing in town. Nowhere is this more pronounced than the food and art scene, hidden away on the quiet side streets of the small city. The cheap and abundant studio space makes it a paradise for creatives, weirdos and anyone who errs on the side of the non-commercial — this relatively small pond attracts some remarkably big fish. Some of Melbourne's best foodies, chefs, entrepreneurs and taste-makers have forsaken the big city in favour of a smaller scene where gimmicks are left at the train station and what shines through is something surprisingly authentic. Leave all that big city pessimism at home and let V/Line (or your car down the M1) carry you to the unexpected cultural oasis of Geelong. Whether you devote your whole weekend to Victoria's second largest city or a few hours on your way down the Great Ocean Road, here's what to do when you get there. [caption id="attachment_569243" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Craft Space[/caption] EAT AND DRINK Before heading down to Geelong, you may want to fast for a few days — there is some serious eating to be done here. Your first port of call should be Craft Space on Little Malop Street. Craft Space is, as the name suggests, a cafe-craft hybrid. You'll find tubs of markers and zines strewn across the mismatched (but colour-coordinated) furniture, a mint green La Marzocco espresso machine filling the back corner and sweet ornaments lining every nook. There's no stone left uncrafted — even the pot plants have been knitted. It's a haven for people who like to occupy their hands while catching up over organic, small batch tea and boutique cakes by Melbourne's Little Bertha. It's a warm little nook and the owners operators Cathy Slarks and Loretta Davis are the kindling in the hearth. The welcoming pair also run craft workshops most weekends and make a mean, towering chocolate milkshake. [caption id="attachment_573393" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hot Chicken Project[/caption] Once night falls it's just a hop, skip and a jump over the way to the Hot Chicken Project for dinner and a bit of atmosphere. Hot tip: undo your pants as you walk through the door (no one will judge). You may feel a sense of déjà vu as you glance the menu as HCP is owned by Aaron Turner, who previously engineered Belle's Hot Chicken on Gertrude Street. The menu is conceptually similar – a hero serve of southern fried chicken (as spicy as you can handle) and a down-home side (think turnips, greens and coleslaw) for $16. The simplicity of the menu works in its favour as the entire wine list is paired for salt, crunch and spice. It's dominated by light, fruity wines from some of Australian's most innovative winemakers — and if you're not literate in wine speak, your best bet is to ask a staff member to choose a wine for you. They know their stuff. We highly, highly recommend indulging in a side of the crispy chicken skin (drizzled in honey, hot sauce and thyme) because you will see God. The place is usually buzzing on the weekend, and with plans to expand into the next shop front, HCP can only get better with time. If you're hankering for a cold one after that, drop into the Little Creatures Geelong Brewery for one straight from the source. [caption id="attachment_569247" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Freckleduck[/caption] The final must-eat destination on your Geelong tour is Freckleduck. The sweet corner café is light, airy and — dare we say it — produces the best coffee in Geelong. The pumpkin smash, served with tortillas, roasted pepitas, fresh asparagus, onion jam and prosciutto ($17) is a salty, sweet and crunchy affair and absolute heaven on a plate. They've just announced plans for a brother venue in Belmont, so we're clearly not the only ones feeling it. [caption id="attachment_569246" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Lola's Kitchen at Boom Gallery[/caption] SEE AND DO Geelong's art scene is intimate. There aren't new openings every night of the week with free flowing Champagne and lines around the block full of hungry young social climbers desperate to be seen; instead, it's more of a community of makers, painters and creatives who quietly and rigorously curate thoughtful and provocative shows. That's what first strikes you as you enter a Geelong gallery — the exhibitions have been created by locals, for locals. And secondly, you might be a little surprised at how many of them there are. There's a lot more art galleries nestled in Geelong than meets the eye — you'll find them hidden in quiet corners, behind demure shopfronts and residing in rustic warehouses. Boom Gallery should be your first stop. From the centre of town, grab an Uber (yes, Geelong has Uber) out to the Rutland Street address and make your way down the row of warehouses to the end. The gallery itself is curated by Ren Inei, whose name you may recognise from some of the works on the walls. They just wrapped up a phenomenal show about local legend William Buckley (of the saying 'Buckley's chance') and one called PLAY, a unique exhibition by Melbourne furniture designers Dowel Jones that encourages attendees to play with their creations. Inei may be a curator, but his attitude is more docent — turn up on any day of the week and you'll likely find him getting amongst it, hanging out with exhibiting artists in the café, chatting with visitors and giving personal insights on the show. Boom also has a small, chic café attached the gallery space named Lola's Kitchen which serves up bite-sized tacos and smooth coffee. For details on current and upcoming exhibitions, go here. [caption id="attachment_573394" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Boom Gallery[/caption] The National Wool Gallery in the centre of town is another must-do. While the museum is housed in the former Dennys Lascelles wool store and chronicles the history of Australian wool in more detail than strictly necessary, the space also hosts some amazing (and random) exhibitions, including the current Wildlife of Gondwana. While you're in the city centre, make sure you stop in at the Geelong Gallery too, a stately old building which has enough clout to host the bigwigs of Australian and international fame. The current exhibition — Land of the Golden Fleece, running until June 13 — is a retrospective of one of the big names in Australian landscape impressionism, Arthur Streeton. The exhibition is beautifully curated and as much about Streeton's life as it is about his works. If you don't want to leave without a souvenir, make your way our to the Mill Markets. They're a little way out of town, but if you've got a car (or just a strong will for vintage shopping) it's well worth trekking to. It's a two-storey veritable paradise of vintage clothes, books, antiques and weird shit, and your bound to find something to at least consider buying. But if you're worn out with food, art and busyness, a picnic basket and veg out session in the lush Johnstone Park is the perfect way to round out your stay. LET'S DO THIS; GIVE ME THE DETAILS Geelong is about one hour from Melbourne. You can drive (the M1 makes it a cinch) or take a V/Line train from Southern Cross to Geelong Station. The city isn't bursting with hotels, but the Mercure Geelong is situated in the centre of town and Airbnb is (as always) your friend. Imogen Baker travelled as a guest of Tourism Greater Geelong & the Bellarine. Top image: Little Creatures Geelong Brewery.
If you're looking for somewhere new and exceptional to eat, drink or sleep, where in the world should you head? That's the perennial question, whether you're keen to make the most of your own city, visit somewhere else around Australia or venture overseas. Here's one way to make your next pick: by working through the selections on Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List, four of which you'll find right here Down Under. Two Aussie restaurants made the list of top new eateries. Two hotels did the same on their corresponding rundown. The 2025 Hot List features venues from all around the globe; think: eateries in Paris, São Paulo, Girona, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Kigali, St Moritz and more, and hotels everywhere from Botswana, Seychelles, Japan and Austria to Belgium, Greece, Mexico and Grenada. Among them, locations in Sydney, Brisbane, Yamba and Melbourne also carved out a spot. [caption id="attachment_986313" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Christopher Pearce[/caption] First, where to dine. Sydney's place on the restaurant list won't come as a surprise. Adding to the many accolades notched up by Josh and Julie Niland, the pair's Saint Peter at the Grand National has earned Condé Nast Traveler's attention. "This is where the who's who of Sydney are keen to dine right now," said the publication of the relocated restaurant. "With traceability at its core, straight from sea to store, Niland's whole-fish cooking remains a trailblazer worldwide, and the new outpost of Saint Peter is proof," it also notes. Brisbanites, you also have a Condé Nast Traveler-approved eatery at home, with Supernormal Brisbane making the cut. Restaurateur Andrew McConnell brought the Melbourne-born chain to the Sunshine State in 2024, to a prime waterfront spot in the state capital's CBD. As the publication notes, though, he "doesn't do cut-and-paste jobs". It continues: "McConnell has taken one of his most beloved outlets — a neon-lit Melbourne laneway diner — and given it a tropical makeover to suit this riverside setting". If you're eager to book in your next getaway without leaving the country, Yamba and Melbourne are your destinations. So, you have coastal town and bustling city options. With the first, the New South Wales spot's Il Delfino Seaside Inn made the list. "Perched on the cliffside and peering over the Pacific Ocean, the original 1940s wave-lashed building has been transformed into a chic seaside inn that feels snatched from the Mediterranean," Condé Nast Traveler advises. In the Victorian capital, Melbourne Place on Russell Street nabbed a spot — and a glowing description. "This striking rust-coloured 191-room hotel built from local bricks, concrete and hardwood is a distillation of what makes this thrumming city tick," the publication notes. Also getting some love in the process: the hotel's sky-high offerings. "The rooftop, with its bar and retractable-rooftop restaurant Mid Air, is encased by a soaring brick wall and feels like a floating fortress with dramatic portholes that look like giant eyes watching over the city. It's here where everyone from guests to locals gather, casually lounging on sofas and seated at tables, with some of the best views across the city." For more information about Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List, head to the publication's website. Top image: Earl Carter.
Clear your calendars for the next three weeks, and then start filling them with Brisbane Festival events. The city's annual artistic celebration is back — and, as proves the case every September, it's absolutely begging for your attention. Basically, if you're seeing a show, wandering around an exhibition, taking to the dancefloor or just having a beverage with a friend from September 3 to 24, then you'd best be doing it at Bris Fest. In his second year as the festival's artistic director, David Berthold has put together quite the list of options for Brissie arts and culture lovers: 70 productions and 540 performances across five key venues, in fact. You'll find a showcase of music cinema, a theatre re-telling of a recent chapter of Brisbane history, Meow Meow's take on The Little Mermaid and a couple of classic film versions of Snow White among the program's many highlights, plus hangout spot Arcadia and the explosive finale that is Riverfire, too. And if you can't decide what to see, we're here to help. In addition to the above, here's our pick of the ten festival events we think you should be flocking to. Image: Pia Johnson.
True-crime documentaries aren't just having a moment. They've been monopolising everyone's viewing lists for the past decade, and making us all fans of the gripping genre in the process. The secret (well, other than the thousands of secrets each true-crime doco is brimming with)? The breadth of topics, because this field can cover everything from fast food scams and unsettling cults to personal quests to catch an elusive serial killer. No matter the subject matter, scenario, illicit acts or people responsible, great true-crime documentaries all have two other things in common: they're impossible to stop watching once you've started, and they'll make you want to seek out more once your series of choice has come to an end. Of course, there are so many to choose from, so we've teamed up with streaming service Binge to pick five standouts that you can feast your eyes on right now — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
If you feel like the general cost of living is on an endless journey upwards, well, you'd be right on the money (or lack thereof). In news that's surprising to pretty much no one, Sydney and Melbourne have again outdone themselves, both trumping their earlier positions on an index of the world's most expensive cities. The list, which is one of many that index cost of living, is put together by the world's biggest price aggregation website Numbeo. This year sees Sydney shoot to number 32, soaring past last year's ranking of 41, and Melbourne also surged ahead, moving from last year's 77th position to become the world's 64th most expensive city in 2018. The Gold Coast was the least expensive local city in the index, ranking at 180. To create the Cost of Living Index, Numbeo looked at a range of factors, surrounding things like food, lifestyle, housing, salaries and taxation. Hamilton in Bermuda topped the list, followed closely by five different Swiss cities. In the breakdown, Sydney's hefty rental prices were named the 16th highest in the world, with a one-bedroom city apartment averaging $2619 a month. If that makes you cringe, spare a thought for London (ranked 10th on the rent index) where the same sort of pad costs $2876 a month, or the top-ranking city of San Francisco, where you'd be forking out $4113. Meanwhile, Hobart was named Australia's most expensive city for dining out and 26th in the world, with a two-person feed at a mid-range restaurant averaging about $100. In this lineup, Perth ranked 46, while Melbourne and Sydney clocked in at numbers 79 and 80 respectively. When it comes to the average cost of a new set of wheels, Sydney ranked 188th in the world, with Perth edging in at number 202. Canberrans have it better than any other Aussie city in this department, taking out 226th ranking. To check out the full list, visit numbeo.com.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will never stop being a gothic-horror masterpiece, or inspiring stories across the page, stage and screen as well. The latest: Poor Things, the next film from acclaimed Greek Weird Wave director Yorgos Lanthimos, and his long-awaited first release since 2018's excellent The Favourite. Also back: that regal drama's Oscar-nominated supporting player Emma Stone. The Cruella star didn't end up clutching an Academy Award for her past performance under Lanthimos' guidance, and nor did her co-star Rachel Weisz (Dead Ringers) or the filmmaker himself; instead, they watched on as Olivia Colman (Empire of Light) emerged victorious for her leading part. But Stone and Lanthimos made a winning pair anyway, in what was one of the former's very best performances of her career. It's no wonder that they're teaming up again — or that the just-dropped first Poor Things trailer looks mesmerising, eerie and stunning. Poor Things adapts Alasdair Grey's 1992 award-winning novel, but the parallels with Shelley's mother-of-all horror greats are as obvious as a bolt of lightning. The focus: Bella Baxter, a woman resurrected by an unorthodox scientist, distinctive in her mannerisms afterwards and eager to learn about a world that isn't quite sure how to react. Continuing the movie's top-notch casting — and Lanthimos' in general, as seen in everything from Dogtooth and Alps to The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer as well — Poor Things features Willem Dafoe (The Northman) as the tinkering Dr Godwin Baxter; Mark Ruffalo (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) as Duncan Wedderburn, a slick lawyer that Bella runs off with; and also Ramy's Ramy Youssef, plus On the Count of Three co-stars Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott. The film will hit cinemas in the US on September 8, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under. Poor Things jolts Stone's career back onto the screen a few years away, too — Cruella released in 2021, and only The Croods: A New Age, Zombieland: Double Tap and TV's Maniac sit on her resume since The Favourite. Check out the first teaser trailer for Poor Things below: Poor Things doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is confirmed. Image: Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
First, Greece announced that it would restart its tourism industry by allowing residents from a selection of other countries — including Australia and New Zealand — to visit. Now, the entire European Union is set to follow suit. If dreaming about a far-flung getaway has been getting you through COVID-19 lockdowns over the past three months, that means you're one step closer to making overseas holiday plans. As announced on Tuesday, June 30, European time, the Council of the EU has adopted a recommendation to start slowly easing travel restrictions — specifically, to reopen its borders to non-essential travel into Europe. In the first stage, the Council supports reopening to tourists from 14 nations, spanning not only folks from Australia and New Zealand, but those from Algeria, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. It also recommends including a 15th country, China, but only subject to China also agreeing to a reciprocal arrangement to let EU residents visit, too. The Council's decision — and its selection of countries — is based on three criteria, focusing on the epidemiological situation in each nation. They include new COVID-19 case numbers either close to or below the EU average, as seen over the 14 days up until June 15, and measured per 100,000 inhabitants; a stable or decreasing trend of new cases compared to the prior 14 days; and the country's overall response to the pandemic, such as testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting. The EU's list will be reviewed and potentially updated every two weeks. New places may possibly added, and existing countries on the list could be removed if their COVID-19 situation worsens. [caption id="attachment_648685" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nice, France.[/caption] A recommendation from the Council to allow tourists from the aforementioned nations is only the first step, however. All 27 member states of the EU — Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden — must implement the recommendation individually, so don't go packing your bags just yet. Of course, Australians and New Zealanders still can't leave their respective countries anyway — but you can add Europe to your holiday list when local travel restrictions are lifted. In Australia, a travel ban is still in place, with Aussies unable to depart the nation unless they seek an exemption from Home Affairs. Indeed, the government doesn't expect international travel to and from Australia to resume until next year, and Qantas doesn't anticipate putting on overseas flights until at least mid-2021 either. And in New Zealand, the government still currently advises that all New Zealanders do not travel overseas at present. For further details about the European Union's eased tourism recommendation, visit the Council of the EU's website.
International travel could possibly be back on the cards for Australians by Christmas, but you'll be able to get a 26-film glimpse of Italy first. The reason: the 2021 Italian Film Festival. As it does every year, it's showcasing a stacked lineup of new and classic cinema from its chosen part of the globe, as part of its touring program. In a change from previous years, this year's fest will start in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, then move to Byron Bay and Sydney in line with New South Wales' roadmap out of lockdowns. Next, it'll hit up Canberra and Melbourne as they emerge from stay-at-home conditions as well. Wherever you're located, your leg of the festival will start with The Ties — and with a marriage in crisis. Starring Alba Rohrwacher (Happy as Lazzaro) and Luigi Lo Cascio (Human Capital), and helmed by Daniele Luchetti (La Nostra Vita, My Brother is an Only Child), this moving film follows a couple's tumultuous romance over the course of decades. It heads to the Italian Film Festival after opening last year's Venice Film Festival, and becoming the first Italian movie in more than a decade to do the latter. At the other end of the 2021 Italian Film Festival, the event will close with a classic: Roberto Rosselini's Rome, Open City. It's part of a four-film retrospective of the director's work, and also falls within the fest's look back at iconic Italian leading ladies. This event always comes with a big appreciation for Italy's filmmaking past, which is where documentary Fellini Forward: From the Creative Genius of Federico Fellini, about the acclaimed director, also fits in. Elsewhere, festival highlights include Cannes Film Festival Director's Fortnight winner To Chiara, about a 15-year-old who discovers her father might have criminal ties; Nanni Moretti's Three Floors, which is set across a Rome apartment block; Hidden Away, a biopic about artist Antonio Ligabue; and You Came Back, a thriller that makes ample use of Venice's lagoons. Or, there's also comedy Three Perfect Daughters; drama Tigers, about footballer Martin Bengtsson; and Sirley, which sees director Elisa Amoruso draw upon her adolescence for her first fictional film. ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2021 DATES: Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace James Street and Palace Centro, Brisbane Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Friday, October 20–Sunday, November 7 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Wednesday, October 27–Sunday, November 21 — Palace Norton, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, November 17–Sunday, December 12 — Palace Electric, Canberra Friday, November 19–Sunday, December 12 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor and Cinema Nova, Melbourne The 2021 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, December 12. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Get excited, festivalgoers: Pitch Music & Arts is returning to Grampian Plains in 2025, complete with a jam-packed roster of talent. Joy Orbison, Honey Dijon, Funk Tribu, 2manydjs: they're all on the just-announced bill. So are Daria Kolosova, SPFDJ, 999999999, Shanti Celeste, FJAAK, Lady Shaka and Job Jobse, with the list going on from there. When Victoria's March long weekend arrives each year, music lovers have two reasons to head out of town — or head to the state from interstate — for a few days of tunes. Both are beloved parts of the cultural calendar. Both are such a hit that you need to enter a ballot to get tickets. And just as Golden Plains has already done, Pitch Music & Arts is locking in its 2025 details. Everyone should make the trip to the Grampians at least once, and here's as ace an excuse to do so as any: the return of the much-loved camping festival, which will host its eighth edition, taking over Moyston again. Next years' festivities are happening from Friday, March 7–Tuesday, March 11. Not only will its three stages play host to a sparkling lineup of local and international musical talent, as always, but the tunes will be backed by a hefty program of interactive art and installations. Basically, no matter who makes it onto the bill, attendees are in for a very big, very busy four days. Joy Orbison's 'flight fm' and 'better' were used in teaser videos for 2025's fest, which was indeed a huge advance lineup hint. You can also look forward to catching Gabber Eleganza, BASHKKA, Funk Assault, Baraka, ISAbella, Ogazón, southstar, Midland, Dax J, Anetha and plenty more, including Osmosis Jones, Moopie, DJ PGZ, Stev Zar, Jennifer Loveless and Mabel. The ticket ballot is currently open until 9am AEDT on Monday, November 25 — and is a necessity after the last three festivals all sold out — and you can get also excited about a bigger Pitch One stage, Pitch Black getting a revamp and the Resident Advisor stage's red orb being part of the fun again. Pitch Music & Arts has revealed its arts lineup as well, unveiling it alongside the music lineup for the first time, and it's also stacked. Think: Adnate, Anatolik Belikov, Ash Keating, Builders Club, Clayton Blake, EJ Son, ENOKi, Georgia Treloar, Henry Howson & Ambrose Zacharakis, Jaqui Munoz, Joan Sandoval, Lukas Rafik Mayer, ØFFËRÎNGŠ (aka Melissa Gilbert), Petra Péterffy, Rachel Lyn & Cameron Trafford, Raquel Villa, Reelize Studio, Sam Hayes, TERRAIN, Tetrik and UnitePlayPerform. In between all of the dance-floor sessions and arty things, festivalgoers will again be able to make themselves at home in the Pitch Pavilion, which is where yoga classes, meditation and sound baths usually help patrons unwind. The local-focused Club Serra will be new in 2025, championing homegrown talent. Pitch Music & Arts 2025 Lineup 2 LUBLY 2manydjs (DJ set) 6 SENSE 999999999 Anetha Audrey Danza BADSISTA Baraka (LIVE) BASHKKA D. Tiffany Daria Kolosova b2b SPFDJ Dax J Diffrent DJ Fuckoff DJ Gigola DJ Paulette DJ PGZ b2b Moopie Ed Kent Ela Minus Elli Acula Fadi Mohem FJAAK (LIVE) Funk Assault Funk Tribu Gabber Eleganza presents the Hakke Show GiGi FM Guy Contact Honey Dijon ISAbella Jennifer Loveless Job Jobse Joy Orbison Kasper Marott Kia Kuzco (LIVE) Lacchesi Lady Shaka Leo Pol Maara Mabel Maruwa Mia Koden Midland Mikalah Watego Miley Serious Naycab Ned Bennett Objekt Ogazón Ollie Lishman Osmosis Jones Pablo Bozzi Pegassi Shanti Celeste southstar Stev Zar Sugar Free Surf 2 Glory Taylah Elaine The Illustrious Blacks Trym VOLVOX Y U QT Pitch Music & Arts returns to Moyston from Friday, March 7–Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, or to enter the ballot before 9am AEDT on Monday, November 25, 2024. Tickets in the first ballot tier will go on sale at 6pm AEDT on Monday 25th November, with tickets in the second on sale at 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 26 — and any remaining tickets at 6pm on Tuesday, November 26. Images: Duncographic, William Hamilton Coates, Max Roux and Ashlea Caygill.
February 2018 marks four years since the lockout laws hit Sydney's entertainment precinct. In that time, venues have shut up shop (like Hugos Lounge, which directly attributed the lockout laws to its closure), others have closed and reopened under new ownership (The Flinders and The Lansdowne, among them) and Kings Cross, once the nightlife hub of the city, has turned into a ghost town after midnight. Moreover, tens of thousands of people have rallied in opposition to the laws. Regardless, the NSW Government has given no indication that it will make any huge changes to them. The only consolation has been a half-hour extension of trading hours for businesses hosting live events. Sure, it's better than nothing — but it hasn't been enough to restore Sydney's nightlife to what it once was. That's why entrepreneur Paul G Roberts, founder of Fashion Industry Broadcast and Style Planet TV, decided to make a documentary titled After the Lockouts. When Roberts, who previously ran Melbourne night club Checkpoint Charlie, first moved to Sydney in the late 1990s, the nightlife was, in his words, "amazing". "You were spoilt for choice," he says. "You could go out from sunset to sunrise, seeing bands, going to clubs, going to cool bars...it's really not the same anymore." But, rather than mourn and complain, he wanted to get to do more research on the matter. So, with a camera crew in tow, he spent most of 2017 researching, studying media representations, speaking to venue owners and travelling to cities around the world, to find out how they manage busy nighttime economies without lockouts. "I wanted to cut through the spin and get down to the facts, the evidence," he says. After the Lockouts gains authority with interviews with some of Sydney's leading nightlife figures, including Keep Sydney Open's hardworking Tyson Koh, Mark Gerber (Oxford Art Factory), Maurice Terzini (Icebergs Dining Room), councillor Jess Scully and Dave Evans, former owner of Hugos Lounge, which closed down in mid-2015 due to revenue loss following the lockouts. There's also a tour of Amsterdam with night mayor Mirik Milan, who, since 2014, has overseen the city's nocturnal happenings. The documentary doesn't seem to include any interviews with any NSW Government spokespeople. Through the doco, Roberts also poses alternative solutions to the laws — that is, strategies for reversing the laws and renewing the city's vibrant all-night scene. "I'm very confident that anyone who sits through the whole film will walk out with a new perspective," says Roberts. "There are so many people doing a Herculean job to fight the lockout laws...but there needs to be a united voice. There needs to be an ongoing campaign to put pressure on the government. The film is just the first part of a multi-pointed campaign." After the Lockouts will premiere at a private gala screening tonight, February 1. The plan is to then roll it out across cinemas and the Internet. For more info, visit afterthelockouts.com. Image: After the Lockouts.
Call it Red Light, Green Light. Call it Statues. Call it Grandmother's Footsteps. Whichever name you prefer, how good are you at playing the game that gets folks a-sneaking, ideally without being caught? Now, how would you fare trying to creep forward while avoiding being spotted when Young-hee is lurking? Squid Game fans, if you visit Luna Park Sydney from this summer, you'll be able to find out. The Harbour City tourist attraction has announced the next experience that's heading to its big top, which has been hosting the dazzling projections of Dream Circus since relaunching after a revamp in late 2023. From Monday, December 16, 2024, just in time for the Christmas holidays and Squid Game season two's arrival on Netflix on Boxing Day, Squid Game: The Experience will get everyone playing Red Light, Green Light with Young-hee — and also busting out their marbles skills, then walking over the glass bridge. Get your green tracksuit ready. Front Man will be there to dare you to take the Squid Game challenges IRL, which obviously won't notch up a body count like in the series — and won't be televised like reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge. Some games will be inspired by the Netflix program. Others will be brand new. You'll only know if Squid Game: The Experience takes any cues from the thriller's second season, though, if you drop by after Thursday, December 26. With the experience running Friday–Sunday weekly, players can take part individually, or in groups of up to 25. As you work through the challenges, which get harder as you go along, you'll earn points. Another difference from the series: if you get eliminated from a game, you'll still be able to take part in the challenges that follow. Alongside Red Light, Green Light, marbles and more, Squid Game: The Experience includes a post-game night market with Korean snacks on the menu thanks to SOUL Dining. Fingers crossed that there'll be sugar cookies as a snack. You'll also be able to nab some merchandise, such as clothes and collectibles, to take home. And yes, Young-hee has popped up Down Under before, with a 4.5-metre, three-tonne recreation of Squid Game's eerie animatronic figure with laser eyes making its presence known also in Sydney back in 2021. [caption id="attachment_975032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Netflix[/caption] Squid Game: The Experience arrives at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Monday, December 16, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more information and to join the waitlist ahead of ticket sales from Tuesday, November 4, 2024.
You've probably already heard of WeWork, the international coworking movement. They have 230 coworking spaces around the world. In 2016, they opened their first coworking venture in Sydney and they've just thrown the doors on their first massive Melbourne space in the London Stores building. Located on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Street, the WeWork office is a little bit fancy with some distinct Melbourne flair. And when we say massive, we mean massive. With six floors and space for more than 700 creatives to shack up and compete for funniest coffee mug, it's set to become the hippest place to work in Melbourne. But don't expect a cookie-cutter corporate office that will put you to sleep. The interior was designed, interestingly, by graphic designer Sui Yao, and has been decorated by Australia artists Georgia Hill, Mik Shida and FunSkull. With an open-air terrace, and an endless supply of kombucha, nitro cold drip coffee and fruit-infused water, you won't mind staying late at work. So, what kind of perks can you expect from a coworking space? The best part of coworking (apart from meeting likeminded folk and working in a beautiful office) is the events. You can schmooze at ample networking dos, lunch and learn sessions, happy hours, and even yoga and massage events. The WeWork system also gives members access to each other at locations across the globe, like your own in-real-life LinkedIn. The Elizabeth Street location is taking enquiries now and WeWork have already announced a second venue, opening 2018, on Collins Street. WeWork Melbourne, located at 152 Elizabeth Street in the CBD, is open now.
When 2023 sweeps in, it will have been two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. When next year arrives, it'll also mark Australian musical theatre fans' latest chance to see that very show right here at home — because Wicked is flying into Sydney next August. Even if you haven't seen the blockbuster show before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the world since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to Sydney Lyric for its latest Aussie run, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5 million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Wicked is being brought to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and will also take to the stage again before the in-the-works two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas in 2024. Back to the stage show, it's too early for cast announcements — and so far, only a Sydney season has been locked in. Pop on your ruby slippers and click your heels three times in hope that Wicked will tour the country — and defy gravity in Melbourne, Brisbane and more — afterwards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WICKED in Australia & NZ (@wickedinoz) Wicked will play Sydney Lyric from August 2023, with exact dates yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they're revealed. For more information or to join the ticket waitlist ahead of sales starting sometime in November, head to the production's website. Images: Joan Marcus.
10x10 is a youth- and volunteer-led organisation encouraging the next generation to get involved in philanthropy. How it does this, however, is a little different — it raises money for charities by hosting interactive, live crowdfunding events. And it's next one is happening in Brisbane on Thursday, November 15. The organisation was started four years ago by a group of young people who wanted to make a difference. Since then, it has raised over $1.4 million for 129 different charities across Australia, UK, Hong Kong and the USA. The events — which are held biannually in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide — are broken into three parts. First, you head to 10x10's ticketing website to make a pledge of $100 or more (this amount will be converted into "Charity Dollars" and is also your ticket). Next, you rock up to the event, where three different start-up charities will pitch their causes to the crowd. Finally, you decide what charity you want your pledge, or "Charity Dollars", to go to and bam — a little more goodness is created in the world and a charity nabs some much-needed funds. You'll also have the chance to sip wine, snack on complimentary bites and chat to like-minded, philanthropic folk at the event. So think of it as a fundraiser-meets-cocktail party (without the starched collars and ballgowns). If you feel any of these are more in need of your dollars than you and your avocado toast (they are), get amongst it — you can learn about the pitching charities and make your tax-deductible pledges here. To learn more about the charity, visit 10x10 Philanthropy.
Something delightful is happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are starting to reopen — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney and Brisbane (and, until the newly reinstated stay-at-home orders, Melbourne as well). During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made over the past three months, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6sISEQ4qZs THE SWALLOWS OF KABUL When French-made, Cannes-premiering animation The Swallows of Kabul first introduces aspiring artist Zunaira (Zita Hanrot), she's drawing images of herself and her historian husband Mohsen (Swann Arlaud) on their apartment walls. Secreted away behind a curtain, her charcoal sketches join others just like them and, in the process, this opening moment makes a clear and determined statement. Depicting humans in art is cautioned against in the hadith, the record of words ascribed to the prophet Muhammad, after all, and Zunaira lives in Kabul in 1998, when her homeland is under Taliban rule. She's breaking their laws, which she knows; however she's not the only one being rebellious. In using a medium that's frowned upon in the Islamic faith to tell a tale of life in Afghanistan, and to paint a powerful portrait of its sorrows and oppression, directors Zabou Breitman and Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec are being just as defiant with their big-screen adaptation of the novel of the same name. Zunaira and Mohsen, their modest existence, and their dreams of fleeing and becoming teachers all form one half of The Swallows of Kabul's narrative. Also earning the film's focus: elder pair Atiq (Simon Abkarian) and Mussarat (Hiam Abbas). He's the warden at the local women's prison, and has long been conditioned to adhere to the regime, while his ex-nurse wife is terminally ill. The two couples are brought together by tragedy, with Breitman and Gobbé-Mévellec — and author Yasmina Khadra (a pseudonym for Algerian writer Mohammed Moulessehoul) before them — refusing to shy away from the brutality of their everyday routines in a place where failing to conform even for a second has harsh repercussion. As splashed across the screen with sensitivity, and via eye-catching scenic watercolours, this is a memorable and moving exploration of its Afghani characters' plights, and of the reality of everyone subjected to such a forbidding way of life. Its scenes of capital punishment aren't easily forgotten, nor is the glee evident in officials' and onlookers' eyes, but the film's lattice-impeded views of the world — mimicking peering out from a burqa — leave as much of an imprint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX74m8y5yyQ LOWDOWN DIRTY CRIMINALS A decade ago, New Zealand actor James Rolleston burst onto cinemas screens with a cheeky grin and an earnest and engaging presence, as seen in his starring role in Taika Waititi's Boy. And while he has only added a handful of roles to his resume since, he always demands attention — in drama The Dark Horse, in Maori action-adventure epic The Dead Lands, in the acting school-set The Rehearsal and in hilariously funny female-driven rom-com The Breaker Upperers, for example. You can add Lowdown Dirty Criminals to the list, too, albeit with a strong caveat. Playing a pizza delivery guy who dreams of a better life and, after his latest job gone wrong, willing to employ drastic means to improve his situation, Rolleston is the best thing about this crime comedy. His is an understated but always supremely watchable performance; however nothing about the purposefully scrappy but always struggling movie around him earns the same description. Rolleston's Freddy and his dimwitted best mate Marvin (Samuel Austin) want to get 'high on the hog', as they repeat over and over, and they see local shady nightclub owner and crim Spiggs (Scott Willis) as their gateway to riches. Soon enough, they're trying to prove themselves to their new boss, including by agreeing to kill the man (Min Kim) sleeping with his wife (Fingal Pollock). Given that Lowdown Dirty Criminals starts with all the film's main players in a Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie-style standoff, the fact that Freddy and Marvin's plan doesn't go smoothy never comes as a surprise — and, thanks to clunky dialogue and laboured scenarios, never plays as amusing either. Director Paul Murphy (Love Birds) and screenwriter David Brechin-Smith (TV's Doubt: The Scott Watson Case) may nod to their influences at every opportunity (hint: they really love 90s and 00s crime capers), but their feature suffers terribly from the comparison. Also missing the mark: the supporting cast, which includes Rebecca Gibney as a vicious heavy called The Upholsterer, and the use of a disjointed narrative structure to attempt to make a slim plot seem more complicated than it is. SEQUIN IN A BLUE ROOM Sequin in a Blue Room may be a coming-of-age movie, but it definitely isn't a coming-out one. Its titular protagonist (Conor Leach), who uses the name Sequin on the queer dating app that he can't stop swiping his way through day and night — his pseudonym reflecting his love of wearing a glittering halter top — isn't hiding his sexuality or his search for instant gratification from anyone. Rather, the 16-year-old is so keen to experiment that he ignores the high-school classmate (Simon Croker) who is clearly trying to get his attention. He has implemented a once-only rule for his anonymous online-fuelled tumbles between the sheets, too. When the older and married B (Ed Wightman) endeavours to convince him that they should hook up again, however, he finds himself being pursued to the point of being stalked — all while Sequin also finds himself pining for a repeat encounter with another guy that he gets physical with at an orgy. Filmmaker Samuel Van Grinsven made Sequin in a Blue Room as his Australian Film, Television and Radio School masters project, with the feature then going on to screen at local and international film festivals over the past year — for a good reason. This is an immensely confident work from a writer/director (co-scripting with Jory Anast) with a clear, firm and vivid vision, and with a knack for equally evoking erotic thrills and conveying the ins and outs of gay adolescence. It's also a movie with a compelling central performance by first-timer Leach, and with an affectionate awareness of queer cinema history that never veers into overly, obligingly copying its predecessors. Crucially, too, Sequin in a Blue Room is always stylish, expressive and immersive, with Van Grinsven proving both assured and commanding with his aesthetic sensibilities, and skilled and successful at using every frame, angle, shot, sound and set — including the plastic sheet-clad, moodily lit, alluring blue room also mentioned in the film's moniker — to align his audience with Sequin's experiences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwNJVxuTYhU&feature=emb_logo SAINT JUDY Inspiring true tale, average movie: too often when it comes to recreating real-life stories about impressive folks, that proves the case. It certainly is with Saint Judy, which has a very worthy figure as its subject. A public defender turned crusader for detained immigrants fighting to stay in the US — and often desperate to avoid returning to their home countries where they face maltreatment and even death — Judy Wood is credited with bringing about a significant change to America's asylum laws. Before the case that the film focuses on, women who were oppressed and punished for fighting for the rights of their gender in nations that treat females poorly were not recognised as the victims of persecution by the US. Wood strove to ensure that the judicial system saw the error of that viewpoint, using the case of Afghani teacher Asefa Ashwari as her example, and obviously this movie wouldn't exist if she hadn't managed to have an impact. But Saint Judy remains content to relay her experiences in standard legal-drama fashion, and to come off as a lesser version of Erin Brockovich along the way. As directed by Sean Hanish (Return to Zero) and scripted by debutant Dmitry Portnoy, this film cycles through all of the stock-standard plot points seen in many a movie in this genre. While the minutiae here is based on truth, the feature's approach (including its beige colour scheme) makes the details of Wood's life feel routine. She's a single mother who has moved to the other side of the country, starts working for a jaded boss (Alfred Molina), and immediately finds the system against her and her first client (Leem Lubany). Indeed, even if you've never heard of Wood or her achievements, you'll be able to predict every twist and turn that the feature serves up. It feels like a wasted opportunity as a result, with top-notch legal flicks able to both move and inform when they're done well — take this year's Just Mercy, for instance. Monaghan, who has been getting better roles on TV than in cinema of late (see: True Detective, The Path and Messiah) puts in a strong performance though, one that makes you wish the movie's script tried harder. Also potent in limited screen time is Common as a surprisingly empathetic lawyer on the other side. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas, check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6 and August 13 — and our full reviews of The Personal History of David Copperfield, Waves, The King of Staten Island, Babyteeth, Deerskin and Peninsula.
From hotels t0 karaoke bars to surfing carnivals, Australia's dogs can spend their time at a considerable array of welcoming places. And, they can head to their own bakeries and food trucks, eat their own gelato and don their own raincoats, too. Add concerts to the list — and while dog-friendly music festivals are hardly unique, Concert for Dogs doesn't just let humans bring their four-legged friends along. Rather, the show's melodies, frequencies and riffs have been composed specifically for pooches. Eight years after premiering her Music for Dogs piece at the Sydney Opera House, artist and musician Laurie Anderson is heading back to Australia to stage another Concert for Dogs. Taking place on Sunday, June 24 at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts, the 20-minute show combines low-decibel violin, vocals, keyboards and electronic sounds into a symphony certain to get puppers' tails wagging. Only held a handful of times before — including in Sydney, in New York's Times Square and in Brighton, England — the free event is open to all doggos, although they must play nicely with others and be kept on a leash. For both hounds and humans alike, the concert will be followed by Anderson's Heart of a Dog, her astonishing documentary tribute to her own furry BFF — and to all of dog kind. Anderson is in the country for a number of shows, including a virtual reality experience and a sonic installation at Dark Mofo. On the Gold Coast, she'll become HOTA's artist-in-residence from June 20–24, premiering new music pieces (including Songs from the Bardo, which uses texts from the Tibetan Book of the Dead), presenting multimedia work The Language of the Future, and chatting about stories and language in All the Things I Lost in the Flood. Concert for Dogs takes place at 9am on Sunday, June 24 at the Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, while Laurie Anderson's week-long residency spans June 20–24. For more information, visit the Home of the Arts website.
Classic cocktails are called classics for a reason. They've stood the test of time, they're easy to whip up anywhere and — perhaps most importantly — they're almost impossible to mess up. But what if the recipes were a little more…nutty? Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is here to throw a curveball into your bar cart staples. There's no shortage of novelty spirits on the shelf, but this one has done it right. Created by husband-and-wife team Steve Yeng and Brittany Merrill Yeng in California, this flavoured liqueur blends American whiskey with natural peanut butter flavour, resulting in a spirit that's sweet, smooth and nutty. When used right, it can unlock a completely different kind of cocktail. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or just partial to a decent drink after work, swapping in this whiskey gives old favourites an edge that's unexpected, yet weirdly spot-on. Don't believe us? Here are seven classic cocktails that get even better with a peanut butter twist. Old Fashioned The old fashioned is simple: whiskey, sugar, bitters, ice. No garnish, unless you really feel like showing off. Swap in Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and you're still staying true to that formula, just with a bit more flavour. The roasted peanuts round out the sweetness and soften the citrus in the bitters. So, you get a richer, smoother version of the drink you already know. Serve it with a big ice cube and a twist of orange peel for a fresh take on the old school, without losing any of the ritual. Get the recipe here. Manhattan This one's a little wild, but it works. Strong, slightly sweet and built for sipping, the manhattan is a go-to for good reason. A hint of peanut butter doesn't mess with its DNA, but it does add to it. This recipe keeps the bones of the original but trades out sweet vermouth for Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and a splash of amaro. The result is a silky, peanutty drink you can garnish with a cherry and orange twist. Get the recipe here. [caption id="attachment_1014576" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Mudslide A classic mudslide should taste like a milkshake with an extra kick. And this one doesn't disappoint. The Skrewball version blends peanut butter whiskey with equal parts Irish cream liqueur and coffee liqueur, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and served with a chocolate syrup drizzle. You could sip this slowly, but let's be honest — it'll be gone in minutes. Get the recipe here. Irish Coffee Peanut butter and coffee are a match made in heaven, which makes the classic Irish Coffee another cocktail worth reinventing. This cold-weather go-to gets an upgrade by swapping out traditional Irish whiskey for a hit of peanut butter and hot black coffee. Enjoy it as is, or top with whipped cream and dust it with chocolate powder for a little sweetness. Get the recipe here. Espresso Martini While we're on the coffee bandwagon, here's another classic twist: the espresso martini. Strong, bitter and full of peanut flavour, this espresso martini remix skips vodka in favour of the richer and smoother, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. Shake it with coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso and ice, then strain into a martini glass with a couple of espresso beans to garnish. Yum. Get the recipe here. Paloma The Paloma is usually a tequila-heavy spritz, but this version dials up the fun with a peanut butter backbone and a splash of grapefruit juice. It's still refreshing and citrusy with tequila and Aperol, but that nutty flavour turns it into something you'll start to crave when the sun's out. To make, simply pour Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, tequila, sour mix and pineapple juice over ice and garnish with lemon. Get the recipe here. Margarita This one sounds wrong on paper, until you try it. An extreme riff on the classic margarita, here tequila and lime take a backseat to Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and pineapple juice. It's fruity but not sugary, and sharp but not tart. If you're the kind of person who likes to experiment with strange flavour combos, this is your moment. Get the recipe here. Adding peanut butter whiskey to your favourite classic cocktails may not be the obvious choice — but once you've tried it in one, you'll want to remake them all. Explore more Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey cocktail recipes on the website.
Let's call it the year of comebacks. Based on huge pop-culture behemoths hitting streaming queues, 2022 is certainly panning out that way. First, Stranger Things finally dropped its long-awaited fourth season. Next, eagerly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon arrived three years after the HBO hit wrapped up. And, come Friday, September 2, The Lord of the Rings is getting the TV treatment — taking the elves, dwarves and harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors) to Prime Video. Eight years after the last of The Hobbit movie adaptations hit cinemas, and 19 years since the Lord of the Rings film did the same, the fantasy realm conjured by up JRR Tolkien will start unfurling across the small screen in an all-new series set in Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been in the works for five years, but it's finally becoming a reality. And as the array of trailers keep showing — including the initial sneak peek, then not one, not two, but three new trailers in July, and now a just-dropped final glimpse before the series actually arrives — the first season is all looking suitably epic. Get ready to jump back to Middle-earth's Second Age, with The Rings of Power bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the first time. A young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) has a mission to hunt the enemy, after her brother gave his life doing the same — and she sees fighting for fate and destiny as the work as something greater. "Each of us, every one, must decide who we shall be," Galadriel declares — with the new trailer focusing on folks choosing to go into battle for what's right. The big bad they're trying to stave off? The rise of Sauron, with the show charting how that gave rise to the rings and the impact across Middle-earth. Gorgeous settings, elves, dwarves, harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors), stormy seas, strange skies, cave trolls, orcs, raging fires, a balrog — they're all set to show up across The Rings of Power's first season. So will a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man), as well as New Zealand's natural splendours standing in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set its premiere date back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, as per the show's official synopsis, it follows "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. The series will "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness," the synopsis continues. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. That's a massive tale to tell and, this latest The Rings of Power trailer stresses, more than a few figures are involved. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the new The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
If war is hell, then military boot camp is purgatory. So told Full Metal Jacket, with Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece making that observation echo and pierce with the relentlessness of machine-gun fire. Now, The Inspection stresses the same point nearing four decades later, plunging into the story of a gay Black man enlisting, then navigating the nightmare that is basic training. This too is a clear-eyed step inside the United States Marine Corps, but drawn from first-time fictional feature filmmaker Elegance Bratton's own experiences. New Yorker Ellis French (Jeremy Pope, One Night in Miami) is the Pier Kids documentarian's on-screen alter ego — an out queer man who has spent a decade from his teens to his mid-20s homeless after being kicked out by his ashamed mother Inez (Gabrielle Union, Strange World), and pledges his post 9/11 freedom away for a place to fit in, even if that means descending into a world of institutional homophobia and racism. It would've been easy for Bratton to just sear and scorch in The Inspection; his film is set in 2005, "don't ask, don't tell" was still the US military forces' policy and discrimination against anyone who isn't a straight white man is horrendously brutal. Life being moulded into naval-infantry soldiers is savage anyway; "our job is not to make Marines, it's to make monsters," says Leland Laws (Bokeem Woodbine, Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Ellis' commanding officer and chief state-sanctioned tormentor. And yet, crafting a film that's as haunting as it is because it's supremely personal, Bratton never shies away from Ellis' embrace of the Marines in his quest to work out how he can be himself. There's nothing simple about someone signing up for such heartbreaking anguish because that's the only option that they can imagine, but this stunning movie is anything but simple. Gulf War veteran Laws is indeed The Inspection's own R Lee Ermey type, seeing Ellis' sexuality as his major malfunction — as do many of the privates training with him, plus Inez. The latter's derision gives agonising context to Ellis' eagerness to don the uniform; being dismissed and denigrated for being gay started at home long before he's at the recruit depot on South Carolina's Parris Island. In fact, Inez's abode, with religious iconography everywhere and her prison-guard hardness festering, is where she unburdens her disappointment during her son's early visit. Unlike for audiences, this isn't the first time he's hearing it. Ellis needs his birth certificate, Inez is as malicious with her words while handing it over as the military's worst, and having a parent who won't accept you for who you are is hell as well. Under the abhorrent Laws, nothing about boot camp in The Inspection comes as a surprise. Played with can't-look-away menace by the ever-reliable Woodbine, he doesn't just set the tone for his charges to follow — he makes punishing any derivation from his perceived norm a cruel and compulsory sport. Accordingly, when Ellis' sexual orientation becomes apparent, it's hazing open season among his peers and superiors. Only drill instructor Rosales (Raúl Castillo, Cha Cha Real Smooth) offers sympathy and kindness. And, in a place where every difference stands out, Muslim enlistee Ismail (Eman Esfandi, King Richard) is largely the only other target. Second-generation Marine Harvey (McCaul Lombardi, Patti Cake$) couldn't relish being a bully more, but it isn't difficult to get the bulk of the cadets sharing his hostility. Writing, directing and also ensuring that cinematographer Lachlan Milne (Minari) shoots with the raw intensity of a memory so unshakeable that it always feels fresh, Bratton stares head-on at his protagonist's distressing ordeal. The physical training is gruelling and grinding, and the abuse fierce and ferocious — but Ellis' determination to stick it out, retain his place and continue asking his mother to attend his graduation is equally as resolute. So is Bratton's, actually, with The Inspection grappling with the contradiction that is shaping one's sense of belonging around an institution that so overtly doesn't want you as you are. His feature is all the better because it refuses to make obvious and unchallenging choices, even when it's at its most arduous and depicting one of cinema's most well-documented routines; IRL, as informs this flick, the filmmaker patently never did either. There's a thick and lingering feeling to The Inspection, too, that peering at this time in Bratton's life was always going to be a thorny process. Based on the details, how could an autobiographical affair like this have proven anything else? His movie depends and thrives on that air, with every move made behind the lens — including whether skewing poetic and dreamlike, or seeping the picture in pain and grimness — letting the knottiness of what he went through, and what Ellis now endures, swish and swirl. Cue those inescapable Full Metal Jacket vibes and the terror that comes with it, but also nods to Moonlight in how The Inspection examines what it means to be Black and gay. Cue, as well, a kindred piece at times to Claire Denis' Beau Travail in visually surveying its military figures and honing in on stolen glances. Bratton was already a talent before The Inspection, and already directing his gaze inwards in a way, earning the Film Independent Spirit Awards' Truer Than Fiction prize in 2021 for Pier Kids and its focus on Black and homeless queer and trans NYC youths. Backing that gong up with a Best First Feature nomination at the same awards in 2023 isn't just his feat alone, however. A contender for two 2019 Tonys for Choir Boy and Ain't Too Proud, and for a 2020 Emmy for Netflix's Hollywood, Pope has also been receiving deserved attention for his debut feature lead portrayal — a simmering, sinewy and soulful turn that nabbed him a Golden Globes nod (albeit losing out to Elvis' Austin Butler) and is as magnetic as performances come. He's powerfully supported by the fear-inducing Woodbine, the subtle work of Castillo and the blistering efforts of Union. Bring It On isn't just the name of a movie she's still well-known for, but a description of how she commits to an emotionally strenuous part in a beautifully complicated film.
Take a kid or several, then add a skill to be mastered and a feat to be overcome. Next, paint the protagonists as underdogs, and show synchronicity between their efforts and the act of growing up. It worked in 1980s fantasies Labyrinth and The NeverEnding Story — and the adventures of The Goonies too. The approach trickled through the baseball-themed The Sandlot Kids and the hockey-centric The Mighty Ducks trilogy in the 1990s. Circa 2000s, the espionage antics of Spy Kids and the wizardry of the Harry Potter films followed the formula. Now comes the locally made Paper Planes, a feature for a new generation of childhoods yet one that feels ripped from all others that came before. As the title suggests, the age-old pastime of creating plane-like shapes out of paper provides the movie with its premise. In this activity that anyone can enjoy, one ordinary child finds a new ability, chases glory, and circles a solution to his adolescent problems. Yes, it is supposed to sound familiar. No, it is not supposed to be subtle. Twelve-year-old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) is the Western Australian kid in the spotlight, often left to his own devices by his grieving father (Sam Worthington) and deemed different in his country class but soon anointed with the promise of something more. A simple schoolroom lesson unlocks his knack for folding and throwing paper planes, a talent his teacher (Peter Rowsthorn) encourages. With the help of a bully turned best pal (Julian Dennison) and his cheeky grandpa (Terry Norris), Dylan sets his sights on national and international championships. By design, the path plotted by writer/director Robert Connolly and co-scribe Steve Worland isn't difficult to discern. In his coming-of-age quest of trying to triumph in the paper plane arena, Dylan encounters an adversary (Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke) and makes a new friend (Ena Imai); however, being comfortable in his own skin and repairing the relationship with his dad are more important outcomes. With magical realism and hearty humour bubbling through the film in abundance, Paper Planes endeavours to offer the same joyful jaunt for all ages that helped fellow homegrown efforts Babe and Red Dog achieve success – and with the same penchant for striking backdrops and broad performances, too. Well-meaning cheesiness, as seen in repeated sequences of planes rocketing past outback landscapes, and earnest portrayals of stereotypical characters acting as expected (including brief appearances by Deborah Mailman and David Wenham) are what the feature is made of. Alas, it is nostalgia, not enchantment, that keeps Paper Planes flying, if never quite soaring. Think back to the feel-good movies of your youth, because Connolly obviously has. Simplicity, sweetness and sticking to the well-worn script are the main aims of his Australian fable, and ones attained with the biggest blast of old-fashioned exuberance the filmmaker – and the film – can muster.
Sure they can't compete with the '60s, '70s or '80s in terms of powerful speeches, Sean Connery or gravity-defying perms, but the '90s don't have nothing to offer — and we're not talking in double negatives. This was the decade of music that was all about having fun and going to (drug-free) parties, and now that today's musical landscape is drenched in weightier lyrics it seems there's a yearning to grab this carefree innocence by the high waist of its mom jeans. In the last few months S Club, Aqua, The Vengaboys, the Backstreet Boys and, most recently, East 17 and Shai, have all staged moderately successful comebacks on our shores. C&C Music Factory and Hanson are scheduled to follow suit. Matching outfits and half-shaven eyebrows or not, here are ten more pop groups of the '90s that could, in theory, if you just wish hard enough, have an Australian tour on the horizon. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4 1. STEPS Before synth-pop, there was techno line dance. Steps were manufactured in the late '90s in order to release '5, 6, 7 8' as a one-hit wonder, but the band stayed together for five years before splitting up in 2001. A decade later they eschewed reality television to reform for a four-part documentary series titled Steps: The Reunion, which apparently some people actually watched — Series 2 (Steps: On The Road Again) aired on Sky Living in April this year, following the band as they embarked on their sellout 22-date UK tour. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qZUn-KtTNmA 2. FIVE Formed by the guys behind the Spice Girls and signed by Simon Cowell, Scott, Ritchie, J, Abs and Sean were just made to take out Best Pop Act, Best British Band, Best Single, Best Album and Best Haircut (go Scott!). Apparently J's locks weren't quite so popular, because after an extended hiatus the group announced this year that they would reunite without him ("Four will make you get down now…") https://youtube.com/watch?v=UvjLgjtJKsc 3. B*WITCHED Were B*Witched the ultimate '90s role models? Not only did they reject mini dresses in favour of cultivating a tomboy image, but they taught millions of kids to speak French. Sure the girls were dropped by their record company only four years after the release of 'C'est La Vie', but in an interview in December 2008 Sinead said a reunion was not out of the question. And now that double denim is totez fashun, 2012 could just be the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4gAsPT-vgeM 4. 98 DEGREES Aren't these dudes just so real? 98 Degrees formed independently and were later picked up by a record label rather than being manufactured, and refined their harmonies while working as a landscaper, a bouncer, a take-out delivery boy and a stripper. Rumours of a reunion show for the second half of 2012 were denied by Nick Lachey, but Lachey also said he would stay married to Jessica Simpson forever and ever — so there's always hope. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-KmOd3i7s 5. N*SYNC In 2002 N*SYNC went on a "temporary hiatus" while High Tenor Justin Timberlake went about getting crazy famous, and though Lance Bass said in 2007 that the group had definitely broken up, their website continues to keep fans updated on the various members' projects. Could their next one be a reunion? https://youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc 6. BOYZ II MEN What the boyz lack in matching parachute pants and neon accents they make up for in commercial success, selling more than 60 million albums worldwide and smashing the record held by Elvis Presley by staying at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks. Bass singer Michael McCary left the group in 2003 due to health issues but the remaining members continue to dispense emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies as a trio, releasing their most recent studio album Twenty last year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7eul_Vt6SZY 7. BOYZONE Original member Stephen Gately tragically died of natural causes while on holiday in Majorca in 2009, two years after the band made a miraculous comeback, but the remaining members continue to keep the deliciously cheesy magic alive. Their 2010 track 'Gave It All Away', written by Mika, actually charted on our shores, and 2013 will see them tour a new album to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band forming. https://youtube.com/watch?v=64xah1qYBYI 8. A1 Just shimmying under the metaphorical limbo stick are British-Norwegian pop group A1, who's first single 'Be the First to Believe' reached #6 in the UK singles charts right as the decade came to a close. The boys split in 2001 when Paul Marazzi decided to take his frosted tips and penchant for road worker orange elsewhere, before staging a December 2009 comeback that led to a string of new singles. 'Just Three Words' was released only last month, featuring Pakistani pop singer Annie Khalid. https://youtube.com/watch?v=k6BU6Nb_vDM 9. THE CORRS Talk about making your parents proud. While most young adults have trouble hanging around their siblings long enough to finish a meal, The Corrs have released five studio albums, including the multi-platinum Talk on Corners. They are also all actively involved in philanthropic activities, and only took a hiatus because two of them are raising families. Considering the recent surge in popularity of folk music — The Corrs' brand is a mix of pop and traditional Celtic folk — perhaps it's a good time for that hiatus to end? https://youtube.com/watch?v=qgi3PkouMxs 10. SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER The Dawson's Creek soundtrack wouldn't have been the same without them, and neither would the '90s. After reuniting in 2007 and playing a headline slot at something called Greenbelt Festival in the UK, loyal fans including Perez Hilton are still waiting for the album that was originally scheduled to drop in 2010. But with a new release date of August 7, a tour might not be far behind.
General tickets for the Australian leg of Kylie Minogue's 2025 Tension world tour haven't yet gone on sale, but fans have been spinning around over presales, so much so that more gigs have already been announced. When 'Padam Padam' summer happens all over again, it'll do so with an extra show in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on what'll be the singer's biggest global tour in 14 years. Of course Kylie is starting her latest live performances Down Under. And of course the reaction has been huge. Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but there's plenty of demand to see the Aussie pop superstar on home soil and to catch this tour before anyone else on the planet. [caption id="attachment_973694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Melvin[/caption] Minogue is kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, still beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has a single date locked in for Adelaide. She's now doing two concerts in Brisbane, however, plus three shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. So far, the Tension tour also spans stops in Bangkok, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Manila in Asia after her Aussie concerts, and then hits up Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham and Birmingham in the UK. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Kylie Minogue Tension Tour 2025 Australian Dates Saturday, February 15 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, February 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, February 20–Saturday, February 22 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 26–Thursday, February 27 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 1–Monday, March 3 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kylie Minogue's Tension tour kicks off in Australia in February and March 2025. Ticket presales for the new Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows start from Thursday, September 26, with general sales from Wednesday, October 2 — both at staggered times. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Darenoted Ltd.
As far as culinary memories go, for many Australians street food evokes holiday recollections of steaming pad Thai precariously balanced on a paper plate at a bustling Bangkok market, ketchup-laden three-for-$1 hot dogs in Times Square or condensed milk and peanut butter waffles relished on a hurried Hong Kong stopover. As part of Ketel One's Modern Craft Project, Brisbane-based architect, designer and social entrepreneur Helen Bird drew inspiration from the success of a recent wave of street food vendors setting up mobile shop in other highly regulated countries to inform the mobile food project she launched earlier this year, which aims to satiate a growing hunger for not only international cuisine but socially and environmentally sound practice. In a bid to bring a little bit of holiday spirit to her urban surrounds in the form of quick, cost-effective and tasty fare, Bird personally designed an artfully constructed and environmentally sustainable spin on the humble bicycle-cart to peddle around the laneways of Brisbane. Not one to be motivated by the pursuit of business success alone, Bird has harnessed the project as a literal vehicle through which to provide assistance for migrants and refugees wishing to enter the local food industry. Working with Street Food Australia (SFA), a social enterprise small business incubator established by Bird last year, participating protegees will take on the running of a bicycle-cart, while receiving the ongoing support and mentorship necessary to successfully establish a functioning business that serves food from their native culture. After raising start-up funds through the crowd sourcing website Pozible late last year, in February SFA launched their first street food vendor bike, a steamed dumpling cart, as part of a pilot designed to test the fundamentals of the project. “Growing up my father was a bank manager who would lend money to migrants to start their first businesses. These families had no money, no business plan and the difficulty of a language barrier, but somehow when Dad would take me to their houses years later, they would be living in big, fancy places, thanks in part to the opportunity he gave them'”, says Bird, reflecting on what initially propelled her to fuse an acute understanding of business principles with her expert knowledge of craftsmanship to benefit the lives of those less fortunate. To describe Bird's career path as unusual is conservative — she’s had a stint making circus equipment, spent time installing massive bamboo art sculptures in Europe and established a successful design studio, Pearler, with her "right-hand man and business partner" Billerwell Daye. Formal architecture training, a lifelong penchant for carpentry, welding, "repairing, rebuilding and picking apart everyday objects" and a commitment to doing things the long, hard way has allowed Bird to develop the formidable skillset necessary to craft the bicycle-carts used in the project, which are modeled on an economic, social, ecological and cultural sustainability quadruple bottom line. "This project draws on diverse and complex processes, collaboration, old and new skills and the understanding that craft, design and society can meld together in exciting possibility to create something that helps other to achieve their full potential," explains Bird. Much as Bird works to provide deserving migrants and refugees the kind of opportunities that hold the potential to completely re-route their futures, the Ketel One legacy, awarded to her this week, has opened up previously impossible avenues for the development and expansion of the project. Bird plans to direct the $100,000 prize money towards establishing an office and workshop away from home to draw, model and test the bicycle-carts and oversee the project, obtain core resources she currently lacks and even donate a bicycle-cart to a new vendor, dramatically reducing their start-up costs. Like a true modern craftswoman, Bird seeks to achieve big changes through small acts carried out slowly and simply. If this starts with a bite of a mini banh-mi, tequila ribs or Mexican elote bought off the back of a travelling trike, that's an initiative we don't need to be asked twice to support. The training wheels are about to come off, thanks to the Ketel One legacy.
Located a one-hour drive inland from Cairns, the Davies Creek National Park (and nearby Bare Hill Conservation Park) is home to one of the largest Aboriginal rock art complexes in the region. The Bunda Bibandji rock art walking track is a two-kilometre loop that winds through an open forest dotted with pink bloodwood trees. The track eventually widens to reveal several granite outcrops, with two rock art galleries featuring red and yellow ochre. This incredible artworks have been dated at over 3500 years old by James Cook University scientists, making this a particularly significant sacred area. We recommend taking a 4WD to get to this ancient art gallery. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
We're going back ... back to see Back to the Future, this time as a musical on the Sydney Lyric Theatre's stage. First floated 20 years ago by the big-screen trilogy's screenwriter Bob Gale, then finally premiering in 2020, the song-filled take on Marty McFly and Doc Brown's exploits has proven an award-winning success in London's West End and on Broadway. In 2025, the DeLorean is finally heading to Australia. The power of Back to the Future isn't really a curious thing. As viewers have known since 1985, the Michael J Fox (The Good Fight)-starring sci-fi/comedy is timeless delight. But as well as making film lovers weep with joy for almost four decades, the iconic movie has been making other folks sing — the casts of the Olivier Award-winning Back to the Future: The Musical, that is. Aussie audiences will get to see the results from September 2025 in the show's Down Under premiere season. Exclaiming "great Scott!" is obviously the only fitting response to this development, and to the production in general — and there's clearly plenty to get excited about. Since initially racing towards clocktowers onstage in the UK since early 2020 (around a pandemic hiatus or two, of course), Back to the Future: The Musical has picked up the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and then was nominated for two Tony Awards in 2024. And yes, the show does indeed follow the Marty McFly and Doc Brown-led story we all know and adore, but with songs, including renditions of Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Goode' and Huey Lewis and the News' 'The Power of Love' and 'Back in Time', naturally. Australian fans will now want to speed at 88 miles per hour towards the Harbour City, given that it is the only Aussie city where a season of Back to the Future: The Musical has been announced so far. If you won't be making a visit to the New South Wales capital by plane or DeLorean, start crossing your fingers that the production heads to other Aussie cities — or pop on your own white lab coat, start tinkering around with electronics and whip up your own time machine to try to make it happen. There's no exact date for the show's Down Under opening yet, other than sometime in September 2025, but you can now join the ticket waitlist to find out as soon as more details are announced. Also featuring music and lyrics by OG Back to the Future composer Alan Silvestri and acclaimed songwriter Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill the Musical), plus a book by Gale — who co-penned all three Back to the Future film scripts with filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Here) — Back to the Future: The Musical was nominated for seven Olivier Awards. It only won the big one, but emerged victorious over heavy-hitters and fellow screen-to-stage shows Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Frozen. "I am thrilled to be bringing Back to the Future: The Musical to Australia, premiering at the Sydney Lyric in September 2025. Australian audiences are going to be blown away to see how this iconic story has been recreated for the stage," said Australian producer John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia. "To paraphrase Marty McFly, you guys are ready for this, and your kids are gonna love it (too)! If Bob Zemeckis and I time-travelled back to 1980 and told our younger selves that the script they were struggling to write would become a West End and Broadway musical now making its way to Sydney, Australia 45 years later, they'd kick us out of their office and call us crazy," added Gale. "Well, sometimes, crazy ideas give birth to great entertainment, and now Bob and I are eager to share our musical vision with Sydney audiences. This musical production has exceeded our original expectations on every level. Regardless of whether you've seen the original film, Back to the Future: The Musical, with its incredible stagecraft, will delight and enthrall you, your kids, your parents, and everyone you know!" Check out the trailer for Back to the Future: The Musical below: Back to the Future: The Musical is playing Sydney Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, Sydney from September 2025. Head to the show's Australian website to join the ticket waitlist and keep an eye out for more details. Images: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, and Sean Ebsworth Barnes.
