Early in 2015, Brisbane music lovers and other creative types were pretty pumped about The Foundry. The new venue promised to become the city's new hub and hotspot, until post-opening issues put the place on hold temporarily. Thankfully, you can't keep a good venture down, as their relaunch has proven. Now, they're adding to the fold by throwing open the doors of their next phase: a record store. Yes, next time you're on Wickham Street looking for a music fix, The Foundry well and truly has you covered. By night, you can enjoy whoever is wowing the crowds in the 300-person bandroom, or chill out to some tunes at the adjacent rock ’n’ roll bar and beer garden. By day, you can browse for albums and tracks to take home with you. While rifling through the selection of vinyl, CDs and DVDS, you'll find a theme on the shelves to match the one on the venue's stage — i.e. a focus on local music. Brisbane bands litter the record racks, as overflowing with old, new, familiar and obscure options, and sorted by genre. Those fond of something other than the usual — such as zines and other merchandise — will be in their element, too. Foundry Records calls itself "a record store, bar, cafe, performance space and community hang", which means you can also enjoy in-store gigs, signings and listening parties, plus something to eat and drink. Blackstar Coffee and West End Tea Co provide the non-alcoholic beverages, so you know they're delicious, and Le Sebastian Bakery provides the pastry snacks. Find Foundry Records at 228 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, or check out their website and Facebook Page for more information.
The Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels are getting a sibling — and southeast Queensland residents are getting a new place to see live tunes. Come 2024, The Comiskey Group is set to expand its portfolio of music venues and hotels with a location on the Sunshine Coast, as part of the Stockland Aura development ten minutes out of Caloundra. If you've been to either of the company's other two big aforementioned sites, you'll know that they play host to everything from well-known acts to festivals, and also operate as a watering hole and place to grab a bite — and include accommodation as well. The Comiskey Group haven't unveiled all of the details for its new venture just yet, or even a name, but it'll host gigs, feature both internal and al fresco dining areas, and boast six bars, plus function spaces. The company is calling the $35-million development "the Sunshine Coast's largest music venue and hotel", too — so yes, it's going big. For concerts, it'll host 2500 patrons. And, as part of Aura, it'll back onto an 11-hectare South Bank-style parkland. The new venue and hotel marks The Comiskey Group's second huge announcement in the past few months, and the second for the Sunshine Coast. Back in May, it revealed that it had added a 150-hectare site, called Coochin Fields, to its portfolio. Sat 35 minutes south of Maroochydore and 80 minutes north of Brisbane, the hefty patch of grass will host major music and camping fests, and is just ten minutes from where the Aura venue will reside. Announcing the new Aura performance space and hotel, Comiskey Group Director Rob Comiskey said that "southeast Queensland is where we were born and raised, [and] we are passionate about bringing premium experiences to locations rich with opportunity in this thriving state". "We have the largest entertainment offering in the Moreton Bay region and felt it only natural to expand into the neighbouring Sunshine Coast," Comiskey continued. "Aura sits just ten minutes from our Coochin Fields site, so we're excited to create a thriving epicentre of entertainment for the Sunshine Coast and bring something really special to this already innovative and unique community." The Comiskey Group's new music venue and hotel will form part of Stockland Aura on the Sunshine Coast, ten minutes out of Caloundra. For more information, head to The Comiskey Group's website.
When you're in a crappy situation, you call a plumber. After the news broke that alleged sexual harasser Kevin Spacey would no longer star in All the Money in the World, with his scenes to be reshot with Christopher Plummer, it was one of the internet's better observations. Controversy aside, the end result is astonishing. You'd never guess that 88-year-old Plummer only stepped into his role as real-life oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in November. Nor will you be able to imagine anyone else playing the part, including the excised, prosthetic-clad Spacey with his penchant for over-acting. Trust Ridley Scott, the now-80-year-old director of Alien and Blade Runner, to mastermind such an impressive technical feat. All the Money in the World is his second movie in less than a year, after 2017's Alien: Covenant — and while it mightn't seem like it at first, there's more than a little in common between the two titles, and with Scott's filmography in general. After spending decades contemplating humanity's complicated relationship with mortality — seen not just in his iconic science-fiction work, but also in the likes of Thelma & Louise, Gladiator and The Martian — Scott has jumped from a film that ponders the notion of creation as the only lasting legacy, to one about the downfall of a man who puts his faith in wealth instead. Plummer's Getty is more comfortable collecting objects than nurturing relationships, including with his own son (Andrew Buchan) — "there's a purity in beautiful things that I've never been able to find in people," the world's richest billionaire dismissively croaks. Getty Jr only contacts his father when he's broke and struggling to provide for his wife Gail (Michelle Williams) and four children, though it's his eldest boy, Paul (played by Charlie Shotwell as a 7-year-old), that the old man takes a shine to. Fast-forward nine years to 1973, and the now-16-year-old (Charlie Plummer) is abducted by kidnappers looking to get their hands on a slice of the Getty fortune, but the cantankerous patriarch insists that he doesn't have a cent to spare. That leaves the distraught Gail to work with Getty's security advisor, former CIA operative Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg), to secure her son's release. A word of warning: you'll hear the phrase "all the money in the world" more than once throughout the film. It's as if Scott and his screenwriters, adapting the 1995 book Painfully Rich, just couldn't help themselves. It's an unneeded wink in a movie that slides with thrilling ease into the icy waters of wealth, laying bare the darkness and ruthlessness born of excessive greed in the process. Balancing multiple negotiations, including Gail wrestling with both Getty and Chase, the family liaising with the captors, and young Paul trying to stay alive with the help of one of his abductors (Romain Duris), the movie also serves up the type of brawny, absorbing thriller we don't often see on screens these days. Working with his regular cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, Scott uses grey tones to contrast the haves and the have nots, immersing audiences in the detail and emotion of the scenario at every turn. Moreover, even when the film stretches its story a little too far amidst multiple twists and changes of allegiance, audiences will find themselves gripped by the work of Plummer and Williams. The pair play polar opposites in an equally effective manner — one a heartless man motivated by self-interest, the real villain of the piece; the other a desperate mother who'd give up anything, including money, for the people she loves. If only Scott had found someone other than Wahlberg to play the third person in their tussle. The actor might as well be fighting giant robots, given how by-the-numbers his performance is. All the money in the world clearly couldn't help with that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viQBNu9z6RQ
Everyone needs to start somewhere, whether it's running an event, performing at or attending one. Organised by Backbone Youth Arts, that's the aim of the 2high Festival. It offers an unofficial training ground for festival workers, artists, administrators and leaders in the industry — and you get to share in the entertaining and informative results. See what this year's team has put together under the theme 'Forgotten Treasures' — though its roster of talent promises to prove anything but. Spanning circus, film, music, theatre, writing, visual arts, poetry and more, 2high has assembled a diverse array of up-and-comers to revel in all things creative, and including the usual endeavours and the not so. Everything takes place at the Old Museum, and there's plenty of activities and shows to choose from, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. Play an interactive art game, dance along at an all-ages midday rave, or jump inside the human mind. Overstep the mark in comedy cabaret, celebrate street art, and learn the craft of love letters. Or better yet — get a festival pass and try them all.
Beer festivals usually follow a familiar template. Attendees wander between different brewery stalls, taste beer, buy beer, drink beer and talk about beer with brewing experts. Then, they drink more beer. And, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that — when something works, it works. Running from 12pm on Sunday, July 26, Flow Festival is adding a few differences to the above formula. Firstly, it's happening online. Also, joining in the virtual fun is free. Most importantly, however, this fest is all about alcohol-free craft brews. Whether you're doing Dry July, you're not actually that fond of boozy beverages all the time, you just can't do another hangover or you have health reasons for avoiding the sauce, you'll find plenty of inspiration at this debut event — with breweries such as Sobah, Upflow Brewing Collective, Holsten and Coopers celebrating and showcasing their alcohol-free IPAs, stouts and pilsners. Folks from Sobah, Upflow and Coopers will also join a panel discussion about beer sans booze, if you're eager to find out more about the topic. And, yes, you can still drink along. It is still a beer fest, after all. Flow Festival is also doing $160 festival packs (which contain 48 cans of alcohol-free beer) that you can order in advance and sip your way through on the day — including in guided tastings run by the brewers themselves. Flow Festival runs from 12pm on Sunday, July 26 — and while streaming along is free, registration is required.
If you're a sugar-lovin' Brisbanite, we've got good news for you. Next time you’re in the vicinity of New Farm — specifically, New Farm Cinemas — you might want to treat yo'self. After working markets here, there and everywhere around Brisbane, New Farm Confectionery now has a permanent home. Tucked around the side of the cinemas on Barker Street just off Brunswick Street, the new confectionery shop is a cute little haven dedicated to the kinds of handmade, high quality goodies that you can't find just anywhere. These aren't mass-produced, supermarket-variety lollies filled with additives — everything's free of artificial colours and flavours, and made in store in small batches. Think couverture chocolate honeycomb, marshmallows flavoured with real fruit and oil, and individually-wrapped salted caramels. We'd keep listing things, but there’s too much goodness to choose from — including six different milkshake flavours. Is your mouth watering yet? New Farm Confectionery was originally inspired by a trip to Paris by owner Jodie Neilson, who saw sweet bites to eat everywhere throughout the French city and wanted to offer the same luxury to Australian adults. That's excellent news for those in Brisbane with a sweet tooth, but for those outside the city, the store will ship their products anywhere in Australia. You can still find them at Eat Street on weekends; this just means there's more deliciousness on offer more often.
"Darling it's better down where it's wetter," Disney's animated hit The Little Mermaid told us; however, the Mouse House also thinks that life is pretty great on top of the water. For nearly a quarter-century, the huge entertainment company has been taking fans of its ever-growing array of pop culture wares on themed vacations, all thanks to its Disney Cruise Line. Alas, setting sail from Australia and Aotearoa hasn't been a possibility — until now. Come October 2023, Disney Cruise Line will head Down Under for the first time ever, running Disney-themed holiday cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. And yes, given that Disney own plenty of huge franchises, that means these stints at sea are Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars-themed as well. The Mouse House's first 'Magic at Sea' Australian and NZ cruises will depart from October 28, 2023, with the season running through till February 2024. On offer: sailings for two, three, four, five and six nights — your pick — where you'll watch live musical shows, see Disney characters everywhere you look and eat in spaces decked out like Disney movies. Those musicals include a Frozen show; another production dedicated to the company's old-school favourites like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella and Aladdin; and a Golden Mickeys performance, which is obviously all about Mickey Mouse. Or, there's a Mickey party set to DJ beats, nightly fireworks and a pirate shindig on the vessel's deck. While not every show and party is available on all cruises — especially the two-night option — the entertainment also includes Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Moana, Tiana, Cinderella, Woody, Jessie and more wandering around the ship. And, Chewbacca, Rey, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel and Thor as well, if you like hanging out around folks in costumes. The dining setup rotates, so each day of the cruise takes you to a different location with a different theme. One day, you'll hit up the Animator's Palate, which focuses on bringing Disney characters to life — including getting patrons to draw their own characters — and on the next, you'll get munching in a restaurant inspired by The Princess and the Frog, and serving up New Orleans-inspired dishes. Or, there's also Triton's, which offers an under the sea theme given it's named after Ariel's father, and serves four-course French and American suppers. For folks travelling with young Disney devotees, there's also a whole range of activities just for kids — but adults without littlies in tow are definitely catered for, complete with a dedicated pool for travellers aged 18 and over, an adults-only cafe, the Crown & Fin pub, cocktail bar Signals, Italian eatery Palo, and a day spa and salon. Dates for Disney Cruise Line's first trips from Australia and New Zealand vary per city of departure, as do prices, but you can expect to enter this whole new ocean-faring world from $720 per person for two nights in a double-occupancy room from Sydney, $546 from Melbourne and $755 from Brisbane, and $760 per person for three nights in a double-occupancy room from Auckland. And, room-wise, there's ten different types to choose from — some with private verandahs, and some with ocean views through portholes. Disney Cruise Line's 'Magic at Sea' cruises will sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland between October 2023–February 2024, with bookings open from 8am AEST / 11am NZDT on Thursday, September 29, 2022. For more information, head to the cruise line's website. Images: Matt Stroshane / Kent Phillips.
Given the current state of the world, it's impossible to dismiss historical accounts of power, conflict, bureaucracy serving the wealthy and the masses fighting to be heard as mere chapters from the past. The same applies to medieval-style television fantasies about squabbling over a throne, too, but true tales bite harder than Game of Thrones ever has. Peterloo is the perfect example. Chronicling an infamous clash between ordinary workers and the government-backed militia near Manchester in 1819, the period piece harks back to 200 years ago yet remains scarily, unsettlingly relevant today. Of course, that's part of filmmaker Mike Leigh's point — there's a reason that the 76-year-old veteran British director has just now turned his attention to this bloody battle for voting rights. After spending a dozen years tussling with Napoleon's armies, the British people were tired, poor and hungry as the 19th century neared its third decade. Work was hardly reliable, food was scarce, industrialisation was taking its toll, distressed ex-soldiers were a common sight and even the pettiest of crimes could see someone shipped off to Australia. To make matters worse, few had a say in the country's path, with less than three percent of the population eligible to cast a ballot. It's this agitated climate that Peterloo explores, all to show how its brutal namesake event came about. The rich, the religious and the ruling classes wanted to retain the status quo. Charismatic reformers riled up everyday folks to fight for their rights. In the resulting physical skirmish — during a peaceful demonstration led by orator Henry Hunt (Rory Kinnear) — 18 people were killed and up to 700 injured among the 60,000-strong crowd. Writing as well as directing, Leigh emphasises the scale and impact of the Peterloo massacre in an effective fashion, stepping through the wants, needs, emotions and motivations of the various players before unravelling the climactic confrontation. But there's a fire in his belly from the outset, as is made clear when he opens the film with the Battle of Waterloo, and those flames don't subside. Spending time with characters of all stations and piecing together vignettes of their experiences, he crafts a patchwork of a picture, each scene stitching on another crucial square with palpable urgency. Some of the people within his view scoff and laugh, while others struggle to get by. However it's the atmosphere of chaos, inequity, opportunism, exploitation and duplicity that was part and parcel of life at the time that earns the filmmaker's sharpest rebukes. That, and the eventual human fallout on the path to changing British democracy. For a film based around such a violent event, more talk than action results; of course, as Leigh knows, words can cut just as deeply as weapons. Indeed, it's because Peterloo takes the time to survey the state of the nation at the time — including clear-eyed, unsentimental dissections of both camps in the government-versus-workers divide — that the massacre, when it comes, feels so punishing and relentless. There's a difference between a slog and an onslaught and, while the movie clocks in at 154 minutes, its speech-heavy and fight-fuelled portions still fall into the latter camp. Likewise, there's a difference between wallowing in misfortune (or, worse, romanticising it) and showing it like it was, and again Peterloo finds the right side. What the film also finds is a fitting way to tell such a detailed and complicated story — not only in its narrative approach, but in its visuals. While Leigh's last release, the applauded Mr Turner, explored the life of a great 19th-century British artist, the term 'painterly' equally applies here. With cinematographer Dick Pope lensing his 11th title for the director, Peterloo's frames are alive with minutiae yet remain carefully composed. Pitch-perfect but never glossy costuming and production design helps. So too do solid performances across the board, including from the ever-reliable Kinnear, as well as Maxine Peake as a weary mother doing what's needed for her family. But it's Peterloo's look and feel that truly hammers home Leigh's intentions. To understand why the movie's real-life basis is so important, and to see the parallels between then and now, requires peering as closely as possible — staring steadfastly at the whole picture, warts and all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlvLWaueD_o
When Caper Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival debuted in 2022, Louis Tikaram from Stanley in Brisbane was on the lineup. In 2024, the chef from the standout Sunshine State restaurant has curated the program. He has ties to the area, growing up on a 110-acre farm in Mullumbimby before hopping from Sydney's Tetsuya's and Longrain to E.P & L.P. in Los Angeles and then the Queensland capital's go-to Cantonese fine-diner — and he's now doing his part for this culinary fest's second event. Caper returns with a few changes. The festival has expanded its lineup from a four-day weekend to a ten-day run, and also moved from spring to autumn, taking place from Friday, May 17–Sunday, May 26. But its focus remains on celebrating food and culture in its seaside New South Wales home and the surrounding region, whether you're keen to eat, drink, listen to live tunes, or enjoy a drag night and trivia show. Tikaram's program is filled with fellow culinary names, including when the opening party takes over Three Blue Ducks. On the bill just for that night alone: Dave Moyle from Salty Mangrove (who organised the first Caper), Jason Saxby from Raes on Wategos, Ben Devlin from Pipet, Matt Stone from You Beauty, Mindy Woods from Karkalla, Karl and Katrina Kanetani from Beach Byron Bay, Pepsi Nakbunchuay from Bang Bang, Robbie Oijvall from Lightyears, Bruno Conti from The Hut, Marcello Polifrone from Harvest and, of course, Darren Robertson from the host venue. At the other end of the fest, the closing-night event will see Tikaram, Hawaiian chef Kanetani, Ross Magnaye from Serai Kitchen in Melbourne and Jedd Rifai from North Byron Hotel hone in on Hawaiian buffet-style snacks. In-between, long lunches, a yakitori party and a five-course smoke-fuelled feast are all among the fellow Caper highlights. Some meals will get you eating seaside. Other events are serving up an Italian-inspired aperitivo hour or a gin garden party. With Tikaram doing the honours again, you can also tuck into east-meets-west canapés at Byron Chinese restaurant Hutong Harry's. Whatever you're heading to, the North Byron Hotel is the fest's official watering hole, hosting tunes, cooking demonstrations, and cheese and wine tastings. If you've got a ticket to the fest, you'll score a drink coupon for a complimentary beverage, too.
Running off to a tropical island is one of the ultimate getaway dreams. When the beach surrounds you — and plenty of greenery, too — how can everyday life's troubles cause any bother? On Hook Island in The Whitsundays in the near future, cabin stays will do their part to help you escape your normal existence. So will dining atop a cliff, hanging out at a beach club and swimming in forest pools. A yoga pavilion will assist as well, as will a lounge telling the island's history. If everything goes to plan, come 2027 you'll be able to head to the Great Barrier Reef to relax at the just-announced Hook Island Eco Lodge. More than a decade has passed since the landmass in the Coral Sea boasted its own place to stay, with the former Hook Island Wilderness Resort closing in 2013 after weathering damage from 2011's Cyclone Anthony. A group led by Epochal Hotels' CEO Glenn Piper is setting out to change that. Both sustainability and luxury will sit at the heart of the new eco lodge; indeed, setting a new standard for luxe sustainable travel for Australia is one of the venue's goals. After nabbing the leasehold in 2022, Piper and his team — working with design firm Luxury Frontiers — are also keen to revive the locale following several cyclones, and get visitors enjoying its 9.3-hectare expanse again, including by using Hook Island's natural features as the resort's inspiration. To slumber in, there'll be 39 cabins spanning six different types of accommodation (some at the beach, some in the forest). Multiple eateries will also be part of the site, including a fine-diner atop a cliff that'll pair dishes made with local produce with views out over Stingray Bay. For ocean swims, that's where the beach club will come in — complete with all-day dining, a bar, a pool, a lounge deck peering across Hook Passage and, for evenings, an outdoor firepit. Or, opt to take a splash in leafy surrounds thanks to the eco pools, which'll be among a forest spa. When travellers hit the island, they'll be welcomed at the arrival pavilion. For finding out more about the destination, the Explorer's Lounge will be your go-to. It's obvious what's on offer at the yoga pavilion — and there'll also be a family-friendly lounge, plus an adventure club for kids. Drawing from experience working on the Four Seasons' Naviva in Mexico, Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica and Madwaleni River Lodge in South Africa, Luxury Frontiers is set to deck out the eco lodge's interiors with brown, blue, green and coral hues, alongside other tones, that match the island — and design cyclone-resistant buildings made with sustainable materials. Ensuring that the resort settles in harmoniously with the landscape, including its plants and habitats, is also a key component of the plan. "Hook Island is a truly spectacular part of the world — its raw beauty deserves a sanctuary that both preserves and celebrates every facet of its charm. Our vision is bold: to create an experience that redefines luxury travel through a deep, authentic and wild-spirited connection to nature," said Piper. "This project has been a labour of love; we've poured our hearts into blending thoughtful design with a profound respect for the island's heritage and delicate ecosystem. After being closed for more than a decade, we can't wait to soon welcome overnight guests and day visitors alike to experience its magic firsthand." [caption id="attachment_807810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_604486" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pierre Pouliquin.[/caption] Hook Island Eco Lodge is expected to open on Hook Island in The Whitsundays sometime in 2027 — we'll update you with more details when they're announced.
It's not every day that one of the world's best bars starts pouring tipples in Brisbane. It isn't every day that you can sip a cocktail out of a treasure chest, either. But both of those things are now a reality at Brisbane's Living Room Bar, which has just kicked off a boozy collaboration with Spain's Paradiso, one of the top watering holes on the planet. That world's-best label isn't just hype; on the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2021, the Barcelona spot came in third. The venue is acclaimed for its striking design (which obviously hasn't made the leap to Brissie) and its elaborate Universo menu (which absolutely has). Wondering what makes a cocktail menu so beloved that it's named one of the globe's standouts? Paradiso's Universo lineup goes big on theatrics; think: glowing green concoctions, tipples in smoky domes, dry ice, light, innovative glassware and one particular drink served in a treasure chest. Created by owner and mixologist Giacomo Giannotti — who was dubbed the Best Barman of Spain 2017, and Best Italian Bartender Abroad in 2019 — these aren't the kind of beverages that you sip without paying any attention. Inspired by the cosmos — hence the menu's name — the Universo range of tipples is led by the Mediterranean Treasure, which goes both savoury and sour with its blend of elderflower, honey, citrus fruits, coriander oyster-leaf sherry. And yes, it's the drink that comes in its own box, with smoke wafting out when you open the chest. Also on the lineup: the Great Gatsby, Paradiso's take on the old-fashioned, which is served in a glass dome with a chocolate and vanilla tobacco cloud (and features Glendronach Port Wood, amaro, white truffle honey and lavender bitters). Or, there's The Big Bang , which blends spiced cane rum, guava liqueur, earl grey tea, pandan, beetroot, clarified lemon juice and almond milk, and is served on a platter of sweets that are meant to mimic the creation of the universe. Plus, The Cloud uses a bit of levitation, with its mix of Amor de Maguey mezcal, Herradura Añejo tequila, Amaro Montenegro, Mandenii La Tonique vermouth, hibiscus and birch syrup topped with an edible coffee cloud. As well as ten tipples from Paradiso, W Brisbane is also plating up Spanish-style tapas such as jamones ibericos with guindilla peppers and picos (Spanish breadsticks); duck pate with davidsons plum compote on rye; and flatbread with hummus, fried chorizo and shrimp. And, it's pairing the sips and bites to eat with live beats every Friday and Saturday night. This is the venue's second huge international collab in as many years, after getting the folks behind London's Oriole Bar and its sibling venues Nightjar and Swift — the latter ranking at number 33 at the 2020 World's 50 Best Bar Awards — to do the honours first. W Brisbane's Paradiso Universo cocktail menu is now available at its Living Room Bar, 81 North Quay, Brisbane. It's open from 4–11pm Monday–Thursday, 11am–11pm Friday–Saturday and 11am–10pm Sunday.
It's true when you're on holidays, kicking back in far-flung locations with a drink in your hand. It's true if you're a Brisbanite heading down the coast for a day, weekend or short getaway, or if you're a Gold Coast local as well. That unfaltering reality? That everything tastes better when it's paired with beach views — which a heap of well-known hospitality names are testing out in Surfers Paradise. First, axe-throwing bar Maniax announced that it was branching out to level one of the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise, setting up shop there at the beginning of August. Then TGI Fridays revealed the same, although exactly when in the coming months that chain will open its new venue — its Australasian flagship and first-ever beachside venue, in fact — is yet to be revealed. The next one to join the fun: lively Tex-Mex brand El Camino Cantina, for OTT margaritas while staring at the waves. Launching on Friday, September 9, El Camino's Surfers Paradise outpost will mark its 13th nationwide and sixth in Queensland, including at Bowen Hills, Chermside and South Bank in Brisbane, and also Robina on the GC since 2020. If you've been to one of its venues, you know what to expect menu- and vibe-wise, but this is the only Sunshine State spot with that beachy backdrop. For newcomers to the chain, think loud, bright and filled with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, free sombreros and other Tex-Mex fare. Skulls, crosses, cacti and lightning bolts also feature heavily, alongside a corrugated iron bar decorated with flame graffiti — and the new joint will also boast a custom-designed mural by Ben Brown featuring a surfing skeleton. El Camino's Surfers Paradise digs will seat 250 patrons, including the 30-seat al fresco dining space, with booths, high-top tables for large groups and swing-style seats all available — the latter playing up the beachfront angle. Slushie machines, a big feature at the chain's other venues, are part of the fitout as well. Cue big nights and brain freezes. El Camino's margaritas come in multiple sizes and renditions — such as a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks, spanning fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, and soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations. The Surfers Paradise joint also boasts El Camino's signature specials, including $2 tacos on Tuesdays and ten-cent wings on Wednesdays. And, it'll be the brand's first to also serve up breakfast, with brekkie tacos coming packed with grilled sirloin and scrambled egg, refried black beans and queso fresco, and streaky bacon with jalapeno and cheddar. Also, from opening for six weeks until mid-October, the new spot is also hosting a margarita festival. Called Ritapalooza, it's serving up those frosty, boozy beverages in 24 different flavours. On the limited-edition menu: Wizz Fizz, Jelly Belly, Skittle, fairy floss and grape Nerd varieties, as well as Hubba Bubba, marshmallow and fairy bread. Find El Camino Cantina on level one in the Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, from Friday, September 9. Ritapalooza kicks off the same day and runs for six weeks, until mid-October.
It might be icy cool within the Gallery of Modern Art's massive South Brisbane digs, but it's still shaping up to be a hot, hot summer. With two blockbuster exhibitions currently gracing the walls — Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow and Gerhard Richter: The Life of Images — GOMA is positively scorching with the world's best art. Naturally, they're throwing a party to celebrate. A one-night-only version of its regular after-hours shindigs, Summer Up Late combines Kusama's dotty delights, Richter's poetic paintings, live music, bars and more into the type of revelry art galleries aren't always known for. The catch? You'll have to head along from 5.30pm on January 19, or forever regret missing out. Partying surrounded by pumpkins and stepping into a room filled with glowing orbs between drinks is just the beginning. You'll also stare at transfixing lines and walk through a snapshot of cultural history, all while enjoying tunes from Berlin-based electronic producer and performer Laurel Halo, Aussie singer-songwriter Lupa J and DJ Black Amex on the decks. And, if you're there by 6.30pm, mosey along the one-off sensory tour, which will make you experience the entire evening in a completely different way.
The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), curated by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, are annual awards for First Nations artists from across the country. Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the 2021 Telstra NATSIAA award winners will be announced via the Telstra NATSIAA website — and all Australians can get to know the finalists and winners via a virtual gallery, which will go live from 6pm AEST on Friday, August 6. Each year, the awards celebrates contemporary artworks across a broad range of disciplines. Think paintings, craftsmanship, photography and textile works. There are 65 finalists from across the country, and what makes the awards so special is the diversity in storytelling; there are perspectives from coastal regions, desert towns, cities and everywhere between. For 38 years, Telstra NATSIAA has represented the art of the nation — culturally, geographically and historically, as well as looking to our future — with 2021 marking 30 years with the awards' long-standing partner, Telstra. For those who plan to visit the Northern Territory, you can also experience the artworks in person at the Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory from Saturday, August 7 right through till Sunday, February 6, 2022. And it's good news for those of us who'd usually miss out on the awards ceremony, as this year's presentation (usually held on the grounds of the Museum) will be broadcast online. You can join host Rachel Hocking on Friday, August 6 to find out which artists have won by visiting the website from 6pm AEST. While you're there, check out the fully interactive, virtual gallery and chuck a vote in for your favourites in the Telstra People's Choice Award, too. Head to the NATSIAA website on August 6 at 6pm AEST to catch the announcement of this year's winners. Images: Charlie Bliss and MAGNT
2024 is Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist's year. By the time that July hits, each will have had two movies hit the silver screen in Australia within mere months. But, of course, only one brings the Dune: Part Two, La Chimera and The Bikeriders stars together, and also tennis and a spicy love triangle as well. That'd be Challengers, which is currently in cinemas Down Under, and has also made the fast-tracked leap to streaming while it's still unleashing its steamy games, sets and matches in picture palaces. Gone are the days when films quickly jumping between the big and small screens is new, with Dune: Part Two, Wonka and Force of Nature: The Dry 2 among the fellow flicks that've done the same this year. Challengers following suit is still great news, however, if you haven't had the chance to make it to your local theatre yet to see one of the year's highlights. Accordingly, you now have more viewing options — such as YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Directed by Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria and Bones and All filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), Art Donaldson (Faist, West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (O'Connor). As teenagers, they're all rising tennis talents, with Tashi the best of the lot. When she first crosses paths with both Art and Patrick, who are doubles partners and school roommates, it's at a party celebrating her bright future — and sparks fly, but it's Patrick that she's seeing when she's at college with Art. Enter a career-thwarting injury, then a jump forward to when Art is a multiple grand slam-winner, Patrick has never tasted major professional success and the two former best friends have fallen out of touch. Further complicating the trio's relationship, Art is also now married to Tashi. And, as he prepares for the US Open to finally notch up his career slam by having a hit at a tournament in New Rochelle, he's also on a collision course with Patrick on the court. It's no spoiler to say that Art and Patrick meet again as opponents, with Tashi — who is also now Art's manager — watching on. As set to a thumping score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (Oscar-winners for Soul), Guadagnino filters the entire movie through that pivotal match, with flashbacks to various earlier points (including the days leading up to the contest) to tell the threesome's full tale. "I think the competitiveness is also out of an obsession with each other. At the beginning of this film, in terms of the competitiveness, when they're younger that's there but — I don't want speak to their characters, but Art is is on the way of falling out of love with tennis. And I think Patrick is just desperate for connection," said O'Connor about the dynamic between the trio when he was in Australia to promote the flick alongside Zendaya and Faist. "I think all three of them are desperate for connection, whether it's Art seeking to restore the the love in his marriage or Tashi to restore this three-way love affair. I think Patrick, likewise, the tennis to him is the the utmost connection. He's always searching for that with Art, and with Tashi, too. And so I think the competitiveness comes secondary to that," he continued. Check out the trailer for Challengers below: Challengers is still screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our review, as well as what Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist had to say about the film when they were in Australia. Images: Niko Tavernise © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Given Terrace has seen more than its fair share of restaurants and bars come and go over the years, and now NOTA is set to be one of them. A mainstay of the busy Paddington stretch since 2018, Kevin Docherty and Sebastiaan de Kort's eatery will shut in August after a six-year run as one of inner-west Brisbane's favourites. Thankfully, this is truly a case of one door closing and another opening, with plans already afoot by another hospitality figure to move into the space and start afresh. NOTA's last day of trade will be Saturday, August 3, 2024, giving Brisbanites just under two months to stop by for a farewell meal and drink — or several. When they say goodbye to Paddington, co-owners and chefs Docherty and de Kort (ex-Moda) will be devoting their full attention to Newstead's Allonda, which they opened in 2022. While the pair are departing the space that was previously fine-diner Montrachet's old Paddington digs after the beloved French eatery moved to King Street in Bowen Hills, they're not leaving 224 Given Terrace empty. Details of who'll be taking over the address haven't yet been revealed, but the person at the helm is being teased as a hospitality heavyweight. "It's important for us to honour the community we've built by passing over the space to another hospitality wunderkind who we're confident will bring a much-needed dining experience to Brisbane — we're incredibly excited to see our much-loved space reinvented," said de Kort. "Starting NOTA so early in our careers was of course challenging, and we couldn't have done it without the amazing Paddington community," de Kort and Docherty continued. "But we are excited for what the future holds, both for us and for the space we're leaving behind." Since launching, NOTA has been a go-to for European spreads. In 2022, it added a wine bar to the mix, expanding into the abode next door — knocking down the adjoining wall, too — and becoming a 90-seater complete with its own a vino-swilling spot. In both NOTA setups, exposed brick walls and mirrors aplenty set the mood, alongside warm lighting; however, the 2.0 guise gave the restaurant a five-metre wall of wines, wines and more wines. As it counts down the days till handing over the keys, the restaurant will add quail with sweet corn polenta, broccolini with anchovy butter and beef bourguignon — aka its signature dishes — back to the menu. The warm house crumble falls into the same category. And, Head Sommelier Yanika Sittisuntorn will be back for a last round of wine recommendations. Find NOTA Restaurant & Wine Bar at 224 Given Terrace, Paddington until Saturday, August 3, 2024— open 6pm–late on Tuesday–Thursday (last booking at 7.30pm), then 12–2pm and 6pm–late (last booking at 8pm) Friday–Saturday. Images: Markus Ravik.
Getting away from it all can mean many things, from venturing as far as way from home as possible to finding a quiet patch to ignore your daily routine. At Wander at The Overflow 1895, Brisbanites will find the latter — because you'll be kicking back in an eco-cabin on a Scenic Rim winery, surrounded by vines and 4000 acres of bushland, and perched right on the shores of Lake Wyaralong. The new place to stay is the product of eco-pod company Wander, which is setting up one- and two-bedroom Wander Pods on the Wyaralong winery. Its cabins come equipped with king beds to keep you comfy, private kitchenettes to keep you fed, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to keep you peering at the eye-catching scenery. And, if you'd like to sip drinks outside, each pod also has its own private deck. The vibe: luxe meets sustainable, all within a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. And, when the cabins start welcoming in people from December 2021, they'll also include access to a range of local experiences curated especially for Wander's guests. So, as well as seeing waterfalls, scoping out birds and wildlife, moseying through the eucalypts and making the most of the lake, you'll be able to choose between private hot air balloon rides, onsite yoga sessions, and meditation and massage as well. Or, there'll be walking tours of the region, led by a local guide — and seasonal fresh produce to eat direct from the farm. If that sounds like your idea of a top-notch getaway, bookings are now open for the five cabins. You'll be staying in Joyce, Moy and Juberra if you opt for a one-bedroom pod, with the first sat next to a giant granite rock formation, the second on a shelf of sandstone and the third perched up on a hill. Flintoff and Crumpet are the two-bedroom spaces, the former in a gully and the latter on open countryside next to a fig tree. And, while getting away from it all is clearly on the agenda here, each cabin comes with wifi — so you can choose to be as connected to the rest of the world as you like. Price-wise, a one-bedroom space is currently going for $1226 for three nights, and a two-bedroom cabin for $2116 for the same period. If your booking is affected by a lockdown, it's transferrable and fully refundable, too. Find Wander at the The Overflow 1895 at 1660 Beaudesert Boonah Road, Wyaralong from December 2021. Head to Wander's website for bookings and further information.
The 2020s are an age of many things, but an underrated symbol of this decade is the age of convenience. Not only can our phones keep us entertained but they can also keep our pantries stocked and bellies full. Apps like DoorDash put even more convenience in our hands — and not just by being able to order from the local Dominos without having to interact with another human being. Depending on your nearby providers, you can order almost any essential item straight to your door, so below we've highlighted some of the lesser-known items you might one day need delivered. With bonuses for new users, plus a daily specials series (running until Saturday, March 23) for beloved vendors — think $5 burritos and buy-one-get-one subs. There's no reason not to give DoorDash a whirl. [caption id="attachment_943284" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarinya Pinngam via iStock[/caption] Fresh fruit and veggies We all dread forgetting the groceries, leaving it to the last minute when it's easier to hang on the couch binging a sitcom. Gone are the days of being forced to wear outside clothes and head to the shops. Nowadays, if you live within range of a participating grocer, you can simply press a few buttons, and a dasher will drop everything you need for a fruit bowl or salad right outside. Best for: fixing a healthy feed at the last minute. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943285" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dennis Van Hoef via iStock[/caption] Meat and poultry Picture this: Friday night, you've had a long day at work rushing to hit a few end-of-week deadlines, friends are coming over for dinner, and you've got a barbecue for the ages planned. The grill's preheated and it's time to grab a steak and some chicken drumsticks out of the fridge — but they're two days past their best and smell like a bin. Fret not. The supermarket rule applies here too. Pick a replacement cut from a grocer; if it's available, a dasher can drop it at your door. Best for: replacing off meat when you've got a horde of carnivores coming over. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943280" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jacob Lund via iStock[/caption] Beer, wine and spirits If there's a house party, dinner party or grownup birthday party coming up and your bar cart's looking a little empty, sure enough, DoorDash can come to the rescue if you have participating merchants nearby. With deliveries available from BWS, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, Porter's Liquor and a range of independent bottle shops, you needn't worry about running out for drinks. From a ritzy champagne to a cold four-pack of premixed cocktails, the dashers will get your drinks to your door. Note: you will need to show ID upon receipt of the liquid goods. Best for: a last-minute addition for a party when you realise you've inadvertently emptied the home bar. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943286" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Vladans via iStock[/caption] Over-the-counter medicine If you're sick as a dog, feeling wiped out and legitimately cannot (and should not) leave the house, you can wait for your roommate or S/O to get a minute to get something for you and suffer a while longer, or open DoorDash. You'll find actual pharmacies here, and while they can't fill a prescription, they can send your choice of over-the-counter meds on their way to help beat any bug. Best for: when you're fighting a bug with no strength to leave home. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943281" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dmytro Skrypnykov via iStock[/caption] Batteries and chargers You may take your phone with you everywhere you go, but do you bring a charger? You don't want to be caught amiss if your battery runs flat. Similarly, finding out you're out of actual batteries tends to happen when you need one most. Don't panic because if you've still got even 1% left on your charge, open up DoorDash and summon a fresh pack of power on its way to you ASAP, whether it's a wall plug or a AAA, you'll find one here. Best for: replacing the charger you forgot to pack. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943287" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Hung Chung Chih via iStock[/caption] Toiletries and hygiene products Running out of essential bathroom or hygiene items can be a disaster, especially in critical moments. Say you're in need of a fresh can of deodorant for a date; you're glued to the loo but didn't realise you were down to the scraps of your TP supply. Nightmare. With the participating grocers on DoorDash, everything from Lynx Africa bodywash to menstruation products are just a press of a button away. Best for: an emergency refill of the bathroom cabinet. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943283" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Frantic00 via iStock[/caption] Fresh flowers Nothing can heal the wounds of a bad day like a bit of romance at home. Say you want to surprise a special someone or simply pep up your home decor if it feels a bit short on colour and life, flowers can help you out. If there's a participating florist within range, a dasher can collect a fine bouquet and ferry it to your door in a flash. Particularly useful if you've forgotten a key birthday or anniversary and need an emergency surprise. Best for: a romantic surprise that won't require a drive. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943294" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Drazenzigic via iStock[/caption] Desserts and confectionary Anyone can tell you that a little sweet treat to break up the working day is essential. Feeling overwhelmed from a big day of studying? Little treat. Back-to-back deadlines at work? A little treat will help. If you're within range of a bakery, convenience store, or anywhere with a dessert menu, the power of a little treat is within your grasp on DoorDash. Best for: curing a mid-afternoon slump. DoorDash it now [caption id="attachment_943282" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Liudmila Chernetska via iStock[/caption] Hot (or iced) coffee and tea A tea or coffee can really work wonders to fix a bad day or poor mood. It's science! If you fancy a cuppa tea order some of your favourite blends from a nearby grocer, or get a fresh round of espresso coffee delivered from a nearby cafe with DoorDash. Best for: an emergency pick me up at work or home when you're too busy to self-brew. DoorDash it now Delivery gifting It's easy to order anything for yourself, follow your wants and needs, and order from local businesses accordingly. However, you might not have considered the possibility of ordering something for someone else. DoorDash offers a gifting service on the app. You just put in the recipient's address and tick the gifting option at the bottom, fill in an order, and then add a personalised message. Add the recipient's phone number to the order and send them the gift link to tell them it's coming. Easy. Best for: an easy gift for a special someone. DoorDash it now Download the DoorDash app for free on the Apple Store or Google Play to find out what's nearby. For more information, visit the website.
For proximity to Brisbane and stunning scenery, make North Stradbroke Island your next camping spot. There are a stack of beachside campsites and among the best is Cylinder. Pack your board — there are waves. When you're done with ruling the surf, go koala spotting, stroll along North Gorge walk or play pool with watery panoramas at the Beach Hotel. Facilities are pretty posh — you can count on showers, toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and nearby cafes and restaurants. Book before you go.
It only ran for three short years, but when international dance festival Creamfields took a hiatus in 2013, it left a big, fat hole in the Aussie festival calendar (large-scale festivals, at least). Now, folks who count the days for big drops have something to plan for, with today's announcement that Creamfields will make its return to Australian shores at the end of this year. Transplanting the clubbing experience into a huge outdoor event, Creamfields has given the global electronic music scene a solid shake-up since it first landed in 1998, starting life as a one-day UK show with a crowd of 25,000. In the years following, it's been staged in 22 countries, with that original UK festival morphing into a 70,000 capacity, four-day camping situation. It's raked in the accolades too, including the 2010 Music Week Award for Festival of The Year, and the 2016 gong for Best Major Festival at the UK Festival Awards. And this November, as it celebrates the big 2-0, Creamfields is heading back to Melbourne, set to bring with it a suitably huge lineup of DJs and electronic artists. Exactly which names will take the stage is yet to be revealed, but with past Aussie headliners including the likes of Skrillex and David Guetta, it's looking pretty darn promising. Both the lineup and venue for Creamfields Australia 2017 are yet to be announced, but you can register here for first dibs on tickets and the chance to win some sweet prizes. Images: Supplied.
They've changed the home entertainment landscape and monopolise our couch time, but streaming platforms still like to keep everyone guessing. Surprise drops have become the latest trend, especially when it comes to blending movies and music — such as Beyonce's Homecoming documentary and The Lonely Island's Unauthorised Bash Brothers Experience on Netflix, and Donald Glover's Guava Island on Amazon Prime. And that's just this year. Announced this week and hitting your queue in mere days — on Thursday, June 27 — add Anima to the list. It too has a significant pedigree. Sharing the same name as Thom Yorke's third solo album, which'll drop on the same day, it's scored by the Radiohead frontman and directed by Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. Netflix is calling Anima "a short musical film" and a "mind-bending visual piece" which is "best played loud" — and considering it also stars Yorke, it's safe to consider it a 12-minute music video. In the just-released teaser, the film is dubbed a "one-reeler", which the clip then goes on to define as "a motion picture, especially a cartoon or comedy, of 10–12 minutes duration and contained on one reel of film; popular especially in the era of silent film". Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNYJ_BJJbzI This isn't Anderson's first Radiohead-linked collaboration, with his films There Will Be Blood, The Master, Inherent Vice and Phantom Thread all featuring scores composed by the band's lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. He also helmed 2015 documentary Junjun, about the making of Greenwood's album of the same name, and directed Radiohead's 'Daydreaming', 'Present Tense' and 'The Numbers' videos. Yorke has also been working in film lately — on the score for last year's Luca Guadagnino's 2018 remake of Suspiria. Anima drops on Netflix on Thursday, June 27. Images: Netflix / Darius Khondji.
Watching a film can transport you to another place — and, at Palace Centro from January 26 to 29, it can transport you to another period, too. To be specific, you'll feel like you're jumping back to a time when movie tickets were only $5. The last time a trip to the flicks was that cheap was when Palace did the same thing last year. The four-day offer is the perfect way to celebrate the public holiday and the days that follow, particularly if you're avoiding the heat and sitting in a darkened room is among your favourite pastimes. Sure, you might already have other plans — but who isn't tempted by the thought of going to the cinema for a fiver? The lineup of films is certain to prove just as enticing, with everything from La La Land, Arrival, Lion and Jackie to Paterson, Elle, The Edge of Seventeen and A United Kingdom currently screening. Catch rightful awards darling Moonlight on its opening day, or go gangster with new release Live By Night. At $5 per ticket, if you time it right, you can probably watch all of the above.
This time last year, the world had gone more than 12 months without seeing a new Marvel movie. Just a few months back, no one had used the words 'squid' and 'game' right next to each other unless they were talking about cooking up a particularly impressive seafood dish. But 2021 has proven the year of both caped crusaders and a certain South Korean Netflix phenomenon — and we all have the Google search history to prove it. With the year coming to a close, the technology behemoth has revealed exactly what we've all been scouring the web for in 2021, and its film and TV lists provide quite the snapshot of everyone's viewing. When we were all eager to watch a flick, we went big, with franchises, familiar names and super-famous faces defining the top ten most-searched movies. When we were staying in — it was another year filled with lockdowns, after all — we threw plenty of love towards streaming platforms. Topping the film list: Eternals, Chloé Zhao's addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and her first film after winning this year's Best Director Oscar for the immensely dissimilar Nomadland. It was closely followed by the long-delayed Black Widow, Timothée Chalamet-starring sci-fi remake Dune, more Marvel again via Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Netflix's heist-fuelled action flick Red Notice. Next came the new Australian-shot version of Mortal Kombat, the Emma Stone-led Cruella and the return of Michael Myers in horror sequel Halloween Kills, as well as monster melee Godzilla vs Kong and straight-to-streaming zombie film Army of the Dead. When it came to the globe's binge-viewing for the year, Squid Game came in at number one — likely not only because it's all anyone seemed to be watching in September and October, but because we all became so obsessed with it that, yes, we were all searching for every piece of information about it that we could find. It was followed by Bridgerton's period soapiness, WandaVision's trippy superhero dramas, Karate Kid spinoff series Cobra Kai and more Marvel (yes, again) thanks to Loki. Also placing in the top ten: Netflix's Sweet Tooth and Lupin, the latter of which probably benefited from dropping its episodes in two batches; the streamer's Ginny and Georgia; South Korean series True Beauty; and Big Brother Brazil 2021. If you haven't watched any of the above yet, consider this a catch-up list, too. For further details about Google's 2021 trend lists, head to the Google Trends website. Top image: Noh Juan, Netflix.
Eye roll-inducingly terrible bumper stickers be damned; no one honks if they're horny in Titane. Revving when aroused is more this petrol-doused body-horror film's style, spanning characters both flesh and chrome. When she's seen writhing in fishnets atop a flame-adorned vintage Cadillac, the stony-gazed Alexia (debutant Agathe Rousselle) is working. She's titillating a Fast and Furious-style car crowd with her sexed-up display, but the car model still seems to hum with every gyration. After wrapping up, murdering a grab-happy fan with the metal chopstick keeping her hair up and then showering off the gooey, gory evidence, she's soon purring rhythmically inside that gleaming vehicle. Yes, in a plot detail that spilled the instant Titane premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Palme d'Or, this is the French car sex flick. How does someone fornicate with an automobile? Not inside or on the waxed hood, but copulating with the vehicle itself? That's one of this pumping piston of a movie's least interesting questions, although Titane does go there. In her sophomore effort after the also-phenomenal teen cannibal film Raw, writer/director Julia Ducournau isn't too interested in those specifics. She splashes the bouncy sex scene across the screen with lights flashing, human and motor pulsating as one, and pleasure seeping like exhaust fumes, but it's hardly the picture's only point of interest. Titane isn't the first feature to flirt with carnality and cars — Ridley Scott's The Counsellor had a gas-fuelled rendezvous less than a decade ago; Crash, from body-horror godfather David Cronenberg, is also steeped in automotive eroticism. But Ducournau's addition to the parking lot shrewdly links mechanophilia with agency and control, particularly over one's feelings and body. First, before cylinders start lustily thrusting, Titane finds the initial growls of Alexia's four-wheeled fascination via a quick race through her childhood. As a seven-year-old (fellow first-timer Adèle Guigue), she enjoys audibly rumbling along with the engine. She also likes kicking the chair in front of her, exasperating her dad (French filmmaker Bertrand Bonello, director of Nocturama and Zombi Child) into an accident. For her troubles, she gets a plate of the titular element inserted in her cracked skull. That steely stare matches the alloy in her head even then. From the outset, Ducournau pairs blood and metal, reshaping her central figure while laying bare her vulnerabilities. She kicks her film into a gear it'll keep shifting into again and again, too, because this is a movie about modifications: physically, emotionally and while trying to claim one's own sense of self. Titane isn't just the French car sex film, clearly. It isn't merely a car sex movie about a woman partly forged from titanium, and with a penchant for piercing her way through those who block her road. Nor is it simply the French car pregnancy flick, with Alexia and the Caddy's tryst bearing fruit — a condition she tries to conceal, especially after more deaths lead her to Vincent (Vincent Lindon, At War), a fire chief who takes her in as his long-missing son. If Ducournau had made her script out of metal, she'd be moulding it in its molten form. She'd be letting it bubble; key to Titane's blistering appeal is its eagerness to let things boil, then brim over, because the feelings and ideas it works with are that scorching. If her feature was a car instead, it'd be that libidinous, fire-emblazoned Cadillac, which arrives with a bang, lures Alexia in and then lets loose. Actually, perhaps Titane would be the oily belly of the hulking vehicle that gets its biggest fan in the family way. Watching here resembles peeking under the bonnet with the engine running, seeing pulleys and belts in action, and feeling heat and energy radiate. That doesn't solely stem from the mechanical imagery, or the savage first half — where fluidly executed killing sprees, broken bodies and a watch-behind-your-hands incident of self-mutilation take on a mechanised air, too. And, it doesn't just emanate from Alexia's swelling stomach, the motor oil oozing from her breasts or, after binding down all signs of femininity in her new life, her scars. As set to both an eerie score and pitch-perfect needle drops, Titane evokes a sensation of witnessing moving parts grind, whirr, interlock and spark. The movie thrums, and it's intoxicating. It isn't always pretty, even with a neon-drenched look that'd do Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn proud, but popping the hood rarely is. As all filmmakers aim to, that's what Ducournau does with her car porn/serial killer/secret identity/gender-bending blend. She opens up her characters, exposes what makes them run and spies what lubricates their gears. Thanks to Rousselle's stunningly physical, near-silent performance, Titane lays bare the workings of a woman who has confronted the hyper-sexualised expectations of her gender by leaning in, and by stabbing. Alexia then grasps comfort by eschewing boundaries, and gaining a surrogate dad who's similarly trapped in his own way. As lensed with an exacting yet empathetic eye by Raw's Ruben Impens — even with its lurid blue and purple hues — Titane sees Vincent's battle to meet the macho standard, too. Shots of him injecting steroids to keep up with the younger firefighters are just as brutal as glimpses of Alexia's distended, strapped-down midsection, if not her bursts of violence. Titane is a ferocious and unflinching thriller, and also beautiful, tender and compassionate. Amid its visceral shocks, it gleans possibilities — in embracing connections, accepting change, breaking free of everything that the world throws at you and, crucially, in seeking power in transformation. Lindon's impact, and that of his soulful, sorrowful eyes, can't be underestimated; if Rousselle is the movie's fuel, he's its oxygen. Ducournau is always in the driver's seat, though. The second woman to ever win Cannes' highly coveted top prize, she packs the film's absurdities into the boot, straps her Raw-established fascination with bodies and identity into the passenger side, puts her pedal to the metal and speeds towards her own cinematic horizon. She veers, swerves and spins along the way, but never crashes — and takes her audience on one helluva ride.
The first half of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is every bit its director, and is to be endured rather than enjoyed. Set during America's economic boom of the 1920s, the action is cartoonish, the dialogue is almost devoid of nuance and the lavish parties appear dull despite all the sparkles in the world — a regrettable triumph of impeccable style over substance. Apologists may argue this merely reflects Gatsby's time and theme: a shallow, superficial facade to reflect its characters and their unapologetic opulance, but that is too convenient. Simple regard to Luhrmann's history reminds us that exaggerated spectacle is every bit his custom, not a carefully chosen device, and his fondness for juxtaposing period drama with modern music (the soundtrack was produced by Jay-Z) proves more distracting than entertaining. Matters improve immeasurably, however, in the second half when Luhrmann begins to explore his favourite theme of forbidden love twixt star-crossed lovers. Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom and Romeo & Juliet all hit their highest notes when the pagentry gave way to the intimate, and Gatsby is no exception. The stolen moments between its protagonist Jay (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Daisy (Carey Mulligan) are appropriately tender but ominous, presided over with a mix of fascination and regret by the film's narrator Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire). To borrow from Fitzgerald, these few quiet moments are — compared to the 'rotten crowd' of the first hour — worth more than the lot of them put together. From a performance standpoint, the women definitely come out on top. Mulligan is utterly charming as Daisy, consistently allowing her character's fragility to worm its way to the surface before masking it with a disarming smile, and Isla Fisher is unrecognisable as the mistress of Daisy's husband Tom (played by Joel Edgerton in yet another impressive turn). Most captivating of all, however, is the statuesque Elizabeth Debicki, who commands the eye in every frame of film she occupies. In terms of the men, Maguire's doe-eyed exuberance is endearing enough, though at times it strays almost to the point of clowning, and Jason Clarke provides a nice cameo as Fisher's dim-witted husband. In the role of Gatsby, DiCaprio looks every bit the man whose smile "was one of those rare [ones] with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you come across four or five times in life", yet his performance feels largely wooden and unnatural. It's as if the words and accent are not his own, particularly in the first half where they seem so apart from his body as to invoke uncomfortable memories of Tom Hardy's Bane. Ultimately, it's far from the disaster indicated by some of its early reviews, particularly those that labelled it a 'two-hour music video', and there's no denying Luhrmann has a flair for engaging the senses with his extraordinary vision. That said, The Great Gatsby largely departs from the memory almost as quickly as it arrives, an impermanent and largely uncritical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved take on the infirmity of the American Dream. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ozkOhXmijtk
Head to GPO's new 1920s-themed lounge bar, which is fittingly called The Gatsby, and you won't be able to miss the venue's old vault. It's a reminder of the distinctive building's history, with the structure starting its life back in 1887 as the Fortitude Valley General Post Office. It's also a symbol of GPO's reopening, which feels like reclaiming an iconic Brisbane location after a stint of safekeeping — or, to be more accurate, following the 136-year-old site's hefty $9-million revamp. It was in August 2022 that it was revealed that the structure was being taken over by Artesian Hospitality, with news of its key staff, three-venues-in-one setup and opening date unveiled since. Then, on Saturday, July 8, GPO started welcoming Brisbanites back through its doors. Now, the full trio of its hangouts behind its heritage-listed facade — the aforementioned The Gatsby, contemporary dining venue TAMA, and post-work drinks spot The Tax Office — are greeting patrons. The first is a late-night, walk-in-only cocktail and whisky bar on the building's upper level. The mood here is lavish and upscale, as the name makes plain, including velvet booths, leather accents and brass features as part of the design. As well as featuring the building's original, now-restored vault, The Gatsby soundtracks the sipping with DJs and a live saxophonist. Also, as demonstrated by the 74-page menu, the bar well and truly prides itself on its drinks. Highlights include the chilli-infused tequila and mango gasper, a Gatsby bellini using peach tea-infused vermouth, one cocktail made with edible citrus paint, and another that can be served either hot or cold. All of the classic sips are taken care of, too, or you can build your own manhattan, negroni, martini or old fashioned — each chosen because they're the most popular concoctions of F Scott Fitzgerald's era. At TAMA, the sprawling 100-seat restaurant filled with natural light has taken over the site's ground level, offering diners a radiant experience thanks to the high ceilings and double-storey windows in the two-storey atrium that doubles as the main dining room. Visitors will find be stone and marble flooring, bursts of greenery, velvet-clad booths and soft furnishings, too, and both original beams and custom chandeliers. As for the vibe, it's thoroughly old-school. Here, the wine is a big drawcard, given that there's a cellar stocked with 1000 handpicked bottles of vino and champagne. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Richard Ousby is using his experience overseas and locally to shape the restaurant's menu. "TAMA offers something for all occasions with an expansive ground floor restaurant and a mezzanine that can play host to private dining for 40 guests, and more intimate rooms for parties of six to eight," Ousby notes. "From pastas served tableside to carefully selected seafood and steaks, including a two-kilogram angus tomahawk and cut-to-order wagyu scotch fillet, TAMA's menu will cater to anyone looking for a casual meal through to those wanting a seriously elevated experience," he continues. Standout dishes also include cold seafood platters among the starters, charcoal calamari and beef tartare, plus half and full lobsters, quail and mushroom tart. And, there's a selection of handmade pasta dishes that includes four-cheese tortellini and crab bisque linguini. Feeling particularly cashed up? Opt for the caviar service. "The majority of bottles won't break the bank, sitting between $50–200; however, we will have a variety of selections and vintages that are exclusive to the venue and sit within our private cellar. There's something to fit every budget, taste and occasion," says Alan Hunter, the sommelier and ex-General Manager at OTTO Brisbane who is helping oversee the GPO's new guise, of the vino list. Hunter comes to the new GPO with plenty of accolades, including being named the Pol Roger 2013 Sommelier of the Year, and helping lead OTTO Brisbane to nabbing the Wine List of the Year award in the Good Food Guide in 2019. As for Brisbane local Ousby, he's drawing upon his time in England at Michelin three-star restaurant Waterside Inn, in Sydney at Sous Chef at Quay, and as Executive Chef of Stokehouse's restaurants in Melbourne and Brisbane. GPO also features The Tax Office, where folks can head to sit around an island bar. Food-wise, panko beef ribs, halloumi fries, Sriracha salmon tartare, potato scallops with chive sour cream, duck ragu and buttermilk chicken burgers are all on offer. Among the sips, beers come both bottled and on tap, accompanied by a curated wine list. Outside, the building's Victorian Italianate facade has been preserved, as have its balconies, stairwells and ceilings (with heritage paint tones a big feature after a colour study). And back inside, the design pairs modern finishings with OG touches — so exposed beams and brick, plus fireplaces. The end product is the result of a collaboration between The Royal Historical Society of Queensland, Brisbane City Council, heritage architects, Zero9 Builders (The Dorsett Hotel, The Star, and Edwards and Co) and Space Cubed Design Studio (Donna Chang, Iris Rooftop and Boom Boom Room). Find GPO Hotel is located at 740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley — and head to The Gatsby, TAMA and The Tax Office websites for more details.
The new decade has only just landed, but already we're getting a taste of some futuristic things headed our way — like the much-hyped air taxis from Uber, for example. This week, the company unveiled the latest designs for its new flying vehicles. We already know Aussies will be among the first in the world to experience this Uber Elevate aerial rideshare network, after Melbourne was named as one of three global cities where the service will commence testing. Along with Dallas and Los Angeles in the US, the Victorian city is set to host Uber Elevate trials from some time this year. Now, the world has scored a glimpse of just what these aerial taxis will look like, as Uber Elevate and Hyundai (the company's just-announced first automotive partner) unveiled their new full-scale aircraft concept model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Dubbed S-A1, the Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) has been designed to cruise at speeds of up to 290 kilometres per hour (similar to a helicopter), flying around 300–600 metres above the ground on trips of up to 100 kilometres in distance. Initially, the taxis would be flown by pilots, though there are plans to make them completely driverless over time. Sitting in an autonomous helicopter-like vehicle flying through the sky at 290 kilometres per hour sounds like a potential nightmare, but we're sure (or we hope) they'll do a lot of testing with drivers before it gets to that. The vehicles are also set to run entirely on electricity and will have several smaller helicopter-style rotors, instead of just one, helping to keep things a lot quieter. It's expected that during peak times, the electric vehicle will only take five to seven minutes to recharge, which is bound to seem pretty speedy to anyone who's ever been stuck in peak-hour traffic in a regular taxi. The Uber Elevate vehicles can carry up to four passengers and they'll take off and land vertically using helipad-style 'Skyports' located on high rooftops at key points around the city that might look a little like this: As this is just as concept at the moment, the PAVs (and helipads) that eventually take to Melbourne's skies could look wildly different. Last year, Uber Elevate revealed the aerial taxi system would be available to riders from as early as 2023 and that eventually, flights would cost the same as an UberX trip of the same distance. So, we guess we can get set for some Jetsons-style travel action in the not too distant future. Uber Elevate is slated to start tests in Melbourne by the end of 2020 with regular services kicking off in 2023. To read more about the program, head to the Uber website, and to check out the vehicle designs, see Hyundai's website.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia earlier this year. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for another round in 2018. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2018's events are scheduled for March 10 at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate, May 5 at Domaine de Binet in the Hunter Valley, May 19 at Ocean View Estates near Brisbane, September 8 at Pipers Brook in Tasmania and October 6 at Leura Park Estate in Geelong. For more information, visit the Grapest 5k run website.
Even five months in, not much has felt typical about 2022 in Brisbane so far, thanks to the pandemic and wild weather. But when you're competing for music trivia glory at one of the city's beloved regular events, you'll be basking in a nice stint of normality. Yes, Not On Your Rider is back for another year, all to keep us entertained in one of the best possible ways: by creating a music quiz show filled with well-known faces, staging it live and inviting Brisbanites to play along. This pop-culture delight first returned for 2022 in March; however, that was only its initial outing for the year. Now, it has locked in its full schedule, with six big events on the agenda before 2023 rolls around — including four shows at The Triffid and two at The Fortitude Music Hall. Yes, its huge Christmas show is making a comeback, as is Not On Your Rider's birthday extravaganza. Plus, new this year is a hefty Halloween celebration. If you're not already acquainted with Not On Your Rider, it takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. TV hits like Spicks and Specks and Never Mind the Buzzcocks are entertaining to watch on-screen, of course. They're ace to play along with from the comfort of your own couch, too. But they always leave even their biggest devotees wanting more, which is where Not On Your Rider comes in. Here's how it works: the event is hosted by The Creases' Aimon Clark, and features Velociraptor's Jeremy Neale and The Grates' Patience Hodgson as team captains. Also, while the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. Previous events have boasted folks from Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, The Kite String Tangle, Butterfingers, Last Dinosaurs and more, because you never know which music figures might be involved on the night. For its May show, Ben Lee, Shad Wicka, Ball Park Music's Jen Boyce and Regurgitator's Ben Ely will be doing the honours. And as for the quiz itself, it's accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees. [caption id="attachment_854737" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bianca Holderness[/caption] NOT ON YOUR RIDER 2022 DATES: Thursday, May 26 — The Triffid with Ben Lee, Shad Wicka, Jen Boyce and Ben Ely Friday, July 8 — Birthday extravaganza at The Fortitude Music Hall with guests TBC Thursday, August 25 — The Triffid with guests TBC Thursday, September 22 — The Triffid with guests TBC Thursday, October 27 — Halloween show at The Triffid with guests TBC Saturday, December 10 — Christmas show at The Fortitude Music Hall with guests TBC Not On Your Rider's 2022 season runs from May 26–December 10, with four shows at The Triffid and two at The Fortitude Music Hall. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Not On Your Rider website.
David Byrne started 2025 by singing and dancing with Robyn at Saturday Night Live's 50th-anniversary concert, then releasing the Saoirse Ronan (Blitz)-starring first-ever music video for 'Psycho Killer' 48 years after the song's debut. In 2026, he'll kick the year into gear by bringing his latest world tour Down Under in January. The iconic Talking Heads founder and frontman is hitting the road to support his latest record, September 2025 release Who Is the Sky?. In Australia and New Zealand, he's playing his first gigs since 2018, when he brought his American Utopia tour — which none other than Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods) turned into a concert flick also called American Utopia, aka one of 2020's absolute best films — this way. In Brisbane and thinking "this must be the place"? You're right: Byrne is venturing to the River City, playing Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, January 17. If you caught his American Utopia gigs or watched the film, you'll recognise some other familiar faces on the Who Is the Sky? tour. Byrne is taking to the stage with 13 musicians, singers and dancers, some of whom were part of the American Utopia band. Just like in those famous shows, his fellow performers will all be mobile throughout Byrne's latest set. Like tour, like album: Who Is the Sky? isn't just Byrne's first set of live gigs since American Utopia, but also his first record since that Grammy-winning release came out in 2018. Launching on Friday, September 5, 2025 — with first single 'Everybody Laughs' out now — the new album features St Vincent, Paramore's Hayley Williams, The Smile drummer Tom Skinner and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco among its guests. Byrne has long been a must-see live performer — and there's long been filmic proof of that fact. Forty-two years ago this December, he made concert film history with Talking Heads when he walked out onto a Hollywood stage with a tape deck, pressed play and, while standing there solo, began to sing 'Psycho Killer'. Then-future The Silence of the Lambs Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme directed cameras his way, recording the results for Stop Making Sense. [caption id="attachment_1008708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shervin Lainez[/caption] Live images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
From icy winds to sudden rain and spells of balmy sunshine, it can be tricky to know how to dress for the unpredictability of Aussie winters. Layering is the key to getting through the colder months — you can still wear your favourite t-shirt or mini dress and add a light trench, puffer jacket or drapey scarf to stay cosy and elevate your look with minimal effort. We've selected some of our top seasonal clothing essentials that should be a part of your capsule wardrobe for many winters to come — provided you look after them properly. Enter the Philips Garment Steamer, which not only eliminates wrinkles on all iron-safe fabrics but also removes odours and kills bacteria so you can extend your wear between washes. The compact handheld steamer is ready in just 30 seconds and can be folded to fit in your bag so you can even bring it with you when you're going straight from work to happy hour. Trench Coat You can't go wrong with a simple trench coat. The versatile jacket has remained a beloved classic for more than a century for good reason. The layering staple is substantial enough to add warmth while still light enough to minimise bulk. Wear it on top of a t-shirt and jeans to add a layer of sophistication to a simple outfit, or style it with a dress and heels for a more elegant look. You can pick up a lightweight option from Kmart for only $35 or invest in a weightier version that'll see you through many winters to come by brands such as & Other Stories ($299), UNIQLO ($199.90), DISSH ($249.99) and Assembly Label ($300). Sweater Dress For those days when it's too cold to even think about what to wear, throw on an effortless sweater dress with a pair of boots to stay snug from day to night. We'd advocate for spending a bit more on a wool or wool blend that'll last for more than one season, like AERE's Merino wool blend dress ($170), which features a chic mock neck and slit, or Seed Heritage's knit dress ($199.95), which has a roomier fit and sits above the knee. Style it with a belt and statement earrings for an elevated look, or dress it down with sneakers for a more casual vibe. Waterproof Boots Stay prepared for bouts of unpredictable weather with a pair of waterproof boots that are comfortable and stylish. Merry People's colourful Bobbi range ($159.95) is crafted with natural rubber and boasts a comfortable neoprene lining and arch support, making it suitable for all-day wear, no matter the weather. The Victorian brand also has gumboots for kids, knee- and calf-length boots, and convenient waterproof clogs that you can slip on when you're hustling out the door. Another option is Human Premium's Jam Boots ($89.95) which are similarly made with lightweight EVA and a neoprene interior. Puffer Jacket Our Aussie winters might not be as cold as other parts of the world but that morning chill can be a brutal challenge, especially when you're trying to find enough motivation to venture out of the house. Combat the nippiness with a puffer jacket that you can easily shrug off as temperatures ease during the day. Throw it on top of your activewear to keep hot girl walks alive during winter or layer it with a sweater for some extra cosiness. There are a range of choices and prices depending on what you're after like this water-resistant jacket for outdoor adventures by The North Face ($550), a lightweight option by UNIQLO for your office commute ($99.90), or statement pieces by Toast Society and AJE ATHLETICA. Blanket Scarf Tie your whole outfit together with an oversized scarf that's basically a blanket you can wear. Not only will it keep you warm but it can be styled in a variety of ways while adding a pop of vibrance and pattern to a muted winter colour palette. The Acne Studios scarf became a coveted winter accessory two years ago but you don't have to drop $500-plus to achieve the same aesthetic. Country Road, Bul and Witchery have colourful alternatives made with alpaca, mohair and wool blends for under $200 while Princess Polly has a polyester version that's only $30. Shop the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series and other products on the website.
We're just about ready to fast forward through this winter. Let's skip the low temperatures and head straight for warmer days and colder drinks. While we wish it could be that easy, we all just need to accept the situation and wait out the chill. Embrace the weather and all the winter-exclusive activities it brings — skiing, snowboarding, camping where you'll actually want to sit by the fire, and not to mention warming up in some pretty amazing hot pools. This season you can create your very own cold weather holiday with Teva's winter escape competition, which could win you $1000 to go towards planning your ideal adventure and $250 to shop Teva's shoes and match whichever destination you choose. Slip into a steaming, natural mineral water pool to rid your mind and body of any chilly winter blues. Gaze out at snow-capped mountains instead of the usual view from your desk. Escape the city's hustle and bustle and set up in a treehouse surrounded by nothing but wintry flora and fauna. The opportunities are great when you've got $1000 to splash on a bespoke escape. Grab your Teva shoes — with options good for zipping straight from your cabin into a thermal bath, or for hiking those snowy mountains — and you're good to go. To go in the running to win $1000 towards a winter escape, plus a $250 Teva gift card, enter your details below. [competition]629606[/competition]
A coffee cup you're actually encouraged to throw on the ground? Tossers, this is your moment. After acknowledging people are jerks and will continue to litter to their hearts content, Californian environmental organisation Reduce. Reuse. Grow. has created a biodegradable coffee cup, embedded with seeds from local native plants. So if you're one of those straight-up idiots who likes to chuck their cup, you won't be adding to the already existing waste in the natural environment. It's a brand new project sitting on Kickstarter, with Reduce. Reuse. Grow. attempting to raise a mere US$10,000 to fund the seed cups. So how does it work? Specific to the Californian landscape, the cups decompose within 180 days, letting the seeds of local redwood trees and poppy flowers find their way to the soil. So you're left with new seedlings and no remnants of a latte in sight. Although the concept is a purely American one — a little drawing of a state lets you know where the seeds are native to — here's hoping there's enough interest for an international range, or an Australian company picks it up. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have created the cups in an a attempt to take recyclable cups even further. "In America we discard over 146 billion cups from coffee consumption annually," say the team on their Kickstarter page. "Even when we think we are recycling and doing a good deed, the paper itself within these products can only be reused two to three times before the fibres are unusable and discarded into local landfills without consumer's knowing. It is time to consume smarter." Importantly, not everyone is going bush just to throw a litter party. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have already thought of this. The team have suggested cafes creating a designated bin for the seed cups, one the crew themselves would pick up and dump in spots in dire need of new vegetation. Or you can just plant the cup yourself, after soaking it in water for five minutes. Apparently the seeds from one cup could extract over one tonne of CO2, so we're hoping native Australian seeds are next for the plantable cups. Check out the Reduce. Reuse. Grow. Kickstarter page over here. Via Fast Company.
The year was 1992. Aladdin, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Batman Returns, Lethal Weapon 3 and A Few Good Men ruled the international box office. Slipping into a habit and sliding in next on the list, becoming the sixth-biggest hit of the year: Sister Act. The film about singing nuns spawned a sequel, with word of a third movie floating around for years since — and, as everything from Mean Girls and Muriel's Wedding to Groundhog Day and Beetlejuice has also done, it inspired a stage musical as well. The theatre take on the Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple)-led film franchise debuted in California in 2006, then hit West End in 2009 and Broadway in 2011. Now, it's finally Australia's turn — including in Brisbane. Sister Act will make its Aussie premiere at Sydney's Capitol Theatre to see out winter, then make a date with the Regent Theatre in Melbourne from November, and has then locked in a stint at QPAC in the River City after that from February 2025. [caption id="attachment_939236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sister Act UK & Ireland Touring Production 2023-24, Mark Senior.[/caption] The first movie was filled with songs like 'Rescue Me', 'My Guy' and 'I Will Follow Him', ensuring that its soundtrack was a smash, too, so the film was always primed to tread the boards. The Sister Act musical features original tunes, with Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid) doing the honours. Among the show's rewards so far: five Tony Award nominations and six Olivier Award nominations. "It is a joyous thing to produce a musical that has never been seen in Australia before and I feel very blessed to be bringing Sister Act to our shores," said producer John Frost when he initially announced the Sydney and Melbourne seasons. "It's a brilliant, must-see show that will lift audiences up and I know Australians will get into the habit of seeing again and again." [caption id="attachment_956082" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Benny Capp[/caption] Story-wise, the production follows Deloris, who witnesses a murder and has to go into protective custody. Her hideout: a convent. It's there that the nightclub singer finds a struggling choir, which she begins to help. For the Australian run, Casey Donovan (& Juliet) is leading the cast, while Genevieve Lemon (Billy Elliot) co-stars as Mother Superior. The Brisbane season doesn't yet have exact dates, but you can sign up for the ticket waitlist online. Sister Act Australian Tour 2024: From Tuesday, August 3, 2024 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney From Sunday, November 3, 2024 — Regent Theatre, Melbourne From February 2025 — QPAC, Brisbane Sister Act will hit the stage in Brisbane from February 2025. For further information and tickets, head to the show's website. Top image: Sister Act UK & Ireland Touring Production 2023-24, Mark Senior.
From the outside, it's just another cute specialty coffee nook. Inside, Blackout holds so much more. As the retail arm of The Black Lab Coffee Co. all the blends, single origins and microlot coffees are roasted right here. That means you're getting artisanal coffee at its most fresh from folks who know exactly what they're doing with these fine beans. Whatever your perfect brew, Blackout provides the goods by serving batch, cold drip and espresso and has the full arsenal of alternative milks on hand. But it's not just coffee it's serving up. It also has you sorted for hot chocolate and chai — both from Cosecha Organics — as well as bottled juice 'n' booch, and a cabinet filled with freshly baked treats. As leaders in coffee making, Blackout also provides training courses on every manner of brew that the career coffee maker or home hobbyist needs to master, plus the equipment to go with it. It's your go-to Paddo spot for caffeination, bean-based know-how and that V60 you've been eyeing off.
If you consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie, then visiting Sky Park is a must on your trip to Tropical North Queensland. Not only is it the one place in Australia where you can actually take the bungee jump plunge, but you'll get to do so while being cradled by lush tropical rainforest. Located 15 kilometres north of Cairns, here you can leap from the 50-metre bungee that teeters over a stunning natural lagoon. Or, strap into the giant swing to reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour in just three seconds with two mates side by side. If you're not quite ready to take the bungee plunge, try the 140 metre high walk the plank obstacle instead. Whether you're a seasoned jumper or are ready to take your very first leap, the 16 different styles on the jump menu will accomodate for all levels of thrill seeking and ensure you experience a rush like never before. [caption id="attachment_828485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption]
Head to the Gallery of Modern Art until October and the works of two artists await: eX de Medici and Michael Zavros. The first exhibition is the most extensive retrospective to date on the Canberra-based creative and tattooist, spanning more than 100 works. The second covers 90-plus paintings, sculptures, videos, photos and performances by the Queensland artist. And, for two nights only this winter, they'll backdrop two big parties. Brisbane art lovers know that GOMA's exhibitions aren't simply dazzling to look at, whether pieces by David Lynch, Yayoi Kusama, Patricia Piccinini, Marvel or Chiharu Shiota are filling the venue's walls. For just a couple of evenings each, they usually provide a setting for ace after-dark parties surrounded by all of those creative works. Yes, the gallery's eX de Medici and Michael Zavros showcases are getting the Up Late treatment. Get ready to spend two August nights seeing everything from an original classic 90s Mercedes-Benz SL convertible with water to blood swabs — a large-scale mural depicting the Parthenon in Athens, too, plus musings on fragility, death, greed, power and conflict — while drinking, tapping your toes to DJs and listening to live music. A $42-per-night ticket gets attendees access to both exhibitions, as well as the fun. On the GOMA Up Late lineup: Lisa Mitchell and Banoffee doing the honours on the Friday, August 18, alongside DJ Zed Mero; and Nai Palm and The Riot taking to the stage on Saturday, August 19, plus DJ Neesha. The event's music component will take place on the Maiwar Green and outside GOMA's entrance. As well as art and tunes, there'll be multiple spots to grab a bite and drink around the place, including at the GOMA Bistro, Bodhi Tree Bar, River Room Bar and Bacchus Wine Room. Expect live immersive art experiences and workshops, too — including eX de Medici's temporary tattoo booth, drop-in still-life drawing, and pop-up art and opera with Panayiota Kalatzis — and, as is always the case whenever it's GOMA Up Late time, the kind of gallery visit you can't have via daylight. GOMA UP LATE — EX DE MEDICI AND MICHAEL ZAVROS LINE-UP: Friday, August 18 — Lisa Mitchell, Banoffee and DJ Zed Mero Saturday, August 19 — Nai Palm, The Riot and DJ Neesha Both nights: eX de Medici's temporary tattoo booth, drop-in still-life drawing, pop-up art and opera with Panayiota Kalatzis GOMA Up Late — eX de Medici and Michael Zavros takes place on Friday, August 18–Saturday, August 19 at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane. For more information and tickets, head to the GOMA website. Michael Zavros: The Favourite and eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from Saturday, June 24–Monday, October 2, 2023. For further details — or to find out more about the gallery's full 2023 slate — visit its website. Images: installation views of Michael Zavros: The Favourite and eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2023. © Michael Zavros and eX de Medici / Photographs: Joe Ruckli © QAGOMA.
Lena Dunham has announced a return to filmmaking. At the 15th New Yorker Festival, held over the weekend, she spilled the beans on her plans to adapt and direct Karen Cushman’s coming-of-age novel Catherine, Called Birdy. “I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a kid,” Dunham told author Ariel Levy on Friday night. In fact, in a 2012 interview with the New York Times, she identified it and Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita as the “two best books about girls” she had ever read. It's a project that will allow the Girls creator to extend her voice well beyond beyond her generation. Narrated as a diary and set in England in the 1290s, Catherine, Called Birdy recounts a 13-year-old girl’s struggle against arranged marriage. “[She] gets her period and her father basically says, 'Well, it's time for you to get married,' and she's like, 'Uh, no,'" Dunham explained. “It's hyper realistic and really pretty and it's full of incest and beatings, but it's a child's story.” Fortunately there were no Q-Tips in the 1290s, so audiences will at least be spared that Dunham-patented horror. The writer-director is intending to produce the film via her production company, A Casual Romance, which she set up with Jenni Konner, executive producer of Girls. However, they’re still in need financial support from “someone who wants to a fund a PG-13 medieval movie.” In the meantime, she is busy promoting her debut essay collection, Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s 'Learned'. Via Indiewire.
The future. What will it look, feel, sound, smell and taste like? What's the logical progression of everything that's happening today, in our rapidly changing technological and social landscape? Will the future be like now, only more so? Auteur film director Spike Jonze answers this question via the plaintive eyes and breaking voice of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) as he wanders the Los Angeles of the near-future in Her. This future is a warm and technologically intuitive space, where highly evolved, Siri-like operating systems are capable of falling in love with humans. Watching the film, we found that despite its themes of loneliness and emotional surrogacy, there's a few predictions we hope do come true. Computers are basically therapists In the future, while artificial intelligence-based computers programs like Samantha (dreamily voiced by Scarlett Johansson) definitely listen to what you say, what really matters to them is how you say it. In classic psychoanalyst form, they listen for signs of hesitation, anxiety or affection. When his OS quizzes him about his feelings for his mother, Theodore's ambivalent tone tells the computer all it needs to know. Video games are just as savvy: Theodore spends a lot of time chatting with a funny little virtual creature with a bad case of Tourette's, whose needless rudeness greatly amuses him. So, what happens when an OS can sense and respond to your emotions? You end up getting entertainment, companionship, sympathy and advice from an entity that also has the power to sort through infinite data and provide all kinds of practical services. It becomes the 100 percent efficient bosom friend you never had. The pedestrian is king Today, Nobody Walks in LA, because everyone has a car. It's a proverbial truth well documented by SNL's The Californians. But Spike Jonze's' LA of tomorrow is one big, car-less New York Highline (he even consulted with the Highline's creators to get the feel right). Broad and tranquil sky walkways connect Theodore from work to home, and a metro system takes him from the city to the beach. What's the advantage of travelling through life on foot? Safer, more populated public spaces; a healthier body; and the end of road rage. Despite Her's overarching theme of loneliness, from developments here in Sydney we know that pedestrian spaces tend to attract food trucks, live music and events, making everyone feel happier and more connected to their local community. Something we didn't see in the film that we hope to see in the cities of the future, is a skyline of buildings carpeted with vertical gardens. Clothes, technology and interiors are kind of friendly-looking Do we see any robo-babes or steampunks in future LA? No. We see an affluent middle-class clad in garb that references the 1930s, with high-waisted pants and clean colour-blocking. No one's trying to look cutting-edge; just well-presented. The style is actually shoppable — check out Opening Ceremony's Her capsule collection. As for interior design and gadgets, there's none of the usual super-slick chrome interiors, overly stark minimalism and cold blue lighting that films usually use to represent the world of the future. Nor are there paleo-future aesthetics or dystopian ruins. Instead, we experience lights that gently illuminate when Theodore enters his apartment; a smart pocketbook that looks like an old-timey picture frame; an elevator whose walls display a moving silhouette of trees. It's a wholesome, comfortable environment accessorised with objects and furniture in shades of blush and ochre. In fact, the colour blue is largely filtered out of the movie, to create a feeling of warmth and comfort deliberately at odds with Theodore's personal isolation. While we can't exactly filter out blue IRL, we Spike Jonze's vision of a cosy, inviting built environment that isn't trying too hard to be cool. Communication is hands free and softly spoken In future LA, almost every appliance is a voice-activated Siri. From printers to video games to letter-writing computer programs, machines respond to softly murmured voice commands much like Google Glass today. Riding the metro home, Theodore discreetly instructs his smart pocketbook to show him nudie pictures of a pregnant celebrity. What's the upshot of this subtle way of communicating needs? People become more softly spoken in general. The trend carries into advertising: Theodore first hears about the new artificially intelligent OS from a slo-mo advertisement in which a soothing voice heralds a new era in technology. Machines themselves also speak enticingly, as epitomised by the husky Samantha . Her is in cinemas now. Read our review of the movie here.
City markets seem to be enjoying a moment in the sun at the moment as CBD inhabitants relish in the opportunity to purchase something found outside the surrounding chain stores. The latest market to pop up in the area is courtesy of Bleeding Hearts Cafe and Art Gallery, an artisan retail store dedicated to funding charitable and community enterprise. The Bleeding Hearts Markets are set to take place on the first Friday of every month and will offer an eclectic mix of handmade, art and vintage items on offer from local artisans, who will set up shop along the gallery veranda and in the front garden. Get your hands on some new and exclusive prints, illustrations, jewellery, accessories, children's clothing and toys and meet the people responsible for these clever crafts. The cafe will also be open so if you are only able to make it on your lunch break - well then you are in luck. Best of all Bleeding Hearts is only a 2 min walk from both Central Station and King George Bus Station. A far more appealing option compared to your local food court. Image courtesy of Peach Face.
The sun is shining, your out of office is on and you've already spent a good amount of time curled up streaming TV shows. Now's the chance to catch up on your reading — so, find a shady spot on a beach, next to a pool or by a waterfall and start making your way through our favourite ten books of 2019. It's a mixed bag this year — we've been turning the pages of a novel about a debaucherous secret society, the latest Booker Prize winner (no, not The Testaments), devastating nonfiction works about Australian bushfires and a heartwarming page-turner combining politics, royalty and queer history. Some of them are immersive, some of them knotty and uncomfortable, which makes them perfect for mulling over during the holidays, and provide flavourful fodder for dinner conversations. Take your pick. LANNY BY MAX PORTER In 2016, Max Porter won the Dylan Thomas Prize for his debut novel Grief Is the Thing With Feathers — a story in which a trickster-babysitter crow visits two grieving children. This year, Porter delivered another poetic and daring tale, this time centring on a creative and mysterious boy called Lanny. There's a rhythm to Porter's writing; he illustrates one of his most exciting characters through a scrawling, italicised font that seems to slip and slide off the page. Dead Papa Toothwort is a shapeshifting spirit that feeds on the life and grime of Lanny's village in the English countryside — one with gossip at the school gates, nosy but well-meaning neighbours, and a woodland where children like to build treehouses. Reliable old Pete is Lanny's good friend. He's an older man, an artist, and one of the more likeable characters. What starts as an eerie, but largely quiet, tale of village life gathers speed towards the end, when Lanny is missing and the village mob starts pointing fingers. SUPPER CLUB BY LARA WILLIAMS Lara Williams' novel about a secret society of women who meet after dark to feast is superb. At the centre of the novel is Roberta, and the novel jumps back and forth between her days at university, where she teaches herself to cook and dates a lecturer, and the present day, where her and her wild, intense friend Stevie start the supper club. Over bowls of pasta, slabs of meatloaf, messy bouillabaisse and gallons of wine, the women gorge themselves and behave in an incredibly 'unladylike' manner in rebellion of their oppression by men. They throw food at each other, vomit, dance topless and go wild with debauchery. Intelligent and boldly written, Williams' story is less about food and more about the characters' appetites to acquit themselves of their everyday lives. Easy to read, you'll smash it quicket than your avocado on toast. RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE BY CASEY MCQUISTON It might be questionable of us to include a book that would certainly not be considered literary, and falls firmly in the romance and new adult categories. But Casey McQuiston's debut novel Red, White & Royal Blue is so joyous and hopeful that it makes you want to throw away any pretence of trying to appear cool. Incorporating, and elevating, all the best cheesy rom-com tropes — enemies to friends to lovers, fake friendships, a secret relationship and an email scandal — McQuiston's writing is heartwarming, funny and intelligent as she blends politics, royalty and queer history into a big ball of happiness. I challenge you not to fall in love with this book's diverse cast of characters: Alex, the obliviously bisexual Mexican-American son of the first woman president of the United States; Henry, the compassionate, quietly homosexual prince of England with a scholarly interest in queer history; Pez, the prince's dastardly attractive Nigerian best friend; Zahra, the president's fierce and frightening chief of staff; Amy, a transwoman and former marine-turned-secret service agent who likes embroidery. Would recommend to anyone looking for a book so firmly placed in the now — but a better one than the one we've got. If it were possible, it would make your heart smile. ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS BY OCEAN VUONG Ocean Vuong's debut novel found itself on a host of nominee lists for literary prizes his year, earning reviews describing it as shattering, tender, haunting and stunning. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother, tracking a family history back to its roots in war-torn Vietnam and forward to the son's experiences as a queer, biracial American, and telling a story trapped between the worlds of trauma and compassion. Vuong's poetry background makes for prose that is fluid, raw and earnest, in an intimate exploration of race, class, grief and masculinity. SALT BY BRUCE PASCOE Likely already on the radar of fans of his work, Salt offers an insight into the range and depth of influential Indigenous Australian historian Bruce Pascoe. This collection of stories and essays from the award-winning author of Dark Emu includes some of his most revered work and previously unpublished pieces of fiction — tender stories exploring country, nature and identity — just waiting to be discovered. For those with a short attention span or looking for an introduction to Pascoe's works, this is an ideal read for afternoons on the beach, and a poignant reminder of our nation's history. BEAUTY BY BRI LEE Beauty marks the second book by Bri Lee in as many years to make it onto our Summer Reading List, so she must be doing something right. Once again imbuing her words with a brutal candour, Lee explores our obsession with thinness and beauty, in a world that has made huge strides against the patriarchy, yet still finds us holding ourselves to an impossible and unattainable standard of physical 'perfection'. Readers are invited into Lee's world in a 150-page essay on her battle with eating disorders and her final rejection of society's punishing ideals. For anyone that loved Eggshell Skull — and pretty much everyone else, too. THE ARSONIST: A MIND ON FIRE BY CHLOE HOOPER Published in October 2018, this novel isn't a 2019 book. But, with catastrophic bushfires currently burning across Australia, its content couldn't be timelier. Following the trial of the man charged with lighting the Latrobe Valley fires, part of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that killed 173 people in regional Victoria and burnt over 450,000 hectares, Chloe Hooper's The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire is devastating and haunting. It includes harrowing accounts from those injured in the fires and fascinating details from the investigation, all delivered with captivating and lyrical prose. And, while it's a work of nonfiction, it reads like a thriller — and it's impossible to put down. GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER BY BERNARDINE EVARISTO Two books won this year's Booker Prize: Margaret Atwood's 34-year follow-up to The Handmaid's Tale, called The Testaments; and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. We're recommending you read the latter. Following the interconnected lives of 12 characters, mostly Black British women, from different generations, religions and social classes, it's a joyous, poetic read. You'll meet lesbian playwrights, investment bankers and farmers, all battling everyday problems and larger social issues, such as race and sexuality. As well as being a collection of 12 separate, intimate portraits, the book successfully paints a polyphonic picture of modern-day Britain. FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE BY TAFFY BRODESSER-AKNER A renowned celebrity profiler — if you haven't already, we suggest you read her New York Times Magazine piece on Gwyneth Paltrow ASAP — Taffy Brodesser-Akner first dipped her toe into fiction this year with the release of her debut novel Fleishman Is in Trouble. And Fleishman, a recently divorced, now-single dad navigating the world of dating apps, sexts and raising two children, really is in trouble. As is our narrator: stay-at-home mum Libby. And Fleishman's ex-wife, Rachel. While the bulk of the novel is dedicated to Fleishman and his struggles, it also cleverly explores how women's stories are often over-looked and sidelined. Its ending more-than rewards readers for pushing through some of the less-gripping sections, too BELOVED BY TONI MORRISON The first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, Toni Morrison passed away in August at the age of 88. Her novel Beloved wasn't published this year — in fact, it was published way back in 1987 — but we think this summer is the perfect time to revisit it, or pick it up for the first time. Arguably Morrison's best-known novel, Beloved follows an escaped enslaved woman who is haunted by decisions and trauma from her past. It's not an easy read, nor should it be. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has had far-reaching cultural influence since its publication, including on Jordan Peele's 2019 horror flick Us. If you'd like to explore this connection further, we suggest listening to this episode from The New York Times podcast Still Processing. Words by Aimee Sics, Emma Joyce, Leisha Kapor and Samantha Teague.
It's that time of year, Brisbanites. Yes, it's spring — but it's also time for Brisbane Festival. Every September, the huge annual event takes over the city, serving up every kind of creative performance that artistic director David Berthold can think of. In 2019, that's a hefty list. Get ready to walk through fire, lose yourself in a maze of doors, watch theatre in a warehouse, see a classic ballet completely reimagined and listen to a bedtime story — when you're not celebrating the birthday of a Brisbane icon, worshipping at the altar of house music and watching a saucy cabaret, that is. The program goes on, as it always does, spoiling fans of art, music, performance, comedy, cabaret, installations and culture for choice in a very big way. From Brisbane Festival's 2019 lineup, which features 454 performances of 83 shows over 23 days between September 6–28, here are our must-see highlights.
Founded in 2013 by distiller Philip Moore and coffee enthusiast Tom Baker, Mr Black has become a go-to for Australians looking to create bar-quality espresso martinis at home. Now, the distiller and coffee roaster is making things even easier by launching a new range of espresso martinis in ready-to-drink cans. These canned cocktails have been three years in the making, with Mr Black trialing 156 different recipes, two production methods and three canning technologies to create their newest product. Each can contains arabica coffee, Australian distilled vodka and Mr Black coffee liqueur, and is charged with nitrogen in order to give you the frothy head of a real espresso martini. All you need to do is shake, pour and maybe add a couple of coffee beans to the top if you're really trying to enjoy the full espresso martini experience. Canned and bottled cocktails have become an increasingly common trend in the past couple years, with many local bars also getting on board during Australia's lockdowns. Mr Black joins the likes of Kahlua, Lexington Hill and Curatif in offering canned espresso martinis, distinguishing itself with the fan-favourite taste of the brand's coffee liquor. The on-the-go cocktails have been launched just in time for warmer weather and the rolling back of restrictions in many states, allowing espresso martini fans the opportunity to bring the caffeinated cocktail with them on a picnic, to a dinner party or away on a trip without needing to pack several bottles of spirits. You can find Mr Black's canned espresso martinis online, as well as in Liquorland, First Choice, Vintage Cellars and independent liquor stores. The cans come in a four pack of 200-millilitre cans which will set you back $34.99; however, if you purchase via the Mr Black website, you can can nab ten percent off your order by using the discount code MRB10 at checkout. For more information about Mr Black's espresso martini cans, and to nab ten percent off your order by using the discount code MRB10 at checkout, head to the Mr Black website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
In too many music biopics to count, a star is born — and also rises to fame after putting their talents towards a dream that's inspired them as long as they can remember. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story looks set to follow same formula, and also parody it. It wouldn't be a movie about Weird Al Yankovic if it didn't take something that already works, then give it a satirical spin, now would it? "My whole life, all I wanted was to do... was make up new words to a song that already exists," Yankovic, as played by Daniel Radcliffe (The Lost City), says in the just-dropped full trailer for Weird — in case you thought the film wasn't going to be gloriously ridiculous. This line bookends glimpses of a childhood Al happily thumbing through accordion magazines and getting caught at a polka party. In other words, this humorous look at the man behind oh-so-many humorous songs is taking the exact approach a film about Weird Al really has to. The new trailer follows a teaser back in May, and gives viewers plenty of gifts: accordions, obviously; recreations of Weird Al's film clips and live performances; chaotic meetings with Madonna, as played by Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood; and origin stories behind tracks like 'My Bologna' and 'Like a Surgeon'. The list goes on, and also includes Radcliffe having an absolute ball in the lead role. In his time playing Harry Potter, Radcliffe did many things. He didn't cut like a surgeon, get himself an egg and beat it, or lose on Jeopardy, though. And, he certainly didn't don the curliest of wigs, swan around in Hawaiian shirts with his chest hair flapping in the breeze or pick up an accordion, either — but Weird is making all of the above magic happen. With Radcliffe seemingly having the time of his life as the musician behind 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' — plus comedic riffs on pretty much every other big song of the past four-plus decades that you can think of — Weird: The Al Yankovic Story really is exactly what it sounds like. It sounds wonderful, too, naturally. Radcliffe sports wire-framed glasses, those shirts, that hair and Yankovic's instantly recognisable moustache in the music biopic, which feels like it was cast by the internet. Made for the Roku Channel in the US, and arriving in America on November 4 — with no details yet dropping about where it'll air Down Under, or when, sadly — this is 100-percent an authorised bio. Yankovic is one of the screenwriters, in fact, alongside director Eric Appel (a TV sitcom veteran with Happy Endings, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and top-notch cop-show parody NTSF:SD:SUV on this resume). If the man in the spotlight's career has taught us all anything apart from the wrong words to pop hits, however, it's that he doesn't take a single thing, including himself, seriously. Also set to feature: Yankovic's rise to fame, all those songs, everything from "his torrid celebrity love affairs" to his "famously depraved lifestyle", and a story that follows his journey "from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time" — at least according to the original press release revealing the flick, which sports a healthy sense of humour. When the film was announced, Yankovic gave his input too, of course. "When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I'm very happy to say we're on schedule," he said. "And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for." Check out the trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story below: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story releases in the US on November 4, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when further details are announced.
It's the first Cirque du Soleil show that uses a central stage, placing its action in the middle of the arena, meaning that patrons face each other while they watch. It focuses, fittingly for a circus troupe, on a clown. Corteo is the production in question, and is also already proving a hit in Australia ahead of its 2025 season's arrival — with an extra 25 performances freshly locked in due to demand. When a clown ponders its final farewell, what does it see? This show has the answer. When Corteo initially made its way to the stage in Montreal in 2005, it won over audiences by setting its acrobatic feats within a funeral procession imagined by a jester — a carnival-like parade that muses on humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities — in a space between heaven and earth. Two decades later, it's one of the troupe's most-beloved performances. Cirque du Soleil announced earlier in 2025 that it would celebrating that Corteo milestone Down Under this year — and now that a five-city tour of Australia has just gotten bigger. The production's stints at Perth Arena, Melbourne's John Cain Arena, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Brisbane Entertainment Centre have all been extended by a week, albeit with shows focused around the weekend. Accordingly, Perth will now enjoy Corteo from Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 17; Melbourne between Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 31; Sydney from Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 14; and Brisbane across Thursday, September 18–Sunday, September 28. Adelaide's dates at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre from Thursday, October 2–Sunday, October 5 remain unchanged. Over its 20 years of life so far Corteo has proven a smash, with over 12-million audience members in 30 countries on four continents seeing it so far. As its clown protagonist conjures up the festive parade that ushers him from this world, attendees witness a poetic yet playful performance — one where the acrobatics are unique, too, and where angels watch over. The show hits Australia after LUZIA was the last Cirque du Soleil production that bounded this way, kicking off in 2024 — and notching up another first, as the Montreal-based company company's debut touring show to feature rain in its acrobatic and artistic scenes. Before that, 2023 saw Cirque du Soleil bring CRYSTAL, its first-ever ice production on ice, Down Under. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo — Australia and New Zealand Tour 2025 Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 17 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 31 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 14 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, September 18–Sunday, September 28 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, October 2–Sunday, October 5 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Cirque du Soleil's Corteo tours Australia from August 2025. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the show's website. Images: Maja Prgomet, Johan Persson and Aldo Arguello.
Although it may be Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival in Sydney, you can still get your fair share of hot fashion tips in Brisbane this week. Held at the gorgeous Limes Hotel is Rooftop Styling, a great excuse for a night of fab fashion. Enjoy a cocktail on arrival and a bevy of delectable canapes by Limes Hotels' sister venue, Alfred & Constance, while you ogle gorgeous fashion. The night will be hosted by fashion writer for the The Style Report, Laura Stead, so insider tips are guaranteed. Three models will showcase the new season collection from South Bank boutique Denim Co. The night will focus on elegant designs that have a dark, Gothic edge. Stead will be styling up a storm and outlining new trends for the upcoming winter season. If any of the stunning pieces tickle your fancy, you'll be able to take them home with you as Denim Co. will have a pop-up store filled with specials available on the night. Get your girlfriends together and share an evening of Gothic glamour. Grab your tickets here.
If there's one way to forget that you're still in your own city, staycationing within a short drive from home rather than heading further afield, it's splashing around up high while peering down on familiar sights from a completely different angle. Sydneysiders, another place to do just that is in your future, with TFE Hotels set to launch its first Collection property in the Harbour City in early 2024 — complete with a rooftop infinity pool. The new Collection by TFE Hotels property will be a big feature of the in-development Surry Hills Village, sitting on Baptist Street as part of a precinct that'll also include shops, apartments, event spaces, work spaces and dining. The Sydney spot joins the brand's Savoy Hotel on Little Collins in Melbourne, Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra, Calile Hotel in Brisbane and Hotel Britomart in Auckland. That's impressive company, and the new boutique hotel will continue the same design-led, individual-focused approach. When it comes to slumbering, there'll be 102 rooms. While exactly what they'll feature, and what other amenities guests can expect, hasn't yet been revealed, the hotel will boast curved brickwork and stone pathways as part of its design — and greenery aplenty. Also set to be a highlight: the Cloister, the hotel's restaurant and bar space. And, yes, that sky-high pool with scenic views, of course. "Surry Hills is home to one of the city's premier restaurant, dining, and boutique precincts," said TFE Hotels CEO Antony Ritch, announcing the new hotel. "This Collection property will become a destination in its own right." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surry Hills Village By TOGA (@surryhillsvillage) Within the 1.2-hectare mixed-use development that is Surry Hills Village itself, Sydneysiders can also look forward to a new 517-square-metre public park, plus up to 12,000 square metres of retail and commercial tenants. There'll also be a new public pedestrian thoroughfare linking Marriott Street and Baptist Street — and, as part of the hospitality offering, a new restaurant from Fink Group, the team behind Quay, Bennelong, Otto and newly anointed third-best steak restaurant in the world Firedoor. And yes, new hotels are sprouting up thick and fast around Sydney, with the new Collection by TFE Hotels site joining the soon-to-launch Porter House Hotel; the just-launched Ace Hotel, Australia's first outpost from the chain; and none other than the Waldorf Astoria, which'll also opening its first-ever Australian hotel in Sydney in 2025. That's obviously excellent news not just for staycationers, but for folks visiting the city from interstate as well. TFE Hotels' new Collection property at Surry Hills Village, on Baptist Street in Surry Hills, is due to open in 2024. Head to the Collection by TFE Hotels and Surry Hills Village websites to keep an eye out for further information.
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin, here's your chance. For five days, Hugo Boss will be hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score 50 percent off a massive range of premium clothing — from comfy t-shirts and soft sweaters to suave suits and women's dresses. Hello, EOFY cash splash. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion or looking to prep your spring wardrobe early, Hugo Boss's mid-year outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale only running from Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, June 30. In Brisbane, you can head to the BOSS Outlet at Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre to get these quality threads for such a steal. Opening hours are Wednesday, 9am–5.30pm; Thursday, 9am–7pm; Friday–Saturday, 9am–5.30pm; and Sunday, 10am–5pm. Hugo Boss mid-year outlet sale will run from Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, June 30. To find your closest outlet, visit the website.
It has been less than a year since the sale of medicinal marijuana became legal in Australia, but the Federal Government isn't stopping there. They've now approved the export of the country's cannabis-based medicines. Yes, domestic manufacturers can now sell their wares overseas. The move applies to medicinal cannabis products, rather than cannabis itself. In a statement, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt dubbed the move "an important step for the development of the medicinal cannabis sector and to secure long-term supplies for Australian patients," and said it "will help both the domestic supply and Australian producers by strengthening the opportunities for domestic manufacturers." Hunt expanded upon the rationale further to the ABC, noting "we would like to be, potentially, the world's number one medicinal cannabis supplier." It is believed that by helping Aussie manufacturers expand, it'll assist in warding off competition from imports by allowing local outfits to grow their market. As part of any licence authorising export, medicinal cannabis products will be required to be made available to Australian patients first. Since February 2017, local companies have been allowed to distribute the drug as a medicine, with people with chronic illness and pain — like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer — able to access the drug after getting a prescription from their doctor. "We want a robust Australian medicinal cannabis industry so that doctors have safe, quality domestic products that they can confidently prescribe to their patients," said Hunt. Just to be clear, though, recreational use of marijuana is still very much illegal and laws vary state-to-state. By Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
When January is in full swing, the sun is out and we're all still in a holiday mood — whether or not we're actually still on holidays — no one needs an excuse for a weekend road trip. But here's one anyway, coming courtesy of Harvest Newrybar: eating dishes whipped up by acclaimed chef Danielle Alvarez. Formerly of Fred's in Sydney, Alvarez is heading to the Byron hinterland to cook up a storm for three days. That means that diners at A Weekend with Danielle at Harvest have three chances to tuck in: for dinner from 5.30pm on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21, and for lunch from 12pm on Sunday, January 22. [caption id="attachment_885631" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] It's the first time that Alvarez has brought her old-world cooking techniques to the region, and her all-round thoughtful approach to the kitchen as well — and she'll be matching Harvest's own focus on sustainability and top-notch local ingredients, of course. Indeed, she's visiting the producers that the restaurant works with, and Harvest family farm Picone Orchard, to come up with her culinary lineup. On the menu: oyster with gazpacho, fish tartare with finger lime and fish sauce in betel leaf, flatbread with charred chilli and clam butter, and a plate of pickled and wood oven-roasted veggies paired with locally made fresh cheese. And, there's also squid and prawn rice with coriander and chilli tahini, roasted Bangalow sweet pork and grilled fish with summer squash. Plus, dessert spans fruit from Piccone on ice, as well as lemonade fruit granita with lychees. Bookings will cost you $130 per person for a three-course set menu, or $220 with matched wines. Harvest Newrybar images: Jess Kearney.
