This Valentine's Day, the sound of tap, tap, tapping will be echoing around Victoria Park's mini golf course. While that's hardly unusual, it'll be making hearts go all a-flutter between Thursday, February 10–Monday, February 14. Because nothing says romance like getting putting — or so Victoria Park hopes — the venue is celebrating the date with a themed makeover. Yes, it has also previously marked easter, Halloween and Christmas in much the same way; however, this time one of its greens will be turned into a lovers' lane. Hearts, flowers and the colour pink feature heavily at the course's revamped first hole, and there's also a pop-up seltzer bar from 5pm onwards each day — aka your go-to for a pre-game drink. This temporary makeover is much shorter than Victoria Park's past pop-ups — but if you're looking for an excuse to compete with your other half for mini golf glory, or just find putt putt inherently romantic, this'll be the event for you. Grab your special someone and swing by from 6am–10pm on the Thursday and Sunday, or between 6am–11pm on the Friday and Saturday — which means that you can stop by on your way to work, during your lunch break or after quittin' time as well, with tickets costing $20 and online bookings essential. Images: Pandora Photography. Updated February 11.
Australia's theatre scene hasn't had much to smile about in 2020; however, when 2021 rolls around, some venues around the country will kick back into gear with a little help from their friends. Well, with Friends! The Musical Parody to be specific — with the comedic, song-filled satire of everyone's favourite 90s sitcom touring the country next year. Initially, the show was due to hit local theatres in August and September this year. Then, when the pandemic struck, the musical rescheduled to November and December instead. But it seems that 2020 hasn't been anyone's year — or included anyone's favourite day, week or month, for that matter — so the production has now shifted its entire run to 2021. Scheduled to kick off on the Gold Coast before being there for audiences in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, Friends! The Musical Parody will spend time with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe, of course. Here, they're hanging out at their beloved Central Perk — and sitting on an orange couch, no doubt — when a runaway bride shakes up their day. Call it 'The One with the Loving, Laugh-Filled Lampoon', or 'The One That Both Makes Good-Natured Fun of and Celebrates an Iconic Sitcom'. Yes, no one told you that being obsessed with the Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer-starring show about six New Yorkers would turn out this way — with on-stage skits and gags, recreations of some of the series' best-known moments, and songs with titles such as 'How you Doin?' and 'We'll Always Be There For You'. That said, no one told us that being a Friends aficionado would continue to serve up so many chances to indulge our fandom 16 years after it finished airing, including via an upcoming reunion special that'll gather the TV series' main cast back together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Friends! The Musical Parody (@friendsthemusicalau) FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Gold Coast: Thursday, February 11–Saturday, February 13 at The Star Gold Coast Melbourne: Wednesday, June 16–Saturday, June 19 at the Comedy Theatre Brisbane: Thursday, Augustt 19–Saturday, August 21 at the Tivoli Theatre Parramatta: Thursday, September 2–Saturday, September 4 at Riverside Theatre Adelaide: Friday, September 24 at Her Majesty's Theatre Perth: Saturday, October 16 at Regal Theatre Friends! The Musical Parody tours the country from February–October 2021. For further details, and to buy tickets, visit the production's website.
When it comes to exercise, we all need motivation. Making sure you're healthy works, but sometimes even the best among us need a bit more of a nudge — like a great view, for example. Leafy greenery does the trick. Water, too. If you're an early bird who starts their weekend the absolute first second they can, so does soaking in the morning sunshine. Grass, the river, the sun — yep, they're all on the agenda at Newstead's Yoga in the Park by the waterfront. Taking place on Saturday mornings (from 7am in summer and 8am in winter), it's a reason to roll out of bed with the sparrows. And, to pump up your energy, make the most of Brisbane's sunny weather, and feel fighting fit as well. Sessions are free, but bookings are required to secure your spot. You will need to bring your own mat, and you'll want to bring a water bottle as well — all those sun salutations are bound to make you thirsty.
It's something we've all thought a million times before: "It's a Monday / It's so mundane / What exciting things will happen today?". In her huge single, 'Avant Gardener', Melbournian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett has managed to capture our first world struggles perfectly in her hilariously matter-of-fact, charming drawl, stream of consciousness lyricism and folky-psychedelic tunes. Barnett has received a ton of press since last year's release of her double EP A Sea of Split Peas, on which 'Avant Gardener' was the lead single. She's been compared to Bob Dylan by Rolling Stone, debuted in the US on Jimmy Fallon, and had the privilege of performing at Glastonbury and Coachella this year. Now, you can catch her playing a string of shows on her headline tour around Australia (supported by Castlemaine's supremely talented multi-instrumentalist D.D Dumbo). https://youtube.com/watch?v=bcnIhzaDTd0
With musical numbers from notable composers like Cy Coleman and Marvin Hamlisch, the Australian Dance Performance Institute is putting their best foot forward for their 2012 showcase. ‘Doors’ is the name of this years showcase and aims to explore the aspects of the inner lives of people – fantasies and ideas that would appear behind the closed doors of the mind. These fantasies will be interpreted ably through emotive and humorous songs performed by the Institute’s performers. The performance is directed by Jacqui Devereux and choreographed by Michael Edge, Jason Duff and Helena Moore. This is sure to be a great showcase of ADPI’s up and coming performers who are learning the craft to take centre stage.
Since they first won our hearts and tickled our senses of humour on Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have inspired two reactions. Audiences either want to be them or be best friends with them, though the former is impossible and the latter highly unlikely. 30 Rock, Parks and Rec and their Golden Globes co-hosting gigs didn't lessen this desire, so their latest collaboration offers the next best thing. For two hours, Sisters re-teams the charismatic comedic twosome, throws an outlandish party and invites everyone to witness the mayhem. Fun is high on the agenda, and laughs are too — aka everything anyone could want when two of their favourite stars join forces once again. But even with such a pedigree, there's a difference between an enjoyable film and an excellent one, just as there's a difference between meeting expectations and exceeding them. Sisters' director Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) and writer Paula Pell (another SNL alum) know their leads will put a smile on most people's faces simply by sharing screen time. They're also aware that the movie doesn't need to do much else. Accordingly, Sisters takes a well-worn scenario, adds a few just-as-recognisable issues, and hopes that the charm and hilarity of Fey and Poehler wins out. Unsurprisingly, it does. The two play mismatched siblings forced to finally say goodbye to their childhood and face everything maturity entails. Fey's free-spirited hairdresser and single mother Kate can't hold down a job or find a permanent place to live, while Poehler's responsible nurse Maura has dedicated her post-divorce life to her job. They're summoned to their family home in Florida when their parents (James Brolin and Dianne Wiest) decide to sell. But before the sale goes through, the girls decide to throw one last party. Adults behaving like teenagers may have worn somewhat thin, now that every second film is obsessed with states of arrested development. Still, you can trust Fey and Poehler to make the most of the concept. They're game for whatever comes their way — and plenty does. Sure, the script reverses their roles from Baby Mama, their last big-screen pairing, and then relies upon the usual march of escalating big-screen silliness. Yet even when the parade of outrageous antics seems familiar, nothing ever feels stretched or tiresome thanks to the central duo's winning chemistry and all-round energetic performances. Moreover, while the leads are never anything less than a delight to watch, in a feature that's as much a reunion movie as it is a party movie, they're certainly not the only humorous highlights. Maya Rudolph threatens to steal every scene she's in as Kate and Maura's high school nemesis; Ike Barinholtz affably plays against type as Maura's love interest; and John Cena continues to amuse outside of the WWE arena. The movie's attempts to traverse darker territory aren't quite as successful as its jokes, though it's nice that there's something more to the film than Fey and Poehler acting wild and cracking wise. Though it's execution is slight and clumsy, the movie's initial nostalgia for times gone by blossoms into the bittersweet epiphany we all eventually have: that youthful dreams don't always come to pass. Sisters is the type of film best consumed with an eager crowd. There's little that's unexpected here, with the film largely content with letting two of the funniest people on the planet do their thing. And you know what? That's okay. When it comes to laughs, Sisters well and truly delivers — and throws in a great dance routine set to Snow's 'Informer' as well.
As fans across the globe gear up for the Arctic Monkeys' sixth album to drop later this week, the acclaimed English rockers have pushed the excitement levels even further, announcing a series of international pop-ups and film screenings to coincide with the launch. And even Australia's getting a look-in, with the local edition of the store — named after the forthcoming album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino — is popping up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, this Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. According to the Arctic Monkeys' website, the TBHC pop-ups will offer a range of "unique and limited album and merchandise items", alongside screenings of the band's favourite 70s flicks. Titles include Le Cercle Rouge, Inherent Vice, The Last Waltz and Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse. The event's running at the Surry Hills theatre from 11am until 8.30pm each day, though as you can imagine, tickets to the screenings are already selling fast. Only a handful of other lucky cities will also host these Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino pop-ups: Berlin, Tokyo, Paris, New York and the band's own hometown of Sheffield. The Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino will pop up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Tickets to the Sydney screenings are on sale here.
It isn't every day that you can peer up at the Gold Coast sky and spot a family of giant hot-air balloon sculptures soaring above the city — but on Thursday, July 31, 2025, you'll be able to do just that. That's when Patricia Piccinini's Skywhalepapa will float through the air alongside the artist's equally otherworldly Skywhale. Our advice: if you'll be around that part of southeast Queensland, then you'll want to look up. The distinctive works will take to the air at sunrise, and get hovering. Wake up early to see them launch or find a great vantage point to stare into the sky once they're up there: the choice is yours. Either way, the eye-catching event is taking place as part of this year's Bleach*, aka the Gold Coast's annual winter arts festival, which runs from Thursday, July 31–Sunday, August 10. New to all things Skywhale and Skywhalepapa? Thirty-four-metres long, more than twice as big as a regular hot air balloon and ripped straight from Piccinini's inimitable mind, Skywhale might just be one of Australia's most-recognisable recent pieces of art. It's a sight to see, and also the largest-scale example of the artist's ongoing fascination with the thin line that separates nature and technology — and in Skywhalepapa, it has finally met its match. The latter made its debut in 2021 thanks to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, but taking both billowing hot air balloons around the country was always the plan. Of course, the pandemic had something to say about that — Skywhalepapa was originally scheduled to premiere in 2020, in fact. Skywhalepapa is designed to form a family with Skywhale, and was originally commissioned as part of the NGA's Balnaves Contemporary Series. It took 3.6 kilometres of fabric to create the second bulbous sculpture, which also features nine baby Skywhales, safely tucked beneath their father's fins. Obviously, this isn't the kind of thing you see in the sky every day. Exactly where First Light: Skywhales Across Australia will be setting off from hasn't yet been revealed — keep an eye on the event website to find out. [caption id="attachment_799292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] National Gallery of Australia[/caption] Images: National Gallery of Australia.
Do you have the physical endurance of Cadel Evans and the creative genius of Picasso? Michael J. Wallace has found a neat way of combining both of these talents, all while getting the daily dose of fresh air and outdoor exercise that we so dearly need. Wallace creates bicycle routes in his hometown of Baltimore, and then rides them with the accompinament of a GPS tracker. Amazingly, all of these bicycle routes are in fact pictures. So as he pedals along innocently down the streets of B'more, he is in fact drawing his very own geographical masterpiece. Collected in the website WallyGPX, he's drawn and rode some characters and scenarios that are impressive in their complexity. These include a man surfing, a semi-trailer, and even a depiction of the landing on the moon. Given that one wrong turn could effectively ruin his canvas, you've got to appreciate this man's ambition. Do you have the energy and skill to create your own artistic bicycle or running routes? Give it a go in your hometown, and see if your friends can guess what picture you've mapped out. In effect, this could become a game of Draw Something - but way harder and infinitely more awesome.
Perhaps this is the legacy of being brought up an only child, but half the time I'm walking down the street I'm involved in elaborate daydreams soundtracked by my iPod. This is why audio guides have always held a certain attraction for me, because they have the potential to give you the daydream pre-packaged. Now the French Institute Alliance Française's annual New York-based festival piece Crossing the Line has taken the idea to a completely different level, transforming your run of the mill walking tour into an intrepid adventure merging fact and fiction, with the help of conceptual sound collective, Soundwalk. Crossing the Line leads listeners on an hour and a half's merry journey down New York's Museum Mile. Five writers devised narratives for the new and improved audio guides, inspired by landmarks, objects or the neighbourhood around 5th Avenue, combining authentic and imaginary stories which all aim to answer the question "what do we rely on to determine the truth from fiction?" The tour begins at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, winds its way through the Neue Gallerie and the Guggenheim, and finishes up in Central Park. The narratives are combined with experimental sounds to frame the stories, making the distinction between fiction and reality even more blurry. Available in both French and English, the audio guides can be downloaded individually or as a set from the Soundwalk website. The festival runs through until October 16, but for those of us who have neither the time nor the cash to go for a casual meander through the streets of Manhattan, you can download the audio guides or listen online at the Soundwalk website for a vicarious walking tour aided by the magic of Google Maps. [Via Cool Hunting]
Romeo and Juliet, the worlds most tragic lovers of antiquity have travelled forward 500 years in time to re-play their love life on the Powerhouse platform. Okay, no that’s not what is happening but it would have been great if they didn't die in tragedy and went on to become the oldest living couple of their century. But that wouldn't be poetic enough, right? You can re-live their love life being performed on stage by the Bell Shakespeare Group at the very fitting outdoor area of the Powerhouse. It may be lacking the Leo lovin’, but it will showcase the revered playwright’s timeless tragedy for this year’s Brisbane Festival. Shakespeare would fit in well with today’s Gen Y, all caught up in lovesick teenagers, strict parents and rebellion. At least Romeo and Juliet had a bit more class than today’s stereotypes, even if slightly more dramatic. Take some friends for some theatrical entertainment and relax at the QUT Festival Theatre outside the Powerhouse. Don’t forget your cushions and blankets, but any potions or daggers will be confiscated.
This article is part of our series on the diverse highlights of NZ's Canterbury region, from city to snow. To book your Canterbury trip, visit the 100% Pure New Zealand website. There's nothing quite like a road trip. Even if you're not completely sold on the idea of long hours wedged into the backseat of your friend's Corolla, the high points of a roadie — driving along the highway, windows down, the purpose-made road trip playlist blaring, obviously — definitely outweigh the low ones. Especially when you've got incredible scenery and lots of awe-worthy stops along the way. That's why New Zealand is made for road trips. Not only is it crazy beautiful with a landscape that changes at every turn (right or wrong), it's a country that you can cross in little more than three hours. It's tiny. Unlike Australia, driving around NZ isn't a ridiculous task — everything's compact, and it never takes more than a few hours to get somewhere great. In fact, you probably won't even need to pee on the side of the road once. There are a slew of routes you can take to get right down the North and South Islands, but for an easy drive and a chance to see the most in a short amount of time, take your road trip to Canterbury. The region that includes Christchurch and its surrounds — from Kaikoura all the way down to Timaru and across to the Southern Alps — it boasts a landscape that's so incredibly diverse, it's almost unbelievable. In any one day you can be driving across the plains, through snow-topped mountains and around glaciers — without even leaving the snug confines of the region. So what exactly should you mark on your map? Start in Christchurch and make your way down to the ski region, pull up under the stars at Lake Tekapo and put your hiking boots on at Mount Cook — it's all in our guide to the ultimate Canterbury road trip. Christchurch In Canterbury, Christchurch is your best base. It's New Zealand's second biggest city so you can get a direct flight with Air New Zealand from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne for a coupla hundred bucks. It's choice. From the airport, pick up your ride and head into the city — it's a simple enough drive and, bonus, road rules are basically the same for Australians. It just gets a bit tricky (read: impossible) once you hit the city centre, as a heap of roads are either one-way or closed and lanes are defined by a small army of witches hats. Christchurch is a city rebuilding, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot happening. The locals here are making it work, and it's incredible to see how they're reinventing the city as their own. You'd be best to take a full day here — two if you can — to eat, drink, see and learn. The CBD isn't that big, so you can easily walk from breakfast at Black Betty to the Re:START shipping container mall and the Christchurch Art Gallery. Make sure you take a walk to the Botanic Gardens (they're the third biggest city gardens in the world, behind New York and Munich) and head over to New Regent Street for dinner and then a drink in the Christchurch's cosiest whiskey bar, The Last Word. The surrounding suburbs have it going on too, so, seeing as you've got wheels, head out to The Tannery shopping precinct in Woolston and picturesque port town Lyttleton. Stay: The George, 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central, thegeorge.com Methven Whether you have a carload of ski bunnies or not, Methven is the perfect little ski town to stop off at once you leave Christchurch. Just an hour or so out of the city, Methven sits near the base of Mt Hutt, so it's teeming with ski pros and staff that work up on the mountain. They frequent the Blue Pub and the Brown Pub — they sit opposite each other on the main street, it's all very quaint — and The Last Post of an evening, all of which house fireplaces, hearty dishes and lots of booze. And you'll need all of these things if you do or don't decide to go skiing up at Mt Hutt. You are? A shuttle picks up skiers from most hotels each morning (no need to book) and will bring you back down in the afternoon. Just be warned: the drive up is unsealed and unnerving as hell if it's your first time. Not heading up the mountain? There are plenty of walks you can do around the area, and thanks to the cooperation of local farmers, some of them pass through some very pretty private land. Just don't forget your beanie. Stay: Ski Time Lodge, 39 Racecourse Road, Methven, skitime.co.nz Lake Tekapo When you've had enough of skiing (or sitting by the fire in the pub), it's onward to Lake Tekapo. If you haven't seen photos of Tekapo, refrain from doing so before your trip — it'll make your first sighting even better. The water in this lake is the bluest of blue, so much so that I'd be inclined to say it was magic if someone didn't tell me that it comes from the reflective rock flour that gets ground into the lake by the glacier that feeds it. Whatever the reason though, this place has snow-topped mountains bordering the lake and the adorable Church of the Good Shepherd sitting on it's shores, and it's stunning. In winter it's covered in a blanket of snow, and later in the year it's blooming with lupins — you really can't lose. Spend a day or two hiking up Mt John, stargazing, bathing in the hot pools or sipping wine by the fire. Have a look at our Tekapo itinerary for deets. Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort, State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo, peppers.co.nz/bluewater or the YHA Lake Tekapo for some great indoor views of the lake, 3 Simpson Lane, Lake Tekapo, yha.co.nz Mount Cook In a country full of really big mountains, you know that the biggest one of the lot of going to be massive. So, yes, Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki) is really, really big. If you know what you're looking at you can even see it from Tekapo, but it's worth getting up close. Take State Highway 8 and stop along the banks of Lake Pukaki — it's even bigger than Tekapo and there's a salmon shop with some incredibly fresh smoked salmon that comes straight from the salmon farms that are dotted around Canterbury's canals. (Just make sure you get at least two servings because that stuff is seriously good.) From there you head around the blue oasis of Pukaki and up towards Mount Cook. The township is tiny, but there's plenty of accommodation as plenty of people come here to hike and do heli-skiing and other adventurous things. So unless you're an experienced hiker, you won't be climbing to the summit of this big boy, but there's a whole heap of walks you can do, whether you want to be walking for an hour or a whole day. It's best to drive up to the car park of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Reserve and take it from there; you'll get some sweet views from Kea Point and the Hooker River swing bridge without even having to venture too far. Christchurch Round off your road trip by heading back to Christchurch. It's the longest stretch at about four hours, but it will be a welcome excuse to stay stationary if there's been hiking involved. If you do have an extra day or two in the city and want to get a feel of the Canterbury Plains, take a drive out to Arthur's Pass — it's one of the most scenic you can do. Or else, book yourself in for jetboating (it's something of a national pastime here) on the Waimak Gorge or four wheel driving over Mt Torlesse Station through Alpine Safaris. Both give you some killer views that you wouldn't be able to get without their help.
Jello Biafra, the voice that defied the Reagan era as frontman of Dead Kennedys, is bringing his chaotic punk back to Australia. Inspired by The Stooges' performance at Iggy's 60th birthday bash, Jello set about immediately recording the first album with his new accompaniment. Audacity of Hype was well-received by new and old fans alike, enabling the production of two follow-up EPs and sophomore album White People and the Damage Done, the content of which dominates their setlist. Whilst his new musical troupe is not as confronting as DK were, fans can still expect to experience layers of guitar accompanied by the obligatory crashing of drums and impassioned vocals in Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine. Like true punks they do not hold back, tackling corruption, foreign policy and scandals through blunt lyrics punctuated by explosive rock. The rage of their lyrical content personifies itself in Biafra's onstage flailing and intensity. Catch them in Brisbane for one stick-it-to-the-man night only Thursday, May 16.
We all work hard so when the weekends roll around, you want to make them count. That could mean enjoying a bottle of vino or a craft beer over some quality eats. Perhaps you hot-foot it out of the city to explore our beautiful country. And then on the rare (or perhaps not so rare) occasion, it will be spent tearing up the d-floor. So, what if we told you that you could enjoy all three activities in one epic weekend? Wine Machine promises just that. Now in its second year, the event is heading to Canungra Valley on Saturday, March 3, 2018, to throw the ultimate dance party amongst the grapevines. Proceedings will kick off in the early afternoon with Australian acts including Kite Street Tangle, Touch Sensitive and Sneaky Sound System all taking to the stage. DJ Tom Loud will end the evening with one of his now-legendary Hot Dub Time Machine sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as he mixes an iconic song from each year. And it's all set within the picturesque fields of O'Reilly's Winery with top-notch bites and drinks — including frosé and bottles of O'Reilly's wine — to keep you going. It'll be a weekend that's hard to top but we're going to try: we're offering you the chance to win double AAA passes to the festival. You and a mate will spend the evening at the Artist Bar enjoying complimentary drinks and rubbing shoulders with the musos before they head onstage. When the time comes for Hot Dub Time Machine's set, you get the coolest seats in the house: side stage. And to top it off, you get to be part of the magic by throwing confetti and giant inflatable grapes into the crowd. To enter, see details below. [competition]656585[/competition]
If you didn't know that Jordan Peele was involved with HBO series Lovecraft Country, it really wouldn't take you long to guess. As based on the novel of the same name, the horror-drama steps back to 50s-era America, to a time of segregation, and into the life of Atticus 'Tic' Freeman (Jonathan Majors). He has returned from the Korean War, is trying to track down his missing father (Michael K Williams), and soon finds himself surrounded by monsters of the fantastical and very real kind. Yes, as he did so impressively in Get Out and Us, Peele once again examines the historical and current treatment of Black Americans through an unflinching and unsettling genre lens. He's Lovecraft Country's executive producer, rather than taking on writing or directing duties, but this is another exceptional, thematically powerful and visually engaging addition to his resume.
Moosejaw, an online shop that sells outdoor recreational apparel, has created the X-Ray Catalog App, available at their website. Once the app is downloaded, the user holds their smartphone over photos of models sporting ski parkas and other fairly unsexy items, only to see the app 'strip' them through the use of augmented reality technology, revealing what they are wearing underneath their clothes. It's true that a lot more people (probably men) are suddenly going to be a lot more interested in this catalogue. If you wanted to look at soft porn in a public place or avoid embarrassment when your mum finds your stash under the bed - she'll just think you really love camping - this technology might just hold the answer. Or maybe it's about giving people the chance to feel as if they have superhero skills. Either way, if you see people reading the catalogue on the train with a little too much interest, you can either tsk them or give them a knowing wink, depending on whether you think this is creepy or brilliant.
When you were 12 (or 20) was it your dream to meet Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy? Did you wish to be a super natural being to take on the vampire king in True Blood? Are you comic crazy or fluent in Klingon? If yes, then the phrase ‘Supa Nova’ probably means a lot more to you than the explosive death of a massive star. For those of you looking in awe at your computer screen thinking ‘could I really meet Draco Malfoy?’ the answer is yes and Supa Nova is your key to unlock your long awaited teenage dreams (Katy Perry pun unintended). The Supa Nova Pop Culture Expo is a fan convention focusing on fantasy, film, television, manga, anime, comics, gaming and collectables. In summary this means anything and everything coming under the ‘cult’ criteria. So if you’re feeling an urge to get your geek on this April, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering the purchase of your Supa Nova ticket. One: Dress up. You might think it’s lame to rock up to a convention in an anime outfit you bought on Ebay, but trust me, you will look weird if you don’t. And two: Get there bright and early to avoid standing in line with the other 1000 Sailor Moons, Light Yagamis, Harry Potters and Belldandys for the hours before doors open.
In a bid to contain the latest coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government yesterday, Monday, March 29, mandated the wearing of masks across Greater Brisbane for during the region's lockdown. That spans the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands local government areas, running through until 5pm on Thursday, April 1. But if you're located elsewhere throughout the state, you'll need to mask up, too. This is the first time that wearing a mask has been made compulsory everywhere across Queensland; however, different rules still apply in different places. While Brisbanites are currently required to don a mask everywhere except inside their own homes — which you're only allowed to leave to go to work, to shop for essentials, for exercise and for care reasons — folks elsewhere have a bit more leniency. Still, you'll always have to carry one with you. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today, Tuesday, March 30, released a roadmap outlining current restrictions across the state, which outlines mask rules beyond Greater Brisbane. Outside of the capital, they must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible. People affected by a medical condition are exempt from the mask rules, as are children under 12. And, you're also allowed to temporarily remove your mask for eating and drinking, and if it's necessary for your job. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1376732543119073287 A number of other restrictions are in place for residents outside of Greater Brisbane, which could give Brisbanites an idea of what may be in store if the lockdown does end on Thursday as planned. They include 30-person limits on at-home gatherings, including folks who live with you; 500-person caps on outside gatherings in public; no dancing at venues (yes, it's Footloose time again in Queensland); and only allowing seated service at cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown, masks and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
How are you planning to spend gravy day in 2023? If you'll be listening to Paul Kelly sing about making gravy when it's the 21st of December, that's understandable. How are you planning to spend gravy day in 2024? Here's our suggestion: watching the movie How to Make Gravy, which is indeed adapted from Kelly's Christmas classic tune 'How to Make Gravy'. News that the flick was coming first dropped in 2022, with musician Meg Washington and writer/director Nick Waterman announcing that they'd locked in the rights to make the song into a film. Now, Australian streaming platform Binge has revealed that it's behind the movie, which will mark its first-ever original feature. Production has also started head of a planned 2024 release. Set to star: The Royal Hotel co-stars Daniel Henshall and Hugo Weaving, as well as Brenton Thwaites (Titans), Damon Herriman (now that he's no longer playing Charles Manson in both Mindhunter and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Kate Mulvany (The Clearing) among the homegrown talents. Joining them is French actor Agathe Rousselle from Titane, who'll be making her first English-language film. Will Kelly feature? More cast members are still to be revealed, but cameos by Adam Briggs and Dallas Woods have been announced so far. Filming is currently underway on the Gold Coast. The exact story that the movie will tell hasn't been unveiled as yet; however, as anyone who knows the words to 'How to Make Gravy' by heart and is currently singing them right now while they're reading this is well aware, Kelly's tune tells a tale itself, starting with a prisoner called Joe who writes to his brother Dan. Presumably, Stella, Frank and Dolly will all also feature, and Rita, Roger, Mary and her new boyfriend. Junior Murvin will have to pop up on the soundtrack, of course. Also, the words "and give my love to Angus" better get uttered — or would it really be a How to Make Gravy movie? Although Binge hasn't advised exactly when in 2024 the film will release, either, you could probably put money on it hitting screens on or around December 21 to start a new gravy day tradition. (And, given the character of Joe also pops up in other Kelly songs such as 'To Her Door' and 'Love Never Runs On Time', cross your fingers that we're about to get a PKCU — Paul Kelly cinematic universe — too.) "It's a dream to be working with such an incredible cast and crew on our debut feature film. It's testament to Paul's songwriting that the world and characters within the song are so vivid, and we are proud to have the honour of bringing it to life," said Waterman and Washington. "It's a uniquely Australian story, made for film lovers and music fans alike. We can't wait to share our adaptation of 'How to Make Gravy' with the world." There's no trailer for the movie yet, of course, but here's the music video for the song. How to Make Gravy, the movie, doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Via Variety.
Under normal circumstances, when a new-release movie starts playing in cinemas, audiences can't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the pandemic forcing film industry to make quite a few changes over the past year — widespread movie theatre closures will do that — that's no longer always the case. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their recent releases from cinemas to streaming lately — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here's eight you can watch right now at home. NOBODY As both a comedian and a dramatic actor, Bob Odenkirk has earned a lifetime's worth of well-deserved praise. Writing for Saturday Night Live and starring in Mr Show with Bob and David each sit on his resume, as does his pivotal part in Breaking Bad and lead role in the exceptional Better Call Saul. But in Nobody, Odenkirk highlights a facet of his work that's easy to overlook. Jumping into a new genre, he makes viewers realise a truth that cuts to the heart of his talents. Every actor wants to be the person that can't be replaced, and to turn in the type of performances that no one can emulate; however, only the very best, including Odenkirk, manage exactly that. A movie so forged from the John Wick mould that it's penned by the same screenwriter — and boasts the first film's co-director David Leitch (Atomic Blonde) as a producer, too — Nobody could've featured any existing action go-to. It could've been an easy knockoff of well-known hit, joining the swathe of direct-to-video and -streaming titles that use that very template. It could've given Bruce Willis his next role to sleepwalk through, added yet another Taken-style thriller to Liam Neeson's resume or proven one of Nicolas Cage's more straightforward vehicles of late. Thankfully, though, Nobody is all about the ever-watchable Odenkirk and his peerless and compelling ability to play slippery characters. When Nobody begins, Hutch Mansell's (Odenkirk) life has become such a routine that his weeks all unfurl in the same fashion. Plodding through a sexless marriage to real estate agent Becca (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman 1984), and barely paid any notice by his teenage son Blake (Gage Munroe, Guest of Honour) and younger daughter Abby (debutant Paisley Cadorath), he catches public transport to his manufacturing company job every weekday, always puts the bins out too late for the garbage truck on Tuesday mornings, and usually earns little more than polite smiles from his family while he's cooking them breakfast that they fail to eat. Then, the Mansells' suburban home is randomly burgled. Hutch confronts the thieves in the act, has a chance to swing a golf club their way, yet holds back. But when Abby notices that her beloved cat bracelet is missing in the aftermath, he decides to take action — a choice that leads him to an unrelated bus filled with obnoxious guys hassling a female passenger, and eventually sees unhinged Russian mobster Yulian Kuznetsov (Aleksey Serebryakov, Leviathan) threatening everything that Hutch holds dear. Nobody is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. WRATH OF MAN With revenge thriller Wrath of Man, filmmaker Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen) and actor Jason Statham (The Meg) reunite. The pair both came to fame with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, repeated the feat with Snatch, then unsuccessfully tried again with Revolver, but they've spend the past 16 years heading in their own directions. During that stretch, the former subjected the world to his terrible Sherlock Holmes films, fared better with left-field additions to his resume like The Man From UNCLE and Aladdin, but didn't quite know what to do with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. The latter has become an action go-to over the same time — with both forgettable and memorable flicks resulting, including three Fast and Furious movies and a stint scowling at Dwayne Johnson in the franchise's odd-couple spinoff Hobbs & Shaw. Thankfully, now that they're collaborating again, they're not just interested in rehashing their shared past glories. From Wrath of Man's first moments, with its tense, droning score, its high-strung mood and its filming of an armoured van robbery from inside the vehicle, a relentlessly grim tone is established. When Statham shows up shortly afterwards, he's firmly in stoic mode, too. He does spout a few quippy lines, and Ritchie once again unfurls his narrative by jumping between different people, events and time periods, but Lock, Stock Again or Snatch Harder this isn't. Instead, Wrath of Man is a remake of 2004 French film Le Convoyeur. While walking in someone else's shoes turned out horrendously for Ritchie with the Madonna-starring Swept Away, that isn't the case with this efficient, effective and engaging crime-fuelled effort, which finds its niche — and it's a new one for its central duo, at least together. Statham plays Patrick Hill, the newest employee at the Los Angeles-based cash truck company Fortico Securities. On his first day, his colleague Bullet (Holt McCallany, Mindhunter) dubs him H — "like the bomb, or Jesus H," he says — and the nickname quickly sticks. H joins the outfit a few months after the aforementioned holdup, with the memory of the two coworkers and civilian killed in the incident still fresh in everyone's minds. So, when gunmen interrupt his first post-training run with Bullet and Boy Sweat Dave (Josh Hartnett, Penny Dreadful), they're unsurprisingly jumpy; however, H deals with the situation with lethal efficiency. Cue glowing praise from Fortico's owner (Rob Delaney, Tom & Jerry), concern from his by-the-book manager (Eddie Marsan, Vice) and intrigue about his past from the rest of the team (such as Angel Has Fallen's Rocci Williams and Calm with Horses' Niamh Algar). Wrath of Man is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. SPIRAL: FROM THE BOOK OF SAW With Spiral: From the Book of Saw, what came first: the decision to call its protagonist Ezekiel, or the casting of Samuel L Jackson as said character's father? Either way, the film's creative team must've felt mighty pleased with themselves; getting the Pulp Fiction actor to utter the name that's been synonymous with his bible-quoting, Quentin Tarantino-penned monologue for more than a quarter-century doesn't happen by accident. What now four-time franchise director Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV) and Jigsaw screenwriters Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger mightn't have realised, though, is just how clumsily this choice comes across. The Saw series has made almost a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, but now it's resorting to winking and nodding to one of its latest stars' past movies. Perhaps Bousman and company didn't notice because almost everything about Spiral feels that forced, awkward, clunky and badly thought-out. Jackson and Chris Rock might gift the long-running franchise a couple of high-profile new faces; however, this ostensible reboot is exactly as derivative as you'd expect of the ninth instalment in a 17-year-old shock- and gore-driven saga. Focusing on a wisecracking, gung-ho, about-to-be-divorced police detective known for exposing his dirty colleagues, Spiral tries to coil the series in a different direction, at least superficially — and pretends to have meaty matters on its mind. Ezekiel 'Zeke' Banks (Rock, The Witches) has been crusading for honesty, integrity, fairness and honour in law enforcement for years. Starting back when his now-retired dad Marcus (Jackson, Death to 2020) was the precinct's chief, he's been vilified by his peers for his efforts. When a killer appears to be targeting rotten cops, too, Zeke is desperate to lead the case. Initially, he just wants to avenge the death of the first victim, one of the only co-workers he called a friend, but he's soon trying to track down a murderer that seems to be following in franchise villain Jigsaw's footsteps. A lone wolf-type not by choice but necessity, Banks also happens to be saddled with a rookie partner (Max Minghella, The Handmaid's Tale) as he attempts to stop the bodies from piling up. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY More than 80 years after it was first sung and heard, Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit' still isn't easily forgotten. Drawn from a poem penned to protest lynchings, it's meant to shock and haunt. It's designed to galvanise and mobilise, too, as drawing attention to the extrajudicial killings of Black Americans should. Indeed, so vivid is the song in its language — "Black bodies swingin' in the southern breeze" describes the third line — US authorities demanded that Holiday stop performing it. She refused repeatedly, so there were repercussions. Concerned that the track would spark change, inspire Holiday's fans to fight for civil rights and justice, and perhaps motivate riots against against oppression and discrimination as well, the US Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics went after the musician for her drug use. If it couldn't get her to cease crooning the controversial tune via other means, such as overt warnings and a prominent police presence at her shows, it'd do whatever it could to keep her from reaching the stage night after night. With Andra Day (Marshall) turning in an intense, impassioned, career-defining portrayal as its eponymous figure (and in her first lead film role, too), so tells The United States vs Billie Holiday, the latest Oscar-nominated biopic to step through its namesake's life. Back in 1972, Lady Sings the Blues loosely adapted Holiday's autobiography of the same name, enlisting Diana Ross to play the singer — but, in taking inspiration instead from Johann Hari's non-fiction book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, this latest big-screen vision of the music icon's story adopts its own angle. Holiday's troubled childhood and youth has its part in this tale, which is scripted for the screen by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Her addiction, and the personal woes that she tried to blot out, clearly don't escape filmmaker Lee Daniels' (The Butler) attention, either. But The United States vs Billie Holiday also falls in alongside Seberg, MLK/FBI and Judas and the Black Messiah in interrogating bleak truths about mid-20th century America. In a film that manages to be both rousing and standard, that includes surveying the misplaced priorities of its government during multiple administrations, and the blatant determination shown by an array of agencies under various presidents to undermine, persecute and silence those considered a supposedly un-American threat to the status quo. The United States vs Billie Holiday is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and Amazon Video. Read our full review. THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD A smokejumper stationed to a Montana watchtower, plagued by past traumas and forced to help a teenage boy evade hired killers, Those Who Wish Me Dead's Hannah Faber actually first debuted on the page. Watching Angelina Jolie bring the whisky-swilling, no-nonsense, one of the boys-type figure to the screen, it's easy to assume otherwise. The part doesn't quite feel as if it was written specifically for the smouldering movie star, though. Rather, it seems like the kind of role that might've been penned with Liam Neeson or Denzel Washington in mind — see: this year's The Marksman for the former, and 2004's Man on Fire for the latter — then flipped, gender-wise, to gift Jolie a new star vehicle. On the one hand, let's be thankful that that's not how this character came about. Kudos to author Michael Koryta, who also co-writes the screenplay here based on his 2016 novel, for conjuring up Hannah to begin with. But on the other hand, it's never a great sign when a female protagonist plays like a grab bag of stock-standard macho hero traits, just dressed up in a shapelier guise. It has been six years since Jolie has stepped into a mere mortal's shoes — since 2015's By the Sea, which she wrote and directed — and she leaves no doubt that Hannah is flesh and blood. There's still an iciness to the firefighter, and she still has the actor's cheekbones and pout, but Maleficent, she isn't. She's bruised, internally, by a fire that got away and left a body count. After hanging out with her colleagues, parachuting out of cars and brooding in her tower, she's soon physically in harm's way as well. As Those Who Wish Me Dead's plot gets her to this juncture, it also cuts back and forth between forensic accountant Owen Casserly (Jake Weber, Midway) and his son Connor (Finn Little, Angel of Mine), plus assassins Patrick and Jack (The Great's Nicholas Hoult and Game of Thrones' Aiden Gillen). Thanks to a treasure trove of incriminating evidence against important people that no one was ever supposed to find, these two duos are on a collision course. When they do cross paths — while Owen is trying to take Connor to stay with Ethan (Jon Bernthal, The Peanut Butter Falcon), his brother-in-law, a sheriff's deputy and one of Hannah's colleagues — it also nudges the boy into the smokejumper's orbit. Those Who Wish Me Dead is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. LOCKED DOWN Sparked by the pandemic, lockdown films aren't just an exercise in adapting to stay-at-home conditions — or a way to keep actors, directors and other industry professionals busy and working at a challenging time. The genre also provides a window into how the creatives behind its flicks view everyday life and ordinary people. Arising from a global event that's placed many of the planet's inhabitants in similar circumstances, these features tell us which stories filmmakers deem worth telling, which visions of normality they choose to focus on and who they think is living an average life. With Malcolm & Marie, a hotshot young director and an ex-addict were the only options offered. In Language Lessons, which premiered at this year's virtual Berlin Film Festival, a wealthy widower and a Spanish teacher were the movie's two choices. Now Locked Down directs its attention towards a CEO and a courier, the latter of which stresses that he's only in the gig because his criminal record has robbed him of other opportunities. Yes, these films and their characters speak volumes about how Hollywood perceives its paying customers. That's not the only thing that Locked Down says. Directed by Doug Liman (Chaos Walking) and scripted by Steven Knight (Locke), this romantic comedy-meets-heist flick is verbose to a farcical degree — awkwardly rather than purposefully. The repetitive and grating misfire is primarily comprised of monologues, Zoom calls and bickering between its central couple. Well-off Londoners Linda (Anne Hathaway, The Witches) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Old Guard) are weeks into 2020's first lockdown, and their ten-year relationship has become a casualty. Whether chatting to each other or virtually with others, both commit a torrent of words to the subject. Linda has decided they're done, which Paxton has trouble accepting. She's also unhappy with her high-flying job, especially after she's forced to fire an entire team online, but gets scolded by her boss (Ben Stiller, Brad's Status) for not telling her now-sacked colleagues they're still like family. Tired of driving a van, Paxton is willing to do whatever his employer (Ben Kingsley, Life) needs to climb his way up the ladder. That said, he's still tied to the road, with the ex-rebel's decision to sell his beloved motorbike — a symbol of his wilder youth, and its fun, freedom and risks — hitting hard. Locked Down is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. GREAT WHITE When a giant shark chomps its way through the cinematic ocean, audiences are meant to side with its scared human prey. But some creature features give viewers multiple reasons to do the opposite — and to find their own way to liven up a dull and formulaic movie. Perhaps the film's non-fish characters are woefully one-note or unlikeable, or both. Maybe the script is so simplistic, even in a well-worn genre, that a shark munching random keys on a typewriter probably could've written something better. Or, it could be that every plot development, performance, visual, and score choice is so overwhelmingly predictable that tension is as rare as a vegan great white. Actually, there's no maybes about any of the last three statements when it comes to horror's latest shark-centric outing, which turns Queensland's waters into a buffet for a ravenous critter. Great White marks the feature debut of director Martin Wilson, and only the second movie script for screenwriter Michael Boughen (Dying Breed); however, that its producers have 2010 Aussie shark film The Reef and its now-in-production sequel The Reef: Stalked on their resumes — plus homegrown 2007 crocodile flick Black Water and its 2020 sequel Black Water: Abyss — will surprise absolutely no one. Great White's setup will be familiar to anyone who has even heard of a shark movie before, let alone watched one. The twist: despite reassurances by marine biologist-turned-seaplane pilot Charlie (Aaron Jakubenko, Tidelands) that the time just isn't right for teeth-gnashing ocean predators to fill their empty stomachs, climate change seems to have changed the titular species' habits. So, on a lucrative charter gig that'll help keep his business financially afloat, Charlie, his girlfriend Kaz (Katrina Bowden, 30 Rock), their cook Benny (Te Kohe Tuhaka, Love and Monsters), and their paying customers Joji (Tim Kano, Neighbours) and Michelle (Kimie Tsukakoshi, The Family Law) find themselves under threat. They've headed to a remote island of personal significance to Michelle, and Joji is clashing with Benny before they even spot the resident great white's last victim. To ramp up the stakes, Kaz is telling Charlie that she's pregnant, too. Quickly, the quintet become the creature's next targets, including while cast adrift in a life raft that could use Life of Pi's Richard Parker for company. Just as speedily, Great White's audience will wish that something — anything — that hasn't previously graced Jaws, The Shallows, 47 Metres Down or even The Meg's frames would happen in this thrill-free bob into been-there, done-that waters. Great White is available to stream via iTunes. THE UNHOLY The Exorcist was not an easy movie to make, as exceptional documentary Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist made clear. But over the past four decades, the horror masterpiece has proven a very easy film to emulate again and again — or, to try to ape in anything that pairs religion and scares, at least. Copying it is nowhere near the same as matching it, of course. That's especially the case when most one-note flicks that attempt the feat simply think that crosses, creepy females and stilted, unnatural body movements are all that it takes. The Unholy is the latest example, to uninspired, unengaging, unoriginal, unconvincing and thoroughly unsurprising results. Adapted from the 1983 James Herbert novel Shrine by seasoned screenwriter turned first-time feature director Evan Spiliotopoulos (Charlie's Angels, Beauty and the Beast, The Huntsman: Winter's War), the movie's premise has promise: what if a site of a supposed vision of the Virgin Mary and subsequent claimed miracles, such as Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal, was targeted by a sinister spirit instead? But, despite also boasting the always-charismatic Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) as its lead, all that eventuates here is a dull, derivative and not even remotely unsettling shocker of a horror flick. The fact that The Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell's Sam Raimi is one of its producers delivers The Unholy's biggest scare. Looking constantly perplexed but still proving one of the best things about the film, Morgan plays disgraced journalist Gerry Fenn. After losing his fame and acclaim when he was caught fabricating stories, he now makes $150 per assignment chasing the slightest of flimsy supernatural leads. His current line of work brings him to the small Massachusetts town inhabited by Father Hagan (William Sadler, Bill & Ted Face the Music) and his niece Alice (Cricket Brown, Dukeland), the latter of whom is deaf. Thanks to a barren tree, a creepy doll, an eerie chapter of history and a strange run-in with Gerry, however, she can soon suddenly hear and speak. She says that can see the Virgin Mary, too. Swiftly, word about her story catches the church, media and public's attention. Even if Spiliotopoulos had kept the novel's title, it'd remain obvious that all isn't what it seems — the film starts nearly two centuries ago with a woman being burned alive at the aforementioned tree, so nothing here is subtle. But instead of pairing an exploration of the dangers of having faith without question with demonic bumps and jumps, The Unholy embraces cliches with the same passion that satan stereotypically has for fire. The cheap-looking visuals, Cary Elwes' (Black Christmas) wavering accent and the bored look on co-star Katie Aselton's (Synchronic) face hardly help, either. The Unholy is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and Amazon Video. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Here's our list of movies fast-tracked from cinemas to streaming back in May — and you can also check out our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows.
Fancy yourself a heist film? Well, take a load of this one. Think Ocean's Eleven, but without the tuxedos and flashy casinos. Logan Lucky takes you down to the American south, the home of NASCAR in North Carolina. Steven Soderbergh, of the Ocean's movies and Magic Mike, pairs Channing Tatum and Adam Driver as two brothers eager to break a 90-year family curse in the soon-to-be-released heist-comedy. The film follows Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) as they plot to steal from NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway. With help from their friends, the so-called 'Redneck Robbers', the Logan brothers set out to pinch themselves $14million from the race. The film has already garnered positive reviews from critics, especially with a stellar cast also including Riley Keough, Seth MacFarlane, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes and Daniel Craig, taking on a very different role to his iconic James Bond as an escaped inmate. Logan Lucky releases on August 17, and we have double passes to giveaway in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eqC27nxHJ4[/embed] [competition]630960[/competition]
No trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to Shinjuku's Godzilla head, which towers down on the popular district from Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. If you're a fan of the King of the Monsters, you'll now need to add another stop to your next Japanese itinerary once international travel resumes: amusement park Nijigen no Mori, on Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture. First announced in 2019 and open for business since October 10, 2020, the theme park has just become home to a life-sized version of the scaly creature — even if Godzilla's actual size has changed over the course of its 65-year history. The kaiju was 50 metres tall in the 1954 Japanese classic that started the long-running monster franchise, and measured nearly 120 metres in the most recent US film. In 2017's animated Netflix flick Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, it even spanned a whopping 300 metres. At Nijigen no Mori, good ol' Zilly measures 120 metres, and that's in length. You'll find Godzilla on its stomach, mouth open and presumably roaring, with amusement park patrons able to zipline into it. Usually folks are trying to avoid the huge creature and his fire-breathing gob, but that's obviously not the case here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCs7IWHRNu/ Called Godzilla Intercept Operation National Godzilla Awajishima Research Centre, the attraction is part of a 5000-square-metre zone dedicated to the famed critter, asking attendees to take on the role of island scientists. In that guise, the ziplining occurs in the name of science, because the huge beast has become trapped in the earth. Shooting games are also part of the Godzilla zone, and so is Zilly-themed food. If you haven't tucked into hot dogs, curries, burgers and cream puffs shaped like Godzilla, Mothra and their fellow kaiju, well, you clearly can't really call yourself a true Godzilla fan. Nijigen no Mori also now boasts a Godzilla museum, which is the world's first permanent exhibition dedicated to the scaly creature. Here, you'll find dioramas, props from the films and over 80 monster figures, as well as prototypes, artwork and other movie materials. And yes, there's merchandise for sale, naturally. Also, if you're wondering which Zilly this giant one resembles — Godzilla's appearance has often changed from film to film, too — it's the version of the lizard-style gargantuan from 2016 Japanese movie Shin Godzilla. If Godzilla Intercept Operation National Godzilla Awajishima Research Centre is now on your post-pandemic must-visit list, entry costs ¥3800, which equates to just over AU$50. For more information about Godzilla Intercept Operation National Godzilla Awajishima Research Centre, which is now open, visit the Nijigen no Mori website. Via Nijigen no Mori. Images: Nijigen no Mori.
Sneezing into our elbows, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and washing our hands thoroughly and often: they're just some of the practices that Australians adopted in 2020 and have been continuing into 2021 in response to COVID-19. So is paying particular attention to where we've all been, which links into ongoing contact-tracing efforts — because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a crucial part of the country's containment strategy. That includes in Queensland, where today, Thursday, January 7, state authorities have just announced a local COVID-19 case in a quarantine hotel worker. In response, Queensland Health has issued a health alert outlining places that residents should note. By now, it has become a familiar routine — and, in this case, if you've visited these spots on the dates and during the times outlined, you should get a test for COVID-19 immediately and self-isolate until you receive your results. This applies regardless of whether you have any coronavirus symptoms or not — and, if you get negative test result, you're still asked to keep monitoring for symptoms and then get retested if necessary. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1346994615862194177 On the list: two train trips, two shopping centres and a newsagents. If you caught the train from Altandi to Roma Street on Saturday, January 2 at 7am, and from Central to Altandi at 4pm at the same day, then you need to get tested and self-isolate. The same applies if you went to Woolworths in Calamvale North from 11am–12pm on Sunday, January 3, to Coles in Sunnybank Hills from 7.30–8am on Tuesday, January 5 and to the Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town Newsagent from 8–8.15am on Tuesday, January 5. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also advised that anyone who lives in Algester, Sunnybank Hills and Calamvale and has symptoms of COVID-19 — even mild symptoms — should get tested. Queensland Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. Queensland currently has 20 active cases of COVID-19, from a pandemic-wide total of 1265 to-date. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Denisbin via Flickr.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from December (yes, we're assuming you've already watched Sound of Metal, Mank and The Flight Attendant). BRAND NEW STUFF TO WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Chadwick Boseman, Oscar-winner. That combination of words is very likely to become a posthumous reality for the late, great actor, thanks to his last screen role. Boseman is just that phenomenal in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. He has earned that term before in Get on Up, Black Panther and Da 5 Bloods, but his performance in this stage-to-screen production is such a powerhouse effort that it's like watching a cascading waterfall drown out almost everything around it. He plays trumpeter Levee Green, who is part of the eponymous Ma Rainey's (Viola Davis, Widows) band. On a 1920s day, the always-nattering, big-dreaming musician joins Ma — who isn't just a fictional character, and was known as the Mother of Blues — and the rest of his colleagues for a recording session. Temperatures and tempers rise in tandem in the Chicago studio, with Levee and Ma rarely seeing eye to eye on any topic. Davis is in thundering, hot-blooded form, while Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Glynn Turman (Fargo) also leave a firm impression. It's impossible take your eyes off of the slinkily magnetic Boseman though, as would prove the case even if he was still alive to see the film's release. Adapting the play of the same name by August Wilson (Fences), director George C. Wolfe (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) lets Boseman farewell the screen with one helluva bang. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7X0O9lZ_jQ WOLFWALKERS From FernGully: the Last Rainforest to Moana — and including everything from Studio Ghibli's Pom Poko and Princess Mononoke to Pixar's Wall-E, too — many an animated movie has combined eye-catching frames with an important message about the environment. Irish film Wolfwalkers joins the pile and rockets to the top, thanks to one of the most visually and emotionally enchanting features of the year. Story-wise, it follows young wannabe hunter Robyn Goodfellowe (Honor Kneafsey, The Bookshop). In a tale set centuries ago, she moves to Ireland with her father Bill (Sean Bean, Snowpiercer) when he's hired to eradicate the last wolf pack lurking in the woods. The locals, as overseen by an English Lord Protector (Simon McBurney, The Loudest Voice), want to wipe out the wolves so that they can tear down the forest in the name of progress. But, after sneaking out to go exploring, Robyn befriends a girl called Mebh (feature first-timer Eva Whittaker) who just might be a member of a mythical tribe that's able to shapeshift into the creatures while they're dreaming. As well as a rousing eco-conscious narrative, Wolfwalkers delivers distinctive and delightful animation. Expect earthy, natural colours, with greens, browns, oranges and yellows dancing across the screen. Expect a line-heavy visual style, too, which is almost reminiscent of woodblock prints. And, expect another all-round beauty from co-director Tomm Moore, who also helmed the Oscar-nominated and equally beautiful duo The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Wolfwalkers is available to stream via Apple TV+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAveuCPBYSw I'M YOUR WOMAN Normally, when a criminal's latest job takes a turn for the worst for whatever reason, the film that tells their tale follows their part in the aftermath. I'm Your Woman isn't that movie. It looks like that kind of feature. It resembles one with exacting precision. But that isn't the narrative that's on offer here, and refreshingly so. Directed and co-written by Julia Hart (Fast Colour) with such a supreme handling of style, story and genre, this is a 70s-esque crime affair, but it focuses on Jean (Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel), the wife of a thief who has gone missing after a big score goes south. The aggrieved gangsters chasing her husband are also unlikely to be kind to Jean and her baby, so she's whisked off into hiding in the middle of the night with zero notice. That's a drastic change that she's unprepared to cope with — but, with help from the her spouse's ex-acquaintance Cal (Arinzé Kene, How to Build a Girl), she also discovers that she's far more resilient than she thinks. Compelling from the moment it opens with Jean clad in a magenta robe, add I'm Your Woman to the pile of movies that serves up a big shift in a familiar genre (see also: Sylvie's Love below), and does so in a spectacular fashion. I'm Your Woman is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcqItifbNUA SMALL AXE British filmmaker Steve McQueen hasn't directed a bad movie — and, dropping five new features as part of the Small Axe anthology, that isn't changing now. The director of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave and Widows gifts viewers a quintet of films that are as exceptional as anything he's ever made, with every entry in this new series taking place in England, in the 60s, 70s and 80s, with London's West Indian community at its centre. The first, Mangrove, tells an infuriating true tale about a police campaign to target a Caribbean restaurant in Notting Hill. From there, Lovers Rock spends time at a house party as two attendees dance into each other's orbits, and Red, White and Blue follows a young forensic scientist who decides to join the force to change it from the inside. Next, Alex Wheatle explores the life of the award-winning writer of the same name, while Education unpacks unofficial moves to segregate children of colour in schools. There's no weak link here — only stunning, stirring, standout cinema that tells blistering tales about Black London residents doing everything it takes to resist their racist treatment. Every film is sumptuously shot, too, thanks to cinematographer Shabier Kirchner (Bull), and the cast spans everyone from Lost in Space's Shaun Parkes and Black Panther's Letitia Wright to Star Wars' John Boyega. All five Small Axe films are available to stream via Binge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs--6c7Hn_A SOUL Released earlier in 2020, Onward definitely wasn't Pixar's best film — but Soul, its straight-to-streaming latest movie, instantly contends for the title. The beloved animation studio has always excelled when it takes big leaps. Especially now, 25 years into its filmmaking tenure, its features prove particularly enchanting when they're filled with surprises (viewers have become accustomed to seeing toys, fish, rats and robots have feelings, after all). On paper, Soul initially seems similar to Inside Out, but switching in souls for emotions. It swaps in voice work by Tina Fey for Amy Poehler, too, and both movies are helmed by director Peter Docter, so there's more than one reason for the comparison. But to the delight of viewers of all ages, Soul is a smart, tender and contemplative piece of stunning filmmaking all on its own terms. It's Pixar at its most existential, and with a strikingly percussive soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to further help it stand out. At its centre sits aspiring jazz musician-turned-music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy). Just as he's about to get his big break, he falls down a manhole, his soul leaves his body, and he's desperate to get back to chase his dreams. But that's not how things work, and he's saddled with mentoring apathetic and cynical soul 22 (the always hilarious Fey) in his quest to reclaim his life. Soul is available to stream via Disney+ from Friday, December 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmXPgbrI2tU FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL Mindy Kaling knows a thing or two about romantic comedies. For six seasons between 2012–17, she made an entertaining and often also very amusing TV sitcom that paid tribute to them in a big way, with her on-screen character frequently navigating situations that referenced plenty of classic flicks. To do just that, Kaling has clearly watched a plethora of rom-coms in her time — and she's the perfect person to turn the Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell-starring early 90s favourite Four Weddings and a Funeral into a new and updated show. First, a word of (very obvious) warning: the ten-episode miniseries that results won't dislodge the original movie as your favourite version of the type of tale. That said, it's pleasant, extremely watchable (and bingeable), and makes enough twists to the premise to carve its own niche. It's also nicely cast, featuring Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel, plus Rebecca Rittenhouse (The Mindy Project), Brandon Mychal Smith (You're the Worst) and John Reynolds (Search Party), as some of the folks involved in four ceremonies celebrating nuptials, and one farewell. Four Weddings and a Funeral is available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbjakuJZgww SYLVIE'S LOVE The year is 1957 when Sylvie (Tessa Thompson, Westworld) and Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha, Hello, My Name Is Doris) meet in Harlem. She's working in her father's record store, he asks about the 'help wanted' sign in the window, and her dad (Lance Reddick, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum) gives him the job. The already-engaged Sylvie wants to be a TV producer, a dream everyone thinks is out of reach for a Black woman in the era, but she's determined. Robert is an impressive jazz musician; however, it isn't paying the bills and he isn't certain where his career is going to go. From there, writer/director Eugene Ashe (Homecoming) traverses their ups and downs, both professionally and personally. He does so in swoon-worthy fashion, in fact, leaping wholeheartedly into melodrama, eagerly ramping up the emotion at every moment, and adding a film to the genre that focuses on people of colour in a way that simply hasn't been done before. Love radiates from the screen, whether Sylvie and Robert are feeling it together or yearning with it while apart — and in the affection that Ashe clearly has for making a gorgeous-looking, deeply moving, quietly revolutionary movie that feels like a throwback to six-plus decades ago. Sylvie's Love is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Friday, December 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veUqfcyZ_Bo DEATH TO 2020 Across its five seasons to date, Black Mirror has dedicated 22 episodes to imagining dystopian futures. It makes for compelling, entertaining and often disturbing viewing; however, none of the sci-fi anthology series' predictions are particularly pretty. But, for all of its prognosticating, the Charlie Brooker-created show didn't foresee 2020's chaos. And now we've all endured this hectic year and are about to see it come to an end (finally, thankfully, and good riddance to it), the team behind Black Mirror has something to say about the whole mess. The end result: new comedy special called Death to 2020. Just before this garbage fire of a year fades away forever, the show will look back on the year via a documentary-style program that uses real-life archival footage from the past 12 months. It'll also deploy narration from fictitious characters played by the high-profile likes of Samuel L Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Leslie Jones, Diane Morgan, Cristin Milioti and Joe Keery, all chatting to camera and — based on the trailer — inhabiting the types of folks that 2020 has been full of. Yes, it's the year's last must-watch show. Death to 2020 is available to stream via Netflix from 6pm AEST on Sunday, December 27. A WORLD OF CALM It's not every day that you get to sit on your couch, stare at scenic sights, lose yourself in an on-screen taste of a specific story and a distinctive patch of the world, and listen to Keanu Reeves' inimitable voice all at the same time. Actually, thanks to new documentary series A World of Calm, you could now really stream and re-stream the above daily if you want to. The series is based on the immensely popular (and self-explanatory) Calm app, so it's designed to be as soothing as possible. It's also made by HBO, in the US network's first venture into this kind of lifestyle content. Although delivered via individual episodes rather than as one big long marathon (compared to an extended train documentary or a tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory, for instance), it falls under the recent slow TV trend, too — because you'll be peacefully guided through a different topic in each chapter. Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Kate Winslet, Lucy Liu, Cillian Murphy, Priyanka Chopra and two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali also lend their voices to the show, chatting through everything from woodworking to noodles, plus coral, bird migration, space, snow, water and horses. New episodes of A World of Calm are available to stream via SBS On Demand every day from Friday, December 25–Sunday, January 4. CULT CLASSICS TO REVISIT AND REDISCOVER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPypBiQz_OM ELEMENTARY They're called procedurals: TV shows that work their way through the investigation of different crimes, usually focusing on a new case in every episode. You're currently thinking of plenty (every take on Law & Order, for example), because they're that much of a television staple. And, they're often entertaining in an undemanding but easily addictive way. Viewers know a series' particular formula from episode one, but seeing how it plays out again and again with the same inquisitive characters is what keeps you watching. Accordingly, bringing Sherlock Holmes into this format was always going to be a great move — and, as set in modern-day Manhattan, and focusing on a just-out-of-rehab version of the ex-Scotland Yard, now-New York Police Department consultant, Elementary doesn't disappoint. The show's casting is a big part of its appeal, with Jonny Lee Miller getting sleuthing (as his co-star in Danny Boyle's stage version of Frankenstein, Benedict Cumberbatch, obviously did too in the British-made Sherlock) and the always-welcome Lucy Liu playing Dr Joan Watson. When Moriarty shows up — this is a Sherlock story, after all, so it's inevitable — the series also keeps serving up twists. All seven seasons of Elementary are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video.
Usually, you don't go to someone's house to see a live theatre show. You don't normally go to an underground reservoir, head to a church, wander around an old paint factory, pop into a plant nursery or sit on a jetty, either. But, as its name suggests, performances can happen in plenty of places at the Anywhere Festival. Indeed, bars, restaurants, sports clubs, cafes, universities, laneways and shops are some of the more ordinary locations. From Thursday, May 5–Sunday, May 22, this huge fest takes over Brisbane — after kicking off on the Sunshine Coast since Friday, April 29, and later heading to the Moreton Bay region from Saturday, May 14–Sunday, June 5. That means that you have plenty of places to visit in more ways than one, whether you're eager to make the most of the fest's Brissie season or head north. If you're new to Anywhere Festival, the key part really is all there in its moniker — and this year, for the Brisbane run, that means 60 productions putting on more than 500 shows during the event. It also means turning any space possible into an arts space, including backyards, World War II aircraft engine testing facilities and senate rooms. The one kind of spot you won't see an Anywhere Festival performance, however? A traditional theatre. [caption id="attachment_852663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bruce Heath[/caption] At its creative and makeshift venues around town, on the bill is everything from theatre, comedy, dance and cabaret to music, circus, spoken word and poetry. The 2022 fest kicks off with a big laneway party on Fish Lane, complete with pop-up performances — then spans cabaret under a 117-year-old church roof, French tunes and treats in a garden centre, and a show at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium that's focused around the Northern Lights. Also on the lineup: a series of intimate circus performances in parks in Moorooka, Morningside, Nudgee and at Northey Street City Farm; an escape room-style show in a cafe; a rendition of Little Shop of Horrors; a whodunnit delightfully called Murder at the Bowlo; and a 1920s-style murder-mystery that takes cues from Agatha Christie. Or, there's a roaming and immersive performance that turns that aforementioned paint factory into an intergalactic prison, plus sea shanties in the Spring Hill Reservoir. [caption id="attachment_852664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Geoff Lawrence[/caption] "Performers really love bringing shows to life in these unique locations and audiences love the experience and the thrill of not quite knowing what they are going to get, so it's a win-win," explains Anywhere Festival Founder and Artistic Director Paul Osuch, if you're wondering how the event first came to life back in 2011 — and then became a key part of Brisbane's annual cultural calendar. "The idea came about because I believe that performance and the arts should be central to our lives and not just something we go to a theatre for," Osuch continued. "By making it possible for performances to happen anywhere, many people realise that the arts can and should be anywhere and start seeing the local spots in a completely new light." Anywhere Festival's Brisbane season runs from Thursday, May 5–Sunday, May 23 in spots all over the city. For more information or to book tickets, head to the fest's website. Top image: Stuart Hirth.
Get ready to get lit: Enchanted Garden, one of the big highlights of Brisbane's festive calendar in recent years, is returning to celebrate Christmas in 2023. The luminous show lets you see one of the city's favourite places in a completely new light, and will switch on its seasonal brightness for a month leading up to the jolliest day of all — complete with food trucks and a bar so that you can make a night of it. To be accurate, Enchanted Garden fills 22,000 square metres of Roma Street Parkland with lights flickering in, around and over the top of its lush greenery. As every home renovation-focused TV show has told us time and time again, a splash of colour can make a world of difference — and at this event, it can turn an already picturesque space into a glorious festive wonderland. The local favourite pops up year after year, delighting Brisbanites of all ages — and 2023 is no different. This year, you'll be heading along from Thursday, November 23–Wednesday, December 20, with the event sticking around for an extended season due to past demand. We all sure do love glowing lights, clearly. Designed to take around half an hour to wander through, The Enchanted Garden combines custom-made LEDs — plus special effects, light sculptures, lasers, projections and holograms — with an immersive audio soundscape. The aim: getting merry and celebrating nature, with the 2023 installation telling a tale about a possum getting mischievous in an island cave, then breaking a magical crystal, which shattered into four pieces. Unsurprisingly, it's a family-friendly affair — and, as there has been since 2021, there is a fee. You'll pay $9 to head along and stare up at all that dazzling brightness. Once you're in, you can soak up the luminousness for as long as you like. Attendees shouldn't go expecting the kind of setup that you've been ignoring on every street corner in Brissie's suburbs. Lights will twinkle and decorations will sparkle; however, this isn't a tacky DIY display at all. That said, a word of warning: people love all things glittery, so prepare to a heap company. Also, tickets usually get snapped up quickly, with this year's going on sale at 10am on Monday, November 13. Sessions run from 6.30pm, letting folks in every 15 minutes until 9.15pm — and, if you're organised enough, you can always pack a picnic, arrive early and enjoy dinner beforehand. Food trucks will also be onsite at the Celebration Lawn from 5pm daily, as will a licensed bar, if you don't get around to taking care of your own nosh. The Enchanted Garden returns to Roma Street Parkland from Thursday, November 23–Wednesday, December 20. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Monday, November 13 — head to the event's website for further details.
Getting really into craft beer and growing a beard has been the overwhelming trend of the past year and while beards are apparently on the out, our love of craft beer is only getting stronger. The designers at Swedish-Italian company Sempli know this and they’ve created a set of glasses that not only look like modern art but are engineered to give you the ultimate beer experience. The Monti range includes four pieces of glassware (yes, these babies are not just glasses, they’re glassware) that look like something you'd find on a gallery plinth but are designed for optimum drinking conditions. In the four-set, you'll get a glass for pilsners, IPAs, pints and 12-ounce bottles for a cool (excuse the pun) $100. The glasses are designed to maximise bubbliness and keep the liquid at the optimum drinking temperature for each different type of beer. It’s true what they say: once you go engineered glassware, you never go back to a beer helmet. Bartenders: prepare for yourself the ultimate snobbery of patrons bringing customised IPA glasses to the pub with them. It’s the craft beer snob’s equivalent of using a tin camping mug as your takeaway coffee cup, except slightly more functional. Monti glassware by Sempli will set you back $55 for a two-set or all four for $100 at Sempli.com. Via Fast Co.Design.
Picture this: you've arrived early at Brisbane Airport for your flight and now you've got all this time to kill. Suddenly, someone walks by with a perfect blonde perm and you remember that iconic episode of Aussie masterpiece Kath and Kim when Kath and Kel spend their honeymoon in an airport. Embrace the quirky and comedic spirit of the couple and have a staycation of your own while enjoying the airport's array of amenities and attractions. From retail therapy (that Kim would approve of) to delectable dining experiences, live music performances and snacks for your flight, Brisbane Airport has it all. So, slip into your leopard print and matching sweaters and get ready to embrace your inner Kath and Kel. INDULGE IN CULINARY DELIGHTS To truly immerse yourself in the Aussie-drama world, treat yourself to a three-course meal with a glass of cardonnay at The Aviary. This beautiful restaurant offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu that would make Kath's heart skip a beat, plus table service — a little unexpected for an airport dining option. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal that rivals those found in the heart of the city. Who would have thought you could enjoy such sophistication in an airport setting? It's like having an "effluent" Fountain Lakes moment away from home. GET IN SOME RETAIL THERAPY Embark on a shopping spree that would make Kath green with envy at Mott and Mulberry, a fantastic Brisbane store that offers an eclectic range of unique, fun, and downright quirky gifting items. Discover treasures that perfectly capture the Kath and Kim spirit while browsing through the fashion and apparel selections. Who knows? You might just stumble upon the perfect outfit that screams, "Look at moy, look at moy!" And while you're at it, pay a visit to Globite for stylish luggage. Don't forget to grab a bum bag, a must-have accessory for a Kath and Kel-inspired trip. And if you think your travel outfit is screaming more "fashion victim" than trim Kim, the airport is also home to major fashion brands Mimco, Seed, Witchery, Country Road and more — mind, they don't accept Video Ezy cards. HAVE A TIPPLE WHILE YOU WATCH THE PLANES LAND It's wine time somewhere, so head to The Common, a lively spot perfect for sipping on your favourite tipple while watching the airplanes land — it has some excellent dishes, too, like kingfish ceviche with toasted coconut. It's the perfect spot to embrace your inner Kath and Kel — engage in some people-watching and take notes on the airport fashion faux pas of those that walk by. It's the perfect setting for laughter, drinks, and a touch of fabulousness — but don't get "literally legless", there's a plane to catch. CATCH A LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE Make second-best friends with other travellers taking in some live music at the airport bars. Check out the BNE Beats website to see all the live music of talented local artists on the schedule. From smooth jazz to toe-tapping tunes, these talented musicians will have you dancing in your leopard-print heels in no time. So, grab a cocktail and sway to the rhythm of the music — or get set for the ride of your life and emulate Kath and Kel's river dance moves. PICK UP SNACKS FOR YOUR FLIGHT Before you bid adieu to your airport staycation, make sure to stock up on snacks for your flight — Barbecue Shapes anyone? Bound, the latest addition to Brisbane Airport, is slinging Belissimo coffee and sweet treats from Joceyln's Provisions. If you're craving a classic, swing by Krispy Kreme for a box of sugary goodness to share with your travel companions. News@BNE has got your inflight snack needs covered with an assortment of chips, drinks, chocolates, and all the essentials for a fabulous journey. Brisbane Airport (BNE) is more than just a gateway to your next holiday and adventure, enjoy your own tasty terminal experience at the growing offering of stellar food options. Check out the website for more details. Safe travels! Images: Markus Ravik
Laura Marling soars with her latest work of staggering genius, a couple of Sydney's best-kept secrets wow with new material, and Perth producer Sid Pattni wants to get you pregnant. Don't be one of those people who stumbles exhausted into the weekend — these five tracks will put a spring in your step and a boogie in your groove. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KCnK3FMuMAs 1. 'When Brave Bird Saved' - Laura Marling Okay, I'm cheating slightly with the five songs thing, as this video is built around the first four songs of Marling's fourth album, Once I Was an Eagle (out May 27). With this album Marling confirms her incredible talent, her songs full of dense symbolism and metaphor while at the same time being utterly human and relateable. Marling could well be the finest songwriter of her generation, and there are plenty of people who agree with me. <a href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing" mce_href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing">It&amp;amp;amp;#39;s Coming//Sure Thing by Oscar Key Sung</a> 2. 'It's Coming' / 'Sure Thing' - Oscar Key Sung Oscar Key Sung is the new project from Oscar Slorach-Thorn, who's half of spare, sugary R&B duo Oscar + Martin. (He's Oscar.) Both tracks up so far are killer, but it's especially worth checking out 'Sure Thing', a cover of a track by R&B's best kept secret: Miguel. 3. 'Canker' / 'If It Works' - Cull Canker is what happens when Tame Impala and Jeff Buckley and some wolves all take acid together and everything goes horribly right; 'If It Works' is a looser, heavier, longer beast. This Sydney act have been around all of about three months but their strike rate's already kinda undeniable. 4. 'Mr. Alpha' - Sid Pattni featuring Whisky Winter This week's Shut Up and Take My Money award goes to this immaculate conception of a jam from Perth producer Sid Pattni. It feels warm and elemental, all glassy shimmers and lazy claps, as the vocals (by guesting duo Whisky Winter) fade between treated and natural tones, distant and intimate at once. If this is what Flume hath wrought, bring it the fuck on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rNNygktmQB4 5. 'Contact' - Daft Punk No matter what you think of the new Daft Punk album, there's no doubt it was a departure from the French duo's usual crunching riffs and apocalyptic beats — except for 'Contact'. The last song on the album is an absolute monster, and uniquely Daft Punk, and this video (recorded at the Wee Waa Agricultural show by our friends at Castle Awesome) shows just what impact it has on an audience. It starts with a recording of astronauts from Apollo 17 talking about what the earth looks like from space; the anticipation builds as the Phantom of the Opera organs do, and by the time the beat finally drops the whole crowd is at fever pitch, leaping up and down in rapture.
2019 is shaping up to be a mighty big year for Elton John. Biopic Rocketman launches into cinemas in May, starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton as the singer and covering his wild 70s antics. The live-action version of The Lion King hits screens come July, featuring the musician's iconic tunes from the original, as well as new songs. And to cap it all off, the star himself is headed our way at the end of the year for a huge farewell tour. Bringing his 300-stop Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows to Australia and New Zealand between November 2019 and February 2020, John has announced 18 concerts across more than two months — including gigs in capital cities, a number of regional dates, and shows at A Day on the Green. More concerts, including shows in north Queensland, will be announced later this year. He kicked off the extensive tour last September, embarking on a three-year global goodbye trip. When it comes to an end, he'll retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his six Saturday shows. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career, which'll be displayed throughout the show, as well as a new tour wardrobe designed by Gucci. ELTON JOHN 'FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD' 2019 TOUR DATES Perth — Saturday, November 30, 2019 and Sunday, December 1, 2019 at HBF Park Adelaide — Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Botanic Park Melbourne — Tuesday, December 10, 2019 and Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Rod Laver Arena Brisbane — Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre Sydney — Saturday, December 21, 2019 and Monday, December 23, 2019 at ICC Sydney Theatre, plus Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Qudos Bank Arena Hunter Valley — Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Hope Estate Mount Cotton — Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sirromet Wines Bathurst — Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Carrington Park Woodend — Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Hanging Rock Rutherglen — Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at All Saints Estate Yarra Valley — Friday, January 31, 2020 at Rochford Wines Dunedin — Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Forsyth Barr Stadium Hawke's Bay — Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Mission Estate Winery Auckland — Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Mt Smart Stadium Tickets for Elton John's Australian capital city and New Zealand shows are available from 9am (local time) on Thursday, February 14, 2019, with all other concerts available from 9am (local time) on Friday, February 15, 2019. Visit oznz.eltonjohn.com for further details, as well as information about pre-sales. Image: Ben Gibson.
How far would you go for the love of gelato? If you're La Macelleria owner Matteo Zini, trekking from Bologna to Brisbane is just the beginning. With his Italian artisan joint already a Teneriffe favourite, he's expanding his authentic gelato dreams to the other side of town, setting up a second store in West End. Opening its doors on September 21 just in time for the warmer weather, La Macelleria's fresh digs proves a case of same great taste in a brand new location, serving up everything frosty treat lovers know and love on Montague Road. That includes their menu of Italian flavours, ranging from the classic deliciousness of fior di latte to the chocolate-speckled stracciatella to the aromatic caffe, as well as the more creative likes of castiglione (ricotta with caramelised figs), mandorla al caffe (roasted almonds with roasted coffee beans) and malaga (rum and raisin). Also making the jump is their sorbets, specials and cakes — three mini cones, a custard semifreddo covered with lemon meringue or brioche filled with gelato, anyone? Plus, at a place where "quality and passion are our first ingredients," as Zini explains, customers will be able to see the magic happen. Like its Teneriffe sibling, everything is made in store every day in La Macelleria's beloved vertical, traditional-style gelato machine. Patrons will also be able to sip coffee at the same time, and book in for hands-on workshops. If you're thinking what we're thinking, then yes, folks in the inner west do have quite the gelato crawl on their hands, with La Macelleria West End's second big arrival in the frozen dessert stakes this year. Whether you start here and wander over to Gelato Messina, or vice versa, your tastebuds win. To make things extra tempting, La Macelleria will be hosting their grand opening celebrations on October 1, complete with their famous prosecco sorbet from 3pm to 7pm. La Macelleria West End is now open at 321 Montague Road, West End. Head to their website and Facebook page for further details.
The sounds of cracking will soon be echoing through Bowen Hills, all thanks to the latest crustacean-slinging addition to the inner-city suburb's King Street. In the space that food truck park Welcome to Bowen Hills previously called home, Claw will start serving patrons from August. On the menu: the kind of shellfish you need to don a bib to eat, plus barbecue fare and a sports bar. Claw heroes its fondness for seafood in its moniker, with king crab its hero menu item. While the venue's full menu hasn't been revealed as yet, its culinary lineup for functions and events also includes buffalo shrimp — including on po'boys — plus freshly shucked rock oysters, shrimp cocktails, fried calamari, fish tacos, and buckets of steamed mussels and clams. But the ocean's finest is just one aspect of this Californian-inspired eatery, even though it proudly calls itself a crab shack. [caption id="attachment_657635" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Savannah van dier Niet[/caption] Elsewhere, diners will be able to tuck into Texas smoked beef brisket, Carolina pulled pork and buffalo chicken wings. If the functions menu is any guide, fried pickles with blue cheese sauce, jalapeño poppers, southern fried chicken, barbecue baked beans and Cheetos mac 'n' cheese will also feature. To wash all of the above down with, craft beers will be in the spotlight. Claw promises a hefty range on tap, plus an exposed keg room. Or, as well as choosing from a range of spirits and wines, patrons can sip slushie cocktails. Given its location, this casual seafood and beer joint will be able to accommodate 1000 patrons — and, as Welcome to Bowen Hills did before it, it'll boast games and an arcade setup. For sports fans, large-screen TVs are a given, while DJs and live music will provide a soundtrack. Plus, because this is a family-friendly joint, there's even a playground for children, Claw adds another venue to Potentia Solutions Leisure's growing Brisbane footprint, with rooftop spots Lina and Soko also in the hospitality company's stable. [caption id="attachment_706403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Welcome to Bowen Hills[/caption] Claw will open on 631 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, in August — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced.
They’ve been releasing albums since 2004. There are eleven musicians in their ensemble. They’ve been compared to The Triffids, The Go Betweens and The Band. They’ve toured Australia numerous times, supporting acts such Band of Horses and Paul Kelly and playing various festivals. And now, they’ve just signed with manager Dominic Miller of Bluebeard Music and are about to release a new album. Who are they? The Gin Club of course! Back in Brisbane to celebrate their recent good news, The Gin Club will be performing a Christmas show at The Zoo this Friday with support acts, The Stress of Leisure, Little Scout, and Harley Young. Putting on one of their legendary shows, the troupe of talented musicians will be at it again performing a range of their discography. Included in that collection now is their new live album. It was recorded throughout the last five years at various gigs just like this one! The live CD offers the best of The Gin Club, with a carefully selected variety of songs so listeners feel like they were in the action. So what better way to get the proper Gin Club experience than to see them live and then take home their new album to relive the night?
Back in August, Webjet gave Australian travellers a mighty great reason to book a holiday in the Northern Territory: super-discounted flights to Uluru and Alice Springs starting at $15. Fancy hitting up Darwin instead, or using it as a base to explore the rest of the Red Centre? Now the booking site is doing a flight sale on fares to the NT's capital city, with prices from $19 one-way. For less than a lobster, you can indeed fly from Adelaide to Darwin — and fares obviously vary depending on your departure city. They're still cheap from much of the east coast, though, including starting at $20 from Brisbane, $35 from Sydney and $56 from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_868754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Helen Orr[/caption] The whole sale includes $150 off one-way trips, which is where those budget-friendly prices come from. From some cities, the end cost isn't quite as cheap, however — costing $122 from Hobart, $159 from Perth and $169 from Darwin. Still, if you're the kind of person who picks their getaway spots based on travel bargains, then this might be the sign you were looking for. You've got until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15 to book, or until sold out. Booking ASAP is recommended, because some fares might be snapped up earlier. [caption id="attachment_868753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Backyard Bandits[/caption] The sale covers trips to Darwin for travel between September 2022 — yes, this month — through to March 2023. Fancy a spring jaunt to the middle of the country? Making summer plans to help cope with the last of the winter chill? Know that you'll be craving an early-autumn break next year? They're all options. One key caveat: the discounted prices are available for inbound flights only, so you won't receive the same discount to come home. Webjet's Darwin sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15, or earlier if sold out. First top image: Tiwi Island Retreat, Tourism NT.
Dubstep? Fuhgeddaboudit. Call me biased (I am a Kiwi, so you're probably right) but New Zealand artists have been making big waves recently in musical fields that have nothing to do with dubstep or flying anything, whether Conchords or Nuns. Here are ten of our favourites, which while in name might seem alarming (hello Cut Off Your Hands and Die! Die! Die!) are really very pleasant to listen to. https://youtube.com/watch?v=c-36lCKovBg 1. UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA One of the best things to come our of New Zealand in the early '00s was The Mint Chicks, an experimental noise rock/schizo-pop trio who once played a gig so loud that part of the St James Theatre complex actually fell down. The psychedelic spin-off formed by Ruban Nielson is just as good, albeit a little lighter on the ears. https://youtube.com/watch?v=gQSiiNrW8P4 2. OPOSSUM Ruban's brother Kody (also ex Mint Chicks) own pop-sych project is Opossum, a more polished musical venture that also features Michael Logie and solo singer Bic Runga. See the video for single 'Blue Meanies' above, which comes from their excellent just-released album Electric Hawaii and features Kiwi model/ultimate babe Zippora Seven, and see them live this Friday in support of Jinja Safari. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sIDCRga1LjI 3. LAWRENCE ARABIA Blending the quintessentially Kiwi sounds of Flying Nun with influences ranging from classical songwriting to 1970s West Coast Americana, James Milne played bass in The Brunettes and the Ruby Suns before his alter ego Lawrence Arabia was born. His quirky low-key songs have earned him praise in New Zealand for years, but it was a move to London (and a job selling Kiwi goods to homesick expats) that allowed him to gain global recognition. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Uq7aVOzRQow 4. ELECTRIC WIRE HUSTLE Wellington's Electric Wire Hustle have created a rather unique sound fusing hip hop, psychedelica, funk and soul. They're currently giving Europe a taste of their famously colourful live show (the Northern Hemisphere jumped on board the EWH bandwagon back in 2007), but unfortunately their Australian shows are considerably more sporadic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=LAJBwXcexxc 5. CUT OFF YOUR HANDS Cut Off Your Hands find influences in both the late '70s post-punk of Talking Heads and Gang of Four and the poppier sound encapsulated by the aforementioned Mint Chicks and This Night Creeps. The five-piece employ busy musical textures and soft harmonies to create a sound far more pleasant than the name suggests. Late last year the band toured Australia off the back of their album Hollow, which was recorded in Brent Harris' Auckland bedroom and mixed in Sydney. https://youtube.com/watch?v=46A3fqahGlM 6. SURF CITY Don't be confused by the name, Surf City has little to do with the also-good-but-different sound of Wavves, Best Coast, Beach Fossils and Surfer Blood. They were originally called Kill Surf City before they found out another band had already seized that tag, and while the earlier name is a bit sinister it's well suited to the darker, janglier spin they put on an indie surf rock sound. We're eagerly awaiting the follow up to 2010's Kudos. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bsAAZwLPGBg 7. THE VIETNAM WAR 'High Window' is a single from Auckland's alt-country kids The Vietnam War. Though a debut effort the album rattles along like a rollicking, jovial, booze-stained war veteran (in the best way possible), and the video injects some welcome roadside Americana into the Kiwiana outfit. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EKlm-PM-hMc 8. GLASS VAULTS Two boys from rural Manawatu who met at university in Wellington, Richard Larsen and Rowan Pierce make lush textural pop that sounds like nothing else coming out of the windy city. They are best known for 2010's Glass EP (and for recording it on Rowan's grandmother's farm) but new single 'Crystallise', the first offering from their upcoming debut album, promises that the best is yet to come. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4Jf4dwzTx_c 9. DIE! DIE! DIE! Thought their roots are in hardcore punk and their vocals deliciously abrasive, Die! Die! Die! put their own twist on noise pop with rhythms and drums that are both tight and danceable. As indefatigable as their name suggests, these guys are relentless at the gigging in between spitting out albums and will be playing a particularly exciting show at The Standard on Thursday 23 August. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1fdwOd5ACyU 10. STREET CHANT Street Chant has been gigging around Auckland's K Road since 2007, brought into being by a teenage binge drinker, a girl who hated her current band and the fully sick drummer from Don Julio and the Hispanic Mechanic. Since then their sharp, ballsy brand of punk has been winning over fans everywhere from Auckland to Texas, where they drew a massive crowd playing SXSW with The Naked and Famous. The girls also have super rad wardrobes.
Winter's rolling in, but if you're not ready to let the warm days slip away just yet, a summery whisky cocktail could be your answer. Normally, the belly-warming properties of whisky call for a cosier setting. See: dimly lit bars, roaring fires, snuggle sessions. But this season, that's all changing. Ardbeg, makers of one of the world's smokiest whiskies, is getting ready to release a summer carnival-inspired drop, Ardbeg Drum. This special blend has been created by taking the traditional Ardbeg drop from ex-bourbon casks and then resting it in rum casks, adding a uniquely Carribean note to the already complex favourite. This limited-edition drop will be released in stores on Saturday, June 1, coinciding with the brand's annual party, known as Ardbeg Day. Yep, it seems that Ardbeg — and whisky fans — have a lot to celebrate. So, in the lead-up to this big day, Ardbeg has teamed up with a bunch of Brisbane bars to keep the warm weather vibes going. Across the entire month of May, the bars will be slinging the salty, smoky tones of Ardbeg 10 Years Old in a selection of cocktails. From the aromatic essence of a fine Cuban cigar to the spice of barbecue jerk seasoning, here are six ways bars will infuse the spirit of Caribbean summer into their menus.
If you've stepped foot outside recently, you'll probably have noticed Sydney has scored a bevvy of new neon-green arrivals. First appearing in early November, the distinctive vehicles of US-born bike share company Lime has now taken over the city. You might be thinking it's a strange time to be rolling out yet another bike share service in Sydney, and you're not wrong. A swag of international share bike companies like Reddy Go and oBike launched in Australia, but had a rough time gaining traction locally, as councils crack down on dumping and vandalism issues spurred by the new dockless systems. But strict laws and stories of ill-fated predecessors don't appear to have deterred Lime, which has this week launched a fleet of its Lime-E electric-assist bicycles across Sydney. These work much the same as others we've seen — you locate a nearby bike using the Lime app, unlock it by scanning a QR code or entering an ID, cruise to your destination, then park and lock the bike safely out of the way. The difference between other dockless bikes and Lime-E, is its lithium battery, which the company says allows users to ride up to 14.8 mph (23.8kmh) without breaking a sweat — even when venturing uphill. The bikes' batteries (which last for about 80 kilometres) will be supposedly monitored and replaced regularly by the company, and can be checked by tapping the Lime-E icon on the app. Each of the vehicles is also equipped with a sensor, which can tell the operators its location, elevation and even orientation — a feature which may or may not help curb bike dumping. In Sydney, it'll cost you $1 to unlock a Lime-E and 30 cents per minute for your ride. The Californian company's perhaps best known for its dockless electric scooters, which first hit the streets of Auckland and Christchurch last month. A week-long trial of the two-wheeled vehicles is also underway on campus, at Monash University in Clayton, Melbourne. The scooters are gaining popularity across the globe, with even Uber signing up as a strategic partner. Unfortunately, given that NSW road safety laws currently state that "powered foot scooters and skateboards cannot be registered and can only be used on private land", it doesn't look like we'll be seeing a Sydney launch of Lime's e-scooters anytime soon. While we don't have high hopes for the success of this new bike sharing service, we do hope it's better monitored, and the neon green bikes don't end up clogging footpaths, parks and waterways, like the others did. The Lime App is available to download now via the app store.
The 'Share a Coke' campaign has succeeded tremendously in Australia by allowing consumers to search for a can of Coca-Cola with their name on it. However, American company UFlavor has not only allowed customers to design their own soft drink labels with whatever name they choose, but also determine the taste of the beverage by choosing from 42 different ingredients, including everything from blueberry to pure sugar cane. Online users change the percentages of whatever ingredients they choose to go into the drink, and can further determine the drink's colour, name and label. It is then shipped to them directly. Other users can then purchase and rate the flavour combination, with a slice of the profits going to the drink's creator. Therefore UFlavor have not only given you the opportunity to make your dream soft drink, but you also might make some spare coin if you hit the right recipe. With this much discretion left in your hands, the possibilities are literally endless. UFlavor users have already begun adding their own unique touches to their creations, as the website shows that drinks have already been named 'Juicy Love Soda' and 'Cerebral Asylum'. Sounds refreshing. There are plans to expand their ingredients in the near future, as well as install UFlavor vending machines where drinks can be made and delivered on the spot. Get creative and make your own ideal soft drink. If you don't fancy yourself as a mixing connoisseur, you might just want to stick with a solid can of Mountain Dew. https://youtube.com/watch?v=d9U9VUfgkPc [via PSFK]
If you haven't heard, The Prince Consort — a classic and much-loved Fortitude Valley watering hole — is locked and loaded to host you and your mates for a Sunday session to rival them all. Teaming up with White Claw, the pair are bringing an epic arvo of homegrown Aussie beats on Sunday, March 27. Kicking off at 2pm, White Claw Weekend x The Prince Consort is guaranteed to deliver the perfect soundscape for sipping hard seltzers in the sun. But there's better news: one lucky Brisbanite (and five of their mates) will receive the royal treatment. You'll start your day with the laidback vibes we all strive for, as a Kombi limo — fully stocked with your favourite White Claws — takes you and your crew on an easy-breezy one-hour joyride around the River City. Get comfortable, stay fresh and set the mood for the rest of your afternoon, before arriving at your destination in style. With an epic lineup of homegrown Aussie beats, The Prince Consort is setting the scene for you to boogie on down all night. With restrictions easing, balmy nights around for a few more months and Bag Raiders headlining at 5pm, it's the perfect way to sweeten the last hours of your weekend. Keen to kick it with your crew this summer? Enter details below to go in the running. [competition]846038[/competition]
With both the Indie Beer Showcase and Good Beer Week sadly axed from our calendars this year, organisers have headed online to host a series of virtual beer events instead. And these ones you can enjoy anywhere, any time — heck, even pants-free, if you fancy. Streamed via the Independent Brewers Association YouTube channel, each of these online tasting parties celebrates a different Aussie craft brewery, led by a brewer or key member of the team. They'll chat about a few signature beers, discuss what goes into making them, give an insight into the world of brewing and maybe even offer a sneak-peek at some future releases. The Good Beer Week Facebook page gives a heads-up as to who'll be hitting screens next, so you can stock up in advance at the bottle shop or get that beer delivery sorted. The live stream schedule is fairly loose, though videos are mostly run during prime drinking times like after work on Fridays and Saturday afternoons. That said, the sessions are all kept up on YouTube so you can revisit later at your leisure — tune in any time you're in the mood for a tipple and some beer talk. Image: Simon Shiff
What do one of 2022's huge box-office behemoths and one of 2023's most-anticipated movies have in common? In Avatar: The Way of Water and the new live-action The Little Mermaid alike, darling it's better down where it's wetter. Come May, the Mouse House's latest remake of its beloved animated hits (see also: Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Pinocchio) will get Halle Bailey (Grown-ish) slipping into Ariel's scales and tail, and take a dip into the story of a mermaid pining for a different life. While it was busy dropping Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny trailers during the Super Bowl, Disney has just unveiled the latest sneak peek at the new The Little Mermaid — and, like the first glimpse in 2022, it's going big on look and feel. Given that viewers already know and adore the first flick, the trailers for the latest movie don't need to dive too far into the narrative, although the just-released second glance does bring a pivotal figure into the mix. [caption id="attachment_868655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Fans of the original 1989 movie, aka everyone given how popular The Little Mermaid-themed events have proven over the years — such as screenings with live orchestral scores and cocktail experiences at aquariums — are well aware that Ariel dreams of being human, and is willing to make a deal with a sea witch to see her wishes come true. That involves a trade, though: giving up her voice to get legs in return, which'll allow her to live above the water. Accordingly, as well as Bailey as Ariel, this new version of The Little Mermaid features Jonah Hauer-King (The Flatshare) as Eric, the human prince that Ariel falls for; Javier Bardem (Lyle, Lyle Crocodile) as King Triton, Ariel's protective father; and Melissa McCarthy (Nine Perfect Strangers) as Ursula, said sea witch — who pops up at the end of the new glimpse. Also among the cast, on voice duties: Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer) as Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep) as Flounder and Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as Scuttle. Based on the two trailers so far, this take on The Little Mermaid from filmmaker Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine, Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns) and not Sofia Coppola promises vivid underwater realms, glowing light shining down from above, mermaid dances, bright coral, friendly fish and floating jellyfish — and the flick's star singing 'Part of Your World'. As for the tunes, they come courtesy of Alan Menken — returning from the original movie, as do all those old songs — and upcoming Australia visitor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Check out the new teaser trailer for The Little Mermaid below: The Little Mermaid will release in cinemas Down Under on May 25, 2023.
To the joy of folks who love ice cream but don't consume animal products, tucking into a creamy frozen dessert that's 100-percent vegan is much easier than it used to be. You'll find vegan Magnums, Cornettos and Weiss Bars in your supermarket freezer, vegan choc tops at Event Cinemas in Sydney and Brisbane, vegan ice cream sandwiches at Lord of the Fries around the country, and a selection of vegan sorbets at Gelato Messina — and now you'll find a new vegan lineup at gelato chain Gelatissimo as well. Gelatissimo already has its own vegan sorbet range, spanning flavours such as green apple, lemon, mango, passionfruit, raspberry, strawberry and coconut. Now, it's also scooping up dairy-free gelato. As part of the new selection, two varieties are on offer at present, with a third still to come — and they're the first in the chain's ongoing commitment to providing flavours for all dietary preferences. If you like your frosty desserts with a dash of decadence, you're in luck, with caramel mudcake and triple chocolate flavours on the menu. When you're licking your way through a cup or cone of caramel mudcake vegan gelato, you'll be enjoying vegan caramel gelato combined with caramelised sugar, as well as chunks of vegan caramel mudcake. As for the vegan triple chocolate gelato, it blends West African cocoa, vegan dark chocolate morsels and vegan chocolate sauce, then dusts the whole thing with cocoa powder. Available until Thursday, April 2 — or until stocks last — in all Australian stores, both dairy-free flavours use coconut and soy milk. Just what the third vegan gelato flavour will be, or when it'll be available, hasn't been revealed as yet. Gelatissimo's new vegan range is available from all stores nationwide until Thursday, April 2 — or until stocks last. If you're choosing to go out and support local businesses, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Australia has scored some pretty high-quality ice creams this summer. First, Peters and Messina teamed up for a limited-edition run of gourmet drumsticks. Now, Streets is getting onboard. It has just dropped a whole heap of vegan ice creams — and all its most-popular brands are involved. Vegan Magnums, Cornettos and Weis Bars, as well as four new dairy-free Ben & Jerry's tubs, have hit the freezer-aisle shelves in supermarkets and convenience stores nationally. The Magnums, available in either dairy-free Classic or Almond, are made using pea protein, which sounds kind of strange, but we're certainly willing to give them a crack. They're $4 each or $7 for a three. The Cornetto can be found exclusively at Woolworths and is made using soy ice cream, hazelnuts and vegan chocolate. They're $9 for a four-pack, but are currently on sale for $6 — so now's the time to try. Dairy-free Weis Bars comes in raspberry and coconut and will set you back $3.20 a pop (or $6.80 for four) while Ben & Jerry's new almond-milk based flavours ($12 for a pint — that's about 475ml) feature fudge brownie, cinnamon buns, peanut butter and cookies and something called the Coconut Seven Layer Bar, which is filled with fudge chunks, walnuts and swirls of graham cracker and caramel. Check out the vegan Almond Magnum and Cornetto in all their dairy-free glory: If you're a Halo Top fan, you'll be happy to know that Ben & Jerry's has also dropped a line of low-cal tubs — chocolate cookies, caramel cookie and peanut butter cookie dough — which clock in at 150–160 cals a pop for 115ml. They're also $12 each and can be found at Coles, petrol stations and convenience stores nationally. There's no word on how long these dairy-free delights are going to hang around for (we're hoping they're in for the long haul) but just in case — run, don't walk. Vegan Magnums, Weis Bars and new Ben & Jerry's tubs can now be found at supermarkets and convenience stores around the country. The Vegan Cornetto is available at Woolworths only.
October is made for weird, wild and wonderful movies filled with shocks and scares. 'Tis Halloween season, after all. So, the world obliges, including on screens big and small — and, in 2023, via the return of Australia's genre film festival Monster Fest, which is dedicated to flicks of the spooky, dark, twisted, offbeat and out-there variety. Monster Fest doesn't always pop up in the month when everyone is worshipping pumpkins and thinking about costumes; however, the timing obviously couldn't be more perfect. In Brisbane, it's heading to Event Cinemas Uptown between Friday, October 27–Sunday, October 29. On the lineup: the latest and greatest in genre filmmaking, spanning horror, sci-fi, comedies with elements of either and all-round unnerving movies. Standouts titles on the 2023 program include Suitable Flesh, which stars Heather Graham (Extrapolations) as a doctor going mad, takes its inspiration from HP Lovecraft and boasts Joe Lynch (Creepshow) behind the lens; The Last Video Store, a horror-comedy set, yes, in one of the last video stores; and Norwegian flick There's Something in the Barn, about a gnome uprising that plagues an American family (including Party Down's Martin Starr) who've relocated to Scandinavia. Or, there's also sci-fi comedy Time Addicts, Australian slasher Bloodmoon getting a 4K restoration 33 years after its OG release and Trim Season's nightmarish trip to a weed farm.
Calling all Baby Yoda fans: the cutest little Jedi in a galaxy far, far away will be back on your screens come autumn. After streaming its second season back in 2020, The Mandalorian has been absent for a couple of years — and its adorable Grogu with it — but that'll finally change come Wednesday, March 1. As part of a spate of big announcements at Brazil Comic Con, including dropping trailers for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Disney has revealed the pivotal news that Star Wars devotees have been waiting for. With Andor wrapping up its first season, Disney+ viewers currently have a gap in their streaming schedules, but only for a couple of months. If you've somehow missed it before now, the Emmy-nominated show follows the titular bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent); however, it's his encounter with a fuzzy little creature first known as The Child, affectionately named Baby Yoda by everyone watching, and officially called Grogu, that's always had everyone talking. So, it comes as zero surprise that one of the Star Wars universe's best-ever double acts keeps being pushed into the spotlight — including when The Mandalorian dropped its first season-three trailer a few months back. That sneak peek confirmed Din Djarin and Grogu's big reunion, picking up where The Book of Boba Fett left off. But the events of the pair's past streaming adventures have consequences, including seeing The Mandalorian disowned by his fellow Mandalorians. It wouldn't be a Star Wars series if everyone got along — the 'wars' part is right there in the franchise name, after all. Accordingly, the first teaser nods to the obligatory battles, as well as the fallout when its namesake doesn't actually have that title any more. Oh, and plenty of Grogu, naturally. The Mandalorian and Grogu return March 1 only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/h0NrVMIT4V — The Mandalorian (@themandalorian) December 1, 2022 Yes, the Star Wars universe certainly does sprawl far and wide these days, both within its tales and in its many different movies, shows, books and games. When this one first arrived in 2019, it started its story five years after Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi. Also on offer across its run so far: a cast that's included everyone from Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), Carl Weathers (Toy Story 4), Taika Waititi and iconic filmmaker Werner Herzog through to Timothy Olyphant (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Rosario Dawson (DMZ), Katee Sackhoff (Another Life) and Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett. Check out the first trailer for The Mandalorian season three below: The Mandalorian's third season will hit Disney+ on Wednesday, March 1. Images: ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
The Church are one of those bands that have been around for what seems like forever. Some might say almost as long as, ahem, Jesus (Yes? No? Okay). Despite this, instead of tiring audiences with years of music and constant touring, they have somehow managed the reverse and their time in the business has only caused a growing fan base. Although they are often on the road, don’t be fooled into thinking that every performance The Church puts is uniform in its structure and song choices. This tour, Future Past Perfect, in particular, is special for the band as it’s a celebration of their 30th anniversary. After touring around both Australia and America this year they have finally returned to Brisbane and it is set to be a joyous occasion. For the first time in Church history they will be playing three of their renowned albums in their entirety, making the cost well worth it. Taking one album from each decade, the 30-year discography span is absolutely sure to provide for every fan the band has.
Head interstate to see a big show, or cross your fingers that it comes to Brisbane? When it comes to huge theatre productions, that's the regular dilemma. Thankfully, the musicals and plays that don't premiere on our turf tend to make their way here eventually — and West End and Broadway hit Girl From the North Country is about to become one of them. For Bob Dylan fans, that name will be familiar. It's the title of one of the legendary folk singer's 1963 songs — a tune that features in this musical, naturally. Indeed, the entire show uses Dylan's tracks, including everything from 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Hurricane' to 'Slow Train' and 'I Want You', all weaved throughout a story of American life during the Great Depression. Girl From the North Country enjoyed its Australian premiere at this year's Sydney Festival, and is also headed to Melbourne from April; however, to save you the trip interstate, it's coming to Brisbane as well as part of Brisbane Festival 2022. So, block out Thursday, September 8 in your diary, as that's when its season will get started at QPAC's Lyric Theatre. Story-wise, the musical is set in a guesthouse in the US state of Minnesota in 1934. The narrative revolves around owner Nick, who is deeply in debt; his wife Elizabeth, whose mind is fraying; and their pregnant daughter Marianne — as well as a bible-slinging preacher and a boxer endeavouring to make a comeback. Overseas, Girl From the North Country has enjoyed sell-out seasons since it first debuted in London in 2017 — heading from The Old Vic to West End, next leaping to the US for an off-Broadway run, and then hitting up Toronto, returning to West End and premiering on Broadway before the pandemic in early 2022. And locally, the debut Aussie season stars Lisa McCune (The King and I, South Pacific), Terence Crawford (Escape From Pretoria, 1984) and Helen Dallimore (Wicked, Legally Blonde). Girl From the North Country will play at QPAC's Lyric Theatre from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 18 as part of Brisbane Festival 2022. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the QPAC website.
That feeling you get when a decades-old band either reforms its classic lineup and hits the road, or tours your way with a huge history behind them, kickstarting all those nostalgic old memories? If you're blink-182 fan, you'll know the right words for that: well I guess this is growing up. Actually, if you're a blink-182 fan, you'll be feeling all of the above right now. The group's best-known lineup is indeed back together, with Tom DeLonge rejoining Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker to play together for the first time in nearly a decade. They're heading around the world on a massive tour, and yes, as part of that, they're coming to Australia and New Zealand. 'Coming' is the theme of the announcement video the band put together to reveal the news — so if you're already wondering "what's my age again?", there's another reason for that train of thought. In much of the world everybody will like seeing blink-182 live again in 2023; however, Down Under, that'll happen in February 2024. DeLonge, Hoppus and Barker — with Rise Against in support — will start their Australian run in Perth, then head to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In NZ, they're playing two shows: Auckland and Christchurch. For three decades, blink-182 have been the voice inside punk and rock fans' heads, especially in the late 90s and early 00s thanks to albums Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Now that they're back together after DeLonge left the band in 2015, blink-182 are also recording new music together, with single 'Edging' releasing on Friday, October 14. Expect to hear everything from 'Dammit', 'Josie' and 'What's My Age Again?' to 'All the Small Things' and 'I Miss You' live, though — and yes, the latter feels oh-so-apt right now. BLINK-182 2024 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR: Friday, February 9 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 11 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, February 13 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, February 16 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 19 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, February 23 — Spark Arena, Auckland Monday, February 26 — Christchurch Arena, Christchurch Blink-182 will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Blink-182 fan club pre-sales start at 12pm on Thursday, October 13, with Live Nation and Spotify pre-sales from 1pm on Wednesday, October 19 — and general sales from 1pm on Thursday, October 20 (all local time). For more information, head to the Live Nation website. Top image: Jack Bridgland.
It’s party time people! The crafty folk at Etsy are throwing their second annual global craft party and you’re invited! If you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, designer, illustrator, jewelry maker, vintage lover or just great with a glue gun, Etsy are rejoicing your creativity and hosting the craftiest celebration of the year in your honor. There is just one condition upon your entry to this party: every guest must bring a plate of delicious homemade food – this means if you bring a cake you bought from the Woolies reduced section, they won’t let you in! There are some amazing prizes to be won on the night including Bris-Style goodie bags, Etsy bits and bobs, vouchers, one month’s free rent at In.Cube8r gallery AND a one hour photo shoot with you and your hand made wares with Salt Image. Last year over five thousand people attended the party from across the globe! RSVP here and get baking. Don't show them up or they’ll be after you with their staplers. Image credit: The Craft Revival
The literary work of Edgar Allen Poe collectively represents quality and greatness in poetry and fiction. Surviving the centuries, his infamous poem, The Raven is one upon many of Poe's influential pieces that continues to live on through the generations. Blurring the boundaries between audience and performer, home truths and vicious lies, The Raven represents a journey into the mind of a man whose imagination has taken liberties with his life. Fall deep inside an intimate and sensory experience at Metro Arts and take a seat at Poe's table as the poet shifts through splintered memories forged with his beloved wife. For those unfamiliar with the literary work of Poe, The Raven represents a dark journey into the mind of a man whose imagination has taken liberties with his life. Telling the tale of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, you experience a man's man's slow descent into madness. Written in the 1800s The Raven is a poem that has truly latest the test of time. A performance that will both educate and inspire, Metro Art's adaptation of The Raven is one not to be missed.
