No matter what the exhibition, Queensland Art Gallery always provides hours of entertainment for lovers of fine art. Modern Woman: Daughters and Lovers - Drawings from the Musée d'Orsay, Paris exhibition features illustrations by artists working in France during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Running for a month, the exhibition is exclusive to Brisbane. The Modern Woman exhibition celebrates a pivotal point in both the history of art and women. Artists such as Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Vuillard and Auguste Rodin are showcased and their artwork exemplifies a shift in the representations of women. These artworks present everday women, and in doing so celebrate what it means to be female. Yes, even back then the debate over the presentation of real women vs. airbrushed was rife. The artworks reflect a rejection of idealised representations of the female body and favour women from varying backgrounds. Drawings featured in the exhibition show women in their family lives partaking in domestic activities and also includes depictions of women working and performing. Modern Woman: Daughters and Lovers exhibition features stunning pieces of artwork while also exposing a historical snapshot of a society undergoing a serious shakeup. Be entertained and educated!
First, the sad news: after almost two decades pumping out tunes, Brisbane's own Violent Soho have announced that they're taking some time out, and also don't have any return dates set. Now, the better news: the Mansfield favourites are saying farewell for now with a huge hometown show, which'll hit up Fortitude Music Hall this September. "After nearly 20 years in Violent Soho, we've experienced so much as a band — it's been incredible and life-defining. We feel so grateful to have experienced the journey and to all the people that believed in our music and showed us so much support," said Luke Boerdam, James Tidswell, Luke Henery and Michael Richards in a statement. "However, as individuals we've found ourselves in different places over the last few years and so we've decided it's time to take a break and lay low for a bit. This isn't the end of the band, but we are looking forward to giving ourselves some space, focusing on our families, and giving back to the community which fostered and carried us." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Violent Soho (@violentsoho4122) For Brisbanites keen to see the 4122 group one more time for now, the band's big 'Until Next Time' concert will say "hell fuck yeah" on Saturday, September 10, with DZ Deathrays and Loser in support. Violent Soho will also play Splendour in the Grass on Saturday, July 23, with what's bound to be quite the set given the news. Naturally, the Brisbane group is also going on its indefinite hiatus in the only way it knows how: with a new single. Called 'Kamikaze', the tune just dropped today, Wednesday, July 13. Give it a listen below: Violent Soho's Until Next Time gig hits Fortitude Music Hall on Saturday, September 10, with tickets on-sale from 10am on Friday, July 15. Top image: Kane Hibberd.
Think size is a reflection of quality? Think again. One of Brisbane's quaintest little bars is striving to prove otherwise by showing off some of the nation's finest talent. Just head down to Ashgrove's Junk Bar this Friday to catch some of Australia's best acts in the World's Smallest Festival. Playing on two incy wincy stages will be Stress of Leisure, Seja, Zodiac Love Bone and Greg Brady and the Anchors. The evening kicks of at 7pm, with all of Junk's signature cocktails and drinks guaranteed to be flowing. It's only $12, which probably makes it also one of the world's cheapest festivals, too — and it's recommended that you buy tickets in advance. If you've never been to Junk Bar before, this is as good an excuse as any to jump on the Maroon Glider as it heads in the Ashgrove direction and check these humble little digs out. And hey, you might even discover a new favourite band while you're at it.
Not many people can say that they've performed to an intimate crowd of 30, hosted by Kanye West, at Kanye West's mansion. Comedian Aziz Ansari's sense of humour and unique persona has taken him everywhere, from the set of HBO favourite, Parks and Recreation, to the front page of Rolling Stone Magazine, as their 'Funniest Man Under 30'. Aziz's infectious stand-up comedy has captured audiences all around the world through his satirical wit and electric personality. Now, Brisbane plays host to this cocky yet loveable humourist in his new show, Buried Alive. As People Magazine's 'Funniest Dude in Prime Time', Aziz's fast and free natured comedy will be sure to create an evening of bewilderment and awe. Aziz will be performing at the QPAC Concert Hall for one show only. It may not be Kanye's mansion, but the jokes will sure to be just as dope; treat yo' self Check out Aziz Ansari on Kanye West
There are two types of people in this world: people who need a coffee in the morning and the people who don't. We don't know too many people from the latter group, so we're going to say that there's a lot of us who rely on that first whizzbang hit of sweet, sweet caffeine either first thing in the morning or shortly thereafter. But, like the generation we are, we're always looking to get things faster, easier, and in a much cooler form. And we assume that's where the Go Cube came from. Go Cubes are chewy gummy lollies made with real cold brew coffee, and are supposed to give the same — if not an enhanced — effect as an actual cup of the stuff. Each cube is equivalent to half a cup of coffee, and is filled with nootropics, which are supplements and functional foods that help improve some aspects of mental function. In other words, they are supposed to do the same thing that a latte does: get the brain juices flowing. They come in three flavours — latte, pure drip and mocha — and yes, they're vegan. The cubes come from San Francisco-based company Nootrobox, who specialise in these types of 'brain' foods and compounds. At the moment Go Cubes are on pre-order, having raised all their funds through Indiegogo. This could be a good alternative for those who have a penchant for Red Bull or three double espressos in the morning. But for those who enjoy the ritual of getting a coffee — and actually like drinking the stuff — you'll probably get the same effect (and more deliciousness) by sticking to good old liquid form. Nevertheless, chewy coffee lollies are something we can get on board with. Via PSFK.
When winter 2022 rolls around, it will have been three years since Brisbanites last feasted their way through the Night Noodle Markets. Dishing up hawker-style food and plenty of edible items on sticks, the event is an always-popular addition to the city's culinary calendar — but, due to the pandemic, it hasn't been able to set up its stalls since 2019. That's changing from Wednesday, June 15–Sunday, June 26. Yes, finally — after 2021 saw the markets announce dates and a new venue, then postpone, reschedule and ultimately cancel. With border closures and other everyday restrictions now seemingly behind us, here's hoping that this year's Night Noodle Markets can focus on what they do best: serving up delicious dishes to fill hungry stomachs. As was meant to be the case last year, the event will make its debut at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, moving over from South Bank — so you'll be enjoying a feed in quite the leafy surroundings. That's where it'll be based for the entire 12-night 2022 run, transforming the gardens into an openair Asian street food festival. Also on the bill: live entertainment and lion dances to go with all those stalls and pop-ups serving bites to eat and beverages to sip. And, you'll be able to bring your pets along as well. The full food lineup includes the likes Hoy Pinoy, Flying Noodles, May's Malaysian Hawker, Wonderbao, Gelato Messina and Twistto. So, that means you'll be tucking into everything from noodles and dumplings to bao and desserts, spanning options from local, interstate and nationwide eateries — and also including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and Halal options. On the drinks list, there'll be a Gage Roads Beer Garden, an Aperol Spritz Kombi Bar and the Dan Murphy's Zero% Bar — with the latter following on from the bottle-o chain's alcohol-free Melbourne venue and only serving up non-boozy beverages — plus Heaps Normal's alcohol-free beers and Rekorderlig's boozy ciders. Also, if you're keen to spend more time eating and less lining up, Mr Yum will also be on hand to allow you to order via your phone — skipping all the queues, selecting food from different vendors and paying in one transaction. The markets will be open from 5–9pm Sunday–Wednesday, 5–10pm Thursday–Friday and 4–10pm on Saturdays, giving you ample chances to head by. That said, although entry is free, you'll need to register for a ticket via the Night Noodle Markets website. Updated June 1.
The northern British city of Sheffield has given the music world many gifts, but for the last decade or so, one band has sat at the top at the heap. The Arctic Monkeys got toes tapping with the fastest selling debut album in UK chart history, and kept oozing out indie-rock tunes across four more albums. You own their records. You saw their shows. If you lived in Brisbane last time they came to town, you were probably there when the PA system stopped working but Alex Turner kept singing — and you've probably got tickets to see them again next month. In the lead up to the band's next local gig, you can head to Black Bear Lodge for an evening dedicated to loving everyone's favourite Yorkshire group. And while they released a new album last year, this night is all about the record beforehand — AM. Still, consider it a wholehearted celebration of everything the Arctic Monkeys have ever done. It all takes place from 8pm on Wednesday, February 27, so prepare to look good on the dance floor. Taking the group's advice, snapping out of your everyday life and putting on your dancing shoes for a piledriver waltz or two of is recommended, because the bulk of their tracks will get a spin over the course of the evening.
What does it take to build the world’s tallest skyscraper? 19,000 workers, seven months, 92 elevators, and, in all likelihood, a competitive streak. This month, yet another challenge to rule supreme over the global skyline will begin when the Broad Group starts building the world’s tallest skyscraper in Changsha, China. Apart from demonstrating the latest in engineering miracles, the project aims to improve our chances of environmental sustainability, as it will serve as a ‘Sky City’. It’s a fully self-contained settlement, in which residents will have access to all the facilities expected in an urban area, only they’ll come with a view. 56 courtyards, each with ceilings at 30 foot, will provide scope for sporting activities, and 930,000 square feet will be committed to the cultivation of organic farms. Access to all 170 floors will be achievable via elevators, or a six-mile long ramp, which will run the vertical length of the building. According to the Broad Group, any resident of the world’s tallest skyscraper will use only 1% of the land occupied by a run-of-the-mill, ground bound city slicker. Moreover, energy efficiency will be maximised through triple glazing, serious insulation, shading and the use of a co-generation plant, which runs on waste heat, to achieve climate control. Could this be the face of cities of the future? [via PSFK]
Oh, school. They told us it'd be the best time of our lives. And they weren't necessarily wrong — late starts, early finishes and two designated breaks to eat throughout the day. Sure, the joys of months-long summer holidays and the back-to-school Officeworks trip are behind us, but that doesn't mean the fun has to be. Plus, now that you're a proper grown up, you can do all sorts of fun and exciting excursions without needing any handholding (if you don't want it) and you can bring all the snacks you want. Brisbane has got the goods when it comes to the ultimate kidult activities. Think all the fun of those halcyon days, without having to make it back for roll call. And if you really want to, you can run full speed from one fun time to the next until you realise you've gotten old and need to sit down for a bit. So, grab your legionnaires hat and shot gun your bus partner, because we've teamed up with RACQ to track down five of the best excursions you can take around town (and to let you in on some of the sweet discounts their members can access). Read on, fellow kidults. AUSTRALIA ZOO For all the time we spend riling up foreigners over the fabled kangaroo school bus and those sneaky drop bears, we still get a kick out of seeing our national icons in the fur, flesh and scales. Don your khaki and take a trip up Steve Irwin Way to his beloved Australia Zoo to check out some awesome wildlife. The zoo boasts over 1200 native and exotic animals from across the planet. You can spot giraffes, zebras, rhinos and cheetahs at the African Savannah, as well as a range of beloved tree-dwellers like lemurs, red pandas, exotic birds and, of course, koalas. The live shows at the Crocoseum are non-negotiable, plus there's the option to hold a live snake if you're into that sort of thing. And for those who read Esiotrot as a kid, there's also Aldabra giant tortoises wandering around. [caption id="attachment_634874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tangalooma Island Resort.[/caption] MORETON ISLAND Who needs the sparkling waters of the Amalfi Coast when you've got glistening blue bays at Brisbane's doorstep? Okay, it's not exactly the same, but it's pretty damn beautiful. It's time to shake off those winter blues and embrace the coming warm weather with a day trip to the world's third largest sand island, Moreton Island. Begin your tour in style with a cruise from Brissie to Moreton on a luxury catamaran — but make sure to spend your 75 minutes at sea relaxing because once you arrive on Moreton's pristine shores, the island adventure begins. RACQ members get full use of the Tangalooma Island Resort facilities and can partake in three or four of the resort's ten adventure activities. Try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding, snorkel through crystal clear blue waters at the Tangalooma Wrecks and hire a kayak to explore the waters even more. [caption id="attachment_631336" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Facebook/La Macelleria.[/caption] ICE CREAM MAKING AT LA MACELLERIA Like science class but better, La Macelleria is widely credited as Brisbane's premier gelato destination and runs two ace classes to help you learn the ins and outs of the cold stuff. Run by two charmers — both called Matteo, and both hail from Italy's home of gelato, Bologna — the gelato shop is an ideal spot to learn the tricks of the trade. Their Gelato Workshop, teaches the theoretical principles and age-old process behind making the tasty treats, then puts you to work producing a couple of flavours yourself before taking away your new-found knowledge and a litre of creamy gelato goodness. Otherwise, if fun-size is more your thing, the Matteos have recently added Gelato Mignon Classes, where you'll get to learn the magic of the Italian meringue (very important) in order to master the art of making tiny treats like the homemade Magnums and gelato sandwiches in La Macelleria's display fridge. SCIENCENTRE If you're of the mindset that, now that you're an adult, your school-like excursion should end with an adult beverage, then this one's for you. Let's take it back to where all good Brissie school excursions started: the Sciencentre. Spend your day wandering this labyrinth of learning, tackling giant puzzles, handling a stick insect and generally learning and re-learning how stuff works. Of course no trip to the Queensland Museum (which houses the Sciencentre) is complete without visiting the dinosaurs, so get your Ross Gellar on, and say hi to the T-rex and Triceratops overlooking Grey Street. Once all that learning has worked up a thirst, it's time to head across the road to Fish Lane and settle in for a cocktail or three at Maker, an unassuming boutique bar that you might just miss if you don't have your wits about you. Once that thirst has been quenched, head next door to Julius Pizzeria for some of the best Italian in Brisneyland. Dinosaurs, drinks and a duck ragu — what could be better? KINGSTON PARK KARTS There's no denying it; no matter how many grey hairs you've collected over the years, you're still always a kid at heart. And what better way to treat your inner child than to take them go-karting — especially if the closest thing you got to go-karting as a kid was at dogems. Unleash your speed demon at Kingston Park Raceway, the largest and most technically advanced go-karting and amusement venue in the country. With four levels of go karts and three tracks to tear up, it's the perfect way to bring those racecar driver dreams of yesteryear to life. Place some friendly wagers with your mates on who'll be the Schumacher of the group and put pedal to the metal. Channel your inner school kid, and find more activities you no longer need a permission slip for with RACQ's mighty selection of kidult things to do with discounts for members. Check out their full offering here.
No one likes leaving their pet at home when they go on holiday. No one loves moving interstate with them flying in the cargo hold, either. A solution might be on the way, however, with Virgin Australia announcing its intention to allow small dogs and cats in the cabins of its aircraft — as long as it gets the regulatory tick of approval to do so. At present, all pets except authorised service and assistance dogs can't join humans while they're soaring through the skies. Instead, they fly underneath amid the luggage. But everyone who shares their life with a pooch or mouser knows that they want to do everything that people can do. In fact, they think they're people. Here's one way they'll be able to, ideally within 12 months. If it is signed off by the aviation powers that be, this will be the first time that an airline in Australia has allowed pets in its cabins. There will be rules, of course, including the fact that only small dogs and cats will be permitted, that the option will only be available on selected domestic routes and that pets will have to stay in a Virgin Australia-approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. There'll also be designated rows for folks travelling with pets — which mightn't suit your cat if it isn't fond of dogs, or vice versa. And, if you're dreaming of your pupper or feline sitting on your lap or walking around the cabin, that obviously won't be allowed either. On the ground before you hop on the plane, then once you disembark, your pet will need to stay in its carrier as well, other than at the relief areas that will be part of Virgin's terminals. There's no word yet which routes will soon allow four-legged friends for company, or how much bringing them onboard might cost — but there will be a fee. The current arrangement with service and assistance animals will continue, so they'll still be permitted to travel in the cabin without an extra cost. Virgin Australia also will still transport pets in the cargo hold. "We expect the pets in cabin concept will prove a popular offering and we look forward to working with Virgin Australia to make it a reality," said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. Tell your pet to pack their suitcase — and start asking them about their dream interstate holiday. Virgin Australia hopes to allow small dogs and cats in its cabins on select domestic flights within the next 12 months. We'll update you when more details are announced. For more information about Virgin Australia's current pet policies in the interim, head to the airline's website. Images: Alex Coppel.
As anyone who's seen the doco Amy knows, during Amy Winehouse's troubled final years, the media was excruciatingly obsessed with her drug and alcohol issues. But, a new exhibition, arriving in Melbourne later this year, is bringing us another perspective. Titled Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait, the show covers four concepts: faith, fashion, music and London life. Expect to see loads of never-before-seen-in-public objects, such as family photos, dresses (including the dazzling Luella Bartley number that Winehouse wore at Glastonbury 2008), cookbooks, stories, records and musical instruments. Acting as soundtrack will be a mixtape Winehouse put together at the age of 13. The exhibition was conceived and curated by Amy's brother, Alex, and sister-in-law, Riva, in collaboration with the Jewish Museum of London. Since premiering in London in 2013, it's travelled to San Francisco, Vienna, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam, and, right now, it's at the London museum, Camden. Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait arrives at the Jewish Museum of Australia, St Kilda, on October 22 and will show until March 22, 2018. Image: Rama via Wikimedia Commons.
Films for grown-ups. They're regretfully rare (and I bemoaned this rarity just last week), but we have one in Performance. What could be construed merely as a music film is in fact a tightly wound, deliberate and sensitive depiction of creative, platonic and romantic relationships on the edge of destruction. Affairs, betrayals, sacrifice — together this list appears as standard soap opera material. But in the assured hands of former documentary-maker Yaron Zilberman, they are so much more. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken and Mark Ivanir give astonishing performances as members of an esteemed Manhattan string quartet. As a creative family, the quartet's future is thrown into doubt when Walken's character develops Parkinson's — a particularly devastating diagnosis for a musician whose profession hinges on the dexterity of his hands. Here is a film that presents the complexities of regret, the price of compromise and the undoable consequences of the decisions you only realise in retrospect were, in fact, decisions. All these themes find their mirror in the intimacy and sacrifice of the quartet's musical collaboration and the intensity of their tenuous creative bonds. Performance is finely tuned and deeply moving. Its precise, dynamic dialogue gives the impression of being written by a master playwright. Its score rates a special mention — composer Angelo Badalamenti also wrote Twin Peaks''unforgettable theme. Its characters are fully fledged vessels of hurt, resentment and miscommunication, but they're not monsters — they're just actually human. And for a real, grown-up, mainstream film, that's not just unusual, that's something to treasure. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yaFTheo2v-E
>Much of your response to Therese Desqueyroux will depend on whether the words 'slow-burn, Audrey Tautou period piece' ring your alarm bells. In 1920s provincial France, unconventional Therese (Tautou as an anti-Amelie) weds a wealthy business owner pragmatically rather than for love. She realises the marriage is a trap lying in wait, a fact counterpointed by her stubborn sister-in-law's rash, passionate love affair with a poor, Jewish neighbour. Weighted with an unwanted pregnancy, Therese longs for an out, and when she discovers too much of her husband's medicine makes him ill, she makes an irreversible mistake. There are two portraits painted here: one of a woman's slow dawning that she has no control over her life, and one of the society that corners women and strips them of their choices. The challenge for the highly respected director Claude Miller is to bring freshness to a theme so thoroughly mined by other adapted novels like Anna Karenina and Portrait of a Lady. Perhaps something has been lost in the translation from novel to film. Perhaps Miller should have kept the book's original structure. Commencing with Therese's crime then stepping back to reveal the lead-up would have introduced some much-needed momentum and suspense. Whatever the misstep, the character of Therese, not unlike the film itself, remains a little out of reach. Where Miller aims for 'restraint', he more often hits 'dour' and the outcome is an austere, sombre character study. The film momentarily lifts off in a handful of beautifully shot dream sequences where Therese privately acts her inner violence, but these respites are not quite enough to shake the fog.
The Abbotsford Anglers are a lousy, Saturday morning, suburban cricket team, led by Ted (Stephen Curry), a sweet but kinda hopeless guy who lives in a mate's garage and works at a sports store. When his best mate, Rick (Brendan Cowell), announces his plans to marry and have children (which, to the boyish Ted, amounts to no less than treason), Ted can see his beloved cricket team will be overtaken by nappies, wives and all the other dreadful trappings of manhood. Oblivious to the inevitable fact that the times and the nature of his friendships are a-changing, Ted leads his D-grade team into the depths of India for a tour of glorified park cricket. It’s here that tensions arise, friendships are frayed, life lessons are learned and Ted must finally man up, grow up and fondly leave his teenage dreams behind. Save Your Legs! is about as blokey and Strayne, and silly as you’d expect a cricket bromance penned by Brendan Cowell to be. There's alot of toilet humour and alot of Channel Nine's "Wide World of Sports" theme music going on. Admittedly, I’m not the film’s target audience member (in other words, I’m not a cricket-obsessed, "nice Aussie bloke"), but it’s lovely to see a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Until it does, when the cricket metaphors start coming thick and fast (“There’s only one innings in life. You only get once chance” and so forth). Underlying all the beer and bravado, Save Your Legs! is about mateship and coming of age, with an affectionate portrait of everyday Aussie battlers that puts it in the same cinematic bracket as The Castle and Kenny. If the idea of a crew of drink-addled guys swanning around stoking chaos sounds familiar, it's because the film is also a bit of an Australianisation of The Hangover. Cowell and Curry give endearing performances as man-boys who are forcefully and finally shoved out of adolescence and into adulthood at the ripe old age of thirty-five. As a lighthearted, nostalgia-drenched film, Save Your Legs! hits a six.
With intrastate travel now allowed in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, many of us are already planning (a long list of) road trips. Those without a car have probably also been comparing car rental companies — and, now, there's a new player in the game: Uber. The global ride-sharing company is branching out and trialling car rental in Australia as a world first. Rolling out in Brisbane today, then in the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide next week, Uber Rent will only be available to 50 percent of app users in its initial phase. So, you'll need to cross your fingers you get it. If you do land in the lucky half of users, this is how it'll work: update your app to the latest version, select the 'Rentals' option and you'll be able to choose from a selection of cars from Cartrawler and punch in your pick up date and location. Cartrawler is a global company that's connected to a heap car rental suppliers, as well airline companies and online travel retailers, that does just what it says on the packet: trawls through the existing sites to bring you what's available at the times and locations you want it — so you don't have to spend too long doing your own comparisons. The connection to Uber helps make it a little more convenient, with the ability to book through the one app — and score Uber Rewards, if that's something you do. [caption id="attachment_583987" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Great Ocean Road[/caption] Cars start from around $40 a day (for a small car) and $76 for an SUV, with prices getting a little cheaper the longer you book. A Hyundai Accent, for example, will cost around $150 for seven days, with pick up and drop off at Melbourne Airport. If the trial is a success, it'll be rolled out nationally as a permanent option on the app. So, you can plan more trips to dog-friendly pubs, beaches and parks. And get to the vet a little easier (don't tell your cat). Need some inspo when planning your first (second or third) road trip? Have a look at these ten country towns near Brissie worthy of a day trip, these towns outside of Sydney or these wintry Victorian day trips. To find out more about Uber Rent, head to the Uber website.
Timing is everything in Where the Crawdads Sing, the murder-mystery melodrama set in America's Deep South that raced up bestseller lists in 2018, and now reaches cinemas a mere four years later. Its entire narrative hinges upon a simple question: did North Carolina outcast and recluse Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar-Jones, Fresh), cruelly nicknamed "the marsh girl" by locals, have time to speed home from an out-of-town stay to push star quarterback Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson, The King's Man) from a fire tower, then resume her trip without anyone noticing? On the page, that query helped propel Delia Owens' literary sensation to success, to Reese Witherspoon's book club — she's a producer here — and to a swift film adaptation. But no timing would likely have ever been right for the movie's release, given that Owens and her husband are wanted for questioning in a real-life murder case in Zambia. Unlike the film, those off-screen details aren't new, but they were always bound to attract attention again as soon as this feature arrived. One of the reasons they're inescapable: the purposeful parallels between Owens' debut novel and her existence. Like Kya, Owens is a naturalist. The also southern-born author spent years preferring the company of plants and animals, crusading for conservation causes in Africa. Where the Crawdads Sing is timed to coincide with Owens' own life as well; it's set in the 50s and 60s and, as a child (played by Jojo Regina, The Chosen) and a teenager, Kya is around the same age that Owens would've been then. Another reason that the ways that art might link with reality can't be shaken, lingering like a sultry, squelchy day: what ends up on-screen is as poised, pristine and polished as a swampy southern gothic tale can be, and anyone in one. There's still a scandal, but forget dirt, sweat and anything but lush, vivid wilderness, plus a rustic hut that wouldn't look out of place on Airbnb. That Instagram-friendly aesthetic comes courtesy of filmmaker Olivia Newman (First Match), who helms a visually enticing movie — again, incongruously so given the story it unfurls and the location it dwells in — that's as typical as a murder-mystery meets coming-of-age tale meets southern romance can be. The film starts with Chase's body, the investigation that springs and the certainty around the insular small town of Barkley Cove that the supposedly feral and uncivilised marsh girl is responsible. Evidence is thin, but bigotry runs deep against someone who grew up with an abusive father (Garret Dillahunt, Ambulance), was left behind by her other family members and spent the bulk of her years fending for herself in poverty. That said, as in Owens' source material, that's just the framework. On the screen, though, Where the Crawdads Sing's dive into Kya's life feels like it's also been adapted from Nicholas Sparks' pages. Most of Barkley Cove has always shunned Kya, other than generous store owners Jumpin' (Sterling Macer Jr, House of Lies) and Mabel (Michael Hyatt, The Little Things), who she sells mussels to — the feature's only Black characters, who are woefully only used to stress how callous the rest of the town proves, rather than to even dream of digging into matters of race in America's south as the civil rights movement started to gather steam. Also kindly, taking on her defence, is her Atticus Finch-esque local lawyer Tom Milton (David Strathairn, Nightmare Alley). But romance still blossoms not once but twice for Kya, first with the doting, poetry-reading Tate Walker (Taylor John Smith, Blacklight), and then with arrogant rich kid Chase. That's where Newman's film prefers to reside, charting the ups and downs of Kya's affairs of the heart. That's why the movie appears so immaculate that it shimmers with a marsh-chic gleam as well. Smooching in the swamp replaces The Notebook-style kissing in the rain here. Skimming the surface replaces fleshing out what makes Kya tick, what her surroundings truly mean to her, and humanity's complex ties to nature. Kya is the strongest part of Where the Crawdads Sing, but the film makes everything about and around her so by the numbers. Taken from the book, sometimes-evocative turns of phrase litter Lucy Alibar's (Beasts of the Southern Wild) script, endeavouring to conjure up a rich atmosphere and bring Kya's inner feelings to life, including her love for the bayou. They're always far too neat, however, like everything within view. And as impressive as Edgar-Jones is as an actor (see also: fellow page-to-screen hit Normal People), it's impossible to reconcile Where the Crawdads Sing's careful words and dreamy vision of marsh life — such as the way its star is styled — with what the film tells rather than shows about its central character. Kya's kinship with the wetlands is stressed over and over, of course. Where the Crawdads Sing rarely misses an opportunity to mention it. The audience is informed that it's where she feels safe and at home, and learns to be herself — and also provides the inspiration behind her career as an illustrator, cataloguing the creatures that only live in the kind of thick bushland described in the movie's title. But viewers are still stuck doing exactly what the picture rallies against in its narrative: believing their eyes and taking appearances at face value. The only alternative is sketching in minutiae and texture that just isn't in the film — that is, bringing what's present in the book to this version of the story, including what Newman and Alibar left out, then combining the two in your head. That's not how turning novels into movies should work; they're standalone pieces of art, not visual companions. It doesn't fit the tale being told — one that includes child abandonment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and both societal and legal prejudices — but the movie's backdrop does always look stunning, as lensed with the golden glow of a tourism commercial by cinematographer Polly Morgan (A Quiet Place Part II). That's Where the Crawdads Sing, though: pretty rather than profound, meaningfully complicated or substantial. Dickinson and Smith's plights also sum up the film perfectly. While the always-welcome and ever-reliable Strathairn puts in a fine performance that's largely defined by rousing speeches, both Dickinson and Smith do exactly what's asked of them without being given much room to play anything but stock roles. That's Where the Crawdads Sing at its very best, too: always utterly standard. That said, although never visibly or emotionally, it's usually far muddier than that.
Walking around Sydney CBD over the last year or so, you might have noticed the amount of construction taking place, but even more so, the vibrant colours and art brightening up these building sites across town. These are works from the creative hoardings initiative, which saw ten artists chosen by the City of Sydney to have their designs adorn drab construction sites. Following a massively successful first round, the City of Sydney is once again inviting artists nationwide to submit their creations to be a part of the next group of hoarding designers. Encouraging both established and emerging artists to apply, another ten creatives will be selected by a panel of industry experts, and receive a tidy $11,400 for their hard work to boot. Whether you want to submit your own work or encourage a friend, don't delay as entries close 5pm, Friday, December 14. To give you a better idea of what the creative hoardings initiative is all about, we took a look at the original ten artists and found out how the project impacted their creative practices. [caption id="attachment_701053" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths.[/caption] THE TERMINAL FACE OF THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER BY TIM HARLAND For landscape photographer Tim Harland, the creative hoardings project was the perfect medium to express his elongated panoramic images. Having considered submitting many of his works, he eventually decided on his image of the famous Perito Moreno glacier in Patagonia. Created from more than 50 individual photographs, Harland captured the image while travelling in a boat parallel to the glacier. On the project, Harland explains: "it's been lovely to be walking through the city, turn a corner and be presented with my giant, icy blue photograph…I've never been able to print my work as big as I'd like, so to see it two metres high and 100 metres long was deeply satisfying." [caption id="attachment_632113" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA BY EGGPICNIC Promoting important dialogue around wildlife conservation, Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso of popular creative duo Eggpicnic have used their hoarding design, Birds of Australia, to reach out to others with their message. With their design popping up on construction sites across Pyrmont, Surry Hills and The Rocks, their work has proved popular even with bird watching groups that go on tours of the hoardings. Plus, Camila and Christopher are often told by strangers how admired their design is. "I was on the bus at Town Hall, and I see this email that our hoarding is up at Ken Street," De Gregorio says. "I told the bus driver to stop, I got off and then two blocks away, I could see this giant cockatoo. I started running; I get there and I completely lose my breath. I felt like I'd won an Oscar. I was standing alone in complete awe for ages, watching how others were taking selfies and videos of my bird." "People care; it's just a matter of inviting them to participate. We are privileged to have our work displayed throughout Sydney and we hope that this platform starts fundamental conversations," says De Gregorio. [caption id="attachment_632100" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] DOUBLE-TAKE BY RACHEL HARRIS Creating playful images that challenge our perceptions, South Australian designer Rachel Harris worked alongside the City of Sydney's archives, taking historical photographs and photoshopping them in subtle and fun ways. For Harris, creating something that could be viewed multiple times was one of her primary concerns. And Double-Take achieves that by giving commuters something interesting to focus on during their journey to and from work. "The feedback has been great, seeing people engaging with the work and sharing it with each other is wonderful," says Harris. "It feels like I have contributed something meaningful and positive to the community." A SONG FROM NATURE BY DANLING XIAO Having built up a huge Instagram following thanks to her playful daily food-art creations with her Mundane Matters project, Danling Xiao once again used these cute artworks to communicate her philosophy on zero waste and sustainability. Xiao said it's "an honour" to be able to contribute her artwork to the city's landscape with A Song From Nature. "I am surprised that although friends see my work on Instagram on a regular basis, they are still surprised when they see them on the streets," says Xiao. "I think we must be doing something right here." SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AT NIGHT BY EMILY CROCKFORD Emerging artist Emily Crockford took inspiration from perhaps Sydney's most iconic landmark with her interpretation of the Sydney Opera House. Depicting the sweeping structure's celebrated sails lit up by the New Years Eve fireworks, this work follows Crockford's colourful style, which you can also see in her paintings, sculpture and plush works of art. Supported by Studio A, a local social enterprise providing support for artists living with intellectual disabilities, Crockford has exhibited her work as part of the Cicada Press at UNSW Art & Design, Underbelly Arts Festival and numerous galleries across Sydney. CHILDREN VERY UPSET BY EDWIN BUDHI Spending time wandering the streets of Sydney, photographer and filmmaker Edwin Budhi was struck by the number of lost animals signs he came across tapped to signposts. With his bright, eye-catching portraits of missing animals and street scenes, Budhi wanted to convey the feeling of what it's like to live in a large metropolis such as Sydney. Through Children Very Upset, Budhi thoughtfully explores the nature of family, hope and loss within the context of the urban environment. [caption id="attachment_632099" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] STONE JEWELS BY FIONA CURREY-BILLYARD Featuring glowing stone cutting tools used by Indigenous populations throughout past centuries, emerging filmmaker, photographer and painter Fiona Currey-Billyard makes the most of new media in her hoarding design, Stone Jewels. Astounded by the quality of these tools that were handcrafted hundreds of years ago, Currey-Billyard was inspired to showcase their excellence to a wider audience through her submission. Made from materials such as glass, basalt and greenstone, the vibrant stone cutting tools resemble precious jewellery, which Currey-Billyard conveys through her vibrant artwork. [caption id="attachment_632106" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] REAL MYTH BY CAPTAIN PIPE Perhaps the most lively of all the hoarding designs selected for the initial creative hoardings project, Neil McCann, aka Captain Pipe, wanted to create something that passers-by simply wouldn't be able to ignore. Inspired by the eccentric works of 15th-century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, Real Myth illustrates a scene that could be the party to end all parties. In addition, McCann's design considers the stories we tell ourselves and how artworks can have "co-created" meanings depending on your life's perspective. Putting his work on a scale that's made it virtually unmissable by anyone who comes near, McCann was proud to have such a towering and colourful work take over the city streets. POLY UBIQUITOUS BY CYNTHIA SCHWERTSIK Disturbed by the amount of plastic pollution taking over the environment today, Adelaide-based artist Cynthia Schwertsik decided to reimagine plastic bags with a slightly more positive connotation. It's easy to miss at first, but Poly Ubiquitous doesn't just display a bright and mysterious creation, but images of colourful plastic bags submerged underwater. On her artwork, Schwertsik explains, "I started to collect plastic bags and treat them as if they were precious. These bright, artificial colours were the entrance to an ambiguous appreciation for the material that is supposed to be useful." [caption id="attachment_632104" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Katje Ford.[/caption] OBSTACLE COURSE BY ELLIOTT BRYCE FOULKES Sydney native, art director and designer Elliot Bryce Foulkes has long been basing his bold creations around the use of typography, language, graphics and space. For his chosen Site Works hoarding, titled Obstacle Course, Foulkes delved into his knowledge of Sydney to develop an imaginative reinterpretation of ongoing building projects and future Sydney architectural landmarks. Exploring the concepts of design, art direction and identity through his creative practice, here, Obstacle Course depicts an artistic look at individuals searching the streets of Sydney and uncovering the many interesting shapes and designs that make up the urban environment. Keen to see your own art on a large scale? Answer the City of Sydney's call for artists to get a chance to be part of the initiative.
There are some things that remain universal truths in the realm of television: Early episodes of The Simpsons are much better than the later, 'The Contest' and 'The Soup Nazi' are hands down the greatest things to happen on Seinfeld, and Breaking Bad is the best thing that's been on TV in recent years. Though these claims usually land you in nerdy arguments over a pint of beer, they can now be statistically proven due to the help of one glorious person with too much time on their hands. Graph TV is an easy-to-use website made by Kevin Wu, data analyst extraordinaire, that charts the rating of every episode of every TV series rated on IMDb. Let's just take a second to compute that information. You can type in the name of any show and find out which is the best and worst episode, how the series tracked as it went on, and when it officially should have called it quits. The future is here, and it's incredibly nerdy. Wu claims he thought of the concept while watching the final episodes of Breaking Bad. "I thought the last half of season five was just amazing, and wondered if people thought the same,” he said. After a quick look at the chart, it's easy to tell the majority of people agreed with him. Yeah, science! Obviously, the ratings system is still incredibly subjective. It's just a collection of opinions after all. But if democracy has taught us anything it's that there's strength in numbers, and when nearly 2000 people vote to say that racist episode of How I've Met Your Mother was the worst thing to happen in the entire show, I'm inclined to believe them. The numbers get more convincing when you move to bigger shows like The Simpsons. Showing a gradual but steady decline in viewer ratings over the show's long run, your argument at the pub can finally be put to rest. The highest rating episodes are all old classics from seasons 4-8. The lowest rating, however, is not the horrible compilation shows they tacked together for the offseason, but the cameo of Lady Gaga in season 23. Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Via Wired.
Australia's capital cities aren't the only places filled with music fans. That's one of the ideas behind Groovin the Moo, which rounds up a heap of huge names and takes them on the road to play regional locations. And, in 2023, those acts are indeed big — Fatboy Slim, Denzel Curry, Eliza Rose and Skepta-level big. They're four of the music stars on the just-announced lineup for the beloved large-scale touring music fest, which returns in 2023 after a pandemic-enforced break, then a smaller tour in 2022. This year, it's back with a full nationwide run, heading to six different states and territories across April and May. Along the way, it'll finally mark a comeback in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland — and hit up New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria as well. [caption id="attachment_878696" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carlos Luna / Secretaría de Cultura CDMX[/caption] Also on the bill: everyone from Amy Shark, Ball Park Music and Barkaa through to Alt-J, Ocean Alley and Omar Apollo — plus Slayyyter and Sophie May as well. The full lineup spans an impressive mix of overseas and local talent, including Laurel and BBNO$ among the acts making the trip. The list goes on, meaning that folks in Wayville, Maitland, Canberra, Bendigo, the Sunshine Coast and Bunbury — or heading to them just for GTM — have plenty to look forward to. And yes, Queenslanders will note the already-revealed new Sunshine Coast location, after logistical challenges and increased financial pressures forced a move from Townsville. Already grabbing your gumboots? Getting ready to dance in a paddock to one helluva bill? Then you'll be keen to nab tickets from 12pm local time on Tuesday, February 7. And, GTM still has a few details to drop, such as the triple j Unearthed, Fresh Produce artists and Community programs. GROOVIN THE MOO 2023 LINEUP: Alt-J Amy Shark Ball Park Music Barkaa BBNO$ The Chats Choomba Confidence Man Denzel Curry Eliza Rose Fatboy Slim Laurel Luude Ocean Alley Omar Apollo Royel Otis Skegss Skepta Slayyyter Slowly Slowly Sophie May Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Teenage Dads Teenage Joans Hosts: Lex and Pookie Plus triple j Unearthed, Fresh Produce artists and Community programs still to be announced. GROOVIN THE MOO 2023 DATES AND VENUES: Friday, April 21 — Adelaide Showground, Kaurna Country, Wayville, SA Saturday, April 22 — Maitland Showground, Wonnarua Country, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 23 — Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country, Mitchell, ACT Saturday, April 29 — Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Bendigo, VIC Sunday, April 30 — Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Warana, QLD Saturday, May 6 — Hay Park, Wardandi Noongar Country, Bunbury, WA Groovin the Moo will tour Australia in April and May 2023. For more information, or for tickets from 12pm local time on Tuesday, February 7, head to the festival's website. Top images: Ruby Boyland, Ash Caygill and Chloe Hall.
One day, glowing plants might provide enough energy to light up entire buildings. At least, that's the hope of Antony Evans, Kyle Taylor and Omri Amirav-Drory. They have the science to justify it, and the support behind their Kickstarter campaign to attempt its realisation. Their plan has been made possible by developments in synthetic biology over the past 30 or so years. Back in 1986, scientists cultivated the very first radiant seeds but discovered that their effectiveness required the addition of luciferin (the pigment that illuminates fireflies). Three years later, the luciferase-luciferin gene was sequenced. However, it wasn't until 2010 that researchers at the State University of New York managed to add the gene to plants, giving them a dim glow. Around the same time, on the other side of the Atlantic, the University of Cambridge's iGem team was recycling luciferase to create bacteria that beamed with the ferocity of Kryptonite. Fast-forward three years, and the aforementioned trio of scientific talents is building on these developments to hatch a plan that has the dramatic reduction of CO2 at its heart. They've already raised the $65,000 necessary to achieving their initial aim — the cultivation of Arabidopsis plants. Now, they're on the cusp of reaching their first stretch goal — $400,000, which will enable the development of glowing roses. So far, 6,981 backers have committed funds, to the tune of $395,135. Supporters who pledge $40 or more are promised a batch of seeds, meaning they'll be able to grow their own glowing plants at home. $150 or more buys a bioluminescent rose. The project has received the backing of some of the highest fliers in the fields of Genetics, Biotechnology and Biochemistry, including George Church (Head of Genetics at Harvard Medical School), Andrew Hessel (Autodesk Distinguished Research Fellow) and Austen Heinz (Founder of Cambrian Genomics). [Via Inhabitat]
Huge news: Crown Street could soon be home to Australia's first ultra-exclusive Soho House Club, according to a report by the Australian Financial Review. The global private members club was originally set to open on Domain Road in Melbourne's South Yarra, but developers were forced to ditch plans at the direction of VCAT in late October, after strong opposition from local councils and a residents' group. Trenerry Property Group and Kanat Group will lead the transformation of the $20 million, three-storey space at 256 Crown Street in Darlinghurst. Plans for the 512-square-metre site are scarce at the moment, but we'll bring you more information as it drops. Soho House first opened in London in 1995 as a private members' club for clientele in the creative sphere. They've since opened over a dozen clubs across Europe and North America, as well as restaurants, cinemas, workspaces, spas and bedrooms. From New York to Istanbul, exclusivity is a common global denominator. We'll bring you more information as it becomes available. Top image: Jason Briscoe, Unsplashed
Future Music have popped the line-up piñata, revealing what they promised would be their "biggest festival lineup yet". 2013's Day of the Dead-Set Awesome will be headlined by English electronic dance commanders The Prodigy, grime MC Dizzee Rascal, indie rockers Bloc Party and reformed rockers The Stone Roses, making it more of a Brit-fest than a Mexican one. Other exciting acts joining the bill include Harlem femcee Azealia Banks, Rita Ora, electro house mainstay Steve Aoki and our own The Temper Trap. Having set the standard with 2012's hefty bill, the Future Music organisers have really confirmed the festival's pulling power this time around. And PSY will also be there, just in case you feel like contracting a South Korean virus without actually paying for a ticket to his own upcoming show. Future Music Festival 2013 dates: Brisbane – Saturday March 2Perth – Sunday March 3Sydney – Saturday March 9Melbourne – Sunday March 10Adelaide – Monday March 11 https://youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jv9fNPjgk
Let's call it 'splash in the city': at The Westin Brisbane, the onsite swim-up Nautilus Pool Bar lets guests take a dip and a sip right in the heart of the CBD. Each summer, it also gleans inspiration from different parts of the world, adding more holiday vibes to an already cruisy spot — and welcomes in everyone, whether you're staying the night or not, to its annual beach club. Grab your togs, plus your mates or date, then get ready to indulge your love for swims and cocktails, because this yearly River City summer highlight is returning. The Mary Street hotel doesn't just feature 298 rooms and suites with views, its own eateries and bars, and a spa — it's also a go-to when the weather is warm, this time with a Los Cabos-influenced atmosphere. Nautilus Beach Club: Los Cabos runs from Friday, November 8, 2024–Sunday, February 23, 2025 — and again, you don't need to be a guest at the Marriott-owned international brand's first Queensland location to go for a splash while enjoying a cocktail in the water. The Los Cabos theme comes after nodding to The Maldives in 2023–24 and to Amalfi in 2022–23. On offer: live DJs spinning tunes on the deck, poolside cabana service and a dedicated margarita menu. You'll be sipping classic, chilli, coconut and frozen 'ritas, plus Aperol margs also made with orange and tequila. Or, there's a strawberry mint punch spritz; a grapefruit, lime, agave, Campari and tequila tipple; and a range of Brouhaha craft beers. Those beverages can be paired with Baja cod soft shell tacos — or buttermilk chicken, crispy prawn, charred pork and barbecue beef brisket varieties. If you're looking for something sans meat, the seasoned corn ribs come with smoked paprika and aioli, or you can dip homemade tortilla chips into guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream. The 2024–25 iteration of Nautilus Beach Club runs from 11am–5pm Friday–Sunday weekly, with a number of options available for Mexican-influenced lounging by the pool. The $29 ticket covers access, a towel to use while you're there and your first spritz. If you and a date or mate are feeling like treating yo'selves, there's also a cabana experience for $199 for two, which gives you your own cabana to hang out in, that spritz upon arrival, a taco platter and a margarita jug. And the pool itself? It's heated to 28 degrees, perfect for comfortable swims during Brisbane's sultry summer.
A 19-year-old woman was found unconscious and convulsing at yesterday's Harbourlife festival at 4.40pm. After being assessed by paramedics, she was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where she was later pronounced dead of multiple organ failure. It's believed that drugs played a role in her death. Though an autopsy is yet to be carried out, friends of the deceased teenager have told police she had taken one-and-a-half pills during the day. The coroner will attempt to find out what was in the pills, but police are taking the opportunity to warn people of the general dangers of illegal drugs. "There's little to no quality control in the production," said Inspector Stewart Leggat in a statement this morning. "Quite simply, you don't know what you are getting — seeking a synthetic high could result in a serious injury or death." Of the 5,200 people in attendance yesterday, 78 were arrested for drug offences. Police are urging anyone with information about illegal substances to come forward. "We don't need to know who you are; all we need is the information you have," said Inspector Leggat. "The information you provide could save someone's life." Via NSW Police and SMH. If you have more information contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
What do Elvis Presley, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso and Ancient Greece have in common? In the coming months, all four will have items and objects on display across Victoria. Accordingly, if you're looking for an excuse to spend the cooler months in a museum or gallery, you have several — including peering at 44 ancient works dating back to the early bronze age. Those historic pieces will hit Melbourne Museum courtesy of Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections, a new exhibition that's set to open on Saturday, April 23. Co-created and presented with the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Australian-first showcase will feature pieces from the Greek organisation's collection — which happens to be the richest range of artefacts from Greek antiquity worldwide — all of which will be making an appearance Down Under for the first time. In the case of two of the exhibition's big highlights — the gold Theseus ring, which dates back to the 15th century BCE, as well as a 2500-year-old marble sphinx that depicts a female head with the body of a winged lion — they'll make their debut outside of the National Archaeological Museum, too. Also coming our way: a collection of artefacts depicting Greek hero Heracles, as well as pieces that date through to the Roman period. [caption id="attachment_845137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Column krater, clay, Herakles slaying the king of Egypt, Busiris, and his attendants. B. Maenad and Satyrs. By the Cleveland Painter.Unknown provenance.About 470 BC. Credit National Archaeological Museum and Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Photographer Eleytherios Galanopoulos[/caption] Overall, Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections will focus on not just Ancient Greece itself, but how the trade of ideas and goods influenced its culture — and how the Greeks also influenced the rest of the ancient world. "Since antiquity, the Greeks have always followed the open horizons of the sea, constantly travelling to every corner of the world. Extroversion, broad-mindedness and cosmopolitanism, as well as the ability to embrace and utilise foreign influences in a creative and original way have been integral elements of Hellenic culture," explains Minister of Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports Dr Lina Mendoni. Announcing the news, Museums Victoria CEO Lynley Crosswell said "we are excited to be collaborating with the National Archaeological Museum to bring some of the most remarkable artefacts direct from Athens for audiences in Melbourne to enjoy. This captivating exhibition will invite visitors to explore the cross-cultural connections that contributed to the formation of Ancient Greece." Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections opens at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, on Saturday, April 23. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the museum's website. Top image: One of a pair of antefixes Clay Representations of Chimaera and Bellerophon mounting his winged horse, Pegasus. From Thasos. 550-500 BC. Credit National Archaeological Museum and Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Photographer Magoulas.
Roll up, roll up, the circus is back in Brisbane. Defying gravity and your childhood memories, however, the latest show to take over Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Cremorne Theatre definitely isn't for all ages. As its name makes plain, BLUSH — Circus for Grown Ups turns acrobatics, cabaret, fire-spinning and more into a sultry affair firmly for adults. Brisbane has been no stranger to over-18 circus displays over the years, sometimes hitting up a big top, sometimes turning one of QPAC's spaces into one — and if your cheeks do indeed get red and flushed easily, including at the sight of nudity, consider yourself warned. This performance will unfurl its delights until Sunday, February 12, with six performers taking to the stage. Expect a seductive and sexy effort from Christine Ibrahim, Paul Westbrook, Jessie McKibbin, Sophie Seccombe, Chris Carlos and Lyndon Johnson, with BLUSH picking up awards for Best Circus at Adelaide Fringe in 2018 and 2020, and at Fringeworld 2019 in-between. And, yes, shows like this keep heading our way because they keep proving popular — so expect plenty of company. Images: Brig Bee.
In The Shape of Water, love conquers all, even when a man-like sea creature is involved. That extends to this year's Academy Award nominations, where Guillermo del Toro's monster romance scored a massive 13 nominations — and helped lead the charge for a traditionally under-represented genre. That'd be horror. It doesn't usually get much attention from the Oscars, but the Academy fell head over heels for the gorgeous creature feature, as nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Sally Hawkins), Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins), Best Original Screenplay (Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor) and more all show. They were also more than a little fond of Get Out, which picked up four nominations. Star Daniel Kaluuya received a Best Actor nod, but it's writer/director Jordan Peele who's rightfully feeling thrilled at the moment. Recognised in the Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture categories, he's the first African-American to earn the trifecta of nominations for writing, directing and producing. https://twitter.com/JordanPeele/status/955807529161801728 Peele also became the fifth black nominee for Best Director in the awards' 90-year history, featuring in a field usually filled with white guys. That's not the directing branch's only welcome departure, with Lady Bird's Greta Gerwig becoming only the fifth woman to earn a directing nod. Dunkirk's Christopher Nolan, Phantom Thread's Paul Thomas Anderson and The Shape of Water's Guillermo del Toro fill out the category. Interestingly, all five nominees also wrote or co-wrote their film's screenplays. Elsewhere, Dunkirk collected eight nominations in total, Golden Globes standout Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri received seven (including for Best Actress favourite Frances McDormand), and Phantom Thread and Darkest Hour six apiece, with Blade Runner 2049 and Lady Bird nabbing five each, and Get Out, Mudbound, Call Me By Your Name and Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi all picking up four. And while that's an impressive spread — and an impressive list of recognised films — this year's Oscars were at their best when they were making history. First-ever female cinematographer to score a nomination? Yep, that'd be Mudbound's Rachel Morrison. First acting nominee from a film directed by a woman of colour? Mudbound again, with Mary J. Blige earning a Best Supporting Actress nod under Dee Rees' direction. First person to receive nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Song? Mudbound and Mary J. Blige once more. Youngest male acting nominee since the 1930s — and oldest acting nominee ever? They came in the form of Call Me By Your Name's Timothée Chalamet and All the Money in the World's Christopher Plummer, the latter getting the tap after famously only stepping into the film mere months ago. And iconic French director Agnes Varda became the oldest nominee ever in any category, thanks to Best Documentary contender Faces Places. As for Australia's efforts, Margot Robbie picked up a Best Actress nomination for I, Tonya, while editor Lee Smith was recognised for Dunkirk. The 90th Academy Awards will take place on March 5 Australian time, and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Here's the full list of nominations. OSCAR NOMINEES 2018 BEST MOTION PICTURE Call Me by Your Name Darkest Hour Dunkirk Get Out Lady Bird Phantom Thread The Post The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri BEST DIRECTOR Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk Jordan Peele, Get Out PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Margot Robbie, I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird Meryl Streep, The Post PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Daniel Day-Lewis, The Phantom Thread Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq. PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Mary J. Blige, Mudbound Allison Janney, I, Tonya Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR Coco Ferdinand Loving Vincent The Breadwinner The Boss Baby ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY Roger A. Deakins, Blade Runner 2049 Bruno Delbonnel, Darkest Hour Dan Laustsen, The Shape of Water Rachel Morrison, Mudbound Hoyte Van Hoytema, Dunkirk ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN Mark Bridges, Phantom Thread Jacqueline Durran, Darkest Hour Jacqueline Durran, Beauty and the Beast Consolata Boyle, Victoria and Abdul Luis Sequeira, The Shape of Water BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Faces Places Last Men in Aleppo Strong Island Abacus: Small Enough To Jail Icarus BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT Edith + Eddie Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 Heroin(e) Knife Skills Traffic Stop ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss, Baby Driver Jon Gregory, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Tatiana S. Riegel, I, Tonya Lee Smith, Dunkirk Sidney Wolinsky, The Shape of Water BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR A Fantastic Woman, Chile Loveless, Russia On Body and Soul, Hungary The Insult, Lebanon The Square, Sweden ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard, Victoria and Abdul Arjen Tuiten, Wonder Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinkowski, Lucy Sibbick, Darkest Hour ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE) Alexandre Desplat, The Shape of Water Jonny Greenwood, Phantom Thread Carter Burwell, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri John Williams, Star Wars: The Last Jedi Hans Zimmer, Dunkirk ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG) 'Mighty River' from Mudbound by Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, and Taura Stinson 'Remember Me' from Coco by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez 'Stand Up for Something' from Marshall by Lonnie R. Lynn (Common), Andra Day, and Diane Warren 'The Mystery of Love' from Call Me by Your Name by Sufjan Stevens 'This Is Me' from The Greatest Showman by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis, Dunkirk Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau, and Jeff Melvin, The Shape of Water Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer, Darkest Hour Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer, Beauty and the Beast Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola, Bladerunner 2049 BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM Dear Basketball Garden Party Negative Space Lou Revolting Rhymes BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM DeKalb Elementary My Nephew Emmett The Silent Child Watu Wote/All of Us The Eleven O'clock ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING Richard King, Alex Gibson, Dunkirk Mark A. Mangini, Theo Green, Blade Runner 2049 Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, The Shape of Water Julian Slater, Baby Driver Matthew Wood, Star Wars: The Last Jedi ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING Ron Bartlett, Dough Hemphill, Mac Ruth, Blade Runner 2049 Tim Cavagin, Julian Slater, Mary H. Ellis, Baby Driver Christian T. Cooke, Filip Hosek, Brad Zoern, The Shape of Water Gregg Landaker, Gary Rizzo, Mark Weingarten, Dunkirk David Parker, Michael Semanchick, Ren Klyce, and Stuart Wilson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS Ben Morris, Michael Mulholland, Neal Scanlan, and Chris Corbould, Star Wars: The Last Jedi Daniel Barrett, Dan Lemmon, Joe Letteri, Joel Whist, War for the Planet of the Apes Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza, Mike Meinardus, Kong: Skull Island John Nelson, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover, Gerd Nefzer, Blade Runner 2049 Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Dan Sudick, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Aaron Sorkin, Molly's Game James Ivory, Call Me by Your Name Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green, Logan Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, The Disaster Artist Dee Rees, Virgil Williams, Mudbound ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Guillermo Del Toro & Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick Jordan Peele, Get Out Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
If social distancing and isolation has seen you clocking up bulk hours in the kitchen this year, we're betting you've chewed through quite the recipe collection — and, as a result, that you're now in need of some new culinary projects to have a crack at. Your mates at KFC are happy to help, releasing the recipe for a dish you never knew you wanted: hot and spicy mac 'n' cheese, as topped with fried chicken of course. Destined to warm some cockles and answer a few carb cravings this season, the revamped comfort food classic stars KFC's Hot & Spicy chook, which is back on the restaurant chain's menu until Monday, August 10 only. To make the recipe at home, you'll need to nip to your local KFC to stock up on the hero ingredient. But the rest of the lineup is pretty simple, mostly featuring stuff you'll probably already have in the pantry and fridge — like cheese, milk, spices and dried pasta. Here's the recipe — sort out a bowl, a whisk and a saucepan and getting cooking: HOT AND SPICY MAC 'N' CHEESE Serves one KFC Hot & Spicy chicken 150 grams pasta 3/4 cup milk 1 tablespoon plain flour 100 grams grated cheese Fresh herbs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder If you can't be bothered with the spices, you can just substitute your favourite hot sauce as an alternative. Method: Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside. Place 1/4 cup of milk in a small bowl, then whisk in flour until all the lumps are gone. Place the other 1/2 cup of milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, then mix in the spices/hot sauce. Yo can adjust the amount of spices/sauce based on your preference. Once steam starts rising from the milk, whisk in the milk and flour mixture until the sauce thickens (which should take around four minutes). Turn heat down to low, then mix in the cheese gradually until it has all melted. Remove from heat, stir in the pasta and fresh herbs, then serve in a bowl. Top with Hot & Spicy chicken.
When, across the 24-hour period from Sunday, April 19 to Monday, April 20, Queensland experienced its first day without any new COVID-19 cases in six weeks, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed that easing some stay-at-home social-distancing restrictions could be on the cards. With the state's new case numbers remaining low all week, that's now becoming a reality — for a select number of activities. From 11.59pm Friday, May 1 — just in time for the Labour Day long weekend, which runs from Saturday, May 2–Monday, May 4 — Queenslanders will be able to spend more time out of the house for some forms of recreation. On the agenda, as just announced by the Premier on Sunday, April 26: going for a drive, hopping on a motorcycle or boat, having a picnic, visiting a national park and shopping for non-essential items. Restrictions still apply to these activities; however they've been loosened from current limits. If you're eager to hit the road, you'll be able to see the sights by car. When the new rules come into effect, you'll also be able to ride a motorbike for recreational purposes, plus a jetski and a boat. For those raring to pack a basket and enjoy a picnic, that'll be possible as well, as will going for a trek through a national park. Shopping-wise, you'll be able to browse and buy items other than groceries, too — "like clothes and shoes," the Premier noted. "But we don't want you spending hours in those shopping areas," she explained. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/photos/a.632302466800934/3112747848756371/?type=3&theater Whichever of the above you're keen to do, you'll still have to stay close to home. Queenslanders will be allowed to partake in the above activities, but only within 50 kilometres of your house. And, you'll still only be able to drive, boat, picnic, walk and shop either with one other person, or with members of your own household — keeping in line with the restrictions that currently apply to exercising out of the house. The 1.5-metre social-distancing requirement also remains in effect. The Qld Government says it will watch the state's case numbers after loosening the above restrictions, and will review the measures after two weeks. "If we do see mass gatherings, I will not hesitate to clamp back down," the Premier said. Restrictions regarding social gatherings and visitors at home are not changing, with current limits remaining in place. If you're choosing to go out, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health. Top image: Brisbane City Council via Flickr.
Scenic sights are a given at Queen Street's newest eatery. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the mall, Patina makes its home on the river-facing side of Customs House — and along one of the quieter stretches of the Brisbane CBD waterfront. From Thursday, August 23, you can settle in for lunch seven days a week, dinner from Tuesday to Saturday and breakfast on Sundays, all with the the Story Bridge sitting in the background. Or, those keen on dining in luxe surroundings can head inside the heritage-listed building and sit in the luxe new fit-out, which features earthy colours, bronzed fixtures and an eye-catching light installation. Menu-wise, with executive chef John Offenhauser (ex-Marco Polo) in the kitchen, Patina does many local restaurants do: it showcases seasonal, regional produce across share-style dishes. Paddock-to-plate and farm-to-table are the buzzwords here, although one particular ingredient is cultivated and picked onsite. Yes, if you're ordering anything with mushrooms (grilled oyster mushrooms with shiitake cream, stracciatella and tarragon oil, perhaps), they were actually grown in the venue's own cellar. Other highlights include pan-fried gnocchi with roasted pine nuts, smoked raisins, kale and ricotta; chargrilled ocean king prawns with black pepper, curry leaf and sugarloaf; and the huge one-kilo Darling Downs OP rib (a bone-in rib eye steak) with chimichurri. Desserts range from peanut butter parfait to lemon myrtle meringue. And, although all of the above makes great evening fare, making the once-a-week trip on a Sunday morning is recommended — especially if you're a fan of big breakfasts and Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters espressos. Elsewhere, lunch features two- and three-course options from a set menu, while a decadent Champagne high tea is also available — for two, or for groups. And, in addition to a wine list spanning tipples by the glass and by the bottle, Patina boasts an extensive cocktail selection, complete with martinis made with popcorn syrup, both gin and whisky sours, and ginger and lemongrass margaritas. Find Patina at Customs House, 399 Queen Street, Brisbane.
Everyday food items earning their own cafes: no, it's not a culinary kind of science fiction; it's our current reality. Cereal, avocados, mayonnaise, cookie dough, peanut butter on toast... the list goes on, and now it includes the humble marshmallow. American marshmallow makers XO Marshmallow are taking their online venture into the bricks-and-mortar world after meeting their crowdfunding goal, and plan to open their eatery in the coming months. If you've only ever devoured supermarket marshmallows, then your tastebuds mightn't be tingling at this idea; however their flavour range puts regular old spongy pillows of sugar, water and gelatin to shame. https://www.instagram.com/p/BTuHm7_hVJD/?taken-by=xo.marshmallow It would probably be easier to list the varieties they haven't tried — XO's standard selection includes trusty faves vanilla and raspberry, plus salted caramel, lavender honey, rose, mint, green tea, bourbon, Kahlua and champagne. Among the others they've given a spin are Nutella, mango habanero, pumpkin spice, root beer float, mimosa, double cherry, strawberry and spiked eggnog. Yes, your stomach should be rumbling. If you find yourself in Chicago looking for some marshmallowy goodness, XO's cafe will expand their operations to include s'mores, taco s'mores, rice crispy treats, marshmallow cones, marshmallow pops and toasted marshmallow lattes. For now, feast your eyes on their Instagram feed and just imagine how great their fluffy wonders would taste melted over a fire. Via Food & Wine.
Melbourne is about to boast not one but two international airports, with Avalon welcoming Air Asia flights from the end of 2018. In good news for travellers, a new curfew-free terminal will be built — and is expected to service 220,000 international passengers each year. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Minister for Tourism John Eren announced that twice-daily flights will begin between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur, in the latest expansion of Avalon's capabilities. The Victorian Government has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure works at the airport, including ensuring that Jetstar will continue to operate at the site 55 kilometres outside of the city. The move, which comes after the Federal Government amended Avalon's lease to allow a new terminal back in 2015, is expected to open up Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to a greater number of international tourists. "We're so proud to have secured the first ever international service for Avalon — attracting thousands more visitors and bringing more business to our region," said Eren.
Police have recovered the body of a man who fell into Darling Harbour last night. It is believed the unidentified man in his 30s fell into the water at 11pm while watching the lights at the first night of Vivid Sydney. After the man fell off the pier, two acquaintances jumped in the water but could not locate him. A search was launched by the Marine Area Command, Police Rescue and NSW Ambulance helicopter service, and his body was found at 1.30am. Acting Inspector Christopher Breed says police have ruled out foul play. "It was known ... that he wasn't a proficient swimmer," Breed told the ABC this morning. While many onlookers became aware of the events unfolding in the water, the main music and light shows from Vivid continued around the scene. The man's death undoubtedly marks a tragic opening night for the festival. Image by James Horan.
Held at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach each year, Crafted Beer Festival will unite more than 50 of Australia's top craft breweries, over 400 different brews, and some good food and live music to line your stomachs and ears when it returns for 2023. The dates to pop in your diary: Saturday, September 9–Sunday, September 10. Locals like Balter Brewing Company, Black Hops Brewing, Currumbin Valley Brewing, Burleigh Barrels, Madocke Beer and Two Mates Brewing will be joining up with visitors from elsewhere in Queensland and interstate, such as Ballistic, Slipstream and Revel — and that's but a few of the many beer houses to be represented on the day. More of a cider person? Expect a range of cideries making the pilgrimage to the coast, too. Although the focus on beer and cider is right there in the name, Crafted will also welcome Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery for cocktails and craft spirits served out of a vintage two-storey bar. And, if that still doesn't cover everything that you want to drink, Carafe Wine will be on vino duty, while seltzers, ginger beers and non-alcoholic beers will be on offer as well. Food-wise, there'll be food trucks and other street food eats, including Bigoli Italian Street Food bringing its truffle gnocchi. German sausages from Brat House, Samba Catering Co's paella and Brazilian barbecue, Flamin Grillas' low-and-slow meat plates and brisket burgers, 2 Serial Grillers' Mexican bites and I Heart Calamari's seafood dishes help round out the menu. As for music lineup, Polish Club and Fat Picnic top Saturday's bill, while Tijuana Cartel and Kurilpa Reach are among the bands doing the honours on the Sunday. Also on the fest's agenda is beer yoga, where you can perform a few downward dogs before you down your beer — it's all about balance, after all. Or, enjoy some comedy, play tipsy Twister and enter a hot wing-eating contest instead. CRAFTED 2023 LINEUP: SATURDAY Polish Club Fat Picnic Sputnik Sweetheart Being Jane Lane Lucid Safari Fragile Animals The Dandys Beatniks DJs SUNDAY Tijuana Cartel Kurilpa Reach Nana Klumpp Ruby Gilbert The Colliflowers James Street Preachers Beatniks DJs
If you're in Brisbane and you spend the first day of 2026 catching Dom Dolla, Kid Kudi and Addison Rae — plus Chris Stussy, KETTAMA, Luude, 070 Shake, Balu Brigada, Cassian and more — you'll be starting the year in quite the memorable fashion. Your destination: Wildlands. Some music festivals spark a fear of missing out, usually thanks to a stacked roster of acts in one set location. Others help solve that feeling. For those in the River City, Wildlands falls into the second category if you've been watching announcements roll in for Beyond The Valley and Lost Paradise. Plenty of the folks on both of those event's bills are now also heading to Queensland. Wildlands' Sunshine State stop has moved a day from its usual timing — swapping ending one year with starting the next one. Brisbanites can put Thursday, January 1 in their diaries, then, with Brisbane Showgrounds playing host to the fest. The change of date was made to ensure that all headliners could hit the stage in peak slots. Channel Tres, Fcukers, Miss Kaninna, NOTION and sim0ne are just some of the other names on the lineup, with everyone on the bill set to benefit from new stage designs. One example: a new 360-degree in-the-round stage with raised dance floors. Wildlands 2026 Lineup Dom Dolla Addison Rae Kid Cudi Chris Stussy KETTAMA Luude 070 Shake NOTION SOTA Cassian Channel Tres Balu Brigada Fcukers Jazzy ZULAN sim0ne TEED RONA. Miss Kaninna WAX OFF Willo Mincy Mowgli May Wildlands images: Matija Smojver, Brendan Cecich and zanetaprell.
Thrilling crime sagas starring spectacular actors: on screens big and small, they've been one of the Australian film and TV industry's biggest successes over the past decade. The Guy Pearce-led Jack Irish franchise did it, starting with three telemovies, then releasing three seasons of television afterwards. Mystery Road managed hit the spot as well, beginning with that eponymous film, followed by big-screen sequel Goldstone, then spanning two seasons of TV so far — and an about-to-drop small-screen prequel series, too. And now The Dry is set to join them. When it reached Aussie cinemas at the beginning of 2021 — making the leap from bookshelves to theatres, adapting the debut novel from author Jane Harper — The Dry became an enormous hit. If you went to the movies at the start of last year, you likely saw it. It currently sits sixth at the box office among local titles over the past ten years, notching up more than $20 million in ticket sales. It also came in sixth in 2021 overall, after Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time to Die, Godzilla vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2 and Fast and Furious 9. That kind of response was always likely to spark a sequel (and it shouldn't escape attention that the five movies that made more cash in Australia last year were all either sequels themselves, or part of long-running franchises). So, adapting Harper's second novel Force of Nature, The Dry is now getting a big-screen follow-up. Yes, Eric Bana is back as Detective Aaron Falk. Now shooting in Victoria — with a release date yet to be revealed — Force of Nature focuses on a corporate hiking retreat attended by five women. Afterwards, only four return. So, alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper, Falk heads deep Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing hiker — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. As The Dry was, Force of Nature is being written and directed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes). Again, it'll boast quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana was famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which'll have a powerhouse Aussie cast like its predecessor: Jacqueline McKenzie (Ruby's Choice) as Cooper, Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Elvis), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) co-star, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Sequin in a Blue Room) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Check out the trailer for The Dry below: Force of Nature doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our full review of The Dry.
The sky-high likeness of a child is set to land atop Melbourne's Hamer Hall, although you won't be able to spot it unless you know it's there. Soaring at a huge 100 metres tall, large-scale public art commission Child of Now is the work of multidisciplinary artist Robert Walton and First Nations author and activist Claire G Coleman — and, because it's an augmented reality piece, it will only be visible on digital screens and mobile devices. Fusing art and computer science, it's set to take to its rooftop perch in 2024. Across a cleverly executed ten-day performance — with dates yet to be revealed — the virtual being will appear to age from zero to 100 years, all while undertaking normal human activities like playing, walking, communicating and dreaming each day. As the installation wraps up on the tenth day, visitors viewers will watch the then 100-year-old character fall asleep for the final time, with the vision played out alongside an onsite candlelit vigil. Child of Now will also be available to watch online, so it can be experienced by people all over the world. The ambitious work is designed to glimpse into the future of an imagined child born in 2021; however, this isn't just any random kid. Child of Now is being created and shaped over the space of a few years, using input from a diverse group of 14,400 Melburnians. The artists, along with a crew of University of Melbourne tech specialists, will use volumetric body scanning and interactive technology to gather these public contributions, fusing all of the captured visions, thoughts and experiences together to generate the final product. And if you're wondering where they plucked that number from, 14,400 is the number of minutes that tick by in ten days. [caption id="attachment_807506" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Child of Now by Robert Walton. Concept image by Xavier Irvin.[/caption] If it sounds like a hefty project, that's because it is. That's why Child of Now isn't expected to be completed and ready for its Hamer Hall performance until 2024. In the meantime, the artists have been busy making a series of giant virtual holograms, which'll then be animated, and working on the artificial intelligence technology needed to do just that. Then, later this year, a Child of Now prototype will appear at Arts Centre Melbourne. That's when the team will call for assistance, too, giving the public the chance to participate. Child of Now is currently in production. The ten-day installation is slated to appear atop Hamer Hall in 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Top image: Child of Now concept image by Xavier Irvine
Kendrick Lamar, the genius MC from California, has been making an indelible mark on the hip hop circuit since the release of his fourth mixtape Overly Dedicate in 2010, gaining major attention and eventually leading to his involvement with supergroup Black Hippy and signing with Dr Dre’s label Top Dawg and Interscope/Universal. 2011 saw Kendrick’s first independent album Section 80; released exclusively through iTunes, it was instantly ranked among the top digital hip hop releases of the year. He has worked alongside the heavyweights, from Rick Ross and Busta Rhymes, to Lil Wayne and Lady Gaga, and is becoming known for his diversity and lyrical excellence across genres in which you must prove your own. Now, Niche Productions are bringing Kendrick Lamar to Australian shores for the first time. Those lucky enough to nab a ticket to this sold-out show are sure to enjoy the best of this stand out artist, from whom the best is yet to come.
Hot on the heels of opening a 'DIY' restaurant in London, IKEA has Sydney pegged for its next activation. Presumably trying to make shopping for flatpack furniture a little less relationship-ruining, the Swedish company is setting up their next showroom inside one of Sydney Harbour's iconic ferries — and giving two people the chance to spend the night there. The IKEA Harbour Home (as it's so called) will be transformed into a "home away from home" and will undoubtedly be fully decked out with all things IKEA. Depending on how much you frequent the store, some things might look familiar. But the main drawcard here is obviously the harbour — the ferry will give you the chance to go nigh nighs and wake up on the water. Here's hoping for calm seas. Only one lucky person and a mate will get to spend the night on the ferry in October — you can enter here. The prize includes flights as well as a night on the ferry and all meals and experiences as per the final itinerary. If you're in the market for some new Swedish furnishings, it's a pretty sweet way to shop. And for anyone who's made the trek out to one of IKEA's behemoth locations, we can probably all agree that Sydney Harbour is by far the most aesthetically pleasing of the lot.
Brisbane's thriving food truck scene is at it again, serving up yet another excuse to grab a meal — or several bites to eat — from a mobile eatery. This time, the culinary gathering not only offers up plenty of food options, but a bayside view to go along with it. Taking place from 5–8pm on Friday, October 16, the Shorncliffe Food Truck Pop-Up brings a heap of mobile eateries to Allpass Parade for your eating pleasure. Ending your working week with some of Brissie's best bites and an ace watery vantage — now that's the life. On the menu: Micasa Burger Truck, Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van, Rolls Pho Mi, The Bun Mobile and Alba Catering Japanese, who'll all be taking care of your hunger, plus beverages from Maxi Coffee. To top it all off, there'll be music, too. And, as well as packing your picnic blanket, you can also bring your pooch along.
After years of gigging and tireless campaigning from the likes of FBi Radio, Sydney-based foursome Gang of Youths are nationally-appreciated hot stuff right now. They’ve played sold-out shows alongside Vampire Weekend, Frightened Rabbit and Foster the People, done the Aussie festival circuit, toured the States, and been compared to Arcade Fire and Bruce Springsteen — and that was all before their debut album The Position was released last month. Now they’re setting off on a national tour, and the GOY-hungry public can’t seem to get enough of them; lapping up tickets faster than the band can announce new shows. GOY play rock that’s big on catharsis. Frontman David Leaupepe’s inspiration for the band’s raw, guitar-heavy debut was the emotional rollercoaster of his four-year long-distance relationship with a girl who had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. It makes for a sound that seems bound to fill stadiums one day — so consider yourself lucky if you manage to bag a ticket to one of these more intimate gigs.
Sydney siblings Angus and Julia Stone have some pretty talented blood pulsing through their veins. Hitting the road once again off the back of their third, self-titled album, the pair's Summer 2015 Tour comes as a welcome surprise after rumours the duo had called it quits in favour of their highly successful solo projects. Fans would be familiar with their long-time success; sparked by their ARIA #1 2010 album release Down The Way featuring the triple j Hottest 100 winner 'Big Jet Plane'. Fast-forward nearly five years, and their reach has gone global, playing sell-out shows across the States and a thirty-date headline tour of the UK and Europe cementing the pair's place as triple-platinum artists. So what inspired these two to turn away from pursuing their own stuff? Legendary producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Jay Z) was keen to join the Stone family and work on their latest album, but refused to jump on board unless these kids came back together. So naturally, family reunions flowed. Supported by the likes of Cloud Control, Little May and Jarryd James, Angus and Julia Stone are back on the Australian live circuit with the nicest bunch you could ask for in a return tour. Secure your stubs early, this one's going to sell out.
After a career that’ll give you opportunity to help, change and inspire? In a twist on the traditional careers fair, international brewers of ideas and talent Think Education are hosting the Festival of Change on Saturday, August 22. Major drawcards of the day are the keynote speakers: Australian swimming legend and all-round top guy Kieren Perkins, Nova 106.9 radio personality Ange Anderson, and director of digital agency Fresh Adam Penberthy, who started his first business at the ripe old age of 13 (he's grown up now). There’ll be workshops on everything from nutritional medicine to photography, plus experts on hand to answer your questions and give you the lowdown on all the courses on offer at Think Education campuses — across business, health, hospitality and design. Did we mention admission is free, and keynote addresses are just five bucks a pop? Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur with a million and one new app ideas, or you’re flailing and wondering what on earth you’re going to do with the rest of your life (or at least the next few years), this fest has got you covered. Find your passion or not, you're pretty much guaranteed to leave more inspired than you arrived. Register for workshops and other good stuff here.
The Terrace at Emporium is an impressive spot for a drink every day of the year. Being perched 21 storeys above South Bank will do that, of course. Throughout 2021, however, the South Bank spot is paying extra attention to its Sunday lineup — so you can gather the gang, farewell your weekend and psych yourself up for the week ahead with a few drinks, a killer view, something to eat and a soundtrack of live tunes. Spending Sundays in 2021 on the 21st floor obviously has a nice ring to it. And, that's what the aptly named 21 Sundays is all about, running from 3–6pm weekly. While you're at the sky-high, super-scenic venue, you can tuck into small plates for $15, and cocktails for the same price well. Among the food and drink lineup, there's a big focus on supporting local producers, which makes sense when you're literally staring at the local landscape while you're kicking back.
Some music festivals introduce you to your future favourites and today's biggest names. Others are all about enjoying yesterday's greats. Australia has no shortage of both kinds of events, but it's adding one more nostalgic-driven fest: the brand-new Pandemonium Rocks, which will debut on the country's east coast in April. Placebo, Blondie, Alice Cooper and Deep Purple lead the lineup, offering decades worth of tunes spanning everything from the Cruel Intentions soundtrack's 'Every You Every Me' to 70s hits 'Heart of Glass', 'School's Out' and 'Smoke on the Water'. The familiar tunes won't stop there, either, with Wheatus sure to bust out 'Teenage Dirtbag', and Wolfmother certain to give 'Woman' and 'Joker and the Thief' a whirl. The Psychedelic Furs, Dead Kennedys, Gang of Four, Palaye Royale, Cosmic Psychos, Gyroscope and Fetch round out the bill, as headed to Melbourne's Caribbean Gardens, The Domain in Sydney, Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast and Bribie Island's Sandstone Point Hotel. For Brisbanites, this means either heading north or south, with no local gig. One important note for folks in Queensland: if you want to see Debbie Harry sing 'Hanging on the Telephone', 'Rapture' and 'Call Me', you'll need to make a trip to the Goldie as Blondie aren't playing Pandemonium Rocks' last stop. The band's latest visit to Australia comes after playing Coachella 2023, which you might've caught on the fest's livestream. [caption id="attachment_938061" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Biha via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] TLC's Aussie trip with Busta Rhymes and En Vogue might've been cancelled, but there's always a new event with a retro-skewed lineup on the way. Another that's hitting the country in March, the month before Pandemonium Rocks: Aqua, 2 Unlimited and East 17. A point of difference with Pandemonium Rocks, however, is the fact that you can bring low-rise beach-style chairs that are smaller than 70 centimetres tall to the outdoor gigs. [caption id="attachment_938062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arek Olek from Kraków, Poland via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Pandemonium Rocks 2024 Dates: Saturday, April 20 — Caribbean Gardens, Melbourne Thursday, April 25 — The Domain, Sydney Saturday, April 27 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast Sunday, April 28 — Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island Pandemonium Rocks will tour Australia's east coast in April 2024, with tickets on sale from 9am on Tuesday, January 30 and pre-sales prior — head to the festival website for further details. Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Commencement speeches are admittedly a very American tradition. Sure, we have them in Australia, but they're usually given by some fusty old professor who you've never actually seen before. It takes a truly inspirational guy like Tim Minchin to break through the literal and figurative mould of the Australian graduation address, while Americans are spoiled for choice. Fittingly, NPR has recently compiled all the nation's best offerings into a commencement speech database — a sprawling intellectual oasis which is guaranteed to make your day. Describing the medium as "a hilarious, inspiring form of popular art", NPR has catalogued over 300 graduation speeches given by luminaries in the fields of science, politics, art and comedy. Speakers vary from Barack Obama at the University of Michigan, to Yoko Ono at Maine College of Art, to Andy Samberg at Harvard University (for some unknown and hilarious reason). Most speeches come in the form of transcripts, although many have accompanying Youtube clips. Jon Lovett's recent address to Pitzer College even comes with this adorable and uplifting animation. As outlined in the NPR blog, the main points of these speeches are usually a variation on a theme. Quite rightly, speakers often urge students to work hard, be kind, and embrace failure. The commencement speech is more than a guide to graduation after all; it's an uplifting look at adulthood. It examines the nature of success, but it also takes a larger look at humanity. You might have finished university, you might have a full-time job and a partner and a family, you might even have It All Figured Out. But from time to time, don't we all need a little inspiration? See the full database here.
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. And back in 2017, he launched Wine Machine, a series of al fresco get-togethers on some of the country's most-loved wine regions. The Wine Machine events have kept returning — when the pandemic hasn't been interrupting plans — and they're making a comeback in 2022 and 2023. This time around, these single-stage parties in the vines are split into two batches, hitting up Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania from November 2022–January 2023 with one lineup, then heading to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria from March–April 2023 with another. The western and southern leg of the fest is already on sale, with Flight Facilities, Lime Cordiale, Cut Copy, San Cisco, Client Liaison, Masked Wolf and Art vs Science on the bill — although some acts will only play some locations. Their destinations: Oakover Grounds in the Swan Valley, McLaren Vale's Serafino Wines and Home Hill Winery in Huon Valley. For east coasters, leading the music will be one of Hot Dub's Rave Machine sets. He'll be joined on stage by Lime Cordiale (except in Victoria), Bliss N Esso, Vera Blue (except in NSW), Northeast Party House, KLP and more — at Dalwood Estate in the Hunter Valley, Canberra's Commonwealth Park and Rochford Wines in Victoria. Backing up the tunes, there'll be a tasty lineup of eats, craft beer and, of course, some sensational vino from these Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year. WINE MACHINE 2023 DATES: Saturday, November 26, 2022 — Oakover Grounds, Swan Valley, Whadjuk Country, Western Australia Saturday, December 17, 2022 — Serafino Wines, McLaren Vale, Kaurna Country, South Australia Saturday, January 14, 2023 — Home Hill Winery, Huon Valley, Nuenonne Country, Tasmania Saturday, March 18, 2023 — Dalwood Estate, Hunter Valley, Wonnarua Country, New South Wales Saturday, March 25, 2023 — Commonwealth Park, Canberra, Ngunnawal Country, Australian Capital Territory Saturday, April 1, 2023 — Rochford Wines, Wurundjeri Country, Victoria WINE MACHINE 2022–23 LINEUP — WA, SA AND TASMANIA: Flight Facilities (DJ set only in Tasmania) Lime Cordiale Cut Copy San Cisco Client Liaison (excluding SA) Masked Wolf (SA only) Art vs Science (SA only) Stace Cadet (DJ set, Tasmania only) Sumner (SA only) Mell Hall Happiness Is Wealth Jimi the Kween The Poof Doof Jamboree WINE MACHINE 2023 LINEUP — NSW, ACT AND VICTORIA: Hot Dub Time Machine Lime Cordiale (excluding Victoria) Bliss N Esso Vera Blue (excluding NSW) Northeast Party House KLP Grantperez The Poof Doof Jamboree Wine Machine tours Australia from November 2022–April 2023. Tickets for Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania are on sale now. Ticket pre-sales for NSW, ACT and Victoria start from 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, November 2, with general sales from 12pm AEDY on Thursday, November 3. Head to the festival website for further details.
Art galleries don't just fill their walls and halls with big blockbuster exhibitions. They're also a pivotal place for surveying the latest and greatest in the field in general, as Embodied Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art recognises. Indeed, this lengthy showcase at Queensland Art Gallery is all about heroing Queensland artists and collectives — 19 of them, in fact, with a particular focus on women, people of colour and LGBTIQA+ creatives. Displaying from Friday, August 12, 2022–Sunday, January 22, 2023, the sizeable — and free — exhibition has compiled an array of works from an impressive list of names. When you're not peering at pieces by Robert Andrew, Megan Cope, Caitlin Franzmann and Heather Marie (Wunjarra) Koowootha, you'll be checking out art from Meuram Murray Island Dance Group, Ethel Murray, Jenny Watson, Warraba Weatherall and Justene Williams, among others. [caption id="attachment_874444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erika Scott / Australia QLD b.1987 / The Reservoir Of Cruel Miracles (installation view in 'Embodied Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery, 2022) 2022 / Mixed media / 400 x 362 x 362cm / Commissioned for 'Embodied Knowledge' by QAGOMA / Courtesy: Erika Scott / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon © QAGOMA / © Erika Scott.[/caption] Taking over QAG's Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries, and the Watermall, Embodied Knowledge's standout works include The Vertigoats, Williams' brightly coloured installation centred around elongated mannequins; Erika Scott's The Reservoir of Cruel Miracles, a lofty sculpture made out of 40 second-hand fish tanks and found objects; and Inert State, with Archie Moore drawing attention to Indigenous deaths in custody via a major piece in the Watermall. The exhibition's pieces are themed around identity, heritage and history, so expect to ponder those notions — and celebrate homegrown talents and their new work — while you're soaking in Andrew's large-scale installation and durational mural Tracing inscriptions; Cope's The tide waits for no one, which features cast-glass dugong bones; and The struggle of spokes people, aka portraits of First Nations leaders and social justice advocates by Koowootha. [caption id="attachment_874445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of works by Vanghoua Anthony Vue in 'Embodied Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art', Queensland Art Gallery, 2022. (front left) The Bobby (from the 'Hard-hat Devi(l)-(n)ation' series) 2022 / Mixed media / 135 x 200 x 65cm. (front right) The Manny (from the 'Hard-hat Devi(l)-(n)ation' series) 2022 / Mixed media / 145 x 120 x 85cm, (back) nkag siab poob siab (from the 'Tape-affiti' series) 2022 / Polythene tape, polyester tape and vinyl tape / Dimensions variable. Commissioned for 'Embodied Knowledge' by QAGOMA. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body / Courtesy: Vanghoua Anthony Vue / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon © QAGOMA / © Vanghoua Anthony Vue.[/caption] Top images: Archie Moore / Kamilaroi/Bigambul peoples / Australia QLD b.1970 / Inert State (installation view in 'Embodied Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art', Queensland Art Gallery, 2022) 2022 / Found hardcover books, steel, high-density polyethylene, polyurethane foam, microporous polyolefin silica-based paper / Dimensions variable / Commissioned for 'Embodied Knowledge' by QAGOMA / Courtesy: Archie Moore and The Commercial, Sydney / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon, © QAGOMA / © Archie Moore. Jenny Watson / Australia VIC/QLD b.1951 / Private views and rear visions (installation view in 'Embodied Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art', Queensland Art Gallery, 2022) 2021–22 / Synthetic polymer paint on found digital prints on paper / 48 sheets: 102 x 72cm (sheet, each) / Courtesy: Jenny Watson / Photograph: Katie Bennett © QAGOMA / © Jenny Watson.
For 45 years, Houston's beer can house has been causing near traffic accidents. "It tickles me to watch people screech to a halt," the building's creator, John Milkovisch, once explained. "They get embarrassed. Sometimes they drive around the block a couple of times. Later they come back with a car-load of friends." A child of the Great Depression, Milkovisch was raised when 'Waste not, want not' was a religion, rather than an option for the environmentally conscious. Employed as an upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, he spent much of his spare time transforming fragments of marble, metal and rock into one-of-a-kind landscaping features. It was in 1968 that his thoughts turned to the architectural potential of beer cans. At the time, aluminium siding was a must-have, so Milkovisch started opening out and flattening each of the cans he had stored in his attic. 50,000 units and 17 months later, his home had become one of the recycled wonders of the world. However, Milkovisch didn't see his idea — or himself — as particularly out-of-the-ordinary at the time. "Some people say this is sculpture but I didn't go to no expensive school to get these crazy notions," he said. "I guess I just thought it was a good idea, and it's easier than painting." Milkovisch passed away in the 1980s, and his wife continued to live in her husband's masterpiece for another ten or so years. In 2003, the property was taken over by the Orange Show Centre for Visionary Art. Through sensitive restoration and re-creation projects, they have made every effort to maintain the beer can house's artistic and historical integrity. It's now open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays between midday and 5pm and has at last been recognised as one of Houston's official landmarks. [via Inhabitat]
Looks like Australians aren't the aggressive booze-hounds we've all been told we are. New research from government report Australia’s Changing Drinking Habits, shows we're actually drinking less alcohol than we did 40 years ago — a whopping 25 percent less. Plus, alcohol related violence has decreased by 30 percent in New South Wales over the last six years. Thirty percent. Hmmm, so we're apparently drinking less, and drunkenly hitting people less. #lockouts If you're rolling your eyes and searching for our credible sources right now, take a little gander at the ACDH report, generated by the Australian Liquor Stores Association (ALSA) —an advocacy organisation affiliated with Drinkwise, representing all off-licence retail liquor stores across Australia (so yes, they've got a pretty vested interest in changing certain legislation). In results published by FoodProcessing.com.au this week, the report uses existing Australian Government data to disprove leg-to-stand-on beliefs that alcohol consumption and alcohol-related violence are on the rise. Between 1974-75, Australians consumed an average of 13.1 litres of alcohol per person. This has severely declined since the early '80s, to 9.9 litres in 2012-13. If you think this is just down to adults drinking less and those pesky good-for-nothing teenagers drinking more, you're way off. According to the report, almost three-quarters of all Australian minors drink no alcohol at all. The amount of young people abstaining from drinking has increased from 56 percent in 2007 to a huge 72 percent in 2013. Smirnoff Blacks and UDLs, you're almost out of a job. So we're all apparently drinking less in Australia, young and older. But now to the biggie: alcohol-related violence. The ACDH report shows that alcohol-related violence has decreased 30 percent in NSW over the last six years. Decreased. The report also shows that "consumption is falling at a time of significantly greater footprint of liquor store outlets in Australia," — the number of liquor licences has gone up by 16 percent, even though Australians are apparently drinking less. Looks like we're going to have to look elsewhere to entirely blame alcohol for violence — more licences and less assaults means there is a lack of evidence to connect violence to alcohol availability, according to Terry Mott, CEO of ALSA (the representative body who generated the report). Mott's positive about Australians and their drinking behaviour, telling FP he thinks we're making better choices than ever when it comes to the drink. "Australia's drinking habits have changed significantly over the course of the four decades; we are more educated about alcohol and we are making much better choices than we ever have before," he said. "The majority of Australians consume alcohol responsibly and enjoy the social benefits it brings. It is important to distinguish between the moderate consumption of alcohol by the overwhelming majority of Australians and the misuse of it by a small minority." With this in mind, most Australians are all for cleaning up the mess that comes with alcohol-related problems. While the report shows 85 percent of people polled could get behind greater enforcement of penalties for drunk drivers and 82 percent support enforcement for violation of the ol' RSA (bartenders serving intoxicated customers), only 28 percent support raising the price of alcohol. Big things to think about, for you and the government alike. Check out the report Australia’s Changing Drinking Habits, available from the Australian Liquor Stores Association's website. Via FoodProcessing.com.au.
