It's not the size of the menu that counts at Two Donkeys. Revamping and rebranding the cafe space attached to the Novotel Hotel in Spring Hill, the Astor Terrace eatery understands one of the fundamentals of both food and life. Yes, sometimes less really is more (and no, we're not just talking about their industrial-themed, minimalist décor). Let's be honest: when five types of breakfast bruschetta top the bill — featuring everything from honeycomb to caramelised pears to beetroot ricotta, with one even made pizza-style — who needs other options? And with kaarage chicken, BBQ pork, sesame-crusted tofu and soft-shell crab baos available for lunch, the lunchtime choices will leave you asking the same question. Of course, they're not all that Two Donkeys serves up, with four other early morning dishes on offer, and all brekkie meals available all day. A counter cabinet filled with fresh-baked items and takeaway sandwiches boosts the selections as well, as do Blackboard coffee and Newstead Brewing Co beers on tap. And, more will likely follow when the store expands beyond weekday, daytime trading in the near future.
Sweden has always been renowned for its ability to build and innovate. Vikings built incredible vessels to cross the North Sea, Ikea emerged as the home of furniture and now Swedish media company Meganews has built a print-on-demand magazine kiosk in Stockholm. So next time you find yourself walking through Sweden's capital and craving Time or Sweden's popular gossip magazine Se og Hör, you can just waltz up and receive a fresh addition. Filling less then 4 square metres, the kiosk currently stocks more then 200 assorted magazines and journals in pdf form. Publishers upload the latest issue to a remote server, meaning that purchasers can access the most current issue. All they need do is select the periodical they desire via touchscreen, pay by credit card and within two minutes a newsstand-quality colour version will be printed ready for fingers to flick through. The environmental benefits are significant. With issues printed on demand rather than printed and distributed en masse, it has the potential to save forests' worth of foliage. Other benefits of the machine include the lack of space it occupies, its ability to provide access where retail space is absent and (huzzah!) no creases or torn pages from casual shop browsers. Whilst currently only residing in Stockholm, it surely will not be long before cities across the world appreciate this innovation and become populated by the kiosks. In the meantime, feel free to fly to Sweden and give it a go. Via Gizmodo.
If you've ever watched the films of Studio Ghibli and wished you could walk right into their gorgeous frames, you're not alone. In fact, you're only human. The beloved animation house already boasts one site that basically lets you do just that, thanks to its museum in Mitaka, a city on the western outskirts Tokyo — but, come 2022, it'll also unveil its very own theme park. The studio initially announced the news in 2017, with a plan to open in 2020. Then, in 2018, it pushed back its launch timeline to 2022. It's still aiming to open at least parts of the park next year, which should have you crossing your fingers that international travel starts returning to normal by then. Need more motivation? A few more details about the park have been revealed, and they're worth getting excited about. In big news for fans of Howl's Moving Castle, Ghibli's park will feature a life-sized replica of the titular structure. It'll reach about 16 metres in height, and you'll be able to step inside to check out Howl's bedroom. Hideaki Ōmura, the governor of Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture where the park will be located, tweeted a CGI concept image of the castle — and, while the structure is only depicted in white, it still looks as impressive as it sounds. It won't move, though, but the cannon on the front will. [caption id="attachment_799539" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Studio Ghibli[/caption] Also slated to feature in the park: nods to the cat from Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns, buildings with design elements that take their cues from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and a super-sized garden that'll make you feel like you're one of the tiny characters in Arrietty. There'll also be a permanent exhibition room, a special exhibition room, a video exhibition room, a playground, and a shop and cafe, so you'll have plenty of places to explore, eat and browse. Yes, the Ghibli site will spirit visitors away to a whole realm dedicated to its considerable catalogue of movies — although it was initially described as a My Neighbour Totoro-focused park. Totoro-themed attractions are still part of the design, including a replica of Satsuki and Mei's house, which already exists at the 200-hectare Expo Park site. However, you'll also be able to check out the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, Kiki's home from Kiki's Delivery Service and a village area that pays tribute to Princess Mononoke. The latter certainly looks the part, as Governor Ōmura also tweeted. [caption id="attachment_799541" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Studio Ghibli[/caption] Expect more nods to Ghibli's various features to follow, recreating other aspects from its three-decade-old body of work — and possibly its latest movie, Earwig and the Witch, too. If the end result is even half as wondrous as the studio's aforementioned museum, then fans are in for a treat. There, you can climb up to the building's rooftop garden to see one of the robots from Laputa: Castle in the Sky; watch exclusive shorts, including a sequel to My Neighbour Totoro; and touch a life-sized cat bus, which kids under 12 can climb and play on. Indeed, the museum is such a tourist attraction, you have to buy tickets over a month in advance — and experiencing the rush of folks in the merchandise-packed gift shop will make you feel like a susuwatari (Totoro's gorgeous little balls of floating soot). Incorporated into the existing parklands, the theme park will be heavy on greenery and the natural surroundings, which matches the environmental messaging that plays a prominent part in Ghibli's movies. The site will also encourage "enjoying walking", according to the draft concept outline, while aiming to offer "a one-of-a-kind park loved by more people". We don't think either will be difficult. The Studio Ghibli theme park is slated to start opening in 2022. For more information, keep an eye on the animation company's website.
Pour red wine down the front of it. Cover it in tomato sauce. Sweat in it till you can sweat no more. The Silic self-cleaning T-shirt will act like you're not even there, because it's pretty much impervious to stains. Set to be funded via a Kickstarter campaign that's gone bananas, having met its stretch goal 13 times over, the Silic represents a breakthrough in fabric technology. Created by Aamir Patel, in collaboration with an ex-Vera Wang designer, the T-shirt depends upon what's known as 'hydrophobic nanotechnology'. In other words, the fabric is covered in billions of microscopic silica particles. These create a layer of air, causing any liquids that hit to form a sphere and roll away immediately. Many similar technologies tend to disappear as soon as the garment is cleaned, but the Silic remains stain-proof after 80 sessions in the washing machine. Plus, according to the designers, it's been created according to safe, non-cancerous processes. Production is set to happen in Silicon Valley, in a facility that's been responsible for manufacturing goods for Nike and Levi's. Currently available in black and white, the Silic boasts a simple yet stylish design. It's said to "enhance any torso, which gives a bold look". If you're interested in committing to a pledge before the campaign finishes up on Australia Day, US$48 will buy you one shirt, US$88 two, US$138 three and US$199 five.
When you're sitting in a cinema, you want to hear one thing and one thing only: the film that you're watching. No one likes having their movie-going experience ruined by excessive noise from those around them; however, shooshing and scowling are only somewhat effective at combating the problem. Sure, you can ask an incessant talker to pipe down, but requesting that the person behind you devours their movie munchies at a lower volume isn't so easy, particularly in a place that sells far-from-quiet foods such as popcorn and potato chips. Enter Silent Snacks, aka the invention someone really should've thought of earlier. The brainchild of theatre ticketing app company TodayTix, they're exactly what they sound like — or ideally don't, thanks to products such as Quiet (Pop)corn, Muffled Truffles, Silent Slices and Anti-Gas Lime and Mint Drink. Basically, the new snack range takes your usual cinema treats and gives them a few twists to tone down any annoying munching, crunching and slurping sounds. The popcorn has been ground down, mixed with dates, coconut butter, cocoa butter and coconut blossom nectar, and rolled into balls; chocolates have been switched with truffles; and chips swapped for dehydrated pears. And when it comes to washing it all down, Silent Snacks' beverage of choice is not only designed to reduce burping noises coming out, but is served in silicone to ensure that it's also stealthy while you're sipping it. Yep, soft, soundless packets and wrappers are all part of the package, because everyone knows that it's not just loud eating that can echo throughout a cinema, but the crinkling and rustling that goes with it. Of course, given that TodayTix only operates in the US and UK at present, you won't find these super-quiet foods at a local candy bar any time soon. Instead, we'll live in hope that something similar will pop up here soon — silently, of course. Via TodayTix.
Once upon a time, an inner city coffee snob was on her way to visit family in the suburbs south of the Brisbane river. During her journey, a cute shop front on Holland Road caught her eye. Filled with vintage recycled furniture, fresh flowers and enough reading material to satisfy her magazine addiction it was the waft of freshly baked strawberry and apple muffins which lured her in. Two cups of perfectly brewed soy flat whites and a ham and cheese toasted croissant later, this little snob may have just fallen in love with Stomp Espresso, the name of this bright and cheery cafe. Moral of the story: never judge a suburb by it's fast food chains and mega malls, for a charming little cafe in the midst of all this adversity may just win your heart (and your stomach).
Is there anything better than a simple cup of tea? If leaves rather than beans comprise your preferred kind of hot beverage, you'll know its pleasures: smelling the wafting aroma, feeling the heat radiating from your cup and tasting the hearty flavour. Most tea-lovers experience all of that several times a day; however, expect to do so a few times more on Saturday, November 26 — it's Brisbane Tea Festival time. This first-ever fest boasts two main components: a workshop program that'll teach you about everything from the basics behind a perfect cuppa to tea-based mocktails, and a tea market. At the latter, you'll wander around The Old Museum in Bowen Hills with your porcelain tasting cup in hand — it's included with every ticket — and sip your way through nearly 30 stalls. Experience the flavours of artisan teas from all around Australia; pick up some homemade tea pots, cups and other teawares; watch tea demonstrations; and grab a bite while learning about which foods pair best with tea — or eating tea-infused snacks. Whatever you spend the day doing, one thing is certain: you'll always have your favourite warm bev on hand. There are two sessions to the festival, but only the 2–6pm session has tickets remaining, which'll set you back $20. The workshops cost extra, as does the bubble tea-drinking contest. And yes, talking tea while drinking tea with people who love tea is firmly a big part of these tea festivities.
Brazilian beer company Antarctica Beer has created one of the most innovative products to ever come out of a brewery, the Beer Turnstile. Created for the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, one of the world's biggest parties, of which Antarctica Beer is the official sponsor, it was designed to inspire partygoers to catch public transport to and from the festival. When they arrived at the subway station to head home, they did not have to buy a ticket; all the drinkers had to do was pop their empty beer can into the turnstile and, once it was recognised by the reader in the machine, they gained access to their ride home. Whilst the turnstile was an excellent business move — if people do not have to drive they can of course drink more Antarctica Beer throughout the evening — it likely contributed to the 43 percent decrease in drink driving recorded at this year's event and lowered the impact of the festival on the environment, as every can submitted was recycled and the turnstile averaged more than 1000 patrons an hour. It also created less mess for the city to clean, music to the ears of some happy Brazilian workers. Via PSFK.
Want to keep your building cool in summer but are self-conscious of the impact it may have on the environment? Well, those worries could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the environmentally friendly wooden skin erected by French architect Stephane Malka on student housing in Paris. The wooden skin is constructed on the exterior of buildings and consists of a host of pallets of varying dimensions that can be mechanically expanded or contracted, via horizontal hinges, to let in more or less ventilation and daylight as required. Stephane constructed The AME-LOT project, named after the rue Amelot the housing resides on, in response to ecological strategies that "often generate an over-production of materials". By building on top of pre-existing structures, Malka hopes to showcase a sustainable and ecological alternative that does not require new construction by 'energyvores'. As well as its environmental benefits, it would certainly look incredible on the body of a skyscraper. [Via PSFK]
You'll find big things in small packages at the St Kilda Film Festival this year. That's true every year, of course, even when Melbourne has been under lockdown. But in these pandemic-adjusted times, you'll also find bite-sized flicks gracing screens both big and small — because while Australia's oldest short film festival is very much happening in-person in 2022, physically descending upon St Kilda venues, there's also still an online option that screens to movie buffs at home and nationally. This hybrid version of the fest — the event's 39th outing, in fact — places the emphasis on the in-cinema experience, though. And, it's just as devoted as ever to showcasing works by some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers in the country. So, across ten days between Friday, May 27–Sunday, June 5, 13 out-of-the-house sessions will pop up all around St Kilda, kicking off with opening night at The Astor Theatre. As always, the backbone of the festival is Australia's Top Short Films, featuring filmmakers from every corner of the country competing for prizes. Also on the bill at ticketed screenings: programs dedicated to queer, documentary, student, horror-themed, family-friendly animation, Aussie animation, homegrown in general, Australian drama, female-directed, First Peoples' and Victorian-made shorts. And, for those playing along from their couches, online sessions include a couple of programs curated by the Scottish Documentary Institute, highlights from the Obu Short Film Festival in Japan (aka the City of Port Phillip's sister city) and the closing night awards. Plus, there's also a look at acclaimed Aussie filmmaker Warwick Thornton's (Sweet Country) early works as a cinematography student, and then cinematographer and director. [caption id="attachment_572561" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jim Lee[/caption]
If all you want for Christmas is a trip to a part of Australia like no other, then there's no need to ask Santa for tickets in your stocking. You can, of course, but for five days from Thursday, December 8—Monday, December 12, discounted fares to the Northern Territory are on offer as part of Jetstar's big pre-Christmas flight sale. Treat yo'self to an early festive holiday booking and get a jump on your 2023 vacation planning all at once, with $89 flights to Uluru up for grabs. That's how much it'll cost to get to the Red Centre from Melbourne, but you'll also only pay $109 one-way from either Sydney or Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_840264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT[/caption] For NT visitors keen on scoping out Darwin instead, all fares are under $150, with prices varying depending on the departure point. For Brisbanites, the starting price is $109, while Adelaide residents can get $129 fares, and Sydneysiders and Melburnians can book $149 flights. If it feels like these kinds of sales pop up often, that's because they have been lately. 'Tis the season after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, after all. That said, no travel aficionado will ever complain about too many opportunities to nab cheap flights. The usual Jetstar caveats apply: all sale fares are one-way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. [caption id="attachment_813586" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darwin Festival, Elise Derwin[/caption] And if you're wondering what to do when you're there, fares are on sale for trips between May and September 2023, which means checking out Darwin's BASSINTHEGRASS music festival headlined by Tones and I, Baker Boy, Amy Shark and Ocean Alley — or enjoying the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Country to Couture, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards, the National Indigenous Music Awards and Darwin Festival. Or, obviously, there's Uluru itself, all of the tours and experiences around the sacred spot, and Bruce Munro's dazzling Field of Light. [caption id="attachment_847444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Central Australia[/caption] Jetstar's 'post-Chrissy recovery' sale runs from 12am AEDT on Thursday, December 8 till 11.59pm AEDT on Monday, December 12 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
"Kidnapping, cults, death. Your friendships are a little more complicated than most." So says Elijah Wood in the new trailer for one of 2023's most-anticipated TV returns: Yellowjackets, which'll finally be back for season two from late March. Fans of the show would expect nothing less than Wood's concise summary, given this instantly intriguing (and excellent) series follows a New Jersey high school's girls soccer team in the 90s after they crash in the forest and possibly turn to cannibalism — plus the aftermath among the survivors 25 years later. Indeed, already in season one, life and friendship have proven complex for Yellowjackets' core quartet of Shauna (Don't Look Up's Melanie Lynskey as an adult, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (Welcome to Chippendales' Juliette Lewis, plus The Book of Boba Fett's Sophie Thatcher), Taissa (Billions' Tawny Cypress, and also Scream's Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Misty (Wednesday's Christina Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty). Also in the works in the show's second season, as based on the just-dropped sneak peek: Natalie been guided through her memories, snowy climes aplenty, the eerie symbol that's always been at the heart of the series, frantic dances, long treks, guns and axes, and a new connection between Misty and newcomer Walter (Wood), a citizen detective. Ominous words abound, too, such as "darkness, we brought it back with us", "it's happening again, isn't it", "we weren't alone out there" and "this isn't where we're supposed to be". The setup, for Yellowjackets first timers: back in 1996, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane, Shauna, Natalie, Taissa, Misty and the rest of their teammates entered Lost survivalist territory. The accident saw everyone who walked away stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. After proving one of 2021's best new series and quickly getting picked up for a second season, Yellowjackets will start unfurling its next batch of episodes from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand, as announced in late 2022. Season two will pick up after a heap of chaos in both timeframes, and with new faces among the cast. Introducing more of the team in their adult guise is very much on the agenda, including Simone Kessell (Muru) playing the older Lottie and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) as the older Van. In their younger years, both characters are played by Australian actors, with Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Lottie and and Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet) as Van. Also, this won't be the end of the story, with the show already renewed for season three before its second season even airs. Check out the new teaser for Yellowjackets season two below: Season two of Yellowjackets will start streaming from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
As first announced back in 2018, Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image will soon look rather different, with the screen culture-focused Federation Square site currently undergoing extensive $40 million renovations. When it reopens in 2021, visitors can expect revamped exhibition spaces, new immersive experiences and added interactive activations, including a permanent ode to Mad Max. Also part of the huge makeover: increasing the ways that everyone can engage with ACMI digitally, both when heading by in-person and from home. As revealed back in October, ACMI will usher in a heap of new ways for folks to interact with its exhibitions. That includes giving visitors a handheld device made out of compressed cardboard, which they'll be able to while they're wandering around the place — and when they go home as well. ACMI's fresh additions also span online exhibition space Gallery 5, which is up and running already, and its own video-on-demand service called Cinema 3. Of course, 2020 has already seen a very lengthy list of new streaming and VOD options hit the market, all competing for film and TV fans' eyeballs in a year that's seen us all spend more time on the couch — such as horror streamer Shudder, architecture and design-focused platform Shelter, short-form platform Quibi (which'll actually call it quits in December), female-focused service Femflix, and platforms from cinemas such as Palace and Golden Age, plus the team behind Sydney's Ritz and Melbourne's Lido, Classic and Cameo venues. Accordingly, ACMI joins a very busy space, but it's doing so with a tightly curated range of classics and new movies that's selected by its Director of Film Programs Kristy Matheson, and is updated fortnightly. Available since Thursday, November 19, Cinema 3 currently features a digital restoration of Claire Denis' 1999 standout Beau Travail, plus 2019's acclaimed Romanian flick The Whistlers — neither of which you can currently watch in Australian cinemas. In the classic camp, it has grouped a number of movies into themes. So, you can check out 'fine films for grown-up tastes' such as The Two Faces of January, Our Little Sister, The Deep Blue Sea and The Third Wife, or opt to delve into cinema history via Berberian Sound Studio, Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché, Last Man in Aleppo and Parasite. Cinema 3 also presently features an Aussie-focused section as well, showing Noise, The Darkside, and documentaries Jill Billcock: Dancing the Invisible and Defiant Lives. The idea is that each area of the service acts as a shelf — for you to peruse and pick from at your leisure, depending on what piques your interest. Films are available on a pay-per-view rental basis, with the current titles ranging from $4.99 to $14. To check out ACMI's Cinema 3 video-on-demand service, head to the platform's website.
When it comes to street art, names don't get any bigger than Banksy. And when it comes to street art exhibitions, a new showcase of the artist's work in Brisbane is huge. The first major display of the enigmatic talent's pieces in the River City features more than 150 artworks — including infinity rooms and simulations that play with some of Banksy's most famous creations. From Thursday, May 4–Sunday, August 6, The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is taking over the lower ground floor at Queens Plaza in the CBD. A massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon — the exhibition's artworks include Banksy's certified art, prints on a heap of different materials, plus photos and sculptures as well. For an immersive experience, you can also wander through also installations — physical and digital — and scope out murals and mapping shows. One such installation: a simulation of Dismaland Bemusement Park. Another: that mirrored infinity room. Banksy's recent murals in Ukraine also get a nod, and one space is devoted to the MV Louise Michel, the 30-metre-long high-speed lifeboat funded by Banksy that patrols the Mediterranean to rescue refugees. Visitors will also spy reproductions of Banksy's works, which have been made exclusively for this exhibition. They recreate some of the artist's pieces as made with — of course — stencils. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits takes between 45–60 minutes to wander through. And yes, you can snap away for the 'gram while you're there. Updated: June 23, 2023.
Sydney's ever-luxurious and all-inclusive floating villa, Lilypad, has finally reopened almost two years after a fire destroyed the original build. Situated in the tranquil waters of Palm Beach in the Northern Beaches, the second iteration of Lilypad boasts plenty of additional lavish features including an onboard sauna, cosy fireplace and dreamy Mediterranean-inspired terracotta accents. After facing flooding, wild weather and COVID-induced delays, it's safe to say that Lilypad II was worth the wait. "You couldn't have picked a harder time to undertake something like this, both the weather we had in Sydney for the build period and COVID — because workforces were getting wiped out left, right and centre. Everything was hard," Founder and Owner Chuck Anderson says. Not just a pretty face, the resort-style villa runs completely off solar power energy and has been engineered to remain stable, while still embracing the natural movements and rhythms of the ocean below. An outdoor, roman-tiled shower, linen bedding by Cultiver and furniture by McMullin & Co completes the tonal, overwater escape. "What's incredible now as technology has advanced in solar and battery technology, you're not compromising on luxuries. Once upon a time, maybe ten years ago, if you were to try to attack what we've created you would have had to make some concessions in terms of what's onboard," Anderson says. Bookings include a private concierge, private tender transfers, a self-drive luxury personal vessel for exploring the surrounds, paddleboards, floating daybeds, chef-prepared meals and full access to the onboard wine cellar. But the luxuries don't come cheap, with prices starting at $1,950 per night in low season. The designer floating villa can also host events for up to 18, if you're looking for a unique space for your next special function. On the creation of both Lilypads, Anderson explains, "The intention for both Lilypad and Lilypad II was to combine innovative design with traditional craftsmanship and modern luxuries to build a unique and exceptional space. I wanted to pay homage to the unspoiled environment in which Lilypad resides and allow guests to feel totally immersed in this awe-inspiring space." Anderson also hinted at other Lilypads popping up around Australia in the future, so if you're looking for an elevated holiday in your backyard, keep an eye on this space. One-night stays are available until September, excluding weekends. Two-night stays are available from September to April and across weekends. You can book via the Lilypad website.
After moving out of its OG home in the Emporium precinct in 2019, Mecca Bah has settled in nicely to its digs at Gasworks Plaza. The 2.0 version of this legendary Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant and bar boasts all the style of its old self with an injection of fun thanks to a pastel-hued interior and a laid-back approach to feasting. Graduating from its moody interior of old, the alfresco dining area is eye-catching, to say the least. Millennial pink peacock feather shades overhang plush pink booths and animal print pillows. Inside, deeper reds and blues make for a more intimate setting. On the back bar, you'll find top-shelf spirits held mid-air by an artistic decorative metal tree. In true Middle Eastern fashion, the food here is made to be shared with mezze, tagines, Turkish pides, and seafood all staples on the menu. When it comes to more novel dishes, a pide gets a surf 'n' turf makeover while steamed Persian green dumplings also make an appearance. For whetting your whistle, expect signature cocktails that are a modern ode to the menu's roots. The drinks constantly making an appearance at the bar? A Turkish Delight Martini and the Marrakesh Kiss. From Fridays to Sundays, bottomless boozy brunch is available for groups of six or more with a banquet menu, cocktails, wine and beer all on the cards. Images: Kiel Wode
At 131 Leicester Street in Coorparoo, embracing Italian-style neighbourhood joints keeps working a charm. First came Ramona Trattoria, which gave the area an inexpensive and casual restaurant featuring traditional meals. After that eatery proved a hit, chef and owner Ashley-Maree Kent has now launched sibling spot Bar Rocco, an osteria that's all about pairing drinks with bites — Italian cocktails, wines and beers for the former, and shareable snacks for the latter. "The concept is a natural next step following the opening of Ramona Trattoria," explains Kent, after debuting her first Leicester Street venture in 2022 and then Bar Rocco at the end of 2023. "It is a response to what our patrons are calling out for — a lively and charming place to come together over relaxed and traditional Italian flavours." Kent describes Bar Rocco as "a welcoming place for locals to enjoy a friendly European atmosphere over a late-afternoon drink or an exquisite culinary experience in a more casual setting". And, it too is born of her enthusiasm for Italy's culinary offerings, with the European Australian restaurateur noting that it reflects her "passion for crafting authentic Italian dishes while adding a twist of playfulness and charm". Seating 40, Bar Rocco's wine list and cocktail options are reason enough to stop by; however, so is the Mediterranean-inspired, wood-fired food. Matching its eats and drinks perfectly is one of the venue's key aims, whether you're enjoying burrata with oxheart tomatoes and wood-roasted peach, barbecue swordfish, a gluten-free torte made with Italian dark chocolate, or prawn or flatbread dishes. The community vibe that's such a significant part of its big sister is also a driving factor at bar Rocco, especially in the al fresco area surrounded by greenery — and featuring street views. Kent's latest venture comes after she set up Roma Trattoria in Coorparoo fresh from Coolangatta's Cross-Eyed Mary, and joins a resume that also boasts time at everywhere from Quay, Three Blue Ducks and Biota through to Tartine Bakery and Paper Daisy. Find Bar Rocco at 131 Leicester Street, Coorparoo — open from 4.30pm Wednesday–Sunday. Visit the venue's website for further details.
Seafood by the sea? Brews next to the beach? There's nothing stopping you from enjoying both at 2025's Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. Coming to Apex Park in Woody Point between Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24, this returning food fest serves up plenty to tempt your tastebuds, from oysters and prawns to farm-fresh fare — and beers and cocktails, too. Indeed, if you like the indulgent things in life, you'll find more than a few things that'll suit your cravings on the menu. [caption id="attachment_883183" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] While the program isn't out yet, the event always features a focus on local produce — and other past highlights have included the Moreton Bay BrewsFest (complete with beer pong and giant Jenga); a cocktail haven with a particular interest in gin distilleries; a vino-serving cellar door; and a stage dedicated to health, wellness, and things for your house and garden. Live tunes and DJ-spun tracks are also on the agenda, and so are cooking demonstrations by chefs. And, if you want to counteract all of the eating and drinking, you'll be in the right place for it — just go for a walk along the shoreline. Event images: Tourism and Events Queensland.
New financial year, new excuse to book a holiday? It's as good a reason as any. It isn't just airlines that want us to be making getaway plans all of the time — we all want to be in that camp, too, because who doesn't constantly want to be thinking about, preparing for and locking in vacations? Via Virgin Australia, here comes your latest chance to give your suitcases a workout. The Aussie carrier is beginning July 2024 with a week-long sale that's starting prices cheap — at $49 — and slinging over one million fares. This round of specials covers both domestic and international trips, so you're covered whether you want to hit up Tokyo, Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu or Queenstown, or also Hamilton Island, Byron Bay, Cairns, Hobart, Darwin, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and more. By now, everyone knows that the Sydney–Byron Bay route always has the lowest cost, which is $49 one-way this time around. From there, other discounts include Melbourne–Launceston from $59, Sydney to either the Sunshine or Gold coasts from $69, Melbourne–Hobart from $75, Brisbane–Proserpine (aka The Whitsundays) from $75, Melbourne–Adelaide from $79, Sydney–Hamilton Island from $115, either Melbourne or Brisbane to Uluru from $119, and Sydney–Perth from $215. For those eager to travel further afield, cheap international flights span a heap of return legs, such as Melbourne–Queenstown from $405, Gold Coast–Denpasar from $449, Sydney–Nadi from $499, Brisbane–Port Vila from $565, Brisbane–Apia from $609 and Cairns–Haneda from $679. This sale kicks off on Monday, July 1, running until midnight AEST on Monday, July 8 unless sold out earlier. And the cheap fares, which cover both directions between each point in the discounted route, start with Virgin's Economy Lite option. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, these deals cover periods between Tuesday, July 30, 2024–Tuesday, June 3, 2025, with all dates varying per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to spend some, part or even most of the next year anywhere but home. Virgin's 'I can't go without a holiday this year' sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, July 8, 2024 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
No matter who's starring in them, when and where they're set, and whether they're showing on the big or small screen, romantic comedies love telling tales about trying to hold onto a good thing. Two people meet, fall for each other — whether immediately or eventually — and do whatever it takes to enjoy their romantic bliss: that's it, that's the familiar rom-com formula. It's a setup that TV series Starstruck has been both adhering to and unpacking over the past two years, too, thanks to its glorious first season in 2021 and just-as-wonderful second run in 2022. And, because HBO knows that it should also hold onto a good thing, the Rose Matafeo-starring show has just been renewed for a third season. Instantly one of the best of new shows of last year — and already one of the best returning series of this year — Starstruck will continue its take on a trusty rom-com storyline over a third batch of episodes. That premise: falling for a stranger who happens to be a famous actor, then trying to make that fairy tale relationship work. And yes, Matafeo — who stars, writes and created the series — well and truly knows that Notting Hill got there first. She plays Jessie, a New Zealander in her lates twenties who's living in London and, when the show begins, is splitting her time between working in a cinema and nannying. Jessie (Matafeo, Baby Done) also isn't expecting much when her best friend and roommate Kate (Emma Sidi, Pls Like) drags her out to a bar on New Year's Eve. For most of the evening, that lack of enthusiasm proves accurate — but then she meets Tom (Nikesh Patel, Four Weddings and a Funeral). That night, she ends up back at his sprawling flat, only to realise the next morning that he's one of the world's biggest movie stars. In what's proven a wonderful showcase for Matafeo — and a savvily smart exploration of rom-com tropes as well, embracing and subverting them as needed — both Starstruck's first and second seasons have followed what happens next for Jessie and Tom. Obviously, their attempts to hold onto a good thing haven't flowed smoothly. Nodding to romantic comedies such as The Graduate, Love Actually and Bridget Jones' Diary has also come with the territory, amusingly, affectionately and astutely so. Announcing the renewal, Matafeo said "a third? Sure. Fine. I'm truly thrilled to bring this incredibly talented cast back for a third instalment, and equally excited to clamber into the director's seat alongside my nice friend Alice Snedden, who I cannot seem to get rid of." Matafeo co-writes Starstruck with fellow comedians Alice Snedden and Nic Sampson — and, yes, Matafeo and Snedden will also direct the third season. Exactly when the new episodes will arrive hasn't yet been revealed, but the turnaround between season one and two was quick. When they do drop, expect to see them Down Under via ABC iView in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand. In the interim, check out the trailer for Starstruck's second season below: Starstruck will return for a third season, with a release date yet to be announced. Starstruck's first and second seasons are available to stream in Australia via ABC iView and in New Zealand via TVNZ OnDemand. Read our full review of Starstruck's first season — and our full review of its second season, too. Images: Mark Johnson/HBO Max.
UPDATE, September 16, 2022: Sweet As - Brisbane Dessert Festival has now been postponed again until Sunday, September 17, 2023. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Most food festivals offer a variety of dishes, ranging from snacks and treats to entrees and mains. Sweet As, Brisbane's returning dessert fest, will too — as long as you're fine with meringues, marshmallows and macarons as appetisers, cakes and doughnuts for a hearty meal, and ice cream, sorbet, gelato and dessert cocktails to wrap it all up. That's just our suggested order. With all of the above usually on offer — plus everything from brownies and waffles to cheese and chocolate — there's no right or wrong way to work your way through the menu. All of the treats will be served up by a range of the city's best dessert-makers, with The World Food Markets overseeing the event. And while Brisbane is no stranger to sweet-filled festivals, it really is a situation where the more, the merrier applies. With the festival running from 10am–5pm on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Musgrave Park, that means dessert is on the menu for a late brunch, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea — and if you opt for to stick around for a few of those meals, there'll be no judgement. For those with dietary requirements, there'll be lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan options across the board as well. Yep, that truly is sweet as. Also on offer: non-sugary street food, pop-up bars, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment. Tickets aren't on sale yet, but you can currently register to be notified when they become available.
UPDATE: MAY 6, 2020 — You can now watch celebrities narrate Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone thanks to Harry Potter at Home's new weekly recordings. First up is Potter himself — Daniel Radcliffe — reading the first chapter, 'The Boy Who Lived'. Then, it'll be the likes of Stephen Fry, Claudia Kim, Eddie Redmayne, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning and Noma Dumezweni. You can watch via the website or listen on Spotify. If Hogwarts was a real place, no one would be able to visit it at present. But if you're still dreaming about all things magical despite the current state of the world, you can accio up a slice of the fictional school while cooped up in your own house. You've probably already watched and rewatched all the Harry Potter films, and the Fantastic Beasts flicks. Maybe you've started reading your way through the books again as well. Now, if you're looking for an added dose of wizarding fun, you can also head to new online hub Harry Potter at Home. A fresh addition to Warner Brothers and Pottermore's Wizarding World website, Harry Potter at Home aims to become a one-stop shop for Boy Who Lived-related activities during these self-isolating times. And while it's primarily aimed at kids (and their parents, teachers and carers), so were JK Rowling's books — and that hasn't stopped fans of all ages obsessing over Harry, Ron, Hermione and the gang by heading to HP-themed boozy potions classes, kitting themselves out in Hogwarts-inspired attire, sleuthing their way through escape room challenges, participating in scavenger hunts, shopping at dedicated stores, playing Pokémon Go-style games on their phones, and getting excited about a potential new Harry Potter theme park. Visitors to Harry Potter at Home will find articles, quizzes and puzzles, including Harry Potter-themed crosswords. You can also find out your Hogwarts house via virtual sorting hat, too. And, you can spend some time watching crafting videos that'll teach you how to knit a Weasley family-inspired scarf and bust out Marauder's Map-worthy calligraphy skills — which are also available via Wizarding World's YouTube channel. You can also watch celebrities narrate Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone thanks to Harry Potter at Home's weekly recordings. First up is Potter himself — Daniel Radcliffe — reading the first chapter, 'The Boy Who Lived'. Then, it'll be the likes of Stephen Fry, Claudia Kim, Eddie Redmayne, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning and Noma Dumezweni. You can watch via the website or listen on Spotify. New activities, videos, puzzles and articles will be added regularly, with Potter diehards able to access Harry Potter at Home for free — and sign up for a weekly newsletter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp21Xijewlg If you're a muggle who's somehow new to all things Harry Potter — or you're eager to go back to the beginning again but haven't yet done so — Pottermore Publishing is also making Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone available for free via eBook or audiobook until the end of April. For further details, visit the Harry Potter at Home website. Top image: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Great things are in store for those who visit the Queensland Centre of Photography (QCP) this month. From the deeply prolific to the awe-inspiring, the photographers featured at the QCP, including Sonia Payes, Warwick Clarke and Dan McCabe, are absolute masters of their craft. Sonia Payes' works are often dissection's of reality - pieces that combine imagination with traditional imagery and tease out the unreal internal from the external. Her latest collection 'Luminous Interlude' is no different with its poignant themes of rebirth and transformation expressed through hallucinatory images. Warwick Clarke's 'Dargan' is a collection quite different. Photographs of bush that lies between Bell and Lithgow in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, 'Dargan' is more a collection of sombre relics than photos - within the trees lies a story of industrial influence and activity. Dan McCabe's collection 'Photo Drawings' is quite different again as it questions the inconsistencies and flexibility of our visual perception through individual matte photographs that have been literally drawn on with pencil. The centre will also feature collections from Julian Pearce, Athene Currie, Lynette Letic, Belinda Kochanowska and Katelyn-Jane Dunn - don't miss out.
It's a shot favourite with lemon and salt. There's a surf instrumental track that shares its name. Just thinking about it likely gets the early-90s hip hop cover of that tune stuck in your head. Although it's a famous spirit, tequila isn't always the best-appreciated tipple. Head to Carmen, James Street's newest bar and Mexican eatery, however, and the latter might change. Running through Fortitude Valley and New Farm, this stretch of road has long had Brisbanites flocking to the city's inner north for a sip and a bite to eat, adding dining and drinking options aplenty over the two decades since it rebadged its industrial stretch into an urban precinct. The new reason to head along is this 80-seater tequileria from Potentia Solutions Leisure, joining a hospitality stable that also features rooftop joints Lina and Soko. While Carmen is an eatery, bar and lounge in one, tequila- and agave-heavy drinks take pride of place on the menu. Standout sips include the El Tigre, which is made on Patron Reposado, plus grapefruit bitters, agave and dehydrated grapefruit; Sueno de Sandia, a citrusy number featuring Patron Silver, watermelon juice, lime, agave and basil syrup; and the Aventura, a mix of The Lost Explorer Espadin, Grand Marnier, St Germain elderflower, lime, lemon and raspberries. In addition to cocktails, plus a hefty list of tequila and agave in general — including a focus on small-batch mezcals — Carmen boasts Coronas, naturally, plus a premium wine list ready for the swilling. Australian vinos get ample attention, as do New Zealand, French and Italian drops. Food-wise, patrons can tuck into poached lobster tacos, Mexican popcorn chicken, charred corn rillettes, kingfish ceviche with fermented pineapple and wagyu steak crudo tostaditos, as well as dulce de leche cheesecake and Patron tequila sorbet. Other dishes also glean their influences from elsewhere around the world, as seen with Sydney rock oysters and beef short rib rendang. Seafood is a big feature, as tends to be the trend no matter what style of cuisine is on offer in Brisbane. Also, sustainability is a hefty focus across both the food and drinks spread. Carmen is working towards a zero-waste cocktail list, setting itself a goal to achieve waste-free tipples — but launching with a menu that's as close as possible in the interim. Images: Fortem Media.
For one morning, on what might be the only occasion that Sydneysiders can use this phrase and mean it literally, the Vengabus is coming. Getting everybody jumping is the Uber Pride Ride, a party bus that's hitting the Harbour City for Sydney WorldPride, and running across three weekends — but only one special trip will feature Vengaboys. The Dutch pop group are in Australia for the latest So Pop tour, which plays Sydney on Thursday, February 16. That morning, the band will take a tour of the city with a lucky busload of folks, in a VIP experience that you'll have to keep an eye on Uber's Instagram account to win tickets to. If you want to call the Uber Pride Ride the Vengabus for the rest of its run — from Friday, February 17–Sunday, February 19, Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26 and Friday, March 3–Sunday, March 5, operating from 6.30–10pm daily — then that's up to you. But, whether you're a Sydney local or a visitor hitting the city just for WorldPride's first-ever stint Down Under, you'll have company in the form of a heap of drag queen stars. Each night's trips will feature different talents busting out onboard activities — so you might be in for a ride filled with drag bingo, karaoke or an inner-city disco on wheels with Jojo Zaho, Carla From Bankstown, Coco Jumbo, Cassandra Queen, Karen From Finance, Annie Mation and more. The Uber Pride Ride is also hosting educational talks from First Nations LGBQTIA+SB advocacy organisation Black Rainbow. Like to party on the way to the party? This is the hop-on-hop-off — and free — bus for you. It'll take an hour-long City Circle loop, departing at 6.30pm, 7.45pm and 9pm each evening, starting at Australian Museum on William Street. From there, it'll head to St James Station, Powerhouse Museum, Central Station, Albion Street in Surry Hills, Flinders Street in Darlinghurst, Oxford Street in Paddington, then via Craigend and William streets back to the beginning. Like free Uber Pool trips as well? On one weekend, from 12–10pm Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26, the rideshare company is also doing $100 off trips. The Uber Pride Ride will take to the Sydney CBD's streets from Friday, February 17–Sunday, February 19, Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26 and Friday, March 3–Sunday, March 5, running from 6.30–10pm daily, with a special one-off Vengaboys-hosted ride on the morning of Thursday, February 16. The Uber Pool Pride Offer runs from 12–10pm Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26, offering $100 off trip. For more information, head to the Uber website.
What'll start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then spread plenty of sports around Victoria? Every year, the AFL season does just that — but soon, the Commonwealth Games will as well. Just four years out from the event, and mere months away from 2022's games in Birmingham, England, regional Victoria has been named as the event's 2026 host. While the opening ceremony will take over the MCG — where else? — the games themselves will play out in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. Each spot will operate as regional hub, scoring their own athletes' village and sports programs, and spreading the event around the state in the process. [caption id="attachment_831273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] And, because the 2026 Commonwealth Games really are set to take advantage of as much of Victoria as they can, Shepparton will also host sporting and cultural events, too. If you're wondering exactly what'll be hosted where, it's been proposed that all of the aquatics events happen in Geelong, as well as hockey, gymnastics, table tennis, beach volleyball and the triathlon. Gippsland could host badminton and rugby, athletics and boxing has been earmarked for Ballarat, and Bendigo looks set to welcome weightlifting, lawn bowls and squash. The cycling program will likely take place from Gippsland to Bendigo, while Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland would all host cricket. And, there'll be a para sport program as well, with para athletics, para swimming, para lawn bowls, para table tennis, para triathlon and para powerlifting already locked in. It's official: the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be the Regional Victoria games. — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 12, 2022 Announcing the news, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that "it's a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games — we can't wait to welcome the world to all of our state." It's estimated the 2026 games will give the Victorian economy a$3 billion boost, creating more than 600 full-time jobs before the event, as well as 3900 jobs while they're on and another 3000 afterwards. The Commonwealth Games will also feature cultural events spread across the state, and the Queen's Baton Relay will race through Victoria's various regions in the weeks leading up to the opening ceremony. And yes, Australia only recently held the games, back in 2018 on the Gold Coast. Also, this means that Australia will host two huge sporting events in the next decade, given that Brisbane has already been locked in as the site for the 2032 Olympic Games. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in regional Victoria in 2026, with exact dates to be announced. For more information, head to the Commonwealth Games website and Victorian Government website. Top image: StephenK1997 via Flickr.
You might have thought King George Square looked pretty fine during the day and maybe a tad finer at night, but it's at twilight City Hall really shows off its colours. And what better backdrop when you're shopping the evening away — especially when the King George is filled with some of Brisbane's best designers and makers. The regular Brisbane Twilight Market shows off a sizeable array of stalls — usually more than 60, in fact — all staffed by some pretty nifty and talented local artists. Returning for 2024, the event will host an eclectic selection of items, so prepare to browse and buy. You'll be perusing everything from handmade clothing, accessories and leather goods to paper goods, homewares, art and ceramics (and more). [caption id="attachment_666947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BrisStyle[/caption] This market is all about sound, smell and sales — so live music will provide a soundtrack to the evening, and expect to be hit with that spring flowerbed smell that always lingers when there's a soap stall around. Food stalls are also on the agenda, with 2024's slate of Friday-night markets held on September 13, November 22, December 6 and December 20. Each event runs from 4–9pm, so take along some cash and stock up on all things crafty. Top image: Brisbane City Council.
Usually, when people open a cafe, they do so after earning their hospitality stripes in coffee shops and restaurants. But the people behind Little Black Pug haven't done anything the typical way. Proprietors Louise and Joshua Daly met at The University of Queensland in 2016 while studying bioinformatics and pursuing careers in the sciences. Yes, they were interested in food — Lou, in particular — but more the chemistry behind it. Think Maillard reactions rather than mochas. As their burgeoning relationship grew, Lou opened Josh's eyes to gastronomy, and within a year, Josh's untested palate had tackled frogs' legs, snails, and black fungus. As their relationship — with food and each other — developed, their love for science dwindled. They toyed with the idea of opening a macaron stall but instead found a suitable space in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane, to open a cafe. Inspired by their pug Bowie, the newly married couple took a risk, and Little Black Pug was born. Today, Little Black Pug is a community favourite and won the Toby's Estate Local Legends Award for Queensland in 2023. It's expanded from a tiny cafe with a shoebox kitchen to an eatery with three separate dining areas, an event space next door and a food prep area. The latter is, apparently, "coffin-sized," which is presumably an improvement. Lou and Josh's family has grown, too, with a second pug, Mate, having joined the clan recently. Bowie and Mate are, unsurprisingly, the cafe's mascots and arguably their main draw, with LBP's social media accounts announcing the dogs' cafe visits ahead of time to satisfy their adoring public. This attention to detail and careful curation of a community vibe means relationships with customers bloom. Josh and Lou talk of these experiences: "You meet people and watch them get married; you see tiny babies become toddlers that one day are bouncing to Party Rock Anthem in the safe space that is your cafe. You even begin questioning the sanity of your regular customers that come almost every weekend and have eaten everything on the menu more than five times but still come back because they love the food so freaking much." Like practically everyone in the hospitality industry, the pandemic hit hard, and Josh and Lou had to get creative to survive. A new takeaway menu was devised, featuring gluten-free doughnuts, gluten-free hot cross buns, sausage rolls, lasagna, and mac and cheese waffles. These days, Little Black Pug is abuzz again, and that ingenuity, plus the support of loyal patrons, has made it the place it is today. And there is something for everyone. As the duo put it, the menu is suitable "whether you're a dog or a human, a carnivore or a vegan, a celiac or a gluten-fiend." From using food and coffee as a shared interest, a way of procrastinating instead of studying and an excuse to spend more time together to the cornerstones of their livelihood and the bedrock for an inclusive community space, it's been quite the journey for Lou and Josh. We spoke to Louise about what makes them tick and asked for recommendations on other local legends in the area. What's your coffee order? I keep it pretty simple: small flat white with an extra shot. Do you have a secret trick for making the perfect cup? I think the secret to a good, consistent coffee is straightforward. Good beans, a clean machine and the right person making the coffee. From your food menu, what's the perfect pairing with a morning coffee? From our current menu, I reckon the Donut Think Twice. A house-made cinnamon doughnut waffle that would go perfectly with a morning coffee. What made you choose to open in the area you're in today? It's hard when opening a cafe. You need to look at many different factors. We wanted a place that wasn't too big, had good visibility, had dog-friendly seating and was in an area with growth. It just so happened there was a cafe for sale in Mount Gravatt that met many of those requirements, and we jumped at the chance. Where's your favourite local spot to grab a feed? Not necessarily a feed, but if it's a coffee we're after, we'll always drop by to see Simon and the gang at Supernumerary Coffee in Salisbury. Where's your favourite local spot to grab a drink after work? We're not big drinkers to be honest, but if it's in the evening, we like to drop by Sonder Dessert for a sneaky hojicha latte and matcha parfait. What's the most underrated spot for dinner in your area? I wouldn't say it's underrated, but we can't go past Market Square in Sunnybank. Where do you like to go to escape in nature nearby? We love taking the pugs for a hike up Mount Coot-tha. Amazing views of Brisbane. Little Black Pug is the Toby's Estate Local Legends winner for QLD in 2023. For more information on it or other cafes that serve Toby's Estate, visit the website.
For nearly three decades, horror movie lovers have fallen into two categories: those who've dared to say the word 'candyman' five times while staring into a mirror, and those who haven't. That's the kind of impact this spooky supernatural franchise has had over the years, with the film about a fictional urban legend almost becoming an urban legend itself. To the joy of slumber party-throwing teens everywhere, the 1992 original sparked follow-ups in 1995 and 1999 — and, thanks to a new 22-years-later third sequel, that's no longer the end of the story. Given that everything old just keeps coming back again, and that 90s nostalgia is the gift that keeps on giving, another Candyman flick was always going to happen eventually. This one was supposed to release last year, in fact, but then the pandemic scared us all instead. If you're still a little wary — despite its cult status, the initial movie is hardly a masterpiece, and Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead won the series absolutely zero new fans — Candyman circa 2021 has a few tricks up its sleeves. Firstly, it's directed by Nia DaCosta, whose Tessa Thompson-starring 2018 film Little Woods deserved more attention. Secondly, it's produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, who adds another frightfest to his resume alongside Get Out and Us. And last but by no means least, it features the OG Candyman, Tony Todd, among its cast. As the first trailer back in 2020 initially explained — and now the just-dropped latest trailer expands upon — the new flick focuses on an artist called Anthony McCoy (Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). He decides to start exploring the Candyman legend through his art, a decision that obviously isn't going to turn out well. His girlfriend Brianna (If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris), who also runs a gallery, thinks the story is just that. But as Anthony starts investigating the tale, the bee-covered figure starts wreaking havoc again. We all already know why, because that's what happens when folks say his name while looking at their own reflection, but the new sneak peek does offer some more background to the on-screen legend. For Candyman aficionados, Anthony's own name should ring a bell — he's the son of one of the first film's main characters, which might explain just why he's so obsessed with the eponymous ghoul. That said, while he might think he knows what he's getting himself into, Candyman still knows how to unsettle and unnerve. Check out the latest trailer below: Candyman will now open in Australian cinemas on August 26, 2021.
There is nothing like drenching yourself in (fake) blood, stalking your friends (and people you have never met before) and yelling whilst confidently charging your gun-wielding prey. That is why Zedtown, the University of Sydney Verge Arts Festival's version of a live-action game commonly known as Humans vs. Zombies, has grown from 80 players to 300 in just a single year. It is more than just a game; Zedtown is an arena for performance, a realm where fans can enact their favourite zombie fantasies. Under Zedtown's rules, humans must survive a zombie epidemic using only Nerf guns and balled-up socks as weapons. If tagged by a zombie, they must hunt their former kind either until all are undead or a human somehow survives. At the game on Saturday, October 12, 2013, almost 300 human survivors staked out quarantine in the hope of defeating three original zombies (OZs) and containing the virus. Like all epidemics though, this number snowballed despite the arsenal of balled-up socks and foamy ammunition fired by a group of adults holding toy guns. More precisely, a group of proud adult nerds holding toy guns. You see, whilst the game began with only a few hand-selected undead, the OZs did not have to reveal themselves immediately. Humans and zombies are generally differentiated by their respective orange and green headbands and regular zombies are not permitted weapons. However, at the beginning of play OZs are dressed and armed the same as survivors, waiting for their moment to tag survivors and infect them. Yours truly was zombified this very way, declaring that my friend was "too nice to betray us" before she infected my team and ran away. We were forced to yield our childlike artillery and begin hunting for brains. That was when the real fun began. "I think everybody has watched a zombie film at some point and wondered 'how would I do in that world?'", says event curator David Harmon. "Zedtown is a chance for people to live out all the tropes and cliches of zombie horror films. You form a ragtag group of survivors. You ration food and ammunition. You keep watch, you trust no-one. You build a movie story with you and your friends as the stars and you watch as the world goes to hell around you." Looking around the quarantined sandstone structures you can see these storyboards unfold. Survivors dressed in full army fatigues, cowboys sacrificing themselves to save their friends, an unstoppable zombie witch leaving terror in her wake and even a gun-wielding bride. People are performing, taking on characters, which is what the game is for. Renegades run rampant, heroes emerge and legends are born. "Zedtown is about storytelling", Harmon says. "It's about immersive multiplayer collaborative world building. We give players a very simple set of rules that govern how people can live, die and become zombies. After that it's up to them to take that framework and help us build a world out of it." The framework provided is incredibly immersive and significantly aids this construction. From survivor radio to ammo drops to missions to mad scientists, you cannot help but get lost in the world, survivor or zombie. You are pulled in — fear is genuine and you will find yourself peering around corners, back to the wall up to 28 days later. People love this game due to the oldest cliche in the book; it is not about winning, it is about taking part. Through participation, players create narratives they will discuss for years, narratives usually borrowed from films but this time lived. Thankfully we will not have to wait too long for the chance to do it all again. "We've just announced a game we'll be running at Secret Garden Festival 2014 — our first game outside of Sydney University," Harmon says. "That's in February ... and it's going to be a lot of fun." In the meantime, Harmon says that games are "all dependant on finding exactly the right location for zombie horror — so if you happen to own a deserted industrial park, run-down carnival or abandoned hospital please let us know!" Just remember rule number one: cardio. You need it. Words by Matthew Watson. Images by Lindsay Smith. Look out for the next game of Zedtown at the Secret Garden Festival in 2014.
Owning your first pair of R.M. Williams is like an Australian coming-of-age moment. The brand, first established in 1932 by Reginald Murray Williams, is a classic through and through. From a modest start in the Adelaide outback learning leatherworking from local bushmen, Williams built a following among the stockmen and women of the heartland, and eventually — over a highly prolific eight decades — gained global notoriety. 85 years later, fans are still wearing R.M.s — from farmers in the outback, to corporate businessmen, to the style set at fashion week. How has the iconic brand managed to stay relevant, and stand the test of time over eight decades? In partnership with R.M. Williams and in celebration of their 85th anniversary, we sat down with head designer Jeremy Hershan to discuss respecting your roots, honouring the craft and innovating from there. Oh, and never, ever forgoing quality. TIMELESS DESIGN NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE Jeremy Hershan earned his stripes in the fashion industry designing for high-end, heritage brands — he's worked with Kris Van Assche of Dior Homme, and set up on London's Savile Row at Gieves & Hawkes. Last year, the Melbourne-born designer landed the lead design role at R.M. Williams, bringing with him a respect for tradition, an appreciation for quality shoes and most importantly, contemporary insight — a necessity for keeping things fresh and captivating at a history-rich design house like R.M. Williams. A treasure trove of beautifully-crafted pieces, the R.M. Williams archive provides a huge source of inspiration. Reworking archival pieces to suit contemporary trends, Hershan explained how he looked to the archives to find relevant styles to reinterpret for the brand's future. Take the R.M. Williams signature Craftsman boot, for example. First created for the working men and women out in the Australian bush, the boots' design has barely changed during the brand's 85 years. Rather than reinvent the boots every season, modern touches and the use of alternative materials and treatments keep the iconic style fresh and contemporary. For the latest collection, R.M. Williams' master craftspeople worked and reworked the leather of the boots over several days, hand-staining with different creams to create a rich, burnished patina. This sort of attention to detail, and the quality of each and every pair has been key to the brand's 85-year survival. Every shoe is made with one single piece of leather and one integral seam, personally created by craftspeople at the brand's Adelaide workshop. KEEPING THINGS FRESH THROUGH INNOVATION Over the years, the Craftsman boot has evolved to incorporate new materials, cuts and fabrications. There are now Classic, Comfort, Signature and Natural styles — each with a different finish, sole style and fit. Originally available only in classic dark brown, the boots are now available in a range of colours including dark tan, chestnut and black, as well as leathers, like French veal calf, crocodile and even kangaroo (if you're feeling patriotic) among many other options. If you are more partial to lighter styles, there's also the women's Adelaide — a slimmer shoe to the Craftsman — and the pointed-toe Millicent, which gained popularity with the fashion crowd after Australian designer Dion Lee collaborated with the brand and dressed his models in custom boots for his runway at fashion week in New York and Sydney in 2014. By responding to trends through colour and material, the brand has managed to evolve, stay relevant and keep their boots fashionable. Small tweaks have made huge differences, and collaborations with high-end designers have opened the brand up to new customers, all while allowing them to keep their loyal customer base. They've even gone as far as expanding their reach into your home. You can now customise your very own bespoke pair of boots — literally creating those perfect, slightly out-of-reach shoes you've been searching for your whole life. THE ANTIDOTE TO DISPOSABLE FASHION With shops overrun by fast, disposable fashion, it's all too easy to buy designer imitations that only last a few months. Hershan urges the need to return to quality and reevaluate our view of fashion. Not mentioning the numerous social and environmental benefits that come from quitting fast fashion, if you invest in a quality pair of boots, they'll last you forever and only get better with time — you know when your boots start to scruff in exactly the right places, that's when they've truly become your boots. Follow Hershan's advice and spend your hard-earned money on a long-term investment, like the Craftsman, that remains stylish and cuts through the noise of ever-changing fast fashion. "It's about buying less, but buying better. A pair of boots is an investment that will last you a lifetime if you take care of them in the right way." Judging by the success of R.M. Williams over the past 85 years, they won't go out of fashion either. R.M. Williams Craftsman, Adelaide and Millicent boots are available online — head to the website to shop the latest collection or create your own bespoke pair. By Quinn Connors and Kelly Pigram.
It's the huge showcase that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is exhibited hundreds objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it finished its final run in Brooklyn early in 2018, it's now back in a new format. Available since Tuesday, January 8 — aka what would've been the music icon's 72nd birthday — David Bowie is now exists as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone. As first announced back in July 2018, fans can tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality (AR) experience, which features a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting artifacts from Bowie's life. Basically, it's like heading along without the crowds, and with Gary Oldman narrating your journey through the exhibition. Specifically, there's 56 costumes, 60 original lyrics sheets and design notes, 50 photos, 33 drawings and sketches, and seven paintings — plus 38 songs, and 23 music videos and live performances. The entire slate features more than 400 high-resolution captures, including 60 new objects that weren't included in the touring exhibition. [caption id="attachment_705202" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] David Bowie Is[/caption] Available on iOs and Android platforms, David Bowie is' AR version doesn't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And, there's more to come, with a virtual reality version still in the works. Here's hoping that Bowie obsessives will be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in one — yes, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange or experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "the augmented reality adaptation of David Bowie is enables you to explore the entire exhibition in the intimacy of your own environment, without glass barriers, vitrines or throngs of visitors," according to the exhibition website. It costs $12.99, with a portion of the profits to be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. David Bowie is now available on iOs and Android platforms. For further information, head to davidbowieisreal.com. Images: David Bowie Is.
Summer in most places means making the most of the great outdoors, with live tunes, street food and pop-up bars tempting everyone outside. Of course, that's the deal all year round in sunny, sultry, rarely cold Brisbane. So, on Saturday, July 15, Coorparoo Square is making the most of the River City and Sunshine State capital's glorious winter weather by ticking through that list: music, bites, brews and fresh air. From 3–8pm, the first Grooves on the Green will take place. Providing the tunes: Jess Irvine, The Colliflowers, Beth Foad Jazz Quartet and Mr Sax Australia. Food-wise, smoked pulled meat will come courtesy of Beyond the Pale — who'll also be on drinks duty — while wings and barbecue skewers will hail from Kubos Bar & Grill. Naturally, Burrito Bar will remain true to its name. Tickets to head along cost $10, and also help a good cause, with proceeds going to Coorparoo charity Stepping Stone Clubhouse.
If, when weekends roll around, you look for any excuse to don a nice outfit, sip fine wine and eat delicious food, listen up — Saké Restaurant & Bar Eagle Street Pier is now hosting a highly opulent Champagne lunch. To celebrate the 200th birthday of Veuve Clicquot's famous rosé Champagne, the restaurant is serving up a special two-hour food and drink package every Saturday and Sunday. As the story goes, Madame Clicquot invented the special blending technique behind the rosé Champagne after taking over the Clicquot business following the death of her husband. This prompted 'Veuve' — meaning 'widow' in French — to be added to the brand name. Unlike her predecessors in rosé-making, who simply coloured regular champagne with elderberries, Madame Clicquot allowed her fondness for red wine grapes to guide experimentation. She decided to blend red wine with still white wine, creating a newer, stronger rosé Champagne. Madame Clicquot is also credited with starting the riddling method, which ensures the champagne keeps its clear and crisp colour. In celebration of Madame Clicquot and her rosé Champagne, Saké Restaurant is treating you to a specially prepared lunch for $75 per person. The seven-plate feast includes Sydney rock oysters with spicy ponzu and onion salsa, sashimi tacos with kingfish and tuna, plus wagyu skewers served with yakiniku sauce and panko-crumbed Glacier 51 toothfish tempura. Add free-flowing Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label for an additional $99 per person, or, for those truly getting in the birthday spirit, upgrade to Veuve Clicquot Rosé for an additional $139 a head. For more info or to secure a table for the special champagne lunch, visit the Saké website.
If you've been to the Valley in the past few years, you've probably noticed a couple of particularly tall buildings shooting up on Alfred Street, around the northern end of Brunswick Street. You can't really miss them — they're part of the $600 million FV precinct. Two are already open — Valley House and Flatiron, which houses the new FV by Peppers hotel — but the next to join the fold is FV No. 1. When it opens in June, it will come complete with a rooftop bar, called Altitude, and an all-day eatery dubbed Foresters Restaurant and Bar. Adding another lofty drinking spot to Brissie's growing list of rooftop bars, Altitude will nestle into the sixth floor of the building, welcoming patrons into its 250-square-metre space from midday daily. As well as views, obviously, it'll sling cocktails, a hefty beverage list and a small range of bar snacks — and host DJs on the dance floor underneath its retractable roof. Downstairs at Foresters, chef Peter Popow will be whipping up breakfast, lunch and dinner, focusing on pub staples such as parmigiana, pizzas, burgers and steaks. Drinks will be a feature, obviously, and the eatery will also have a local focus, sourcing its ingredients from local farmers and producers. And for those wondering about name, it references the original name of the building, Foresters' Hall, which was build in 1889. Back then, the building housed a community meeting place, until it became Fortitude Valley's first cinema in 1910. The heritage façade remains part of the development. Signature Hospitality Group and developers of the FV precinct Gurner will oversee Foresters Restaurant and Bar, while Signature will go it alone on Altitude. When they open, they'll be part of FV's 1000-square-metre dining precinct. It means that Brisbanites sure won't be short of choice in the area — with Fortitude Valley's Brunswick Street, Bowen Hills' King Street and New Farm's James Street all located within a few blocks of the development. Altitude and Foresters Restaurant and Bar will open in mid-June inside FV No. 1, 147 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley. We'll keep you updated on an opening date.
It's been a long time coming and a pretty rough road, but we finally have an answer to the Australian marriage law postal survey. And that answer is a big fat yes, pushing the nation, at long last, closer than it's ever been to marriage equality. As announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in Canberra at 10am today, 61.6 percent percent of Aussie voters are on board with same-sex marriage being legalised — that's a tidy 7,817,247 people. A break-down of the votes for various electorates and the participation rates for different age groups has also been nutted out, and is live now, over at the ABS' survey results website. Of course, this 'yes' doesn't automatically ensure a smooth ride to marriage law reform. The issue will now be handed over to parliament, and while Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promised he'd "facilitate a private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage", if that's how the public voted, the bill still has to be passed. That said, if you were one of the majority hanging for a 'yes' result, it's time to cue the celebrations, and get along to one of the many post-results gatherings and parties happening across the country. In Melbourne, they're closing off part of Lygon Street in front of Trades Hall for a massive street party from 5.30pm, complete with food, booze and performances by the likes of Habits, Tanzer, MinnieTaur and The Ballarat Orchestra + LGBTIQ Choir. Sydney pub The Lansdowne will be letting its hair down with some loved-up celebrations featuring DJs from 2pm until late, plus shows by legendary tribute lip-syncing parody drag band The Magda Szubanskis. And in Brisbane, West End's Rumpus Room is teaming up with GetUp! and Equal Love for an evening of drinking, dancing and celebrating, from 6pm tonight. Image: Leticia Almeida.
When spring arrives, winter subsides and chilly weather gives way to warmer days, of course it's worth celebrating. When flowers start blooming — because that's what they do at that time of year — it's an occasion worth marking, too. Commemorating the season and its blossoms is what Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is all about, and has been for seven-and-a-half decades. Reaching 75 years of frolicking among the petals warrants a heartier party than normal, however, so get ready for plenty of reasons to take a trip west of Brisbane this September and October. In January, the festival announced that its 2024 event would undergo a few minor changes. Instead of spanning an entire month, as it has in recent years, it'll start on Friday, September 13, then end on Monday, October 7 (which is a Queensland public holiday). But beyond that minor tweak, the scene is set for floral shenanigans galore in the Darling Downs city — as the full program for this year's Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers makes plain. As always, flowers as far as the eye can see is the big highlight. The event will also attempt to break its attendance record — again. That occurred in 2022, with 364,775 people making a visit, and then when 417,517 folks went along in 2023. If you're only interested in gardens, gardens and more gardens, you have options. Thousands of blooms always feature at the fest, including 190,000 in 2023. This year, Laurel Bank Park and the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park will boast displays, as always, while you can also scope out the University of Southern Queensland's Japanese garden, an ikebana display at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, the local orchid society's spring show, a bonsai exhibition, and everything from geraniums to succulents. Plant sales are also on the lineup, should you want to take some new green friends home with you. Heading to Laurel Bank Park as the sun sets means enjoying a twilight tour. If you're keen to get a unique vantage over the blossoms, the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park is home to the festival's ferris wheel. The latter will feature an entertainment precinct as well, plus a three-day sideshow alley and outdoor movies amid the flowers. From there, the program has been curated around celebrating. The theme: it's a party. That comes through in a variety of ways, whether attendees are taking in a performance by Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the stars, wandering around a floral Lego exhibition, seeing a showcase celebrating the fest's 75th anniversary, moseying along on an art trail or enjoying a jazz session. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers's food and wine festival is back, too — and so are food trucks, farmers markets and the regional food trail that sees local eateries whip up spring-inspired dishes that'll only set you back between $10–20. Plus, for more excuses to hit up the city's hospitality venues, joints that usually only do breakfast, brunch and lunch are opening on select evenings to serve up dinner. As proves the case every year, there's no bad time to head along throughout from mid-September to mid-October — and you might want to make the trek more than once. Indeed, when it comes to scenic spring sights, there's no prettier place to be. And, given it takes less than two hours to head up the mountain from Brisbane, it's perfect for a weekend day trip.
The Gold Coast isn't known for its subtlety. Forget things like schoolies, bikini-wearing metre maids and theme parks — when you're a city that boasts a coastline that big, you're going to flaunt it. And why not? Perhaps that's the thinking behind the new beach club slated for The Spit. Seems playing host to Australia's first six-star hotel wasn't enough attention for the Gold Coast. Open to the public, measuring 6000 square metres in size and catering for up to 3000 people, the beach club features pretty much everything you're imagining a huge new hangout space by the water should: a rooftop lounge, nightclub, restaurants, cafes, VIP cabanas, gardens and lawns for a dash of greenery, and an outdoor pool and beach area, of course, and hosting DJs and live performances is part of the plan. The beach club will form part of a proposed new development, which has been given the rather bland moniker of the Gold Coast Integrated Resort. The project aims to give the Goldie "a new global waterfront destination and world-class coastal icon" — complete with five buildings ranging from 20 to 45 storeys in height, multiple hotels, a casino, eateries, shops, apartments and a waterfront piazza with walkways, gardens, parks, amphitheatres and an outdoor cinema, all taking over the space between Sea World and the Gold Coast Fisherman's Co-operative. Don't go making travel plans just yet, though, with construction not expected to start until after the 2018 Commonwealth Games. And don't expect such a big change to such a well-trodden area to happen quietly. With the Gold Coast Broadwater — or large shallow estuary — quite a natural feature, plenty of other proposals have been mooted for The Spit and have been met with considerable outcries. For more information, visit the Gold Coast Integrated Resort website. Via Brisbane Development / Gold Coast Bulletin. Images: Gold Coast Integrated Resort.
If you're curating an exhibition about big names and what gives them that status, here's one that ain't nuthing ta f' wit: Wu-Tang Clan and their Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album. Almost no one has heard the record, but everyone should've heard of it. Only one physical copy was ever created, with the physical masters then deleted. The CD was sold — twice now — under the strict stipulation from RZA and company that it cannot be commercially exploited for 88 years. That condition means that the 2015 release can't be made available to the public en masse in any form until 2103. But trust Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art to do what it can to give fans a Once Upon a Time in Shaolin experience. During its gap year from Dark Mofo, Mona will get its hands on the album for ten days, put it on display for visitors to peer at and hold a select number of listening parties — eight in total, two daily across two four-day weekends — that feature a 30-minute mix from the record. Not only do albums not get much rarer than the hip hop collective's seventh studio record, but chances to get a glimpse of it and hear some of it don't, either. When it hits Namedropping, the site's exhibition about status, perception and trying to look good for others, Mona will become the first museum to receive Once Upon a Time in Shaolin on loan since the album was first sold. While the overall showcase, which spans 200-plus artistic works, will fill Mona for the better part of a year — from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — Wu-Tang Clan's record will only feature from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. To see the two-CD release, you'll need to make a date with the exhibition. To hear that curated half-hour selection, you'll need one of the limited free tickets to listening event Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan, where the mix will play in Mona's Frying Pan recording studio off of a personalised Wu-Tang PlayStation 1. "Every once in a while, an object on this planet possesses mystical properties that transcend its material circumstances. Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is more than just an album, so when I was thinking about status, and what a transcendent namedrop could be, I knew I had to get it into this exhibition," explains Mona Director of Curatorial Affairs Jarrod Rawlins. "Ten years ago, the Wu-Tang Clan had a bold vision to make a single copy album as a work of fine art. To 'put it in an art gallery…make music become a living piece like a Mona Lisa or a sceptre from Egypt'," added digital art collective Pleasr, which now owns the record. "With this single work of art, the Wu-Tang Clan's intention was to redefine the meaning of music ownership and value in a world of digital streaming and commodification of music. Pleasr is honoured to partner with Mona to support RZA's vision for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin". Amid an exhibition that's set to drop names such as Ai Weiwei, Vincent Namatjira, Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Marie Antoinette, J Robert Oppenheimer, Pablo Picasso, Sigmund Freud, Charles Dickens, Andy Warhol and Hello Kitty — and also Victor Hugo, Greg Chappell, Heath Ledger, Jimi Hendrix, Alan Turing, Ned Kelly, Thomas Edison, John Lennon, William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Chopper Read, Alexander the Great, Queen Elizabeth II, Romance Was Born and Vincent van Gogh, among a heap more — another big Namedropping drawcard is the original handwritten lyrics for David Bowie's 'Starman', which Mona owner David Walsh purchased in 2022. 'I like David Bowie. If you like Bowie, it's a pretty good bet you'll like Mona. That's why we namedrop," said Walsh. "So why might this rendition of only the lyrics (after all, it's the performance that made it famous) be worth the £40,000 that the auction house estimated? Well, it makes the point about Namedropping, so it has come in handy for this exhibition." [caption id="attachment_950179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artists and Mona, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Once Upon a Time in Shaolin will be on display at Namedropping at Mona, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan will run twice daily Friday–Monday across the same dates — and free tickets for the listening parties are available from 10am AEDT on Thursday, May 30. Namedropping displays at Mona from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the Mona website for more details. Images: courtesy of the artist, Pleasr and the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).
Cake sadly can't fix all the world's troubles, but it can provide a mighty fine temporary dose of sweetness. And if you like your baked treats by the jarful whenever the craving strikes — including when you're out and about — then The Mason Baker has just the thing for you throughout February. The Brisbane-based company is known for its mason jars filled with cakes, including salted caramel, strawberries and cream, blueberry and lemons, chocolate ganache and sticky date pudding varieties. From Friday, February 5, though, it isn't just selling them and delivering them to your door — it's vending them out of a pink-hued ATM that'll be stationed at 6 Warner Street in Fortitude Valley. You already know how vending machines work, of course, so you know how to get your hands on however many jarcakes your tastebuds demand. You'll just have to head by on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, in February — and after 5pm — because that's when the ATM will be up and running throughout the month. Yes, that means that you can grab an after-work cake snack, some dessert post-dinner or something sweet while you're bar-hopping late at night. And, while the Valley ATM will only be around for a month, The Mason Baker is hoping to pop up at other locations throughout the rest of the year. When the company last brought its wares to Brissie's streets back in October last year, it did so via emergency boxes that folks had to spot around town, then break open — with the cakes inside available for free. This time, however, you will need to pay for your goodies. You'll still be tucking into a heap of cake in a jar, though, and making your inner dessert fiend rather happy. Find The Mason Baker's cupcake ATM at 6 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley, from Friday, February 5 — operating from 5pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday in February.
If you've caught more than one or two shows at Brisbane Powerhouse in your time, as every Brisbanite has, then you've likely watched a thing or two at the Brisbane Comedy Festival. But The Kaye Hole by cabaret star Reuben Kaye isn't any old performance — it's a blend of circus, comedy, burlesque and drag (and cabaret, of course), and it's a big highlight on 2023's BCF lineup. This is also firmly an adults-only affair, watching a performer who's nabbed the Best Cabaret Awards at Fringe World Perth and Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021, and also earned a nomination for the most outstanding show at 2021's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Kaye will unleash his cabaret variety act with a little help from his friends, and backed by a live band. You can check out their delights from 10pm on Friday, May 26–Saturday, May 27. Images: Joel Devereaux.
Head into any Woolworths store from today — Tuesday, February 19 — and you'll find its $1 a litre milk is a thing of the past. In an effort to do right by Australia's struggling dairy industry, the supermarket giant is boosting the price of its home-branded two- and three-litre fresh milk varieties by ten cents a litre, with the difference eventually heading back into our farmers' pockets. Two-litre milk products will now be priced at $2.20, with the three-litre version upped to $3.30, at Woolworths stores nationwide. Since 2000, Australian dairy farmers have operated in a deregulated industry. This means that they are able to export their products much more easily as they can compete with international milk prices, but it also means they are often at the mercy of the international market price, which is, on average, quite low at around 42 US cents per litre. This, along with cheap domestic milk prices and high feed prices because of the drought, might explain why farmers are doing it tough of late. The cheaper the milk on your supermarket shelf, generally, the worse off the farms that made it. So, while this latest Woolworths price change might sound minor, it has scope to be a significant win in the fight against discount dairy — especially as the supermarket has promised to pay the extra ten cents it's collecting per litre back to the suppliers. https://twitter.com/Dairy_Australia/status/1097305276556800001 "Removing $1 milk is not just intended to restore farmers' financial confidence, but it will also boost confidence in regional communities and small businesses that rely on the industry," Australian Dairy Farmers CEO David Inall said in a statement yesterday. While Woolworths, as well as Coles, don't have a great reputation for supporting Aussie farmers, they're making steps (albeit small) to change this. Both supermarket giants introduced Drought Relief Milk in late 2018, with ten cents from each litre sold going to drought-affected dairy farmers. There's no word yet on whether Coles and Aldi will also increase the price of their home-branded $1-a-litre milks, but we'll let you know if they do.
Winter is coming, as Game of Thrones has been telling us for years — but the show's final season is coming first. Before the weather turns cold again in the southern hemisphere, fans of the epic HBO series will be able to discover how the popular series wraps up, so mark your calendars accordingly. After leaving everyone hanging for the entirety of 2018, HBO announced in January that Game of Thrones' eighth and final season will hit the small screen on April 14, 2019, US time — so Monday, April 15 in Australia — nearly two years after season seven premiered in July 2017. And, today — just over a month out from the release date — they finally blessed us with a trailer. There's a lot crammed into the two short minutes, starting with Arya Stark running through the hallways of Winterfell and talking of ticking more names off her list, saying, "I know death. He's got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one". You'll also see the Targaryens on horseback leading the Unsullied, Jon Snow most likely about to fly a dragon, Tyrion Lannister hanging out somewhere not in the north and Cersei happily drinking wine (probably still naively refusing to believe that winter is, in fact, coming) and, ultimately, everyone preparing for one huge war with the White Walkers. But, that's just the start, we'll let you watch it for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlR4PJn8b8I You can also check out the other season eight teasers here and here. If you're eager to get your fix of the series' staples — that is, battles, bloodshed, betrayal, bare chests, family bickering, Jon Snow knowing nothing (including about his long-lost aunt) and plenty of dragons — then you can keep ticking the days off your calendar — there are now 40 to go. Of course, we all know that this isn't really the end of the world created by author George RR Martin — and no, we're not talking about the now seven-year wait for his next book in the literary franchise, The Winds of Winter. A prequel TV series to Game of Thrones is in the works, set thousands of years before the events we've all be watching since 2011, with Naomi Watts set to star. Come next year, you'll also be able to tour original GoT filming locations in Northern Ireland. The first episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 will air on HBO on Monday, April 15, AEDT.
In food news that's not so #cleaneating #fitspo today, deep fried alcohol is a thing now. At first glance it looks like an unassuming fried doughnut, but rather than being filled with jam or custard, this brand new monstrosity has a gooey centre of potentially poor life decisions. Sure, Texas invented deep fried beer, but this is next level regret. Creators Corinne and John Clarkson, chip shop owners from Lancashire, UK, were influenced by a good ol' traditional sherry trifle when creating this beastly bar snack. The pair soaked sponge cake in Baileys, Sidekick strawberries and cream liqueur (the UK's liqueur equivalent of Passion Pop trashiness) or apple schnapps, then lowered those monsters into the deep fryer. Just look at these things: So, the biggest question, can you really get drunk from them? The answer is yes. Drunk, and fat. The levels are high enough on both counts. But despite the obvious health risks involved with making this product readily available, the deep fried alcohol has already started to establish a fan base. The couple have already tested out the alco-balls at a local event and sold them for £3 a pop. They sold out within hours. Now, the Clarksons want to sell the battered booze cakes from their fine establishment (although their humble chip shop might probably need an alcohol licence). Look, we’re not here to judge. If the opportunity ever arises and curiosity gets the better of you, by all means give those little problematic parcels a try — and tell us all about it. Just remember to, you know, consume responsibly. Via Business Standard and My Daily.
When any city becomes home to a brand-new art gallery, it's big news. Thanks to the NGV Contemporary, that's about to be the case in Melbourne. First announced back in 2018, and unveiling how it'll look just last month, the new 30,000-square-metre site at Southbank is set to be huge — adding a new landmark to the Victorian capital, complete with over 13,000 square metres of display space, plus a rooftop terrace and sculpture garden. Also hefty: the cash donation the in-the-works gallery has just received, as gifted by trucking magnates Lindsay and Paula Fox. Building up almost 20 years of supporting the National Gallery of Victoria, the pair has pledged $100 million to the NGV Contemporary. Yes, that's an enormous sum — the largest cash donation ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor, in fact. As a result, the gallery now has a new name: The Fox: NGV Contemporary. When it opens its doors at 77 Southbank Boulevard in the coming years — with an exact launch date yet to be announced — that's what you'll see gracing the walls. Well, that and a whole heap of eye-catching modern art, of course. "We are truly astonished by this extraordinary act of giving from the Fox family and we are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity and support of Lindsay and Paula Fox. The Fox family should be commended on their leadership in this sector and for the real, tangible impact that their giving has, and will continue to have, on the lives of so many," said NGV director Tony Ellwood, announcing the news. "This awe-inspiring donation will ensure that Victoria remains a centre of artistic excellence for many generations to come and that The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be a source of community pride for all Victorians, as well as a meaningful cultural legacy for the Fox family," he continued. The Fox family's donation comes after the Ian Potter Foundation also committed $20 million to the NGV Contemporary — and it is hoped that both gifts will encourage more philanthropic support. "Philanthropy can transform cities and NGV Contemporary will be a true game-changer — one of the largest galleries dedicated to contemporary art and design in the world and a global architectural icon," said Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson. That money will go towards giving Melbourne a new must-visit gallery filled with the best and brightest in creative works, and a space that doubles as quite the spectacular site itself. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team led by Australian architect Angelo Candalepas and Associates, the NGV Contemporary will feature stunning arched entryways, as well as a spherical hall that reaches more than 40 metres in height. That arresting-looking hall, dubbed 'omphalos' (the Ancient Greek word for the centre of the earth), will spiral upwards through all levels on the building, too. So, visitors will then be able to walk around it to scope out art — like New York's Guggenheim Museum — and get up to the rooftop. Outside on that sky-high terrace, in addition to perusing the sculpture garden, patrons will be scoping out vistas over the CBD, parklands and the Yarra Ranges — views never seen by the general public before. Also among the highlights: a large cafe that'll connect to an expanded public parkland, a multi-level veranda on the building's eastern side, a new NGV design store, a restaurant and member's lounge, and educational spaces, studios and laboratories focused on conserving artwork. And, of course, there'll be large and flexible exhibition spaces that'll allow the NGV to host international blockbuster exhibitions — although with Chanel and Picasso showcases at NGV International in 2022, it hasn't been doing too badly in that department. Also, the new gallery spaces will also enable the NGV to present programs drawing upon its permanent collection of Australian and international contemporary art and design as well. The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne. For more information, head to the NGV website. Images: Renders of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, by Darcstudio and Secchi Smith.
If you say a word often enough, it loses its meaning; however, there's at least one combination of letters that's immune. Admit it, we've all uttered, screamed and squealed the word chocolate too many times to count, and we'll all keep doing so. Eating it is addictive, talking about it is addictive ... and now making it can be as well. There's a reason Work-Shop's choc-focused class references a rather vocal kind of reaction to everyone's favourite sweet treat, after all. Well, there's a few. No one can stop chattering about chocolate, or exclaiming with enjoyment when they devour it. This session will probably just make all of the above happen more often, while also teaching you to whip up your own concoctions at home. Oh, and your hand-made morsels will also be good for you. If you weren't babbling with excitement already, you should be. Essentially Me's Joey Gordon will step you through all things cacao, and add a dash of essential oils in the process. Yep, you'll discover the wonders of both, and mix them together to make essential oil-infused raw organic chocolate, all just in time for Easter.
Do you find yourself wondering what this existence is all about? How we came to be? What it means to live a short life in an expansive universe? Well, wonder no more, you curious beings. Professor Brian Cox is bringing his dazzlingly brilliant mind and science expertise Down Under with Horizons: A Space Odyssey, the live stage show that explores those very questions. ICYMI, Cox is a world-record holding (highest ticket sales for a science show) physicist, TV host and best-selling author. And this spring, the talent is fusing his planetary passions with showstopping production values for an entertaining, educational and thought-provoking journey through the cosmos. On Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, Cox will hit the stage at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Staggering visuals travelling through faraway galaxies, supermassive black holes and alien worlds will backdrop an inquisitive celebration of human life, philosophy and art. Expect deep questions, expert knowledge and Cox's optimistic eye examining the existentialism in all of us. To nab your tickets to the intergalactic stage show in Brisbane, head to the website.
A coffee cup you're actually encouraged to throw on the ground? Tossers, this is your moment. After acknowledging people are jerks and will continue to litter to their hearts content, Californian environmental organisation Reduce. Reuse. Grow. has created a biodegradable coffee cup, embedded with seeds from local native plants. So if you're one of those straight-up idiots who likes to chuck their cup, you won't be adding to the already existing waste in the natural environment. It's a brand new project sitting on Kickstarter, with Reduce. Reuse. Grow. attempting to raise a mere US$10,000 to fund the seed cups. So how does it work? Specific to the Californian landscape, the cups decompose within 180 days, letting the seeds of local redwood trees and poppy flowers find their way to the soil. So you're left with new seedlings and no remnants of a latte in sight. Although the concept is a purely American one — a little drawing of a state lets you know where the seeds are native to — here's hoping there's enough interest for an international range, or an Australian company picks it up. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have created the cups in an a attempt to take recyclable cups even further. "In America we discard over 146 billion cups from coffee consumption annually," say the team on their Kickstarter page. "Even when we think we are recycling and doing a good deed, the paper itself within these products can only be reused two to three times before the fibres are unusable and discarded into local landfills without consumer's knowing. It is time to consume smarter." Importantly, not everyone is going bush just to throw a litter party. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have already thought of this. The team have suggested cafes creating a designated bin for the seed cups, one the crew themselves would pick up and dump in spots in dire need of new vegetation. Or you can just plant the cup yourself, after soaking it in water for five minutes. Apparently the seeds from one cup could extract over one tonne of CO2, so we're hoping native Australian seeds are next for the plantable cups. Check out the Reduce. Reuse. Grow. Kickstarter page over here. Via Fast Company.
If you can't remember the last time you used a payphone, kudos to you. It means you haven't lost your phone, keys and wallet and had to call your mum with 50 cents you wrangled from some guy on the street. There aren't too many around these days, with Telstra either taking them down or (supposedly) converting them into Wi-Fi hotspots. But in Berlin, they've got a better idea — they're turning disused telephone booths into tiny rave caves. It's called Teledisko, and it's probably the smallest party you'll find in Berlin. At one square metre, the booth can only fit two or three people at one time.It's coin operated, but once you've paid your 'entrance fee', you'll be able to select your tunes from the touchscreen in the booth. You may find it a bit hard to throw shapes, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with special effects, including a smoke machine, strobe lights and a disco ball. There's even a photobooth inside that will print your photos or email you a video of your debauchery the next day. At the moment there are only three Telediskos — a pink one at Kater Blau nightclub, a gold one at RAW Flohmarkt (both in the Friedrichshain district) and a silver edition available for hire. However, high demand (and long lines) looks set to see more come into being. Image: Teledisko
Gathering all your friends and family for a delicious feed on your birthday is a party that everyone can get around. But let's face it, finding a place that suits everyone's tastebuds is tough enough, let alone locking down a gem that also caters to all their various dietary restrictions. To make sure the stress doesn't take over and lead to you pulling a denial-heavy 'I don't even enjoy celebrating my birthday' night on the couch, we've scoured the streets of Brisbane for the best menus that have plenty of options for your meat-free mates. Some of these restaurants are old favourites and some are new faces, but what they have in common is that they're all known for their top-notch food and drink offerings. The best part? They all accept BYO, too — raise a glass to that (and you getting another year older).
