Film lovers, you'll be off to see the witches, the powerful witches of Oz, when Wicked soars from the page and the stage to the screen in 2024. The famous and beloved theatre musical adapts a book that takes inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, and has been a show-going favourite for more than two decades thanks to composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman. Now, it's heading to cinemas as a two-part movie. The first instalment, aka Wicked: Part One, arrives in November with Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba — and with director Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) behind the lens. Grande dons pink and Erivo sports the requisite green in the debut trailer for the movie, which arrived amid the annual Super Bowl sneak-peek frenzy (see also: Deadpool & Wolverine). Haven't caught the stage show on its current Australian run, including in Sydney since 2023 and in Melbourne from March 2024? Defy gravity in your local picture palace before the year is out instead. In the first trailer for the film, Glinda tells Elphaba "don't be afraid". "I'm not afraid," is the fellow witch's response. "It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me." Wicked follows the Land of Oz's witches, with telling their untold tale the musical's whole angle. On the stage, the show has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Joining Grande and Erivo in bringing Wicked to the cinemas is quite the who's who-style cast. Michelle Yeoh (A Haunting in Venice), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Ethan Slater (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) also feature. And who else could play the Wizard of Oz but Jeff Goldblum (Asteroid City)? As for when Wicked: Part Two will also get flickering, it's due in November 2025. Check out the first trailer for Wicked: Part One below: Wicked: Part One releases in cinemas Down Under on November 28, 2024.
Mean Girls is returning to the big screen — this time with songs and dancing joining the high school-set story about cliques, popularity and the general chaos of being a teenager. In the works since 2020, the new Mean Girls film doesn't just remake the OG 2004 movie two decades later, but adapts the stage musical based on that movie. So, yes, this tale about the Plastics, a burn book and new student Cady Heron went from being a flick to treading the boards, and is now charting the opposite course. When it leapt from the screen to the stage in 2018, Mean Girls not only found a second life in the theatre, but did so with tunes and fancy footwork. Unsurprisingly, the production was a hit. With the musical's book written by Tina Fey (Mr Mayor), just like the original feature — and its songs composed by her husband Jeff Richmond (Girls5eva), with lyrics by Tony-nominee Nell Benjamin (The Sea Beast) — this favourite struck just as much of a chord with audiences when set to music. Now, expect that experience in cinemas. Given that the all-singing, all-dancing show's tracks have highly appropriate names such as 'Meet the Plastics', 'World Burn' and 'Someone Gets Hurt', winning over audiences was to be expected. Also easy to predict: the musical's jump back to movies from Broadway, with the end result arriving Down Under on Thursday, January 11, and just dropping its first trailer. The film is releasing on a Thursday, but you'll still want to wear pink. And, as with the Lindsay Lohan (Falling for Christmas) and Rachel McAdams (Dave)-starring film from 20 years ago, as well as the stage musical that followed, audiences will be basking in Fey's talents. Again, she wrote the initial feature's screenplay, and now does the same on this second effort. She also produces with Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels. In the directors' chairs: Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez (Quarter Life Poetry: Poems for the Young, Broke & Hangry). As seen in the debut sneak peek — which is light on songs, admittedly — the story remains the same, obviously. So, the film still charts Cady's rough adjustment to American high-school life after spending the bulk of her childhood living in Africa, plus her time spent with the resident popular group, aka the Plastics. Australian actor Angourie Rice (Spider-Man: No Way Home) plays Cady this time around, while The Sex Lives of College Girls' Reneé Rapp reprises her role as Regina George from the stage version. Also featuring: Bebe Wood (Love, Victor) as Gretchen and Avantika (also The Sex Lives of College Girls) as Karen, plus Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty) as Aaron Samuels, Auli'i Cravalho (The Power) as Janis and screen debutant Jaquel Spivey as Damian — as well as Jon Hamm (Good Omens), Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together), Busy Philipps (Girls5eva), Ashley Park (Only Murders in the Building), Tim Meadows (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) and Fey herself among the adults. Check out the so fetch trailer for Mean Girls below: Mean Girls releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, January 11. Images: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.
When you lick a scoop of gelato, do you take a moment to let the flavour settle onto your tastebuds? Do you stop to contemplate the creaminess, try to pick out all of the different ingredients and, in the process, ponder how it feels on your tongue? Perhaps you spend too long thinking not only about how your dessert tastes, but how it smells. Or, maybe you're obsessed with how it looks, because a good ice cream is a truly glorious sight. If we've just described your usual thought processes every time you step inside a gelato joint, then you might want to throw your name in the ring for this Gelatissimo gig. As the dessert chain first did back in 2019, it has put out a call for a dream job — but only for a single four-hour shift. For one morning — from 9am–1pm on the morning of Tuesday, May 10, to be exact — the dessert chain will pay one ice cream-loving person $500 to taste-test its newest gelato flavours. That's it, that's the gig. Go on, try to find a more delicious way to spend four hours. Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has been responsible for frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato and even a gelato for dogs, so you won't be licking your way through plain ol' vanilla or the usual mint choc-chip combination (not that there's anything wrong with those two stone-cold classics). Other special varieties that it has come up with in the past include Weet-Bix, fairy bread, hot cross bun, cinnamon scroll and chocolate fudge, Biscoff, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey's Kisses, gingerbread cookie dough, Caramilk and bubble tea. Yes, you should be getting a sugar rush just thinking about it. Just what flavours the lucky taste-tester will be munching on hasn't yet been revealed, but whoever gets the gig will play a crucial part in evaluating them. As well as being mouth-wateringly appetising, this is serious business, requiring the utmost focus on the task at hand. That means first assessing the gelato's appearance, then enjoying a couple of scoops to get a feel for the flavour and texture. Then, after cleansing your palate with water, you'll do it all over again (and then again). If you're keen, as most people with tastebuds will be, just head to the Gelatissimo website to explain why you're the ideal candidate for the job. While the competition is open nationally, the winner will be required to get themselves to Gelatissimo's Sydney office in Rydalmere on Tuesday, May 10. If that still suits you, you have until midnight AEST on Friday, April 22 to enter. And, if you need any extra incentive, you'll also get to fill your freezer with gelato for your troubles. For more information, or to apply for the Gelatissimo gelato-tasting gig, visit the dessert chain's website.
There’s nothing the Oscars love more than an inspiring true story. Every year in the lead-up to Hollywood’s most self-congratulatory night, our theatres with filled with biographical dramas: handsome, well-acted and totally inoffensive. This year’s crop includes The Imitation Game, American Sniper and The Theory of Everything, all of which attempt to rouse us with their stories of courage in the face of adversity. And yes, sure, their protagonists are all white guys. But hey, at least Alan Turing was gay. Also on the list of this year’s would-be contenders is Unbroken, the sophomore directorial effort from one Angelina Jolie. The film is a wartime biopic (of course) about Olympic marathon runner and WWII bombardier Louie Zamperini, whose B-24 aircraft crashed down in the North Pacific and who spent the last two years of the conflict as a prisoner of war in Japan. The film is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption. With a title like that, it’s hardly surprising that the story leans towards hero worship. As depicted by Jolie and actor Jack O’Connell, Zamperini is less a man as he is a pillar of bravery and virtue; a genetically engineered combination of Jesse Owens and Captain America. Flashbacks to before the war come complete with stock-standard motivational quotes. “A moment of pain,” we’re told, “is worth a lifetime of glory.” I’m not trying to diminish Zamperini’s sacrifice. But while he may have been a hero, he’s not an interesting protagonist. Tales of wartime valour have been done to death, and frankly Unbroken brings nothing new to the table. Jolie portrays America’s enemies with about as much dimension as the Nazis in Hogan’s Heroes, although admittedly they’re not nearly as funny. The only Japanese character they bother naming is the sadistic Corporal Watanabe (played by musician Miyavi), whose cartoonish villainy prevents any exploration of the psychology behind wartime abuse. And yes, atrocities were committed in POW camps, and it’s important that we continue to remember that. At the same time, this story has already been covered. Instead, why not make a movie about the 100,000 Japanese Americans forced into prison camps by President Roosevelt? Where’s the film about the moral quandary behind dropping the atomic bomb? Hell, what about telling the story of Zamperini’s life after the war, when post-traumatic stress disorder drove him to alcoholism until he became a born-again motivation speaker? Those would be interesting stories. But I guess they’re not to Oscar’s tastes. Unbroken is by no means a terrible film. Jolie is a solid director, her cast does good work and the narrative – shallow and conventional as it is – isn’t necessarily unengaging. It is, however, disappointingly safe; the sort of adequate time killer you won’t necessarily regret seeing, assuming you remember seeing it at all.
If you feel like the general cost of living is on an endless journey upwards, well, you'd be right on the money (or lack thereof). In news that's surprising to pretty much no one, Sydney and Melbourne have again outdone themselves, both trumping their earlier positions on an index of the world's most expensive cities. The list, which is one of many that index cost of living, is put together by the world's biggest price aggregation website Numbeo. This year sees Sydney shoot to number 32, soaring past last year's ranking of 41, and Melbourne also surged ahead, moving from last year's 77th position to become the world's 64th most expensive city in 2018. The Gold Coast was the least expensive local city in the index, ranking at 180. To create the Cost of Living Index, Numbeo looked at a range of factors, surrounding things like food, lifestyle, housing, salaries and taxation. Hamilton in Bermuda topped the list, followed closely by five different Swiss cities. In the breakdown, Sydney's hefty rental prices were named the 16th highest in the world, with a one-bedroom city apartment averaging $2619 a month. If that makes you cringe, spare a thought for London (ranked 10th on the rent index) where the same sort of pad costs $2876 a month, or the top-ranking city of San Francisco, where you'd be forking out $4113. Meanwhile, Hobart was named Australia's most expensive city for dining out and 26th in the world, with a two-person feed at a mid-range restaurant averaging about $100. In this lineup, Perth ranked 46, while Melbourne and Sydney clocked in at numbers 79 and 80 respectively. When it comes to the average cost of a new set of wheels, Sydney ranked 188th in the world, with Perth edging in at number 202. Canberrans have it better than any other Aussie city in this department, taking out 226th ranking. To check out the full list, visit numbeo.com.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the latest installment from the empire of J.K. Rowling. It's the first in a series of prequels to the Harry Potter films, that start in New York City in 1926. The film relies on the classic Pandora's box trope to drive the superficial layer of narrative. A magical trunk full of beasts is released upon New York and, in this case, Pandora is Newt Scamander, an eccentric British wizard played by Eddie Redmayne. Scamander, just in case you aren't as obsessed with the Potterverse as we are, is referenced throughout the Harry Potter series as the author of a foundational Hogwart's text book titled, you guessed it, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Written by Rowling herself, the crust of the plot is a little bit slapstick. Essentially, after a series of bumbles in a muggle bank (or a 'no-maj' bank, as the Yanks would say), Scamander's trunk is swapped with the trunk of Jacob Kowalski, a typical, goofy muggle and aspirational baker played beautifully by Dan Fogler. When Kowalski unwittingly releases the cheeky beasties from the trunk, Scamander must team up with Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), a low-level Magical Congress employee scheming to get her Auror stripes back. This is where we dip down into the mantle of the plot and things get a bit more complicated. Turns out there are a faction of individuals in the community who believe magical beings are superior to muggles and that wizards should come out of hiding to enslave them. Without giving too much away, as the good guys race around New York collecting up their escaped creatures, Colin Farrell's character Percival Graves is lurking in the wings, trying to collect power. Also a church of fanatical, witch-hating muggles are seeking to expose magic. Also, a malevolent force is tearing around NYC ripping up side walks. Also, the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald is on the loose. Fantastic Beasts' goblet truly runneth over with plot and this might not be a good thing. The difficulty with this particular film franchise is that it has to be ambitious, since they've slated another four films at least. So this first installment labours to lay the foundations for the series. But the audience has no road map as to what is and isn't significant. There are numerous scenes, and indeed entire subplots, that could have been cut, seemingly without compromising any of the story arcs. Perhaps they'll bear fruit in later editions, but until then they're just kind of...there. Fortunately, the film makes up for its pacing problems with cauldron-loads of charm. From the overtures of friendship between Scamander and Kowalski to the soft-core romance blossoming every-damn-where; from the timely Ron Weasley-esque notes of comedy to the practical use of magic, everything in this film is just so damn whimsical. Untethered from any pre-existing book, this film takes magic use to it's logical conclusion: domestic automation. For some unknown reason, Hogwarts students learned how to turn each other into teapots but never seemed to learn any practical spells that would make their lives any easier. This film rectifies that annoyance completely and for Potter fans it's immensely satisfying. Also, we can't leave without mentioning the beasts, which as the film's title suggests are truly fantastic. The strongest part of the movie are Scamander's creatures and their various quirks – it's a handy plot device that the protagonist carries around a trunk full of talented beasts, and the script uses them to it's full advantage. And ultimately, that's the key to the film's success. At times it does feel as though the cheesiness of the Potterverse doesn't quite translate into this rather more adult world. Nevertheless, the magic that's powered Rowling's creations until now remains as palpable as ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vso5o11LuGU
By the time that Thursday night rolls around each, most of us are thinking about escaping the nine-to-five grind. There's still one pesky weekday left to go until the weekend, of course, but sinking underground with a glass of whiskey in your hand — and with jazz tunes setting the upbeat but relaxing mood — sure does sound enticing. That's a regular Jazz Thursday at The Walrus Club, aka the Regatta spot you go to when you've got malt drinks and a cosy, dark space on your mind. The event is a weekly fixture from 8.30pm, combining the watering hole's hefty array of 300-plus spirits and prohibition bar vibes with lively — and live — music. If we were lucky enough to be living in an episode of Parks and Recreation, you'd probably find Ron Swanson there. Because we're not, sadly, you can always don some snappy threads, order a Lagavulin neat and pretend.
The status of Queensland's borders has changed multiple times in 2020, and whether they're open to other states or not has attracted ample public and political attention over the past few months. At present, the Sunshine State has closed off access to anyone who has been in Victoria, New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory in the past 14 days — and, as revealed today, Monday, August 17, that is unlikely to change anytime soon. When the last border restrictions were announced on August 5, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk noted that they'd be reviewed at the end of the month. In her latest press conference, however, she said that the state's borders won't reopen until New South Wales and Victoria no longer have any COVID-19 cases that were acquired by community transmission. "We do not have any intentions of opening any borders whilst there is community transmission active in Victoria and in New South Wales," the Premier advised. "I think we're going to continue to see restrictions in Victoria up until around Christmas time. That's very unfortunate for people living down there, but it's a serious situation. You only have to look at what's happening around the world — and we don't want to see that happen here." The Premier also explained that, in good news for Queenslanders, "there has been no evidence of community transmission in Queensland now for 28 days". That's particularly significant given that the past month has seen several health alerts issued regarding areas of Brisbane that have been visited by a number of people with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/videos/690694074852757/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBbc0v17o2dQyWT_ig-HRbWPgWa0drYvvm9Dmb83aVr9h1jP8-dKx6gLMWWNwhn8fUDjnAs8_3Cr4nVZCu27aKMq-po6yPw26D4I8gZIeqztFg_HdgrXPsOk7RhLS9g-Mcd-62BTfbD2E6BprnJVCSnhHuIjr0vXP1T2VSdxu-OyqXxBogearGuoOvC16jxpt8eZIhD6yC32KaE3NqZUjxBtA1RnVUO91dizZ80dW8wQkPK5cgBQqrt3aazyXYBm5A5HxKn0KcxgwHTiSqbb0dVpkYAhCy85GNRFZHDWe1acp-ovxYj_fDhGo268LAT_v2xQ_86-8AXXOK6mEtCEXBk0qqpnjW6iDI&__tn__=-R In case you're not 100-percent up-to-date with Queensland's border situation — or you need a refresher — the state is completely shut to folks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, which have been declared hotspots by Queensland's Chief Health Officer. That means that all visitors from all three states and territories will be denied entry to Queensland, except for rare exemptions and returning Queenslanders. If you fall into those categories, you'll have to fork out for a 14-day stretch of mandatory hotel quarantine. As the Premier has previously advised, exemptions are limited, including for compassionate reasons. During the shutdown, the aim is to only allow folks who live in border communities and essential workers such as truck drivers to cross. Anyone who fits that description will need to obtain a pass, with those who reside in the area requiring proof of address and photo identification to do so. Queensland's borders are currently closed to everyone in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, unless they are a returning resident or are entering for one a few essential reasons. For more information, head to the Queensland Government website.
Every single suburb in Brisbane will be treated to its own intimate live music gig this September, as Brisbane Festival brings mini concerts to 190 suburbs to create festivals in the streets and concerts in cul de sacs. When it first joined the fest lineup back in 2020, free live music showcase Street Serenades was inspired by the community responses to the global pandemic — in which Italians sang on their balconies and Americans choreographed TikTok dances. So, think of this as the Brissie version. For the second year running — this time, from Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 25 — Brisbanites can set up chairs in their front gardens or driveways to listen to acoustic performances, classical music, cabaret singalongs and DJ sets. And, you won't pay a thing for this extremely close-to-home affair. The 2021 lineup features pop-up performances from a hefty range of talent, including Kate Miller-Heidke, Cheap Fakes, The 7 Sopranos, Sampology, Minor Premiers, Katie Noonan, Hello Jane, Camerata and Emma Dean, Beddy Rays and Babushka — and the list goes on. [caption id="attachment_824345" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Morgan Roberts[/caption] Top image: Atmosphere Photography.
If you're a fan of wine, you live in Brisbane and you're always up for an excuse to sample plenty of tipples, then you probably know that the Treasury Casino regularly wraps up the working week with wine and cheese shindigs. But who says you can only sip multiple kinds of vino when the weekend is here? Not World of Wine at the Treasury Hotel. From 6–8pm on Monday, September 19 — with entry from 5.45pm — the CBD spot will be pouring tastings and making the beginning of the week more bearable, all thanks to plenty of plonk. How much wine, you ask? More than 90 vino producers will be serving up 500 drops. On the featured list: tipples from Brokenwood, Chaffey Bros, Heggies Vineyard, Jansz Tasmania, Jim Barry and La Vieille Ferme — and from Mt Difficulty, Pewsey Vale, Vasse Felix, Wirra Wirra, Yalumba, Antinori, Ata Rangi and Bleasdale as well. The lineup goes on, spanning Bodegas Valdemar, Dandelion Vineyards, Domaine Faiveley, Freycinet Vineyard, Hay Shed Hill, Langmeil Winery and more. Tickets cost $55 per person, which includes sampling vino, a tasting glass to keep, and a selection of breads, oils and other bites to line your stomach. And if you've never been to the Treasury Hotel before, entry is via Queens Park.
When it comes to experiencing the natural world and all its animals, what could be better than going on safari? Well, not much — except perhaps going on safari and then coming back to a luxury camp at the end of the day. That seems to be the thinking behind Kenya's new Loisaba Tented Camp, anyway. Not only do they want you to explore the wonders of the East African wilderness, but they want you to get a bit of infinity pool action at the same time. The camp comes from African accommodation company Elewana, who have a collection of luxury camps and lodges in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Located in the in Laikipia region of Kenya just north of Nairobi, it sits on a small, elevated part of the 56,000-acre Loisaba Conservancy, which affords some absolutely killer views across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya. Just look at the view from the infinity pool. While you're enjoying this 360-degree eye candy, you'll be reclining in total comfort. The camp has six double luxury 'tents' (if you can call them that), as well as three family tents and a private residence that boasts its own private infinity pool and bar. Everyone staying at the secluded camp can access the other infinity pool though, as well as the on-site restaurant. They even have 'Starbeds', which can be rolled outdoors so you can sleep under the stars. But you won't just be relegated to your tent all day — there's many an activity to do. Loisaba offers all guests the opportunity to partake in bushwalks, mountain biking, camel riding, lion tracking, horse riding, fishing and local village excursions, among other activities. And if your next question is (rightly) about the camp's impact on the environment and its wildlife, you don't need to worry. The camp was set up with the support of The Nature Conservancy, and aims to use tourism to further protect the Loisaba Conservancy, its wildlife and communities. As well as being a sanctuary for over 700 elephants, the area also provides refuge for one of Kenya's most stable lion populations and helps protect species like Grevy's zebra, wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs. If you're already picturing yourself in that infinity pool, you'll want to know how must this thing costs. It's not cheap — prices start from $670 AUD per person per night — but that includes accommodation, transfers, taxes, booze and all activities. For more information about Elewana's Loisaba Tented Camp, visit their website.
In all the regular ways, this hasn't felt like a big year. Neither did last year, and we all know why that's proven the case both then and now. It has been a chaotic time, of course, although that's completely different. But on the final night of 2021, Eagle Farm Racecourse will feel huge. That's when the site is welcoming the Factory Summer Festival back to town, following the event's Brissie debut in 2020. Unlike last year, this year's fest is a one-night-only affair — with Broods, Masked Wolf, Example, Young Franco, Stace Cadet + KLP and Electric Fields among the acts on the just-announced bill. Yes, that's your New Year's Eve plans sorted. The 2020 event spanned multiple stages and bars, a silent disco, carnival rides and a games arcade, so fingers crossed that's all on the agenda this time around as well. Pre-sale tickets are available from Tuesday, September 14, with registrations open now.
Since the beginning of May, life has become a little more normal for Brisbanites. So far as part of Queensland's gradual easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, restaurants, cafes and pubs have reopened for dine-in service, you can have 20 people over and you can head on a regional holiday. Plus, a little later in the month, we'll be allowed to once again visit some of the city's cultural institutions. While Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gave the green light for art galleries and museums to reopen from June 1, a number of Brisbane's major cultural institutions at South Bank have announced that they won't officially relaunch until later in the month. Similarly to restaurants and cafes, they'll need to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and will be allowed one visitor per four square metres. The list of late-June reopenings includes the Queensland Art Gallery, which'll welcome visitors back in from Monday, June 22, including in the QAG store and QAG cafe. Queensland Museum and SparkLab, Sciencentre will open to annual pass holders on the same day, before allowing the general public back in the doors from Thursday, June 25. If you're wondering about the Gallery of Modern Art, it'll relaunch over a month afterwards, reopening on Friday, August 7. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBB9sEAlb80/ As capacity is limited, it's expected that time-allotted visits will be on the cards, and that galleries and museums may require pre-purchased tickets. QAGOMA has advised that it'll be providing handwashing and sanitiser facilities, distance markers for queuing and will be increasing how often it cleans the galleries, with full details to be provided close to Queensland Art Gallery's reopening. The Queensland Museum / SparkLab, Sciencentre will also release the specifics of its COVID-safe conditions before it relaunches. South Bank's major art and cultural institutions have been closed to the public since mid-March. So, in order to keep a sense of connection going — between artist and audience, venue and punter — many institutions made the transition to digital. GOMA's #HomeWithGOMA series features online tours and videos, with QAGOMA also hosting virtual meditation and yoga sessions, plus online talks and classes. Over at Queensland Museum, almost 800,000 items in its collection can be viewed online, while its At Home hub includes tours, peeks behind the scenes and curated activities. Top image: Queensland Museum.
Since first launching its end-of-year festival fun in Lorne back in 1993, Falls Festival has become an end-of-year staple not only on the Great Ocean Road, but in Byron, Marion Bay and Fremantle. But, one day into its 2019 event, the festival has had to cancel the remaining days of its Lorne bash due to the extreme and hazardous weather predicted for tomorrow, Monday, December 30. In a Facebook post this morning, a Falls Festival spokesperson said the decision had been made after "consultation with local and regional fire authorities and other emergency stakeholders". "Forecasted conditions have gotten significantly worse in the past 12 hours, with information coming to light that has not been available to us before the event kicked off on December 28th," the statement says. "It is clear that we have no other option." While there are no out of control bushfires in the area at the time of writing, temperatures are expected to reach a top of 43 degrees on the Surf Coast tomorrow. That, coupled with strong 90–100-kilometre northwesterly winds, has prompted organisers to make the decision to "move everyone offsite safely and in good time". A total fire ban in place across the whole state tomorrow. The festival officially started yesterday, and there are already 9000 people on site. While festivalgoers got to catch the likes of Vera Blue, Parcels and John Farnham on day one, today there will be no music or bars — but food outlets, toilets and medical facilities will be open until 9am tomorrow, when the gates to the festival will close. Festival organisers are urging punters to return home as the surrounding towns on the Great Ocean Road — like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Anglesea — will already be at capacity due to the holiday period. Thousands more were expected to arrive at the festival site today. This fire season has already been a catastrophic one, with fires continuing to burn in the East Gippsland region and NSW, where over three million hectares has been burnt so far. NSW's New Year's Eve festival Lost Paradise was cancelled due to bushfire threat earlier in the month. Falls Festival was set to run from December 28–January 1, with Halsey, Vampire Weekend, Disclosure and Peking Duk some of the artists scheduled to perform across four stages. The festivals in Marion Bay, Byron and Fremantle will go ahead as scheduled. Everyone with a ticket will be refunded next week. Top image: Boaz Nothham
It's that time again, somehow: time to start filling your calendar with festive events. If you're the kind of person who can't wait to celebrate Christmas each year, you're in luck. If you think that October is too early to start thinking about all things jolly, Brisbane's social calendar in general doesn't care — and neither does Rivermakers Heritage Quarter. South Bank has a huge revamp on the cards, and Northshore Hamilton as well. Portside is enjoying a makeover right now, while Howard Smith Wharves joined Brisbane's riverside so recently that it still feels brand new. But they aren't the only food-, drink- and entertainment-filled precincts by the water that are inviting Brisbanites in, with Rivermakers Heritage Quarter popping up in the city's east, turning a patch of Colmslie Road in Morningside into a new must-visit destination and regularly hosting events to celebrate. If you haven't had the chance to stop by the 30-hectare heritage-listed spot yet at its open day, 2022 Christmas party, Hottest 100 shindig or autumn's debut Makers on the River, here's your next chance: the return of the latter, aka a waterside festival with live music, a heap of markets, plenty of drinking opportunities and sky-brightening fireworks. Makers on the River will make a Christmas season comeback from 12–4–9pm on Saturday, November 11, showcasing Rivermakers' sights — and everything you can eat, drink and do, from sipping brews and taking brewing masterclasses at Revel Brewing Co's second site through to dancing to tunes and checking out roving performers. The yet-to-be-announced music bill will celebrate local talents. Selling their wares: over 50 stalls from artisan vendors, with a focus on all things bespoke, handmade and local. An array of food options will also take care of the culinary side of things, complete with a cheese and oyster bar. And Milton Rum's pop-up bar will help quench your thirst. For kids, there'll be rides as well. And those fireworks will liven up the heavens at 8.30pm. The full Rivermakers precinct sprawls across a patch of land at the end of Junction Road that first housed a lime factory back in 1917. Since then, it's been used for alcohol distillation, radio broadcasting, naval barracks and a migrant hostel, and as the base for Hans Continental Smallgoods. Now, Low & Slow Meat Co, Bavay Distillery and ceramics workshop Mas & Miek are among Rivermakers' tenants. Makers on the River: Christmas Edition takes place from 4–9pm on Saturday, November 11. Head to Rivermakers website for further details.
What's better than hitting the pub while your dog stays at home? Taking them with you, of course. And what's better than simply going to one pooch-friendly bar? Hitting up not just one or two, but three in a single outing. Forget regular old pub crawls — The Prince Consort's Four-Legged Pub Crawl from 11am on Sunday, August 28 takes you hopping between three Fortitude Valley bars with your cute pup. Unsurprisingly, it starts off at the 230 Wickham Street venue itself, which is celebrating Pawgust all across the month. Obviously, that's just your first stop. From there, it's time to walk the dog — down to Stone & Wood's Brisbane brewery, and then a little further over to The Triffid. Brews await at each venue, with the crawl a pay-as-you-drink affair. Entry is free, but registrations in advance are required. And, if your pooch could use a bath at the end of it, there'll be a dog-washing station at The Triffid.
For some, side-splitting comedy is all about watching well-known talents ply their trade. For others, the biggest laughs come from the field's up-and-comers. Perhaps you break into fits of hysterics while watching improv — or, maybe you like nothing more than a comedic debate. Thankfully, whichever of the above tickles your funny bone, it's all on the agenda at 2021's Brisbane Comedy Festival. After 2020's event didn't quite go as planned, the annual fest returns to Brisbane Powerhouse — and The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall — for a few weeks' worth of guffaws and giggles. Between Friday, July 16–Sunday, August 8, you'll be laughing at Ross Noble, Tom Ballard, Paul McDermott, Jimeoin, Fiona O'Loughlin, Mel Buttle, Melanie Bracewell, Josh Earl, Akmal and Cal Wilson. Get ready to do the same with plenty of other funny folks, too, with the full lineup spanning old favourites and new discoveries alike. Other highlights include the return of the opening gala, which gets the fest started in a big way; a Sunday roast that includes laughs and a two-course meal; a night of Indigenous talents; and a late-night variety show. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, May 6.
The apocalypse. Ooh, the end of the world, revelation, prophecy, the triumph of good over evil...basically: a very intense event. One strange little group of actors have decided to rehearse Hamlet on the night before the apocalypse. Why? Who knows? I’d be drinking a lot of champagne, eating good cheese and listening to trashy 80s pop, but that’s just me. Anyway, The Hamlet Apocalypse is set on the night before the apocalypse and is an analysis of the finality death, and the wonder of life. It explores mortality, and developing an understanding the death is an inevitable part of life. Using parts of the Hamlet text the work reflects on the importance of living, and understanding that time does indeed run out. Using physical theatre techniques, the emotion of the work is expressed through movement. Traditional notions of theatre are questioned in this production, and often the fourth wall is broken, allowing the audience within the performance. The production has had very successful seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide, and now returns to its hometown of Brisbane. The Danger Ensemble, with the prodigious Steven Mitchell Wright at the helm, has been creating some incredible theatre over the past few years, and if the interstate reviews are anything to go by, The Hamlet Apocalypse is no exception. I'd suggest seeing it ASAP, before time runs out.
First, it was bowling bars. Then, it was a boozy mini-golf establishment set up in a former church. Now, playing arcade games and guzzling a few pints is on the agenda at Brisbane's latest watering hole. We know, we know — plenty of pubs have pinball machines (Morningside's Death Valley even has a Ghostbusters one), but this one looks set to take the concept to the next level. That's obviously what Netherworld is aiming to do — and with a name like that, the Fortitude Valley joint clearly wants you to lurk in a dark space and forget all about life outside. Due to open in the space on the corner of Brunswick Street and St Paul's Terrace (that place that everything from the Shamrock to the Step Inn has called home over the years), it'll unleash more than 15 pinball machines, 25 arcade machines, a heap of classic consoles and countless boardgames upon Brissie's eager game players, with titles ranging from the '70s till present day. Forget Timezone (RIP, by the way) — this is the kind of place your teenaged self dreamt about. And forget Mana Bar too, which tried the same feat but didn't stand the test of time. With the folks behind Milton's favourite dive bar The Scratch at the helm, this one should be a keeper. No word yet regarding an official opening date, but we do know that Netherworld will be an arcade, bar and diner. Players gotta eat, of course. Spending your time trying to be the next king of Donkey Kong in a place filled with gaming relics from decades gone by is enough to make you work up an appetite. Find Netherworld at 186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — and keep an eye on their website, Facebook page and Instagram for further details, including an opening date.
Benedict Cumberbatch talking directly to the camera. Symmetrical shots after symmetrical shots. Dazzlingly gorgeous patterns as far as the eye can see. Thanks to the trailer for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, you can tick all three off on your Wes Anderson bingo card. The beloved filmmaker has teamed up with the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star on the new 39-minute short film, which heads to the screen from Roald Dahl's page — and, unsurprisingly, the just-dropped trailer is classic Wes Anderson through and through (and through again). Netflix is bringing The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar to streaming on Wednesday, September 27, following its recent world-premiere slot out of competition at the Venice International Film Festival. In the interim, the platform has released a sneak peek at what's in store. The film tells of a wealthy man who is so fond of wagering that he comes up with a crafty plan — after discovering a guru who can see without using his eyes, he decides to learn to the same to cheat while having a bet. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar comes from one of the seven tales in Dahl's 1977 book The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More — and, for Netflix, it'll have three other brand-new shorts for company. The day after it arrives, The Swan will also drop on the streaming service on Thursday, September 28. Next comes The Ratcatcher on Friday, September 29. And, Poison will wrap up this Anderson-meets-Dahl frenzy on Saturday, September 30. All four shorts not only stem from Dahl's pen originally, but cycle through a few core cast members, all of which play multiple roles. Stepping in front of the camera for Anderson: Cumberbatch, Dev Patel (The Green Knight), Ben Kingsley (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Richard Ayoade (The Souvenir: Part II) and Rupert Friend (Asteroid City). In glorious news for The Grand Budapest Hotel fans, Ralph Fiennes (The Menu) also reteams with the director. Fingers crossed for more line readings that are so completely perfect that they're unforgettable. Only The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar has scored a trailer so far — and it's the longest of the quartet. Running for 17 minutes, The Swan also takes inspiration from a tale from the same book, this time about a small and smart boy being bullied. Clocking in at 17 minutes as well, The Ratcatcher adapts a lesser-known story of the same name — not from the same text this time — which is unsurprisingly about a rodent exterminator. And, running for the same duration, Poison dates back to 1950, focusing on a man finding a venomous snake. In 1958, the same tale was adapted for TV by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, in an episode of anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. [caption id="attachment_918106" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roger Do Minh/Netflix ©2023.[/caption] All up, that's 90 minutes of new Anderson work that'll be ready to stream by the time that September is out. If you watch them all together rather than day by day, it's basically an anthology feature. Two months, five new Wes Anderson films: that's the glorious maths Down Under in 2023, after Asteroid City reached cinemas in August. Check out the trailer for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar below: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 27. The Swan arrives on Thursday, September 28, then The Ratcatcher on Friday, September 29 and Poison on Saturday, September 30. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
When the Howard Smith Wharves precinct launched underneath the Story Bridge just a couple of years back, revitalising a part of Brisbane's inner city and giving Brisbanites a new riverside hangout spot, it welcomed a number of exciting openings in short succession. Felons Brewing Co set up its brewery; restaurants and bars such as Mr Percival's, Yoko, Greca and Stanley started serving up drinks and delicious dishes; and casual eateries like Goodtimes Gelateria and Betty's Burgers opened as well. Also joining the fold: a brand new place to stay. Originally, when HSW's resident hotel launched, it was called The Fantauzzo. First announced in 2015 and opening its doors in early 2019, it became Brisbane's second Art Series Hotel in the process. A lot can change in a few years, though, as we've all experienced during the pandemic — and now this waterside place to stay has shifted owners and focus. If you're looking for a riverside staycation spot, you'll now be staying at the Crystalbrook Vincent, which marks the Crystalbrook Collection chain's first Brisbane hotel. As the new name makes plain, the venue has retained its link to photographer Vincent Fantauzzo, and still features more than 180 of his works across over 500 prints (yes, some pieces pop up more than once). But, under Crystalbrook's banner, it has now adopted a eco-conscious approach, including banning single-use plastics and offering waste-free bathrooms. "Our initial focus is to elevate the hotel's focus on sustainability. We're introducing a single-use plastic-free environment and 100-percent waste-free bathrooms where everything is reusable, recyclable or biodegradable," said Crystalbrook CEO Geoff York. "We're working to minimise our food carbon footprint by ensuring that at least 80 percent of all produce served within the hotel is sourced within a three-hour radius and we're embracing technology to reduce the need for waste — such as paperless check-in and check-out and in-room tablet control centres," he continued. So, if you stay at the six-level, 166-room hotel — or frequent Fiume, its rooftop bar, and Polpetta, its onsite restaurant — you'll be doing so at a place that is highly committed to local produce. Guests will spot recycled and upcycled materials used throughout the venue, such as key cards made from recycled wood, coat hangers constructed from recycled paper and toothbrushes made from sugar cane and cornstarch. And, the hotel is now cash-free, and has cut is use of paper down by 90 percent. As well as all that artwork from Fantauzzo — who has won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the Archibald Packing Room Prize, and the Archibald People's Choice Award a whopping four times, and has committed everyone from Heath Ledger and Matt Moran to Brandon Walters and Julia Gillard to his canvas — the hotel still boasts plenty of its standout original features. That's what happens when you carve a hotel into the cliffs beneath the Story Bridge, give it mighty fine views of the city and the Brisbane river, and add a rooftop pool as well. Crystalbrook Vincent now sits alongside Crystalbrook's other properties in Cairns, Byron Bay, Newcastle and Sydney — and, if you book in a staycation before Sunday, October 31 for stays up until Monday, December 20, and you're fully vaccinated, the chain is giving free room upgrades. Find the Crystalbrook Vincent at Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane. Visit the hotel website for further details and to make a booking.
It has been more than two decades since James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet recreated one of the deadliest ship disasters in modern history. You know the one. Titanic also launched a lifetime of folks standing at the bow of boats and exclaiming "I'm the king of the world!", and made the world endure a Celine Dion song that, as the lyrics promised, would go on. As well as snagging a huge bag of Oscars and big, big bucks at the box office, the film did something else: reignite public fascination with the 1912 sinking. If you've ever watched and wondered what it'd be like to see the real thing, then wonder no more — because you can become a 'citizen scientist' on a new series of underwater expeditions to the famed wreck. Commencing in 2021, underwater exploration company Ocean Gate Expeditions will be taking fascinated seafarers down to the famous ship on ten-day journeys. They'll dive almost four kilometres deep into the North Atlantic Ocean in a titanium and carbon fibre submersible — accompanied by experts, naturally — to peer through the vessel that went down on its maiden voyage, taking more than 1500 people with it. This isn't a tourist trip, however. Ocean Gate is planning six missions as part of an overall Titanic survey expedition, and anyone who'd like to go along will need to apply. If you're successful, you'll be trained a mission specialist — and you'll be asked to help document the current state of the sunken passenger liner, including via laser scans and 4K video that will be combined with high-resolution images to make a 3D virtual model of the ship. Primarily departing from the coast of Newfoundland in Canada from May–July 2021, with more missions planned in 2022 as well, these undersea trips don't come cheap — even though they're motivated by scientific and record-keeping aims. You'll need a cool US$125,000 per person to make the voyage, which includes one submersible dive to the ship. Of course, it's hardly surprising that plunging deep into both the ocean's depths to visit a famed wreck costs a massive stack of cash and then some. This isn't the first time tours have been offered — indeed, presumably using some of the loot his romantic drama pulled in, James Cameron has made the journey multiple times — but only a small number of people have seen site in person since it was first discovered in 1984. "More people summit Everest in a day than have ever seen the Titanic," says Ocean Gate Expeditions president Stockton Rush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH_9Q3Z_xok Top image: NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island via Wikimedia Commons.
All good things come to those who wait, your mum probably told you, and that's about to prove true if you're a beauty product buff. Sephora, aka the French-based perfume and cosmetics chain that has won fans the world over, is finally making its way to Brisbane. Even better than that, after more than a year of rumours and waiting, they've finally revealed just when and where they'll be throwing open their doors. Adding to the growing number of businesses heading north, Westfield Chermside will to become Sephora's first Brissie home. Expect to boost your makeup supplies from April, with an exact launch date still to be revealed. It's good news for everyone, except for your bank balance. If you haven't jumped on the Sephora bandwagon yet — and given that Brisbanites currently have to head to the Gold Coast's revamped Pacific Fair to do so, that's understandable — then prepare to enter a beauty product wonderland. All those prestige international brands you can't get elsewhere, like Marc Jacobs, Kat Von D, Formula X and their own Sephora Collection? Well, you'll find them here among more than 1500 different lines, as well as in-store services and demonstrations. Sephora might be known for setting trends in the beauty industry, but in opening up a store in Brisbane, it's actually following one. In the last couple of years, Zara, H&M and Uniqlo have already made their presence known. For more information about Sephora's Chermside store, keep an eye on their website and Facebook page. Via The Courier Mail.
First, it was a popular 80s comedy starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Then, it became a five-season television sitcom led by Parton's real-life younger sister. In 2009, 9 to 5 made the leap to the stage too, because you just can't stop a good story about female empowerment in the workplace. Revived in the West End earlier this year, it's still a huge hit — and now the latest version of the production is coming to Sydney. Just by reading the show's title, we know that you already have Parton's catchy song of the same name stuck in your head. Pour yourself a cup of ambition, because that tune isn't going away anytime soon. Indeed, you'd best get ready to exclaim "what a way to make a living" more than once when 9 to 5 The Musical plays its Australian premiere season, with its local run playing the the Sydney Lyric Theatre from April 21, 2020. Ahead of its time when it first reached cinemas, this tale of three women who take on their sexist, egotistical and all-round despicable male boss is obviously still highly relevant today. Before #TimesUp and #MeToo, workmates Doralee, Violet and Judy decided to turn the tables by kidnapping their supervisor and reforming their office. Expect the same story in 9 to 5 The Musical, as penned by the original film's screenwriter Patricia Resnick, just with more songs. With Parton herself writing the score — and earning Tony and Grammy nominations for her efforts — expect plenty of feel-good music as well. Although she doesn't appear on stage, the famous country star is still involved with the show, and with bringing it to Australia. While the show will premiere in Sydney, it's possible it'll head to other cities around the country after — cross your fingers and we'll let you know if more dates and locations are announced. While you're still singing 9 to 5 to yourself, check out Parton's announcement video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eLfds3BNk8 9 to 5 The Musical will hit Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from April 21, 2020, with tickets on sale from 4pm on Friday, September 13. For more information, or to join the ticket waitlist, visit the musical's website.
Who won the very last Halloween Heist before Brooklyn Nine-Nine said goodbye forever? What costume did Rosa Diaz wear the first time that she took part? Which detective asked a criminal to help them win? Who was crowned the 'Queen of the Nine-Nine'? If you can answer all of the above — and you love both Brooklyn Nine-Nine and halloween — then you're set for this trivia night. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know, love and watched eight seasons of. And, the one that goes all out when it comes to the spookiest time of the year. Every time trivia sessions dedicated to B99 hit town, places are snapped up faster than Terry can snap open a tub of yoghurt. This time, you need to register in advance for Fritzenberger's trivia night at its South Bank joint, and then Sunday, October 31 can be your night for glory (that can also be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). It all starts at 6.30pm, and entry is free. Bring your wallet for burgs, obviously, plus beers. If all this sounds rather noice, get in quick as spots are limited.
Instagram, the photo-sharing iPhone app, has allowed users to export their Instagram photos to other social networking sites from the start. Until now, however, users weren't able to import photos to Instagram. Thanks to a new partnership with Hipstamatic, all that has changed. The two iPhone photo apps are pairing up to allow photos taken on either app to easily upload to Instagram's network. Both Instagram and Hipstamatic seek to marry the romance of old-fashioned photography with the iPhone camera. Instagram enables users to snap a photo on their iPhone and to transform the look and feel of it with their choice of filter. The edited photo may then be uploaded to the Instagram site, as well as to Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, all for free. Last week, Instagram reached 27 million users, making it one of the most popular photo-sharing services, as well as one of the fastest-growing social networks. In a similar vein, Hipstamatic allows users to choose the lens, flash, and film they want to use to take their photo, creating an old-fashioned image. The initial app costs $1.99 in Apple's app store, and additional lenses and films are available for in-app purchase. "When we launched, it was all about Facebook and Flickr and Twitter, and now we're seeing a huge shift in our user base toward Instagram," Hipstamatic co-founder and CEO, Lucas Buick, told Fast Company. "We've never been a social networking company, but we clearly benefit from social networks. So this will be the first app outside of Instagram that lets you into their network. That's pretty cool for us." Each Hipstamatic photo pushed into Instagram will be tagged with an attribution to Hipstamatic. "It's a step in the direction that we're testing out," says Instagram CEO and cofounder Kevin Systrom. "We've been very careful about making sure that Instagram photos are about what's happening right now in your life, and we want to allow for more of those photos to end up on Instagram regardless of where they're taken." The partnership is set to be unveiled today, so get to snapping photos happy hipsters. [via Fast Company]
It's been half a century since The Rocky Horror Show first brought its musical blend of sci-fi, horror and comedy to the stage, and the cult hit itself has the perfect phrase to describe those quickly passing years. Yes, time is fleeting when you're singing about a college-aged couple getting a flat tyre, wandering over to an old castle to ask for help, and finding an extra-terrestrial mad scientist from the galaxy of Transylvania — plus his staff and his Frankenstein-style experiments — awaiting. Yes, the show itself is astounding, too. To celebrate this big anniversary, a new Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show is currently touring the country, starting in Sydney then moving to Adelaide and Melbourne. And, for one night only, the Sydney season is beaming one of its shows into cinemas as well — live as it's all happening at the Theatre Royal Sydney. Movie-goers can do the 'Time Warp' in the cinema aisles on Thursday, March 30, which is when the Richard O'Brien-created production will be broadcast from the stage to the screen. In the process, The Rocky Horror Show will notch up a first. For Trafalgar Releasing, who is behind a heap of event cinema-style sessions like this, this is the first time that it has presented a live event from an Aussie venue to cinemas across the nation. "We're delighted to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Show with a live broadcast from Theatre Royal Sydney to cinemas across Australia," said Trafalgar Releasing CEO Marc Allenby. "This is our first live broadcast from an Australian venue and it's fantastic to be working with the team at the theatre and our partners within the Trafalgar Entertainment Group to bring one of the world's favourite musicals to cinema audiences across the continent for the first time." Folks hitting up big screens around the country will want to listen closely, and watch, as Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter puts his hands on his hips, then brings his knees in tight. The glorious madness will take its toll with help not only from Donovan — fresh from popping back up in Ramsay Street to farewell Neighbours before it was renewed again — but also from Spicks and Specks' Myf Warhurst as The Narrator. Also featuring: Ellis Dolan (School of Rock) as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Columbia, Ethan Jones (9 to 5 The Musical) as Brad, Deirdre Khoo (Once) as Janet, Loredo Malcolm (Hamilton) as Rocky and Henry Rollo (Jagged Little Pill the Musical) as Riff Raff. Of course, this tale is no stranger to cinemas thanks to 1975's iconic big-screen release The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Since first premiering in London in June 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has played in more than 30 countries, with over 30 million people seeing songs like 'Science Fiction/Double Feature', 'Dammit, Janet!', 'Sweet Transvestite', 'Over at the Frankenstein Place' and 'Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me'. If you haven't been before and can't make it to the current theatre tour, this is your turn to join in. The Rocky Horror Show will broadcast live in cinemas on Thursday, March 30, with tickets on sale from Wednesday, March 1. The Rocky Horror Show's 2023 Australian tour is currently playing Sydney then moves to Adelaide and Melbourne. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the production's website. Images: Daniel Boud.
Last year saw Primal Scream performing their classic album Screamadelica in full. This was a rare treat for those who go to see it (me included), as the show was aurally and visually stunning. Primal Scream are back in Australia and will be performing at the Tivolo. The psychedelic influenced Brit-rockers have been at it for 30 years and show no signs of slowing down. Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine has joined the band on bass this time around and has reinvigorated the band for this tour. If you are looking for an otherworldly experience on a Monday night, check out Primal Scream. You won’t regret it.
Not once, not twice, but three times during the 21st century, movie-goers have watched Peter Parker get bitten by a radioactive spider. We've witnessed the aftermath more times than that, too, thanks to three different Spider-Man franchises, all with multiple entries, starring three different actors as the web-slinger. But whether you prefer Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield or Tom Holland's version of the character, every single live-action Spidey film pales in comparison to 2018's dazzling animated effort Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The Oscar-winner is the movie that gave us a spider-woman, spider-robot and spider-pig, as well as Nicolas Cage as a 30s-era spider-vigilante, so it was always going to be a delight — and it's getting a sequel. Even better: it's getting two follow-ups, because Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will hit cinemas as two films — starting with Part One in October 2022. Once again filled with multiple Spideys, the first part has just dropped its initial trailer alongside that multi-flick announcement. And yes, the animation still looks spectacular. While Holland's take on Parker, and Spider-Man, is about to dabble with multiverse madness in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the Shameik Moore (Let It Snow)-voiced Miles Morales already went there in Into the Spider-Verse. So, in the sequel to the latter, Morales is spinning back into familiar territory — although, based on the first sneak peek, he's heading into other Spidey realms rather than welcoming different web-slingers into his. Also returning in Across the Spider-Verse: Hailee Steinfeld (Hawkeye) as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, as seen in the trailer, and Oscar Isaac (The Card Counter) as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099. If you're wondering about Isaac's character, he first turned up in the post-credits section of Into the Spider-Verse, and he's an alternate version of Spidey from a specific Marvel Comics imprint. Across the Spider-Verse will see Morales, Stacy and other Spider-People join forces to deal with a powerful villain — so some standard Spidey stuff, but with more Spideys and, again, those eye-popping visuals. Here's hoping it also keeps the sense of humour and playfulness that made Into the Spider-Verse such a treat, and keeps doing what only this animated Spidey franchise can. Check out the first Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) trailer below: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will release in cinemas Down Under in October 2022 — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
With a pandemic spreading around the globe, 2020 hasn't been the year for parties. In Queensland since mid-August, it hasn't been the time for just hanging out in large groups either. But Brisbanites will be able to gather in slightly bigger numbers both at home and in public spaces from 1am on Friday, September 25, with the Sunshine State lifting the ten-person cap that's currently in effect in some southeast Queensland areas. For the past month, in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers last month, folks living in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Redlands local government areas have been limited in their social gatherings — but, in mid-September, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young advised that she'd look at removing the restrictions when Queensland had zero cases of the coronavirus via community transmission for a fortnight. That's now the case, so she's making good on that promise. From tomorrow, residents of the above regions will be able to gather in groups of 30, which is the same limit in place across the rest of the state. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1308907301592539139 Announcing the news today, Thursday, September 24, Dr Young noted that it has now been a fortnight since someone who is infectious has been out in the community — which she called "a really good outcome" after 55 cases related to recent clusters. She said, however, that the usual COVID-19 hygiene requirements still apply, as does the need to get tested if you experience any symptoms. "It's household transmission that is the biggest risk," Dr Young advised. Addressing the need to still have a limit in place — of 30 people, rather than ten — she explained that due to asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, it's impossible to know if a case has been missed in the past few weeks, so caps are still required. The news comes as Queensland reported no new COVID-19 cases at all for the third day in a row. Overall, since the pandemic began, Queensland has recorded 1153 COVID-19 cases — and currently has five active cases. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 gathering restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
With a pandemic spreading around the globe, 2020 hasn't been the year for parties. In Queensland since mid-August, it hasn't been the time for just hanging out in large groups either. In response to rising COVID-19 case numbers last month, the Sunshine State re-implemented caps on social gatherings — of ten people in some areas, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and of 30 folks elsewhere. Since the new limits came into place, you might've been wondering when they'll ease. With Queensland clocking up a relatively steady stream of new cases each day over the past few weeks, the state's powers-that-be have been understandably quiet on that front. But today, Monday, September 14, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has advised that she'll look at removing the restrictions when Queensland has had zero cases of the coronavirus via community transmission for a fortnight. Specially, Dr Young noted that the state would need to have "no new cases other than cases that are in quarantine, which we know wouldn't spread". So, she isn't looking for zero cases in total — but to know that any new cases are contained, obtained from an identified source and linked to known cases. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1305281303944683520 The news comes as Queensland reports no new COVID-19 cases at all for the second day in a row; however Dr Young also advised that she had concerns about possible transmission in Goodna, Redbank Plains and Redbank. She's focusing on those areas west of the city "because we have had an individual who was out during a period and could have infected people — in the last 14 days". Overall, since the pandemic began, Queensland has recorded 1149 COVID-19 cases — and currently has 30 active cases. And if you need a refresher about the current social gathering limits, the ten-person rule currently applies in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Western Downs, Lockyer Valley, Goondiwindi and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire local government areas. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 gathering restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
The trailer for the fourth instalment of George Miller’s Mad Max franchise was released at Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend, and it's a total, jaw-dropping attention hog. Mad Max: Fury Road sees Tom Hardy take the reigns as 'Mad' Max Rockatansky, with appearances from Charlize Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Zoe Kravitz, Megan Gale, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Nicholas Hoult thrown into the high-speed mix. From what we can gather the film revolves around a huge car chase sequence set in an unmerciful desert, complete with all the trimmings of daredevil motorbike jumps, rolling car crashes and explosions. Lots of explosions. There's some captivating end-of-days imagery going on, showing this classic Australian franchise has not been left to idle in the '80s. The fourth Mad Max has had film fans on tenterhooks for decades. It has a potted production history, having spent 25 years in what is known as "development hell". Most recently, filming was moved from Broken Hill to Namibia, after unexpected heavy rains turned the necessary desert landscape into inappropriate lush wildflowers. It's looking formidable from the trailer, so let's hope the movie — due for release on May 15, 2015 — delivers on the impact promised.
The latest addition to the ‘rom-con’ genre by writer/director duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid Love), Focus is a surprisingly enjoyable film in spite of its flaws. With the audience guided early on by the Grifter’s Mantra — "Never break focus. Die with the lie." — it’s one where you’re persistently trying to anticipate the next twist and deconstruct every line to reveal its true meaning, only to find yourself constantly (and refreshingly) wrong. Fronting the film is Will Smith in a role that at last plays to his strengths of charm and wit rather than the physical kind (like so many of his recent, ill-conceived outings). Smith plays Nicky, a lifelong conman at the top of his game who one night finds himself the target of the aspiring but guileless gonif Jess (Margot Robbie). Sensing her potential, however, Nicky shows Jess the ropes and invites her to join his crew in New Orleans as they take on the unsuspecting hordes during Superbowl week. From then on, Focus buffets you with twists, deceptions and double-crosses with such marked regularity that you’re never quite sure where you stand. Key to its appeal is the chemistry between Smith and Robbie, simmering deliciously back and forth between master and apprentice, lover and temptress. Robbie’s sex appeal is undeniable, but here — unlike in The Wolf of Wall Street — it’s treated as a playful trait rather than her raison d’etre, even going so far as to make her character spectacularly bad at the art of seduction. It’s a refreshing angle and one that allows Robbie to showcase her genuine acting chops. Solid performances from Smith and Robbie notwithstanding, it’s the secondary characters, however, who ultimately prove the scene stealers (or should that be grifters?). Rodrigo Santoro (Love Actually) makes for a convincing billionaire playboy come Formula 1 team owner, BD Wong is almost unrecognisable as a cashed-up gambler with a near-sexual response to wagers, and Adrian Martinez delivers a laugh a line as Smith’s long-time accomplice ‘Farhad'. The highlight, though, is Gerald McRaney (House of Cards) in a role that very much channels his iconic Major Dad character from the early '90s. Playing Santoro's interminably suspicious bodyguard, he at one point delivers a sublime rant on today’s youth, covering off everything from lazy Sundays to panini and — best of all — “Sarcasm: another pillar of your generation. If you don’t like somebody’s jacket, don’t say ‘Hey nice jacket’, say ‘Fuck off’”. Overall, Focus might not match the sophistication of Ocean’s Eleven or the passion of The Thomas Crown Affair, but it’s an enjoyable enough distraction whose only real major letdown is an unnecessarily twisty ending.
There are two ways that you can spend a Thursday night: wishing it was Friday already, or pretending that it is. The latter is much more fun, clearly, and it's exactly what overwater bar Will & Flow is serving up at its returning weekly Beats and Eats sessions. Here, you'll sit atop the river — on the CBD side, opposite South Bank — and you'll pair pizzas, sparkling, a DJ-spun soundtrack and that killer view. It all kicks off at 4.30pm each week, which is perfectly timed to stop in after work and make an evening of it. On the food menu, multiple types of slices will tempt your tastebuds. Whether you fancy four cheeses, beef brisket, chicken and jalapeños, or prawns and calamari, you can nab a pizza for $19 if you purchase a glass of rosé. Setting the mood, you'll find DJs Nik Conomos, Sarjent, Mister P, Stephen Smith and more on the decks from 5–9pm, depending on the week. Entry is free, but you'll pay for whatever you'd like to eat and drink.
Holidays in Western Australia are back on the agenda — and if you live in WA, getaways somewhere other than your home state are, too. After revealing back in November that WA's borders wouldn't reopen until the state hit the 90-percent double-vaccinated mark, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has now announced a firm date for that to happen: Saturday, February 5. It isn't quite the new year's gift you might've been hoping for if you're keen to head west ASAP — or to leave the state over the holiday period and return home without any hassle — but it is indeed when Western Australia will ditch the hard border policy that it's had in place throughout the pandemic. WA will instead adopt a safe transition plan that'll allow folks from other states and overseas destinations to visit again. Yes, the reopening will apply to both WA's domestic and international borders. There'll be different rules in place depending on where you're entering from; however, you'll need to be double-vaccinated to enter, and also to get a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departing. At first, there'll be tests within 48 hours of arrival as well, and again on day six afterwards, but they'll eventually be phased out. Today I can announce that at 12:01am Saturday, 5 February, Western Australia will ease its hard border restrictions for vaccinated travellers. This will be a major step forward for our State in how we manage the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/SVPvoWMYPw — Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) December 13, 2021 For those making the journey from an international location, there'll be no quarantine for double-vaxxed arrivals — and the same testing requirements will be in place for both domestic and overseas travellers. If you haven't had two jabs, you'll still need to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days. The two variations to the standard rules: if you're visiting WA from interstate for five days or less, you only need to get tested before you arrive; and if you're a WA resident heading out of the state for five days or less, you only need to get tested within 48 hours of getting back. Western Australia will also bring in other health measures, such as wearing face masks in high-risk settings — covering public transport, taxis, ride shares, airports, flights, hospitals and aged care — and requiring proof of vaccination at large events with more than 1000 people, stadiums and nightclubs. While the new rules are designed to come into effect statewide, any at-risk regional communities that don't reach 80-percent double jabs by the reopening date will be put under extra requirements. In those spots, proof of double vaccination will be required at pubs, bars, dine-in cafés and restaurants, bottle shops, indoor entertainment venues, gyms and fitness centres; masks will be required at all indoor public venues that don't have a proof of vax requirement, such as supermarkets and takeaway eateries; and you'll have to enter the region by air only. Announcing the reopening plan, the Premier said that the "transition date is locked in — and is based on our expert public health advice." McGowan continued: "since the start of the pandemic, Western Australians have come together to protect themselves and each other. Being cautious, patient and listening to the health advice has enabled Western Australia to reach a high level of vaccination, which will provide a soft landing when the virus arrives here." To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub.
'Help!' 'Come Together.' 'All You Need Is Love.' Songs and lyrics that have influenced countless people around the world. Young and old. Hip and square. At the height of The Beatles' popularity, John Lennon declared that the band was bigger than Jesus. For the three lost souls at the centre of Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed, his words might as well have been gospel. Taking its title from the opening verse of the Fab Four's psychedelic ballad 'Strawberry Fields Forever', this uplifting Spanish road movie takes place in 1966, at a time when the country was still under the thumb of the fascist General Franco. Javier Camara plays Antonio, a middle-aged English teacher and diehard Beatlemaniac who, after learning that Lennon is in Spain for a film shoot, makes it mission to meet the man himself. Shortly after hitting the road, Antonio picks up a pair of hitchhikers, both of whom want nothing more than to leave their pasts behind. Pretty young Belen (Natalia de Molina) is three months pregnant and has fled the monastery where she was sent to give birth to her fatherless child. Starry-eyed Juanjo (Francesc Colomer) is a teenager with long hair and an artistic streak. He too is running away, from the demands of his domineering father. All three actors do excellent work, their underdog characters all but impossible not to like. Camara, in particular, is perfectly cast as Antonio, an eternal optimist and nice-guy who remains steadfast in his belief he will get the chance to shake his hero's hand. The interplay between the three unlikely travelling companions is funny and disarming — and while the stakes of the film may not be particularly high, you can't help but feel invested in the journey. The politics of the era are confined mostly to the background. Franco and his conservative dictatorship can be felt whenever someone turns on the radio, blaring dour Catholic masses rather than music. The film's overwhelming vibe is one of positivity and acceptance. As such, writer-director David Trueba treats the regime like the bullies that they were, doomed to be defeated by a belief in something more. Maybe that sounds a little twee, but then again, that's what The Beatles were about. Living Is Easy captures the spirit of the band — their energy, their idealism, and the hope that they inspired. It's a shame the film contains next to none of their actual music, presumably because it's so exorbitantly expensive to license. No matter. Life, as they say, goes on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uO1jXG38XbM
If your New Year's resolutions included cooking more, some fresh kitchen gear to motivate you wouldn't go astray, right? Well, local cooking whizzes are in luck, because famed French cookware label Le Creuset is hosting a huge online sale. Running until Wednesday, January 27, it features a whole heap of bargains, with up to 25 percent off across a sprawling range of high-quality stoneware, stainless steel pots, toughened non-stick pans, cast iron cookware, kettles and roasting accessories. You can snag one of its signature cast iron casserole pots for $463.20 (down from $579), a crêpe pan for $172.50 and a stoneware roasting dish (in one of 17 colours) from just $36.75. You can scroll through all 400-plus sale items over here. Le Creuset's colourful pieces don't usually come cheap — but they do last a lifetime — so this is an opportunity not to miss.
Forget decking the halls with boughs of holly — this November and December, Fortitude Valley's Bakery, Winn and California lanes are decking out their stretches of pavement with other kinds of festive cheer. At A Very Laneway Christmas, a whole heap of markets — plus plenty of permanent shops to browse through — are on the bill. Located around the stretch of Ann Street near the Brunswick Street Mall, there's no shortage of spots luring people into both locales each and every day, whether you're keen for a bite at Ben's Burgers, a gig at The Zoo, or rifling through the shelves at Tym's Guitars or Phase 4. 'Tis the season to amp things up, however. And that's just what'll be happening between November 24 and December 15 Different speciality markets will be happening across A Very Laneway Christmas' run, so prepare your wallet for a few suitably seasonal shopping trips — and for a soundtrack of tunes to go with them. It all kicks off with plants and homewares on Saturday, November 24, with more to come. As always, buying yourself an Xmas gift is completely acceptable.
More than six decades after West Side Story first hit Broadway, the acclaimed musical returns to the Australian stage — and to Brisbane's Queensland Performing Arts Centre — this July. And yes, if this sounds familiar, that's because it was meant to do the same at that exact time last year, but we all know how 2020 went. Headed up by two-time Tony Award nominated choreographer Joey McKneely, the award-winning production reimagines the famous tale of rival street gangs in 1950s New York City. Following the Sharks and the Jets, it's a Romeo and Juliet-style classic that has enchanted audiences in countless iterations over the years. And now it's set to be retold, taking over the Lyric Theatre between Saturday, July 24–Sunday, August 22. The musical will feature all the hit songs — including 'I Feel Pretty', 'A Boy Like That', 'Something's Coming', 'America' and 'Maria' — along with Jerome Robbins' (the Broadway show's original creator) ground-breaking choreography. [caption id="attachment_763043" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jeff Busby[/caption] Top image: Nilz Boehme and Johan Persson.
There's still time to nab tickets to this year's Broken Heel Festival, which takes over the historic mining town of Broken Hill for a weekend of drag, divas and disco from September 13–15. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in this annual tribute to the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert by celebrating the movie's anniversary with a blowout party — that rocks for three days straight. Drag queens and kings from around the country will come together for a lineup of cabaret performances, comedy, opera and live music. Highlights include an opening night party featuring a Michael Griffiths' Kylie tribute band, plus a Priscilla-inspired party on Saturday. You can also join the locals along the main strip for the annual Drag Street Parade. An openair, interactive screening of the film will take place on the Sunday night, too.
Australia loves music festivals all year round, but this sunny country flatout adores them in summer. So, plenty of them pop up. And, a whole heap of them arrive at the same time, as one year ends and the next begins. Also, they all usually have a swag of acts in common. Accordingly, if you're in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and you've been noticing the lineups for Beyond The Valley and Field Day, and then you saw that Wildlands is returning, you might've put two and two together. That maths would've been correct in a number of cases, too — including RÜFÜS DU SOL, Central Cee and Peggy Gou. [caption id="attachment_913128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fifth Legend via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] All three artists are headed to all three Wildlands cities, alongside A$AP Ferg, The Jungle Giants and G Flip. Also on Wildlands' just-dropped bill, although some acts aren't playing South Australia: Sub Focus doing his live show CIRCULAR SOUND, and everyone from Destroy Lonely, LUUDE, Jayda G, Romy and COBRAH to Ewan Mcvicar, Taylah Elaine, Conducta b2b Notion, dameeeela and STÜM. [caption id="attachment_873175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Milo Lee[/caption] It's been four years since Brisbane first welcomed Wildlands to the city, with the teams behind Victoria's Beyond The Valley and Perth's Origin Fields fests giving the Sunshine State a big new summer party. Fast-forward to 2023, and the event returns again, including to Perth and Adelaide after expanding to both over the summer of 2022–23 as well. This year's party will get started on the biggest night there is for celebrations: New Year's Eve. That's when Wildlands will kick off its latest run at Brisbane Showgrounds, before embracing 2024 on Saturday, January 6 at Claremont Showgrounds and Sunday, January 7 at Ellis Park. Wildlands' last tour featured Diplo, Denzel Curry and Dom Dolla, plus Yeat, Aitch, Kaytranada, Tkay Maidza, Honey Dijon and BENE — and Yung Lean, Shygirl, Remi Wolf, Kanine and SG Lewis, too — because this fest loves going big. Its first-ever event back in 2019 featured Tyler, The Creator, after all, as well as this year's returnees RÜFÜS DU SOL. In 2021, The Veronicas, Spacey Jane, Cosmo's Midnight and more did the honours. WILDLANDS 2023–24 LINEUP: All cities: RÜFÜS DU SOL Central Cee Peggy Gou A$AP FERG The Jungle Giants G Flip Becca Hatch Forest Claudette Brisbane and Perth only: Sub Focus presents CIRCULAR SOUND Destroy Lonely LUUDE Jayda G Romy Ewan McVicar Conducta b2b Notion Taylah Elaine STÜM COBRAH Boo Seeka Blanke dameeeela Miss Kaninna Anna Lunoe WILDLANDS 2023–24 DATES AND VENUES: Sunday, December 31, 2023 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, January 6, 2024 — Claremont Showgrounds, Perth Sunday, January 7, 2024 — Ellis Park, Adelaide Wildlands will hit Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide across December 2023–January 2024. Head to the festival website for further details and tickets — including registering for pre sales until 3pm AEST on Monday, August 28, nabbing pre-sale tickets from 6pm local time the same day and general sales from 6pm local time on Tuesday, August 29. Wildlands images: Jordan Munn / Mitch Lowe.
In late March, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the national cabinet had agreed to a six-month moratorium on evictions for both residential and commercial tenancies financially impacted by COVID-19. Like many coronavirus regulations, though, the moratorium then had to be implemented by individual states and territories. And on Wednesday, April 22, the Queensland Government did just that. As part of a package of special COVID-19 protections that has just been legislated in the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020 and explained in the Residential Tenancies Practice Guide, the government has introduced a six-month ban on evicting people financially impacted by COVID-19 — one that's backdated to apply from Sunday, March 29 until Wednesday, September 30. The eviction moratorium also applies to tenants whose lease expires during the next six months, with property owners required to offer an extension until at least Wednesday, September 30. The government hopes this pause on evictions will allow time for financial support (such as Centrelink and the new Jobkeeper payments) to reach tenants, and will "ensure people do not have to face the prospect of homelessness" during the pandemic, as stated on the state's new COVID-19 Residential Rental Hub. As always, there's some fine print — so we've broken it down. First up, what is a moratorium? Simply, it's a temporary ban or suspension of an activity. And an evictions moratorium? A temporary ban on evictions. In Queensland, the evictions moratorium is for six months, backdated to apply from Sunday, March 29 until Wednesday, September 30 — and applies only to renters who have been financially disadvantaged by COVID-19. More on that below. During this period, landlords are not able to issue a notice to leave to renters who have been financially disadvantaged by COVID-19. Now and in the past, landlords must issue a notice to leave if they wish to evict a tenant and, in more serious circumstances, an order, which must obtained through QCAT. Then, only with a warrant, can a police officer physically remove you from the premises. What happens when these six months are up? The government did not legislate what will happen after the six-month eviction moratorium period ends if you do not pay your rent during the period — that is, whether you can then be evicted for not paying rent. That said, you are encouraged to start negotiations with your landlord if you are having trouble paying rent during this six-month period, and to apply for mandatory conciliation through the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) if you can not come to an arrangement. More on that below. If you negotiate a tenancy variation agreement for a new, lesser rent amount for the six-month period — a rent reduction — you will not have to pay the shortfall after the period is up as you are no longer liable for the larger amount during the agreed period. For example, if your landlord agrees to reduce your rent by $100 per week for the six-month period, you will not need to make up that extra $100 per week at a later date. When the period is up, you will need to resume paying your full rent amount, however. That said, your landlord may ask that you negotiate a tenancy variation agreement that includes a payment plan for unpaid rent. So, does that mean I don't have to pay rent? If you have been financially impacted by COVID–19 and you cannot pay rent during this six-month period, you cannot be evicted due to rental arrears (missed rent payments) during the six-month period — but you are encouraged to start negotiations with your landlord for a longer-term rent reduction if needed. You're also advised to "keep paying what you think is reasonable", which the Qld Government specifies is 30 percent of your income. Once a new rent has been agreed on, a Tenancy Variation Form (RTA form 18d) must be submitted. What's important to note is that you're only protected from evictions if you've been put in position of excessive hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency, because one or more rent-paying members of your household has: been afflicted by COVID-19, or been subject to a public health direction to stay at a place, or are self-isolating because either they're vulnerable to COVID-19, a member of their household is vulnerable to COVID-19, or a someone they are a primary carer for is vulnerable to COVID-19, or had to stop working or reduce their ours because a public health direction has closed their place employment or restricted their employer's trade or business, or been unable to work because of a travel restriction, or been prevented from returning to Australia. In addition to falling into one of the above categories, to demonstrate excessive hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency, one or more rent-paying members of your household must: have suffered a loss of income of 25 percent or more, or now be faced with paying rent that represents more than 30 percent of their income. If you and your landlord cannot come to a new arrangement, you must apply for conciliation through the RTA. This is mandatory. As part of the conciliation process, you will be required to provide the RTA with information to show your loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to substantiate the hardship you're experiencing, and to demonstrate that you're either receiving income support payments or you've taken steps towards getting income support. If you do not meet the above eligibility, you're expected to honour your agreement and pay all rent and charges in full. What about if I've lost my job? Or had my shifts cut? As outlined above, if you have been financially impacted by COVID–19 due to losing your job or having your shifts cut, and you cannot pay rent during this six-month period, you cannot be evicted due to rental arrears — but you are encouraged to start negotiations with your landlord for a longer-term rent reduction if needed, and will be required to work through RTA conciliation if that is not successful. If you have lost your job, don't have access to any other financial assistance and haven't been able to negotiate a reduction in your rent, the government has implemented a COVID-19 Rental Grant. It is only available to Queensland tenants who have lost their job, have applied to Centrelink for income support, are waiting for their application with Centrelink to be approved, do not have more than $10,000 in cash and savings, and can provide evidence of their efforts to negotiate a payment plan with their landlord — and have exhausted all other options. Designed to bridge the gap until Centrelink payments start, it provides a one-off payment of up to four weeks rent (up to a maximum of $2000), and is paid directly to your landlord. Applications close at 5pm, on Monday, April 27, 2020. Do I have to pay it later? If you do not pay any rent and do not make an arrangement with your landlord, your unpaid rent will accrue as arrears during this period. Whether or not you'll have to pay this rent after the six months needs to be negotiated with your landlord. As outlined above, if you negotiate a new, lesser rent amount for the six-month period, you will not have to pay the shortfall after the period is up as you are no longer liable for the larger amount during the agreed period. For example, if your rent drops by $100 per week, you will not need to make up that extra $100 per week. When the period is up, you will need to resume paying your full rent amount, however. And if I can't, I won't be evicted — right? During the six-month moratorium, no — you cannot be evicted for not paying rent if you or your household has been financially impacted by COVID-19, as explained above. What happens after that period ends, though, hasn't been legislated by the government. To clarify, this moratorium primarily protects you from evictions for not paying rent if you have been financially impacted by COVID-19. That said, it also applies to tenants who reach the end of their lease during the six-month freeze period — that is, before Wednesday, September 30. If your lease expires within moratorium period and you don't want to move, your landlord must offer you an extension on your existing lease until at least Wednesday, September 30, unless you specifically request a shorter term. The moratorium does not apply if you breach your rental agreement. In that case, your landlord can still evict you — with timeframes varying depending on the reason. You can also still be issued with a notice to leave if the property is being sold, or the owner is preparing the property for sale. If I receive a phone call or email from my landlord about being evicted what should I do? If your landlord is unaware of the moratorium, you can direct them to the COVID-19 Residential Rental Hub and the RTA website. At the latter, you'll also find forms for varying your rental agreement due to COVID-19. If you visit the Tenants Queensland website, you can also access template and example letters to use when approaching your landlord about rent reduction. You can also contact Tenants Queensland by phone to obtain free tenancy advice. And, you can receive free financial advice from professionals by calling the National Debt Hotline on 1800 007 007. Am I allowed to break my lease and move out early if I need? You can, but you must be experiencing extreme financial hardship due to COVID-19. Your household must have lost 75 percent of more of your income, and have less than $5000 in savings — and you must be able to prove this. If you're in a fixed-term agreement, you might need to pay a break free; however that will be capped at the equivalent of one week's rent for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll also still need to pay any rental arrears you owe prior to advising your landlord that you need to break the lease. If you're having difficulty advising your landlord that you're breaking the lease — they're refusing to discuss the matter with you, or they can't be contacted — you'll need to go through the aforementioned RTA conciliation process. Have more questions? There's a heap of FAQs on the COVID-19 Residential Rental Hub, as well further details in the Residential Tenancies Practice Guide and an outline of the special COVID-19 protections for residential tenants on the RTA website. The Tenants Queensland website features fact sheets, forms and other useful links — and if you're still unsure you can get free tenancy advice by contacting its Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice Referral Service by phone.
With COVID-19 cases remaining low in Queensland over the past couple of weeks — including no new cases reported in the past 24 hours — the state has been relaxing a number of coronavirus-related restrictions. Already, Queenslanders are allowed to leave the house for some non-essential purposes. From Sunday, May 10, you'll be able to welcome five people from another household into your home, too. And, in the next week, a whole heap of other limitations will also be lifted. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the state's roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions today, Friday, May 8, following a similar announcement at the federal level. While Prime Minister Scott Morrison just unveiled the nation's three-step plan to lift lockdown limitations between now and July this afternoon as well, that country-wide framework needs to be implemented at the state level individually by each state — with Queensland getting in quick to explain exactly what's to come. From 11.59pm on Friday, May 15, Queensland will move to stage one of its "step-down approach to COVID-19", which is due to run for four weeks. During stage one, many normal, everyday activities that have been off limits since March will be allowed once again. In fact, it's a lengthy list. During stage one, the following will be allowed: Up to five visitors in your home, including from separate households. Gatherings of up to ten people outside of the house, for outdoor, non-contact activities — such as personal training, hiking in national and state parks, swimming in outdoor and indoor pools, visiting public spaces such as South Bank Parklands (including the lagoons), and heading to parks, playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms. Gatherings of up to ten people in libraries. Weddings with up to ten people. Church gatherings of up to ten people. Funerals with up to 20 people indoors and 30 outdoors. Recreational travel within 150 kilometres of your place of residence — for day trips only. All retail shopping. Dining in at cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels, with up to ten people allowed inside at any one time. Open homes and auctions with up to ten people. Beauty therapy services, with up to ten people allowed in-store at any one time. Of particular note is the increased number of outdoor activities, the fact that Queenslanders can now venture three times as far away from their homes, and the fact that cafes, restaurants and hotels will be able to open for dine-in customers — with the latter not initially expected to occur until June. Bars and gaming aren't included in stage one, however, but pubs serving food are. If all goes well, stage two will come into effect on June 12. That said, the Queensland Government will assess the effectiveness of stage one and monitor the outbreak of new COVID-19 cases before giving the go-ahead to loosen more restrictions. When stage two does start in Queensland, gathering limits will increase to 20, recreational travel will be allowed within 250 kilometres of your house, and 20 people will be allowed inside cafes, restaurants and hotels. Cinemas, museums, art galleries, theatres, arenas, arcades, zoos and outdoor amusement parks will also be able to open, again with a maximum of 20 people permitted at any one time. It's not until stage three, which has a target kick off date of July 10, that gathering limits will increase to 100 — including in cafes, restaurants and hotels, with bars and gaming venues then also allowed to open. Broader intrastate as well as interstate travel is also on the cards at this stage. Here's the full stage-by-stage rundown: At each stage, the standard social-distancing requirements will still apply — so sticking physical distancing, maintaining four square metres per person indoors, hand and cough hygiene, and frequent cleaning and disinfection. And, as the Premier stressed more than once during her press conference, these stages will be assessed on a month-by-month basis — so the timing may change depending on COVID-19 case numbers. "I am announcing our clear Queensland plan for the next three months. Of course, there may be setbacks along the way but I hope this plan can give certainty to Queenslanders as we map our path forward," the Premier noted. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Grace Smith
For all you Instagram fiends and DSLR social photographers: this is what true photography is. Don’t get me wrong, taking a good selfie is an art form, but it won’t hold up well to artistic criticism (you’ll probably get a few ‘likes’ though). The Queensland Centre of Photography is the place to go for amazing photo’s (duh), but it is also an incredibly stimulating place because of the talent they manage to wrangle for their exhibitions. This current crop of photographers are having their work shows fro November 30th to December the 22nd, so it will be the last batch on display for the year. If you are keen for some visual stimuli, check out some of the work on offer; perhaps the digital manipulations of Vanessa Bertagnole, or the indigenous centric work of Jeremy Blincoe (pictured). Also showing is work from artists such as Lucas Davidson, Sonia York-Pryce and Emma Leslie. Each series is worth a gander, so don’t be a goose, get to QCP, ASAP.
Some of the best things in life are from Mexico. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, tequila, sombreros, piñatas, nachos, fiestas and siestas! Add movies to that list too, while we're at it. Before I did a class in International Cinema, I thought that Mexican cinema was akin to the Three Amigos, and I haven't even seen that movie. The truth is that Mexican films are some of the most evocative, passionate and well-directed in the history of cinema. Amores Perros and Y Tú Mama También are two of my most favourite Mexican films because of the raw feel and incredible acting in each. And you can't deny that Gael Garcia Bernal is one sexy hunk of man meat. If you haven't seen any movies from Mexico and can't nab a seat in a university lecture, then the Hola Mexico Film Festival – supported by our favourite representation of Mexico, Mad Mex - would definitely be the place to start. There's 16 films on the schedule, including comedies, action thrillers and tear jerkers. It spans for 4 days from 1-4 December at the Tribal Theatre. Foreign films don't have to be so foreign, which is why we are giving you amigos a helping hand - señors and señoritas, we have 25 double passes to the Hola Mexico Film Festival to give away. Make sure you subscribe then shoot us an email to brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and phone number for your chance to win*. Andalé, andalé! *Conditions: Valid for one session only, subject to availability Not valid for Opening/Closing Night or Special Events Not redeemable for cash
Just when you thought you'd gotten 'Running Up That Hill' out of your head, a new trailer for the second volume for Stranger Things season four is here to lodge the Kate Bush track right back in there. Given how crucial the tune was to the first half of the hit Netflix show's long-awaited fourth season — and given how popular it's become since, running up those charts, too — it was always going to get another whirl. Also inevitable: a big showdown between Hawkins' favourite high schoolers and Vecna, as the just-dropped full sneak peek teases. "Your friends are not prepared for this fight. Hawkins will fall," the new trailer taunts, although those words are uttered by Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine, Breaking News in Yuba County) to Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong). Vecna has his own ominous words of warning, too, of course — but this latest glimpse at the two season four episodes still to come shows that Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Max (Sadie Sink, Fear Street), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy), Steve (Joe Keery, Free Guy), Robin (Maya Hawke, Fear Street) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard) are all ready to fight back, and Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn, Small Axe) as well. Also teased: Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow), Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America) and Murray's (Brett Gelman, Fleabag) efforts in Russia, weapons and all; another eerie stint in the Upside Down; and a huge explosion. The new trailer builds upon an earlier glimpse that released a couple of weeks ago, and both make one thing plain: this season is going out in a huge way. Need a refresher on where things are up to? Season four is set six months after the season three's battle of Starcourt, and began with Eleven living in Lenora Hills, California, with Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The Souvenir Part II) and Joyce. But, despite her claims that things were sunny — in letters to her boyfriend Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), of course — they really weren't. The same proved true back in Hawkins, too. There, teens started turning up dead, and metal-loving outcast Eddie — who also runs the high school Dungeons & Dragons club — became the prime suspect. But Dustin and company all knew better. Their efforts to work out what's going on took them everywhere from creepy houses and mental institutions to the Upside Down. And, they're just getting started. That's the basic overview — with season four so far also spanning nods to 80s flicks aplenty, a wonderful horror cameo, explorations of Eleven's past and powers, road trips, and ins and outs of Hopper's whole situation in a Soviet gulag. As for what'll happen next, that'll be revealed in full on Friday, July 1, when the final two episodes of Stranger Things season four volume two arrive. Until then, check out the full Stranger Things season four volume two trailer below: The first seven episodes of Stranger Things season four are available to stream now via Netflix, with the remaining two set to follow on Friday, July 1. Read our full review of Stranger Things season four volume one.
The bright lights and debauchery of the Las Vegas strip are fun, but there comes a time when you need some natural sun and nutrients that don't come from a complimentary bowl of nuts. That's where Vegas' whole other identity comes in. This alter ego has a sense of adventure, a taste for quality fare, and of course, is still a little bit wild — aka, it's worth getting to know. [caption id="attachment_635169" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] H. Michael Miley via Flickr[/caption] TAKE A SCENIC RUNNING TOUR If you're looking for a legal way to get high in Vegas, this is it. With the choice to explore a changing range of different areas — the historic side of the strip, downtown, the Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam have all been featured — Las Vegas Running Tours will show you a completely different side of Vegas. Catering to runners of all levels, this is a chance to see Vegas from a vastly different perspective to most tourists. Guided by Jimmy, who simply loves to run, the tours last 4-5 hours, generally cover four different trails and include pick up from your hotel, snacks, water and some sweet merch. Our tip: while it's not always on offer, a visit to The Valley of Fire is like travelling to another planet. And given that it's where they filmed Star Trek: Generations, this is no exaggeration. Characterised by multiple tones of red rock formations, exploring this place on foot is pretty spectacular. [caption id="attachment_635170" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sake Rok[/caption] ENJOY A DIFFERENT KIND OF DINNER AND A SHOW AT SAKE ROK Sake Rok takes the concept of dinner and a show to a new level. Professional dancers first, waiters second, the staff jump between taking your order and bursting into an all-singing, all-dancing rendition of some of the '90s greatest hits — think the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. When the music starts, all the staff get into it, even the traditionally-trained Japanese chefs in the open plan kitchen. Basically, nobody takes themselves too seriously here. It may sound kitsch, but if you don't mind things that are a little over the top, this place is a lot of fun — and a great place to start your night. From the graffitied walls painted by local artists to the food itself, Sake Rok is a sensory overload. Classic sashimi dishes get kicked up a level with a dusting of truffles, ordering a sushi platter is a spectacle in itself thanks to a roaring, smoking Godzilla, and the vegan-friendly menu features a crispy rice version of avocado toast. And, for a really good time, get involved with a sake bomb or a punch bowl. While American serving sizes are usually too much, when it comes to dessert at Sake Rok, it's nowhere near enough. Their specialty honey toast is the love child of waffles and brioche toast, doused in honey and piled with ice cream. It's dense and fluffy in parts, and crunchy on the outside, which means it's the perfect consistency for unnecessarily mopping up every last bit of honey. [caption id="attachment_635171" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Angie Ortaliza Photography via EAT Cafe[/caption] ROLL OUT OF BED FOR A QUALITY BRUNCH In Vegas, you can get anything you want — for cheap and in excess. That includes an $8 rump steak, 99 cent margaritas and the Octuple Bypass Burger from downtown's aptly named Heart Attack Grill, which is just shy of 2 kilograms of meat. What's difficult to find is the kind of breakfast us Aussies take for granted. Luckily, EAT Cafe know that a serving of chicken and waffles that defies nature isn't necessarily the way you always want to start the day. The kind of place every traveller hopes to find, this is where locals go for brunch. They do pancakes with chicken-apple sausage and maple syrup, a killer BLAT with chipotle mayo, and eggs any style with smoked bacon, chive potatoes and toast. Plus, for those nursing a hangover, the more sizeable truffled egg sandwich with wild mushrooms, chives, feta and bacon will set you straight. FIND THE HIDDEN SPEAKEASY AT THE COMMONWEALTH For some, The Commonwealth is a rooftop cocktail bar overlooking downtown Vegas. But for those in the know, it harbours a speakeasy under its floorboards. And while it's not the best kept secret — the number to book a table is listed on the website — once you're in, The Laundry Room feels like the real deal. Resembling an underground bunker adorned gilded artworks, a wooden bar and top-notch spirits, you can easily imagine the city's upper echelons enjoying countless salubrious nights here. Not much has changed, but now they have a rotation of flavoured popcorn to snack on. If The Laundry Room really had stepped out of times gone by, you'd expect the drinks to be served strong and straight up, but thankfully that's not the case. The cocktails here befit the ornate setting. Served in traditional crystalware, the green chartreuse and fresh honey lemon sour with muddled strawberries may appear a light choice, but that's until the blowtorch comes out to top it off with an absinthe-torched rosemary sprig. And if you're after a beverage with impact, go the Mighty Tiki Joe. Topped with the cap of a Gifford Caribbean pineapple, this sweet and substantial mix of light and dark rums, ginger liqueur, lime and pineapple juices with mint and habanero bitters makes a grand entrance — it comes out smoking. Main image: Thomas Wolf
Despite three years ago announcing his retirement from making feature films, it seems 75-year-old Hayao Miyazaki still has plenty more artistic fuel left in the tank. Known for his work on iconic films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo, the legendary anime director revealed on last week's TV special, Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao (The Man Who Is Not Done: Hayao Miyazaki), that he'll be having another crack at the medium. If all goes to plan, he hopes to release his next full-length feature within five years. Miyazaki's retirement has seen him swap feature films for CG shorts, and the past few years have kept him busy animating for the Studio Ghibli Museum. But it was dissatisfaction with his current project, Kemushi no Boro (Boro the Caterpillar), as a short that prompted him to propose turning the story into a feature. While this latest passion project hasn't yet been given the official go-ahead, Miyazaki says he's already made a start on the storyboards, suggesting the film would be finished in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Via Anime News Network.
There's more to going to the movies than just seeing the flicks that fill megaplexes, as Australia's thriving film festival scene demonstrates. The country's third-largest capital city might've just been robbed of its major annual cinema showcase, but our love of films beyond the mainstream can't be thwarted that easily. As far as Hollywood's addition to the movie-making fold is concerned, that's where the American Essentials Film Festival comes in. Founded in 2016 as a way to fill select Aussie cinemas with the kind of US titles that don't usually make it to our shores, the touring festival returns for its second run with another lineup of noteworthy inclusions — 31 films and 20 Aussie premieres, in fact. Making its way around the country between May 9 and 28, complete with runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide, the fest kicks off with an Oscar-nominated performance, boasts a documentary dedicated to a talent who makes films (and TV shows) like no one else, and features everyone from Greta Gerwig (twice!) to Australia's own Bond to Ewan McGregor jumping behind the camera. Prepare for a busy movie-viewing month. Fresh from earning a nod for best original screenplay at this year's Academy Awards — and garnering lead actress Annette Bening a Golden Globe nomination, too — 20th Century Women will get the festival started, marking writer/director Mike Mills' first movie since 2010's Beginners. Bening stars as a mother coping with the fact her son is growing up, and calling in pals played by Gerwig and Elle Fanning to help. As promised, Gerwig also features in Todd Solondz's Wiener-Dog, which comes to the fest after having its Australian premiere at last year's Sydney Underground Film Festival. Also on the bill, and impeccably timed given that the third season of Twin Peaks starts airing during May, is highly anticipated doco David Lynch: The Art Life, while docudrama Becoming Bond keeps the factual fun going by delving into the Aussie that once played oo7. American Pastoral is the aforementioned McGregor's first stint as a director; California Dreams explores the real folks trying to make it in LA, La La Land-style; G-Funk dives into the style of hip hop started by Warren G, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg; and 2016 Cannes hit The Transformation follows a 14-year-old who thinks he's a vampire. As well as highlighting new flicks, with Are We Not Cats' magical realism and Detour's crime thrills also on offer, American Essentials shines a spotlight on classic titles in its Masters & Masterpieces retrospective. That's where audiences can watch Lynch's inimitable debut Eraserhead for its 4oth anniversary, as well as his 2001 standout Mulholland Drive — plus the Carrie Fisher-written Postcards on the Edge; Andy Warhol's Bad, which is the last film the artist produced before his death; and a Charles Bukowski double of doco You Never Had It: An Evening with Bukowski alongside the semi-autobiographical, Mickey Rourke-starring 1987 favourite Barfly. The American Essentials Film Festival tours Australia from May 9, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Palace Verona from May 9 to 24; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth and The Astor Theatre from May 11 to 24; and Brisbane's Palace Centro from May 17 to 28. For more information, visit the festival website.
