Everyone has a favourite holiday, venues included — and W Brisbane sure does love Easter. Each year, it puts on decadent high teas themed to fit the occasion. So, if you like tucking into tiny bites to eat, you'd best add a trip to this CBD venue to your must-do list. W Brisbane's Living Room is dishing up High Tea in Bloom, a spin on its current Sunshine State high tea with an Easter twist. On the menu: gold easter eggs that you'll crack open to find a puzzle made out of white chocolate inside, as well as Queensland rum and banana cake topped with edible moss and a mini egg nest; hot cross buns with cream and spiced plum jam; and carrot, ginger and kumquat petit gateux. On the savoury side, there's smoked duck mousse with cognac, shortcrust pastry and sumac; brioche with Townsville farmed lobster, cos lettuce and heirloom tomatoes; and Yeppoon spanner crab and wakame on rye. But you'll probably get most excited about the booze — including pink cottontail martinis that blend Absolut vanilla vodka, white chocolate cream liqueur and strawberry syrup. Yes, it's time to chose your pals best in need of a treat, then make a date — with these high teas kicking off from 11am–3pm Thursday–Sunday from Thursday, March 30–Sunday, March 2 and Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9. If you're keen, you have three price options. Pay $70, and you'll feast your way through the food, accompanied as much tea and coffee as you can drink. Opt for the $90 option, however, you can add that aforementioned cocktail — or $99 gets you a glass of glass of Veuve Clicquot NV Brut.
To help slow and stop the spread of COVID-19, a number of hygiene measures are recommended. We all know them by now. They include frequently washing our hands and using hand sanitiser, maintaining 1.5-metre social distancing and staying home if you've experiencing even the slightest of symptoms. Wearing masks is another tactic, but the approach within Australia has varied state by state throughout the pandemic. They were first mandated in Melbourne back in mid-July, and were made compulsory in some indoor situations in Greater Sydney at the beginning of 2021. In Queensland, they'll be required for the three days that the Greater Brisbane area is in lockdown from Friday, January 6–Monday, January 11, in response to the first community case of the new, more contagious COVID-19 strain in the country. When it comes to flying, because social distancing can be difficult and you're sat in close quarters in a confined space with other people for a period of time, mask usage has long been recommended — but it'll now be mandatory, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced today, Friday, January 8. The new rule was adopted by the first Australian national cabinet meeting for 2021, alongside a number of other changes made in reaction to the new COVID-19 strain. The mask mandate applies to all domestic flights within the country, and to international flights to and from our shores as well. For domestic flights, only children under 12 won't have to don a face covering. Folks will have to wear masks for not only for the duration of their flights, but at airports as well, including airports overseas for those about to hop on flights to Australia. The rules cover international air crews, too, who will now be required to undergo a COVID-19 test in Australia every seven days or upon arrival, with the exact requirement to be determined by each state. Compulsory pre-flight testing for international travellers coming to Australia has also been adopted by the national cabinet, as part of "a set of improved measures to tighten the end-to-end process of international arrivals in Australia," said the Prime Minister. "Travellers to Australia must return a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure to Australia," he advised; however, there "will be exemptions in extenuating circumstances. This could include for seasonal workers from amber-risk countries where there is limited access to testing, with mitigation of testing on arrival in Australia". Australia is reducing caps on international arrivals in some states as well — in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland — by 50 percent until February 15. In NSW, a weekly cap of 1505 will be in place, while WA's will be 512 and Queensland's will be 500. Quarantine workers will also be subject to changed requirements, moving nationally to daily testing. National cabinet is taking an expansive view of the term 'quarantine worker', and the Prime Minister said that "states are encouraged to take as broad a definition of that as they can, as is done in many states — that would extend to transport workers for people going to quarantine, not just those who are the cleaners or others directly involved in that process, medical staff and so on." As for when this'll all come into effect, the Prime Minister advised that the changes will be implemented "over the course of the next week — and the compliance arrangements that sit around that will be put in place by the Commonwealth and the state governments". For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.
Beginning as Dustin Payseur's bedroom pop project, Brooklyn's Beach Fossils showed an immediate knack for jangly lo-fi gems, with 2010’s 'Daydream’ delivering them instant hype band status. Since then, they've continued to knock out slacker pop gems and have expanded their lineup to include four touring members. This year's Clash the Truth was their second full-length and saw them ditch the bedroom for a high-end studio, and producer Ben Greenberg was enlisted to give the songs a new sheen. Beach Fossils have managed to evolve without losing what initially set them apart. While the production values are better than before, that familiar reverb-drenched sound and Payseur's distinctive laconic vocals remains their stock-in-trade, and Payseur’s ability to write unassuming but incessantly catchy songs remains undiminished. In their first Australian headline shows, fans can expect Clash the Truth highlights like 'Careless' and 'Shallow' in a live show noted for its energy.
Featuring an eclectic mix of musicians and producers, Dots+Loops is a new take on live music where the lines are blurred yet the dance floor is still packed. Hosted by SYC Studios, a hub of creative photography in the heart of Woolloongabba, Dots+Loops is shaping up to be a great addition to the Brisbane live music scene. The inaugural event will feature performances from a mix of concert hall performers and electronic producers. The Armas Quartet will be performing String Quartet No. 5 by Philip Glass. Nonsemble (pictured) will be premiering Go Seigen vs Fujisawa Kuranosuke, which was created in collaboration with Queensland composer, Chris Perren. Finally, DJ Airport will be playing a set of electronic dance music, paying tribute to his influences in the contemporary EDM scene. Tickets are available now and are a reasonable $15. Get loopy.
This Is Not Art is the dream that keeps us trudging through winter each year, looking towards that October long weekend when Newcastle transforms into some wild, uncontrollable and utterly miscellaneous beast of the arts. Except that, for a moment there, it looked like this year's festival wouldn't happen. In early July, with less than three months left until the festival, TINA were notified by Newcastle City Council that their triennial funding had been canned. This meant an $18 000 deficit in the budget: a nightmare for any small arts organisation. The event, which annually offers over two hundred and fifty free events, featuring the work of more than four hundred Australian artists, and typically attracting over five thousand participants, was in serious doubt. Thanks to an assertive campaign by Festival Coordinator Eliza Adam, this week TINA have confirmed that the show is back on the road. Phew! Incredibly, supporters of TINA raised a huge $8 750 over only two weeks. What's more, the Copyright Agency Limited jumped on board to offer a huge $9 000 and a Newcastle-based web company, Izilla Web Solutions, pledged $2 000. In the wake of popular outrage, Newcastle Council flipped to offer TINA increased financial support, plus additional provisions for planning and assistance into the future. This year's festival is once again looking good. Keen to see TINA be all it can be? You can still help! Donations are being accepted at TINA's Pozible site until 7 August - and let's face it, it's a small fee to pay for an amazing, five day festival that's already free. TINA is also heavily reliant on volunteers, and there's a huge range of things to be done which you can check out here.
If the past few years have you craving something more than the usual — something outside of your house, for starters, and events that don't just feel like the same old thing again and again, too — then prepare to spend some time in a secret Fraser Coast spot. First, you'll be heading north from Brisbane. Next, you'll be venturing slightly inland to Gootchie. Voila, that's where Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival will unleash its 2022 program. Yes, one of southeast Queensland's favourite smaller, more specialised, boutique and meticulously curated fests is returning, which is great news for your Labour Day long weekend plans. Since 2014 — with pandemic delays, like all events — Jungle Love has been a smorgasbord of creative activities, and that isn't changing this time around. Instead of ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground, here you'll find a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? [caption id="attachment_843590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lauren Crabbe[/caption] The 2022 event will take place between Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1 at a yet-to-be-revealed secret Gootchie location. If you've been in previous years, the fest is heading to a new site this year, so get excited. Yes, swimming will still be part of the program; however, the new venue will also allow Jungle Love to add some other additional aspects to its lineup. First-release tickets have already been snapped up, with final release tix now on sale. Camping is included in the price, and you can level up to glamping packages — in bell tents that sleep up to five people — as well. And, in terms of what you'll be enjoying while you're there, the program includes visual arts displays, what's aiming to be one of the world's longest jams, circus, cabaret, theatre, workshops, knocking back those BYO beverages and plenty of tunes. [caption id="attachment_843589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bajj Holloway[/caption] JUNGLE LOVE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL LINEUP 2022: Battlesnake Bud Rokesky Budjerah Cash Savage and the Last Drinks CityPiss Dizzy Doolan Hope D Viey JB Patterson Jem Cassar-Daley K+Lab Kid Heron King Stingray Lastlings Life On Earth Mou Mr Maps Nonsemble Pink Matter Pirra Radium Dolls Rhythm Hunters RVG Sahara Beck SCARES Shugorei Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers The Lachy Doley Group The Lazy Eyes Thunder Fox Tjaka Torpid Vetta Borne 8 Mile Yacht Club Boom Boom Soundsystem Renegade Playground Fem Fale Shandy Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival takes place from Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1 at a secret location in Gootchie, Queensland. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the festival's website. Top images: Savannah van der Niet.
Splendour in the Grass might be over for another year and festival season still a blip on the horizon, but in the meantime here's a great opportunity to invest in some home-grown talent and have a killer weekend while you're at it. After launching last year, three-night festival Against the Grain is back. Organised by local indie publication Grain, it's bringing its showcase of ace live music to Fortitude Valley's Bakery Lane, The Brightside, Barbara and Reverend's Fine Coffee across August 25 to 27. The 2017 lineup features Gold Class, The Courtneys, MOSSY, Twin Haus, The Ocean Party, Thigh Master, Horror My Friend and many more — including free art exhibitions as well. You can grab a two-day pass for $49.50. Here's the full three-day lineup. Friday night (free):Top Dollar, Chakra Efendi, Keeskea and Dream City. Saturday night ($29.10): MOSSY, Twin Haus, Good Morning, Yuuca, Sleep Decade, Vacations, Stella Donnelly, Spirit Bunny, Sleep Club, Half/Cut, Cody Munro Moore, Make More, Wolver and Start Together. Sunday night ($29.10): Gold Class, The Courtneys, The Ocean Party, Mere Women, Horror My Friend, Hollow Everdaze, Boat Show, Thigh Master, Sweater Curse, Jouk Mistrow, Siamese, Greenwave Beth, Sunscreen and In Real Life.
If you live in Adelaide, you probably already think your city is the best place in Australia. For two days this spring, music fans across the country will share that view, too. Come November, the South Australian capital will play host to a brand-new — and huge — music festival called Harvest Rock, and it boasts one helluva lineup. Headlining the bill is Jack White, with The White Stripes frontman playing his only Australian show — and, at Rymill Park and King Rodney Park across Saturday, November 19–Sunday, November 20, he'll be joined by plenty of international talent. The Black Crowes, Khruangbin and Groove Armada are all on the roster, as are The Lumineers and Hot Chip. Yes, that's a lineup worth planning a weekend in Adelaide for. From the local contingent, Crowded House will bring a hefty dose of nostalgia — don't dream it's over indeed. The Avalanches sit among the other big drawcards, as do Courtney Barnett, You Am I and Tones And I. [caption id="attachment_865436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mia Mala McDonald[/caption] Hailing from Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour in the Grass, Harvest Rock's two-day run will also place a big focus on the other part of its moniker: food. That'll include a dedicated stage for chef and bar stars to showcase their skills, a clear marquee serving up curated bites by chef Jake Kellie (arkhé, Burnt Ends), and a food truck park. Plus, the bar lineup is being curated by Australian wine critic Nick Stock, and features Archie Rose Distilling Co pouring spirits, wine tastings at a cellar door pop-up, a beer hall and a champagne bar. One watering hole will be a LGBTQI+ space, too, and there'll also be a booze-free bar for anyone keen on avoiding a post-fest hangover. HARVEST ROCK 2022 LINEUP: Jack White Crowded House The Black Crowes Khruangbin Groove Armada Sam Fender The Lumineers Tones And I The Avalanches Courtney Barnett Kurt Vile Angus & Julia Stone The Teskey Brothers Hot Chip Goanna Genesis Owusu The Living End Cat Power You Am I Meg Mac Marlon Williams Holy Holy Alex Cameron Ruby Fields Allen Stone Electric Fields TOWNS Slowmango Harvest Rock will take over Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, November 19–Sunday, November 20, with tickets on sale from 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 24. Top image: Paige Sara.
Where's the weirdest, wildest, strangest and most unexpected place you've seen a live show? Wherever it might be, would you like to best it? That's the challenge that Anywhere Festival gives Brisbane audiences every year, because this event's love of putting on theatre everywhere it possibly can is right there in its name. When you're not watching performances in a bar, you might be heading to a park — or a brewery, cemetery or someone's house. They're just some of the spots that Anywhere Festival is sliding into in 2023, with the event returning from Thursday, May 4–Sunday, May 21. Other destinations hosting theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, music, circus, spoken word or poetry include libraries, paint factories, museums, laneways, galleries and a Harry Potter-themed store — and also a YMCA, a couple of universities, community centres, cafes, a beach and an old Stefan salon. The 2023 event begins as it has in previous years, starting with a big laneway party on Fish Lane. From there, you can ponder cabin fever in someone's apartment, watch a dance work in an airport terminal, catch a musical parody of The Human Centipede and listen to live tunes in a Woolloongabba pedorthic clinic. Or, if you'd like to learn how to survive a zombie apocalypse — a handy skill — that's happening at a school. Also on the lineup: pondering disaster at The Wilderness Society, musing on the worst funerals ever at South Brisbane cemetery, an immersive ten-year reunion at Blute's, songs about shopping at Garden City, a production about a hellish seaside escape at Northshore's beach, and the 12.7 million lights of the QUT Sphere backdropping music and movement. There's a show about the best bubbles — not the drinks — as well, and a string quartet at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Dancing in a park, a circus show about the history of booze while beer is being made around you, an ode to introverts, wizard trivia and wondering what'd happen if Shakespeare's characters were still alive today are on the bill as well. [caption id="attachment_852664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Geoff Lawrence[/caption] Top image: Stuart Hirth.
International travel could possibly be back on the cards for Australians by Christmas, but you'll be able to get a 26-film glimpse of Italy first. The reason: the 2021 Italian Film Festival. As it does every year, it's showcasing a stacked lineup of new and classic cinema from its chosen part of the globe, as part of its touring program. For Brisbanites, this year's fest will arrive in mid-October, helping kicking off its Australia-wide run. From Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14, movie buffs will want to head to Palace James Street and Palace Centro to get their Italian film fix. The fest opens with The Ties — and with a marriage in crisis. Starring Alba Rohrwacher (Happy as Lazzaro) and Luigi Lo Cascio (Human Capital), and helmed by Daniele Luchetti (La Nostra Vita, My Brother is an Only Child), this moving film follows a couple's tumultuous romance over the course of decades. It comes to the Italian Film Festival after opening last year's Venice Film Festival, and becoming the first Italian movie in more than a decade to do the latter. At the other end of the 2021 Italian Film Festival, the event will close with a classic: Roberto Rosselini's Rome, Open City. It's part of a four-film retrospective of the director's work, and also falls within the fest's look back at iconic Italian leading ladies. This event always comes with a big appreciation for Italy's filmmaking past, which is where documentary Fellini Forward: From the Creative Genius of Federico Fellini, about the acclaimed director, also fits in. Elsewhere, festival highlights include Cannes Film Festival Director's Fortnight winner To Chiara, about a 15-year-old who discovers her father might have criminal ties; Nanni Moretti's Three Floors, which is set across a Rome apartment block; Hidden Away, a biopic about artist Antonio Ligabue; and You Came Back, a thriller that makes ample use of Venice's lagoons. Or, there's also comedy Three Perfect Daughters; drama Tigers, about footballer Martin Bengtsson; and Sirley, which sees director Elisa Amoruso draw upon her adolescence for her first fictional film.
Good news has been in short supply in 2020, so when something positive comes along, it's worth celebrating. In Victoria, after two tough periods of lockdown this year, the state has just hit an impressive milestone — with no active COVID-19 cases present. That figure comes as the state also hits 25 consecutive days without any new COVID-19 cases or deaths, which is obviously also fantastic news. To put those achievements in context, when Victoria announced on October 26 that it had zero new cases or deaths that day, it was the first time it had celebrated that feat since early June — and that mid-year news was the first time since the start of the pandemic. By mid-August, the states cases had climbed to 687. That was the peak of the second wave, thankfully, and since then, the numbers have slowly been decreasing. The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services has sent out its daily Tweet with yesterday's numbers and it's what we all want to see: a big fat zero in all four crucial fields. So there are no new cases, no deaths, no active cases and no cases from an unknown source across the past fortnight, either. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1330996503817703430 Of course, this doesn't mean the war is over, but it is great to hear as Victoria continues to open back up. It's also the first time that cases have hit zero in the state since February. Today's zero new cases places Victoria's total at 20,345, which includes 19,525 people who have recovered from the coronavirus, as per the state's last reported numbers on Monday, November 23. So far, Victoria has conducted more than 3.5 million tests for COVID-19. While restrictions have been easing across the state, the Victorian Government has continued to encourage the state's residents to get tested and respect the rules. The last round of eased restrictions came into effect on midnight this past Sunday, with Victorians no longer required to wear masks outside (as long as you can maintain social distancing) and venue and gathering limits increasing. At-home gathering sizes are set to increase again on Sunday, December 13 — just in time for Christmas. The state has been slowly progressing through a five-step roadmap to COVID-normal since mid-September. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website — and for further details about Victoria's steps for reopening, head to the roadmap itself.
One of the many casualties of last year's pandemic fallout was Melbourne Museum's much-anticipated Treasures of the Natural World exhibition, which is set to feature a monumental collection of rare, ancient and fascinating artefacts curated by London's iconic Natural History Museum. The blockbuster installation was originally slated to make its debut Down Under in May 2020, but was instead postponed as COVID-19 restrictions swept in. Now, the wait is almost over, with news of a new opening date — Saturday, June 12. Come winter, Melbourne Museum will finally play host to this Australia exclusive, showcasing more than 200 groundbreaking items that have each helped change the course of scientific history. The exhibition is once-in-a-lifetime stuff, packed full of artworks, specimens and other objects that give insight into the mysteries of the natural world, and also mark the biggest moments in human discovery. Visitors will have the chance to see the 400,000-year-old hand axe that was discovered next to the bones of a woolly mammoth, check out the 200 million-year-old Ichthyosaurus fossil that Mary Anning unearthed at the tender age of eleven (as mentioned in the recent film Ammonite), and even explore some of the pieces from Charles Darwin's personal collection that were seminal to informing his theory of evolution. Among its many stories, the exhibition also has a strong focus on sharing First Peoples' narratives from across the globe, taking an important deep dive into the histories and relationships that Indigenous people have with the natural world. London's Natural History Museum is one of the world's top five most visited museums, and is renowned as a global leader in the areas of taxonomy and biodiversity. This is your chance to get up close and personal with some of its coolest scientific finds — all without having to wait for those international borders to reopen. Tickets that were purchased for the original dates of the Treasures of the Natural World exhibition automatically remain valid for the new run — you'll just need to show them at the Museum's ticketing desk. Treasures of the Natural World will launch at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, from Saturday, June 12. To find out more and grab tickets, check out the website. Images: Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly, the Latrobe Nugget and the Cursed-Amethyst — all via Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.
In 2023, Queensland made history when it became the first Australian state to commit to pill-testing services not just ad hoc or at festivals, but on an ongoing and permanent basis. The Sunshine State's strategy is now being put into place, starting over 2024's Easter long weekend. Accordingly, festivalgoers at 2024's Rabbits Eat Lettuce will be able to use Queensland's first event-based pill testing service onsite. The aim, at fests and in general, is to ensure that Queenslanders heading for a night out and to big music events can check their illicit substances for dangerous ingredients — and do so for free, voluntarily and confidentially. The state-funded sites are being established as a harm-reduction strategy, to minimise overdoses and other adverse effects resulting from party drugs. Exactly where in southeast Queensland the permanent locations will pop up hasn't been revealed as yet, but there'll be two venues. As well as winning the tender for the initial pair of fixed-site spots, Queensland Injectors Health Network, The Loop Australia, and the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action will also provide at least one festival-based service this year. Harm Reduction Australia, which operates as Pill Testing Australia, will take care of several other pill-testing services at festivals in 2024 and 2025, capitalising upon its experience in Canberra at fests and at a fixed-site spot. Indeed, Queensland's move comes after trials in Canberra, which has included Groovin' the Moo in 2018 and 2019. The Australian Capital Territory also launched the country's first fixed testing site as part of a six-month trial. Drug checking has been used overseas since the 90s, but remains a controversial topic in Australia. Indeed, when Groovin the Moo conducted its first trial in 2018, calls to offer pill testing had been circulating for the prior two years, after a 15-year-old collapsed from an overdose at the fest's Maitland event in 2016. Rabbits Eat Lettuce, which takes place just outside of Warwick in Elbow Valley, experienced two deaths at its 2019 festival. "In 2021, there were 2231 drug-induced deaths in Australia — the equivalent of five deaths a day. That's 2231 deaths too many, and we know this number will continue to grow if we don't act now," said Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service Shannon Fentiman. "I want to be clear that these services are all about harm minimisation; we don't want people ending up in our emergency departments — or worse, losing their life. They aim to make people aware of the dangers of taking illicit substances, influence behaviour and, ideally, reduce their use of substances," Fentiman continued. [caption id="attachment_809941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Byrne[/caption] For more information about pill testing in Queensland, head to the Queensland Government website.
Those of you who are in the mood for something completely off the wall need look no further than Circadelia. If you are a fan of psychedelic music, circus performers, visual art or all of the above then you have probably found your dream event. Featuring performances from some of Brisbane’s best psychedelic bands and the finest circus performers Brisbane has to offer, Circadelia is one for the history books. Dreamtime, Moses Gunn Collective (pictured) and The Scrapes will be performing their brands of psychedelic rock and drone compositions with visual projections by Amy Longworth providing the atmosphere. Hosted at The Ice Cream Factory (no joke, it actually used to be the Peters Ice Cream Factory) in the heart of West End, punters will be able to immerse themselves in the surreal, mind-bending world of music, art and circus. Entry is $15 and doors open at 7pm. Prepare for a mystical night of magical entertainment!
Perspective can be a tricky thing to find when you're deep into a second stretch of lockdown, dreaming about the small freedoms being enjoyed by the rest of the country. After all, Melbourne's currently up against some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions, with the return to normality looking anything but speedy. But one local video production company has found a way to embrace all those uniquely Melbourne lockdown feels, and created a documentary based on the phases of our stage four plight. Titled Iso-Cray: A Story of Melbourne Locked Down, Monster & Bear's latest work hopes to kick-start some important discussions about how we're all coping — really — and what we can do to help others through this funky time. While the nightly news is focused on the bigger picture, this ten-minute video creation is celebrating the day-to-day reality, normalising the lockdown moods in the hopes of doing good things for Melbourne's mental health. Plus, it should give interstate mates a solid glimpse at what's really happening down south. The short flick documents everyday life through this latest bout of restrictions, sharing stories of creative resilience from real people in iso all across the city. The cross-section of folks on camera is diverse, but those iso-cray feelings are the same across the board. Basically, whatever you're going through, you sure ain't alone. "I think we all recognise this is a once in a 100-year event, and it's refreshing to see a city (and the broader state) giving each other permission to feel every kind of emotion on the spectrum," said Monster & Bear Creative Director Sarah Hickey in a statement. "We should all be able to share our feelings right now, and we shouldn't be ashamed of it." Tune in to see the kaleidoscope of emotions that is a bunch of real locals living their lockdown lives — from living room dance sessions to late-night musings and some good old-fashioned screaming. Iso-Cray: A Story of Melbourne Locked Down is available to watch in full now.
For much of his career, Ryan Gosling has perfected on-screen smouldering. He's the kind of actor who can utter few words and still convey everything, as movies such as Drive and Only God Forgives demonstrated so well. But Gosling is also exceptional at comedy, which Barbie reminded the world in 2023 with glorious ballad-crooning, beach-loving Kenergy. Next, cinema's baby goose is getting into action-comedy mode in the Sydney-shot The Fall Guy. Based on the 80s TV series of the same name, the film follows stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling), whose career isn't what it used to be. After taking time off, he's back at work getting set on fire for a living — but the fact that his ex Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer) is directing brings chaos. That's just the first dose of the movie's mayhem. Also complicating matters: that megastar actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bullet Train), who Seavers is meant to be doubling for in Moreno's flick, has gone missing. So, the stunt professional now has another task: work out what's going on by solving a conspiracy. If you're thinking "wasn't Gosling in the stunt game in Drive?", you're correct; however, The Fall Guy couldn't be in more different territory tonally. That said, when Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham tells Gosling "you're a stuntman — nobody's going to notice you, that's your job", in The Fall Guy's just-dropped first trailer, you'll already know that his casting means that's never going to prove true. As well as finding a missing actor, getting immersed in action intrigue to unravel a criminal plot, saving his latest movie and doing his regular job, Seavers is on a mission to win back Moreno — but IRL stuntman-turned-filmmaker David Leitch, who also helmed Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, puts stunts to the fore as much as rom-com banter in the initial sneak peek. Written by Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw scribe Drew Pearce, The Fall Guy co-stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu, plus Winston Duke (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Also a big feature in the trailer: its Sydney shooting location, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Everyone in Australia knows that Gosling was in the country to make the movie — and we all know that any flick shot here will show off that fact in its footage, as seen in the trailer for the also Sydney-made Anyone But You recently as well. On the small screen, The Fall Guy ran for 113 episodes from 1981–86, starring Lee Majors after his best-known role in The Six Million Dollar Man. Check out the trailer for The Fall Guy below: The Fall Guy releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Having dominated Australian dining for decades with the likes of Bondi's Icebergs Dining Room, Da Orazio and The Dolphin Hotel, restaurateur Maurice Terzini is now taking his talents to Asia. And his first stop is Seminyak, Bali, where his new restaurant Da Maria will be opening on Saturday, November 5. As the name suggests, the venue will be bringing a splash of Italy to the tropical Indonesian island. Roman architects Lazzarini Pickering took care of the design and, walking into the courtyard, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd landed on the Amalfi Coast. The cool whites and blues, bold shapes, fountains and feature ceiling are a contemporary take on 1960s aesthetics, including that of Giò Ponti's famous Sorrento hotel Parco dei Principi. "Da Maria is our portrait of Maurice Terzini in Bali," said Carl Pickering. "'Bali Style' wouldn't have worked for the ideas Maurice had for this restaurant." That said, there is evidence of Balinese influence in the rubber trees, cacti and passionfruit vines. Plus, you'll notice a dash of French fer forgé style in the tables and chairs. As far as the food goes, Terzini has gone for a modern take on simple, traditional Italian dishes. A cool 24 hours of fermentation goes into the pizza dough, which is made using Neapolitan techniques and cooked in lava stone ovens. You'll also find porchetta (whole pig) which has proved a big hit at Bondi's Da Orazio. Among the lighter dishes, there's asparagus with anchovy butter and parmesan, snapper crudo with tomato, chilli and marjoram, and octopus with overnight beans, red wine vinegar and parsley. If you're up for a long feast, then order 'La Panarda', which will get you a selection of sharing plates. "We are offering traditional Italian food, done correctly, in a modern environment without trying to reinvent the wheel," said chef Steven Skelly. "It's accessible, fresh and fun and we really enjoy cooking it." Meanwhile, in the Americano-influenced bar, expect Italian classics, like the Negroni and the Spritz, as well as house-made liqueurs, including vermouth, and a contemporary wine list. As at any Terzini establishment, special events will pepper the calendar, to be curated with help from Motel Mexicola's Adrian Reed. DJs will be popping in every night from 10.30pm onwards and, before then, you'll be kicking back to playlists put together by Sydney DJ Kali (Picnic). Last but not least, there's an onsite boutique, Da Maria Shop by Ten Pieces. Ten Pieces is Terzini's fashion label, launched in partnership with Lucy Hinkfuss in 2011. Find Da Maria at Jalan Pettinenget 170 Badung, Bali, Indonesia, open daily from 5pm–2am and on Sunday for brunch from 11am–3pm.
The last thing any Australian wants this summer is to spend more time indoors, but it looks like the weather has other plans. It already appears that most of the east coast will see out spring with rain and clouds, and they're not the only wet conditions in much of the country's immediate future — with the Bureau of Meteorology's declaring that a La Niña weather event has developed in the Pacific Ocean. When the weather phenomenon hits Australia, it usually means soggier times — and that's what BOM is forecasting for eastern, northern and central parts of the country. And, cooler temperatures, too, so perhaps this won't be the hot vax summer we'd all been hoping for. (Obviously, exactly what constitutes 'cooler' needs to be put in context of Australia's usually toasty summer weather; we aren't quite in for frosty conditions.) In a statement, Bureau's Head of Operational Climate Services Dr Andrew Watkins explained that La Niña "increases the chance of cooler than average daytime temperatures for large parts of Australia and can increase the number of tropical cyclones that form." And, in a revelation that won't surprise anyone who's had a wet week or so — Sydney and Brisbane have both seen rain — Dr Watkins advises that "La Niña is also associated with earlier first rains of the northern wet season, as we've observed across much of tropical Australia this year." The Bureau has declared that a #LaNiña has developed in the tropical Pacific. Typically during La Niña, there is above average rainfall for eastern, northern and central parts of Australia. pic.twitter.com/4KJeKsVI6A — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 23, 2021 Australia last experienced La Niña last spring and summer, so we're getting back-to-back stints of sodden weather; however, that's not out of the ordinary. "Around half of all past events returning for a second year," Dr Watkins said. In good news, the 2021–22 La Niña might have a weaker effect locally than last year's event — and definitely isn't predicted to be as strong as the weather phenomenon proved between 2010–12. Having an umbrella handy is clearly smart advice over not just the coming days — with showers, rain and/or storms forecast for all Aussie capitals except Perth — but for the summer ahead. It's smart Aussie summer advice in general anyway, but particularly so this year. La Niña forms part of a naturally occurring shift in ocean temperatures and weather patterns along the equator in the Pacific Ocean — a cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). When it occurs, waters in the central or eastern tropical parts of the Pacific become cooler than normal, and persistent southeast to northwesterly winds get stronger in the Pacific's tropical and equatorial regions. Also, clouds shift to the west — so, closer to Australia. For more information about the Bureau of Meteorology's La Nina declaration, head to the BOM website.
If you're looking to shop locally for your swimwear this summer, look no further than Active Truth, which is offering 20 percent off its Australian-made, sustainable swimsuits. Plus, you'll receive free express shipping, so even though we're already one week into February, you'll have your new swimsuit at your doorstep before summer ends. Active Truth is accessible to beachgoers of all shapes and sizes, with a wide range of swimwear from XS to 3XL. The brand is also committed to sustainability, supporting the Healthy Seas initiative and making its swimwear from reconstructed recycled fibres, such as discarded fishing nets. If you're keen to snag some new togs, have a look through the catalogue of one and two-piece swimsuits and order before the sale ends on Tuesday, February 9. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
In their quest for the perfect pop song, Gung Ho's Michael McAlary (guitar/vocals) and Ollie Duncan (bass/vocals) aren't doing too badly so far. They've spent many an hour in bedrooms self-producing their debut EP, Anywhere Else. Frustrated by the limitations of professional studios, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Their commitment to DIY is paying off. Over the past few weeks, Triple-J has had the EP's three singles, 'Twin Rays', 'Side by Side' and 'Stranger', on high rotation, and Gung Ho are on the eve of an extensive East Coast tour. All of this follows a highly charged 2012, which saw the duo support The Rubens, Bleeding Knees Club and DZ Deathrays, as well as win over the crowd at Peat's Ridge. With its reverb-enriched harmonies, seriously dexterous bass lines and punk-tinged feel, Anywhere Else is immediately accessible but certainly not predictable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UY06ajzAMWU
In an attempt to boost audiences, an independent theatre in Barcelona has introduced Pay As You Go to the comedy circuit. Rather than risking an advance ticket purchase and (for better or worse) taking the show as it comes, you're charged per laugh. That's right, the sorer your face muscles are when the curtain falls, the bigger your bill. The scheme is a response to plummeting theatre attendance. Mid-last year, Spain's arts scene took one of its hardest hits ever when the government increased the tax on drama performances from 8% to 21%. Consequently, ticket sales dropped by a whopping 30% in just twelve months. Rather than surrendering to despair or closing down altogether, Teatreneu, which boasts eight stages, looked for solutions. That's when they teamed up with ad agency the Cyranos McCann to invent 'Pay Per Laugh'. Facial recognition technology, attached to each seat, records every smile or laugh — and you pay €0.30 per expression recorded. If you're in a bad mood, hard to impress or incredibly self-controlled, you walk away with your bank account intact. If, however, you’re more easily amused, you're charged up to a maximum of €24. The new scheme is truly great news for the performers. According to the promo video, the initiative saw most spectators pay €6 more than they normally would, and led to a 35% increase in crowds. They're contemplating expanding their emotional palette to include dramatic theatre 'Pay Per Cry' fees and our favourite idea, 'Pay Per WTF' — naturally, for performance art. Via Springwise.
James Squire and Concrete Playground are hosting a Spring Banquet at The Charming Squire, giving 20 lucky winners and their guests a seat at the table. You'll sit down to a 5-course meal custom-made by executive chef Deniz Coskun, each dish paired with a specific James Squire tipple. To go in the running to win tickets for you and a friend, just complete the form below, subscribe to the newsletters and agree to the competition terms and conditions. But be quick, the banquet takes place on Tuesday 27th September, and entries close at midnight Sunday 18th September. [competition]585089[/competition]
No one grows out of Easter. You're never too old for all the chocolate you can handle — and for an annual excuse to treat your sweet tooth however you like. But there are definitely adults-only ways to celebrate the occasion, including over high tea. At Motion Dining at Marriott Brisbane, for instance, getting a huge choc fix on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9 also involves three hours of drinks. For two days only, from 12.30–3.30pm on both Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, this Queen Street spot is serving up chocolate hazelnut tarts, passionfruit dark chocolate sandwiches, and jasmine tea mousse and strawberry cream groove tarts — and chocolate scones with rose, lychee and strawberry reserve, plus spiked Baileys cream tarts as well. Upon arrival, you'll sip a Toblerone cocktail served in a chocolate bunny, too, as part of a drinks package that'll flow for the duration of your sitting. Also on offer: Moet & Chandon rosé champagne among other boozy beverages. Heading along costs $149 per person, and includes a savoury spread featuring finger sandwiches in multiple varieties. Think: shrimp, cucumber and dill; smoked turkey, watercress and apple; ham, tomato and relish; and egg and herb.
Smirnoff takes on a Brazilian spirit speciality with the introduction of a new flavour of vodka, Caipiroska. The Caipiroska mixed drink is typically made by combining vodka with lime wedges and sugar, but Smirnoff has created three different versions of the sweet liquor: lime, mango and passion fruit. The unique flavours deserved to be encased in something more exceptional than the average glass bottles, so Smirnoff wrapped them up in style. The promotional bottles of Smirnoff Caipiroska come in colourful skins that can be peeled off like the fruits they represent. The opaque skins conceal the traditional Smirnoff packaging and give consumers an idea of just how fruity the new concoction is. If you think your taste buds can handle the tangy twist of the Caipiroska mixed drink, here are the simple ingredients: 35 ML Smirnoff vodka, 1/2 lime cut into wedges, 2 small spoons of brown sugar, and 15 ML simple sugar. Enjoy! [via Comunicadores]
The National Gallery of Victoria is wrapping up this wild year in style, hosting the blockbuster second edition of its much-hyped NGV Triennial. Taking over the gallery from Saturday, December 19, the exhibition looks set to be the biggest art event to hit the city in three years, featuring works from over 100 artists, representing 30 different countries. Among them, you can expect a diverse response to this year's themes of illumination, reflection, conservation and speculation. With a lineup like this — and many months of missed art appreciation to make up for — it's hard to know where to even start. But we're here to help. We've delved into the program and pulled out five must-see artworks set to grace the gallery's hallowed spaces this summer. Start plotting your post-lockdown art gallery debut now, with this roundup of five captivating artworks to check out at the NGV Triennial. [caption id="attachment_795343" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dhambit Mununggurr, 'Can we all have a happy life' 2019-20, courtesy Salon Indigenous Art Project. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] DHAMBIT MUNUNGURR: CAN WE ALL HAVE A HAPPY LIFE If you've got a thing for hues of blue, this immersive work from Yolnu artist Dhambit Munungurr will surely resonate. While artists from her home of Yirrkala (Northeast Arnhem Land) traditionally paint using hand-ground ochres and other natural pigments, Munungurr was granted special permission to switch to acrylic paints after a 2005 car accident left her with ongoing injuries. She's since developed a special love for the colour blue and as such, her recent works have left a significant mark on Yolnu art as a whole. This NGV installation Can we all have a happy life (2019–2020) is the latest to embrace the artist's go-to colour palette, featuring a vibrant series of 15 bark paintings and nine larrakitj (hollow poles). [caption id="attachment_795344" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cerith Wyn Evans, 'C=O=D=A' 2019–20, courtesy White Cube, London. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] CERITH WYN EVANS: C=O=D=A Big and bold is the name of the game for Cerith Wyn Evans' latest work, titled C=O=D=A (2019–20). The London-based artist has created a large-scale, neck-tilting celebration of light and movement, with his series of neon 'drawings' suspended brightly together in mid-air. Among them, you'll spy frantic scribbles, carefully structured shapes and even doodles referencing chemical compounds, each design experienced in countless new ways from different angles as audiences move around the installation. The full display towers at up to six metres high, challenging viewers to continually switch their perspective as they explore how each shape interacts with the next. [caption id="attachment_795349" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atong Atem, 'Studio series' 2015, courtesy MARS Gallery, Melbourne. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] ATONG ATEM Atong Atem serves up some fresh cultural perspectives with her series of early photography works offering a vibrant exploration of identity. Born in Ethiopia in the 90s and now based in Melbourne, the artist has developed her body of work honing in on migrant stories and post-colonial practices in the African diaspora. For this portrait project she gives a nod to the old-school studio photography practices of her homeland, via a collection of staged shots dripping with colour. The vintage-inspired images are heady and impactful, featuring a festival of patterns and hues delivered through props, backgrounds, textiles and garments. [caption id="attachment_795351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stuart Haygarth, 'Optical (tinted)' 2009 (foreground), Mark Rothko, 'Untitled (Red)' 1956 (left) and Sabine Marcelis 'Dawn XXXIII' designed 2015. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] STUART HAYGARTH: OPTICAL (TINTED) A collection of over 4500 recycled tinted prescription spectacle lenses are the unlikely heroes of this stunning piece by British artist Stuart Haygarth. Optical (tinted) (2009) speaks to ideas of consumption, time and loss, as a thing of beauty is hatched from a bunch of discarded objects. Best known for his work repurposing everyday items into unexpected lighting installations, Haygarth here puts together a layered, shimmering sphere of used lenses. The intricate work features a careful assembly of elements, with cloudier lenses at the core making way for clearer glass pieces towards the outer edges. It's then lit from within, creating a sort of dazzling disco ball that'll have you reassessing your thoughts about waste and trash. [caption id="attachment_795355" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Porky Hefer, 'Plastocene – Marine Mutants from a disposable world' 2020, courtesy Southern Guild, Cape Town. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] PORKY HEFER: PLASTOCENE — MARINE MUTANTS FROM A DISPOSABLE WORLD We'd imagine there won't be too many times in your life you'll get to admire a giant octopus crafted from hand-felted cigarette butts. But this supersized oceanic beauty will be just one of many featured in a new large-scale installation by Porky Hefer. Plastocene – Marine Mutants from a disposable world (2020) sees the South African artist and his collaborators create a series of handmade sea creatures plucked from some dystopian future. The work's built on the notion of species being able to transmutate, eventually adapting themselves to fit a world of polluted oceans and plastic waste. The NGV Triennial 2020 will be on show at NGV International from Saturday, December 19 until Sunday, April 18, 2021. For more info and to see the full program, visit the NGV website. Top image: Cerith Wyn Evans, 'C=O=D=A' 2019–20, courtesy White Cube, London. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross
Two venues. Three months. More than 30 shows. That's the maths behind Open Season 2023. This series of gigs and performances debuted in 2020 at The Tivoli, just as Brisbane started to find its normality after the pandemic's first lockdown. Since then, it's kept coming back — adding Woolloongabba's Princess Theatre to its footprint in 2021, and now returning to both sites in 2023. Think of it as a big multi-gig festival — one that runs from late May through till the end of August, too. That means that Brisbanites have multiple places to head to, multiple dates to do so, and multiple bands and shows to see, all from the first lineup announcement. Leading the bill: Oneohtrix Point Never, Sleaford Mods, UK punk legends The Damned, New Zealand's Kimbra, US producer Thundercat, Weyes Blood and Aussie favourites King Stingray. Molchat Doma are also bringing their post-punk synth-pop sounds to the River City from Belarus, while The Pharcyde will team up with Masta Ace and Marco Polo, and Ngaiire will do the same with Queensland Symphony Orchestra. [caption id="attachment_870971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zennieshia Butts[/caption] Open Season's roster goes on, complete with Bernie Dieter, Tourist, Winston Surfshirt, Lastlings, Middle Kids, Gordi and more. Also on the bill: the return of First Nations festival Blak Day Out, which was postponed from January to July. The Glam Awards also makes its debut, giving Brisbane both a new set of queer performing arts awards and a club night, with a heap of the country's best drag and queer performers set to feature. And, closing things out is A Night for the Queen, with Polytoxic and Hot Brown Honey overseeing a night of cabaret, circus, performance art and drag. Everything is femme-fronted, and the evening is all about raising cash for Busty and her cancer journey. [caption id="attachment_871206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vincent Shaw[/caption] OPEN SEASON 2023 — THE PRINCESS THEATRE: Saturday, May 27 — Northeast Party House Wednesday, May 31 — Kimbra Friday, June 2 — Winston Surfshirt Saturday, June 3 — Weyes Blood Tuesday, June 6 — Sleaford Mods Wednesday, June 7 — The Damned Saturday, June 10 — Coterie Thursday, June 15 — Molchat Doma Friday, June 16 — Middle Kids Saturday, July 7 — Lastlings Saturday, July 15 — Oneohtrix Point Never Wednesday, July 19–Saturday, July 22 — Bernie Dieter in Konzert Friday, July 28 — Tourist Friday, August 4 — Ngaiire and Queensland Symphony Orchestra Saturday, August 5 — Set Roulette Friday, August 11 — Full Flower Moon Band Saturday, August 19 — First Beige and special guests Thursday, August 24 — Gordi OPEN SEASON 2023 — THE TIVOLI: Wednesday, June 7 — Thundercat Sunday, June 11 — The Pharcyde with Masta Ace & Marco Polo Saturday, July 7 — King Stingray Sunday, July 16 — Blak Day Out Saturday, August 19 — GLAMAPALOOZA Friday, August 25 — A Night for the Queen Updated: August 25, 2023. Princess Theatre image: James Griffin.
Roll out the blankets: after launching in 2023 to make the most of Brisbane's enviable winter weather, Providore Park is again set to unleash picnics amid greenery-filled scenery when the food festival returns for another year. The idea was a winner from the start, giving attendees a feast of reasons to wine and dine in Roma Street Parkland across two July days. For its second run, the same formula is at work — and the lineup of talents and businesses taking part is enough to make you hungry just reading about it. Again free to attend in general, but with paid experiences also on offer — and your wallet needed for whatever you'll eat and drink, of course — this two-day affair will make its 2024 comeback from 10am–5pm daily across Saturday, July 13–Sunday, July 14. Over that one big weekend, Brisbanites can drop by Providore Park's 16-hectare inner-city home for bites while you're there and to take away, craft brews, food-and-drink masterclasses, live tunes and simply sprawling out on the grass. [caption id="attachment_962449" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cocom[/caption] For whatever you're keen to snack on and sip, The Village awaits with its roster of stalls for browsing, buying and sampling. Lune Croissanterie and New Farm Confectionery are among the highlights that'll be slinging delicious wares, as will Bunya Cheese, 3Geese, 31 Degrees, Lirah Australian Vinegar, Ugly Duck Fine Foods and Noosa Black Garlic. Plus, the folks behind them will be on hand, all chatting about their goods as well. Providore Park is also welcoming Bisou Bisou and Blackbird Bar, plus Catch and Kiss Seafood, Gelato à Go Go, Coco's Plant Powered, That Arancini Guy and Church Mouse Cheese for more culinary options. And when you're not getting a brew from the Stone & Wood Garden Bar as DJs spin up a soundtrack, you'll have City Winery, Seabourne Distillery and Sobah among the beverage options. Keen to leave the fest with more food knowledge than you arrived with? That's where the chef masterclasses come in, featuring Katrina Ryan from The Golden Pig Restaurant and Cooking School; Arte Assavakavinvong from sAme sAme; Peter Kuruvita from Alba Noosa; and Ben Williamson from Agnes, Bianca, Honto. The event's second run isn't promoting itself as a croquet club this time around, but it does also span the return of its food- and wine-matching sessions and VIP lounge, as well as a main stage pumping out live music on Roma Street Parkland's Celebration Lawn. [caption id="attachment_962452" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cocom[/caption] [caption id="attachment_962451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cocom[/caption] [caption id="attachment_784308" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane Marketing[/caption] Providore Park 2024 runs across Saturday, July 13–Sunday, July 14 at Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane City. Head to the festival website for further details. Top image: Cocom.
When Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) heads from Cleveland to Los Angeles for his job, he discovers a previously unknown passion for acting after he stumbles into a class held by veteran thespian Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler). The catch? Barry is a hitman, and that isn't a line of work that you can leave easily, especially when you become caught in the Chechen mafia's violent and deadly dramas. As Saturday Night Live fans will already know, Hader is an on-screen treasure, but he's never been better than he is in this part-comedy, part-tragedy series. Barry's struggle mightn't seem that relatable on paper, but it proves just that with Hader in the role. Also excellent is Winkler, expectedly, as well as Bill & Ted Face the Music's Anthony Carrigan as a Chechen gangster who befriends Barry, isn't that great at the whole crime business and quickly becomes one of the most memorable characters to ever grace a TV series.
Childish Gambino (real name: Donald Glover) is no ordinary artist. The American do-it-all, who took his stage name from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator, has a stacked resumé which includes Golden Globe winner, Grammy winner and Star Wars character. It should be no surprise then that his live show is not your average stand-behind-a-microphone experience. Glover announced via Twitter this morning that he is bringing his concert experience PHAROS to New Zealand this year. Described as an immersive virtual reality, multi-sensory concert experience, the event will be held over three days from November 23–25 at an undisclosed location near Auckland Airport — Concrete Playground Auckland's calling the vines and rolling pastures of Villa Maria Estate. The festival was first held in Joshua Tree, California, where Glover debuted material from Awaken, My Love inside a VR dome with collaborators. Episodes of his award-winning series Atlanta screened inside an amphitheater and an "Illumination Forest" projected art from inside the dome. Mystery is a big part of the experience; the first edition saw attendees seal their phones in lock bags for the duration of the concert. Glover told Vanity Fair that PHAROS is "meant to be a communal space—a place that evolves and reacts to the culture". "We aren't tied to a format and that lets us adapt in a way that others can't. We're selling real intimacy. We protect the experience and it becomes something you genuinely share with the people around you and you take away something special. We're looking at expanding the world in 2018—there will be more artists involved." Tickets are on sale now via the PHAROS app. Source: Vanity Fair.
Cheated Hearts, the queer club night hosted at Alloneword is on for the first time this year, and they have a killer line-up for you this time around. This time, they are going against the grain and are having an anti-Valentine’s day party. If you are unlucky in love, newly single, searching for the one or just keen to get out of the house, this is the best place to be. Sydney’s Cunningpants (Pictured) will be on hand to control the decks, alongside Cheated Hearts residents, Dimesotre Diamonds, DJ Mikey and Dirtcheap. Cheated Hearts are known for putting on some of the best parties in Brisbane. If you doubt me, the only thing you can do is check it out for yourself. This party is straight-friendly as well; put on your dancing shoes and get along to Alloneword.
If you’re anything like me, the thought of improvised theatre makes your palms sweat, your throat restrict and your knees shake. This is entirely unsurprising given most of my history with theatre involves high school speech and drama subjects, and me doing the aforementioned. Crazily enough there are a whole bunch of people who actually enjoy this kind of activity and specifically go out of their way to do improv. Bringing these people to town as part of the 2011 Brisbane Festival, the Off The Cuff: Festival of Improvised Theatre is taking place over the last weekend of September. Some of the top funny people from around Australia will be heading to the Sunshine State to perform alongside Brisbane’s own ImproMafia and with different performances on each night, you are guaranteed some improvised craziness that hasn’t been practised beforehand. Ending the insanity will be the 2011 Theatresports Nationals, with the comedians trying to prove who’s the funniest. So whether you consider yourself a small time comedian, or need to observe improv as part of your high school speech and drama recovery, there is plenty to choose from.
A-CH architects are credited with designing some of Brisbane's funkiest and fascinating stores, notably Scumptious Reads on James Street. In partnership withThe Wandering Room, with the intent of showing how architecture and art can combine, the idea of Caravan was born. Stationed in the Labyrinth section of the Brisbane Powerhouse, this interactive art exhibition aims to showcase a number of contemporary works, as well as providing artist led workshops and talks.The concept alone is not the most intriguing part of this new initiative. The structural set up of the event is one which is completely new to the Powerhouse; that of being built in and around a shipping container and crates. Focusing on the use of recycled materials, under-used public space, and provided interaction for unknowing passers-by, Caravan is expected to grow and evolve throughout the Brisbane festival, crafted by the people who pass through it's space.
For a few days, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is hosting a sales event of most peculiar stock. Strange things they are, full of pages, rampant with words and with covers of the most beautiful colours. You can't charge them, they don't run out of battery, their brightness is unalterable, and they won't smash when you drop them and have them lost forever. Lifeline Bookfest is back for another round of vintage bargains and startling ranges of everything from Australian Women's Weekly Cookbooks to a bit of cheeky erotica. If you're been before, you'll know there are warehouse quantities of books for sale – your grade five diary is probably hidden under a copy of Shantaram, and you'll come across at least three copies of Cooking with Days of Our Lives. Prices range from cents to the big bucks – bring a trolley and your glasses and absorb yourself in books.
During 1988, the Queensland Art Galley commissioned six photographers to produce a portfolio on the theme of community life in Queensland entitled 'Journeys north'. Last exhibited in January that year, the exhibition has returned to the gallery's walls to inspire a re-examination of how the state has changed in the intervening 28 years since the images were taken. The photographers involved — Graham Burstow, Lin Martin, Robert Mercer, Glen O'Malley, Charles Page and Max Pam — were all long-term residents of Queensland, or boasted strong ties with the area. Each travelled to different regions, where, over the course of about eighteen months, they documented the lifestyles, attitudes and values of Queensland in the late 1980s. What emerged was an unintentional snapshot of Australian communal life. Compared with today, the images probe unwavering attitudes that have long existed in the 'Australian way of life', as well as outdated ideas and differences that may have been forgotten over the past three decades. The fixed theme, barely trivialised by time, is the unique difference and richness of the Australian lifestyle, land and environment. Journeys North exhibits at Queensland Art Gallery until 3 July.
Escape to to the magical world of Neverland with the Ballet Theatre of Queensland's youth production, Peter Pan. This new and delightful adaptation of J.M. Barrie's timeless tale of a boy who never grows up is a must see for children, families and ballet enthusiasts alike. Dive into the depths of silky lagoon, run wild with the Lost Boys, and join the Darling children as they experience the magic of Peter Pan's wonderful world. You'll be sure to meet Captain Cook and his pesky crew as they stir trouble, as well as many of Peter's other memorable friends and foes Directed by Timothy Brown and Libby Mcdonnell, this charming production features 15 local dancers who stunningly present Peter Pan through ballet of the highest standard. Fly away with Peter, Tinkerbell and the Darlings in this graceful production. Preview The Ballet Theatre of Queensland's Peter Pan
Roman Polanski's story is an extraordinary one. His life has been marked by tragedies, victories, and traumas of filmic proportions, from his survival of Nazi occupation in his native Poland to the cult murder of his pregnant movie star wife Sharon Tate and his Oscar win for The Pianist in 2003. Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir is an extended conversation between the auteur and his longtime friend Andrew Braunsberg, who produced several Polanski films. The interview took place while Polanski was under house arrest in Switzerland in 2010, following his second trial for drugging and raping a thirteen-year-old girl in 1977. The production itself is pretty undergraduate — shoddy sound, unimaginative camerawork, and cheap iMovie-style effects. It turns out the director, Laurent Bouzereau, makes his living producing 'making of' documentaries for movies like Jaws and Back to the Future, and he's clearly riding on Polanski's incredible story. Polanski, who trained as an actor, is a gifted storyteller and his earlier hardships in the Krakow ghetto during World War II are truly amazing. His retelling is cut with footage from The Pianist to show how his formative experiences manifested in his movies, and this is where the film is strongest. But the biggest problem, and one which I can't overlook, is the treatment of Polanski's 1977 crime. The word 'rape' is never mentioned. Instead, the filmmakers focus on corruption in the justice system and offer an argument that goes along the lines of 'well, hasn't Roman been punished enough already?' It's a blatantly dishonest approach considering the enormity of the crime and Polanski's guilty plea. That Braunsberg, the key interviewer, is a close confidant and associate of Polanski's means that there is no veil of anything close to objectivity or distance, which is especially troubling given the film's already creepy mandate of setting the record straight, of advocating for a convicted rapist. There's no doubt Polanski is a major artist, and his fans will probably get a lot out of his recollections of his childhood and early career, but don't expect any keen insights or rigorous attention to the ethics of documentary-making. Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir is a personal exercise in public atonement. Quite frankly, I left the cinema feeling infected.
To most of us, a black box is an aviation term, referring to the famously indelible record of the events of a flight. To fans of artists Ian Burn, Roger Cutforth and Mel Ramsden, the term brings to mind both the method by which they posted the contents of their seminal combined exhibition to Melbourne’s Pinacotheca Gallery in 1969, as well as the nature of Ramsden’s famous ‘Secret Painting’, an entirely black, square canvas which promises an invisible artwork beneath its monotone appearance. For 1969: The Black Box of Conceptual Art, the idea of the black box as a record of data is still apt. The exhibition recreates the artists’ 1969 project The Field, a controversial, provocative collection of three installations that sparked debate and conversation about the purpose of art in Australia at that time. This restaging acts as a time capsule, against which the progression of conceptual art can be measured. 1969 opens at QUT Art Museum on 11 September, and continues to 8 November. Image: Ian Burn, Installation photograph for Xerox Books, Pinacotheca 1969 (detail) black and white photograph. © Estate of Ian Burn
Victorians are preparing to say goodbye to plastic bags as the State Government today confirmed it will impose a statewide ban from late 2019. The Department of Land, Water and Planning has announced that all bags less than 35 microns thick will be banned — that includes degradable, biodegradable and compostable options. Regular black bin bags, animal waste bags and those little bags you put your fruit and veggies in at the supermarket won't fall under the ban. After conducting a public consultation late last year, the Victorian Government received an "enormous amount of feedback" in favour of delivering the ban. "The Government will continue to work closely with Victorian communities and businesses to design the ban — to ensure it works for all Victorians and our environment," said Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio. Premier Daniel Andrews announced the ban on The Project back in October last year in response to a #BanTheBag Change.org petition run by the nightly Ten current affairs program. The move brings the state into line with South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland, who announced it will next year ditch lightweight single-use plastic bags in September 2017. NSW is now the only state that hasn't committed to banning single-use bags. Woolworths has stopped stocking plastic bags at the checkout, and Coles will do the same from this weekend. Instead, the supermarkets will provide thicker, more durable options that won't be included in this ban — but, even though they're meant to be more reusable, it's hard to say if people will use them any differently to the way they use single-use bags now.
Long before Toombul and Nundah were regular old north Brisbane suburbs, they were home to a commercial pineapple farm. So, when it comes to picking a food to celebrate for a three-day festival, Toombul's recently opened upstairs dining precinct had a pretty easy choice on its hands. From Friday, January 31–Sunday, February 2, Upstairs at Toombul is hosting Pineapple Palooza. If you don't like the tropical fruit, stay away. If you love it — even on pizza — then get ready for a heap of pineapple dishes from the venue's eateries. On the food menu: sweet and sour pork and chicken served out of hollowed-out pineapples, pineapple burgers, chocolate pizzas with pineapple, fondue with pineapple, and pineapple and prawn salad. As for drinks, you can sip pineapple-topped pina coladas and other pineapple-filled cocktails, plus pineapple iced tea, pineapple frappes and pineapple soda water. Everywhere from Archie Brothers Cirque Electrique and Max Brenner to Little Red Dumpling and Jackpot Noodles are getting involved, plus Hello Harry, Espresso Max and Dapple + Weaver, too. There'll also be pineapple-themed photo opportunities around the place, should you want to snap some pics for social media — and a pineapple planter pot workshop as well.
The response to COVID-19 in Australia doesn't just change by the day, but by the hour and even minute, as the country endeavours to stave off the spread of the coronavirus throughout the community. Indeed, already today, Wednesday, March 18, the Australian Government has banned non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and effectively scrapped all international travel from our shores. Now, we're now seeing our first national cinema closures as well. Palace Cinemas has just announced that it is shutting down all of its Australian venues from Thursday, March 19. Like many other closures across the arts and entertainment industry at present, this is a temporary but currently indefinite shuttering — with a re-opening date to be determined as the situation progresses. In a statement emailed to customers and available on the chain's website, Palace said that it made the decision after it "reviewed advice from the Australian Government regarding non-essential services and public gathering mandates, as well as examined safety concerns for our patrons and staff". Venues affected include Palace Norton Street, Verona, Central and The Chauvel Cinema in Sydney, as well as Palace Byron Bay; Palace Cinema Como, Balwyn, Brighton Bay, Westgarth, Palace Dendy Brighton, The Kino and The Astor Theatre in Melbourne; Palace Barracks and James St in Brisbane; Palace Electric in Canberra; and Palace Raine Square and Cinema Paradiso in Perth. As a result, all Palace screening events and Palace-organised film festivals are also obviously currently on hold — including the cancellation of the remainder of this year's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, which Palace doesn't run but many of its venues host. Palace ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds if they booked online, and are asked to contact their relevant cinema if they booked in-person. It's highly likely that more Aussie cinema chains will also close, especially with such a large number of films postponing their upcoming releases. No Time to Die, A Quiet Place Part II, Fast and Furious 9, Mulan, The New Mutants, Black Widow, Spiral: From the Book of Saw, The Woman in the Window, Antebellum, Peter Rabbit 2, Trolls World Tour and The Secret Garden were all due to hit screens between mid-March and late May, but have now delayed their plans. The news of Palace's temporary closures came on a big day for the Australian film industry, with the Sydney Film Festival cancelling its entire 2020 festival, which was scheduled to run from June 3–14. It's the first time in the fest's 67-year history — so since it started in 1954 — that the huge annual celebration of cinema has been scrapped. The festival will return in 2021. Palace Cinemas across Australia will close from Thursday, March 19. For further details, visit the chain's website. 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.
Annabelle opens with unnecessary intertitles, advising that dolls are liked by children and collectors, and used in occult rituals. Next, the spin-off from The Conjuring links to its predecessor, revisiting that feature's introductory snippet of three housemates quivering in fear over a frightening figurine. So far, so standard — and so it continues in the same obvious, uninteresting vein. The scene is set for haunted horror cliches centred on a possessed porcelain plaything, sans punch or personality. A year prior, doctor-in-training John (Ward Horton) bought it to complete the antique collection of his pregnant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis). When murderous satanic cultists break into their Santa Monica home, it is the doll they covet, leaving it splattered in blood. Strange things soon start happening around the house, but moving to a Pasadena apartment doesn't solve their problems. Even throwing Annabelle away proves pointless, while seeking the assistance of a friendly bookstore owner (Alfre Woodard) and local priest (Tony Amendola) just immerses others in their supernatural troubles. As things go bump in the night, lights flicker and doors slam, Annabelle doesn't deviate from run-of-the-mill scares, employing the same techniques as its predecessor. What's missing is subtlety and suspense, with everything telegraphed so far in advance that eliciting genuine jumps becomes impossible. The usual inexplicably moving items are handled well enough, though the same can't be said for cheap-looking CGI as demonic forces manifest. Lingering shots of the titular toy benefit from slow panning and zooming; however, simply staring at something isn't particularly terrifying. The Conjuring isn't the only film cinematographer-turned-director John R. Leonetti unsuccessfully attempts to imitate — and sadly, it isn't Child's Play's off-kilter chaos he evokes, either. Though the movie's central mother gives birth early, the idea of her home alone, afraid and exercising her maternal protective instincts recalls Rosemary's Baby, albeit dulled and dumbed down, not to mention plagued by highly questionable character decisions. When Annabelle resurfaces from the trash, wouldn't disposing of her again be the clear option? Sure, the feature would be over, but so would its patchy pastiche of poorly rendered tropes. Leads Horton and Wallis do little to lift B-movie writer Gary Dauberman's script, their wooden reading of equally stilted dialogue giving the film a TV movie-of-the-week flavour. As they talk about ignoring the bizarre occurrences because they've moved their clothes, furniture and good memories to their new apartment and should keep playing happy families, it's hard not to laugh, particularly with nothing remotely spooky offered as distraction. Making a bad horror film is forgivable; making a bland one, less so. Where Annabelle best succeeds is in enthusing audiences for next year's The Conjuring sequel, hopefully a blatant departure from this and the proper follow-up the series deserves. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZlCkrl7ZRjU
Thirteen years ago, an orange-and-white clownfish swam away from his home and into our hearts. He wasn't alone, with his anxious father Marlin (Albert Brooks) just as endearing, and forgetful blue tang Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) an ideal comic offsider. Charting a child's adventurous first steps in the world and a parent's fear of the dangers that might come, their tale was always bound to strike a chord. Pixar know it as one of their biggest hits; you know it as Finding Nemo. If that film coined a catchphrase, it'd have to be "just keep swimming," which was Dory's favourite piece of advice. It is far from surprising that the line pops up again in the sequel to the animated feature, or that returning writer-director Andrew Stanton and co. have taken it to heart. Indeed, Finding Dory is the movie equivalent of paddling along and letting the current sweep you forward. Cheerfully content to ride in its predecessor's slipstream, it just keeps swimming, with the film's irrepressibly upbeat nature ensuring it stays bubbly and buoyant. Nemo (Hayden Rolence) going astray again would've been a stretch, so this time, it's Dory who wanders beyond the patch of ocean the central trio calls home. In fact, it turns out that she's done so before — not that she can really recall. When Dory starts getting flashbacks of her loving mother and father (Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy), she decides to follow her memories. Marlin and Nemo join her epic swim to the Marine Life Institute in California, where Dory believes her parents might be waiting. A crafty octopus (Ed O'Neill), near-sighted whale shark (Kaitlin Olsen) and some sun-loving sea lions (Idris Elba and Dominic West) pop up along the way. Still, Finding Dory belongs to its key trio. In fact, the strengths of the film spring from spending more time in their company — particularly Dory, who might be a bit absent-minded, but is never treated like a joke. Time and again, Pixar films find the right blend between emotional insight and character-driven comedy, and both are on display here. Brought to life by energetic voice work, bright CGI visuals and well-placed, action-packed interludes, the movie thoughtfully fleshes out the makeshift family at its centre. Of course, while Finding Dory represents the animation studio at its kind-hearted best, it also demonstrates their increasing fondness for rehashing old stories. There's much about this follow-up that feels a little too familiar. Returning to bathe in warm, well-known waters can certainly be fun, but for all its easy comforts and nostalgic pleasures, it's not quite as vibrant the second time around.
During the catastrophic bushfire season over the summer of 2019–20, flames encroached on Bundanon and Riversdale, the 1100-hectare properties that were gifted to the Australian public by by artist Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne Boyd back in 1993. Located in the Shoalhaven region on the New South Wales south coast, the heritage-listed sites were thankfully saved, as was the art collection within them — and now they're all part of Australia's sprawling new bushland gallery. The Bundanon Art Museum was first announced back in 2018, with construction starting in early 2020. Come Saturday, January 29, it'll finally opening its doors to the public. The purpose-built, 500-square-metre structure will showcase contemporary and First Nations art year-round, starting with opening exhibition From impulse to action, which is all about the creative energy of experimentation. And yes, works by Boyd are part of the program. The venue will host three seasons each year, drawing from its $46.5 million onsite collection of around 4000 items, plus new commissions. When they're not on display, the museum's pieces are housed in a safe storage facility, which is part of its 'environmentally prepared gallery-of-the-future' design by Kerstin Thompson Architects, and takes all of the challenges posed by its location and the changing climate into consideration. Also a highlight: The Bridge, the 160-metre-long by nine-metres-wide structure that doubles as a learning centre, and spans over the existing gully on the property's sloping hillside. As well as teaching and break-out spaces, it features accommodation for up to 64 guests, plus cafe and dining facilities. And views, too, taking in the Shoalhaven River — because seeing the scenery is as much an aim here as checking out art. That eatery, Ramox Cafe, will serve up seasonal menus that hero paddock-to-plate ingredients and source produce from the Shoalhaven region. Drinks-wise, expect sips from local wineries and breweries, continuing the local mindset. Built near the site's existing nineteenth century buildings, the new art museum and bridge also share a public plaza as part of the $34 million project. Windows that frame the artwork with glimpses of the natural splendour outside are also a big feature — and, as well as responding to its surroundings, including by making The Bridge a piece of flood infrastructure that'll still allow water to flow naturally across the property, it's all solar-powered. As for that hefty art collection, if spans around more than 1300 works by Arthur Boyd himself, as well as pieces by Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya and Brett Whiteley. When the Boyds gave the rural site to the Australian public back more than a quarter-century ago, Bundanon and Riversdale became a haven for creativity, arts and education, and remained a working farm. That's all staying the same now that Bundanon Art Museum is opening — just with the new addition built into the hillside. Bundanon Art Museum opens on Saturday, January 29 at 170 Riversdale Road, Illaroo, New South Wales. For further information, visit the venue's website. Images: Zan Wimberley.
Everyone has their favourite places to eat, and their favourite dishes to order while they're there. But what happens when a new tastebud-tempting dish arrives to whet your appetite? We've all experienced the kind of menu indecision that can spring in this exact situation, where we're torn between a tried-and-trusty tasty option we already know we'll love and opting for something new — and with its latest addition to its range, Betty's Burgers has an answer. Firstly, folks who don't partake in meat, rejoice: the chain has just launched a new plant-based version of its popular Betty's Classic burg. Called Betty's Classic Plant, it's made with soy-based plant patties from Love Buds, then piles on the lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and Betty's special sauce that you'd find on the carnivorous option. And, while the patty is already both vegan and gluten-free, you can ensure that the whole burg is, too, by getting it without the milk bun — on a vegan bun instead — and sans sauce and cheese. If that's set your stomach a-rumbling, the new burger is on the menu now — and trying it out comes with a two-bite guarantee. Give it a couple of chomps, then either keep eating if you love it, or swap it for a regular Betty's Classic or a Betty's Classic Vegan straight away if you don't. While usually you need to get in quickly for Betty's Burgers fresh additions — its limited-time-only lobster rolls and prawn rolls, for instance — this new plant-based burg is a permanent newcomer, and will set you back $11.50. And if you're new to all things Betty's, it's known for its Shake Shack-style burgs and frozen custard desserts (called concretes). While you can now grab one of the chain's burgers at a heap of locations across Australia, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, the company first began in Noosa, and then expanded to the Gold Coast. For more information about Betty's Burgers and its new Classic Plant burg, head to the chain's website.
If you were looking forward to diggin' on the best-selling American female group in history at their latest Australia and New Zealand live shows this February and March, we come bearing bad news: TLC's Down Under tour has been cancelled. After The Weeknd postponed his 2023 gigs, then The Kid LAROI did the same with his planned early 2024 concerts, it's been a chaotic time for big-name live music shows. TLC made the announcement via social media, advising that scrapping their trip came "due to unforeseen circumstances". Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas were heading this way to mark the 30th anniversary of their smash-hit second studio album CrazySexyCool, returning two years after headlining Fridayz Live in Australia (but dropping out of Friday Jams in Aotearoa due to a COVID-19 case among their touring party). And TLC weren't just coming alone, with Busta Rhymes and En Vogue slated to be on supporting duties. "To our incredible Australian and New Zealand fans, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of our upcoming tour. We sincerely apologise for any disappointment to our fans," T-Boz and Chilli posted online. "Your support means everything, and we promise to make it up to you. We can't wait to be back in your beautiful countries soon. Thank you for your understanding and love," the statement continued. CrazySexyCool gave the world 'Creep', 'Waterfalls', 'Diggin' on You' and 'Red Light Special', among other tracks, but the 1994 diamond-certified album wasn't set to be the only source of songs for TLC's 2024 shows thanks to the likes of 'No Scrubs' and 'Unpretty'. And, each gig was going to be a 90s-themed party, with 90s fashion, fan interaction and a few surprises. TLC, Busta Rhymes and En Vogue were heading to Trusts Arena Auckland, Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Brisbane Entertainment Centre and RAC Arena in Perth. Ticketholders will receive automatic refunds via their payment method. TLC 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'CRAZYSEXYCOOL' AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024 DATES — ALL CANCELLED: Thursday, February 29 — Trusts Arena, Auckland — CANCELLED Saturday, March 2 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — CANCELLED Sunday, March 3 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide — CANCELLED Tuesday, March 5 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — CANCELLED Thursday, March 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane — CANCELLED Saturday, March 9 — RAC Arena, Perth — CANCELLED TLC's 30th-anniversary CrazySexyCool tour is no longer going ahead Down Under in February and March 2024. Ticketholders will receive automatic refunds via their payment method.
Just a short 25-minute drive from Wellington's CBD or a six-minute helicopter flight over mountainous terrain and along the rugged Kāpiti coast is new private clifftop retreat, Pipinui Point. If you've always wanted to unwind with your significant other or travel buddies on a scenic crag, this could be your opportunity. The two-bedroom retreat is perched on a cliff 250 metres above the Tasman Sea. Owner Tom Eastwick says the clifftop location makes you feel like you are literally on the edge of the earth. The boutique property is surrounded by 1600 acres of coastal farmland and has been designed to showcase the extreme natural environment of the Ohariu Valley. During the process of construction the owners preserved 120 hectares of native bush for regeneration. They also plan on releasing a rare rowi brown kiwi at Pipinui Point next year. At the retreat guests can cop uninterrupted west-facing views of the coastline from Kaikōura to Mount Taranaki. Watch the sun go down from the private deck, marinate in the outdoor bathtub, or take shelter from the elements beside the cosy wood-burning fire. To save you nipping out in that helicopter, pantry essentials are included and several dining options can be arranged on-site. Gourmet cheeseboards and antipasto platters are available for picnics around the property, and chef Warren Maddox is on call to whip up dinner using local and foraged produce — his latest signature creation is beef short rib with hazelnut crumb, port jus and carrot. Continental breakfast is also included in your sleepover. Those looking for further excitement can venture out to the neighbouring Boomrock estate for a variety of activities. Take aim at clay targets, head out on a coastal safari farm tour and have a go at axe throwing. More extreme excursions might see visitors smash golf balls down the 250-metre cliff face, take the wheel of a high-performance race car, or explore the region on an all-terrain four-wheel-drive adventure. You can also take control of a two-tonne excavator. The rates for Pipinui Point start at NZD$575 per night for two guests. For more information and to make a booking, visit pipinuipoint.co.nz.
Saturday Night is a film of nerves. It's a movie filled with laughs, of course, as any big-screen step behind the scenes of iconic TV sketch series Saturday Night Live should be — but it's equally as tense as it is amusing as it charts the 90 minutes leading into the 90 minutes that forever changed television history. Fresh off also revisiting the comedic past with latest Ghostbusters instalments Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, writer/director Jason Reitman and his co-scribe Gil Kenan chart the chaos before SNL's first-ever episode beamed into homes. Everything that could be dysfunctional is dysfunctional, all as an unproven cast and crew attempted to add something unique to American entertainment. Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase, Andy Kaufman, Jim Henson, George Carlin: they're all featured in Saturday Night, with Dylan O'Brien (Caddo Lake), Matt Wood (Instinct), Kim Matula (NCIS), Ella Hunt (Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1), Lamorne Morris (Fargo), Emily Fairn (The Responder), Cory Michael Smith (May December), Nicholas Braun (Dream Scenario) and Matthew Rhys (IF) bringing them to the screen. (Succession alum Braun does double duty as both Kaufman and Henson). Also among the wide-ranging ensemble: Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Rachel Sennott (Bottoms), Kaia Gerber (Palm Royale), JK Simmons (The Union), Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and Willem Dafoe (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice). At the centre of it all is Lorne Michaels, the writer and producer that's been at the heart of Saturday Night Live since that debut airing on Saturday, October 11, 1975, as well as the driving force behind the show coming to fruition to begin with at all — and remains at the helm now that SNL is in its 50th season. Gabriel LaBelle steps into his shoes, scoring a role that naturally inspires some nerves. "I wanted to get it right for the people who did know him. And I felt he's influenced so many brilliant people who've inspired me that I wanted to make it right for them," he tells Concrete Playground. But he's also returning to familiar territory, in a fashion: in his first two major movie parts, the Canadian actor has played two major names. When Steven Spielberg (West Side Story) decided to turn his adolescence and first years as a filmmaker into a movie, the semi-autobiographical The Fabelmans was the end result. His on-screen alter ego: the fictional Sammy Fabelman, portrayed as a teenager onwards by LaBelle. The cast's Oscar nominations might've went to Michelle Williams (Showing Up) as matriarch Mitzi Fabelman and Judd Hirsch (The Goldbergs) as Sammy's granduncle Boris; however, LaBelle was no less impressive, picking up the National Board of Review's Breakthrough Performance award for his efforts. He was a huge Spielberg fan going in. He was also a massive SNL devotee before picking up his next dream role. LaBelle's first acting credit arrived in 2013 via an episode of TV series Motive, with fellow small-screen fare iZombie, Brand New Cherry Flavor and American Gigolo also on his resume, plus movies Max 2: White House Hero, Dead Shack, The Predator and Snack Shack. He initially caught the bug away from the cameras, though, at summer camp. Asked about if he could've ever imagined back then, when he was appearing in musical productions of Footloose, Shrek and Aladdin, how things have turned out for him so far, he comments about how strange it is to have that information out in the world. "It's so weird to meet you just now and for you to already know that," LaBelle laughs. [caption id="attachment_978078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images[/caption] If LaBelle was ever to earn a film about him somewhere down the track, those early summer-camp stints are the kind of details that someone playing him would undoubtedly revel in during their preparation phase. For the actor when he was approaching taking on Michaels, he tackled the mountain of books available about SNL or that just mention the IRL figure, he advises — someone that he only became aware of during the pandemic, he also tells us, because growing up as a Saturday Night Live lover as a kid means obsessing over on-screen talent and their sketches rather than the off-screen folks making the show happen. We chatted with LaBelle about that lifelong affection for SNL, whether it's easier to play someone who is best-known to many as a name rather than a personality, his research process, the sense of responsibility that comes with taking on such well-known figures on-screen, and balancing the film's laughs and tension, too — plus Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building) crashing his first day on set. On Growing Up Watching SNL — and, If He Ever Gets the Chance to Host, If LaBelle Would Join the List of Stars Saying That It Was a Dream Come True in Their Opening Monologue "I would say the same thing. I was obsessed. I grew up on the best of Will Ferrell and Chris Farley, and the best of the commercials, on VHS tapes. I rehearsed and performed the Spartan cheerleaders at recess in elementary school. I grew up on the National Lampoon films, and Bill Murray and Aykroyd and Belushi. And I watched SNL every Saturday. So it was really important to me, and so many of my favourite films and actors and comedians come from there. I've always been very aware of it, and it is really surreal to be a part of something like this. So if I'm ever granted the gift of hosting, I would say the exact same thing." On First Becoming Aware of Lorne Michaels Before Saturday Night Came LaBelle's Way "I became aware of Lorne, I think, sometime in the pandemic. It must have been when I just had all this time on my hands and I watched interviews and listened to podcasts about my favourite actors and comedians. And I kept hearing 'Lorne, Lorne, Lorne, Lorne' from all the SNL people. I didn't do any actual research into him until this film. I knew of him, but not a lot." On Whether It's Easier to Portray Someone Who Is Perhaps Best-Known to Most as a Name Rather Than a Personality "No, because I wanted to get it right for the people who did know him. And I felt he's influenced so many brilliant people who've inspired me that I wanted to make it right for them. So my initial fear was 'oh man, I have to get it even more right, and there's less out there'. But Jason [Reitman] was really great at getting everybody to not be so focused on being them, and as long as I just felt like him or sprinkled things in here and there, and didn't become too rigid in my mimicry of him — not even mimicry, but certain mannerisms that you wanted to get down. I felt an even bigger pressure, to answer your question." On the Research That Goes Into Playing Someone with 50 Seasons of an Iconic TV Show to His Name — and So Much That's Sprung From There "There are a lot of great books about how SNL started. Like a lot of them, actually. And there's one that was just so brilliant where — I don't even know the names of the books, I just looked up 'books on Saturday Night Live' and then ordered them on Amazon and they'd show up, so forgive me whoever wrote it — but I'm pretty sure it's just called The Oral History of Saturday Night Live. It is essentially just transcripts of people talking about how it came to be in the first year, the first five years, and then proceeding into the generations later, but I only focused on the first couple of chapters on how it got started. There's so much, whether it's Dick Ebersol's book, where he talks about Lorne Michaels, or Alan Zweibel's book, where he might even say a few things. There was a lot out there — and about his personality and his decisions, and how he started, how he met everybody, what the relationships were like between him and the cast and the writers. And that was super helpful to just give context on how to communicate and how to play each scene, because Lorne is interacting with so many people, so it really gives you a backbone to the story. And there was also an old interview with Lorne on The Tomorrow Show where he's introducing the cast to NBC — it's right before the first episode, and he introduces everybody and it was so brilliant. I got a lot from that. I played that thousands of times leading up to production just to get his voice down, his accent, certain vocal stuff. Then, what was so good about working with Jason is he was so brilliant of breaking that all down and allowing you to play, and allowing you to forget a lot of it and not be so rigid with it." On Taking on IRL Entertainment Icons in Two of LaBelle's First Major Film Roles "It's weird, because I was so influenced by Spielberg films. I was so influenced by SNL. And so it weirdly feels like I'm welcomed inside of those things, like I'm weirdly a part of it. Which is weird. I don't quite know how to articulate it, but it's a true honour is what it is, because of how important they've been to my life, and then also recognising the cultural significance that they've had in the world. It's fulfilling, I'll tell you that." On Whether a Sense of Responsibility Comes with Stepping Into Michaels and Spielberg's Shoes "Oh my god, yes. You don't want to mess it up because they're not just important to me, they're important to a billion people on the planet. A lot of people really care, and you don't want to let people down. You don't want to let the filmmakers down, the audience down and the people you're portraying down — the people around them, you don't want the people who knew them thinking like 'aaaah, he fucked up'." On Balancing Saturday Night's Tension and Stress with Its Humour — and What It Was Like First Stepping Onto the Set "The first day on set is always crippling, regardless. And it doesn't help that our first two days were night shoots in New York at 30 Rock. I remember the first day on set — actually, Paul Rudd was there, because Janine [Thompson, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire] our head of hair, is his personal hairstylist on films. And so he was just there to get a haircut, and then he hung out and watched. We were shooting with Finn [Wolfhard] that day, too, and they know each other, they made Ghostbusters. He's just hanging out with Finn watching. And first of all, he's probably the most-handsome person I've ever seen in real life, where you see him and you're like 'fuck, oh my god'. And he's super charming, super funny. Obviously I want to talk and hang out with Paul Rudd, but this is my first day and I have to get it right. So it just added an extra layer of 'don't get distracted', which is hilarious. Definitely, you want to do a good job. Jason, throughout the filming, just harvested such a beautiful environment that everyone's calm and everyone's getting along, and the whole cast and crew is grateful to be there, and there's no contention and everyone just really was all in it together. So it made filming this beautiful, relaxed, safe, funny — oh my god, everyone's so funny! — environment, so that the chaos you see on-screen was choreographed and set, but then everything else, everyone was just having a ball." Saturday Night opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, October 31, 2024 and releases in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, November 7, 2025.
Forget finding a golden ticket — while scoring a free pass to a chocolate factory was everyone's dream as a kid (and, let's face it, is still a dream now), there are other ways to indulge your Willy Wonka fantasies. Cakes as far as the eye can see, classes on how to make them, a dedicated cookie zone and a huge sweet market aren't just things that floated through your head while you were asleep. They're real, and they're part of the International Cake, Cookie and Sweet Show at Brisbane Showgrounds. From May 18 to 20, the Ekka precinct becomes the sweetest place in the city, so prepare your tastebuds and stomach accordingly. The three-day show will feature a mixing bowl worth of live cake-making and decorating sessions, how-to demonstrations, hands-on classes and a two-day cake sculpture challenge — as well as hosting the Australasian Cake Oscars, the tastiest awards you're ever likely to come across. Other highlights include more than 90 stalls and shops, which'll help you bake up a storm at home, as well plenty of tasty fare to devour. Basically, when you're not learning how to make sweet treats, you'll be eating them.
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you might want to put Tasmania's newest place to stay on your radar. Mövenpick Hotel Hobart marks the Swiss brand's first site in Australia — and if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's offering. Between 4–5pm daily, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart celebrates chocolate hour. That's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. If you fancy tucking into something sweet at another time of day, you'll also be able to book in for a chocolate-tasting package. And, Mövenpick's hotels serve the brand's line of food and beverages, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is on the menu as well. One of more than 80 of the chain's sites worldwide, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart also boasts 221 guest rooms across levels three to 18 — because you need somewhere to enjoy its sweets. Located near the city's waterfront, the venue has been decked out with nature design-inspired interiors that take inspiration from Tasmania, with Jaws Architects doing the honours. Think: wall panelling, furniture, fabrics and colours that have all been selected to the local landscape. For guests in the mood for more than just chocolate, cocktails and ice cream, the hotel is home to Tesoro Modern Italian restaurant, and also has a big focus on nutritious breakfasts. You can start your day with a shot of juice or yoghurt blended with fresh fruit and vegetables, or with other health-focused dishes. Facilities-wise, there's also a function space that can cater for up to 100 people and a gym — and, inside some guest rooms, you'll be treated to panoramic views over Hobart, too. Find Mövenpick Hotel Hobart at 28 Elizabeth Street, Hobart — and head to the chain's website for bookings and other information.
