What millennials lack in genuine outdoorsy skills, they make up for in kitsch, throwback hobbies. Everyone nowadays is seeking out hobbies that our grans and grandpas would be familiar with, hobbies that harken back to a simpler time. It's motivated by a combination of factors, like environmental concerns, chasing that organic life and wanting to know more about what we're consuming. However, unlike grandparents, our generation generally doesn't have a piece of land in the picturesque countryside to gallivant around on. Pursuing a rustic hobby in the inner city requires some strategic shortcuts. We've put together a list of the best DIY hobbies that are helped along significantly by technological innovations. PRESERVING Preserving isn't just something our grandmas used to do before supermarkets were invented, it's actually an incredibly fun and rewarding activity (when you have the right tools). However, there's an element of foraging and gathering that even technology can't help you with (but thankfully, it's also really fun). It's ideal to figure out what berries or veggies grow seasonally in your neighbourhood or surrounding farmlands and head out with a bucket to forage or, just buy directly from farmers. Alternatively, for city dwellers, take that same bucket down to your local farmers' market and start buying your fave produce in bulk. From there, the world is your canned oyster. Nifty gadgets like this mean you can make experimental, small-batch jams quickly without the mess. With a stack of empty jars, you can stock a pantry full of preserves for the whole year. BREWING BEER One of the main drawbacks to personal brewing is that it's a fiddly process. You can labour for months over your craft beer brew and still end up with an average drop that you're forced, from a combination of stubbornness and pride, to get through. But no more. For budding brewers, BrewArt have innovated a highly precise (and easy) personal brewing system. The system is temperature controlled (from your smartphone, might we add) and automatically brews ten litres of quality beer with no fuss. It then spits it out with the world's first temperature-controlled dispenser that doesn't require CO2. Even amateur brewers will know that messing around with CO2 levels is the difference between a grimace and a sigh of delight, so have a beer robot taking care of this step means you can guarantee a show-off grade batch of beer even if it's brewed in the stuffiest of apartments. INDOOR GARDENING Having access to fresh, homegrown fruit and veggies might seem like a distant dream for all of us living in apartments, but there's hope. Innovations specifically to address this problem (dubbed 'apartment gardening') have come a long way. Vertical gardens, artificial lighting and self-watering herb trays all make the dream a possibility. Smartphone-controlled plant pots, like Planty, will also monitor the humidity, temperature and light, and will make recommendations based on the plant species. Technology aside, herbs are your best bet and will give you the most return (and a big flavour hit, too ) for a smaller investment. If you have the luxury of a balcony, utilising your vertical space with trellises for climbing plants like tomatoes and passionfruit is a winner. SOAP-MAKING Making your own soap is an incredibly easy and rewarding exercise that'll make you think twice about throwing away your paycheque at The Body Shop. It's also great for those of you with sensitive skin — you'll know exactly what's going into your soap (no hidden nasties here). Soap is made by combining fats or oils with lye. You can even make it fancy, by simply adding fragrances or essential oils (and a swirl of colourant, if that's your thing). There are a few methods for soap-making, and the simplest involves melting down basic pre-made soap bars and 'seasoning' them to your taste — adding fragrance and oil and resetting until you have the perfect, rustic bars. It's not exactly technologically advanced, but it will cut down your soap-making time significantly. Or you can go from scratch with bulk fats and lye. This will probably require a bit of experimentation to get the perfect balance. Once you've got the base right, the rest is like icing a cake — the possibilities are endless. Experiment with forms, environmentally friendly glitter and essential oils, and voila — an endless supply of homemade Christmas presents. DIY FERMENTATION Fermentation isn't exactly a new hobby but it's quickly becoming popular, mostly because it makes you feel really healthy. Fermented products have almost-magical gut health properties thanks to the probiotics and good bacteria that develop in fermented foods. And it's incredibly easy and cheap to whip up a batch of fermented whatever-you-have-lying-around. Plus, thanks to the bacteria, it lasts for ages. Fermentation jars (sold at most kitchen supply stories) are a nifty invention that create the perfect environment for filtered airflow to get the good bacteria brewing. You can ferment all sorts of things — kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled veggies — and decant into any empty jars you have left over from your preserving sesh. If you want to go next level, try picking up a scobie on trade sites and brewing your own kombucha — your gut will thank you.Kick off your urban hobbying by tackling beer brewing with BrewArt, which comes in two parts the BrewFlo ($699) and BeerDroid ($799) and can be found here.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe will likely never end, and Disney shows no signs of wanting it to — but if it ever does, every Marvel character you can think of will get their own Disney+ series first. Already, plenty have; see: WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, Ms Marvel and She-Hulk. The next one to join them: Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury, aka the Director of SHIELD and creator of the Avengers Initiative who acted as the connective tissue between most of the MCU's early instalments. (If Jackson didn't show up in a Marvel movie back then, was it really a Marvel movie?) Fifteen years after first appearing in the post-credits scene of the original Iron Man, the film that started it all, Fury will placed front and centre in Secret Invasion — a show that was announced back in 2020, but won't hit streaming until autumn 2023 Down Under. As seen in the just-dropped first trailer for the six-episode series, a war is looming with the shapeshifting Skrulls, and Fury can't keep ignoring the pleas from Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders, How I Met Your Mother) for help. Plenty of other familiar faces pop up, too: Australia's own Ben Mendelsohn (Cyrano) returning as Talos after Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home, Don Cheadle (The Wonder Years) as War Machine and Martin Freeman (Breeders) as the CIA's Everett Ross. Will their characters really show up? Or will we really be seeing Skrull impersonators? Obviously, that'll only be answered when Secret Invasion arrives. Because every actor ever has to fit into the MCU at some point, the above cast is joined by a few other huge names as well: Olivia Colman (Mothering Sunday), Emilia Clarke (Last Christmas) and Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami). The story clearly ties into Captain Marvel, which is proving a launching pad for more than a few recent and upcoming MCU chapters, such as streaming's Ms Marvel and big-screen release The Marvels — which teams up Captain Marvel (Brie Larson, Just Mercy), Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and WandaVision's Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris, Candyman), and also arrives in 2023. Fury, and therefore Jackson, did appear in two episodes of the Agents of SHIELD TV show in 2013 and 2014, so this won't be the character's first small-screen outing. Behind the scenes, Kyle Bradstreet (Mr Robot) created Secret Invasion, and writes and executive produces. Check out the trailer for Secret Invasion below: Secret Invasion will stream via Disney+ in autumn 2023 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
Hold onto your various HP merchandise, kids, because there are two new books comin' atcha. To celebrate 20 glorious years of making a generation of pessimistic adults low-key believe in magic, Bloomsbury publishing house has announced two new Harry Potter books. They'll be released as part of a long-ass exhibition titled "A History of Magic" that will run from October 2017 to February 2018 hosted by the British Library in London. The books are named Harry Potter: A History of Magic – The Book of the Exhibition and Harry Potter – A Journey Through A History of Magic. So, not exactly canon but still jolly good. The former is about the curriculum offered at Hogwarts and an exploration of its glorious subjects, from herbology and transfiguration, all the way through to the OHS nightmare that is Care of Magical Creatures. The latter is a more general history of magic and ancient creatures. Both include sprinklings of previously unseen bitties from J.K. Rowling and illustrations by Jim Kay (the illustrator behind the book covers). Look, it's not as exciting as a real new Harry Potter story (we're still not sure if the Cursed Child even counts) and now we'll have to sell our organs for a trip to see this exhibition, but we're cool with that. We'll just quietly continue to hold out hope that the Harry Potter empire never crumbles and/or turns out to be real all along. Via Reuters.
Blessed be your streaming queue: come mid-September, it'll start being home to the fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale. It's the batch of episodes we've all known is coming since 2020, when the hit dystopian series was renewed for this fifth season before the fourth even hit. And, thanks to that fourth season, it promises one helluva reckoning. Saying that anything to do with The Handmaid's Tale is stressful is like saying that Gilead looks like a terrible place to live. Praise be the obvious again and again. Still, if you want to call the show's sneak peeks at its upcoming fifth season tense, disquieting and unsettling, all of those words fit. Hulu, which airs the series in the US, has just dropped the full trailer for season five — and, unsurprisingly, nothing is well. If you're up to date on the series you'll already know why. Of course, things are never well in The Handmaid's Tale — but now June (Elisabeth Moss, Shining Girls) faces the fallout from her actions in the show's last go-around, and Serena's (Yvonne Strahovski, Stateless) in-mourning getup speaks volumes. In the new trailer, June doesn't just navigate more than a few consequences. Still fighting Gilead from afar, with Luke (O-T Fagbenle, Black Widow) and Moira (Samira Wiley, Breaking News in Yuba County), she admits how much she enjoyed her most recent choices. As for Serena, she's in profile-raising mode in Toronto, as Gilead's influence creeps into Canada — and Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford, Tick, Tick... Boom!) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd, Rebecca) are endeavouring to reform Gilead. Also returning among the cast: Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Madeline Brewer (Hustlers), Amanda Brugel (Snowpiercer) and Sam Jaeger (The Eyes of Tammy Faye). With all of the above, blessed be the bleak dramas, too, which is exactly what The Handmaid's Tale has been serving up since 2017 now. Of course, on the page, this grim look at a potential oppressive existence has been drawing in fans since the 1985, when Margaret Atwood's book first hit shelves. A film followed in 1990, and opera in 2000 — plus a sequel novel in 2019. Yes, there have been many ways to dive into The Handmaid's Tale over the years, but only one keeps winning small-screen awards and stars a phenomenal Moss. The date to mark in your diary: Thursday, September 15, given that the show will return in the US on September 14. Down Under, episodes air weekly on SBS in Australia, and stream via SBS On Demand — and hit Neon in New Zealand — at the same time as in America. Check out the trailer for The Handmaid's Tale season five below: The fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday, September 15 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
If you've ever needed proof that some stories never get old, the ongoing obsession with Britain's royal history provides plenty. On screens and stages, a slice of regal intrigue is regularly awaiting our viewing, interpreting and remixing the past in the process. The Crown might take ample artistic license with reality, but it's got nothing on the empowering pop-scored twist on the 16th century that's been wowing audiences in Six the Musical. Taking a few cues from well-known history, adding toe-tapping tunes and making theatre magic: that's this hit's approach. If you think you know the stories of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr, then you probably do — even those with little interest in Britain's past kings and queens are likely aware that Henry VIII had six wives — but Six the Musical's version isn't about telling the same old tale. That's what Australian audiences discovered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — and can again in 2024 and 2025. Every year is a royally excellent year for this production, which has just announced returns to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Exact season dates haven't been locked in as yet, but Victoria's next dance with the show arrives from August 2024 at Comedy Theatre. Sydney's will start from October 2024 at Theatre Royal Sydney and Brisbane's from January 2025 at QPAC Playhouse. First premiering back at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then jumping to London's West End — and winning Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, plus a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album, along the way — Six the Musical gleans inspiration from one of the most famous sextets there's ever been. It also finds its own angle despite how popular the Tudor monarch's love life has been in pop culture. So, move over 00s TV series The Tudors and 2008 movie The Other Boleyn Girl — and this one takes the pop part rather seriously. Six the Musical is presented as a pop concert, in fact, with the Catherines, Annes and Jane all taking to the microphone to tell their stories. Each woman's aim: to stake their claim as the wife who suffered the most at the king's hands, and to become the group's lead singer as a result. Cast details for the new season haven't yet been revealed, but expect Six the Musical's comeback tour to be popular. In Sydney, it played a whopping 15-week Sydney Opera House from December 2021, then returned to the Harbour City from August 2021 due to demand. SIX THE MUSICAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024–25: From August 2024 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne From October 2024 — Theatre Royal Sydney, Sydney From January 2025 — QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane Six the Musical will tour Australia again in 2024 and 2025. For more information and to join the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Images: James D Morgan, Getty Images.
Sometimes, Disney adapts its movies and brands — names like Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar — into theme-park attractions. Sometimes, it makes streaming shows about the rides at its amusement parks as well. And, as happened with Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and Tomorrowland, sometimes the Mouse House loves the highlights at its parks so much that it spins them out into their own films. Disney already took the latter path with The Haunted Mansion back in 2003; however, the massive entertainment company also adores revisiting its past hits (see: the upcoming live-action versions of Peter Pan & Wendy and The Little Mermaid, plus a whole lot more in recent years). So, it's ticking two boxes with Haunted Mansion, a second flick based on the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom Park and Tokyo Disneyland must-see. Obviously, the overall concept is right there in the name, but the new film's just-dropped trailer provides more story details. This time around, single mother Gabbie (Rosario Dawson, Clerks III) and her son (Chase W Dillon, The Harder They Fall) bring in folks who call themselves 'spiritual experts' when they discover that they're not the abode's only residents Cue a cast that also features LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta), Tiffany Haddish (The Afterparty), Owen Wilson (Loki), Danny DeVito (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek), plus 2023 Oscar-nominee Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween Ends). Plenty of the above names are keen to make some cash offering their services — and some of the movie's stars, such as Jared Leto (Morbius) as The Hatbox Ghost, get spooky. The end result will creep into cinemas in July, with Dear White People and Bad Hair filmmaker Justin Simien directing. And yes, if you want to watch the Eddie Murphy (You People)-starring original movie in the interim, you'll find it — and 2021 special Muppets Haunted Mansion — on Disney+ right now. Check out the Haunted Mansion trailer below: Haunted Mansion releases in cinemas Down Under on July 27.
In 2021, SPRINGTIME announced that it'd be giving the Gold Coast a new free music festival. In 2022, it then made its debut. That big premiere also included a skate park, live art and performance installations — and, because it was unsurprisingly a hit, the fest is coming back in 2023. SPRINGTIME boasts another huge drawcard: those free tunes, skate displays and performances all happen by the beach over three breezy spring days. This time, mark Friday, September 1–Sunday, September 3 in your diary for a trip to Surfers Paradise, where you can enjoy the waves, bars and listening to a live soundtrack on the shore (and hopefully replace your Schoolies memories). On the 2023 lineup: BENEE, Matt Corby and Bag Raiders, each headlining a different night, plus more than 25 other acts. While the focus is on Australian talent, New Zealand's BENEE marks the fest's first-ever international name, and will add another big gig to her year after playing Coachella. As it did in 2022, SPRINGTIME's live music will take over both beachside and streetside spaces around Surfers. There'll be two stages, also hosting Babe Rainbow, Boo Seeka, Eliza & The Delusionals, grentperez, Sunshine & Faith Disco Choir, Sycco and more. An array of talents will get painting live in front of SPRINGTIME's punters, and the Vans skate team will be back to get rolling. Also, after Shock Therapy Arts brought performance art piece The Cleaners to the fest last year, they're returning in 2023 with a huge retro obstacle course inspired by retro video games. As for who you'll be seeing when, Bag Raiders will be doing a DJ set to headline the Friday, BENEE has the honours on Saturday, then Matt Corby on Sunday. The Gold Coast Music Awards lead into the fest as well, taking place on Thursday, August 31 — and celebrating spring's arrival just by soaking in the location obviously comes with the territory. SPRINGTIME MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP: Bag Raiders BENEE Matt Corby Babe Rainbow Boo Seeka Eliza & The Delusionals grentperez Sunshine & Faith Disco Choir Sycco Austin Mackay Bella Amor Betty Taylor Big Fuzz Bill Durry Chutney Dizzy Days Daste. Girl & Girl Greatest Hits Jason Van Miert Lemaire Matonii Sabio Mitch Santiago N'Jaane Pure Milk Radolescent The Vultures Taleena Tomorrow's Forecast YB. Updated September 1. Images: Bianca Holderness.
When imagining an exhibition at the exclusive Minter Ellison building at Waterfront Place riverside, one tends to envisage a somewhat snooty, ‘hoity toity’ affair, closed to those without a couple of hundred thou in their back pocket. Disperse with your preconceived notions though, as Minter Ellison opens its doors on the 7th of July, and provides a hot venue, cool jazz and delicious snacks for the opening of ‘Off the Streets and Into the Arts’ an exhibition of work created by members of the 139 Art group. This group of people struggling with homelessness meets each Monday to experience the joy of art making and learning new skills together, the outcome of which is an exciting exhibition of unique and beautifully crafted works of creativity. It’s $10 to head along to this fabulous art event on the 7th of July, and all the money raised through tickets and art sales is invested back into the artists and the 139 Art group. So scurry along, and see the smiles that light up the faces of some of Brisbane’s most needy when their artwork is purchased and their talent and hard work is recognised.
At skate parks around the world — and on consoles in lounge rooms, too — many an hour has been spent kickflipping and ollieing because of Tony Hawk. He's the professional skateboarder who became a household name, and the man whose licensed video game series had everyone sliding and grinding just by furiously mashing buttons. And, come 2024, he's coming to Australia to chat about his career. The skater icon is taking part in a talkfest aptly called An Evening with Tony Hawk. The Brisbane leg has sold out, sadly, but the River City is in for another treat. For one day only, on Saturday, January 27, Hawk is also going to turn the Fortitude Music Hall into an immersive Tony Hawk's Pro Skater experience. Hawk's THPS25 event will drop in to celebrate a quarter century of the games series, with the venue becoming a replica of one of the levels from the game. Yes, Hawk will hop on a board on an 11-foot-plus vertical ramp that'll sit in the centre of the venue. Joining him from the Birdhouse skate crew, including Lizzie Armanto, Elliot Sloan Felipe Nunes and Reese Nelson. [caption id="attachment_924147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joshua Cutillo[/caption] The THPS25 event is split into two sessions, with the daytime slot an all-ages affair and the evening session only for over 18s. Birdman: Or the Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band are picking up their instruments at both, too, as joined by DZ Deathrays doing a DJ set at each. Yours Truly and Teenage Joans will also take to the stage during the day, and Bodyjar and Alex Lahey at night. If you're keen to play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater while you're there, that's understandable and will also be an option. Show off your moves on a five-metre video wall, plus console stations set up around the venue.
In winter, Marysville is a sea of red. It's like the damp, cool air is keeping autumn's leaves — which have already fallen from the trees — alight and burning until spring comes along, when new ones will be ready to take their place. The sentiment is a lot like Marysville itself. This one-street country town was left with nothing after it was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009; everything was charred black, and only now has it regained its full colour. Marysville has all but been reborn, just like the leaves in springtime. With homes rebuilt, storefronts repaired and new buildings erected — including a massive new commercial hotel, which takes up most of the frontage on Murchison Street — the little country town has life again. And winter is the perfect time to appreciate it. Bereft of much else but good wine and nature, Marysville is the place to spend that weekend away from the city (and your computer) that you've been talking about; doing all those classic, wholesome activities you associate with a cosy winter weekend in the country. The air is cold and a little damp, the kind that tastes like the trees it comes from and freshens you from the inside out. There's plenty of opportunity for walking, drinking and eating, or just reading from the comfort of your hotel room — all the sort of stuff that will make you feel like you've had a soul massage before returning to work on Monday. Best part is, it's less than two hours drive from the city. SEE AND DO One of the best things you'll see in Marysville presents itself before you even get there. If you follow the Maroondah Highway through the Yarra Valley (stops for wine optional, but recommended) and past Healesville, you'll find yourself driving through the lush, dense forest of the Black Spur. This winding road is completely surrounded by crazy tall mountain ash and a lush buffer of ferns. It's really beautiful and it can be hard to keep your eyes on the road, so pull over at one of the overtaking lanes if you need a few minutes to take it all in, and do your Instagramming outside of the car. Once in Marysville, it won't take you that long to scope out the main drag. But we recommend getting off it and disappearing into the depths of the surrounding forest. The Tree Fern Gully Trail is one of the best walks you can do; almost immediately you feel isolated as the dirt track winds from the town down to Steavenson Falls. It's not a necessarily easy walk — there are a few hills and it takes about an hour each way — but it's just what your inhibited winter soul needs: fresh air and enjoyable exercise. And if you want to visit at night, you can drive straight to the falls carpark and walk down to the viewing platform. It's lit up until midnight. For something a bit more fantastical, take a walk through Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden. The work of Bruno Torfs in enclosed within a somewhat magical garden, and will probably take you back to a time of looking for fairies in the bottom of the garden and tearily watching The Secret Garden. The whole garden was destroyed in the 2009 fires, and local legend Bruno has painstakingly recreated all his work from scratch. There's a $10 entry fee on weekends. EAT AND DRINK Being so close to the Yarra Valley, it makes sense that the Marysville area is prime for growing grapes and making wine. In neighbouring Buxton, Buxton Ridge Winery's cellar door is worth a visit. Lorna Gelbert and her son Michael run the family-owned winery, and will give you a taste of their best drops. They'll even make you up a cheese platter to eat outside on the terrace with a glass of your choice. We recommend the rose or the Shiraz. Whether you've been for a walk or have simply tired yourself out tasting wine, there will no doubt come a time on your Marysville weekend that you'll want to take refuge indoors, with cake. There aren't any trendy cafes here (and you won't get a Small Batch coffee, sorry!), but at Fraga's Cafe, you will be able to get a mean piece of banoffee pie. And really, that's all you need. But the brand new jewel in Marysville's culinary crown is Radius Bar & Eatery, which is adjoined to the new Vibe hotel. All the locals are talking about it (many have already visited multiple times), and on a Saturday night — despite my scepticism about the size of the restaurant in a tiny little town — the place is basically full. Nearly all produce is sourced from within a 100km radius, which explains why locals are so keen to get behind it — by supporting the restaurant, they're supporting their own businesses, and that of their friends. Everything on the menu specifies how far it's travelled to get to the restaurant; the feta-stuffed zucchini flowers use zucchinis from Flowerdale (96km away) and the chicken liver parfait gets its comes from Mansfield (98km). The idea here is to choose your meat and the sides to go with it, and it's the 12-hour roasted lamb shoulder that you really should order. The lamb is pulled and tossed with green olives and eggplant, which makes it rich and decadent, and altogether perfect for a winter meal with a bottle of red. The dish would easily feed three people (which is good value at $28), and you'd only need a few sides — maybe the woodfired barbecue corn and the shaved baby fennel salad. A no-brainer if you're in the area. STAY At last count, an Airbnb search returned only two property results in Marysville. These might be very viable options (if you can nab your preferred weekend in advance), but you'll have much better odds at getting a room at the brand new Vibe Hotel. That's because, by Marysville standards, it's massive — with 101 rooms, it seems like it's been built to house every person who could possibly be in town on any given night. There's a gym, spa, sauna and (for the adventurous) an outdoor pool, so even on cold nights, you'll have multiple ways to keep warm. Ideal for one-nighters where you want the fresh-sheet feel of a hotel, and a buffet breakfast in the morning. CP stayed as a guest of Vibe Hotel Marysville.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia earlier this year. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for another round in 2018. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2018's events are scheduled for March 10 at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate, May 5 at Domaine de Binet in the Hunter Valley, May 19 at Ocean View Estates near Brisbane, September 8 at Pipers Brook in Tasmania and October 6 at Leura Park Estate in Geelong. For more information, visit the Grapest 5k run website.
Donald Glover's filmography is expanding, as is his directorial resume as well. The next time that he graces a movie, the star also known as Childish Gambino play a hit musician on-screen, in a flick that he's helming himself. If it seems like art imitating life, however, we're betting that IRL Glover — whether or not he's in his Gambino guise — hasn't found himself on an island teeming with greenery, largely devoid of people and also home to giant animals. In the just-dropped trailer for Bando Stone & the New World, Glover is the film's namesake — "the singer: 'Starlight', 'Let's Make It Happen', 'Party Monkey'," he tells a woman (Jessica Allain, The Continental: From the World of John Wick) pointing a gun his way when they cross paths in a convenience store. She doesn't know who he is, has a kid in tow and is on a mission to get to the other side of the island. But they can only move during the daytime, because at night is "when everything comes out". By everything, the movie means a massive boar, octopus and flock of flightless birds, plus glowing laser netting and structures — all of which Bando is ill-equipped for. "Can you shoot? Can you hunt? Do you know how to fish? Do you know how to set a trap?" he's asked. His reply: "I can sing". Bando Stone & the New World will mark Glover's feature directorial debut, after helming a short film as Childish Gambino, his own music videos, and episodes of both Atlanta and Swarm. The script comes courtesy of Evi Wilder, while Glover's frequent collaborator Hiro Murai — who has directed a heap of his music videos as well, plus 26 Atlanta instalments, two episodes of the 2024 Mr & Mrs Smith series and 2019 movie Guava Island — is an executive producer. As for the soundtrack, that's unsurprisingly springing from Gambino. Exactly when the film will drop, other than 2024, hasn't been revealed — and nor has any Down Under release plans. It's headed for big screens in the US, though, with the trailer announcing that it's an exclusive IMAX event. Whether audiences in Australia and New Zealand will get to see Bando Stone & the New World before Childish Gambino brings his latest tour this way in 2025 also hasn't been advised so far. Check out the trailer for Bando Stone & The New World below: Bando Stone & the New World doesn't yet have a release date, other than 2024 — we'll update you when more details are announced.
This time last year, Netflix subscribers were getting excited about a slate of fresh flicks that included whodunnit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, action-thriller The Gray Man, Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, the screen version of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical and a new adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover. That's part of 2022's haul. In 2023, the streaming platform has another hefty list — and star-studded, too — of new movies to look forward to. And, to whet viewers' film-loving appetites, it has just dropped a sneak peek at quite the number of them. On Netflix's lineup for 2023, and therefore on yours as well: assassins, murder mysteries, battles at the edge of the galaxy, beloved TV series getting the movie treatment, action sequels, conspiracy dramas, rom-coms and more. And, a massive roster of recognisable faces, too, with everyone from Michael Fassbender and Adam Sandler to Emily Blunt and Reese Witherspoon popping up. Netflix has unveiled initial glimpses as well as release dates for all the flicks featured, which also means updating your calendar now. It isn't arriving first, but perhaps the number-one film to make a date with: David Fincher's assassin thriller The Killer, starring Fassbender (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) alongside Tilda Swinton (Three Thousand Years of Longing), and seeing Fincher return to his fondness for crime (see also: Seven, Zodiac and Mindhunter). It'll drop on November 10. Also instantly intriguing is Pain Hustlers, starring Blunt (The English) alongside Chris Evans (Lightyear) and Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek), and hailing from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise filmmaker David Yates. Releasing on October 27, it tracks a woman striving for a better life but soon caught in a criminal conspiracy. [caption id="attachment_885547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JoJo Whilden[/caption] Or, there's Rebel Moon, the latest from Zack Snyder — and his latest film for Netflix after 2021's Army of the Dead. Streaming from December 22, it focuses on conflict in an otherwise peaceful intergalactic colony, is firmly a space epic, and includes Charlie Hunnam (The Gentlemen), Sofia Boutella (Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), Michiel Huisman (The Flight Attendant), Anthony Hopkins (Armageddon Time) and Djimon Hounsou (Black Adam) among its cast. And, from December 8, Leave the World Behind also gets well-known stars together — Julia Roberts (Ticket to Paradise), Mahershala Ali (Swan Song), Ethan Hawke (The Northman) and Kevin Bacon (The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special), for starters — with Mr Robot's Sam Esmail directing. Based on the novel of the same name, the film heads on a family vacation on Long Island, where strangers arrive with news of an eerie blackout. [caption id="attachment_885548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Yamano[/caption] Other titles reaching the platform throughout the year include Murder Mystery 2, arriving on March 31 and seeing Adam Sandler (Hustle) and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show) return (and get caught up in another mystery); Luther: The Fallen Son on March 10, with Idris Elba (Beast) back as John Luther after the hit TV show; the Gal Gadot (Death on the Nile)- and Jamie Dornan (Belfast)-led spy flick Heart of Stone on August 11; and Damsel with Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) on October 13. And, there's the Jonah Hill (Don't Look Up) and Eddie Murphy (Coming 2 America)-starring You People on January 27; Witherspoon (The Morning Show) and Ashton Kutcher (That '90s Show) in Your Place or Mine on February 10; Extraction 2, the sequel to the Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder)-led hit, on June 16; comedy A Family Affair with Nicole Kidman (The Northman) and Zac Efron (Firestarter) on November 17; and coming-of-age animated musical Leo, featuring Sandler's voice work, on November 22. Add in Jennifer Lopez (Marry Me) in The Mother on May 12, the Kevin Hart (Me Time)-starring Lift on August 25, and They Cloned Tyrone with Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), John Boyega (The Woman King) and Teyonah Parris (Candyman) on July 21 — yes, there's going to be plenty to watch this year. The list goes on — and, Netflix usually gives some of its new films cinema runs, too. That means that in addition to a heap of couch time coming up, you'll likely be able to see some of these movies on the big screen as well. Check out Netflix's trailer for its 2023 films below: New movies will hit Netflix throughout 2023— head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue. Top image: Brian Douglas/Netflix © 2023.
Sure, it doesn't get that cold in Australia, but there are certainly times when a wearable heater wouldn't go astray. Anyone who's been to Hobart in July will surely attest to that. So our future shivering selves are pretty happy to hear about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) latest development: a material that can store heat from the sun, and release it back to you on demand when you get chilly. That is, solar-powered heated clothes. The material MIT's researchers have developed is made from a polymer film, which they say soaks up energy from the sun and stores it in a chemical state. Storing it in this chemical state then lets the wearer reactivate it later and release it as heat. You'd be able to decide when to release it, and how much to release — all depending on how freezing it is, and how cosy you want to be. Researchers claim that, when activated, the material will be able to heat up by 15 degrees. Imagine the toastiness levels of a jacket that warm. We'd never get out of that thing. But it's not just clothing that this material could work for. As the polymer is a transparent film, it could be applied to heaps of different surfaces, including car windows. They could store the sun's heat during the day, and then use that heat to melt a layer of ice the next morning — or the next week. Looks like we're one step closer to finding our personal, portable heated nirvana. But don't throw away that Snuggie just yet — the material is still in development at MIT, so it might be a while until our thermostat jacket makes its way onto your body. Via Ecouterre. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Fancy stepping into the mind of iconic artist Salvador Dali? For a one-month period early next year, you'll simply need to head to Perth's Fringe World festival. Between January 18 and February 17, 2019, the annual event will play host to a world-first exhibition dedicated to the great surrealist master — complete with more than 200 of Dali's works on display. Timed to mark the 30th anniversary of the artist's passing and taking place over four levels, Dali Land will boast his drawings, sculptures, photography, films, installations, graphics and more as part of a program that both highlights his work and pays tribute to Dali in a broader sense. The virtual reality experience Dreams of Dali will also make the trip, taking viewers into the painting Archaeological Reminiscence of Millet's "Angelus" in an immersive piece that's usually on display at the Salvador Dali museum in Florida in the US. Other highlights include a second exhibition called Unconscious Contemporary, which showcases works from both early surrealist artists and their contemporary counterparts, as well as Dada Cinema, which'll screen surrealist films. The list of names featured across both is hefty, with Jean Cocteau, Andre Breton, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Man Ray, The Crow filmmaker Alex Proyas and photographer Thor Engelstad all included. A lineup of live events and performances will also tip their hat to Dali, such as a surrealist-themed ball, a gig by Lily Allen, theatrical show Dali After Dark by Briefs and degustations dubbed 'Dali Dinners'. And, there'll also be 'surreal cocktails' at the late-night rooftop salon bar — which sounds a bit like a case of attaching the word 'surreal' to everything in the exhibition, but in a space that'll also feature live music, magic, burlesque and comedy. Dali Land comes to Perth as part of Fringe World, exhibiting at the former Metro City site at 146 Roe Street, Northbridge from January 18–February 17, 2019. For more information, visit www.dali-land.com.
Don't you hate those little stickers that come with pieces of fruit? Of course you do. Everyone does. I somehow always forget to peel these off before I eat fruit. They say that practice makes perfect, but I still struggle with this after all my years of eating apples and nashi pears. However, Scott Amron has come up with an ingenious and hygienic way to get rid of these once and for all. Amron has recently unveiled his 'Vanishing Fruitwash Labels', which are stickers that turn into organic soap when washed. Even though the stickers are water resistant, rubbing them with water will trigger the sticker's transformation. This way, you don't have to peel the fruit sticker off and stick it to your kitchen bench. Rather, it will just disappear when washed and you'll get a much cleaner fruit which is free of all the pesticides that your mother warned you about. Generously, Amron is offering people to invest in a 10% stake in the Fruitwash Label Intellectual Property (patents). [Via PSFK]
It's not often you get to see bears casually drinking next to cheetahs. New York-based artist Cai Guo-Qiang's first solo exhibition in Australia is something of a cross between The Lion King and Noah's Ark that way. The exhibition, titled Falling Back to Earth, consists of three large-scale, nature-inspired installations, two of which are commissions inspired by the artist's own experiences in Australia. Heritage (2013) features 99 lifelike animals from all around the world drinking from a blue lake surrounded by white sand. The other new work is Eucalyptus (2013), a long gum tree extending the length of the gallery, and the third piece on display is the artist's famous and fabulous Head On (2006), where 99 artificial wolves are shown in various stages of colliding with a glass wall. The exhibition will be at Queensland's Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) until May 11, 2014. The exhibition also includes an interactive element for children, an illustrated book, videos and regular Chinese tea ceremonies. Images from Cai Guo-Qiang Studio Blog and QAGOMA.
Maybe you're keen to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of the warmer weather. Perhaps 2022 has just been a chaotic year for you, as it has for most of us, and you're desperate to get away. You could always be yearning for a holiday, as almost everyone is. And, you might have the perfect vacation partner that you haven't been able to spend enough time flying to scenic spots with during the pandemic. If a few, most or all of the above applies, Jetstar comes bearing great news: a fly a friend for free' flight sale. Until 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, August 28 — or sold out — the Aussie airline is doing package deals for paired travellers, with one person's airfares included for nothing. Your wallet, your calendar, all that stress you're carrying around in your shoulders — they all love this for you. So will whichever mate or date you're now hitting up for a discounted holiday adventure. The packages cover flights, hotels and, usually, breakfast as well — with deals from Sydney including $484 for two nights at the Holiday Inn Express Little Collins Street in Melbourne, $1122 for five nights at Meridian Port Douglas, and $604 for a three-night getaway at voco Gold Coast. There's also a $732 three-night package at Pacific Hotel Cairns, a $1316 option for three nights at Daydream Island Resort and a $1151 stay for three nights at Hobart's Mövenpick Hotel. Offers and prices vary per city, as do dates for travel, but most destinations remain the same. Melburnians can also stay at the Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central for two nights for $434, for instance — and get cheaper prices to Hobart and slightly more expensive costs to Queensland. Whichever you pick — including options leaving from Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more — you'll need to book online. When you do so, to get the deal, you'll also need to add an extra passenger. Also, checked baggage isn't included, so factor that into your budget — or pack light. Jetstar's 'fly a friend for free' sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, August 28 — or until sold out. Images: Jetstar.
It's been 12 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival has announced its 2017 lineup. Returning to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland and Singapore next January and February, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with one heck of a killer lineup. Following the already announced appearance of AB Original and Chet Faker (or is it Nick Murphy now?), Laneway will see one heck of a crew on their stages, including Aussies Tame Impala — who will be only doing Laneway this time, no sideshows. Oxford band Glass Animals will be coming out for the festival, along wiht other international acts Tourist, Tycho, Nao and riot grrl Kathleen Hanna. There's plenty of local love on the lineup too, with Gang of Youths, Jagwar Ma, Sampa the Great and Camp Cope all making appearances. In short, you'll want to be getting a tickie — they go on sale at 9am AEST on Wednesday, September 21. But, enough chat, here's the full lineup. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP A.B.Original AURORA Baro* Bob Moses Camp Cope Car Seat Headrest Clams Casino Ecca Vandal* Fascinator Floating Points (live) Flyying Colours* Gang of Youths GL Glass Animals Jagwar Ma Jess Kent Julia Jacklin Koi Child Luca Brasi Mick Jenkins Mr. Carmack NAO Nicholas Allbrook Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker)** Roland Tings Sampa The Great Tame Impala** Tash Sultana The Julie Ruin Tourist Tycho White Lung Whitney *Melbourne only **Exclusive to Laneway, no sideshows LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2017 DATES Brisbane — Thursday, January 26 Melbourne — Saturday, January 28 Auckland — Monday, January 30 Adelaide — Friday, February 3 Sydney — Saturday, February 4 Fremantle — Sunday, February 5 Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 21 at 9am AEST from Laneway Festival. Image: Andy Fraser.
I’ve spent my life operating under the premise that pollution is ugly. No doubt you have too. But oh, how wrong we were. Ohio environmental engineer Dr Guy Riefler and artist John Sabraw have told us all by engineering a paint that recycles toxic runoff and keeps it out of waterways — eventually producing colourful and wondrous abstract works of art. The waste is collected from streams in Ohio, where heavy metals leak from abandoned coal mines, coat the habitat in a thick sludge and render water acidic. “When this water hits streams, it lowers the pH and kills fish,” Riefler, whose career has focused on acid mine drainage, told the Smithsonian magazine. While the professor deliberated how to restore the ecosystem, it was realised that the runoff and commercial red and yellow paints oddly have something in common — they both contain ferric oxyhydroxides. Excessive chemistry jargon ensues. The transformation begins with collecting water from the damaged site and, using sodium hydroxide, raising its pH levels while exposing it to oxygen at a specific rate (don’t try this at home, kids) to oxidise the iron. The metal components, invisible until this point, blossom into rich colours. The iron sludge is then dried, milled and mixed with alkali refined linseed oil — a traditional binder — until finally we have (voila!) an oil paint that’s safe to both use and produce. In an ugly-ducking-to-swan-type scenario, Riefler and Sabraw transform the toxic sludge into artworks inspired by trees, streams and landscapes — the very thing they might be saving. Their invention, six years in the making, is now being refined for a commercially viable paint, the proceeds of which would be put towards cleaning up polluted streams. Via Inhabitat and Smithsonian.
"I'm still a flight attendant, and I've been making better choices." In the just-dropped trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season, they're some of the first words that Cassie Bowden (The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco) utters — at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Los Angeles, where she's moved after the dramas we all watched back in 2020. But no one ever thought that this pulpy thriller would come back and just give its protagonist a normal, average, uneventful life, so those opening moments of calm are short-lived, naturally. Cassie has picked up a part-time job, which she also tells her sober pals in LA about — but she doesn't mention that she's now moonlighting for the CIA. Yes, in its second batch of episodes, this airport novel-to-screen series is going full chaotic international espionage thriller. Expect to spy plenty of Berlin in the first sneak peek, too. This time around, Cassie is doing great things at both of her jobs — booze-free things, too — when she inadvertently witnesses a murder while on assignment for her side hustle overseas. Cue more country-hopping intrigue, with the show also filming in Reykjavik. Cue more of Cassie's inner monologues as well, even if she thinks she's seen the last of them with her last drink. Coming to Binge in Australia and streaming via Neon in NZ, The Flight Attendant has also unveiled its return date: in Australia, you can mark Thursday, April 21 in your diaries. Also new: cast members Mo McRae (Big Little Lies), Callie Hernandez (Under the Silver Lake), JJ Soria (Gentefied), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jessie Ennis (Mythic Quest), Mae Martin (Feel Good), Margaret Cho (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Santiago Cabrera (Ema), Sharon Stone (Ratched) and Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse). They'll join Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominee Cuoco, obviously, plus returning co-stars Zosia Mamet (Girls), Griffin Matthews (Dear White People), Deniz Akdeniz (The High Note) and Rosie Perez (The Last Thing He Wanted). And if you're new to this small-screen adaptation of Chris Bohjalian's 2018 novel of the same name, the first season unravelled quite the twisty tale — starting high in the sky, bouncing around the globe and delivering a hectic murder-mystery. Quickly addictive, filled with sudden revelations and reversals, multiple points of interest playing out across a split-screen setup, and also sporting cliffhangers to end every episode, the slick, swift-moving series knew exactly the kind of story it was telling and went for broke. More is coming in season two, clearly. Check out the trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season below: The Flight Attendant's second season will be available to stream via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 21 — and is headed to Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Top image: HBO Max / Binge.
It's been less than two years since Sophie Ellis-Bextor last played live Down Under; however, when she took to the stage at Summer Camp in Sydney and Melbourne in 2022, and Melt Festival in Brisbane as well, Saltburn hadn't happened. So when the British singer-songwriter performs in Australia and New Zealand in spring 2024, busting out 'Murder on the Dancefloor' is certain to be a whole new experience. The 2001 single has always been an earworm, a delight and a floor filler, but echoing over an unforgettable scene in one of 2023's best movies has made everyone remember that they love it again. Indeed, expect it to be a highlight not just of Ellis-Bextor's set, but of the whole show that's actually a Take That tour with Ellis-Bextor burning the goddamn house right down in support. Those houses: RAC Arena in Perth, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Spark Arena in Auckland, all across late October to mid-November. Take That and the talent that also helped make Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' so memorable are also playing A Day on the Green, with Ricki-Lee also on the bill. On those shows, they'll head to Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, then Bimbadgen in New South Wales' Hunter Valley and finally Sirromet Wines in Mount Cotton in Queensland. Still touring 34 years after first forming, but now a trio consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald — with fellow OG members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange no longer part of the group — boy band Take That are leading the trip Down Under fresh from releasing their latest album This Life in 2023. Certain to include 90s hits 'Back for Good', 'Pray' and 'Relight My Fire', these gigs will be their first in the region since 2016. Take That This Life Tour with Sophie Ellis-Bextor — Australia and New Zealand 2024 Dates: Wednesday, October 30 — RAC Arena, Perth Saturday, November 2 — A Day on the Green, Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley, with Ricki-Lee Wednesday, November 6 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, November 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, November 9 — A Day on the Green, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, with Ricki-Lee Sunday, November 10 — A Day on the Green, Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, with Ricki-Lee Thursday, November 14 — Spark Arena, Auckland Take That and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024. Presales start at 3pm local time on Wednesday, February 7, with general sales from 1pm local time on Tuesday, February 13. Head to the tour and A Day on the Green websites for further details. Top image of Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Laura Lewis.
Yatala Drive-In is about to become the most magical place in southeast Queensland, with all eight Harry Potter films gracing the venue's screens. And if that's not enough wizarding wonder, they're turning the event into two sleepovers over two weekends. Grab a car full of your mates, and get yourself part-way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It's a two-part movie marathon, which means that you won't need a time turner if you want to stay awake for some drive-in fun. Start the fun at 7pm on December 2, running through Harry's first four years at Hogwarts. Then pick back up again at the same time the on December 9, when the battle against You Know Who begins in earnest. With no new Potter-related films due until the Fantastic Beasts sequel next year, this should help you get your big screen spellbinding fix — and, let's face it, you've already watched your DVDs hundreds of times. Potterfest - A Harry Potter Marathon Sleepover will also include plenty of other Potter fun, with dressing up in costume as highly recommended. Accio popcorn!
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, the bustling circus-themed arcade — brought to you by the same party people behind B. Lucky & Sons, Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and Hijinx Hotel — is an ideal venue for both the young at heart and kids alike with a host of arcade games and activities. Found just a few streets from the beach, the carnivalesque wonderland promises to delight guests both big and small. Spanning an impressive 3279 square metres, this is Archie Brothers' biggest game floor yet, packed with 72 arcade machines and six bowling lanes. Plus, it's in the same venue as Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel so guests can partake in immersive game rooms and 18 holes of mini-golf. If you're in the market for something more immersive, there are VR experiences that promise to take you on an action-packed rollercoaster. If you're more interested in some real-world action, there are the classic Dodgems bumper cars. You'll need fuel to keep the fun going, luckily there's a kitchen on-site — guests can fire up their tastebuds with old-school American diner classics like cheeseburgers, cheesesteaks (made with Tasmanian wagyu beef), smoked beetroot reuben sandwiches, double smoked cheesy kranksy hotdogs, corn ribs, boneless chicken wings, pizzas and much more. Guests can further tantalise their tastebuds and skip up to the bar where Archies' signature shakes and house cocktails are just as much a feast for guests' eyes as they are for their tastebuds. Adults can partake in cocktails while the kiddies rehydrate with shakes, juice or soft drinks. Check out the menu. During the school holidays, it's an ideal location to entertain the kids for a fun action-packed day out. Whether they're competing for tickets, taking on virtual reality experiences, or enjoying some classic arcade games, they're sure to have a blast. Plus, with a menu that's sure to please even the pickiest eaters, there's no need to worry about lunch or snacks. A great option for when the school holidays roll around. So gather your group, grab some tokens, and get ready to experience Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is located at Piazza on the Boulevard Surfers Paradise. For more information about the venue or to book for parties check out the website.
Asian-style beers are often stereotyped as simple, easy drinking lagers that are low in alcohol content and great at hydrating in the heavy, humid heat. To be fair, many of the mainstream brews do match this generalisation — but Hong Kong is swiftly becoming a city to reckon with in the craft beer scene. The city is home to upward of ten local breweries, most of which have launched in the last two years alone. From black IPA to cherry saison, the local brewers are up on all of the current trends and styles — they're even trying out wackier brews, like Young Master Ales' oak infused Rye on Wood ale and Black Kite Brewery's Oh Bacon!, a smoked amber ale that truly does taste the part. Heading to Hong Kong? Here's what beers to drink and where to find them. WHERE TO DRINK The Hong Kong craft scene has had a massive push in the last two years with a slew of newcomers making their mark in the city. The movement has undoubtedly come from the craft beer boom in countries overseas (including here in Australia), but while a few are helmed by expats, many of these breweries have been organically started by locals. It's becoming a big part of drinking culture as a whole; the Hong Kong Beer Co., which originally opened in 1995, has recently relaunched as a craft beer brewery, and in 2012 the Hong Kong Craft Beer Association was established, which promotes and protects the industry as a whole. Local establishments are supporting this movement too — and while craft brewpubs may not be on every corner, it's pretty easy to stumble upon one. Even in the tourist-heavy Kowloon district lays Kowloon Taproom, a craft beer haven that sits unassumingly among your standard pubs and lounges. Their extensive beer list includes both local and imported craft, the most badass of which is City Brew's Lady IPA and Gentlemen Stout duo. These can be drunk either separately, or combined to create a black IPA — an impressive and delicious endeavour by one of Hong Kong's own. It's also an awesome feeling to drink a great beer while fighting gender stereotypes. In the trendier district of Mong Kok lays Tap: The Ale Project. With the modern allure of bright blue walls and a bar that looks more like a makeshift cafe, this spot certainly has the hipster aspect going for it. Opened in 2014 by self-proclaimed beer geeks, their 14 taps are dedicated to local and select import, with an even wider selection in bottles. They even offer growlers with a ceramic seal for takeaway. Both Tap and Kowloon Taproom are run by locals and are filled with locals almost every night, demonstrating the city's true dedication to the craft. WHAT TO DRINK If you're in Hong Kong, these are the beers you need to try. If you're not, well, most are not yet shipping internationally — but we expect big things to come, and can't wait to see these names on Sydney shelves. Gweilo Beer Mak's Beer Yardley Brothers Brewing City Brew Young Master Ales Black Kite Brewery Top image: Dollar Photo Club
This autumn, parts of Alice Springs and its surrounds will shine brighter than ever before, when the region's fourth annual Parrtjima - A Festival In Light delivers its most expansive program yet. Previously held in September, the festival will this year run from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 14. The free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling is perhaps best known for its dazzling light installations. And, this year, Parrtjima — the nation's first indigenous festival of its kind — will feature six of these luminous displays, gracing both Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct and Alice Springs Todd Mall. As 2019 is the UN's Year of Indigenous Languages, the festival will also have a linguistic edge. With a theme of 'Language Expressions', the program's lineup will feature many artworks, talks and workshops focused on Central Australia's many Indigenous languages. [caption id="attachment_706524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan[/caption] While Alice Spring's CBD will light up with new installations and events, just out of town, tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park will also come alive, awash with light from 6.30–10.30pm each night of the festival. Once again, a huge artwork will transform a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in art and storytelling as part of Grounded, where installations are projected onto the earth accompanied by a striking soundscape. The light installations are backed by a jam-packed program of dance, music, workshops and talks, sharing stories and celebrating First Nations' culture. It's a nice supplement to the area's Field of Light installation, which has been extended until 2020. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 5–14, 2019 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: James Horan.
These days, a free tertiary education is something of a myth — your parents might have got it, you know some other countries offer it, but you've certainly given up all hope of getting any sort of affordable qualifications (particularly with the prospect of fee deregulation). But in May the Victorian Government released its 2018 budget and it included some surprisingly good news: from next year, it will be free to complete selected TAFE courses in Victoria. As announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Facebook and outlined in the Victorian Budget 18/19 papers, the State Government will put $172 million towards covering course fees for 30 'priority' TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses from January 1, 2019. These courses are varied, running from a Diploma of Nursing to an Advanced Diploma in Accounting to a Certificate IV in Mental Health. Some can cost thousands of dollars to complete, so this will make a huge difference to prospective students who can't afford to foot the bill usually associated with studying. To be eligible, you'll have to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent Australian resident and fit one of the extra criteria. This may be you if you're under 20 years old, if you will be upskilling (that is, enrolling in a higher qualification than you've previously attained), or you're a Victorian who requires additional support — i.e., you're unemployed or have recently been retrenched. If you're looking to change careers, you may also be considered for one of the free places. The full details on eligibility have been published here. If you're interested in enrolling, you can get more details here or call the government's TAFE and Training line on 13 18 23. Updated: July 22, 2018.
Oh Ball Park Music, when I think of you a smile spreads across my face. You are a happy bunch of little hipsters that make beautiful music together! It’s infinitely exciting when a Brisbane band makes good, and these kids have. They are totally The Next Big Thing (a la Custard, Regurgitator and Powderfinger) and oh, it is so wonderful to watch this happen. So, a quick run down on the back story: in early 2009 BPM released their first EP and received airplay on Triple J, and lots of positive attention. In late 2009 they released their second EP and the love continued, they got even more airplay and began touring around Queensland and then interstate with lots of great Aussie bands. They did this throughout 2010 and into 2011 and now those clever chickens have released their first album ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’, yay! This is happy, lovely, laugh inducing music, and you should all listen to it! Now, BPM are headlining their own tours on the back of their first album, and are playing at the Zoo this week. Sometimes, to be nice, I’ll say that ‘you really must see this band before they hit it big, like, Bon Iver big’ but this time it’s true. You must go and see BPM now or you’ll be kicking yourself when all their shows sell out in half an hour and even Yeezy’s gotta wait to sample them on his next record.
The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is just around the corner, so to get Brisbaneites into the movie-buff mood, Village Roadshow are inviting film enthusiasts to the 26th Queensland New Film Makers Awards. Presented by Screen Queensland, the awards celebrate Queensland filmmakers who are have made waves over the past year with their short films. Entries from secondary student productions, tertiary student productions and independent filmmakers of all ages are welcomed, with films judged on creativity, originality and technical competence. Notable entries will be screened throughout the night, and all attendees are invited to the post-award celebrations. Take note! This is a free event but you must book through the BIFF website! Get in quick or you may miss out on a seat.
Here's three things you need to know about the just-released full trailer for Tiger King 2 — and three reasons that'll likely get you watching the Netflix docuseries' second season. Firstly, Joe Exotic once again protests his innocence, which is thoroughly expected. Secondly, a new face pops up to make the same statement, backing it up with "I am an Eastern European bitch, so I cannot be wrong." And thirdly, Jeff Lowe, who took over Exotic's park, claims to now have "more money than god" thanks to the program's first-season success. Obviously, when Tiger King 2 arrives on Wednesday, November 17, it'll put all of those snippets in context. It also promises to take viewers on quite the chaotic ride — again. The first series, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, might now feel like an early-pandemic novelties (it's what we all watched when lockdowns first hit and panic-buying toilet paper became a thing, after all), but it seems that we aren't done with cool cats and kittens just just yet. As a heap of news headlines have tracked since March 2020, this story just keeps getting wilder — so there's plenty more Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin-related details for this follow-up to cover. Indeed, when Tiger King became a huge hit, another season of the docuseries itself was floated almost right away. Then, back in September, the streamer confirmed that Tiger King 2 would surface before this year is over. Expect more details about Exotic's efforts to clear his name, Baskin's ownership of his former zoo, and what Lowe has been up to since the first season hit — and about fellow zoo-owner Tim Stark, ex-Exotic and Lowe associate Allen Glover, and Exotic's former employee James Garretson as well. This season doesn't come with a subtitle this time, but clearly it'll serve up more murder-related details, more mayhem and more madness. Tiger King 2 will also arrive before any of the other projects that've leapt on the Joe Exotic bandwagon over the past two years, endeavouring to capitalise upon the worldwide obsession with him, Baskin and the duo's strange intertwined tale. So, in the near future, you'll also be watching a dramatised series with Kate McKinnon as Baskin that's been shooting in Australia this year — but you'll be watching Netflix's continuation of the story first. Check out the full trailer for Tiger King 2 below: Tiger King 2 start streaming via Netflix on Wednesday, November 17.
New York has come a long way since Sex and The City's Carrie bought a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and the world went into hysteria over the cute (but sort of bland — sorry cupcake lovers) little baked treats. Thanks to rock 'n' roll pastry chefs like Christina Tosi and Dominique Ansel — and Brooklyn's sweet artisan revival — the desserts of New York City are now competing with Paris for the title of global sweet heavyweight, and calling die-hard dessert fans from around the world to the bright lights of the city. In my three-month sweet-eating season in NYC, I ate over 373 desserts — so boiling down the selection to just five is a little tough. But if you're heading to the city soon, this is a good place to begin. And just to be clear, I'm a fan of Magnolia Bakery — I'd just recommend you order the banana pudding. Now that is worth making a fuss over. BOOZY PIES FROM BUTTER & SCOTCH NYC excels in Southern-style pies and the best ones can be found in Brooklyn, where producers combine the flakiest pastry with produce-driven flavours. Must-visits are Four & Twenty Blackbirds and The Blue Stove, but for an extra dash of fun, head to Butter & Scotch. It's a bakery and bar, and almost every sweet is made with a generous slug of liquor, from boozy shakes to the extraordinary bourbon ginger pecan pie. CHOCOLATE RUGELACH FROM BREADS BAKERY Back in the '90s, a new wave of bakeries changed the game with organic flours, age-old techniques and seasonal produce, and Sullivan Street Bakery and The City Bakery are still among the city's finest today. Breads Bakery is a relative newcomer, but just as tempting. Nutella babka may be the poster child — and rightly so, it's deliriously good — but don't leave without a chocolate rugelach: a bite-sized, light-as-air, croissant-shaped pastry laminated with chocolate ganache. Actually, make that five. CORNHUSK MERINGUE FROM COSME Today, New York is enjoying the rise of specialty sweet producers, from rice pudding and cannoli to soft serve — but that's not to say there's no innovation in restaurants. Case in point: Cosme. It's the fine dining restaurant of renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera, and one of the city's darlings for its good vibe and modern interpretation of south-of-the-border cuisine. Then, there's the finale: corn husk meringue with corn mousse. One of the most Instagrammed desserts of 2015 is barely sweet, with notes of charred corn husk and burnt vanilla, and is French-meets-Latino heaven. [caption id="attachment_628623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Doughnut Plant[/caption] CAKE DOUGHNUTS FROM DOUGHNUT PLANT No trip to New York is complete without a doughnut. From Dominique Ansel's world famous cronut to Dough's mega glazed yeasted doughies, the selection will blow your socks off. If you had to choose just one, make it a Blackout, carrot cake or tres leches cake doughnut from Doughnut Plant. Inside the soft-crumb ring is a secret core of flavoured cream; it's unlike any doughnut you've tried before. SOFT SERVE FROM BIG GAY ICE CREAM NYC's ice cream offering is second to none, and you could fill an entire trip eating your way through the rambunctious flavours, epic sundaes, bad-ass floats and OTT ice cream sandwiches alone. Put Ample Hills, Van Leeuwen, Morgenstern's, Davey's and OddFellows on your list. For soft serve, however, there's only one contender: Big Gay, which elevates the creamy goodness with immaculate local dairy and grown-up flavours. Go the Salty Pimp with a dark, salty choc shell and Apple Gobbler, where apple pie meets an ice cream sundae. Yasmin Newman is a food and travel writer, photographer and presenter. For the full epic list of Yasmin's sweet adventures through New York, get your hands on her part-travel journal, part-cookbook, Desserts of New York (And How to Eat Them All) — it's published by Hardie Grant and is available in bookstores and online now.
However you spend the 9-to-5 grind, including singing Dolly Parton songs in your head, everyone's working hours are always better with a pet. Had an average meeting? Rover will always be there for you. Stressed about a deadline? Patch's purring will help soothe whatever ails you. Need to look at something other than a screen for a bit? Whatever kind of animal companion you have, they're perfect for exactly that. Most of the above situations lend themselves to working from home, as we've all enjoyed over the past few years — but if you're back in the office, or at least out of your house and away from Zoom calls, you mightn't have a furry, feathered or scaly friend on hand to help brighten up your day. Well, usually. Today, Friday, June 24, just happens to be National Take Your Dog To Work Day. Yes, there's a day for everything. Yes, you still have time to bring Fido with you today. And, to help — because wrangling an animal on public transport isn't necessarily easy — Uber is doing discounted rides for everyone taking their pets into the office. The half-price fare comes courtesy of Uber Pet, which launched in Australia back in 2020. To grab the deal, you'll need to travel between 7am–7pm today — and, if you do so with your pet for company, you'll nab 50-percent off your trip up to a total of $30 off. The discount is valid everywhere that Uber Pet is available in Australia, which covers Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Hobart, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Wollongong and Darwin. There is a $6–7 'pet fee' on top of the standard ride fare, though. To get the discount, just go to the Uber app, click on your account in the bottom right corner, select 'wallet' and then scroll down till you hit 'add promo code'. That code: FURBABY. (What else would it be?) Each person can only use the code twice, but that'll get you and Max to work and back. And yes, your day just got better, obviously — for you and your fluffball. Uber Pet is doing half-price rides from 7am–7pm today, Friday, June 24. For more information, head to the Uber website.
We know what you're thinking. 'Low-carb' clothing? Are you serious? Nope nope nope. Call shenanigans, upturn tables, get on the tweets. Reformation's brand new ten-piece fashion line is indeed called the Low-Carb collection. But rather than being some form of low carbohydrate fashion (somehow), the eco-friendly fashion label has created ten items with a severely low carbon footprint. Yep, 'low carb'. We know, it's a straight-up, highly effective clickbaity fashion campaign. But one with a truly good heart. Created for yesterday's international Earth Day, Reformation's new collection intends to educate fashion lovers about the environmental impacts of their threads. Each Low-Carb item has an eco-gauge (or RefScale) that comes with it, allowing customers to read up on the garment's effect on the environment — we're talking manufacturing methods, impact on CO2 levels and water use for a start. The eco-gauge can be found next to each item on the Reformation website, so you can read up before you buy. In fact, Reformation makes clothes from just three different types of materials, new sustainable fabrics, repurposed vintage clothing and rescued deadstock fabric from fashion houses that over-ordered. Plus, the collection's pretty damn crisp. Sustainable fashion is becoming more and more en vogue, with Pharell launching his recent denim line for G-Star made from plastic bottles pulled from the ocean, to Melbourne's recently founded Hessian magazine, which focuses on eco-friendly fashion designers, collections and practices. Even if it's a little gimmicky, we're all for supporting sustainability-meets-fashion projects — depsite the clickbaity headlines. Via Who What Wear. Take five lessons in sustainable fashion with Hessian magazine over here.
“They are built on the idea of leisure, dreams, escape and entertainment,” says artist Anna Carey, reflecting on the connections between the three cities that occupy her exhibition Blue Angel. “The spaces were created to be reinvented — built for a good time not a long time. For some, these cities were a place of temporary escape, but many have made the escape permanent.” Anna Carey takes photographs of her home town, the Gold Coast, as well as the architecturally similar Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where she recently spent time travelling. The catch? She also builds the environments in the photographs, making finicky cardboard dioramas of buildings pulled from memory and her imagination. All three cities, having featured in countless films, hold various associations according to our collective memories and interpretations. We feel as though we know them well, and yet, how many of us can claim an intimate knowledge? Carey explains, “The art making becomes a process of overlapping multiple memories to create hybrid spaces drawn from and common to all three cities ... Even though the cities are very similar, each has a unique culture, expressed through its urban landscape. "The Gold Coast lifestyle is occupied with the outdoors because of its subtropical, natural landscape ... Los Angeles is similar because of the hills and the ocean; however, it is a much larger city and has a massive entertainment industry. Las Vegas is a place to indulge, with a variety of shows, spas, restaurants and gambling.” Influenced by an array of artists, “past and present”, Carey identifies a select few that she comes back to continually, finding “something new in the work every time”. These include Ed Ruscha, who photographs Los Angeles obsessively, using his camera as a means of documentation; Francys Alys, who “creates urban fictions”, attempting to “reflect the rhythm and narrative” of Mexico City; and Rachel Whiteread, because “her work House is genius”. Carey’s Blue Angel exhibition is on display at Sydney's Artereal (747 Darling Street, Rozelle; (02) 9818 7473) from May 7-31, 2014.
When Disney+ made its way into the world back in 2019, it gave viewers — including folks in Australia and New Zealand — access to a huge range of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic movies and shows. What it didn't do is bring Hulu, which the Mouse House owns the majority stake in, to audiences Down Under. And, with Disney+ focused on family-friendly fare, it didn't deliver the kinds of series and films that Hulu screens, either. Hulu still isn't heading our way. But, come early 2021, Disney+ is expanding to include a new section that's basically an international equivalent of Hulu. It's called Star, it'll launch on Tuesday, February 23, and it'll screen "an additional 1000 unique titles under the new Star brand in the first year", according to the announcement at Disney's big 2020 Investor Day on Friday, December 11. It's also set to premiere 35 brand new series in 2021, too. Disney hasn't listed exactly what Australia and New Zealand audiences will be able to watch via Star — but it did reveal that Star will feature "a robust collection of general entertainment movies, television, documentaries, and more, along with Star-branded new exclusive originals and local productions being created for the service". It'll be drawing upon Disney's studios, such as Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television and Touchstone, and will also feature local programming specific to each region. https://twitter.com/Disney/status/1337155471422189569 Star won't feature everything that Hulu does, because plenty of Hulu's series and films pop up elsewhere Down Under — like The Handmaid's Tale, for instance. That said, it's safe to presume that some of the rights deals that deliver Hulu content to other networks and streaming platforms in Australia and New Zealand might change when Star hits, moving where you can catch certain flicks and programs in the process. When Star launches, it'll also become available in Europe and Canada, both of which already have access to Disney+. The Mouse House will also launch Disney+ including Star in Singapore on the same date, then look to roll out in Eastern Europe, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong across the rest of 2021. And, as you might've already guessed, Disney+'s expansion to include Star will come with a price increase. Australian subscriptions will go up to AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year, while New Zealand's will cost NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year. Star will join Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday, February 23, with Disney+ subscriptions costing AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year in Australia, and NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year in New Zealand, from that date.
It's a chair made out of swords. So notes Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith, Morbius) description of TV's most-fought-over piece of furniture of the past 13 years: the Iron Throne. Not one but two hit HBO shows have put squabbles about the sought-after seat at their centre so far, and the second keeps proving a chip off the old block in a fantasy franchise where almost everyone meets that description. If the family trees sprawling throughout Game of Thrones for eight seasons across 2011–19 and now House of the Dragon for two since 2022 (with a third on the way) weren't so closely intertwined in all of their limbs, would feuding over everything, especially the line of succession, be such a birthright? Set within the Targaryens 172 years before Daenerys is born, House of the Dragon could've always cribbed the name of another HBO success. In season two from Monday, June 17 Down Under — via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — season one's black-versus-green factionalism remains a civil war-esque showdown over which two offspring of the late King Viserys the Peaceful (Paddy Considine, The Third Day) should wear the crown and plonk themselves in the blade-lined chair. The monarch long ago named Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy, Mothering Sunday) as his heir. But with his last breaths, his wife Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, Slow Horses) — also Rhaenyra's childhood best friend-turned-stepmother — claims that he changed his pick to their eldest son Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney, Rogue Heroes) instead. In King's Landing, the response was speedy, with Rhaenyra supplanted as the next ruler before she'd even heard over at Dragonstone that her father had passed away. Based on Fire & Blood, which George RR Martin penned as backstory after A Song of Ice and Fire's first five books A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, House of the Dragon has also long painted Rhaenyra as the preferred type of chip off the old block. She too wants peace, not war. She also seeks stability for the realm over personal glory. If Viserys spotted that in her as a girl (Milly Alcock, Upright) when he chose her over Daemon, his brother who is now Rhaenyra's husband, he might've also predicted the dedication that she sports towards doing his legacy, and those before him, proud. Aegon, also the grandson of Viserys' hand Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man), sees only entitlement above all else. Martin's tales of family dynasties — the names Stark, Tully, Lannister, Baratheon and more also pop up again — trade in the cycles that course through the bonds of blood, especially in House of the Dragon. Everyone watching knows what's to come for the Targaryens in Daenerys' time, right down to an aunt-nephew romance as the counterpart to Daemon and Rhaenyra's uncle-niece relationship. (No one watching has started this prequel series, the first spinoff of likely many to Game of Thrones, without being familiar with its predecessor). Ice-blonde hair, ambition that soars as high as the dragons they raise and fly, said flame-roaring beasts of the sky, the inability to host happy reunions: these are traits passed down through generations. Some are a matter of genes. Martin continues to explore why the others persist. Season one took to its role as the next on-screen trek across Westeros with seriousness, devotion and reverence, leading to a front-ended run intrigue-wise with talk — scheming, plotting, proclaiming who should be next to sit upon several thrones — and laying the groundwork for more seasons to come monopolising the ten-years-later back half. It was exactly what fans of this TV franchise could've wanted, in no small part thanks to its fondness for overt mirroring that stresses the point that some things trickle down from parent to child no matter what. Season two has less establishing to do, and therefore a quicker pace and tighter focus. It's content in one time period. It also has not just the aftermath of a usurpation but also of a tragic death at the hands of Aegon's younger brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell, Saltburn), who bears a grudge and wears an eyepatch (the two are connected), to traverse. Rhaenys (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie), cousin to Viserys and Daemon, sums up one of the tragedies that House of the Dragon has committed itself to unpacking: that skirmishes will become such a given that no one will recall or care why the blacks (Rhaenyra's camp) and greens (Aegon and Alicent's) took up weapons and began torching each other with dragons in the first place. The audience won't forget. With images thankfully easier to discern — there's no repeat in the first four episodes of the dull-looking day-for-night atrocity of season one, its low point — the show's return witnesses the cost of pursuing the Iron Throne. It spends more time with the smallfolk, aka those beyond the royals and their cronies. It observes their reaction to the bad blood's brutality at its cruellest. And it does so even while making good on the big promise of Targaryens tearing into each other in a Seven Kingdoms period when dragons weren't a rarity: those mid-air sweeping and snapping dragon frays, which are gloriously brought to life. Scaling back the scene-setting and future-plotting is a gift to House of Dragon's cast in season two, especially to D'Arcy and Cooke. Rhaenyra's battle is really a battle with Alicent more than her son — and the two actors behind the parts expertly handle the task of conveying not only the duelling ambitions feeding the Targaryen tussle for the crown and throne, but also the emotional stakes and costs in their friends-turned-enemies portrayals. Best, as another Targaryen who should've been queen but was overlooked for Viserys, joins them in expressing what it means to walk every step with Westeros' engrained malice shaping your path beyond your control. Seeing their characters team up may now be left to fan fiction, but House of Dragon is a better series with their performances at its heart. As uttered with the snarling glibness that Smith oozes so well in his scene-stealing role, that aforementioned account from Daemon of what everyone is fighting over might sound flippant. It's designed to. But trust House of Dragon to encapsulate the undying source of its heat, and of the perpetual clashes within this conflict-riddled saga, with such a seemingly easy and ordinary turn of phrase. When the fact that leading means climbing across a path of violence, then sitting atop one, even if you're devoted to eschewing bloodshed — again, the Iron Throne is literally a chair made out of swords — and when that fact is such a routine aspect of life that no one thinks twice about it, what else but more feuding can spring? Check out the full trailer for House of the Dragon season two below: House of the Dragon season two streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand, from Monday, June 17, 2024. Read our review of season one. Images: HBO.
If you want to test out your Beyonce moves but aren't so keen on doing so out in the open, then a dark bar may be just the space you've been looking for. Woolly Mammoth is hosting a dance class led by kween Amrita Hepi. She'll be teaching the moves to Yonce's newest slam dunk of a single 'Formation' in a shame-free dance zone. Beginners are welcome, no experience needed, hot sauce in bag optional. There will be six sessions (starting at 6pm, 7.15pm and 8.30pm) over two nights (March 23-24) Tickets cost $19 online, and you'd best get in quick as they're selling like hot cakes.
Peter Alwast is an artist whose work is highly conceptual in the sense that he uses obscure methods to convey meaning, while layering textures reworking materials - that is, if he isn't utilising video or computer media instead, as he is wont to do. As a member of the digital media art wave, his work is is on the cutting edge of art practice - his currency and commentary on space and the way he utilises space itself (through virtual means and otherwise) are reportedly exhilarating and incredible to witness. His newest collection, Frozen in the Tracks, experiments with light and criss-crossing layers of halogen pipes clutter and clog the exhibition space, but aim to inhabit it as organically as possible. This exhibition further blurs the line between virtual art and physical sculpture, and is definitely a series that is unmissable. Frozen in the Tracks will be open until 12 October - make sure you visit it as soon as possible.
Port Macquarie's Festival of the Sun has been running for 16 years, and the boutique summer music festival is still bringing the goods. The lineup for this December has just been released and it looks like it'll be another doozy. Methyl Ethel and Briggs will headline the three-day fest, with Julia Jacklin, Trophy Eyes, Lime Cordiale and Baker Boy lending their voices too. Amyl and the Sniffers, Tired Lion, I Know Leopard, Nathan Ball and Good Doogs — among others — round out what looks like it'll be a big couple of days of music, with more acts still to be announced. The camping festival is also — excitingly — BYO, so you don't need to spend your hard-earned cash on overpriced UDLs. Alongside the lineup of live music, there will also be a heap of food trucks (serving everything from burgers to vegan fare), silent discos and silent comedy. The festival is themed each year, and this year it's the "ghouls and unicorns" edition — looks like it's time to whip out your Halloween costumes and anything you own that's rainbow-coloured. Festival of the Sun runs from Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 8. FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 2018 LINEUP Methyl Ethel Briggs Julia Jacklin Trophy Eyes Lime Cordiale Baker Boy Amyl and the Sniffers Tired Lion I Know Leopard Nathan Ball (UK) Good Doogs Genesis Owusu Milan Ring Arno Faraji JEFFE Tasman Keith Stevie Jean FRITZ Bakers Eddy VOIID Surf Trash Georgia June Johnny Hunter The Buoys Garage Sale
This time last year, the world had gone more than 12 months without seeing a new Marvel movie. Just a few months back, no one had used the words 'squid' and 'game' right next to each other unless they were talking about cooking up a particularly impressive seafood dish. But 2021 has proven the year of both caped crusaders and a certain South Korean Netflix phenomenon — and we all have the Google search history to prove it. With the year coming to a close, the technology behemoth has revealed exactly what we've all been scouring the web for in 2021, and its film and TV lists provide quite the snapshot of everyone's viewing. When we were all eager to watch a flick, we went big, with franchises, familiar names and super-famous faces defining the top ten most-searched movies. When we were staying in — it was another year filled with lockdowns, after all — we threw plenty of love towards streaming platforms. Topping the film list: Eternals, Chloé Zhao's addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and her first film after winning this year's Best Director Oscar for the immensely dissimilar Nomadland. It was closely followed by the long-delayed Black Widow, Timothée Chalamet-starring sci-fi remake Dune, more Marvel again via Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Netflix's heist-fuelled action flick Red Notice. Next came the new Australian-shot version of Mortal Kombat, the Emma Stone-led Cruella and the return of Michael Myers in horror sequel Halloween Kills, as well as monster melee Godzilla vs Kong and straight-to-streaming zombie film Army of the Dead. When it came to the globe's binge-viewing for the year, Squid Game came in at number one — likely not only because it's all anyone seemed to be watching in September and October, but because we all became so obsessed with it that, yes, we were all searching for every piece of information about it that we could find. It was followed by Bridgerton's period soapiness, WandaVision's trippy superhero dramas, Karate Kid spinoff series Cobra Kai and more Marvel (yes, again) thanks to Loki. Also placing in the top ten: Netflix's Sweet Tooth and Lupin, the latter of which probably benefited from dropping its episodes in two batches; the streamer's Ginny and Georgia; South Korean series True Beauty; and Big Brother Brazil 2021. If you haven't watched any of the above yet, consider this a catch-up list, too. For further details about Google's 2021 trend lists, head to the Google Trends website. Top image: Noh Juan, Netflix.
Some actors have all the luck — or, in the case of Matthew Fox, they seem to navigate all of the on-screen quests for survival. After riding Lost's many, many ups and downs between 2004–10, the actor is returning to the small screen for the first time in 12 years in new five-part miniseries Last Light. And although he isn't stranded on a mysterious island here, and no one seems to be spouting a set pattern of numbers in the show's just-dropped first trailer, things look mighty tense and chaotic anyway. The OG Party of Five star plays Andy Yeats, a petro-chemist who gets stuck in the fallout from a problem with the world's oil supply. Actually, to be exact, the entire planet faces the same struggle, with transport stopping, deliveries ceasing as well, and law and order disintegrating fast. If the tale sounds familiar, and not just in a general apocalyptic way, that's because Last Light is based on Andy Scarrow's 2007 book of the same name. The page-to-streaming adaptation is due to hit Stan from Thursday, September 8, and shot everywhere from Prague and Abu Dhabi to Paris. Alongside Fox, the series stars Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey: A New Era) as Andy's wife Elena — plus Alyth Ross (Traces) as his teenage daughter Laura and TV first-timer Taylor Foy as his son Sam. Last Light focuses on the entire family's story, as Andy tries to return home from the Middle East just as his worst fears are coming true, Elena and Sam are in Paris, and Laura is home alone in London. The cast also spans Amber Rose Revah (The Punisher), Victor Alli (Belfast) and Hakeem Jomah (Rashash), as well as Tom Wlaschiha — aka Dmitri in the fourth season of Stranger Things, and Jaqen H'ghar in Game of Thrones. Behind the camera, director Dennie Gordon (Hunters, Jack Ryan) does the honours across all five episodes. And if it feels like it's been quite some time since you've seen Fox on-screen, you're right. He only has five films to his name since Lost wrapped up — the last in 2015. Check out the trailer for Last Light below: Last Light will be available to stream via Stan from Thursday, September 8.
Weddings: on one side, they are events of great joy, love and happiness. On the other side, there’s drama - great, great drama. If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid you’ll know that you get to experience the best and the worst of both worlds, but mainly the drama-filled side: worrying about the bride’s hair, make up and shoes; checking that the flowers are perfect and that tissues, lip balm and breath mints are at hand. Meg Bacon’s wedding is no exception. It is the night before the big day and Meg, her two bridesmaids, and her Mum are having a final girls night of decadence at a fancy hotel. Sound like fun? Not for Meg’s bridesmaids, Angela and Lucy, who have heard a gossipy story about the groom, one that threatens the pending marriage. Now, instead of worrying about lipstick and nail colour, the bridesmaids have to ponder whether to keep this as ‘secret bridesmaids’ business’ or reveal all?
Brisbane's bar scene is no slouch. It's also far from sparse. You can love getting a drink in your own city and want a taste of ace watering holes from around the rest of Australia, however. For that situation, the hospitality industry invented bar takeovers, where one booze-pouring place drops in to run the show for a night at another such establishment — and Brissie is about to welcome three interstate joints to show off their beverages. In February and March, for one night apiece, sipping drinks from Sydney's Bar Planet, plus Cry Baby and Memphis Slim's House Of Blues in Adelaide, will be on the menu without leaving the River City. Bar Planet and Memphis Slim's House Of Blues are headed to Frog's Hollow Saloon, while Cry Baby will do the honours at Alice, all as part of a month-long party series. Cry Baby will be bringing the late-night party on Sunday, February 18 to kick things off, before Memphis Slim's House of Blues and Frog's Hollow Saloon make a perfect pair on Sunday, March 3. Then, on Sunday, March 10, Bar Planet will be heroing martinis all evening. The two sibling Brissie bars also have another couple of parties on their agendas: a rave cave at Alice on Sunday, February 25, plus Frog's Hollow Saloon's second birthday party Sunday, March 24. Expect to celebrate all night at the latter. Expect plenty of bourbon as well.
Four days, one coastal hotspot, and oh-so-much to see, eat, drink and do: that's your latest excuse to treat yourself to a trip to Byron Bay. Back in July, it was announced that the seaside New South Wales town was getting a brand-new festival that's all about food and culture — and now that event, Caper Byron Bay Our Food and Culture Festival, has announced its program. Firstly, yes, the fest has undergone a name change. Rather than just lapping up all that the region has to offer under its old title Revel, the new moniker now encourages attendees to go a-frolicking. But other than that one switch, the idea is still the same, spanning eating, drinking, checking out art, listening to tunes and being merry in gorgeous surroundings. Taking place between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13, Caper boasts a hefty culinary component as curated by Chef David Moyle, who has been Chief of Food at Harvest Newrybar since 2020. Highlights include bottomless oysters and bellinis at Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, natural wine-fuelled degustations at Supernatural, distillery tours at Brookie's Gin and a sourdough workshop with Bread Social. Soon-to-open newcomer Bar Heather is doing a five-course dinner with Palisa Anderson, while 100 Mile Table at Stone & Wood is hosting a backyard barbecue — and Treehouse on Belongil is opting for a mix of beats, bubbles and brunch. A farm-to-table feast with The Farm and Three Blue Ducks and The Hut's Spanish fiesta are also on the bill, alongside pop-up yum cha — with the Brunswick Picture House being taken over by Melbourne Chinatown diner ShanDong MaMa on the Saturday and Sunday. Also making the journey, but from Brisbane: Louis Tikaram from Stanley, who'll be part of a cabaret takeover at the same space. Another standout: celebrating embrace Bundjalung Nation's Indigenous culture via a walk on Country tour led by Explore Byron Bay owner and Arakwal woman Delta Kay, then a five-course lunch curated by Karkalla chef and owner Mindy Woods. An 'anti-bad vibes circle' with OneWave Fluro Friday; free exhibitions at Yeah, Nice Gallery, art salon Gallery 7, Gallery 3 and ThomGallery; and horse-riding followed by brunch or lunch at Zephyr Shack are also on the wide-ranging agenda, with more than 30 events filling out the program If you're keen to see where the day takes you in-between the official activities, head to the Caper Village, aka a massive food, beverage, music and art precinct that's set to sprawl across the whole North Byron Hotel in the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate. It'll host live music, DJs and art installations, as well as workshops, panels and talks. Caper Byron Bay Our Food and Culture Festival runs from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 at various locations around Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers region. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Jess Kearney.
Lord Of The Rings was a triumph in cinematic adaptations. Beautifully shot, wonderfully casted and critically acclaimed; the Peter Jackson helmed saga was memorable and is a sure-fire classic. Now, Mr. Jackson is tackling J.R.R. Tolkien’s other notable work, The Hobbit. Following the exploits of Bilbo Baggins and a fellowship of Dwarves, the story details the travellers attempt to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, former home of the Dwarves. With performances by Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Benedict Cumberbatch (plus familiar faces from the first trilogy, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving) The Hobbit trilogy could very well match the successes of Lord Of The Rings. The movie is out now, so go on an adventure and see it soon!
If you live in southeast Queensland, coming up with a reason to hit the beach is easy. The sand and surf is just there, waiting, and luring Brisbanites up and down the coast. But if you plan your beachy stints around festivals, then you've likely been loving the growing number of new oceanside events that keep joining the region's cultural calendar — such as music fest Springtime in Surfers Paradise, Byron Bay's Revel Food and Culture Festival and now the just-announced Burleigh Festival. The latter will debut across the weekend of Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18, taking over Justins Park on the Burleigh Heads Foreshore for three days. On the agenda: food, wine, music and surfing — aka a golden quartet for any festival, especially one setting up shop right by the water. Burleigh Heads' culinary scene sits at the centre of the new fest — and while the event is free overall, obviously you'll be paying for what you eat and sip. Food-wise, venues such as Tropic, Tommy's, Maman, Costa Taco and Tarte will serve up their signature dishes, spanning everything from Mediterranean bites and Italian cuisine through to Middle Eastern-inspired and Mexican dishes. Also on the vendor list: Al Natural Oysters, Freddy's, Lil Mami, Lucia, NAAMI and Rosellas. And, to wash everything down, Burleigh Festival is celebrating local wine via tipples from Naked Bunch, Flor Grocer and Jackson West. Grabbing a plate, some vino and enjoying a beachside picnic is one of the fest's big drawcards — but the event will give you something to watch and listen to as you eat and drink, too. The music lineup hasn't been announced as yet; however, it'll showcase local talent as it soundtracks your festival experience, with Boo Seeka curating the bill. If it's the surfing part of the program that'll have you rushing to the shore and vicariously living out your Point Break or Blue Crush dreams, you'll be able to catch spectacular wave action via the the inaugural Burleigh Festival King and Queen of the Point surfing competition. Hosted by Burleigh Boardriders and Summer of Surf, it'll run across two days, on Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18, and see top Aussie surfers competing for a $5000 prize pool. Burleigh Festival runs from Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18 at Justins Park on the Burleigh Heads Foreshore, Burleigh Heads. For further information, head to the event's website.
So, you're in Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide. You love music festivals. You've been watching the winter avalanche of lineup drops for this coming summer. Been eyeing off the Beyond The Valley bill? Lost Paradise's roster of talents? Can't make it to Victoria or New South Wales? That's not the only reason to get excited about Wildlands' return for 2024–25 — but it's one of them. This dance music, electronic and hip hop fest is known to share its big names with fellow festivals around Australia — and its latest round of events, which will kick off in Brisbane to celebrate New Year's Eve 2024, is no different. Accordingly, Fisher, Ice Spice, Chase & Status, Marlon Hoffstadt, Tinashe and Royel Otis are among the acts that now have dates locked in with Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Across all three cities, Lola Young and BARKAA will also take to the stage. Everywhere but Adelaide, Sammy Virji, Wilkinson, RL Grime, Becky Hill, Horsegiirl, Confidence Man and Joy (Anonymous) are on the list as well, as are Malugi, Sam Alfred, Hannah Laing, Issey Cross, Messie, Little Fritter, Sammythesinner, Moss and Djanaba. Just in Brisbane, there's two more talents: 1tbsp and Girlthing. It's now been five years since Brisbane first welcomed Wildlands to the city, with the teams behind Victoria's Beyond The Valley and Perth's Origin Fields fests giving the Sunshine State a big new summer party. Then, it was over the summer of 2022–23 that the festival expanded to Perth and Adelaide as well, taking care of three cities that might've missed its impressive lineup otherwise. As always in the River City, Brisbane Showgrounds is the destination to mark NYE at the fest. After that, Wildlands welcomes in 2024 on Saturday, January 4 at HBF Arena Parklands, Joondalup and Sunday, January 5 at Ellis Park, Adelaide. Wildlands 2024–25 Lineup: All cities: Fisher Ice Spice Chase & Status Marlon Hoffstadt Tinashe Royel Otis Lola Young BARKAA Brisbane and Perth only: Sammy Virji Wilkinson RL Grime Becky Hill Horsegiirl Confidence Man Joy (Anonymous) Malugi Sam Alfred Hannah Laing Issey Cross Messie Little Fritter Sammythesinner Moss Djanaba Brisbane only: 1tbsp Girlthing Wildlands 2024–25 Dates and Venues: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, January 4, 2025 — HBF Arena Parklands, Joondalup Sunday, January 5, 2025 — Ellis Park, Adelaide Wildlands will hit Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide across December 2024–January 2025. Head to the festival website for further details and tickets — including registering for presales, which start at 6pm local time on Wednesday, September 4. Wildlands images: Jordan Munn, Bianca Holderness and Daniel Marks.
If the regular Brisbane scene suddenly seems passé, full of naïve 18 year olds and you’re looking for somewhere a little more sophisticated/impressive to take someone on a date, the Schubert String Quintet might be just what you’re after. Imagine taking that someone special to QPAC, having a glass of champagne and witnessing classical masterpieces performed to perfection - you’d be getting lucky for sure, and you wouldn’t even need a corny pickup line to woo some lass (or lad) into the boudoir. Performing are five principal musicians from the Australian Chamber Orchestra; Richard Tognetti, Satu Vänskä, Christopher Moore, Timo-Veikko Valve and Jan-Erik Gustafsson. Together they are playing pieces by Bach, Stravinsky and Webern, so your entire musical palate will be satisfied regardless of any classy preferences. This night is a one-off event so you’d better be getting tickets organised quickly and having your formal wear dry-cleaned - you wouldn’t want to miss a chance to show off, would you?
To explore Lady Musgrave Island and spend a day snorkelling with turtles, manta rays, tropical fish and other sea life, book a day trip with Lady Musgrave Experience. Your day tour on the 35-metre luxury catamaran, the Reef Empress, takes you on a two-hour journey to an island lagoon while you enjoy morning tea. Upon arrival, you'll be given a 45-minute guided tour around the island and a ride on a glass bottom boat, before jumping in the pristine waters to swim with green turtles and hawksbill turtle — and you may spy a loggerhead turtle or two as well. You have the option to scuba dive, too. [caption id="attachment_749818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lady Musgrave Island by Melissa Findley/Bundaberg Tourism[/caption]
Ballet is one of those things I think every girl (and every second boy) starts when they’re little but only a few continue on once it gets hard. Luckily for us, the Queensland Ballet Company appears to have rounded up everyone who kept at it and bundled them all into their annual International Gala. This year as well as having all the homegrown talent on display, the company has hired Dutch choreographer Nils Christe to create a brand new program sure to thrill and astound fans. Of course, as usual the Artistic Director François Klaus has written an entire score that perfectly accompanies the night. There will also be guest dancers from China, Berlin, England and Singapore. Plus, you know, really pretty outfits. So if you always dreamed of being a ballet dancer, or, on the opposite end of the scale, you’re not the greatest fan of the genre, the International Gala is a great way to be introduced to what ballet can be like when it’s done well.
