Just when you thought the last few years had already been bleak enough, Netflix looks set to add another round of grim dystopian tales to your streaming queue. The source: Black Mirror, of course, with a sixth season of Charlie Brooker's sci-fi series reportedly finally in the works. As per Variety, the streaming platform is forging ahead with the anthology hit's latest batch of episodes — its first since season five hit the service back in 2019. Exactly what tales they'll tell, who'll star in them and how many instalments will drop is yet to be announced, though, and neither has when Black Mirror's sixth season will arrive. That said, it seems that the new season will run for more than season five's mere three episodes — and apparently each one is being treated as an individual film. Of course, Black Mirror fans will know that the series has also released a direct-to-streaming movie, aka the choose-your-own-adventure-style Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, back in 2018 between seasons four and five. More Black Mirror is always great news. The glaring question: how exactly will the series manage to be even more dispiriting than reality over the past few years? That's increasingly been one of its dilemmas — and noting that something IRL feels just like Black Mirror has become one of the cliches of our times — but this'll be the mind-bending effort's first round of episodes following the pandemic. No one has ever watched the Brooker-created series for a pick-me-up, obviously. Since first hitting the small screen in 2011, Black Mirror has spun warped visions of where technology may lead us — and, no matter what tale the show has told so far across its 22 instalments (including that interactive movie), the picture has usually been unnerving. So, imagine what the program will cook up after the chaos we've all been living through since it last aired. Brooker has already riffed on COVID-19 in two Netflix specials, actually: Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, which offer satirical and star-studded wraps of both years with mixed success. For something completely different, he also jumped back into choose-your-own-adventure content with animated short Cat Burglar, which hit Netflix back in February, has viewers play through it as a thieving feline called Rowdy and gets you to answer trivia questions to advance the story. While you're waiting for Black Mirror's sixth season to arrive, check out the trailer for season five episode Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too below: Exactly when Black Mirror season six might hit Netflix is yet to be revealed. We'll update you when further details are announced. Via Variety.
Since 1987, if you've wanted to hit up South by Southwest, then you've needed to visit Austin in Texas. In October 2023, however, that'll no longer be the case. In what was perhaps Australia's biggest cultural news of 2022, the acclaimed tech, innovation, music, gaming, screen and culture festival and conference announced that it'll stage its first-ever non-US event in Sydney this year — and now it's starting to drop impressive lineup details. SXSW Sydney will run for a week from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 around the Harbour City, hosting 1000-plus sessions — and it also has its first-ever keynote speaker, too. American futurist, The Genesis Machine author, and Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb will do the honours. A favourite on lists of powerful and influential women — she was named "one of the five women changing the world" by Forbes in 2022, and one of the BBC's 100 Women of 2020 — Webb is renowned for her focus on data-driven, technology-led foresight methodology to ponder how the future might eventuate. And, ticking plenty of SXSW boxes, she's also a frequent collaborator with film and TV producers about science, tech and what's to come. [caption id="attachment_888438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Amy Webb[/caption] More keynote speakers are set to be unveiled in the coming months, but SXSW has also revealed an initial list of featured speakers. Among those getting chatting are Ben Lamm and Andrew Pask, who'll discuss their work on the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger; Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist of Canva and former Apple Chief Evangelist, who'll talk evolving tech; lawyer, writer and filmmaker Larissa Behrendt, fresh from helming Richard Bell-focused documentary You Can Go Now; and Saudi women's rights activist Manal al-Sharif. The roster of talent goes on, also featuring Jack Reis of First Nations cyber-security business Baidam Solutions; Per Sundin, the Swedish CEO of Pophouse Entertainment who has worked with Avicii, ABBA, Tove Lo and Swedish House Mafia, and had a part in the rise of Spotify; and BAFTA Games Award-winning game designer Sam Barlow. Plus, Twitch's Chief Product Officer Tom Verrilli, 88rising's Sean Miyashiro and Yoomin Yang, a producer on the Korean adaptation of Netflix's Money Heist, are all also on the bill. [caption id="attachment_888439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Manal al-Sharif[/caption] If you're more interested in who'll be playing tunes during the SXSW Sydney Music Festival, a few names are starting to trickle in there as well. Nigerian British indie-pop songwriter Connie Constance will head Down Under for the first time, as will Canada's Ekkstacy, London-based quartet Los Bitchos, Japanese punk rockers Otoboke Beaver and teenage American rapper Redveil. Obviously, all of the above names — plus others listed below — are just the beginning of what's promising to be SXSW's massive Sydney debut. The fest has dropped a few more details about how it'll work, too, including the fact that it'll all take place within a walkable precinct within the Sydney CBD, Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, Chippendale and more. Think of the fest's footprint as a huge hub, with festivals within the bigger fest, exhibitions, talks, networking opportunities and streetside activations popping up everywhere. So far, venues named include Powerhouse Museum, ICC Sydney, UTS, Central Park Mall, the Goods Line Walk, The Abercrombie and Lansdowne Hotel. [caption id="attachment_888440" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Otoboke Beaver by Mayumi Hirata[/caption] So, attendees can hit up the SXSW Sydney Conference, which is where those keynotes, presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions come in — more than 400 of them. And, there's the SXSW Sydney Technology & Innovation Exhibitions, which is all about innovative and emerging tech and entertainment companies from across the Asia-Pacific region. Plus, at the Startup Village, up-and-comers from all industries and sectors will have space to meet, present and chat. SXSW's arts fests will span the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival, which will be focused on live music venues in central Sydney — and the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival, complete with more than 100 local and international independent games to play at venues (alongside demonstrations, launches performances, exhibitions and social gatherings). Movie and TV lovers, get excited — because the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival isn't just a film fest. There'll be flicks to see, including at red-carpet premieres; episodic content; and digital, XR and social content. Expect Q&As and panel discussions with the folks behind them as well. Can't wait, whether you're a Sydney local or planning to head along from elsewhere in Australia — or New Zealand? Platinum and industry badges are already available at early-bird prices, with more ticketing to come. [caption id="attachment_888443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] EKKSTACY by Gilbert Trejo[/caption] SXSW SYDNEY 2023 — FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT: KEYNOTES: Amy Webb FEATURED SPEAKERS: Andrew Pask Ben Lamm Guy Kawasaki Jack Reis Kyas Hepworth Larissa Behrendt Manal Al-Sharif Michael J Biercuk Per Sundin Que Minh Luu Robyn Denholm Rohit Bhargava Sam Barlow Sean Miyashiro Sheila Nguyen Sung-Eun Youn Tom Verrilli Yiying Lu Yoomin Yang SXSW SYDNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL: Connie Constance Ekkstacy Los Bitchos Otoboke Beaver Redveil SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues — head to the festival's website for further details. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
A cinema plays a key part in Twisters. Frankenstein flickers across its screen, but mother nature proves not only more of a monster, but also an audience member worse than folks who can't manage to spend two hours in a darkened room without their phones. There's a knowing air to featuring a picture palace in this disaster-flick sequel from Minari director Lee Isaac Chung and The Boys in the Boat screenwriter Mark L Smith, reminding viewers how deeply this genre and this format are linked. Almost three decades ago, as co-penned by Michael Crichton fresh off Jurassic Park's mammoth success, 1996's Twister packed movie theatres worldwide to the tune of nearly half-a-billion dollars, doing so with a spectacle. No matter if its sequel reaches the same heights at the box office globally, it too delivers better-on-the-big-screen sights, chief among them Chung and cinematographer Dan Mindel's (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) naturalistic imagery. For those unaware going in that the filmmaker behind six-time Oscar contender Minari — a helmer who received a Best Director Academy Award nomination for his gorgeous and heartfelt work, in fact — is also steering Twisters, it isn't hard to guess from its look, including in its opening moments alone. The movie begins with storm chasers doing what they enthusiastically do. It also kicks off with a horror turn of events thanks to a tornado that exceeds their expectations, and with the crew's survivors afterwards struggling with trauma that'll later drive them forward. In these scenes and beyond, this isn't a picture of visual gloss and sheen, as witnessed right down to its lighting. Twisters remains polished, of course. It also can't tell its tale without CGI. But a choice as pivotal as valuing a genuine aesthetic tone over a gleaming one has a massive impact. Usually gifted at reading where a whirlwind is headed, hailing from Tornado Alley and introduced with her college pals attempting to demonstrate that her passion project can tame superstorms, Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones, Where the Crawdads Sing) makes it out of the Twisters' first big tempest alive. Five years later when the feature swiftly picks up, she has swapped field work for sitting behind a New York desk as a meteorologist, however. Then her old friend Javi (Anthony Ramos, Dumb Money) tracks her down with a proposal: return to Oklahoma by his side, with his business using portable radars to scan the squalls. She's hesitant — her efforts to avoid going home have been keenly felt by her mother (Maura Tierney, The Iron Claw), too — but eventually agrees to lend her skills in predicting tornado paths to Javi's team for a single week. As Kate quickly learns, wild swirls aren't just associated with the weather when she's back rushing after gales with the wind literally in her hair. Javi's ultra-professional squad has a fierce rivalry with cowboy-style "tornado wrangler" Tyler Owens (Glen Powell, Hit Man) and his ragtag posse of offsiders, who YouTube their every move, have a hefty online following as a result, sling merchandise with his face on it, seem as cavalier as anyone can come and are eager to discover if they can shoot fireworks into a storm. If it initially appears as if there's an experts-versus-amateurs, experience-versus-influencers battle at the heart of Twisters, Chung and Smith never skew that simplistic. Rather, one of their themes is valuing knowledge but not gatekeeping or snap judgements — and, as its debut twister reinforces from the outset, recognising the importance of diving beyond first perceptions. Vortexes wow, threaten and devastate. Opposites-attract type characters do exactly that. Not everyone's motives are what they might seem. Personal histories demand overcoming as much as the gusty uproars spiralling around America's centre. Those expected plot mechanics don't play out perfunctorily, though, for a few reasons. The story behind the script is credited to Powell's Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski, who was previously eyed to helm here — and while there's a few familiar beats evident in the last flick in cinemas boasting his involvement and this one, a different need for speed pulses through, as well as a different contemplation of soaring versus being grounded. In what shouldn't feel like such a rarity for a disaster film but does given where the genre typically heads, Twisters also cares about its figures, the sense of awe that gets them bounding into danger, the clash between the environment and those who live within it, the effect of climate change, the human toll that tornadoes wreak, the communities affected and intimate stories set shaped by America's landscape. While Twister isn't the only movie that springs to mind when thinking about Helen Hunt (Hacks) and the late Bill Paxton (The Circle), it's up there with the instant selections. Edgar-Jones, Ramos and Powell each enter Twisters on recent rolls of standout roles that respectively cover Normal People, In the Heights and Anyone But You, and all add this to their list of memorable parts. Matching Chung's approach and visuals, there's an earthiness and sincerity to Edgar-Jones' performance as the movie's haunted and wounded action hero. Ramos, as innately charming an on-screen presence as Powell, ensures that his complicated character is always empathetic. Dialling up the swagger, then the charisma and thoughtfulness, Powell equally navigates a textured arc with confidence. Albeit in support — and adding flavour as a group more than individually — the film's savvy casting also extends to The Crowded Room's Sasha Lane, Love Lies Bleeding's Katy O'Brian, Nope's Brandon Perea, Pantheon's Tunde Adebimpe, Totally Killer's Kiernan Shipka, Bad Sisters' Daryl McCormack and Pearl's David Corenswet. Making certain that Twisters' spinning furores don't blow its people, their emotions and their everyday lives away — including when that's a grimly inescapable element of the narrative, because disaster movies always have a body count — still requires those tempests to thunder with full cinema-shaking sound and fury. Getting personal here isn't a case of skimping on effects, then, even if cows don't fly this time. Instead, Chung adds his clear affection for character, for seeing his main players react to the wonders around them Spielberg-style (the iconic The Fabelmans filmmaker is an executive producer), and for portraying the US terrain so routinely ravaged by the weather to digital and practical wizardry that values the sensory and intense (as also aided by editing from Terilyn A Shropshire, The Woman King). No one wants a storm to strike twice, but this franchise has achieved it — and as gets yelled within its frames, does its utmost to notch up another feat. "We've gotta get everyone into the movie theatre," it shouts; that's exactly where this flick is a sight to behold.
2023 might've been a Game of Thrones-free year, but 2024 won't be, and neither will 2025 if current plans hold. House of the Dragon will be back this winter Down Under, and it has the trailer to prove it. Then, next year, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is set to become HBO's latest addition to the franchise. When the OG TV series based on George RR Martin's books came to an end in 2019, the American cable network behind it was as keen as Tyrion Lannister is about wine to keep the series going on the small screen. Cue exploring spinoffs, spinoffs and more spinoffs, with plenty rumoured over the years, including focusing on Jon Snow and devoting a second new series to the Targaryens. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is the next to get the official go-ahead, which happened in 2023. Now, it has a 2025 release date. [caption id="attachment_794086" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Game of Thrones[/caption] You don't need your diary just yet, because only the fact that it's slated to hit streaming queues late next year has been revealed — no month, no date, no other specifics. But the 2025 timing, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, means that the Game of Thrones realm is back to being an annual part of HBO's viewing calendar, at least for these two years in a row. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight will get everyone saying its mouthful of a moniker as part of a 2025 lineup that also includes the return of The White Lotus, The Last of Us and Euphoria. In general, HBO are currently going big on TV shows that fall into franchises, too, given that Harry Potter, The Conjuring, IT and The Batman are all getting television offshoots. A century before @GameofThrones, there was Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg. Executive produced by George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis, A Knight of the #SevenKingdoms: The Hedge Knight has received a straight to series order. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/MRPUke5Upt — HBO Max (@hbomax) April 12, 2023 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is a prequel, and boasts George RR Martin as a writer and executive producer. It comes to the screen from the novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg, and has been rumoured for a few years now. The story follows knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg as they wander Westeros a century before the events of GoT, when the Targaryens remain on the Iron Throne and everyone still remembers dragons. Yes, there's an odd-couple vibe. No casting has been unveiled for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight so far. Also, production hasn't yet started, but is expected to kick off before 2024 is out. There's obviously no trailer yet for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, either, but you can check out the first teaser trailer for House of the Dragon season two below: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is set to premiere in 2025 — we'll update you with exact details when they're announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter. Images: HBO.
With house prices constantly on the rise, the Great Australian Dream of owning your own home feels pretty distant to most of us, but a group of architects and industrial designers in Beijing have an answer: the Tricycle House, a collapsible house that fits on the back of a tricycle. The house was a collaboration between the People's Architecture Office and the People's Industrial Design Office as part of the Get It Louder exhibition in Beijing. According to the designers, "Through this design, single family homes can be affordable and sustainable, parking lots are not wasted at night and traffic jams are acceptable. The Tricycle House is man-powered allowing off-the-grid living." The house is about 30-35 square feet, depending on how far out you expand it, and can be used as a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room and workspace, with space for storage. There is no electricity in the house, but the translucent shell allows light to pass through. It's an inspiring idea from a housing and sustainability perspective, but it also carries a message about the land ownership situation in China, where government 'land grabs' and rapidly rising real estate prices are the norm. Via LifeEdited and Treehugger.
As part of a tour of thirty-five shows spanning five capital cities that will see them play each of their six albums in full, Melbourne legends The Living End are coming to Brisbane’s The Zoo, with support from The Medics. The Retrospective Tour is a tour for the fans. As a thank you for fifteen years of loyalty the band are moving from their normal stadium sized stages, to smaller, more intimate venues, where fans will get a chance to see The Living End pull off their most memorable, fiery live shows ever. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. At The Zoo The Living End will be playing their 2000 platinum album, Roll On, with classics like Triple J favourites Pictures In The Mirror and Roll On, and Dirty Men and Carry Me Home. The Medics are from Cairns. Their debut album, Foundations, is out now.
Australian puppetry dates back nearly two centuries, when Punch and Judy made its way to our shores. In the years since, it has become a beloved art form — in fact, a new homegrown take on the famous puppet show was recently announced, transferring it to film, and starring Mia Wasikowska as the wife of a puppeteer. If you'd like to know more about the country's love of playthings on strings, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre can help. Until January 27, they're dedicating their Tony Gould Gallery to a snapshot of locals bringing puppets to life courtesy of their new exhibition, Puppet People. Spanning the traditional, the avant-garde and everything in-between, this showcase features more than 50 puppets, as well as shining a light on the people behind them. A word of warning: if marionettes and the like creep you out, this isn't for you — but if they're your kind of fun, expect an illuminating and informative display, including Laser Beak Man puppets from the Dead Puppet Society's recent La Boite shows.
It was one of the biggest celebrity scandals of the 90s, and it's now heading back to screens. When a sex tape featuring Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and her then-husband Tommy Lee was stolen from their home in 1995, then leaked on online, it fuelled tabloid headlines (and internet downloads) for years and years. Now, the whole saga has been turned into a drama called Pam & Tommy — starring Lily James (The Pursuit of Love) as Anderson and Sebastian Stan (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as the Mötley Crüe drummer. Even better: US streaming platform Hulu, which is behind the eight-part show, has just dropped the first teaser trailer for the series. James obviously dons the red swimsuit that Anderson was so famous for wearing for 76 episodes of everyone's favourite 90s lifeguard drama — you really couldn't make a series about Anderson without it — and, given that the focus is squarely on the couple's intimate recording, how it became public, and the impact it had on Anderson and Lee, things clearly get chaotic rather quickly. In the sneak peek, a mullet-wearing duo played by Seth Rogen (An American Pickle) and Nick Offerman (Devs) can't quite believe what they've stumbled across. That's the focus of the trailer; however, the clip does also show Anderson and Lee's reaction when the tape makes its way out into the world. Pam & Tommy's stars firmly look the part — calling James' appearance a transformation definitely fits — and the trailer sports an expectedly hectic vibe. Australian-born director Craig Gillespie has jumped into larger-than-life true tales before with I, Tonya, so he's in somewhat familiar territory. He also keeps being drawn to decades gone by: the 90s here and in I, Tonya, the 80s in aerobics-focused dark comedy series Physical, and the 70s in this year's live-action Cruella as well. Hulu has set a February 2 release date for Pam & Tommy in America, dropping the first three episodes on that date and then streaming the rest week-to-week afterwards. At the moment, where and when it'll surface Down Under hasn't yet been revealed, but hopefully that'll happen around the same time. Check out the Pam & Tommy teaser trailer below: Pam & Tommy will start screening via Hulu in the US on February 2. A release date Down Under hasn't yet been revealed — we'll update you when one is announced.
Come to the Powerhouse for three of Queensland’s hottest hip-hop acts. Headed by front man Rival MC, Impossible Odds kick the night off with their intelligent, soulful lyrics and fresh, organic beats. Politically charged they’ve collaborated with Xavier Rudd and Archie Roach. Classik Nawu burst out of the Brisbane suburbs with their vibrant fusion of R&B, jazz, hip-hop and reggae. The two brothers merge natural harmonies with unforgettable flow and presence, all brought together with the help of old-school funky bass and a s unique and startling sound. Kuku Nyungkul clan descendants Cold Walter Band came together playing drums on buckets and tin cans with sticks and guitars with busted, missing strings.
Any venue can serve up a brunch that goes on for hours, or so it seems given the sheer number of such mid-morning sessions across Brisbane. Cloudland's Brunch With Bite fits that mould, offering plenty of food as well as a bottomless booze option — but it also adds something a little different to the menu. Fancy getting a bit of camp drag comedy with your meal? Watching an uproarious game show? Belting out a tune while brunch rolls on? They're all on the bill at this banquet, with the lineup changing weekly, and hosts including Sellma Soul, Bebe Gunn and Vollie la Vont taking charge. Food-wise, you'll tuck into an Italian-inspired spread and nab a drink on arrival, all as part of your $45 ticket. The event kicks off at 11.30am, but if you're keen on two hours of two hours of bottomless spritzes, mimosas, bloody marys, select beers and sangria between 12–2pm, that's included with the $69 package. Updated February 4, 2020.
Technology is now a player in how we carry out one of the bare necessities of life: eating and drinking. We've lately been enraptured by the thought of being able to 3D print our food (the 3D chocolate printer is already among us, while the 3D pizza printer is just around the corner). And the excitement isn't just based on our own appetite for novelty foodstuffs; these are technologies with the capacity to help us through the global food shortage. Yet the internet and mobile technology that's ubiquitous right now has already changed the way we eat — in some very positive ways. We take a closer look at the apps and websites that are helping people reduce waste, save time and be better informed. We Can Make Less Waste According to the 2009 study, What a Waste! from the Australia Institute, Australians throw out 4.45 million tonnes of food every year, or in dollar terms, $5 billion. If this makes you wince a little, but not enough to start composting or dumpster diving, the internet may be your saving grace. Websites such as Germany's Foodsharing.de are harnessing the web to connect individuals who would prefer to share their excess food than turf it. Their only rule is that you offer food you would eat yourself. Here in Australia similar sites like Fare Share and Second Bite, aimed at collecting food from supermarkets and farmers to be redistributed to those in need, are reducing this inefficiency. Taking a different tack, Sydney's HelloFresh, a new online service, is making judicious grocery shopping easier. With new menus each week, they deliver only those ingredients required for a particular meal. As Tom Rutledge from HelloFresh put it to us, "By packing precise amounts of ingredients we supply only what is required for the recipes. Gone is the need to buy a big jar of capers when you only need a tablespoon. The customers save money and there are no nasty surprises lurking at the back of the pantry when it comes time for a spring clean." Aussie Farmers Direct makes a good case for the internet's role in reducing waste, as their buying is done after customers' orders are placed online. Internet grocery shopping in general wins over bricks and mortar outlets, because perishable products are not simply displayed on the off chance that a shopper is making leak soup this week. We Pay with No Money Apps such as Beat the Q allow queue-averse customers to pre-pay for their coffee en route. They simply pick it up and go. CLIPP app allows barflies to run a tab from their phone without ever flashing cash or card. While this may be extremely convenient, it will also encourage higher spending — a phenomenon called hyperbolic discounting means people are likely to buy more if they don't have to pay until the end of the night. Apps such as these, along with Paypal's payment processor and Square.com are making a cashless future not only possible but, according to Adam Theobald of Beat the Q, inevitable. "In coming months, consumers will be presented with a large number of e-wallet alternatives," he told us. "Imagine your bank, telco, ISP, Google, Apple, Mastercard, Visa, Amex all offering you a great incentive to use their mobile wallet." Though the payment interaction is being reduced to the touch of a screen, Theobald doesn't think that technology is taking away from the human interaction. "I'm not sure about you, but I am much better to talk to if I haven't waited, and have a coffee in my hand!" he says. He figures the 10,000 customers registered with his app must feel the same way. We Know All the Things And then, of course, technology is giving customers better access to information. The internet is allowing smaller ventures to succeed by connecting with punters to let them know their changing hours and locations. Hungry Mondays is a collection of Sydney restaurants (started by El Capo) who slow cook meat on a Sunday and offer vacuum packed meals the following Monday for pickup from a range of changing venues (the Hollywood Hotel, the Lord Wolseley), which are spruiked on Facebook. The nomadic food trucks of Sydney rely on their online communities to advertise times and locations, as do pop-up venues. While bloggers and review sites such as Urbanspoon and Eatability may strike terror in the hearts of restaurateurs, they give a fuller picture of a venue for diners. As well as advice on where to eat, technology is helping customers with what to eat. The Traffic Light Food Tracker app, released by Cancer Council Victoria, allows consumers to scan the barcode of a product and immediately receive a red, orange or green light from the app according to the product's nutritional value. Prevailing ideas about the future of food culture tend to polarise into either a fast food dystopia of mindless Cheezel consumption or a slow food utopia in which we harvest quinoa each morning from our organic hobby farm in Tasmania. But there is a happier medium, where technology speeds up boring activities like shopping and paying and gives us more time to enjoy food. Top image by Binpress.
Immerse yourself in the world of Ian Fairweather at Queensland Art Gallery. This exhibition showcases the artist's works from 1953 until his death in 1974. During this time, Fairweather resided and worked on Bribie Island, his abstract paintings feature scenes from his life on the island. Many of these works have been taken from his private collections and never before been seen by the public. As well as his abstract art, Fairweather is also known for masterfully combining artistic elements from both Western and Asian cultures to create unique pieces. This special exhibit will be showing until March 2013. What's more, the exhibit is free, so make sure you mosey on over to Queensland Art Gallery within the next few moths to check out extraordinary pieces from one of Australia's best painters. The Queensland Art Gallery also provides guided tours for this exhibition, running daily from 11am.
Welcome to Theatre Republic, the space where anything stage-based goes. Indeed, if the folks behind independent, avant-garde, experimental and just all-round out-of-the-box productions branched out and made their own nation, we can only hope it would be as great as this showcase of offbeat works from around the globe. Here, you can enjoy the take on celebrity culture that is the scathing Dead Royal, remember that you're not dead yet at Funeral, play with the artistic experience that is Perception, and find out why Adrienne Truscott, one-half of the infamous Wau Wau Sisters, says she's Asking For It. You can also witness the artists chat about their work at free chat sessions, listen to free music from MKO, Ayla, Cheap Fakes and more, or partake in the food and drink delights in the garden bar. If this really was a separate country, we'd want to be citizens.
If you think you've seen Tom Thum — aka the beatboxing virtuoso Brisbane rightfully can't get enough of — do everything he can, well, think again. You might've seen the noisemaker produce the kind of sounds a human seemingly shouldn't, but you've never seen him join forces with groundbreaking composer Gordon Hamilton. They're the first two drawcards at a musical watershed event that promises to blend jazz, hip hop and an off-the-wall Rite of Spring. There's one more element to get excited about, though, and that's the performance of Philip Glass’s Symphony No.4 — Heroes, based the seminal David Bowie/Brian Eno album. A one-mouth band meets the Queensland Symphony Orchestra meets the Thin White Duke. Now that can only equal something awesome.
Back in 2021, Brisbane scored a new riverside market. Thankfully, it wasn't a once-off. Portside's markets returned in 2022 and 2023, because everyone likes shopping and hanging out by the water. And, they're back in 2024 as well — including with an Easter version. The Portside Wharf Easter Market doubles as an excuse to see real-life adorable bunnies, with a petting zoo onsite with its furry friends. How do you know that it's really Easter? When you're up close with a rabbit from 10am–2pm on Saturday, March 23 If you and your treat-loving mates/date like browsing and buying, taking in the riverside air, and having a reason to stop for a bite and a drink — with or without seeing bunnies — then you'll want to head to Hamilton to shop, stroll, sip and purchase sweets. Thanks to The Market Folk, more than 35 stalls will be offering up everything from art and plants to ceramics and accessories — and more. Live tunes will provide a soundtrack, too, while workshops will teach you new skills. Plus, if those hunger pangs strike — or you're just keen on having a drink — the precinct's usual restaurants and bars are right there, including everywhere from Rise Bakery and Fosh to Byblos and Bird's Nest Yakitori. Rosé Gelateria has an extra-special treat, as well: free Easter crème caramel gelato to the first 100 people.
Her milkshake brought all the boys to the yard back in the early 2000s. It also sent Kelis soaring up the charts. Now, that hit track is set to echo through Beyond The Valley. The end-of-year music festival is in announcement mode, dropping its lineup for 2023 — and not just Kelis but also RÜFÜS DU SOL, Central Cee and Peggy Gou lead the bill. Last year, Beyond The Valley also went retro with one of its big-name acts: Nelly Furtado. This year, it's harking back to the same era. Expect to hear fellow nostalgic hits 'Trick Me,' 'Bossy,' and 'Millionaire' when Kelis takes to the stage as well, and to revel in all things noughties. Taking place at Barunah Plains in Hesse in Victoria from Thursday, December 28, 2023–Monday, January 1, 2024, 2023's Beyond The Valley will welcome back RÜFÜS DU SOL, in what'll be their third stint at the festival since it began in 2014. British rapper Central Cee will bust out 'Doja', of course, and show why he's notched up two-billion streams. And Peggy Gou hits the decks fresh from her latest single '(It Goes Like) Nanana' doing huge things. Also on the lineup: Destroy Lonely, DMA'S, G Flip, Mall Grab and The Jungle Giants, as well as COBRAH, BIG WETT, Lastlings, King Stingray, Becca Hatch, CXLOE, JessB, Channel Tres and Romy. And yes, the list still goes on from there. Fancy listening to podcasts at a music fest? There's a dedicated stage for that, too, with everyone from Vanderpump Rules star Scheana Shay to Aussie Rules footballer Mason Cox on the lineup. The event's Barunah Plains site comes compete with a 100,000-square metre-natural amphitheatre — and it'll be setting up three main stages, a 70-metre-wide LED wall, a ferris wheel and more. Fancy hitting up an inflatable wedding chapel? Checking out Poof Doof Pride Patrol's roving drag performances? Trying to find Schmall Klub's hidden party? Having a swim? Doing some yoga? Get ready for that as well. BEYOND THE VALLEY 2023 LINEUP: RÜFÜS DU SOL Central Cee Peggy Gou Destroy Lonely DMA'S G Flip Kelis Mall Grab The Jungle Giants BIG WETT Boo Seeka Cassian Channel Tres COBRAH Conducta b2b Notion DJ Heartstring Ewan McVicar Jayda G KETTAMA King Stingray Lady Shaka Lastlings Logic1000 LUUDE Mella Dee Overmono Rebūke Romy Ross From Friends (DJ set) salute STÜM Taylah Elaine Willaris. K 6 SENSE Baby G Becca Hatch Blusher CRUSH3d Crybaby CXLOE dameeeela Effy Forest Claudette FUKHED Gold Fang House Mum JessB DJ JNETT Mia Wray Miss Kaninna PANIA Pink Matter Saoirse Shake Daddy Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir Tyson O'Brien PODCAST STAGE Scheananigans with Scheana Shay Curious Conversations with Tully and Sarah Flopstars Jamo and Dylan In Bed with Georgia Grace The Maria Thattil Show The Mason Cox Show Where's Your Head At Yarning Up First Nations Stories with Caroline Kell Beyond The Valley will run from Thursday, December 28, 2023–Monday, January 1, 2024 at Barunah Plains, Wentworths Road, Hesse, Victoria. Ticket presale registrations are open now, closing at 3pm AEST on Monday, August 21 — with presales starting that same day at 6pm AEST. General sales kick off at 12pm AEST on Tuesday, August 22. For more information, head to the fest's website. Images: Jordan Munns / Josh Bainbridge.
Romance. Kidnapping. A farm girl called Buttercup. A scheming prince. A swashbuckling saviour. A giant. When William Goldman threw them all together, The Princess Bride was the end result — first in his 1973 novel, and then in the 1987 film that the late, great writer also penned. For more than three decades, viewers have watched Fred Savage hear the world's best bedtime story, Robin Wright and Cary Elwes frolick in fields, and Andre the Giant tower over everyone around, with The Princess Bride one of those beloved 80s flicks that never gets old. That said, if you've ever found yourself enjoying all of the above and thinking "a musical number or two wouldn't go astray", you're about to be in luck. Despite what outlaw boss Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) might exclaim, a musical version is no longer inconceivable. Instead, Disney is channelling another famous Princess Bride line: as you wish. While the project has been in various stages of development for more than a decade, a new creative team has been hired to finally make this all-singing take on the tale a reality, The Hollywood Reporter notes. Fresh from nabbing a 2018 Tony Award for The Band's Visit, David Yazbek will take care of The Princess Bride's original music and lyrics, while book fellow Tony winner Bob Martin (The Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone) will pair up with Rick Elice (The Cher Show, Jersey Boys) on the book. If The Princess Bride musical does come to fruition this time, it'll join the ever-growing list of movies leaping to the stage, including Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bring It On, Mean Girls, Clueless, The Bodyguard, Amelie, Waitress, Muriel's Wedding and Moulin Rouge!, with versions of The Devil Wears Prada, Empire Records, Mrs Doubtfire, The Notebook and Aussie classic Starstruck also in the works. No timeframe has been given for The Princess Bride; however the film's trailer will help tide you over until more news comes to hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9FRDyTerZA Via The Hollywood Reporter.
We're officially less than two months out from December 25, so, like it or not, you can prepare to be inundated with an assortment of new-release festive goodies. In a similar vein to Four Pillars' annual Christmas concoction, the latest edition of which has just hit the shelves, South Australian distillery Prohibition Liquor Co. has unveiled its own Yuletide-inspired gin for 2018. As always, this year's seasonal small-batch release sets out to bottle the essence of a true-blue Aussie Christmas, blending flavours of star anise, cherry, cinnamon, fig and orange to create a drink that's spicy, syrupy and unmistakably festive. Longtime fans of Prohibition's Christmas Gin will notice a few changes with this latest batch, which is slightly boozier to previous years (at 40 percent) and rocks a new pale blush colour. As with other Prohibition products like the Shiraz Barrel Gin and the Bathtub Cut Gin, this one's all packaged up in a square, Prohibition Era-style bottle — perfect for bootlegging some booze to your family Christmas lunch. Prohibition Liquor Co.'s 2018 Christmas gin is on sale now for $105 online and at select retailers.
In 2025, the wondrous cinematic world of Wes Anderson is expanding again. The beloved filmmaker's latest release The Phoenician Scheme has a date with Brisbane picture palaces before May is out, boasting another all-star cast, telling another tale of family chaos and loving symmetry, as are among this writer/director's trademarks. Any new Anderson flick is worth seeing and celebrating — and so is his entire filmography. Fancy making a day of it in advance of The Phoenician Scheme's release? Wes Day: The Motion Pictures of Fantastic Mr Anderson and a Marathon of Them has you covered. Because you can never have too much of a good thing from this auteur, Dendy Portside is dedicating Saturday, May 17 to screening six of the director's features. Cinema lovers can enjoy Anderson's distinctive visual stylings, compelling soundtracks and roster of familiar faces, with tickets available per film at $18 a pop. First up, the stop-motion animation delight that is Fantastic Mr Fox is getting Wes Day started. Next comes The Darjeeling Limited with its chaotic train trip — and The Brutalist Oscar-winner Adrien Brody — followed by the magazine-style The French Dispatch. From there, you can also catch the family dramas of The Royal Tenenbaums, then the exceptionally cast The Grand Budapest Hotel and the canine-loving Isle of Dogs to round the day off.
The Heiresses, a Paraguayan film featuring a first-time actress and hailing from a debut feature writer and director, has emerged victorious at this year's Sydney Film Festival. After picking up two awards at this year's Berlinale — including best actress for star Ana Brun — Marcelo Martinessi's moving drama beat out 11 other contenders to win the 2018 Sydney Film Prize. That's no mean feat in any year, but given that this year's competition included Cannes prizewinner BlacKkKlansman; Sundance hits Leave No Trace and The Miseducation of Cameron Post; and fellow Berlin standouts Transit, Aga and Daughter of Mine, it's quite the considerable achievement. Telling the tale of Chela, who is forced to adjust when her girlfriend of more than three decades is imprisoned due to the couple's mounting debts, The Heiresses became the 11th feature to nab the festival's $60,000 award. Again, it's in fine company, with previous winners including On Body and Soul (2017), Aquarius (2016), Arabian Nights (2015), Two Days, One Night (2014), Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011), Heartbeats (2010), Bronson (2009) and Hunger (2008). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD_LxrE9vVA Comprised of Australian artist and filmmaker Lynette Wallworth, Aussie actor Ewen Leslie (The Daughter), Filipino producer and writer Bianca Balbuena (Season of the Devil), South African film composer and songwriter Chris Letcher and Tokyo Film Festival programming director Yoshi Yatabe, the jury dubbed The Heiresses a "provocative, layered and surprising film". "The film we chose carried us with restraint and confidence into a world still shielded by entitlement even as its structures crumble," explained Wallworth at SFF's closing night ceremony. "It revealed a delicately unfolding courage to release what we cling to, even when it is all we know, and let change come — within ourselves and within this collective frame that we build, that is society." The fest's other big 2018 prize — the $10,000 Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary — went to Aussie doco Ghosthunter by another first-timer, Ben Lawrence. In the kind of story that has to be seen to be believed, the documentary starts out as a portrait of Sydney security guard Jason King and his after-hours gig as an amateur ghost hunter. That's not how it ends up, however, with the film evolving over the course of its seven-year shoot to delve into King's troubled family history.
This article is sponsored by our partners, lastminute.com.au. So, you like wine? You love it? Well my friends, allow me to introduce you to one of the best wine regions in Australia: the Barossa Valley. Situated almost 60km northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa has the oldest Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet vineyards in the world. The area is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety: Shiraz. However, the region does grow a number of other grape varieties, so if you're a fan of Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Mataro, Cabernet and even Merlot then you'll be wanting to book a getaway quick smart. So you can get your bearings, the main towns on the valley floor are Nuriootpa, Tanunda, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch. Nuriootpa is the larger of the four towns and seen as the commercial hub of the area, while Tanunda and Angaston have more attractions to cater for fans of sweet little antique stores — but more importantly wine bars, cellar doors and buzzing cafes. BAROSSA EATS Make sure you get yourself a full belly of food before you embark on any tasting tour of the region. Not only is the Barossa famous for its wines, it also prides itself on local produce with some of the best restaurants in the country. For something quaint, why not visit Maggie Beer's Farm Shop? It's the very place her ABC TV series, The Cook and The Chef is filmed. After you've taken an 'I'm on a TV set selfie' you can top up your shopping cart with some MB products and be on your way. FermentAsian is an incredibly reputable Vietnamese restaurant you can't pass by having recently won the Best Asian Restaurant in South Australia. Also worth noting is Hentley Farm Restaurant, where the team will pair their wines with nosh for you, and Appellation at The Louise for some world class dining reflecting the local growing seasons. Be sure to check out the Barossa Farmers Market in Angaston. Open every Saturday from 7:30–11:30am, this bustling market has a plethora of goodies from fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and small goods to oils, pickles, preserves, condiments, baked goods and delicious macaroons. You're spoilt for choice. BAROSSA SLEEPS Before you crack in to the wines you'll need a place to sleep off all this indulgence. Some of the wineries have accommodation on site but if you want a hotel, one of my top picks around is the Novotel Barossa Valley. If it's luxury you're after then look no further than The Louise, set upon an original heritage property atop the stunning Marananga hill top site. This place is pure indulgence. Top picks for B&Bs include The Lodge or the incredibly romantic 'Cupids Cottages' (which will earn you huge brownie points) sitting with a view of your very own lake at Stonewell Cottages. Check out lastminute.com.au for some pretty sweet deals. BAROSSA QUAFFS Now my friends, it's time to quaff! By visiting the Barossa website you can either plan your own trip with their online Trip Planner or book a wine tour with Taste The Barossa. For something different, you can also book bikes to 'taste by bike' from Barossa Bike Hire. They can either deliver your bike to your accommodation or you can pick it up from Nuriootpa. If you're feeling fit, take a detour up to the Barossa Sculpture Park by following Basedow Road to the Menglers Hill Lookout and you'll enjoy some amazing sculptures carved from local marble and granite, backdropped by a stunning view of the valley. With more than 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries in the Barossa, you could say the world is your wine glass. Check out my Top 20 below, in no particular order. Concrete Playground's Top 20 Barossa Valley Cellar Doors and Wineries: Artisans of Barossa Kind of like The Avengers of wine. John Duval (famed winemaker of Penfolds Grange) has teamed up with six other individual winemakers to keep small batch winemaking alive and well. Try what all seven wine makers have to offer in their tasting room. Henschke Famous for its 'Hill of Grace' Shiraz, this winery has a great range of premium reds and whites on offer Chateau Tanunda This place is worth the visit just to see Australia's oldest chateau alone. It's like being on the set of The Great Gatsby. Top wines too; the Noble Baron range is handpicked, basket-pressed and unfiltered. Seppeltsfield Superbly scenic. Well known for their Centennial Collection, which is an "unbroken lineage of Tawny of every vintage from 1878 to current year". Peter Lehman Big reds and a true five-star winery. Chateau Yaldara Another beautiful chateau worth checking out. Taste McGuigans Wines and perhaps grab a light meal at Café Y if you're peckish. Bethany Killer Rieslings. Great reds and food wines. Also get on board their delicious stickies and fortifieds. Pindarie These guys do a lovely range of wines including varietals like Tempranillo and Sangiovese. Penfolds This isn't the actual winery but a cellar door where you can purchase their Taste of Grange package or make-your-own blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre. Wolf Blass If you haven't heard of these guys you've somehow been living in a sealed-off cave. Wolf Blass have a massive range. Why not cleanse your palette and enjoy some of their lovely sparkling? Two Hands Their focus is primarily Shiraz but their Grenache also is exceptional. St Hallet Sensational reds. Get stuck in to their Shiraz, Shiraz Grenache or their big and dense Mataro. They also have a Christmas favourite, the Sparkling Shiraz. For white fans try their moscato style Gewürztraminer. It's like drinking lychee juice with bubbles. Saltrams Award winning reds and whites. A lovely tasting bar and restaurant onsite makes this place a definite go-er. Elderton The first red I ever let sit for over ten years was an Elderton Shiraz and it was incredible when I eventually opened it up, drank it and cheekily slopped a little in to my pasta sauce as it cooked. They produce some of the most highly regarded reds in Australia. Glaetzer The team do four reds and focus "simply on the production of small volume, super premium red wines." Mountadam One of Australia's pioneer Chardonnay producers. Kies Family Wines An 1880s-styled cottage cellar door with a chilled-out vibe and quality wines. Irvine Estate Jim Irvine loves Merlot. He also loves interesting wines like his Cabernet Franc called The Baroness or his Zinfandel red, which is not as big and bold as some. But you can't go past his Grand Merlot. Whistler I love their reds and their red blends. Their Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre blend is one I could happily slurp every day. Grant Burge Hot tip: Buy yourself some of the Holy Trinity GSM to drink while you wait for their Filsell Shiraz or the Meshach Shiraz you also bought ages to perfection. Enjoy! Get amongst that tasty tasty vino and book your getaway to the Barossa Valley now with lastminute.com.au.
Brisbanites, it's time to go birdwatching — but not in the usual manner. From Friday, September 3–Saturday, September 25, you're looking for one type of winged creature. You're trying to spot the only six of them in the city, in fact. They're giant and they'll be perched atop Brissie landmarks, so they shouldn't be too difficult to locate. One of Brisbane Festival's literally big 2021 inclusions — and a returning highlight from 2020's fest — Messengers of Brisbane is comprised of a half-dozen Gouldian finches, all towering over well-known locations. Last year, the birds popped up at the Goodwill Bridge, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum, South Bank, Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane City Hall, if you're wondering what we mean by iconic spots. These finches are colourful, and can be seen whether you're walking, driving, cycling or on a CityCat — and they're designed to add some cheer to this otherwise average year. Messengers of Brisbane is also the latest large-scale art work by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, who is known for placing oversized animals in iconic spots. If you've seen footage of his massive inflatable Rubber Duck sculpture, then you'll know why you should be getting excited. Images: Atmosphere Photography.
After dropping its music program for 2023 in late February, Alice Springs' luminous Parrtjima — A Festival In Light has unveiled the full lineup of installations, tunes, talks and more that'll be lighting up the Red Centre come April. On the bill: informative discussions, impressive flicks and must-try workshops, all in stunning surroundings. Some events are worth locking into your diary regardless of who's playing and what's brightening up the place, of course, and this fest is one of them. The Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling festival just might be Australia's most luminous event, as attendees will learn when it returns from Friday, April 7–Sunday, April 16. 2023's focus: 'Listening with Heart'. That's what this year's light-heavy installations, which were announced late in 2022, will focus on. Parrtjima's theme is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart, with that piece depicting Uluru-Ku Tjukurrpa, the Uluru story of connection, as created by a group of artists from Multijulu as led by Maruku artist Rene Kulitja. So, Kulitja will work with other of artists for Parrtjima to turn the Statement from the Heart artwork into a large-scale immersive light and sound installation. That means that Parrtjima attendees will find themselves plunged in the world of the Aṉangu people of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands surrounding Uluru. The idea is to feature ancient songlines, plus Indigenous viewpoints on Country, as well as connecting to First Peoples' strong links with the land, water and sky. Two things that are also on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. As for the music program, it overflows with First Nations talent, including Docker River Band, Eastern Reggae Band, Emily Wurramara, JK-47, KAIIT, Karnage and Paul Ah Chee. They'll be joined by Radical Son, Richard J Frankland, Discovering Leerpeen Mara, Rowdy Birds, The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and The Merindas across the ten days — and with a range of dazzling backdrops. The talks lineup features actor Steven Oliver, marathon hero Charlie Maher, media identity Naomi Moran, scientist Corey Tutt, Olympian Nova Peris and more, such as musicians Richard Frankland, KAIIT and Paul Ah Chee — doing double duty on stage and having a chat. Movie-wise, attendees can look forward to Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, Araatika: Rise Up and The Australian Wars. And, the workshops schedule includes dance, art and pottery. PARRTJIMA — A FESTIVAL IN LIGHT 2023 MUSIC LINEUP: Docker River Band Eastern Reggae Band, Emily Wurramara JK-47 KAIIT Karnage (DJ) Karnage n Darknis Paul Ah Chee Radical Son Richard J Frankland Discovering Leerpeen Mara Rowdy Birds (DJ) The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band The Merindas PARRTJIMA — A FESTIVAL IN LIGHT 2023 TALKS LINEUP: Steven Oliver Richard J Frankland Charlie Maher Naomi Moran Corey Tutt Nova Peris KAIIT Paul Ah Chee Rene Kulitja, Charmaine Kulitja and Christine Brumby Christine Ross and Roxanne Highfold Dean Parkin and Ursula Raymond Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will run from Friday, April 7–Sunday, April 16, 2023 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: NTMEC/Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you've ever tucked into a scoop of Gelato Messina's frosty wares, savoured not just the taste but the scent and wished you could soak in the latter for longer, the dessert fiends have good news. Now, you can enjoy the enticing smell of gelato at home, all the time, even when you're not eating any — all thanks to Messina's new candle range. In collaboration with perfumed candle outfit Maison Balzac, Messina's Creative Department has turned its attention to something other than inventive gelato flavours and impressive degustations. The result: two candles, both inspired by honey. The 'Miel d'Hiver' candle (which means 'winter honey' in French) is designed to conjure up the scent of plants pollinated by bees in winter, and features notes of smoke, thyme, lemon, cedarleaf, frankincense, nutmeg, tonka bean, palo santo and peru balsam. Or, you can opt for the 'Miel d'Ete' ('summer honey'), which combines bergamot, galbanum, hyacinth, jasmine, orris, lily of the valley and musk patchouli. Anyone that's been to one of the Messina Creative Department's meals will know that wild honey gelato — made from honey from the company's local Sydney apiary, Rosebery Honey — is a big feature, so it's no surprise that the company has taken inspiration from honey for its new candles. If you're eager to make your whole house smell like dessert, the Maison Balzac x Messina Creative Department range is available from Maison Balzac, and from Messina's stores in Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Bondi, Tramsheds, Fitzroy, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley — while stocks last. They come in two sizes, so you can go big with a 300-gram candle (which'll burn for around 70 hours) for $69, or opt for the smaller 55-gram version (which'll burn for approximately 18 hours) for $29. All Messina shops are also serving up a new 'miel' gelato flavour, too, so you can lick your way through a cup or cone of citrus-infused honey gelato with honeycomb and burnt honey caramel as well. Gelato Messina's Maison Balzac candles are available from Maison Balzac, as well as from Messina's stores in Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Bondi, Tramsheds, Fitzroy, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley — while stocks last. All Messina shops are also serving up its new 'miel' gelato flavour, again while stocks last.
There's something so satisfying about pssssst sound made when cracking a tab on a canned beverage. That coupled with the fact canned drinks have in-built portion control, guaranteed freshness (with a delightful little spritz to them) and can be recycled, more winemakers, distillers and brewers are saying "yes, we can" to the can. Plus, they're perfect for a multitude of drinking scenarios — from a fruity pinot gris while sitting on your balcony at home watching the sunset to a super refreshing G&T at your mate's barbecue. So, we've scoured bottle shops and online retailers across the country for the best canned beverages in each category: boozy, caffeinated and alcohol-free. No glassware or garnishes needed — just crack open a can, throw on your best playlist and you've got yourself an instant party. WINE BLIND CORNER SOUTH WEST COOLER 2019 ($34 FOR A SIX-PACK) Straddling the line between wine and a cocktail, this newest creation comes from organic and biodynamic winemakers Blind Corner. The team's homage to the 80s is a wine spritzer (or cooler) made from their estate-grown shiraz grapes. A juicy, bright, red fruited nouveau-style wine, it's a must-have for any barbecue. Just add grilled meats (or grilled eggplant for the vegos). SITE WINE PINOT GRIS 2019 ($12) Site Wine's single-site Victorian pinot gris has been handpicked and naturally fermented to create a refreshing and vibrant wine with hints of tropical fruits. There's the unavoidable spritz — that you find in all canned wine — but it dissipates after a few sips. With 3.8 standard drinks per can, this little delightful little number is packed full of flavour, so drink slowly. INNOCENT BYSTANDER MOSCATO NV ($6) Many people's favourite "secret shame" drink from arguably Australia's best moscato producer, Innocent Bystander's moscato NV is now available in easy-to-slurp can form. Smells like fairy floss, rose petals and mandarin peel, and is filled with flavours of vibrant strawberry, red apples and a hint of jasmine flowers, with a well-integrated sweetness that jumps out of the can and into your mouth. In our opinion, it goes with any brunch scenario you want to throw at it — pavlovas; pancakes with lemon sugar; blue cheese, pear and candied walnut salads. COCKTAILS CURATIF TOMMY'S MARGARITA From the creative minds that brought you the negroni in a can (a collab with Four Pillars) and the espresso martini in a can (a collab with Archie Rose), Curatif's newest drink is a tommy's margarita made in collaboration with Tromba tequila. Curatif prides itself on making the world's best cocktails by sourcing only the finest ingredients from around the globe, and the tommy's is no different. It's made with Tromba's blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and salt. Simply pour over ice, and you've got instant summertime in a glass — all year round. At this stage, the Curatif Escape Series is only available at limited locations (Jackalope Hotel, Victoria; Pink Hotel, Coolangatta; Sails Motel, Brunswick Heads; and Pablo & Rustys, Sydney). However, the tommy's margarita (and a very delicious looking bloody mary in conjunction with Archie Rose) will be launched more widely come June 2020. MOUNTAIN GIN AND TONIC ($8.99) You can't throw a lime without hitting a new Australian gin distiller. However, not many have decided to pre-package the much-loved G&T in a can ready for your next barbecue. This is where the team at Mountain Gin (hailing from Victoria's Macedon Ranges) comes in with one of the most delicious and well-balanced canned G&Ts available. Each can includes 45 millilitres of its 100-percent batch-distilled gin, carefully blended with its recipe for low-sugar tonic, to bring forth the sharp citrus character of orange peel and lemon myrtle. The gin is inspired by locally foraged botanicals, and made using new growth pine needles and native pepperberry found throughout the area. The flavours in the gin are so crisp and clean — it's like taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air. LOVE CAN SPRITZ ($7.50) The complexity of a negroni meets the refreshing lightness if a spritz. Made with Mildura lemon juice, Poor Toms strawberry gin, Poor Toms Imbroglio orange amaro, the Sydney-distilled Love Can is also fairly low-calorie (if that's something you care about) at only 120 per can. If not, it's just another excuse to skip the gym and workout your drinking arm instead. The Love Cans — which also come in vodka yuzu and G&T varieties — are a collaboration between Marrickville's Poor Toms distillery and soda maker Strange Love. ALCOHOL-FREE SOBAH DAVIDSON PLUM GLUTEN-FREE ALE ($20 A FOUR-PACK) Indigenous Australian-owned Sobah is Australia's first non-alcoholic craft beer company. It's run by husband-wife team Clinton and Lozen Schultz, who are creating brews that are equal parts flavoursome and sustainably made. The duo's newest flavour is a light and aromatic gluten-free brew, that's sold out on the website, but our friends at Newtown bottle shop P&V currently have some on their shelves (plus the other styles in the Sobah range). It has an earthy aroma with musk and a touch of sweetness, the taste of davidson plum is tart ( similar to a cranberry) with some sourness and a slight bitterness. If you can't get your hands on this one, there are plenty of other flavours — including lemon aspen pilsner and pepperberry IPA — to try. FIRE TONIC SPARKLING SWITCHEL LEMON AND GINGER ($24 FOR A SIX-PACK) Based on an 18th-century rural American recipe, switchel is thought to be the 'original sports drink'. So, move over Gatorade — the ultimate hangover cure is here thanks to Victorian-based company Hilbilby. Bursting with good things, this can is refined sugar-free and only contains all-natural ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, raw honey and pink mineral salt. With so many non-alcoholic drinks and sodas on the market filled with excess sugar, this is the perfect drink for those wanting something a little more savoury. COFFEE MINOR FIGURES NITRO COLD BREW ($24 FOR A MIXED SIX-PACK) Brewed with a focus on sustainability and no dairy or added sugar, Minor Figures is our latest coffee obsession. What makes its brews so special is the process of nitrogen-infused cold brewing, which assists in producing a silkier, frothier consistency and a softer, but more flavoursome brew that's guaranteed to shake out the brain fog in the morning and wake up the senses. The cold brew comes in three caffeinated flavours: black, oat milk latte and oat milk mocha.
When word arrived that Brisbane Powerhouse was starting a twice-yearly neon-lit night market that'll pop up for a month at a time with food, booze and art installations, the River City rejoiced. And, as Night Feast kept announcing and adding to its debut lineup, excitement grew. That's all got nothing on the response to the event now that it's finally here, though, with its debut outing kicking off back on Wednesday, March 1 and running until Sunday, March 26. The fact that this event takes place via evening is all there in its name — but it's proven so popular that organisers are adding a bit more daylight to its season. For its final two March weekends, so on Saturday, March 18–Sunday, March 19 and Saturday, March 25–Sunday, March 26, Night Feast will now kick off at 2pm instead of 4.30pm. Closing time remains 9.30pm. Thousands of folks have been visiting the Powerhouse forecourt each evening, which is hardly surprising; given how much Brisbane loves the Night Noodle Markets when they hit each year, the River City was always going to adore Night Feast. Arriving early in the day won't just take care of your lunch plans, but might help you avoid heaving crowds. The event's culinary bill includes Longrain's Martin Boetz, e'cco Bistro's Philip Johnson, Lyndon Tyers at Donna Chang and Tuan Nguyen at Ngon, plus Lek Senee from Lek's Thai and Patricio Sarno from Mary Mae's Kitchen & Bar — and City Winery's vino thanks to winemaker Dave Cush. And, dishes from Taro's Ramen and Ham on Rye are also on the menu, as well as from Saison Salumi and Wine & Dine Em. Chef Anchalee Kasurin is whipping up poffertjes pancakes as part of an international array, too, which surveys Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek, modern Australian cuisine and more at 20-plus gourmet food stalls. Communal feasting is one of Night Feast's big focuses also, and having the restaurants taking part in Night Feast to dish up the absolute top thing on their menus is another. That means tucking into their signature dishes, but by the river in New Farm. Night Feast also features an open fire pit for roasting and a dedicated dessert bar, plus cocktails and a top-notch wine list to wash it all down with. And, the food side of the program is just one of the highlights. The arts and music program is just as impressive, giant illuminated humanoids via Amanda Parer's Fantastic Planet and laser beams that look like intergalactic events included. After its March season, the market will take place again from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29, 2023, then return each March and October moving forward. Night Feast runs until Sunday, March 26 — operating 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Friday and 2–9.30pm Saturday–Sunday. For more information, head to the event's website. Night Feast will then return again from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29 — plus twice a year after that. Images: Markus Ravik / Lachlan Douglas.
It's near impossible to talk baked goods in Brisbane without mentioning Jocelyn's Provisions. At Jocelyn's, the often forgotten sister of the brownie — the Blondie — is given a chance to shine. A rich and chewy texture, abound with chunks of white chocolate and macadamia nuts should be reason enough for you think twice before judging the lack of cocoa.
The 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the only one arriving in 2024, is giving the sprawling pop-culture franchise something that fans have been waiting for for years. Deadpool will officially enter the MCU. So will X-Men hero Wolverine. The movie? Announced in 2022, Deadpool & Wolverine has a date with cinemas this July. In the just-dropped first trailer for the flick, which arrived during the 2024 Super Bowl, the Merc with a Mouth obviously knows exactly what to say. "Your little cinematic universe is about to change forever" advises Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds, Ghosted) when he's brought into the Marvel fold by the Time Variance Authority. His way of describing himself now that he's in the MCU? "Marvel Jesus", of course. One won't stop cracking wise. The other prefers to say as little as possible. Naturally, they're about to become the Marvel Cinematic Universe's favourite big-screen odd couple. Reynolds has been playing Deadpool since 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, so this isn't the first time that him and Hugh Jackman (Faraway Downs) are teaming up as their famous characters — but, again, it is the first time in the MCU. Before now, Jackman has already busted out the adamantium claws in nine movies, starting with 2000's X-Men and running through to 2017's Logan, which was poised as his swansong in the role. But when you've been playing a part for that long, in that many flicks, what's one more go-around? After a non-Wolverine gap spent starring in The Greatest Showman, The Front Runner, Bad Education, Reminiscence and The Son, Jackman is clearly ready to get hairy again. That Deadpool & Wolverine is part of the MCU, the comic-to-screen realm that's been going since the first Iron Man flick and will likely never ever end, isn't a minor detail. The two characters have always been Marvel characters, but because of rights issues behind the scenes, they've stayed in their own on-screen sagas. But when Disney (which owns Marvel) bought 20th Century Fox (which brought the X-Men and Deadpool movies to cinemas so far), those business issues disappeared. Deadpool & Wolverine arrives six years after 2018's Deadpool 2. It also marks a reunion in another way. Behind the lens: director Shawn Levy, reteaming with Reynolds after Free Guy and The Adam Project. Check out the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer below: Deadpool & Wolverine will release in cinemas Down Under on July 25, 2024. Images: courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
Stop what you're doing. Get out of bed. Cancel that mid-morning meeting. Whatever it is — it can wait. Because this is happening: In-N-Out Burger is coming to Brisbane for one of its late-notice pop-ups. Archive Beer Boutique has announced the pop-up, confirming its West End digs as the temporary burger joint location for Monday, January 13. Over the past few years, the the LA fast food legends have temporarily set up shop in Sydney and Melbourne, but this is its first time in Brisbane — so you can bet that burger aficionados will be desperate to get their hands on one of those buns. The pop-up will be doling out Double Double, Animal Style and Protein Style hamburgers until they're sold out, kicking off at 11am (and running until 2pm if there's any left by then). https://www.facebook.com/ArchiveBeerBoutique/photos/a.568016383255844/2752498394807621/?type=3&theater At In-N-Out's previous Sydney and Melbourne pop-ups, these burgers have sold like, well, cult-status burgers — so you'll have to get there early. Now is probably a good time to mosey down to Boundary Street. Go. The In-N-Out burger pop-up will run today at Archive Beer Boutique, 100 Boundary Street, West End. Doors open at 11am, so we suggest you go lineup now.
Cancel your Saturday afternoon plans as nothing could possibly trump free music. Head to Jet Black Cat Music and help local act, Major Leagues, celebrate the release of their debut EP entitled, Weird Season. This February marks the band's first ever Australian headline tour and they are eager to celebrate with you. Joining them on the tour will be The Ocean Party, but sadly these guys won't be making an appearance this Saturday. The Brisbane group will be performing songs from their EP and also fresh tunes. All purchases of Weird Season will also be accompanied by a free handmade zine. Get in the zone and check out 'Silver Tides', one of the tracks from Weird Season. The EP as a whole is a carefree summer soundtrack full on garage goodness. If the free gig doesn't quite satisfy your Major Leagues craving, catch them at Alhambra Lounge on Thursday 20 February.
UPDATE, APRIL 4: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that The French Dispatch will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, August 13, 2020, with the film now hitting cinemas on October 15, 2020. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. An offbeat storyline. Mesmerisingly symmetrical frames. A cast that includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Owen Wilson, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban and Anjelica Houston. Yep, it must be a new Wes Anderson film — and, based on its just-dropped first trailer, The French Dispatch looks like Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson-esque yet. The premise: in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé sometime in the mid-20th century, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Murray) has turned a series of travelogue columns into a weekly American magazine. A supplement to the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch resembles The New Yorker, is staffed by top expatriate journalists, and covers life in France, world politics, high and low art, and diverse stories of human interest. As for the film that shares its name, it focuses on three tales printed in the publication's pages. Cue 'The Concrete Masterpiece', with Benicio del Toro as incarcerated artist Moses Rosenthaler — who paints portraits of his prison guard (Léa Seydoux) and tries to fend off the interests of an art dealer (Adrien Brody). Next comes 'Revisions to a Manifesto', featuring Timothée Chalamet and Lyna Khoudri as student revolutionaries, as well as Frances McDormand as a journalist. And, there's also 'The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner', about a big kidnapping, plus a chef (Stephen Park) known for "the mode of cuisine known as police cooking". A framing story also steps inside the inner workings of the magazine itself, and the publication of a special issue, complete with writers played by Swinton, Wilson, Elisabeth Moss, Jeffrey Wright, Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne and Wally Wolodarsky. The cast list isn't done just yet, with Christoph Waltz, Liev Schreiber, Henry Winkler, Rupert Friend, Cecile de France, Matthew Almaric, Lois Smith and The Grand Budapest Hotel's lobby boy Tony Revolori all popping up. Obviously, as has proven the case in every Anderson film from Bottle Rocket and Rushmore to Isle of Dogs, every frame looks like it belongs on a wall — or in Anderson's own recent museum exhibition. Check out the trailer for The French Dispatch below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4 After being delayed from its original release date of August 13, 2020, The French Dispatch will now open in Australian cinemas on October 15, 2020.
If you thought yoga retreats were all silence and brown rice, Yoga Cucina invites you to reconsider. Initiated by a trio of yoga instructors — and wine drinkers — it's a brand new kind of yoga-inspired getaway. Gear up to spend a weekend practising your salutes to the sun and downward dogs, in between sampling several drops, feasting on Italian fare, playing darts and swimming beneath waterfalls. "We want it to be an adventure, rather than a retreat," says Aly Clarke, who's organised the project alongside friends Rebecca Lockyer and Claire Blackwood. "It's not about people dressing in white and wearing patchouli." The idea came about at 1am, over a year ago. "We'd been to yoga together and were starving," Aly says. "Claire's husband, Marco [Gobbo] and his best friend Luca [Faccin] are both chefs, so they cooked up some risotto. There we were, eating and drinking wine and rum, and playing poker. We started thinking, other people must want to do this." And so, Yoga Cucina was born. The first adventure will be held over three nights, from September 29 to October 2 in The Pill Factory, a 19th century sandstone building in NSW's Southern Highlands. Think Chesterfields, open fireplaces and secretive nooks. "On the first night, we'll meet for a pre-dinner drink, then sit down to a big, family feast," Aly explains. Marco and Luca, who are both Michelin star trained, will be taking care of that. Come morning, you'll wake up to a two-hour yoga session, soundtracked by hip hop, before partaking in a barbecue lunch. Then it'll be off to a local national park for swimming under waterfalls and back to The Pill Factory for a pasta-making class, followed by another epic dinner and an evening in the games room, playing pool, darts and board games. Days two and three offer similar eclecticism, including a meeting with a monk at nearby Sunnataram Theravada Buddhist Monastery. A weekend at the retreat will set you back $880-935 per person, which includes all activities and brunch, dinner and snacks. Space is strictly limited to 26 and there are rooms for singles, doubles and groups. "The building is really big, so there's heaps of space for people to spread out and do whatever they want, Aly says. "We want them to feel free to do as little — or as much — as they'd like." After the first adventure is completed, the Yoga Cucina team will look further afield. When we chatted with them, they were scoping out venues in Tasmania. The first Yoga Cucina adventure will take place from September 29 to October 2 at The Pill Factory in NSW's Southern Highlands. For more information and to book, visit yogacucina.com. Image: Leeroy Te Hira.
If your favourite Nutella recipe is to take a household tablespoon and dig straight in, then we don't blame you. The delicious hazelnut spread makes eating chocolate for breakfast an entirely acceptable concept. In fact, Nutella is so fondly-held across the globe that it's prompted its own dedicated festival, a toaster-shaped food truck and an honourary burger from the golden arches. Melbourne's obsession with the stuff even caused a country-wide shortage a few years ago. Nutella lovers now have 185 new ways to enjoy the spread as the brand launches its very own recipe book. The hardback, titled 'Delicious Creations with Nutella', showcases a selection of recipes for every occasion, covering everyday breakfast and afternoon options to celebratory moments like Christmas and Valentine's Day. The recipes inside were inspired by the creations of Aussie and Kiwi home cooks who have been making and sharing their ideas over the past 12 months. Within the book's 185 pages you can find simple no-frills recipes slathering the chocolatey spread on white bread through to more elaborate creations like three-layer cheesecakes, mille-feuille with chantilly mousse and choux pastries. So how do you get your hands on one? Just 2000 copies of 'Delicious Creations with Nutella' are up for grabs between Australian and New Zealand. Until June 28, those who buy a specially-marked jar of Nutella and then enter online will be in the running to score their own copy. Nutella is also bringing the recipes to life in a series of cooking classes around Australia. Cooking schools hosting classes in May and June include Sydney's VIVE Cooking School, Brisbane's Lumiere, Perth's The Little Italian School and Adelaide Chocolate School. For more information about 'Delicious Creations with Nutella' and the brand's series of cooking classes, visit, nutella.com.
Winter's your chance to connect with uniquely Australian choreography, and the best place to start is Bangarra's powerful triple bill OUR land people stories. Featuring works from Stephen Page and Bangarra's emerging choreographers Jasmin Sheppard, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Daniel Riley, this world premiere work celebrates stories from our own backyard. Dedicated to the recently passed David Page, Bangarra's inimitable music director, OUR land people stories honours this iconic and beloved Australian's legacy, his dedication to mentoring emerging choreographers and his enduring place at Bangarra. Running in Brisbane until 20 August, the show offers a fitting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, togetherness, storytelling and community. The Queensland leg of OUR land people stories follows the show's Sydney premiere, with the performance also travelling to Perth, Canberra and Melbourne.
Prepare yourself for a serious dose of girl power: Janelle Monáe and Kimbra are joining forces for an Australian tour. The two pop heavyweights, who bonded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland last July, are coming to Australia for The Golden Electric Tour at the end of May. Scheduled for four shows throughout Australia, the dynamic duo is hitting up the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday, May 21. The award-winning pop powerhouses will co-headline the tour, combining forces for a portion of the show while also playing individual sets. Kimbra and Monáe first made sweet music together at an impromptu bar gig when they met last year. Their taste for eccentric pop music coupled with fierce vocals proved a heavenly match, thus the idea for a joint tour was born. To (successfully) hype us all up for the endeavour, the pair released an unfathomably adorable video singing a mash-up of Aretha Franklin's 'Rock Steady' and Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Something', both of which are sure to be on the set list. Monáe will feature tracks from her 2013 release The Electric Lady, as well as her celebrated 2010 debut album The ArchAndroid. Kimbra is expected to release the follow-up to her 2011 album Vows later this year, so fans should expect some new gems amongst the singalongs. Tickets go on sale 10am on Thursday, April 17 via Live Nation. Pre-sale is available for My Live Nation members at 10am on Monday, April 14. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SyqltX5lRhQ
There are few bands with enough unfaltering stamina to line up a debaucherous, beer-fuelled pub crawl to kick off every night of their Australian tour. But Brissy's Dune Rats leave the rules at home, abiding by one big ol' proviso: "no kooks, no gutties." Whatever the blazes that means, these bloody corker dudes surf self-generated waves of laidback party-fuelled philosophy. Dune Rats' BC Michaels, Danny Beusa and Brett Jansch have been away from home for some time now, heading to the US, staying in a New York AirBnB warehouse, driving along the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver and filming their own (sorta) web series American Death Trip of Dreams. Then they bailed over to Europe and the UK. After months on the road, the Dunies will head back home to Australia for a national tour, showcasing their debut album set for release on June 1. It'll be the first time the trio have played to home audiences for months. The tour kicks off on the west coast and ends up back where they all started — right here in Brisbane. "I'm pretty fucking excited to get home, that's for sure. We haven't played in Brissy for ages," says bass player Brett Jansch. "We've been away for so long and hopefully we can just get back and hang out with our buddies and just talk about anything else, find out what they're doin'. Pieced together like a rambunctious escapade of regrets, the Dunies will host a pub crawl in every city before the gig for fans who've preordered their debut album (out June 1). Dune Rats is a rambunctious ride through moments of pure silliness ('Dalai Lama' has five words in total: "Dalai Lama, Big Banana, marijuana,") and heartfelt bouts ('Home Sick'). "Well I guess you just want to get as fucked up as possible before the gig with all our friends and buddies that have preordered the album in order to come to the pub crawl," Jansch says in a wink-wink, nudge-nudge moment of please-buy-our-albumness. "We'll find the right place where we can all hang out together near the venue or whatever and just go pub to pub. "So honestly, we'll be going on a pub crawl all around Australia I guess. I wonder if anyone will come all the way with us. If someone does, they can definitely have a fuckin' t-shirt! They can have a hangover as well." Supporting Dune Rats will be different buds in each state. "We've kind of put together just all our fucking favourite bands and our friends to play, you know... So it's going to be a fucking party every night, especially now with our pub crawls and shit.," Jasnch realises. "Fuck, I think it's going to be a full wash up by the end of it." Check out our chat with Dune Rats bass player Brett Jansch over here. TO REGISTER FOR THE DUNIES PRE PARTIES: 1. Pre-order the album Dune Rats for ten beans at iTunes or JB HiFi. 2. Forward your iTunes or JB HiFi album preorder receipt and your mobile number to stuff@ratbagrecords.com. 3. Let the Dunies you're off to the Brisbane show at The Zoo. 4. Wait. Recieve the deets on the morning of the show. Then party on dudes. For more details about the Dune Rats pub crawls and to preorder the album head over here. Dune Rats debut album is out Sunday, June 1. https://youtube.com/watch?v=lU3n6vRX8yY
Perhaps you're a theatre-loving Melburnian currently navigating the city's latest lockdown. Or, you could've had your eye on Melbourne Theatre Company's 2021 program from elsewhere, but haven't been able to make the trip south to see a show. Either way, you'll find the arts organisation's new MTC Digital Theatre rather handy, with the just-launched platform making a selection of MTC's productions available to stream. Currently online to watch from wherever you happen to be around the country: Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch's #MeToo-era interpretation of the familiar student–teacher narrative; and Berlin, a romantic thriller from Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. Both have had their time on MTC's physical stage this year, and were filmed while the cast was treading the boards, all so that theatre fans could check them out afterwards from their couches. The two shows mark MTC's first leap into on-demand theatre, a new facet of its operations that it intends to expand. "It's been a dream of ours for some time, and audiences have been asking for it with increasing frequency, especially after last year when there was very little Australian theatre available to stream," explained MTC Executive Director and co-CEO Virginia Lovett. When each show is filmed — in front of a live audience, and in 4K with 5.1 surround sound — the production's creative personnel works alongside the video team to make sure that the viewing experience reflects the play's creative intentions. Also pivotal: that it brings as much of the live experience as possible to the screen. That involves using multiple cameras throughout the auditorium, in order to get a wide range of audience perspectives. If you're keen to check out Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes' tale about a prize-winning novelist and his university student — starring Dan Spielman and Izabella Yena — it's available to stream until 11.59pm on Sunday, June 6. If Berlin and its story about two strangers (Grace Cummings and Michael Wahr) meeting in a Berlin bar takes your fancy, it has just hit the streaming service, and will be available until 11.59pm on Sunday, July 4. To access MTC Digital Theatre, you just need to head to MTC's website, purchase a $25 video pass per show, and then watch within 48 hours. And, if you're in the mood for more theatre from your couch once you've viewed MTC's two current offerings, the UK's National Theatre also has its own streaming platform. MTC Digital Theatre is now available online on a pay-per-view basis, with video passes costing $25 per show. For further details, or to watch Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes and Berlin, head to the service's website.
Gin dreams are made of this: a sprawling distillery that doubles as an indoor/outdoor gin garden, lets spirits aficionados sip plenty of gin (obviously), and also serves up snacks made with spent gin botanicals. That's all on the menu at Four Pillars' redeveloped Healesville base, which has finally relaunched to the gin-adoring public following a hefty $7 million makeover. Gin fiends of Australia have been singing the brand's praises for almost a decade, with the beloved distillery setting up shop in 2013, then opening up its Healesville digs to the public in 2015 — and the latter's revamp will only evoke more cheers. Announced back in early 2021, and up and running since Tuesday, April 26, Healesville 2.0 aims to be a gin lover's heaven. In fact, if this doesn't entice juniper spirits-lovers to the Yarra Valley to enjoy Four Pillars' tipples, nothing will. Sitting directly adjacent to the company's original home on Lilydale Road, the new 1000-square-metre space helps turn the brand's headquarters into a gin destination, and has almost tripled the area available to visitors. As well as the aforementioned Jude's Gin Garden — which overlooks leafy trees and has sliding floor-to-ceiling windows to let the outside in (when the weather permits) — there's multiple new event and function rooms, a dedicated Four Pillars Gin Shop, and a gleaming new copper bar. On the menu: a changing array that spans tasting paddles, gin classics and familiar cocktails, plus a snack range designed by Made From Gin's Matt Wilkinson with Caro Gray. Think: duck liver pate with Bloody Shiraz Gin jelly; bagels with olive leaf gin-cured salmon; plus gin-laced potato, zucchini and dill croquettes — all using those spent gin botanicals. Still on food, the Four Pillars Tuck Shop will open later in 2022, too, serving up more substantial dishes on weekends and public holidays. Of course, a visit to this gin-swilling spot is always going to be about the spirit in question — and here it's piped into the main bar using featured copper, all so that Four Pillars can reduce its glass waste. Tonic is largely being served from kegs as well for the same reason, at a site that goes big on solar and recycling to lower the venue's carbon and environmental impact. That shouldn't come as a surprise, with Four Pillars announcing earlier in April that it has now gone carbon-neutral. Tubing is also a big design feature, with 1650 metres of raw copper tubing used to enclose the entire site — the OG building and the new base — in a veil. As well as looking stunning, it's designed to work as a natural heat exchange to reduce energy consumption. Melbourne's sustainability-led Breathe Architecture led the revamped spot's design, which also heroes recycled and upcycled concrete and bricks, plus pineapple 'leather' upholstery. The furniture has been sourced locally, and local natives and botanicals play a big part in the landscaping both indoors and out. And yes, many will end up in Four Pillars' gins in the future. It's expected that the redevelopment will see between 150,000–200,000 visitors a year head to the Healesville facility — and, because updating the production side of things was also part of the makeover, it'll now allow Four Pillars to produce more than one million bottles of gin a year as well. To the delight of your tastebuds, that means more of its award-winning range — which includes barrel-aged, bloody shiraz, rare dry, yuzu, Christmas, overproof, olive leaf and summer-inspired gins. And yes, Healesville 2.0's launch helps cap off a huge few years for the gin company. It was named the world's best gin producer for two years running, sold half of its business to beer behemoth Lion and opened a Sydney bar in the middle of the pandemic — and now, of course, this. Four Pillars' revamped distillery is now open at 2 Lilydale Road, Healesville — operating from 10.30am–5.30pm Sunday–Thursday and 10.30am–9pm Friday–Saturday. Images: Anson Smart.
The Von Erich family's second generation of wrestlers was born ready to rumble, regardless of whether they wanted to or not. After diving into a cult's thrall in Martha Marcy May Marlene, then the idea that money and status can buy happiness in fellow psychological thriller The Nest, writer/director Sean Durkin adds another exceptional and gripping film to his resume with The Iron Claw — a movie that draws upon elements of both, too, as it tells its heartbreaking true tale. Unpacking the weight carried and toll weathered by brothers locked into one future and way of life from the moment that they existed, this is a feature about the shadow cast by power and dominance by those caught in its shade, and the cost of doggedly chasing one concept of triumph and masculinity above all else. The Zac Efron (The Greatest Beer Run Ever)-voiced narration pitches it as a picture about a family curse as well, but the supernatural has nothing on an authoritarian force refusing to let anyone flee his grasp. The Iron Claw introduces the IRL Von Erich sporting dynasty with patriarch Fritz (Holt McCallany, 61st Street) doing the grappling, busting out the trademark grip that gives the movie its name, as his wife Doris (Maura Tierney, American Rust) and two of his boys wait outside. When they all come together after the match, it isn't just the pledge that Fritz will bring the National Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Championship to their brood, which he's certain will fix their struggling plight, that lingers. Equally inescapable is the unyielding fixation burning in his steely glare, a look that will rarely falter in the film's 132-minute running time — and how his adoring sons (first-timers Grady Wilson and Valentine Newcomer) are already trained to see this world of rings, frays, throws and belts as their home, career path and destiny. Those two children, Kevin and David, are played as men by Efron — beefed up to a jaw-dropping degree, in a remarkable physical transformation that makes his Baywatch stint look lean in comparison — and Harris Dickinson (A Murder at the End of the World). When The Iron Claw leaps to the duo's adulthood in the 70s and 80s, they are indeed engrained in the family business. And it is the Von Erichs' business via World Class Championship Wrestling, where Kevin is initially the star performer. He's chasing the same prize as his dad did. Fritz, as firmly determined as ever, is always pushing and pressuring. Ranking his surviving boys (Jack Jr died at the age of six) is standard breakfast conversation. "Now we all know Kerry's my favourite, then Kev, then David, then Mike," he decrees over a table laden with eggs, sausages, bacon and juice. "But the rankings can always change." A man passionate about little other than wresting, winning and his offspring doing both, Fritz isn't lying: when David shows more skill with the microphone than his elder sibling, perfecting the patter and bragging-heavy rapport, and wowing crowds, the Von Erich dreams for glory shift down the line. After talented discus athlete Kerry (The Bear's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Jeremy Allen White) has his Olympics quest dashed by the US boycott of the 1980 summer games in Moscow, he joins his brothers in spandex, making Fritz's eyes gleam. The younger, lankier Mike (Stanley Simons, Superior) is more interested in music, but that isn't the approved corner, ensuring that he has his time in the ring as well. Durkin leaves out Chris, the baby of the family, who also attempted to follow in the expected footsteps. A third generation has done the same since — Kevin's sons Ross and Marshall, plus Kerry's daughter Lacey — in events similarly beyond The Iron Claw's focus. Few biopics rigidly stick to every fact and detail, but Durkin, who was a wrestling-obsessed 90s kid when the Von Erichs' fates were making regular headlines, truncates The Iron Claw's story for one reason: the sorrowful spiral of tragedy that's befallen its subjects is that relentless and devastating. The real-life details don't belong in the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction category — rather, they're evidence that life's worst exceeds anything that cinema can deliver, and that doubting that more blows can be on the way is the falsest move its characters, or anyone, can make. Agony, anguish and death stalk the Von Erichs, each new round chipping away at Kevin and his siblings' bonds of brotherhood. Among Fritz's boys, this isn't a movie about feuding kin; why Kevin is the feature's anchor is much more heartwrenching. In a different year, when Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy and The Holdovers' Paul Giamatti weren't duking it out for awards season's Best Actor accolades, Efron would be in the square. Achingly raw, the High School Musical, Bad Neighbours and Gold star turns in his finest performance so far as someone struggling not to become fodder in his all-American family's pursuit of the American dream (Fritz was born Jack Adkisson in Texas, then took on his pseudonym while playing the heel as part of an "evil German" double act). Vulnerability courses in the veins on Efron's muscled-up limbs — vulnerability in the face of masculinity's most-toxic manifestations and expectations at that — as does affecting tenderness in Kevin's yearning for love and acceptance that's always conditional from his dad yet never wavers from his brothers. Earnestness ripples as well, especially in scenes with his other well-cast colleagues, with White at his broody best; Dickinson and Simons both seesawing between spirited and haunted, each in their own ways; and Lily James (What's Love Got to Do with It?) vibrant, supportive but no-nonsense as Kevin's fan, girlfriend and then wife Pam. Although wrestling and torment are no strangers in film — The Wrestler earned Mickey Rourke an Oscar nomination, and the lucha libre-based Cassandro barely preceded The Iron Claw to screens — Durkin's addition to the genre is a deeply resonant jump off the top ropes. It's also enamoured with laying bare the thrills and highs of the sport, aka what the Von Erichs keep seeking, with the in-ring action masterful in its choreography and showmanship no matter your fondness for the field going in. Behind the lens, cinematographer Mátyás Erdély (Foe, and also Durkin's The Nest and TV miniseries Southcliffe) excels in seeing the theatre and performativeness of the space, just as his outdoor shots of Kevin and his brothers at their most content together glow with light and naturalism. The demand to play a part versus craving simply to be is The Iron Claw's central contrast, after all. Boom boom boom: as impeccably executed and acted, and crushing to watch, this is cinematic gold.
Every story is built upon cause and effect. One thing happens, then another as a result, and so a narrative springs. Inspired by Andreas Malm's non-fiction book of the same name, How to Blow Up a Pipeline isn't just strung together by causality — it's firmly, actively and overtly about starting points, consequences and the connections between. Here's one source for this impassioned tale about determined and drastic environmental activism: the warming world. Here's an originator for that, too: fossil fuels, humanity's reliance upon them and the profits reaped from that status quo. Now, a few outcomes: pollution, catastrophic weather changes, terminal illnesses, stolen and seized land, corporate interests prioritised over ecological necessities, and a growing group that's driven to act because existence is at stake. Turning a text subtitled Learning to Fight in a World on Fire into a fictional feature, How to Blow Up a Pipeline joins all of the above, stressing links like it is looping string from pin to pin, and clue to clue, on a detective's corkboard. In his second feature after 2018's smart and effective camgirl horror Cam, writer/director Daniel Goldhaber isn't trying to be subtle about what dovetails in where. With co-screenwriters Jordan Sjol (a story editor on Cam) and Ariela Barer (also one of How to Blow Up a Pipeline's stars), he isn't attempting to rein in the film's agenda or complexity. This movie tells the tale that's right there in its name, as eight people from across America congregate in Texas' west with a plan — an octet of folks who mostly would've remained loosely connected, some strangers and others lovers and friends, if they weren't desperate to send a message that genuinely garners attention. Goldhaber's latest is explosive in its potency and thrills, and startling in its urgency, as it focuses on a decision of last resort, the preparation and the individual rationales before that. How to blow up hedging bets on-screen? That's also this tightly wound, instantly gripping, always rage-dripping picture. How to Blow Up a Pipeline's main players have a shared aim, but have taken different paths to get there. As the clock ticks on their mission, the film gets procedural as well as visceral, psychological and emotional — showing the method, and jumping backwards to flesh out motivations. The format is heist-flick 101, establishing a gang, then explaining how the motley crew came to be as they're pulling off their job. The treasure at stake: nothing less than a liveable planet. With cinematographer Tehillah De Castro (a recent veteran of Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Anderson .Paak music videos), editor Daniel Garber (a Cam alumni) and composer Gavin Brivik (yet another), Goldhaber makes a constantly bubbling throwback as much as an of-this-very-moment tension bomb. The details are all now, but the look and feel could've blasted out of 70s and 80s cinema. Those key on-screen figures: for starters, Xochitl (Barer, Saved by the Bell), a Long Beach resident who loses her mother to a heatwave, then gets mobilised when college eco-action groups aren't proactive enough; her childhood best friend Theo (Sasha Lane, The Crowded Room), who has the Californian city's proximity to oil refineries to blame for a rare leukaemia; and the latter's understandably stressed girlfriend Alisha (Jayme Lawson, Till). Also tied to each other: couple Rowan (Kristine Froseth, The First Lady) and Logan (Lukas Gage, The Other Two), complete with a history of making a splash for a cause. Then there's uni student Shawn (Marcus Scribner, Grown-ish), trading doomscrolling for something tangible; blue-collar Texan native Dwayne (Jake Weary, Animal Kingdom), after losing his family's land to oil companies via eminent domain; and self-taught bombmaker Michael (Forrest Goodluck, The English), who refuses to acquiesce to the many ways that America's Indigenous peoples, including himself, keep having the earth taken from them. As it charts blasting caps and more being assembled, and dives into everyone's histories as well, causation fizzes in How to Blow Up a Pipeline's structure, style, narrative and approach, too; William Friedkin's Sorcerer, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, Kelly Reichardt's Night Moves and Bertrand Bonello's Nocturama all plant seeds. On show is the nail-biting pressure that makes the first of those flicks, which owed a debt to The Wages of Fear, such dynamite viewing about transporting dynamite. Always evident is the flitting to the events behind the events, plus the unpacking of the loyalties amid loyalties, that's so key to QT's debut, alongside a few other shared plot points. And, echoing with oozing-off-the-screen force is a question that also gushed when Jesse Eisenberg (Fleishman Is in Trouble), Dakota Fanning (also The First Lady) and Peter Sarsgaard (The Batman) were blowing things up a decade ago, plus a game cast playing Parisian radicals in one of 2016's French standouts: what else can be done? Amassing this ensemble is a plan-comes-together feat itself, and the reason for naturalistic yet intense performances, a blend that isn't easy to make feel this raw and lived in. Here, everyone doesn't just get their moment as their characters navigate mistakes being made, equipment failing, drones hovering and bones getting broken — they blister. Goldhaber, Sjol and Barer's writing is that incisive, especially while moulding their entire script around joining dots, then more dots, then more still. They connect to healthcare struggles in a system where medical treatment to stay alive is the domain of the rich; to awareness-raising documentaries that share difficult true tales, but don't make a practical impact for their subjects; and to the massive and engrained chasm between the haves and the have nots. How to Blow Up a Pipeline doesn't ever forget for a second, though, that everything that this story links to is about people. When the film is propulsive, hectic and a non-stop cavalcade of building momentum, Barer, Lane, Goodluck and company are electrifying, and also exceptional at conveying who Xochitl, Theo, Michael and the crew are via their physicality, presence and expressions. When the movie gets talky as the synth-heavy score thrums, they give voice to the storm of complications lingering around their quest, destruction as a form of protest and going beyond endeavouring to appeal to energy companies' consciences. One such point arrives about a third of the way in, over drinks and chats about terrorism, if their planned efforts count and past revolutionaries that would've earned the label in their time. Even as debate bounces around the room, no one shies away from what they're doing, why and the commitment to sparking repercussions for those benefiting from destroying the environment. How to Blow Up a Pipeline doesn't ever dream of doing anything but staring straight on, either — and it's incendiary to watch.
With outdoor cinema season in full swing, Brisbane is set to welcome another place to watch a movie under the stars. Just look for the city's heritage-listed former gasometer — aka the eye-catching poles that have been a fixture of Newstead since way back in the 1870s. Now part of the Gasworks Precinct, the iconic spot will play host to four Friday night film sessions throughout February. It all kicks off on February 1 with the side-splitting laughs of Bridesmaids, before serving up a little Kung Fu Panda for the family on February 8. When love is in the air mid-month, The Notebook will hit the screen on February 15. And to finish things up, take an intergalactic superhero trip with Guardians of the Galaxy on February 22. The best part is that one little word everyone's wallet loves to hear. Yes, this feast of flicks is free. BYO blanket to sit on, and keep some cash handy for a snack from one of the onsite eateries. Movies Under the Stars starts at 7.30pm each week.
Like tequila? Lime? Salt? Love all three combined in one of summer's ultimate cocktails: the margarita? Then you'll want to be sipping riverside for 11 days between Thursday, February 20–Sunday, March 2, 2025. How better to celebrate International Margarita Day? Howard Smith Wharves is getting into the spirit of the occasion with ample spirits, all at returning festival HSW Margarita Week. Yes, it goes for longer than seven days, but that just means more excuses to hit up the inner-city precinct's venues for drinks. From day one, venues around the waterside spot will all be serving up 'ritas — or marg-inspired sips — in flavours including watermelon, frozen mango, tom yum, blood orange and Chinese gooseberry. Beer lovers are covered, too, thanks to Felons Brewing Co's Paloma Sour Ale, which is made with tequila, salt and grapefruit zest. Food-wise, Stanley Chef Louis Tikaram is hosting a pop-up Margarita Week food stall over the event's two weekends, from Thursday, February 20–Sunday, February 23 and again from Thursday, February 27–Sunday, March 2. On the menu: pork chicharrónes and refried black beans, plus tacos in varieties such as achiote chicken, grilled kingfish, wagyu tromba and mojo roasted local mushrooms. And, because knocking back 'ritas is an excuse to party, that's what the food stall will be a part of on Howard Smith Wharves' main lawn. Think: music courtesy of a mariachi band, as well as Latin and Cubin musicians, alongside piñatas and games.
Brisbane's 'burbs continue to prove their worth as the dining scene expands from the confines of the CBD. The latest score for Bardon is Smoked Paprika, which has opened its doors on Macgregor Terrace. Sugar, spice and all things nice fill the mean all-day breakfast and lunch menus, inspired by the chef's European heritage and served with an Aussie twist. Peruse the menu, order and pay at the counter, then dabble in a spot of people-watching while you wait for the kitchen to work their magic. A word of warning: the courtyard-style cafe is not air conditioned, so be prepared to embrace the balmy Brisbane weather. For a small cafe, Smoked Paprika are delivering big things in the kitchen. The menu is loaded with unique dishes, and very meal that arrives on customer's tables is plated with care, flair and a subtle artistry, ensuring a perfect breakfast 'gram for your friends and followers to swoon over on their smartphones. The Smoked Paprika breakfast ($16.90) can be thought of as a mashup of breakfast favourites, as spiced beef is served on Turkish bread with poached eggs, a creamy hollandaise, roasted tomatoes, grilled haloumi, and a handful of rocket for good measure. This signature dish proves to be a crowd favourite, with a plate adorning almost every table in sight at Sunday brunch. The whipped persian feta on sourdough ($11.90) served with avocado, lemon and house spice mix is another excellent contender if your heart and stomach desire a light but creamy, classic. Just like the breakfast menu, the lunch offerings here don't mess around. Hearty salads, pasta and burger options are sure to satisfy your lunchtime hunger pains. And if its a thirst you seek to quench, the coffee is good, the juices are fresh and the smoothies come served in mason jars. Catering for the suburban surrounds, Smoked Paprika is little-people friendly, offering a dedicated kids' menu. Boiled eggs with soldiers ($9.90), crepes with Nutella ($6.90) and a classic ham and cheese toastie ($6.90) are sure to keep Brisbane's little stomachs happy.
As if Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel could get any more adorably twee, Argentine designers Sabrina Giselle Acevedo and Jazmin Granada (both graphic design students at the University of Buenos Aires) have recreated Anderson's latest film's opening credits using paper. Making a pop-up book-like representation of Gustave's reception keys and Agatha's perfect Mendl's cake, Acevedo and Granada have created a squealworthy sequence of stop animation to make your day that little bit more grand. Via Fubiz. Want more Grand Budapest Hotel-ery? Check out our attempts to recreate Mendl's Courtesan au Chocolat with Gelato Messina over here.
Rummaging through your cupboards can be an invigorating exercise, unearthing and breathing new life into old gems. In one of the most high-fiveworthy collaborations in recent memory, Future Classic and le coq sportif have paired up for their own big ol' throwback project. The Sydney-based electronic label home to Flume and the French-founded sportswear company have joined forces to release a collection of remixes and reissues from the archives. Dubbed 'The Reissue Project', the double-sided project sees both parties bring their mad skills to the table. Delving deep into the back catalogues, le coq sportif have designed a collection of garments exclusively for Future Classic. Looking particularly to the '80s and '90s chapters of le coq history, the team have created six brand new designs that hope to fuse le coq aesthetic with the beats-loving clubs of now — think drop crotch trackies, reversible jackets, bucket hats, fleecy sweaters and good old fashioned t-shirts. Best part? Glow in the dark details, FO' CLUBBIN'. The team have also made exclusive varsity jackets for Future Classic artists, not for sale but still fly. In return, Future Classic have dug into their own back catalogue to reissue some older bangers, revamped with some pretty damn excellent remixes and reworks by Chicago legend Derrick Carter, Sydney's acid house master DJ HMC, NYC beatsmaster Jaques Renault, French young gun Pyramid and UK 'resident producer' of Wolf Music, Greymatter. Touch Sensitive's 2006 track 'Body Stop' has been worked over, alongside Luke Million, Stick Figures, Peret Mako and the gold nugget-like 'Possum', the first tune Flume ever put on triple j Unearthed. The physical collaboration element between the two comes from the unique codes paired with each le coq sportif piece; if you buy a piece you can download the Reissue Project tracks to strut down the street with for free. But because both sides are legends, they're letting you listen in anyway — you'll be able to stream the tracks from Soundcloud and www.thereissueproject.com from Thursday, August 14 at 10am AEST. Here's the sweet threads, you can run from the gym to the clurb without changing a thing: The LCS x FC Reissue Project is available in le coq sportif stores, selected Glue Stores nationally and online from 14 August. Want to customise your own le coq sportif threads in the meantime? Stroll to The Rocks over here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=FBh7PVr0p9Y
While the details are still scarce, pastry fans should prepare themselves to jump in line when Lune Croissanterie opens the doors to its first-ever Brisbane shopfront. From a tiny store in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood in 2012, Lune has grown into a converted warehouse space in Fitzroy (with perpetual lines out the front), opened a second store in the CBD and was even dubbed "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" by The New York Times. Now, Founder Kate Reid, who co-owns Lune with her brother Cameron and restaurateur Nathan Toleman (Dessous, Hazel, Common Ground Project), has confirmed they've signed the lease on space in South Brisbane to expand their empire to the Sunshine State. Permanently. The Reid siblings and Toleman posted the below photo on Instagram, showing off what will be the future home of Lune Brisbane and saying: "we are incredibly excited to announce that in Winter 2021 Lune will be opening a flagship store in Brisbane!!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lune Croissanterie (@lunecroissant) An ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist, Reid brings scientific precision to her craft, including the climate-controlled glass cube Lune croissants are made and baked in, and the time-consuming process used to perfect each flaky pastry. It's too early to say what form the Brisbane store will take — it could be similar to Melbourne CBD's standing room-only outpost or more of a spectacle like the Fitzroy warehouse and its cube — or when it will open, but we're hoping for a menu of Lune Croissanterie favourites. The Lune team also has plans in the works to open a Sydney store, but they have been pushed back due to COVID-19 restrictions. Our mouths and stomachs are ready for twice-baked croissant aux amandes (stuffed with almond frangipane and generously topped with flaked almonds) and the Ferrero cruffin: a muffin-croissant hybrid filled with hazelnut and chocolate custard, dipped in chocolate ganache and sprinkled with roasted hazelnuts. Oh, and its perfectly flaky traditional croissant, of course. Lune Croissanterie is set to open a flagship store in South Brisbane in winter 2021. We'll let you know when more details are announced. Images: Marcie Raw.
After first setting up shop in Brisbane last year, and then announcing plans to launch 50 more Australian stores over the next three years, Taco Bell's second Australian outpost is set to swing into operation — at Robina on the Gold Coast. In great news for southeast Queensland fans of Tex-Mex fare, the US chain is headed to 130 Robina Town Centre Drive. With the store's arrival first revealed back in August, it'll fling open the doors at 9am on Saturday, November 3. And, marking the fact that the eatery first started slinging its wares in California in 1962, it'll give free gifts to the first 62 people through the doors. Menu-wise, the usual Taco Bell range will be on offer, complete with burritos, quesadillas, nachos and, of course, tacos. For those dining in, frozen margaritas and a range of craft beers will also be available. Taco Bell's Queensland expansion should come as no surprise to anyone who's seen the lines at the company's existing Annerley store, and the company isn't done with the region yet. New stores for Cleveland and North Lakes have also been announced, with both slated to open at yet-to-be-announced dates this summer. It's safe to assume that some of the chain's other forthcoming spots will also be in Queensland. Find Taco Bell at 130 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina from 9am on Saturday, November 3. Images: Hugo Nobay.
One building, four different places to grab a drink: that's what the space lurking behind a 132-year-old facade on Brunswick Street now serves up. Already home to rooftop bar Cielo, restaurant and bar La Costa, and wine bar and bottle shop La Valle, the location that started its life as Foresters' Hall back in 1889 has now welcomed yet another new watering hole, all thanks to the opening of The Parlour. Just like its sibling venues, The Parlour takes its cues from the Italian riviera. It has a specific far-flung destination in mind, though: the Gulf of La Spezia. Also known as the Gulf of Poets, the region has links to literature greats such as Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf and Lord Byron. It's also where Percy Bysshe Shelley, husband of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, drowned — although that's probably not the kind of tidbit you'll want to discuss while you're sipping cocktails. Instead, you might prefer to chat about The Parlour's drinks list itself, which has been curated by the folks at Sydney's acclaimed Maybe Sammy. Cielo can claim the same, too, so you now have a couple of choices if you want to knock back beverages by a venue that was named one of the top bars in the world last year (ranking 11th on the 2020 World's 50 Best Bars list). From the 'signatures' section of the cocktail list, you can enjoy the Fenhurst — a mix of Tanqueray No. 10, Massenez Crème De Pêche, Lillet Rouge, citrus and coconut that also comes topped with a citrus bubble. Or, from the literary-inspired 'Classics', The Tilted World pairs Johnnie Walker Black, Domaine De Canton ginger liqueur, citrus, egg white, pear and spiced red wine ice. Every cocktail has been crafted to provide a multi-sensory experience, but you can also opt for wine, beer and spirits if you're after something a little less theatrical. Open evenings until late from Wednesday–Sunday, the bar also serves up a small range of bites, such as beef carpaccio with parmesan, pine nuts and truffle oil; cheese and charcuterie boards; and arancini specials, which change daily. Decor-wise, The Parlour favours a glam retro look; think: dim mood lighting, marble tiles, framed vintage photos, curved booths and cocktail trolleys. And if you head by on a Saturday night, DJs will soundtrack your drinks. Find The Parlour at 209 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — open Wednesday–Sunday.
Keeping it simple is often easier said than done. Grandiose ideas can quickly get in the way of doing the small things right and when it comes to choosing where to grab your next coffee, it’s the little things that count. Paddington’s Small Talk Espresso is a simple venue with a simple name and a simple ethos of quality coffee, quick food and personable service. Hiding just off Given Terrace, the intimate venue focuses on takeaway coffee’s and lunch on the run but taking a seat at one of the few tables inside is a worthwhile experience. The coffee is the clear focus here, Small Talk serve an exclusive blend nicknamed “The Paddington”, designed and roasted by Bellissimo Coffee. The blend is strong and full bodied while remaining smooth enough to easily be a daily option. Add some fresh Maleny Dairies milk and some barista magic and you’ve got a latte you could really grow attached to. With no room for a kitchen, the lunch options come courtesy of a few select suppliers including Spinach Leaf and Dumpling Envy. If you’ve eaten Spanakopita in Brisbane, it likely came from Spinach Leaf who do one thing and do it very well. Market favourites Dumpling Envy supply a range of fresh dumplings, which are steamed in front of you and served with an all important side of soy and chilli sauce. Upon selection the chunky, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly is hard to go past but there really isn’t a bad option here. If you are dining in, don’t pass up the opportunity to try a traditional Vietnamese coffee which, considering the condensed milk content, could also double as dessert. If you’ve never had Vietnamese coffee it’s worth it to view the process alone. Small Talk Espresso is a tiny venue with an impressive output and a relaxed and friendly vibe. By keeping things as simple as possible and focusing on quality product and quality suppliers, Small Talk is able to nail the little things and after all it’s the little things that count.
2023 keeps being kind to Brisbane's lovers of art and design, with stunning exhibitions and installations popping up all around the city already — and more on the way. GOMA is currently hosting the stunning Air, and will end the year with a fairy tales showcase. Getting interactive with art is presently on the agenda at Museum of Brisbane, Australian Geographic is projecting its stunning sights and Night Feast features spectacular sights as well. Separate Banksy and Monet exhibitions have locked in visits, too, and Botanica is returning to light up the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. The latter — a mix of leafy greenery and luminous installations — isn't just a standalone festival, however. It forms part of the broader Brisbane Art Design fest, which has just confirmed its 2023 dates and lineup. As the name gives away, this event is all about both art and design in the River City, complete with that radiant patch of nature in the middle of the CBD, celebrating ceramics, a wearable art and fashion parade, and up-late gallery parties. [caption id="attachment_892873" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Botanica via Brisbane City Council[/caption] BAD 2023 will run across three weekends between Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 28, with each three-day stint offering something different. Think of it as three programs in one, all focusing on its own part of the city, and spanning more than 150 events all up. First, the heart of town gets some love from Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 14, then it's the northside's turn from Friday, May 19–Sunday, May 21. Finally, the fest will head south from Friday, May 24–Sunday, May 28. Weekend one will indeed start with Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside, and also feature the flagship Clay: Collected Ceramics at MoB — which includes five new exclusively commissioned works, plus plenty of pieces by Brisbane's best ceramicists. The CBD's time in BAD's spotlight will welcome pop-up art studious around the place as well, live projections at Howard Smith Wharves, and exhibition talks at Birrrunga Gallery and QUT Art Museum. [caption id="attachment_893247" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andre Cois[/caption] Then, for weekend two, the action focuses on Fortitude Valley, Newstead, Albion, Bowen Hills, Northshore and Toowong. The Finders Keepers markets are part of the bill, as is an In Conversation series hosted by Design Institute of Australia. A hefty highlight will be the weekend's Up Late parties, thanks to shindigs held after hours in independent art spaces such as FireWorks Gallery in Bowen Hills, POP Gallery and The Station Brisbane in the Valley, Superordinary at Northshore and Toowong's Land Street Gallery. Also, Fortitude Valley's industrial, product and architectural studios will be showcased on a walking tour, The Black Market Albion is doing live art and food trucks, and ceramics get pushed centre stage again via a workshop at Mas & Miek Ceramic House in Newstead. [caption id="attachment_893249" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clayschool[/caption] Last but by no means least, Brisbane's south gets its time to shine over the final three-day stretch, heroing South Brisbane, Woolloongabba, West End, Yeronga and Yeerongpilly — and specifically their creative outlets and fine art institutes. So, visits to Dead Puppet Society's space, Queensland College of Art at Griffith University, Metro Arts, The Paint Factory and Bag End Studio are all on the lineup. So too is Clayschool's latest alumni show and market. Like art that you can strut around in? That's where Fish Lane's fashion parade comes in. At Southside, the precinct will also host an art dinner. And if you're keen on a soundtrack, Echo & Bounce in Woolloongabba is welcoming in local DJs at a laneway soiree. Don't forget to hit up the closing party, too, at Yeerongpilly's Station Road Creative Precinct. [caption id="attachment_893250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phillip Perides and workshop colleagues prepare bronze castings at Perides Fine Art Foundry, in preparation and production of artist Hiromi Tango's collaborative artwork 'Roots' 2020, commissioned by the Brisbane City Council for the Platform Project.[/caption] Other highlights across the entire program include an International Tea Day mini market, a food truck night in Hawthorne and the ongoing Making Place: 100 Views of Brisbane. Or, there's You'll Know It When You Feel It at Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, which challenges how women who've overlapped with the prison industrial complex are represented; Brisbane Street Art Festival's annual party at Felons Brewing Co; animation drawing classes; and the classic kombi getting a whole lot of arty attention. [caption id="attachment_848139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Making Place, Josh Woning[/caption] Brisbane Art Design 2023 will run across three weekends between Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 28. Head to the festival's website for further details. Top image: 'Musa' (2022) by James Voller / Joel Zika via Brisbane City Council.
