Hankering for something sweet, fluffy and moist, but of the healthy (or healthier) variety? Finding something that ticks both boxes is usually no easy feat — except when it comes to Nutri Hitt. You could even say it's now a piece of cake (couldn't help it). The Ascot-based cake shop specialises in tasty morsels that are actually good for you, which includes raw, vegan and paleo options, as well as goodies free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar. If you've been to a market or deli around town, you might've tried their wares. Now, like many a stall before them, they've got a permanent store. You'll find all the raw cakes that you could want, including the slice of white chocolate heaven that is the Snow White, childhood nostalgia in the form of the Rainbow Swirl, and everything from lemon, lime and coconut and tiramisu too. If you're after a smaller bite, don't despair — you'll still find slices and cupcakes at Nutri Hitt's stockists around the city, like Pawpaw Cafe and House of Hygge. Nutri Hitt started out when owners Candi Coonan and Tamara Lord just wanted to serve delicious treats without the kilojoules. As their success shows, they've achieved that aim — and now everyone keen to have their cake but avoid the not-so-good ingredients has become a winner.
If one person's trash is another man's treasure, then a trunk full of junk may as well be a treasure chest. Suitcase Rummage gets that when it comes to shopping, secondhand reaps the best bang for your buck. For years, it has been hosting regular events around town — and, although the past few years have been a bit chaotic, it's still going strong in 2024. Next unpacking its bags from 12pm on Sunday, September 15 and Sunday, October 6 at Reddacliff Place — and Sunday, October 20, too — Suitcase Rummage features a crowd of open suitcases filled with the type of clothes, knick-knacks and craft you probably don't need but definitely deserve. [caption id="attachment_653944" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yan Chen[/caption] If you can't make it now, try again on the first and third Sundays of each month. And, if you've got a pile of unwanted bits and pieces that someone else could love, you could always take your own suitcase along. Those who wanting to sell their wares must register — and it'll cost $33 for a 'stall'. You can bring up to three suitcases, so you can lug in all those shoes you've been promising to wear but certainly will not. [caption id="attachment_885725" align="alignnone" width="1920"] tcfairyqueen via Flickr[/caption] Top image: Suitcase Rummage.
British artist Ben Turnbull's most recent collection of work, Supermen - An Exhibition of Heroes, is an exploration of idealised superheroes within pop culture comics and the real, heroic acts of everyday citizens. Turnbull's exhibition was inspired by the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, and commemorates all the firemen and policemen that served during this event. His creations are based on the visual vocabulary of an entire generation of superhero lovers. This time, however, the heroes are based on real American citizens rather than fictional characters. The works serve as a bridge between collective fantasy and harsh home truths. Turnbull delves into the idea that superheros echo the idea of a better world, but in reality this world is so far removed from the society we actually live in. Each piece has been created from cut-outs of an enormous personal collection of pre-1990 comics, including fictional superheroes like Captain America, Daredevil, The Fantastic Four, Batman, Spiderman and the Hulk. There's certainly a take-a-second-look appeal about Turnbull's works that has a nostalga-meets-pop-culture charm, while, at the same time, working as a thought-starter. [via yatzer]
If you like your pasta round and made from potatoes, then you're going to like this Brisbane cuisine-specific eatery. No, it's not an Italian joint. No, it isn't dedicated to doughy noodles in all shapes and sizes. Instead, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers is Australia's first dedicated gnoccheria. If that name sounds familiar, that's because you've likely come across Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers' busy stall everywhere from the Jan Powers Farmers Market in the CBD and Eat Street at Hamilton to the brand new Mount Gravatt Marketta or Night Quarter on the Gold Coast. They've now made the leap so many market-based Brissie businesses have in recent years by opening their own bricks-and-mortar establishment, and are serving their fresh, house-made potato parcels from Paddington's Given Terrace. What none of their predecessors offer, of course, is an impressive array of gnocchi in varieties such as pumpkin and ricotta, and with sauces including slow-cooked bolognese, wild mushroom and truffle, cherry tomato and black olive, and duck ragu. Everything is made from organic ingredients, and they all come with ciabatta and parmesan. Of course, if you want something other than the the Brothers' dish of choice, there's starters and desserts too. Grab deep-fried mince-stuffed olives, fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil, or thick cut potato chips with truffle salt — or an Italian fresh ricotta cannoli, house-made tiramisu and vanilla bean panna cotta. Making your gnocchi dreams come true Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm till 10pm, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers is both a dine-in and takeaway affair. We recommend stopping by on an empty stomach.
After kicking off the summer with boozy frosé sorbet, Gelatissimo has turned its attention to another iconic beverage — Bundaberg ginger beer, but in gelato form. With the warm weather in full swing, the national ice cream chain has turned one of the country's favourite non-alcoholic drinks into its newest flavour. And yes, the chilled dessert is made using bottles of the iconic beverage, so expect each scoop to not only boast a familiar tanginess, but the fizziness of the carbonated brew as well. Why sip your beverage of choice when you can turn it into dessert? That clearly continues to be Gelatissimo's guiding principle. The ginger beer gelato is a short-term addition to Gelatissimo's menu, available in stores nationwide at present — but for a limited time only. It's also the ice creamery's third new summery flavour, joining not only frosé sorbet but a blue-hued sea salt butterscotch blend inspired by Aussie swimwear brand Speedo. For more information, visit Gelatissimo's website.
The trend of 'cancelling' someone is a contentious one. If you're in support of a person's cancellation, it'll likely have something to do with how you feel about their cancel-causing behaviour. But what if you support the behaviour? What if you'd do it yourself? The water gets murky. Considering that a successful cancellation can determine how the rest of a person's life plays out, should it be up to a wildly unregulated population of netizens to carry out? Or, is it a case of power to the people when careers end and lives change as a result of previously unchecked problematic behaviour? There's much to say about a case for and against cancel culture, which you can hear for yourself on Thursday, July 13 at The Parley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiaHlHg8op0 The debate will see two teams attempt to persuade an adjudicator (and audience) at the Powerhouse's Underground Theatre. Although debates typically culminate with a winner being crowned, The Parley is committed to 'empathetic debate' — an initiative driven by mental health charity spur:org's anti-hate project Sticks & Stones, which is dedicated to creating safe spaces for challenging discussions. Why? So society can move to a space of listening and sharing different perspectives with the intention of finding common ground — not division — and to tackle the issue of hate in online settings. Whether you think some cancellations are deserved or you believe people should have the chance to defend themselves or change, The Parley will deliver an illuminating conversation — perhaps solidifying your stance or changing it. Grab your pals, nab your tickets and get ready to hear some compelling conversationalists make their case. The Parley: Should Cancel Culture Be Cancelled? debate hits the stage at the Brisbane Powerhouse's Underground Theatre on Thursday, July 13 at 6.30pm. For more information and to nab your tickets, head to the website.
With COVID-19 restrictions on international travel still in place, hopping on a plane and heading overseas isn't on any Australian or New Zealander's current agenda. But, while your body can't physically roam the globe at present, your voice — and all the pent-up stress you've been feeling over the past few months — can still make the trip to Iceland. As part of a new promotional campaign called 'Looks Like You Need Iceland', the island nation is asking the planet's frustrated masses to scream into their computers and record the sounds of their 2020-inspired yells. Those clips are then broadcast into the Nordic country's wide open spaces — and you can choose where your voice will echo. There are seven locations to pick from, so your angst about this testing year can reverberate through Iceland's frosty north or south, the farmlands and fjords in the nation's east, or the geologically diverse landscape in the west — or the famed Westfjords region, the capital of Reykjavík or the volcanic surroundings of the Reykjanes peninsula as well. If you've happened to watch Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga lately (and gotten the song 'Volcano Man' stuck in your head in the process), we're guessing you'll probably pick the latter. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqLXTaijOo/ Overall, the concept is really as simple as it sounds — you scream, with the aim of cathartically venting your pandemic-induced unhappiness, and the results play through speakers in a country far, far away. It taps into the practise known as scream therapy which, again, is exactly what you'd expect, with the website also stepping you through the best tips for a truly satisfying scream. Of course, if you're also motivated to start thinking about planning a holiday to Iceland once Australia and New Zealand's international borders reopen, the campaign has also achieved its main task. To record your scream, or for more information, visit the 'Looks Like You Need Iceland' website.
Every last trilby-wearing tween celebrity, former President's daughter and your smug, smug US-based friends will be rubbing their paws together after this morning's Coachella festival lineup announcement. Running over two weekends from April 13–22, the Californian festival has delivered their usual jaw-dropper of a lineup — even if we did already know one of the headliners. After withdrawing from the 2017 festival upon announcing her pregnancy, Beyoncé will take to the stage in 2018, and she has The Weeknd and Eminem as big-name company. Elsewhere, a bonafide metric fucktonne of squealworthy buds fill out the rest of the bill — HAIM, St Vincent, SZA, alt-J, Fleet Foxes, Tyler the Creator, The War on Drugs, David Byrne and even Jamiroquai, to name a few. Homegrown Aussie legends heading over and representing include Vance Joy, Alison Wonderland, Tash Sultana and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Anyway, let's be honest, you haven't truly read any of those words — you'll be wanting this: Coachella runs over two weekends, from April 13-15 and 20-22 in Indio, California. Tickets go on sale at 11am PST on Wednesday, January 3. For more info, visit coachella.com. Top image: Roger Ho ©Coachella 2017
If you're visiting the Gold Coast's new HOTA Gallery and your stomach starts rumbling, you have two options. Head up to the fifth floor, and rooftop bar The Exhibitionist awaits — with tapas and plenty of drinks. Get comfy on the ground level instead, and you'll find yourself at Palette. Head chef Dayan Hartill-Law oversees both. At Palette, you'll tuck into Fraser Island spanner crab ($28) and Brisbane Valley quail ($26) among its a la carte lunch options, with the daytime lineup spanning six dishes, two types of sides and three different desserts. The big attraction here, though, is the degustation menu. It not only heroes local ingredients wherever possible, but is inspired by the artworks in the gallery. The dishes will change as evolve as exhibitions come and go, too. "The first menu relates to HOTA's Solid Gold exhibit, so that guests can see their favourite pieces of art come to life on the plate," explains Hartill-Law. "The Darling Downs vegetables in variations emulates the artist Mimi Dennett to have the same flowers and plants growing as what is featured in her piece Bloom," he notes. Palette's diners can choose between two degustation menus at present — including one with meat and a vegetarian option (both $90). And, you have a choice when it comes to drinks as well, with matching wines ($125) also available.
UPDATE MARCH 30, 2017: Suey Sins owner Eli West has responded by posting a statement on Facebook. Over the past week Suey Sins has been subject to criticism regarding its concept and theme. I acknowledge all of the raised concerns and feedback surrounding Suey Sins theming, as well as those who have voiced their opinions. I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused. I would also like to emphasise that it was never our intention to upset or offend. The theme and character Suey Sin is fictitious, however I understand that offence has been taken to image references made of Anna May Wong. Further, whilst I acknowledge there has been offence taken in regards to images of staff members wearing the traditional Qipao dress these were for our annual Chinese New Year party and opening week of trade. Circulating images portray only a small portion of our multicultural team. As a young female leading a predominantly female team the glorification and exploitation of women of any culture is not something I condone or intended in Suey Sins theming. The voices of those offended have been heard and as a team we will be taking action to remove image references of Anna May Wong. Due to the nature of the comments on the said original image of Suey Sins staff members, we did out of a duty of care for our staff remove the image from Facebook shortly after the comments no longer remained constructive In an increasingly globalised world, and multicultural society like Australia it is important we continue to share, embrace and exchange other cultures with one another, which is what Suey Sins sought out to do and will continue to do. Again, I sincerely apologise for any offence that has occurred. Should you wish to provide any further feedback of a constructive nature please continue to inbox these through. Thank you for your understanding. In the time elapsed between launching earlier this month and opening their doors this morning, Sydney cocktail bar Suey Sins has placed itself firmly at the centre of public debates surrounding cultural appropriation, deeply rooted racism, and media ethics. While the venue's owner, 25-year-old entrepreneur Eli West, has said that she was aiming for an "old world charm" theme, members of the public have struck out on social media, saying that the apparent "sexy, pre-war Shanghai" theme is nothing more than wanton cultural appropriation, and nothing less than subtle racism that ignores the dark reality of Chinese culture during the British colonial era. While West initially stated in one of the bar's press releases that she wanted to open a bar that "doesn't take it-self [sic] too seriously," public reaction has suggested that perhaps it would have been more prudent to take cultural appropriation at least a little bit seriously. While the Chinese mainland was never colonised by the British, the effects of imperialism shaped China's culture, especially in the wake of the Opium Wars, and the Boxer Rebellion. With particular reference to the bar's staff uniform (traditional qipaos/cheongsams), activity on social media, and the thematic styling of the venue, Suey Sins has been accused of "continuing negative colonial ideologies", and "racist fetishisation of a marginalised women [sic] for a dollar" on their Facebook page. Suey Sins' initial press release stated that the the name for the venue comes from a "famous Shanghai call-girl ... a quintessential icon of the 'Shanghai Naughties'." "I have spent most of my life travelling in Indonesia, and have some Chinese heritage and I like to think I may be related to a character very similar to Suey Sin," explained West in the same press release. "I love the idea of this seductive, alluring woman who had old world charm and poise but also knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. I see a bit of that in myself and the young women who will drink here." Unfortunately, as Pedestrian reported yesterday, the search for the existence of a "famous Shanghai call-girl" called Suey Sin has been somewhat fruitless. Routledge Handbook of the Chinese Diaspora, edited by Chee-Beng Tan, suggests Suey Sin was a Chinese woman working in the film industry in Los Angeles in the 1920s. So, not pre-war Shanghai, or a 'call girl', but the timing is right. On the walls of the venue, there is also a collage of Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong who, during her illustrious career, was passed over for a role playing a Chinese woman by MGM in 1935 in favour of German actress, Luise Rainer. Compounding the backlash the venue has faced, management has taken to deleting negative comments and reviews from their Facebook page (a significantly problematic no-no), and offering a pallid ghost of an apology that focuses on their mission to "create a venue that focuses on delicious Asian fusion inspired street style food and creative beverages for all to enjoy". The apology doesn't touch on the issues with the thematics and styling of the venue from whence the backlash originated. From the mural (and bar logo) featuring a naked woman, to the implication that rampant prostitution that catered for increased global trade (and traders) in China at the time was "seductive" and "alluring", public opinion has been that the bar ignores the fact that portraying Chinese women as nothing more than sex objects is damaging to both Chinese culture, and to the cultural status of women. Here are the staff in their Suey Sins uniform: And, for the record, this is how the bar is marketing their menu on Instagram (and quietly, mie goreng is Indonesian. Mee goreng is the Malaysian spelling of an Indonesian dish, although the dish is, granted, derived from Chinese chow mein): MEE-please, MEE-so hungry, MEE-Goreng Spring Rolls! Another Suey Signature dish #sueysins A post shared by Suey Sins (@sueysins) on Mar 16, 2017 at 1:27am PDT Chinese history during the 1920s is not best characterised as "sexy" or "old world", but is instead more appropriately viewed through the lens of the warring political ideologies that shaped the country. In 1923, civil war started brewing as Chinese nationalists clashed with the growing Communist party. The civil war, in part, came about as a result of the power vacuum left by the abdication of the last emperor, Puyi, in 1912. The last Qing emperor's abdication led to decades of warlord factionalism and a civil war that technically still hasn't ended. It would be unfair and incorrect to suggest that West intended for her bar to offend, as it's always a bad business to open a venue that people won't like. However, considering the reaction the public has had, current debates surrounding the alteration of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, Hollywood 'whitewashing' in films such as Ghost in the Shell, and the misrepresentation of women in both media and society, offence has been caused and documented, despite the dubious strategy of removing negative comments on social media. At the time of writing, The Social Group, who runs the publicity for Suey Sins, informed us that the venue did not wish to comment at this stage. UPDATE MARCH 25, 2017: Routledge Handbook of the Chinese Diaspora, edited by Chee-Beng Tan, suggests Suey Sin was a Chinese woman working in the film industry in Los Angeles in the 1920s. So, not pre-war Shanghai, or a 'call girl', but the timing is right. This article has been updated to reflect this.
Two hefty names in 80s and 90s music. One massive visit to Australia and New Zealand. Pearl Jam have finally announced new Down Under gigs, as a leg on their Dark Matter tour to support their next album, and they'll have huge company thanks to Pixies. Eddie Vedder and Black Francis taking to the same stage? That'll make you feel alive and ask "where is my mind?". The Seattle-born Pearl Jam are the headliners, and about time; this is the band's first visit Australia and Aotearoa since 2014, on a tour that included the final-ever Big Day Out. They've been dropping clues for a while that they were heading this way again, complete with hints at Bondi Beach since the past weekend. Now, they've locked shows in Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney and on the Gold Coast. [caption id="attachment_940844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Cinch[/caption] Dark Matter, the band's 12th album, will release in April — which gives fans plenty of time to know it by heart before the group play Go Media, Heritage Bank, Marvel and Giants stadiums in November. The record's title track is a brand-new tune, just dropping on Tuesday, February 12. Live, that song and others from Dark Matter will feature on a setlist that's sure to span past hits 'Alive', 'Black', 'Jeremy', 'Better Man', 'Last Kiss' and 'Daughter' from previous albums such as the iconic Ten, Vs and Vitalogy from the early 90s, plus No Code, Yield and more since. [caption id="attachment_940849" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wp72 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Pixies, who were last Down Under in 2022, are responsible for a helluva one-two punch with their first two albums: 1988's Surfer Rosa and 1989's Doolittle. The first gave the world the track that's been linked with Tyler Durden courtesy of David Fincher's Fight Club since 1999, aka 'Where Is My Mind?', as well as 'Gigantic' and 'Cactus'. The second is home to 'Here Comes Your Man', 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', 'Debaser' and 'Wave of Mutilation'. Foo Fighters, blink-182, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D, now Pearl Jam and Pixies: it's been a great time of late for big rock tours in this neck of the woods. Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour 2024 with with Special Guests Pixies — Australia and New Zealand Dates Friday, November 8 – Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland Wednesday, November 13 — Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast Saturday, November 16 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Thursday, November 21 — Giants Stadium, Sydney Pearl Jam and Pixies are touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2024, with ticket registrations from Wednesday, February 14–Sunday, February 18 and ticket sales from Friday, February 23 — head to the Pearl Jam website for further details. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Bunnings Warehouse is supercharging its usual sausage sizzle, to support a community of Aussies doing it pretty tough. Next Friday, August 10, all of the hardware giant's Queensland stores will host a special pre-weekend edition of their legendary snag sessions, raising coin for the Buy A Bale initiative, supporting drought-affected farmers. The initiative, part of the charity Rural Aid, lets you buy essentials — such as, yes, hay, as well as water, diesel and hampers — for farmers doing it rough. Which a lot of farmers are. Some areas of the country have been struggling with a years-long drought, and, more recently, farmers have been dealt an "unforgivingly dry winter". All of the day's sausage profits will go towards helping struggling farming families across Australia, at a time when bushfires, a lack of rain and changes to live exports have made life on the land seriously hard. Grab a snag in bread and show them some love. Buy a Bale sausage sizzles will run from 9am–4pm across all Bunnings Warehouses in Qld.
Brazil certainly seems to have it going on at the moment. Not only are they in possession of the world's 8th largest economy and have come out of the GFC relatively unscathed, they are also playing host to the 2014 World Cup and the Olympics in 2016. Brazil is shaping up to be the place to be (or at least watch on TV) over the next few years. And if the winning design of the Rio 2016 Olympic Park Urban Masterplan is anything to go by, it looks like it is going to be quite an attractive place to be as well. Announced last week by the Brazillian Municipal Olympic Company and the Brazil Architects Institute, the Olympic Park's winning design by British firm AECOM combines both utility and aesthetics, providing a strong vision for the games, but perhaps more importantly, a strong vision for how the space can be strategically and sustainably used after the Olympics. Inspired by Brazil's rainforests and unique flora and fauna, the winning design consists of five villages, parks, sporting facilities and exceptional transport facilities. It also works with and protects the environmental features of the area, in particular a local lagoon. Brazilians have always had a reputation for knowing how to throw a damn good party. And with these designs they''ll have another great place to do it too. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JdLRuwczjwc
Make a trip to the Sunshine Coast for Yundina's annual Ginger Flower and Food Festival, taking place from Friday, January 17, to Sunday, January 19, 2020. The festival is three days of food, garden walks, floral displays, cooking demonstrations, talks, entertainment, market stalls and more, held each year among the sub-tropical gardens of the Ginger Factory. Rides, honey tastings, a boutique shopping village, a Buderim Ginger shop, play areas — and that's just the Ginger Factory on a normal day. Things are kicked up a gear for the festival, where you can learn about garden design, making honey, regrowing food from kitchen scraps, and how to keep that balcony garden of yours alive. It goes without saying that you'll also get to try a variety of sweet and savoury ginger-based creations, including a gingerbread parfait from the ice creamery.
Prepare to stare at the moon in all of its glory — up close, without a telescope and without zooming into space. Prepare to get excited about Marvel's latest Disney+ series, too, all at the same place. When you're releasing a streaming show called Moon Knight, bringing the moon to Australia — to Melbourne's Federation Square, to be specific — is one huge, eye-catching and attention-grabbing way to promote it. So, that's just what the Mouse House has done. Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon isn't new to our shores, having popped up on the Gold Coast, in Sydney and in Melbourne before; however, this time it's here in the name of superhero worship. If you're new to the Museum of the Moon, UK-based artist Jerram's creation is a detailed installation that's suspended to look like it's floating — in this case, beneath Fed Square's Atrium. It measures seven metres in diameter and features renderings of the celestial body's surface based on NASA imagery, so it's as intimate and intricate a look as you're going to get without rocketing off to take one small step and giant leap across the real thing. The massive sculpture has been touring the world since 2016, displaying in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai and plenty of spots around Europe. Adding its latest Melbourne stint to its orbit, it'll be on display from Tuesday, March 29–Friday, April 15. The looming artwork recreates the moon at a scale of approximately 1:500,000, with each centimetre equating to five kilometres of the lunar surface. And if you're wondering just how elaborate the 120dpi imagery is, the high-resolution NASA photograph that it uses is 21 metres wide, and was taken by by a satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. The spherical sculpture is lit from within, too, so it'll be adding a glow to Fed Square across its three-week stopover. It also combines its imagery and light with a surround sound piece created by composer and sound designer Dan Jones, and just how each venue displays it is up to them. Basically, it's never the exact same installation twice — so even if you've seen it before, it's worth a repeat visit. [caption id="attachment_716830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Neil James.[/caption] Sadly, you won't find Oscar Isaac at the Museum of the Moon — but Moon Knight, the Isaac-led show that's inspired this lunar delight's latest Aussie installation, does hit Disney+ on Wednesday, March 30. The Dune, Scenes From a Marriage and The Card Counter star plays Steven Grant/Marc Spector, who has a dissociative identity disorder as well as a sleeping disorder, and also becomes the conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Already dealing with multiple distinctive identities and not being able to tell the difference between being awake and asleep, his role as the moon god's offsider doesn't go down smoothly, unsurprisingly — especially when there's a sinister-looking figure played by Ethan Hawke (The Good Lord Bird) to deal with. Arriving more than a year into Marvel's new spate of Disney+ series, Moon Knight is the first one that doesn't overtly tie in with characters we've already seen in plenty of its past flicks. So, if it all sounds unfamiliar after the last 12 months or so served up WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and Hawkeye, there's a very good reason for that. Museum of the Moon is on display in Federation Square's Atrium, between ACMI and The Ian Potter Centre, 111 Flinders Street, Melbourne from Tuesday, March 29–Friday, April 15.
If every trailer started with narration by Taika Waititi, we'd all spend our entire lives solely watching sneak peeks at upcoming movies. They all don't, of course — but, unsurprisingly, the just-dropped second glimpse at Thor: Love and Thunder definitely does. Arriving a month after the superhero sequel's first teaser back in April, the new trailer begins with an unseen Waititi — who directs again as he did with Thor: Ragnarok, co-writes with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Sweet/Vicious), and appears on-screen as Korg — giving viewers a few instructions. "Kids, get your popcorn in. Let me tell you the story of the space viking," he utters. The tale he unfurls steps through Thor's (Chris Hemsworth, Extraction) years spent saving the world, the aftermath, and his evolution from "dad bod to god bod" post Avengers: Endgame — plus his efforts to reclaim his title "as the one and only Thor". But if you watched the film's first trailer, you'll know that his task doesn't end as he expects. Now, his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman, Vox Lux) is in possession of Mjolnir. This new look at the upcoming movie — the 29th MCU film overall, following Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and also the fourth to focus on Thor — dives deeper into Thor and Jane's woes, gets Chris Hemsworth in the buff, and unveils two of the feature's big new additions. That'd be Russell Crowe (Unhinged) as Zeus and Christian Bale (Ford v Ferrari) as Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer with a world-changing plan: eradicating the gods. Also covered: goofy vibes, as that Waititi-voiced narration makes plain; a firmly comedic mode, obviously; and general caped crusader chaos. Thor has to give up his search for inner peace to stop Gorr the God Butcher, and call upon help from King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson, Passing) and Korg — plus Jane, who seems to be settling into her new role quite nicely. Shot in Australia, clearly looser in mood than most MCU entries, and arriving in what's already a huge year for Waititi — after getting streaming viewers swooning over warm-hearted pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death, and also featuring in a portrait that won the Archibald's Packing Room Prize — Thor: Love and Thunder hits cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, July 6. It marks Portman's return to the MCU after appearing in the first Thor flick back in 2011, but sitting out the rest. And, also set to pop up are the Guardians of the Galaxy crew (as played and/or voiced by Chris Pratt, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel). Check out the new trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder below: Thor: Love and Thunder opens in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, July 6. Images: photos by Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Although just one of many talent photographers being showcases monthly at the Queensland Centre for Photography, the images portrayed by local photographer, Emma Leslie, are something to behold. Her exhibition, Nocturnes, is a great series dedicated to portraying time and place captured on film as opposed to digital imagery. The emphasis on using imperfect technology to create stunning visual displays are a cornerstone of Emma’s work, and it looks like it has paid of handsomely for the up and coming photographer, sculptor and jewellery maker.
Ask anyone their least-favourite place to sleep and planes will rank right up there. If you're on a long-haul flight and you're in economy, trying to slumber when you're soaring through the air can be one of the worst things about travelling. Enter New Zealand's new Economy Skynest, aka onboards bunk beds that were first announced back in 2020, locked in for a 2024 launch last year and now have debut routes confirmed: from Aotearoa to New York and Chicago. Lengthy trips from NZ to America are about to get a whole more comfortable, and scoring some shuteye midair is about to become easier, starting in September 2024. "We're delighted to announce that our innovative Economy Skynest will be launching on ultra-long haul flights, starting with the popular Auckland–New York and Auckland–Chicago routes," said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty, announcing the news. "North America is the perfect market for Skynest, as it has a premium segment that values comfort and sleep during long-haul travel." "Skynest provides a unique and innovative way for our passengers to rest and recharge, making their journey with us even more enjoyable. By launching Skynest on these routes, we are bringing to life our commitment to providing choice, alongside the best possible experience for our passengers, and to continue to innovate and lead the way in the aviation industry." If it sounds like a game changer, that's because it is. Back in 2020, Air NZ announced the pods as part of filing patent and trademark applications, and noted that it'd make a final decision on whether they'd come into effect within a year. That go-ahead might've arrived a bit later — aka in 2022, not in 2021 — but that doesn't make it any less exciting. So, how will it work? This first-of-its-kind option will feature six lie-flat pods. Yes, they really do look like bunk beds on a plane, and you'll be able to slumber in them while zooming to your destination. On the planes, the Skynest will sit between premium economy and economy. Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket and ear plugs, as well as lighting designed to optimise rest. There'll be a a separate reading light, too, and a USB outlet so that you can charge your devices — and also a ventilation outlet. Seatbelts will also be a feature in case of turbulence. When it's time to get up after your slumber, the lights will come on (and cabin crew will wake you gently if that isn't enough). After each four-hour slot, there'll be a 30-minute transition time to change the bedding as well. Air New Zealand has also unveiled some details about bookings will work. The key rule: each passenger will only be able to reserve one session per flight. Travelling with your mates, date or the family? If you're on the same ticket, you can book a session for each passenger — as long as there are enough spaces available. Price-wise, however, sleeping comfortably in the sky won't come cheap. The exact cost hasn't been locked in, but a figure of around $400–600 for the four-hour period has been floated. Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest will be available from September 2024 on routes from Auckland to Chicago and New York. For more information in the interim, visit the airline's website.
Australian artist Peter Kennedy became known as a pioneer in the '70s for creating multi-media art and never-before-seen exhibition strategies. Now, over 50 years since his first creation, Milani Gallery premieres Kennedy's 1/4 inch video tapes as an eleven-channel video and sound installation. Kennedy was born in Brisbane in 1945, and began exhibiting in the mid 1960s. By the end of that decade he'd begun to forge new artistic territory in Australia through his conceptually aligned art practice and light-based efforts. He was set on creating immersive environments, in which minimalistic arrangements of coloured neon tubs made up most of his work. He went on to utilise performance, photography, sound and drawing — and by the late 1970s, his pieces were politically engaged and activism-oriented in nature. In the years since, he has exhibited wildly in both Australia and overseas, and is also the recipient of a numerous coveted grants and awards. LISTENHEAR features Body Concert 2: Extended, a five-channel video work of one of Kennedy’s body and sound performances, as well as The Photographs’ Story, part one of a new, six-part video work.
Though most of us spend July huddled in the depths of our doonas, there's also a thick and juicy silver lining to be had: Good Food Month. The city-wide food festival will return to Brisbane for the month of July to fill our bellies with a cure for the winter blues, and this year it could rebranded Great Food Month — Brisbane has really upped its culinary game in the last 12 months. There's a lot on the program, but here's a rundown of some of the highlights of the festival to pencil in to you iCal. NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS We probably don't even need to remind you about this one. The Cultural Forecourt at South Bank will be packed out with Asian hawker-style stalls and some delightful options for dessert. You'll find your favourite Gelato Messina, Waffleland, Teppanyaki Noodles, Little Kyoto, Donburi Station, Spanthai, Hoy Pinoy and a Blackstar x N2 Extreme Gelato collab. And leave you cash money at home because this year all stalls will accept cashless payment (a terrifying prospect for those of us with no self control — best slap a daily limit on your credit card). BRISBANE'S YOUNG CHEFS LUNCH This event is always generates some great buzz and will let you get an inside track on the up-and-coming stars of the culinary scene. This year it's hosted at Aria under the watchful eye of head chef Ben Russell. ESCAPE TO HALYCON HOUSE So, if you've got an anniversary coming up — or you just want to be extra indulgent — check out this super luxurious overnight escape to Halcyon House. Though it'll cost you back $2K, you'll be treated like Obama and Michelle. Luxury car transfers, drinks by the pool, dinner cooked by Paper Daisy chef Ben Devil, a Champagne brekky and a seasonal cooking class, all while staying in what might be Australia's most beautiful hotel. Well, we can dream. LANEWAY! STREET FOOD! MUSIC! The name says it all, really. You'll be up for a night of cold beers and street food at Fish Lane, made by Good Food Month's best chefs. A $50 ticket buys you four beers and three serves of food, which is actually really good value (not something we say often). Not a bad substitute on the above event. Good Food Month runs from July 1-31 at various locations across Brisbane. For more infomation, visit goodfoodmonth.com/brisbane.
Swapping sketch comedy for horror movies has turned out pretty well for Jordan Peele so far. When the Key & Peele star made his first leap behind the camera, Oscar-winner Get Out was the excellent and unnerving end result — and the comedian turned writer/director isn't done terrifying cinema audiences just yet. To add a fright or two to your festive season, the first trailer for Peele's second directorial effort has arrived. If you scare easily, consider yourself warned. In Us, the filmmaker follows a family (Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Evan Alex and Shahadi Wright-Joseph) holidaying by the beach with friends (Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker), which all sounds very normal. Then things go awry, in a flick that promises to make you feel just as uneasy about your own reflection as you felt about stirring cups of tea after Get Out. In preparation for her role, Peele tasked Nyong'o with watching a heap of classic horror movies — films such as The Shining, The Babadook, It Follows, The Birds, Funny Games, Martyrs, Let the Right One In, The Sixth Sense, Dead Again and A Tale of Two Sisters, Nyong'o told EW. If that list of creepy flicks doesn't give you an idea of what's in store in Us, then the suitably unsettling trailer will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNCmb-4oXJA Us releases in Australian cinemas on March 14, 2019.
Brisbanites, if heading to a big event or catching a busy train is on your agenda for the next few days, the Queensland Government wants you to make one change to your plans. In response to the latest community COVID-19 case, folks across the city are being asked to wear masks in crowded situations while they're out and about this weekend. "What we are going to ask is people in the Brisbane City Council areas and in Moreton, if you are in crowded areas, to wear a mask. If you're going to a football match on the weekend, wear your mask going into the venue. If you are on a crowded train, put a mask on," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at a press conference today, Friday, March 26. "These are the sensible precautions, and we will be updating you over the weekend if there are any more cases. The Premier revealed that a 26-year-old man from Stafford has tested positive to the coronavirus — and that he has been out in the community while infectious since last Friday, March 19. A list of places that he has visited over the past week has been announced, too, with anyone who has visited those spots on the dates and around the times outlined required to get tested for COVID-19 immediately and then quarantine until receiving a negative result. Face masks still aren't compulsory in crowded situations, but they are strongly recommended. They haven't been mandatory in most circumstances across the state since late January, once the cases the sparked the Greater Brisbane area's snap three-day lockdown earlier that month passed. It has remained compulsory to wear face coveringgs in airports and on planes, as required by the Federal Government, though. And, if you can't social distance elsewhere — whether indoors or outdoors — masks are advised. The same applies if you're in a shopping centre, travelling on public transport or using a taxi or rideshare service. Basically, Queenslanders have been encouraged for the past two months to still carry masks with them at all times when leaving home, and pop one on if they find themselves in any of the above circumstances. As always, the usual hygiene and social-distancing advice still applies, too — including frequent hand-washing, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people and getting tested if you have even the slightest of COVID-19 symptoms. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Cinephiles have many reasons to love France. After its early filmmaking pioneers played an enormous part in establishing the medium, the country's New Wave of fresh talents helped revitalise it more than half a century later — and in the decades since, the nation has continued to make a considerable impact. Among its many achievements, it's also home to the most famous film festival on the planet, as well as the highest density of cinemas per capita. In short: the world loves the combination of France and film, and the country itself does as well. For the next month around Australia, it's time to say oui s'il vous plaît to all of the above. And, with apologies to anyone who'd love to be jetting off to Paris, it's time to do so by visiting a cinema screen near you. As it has for the past 30 years, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is currently treating much of the country to the best, brightest, latest and greatest movies that the European nation has to offer. If there's ever been a reason to escape into a darkened room with a glass of wine and a cheese platter, this is it. Touring Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Avoca Beach, Parramatta and Byron Bay until April 14, this year's AFFFF brings a feast of 54 films to Aussie audiences — big name stars, touching dramas, weird and wonderful delights, and veteran filmmakers trying their hand at English-language flicks all included. If you're feeling spoiled for choice, we've watched and picked the 12 titles you should seek out. Joyeaux viewing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqw349H9zE NON-FICTION In one of her three appearances on the 2019 AFFFF lineup, Juliette Binoche explores the complexities of living a creative life in Non-Fiction. Despite its title, Olivier Assayas' latest film isn't based on fact — and while Binoche once again plays a famous actor, she's not aping her own existence or revisiting her character from the director's Clouds of Sils Maria. And yet, this witty affair still steps into the dramas of combining the actual and the imagined, as writer Léonard (Vincent Macaigne) earns acclaim and fame for infusing his personal love affairs into his latest book. He's also romantically entwined with Binoche's TV star Selena, while her husband Alain (Guillaume Canet) is Léonard's publisher, setting the scene for a smart, amusing and perceptive dissection of life and love in today's always-online, always-sharing times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtOwfo1ypOw HIGH LIFE Already one of the best films of 2019, and of any other year for that matter, High Life is as audacious and alluring as it sounds. As should be expected from inimitable writer/director Claire Denis, this sci-fi flick is as intelligent and profound as the rest of her filmography, too, and as craftily determined not to be pinned down. Worlds away from the romance of Let the Sunshine In, Denis re-teams with Juliette Binoche for an existential — and sometimes sexual — nightmare that unravels in the clinical surroundings of a prison spaceship that's hurtling towards the edges of the solar system. But, among a high-profile cast that also includes Mia Goth and Outkast's Andre Benjamin, it's Robert Pattinson who's the star of the show. Playing a man and father haunted in a plethora of ways, the continually impressive actor furthers his hot streak of exceptional, challenging roles under the direction of similarly exceptional, challenging filmmakers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2L2USPgiMI A FAITHFUL MAN As he did with 2015's Two Friends, Louis Garrel writes, directs and stars in this ruminative romantic comedy, which marks the actor-turned-filmmaker's second stint behind the camera. He plays Abel, who's quickly discarded by his pregnant girlfriend Marianne (Laetitia Casta) in favour of his best friend — and, years afterwards, becomes an object of affection for his former pal's now-grown sister Eve (Lily-Rose Depp). Told from multiple perspectives and shot with a probing eye for beautiful sights, A Faithful Man is the epitome of bittersweet, with Garrel proving a keen observer of human intricacies as both a performer and a helmer. Indeed, while this infidelity-driven affair is light from start to finish, it's also steeped in genuine feeling and drawn from a deep vein of thoughtfulness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9d310frjNk THE SISTERS BROTHERS For his debut English-language feature, Jacques Audiard pans for gold with The Sisters Brothers — and finds it. The French filmmaker's first flick since winning the 2015 Palme d'Or for Dheepan, this slice of old west life delivers a rich, rewarding, contemplative and comedic western, combining the genre's recognisable grit and verve with its own melancholic spirit. For Charlie Sisters (Joaquin Phoenix), the gun-slinging, bounty-hunting assassin trade is a dream. For the elder Eli (John C. Reilly, taking part in another great double act after Stan & Ollie), it's losing its shimmer. Then their latest job goes awry, with their advance man (Jake Gyllenhaal) teaming up with their prospector target (Riz Ahmed) in a quest for riches, sparking shoot-outs and soul-searching in equal measure against a magnificent backdrop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXSojVVG4Z8 THE WILD BOYS The Wild Boys might bake its influences into every lurid frame — think Guy Maddin, Jean Cocteau, John Carpenter, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, David Lynch and more — but this wild ride could never be described as the simple sum of its parts. Story-wise, Bertrand Mandico's feature debut follows five unruly teens who commit a crime at the turn of the 20th century and, in an act of both punishment and rehabilitation, are subsequently taken on a sea voyage to a mysterious island. Just like the libidinous quartet, audiences are gifted a sensual swirl of stimuli and subversion; however to say much more about the narrative or the cast is to spoil the movie's many surprises. Whether flitting from flickering black-and-white to bursts of luminous colour, emphasising his exaggerated sets or experimenting with framing, Mandico ensures that every second of The Wild Boys is a vibrant and textured delight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyGC0W8PfoI AMANDA Collecting awards and nominations around the globe — Cesar and Lumiere nods in France, a prize in Venice and the top spot at last year's Tokyo Film Festival — Amanda is an involving drama that never takes the obvious route. Its title refers to the seven-year-old niece (Isaure Multrier) of 24-year-old Parisian David (Vincent Lacoste), who comes into his sole care after a devastating tragedy. Subtle rather than overt, and never blatantly tugging at the heartstrings, this is a tender yet clear-eyed account of coping with life's unexpected developments. While director Mikhaël Hers (This Summertime Feeling) approaches the material with a bittersweet tone, he also displays a a delicate and even effervescent touch. His leading man helps considerably, with The French Kissers, Eden and Sorry Angel's Lacoste fast becoming on of France's most compelling young talents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIU_IHfp3cU REVENGE A striking debut from writer/director Coralie Fargeat, Revenge stalks across the screen with all of the rape-revenge genre's violence and horror — and with visceral style and a firm feminist punch as well. During a desert getaway gone wrong, the attractive Jen (Matilda Lutz) segues from mistress to the arrogant Richard (Kevin Janssens), to victim of his brutish pals (Vincent Colombe and Vincent Colombe), to avenger of the myriad of savage wrongs committed against her. The storyline is standard; however Fargeat approaches the film's visuals, mood and energy with the same do-or-die determination as her persistent protagonist. Lutz, too, puts in an all-consuming performance, aptly conveying the feature's specific blood-soaked tale while embodying the fury of every woman who has ever had to fight back against overwhelmingly cruel and vicious forces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfeEhb4xnps THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD Zombie movies are as common as ravenous, human-eating crowds after a horrific on-screen outbreak; however The Night Eats the World gives a distinctive taste to the genre's familiar flesh. The first feature from writer/director Dominique Rocher, the sparse horror flick plays out like a cross between I Am Legend and 28 Days Later… with a dose of expected survivalist antics and a few borrowings from single-settling thrillers; however this atmospheric, evocative film boasts a tone that's never less than intriguing. When the world turns from normal to undead in the space of an evening, Sam (Anders Danielsen Lie) is left to fend for himself. His only company is a zombified neighbour (Denis Lavant), and his own ingenuity is all that's keeping him safe from the attacking hordes outside. There's a rich flow of existential dread coursing through this addition to the genre, not only about mortality but also isolation and loneliness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRF290gedLs SORRY ANGEL At last year's AFFFF, BPM (Beats Per Minute) broke hearts and burrowed into souls with its depiction of 1990s Paris — a time when queer men loved passionately and fought proudly for their place in the world, but always found their existence lingering under a cloud. Consider Christophe Honoré's Sorry Angel not quite its successor, but its dance partner, with the two films sashaying through similar space while unleashing their own moves. Here, writer Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps) meets student Arthur (Vincent Lacoste) and, as a bond grows between them, the former's illness and the latter's idealism shape their relationship. Sublimely blue in its melancholy mood and its exacting colour scheme, the end result is a layered, almost novel-like, always tender and touching study of life and love. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JywE77VYpWc BY THE GRACE OF GOD Exploring sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, By the Grace of God was always going to prove both topical and sorrowful, regardless of its timing. Based on a real-life French case, the film's ripped-from-the-headlines storyline has recently seen two figures portrayed within its frames take legal action, in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block its release. In Australia, the movie arrives hot on the heels of high-profile local legal proceedings; however, the anger, dismay and empathy the Silver Bear recipient inspires is all its own. Focusing on three men (Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet and Swann Arlaud) who were inappropriately taken advantage of by the same priest (Bernard Verley) as children, this is a measured, moving, sensitive and sobering picture from filmmaker François Ozon, who ventures worlds away from previous efforts such as Swimming Pool and Young & Beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZnjwuicCq0 KNIFE + HEART It's 1979. Someone is savagely murdering gay porn stars, all of whom work for successful, ruthless producer Anne (Vanessa Paradis). And, as she tries to keep making movies while her actors keep dropping like flies, she's coping with the end of her relationship with her editor. Kudos to writer/director Yann Gonzalez for Knife + Heart's exceptional premise, which also features films within films, creepy legends, spooky woods and rather inventive weapons. Still, it's his eye-popping execution that makes this a weird and wonderful delight. In his hands, nothing is too much — and we mean nothing. The end result is an assault on the senses that's as brutal as its slasher set-up and as theatrical as its campy tone. — SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRFwJS7pu80 THE WORLD IS YOURS There are heist films, and there are heist films. The World Is Yours has earned comparisons to Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino's work; however it's no mere derivative take on a well-worn genre. Instead, it's a splashy, stylish, skilfully executed and supremely entertaining effort in its own right, and a mighty fun time at the cinema. Perhaps best known for making music videos for M.I.A., Simian Mobile Disco, Kanye West and Jay-Z, and Jamie xx, French filmmaker Romain Gavras turns this account of small-time gangsters dreaming big into a cool, comic and confidently engaging caper that drips with energy and charm from start to finish. Veterans Isabelle Adjani and Vincent Cassel take to their roles with glee, but it's A Prophet's Karim Leklou who stands out among the movie's stars — playing the son of a seasoned grifter who just wants to pull one last job so he can sell icy poles in North Africa. — SW The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from March 5, screening at Sydney's Chauvel Cinema, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace from March 5 to April 10; Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from March 6 to April 10; Perth's Palace Raine Square, Cinema Paradiso, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema and Camelot Outdoor Cinema from March 13 to April 10; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace James Street from March 14 to April 14. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
Name an adored Australian movie or book — or a film that was adapted to a novel — and, in plenty of cases, there's a theatre version as well. The same works vice versa, too. As a result, we've all had multiple ways to enjoy Muriel's Wedding, Moulin Rouge!, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Wake in Fright, Bran Nue Dae, Jasper Jones and more. And, before 2022 is out, the same will prove true of Looking for Alibrandi. Melina Marchetta's beloved book was initially published in 1992, and has been devoured by teenagers for three decades since. In 2000, it hit the big screen, with Pia Miranda as Josephine Alibrandi — and the movie has been given a workout for two-plus decades now. But this year marks the first time that Looking for Alibrandi will make the leap to the stage, with both Malthouse and Belvoir doing the honours. Premiering in Melbourne at Malthouse's Meryln Theatre from July 8–24, before playing Belvoir's Upstairs Theatre in Sydney from October 1–November 6, Looking for Alibrandi will still chart the same multi-generational story it has always told no matter the format, with 17-year-old Sydney student Josie at its centre. She's in her last year of school, dreaming of a bright future and trying to navigate the clash of cultures that comes with being Italian Australian. She also gets to know her dad, and falls in love for the first time. Director Stephen Nicolazzo (Loaded, Merciless Gods) is guiding this stage version of the best-selling book to theatres, as adapted by Vidya Rajan — and starring Chanella Macri (Australian Realness), Lucia Mastrantone and Jennifer Vuletic (Because The Night) as the Alibrandi women. Looking for Alibrandi fans in other cities, cross your fingers that the nostalgic stage production will make its way to your stages, too. And if you need something to tide you over until the play hits Malthouse and Belvoir, check out the Looking for Alibrandi film trailer below: Looking for Alibrandi will premiere in Melbourne at Malthouse's Meryln Theatre from July 8–24, before playing Belvoir's Upstairs Theatre in Sydney from October 1–November 6. Head to the Malthouse and Belvoir websites for further information and to buy tickets. Top image: Kristian Gehradte.
You'll find this quirky homewares and gift shop within Gasworks Plaza. An eclectic mix of brands and labels from Australia and overseas are on constant rotation through the shelves here making it an easy gifting go-to for locals. The shop covers everything from gifts for your pooch and not-your-average board games to picnic caddies and cocktail kits. All your classic candle, funky sock and ceramics options are available as well. If it doesn't have a certain something you're on the hunt for, just give a team member here a yell and they'll see if they can order it in for you. Image: Nice Digs
Excellent casting doesn't guarantee an excellent movie, but it can get you booking tickets ASAP. And All of Us Strangers might just have the best lead duo there is right now, pairing the internet's boyfriends Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Andrew Scott (Fleabag). Just as exceptional: the film marks the latest from Weekend's Andrew Haigh, who both writes and directs. Any of those three talents alone is cause for excitement. Mescal has had the world swooning since Normal People, scored an Oscar nomination this year for Aftersun, then danced spectacularly in the desert in Carmen. Scott has proven a must-watch in everything from Jimmy's Hall and Pride to Sherlock and Black Mirror. And, as well as one of the best queer romances ever made in Weekend, Haigh also worked on TV series Looking, and has 45 Years, Lean on Pete and The North Water on his resume. With All of Us Strangers, the trio tell the story of Adam (Scott) and his neighbour Harry (Mescal), who fall in love as the film's just-dropped trailer shows. Their relationship sparks as Adam is peering back to his past, to when his parents passed away when he was 12. Then comes ghosts, perhaps — because, heading back to the town he grew up, Adam's mum and dad seem to still be alive. In a feature that adapts Taichi Yamada's 1987 novel Strangers — and a movie with a stacked roster of talent all round — Claire Foy (Women Talking) and Jamie Bell (Shining Girls) join Scott and Mescal on-screen are as Adam's mother and father. And the mood around them, based on the sneak peek, which is soundtracked by the Pet Shop Boys' version of 'Always on My Mind'? Mysterious and yearning. After premiering at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, All of Us Strangers is set to hit cinemas Down Under on Thursday, January 18, 2024 — so there's one of your first must-see movies for next year. If you're in Brisbane, you can catch it in October and November first thanks to the 2023 Brisbane International Film Festival. Check out the trailer for All of Us Strangers below: All of Us Strangers will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Images: courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
The last time that Emma Stone made a movie with Greek Weird Wave director Yorgos Lanthimos, 2018's excellent The Favourite was the end result. The Cruella star earned an Oscar nomination for her troubles, deservedly so, and the filmmaker's style and sense of humour gained a wider audience. Indeed, the made a winning pair, in what was one of the former's very best performances of Stone's career. Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that they've reteamed again. Also far from astonishing: that another unique movie looks set to hit screens. This time, they've traded regal dramas for a riff on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein — which will never stop being a gothic-horror masterpiece, or inspiring stories across the page, stage and screen. And, while Poor Things doesn't actually use that f-word, it looks mesmerising, eerie and stunning in both its initial and just-dropped trailers. Also, Stone is clearly playing a version of Frankenstein's monster. Poor Things adapts Alasdair Grey's 1992 award-winning novel, but the parallels with Shelley's mother-of-all horror greats are as obvious as a bolt of lightning. The focus: Bella Baxter, a woman resurrected by an unorthodox scientist, distinctive in her mannerisms afterwards and eager to learn about a world that isn't quite sure how to react. Continuing the movie's top-notch casting — and Lanthimos' in general, as seen in everything from Dogtooth and Alps to The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer as well — Poor Things features Willem Dafoe (The Northman) as the tinkering Dr Godwin Baxter; Mark Ruffalo (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) as Duncan Wedderburn, a slick lawyer that Bella runs off with; and also Ramy's Ramy Youssef, plus On the Count of Three co-stars Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott. Poor Things jolts Stone's career back onto the screen a few years away, too — Cruella released in 2021, and only The Croods: A New Age, Zombieland: Double Tap and TV's Maniac sit on her resume since The Favourite. Viewers Down Under will get to see how this surreal-looking take on a literary masterpiece turns out on October 12. Check out the full trailer for Poor Things below: Poor Things will release in cinemas Down Under on October 12. Image: Yorgos Lanthimos. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
Back in 2014, when Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows first reached cinemas, it had audiences around the globe in stitches over bloodsuckers. That was a wonderful feat, and so is everything that's followed — aka the What We Do in the Shadows Universe. If comic-book characters can have interconnected on-screen realms that spin multiple stories within the same fictional plane, then so can comedic vampires, of course. And, What We Do in the Shadows has kept delivering over the past few years. First came New Zealand-made TV series Wellington Paranormal, which stuck with the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. Also, there's the glorious What We Do in the Shadows television show. Turning a beloved film into a TV program doesn't always result in small-screen magic, but it worked for fellow movie-to-television vampire series Buffy the Vampire Slayer — and it works again here. In the Staten Island household where vamps Nandor (Kayvan Novak, Cruella), Laszlo (Matt Berry, Toast of London and Toast of Tinseltown) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) all live, plus energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch, The Office) and Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen, Werewolves Within), slayers have even staked a claim in the story. There's much, much more to the Shadows television spinoff than that — and plenty to laugh at as well. And, the just-dropped trailer for the show's fourth season promises plenty of giggles. Also, there's a vampire disco dance-off when the series' main figures hit the club. When the original film arrived in cinemas, we all instantly yearned for more, which this American spinoff has been delivering in just as smart, silly and hilarious a fashion as its big-screen predecessor. That's why it just keeps coming back again and again — as the undead tend to — with season four due to start in the US on Tuesday, July 12. Fingers crossed that What We Do in the Shadows' latest episodes show up Down Under around the same time, which they usually do. For now, here's the trailer — neon hues, Boney M's 'Rasputin' and Matt Berry being as Matt Berry as always all included: What We Do in the Shadows' fourth season starts streaming in the US on Tuesday, July 12. We'll update you with release dates Down Under when they're confirmed.
Before writing anything else, we first want to promise that this article is spoiler free. So if you haven't yet had your weekly dose of Game of Thrones then you can still read on safely. Meanwhile, if you have watched Monday's harrowing episode, then you are probably in need of a pick-me-up. Whichever category you fall into, you will enjoy the following artworks from graphic designer Mike Wroebel, who this week provided us with a 20th-century reimagining of the epic HBO fantasy. "I grew up with Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell," Wroebel says in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I just thought it would be funny ... to appropriate the characters and turn them into something quirky that reflected their personalities". His contemporary appropriations are surprisingly uncanny, so if you are concerned about Joffrey suddenly becoming cool, then you need not worry. "I focused a lot on still making him look like a douchebag," says Wroebel. As you can see, he certainly succeeded. Other characters are also perfectly represented. The broody nature of Jon Snow is captured in his adoption of grunge, Jaime Lannister oozes cool in a Miami Vice suit, Brienne keeps her armour as she takes to the football field, and Sansa Stark portrays Saved by the Bell's Kelly as if she was her double. Our personal favourite, though, is Daenerys Targaryen. Of course there were no dragons in the 1990s, so obviously the Mother of Dragons becomes the Mother of Ferrets. Khaleesi? More like Cooleesi. Check out the others below. Via HuffPost Arts & Culture.
Conformity rarely bodes well in cinema. Whenever everyone's dressing the same, little boxes litter the landscape or identical white-picket fences stretch as far as the eye can see, that perception of perfection tends to possess a dark underbelly. The Stepford Wives demonstrated that. Pleasantville, Blue Velvet and Vivarium all did as well. Yes, there's a touch of conformity in movies about the evils of and heralded by conformity; of course there is. That remains true when Florence Pugh (Black Widow) and Harry Styles (Eternals) navigate an ostensibly idyllic vision of retro suburbia in a desert-encased enclave — one that was always going to unravel when the movie they're in is called Don't Worry Darling. Don't go thinking that this handsome and intriguing film doesn't know all of this, though. Don't go thinking that it's worried about the similarities with other flicks, including after its secrets are spilled, either. It'd be revealing too much to mention a couple of other movies that Don't Worry Darling blatantly recalls, so here's a spoiler-free version: this is a fascinating female-focused take on a pair of highlights from two decades-plus back that are still loved, watched and discussed now. That's never all that Olivia Wilde's second feature as a filmmaker after 2019's Booksmart is, but it feels fitting that when it conforms in a new direction, it finds a way to make that space its own. That's actually what Pugh's Alice thinks she wants when Don't Worry Darling begins. The film's idealised 1950s-style setting comes with old-fashioned gender roles firmly in place, cocktails in hand as soon Styles' Jack walks in the door come quittin' time and elaborate multi-course dinners cooked up each night, with its protagonist going along with it all. But she's also far from keen on having a baby, the done thing in the company town that is Victory. It'd curtail the noisy sex that gets the neighbours talking, for starters. Immaculately clothed and coiffed women happily playing dutiful housewives in a cosy sitcom-esque dream of America generations ago: that's Wilde and screenwriter Katie Silberman's (also Booksmart) entry point; however, they waste zero time in showing how rebelling in her own child-free way isn't enough to quell Alice's nagging and growing doubts about utopia. There's much to get her querying, such as the earth-shaking sounds that rumble when Victory's men are at work, doing top-secret business on "progressive materials" out in the sandy expanse. There's the reflections in the mirror that briefly take on a life of their own, too — starting in a ballet class that's about retaining control, coveting symmetry and never upsetting the status quo far more than dancing. And, there's the pushed-aside Margaret (KiKi Layne, The Old Guard) after she disrupts a company barbecue. All the rules enforced to keep Victory's women in their places, and the cult-like wisdom that town and company founder Frank (Chris Pine, All the Old Knives) constantly spouts, are also inescapable. So is the force with which asking questions or daring to be different is publicly nixed, as Alice quickly discovers. And, it's impossible to avoid how the men band together when anything or anyone causes a bump, even their own other halves. Swiftly, Alice's days scrubbing and vacuuming her Palm Springs-inspired bungalow, then sipping cocktails poolside or while window shopping with fellow Victory spouses like Bunny (Wilde, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Peg (Kate Berlant, A League of Their Own), fall under a shadow — not literally in such sunnily postcard-perfect surroundings, but with shade still lingering over every part of her routine. Speaking up just gets dismissed, and Frank and his underlings (including a doctor played by Timothy Simmons, aka Veep's Jonah Ryan, who is instantly unnerving thanks to that stroke of casting) have too-precise answers to her concerns. As set to a jaggedly breathy score by John Powell (Locked Down), hell is all those drinks, chats and parties teeming with plastered-on smiles and oh-so-fake conversations. It's also the idea that deviating from the norm is an act of betrayal. Hell is the glitching existence that Alice finds herself in, in other words, as her suspicions won't subside and the urge to investigate and challenge keeps swelling. When it comes to showing the cracks fracturing Victory's gleaming facade, Don't Worry Darling moves fast — plenty of other movies have spent more time in the illusion of domestic bliss before shattering it, and Wilde smartly knows that her audience don't need to luxuriate in all that glitters to care about why nothing truly does glisten. Her audience can't miss the mirage anyway, thanks to the stunning production design and costuming, as brightly lensed by cinematographer Matthew Libatique (The Prom). Given how pristine that Alice's life literally looks, it's easy to see the flaws just as she does. It's easy to buy how speedily Alice's status quo starts to unfurl from there when the performance that accompanies it is so phenomenal. Pugh just keeps going from strength to strength since first earning attention in 2016's Lady Macbeth, in just her second film role, then backing it up with everything from The Little Drummer Girl and Fighting with My Family through to Midsommar and Little Women — and her anxious and alarmed work here is on par with her best. When Don't Worry Darling doesn't quite put its pieces together (when it gets repetitive with its psychological thrills in its midsection, primarily), she's the unbreakable glue still holding the movie in place. Forget the supposed feuds, screaming matches, affairs, boycotts and flying saliva, aka the picture's long list of highly publicised off-screen dramas; Wilde knows how to cast just as well as she knows how to lay impeccably manicured and yet insidiously tense scenes. That knack for finding the right actors for the part extends to Wilde enlisting her own talents (and visibly having a whole lot of fun in the process) as the gossipy but compliant Bunny — and, yes, casting Styles as well. The pop superstar-turned-actor is meant to pale in comparison to Pugh, in a portrayal that clicks exactly as it's designed to when the twist comes. On that subject, Don't Worry Darling's big revelation is hardly difficult to predict. It also doesn't say anything new about our patriarchal society, the power that men have long wielded over women and today's toxic perspectives. Still, that doesn't make Wilde's cautionary tale any less engaging, involving and rattling. It's imperfect, but that's apt; eschewing conformity always has to be.
Situated in the beautiful Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is often most recognised for its high-end luxury accommodation (check out Corazon Resort and Spa), the place the Laguna Beach kids visited for Spring Break, and endless sunshine (and food and drinks if you stay at an all-inclusive hotel like Breathless Resort). But there's so much more to experience to make your visit to Los Cabos a truly exciting adventure. Beyond the joys of sunny days, exceptional food and an excuse to drink margaritas at any time of day, Los Cabos has experiences for all types. From swimming with whale sharks to off-road expeditions through the desert to the finest in farm to table dining… let's take a spin through three must-do adventures when you visit Los Cabos. [caption id="attachment_950073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Emma Li[/caption] Swimming with Whale Sharks These glorious creatures are the gentle giants of the sea. As plankton-eaters, their focus is on food and not on the (comparably) tiny humans who are snorkelling nearby desperate to get a close look. And a close look you can get! The team at Cabo Adventures picks you up from your accommodation, taking you to Bahia de La Paz where the whale sharks like to hang out and feed – about two hours drive from Cabo San Lucas. Ask your nerdy nature questions to your heart's content on the way, and by the time you get there, you'll be primed and ready to roll. After a quick stop to fit your wetsuit, fins and snorkel enjoy a glorious boat ride on the sparkling water off to the protected harbour and home to the whale sharks. Once your friendly guides find you your fish, it's go time. Slip into the water then snorkel alongside these magnificent, gentle, chilled creatures and observe them doing what we all love best: having a great feed. When to go: November to April is the peak, but they can be seen all year round. [caption id="attachment_950080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whale shark street art on a wall in Los Cabos. Image credit: Elizabeth Tucker[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950082" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flora Farms[/caption] Fantastic Farm-to-Table Fare Known for beautiful fresh produce, Los Cabos has a thriving agricultural industry and growing farm-to-table offerings. In the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, you'll find three beautiful destinations for eating, exploring and playing. Well-known Flora Farms is a 25-acre farm with largely hand grown ingredients, and is a wonderful place to visit for a cooking class. Their neighbour down the road, Acre, also offers boutique accommodation and a globally inspired menu using their freshly farmed produce. Finally, Los Tamarindos is a glorious outdoor setting, representing a traditional Mexican hacienda. Looking out over the farm with picturesque mountain views, sip on a smoky mezcalita and enjoy the incredible tasting and shared plates toasting a gorgeous Mexican sunset. [caption id="attachment_950083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beautiful rustic dining at Tamarindos. Image credit: Elizabeth Tucker[/caption] Off-Road Desert and Dust Derby Get the full desert and oasis experience on an off-road adventure like you've never experienced before. Wear your darkest clothes (because they're bound to get dirty) as you hop aboard a an ATV designed to hoon through muddy terrain and dusty dirt trails in the Sierra de la Laguna UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Encounter the region's unique endemic flora and fauna, gaining insight into its ecological significance. And once you've worked up an appetite, sit back and much on an amazing local ranch lunch, savouring authentic flavours and tranquil surroundings. This is another of Cabo Adventures' amazing offerings and one not to miss. For places to stay, there are endless resort and boutique offerings to suit your tastes. To find exactly what you're looking for, Los Cabos Tourism has a perfectly curated selection of accommodation for all travel tastes and styles. Concrete Playground travelled as a guest of Visit Los Cabos. Top Image: Jules Clark via Pexels.
Imagine a fully immersive theatre experience with a choose-your-own-adventure twist — and lots of macabre nods to Edgar Allan Poe — and you'll have some idea of what to expect at A Midnight Visit. Since July, A Midnight Visit has taken over a disused Brisbane warehouse and, due to popular demand, it's now extending its season till November 21. This captivating experience is part performance, part playground and part film set and is being brought to life across 36 rooms of an eerie Fortitude Valley warehouse. The show's intricate design, epic scale and explosive energy have proved to be a freakishly good night out for folks who enjoy unearthly delights. Be transported into a dream world that has been imagined by a team of 100-plus creatives including actors, circus performers, musicians, dancers and burlesque artists, plus a crew of innovative sound, film-set and costume designers. Expect an air of David Lynch, some Stanley Kubrick vibes and even a hint of Stranger Things, with a spot of steampunk thrown in for good measure. It's the largest immersive theatre piece to be staged in Australia so you can expect the experience to be a wild ride. [caption id="attachment_830810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nigel Hallett[/caption] A Midnight Visit is playing till Sunday, November 21 at 95 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information and to book tickets, visit the website. Images: A Midnight Visit by Peter Wallis, Nigel Hallett, Anna Kucera, Tim Da-Rin, Jeff Busby.
Welcome to the graduating class of refined gin drinkers. You might have been on this juniper-shrouded path for some time, or you may still confuse aquavit with a London dry. But no matter the maturity of your palate or knowledge of the botanical wonder that is gin, you're bound to pick up some useful notes to casually weave into conversation at your next gin tasting excursion. That's because we've brought in an expert guest lecturer: the master distiller at Archie Rose, Dave Withers. We sat down with him to discuss the latest 'ginnovations', including the new limited-edition Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin. So, pour yourself something floral and zesty and start soaking up some gin knowledge. PINE TALKIN': HOW YOU CAN TELL IF YOU'RE REALLY SIPPING A 'GOOD' GIN When it comes to deciding what to drink, do you seek out hefty price tags or let provenance guide your review? Does vintage or distilling technique give an advantage? While these factors might all affect what's in the bottle, Withers says it has to start with juniper berries. "A good gin should have the flavour of pine which is the juniper doing the talking," he says. If you're not starting with a base of these peppery orbs in the distilling process, then what's being produced is actually a flavoured vodka, not gin. But that doesn't mean you should neglect balancing other ingredients — and you should be able to spot these, too. "The flavours of gin should be clearly discernible and not muddled," Withers says. "For example, if a gin has a good amount of citrus and earthy rooty characteristics, then it will come across confused as one flavour tries to cancel the other out." WANT TO KNOW HOW GIN IS MADE? LET'S TAKE A MINI DISTILLERY TOUR If you've ever visited a gin distillery, you'll likely remember the mad scientist-like copper stills used to heat and cool ingredients. This equipment is used to redistill a neutral alcohol, usually from a grain base (similar to vodka production). Then, that product is re-distilled with botanicals to provide flavour, before being simmered down with water to bring it to a fit-for-human-consumption alcohol level. "Juniper is a very versatile ingredient that can highlight some really lovely flavours," Withers says. "That was the concept behind our Bone Dry Gin. We distilled our hand-foraged juniper from North Macedonia in a number of different ways, which allowed us to highlight citrus, woody, peppery and floral aromas." This limited-edition gin is the first to be released from Archie Rose's new Banksmeadow Distillery. Here, tailor-made vacuum stills enable more precise extraction of botanicals through hot and cold distillation, resulting in a layering of citrus and herbaceous notes that are rounded with that classic pine-dry finish. BONING UP ON DIFFERENT GIN VARIETIES If you're a seasoned drinker, you'll likely be able to differentiate between chardonnay and sauvignon blanc (having the name on the label does help), but it can be a little more complicated with gin. While there are numerous gin varieties on the market, they can be broadly categorised as 'contemporary' or 'traditional', with dry gins leading the latter. Withers says juniper invariably takes charge in traditional variations, and rides in the backseat for contemporary concoctions. "In our Bone Dry Gin we wanted to take the traditional format but add a twist. The juniper is a massive presence but we accented that with native Australian finger limes and a uniquely Australian ingredient called lemon-scented gum, which is literally a lemon-flavoured eucalyptus." A SHORT HISTORY LESSON Gin's 17th-century juniper berry-infused ancestor, genever, was developed in the Netherlands as a medicinal liquor before rising to prominence in England. Early 1800s gin-crazed London is likely where the trope of gin being an 'emotional' drink emerged, since there was little regulation around its production. This meant the alcohol content in gin could reach extraordinary levels and be distilled with unsanitary drinking water — a combination that would bring a tear to even the most gin-pickled of eyes. Right now, Withers says, we're "living in the golden age of gin." Beyond the delicious (and well-regulated) traditional bottles, you can find anything from grapefruit-infused pink gin to drams featuring green ants, and gin that magically changes colour when it meets tonic or citrus. In Australia, these creations are pumping out of more than 300 gin distilleries, a number that has grown exponentially over just the last few years. "In terms of quality and variability it has never been a better time to be a gin drinker." JUNIPER RETURNS – BUT IT'S IN SHORT SUPPLY We've already talked about it, but juniper really is the king of gin botanicals. And Withers thinks it's making a comeback. "There has been a move over the last few years to using really exotic ingredients that give big flavours. But I think drinkers are going the other way, hoping to get their juniper fix from their favourite brands." However, for the last few years gin producers and drinkers have been facing a catch-22 — demand for juniper is increasing in the face of a global shortage in supply. As well as increased demand, this shortage has been attributed to the spread of a fungal disease in some countries that can destroy juniper plants. Here's hoping for more fruitful seasons ahead. MIX MASTERS Happily, crafting an excellent gin drink is about simple combinations that let those botanical flavours shine. As for the secret to a perfect G&T, Withers says it's all about the ratio: "G&T drinkers shouldn't be afraid of using ample ice and minimal tonic. By reducing the amount of tonic and letting the ice dilute your drink, it's easier to taste the unique flavours of the gin." Withers says you can find similar refreshment from a gin and soda combo — but if you're after something stronger, you can't go past a classic gin martini. "There are so many variations on the martini that there's a whole world of nuance to be explored here," he tells us. "Visiting a local bar and asking your bartender what they recommend is a great way of seeing how small differences like a lemon twist or an olive garnish can transform your drink." FINISHING TOUCHES A squeeze of citrus can definitely elevate gin, but with so many varieties of gin to taste-test, it would be wasteful to not experiment with different garnishes. Withers recommends you try a few final flourishes that completely oppose a gin's flavour profile. "If the gin is savoury and salty then a sweet garnish like a strawberry can create a fantastic counterpoint," Withers says. "Snacking on the strawberry in between sips refreshes your palate and allows you to enjoy the distinctive flavours of the drink anew." Turns out you can have your garnish and eat it, too. For more information on Archie Rose and its brand-new Bone Dry Gin, head to the website. Want to win a case of it, as well as two bottled cocktails and a distillery tour? Just enter your details on our competition page.
Throughout autumn, Brisbane's nights start getting longer, with winter hovering close on the horizon. Don't think of it as a farewell to after-work sunshine, though, even if you're all about as much daylight as you can soak in. Instead, for ten days in May, think of it as the best canvas there is for the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens' returning after-dark art and light festival Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside. This luminous fest will unfurl its fifth stint of dazzling sights from Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 21, once again turning the CBD's riverside patch of grass into a stunning outdoor art gallery — and yes, taking full advantage of the night hours. Running from 5–10pm daily, it'll see the gardens will come alive with artworks, installations and projections, with pieces from local, national and international artists set to liven up the already-scenic inner-city spot. [caption id="attachment_892865" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Urban Totems (2022) by Kristina Knox / Maryam Shafiei / Shaden Aldakheel.[/caption] The full artist lineup hasn't yet been unveiled, but Phoebe Paradise, Theatre of Thunder and Keemon Williams will all have works on display. If previous years' pieces are anything to go by, expect everything from the gardens' plant life to its furniture and buildings to get quite the vibrant makeover. Also, when Noa Haim joins the bill, Botanica will feature its first-ever international artist, in its latest step to cement itself as one of Brisbane's and Australia's top cultural events. [caption id="attachment_892870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Musa (2022) by James Voller / Joel Zika.[/caption] "With a focus on sustainability, artists have responded to the 2023 theme 'tread softly', which considers a millennium of human influence. Through reflecting on our natural environments, artists envisage and shape ideas for our future direction," explains Botanica Curator Lucy Quinn. "Year on year, Botanica has attracted a diverse and exciting pool of creatives and this year has been no exception." [caption id="attachment_812086" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Museum of our lost world (2021) by Simone Eisler.[/caption] All those shimmering sights will be again paired with twilight walks, performances, and a discovery trail for children. You'll be able to interact with the installations, too — and contribute to them — and also hit up food trucks and an outdoor bar nightly. Of course, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens has always been more than just that patch of grass and trees at the edge of the CBD thanks to its gorgeous greenery, ponds filled with cute turtles, free exercise classes and more — but it's never more alluring than during this fest. And if you missed the first three events in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 — or if you went along and loved it — 2023's's event promises a whole heap of new garden wonders. Either way, prepare to roam through the centre of Brisbane and see its natural splendour in a whole new way. Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside 2023 will display at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 21. For more information, head to the Brisbane City Council website. Images: Brisbane City Council.
When you imagine the film that would unite Aussie powerhouse actors Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Jacki Weaver, you probably think gritty outback drama. You don't think violent neo-gothic Bildungsroman directed by renowned South Korean director Chan-Wook Park (Old Boy) and set in wealthy New England. But that's what you get with Stoker, a film that's bewitchingly stylish but anchored by an intense performance from Wasikowska. Wasikowska plays India Stoker, a somewhat sheltered loner of a girl who is deeply sensitive to small sensations — but that's where her commonalities with Amelie end. On her 18th birthday, she learns that her loving father (Dermot Mulroney) has died in a car accident. Besides being left with her less demonstrative mother, Evelyn (Kidman) in their big ol' house, India now has to deal with the arrival of her unknown and perturbing uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode). He is soon followed by his aunt Gwendolyn (Weaver), who appears to have an urgent message to impart to young India. Gwendolyn disappears and we have a movie, where Charlie obsessively draws closer to India while India tries to figure out who she really is. See Stoker for its striking imagery (including one tracking shot you won't forget) and cool mood of creepiness. Stoker is in cinemas on August 29, and thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have a Stoker prize pack to give away, containing a collector's poster signed by Mia Wasikowska and Chan-Wook Park and a Fox Searchlight DVD pack (including Black Swan, Ruby Sparks and Hitchcock). To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=NPIi5sHmkAw
Most Lego creations don't take four years to build. Of course, most Lego creations aren't real, actual, life-sized houses. In the town of Billund in Denmark, aka the place where Lego was invented by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen nearly a century ago, the 12,000-square metre Lego House has just opened its doors. It's filled with 25 million bricks, and while it isn't actually made out of the plastic toys, it is shaped to look like 21 white Lego pieces stacked on top of each other (complete with clay tiles giving off a glossy exterior sheen). Welcoming the public since September 28, and featuring free and paid spaces, Lego House is every kid's dream come true — and every adult who was once a Lego-loving child as well. In colour-coded sections that are themed according to the types of skills they tap into (creative, cognitive, social and emotional), visitors can learn about the evolution of Lego, view Lego showcases, eat in one of three Lego cafes, play on nine rooftop Lego terraces, shop in a huge Lego store, get their own Lego mosaic portrait, and, yes, just have fun constructing their own Lego concoctions. Among Lego House's highlights is the 15-metre tall Tree of Creativity, which took 24,350 hours and 6,316,611 bricks to build, making it one of the largest Lego structures ever made. Elsewhere, the masterpiece gallery pays tribute to the impressive structures created by Lego fans, as hand-picked by the sites curators. In the history collection, the first Lego set ever produced is on display, plus other milestone pieces. A number of behind-the-scenes tours are also on offer, in a space designed by architecture firm BIG. As part of their massive feat, the top part of the building — which resembles one of Lego's iconic 2 x 4 keystone bricks — shines eight beams of light into the sky like the knobs on top of a standard piece. While general entry is free, advance bookings are required in what's destined to be quite the popular spot. Timed tickets for specific areas cost approximately AU$40, and Lego expects that more than 250,000 people will visit each year. Images: Lego.
In 2007, a wave of albino murders swept across Tanzania. Their slaughter was at the command of witch doctors, who believe that albino limbs deliver prosperity and good luck. Horrified, British filmmaker Harry Freeland flew to Tanzania, where he spent spent six years following Josephat Torner, an albino who had left his family home and was travelling from village to village, risking his life to confront superstition. The resulting documentary, In the Shadow of the Sun, is just one of the films in the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, in Brisbane from June 4 to 6. This will be a week of movies you won't forget in a hurry. Jamie Meltzer's Informant, a portrait of fanatical humanitarian-turned-FBI bedfellow Brandon Darby, is a highlight, as is Alex Meillier's Alias Ruby Blade. It's the story of Australian activist Kirsty Sword, who left for East Timor to make documentaries and found herself working as an underground operative for the imprisoned Xanana Gusmao. There will be a complimentary glass of wine on Opening Night (In the Shadow of The Sun). The price for the session will be $18 Adult and $16 Concession. Prices for other sessions are $15 for adults and $13 for concession.
Nutella has a legion of fans. Peanut butter, too. But for those who are't so fond of nuts, or happen to be allergic to them, Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread has emerged as a very worthy alternative. It's made from the crumbs of Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits, comes in creamy and crunchy varieties and, understandably, has picked up quite a following. Last year, Australians were also able to enjoy Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread in their gelato, thanks to a limited-edition flavour at Gelatissimo. In 2021, another team up is bringing the spread to your tastebuds in a creative fashion — this time thanks to Krispy Kreme's new range of Lotus Biscoff doughnuts. If you've ever had trouble choosing between slathering Belgium's Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread over bread or munching your way through a circular baked good or two, you no longer need to pick — at least while stocks last at Krispy Kreme stores around the country, and at 7-Elevens as well. Two types are available, with the 'Lotus Biscoff Ring' taking an original glazed doughnut, smothering it with Lotus Biscoff spread, and adding a swirl of Lotus Biscoff crème on top. As for the 'Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake' version, it's dipped in the spread, filled with cream cheese frosting, and then topped with Lotus Biscoff crumbs and chocolate ganache. The Lotus Biscoff doughnuts are also available via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo. Krispy Kreme's Biscoff doughnuts are available from all stores nationwide while stocks last (including via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo) and at 7-Eleven stores nationally.
When bushfires swept through the Snowy Mountains in January 2020, Selwyn Snow Resort in Cabramurra sustained extensive damage. Unsurprisingly, the facility didn't operate during winter, spending the past focusing on clean-up and redevelopment efforts instead — and it has just announced exactly what's in store as part of its rebuild. A reopening date hasn't yet been set, but work has now started on the site, after planning approval was received last month. Also pivotal: the signing of a new 40-year lease between the New South Wales Government and the Blyton Group, the venue's owner. Accordingly, the resort is sticking around for the long haul, and it has big plans. That includes a new L-shaped Selwyn Centre, which'll house all guest facilities and services in one building — spanning ski and snowboard hire, lockers, ticketing, food and drink venues, seating and the kids club. There'll also be a new resort operations centre, where mountain staff will be based, complete with a new ski patrol setup. The staff accommodation will be moved, the chairlift will be upgraded and extended, and the snowmaking infrastructure will get a makeover. [caption id="attachment_802692" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Render of new Selwyn Centre[/caption] Also on the agenda: two new snow carpets just for perfecting turns — and, as part of a bigger and relocated toboggan park, another 150-metre snow carpet. The latter facility will also score a platform atop its slope, and the snow sports learning area will move into the toboggan park's former space, giving it more room. Mainly aimed at children but also bound to welcome the young at heart, a Winter Wonderland will join the resort, too. Taking pride of place will be a skating rink that can operate in all conditions, and also double as a bumper car arena. Visitors will be able to walk through a miniature enchanted village, and take snowshoe walking tours of Kosciuszko National Park. Strictly for the littlies, there'll be a tubing carousel and kid snowmobiles. Selwyn Snow Resort will implement a new ticketing system as well, when it's ready to reopen. Announcing the rebuilding plan, Blyton Group Chairman Kevin James Blyton noted that "in the aftermath of the fires, we committed to building a bigger and better Selwyn and we meant it. I'm very pleased that the long-term future of Selwyn Snow Resort has been secured. Selwyn Snow Resort has been the place for thousands of families to learn to ski or snowboard over the years and I'm very pleased that this will continue for generations to come". Selwyn Snow Resort is rebuilding at its existing site at 213A Kings Cross Road, Cabramurra, New South Wales. A reopening date hasn't yet been announced — head to the resort website to keep an eye on the project's progress.
As humans, what divides us from the animal kingdom is imagination. Our ability to construct fantasy, believe in the unknown, and draw abstracts from nothing. And for so long the dream of most foodies has been to construct the ideal cafe — part polite, part cultured, comfy chairs and food that's near flawless. Perhaps coffee that's never too hot, never too cold. A milkshake thats ice cream to syrup to milk ratio is spot on. A cabinet of sandwich combinations that aren't 'experimental' or 'Paleo', but clever, constructive and filling. And air-con is always a bonus. Woolloongabba's Brown Dog Cafe may be the only real concrete proof that yes, despite the odds, dreams really do come true. Their menu is cafe perfection, with a drinks selection that breathes life into a perfect coffee, and a milkshake that doesn't need to be compensated with malt but offers the enhancement regardless. Never make the fatal mistake of walking in without checking the special board — that's where the real deal grabbers are. Whether it be a pulled pork roll, pie with mashy peas, always delicious Ruben or salad or soup of the day, you can expect it to be fresh and generous in portion size. And in this snowy season, nothing beats a warm soup paired with over buttered, lightly toasted bread. Brown Dog mixes things up with a soup of the day, each and every day, from spicy sweet potato to a simple pea, because 'tis the season for warm tums. Testament to the quality emitted from Brown Dog is the bustling line of customers that tends to inhabit it from noon to 12.30 — corporate lunch time. It moves quickly enough, with each and every person behind the counter working a million miles an hour to make sure everyone's served, happy and on their way without a worry. Eating in is just as much of a delight though. So next time you're in Woolloongabba, pay this special cafe a visit. Even if you're not on that side of town, it's worth the trip across the bridge. You'll leave feeling nothing but full, warm and optimistic about the rest of your dreams and aspirations.
In real life, technology is bound to keep bringing out the worst in people, or vice versa, in 2024. If you want to see Charlie Brooker's take on how humanity's use of gadgets and innovations can go nightmarishly wrong, however, you'll need to wait until 2025. That's when Black Mirror will return for its seventh season, two years after 2023's sixth season. Given that there was a four-year gap after season five, that's positively speedy. Season seven's batch of Black Mirror episodes will also be bigger than the past two seasons, serving up six instalments — which only season three and four have done in the past. There'll be another link to season four, too, with one chapter in the seventh season set to be a sequel to its Star Trek-riffing USS Callister episode. Netflix confirmed Black Mirror's 2025 comeback, number of instalments and return dive into USS Callister's realm as part of the platform's unveiling of what's next set to hit its catalogue from the UK. If you're after more details about Brooker's huge hit, though, that's all there is for now. Cast members, other storylines, if any cast members from USS Callister — which featured Jesse Plemons (Love & Death), Cristin Milioti (The Resort), Jimmi Simpson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Michaela Coel (Mr & Mrs Smith) and Billy Magnussen (Lift) — will be back: that's all still unknown, as is whether Brooker took any inspiration from his headline speaker gig at the first-ever SXSW Sydney in 2023. Still, you can start preparing yourself for next year's dose of dystopian dread, and speculating about what might get the Black Mirror treatment this time. The show's sixth season pondered streaming algorithms with Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance) and Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself), true crime with Samuel Blenkin (The Witcher: Blood Origin) and Myha'la Herrold (Bodies Bodies Bodies), and an alternative 1969 with Aaron Paul (Westworld), Josh Hartnett (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) and Kate Mara (Call Jane). Also on its list: a paparazzi tale with Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother) and Danny Ramirez (Stars at Noon) — and the first Red Mirror episode, going full horror, with Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve), Paapa Essiedu (Men), Katherine Rose Morley (The Syndicate) and David Shields (Benediction). Season seven has an announcement video, which you can watch below, alongside the trailer for USS Callister: Black Mirror season seven will stream via Netflix sometime in 2025, but doesn't yet have an exact release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our review of season six, and our interview with Charlie Brooker. Images: Netflix.
Each year for 17 years now, Australian beer lovers have voted on their top craft brews. Only twice has the same tipple won not just for two years in a row, but in three consecutive polls. The first to manage the feat was Feral Brewing Co's Hop Hog from 2012–14. Now, Mountain Culture's Status Quo Pale Ale has also notched up the same achievement, winning from 2022–24. Emerging victorious in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll for 2024, this Mountain Culture sip just keeps living up to its name, clearly. The brew from the New South Wales outfit in the Blue Mountains was anointed 2022's top drop and dubbed 2023's best tipple as well. So, yes, there is indeed a status quo among Australian beer drinkers of late — and it keeps being maintained. This yeasty poll does for beer what Triple J's huge annual music countdown for bangers — and while there's only been two threepeats in the GABS list's history so far, it sure does love repeat winners. In both 2020 and 2021, Canberra's Bentspoke Brewing Co did the honours with its Crankshaft American IPA. In 2022 and 2023, that brew came in third instead, then picked up fourth place in 2024. In second spot this time: Coopers Brewery's Original Pale Ale, taking over from 2017 and 2018 winner Balter Brewing Company, with its Balter XPA notching up third place — slipping down from second in 2022 and 2023. Gage Roads Brewing Co's Single Fin Summer Ale took out fifth spot, followed by Range Brewing's Disco in sixth, Your Mates Brewing Co's Larry in seventh place, Philter Brewing's XPA in eighth, 4 Pines Brewing Company's Japanese Lager in ninth and One Drop Brewing Co's We Jammin' to round out the top ten. Mountain Culture, which is run by husband-and-wife team DJ and Harriet McCready — and has boasted Australian cricketer Pat Cummins as its first investor since November 2024 — also placed 31st with its Cult IPA, 60th with its Be Kind Rewind NEIPA and 87th with its Scenic Route brew. And yes, it had more than a little company. 2024's hottest 100 was whittled down from almost 400 vote-receiving breweries, with 70 different outfits making the list. State by state, Mountain Culture was the best New South Wales brewery, of course, while Coopers was South Australia's top spot, Balter is the highest-ranked Queensland name and Bentspoke flies the flag for the Australian Capital Territory. Bridge Road is Victoria's top representative, while Gage Road and Fox Friday earn that label for Western Australia and Tasmania, respectively. Held by GABS — or the annual festival also known as the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular, which returns for 2025 this autumn — the countdown is a people's-choice poll decided by booze lovers around the country. If you're thinking "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Working your way through the whole 100 isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews, either — consider it research for the 2025 countdown. GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2024 1. Mountain Culture Beer Co Status Quo 2. Coopers Brewery Original Pale Ale 3. Balter Brewing XPA 4. BentSpoke Brewing Co Crankshaft 5. Gage Roads Brewing Co Single Fin Summer Ale 6. Range Brewing Disco 7. Your Mates Brewing Co Larry 8. Philter Brewing XPA 9. 4 Pines Brewing Company Japanese Lager 10. One Drop Brewing Co We Jammin' 11. Bridge Road Brewers Beechworth Pale Ale 12. Young Henrys Newtowner 13. Stone & Wood Brewing Co Pacific Ale 14. Blackflag Brewing Rage Juicy Pale Ale 15. Pirate Life Brewing South Coast Pale Ale 16. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co Jindong Juicy 17. Capital Brewing Co Coast Ale 18. Bright Brewery Alpine Lager 19. Seeker Brewing Mystic NEIPA 20. Hawkers Beer West Coast IPA 21. Akasha Brewing Co Freshwater Pale Ale 22. Beerfarm Royal Haze 23. The Grifter Brewing Co Pale 24. Burleigh Brewing Co Burleigh Bighead 25. Black Hops Brewing G.O.A.T. 26. Hop Nation Brewing Co J-Juice 27. Blackman's Brewery Juicy Banger IPL 28. KAIJU! Beer KRUSH! Tropical Pale Ale 29. Reckless Brewing Co BX Lager 30. Fox Friday Craft Brewery Hazy IPA 31. Mountain Culture Beer Co Cult IPA 32. Little Creatures Pale Ale 33. Balter Brewing Eazy Hazy 34. Coopers Brewery Sparkling Ale 35. Mountain Goat Beer GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer 36. 10 Toes Brewery Pipeline 37. Better Beer Zero Carb 38. Hiker Brewing Co Horizon 39. Bodriggy Brewing Company Speccy Juice 40. Little Bang Brewing Co Sun Bear 41. Helios Brewing Co Dionysus Oat Cream DIPA 42. Range Brewing Lights + Music 43. CBCo Brewing CBCo Pale Ale 44. Banks Brewing Cake Eater 45. Moon Dog Craft Brewery Old Mate 46. Shout Brewing Co Mullet Pale Ale 47. Capital Brewing Co Capital XPA 48. Bad Shepherd Brewing Co Peanut Butter Porter 49. BentSpoke Brewing Co Barley Griffin 50. Matso's Mango Beer 51. James Squire One Fifty Lashes 52. Heaps Normal Quiet XPA 53. Margaret River Beer Co In The Pines 54. Moffat Beach Brewing Co Passenger Pale Ale 55. Heads of Noosa Brewing Co Japanese Style Lager 56. Green Beacon Brewing Co Wayfarer Tropical Pale Ale 57. Feral Brewing Co Biggie Juice 58. Wolf of the Willows Brewing Wolf PUP Hazy Pale Ale 59. Hawke's Brewing Hawke's Patio Pale 60. Mountain Culture Beer Co Be Kind Rewind 61. Lightning Minds Pale Ale 62. Balter Brewing Hazy IPA 63. Bridge Road Brewers Bling IPA 64. Sunday Road Brewing Cryotherapy 65. Brewmanity Mouth of Melbourne 66. Big Shed Brewing Concern Boozy Fruit 67. Coopers Brewery Australian Lager 68. Balter Brewing Cerveza 69. Capital Brewing Co Hang Loose Juice Hazy IPA 70. Coopers Brewery XPA 71. 4 Pines Brewing Company Pacific Ale 72. Black Hops Brewing East Coast Haze 73. Stomping Ground Brewing Co Gipps St Pale Ale 74. Byron Bay Brewery Premium Lager 75. Range Brewing Dreams 76. The Grifter Brewing Co Serpents Kiss 77. Wayward Brewing Co Hazy Mid 78. Curly Lewis Brewing Co Bondi Hazy Ale 79. Yulli's Brews Amanda Mandarin IPA 80. Hop Nation Brewing Co Rattenhund 81. Gage Roads Brewing Co Hazy As 82. Blackflag Brewing Affinity Tropical Pale 83. Hawke's Brewing Hawke's Lager 84. Future Magic Brewing Co Hazy Shade of Pale 85. Feral Brewing Co Hop Hog 86. Dangerous Ales Crispy Boi Lager 87. Mountain Culture Beer Co Scenic Route 88. 4 Pines Hazy Brewing Company Pale Ale 89. Gage Roads Brewing Co Side Track All Day XPA 90. Pirate Life Brewing Hazy XPA 91. Fox Friday Craft Brewery Pale Ale 92. Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel Three Sheets Pale Ale 93. BentSpoke Brewing Co Sprocket 94. Burleigh Brewing Co Twisted Palm 95. Mountain Goat Beer Tasty Pale Ale 96. Shelter Brewing Co Hazy IPA 97. White Rabbit Dark Ale 98. Jetty Road Pale Ale 99. Dainton Beer Blood Orange NEIPA 100. Bojak Brewing Calypso For more information about the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2024, head to the GABS website.
When a new year starts, so does a whole new lineup of movies reaching the big screen, including at Moonlight Cinema. This summertime tradition may screen a heap of flicks that debuted a few months back, and classic titles as well, but its program is also filled with fresh releases. Take its just-announced January bill, for instance, which includes preview screenings of five big newcomers before they hit general release. Those titles: Steven Spielberg's coming-of-age filmmaking ode The Fabelmans, Guy Ritchie's latest Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, the Margot Robbie-starring jazz age Hollywood-set Babylon, British rom-com What's Love Got To Do With It and Brendan Fraser-led awards contender The Whale. The January lineup comes after Moonlight cinema revealed its December programming back in November, and also started its 2022–23 season. As always, one piece of advice bears repeating: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. While the outdoor cinema runs until different dates in different parts of the country — till mid-February in Brisbane and Adelaide, and the end of March in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth — this latest announcement focuses on its January films. So if you're keen to catch a movie under the stars over the break, take note. Other highlights include James Cameron's 13-years-in-the-making sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Irish comedy The Banshees of Inisherin, as well as recent hits The Menu, Top Gun: Maverick and Ticket to Paradise. The exact roster varies per city, but the national retro programming includes Twilight, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Princess Diaries, Con Air, Magic Mike and the OG Top Gun. So, that's sparkly vampires, 90s rom-coms, royal hijinks, Nicolas Cage, barely clad men and a need for speed taken care of. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema is letting you bring BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can also enjoy a plethora of bites to eat from food trucks — perfect, messy treats made for reclining on bean beds. There's also a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, a beauty cart handing out samples, and dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — and there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2022–23 DATES Brisbane: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, February 19 in Roma Street Parkland Sydney: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, March 26 in Centennial Park Perth: Friday, November 25–Sunday, March 26 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, February 19 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, March 26 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema runs through until March 2023, with dates varying per city. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — is an annual festival bringing a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent to Sydney's Victoria Park. Held each year on January 26 on Gadigal Land, the festival consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions, speeches and children's activities. After a few COVID-impacted years, the festival returned in full last year — and for 2024, it's serving up a huge program of beloved musicians. The lineup features a mix of up-and-coming and longstanding songwriters and performers. Emily Wurramara and Tasman Keith lead the way, alongside Velvet Trip, Fred Leone, Chasing Ghosts, Tjaka, Mi-Kaisha, Frank Yamma, GLVES, Cindy Drummond and Green Hand Band. [caption id="attachment_937421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] A heap of dance groups will also be performing on the day, including Yangkay, Jannawi Dance Clan and Mui Mui Bumer Gedlam. Plus, you can attend panel discussions and community forums at the Speak Out tent, and shop for goods from First Nations businesses at the market. If it's a hot day, Victoria Park Pool is also right there for anyone who wants to cool off, so pack your swimmers just in case. If you can't make it down to Yabun Festival 2024 — or you want to join in from interstate — you can watch via a live stream via the festival's website.
International headline acts are fun and all, but if you like your festivals with a little more adrenaline, this one's for you. The inaugural Seal Rocks Adventure Festival is crashing onto the mid-NSW coast later this month. Descending on Seal Rocks Treachery Camp, about 90 minutes north of Newcastle, it's set to deliver a weekend of hands-on blood-pumping fun over the weekend of May 17–19. The program of this boutique BYO camping festival is jam-packed full of activities, balancing out an after-dark schedule of live tunes and film screenings. By day, you'll have the chance to battle your mates in an interactive game of Archery Attack, learn some new moves in a circus skills workshop, go deep with a free-diving short course, and flit between rock climbing, surfing, slacklining, yoga and zorbing — yep, this one involves crashing around a field in a giant bouncing bubble. There'll be a disco-themed 'doofercise' workout class to kick things off each morning, classes to teach you how to start fire with just a couple of sticks, and an ongoing challenge to see who can fit the most humans on a giant stand-up paddleboard. Booze is BYO, but vendors like The Perfect Paella, Dr Drool and Tim's on Treach will have pop-ups to help fuel your adventures — and a restaurant will pop-up on the Saturday night for a four-course Saturday feast. Or, you can boost your own cooking skills at a pizza making class. By night, there'll be moongazing tours and campfires, while the stage heats up with local acts like Thunder Fox, The Regime, Elaskia and Belle Badi. And if you're after more inspiration, there's the Adventure Film Festival, emceed by Alice King in the Talking Tent each night. Adult camping tickets clock in at $340, which gets you an entry pass, a campsite and access to as many of the weekend's activities as you can handle. Groups of mates and families are welcome, and capacity is capped at 500. There are glamping and cabins options, too, for those who want a little more comfort at the end of a long day of adventuring (and have extra cash to spare).
When Federation Square opened in 2002, its supporters were few and far between. But look at it now. Fifteen years later it's not only a sorta-widely acceptable piece of architecture, but it's also managed to lure in the world's biggest tech company, Apple. The Victorian Government announced today that Federation Square will soon be home to Apple's first Australian global flagship store. This two-level outpost will be bigger than its other Melbourne stores like Chadstone and Highpoint and, like its few other global flagships, will undoubtedly be architecturally significant. Apple has been extremely selective about the locations of its global flagships and there are only four others in the world, including Fifth Avenue in NYC and Regent Street in London. There isn't room for the building in Fed Square at the moment though, so the Victorian Government has agreed to knock down the Yarra Building to make way for it. This will displace the Koorie Heritage Trust, which will have to relocate to the Alfred Deakin Building across the way. Apparently the build of the Apple store will free up 500 square metres of public space. The Victorian Government's tourism body is evidently quite happy with the win, with the Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis saying that this "reinforces Melbourne's reputation as the undisputed tech capital of Australia". Construction will start in 2019 with the build expected to be finished in 2020.
"Today is a good day to die," announced Kiefer Sutherland in Flatliners circa 1990. The film's opening line was moody and cheesy all at once, and set the scene for the blend of sci-fi and horror to follow. Before he was battling terrorists as Jack Bauer, a blonde-locked Sutherland played a medical student convinced that he could kill himself, find out what happens next, come back to life and get famous. Even with Julia Roberts and Kevin Bacon among the cast, the final product was far from memorable. Both Sutherland and that line of dialogue pop up in the new remake, the latest Hollywood rehash no one was dying for. His involvement is amusing, though not intentionally so, while the repeated phrase feels as routine and obligatory as it inescapably is. If only the entire movie had fallen into the first category, rather than the second. With director Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and writer Ben Ripley (Source Code) taking an average-at-best flick from almost 30 years ago, ditching the '90s brooding, ramping up the backstory and exposition, and throwing in some raucous party scenes because, hey, it's 2017, it was never going to be a good day for this film. This time around, Ellen Page's Courtney takes centre stage. While she says her obsession with near-death experiences is all in the name of science, an introductory car crash makes her personal motivations clear. Stressed-out classmate Sophia (Kiersey Clemons) and ladies' man Jamie (James Norton) are initially tricked into helping, but prove eager to follow in her footsteps when she returns with a better memory, a desire to knock down walls, some nifty piano playing skills and a need to bake bread. Yes, really. Ray (Diego Luna) only stumbles across the heart-stopping scheme when things go wrong, and Marlo (Nina Dobrev) literally follows him into the hospital's basement. But soon they're caught up in things as well. It's a silly premise, with the group forced to face some very obvious consequences. Dying isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when it's accompanied by haunting reminders about their various sins. Ripley's script cares not for surprises, and Oplev shows the same lack of concern for anything other than going through the motions. Even if you haven't seen the original Flatliners, if you've seen any other spooky flick that flirts with shuffling off this mortal coil, prepare yourself for a journey into been-there, done-that territory. While it's easy to decry the growing trend towards pointless remakes, Flatliners isn't terrible just because it needlessly revives a forgettable film from a bygone era. Likewise, it'd be easy to bemoan the fact that such a talented cast has been saddled with such crumby material, but wasting Page, Clemons and Luna in particular isn't the movie's main problem. None of that helps, but the killer jolt is the film's lack of energy. While its characters take a zap to the heart to step into the afterlife, Flatliners doesn't have a pulse to begin with. Flat and bland in style, plot and emotion, it's a work completely devoid of interest and scares as a result. The only thing that stands out in Luna's man-bun — and even it has nothing on Bacon's mullet in the original. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQB35rkRSM0
If it's summer in Australia and you're not eating something frosty yet creamy after each and every meal, then you aren't making the most of the season. In some parts of the country — hello Brisbane — it's never too cold for gelato. Actually, even when it is chilly elsewhere in the thick of winter, that statement still applies. But licking your way through your ice cream of choice really is one of the best things about summer there is. After that short ode to gelato — and lots of it — you're likely craving the good stuff. Here's something that'll help: a huge $350,000 Gelato Messina giveaway. From 6pm AEDT / 5pm AEST on Wednesday, November 8, Uber Eats is going all out to celebrate the beloved dessert chain moving its deliveries exclusively to the service. So, from now onwards, you'll be getting your Messina delivered by Uber Eats — and for 20 minutes tonight you'll want to head to the brand's Instagram page to get your hands on some freebies. It's handing out 'cow codes', which you'll then enter into the Uber Eats app to nab different prizes. As well as discounts on Messina — ranging from ten to 50 percent off — there'll be free tub upgrades up for grabs. Or, if you're a particularly lucky dessert fiend, you might score a year's supply of Messina gelato. If you'll be busy during this evening's unveiling, the codes will also be live until midnight on Sunday, December 12. And, when it comes to ordering — either after winning a prize, or next time the gelato hankerings strike — Messina will be operating 22 virtual Uber Eats storefronts across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Uber Eats' Gelato Messina Cow Codes livestream runs from 6–6.20pm AEDT / 5–5.20pm on Wednesday, December 8 on Uber Eats' Instagram page, with the codes live until midnight on Sunday, December 12.
UPDATE, MARCH 19: Due to concerns around COVID-19, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet will no longer screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas onFriday, April 17. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. 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. David Attenborough will turn 94 in 2020, but the acclaimed broadcaster and natural historian isn't slowing down anytime soon. Fresh from narrating and presenting two new TV series last year — Our Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet — and even appearing at Glastonbury to promote the latter, he's now bringing his latest movie-length documentary to cinemas. Called David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the film sees Attenborough look back on his more than nine decades on earth, the sights he has seen and the changes he has witnessed. Specifically, he reflects upon humanity's enormous and damaging impact on the natural world. Produced by wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films and global environmental organisation WWF, the resulting doco us described as "a powerful message of hope for future generations". In the just-released first trailer, Attenborough doesn't hold back. "The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel, yet the way we humans live on earth is sending it into a decline," he comments — before further noting that "human beings have overrun the world". He calls the film his "witness statement" and his "vision for the future", exploring humankind's actions over its existence and how moves can be made to address the planet's current environmental state. Naturally, Attenborough's wise words are combined with striking footage — as you'd expect of anything that the broadcaster is involved in. A Life On Our Planet will screen in cinemas Down Under for one night only, on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year. Head along to see it on the big screen, and you'll also be treated to footage of Attenborough from the film's London premiere hours earlier, where he'll joined live on stage by a range of guests to discuss issues raised in the doco. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVkqjHrAzw&feature=youtu.be David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet was due screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Friday, April 17, before hitting Netflix later in the year; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced. Image: Joe Fereday, Silverback Films.
Salt House is a popular waterfront watering hole for locals seeking delicious cocktails by the sea. Marrying inspiration from a custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill with fresh seafood and local fare, Salt House's menu aims to champion local produce and the exciting flavours of Tropical North Queensland. Sip on a refreshing rainforest sour packed with davidson plum jam before ordering the daily ceviche with pico de gallo and lime dressing, followed by mains like an aubergine coconut curry with malai kofta, dates and spiced yoghurt. If a seaside seafood feast is what you're craving, try the generous seafood sharing platter or the yellow curry loaded with mussels, local tiger prawns and wild barramundi.
