In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to sunny Queensland for a special stay at Mirage Whitsundays, Airlie Beach. We love this place so much that we teamed up with the resort to offer an exclusive four-night travel deal — including a sunset sailing cruise and one-hour scenic flight with spectacular views of the outer Great Barrier Reef below. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Queensland: Beautiful one day. Perfect the next. Which all means that while summer is an obvious time to head to the Sunshine State, we reckon a winter escape is just as good. The temps are still warm-ish, the crowds are less-ish and the general consensus is that it's a great time to visit. (Full stop. No ish). So, if you're on the hunt for a mid-year exodus, but your budget and annual leave allowance limit it to the non-European-variety, our recommendation is to book a stay at the Mirage Whitsundays. Nestled in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Mirage is the place to base yourself if you're all about spectacular sunrises, salty sea breezes and super easy access to the 74 tropical islands that make up Australia's most famous archipelago. THE ROOMS If you're not a fan of starting your day with breathtaking, turquoise-tinted, island-dotted views, then the Mirage Whitsundays may not be the best choice for you, and we suggest you search for an alternative. However, travellers who don't mind a hotel with a little water frontage will be pleased to hear that every single room at the Mirage promises exactly that. Whether you choose a self-contained apartment, villa or penthouse, opt for an elevated panorama or a ground-level vista, your European-style kitchen, spacious terrace and modern bathroom will always come with a side of sea breeze. We hope you can find a way to make it work. FOOD AND DRINK G&T lovers rejoice. Airlie's only gin bar, Whisper Restaurant And Gin Bar, is located smack bang in the middle of the Mirage. If you're after an excellent range of gins (more than 90) or creative cocktails that heavily feature them, or you prefer a fine wine or cold beer, then you've come to the right place. Not a drinker? Fret not. The restaurant is also home to daily breakfasts (the chia puddings come highly recommended), an Indonesian buffet feast on Friday nights, and bottomless brunches every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-1pm. There's even a free courtesy bus to get you there and back, so you don't waste precious feasting time. THE LOCAL AREA Not to point out the obvious, but if you've booked a stay at the Mirage, easy access to the beaches of the Whitsundays and maybe a day or two to check out the Great Barrier Reef probably had something to do with it. If you only had time to do one thing, we recommend you visit Whitehaven Beach, which was named the Best Beach in the World a couple of years ago. Assuming you do the smart thing though, and book our four-night travel deal, you'll have a little more time to explore more. Just for starters: take a stroll through the Whitsunday Great Walk (Conway Circuit); drive to nearby Hideaway and Horseshoe bays; visit the beautiful Cedar Creek Falls; island-hop by cruise, sail or jet ski; or snorkel among the largest coral reef system on Earth. For those who really just can't get their head around rocking a bikini or boardies between June and August, please read on for a way around this dilemma. THE EXTRAS Those who can't be convinced to embrace their inner Ariel and go 'Under the Sea' can still experience all that the reef has to offer through an above-the-ocean sunset cruise or an above-the-clouds scenic flight. Or both. Included in day four of this package, the former gives you the chance to settle in for a two-hour boat ride with complimentary welcome drink and yummy snacks, just in time to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Meanwhile the latter is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a private flight over amazing blue waters, white sand beaches and even a naturally heart-shaped reef. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Seven days a week, Bellissimo Coffee's Oxford Street outpost serves up caffeinated beverages, plus brunch, lunch and bakery bites, all while the sun shines. But as great as that is for a daytime pick-me-up, snack or meal, and has been for a decade now, it means that the old warehouse-turned-eatery isn't welcoming in customers after dark — until Thursday, July 21 rolls around. Meet Besitos, the 80–90-seater Mediterranean-infused pop-up restaurant that'll soon share Bellissimo's Bulimba digs three nights a week. A product of the location's 2021 revamp, which saw the venue nab a a sleek and rustic new look courtesy of interior designers Alkot Studio, the new dinner spot takes over the area that Bellissimo previously used to roast its coffee beans. On the menu: candle-lit dinners in an industrial-but-cosy space, plus a food lineup from Executive Chef Marco Torrisi (ex-Joey's) that heroes dishes prepared on the open kitchen's flaming charcoal grill. Yes, you'll get a prime view of your meal being cooked while you wait, with the culinary range changing seasonally. When Besito's opens, it'll launch with a winter menu that'll feature emu tartare, charred octopus, and bone marrow with salsa verde on toasted brioche, as well as baguettes paired with Spanish anchovies, burnt miso toothfish tacos, Mooloolaba king prawns and hot pot mussels. Most dishes will be small, with patrons encouraged to order a heap — aka sample their way through, rather than agonise over picking just one thing. There will be three large plate options, though: casarecce pasta with Canadian scallops, chargrilled market fish and angus sirloins. For dessert, a trio of choices also awaits, spanning a modern take on tiramisu with housemade espresso ice cream and coffee syrup, chargrilled pineapple given a chocolate crumb and paired with basil-infused ice cream, and a range of housemade gelato. Drinks-wise, 12 wines will be available by the glass and plenty more by the bottle, while cocktails, beers and spirits also feature. Naturally, the Besitos martini features Bellissimo cold-press coffee, as well as vodka and coffee liqueur. When the restaurant kicks into gear at 5pm from Thursday–Saturday, don't go expecting the usual Bellissimo setup, but at night, however. The kitchen setup will change with the switchover to Besito's every evening, as will the full roster of staff. "Besitos is the next chapter in the Bellissimo story, marking a continuation of connections made during mornings spent at our cafe and transcending our communities' dining experience from day to night," said Bellissimo owner Mark Bignell. "This exciting new venture is our special way of giving back to our community — we wouldn't have a business without Bulimba." "We've been waiting for the perfect moment to share our team's talent, dedication, and passion with Brisbane foodies and are beyond excited to help revitalise the ferry end of Oxford Street," Bignell continued. Find Besitos at 35 Oxford Street, Bulimba, from Thursday, July 21 — open Thursday–Saturday from 5pm–late.
"I've had it with these Marvel tales without Nick Fury as the lead" isn't something that Samuel L Jackson has publicly uttered, with or without Snakes on a Plane-style expletives, but viewers might've thought it over the past 15 years. The character that masterminded the Avengers Initiative initially appeared in 2008's very-first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reached cinemas earlier in 2023, the franchise hit 32 cinema outings to-date, many with Fury playing a part. And yet, none have had his name in their moniker. That remains the case now, and on the small screen as well, where the MCU has also been spreading its exploits. Secret Invasion is still exactly what Marvel has needed for over a decade, however: a Fury-centric story. Announced back in 2020, and arriving on Disney+ from Wednesday, June 21, this six-part miniseries has clearly been a long time coming. As hit and miss as it is so many years and titles in, and no matter whether it's unleashing superhero antics in picture palaces or at home, the MCU hasn't lacked highlights — Black Panther remains astonishing, Thor: Ragnarok is a comic wonder and Moon Knight brims with intrigue, for instance — but it's been doing itself a disservice by using Jackson as a supporting player. He's a post-credits scene mainstay. He's the saga's most familiar face, and a Marvel movie didn't feel like a true Marvel movie for quite the spell if he didn't pop up. He had more to do in Captain Marvel, which Secret Invasion uses as its key MCU touchstone. He's such a presence in Marvel's first small-screen series for 2023, though, that the last 15 years seem like a missed opportunity. Perhaps Disney realises that, too; Secret Invasion's first two episodes feature laments aplenty about Fury's absence. Within the ever-sprawling MCU's interconnected narrative, he's been AWOL lately for two reasons: The Blip, aka Avengers: Infinity War's consequential finger-snapping; and a stint since working in space, which'll get more attention when The Marvels drops on the silver screen in November 2023. Extraterrestrial race the Skrulls has noticed Fury's departure keenly, after he promised to help them find their own planet in Captain Marvel but hasn't followed through so far. Cue two factions of the shapeshifting refugees in Secret Invasion: those still waiting and others now willing to fight to take earth as their own instead. Cue far more Skrulls on Marvel's main base than humans, including Fury, know about as well. On the page, Secret Invasion was a crossover storyline, filtering through its own comic-book series plus other tie-ins, and involving many of the caped crusaders that've reached screens in recent decades (and not just in the MCU). When your adversary can ape anyone's face, even the most famous figures can be impersonated — and were. That isn't the spin that Mr Robot alum Kyle Bradstreet has given the scenario for Disney+, with the show's creator focusing on espionage, and the political ramifications, over faux superheroes. As helmed by The Calling's Ali Selim, Secret Invasion is a Cold War-esque, John le Carré-influenced spy thriller. Inciting conflict between Russia and the US is one of the rebel Skrulls' key aims, after all — and thanks to Berlin Station and The Looming Tower, respectively, Bradstreet and Selim know their chosen genre well. Marvel does adore picking a style and asking "what if the MCU did it?". Even just on Disney+, WandaVision riffed on family sitcoms, Hawkeye toyed with Christmas flicks, Ms Marvel went all in on coming-of-age narratives and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law opted for a case-of-the-week lawyer setup. Cloak-and-dagger activities aren't new to the saga — see: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow — but, without the dark comedy, Secret Invasion is almost in Slow Horses mode. Again and again, Fury is told that he's no longer in his prime. Among those with such harsh words: James 'Rhodey' Rhodes (Don Cheadle, White Noise), who now works for US President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney, Scream VI). And, although MI6's Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman, Empire of Light) is an old friend, she's skeptical that Fury still has what it takes. In the veteran's corner is the trusty Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders, How I Met Your Mother), plus his old Skrull pal Talos (Ben Mendelsohn, Cyrano). Working out of an old nuclear power plant and planning a dirty-bomb attack, insurrectionist leader Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir, One Night in Miami) sides with the naysayers, while fellow revolutionary G'iah (Emilia Clarke, Last Christmas) is caught in the middle. Of course, in any spy story, allegiances are never simple or straightforward — and, along with its serious mood, ample talk of global threats, dripping tension and paranoia, coded messages, stolen weapons, clandestine meetings, surprise reveals and rampant conspiracies, Secret Invasion leans heartily into that espionage-genre staple. Jackson, Cheadle, Colman, Mendelsohn, Clarke, Ben-Adir: that's a dream cast, and just the roster of talent that any movie or show would want battling over the fate in the world in heated conversations in murky corners. Bradstreet and Selim know this, with Secret Invasion capitalising upon it even when little but talk fills the screen, which is often. It's no wonder, then, that the series' best early moments spring from letting its on-screen stars bounce off each other. While Jackson is the first reason to press play, seeing his one-on-one pairings with Cheadle, Colman, Mendelsohn and Ben-Adir — especially Fury's initial reunion with Falsworth, and quite the showdown with Rhodey — plus Mendelsohn and Clarke together as well, is the reason to stay watching. In the MCU in general, and in the plethora of on-screen caped-crusader realms — the X-Men and Fantastic Four flicks, the DC Extended Universe and Sony's Spider-Man Universe — the fact that every actor ever is now part of the fold, or thereabouts, can feel dispiriting. With some talents in multiple role across multiple sagas, too, it's usually easier to name the stars that don't have a spandex-adjacent credit in today's predominant form of mass entertainment on their resumes. Like the Spider-Verse franchise, however, Secret Invasion inspires gratefulness about its cast. Even when Marvel's latest series is at its most formulaic, everyone here shines. They'd all achieve the same feat in a spy effort with zero MCU links, but whatever is bringing these performers together — and particularly letting Colman have such fun with a slippery part — is welcome. Check out the trailer for Secret Invasion below: Secret Invasion streams via Disney+ from Wednesday, June 21. Images: photos courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
One of the most celebrated novelists of our time delivered the keynote address 'Freedom to Write' and joined a playful panel discussion 'Television has Replaced the Novel' at this weekend's Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Across the two-day festival held at the Sydney Opera House, he offered some amusing insights. What entertaining snippets and truth nuggets did we learn from the irreverent Rushdie over the weekend? 1. The closest Salman Rushdie has ever come to death was the last time he was in Australia. He was in an accident on the highway between Sydney and Milton where his car was hit by a lorry carrying fertiliser; he jokingly claims to have been "literally hit with a truck load of shit" (for which he kindly thanks Australia). 2. He says that we have no idea what the future will remember, for all we know they might remember Twilight. He claims to not want a poor opinion of the future, but if Fifty Shades of Grey is what is remembered, he's glad he won't be part of it. 3. He REALLY doesn’t like Fifty Shades of Grey. 4. Instead, he is optimistic that novels, such as The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, will be remembered in the future. 5. He believes we must allow for freedom of speech, as it's better for ideas to be expressed and not repressed. 6. People’s feelings are hurt all the time, however speech should not be limited because of people getting offended. His advice: just get over it. You have to have skin that’s a little bit thick if you’re going to live in an open society. 7. He thinks religion is boring and hopes people will get sick of it. 8. He believes religion is about what didn’t happen. Unlike fiction, it doesn’t say on the cover of the Bible, a novel. 9. On the topic of inventing games with Christopher Hitchens, Rushdie claims he and Hitchens invented the clean ones — while Hitchens and Martin Amis invented the dirty ones. 10. One game they invented had the premise of "titles that don’t quite make it", with a inexhaustible list: Mr Zhivago, Toby Dick, Two Days in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, The Big Gatsby, Mademoiselle Bovary… Having squandered a day playing this myself, it comes with a warning of being a highly addictive form of literary procrastination. 11. He can understand why children's writers walk around with smiles on their faces — except Roald Dahl, who he claims was an arsehole. 12. His eldest son inspired him to write Haroun and the Sea of Stories because he asked the question, "Why don’t you write books that I want to read?". 13. His son, around nine years old at the time, offered Rushdie some of the best literary criticism he has ever received. Upon reading the first draft of Haroun and the Sea of Stories, his son said with an apparent lack of enthusiasm, "Yeah, it’s good." When Rushdie probed for further feedback, his son responded slowly, "Some people might be a bit bored." His final criticism, "It doesn’t have enough jump." With this, Rushdie rewrote the story. 14. He doesn’t believe that the television has replaced the novel, stating, "I'm so not on the death of the novel team." 15. He is not such a fan of shows like Lost, or any reality TV show starring anyone whose name starts with K. Unless, it was about Kafka. 16. However, Rushdie enjoyed Homeland season one, and is currently watching Game of Thrones. In terms of comedy, he’s a fan of The Big Bang Theory. 17. He liked the ending of The Sopranos. 18. He decided to dabble in writing for television, as TV series these days push the limits of weird, and he thought, "I do weird." He spent a year and a half writing a sci-fi television series pilot that was never made. He joked it was about a flesh-eating unicorn. (We hope that one day it will be produced). 19. He was a little chuffed to have been unknowingly featured in episodes of iconic sitcoms — Seinfeld, The Golden Girls and Cheers. 20. He recounts cute jokes. For example, two goats break into the projection room of a cinema. Whilst munching on the spools, one says to the other, "So, how's the movie?" The second goat replies, "The book was better." 21. He would like to see the works of Proust adapted into a television series. That might explain why he’s a novelist and not a cable TV executive. FODI images: Daniel Boud
When someone says the word 'desk', it usually conjures up images of uninspired objects with a flat top and four legs. We have stumbled on some innovative and quirky desks that could change those mundane conceptions for good. Bring life to your desk and ensure your working day is never average again with these fun and unorthodox desk designs. 1. The Abstract Desk Having boxes at odd angles all over your desk is bound to get the creative juices flowing. Store your documents in fun ways with this abstract and unique desk, called the Overdose Desk by Bulo. Because straight and neatly stacked is overrated. 2. The Wave Desk The marvellous woodwork of this stunning piece by Robert Brou is a compact and handy design, and the desk surface looks so incredibly smooth that it could lull you into trance-like state of pure productivity. 3. The Purple Desk Why waste floor space in your room, when you can simply stack your desks up on the wall? The peculiar Storyteller desk by Isabel Quiroga very effectively creates storage and shelf space, and is the perfect little enclave for a quirky student or work-from-home business person. 4. The Star Wars Desk Although this style of desk may not suit everyone, Star Wars fanatics are sure to love this creation by Tom Spina Designs. This desk houses a frozen Han Solo beneath a quarter inch thick solid sheet of glass. 5. The Pod Desk The Rewrite desk by GamFratesi allows you to dive completely into your own little world - or at least your own little pod. Say goodbye to procrastination. 6. The Suitcase Desk This desk by Maarten De Ceulaer is perfectly suited for lovers of travel, lovers of suitcases, or lovers of all things out of the ordinary. The eccentric and colourful style will be sure to stimulate the mind. 7. The Wall-Art Desk The K Workstation by Miso Soup Design is a modern take, appearing to climb along the wall at odd angles as it simultaneously acts as shelf space and wall art. 8. The Bike Desk The old saying 'kill two birds with one stone' takes on new meaning with the Pit In desk, which doubles as a bike rack. Not only can you skip the hassle of having to tie up your bike, but also ensure your posture remains upright throughout the day. 9. The Briefcase Desk Remove the difficulty of having to rummage through drawers of papers and files when trying to find documents for your suitcase by combining the two. All you need to do with these innovative suitcase-drawers is pull them out of the desk, by Jung-Ah Kim, and you're good to go. 10. The Car Desk Rev up the engine that is your mind and set off on an exciting journey, all from the comfort of your Mini Cooper office desk.
Hailing from hilly Tasmania, Melbourne-based architect Andrew Maynard welcomes the flat, 'blank canvas' that Melbourne's landscape provides. Allowing his design to dominate the landscape and tapping into his ingenuity, Maynard designed his incredible 'Hill House' incorporated into the side of - you guessed it - a hill. Intended to be a "celebration of the synthetic, the manufactured", the house features a modernistic interior within a "reoriented" layout design. Visitors are ushered into the kitchen, as opposed to a traditional living or sitting room, and the lucky kids get an entire little 'home' of their own. [Via Lost at E Minor]
If you're looking for new activewear from a local brand, look no further than Active Truth, which is offering big promotion as part of the Boxing Day sales. The Aussie retailer is offering $50 off your shop when you spend over $200, or $100 off when you spend over $300. If you order now you'll also nab free express shipping, so you'll have your activewear at your doorstep and be ready to hit the gym in no time. Active Truth is accessible to gym-goers of all shapes and sizes, with a wide range of activewear from XS to 3XL, as well as a selection of active maternity wear and swimwear. The brand is also committed to sustainable business practices, including using locally sourced Merino wool. The promotion will run up until Wednesday, December 30. Jump onto the Active Truth website to browse the catalogue and score an end-of-year deal to help motivate you to stick to your 2021 fitness regime. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
If you have a little (or a lot) of pent up rage after spending two months in lockdown, here's a safe outlet: Brisbane's axe-throwing joint Maniax has reopened, and it's offering a sweet deal for a limited time, too. The Newstead joint usually charges $50 a head for its two-hour public sessions — but, until June 30, you can get a public session plus pizza plus a beer for $60. That's $10 for beer and pizza. At the moment, Maniax is accepting bookings of up to ten people. For the uninitiated, Maniax gives you the chance to very safely hurl a hunk of sharpened steel attached to a flimsy handle, and compete with your friends to see who has the most Viking blood coursing through them. Hurl those hatchets, sink a bullseye and calm down after all the axe-lobbing excitement with brews and pizza.
Going into Scream VI, viewers know who the killer definitely isn't: the horror franchise's OG final girl Sidney Prescott. Neve Campbell's (The Lincoln Lawyer) character has been a pivotal part of every Ghostface-stalked flick from 1996's initial Scream through to 2022's fifth entry Scream, but famously isn't in the stab-happy saga's latest chapter due to a pay dispute. That's one big change for returning filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett to grapple with in their second slice of the blood-splattering, scary movie-loving action. À la Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan — which gets an early nod, naturally — they also move said action to New York. But even if you take Ghostface and the murderer's targets out of Woodsboro, and shake up who the masked maniac swings a knife at, Scream is going to Scream in a screamingly familiar fashion. It has before in Ohio in Scream 2 and Hollywood in Scream 3, and the series knows it. New movie, new city, same setup, same gravelly Roger L Jackson voice, same 'Red Right Hand' needle drop, same overall formula: throw in the same winking, nodding, self-referential attitude, plus the same penchant for mentioning horror movies, their tropes and cliches, and general film theory, and that's Scream VI's easy cut. Once again, someone dons Ghostface's ghost face, of course, and uses whichever blade happens to be in the vicinity (and a shotgun) to terrorise teens and long-victimised targets. Murder Mystery's James Vanderbilt and Ready or Not's Guy Busick haven't taxed themselves with the screenplay — their second Scream effort, after the previous flick — but the franchise's pattern keeps making a comeback for a reason. While intrepid reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, Shining Vale) notes the world's current "true-crime limited series" obsession, whodunnits and murder-mysteries date back further, and that's where every Scream instalment has also carved a niche since the late, great Wes Craven and Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson started things off. With Sidney happily explained away, Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera, In the Heights) is Ghostface's present obsession. She was last time, too, which didn't end well for some of her friends and acquaintances. A year later, she's in the Big Apple because that's where younger sister Tara (Jenna Ortega, Wednesday) goes to college, and Sam isn't keen to let her out of her sight. Horror movie fanatic Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown, Yellowjackets) and her twin Chad (Mason Gooding, Love, Victor) are also new-ish ex-Woodsboro kids on campus. And, when bodies start piling up, starting with the saga's obligatory and engagingly effective cold open — with Samara Weaving (Babylon) reuniting with her Ready or Not directors to follow in Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet), Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix Resurrections) and the like's footsteps — Scream VI's core four have another date with a psychopath. Sam, Tara, Mindy and Chad also have fresh-faced NYC company, adding to the suspect pool. Sam and Tara are bunking with sex-positive roommate Quinn Bailey (Liana Liberato, A Million Little Things), who has a police detective (Dermot Mulroney, Umma) for an overprotective father. Chad does the same with the studious Ethan Landry (Jack Champion, Avatar: The Way of Water), while Mindy is dating Anika Kayoko (Devyn Nekoda, Sneakerella). Plus, Sam is enjoying a secret fling with neighbour Danny Brackett (Josh Segarra, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law). Because they're all well and truly in a franchise — when Mindy gives her obligatory lecture about what movie conventions dictate should happen next, she expands beyond just horror films to ever-sprawling sagas — Gale hightails it to campus when murders start occurring, and Scream 4's Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere, Nashville) also finds reason to drop by. Sadly, when Mindy does get a-babbling about "the rules", she mentions a word that no one who saw 2022's Scream should ever want to hear again: requel. At least that term for do-overs that stick with an established timeline, bring back legacy characters, but pump in new blood to also give the original a remake doesn't then get splashed around as frenetically as Ghostface splashes gore in this followup. Scream VI doesn't get to insufferable levels of geeking out, either — that its predecessor did even for the most adoring horror-movie fans, aka the series' main audience, was an unwanted feat but a feat nonetheless — instead satirising itself by literally asking "who gives a fuck about movies?". Still, Mindy's whole speech, surveying her pals, assessing who is likely to kill or be killed, and waxing irreverent about scary film and franchise lore, shows how beholden Scream VI is to the saga's standard formula. Accordingly, don't believe Mindy when she says this isn't a requel sequel: it is. Also don't believe her when she states that old rules no longer apply: they patently do. Don't believe Mindy when she starts talking about subverting expectations as well, claiming that franchises will only keep on keeping on if they do just that. The horror genre gushes with ongoing series — some namechecked in Scream VI — that've proven the exact opposite because viewers showed up anyway, and little in this Scream entry upends the saga's basics. In fact, the big reveal is dispiritingly by-the-numbers, lacking the smart and savage commentary that helped improve the last Scream's choice of culprit in the process. Noting the wearing nature of living with trauma is a meaningful touch, but never deeply explored. The shoutout to franchise fatigue is also far more superficial than any Ghostface-caused gash. Plus, though focusing on Sam's inner turmoil has the potential to get the inevitable seventh flick to truly try something different, the callback that comes with the storyline is already clunky and played out. Scream VI is still fun enough as a slasher-comedy-slash-whodunnit; staging that slashing, plus the suspense and sleuthing around it, remains Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett's best Scream-relevant skill. That was never in doubt after Ready or Not, and their aforementioned cold open here is entertaining, playful and expertly executed. The New York setting sparks stabbings in alleyways, subways and bodegas, all impressively and tensely shot — although Montreal makes a particularly unconvincing Big Apple. And if you're going to stick with business as usual no matter what the sassy dialogue promises, Barrera, Savoy Brown, stalwart Cox, eagerly anticipated returnee Panettiere, and especially growing scream queen (see also: X and Studio 666) Ortega and always-welcome The Other Two star Segarra, are killer company.
The weather might be heating up in sunny Queensland, but that doesn't mean you can't all spend a day pretending you're somewhere much, much cooler. How does an imaginary visit to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Iceland sound? All you need to do is head along to the Scandinavian Festival Brisbane. Now in its eighth year, the annual showcase of countries with colder climates offers a smorgasbord of authentic food, entertainment and shopping that'll make you think you're on the other side of the world. Think Norwegian waffles, Finnish beer, Swedish meatballs, Danish hot dogs — and that's just for starters. Taking place at Bowen Hills' Perry Park from 10am–4pm on Sunday, September 8, it also includes a showcase of Nordic products and other goodies, plus traditional folk dancing and music. Fancy making a floral crown? You can buy a bucket of flowers for $10, then get taught how as well. 15,000 people attend each year, so arriving early is recommended — more Viking-themed street food, Scandinavian sweets and balled pancakes for you.
In the late 70s, when Texas housewife, mother of two and popular church choir singer Candy Montgomery had an affair with fellow congregation member Allan Gore, commenting about her being a scarlet woman only had one meaning. If anyone other than Elizabeth Olsen was stepping into her shoes in HBO miniseries Love & Death — which streams via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 27 and Neon in New Zealand from Friday, April 28 — it would've remained that way, too; indeed, Jessica Biel just gave the IRL figure an on-screen portrayal in 2022 series Candy. Of course, Olsen is widely known for playing the Wanda Maximoff aka the Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as seen in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness most recently. So, mention 'scarlet' in a line of dialogue around her, and it calls attention to how far she is away from casting spells and breaking out superhero skills. And she is, although she's also again playing a woman succumbing to her darkest impulses. There's a reason that Montgomery keeps fascinating Hollywood, dating back to 1990 TV movie A Killing in a Small Town (a film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, dad to Ambulance's Jake and The Deuce's Maggie). There's also a reason that she's been the subject of plenty of true-crime podcast episodes since — and had journalists John Bloom and Jim Atkinson writing the 1983 non-fiction book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs before that, plus Texas Monthly articles 'Love & Death on Silicon Prairie, Part I & II'. On June 13, 1980, Allan's wife Betty was murdered with an axe. She wasn't just killed; she was bludgeoned 41 times. Within days, Candy was a suspect. From there, she was accused, arrested and put on trial. And, she ultimately admitted swinging the blade, albeit with a caveat: that after her friend discovered her relationship with Allan, Candy was defending herself. It's with pluck and perkiness that Olsen brings Candy to the screen again, initially painting the picture of a perfect suburban wife and mum. She keeps exuding those traits when Candy decides that she'd quite fancy an extra-marital liaison with Allan (Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog) — slowly winning him over, but setting ground rules in the hope that her husband Pat (Patrick Fugit, Babylon) won't get hurt, nor Betty (Lily Rabe, Shrinking) as well. The quartet have known each other for years when Love & Death starts, through their faith and due to their pre-teen daughters Jenny (TV debutant Amelie Dallimore) and Alisa (Harper Heath, Forever and a Day). Then Allan bumps into Candy during a volleyball game, which gets her thinking about them slipping between the sheets. "He smelled like sex," she tells her pal Sherry Cleckler (Krysten Ritter, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie), convincing herself about getting adulterous with every word. Candy is straightforward when she propositions Allan, as they both are when they meet for strategy sessions to work through the pros, cons and parameters of cheating on their partners together. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air, though; for viewers that don't know the outcome when first sitting down to the seven-episode series, Betty's bloody end is referenced in the first instalment. Much that eventuates between Candy and Allan until things get violent is a tale as old as time, with what was meant to be a purely carnal liaison becoming far more complex as affection blossoms. She feels stuck in a rut with the mild-mannered Pat, seeing her time with Allan as an adventure. He's so accustomed to a reserved form of romance with Betty that he doesn't even know how to French kiss. And when Allan and Betty choose to work on their marriage at a counselling weekend, Candy can't hide her jealously while she minds the pair's children. As it leads up to Betty's death, Love & Death also surveys the local scandal when beloved pastor Jackie Ponder (Elizabeth Marvel, Mrs Davis) leaves for another town, with the younger Ron Adams (Keir Gilchrist, Atypical) her replacement. Jackie's move robs Candy of one of her closest confidants, while Ron's arrival, his visible youth and the changes he's intent on making upsets Betty. Series creator David E Kelley could've told this tale without dipping into church business, but this subplot is pivotal to his take on the story. He isn't just retelling the murder, as so many other projects have explored before. Rather, he's drawn in by who these women were in their everyday lives, and by the fact that they're ordinary folks with routine dramas before the worst occurs. Of late, prolific TV producer and writer Kelley has carved himself a niche with twisty tales about existences upended, beginning with Big Little Lies, then following with The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers (Nicole Kidman, the star of all three, is also an executive producer on Love & Death). With directors Lesli Linka Glatter (Homeland) and Clark Johnson (Mayor of Kingstown), he isn't interested in sensationalising his latest narrative, instead crafting a series about a gruesome crime with restraint and sensitivity. That's one of the factors making yet another version of Candy and Betty's encounter so gripping — that, and the show's outstanding performances. Indeed, no past iteration has boasted Kelley behind the scenes, or the stellar Olsen in career-best form at its centre. When Love & Death turns its attention to the inevitable law-and-order proceedings, Kelley also slides easily into one of his preferred modes: legal dramas. He's been bringing such shows to TV since late-80s/early-90s hit LA Law, with his resume also featuring everything from The Practice, Ally McBeal and Boston Legal to Goliath and The Lincoln Lawyer — and an episodic version of Presumed Innocent in the works as well. It's no wonder, then, that She Said's Tom Pelphrey is so magnetic as Candy's lawyer Don Crowder, who jumps into criminal defence for the first time with an immensely difficult case. Although Love & Death is never merely a courtroom series, it's canny about deepening its character study of Candy while she's protesting her innocence by self-defence, and in putting the attitudes and figures around her under a magnifying glass as her life becomes news fodder. Even if there wasn't a 'scarlet woman' reference to remind audiences that Olsen isn't in the MCU here, her complicated lead portrayal makes that plain. Whether she's being bubbly, dutiful, calculating or unsettling, she's terrific, especially in the mid-series episode that depicts Candy's last meeting with Betty, then shows her returning to her errands afterwards. Olsen is particularly masterful at grappling internally with Candy's choices and emotions right in front of viewers' eyes — see also: the spark that clicks when she chooses to pursue Allan, and her reactions under interrogation — and with an also- (and always-) excellent Plemons, is similarly exceptional at selling the love part of series' title. Love & Death never forgets that it's about murder, or who is the victim, but it's always about people rather than headlines. Check out the trailer for Love & Death below: Love & Death streams via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 27 and Neon in New Zealand from Friday, April 28. Images: Jake Giles Netter/HBO Max.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to Pan Pacific Perth, the spot we're putting up guests who book one of our exclusive For The Love VIP packages. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? At the Pan Pacific Perth you can enjoy views over the Swan River and the surrounding cityscape from your room, one of the restaurants or up on the rooftop pool. THE ROOMS The standard rooms feature all the essentials — a big king-sized bed, a pillow menu (because, why not?), tea and coffee making facilities, free wifi, a daily turn-down service and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Then once you get to the larger rooms and suites, you find that each has undergone a little makeover with new modern furniture, walls that have been given a new lick of paint and stacks of updated amenities. FOOD AND DRINK Of course, Pan Pacific Perth has a mixed bag of in-house restaurants and bars to choose from. First off, there's UMA Restaurant where Peruvian cuisine is celebrated. Next up is The Stage, the hotel's own cocktail bar and tapas lounge where you'll also be able to dabble in a classic afternoon tea from Wednesday to Saturday. Beyond these two top dining spots, you'll also find the Hill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, Monty's, The Lobby Café and a separate room service menu for when you don't feel inclined to leave your bed. [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rottnest Island, Tourism Western Australia[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA This hotel is located in the heart of Perth's CBD, close to all its best bits. Walk the streets to find great restaurants and bars, unique galleries and theatres and stunning waterfront walking trails. And if you're staying for enough time, we'd highly recommend a day-trip to Rottnest Island. Take selfies with adorable quokkas, take a sea kayaking tour in untouched coves or go for a cycle to see as much of this protected nature reserve as you can. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
December might be the merriest and jolliest time of the year, but the end of March and the bulk of April is Melbourne's funniest period. That's when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival arrives, tasking comedians from around the globe — including plenty of local talents — with getting the city laughing. When attendees aren't giggling at a world-famous name, they're discovering the amusing folks who'll become tomorrow's rib-tickling stars. From Wednesday, March 26–Sunday, April 20, 2025's MICF is here to get the Victorian capital chuckling, complete with a hefty lineup. By the numbers, this year's festival features 1000-plus performers — more than 130 of them from overseas — putting on 690 shows, and also 182 stages running in 133 venues. And then there's the type of gigs on offer, from solo stand-up to galas, cabaret to circus, and everything from sketches and improv to plays and all-ages fare as well. One of the big highlights full lineup — which started being announced in 2024 — is the Australian debut of Fantasmas star and creator Julio Torres, who is playing exclusively in Melbourne. Also on the bill: Mark Watson, Sara Pascoe, Danny Bhoy, Rhys Darby, Ruby Wax, Paul Foot, Nazeem Hussain and Zoë Coombs Marr, plus Michael Hing, Melanie Bracewell, Broden Kelly, Claire Hooper, Joel Creasy, Andrew Hansen, Lizzy Hoo, Wil Anderson, Jenny Tian, John Safran, Jimeoin, Reuben Kaye, Ray O'Leary and Sh!t-faced Shakespeare doing A Midsummer Night's Dream. The list goes on, including Adam Kay, Flo & Joan with One Man Musical, Desiree Burch, Rahul Subramanian, Sumukhi Suresh, Tom Allen and Buffy Revamped, which relives seven seasons of the series in 70 minutes as told by Spike. From there, the talents still keep coming, with Amy Gledhill on the bill fresh from winning the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024 Best Show prize, Jin Hao Li also on the roster after being nominated for Best Newcomer at the same accolades and 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award-winner Ahir Shah making the trip as well. Chloe Petts, Chris Parker, Guy Montgomery, Guy Williams, Urzila Carlson, Pierre Novellie, Rosie Jones, Anirban Dasgupta, Urooj Ashfaq, Charlene Kaye, Sarah Keyworth, Arj Barker, Carl Donnelly, Elf Lyons, Iliza Shlesinger, Kai Humphries, Kemah Bob, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Sofie Hagen: they're also among the international contingent. Back with Aussie humour, Alex Ward, Amy Hetherington, Becky Lucas, Bron Lewis, He Huang, Luke Heggie, Tommy Little, Luke McGregor, Mary Coustas, Sammy J, Yon from Tripod, Cameron James, Dave Hughes and Geraldine Hickey keep the list going — and, of course, have a whole heap of other homegrown company. And if you're looking for shows and events with a theme or twist, a David Bowie tribute, comedy whisky tasting, rooftop laughs, an improvised movie mashup, a murder-mystery, a comedy musical about op shops and a Jane Austen-inspired cabaret are on offer. Or, you can head to RocKwiz live, a Shrek burlesque, comedy pub crawls, a true-crime comedy walking tour and a 90s-loving game show. As proves the case every year, this is an event for comedy-loving Melburnians and visitors to the city to get excited about, then plan their entire schedules around. Adding to the fun, the fest's gala is back, taking place at the Palais Theatre to open the year's guffaws, while the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, The Annual Great Debate, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars, Asian Allstars Gala and Upfront's focus on female and non-binary artists are all making welcome returns. To discover your next favourite comedians, the lineup also features RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny and the Class Clowns National Grand Finals. [caption id="attachment_996219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonathan Birch[/caption] "The world's biggest comedy festival is here and we couldn't be happier. We're ready for surprises, brilliant takes on serious issues and serious silly-ness for all who need it," said Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan, launching the event for 2025. "Hundreds of venue staff are swinging into action to support all our Australian and visiting faves and Melbourne's bars and cafes are ready to make sure everyone is fed and watered. It's the best time of year in our beloved city. Melbourne does fun like no other." The 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from Wednesday, March 26–Sunday, April 20. Head to the festival's website for further details and tickets. Images: Nick Robertson / Ian Laidlaw / Nicole Reed.
Whether you're celebrating your mum, grandmother or any other maternal figure, they deserve more than just a bunch of flowers for Mother's Day. But on top of whatever gift you have planned, or wherever you're taking the mama in your life to celebrate, you can nab them free florals — because when it comes to marking the occasion, this really is a more-the-merrier kind of date. DoorDash and Coles are teaming up on a flower giveaway, which means that you can get them delivered to your mother's door, too. There's 5000 up for grabs and, while it isn't all about bouquets, they're among the range on offer. If your mum would love nothing more than a surprise bunch of petals, order away. If she'd prefer a single rose, or potted daffodils or hyacinths, they're available as well. And, you don't have to spend any cash getting anything else from Coles; however, there are delivery and service fees. Obviously, you need to order via DoorDash, with the freebies available across Saturday, May 13–Sunday, May 14 to the first 5000 orders. You also need to use the code MOTHERSDAY to redeem the free flowers, and you can't pick anything over $30. The floral giveaway is only available at select locations, and you can only score one redemption per customer. Also, if you select free flowers that cost less than that amount, you won't get the difference credited to you or be able to choose something else. Your mum can expect her blooms in around 45 minutes (on average) after you place your order. Still looking to book in a breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks with the mum in your life as well? Check out our guides for top-notch spots in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To score free flowers for your mum, be one of the first 5000 people to place an order via DoorDash across Saturday, May 13–Sunday, May 14.
Drum roll please: the Groovin the Moo lineup is here, and 2014 looks like a real crowd-pleaser. The big guns this year include a few topnotch international acts, like electronica king Robert Delong (USA) and Dizzee Rascal (UK), as well as some of our well beloved locals like Karnivool, Illy and Architecture in Helsinki. The Naked and Famous (who we'll probably end up claiming as Australian soon) are making their way across the ditch, too. A fair slab of the artists announced have really proved their worth lately, taking out a number of spots in triple j's Hottest 100 of last year, including the winner of the coveted number one spot, Vance Joy. Rounding out the first announcement are Action Bronson, Andy Bull, Cults, Disclosure, Holy Fuck, The Jezabels, The Jungle Giants, Kingswood, The Kite String Tangle, Loon Lake, Parkway Drive, Peking Duck, The Presets, Thundamentals, Violent Soho, Wave Racer and What So Not. This year marks the move towards something new as well, with the very first Groovin the Moo art exhibition. It's running in conjunction with the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, making a space for images, graphics, objects and a mishmash of multimedia from the Groovin the Moo archives to show off the colourful history of the festival itself. It runs from March 7 to May 25, and entry is free. Over the last couple of years we've seen huge changes on the Australian music festival scene, losing some stalwarts and seeing some youngsters really come to fruition. Since its inception, Groovin the Moo has been one of those festivals that really looks like sticking around, bringing the best in Australian and international talent to the country, to the people who can't get to shows in the big smoke. Tickets are $99.90 and go on sale at 9am on February 4 for Victorians, Queenslanders and Western Australians, and at 9am on February 5 for South Australians, New South Welshpeople and Canberrans. Ticket and more information available at the Groovin the Moo website. Fri 25 April – Oakbank SA (ANZAC Day Public Holiday) Oakbank Racecourse Oakwood Road, Oakbank SA Sat 26 April – Maitland NSW Maitland Showground Blomfield St, Maitland NSW Sun 27 April – Canberra ACT University of Canberra Kirinari St, Bruce ACT Sat 3 May – Bendigo VIC Bendigo's Prince Of Wales Showground 42 – 72 Holmes Rd, Bendigo VIC Sun 4 May – Townsville QLD Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds Mervyn Crossman Dr & Murray Lyons Cres, Idalia QLD Sat 10 May – Bunbury WA Hay Park (off) Parade Rd Bunbury WA https://youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
Lavish locations just screaming to fill Instagram feeds, wealthy clientele whiling away their hours in luxury, a significant chasm between the haves and the have nots: that's the setup behind two star-studded new miniseries that've hit streaming queues in the past month. Indeed, with The White Lotus just wrapping up its first season, Nine Perfect Strangers' arrival couldn't be better timed. TV fans can farewell the former's Hawaii-set dramas — and its biting sense of humour, savage insights into class disparities and spot-on dissection of societal inequities — and then step into this Byron Bay-shot thriller on Amazon Prime Video. Saying goodbye to the familiar and welcoming all things new sits at the heart of Nine Perfect Strangers, actually. That's because the same notions linger at the core of the wellness industry, too. In a field that's all about helping people find their bliss, any hard-earned sense of contentment tends to stem from letting go of baggage, moving past previous traumas and appreciating yourself for who you are — and often doing so in the types of spaces that'll make you forget the real world exists anyway. That's why Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman, The Prom) has established Tranquillum House, and why the eponymous group of newcomers have sought its sprawling expanse. Each of the latter wants to break free of their troubles, and the former and her offsiders Delilah (Tiffany Boone, Hunters) and Yao (Manny Jacinto, The Good Place) are eager to assist. But there's a reason that this eight-part series keeps gazing at brightly coloured smoothies quite often, and it isn't just because that's what's on Masha's menu. Tranquillum House carefully curates each intake of paradise-seeking customers. In the case of school teacher Napoleon Marconi (Michael Shannon, Knives Out), his wife Heather (Asher Keddie, Rams) and their 20-year-old daughter Zoe (Grace Van Patten, Under the Silver Lake), Masha is even willing to drastically reduce the fee. She's mixing in the right ingredients — people who arrive broken and ready to be swirled around — and trying to perfect the recipe for everyone. Also arriving with this cohort: best-selling novelist Frances Welty (Melissa McCarthy, Thunder Force), who is having both personal and professional crises; Tony Hogburn (Bobby Cannavale, Superintelligence), who doesn't like having his pills taken away from him; and influencer Jessica Chandler (Samara Weaving, Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins) and her husband Ben (Melvin Gregg, The United States vs Billie Holiday), whose marriage could use a new start. Then there's the newly divorced and still bitter Carmel Schneider (Regina Hall, Breaking News in Yuba County), plus exposé-courting journalist Lars Lee (Luke Evans, Crisis). Masha has brought all of these strangers together to talk out their problems, laze by the pool and soak in the natural splendour — with Byron Bay doubling for California — but it's immediately obvious that her intentions aren't quite that straightforward. Nine Perfect Strangers draws out its mysteries; however, it also lets its audience start guessing from the outset. Casting Kidman as a Russian-accented wellness guru who wades in and out of her clients' days at random, and also happens to be getting death threats via text messages, will do that. Complete with ice-blonde locks, it's a part she inhabits well, in her latest TV performance following Big Little Lies and The Undoing, and her third project after those two fellow miniseries with writer/showrunner David E Kelley. Playing a character first penned on the page by Liane Moriarty, the author behind Big Little Lies as well, it's a showcase performance — and here, her reliably inscrutable expression conveys magnetism, power and a succeed-at-all costs level of determination. Nine Perfect Strangers is an ensemble piece, however — and, when it comes to the narrative, thankfully so. It's the time spent with its full suite of characters that makes the series gripping, even though it's the thriller elements that keep viewers instantly wanting to press play on each new episode. As the show keeps teasing what Masha is really up to, who's after her and what's in her past, it finds just as many questions within Tranquillum's other residents, because that's just how humans tick. Everyone has their subplots, and their pasts, and the script by Kelley and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari) is all the more compelling when it's unpacking as many stories as possible stories. Everyone seeks bliss, too, even when they're not paying through the teeth to do so, and everyone has struggles and secrets holding them back. Kidman perfects her central role, but three of her big-name co-stars are just as impressive — and often more so. Shannon's usually forceful energy jostles behind an everyman exterior, giving Napoleon's affable air an always-perceptible edge. It's a stellar stroke of casting, especially given that the Marconis have sought Tranquillum's services to help cope with heartbreaking grief. McCarthy turns in her best work since her Oscar-nominated performance in the phenomenal Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and layers the distress of someone whose life keeps taking unwanted turns over Frances' flowing wardrobe. She's at her strongest opposite the impeccably haunted Cannavale, unsurprisingly. Now working on their fourth collaboration following the aforementioned Thunder Force and Superintelligence, and also Spy, the pair cycle from antagonism and comfort via everything in-between, and give Nine Perfect Strangers its most compelling double act. Directing every episode, filmmaker Jonathan Levine (Long Shot, Snatched, The Night Before) lets his stars play to their strengths, and it works. As lensed by cinematographer Yves Bélanger (another Big Little Lies alum), he also sees the show's glitzy setting with the eye of someone who appreciates how it glimmers, and how brightly, but isn't willing to lose themselves to that shine shine. That's Nine Perfect Strangers' approach overall — it doesn't sink its teeth in as firmly as The White Lotus, but it isn't here to just to play along with its chosen world either. And, in the process, it knows how to lure its audience in and keep them watching. Check out the trailer below: The first three episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Friday, August 20, with new episodes dropping weekly afterwards. Images: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.
Music is about more than just a great tune — it also has the power to inform and inspire action. That's the idea behind the Environmental Music Prize — a $20,000 prize launched in 2022 awarded to artists exploring ideas around sustainability and conservation in their music. With voting open until Sunday, December 14, the public is invited to have their say on the tracks that get them reflecting on the importance of nature. Just choose three choice tunes and share them with your pals to help spread the word about music that speaks to the kind of world we want to live in. [caption id="attachment_1052482" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Debbie Hickey/Getty Images[/caption] "Music reminds us of what's at stake, but it also gives us hope," says Prize Founder Edwina Floch. "These songs capture the beauty of nature, the spirit of Country and the resilience of communities rising to protect it. Together, they form a powerful soundtrack for now." With the 30 finalist songs now revealed, each is jam-packed with lyrical meaning and taken to even greater heights with evocative music videos. Think King Stingray's Through the Trees, Angie McMahon's Mother Nature or DOBBY's Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya, alongside dozens more. "Music connects where other messages can't," explains Floch. "By voting and sharing these songs, fans can help amplify the voices of artists shaping a more sustainable culture, because change begins in the stories we tell and the songs we sing." With this year's prize announced on Wednesday, December 17, the highest voted artist will join much-loved past winners like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Xavier Rudd. Both donated the money to grassroots conservation initiatives, giving even more meaning to their songwriting prowess. Voting for the 2025 Environmental Music Prize closes on Sunday, December 14. Head to the website for more information.
WOMADelaide is returning to Adelaide's Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from Friday, March 6 to Monday, March 9, 2026 — and the festival's first lineup announcement has landed, featuring 49 artists from around the globe. Headlining the 29th edition are Yothu Yindi, Obongjayar and Marlon Williams, with a program that will span from Bhutan to the Kimberleys, Cuba to Ukraine, and far beyond. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WOMADelaide (@womadelaide) Yothu Yindi will celebrate 35 years of Tribal Voice, while London-based Nigerian artist Obongjayar — known for his feature on Fred again..'s hit 'adore u' — will bring his blend of Afro-funk to Adelaide. Marlon Williams will perform alongside Kapa Haka group Ngā Mātai Pūrua, and Indian-American artist Ganavya will showcase her fusion of spiritual jazz and South Asian classical music. Other highlights include 82-year-old First Nations gospel singer Kankawa Nagarra, Cuban Grammy-nominee and Buena Vista Social Club alumnus Roberto Fonseca, Palestinian DJ Sama' Abdulhadi (returning after seven years), and soul sensation Jalen Ngonda, fresh from his Glastonbury debut. The festival will also feature Australian exclusives, including Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker's groundbreaking Rosas danst Rosas, Ukrainian-Canadian project Daughters of Donbas, French electronic act Orange Blossom, and Bhutan's first-ever representatives, the Bhutan Balladeers. They join previously announced acts including Yolngu rapper and dancer Baker Boy, US singer-songwriter Iron & Wine, Irish folk group Beoga and Pacific Break winner Mantis from Vanuatu. Since its debut in 1992, WOMADelaide has become one of Australia's most beloved festivals, celebrating music, arts and dance from across the world. The 2026 event will also see the return of Taste the World, WoMarkets, KidZone, Planet Talks and The Sanctuary Restaurant, alongside Around the Park performances scattered throughout the site. "Few festivals in the world are able to showcase the breadth and diversity of music, arts and dance on such a large scale while appealing to all ages and tastes," says WOMADelaide Director Ian Scobie. "It's a glorious opportunity to discover new sounds and embrace artists you love." WOMADelaide 2026 will run from Friday, March 6 to Monday, March 9 at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla in Adelaide. Head to the WOMADelaide website for tickets and the full lineup. Images: Supplied
The global pop icon — known for massive hits like 'Tik Tok', 'We R Who We R' and 'Joyride' — will headline Mighty Hoopla's Australian debut when it lands on Bondi Beach on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Expect an explosion of sequins, pop nostalgia and unapologetic joy, as the cult festival makes its long-awaited leap from London to our shores. "We're honoured to bring Mighty Hoopla to the other side of the world," said co-founder Jamie Tagg. "After Kesha's incredible headline performance with us in London earlier this year, we knew she was the only artist we wanted to make our Australian debut with." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mighty Hoopla Sydney 🦘 (@mightyhoopla_sydney) Since launching in 2016, Mighty Hoopla has become the UK's biggest pop festival — a kaleidoscopic celebration of inclusivity, freedom and pure fun, with past lineups featuring Nelly Furtado, Kelly Rowland, Sugababes, Years & Years and Jessie Ware. The Sydney edition promises the same mix of pop icons, drag royalty, DJs and queer collectives from both the UK and Australia, with the full lineup still to come. "To finally bring the Hoopla magic to Sydney is a dream come true," added founder Glyn Fussell. "Expect joy, chaos and the campest day of your life." Tickets go on pre-sale from 10am AEDT Wednesday, October 22, with general sale from 10am Thursday, October 23. Prices start at $169.90 + BF, with concessions available. For more information or to sign up for pre-sale tickets, visit the Mighty Hoopla website. Images: Supplied
Live tunes. Folks in the know unpacking everything from music and film to gaming and technology. Movies and TV shows to watch. Buttons to mash. Parties to hang out at. New favourite bands to be found. 2025 will mark the third year that SXSW Sydney brings all of the above together, and its lineup keeps growing. The event's music festival started dropping acts and speakers earlier in the year. It has just announced plenty more. Rashmeet Kaur, Vandelux, The Thing and August Wahh are the latest names on the bill between Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 in the Harbour City. So are Tenxi & Jemsii, Holly Hebe, Munan and Yasmina Sadiki. A huge 62 acts have joined the lineup in this round, with Bump2Soul, Charlotte OC, DC Maxwell, DOOR PLANT, EZUZ, 花溪 Flowerstream, Holy Void, Jasmine Thompson, MANAGONA草本藥師, No Life, Puff Punch, RESORT, Rovv, SHN, Sir Echo, Thy Howler, Tripov, Virgin Vacation and Womb among the international contingent. Also taking to the stage during 2025's SXSW Sydney: everyone from Beryl, C.O.F.F.I.N, Denzel Kennedy, Geography and Hey, Love to Last Quokka, Lyric, Mariae Cassandra, Robert Baxter, Sesame Girl and Ullah, and more. In total, this year's fest is due to feature more than 300 music performances, which means that this roster of talents is only going to grow. Already named in the past reveal: Jasmine 4.t, Freak Slug and Ristband + Pivots from the UK; Slowwves from Thailand; Japan's Suichu Spica 水中スピカ; New Zealand's Serebii and Tusekah; and Cardinals from Ireland; and Autralia's Jamaica Moana, JJ4K, RICEWINE, Sacred Hearts, Swapmeet and BADASSMUTHA. After the 2025 SXSW Sydney Music Festival speaker lineup initially advised that music supervisor Jen Malone, an alum of Euphoria, Yellowjackets, Wednesday, Atlanta, Mr & Mrs Smith, Dark Matter, The Umbrella Academy, The Penguin, Overcompensating and Sirens, would get chatting — plus Dr Marcus Collins, Beyoncé's former Digital Strategy Director — it too has boosted its list. Rachel So, Festival Manager at Goldenvoice, which is behind Coachella and Stagecoach, is among those who'll be part of the discussions. So are Warner Music Korea's Director of Domestic Marketing Stacy Nam, BandLab's Head of Communications & Creator Insights Dani Deahl, Amazon Music's of Label Relations and Marketing ANZ Chantelle Georgiou, Warp Publishing Director and Heard & Seen Founder Theo Seffusatti, and others. "The breadth of talent joining SXSW Sydney this year speaks to our growing role as the premier destination for music discovery and professional development in the Asia Pacific," said SXSW Sydney's Head of Music Claire Collins, unveiling the fest's latest additions. [caption id="attachment_1009884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] "With some of the world's most-respected talent buyers and industry leaders in attendance, SXSW Sydney has become a truly global meeting point — a place where careers are launched, collabs take shape and real deals are done," Collins continued. So far, SXSW Sydney has also revealed that there'll be more free programming, and named other speakers from an array of fields. Given that the full fest will span 1600-plus sessions, including 550 conference and professional development sessions, 90-plus movie screenings and over 150 games, keep watching this space for more announcements. SXSW Sydney 2025 runs from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Jess Gleeson.
February might be synonymous with romance, but the second month of the year is also home to another celebration-worthy occasion: International Margarita Day. You don't just need to settle for devoting a single 24-hour period to the festivities, however. And, don't go forgetting to line your stomach before you sip. The Mama Taco x WET Deck collaboration at W Brisbane takes care of all of the above. Running throughout February 2025 — available from 11am–9pm Sunday–Thursday and 11am–late Friday–Saturday, right up until Friday, February 28 — it sees West End's Mama Taco cross the river, set up shop at the luxe CBD hotel and whip up a special menu. If you haven't tried a nori kimchi peking duck taco before, here's your chance, complete with toasted seaweed, daikon kimchi, corn mousse and guacamole. Or, go with the cheese jalapeño nacho if your tastebuds can handle the heat. To drink, the taco margarita couldn't be a more-perfect option — and yes, with its blend of tequila, corn liqueur, tomato water, lime and jalapeño, it's designed to taste like taco in a glass.
What happens when one of the most-beloved fantasy tales adds singing and dancing? In 2025 in Australia, theatregoers heading to The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale will be able to find out. The stage production layers tunes into JRR Tolkien's iconic story, including as its hobbits go on perilous Middle-earth adventures. A Sydney season was announced back in August — and now Melbourne and Perth are also locked in for a musical LoTR journey. On screens big and small for decades so far (and into the future, with more TV episodes and movies on the way), hobbits have trekked, ate second breakfasts and attempted to project precious jewellery. Onstage Down Under from January, they'll also be marking an eleventy-first birthday, receiving a gold ring, taking a quest to Mordor and attempting to fight evil in The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale. The Harbour City season at the State Theatre comes first, followed by a stop at Crown Theatre in Western Australia from March, then a Victorian stint at Comedy Theatre that starts in April. Dating back to 2006, just after the original live-action movie trilogy, this stage musical was revived in the UK in 2023, opened in the US in July 2024 and will hit New Zealand this November before crossing the ditch. Your guides for the show are the hobbits, of course, as Frodo and company celebrate Bilbo Baggins, then depart The Shire upon a life-changing journey. Thanks to Tolkien, what occurs from there has enthralled audiences for 70 years now, with The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers initially hitting bookshelves in 1954. There's been no shortage of ways to indulge your Lord of the Rings love since Peter Jackson's features — including his Hobbit trilogy — helped fan the flames of pop culture's affection for Frodo, Samwise, Pippin, Merry and the franchise's many non-underground-dwelling characters. Cinema marathons, visiting the Hobbiton movie set, staying there overnight, hitting up pop-up hobbit houses, sipping hobbit-themed beer: they've all been on the agenda. Only The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale is combining all things LoTR with tunes and dancing, however, in a show that sports a book and lyrics by from Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical, Groundhog Day the Musical), plus original music by Slumdog Millionaire Oscar-winner AR Rahman, folk band Värttinä from Finland and Matilda the Musical alum Christopher Nightingale. The Australian cast has also just been announced, including Rarmian Newton as Frodo Baggins, Wern Mak as Samwise Gamgee, Jeremi Campese as Merry and Hannah Buckley as Pippin. Laurence Boxhall is playing Gollum, Andrew Broadbent steps into Elrond's shoes and Terence Crawford is Gandalf — with Rohan Campbell as Boromir, Stefanie Caccamo as Arwen, Rob Mallett as Strider, Connor Morel as Gimli, Conor Neylon as Legolas, Jemma Rix as Galadriel, Ian Stenlake as Saruman and Ruby Clark as Rosie, too. The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale Australian Dates 2025 From Tuesday, January 7 — State Theatre, Sydney From Wednesday, March 19 — Crown Theatre, Perth From Monday, April 21 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne The Lord of the Rings — A Musical Tale is touring Australia from January 2025. Head to the production's website for further details and to sign up for the ticket waitlist. Images: Liz Lauren.
Following Australia's wettest summer in four years, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted an equally rainy autumn was on the cards for the east coast, with above-average amounts of rainfall touted to fall across the region. If you live in the area, you're probably quite aware that the climate is well and truly living up to that prediction, with a dark and wet start to March that's only expected to worsen — especially in Sydney over the next three days. According to BOM's forecast, the New South Wales capital is expected to be hit with anywhere up to 220 millimetres of rain between Thursday, March 18–Saturday, March 20. A high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea will create a coastal trough, bringing heavy rain to Sydney, as well as to the Hunter Valley and northern NSW from Friday and into Saturday. Heavy rainfall, strong and gusty winds, large waves and a chance of thunderstorms are all forecast for the NSW coast across the weekend. https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1372066510399709185 Further north, a heavy rainfall warning with possible flash flooding has been issued for the mid north NSW coast, including areas like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. In Queensland, the central highlands has already experienced heavy rainfall, with 200-plus millimetres of rainfall being recorded in some parts of central Queensland, leading to evacuations and rescues. These wet conditions have been pushing into the Brisbane metropolitan area, where it has already been rainy for a couple of days. Showers are expected to continue right into next week — at least — with up to 25 millimetres of rain on Saturday, March 20 and possible thunderstorms impacting the area over the weekend. Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino has predicted wet weather across the country over the next eight days, with rainfall predicted to impact every state, and warnings of possible flooding. https://twitter.com/Ben_Domensino/status/1372030326596276224 If you need to head out, don't forget to pack your umbrellas and raincoats — and keep an eye on the warnings. As the weather conditions continue to develop, stay up to date with the latest forecast and weather warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology.
If any month could be crowned as one of wonder, it'd have to be December. The festive season has us all pondering what Santa will bring, and what the new year might hold. Plus, we're all rewatching It's A Wonderful Life as Christmas approaches. At the Brisbane Powerhouse, though, that's not where the end-of-year festival of wonder ends, but where it begins. Since 2014, the venue has been adding to the onslaught of amazement and cavalcade of celebration with an event designed for the astounding, joyful and curious. That'd be the aptly named Wonderland, which unleashes its second serving of burlesque, circus, cabaret, music, comedy, poetry, theatre and variety shows from December 3 to 20. Your jaw will be agape, your mind alive with happiness and possibility, and you'll be feeling truly wonderful — particularly if you head along to our ten picks of the festival. Top image: Studio Impressions.
First, King Street welcomed in Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Bowen Hills' new haven for getting retro over games and cocktails. Then, just for Brisbane Festival 2023, it became home to Esc. With Us, an inflatable installation that's also a nostalgic tribute to old-school gaming — complete with inflatable consoles. What's next? For one day only, an 80s-themed street party is taking over the precinct. Head by from 5–9pm on Saturday, September 16 to feel like you've skated back in time — and yes, there will indeed be rollerskating. As well as hitting up the arcade bar, then checking out puffy games in a space that takes its colour palette from the 80s — the latter courtesy of Melbourne-based art studio ENESS (Sky Castle and Airship Orchestra) — you can also strap on some wheels and go for a whirl thanks to Rolla Bae. This trip back four decades will span five 30-minute rollerskating sessions; prizes for best dressed, best moves and more; food and drink options from retailers on the street; and a disco vibe — plus tunes to match — with dancing highly encouraged. Also, entry is free, but you'll pay for whatever you eat and sip.
Five nights, one familiar and comforting voice, and a time-travelling trip back 66 million years: that's the setup behind new five-part series Prehistoric Planet. Dropping one episode per evening on Apple TV+ between Monday, May 23–Friday, May 27, it's a feels-like-you're-there dive into natural history that's thoroughly remarkable. Having none other than David Attenborough narrate the daily activities of dinosaurs really seems like it should've happened already, of course; however, now that it finally is occurring — and landing in your streaming queue, too — it's always both wonderful and stunning. The reason that a show like Prehistoric Planet hasn't existed before? Given the astonishing footage that usually accompanies Attenborough's nature docos, replicating those visuals while jumping backwards to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth was always going to be a tricky feat. But if photorealistic versions of The Jungle Book and The Lion King can bring talking animals to life — one more convincingly than the other — then the same technology can make ancient creatures look as if they're roving across the globe now. Indeed, after helming that pair of features, filmmaker Jon Favreau is one of the Prehistoric Planet's executive producers. Also, the effects company behind the two Disney movies does the CGI honours here. That task isn't a simple one. If the Cretaceous-era dinosaurs rampaging across the screen didn't appear like they genuinely could be walking and stalking — and fighting, foraging for food, hunting, flying, swimming and running as well — the magic that typically comes with watching an Attenborough-narrated doco would instantly and disappointingly vanish. Thankfully, Prehistoric Planet never looks anything less than spectacular. You won't quite forget that the creatures it surveys no longer exist, but you won't feel as if you're simply watching pixels crash into pixels (or like you're sitting down to a new entry in the Jurassic Park franchise, either). Prehistoric Planet starts each episode with the same introduction, including the only glimpse of humanity that ever graces its frames. In its opening two-minute clip, David Attenborough stands in front of a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. Unsurprisingly, the now 96-year-old couldn't seem more excited. He doesn't ever utter the words "welcome to...", as his brother Richard Attenborough did almost three decades back in the first Jurassic Park film. The world has heard that phrase far too many times since for it to pop up here and play like anything but a gimmick. But he's as overjoyed as his sibling was at the beginning of that now-classic feature. Luckily, things turn out better in this streaming series — there's no human casualties, obviously — than they have in cinemas. Welcome to... your new insight into Tyrannosaurus rex foreplay, your latest reminder that velociraptors really don't look like they do in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World flicks, an entertaining time spent with al kinds of animals, and your next favourite dinosaur project with an Attenborough attached. Each of Prehistoric Planet's five instalments focuses on a different type of terrain — coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice and forests — and chats through the creatures that call it home. Set to a spirited original score by Hans Zimmer, fresh from winning his latest Oscar for Dune, there's a formula at work. That said, it's no more blatant than in any David Attenborough-hosted show. Viewers watch as some dinos look after their young, others try to find a mate, plenty search for something to eat and others attempt not to be eaten. The same kinds of activities are covered in each episode, but the locations and dinosaurs involved all change. The result: as engaging a series as Attenborough has ever fronted, and one that's frequently astonishing. And yes, given the broadcaster, biologist and natural historian's impressive on-screen resume — including past shows The Living Planet, State of the Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Blue Planet II, Our Planet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, A Perfect Planet and Green Planet, plus Planet Earth and Planet Earth II, and documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet — that's saying something. Attenborough is as careful and educational in his observations as ever here. This far into his career, with credits spanning eight decades, he could've just nattered away on autopilot — but that's never his approach. He's as respectful of the critters he's talking about as he's ever been, too. And, he's clearly as keen to provide viewers with the type of details that wouldn't resonate with anywhere near as much power and importance if they were to simply read them themselves. Sometimes, Prehistoric Planet is amusing, with Attenborough's wry sense of humour shining through. At other times, it's ridiculously cute, as watching any kind of animal can be. It's thrilling and eye-opening as well — and, a plethora of times per episode, it makes it easy to see how behaviours we see today, both in people and in the animals we presently share the earth with, have their foundation in these ancient beasts. Of course, in that repeated introduction, Attenborough stresses that Prehistoric Planet hails from scientific learnings about dinosaurs. Accordingly, the series doesn't merely look naturalistic, but actively works to serve up a meticulous nature documentary about its creatures of choice in every single way it can. That's an aim it easily achieves; no dive into the lives of dinos has felt as gloriously immersive as this. Check out Prehistoric Planet's full trailer below: Prehistoric Planet streams via Apple TV+ across Monday, May 23–Friday, May 27, with a new episode available to watch each day.
When South by Southwest revealed two key pieces of news back in 2022 — that it would be held outside of the US for the first time ever, and that it was heading to Sydney to make that happen — the end result was always going to be big. SXSW Sydney is still more than two months away, taking place from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22, but it just keeps adding to its hefty lineup. The latest? Queer Eye star Tan France and Coachella CEO Paul Tollett as headline speakers. France joins the bill as part of SXSW Sydney's focus on screens. The Yorkshire-raised, fashion-loving star has plenty to talk about, including Queer Eye, his New York Times best-selling memoir, YouTube's Dressing Funny, fellow Netflix series Next In Fashion and his own gender-neutral clothing line. The screen fest within the fest is yet to announce what it'll be showing, but it also named filmmakers Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road: Origin) and Jub Clerc (Sweet As) among its speakers earlier in July. Tollett clearly connects to SXSW Sydney's music festival, given that he has experience with one of the biggest such events in the world. As CEO of Goldenvoice, the promoter behind Coachella, he's also spearheaded the Stagecoach country fest — and he started his career in the 80s working in rock. Also joining the speaker lineup as a headliner Cal Henderson, who your workplace might owe a debt to. He's Slack's co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, and ties into SXSW's Sydney's technology strand. And, as already announced back in February, American futurist, The Genesis Machine author, and Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb is both a keynote speaker and headliner. France, Tollett, Henderson and Webb will feature among 700-plus speakers, and more than 300 panels and events, at the Austin-born festival's Down Under debut. So far, the fest has also unveiled a batch of music highlights and must-attend parties, plus details of its gaming strand, with more program details still to come. On the music front, over 400 artist performances will take over Sydney's venues, with the entire event happening within a walkable precinct in the Sydney CBD, Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Ultimo, Chippendale and more — aka a huge hub. [caption id="attachment_910712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brittany Hallberg[/caption] SXSW's setup includes packing festivals within the bigger fest, plus exhibitions, talks, networking opportunities and streetside activations popping up everywhere. So far, venues named include Powerhouse Museum, ICC Sydney, UTS, Central Park Mall, the Goods Line Walk, The Abercrombie and Lansdowne Hotel. Attendees can hit up the SXSW Sydney Conference, which is where those keynotes, presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions come in. And, there's the SXSW Sydney Technology & Innovation Exhibitions, which is all about innovative and emerging tech and entertainment companies from across the Asia-Pacific region. Plus, at the Startup Village, up-and-comers from all industries and sectors will have space to meet, present and chat. [caption id="attachment_910713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brittany Hallberg[/caption] SXSW's arts fests will span the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival, which will be focused on live music venues in central Sydney — and the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival, complete with more than 100 local and international independent games to play at venues (alongside demonstrations, launches performances, exhibitions and social gatherings). Movie and TV lovers, get excited — because the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival isn't just a film fest. There'll be flicks to see, including at red-carpet premieres; episodic content; and digital, XR and social content. Expect Q&As and panel discussions with the folks behind them as well. [caption id="attachment_910714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Kirk[/caption] SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues — head to the festival's website for further details. Top image: Netflix. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
When the middle of August arrives, the best show on television for the past seven years — other than the one-season return of Twin Peaks — will finish up. That isn't new news, but it's still monumental, especially given that Better Call Saul is the spinoff to an also-phenomenal series. Alas, unlike when Breaking Bad wrapped, there's no future immediately in sight for this excellent franchise. Perhaps that's fitting; everything has to an end, including the canny and resourceful run of an Albuquerque-based lawyer born Jimmy McGill, nicknamed 'Slippin' Jimmy' during his early con-artist days, known as Saul Goodman when he leans into shady criminal law with well-oiled charm, and rebadged Gene Takavic when he flees for a Cinnabon-serving new Nebraskan life. Even before Better Call Saul had a final air date — the last episode streams via Stan in Australia and Neon in New Zealand on Tuesday, August 16 — viewers knew what was coming. The series is TV's great tragedy precisely because we were always well aware what its prequel segments, which comprise the bulk of the show, eventuate in. The audience knows who Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk, Nobody) is when he's a charismatic but shifty defence attorney aiding Walter White (Bryan Cranston, Your Honor) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul, Westworld). We know what all his choices then lead to, too. Thanks to Breaking Bad and its gripping New Mexico-set crime-drama antics, we've already seen it. Better Call Saul's sixth season reckons with that knowledge. It interrogates it, toys with it and expands upon it as well. But in the first trailer for the show's swan song, which has been broken into two parts — the first started in April, the second returned in July — fellow Breaking Bad favourite-turned-Better Call Saul key player Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks, The Comey Rule) might've said it best. "Whatever happens next, it's not gonna go down the way you think it is," the ex-cop advised. The episode we've all been waiting for did finally arrive, bringing back Walter and Jesse as was announced back in April, and it was a treat. There's always been much more to this spectacular spinoff then waiting for its predecessor's protagonists to show up, joining the obvious dots and revelling in past glories, though. First, the overall setup: since 2015, Better Call Saul has stepped back into its namesake's pre-drug lawyer days, when legitimately embracing the law was his aim. His complex relationship with his successful older brother Chuck (Michael McKean, Breeders) guided early seasons, as did his plan to work his way through the firm, the Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian, Gordita Chronicles)-led HHM, that Chuck co-owns. Thanks to those early aspirations, the friendship-turned-romance with fellow legal up-and-comer Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn, Veep) has been the show's bedrock. Blossoming interactions with Mike, then a parking attendant at the Albuquerque courthouse, also laid the groundwork for the working arrangement already seen in Breaking Bad. So did the the ambitions of budding drug kingpin Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito, The Boys), as complicated by two Salamanca family figures: smart and savvy footsoldier Nacho Varga (Michael Mando, Spider-Man: Homecoming), and Hector Salamanca's (Mark Margolis, Snowpiercer) alluringly crafty nephew Lalo (Tony Dalton, Hawkeye). Now, the big return: in a Better Call Saul episode fittingly called 'Breaking Bad', aka the sixth season's 11th and antepenultimate instalment, Saul's first meeting with Walter and Jesse is revisited. Observant fans already knew that the names Nacho and Lalo were mentioned in that scene in Breaking Bad itself, in a season two episode fittingly called 'Better Call Saul', despite neither character appearing in that series. Here, in new footage shot with Cranston and Paul, it all takes on greater resonance — but this franchise has never been about mere and easy nostalgia, not for a single second. Better Call Saul brings back the Walter-and-Jesse banter, as they argue in their RV meth lab. It has Jesse call his partner a "dick", but not "bitch". Crucially, it muses on and builds upon what the entire series always has: the decisions that shape, transform and define paths, and reveal the inescapable and inevitable, no matter how much anyone and everyone might want otherwise. Of course, every single moment that's been brought to the screen in sunny colour in Better Call Saul so far — which is how its pre-Breaking Bad sequences appear — desperately makes its audience wish that everything that's destined to occur, and is already known, just won't. Saul Goodman's name has always been ironic, but getting viewers crossing their fingers that things really will prove "s'all good, man" is this show's masterstroke. That said, as the series morphs from a prequel to a sequel in its last episodes, expecting Saul and Kim to live happily ever after feels like a fool's fantasy. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan has many skills, and chronicling life's bleak and heartbreaking realities via meticulous and twisty character studies has always been one of them in these two extraordinary series. Also always high on Gilligan's list: giving everyone involved with both shows the roles of their lifetimes. That's why Cranston and Paul's returns were so eagerly anticipated, and why seeing Odenkirk slip back into Saul's shoes — and Jimmy's first, and Gene's as well in Better Call Saul's black-and-white follow-up scenes — has been so magnificent to watch. Getting caught up in Nacho and Lalo's stories, hoping Mike's path might take an unexpected detour, hanging on every hint of what might come for Kim: that's all as much a stroke of brilliant casting as outstanding writing, too. This series can astonish and delight like little else, including in its tightly plotted and never-predictable narrative, its sublimely cinematic imagery and its many, many marvellous performances alike. TV won't be the same without Saul Goodman, if this is the end of his road. TV has been all the better for Better Call Saul's presence, and it has six outstanding seasons to show for it. The series has always been the perfect capper to Breaking Bad — a devotee's dream in every way, including in its surprises and departures as much as its knowing nods — and, when the still-entertaining El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie arrived in 2019, it's little wonder that it felt somewhat slight and superfluous in comparison. However Better Call Saul ends, likely not as anyone thinks as Mike warned, the series has dived deep into the choices and costs that've pushed and plagued everyone in its frames, and simultaneously surveyed how everyday tragedies do and can play out. Gilligan has cooked that up twice now, and given television an astounding high. (Fingers crossed for a Kim Wexler spinoff, obviously.) Check out the trailer for the second half of Better Call Saul's sixth and final season below: Better Call Saul streams via Stan in Australia and Neon in New Zealand, with the final episode set to air on Tuesday, August 16. Read our review of the first half of Better Call Saul's sixth season. Images: Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television.
There's something about a good food and drink pairing, the flavours of one enhancing the other and vice versa. Wine and cheese is great. So is beer and burgers. Meat and whisky, though — now that's the real deal. The folks at Che Asado & Bar and Cobbler certainly think so, joining forces to share a mix of steak, Scotch and other hearty morsels with the hungry, thirsty masses. To celebrate the mouth-watering matrimony of meat and liquor, they're putting on a three-course meal that showcases premium cuts and unique blends. Hosted by Martin Lange and Simon Gelling, Cobbler's owner and Che Asado's head chef, the tasty feast includes Argentinian-inspired dishes and rare whisky tastings, pus an all-round education about why one matches the other. If it sounds like an expensive night out, that's because it is — but $120 per head really is a small price to pay for the ultimate mingling of meat and malty goodness.
Once you've brought mountain pose to Mt Coot-tha and bridge pose to Kurilpa Bridge, what comes next? Getting Brisbane's yoga lovers to unleash their flexibility in a former prison, obviously. An iconic Brisbane location, the calm and tranquility that can only come from bending and stretching, and taking part in the first-ever silent disco yoga class inside Boggo Road Gaol all combine at Sound Off in the Circle, Urban Bliss Yoga's latest adventurous exercise outing. If you thought rooftop yoga, mountaintop yoga and bridge yoga were all exciting, then this yoga session will once again take you to another level. Doing downward dog as you're in the middle of quite the historic spot is just the beginning Taking place on November 30, 200 yogis will step inside the jail for this unique Thursday evening session, with all of the fun kicking off at 6.45pm. Everyone from yoga first-timers to asana experts are welcome — as long as you BYO yoga mat — but tickets are expected to get snapped up quickly.
Let’s clear one thing up immediately: SPECTRE isn't nearly as bad as some critics are making out. We’re mercifully far from the nightmarish hellscape of Die Another Day or the '…...............huh?' of Quantum of Solace. It's just that SPECTRE isn’t quite Skyfall, either. Firstly, though, to the good bits. This film is stunning. Cinematographer and man with a Bond name Hoyte van Hoytema (Interstellar, Her) has crafted something magnificent here, framing every shot to perfection regardless of scale. Credit, too, to director Sam Mendes, who again proves that his dramatic background in no way hampers his ability to shoot thrilling action sequences. On that front, the film’s best is also its first: a five minute ‘uninterrupted’ tracking of Bond through the streets of Mexico during the Día de los Muertos festival. In fact, the whole first half hour of SPECTRE is so tight, its trajectory puts it on track to rival (or even surpass) its predecessor, however it's at that point where unfortunately the cracks also begin to appear. The overall viewing experience of SPECTRE might best be described as one of déjà vu. The story, to its benefit, draws heavily upon the three previous films as both an explanation for Bond’s increasingly tortured temperament and as a through-line tying the whole ‘Craig era’ together. Where things get problematic, though, is when near-identical scenes pop up from those earlier movies. Bond being fitted with an implanted tracking device in his right arm comes straight out of Casino Royale. Bond joining his beautiful French companion in a train's dining car while they discuss why he does what he does — that's Casino too. M having to the defend the 00 program from accusations of redundancy and outdatedness formed much of Judi Dench’s screen time in Skyfall, and the villain’s desert base in SPECTRE looks remarkably like the one from Quantum with a different coat of paint. Even the score by Thomas Newman feels overly familiar, with some sections essentially cut-and-paste jobs from the Skyfall soundtrack (Jellyfish to Hinx, for example). SPECTRE’s strongest scenes are its original ones, and with a reported budget of well over $200 million it’s a crime they weren’t all that way. On the performance front, Craig is reliably stony as Bond, although ‘franchise fatigue' has visibly set in. His dispassionate characterisation often slips into languor in SPECTRE, relinquishing only when opposite Léa Seydoux as his love interest Madeleine. Seydoux is the clear standout, imbuing Madeleine with every ounce of intelligence and mystery the script could provide. As the villain, Christoph Waltz receives a disappointing amount of screen time, and his character lacks much of the menace conveyed by Javier Bardem in Skyfall. Regulars M, Q and Moneypenny all hold their own (played again by Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris), while Andrew Scott of Sherlock fame puts in a nice turn as ‘C’ — the new head of MI5. Again, this is not a bad film. The confusing or absent motivations, plot holes and scene repetition notwithstanding, SPECTRE still offers up all the elements of a classic Bond. Its action scenes are gripping, its wit affords welcome chuckles and its opulence entices. Any film that came after Skyfall was always going to be like opening up birthday socks when you'd already unwrapped the new car: it was destined to disappoint. But if you can remind yourself that socks are still pretty neat too, especially $200 million dollar ones with gorgeous people, places and cars on them, then you’ll find more than enough to like about SPECTRE.
You don't need binoculars or a deerstalker cap to be a sleuth. If you're keen to investigate new cases at the press of a few buttons, all you really need is a stacked streaming queue. TV mysteries and dramas are full of whodunnits, after all. And, while they're filled with on-screen folks trying to get to the bottom of many a thorny predicament, they're also all perfect for letting viewers play armchair detective at home. Perhaps you're excellent at spotting tiny foreshadowing details? Maybe you have a great feel for television's twists and turns? Or, you could just love escaping into a series, lapping up all the minutiae and seeing if you can pick what's going to happen next? Whichever category fits, we've paired up with streaming platform Binge to take care of your next five viewing picks. They'll have you puzzling along as you're watching — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Because every big event needs an alternative, Riverlife has come up with the thing to go to when you're not going to the Ekka. Their Winterfest is a riverside chillout session at Kangaroo Point, where relaxing in the sun is the main affair. Even though it isn't really winter in Brissie, every ticket includes a tasty warm meal and a hot chocolate rum, i.e. the perfect food and drink for the season. Bratwurst, waffles, mulled wine and hot apple cider are also on the menu, as is entertainment from DJ Cliftonia and Sharif on the sax. Plus, $2 from every ticket sold will go towards the fight for marriage equality.
If Mad Men taught us anything — and it taught us many things, let's face it, including how catching old soft drink commercials can be — it's that advertising agencies sure do like to target middle-aged men. Tasmanian visual artist Grace Herbert wants to challenge that idea through her latest exhibition, Show Room. Her approach is simple: she tries to place herself in that role, and then unleashes the results. Herbert's showcase spans a mix of forms and materials, including sixties minimalist sculptures to the modern Australian display centre. And if you're wondering why she's exploring the concept after exhibiting her work as part of both Next Wave festival and Dark MOFO, let's just say that the rhetoric behind targeting products to male consumers could also be said to underscore the art world. Show Room displays at Metro Arts from November 16 until December 3 as a FAKE Estate presentation.
The past few years have seen virtual reality, technology spawn some pretty nifty things in the world of film and TV. Film festivals from Cannes to Byron Bay have added VR programs to their lineups, and cities across the globe have introduced festivals dedicated entirely to the technology. But you know VR has really taken hold whenthe world's oldest major film festival jumps on board, and in a big way. Kicking off its 74th run this week, the Venice Film Festival looks to have its sights set firmly on the future, hosting its inaugural Venice Virtual Reality competition and even taking over an abandoned island to showcase the selections. Creepily enough, Lazzaretto Vecchio was once a quarantine island and leper colony, but during the festival, which runs from August 30 - September 9, its hospital hallways and semi-renovated buildings will instead play host to a lineup of VR installations. There'll also be a dedicated VR theatre inside a former hangar, complete with revolving seats. The Venice Virtual Reality program features just 22 VR pieces from over 100 submissions. Six of those are huge, room-scale installations, which find visitors interacting with the space around them, and sometimes even with live performers. Highlights include Danish film Separate Silences, which features a near-death experience in hospital; and Alice - The Virtual Reality Play, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired piece from France, where viewers interact in real time with the film's characters. Credit: submarinechannel.com / Image: La Biennale di Venezia
Coming via London's Victoria and Albert Museum, a new exhibition of garments by groundbreaking fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga has made its way to Australia. As well as being one of the most well-known fashion designers of the 20th century, the Basque-born couturier was also one of the most influential in changing and shaping modern fashion and haute couture. He was even once called "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. Showing exclusively in Victoria's Bendigo Art Gallery, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion features more than 100 iconic pieces from the 50s and 60s as well as works by his protégés and contemporary designers continuing his legacy. It's a must-see if you're interested in not only the craftsmanship of fashion, but the history of it and how it can change societal standards and trends. Here, we've picked out five pieces you should seek out at the regional exhibition. [caption id="attachment_739079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Imagine Pictures[/caption] DEFINING THE CLASSICS: THE TULIP DRESS Balenciaga retired unexpectedly in 1968 at age 74. In an interview with The Times in 1971, he's reported to have said: "When I was a young man I was told by a specialist that I could never pursue my chosen métier of couturier because I was far too delicate. Nobody knows what a tough métier it is, how gruelling the work is. Underneath all this luxury and glamour, the truth is, it's a dog's life!" This dress shows Balenciaga at the height of his craft. Playing with gravity and weightlessness, the tulip dress is one of the classic pieces of the collection. It also shows to using texture, light, structure and form to create the striking silhouettes for which the couturier is known. [caption id="attachment_739090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Veasey[/caption] MAKING FASHION PRACTICAL: AN X-RAY OF A DRESS The meticulous structural work undertaken for garments like those made by Balenciaga again highlights the work involved to produce his gowns. Balenciaga worked carefully to reduce the number of fastenings so women could dress easily and without assistance, making his gowns both beautiful and comfortable to wear. As Bendigo Art Gallery Curator Jessica Bridgfoot puts it, "the garment did the work for you." New forensic investigations reveal the couturier's hidden workings and processes. This includes a series of x-ray images by British photographer Nick Veasey. Veasey's x-ray photographs are presented in the exhibition alongside works made during a digital pattern making project with the London College of Fashion. [caption id="attachment_739092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn wearing coat by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1950. Photograph by Irving Penn © Condé Nast,Irving Penn Foundation[/caption] DITCHING THE WAISTLINE: THE COAT Balenciaga is credited as the designer who took women's fashion beyond an obsession with a tiny waistline. His sculptural contributions to fashion include the sack dress, babydoll and shirt-dress which all remain staples today. This influence can be seen in the work of contemporary designers like Comme des Garçons and Hussein Chalayan. Here, model Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn sits for photographer Irving Penn in a Balenciaga coat. Irvin Penn was Balenciaga's favoured photographer, and one of the only people the famously private designer allowed in to his workrooms and studios to document his collections. [caption id="attachment_719353" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dovima with Sacha, cloche and suit by Balenciaga, Cafe des Deux Magots, Paris 1955 © The Richard Avedon Foundation[/caption] STICKING TO STRUCTURE AND TEXTURE: DOVIMA IN PARIS When Richard Avedon photographed Dovima in Paris in 1955, she was one of the world's most famous models. This photograph shows her in a cloche and suit by Balenciaga. Striking contrasts in colour and texture are complemented by the couturier's hallmark minimalist shapes, fastidious attention to colour, and structured outlines – the aesthetic that made him one of the most influential designers on modern fashion. [caption id="attachment_739103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Imagine Pictures[/caption] A FASHION LEGACY: GHESQUIÈRE'S GREY CAPE An important part of the show examines the legacy that Balenciaga made on fashion — both in his own house and others. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion includes works by other designers who worked to carry the Balenciaga label forward after its founder's retirement, including Nicolas Ghesquière. Ghesquière designed the grey cape — which was features in Vogue in 2006 — and was known for pairing voluminous, billowing shapes with tightly cut suits and pants. He is now creative director of the house of Louis Vuitton — so you may notice some similarities in the two labels' pieces. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion is exclusive to Bendigo Art Gallery in Australia, and runs until November 10, 2019. Bendigo is a two-hour drive from Melbourne. Top image: Imagine Pictures.
Each summer, the Aunty team unleashes the Meredith Music Festival, with 2023's fest on its way in December with Kraftwerk, Caroline Polachek, Alvvays, Alex G and more. Each autumn, it's Golden Plains time at the same Victorian spot — and while the lineup isn't here yet, the ballot for tickets has just opened. Music lovers, 2024's pilgrimage to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre to dance among the autumn leaves will take place from Saturday, March 9–Monday, March 11, 2024. So, mark those dates in your diaries ASAP. Then, go enter the just-launched ticket ballot right this second. This round of Golden Plains will mark the fest's sweet 16th — and if you're wondering what's in store, the Aunty team has provided an evocative description, as usual. "A sublime time in the greatest of outdoors. All singing, all dancing, all afloat in the primordial Sup'. Come as you fancy," the team advised. "Still waters run deep. Enhancement over advancement. Same size, same shape with no commercial sponsors, free range camping, BYO, the No D‑‑‑head Policy, and One Stage Fits All The Golden Treasures," the Aunty gang continued. The online ballot for Golden Plains 2024 will remain open until 10.16pm AEDT on Monday, October 16, which means that clicking ASAP is recommended. Catering to 12,000 punters each year across three days and two nights, the fest has long proven a favourite for its one-stage setup, which skips the need for frantic timetabling. And, like Meredith Music Festival, its sibling, Golden Plains is also known for the Aunty crew's star-studded bills. There's no signs of that lineup just yet, but watch this space — in past years, including in 2023 when Bikini Kill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Soul II Soul and Four Tet led the bill, it has been announced in October. Golden Plains will return to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre from Saturday, March 9–Monday, March 11, 2024. Head to the festival's website for further details, or to enter the ballot before 10.16pm AEDT on Monday, October 16. Images: Benjamin Fletcher / Suzanne Phoenix / Theresa Harrison / Steve Benn.
There are plenty of reasons to buy tickets to a comedy show. Maybe you're already a fan. Perhaps you want to check out some new talent. Sometimes, you might not able to resist a concept that inspires laughter just by reading about it. If you're not already familiar with musician and comedian Jude Perl, her satirical take on the music industry cliché of selling out should put you into the latter category. Imagine Perl as a former jingle writer and current wannabe pop singer teaming up with a sugar company to get by, and seeing the hilarious side of it — because, in this one-night-only entry on Brisbane Comedy Festival's lineup, that's exactly what you're going to get. Jude Perl is one of our top ten picks to see at the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
The Ken doll, Barbie's hunky other half, is flying solo for his 50th birthday in Mattel's new advertising campaign to keep the Barbie brand relevant. The company decided to give Ken a makeover in the only way anyone in the 21st century knows how: creating a reality show. 'Dreamer Ken' Kurtis Taylor was selected as the fresh face of the Ken doll in the web-series Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend, in which he wiped the floor with the seven other 'ken-testants' in a variety of cooking, decorating, entertaining and surfing challenges. The Hills star Whitney Port hosted the Bachelorette-style show and believed that Taylor, the 25-year-old Pro Football player from Iowa, was exactly what Mattel was looking for. Taylor described that his perfect date would entail: "A helicopter ride over Los Angeles. Then, we would land on a rooftop where dinner is prepared and Frank Sinatra is playing in the background. After a great conversation over dinner, we'd fly to the beach and walk under the moon." He certainly seems to be the perfect new arm candy for our favourite plastic blonde.
Ever feel like there’s a new food truck event every week? You’re not alone. Of course, we’re not complaining. If the powers that be keep rounding up Brisbane’s best mobile eateries in one spot, we’ll keep coming along. This time, drop by Roma Street Parklands to devour a delicious meal — or several, plus dessert and snacks. The inaugural Park the Truck event is exactly what it sounds like, with 13 of Brisbane’s well-known food trucks driving on to the Celebration Lawn, parking and getting busy cooking and serving their tasty dishes to the hungry hordes. The Bun Mobile, Goat Pie Guy, Oi! Taco, King of the Wings, Fiery Deli, Fire ‘n’ Dough, Yummi Fruit, Vira Lata, German Hut, Juicy Jungle, Flinders Coffee, Chip Tease and Little Back are all confirmed attendees, if you wanted to know what you’ll have to choose from. Food is the main attraction, but that’s not all there is, with a dash of live music also helping to set the Friday night mood.
On the big screen since late June, Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic has already proven one for the money, and currently sits among the top ten box-office drawcards for 2022 so far. But if you've already seen it in cinemas and you're keen for a repeat date with Austin Butler as the king of rock 'n' roll, you can now get all shook up from your couch — yes, Elvis is the latest high-profile flick to release on digital while it's still showing in movie theatres. As always, the silver screen is the best possible setting for Luhrmann's step back into Presley's life. Butler's swinging hips and slicked-back pompadour deserve to be projected onto the largest surface possible. The film's unsurprisingly enormous playlist of tunes sounds a treat echoing out of cinema speakers, too. Still, giving audiences more choice when it comes to how, where and when they see movies — and catering for everyone who hasn't been able to make it to a big-screen showing so far — is always a great thing. Elvis follows in some pretty hefty footsteps this year alone, with everything from Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and Spencer through to West Side Story, Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent doing the same thing. Yes, fast-tracking from the big to the small screen is that common. That doesn't make Elvis entering the building — your building — any less welcome. Thank you, thank you very much indeed. If you've somehow missed everything to do with Luhrmann's film, it sees Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Dead Don't Die actor Butler slip into Presley's blue suede shoes to play the music icon from his teenage years through to his death — covering everything from the singer's days on the carnival circus through to his Las Vegas residency. Fame, love, scandal, Graceland, drugs, stress, all those songs: yes, they're all included. Shot in Australia, Elvis also stars Tom Hanks (News of the World) as Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker, alongside a wealth of local talent — including Olivia DeJonge (The Staircase) as Priscilla, Richard Roxburgh (Fires) as Presley's father Vernon, Oscar-nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog) as singer Jimmie Rodgers and David Wenham (The Furnace) as country artist Hank Snow. Charting its namesake's rise not just to popularity, but to icon status; exploring the role that manager Parker played in that journey; showing the toll that such a life took, and what it says about America and pop culture: that's all in the movie's remit as well. That and some phenomenal live performance scenes that'll test out your home speakers. Check out the trailer for Elvis below: Elvis is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream online via video on demand — including via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Read our full review.
What starts with a progress pride flag-raising ceremony, officially opens with Kylie Minogue and Charli XCX, features Kelly Rowland leading a Domain Dance Party, and ends with MUNA and G Flip? What features the long-awaited return of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to Oxford Street (with new viewing areas), more than 45 rainbow artworks all around town and a monumental pride march with 50,000-plus people walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, too? In other words, what'll make Sydney the centre of the queer universe from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5, and make history in the process? Sydney WorldPride, the first WorldPride ever held in the southern hemisphere, and basically a mega Mardi Gras — and your unmissable reason to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in the New South Wales capital. The above events are just a taste of this massive event's vivid lineup. In total, more than 300 shows, gigs, exhibitions, parties and more are taking over Sydney over 17 days, making Sydney WorldPride the largest-ever LGBTQIA+ festival ever held in the region. Still on numbers, that hefty total includes 19 official major events, 68 WorldPride Arts experiences, 17 WorldPride Sports events and 192 Pride Amplified community events. That's quite the lineup to sift through, so here's the short version: wherever you are in Sydney during WorldPride, expect the festival to be in the vicinity. Other standouts include the Bondi Beach Party, which will turn the famed stretch of sand into an openair club for a casual 12,000 people, complete with dancing to Nicole Scherzinger by the water from dusk; the return of Queer Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and its new building; the Mardi Gras Film Festival hosting its 30th fest, including an online program; and the Queer Formal. There's also the gigs at Sydney WorldPride's at Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): the First Nations Gathering Space — such as the Klub Village party and performance, the Miss First Nation drag contest, and exhibition Bloodlines, which honours artists lost to HIV/AIDS. And, addd lesbian divorce comedy Blessed Union, the Australian premiere of Choir Boy by Moonlight co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney, and installation Eulogy for the Dyke Bar — which will indeed operate as a bar — to your list as well. Throw in a 24-hour dance piece, a comedy night hosted by Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under's Coco Jumbo, and Powerhouse Museum's showcase of Sydney's leading LGBTQIA+ artists, designers, makers and performers as well, and there's just one word for it: stunning.
Already in 2021, fans of the DC Extended Universe — the interconnected franchise that started with Man of Steel, and also includes Wonder Woman and its sequel, Aquaman and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) — have sat down to watch an extended new version of Justice League like it's still 2017. Next on the series' viewing list: The Suicide Squad, the confusingly named sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad (because no one has challenged themselves thinking of the upcoming flick's title). Margot Robbie (Dreamland) returns as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman (The Secrets We Keep) does the same as Rick Flag and Australian actor Jai Courtney (Honest Thief) also makes a comeback as Captain Boomerang. As the government agent overseeing this band of world-saving supervillains, recent Oscar-nominee Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) is back as well. But don't expect to see the rest of their original costars this time around. As seen in the film's initial trailer, and now expanded upon in its just-dropped new sneak peek, The Suicide Squad sees a new group of nefarious folks joins Harley and the gang — including Idris Elba (Cats) as Bloodsport, John Cena (Playing with Fire) as Peacemaker, Peter Capaldi (The Personal History of David Copperfield) as Thinker, Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island) as Blackguard and Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) as the voice of King Shark. Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) has a yet-to-be revealed role, and Guardians of the Galaxy alums Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn show up, too — which makes complete sense given that GotG filmmaker James Gunn is behind the lens and has also penned the screenplay. By hiring Gunn, DC is clearly looking for his sense of humour, as well as his lively and OTT style. In both clips so far, all of the above is on display. So yes, if The Suicide Squad feels more in line with goofier Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks than most of DC Comics' big-screen output, there's an obvious reason for that. When the film hits cinemas Down Under on August 5, it'll initially head to Belle Reve prison, where supervillains are kept. Asked by Task Force X to participate in a secret mission in exchange for time out of incarceration, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Blackguard and their pals are more than willing to help. Their job: travelling to the island of Corto Maltese on a deadly quest. It's dubbed a suicide mission in the trailer, because of course it is. Check out latest The Suicide Squad trailer below: The Suicide Squad releases in cinemas Down Under on August 5.
This Vimeo user has just confirmed my long-held suspicion that Beyonce and I identify with the same emoji (red salsa lady, obviously). In bigger news, he created an entire emoji version of her recent hit from the visual album, Drunk in Love, and it is flawless. Apart from reaffirming my spiritual connection with Queen Bey, this video does a few things. Firstly, it shows how ridiculous lyrics can be. It inverts the tradition of literal music videos and makes you question things. For instance, why is Beyonce touching so many babies, and did Jay-Z really just say "your breastases is my breakfast"? Really? It could also be a game-changer for the music video market. Imagine how many millions could be saved if Kanye just texted his next video the producers? Sure, there's no motorcycle emoji yet, but 'Bound 2' could have just been a pouty pair of lips on a bicycle with a steam cloud coming out of it. It would have had roughly the same appeal as the original. Of course this is a brave new world for the emoji. It's now used to create original artworks, re-enact famous literature, and it even has a seedy underbelly in the world of internet porn. But if it's to progress any further, it surely needs to add more multicultural offerings than the one Asian and one Indian face in a sea of dorky little white people. Case in point: this is the best they could do for Jay-Z.
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is airing its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but, in exciting news, it's now it's being made here as well — courtesy of the aptly titled RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under. The just-announced eight-part series will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand sometime later in 2021. And, while not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely will be. RuPaul will also take on judging duties with show veteran Michelle Visage, with the final judge yet to be announced. Just who'll be competing, and which celebrities will make guest appearances, will also be unveiled later in the year. Fans already know the format — so expect to see fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch Australian and NZ drag queens work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Revealing the news, RuPaul said "I cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world". If you're eager for more until RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under hits, you can also check out the show's announcement below — featuring RuPaul, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlnWG_slkk&feature=youtu.be RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will hit Stan and TVNZ OnDemand sometime later in 2021 — we'll update you with an air date once further details are announced. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
When you scroll through Netflix's menu, everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton might catch your eye. Over on Disney+, you could make a beeline to The Mandalorian and WandaVision, while Amazon Prime Video may pique your interest if you're keen on The Boys or Tales From the Loop. But, if you're fond of homegrown films and television programs, you might've noticed that the huge range of streaming platforms on offer Down Under don't typically fund, create and make available all that much new Australian content. The current situation is somewhat better than it was. When Netflix officially launched in Australia back in 2015, its buffet of streaming movies and TV shows noticeably lacked new original local content (indeed, it took more than two years for the popular platform to finally announce that it was making its first Aussie series, Tidelands). It still doesn't overflow with Aussie fare, although it did give Aunty Donna its own delightful comedy. Fellow streamer Stan has been beefing up its catalogue with Aussie movies and shows, though, with the likes of No Activity, Wolf Creek, Bloom, Bump, After the Night, A Sunburnt Christmas, Relic and True History of the Kelly Gang among the local titles joining its ranks. If a group of Australian creatives has anything to do with it, however, there'll be much more local content added to streaming platforms in the future. High Ground's Simon Baker, Hungry Ghosts' Bryan Brown and Justine Clarke, and Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt)'s Marta Dusseldorp are all part of the Make It Australian campaign, which is lobbying the Australian Government to implement quotas. The proposal: that all streaming services operating in Australia that have at least 500,000 subscribers are required to spend 20 percent of their local revenue on new Aussie dramas, documentaries and content for children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E If the idea sounds familiar, that's because it has been under consideration before, and for some time — with a green paper on the topic published in late 2020, and a consultation period currently open — but nothing has come to fruition as yet. This time around, the group behind the move put forward their case at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, March 16, particularly noting the importance of Australian audiences being able to watch local stories as streaming platforms grow in popularity. Similar quotas are in place regarding Australian programming on both commercial free-to-air television and pay TV — although requirements were altered in 2020 due to the pandemic. And if you're thinking that the Aussie screen industry seems to be in good shape at the moment considering that a huge number of Hollywood titles are being filmed here at present — including everything from Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder to Nicole Kidman-starring TV series Nine Perfect Strangers, plus new movies directed by Ron Howard and starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts soon to shoot — the current situation isn't the norm. Big productions have been coming to our shores during the pandemic given that Australia's COVID-19 case numbers are low, protocols are in place and it's safe to film here as a result, but that isn't guaranteed to continue once life returns to normal in the US. For more information about the Make It Australian campaign, head to its website. For more information about the media reform green paper, head to the Australian Government website.
Vietnamese New Year is upon us for 2025 and, as it does every year, Paddington's Ngon is celebrating. When you're a family-owned neighbourhood Vietnamese eatery that goes big on traditional flavours, but with a fresh twist, this occasion is always going to be a big event — and it clearly is for the Nguyen brothers. This round of festivities focuses on a night of feasting on Saturday, February 1 — aka reason enough to eat, drink and be merry on Given Terrace. Make a date for dinner for the evening and you'll firmly be in New Year's mode. Costing $85, the food menu goes big on family favourites, as the restaurant's cuisine does anyway. So, get ready to tuck into prawn tapioca dumplings, slow-cooked pork, XO fried rice, bo luc lac, ginger chicken and more. Bookings are necessary, and calling or emailing is recommended. The night starts with arrivals at 6pm, with dinner beginning at 6.30pm and lion dances from 8pm.
Autumn's here, which means less time at the beach and more time doing indoorsy things like art and theatre and music. Luckily, a stack of bands and singer-songwriters are gearing up to tour the east coast during the next few months, helping to ease your transition into cooler weather. Narrowing them down into a top five has been no mean feat, but, in partnership with JBL Link Speakers, we've come up with these recommendations to kickstart your gigging adventures. And while you're waiting for the gigs to roll around, we curated a handy Spotify list to get you pumped. Listen to it on some JBL Link 10s — anywhere you like because these babies are portable and last you five hours — and you'll feel as if you're almost (we said almost) at the gig already. Here they are, the five gigs to add to your calendar this autumn. All shows are likely to sell out quickly, so don't dilly-dally: get your mitts on tix as soon as your wallet will allow. CAMP COPE This year, Camp Cope's second album, How to Socialise and Make Friends, nabbed a coveted 7.8 review on Pitchfork. A follow-up to their 2016 self-titled debut, the sophomore continues to address misogyny, sexual assault and sexism in the music industry via songwriter Georgia Maq's clever blending of the personal and the political. Lead single 'The Opener', with its quotable lines like "Yeah, just get a female opener, that'll fill the quota", came in at number 58 on the 2017 triple j Hottest 100. On the back of this commercial and critical success, the outspoken Melbourne-based folk-punk-rock trio is gearing up to take its fierce live act across Australia. WHERE AND WHEN — Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16: Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne — Saturday, March 17: The Tivoli, Brisbane — Friday, March 23: Metro Theatre, Sydney — SOLD OUT ALEX THE ASTRONAUT AND STELLA DONNELLY Two young Aussie songwriters who aren't afraid of tackling the big issues are teaming up for a joint tour this April. One is Sydney-born, Alex The Astronaut, whose single 'Not Worth Hiding', about openly owning your sexuality, became a bit of an anthem for the 'yes' campaign in the lead-up to the same-sex marriage postal survey. The other is Perth's Stella Donnelly, whose 'Boys Will Be Boys' deals with victim blaming following sexual assault and rape. WHERE AND WHEN — Saturday, April 14: Festival 2018 in South Bank, Brisbane (free) — Wednesday, April 18: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney — Wednesday, April 25: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne THE SMITH STREET BAND It's been almost a year since Melbourne's The Smith Street Band treated us to a national headline tour. But that's not to say they've been resting on their laurels. In 2017, the boys rocked out at several major festivals, including Groovin' the Moo and Splendour in the Grass, supported Midnight Oil and gigged all over the US and Europe. Plus, their new album More Scared of You Than You Are of Me entered the ARIA Charts at number three. Over the next few months, they'll be appearing pretty much everywhere in Australia with support from Bec Sandridge, who toured the UK and Europe last year on the back of new single 'I'll Never Want A BF', and Press Club, who've been basking in big love following the release of their debut single 'Headwreck'. WHERE AND WHEN — Saturday, March 24: Enmore Theatre, Sydney — Monday, April 16: The Tivoli, Brisbane — Saturday, May 12: Hawthorn Arts Centre, Melbourne — SOLD OUT ALEX LAHEY Alex Lahey's catchy melodies and honest lyrics have been scoring airplay ever since she released 'You Don't Think You Like People Like Me' in 2016. Last year, she followed up with debut album I Love You Like a Brother — which made the 2017 Triple J Listeners' Album of the Year list — before touring the UK and the US (including an appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers) and returning home to scoop up the Levi's Music Prize. She's spending March gigging around the UK and Europe, before kicking off the Huge and True tour here in Australia. WHERE AND WHEN — Friday, April 6: Factory Theatre, Sydney — Saturday, April 7: The Triffid, Brisbane — Wednesday, April 17: 170 Russell, Melbourne DZ DEATHRAYS If you're keen to thrash your way through autumn, then get along to one of DZ Deathrays' shows. The Queensland-based duo, who cut their teeth at house parties around Brisbane, are heading out on the road to launch their newest album Bloody Lovely, which is all about solid, old-fashioned party rock songs. Providing support will be up and coming bands Clowns, These New South Whales and Boat Show. Several gigs have already sold out, but new dates have been added, so you've still got a chance if you get onboard and grab a ticket ASAP. WHERE AND WHEN — Wednesday, May 9: Metro Theatre, Sydney — Wednesday, May 23: 170 Russell, Melbourne — Thursday, May 24: The Triffid, Brisbane Get your tix and amp yourself up for the gig with our Spotify playlist — played on some swish JBL Link speakers, of course. And if you don't have wifi and Bluetooth-enabled, voice-activated, durable, long-lasting and, most importantly, high-quality speakers in your possession, we've got some to give away here. https://open.spotify.com/user/concreteplayground/playlist/2k4LuQ65AP4xn0ekGTH1qM
One of the country's major artistic figures until her passing in 2011, Margaret Olley is an Australian greatly worth celebrating. Educated in Brisbane, and spending a significant part of her life here afterwards, she's also somewhat of a local icon. But Olley's impact extends beyond the vivid canvases that she's best known for. Over her nearly 90-year existence, she was also a mentor to others, a muse to many, and a devoted collector and donor of art herself. While Margaret Olley: A Generous Life showcases Olley's work, it also highlights her broad influence. Here, across more than 100 paintings and drawings, visitors to the Gallery of Modern Art can see her own famous pieces, pictures of her by other artists, and even pieces that she bought and gave to public institutions. On display until Sunday, October 13, the exhibition marks her life and legacy — and, to emphasise the latter, runs alongside GOMA's simultaneous Quilty exhibition (which focuses on her good friend Ben Quilty) from Saturday, June 29. Free to attend, A Generous Life steps through everything that made Olley's career what it was, so expect plenty of portraits, still life works and paintings of interiors. Expect to rove your eyes of art by European greats such as Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Giorgio Morandi, Pablo Picasso and Édouard Vuillard, too — they're just some of her important purchases. Image: Margaret Olley. Australia, b.1923. Pomegranates in a basket. 1967. Oil on board / 76 × 101cm. Private collection.
If you've ever made dinner plans at the Night Noodle Markets when they've popped up in Brisbane, then enjoyed plates and plates to eat surrounded by a sea of fellow diners, then you'll know that the River City loves an excuse to grab a meal from an array of culinary stalls under the stars. It was back in 2022 that Brisbane Powerhouse announced its own plans to capitalise upon this fact, too — and to combine it with art and music. The result: Night Feast, which debuted in March 2023, then returned in October the same year. Initially, this neon-lit after-dark culinary event was set to tempt Brisbanites' tastebuds twice a year. In 2024, Night Feast missed its autumn timeslot, but it has locked in its spring return. For a month from Wednesday, October 16–Sunday, November 10, food, tunes and installations will be on the menu outside Brisbane Powerhouse, this time with a 20-strong lineup of chefs and restaurants spanning Night Feast favourites as well as newcomers. Fourteen folks and eateries are returning for the event's third run, each slinging their signature dishes. If you've enjoyed a bite from Donna Chang, Gerard's Bistro, Southside, Allonda, Ngon, Hoy Pinoy, Wonderbao, Bugster's and Mary Mae's at Night Feast before — and LouisB, Lek's Thai, Anchalee's and La Mano as well — get excited about tucking in again. This time, they'll have company from Gelato Messina, which is whipping up a bespoke dish — and from Byblos for Mediterranean and Lebanese flavours, Cartel del Taco for Mexican fare and Calida's Latin-inspired meals. Diviners and Savile Row are also teaming up, while Central, the new restaurant from the folks responsible for Rick Shores and Southside, is taking part, too. For Night Feast's October 2023 dates, an izakaya was another highlight, letting patrons get slurping over a Japanese spread. Last year's pop-up boasted Taro Akimoto from Taro's Ramen in charge of the menu. This year, Boom Boom Room is taking over the food instead. Sapporo ambassador and beer sensei Shinichiro Shimo will be back again, however, to pair the dishes with brews. Night Feast was a success from the outset, with its first-ever season seeing 67,258 wontons, 28,352 skewers and 6306 oysters devoured. That said, food has never been the only reason to drop by. Both the art and the music sides of the lineup are free — unlike getting a bite or a drink — with the latest program featuring Leeroy New, Dr Christian Thompson, Gijs van Bon, QUIVR DJs and more. New is constructing a freshly commissioned installation on Brisbane Powerhouse's facade, with the entire work made from recycled and repurposed materials that are being sourced locally. Thompson will also deck out the building, with a large photographic piece set to be displayed across the bricks. From van Bon, a light and sound installation with 200 linked beacons will dazzle the senses. QUIVR DJs will provide the beats, obviously. Night Feast's 2024 dates overlap with queer culture and arts festival Melt from Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10, so you'll be able to enjoy dinner outside before heading indoors for a show. Or, you can also catch a film at Dendy Powerhouse, the New Farm spot's permanent year-round outdoor cinema. Night Feast returns for 2024 from Wednesday, October 16–Sunday, November 10 at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm. For more information, head to the event's website. Images: Pixel Frame / Markus Ravik / Lachlan Douglas.
