From board game to movie to in-cinema whodunnit — that's the journey that Metro Arts' Friday night screening has taken. First, Cluedo became the 1985 movie Clue, and now it's returning to the big-screen for one evening only with some suitably mysterious pre-show activities. On Friday, September 28, you'll be treated to interactive entertainment from 8.15pm, with the film kicking off at 8.40pm. And yes, throughout the night you'll be pondering life's important questions. Was it Colonel Mustard in the study with the candlestick? Or Miss Scarlet with the rope? You've played the game, so you know how it goes; however that's not the end of the fun. You can also turn the evening into a double or triple feature with Pretty in Pink and Barbarella. Sure, those films don't quite fit the theme, but you'll be in for an intriguing movie marathon.
Kicking off a new side hustle or small biz idea can be a challenging quest, but with the right connections and resources it doesn't have to be. In partnership with Fiverr, we're spotlighting budding entrepreneurs who are getting their businesses off the ground in style. Like most of us, Amy Silver vowed to use her time in lockdown productively. But unlike most of us, Amy actually followed through, launching The Dough Co with her dad, Mark. The pair's successful side hustle serves up ready-to-bake cookie dough to people living in and around Melbourne and, after numerous on-again off-again lockdowns, the business is one sweet win that's come out of the pandemic. Amy is in her sixth year of a double degree — Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts — at Monash University, and works as a paralegal one day a week. Mark, on the other hand, runs a corporate catering company that services businesses located in Melbourne's inner suburbs. When the pair suddenly found themselves with more time on their hands, they passed long days at home devouring books and podcasts about successful entrepreneurs and startups. The idea for The Dough Co was sparked when Amy, inspired by the home baking craze that swept the globe (and social media), found her local supermarket shelves devoid of packet bread and DIY cookie mixes. "I came home and said to my dad, 'I've got it! Let's make cookie dough," Amy told Concrete Playground. [caption id="attachment_817446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark and Amy Silver. Photo: Melanie Desa[/caption] While it's no Betty Crocker (yet), Amy and Mark had all the right ingredients to put this half-baked idea into action — the business concept, a captive audience in locked-down Melburnians and, as it happens, a commercial kitchen staffed with chefs. It was a rare opportunity, and one they used to funnel their time and resources into developing their chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. "The chefs started experimenting with the cookie dough and, every night, Dad and I would bring it home… We'd all stand around — me, my dad, my mum and my brother — and taste the cookies, then circle back the next day with our feedback," Amy told CP. "By the time we came out of [lockdown], we had everything ready to go for the launch." Amy's foray into baked goods is rather ironic, describing her own baking abilities as "quite hopeless". But, making a fresh batch of baked deliciousness from packet-mix brands — and having that sweet scent wafting through the house — was something she enjoyed between online classes and exams. She figured other people were probably seeking the same kind of pastime — and comfort food. She figured right. Launched just three months ago, The Dough Co already has hundreds of Melburnians placing orders for ready-to-bake dough through its e-commerce platform, or purchasing in-person at farmers markets around Melbourne. And, after "a lot of really good feedback [and] a lot of return customers", The Dough Co is, much like a perfect soufflé, on the rise. [caption id="attachment_817445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melanie Desa[/caption] It's fortunate, then, that The Dough Co is supported by a $5000 grant from Fiverr as part of a competition run by Monash University, which Amy won through her participation in The Validator program run via Monash University's central startup hub, The Generator. Hold up, Fiverr? For those not yet in the know, Fiverr is a freelance marketplace that connects experts from a range of disciplines with businesses requiring their services. Its user-friendly design and global database of freelancers makes it simple-as to get started and give your side hustle a leg up. Thanks to the grant, Amy scored thousands to put towards her and her dad's biz. When The Dough Co was still baking in the proverbial oven, Amy did all the marketing herself. "I have next to no business experience… and obviously my degree is very different to business — and cooking," says Amy. Now, the business plans to use Fiverr's grant — and its network of freelancers — to "completely overhaul" its website and merchandise offering, as well as improve discoverability and attract even more cookie-loving customers. "A big problem we had when we first started was that we were on the third page of Google, so we had to pay to advertise at the top. Getting an SEO specialist will definitely help." On top of that, Amy and Mark have got a freelance videographer/animator working on an animated, step-by-step video of how to make The Dough Co cookies, and, in the future, hope to get someone designing some sweet merch. [caption id="attachment_817435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melanie Desa[/caption] Currently, The Dough Co has four flavours: classic choc chip, chocolate orange, choc mint, and white chocolate and raspberry. The OG is the fan favourite but, if you're struggling to pick just one, you can opt for The Dough Co's bundle pack and taste 'em all. And, with the more nitty gritty side of things now covered thanks to Fiverr, Amy and Mark are busy developing new cookie dough flavours, along with vegan and gluten-free options. Sure, many Aussies share Amy's affinity for fresh-baked cookies. But there aren't many people her age with a law degree and a burgeoning small business under their belts. With her dad's support, she plans to defer her degree to focus on The Dough Co full-time for the first half of 2022, although still has ambitions to get qualified and work as a lawyer in the future. Her long-term plan? Establish The Dough Co as a self-sufficient business so she can focus on the most important part: "I'd like to stick to being the taste-tester." Have your own booming side hustle — or need a hand getting it off the ground? Check out the Fiverr website and connect with freelancers around the world, all just a click away. Images: Melanie Desa
Luck, be a lady tonight: when Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour's famed floating stage returns for 2025, Guys and Dolls will be sweeping audiences off to 50s-era Manhattan from the city's — and the country's — most-stunning performance venue. As one production does each year, the hit five-time Tony-winning musical will unleash its showgirls and gangsters, as well as its incredibly catchy tunes, against a helluva backdrop. Guys and Dolls will play the unique waterfront opera venue at Mrs Macquaries Point from Friday, March 21–Sunday, April 20, following in the footsteps of West Side Story in 2024, Madama Butterfly in 2023, The Phantom of the Opera in 2022 and La Traviata in 2021 — to name just a few shows that've gotten the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour treatment over the years. This time, expect a new version of a musical that first premiered on Broadway in 1950, then on West End in 1953, and has enjoyed many a revival in the seven decades since. The story, as also conveyed in the 1955 Marlon Brando- and Frank Sinatra-starring film — which was nominated for four Oscars — follows Sky Masterson as he endeavours to win big, then crosses paths with missionary Sister Sarah Brown. Also weaved into the narrative: the tale of Nathan and Adelaide, with the former also immersed in gambling and the latter his fiancé. [caption id="attachment_968005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Opera Australia's Performance of West Side Story on Sydney Harbour 2019, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] Tunes such as 'Luck Be a Lady', also 'Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat', 'Adelaide's Lament' and 'I've Never Been in Love Before' will echo across the harbour in the latest take on Guys and Dolls. Helping make the season even more of a spectacle is Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour veteran set designer Brian Thomson, who also demonstrated his talents on La Traviata, Carmen and West Side Story. As always, also included in this Guys and Dolls experience is not just the show on the overwater stage, but also fireworks each evening, dazzling Sydney skyline views and hitting up pop-up dining spots that are constructed onsite each year. [caption id="attachment_968004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2019 — West Side Story, Hamilton Lund.[/caption] Top images: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2016 — Turandot, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2021 — La Traviata and Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2022 — The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton Lund.
When the beginning of 2023 rolls around, Australian and New Zealand fans of a certain former boy band star-turned-Coachella headliner will be heading in one direction: to your nearest stadium to see Harry Styles finally bring his latest tour Down Under. Just days after he wowed crowds in California and online with his first Coachella set — sequinned jumpsuit, Shania Twain duets and all — the ex-One Direction member turned solo music superstar has locked in February and March 2023 dates in Perth, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Auckland. Venue-wise, the Grammy Award-winning, Dunkirk and Eternals co-starring talent is going big — so you'll be singing along to 'Watermelon Sugar', 'As It Was', 'Adore You' and 'Sign of the Times' at arenas. And, attendees will also be listening to UK duo Wet Leg, who've scored the supporting slot. Styles was originally headed our way in November 2020; however, we all know how that panned out and why those shows didn't eventuate. That delay will mean that he won't just have two albums to play, but three, with Styles' third solo studio Harry's House set to release in May 2022. If you're keen for tickets, they'll go on sale via Ticketmaster on Wednesday, April 27, with times varying per city. Or, if you had tickets last time, there's a past purchaser window from Thursday, April 21–Sunday, April 24, plus My Ticketmaster and Live Nation pre-sales from Tuesday, April 26. HARRY STYLES LOVE ON TOUR 2023 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES: Monday, February 20 – HBF Park, Perth Friday, February 24 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, February 28 – Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast Friday, March 3 – Accor Stadium, Sydney Tuesday, March 7 – Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Harry Styles will tour Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2022. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the Live Nation website. Top image: Erin McCormack via Flickr.
What begins with a look behind the glossy facade of Italy's superstar footballers, ends with a wide-ranging homage to one of its biggest-ever stars, and also features everything from sordid political tales to striking crime dramas? This year's Lavazza Italian Film Festival, which tours Palace Cinemas' sites around the country from September 17. For over a month, it'll showcase Italy's latest and greatest flicks — and a few old favourites — to Australian cinephiles. In the fest's 20th anniversary event, 26 new hits and classic gems will light up the big screen. Whether you're keen for a hearty laugh at a comedic delight, or can't wait to pay tribute to an Italian filmmaker like no other, they're on this year's festival bill. For all that and more, here are our top six picks. THE VICE OF HOPE Whenever a film peers at everyday existence, exploring the reality of life among average, working-class and/or struggling folks, it owes a debt to Italy. As the Second World War came to an end almost eight decades ago, the country's filmmakers turned their attention to the plight of ordinary people, sparking the birth of Italian neorealism. Set in Caserta, north of Naples, and using dialogue largely in the dialect of the region, Edoardo De Angelis' crime drama The Vice of Hope carries on social realist traditions as it tells the tale of a woman (Pina Turco) caught up in the child trafficking trade. And, after De Angelis' 2017 Lavazza Italian Film Festival hit Indivisible, it continues the writer and director's spate of sensitive but powerful features. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLo5bUvw18 I'M NOT A KILLER Across his two-decade career, Ricardo Scamarcio hasn't just become one of Italy's biggest cinema stars. He has also popped up in Netflix's Master of None — in its Italy-set scenes, naturally — and dallied with none other than John Wick in Rome-set sequel John Wick: Chapter 2. Now, he dabbles with a murder mystery, all thanks to the Lavazza Italian Film Festival's I'm Not a Killer. Scamarcio plays Deputy Police Superintendent Francesco Prencipe, whose best friend (Alessio Boni) is found dead the morning after the pair reunite for the first time in nearly two years. There's no prizes for guessing just where fingers start pointing. However, ranging beyond the obvious and questioning clues that seem to point in a clear-cut direction is what a good thriller is all about. I'm Not a Killer also marks the second stint behind the camera for Andrea Zaccariello, who switches genres after his 2013 comedy Ci vediamo domani. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STdwYovczVg DON'T STOP ME NOW Mid-life malaise meets the spy game in Don't Stop Me Now, an Italian comedy that promises something different within two well-worn genres. Films about folks wondering if this is all there is to life are as common as big-screen espionage escapades — that is, very — but director Riccardo Milani and actor Paola Cortellesi offer a new twist as the real-life couple bring the two together for their latest collaboration. Cortellesi plays Giovanna, an accountant and mother who seems stuck in a rut. At their reunion, her high-school best friends all seem caught in similar situations as well. But, despite her mild-mannered appearance, Giovanna is actually a secret agent, which means she knows how to bring a little spice (and disguises, country-hopping and all kinds of anarchic antics) to her pals' routine existence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6zPO_jpIJI THE CONFORMIST Catching a classic film on the big screen is hardly a rare treat these days, but it's not every day that you get the chance to see Bernado Bertolucci's The Conformist in a cinema. First released in 1971, set in the 1930s and based on Alberto Moravia's 1950 neo-realist novel, the political drama follows the cowardly Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant) as he navigates life in Italy under the spread of fascism. When Clerici is tasked by the government with killing a political refugee, he agrees to the deadly deed, even though the target is his former college professor. In a movie that's equally smart, unsettling and expressive — and rightfully called a masterpiece — Bertolucci ponders just what kind of person blindly conforms to such a cruel regime, with ample assistance from his superb star Trintignant, as well as from acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69O1G1ZRAM BANGLA When Bangla premiered at this year's Rotterdam International Film Festival, it earned comparisons to huge 2017 crowd-pleaser The Big Sick, and it's easy to see why. Phaim Bhuiyan, a 23-year-old first-time feature filmmaker, not only writes, directs and stars in this cross-cultural rom-com, but has drawn its honest and perceptive story from his own experiences as an Italian-born Muslim from a Bangladeshi family. When his on-screen character, who is also called Phaim, meets Asia (Carlotta Antonelli), their attraction is both instant and mutual. But his background — and, specifically, Islam's strict decree against sex before marriage — throws more than a few obstacles in the path of romance. The result is a keenly observed tale of multi-cultural life in Italy today, as told by someone who hasn't just been there and done that, but is still living through it. The Lavazza Italian Film Festival tours Australia from September 17, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema from September 17–October 16; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Balwyn, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from September 19–October 16; Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace James Street from September 25–October 16; and Perth's Palace Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX from October 2–23. For more information, visit the festival website.
You know that feeling when you're loving an exquisite meal so much that you don't want it to end, and you're also content in the knowledge that there's still plenty more in store? That now applies to The Bear. Season one of the hit restaurant dramedy left everyone ravenous for season two, then that second effort did the same for the upcoming third instalment. Season three hasn't aired as yet — it's due in mid-2024 — but fans can rest assured that season four is reportedly also already in the works. As per The Hollywood Reporter, season three and season four of the series — which was one of the best new shows on television in 2022 and one of the best returning shows on TV in 2023 — are being filmed back to back. So, while there was no big announcement about The Bear getting a fourth season, it's being shot straight after season three. The reason? To ensure that new seasons can keep airing annually now that its cast and crew are in demand thanks to the series' massive success. Accordingly, after The Bear season three arrives this winter Down Under, season four will be dished up in 2025. As for where both seasons will take Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw) on his quest for culinary perfection, you'll have to wait until they each make their way to your streaming queue to find out. Season three hasn't locked in its exact launch date as yet, other than June in America. Fingers crossed that the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series returns in Australia and New Zealand at the same time. In the past, there have been delays for Down Under viewers. Season one hit in June in America, then in August in Australia. With season two, US audiences still had a June date, while Aussies and New Zealanders had to wait till July. If you've missed The Bear so far, its first season jumped into the mayhem when Carmy took over the family diner in Chicago after his brother's (Jon Bernthal, We Own This City) death. Before returning home, the chef's resume featured Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim. In season two, Carmy worked towards turning the space into an upscale addition to his hometown's dining scene, with help from the restaurant's trusty team — including Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms) as fellow chef Sydney, plus Ebon Moss-Bachrach (No Hard Feelings) as Richie, aka Cousin, aka Carmy's brother's best friend. Also key to The Bear: truly conveying what it's like to work in the hospitality industry and weather a restaurant kitchen's non-stop pressures. In both of its seasons so far, The Bear's creator Christopher Storer (who also has Ramy, Dickinson and Bo Burnham: Make Happy on his resume) has expertly balanced drama and comedy — and, in season two, he also delivered spectacular self-contained episodes that featured everyone from Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) to Bob Odenkirk (Lucky Hank) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Haunted Mansion). Guest stars aside, The Bear's regular roster of talent also spans Abby Elliott (Indebted) as Carmy's sister Natalie, aka Sugar — plus Lionel Boyce (Hap and Leonard), Liza Colón-Zayas (In Treatment) and Edwin Lee Gibson (Fargo) among the other Original Beef staff. There's no sneak peek available for The Bear season three or four yet, but check out the trailer for season two below: The Bear streams via Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand. We'll update you with an exact season three release date when one is announced — and the same with season four. Read our review of season one and review of season two. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Not for the slow or the faint of humour, the national Grand Final for Theatresports is back for 2013. The stakes are higher, the speeches better prepared, and the tactics more ruthless than a Prime-Ministerial election, which happens to be the theme of choice (and mockery) for the championships of this nationally-favoured improvisational event. The best and most quick-witted from around the country are coming to Brisbane for what is sure to be an evening of laughs, surprises and reigning champions of hilarity and off-the-cuff acting ability. All you need to do is arm yourself with the most unbelievable suggestions for their spontaneous theatrical situations, and watch the show unfold. These actors are going head-to-head for your laughs, and you’ll be the judge of the best of the thespians. The unpredictable nature of the show can often bring more mature themes, so ages 13+ are recommended. watch?v=etRuobbor1Y
When a TV show comes to an end, it isn't always the end. Plenty of beloved favourites have returned after they've said farewell, from Twin Peaks and Veronica Mars through to the about-to-drop Party Down revival. But one series that looks like it's staying gone is Mindhunter, the absolute best true-crime effort that Netflix has ever created — and one that's been missing from our screens since 2019. In the platform's ongoing quest to keep our eyeballs glued to the small screen, it pumps out new original shows with frequency. There are now so many to choose from, you could easily watch nothing else. But, both as a true-crime series and a Netflix series in general, Mindhunter has always stood out from the crowd. Combine filmmaker David Fincher ( Gone Girl, Mank), non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit and a whole heap of real-life serial killer cases, and you get the greatest show the streamer has ever made. Naturally, after season one in 2017 and season two in 2019 — both of which were exceptional — viewers were keen for more of Mindhunter's look into the origins and operations of the FBI's Behavioural Science Unit. They're the folks who interview mass murderers to understand how they think, then use the learnings to help stop other killings, with the series drawing on its factual source material to dramatise the unit's beginnings. Alas, additional episodes haven't eventuated, with Netflix letting the cast's options expire in early 2020, and now David Fincher confirming that Mindhunter won't be getting a third season. "I'm very proud of the first two seasons. But it's a particularly expensive show and, in the eyes of Netflix, we haven't attracted a large-enough audience to justify such an investment," Fincher said in a new interview with French publication Le Journal du Dimanche (as per a translation). "I don't blame them, they took risks to launch the series, gave me the means to do as I dreamed Mank and they allowed me to venture on new paths with The Killer [Fincher's upcoming film, which'll hit the service before the year is out]." Mindhunter really does boast the kind of concept that easily could span on forever. The show's main characters are fictional, such as agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff, Knock at the Cabin) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany, Nightmare Alley), plus psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv, The Last of Us), but the details they're delving into aren't. Also real: notorious figures such as Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton, A Man Called Otto), David Berkowitz (Oliver Cooper, The Goldbergs) and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman, Nude Tuesday), to name a few. With a hefty lineup of killers and cases to cover — and still prove fascinating and gripping in this always-meticulously made show — season three wouldn't have lacked in inspiration. But hopes for a third season have long looked as paltry as Holden Ford's social etiquette, and just keep getting dimmer. Fincher has still been rather busy making other things for Netflix of late. That includes producing Love, Death and Robots, then directing Mank and now The Killer — which stars Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) alongside Tilda Swinton (Three Thousand Years of Longing), and sees Fincher return to his fondness for crime (see also: Seven, Zodiac). Check out the trailer for Mindhunter's second season below: Mindhunter's first and second seasons are available to stream via Netflix. Via Le Journal du Dimanche. Images: Merrick Morton/Netflix.
Maybe you discovered omurice on a holiday to Japan. Perhaps you saw it in a Japanese film or TV show, instantly tempting your tastebuds. The dish's viral fame might've started your stomach rumbling. Whichever fits, the combination of omelette and rice is up there with sushi and ramen as a beloved Japanese staple — and Brisbane just keeps scoring new excuses to tuck in. Alongside conjuring up pavlova bao and air cheesecakes with a Mont Blanc spin, Harajuku Gyoza has been championing omurice in a big way in Brisbane. Already in 2024, it has hosted an omurice pop-up at its Albert Lane store and welcomed in chef Motokichi Yukimura from Kyoto's Kichi Kichi. The latter is also returning in July. So news that Harajuku Gyoza's South Bank store is next dedicating six weeks to omurice isn't at all surprising. It is delicious, though. Some dishes are as straightforward as they sound, and omurice — aka omelette rice — is one of them. It's an omelette made with fried rice, then typically topped with sauce. Yes, it's an easy concept to get around. From Saturday, July 27, Brisbanites will be treated to three versions from Osaka Omurice's Chef Tadamichi, who is coming to the Queensland capital to prepare and serve up the popular meal at diners' tables. Starting at his family's market stall, Tadamichi has been cooking up omurice since he was 14. In Brisbane, he'll be making the classic version, one with ketchup and an Osaka okonomiyaki-style take, his signature. It features okonomi sauce on top, as well as mayonnaise and katsuobushi flakes. Whichever you choose, you'll be paying $28 a dish from 4–8pm Wednesday–Thursday and from 5–8pm Friday–Sunday, as well as for lunch from 11.30am–3pm Friday–Sunday.
What do you get the KFC lover who has everything? The recipe for the Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices is the holy grail for fried-chicken fans, and a date to down drumsticks should always be on the menu. But if your chicky chicky fry fry-adoring pal — or yourself — wants to look finger lickin' good whether or not you're not licking your fingers after a chook-heavy meal, Kentucky Fried Couture will do the trick. KFC is no stranger to merchandise and gimmicks, dropping ugly Christmas sweaters (including a pet version), releasing augmented reality games, offering wedding services, doing cocktails, and letting you meditate to the soothing sounds of chicken frying and gravy simmering. It also had a super-Aussie range of apparel and items on sale back in 2018. This time, however, the fast-food brand wants you to don varsity jackets, hoodies, party shirts, bucket hats and more. Forget two-piece feeds — these are your new favourite pieces from the Colonel, and they're all available online via the KFC merch store. Love Zingers so much you need a tee to proclaim it to the world? Obsessed with past KFC logos? Looking for something comfy to eat fried chicken in? Trying to bring bumbags back? You're all sorted here. Prices start at $20, which will get you a pair of KFC socks — either with the Colonel's face on them, or sporting drumsticks aplenty. At the other end of the scale, that varsity jacket will cost you $90. Even better, you'll be doing a good deed by supporting efforts to improve mental health, with profits going to the KFC Youth Foundation and its charity partners The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. Are KFC threads more resilient when it comes to fried-chicken grease? There's only one way to find out. Shop KFC's new merch via the fried-chicken chain's online store.
For the past four years, Jacob Knauth has been slinging fried chicken out of The Brightside under the name of Lucky Egg. For his latest venture, he has hopped across the road set up Trash Taco, this time inside tiny bar Barbara. Mexican bites combine with Barbara's hefty spirits menu in the 100-person venue, which operates from 5pm from Wednesday till Sunday. And yes, the eatery's main dish is all there in its name — in fact, it's very adamant that it doesn't serve up burritos or enchiladas. Taco fiends can choose from pork, lamb, beef, chicken , vegetarian and bean for $6 a pop ($6.50 if you'd like a flour tortilla rather than corn). Or, you can opt for a make-your-own plate that also comes with pickles, guacamole and salsa, and is available for one ($17), two ($25), three ($33) or four ($41) people. Want something other than tacos? A few other dishes are on offer, including corn chips ($8), fried pork rinds ($6) and spicy drowned pork rolls ($12) to snack on, as well as chilaquiles ($9) — which are described as 'like nachos, but saucier'. You can also tuck into barramundi ($8) or refried bean ($6) tostadas, or three types of quesadillas ($6.50–8). Pairing it all with a margarita or some mescal is obviously recommended.
Want to bunker down in Bunker Bay with easy access to the ocean, spa treatments, infinity pools – and, of course, nearby wine regions? The Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is ticking quite a lot of those boxes and others, as it serves as a mighty luxurious base for exploration of the Margaret River Wine Region. A bit of a drive from Perth, Bunker Bay is worth the petrol for the clear waters alone, and the rest of Margaret River's attributes additionally. From here, you can head out on a group tour of the region's more than 150 cellar doors — famous wineries in the area include Xanadu, Cape Mentelle, Voyager and Leeuwin Estate — or get your own car or bike and follow an itinerary of your invention. Several of the estates also boast restaurants, so you're guaranteed to be both well fed and watered. On the other side of Margaret River's rolling hills, you've got that inviting ocean and a brilliant coastal walking track that will take you past Cape Leeuwin and its Instagram-ready lighthouse. The Mediterranean climate means there's never a bad time to holiday here, but come between June and November if you've always wanted to try a spot of whale-watching. Humpback, southern right, minke and even blue whales have been known to migrate past this coastline each year. Back in the comfort of the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, studio or bungalow-style villas house guests here, and all villas have lake or garden views and a boardwalk to the beach, so it's an easy stroll towards fulfilling your holiday hit-list. Vie Spa occupies the side of your vacation that is "lying down and utterly relaxing", with their beachfront location and couples suites a very valid option for honeymooners. Kinks in your back all worked out? You can head to the Bunker Bay Resort's restaurant – Other Side of the Moon is its name, and utilising fresh and sustainable local produce in share plates is its tasty game. Eat well but don't forget to explore the wines too – you're in the Margaret River region after all.
First, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under sashayed its way Down Under. Now, the series that's been known as Drag Race Down Under since RuPaul handed over hosting duties to Michelle Visage for season four is sharing its talents with the world. Or, to be more accurate, Drag Race Down Under vs The World is welcoming queens from around the globe to compete against Drag Race Down Under favourites. Stan has announced that Drag Race Down Under vs The World is on its way — although there's no exact release date as yet. The streaming platform has also revealed that Visage, who has been involved in the Drag Race world as a judge since the third season of the OG RuPaul's Drag Race, is hosting. PLus, Rhys Nicholson is back on the judging panel, joined by season four's winner Lazy Susan. Whenever it hits, there'll be eight hour-long episodes of Drag Race Down Under vs The World, all pitting Down Under competitors from the four seasons so far of Drag Race Down Under against contenders from beyond Australia and New Zealand's shores. Viewers will also be tuning in for a show that's following in the footsteps of other Drag Race spinoffs such as UK vs The World and Canada vs The World. The drag queens at the centre of the series haven't yet been announced, either, and neither has the lineup of guest judges. "After four incredible seasons of Drag Race Down Under, we're delighted to bring back our Aussie drag fan-favourites and unleash them onto the world stage," said Michael Healy, Nine Entertainment's Executive Director, Entertainment Content Commissioning. "With a formidable and familiar panel, and the reigning queen Lazy Susan joining the esteemed judges' desk, Drag Race Down Under vs The World will showcase the extraordinary talent we have in Australia and give local audiences a front-row seat to watch our queens shine globally." Drag Race initially made the leap Down Under in 2021 — and if you've been watching since, it's time to start guessing which past queens will be making a comeback for Drag Race Down Under vs The World. Of course, there's no trailer yet for Drag Race Down Under vs The World, but check out clips from past seasons of Drag Race Down Under below: Drag Race Down Under vs The World doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Stan and TVNZ when it returns — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
The role of Andie Whitford, the lead part in High Country, was written for Leah Purcell. It's easy to understand why. There's a quiet resolve to the character — a been-there-seen-that air to weathering tumult, too, and to knowing that she'll always have to fight hard for what she wants — that's long been a part of the Indigenous Australian star's acting toolkit across a three-decade career. Purcell first appeared on-screen in 90s TV shows such as GP, Police Rescue and Water Rats. In the past year before High Country, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Shayda also popped onto her resume. In-between, the 2000s brought Lantana, Somersault, The Proposition and Jindabyne — and the 2010s added Redfern Now, Last Cab to Darwin, Janet King and Black Comedy. Across three formats, as a play, a book and a movie, she also interrogated and reimagined Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife in blistering fashion, and while writing, acting and directing. It's thanks to Wentworth that High Country came Purcell's way, however. Creators Marcia Gardner and John Ridley worked with her there, then made this the trio's next shared project. The nuts and bolts of the series are solid anyway, but it joins the ranks of Aussie detective and mystery tales made all the better due to their main talent. Mystery Road, which High Country co-star Aaron Pedersen (High Ground) has led in films and on TV, was the same. Jack Irish, featuring Guy Pearce (The Clearing) as its namesake and also Pedersen as his righthand man, equally fits. So does The Dry and its sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2, both with Eric Bana (Blueback) — the latter of which also used Victoria's alpine region as a backdrop, as does High Country. Andie is a seasoned police detective who takes a job back in uniform overseeing the town of Broken Ridge, which is located in the mountainous Victorian spot that gives the show its moniker. While High Country might be the second Aussie effort in 2024's early months to embrace this part of the nation — among a small but growing wave of rural-set Down Under movies and programs that aren't traversing red earth, such as the Tasmanian-set Deadloch, The Gloaming and The Kettering Incident, too — it's no mere rehash there, or anywhere. High Country's framework, down to its character types, is easily recognisable. Gardner and Ridley know what everyone does, though: that a great story can make any whodunnit-driven procedural feel different, as can excellent casting. A big reason for Andie's move: stability and work-life balance, aka relocating for the sake of her personal life with spouse Helen Hartley (Sara Wiseman, Under the Vines) and daughter Kirra (Pez Warner, making her TV debut). An existence-resetting tree change is meant to be on the cards, then, in a place where leafy vantages stretch over mountains and down into valleys as far as the eye can see. But her arrival, especially being installed as the new police chief, doesn't earn the sunniest of welcomes. Then there's the missing-person cases that swiftly start piling up, some old, some new, some previously explained by pointing fingers in specific directions. An absent doctor (Francis Greenslade, Irreverent) and the car he leaves behind is Andie's entry point, but that isn't the beginning or the end of the tale. Also key to the series are Andie's retiring predecessor Sam Dryson (Ian McElhinney, The Boys in the Boat), who is fixated on the past disappearance of a young boy — and former teacher Damien Stark (Henry Nixon, The PM's Daughter), who he's certain is responsible, has become the town outcast as a result and contends that he's psychic. Andie is soon perched between them. She values Sam's advice, yet spies how fixated he is in his vendetta (one wall in his house is right out of the obsessed-cop playbook). At the same time, she enlists Damien as a consultant to help on active cases, hoping that he'll accidentally reveal his involvement in the process. Ranger Owen Cooper (Pedersen) is one of the few other Indigenous faces in town; his teenage son Ben (Pedrea Jackson, Sweet As) quickly befriends Kirra. Throw in Rose De Vigny, the financially challenged proprietor (Linda Cropper, How to Stay Married) of a haven for artists, plus cop colleagues of varying help and loyalty (Romance at the Vineyard's Matt Domingo and Wyrmwood: Apocalypse's Luke McKenzie), and Broken Ridge doesn't lack in players. Rabble-rousing siblings (Boy Swallows Universe's Nathaniel Dean and The Clearing's Jamie Timony), town bigwigs (Geoff Morrell, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) — the list goes on. Crucially, no matter how many of High Country's characters feel as if they could've walked in from fellow Aussie fare, where the show takes them is always its own journey. The same is true of Andie, and not just within a homegrown context; Jodie Foster (Nyad) in True Detective: Night Country and Kate Winslet (The Regime) in Mare of Easttown have charted comparable paths, but never this exact route. Pivotal to giving High Country its own flavour is its sense of place — not merely as a source of picturesque sights, which Andie often takes in as a newcomer to these parts, but in getting entrenched in the ragtag Broken Ridge community. When Sam reflects early that disappearances and deaths are just what happens here, Andie is horrified. Digging into the motivation behind his words becomes another of her missions, and the series'. With a wealth of fellow Wentworth alum behind the camera — Kevin Carlin (Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries) and Beck Cole (Deadloch) direct; Craig Barden (The Rooster) and Darrell Martin (White Fever) are High Country's cinematographers — this is a probing affair. The surroundings that make us, and also hide our secrets, prove a canvas, a minefield and a map. Discovering what they contain in this small-town thriller makes for addictive viewing, unsurprisingly. And in Purcell as Andie, High Country has a discerning and determined guide to fuel not just one season and its mysteries, but hopefully much more to follow. Check out the trailer for High Country below: High Country streams via Binge. Read our interview with Leah Purcell Images: Sarah Enticknap / Narelle Portanier.
Online shopping go-to The Iconic has no shortage of sales, but now it has launched a permanent sale in the form of an outlet site. The best part? Discounts start at a whopping 50 percent off. Called The Iconic Outlet and live to shop right now — say goodbye to your plans of a productive Monday at work — the site features heaps of women's, men's and kids' clothes, as well as accessories and shoes, for pocket change. You'll find heels and sandals for under $15, sneakers under $50, tops under $10, dresses under $20, shirts as little as $14 and a whole heap more. All the usual brands are on offer, too, including Nike, Speedo, Tigerlily, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Camilla and Adidas. As well as discounted clothes, The Iconic Outlet is offering a flat-rate delivery fee of $7.95 across Australia and $9.95 across NZ. The site's launch has come at a great time, too, with spring in full swing from tomorrow. So, if you need new bathers, beach shoes, dresses or hats, The Iconic Outlet has got your back. Alternatively, if you're still working from home and those trackies you've been thrashing are looking a little threadbare, you'll find some cheap new ones on the site. The Iconic Outlet website is now live in Australia and NZ. 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.
Start dreaming about visiting New Zealand's lush greenery — or enjoying a snowy midyear holiday — because Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced Aotearoa's latest reopening plan. The good news: by July, our neighbours across the ditch will let vaccinated Aussies head over for holidays, although an exact date hasn't yet been set. Prime Minister Arden unveiled NZ's new five-step plan for reopening to Australia and the rest of the world in a press conference on Thursday, February 3, with the new way forward beginning with allowing double-vaxxed New Zealanders travelling from Australia to return home without going into managed quarantine. That'll kick in from 11.59 NZ time on Sunday, February 27. Then, from 11.59pm NZ time on Sunday, March 13, New Zealanders from elsewhere around the world can return home to Aotearoa, and some skilled workers and folks on Working Holiday Scheme visas will also be allowed to enter. Next, over the following months, there'll be a staggered rollout regarding when other vaccinated visitors can come to NZ — including tourists from Australia — with most international visitors, spanning travellers from the countries covered in NZ's visa-waiver scheme, then able to enter by July. Aussies might even be able to head to NZ earlier, with COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins advising that "the reopening to visa-free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening." New Zealand will still use its managed quarantine in some special cases, including for unvaccinated travellers and those coming countries it deems 'high risk'. Finally, in October, the border will reopen to visitors from anywhere around the world, and in all visa categories. If this all sounds a bit familiar — but just a bit later in 2022 — that's because New Zealand's border reopening plan was initially proposed in November last year, but was then postponed after Australia's Omicron wave hit, before emerging in the community in NZ, too. The new reopening plan comes after recent mounting pressure across the ditch to do away with its mandatory two-week hotel stay. Since the beginning of November 2021, double-vaxxed Australians have been permitted to leave our shores for overseas holidays; however, exactly where you can head obviously depends on travel restrictions in other countries. And, it's also subject to the border requirements and regulations in each Aussie state, as we've all come to learn over the past two years. For instance, while Queensland has recently opened up to double-vaccinated travellers, Western Australia remains shut for the meantime. The New Zealand border will reopen to Australian tourists sometime in July — we'll update you when an exact date is announced. To check out NZ's full border reopening plan, head to the NZ Government website.
So no one told us that the 2020s were going to be this way. Nearly three decades have passed since Friends first introduced the world to its close-knit bunch of New York pals, but nostalgia for the show is still in full swing. And, after a replica of the series' couch toured Australia last year, the program's 25th anniversary sparked cinema screenings and rumours about a reunion special just keep buzzing, a bottomless boozy Friends-themed brunch and viewing party is your next excuse to worship at the altar of Monica, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Ross and Phoebe. Called The One Where They All Went For Brunch (naturally), this Friends-loving get-together is coming to secret locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland in April and May. The latest event by the folks behind 2019's roller disco brunch, it'll combine two hours of bottomless drinks and a selection of appetisers with Friends trivia, Friends-themed charades, a Friends costume competition and episodes of Friends playing on a big screen. As tends to be the case with these kinds of pop-up events, few other specifics have been revealed as yet — although each city's brunch will take place at a venue within ten minutes of the CBD. Drinks-wise, mimosas will feature. And, word is that Ross' 'moist maker' sandwiches might just grace the food menu. Tickets aren't on sale at present, but you can register to be notified when they become available. Obviously, if you've still been cutting your hair like Jennifer Aniston, have been known to bust out your best Matt LeBlanc-style "how you doin'?" or just like singing 'Smelly Cat', you'll be in your element. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIPSwnHMmNE The One Where They All Went For Brunch will pop up at secret locations in Sydney on Sunday, April 12, in Melbourne on Sunday, April 19, in Brisbane on Sunday, April 26 and in Auckland on Sunday, May 3. To register for further information, and to be notified when tickets go on sale, visit the event pages for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy a blast from the past, but stepping inside a museum is one of the most reliable. Head to the Australian Museum in Sydney right now and a trip back to Peru more than 3000 years ago awaits. For its big summer exhibition for 2024–25, the venue is hosting the Aussie-exclusive season of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, displaying 134 priceless artefacts including the most-opulent collection of Andean gold that's ever left the South American nation. Move over Egypt: after the Harbour City institution dedicated the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 to Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, it's now time to wrap up one year and kick off another with a different journey backwards. Featuring jewels, masks and other treasures, some of which were found in royal tombs, this historical showcase hails from Peru's Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon. To make the exhibition's six-month stay even more immersive, a virtual-reality tour of Machu Picchu is also part of the experience (albeit at an extra fee). Six cultures are in the spotlight: Chavín, Moche, Chimú, Nazca, Lambayeque and Inca. The array of items is also organised into six themes, taking attendees through ancient Peruvian societies' beginnings, religious beliefs and traditions, and the power wielded by royalty. Trade, agriculture, and Spanish conquistadors forcing their decline: they're covered as well. Sometimes, visitors will peer at gleaming body ornaments. Sometimes, rare ceramics await. From textiles to ceremonial tools, plus bowls to statuettes, the collection is wide-ranging — including in pairing earthy pottery tones with shining gems and metals (as well as gold, silver and gilded copper also feature). As for the VR, this highlight of the program is the first-ever virtual-reality 'fly-through' of the famous site, which won Best Use of VR at the Lumiere Awards. The experience will get you feeling as if you've been transported both back in time and to the other side of the world — not just via VR, but also 360-degree motion chairs and drone footage. The vision featured was recorded at the World Heritage-listed site when Machu Picchu was closed to visitors during the early days of the pandemic. Sydney is just the fourth place in the world to welcome Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, after the exhibition's stops in Boca Raton in the US, Paris in France and Milan in Italy. "Full of mystery and culture dating back over 14,000 years, Peru is a stunning land of deserts etched with ancient geoglyphs shown in the Nazca Lines, soaring peaks harbouring secret cities like Machu Picchu and awe-inspiring landscapes" said Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay, opening Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. "We invite visitors to uncover the extraordinary legacy of ancient Peru, by visiting Machu Picchu and The Golden Empires of Peru exclusively here in Sydney. It is a cultural experience right at the top of everyone's travel bucket list." Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru opened at the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney on Saturday, November 23, 2024 — head to the exhibition website for further details and tickets. Images: Cain Cooper.
The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Fred again.., Skrillex and Happy Mondays have played it. De La Soul, Aphex Twin, Carl Cox and deadmau5, too. For dance music fans, and just music fans in general, The Warehouse Project's fame extends far past its Manchester home. The event itself is now roaming further than Britain as well, including locking in its first-ever Australian visit. Yes, Manchester's rave scene is heading Down Under, with The Warehouse Project announcing a big weekend in both Sydney and Melbourne across Saturday, May 25–Sunday, May 26, 2024. It's busting out a heap of talent on both dates in both cities, swapping between Bonobo's Outlier series and Mall Grab's Looking for Trouble parties. Melbourne's PICA will get its The Warehouse Project experience started on the Saturday with Bonobo, while Munro Warehouse in Sydney Olympic Park will welcome Mall Grab to begin. Come Sunday, they'll swap. On both bills is plenty of company: HAAi, Kelly Lee Owens, Paula Tape, dj pgz and Krysko with Bonobo for starters; and Effy, Jennifer Loveless and DJ Dameeeela with Mall Grab, with more to come there as well. This is a two-city tour, so if you're keen on hitting up The Warehouse Project in Australia and you live somewhere other than Sydney or Melbourne, you'll need to plan an interstate trip. The Manchester institution's Aussie debut comes after initially going international in 2023 in Rotterdam and Antwerp. [caption id="attachment_868300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mall Grab, by Rob Jones[/caption] It was back in 2006 that The Warehouse Project first unleashed its club nights on its birthplace, kicking off in a disused brewery and then moving underneath Manchester's Piccadilly station, in a space that's also been an air-raid shelter — and also to a warehouse that dates back to the 1920s. Now, it calls former railway station Depot Mayfield home when it's on in its home city. "Following the success of our first international editions in Rotterdam and Antwerp last year, we've been having great fun putting more international plans together. Australia has always been somewhere we've dreamed of hosting The Warehouse Project," said co-founder Sam Kandel, announcing the Aussie dates. "We are also so grateful to Bonobo and Mall Grab, and all the artists both international and domestic who will each play a special part of this WHP Australia debut." The Warehouse Project Australia 2024 Bonobo Presents OUTLIER Dates: Saturday, May 25 — PICA, Melbourne Sunday, May 26 — Munro Warehouse, Sydney Lineup: Bonobo (DJ set) HAAi Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) Paula Tape dj pgz Krysko More to come Mall Grab Presents Looking For Trouble Dates: Saturday, May 25 — Munro Warehouse Sunday, May 26 — PICA, Melbourne Lineup: Mall Grab Effy Jennifer Loveless DJ Dameeeela More to come [caption id="attachment_943890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mayfield Depot, Rcsprinter123 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Warehouse Project will hit Australia for the first time across Saturday, May 25–Sunday, May 26, 2024, with presale tickets from 10am AEST on Tuesday, March 5 and general sales from 11am AEDT on Thursday, March 7. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Rob Jones for Khroma Collective.
The names Sonny Day and Biddy Maroney sound more like superheroes than commercial illustrators, but with their forces joined they become webuyyourkids. Kirstie Sequitin talks to Sonny ahead of their appearance at Semi-Permanent Brisbane. Have you had any negative reactions to the name webuyyourkids? Um, a few. If we had thought more about this before we started we probably would have called our selves something else. I think we get more raised eyebrows and "Sorry, did you say webuyyourkids? " than anything. It's always funny calling up a company up and them asking where you are calling from. What would you call yourselves otherwise? "Fishfingers" could work? How do you come up with concepts for each piece? In particular, the Best Coast print with the skateboarding legs coming out of the head of a cat and Washington's 'Clementine' video... Good question, there's always an idea or something that comes to mind when we first start on an image. With Best Coast, we knew they loved cats so we started there. The skateboarding legs are female and that just seemed like a natural theme there. And we were just trying something new with composition. Most images come together quite naturally. Clementine was just a simple graphic that popped into my head listening to the song and we just filled it out and built it up with references to the dead miner's daughter from the traditional Clementine song. I guess we're lucky it never feels like we have to go looking to hard for ideas or concepts - they usually just reveal themselves when you are considering the band / music / product / company you're working for and the brief you've been given. Who or what's been inspiring you and Biddy lately and how does it come through in your work? Loads of people, I think we are really into a lot of Japanese psychedelic stuff from the 60s and 70s at the moment and I think that's showing up in the work we are making. Tadanori Yokoo, Keiichi Tanaami are probably the most well known. Peter Max and other designers from the late 60s as well. I think that we are trying to simplify the work that we make too - Enzo Mari is an Italian designer from the 50s Biddy recently stumbled across doing a Google and he's great. I think the influence of all these artists' colour palettes and their approach to simple shapes and strange compositions is very apparent in our work. Your work is so multi-faceted, what's your favourite and least favourite medium or aspect of each medium to work with? Sonny - I love drawing in pen and pencil - I only work in mediums I like so can't list any I don't. Biddy - I do everything on the computer, so - Photoshop! Gig posters and animations are the most fun jobs we do. You've got some pretty high-profile clients - Tourism Victoria, Qantas, St Jerome's Laneway Festival, amongst others - how did you catch your big break? Many jobs have come through our agency the Jacky Winter Group - they are constantly working to bring their illustrators work. And the rest is through someone seeing and liking a job we've already done, or us having worked previously with that client before. For example Laneway Festival came to us after seeing our Popfrenzy posters. The Qantas job came to us as we'd worked with the designer previously when we did the Dungog Film Festival poster. We got the Dungog job because the client wanted a picture of a cow and they liked the cow/bull we drew in the Clementine video.... You'll be sharing your pearls of wisdom at Semi-Permanent next Friday, but can you share the one imperative piece of information that every creative should know before they start their career? Do stuff for yourself, make work for yourself and try to have fun. Don't stay up too late. Drink lots of water. That's about six things isn't it? Finally, why is your Nine Lives exhibition called John Carpenter? I don't think I've even seen any of the Halloween movies... It's called John Carpenter because we've made a series of work that are based on some of his classic movies from the 70s and 80s. I wanted to make some images in reaction to those films, and this seemed like a good time to do it. Sonny and Biddy will be talking as part of the Semi-Permanent conference at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre this Friday. Image credit: Les Savy Fav screen print (2011) by webuyyourkids
A certain snappable chocolate bar has told us to 'take a break' for years, but if you happen to find yourself craving creamy, coated wafer fingers in Japan, 'sell your first-born to hunt down every flavour you can' works just as well. Yes, the nation is well-known for its many weird and wonderful varieties, most of which you won't find elsewhere (we've tried). Think Australia's first Kit Kat chocolatory and those salted chocolate, cookies and cream, and choc mint whirl Kit Kats on Aussie supermarket shelves are special? Not even close. What's a chocolate lover to do when they find themselves in the country that ramps Kit Kat appreciation up to eleven? Try them all, of course. It's a tastier alternative to catching all the Pokémon. Here's our flavour-by-flavour guide to all the varieties you should try when in Japan. Prepare to have your tastebuds blown. GREEN TEA It's the Kit Kat you have when you don't have time for a cuppa — or when you want to combine one habit with the other. It's also the light green addition to the chocolate fold that you'll find absolutely everywhere in Japan. And yes, as it melts in your mouth, you'll enjoy the unmistakable flavour of green tea. A word of warning: these are sold in every convenience store on every corner for a reason. Pace yourself. PUMPKIN If you happen to be in Japan at the right time of year (aka October), prepare to find another kind of Kit Kat lining the shelves. The packaging is tinged with orange, features witches and ghosts, and contains a Halloween-themed pumpkin surprise. And yes, that sweet smell that reaches your nostrils when you open the packet is indicative of the flavour. It's more coconut-leaning than pumpkin, really, but given that it's also an acquired taste, maybe that's a good thing. SHINSHU APPLE If there was any justice in the world, dark chocolate Kit Kats would sit on every store shelf next to the regular milk chocolate varieties. They don't, but Japan's special Shinshu apple flavour offers the next best thing — as long as you're keen on rich fruit-laced chocolate that retains the taste of both. Unsurprisingly, they emit a powerful scent of fake apple, but we're happy to report the taste is much more subtle. WA-ICHIGO If the pink chocolate doesn't give it away, then the aroma and taste will: this is Japan's popular strawberry flavour. Reminiscent of an extra sweet, very strong serving of strawberries and cream, this is one sweet treat you really will want to savour/eat again and again. You can buy them at the airport by the 68-piece boxful — the decadent purchase is highly recommended. HOKKAIDO MELON Hokkaido melons (that is, yubari melons that are available on the island of Hokkaido) are considered a delicacy. In Kit Kat form, they smell and taste like rockmelons — and those sensations somehow happen to be both strong and refreshing. This chocolate has a secret though, and it's a good one: it's also flavoured with mascarpone cheese. Yum. WASABI They had to do it, didn't they? Wasabi Kit Kats are the things that curious eaters' dreams are made of — and the kind of food mashup even those that aren't fond of the plant-based nose-burning paste that's commonly eaten with sushi will probably ponder trying. The good news: it takes a while for the taste to kick in, but once it does, you'll know about. You mightn't want to eat too many of these morsels at once, but you'll be happy enough to give them a second try. SAKURA MATCHA Ever wanted to know what cherry blossoms and matcha tea would taste like if they were smashed together, mixed with chocolate and poured over wafers? Primarily available in Japan in spring, the sakura matcha Kit Kats have you covered. If you've already scoffed some matcha ones, these ones will taste similar — but it has a stronger, floral-like aftertaste. YOKOHAMA STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE Japan's Kit Kat powers that be clearly believe that you can make something great into something even better. Take the Yokohama strawberry cheesecake flavour, for example. If you want a creamier, slightly more subdued — but somehow even more mouthwatering — version of the wa-ichigo variety, this is the chocolate to stuff your suitcase full of. RUM RAISIN Everyone knows that one of the the best things about Christmas is rum balls. So how would you feel about savouring that delicious boozy taste all year-round in wafer-based chocolate form? Rum raisin Kit Kats are right up there with the best of them — and given that even the highly acquired tastes are delicious, that's high praise. It looks like a white chocolate Kit Kat, smells rummy, tastes rummy, and will make you think of many a drunken family get-together. SAKE How good is sake? It's great to drink, and it is so, so, so, so good as a Kit Kat flavour. The first thing you'll notice when you open your bottle-shaped box of chocolates is the uncanny aroma that really does trick your tastebuds into thinking that you're about to sip the real thing. If we could only eat one type of Kit Kat for the rest of our lives, we'd want it to be this one. Top image: Mira Pangkey via Flickr.
If someone mentioned bubbles before 2020 hit, they were usually talking about baths, sparkling wine, gum or tea. For the past 12 months, however, the term has been on every hopeful holidaymaker's lips, referring to arrangements between countries that allow overseas travel in these pandemic-afflicted times. Since mid-2020, the big hope for Australians eager to head abroad while the international border is shut has been a travel bubble with New Zealand. That has actually been in place on and off since October, but only on a one-way basis — so New Zealanders can come to some parts of Australia, but not vice versa. There had been chatter that the complete trans-Tasman arrangement might come into effect in early 2021, allowing Aussies to jump across the ditch. It's now March, though, and that hasn't come to fruition as yet. So, the Australian Government has set its sights on a different location: Singapore. As confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on Sunday, March 14 on the ABC's Insiders, Aussies might be able to fly to the island city-state for a holiday by mid-year. "We're working with Singapore at the moment, potentially for a bubble in July," the Deputy Prime Minister said. "As the vaccine rolls out, not only in Australia but in more countries, we'll reopen more bubbles," he continued. If you're after more details, that's all that was discussed; however, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Aussies would be permitted to go to Singapore for work or leisure. And, getting permission from the Department of Home Affairs — which is the only way you can go overseas at present while the nation's international border restrictions are in place — wouldn't be necessary. It'll only apply to folks who've been vaccinated against COVID-19, however. Singaporeans who've been vaccinated would also be able to travel to Australia, without undergoing the currently mandatory 14-day quarantine period. While the details are yet to be finalised, if the Australia–Singapore travel bubble comes into effect, it'll be great news for everyone that's been dreaming of overseas holidays since the pandemic began. At present, Australia's international border closure has been extended until mid-June, but airlines Qantas and Jetstar have begun selling overseas flights for trips from October onwards in the hope that the border will reopen by then. Qantas has also started trialling a digital health passport on repatriation flights, which allows passengers to provide proof that they've received a negative COVID-19 test result before flying — and will ideally note vaccination status in the future, too. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Via Insiders / The Sydney Morning Herald.
Folks heading to Finland's Ruisrock festival won't have to worry about paying to get there — but they will have to be willing to belt out a few tunes. Once, singing in your car was something everyone did when they were alone or enjoying an epic road trip with friends. In recent years, it has become an overdone late-night talk show comedy bit. Now, it's the only form of payment accepted by the Fortum Singalong Shuttle, which won't be taking cash, cards or funds via app when it hits the Turku streets between July 6–8. On the way to and from the three-day fest — which features N.E.R.D. and The Chainsmokers among its headliners — punters can hop in at designated stops, pick a tune from an in-car tablet and start unleashing their inner pop star. According to the shuttle website, the vehicle keeps on moving as long as its passengers keep on singing; however, given the cars will come with drivers, we're guessing that there'll be some discretion about how much singing is really required. As gimmicky an idea as you're likely to hear, it's actually an attempt by clean-energy company Fortum to get people thinking about its alternative energy solutions, with the Singalong Shuttle fleet populated solely by electric cars. "The silent electric cars make it possible to enjoy singing without background noise and emissions," says the outfit's brand manager Jussi Mälkiä.
It's surrounded by white walls inside and out. It's roomy indoors and catches the river breeze outside. So, when it comes to hosting an exhibition all about the substance that floats around us, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art is indeed a particularly apt location. But big summer showcase Air isn't just about paintings, sculptures and installations. Inside GOMA's black box, aka its Australian Cinémathèque, films about the essential element are also gracing the silver screen. Free movie program Melting Into Air runs until Sunday, April 23, 2023 with a lineup that traces the history of cinema — including old and new titles, plus beloved classics and recent hits, and also plenty of under-loved gems in-between. Here, Studio Ghibli flicks sit alongside sci-fi standouts and David Lynch wonders. That means everything from Porco Rosso, Videodrome and the OG Total Recall (yes, the Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring version) through to The Wizard of Oz, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and the one and only Blue Velvet. A guaranteed thrilling time at the cinema: the screenings of 1977's Sorcerer, about trying to transport explosives through tricky jungle terrain to a Colombian village, and an absolute triumph from The Exorcist filmmaker William Friedkin. The list of highlights goes on because the entire bill is stacked with them, Australia's own Spirits of the Air, Gremlins of the Clouds, Italian masterpiece Il deserto rosso, surreal soccer-star satire Diamantino, psychosexual must-see In the Realm of the Senses, the austere and involving The Turin Horse, and the phenomenal Ethan Hawke-led First Reformed all among them. Films screen on Wednesday and Friday nights, and Saturday during the day — with two sessions per day.
The world's first wandering institution dedicated to showcasing the creative efforts of ordinary folks is coming to Australia. That'd be the The Museum of Everything, which will head to Tasmania for a ten-month stint filled with pieces that you won't find in any other gallery. Launching during MONA's Dark Mofo in June, then running through until April 2, 2018, the exhibition will feature over 1500 works in themed spaces, taking visitors on an informal journey through human making. Drawings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, collage, photography, assemblage, found objects and installations will all be on display during its first trip to our shores. Starting in London in 2009, and touring to Paris, Venice, Moscow and Rotterdam since, The Museum of Everything aims to improve the profile of art that falls outside of the usual channels. Forget famous names — you won't find them here. Instead, lining its walls are works crafted by untrained, unintentional, undiscovered and and otherwise unclassifiable artists from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Indeed, the people responsible for the kind of pieces favoured by the travelling display are compelled to channel their creativity into new, different and experimental works, but they don't fit the conventional definition of artists. As founder James Brett explains, "our artists do not create for the markets or museums. They make because they must and— from Henry Darger to Nek Chand Saini — have something vital to say about the essence of their lives". Image: George Widener, c. 2007, courtesy of The Museum of Everything.
First, the bad news: Australia's most-envied job, aka Tourism Australia's Beach Ambassador, is sadly already taken. Now, the excellent news, especially if you're keen on a beach holiday or several (or ten) throughout 2023: that lucky coast lover, beach expert Brad Farmer AM, has just named Australia's best beaches the year. Australia has 11,761 sandy spots according to Tourism Australia, so narrowing down the most stunning to a mere ten is no small feat — even if you've spent four decades focusing on the absolute best, as Farmer has. The number-one place to hit the shore this year from that hefty list? South Australia's Stokes Bay, which is located on Kangaroo Island. Being named Australia's best beach is the second huge piece of praise that Kangaroo Island has received already in 2023, after The New York Times included the entire landmass among its 52 places to visit this year. Farmer has gotten more specific, however, singling out Stokes Bay for a number of reasons — its location, safe swimming options, overall atmosphere and clandestine entrance among them. [caption id="attachment_886634" align="alignnone" width="1920"] South Australian Tourism Commission[/caption] "Most of the island's 50 or so glorious beaches are all relatively secluded, yet accessible, so visitors are much more likely to encounter paw prints of the many furry lounging locals than footprints of the work weary human," notes Farmer of Kangaroo Island, announcing his picks for Australia's best beaches for the year. "Stokes Bay Beach on the gentler north coast, with its long 500-metre sandy sweep of low impact waves, features a generous and safe tidal swimming pool for wading or snorkelling with its aquarium like atmosphere. There's a timeless hint of mystique about this hidden treasure with a shimmering reward when the curtains lift. From the western entry carpark and seasonal cafe, this veiled beach is reached through a 'secret tunnel' — a hand-hewn cavernous carved trail finally revealing a stunning scene as if rewarding the adventurer. Stokes Bay is long overdue to be recognised as Australia's Best Beach in 2023," he continues. [caption id="attachment_886635" align="alignnone" width="1920"] East Coast Photography[/caption] Stokes Bay claimed top position after Misery Beach in Western Australia scored the honours in 2022, Cabarita Beach in New South Wales did the same in 2020, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy island in Far North Queensland achieved the feat in 2018, and Cossies Beach in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, in the Indian Ocean, earned the title in 2017. This is the first time that a South Australian beach has earned the honours. Still, among the 2023 list's highest-ranked spots, Stokes Bay is joined by beaches in every Australian state and territory, including Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean Territories. [caption id="attachment_886636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Coming in second in Australia's best beaches for this year: Boomerang Beach on New South Wales' mid-north coast. NSW is the one of only two states to take two places in the top ten, too, with Balmoral Beach on Sydney Harbour in tenth position. Elsewhere, Rainbow Beach on Queensland's Cooloola Coast ranked third, Apollo Bay on Great Ocean Road in Victoria slotted in fourth, Adventure Bay on Bruny Island in Tasmania came fifth and Hamelin Bay in Western Australia's southwest notched up sixth position. Then came Little Bondi Beach in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory at seventh, British Admiralty Beach on King Island in the Bass Strait in Tasmania at eighth and Flying Fish Cove on Christmas Island in ninth spot. [caption id="attachment_886637" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Great Ocean Road[/caption] Wondering how Farmer makes his picks? This year, he was particularly interested in beaches with a unique cultural connection to First Nations Country, as well as outstanding locations that don't always come up when folks are searching for Australia's best beaches online. "Australia really is just one big beach and there are simply so many surprises to be discovered in our own sandy backyard," Farmer says. So pack your togs, round up some mates and start ticking these off. We see many road trips in your future — not that anyone ever needs a new excuse to head to the beach, whether they're one of Australia's best or not. THE TOP TEN BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES FOR 2023: 1. Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia 2. Boomerang Beach, Mid North Coast, New South Wales 3. Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Coast, Queensland 4. Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria 5. Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania 6. Hamelin Bay, South-West, Western Australia 7. Little Bondi Beach, East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory 8. British Admiralty Beach, King Island, Bass Strait, Tasmania 9. Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island 10. Balmoral Beach, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales For more of Brad Farmer's beach tips, head to his Best Australian Beaches website. Top images: Tourism Australia / @ihaig72. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world — including Kangaroo Island.
UPDATE, May 2, 2021: Little Women is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, Youtube Movies and iTunes. Greta Gerwig doesn't appear in Little Women, but she's as much an on-screen presence as her stellar cast. Two features into her career as a solo filmmaker, the actor-turned-writer/director has established a clear authorial voice, with both Lady Bird's titular teen and Little Women's Jo March feeling like extensions of Gerwig herself. They're characters she could've and would've played had either movie transpired a few years earlier. Dynamic young women eager to leave their imprint upon the world — and refusing to simply accept the niche that others have earmarked for them, too — they're clear kindred spirits to Frances Ha's eponymous New Yorker. Brought to life by Saoirse Ronan, they're also fiercely determined to do what many of Gerwig's own on-screen characters have: battle for the lives that they want, no matter how difficult that proves. If Lady Bird filtered the above idea through Gerwig's own adolescence in a loosely autobiographical manner, then Little Women locates it in what must be one of her favourite books. Notions of forging one's identity, finding independence and fighting societal conventions already exist in Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel; however Gerwig's adaptation thrusts them to the fore — not just because a modern remake should, but because they're the Civil War-era story's beating heart. Accordingly, this version of Little Women opens with the indefatigable Jo (Ronan) selling one of her tales to a New York publisher (Tracy Letts), and shows her confidently holding her own in negotiations over what's expected of her female characters. She needs to make the sale to send money home to Massachusetts, but she's never willing to compromise just because she's told to. Tinkering with the flow of Alcott's classic, Gerwig's decision to start Little Women here is inspired. It conveys the crux of Jo's journey in a concise, witty, lively back-and-forth — because, both before and after this point in the overall narrative, she keeps experiencing this tussle in various forms. Via flashbacks, viewers piece together the whole story. Her mother Marmee (Laura Dern) doesn't push Jo along any specific path, and her sisters Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) are accustomed to her headstrong ways, but Aunt March (Meryl Streep) has decisive views. With their father (Bob Odenkirk) away at war, the stern matriarch decrees that Jo must marry into money to secure the family's economic standing. Even given her close friendship with the wealthy, besotted Laurie (Timothée Chalamet) — literally the boy next door — Jo steadfastly rejects the prospect that her future is for sale. Gerwig's structural approach has another pivotal impact: it turns this into a tale of women, not girls. The audience first meets the March sisters as adults with precise personalities, and so the film prioritises who they are, not who they once were. This remains a coming-of-age story, but it's savvily reframed to focus on the women that emerge from games, squabbles, crushes, rivalries and stage shows in the attic, rather than on young ladies working out what they want. That might seem a tiny shift, but it makes a vast difference. From the outset, it accepts and foregrounds Jo's unwavering resolve, Meg's desire for a traditional family life of her own, and Amy's pragmatism about the financial realities of being female, instead of making these traits the punctuation that concludes their arcs. All of the above mightn't work so well if Little Women wasn't so superbly cast — especially Ronan as Gerwig's returning on-screen surrogate and Pugh as the thorniest of the siblings. If Gerwig can't play Jo, then no one else but Ronan could've, tapping into the character's intensity and the fact that she's well aware of the cost of her choices. As Amy, Pugh turns in her third excellent performance of the past year (after Fighting with My Family and Midsommar), giving depth and texture to a character who has often been treated as petulant elsewhere. They're surrounded by a wealth of other talent, of course, with Dern and Chalamet each keeping their internet darling status intact with aplomb. Gerwig works wonders with her script and her actors — tasks that might seem easy, but still bear her fingerprints — however she also directs a visually sumptuous film. Little Women sparkles with warmth and charm, not only when dresses catch alight and catastrophic haircuts inspire laughs, but across tender and heartbreaking moments. Cosiness and melancholy aren't mutually exclusive here, and nor are honeyed hues, imagery that resembles vivid period portraits, and a lived-in look and feel. Her trick to adapting Alcott's text for a new era — adding another version to a pile that already includes seven prior big-screen interpretations, including 1994's well-received take with Winona Ryder — is to eschew the idea that something can't be simultaneously dutiful and radical. Gerwig doesn't just make that plain via Jo's story, but bakes it into every frame of this sharp and soulful film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MCOpNti_pQ
A huge 1908 entries were submitted for the the 2022 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. From that hefty number, 52 works were shortlisted for the Archibald, 34 for the Wynne and 29 for the Sulman. But only one artwork in each category can be named the winner of these three prestigious Australian art awards each year — and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the prizes' hosts, has just unveiled the 2022 recipients today, Friday, May 13. All three decisions were unanimous, and they provide an impressive snapshot of the Aussie art scene right now. Taking the big gong, the Archibald Prize — which is Australia's most prestigious portrait award, has now reached its 101st year and hands out $100,000 to its annual winner — is Blak Douglas' Moby Dickens. The painting depicts Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, who lives on Bundjalung Country in Lismore, and is designed as a metaphor for northern NSW town's floods earlier in 2022. And yes, the title references Moby Dick. Douglas — a Sydney-based artist with Dhungatti heritage, who was born Adam Hill — made history, too, as the first New South Wales First Nations artist to win with a painting of a New South Wales First Nations artist. "I'm elated," he said, accepting the award. "It's a major historic win." Douglas has been an Archibald Prize finalist in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, all with portraits of Aboriginal sitters. "I'm making up for lost ground in the failure to memorialise First Nations people," he said, accepting the 2022 award. 'In the past I've considered each entry to the Archibald Prize a memorial to that individual and that's why I only paint First Nations people." Measuring three metres by two metres, Moby Dickens stands out in another way, too: it's the largest Archibald painting in this year's exhibition. [caption id="attachment_853908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Archibald Prize 2022, Blak Douglas. Moby Dickens, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 300 x 200 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling. Sitter: Karla Dickens.[/caption] Also picking up some love from the Archibald's judges: Jude Rae, who was highly commended for The big switch, a portrait of scientist, engineer and inventor Dr Saul Griffith. For the Sir John Sulman Prize, 491 works were submitted, with Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro winning for Raiko and Shuten-dōji. The first collaborative duo to do so to win the award — which is presented to the best mural, subject or genre painting — they nabbed the prize for their rendering of the battle between the warrior and the demon that gives the colourful piece its title. [caption id="attachment_853910" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Sulman Prize 2022, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro. Raiko and Shuten-dōji, acrylic gouache, jute and tape on helicopter shell, 159.5 x 120 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling.[/caption] With the Wynne Prize — which recognises the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture — Nicholas Harding emerged victorious from 601 entries with painting Eora. The artist has a long history with the awards, being shortlisted for the Wynne nine times, and also for the Archibald 19 times, including winning the latter in 2001. Two artists were highly commended among the Wynne Prize finalists, too: Lucy Culliton for painting Mooresprings, a good season, and Juz Kitson for sculpture An unwavering truth. She walks in beauty, of the night and all that's best of dark and bright. In memory of the wildfires. And, the Roberts Family Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prize — an annual prize of $10,000 awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist who is a finalist in the Wynne Prize — went to Sally Scales for Wati Tjakura. [caption id="attachment_853909" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Wynne Prize 2022, Nicholas Harding. Eora, oil on linen, 196.5 x 374.8 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling.[/caption] Also a winner, but announced last week, on Thursday, May 5: Sydney-based artist Claus Stangl, who picked up this year's Packing Room Prize. He won for a portrait of the one and only Taika Waititi, because there really is nothing that the Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok filmmaker can't do. The winning portraits and finalists will now be on display at Sydney's Art Gallery of NSW from Saturday, May 14, up until Sunday, August 28. If you don't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice, which will be announced on Wednesday, July 27. ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2022 DATES Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW — May 14–August 28, 2022 Bunjil Place, Melbourne, Victoria — September 2–October 16, 2022 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, NSW — October 22—December 4, 2022 Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW — 17 December, 2022–29 January, 2023 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, NSW — 10 February–26 March, 2023 Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, NSW — 8 April–21 May, 2023 Western Plains Cultural Centre, NSW — 3 June–30 July, 2023 If you can't make it to any of the above dates, you can check out the award winners and finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on the Art Gallery of NSW website. Top image: Excerpt of winner Archibald Prize 2022, Blak Douglas. Moby Dickens, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 300 x 200 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling. Sitter: Karla Dickens.
Giving music lovers Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk and Harvest Rock is a massive task and achievement, but that's not all that's on Secret Sounds' festival calendar. This summer, the team is also bringing a lineup led by Flume, Foals and The Avalanches to three Australian cities as part of the returning Heaps Good. To get 2023 started in style, Adelaide scored a brand-new music fest in January, with Heaps Good starting as a one-day, one-city event with Arctic Monkeys headlining. It clearly went well, because Secret Sounds announced back in August that the festival will triple its footprint to see out this year and begin 2024. Now, it has unveiled who'll be taking to the stage in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_918622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zac Bayly[/caption] Having Flume and The Avalanches on the same bill is quite the homegrown feat, with Britain's Foals joining the two at all three stops. Also playing every city: Griff, Holly Humberstone, MAY-A, Sycco and Logan. Melbourne will score a Basement Jaxx DJ set as well, while SBTRKT is playing everywhere but Adelaide — and Declan McKenna will hit Adelaide and Brisbane but skip Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_918623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rashidi Noah[/caption] Adelaide Showground is still hosting Heaps Good's SA stop, this time on Saturday, January 6, 2024 — but the fest will first hit up Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, then Sandstone Point in Brisbane. Need something to do for New Year's Eve, Melburnians? That's now sorted, because that's when the event is coming to town. Sandstone Point in Brisbane gets the nod to usher in 2024, taking place on Tuesday, January 2. Yes, that's all the reason you need to extend your Christmas and New Year break. [caption id="attachment_912808" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Minchenberg[/caption] HEAPS GOOD 2023–24 DATES: Sunday, December 31, 2023 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Tuesday, January 2, 2024 — Sandstone Point, Brisbane Saturday, January 6, 2024 — Adelaide Showground, Adelaide HEAPS GOOD 2023–24 LINEUP: Flume Foals The Avalanches Griff Holly Humberstone MAY-A Sycco Logan MELBOURNE ONLY: Basement Jaxx MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE ONLY: SBTRKT ADELAIDE AND BRISBANE ONLY: Declan McKenna ADELAIDE SOUND ARCHIVE: Mall Grab KETTAMA salute Logic1000 RONA. Denim Heaps Good will hit Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide across December 2023–January 2024, with ticket pre sales from 4pm AEST on Tuesday, September 19 and general sales from 4pm on Wednesday, September 20 — head to the festival's website for further information. Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
Since late in 2019, when Disney launched its own streaming platform, fans of its animated classics, beloved hits and many, many super-popular franchises have been able to binge their way through the Mouse House's back catalogue from the comfort of their couch. For the next few weeks, however, movie buffs are being asked to leave their houses to check out a selection of the company's famed titles — all thanks to the new pop-up Disney+ Drive-In that's coming to Brisbane. Yes, a streaming service is running a drive-in. Or, to put it another way, a product designed to get everyone watching on small screens at home is now endeavouring to lure viewers out to watch its flicks on a big screen from their cars. That's a very 2020 situation, with Disney+ teaming up with Openair Cinemas to make it happen. The drive-in will kick off in Brisbane, at Northshore Hamilton — in the event space next to the Brisbane Cruise Terminal, to be specific — on Thursday, September 17, screening films every night (except Tuesdays) until Sunday, October 18. Brisbanites with a long memory might remember that the stretch along the river has been used as a drive-in before, with the Brisbane International Film Festival doing so back in 2011 and Eat Street Northshore also screening movies. As for what'll be screening, the Disney+ Drive-In is theming its various evenings, with double features on offer on most nights. That means on 'Star Wars Wednesday' you'll catch The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker and Rogue One; and on 'Throwback Thursday' there'll be a focus on nostalgic movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, Mrs Doubtfire, Mighty Ducks and Edward Scissorhands. Then there's 'Disney Super Fan Friday', serving up both live-action and animated versions of Aladdin, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast; and 'Sing Along Saturday', where Moana, The Greatest Showman, The Little Mermaid and both Frozen films will screen. Next comes 'Pixar Sunday', including everything from Cars and Ratatouille to Inside Out and Wall-E — and, finally, 'Marvel Monday' will feature the likes of Black Panther, Thor: Ragnarok and Captain Marvel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue80QwXMRHg Popcorn, snacks and drinks will be available onsite — or you can bring your own. It's strictly a no-alcohol affair, though. And, ticket-wise, you'll be paying per car; however, prices vary depending on a number of factors. For a single film, you'll pay $42.53 if there's one or two people in your car, and $52.75 if there is three or more. For a double feature, that changes to $73.74 and $84.51. Disney+ Drive-In presented by Openair Cinemas kicks off in Brisbane, at Northshore Hamilton, on Thursday, September 17 — with its season running until Sunday, October 18.
To say that 2023 has been a chaotic year is a massive understatement. If you're hoping that 2024 will be calmer, cosier and more comforting, you're not alone. In fact, you've even got the Pantone Colour Institute for company. Before every new year hits, its colour experts pick a tone for the 12 months ahead. The latest selection: Peach Fuzz. Otherwise known as Pantone 13-1023, this hue between pink and orange is "compassionate and nurturing" according to the institute — and boasts "an all-embracing spirit [that] enriches mind, body and soul" as well. So, that's what's now meant to both set the trend for and sum up the year ahead, marking Pantone's 25th annual pick. The organisation is never short on words for its colours of the year, and has also dubbed 2024's tone as "a warm and cosy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others and the feeling of sanctuary this creates", "a fresh approach to a new softness" and "subtly sensual". Another way of putting it, as Pantone has: "a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of tenderness, and communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration". "PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from whether spending time with others or taking the time to enjoy a moment by ourselves," explains Pantone Colour Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman. "Drawing comfort from PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, we can find peace from within, impacting our wellbeing. An idea as much as a feeling, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth." Expect to see all things Peach Fuzz popping up around the place throughout 2024 — in fashion and accessories, home decor, design and beauty, and more. The new shade takes over from 2023's Viva Magenta, 2022's Very Peri, and 2021's Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating before that. In 2020, Pantone went with Classic Blue, while 2019's colour was Living Coral, 2018's was Ultra Violet and 2017's was Greenery. To find out more about Peach Fuzz — and to check out all the previous Colours of the Year — head to the Pantone website.
Earlier in 2023, Genesis Owusu hit the River City to play a huge gig with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. On Thursday, August 24, the ARIA-winning Ghanaian Australian artist is back — and taking to the microphone again. This time, he's putting on a free show to launch his new album, all while swapping Fortitude Music Hall for Bunyapa Park in West End. That record: Struggler, his sophomore release, which again showcases his penchant for hopping between different music genres. Recorded in both Australia and the US, it follows his breakout debut Smiling with No Teeth, with singles such as Leaving the Light and Stay Blessed also out now. Ahead of a world tour, Owusu will give Brisbanites a taste of his latest record in conjunction with West End's beloved Jet Black Cat Music. Catch him onstage between 3.30–5pm, and also hanging around signing copies of Struggler. If you need to get your hands on the album, obviously JBCM will be selling them across the road.
Tackling climate change can feel like an impossibly tough task at times, but having a positive impact on our planet is possible — and more so when you get your house in order. With around eight percent of greenhouse gases caused by food waste, making smarter decisions at the shops and implementing sustainable kitchen tricks are just some ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. Whether you learn how to pickle old fridge veg or make the switch to buying organic, seasonal produce from local growers, these small choices can equate to something much bigger. We've teamed up with Glad to celebrate its new Glad to be Green range — and to bring you six simple ways you can combat climate change from your very own kitchen. LEARN HOW TO PICKLE You might be tempted to instantly dump shrivelled, scary-looking vegetables you find at the back of the fridge straight into the bin. Don't be so hasty, though, as you could be throwing away an easily pickled snack. Not only are pickled veggies tasty, but they will also rapidly cut down your food waste at home — if you make them yourself, that is. Pickling has been a go-to preserving method for thousands of years and it's pretty easy to do. Just reach for those old apples, onions, carrots, cucumbers and basically any other plant-based product. Throw in whatever combination you want inside a sterilised glass jar. Add the brine, which is made up of water, vinegar, salt and your favourite spices, and make sure all produce is submerged. Seal tight and put in the fridge. Depending on what kind of pickling you're going for — quick, canned, fermented — the process can take as little as 90 minutes and sometimes as long as around five weeks. Still feel a bit daunted? The pickle legends at Cornersmith run online classes as well as in-person ones for Sydneysiders. [caption id="attachment_778329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacqui Manning[/caption] BUY ORGANIC, SEASONAL FRUIT AND VEG FROM LOCAL GROWERS Australia is blessed with some of the best produce around, so why not go straight to the source? Hitting up your local farmers market for organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables ensures you get your hands on the freshest produce available, meaning it's likely to keep for longer. It doesn't matter if the produce is 'ugly' by supermarket standards, either, so pick up that wonky carrot or gnarly lemon and know that at growers markets, it's all about the taste (and reducing the waste). Plus, buying local often means less food miles involved and pesticide-free produce is better for the environment, too. You'll also get among your community and directly support local farmers. GROW YOUR OWN HERBS The right herbs can make or break a dish. But going to the supermarket for another bunch of basil when you only need a little isn't exactly an environmentally friendly choice. Yep, after a few days that basil will become brown and sad and you'll chuck it. And so the cycle continues. Unless, that is, you start your own mini herb garden. You can do this on your windowsill, balcony or in your garden and, when you need to liven up your meals, all you have to do is cut off a few leaves. Don't have a green thumb? Rest assured that keeping a herb garden alive is easy with some simple planning. Just decide on a selection of herbs you'll actually use, choose a sunny spot and go easy on the water. START A WORM FARM When food waste breaks down in landfill, it releases methane: one of the most potent greenhouse gases. So, instead of chucking your scraps in the bin, why not start a worm farm? That way, your scraps are repurposed and take on a new life. Fortunately, compost worms, such as tiger and red worms, love to munch on many food types, so you can load them up with vegetable scraps, fruit skins and coffee grinds. A thriving worm farm traps gases released from scraps in the soil, diverting some of the emissions that are usually a direct result of the food waste coming from your kitchen. Visit your local hardware store to find ready-to-go worm farms or make building one your next DIY project. Some local councils even offer discounts on worm farms via Compost Revolution. [caption id="attachment_766152" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Fotios[/caption] COMPOST YOUR ORGANIC MATTER (OR DONATE IT) According to Foodbank Australia, the average Australian household throws away 2.5 million tonnes of edible food each year. So, it's no wonder reusing our waste in worm farms and compost has proven to be one of the best ways to reduce food waste and its harmful gas emissions. Many Aussie councils have started implementing composting schemes, so check out your local council to see if you can hop on the bandwagon. All you have to do is throw your scraps into an organic matter bin for collection and, eventually, it'll be turned into compost. The Glad to be Green Compostable Kitchen Caddy Liners are made from 30 percent renewable material cornstarch and are certified compostable to Australian standards. Or, if you have a proper compost operation going — and too much product to fertilise your own garden — you can donate your compost to local community gardens, schools and other organisations. STORE YOUR LEFTOVERS PROPERLY It might sound simple, but so much food goes to waste just because it hasn't been stored properly. If you've cooked up a storm and need a convenient way to store leftovers, you don't have to stock up on cheap plastic containers that'll end up in the trash before long. If you're keen to invest in some snazzy reusable lunchboxes, consider this the dangling of the proverbial carrot. Otherwise, you can opt for Glad to be Green's Reseal Bags and Cling Wrap, which are made from 50 percent plant-based materials, including sugarcane, and provide a robust bio-based alternative. Go green and visit the Glad website for more tips and tricks. Top image: Cottonbro, Pexels UPDATE: Friday, June 25 —Sydneysiders who work or live in Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick and City of Sydney Councils are currently under stay at home orders. Buying essential groceries is one of the four reasons to leave home, but you must wear a mask. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Sydney, as well as current restrictions, at NSW Health.
Prepare yourself for a night of whimsy, wonder and a weird, scaly, hermaphroditic fish man named Old Gregg. Noel Fielding, the androgynous co-lead of the surreal British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, is bringing his live show, An Evening with Noel Fielding, to a capital city near you. Combining stand-up comedy with animation and original music, as well as special appearances from some of Fielding's most beloved and baffling characters, including Fantasy Man and The Moon, the April 2015 show marks Fielding's first time in Australia since his sold-out tour in 2012. This time he'll also be joined by his younger brother Michael, best known for his recurring role on The Mighty Boosh as Naboo the Enigma, an alien shaman from the planet Xooberon. Fielding previously played the part of Richmond in The IT Crowd, appeared as a team captain on the music comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and helped create the comedy sketch program Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. He is also a member of the band Loose Tapestries along with Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, whose music will be featured in the tour. Tickets to An Evening with Noel Fielding go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, December 17. The show begins in Auckland on Monday, April 6, following by Wellington on Friday, April 10, and Christchurch on Sunday April 12. Fielding then crosses the ditch, first to Melbourne on Wednesday April 15, then Adelaide on Friday April 17 and Canberra on Monday April 20. He'll be at the State Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday April 22, before finishing up with Perth on Friday April 24 and Brisbane on Monday April 27. For more information, head to the promoter website.
Where would we be without movies during the pandemic? Even when cinemas were closed during lockdowns, we all still sought out the joy and escapism of watching a flick — and truly appreciated how cathartic it is. Still keen to queue up a big heap of movies, and a hefty dose of couch time? Enter Movie Frenzy, the returning week-long online film rental sale. From Friday, June 24–Thursday, June 30, it's serving up a sizeable lineup of popular flicks from the past year, all from less than $3 per movie. On the lineup: the OTT stunts of Jackass Forever, the Oscar-winning poignancy of Belfast, Joaquin Phoenix turning in another fantastic performance in C'mon C'mon and The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark. Or, bustin' can make you feel good (again) via Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and you can get some more sequel action via Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Sing 2. Female-led spy thriller The 355, Jennifer Lopez-starring rom-com Marry Me, ridiculous disaster epic Moonfall, Aussie zombie flick Wyrmwood Apocalypse and Liam Neeson's latest action effort Blacklight are also available, too. So are the oversized canine antics of Clifford the Big Red Dog, Cliff Eastwood glaring his way through Cry Macho and the literary world-set The Hating Game. (While some of these flicks are more worth your attention than others, we'll let you do the choosing.) You can nab the cheap movies via your digital rental platform of choice, including Apple TV, iTunes, Fetch, Google Play, Dendy Home Cinema, the Microsoft Store, the Playstation Store, Prime Video, Telstra TV Box Office and YouTube Movies — although just what's available, and the price, will vary depending on the service. And you won't need a subscription, unless you decide to join in the fun via the Foxtel Store.
It's Australia's only major film festival organised by an art gallery — and it's back for another round of cinematic fun. Hosted by the Gallery of Modern Art for the second consecutive year, the Brisbane International Film Festival leans into its unique setting. Where else can you watch a world premiere documentary about a great Australian artist, then wander through an exhibition showcasing the same figure? Or see a whole strand of movies that owe more than a little something to the stage, then get immersed in a mixed-media showcase that explores the same topic? As always, BIFF boasts plenty of other highlights — screening between Thursday, October 3 and Sunday, October 13 at GOMA and a number of other Brisbane cinemas, the full lineup spans more than 100 titles. From proven favourites to new discoveries to retro delights, here's our must-see picks from the 2019 program. OVER THE RAINBOW Some topics just keep luring us all in, and the Church of Scientology is one of them. It's the cinematic equivalent of quicksand — no matter how unsettling every film on the subject proves (and, let's face it, they're all disturbing), they're near-impossible to escape. Filled with incredulous first-hand accounts that range beyond Louis Theroux's My Scientology Movie and Alex Gibney's Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (and Paul Thomas Anderson's fictional drama The Master, too), Over the Rainbow spends time with folks who've fallen under the organisation's powerful thrall, whether in the past or still today. They share their tales to documentarian Jeffrey Peixoto, who lets their words tell the story — and lets his visuals plunge viewers into their mindset. The result is a moving, immersive exploration of an ominous and infuriating realm, complete with an entrancing score by Aussie band HTRK. At BIFF, the band will also be in attendance, performing the whole thing live as the fascinating film plays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPRG5Nnf_4M THE CAT RESCUERS Adorable and heartbreaking in equal measure, The Cat Rescuers charts the efforts to care for New York's growing stray cat population. While the Big Apple is known for its human-sized hustle and bustle, it's very much a haven for felines as well. In fact, there are as many cute kitties roaming the streets as there are living with two-legged owners. Flitting between four particularly dedicated cat-loving NYC residents over the course of several years, filmmakers Rob Fruchtman and Steve Lawrence scratch their way through the associated ups and downs — the mousers saved and sent to happy homes, the ones scrounging for food and struggling in the snow, and the toll it all takes emotionally. Like Istanbul-set cat documentary Kedi and Santiago-set canine film Los Reyes, this heartwrenching movie not paints a portrait of the animals within its frames, but of the city they call home, and of the way that society treats its vulnerable four-legged inhabitants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEjFOkCKb3g PAIN AND GLORY Antonio Banderas has a rich, multi-decade filmography across both Spanish and Hollywood cinema to his name, including his previous work with auteur Pedro Almodovar. And yet, he's never been better than in Pain and Glory, which won him this year's Cannes Film Festival Best Actor award. Almodovar hasn't been in as fine a form in years either — not since he took Banderas into completely different territory with The Skin I Live In. With Penelope Cruz also featuring, re-teaming with his original stars and lightly drawing from his own past is clearly working for the celebrated director. There's such a quiet, thorny and tender core to this account of an ageing filmmaker (Banderas) rueing love lost and choices made, all while trying to manage his failing body, reconnecting with an old acquaintance, and falling back into memories of his mother (Cruz). There's such a glorious command of colour and movement in the film's evocative imagery, too. This is a film to get lost in, and in its sumptuously, sweepingly handled titular emotions as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYBF0CfbfhA THE THIRD WIFE With The Third Wife, writer/director Ash Mayfair draws upon her own family history, making an exceptional filmmaking debut in the process. Gorgeously shot and movingly performed, this 19th century-set Vietnamese drama follows the arrival of 14-year-old May (Nguyen Phuong Tra My) into a rich family. She's marrying in and, as the title makes plain, becoming the third wife to a wealthy landowner. With little choice or agency, she's forced to fall into place in a strictly patriarchal society — navigating the existing familial order, finding a place among her new husband's other spouses, and bearing the weight of expectation that, because of her youthful age, she'll finally extend the bloodline by bearing a son. As May's story ebbs and flows, Mayfair spins a touching tale of desire and oppression that both looks to the past and simmers with modern-day relevance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d1KP-OhBP4 LITTLE MONSTERS Just when you think you've seen absolutely every zombie film there is to see, and then you've gnawed your way through a few more, too, Little Monsters offers its take on the genre. And, if a dose of Aussie humour wasn't enough, it enlists Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o — who was last seen spreading unease in Us — as an undead-fighting school teacher. Taking her five-year-old students on an excursion to a farm, Miss Caroline soon finds more than animals nipping at their heels, with the ravenous masses coming a-chomping. Josh Gad plays a bowtie-wearing children's TV presenter, Alexander England pops up as a slacker musician, and the whole thing comes from the mind of actor-turned filmmaker Abe Forsythe, aka the writer/director who managed to both satirise the Cronulla riots and make a strong anti-racism statement in 2016's Down Under. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrUkRs8wDo0 COLD CASE HAMMARSKJÖLD True crime, political scandal, conspiracy theories — if you're keen on any of the above, this year's Sundance World Cinema — Documentary winner is like catnip. As he tends to do, Danish TV host and documentarian Mads Brügger (The Ambassador) hones in a tale that's both completely outlandish and firmly steeped in reality. His subject in in Cold Case Hammarskjöld: the 1961 death, in a plane crash in Zambia, of Swedish economist and UN Secretary-General Dag Hammersjköld. That the titular figure was killed was attempting to assuage the ongoing conflict in the Congo has raised suspicions across Africa for decades, so Brügger amasses and unpacks all of the evidence that he can find. Lengthy, detailed and engrossing, the result is a story that needs to be seen to be believed — although, if you can't quite place your faith in all of its claims, that comes with the filmmaker's purposefully provocative approach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn_-YoG69Sw PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE Every obvious fiery term applies to Céline Sciamma's lush romantic drama. It simmers carefully, burns slowly and, after waiting for its embers to spark, sets the screen alight. Stepping back to 18th-century Brittany, the assured French filmmaker spins a yearning tale of passion and desire — of knowing that your greatest needs can only be satisfied fleetingly, grappling with that fact and relishing what brief happiness you can. Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) is a betrothed woman who refuses to sit for a traditional wedding portrait, much to her mother's (Valeria Golino) dismay. Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is the painter called in not just to commit the bride-to-be's likeness to canvas, but to do so surreptitiously while acting as her companion. As friendship and more blooms between the two, Sciamma's exquisite feel for unspoken emotion and inner awakenings blazes brightly, as it did in Water Lilies, Tomboy and Girlhood. Also evident is the writer/director's masterful way with her actors, and with stirring visual compositions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTlhjBUikVw YOUNG AHMED In the past two decades, Belgium's Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have directed eight films. Many, like L'Enfant and Two Days, One Night, are masterpieces — and a whopping seven of them have scored awards or special mentions at the Cannes Film Festival. Those prize-winning ranks also spans their latest, Young Ahmed, which nabbed the brothers this year's Best Director gong. Applying their trademark understated, humanist and observational approach to a radicalised Belgian teen, they grapple with an increasingly common topic: the extremist path that can sometimes beckon to socially isolated young men. In Ahmed's (Idir Ben Addi) case, the otherwise average Muslim high schooler's life changes when a forceful imam (Othmane Moumen) introduces him to incendiary ideas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qn70iqo-4Q MONOS The relentlessness of modern life, the ongoing unrest in Colombia, and the ceaseless trials and tribulations that plague all teens facing adulthood — they all sit at the centre of stunning South America-set thriller Monos. Set in a camp of teen guerrillas, Alejandro Landes' third film follows gun-toting rebels that have barely said goodbye to childhood, but are still tasked with guarding an American hostage (Julianne Nicholson). Unsurprisingly, even with nothing around but fields, jungle, a cow to milk and occasional enemy fire, little goes according to plan. Engagingly lingering between a dark fairytale and a psychological treatise on war, combat and humanity's dog-eat-dog nature, the result is one of the year's definite standouts. From the eye-popping landscape cinematography, to the needling tension of Mica Levi's score, to the commanding performance from the young cast, there's a reason that Monos keeps proving a festival hit around the globe, including winning Sundance's Special Jury Award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VBsi0VxiLg ROMEO + JULIET When BIFF announced its first 2019 titles a couple of months back, it promised a spectacular (spectacular) lineup in one specific way. With Baz Luhrmann and his frequent collaborator Catherine Martin acting as the festival's patrons this year, a feast of their flicks was always going to happen — and if you only find time to revisit one on the big screen, then Romeo + Juliet demands your attention. Long before he was Rick Dalton, Leonardo DiCaprio played half of the world's most famous infatuated couple, with Claire Danes joining him as the similarly ill-fated Juliet to his Romeo. As everyone has known for centuries, William Shakespeare's tragedy is a tale of heartbreaking potency; in Luhrmann's hands, it's brought to life with unparalleled movement, colour, style and immediacy (and, as plenty of parties keep reminding us, with a killer soundtrack as well). Still have room for a few more movies? Don't worry, we have a few more suggestions. From our rundown of Australian titles to check out this year, Emu Runner is screening at BIFF. And, from our Berlinale highlights, so is The Souvenir, Varda by Agnes and Ghost Town Anthology as well. Back at the Sydney Film Festival, we couldn't recommend In My Blood It Runs, In Fabric highly enough. Once the fest was over, we also added Judy & Punch and The Dead Don't Die to our picks. At MIFF, we buzzed about Memory: The Origins of Alien, Matthias & Maxime, The Day Shall Come and The Wild Goose Lake before the fest — and Beanpole and The Grand Bizarre afterwards. Yep, there's plenty to watch. The 2019 Brisbane International Film Festival runs from Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 13 at a variety of Brisbane venues. For further information, and to book tickets, head to the festival website.
Ever wanted to see your favourite bands kick a few goals, and help support a good cause at the same time? For more than a quarter-century, the Reclink Community Cup has been turning musos into footy players for an annual charity Aussie rules match. Before the pandemic, the Melbourne game would draw more than 10,000 people and raise over $100,000 each year. Sydney's match had been going strong for years too — and the cup finally came to Brisbane in 2016 (if you're wondering, the musos took it out). Now, for Brisbanites, the Reclink Community Cup is back again for another round. Come Sunday, July 31, the city's music community will descend upon Enoggera Memorial Park to put their sporting prowess to the test. Two teams will take to the field: The Rocking Horses, featuring players from an array of Brissie acts; and the Brisbane Lines, filled with a crew of journos, industry staff general music-related folks. The complete list of exactly who'll take to the field for both groups hasn't yet been revealed, but members of Powderfinger and The Church, Dead Letter Circus, WAAX, CLEA, Shag Rock, Melaleuca, Whalehouse, Tape/Off and Flangipanis will fall into the first camp. Usually, staff from 4ZZZ, the ABC, street press, Oztix and QMusic make up the opposition team. [caption id="attachment_856675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Allan Allport[/caption] The Community Cup isn't just about getting another dose of the live AFL action, though (as ace as the prospect of more footy always is). Given that rock stars are involved, live music is part of the proceedings as well, with the bill also set to be announced. And, food-wise, expect food trucks ready to fill your ravenous stomachs, plus bars to quench your thirst. Watching bands play both music and footy is hungry work, after all — and goes down well with a cold one. Every dollar raised from ticketing goes towards Reclink's efforts to improve the lives of Queenslanders suffering from disability, homelessness, substance abuse and economic hardship through participation in sport and the arts. Yep, whoever emerges victorious from the game, a heap of deserving folks will be the real winners. Images: Allan Allport.
Last time Spike Lee stepped behind the camera, he took on American race relations in the 1970s, with the equally scathing, impassioned and amusing BlacKkKlansman winning him the Cannes Grand Prix and an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his troubles. Two years later, the acclaimed filmmaker is back with his latest feature, which once again tackles inequality and its consequences — this time in Vietnam War heist flick Da 5 Bloods. Dropping on Netflix on June 12 — and just dropping its first trailer, too — Da 5 Bloods follows four African American veterans who head back to Saigon decades after the conflict. They're looking for the remains of their squad leader, who was killed in action, but they also have another mission: searching for the buried gold they stashed away all those years ago. As the trailer makes clear, Lee was never going to explore the controversial war without also examining the role played by African American soldiers at the time. That just wouldn't be a Spike Lee joint. So, as well as charting the exploits of his characters both now and during the conflict, Da 5 Bloods interrogates the political and social reality behind their military service — including the fact that they were fighting for a country that didn't treat them equally, let alone care whether they lost their lives in combat. Lee's latest flick also assembles a mighty impressive cast, including Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman as the unit's fallen commander — plus, as the older versions of the surviving squad members, The Good Fight's Delroy Lindo, Broadway veteran Norm Lewis, and The Wire duo Clarke Peters and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Whether the latter will exclaim "sheeeeeeeee-it" is yet to be seen, although Lee is clearly a fan. https://twitter.com/SpikeLeeJoint/status/1262194706416455680 Da 5 Bloods also features French actors Jean Reno and Mélanie Thierry, When We Rise's Jonathan Majors and Richard Jewell's Paul Walter Hauser, as well as Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul's Giancarlo Esposito — who reteams with Lee after starring in the director's School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, and Malcolm X in the late 80s and early 90s. Check out the Da 5 Bloods trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5RDTPfsLAI Da 5 Bloods hits Netflix on June 12.
Some of Australia's dreamiest contemporary spaces have been given the ultimate tick of approval, taking out top honours at the Australian Interior Design Awards 2019. From the daring to the downright dapper, the esteemed awards recognised next level talent displayed in bars, hotels, cafes, public spaces and retail stores, all across the country. The top gong, known as the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design, went to George Livissianis for his work on sleek Sydney hair salon USFIN. The space was described by the 2019 awards jury as "genuinely clever" and "a bit sexy", with "a real joyfulness to it, despite its futuristic laboratory aesthetic". [caption id="attachment_724332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] USFIN[/caption] Elsewhere, BVN took out the Award for Interior Design Impact for North Strathfield's Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School, while the newly rebuilt Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, Queensland, took home the award for Best Public Design. The designers behind some of your go-to hospitality spaces were also given serious props, including Melbourne firm Pierce Widera, which was awarded the title of Emerging Interior Design Practice. This is the team that brought us contemporary favourites like Cheek (and its rooftop bar Peaches), Richmond's Sister of Soul and Northcote cafe Bicycle Thieves. [caption id="attachment_724328" align="alignnone" width="1920"] United Places Botanic Gardens. Image: Sharyn Cairns[/caption] Melbourne-based studio Carr scooped up the Hospitality Design Award for South Yarra hotel United Places Botanic Gardens, which is also home to chef Scott Pickett's fire-driven restaurant Matilda 159 Domain. Further north, Herbert & Mason scored a Commendation in the Retail Design Award category, in honour of its work on Surry Hills' multifaceted wellness hub Paramount Recreation Club. [caption id="attachment_724331" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Escher X nendo: Between Two Worlds. Image: Takumiota[/caption] And the Installation Design Award honoured some familiar activations, with the top prize going to the National Gallery of Victoria and Nendo for the Escher X Nendo: Between Two Worlds exhibition. Anna Tregloan pulled a Commendation for her work leading us all down the rabbit hole at ACMI's Wonderland. You can check out the full list of award winners at the AIDA 2019 website. Images 1–2: Sister of Soul by Derek Swalwell. Images 3–4: Cheek by Jana Langhorst. Image 5: Waltzing Matilda Centre by Casey Vallance.
It never gets all that cold in Brisbane. It doesn't snow, for instance. Still, it's fun to pretend that it's frostier than it is. One way to do exactly that: the Winter Chalet pop-up at Customs House, which sets up igloos and wintry decor by the river each year. It's the Queen Street venue's regular seasonal makeover when the mercury drops, and it comes complete with see-through domes for you and your mates to hang out in — while getting cosy under faux-fur blankets, peering at the river and knocking back a range of Veuve Clicquot tipples. Or, if you'd prefer cocktails for your chalet-style waterside hangs, the Clicquot sidecar, espresso martinis, negronis and Tommy's margaritas are on offer. Open Tuesdays–Sundays weekly from Tuesday, May 13 until the end of winter for 2025, the pop-up is also serving up a selection to line your stomach. Dining is available from Tuesday–Thursday, as is a winter high tea. The first costs $160 per person and the second $105 per person, both for two–six people. Opt for dinner and you'll be tucking into wagyu beef tartare, pork belly, potato gnocchi and wood-smoked buffalo mozzarella, among other options. For high tea, bites include smoked salmon and caviar waffle sandwiches, curried lobster brioche, vanilla cream cheese scones and Baileys mousse petit fours. Both packages come with a glass of Veuve Clicquot NV. The site is operating as a chalet bar Friday–Sunday, too — for dome bookings from $75 per person, and also just hanging about. That's where the always-popular half Moreton Bay bug croissants come in, as well as duck liver parfait, burrata arancini, and baked whole brie. Images: Markus Ravik.
If you're thinking small for your next domestic getaway, there's a new pint-sized accommodation option to add to that holiday radar. NRMA, aka the National Roads and Motorists' Association, has just unveiled two new stylishly-repurposed shipping containers it's calling 'glamtainers' — and they'll be making their home on New South Wales' Central Coast until autumn next year. Easily movable and extendable in size, the seven-metre-long luxury tiny homes have room to sleep four, each boasting two queen beds, a full bathroom and a decent sized kitchenette. What's more, they're fitted out in style, with upscale features including comfy King Koil mattresses, plush linens, air-conditioning and attached outdoor entertaining spaces. No slumming it here, that's for sure. Currently located at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, the two new glamtainers are the work of Melbourne company GlamXperience, which makes a whole suite of glamping tents and mini retreats — and whose creations you might have spied at the likes of St Jerome's The Hotel and the newly launched Clifftop at Hepburn. They're designed to allow guests to experience staying amongst the great outdoors, without sacrificing comfort. Bookings are already filling up fast for the glamtainers' debut stint on the NSW Central Coast, with prices starting from $180 per night. And, because the entire concept of turning shipping containers into places to stay means they're easily portable, the pair of glamtainers will be packed up and shuttled off to NRMA's Jindabyne resort come late autumn — where they'll enjoy a second iteration during ski season. The glamtainers are now available to book at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort. Head to the website to check availability and make a booking. Images: Shan Rose Photography
Whenever a new restaurant opens its doors, it hopes to become a local favourite. Every eatery wants to cement its spot in its neighbourhood, and its city, enticing diners back again and again. That's the aim at Coorparoo's new Ramona Trattoria, too, and it has an extra reason for Brisbanites to keep returning — a menu that changes monthly to maintain the venue's seasonal focus. Accordingly, the dishes you tuck into today mightn't be the ones you'll find on offer next time you visit, or the time after that. As well as heroing different ingredients at different parts of the year, as sourced from Queensland suppliers, the approach gives patrons a new restaurant experience every month, but in familiar and cosy surroundings. Seating 48 both inside and out, nestled into Leicester Street, and sporting casual vibes aplenty, Ramona Trattoria is the latest venture from chef and owner Ashley-Maree Kent. She's set up shop in Coorparoo fresh from Coolangatta's Cross-Eyed Mary, and boasts everywhere from Quay, Three Blue Ducks and Biota through to Tartine Bakery and Paper Daisy on her resume. Now, she's operating her dream venue. Upon opening, with Ramona Trattoria welcoming in patrons since mid-August, the hand-shaped pasta lineup includes tagliatelle with ragu bolognese and parmigiano reggio, plus tonnarelli cacio e pepe. Another current highlight: malloreddus, also known as Sardinian gnocchi, served with Queensland prawns, clams and asparagus. Completing the classic Italian combo, hand-stretched pizzetta is also on the menu, in varieties spanning mortadella, margherita, vegana with vegan parmesan, and more. Among the other toppings: salame piccante, prosciutto cotto, mushroom and sage ragu, and pork and fennel sausage. A small range of starters covers fiori di zucca, eggplant caponata, fried mozzarella sandwiches and crudo di pesce, while desserts include gelato, affogato, tiramisu, and three-cheese platters. For something to sip, Kent has teamed up with Tom Angel, who has curated a lineup of international wines and bespoke cocktails. Among the latter, get ready to drink house martinis made with gin, yellow tomato, black pepper vermouth and basil oil; curaçao spritzes with prosecco soda; and highballs featuring Averna and grapefruit marmalade. Images: Jess Kearney.
Sydney artist management, touring company and all round nice guys, Astral People, know where the Good Music at. Vic Edirisinghe, Lee Danilewitz and Tom Huggett apparently met at an afterparty, deciding to form their own tunes-enabling company and signing some serious local talent such as Jonti, I'lls, Collarbones, Alba, Wintercoats and Wave Racer to their management roster. After 2013's wildly successful events like OutsideIn festival and their first huge Vivid Studio party, the Astral crew are back for another round of seriously solid shindigs. They're so keen on throwing down some tunes they're cranking not one but two super hyped events during Vivid Sydney, both serious contenders for Most Love in One Sitting on the lineup this year. For their first trick, the crew have rounded up their buds with Stones Throw whiz kid Jonti to pay tribute to Melbourne electronic legends The Avalanches — in particular their seminal album Since I Left You. Celebrated as the biggest Australian album of its decade, the 2000 album was apparently assembled from approximately 3,500 vinyl samples, selling over a million copies and winning multiple ARIAs. In a project originally developed for 2013's OutsideIn Festival (gaining thumbs way up from The Avalanches themselves), Jonti will re-visualise those thousands of vinyl samples onstage on May 24 with the help of a ten piece band; including celebrated Sydney alt-pop singer-producer Rainbow Chan. If you're wanting more Astral love, check out their Studio party; with Chicago acid house pioneer Phuture's Australian debut; the collaborative project of L-Vis 1990 and Bok Bok, Night Slugs; Andras Fox playing everything live; and Sydney favourites Ben Fester, Preacha and Rainbow Chan kicking on 'til 3am. To help you ditch the past week and gear up for the weekend, Astral People have put together a solid playlist for you. So crank it loud and visit the Astral kids at the Sydney Opera House in the coming weeks. Astral People's Top Five Tunes to Start Your Weekend: Andras Fox — Running Rate https://youtube.com/watch?v=GMtqxnq-r_o Rainbow Chan — Haircut https://youtube.com/watch?v=3J4_4cv0cC0 The Avalanches — Frontier Psychiatrist https://youtube.com/watch?v=U8BWBn26bX0 Phuture - Inside Out https://youtube.com/watch?v=bA0Onpo0me4 Bok Bok - Silo Pass https://youtube.com/watch?v=4bwrO23csTs Catch Astral People turning it up at Vivid LIVE on May 24 and 30 here and here, and check out the rest of our Vivid picks over here. Images by Voena and Prudence Upton.
Bendigo is fast becoming a cultural hub. Just a couple of hours north-west of Melbourne, the City of Bendigo and its surrounding towns are a gold mine of regional creativity, food and drink. Old school trams rattle through the streets, galleries showcase local art and heritage, and bars stay open late for pints, stories and a healthy dose of small-town charm. In 2019, Bendigo was named Australia's first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, solidifying its reputation as one of the most exciting spots to explore. It's fitting then, that an exhibition for an artist whose life was an act of bold rebellion against convention and expectation has landed at Bendigo Art Gallery. Until July 2025, Bendigo is giving an intimate view of influential Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in 'Frida Kahlo: In her own image', and it's the perfect excuse to plan a weekend trip. Getting there is easy. Drive up from Melbourne in around 90 minutes, hop on an $11 V/Line train straight from Southern Cross Station to Bendigo's town centre, which is a short stroll over to the gallery, or fly direct from Sydney into Bendigo's own airport. So, whether you're making a day trip or staying for the weekend, here's our guide for where to stay, eat and drink while you're in town. Fiesta Bendigo Venture beyond the gallery walls and you'll discover a citywide fiesta. Across town, the artist's spirit is being celebrated with Frida-inspired experiences and events, murals, Mexican food and tequila flights at local bars. There's even pop-up workshops and cooking classes available for anyone feeling creative. Spend a few hours following the 22-spot Taco Trail, duck into a tequila tasting, or join a street art tour to see the city through Frida's lens. Check out the full Fiesta Bendigo program here. Wine Bank on View Before Bendigo was a hub for the arts, it was a gold rush town flush with ambition and you can still feel that energy inside Wine Bank on View. This heritage-listed former bank has been reimagined as a wine bar and merchant, with soaring ceilings, plush chairs and one of the best wine selections in the region. Come for a quiet glass of something local, or try Chef Callum's Mexican inspired menu during the exhibition period. Nimbus Rooftop If you prefer your post-gallery drinks served with city views, Bendigo's Nimbus Rooftop has you covered. Sitting high above Mitchell Street in the town's centre, this fun, open-air bar offers laid back couches, classic cocktails, pizzas and panoramic views. The vibe is modern and it's open til late Thursday to Sunday, making it the perfect pit stop for a night out on the town. Rifle Brigade Hotel Every city needs a good pub and The Rifle Brigade Hotel (known as the "Gun Club" by locals) has been Bendigo's gathering place since 1887. Located just a stone's throw from the Bendigo Art Gallery, this is where you'll find live music, local brews and that classic pub familiarity. It's casual, a little bit raucous, and 100% the right call for anyone chasing a more spontaneous night out. Alium Alium is a modern, intimate restaurant in Bendigo's heritage-listed Royal Bank building, serving comforting, seasonal dishes until 11pm on weekends. Expect a more fine dining experience, with plenty of local ingredients and unexpected pairings that are crafted to be enjoyed over a slow, long sit-down dinner. Hotel Earnest After a day (and night) of exploring, eating and drinking, rest your head at Hotel Ernest. Housed in another of Bendigo's beautiful heritage-listed buildings just steps from the Frida exhibition, this boutique stay is packed with character, history and understated luxury. Each of the rooms have been thoughtfully designed to blend modern details with historic charm, including featuring a different Australian artist in each space. Frida Kahlo showed the world just how impactful it is to live life on your own terms. In Bendigo, that spirit is alive and well. So, drop a link in your group chat and start planning your next visit. Head to visitmelbourne.com.au to discover more of what makes Melbourne every bit different. By Jacque Kennedy. Images courtesy of Melbourne. Every bit different.
A giant gumball machine that you can climb inside. An adult-sized ballpit in bubblegum-pink hues. A dedicated fairy floss room with its own swing. Throw in ice cream, sweet and snack tastings, plus the ability to jump out of a giant birthday cake — and Brisbane's new pop-up dessert museum sounds like the kind of place that Willy Wonka might own. Called Sugar Republic and heading our way now that its Melbourne season has wrapped up, it's actually a short-term exhibition at Valley Metro on Brunswick Street. Running from September 23, the pop-up brings sugary delights to folks with a sweet tooth, boasting an array of spaces filled with all things chocolate, confectionery and dessert-oriented. When you're not making yourself a soft serve and showering it in sprinkles, you'll be spinning a wheel o' treats. Other highlights include a sherbet-filled rainbow bridge, a 'press for confetti' button, an interactive sprinkles wall, a neon art wall and other dessert-centric art. And it wouldn't be a celebration of all things sweet without a huge lolly store, of course. Basically, if you missed out on visiting New York's Museum of Ice Cream back in 2016, this is Australia's equivalent. Typically these kind of places are designed to be as photogenic as possible, so expect plenty of pics to clog your Instagram feed. If you're keen to take some of your own, tickets cost $35 for adults, which includes tastings over your 60-minute stay. Find Sugar Republic at Valley Metro, 230 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley from September 23. For more information, visit the museum's website.
Whether you went for work, leisure or something in-between, if you've recently travelled to the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region in Western Australia, you were probably happy to venture further than your own city. But with the WA capital currently experiencing a three-day lockdown in response to a new COVID-19 case, state governments around the country are implementing new conditions on travel and crossing interstate borders. The situation varies state by state; however, it's the type of thing that has been happening after new cases and subsequent lockdowns of late. It last occurred in March, when Brisbane went into its most recent set of stay-at-home conditions. In New South Wales, a COVID-19 concerns notice has been issued by NSW Health, applying to the the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region from 12.01am today, Saturday, April 24. Anyone coming to NSW who has been in an affected area either on or after that time has to fill out a self-declaration form either before or upon entering the state. If you have been in either region since Saturday, April 17 and you're now in NSW, you're asked to look at a list of exposure sites issued by the WA Government. If you visited them within the time frames identified, you'll beed to follow the actions outlined and also contact NSW Health immediately. It's a lengthy list, spanning shopping centres, restaurants and an aquatic centre, all between Saturday, April 17–Friday, April 23 so far. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1385504424487882754 In Victoria, a number of changes are now in effect. With WA's lockdown coming in response to a Victorian man who tested positive upon his return to Melbourne after spending 14 days in hotel quarantine in Perth, the Victorian Government has listed both Qantas flight QF778 from Perth to Melbourne on Wednesday, April 21 and Melbourne Airport's Terminal 1 between 7–7.30pm on Wednesday, April 21 as new exposure sights. Folks who were on the plane must get tested for COVID-19 immediately, then self-isolate for 14 days regardless of their initial test result, while anyone at the terminal during that timeframe must also get tested for COVID-19 immediately and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Plus, anyone who has returned from WA recently is also asked to look at a list of exposure sites issued by the WA Government and, if you visited them within the time frames identified, to contact the Victorian Department of Health immediately. Melburnians can also keep an eye on the local list of exposure sites at the Victorian Government Department of Health website — as it may change if more sites are identified. Regarding the Victorian border, the state has classified the Perth metropolitan area and Peel region in Western Australia as red zones under its traffic light border system, which means that non-Victorian residents can't enter the state without an exception, permit or exemption. Also, anyone currently in Victoria who has been in the metro Perth or Peel region between Saturday, April 17–Friday, April 23, other than to transit through either, is required to isolate, get tested within 72 hours and stay isolated until receiving a negative result. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1385555025590509568 For Queensland, anyone who has been in the Perth or Peel regions on or since Saturday, April 17 and entered the Sunshine State before 11.59pm on Friday, April 23 is required to get tested as soon as possible and self-isolate. They'll also be under the same lockdown conditions that are currently in place in Perth until 2am AEST on Tuesday, April 27. Plus, those coming to Queensland after midnight last night who have been in the same parts of WA since Saturday, April 17 are only allowed to enter under an exemption, unless they're a Queensland resident. Either way, they now have to go into hotel quarantine for up to 14 days. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1385569595784790017 South Australia requires anyone who has been in the Perth or Peel regions on or since Saturday, April 17 to get tested and quarantine until getting a negative result. Only returning SA residents, genuine relocations and domestic violence victims are allowed to SA from the two areas from 12.01am Saturday, April 24, and must now get tested and go into self-quarantine. In the Australian Capital Territory, non-ACT residents wishing to travel over from the Perth or Peel regions — who've been there since Saturday, April 17 — now need an approved exemption from ACT Health. You'll also have to quarantine until 2am AEST on Tuesday, April 27. For residents coming back from the two regions, you'll need to complete an online declaration form before leaving, and then to also stay home until the same time. Tasmania won't allow entry from folks who've been to the Perth or Peel regions within 14 days of their arrival, except for people deemed essential travellers — and then you'll need to quarantine for 14 days. If you've been there, arrived in Tasmania since Saturday, April 17 and attended one of the exposure sites listed by the WA Government, you need to self-isolate and contact Tasmania's Public Health Hotline. The Northern Territory now requires testing for anyone who has been to been to the Perth or Peel regions since Saturday, April 17, but only if they went to one of the exposure sites listed by the WA Government. You'll also need to quarantine until you get a negative result. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
It's safe to say local artist Matt Adnate is pretty comfortable working in large scale. His public works can be seen gracing huge structures across Singapore, New York and Australia. Closer to home, you'll find a portrait of four local Indigenous Australians painted on the side of a soaring Sheeps Hill grain silo as part of the Silo Art Trail. But, clocking in at around twice the height of the regional Victoria piece, Adnate's latest artistic endeavour is the tallest mural in the southern hemisphere. If you've been kicking around Collingwood in recent weeks, you might have seen the genesis of this giant, vibrant work, on the side of the 20-storey Collingwood Commission Housing tower. Now complete, it stretches all 62 metres of the building, featuring huge lifelike portraits of four of the development's residents. Here's how it looks in full: The project saw Adnate teaming up, once again, with Fitzroy-born street art collective and creative agency Juddy Roller, who were also behind the Silo Art Trail. The idea for the work started when they took Minister for Planning Richard Wynne on an impromptu street art tour of the area a few years back. Since them, the crew of art-loving locals have been working towards bringing this huge public-housing mural to life. Of course, community engagement was key when the artwork's canvas was also home to hundreds of residents. So, organisers held a series of workshops, children from the precinct got together to create murals of their own and all residents keen to have their face immortalised in spray paint had their photo snapped down at the community centre. The four faces chosen for the work capture the area's spirit of diversity: Ethiopian woman Badria Abdo, who came to Australia 12 years ago as a refugee from Kenya; Indonesian man Yulius Antares Taime who has called the Collingwood flats home for just four months; Melbourne-born six-year-old Arden Watson-Cropley; and five-year-old Australian-Vietnamese girl Ni Na Nguyen. Find Adnate's Collingwood mural at 240 Wellington Street, Collingwood. Images: Nicole Reed Photography
Nowadays there are subscription services for just about anything. Board Games? Check. Booze? Check. Legos? Check. Organic period products? You betcha. Meet Juuni, a subscription that delivers a customisable box of organic tampons, pads and liners to your doorstep each month. If you're anything like us, every 28 days, you'll find yourself digging around the bottom of your bag or making a desperate run to the convenience store. To help save you from the stress of being caught out — because, face it, periods are stressful and annoying enough as they are — founder Eri Stewart (who's also behind Hard to Find) created a line of organic products that look and feel more like a gift set than a necessity. Unlike your typical tampons, Juuni's products are bleach-free, pesticide-free and 100-percent biodegradable. The certified organic cotton is hypoallergenic and contains no synthetic dyes or fibres. The pads and liners also have an organic top sheet and the plastic wrappers are biodegradable, too. Apart from the necessities, the well-designed boxes also include surprise gifts each month to help brighten up your week. And you can choose to include one of Juuni's face mask to boot, which contains aloe leaf, cucumber, pomegranate and green tea — all of which help soothe and brighten skin and combat hormonal skin break outs. So, how does it work? You build your custom box with the likes of tampons ($3.99 for a ten-pack), pads ($3.20 for a five-pack) or liners ($3.20 for ten-pack) and choose if you want to receive deliveries every month or every three months (the latter works to be slightly better value and includes free shipping). All new customers get their first box free, too, and you can cancel whenever you want. To sign up for Juuni and get your first box free, head over to the website. 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.
While we may not envy the Spanish economy at the moment, it is hard not to covet their history of great architecture and innovative design. And that envy is sure to continue with the recent completion of the Metropol Parasol, not only the world's largest wooden structure but also one of the most beautiful. Designed by Berlin-based architecture Juergen Mayer H, the inspiration for the building came from a 2004 design competition brief which aimed to provide the people of Seville with an architectural heart and a distinctly urban space for the 21st century. The design also had to take into account some recently unearthed ancient roman ruins in the ground beneath. Mayer's winning structure does all of this, as well as housing a market place, a restaurant, walkways and panoramic views of the city, becoming a mecca for locals and architectural buffs alike. New technology was integral in both the design and production processes. The light sculptural curves and flow of the building were largely influenced by digital technology, while the interconnecting wooden panels used to create this effect are held together by a new — and one would imagine — some very strong glue. Marrying aesthetics and functionality, the Metropol Parasol has provided the city of Seville with a new focal point. And some much needed shade.
The black parade is coming back to Australia — finally. After their last attempt to head to our shores was thwarted due to the pandemic, the reunited My Chemical Romance is set to tour along the country's east coast in 2022. Hopefully the second time will prove the charm for Gerard Way and co, and for music lovers eager to grab their eyeliner, don every black piece of clothing in their wardrobe, relive their angsty emo teenage years and let out three cheers. The new tour will mark ten years since MCR last came to our shores for the 2012 Big Day Out — and comes after the US group went their separate ways in 2013, then reformed in 2019. Fans will be pleased to know that MCR are headlining their own shows on this tour, too, rather than leading a festival bill as they were slated to do in 2020. First, they'll play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, March 14, before hitting up Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne a few days later on Thursday, March 17. Then, they'll wrap things up on Saturday, March 19 at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena. Back in late 2019, when MCR announced that they were literally getting the band back together, they sold out their first reunion gig in Los Angeles quick smart — so expect tickets to their Australian gigs to prove mighty popular, especially after last year's cancelled tour. The group has been trying to take its new show on the road ever since that big announcement, but, thanks to the pandemic, that has obviously proven much trickier than anticipated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKJiM9Njr8 MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Monday, March 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, March 17 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Saturday, March 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney My Chemical Romance will tour Australia's east coast in March 2022. For further information — and for pre-sale tickets from 11am on Wednesday, May 26, and general tickets from 12pm on Thursday, May 27 — head to the tour website. Top image: My Chemical Romance performing by NBSTwo via Flickr.
