Tarts Anon and Koko Black are both huge names in Melbourne's food scene, as are the folks who dream up all their delicious creations. Pastry Chef Gareth Whitton built Tarts Anon into one of the city's top cake shops, won Dessert Masters, is working on a new cookbook and even created a pressure test for MasterChef Australia. He's a household name, having also worked with teams at Mill Brewery, Gelato Messina, Al Dente Enoteca and Kori Ice Cream. Koko Black's Head Chocolatier Remco Brigou has been working in the world of chocolate since the age of 18, and has been an innovative tour de force at Koko Black for nearly eight years. He's also no stranger to partnering with other chefs, having worked with Lune, Connoisseur, Black Star Pastry and Tokyo Lamington. Now, these two giants in the sweet-toothed sphere of Melbourne's hospitality industry have come together for World Chocolate Day, creating a limited-edition chocolate and leatherwood honey tart. This decadent treat is only available from Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7, at a few Koko Black stores across Melbourne and Sydney, and at both of Tarts Anon's Melbourne locations. We chatted with both Whitton and Brigou about collaborating on the new tart, and how valuable that these partnerships can be for both chefs' personal growth and the success of their businesses. We also touched upon the role that collaborations can play in helping hospitality companies stay afloat during these incredibly difficult times. On Coming Together to Create a Limited-Edition Chocolate Leatherwood Honey Tart Brigou: "World Chocolate Day is a very important day for us at Koko Black. It is the day that truly celebrates what we do, and for this special occasion we like to work with like-minded brands to create something amazing. The entire Koko Black team, myself included, have always been big fans of Tarts Anon — we'd often discuss how amazing the tarts are and how we would love to work with Gareth and the team one day. So, this was the perfect opportunity, and we reached out. After the first introduction call, we knew straight away that both our brands share the same values, beliefs and spirit for innovation and excellence. We knew straight away that this was going to be a great collaboration." Whitton: "We were asked to join forces with the team at Koko Black as part of their annual celebration of World Chocolate Day. After being such big fans of theirs as well as seeing the elite execution of their previous WCD activations, we were thrilled with the opportunity to work together. Remco and I got together after piecing together a few rough ideas, and chatted out some of these napkin sketches and how we could bring them to life. I had a format that I had in mind, we knew it had to involve chocolate, and we then fell on the idea of using the leatherwood honey honeycomb as inspiration. We also pulled from Remco's Belgian heritage with the peperkoek, plus a couple of textures and recipes that we use quite regularly at Tarts Anon." [caption id="attachment_925594" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitton's previous collaboration with Gelato Messina[/caption] On Why It's So Great to Work with Other Chefs Brigou: "For me personally, I love working on collaborations. It is a great way to meet amazing like-minded people in the industry, but it is also a great way to stay inspired. The richness that comes from sharing knowledge and ideas is very valuable to me, and it is something that I will always be thankful for." Whitton: "I always try to work with people who are either very similar to us, or completely opposite. Kinda like matching colours of clothing. Not similar enough, and it's hard to find a connecting point, but if it's either easily interchangeable or very complimentary, then it doesn't seem forced. It opens you up to new environments where you perhaps aren't as confined with your creativity, and also allows you to explore things that you wouldn't see day to day." On the Power of Partnerships to Help Businesses Get Through These Tough Times Brigou: "I think it is important for brands to work together, not only so we can all leverage from each other, but more importantly so we can create an experience to both our customers and maybe introduce our customers to a different brand that they maybe never heard from before." Whitton: "[Collaborations] are a (relatively) low-cost way of exploring new ventures, and keeping outgoings low is of the utmost importance in times like these. Particularly in branches of the industry that rely on seasonal trade (like ice cream, for example) it helps to collaborate with brands that thrive in cooler months to keep revenue coming in. The underlying issue that the industry faces is that the market is becoming so unbelievably saturated right now, which feeds the staffing crisis and the high turnover of businesses. There's a new competitor emerging every other week, so the revolving door of what's 'hot' is moving faster than ever. Collaborating is a good way to stay relevant and be ahead of the game." [caption id="attachment_833241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brigou's previous collaboration with Connoisseur. Image by Julia Sansone.[/caption] On What's Holding the Industry Back Right Now Whitton: "It's hard to be too optimistic in times like these, there are too many motivated and passionate people trying to grab a hold of a dwindling number of opportunities. The emergence and prevalence of the food blogger is giving a platform that previously only the passionate and culinarily educated had access to, to anyone with an opinion. Now Google reviews and social media are rife with ill-informed and sharp-tongued critics single-handedly destroying businesses, and politics are creeping deeper and deeper into our dining rooms. It seems nihilistic to say, but I fear that most people are too concerned about staying afloat themselves that we're all treading water right now. The amount of tax that small businesses pay is frankly obscene. This is the big killer — wages will always take the biggest chunk, but that is an investment in people. When significant amounts of money are routinely taken from you and continually hinder any opportunity to grow, you are faced with the grim reality of choosing between success in your business or compromising your values to solely chase revenue." On the Best Advice That Brigou and Whitton Have Ever Received From a Collaborator Brigou: "I have had the privilege to work with a lot of amazing people and all of them have taught me so much, whether it is techniques, flavour combinations, or the passion and determination to deliver a beautiful product. I also like to think I have inspired them as well and maybe even taught them something, because that is the beauty of collaborations. It is a two-way street and I feel that sharing knowledge and letting people discover new things is the heart of our industry." Whitton: "The best thing I have learnt from someone I've collaborated with is to understand what it is you want to get out of the partnership. Having a game plan instead of trying to just feature two representations of your brand side by side will always triumph. Quality over quantity." Gareth Whitton and Remco Brigou's limited-edition chocolate and leatherwood honey tart is only available from Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7 at a few Koko Black stores across Melbourne and Sydney, and at both of Tarts Anon's Melbourne locations. For more information on where to get the tart, visit the collaborations's website.
Lego has come a long way since I was a kid. For me, the brightly coloured plastic bricks didn't transcend their basic wall-building function much more than serving as useful things to throw at the cat when I wanted her to get off the bed. Over the years though, they've grown and expanded to include intricate Harry Potter, Star Wars and Ninja sets, as well as other more grown-up ranges for construction geeks everywhere. Now, as part of Lego's crazy-popular Architecture Series, in which there are already eleven projects, the Danish company is kicking off the month of March by launching their twelfth project, The Sydney Opera House. The series already features Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's iconic Farnsworth House and Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum, as well as Seattle's Space Needle and the Empire State Building, so the national landmark is in very distinguished company. Conceived and built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Opera House opened in 1973 after winning a design competition sixteen years earlier in 1957. Not only is the Sydney Opera House the city's most distinctive landmark, but it's also one of the most innovative and applauded examples of modern architecture. Upon being awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2003, judges said "It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent." The 270-piece model will be on sale this month, containing a step-by-step instruction guide for budding architectects, designers and engineers, as well as a full archival history and message on the Reconciliation Action Plan completed in consultation with Sydney Opera House. You can pick it up online from the Lego Store or buy locally at the Sydney Opera House shop. [Via Sydney Opera House]
The simple game of filth, sex and bad taste has been a worldwide hit in the past few years. Best played while drinking with friends (don't even try it with family members), Cards Against Humanity is the go-to game for anyone who embraces the ugly, the wrong and the politically incorrect. Now, after success abroad, it's being brought to the masters. Get ready for the filth to step into overdrive and the Tony Abbott references to increase five-fold. Cards Against Humanity is getting an Australian edition. If you haven't played before, the rules are pretty simple. All players are dealt a collection of white cards with nasty and nonsensical statements. 'Vigorous jazz hands', 'Stephen Hawking talking dirty', or 'strangling a dog to make a point to the audience' for example. One player then draws a black sentence card and everyone puts forward their funniest white filler. It's basically an R-rated version of mad libs. As such, you then end up with statements like 'In M. Night Shymalan's new movie, Bruce Willis discovers that Sarah Palin had really been a passable transvestite after all' or 'And the Academy Award for genital piercings goes to Grandma'. Then everyone drinks to absolve their guilt. The announcement came yesterday via Melbourne games store Critical Hit. The creators are developing an Australian edition, and they need our help to do it. Abolishing all American references, the Australian edition will presumably be rife with talk of all our nation's leaders past and present, goon bags, wristies and Rolf Harris (we know it's too soon, but nothing is out of bounds with this game). Fans can submit their suggestions here and go in the draw to win play tests or full sets of the new edition. Though they ask for an email address to contact you on, the process is largely anonymous so you can really have at it. None of your loved ones need to know about that nasty thing you submitted about Pauline Hanson, but the rest of Australia will thank you for it.
Ask anyone their least-favourite place to sleep and planes will rank right up there. If you're on a long-haul flight and you're in economy, trying to slumber when you're soaring through the air can be one of the worst things about travelling. Enter New Zealand's new Economy Skynest, aka onboards bunk beds that were first announced back in 2020, locked in for a 2024 launch last year and now have debut routes confirmed: from Aotearoa to New York and Chicago. Lengthy trips from NZ to America are about to get a whole more comfortable, and scoring some shuteye midair is about to become easier, starting in September 2024. "We're delighted to announce that our innovative Economy Skynest will be launching on ultra-long haul flights, starting with the popular Auckland–New York and Auckland–Chicago routes," said Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty, announcing the news. "North America is the perfect market for Skynest, as it has a premium segment that values comfort and sleep during long-haul travel." "Skynest provides a unique and innovative way for our passengers to rest and recharge, making their journey with us even more enjoyable. By launching Skynest on these routes, we are bringing to life our commitment to providing choice, alongside the best possible experience for our passengers, and to continue to innovate and lead the way in the aviation industry." If it sounds like a game changer, that's because it is. Back in 2020, Air NZ announced the pods as part of filing patent and trademark applications, and noted that it'd make a final decision on whether they'd come into effect within a year. That go-ahead might've arrived a bit later — aka in 2022, not in 2021 — but that doesn't make it any less exciting. So, how will it work? This first-of-its-kind option will feature six lie-flat pods. Yes, they really do look like bunk beds on a plane, and you'll be able to slumber in them while zooming to your destination. On the planes, the Skynest will sit between premium economy and economy. Each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets, a blanket and ear plugs, as well as lighting designed to optimise rest. There'll be a a separate reading light, too, and a USB outlet so that you can charge your devices — and also a ventilation outlet. Seatbelts will also be a feature in case of turbulence. When it's time to get up after your slumber, the lights will come on (and cabin crew will wake you gently if that isn't enough). After each four-hour slot, there'll be a 30-minute transition time to change the bedding as well. Air New Zealand has also unveiled some details about bookings will work. The key rule: each passenger will only be able to reserve one session per flight. Travelling with your mates, date or the family? If you're on the same ticket, you can book a session for each passenger — as long as there are enough spaces available. Price-wise, however, sleeping comfortably in the sky won't come cheap. The exact cost hasn't been locked in, but a figure of around $400–600 for the four-hour period has been floated. Air New Zealand's Economy Skynest will be available from September 2024 on routes from Auckland to Chicago and New York. For more information in the interim, visit the airline's website.
Maybe you've always had a Lego collection, because the popular plastic bricks really are for everyone. Perhaps you signed up for a subscription service back when COVID-19 lockdowns came into effect, because there are only so many puzzles one person can do. Either way, you probably need something to store your Lego in — and, in a collaboration due to hit Australia in 2021, IKEA now has a solution. Obviously, IKEA has plenty of storage on offer. Walk through one of the Swedish retailer's shops and just try to come out without a basket, box, container or other type of storage in your big blue bag — it's virtually impossible. But, when its new Bygglek range arrives in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17, it'll actually feature Lego studs. Keep your bricks in them, or use them to build with (or both). The new boxes were first revealed in 2020, as part of a team-up initially announced in 2019. The collection will encompass four different sets: one of three small boxes ($20), two different types of bigger boxes ($20–22), and one of Lego bricks ($35). All of the above will connect to existing Lego products, too, because of course it will. While the Bygglek products are part of IKEA's children's range, everyone knows by now that Lego isn't just for kids. Indeed, Lego just released a new botanical-focused collection that is firmly for adults. And creative storage boxes aren't just for children either, because everyone needs containers to keep objects and items other than Lego in. IKEA's Lego Bygglek collection will be available in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17 — head to the IKEA website for further details.
Craving the ease of electric power, yet unenthusiastic about parting with your favourite two-wheeler? A new Kickstarter campaign promises to solve your dilemma. The Rubbee is an electric drive that can be mounted to any bicycle within seconds. Its development came about out of frustration with the range of e-bikes currently on the market. '[They] have multiple design and user-experience flaws,' the Rubbee's creators argue. 'If it is a factory-made electric bicycle it will probably be very heavy and will look... Well, let's say boring is the word for it. And what happens to your beloved regular bike you already have? It gets sold or forgotten somewhere in the basement.' Moreover, the conversion kits available practically require a PhD in engineering for successful installation, and usually weigh between 10 and 15 kilograms. In contrast, adding the Rubbee to a bicycle is merely a matter of adjusting a clamp. Hence, it can be shared with family and friends easily. Plus, an integrated battery pack sees it weigh in at just 6.5 kilograms. The Rubbee's developers have spent two years perfecting their product. 'We worked long and hard before getting it right,' they explain. 'After many sleepless nights and dozens of pitches we have made our way here, where we are now . . . Our mission is to change the way electric bicycles used to be.' [via PSFK]
Some visit Bali seeking romantic places to stay, where they can treat themselves to pamper packages within wild natural surroundings. Others want a tropical adventure — hiking up volcano craters, riding quad bikes through the jungle or swimming beneath hidden waterfalls. And, of course, there's the party atmosphere, from group day trips to places to dance the night away. To help any kind of traveller have the best time in Bali, we curated a selection of local trips and tours that can be booked through Concrete Playground Trips. Read on to find a few of our favourites. [caption id="attachment_892435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juan Cruz Mountford (Unsplash)[/caption] SUNRISE VOLCANO HIKE WITH THERMAL SPRINGS SWIM This trek could quite easily become the highlight of your trip to Bali. You'll get up early to hike to the summit of volcanic Mount Batur to catch the sunrise and enjoy breakfast cooked over volcanic steam. It's not a difficult climb, but the natural hot springs waiting for you at the bottom are a magical treat. Enjoy the view of the volcano and the surrounding mountains while you soothe your muscles in the natural springs. Not a morning person? Book a midnight hike or a private jeep ride up to the volcano and into the crater instead. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob M Visuals (Unsplash)[/caption] RICE TERRACE CYCLING TOUR When visiting Bali, go beyond the island's famous beaches and head inland to explore the untamed jungle and thousands of miles of rice terraces. While you can drive to many of them, the best way to see a bunch is by going on a cycling tour. This particular one focuses on the Bangli region. It is a less commercialised area, boasting some of the world's most beautiful rice fields with views of Mount Batur in the distance. Alight from your bike to walk between the terraces, little huts, tumbling waterfalls and quaint temples before sitting down to a big lunch overlooking the stunning scenery. We could think of worse ways to spend a day. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892434" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jared Rice (Unsplash)[/caption] FIVE-DAY HOLISTIC RETREAT Bali abounds with wellness retreats, and Y Retreats is one of the best budget-friendly options. That's why we teamed up with Y Retreats to sell some of the spots available on its upcoming Reset and Recharge retreat. Over the course of five days, you'll be immersed in a carefully curated combination of breathwork, cold exposure, yoga, self-development sessions, leadership and resilience workshops, physical adventuring and so much more. It's held at a secluded beachfront property in Tabanan and includes all your meals. It's the perfect place to relax and work on yourself. BOOK IT NOW. BALI SEA WALKER This is a really random travel experience. But it's heaps of fun. You pop on a glass helmet that's fed oxygen via a long tube and walk along the sea floor spotting tropical fish swimming about coral reefs. It's much easier than proper scuba diving (no training is required for sea walking). Add this little activity to a day spent at the beach. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Fewings (Unsplash)[/caption] UBUD DAY TRIP The Ubud region has become increasingly popular these days, but remains quieter than most parts of Bali. It has many picturesque temples, coffee plantations, rice fields, museums and small villages filled with markets and great places to eat. But seeing all its best bits can be tough without a guide. So, we teamed up with Candidasa Taxi to offer this unique private tour of Ubud that also includes a trip to Tegenungan Waterfall and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tandya Rachmat (Unsplash)[/caption] THREE-DAY GILI ISLANDS AND LOMBOK TOUR The Gili Islands is one of our favourite places to go in Indonesia. These six small islets are all located by Bali's neighbour sister Lombok and offer up exceptional experiences. You can swim with turtles, explore small fishing villages, relax on long white sand beaches and simply escape the crowds of Bali. And if you book this Gili Island and Lombok tour, you'll get to take your time seeing all the best bits over three days — you'll really want to spend more than just a day in these parts. The tour will also pick you up from Padang, so it's a great addition to any Bali holiday. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Florian Giorgio (Unsplash)[/caption] REGIONAL BALI TOURS Bali is a diverse place when it comes to culture, food and natural sites. That's why you shouldn't spend your entire holiday in just one place. But packing up all your things to stay in several different areas can also be tiring. The solution? Get on the day trip bandwagon. We have a bunch to help you see it all. Spend a day in the north, south, east or west of the island with each of these unique trips that take you to all the most popular parts — as well as a few hidden gems only locals know about. [caption id="attachment_892438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nattu Adnan (Unsplash)[/caption] NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP Nusa Penida is an absolutely stunning island located just off the shores of Bali. It's a beach lover's paradise, with countless hidden coves located all over. A great way to see them is by joining a day tour. This particular one takes you to Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay. You can even book a really affordable private boat tour of Nusa Penida to see it all from the water. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_892441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bali Surgawi Tour Travels (Unsplash)[/caption] QUAD BIKE ADVENTURE As an ATV rider, you will be challenged to conquer some of Bali's rugged off-road terrain and muddy rock formations for 90 to 120 minutes. You'll see some great scenery, rice fields, rivers and beaches while zooming about with some mates. This will be followed by a two-hour snorkel trip that will take you to two different swimming spots. It's a two-in-one. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world. Top image: Jamie Fenn (Unsplash)
Nothing ruins a lovely holiday like having to wear dirty socks for the last two days. If you forgot some essentials at home, or made an attempt at 'light packing', let's just hope you didn't forget your Scrubba. Weighing about as much as your favorite jeans, the Scrubba Wash Bag is essentially a mobile laundromat designed for the scrupulous packer. The concept was brought about by hiker Ashley Newman, who devised the design while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Scrubba is best described as a waterproof bag containing a flexible washboard. All you need to do for clean laundry is to pop in a few dirty garments, add 2 litres of water and some soap (or shampoo, if you're in a fix), and scrub. When placed against a hard surface, Scrubba's inner washboard will create enough friction to clean your clothes after 30 seconds of scrubbing. Et voila! Garments will come out clean, and can be hung to dry. The Scrubba is available for pre-order at Indiegogo. [via Gizmodo]
Most Lego creations don't take four years to build. Of course, most Lego creations aren't real, actual, life-sized houses. In the town of Billund in Denmark, aka the place where Lego was invented by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen nearly a century ago, the 12,000-square metre Lego House has just opened its doors. It's filled with 25 million bricks, and while it isn't actually made out of the plastic toys, it is shaped to look like 21 white Lego pieces stacked on top of each other (complete with clay tiles giving off a glossy exterior sheen). Welcoming the public since September 28, and featuring free and paid spaces, Lego House is every kid's dream come true — and every adult who was once a Lego-loving child as well. In colour-coded sections that are themed according to the types of skills they tap into (creative, cognitive, social and emotional), visitors can learn about the evolution of Lego, view Lego showcases, eat in one of three Lego cafes, play on nine rooftop Lego terraces, shop in a huge Lego store, get their own Lego mosaic portrait, and, yes, just have fun constructing their own Lego concoctions. Among Lego House's highlights is the 15-metre tall Tree of Creativity, which took 24,350 hours and 6,316,611 bricks to build, making it one of the largest Lego structures ever made. Elsewhere, the masterpiece gallery pays tribute to the impressive structures created by Lego fans, as hand-picked by the sites curators. In the history collection, the first Lego set ever produced is on display, plus other milestone pieces. A number of behind-the-scenes tours are also on offer, in a space designed by architecture firm BIG. As part of their massive feat, the top part of the building — which resembles one of Lego's iconic 2 x 4 keystone bricks — shines eight beams of light into the sky like the knobs on top of a standard piece. While general entry is free, advance bookings are required in what's destined to be quite the popular spot. Timed tickets for specific areas cost approximately AU$40, and Lego expects that more than 250,000 people will visit each year. Images: Lego.
Stopping Godzilla isn't easy. Within the Monsterverse, the American movie and TV universe that's sprung up around the iconic kaiju, that lesson has been well and truly learned. On-screen, the giant critter is no longer seen as a foe, as 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire embraced — and for Legendary Entertainment, the company producing the franchise, there's no such thing as too much of the towering behemoth. Cinemas have seen 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong before this year's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. In 2023, Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters brought Zilly to streaming as well. The latter starred none other than Kurt Russell (Fast and Furious 9) and Wyatt Russell (Night Swim), with the father-son duo sharing the same part in a time-hopping narrative. Understandably paying more attention to humans given its two leads, it proved an excellent addition to the franchise, so it comes as no surprise that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has been renewed for a second season. Exactly when the series will return hasn't been revealed, but Apple TV+ is going big with its part of the saga, also announcing that multiple spinoffs are also on the way. What they'll entail, who'll be in them and when they will arrive hasn't been locked in, either, but get ready for plenty more Godzilla-related television viewing. "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has left an indelible imprint on the hearts, minds and imaginations of audiences around the world," said Apple TV+'s Head of International Development Morgan Wandell. "We couldn't be more excited for viewers to not only have the chance to experience even more thrills in season two, but to embark on epic, new journeys in the franchise as we expand Legendary's Monsterverse." With Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the Monsterverse went the episodic route via a story set across generations and 50 years. The Russells play army officer Lee Shaw — while a couple of siblings attempting to keep up their dad's work after events between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco in the aforementioned 2014 film, as well as their family history, also proves pivotal. So, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters involves unpacking links to clandestine outfit Monarch, activities back in the 50s and how what Shaw knows threatens the organisation. Yes, monsters and rampages were part of the first season, but so were secrets, lies, revelations and mysteries. Also appearing on-screen: Anna Sawai (Shōgun), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Ren Watabe (461 Days of Bento), Mari Yamamoto (Pachinko), Anders Holm (Inventing Anna), Joe Tippett (The Morning Show), Elisa Lasowski (Hill of Vision) and Takehiro Hira (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story). Behind the scenes, Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Da Vinci's Demons) co-developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, while Matt Shakman (The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales) helmed the opening pair of episodes for season one. All three were among the series' executive producers, and will return for season two. Check out the trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season one below: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+ — we'll update you with a release date for season two when it's announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kurt and Wyatt Russell.
Many a Brisbanite has spent their 21st birthday partying their way around Fortitude Valley. Plenty of us have spent several days around the milestone date hopping between venues throughout the inner-city suburb and prolonging the merriment for as long as possible, in fact. It's a Brissie rite of passage; however, it isn't just restricted to people — with huge music-fuelled celebration BIGSOUND planning the same thing when it returns in September 2022. To mark hitting the big two-one — and its return to in-person events after a pandemic-afflicted couple of years — BIGSOUND will take over the Valley with a massive four-day event. Running from Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9, this year's fest will welcome more than 150 bands to its stages, too, and also keep the birthday theme going by popping up in 21 different venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know what that entails: filling as many spaces as possible with bands, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. Expect 2022's iteration to be no different to usual — well, the pre-pandemic usual — although the vibe is set to jump up a few notches given that there's so much to celebrate. [caption id="attachment_851422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] It's still too early to announce who'll be on the bill, but expect BIGSOUND to commemorate its big occasion — and its first physical fest since 2019 — with an impressive roster of bands. Past events have showcased everyone from Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana and Courtney Barnett to San Cisco, Violent Soho, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants, so its program is usually a very reliable bellwether of current and up-and-coming musos. This year's fest will also include 300 artist showcases and more than 20 parties, while the conference side of things will welcome in 150-plus speakers over 55 sessions (and more than 1500 delegates as well). And, a new event called BIGSOUND Country will join the lineup, focusing on the Aussie country music scene. [caption id="attachment_851424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND's return to the Valley's streets follows a virtual event in 2020, and comes after 2021's fest was originally slated to go ahead in-person, but had to cancel due to COVID-19. Announcing the event's 2022 plans, QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said that the BIGSOUND team is "feeling from the industry far and wide that they're itching to be back in rooms together — and we couldn't be more excited to get artists back on stages and industry back in their live element." If your spring routine usually involves bar-hopping around Brisbane while listening to bands — whether you're a local or you head north for the event — mark your calendars accordingly. And if you're an artist looking to take part in the event in general, applications are now open until Friday, May 20. BIGSOUND 2022 will take place between Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information — or to apply to take part if you're an artist — visit bigsound.org.au. Images: Lachlan Douglas / Bianca Holderness.
When you're spending a night or several away from home, it's often the small things that matter. On a beach getaway, being able to wander directly from your hotel to the sand — without crossing roads and walking down the block — is one such tiny luxury. And, it's exactly what'll be on offer at The Langham Gold Coast, with the new five-star spot opening its doors to holidaymakers in mid-June. Joining the brand's existing Australian hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a worldwide portfolio that dates back to 1865 in London, The Langham Gold Coast will boast direct beachfront access — a rarity for new towering places to stay in the tourist spot. It's also the chain's first beachfront property, and it's pairing that oh-so-close proximity to sun, surf and sand with everything from a pool bar and cocktails upon arrival to 17 different types of rooms and suites to slumber in. Obviously, gorgeous ocean views are a big feature — although, if you find yourself in a room on the other side of the building, you'll be peering out over the Gold Coast hinterland instead. There'll be 339 rooms and suites in total, all decked out in coastal hues, and with a huge emphasis on luxury. When it launches on Thursday, June 23 — with bookings open from Monday, May 16 — The Langham Gold Coast will also include a range of food and beverage venues in addition to the aforementioned pool bar. So, when you're not enjoying afternoon tea at Palm Court, which goes big on pastries and pool views, you'll be hitting up all-day dining spot Akoya, a casual eatery serving meat, fish and poultry over cocktails (and seaside vistas). Or, there's the lobby bar, for more tipples; Coral Moon, another openair bar; and 26 & Sunny, which'll sit on the beach and offer sandwiches, coffee and deli options. Come spring, T'ang Court will also start serving up Cantonese dishes, giving the hotel a sister venue to the brand's Michelin-starred restaurants overseas. Between zipping into the waves and knocking back beverages, guests can also hit up Chuan Spa, The Langham's wellness centre. There, traditional Chinese medicine will guide the treatment selection — and leaving you feeling blissed out is the number-one aim. A health club with a gym, plus yoga, pilates and meditation sessions will be onsite as well, and — as the pool bar makes plain — places to swim besides the ocean. There'll be two pools, in fact, one indoors and the other outdoors. You'll need to be outside for those lagoon-style swim-up drinks, though. Artwork by Australian sculptor and artist Camie Lyons will feature around the hotel, and the chain's Ginger Flower fragrance will help set the mood. And if you're wondering where to head, The Langham Gold Coast will make its home inside the Jewel towers between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Find The Langham Gold Coast at 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise, from Thursday, June 23. For more information or to make a booking, head to the hotel's website.
When mid-February rolls around each year, a specific feeling starts to sink in no matter how you feel about romance. That sensation? With autumn almost upon us and the cooler weather with it, it's the yearning for sunny, summery days to keep on stretching on. Here's one way to continue catching that vibe: chasing an endless summer by spending time anywhere from the Gold Coast up to Cairns while it gets frosty down south. For those eager to make an autumn date with plenty of sun, surf and sand — or even to book in a winter or spring getaway, too — Virgin Australia has just dropped a huge Queensland flight sale. Running until midnight AEST on Monday, February 20 or sold out, whichever arrives first, this sale is solely about trips to and from the Sunshine State — with more than 250,000 fares on offer. It might be focused on one part of the country, but you still have options in terms of departure points and destinations. Within Queensland, you can leave or arrive in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Hamilton Island, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Mt Isa and Proserpine. And, around the rest of the country, flights to and from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney are all covered. One-way fares start at $69 — which'll get you from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast and vice versa. Other sale flights include Sydney–Gold Coast from $89, Melbourne–Cairns from $139, Adelaide–Gold Coast from $119 and Brisbane–Hamilton Island from $109. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the travel periods depend on the leg — but some span up till December 14, when summer is back again. Only select fares cover seat choice and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in 2021 that it now splits its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. Virgin's Queensland Is Calling sale runs from Tuesday, February 14–midnight AEST on Monday, February 20 — or until sold out. 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.
Considering there are film festivals for the French, and the German, and for Australia and New Zealand, and for pretty much any country imaginable, I have no idea why I’d never thought to ponder the existence of a Japanese Film Festival. Luckily, someone rectified my naïve ways and I can happily confirm that there is one that occurs annually in most capital cities of Australia. Now, I can’t promise that there will be an unlimited buffet of sushi, gyoza and sake, nor can I say with authority that everyone who works at the festival will be wearing kimonos and socks with sandals. However, what I can guarantee is that the movies showing at the 2011 Japanese Film Festival will be an even bigger insight into their culture than clichéd food options and stereotypes. Over the four days it runs in Brisbane, your options are Railways, Yamakoshi: The Recovery of a Tiny Japanese Village, Space Battleship Yamato and Arrietty. These films span the genres so whether you’re after a fun Studio Ghibli movie or an inspiring documentary, this festival’s got you set. On top of that it’s free upon booking, so organize tickets, embrace another culture, and maybe enjoy some (stereotypical but enjoyable) sushi afterwards.
Whether Idris Elba will ever get to slip into James Bond's tuxedo is still yet to be seen, but the British actor adds another prime example of why he'd be excellent as 007 to his resume with Hijack. He plays suave and smooth, calm and collected, and resourceful and reliable in the plane-set Apple TV+ thriller series — as well as enterprising and creative while endeavouring to save lives and bring down nefarious forces alike. He's also basically in Idris Elba on a Plane, sans slithering snakes; Idris Elba Cancels the London-Bound Apocalypse, but without kaiju and giant robots; Die Hard with Idris Elba, though never just crawling around in a singlet; and, given that the seven-parter unfurls in real time, 24: Idris Elba as well. Unsurprisingly, Elba is excellent in a taut, tension-dripping nail-biter that's easy to get addicted to. Fresh from battling lions in Beast, granting wishes in Three Thousand Years of Longing, returning to Luther in Luther: The Fallen Son and popping up in Extraction II, The Wire alum plays Sam Nelson, a seasoned negotiator on his way home to the UK from Dubai. It can't be underestimated or understated how crucial that Hijack's biggest star is here. Cast the wrong person as Sam, and the show might've plummeted. When terrorists take over the flight, the series' protagonist boasts the ability to get everyone from pilots and crew to agitated flyers, wannabe saviours and air traffic control on his side. Sometimes, the hijackers join in on following his lead and taking his advice. Even if action movies have long relied upon heroes with such swagger and sway, trying to pull it off here without someone of Elba's charm and confidence would likely struggle (see: the Liam Neeson-led Non-Stop, and recent Gerard Butler flick Plane). When he disembarks Kingdom Airlines Flight 29, Sam just wants to try to patch things up with his estranged wife Marsha (Christine Adams, The Mandalorian) and spend time with his teenage son Kai (Jude Cudjoe, Halo) — aims at the top of his list before he has any inkling that this won't be an ordinary journey. Then fellow Brit Stuart (Neil Maskell, Small Axe) and his gun-toting team (Here Comes Hell's Jasper Britton, The Duke's Aimée Kelly, The Souvenir: Part II's Jack McMullen and TV first-timer Mohamed Elsandel) seize control of the aircraft before the first hour of the flight has passed. To stay alive, and to also attempt to keep the other passengers safe, Sam has no choice but to step in. Action formula dictates that he does indeed have a particular set of skills that come in handy in the situation: his way with words. Onboard, anxiety spreads fast from the pilot (Ben Miles, Tetris) down. Tracking an hour of the ordeal per episode, Hijack gets its audience experiencing the stress, chaos and life-or-death stakes in tandem with Sam and the rest of the flight's hostages — and, crucially, establishing the in-the-air space and figures that the series has to play with. The show jumps between seating classes, exploring how the ordeal affects everyone from the comfortable to the crammed-in. It ensures that viewers understand who's sitting where, and how their different personalities might have an impact. The series stalks through the aisles, making sight lines and escape routes plain, and also hovers in crew areas. In other words, it puts its various pieces in place, proving expertly aware that suspense springs not just from waiting and anticipating, but from knowing which elements could factor in. Hijack makes slick and skilled use of its main setting, but it isn't a one-location-only affair. Also getting nervous: people on the ground across several countries, all attempting to work out what's going on. Marsha and Kai are among them; the former notes that "when it all kicks off, Sam's the best at handling it", but also asks her new cop beau Daniel O'Farrell (Max Beesley, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) to investigate after she receives a cryptic text from the air. The police officer enlists British counter-terrorism via his ex-partner Zahra Gahfoor (Archie Panjab, Snowpiercer), while various aviation bases also start realising that all isn't right, including at Heathrow where Alice Sinclair (Eve Myles, We Hunt Together) is a flight controller. Creators George Kay (Lupin) and Jim Field Smith (Litvinenko) are masterful with tone and twists, keeping the pressure up from go to whoa and never letting the plot cruise on autopilot. Together, Kay (who writes) and Field Smith (who directs) also created the interrogation-focused Criminal, and bring the same flair for teasing out pivotal details — not just in conversation, but visually as Hijack flits between the plane and terra firma. This isn't a whodunnit, put it does reward sleuthing, tasking its audience with puzzling together what's really going on, who can truly be trusted and how the show might land. Again, Apple TV+ is in its mystery element, as everything from Severance, The Afterparty, Black Bird and Bad Sisters to Servant, Hello Tomorrow!, High Desert and Silo keeps illustrating. In hooking viewers, and quickly, Kay and Field Smith are also well-versed in the kind of series they want Hijack to be. Pivotally, they're clearly familiar with the conventions and cliches that the show is leaning into, what's soared there before, and how to do it well. Having Sam rely upon the power of persuasion first and foremost might seem like a small touch, but it's an important one: Hijack wouldn't last seven hours, or keep watching eyes invested, if guns just kept blasting and fists flying. Even an aircraft-set John Wick instalment mightn't make that work ( although who wouldn't want to see that franchise — and only that franchise — try?). All the focus on talk also gives Hijack another vital angle: it sees its characters as people, rather than merely using them a means to move the plot along. Accordingly, it dives into their complications — some more than others, and no one more than Sam, but enough to examine the many complex ways that humans behave, especially in such high-strung circumstances. This is a show that's well aware that we all have baggage, and that it's with us at every turn. Thankfully, most of us aren't forced to work through it at 35,000 feet while being held hostage, but that exact scenario with Elba at its centre makes for riveting viewing. Check out the trailer for Hijack below: Hijack streams via Apple TV+.
Travelling solo can be great fun. There's no arguments about where to go, no bickering about where to eat and no ruining of life-long friendships that don't translate well from your hometown to the road. But it can get lonely too. You can Instagram great views, delicious meals and cute animals till your fingers are sore, but sometimes even 100 likes are no substitute for real-life, two-legged company. And someone to take a photo that actually has your face in it. So an Aussie adventurer by the name of Troy Elmes has come up with a solution — he's created an app that facilitates meet-ups for people who are travelling the world on their lonesome. Called Solo Traveller, it's a bit like Tinder for travellers (but without the sexy bit). You swipe through profiles of people who are on the road near you, let them know you're keen to meet up and connect with them in real time. Search results can be filtered according to age, gender, location, common interests and/or shared goals. Elmes invented the app after extensive travel on his own along Spain's Camino Trail. "I noticed there were a lot of like-minded solo travellers out there not having someone to share life’s moments with," he says on his website. "I also noticed how difficult it was to meet new people within my age range and there was an incredibly large and diverse group of travellers out there that were looking for the same connection, information and new experiences." Wanting to put these lone travellers in touch with each other, Elmes created Solo Traveller. Download it from the App Store or Google Play and keep it on-hand for the next time you're in a foreign city and desperately seeking good conversation. Image: Steven Lewis via Unsplash
You know there’s a big difference between drinking vodka because it's Friday and drinking vodka for its silky smooth tang. Ketel One knows it because they’ve spent the last 300 years refining family recipes that make Turducken look about as complex as 2 Minute Noodles, and now they’re on a quest to find one Australian craftsman who’s been equally zealous in turning a traditional craft into a contemporary masterpiece (though probably over a lesser period of time). This quest is called the Ketel One Modern Craft Project and it bears a legacy of $100,000. The winner will be someone who’s making the world a little more exciting to be in by blending a traditional craft with a modern entrepreneurial sprit. Deciding who that person is will be Ketel One’s 11th Generation Distiller, Bob Nolet, plus three experts who have earned complete license to judge you unreservedly: Gelati artisan Nick Palumbo of Gelato Messina, bespoke jeweller Lucy Folk of Lucy Folk Jewellery, and Christian Condo from the Modern Motor Cycle Company. The top 10 finalists will be filmed and showcased via a small bar exhibition in Sydney and Melbourne so that those skilled in the art of drinking can too pass judgement before the experts cast their final vote. Ketel One's Modern Craft Project is open to residents of Australia aged 25 and over, and you have until 1 December to get your entries in via themoderncraftproject.com
One of the world's most iconic paintings is coming to Australia, as part of a cultural exchange with the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1871, Portrait of the artist's mother, otherwise known as Arrangement in grey and black no. 1 or more commonly as Whistler's Mother, will be displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, forming the centrepiece of an exhibition about the painting's social and historical impact. "Alongside Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Munch's The Scream sits Whistler's Portrait of the artist's mother as one of a handful of artworks which enjoy universal recognition and admiration," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood in a statement that accompanied the announcement. The exhibition will mark the first time the painting has travelled to Australia. In return, the NGV will loan the Musee d'Orsay Pierre Bonnard's 1900 work Siesta. The NGV exhibition, which will run from March 25 until June 19, will aim to explore Whistler's iconic work from a number of different perspectives, chronicling its initially poor reception at the Royal Academy in London, its rise in popularity over the subsequent decades, and its influence on countless prominent artists including many here in Australia. It will also delve into the life of both the artist and his mother, Anna, who is depicted in the painting. The gallery has produced a short film about the significance of the work, and will also present a number of related public programs including a floor talk series and an illustrated panel discussion. Just whatever you do, when you're visiting the exhibition... try not to sneeze. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWqVoaYxgRs Whistler's Mother will be on display at the NGV from March 25 – June 19. For more information, go here. Updated: Thursday, March 24, 2016. Image: Brooke Holm.
Darlinghurst's Pocket Bar know exactly how much a parking ticket can ruin your day. You're out in the sunshine having a wonderful time, maybe you're getting caught up in a lazy lunch or a movie that ran longer than you thought, then BAM — you get a ticket and the world feels cruel and unjustified. Now, not only are these neighbourhood heroes changing your perceptions of tickets completely, they're rewarding you when you get one. If you're parked anywhere around Burton or Oxford Streets, your car could soon be struck with a "Pocket Notice". Printing out hundreds of flyers that look exactly like parking tickets, this tricky little bar have been distributing sneaky ads for their venue offering drivers 30 per cent off their new street food menu. The offence listed on the ticket is "optimism — just being in the right spot at the right time". Just when I thought I copped a fine...well played #pocketsydney, well played! #pocketbar #darlinghurst pic.twitter.com/DNNnQgvvMf — Shireen Khalil (@Shireenkal) September 30, 2014 If the car's owner is unlucky enough to find themselves with an actual parking ticket, the venue will offer a 20 per cent discount off everything. Pocket Bar owner Karl Schlothauer started the marketing campaign in reaction to the ever-vigilant parking officers of Sydney's inner suburbs. "I have a running battle with rangers," he said. "At one stage I had $7,000 in parking fines." It's not the only thing he's been fined for either. Flyering advertisements on cars is illegal under the NSW Protection of Environment Operations Act as it often prompts people into littering. In 2009, Schlothauer received a $400 fine for leaving a Pocket Notice on a car near Hyde Park. Despite that setback, they continued on with the idea. New notices have been spotted on cars in the last couple of weeks. If you do find yourself with an actual ticket, at least this is a silver lining — you can buy a slightly cheaper drink to drown your sorrows. Via Daily Telegraph. Photo: Angelica Sotelo.
Good news, Trainspotting fans — aka anyone who spent their teenage years watching and rewatching the first film, pored over the book and its sequels, and enjoyed a dose of nostalgia when T2: Trainspotting reached cinemas last year — Irvine Welsh, the author who first came up with the tale of four Scottish addicts and their substance-fuelled antics, is coming to Brisbane for this year's Brisbane Writers Festival. Choose life, and to go along, naturally. In town to chat about Dead Men's Trousers, his latest novel set in the Trainspotting universe, Welsh leads the festival's busy 2018 lineup — and he's not the only high-profile writer headed our way between September 6 and 9. If bleak young adult novels were more your thing circa 2011 to 2013, then you'll want to hear Divergent series author Veronica Roth discuss dystopian futures (what else?). Or, if you're keen on books and films about the fashion magazine industry, then pencil dinner with The Devil Wears Prada's Lauren Weisberger into your diary. Across a program that spans 155 events and features more than 200 writers, other highlights include human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson delving into his career and life story, South African writer Sisonke Msimang exploring tales of hope and home, English scribe Philip Hoare diving into his sea-themed works and The Woman in the Window's A.J. Finn chatting about his best-seller. On the local front, Tim Rogers will discuss his new memoir with fellow music great Robert Forster, and Dr Karl will be on hand to jump into all things science — of course — as well as give the closing address. Plus, everyone from Miles Franklin Award winner Sophie Laguna and prolific author Nikki Gemmell to childhood favourites Alison Lester and Morris Gleitzman are also on the bill. If you're the type of reader who grabs a book based on its subject rather than its scribe, then the four-day lineup has plenty of other topics to pique your interest — think sessions on matters as varied as Expo '88, getting ecological in your own backyard, the history of Fortitude Valley's McWhirters Building, and how the world talks about women in the public eye, to name a few. Events-wise, the program also boasts a live-action role-play session, should you need something to do when you're not reading, listening or generally nattering about books. The 2018 Brisbane Writers Festival runs from September 6 to 9. To check out the full program and purchase tickets, check out the festival's website.
If a trip to Mexico is on your agenda, then add another stop to your itinerary: Mexico City's Future Forest. The brainchild of Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the installation can be found in the botanical garden of Chapultepec — and, intertwined with the site's natural greenery, features more than three tonnes of plastic waste fashioned into a colourful artwork across a 500-square-metre area. Dambo worked with garbage collectors, their children, local students, inhabitants of orphanages and elderly homes, and other volunteers, taking eight weeks to turn a mountain of discarded plastics into a space people can wander through. Visitors will spy plants, flowers, animals and more, all made out of recycled bottles, containers, tubing and other plastic products. Although it was created as part of the local FYJA festival, it'll remain on display for the near future. As well as drawing attention to the ongoing war on waste — an issue that is seeing single-use plastic bags, coffee cups, takeaway containers and straws slowly phased from general usage, and plastic waste turned into everything from roads to shoes to activewear — the Future Forest also recognises the efforts of workers who collect and sort trash, known in Mexico City as pepenadores. Dambo's designed his project "not only to create awareness of this huge issue, but as a tribute to these everyday heroes, not nearly getting the recognition and respect we all owe them," he states on his website. Image: Thomas Dambo.
Mozzie repellent really puts a dampener on any summer BBQ. Literally. It's potent and poisonous stench clings to your clothing and gives your skin a sickly sticky glow. It's helpful, sure. We'd much rather have this slight inconvenience than let evil little bugs suck our blood and keep us up all night itching. But now someone has given us the best of both worlds. This new beer carton, a staple at any summer fun you were already having, also functions as a mosquito repellent. Conceived by Australian creative company GPY&R, this cardboard beer carton is currently on a limited run in Papua New Guinea. Made for SP Lager, a brand owned by Heineken, the cardboard casing is laced with eucalyptus oil to keep mozzies at bay. To unleash the full effect, the box must be burned — an easy feat for the PNG locals who often drink around bonfires. For them, mozzie repellent is much more than an annoying afterthought. Malaria is an enormous problem in the area and there are up to 1.8 million suspected cases reported each year. "If we're honest, we're not going to solve malaria with cartons of beer but we are going to raise awareness of the issue," said GPY&R manager Phil McDonald. Though the boxes have been launched as a limited edition item in PNG, those behind the project say they haven't ruled out the possibility to launching the product in Australia. "We're not as liberal with the burning of fires as our friends in PNG. We'd have to get the innovation hat on and think of something different, but it's not out of the realms of possibility," McDonald said. I think we speak for the rest of Australia when we say, yes please absolutely do that. Summer is sneaking up on us, we're staying out later and drinking a few more beers. Our concerns are absolutely first-world problems (especially when compared to those facing the very real threat of malaria) but we'd really like our skin to remain unbitten this year. Plus, it's always nice to have a valid excuse to buy a slab. Via Good Food.
Last month, Melbourne's Anthony Douglas of Axil Coffee Roasters did his notoriously coffee-obsessed city proud, taking out the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2022 at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. Now, the rest of the world has discovered what this barista can do, too. Last week, Douglas smashed some fierce international competition to nab first place at the World Barista Championship. Yep, he's officially put himself — and Melbourne's coffee scene — on the map, as the best barista on the planet for 2022. With almost a decade at Axil under his belt and over 12 years in the industry, the coffee maestro battled it out against 47 other international hopefuls competing at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 27–30. [caption id="attachment_869967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Douglas[/caption] Competitors were judged by a global panel on taste, technical skill and presentation across the three-round championship, with Douglas whipping up espressos, milk-based drinks and his own original signature concoction to impress the judges. All of the local's creations were crafted using coffee from El Diviso in Colombia, while his signature drink is one that'd put all your past coffee orders to shame — featuring Colombian honey, lacto-fermented passionfruit, hibiscus cold brew tea and a 'cryodesiccated' (evaporating water via freezing) date syrup for extra intensity. Axil has a swag of cafe locations across Melbourne — find your local by jumping to the website.
What do 90s lawyer comedies, recent TV sensations, Captain America's sex life and the fact that it isn't easy being green all have in common? The Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest streaming series. What gives the always-wonderful Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) a worthy comic showcase, sees Marvel's ever-sprawling franchise make a rare admission that The Incredible Hulk exists, and gifts Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness) a hilarious new buddy dynamic, too? Yes, the MCU's likeable She-Hulk: Attorney at Law — which started hitting Disney+ in weekly instalments from Thursday, August 18, and proves savvy, self-aware, silly and satirical all at once. What refuses take itself too seriously, knows it's in busy territory, and winkingly responds to the world that's helped it to even exist? This Kat Coiro (Marry Me) and Anu Valia (And Just Like That...)-directed show, too, which just keeps ticking a long list of boxes. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is astute and amusing, skewers popular culture's obsession with superheroes, and unpacks the way society treats women — superpowered and otherwise. And where its immediate small-screen predecessor, Ms Marvel, loved the MCU more than its audience ever will, this playful sitcom about Marvel's emerald-hued, six-foot-seven-inch-tall lawyer sees plenty about the ever-expanding on-screen saga to lovingly parody. The spoofing and nudging kicks in from the outset, with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law beginning with a question: "what is the responsibility of those in power?". Yes, it's meant to spark a reaction. Yes, it be dispiriting if the show didn't patently know how familiar those words are. Jennifer Walters (Maslany) is practising a closing argument and, as anyone who has seen anything relating to superheroes over the past two-plus decades will spot, she utters well-worn sentiments. But She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is gleefully getting meta first up — and comical. No one in the world has enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times that power and responsibility have weighed upon caped crusaders, as well as the films and shows that focus on them, so this new episodic addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn't dare pretend otherwise. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is the MCU's eighth Disney+ series, all in less than two years, after WandaVision first brought a couple of Avengers figures to the small screen in January 2021. That year was filled with familiar faces sliding into their own streaming stories, such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and Hawkeye, while 2022 now welcomes newcomers via Moon Knight, Ms Marvel and this. In its opening chapter, however, a few things about She-Hulk: Attorney at Law quickly become apparent. Firstly, it has as much in common with Ally McBeal and Fleabag as it does with its fellow spandex-clad cohort. Secondly, it's happy being a goofy case-of-the-week sitcom about a lawyer trying to have it all, including superpowers. Thirdly, poking fun at the superhero realm — and the reaction to it, especially to women within it — is one of the smashing show's big motivations. When Jen rehearses in those introductory moments, she's her regular human Deputy District Attorney self. She isn't green or towering, or hulking out. Instead, she's the star of what she describes as "this fun lawyer show", because fourth-wall breaks are part of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's irreverent style (and date back to the character's time on the comic-book page, starting in 1980, rather than aping Deadpool). But Jen also knows that viewers aren't here for just another legal comedy, even though that's what head writer Jessica Gao (Rick and Morty) purposefully sets up first, before any displays of strength, power and responsibility. Cut to a flashback explaining how Jen became She-Hulk, a moniker she openly dislikes. (You'd better believe that She-Hulk: Attorney at Law points out how unacceptable it is to name the character after her male counterpart, too.) In that jump backwards, Jen heads on a road trip with her cousin Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo, Dark Waters), ends up in a car accident, gets splashed with his gamma-radiated blood and wakes up sharing his traits. Smart Hulk hops into action, training Jen in the ways of being giant and grass-coloured whenever her emotions bubble up. "This is a multi-year journey you're about to embark on," he advises, complete with a binder of notes that'd do Leslie Knope proud. Jen just wants to be herself, though, and remain the attorney she's spent her life becoming, helping people via the law rather than via her new capabilities. Also, because being female involves restraining her feelings daily, she's already innately able to control her Hulk stints. There's a statement in that reaction, as there is in everything about She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The paths traditionally dictated for women, the control over their own destinies that's often stripped away, the contrast between hard work and easy fame, that all attention has its price: they're all pondered, and smartly. Obviously, Jen doesn't get to just step back into her old life. She tries, but then a superpowered influencer named Titania (Jameela Jamil, The Good Place) crashes into court. Using her abilities, Jen saves the day, which thrusts She-Hulk into the public eye. She also loses her job, then gets hired for another one: heading a superhuman law division, because she can relate. In introducing a new character to the MCU, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law couldn't skip the origin story part of its narrative. Thankfully, it unfurls all the basics quickly. And, although every superhero movie and series examines what it means to have extraordinary gifts, including for better and for worse, this addition to the fold filters it through the daily lawyering life of a thirtysomething who wants to be an attorney — and a regular person — first. That spans juggling cases covering everything from Emil Blonsky/the Abomination's (Tim Roth, Sundown) past misdeeds to Asgardian elves and wily magicians, and trying to face the dating world. It also includes sharing her professional, personal and superpowered chaos with her best friend and paralegal Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga, Space Force), and getting support from recent sitcom standouts, aka Josh Segarra (The Other Two) and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Girls5eva) as fellow legal colleagues. The MCU is no stranger to slipping into whichever established genre it thinks fits its various heroes. See also: Ms Marvel's teen dreams and high-school hijinks already this year. But based on the first four instalments in its nine-episode first-season run, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law strikes an entertaining, perceptive and well-cast balance between the obligatory caped crusader nods and spinning a lawyer comedy about a caped crusader. If you've seen the trailers, the show is exactly what it always promised to be — in the right way. Check out the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law trailer below: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law streams via Disney+ from Thursday, August 18. Images: courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
It's been just a few days since the Victorian government proposed new legislation in an attempt to even the playing field between taxis and ride share services. And now it looks like Sydney's ride-sharing industry could also see its own boost in competition, with Uber rival Taxify set to launch in the city by the end of the year. The Estonian company made headlines last month when licensing issues forced it to stop services in London just days after its UK launch. According to operators, Taxify's recent Paris launch saw it become the most downloaded app in France. Now with about 30 international cities under its belt, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Taxify is slated to hit Sydney streets by Christmas. The company is promising to charge drivers a 15 percent commission on fares, a figure that's much more attractive than the company's main competitor Uber, which currently takes around 20 to 25 percent from each fare. In theory, that could see Taxify offering cheaper rides and luring customers (and drivers) to jump ship from their usual ride-share service, though Uber's domination of the market since launching in 2012 has proven impossible to crack so far. As Morningstar analyst Gareth James told The Sydney Morning Herald, Taxify doesn't have an easy ride ahead. "To have a competitive advantage, you need to have a network effect whereby everyone uses your website," he said. "What will be difficult for new entrants is competing with Uber's network effect. Taxify might get some market share but they are going to have to spend a lot of money to do it." Pending success in the Sydney market, Taxify has its sights set on Melbourne and Brisbane in the near future. Taxify is set to launch in Sydney by the end of the year. For updates, check the company's Facebook page. Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image: Taxify.
Put down your So Fresh CD. Crack open your teenage piggy bank. Keep practicing your Usher slide glide. Because afull-blown R&B frenzy is set to sweep the nation this November as live party tour RnB Fridays returns for five mammoth shows. Descending on stadiums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide between November 9 and 17 (not all on Fridays, mind you), the event has managed to pull a pretty serious lineup of international music legends straight from the 90s and early 2000s. Heading the bill is none other than singing, songwriting, dancing superstar Usher, in what will be his first Aussie shows since 2011. He'll be joined by hip hop queens Salt-N-Pepa, rappers T-Pain and Lil Jon, mononymous ladies Eve and Estelle, Grammy Award-winning trio Naughty By Nature, Fatman Scoop and 'Pony' Ginuwine. All of them. Together. In one show. Ticket prices are as momentous as the lineup, with each one starting at $109.90. If you fancy really splashing out, you can opt for $349.90 platinum package — it comes complete with a commemorative lanyard, express entry, front-row real estate and the chance to meet Usher himself. RnB Fridays Live at will hit Melbourne's (soon-to-be) Marvel Stadium on November 10, Brisbane Showgrounds on November 16 and Spotless Stadium in Sydney on November 17. Pre-sale tickets are up for grabs from Tuesday, August 15, with general admission on sale from August 20. Image: Mushroom Creative House.
Ah, piracy. The youthful and agile foe to a government of middle-aged men with dial-up internet and longstanding Foxtel subscriptions. Copyright in the digital age has been an absolute nightmare for artists and legislators alike in the past decade (and a godsend for broke students with a healthy addiction to HBO). Though we all agree in principle that filmmakers and producers should get paid for the work they create, the shift to digital modes of delivery and a dispersed audience has made the process of distribution and regulation completely untenable. It's widely acknowledged as a global problem with no easy answer. But hey, that won't stop the federal government giving it a go. Last week saw widespread reports of potential movement on the issue spearheaded by Attorney-General and Arts Minister George Brandis. Outlining two proposals to be considered by the federal cabinet, Brandis set his sights on the users themselves as well as the torrent sites responsible for making this content available. As the news dropped on a Monday — otherwise known across the country as 'the day for downloading Game of Thrones' — this posed a potential problem for Australian pirates. Take heed of the warning or call the bluff? Since then, there's been no further news on the potential reforms. The proposed measures originally outlined in the ALRC report of Copyright and the Digital Economy have since gone through the wringer of online cynics and tech nerds — and come up wanting. Everyone watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones breathed a giant sigh of relief. In light of all this, we've done a bit of research and compiled for you a handy user's guide: five things you can expect from the Government's so-called piracy crackdown. A few angry letters The first of George Brandis's proposed measures was the creation of a three-strikes policy. In theory, this would involve internet service providers tracking the addresses of those using torrenting sites and issuing warning letters to Australian pirates. Upon receiving their third correspondence, users would be faced with potential litigation, fines and possible termination of their accounts. In reality, this is a textbook scare tactic. Known as the 'graduated response system', this policy has already been implemented in France, the UK, New Zealand and South Korea and has seen only very limited success. Since the law passed in 2009, just one French user has been penalised — 15 days without internet and a fine of €600. It has since been repealed in favour of legislation that instead penalises those profiting commercially off the piracy. In New Zealand the law still stands, though it has proven incredibly expensive to enforce and is commonly referred to as 'Skynet'. If or when this system is implemented in Australia we can expect similar problems with enforcement. As much as I like the idea of Tony Abbott and George Brandis spearheading a militant letter writing campaign with personalised stationery and blood red frowny face stamps, it's hardly a solution to the problem. Politicians yelling about The Pirate Bay The other proposal Brandis raised was the filtering of torrenting sites such as The Pirate Bay. In what is tantamount to the cursed internet filter of 2011, ISPs would be obliged to block Australian users from accessing sites that enable such illegal activity. On one level this seems like a feasible idea. Though it raises recurrent concerns around internet freedom and the bounds of free access, it outwardly seems like a good plan to stop the downloading. Here's the problem: it would never ever work. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably still uses Internet Explorer, has a Hotmail account with an embarrassing alias thought up as a teenager, and is confused why their MSN Messenger is no longer working. It's dumb. Just really, really bad. The very nature of peer-to-peer file sharing means it's near impossible to shut down. With no centralised node to attack, individual users can pop up and share copyrighted content on any platform at any time. Even if The Pirate Bay was blocked, smaller sites would rise up and take its place. It's like trying to rid your apartment of ants by attacking the colony only to realise they're actually also all over your kitchen and snuggled in your bed, obnoxiously writhing around on your face and body. Also they can never die. It won't work. Add to this the fact that a lot of Australian pirates already have location-blocking or VPN software installed on their computers. The ISP block wouldn't be able to pinpoint the user's location and The Pirate Bay would be ready and available anyway. Politicians will moan and gripe about it for awhile in an effort to look tough and scare off some casual users, but really it will do nothing in the fight against the unkillable ants on their face. A few thousand outraged Facebook statuses Of course, this all seems pretty scary to the untrained eye. People hear that Tony Abbott's coming after their Monday night Game of Thrones and they're bound to freak out. Add to that the paranoia that grows when they hear the government is blocking their internet access and ordering ISPs to watch their online activity — there'll be a clicktivism campaign that blows Kony right out of the water. In fact, The Pirate Party — who else? — are already on it. Their Change.org petition to the Australian Senate already has over 5,000 signatures and understandably takes a strong stance against Brandis's proposals. The petition declares its condemnation of laws against online piracy because they are "ineffective", "expensive", and "a serious invasion of privacy". It asks that the Senate not allow the proposed legislation to pass and put any future legislation regarding digital rights to committee, ensuring expert opinions can be considered. When translated to the Facebook dialect of that high school friend you've been meaning to delete, that amounts to: "WTF what even? As if they can look at our computers. That's fkd." Have fun with that. A fight from your ISP The most trying part of the proposed piracy crackdown is that it would have to be controlled and enforced by your ISP. And as a company that makes money off your downloads and your loyalty, why would they ever want to punish you? Not only would the restrictions harm their business, they would also come with an enormous administrative cost. If this is to happen resources must be devoted into tracking online activity, contacting individual users and then issuing punishments. Then, if the ultimate punishment is loss of connection, they lose your valued business too. Regardless, both the government and international production companies claim ISPs need to start taking responsibility for their part in online piracy — providing the platform on which it takes place. From 2008–2010 iiNet battled a mammoth law suit from 34 production houses including Village Roadshow, Universal, Disney, Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks. In a landmark decision, it was ruled that the ISP was not liable for the actions of its users. In the USA and Canada, ISPs have also gone as far as protecting their users' identities when faced with individual litigation. While a recent court ruling ordered a stop to this practice, pirates will find it comforting to know your ISP has your back. They definitely don't support piracy, but they're sure as hell not going to police it. Access to timely legal content at a fair price Loljks. Though everyone pretty much knows this is the correct answer, no one's committing to making it happen. Cheaper downloads from iTunes and streaming services such as Spotify have helped ease the burden in the music industry, but the Australian alternatives for film and television are next to naught. If you want to see Game of Thrones before spoilers flood in from overseas, you better dig deep for that $85 monthly Foxtel bill. Australians are paying more for their entertainment across the board and the lack of competition from new sources only works to drive up prices further. A government inquiry last year discovered that when compared to an industry average, we're actually paying 16 percent more for eBooks, 52 percent more for music and 82 percent more for games. It's no wonder we're all turning to piracy. However, we're definitely still willing to pay for timely, legal content. All we ask is a fair price. American services such as Netflix and Hulu are even seeing big influxes of Australian customers who are willing to circumvent the geo-blocking software in order to set up accounts. It's a legal grey area with no standing precedent, but with how-to guides already published by Junkee, Gizmodo and thousands of blogs, it's quickly becoming common practice. Local alternatives like Foxtel's Presto and Quickflix are trying to crack the market — but as they offer half the content at double the price, it's hardly a fair fight. So, when all's said and done, the piracy crackdown has little likelihood of changing matters. Little can be done about the offences until a new system emerges that better combats the realities of the digital economy — Australia needs innovation before it jumps to legislation. For now, as the trumped up bickering and outraged finger wagging gets ready to hit the nation; George Brandis can take some advice from an unlikely source. In the words of millions of teenage boys' Myspace pages from 2004: "Don't hate the player, hate the game."
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.
Location is everything when watching horror films — your darkened lounge room, a huge screen in the oldest cinema you can find, a drive-in surrounded by creepy trees, or a movie campout dedicated to all things scary are all great examples. But while they'd all do the job, they're not even in the same league as the newest film fest coming to the US in 2017, which will be held in the creepy-as-all-hell hotel from The Shining. It's called the Overlook Film Festival, and as Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King fans could probably have guessed, it has ties to hotel-based, Jack Nicholson-starring horror effort that is The Shining. Big ties — huge ties. The festival will be held in Oregon's Timberline Lodge, which is where the exterior shots for Kubrick's 1980 cinema adaption of King's 1977 novel were filmed. We hope you have to grab an axe, chop down a door, and yell "here's Johnny" to get in. In news exciting enough for you to talk to your local friendly ghost bartender about, the enormous, unsettling-looking building that has haunted many a movie-based dream will play host to four days of experiential events, new and classic genre film screenings and interactive game-like activities between April 27-30, 2017. You probably shouldn't expect that amazing orange, red and brown carpet or red elevator doors opening to a sea of blood as neither are part of the Timberline Lodge's design — but, hey, we don't know all of the Shining-themed tricks the fest's organisers have up their sleeves. It's not the first time a Kubrick-focused horror movie celebration has taken place in the States, with the Stanley Film Festival running from 2013 to 2o15 in a Colorado hotel that inspired King to write his book. The folks behind that are actually putting together the Overlook Film Festival, so you know it is in good fans. Just be warned: if you take a typewriter with you, you might start typing out "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" over and over again. And we're not saying that you will see a photo of yourself in the hotel ballroom from decades earlier while you're there — but we're not saying you won't, either. Via Variety.
The full 2023 Splendour in the Grass lineup isn't here just yet, but the festival's only announced headliner so far is planning a decent stay Down Under around her trip to Byron Bay. Whether you know that you can't make it to the annual fest or you're just keen to see the 'Tempo', 'Juice', 'Truth Hurts' and 'Rumors' singer more than once, Lizzo has just announced four arena shows in Australia and New Zealand this winter. Here's some news that's as good as hell: Lizzo will play Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland in July, with dates both before and after her Splendour stint. Given that she's set to take to the Qudos Bank Arena stage in the Harbour City on Sunday, July 23, she clearly won't be doing the same in Byron the same night — so, if you're headed to North Byron Bay Parklands, you'll be seeing the songwriter, singer and flautist (and Grammy- and Emmy-winner, too) on either the Friday or Saturday. Back to the solo show: it's tied to Lizzo's 2022 album Special, including, of course, Grammy Record of the Year-winning single 'About Damn Time'. But attendees can expect to hear hits from 2019's CUZ I LOVE YOU as well — and an overall set filled with dance-ready beats. Joining Lizzo on all shows as a special guest is Tkay Maidza, which means two must-see talents for the price of one. [caption id="attachment_750739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Gilford[/caption] While a Lizzo tour is always a welcome announcement, fans in Brisbane will note the usual Splendour setup — that is, when someone plays the fest and does their own gigs around it, Brissie is considered close enough to Byron to not warrant a separate stop. And if you're somewhere other than Auckland in Aotearoa, you'll need to head there as that's her only NZ concert. LIZZO — THE SPECIAL TOUR 2023: Friday, July 14 — RAC Arena, Perth Monday, July 17 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, July 23 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Wednesday, July 26 — Spark Arena, Auckland Lizzo will tour Australia and New Zealand in July 2023. The American Express presale runs from 11am Friday, March 24–11am Tuesday, March 28, followed by the Live Nation presale from 12pm Tuesday, March 28–10am Wednesday, March 29 — and general sales from 11am Wednesday, March 29 — with all times local. For further details, head to the tour website.
What would Salvador Dali's melting clocks look like if they were replaced by eggs? Or Yayoi Kusama's dots with circles of tomato sauce? Forget however your local cafe plates up smashed avo — designer Kyle Bean, photographer Aaron Tilley and food stylist Lucy-Ruth Hathaway's Artisan Brunch photo series turns everyone's favourite mid-morning meal into art. Created for an issue of Kinfolk magazine, the trio gives a quintet of iconic artworks the food-focused makeover no one ever realised they needed until now. Here, bacon, sausages and toast hang from strings in the style of Cornelia Parker, and a pancake feast becomes an Alexander Calder-esque mobile. And then there's the the savvy switching of a sea predator for the green fruit supposedly slaying all of our finances — aka Damien Hirst's formaldehyde-suspended shark swapped with half an avocado. https://www.instagram.com/p/BUe9tIxhgwc/?taken-by=kylejbean&hl=en Yes, they're playing with their food just like their mums probably told them not to, and yes, these famous works never looked tastier. Bean and company's pieces might make you look at art and brunch in a whole new way — or, they might just make you hungry. Via Design Boom. Images: Kyle Bean
The arrival of summer means afternoons spent in beer gardens and nights that run late on cocktail bar rooftops. But, what if you could have an equally stimulating experience while avoiding that tinge of regret that comes when checking your bank balance the next day? The wonders of BYO make this dream scenario possible! With BYO-friendly destinations in Brisbane increasingly harder to come by, this list will ensure you're well placed to celebrate every kind of occasion with your closest pals and a carefully curated drinks selection from your own fridge or local bottle shop. Together with Mosey Fruity Beer, the hottest newcomer to the beer aisle, we've rounded up a collection of cracking BYO-friendly spots to hit up this summer. Ranging from much-loved restaurants to weekend escapes, all six picks are confirmed hot spots for taking a Mosey along. By stashing a can (or a four-pack) of the new brew in your bag, you're bringing a fruity take on the classic frothy — and an added level of freshness and 'crushability'. Our prediction? You'll be stinging for a sip by the time you're finished reading. [caption id="attachment_754733" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] CATCH THE SUNSET Brisbane's golden hour provides a rousing end to most summer evenings. Although the city only has five parks that permit BYO alcohol, they're all top-notch spots to enjoy the show after you knock off work. South Bank Parklands is one such spot, with its 17 acres of riverfront greenery and licensed picnic areas always delivering a great experience. Another striking sunset vantage point is Celebration Lawn. Enveloped by Roma Street Parkland, this colourful spot is an ideal place to crack open a cold tinnie and catch the day's last rays before the sun dips below the horizon. [caption id="attachment_750971" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Emily Davies[/caption] PICNIC IN THE PARK When you're in the mood for a BYO date with your best pals, load up the picnic basket and cruise along to one of Brisbane's sprawling licensed parklands. New Farm Park is an obvious choice — this lush green space is renowned for its fragrant rose gardens and open fields perfect for lobbing a frisbee. Situated within South Bank Parklands, Picnic Island is a slightly more secluded area where you can soak up the waterfront vibes with a drink in hand. Just as the name suggests, this spot is ideal for enjoying a couple of tins beneath the shady treetops or around the covered barbecue facilities. [caption id="attachment_869922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yutacar, Unsplash[/caption] AVOID THE RELOS BY HOSTING A FRIENDS-MAS PARTY PSA: you don't have to spend the holiday season with family. Hosting a top-notch friends-mas party delivers the opportunity to relish in the good times with your closest pals instead. Whether your loved ones live in another city or you just want to avoid any painful conversations, planning a friends-only festive shindig is a winner. So, what's needed to put together an unforgettable end-of-year celebration? Loading the fridge with tasty beers to go with your veritable feast, of course. Alongside lawn games and board games, a carefully curated playlist that turns your living room into Brisbane's best dance floor won't go amiss either. [caption id="attachment_871107" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Thang Tran[/caption] HIT A LOCAL BYO RESTAURANT Let someone else take care of the cooking by booking your next BYO session in a sumptuous Brissie restaurant. Lemak is a go-to choice in East Brisbane (especially if you're into golden, crispy chicken). Plus, this Malaysian street food restaurant is more than happy for you to bring along your own brews. Order the signature fried chicken with nasi goreng or suss out the flavourful range of laksas. Alternatively, take your tastebuds on a trip to the Med at Little Greek Taverna. Enjoy fresh, affordable Greek cuisine cooked by the family owners as you take in a 180-degree view of bustling West End — sipping on a BYO beer of your choice, of course (maybe a fresh and fruity brew?). SKIP TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND Make the most of your wider locale by skipping town for the weekend with a few friends. Just a short drive out of Brisbane you'll find more than a few lush stays. Set amid the Glass House Mountains, The Brick Barn has enough space for eight guests to enjoy its soaring six-metre vaulted ceilings and central courtyard — you can even get toasty next to the fire pit and pizza oven. Or, maybe take your brews along to a pastoral stay on the doorstep of Tamborine Mountain. This rejuvenated Queenslander features incredible views of the Great Dividing Range from its (multiple) decks, while a swimming pool overlooks the surrounding working farm. [caption id="attachment_794956" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tatters via Flickr[/caption] CRUISE OUT FOR A CAMPING TRIP Brisbane and its surrounding regions are blessed with world-class camping, perfect for reconnecting with nature while enjoying a chilled beverage. While you'll have to hike in to reach any of Mount Barney National Park's serene campgrounds, finding your place amongst the jagged mountain tops and subtropical rainforest repays your effort and then some. Cylinder Beach Camping Ground on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is just as beautiful. Set along a beloved surf beach on the isle's northeastern corner, the grounds boast pretty impressive facilities considering you're some distance from the mainland. With barbecue areas, bountiful shade and patrolled beaches, a BYO sesh here will go down in history. Armed with a ripper BYO spot and a four-pack of Mosey Fruity Beers, you'll be ready to make summer yours. To find out more about the juicy brews, head to the website. Top image: Chester Newling
This week at Trainspotters, Ivy St are celebrating the release of their new album, Courting. Ivy St comprises of Patrick Hatch, Thomas Hyland and Christopher Campbell. The Tasmanian lads have a string of tracks behind them and released their debut EP, Flicker On, in 2008 and their first LP was let loose in 2009. The second album for the group has been in the works since 2011 and during this time the trio moved to Melbourne to advance their music career. Ivy St are no strangers to the stage and have played at the likes of Falls Festival and MONA FOMA. What's more, they stole Triple J's attention and were handpicked as a Next Crop Artist. The post-punk group will be supported by local bands, Thigh Master, Scrabbled and High Beams, this Saturday night. If you're new to Trainspotters, you're in for a treat. Its cheap drinks and weekly live music attracts a hub of like-minded Brisbane music fans who know how to party.
Get excited Temples fans as the boys have just touched down for their first Australian shows. First stop, The Zoo! Hailing from Kettering, Northamptonshire, Temples are making waves in the psychedelic world. The group comprises of lead singer and guitarist James Edward Bagshaw, bassist Tom Warmsley, drummer Sam Toms and keyboardist Adam Smith. The lads performed at Coachella and have warmed the stage for the likes of Suede, The Vaccines and Kasabian. But one accolade trumps all of these achievements as Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher, gods of Britpop, have praised Temples as one of the best new bands on the scene. If Temples rings a bell, you may have heard their debut album, Sun Structures, being spun on Triple J as a Feature Album. Tracks such as 'Mesmerise' and 'Shelter Song' have been on high rotation as well. Deep Sea Arcade and newly formed Orphans Orphans will also be playing.
Sydney boys, Alex Cameron, George Nicholas and John Hassell make up one of the nation's best electronic acts, Seekae. The old friends formed the band in 2006 and the trio have since shared the stage with the likes of Kimbie, Cloud Control, Decoder Ring and Midnight Juggernaughts. Seekae have also sold out their own headline shows across the nation as well as impressed international audiences in a few short years. These guys have a unique sound filled with exciting and loud bursts mixed with relaxed, floaty electronica. Seekae have perfected a harmony between the human and technology with their blend of electronica, instruments and vocals. The always energetic bunch have released two albums, +Dome and The Sound of Trees Falling on People which both received critical acclaim. Brisbane electronic fans can expect a vibrant performance from Seekae this Saturday at The Zoo.
Whether for a drink, a bite to eat, a stint at the casino or to spend the night, heading to Treasury Brisbane has always involved heading to two neighbouring George Street spots. Until now, that is — with the inner-city venue branching out to a third location perched over the Brisbane River. Called Will & Flow, the new bar marks Treasury's first off-site location, although it isn't far from the casino and adjacent hotel. Mosey down to the Queen's Wharf precinct, where the overwater watering hole sits between the QUT Gardens Point CityCat stop and the Goodwill Bridge. On the menu: coffees during the day, cocktails after work and bites to eat from morning till evening. You can start with a fruit bowl or ham and cheese croissant before 11am — and then snack on chipotle crab buns, roasted king prawns, oyster and mussel-filled platters, scallops with bechamel sauce, and four types of pizza. Yes, seafood is a big feature. For dessert, there's even a chocolate peanut butter pizza, which comes topped with strawberries and marshmallows. And, as for what you'll be sipping, the drinks lineup also includes smoothies, wines, spritzes, Queensland beers, and other boozy concoctions such as espresso martinis, lime and lemongrass margaritas, and a 'State of Origin negroni'. Obviously, you'll be consuming all of the above with scenic views over the river to South Bank. Will & Flow is available for events, too, which'll benefit from the same waterside vantage. Visitors can choose between both indoor and outdoor seating, and the latter is bound to be mighty popular. That said, in line with current social-distancing requirements, visitors won't have too much company to start with, with the bar catering to 130 patrons either seated or standing up cocktail-style. The overwater bar is the second to open in Brisbane's inner city in the past couple of years, following Mr Percival's over at Howard Smith Wharves — aka the last big new precinct to open its doors.
After shining a spotlight on films that engage with social justice and human rights issues for the past decade, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival has announced yet another packed lineup of topical titles for 2017. Screening in Melbourne from May 4 to 18 before touring a selection of highlights to Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart, HRAFF's tenth anniversary program boasts 32 features, 31 shorts, four forums and eight events in the festival's arts-focused component. HRAFF 2017 will open with The Opposition, the debut effort from Australian filmmaker Hollie Fifer — and a film tackling content so controversial that legal disputes and injunctions have attempted to block its release. Also screening at the Sydney Film Festival after its HRAFF berth, the documentary steps through the struggles of Papua New Guinea's Paga Hill community. In 2012, their homes were bulldozed by developers to make way for a luxury resort, sparking a battle of David vs Goliath proportions. Highlights from the rest of the program include closing night's Quest, which heads to HRAFF from Sundance to chronicle the efforts of the Rainey family to create a musical sanctuary for their North Philadelphia community, as well as the world premiere of the Australian-made, Manilla-set documentary Happyland, about street artist Kaff-eine and her team's attempts to turn slums into something creative. Elsewhere, Nowhere to Hide takes a paramedic's-eye view of Iraq, An Insignificant Man follows the politician becoming known as "the Bernie Sanders of India", Plastic China tells the tale of the recycling workshop workers and their families that literally live in mountains of plastic, and Tempestad goes on a road trip to explore the victimisation of women in Mexico. For those after a piece of gripping fictional filmmaking, War Book delves into British civil servants practising crisis protocol for a fictional nuclear attack on Mumbai. HRAFF also gives audiences the chance to catch up with other festival standouts that have already done the rounds, such as Berlinale's 2016 Golden Bear winner Fire at Sea, Cannes Film Festival's 2015 Palme d'Or recipient Dheepan, and the crowd-pleasing, Afghan rapper-focused Sonita. Going local, Australia's freshly minted best foreign language Oscar nominee Tanna, rousing documentary Zach's Ceremony and magical realist fable Satellite Boy also feature. With arts also part of the program, attendees can hear discover the experiences and knowledge of Koorie Elders, hear accounts from people detained while trying to seek asylum in Australia, and view portraits of the persecuted Rohingya people in Western Myanmar. The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival screens at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from May 4 to 18, Sydney's Dendy Newtown from May 23 to 27, and Brisbane's Palace Barracks from June 1 to 3. For more information, check out their website. Image: Zach's Ceremony.
If you want to emerge from your winter hibernation with a bang, Brisbane Festival has you covered. From Friday, September 2–Saturday, September 24, the city will be reignited with colour, light, art and music in a three-week celebration of arts and culture. This year, the festival kicks off with the annual Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust firework display, a distinct shift away from its usual position at the festival's end. Then, boundary-pushing new art will converge on Brisbane, turning The River City itself into a giant gallery and theatre at once. Expect international and homegrown curations, installations and performances, and art that challenges and enlightens. Highlights include a trilingual reworking of Shakespeare's Othello, a human-sized kaleidoscope that you can walk through, a giant floating moon, the return of Brisbane's Art Boat for cruises down the river surrounded by Lindy Lee's artwork, and six parties on six rooftops on one night. The jam-packed full program also spans the stage adaptation of Shannon Molloy's coming-of-age memoir Fourteen, huge bubbles popping up in South Bank, evening strolls with teenagers, a queer dance party at The Tivoli, and a showcase of First Nations artists and performers — and that's just a taste of the complete lineup. Brisbane Festival will run from Friday, September 2—Saturday, September 24. For further details and to book, head to the festival's website. Updated July 21.
All across Australia, accommodation is popping up in unlikely places. There's the glamping set-up on top of a Melbourne CBD shopping complex, and — for the more low-brow traveller — a tent pitched on some dude's balcony for $90 a week. And now, in a more architecturally-sound and downright genius move, the Doma Group have erected their newest hotel on top of a four-level carpark. The site, which is located in the Parliament House suburb of Barton, was designed to accommodate 489 car parks for Canberra commuters. But rather than just being a place to house cars, Doma thought it would be an ideal spot to house humans as well. Working with Redgen Mathieson Architects, they've made clever use of the space and created 120 rooms over the fifth and sixth levels of the structure. There are also two very slick common areas, which have great views over Parliament House and Canberra, and might just be an ideal spot to run into a pollie or two. The hotel is another addition to Canberra's boutique accommodation selection, which includes the East Hotel and the much-lauded HotelHotel. Rooms start from $119 a night — and yes, fluffy robes are included. Little National Hotel is located at 21 National Circuit, Barton, Canberra. Find out more here.
Spontaneity and Gelato Messina's special desserts don't usually go hand in hand. Normally when the ice cream chain drops a limited-edition dish, you need to order it days or even weeks in advance, then collect it at an allocated time. And, that was indeed the case with its new honey joy version of its bake-at-home sticky scroll, which was announced earlier this week. The key word: was. Messina baked too many, so now you can also nab one across the weekend of Friday, September 22–Sunday, September 24. This brand, nostalgia and limited-edition desserts go together quite nicely. The cult-favourite ice creamery not only loves making one-off specials in general — it adores whipping up delights based on the dishes you loved as a kid. Scrolls — or snails, as Messina calls them — are no strangers to the brand's range. Neither are honey joy treats, after it made a honey joy cookie pie in 2022. But combining the two is indeed a new development. Yes, it'll take you all the way back to your tuckshop days, and ensure that you can skip your next cereal breakfast. So, what exactly is a honey joy sticky snail? It's a scroll-like dish that's made to feed several people — four-to-six is Messina's recommendation — as filled with vanilla crème pâtissière. On top, you'll find honey joy clusters and honey caramel. And to go with it, because Messina is all about frosty desserts, is cereal milk gelato. This is another of the chain's Frankenstein's monster-style indulgences — and the entire pack includes the snail and a one-litre tub of gelato. If you're keen to get yourself a piece, you can order online to collect in store over the weekend, get it brought to your door via Uber Eats or try your luck by heading into your nearest Messina in person. Apparently the scroll serves four-to-six people, but whether that proves true or not is up to you. You can order Gelato Messina's honey joy stick snail packs online to collect in store over the weekend of Friday, September 22–Sunday, September 24, get it brought to your door via Uber Eats or try your luck by heading into your nearest Messina in person.
As Jesse McCartney became a chipmunk, Aaron Carter found drugs, and Hilary Duff had a baby, one band rose above them all. From the beginning we should have known that Hanson would eventually fly separate from the pack of frosted-haired teen 'sensations' they competed with, to make a serious, and by no means shameful, mark on the music industry. Now, Hanson are returning to Brisbane for two separate performances at The Hifi to show us that while most other 90s teen sensations lost it, they've still got it. Brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac released their hit album Middle of Nowhere in 1997, which spawned the massive karaoke favourite MMMBop. The brothers have since been recording and releasing albums fairly regularly, and much to the delight of young fans and mothers alike, have never lost their young boyish charm.
Present Tense brings together a carefully selected group of artists to explore the contemporary vernacular of abstraction. Dan Hollier, Genevieve Felix Reynolds, Greg Hodge, Paul Williams, Sally Anderson and Will Cooke have all been specially chosen by curator Belem Lett to take part in Present Tense. Why? Because each artist utilises a method of production which interrogates painting processes and object production. Present Tense draws alignments and casts distinctions between each artist's practice, creating an exhibition that pins individual materials, methods and aspects of image in a common light against each other. The curator of this exhibition, Belem Lett, is a Sydney-based artist who has exhibited internationally and won over a dozen esteemed scholarships, residencies and prizes. Present Tense runs from 1 to 24 March, with opening drinks on Saturday, 5 March from 2 to 5pm. Image: Paul Williams, Duplex Dream, 2015.
What's better than swapping your pre-loved favourites for new goodies and finding hidden gems along the way? Helping out a charity while you shop! Alpha's Swap and Shop for Charity is a day for fashion lovers who are looking for gorgeous pieces that you won't find anywhere else. The goal of the day is to raise $100,000 for the children's charity, Variety. Lovers of vintage will be pleased with what's on offer at Swap and Shop. Not to mention, delicious designer pieces will also be up for grabs. Gorgeous dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories will be available and the quality of each item is checked before the day to ensure shoppers and swappers will be pleased with their new pieces. Not only are vintage and contemporary pieces on offer but everyone who attends the day gets a bag of treats worth $100. The day will be a fun fashion event with food, live entertainment and prizes. The main prize is a seven day getaway in the beautiful Northern New South Wales. So what are you waiting for, book your tickets online as they are sure to be snatched up quickly.
The Trouble with Templeton are a band whose music pushes the dynamics of their genre to the limit. Known for a sound that stems from meekness, softness and raw emotion matched with lyrics that ripple wisdom and angst, this seminal five-piece preach, rather than play, their music. Since the success of their latest single 'Six Months in a Cast', The Trouble with Templeton have hit the ground running with a new album in production, a follow up single in the making and a trip to America only weeks away. With their barbed-guitar leads, melodic tunes and the hypnotising voice of frontman, Thomas Calder, there is no doubt that great things are in store for this much loved group of musicians. The Trouble with Templeton are currently recording in Brisbane, before packing up and heading to the States. As a farewell, they will be playing one final show at Black Bear Lodge before jetting off – witness their quirky, ernest and bittersweet songs before we lose them to the yanks.
Before the days of Simple Plan and Avril Lavigne, the average '90s kid was prone to resort to the listening likes of Nada Surf for their teenage angst release. Along with their iconic 1996 anti-high school clique ballad 'Popular', this New York band has produced an incredible range of music in their 16 years of rocking that has capitvated an audience far beyond that of adolescent musos. As part of the Brisbane Festival, Nada Surf will be returning to Australia for the first time in ten years to showcase their recent work. The band has just released a new album 'The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy', but has assured fans that their setlist will contain songs from their entire 16-year career. Nada Surf will be gone quickly, performing only three shows while on our shores. As a band that has produced a number of spotless indie-rock numbers, this rare experience is sure to be one of the musical highlights of the Brisbane Festival. Check out Nada Surf's 1996 hit 'Popular'
Whoever said an encyclopaedic knowledge of a cartoon about a dysfunctional yellow family would never come in handy was a real narc. The Brightside is pulling the Comic Book Guy out of every Simpsons fanatic on November 10 with Simpsons Trivia. If you don't know squat about Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, then don't even bother checking it out – this is for die-hard fans only. You should at least know the name of Lionel Hutz's law practice? The name of Lisa and Bart's hockey teams coached by Apu and Chief Wiggum? The names of two other Sideshows besides Bob and Mel? And who was Lisa's first hook-up? These are elementary questions. You don't know those answers, quit while you're ahead. Prizes are on offer, of course — and, if the night gets as ruthless as expected, includes a couple of souls. If you've ever been to a Simpsons or Seinfield trivia night before you'll understand these get pretty intense, with some competitors near crazed with cartoon intelligence. So be prepared for the moment you stare at the leader board, hypnotised by self-doubt, and repeatedly, self-pityingly mutter to yourself, "I'm not so S-M-R-T."
“I like break up records that don't pat you on the back and say it's okay, it's going to work out. I like break up records that say it's shit now, and it's going to suck even worse, but we're in this together.” - Jens Lekman 2012 Melancholic-pop artist, Jens Lekman, knows almost as much about love as his does music. Drawing inspiration from his travels and life experience – of which he has plenty, Lekman's sweet sounding melodies matched with edgy, romantic lyrics create love ballads like no other. Growing up in music-crazy Gothenburg, Sweden - the city that gave birth to this high school disco favourite, Lekman, aged 14, picked up bass guitar in a friend's band, and discovered he had a knack for lyrics, and guitar talent to match. Since then he's recorded three albums, five singles and obtained record deals all over the world. Having been likened to music legends David Byrne and Scott Walker, Lekman's wiry, soul infused music often hold witty, obscure undertones that create songs just short of lyrical perfection. In 2009 Lekman moved to Melbourne for two years, before returning to Sweden to grow as a story teller and complete his latest album 'I Know What Love Isn't'. Now he returns to Australia for a string of gigs around the country to perform his latest collection of obscurely cozy love songs. Check out Jens Leckman favourite 'A Postcard to Nina'
West End is home to many hidden gems and the West End Twilight Markets are no exception. They are held every Saturday on the corner of Wilson and Boundary Streets from 4-9pm featuring a wide range of stalls. You'll be sure to find something that tickles your fancy and snag a bargain. The markets have that much loved West End vibe - laid back, diverse with a big helping of smiling faces. Discover an eclectic paradise with handmade wares, second-hand goodies and one-off clothes to please lovers of quirk. A collage garden and craft activities makes the markets child friendly as well. You can even satisfy your hunger as stalls provide food such as dumplings, vegan hotdogs, salads, pizza and popcorn. These tasty treats are sure to please your taste buds. The West End Twilight Markets provides entertainment for market goers as talented local performers and musicians are showcased each week. The artists who will be playing on Saturday are a diverse bunch including blues musician Jimi Beavis, singer songwriter Alan Boyle, stunning songstress Seadarer and regulars the five-piece gypsy band, Greska. Head on down to twilight town this Saturday and find your own hidden gem amongst good food, good tunes and good people.
Here's a lesson that no one in horror movies and television shows ever seems to learn: don't mess around with the dead. Whether they're zombies or vampires, or ghosts haunting various abodes, or spirits possessing people or dolls, little good ever seems to come of this. But if folks did heed this advice, we wouldn't have anywhere near as many scary flicks to watch — including the next big eerie film heading to cinemas from A24. The independent film and TV company has found its latest frightfest Down Under: Talk to Me, which stems from Adelaide-born twins Danny and Michael Philippou. They're also known as RackaRacka, which you might know from the YouTube channel, and this is their feature debut. A word of warning: if you're not a horror person — and, generally, you either are or you aren't — even the just-dropped trailer isn't for you. Based on a concept by Bluey producer Daley Pearson, Talk to Me's premise is horror 101, but it never feels like that for a second in the first sneak peek. This nerve-shredder is all about conjuring up spirits using an embalmed hand — because what else would you use a mummified appendage for? It starts as a game between friends, another scary-movie staple, then opens the door to the spirit world. Starring Sophie Wilde (The Portable Door), Miranda Otto (Wellmania), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Otis Dhanji (June Again), Chris Alosio (Millie Lies Low) and Alexandra Jensen (Joe vs Carole), Talk to Me enjoyed its world premiere at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival, and has kept doing the rounds from there. Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, Overlook: it's scared them all since. General cinemagoers in Australia and New Zealand will get the chance to get spooked out themselves come July 27. The film's soundtrack is a drawcard, too, including New Zealand hip-hop collective SWIDIT — plus tracks from Lucianblomkamp, IJAE, Sia, Takara, ONEFOUR and The Kid Laroi. Composer Cornel Wilczek (Clickbait) takes care of the score. And yes, A24 has a mighty fine track record with on-screen nightmares, including The Witch, Hereditary, Midsommar, In Fabric, X, Bodies Bodies Bodies and Pearl, putting Talk to Me in immensely impressive company. Check out the trailer for Talk to Me below: Talk to Me opens in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 27, 2023.
A new year, a new swirl of rumours about new Apple updates and features. Basically, it's business as usual in 2017 so far. If you like sitting in darkened rooms to watch movies — and actually watching them, not just paying to use the latest big screen flick as a backdrop while you have a text message convo, check Facebook, scroll through Instagram pics of cute dogs, book a holiday, send an email, take a selfie or a sneaky pic of the film, swipe through Tindr, play Angry Birds or live tweet the movie in question — then the technology behemoth's reported new option isn't just another routine addition. It's an abomination. Behold 'theatre mode'. Or, start weeping over the fact that humanity has regressed to a state where we can't even last two hours without using the electronic devices we're all always glued to every other second of the day. As first tweeted by Melbourne's Sonny Dickson — who is known to be quite the prolific and accurate leaker of tidbits and updates from the company Steve Jobs built — Apple's new iOS 10.3 could allow you to select an option that's kind of like airplane mode for cinema-goers. You'd expect that theatre mode will mute all calls and sounds, and we can only guess that it will also dim the iPhone's screen in a new way that is supposedly less bright, glaring and intrusive to others who, you know, are happily watching a film. https://twitter.com/SonnyDickson/status/814931454828412929 Those in favour of the proposed new feature point out the fact that if people are going to use their phones in theatres anyway (and we all know that plenty do), then at least this will try to minimise the disruptive effect it has on everyone around them. Sure, that's one way of looking at it. The other is that Apple is normalising a type of behaviour some folks indulge in at the cost of everyone else's enjoyment. Seriously, we all love our phones, but two hours isn't that long. And wouldn't we all rather just soak in what we're watching, rather than half-view, half do a million other things? Indeed, there's a reason that the Alamo Drafthouse's anti-phone and talk PSAs have garnered worldwide attention, and not just because they're usually hilarious and have enlisted a heap of celebrities to help out: most movie-goers want to watch the film they've paid for without the distraction of the person next to them pawing at their iPhone during the flick. And let's face it, no matter how supposedly wondrous the new Apple feature is, dimming that aggravating neighbourly phone glow, if you're sitting even vaguely near someone engaged with their phone, you're undeniably still going to notice it. Some cinemas have already tried to head in the opposite direction, like American chain AMC, who revealed that they were open to hosting 'texting sessions' in April last year, only to backtrack after quite the predictable backlash. The idea of specific sections for phone-using patrons has also been floated. Sadly, each idea brings us closer to a time like this: when using your iPhone while you're in a theatre is perfectly acceptable. In case you're wondering, that list of in-cinema behaviour that we outlined at the beginning of this piece — they're just some of the antics that this writer has witnessed during a movie. If the phones most of the population own start actively encouraging their use while watching films in cinemas, expect more to follow. And we're not on board. Ed's note: Sarah Ward is one of Concrete Playground's senior film writers and weekend editor. Read her current reviews here, here and here because she watches the whole damn movie.
