Most years, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre becomes a culinary, boozy wonderland for three jam-packed days. An alley dedicated to cheese, wine almost as far as the eye can see, an array of food and beverage stalls serving up samples — yep, it's a reality. That's the Good Food and Wine Show in a nutshell, with the next event hitting the city from Friday, October 21–Sunday, October 23. If you've been before, you'll be eager to head along again. Basically, it's the Ekka of food and wine, just without the rides, dodgems and goldfish . Each year's show notches up big numbers; think: 250 producers, 600-plus wines to taste and more than 60 types of cheese this year. It also dedicates a whole section to a section dedicated to small Australia producers, too, so you can share some love with homegrown outfits. Among the culinary stars making appearances: Miguel Maestre, Matt Moran, Justine Schofield, Silvia Colloca, Brendan Pang and Sammy Jakubia. Some of the workshops and masterclasses cost extra; however if you're just keen to wander and enjoy samples, don't worry — that's all included in the regular admission. A word from the wise: you'll be eating and drinking all day, but do make sure you have a light breakfast beforehand. Lining the stomach is always a good idea, and you'll thank us later. Images: Joseph Byford / J Wyld / L Riley.
If furniture could talk, the couch from Friends would have plenty to say. For a decade up until 2004, the orange-hued lounge played a pivotal part on everyone's favourite 90s sitcom, as Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe whiled away the hours in Central Perk, reclined upon the sofa's comfortable-looking cushions, drank copious amounts of coffee and nattered non-stop about their lives. As far as on-screen seats go, it's up there with the most famous. And, almost two decades since the show went off the air, it's now in Australia. The Friends Experience has brought that bright-coloured sofa Down Under, finally hitting our shores after stops in New York City, Long Beach, Detroit, Birmingham and Brussels. This isn't the actual couch that Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer plonked their butts on for ten seasons, but it is a replica — as is much at The Friends Experience. That includes a version of Central Perk itself, as well as the fountain, Monica's kitchen, and Chandler and Joey's recliners. Why? Nostalgia and all those snaps everyone is going to take, obviously. Keen to sit where your TV besties once did (or on a settee that resembles the one they sat on, to be precise)? Then you can do just that from Friday, September 1 until the end of summer at The District Docklands in Melbourne, where The Friends Experience is making its Aussie debut. We can't promise that the sofa will always be empty, like it magically was whenever Monica, Rachel and the gang wanted to grab a caffeine hit, but you will be able to see and touch the replica either way. Yes, a version of the couch has done the rounds Down Under before, but that's not going to stop Friends diehards from heading along. Also, this is an official dive into the Friends world, complete not just with set recreations, but costumes and props, plus a gift shop filled with merchandise if you need a souvenir. Could you be any more excited? Images: Nico Photography / Fiona Hamilton. Updated Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Like it or lump it, technology is a major component of every day life, one which can not be ignored or avoided. It’s almost vital to stay connected, for news, weather, socialising, photos, videos and the odd funny cat video, all of which make you a highly functional, multitasking member of our digital society. What would life be like if we hadn’t discovered the technologies we take for granted each day? What if we had to pick up the phone and ring someone to share some news, or wait for our photos to be developed before physically sharing them with friends? If you’ve got a story about the wonders or woes of technology, or enjoy hearing the true tales of others, head along to Yarn—a hub of story tellers or enjoyers who congregate in bars, cafes, even each other’s homes on a bi-monthly basis to indulge in those “you couldn’t make this up” moments. Unscripted fun that’s better than fiction.
One of the most-stunning parts of New South Wales, and Australia, now boasts a new reason for locals, Sydneysiders and interstate visitors to make a date with its spectacular scenery — and a new way to get immersed in its heritage-listed wonders. Everyone should visit the Blue Mountains at least once in their life. Everyone should combine that trip with soaking in Blue Mountains National Park. And now, everyone should also hike along Blue Mountains' Grand Cliff Top Walk. Back in 2019, it was announced that the popular trail — which passes many waterfalls and lookouts on Gundungurra Country, and offers up some dazzling views of the national park and its many eucalpyts— was getting up upgrade to the tune of $10 million. It's taken some time, but the results have been unveiled. Walking the full new stretch now means taking a two-day, 19-kilometre journey, including along more than 4000 steps and ten kilometres of track that have been newly added. Among the highlights: the rainforest, falls such as Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Cascades, and peering out over the Jamison Valley towards Mount Solitary, for starters. You'll also potentially spy everything from lyrebirds and yellow-tailed black cockatoos as you wander between lookouts, including on restored 100-year-old sandstone paths. And, the Three Sisters Aboriginal Place is on the walk as well. If you're keen to experience the entire new Grand Cliff Top Walk, it's suggested that you take an 11-kilometre stroll on the first day, beginning at Wentworth Falls, with Gordon Falls at Leura your destination. Then, on day two, you can enjoy an eight-kilometre walk that kicks off at the same spot, heading to Scenic World at Katoomba via the Three Sisters. The entire route is planned around access and accommodation, so the idea is that folks can spend two days putting one foot in front of the other is scenic surroundings without needing to carry a huge backpacks or take camping equipment with them. Walkers will also find public transport handy at either end, as well as dining options. If that still sounds like a massive endeavour, you can make your way along sections of the track as half-day or full-day walks instead. There's also guided tour options, starting with a two-hour hike with a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger. Find the Grand Cliff Top Walk in Blue Mountains National Park, starting at Wentworth Falls and ending at Katoomba. Head to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for further details. Images: R Brand.
From classic Western films to luxury fashion houses and cult Aussie shows like The Saddle Club, there's something about a horse that the world adores. The quiet power, the steady weight, the way they seem to sense you before you even move. For some people, a horse's presence is literally life-changing. At Riding for the Disabled Australia (RDA) centres across Australia, these animals are a key in providing therapeutic benefits — involving riding, carriage driving and unmounted activities — designed to help people with disability strengthen muscles, build coordination, develop confidence, and have fun. Some riders are children born with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or autism, while others are affected by physical disability including MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and progressive blindness. Some are even adults rebuilding after an accident, injury or diagnosis, including people who have become paraplegic, an amputee or suffered brain trauma. The horses meet them where they are, instinctively attuned to every movement and mood, and riders respond in incredible ways. "Horses have this beautiful ability to relax people," says Mary Longden. "They're sentient beings. The smell of a horse, the sound of the horse. Nothing beats actually being on a horse. I've seen almost miracles happen." The changes go beyond riding ability, though practice makes perfect. Through assistance horses, riders who once struggled to follow instructions begin to respond, non-verbal participants start whispering to their horse, and those living with anxiety or attention disorders learn to self-regulate. In these sandy arenas where horses trod along and coaches gently call out instructions like "heels down" or "soft reins", incredible progress is made. Routine, patience and progress are learned through care, from brushing and saddling to leading and riding. Each small action adds up to something bigger and creates more freedom than they ever had before. The RDA program runs on volunteers who give up their time to help lead horses, support riders and keep sessions running. The whole thing is a win-win for both riders and volunteers. "The benefits are not just for the participants. It's uplifting to see the impact for their carers and the volunteers and the coaches," says Steve Gatt. "It's an amazing experience." That sense of shared purpose is what's driven the Petstock Foundation to support RDA for more than a decade. Since 2007, the Foundation has contributed to coaching workshops, centre programs and national initiatives that help RDA continue its work. This year, that partnership is further bolstered through Petstock Foundation's Christmas Project 'Support You Can Snuggle'. While you're picking up treats or toys for your pet this Christmas, donate $2 to the Petstock Foundation, either in store or online, and your contribution will help expand access to programs like RDA. These donations go directly towards supporting and expanding assistance animal services in communities across Australia and New Zealand — ensuring more people can access the life-changing support they need. Donate $2 to assistance animals this Christmas. Your support gifts theirs. Donate instore or online at petstock.com.au.
When June 2023 arrives at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, expect three words to echo with enthusiasm: "be our guest". The Harbour City venue will be home to quite the coup, courtesy of the Australian premiere season of Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical, which is heading Down Under as a newly reimagined and redesigned production. From Wednesday, June 14, the huge show will bring a tale as old as time to Australia to liven up winter — and it marks the latest in a growing line of Disney hits to come our way. Frozen the Musical has done the rounds over the past few years, while the musical version of Mary Poppins has also started floating around the nation. This new Beauty and the Beast first made its way to the stage in the UK in 2021, and reworks the original show that premiered in the US in the 90s — adapting Disney's hit 1991 animated movie musical, of course. Fans can expect the same Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, including all the beloved tunes such as 'Be Our Guest' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It also comes with new dance arrangements by David Chase, and with original choreographer Matt West revisiting his work. Who'll star in the local version and whether it'll tour to other Aussie cities hasn't yet been revealed either — but if you're now planning a trip to Sydney's Capitol Theatre next June, whether or not you live in the city, that's understandable. So is crossing your fingers for Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide seasons afterwards. Images: Johan Persson.
Last Christmas, Woolloongabba's South City Square did what plenty of other patches of Brisbane tend to when things get festive. Yes, it played host to a sprawling market setup. It isn't that time of year again yet, but the site is still welcoming in a collection of stalls selling plenty of items — this time from 9am–2pm on Saturday, March 28. That's when The Market Folk will once again take over the place, putting on an autumn pop-up. We hope you like clothes, jewellery, ceramics, plants, pots, homewares and art, because you'll find it all here. Expect a big focus on design — so you won't be browsing and buying just any old wares. It all tales place in a brick-lined, industrial-style space, which'll make you feel like you're wandering around a European-style market. As well as the shopping, there'll be live music and creative workshops. There'll be bites to eat as well, thanks to a range of food trucks.
If last summer was the summer of seltzer, we're ready to call the upcoming season the summer of canned cocktails. And if the seltzer wave showed us anything, it was that convenience will almost always win out over taste. So the next natural step? A convenient sip that tastes great. Here at CP, we think the espresso martini is an ideal canned candidate. The frothy, caffeine-infused libation holds a special place in the cocktail canon. While it's not considered a classic in the traditional sense — legend has it that it was created in the 1980s by a London bartender who was asked by a young female patron for something that would "wake me up, and then fuck me up" — a case could certainly be made that it is perhaps the most influential of cocktails. Think of the last time you had one when you were out and about — chances are, you spotted someone else with one in hand and decided it would be a good idea to have one yourself. Then, your crew decided it would be a good idea too, and so did the crew next to yours, and all of a sudden it was espresso martinis all round. Does any other cocktail have this kind of effect on people, friends and strangers alike? Unlikely. Beloved though it is, the espresso martini is notoriously tedious to make. Enter Mr Black — that equally beloved Australian producer of the eponymous coffee liqueur — which is bringing your dreams of espresso martini o'clock that much closer to reality with its new canned version. This velvety smooth blend of Mr Black, vodka and cold brew arabica coffee is supercharged with nitrogen, meaning that just a couple of shakes is all it takes to have a picture-perfect pour every time. The only question: where will you be having your canned, ready-to-serve espresso martini this summer? We've asked our editors for how they'll be enjoying theirs, so read on for inspo on how to drink yours. [caption id="attachment_872385" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT A DINNER PARTY A beautifully set table, salty snacks to start, multiple courses, delightful company: the recipe for a stellar dinner party. Honestly, I'll live a happy life if it's filled with good food and good company. Add an expertly balanced espresso martini — that sits pretty in the fridge till the minute I want its frothy topped pour in my hand — and we're talking peak enjoyment. Whether you're hosting or attending, you'd be a goose to miss a minute of the tableside vibes. Measuring nips and the risk of spills? Trust me, stay seated with a coffee-laden tinny. Be it for the ease of the sip or the few extra hits of caffeine you'll squeeze into your day. (Or, level up the experience with a martini glass kept icy in the freezer till the second you're ready for it — a serve that's still miles easier than the 'real' deal.) Grace MacKenzie, Branded Content Manager [caption id="attachment_871106" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL For the first time since 2019, festival season is here. I had the privilege of enjoying a couple of espresso martinis at this year's Festival of the Sun, taking full advantage of the fest's BYO policy to enjoy a cold can of Mr Black in the campsite before heading off to catch Middle Kids. If you're heading to any of this summer's BYO events — whether that's Victoria's Meredith Music Festival or Jungle Love in Queensland — I highly recommend doing the same. If you're not one for camping, you could also pick up a four-pack of espresso martinis to enjoy as the perfect pre-festival tipple for any one-day gatherings you might be heading to. You best believe I'll be cracking a can before catching Fred again.. at Laneway, TISM at Good Things and the Boiler Room stage at Mode Festival on Cockatoo Island. Ben Hansen, Junior Editor [caption id="attachment_872384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT A GAMES NIGHT My friends and I are not the types to stay out late — we prefer a reserved night of dignified card games that, inevitably, devolve into screaming at each other over a Monopoly board. Personally, I find that the tactical and economic strategies of board games need an energised and level head. That's when a good espresso martini comes in handy. But, why bother making one when I can keep an emergency reserve in my fridge? That way, there's more time for me to clearly present my case as to why I should be the new owner of the Kings Cross Station card. Alec Jones, Junior Writer [caption id="attachment_872387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jael Rodriguez (Unsplash)[/caption] ON A HOT-GIRL WALK The post-work, summer-evening hot-girl* cocktail walk is a wordy but delightful concept I now have down to an artform — after years of practice — so let me share my secrets. This divine intersection between exercise and cocktail hour is a way to decompress after work and celebrate summer — while still hitting those steps, getting a little fresh air and soaking up some Vitamin D. I like to pop a chilled canned espresso martini or two into my fanny pack, along with sunglasses, keys and phone (tip: this one from Kmart is the perfect size), and trot along with a friend discussing the week's scandals. If possible, find a nearby hill to scoot up so that when you reach the peak, you're perfectly glowing for golden hour. (We are always glowing darling, sweating). Find a grassy spot to park up, crack your bevvies, watch the sunset and cheers to being healthy — but not too healthy. That's balance, baby. *hot-boy and general hottie walks also firmly encouraged, all other aspects remain the same. Sarah Templeton, Aotearoa New Zealand Editor [caption id="attachment_872388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] AT HOME WITH A GOOD BOOK For me, one of the few good things that came out of two years in and out of lockdown was the discovery that I really appreciate my own company. And maybe it's a sign that I'm getting older, but I've come to realise that solo time can be a genuine indulgence. My favourite way to spend time on my own: switching off my phone and sitting down with a good book for an uninterrupted afternoon of losing myself in a fictional world of my own choosing. This process will also involve making myself a fresh pot of coffee in my French press and taking long, slow sips — but, next time I'll be trading out the beans for a velvety smooth and perfectly frothy espresso martini poured from the can. This way, I can get the caffeine buzz I need with far less effort and a little extra kick — I'm already indulging after all, so I may as well go all out. Nik Addams, Branded Content Manager For more info on Mr Black Espresso Martini, head to the website. Top image: Declan Blackall
“We must rediscover”, wrote Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich, “the distinction between hope and expectation”. Jurassic World may now offer us that opportunity. Back in April, hopes were high that this would finally be the film to return the franchise to greatness, however — to paraphrase The Dark Knight — this is not the film we’d hoped for, but the one we should have expected. Why is it a giant disappointasaurus? Let us count the ways. IT’S ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATED So, there’s a revolutionary dinosaur preserve on an island off Costa Rica. Two young children, relatives of the park’s chief administrator, visit and receive a VIP tour, only for an enormous dinosaur to escape its pen, trash the kids’ glass-roofed transport and begin killing park employees. The park’s innovators, InGen, only make matters worse, but, thankfully, there’s an old-school expert on hand to keep the kids alive, even when they're circled by three ravenous raptors in the climatic finale that sees a T-Rex come to the rescue right in the heart of the Visitor Centre. Don’t know which Jurassic film we're talking about? Exactly. SAFETY FIRST, PEOPLE In 1992 John Hammond tried to open Jurassic Park, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. His son tried again a few years later, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. Couple of years after that, Sam Neil went back to the islands and again, people died. It was very unfortunate. Point is: if you're somehow convinced that 'fourth time's a charm', you begin by ensuring that every single design aspect of your dinosaur theme park is grounded in the knowledge that things could go wrong and people might die. Now, I'm no structural engineer, but for me that at least means having: a. A bunker capable of securing every person on the island within minutes; and b. enough transportation off the island for every person who's on it. 'Lifeboats on the Titanic', and all that. Unfortunately, in Jurassic World, the definitive emergency protocol involves: keeping things quiet (because, money), having inexperienced teenagers herd everyone into an open-air Visitor Complex alongside the two largest dinosaurs on the island and then calling for a moderate-sized ferry to crawl back over from Costa Rica to pick up some of the people. SHE’LL BE RIGHT Early on in Jurassic World we hear the park’s operations manager, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), complain that “this is the second time this month” that a dinosaur has breached its security perimeter, before dispatching a team to quietly fix it up. The second time. In a month. The fact that it was a herbivore is entirely irrelevant. Even if it had been nothing more than a prehistoric butterfly or an aggressively-growing shrub, you'd shut that entire park down in a heartbeat until there were no security breaches. Ever. The logic failings of Jurassic World are so glaring from so early on that you basically want everyone to die just to punish them for unbelievable stupidity. RECEPTION! RECEPTION! MY KINGDOM FOR RECEPTION! You know what would be a great twist in a movie? Someone whipping out their mobile phone and it having perfectly good reception. Sadly, though, for both the visitors and staff of Jurassic World, despite being in a state-of-the-art theme park that literally lets you ride glass orbs through herds of genetically engineered dinosaurs one full decade into the scientific era of ‘de-extinction’, nobody's yet figured out how to put a cell tower on top of a tall hill. WHO? 1993’s Jurassic Park was full of wonderfully crafted, three-dimensional characters whose names we still recall more than two decades later. John Hammond, Doctors Grant and Sattler, Ian Malcolm, Dennis Nedry, Timmy and Lex — heck, we even remember the names of the dinosaurs (did someone say dilophosaurus?). They’re all still memorable because of their distinct personalities and carefully selected attributes, both human and reptile. Lex knew UNIX. She knew UNIX. Jurassic World, by contrast, is more like the Star Wars prequels in that you refer to characters like you were giving police a vague description of the gang that mugged you. “Well, um, there’s the uptight redhead who never takes her heels off, her assistant (she’s British, I remember that she was British), the rich guy who was semi-charismatic, but then just died, those two kids (the younger one seemed to know some stuff about DNA but it never amounted to anything, so...), oh, and the hero! He was kinda cool, but we never really got to know what he wanted or desired, so he just sort of... stayed cool and did cool things”. Sorry folks, the only character you’re going to feel anything for in this film is a dying Apatosaurus. That indistinct gang stole your $20 and you’re never getting it back. KNOW YOUR STARS The stars of Jurassic Park were the dinosaurs, specifically the T-Rex and the velociraptors. All those memorable humans listed above — their excellent performances notwithstanding — were in supporting roles and that suited everyone just fine. In Jurassic World, there are at least loads of dinosaurs, including two fantastic new editions: the mosasaurus (a giant shark-eating sea creature) and the terrifying hybrid known as the ‘Indominus Rex’. The problem is, we see the Mosa the leasta, and the Indominus, despite sporting some amazing features like camouflage, scarcely uses them. In a movie full of branding, it almost seems incomprehensible that a dinosaur capable of going full chameleon doesn’t at some point blend into the park’s background with its skin adopting the Jurassic logo (or, you know, those of IBM and McDonalds). "IMAGINE IF WE’D HAD THESE IN TORA BORA" Vincent D’Onofrio’s character wants to weaponise raptors for the US military to use in the place of drones. It sounds pretty insane, but to be fair, the US Navy has already trained dolphins to protect its ships, recover gear and detect mines. Still, D’Onofrio's line was so terrifically stupid that the audience laughed. The mere mention of freedom-loving velociraptors hunting down bin Laden in Afghanistan like some sort of Squeal Team Six ought to have had his character institutionalised, but instead he somehow ended up Head of InGen security and given full licence to test out his theory. Also, his constant allusions to "65 millions years of instinct” fundamentally misunderstand the concept of ‘time', in that if something lived 65 million years ago, died and is then brought back to life today, it has not accrued aeons of life experience in the downtime. $700 MILLION ON DAY 1 Yes, it’s a blockbuster. In fact, it’s the blockbuster, breaking all opening day records in the US. Why? Because, dammit, we want to see dinosaurs and Jurassic World has dinosaurs. Big ones, cute ones, scary ones and familiar ones. It ultimately gives us exactly what we want, which is why — in the absence of a good story — it’s such a shame it couldn’t also give us what we’d hoped for.
At first glance you might have thought, "Oh, this is obviously some kind of computer-generated building blueprint thing," when you saw the picture of Korean artist Do Ho Suh's latest artwork. These days we pretty much assume everything is Photoshopped. But in this case, the joke's totally on you. The walls are real, the windows are real. In fact, they're probably even more real than the people and cases on Judge Judy. So what is this ethereal blue structure? The whole thing's made of silk, and represents a 1:1-scale model of homes previously lived in by the artist, one nestled inside the other. Known for his zany, skewed-perspective manipulations of full-scale houses, walls and other exterior structures brought inside (you can check some of them out here, here and here, including earlier works constructed from nylon), Suh's latest installation is titled Home Within Home Within Home Within Home Within Home. Look closely and you'll see the distinction between the two homes: outside we have a modern Providence, Rhode Island apartment building — the artists' first US dwelling-place — and inside you'll glimpse, artfully suspended like a ghost, an exact copy of the traditional Korean house where Suh was raised. It's mind-blowing to conceive of the logistics of putting this project together, and the result is so big that visitors to the exhibition at Seoul's National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art are able to stroll through and study the work from every angle. Combining the intimately personal with replicated architecture carries a message about identity: according to the artists' bio, his installations explore "the relation between individuality, collectivity, and anonymity". Obviously the nesting of one cultural identity, represented by the physical house, within another — while both remain transparent — is a neat and direct metaphor for the artist's self. Memorialising familiar places through different media is a long-running theme for Suh — read his ideas about the sensuality of pencil-rubbings here. Via Colossal.
The unassuming streets of Newcastle have seen major rejuvenation in recent years. The former industrial centre has been transformed into a happening spot packed with hip bars and eateries plonked right beside a stunning stretch of coastline. Make the most of the salty air with a stay at The Beach House at Merewether. This luxurious private home provides the perfect digs for up to seven guests to chill out and lean in to the beachside lifestyle: quick morning dips after catching the sunrise from your deck's front-row seats, before bubbling away the afternoon in the backyard spa. Right on your doorstep is Bathers Way, a six-kilometre coastal path linking the nearby Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) to Nobby's Lighthouse in the north. Once the sun goes down, check out hidden spots in the CBD, like whisky speakeasy Coal & Cedar (to enter, you'll have to text a number scribbled on a brick wall) or the sprawling Foghorn Brewery, which houses a bar and restaurant in an art deco warehouse.
The car park at one of Brisbane's venues is going green this green, celebrating a big pop-culture phenomenon that's still getting plenty of affection two decades after it first hit. Yes, after all this time, everyone still loves animated favourite Shrek. So, The Brightside is hosting the ultimate Shrek party for adults: a Shrek Rave. Missed out on past versions? Here's your third chance to rediscover why it really isn't easy being an ogre — all while listening to a Shrek DJ set, and joining in on a Smash Mouth sing-along. Still remember the words to the band's version of 'I'm a Believer'? Of course you do, and you have the song stuck in your head right now. Also part of the fun: Shrek-themed drink specials including Shrek Juice, Donkey Drank and Farquaad Fizz; free green glow sticks; an all-green dress code (obviously); a free green glitter bar; and a prize for best Shrek-inspired outfit. Here, all that glitters is indeed gold — and green — with the party happening from 7pm on Saturday, July 1.
Need a reason to make a date with Bluesfest in 2025, in what might be the event's last year? There's plenty. Ten-time Grammy-winner Chaka Khan and rains-blessing rock group Toto are two, and also showcase the Byron Bay festival's commitment to variety. There aren't many events in Australia where audiences will find the Queen of Funk and the yacht-rock favourites behind 'Africa' on the same bill. Khan is playing an Australian-exclusive set to celebrate 50 years in music, and returns to Australia two years after headlining the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Among the Chicago-born singer's hits: 'I'm Every Woman', which was later covered by Whitney Houston; the Prince-penned 'I Feel for You'; and 'Ain't Nobody' with her funk band Rufus. As well as hearing the drums echoing tonight in 'Africa', Toto's discography includes fellow anthems 'Hold the Line' and 'Rosanna' — and its members are known for playing on a wealth of albums from other artists in the 70s and 80s, including 'Thriller'. [caption id="attachment_986631" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Brody[/caption] Across the Easter long weekend, so from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20, 2025, Bluesfest will also welcome Crowded House, Ocean Alley and Vance Joy, plus Hilltop Hoods, Budjerah, Kasey Chambers and The Cat Empire — and Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Tones and I, Missy Higgins, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and many more. 'Sailing' and 'Ride Like the Wind' singer Christopher Cross is another yacht-rock inclusion. Before it started announcing its roster of talent in August 2024, the festival advised that it would bid farewell with its 2025 event, marking the end of an era — and coming at a time when Australian fests have been struggling and cancelling (see: Groovin the Moo, Splendour in the Grass and Spilt Milk, for just three high-profile examples). Bluesfest saying goodbye may no longer be happening, however, with reports that discussions are underway about the festival's future and also that artists are already being booked for 2026. Bluesfest 2025 Lineup: First announcement: Crowded House Vance Joy Ocean Alley Tones and I Gary Clark Jr Rag'n'Bone Man RY X Allison Russell Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Brad Cox Here Come the Mummies The California Honeydrops Marc Broussard Pierce Brothers Taj Farrant Fanny Lumsden 19-Twenty WILSN Cimafunk Neal Francis Second announcement: Hilltop Hoods Xavier Rudd John Butler The Cat Empire Kasey Chambers Melbourne Ska Orchestra CW Stoneking Budjerah Lachy Doley Group Ash Grunwald Kim Churchill Miss Kaninna The Beards Velvet Trip FOOLS ROSHANI Sweet Talk The Memphis Three featuring Fiona Boyes, Jimi Hocking and Frank Sultana Third announcement: Missy Higgins George Thorogood & The Destroyers Rodrigo y Gabriela Nahko BJ The Chicago Kid Melody Angel Don West Fourth announcement: Chaka Khan Toto Christopher Cross Maoli Clarence Bekker Band Hussy Hicks Eric Stang The Steele Syndicate The Royals Bluesfest images: Joseph Mayers, LD Somefx and Roger Cotgreave.
In Dune, Josh Brolin jumped wholeheartedly into one of the best sci-fi subgenres there is: the space opera. When a movie follows a spice-war fought by feuding houses on far-flung planets, no other description fits the bill. And, the 2021 big-screen hit — and 2022 big-time Oscar-nominee — firmly did its slice of science fiction proud. But, as well showing up for next year's sequel Dune: Part Two, Brolin definitely isn't done with sci-fi just yet. Making a rare small-screen appearance — his first ongoing episodic role since 2003, in fact — the Milk Oscar-nominee leads Outer Range, the next trippy streaming series that you'll want to add to your queue. That recommendation is based on the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the eight-part series, which'll hit Prime Video from Friday, April 15, and promises quite the mind-bending supernatural western. The setup: on a ranch in Wyoming, Brolin's Royal Abbott is trying to keep his land, and ensure that his family stays together, after his daughter-in-law Rebecca goes missing. His neighbours, the Tillersons, are after his parcel of turf, and strange things start happening — including an eerie black void in the middle of the Abbotts' west pasture. So far, the show is keeping most of its small town-set storyline close to its sci-fi/western/thriller/mystery chest — but the sneak peek certainly sets an unsettling tone. And yes, it's shaping up to be a big year for unnerving stories set in vast expanses of US land, with Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope covering the same terrain. Outer Range will drop two episodes per week, so you'll spend around a month soaking in its mysteries, turf wars and wild revelations. If you've currently got a Yellowjackets shaped hole in your viewing schedule, this might just fill it. On-screen, Brolin is joined by an impressive cast that includes Imogen Poots (The Father), Lili Taylor (Perry Mason), Tamara Podemski (Run), Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) and Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek). Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range will start streaming via Prime Video Down Under on Friday, April 15.
History lessons at Concrete Playground are very rare, but I'm here to tell you a fact you may or may not know – Buddhism first arose in India around the 13th century, but has since been taken over by Hinduism, which you may know as the most popular religion in India. Buddhism is an incredibly old and beautiful Indian custom that Westerners have also adopted. India has been influenced by us too, hence Bollywood, which is in fact the largest cinema industry in the world. Combining these two facts together, there's no wonder that Jade Buddha have chosen to bring in the New Year with a Bollywood Party – it's in their blood! There's also two seatings for dinner if you're hungry (you'll need to book in advance), but the benefits are great – you get canapes, a bindi to match your saari and will be entertained by fire twirlers. If you've never been to the tranquil Jade Buddha, it's situated on Eagle Street Pier and overlooks the Story Bridge and the Brisbane River, and has an award-winning restaurant and bar, as well its sister joint, Shadow Lounge. In other words, this is the perfect way to spend your New Years Eve if you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, but still classy.
It's official: Banksy is the poster boy of the contemporary art world. Usually hidden in laneway corners and industrial wastelands, his works are no longer just a treasure to be found by metropolitan hipsters. Now they are cut, drilled and pulled from their original context and thrust straight into the hands of Sotheby's famous auction house. Hell, one of his works was even on Antiques Roadshow last week. Unfortunately, as the British artist is still wilfully anonymous, he sees no profit from such sales. And really, it goes against everything he believes in. Accordingly, he's having a bit of fun with the latest auction held in his name. I Can’t Believe You Morons Actually Buy This Shit is a real-life Banksy artwork being sold at Sotheby's this coming week. No joke. Valued at around £10,000, the piece is part of an unauthorised retrospective of the artist's work that will feature 70 items including prints, sculptures and paintings. Some person is likely going to spend real money on it, hang it unironically above their mantel, and boast about it to their similarly rich and foolish friends. Priceless. Other works on show in the exhibition at Sotheby's S2 Gallery include Banksy's iconic Warhol-esque works featuring (and signed by) Kate Moss, and the famed Pulp Fiction-style stencil of John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson carrying bananas instead of guns. The exhibition, which has been knowingly titled The Unauthorised Retrospective, is not the first that has been carried out against the artist's will. Just this year we've seen Stealing Banksy? at the ME Hotel in London and the sale of the artist's Kissing Coppers to an anonymous buyer after being excavated from the wall of a Brighton pub (it went for a cool £345,000). It's understandably troubling that these sales are going on without the artist's consent and Banksy has spoken out about it in the past. "Art’s rightful place is on the cave walls of our committees where it can act as a public service, provoke debate, voice concerns [and] forge identities," said the artist. "The world we live in today is run, visually at least, by traffic signs, billboards and planning committees. Is that it? Don’t we want to live in a world run by art, not just decorated by it?" It's a noble crusade that street artists carry on around the world; its presence in Australia thankfully still going strong. And, while it's undoubtedly a bummer to have hoity toity types taking advantage of such a beautiful thing, you can take a little consolation in the following. The guy who drops £10,000 on this latest print is going to be confronted with the fact he's a moron every single day. Via West Morning News and Reuters. Kissing Coppers photo credit: robthomasdesigns via photopin cc.
More than four centuries since it was first written, William Shakespeare's Othello still simmers with potency and relevance, as a tragedy about a power struggle, personal turbulence, war, betrayal, envy and revenge always will. But in Jimi Bani and Jason Klarwein's hands, the Bard's classic should echo with particular force for Australian audiences — moving the story to the Torres Strait during World War II, and paying tribute to the 800 Torres Strait Islander men who volunteered to hep protect the country's northern tip in the process, will do that. Staged by Queensland Theatre and treading the boards as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, this take on Othello also sees Bani step into the titular part. He plays Captain Othello — as the Imperial Japanese Navy heads towards Far North Queensland, and while his marriage to Desdemona (Emily Burton), the daughter of a cane farmer, is causing ripples. Cue the spurned Roderigo's (Matt McInally) scheming with the jealous Iago (Andrew Buchanan), all in a trilingual production spoken in Kala Lagaw Ya, Yumpla Tok and English. Same tale, brand-new setting and context: that's the end result, which plays the Bille Brown Theatre from Saturday, September 10–Saturday, October 8. Bani and Klarwein's version of Othello initially premiered at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2021, and now makes its way to Brisbane for the first time.
As fans of whodunnits on the page, stage and screen know, anything can and often does go wrong in sleuthing tales. Usually, however, the antics remain in the story. That's not the case in The Play That Goes Wrong, as its title indicates — and as theatre audiences have enjoyed for over a decade, watching what happens when The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society endeavours to put on a murder-mystery, then chaos ensues. When the production premiered in 2012 in London, it not only proved a hit but won Best New Comedy at the Laurence Olivier Awards. It's also still treading the boards in the UK, making it West End's current longest-running comedy. For its first Broadway season, it also nabbed a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play. The Play That Goes Wrong has made its way Down Under before, too, but audiences will have another chance to catch it locally when it tours Australia again in 2025. Sydney Opera House is hosting the show's first — and longest — Aussie stop from Thursday, June 19–Sunday, August 3. After that, it'll play HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast from Wednesday, August 6–Sunday, August 10 and Empire Theatre in Toowoomba from Monday, August 11–Friday, August 15. Next, the production will head back to New South Wales with a stop from Tuesday, August 19–Sunday, August 31 at Civic Theatre in Newcastle, before hitting Victoria from Wednesday, September 3–Sunday, September 21 at Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne. The plot: when The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society give the whodunnit genre a spin, telling the tale of a murder at a country manor and the quest to find the perpetrator, making it through the show becomes an accident-filled challenge. Since its debut over a decade ago, The Play That Goes Wrong has been seen by more than 4.2-million people worldwide — in 49 countries — and given 3500-plus performances at West End's Duchess Theatre alone. Another tidbit: also in West End, members of The Drama Society have been hit more than 125,545 times, sometimes by objects and sometimes by each other. The Play That Goes Wrong 2025 Australian Dates: Thursday, June 19–Sunday, August 3 — Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wednesday, August 6–Sunday, August 10 — HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Monday, August 11–Friday, August 15 — Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Tuesday, August 19–Sunday, August 31 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle Wednesday, September 3–Sunday, September 21 — Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne The Play That Goes Wrong is touring Australia from June 2025 — head to the production's website for tickets and further details. Images: original West End cast, Robert Day.
In one of the best local comedies of the past decade, members of a Chinese Australian family go about their lives on the Sunshine Coast. In one of the most engaging Aussie game shows of the last few years, Indigenous comedians, actors, musicians and artists hang out in a gallery and test their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The first program comes courtesy of The Family Law, while the second arrives in the form of Faboriginal — and if you haven't seen either by now, it's time to rectify that. Both series are streaming as part of SBS On Demand's Australian Made collection, which is being showcased on the free platform in partnership with Sydney Festival — and was curated by the fest's artistic director Wesley Enoch, too. The full lineup includes ten television shows that explore the diversity of Australian culture. They're great to watch at any time of the year, but they're also an excellent way to reflect upon the nation on and around January 26. Other titles include documentary series Untold Australia, which steps through Aussie tales you don't normally hear about; First Australians, which tackles the country's history from a First Nations perspective; and Future Dreaming, where four young Aboriginal Australians ponder what their lives might hold. In addition to animated series Little J and Big Cuz, the full lineup also features two Ray Martin-fronted factual programs: Is Australia Racist?, which interrogates that very question; and First Contact, which takes six non-Indigenous people into Aboriginal Australia for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXpwQw_QaNI
The single greatest cult film this side of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming back to Brisbane for a timely Friday night engagement. With The Disaster Artist taking audiences behind the scenes not that long ago, and Greg Sestero hitting up our fair town a couple of years back, The Room never gets old — and it's back once again. Described by critics as "the Citizen Kane of bad movies", with one comparing the film to "being stabbed in the head", Tommy Wiseau's The Room is an indescribable mess of plot holes, non-sequiturs, blurry camerawork and soft-core sex scenes, topped off by some of worst performances ever put to film. So naturally, we're recommending you go and see it. Of course, the truth is that no one really sees this movie. Rather, they experience it. Screenings of The Room are fully interactive, with audience members screaming lines of dialogue, dressing up like their favourite characters and hurling plastic spoons at the screen. This behaviour is actively encouraged by venues — although, at New Farm Cinemas's next session, you will need to bring your own cutlery with you. The cinema bar will be open ahead of the screening, something you should probably take full advantage of. New Farm Cinema's The Room screenings say "oh hi, Mark" on the last Friday of each month, kicking off for 2022 at 9pm on Friday, January 28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRAUPqK9Y7I The Room screens at New Farm Cinemas Friday, July 31 at 9pm, with tickets costing $12–17.
First, actresses Setsuko Hara, Hideko Takamine and Kinuyo Tanaka lit up their nation's cinema screens. Now, they'll do the same at the 2016 Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival. That's right — when BAPFF takes over the city from November 23 to December 4, it'll pay tribute to three of Japanese cinema's brightest talents. Indeed, with Hara starring in Late Spring and Tokyo Story, Takamine featured in Floating Clouds and When a Woman Ascends the Stairs, and Tanaka known for The Swordsman and Sansho the Bailiff, their resumes could double as highlight reels for their homeland's film industry from the 1930s to the 1970s. Between them, they've worked with everyone from Yasujirō Ozu and Mikio Naruse to Akira Kurosawa and Kenji Mizoguchi. There's Japanese movie legends, and then there's this trio of leading ladies. Expect plenty of their well-known work to feature in the program, which comes just a year after Hara's passing. Expect a showcase of Japan's greatest dramas, too, because that's what Hara, Takamine and Tanaka each starred in.
Designated drivers have been doing it for decades, but abstaining from a boozy beverage is no longer just for whoever agrees to ferry everyone home from the pub. And yet, heading out without hitting the drink isn't always easy. We're not talking about willpower — rather, we're referring to the paltry range of drinks usually on offer. Just because you're not keen on the hard stuff that night, for a short spell or even for good, that doesn't mean that you only want to down soft drink, sparkling water or juice. For years, they've been the main options if you're not hitting the sauce, but thankfully the booze-free scene is growing. Melbourne has its own alcohol-free bar, plenty of non-alcoholic options have been popping up in bottle shops — beers, spirits and wines alike — and now one big national hospitality chain is launching a sizeable new zero-proof menu. At 57 of its venues around the country from Thursday, July 1, Australian Venue Co will start serving its zero-proof lineup. Yes, the menu's launch is timed to start Dry July, but this range of non-boozy beverages is also here to stay. So, next time you don't feel like alcohol — or a hangover the next day — you can opt for low- and no-alcohol beers from Heineken, Heaps Normal and Nort; McGuigan's zero sparkling, rose, sauvignon blanc and shiraz; both Seedlip and Lyre's spirit range; and a number of non-booze versions of popular cocktails. AVC's espresso martino, nogroni, Amalfi spritz, berry tiki, dark and spicy, and smooth operator tipples all use Lyre's range instead of hard spirits, but don't skimp on the taste. If you're now keen to say cheers to a booze-free tipple next time you're at the pub, you'll have a few places to head, depending on where you live. In New South Wales, Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Kingsleys, The Rook and The Winery are among the places pouring the new menu — while The Duke, Imperial Bourke Street, Hopscotch, Harlow, Sarah Sands Hotel, The Smith and Fargo and Co are just some of the spots doing the honours in Victoria. Queenslanders, you can now add The Jindalee Hotel, Cleveland Sands, Bribie Island Hotel, Redcliffe Tavern and Brighton Hotel to your list. In South Australia, Parkside, Brighton Metro and Payneham Tavern beckon — and in Western Australia, choices include Wolf Lane, The Guildford Hotel, The Aviary and Sweetwater. These are just some of the venues that'll serve the zero-proof menu in each state, too. Yes, when it comes to drinking without the headache, you've now got options on multiple levels. Australian Venue Co's zero-proof drinks list will launch on Thursday, July 1. For further details, head to the hospitality chain's website.
Long before humans could soar into space, they could only dream about it. Queensland Museum's new NASA exhibition — an Australian premiere — celebrates both the experience and the idea of space travel. While much of NASA – A Human Adventure features suits, parachutes, equipment and even empty food containers that've actually left the earth, the stellar showcase also pays tribute to the imaginative minds that've inspired every rocket scientist, engineer and astronaut. Visitors not only enter the exhibition via a dome that honours Jules Verne, HG Wells and company, but can also spy their names in the biographies of important figures that are plastered across the South Bank building's walls. It's easy to understand how one influenced the other — how mere ideas motivated eager adventurers to push boundaries, achieve the seemingly impossible and fly beyond this planet we all call home. Indeed, NASA – A Human Adventure has the same effect. Feasting your eyes on this array of more than 250 historically significant items, getting up close to replicas of famous spacecraft, and hearing Neil Armstrong's iconic "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" speech while wandering through the exhibition, plenty of wannabe astronauts — and those who thought they'd stopped dreaming of such things years ago — will leave with visions of rocketing to the moon themselves. And with 2019 marking half a century since man first set foot on the moon, the timing of this exhibition couldn't be better. It will only be hitting Brisbane, so if you're not a local, you might want to schedule in a trip to the city before October. When you get there, these five standout pieces can't be missed — from space shuttles to space vodka (yes, really). A JUPITER NOSECONE One of NASA – A Human Adventure's first's first big pieces shows signs of wear and tear, and that's to be expected. You don't fly into space, crash into the sea and escape unscathed — even if you're part of a rocket. Visibly worn on the outside, filled with gadgetry inside, this hefty item draws a crowd; however, the story behind the Jupiter program's involvement in space flight is just as fascinating. While the PGM-19 Jupiter was originally designed as a nuclear-tipped missile, the nosecones were instrumental when it came to discovering how manned spaceflights might re-enter the earth's atmosphere. In 1958 and 1959, they were also used to test biological flights in low orbits, using both mice and monkeys. LUNAR ROVERS First, the bad news: two types of lunar rover drove across the moon's surface in the 60s and 70s, and they're all still there. Now, the good news: NASA – A Human Adventure has the next best thing: life-sized replicas. Visitors will first spot Lunokhod 1, the Soviets' first moon walker (that's the literal translation). It looks a little bit like a giant Wall-E, was launched in 1970 and stopped transmitting back to earth in 1971. Then you'll mosey on over to the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle, the moon buggies used by the Americans on the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions. Yes, it's supposed to look like a dune buggy. Yes, the chairs look like deckchairs. No, you can't hop into it. SPACESUITS Reaching for the stars requires a wardrobe to match, although an astronaut's attire is functional rather than fashionable. Still, staring at real-life spacesuits never loses its intrigue — especially when some of them have actually been into space. NASA – A Human Adventure features six pieces, including a US Air Force high-altitude pressure suit, plus items from all of its missions from Mercury to Apollo. The highlight: a version of the suit, helmet and gloves that were used during the moon landing, including a cutaway piece that shows just how much protective material is needed (and hints at some of the practicalities of being suited up, as everyone has always wondered). MERCURY, GEMINI AND APOLLO CRAFTS NASA's jaunts into space all started with Project Mercury, which aimed to send a human into orbit and then return them safely. And while NASA – A Human Adventure doesn't feature a real Mercury spacecraft, taking a gander at a life-size replica does spark a definite realisation: for something that was sent into space, it's rather tiny. With Project Gemini, the second human spaceflight program, the capsule is noticeably bigger (although, as this replica makes plain, it still wouldn't suit anyone who isn't fond of small spaces). Finally, exhibition attendees can also peer at full-scale models of the Apollo Lunar Module Crew Cain and the Apollo Command Module — all while walking beneath the enormous (and space-flown) orange-and-white parachute that was used in 1972's Apollo 16 mission. THE SPACE SHUTTLE Ever wanted to climb aboard the space shuttle — that is, the world's first reusable spacecraft, which was used to transport cargo into space from the 1980 to 2011? Now that it has been retired after 135 missions, you can't; however you can ascend Queensland Museum's stairs to make a peek at this towering replica. Windows allow attendees to view the cockpit, its console its many, many buttons, although sadly you can't take a seat or press anything yourself. And in good news for anyone with accessibility requirements, there's also a lift that'll take you up to the top level (and folks on crutches or in a wheelchair will also nab a view that no one else gets to see). NASA – A Human Adventure is currently showing at Brisbane's Queensland Museum until October 8, 2019. Tickets cost $18–21 and can be booked online here.
Brisbanites, sipping cocktails on a rooftop overlooking Queen Street Mall — and between splashes, too — is back on your agenda. For years at 72 Queen Street, the level four pool terrace has been one of the CBD's favourite drinking spots. Now part of the Hyatt Regency Brisbane, the space has been given a retro-themed makeover — and has reopened to the public. Meet Hibiscus Room, which still includes the spot's key features — those views out over the city and the pool, obviously — but now comes with decor and a menu that nods back to the 70s and 80s. Think: coral and green hues, tropical prints, nostalgic dishes and a name that not only references the building's long history, but is also taken from the former venue on its 25th and 26th floors that even hosted The Beatles back in the day. Indeed, this is a site with a lengthy past, and that's undergone plenty of changes over the years. The hotel dates back to 1972, starting off its life as Lennons — a brand that was first established in Brisbane in 1884. Then, it became Next Hotel Brisbane in 2014, before Hyatt took over the spot early in 2021. Hisbiscus Room boasts ample seating surrounding its infinity pool, a heap of greenery and a big screen surrounded by leaves, as well as umbrellas to help shade away the sunny days and strung-up fairy lights for twinkling evenings. Accordingly, segueing from daytime hangs to afternoon cocktails and then to evening meals is all part of the experience. Menu-wise, Head Chef Ricky Cheung (Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Nobu Melbourne) is going big on seasonal produce while conjuring up culinary blasts from the past. Moreton Bay bug cocktails and pork Scotch eggs sit on the starters list, while mains include king prawns with chilli and mango salsa, and a casserole du jour that'll serve up a seafood pot during the summer months. For dessert, choices span black forest trifle, crêpes suzette, and rice pudding with butterscotch Top image: Mitch Lowe.
Whether you love 70s tunes, are obsessed with 80s tracks, live for the 90s or can't get enough 00s vibes, getting a musical blast from the past is rather easy in Australia at the moment. Every week or so, an iconic name seems to be dropping tour dates — from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elton John and Beck through to Blink-182, the Backstreet Boys and Vengaboys, plus everyone from TISM to TLC. The latest to join the list: Sir Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper. They're teaming up and coming Down Under in 2023 for a string of dates across arenas and wineries. Yes, that means that 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?', 'Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright),' 'Time After Time' and 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' are all going to get a whirl at the same gig. Stewart is the headliner, with a huge focus on his hits, including 'You Wear It Well', 'You're In My Heart', 'Sailing', 'Rhythm Of My Heart' and 'Maggie May' as well across a massive two-hour set. But having Lauper onboard is a huge drawcard, whether you love 'True Colours' or appreciate her Tony Award-winning work on the Kinky Boots musical, where she became the first solo woman to win the acclaimed prize for Best Original Score (music and lyrics). She'll play for an hour before Stewart. The pair will be joined by Noiseworks and INXS' Jon Stevens — playing arena shows in Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and the Hunter Valley. If you're a wine-and-dance kind of gig-goer, all three are also gracing the stage in Geelong, Mount Cotton and Bowral as part of A Day on the Green, too. ROD STEWART'S THE HITS! AUSTRALIAN 2023 TOUR WITH CYNDI LAUPER DATES: Saturday, March 11 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, March 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, March 21 — AEC Arena, Adelaide Wednesday, March 29 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, April 1 — Roche Estate, Hunter Valley A DAY ON THE GREEN DATES: Saturday, March 18 — Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong Saturday, March 25 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton Sunday, April 2 — Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper are touring Australia in March and April 2023. For more information about the arena shows, head to the Live Nation website. For the A Day on the Green shows, head to the festival's website. Tickets for all gigs go on sale at 1pm local time on Thursday, November 17.
As Brisbane's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, Melt Festival has seen Sophie Ellis-Bextor grace its stage, and Chappell Roan as well. It has also hosted Spencer Tunick's nude photography works, including shutting down the Story Bridge for one installation. They're just some of the event's highlights from recent years, but it's about to add another in 2025: a Brisbane-only show by Broadway icon Bernadette Peters. In New York's famous theatre district, she originated the role of The Witch in Into the Woods, and of Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. She has two Tonys, for Song and Dance and Annie Get Your Gun. She won a Golden Globe for Pennies From Heaven on the big screen, and featured in The Jerk and Annie as well. On TV, she boasts Smash, Mozart in the Jungle, The Good Fight, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and High Desert on her resume. Now, Peters is doing an Australian-exclusive performance in the Queensland capital — and it's her first Aussie gig in more than a decade. An Evening with Bernadette Peters has a date with the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, October 24 — and is also the first event announced for Melt Festival, which runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. The star kickstarts the lineup not just as a Broadway legend, but as an icon of the LGBTQIA+ community, including thanks to her work with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to raise funds for AIDS patients and research. How will a talent with six decades of performing to draw upon — including the current Broadway season of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends — whittle that down into one Brisbane show? You'll need to head along to find out. [caption id="attachment_998044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Drama League via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Melt takes place in spring, and returns in 2025 after being reborn in 2024 as a fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture that not only fills Brisbane Powerhouse, but spreads across the city. Last year, more than 120 events popped up in 70-plus venues across southeast Queensland, complete with a Wicked-themed Halloween ball, a pool party and plenty more. In her Brisbane performance, Peters boasts support by Camerata — Queensland's Chamber Orchestra. [caption id="attachment_716453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Evans[/caption] An Evening with Bernadette Peters will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of Melt Festival 2025. Head to the festival website for more information, and to join the waitlist for tickets. Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Hit up the festival website for more details. Top image: Drama League via Wikimedia Commons.
The Brisbane Underground Film Festival (BUFF) brings to you a host of films for those whose love of cinema goes beyond the megaplex. Each year BUFF screens the recent, the risky, the curious, underrated and the overlooked. With everything from the highbrow of experimental and video art to the lowbrow of slapstick, blood and boobies, all who attend are guaranteed the most interesting films around. You can take your pick from the following cinegraphic delights: Thu 1 Nov 7pm - The Colour Wheel (screens with Kappa)Thu 1 Nov 9pm - The Comedy (screens with Hansel and Gretel)Fri 2 Nov 7pm - Video Diary of a Lost Girl (screens with Polly, Jennifer and Melissa)Fri 2 Nov 9pm - You Are What You Eat! Get thee to the Vomitorium! (With an introductory talk by Jack Sargeant)Sat 3 Nov 12pm - Zero Killed (screens with Parallel Paradoks)Sat 3 Nov 7pm - The Wolf Knife (screens with Holiday)Sat 3 Nov 9pm - Showgirls 2 Due to the nature of the films, it is an 18+ event (ID may be required). Otherwise, it’s “the most fun you can have in a dark room with strangers”.
UPDATE, May 28, 2021: Free Solo is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Soaring 900 metres tall, its craggy edges and sheer surfaces jutting into the sky, El Capitan is one of earth's monsters. A granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, it's a formidable sight, striking fear into the heart of anyone averse to heights, making even the steadiest on their feet feel shaky, and casting a long shadow over the world below. To stand at the bottom of the mammoth monolith is to stand at the base of a giant. To scale its heights is to ascend into the heavens. But you don't need to have experienced El Cap's eye-catching expanse in person to feel its inescapable power. Even on the big screen, the glorious rock formation is staggering — and it gets plenty of screen time in Free Solo. In a film that can't stop looking at El Cap, Alex Honnold does more than stare at the cliff's lofty size and gaze at its vertical terrain. A professional climber with 20 years experience and the centre of this stellar documentary, he's determined to scamper up the intimidating structure. He's not the first to scale the sheet of rock, but he is the first to do so without any ropes or support — and, just to make the deed even more difficult, he does it alone. That's free soloing. While the outcome of his attempt is now common knowledge, Free Solo steps through the process from start to finish, chronicling his setbacks and successes in a methodical manner. From contending that the climb is just too scary, to training through an injury that'd make anyone else quit, to facing his girlfriend Sanni's fretful feelings about his death-defying dream, the movie delves deep into Honnold's quest. The latest high-altitude, high-stakes picture from Meru filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin — and a newly minuted Oscar nominee for this year's best doco prize — Free Solo is the tale of a cliff, a climber, and the latter's desire to conquer the former. But it's the story of humanity's yearning to explore, interrogate and brush up against our environment as well. Charting Honnold's unwavering commitment to his task, it's also an account of his preference for hanging precariously above the world instead of planting his feet firmly on the ground. The film shows how the possibility of dying can't deter someone so dedicated from pursuing their passion, and that the thrill of a seemingly impossible challenge is as intoxicating as any drug. This nerve-wracking movie also details the intense preparation and planning required not just to make such a climb, but to capture it on camera. And, it examines the toll of documenting Honnold's feat, pondering whether the picture immortalises history or jeopardises his life. In short, Free Solo has as many angles as El Cap's ledges and crevices, however Honnold is the film's own towering presence. Vasarhelyi and Chin can't claim to lay bare their subject's psyche — he's a man of action more than talk — but they can and do reveal plenty about the wiry thirty-something. The documentary acts as a coming-of-age narrative of sorts, tracking Honnold's transformation from living in a van, eating slapped-together dinners out of a frying pan and dedicating every waking minute to climbing, to buying a house, finding room for someone else in his life, and experiencing the ups and downs of being in a serious relationship. And yet, it's never more revelatory than when it's simply staring at his face while he's gripping a slab of granite, his precariously placed fingertips the only things keeping him from plummeting down a nearly one-kilometre drop. Of course, that's not to say that Free Solo doesn't boast plenty of other spectacular sights. Seeing Honnold suspended against his surroundings will stick with audiences long after watching, as will the stunning Yosemite scenery. Indeed, the exceptional footage compiled by Vasarhelyi, Chin and their dedicated team (all mostly climbers themselves) proves nothing short of a technical and visual marvel, as edited to precision by veteran Bob Eisenhardt. But the calm, focused, assured gleam in Honnold's eye still says more than any other image can — and more than words as well. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, every second that the film spends on his zen-like expression paints a picture of pure intensity and exhilaration. What's more astonishing, dazzling and ultimately life-affirming than witnessing someone so relaxed and confident in the face of such extreme danger? What's more tense and thrilling, too? Butterflies in the stomach, fidgeting fingers and a near-unshakeable case of the jitters all spring from Free Solo as well, with the movie hitting several nerves. It's never easy to accept one's mortality. In fact, it's the hardest thing we're ever tasked with doing during our time alive, even when we're just sitting in a cinema watching someone else put their existence on the line. That's the crux of this equally insightful and scary documentary, which serves up more suspense than most horror flicks. As well as chronicling an awe-inspiring story, every frame of Free Solo offers a palpable, visceral reminder of life's enormous risks and immense rewards — and to the filmmakers' credit, you're all but certain to feel the impact in your constantly sweaty palms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XhsuT0xctI
Crispy, sweet, stuffed with a creamy filling and made in a variety of flavours, there's only one thing wrong with cannoli. No matter how many that you happen to devour in a single sitting (admit it — no one just eats one), it never feels like you've ever had enough. If you know that sensation all too well, then you might want to tempt your tastebuds down to Locale on Saturday, July 15. For just one day, the Newstead cafe is bringing back its cannoli pop-up. Even better — there'll be seven kinds of the Sicilian pastries on the menu. Vanilla creme, traditional chocolate, Biscoff and apple crumble favours will all be waiting, plus Sicilian ricotta, sweet truffle, and pistachio and chocolate chip as well. They're only available to pre-order, with prices starting at $5. And this only happens once a year, with different flavours every year, so it's your annual excuse to eat all the cannoli you can. Top image: Locale.
What would Mean Girls have been like if it was made 22 years ago? Well, let’s take the Lindsay Lohan of the 80s (Winona Ryder, dur) who longs to be part of the high school in-crowd – the holy grail of adolescence. Combine her with the three most popular girls in school, all called Heather, and create that Plastics-esque super-popular-girl-posse that is often more feared than revered. Then this whole thing gets totally 80s when Winona (well, Veronica) starts hooking in with Christian Slater (sorry, Jason Dean), who’s absolutely crazy, by the way. And then they start killing people. Damn Africa, what happened? The film completely bombed when it was released in 1989, but like a fine wine, it’s one of those films that get better with age. The Tribal Theatre, in true Tribal Theatre fashion, are holding a one-night-only screening of the cult classic. There ain’t no burn book, but you can expect a tumultuous and bloody rollercoaster of high-school social politics. So fetch.
Show me a plant that you can use to make medicine, soap, a mean green curry, alcohol (and a requisite hangover cure), and bikinis from, and i'll show you a coconut. Now, the water from the 'tree of a thousand uses', long the drink of choice for sunburned tourists the world over, is making a name for itself in more temperate climes as it becomes increasingly popular as a health drink. Coconut water is said to be more isotonic, thus hydrating, than water, as it contains naturally occurring electrolytes similar to high energy sports drinks. There's also no fat or cholesterol in it, and there's more potassium in it than a banana. Not a bad CV. A new local brand, C Coconut Water, launched just in time for summer, and is Australia's first pure organic coconut water, bringing the natural liquid from the centre of young coconuts. The folks at C are giving one lucky Concrete Playgrounder the chance to win an entire summer's worth of coconut water. For a chance to win yourself five cases of 12 cartons, just make sure you're a Concrete Playground subscriber then email us with your name and postal address at hello@concreteplayground.com.au
The working day is done. You're hankering for a tipple and a snack, but you're not yet ready for dinner. It's the familiar feeling that rolls around come quittin' time — well, that and the joy of being done with another day — and it's a dilemma that Victoria Park's bistro has a new solution to. Every Wednesday to Friday from 5pm to 6.30pm, it's serving up $5 beverages with $5 wood-fired garlic breads. You have to get one of both, so it'll cost you a minimum of $10. And, it's limited to two drinks per bread, to keep with responsible alcohol service rules. But, as far as a cheap post 9-5 grind bev and bite goes, it's a mighty fine and affordable option. Drinks on offer include sparkling rose, Taltarni sauvignon blanc, Stella Artois (and Stella Artois Legere), Bulmer's Apple Cider and basic spirits. The deal is on offer from April through until the end of July — aka, a perfect way to warm up the belly after work as the weather starts to get cooler.
If you're looking for the shindig to end all shindigs this Halloween, don't just head to the Valley — hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. Or pretend to, complete with all the Harry Potter costumes such a journey needs. That's what's on the spooky agenda at Retro's, which is combining its end-of-October celebrations with plenty of love for a certain wizarding franchise. Of course, this Harry Potter Halloween party is a thoroughly grown-up affair. Really, it's just an excuse to help whittle down your costume options, and to add some nostalgia to your night. It all takes place from 7pm on Saturday, October 30, so you can also think of it as the warm-up to the actual date. Drinks-wise, if you want to pretend that your beverages are Butterbeer and boozy polyjuice potion, that's up to you. Otherwise, dance like it's the Yule Ball — or like the sorting hat has just popped you in Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff — and just generally magic the night away. Tickets cost $22.85, and arriving early is recommended.
It's been more than a year since Five Guys, the burger joint with more than 1600 stores to its name across America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, first announced the news that folks Down Under had been waiting to hear. When the popular US-based chain revealed that it was finally launching stores in Australia and New Zealand, it sparked a lot of rumbling stomachs — and, from Monday, September 20, it's following through. That's when Five Guys will open its first Aussie outpost, which'll start serving up burgers, fries, hotdogs, sandwiches and shakes in Penrith. As already announced earlier in 2021, Sydney is the first place Down Under to taste the chain's wares. Due to the city's ongoing lockdown, however, it'll only be open for takeaway for the time being. Live within five kilometres of 123 Mulgoa Road — or within the same Local Government Area, depending on the restrictions in your part of town? Then you'll be able to head in to grab a bite to bring home with you. The temporary pivot to only doing takeaway orders is actually Five Guys' second big pandemic-inspired change. Initially, the brand was set to open its debut store Down Under in Sydney's CBD, but it switched to Penrith due to COVID-19. Overseas, Five Guys has amassed quite the reputation. Even given the number of big-name US burger chains with hefty followings, such as Shake Shack and In-N-Out, it stands out. If you're wondering why, the fact that its made-to-order burgers skew in the classic rather than oversized, jam-packed direction is one good reason. These burgs come with two hand-formed patties on toasted buns, with your choice of free toppings (including pickles, grilled mushrooms and jalapeños). Five Guys also does bacon cheeseburgers that add two strips of bacon and two slices of Kraft American cheese as well. Prefer hotdogs, sandwiches (in veggie, cheese or BLT varieties), hand-cut fries (with or without Cajun spices) and vanilla milkshakes? They're all on the menu as well. Don't go thinking that the latter are boring, though — you can add bacon, bananas, peanut butter, salted caramel and even Oreo pieces to your design-your-own beverage. The cult-favourite chain makes the leap to Australia and New Zealand as part of a master franchise agreement with Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, aka the folks behind The Meat & Wine Co, Hunter & Barrel, 6 Head, Ribs & Burgers, Italian Street Kitchen and Butcher and the Farmer. Five Guys started back in 1986 in the Washington, DC area and, as anyone with allergies should note, only cooks its fries in peanut oil. Around 20 stores are due to launch in Australia, plus more in NZ — although exactly where else and when Five Guys will be popping up is yet to be revealed. In Sydney, additional sites are currently under consideration, including in the CBD around Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Broadway. Find Five Guys' first Australian store at 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith from Monday, September 20 — open from 11am–10pm daily. More eateries in other Australian states — and in New Zealand — are set to follow; we'll update you when more information comes to hand.
Passion flows as feverishly through the Australia's women's national football team as talent, and Matildas: The World at Our Feet boasts plenty of examples to show it. Covering the lead up to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, this six-part documentary series sees enthusiasm and emotion everywhere, regardless of who the squad is playing, why or where, and the end score. Kicking goals? Joyous. Winning games? Euphoric. Taking every step needed to do their best at soccer's ultimate contest, especially because it's being held on home soil for the first time ever? A positively peppy and determined task. Inspiring girls across Australia to follow in their footsteps? For Sam Kerr and company, that's what their hard work is all about. To start this Disney+ doco's sixth episode, Kerr and several teammates chat about how much it means to them to be galvanising tomorrow's female athletes, a topic that pops up more than once across the entire series. In this particular instalment, they also discuss the equivalent influence in their own lives: Cathy Freeman's 400-metre gold-medal run at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "We didn't have a role model in women's football, or any sport," shares goalkeeper Lydia Williams. "Watching Cathy Freeman at 2000, that just kind of ignited my dreams," she continues. "At the time, I was just amazed — blown away that every single person in the country could be talking about one person, and she was a female athlete," adds Kerr. "As I sat in my lounge room as a nine-year-old girl and watched her, that inspired me to one, be proud of who I am, but to also follow my sporting dreams to play football for Australia," says fellow striker Kyah Simon. The force of their feelings radiates from the screen, even more so in light of the squad's 2023 Women's World Cup achievements so far. Indeed, while Matildas: The World at Our Feet has been streaming since April, but it couldn't be more essential viewing as the team progresses through the pinnacle of international soccer — and that Freeman adulation, and those dreams of having the same impact, couldn't be more apt. With their stunning quarter-final defeat of France in the longest penalty shootout in the tournament's history, the Matildas likely eclipsed all other Aussie sporting moments in viewership since Freeman's famous race. The influence that their current campaign is having Australia-wide can't be so easily boiled down to numbers, but it's just as massive. No matter how the Matildas' Women's World Cup plays out from their semi-final match against England onwards — they're guaranteed to hit the pitch again after that, either to vie for the whole thing or compete for third place — consider Matildas: The World at Our Feet the origin story. The team's past goes back further than 2021's hosting announcement and coach Tony Gustavsson's present tenure, of course, but director Katie Bender Wynn (The Will to Fly) focuses on Kerr, Williams, Simon, Katrina Gorry, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter and more as they prepare for 2023's global contest. The successes, the struggles, the sacrifices: they're all included. Game-day thrills, behind-the-scenes glimpses, to-camera interviews: they are as well. A rousing portrait of Australia's favourite national sporting team as it embraces its biggest moment yet: that's the whole must-watch doco. Bender Wynn takes her cues from soccer in the documentary's approach, celebrating the team overall first and foremost, yet always seeing the exceptional contributors that make today's Matildas era what it is. When the doco lingers among the group, their communal energy is palpable and infectious. Gustavsson's always-positive attitude, beaming brightly like a Swedish Ted Lasso with a wealth of the right football experience, comes through just as strongly. Amid peeks at spirited training sessions and camaraderie-filled camps, too, it's no wonder that each victory feels not just exuberant but truly shared. As Gustavsson puts the Matildas on an ambitious path to face top nations like the US, Spain and Canada as Women's World Cup prep, it's similarly hardly surprising that any loss hits hard, as always accompanied by the coach finding at least one learning or benefit as a silver lining. As captain, Australia's leading international goal scorer across both women's and men's soccer, and the best female striker in the world — when a calf injury isn't keeping her off the turf — Kerr earns the doco's individual focus early, but also swiftly shares the spotlight. As she chats, including in New York on breaks from both the Matildas and Chelsea, and while finding a slice of normality in London around her Women's Super League schedule, she doesn't just sing Freeman's praises, championing everyone that she's representing her country with. Some pre-date her on the team. Others she's grown up with. A few she's clearly an idol to. How they all can combine to ideally win the Women's World Cup is as crucial to the candid Kerr as it is to the series. Matildas: The World at Our Feet also charts midfielder Gorry's journey through motherhood, including returning to play after giving birth — and, with Tameka Yallop's daughter as well, sees the difference that having children and family around during the Matildas' camps makes. It follows forward Fowler's leap overseas as a teenager, and her growing confidence in the game while playing in France and England, albeit away from her family. It watches defender Carpenter go from strength to strength for Lyon, then face coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in time for the Women's World Cup. Williams explores her connection to Country, her role as a leader and her memories of the Matildas back when washing their own kits was a given. The fleet-footed Caitlin Foord talks through the commitment required not just on her part to get to this point, but from her single mother when she was a kid. Just like passion, there's no shortage of stories in Matildas: The World at Our Feet, whether Steph Catley is stressing the Matildas' "never say die" mentality, Emily Gielnik is all nerves leading up to proposing to her girlfriend, or Kerr is rightly fuming when she's the subject of a horrendously sexist article after besting Tim Cahill's all-time goal-scoring record. Along the way, this fly-on-the-wall series lays bare the heart, soul and perseverance that've gone into the current phenomenon that has all of Australia talking and barracking, and also supporting women's sport. No one gets to the final four in a World Cup and becomes national darlings overnight, as everyone in this insightful and sincere doco's frames constantly stresses. In fact, celebrating the Matildas right now without stepping through everything that Kerr and her teammates have gone through first would feel incomplete — so, without watching this series — is a bit like hitting the crossbar while taking a penalty kick. Check out the trailer for Matildas: The World at Our Feet below: Matildas: The World at Our Feet streams via Disney+.
Thanks to Parasite's 2020 Oscar sweep and Minari's strong showing at this year's awards, it's tempting to say that it's been a big few years for Korean cinema — whether made in Korea or focusing on Korean characters in America. The country's films have been gaining greater attention with Hollywood awards bodies, that's for sure; however, Korea has been making exceptional movies for not just a few years, but for decades. For the past 12 years, the Korean Film Festival in Australia has been shining a spotlight on those top-notch flicks, celebrating all the latest and greatest movies made by Korean filmmakers — or about Korean figures. 2021 is no different, with the fest nicknamed KOFFIA set to bring its Brisbane leg to the Elizabeth Picture Theatre from Thursday, September 16–Sunday, September 19. On the lineup: Minari, because this moving gem about a Korean family in America should keep getting all the love; entertaining and frenetic crime thriller Deliver Us From Evil, about a hitman and a kidnapping plot; Waiting for Rain, a box-office smash on home turf that follows a long-distance relationship that plays out through letters; and comedy Samjin Company English Class, about three female office workers fighting against unfair corporate practices. Other highlights include documentary The Wandering Chef, about Korean celebrity chef Im Jiho's search for authentic and unique ingredients with medicinal properties; drama Paper Flower, which follows an elderly mortician; 17th century-set action epic The Swordsman, which comes complete with eye-catching fight choreography; and mystery-thriller Recalled, about a woman who loses her memory but starts to hallucinate visions that may foretell future events.
Whether they attend Truham Grammar School or the neighbouring Higgs Girls School, most of Heartstopper's teenagers have much to say, often via text through their phones. But perhaps the most apt line of the entire Netflix series so far is uttered by Isaac Henderson (first-timer Tobie Donovan), the quiet bibliophile among the show's main friendship group, who almost always has a printed tome in his hands. "I read all these books where people fall in love and I still have absolutely no idea," Isaac advises in the web-to-page-to-screen hit's second season, which streams from Thursday, August 3. As a webcomic, a graphic novel and also a TV series that proved an instant smash when it debuted in 2022, Alice Oseman's creation couldn't better embody this reflection. Heartstopper is Isaac's yearning and confusion turned into art, even as the series remains sweet and joyous in every episode. Isaac gets his own storyline in season two, exploring what that lament means to him and why as he unpacks his own identity, and it's among the show's weighty narrative threads. But everyone in Heartstopper, from central couple Charlie Spring (fellow debutant Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) to their maybe-more-than-friends pals Tao Xu (newcomer William Gao) and Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney), plus the latter's classmates Tara Jones (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell), live and breathe his telling statement in their own ways. Tales about getting swept away by first love adore conveying the rush, buzz and head-over-heels effervescence evoked by the pivotal experience. Awkwardness often factors in, but rarely the reality that no one ever truly knows what they're doing when it comes to romance. A chronicle of coming of age and also coming out, Heartstopper not only centres the truth that every teen is just doing their best and following their heart — it makes it one of the show's core guiding concepts. And mostly, usually with each other's help as they traverse the full onslaught of adolescent emotions, this supremely likeable, relatable crew of high schoolers knows that they don't, can't and won't ever have all the answers. Brought to the screen by Oseman as the series' creator and writer, plus director Euros Lyn (Dream Horse) behind the lens — together, they've respectively penned and helmed all 16 episodes, eight in season one and that amount again in season two — Heartstopper spent its debut offering watching Charlie and Nick gravitate into each other's orbits. When the pair were sat next to each other in form class at the beginning of a new term, a friendship and then more swelled. Season two finds them officially and happily boyfriends, with Nick's mother Sarah (Olivia Colman, Secret Invasion) supportive about Nick's bisexuality after he came out to her in the last batch of instalments. Telling the rest of the world when he chooses to is part of his latest journey, always with the protective Charlie by his side. There's an idealism to Heartstopper — fantasy, too — and Oseman knows, welcomes and cultivates it. When an adult mentions missing out on "those beautiful gay teenage experiences" partway through its new run, the series recognises that its vision of being young and queer typically paints with rosy colours. But a story about being an LGBTQIA+ high schooler can be optimistic and earnest, as well as endlessly swoonworthy, while also seeing the full spectrum of complexities that surround its characters. Heartstopper isn't just keenly aware that no one understands what comes next when their heart starts a-fluttering; it's equally as cognisant that big, small, cute and complicated moments will each pop up. Insightfully, it revels in them all. It lingers in the fireworks of gloriously requited crushes, the comfort of hanging out with the one you love, the endearing delights of everyday gestures and the intricacies of sharing who you are — and thoughtfully. If and how Nick will come out to his other friends, his domineering older brother David (Jack Barton, War of the Worlds) and his absent father Stephane (Thibault de Montalembert, All Quiet on the Western Front) gets Heartstopper contemplating conformity, societal pressure, homophobia and specifically biphobia. Nick simply wants to be himself and not to have to hide his relationship with Charlie, with the show digging into the many layers that come with something that should be effortless in a perfect world. Oseman also spends season two slowly unfurling the consequences of Charlie's own traumatic coming-out experience, which linger even as he's over the moon about being with Nick. And, as Tara and Darcy get to the stage of saying "I love you" within their confident romance, Heartstopper season two plunges into how being out and proud at school doesn't mean that someone has zero troubles. Like Isaac, Tara and Darcy receive a bigger arc this time around. Nuanced and mature, their plot thread also muses on internalised expectations, carefully composed appearances and feeling like there's only one way to express your sense of self. Heartstopper's second season isn't merely giving Nick and Charlie's friends more substantial tales now that its key duo is comfortably a couple, however — and transferring the will-they-won't-they tension to movie buff Tao and aspiring artist Elle, who wants to move to a dedicated art school, in the process — but continuing to dive deeper into its young hearts running free. As its key aesthetic flourish, season two still draws its feelings on literally and sincerely, via animated hearts, leaves, sparks, rainbows and other gorgeous visual representations, showing what's bubbling inside Charlie, Nick and company even when they're not saying it. It still uses the rest of its imagery, whether glowing or shadowy, to do the same. It astutely grounds its romances and self-discovery quests in daily high-school life again, including sleepovers, sibling spats, parental rules, schoolyard disputes, end-of-year exams, parties, prom and a Paris trip. And, it remains home to some of the most open performances in the teen genre, especially from the exceptionally well-cast Locke and Connor. Yes, Heartstopper's second spin is just as delightful and heartfelt as its first. Its only room for improvement: needing more of Tori (Jenny Walser, Call the Midwife), Charlie's watchful and intensely caring Wednesday Addams-esque elder sister, whether in the already-greenlit season three or an adaptation of Oseman's debut novel Solitaire. Check out the trailer for Heartstopper season two below: Heartstopper season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, August 3. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
Intrepid travellers have been getting down to fishy business in a submerged hotel room off Tanzania’s East Coast since November. But now, you can turn the occasional subaquatic sally into a permanent thing. That’s right, 144 years after Jules Verne wrote 20,000 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, underwater homes are officially up for sale. Meet the H20ME, the brand new undersea residential creation from US Submarine Structures. The structure is comprised of two floors that provide 340 square metres of sunken living space between them. On the top level, you'll find two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open lounge and expansive skylight-type structures. On the bottom floor, there's a master bedroom, kitchen, dining area, lounge, library and bar for mixing copious Sea Breezes and Salty Dogs. Every ocean-facing wall is made of transparent acrylic panels, kept clean by automatic water jets; you're pretty much backdropped on every side by a live, 24/7 version of Finding Nemo. What's more, the view is kept well-illuminated and busy via an elaborate array of external lights and fish feeders. You can literally populate your view with bait. You can even opt for a seascaping service, through which you can order colourful coral gardens according to your taste. Yep, that's tailormade ocean views, designed by your lucky, lucky self. Where exactly in the world you take up residence in your H20ME is up to you — and most likely the government who owns your chosen seabed. The only specification is that it must be built between ten metres and eighteen metres below sea level. Access is attained through a private pier connected to either an elevator or a spiral staircase and the dwelling is fixed to the sea floor with bolts and struts. Air pressure is maintained at the same level as that found on land — so there's no need for decompressing every time you pop out to the shops to replenish your dwindling caviar supply. The only catch (zing) is the H20ME will set you back a cool $10 million. Start saving those dubloons. Via Gizmag. Images: US Submarine Structures.
Electric scooters may be Brisbane's flavour du jour for zooming about the city streets, but there's no substitute for the pedal-pushing rush and endorphin high of a good old-fashioned gumption-powered velocipede adventure. We're talking about hopping on your two-wheeler for a bike ride around Brisbane. As well as being a great way to get that fresh air and exercise doctors seem so keen on, you can also explore the city and its surrounds up-close and personal, all while setting your own pace. Whether you're looking for waterside views, off-road challenges or a route with opportunities for food and shopping pit-stops, Brisbane has cycling trails for every inclination (and of every incline). So, on yer bike — your journey awaits with the best bike rides in Brisbane. Recommended reads: The Best Walks in and Around Brisbane The Best Hiking Trails Within 50 Kilometres of Brisbane The Best One-Day Hikes to Conquer in and Around Brisbane The Best Snorkelling Spots Near Brisbane [caption id="attachment_711839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Giggle/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] RIVERSIDE BIKEWAY FROM HAMILTON For a riverside ride that'll take you from suburbs to the city skyline, start at the Portside Wharf in Hamilton and follow the trail south. It's all smooth sailing along a flat and leisurely route with cooling river breezes and smatterings of mangrove growth. Watching the lazy river traffic float by, you'll get a tour of Brisbane's eclectic waterside architecture, including heritage buildings like the historic Newstead House, mansions, high rises and ex-industrial spaces. When you reach the mighty vista of the Story Bridge and CBD, you can stop in at Howard Smith Wharves for a breather before heading back. Or you can continue on along the river, over the Goodwill Bridge, and eventually hit West End. BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL If you're yearning for country roads, head rural and check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, which follows the path of the old steam train railway line. Running its entire length from Wulkuraka Station in Ipswich to Yarraman, it's a full 161 kilometres — and the longest rail trail in Australia. But you are under no obligation to take on the whole thing in one go. For a bite-sized segment, start near Fernvale Memorial Park, winding through the countryside to end in Ipswich. The terrain varies, but it's not too challenging. The full epic trail offers a vision of rural Queensland life, running past paddocks and dams, fields and farm animals, patches of bushland and wide open space, stopping in at country towns that would have been stations on this historic railway. [caption id="attachment_711821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Taylor/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] MT COOT-THA If you're more of a Brisbane mountain biker – and keen for a bit of a challenge — Mt Coot-Tha offers a range of trails to tackle in Brisbane's bushland oasis. Depending on where you start your journey, you can set off along any of the 31 kilometres of multi-use tracks, or 23 kilometres of cyclist-only trails. Take in the vast swathes of open eucalypt forests at your own pace, whether you're starting out on the 'easy' Rocket Frog Trail for a little 2.2-kilometre ride or pushing yourself on the ten-kilometre Coot-Tha Circuit. As many of the trails intersect, you can map out your bush exploration any way you like. If you factor in the summit lookout, you'll also be rewarded with the best views of any Brisbane bike ride as you gaze out over the city, Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Islands. Plus, the cafe provides a welcome snack break before you descend the mountain. [caption id="attachment_711822" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ezra Patchett/Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SHORNCLIFFE TO SCARBOROUGH Looking for a way to while away a Sunday by the sea? Take in a scenic stretch of Moreton Bay starting out at Shorncliffe Pier and following the cycle route all the way up to Scarborough. It's a Brisbane cycling trail with numerous points of interest. Crossing the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, you'll pass the parks along Woody Point, including Gayundah Coastal Arboretum. You can hop off the bike and quickly dip your toes in at Suttons Beach, or check out the Bee Gee's Way in Redcliffe, a laneway tribute to the pop group. [caption id="attachment_711834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council[/caption] KEDRON BROOK BIKEWAY Running from Mitchelton to Nundah, this green corridor offers an easy family-friendly jaunt. At around 20 kilometres, it's a pleasant afternoon ride along a well-maintained path through salt marshes, mangroves and creek-side grassland. Although you're not that far from roads, this meandering waterway feels a whole world away from busy city motorways. It's a popular route with picnic areas and places to stop and rest. This trail can connect to the Boondall Wetlands up towards Nudgee, if you're looking to tack on about seven kilometres through some pretty wonderful native mangrove and paperpark wetlands. Despite being a well-used bike path, native bird populations live happily alongside the thoroughfare, and can be spotted by the attentive observer. Top image: Kenny Smith/Tourism and Events Queensland
The third time's the charm for Scott Wings, as he brings his latest show to Anywhere Theatre Festival for the third year in a row. Well, each time has proven the charm for the award-winning performance artist, really; however, here, he's trying something his fans might not expect. In Colossi, imaginary creatures clash with imaginary friends in a playful one-man piece that promises to be physical and poetic. Wings himself describes it as "a yin to the yang of my previous show, Icarus Falling", and it takes place on a bridge in a mini-rainforest, so audiences really are in for something different. May 7-8, 14-17 and 21-24, 6.00pm. This is one of our top five picks of the Anywhere Festival. Check out the rest.
Brisbane is a river city, and there's plenty that you can do to make the most of that fact. You can picnic by the water, hang out at a riverside precinct, sink beers at a riverside brewery and head to an overwater bar. You can also cycle along the waterside, go for a stroll on the riverwalk, hop in a kayak and catch a CityCat. Thanks to Riverlife Brisbane Outdoor Adventure Centre's newest addition to its lineup, you can also pedal a water bike across and along the river, too. Yes, on the water — not merely next to it while soaking in the view. If you're new to the whole water bike concept, here's how they work: they're stable vessels that float on the water, and feature a mounted seat and pedals on top. You move your legs and the bike moves. Yes, it's that simple. Also, riding a water bike means that you can hop along the river without getting wet. Riverlife has introduced the new watercrafts to Brisbane just in time for summer, with the bikes available to hire from its Kangaroo Point location. You have two choices, too: book one out yourself for a 30-minute session from Wednesday–Sunday, which'll cost you $39, or enquire about private guided group bookings. For those keen to start cycling on the river around Kangaroo Point, South Bank and the CBD, your water bike hire includes access to the bike, of course, as well as a personal flotation device (in case you do manage to fall into the water), sunscreen and a safety briefing by Riverlife's staff. You can also use the facility's showers and change rooms. Unsurprisingly given Brisbane's sunny climate, the Kangaroo Point spot predicts that the water bikes will have a heap of fans. "We've been delivering amazing kayaking experiences on the Brisbane River for over 15 years," said owner John Sharpe. "These new water bikes are a unique new offering which allows us to showcase the incredible Brisbane river and city to visitors and locals. We're expecting it to be our most popular experience this summer." For more information about Riverlife's water bikes — or to make a booking — head to the company's website.
The capital of Malaysia and home of the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world, Kuala Lumpur is a thriving hub that offers an intriguing melting pot of cultures — the name literally translates as 'the point where two rivers join'. The weave of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures ultimately makes for an extraordinary food experience — you'll regularly encounter fragrant clouds of spice and find restaurants overflowing at any hour of the day. For those with limited time, the city's compact centre and accessible public transport makes it a breeze to tick off all the good bits. To save even more time, here's how to spend 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur. WHERE TO STAY Element Kuala Lumpur is the fourth tallest building in KL and one of the newest properties. The property is ideal for larger groups with several suites offering two or three bedrooms and fully-functional kitchens. Guests also have easy access to the metro system and sights like KLCC Park and the Petronas Twin Towers in walking distance. Sustainability is a key focus of the property; water filters are fitted in every room to deter the purchase of plastic water bottles, the pool uses saline over chlorine and the onsite restaurant can link every single ingredient back to its origin. Found 40 floors up, TRACE — a "sky dining venue" — has views to write home about. Western-fusion is the overarching theme. The breakfast buffet ticks every single box; as well as all the early morning classics you'll encounter a noodle and dim sum station, fresh pastries and pure honeycomb. During lunch and dinner service traditional dishes are given a contemporary spin. [caption id="attachment_639376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] McKay Savage[/caption] EAT AND DRINK With such a great commingling of cultures food is always going to be a main attraction. The burning question is: what to order? The staples are a good place to start: piping hot curry laksa, banana leaf rice served with a variety of vegetables and curry, fall-apart Hainanese chicken rice (a safe option for those not down with spice) and roti canai which you can pick up for pennies. For something a little blurrier on tourist maps, the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery is somewhere you can find inner peace and load up on a vegetarian banquet at the same time. Found down the side of a Chinese Buddist temple, the buffet of all buffets is open from 11.30 - 2.30pm daily. Fill a plate from 20-30 local vegetarian options for just over $1. With that price you can be sure that it gets busy; expect to wait in line and don't expect to find a seat with friends. And as you stumble out in a food coma just be wary that tourists aren't allowed to enter the temple. Between unassuming hole-in-the-wall joints and shiny tourist eateries, finding exactly the right spot to eat can be a task. Found in the popular shopping district Bukit Bintang, Lot 10 Hutong is a reliable option and what many consider to be the best food court in KL. Flaunting every single type of hawker-style food you can imagine, you'll be more than spoilt for choice — just be sure to look around the entire subterranean eating spot before making a decision. The fried Char Kuey Teow noodles are a major attraction. As the locals say, there are only two season in KL: hot and really hot. Humidity is a given and there's no better way to combat the extreme sweaty heat than by grabbing an ice-cold drink. Teh tarik (sweet pulled tea) is the number one beverage of choice and can be served either hot or cold. For something entirely different, there's the drink fondly referred to as 'Michael Jackson'. The soya milk drink comes on ice with floating grass jelly that gives off a herbaceous flavour and provides an odd mouth sensation — for lovers of bubble tea. SEE AND DO Dominating the skyline, the Petronas Towers are the main attraction of KL and no trip would be complete without a photo in front or a journey up to the 86th floor. Tickets are released on a first-come, first-served basis so booking ahead is recommended. For that reason you should grab a skip-the-line ticket. The towers are most popular from sunset through until closing time when the majestic skyline is glowing. On the first and third Sunday of each month the major streets of the city's Golden Triangle are closed off to cars as a way for residents to stay healthy and give mother nature a rest. Open to cyclists and runners, the seven-kilometre loop starts from Dataran DBKL and makes its way around the twin towers and back. It's a great way to navigate the city without having to constantly be on guard for traffic. Around 150 loan bicycles are provided by organisers on a first-come, first-served basis — be sure to take ID. Any tourist map will point you in the direction of the Petaling Street Chinese markets. Those in the market for dirt-cheap knock-offs will have no trouble finding something here, as long as you have the patience to barter. A more relaxing environment to pick up souvenirs is the Central Market. Just a short walk away from Chinatown, the market offers air-conditioning, smaller crowds, free Wi-Fi and practically the same prices. A 20-minute drive from the city centre you'll find the Batu Caves. Overseen by the world's tallest statue of Hindu war god, Murugan, the temple boasts 272 steps up to deep limestone chasm which has gradually been created by wind and waves. A large continent of macaques rule the site so make sure you don't have any food or drink on you unless entirely concealed — you'll need a drink at the top. GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Kuala Lumpur from Auckland, starting from $269 one way economy. The mentioned attractions were booked through TripAdvisor. Feature image: I Gunawan
What do Blade Runner, a computer being named Time magazine's person of the year, the first-ever loaf of ciabatta bread, Pam & Tommy star Sebastian Stan and Brisbane's main inner-city shopping strip all have in common? They all date back to 1982. And, that means that they all share a birthday this year — so you can consider the Queen Street Mall's big shindig a celebration of all of the above if you like. Of course, this day-long party is really a huge way to mark the fact that people have been hitting up Queen Street to shop, eat, drink and hang out for four decades. Yes, all of that is on the agenda. Come Friday, August 26, the mall is hosting a hefty street party complete with live tunes, a pop-up champagne bar, fashion workshops, colourful shopfront installations and a night market. Standing around outside Hungry Jack's isn't officially on the program, but you know you'll do that anyway. Vanessa Amorosi and Kate Ceberano lead the music lineup, with a free concert taking over a stage outside the Wintergarden from 5.30pm — just in time to stop by on your way home from work. And, from 10am, the mall will host style masterclasses with retailers such as Sass & Bide, Cue and Sheike, too, with runway shows popping up at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. For bubbles to sip throughout the day, you'll want to head to Jimmy's On The Mall's pop-up bar, which is running right through until Sunday, August 28. Plus, those night markets will sprawl across Reddacliff Place from 4–9pm. The previously announced Colour in the City, a walking trail of brightly hued (and supremely photogenic) installations, will start on Friday, August 26 as well.
UPDATE, November 6, 2020: Sonic the Hedgehog is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. First up, some good news: the Sonic the Hedgehog film could've been a whole lot worse. Mostly because, as you might've seen in the movie's nightmarish first trailer, it initially was. But while Sonic thankfully no longer looks like a toothy blue Matt Dillon from There's Something About Mary, the rushed cosmetic changes carried out by Paramount only run skin-deep. Sonic the Hedgehog might now look pretty great, but the film is a hot mess just about everywhere else. To begin with, it's a mystery why this movie even exists. Not only is the Sega game it's based on almost 30 years old, but films based on video games are like white whales for studios — strangely irresistible yet doomed to cause ruin. It's appropriate that one of the first (and undoubtedly one of the worst) examples was Super Mario Bros back in 1993, since it was that game franchise that led to Sonic's creation. Did Hollywood learn nothing? The appeal of gaming lies squarely in the user's participation — "play, don't watch" should be scrawled on every movie executive's cheque book — and these films do not work. Following Sonic's adventures on earth as he accidentally attracts the US government's attention, then tries to escape them, the other big problem with Sonic the Hedgehog is the pacing. Specifically, Sonic's. His whole reason for existing is to go fast — super fast. He's like the Flash, Road Runner and X-Men's Quicksilver combined. And while there are some genuinely fun sequences where viewers get to see that play out, he spends a full third of the film cruising around in a sensibly-priced sedan. Worse — he's not even driving. Live-action is very much in vogue at the moment (see: Beauty and the Beast, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu), but this feels like an instance where a completely animated film would've been the superior option. The movie's opening five minutes take place on Sonic's home planet, and it's a tantalising glimpse of what might have been had first-time feature director Jeff Fowler gone down that road. Ah well. Cast-wise, there's a clear standout. Jim Carrey is back in full force, dropping the most endearingly over-the-top performance audiences have seen from him in ages. As villain Dr Robotnik, he's somehow even more cartoonish than the CGI Sonic — and it's spectacular. Like Sonic's running, however, there's far too little of it throughout. Instead, the lion's share of screen time is reserved for Sonic (voiced by Parks and Recreation's Ben Schwartz) and his new pal Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), the local sheriff who's helping him avoid capture. Giving credit where credit's due, Marsden delivers the goods, charming his way through scenes that ought to have tanked hard. Schwartz, too, makes the inspired choice of keeping Sonic low-key instead of manic, resulting in a far more likeable hero. As a kid-friendly family film, Sonic the Hedgehog ticks all the boxes, including the apparent must-have of a central character doing the floss (twice, in this instance). Query, though, how many kids even know who Sonic is. The same question applies to writers Patrick Casey and Josh Miller (YouTube series 12 Deadly Days), who not only relegate the eponymous character to scant speediness, but have also crowbarred in a ton of woeful pop culture references that will date this film far too quickly. Since his creation in 1991, Sonic the side-scrolling bundle of blue fluff has earned over $5 billion. That's some legacy, and one this middling film will neither damage nor improve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szby7ZHLnkA
When cheese is placed between two slices of bread, and then warmed to its edible oozing point, it becomes a gooey force that cannot be contained. That's exactly what's happened at dedicated cheese toastie joint Melt Brothers. Their love of the best thing you can do with sliced bread knows no bounds, and so it's spreading, with a second store opening in Mt Gravatt. Less than a year after setting up their first CBD outlet, Melt Brothers is now slinging their cheesy concoctions at Garden City. Bringing their dairy-filled delights to the shopping centre's ground floor food precinct, they're serving up the same delicious menu in a whole new spot — because, let's face it, who wants to be more than a 20-minute drive away from melted cheese? That means fans in the city's south can grab all-day fare like the three-cheese Mouse Trap and the bacon and egg-filled Morning Glory, or stop by for a M.C. Cheesy (with macaroni and cheese) or BFC (with buttermilk fried chicken) for lunch. And, while their dessert offering doesn't actually feature cheese, smashing some vanilla ice cream, Nutella, and hundreds and thousands between a toasted sweet bun makes for a great after-cheese cap-off. Plus, to celebrate the new store's opening, they're launching with a a half-price deal that'll either save you some pennies or encourage you to buy twice as much. Drop by on October 14 and receive 50 percent off a grilled cheese toastie as long as you buy a side and a drink. It goes without saying, but arrive hungry. Find Melt Brothers' second store at Westfield Garden City. Head to their website and Facebook page for further details.
When you look at a map — whether on a piece of paper, or on the screen of your phone — what do you see? Colours, shapes and lines? A way to help you get from point A to point B? Driven by his ongoing interest in the field — and approaching the subject through the intersection of colonial history, European modernism and its connections to the Pacific — Daniel Boyd sees something different. He spies not just a directional tool, but a key for unlocking land, sea, sky and the great unknown. In his first solo exhibition in Queensland, the Cairns-born, Sydney-based artist combines his fascination with his practice to make a new set of charcoal and oil-based images. His amalgam of complex layers of dots and simple line drawings nod to ceremonial mark-making and navigational charts, while also dissecting the relationship between the western and indigenous art of Australia.
When a restaurant hits the road, usually it heads away from its usual bricks-and-mortar base for a temporary pop-up or residency elsewhere. But for Brisbane's soon-to-launch Da Biuso, its home is the road — as the River City's first fine-diner on a bus. If catching public transport was your regular method of getting around back in your teen days, then you might remember a golden rule: no eating on the school bus. However engrained that directive might be all these years later, Da Biuso wants you to ignore it. How else are you going to tuck into a degustation dinner in its meals-on-wheels setup inside a mobile coach? Initially announced in 2022 with an aim to get rolling the same year, but now hitting the streets from Friday, March 3, the unique eatery hails from head chef Biagio Biuso, a veteran of Fortitude Valley's Casa Nostra Ristorante. With his wife Sarah and their son Joseph, they're pairing top-notch fine-dining degustations with regularly changing locations, all in the kind of venue that the city truly doesn't already have. First stop: Ascot, with Da Biuso making its debut at Ascot Green, alongside the racecourse at 230 Lancaster Road. The opulent 12-seater restaurant doesn't actually move during the meal, but will change its locations regularly. So, make a booking a few months later and you'll be staring at different scenery from the bus windows. "Being a mobile restaurant, we needed our first location to be a standout, somewhere that guests can enjoy the experience but also connect with nature in a calm and beautiful space," said Sarah. "The racecourse is a staple in Brisbane's social scene, and Ascot Green sits alongside this as a newly developed precinct. It captures the essence of the city with its history, but also reflects the promise of what's to come." "Brisbane is our home and we wanted to bring something completely new to share our passion for our city and what we do: hospitality. Part of this is showcasing spectacular locations to stimulate the senses through taste and place. We will have more locations announced soon, but for now, Ascot Green is our place to call home." Revamping an old school bus and nodding to Brissie's old tram services, too, Da Biuso is all about serving up an intimate but lavish experience. That cosy yet luxe feel comes through in the decor, with elegant white and cream hues aplenty, including on tables and curtains. And, the Sicilian-raised and -trained Biagio and his family will be on hand at every service, with Sarah taking on the lead sommelier and maître d' gigs, and Joseph also in the kitchen beside his father. Diners will tuck into six-course Mediterranean-inspired meals made with seasonal produce, with prices for a sitting starting at $170 (with paired Italian wines costing extra). Biagio's approach is to take classic dishes and drinks — such as oysters or a spritz — and then give them his own elevated twist. "Take the spritz cocktail, for instance," Biagio explains. "With fresh Australian scampi paired with a prosecco reduction and Aperol and orange elements, this is our twist on classic summer flavours." "The menu will change with the seasons and fresh produce available, but what won't change is the level of quality and attention given to each element you will see on your plate," he notes. Other dishes that set to be featured include oysters with sea foam, watermelon granita and a caviar cigar; minestra di mare with cream of saffron potato and seasonal seafood; and broccoli stufati paired with Tasmanian lamb in a balsamic bone reduction. As well as operating Friday–Monday for lunch from 12–3pm and for dinner from 5.30pm, Da Biuso will also be available for private functions in the future. If a treat yo'self meal on a bus is your ideal way to celebrate a big occasion, you'll also be able to book the mobile restaurant for any location. Da Biuso will launch on Friday, March 3, with reservations open now for its debut run at Ascot Green, 230 Lancaster Road, Ascot, via the venue's website. It'll operate from Friday–Monday for lunch from 12–3pm and dinner from 5.30pm.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, audiences can't flock to the Sydney Film Festival in person this year — so SFF is bringing the movie magic to audiences at home instead. First, it's teaming up with 19 other top fests from around the world to present We Are One: A Global Film Festival, a free ten-day festival that'll be streamed on YouTube. Then, a couple of days after that's all done, SFF is holding its own ticketed online event. Sydney Film Festival: Virtual Edition will run from Wednesday, June 10–Sunday, June 21, focusing on three of the annual event's popular programming strands: the Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary, the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, and Europe! Voices of Women in Film. That means that when you're not spending ten days watching brand new world-premiering Aussie docos from the comfort of your couch, you can check out the best short flicks from emerging filmmakers and the latest features from Europe's talented female directors. The program will drop on Wednesday, May 27, which is when tickets will go on sale — but, because SFF is moving online for the first time in its 67-year history, cinephiles will be able to buy a ticket and watch virtually no matter where they're located. SFF will also hand out its usual prizes for Aussie documentaries and Aussie short films — so you'll be watching award-winners, too. The full program launch and ticket sales for Sydney Film Festival: Virtual Edition begin on May 27.
