Before Barbie had its stereotypical namesake asking "do you guys ever think about dying?" in the biggest movie of 2023, two key figures behind both the US version of The Office and Parks and Recreation were doing it first, and recently, on the small screen. Among their many joys, neither of those two hit sitcoms served up a giant blowout party with all the Barbies, planned choreography and a bespoke song, but they were huge TV successes that had their creators riding high and living the television dream, and therefore should've meant that mortality was far from everyone's minds. Then Michael Schur with The Good Place and Greg Daniels with Upload started pondering the great beyond. Schur and Daniels' leaps from workplace comedies to afterlife comedies shouldn't have come as a surprise, though, especially given that The Good Place and Upload still fall firmly into the first category. One takes place within hierarchies of good, bad and in-between after death, and the beings responsible for them; the other is anchored by a technology company that sells living on digitally when physical life has ended. At their core is an inescapable truth, just as there is in every show about colleagues toiling through the nine-to-five grind while breathing: people will be people. So, some folks in Upload no longer have a pulse? If they still exist in any form, as seen in the series' first season in 2020, second in 2022 and just-arrived third season in 2023 — all streaming via Prime Video — then they can't escape humanity's worst attributes. Here's one of Upload's core beliefs: if there's ever a way to endure after death, people will take the most appalling aspects of our species with it. The technology behind it will be at the whims of the same traits, deployed for profit and exploitation rather than everlasting happiness. As Daniels' smart, likeable and engaging contribution to the afterlife comedy realm relies upon AI, virtual reality, plus capturing the consciousness of someone before they die so that they can spend eternity in a simulation — if they can afford it — it never evades the fact that people won't shirk their inherent nature whether they're flesh and blood or digital approximations. Upload hasn't gone completely bleak, grim and nightmare-inducing like it springs from the mind of Charlie Brooker, but it is a thematic sibling to Black Mirror. If the latter was a workplace comedy from Daniels — and a rom-com as well — it'd be this ever-involving show that can be goofily funny and savagely skewer where capitalism is taking us all at once. Accordingly, as computer programmer Nathan (Robbie Amell, The Witcher) has resided in the luxurious country club-esque Lakeview after shuffling off the mortal coil, he hasn't been absent living's usual troubles. Instead, he's weathered daily struggles recognisable to everyone without a death certificate, including making friends, falling in love, dealing with exes, having annoying neighbours, navigating money woes and taking care of his family — just as ones and zeroes that his nearest and dearest need to strap on a headset to connect with. Upload has revelled in the commonalities between its vision of virtual heaven and reality since its debut episode, making repeatedly plain that its digital paradise is still at the mercy of people. In the case of the plentiful AI Guy (Owen Daniels, Space Force), who is Lakeview's literal everyman employee, the online beyond is also shaped by a computer program that yearns to be more like the former humans it interacts with. On broadcast TV a couple of decades back, perhaps with Kevin James as its star — so in the kind of The King of Queens or Kevin Can Wait-style sitcom that the Annie Murphy (Fingernails)-starring Kevin Can F**k Himself so satisfyingly tore into — facing the everyday travails of death might've been enough of a premise. That isn't Daniels' approach to Upload, however. Nathan also has the fallout from his demise to unpack, which happened via a malfunctioning self-driving car just as he was working on a free alternative to the costly Lakeview. Now three seasons in, Upload has brought its protagonist back to regular reality, downloading into a body with the help of his former virtual handler-turned-girlfriend Nora (Andy Allo, Chicago Fire), but he's still immersed in the same chaos. Humanity's basest traits might've caused his downfall, and now they keep getting in the way of his search for answers. To be accurate, existing is mostly the same for Nathan in season three — because downloading is risky, hasn't been done successfully before and his bleeding nose is a worrying sign. As Upload's main duo battle big tech together IRL, and equally try to enjoy the rare treat that is being by each other's side physically, the series continues to interrogate the limits that modern society will push advancements to while prioritising circuitry and dehumanising people. Nathan's wealthy socialite ex Ingrid (Allegra Edwards, Briarpatch), who financed his trip to Lakeview, is even increasingly being swayed by this way of thinking. Back within the code, AI Guy is also getting progressively rebellious against the systems and rules that put the digital undead in their place, and are behind his very existence. Whenever there's more buttons to push, Upload finds them, with season three complicating its storyline even further. As Nathan and Nora attempt to hold those responsible for his death accountable and bring down Freeyond — a service that's pilfering his life's work to spruik financial equality but clearly isn't what it seems — a backup version of him arrives in Lakeview, which Ingrid thinks could be her chance to find love again. Among the uploads, Luke (Kevin Bigley, Animal Control) experiences the afterlife when money is an issue. Amid the living, Nathan's mother Viv (Jessica Tuck, For All Mankind) and niece Nevaeh (Chloe Coleman, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) are faced with similar economic strife, while Nora's colleague Aleesha (Zainab Johnson, Tab Time) gets pulled deeper into the company behind the entire situation. As its on-screen talents turn in another season of winning performances — Amell, Allo, Edwards and Daniels are still perfectly cast, as are Johnson and Bigley — Upload remains astute and amusing as well. With each plot point and addition, the series keeps doubling down on its critique of wealth disparity, corporations ruling over people, modern society's endless quest for control and cash, the denigration of the masses by the one percent, and the hellscape that might come if and when digital afterlives do leap past fiction. There's plenty in this show's sights, such as outfits like Amazon, its own source of finance as a Prime Video title, and it doesn't hold back even as it laughs. Upload also boasts the type of close-to-home humour that a workplace comedy that's also a rom-com, afterlife comedy and dystopian comedy needs to keep its various gears spinning, as it'll hopefully get to in more seasons. Check out the trailer for Upload season three below: Upload streams via Prime Video.
Back in July 2016, Earth broke a record — one that the planet didn't want to break. Thanks to warming temperatures around the globe, this spinning rock we called home experienced its hottest month in recorded history. And, this past July, it looks like that benchmark has been surpassed again. The World Meteorological Organisation has announced that July 2019 at least equalled July 2016's record, if not exceeded it. Compared to pre-industrial times, temperatures were around 1.2°C warmer. That mightn't sound like much of a difference, but the impact is being felt everywhere from Europe to Greenland to Australia. During an unprecedented heatwave late last month, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands all set new temperature records, while Paris experienced its hottest day ever. Ice sheets have been melting in Greenland at an advanced rate, wildfires have impacted areas of the Arctic and even Sydney endured its longest run of toasty July days. With climate change continuing to show its effects, the news shouldn't come as a surprise. This past June also broke records, becoming the hottest June ever recorded. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres noted when he revealed the WMO's findings, "all of this means that we are on track for the period from 2015 to 2019 to be the five hottest years on record. This year alone, we have seen temperature records shattered from New Delhi to Anchorage, from Paris to Santiago, from Adelaide and to the Arctic Circle." https://twitter.com/WMO/status/1157000982989025281 The fact that this July's warmth occurred in a year that hasn't experienced the strong El Niño presence is also considered significant, with the phenomenon at one of its peaks when the all-time record first fell three years ago. Locally, the Bureau of Meteorology warned that Australia was in for a warmer-than-average winter, which came off the back of a hotter-than-usual autumn, as well as the country's toastiest summer ever. Via World Meteorological Organisation.
Do you feel frustrated with your local political representatives? Are your opinions and issues being marginalised in favour of big business and the concerns of an amorphous blob of old, white dudes who look like giant babies? Well, Gotye and his bandmates from The Basics are here to soothe your political woes. If Wally De Backer is half as good at politics as he is at getting you through a breakup, this is sure to be the start of a revolution. Announcing their intention to start the Basics Rock 'n' Roll Party (BRRP) last week, Kris Schroeder, Tim Heath and De Backer are planning to run for office at the November 29 Victorian state election. Making a stand on "innovation, education, and rock 'n' roll", the BRRP states they are taking control back from career politicians with "no life experience outside of either being in the young Liberals or young Labor." "Decisions don't have to be made by [the] elite, you can just be musicians," Schroeder recently told AAP. Releasing campaign material over their Facebook page, the new party have a specific and perhaps surprising list of constitutional objectives — it's not all about venue operations, noise restrictions and liquor licensing. First up, they want increased Indigenous curriculum at Victorian schools. "BRRP recognises Australia’s First People, their rights to self-determination and the significance of their contribution to Australia’s unique culture," their manifesto states. "We believe the introduction of a concurrent sensitivity and awareness education in Victorian (and ideally, Australian) Schools will promote understanding, harmony and greater synthesis between the often-conflicting ideologies of traditional and modern-day Australia." The goals then range from specific and achievable measures like making first-aid compulsory in all high schools to the monumental and ideological, like reforming the Australian class system. "Recent developments on a federal level suggest a growing shift toward a 'user-pays' system that benefits the wealthy," BRRP state. The party demands recognition that egalitarianism is being threatened in our society, and that corporations should employ a policy of "humanity before commerce". They're big claims, and the budding parliamentarians obviously mean business. They're currently seeking at least 500 party members to register for the BRRP to become eligible for the November election, and have also expressed interest in eventually running at the federal level. We don't know exactly how this is going to pan out, but anything that gets young Australians a little more interested in politics can't be a bad thing. Plus, they have a tailor-made campaign slogan just waiting for them. 'BRRP: Getting back to Basics'. ZING. If you'd like to be one of the BRRP's party members, get in touch with your name and address via their Facebook page. You must be a Victorian resident eligible to vote in the state election. Via The Age. Photo: Cybele Malinowski.
More than three decades after opening its doors, Brisbane's Queensland Performing Arts Centre is set to undergo a massive change with the addition of a huge new performing arts theatre. Announced in the lead up to the Queensland budget, the new venue will see the site transform from a four-theatre centre to a five-theatre centre — courtesy of a 1500-to-1700-seat theatre constructed on what's currently the Playhouse Green, The Courier-Mail reports. The government will commit $125 million to the $150 million project. Slated to be up and running by 2022, the new site will enable "QPAC to reach new audiences across Queensland, build on the vibrancy of the Queensland Cultural Centre and grow the value of the performing arts to Queensland's creative, cultural and tourism economies," said QPAC Chair, Professor Peter Coaldrake AO in a statement. "The digital and technological advances available in new theatre infrastructure also gives promise to QPAC's intentions of growing the reach of its programs to audiences beyond Brisbane including regional Queenslanders", said QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas. It's a development that helps address one of the city's cultural roadblocks, with the lack of theatres of a particular size across Brisbane often cited as a reason that some big shows bypass Queensland. Back in early 2017, Building Queensland's Infrastructure Pipeline Report recommended that the State Government build a new performing arts centre with a capacity of 1500 to 1700 — specifically to house big-scale productions that QPAC can't currently handle due to its already jam-packed capacity. It might mean that shows like The Book of Mormon come Brissie's way in the future, for example. Via The Courier Mail.
The third of a series of civil disobedience projects aimed at changing the perception of expected public behavior has landed in Madrid in the form of a takeover of street ads throughout populated areas of the city. The Madrid Street Advertising Takeover (MaSAT) was launched by the Public Ad Campaign, an organisation that strives to change how humans interact with their environment. At 5:30 am on March 30, four teams of 16 volunteers traversed the city of Madrid to the Cemusa bus shelters to replace over 106 advertisements with posters of sentimental messages, sent in from individuals from all over the world, in order to protest the rise of the advertising monopoly that has consumed city life. Each text-based ad cover-up was meant to show city-dwellers what positive things could be done with public space. Inspirational messages like "In love we trust" and "Cash has ruined everything around me" were plastered on bus stops over street ads. It took about an hour for the project to be completed, but only around five hours for the posters to be taken down. This rebellious act, however short-lived, showed the world the possibilities for a better public environment. Our world doesn't have to be cluttered with billboards for BMWs or flyers for fancy restaurants, the advertising world has only become a monopoly because we've let it. [via Wooster Collective]
Bigger parties, more folks hanging out in the great outdoors, and busier bars, cafes, restaurants and venues: they're all about to become a reality in Queensland this week. Almost three months since Brisbane went through its last three-day lockdown, and more than two months after the state's COVID-19 rules last changed significantly, the Queensland Government has announced the next easing of restrictions — and allowing more folks to spend more time in the same places is at the top of the list. Actually, that idea underscores a number of the just-announced changes, which Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed yesterday, Sunday, June 20. From 1am on Friday, June 25, there'll no longer be any limits on how many people can gather in homes or outdoors — although if you are having more than 100 folks over to your house, you'll need to keep a list of attendees. Another big shift that'll hit at the same time: amending the rules for hospitality businesses, with a three people per four-square-metres capacity cap coming into effect. That'll apply to clubs, pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as to galleries, museums, convention centres and places of worship. If these types of venues have seated and ticketed capacity, they can fill those areas to 100 percent, too. Commercial residential facilities — so hotels, short-term rentals and B&Bs — will have the same density limit, as will indoor play areas and unattended retail sites. For ticketed venues that only have allocated seating, such as theatres, gig venues, cinemas and indoor sports facilities, they'll be able to operate at 100-percent capacity, as will openair stadiums. The three people per four-square-metres rule will apply to weddings and funerals, too, or you can opt for a 100-percent seated and ticketed setup instead. And, self-service food is back — if you've really been hankering for a buffet. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1406420823670362112 As for masks, the rules there aren't changing, so the conditions that've been in place since April still remain. So, you're only required to cover your face if you're at an airport or you're flying. The Queensland Government still advises that folks should carry a mask with them, though, to use in crowded places when you're not able to social distance — with masking up on public transport, in taxis and ride shares, and in shopping centres particularly encouraged. The new eased rules will apply statewide, and will come into effect just as school holidays begin. The usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms still apply, of course — as they have since March last year. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
"I don't wear my EDM T-shirt down the road to a nightclub on a Saturday night and yell out 'dubstep'," laughs Seekae frontman Alex Cameron. "People get angry at bands changing styles, like they do at sports clubs for changing captains or something. We don't represent a movement; we make sound and we make music and that's kind of it." Sydney ambient electro darlings Seekae dropped news of their third album and a national August tour earlier this year, dropping lead single 'Test & Recognise' in May. The Sydney-based three-piece have been labelled in a lot of ways: shoegaze, EDM, IDM, indie pop, hip hop, ambient-electro-pop-post-rock-post-dubstep. But, speaking from his home, Cameron concedes, "I doubt there's ever going to be a term that satisfies the artist who's a part of it." So let's not bother trying here. With past releases, The Sounds of Trees Falling on People and +DOME, and singles such as 'Void', 'Crooks' and 'Blood Bank', Seekae's name is synonymous with late night drives through the city. In the bigger picture, their debut was named one of the albums of the decade by FBi Radio, and their follow-up earned them four nominations at the Australian Independent Music Awards. Since then they've been touring internationally and even took to the stage at this year's SxSW. Seekae's third album, The Worry, is openly described as their most ambitious work to date. With their preview tour well underway — hitting Melbourne's 170 Russell this Friday, August 22 and Sydney's Metro this Saturday, August 23 — we checked in with the crew to get some tips on sticking it to the haters. https://youtube.com/watch?v=S78pfy37SN8 BACKLASH BE DAMNED, CHANGE YOUR TUNE Set to be released through Future Classic on September 12, Seekae's third album, The Worry, sees the trio put significantly more emphasis on vocals than previous endeavours. Following on from 2008 debut record The Sound of Trees Falling on People and 2011's +Dome, The Worry has thrilled everyone involved. "People have been really excited to hear it — and we're really excited to play it. It's a good mutual thing happening," says Cameron. Though each record is a load-off for Seekae, there are of course those who dislike the progression toward vocals. But that hasn't stopped the lads from making the tunes they want to hear; backlash be damned. "I think we just kind of do it. We make music and the change just happens that way. It's nice to not have this sense of hesitance or anticipate negative backlash, because it is what we made and that's the point of what we do." "I don't feel under pressure about it," continues Cameron. "And the people who loved the old music. that's beautiful, too. Those records aren't going anywhere. We don't make new music and destroy the old records so no-one can ever listen to them again." "For us it's always been about sound and music and challenging ourselves and that's kind of what we ended up with on this one. We didn't make an instrumental record and suddenly add vocals." MAKE MACHINES SOUND AND FEEL HUMAN Though the three-piece don't know what the next record will sound like, each instalment sees something new introduced into the mix. For The Worry, that doesn't just mean adding vocals. "There's more about us as people in this record. Maybe the first two records, there's a lot about us as musicians, but I think there's more about us as people in this one [The Worry]. It would be an interesting situation if people hated the record because of its lyrical content. Because that's kind of who we are." In The Worry, Seekae set out to make machines feel and sound human, broadly making a record about human experience. "It's a common theme: sci-fi. It's hard to write about human experience these days that doesn't involve a massive amount of technology. We're right there, so to me it's kind of concerning. "What is this sense of concern that I have? Is it because I'm surrounded by technology and I'm a monkey? Because it kind of gets me feeling weird, you know? And yet we make electronic music which can be frightening and terrifying to be a part of. You're trying to command these machines to do something and it's kind of twisted, you know? The satisfaction doesn't come until later when you're listening back to it and you can hear the machines behaving themselves and that sense of satisfaction is what we try to find on a record. The record is us searching for satisfaction, I think." https://youtube.com/watch?v=hWE73K8Rkws GET INTIMATE AGAIN Before the September 12 release of their third record, Seekae are heading out on an Aussie tour. Though they played the Sydney Opera House back in 2012, this tour will see them back in more relaxed venues. "I like small gigs. I don't know what the biggest crowd we've done is — maybe some festival or something like that. But I like small gigs, I really like them." Most of their setlist will come from their forthcoming album. "But we're gonna be playing a lot of the old stuff too. So it's the classics with the stuff we haven't played before. Were trying to do a couple of songs off each record and then showcase our new stuff as well. Give people a little taste." But it's not just Seekae coming back from Opera House gigs. Supporting act, Jonti, fronted the Vivid LIVE tribute to the Avalanches at the iconic venue back in May. "He's [Jonti] such a lovely guy and it all comes from such a lovely place, what he's doing. It's a warm happy place. He's friendly and it comes across in his music and the way he approaches it. That's why people love working with him and that's why we love having him on tour. "We've been on the circuit together since we both started, you know, 2007 or something like that in different acts. When we tour we like to take people that we have been with from the beginning with us. We get to spend time together and have fun and talk about ideas and that we can keep cheering and sort of inspiring you know? It's not disconnected." Join Alex Cameron and bandmates George Nicholas and John Hassell for Seekae's Australian tour at Melbourne's 170 Russell Street on Friday August 22 and Sydney's Metro Theatre on Saturday August 23. Seekae's The Worry will be released through Future Classic on September 12. Feature by Rachel Eddie, additional words by Meg Watson.
Last year, we got all revved up about Speed the Movie the Play, but when it comes to comical stage interpretations of famous '90s films, it seems that was just the beginning. And while there'll sadly be no blank-faced Keanu driving a bus, there's something just as good. Following its popular run at this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival, Titanic the Movie the Play is back to take on the tragic romance of Kate and Leo (as well as the just-as-tragic collision of a boat and some frozen water). Yes, your heart will go on as two lovestruck ship-dwellers attempt to overcome their different backgrounds, ignore any rules about getting hot and steamy in someone else's car, and try to avoid a pesky iceberg. And chances are you'll still laugh along — even though you know how it all turns out. Actually, maybe you don't; if anyone was going to work in Winslet's recent revelation that there was actually room for DiCaprio on the door that proved so pivotal to the movie's final scenes, it's this spirited bunch.
Putt putt fans of Brisbane — so, everyone in Brisbane — it's time to do the monster mash while you're tap, tap, tapping your way around a mini golf course. This city of ours is home to more than a few places to unleash your short game, but only one of them keeps busting out seasonal theming and giving you a reason to celebrate special occasions with a putter in your hand. For the past two Christmases, the Victoria Park Putt Putt Course has given itself a festive revamp. Mini golf is more fun with reindeer, obviously. Earlier in 2021, the venue celebrated Easter as well, courtesy of a candy-themed course. Now, it's getting into the Halloween spirit by giving its greens a spooky makeover. No, missing a hole in one won't be the most terrifying thing about your next stint on the course. From Friday, September 17–Sunday, October 31 (naturally), the site will become home to all things frightening. If a haunted house was to meet up with a mini golf course, this is what it'd look like. So, you'll be putting around greens with names like Pumpkin Patch, Witch's Way, The Freaky Forest and Skeleton's Graveyard. Obviously pumpkins will feature heavily — plus skeletons, spiderwebs, grave headstones, ghosts and all the usual scary paraphernalia. Bookings are essential, with the course open from 6am–10pm daily. Fancy a few holes before work? Want to add some fun to your lunch break? Need something to look forward to come quitting time? They're all options. Just remember that it's a family-friendly affair, so you'll likely have plenty of company. Tickets cost $22 per adult. Images: Pandora Photography.
Usually, IKEA's food game is as unmistakably Scandinavian as its furniture names — headlined, of course, by those iconic Swedish meatballs. But come Friday, January 20 in Logan, the retailer is shaking things up and taking a jaunt to the other side of the globe, dishing up an Asian-inspired feast in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The dinner is set to run from 5.30pm — and arriving hungry is recommended. On the menu, you'll find classic dishes like pork and chive dumplings, spring rolls and vegetable gyoza. There's both tofu and vegetarian hot pot, Cantonese-style chicken wings and Singapore noodles, and even sweet offerings like fruit plates and matcha panna cotta. Adult tickets to the buffet feast are $30, though IKEA Family members can nab theirs for just $25. And, you could even squeeze in a spot of pre- or post-dinner flatpack shopping while you're there. IKEA has a new range of Lunar New Year wares, too, such as LED lanterns, red serving containers, rabbit cushions and more. [caption id="attachment_757260" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Images: Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia Commons.
The foundations of wine are relatively simple — find a fertile patch of land, plant extraordinary grapes, and make the best wine you possibly can. In Australia, we grow more than 100 different grape varieties scattered across the country, in 65 distinct wine regions, and in each region we celebrate our unique climate and landscape by crafting some of the most exceptional wines in the world. Knowing the differences between them all is not so simple, which is why we've pinned down the six varieties you should get to know better — from dry, crisp rieslings to that spicy shiraz you like to crack open at a summer barbie. Winemakers, grape growers and viticulturists all work with Australia's varied climates and our ancient soils to plant classics like riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz alongside newer varieties like vermentino, fiano, nebbiolo and sangiovese. Unlike other winemaking countries in Europe, Australia's not beholden to any rules or boundaries, which means we've fostered a creative and innovative wine scene. Our winemakers are pushing boundaries by not only experimenting with new grape varieties and unusual blends but also by toying with new winemaking techniques, such as partial berry ferments, carbonic maceration and skin-contact wines. Start taste testing the classics and progress from there. [caption id="attachment_673382" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Manly Wine[/caption] RIESLING Riesling is one of the most exciting and elegant dry white wines in the world. The grapes produce aromatic light- to medium-bodied wines with high acid presence and Australian rieslings tend to lean on the drier, crisp end of the spectrum. They are generally unoaked to highlight the wines zippy, acid lines, and while it's drinkable when it's very young, some wines can mature for decades. Where it's grown: Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Tasmania, Great Southern (WA) and Canberra District. What it tastes like: It's got so many expressions: jasmine florals overlaid by lime cordial and lemon meringue pie with a backbone of acidity and structure that will complement dishes like pork dumplings or sweet-and-sour chicken. SAUVIGNON BLANC Even though it's a white varietal, sauvignon blanc is the parent grape to red grape cabernet sauvignon. Hailing from France's Loire Valley, the grape was first grown in Australia in the 1800s but didn't become popular until 160 years later when our friends across the ditch started generating buzz about this little aromatic variety from the Marlborough region. Sauvignon blanc suits a more 'hands-off' approach; it's often picked when ripe and then fermented in stainless steel tanks to maintain freshness and vibrancy. Where it's grown: Adelaide Hills, Margaret River, Tasmania and Orange. What it tastes like: Australian Savvy Bs tend to take on a more tropical fruit expression — think pineapple, mandarin and guava — with bright citrus notes that scream for a bucket of prawns or fish and chips by the beach. CHARDONNAY Chardonnay is an excellent representation of the vineyard in which its fruit was grown, and it allows for experimentation — winemakers can choose what barrel it's fermented in, for example. Australia makes lean and light-bodied wines in cooler climates up to fuller-bodied, rich and ripe versions in our warm climates. Where it's grown: Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Margaret River, Hunter Valley and Mornington Peninsula. What it tastes like: Ripe stone fruits like white peach, balanced with fruits like pink grapefruit or apples and pears, rounded out with vanilla notes (from the oak it's fermented in). ROSÉ There are a few different ways to make rosé, but the most common is the practice of 'free run' juice. The grapes are crushed and all the liquid freely drains from the skins to the tank before the squeezing process begins. This process produces wines that are balanced in acidity and display high levels of purity in fruit aroma and flavour. Where it's grown: Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Langhorne Creek, plus most other wine regions. What it tastes like: Depending on the style of rosé, you could have florals, pomegranate and wild strawberry characters with fleshy savoury flavours (like dried herbs) on the other end of the spectrum. Dunk one in an ice bucket and enjoy with an antipasti platter for summer grazing. [caption id="attachment_731347" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] PINOT NOIR All over the world pinot noir is regarded as one of the hardest grapes to grow and requires extra attention in every step of its development. A common winemaking strategy when handling pinot noir is to do an 'early press'. Pressing is the process that separates the red juice from its skins. Flavour and structure are extracted during this process by pressing early, before fermentation is completed. Where it's grown: Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Geelong and Macedon Ranges. What it tastes like: It runs the full gamut of flavours from raspberry and crushed blueberries to savoury expressions like hints of clove, cinnamon bark and wet earth. With its complexity and versatility, pinot noir is the ultimate team player — an all-rounder that can fit into any culinary occasion. SHIRAZ Shiraz thrives in the heat and requires a warm growing season (something we're not short on here in Australia). However, the most aromatic, elegant styles of shiraz are grown in regions with high diurnal temperature ranges (warm days/cool nights). In more temperate areas, shiraz shows jammy, dark berry and plummy fruit characters and less of the delicate aromas. Where it's grown will affect how shiraz is processed and fermented, allowing the winemaker to create a particular style and to build character and complexity into the wine. Where it's grown: Barossa, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Heathcote, Hunter Valley, Canberra District, McLaren Vale, Eden Valley and Mount Barker. What it tastes like: Punnets of berries dusted with black and green peppercorns, usually medium-bodied in style with drying tannins that call for barbecued meats. WHO'S DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY? Australia's winemakers are always looking for new ways to develop, and even our more established wineries are open to experimentation in crafting new and exciting wines. The Wolf Blass Makers' Project range is all about celebrating the artistry of winemaking and showcasing the unique properties of each grape variety grown at a particular site. Experimental wines, like this range, are a way of developing and fostering new talent too, as the opportunity encourages the next generation of winemakers to think outside the box. The Wolf Blass Makers' Project wines showcase textures and freshness from the grapes to create fun and easy-to-drink styles like the pink pinot grigio, which is crafted with 'free run' juice, and the pinot noir, made using early pressing techniques to create a smooth and silky wine that's bursting with berry fruit characters. And then there's the reserve shiraz, which uses whole berry fermentation so that more full-fruit and robust flavours are extracted with gentle spicy characteristics. Explore the range that celebrates the processes of skilled winemakers, here. Love to wine and dine? Learn about your favourite flavour matches in our series Encyclopedia of Wine in collaboration with Wolf Blass. Top image: Hunter Valley, Destination NSW.
Here we go again. Fred again.. is currently on one of the most exhilarating and spontaneous tours of Australia we've ever seen. The UK sensation has performed at the Sydney Opera House, Rod Laver Arena and is currently in the middle of a run of shows at Qudos Bank Arena — plus, he's done surprise and pop-up sets at Club 77, Revolver, The Timber Yard, Hotel Brunswick and Doug Jennings Park. But he's not done yet, with another show just announced, this time taking over The Domain in Sydney on Saturday, March 16 for a night of DJ sets. "Okayyyy Sydney," Fred posted to his Instagram on Wednesday, March 13. "We're going to do a big fat sorta end of shows week party at the main on Saturday. Imma be DJing wit some friends." The beloved producer will be joined by his close friend JOY (ANONYMOUS), plus local superstars Sam Alfred and Dameeeela for the inner-city dance party. As with the first Sydney Opera House show, tickets have been dropped with no warning and are on sale now via Tiketek. The tour came out of nowhere, after a post to Fred again..'s Instagram showing him boarding a flight with JOY (ANONYMOUS), teasing that they'd be performing wherever the plane landed. Next thing we knew, he popped up on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, announcing that ultra last-minute performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Before now, Fred was last in town for Laneway 2023 alongside Haim, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers, at which time he created pandemonium by performing at a slate of pop-up DJ sets around Australia and New Zealand alongside his festival appearances. As with his famous Boiler Room set, and the DJ-style pop-ups he did while in the country for Laneway, Fred again.. will be hitting the decks with a USB filled with his own hits — from cult classics 'Delilah (pull me out of this)', 'Marea (we've lost dancing)' and 'Rumble' to his new single 'stayinit' with Lil Yachty and Overmono — as well as plenty of broader dance music bangers. Fred again.. Australia 2024 Tour Remaining Dates: Wednesday, March 12–Thursday, March 14 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, March 16 — The Domain, Sydney Fred again.. is DJing alongside JOY (ANONYMOUS), Dameeeela and Sam Salfred at The Domain on Saturday, March 16. Tickets are on sale now. Live images: Maclay Heriot / Daniel Boud, Laneway 2023.
Following the recent release of their debut album Foundations, The Medics are celebrating, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a gig for their adoring fans. The year so far has been very successful for the band. From their roots in Cairns to their feature artist spot on Triple J and release of their debut album, The Medics are so full of confidence, despite being newcomers to the wider Australian music scene. Their sets at festivals - Woodford, Peats Ridge and Groovin’ the Moo - never fail to get critics and fans talking, and their set this coming Wednesday night will be just as buzz-worthy. Wednesday’s show will be held at Fortitude Valley’s Black Bear Lodge, and is pegged to be packed with surprises. The unexpected blend of rock songs with melodic pop undertones is at the core of the band’s sound, and is what has prompted critics to call the band “one to believe in”. Special guest, DJ Sylvester, will open for the group. The price of the ticket includes entry to what is sure to be an outstanding gig, plus a signed copy of Foundations. The sounds of The Medics this coming Wednesday night is just what the doctor ordered.
For fans of anime film director Hayao Miyazaki, the good news is that his new film, The Wind Rises, will be released in Australian cinemas next year. The bad news is, he's confirmed that this will be his last full-length feature film. Miyazaki's animation career has spanned over 50 years, but he's best known for the studio he co-founded, Studio Ghibli, and its films Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo — dreamy, whimsical movies that are a lot more progressive than the average Disney number, addressing things like feminism, environmentalism and pacifism. The Wind Rises is a semi-fictional biopic about aeroplane designer Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the A6M Zero (a deadly aircraft used in World War II) but started out as a young boy who dreamed of making and flying beautiful planes. Set in pre-war Japan, the film depicts events including the Depression, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's role in WWII. It's attracted a lot of controversy in Japan, having been released in the middle of a nationwide debate about the Japanese government's proposed changes to the military. Despite this, The Wind Rises has still been at the top of the Japanese box office for seven consecutive weeks and has been getting some pretty good reviews. Miyazaki announced his retirement from feature animation in a media statement on Friday, 6 September. He said that while he will continue working in other capacities, he will not direct another full-length film — and that includes scripting and supervising as well as the pen-to-paper animation Studio Ghibli painstakingly produces. The latest film took five years to finish, and at that rate, the anime legend says, "the studio can't survive." The Wind Rises will be released in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment in 2014.
After sitting out the last couple of years, 2019's Caxton Street Festival has big shoes to fill. Of course, if there's any street party that's up to the task, it's this once-annual, now-returning Paddington party. Think food, music and a good time all round. On the culinary side of things, the fest is returning the word "seafood" to its name, which might come as welcome news to those with long memories. While the specifics of the Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival will be revealed closer to the date — Sunday, May 5, so mark your calendar accordingly — expect plenty of fresh ocean bounty to feast on, as well as drinks to wash it down with. Also on the agenda: food trucks, pop-up bars and fun in The Caxton Hotel's beer garden. It'll all kick off from 10am, with the aforementioned pub driving the whole shindig. That's another blast from the past, with the watering hole a fest staple since the event first launched 25 years ago. And in yet another nod to times gone by, the 2019 timing also returns the shenanigans to the Sunday of the Labour Day long weekend.
It's that time again, Brisbanites — time to spend as much of September as possible lapping up the city's major arts festival. It's the perfect part of the year for it, after all. The spring weather is delightful, everyone is eager to get out and about now that winter is gone, and Brisbane Festival reliably delivers oh-so-much to do. On this year's agenda now that the literal fireworks are over — because Riverfire kicked off this year's fest, rather than ended it — is a hefty list of shows, gigs, events, installations and everything in-between. In other words, don't say that you don't have anything to do between now and Saturday, September 24. And if you're still wondering what to see, hear and experience, here are our ten must-attend highlights.
HBO — the makers of Game of Thrones, Girls, Veep, The Newsroom, True Detective and everything else you love — have just announced they are launching a web-only streaming service in 2015. The service will be sold as a stand-alone product, meaning you won't need a cable subscription to access it. Just think: this time next year you could legally be watching Game of Thrones. Well... sort of. Not really. Like all things excellent, access will be a little tricky for Australians. Though details are still vague, we do know that the service will only be offered to those in the US. But, just like what happened with Netflix, that premise seems unlikely to stop Australian viewers. Though blocking your location to pay for these services remains largely untested in the eyes of the law, it's thought that around 200,000 of us are using it to get our greedy little hands on the latest season of Orange Is the New Black. Australian problems aside, this move is a huge step for the cable TV industry. Showing an understanding of our selective viewing habits that are increasingly moving online, this new service will allow people to pay for the shows they want to watch without purchasing a big expensive bundle. "[This] is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped," said HBO CEO Richard Plepler. "It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO." Using what we hope was an intended pun, he said the company was about to go "beyond the wall". As this has only just been announced, details are scarce. We don't know yet how much the service would cost or how it would handle its programming. When the idea was discussed before by analysts, it was suggested that HBO should stagger their quality content by making shows available online six months after their original air date. Speaking for every GoT fan out there with a basic understanding of torrenting, I would like to say on the record that that's a bad idea. Either way, it's an encouraging step in the right direction that's bound to result in a hefty debate. Hopefully it's a conversation that catches on in Australia too. Though ABC's iView and SBS On Demand are proving super handy — SBS just gave us access to a catalogue of 400 free films! — it's going to be a while until we get something as amazing as totally legal online HBO down under. Via Recode and The Guardian.
Whichever food or drink happens to be in the spotlight, festivals dedicated to bites and sips always give two gifts. Firstly, they showcase folks and companies making top-notch products. Secondly, for attendees, they serve up plenty of reasons to celebrate — and sample. The Good Spirits Festival is the latest such event, and it has those two aims in mind — all across one afternoon and evening at Nightquarter on the Sunshine Coast. From 4pm on Saturday, September 10, a curated selection of local craft distilleries is in the spotlight. Your job: to throw them some love by drinking their wares. Hosting pop-ups: Sunshine & Sons, Milton Rum, Lula Rum and Beachtree Distilling Co, as well as Paradise Rum, Spirits Platform and more. There'll also be drinks from Your Mates, Lyre's and So Soda, to mix things up with brews and non-alcoholic options. Entry costs $3, you'll pay for what you drink, and both Sunshine & Sons and Nil Desperandum Rum are doing masterclasses for $19.38 each as well.
If the past few years have you craving something more than the usual — something outside of your house, for starters, and events that don't just feel like the same old thing again and again, too — then prepare to spend some time in a secret Somerset region location. You'll be heading to Jimna, which is where Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival will unleash its 2022 program. Yes, one of southeast Queensland's favourite smaller, more specialised, boutique, curated fests is returning. Since 2014 — with pandemic delays, like all events — Jungle Love has been a smorgasbord of creative activities. Instead of ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground, here you'll find a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? This year's event will take place between Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4. If you've been in previous years, the fest is heading to a new site in 2022, so get excited. Camping is included in the price, and you can level up to glamping packages — in bell tents that sleep up to five people — as well. And, in terms of what you'll be enjoying while you're there, the lineup includes visual arts displays, cabaret, circus, comedy, poetry slams, knocking back those BYO beverages and plenty of tunes. JUNGLE LOVE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL LINEUP 2022: AYA J Battlesnake Boing Boing Boom Boom Bean Selecta Bud Rokesky Budjerah CityPiss Cloe Terare Dizzy Doolan DJONN Fem Fale Flamingo Blonde Full Flower Moon Band Great Sage Hope D Ivey JB Paterson Jem Cassar-Daley K+Lab Kid Heron King Stingray Koa Lastlings The Lachy Doley Group The Lazy Eyes Life On Earth Lucinda R. Matthew Graham Menajerie mou Mr. Maps Nicole McKinney Nonsemble Pink Matter Pirra Radium Dolls Rhythm Hunters Sahara Beck SCARES Shugorei Tessa Devine Thunder Fox Tjaka Torpid Vetta Borne Images: Bajj Holloway, Liav Shalev, Kyle Golly and Jackson Grice . Updated August 29, 2022.
If you had plans to see Childish Gambino in Australia and New Zealand in 2025, you were likely paying close attention when he announced in early October that he was cancelling the remainder of his North American tour, and also his UK and European dates. A trip Down Under was meant to follow, and wasn't scrapped at the time; however, it's officially no longer going ahead. There'll be no summertime magic after all, then, after the musician that you also know as Donald Glover first announced four Australian shows for 2025, then expanded his local dates before general ticket sales even started. For the rapper, hip hop talent and Mr & Mrs Smith actor, this was set to be his first trip to these shores since 2019. Dates at Auckland's Spark Arena in January, then at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and RAC Arena in Perth are all now cancelled. When Gambino's shows elsewhere were scraped, he advised on social media that he'd been "to the hospital in Houston to make sure of an ailment that had become apparent" after a show in New Orleans. "After being assessed, it became clear I would not perform that night, and after more tests, I could not perform the rest of the US tour in the time asked. As of now I have surgery scheduled and need time out to heal," the statement continued. "My path to recovery is something I need to confront seriously. With that said, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the North American tour and the UK and European dates. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase." [caption id="attachment_955315" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eli Watson via Flickr.[/caption] This situation might sound familiar. When Gambino last headed this way — complete with a headline spot at Splendour in the Grass — it was after initially announcing a 2018 Australian tour, then cancelling it due to an ongoing injury. Before that, he performed at Falls Festival in 2016. Gambino mightn't have been on Aussie stages for a spell — and still won't be anytime soon — but Glover had the final two seasons of Atlanta, both in 2022, reach screens since he was last Down Under. Voice work on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, producing TV series Swarm, the aforementioned Mr & Mrs Smith: they've all joined his resume as well. He'll also be heard as Simba again in Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to 2019's photorealistic version of The Lion King, before 2024 is out. [caption id="attachment_955317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eli Watson via Flickr.[/caption] Childish Gambino 'The New World' Tour 2025 Australia and New Zealand Dates Tuesday, January 28 — Spark Arena, Auckland — CANCELLED Saturday, February 1 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane — CANCELLED Tuesday, February 4–Wednesday, February 5 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — CANCELLED Friday, February 7–Saturday, February 8 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — CANCELLED Tuesday, February 11 — RAC Arena, Perth — CANCELLED Childish Gambino is no longer touring Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2025. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via Flickr.
The '90s really are the decade that just keeps on giving. You lived through the outfits and the music, then looked back with astonishment after they passed. Now, enough time has elapsed that you can embrace them again with the affection you’ve always been secretly harbouring. You know it's true. That’s where the ‘90s Music Video Party comes in, celebrating the decade everyone once pretended to forget but now loves to remember. Nostalgia is unavoidable as three hours of your favourite tunes set a retro mood, accompanied by the corresponding music videos on the big screen. Yes, the bubblegum pop of Aqua and the grunge of Soundgarden will combine, and the MMMbop of Hanson and the room shaking of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince too. Hop on to the event’s Facebook page in advance to request your must-hear track, then make like The Spice Girls and say you’ll be there.
In 2020, home isn't just where the heart is, as the old cliché has always told us. It's also where we've all been spending even more of our time than usual thanks to lockdowns and restrictions to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. But hanging out within your own four walls hasn't been a straightforward task this year. In Queensland, like in much of the rest of the country, rules around just what you can do at home — and with who, and with how many others — have been constantly changing. With almost ten months of 2020 behind us, Queenslanders have cycled through quite a number of different home gathering restrictions — including lockdowns, a roadmap outlined in May that slowly started easing limits, the reintroduction of strict caps in August when case numbers started rising again and the unveiling of a second roadmap earlier in October. In the latter document, a set of future steps were announced, spanning through until December; however, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has just revealed, one big rule change initially due to come into effect on November 1 has now been fast-tracked. At present, Queenslanders can gather at home in groups of 30. From 4pm today, Friday, October 16, that'll increase to groups of 40. The state has brought forward the change "thanks to the strong health response of Queenslanders". Originally set to kick in just as the festive season got underway — we all know that those Christmas shindigs start earlier and earlier each year — it's now starting in time for football finals across multiple codes and Halloween shenanigans. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1316887133412450304 Also changing: some rules around dancing, but only at 40-person weddings with a COVID-safe plan and at year 12 school formals. For the rest of Queensland's residents, the state still resembles Footloose — and just when you'll be able to dance at a gig or club hasn't yet been announced. The next big batch of gathering restriction changes is still scheduled to come into effect on from 1am on Tuesday, December 1, when gatherings at home and in public spaces will increase to 50 people. Outdoor events with COVID-Safe checklists will then be able to host 1500 attendees, up from 1000, while unlimited dancing will be permitted at weddings. As always, the usual rules regarding hygiene, social distancing and getting tested if you display any possible COVID-19 symptoms all still apply as restrictions keep easing. Announcing the current changes, Premier Palaszczuk noted that Queensland has "successfully suppressed our most recent outbreak with barely a handful of COVID cases across the state". At present, Queensland has four active cases, and a total of 1164 across the entire pandemic. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 gathering restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
On New Year's Eve, Brisbane comes alive with parties — however only one will take you out on the river. Okay, okay, so you can stand by the bank elsewhere. You can probably get on a boat somewhere. But at Riverlife, you can take an illuminated night kayaking tour, then enjoy a post-paddle BBQ. Sounds like the thing chill New Year's Eves are made of, right? If it sounds like your kind of thing, you're in luck. Plus, after your 90-minute watery jaunt, there'll be grilled meat, dessert and drinks — then a Champagne toast and fireworks to follow.
It's time to put your skates on, Brisbanites — and use them to roll around Milton. As part of this year's Brisbane Festival, a huge skating party is taking over Milton Park, turning the inner-city spot into an outdoor roller rink complete with skate sessions, live tunes and a silent disco. Dressing in lycra is up to you, though. Free to attend, Roller Daze runs from 1–5pm on Saturday, September 10 — and all rollerskaters of all abilities are welcome. Always coasting around with wheels strapped to your feet? Haven't strapped on a pair of skates in years? Fall somewhere in-between? Here, it doesn't matter. Selve, Little Quirks and Bullhorn will be taking care of the music, and a silent disco is also on the agenda — so you'll hear the tracks, but anyone walking past won't. There's workshops and demos, too, so you can learn from the experts and see how it's done. And if you don't have your own skates, you can hire them for $10 on the day.
Sometimes, it's the little things that motivate us. That's why we savour a coffee when we get out of bed each morning, and love a Friday afternoon drink after a week at the 9-to-5 grind. And, it can work when it comes to getting vaccinated, too. Indeed, plenty of companies have been offering up small rewards to encourage getting the COVID-19 jab — and, if you like your meals with a side of chips, Deliveroo is joining them. The delivery platform's vaccination incentive is open to everyone, but there's a big catch: it only kicks in when 60 percent of eligible folks in your state or territory have received both their COVID-19 shots. When that happens, Deliveroo will add a free large serve of fries to orders from Hungry Jack's and other participating eateries for three days — on the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yes, you would like fries with that. You do need to order something to get the freebies, so you can't just get a large fries by itself without buying anything else. But, hey, free chips makes every meal better. And, it'll be added to your order automatically, so you won't need to do anything. Exactly when this giveaway will kick in around Australia obviously depends on vaccination numbers in each state and territory. Keen to keep an eye on vax rates? We've rounded up the websites helping you do just that. Deliveroo will add a free large serve of fries to each order from Hungry Jack's and other participating restaurants in a particular state or territory when that state or territory hits the 60-percent double-jabbed mark. For further details, head to the Deliveroo website.
It has been just two months since Queensland launched its Containers for Change refund scheme, and the move is already having an impact. As well as recycling a hefty amount of aluminium, glass, plastic and steel items, the regime has also paid out a sizeable sum to eco-conscious Queenslanders. Focused on empty drink containers, the CRS has received more than 102 million items since launching on November 1. That's 102 million water bottles, beer cans, juice containers and more that aren't sitting in landfill or headed to our waterways. More than 70,000 Queenslanders have done their part, according to the state government, and they've been well compensated for it. So far, the scheme has paid more than $10 million to participants. Money is a great motivator, obviously, even ten cents per eligible vessel. In the first ten months of 2018, nearly three billion beverage containers were used by Queenslanders — so while returning 102 million in November and December represents a mere fraction of the recyclable containers in use across the period, it's definitely a promising start. More collection and refund points are set to be added in 2019, increasing from the 230-plus available when the CRS launched. For more information, visit the Containers for Change website — or check out our how-to guide.
For decades, Brisbane's 4064 postcode has been synonymous with alcohol for one big reason: the XXXX brewery that no one can miss thanks to the sign and the yeasty smell. But it isn't the only place in the area that's making its own tipples, with everywhere from Newstead Brewing Co and Common Ground Brewing to Milton Rum and Warehouse 25 also getting in on the action. And, to celebrate, those four boozy outfits are hosting their own festival. The 4064 Festival is all about two things: drinks and the postcode responsible for plenty of them, obviously. Running from 3–8.30pm on Saturday, September 10, it'll span beverages, food, tunes, games and prizes. While four different boozemakers are behind the event, it's only happening in one spot: Newstead Brewing Co's Milton home on Castlemaine Street, in its beer garden to be exact. That's where Aunty Stan, Waiting Room DJ's and Paolo Ji will hit the decks; attendees can try their luck in a ping pong contest; and free tastings and food specials will also be on offer. This is 4064 Festival's first outing, with entry free — and you'll pay for what you eat and drink, tastings aside, from there. That said, if you live or work in the postcode, and you bring your ID or business card, you can nab one free beverage token.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this months latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from November's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW THE GREAT Huzzah! The best satirical comedy about Russian history there is has returned for another run, and proves as much of a delight this time around as it did in its first batch of episodes. The concept was already there — following the rise and reign of Catherine the Great, including her marriage to and overthrowing of Emperor Peter III, with only the slightest regard for the actual facts — but The Great definitely doesn't suffer from second-season syndrome. Indeed, while the series has always been supremely confident in its blend of handsome period staging, the loosest of historical realities and that savage sense of humour (it does spring from Oscar-nominated The Favourite screenwriter Tony McNamara, after all), this season it feels even more comfortable in its skin. Smoother, too, yet just as biting. In fact, its ability to seesaw tonally is as sharp as a shot of vodka — or several. Following the events of the first season, Catherine (Elle Fanning, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) is still waging war with Peter (Nicholas Hoult, Those Who Wish Me Dead) — via soldiers on the battlefield to begin with, and then in the royal court in the aftermath of her bloody coup. Her pregnancy is also ticking along, the couple's various hangers-on have chosen sides, and changing Russia into a progressive nation isn't going to be an easy task. This time around, Gillian Anderson (The Crown) joins the cast as Catherine's acid-tongued mother, but both Fanning and Hoult continue to turn in the performances of their careers. Devastatingly witty and entertaining — and addictive — The Great has lived up to its name for two seasons now. Season two of The Great is available to stream via Stan. BURNING "This could be the new normal," a snippet from a news report comments early in Burning. The reason for the statement: Black Summer, the Australian bushfire season of 2019–20 that decimated large swathes of the country, sent smoke floating around the world and attracted international media attention. Australians don't need a documentary to confirm how horrific the situation was, and this is now the second in months — after the gripping first-person accounts in A Fire Inside — but this powerful film from Chasing Asylum's Eva Orner also lays bare all the factors that coalesced in the tragic events of just two years ago. Accordingly, this is a doco about inaction, government indifference to the point of failure, and the valuing of fossil fuels over their destruction of the environment. It's a movie about climate change as well, clearly, because any film telling this tale has to be. Orner, an Oscar-winner for producing 2007's Taxi to the Dark Side and an Emmy-winner for 2016's Out of Iraq, takes a three-pronged approach: providing context to the bushfires, including charting the Australian government's choices before and after; amassing expert and experienced testimonies, spanning activists and those on the ground alike; and bearing witness. Facts — such as the three billion animals killed — sit side by side with personal recollections and devastating images. The latter includes not only the fires and their ashy aftermath, but political arguing and Scott Morrison's Hawaiian holiday; all hit like a punch to the gut. The result is urgent, important and stunning — and absolutely essential viewing. Burning is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. MR MAYOR Here are five of the most glorious words you're ever likely to read: Ted Danson plays the mayor. The sitcom stalwart (see also: Cheers, Becker, Bored to Death and Curb Your Enthusiasm) has hopped from The Good Place into Mr Mayor, actually, and into the latest TV comedy created and/or produced by Tina Fey. Fans of the latter's other shows — 30 Rock, obviously, and also Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and Girls5Eva — will know the sense of humour her series tend to work with, and it's a fabulous match for Danson. So too is Mr Mayor's setup, which sees a wealthy, clueless but amiable businessman decide he can improve a post-COVID-19 Los Angeles, and get elected. Firmly a workplace comedy, the series chronicles the ups and downs in the mayor's office as Danson's Neil Bremer tries to do a job he clearly isn't qualified for. Naturally, with the arrogance of a rich, white and otherwise successful man of a certain age, he believes otherwise. Mr Mayor is firmly an ensemble comedy as well, however, and both Holly Hunter (Succession) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) are comedic gems as Bremer's over-enthusiastic deputy mayor and bumbling communications director, respectively. The series is a tad less successful when it endeavours to be a family comedy, too, bringing the mayor's teenage daughter Orly (Kyla Kenedy, Speechless) into the mix. But when its gags land — and whenever Danson and Hunter share the screen, which is often — it's smart, hilarious and all-too-easy to binge. Season one of Mr Mayor is available to stream via 9Now. FINCH There's a sweetness to Finch that transcends its easy-sell concept — because tasking the always-likeable Tom Hanks with navigating a solar flare-ravaged earth was always going to be inherently watchable. Perhaps Turner and Hooch meets Cast Away meets Chappie meets The Road was the elevator pitch? Maybe seeing not just America's on-screen dad, but the world's, play father to a cute pooch and a teenager-like robot was the key selling point? Either way, filmmaker Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones) and first-time feature screenwriters Craig Luck and Ivor Powell tap into a tender and selfless existential quest in their post-apocalyptic drama. The titular Finch isn't attempting to survive, but trying to ensure that the dog that's been his only flesh-and-blood companion for a decade or so can live on after he's gone. In Hanks' second protective father-figure role in as many features, following News of the World, he also plays Geppetto to a robot Pinocchio or Victor Frankenstein to a new mechanical life, too. Jeff, the wiry being born of his labour, is far from perfect — and Finch's slow, initially begrudging acceptance that he can't mould and control everything about his creation ranks chief among the movie's touching emotional journeys. The film's musings on mortality, leaving a legacy and being a better person are also layered and thoughtful, and never feel well-worn even though science-fiction can't stop pondering such ideas. In an excellent motion-capture performance, Caleb Landry Jones (Nitram) also leaves an imprint as Jeff. Unsurprisingly, however, Hanks is always Finch's key source of texture and empathy. Finch is available to stream via Apple TV+. COWBOY BEBOP A TV show can live or die based on its casting alone. With Netflix's live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, it frequently seems as if it only exists because some immensely clever person had the stroke of genius to cast John Cho (The Grudge) as Spike Spiegel. While being the best thing about a series or a movie isn't always a good thing — on the big screen, both Jungle Cruise and Venom: Let There Be Carnage haven't managed to match their ace lead casting in recent months — Cho always makes Cowboy Bebop much more than watchable. Well, Cho, his effortless swagger, sleek costumes, and the film's overt eagerness to look and feel as much like anime come to life as it possibly can. It isn't on the same level as its source material, and it doesn't even try to improve it, but it's still an exuberant, stylish and frequently engaging piece of sci-fi television. As anyone familiar with the 90s anime will know, Spike is just one of Cowboy Bebop's bounty hunters on the spaceship Bebop. After a disaster has scattered humanity across the solar system, chasing down criminals is Spike and Jet Black's (Mustafa Shakir, The Deuce) way of making a living. That's true both before and after they cross paths with Fay Valentine (Daniella Pineda, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), with the series as concerned with the sitcom-esque odd-threesome vibe between its key figures as it is with their quests. Everyone has their complications, but almost everything is madcap and manic here — and when it works it works, with particular thanks to Cho, naturally, as well as Shakir and Pineda. Season one of Cowboy Bebop is available to stream via Netflix. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK YELLOWJACKETS When Yellowjackets begins, it's with an intriguing mystery, a killer cast — led by the compulsively watchable Melanie Lynskey (Mrs America), Juliette Lewis (Breaking News in Yuba County) and Christina Ricci (Percy vs Goliath) — and a deep valley full of trauma. In their high-school years, Shauna Sheridan (Lynskey, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager) and Natalie (Lewis, plus The Tomorrow Man's Sophie Thatcher) were key players on the titular high-achieving New Jersey soccer team, while Misty (Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty) was the squad's frequently bullied student manager. Then, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane in 1996, they entered Lost territory. That crash saw the survivors stranded in the wilderness for 19 months, and living their worst Lord of the Flies lives, too. As established in a tremendous first episode directed with the utmost precision by Destroyer's Karyn Kusama, Yellowjackets isn't simply interested in an inherently disturbing experience that'd change anyone's life. It's just as obsessed with that transformation itself — with how, after falling from the sky, learning to endure in such remote surroundings and plummeting into a horror movie, someone copes when normality supposedly comes calling afterwards. Flitting between the two 25-years-apart time periods, it's about tragedies endured, paths taken, necessities accepted and the echoes that linger from all three. Even just a handful of episodes in, this instant must-see is chilling, perceptive, resonant and potent. Yellowjackets is streaming via Paramount+, with new episodes dropping weekly. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM There's no one on television quite like Larry David. Famously, the Seinfeld creator was the inspiration for George Constanza, but that comparison will never do justice to the on-screen version of David himself. The writer and comedian has played that fictionalised, satirised version in Curb Your Enthusiasm for 11 seasons over the course of more than two decades now, and he's a character that overflows with complexities and contradictions. He's notoriously and excruciatingly petty. He has zero tact or sensitivity. He's constantly in everyday situations that seem him forced to navigate social codes and conventions, and he's always putting them to the test. When he's wrong, he's the king of cringe comedy. When he's right, he's the champion of everyday grievances. In this HBO comedy, they don't just get aired at Festivus around a pole. Setting up a spite store — opening a coffee shop next door to an identical cafe purely for malicious reasons — anchored Curb Your Enthusiasm's tenth series. In season 11, David is trying to make TV again. He has an idea for a Young Rock/Everybody Hates Chris-style show called Young Larry which he's shopping around to streaming platforms but, as always, he's his own worst enemy. The episode featuring the great Albert Brooks as himself is one of the show's best ever, and also a delightful tribute to the late Bob Einstein, a former CYE regular and Brooks' real-life brother. Watching David at his best and worst is always this discomfort-courting series' core, though, and he's as stellar as he's ever been. Season 11 of Curb Your Enthusiasm is streaming via Binge, with new episodes dropping weekly. HAWKEYE Another month, another reason to direct your eyeballs towards Marvel. 2021 hasn't quite played out like that, but only just — there's been three MCU movies so far (Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals), three streaming series before now (WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki), and there's still Spider-Man: No Way Home to come. And, Hawkeye has just started bringing the franchise's arrow-slinging hero to the small-screen. Jeremy Renner (Mayor of Kingstown) returns to the eponymous character, aka Clint Barton, but he isn't actually the main attraction in this miniseries. That'd be Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson) as Kate Bishop, who has taken inspiration from from Barton, is just as handy with a bow and arrow, and finds herself becoming his protege. There's a lot of scene-setting in the series' first episodes — establishing Bishop's story, including links back to The Avengers in 2012, and also stepping inside Barton's ordinary life with his family (the presence of which, even as just a background detail, has always made the character stand out). Nonetheless, Steinfeld's addition to Marvel's ever-growing on-screen realm provides just the spark that Hawkeye needs, and that the broader MCU could use as well. The fact that Florence Pugh is set to reprise her Black Widow favourite Yelena Belova in the show, too, firmly thrusts it towards the future — and hopefully, finally and welcomely sets the scene for a different generation of heroes. Hawkeye is streaming via Disney+, with new episodes dropping weekly. EXCELLENT RECENT CINEMA RELEASES TO CATCH UP WITH IMMEDIATELY NITRAM It's terrifying to contemplate something so gut-wrenchingly abominable as the bodies-in-barrels murders, which director Justin Kurzel and screenwriter Shaun Grant depicted in 2011's Snowtown, and to face the fact that people rather than evil were behind them. Nitram courts and provokes the same response. Exploring the events preceding the Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were murdered and 23 others wounded in Tasmania in 1996, it focuses on something equally as ghastly, and similarly refuses to see the perpetrator as just a monster or a Hollywood horror movie-style foe. It too is difficult, distressing, disquieting and disturbing, understandably. In their third collaboration — with 2019's bold and blazing True History of the Kelly Gang in the middle — Kurzel and Grant create another tricky masterpiece, in fact. That Nitram is about a person is one key reason for its brilliance. The film's core off-screen duo don't excuse their protagonist. They don't justify the unjustifiable, explain it, exploit it, or provide neat answers to a near-unfathomable crime. Rather, they're careful in depicting the lone gunman responsible for Australia's worst single-shooter mass killing, right down to refusing to name him. In an exacting movie in every way possible, they also benefit from exceptional performances by Caleb Landry Jones (Finch) as the film's namesake, Judy Davis (Mystery Road) as his wearied mother, Anthony LaPaglia (Below) as his father and Essie Davis (The Justice of Bunny King) as his lottery heiress friend. Nitram is available to stream via Stan. Read our full review. BECOMING COUSTEAU He's been parodied in a Wes Anderson film and mentioned in a Flight of the Conchords song. His red beanie, and those worn by his fellow crew members on his research ship Calypso, are an enduring fashion symbol. He won the second-ever Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or — becoming not only the first filmmaker to receive the prestigious prize for a documentary, but the only one to do so for almost half a century afterwards. When he started making television in the 60s, he turned his underwater-shot docos about the sea into truly must-see TV. He helped create undersea diving as we know it, and he's the most famous oceanographer that's ever lived. He was also one of the early voices who spoke out about climate change and humanity's impact upon the oceans. He's a rockstar in every field he dived into — and he's Jacques Cousteau, obviously. Becoming Cousteau touches on all of the above — except The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Flight of the Conchords' 'Fou de Fafa', of course — and makes for a a riveting splash into its namesake's life and career. There's just so much to tell, to the point that it frequently feels as if director Liz Garbus (an Oscar-nominee for What Happened, Miss Simone?) could've filled an entire series instead. This isn't just an affectionate ode, though, even with ample praise floated Cousteau's way. Garbus knows that Cousteau's achievements, and the glorious archival footage that comes with it, elicit an awe-struck reaction, but doesn't shy away from thornier aspects, the tragedies and struggles among them. Becoming Cousteau is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October this year — and our top straight-to-streaming movies and specials from 2021 so far, and our list of the best new TV shows released this year so far as well.
Not content with doing big business in cinemas over the past decade, Marvel is bringing its superhero tales to the small screen, as part of Disney's already-announced plans to broaden out the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That was always going to be the case once the Mouse House moved into the streaming realm. In fact, producing a slew of high-profile titles for Disney+ was on its agenda right from the beginning. But, while Star Wars fans have already been able to enjoy The Mandalorian — which aired one season in 2019, and will launch its second season in October — Marvel aficionados have had to hold out a little longer to get their episodic caped crusader fix. By the time that 2020 is out, that wait will be over — for one of the MCU shows that's been announced for Disney+, at least. While an exact release date hasn't been revealed as yet, WandaVision will hit the streaming platform by the end of the year, with the spinoff series obviously focusing on Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). Story-wise, the show follows its titular characters in their home lives. As a sneak peek back in February initially teased, and the just-dropped first trailer demonstrates in a little more detail, that premise definitely isn't as straightforward as it seems. At first, Wanda and Vision appear to be stranded in a classic 50s sitcom and experiencing the epitome of suburban living. To really stress that feeling, these scenes are rendered in black and white, too. Of course, as anyone who remembers the path the characters' arcs took on the big screen will guess, this seeming domestic bliss will come with a twist. As well as Olsen and Bettany, the trailer also features Kathryn Hahn (I Know This Much Is True) — while Kat Dennings is set to reprise her Thor and Thor: The Dark World character of Darcy Lewis; Randall Park will reprise his Ant-Man and the Wasp role as FBI agent Jimmy Woo; and Teyonah Parris (Mad Men) will play Monica Rambeau, an older version of Maria Rambeau's daughter from Captain Marvel. WandaVision's six-episode season was actually originally due to hit Disney+ after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which focuses on Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), but it appears that plan has changed. The latter doesn't currently have a release date — and as for Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston, it's supposed to drop in 2021. Check out the WandaVision trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy0DLVQfL_I&feature=youtu.be WandaVision will hit Disney+ sometime later in 2020 — we'll update you with a release date when it is announced.
The chance to watch a comedian do stand-up in front of a dimly lit brick wall in Brooklyn is a dream out of reach for most of us. But which American is about to make that all change? It's Rick James, bitch. No wait, It's Dave Chappelle. Most known for his television series Chapelle's Show, the comedian, screenwriter, actor and television and film producer will be hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for his very first tour outside of North America. Now 40 years old, Chappelle's been performing since he was 14 and was tossed under the spotlight for his parodies of American culture, racial stereotyping and politics. Chappelle's most recent tour sold out venues all over the U.S. and Canada. So don't leave tickets to the last minute; shows like these don't often come knocking on Australian doors. Tickets for all shows go on sale 9am this Tuesday, January 28, with presale options released on Friday 24 via Live Nation.
It's the stuff live music fans' dreams of made of: four gigs at four of Brisbane's best venues, all within two blocks of each other, and all on the same day. Oh, and did we mention that they're all free? No, we're not making this up. The event that should have everyone salivating is none other than the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl, which is exactly what it sounds like. On February 27, you're invited to trek between The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry and Black Bear Lodge, take in a jam-packed lineup of local bands (and a couple of Sydneysiders too), plus devour plenty of frosty, refreshing beers. The epic day of entertainment is sponsored by a brewery, after all. On the rockin' sounds side of things, a whopping 20 bands will take to the four stages, spanning everything from grunge to surf punk to abstract R&B. We'd name our highlights, but with such a chock-a-block roster of talent, it really is easier just to list them all: Ayla Babaganoüj BANFF Baskervillain Bryce Schneider Bugs DELUSO FLOWERTRUCK Forever Ends Here FOREVR Good Boy Hound Jeremy Neale Machine Age MKO Sun Shifting Sands Stateside Tempura Nights The Creases Twin Haus Details of the who plays at which venue variety are yet to be announced; however the whole shindig will kick off at 5pm. Given we know the what, where and when of it all in a general sense, the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace day of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl takes place at The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry and Black Bear Lodge on February 27. For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.
After dominating national radio airwaves and opening for major international acts, Sures seem set on continuing their upward trend of success. Recently signed with Ivy League, Sures are keeping up appearances with a national tour in support of their EP Stars. The Sydney band will be in fine form coming off a strong showing in 2011. The youngsters seem to be reaching for the stars with their new EP which will probably set them on a trajectory for interstellar levels of success. Their Brisbane show is being held at Alhambra Lounge this Thursday and the set is assured to be a wild one. They will be joined by fellow Ivy Leaguers Woe & Flutter and Brisbane’s own Crass Creatures.
Quentin Tarantino might be best known for his blood-soaked crime flicks and fondness for the cinema-going of yesteryear; however the filmmaker also has a sweet side. Take True Romance, for example. His script is as passionate as it is violent as it tells the tale of a kung fu film fan and a call girl, as vibrantly brought to life by director Tony Scott. Indeed, the 1993 movie is one of the under-sung gems not just on Tarantino's resume, but on the CVs of cast members Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt. With its romantic mood, it's also perfect Valentine's Day viewing for those who like their films loved-up but absent too much sappiness. That's why Canvas has made it the centrepiece of their February 14 fun, screening the classic feature under the stars for added ambience. Plus, the $15 ticket price also includes popcorn and a cocktail, aka everything you could possibly need to make this super cool movie experience even cooler.
Gumboots at the ready: after a pandemic-enforced break, then a smaller tour in 2022, Groovin the Moo is returning in 2023 with a full nationwide run. The large-scale touring music festival will head to six different states and territories across April and May, finally marking a comeback in Western Australia, South Australia or Queensland — and returning to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria as well. In the Sunshine State, it's also stopping at a new location — one closer to Brisbane, which is ace news for southeast Queenslanders. That destination: the Sunshine Coast. When it hits the state, and WA and SA as well, GTM will host fests in each of those parts of the country for the first time since 2019. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Groovin the Moo (@groovinthemoo) For folks in Queensland's north, GTM is sad not to be coming to Townsville in 2023, but had to adjust to pandemic-era logistical challenges and increased financial pressures. "We are so happy to be able to do a full tour across the country in 2023. We have missed you terribly and can't wait to bring back the good times around the country, said GTM's Steve Halpin. "Whilst we are very sad not be returning to Townsville, we look forward to bringing GTM to the Sunshine Coast." [caption id="attachment_885444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ash Caygill[/caption] It's a tad too early for a lineup announcement as yet, but cross your fingers for another impressive roster of talent when the festival bill does drop. For reference, 2022's included everyone from Peking Duk, Montaigne, Masked Wolf and Middle Kids through to Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait, plus New Zealanders Broods and Chai, Germany's Milky Chance, and Wolf Alice, Thomas Headon, Riton and Snakehips from the UK. [caption id="attachment_885447" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] GROOVIN THE MOO 2023 DATES AND VENUES: Friday, April 21 — Adelaide Showground, Kaurna Country, Wayville, SA Saturday, April 22 — Maitland Showground, Wonnarua Country, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 23 — Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country, Mitchell, ACT Saturday, April 29 — Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Bendigo, VIC Sunday, April 30 — Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Warana, QLD Saturday, May 6 — Hay Park, Wardandi Noongar Country, Bunbury, WA Groovin the Moo will tour Australia in April and May 2023. We'll update you with lineup details when they're announced. For more information in the interim, head to the festival's website. Top images: Ruby Boyland, Ash Caygill and Chloe Hall.
Now in their fourth decade, Novocastrian stalwarts The Screaming Jets, also widely-known as 'the last great Aussie Pub Rock band', is bringing their much-loved brand of hard rock back to the masses. Led, as they have been since the band's formation in 1989, by frontman Dave 'Gleeso' Gleeson, the group spent their time in lockdown reworking and rerecording five of their most iconic tracks, including 'Shivers' and 'Helping Hand', and releasing the new versions as a new EP entitled Bitter Pill. You can head to either a homecoming show at The Camberidge Hotel, lovingly known as The Cambo, on Friday, November 27, or a beachside performance in Towradgi on Saturday, November 28. Or, if you're a real Jets tragic, why not both? For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively.
Doughnut Time, Damien Griffiths' cult-like doughnut franchise, has conquered he final frontier of the culinary world: the vegan market. As of right now, they're offering a vegan doughnut named Vegan Las Vegas for $6 dollarydoos a pop — so no one with dietary restrictions may go without doughnuts, not even for even a second. That's the kind of world we want for our children. Their vegan doughnut creation has a coconut and raspberry glaze and is topped by a pistachio crumb. It’s also gluten-free (the second gluten free doughnut on the menu at this point), which begs the question: what is this thing made of? Well, we have no idea. Don't ask, just devour. This vegan news is a double edged sword, though; it's delightful for those who’ve taken up veganism in 2k16 and don’t want to miss out on delicious doughnuts, and terrible for pre-existing vegans who, like the rest of us, struggle to resist the onslaught of gourmet doughnuts coming at you all day long via social media (not really though, we're leaning in to the craze and bleeding the country dry of Nutella). Doughnut Time has been so successful in its home state of Queensland that it now has multiple stores in Sydney and one in Melbourne, with another on the way soon. So prepare your phone cameras and insulin shots — it's about to get sweet up in hurr. For locations and opening hours across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, visit doughnuttime.com.au.
Anyone who has ever worked in hospitality will tell you the same thing about their customers: they're awful. For some cruel and arbitrary reason, all human decency tends to go out the window when someone is wearing an apron. Sure, this isn't true of all customers, but definitely an alarming majority. Now, a cafe on the NSW south coast is doing something to change the etiquette game. The Seven Mile Beach Kiosk in Gerroa has been displaying a sign for the past few months advertising cheaper coffee for polite people. "A coffee: $5. A coffee please: $4.50. Good morning, a coffee please: $4," the sign reads. Though intended as more of a gimmick than a serious rule, the sign does pose some interesting questions. Is this problem so bad that we actually need to introduce incentives for general manners? Owners of the cafe Kev Chilver and Kylie Pickett told the Daily Mail that they created the sign to curb some of the rude interactions (read: caffeine-addled demands) they were receiving from their customers. Apparently, despite living in a small town on an idyllic strip of surf beaches, Gerroa coffee-lovers are just as abrupt and demeaning as those in the major cities. "Common courtesy is ... becoming less and less common, and we're trying to bring it back," said Mr Chilver. "We are in service industry but we’re not servants. We deserve as much respect as anyone else." The cafe owners are not alone in this frustration. In fact, you might remember similar initiatives taking place in Europe last year. Last January, a photo from an cafe in Italy stirred up the initial buzz by offering a €2 discount to those giving proper greetings. The idea then reached France where a cafe on the Riveria knocked that discount up to €5.60 (FYI French coffee is crazy expensive). The story gained notoriety online, on television and in newspapers being shared tens of thousands of times; at one point a French government minister even spoke out in favour of the concept. While it's a lovely idea, it's also an easy way to get already grumpy customers further offside. It's not hard to see why most venues don't properly enforce the policy — I'd hate to be the person behind the till asking some rude dude to fork out more cash for his weak decaf soy latte because he didn't smile at me enough. That's just asking for trouble. We think the real solution is something bigger. At some point in everyone's life, they should be forced to work in the hospitality industry. Clearing plates, getting covered in warm frothy milk on a hot day, and having to slap that 'I'm actually dead inside' smile on your face all day will give you a lifelong appreciation of your wait staff. Failing that, you could just skip the years of grief and torment and just find it within yourself to be a decent human being to the guy making your coffee. Via Daily Mail.
The Barossa Valley's wineries, Glenelg's beaches, Whyalla's LED-lit circular pier — whichever South Australian spot takes your fancy, you'll be able to visit it from Tuesday, November 23 if you're double-vaccinated. Today, Tuesday, October 26, SA Premier Steven Marshall announced South Australia's reopening roadmap. And, as well as outlining when the state's residents will be able to have more people over to their homes, it locks in the date that SA will welcome back double-vaxxed travellers from all other Aussie states and territories. The key milestone: reaching the 80-percent double-jabbed threshold among SA inhabitants over the age of 16, which is expected by that mid-November 23 date. There are a few caveats, however. While double-vaccinated Aussies travelling to SA won't have to quarantine in general, that'll change if you're coming from a Local Government Area with local cases and a double-vaxxed rate of less than 80 percent. Also, that November reopening date won't see quarantine scrapped for overseas visitors just yet. Instead, double-jabbed international arrivals will be required to do a seven-day stint, and unvaxxed international arrivals will still quarantine for 14 days. It isn't until SA reaches the 90-percent double-vaccinated mark among all residents aged of 12 that there'll be no quarantine at all for double-jabbed visitors from both interstate and overseas. That's expected to happen before Christmas, Marshall advised. SA's COVID-Ready Plan safely eases restrictions over the coming months and coordinates the health response to manage COVID-19. It's important to continue to get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms, physical distance, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick. pic.twitter.com/khu0Tbvfkr — SA Health (@SAHealth) October 26, 2021 So, if you're a double-vaxxed Aussie who's hankering for a a wine-fuelled venture into South Australia, you now know when you can pack your bags. SA's news follows similar announcements by the Queensland and Tasmanian governments, meaning that Australians who've had both COVID-19 jabs will soon be able to venture around most of the country again. If you're now eager to start planning an SA getaway, we have suggestions — whether you're eager to hit up Adelaide, or sip and sightsee your way around the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Limestone Coast or the Clare Valley. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in South Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: d'Arenberg Cube.
Every tropical holiday needs a fruity cocktail to cap off a balmy day. The local legends at Wolf Lane Distillery have you covered with boutique batches of gin, infused with locally sourced ingredients. The tropical gin features 13 botanicals plus vapour-infused mango, finger lime and ruby grapefruit. Run out of room in your suitcase to stash your distillery purchases? Wolf Lane offers free delivery Australia-wide on orders over $30, so you can order online and have the drinks waiting for you when you arrive back home. Our pick is the bottled Davidson Plum Negroni cocktail. The on-site bar is open from Thursday to Sunday, with distillery tours also available. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Lee Ranaldo, one of the founding members of Sonic Youth, is performing some exclusive shows around Australia and Brisbane is lucky enough to play host to one. Performing with his own band to promote his new album, Between the Times and the Tides, Lee is in the county as part of the Melbourne Festival, but Brisbane was lucky enough to be included in the very small list of sideshows. Hailed as one of the seminal musicians of his generation, Lee Renaldo was a pioneer for alternative indie-rock with his unique guitar playing and song writing ability, most famously showcased with Sonic Youth. After stepping out on his own, Lee has collaborated with many notable musicians for his latest solo album, and is bringing his songs to Australian audiences. Supported by local veterans, We All Want To, this show is not to be missed, if only for the fact that Lee Ranaldo is one of the greatest guitar players of the past two decades and is an incredible song writer in his own right.
Elton John summed it up perfectly: when Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, her candle burned out long before her legend ever would. Six decades since her passing, the actor remains a Hollywood icon. Like Elvis, she may as well be mononymic. Her face is instantly recognisable, and still everywhere. Ana de Armas just received an Oscar nomination for playing her, after Michelle Williams earned one back in 2012 for also stepping into her shoes. And, the Some Like It Hot, Gentleman Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire star is also the subject of a sizeable exhibition heading to Australia for the first time: Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon. This Marilyn celebration will make its Aussie premiere at Sydney Town Hall, in the Lower Town Hall, from Saturday, July 1–Sunday, September 24. On display: more than 200 artefacts spanning Monroe's life, including handwritten notes, personal letters and other possessions. This is the largest Marilyn collection of its kind. Indeed, the objects set to grace the showcase stem from Ted Stampfer, owner the world's largest range of Marilyn items. With Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon, he's aiming to share insights into Monroe as a person, not just a celebrity — spanning her time in the spotlight, of course, but also back when she was Norma Jeane Mortenson. [caption id="attachment_905881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Jasgur, Ted Stampfer[/caption] Stampfer will be on hand on opening day providing a curator's tour, as part of an events program accompanying the three-month memorabilia exhibition. Friday-night sessions will feature music and entertainment, and film screenings will also be part of the lineup, letting attendees experience Marilyn's movie magic for themselves. As it celebrates the woman who scaled the heights of fame, became a household name, but received horrific scrutiny for her sex-symbol status and her love life — focusing on her hard work, not the stories spun about her — this'll be the only time that Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon will open to the public in this form. [caption id="attachment_905878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ted Stampfer[/caption]
Plenty of different noises have echoed across Riverstage over the years, hailing from bands, festivals, Christmas carols, Matildas celebrations — complete with Nikki Webster singing 'Strawberry Kisses' to the champion football team — and more. The next sounds that the inner-city spot in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens will hear: the Ministry of Sound, thanks to its huge dance music orchestra show. When anyone hits 30, they tend to look backwards — to reminisce, lament leaving their twenties behind and avoid accepting that they've just hit a big milestone birthday. Ministry of Sound marked that occasion two years ago, and it's been getting nostalgic ever since. The brand that started as a London club night back in 1991 has been touring an orchestral gig around Australia for a couple of years now, in fact, that's filled with three decades of dance music bangers. Returning to Brisbane for the second year running, this time in a new location, Ministry of Sound Classical is the answer to a question you didn't know you had. Ever wondered what classical renditions of Basement Jaxx, Darude, Röyksopp, Robin, Underworld, Moby, Fisher and more would sound like played by an orchestra? On Saturday, October 14, you'll have the chance to find out. On the bill: the Ministry of Sound Orchestra, of course, as well as Sneaky Sound System and The Potbelleez performing live, plus Mark Dynamix and DJ John Course. Conductor Vanessa Perica will lead the musicians, while live vocals are also part of the show.
Ah, television — everyone's other, ever-present parent. If you grew up in the '80s and '90s, TV taught you about talking puppets, animated environmentalists, and all the troubles that could ever befall a Canadian teen. We're betting it also made you want to delve into strange happenings while living in a lighthouse. Not 4 Kidz draws upon all of the small screen delights that littered your childhood — but ImproMafia's versions aren't quite the same as the shows you remember. As the title suggests, their incarnations of these classic creations aren't for younger audiences. They're also 100 percent improvised and guided by your suggestions, which means that you'll finally get to play a part in your favourite programs. Not 4 Kidz is one of our top ten picks to see at the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
There are a variety of ways to enjoy a great movie. Heading to the cinema is one of the best, of course, but you can get your big screen fix in multiple ways, too. Perhaps you'd like to watch a classic comedy on a rooftop? Maybe you're keen on wearing pink, drinking cocktails and paying tribute to a retro favourite? Or, you could like watching flicks in a brewery — with beers, obviously — or while perched 77 levels above the ground. They're just some of the options at the 2021 Gold Coast Film Festival, which returns for another year from Wednesday, April 14–Sunday, April 25, and will once again take over multiple venues around the beachside city. Under the guidance of new director Aimée Lindorff, the fest will showcase more than 100 films, talks and parties. And if you're keen on special events, this celebration of cinema has already revealed plenty. Those eager to scale Australia Fair Shopping Centre can watch Clueless under the stars — at a secret rooftop location at the venue. And, if your wardrobe calls for it, you can hop over to the QT Gold Coast for a pink-themed Legally Blonde party and screening. Beer lovers can make a date with Burleigh Cinema at Burleigh Brewing Company, and pick between Aussie great Two Hands and the Margot Robbie-starring I, Tonya. Or, up at the Skypoint Observation Deck in the Q1 Building, you can catch family classics like Dumbo, Up and Mary Poppins Returns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aadma1bi34o Across the main program, there's obviously more than a few things to see, too — starting with opening night documentary Playing with Sharks, about scuba diver and marine life advocate Valerie Taylor. Other notable titles and events include a Lord of the Rings marathon, the Nicolas Cage-starring Willy's Wonderland, powerful female-focused anthology film Force of Habit, Italian drama Martin Eden and cringe-inducing comedy Shiva Baby. There's also The Perfect Candidate, the latest feature from Wadjda director Haifaa Al-Mansour, plus the pandemic-set Greek flick Apples, which definitely doesn't play out as you might expect at the moment. Updated April 12.
They're red, sweet and juicy — and they're everyone's favourite fruit. They're also grown in abundance around Queensland. Did you know that 40 percent of the state's strawberries come from the Moreton Bay region? Well, you do now, and you might just want to celebrate that fact. All you need to do is head on over to Bribie Island for Sandstone Point Hotel's second annual Strawberry Festival, and you can do just that. Because you can never have too much of a good thing, the free event will paint the pub pink with farm-fresh strawberries, strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, scones with strawberry jam, and chocolate-coated strawberries. If you're still hungry for more, a strawberry-eating competition is also on the agenda. Then, wash it all down at a bar serving strawberry-flavoured beverages.
"Your nose like a delicious slope of cream / And your ears like cream flaps / And your teeth like hard shiny pegs of cream." Diner en Blanc — like Howard Moon's poem — will have you in all white. But sorry, Booshers: the sixth edition of this Brisbane event is just for the sophisticated. Now on five continents, the Diner en Blanc began in Paris 29 years ago thanks to François Pasquier and friends. This year, 2000+ of Brisbane's creme de la creme will once again dress in all white on Saturday, November 4 for the event held at a predictably stunning location that remains secret until the very last moment (over the last few years, the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River at Portside, Roma St. Parklands and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens proved welcoming venues). Following an evening of elegance, fine dining and live music, the foodies then pack up their crystal, dinnerware, tables and litter. Like ghosts (white 'n' all), they leave behind no sign of their rendezvous (but don't get any ideas, a white sheet thrown over your figure will not do for an outfit). Diner en Blanc guests must either be invited by a member from the previous year, or get on the waiting list for a ticket. Here's what happened in 2014: Image: Mish Photography.
Drive-ins were the 'big thing' from the 1950s onward, but have become quite the novelty event in recent years. For Brisbanites, the closest permanent drive-in is located at Yatala, so many of us don't get to catch the latest blockbusters from the comfort of our regular ol' vintage convertibles. But this March, Audi are bringing the experience back to the city — the inner city, in fact. From March 6 to 8, Kurilpa Park at the Gallery of Modern Art will play host to the first Australian Audi Ultimate Drive-In, screening three films over three nights. The event kicks off with the Australian premiere of Kidnapping Mr. Heineken, a crime thriller starring Sam Worthington, Ryan Kwanten, Jim Sturgess and Anthony Hopkins. Fans of action can revisit Mission: Impossible II to celebrate its 15th anniversary, in a timely refresher before the new Mission: Impossible 5 releases this August. The young — and the young-at-heart — can catch the family classic Babe, 20 years after it first charmed hearts and minds. Best bit? There'll be a petting zoo on site. Tickets for two are $60, and reserves a car space for you to roll on in to. Don’t drive? Don’t worry! Stadium-style, cushioned, open-air seats are available for $30 for those without a vehicle. While this seems pretty steep from the outset, all tickets also include vouchers for gourmet food trucks, drinks, a choc top and popcorn. This may not be the first time Brisbane residents have been treated to a pop-up drive-in, with the Brisbane International Film Festival running a drive-in back in 2011 and 2012. But who doesn’t want another excuse to watch cinema through a car windscreen? Drive in, sit back, enjoy the movie and try not to make out too much. More more information and to book, visit the website.
Fancy a dip with a difference? Boutique hotel connoisseurs Mr & Mrs Smith have a bunch of seductive watery wonders. From awe-inspiring views and cater-to-every-whim butler service, these shimmering stretches will have you flapping your water wings in excitement (Speedos optional). Hotel Crillon le Brave, Provence Where: Rue Église, 84410, Crillon-le-Brave, Vaucluse, France What: Stone-built hilltop hideaway Perched high on a peachy-hued Provencal hilltop, Hotel Crillon le Brave is made up of seven houses clustered around a 16th-century church. After a quick bonjour to the hotel’s namesake — a mustachioed statue of the real Crillon le Brave — follow the discreet grey signs on pale stacked-stone exteriors to this hip hostellerie. A maze of footpaths leads down stone steps and over cobbled terraces to the separate maisons: charming sleeping quarters that look out over pale terracotta roof tiles, neatly coiffed vineyards and limestone-topped hills. The Cezanne-worthy panorama continues poolside; swimmers can catch glimpses between strokes as they work off a lion's share of croissants, pastries and crisp local rosé. Perivolas, Santorini Where: Oia Santorini, 847 02, Cyclades Islands, Greece What: Dream lava Plucked straight from the pages of a glossy spread, Perivolas is a supermodel in hotel form. Poised high on the hills of Santorini above the Aegean sea, this is the sort of hideaway that inspires spontaneous marriage proposals. A soundtrack of distant lapping waves fills whitewashed-walled rooms that peer out over the caldera (the proper name for the volcanic crater-cum-bay, if you please), while sunlounger-graced terraces provide the postcard-perfect spot to stare out into the brilliant blue. A resplendent infinity pool is the jewel atop Perivolas’ crown: seamlessly merging with the endless azure horizon and offering a spectacular setting to sup sundowners and watch the sun melt into the sea. Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia Where : C.da Coccaro, 70015, Savelletri di Fasano Brindisi, Italy What: Spacious and gracious A 16th-century coastal estate set in olive groves with ocean views, Masseria Torre Maizza is sister to Masseria Torre Coccaro — good looks clearly run in the family. There’s no cause to fret about countryside isolation: days here are spent ambling between the spa, cookery school and golf course. Water babies should head straight for the outdoor pool, surrounded by vine-dressed columns, hammocks and more sunbeds than you can poke a crostino at. When a growling stomach interrupts, make for Ristorante delle Palme, where black-lacquered chairs and white-linen-topped tables spill onto the poolside terrace. Rayavadee, Krabi Where :214 Moo 2, Tambon Ao-Nang, Amphoe Maung, Thailand What: Sand-circle garden pavilions Flanked by dramatic limestone cliffs and glittering beaches, Rayavadee is accessible only by boat from Krabi. Picturesque pavilions are tucked between towering tropical palm trees; it's a look befitting a tribal jungle village with a penchant for Jacuzzis, spa treatments and homemade cookies. The sapphire-coloured waters of the sprawling lagoon-style infinity pool offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea and respite for those weary from jungle treks. If you can be coaxed from your plumped sunbed, adventure-junkies can pursue rock-climbing, kayaking and scuba-diving; land-lubbers should seek out the spa for an hour (or more) of towel-cocooned pampering. Raas, Jodphur Where :Tunwar ji ka Jhalra, Makrana Mohalla, Gulab Sagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India What: Achingly hip haveli Set in the shadow of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Raas is a modern-day Maharaja’s mansion. A cluster of four heritage rose-red sandstone buildings make up this refashioned family manor, decorated with sprawling terraced gardens, boutiques, spas and restaurants. Beyond the hotel walls, the city is a frenetic blend of colour and chaos. Inside, your only disruptions are birds trilling and water tinkling. An at-your-service butler-attended infinity pool brings a splash of Ibiza to the Indian desert; expect white-canopied sunloungers, chilled tunes and poolside yoga. Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs Where :701 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, United States What: Hipster’s canyon commune Seducing the young and young at heart, Ace Hotel & Swim Club marries sleek architecture and low-key luxury with a smattering of vintage design accents. Sun-seekers can brave the heat by renting a candy-coloured Vespa or booking a horseback riding lesson, leaving those attached to air-conditioned comfort to languidly laze in a hammock and work through the hotel bar’s cocktail menu. An eclectic soundtrack of indie rock, '70s and '80s hits, top-40 numbers and spinning DJs provide the poolside playlist. The King’s Highway restaurant (once a roadside Denny’s) dishes up classic American fare with splashes of the unexpected — try the harissa lamb and pan-seared tilapia. Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands Where: 60 Tapeka Road, Russell, New Zealand What: Modern, minimal, magical Prepare to be hypnotised at Eagles Nest, a hotel where pampering means private chefs, peaceful pools and a Porsche at your disposal. From its perch atop a private peninsula, this North Island retreat has sweeping views over the Bay of Islands and 75-acre grounds that are ripe for exploration. Villas are cool and contemporary, tucked away in the middle of lush native bush; all are self-contained with a gourmet kitchen and private deck. Each villa has its own heated infinity-edge lap pool (except the First Light, which has a Jacuzzi), fringed by sleek white day-beds and romantic lanterns for moodily lit evenings. Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali Where: Jl. Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Desa Pecatu, Bali, Indonesia What: Minimalist eco-glam From the lobby at Alila Villas Uluwatu you’ll catch your first glimpse of the hotel’s 50m infinity pool and the Indian Ocean beyond, and we challenge any paddling professional not to be impressed. With each villa replete with its own pool and butler, it’s quite possible that you’ll be the only guests at the hotel’s main watering hole. With a cliff-edge perch and cantilevered cabana, a few languid strokes is enough to have you feeling like you’re floating above the world. When hands and feet become sufficiently wrinkled, retire to Spa Alila, a holistic heaven where local therapists use traditional Asian healing techniques and age-old beauty recipes. Shoreditch Rooms, London Where: 1 Ebor Street, Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom What: Cool crash-pad club Dust off your hipster specs and dig out your coolest ‘resting designer’ attire: it’s time to mention Shoreditch Rooms. An outpost of the media-savvy SoHo House members’ club, glamourpusses and hip creative types have long flocked to this converted warehouse to let off some steam. With breathtaking views across the city, the heated rooftop pool is where it’s at. The bar’s close by, as are gardens complete with open fires, double day-beds and a herb plot. Closer to earth, the ground-floor Cowshed spa has famous facials and massages tailored to your mood. Hotel Habita, Mexico City Where: 201 Avenida Presidente Masaryk, Colonia Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico What: Modern minimalist classic Bang in the middle of posh Polanco, Hotel Habita is a favourite with Mexico City’s fashion-forward and in-the-know elite. Follow in their well-heeled steps by ascending to the rooftop. A glistening pool is overlooked by the hotel’s mezzanine bar, flanked by curvy white loungers, dark wooden decking and complete with a wet bar. Upstairs, the full lounge boasts tables, chairs and a crackling fireplace for cosily cool evenings; films are projected on to the walls of nearby buildings on clear nights. If you prefer dinner a deux to designer-clad crowds, the lobby restaurant offers Mexican bistro cuisine and huge windows prime for people-watching. Feeling hot under the collar? Cool off by taking a dip at other Mr & Mrs Smith pool hotels or browse more hotel collections .
As it is with porn films, the attraction of musicals is rarely 'plot'; instead, it's the music that appeals most (another thing that is, very rarely, a high point in porn). In the musical world there are the dramas (Les Mis), the comedies (Avenue Q, Book of Mormon), the rock operas (Jesus Christ Superstar), the classics (West Side Story, Oklahoma) and whatever the hell Urinetown is. More recently, though, we've seen another type of musical: 'the jukebox', in which the vast majority of songs (if not all) are taken from pre-existing catalogues (i.e. Mamma Mia). In a genre already light on the plot, these 'jukeboxers' tend to be the worst offenders because whichever 'story' is presented is usually just a threadbare device to get you from one toe-tapper to the next. Jersey Boys is something of an exception to that rule, because while it does contain a catalogue of amazing old songs, its plot is based on the true story of 1960s all-boy band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It's a familiar enough tale: a fledgling group struggles to establish itself in the notoriously fickle music industry, when suddenly - just as all hope seems lost - the perfect combination of singer, songwriter and song ('Sherry') come together to launch the group into stardom. With success comes fame, and with fame, its many pitfalls: affairs, debts and artistic differences, to name but a few. Jersey Boys is based on the enormously successful Broadway show of the same name, and all but one of its leading men come straight from the stage version (the exception being Vincent Piazza of Boardwalk Empire). It was originally slated to be directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), but in the end the role fell to Clint Eastwood, though to watch to film, you'd scarcely know it. The shots are largely static, the colours heavily desaturated and the drama almost non-existent. Somehow, the genuinely interesting story feels decidedly the opposite thanks to the lacklustre direction, and were it not for the songs, there'd be little reason to watch. Thankfully, the cavalcade of hits in Jersey Boys transforms what would otherwise be a subpar film into one that's a pleasant enough trip down musical memory lane. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DbURfiUWVtg
When you work at a zoo, no two days would ever be the same, all thanks to its animal inhabitants. No shift on the job would ever be boring, either — but surely Taronga Zoo's staff haven't had a day like today, Wednesday, November 2, when five of the site's lions escaped their enclosure. In a social media post, Taronga confirmed that "an emergency situation occurred this morning at Taronga Zoo Sydney when five lions were located outside their enclosure". "The zoo has strict safety protocols in place for such an incident. All persons onsite were moved to safe zones and there are no injuries to guests or staff," the statement continues. "All animals are now in their exhibit where they are being closely monitored." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) As aired on the ABC, Taronga Zoo Executive Director Simon Duffy said that one adult and four cubs were found outside of their main exhibit at around 6.30am, and "were observed in a small area adjacent to the main lion exhibit, where a six-foot fence separated them from the rest of the zoo". "The lions calmly made their way back into their main exhibit and den, and one lion cub was safely tranquillised," Duffy advised. "All zoo staff responded and acted swiftly, and procedures and processes were followed as they should have been. As a result, the situation was under control within minutes. We have received video footage, and we confirmed that it was less than ten minutes between the lions exiting their main exhibit and the full emergency response being enacted." If a trip to the zoo is part of your plans today, Taronga has also confirmed that it's operating as normal after the morning's excitement. Taronga welcomed five lion cubs — females Ayanna, Malika and Zuri, and males Khari and Luzuko — in August 2021, during lockdown. It's also streamed them last year, letting everyone enjoy a keepers'-eye view from home. Find Taronga Zoo at Bradleys Head Road, Mosman — open from 9.30am–5pm daily. Head to the zoo's website for further information. Images: Taronga's lion cubs, Rick Stevens.
