Each month, Lune Croissanterie whips up a new batch of limited-time specials, giving you something tasty to look forward to when you flip over your calendar. Lamington cruffins, bolognese and bechamel-filled lasagne pastries, Iced Vovo cruffins, tiramisu pastries, finger bun croissants and cherry blossom cruffins have all been on the list so far this year, just for a month. If that's what Lune cooks up just for a regular portion of the year, just imagine what's on its menu for its tenth birthday. Actually, you don't need to ponder. The time is now, the birthday-focused October menu is here and your stomach will want it. First up, the latest Frankenstein's monster of baked goods: a birthday cake croissant. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. Lune has taken a traditional croissant, brushed it with a vanilla milk syrup, then filled it with an almond and sprinkle frangipane. On top: a sprinkle crumble, buttercream icing and then more sprinkles. What's a birthday without sprinkles, after all? A bad one. The birthday cake croissant is available at all stores right through the month until Monday, October 31, and you can order it online from South Brisbane. The rest of the list pops up here and there — but always at at least one spot in Melbourne and Brisbane, where Lune currently operates. That includes cherry ripe pain au chocolats (made with cherry and coconut frangipane, buccaneer tea ganache and sliced maraschino cherries, then dusted with Mork chocolate and freeze-dried cherries) and PBJ cruffins (filled, obviously, with house-made raspberry jam and peanut crème patisserie, then dusted with cinnamon sugar and finished with a button of raspberry jam) — and both are on offer at Fitzroy and South Brisbane. Or, there's the spring pea danish (which features fresh peas and broad beans coated in a herbaceous salsa verde, sat on top of a layer of orange marmalade and seasoned goats' curd, and garnished with snow pea tendrils and edible flowers), also at the same stores — and the return of the cheese and Vegemite escargots (an escargot pastry filled a classic Vegemite bechamel and gruyere cheese, rolled, then baked with extra gruyere melted on top) at all shops. Fitzroy, South Brisbane and the new Brissie CBD spot in Burnett Lane are doing cardamon buns as well – a "kardemummabullar"-inspired croissant piped with a cardamon-spiced butter, then twisted into a knot, sprinkled with sugar and baked. Hungry? Of course you are, and you now have a whole heap of snack options. In Melbourne on weekends in October, Lune is also serving up a selection of past hits — if you need even more choices. Lune's October specials menu runs until Monday, October 31, with different specials on offer at Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the South Brisbane store only, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
For the eighth time, Golden Plains Festival is coming back to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, and the ballot is open today. 2014's festival goes down from March 8-10 and has announced that the headliner will be none other than the hip hop megastars Public Enemy. The festival is all about a chilled long weekend of camping, picnicking, watching bands and generally loving life. Last year featured the likes of Cat Power, Flume and the legendary George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Golden Plains Festival promises to be a haven away from your more traditional festivals. No crummy stores, no corporate sponsors and especially no dickheads (they maintain a self-policing 'Dickhead' Policy). You take your own booze, you camp wherever you want and spend the weekend as if you were living in a weird and lovely commune. As per previous years, tickets are being sold in four ways, the first being the ballot. The first round is for existing subscribers, and entries close October 21. Non-subscribers have until October 28. Public sales in selected stores open on November 7, and online sales open on November 8. Each ticket costs $319, plus booking fee and postage. The ticket gets you in on Saturday, gives you free parking and camping, and gets you out again on Monday. So get yourself into the ballot, and don't forget appropriate footwear.
If you can't choose between hitting up a music festival on any given weekend or exploring the Sunshine State, then Queensland Music Trails likely became your favourite event when it first held a trial run back in 2021. This statewide festival turns heading to see live music into a massive road trip, with different legs sprawling through different parts of the state — and it'll be back in 2023. The fest's big return this year was announced back in 2022, which was already excellent news. Now, event organisers are getting to the even better stuff, aka lineup details. Among the first contingent: Lime Cordiale, CW Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Hatchie, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and Sycco. [caption id="attachment_814672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Queensland Music Trails' bill so far covers trails in the outback, Scenic Rim and southern Queensland, including stops everywhere from St George and Charleville to Canungra and Jimbour. While the full details for each leg haven't yet been unveiled, each route varies in length — the outback trail running for nine days from Thursday, April 13–Friday, April 21; Scenic Rim's for three days across Friday, April 28–Sunday, April 30; and the southern leg for three days from Friday, May 5–Sunday, May 7. Keen on heading out west? Then you can choose between Hussy Hicks, Karl S Williams and Jem Cassar-Daley at Oasis Afternoon in St George — or Emma Donavan & the Putbacks and Alice Skye at the Outback River Lights Festival in Cunnamulla. There's also C.W. Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Everybody NOW! and The Pacific Belles at The Big Base Party in Charleville; Harry James Angus and The Barleyshakes Duo at The Sundowner in Tambo; and a whole on-the-road series of gigs with The Barleyshakes Duo, too. So far, the Scenic Rim trail will welcome back The Long Sunset for a second year, hitting up Canungra on Saturday, April 29 with Lime Cordiale, Hatchie, Sycco and Tia Gostelow — and more to be announced. And, on the southern trail, there's the also-returning Opera at Jimbour for three days, featuring talent from Opera Queensland, Ensemble Q and the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music Orchestra. Still on opera, an entire festival dedicated to it — the Festival of Outback Opera, in fact — returns from Tuesday, May 16–Monday, May 22. At present, it features a long lunch and dark-sky serenade in Winton, plus an evening of singing and an opera ball in Longreach. This fest within the fest hasn't been put in a specific trail, but journeying to Winton and Longreach (and between them) works as its own route. More details, acts and events are still to be announced, as part of a fest that was initially slated to cover huge music gigs and festivals held at 25 locations around Queensland — also heading to Quilpie, Toowoomba, Roma and Blackall, Longreach and Winton. Now expected to arrive further down the road, with no further specifics so far, are trails in the far north, along the reef, in Brisbane, and through both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. If 2022's plans stick, the first will span Paronella Park, Yarrabah, Cairns, Barron Gorge, Kuranda and Mossman/Port Douglas, while the second will hit up Mackay, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bowen and Townsville. And, the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast trails are obviously self-explanatory. [caption id="attachment_857800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] An initiative of QMF (Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is returning thanks to a $20-million investment by the Queensland Government over the first three years. "The Queensland Music Trails are a key step to building Queensland's cultural events so we are ready to host the world in 2032 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. "It's exciting to see QMF partner with key Queensland artists and arts organisations to collaborate on signature cultural events that will be integrated into Qld Music Trails, including a visual arts tour with Arts Queensland funded Flying Arts Alliance, and Festival of Outback Opera and Opera at Jimbour with Opera Queensland who are also supported through the arts portfolio," added Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. [caption id="attachment_887098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big Red Bash[/caption] Queensland Music Trails return for 2023 from April — head to the event's website for more information. Images: Katrina Lehmann / Mitch Lowe.
When Meryl Streep joined the cast of Only Murders in the Building, whether she'd prove a hit in the murder-mystery comedy was hardly a puzzle to solve. Indeed, the acclaimed actor slipped right into the show's third season like she'd always been there. And, she's coming back in season four to do it all again. Only Murders in the Building was renewed for its fourth season back in late 2023, and now casting details are being revealed. Yes, Selena Gomez (The Dead Don't Die) is back as Mabel Mora, as are Martin Short (Schmigadoon!) as Oliver Putnam and Steve Martin (It's Complicated) as Charles-Haden Savage. As just announced, so is Streep (Don't Look Up), while Saturday Night Live great Molly Shannon is also joining the series as well. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Streep and Shannon will have recurring roles in the new season, which will start with its main trio enjoying a trip to Los Angeles. But they're not leaving The Arconia, the show's main setting, behind. There's already been a fourth murder there at the end of last batch of episodes, giving the crew something to investigate after 2021's season one (aka one of the best new shows of that year), 2022's season two (aka one of the best returning shows of that year, too) and 2023's season three (again, one of that year's best returning efforts). The series started with three residents of the same New York apartment building crossing paths after a murder in their building — hence the title — then bonding over true-crime podcasts. Next, they did what everyone that's jumped on that bandwagon knows they would if they were ever in the same situation, starting their own audio series that's also called Only Murders in the Building. That's how season one kicked off — and continued, proving a warm, funny, smart and savvy series at every step along the way. In the show's second season, another death needed looking into. That time, it was someone the main trio were all known not to be that fond of, so suspicions kept pointing in their direction. Indeed, every season, another death has given aspiring artist Mabel, Broadway producer Oliver and actor Charles-Haden another case to dive into. In season three, that involved discovering who caused actor Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) to shuffle off this mortal coil at the opening night of Oliver's latest show. Streep plays Loretta Durkin, another thespian, who scored her big theatre break in the same production in season three — and became a love interest for Oliver. Shannon (The Other Two) will play an LA businesswoman who gets drawn into season four's mystery, Variety reports. There's no sneak peek at season four as yet, but you can check out the full trailer for Only Murders in the Building season three below: Only Murders in the Building streams Down Under via Star on Disney+. Read our reviews of season one, season two and season three. Images: Hulu. Via The Hollywood Reporter / Variety.
Sleep, who needs it? Not coffee-loving Brisbanites on Saturday, August 4. After a day spent tucking into coffee-flavoured foods, drinking coffee and other coffee-filled beverages, and just generally saying the word 'coffee' until it begins to lose all meaning, you'll be buzzed right through the evening. Making these caffeinated dreams come true is Bakery Lane's first Craft Coffee Festival, which will feature as many coffee-themed bites and drinks as can reasonably be packed into one laneway. There'll be stalls set up throughout the cosy patch of Fortitude Valley, and the precinct's regular hotspots will also be getting in on the action. With the fest running from 10am–10pm, there'll obviously also be espresso martinis and other coffee-infused cocktails once night hits. From coffee eclairs and crepes with coffee crème, to tiramisu cups and espresso cupcakes, if it has coffee in it, it's probably on the menu thanks to Le Petit Paris Bakery, Cakes & Sh*t, The New Black, Nomnom Korean, Jonny's Pizzeria, TSO Valley Lounge & Dining, Laruche Bar and Bowery Bar — good ol' cuppas with chocolate spoons included. You'll sip, sample, buy beans and watch top baristas do their best, while listening to live tunes from The Fergies and Pink Matter. And yes, if you get a little too pumped, there'll also be decaf. Entry is free, although feeling like you're bathing in coffee — on the inside; sorry, actually soaking in a tub of caffeine isn't on the agenda — will require your wallet.
Fuel up for a tough day's work without spending a cent, as Chargrill Charlie's celebrates National Tradie Day with a hard yakka giveaway. Up for grabs from 9am on Friday, September 19, the first 50 tradies at each store location dressed in hi-vis or work gear will score a free roll of their choice, alongside regular chips and a 600ml drink. There's just one catch — you have to say "Tools Down. Rolls Up." So, whether you're a dunny diver, a chippy or a brickie, skip the servo pie and iced coffee for something a little more filling. With Chargrill Charlie's locations in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane involved, this one-time freebie is your chance to be rewarded for your dedication to the tools.
Ben Stiller is having a very good year. The actor has only made two movies, and neither have really proven to be a stretch for him, but when it comes to middle-aged malaise in soul-searching comedy-dramas, he well and truly knows what he's doing. The furrowed brow, the frustrated gaze, the constant passive-aggression streaming towards everyone his characters interact with: if you've seen Greenberg, While You're Young or this year's The Meyerowitz Stories, then you definitely know the type. And while Brad's Status mightn't reach quite the same heights as any of those titles, it still demonstrates Stiller doing what he does best. Playing the eponymous Brad, Stiller gets ample chances to show off his world-weary on-screen persona. Running his own non-profit organisation, married to the laid-back Melanie (Jenna Fischer) and about to see his son Troy (Austin Abrams) off to college, Brad still finds himself unhappy with his lot in life — purely because he hasn't done as well as his former friends. Nick (the film's writer-director Mike White) is a Hollywood hotshot, tech wiz Billy (Jemaine Clement) has retired to Hawaii with stacks of cash, and Jason (Luke Wilson) has a high-powered hedge fund job, a wealthy wife and a growing family. Meanwhile, the last time Brad saw author and TV political commentator Craig (Michael Sheen), he asked for a favour and didn't hear back. White's script, his third this year after The Emoji Movie and Beatriz at Dinner, uses a trip to Boston to stoke Brad's anxieties about his status. It's not really a surprising development; he's touring college campuses with Troy, and thinking about who he was when he was a student, who he is now, and the difference between his youthful dreams and his current reality. Just as Stiller isn't flirting with anything particularly fresh, but still knocks his performance out of the park, White does much same behind the camera. Having previously directed Year of the Dog and TV's Enlightened, the filmmaker is no stranger to pondering how people see their place in the world — and their reactions when they contemplate making a change. Here, of course, White has rich material to mine, especially in today's social media-obsessed world. Brad's Status shows Brad scrolling through his old pals' Facebook and Instagram feeds and fantasising about the glamorous lives he's sure they're living. Sound familiar? Far from simply serving up a Generation X riff on Ingrid Goes West, however, White also unpacks Brad's sense of entitlement as a perfectly comfortable white guy living in Sacramento (#firstworldproblems). On top of that, he probes the envy that can spring when a parent thinks their child might grow to eclipse them. It's an ostensibly straightforward, emotionally dense scenario, albeit one that overplays Brad's inner monologue a tad. There's an interesting balancing act at work here, one that Brad's Status aces more than it might initially appear. While the film's warm visuals might seem to clash with its pointed score, they encapsulate a movie that's both affectionate towards its flawed protagonist and painfully aware of his many faults. That, if nothing else, is something you don't see every day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43jt74GwBmk
There's a new way to get around Brisbane. Move over trains, buses and CityCats, because Brisbane has scored a different form of public transport. News about the River City's latest way to get from A to B has been impossible to avoid for nearly a decade now — it was first announced back in 2016, and has expanded, evolved, scored sign-off and plenty more since. As at Monday, October 21, 2024, however, Brisbane Metro is starting to get operational. This shake up of the city's transportation network is all about high-capacity electric metro vehicles that haven't been used in Australia before, each capable of carrying 150 people — or up to 170 when they're in event mode. Every Metro spans twice the length of a normal bus, coming in at 24.4 metres, and also measures 2.6 metres wide. Passengers hop inside three compartments, with the driver in a separate cabin. The full network will feature two new metro services running between 18 stations and providing interchanges across 11 locations — and that isn't up and running yet. But an initial Metro service is now doing the rounds, in what's being called a preview. Brisbanites can use the Brisbane Metro to travel from Eight Mile Plains and UQ Lakes on the 169 bus route. During peak times, Brisbane Metro services on the 169 will run every five minutes — and across the entire timetable, the route will increase its capacity by 50 percent, up from 14,000 people per day to 21,300 people. The idea is to also gain feedback about the Metro during this preview that can help shape future services. If you're wondering what else makes the vehicles standout, each Metro includes a low floor design, three large mobility aid bays and ten priority seats, plus audio and hearing loops in all compartments and an automated ramp — on request — at the first door, all boosting accessibility. The vehicles feature onboard wifi and USB charging points, too, alongside a real-time travel information screen for passengers. When trip details are spoken aloud along the journey, you'll hear the voice of Bluey's Melanie Zanetti. The large double doors let you hop on wherever you like — not just as the front — and the sizeable windows, including a panoramic rear window, help add a view to your ride. Metro fares cost 50 cents per journey under Queensland's current discounted public transport fares, which began as a trial but look set to continue permanently. Exactly when the Metro 1 and Metro 2 services, as the lines have been dubbed, will become operational is still under negotiation by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government — but Metro 1 will take passengers from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street, and vice versa, while Metro 2 will run the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital to UQ Lakes Station and back. Ahead of either line getting up and running, Brisbane City Council is already exploring expanding the Brisbane Metro, with lines to Springwood, Capalaba, Carseldine, and to DFO and Brisbane Airport identified as possibilities. Brisbane Metro started running on the 169 bus route on Monday, October 21, 2024. For more information about the Brisbane Metro, head to the service's website.
The Splendid 2011 program is now on the look out for young and passionate creatives to take part in their three-week intensive residency. As part of the residency, young and emerging artists will be mentored and given the opportunity to tour their art works and dream up ideas and creative works for festival audiences as part of The Arts Lab. One of these festivals includes Australia's most beloved festival Splendour in the Grass – as well as three weeks residency in Lismore. To be eligible you need to be under 30 or in the first five years of your practice, which can vary from visual arts, theatre, dance, design, installation, architecture, digital media, sound, text and other creative pursuits. To find out more or to prepare for your application, The Edge will be hosting a Splendid Session. Applications close May 2.
If Uluru's stunning Field of Light installation doesn't already have you planning a trip to the centre of the country, then the latest news out of the Northern Territory might — Litchfield Adventure Park, the NT's most popular national park, is getting a $12.1 million makeover. As part of the facelift announced by the NT Government, new areas of the 1500 square kilometre park will be opened up to visitors, including five new swimming spots and waterfalls, 40 kilometres of new four-wheel drive tracks and three new campgrounds. Established as a national park in 1986, Litchfield is located 120 kilometres south-east from Darwin, and is a particularly popular spot for day-trippers. Indeed, it's the Top End's most popular national park, attracting almost 370,000 visitors a year. The new addition — in the park's north, as reported by the ABC — expected to increase that number by 60,000 annually. At present, there's plenty at Litchfield to entice visitors anyway, including existing swimming holes, camping spots, picnic grounds, bushwalking tracks, scenic lookouts and more. A highlight for adventurous trekkers is the 39-kilometre Tabletop Track, which takes up to five days to complete, with camp sites along the way. For more information about Litchfield Adventure Park, visit the park's website.
Mention the name Weird Al Yankovic and a pop parody song likely slips into your head. Maybe you're now humming 'Eat It' to yourself, or 'My Bologna' — or perhaps 'Like a Surgeon', 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' are echoing in your brain. They're some of the musical-comedy tunes the singer is famous for, but they won't be getting a workout on his 2023 Australian tour. First, the exciting news: Weird Al is heading our way in March, including hitting up the Queensland capital as part of a comical whirl around the country. Next, the possibly surprising news: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, as it's called, isn't about playing Yankovic's satires of other well-known songs. AUSTRALIA, here I come!!! #TheUnfortunateReturnOfTheRidiculouslySelfIndulgentIllAdvisedVanityTour comes to Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane in March 2023! https://t.co/o0riivPZ37 — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) November 27, 2022 Instead, the musician is swapping his usual parodies for his other musical-comedy standouts across his 14-album catalogue. Clearly, he has plenty of tracks to choose from — and they'll all be played with his original band of four decades in an intimate, stripped-down show. Don't go expecting costumes, props or video screens, either. This deep cut-focused tour follows Yankovic's successful 2018 and 2022 North American Vanity Tours, which featured sold-out performances at The Kennedy Centre and Carnegie Hall. In Melbourne, he'll be joined by comedian Emo Philips, his The Vidiot From UHF co-star, for two gigs at QPAC's Concert Hall on Monday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 21.
Looking for a place to eat, drink or slumber, and eager to do so in eye-popping surroundings? Australia's annual hospitality design accolades have you covered. Each year, the Eat Drink Design Awards shine a spotlight on restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels that go above and beyond in the style stakes — where stunning decor is as essential as top chefs, signature dishes, creative cocktails, stellar coffee and comfortable beds. In 2019, the awards have cast their eyes far and wide. Melburnians have more than a few standout spots to add to their must-visit list, with the city leading the charge just as it did last year; however some of this year's winners hail from much further afield. In fact, if you want to visit the country's best-designed bar, you'll need to head to the lakeside New South Wales country town of Mulwala, a near seven-hour drive from Sydney. And if you want to bunker down at one of the nation's best hotels, Brisbane is calling. In the bar category, Blacksmith Lake Mulwala emerged victorious, all thanks to its well-balanced indoor/outdoor space, elegant colour palette, consideration for the town's pre-existing mid-century buildings and willingness to get whimsical — as seen in its vintage-style pink patio umbrellas, which have a 1970s California feel. And in the hotel field, Fortitude Valley's gorgeous The Calile shared top spot, with the resort-style inner-city establishment listed alongside Drifthouse in Port Fairy. One creates an oasis in the middle of Brisbane's hustle and bustle, complete with an oh-so-inviting pool, while the other combines a double-storey Victorian bluestone house, a single-storey Edwardian home and a new garden pavilion into a quaint and intimate boutique hotel. [caption id="attachment_694718" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Calile by Sean-Fennessy[/caption] Of course, you can still turn 2019's Melbourne winners into a very impressive all-day itinerary — whether you're a local looking for a new reason to go exploring, or you're in town from interstate for a few days. Start with Best Cafe recipient Via Porta in Mont Albert, which got the nod for its bold, warm and inviting design that heroes earthy tones and textures in a striking fashion. Then, check out Lagotto, the Best Identity Design winner, with the all-day Italian spot awarded for its dog mascot and associated marketing materials. Best Restaurant pick Di Stasio Citta is obviously worth a visit, especially if you like eating in a space that could double as an art installation. As for gelato go-to Piccolina Collingwood, it earned plaudits for its retail design — and Flinders Lane favourite Cumulus Inc nabbed this year's Hall of Fame gong. [caption id="attachment_715148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Di Stasio Citta by Kate Shanasy[/caption] Judged by New York Times restaurant critic Besha Rodell, The Mulberry Group CEO and founder Nathan Toleman, Studio-Gram architect and co-founder Graham Charbonneau, architect Phillip Schemnitz and Artichoke editor Cassie Hansen, the Eat Drink Design Awards also named commendations in various categories. Spreading the love around, St Kilda's Prince Dining Room, The Rocks' Tayim Restaurant + Bar, the Gold Coast's Burleigh Pavilion and Byron Bay's Locura rank among those recognised. 2019 EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARD WINNERS Best Restaurant Design: Di Stasio Citta by Hassell (Melbourne, VIC) Best Cafe Design: Via Porta by Studio Esteta (Mont Albert, VIC) Best Bar Design: Blacksmith Lake Mulwala by The Stella Collective (Mulwala, NSW) Best Hotel Design: Drifthouse by Multiplicity (Port Fairy, VIC) and The Calile Hotel by Richards and Spence (Fortitude Valley, QLD) Best Installation Design: The Magic Box by Liminal Objects with Van Tuil (fabricated in Hobart, TAS) Best Retail Design: Piccolina Collingwood by Hecker Guthrie (Collingwood, VIC) Best Identity Design: Lagotto by Studio Hi Ho (Fitzroy North, VIC) Hall of Fame: Cumulus Inc by Pascale Gomes-McNabb (Melbourne, VIC) For the full list of winners and commendations, head to the Eat Drink Design website. Top images: The Calile Hotel by Sean Fennessy and Blacksmith Lake Mulwala by Lillie Thompson.
For the past few years, chatter about Victoria Park / Barrambin's big makeover just keeps popping up. Don't wait till the Herston space gets a revamp before stopping by, though. One excuse to make a visit is Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs' Pawsome Movie Night, which is making its films under the stars dog-friendly for the evening. On Saturday, January 21, this inner-city patch of turf is hosting two flicks — for free, out on the grass, and with picnics welcome. It all kicks off at 7pm with the supremely family-friendly The Secret Life of Pets, which'll also deliver a big dose of animated antics. Then, come 8.40pm, Australia's own Red Dog: True Blue will unfurl its canine caper as well. Entry doesn't cost a thing but, if you don't pack your own snacks and drinks, you'll want your wallet to hit up the onsite food truck. They'll be serving from 5.30pm. Also, while this movie night is obviously dog-friendly, but Rover will need to remain on a leash. Don't have a pooch? You can still head along, of course.
No one likes Mondays. Tuesdays are hardly anyone's favourite day either. But while you can't escape the fact that the weekend is over, you can start off your working week with a few slurps of cheap ramen. Every Monday and Tuesday between 5–6pm, Hai Hai serves up its number one dish for $10 a pop. And, here's a tip: when you're staring at a brothy bowl filled with noodles, char siu, bean sprouts, eggs and more, the fact that you're still days and days away from a break doesn't seem so bad. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available for the same price. Don't feel like slurping? Hai Hai also does mazemen — no-broth ramen — for $10 a serve on Mondays and Tuesdays as well. Unsurprisingly, there are a few conditions — including the fact that you absolutely must be seated by 6pm. There's also no waiting list for a table, and you can't hold tables either. In other words, getting there early is recommended. Images: Hai Hai Ramen.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. Triggering road trippin' pilgrimages country-wide since 2001, Splendour is a locked-in date on many a festival reveller calendar — and now you can make it permanent. The Splendour in the Grass 2015 dates have been confirmed. Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday 22 July. The coveted lineup will be released soon. Until then, let the furious pub debates and Facebook ponderings commence.
Mention Burleigh to a southeast Queenslander, and the sight of one of the Gold Coast's best beaches will instantly pop into their head. As well as surf, sun and sand, however, the coastal spot is also home to Burleigh Brewing Co — with Brennan and Peta Fielding setting up shop in the industrial part of the suburb more than a decade ago. The focus here is on a craft-driven approach, and sticking local in terms of ingredients and materials. Also worth noting: Burleigh doesn't use sugar in its brews. That doesn't mean that its Twisted Palm Tropical Pale Ale won't go down sweetly, though, with the 2016 World Beer Championships Gold Medal-winner featuring orange, mango and papaya notes. Unsurprisingly, it's inspired by Burleigh beach. Located on Harley Drive at Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Brewing Co's headquarters offers beers on tap and behind-the-scenes tours — aka the two staples everyone wants from a taphouse and brewery. It's only doing takeaways at present, which includes beers and growler refills, and its backstage tours are expected to return in September.
'Madchester' pioneers the Happy Mondays have just announced an Australian tour — the first time that the original lineup of one of the most influential bands of their generation have made it all the way Down Under. Alongside bands like New Order and the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays were key to the development of the Madchester sound that defined the early '90s and revitalised English music, rescuing it from the ignominy of Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran. Fusing traditional pop elements with funk, northern soul and acid house, Happy Mondays were the poster band for the explosion of rave culture in the UK and released two iconic albums — Bummed and Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches — that remain essential listening today. Supporting them will be fellow Madchester icons 808 State for a special DJ set. Formed in Manchester in 1988 by Graham Massey, Martin Price and Gerald Simpson, 808 State's first album, Newbuild, is now regarded as a milestone in UK electronica. As the NME observed, "808 State revolutionised a whole genre of music in the late-'80s, inspiring Underworld, Orbital and the Chemical Brothers in the process."
Brisbanites love a market — especially one that specialises in top-notch pre-loved clothing. There's nothing like finding a quality item at a clothing market. There's the thrill of searching through the racks to stumble upon the piece, plus shopping secondhand and upcycled clothing is more sustainable than buying your clothes new. If this all sounds entirely relatable to you, head to the Second Life Markets when it hits Brisbane for winter on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Taking place at Superordinary, the event will host pop-up stores boasting vintage, secondhand and upcycled clothing. The 90-plus stalls will span all ranges of clothing, including masculine, feminine and unisex pieces. The Second Life Markets run successful events across Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, London and, of course, Brisbane. The seasonal events bring together local sellers and independent designers, as well as a heavy dose of good vibes. Brisbane's winter market will run from 11am–4pm. Entry varies from free to $15 depending on what time you'd like to head by (the later, the cheaper) and, in the sustainable spirit of the market, it's asked that you bring your own reusable shopping bag(s) with you on the day. There'll also be food trucks onsite, because shopping is hungry work — and DJs spinning tunes to set the mood.
Would you like some creepy with your coffee? David Lynch takes advertising to dark places with this disturbing film promoting his signature coffee line. I'm curious as to exactly what David Lynch Signature Cup would taste like. Obviously it would depend on whether you choose the espresso blend, house roast or decaf. My intuition tells me Lynch likes his coffee strong, dark and somewhat syrupy – much like his genius mind. All the blends are all organic and fairly traded, as we learn from a bizarre dialogue between Lynch and the decapitated Barbie doll head he cradles in his hand. [Via Lost At E-Minor]
If it's a challenge you seek, try travelling the depths of Scandinavia on a budget. Many are deterred from visiting the region based on how expensive it's known to be, but we're here to tell you that even the most frugal person who dreams of traversing these extrafjordinary countries can make it happen. And it's hella worth it. Travelling through Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland is never going to be as budget-friendly as backpacking around Southeast Asia, but there are always ways to cut down on expenditure — whether it's kayaking down a fjord, teaching yourself Swedish or eating Norwegian hot dogs for every meal. Here are our top tips. [caption id="attachment_604853" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Holbergsgade, Copenhagen, Denmark. Image: Tony Webster via Flickr.[/caption] GET ON YER BIKE Well, someone else's bike. Public transport tickets in Scandinavian countries pummel the wallet. A two-hour bus ticket in Oslo or Copenhagen will cost you about AUD$20. Instead, hire a bike. You can find them for as low as AUD$40 a day. These cities are seriously built for cycling; in Copenhagen bikes outnumber cars, and it's unrivalled as the world's best city for cycling, with endless and impeccable bike lanes and parking. If you're staying in an Airbnb, don't be afraid to ask if your host has a bike you can borrow — just give them a little extra cash for it. [caption id="attachment_604839" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Svolvær, Lotofen Islands, Norway.[/caption] LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION Most of the time, hostels are more expensive than renting an Airbnb. Even the cheapest of Airbnb's are great alternatives — Scandinavians have an embedded sense of style, so most apartments are a pleasure to stay in. From our experience, they're often decked out with chic furniture and kitchen utensils you never knew existed. If staying in an actual building is too mainstream for you, try a 'botel' (a boat converted into a hotel). The canals of Stockholm's Södermalm are lined with long budget-friendly botels such as The Red Boat and Mälardrottningen. [caption id="attachment_604830" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tjuvholmen, Oslo, Norway.[/caption] MAKE USE OF THE NATURAL WATERWAYS Mother Nature favoured Scandinavia with plunging fjords and glistening lakes — and they're totally free to swim in. You don't need to be in the countryside to find these either — salvation by H20 can also be found in the big cities. Stockholm's canals, amazingly, are clean enough to swim in. Notable spots include Långholmen and Liljeholmsviken. Oslo's city centre has a fjord at its doorstep, and in the summer people flock to Tjuvholmen, a small beach located near the Opera House for their dose of refreshment. [caption id="attachment_604841" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Aurland, Norway.[/caption] WHEN IN NORWAY, GO COUNTRY To travel to the fjord-packed lands of Norway ignites something in everyone. Don't be surprised if you spot seven waterfalls at once, or are startled by a gang of elk galloping by. Getting to the countryside may not be cheap, but you'll find yourself immediately inspired. Even if you're not usually a hiker, you'll get into it here. Norway, Sweden and Finland also have this nifty little law known as 'the freedom to roam', which guarantees everyone's right to access uncultivated lands. This means you can virtually camp anywhere that isn't classified as private property. So buy yourself a tent and get going. [caption id="attachment_604831" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Triangeln Station, Malmö, Sweden.[/caption] BOOK TRANSPORT TICKETS IN THE COUNTRY'S NATIVE LANGUAGE Sure, this is a little risky. But if you book a ticket in English, chances are the price will rise. It's the equivalent to waving your arms around screaming 'hi, I'm a tourist, exploit me!'. For instance, booking an overnight ferry on Hurtigruten from Norway's iconic Lofoten Islands up to the northern city of Tromsø will cost you about $350 if you book in English. Ain't no one got money like that for one night in a pitch black cabin with no window — even Jack had it better on the Titanic. Book in Norwegian, and you'll save about $150. You'll find that Scandinavian languages have some level of mutual intelligibility with English. But if you're still not 100 percent sure, ask a local to assist you. [caption id="attachment_604855" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Chris Street via Flickr.[/caption] CHOOSE A KAYAK OVER A DAY CRUISE Kayaking is significantly cheaper than day cruises of fjords and canals. You'll see the same thing — and arguably more — on a kayak. Plus, it's an opportunity to work off all that softis (an addictive Norwegian soft serve ice-cream) you guzzled down the day before. [caption id="attachment_604859" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: David Blangstrup via Flickr.[/caption] MAKE SUPERMARKETS YOUR BEST FRIEND Food in these countries is notoriously expensive, and if you're eating out, it adds up quickly. And while you should save some moolah to tuck into a few local delicacies — Swedish meatballs, anyone? — native food isn't really the region's strong point, so you won't be missing out on too much. Cook at every chance you get. Aldi, Rema 1000, Coop and Netto are a few supermarkets look out for. Speaking of groceries, buy them in Denmark and take them overseas. 'Don't leave without going to the supermarket!' is a common phrase for Danish people leaving the country to hear. Denmark's goods are significantly cheaper than anywhere else, so stock up before moving on. [caption id="attachment_604846" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Malmö, Sweden.[/caption] GO TO MALMÖ Malmö is Sweden's cosmopolitan underdog. It's the country's third largest city and has too much to offer. Firstly, going there after spending some time in Stockholm is totally relieving on the money front. Secondly, it's plump with modern museums, medieval buildings and stunning parks — you'll never be bored. And thirdly, the city is made up of 150 ethnicities, meaning the variety of cuisines on offer is extensive. You'll find Middle Eastern wraps almost every 300 metres, as well as your breakfast croissants and baguettes. It's also a great point of access to Copenhagen. All it takes is a 25-minute train ride over the Øresund Bridge to cross countries. [caption id="attachment_604857" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Ruocaled via Flickr.[/caption] MAKE USE OF IKEA Yes, we're serious. Among the many amazing things to come out of Sweden is the glorious adult's playground, IKEA. The store offers a free shuttle bus from Stockholm's city centre, where you can indulge in a meal of Swedish meatballs topped with lingonberry, gravy and complemented with mash potato, all for a whopping AUD$6. [caption id="attachment_604851" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Francisco Antunes via Flickr.[/caption] EAT HOTDOGS Cheap, tasty, everywhere. Top it with some sprøstekt løk (Norwegian dried onion flakes) and you'll be laughing. And totally satisfied. [caption id="attachment_604832" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Oslo Opera House, Norway.[/caption] FIND FREE ACTIVITIES (YES, THERE ARE SOME) Scandinavia has no shortage of insane buildings — there's enough to impress the biggest design aficionado you know, right down to those with no interest in architecture at all. You could spend hours waltzing around Oslo's iconic Opera House, or visiting Holmenkollen, one of the city's old ski jumps that has been converted into a museum. That's among endless design, naval, and Viking museums scattered around each country. [caption id="attachment_604850" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Danish Design Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark.[/caption] SEEK OUT STUDENT DISCOUNTS The joys of being a student. If you're lucky enough to still be one, you can get discounts on selected transport tickets, museum tickets and more. An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) will be accepted at most places, but others will accept your university student card if you're lucky. Caterina Hrysomallis is a food and travel writer based in Melbourne, and is pretty nifty with a budget. All photos are her own unless otherwise stated.
No one needs an excuse to welcome in their Sunday with a boozy brunch, but Fiume Bar atop the Crystalbrook Vincent just came up with a new one anyway. Pairing your meal and drinks with a killer view is always reason enough to get up, and get eating and sipping — and the vantage from Howard Smith Wharves' resident rooftop bar sure is mighty spectacular. Wherever you find yourself at this inner-city precinct, you'll be staring at the Brisbane River. You may as well take a gander while you're enjoying a three-course brunch, though, and knocking back champagne cocktails, beers and wine. That's what's on the menu at Fiume's new Brisbane Brunch, which run every Sunday at 10.30am from Sunday, May 29. Your $110 ticket will nab you a platter filled with oak-smoked apple and tonka crumble, lychee and coconut panna cotta, danishes, pressed watermelon with sparkling rose, and a yoghurt piklet with riberry jam — and that's just for starters. From there, you'll be tucking into hibiscus flower with basil seed-cured salmon and burnt corn doughnuts, then going sweet with vanilla brioche French toast. Drinks-wise, you'll be saying cheers for two hours, including with mimosas, peach bellinis, prosecco, wine and beers. Pay an extra $30 and you'll sip Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne, too. Images: Markus Ravik.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life can sometimes be as easy as escaping into a vibrant art installation — in Brisbane over the past few years, at least. In recent times, the River City has played host to multi-sensory Van Gogh exhibitions, recreations of the Sistine Chapel, giant kaleidoscopes you can walk through, inflatable spaces and more, all aiming to take you out of your routine and into a place most wonderful and dazzling. The latest event to join them: pop-up mindfulness installation DayDream, which is taking the luminous part of these kinds of activities firmly to heart. Located on the bottom level of the Wintergarden shopping centre in the Queen Street Mall until Sunday, October 30, it's filled with more than 20,000 lights, which beam along to an ambient soundscape. An array of colours also flicker through the installation, with four different experiences on offer during the pop-up's run. Until Tuesday, October 18, it's going with 'Into the Wild' and 'Over the Rainbow' themes, while the rest of the dates will opt for 'Summer Solstice' and 'Deep Space'. Whenever you drop by, you'll be soaking up the space's calming vibes in 90-second bursts — including on bean bags — and endeavouring to drift far away from your everyday ebbs and flows. The one caveat: to enter, you do need to spend $10 at the Wintergarden first, then show your receipt to walk through DayDream's darkened archway. That's as good an excuse as any to go shopping, of course. Also, if you're photosensitive or respond to strobing lights, DayDream features flashing LEDs — so take that into consideration before heading along. Find DayDream in the Wintergarden, on the ground level of the Queen Street Mall shopping centre in the CBD, until Sunday, October 30 — operating 10am–3pm Saturday–Thursday, 10am–7pm Fridays.
A 30-year retrospective of one of the most dazzling pioneers of multimedia installations and experimental video art has opened at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art with Pipilotti Rist: Sip my Ocean. In what's being heralded as the most comprehensive exhibition of the Swiss artist's work ever held in an Australian gallery, you'll get to see pieces right from the start of her practice (including her early single-channel videos created during the 1980s) up to her most recent immersive environments and large-scale audio-visual installations. A truly unique artist whose practice explores the connection between the human body, nature and technology, Rist creates colourful, enchantingly sensual worlds for viewers to lose themselves in – such as 4th Floor to Mildness, where you'll get comfy on one of 18 beds and gaze upwards at a hypnotic underwater world projected onto massive abstract panels. It's not often you lie down on a gallery floor amongst strangers to soak up some art — and its this particular atmosphere of community and togetherness within the way you experience Rist's work that cements its charm. Taking place as part of the Sydney International Art Series, Sip My Ocean runs until February 18. Images: Courtesy of Pipilotti Rist / Ken Leanfore for the MCA.
The super adorable Finders Keepers Markets have been home to Brisbane's most creative and quirky designers for more than seven years. And keeping with tradition, the independent hip-fest is returning to their home at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills for 2016. The autumn winter edition of the market will take place over two days July — just in time for the snuggly season. The biannual, designer-centric, come-one-come-all mini-festival has managed to bridge the gap between local market and exclusive exhibition, creating a space for independent designers to engage with the wider community. You'll be able to nab some marvellous treats difficult to find anywhere else. From bespoke leather goods to bespoke stationery, unique neckties, artisan jewellery and all manner of cute and kooky knick-knacks, every stall will be a unique shopping experience that combines innovative design with grassroots feel-goodery. And even if you're a Finders Keepers regular, you'll be sure to discover something new — 30 percent of the stallholders will be brand new to Brissie. Local artists Lilly Piri and Mel Stringer will also be holding their first stall, selling their signature artworks as well as zines, stickers, badges, totes and cute wooden animals. As usual, there will be live music, a cafe and heaps of other Brisbanites celebrating independent art and design. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Finders Keepers are aware this cornucopia of new design can be a little large to navigate. So they've got their own app, with interactive maps to help you find out more info about stallholders, a personal itinerary tool, and notifications to keep you looped in to what's happening on the day. You can download the app from the App Store or on Google Play. Finders Keepers is open 9am-4pm on both Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3. Entry is $2 for adults, and free for kids. Image: Bec Taylor.
Gold Coast. It's all about the glitz and the glam, the rock and the roll, the bikies and the meter maids, the sun and the surf. Underneath the media hype is a fast-growing city, and the sleepy holiday town of the 1950s isn't riding its now-trashy party vibe any longer. In the city's coming-of-age it's developed a taste for the finer things: whisky on the rocks, organic sourdough bread and rich mahogany. We've compiled a guide to the best of each suburb plus where to have a good time. It's time to reclaim your weekends and take a mini-break to the GC. Surfers Paradise: know where to look There are a two reasons why Surfers Paradise has been somewhat abandoned by locals: (1) It's mostly ugly; (2) Tourists are annoying. But the truth is that tourists frequent the obvious spots on the main drag, and the hidden gems in Paradise are a well-kept secret by locals. For a killer night out, and if you don't like non-stop hip hop, try elsewhere for some indie-music fun, Swingin' Safari for a laidback retro vibe or Black Coffee Lyrics for their craft beers and excellent cocktails. QT Gold Coast: stay in paradise Coming from out of town, the place to stay is QT Hotel. QT have taken the staleness of a hotel, thrown the retro and interior designer stick at it and created a fun oasis that you'll never want to leave – and the good news is that you don't really have to. QT boast Stingray, an uber-trendy bar packed with the coast's beautiful and classy 20 to 30-somethings until curfew; Bazaar, the buffet your dreams are made of; SpaQ, the luxe day spa that leaves others in the dust; and of course, the hotel pool, with its own inbuilt bar. You can even view Justin Bieber's 'art' while here. Broadbeach: for the good times Broadbeach has been treading on Surfers' toes while now, and it's worth embracing the suburb's scene whole-heartedly. To make a Brisbane comparison, cross South Bank with Fortitude Valley and you have modern-day Broadie – the mecca for all things restaurants, bars and nightclubs. For a cheap eat, head to Cha Cha Japanese – there is a good reason this place is always packed; for tapas and a drink with friends – Social is the obvious meeting place; and for a seafood feast or Italian extravaganza try Broadbeach classics Bugzies and Marios, respectively. Nightlife: our top picks A hit venue needs the golden trifecta and Stingray Lounge in Surfers Paradise meets the criteria. Packed to the brim with locals on weekends, this place is all class oozing good vibes, a suave, well-dressed crowd, and regular beverage prices. We'll drink to that. Meanwhile Broadbeach is buzzing with its own nightlife club scene – the Oriental-inspired East, non-stop dancing at Platinum and a classic club vibe at Love. Ladies, often heading to Lil Sister Bar first will gain you free entry to Platinum. Nobby Beach: on your bike Between Broadbeach and Nobby the land is pretty flat, and with the beach on the doorstep expect to see throngs of pastel-coloured beach cruisers sweep by. Down near the water next to the surf club is BSKT cafe. They serve up all sorts and cater to those only eating coyo, bee pollen and kale. Along the GC Highway is the main Nobby's strip and here you'll find tapas bars, boutique stores, The Smoothie Shack (yeah, that one the bikies love - live a little) and the famed Hellenika greek restaurant. Miami: find the arts scene Rabbit + Cocoon is the story of an industrial warehouse turned arts precinct. Two girls with a vision have created an arts space filled with studios, exhibitions, live music, a cafe, markets and its own radio station. Best of all, Miami Marketta is a monthly fiesta held on the second Friday of each month stacked with art, design, music and food stalls. Also tucked away in Miami is Paddock Bakery, the coasts newest place to be seen. Pop by early to score a semi-sourdough doughnut a.k.a heaven rolled in sugar. Devour slowly with a coffee, repeat. Hinterland: head out the back The coast isn't just all about the beach. Besides the theme parks, out the back of the Gold Coast is adventure waiting to be had. Take a trek through the rainforest to the Purling Brook Falls, visit the beauty of Natural Arch and stop by 'Best of All Lookout' (name don't lie) at Springbrook National Park. Do the tree top walk at O'Reilly's and climb up above the canopy, and visit an alpaca farm at Lamington National Park. Burleigh Heads: the new heart The rejuvenation of Burleigh Heads started with a few trendy coffee shops, then a few trendy boutiques and now a hive of trendy bars – and with it came extra facial hair, fixies, #superfoods, tapas and craft beer. When you're done swimming at the beach pop by the fruit shop on James St for one of those juices topped with fruit everyone has before wandering the stacks of boutiques. Grab lunch at The Pocket, wash it down with beer at Ze Pickle, Bin 12 or Justin Lane and continue on here after dark. Dinner calls for something more substantial than hops and yeast, head to The Fish House for seafood like no other. Shopping: retail therapy Brisbane and the Gold Coast have a bit in common — in each James Street is known as a great place to shop. While the Burleigh Heads version mightn't have the designers that Fortitude Valley boasts, its simple mix of fashion, swimwear, homewares and gourmet food with a beach vibe is the perfect mix for a day out. Also in Burleigh (and now Paradise Point), The Village Markets have become somewhat of a staple on the calendar. The markets are known for their quality hand-made goods, vintage clothing and up-and-coming designers. For men, Alfred's Apartment in Mermaid Beach is a must-stop. Both a retail store, barber and outdoor diner, Alfred's knows what's cool – them. Currumbin/Palm Beach: life's a beach Palm Beach and Currumbin have managed to sustain that small-town vibe the other beachside suburbs lack. Fifth Ave, Palm Beach, is home to Pablo Pablo, My Giddy Aunt and Genki Cafe, with Lost second-hand furniture across the highway. Not far away, The Office bar and eatery and Little St Kilda Cafe have a devout following. In Currumbin, enjoy breakfast from the top floor of The Beach Shack, or grab a beer at Vikings Surf Club for panoramic beach views. Climbing Elephant Rock for your own Titanic moment is also a must. But if adventure is more your call, The Boat Shed will hire you kayaks or more to cruise up and down Currumbin Creek.
Like art? Love the beach? Fancy seeing seaside sculptures that aren't just sandcastles? Venture down to the Gold Coast this spring and you'll find a huge outdoor art gallery gleaming for ten days, and stretching across a one-kilometre expanse of sand. Your destination: Swell Sculpture Festival, which returns to Currumbin Beach for 2022 between Friday, September 9–Sunday, September 18. As it has for 20 years now, the event features large-scale artworks displayed along the shore, ready for patrons to see while getting their feet sandy and/or wet, with more than 70 pieces popping up at this year's festival. Once again, visitors can expect to get an eyeful of stunning creations. Yes, by simply walking along the beach, you'll view some stellar art. This year's fest features more than pieces made by more 132 artists using a variety of materials — including works using concrete, stainless steel, copper, bronze, wood, glass, plastic and natural fibres, as well as fibreglass, bamboo, wire, silk, stone and aluminium. Some creatives, such as Malvika Satelkar, have taken inspiration from the ocean's unknowns. Others, like Irene Messia, pay tribute to the natural world — while Amelia Batchelor uses recycled materials to draw attention to humanity's dependence upon plastic and its environmental impact. Emily Hastie has taken cues from her love of surfing, Phil Darnton ponders the crossover of art and architecture, and Dion Parker found inspiration from Where the Wild Things Are. Obviously, the list goes on. The 2022 fest includes guided walks; yoga among the art; pop-up food vendors; and masterclasses covering everything from photography and weaving to bush dyes, native foods and sculpture wheels. A beachside fringe fest features live tunes and comedy as well, alongside artist panels and poetry. Images: Tony Scott/PBR Images/Leximagery.
Not even Australia's balmy December temperatures can keep us from embracing the ironic ugly Christmas sweater trend. Christmas in July is here, my friends, and so too is a new line of OTT Yuletide-themed pullovers from the Colonel. Yep, KFC has just dropped its 2022 Christmas jumper range — and this time, there's a matching outfit for the furry mate in your life, too. Available to snap up from today, Friday, July 1, the limited-edition designs are primed for cheesy family photos, rocking a cheery red-and-white pattern and emblazoned with a cheeky nod to fried chicken: "Tis The Seasonings". Both the human sweaters and the pet versions come in a range of sizes, so you're sure to find a good fit no matter how hard you — or Murphy— have gone on the winter comfort food this year. What's more, there's zero shame to be felt in this daggy knitwear purchase, since all profits from the jumpers are going to support KFC's charity partners, The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. While Santa might not be squeezing down the chimney any time soon, KFC has also pulled together a new Festive Bangers playlist to get you in the mood. You can find it over on Spotify. And if the matchy-matchy outfits have left you and your pooch really wanting to cash in on that Christmas in July spirit, KFC's also releasing a limited-edition themed festive feast, featuring a family-sized feed that includes the new Christmas Cranberry and Christmas Mayo Stuffing dipping sauces. KFC's new Christmas in July sweaters are available to buy online, clocking in at RRP $59.95 (plus postage) for the human jumpers and RRP $34.95 (plus postage) for the pet designs.
No one can know for certain what tomorrow will bring; however, the tales told on screens big and small, and through games and comics as well, have delivered plenty of visions of what might come. Will androids dream of electric sheep? Will a Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4)-voiced rock star and terrorist make their presence known? Will Afrofuturist technologies transform life as we know it? These are some of the future possibilities conjured up by beloved pop-culture titles — and they're all part of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's world-premiere exhibition The Future & Other Fictions as well. Displaying at the Melbourne screen museum across Thursday, November 28, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025, taking pride of place as its big summer showcase, The Future & Other Fictions is a love letter to and deep dive into futuristic storytelling. More than 180 works feature, including from Blade Runner 2049, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Cyberpunk 2077 and The Creator. Saltsea Chronicles, comic series NEOMAD and Björk's music video 'The Gate': they're all also covered. Before he was just Ken, Ryan Gosling (The Fall Guy) starred in the 35-years-later sequel to Blade Runner — and before he brought Dune and Dune: Part Two to the screen, Denis Villeneuve directed Blade Runner 2049. The Future & Other Fictions lets attendees follow in their footsteps via miniature sets, which are one of the exhibition's definite must-sees. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gets the nod thanks to Academy Award-winning costumes by Ruth E Carter, while sketches from NEOMAD also feature — as do concept art from The Creator, Cyberpunk 2077 and Saltsea Chronicles. This showcase isn't just about well-known renderings of the future, though, thanks to work by Olalekan Jeyifous, Osheen Siva and Tāgata Moana art collective Pacific Sisters. Plus, via new commissions, DJ Hannah Brontë has her own take, and so does Liam Young and Natasha Wanganeen (Limbo). As it celebrates how screens imagine the years ahead via its array of artwork, sets, props and scripts — alongside clips, costumes and original design materials, too — The Future & Other Fictions also features a film season focusing on Björk, complete with Björk: Biophilia Live on the lineup. [caption id="attachment_974750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mahia Te Kore[/caption]
If you like your cinema experiences shaken, not stirred, then the 2022 British Film Festival has just the thing for you. Taking its array of Brit flicks around the country between Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16, this year's fest is turning itself into a big 60th birthday party — not for the Australia-wide cinema showcase itself, which only dates back around a decade, but for all things Bond, James Bond. 2022 marks six decades since Dr No, the first movie in the 007 franchise, first graced cinemas — and yes, it'll be the British Film Festival's screens to commemorate the occasion. Also hitting picture palaces in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Byron Bay: You Only Live Twice, because two Sean Connery-starring Bond films are better than one; On Your Majesty's Secret Service with Australia's Bond George Lazenby; and Daniel Craig doing his brooding Bond in Skyfall. They're just some of the titles among the fest's first lineup announcement, with the full British Film Festival program set to drop on Thursday, September 29. Can't wait till then? A handful of other flicks have already been announced — and, as always at this cinema showcase, they're filled with familiar faces. Arriving Down Under after wowing the global festival circuit, The Banshees of Inisherin marks the reunion of In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and his stars Colin Farrell (After Yang) and Brendan Gleeson (The Tragedy of Macbeth). This time around, the latter pair star in a story about two lifelong friends who go for a pint everyday until a dispute gets in the way, with their feud also impacting the entire village. Also on the bill: an Emily Brontë biopic, aptly named Emily, directed by Australia actor-turned-filmmaker Frances O'Connor (The End); more sea shanties in song-filled sequel Fisherman's Friends 2: One and All; the Bill Nighy (The Man Who Fell to Earth)-starring Living, about a terminally ill man in the 1950s; and The Lost King, which takes inspiration from the IRL discovery of King Richard III's remains beneath a Leicester car park. And, opening the fest is Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, set in the world of French fashion, with Oscar-nominated Phantom Thread actor Lesley Manville in the titular role. BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Norton, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Electric, Canberra Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor, Melbourne Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace James Street and Palace Centro, Brisbane Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16— Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The 2022 British Film Festival tours Australia between Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website. We'll update you with the full program on Thursday, September 29.
Finding a designated driver on New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — no one's putting their hand up to find a park near the fireworks, South Bank or anywhere near the city. TransLink understands, and is easing the pain of commuting on the big night (slightly) by offering public transport for free. On Tuesday, December 31, all trains, buses, ferries and CityCats will be free from 7.45pm through until 5.30am on Wednesday, January 1. This doesn't apply to the Airtrain, long-distance services or Logan's current Demand Responsive Transport trials, but if you're otherwise travelling within Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, you're in luck. As there will most likely be hordes of people flocking to and from the fireworks, shuttle buses will be running every ten minutes between 5.30–11.30pm inbound from Eight Mile Plains, Carindale and Chermside — and between 8.40–1.30am outbound to the same stops from Ann Street and Woolloongabba. You can check out a comprehensive rundown of New Year's Eve services at the TransLink website. If you're planning a NYE trip on a ferry or CityCat with your dog, though, be aware that your pet pooch won't be allowed onboard after 12 noon. Find more information on the free travel periods here and check for updates on the TransLink website.
If there's one thing that Ben & Jerry's loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. And, once a year to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, it loves giving away free scoops just as much. Indeed, to share its wares with the masses for nix, these frozen confection masterminds gave the world Free Cone Day, which is exactly what it sounds like — a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons. And on Monday, April 3, it's finally back for the first time since 2019. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store between 12–8pm AEST. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening Australia-wide — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at both Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores and its Hoyts outlets. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, that means hitting up Manly, Bondi Beach, Newtown and Parramatta, plus cinemas in Blacktown, Wetherill Park, Penrith, Broadway, Phillip and Belconnen. Victorians have St Kilda and Burwood East stores, and Hoyts venues in Melbourne Central, Docklands, Ringwood, Chadstone, Greensborough, Maribyrnong and Ringwood to choose from. If you're in Queensland, head to South Brisbane, Broadbeach Waters, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Mooloolaba, Noosa Heads and Cairns, or Hoyts Sunnybank. In Western Australia, Fremantle, Hillarys and Northbridge Scoop Shops are taking part, plus Karrinyup and Cannington cinemas. And in South Australia, Hoyts Norwood is your destination. Free Cone Day runs from 12–8pm on Monday, April 3, 2023 at Ben & Jerry's Australian stores. Head to the brand's website for further details.
Earlier this week, we were pretty floored by the sci-fi-turned-reality that is the underwater home. Now, the latest in architecture is once again daring us to new extremes — this time in the form of the jaw-dropping Cliff House. Conjured up by Melbourne company Modscape, the five-storey dwelling clings to your regular cliff face, affording dramatic ocean views, avoiding neighbours and enabling coastal development without the dreaded high-rise skyline. It's also the most terrifying holiday home we've ever seen. We're not sure who has the cojones to live here, as this is next level extreme real estate — for example, is that last storey a pool or a ocean-accessing hole? Overall, according to the Modscape site, the design is "inspired by the way barnacles cling to the hull of a ship... visualised as a natural extension of the cliff face rather than an addition to the landscape, creating an absolute connection with the ocean." The Cliff House came about as a response to an increasing number of requests from clients wanting to inhabit Australia's more treacherous coastal sections. Obviously, the big question — how does the house not plunge perilously into the ocean? Modscape's modular design and prefabrication technologies are crucial to the concept. Several modules are stacked on top of one another and kept in place with engineered steel pins. You enter the house through a top floor carport, where you meet an elevator that descends to each of the five floors. As far as interior design goes, the mock-up emphasises minimalism, allowing for total appreciation of the location. At this stage, the Cliff House is still in concept phase, but the company is confident that given the right cliff face, it'll be totally doable — if you're game. Via Inhabitat.
Footscray's Mr West is known for many things: its craft beer-packed bottle shop, its dog-friendly bar, its charcuterie boards and its espresso martini and negronis on tap. Previously, you had to visit the Melbourne bar to try said cocktails, but now you can have them delivered to your door. In 1.5-litre 'bagnums', no less. Made with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Boston Black cold drip coffee, stout and vodka, the Good Spirits espresso martini packs a serious alcohol- and caffeinated-punch. The Good Spirits negroni is made with Poor Toms dry gin, Campari and Mr West's house-blended vermouth. It's suggested you serve the latter over ice with an orange garnish, but straight-up in a mug is okay, too. Each 'bagnum' (a portmanteau of 'bag' and 'magnum') costs $99 and contains 12 serves of espresso martini and 20 serves of negroni, which works out to be about $8 a serve for the former and $5 for the latter (a bargain). As an added bonus, the espresso martini bag also comes with a mini Parisian cocktail shaker, so you can froth up your drink a little before serving. If you're located in surrounding suburbs in Melbourne, you can get the bagnums delivered to your door within an hour from 1–7pm daily for a $7.50 flat rate. Sydneysiders and Brisbanites can get them shipped in three-to-ten days from $12. Mr West's online bottle shop doesn't just have oversized cocktail bags, either. You'll also find a whole heap of craft beers, natural wines, local and international spirits, sakes and so much more. Those wanting to commit to more regular drinking can also sign up to Mr West's subscription service Good Booze Project, which sees boxes of three, six or 12 wines and beers delivered to your door every month. You can order a Good Spirits espresso martini or negroni bagnums via the Mr West online shop.
Netflix viewers, toss a coin to your new favourite watering hole — the only spot in Australia that'll bring The Witcher, Stranger Things, Squid Game and more to life while you're sinking a brew. For five days only, the Who's Watch Inn will pop up in Melbourne, offering fans of the streaming platform's hit shows a unique pub experience. Always wanted to throw down a beverage or several while sitting under a mounted demogorgon head? Yes, that's on the menu. Also on offer: coveting the piggy bank jackpot, reclining on Emily in Paris' Parisian garden bench and just generally feeling like you've stepped inside (and you're drinking inside) your Netflix faves. That covers the food and drinks menu, too, which'll showcase pub grub favourites and themed tipples — including the 'Emily in Parma' (taking on the old pub classic, obviously) and a Squid Ink Dark Ale. Even better: everyone who drops by the Who's Watch Inn will get a free drink on arrival (although there is just one per person). That's probably all the excuse you need to head to Carlton's Clyde Hotel across the Netflix takeover's five streaming-worshipping days, running from Wednesday, September 28–Sunday, October 2. The pub pop-up is only happening in Melbourne, which means you'll need to be in the Victorian capital this week to enjoy the fun. Whether you're a local or you'll be travelling down south, the Who's Watch Inn will also host a Netflix pub trivia night on Thursday, September 29, plus a comedy evening on Friday, September 30 featuring Urzila Carlson, Nazeem Hussain and Melanie Bracewell live — and all events are free. Bookings are recommended, and if you're wondering why the themed watering hole is happening at all, that's because it's been a big couple of days for Netflix — all thanks to a celebration that the streaming platform calls Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event, where the company drops details about and trailers from its upcoming slate. That's why you might've seen a sneak peek at The Crown season five, a trailer for Dead to Me's third and final season, and a clip from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story over the past few days, for instance. Also, Netflix sure does love these kinds of pop culture-themed shenanigans. Over the past 12 months, it has given away free clothes at a Heartbreak High uniform shop, set up a barber giving out The Gray Man-style moustaches and goatees, opened a Stranger Things rift and had the Squid Game doll lurking about, after all. Find Netflix's Who's Watch Inn at The Clyde Hotel, 385 Cardigan Street, Carlton, Melbourne, from Wednesday, September 28–Sunday, October 2 — open from 7–11pm on Wednesday, 12–11pm on Thursday, 11am–1am on Friday, 12pm–1am on Saturday and 12–11pm on Sunday.
Patience isn't a virtue in The Bear, including in its sandwich-diner setting. It can't be — no one has that luxury. Everything needs preparing and cooking now, and ideally before that, with the eatery operating on the tightest of timelines as professional kitchens tend to. Everything in Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto's (Jeremy Allen White, Shameless) life needs solving and smoothing out ASAP, too, and he has more than his fair share of troubles and struggles on the boil. But for viewers Down Under, being patient comes with a hefty reward — because, more than two months after it dropped its first season in the US, The Bear has finally made its way to Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand since Wednesday, August 31. This brilliant small-screen feast proves worth the wait, although don't expect to relief to swell now it's finally here. Tension and chaos are The Bear's base flavours, seeping into everything that's thrown into its debut eight-episode run. It joins the lengthy list of shows set in a workplace, but it also simmers up what few TV programs about the daily grind manage. While the genre is filled with all-timers, from Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock through to Mad Men and The White Lotus just to name four recent and obvious examples, feeling like you truly know exactly what it'd genuinely be like to work in the industries depicted is rare. Watch The Bear, however, and you'll broil in a restaurant kitchen's ceaseless intensity. First, an important piece of advice: eating either before or while viewing is highly recommended, and near close to essential. If you've ever found yourself ravenous while checking out a cooking show, watching The Trip films or just seeing someone on-screen tuck into a tasty-looking dish, prepare for that sensation to get blasted like it's a crème brûlée under a blowtorch. Now, two more crucial slices of wisdom: prepare to feel stressed throughout every second of this riveting, always-taut, and exceptionally written and acted culinary series (yes, it's worth emphasising again), and also to want to enjoy one of The Original Beef of Chicagoland's famous sandwiches immediately. Although the eatery is purely fictional, its signature dish looks phenomenal. Most of what's cooked up in Carmy's kitchen earns the same description, whether he's sticking to the tried-and-tested menu or experimenting with new options. The chef's resume includes Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim, such as being named one of the best young chefs there is. But he has taken over the family business following his brother's suicide, arriving back home after wowing the world and excelling in fine dining — and nothing is easy. Well, coveting The Bear's edible wares is. Deciding to try to recreate them yourself is as well. But whipping them up within the series, keeping The Original Beef afloat, coping with grief and ensuring that the diner's staff work harmoniously is a pressure cooker of mayhem. That anxious mood is inescapable from the outset; the best way to start any meal is just to bite right in, and The Bear's creator Christopher Storer (who also directs five episodes, and has Ramy, Dickinson and Bo Burnham: Make Happy on his resume) takes the same approach. He also throws all of his ingredients together with precision — the balance of drama and comedy (and food porn), the relentlessness that marks every second in the eatery's kitchen, and the non-stop mouthing off by Richie, aka Cousin, aka Carmy's brother's best friend (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Dropout), all included. The Bear isn't a two-hander by any means, but it excels in complicated one-on-one dynamics, with Carmy and Richie's bickering, bantering, sniping and flat-out fighting repeatedly floating to the top. The two men have spent their entire lives with Mikey (Jon Bernthal, We Own This City) in-between them, and his absence isn't easily filled. As well as mourning Mikey and processing his issues with Richie, Carmy has bills to pay, debts to settle, and eerie dreams and sleepwalking episodes to navigate. He hires new sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri, Dickinson) on the day she walks in, too, mixing up the place with an aim to implement some of her forward-thinking ideas — none of which Richie is thrilled about. And, amid this non-stop bombardment, there's long-standing employees such as Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Hap and Leonard), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, In Treatment) and Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Fargo) to keep happy. Carmy's sister Natalie, aka Sugar (Abby Elliott, Indebted), is also financially tied up in The Original Beef, and obviously emotionally affected by Mikey's death. And when their uncle Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med) comes calling, it's also because of cash. The above relationships, details, backstories, monetary issues, past glories, present concerns and uncertain futures are all peppered throughout The Bear as each episode goes on; the series doesn't have time to lay out exposition from the get-go, write down its dramatic recipe, or step its audience through the ins and outs. As an experience for viewers, it mimics Carmy being thrust into the restaurant his brother would never allow him to work in — and Sydney showing up to apply for a job, then being pushed into the kitchen immediately. In one particularly feverish episode, life in the kitchen zips by on a single take, but the show is always operating at that level of pressure with hurtling cinematography and rapid-fire editing. If it isn't, it's usually because Carmy is asleep, his stresses infiltrating his dreams and sending him wandering as he slumbers, with the cycle repeating anyway. "Yes, chef," "thank you, chef": The Original Beef's pleasantries are spat out at pace, too, and by a fantastic cast that's operating just as fast and furiously. The irrepressibly watchable White is precise, restrained but wearied amid the mania, with Carmy trying to keep his calm on the outside but wilting on the inside; this is one of the performances of the year in one of the best new shows of the year. Moss-Bachrach plays abrasive, mouthy but vulnerable just as commandingly; Edebiri brings confidence and ambition to the passionate but no-nonsense Syd; and the charismatic Boyce makes Marcus' quest to make the perfect doughnut The Bear's sensual respite among the onslaught. Every glimpse at their hustle and bustle, and the show's at every moment, is as gripping as it is appetising — and yes, binging is inevitable. Once you're done, leave room for season two — although the quickly renewed series likely won't serve out its second helping until 2023. Check out the trailer for The Bear below: The Bear streams via Disney+.
April 9th, 2011 was an important day for the residents of Fayetteville, Arkansas and bacon-lovers everywhere. Why? The third annual Bacon Day took place, of course, and did so with more of a 'bang' than expected. Bacon Day began as a private event, and although it was only opened to the public for the first time last year attendance has increased significantly. The event is an all day feast, but it's B.Y.O.B (bring your own bacon) for a potluck style dinner. Nick Hamon, co-founder of the Bacon Day celebrations, brings a little extra to the table each year with his sculptures and devices made out of bacon. In previous years he's delivered the BA-K-47 and the Bacon AT-AT, but this year he made bacon history. On the day of the event, Hamon lead the inaugural launch of his new bacon-based contraption, the BA-Zooka. The BA-Zooka, unlike past bacon designs, is fully-functional. The sausage-launching contraption was successful in its first fire in Fayetteville's Agri Park in front of the crowd of admiring bacon enthusiasts in attendance. I guess playing with your food isn't always a bad thing. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sz-sq7yF4bs
Summer mightn't be here just yet but, thanks to Brisbane's sunny climate, pool party season is. Indeed, it's kicking off with one big splash at W Brisbane, with the opulent hotel nudging everyone into the water with a huge shindig in their fourth-level rooftop pool and wet deck area. At the first of the venue's Summer Crush Pool Parties — aptly named Fire Starter — you'll take a dip, sip drinks and dance the night away, all with a massive view over the river towards Mt Coot-tha. And, given that the event takes place on Saturday, September 28 to coincide with Brisbane Festival's Riverfire, you'll be making full use of that gorgeous vantage. When you're not looking up or plunging into the pool, you'll listen to tunes by Young Franco, Rosie Kate and Little Fritter (who also happens to be W Brisbane's music curator Kane Dignum). You'll also knock back Moët Ice Imperial Champagne and refreshing cocktails while feasting on a summer barbecue spread. If it sounds like a luxe affair, that's because it is, with tickets coming in at $179 per person. The fun starts at 4.30pm, runs through until late evening, and bringing your togs is obviously essential.
What do you get the person who has drunk everything? Or someone who is partial to a sip of gin, but also likes vodka and whiskey? Just in time for the festive season, Archie Rose has launched its solution to this common Christmas dilemma: a pocket-sized collection featuring three of its most popular spirits. Now available to pre-order (with shipments despatched from Thursday, November 29), the Archie Rose 200ml Tasting Set includes mini bottles of the distillery's signature dry gin, original vodka and white rye. If you're new to the company's tipples, they're all award-winners. The gin boasts tastes of native Australian botanicals, such as blood lime, Dorrigo pepperleaf, lemon myrtle and river mint; the vodka comes with apple and mint notes; and the rye is made from rare malted rye and barley, and has a buttery, smokey flavour. Whether you're buying someone else a present — or buying one for yourself, because everyone deserves to get themselves something nice when the end of the year hits — all three come in a gift box for $89. And, they help resolve another frequent boozy problem: when you feel like a gin and tonic, followed by a martini and then a whiskey cocktail, but you don't want to buy three big bottles. To pre-order the Archie Rose 200ml Tasting Set, visit the Archie Rose website.
In 2016, a French documentarian with Senegalese heritage attended the trial of a Senegalese French PhD student who confessed to killing her 15-month-old daughter, who was fathered by a white partner, by leaving her on the beach to the mercy of the waves at Berck-sur-Mer. The filmmaker was fixated. She describes it as an "unspeakable obsession". She was haunted by questions about motherhood, too — her mum's and her own, given that she was a young mother herself as she sat in the courtroom. That story is the story of how Saint Omer came to be, and also almost exactly the tale that the piercing drama tells. In her first narrative film after docos We and La Permanence, writer/director Alice Diop focuses on a French author and literature professor with a Senegalese background who bears witness to a trial with the same details, also of a Senegalese French woman, for the same crime. Saint Omer's protagonist shares other traits with Diop as she observes, too, and watches and listens to research a book. A director riffing on their own experience isn't novel, but Saint Omer is strikingly intimate and authentic because it's the embodiment of empathy in an innately difficult situation. It shows what it means to feel for someone else, including someone who has admitted to a shocking crime, and has been made because Diop went through that far-from-straightforward process and was galvanised to keep grappling with it. What a deeply emotional movie this 2022 Venice International Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winning feature is, understandably and unsurprisingly. What a heartbreaking and harrowing work it proves as well. Saint Omer is also an astoundingly multilayered excavation of being in a country but never being seen as truly part it, and what that does to someone's sense of self, all through Fabienne Kabou's complicated reality and Laurence Coly's (Guslagie Malanda, My Friend Victoria) fictionalised scenario. As Laurence gets her time in court, Diop takes it all in. "It would make life easier" is the defendant's early characterisation of her crime, a gut-punch of a way to describe infanticide. But before Laurence unravels the minutiae of her life prior to and after moving from Senegal to study — and her daughter Lili's brief existence and death — Rama (film debutant Kayije Kagame) is dreaming, being comforted by her French partner Adrien (Thomas de Pourquery, Perfect Nanny), teaching and finally making the trip for the trial. When she packs, she grabs a sleeping bag. When she checks into her hotel, she replaces the bed's quilt with this small piece of home. It's a revealing gesture, conveying how intensely that Rama is already connecting with Laurence and her journey through the justice system; they're strangers but, as Rama gathers specifics for her book, which will compare Laurence's plight to Medea, this is never anything less than personal. The bulk of Saint Omer is chatter, as Laurence is questioned about what happened, why, her studies, her hopes and dreams, and her relationships with her mother (Salimata Kamate, Represent) and Lili's father (Xavier Many, Notre Dame on Fire). In France's legal setup, interrogating isn't limited to attorneys — the judge (Valérie Dréville, Wonder in the Suburbs) guides the proceedings, with Laurence's lawyer (Aurélia Petit, Rosalie) and prosecuting counsel (Robert Cantarella, My Best Part) inquiring sporadically. The defendant states from the outset that she killed her baby, but doesn't consider herself responsible. She wants the trial to inform not just the court but herself as to why this tragedy occurred. She brings up sorcery, and the immediate incredulity that hangs in the air in a room with only two other Black people, her mum and Rama, is among the plethora of ways that Diop calls attention to the contrast between France as a racially diverse nation and the truth of not being white in the European country. Befitting a movie about a writer, language is one of Saint Omer's stars, courtesy of a script co-written by Diop with the film's editor Amrita David, plus Marie N'Diaye (White Material). Often reworking text from Kabou's case, Laurence's story is told in such an evocative fashion that picturing what she's saying is a given. She talks, and cinematographer Claire Mathon (Spencer, and also Céline Sciamma's Petite Maman and Portrait of a Lady on Fire) hones in on that talking — always as Laurence wears skin-tone matching shirts that visually reinforce how invisible she feels; always standing against wooden panelling with the same effect; and always expressing as much in her stance, gaze and all the things she doesn't say. Occasionally, the judge takes the frame, or lawyers, witnesses or Rama, usually centred. Diop wants viewers to focus on their words, too, and the reactions betrayed by their faces and physicality. This is filmmaking at its most meticulous and emotional, with such carefully measured scenes proving puncturing and searing. As talk flows, so does judgement within the court and beyond. Rama begins querying herself — in her dreams, alone in her hotel, and via flashbacks to her childhood, where things with her mum (first-timer Adama Diallo Tamba) are complex and tense — but the scrutiny Laurence is placed under transcends her deeds. While Saint Omer doesn't excuse her actions for a second, it keeps illustrating how life in France has treated and continues to treat her, and why Rama can spy echoes between their otherwise vastly dissimilar predicaments. During a call after part of the testimony, Rama's editor (Alain Payen, Golden Moustache) notes that Laurence speaks "very sophisticated French". There's no doubting that that wouldn't be said about someone white with the same college background; Rama replies that she just "talks like an educated woman". When the judge also can't believe the claims of witchcraft, or entertain diving into what they mean, it too is a loaded response. There are no easy moments in Saint Omer, or easy answers. There can't be. Diop looks at this delicate situation with sensitivity and probing — and, in yet another parallel with Rama, questions why she's making the film, what she's saying about the situation, the role of myth in processing the incomprehensible, and motherhood's many intricacies and challenges. Indeed, this is a movie made with uncompromising rigour as well as understanding, as expected from a documentary filmmaker turning to fiction. It's a stunning legal drama that's as brilliantly crafted as Custody, another Venice standout from France about a grim situation. And, it's home to astonishing performances by Malanda and Kagame, each haunting in their own ways. Diop will never forget Kabou, and audiences won't be able to get her film, its extraordinary story or its exceptional lead actors out of their heads, either.
Everyone's favourite 'candy man' first made his way to Aussie shores back in 2019, which is when the smash-hit musical production of Charlie And the Chocolate Factory premiered in Sydney. After also travelling to Melbourne the same year, it was meant to make the trip Brisbane in 2020; however, the pandemic had other plans. Thankfully, Brisbanites aren't missing out on the popular musical. Instead, it's now bring its song-filled stage show to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Lyric Theatre in September. Flowers won't be the only thing blooming around the city between Thursday, September 2–Sunday, September 26 — because a hankering for more than a few sweet treats will be, too. In the popular musical, Roald Dahl's classic sugar-dusted tale is brought to life by a collaboration between theatre producers John Frost, Craig Donnell, Langley Park Productions, Neal Street Productions and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures. Following the worldwide popularity of both the original book and the 1971 Gene Wilder film, the musical has been confirmed a sweet success internationally, scoring rave reviews during its stint on Broadway and selling out a heap of shows in Sydney. With original songs like 'The Candy Man' and 'I've Got a Golden Ticket' featured alongside new tunes from the songwriters of Hairspray, this confection of a show promises to lure audiences of all ages into, shall we say, a land of pure imagination. It's directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, with music by Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics courtesy of Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse. Images: Brian Geach.
UPDATE, February 10, 2021: News of the World is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, February 10. The first time that Tom Hanks was nominated for an Oscar, it was for munching on baby corn spears like they were full-sized cobs. His nod for Big stemmed from more than just that scene, but the way he handled the tiny vegetables perfectly illustrates how, at his best, he can make anything look and feel convincing. He didn't win for the 1989 comedy, and he hasn't taken home an Academy Award since he went two for two with 1994's Philadelphia and 1995's Forrest Gump; however that skill has remained a vital reason for his prolonged success. And, it applies equally to the silliest roles on his resume — early movies Splash, Turner & Hooch and The 'Burbs, for instance — and to the far more serious and subtle parts. Last year's Oscar-nominated performance in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood typifies the latter, and featured Hanks in such exceptional form that it couldn't have been easier to see him as children's presenter Mr Rogers. His latest great film, western News of the World, also belongs in the same category. This time around, Hanks plays a Civil War veteran-turned-travelling newsman who becomes saddled with escorting a child back to her family, and he's as gripping and compelling to watch as he's ever been. Hanks' character, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, is a travelling newsman in the very literal and era-appropriate sense. He journeys from town to town to read newspapers to amassed crowds for ten cents a person, all so folks across America can discover what's going on — not just locally, but around the country and the world. Then, on one otherwise routine trip in 1870, he passes an overturned wagon. Only a blonde-haired ten-year-old girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), remains alive. Kidd soon discovers that she had been abducted by the Kiowa people years earlier during a raid that saw her entire family slaughtered, and was then raised as one of their own, but she has now been left homeless after more violence. The wagon was transporting Johanna to her last remaining relatives and, in the absence of any officials willing to take over — or ensure her safety until they get around to setting off — Kidd reluctantly agrees to the task. Reading the news is still part of their trek, but so is avoiding the many dangers that plague their ride across Texas' golden-hued landscape. If the sight of a wearied Hanks donning a wide-brimmed hat, sitting atop a trusty horse and galloping across scrubby plains feels unfamiliar, that's because it hasn't happened before — with News of the World marking his first-ever western more than four decades after he made his acting debut. (No, his time voicing cowboy plaything Woody in the Toy Story movies doesn't count.) Hanks is a natural fit, unsurprisingly. The grounded presence he has brought to everything from Apollo 13 to The Post couldn't pair better with a genre that trots so openly across the earth, and ties its characters' fortunes so tightly to the desolate and wild conditions that surround them, after all. As a result, the fact that News of the World eagerly recalls previous western standouts such as The Searchers and True Grit doesn't ever become a drawback. Instead, this adaptation of Paulette Jiles' 2016 novel makes a purposeful effort to put its star in the same company as the many on-screen talents who've shone in — and strutted and scowled through — the genre. Hanks takes to the saddle like he's been perched upon one his entire career, of course, and takes to Kidd's lone-rider status with the same naturalistic air as well. Indeed, Hanks plays Kidd as an everyman, another key trait that's served him excellently for years — but the ex-soldier is also a wanderer for a reason. A handful of poignant scenes help shade in the character's painful past, and make it plain why his eventual connection with Johanna is perhaps a bigger deal for him than it is for her. They're an ideal match, actually, even if it doesn't instantly seem like it. He's quiet and stoic, she's unafraid to voice her displeasure, and a father-daughter rapport slowly springs. But Hanks isn't the only actor who ensures that this pairing works so disarmingly well, with his young co-star just as phenomenal. For anyone who saw Zengel's performance in 2019's System Crasher, which won the pre-teen the German Film Prize for Best Actress, that won't come as even the slightest surprise. Also pivotal to News of the World is filmmaker Paul Greengrass, who directs Hanks for the second time following Captain Phillips. Working with a script co-written with Australian screenwriter Luke Davies (Lion, Beautiful Boy, Angel of Mine), the United 93, 22 July and three-time Bourne franchise helmer opts for a more polished visual approach than he's known for — less frenetic and jittery, and noticeably so, but with imagery that still pulsates with emotion. When Kidd and Johanna find trouble along their trek, including from a shady trio with despicable intentions, Greengrass expertly ramps up the pace without ever letting the film's classic feel subside. With stellar assistance from cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (Sicario: Day of the Soldado) and editor William Goldenberg (an Oscar-winner for Argo), he ensures that the wagon chase and cliffside shootout that ensue are as tense and thrilling as they are exacting and meticulous. And, when his central duo arrive in a town where the local heavy (Thomas Francis Murphy, The Secrets We Keep) isn't keen on any news he doesn't approve of, he never overemphases the contemporary parallels with today's political cries against the media. Greengrass also fills News of the World with a top-notch supporting lineup, including Deadwood's Ray McKinnon, True Grit's Elizabeth Marvel, Hanks' Turner & Hooch love interest Mare Winningham and The Queen's Gambit's Bill Camp — a touch indicative of the film's finesse on every level. In fact, as perfectly cast and reliably great as Hanks is here, in the latest role that's likely to see awards nominations come his way, the empathetic and absorbing movie he's in meets him at every turn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_EVA58P-g Image: Bruce W Talamon/Universal Pictures/Netflix.
If you're a Brisbanite with a healthy appetite, there's only one place to be between Thursday, July 29–Sunday, August 1. Take your rumbling stomach and its yearning for something scrumptious down to James Street — and fill it with tasty treats. Over a four-day period, the New Farm precinct will become a culinary wonderland for the ninth time, once again highlighting the gastronomic delights of the area. That includes devouring delicious dishes and drinks, of course, regardless of what kind of food, beverage or event takes your fancy. And, it also boasts a whole day of market activity. Whichever day you decide to head by, you can hop on the trail. Follow the roadway to a feast of dishes and drinks; think: Greek wine and eats at Hellenika, bar specials at Cru Bar and market specials from Mosconi. Then, come Sunday, more than 25 businesses will unleash their wares, with the lineup spanning everything from wagyu burgers and duck pies to sourdough pizzas and strawberry and cream cakes. Because Gelato Messina calls the neighbourhood home, you'll be able to tuck into two special dessert concoctions, too, with a Snickey Glasses gelato bar and a basque Alaska paddle pop on the menu for the day. Also on the agenda at the picnic-style event: live performances and live music. No wonder the road will be closed between McLachlan and Arthur Streets, with the trail's zone expanding over to Pottery Barn as well.
Year after year, St. Jerome's Laneway Festival delivers a brilliant lineup of bands that has given it the reputation of a true music nerd's festival. A complementary mix of international and local acts have been chosen for 2012; long-time lovers of this festival are sure to find a couple of bands that they've always wanted to see. Laneway's focus on up-and-coming acts means that there's a high likelihood you'll hear a band you've never heard of who will soon be a regular guest on your iPod. This summer, you can look forward to seeing New York trio Chairlift, who produce very catchy indie songs and are soon releasing their third album; Girls, a charismatic rock-pop band whose songs are laced with innocent heartbreak and joie de vivre; quirky songstress Laura Marling; synth-rock hero M83; the genre-hopping wonder that is Feist, as well as The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Horrors, Twin Shadow, The Panics, Yuck, Pajama Club, Active Child and many more. Laneway are also showcasing Triple J's Unearthed winners, so you may hear the Next Big Thing before they're saturating the radio. The exuberant, party atmosphere and a crowd who's more into the music that what they're wearing makes Laneway a summer staple, so make sure you nab a ticket as soon as you can (tickets go on sale October 19). Brisbane – Saturday, January 28 at Alexandria Street, Fortitude Valley Auckland – Monday, January 30 at Silo Park, Beaumont Street Melbourne – Saturday, February 4 at Footscray Community Arts Centre Sydney – Sunday, February 5 at Sydney College Of The Arts Adelaide – Friday, February 10 at Fowler's Live Perth – Saturday, February 11 at Perth Cultural Centre Singapore – Sunday, February 12 at Fort Canning (lineup announced on October 21) The full lineup is as follows: Active Child Anna Calvi Austra Bullion Chairlift (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne only) Cults The Drums DZ Deathrays EMA Feist (except Adelaide^) Geoffry O'Connor Girls Givers (Sydney, Melbourne only) Glasser The Horrors Husky (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne only) John Talabot Jonti Laura Marling M83 Oneman The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Pajama Club The Panics Portugal The Man SBTRKT (live) Toro Y Moi Total Control Twin Shadow Washed Out Wu Lyf Yuck https://youtube.com/watch?v=r-hMISLG8nY
You're at work. It's an ordinary day. You've been doing your usual tasks and, in a completely unremarkable incident, you happen to notice a stapler. If your first thought is "hmmm, I bet I could set that in a bowl of jelly", then you're obviously a fan of The Office. One of the rare instances where a TV remake is better than the original — it is based on the UK series of the same name, after all — this sitcom about paper company employees is far more amusing than it really has any right to be. In fact, it's downright side-splitting, and it's immensely easy to just keep rewatching. But that's what you get when you round up Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Ellie Kemper and Craig Robinson in the same show, and let all of them break out their comedic best.
Concrete Playground is taking the edge off the death of daylight saving by giving you the chance to experience Sydney's best cultural events for an entire month. One lucky person will win $1500 worth of fun, including: Dinner for two at Grasshopper to the value of $150 Double passes to two Vivid LIVE 2011 shows at Sydney Opera House Double passes to Baal and Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness at Sydney Theatre Company Double movie passes to Incendies and Source Code (plus a pack of 10 Hopscotch DVDs) A double pass to see Guineafowl play live A pass to all events and talks at the Creative Sydney 2011 festival Two cocktail jugs and entry for two to the gig of your choice at Goodgod To enter, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name to hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Entries close Friday, April 9 2011 at 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=14e1507YOLs
Tucked away in the newly refurbished Winn Lane in The Valley, Nine Lives Gallery will be hosting an exhibition showcasing the works of two bronzed American artists who both have an interest in photography, surfing and share the same first name. Entitled Peripheral, the show will feature the works of artists Alex Kopps and Alex Knost. Kopps is an extremely talented individual and has work spanning a whole range of mediums including photography, video art, drawing, painting and mixed media (particularly lovely). Peripheral will focus on his more filmic creations, specifically video art and large-scale optical prints of snap shot photography. There will also be a few prints and drawings in the exhibition. Knost is even more of an all-rounder with a background in surfing and music as well as painting and drawing. Despite his varied talents, Knost now focuses more firmly on photography and film, including the creation of an alternative surf flick ‘Beach Blanket Burnout’. There is definitely an underlying theme of surf culture between these two Californian-based artists, but this will not be the immediate focus of this exhibition. Rather, in the case of Peripheral, Kopps and Knost capture the in-between moments and accidents through film and photography. This exhibition is a must-see if diverse and refreshing international contemporary art is your thing. And even if it’s not, you still should check it our anyway because art is good for the soul and this exhibition looks like a good’n.
UPDATE, April 21, 2023: Elvis is available to stream via Netflix, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Making a biopic about the king of rock 'n' roll, trust Baz Luhrmann to take his subject's words to heart: a little less conversation, a little more action. The Australian filmmaker's Elvis, his first feature since 2013's The Great Gatsby, isn't short on chatter. It's even narrated by Tom Hanks (Finch) as Colonel Tom Parker, the carnival barker who thrust Presley to fame (and, as Luhrmann likes to say, the man who was never a Colonel, never a Tom and never a Parker). But this chronology of an icon's life is at its best when it's showing rather than telling. That's when it sparkles brighter than a rhinestone on all-white attire, and gleams with more shine than all the lights in Las Vegas. That's when Elvis is electrifying, due to its treasure trove of recreated concert scenes — where Austin Butler (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) slides into Presley's blue suede shoes and lifetime's supply of jumpsuits like he's the man himself. Butler is that hypnotic as Presley. Elvis is his biggest role to-date after starting out on Hannah Montana, sliding through other TV shows including Sex and the City prequel The Carrie Diaries, and also featuring in Yoga Hosers and The Dead Don't Die — and he's exceptional. Thanks to his blistering on-stage performance, shaken hips and all, the movie's gig sequences feel like Elvis hasn't ever left the building. Close your eyes and you'll think you were listening to the real thing. (In some cases, you are: the film's songs span Butler's vocals, Presley's and sometimes a mix of both). And yet it's how the concert footage looks, feels, lives, breathes, and places viewers in those excited and seduced crowds that's Elvis' true gem. It's meant to make movie-goers understand what it was like to be there, and why Presley became such a sensation. Aided by dazzling cinematography, editing and just all-round visual choreography, these parts of the picture — of which there's many, understandably — leave audiences as all shook up as a 1950s teenager or 1970s Vegas visitor. Around such glorious centrepieces, Luhrmann constructs exactly the kind of Elvis extravaganza he was bound to. His film is big. It's bold. It's OTT. It's sprawling at two-and-a-half hours in length. It shimmers and swirls. It boasts flawless costume and production design by Catherine Martin, as his work does. It shows again that Luhrmann typically matches his now-instantly recognisable extroverted flair with his chosen subject (Australia aside). Balancing the writer/director's own style with the legend he's surveying can't have been easy, though, and it doesn't completely play out as slickly as Presley's greased-back pompadour. Elvis is never anything but engrossing, and it's a sight to behold. The one key element that doesn't gel as convincingly: using the scheming Parker as a narrator (unreliable, obviously) and framing device. It helps the movie unpack the smiling-but-cunning manager's outré role in Presley's life, but it's often just forceful, although so was Parker's presence in the star's career. In a script by Luhrmann, Sam Bromell (The Get Down), Craig Pearce (Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby) and Jeremy Doner (TV's The Killing), the requisite details are covered. That includes the singer's birth in Tupelo, Mississippi, and extends through to his late-career Vegas residency — with plenty in the middle. His discovery by Parker, the impact upon his parents (Rake co-stars Helen Thomson and Richard Roxburgh), his relationship with Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge, The Staircase), Graceland, America's puritanical reaction to his gyrating pelvis, the issues of race baked into the response to him as an artist: they're all featured. Thematically, those last two points thrum throughout the entire movie. Elvis questions why any hint of sex was such a shock, and why it was so easy for a white man who drew his songs, style and dance moves from Black culture, via his upbringing, to be dubbed a scandal. Elvis also does what Luhrmann often does; he's never adapted a fairy tale (no, Moulin Rouge!'s green fairy doesn't count), but he adores larger-than-life stories that seem more than real. Like style, like narrative, clearly, and Presley's leap to the most famous man in the world and, sadly, to exploited, caught in a punishing trap, addicted, and then dead at just 42, has that touch to it here. Yes, that remains true even though this will always be a tragic story. That said, amid the visual flourishes that help cement the vibe — the filmmaker's usual circling images, split-screens, match cuts, frenzy of colour and visible lavishness, aided by cinematographer Mandy Walker (Mulan), plus editors Jonathan Redmond (The Great Gatsby) and Matt Villa (Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway) — there's an earthiness to Elvis. In fact, the ability to make everything both hyperreal and natural is one of the reasons the feature's live performance scenes have such a spark. There isn't a second of Elvis that doesn't play like a Luhrmann film, of course; crucially, it's always an Elvis movie, too. There's that balance at work, even if viewers won't walk away knowing much more about the man behind the myth-sized superstardom — feeling more, however, happens fast, frenetically and often. Most choices that could've been jarring, such as the musical anachronisms, have depth to them. Luhrmann connects Presley's songs and influence with music since and now in several ways. This is a film about influences in two directions, smartly — because noting that Big Mama Thornton (first-timer Shonka Dukureh) was the first to record 'Hound Dog', that artists like BB King (Kelvin Harrison Jr, Cyrano) shaped Presley, and that his musical roots trace back to gospel churches and revival tents, needed to be inescapable in an Elvis biopic circa 2022. Also inescapable thanks to its Gold Coast shoot: spotting almost every Australian actor around Butler and Hanks, including David Wenham (The Furnace) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog) as carnival-circuit performers Hank Snow and Jimmie Rodgers Snow. Stranger Things' Dacre Montgomery plays director Steve Binder, who helmed Presley's 68 Comeback Special — the recreation of which is spellbinding. But Butler is always Elvis' force of nature. His physicality in the part, including as Presley ages, is stunning. The soulfulness baked into his portrayal is as well, and moving. That he acts circles around the prosthetics-laden Hanks, who ensures that the self-serving, one-note Parker is easily the film's villain, might sound fanciful in any other movie. But this is Elvis, and seeing Butler play Elvis is one for the money. Doing just that helped make Kurt Russell a star back in 1979, a mere two years after Presley's death, and that taking-care-of-business lightning bolt should strike again thanks to this exhilarating spectacle.
The theatrical genius that gave you Urinetown is about to give a whole lot more. Don’t Clap, Just Throw Money is hilarity doubled, with a back-to-back feature of prehistoric proportions. Faulty Fanny’s Cabaret sends you back to the golden age of debauchery and divine spectacular of the stage, when the drinks were served straight up to the shady characters downtown. Song and dance, cross-dressing delights and clothes-less surprises, all in the lopsided world that will hold a very real place in the hearts of lovers of modern day theatrics. Things Are Looking Up, the original musical by Louis Peake, takes us back to before the apocalypse, with a glimpse into how the human condition transforms when faced with the end of life. Tongue-in-cheek while being a little too familiar, while being soundtracked by hilarity, it will prove a smash hit among audiences looking for a Tyrannic night out.
It doesn't get much better than this: a roomy tent decked out with everything you could need, all within a stone's throw of the water on Stradbroke Island. And that's just what Minjerribah Camping has up its sleeves at its Adder Rock site at Point Lookout. You'll get cosy in a mini village of ten beachfront tents, with each equipped with cotton sheets, fresh towels, two bamboo chairs and power. Plus, as well as roaming around the camping ground's communal kitchen, barbecue and picnic facilities, you can stroll up to the shops and pub — when you're not splashing around or soaking in the view, that is.
