Last month, she danced and pranced her way across the QPAC stage. This month, Alice is gracing us with her presence again, just under slightly more culinary circumstances! As a follow-on from the Queensland Ballet’s whimsical production of Alice in Wonderland last month, Paddington’s Plaza Theatre Café is putting on a Tea Party that you won’t want to miss – it’s the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! It looked amazing on stage, and now it’s your chance to be part of the party yourself. The Plaza Theatre Café always puts on a good show. Their tasty treats are all baked by hand on site (their cupcakes are divine!). Best of all, they’re located next to the Paddington Antiques Warehouse, for all you antique aficionados. Sadly you won’t be finding Johnny Depp in a crazy hat or a pocket watch-touting rabbit at this tea party, but Alice will be making an appearance. It will be an amusing afternoon and is certain to leave you and your entourage grinning wider than the Cheshire cat’s. Costumes are encouraged, however not required. But why not get into the spirit! Don’t be late for this very important date! Make sure to call ahead and book as this is bound to be a popular party.
A month after Queensland last relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions, the state will move to its next phase of post-lockdown conditions, with stage three due to come into effect a week earlier than initially expected. And if you're keen to gather in large groups — both at home and out of the house — it's welcome news. In fact, you'll be able to do so in considerable numbers from this weekend. Today, Tuesday, June 30, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles mapped out just what's on the cards for Queenslanders when stage three hits at 12 noon on Friday, July 3, with a significant amount of changes kicking into gear. The list is lengthy, with all of the following permitted again: Up to 100 people in homes and non-commercial venues. Weddings and funerals with up to 100 people. Resuming all competition and contact sports, with COVID-Safe plans in place. Reopening indoor sports facilities, with one person per four square metres off the field of play. Reopening of outdoor sports facilities, with 1.5-metre social distancing off the field of play. Removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in museums, libraries, art galleries and historic sites — and moving to the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule. Removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in businesses — including shops, cafes, restaurants and bars — and moving to the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule. For smaller venues below 200 square metres, removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in businesses even further — by moving to the one-person-per-two-square-metres rule, up to a maximum of 50 people. Allowing nightclubs, food courts, casinos and gaming venues to reopen with COVID-Safe plans in place, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for venues over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for venues under 200 square metres) rules. Allowing non-therapeutic massage parlours, saunas and bathhouses to reopen with COVID-Safe Plans in place, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for venues over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for venues under 200 square metres) rules. Allowing office workers to return to their place of work, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for businesses over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for businesses under 200 square metres) rules. Allowing sporting venues to fill either to 50-percent capacity, or allow 25,000 spectators to attend — whichever is lesser. The reopening of concert venues, theatres and auditoriums with COVID-Safe Plans, either at 50-percent capacity or under the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule — whichever is greater. Allowing events up to 500 people without any additional approval, if following a COVID-Safe Event Checklist. Allowing events between 500–10,000 with an approved COVID-Safe Event Plan. Allowing events over 10,000 with an approved COVID-Safe Event Plan as well as approval from the Queensland Chief Health Officer. Here's the full rundown of all stages of Queensland's eased restrictions since mid-May: In short, that means that house parties are back on, hospitality venues can increase their capacity, concert venues can reopen and you'll be able to buy a beer at the bar. Nightclubs are also back in business, and stadium patronage will increase again as well. In not-so-welcome news for everyone enjoying working from home, however, it also means that hitting the keyboard from your couch — and while wearing your comfy clothes — may stop being a reality. Announcing not only the eased restrictions, but the reopening of the Queensland border to all Aussie states and territories except Victoria, Premier Palaszczuk noted that the changes — and moving forward the stage three start date — are "all due to the tremendous work of Queenslanders". As at today, Tuesday, June 30, the state only has two active coronavirus cases. The government also advised that it will review Queensland COVID-19 transmission levels with a view to moving from the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule to the one-person-per-two-square-metres more widely — "when circumstances allow". As always, standard social distancing and hygiene practises remain in effect — including washing your hands, cough and sneeze hygiene, staying 1.5-metres from other people, and staying home and getting tested if you're sick. To find out more about Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions, and the status of the coronavirus in the state, visit Queensland's online COVID-19 hub. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Atlanta Bell.
With all this time spent at home, you might as well make it interesting. Maybe throw in some problem-solving, clue-cracking and a spot of mystery? If any of the above takes your fancy, strap yourself in for the latest at-home escape room experience from the masters of intrigue at Ukiyo. The Brunswick-based escape room studio has been delivering locals their lockdown puzzle fix via a series of interactive online experiences. And the next one unfolds over four brain-teasing days, kicking off next Wednesday, September 16. Dubbed Bird Cage, this new virtual game takes its cues from the likes of Stranger Things, The Ring and Slender Man, serving up an Aussie twist on the retro sci-fi thriller. The story's set deep in the outback, pulling players into a paranormal mystery involving a creepy scientific institute, its prized specimen and a very unwanted escape. Delve into this immersive head-scratcher solo, or with your housemates, cracking clues and solving puzzles as the game unfolds. All you'll need to play is a computer with internet access, though there's also a Stranger Things-inspired pillow fortress competition to enter if you fancy a shot at winning a $200 Ukiyo voucher. Tickets for Bird Cage are just $5 per person, or you can nab a household ticket for $15 (for three or more players).
For those of us who bemoan the destructive tendencies of music's digital revolution — making such endearingly humble (and ubiquitous) devices as vinyls and walkman permanently redundant — the newly released Sharetapes are giving modern music a decidedly old-school twist. Sharetapes, the product of an Australian start-up, are the iPhone and Spotify era equivalent of a casette mix-tape. The credit card-sized tape allows you to make a playlist using such online services as YouTube, 8tracks and Spotify and then writing it to one of your blank tapes by hitting record at sharetapes.com. Then, simply tap your tape on an NFC-enabled smartphone (recent Android, Windows or Blackberry devices) or scan it using any QR code application (all your other iPhones and smartphones) and you can easily share your favourite playlists with your friends. These transportable, shareable and fashionably retro cards are awesome for bands or DJs hoping to connect their music with fans. And in the spirit of the mix-tape heyday of the '80s and '90s, these cards are the perfect companion for the modern lover. While once upon a time, teenage romantics would use their casette mix-tapes of MC Hammer and Barry White to woo their high-school crush, the modern lover simply has to swipe their card across their prospective other's iPhone and get ready for the romance to get a-flowing. We're giving away five packs of Sharetapes, with each packet including five individual tapes. To be in the running, simply subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and postal address at hello@concreteplayground.com.au.
Everyone loves Jamie's Italian. Or at least that's what we discovered when, back in November last year, we reported that the Jamie Oliver had officially bought back his Australian restaurant chain after its parent company, the Keystone Group, went into receivership. People were ecstatic. Now the deal has officially gone through and the man, the myth, the legend himself is heading to our shores to relaunch his six Jamie's Italian restaurants with a greater Aussie focus in mind. Oliver will visit Sydney between May 8 and 12 to launch a brand new menu that will centre on Australian produce and wine, collaborating with local suppliers including Sydney's Joto Fresh Fish and Serendipity Ice Cream, Adelaide's Boulangerie 113 and Melbourne's That's Amore Cheese. He's also got managing director Ben Shaughnessy in the fold, who moved to Sydney earlier this year after seven years at the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group UK – no doubt to get this Aussification process started in advance of the big boss' arrival. The menu will continue to feature Italian classics, but will now be more focused on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients — think wild mushroom ravioli (made fresh daily on-site), 12-hour slow-cooked oxtail lasagne and slow-roasted juicy porchetta stuffed with garlic, chill and herbs. The updated wine list will be decidedly more Australian too, which is a welcome (and necessary, in our opinion) change for the restaurants. To celebrate the launch, Jamie's Italian will offer a signature pasta dish for only ten bucks, starting May 8 through to the end of the month and changing every Monday. Oliver is also introducing 'kids eat free' during the Easter holiday in all six of the restaurants, with a selection of six 'award-winning' kids' menu dishes available for every main course ordered. To maintain brand consistency, Parramatta's Jamie's Italian Trattoria will change names and become the sixth Jamie's Italian in Australia, joining existing locations in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and, of course, Sydney. Perhaps Oliver's arrival in Australia will even see him scope out a location for a venue in Melbourne, which has oddly been left out of the Jamie's Kitchen fold. Either way, we can't wait to dig in to some delicious, lovely jubbly pasta and know that it was made with the Australian climate and produce in mind. Jamie Oliver will visit Sydney from May 8–12 to officially relaunch Jamie's Italian. But you can visit any of his six restaurants at any time. For more information, visit jamieoliver.com.
Brisbane rock five-piece Waax have been steadily gaining a following over the past few years. This month, they're set to cross the border for a gig in Byron as part of NSW Government initiative Great Southern Nights. They'll be playing at The Northern, situated right in the centre of Byron Bay and just a few minutes' walk from its famous Main Beach. Not that you'll be thinking of the surf when Waax lets rip with their take on alternative post-punk. Likened in the past to acts such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, their debut album, Big Grief — incidentally recorded in Byron Bay — just fell short of a place in the Top 10 last year. You can catch them at the coastal pub on Saturday, November 7 at 6pm or 9.30pm. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo boasts its own glamping experience, as well as a luxe new eco-retreat. At Melbourne Zoo, you can stay overnight in the elephant exhibit. Next year, southeast Queensland's Australia Zoo will follow suit, opening a campground that'll also include glamping and eco cabins. Slated to launch in 2020 to celebrate Australia Zoo's 50th anniversary celebrations, the new addition to the Irwin family's Beerwah zoo has unsurprisingly been dubbed Camp Crocodile Hunter. It'll feature a combination of tent accommodation, powered sites for caravans and RVs, glamping-style tents and cabins — with 108 sites included in total. Wildlife lovers can also look forward to a new cafe, an entertainment and pool area, covered cooking areas and a mountain bike track. And, there'll be facilities for school camps, too. Expect all of the above to be put to frequent use, with Australia Zoo anticipating that Camp Crocodile Hunter will attract more than 39,000 visitors each year. Increasing both tourism and zoo patronage is clear aim of the $8 million project, which has received Queensland Government support alongside Australia Zoo's own funding. Just what else the "luxury bush camp experiences" will entail hasn't been revealed, but for folks keen to extend their trip to the famed zoo across at least two days — and avoid having to trek offsite to stay the night — that's obviously on the agenda. From the crocoseum and croc school, to the onsite wildlife hospital, to a lineup of animals that spans tigers, cheetahs, giraffes, lemurs, meerkats, otters, rhinos, kangaroos, koalas, emus, crocodiles and more, there's definitely plenty to see. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwRk7kkF1eZ/ Camp Crocodile Hunter was first announced back in April, but construction started just this month, after the completion of planning work for all of the campground essentials — aka electricity, water and public amenities. Australia Zoo's Camp Crocodile Hunter is slated to open in 2020. For further information, visit the venue's website. Top image: Andy Mitchell via Wikicommons.
Travelling further than your own city hasn't been all that easy over the past 18 months, all thanks to the pandemic and the restrictions and border closures that've come with it. But, back at the end of June, Virgin Australia announced that it was going to give Aussies some extra incentive not just to travel, but to get vaccinated against COVID-19 so that borders can reopen, restrictions can ease and jetting off on holiday can become a reality again — and now the airline is coming through. The carrier has just launched a new giveaway called VA-X & Win, which is handing out free flights, a heap of frequent flyer points, lounge memberships and Virgin Australia PJs to Aussies who've had the jab. That's the catch, obviously. To enter, you'll need to roll up your sleeve first. You'll also need to be a member of the airline's free-to-join Velocity frequent flyer program. Here's how it works: once you've had both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, you'll head to the airline's website, fill out the form with all of your details and wait to find out if you've won. You've got until 11.59pm on December 31, 2021 to enter, and you'll need to tick a box confirming you've been vaxxed, and also have proof of your jabs to show if asked. The full prize pool includes 25 return business class flights, 50 return economy flights, 30 Virgin Australia lounge memberships and 85 sets of pyjamas, with 50 people scoring 10,000 Velocity points and ten folks nabbing 100,000 points. Also, one person will become a Velocity Points millionaire, with the lucky winner then able to put those points to plenty of use. "We are offering an opportunity for every fully vaccinated Australian aged 18 and over to enter the Virgin Australia VA-X & Win competition, for simply rolling up their sleeve, getting vaccinated and protecting their community and the future of our country," said Virgin Australia Group CEO and Managing Director Jayne Hrdlicka. "We know how important it is to reach the vaccination thresholds as soon as possible, especially for those people living in New South Wales and Victoria, and we're proud to play our part in adding to the benefits of getting vaccinated." Qantas has also launched a similar giveaway, if you'd like to double your chance to win across both airlines. And, if you're now looking for vaccination clinics, you can check out a handy online map that collates vaccination hub, clinic and GP locations. It covers all Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. To enter the Virgin Australia 'VA-X & Win' competition, head to the airline's website before December 31, 2021.
Although it may be overshadowed by the enormous BIFF, the folks behind BUFF (Brisbane Underground Film Festival) probably prefer being the lesser known film fest in town. Instead of big Hollywood actors, we have young up and comers. Instead of critical acclaim, we have cult favourites. The Brisbane Powerhouse is shining a light on these oft-overlooked artists over a three day period. This is film with a twist, where being outrageous is encouraged, where nothing is too low-brow and the biggest winning factor is out-right entertainment. Take note: being underground does not mean lacking in vision or creativity, as these directors, writers and actors have some serious chops. The festival has shown such underground gems like Dogtooth, Hobo with a Shotgun and The Comedy, all amazing independent films. Who knows which of 2013’s features will be added to that illustrious list in years to come? Check out the screening schedule on the Brisbane Powerhouse website and pre-book your tickets now.
All over Brisbane you can find art and craft markets catering to those with a penchant for individuality and artistic flair. But when it comes to markets for pre-loved clothing is often gets hard to find a good one. A Frock Affair is hoping to change that one Saturday at a time. In a similar vein to Suitcase Rummage (except for an exclusive focus on fashion) stalls can be purchased by those with cupboards full to the brim of clothes that need new homes. The vintage and pre-loved angle means you can pick up a bargain – or several – for limited funds. Attendees this Saturday will find a mix of labels including (but definitely not limited to) Oroton, Country Road and Cue. If past reviews are anything to go by, this day is a treat for both wardrobes and wallets, as the stock available for purchase is both high in quality and quantity. In fact, the Frock Affair website suggests bringing your own bags to help carry your purchases. Best take their advice if you're planning on spending up big! Best of all A Frock Affair boasts free entry and has an ATM on site, which is a necessity for those who underestimate how much awesome attire they will find.
For the next three months, the Sydney Opera House will not be home to any operas, Vivid Live performances, thought-provoking talks or podcast recordings, with all public performances suspended until at least June 17. But you will be able to relive many of the highlights from its 47-year history when the Sydney icon launches its digital program tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1. The latest cultural institution — around Australia and the world — to launch an online platform, the Opera House has today unveiled 'From our House to yours', which will see full-length performances, talks, long-form articles, podcasts and behind-the-scenes content brought to your screens. As well as a heap of footage that's never been seen by the public before. Kicking things off is award-winning Aussie musician Missy Higgins with a recording from her 2019 forecourt concert at 6pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, April 1. You'll also catch a conversation from this year's All About Women with writer Chanel Miller about her new memoir Know My Name on Thursday, April 2 at 6pm (AEDT); footage of last year's Dance Rites — Australia's annual First Nations dance competition — on Friday, April 3 at 6pm (AEDT); Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's sublime Symphony No. 9 on Saturday, April 4 at 6pm (AEDT); and a recording of The Writers Room with Celia Pacqoula (Rosehaven), Josh Thomas (Please Like Me), Luke McGregor (Rosehaven) and Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community) at 6pm (AEST) on Sunday, April 5, where the writers discuss characters, plots and dealing with deadlines. [caption id="attachment_752071" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dance Rites by Anna Kucera[/caption] You'll also be able to access a bunch of free content on demand, plus new videos, recordings and articles will be released daily every Wednesday through Sunday, with each week's schedule announced on the Tuesday. The launch comes after the Opera House's exclusive broadcast event for Piano Day 2020 last Saturday, which featured performances by Andrea Lam, Margaret Leng Tan and Simon Tedeschi; unreleased recordings of Jon Hopkins and Joep Beving; and an interview with composer Nils Frahm. If you want a sneak peek into what you can expect from the new digital initiative, check out the broadcast here. From our House to yours launches at 6pm on Wednesday, April 1 on the Sydney Opera House website and will run until at least mid-June. Each week's schedule will be announced on Tuesday.
Think your recorder skills in Year 6 were pretty enviable? London high school buds Jack Steadman, Jamie MacColl, Suren de Saram and Ed Nash actually lived the School of Rock dream when they were offered a record deal just after finishing their studies. Fast-forward a few years, a few albums and more than a few shows, Bombay Bicycle Club (albeit with less cherub-looking faces) are still rocking it. For the first time in almost two years, the British four-piece will grace Australia's east coast. Blessed with an ability to bounce between genres, their latest self-labelled 'dance' record released in February of this year, So Long, See You Tomorrow, is the group's fourth album in five years. For their Australian gigs, expect a little bit of psychedelia of 2011's A Different Kind of Fix, a little bit of acoustic goodness from 2010's Flaws, and a whole lot of Londony vibes. Supported by East. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JwlgC-jSPTk
Caxton Street, Caxton Street, light of my life, fire of my loins. The one street in Brisbane that offers everything from a dirty grind on a dirtier dance floor to a top shelf martini partnered with slightly pretentious atmosphere. Caxton Street truly is a Brisbane icon, and its recent Bruce Jenner-ous facelift has secured its place as a hub begging to be conquered — it's all up to you what adventure you choose to take in doing so. STATLER AND WALDORF There’s no better way to start a night on the town than with a tummy with full of grub, and an outfit that screams I’m here for a good time. Bypass the bundle of Barracks restaurants – you think you can afford them but you can’t, and head south to one of Caxton’s newest joints, Statler and Waldorf. They’ve only been open for a couple of months, but they’re already one of the busiest bars in town. We suggest you make a booking to avoid morbid disappointment, and as far as ordering goes, choose something that’s bustling with meat, a verjuice and grab a side of chips to line your stomach with a carb-based tolerance for the drinking that will succeed. You can’t go wrong with a gin and freshly squeezed apple juice, and if the Stat is feeling fancy enough, they’ll even throw a few raspberries in the mix. If you’re feeling full and need a sit after your meal, head straight across the road to Brewski, or if the groove genes are kicking in, head on up to Lefty’s. 25 Caxton Street BREWSKI Brewski are those new kids on the block that have just perfected dining and drinking to a tee. With a tap selection that combines the boutique with blokey, and selection of cheap eats. No doubt, in your crowd, they’ll be at least one whose still up for more of a feed. Grab him a $10 pizza, throw him in the corner with it, and wait in anticipation for them to return with a blazing smile and the perseverance to move on. If you’re content with this pub crawlesque tangent you’ve worked your way in to then trek up to Cartel, otherwise it’s Lefty’s time. 22 Caxton Street CARTEL Cartel provides a brilliant fusion of beer, beards and nana style seating. By now you’re probably starting to feel a little greasy, there’s a probably a few hairs out of place, and your dignity’s bordering destruction – time for shots. Ask Flynn – the one with the mo, or Noah – the one with the beard, for a good ol’ fashion American shot, and they’ll probably plate up something that looks dangerous and tastes just as scary – rest assured though, you’re in good hands. This little bar is a Caxton old boy, and as such has a cozy feel you’re not going to find most anywhere else on the street. If after a shot or five you’re ready for something a bit harder, head straight to Lefty’s, or if you’re feeling like a seedier crowd could do you well, then Casablanca is your man. 1/2 Caxton Street LEFTY'S OLD TIME MUSIC HALL Lefty’s may just be the best place in Brisbane for a groove – possibly the best in Queensland, maybe even the world. You can have a nice sit, listen to the live blues roots band, and dance amongst a crowd that strays sporadically between party-hoppers, princesses and parents. Rumour has it, that if a girl throws their bra on one of the mounted animal heads they get free drinks all night. If you feel this is a viable means of retaining your semi-secure financial status, maybe you should cut your loses and head straight to Casablanca, if not, stay here, rock on and end the night on a boot scooting high. 15 Caxton Street CASABLANCA One word, four syllables – Ka-ra-o-ke! It’s your time to shine, and there’s an audience of hazy, blood shot eyes, waiting to hear your voice. Whether it’s reminding everyone it’s your life, and it’s never with a bit of Bon Jovi, or a tear jerking rendition of Wuthering Heights, belt out the last of your energy in true, nasty Caxton Street style. Once you’re exhausted all your talent, why not weigh up your food options from our list below, return to Cartel for a night cap, or head straight to a taxi. 52 Petrie Terrace FOOD By now u r drank, but u dnt care becoz fr[ends n fud are everything and lyf will be okay rite. But existential crisis aside, you should definitely have a bite. Harry’s Fine Foods, colloquially know as Dirty Harry’s, isn’t really as dirty as it sounds when it’s 2am and all you want in life is a corn dog with some tomato sauce, if not there’s an Oz-Kebabs that no doubt aligns perfectly with your New Year’s diet. Brat Haus is neatly tucked between The Caxton and The Suncorp Merchandise store, and if you ask with a please and thank you they’ll grill you a hunger busting German sausage and give you free reign on the mustard. If this proves to be your last supper on Caxton Street, it’s time to call a cab, if not, try your luck getting in to Lefty’s, Casablanca or the Caxton again. Caxton Street The taxi queue is in front of The Caxton. We hope you enjoyed your stay.
Long before Australia was plunged into a cost-of-living crisis, German-born supermarket chain Aldi was beloved by budget-conscious shoppers for its discounted groceries. Fans of cheap snow gear love the brand for cheap winter threads, too — and everyone knows someone who has nabbed a bargain bed, TV, barbecue, air fryer, outdoor setting or kettle from the retailer. Next on Aldi's list: $3.25 beers. No, there's no figure missing from that number. Yes, that's a wallet-friendly price for a frothy. If you're in Sydney on Wednesday, December 13, you can also enjoy the cheapest pub visit that you're ever likely to have while still buying a drink. To celebrate its new summery beers, which are called ALD IPA and are brewed by BrewDog at its Brisbane base, Aldi is setting up a one-night-only pop-up pub. Meet Special Brews by Aldi, with beverages costing $3.25 there as well, and the beers on offer from 3–7pm at Hotel Sweeney's on Clarence Street. In the past, Aldi has showcased its low prices by hosting a pop-up bar where gin, wine and cheese only cost $4.41, also in Sydney; serving up six gyoza for $1.44 at a pop-up dumpling truck, again in the Harbour City; and slinging 37-cent barista-made coffee in Melbourne. So, not only are the bargain brews on-brand, but so is setting up a site to launch and celebrate them. Head along to Special Brews and you'll get a sneak peek at ALD IPA, because it'll be available at the pop-up before it hits supermarkets on Wednesday, December 20. It's a first-come-first-served setup with no bookings, which means that arriving early is recommended. There'll also be a three-drink limit per person, so you won't even spend $10 on brews. Tucking into some chips while you drink will up your budget, however, with Special Brews featuring Aldi's Blackstone crisps in smoky chorizo (aka smoked paprika, pork, garlic and salt) and truffle and olive oil flavours for $3.49 a pack. Also on offer on the night: limited-edition BrewDog stubby holders and socks. "Produced in our state-of-the-art brewery in sunny Brisbane, our new ALD IPA is packed with all the hops and flavours you dream of in a quintessential summertime beer. It may boast a price tag fitting for ALDI, but it is the same high quality that BrewDog fans are so used to enjoying across our entire range, so we hope that Aussies enjoy picking up a case of ALD IPA in their weekly shop and cracking open a cold one this summer," said BrewDog Australia CEO Ed Bott. Described as "a fresh, fruity ale with tasting notes of citrus, stone fruits and a hint of toast", made with four different hops and coming in at four-percent ABV, ALD IPA will cost $13 for a four-pack — so, still $3.25 each — at Aldi. The one caveat: you can only get it at Aldis in states where supermarkets can sell booze, so in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia. Special Brews by Aldi will pop up at Hotel Sweeney's, 236 Clarence Street, Sydney from 3–7pm on Wednesday, December 13. In states where supermarkets can sell alcohol, you'll also be able to pick up a four-pack of ALD IPA in Aldi stores from Wednesday, December 20 until sold out.
At the beginning of 2012, when the world discovered that Channing Tatum was starring in a movie about male strippers — and that it was based on his own experiences working in the field — everyone was a little sceptical. Which was understandable. Magic Mike boasts a great director in Steven Soderbergh, and a cast that also includes Matthew Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough and peak McConnaissance-era Matthew McConaughey, but, on paper, it was hardly a sure thing. Of course, once the film hit the screens, it was a hit. More than that — it was a smart and sensitive look at men chasing the American Dream by taking off their clothes. Sequel Magic Mike XXL, which released in 2015, not only repeated the feat but added more depth, and Tatum successfully turned what could've been a forgettable chapter of his pre-fame life into a hit big-screen franchise. Actually, he's turned it into a stage and screen franchise. Yes, Magic Mike was always going to go back to where it all began. In Las Vegas, London, Berlin and Sydney so far, Magic Mike Live has been letting real-life male dancers strip up a storm for eager audiences. Not to be confused with Magic Mike the Musical — because that's something that's also happening — the "immersive" dance show is coming to Brisbane in 2021. When its Aussie leg was first announced in 2019, the show was set to debut in Melbourne in May 2020; however, then came the pandemic. After delaying those dates, Magic Mike Live unleashed its stuff in Sydney last December, then heads to Melbourne from June, with its Brisbane season kicking off afterwards — starting on Tuesday, November 23. As it's doing around the country, Magic Mike Live will steam up a 600-seat spiegeltent called The Arcadia, which'll make its home at Northshore Hamilton. It's the world's largest spiegeltent, because clearly this kind of show has plenty of fans. This tour marks the first time that the performance has been held in the pop-up two-storey spot, which comes with 360-degree views of the stage, a glass lobby, custom bars, a mini food hall, and a lounge area both inside and out. And while it's blazing a trail venue-wise, on the stage, the Aussie show combines elements of the Magic Mike Live's three other international productions. While Tatum came up with the idea for Magic Mike Live and co-directs the show, the Step Up, 21 Jump Street, Logan Lucky and Kingsman: The Golden Circle star isn't actually one of the performers. Instead, a cast of 20 — including 15 male dancers — showcase a combination of, dance, comedy and acrobatics. Continuing her role from the films, stage show co-director and choreographer Alison Faulk is behind the sultry moves, drawing upon a career spent working with Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Missy Elliott, P!NK, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. It probably goes without saying, but if you're already thinking about buying Magic Mike Live tickets, expect to have plenty of hens parties for company. Magic Mike Live comes to Brisbane from Tuesday, November 23, 2021. For more information, or to buy tickets from 9am AEST on Friday, March 26, visit the show's website. Images: Peter Brew-Bevan.
If bustin' makes you feel good — ghostbustin', that is — then start singing the appropriate theme tune: the movie franchise about vanquishing spirits is returning again. Notching up the supernatural comedy series' fifth film, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has locked in a date with cinemas in March 2024, and now has a trailer teasing what's to come. Perhaps the most important details: Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson are all back. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the sequel to 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which means that not only is Rudd (Only Murders in the Building) returning as Gary Grooberson, but that Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), McKenna Grace (Crater) and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) are back as well. The latter trio play Callie, Phoebe and Trevor Spengler — yes, the daughter and grandchildren of the late Harold Ramis' Egon Spengler — who became initiated in the family business when they inherited his old farmhouse. As the just-dropped first sneak peek at Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire shows, this film is reversing the last flick's swap — so, rather than taking place in Oklahoma, it's back in New York. There, summer is proceeding as normal until an unseasonable chill kicks in. The reason for the plummeting temperatures isn't any old blast of cooler weather, either, which is where the Ghostbusters come in. Also in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's cast: Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome to Chippendales), Patton Oswalt (What We Do in the Shadows), Celeste O'Connor (A Good Person) and Logan Kim (The Walking Dead: Dead City), alongside OGs Murray (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), Aykroyd (Zombie Town) and Hudson (Quantum Leap), as well as Annie Potts (Young Sheldon). The new film will arrive four decades after the first Ghostbusters initially hit screens, with Gil Kenan (A Boy Called Christmas) directing. Not only did 1989's Ghostbusters II follow before Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but also 2016's women-led, excellent and wrongly maligned Paul Feig-helmed Ghostbusters. After directing Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jason Reitman (Tully, The Front Runner) — who is the son of Ivan Reitman, who helmed the first two movies — co-writes the script this time around. Check out the trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire below: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will open in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
In July, four years after Beijing authorities confiscated his passport and banned him from leaving China, Ai Weiwei got back his right to travel. And this week he'll be using it, as he travels to Melbourne to speak at the opening of the National Gallery of Victoria's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibition. Yes, that’s right — Ai Weiwei will be appearing in the flesh. In Australia. You'll find him at the NGV on Monday, December 7 at 6.30pm, where he'll be having a mighty chat with the ABC's Virginia Trioli. Needless to say, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei is the NGV's summer blockbuster. The gallery developed the exhibition in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh and, of course, Ai Weiwei himself. The show aims to explore the concepts that inspired both artists. Gear up for more than 300 works, including never-before-seen pieces by Warhol, brand new commissions from Ai Weiwei and installations that’ll devour you. Pretty much every medium you can think of comes into play – from painting and sculpture to film and photography to music and social media. Tickets for Ai Weiwei's talk will go on sale to the public at 10am on Wednesday, December 2. And we reckon they'll sell out at Tay Swift speed — so you're going to have to be quick on the uptake. If you're a lucky, lucky member of the NGV, you can get in early in their members pre-sale, from 10am the day before. Ai Weiwei in Conversation at The National Gallery of Victoria will take place on Monday, December 7 at 6.30pm at NGV International. You can buy tickets here.
When Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon) leaves a rambling voicemail message for her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne) detailing her every move since relocating to Los Angeles, adult-aged children everywhere will nod in recognition. We've all been there: the missed calls, the text messages, the snooping. And yet while writer-director Lorene Scafaria initially appears set to provide a comic look at coping with an overbearing mother, The Meddler soon proves a different film entirely. Instead, it's an honest, heartfelt exploration of a relatable family dynamic, and of the role of mums everywhere. Marnie's new LA existence isn't just a case of not being able to stay out of her offspring's business. A year after the death of her husband, she's forcing herself to stay positive and find a sense of purpose, even if she's actually avoiding her grief in the process. But with Lori depressed over her breakup with film star Jacob (Jason Ritter), and trying to get her latest TV pilot made, mother-daughter bonding time isn't a priority. So instead, Marnie channels her well-intentioned interfering into paying for a wedding for one of Lori's friends (Cecily Strong), driving her local Apple Store employee (Jerrod Carmichael) to his night classes, volunteering at a hospital and meeting retired cop Zipper (J.K. Simmons) after wandering onto a film set. In the absence of any cynical laughs, two elements ensure The Meddler avoids any resemblance to the saccharine soul-searching quest it might sound like on paper: its ripped-from-reality feel, and its remarkable lead performance. The former comes courtesy of Scafaria's own experience, with the Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist writer having undergone a similar process with her own mother when she started working in Hollywood. It's the latter, however, that helps the film overcome a few sitcom-like developments, and truly makes proceedings seem sincere. Sarandon doesn't just play her part with a broad Brooklyn accent and a smile plastered across her face. She also shows grace and care in a role that could've easily been a caricature, yet never becomes one. There's an openness and earnestness to her portrayal that works just as well when Marnie is unable to resist overstepping her bounds with Lori (checking her browser history, for example), as it does when she's forming a connection with the chicken-raising, Dolly Parton-playing Zipper. Both Byrne and Simmons prove up to the task set by their co-star, bringing the requisite depth to their supporting but pivotal roles. Of course, where the story heads is far from surprising, with The Meddler designed to be both reflective and upbeat. With a tender touch and a sunny disposition, Scafaria isn't just working through her complicated relationship with her mother. She's also allowing viewers to do exactly the same thing.
Remember Tiger King mania? Of course you do. When Netflix's true-crime docoseries about Joe Exotic dropped in March 2020, it seemed as if everyone on the planet tuned in, dropped their jaws and couldn't stop talking about the chaotic real-life story. The fact that it released just as worldwide lockdowns hit helped boost its success, obviously. In the aftermath, other networks and platforms in the US rushed to get in on the action. That's when dramatised versions of the former Oklahoma private zookeeper's tale started being greenlit all over the place. Two big new series were swiftly slated: one starring Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters and Yesterday's Kate McKinnon as Carole Baskin — a glorious piece of casting if ever there was one — and a completely separate show with none other than Nicolas Cage playing Exotic. Neither series has surfaced yet, thanks to the pandemic. But, in sad news for Cage fans (aka everyone), the second show has just been scrapped. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have reported that the Amazon has ditched its series — which means no blonde mullet for Cage. There's a chance the folks behind it might shop it around to other streamers and networks; although, whether anyone else picks it up, and if Cage will still remain onboard to play the tiger aficionado, one-time US presidential candidate and current incarcerated felon, is all clearly yet to be seen. This take on Exotic's tale was expected to chart his origin story, chronicling how he took on that moniker, became a larger-than-life version of himself and found himself on his present path. While Exotic has received plenty of media attention in his time, particularly recently, the Amazon series was due to take its cues from Leif Reigstad's 2019 Texas Monthly article 'Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild'. For now, anyone keen on more Tiger King mayhem will need to wait until the McKinnon-starring series comes to fruition. It's actually set to shoot in Brisbane this year. And, Cage fans will just have to console themselves by looking forward to him playing himself, and playing a truffle hunter as well. If you need a reminder as to why Joe Exotic's story keeps on keeping on, check out the Tiger King trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 The Nicolas Cage-starring Joe Exotic series has just been scrapped by Amazon. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is available to stream on Netflix, though. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter. Top image: Netflix.
The carols tell us to deck the halls with boughs of holly, and we do. We adorn trees and place wreaths on doors as well. But decking out your tastebuds with a feast of delicious goodies is just as much a part of the festive season as all of those decorations, plus the presents we give and receive. Is it really Christmas if you haven't treated yo'self and your loved ones to all of the baked goods? This year, your Yuletide joy definitely won't be the same if you're a Bennett St Dairy fan and you miss out on its limited-edition Christmas cookie dough. After getting everyone baking during lockdowns, and earning a hefty following in the process, the Sydney-based favourite has dropped a batch that's all about red velvet and white chocolate. 'Tis the season to head to your nearest Woolworths, then get cooking. This new flavour works cocoa and vanilla into Bennett St Dairy's signature dough, and then adds big chunks of white chocolate. Wondering what to pair it with, once those cookies are baked? Forget sticking to milk — vanilla ice cream is the recommendation. The Bondi cookie company actually soft-launched the festive dough a few weeks back, and received a huge reaction. "Almost immediately our socials were flooded with questions (and even a couple of very funny threats) demanding we reveal which Woolies stores would be getting delivery of our 'red velvet and white choc' dough next," said Bennett St Dairy cofounder James Meek. Now, the red, white and green rolls of dough have hit 900-plus Woolies around the country, marking Bennett St Dairy's first holiday-themed product since Valentine's Day this year. If you enjoyed its raspberry bullets and white chocolate flavour back then — a collaboration with Darrell Lea — you'll be ready for this new special. There is only a small supply, however, with around ten tonnes of dough made — which equates to around 20,000 rolls. So, it really is a first in, best dressed situation. A pack retails for $13 for 500 grams. Find Bennett St Dairy's red velvet and white chocolate cookie dough at Woolworths stores around the country for a limited time.
What is it about treehouses that fire up even the most uninspired of imaginations? The promise of adventure, escape or retreat? Nobody ever really grows out of wanting a treehouse. The team at American based O2 Sustainabilty certainly haven't. They have dedicated their lives to designing and building some of the world's most innovative, beautiful and liveable treehouses — turning childhood dreams into adult spaces for work, rest and play. Based on geodesic design principles, these treehouses are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound, not to mention environmentally sensitive. Not only does the design of each treehouse take into account the growth and health of the 'host' tree, but they also insist on using only sustainable materials. And 5 percent of O2's profits from commercial builds are donated to local community and environmental groups. As part of their dedication to sustainable design, the 02 team have also built a series of luxury treehouse in eco-minded resorts around the world. So even if having your treehouse is out of the realm of possibility at the moment, you may want to think staying in one on your next holiday.
Girl Asleep, by director Rosemary Myers, has been touted as an Australian version of Napoleon Dynamite. It's an obvious comparison, but while there are many similarities, Girl Asleep will leave you feeling something much deeper than mild amusement and confusion (sorry Napoleon, but it's true). For a start, it's a coming of age film starring actual teenagers, and that awkwardness translates beautifully to the screen. Greta (Bethany Whitmore) is 14, very shy and starting life at a new school. On her first day there she meets the geeky Elliot (Harrison Feldman) and they develop an unlikely friendship. Her life and all its inherent confusion stays private until her parents (played so very well by Amber McMahon and screenwriter Matthew Whittet) throw her a massive 15th birthday party and all her internal chaos spills over. The narrative is well-paced and comfortingly predictable, until the third act when Greta is plunged into a surreal, sexy world of Abject Men, Frozen Women, vaguely sinister forest creatures and lessons about sisterhood. It's a brusque transition but not unexpected, since the whole film has a touch of the surreal about it. There's an air of awkwardness that at times that goes beyond the script, although thankfully the two young leads are supported by a fluid and confident supporting cast, who lend the whole production a professional veneer that keeps your faith intact. Myers originally developed and executed the story as a stage play, and you can see fragments of the stage in the two-dimensional composition and the all-singing, all-dancing dramatics that give the film its signature look. And what a look! Girl Asleep is worth the ticket price alone just for the attention to detail in the props, costumes and sets. It's all so glamorous, so coordinated, so excessive and so 70s – a visual smorgasbord of big hair, tight shorts, flares and loud patterned wallpaper. And yet, behind the glamour and theatrics, viewers will find a remarkably relatable protagonist. Greta deals with her questions of identity, gender, sexuality and feminism in a way that will catch you by surprise, right in the feels. The writing hits a subtle emotional frequency that offsets and works well with the zany visual antics, helping to set Girl Asleep apart from the pack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lJSjVbTvDs
There is absolutely no denying that Lorde is the artist of the moment. And the hype surrounding today’s video release for her latest single, 'Team', is no different, with all the clicks causing Vevo to crash minutes after the clip was posted. 'Team', directed by LA director Young Replicant (The xx, M83), sees Lorde mostly sitting down — limiting her usually impressive dance moves. But she knows where she's going with it. "This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was queen," she said on her Facebook page. "I dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn't need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger." The vid — plus several of Lorde's recent live performances, including a killer ARIA appearance in Sydney over the weekend — have come to prove that as she continues to gain ridiculous popularity, her style becomes more and more quirky. And we dig it — the 17-year-old, continuing to demonstrate the power of youth in her ironic music videos. 'Team' is the third single to be released from Pure Heroine. Lorde will return to Australia in February to perform at Laneway Festival.
When Otto Ristorante launched in Brisbane back in 2016, it set up shop in one of Queen Street's newest developments. Now, to start 2021, the Italian-focused eatery now made another move — reopening over at South Bank in the striking, ultra-scenic riverfront space that was previously home to Stokehouse. Launching on Wednesday, February 3, the waterside spot has had a revamp, but it still boasts one of the best views in the city. And, Otto Brisbane is putting to great use. You can now peer out over the water from the venue's three different ventures: Otto Ristorante, a new al fresco bar called Otto Osteria and Otto's own event space. At Otto Ristorante, head chef Will Cowper still leads the charge. His menu heroes Italian meals made with regional produce, as inspired by the European nation's southern regions. So, you can head by to tuck into a daily-changing raw seafood dish, Hervey Bay scallops with black pudding, spaghettini paired with lobster, and a spatchcock, pancetta and chargrilled lemon combination. There's also a cheese selection to finish things off, plus affogatos among the dessert offerings. Brisbanites keen to check out Otto Osteria will munch through a menu inspired by northern Italy, with the walk-in-only joint serving up chargrilled squid, fresh oysters with lemon, mini focaccias, fried artichokes and spaghetti cacio e pepe. Given the outdoor setup, it's a great place for a few drinks with a killer vantage — including wines from the same area of Italy, plus a selection of cocktails. For events, three spaces are available for private and semi-private bookings, so you can choose between a spot above the main dining room, or two berths on the ground level. Otto first started out in Sydney, and still boasts a restaurant at Woolloomooloo — which is also located by the water with an impressive backdrop. Find Otto Brisbane at Sidon Street, South Bank. For more information, visit the Otto website.
What do a Brisbane pub, a French vodka label and all things British have in common? And a huge dash of regency-era love, too? Combine all of the above and you get Crown Hotel's new bottomless garden brunch, aka your reason to head to Lutwyche each Saturday until the end of February. Your weekend plans now involve 90 minutes of bottomless spritz teapot cocktails in a regency-inspired garden decked out with wisteria and ivy, and with classical musicians giving modern tunes a spin. Yes, it's all very much influenced by Netflix's Bridgerton, and by the current regencycore trend — and it'll cost you $69 per person for a 90-minute sitting. Running from 12–2pm weekly, the event includes botanical-themed Grey Goose teapots pouring non-stop tipples in four varieties. One pairs watermelon, basil and elderflower, while another goes all in on strawberries, blueberries and lemongrass. There's a peach, raspberry and ginger number as well, and one made with berry jam and rosé. To eat, you'll get your choice of brunch dishes. Think: black truffle toasties, croque madams, prawn rolls, yellowtail kingfish topped with caviar, and confit duck. Everyone also receives a Grey Goose compressed watermelon lollipop to wrap things up. Bookings are essential, and dressing to suit the theme is up to you.
When Captain Cook and The First Fleet initially arrived on Australia’s shores back in 1788, it set off a whole chain of reactions. However one thing that historic journey across the seas has never been known for, is as the first time marijuana made it to our fair shore’s of golden soil. Definitely a good thing Border Security didn’t exist back then. One person who very much knew about this exciting development in colonial history is Dr John Jiggens. His work writing about this particular “industry” is famed and luckily for you history buffs he has just released a new book; Sir Joseph Banks and the Question of Hemp: hemp, sea-power and empire, 1776-1815. A long title yes, but it’s certainly very self-explanatory - the book covers how Sir Joseph Banks was Australia’s original dealer and how vital the crop was to the colony. Celebrating the new release Avid Reader and green historian and activist Drew Hutton, who are combining their knowledge and location to host an evening of discussion about Dr Jiggens’ new book. It’s a free event so if you’re out and about in West End, feel free to drop by. You’ll probably pass some working members of the green industry as you walk down Boundary Street.
You may have thought bringing the chefs behind the World's 50 Best Restaurants to Melbourne next year was enough. But Wine Australia, Tourism Australia and The World's 50 Best have decided to take it one step further and bring the world's top sommeliers along with them. If you had access to that calibre of people — wouldn't you? Last month, we waxed lyrical on the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards and the week of foodie fun that surrounds it — industry events, workshops and eats that will go down between April 1-17. The news that the greatest wine minds in the world are tagging along for the celebration is the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae. The pool of sommeliers are from restaurants already in the top 50 and the Best Sommelier in the World competition. They're the biggest wine nerds from around the world, and they'll be treated to trips to our most important wine regions, as well as specially tailored tastings that show off the best that Australia has to offer. The point is to bring together the most influential people in the wine game from around the globe and really show off what's available in our Great Southern Land. So while we won't be able to attend any of these exclusive industry events, they will bring light to the Australian wine industry and hopefully encourage more chefs to explore what's available food-wise in Australia. It ties in perfectly with the restaurant awards and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. These sommeliers will sample the best wines our shores produce in conjunction with the best food in the world, which hopefully, according to Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark, will help them to "walk away with a refreshed perspective and love of Australian wine". The wine list throughout the events will be curated by some of Australia's sharpest wine minds, with the panel being drawn from a pool of wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers and consultants with the aim of showcasing the quality and diversity of Australian wines. Panelists include Franck Moreau of Merivale, Amanda Yallop from Quay and the editor of Gourmet Traveller Wine, Judy Sarris. As the world becomes more and more connected, the unique gastronomies and wine cultures from all around the world are becoming more apparent, and more available, on a global scale never seen before. This event and others like it are the embodiment of a spreading and sharing of these cultures and their individual bold flavours. William Drew, Group Editor of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, said: "Wine is a key aspect of the overall gastronomic experience and Australia boasts some of the finest wine producers in the world, so this collaboration makes perfect sense." And while we blush with a feigned modesty, we truly can't help but agree.
It's been three years since Brisbane welcomed Wildlands to the city's music festival scene, with the teams behind Melbourne's Beyond The Valley and Perth's Origin Fields fests giving the Sunshine State a big new summer party. Fast-forward to 2022 and the event isn't just returning to see out another hectic 12-month period and welcome in a new one — it's expanding to Perth and Adelaide as well. And, with a focus on dance music, electronic beats and hip hop, Wildlands has quite the lineup onboard to spread its sounds across three states, starting with Diplo, Denzel Curry and Dom Dolla. Clearly, alliteration has its fans among the fest's organisers. The Grammy-nominated DJ, American rapper and Australian house music producer will hit all three cities, joined by Yeat, Aitch, Kaytranada, Tkay Maidza, Honey Dijon and BENE. Plus, the bill also includes Yung Lean, Shygirl, Remi Wolf, Kanine and SG Lewis — as well as a few extra names popping up on different legs of the tour. Wildlands does like going big — its first-ever event back in 2019 featured Tyler, The Creator and Rüfüs Du Sol, after all. In 2021, The Veronicas, Spacey Jane, Cosmo's Midnight and more did the honours. The fest will run over one day per city, starting on December 30 at Stadium Park at Optus Stadium in Perth, then heading to Adelaide's Ellis Park on January 2. It'll then wrap up on January 7 at Brisbane Showgrounds, turning Brissie's show into a belated new year's celebration rather than an end-0f-year party. Tickets always prove popular, with registrations for pre-sales — which kick off at 6pm AEST on Tuesday, August 16 — open now. And vibe-wise, Wildlands goes with a "vibrant oasis" theme. WILDLANDS 2022–23 DATES December 30, 2022 — Stadium Park at Optus Stadium, Perth January 2, 2023 — Ellis Park, Adelaide January 7, 2023 — Brisbane Showgrounds WILDLANDS 2022–23 LINEUP All cities: BENEE Bicep (live) Cloonee Denzel Curry Diplo Dom Dolla Holy Goof Honey Dijon Jesswar JK-47 Kanine Kaytranada Mia Rodriguez Patrick Topping Remi Wolf Tkay Maidza Willo Brisbane and Perth only: Aitch Charlotte De Witte Jay1 Jnr Choi JOY Kee'ahn Kota Banks Memphis LK Ninajirachi SG Lewis Shygirl Yeat Yung Lean Brisbane only: Sofia Kourtesis Adelaide only: KLP Wildlands will hit Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane across December 2022–January 2023. Pre-sale registrations are available until 3pm AEST on Tuesday, August 16, with pre-sale tickets on offer from 6pm AEST on Tuesday, August 16 — and general sales from 12.30pm AEST on Wednesday, August 17. Top image: Mitch Lowe.
What's better than celebrating pink-hued wine for an entire afternoon? Spreading the love across a month. That's the plan for Rosé Revolution 2022, which has popped up as a one-off event in the past — but is keeping the pink drink-fuelled fun running across October this year, starting on Saturday, October 8, all at Fish Lane. In fact, the afternoon of sipping that's usually called Rosé Revolution isn't on the lineup; instead, it has been replaced with six different excuses to indulge in the titular wine, as well as three all-day (and night) offers that run until Monday, October 31. So, it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of shindig, where you can decide to spend an afternoon, several or even longer getting into the rosé spirit. Among the specific events, it all starts with a tasting — and drinking — pop-up party from 2–6pm on Saturday, October 8, which'll take over Fish Lane Town Square with vino from more than 32 wineries around Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France. Tickets start at $55 per person, but you'll pay for your tastings from there — or you can opt for the $89 option, which includes an hour or sampling. Chu the Phat provides two other highlights: a rosé-themed paint and sip evening on Wednesday, October 12; and weekly Sunday-afternoon banquets across the month with two hours of rosé, rosé spritzes, sparkling rosé, Aperol spritzes and more for $60. Or, you can pick from two different four-course lunches with matching rosés at two different venues: at La Lune Wine Co on Saturday, October 15 (for $170 per person) and Maeve on Saturday, October 23 (for $150 per person). Billykart West End is also hosting a bottomless rosé brunch on Sunday, October 30 for $85 per person — and those ongoing specials cover rosé margaritas at Kiki and rosé martinis at Bar Brutus. Warm weather, rosé for days, hanging out in Fish Lane: yes, it's a classic Brisbane spring experience.
Ah piano lessons, takes me back to being an eager 4-year-old pianist (which eventuated in boredom by the time I was in my mid-teens). I thought I knew everything there was to know about sitting at a piano and bashing the keys, but now it appears I was wrong. Which is why I'm attempting to regained my enthusiasm and see the difference between my past and the stage adaptation of Anna Goldsworthy’s Piano Lessons. As a concert pianist herself, the half book/half memoir recounts Goldworthy’s years of scales and recitals whilst also illustrating the relationship she had with her Russian mentor. The QPAC adaptation has transformed the written words into a play-concert extravaganza, including pieces by Mozart, Liszt and Chopin, but also drawing on Anna’s life experience. Described as an inspiring and exciting show to all that witness it, it may not be enough for me to take up the piano again, but I am certainly keen to relive all the years I put into those black and white keys.
It's a dilemma as old as walls themselves. Do you use the space to hang something stunning? Or put in shelves to hold your books and gewgaws? Finally there is a solution that allows for both form and function. Riveli art shelves are a brilliant idea, formed of modular shelf units that can fold up against the wall, revealing the artwork on the underside. Even better, you can customise it with your own works and change them with your moods as you can slide your own images in and out, or attach them with magnets. And if you're the sort of person who always favours function over form, you can insert other materials, like mirrors or white boards to create a supremely functional set of shelves... or just use them to play an elaborate game of noughts and crosses. [via Core77]
First, the bad news: if you don't already have a ticket to Laneway Festival 2025 in Brisbane to see Charli XCX, Djo, Beabadoobee, Clairo, Barry Can't Swim, Remi Wolf and more, they've completely soldout. Now, some good news: in the Queensland capital, Laneway is throwing an official afterparty. The small club show features STÜM, nate sib and more — and it's your next chance to get in on the Laneway action. The date for the shindig is obviously the same as the Laneway date. Accordingly, you'll be heading to The Brightside on Saturday, February 8. Brisbane's gig also features DJ Ivan Berko and Cyber DJs. Tickets are limited — so, like all things Laneway, getting in fast is recommended. As for the festival itself, if you've been lucky enough to nab tix, its lineup also features BICEP doing their CHROMA AV DJ set, Olivia Dean, Eyedress, Skegss, Hamdi, Joey Valence & Brae, 2hollis, Ninajirachi, Julie, Girl and Girl, and more. [caption id="attachment_711489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Brightside[/caption]
Los Angeles duo Electric Guest are heading to Australia for Splendour in the Grass, fresh from touring around the world. The band appeared in MTV's Artists to Watch in 2012 list and have recently released music videos for popular tracks 'American Daydream' and 'This Head I Hold'. Their album, Mondo, which was produced by Danger Mouse, has been dubbed "a seamless fusion of Motown, '70s daytime radio funk lite, indie rock and '60s French pop". In addition to playing at Splendour, Electric Guest will play sideshows in Sydney on July 31 at Oxford Art Factory and in Melbourne on August 1 at the Northcote Social Club, and Concrete Playground has some tickets to give away. To go in the running to win a double pass to see Electric Guest at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email your name and postal address to us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au
An expanding arts and cultural phenomenon in the heart of Austin, Texas, each year South by Southwest hosts thousands of musicians, showcases the latest innovations in technology and introduces some of the year's most intriguing movies to the world. Amongst the most buzzed about films of SXSW 2014 was an Australian production named The Infinite Man, a low-budget, sci-fi rom-com about a man who attempts to give his girlfriend the perfect romantic weekend, only to accidentally trap her in a never-ending time loop. In the wake of its world premiere in Austin, with a release date set for the middle of the year, we spoke with producers Kate Croser and Sandy Cameron about the process of getting the movie made, the story's biggest influences, as well as the rapturous reception that saw the film listed by Time, Indiewire and The Hollywood Reporter as one of the most exciting movies of the festival. WORKING ON A BUDGET Financed through Film Lab, an initiative of the South Australian Film Corporation that offers funding to Australian scripts that can be produced on a limited budget, The Infinite Man was written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Hugh Sullivan, who Cameron first met at university. "When Film Lab was announced, it forced us to start thinking," Cameron recalls. "We came up with a bunch of ideas … and it quickly emerged that that was the one that would work." Low-budget filmmaking can be tricky, but the producers had high praise for their writer-director's work ethic. "I think he really enjoyed it, but at the same time it was very challenging," says Croser. "We promised the crew we wouldn't work any overtime, because we couldn't afford to. So as soon as we finished for the day, whatever was left over, Hugh and the director of photography would just go out and [film] themselves … they were working much longer hours than anyone else." INSPIRING SCI-FI Naturally, The Infinite Man is far from the first time that romance and science fiction has been mashed together. "A touchstone for us was always Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," asserts Croser. "It's not time travel, but it's got a similar sensibility and tone, and it's also a love story like ours … for us, the time travel is secondary to the exploration of the relationship and the characters." Cameron, meanwhile, makes a comparison that was also made by several critics, to Shane Curruth's cheaply made, highly convoluted time travel drama Primer. "Something that can be done on that low budget, that can get across that complexity of ideas, that was an inspiration, to a degree," says Cameron. "People were giving feedback in Austin saying 'this is like the funny Primer.'" HEADING SOUTH BY SOUTH WEST For the producers, getting into SXSW was always the goal. "A big part of our plans was to get a big festival to launch the film, because being such a small film, you need to get that exposure somehow," says Croser. "The SXSW audience is exactly the audience for the film." "The most exciting experience for us was the world premiere", she continues. "We got there and saw the name of the film up in lights, which was really exciting, and then we saw a line around the block. We sat down in the cinema with the audience and from the moment the film started, people were laughing, and the room felt so warm, and the response really felt genuine … that was just the best feeling."
The Crown fans, it's time to say goodbye to the 20th century. You'll also be farewelling the show's leaps back several decades, too. When season six of Netflix's royal drama arrives later in 2023, the hit series will embrace the 21st century, including the early days of Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship. Netflix has confirmed that The Crown will return this year for another dose of regal intrigue, although no exact release date has been announced. Based on past patterns, it's safe to expect it to arrive in November. For now, the streaming service has unveiled its first sneak peek at the next batch of episodes, however — images, not a trailer — which does indeed focus on the man currently second in line to the throne after Queen Elizabeth II's passing in 2022. Screen debutant Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William, while newcomer Meg Bellamy will slip into Middleton's shoes. The Crown's sixth season will follow the IRL pair's first meeting at university in St Andrew's, starting the story that's played out in plenty of headlines and a ridiculous amount of worldwide media coverage since 2001. While everything that's popped up in the show draws its details from history — dramatised history, of course, but still history — this next instalment is bound to feel even more familiar. Getting closer to our current time will do that. When the series began, it kicked off with Queen Elizabeth II's life from her marriage to Prince Philip back in 1947. The first season made its way to the mid-50s, the second season leapt into the 60s, and season three spanned all the way up to the late 70s. In season four, the royal family hit the 80s, while season five covered the 90s. Just like in season five, Downton Abbey, Maleficent and Paddington star Imelda Staunton dons the titular headwear, while Game of Thrones and Tales from the Loop's Jonathan Pryce wears Prince Philip's shoes — and Princess Margaret is played by Staunton's Maleficent co-star and Phantom Thread Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville. Also, Australian Tenet, The Burnt Orange Heresy and Widows star Elizabeth Debicki returns as Princess Diana, with The Wire and The Pursuit of Love's Dominic West as Prince Charles. News around the show's fifth and sixth seasons has changed a few times over the past few years. At the beginning of 2020, Netflix announced that it would end the royal drama after its fifth season. Then, the streaming platform had a change of heart, revealing it would continue the series for a sixth season after all. There's no trailer yet for The Crown season six, but you can revisit season five's trailer below: The Crown's sixth season will hit Netflix sometime before 2023 is out — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: Keith Bernstein / Netflix
Cold and dark and gloomy, winters in Hobart aren't exactly the most attractive proposition. Or at least they weren't until the birth of Dark Mofo. Presented by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), for the past few years this immersive arts festival has disturbed and dazzled locals and mainlanders alike with a mix of music, performances, installations, light and sound works, and art that simply defies categorisation. And from the looks of things, 2017 will be no exception. Revealed today at the stroke of midnight (of course), the latest Dark Mofo lineup is an expectedly weird and wondrous beast, featuring all manner of artists from around Tasmania, Australia and the world. Creative director Leigh Carmichael has called the program their "most ambitious yet", while pointing to a number of works — including iy_project 136.1 Hz, a large-scale laser work by the UK's Chris Levine, and Siren Song, a city-wide audio piece involving a range of female artists — as highlights sure to keep "the audience, the organisers, and some of the authorities enthralled." [caption id="attachment_616924" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo.[/caption] Carmichael also draws attention to 150.Action, from Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch. The dark, disturbing performance piece involves an orchestra and around 500 litres of blood, and is sure to be one of the standouts of the final weekend. "This work will be extremely confronting and challenging, but we would encourage our audience to embrace the opportunity to witness the intensity of the ritual, in this one-off exclusive performance, unlikely to ever happen in Australia again," said Carmichael. Then there's Crossing, a 200-kilometre pilgrimage down the Midlands Highway, which will take participants on a pilgrimage to six different churches over six consecutive nights. They'll experience a mix of light, sound and video art along with organ and theremin performances from Melbourne's Miles Brown. [caption id="attachment_616925" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image: Antony Crook. Courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo.[/caption] Of course it should go without saying that this is just the tip of the iceberg. This year's enormous music lineup features the likes of Scottish art-rock legends Mogwai, indigenous hip-hop act A.B. Original, and Norwegian black metal pioneers Ulver in concert with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. There'll also be an industrial-scale transcendental rave at Hobart City Hall presented by the Red Bull Music Academy. MONA, meanwhile, will use Dark Mofo as a platform to unveil its latest exhibition, The Museum of Everything, described by its curators as "an astonishing assortment of artworks from the world's first and only wandering institution for the untrained, unintentional, undiscovered and unclassifiable artists of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries." The exhibition will have its grand opening on the first Saturday of the festival, and will be on display at MONA until early April 2018. Then there are the Dark Mofo staples. The annual Winter Feast will once again feed all comers, while Dark Mofo Films will feature a selection of big screen curios new and old. And who'd want to miss the annual Nude Solstice Swim, a communal dip in the ocean at sunrise the day after the longest night of the year? Just remember, winter in Hobart can be pretty bloody cold. Dark Mofo runs from June 8-21. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday April 11. For more information visit www.darkmofo.net.au. Top image: MONA/Rémi Chauvin, 2014. Courtesy MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Every Friday afternoon can be improved by heading outdoors, grabbing a bite to eat, enjoying a drink and saying farewell to the working week. At King George Square's returning Big City Barbecue from 4.30–7.30pm on Friday, March 26, that's all on the bill. So is live music as well — all smack bang in the middle of the CBD. Billy's Backyard BBQ will be grilling up dishes, Brat Haus will have bratwurst aplenty and Micasa Burger has your cravings for meat between bread covered. The Bun Mobile will be on hand, too, with its pork, wagyu and chicken buns. For dessert, that's where Gelato-a-Go-Go comes in. A licensed bar will be serving tipples as well — and, by heading along, you'll be doing a good deed. As well as livening up the last work day of the week, Big City Barbecue is raising funds for Drug Arm, Foodbank Queensland and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust. [caption id="attachment_804862" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
If you're currently in wanderlust mode, currently waiting for a new travel deal to decide where you're going next, then we have some news for you — running off to Australia's iconic Red Centre has just gotten incredibly affordable, thanks to Qantas' latest flight sale. We think this part of Australia is always a worthy travel destination but it's just that much more appealing with cheap tickets. It's the perfect excuse to explore the extraordinary regions around or between Uluru and Alice Springs — full of quintessentially Aussie landscapes and wildlife. The sale launched this morning and runs until September 26 (or until sold out). During this time, Qantas is slinging tickets to the Red Centre for $199 each way. That's a saving of about $180 each way. But the discounted tickets are only available during specific dates in summer. Nab this deal for flights between November 1 and December 14, 2022, as well as between January 17 and March 30, 2023. This might be a quite specific period, but it's also one of the best times of year to visit. And are you wondering what to do once you get there? Uluru's incredible Field of Light installation is a permanent recommendation — and you can also check out our guide to visiting the Red Centre. Qantas' Red Centre sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Monday, September 26 (or until sold out). Images: © Tourism NT
In a place like Sydney where the state of our public transport system is constantly being debated and criticised, the Subway Etiquette Posters by NYC artist Jason Shelowitz, or Jay Shells, could provide some relief to regular commuters. Despite NYC being in a different hemisphere, it's good to know that Sydneysiders are not the only commuters who experience run-ins with nail clippers and subway polluters. Jay Shells' Subway Etiquette posters are the product of a survey of 100 commuters and their pet peeves, poking fun at things like eating on public transport, noise pollution, seating priority and physical contact. [via Trendhunter]
Restrictions and lockdowns have meant many Melbourne art galleries have spent more time closed than open in 2020. But it seems the culture gods have smiled down and cut us a little slack when it comes to one of the biggest, most anticipated art events to hit the city in three years. With art galleries now able to begin reopening, the NGV Triennial is set to return for its blockbuster second iteration this summer, taking over NGV International from Saturday, December 19. Held every three years, the Triennial made its huge debut in 2017, pulling a hefty 1.23 million visitors and remaining the NGV's most visited exhibition even today. Triennial 2020 looks set to follow suit, as artists from over 30 different countries share a diverse spread of works reflecting on a truly unique time in our world's history. Melbourne art lovers will be overwhelmed by the free large-scale exhibition of international contemporary art, design and architecture, showcasing 86 projects by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives. Expect to see US artist Jeff Koons pay homage to the goddess of love Venus with a towering mirror-finished sculptural piece, while renowned interior designer Faye Toogood reimagines a series of gallery spaces with commissioned furniture, tapestries, lighting, sculpture and scenography. Turkey's Refik Anadol has put together a video work, capturing digitised memories of nature with help from artificial intelligence and machine learning. Meanwhile, a showcase by Yolngu woman Dhambit Mununggurr is replete with her trademark blue hues, including a set of 15 large-scale bark paintings. Lauded Japanese architect Kengo Kuma joins forces with Melbourne-based artist Geoffrey Nees, using timber from trees that died during the Millennium Drought at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens to construct a pavilion. The structure will then feature as part of a multi-sensory walkway delivering audiences to a new piece by South Korean artist Lee Ufan. If ever there was an exhibition worthy of your post-lockdown gallery-hopping debut, it's this. [caption id="attachment_795361" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Refik Anadol Quantum Memories 2020 © Refik Anadol Photo: Tom Ross[/caption] Top image: Installation view of Porky Hefer, 'Plastocene – Marine Mutants from a disposable world' 2020, courtesy Southern Guild, Cape Town. Photo by Tom Ross.
Decking Latrobe Terrace with boughs of holly? That's Paddington Christmas Fair's job come December 8. Once again, the street's retailers are combining for a one-night seasonal market that'll boast in-store festivities and a range of outdoor stalls — all the way down to Given Terrace, actually. Jewellery, flowers and food are just some of the items on offer, plus everything that Paddington usually boasts. Expect the area's bars and restaurants to get in on the fun too, adding some extra festive cheer. And, yes, there'll be entertainment as well. The highlight? Other than getting your gift shopping done early, it has to be the Xmas Barket, aka the doggy Christmas market. You'll be able to get your pic snapped with a cute canine, adopt a new four-legged member of the family, and pick up a whole heap of pet accessories (and stuff for pet-loving humans as well).
Prepare to see some very fashionable pups strolling the streets of Australia, because instantly recognisable fashion label Gorman has launched its latest line of limited-edition dog coats. What's more — as part of a collaboration with PetRescue — those new threads will have their wearers looking good for a very good cause. All profits will go towards providing extra support and boost awareness for the life-changing organisation, which advocates for change around Australia's dysfunctional pound system and helps find forever hopes for lots of pups. The quilted dog jackets are available in three different exclusive Gorman prints — named Neighbours Garden, Walk It and Green Fingers — and four sizes, ensuring pups big and small can look the goods. Each features a polyester shell and lining and adjustable velcro straps for the perfect fit. [caption id="attachment_718376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harvey in Green Fingers.[/caption] Just imagine how many looks your fluffball will get down at the dog park. If you do want to snag one, however, we recommend you head in-store or online ASAP — these babies are known to sell out quickly. Gorman's PetRescue range of coats is now available online and at Gorman stores nationwide. Prices start at $39. Top image: Floyd in Green Fingers.
Writers and film buffs have their festivals, and art lovers are treated to spectaculars all year 'round, but it's not so often we get to stop and take stock of the music world. With very few panel-style events, our interaction with music mostly consists of late-night jaunts to the local bandroom under the influence of a few cheeky bevies. Enter BIGSOUND 2014: the Australian music world's equivalent of SxSW. This morning these Brisbane legends released their lineup for the 2014 festival and, at 80 bands deep, it's pretty impressive. Reading like a who's who of local up-and-comers, the bands involved include Sydney festival darling Alison Wonderland, Adelaide rockers Bad//Dreems, Melbourne '90s revivalists Client Liaison and 19-year-old Brisbanite Thelma Plum. Running for just two days from September 10-12, this annual music conference will be jam-packed with not only live performances but panels, interviews and talks from the world's best. This year's international speakers include James Minor from SxSW, Tom Windish from The Windish Agency, Ben Marshall from the Sydney Opera House, and Jerome Borazio and Danny Rogers from St Jeome's Laneway Festival — maybe the only Aussie festival that saw any success this year. Taking place as always in Fortitude Valley, this local love-in will run over 12 locations including new sites such as The Underdog, The New Globe, The Elephant, Crowbar, and a new outdoor venue by Brightside and Magic City. You'll have your work cut out for you to see everything, but luckily you can start planning now. Tickets have gone on sale today via Oztix with a 2-day pass only setting you back $69+bf. For a lineup of 80 stellar bands, you've gotta admit that's a pretty decent deal. Check out the full lineup: Airling Alison Wonderland APES Ash Grunwald Avaberée BAD//DREEMS Banoffee Baptism of Uzi Blank Realm BONJAH Brad Butcher Caligula's Horse Client Liaison Coach Bombay Crooked Colours D.D Dumbo Deep Sea Arcade Devon Sproule DMAs Ernest Ellis Eves Fieldings Flyying Colours Fractures Fraser A. Gorman Gold Fields Halfway Hayden Calnin HITS Holy Holy I'lls Indian Summer Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders Jane Tyrell Jess Ribeiro and the Bone Collectors Jesse Davidson Jimblah Karl S. Williams KINGSWOOD Klo KLP LANKS Left. L-FRESH The LION Lia Mice Little May Lime Cordiale LOWER SPECTRUM Luca Brasi LUCIANBLOMKAMP Lurch & Chief Major Leagues Mansionair Milwaukee Banks Morning Harvey Oisima Okenyo Olympic Ayres Orphans Orphans PACES Panama Pikelet REMI Ruby Boots Sampology ft. Tom Thum & Jordan Rakei Scenic Steve Smyth Step-Panther Stillwater Giants Sweet Jean Sydonia Teeth & Tongue The Bennies The Creases The Harpoons The Murlocs The Phoncurves The Tiger & Me Thelma Plum Thrupence Tin Sparrow Tkay Maidza Tully On Tully wordlife Yeo
A Brush With Fame is a fundraiser that gives us 'normies' the chance to own a one-of-a-kind work of art made by some of our favourite bands and musicians. After years of hosting some of the world's best musical artists, Sydney's FBi Radio is releasing a collection of artworks created specially for them by everyone from Yeasayer to Iggy Pop, Vampire Weekend to Boy and Bear. As these acts passed through the hallowed halls of Sydney's favourite indie radio station, they were asked to stick fabric markers to plain white canvas, and let those creative juices flow. The visual ramblings were then collected, and will soon be on sale for the public to own. In addition to the possibility of owning a piece by a favourite musician, works by visual artists like Archibald finalist Abdul Abdullah and street artist Beastman are up for grabs. There's also a canvas doodled on by acerbic wit-smith, Marieke Hardy, and one by the brains behind Mambo, Reg Mombassa. The sale goes down on November 22 via the wonder of eBay, with bids starting at $50. All the funds go towards running the not-for-profit public radio station. Head to the FBi site to see a list of all the artists, pictures of their many varied visual offerings, and all the other necessary details.
You might not know the name Eddie Marsan, but odds are you'd recognise his face. With a list of film credits that includes The World's End, War Horse, V for Vendetta as well as the Mission: Impossible and Sherlock Holmes franchises, he's the kind of unflashy, underappreciated character actor who disappears into whatever role he's given. Still Life, the new film from Full Monty producer Uberto Pasolini, marks a rare opportunity for Marsan to take centre stage. The result is so beautifully affecting you'll wonder why it doesn't happen more often. Indeed, Marsan's part in Still Life feels like the one he was born to play. A middle-aged London municipal officer, John May's job is to see to the affairs of people who have recently died. He goes about his work with minimal fuss and in return gets little thanks for his efforts. He's a quiet man, dignified but lonely, and seemingly more comfortable around the dead than he is the living. Early on in the film, May's smarmy new boss calls him into his office and informs him that he'll be downsized out of a job. May, being the man that he is, doesn't protest, only asking that he be able to finish his last case: tracking down the relatives of a grizzled military serviceman who just happened to reside in the same crumby apartment block as he does. As the title suggests, Still Life isn't particularly fast paced. Concerned with the sad, solitary minutiae of everyday life, Pasolini's direction is intentionally reserved — the drab whites, greys and blues of May's office and empty flat a reflection of his unremarkable life. Yet the film is not boring or bleak; on the contrary, Still Life possesses a tenderness and humanity that is extraordinarily powerful. It's a film that celebrates selfless acts of kindness, and going beyond the call of duty because it's simply the right thing to do. A few moments skew towards mawkishness, admittedly, but for the most part the balance is just right. In a turn that pays tribute to thousands of unremembered lives, Marsan's performance could hardly be more perfect. It's in large part thanks to his wonderful work that Still Life resonates to the degree that it does. If more filmmakers entrusted their projects to actors like Marsan, their movies would be all the better for it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gt9CsXrlO8Y
Everyone's favourite melancholic hitmaker Post Malone is coming back to Australia later this year. The global superstar was just in the country in January and February supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers, but he must've enjoyed his time Down Under, because he's already announced a run of headline Australian shows as part of his If Y'all Weren't Here I'd Be Crying world tour. Diamond-certified multiple times over, Posty will be hitting Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne throughout November on this run of shows. You can catch him at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday, November 23; The Domain in Sydney on Wednesday, November 29; and Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday, November 30. He's also swinging past New Zealand beforehand for a show in Auckland on Tuesday, November 21. The fun, however, does not stop there. Live Nation's tour poster for the Australian run of dates includes four other yet-to-be-announced stops: Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth. Interestingly, these locations lineup with where and when the touring festival Spilt Milk usually pops up. The festival is set to drop its lineup this coming Tuesday, July 4 at 8am, so it looks like Malone may be a real possibility to headline this year's edition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXhTHyIgQ_U This tour is in support of Post Malone's fifth studio album Austin which is set to arrive on Friday, July 28 featuring recent singles 'Mourning' and 'Chemical'. You can expect a career-spanning performance dipping into his most recent album, 2022's Twelve Carat Toothache, and his catalogue of global smashes like 'Congratulations', 'Rockstar', 'Sunflower' and 'Circles'. Check out the poster for Post Malone's Australian tour below — featuring the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows, as well as the unannounced Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth dates. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Live Nation Australia (@livenationaustralia) POST MALONE: IF Y'ALL WEREN'T HERE I'D BE CRYING AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES Tuesday, November 21 — The Outer Fields at Western Springs, Auckland Thursday, November 23 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Wednesday, November 29 — The Domain, Sydney Thursday, November 30 — Melbourne Showgrounds Post Malone is touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Tickets for Australian shows go on sale online on Monday, July 13 — at 1pm in Brisbane, 12pm in Sydney, and 11am in Melbourne, with pre-sales via Vodafone from Thursday, July 6 and from Live Nation on Tuesday, July 11. For more information, head to the tour website. Tickets for New Zealand shows go on sale online at 12pm on Thursday, July 13, with pre-sales via One NZ on Thursday, July 6 and from Live Nation on Tuesday, July 11. For more information, head to the tour website. Top image: Chrisallmeid
When Queensland's Go Cards were introduced, they were billed as a quicker, easier way to pay for public transport — but if you've ever had trouble topping up, been wrongly slugged for not touching off or been forced to pay paper ticketing prices after leaving your card at home, then you might disagree. In fact, you've probably been dreaming of a day when you won't need that little piece of plastic. Well, we have good news: ditching your Go Card is about to become a reality. As part of this year's state budget, the Queensland Government will commit $371 million over the next four years to trial and implement electronic payment methods for public transport, The Courier-Mail reports. Originally floated earlier this year, the move would enable Brisbanites to use digital ticketing via mobile phones, smart watches and credit cards. With $90 million committed to the project in the 2018/19 financial year, if the budget is passed through parliament, the first tests are expected to be rolled out over the next 12 months. The new payment options will complement rather than replace the existing system — so if you do happen to be attached to your Go Card for some reason, you can keep using it. Queensland is the latest state to make the shift towards new ticketing methods, with New South Wales residents able to purchase ferry and light rail tickets via contactless payments since March. In Victoria, a similar trial of mobile payments — giving users a digital Myki card via an app — is set to commence in the coming months. Via The Courier-Mail. Image: Andrew Thomas via Flickr.
The ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come are set to descend upon Australia — just as things are getting merry, of course. After haunting Ebenezer Scrooge on the page since 1843, and sparking the miserly Charles Dickens-penned character's change of attitude on stages for almost as long, they'll work their magic Down Under courtesy of The Old Vic's version of A Christmas Carol, which is heading our way for the first time. While A Christmas Carol itself has been delighting theatre audiences for close to two centuries — the first stage production reportedly debuted in the UK mere weeks after Dickens' novella was published — this new take on the tale initially premiered in London back in 2017. It has proven a huge smash since, including picking up five Tony Awards for its Broadway run. Next stop: Melbourne from November. Just in time for festive season, A Christmas Carol will enjoy its first Aussie season at the Comedy Theatre, kicking off on Saturday, November 12 and playing till Saturday, December 24 (of course). Whether it'll also hit up other Australian cities yet hasn't been revealed — but tickets to see it in Melbourne would make a mighty fine early Christmas present. This version hails from two Tony-winners, too: director Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical) and playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). The list of impressive talent involved also includes Aussie actor David Wenham, with the Lord of the Rings, Seachange, Goldstone, Lion, Top of the Lake and Elvis star playing Scrooge. "A Christmas Carol is a ripping yarn, this production is as compelling as it is surprising. I'm counting the days to get back on the stage in the role of Scrooge. It's a story of hope, redemption and community. I guarantee the audience will leave the theatre feeling better about themselves and the world at the end of the show. A perfect story to be told at Christmas time," said Wenham, announcing the show's Australian debut. The rest of the local cast is yet to be revealed — and, story-wise, the production obviously still focuses on its selfish and greedy central character that's become synonymous with curmudgeonly behaviour, his Christmas-hating ways, and his journey of compassion and redemption with help from the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Not only does the play work through that beloved story, but it also incorporates 12 Christmas carols, including 'Joy to the World' and 'Silent Night'. The words you aren't looking for: "bah humbug!", unless you truly do despise Christmas — and haven't yet been given your own ghostly reasons to rethink your stance. A Christmas Carol will host its Australian premiere season in Melbourne, playing the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, from Saturday, November 12–Saturday, December 24, 2022. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, September 16 — for more information, or to join the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website.
Think about spending New Year's Eve in your pyjamas, and you're probably thinking about how cosy your couch is. Don't worry — Pincadia has comfy booths and seats too. And, while they want to tempt you out of the house, they're not going to make you dress up. You don't need heels or a tie when you're spending the night mashing buttons, now do you? Given the Woolloongabba bar is an arcade, pinball and console-themed hangout, that's what's on the agenda — in your PJs, while listening to '80s tunes. The characters in Stranger Things would be jealous, but there'll be no demogorgon here. Instead, expect games galore, hourly specials, a best-dressed comp, random prizes just for fun, and a menu of burgs, hot dogs, churros, milkshakes and cocktails.
