If you fancy a glam getaway close to home, you're in luck. Brisbane is blessed with loads of dreamy destinations within a credit card's throw of town, ideal for blissed-out breaks with your partner or posse. Concrete Playground has teamed up with boutique hotel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith to round up some of the best luxury hotels and self-catering stays in Australia and New Zealand, including everything from sexy city stays to romantic rustic retreats. And don't worry, we've got you covered for spa hedonism, winery wandering and island hopping, too. So grab your your wallet and your girl or boy, and go. Byron Bay Villa Where: above Wategos Beach, Byron Bay (address details shared on booking), NSW Even if it wasn't languishing above one of Byron Bay's most blissful beaches (the wonderful Wategos), Byron Bay Villa would get our vote. A double-decked diva of a beach house, this boho pad offers open-plan, white-on-white contemporary interiors with hip retro touches. Kenzo-striped sofas and cheery patterned cushions stop the styling getting sterile, as do seductive Asian sculptures. Killer Pacific Ocean views are a given (admire them from the lap pool or spa), so look out for dolphins year-round or whales if you're here between June and November. This glam abode sleeps up to eight, with a knock-out kitchen. Then again Bryon Bay's mellow cafés and restaurants are always pretty tempting too. Spicers Balfour Hotel Where: 37 Balfour Street, New Farm, Brisbane, QLD There's nothing like a lazy brunch and a rooftop bar, and we're pretty partial to the petite one at Spicers Balfour Hotel in Brisbane. With skyline city views, it's a sultry spot for an evening rendez-vous – try the Scarlett O'Hara, a moreish mix of Southern Comfort, cranberry and lime. The Balfour Dining Room is open daily for breakfast and champagne high tea, too, with chef Tyson Buchanan whipping up seasonal, organic fare, best sampled on the breezy Queenslander veranda. Thread counts are high in the nine bedrooms, where tactile sheets by lustworthy Italian label Society ensure a good sleep. Night owls are well catered for, too; New Farm and nearby Fortitude Valley are the Brisbane neighbourhoods du jour, so get out and play. Capella Lodge Where: Lagoon Road, Lord Howe Island Set in an incredible location, elegant escape Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island may be a two-hour flight away, but it definitely ticks the 'getting away from it all' box. There are a lot of birds here, but you don't have to be a binoculars-toting twitcher to get on a natural high. Soak up views of tropical peaks, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs from the hotel's nine stylish suites, the dreamy infinity pool or the terrace bar, where cocktails and sunset go together like sunglasses and Stevie Wonder. Grab a free bike to tour the island's beaches before returning for some fine dining and spa pampering. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa Where: 2600 Wolgan Valley Road, Blue Mountains, NSW So, you need a country fix, but don't want to schlep too far from civilisation? Lovers of all things rural will go ga-ga for Blue Mountains boutique hotel Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. A luxe eco-retreat set in over 4,000 acres of Jurassic Park-style wilderness, it's less than three hours' drive from Sydney. Once there, work the cowboy look with a spot of horse-riding, mount a mountain bike or just hit the seductive pool or spa. Then again, it's hard to tear yourself away from skinny-dipping in your own plunge pool, which come as standard in the 40 swish, standalone suites. Cate Blanchett and The Sartorialist fashion blog crew are all fans of Wolgan's just-remote-enough charms. The Cullen Where: 164 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC Flex your art muscles at The Cullen boutique hotel in Melbourne, a stylish homage to Aussie art's 'enfant terrible', Adam Cullen. Hip, modern interiors in the lobby and 119 sleek bedrooms are decked out with Adam's vibrant, cartoonish paintings and prints, including iconic Ned Kelly bushranger images. The ground-floor is a sociable spot to hang out, with brunch and casual bites at the Terrace bistro by day, and Chinese dumplings galore at Hutong by night. Prahran Market is right opposite if you feel a Melbourne foodie moment coming on, and Chapel Street's fashion-savvy shops are a stroll away. For eco-chic exploring, hire one of the bespoke red Swedish pushbikes or a Smart car for the day. Hotel DeBrett Where: 2 High Street, Auckland, New Zealand New Zealand is well within mini-breaking distance, so consider going trans-Tasman when you next get out of town. Just a three-hour flight from Brisbane, Hotel DeBrett in Auckland's CBD is the perfect place to roost, just a skip away from convivial Vulcan Lane and High Street's fashion-forward stores (handy for scoping NZ labels such as Kate Sylvester, Zambesi or Karen Walker). This stylish haven has long been popular with in-the-know locals, who throng the intimate, speakeasy-style Housebar come evening. Brunching at in-house restaurant Kitchen has become a hot weekend ticket, too, and as a guest you'll have first dibs. Bring your shades as the stripy rugs in the 25 rooms are ultra bright; art deco goes Pop. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers Where: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand What do you get when you combine a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm with jaw-dropping Pacific Ocean views, a glam golf course and soothing spa? Luxe boutique hotel The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, on New Zealand's dramatic Hawke's Bay in the North Island.
Even with the tirade of articles stating that the hipster is dead, it still seems to be very much alive and kicking in slow-to-catch-on Brisbane. It’s all very well and easy for Gen Y to encompass this vegan, frugal, beard-growing, upcycling, bicycling ‘lifestyle’ (or at least pretend you do), but what we tend to forget is that the Gen X-ers before us were doing all of that way before it was cool to do it. Their interests remain the same, they just have a little more responsibility now. Responsibilities like houses and jobs and children. Although that may sound a little daunting, in my opinion, having a miniature version of yourself just means an opportunity to create perfect hipster spawn! Luckily for any vintage-and-handmade-collecting mums (and dads) who reside in Brisbane, next Saturday will be the next installment of the BrisStyle Indie Mother and Child Market. With a wide array of both child and hipster friendly wares for sale, the day sounds like a perfect opportunity to see and be seen. As the icing on the cake, this particular weekend will be held in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the entire street to be decked out in various shades of pink. In conjunction with the Racecourse Road Business Group, Chicks in Pink are also aiming to set a world record for the largest set of (human made) boobs and they need your help! So dress in pink and head to Hamilton for a good cause. Image credit: BrisStyle
In a previous article, we asked you what the world would look like if it was run by hipsters. Now, with a new series of artworks by illustrator Ronallman, it seems that this threat may have been more imminent than we ever thought. In a collection named 'The Dic-sters', Ronallman has taken the world's most infamous dictators and given them indie makeovers that would suit the next ASOS advertising campaign. Kim Jong-Illest shows his love for hip-hop by rocking a pair of Kanye shutter shades, while Fidel Hipstro swaps his trademark army greens for a red scarf and aviators. Joseph Stachlin's facial hair gets a neat upgrade, and he also wears a green shirt (top button done up, obviously) with a contrast plaid collar. However, perhaps most terrifying of all is Skritler, a hybrid of brostep champion Skrillex and Germany's most notorious chancellor, Adolf Hitler. Such a character isn't too far-fetched when you remember that Skrillex's music has often been labelled a crime against humanity. Hipsters, with their locally-produced vegan burgers and willingness to complain about anything, are usually aligned with left-wing ideology. However, Ronallman's illustrations prove that their wardrobes might be better suited to conservative nutjobs. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6Z1RRslsFxA [via Complex]
Reese Witherspoon. Nicole Kidman. Laura Dern. Shailene Woodley. Zoë Kravitz. Meryl Streep. Put any one of these actors on screen and viewers will follow. Stick them all in the same TV program, and it's set to become one of the biggest shows of the year. Picking up where the first season left off when it returns on Monday, June 10, Australian time, Big Little Lies is back with another dose of murky mysteries, tested friendships and life-altering events — and more lies, obviously. If you missed the huge Emmy and Golden Globe-winning first series back in 2017, it follows a group of women in Monterey, California, whose children all go to the same school. Oh, and who all got caught up in a murder tale, naturally. Based on the book by Australian author Liane Moriarty, it was originally planned a single-season run, but its enormous popularity (and swag of awards) have helped bring the drama back for another series. While Witherspoon, Kidman, Dern, Woodley and Kravitz were all among the cast the initial time around, Streep is a Big Little Lies newcomer. She's playing Mary Louise, the visiting mother-in-law to Kidman's Celeste. And, like everyone else, she doesn't quite expect she'll hear the truth when she starts asking questions about the previous season's developments. Also joining the fold is director Andrea Arnold, of Fish Tank, Wuthering Heights and American Honey fame, who is helming all seven episodes in the season season. She takes over from C.R.A.Z.Y., Dallas Buyers Club and Wild filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, who did the same for the first season. Check out the first trailer below: Big Little Lies airs on Foxtel Showcase weekly from Monday, June 10. Image: Jennifer Clasen/HBO.
If you're a member of the Australian music industry, a musician or simply identify as a female, then head along to Music Industry Hookups: Women in Independent Music. Presented by 4ZZZ and Music Industry Inside Out, this evening is set to both celebrate women in independent music and bring together like-minded people who are up for a lesson or two on the music biz. This event kicks of at The Battery Station on March 7 at 5.30pm, and will feature wise words from: Tyler McLaughlin (The Sound Pound) Trina Massey (Smack Face Records, Dj Black Amex) Vivienne Mellish (Mucho-Bravado Head of Publicity) Leanne De Souza (Rock And Roll Writers Festival) Cat Maddin and Tara Wardrop (Dreamtime musicians and Crowbar bookings) Maz Devita (WAAX singer/songwriter) Lucinda Shaw (Silver Sircus, formerly iconic Brisbane band ISIS, theatre worker with collaborations with Vulcana Women's Circus and many more.) The evening is expected to round up around 8.30pm, though kicking on afterwards is inevitable. Be sure to come along with some issues in mind that you'd like to have a chat about, and be brave and mingle, making sure you leave with a new friend/contact or two. Also, fellas are more than welcome to pop along. Entry costs $5.
In life and in horror movies, don't pick up a book bound in human skin. Just don't. Anthropodermic bibliopegy is the name of that gruesome covering process, and it isn't a fictional creation of the Evil Dead world — so heeding this guidance really is sensible. Of course, there wouldn't be any films in the boomstick-waving franchise if its characters listened to such a warning. There'd be no cabin-visiting folks battling Deadites again and again, and no chainsaws coming in mighty handy, either. Evil Dead Rise, the fifth big-screen instalment in the saga that also started Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's careers long before the OG Spider-Man flicks, Burn Notice and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, does indeed include that flesh-wrapped Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. Also, the terrifying tome is grabbed, opened and unwittingly allowed to unleash its gory chaos. The body count rises, demons hop into bodies, and shotguns and power tools become necessary weapons. That said, while Evil Dead Rise definitely knows the series it's in, it's no mere exercise in blasting expected targets. There will be blood in this addition to the Evil Dead fold, and not just inking The Book of the Dead's pages. There's gallons of it, in fact, with assistance from an elevator overflowing with crimson liquid. Writer/director Lee Cronin is clearly happy to jump from his 2019 debut The Hole in the Ground to this beloved horror franchise while giving The Shining some love as well. And yet, nods to past Evil Dead films and scary fare in general aren't the main point of Evil Dead Rise, even though they're still there — loudly when "dead by dawn", words that are also part of Evil Dead II's title, is yelled. It shouldn't feel so rare to see a feature that isn't solely kept beating by gobbling up as many pieces of its predecessors as possible, but that's these nothing-must-die times. (When intellectual property is revived repeatedly by Hollywood's intonations, bringing back Evil Dead over and over couldn't be more appropriate.) Consider this another play around with recognisable parts — and with mutilating them, with Cronin showing no signs of holding back with his setpieces, gleefully unhinged onslaught of carnage or visual compositions. Or, think of it as striding into a lived-in hut with a keenness to make something already-beloved new again. With Raimi and Campbell only involved as executive producers, the film also doesn't ever feel like Cronin wrote a different script, then just dumped in a Necronomicon here and a Deadite there. Again, it's well-aware of the path it's treading, and of what's done so before. Still, amid the ample guts, the obligatory creepy pages and the eerie incantations (which for viewers unlike the movie's characters, are well-worth listening to closely), this saga-extender finds the right balance between affectionately savouring Evil Dead's groovy history and being its own fright-inducing meal. Familiar swooping and whooshing camerawork kicks Evil Dead Rise into gear, though, knowingly so. In a clever touch, it stems from a is doing the shooting, not due to supernatural nefariousness. There's a remote abode in the woods — an A-frame shack this time, levelled up to match 2023's travel aesthetic — and unsettling things afoot; however, the bulk of the film takes place a day earlier. That's when guitar technician Beth (Lily Sullivan, Picnic at Hanging Rock) cuts out a the worldwide tour to surprise her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland, New Gold Mountain). The latter is a tattoo artist and mother of three who has recently been left parenting solo, and is interrupted dying her hair 'cool mum' red when her sibling arrives. There's baggage between the pair, but there'll soon be viscera as well when Ellie's teenage son Danny (Morgan Davies, Blaze) finds a certain text — and, because he's a budding DJ, some dusty vinyl sporting words that no one in an Evil Dead movie should be saying or hearing. There's that trusty advice being disregarded. Danny's sister Bridget (Gabrielle Echols, Reminiscence) is on hand with an "I told you so" or several, mirroring what viewers are thinking. Actually, Evil Dead Rise inspires a new take on the old "don't pick up a book bound in human skin" counsel: don't go plunging into a hole in the ground when the condemned high-rise you're living in cracks in an earthquake and you spot an old bank vault in the newly opened void, then 100-percent don't pick up some literally underground tunes and the entombed, flesh-packaged tome they're buried near. But Danny does all that, thinking the volume might be worth something to help his mum's money worries. Bridget scolds and youngest sister Kassie (Nell Fisher, My Life Is Murder) is quickly scared by the aftermath. The trapped inhabitants of the about-to-be-demolished building are all unnerved, to say the least, as the Evil Dead realm's wicked spirits let loose their hellish waking nightmare. There will be splatter, too, as the 1981 original introduced on a supremely low budget. Each Evil Dead chapter loves imparting its own vibe, after the second film got funnier, 1992's third effort Army of Darkness became a dark fantasy, then 2013's Evil Dead snatched out every trace of absurdity — and, on the small screen, Ash vs Evil Dead got amusing again — but gore usually flows eagerly. Like grated cheese, there's no such thing as too much in Cronin's eyes. Like making that shredded dairy, a particular kitchen utensil gets a workout. With cinematographer Dave Garbett, an Ash vs Evil Dead alum, Cronin also frequently draws attention to the act of seeing, while making sure there's almost always something savage to lock one's peepers on. A fish-eye peephole earns some savvy use, and the overall cavalcade of mayhem just keeps mounting to the point where it's so purposefully ridiculous that you can't look away. Evil Dead Rise isn't going for a Raimi-and-Campbell mood. It isn't aiming for the pair's laughs and slapstick since the OG flick, either. But it spies that constantly ramping up the slashing, stabbing, scalping, ripping and gouging is as relentless as it is OTT, especially when paired with devilishly delivered lines like "mommy's with the maggots now". And, although its guiding force takes too long establishing the new characters' family dynamic, then does too little with the themes of trauma and parenthood it starts flirting with, the franchise's latest cast is up to the task when things get demonic. Australian trio Sutherland, Sullivan and Davies each leave an imprint, with one also giving the saga one of its best Deadite performances. No Evil Dead fan will ever want Raimi and Campbell to stray too far from this series, but this latest bite doesn't ever feel like it needs them, or leave its audience wishing it was watching Ash J Williams instead.
Physical navigation tools might've largely gone the way of landlines, cassette tapes and eating meals without taking a photo first, but one company has come up with a tasty alternative. You mightn't be able to navigate your way through London, New York or Tel Aviv with one of Tamtik's chocolate city maps, but you will have quite the eye-catching dessert, gift or both. A collaboration with online marketplace Nisnas Industries, the artisan creations combine three things everyone loves — aka travel, confectionery and art — into a melt-in-your-mouth package that proves the ultimate edible souvenir. Inspired by the geometric-shape heavy traditional Arabic patterns often seen in architecture, known as mashrabiya, the chocolates feature stylised designs depicting the streets of their chosen locations. And, lest you think they're too abstract, landmarks such as the Thames River and Central Park stand out among the curved lines of dark cacao. Indeed, to ensure that each map accurately reflects each city's landscape, they're made by local artisans. Tamtik are currently running a Kickstarter campaign to spread their wings to another city, with participants able to vote for their preferred destination. Rewards not only include chocolate, obviously, put copies of the moulds should you want to whip up your own at home. Alas, before you go dreaming about breaking a representation of an Australian or New Zealand city into chocolatey pieces, Tamtik only ship to the US, Canada, the UK and Israel at present. That said, just as they're planning to add more maps to their lineup, they're also planning to deliver to more areas in the future. Via My Modern Met. Images: Tamtik.
Next time you slurp down some oysters, you needn't solely opt for natural molluscs served with lemon and Tabasco. There's nothing wrong with that old favourite; however you can get a bit more adventurous with your oyster dishes at One Fish Two Fish's Oyster Frenzy. Between Friday, January 14–Sunday, January 16, the Kangaroo Point eatery is serving up a six-course oyster feast, taking seafood lovers through six different flavours. Start with the tried, tested and aforementioned combination, then move onto oysters with champagne, jelly and caviar; steamed and served with XO sauce; and paired with cucumber and lychee. You'll also be snacking on barbecue mornay oysters with pancetta, plus oysters paired with an oak-aged chardonnay mignonette. In total, you'll eat your way through 18 oysters all up — three per dish — for $89 per person. Because oysters are always popular, bookings are essential — with Oyster Frenzy running two sittings (from 12–2pm and 2.30–4.30pm) on all three days. And, if that isn't enough to satisfy your slurping, there's also a separate oyster shooters menu — which is where you'll find bloody mary, gin and tonic, and dirty martini options, all for an extra $12 each.
Last year we told you about Endulj, a brand new Melbourne food service replicating and delivering dishes from some of the swankiest restaurants in town. Well, if Endulj is the equivalent of dinner at a high-end restaurant, then FoodByUs would surely be a comforting home-cooked meal. In fact, that's literally what they're all about, connecting hungry Australians with talented home chefs. Because why bother borrowing a half-dozen eggs from your neighbour when you can get them to make the whole omelette for you? Described as "a vibrant local community of food buyers and sellers", the online portal and app has been operating in Sydney and Melbourne since last year, and launches in Brisbane this week. Users can chose from culinary creations — ranging from bowls of gnocchi to vegan 'tuna' mayo to home-baked cakes — made by dozens of different professional and amateur chefs for pick-up or delivery. It's like UberEats at community level — a place where it's perfectly acceptable to ask someone else's nonna to cook you dinner. "With FoodByUs already having great success in both Sydney and Melbourne, we are looking forward to connecting locals with talented home cooks and predict Brisbane could have some of the best talent in the country," said co-founder Ben Lipschitz. "We have already signed up a number of residents who want to turn their passion for cooking into a business." Alternatively, you can try your hand at making and selling dishes of your own. Have your friends ever told you your cupcakes are so good you could charge people for them? Well, here's your chance to put that to the test. For more information and to try it for yourself visit foodbyus.com.au. The app can be found on Google Play and in the Apple App Store.
First Melbourne hosted Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, then Sydney got the upper hand by coaxing Rene Redzepi to bring his world-renowned restaurant Noma to Barangaroo for a few months. But then, in a serious move of one-upmanship, Melbourne took back the culinary crown (for now, anyway), nabbing the rights to host next year's World's 50 Best Restaurants awards earlier this year. Further to the announcement — which was made back in June ahead the 2016 awards in New York — the World's 50 Best Restaurants have just released the finer details of the huge event. The ceremony that, well, ranks the world's best restaurants from 1-50 will take place on Wednesday, April 5 and the Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building. It's a pretty big deal for little ol' Melbourne (and Tourism Australia) as it's only the second time the awards will be held outside of London. But that's just the start of it. The ceremony will be just one part of a seven-day program of events, which will bring some of the world's best chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and other people of food influence to Melbourne. Running from April 1-7, the program will coincide with 2017's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and include a series of masterclasses, the Chef's Feast (just for chefs though, sorry) and a smattering of satellite events. The chefs — which might well include the likes of Modena's Massimo Bottura, D.O.M.'s Alex Atala and the brothers from El Celler de can Roca — will be treated to a week of Australia's best food too. "After 14 years hosting the awards event in London, we decided to take The World's 50 Best Restaurants on a global tour, kicking off in New York in June 2016," said World's 50 Best Restaurants group editor William Drew. "Now we could not be more thrilled to be moving to Melbourne, one of the great food cities of the world, in 2017. Come April next year, Australia will undoubtedly be the place to be for those passionate about great food and inspired restaurants." Well, shucks. If you're not familiar with the awards, they're the ranking that everyone uses when talking about the best restaurants in the world. This year Italy's Modena was awarded the number one spot, while Noma has been a former list-topper multiple times. 2016 gave special mention to Melbourne's Attica and Brae (number 33 and 65, respectively), as well as Sydney's Quay (number 98), which probably has a lot to do with why they've decided to come Down Under in 2017.
Usually when a Brisbanite heads to Westfield Chermside, they're going shopping. Or, they could be seeing a movie or having a bite to eat. Normally, though, a trip to the sprawling northside centre doesn't involve swinging in a rainbow room or hopping in a ball pit — or cuddling teddy bears either. From Thursday, June 24, all of the above activities are on the agenda at the busy shopping complex. So is being surrounded by colour and neon lights aplenty, too. The reason: the folks behind the sweet-themed Sugar Republic pop-up museum are returning to the town, bringing their latest multi-room installation with them. So, get ready to make your way through The Selfie Lab (and to see it take over your Instagram feeds, obviously). Whether they're doing Christmas pop-ups in Melbourne or hosting a Museum of Love in Sydney, all of this group's activities are designed to be snapped — so this time they're just calling that out in the event's name. Drop by and you'll find a greatest hits-style set up across The Selfie Lab's 16 rooms. In other words, it's rolling out some of the past spaces that everyone loved, just in a different location. New rooms featuring photogenic decor that audiences haven't seen before will also be part of the installation; think: Palm Springs motels, 50s diners and 80s bedrooms, as well as a space that promises to take visitors to the moon. There'll also be a candy bar — because the Sugar Republic crew were never going to forgo sweetness — and work onsite by Brisbane illustrator Alex Darrafa. Making its home opposite Uniqlo on Westfield Chermside's second level, The Selfie Lab is popping up for a good time, not a long time — but it does seem that this vibrant space might stick around for a bit. The website promises new installations each season; however, given how popular the group's other events have proven, getting in quickly is still recommended. Tickets cost $25 plus booking fee for a one-hour run through the space — phone in-hand, of course, so you can keep snapping pics.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled its 2018 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 27 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 12. This year sees local talent new and established taking the stage, with the lineup spanning up-and-comers like Alex Lahey, Baker Boy and Winston Surfshirt right through to favourites Flight Facilities and Australian legend Paul Kelly. International talent like Portugal. The Man, Royal Blood and Duke Dumont will make their way to the Moo too. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 LINEUP Alex Lahey Aminé (USA) The Amity Affliction Baker Boy Ball Park Music Claptone (Ger) Confidence Man Cosmo's Midnight Dean Lewis Duke Dumont (UK) Flight Facilities Grinspoon Lady Leshurr (UK) Mallrat Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Portugal. The Man (USA) Public Service Broadcasting (UK) Royal Blood (UK) Sampa The Great Skegss Superduperkyle (USA) Tkay Maidza Vera Blue Winston Surfshirt GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 DATES & VENUES Friday, April 27 — Wayville (SA) Saturday, April 28 – Maitland (NSW) Sunday, April 29 — Canberra (ACT) Saturday, May 5 — Bendigo (VIC) Sunday, May 6 – Townsville (QLD) Saturday, May 12 — Bunbury (WA) Pre-sale tickets for GTM will go on sale at 9am local time on Wednesday, January 31. All other tickets for Wayville, Maitland and Canberra will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, February 6, and Bendigo, Bunbury and Townsville will be released the day after at 9am on Wednesday, February 7. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Image: Jack Toohey.
Gordon Bennett is one of Australia's most visionary and important artists. Born in 1955, Bennett spent most of his early life travelling with his family before finally settling in Nambour. He was an average student, but excelled greatly in art, social studies and English. Between working and studying, plus being surrounded by hideous racism, art became a tool to articulate the denial of his Aboriginal identity. It is little wonder, then, that Bennett quickly established himself as one of Australia's most praised creatives. Though he passed away last year, he left behind one of the most significant and powerful bodies of work every produced by an Australian artist. Now, the Institute of Modern Art is showcasing of a selection of largely unseen works by Bennett in their latest exhibition, Be Polite. The pieces on show include of drawings, paintings, watercolours, poetry and essays from the early 1990s through to the early 2000s. Be Polite exhibits works that embrace rich layers of western and Australian Indigenous art history and contemporary politics, a direction Bennett developed throughout the 1980s and explored until the end of his life.
The average person spends eight hours a day looking at a screen. That's not just your laptop or television set but also the time you spend on your phone. Observe the number of people thumbing their smart phones on the evening bus, and it's easy to believe that a lot of people exceed that average eight hours on a regular basis. Now, instead of waxing poetical about how grim this is, and imploring you to run into the streets, pick wildflowers, and dance barefoot (all thoroughly recommended pursuits), it might be better to think about how to get the most out of your time spent with a screen. Because a lot of the time we read, and look, at crap: think of the number of times you’ve heard about Kate Middleton's boobs in the past couple of weeks, or watched a Gangnam Style parody (you know you have). Last year, Eli Pariser gave a TED talk in which he pointed out that web companies like Facebook and Twitter, in trying to tailor their services to you and your tastes, end up blocking out the information they think you don't want to know about. That means you get trapped inside what he calls a 'filter bubble'. If Facebook knows you're passionately involved in campaigning for gay marriage, for instance, you won't get information that's going to expose you to other arguments in your news feed. By the same token, if Facebook thinks you only want to hear about pop culture, you're not going to end up hearing much about asylum seekers. This means that, ultimately, because we never get information that challenges our worldviews, we end up in a bubble in which we hear the same messages and information over and over again. Unless we go looking elsewhere. These are the tips we discovered while trying to get out of our media ghetto and into the bright lights of the big media city. Tidy up your RSS feed and bookmarks If you use Google Reader, go through and see how many of those subscriptions add value to your life. Balance out what you get from The Sartorialist by subscribing to The Huffington Post, Jezebel, or McSweeney's. Thinking about spreading out your information — so it's not all stories from America — is also a good way to go: you want to know what’s happening around the corner as much as you want to know what’s happening in New York this weekend. (As people who keep an eye on what's happening locally, we unabashedly recommend subscribing to us.) Buy a newspaper or a magazine One of the best things about these old-fashioned things is that, while you can skim and skip pieces, what's inside them is curated by an editor. They also offer work that people have been paid to write, and that often produces more interesting and well-researched content. Aside from your average copy of the Sydney Morning Herald or the Age, and high-brow magazines like the Monthly and the New Yorker, magazines like Fantastic Man or The Gentlewoman offer quality journalism mixed in with the pretty pictures. Mag Nation is a good place to browse. Explore Filtering Services Filtering services like Prismatic and Bottlenose collate information from your social media activity and provide you with a unique and personal newsfeed. These things are great because they expand your horizons beyond just giving you what you want to hear. The top stories in my Prismatic feed, for instance, cover the US presidential election, architecture inspired by mathematics, and (I don't know what this says about me) a guide to the top 10 hipster neighbourhoods in the US. None of which I would have stumbled across all on my lonesome. Monitor Yourself Setting limits about how long you spend on networks is really important. You can leave Facebook or Twitter open all day, but that doesn't mean life will get any more interesting. Set rules for yourself about how long you're prepared to sit monitoring a feed. Wired has a pretty awesome graphic showing how you might spread out your screen time, but I would also recommend going for a walk or baking a cake to give your square-eyes a rest. Broaden Your Horizons We’re long past the days when social media meant Facebook alone. It's not uncommon now to meet somebody who would never dream of having a Facebook account but will actively encourage you to follow them on Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram at once. Different mediums offer different things. Checking out sites like Pinterest and Reddit might broaden your horizons in ways you've never thought of before. Explore Overlaps Sometimes the lowbrow and the highbrow blend together in a beautiful dance. Superficial stories can blend in with serious issues. The most recent example of this is Chris Brown's new tattoo. While everyone can marvel over its similarity to that beaten-to-a-pulp image of Rhianna, it provokes more serious discussions about domestic violence and might elevate your thinking about the subject beyond the initial "oh no he didn't!". Upworthy Eli Pariser, the same guy who gave the aforementioned TED Talk, has since started a site designed to make important and compelling things as viral as videos of people planking. Designed to give you the tools and knowledge to make yourself a better and more aware human being, Upworthy is still in it's early stages but definitely worth checking out.
Every dog loves the beach, but perhaps your pet pooch would like to do more than just paddle by the shore and sprint along the sand? Did you ever think about that? Well VetShopAustralia certainly have, and to get them on the board, they're holding their annual Surfing Dog Spectacular in Noosa this weekend, March 5-6. If you've ever dreamed of hanging ten with your four-legged bestie, this is your chance. So, do you actually need to know how to surf in order to teach your dog to do the same? Nope. In a free, Saturday morning clinic designed to teach pet owners how to get fit, have fun and strengthen their bond with their beloved canine, former tandem surfing world champion and professional dog trainer Chris De Aboitiz will teach you everything you need. Plus, if you don't have a hound of your own, you can even take to the waves with one of his rescue animals. If watching rather than participating is more your style, then head along on Sunday afternoon instead. That's when you can witness the best of Australia's surfing dogs in action, showcasing new manoeuvres and competing for the grand VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular title. Part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, the event celebrates its fifth year in 2016. If you've skipped it previously, don't make the same mistake again. Just think: if you can get your furry friend to stand on a surfboard, you're one step closer to making an all-dog remake of Point Break a reality. The VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular takes place from March 5-6 at The Spit and First Point, Noosa. For more information, visit their website.
There's never a bad time for gelato. There's never a special occasion that couldn't use it, too. That's all in Gelato Messina's wheelhouse, with the chain mighty fond of releasing limited-edition treats to make holidays even tastier. The latest example: its Easter 2023 offering, which brings back its gelato-filled chocolate eggs. Dessert heaven? This is it. Also, if you've always wanted to smash open a Messina Easter egg, that's on the menu as well. Either way, you'll be tucking into an egg handmade out of Messina's milk chocolate — and it'll be filled with frosty, creamy goodness or six rocher balls. First, the gelato-packed eggs, aka a dream for gelato and chocolate lovers alike. That's tasty news as it is but, in even better news, these goodies come in a trio. So, you'll get the Ménage Egg Trois, as Messina has dubbed it, all for $95. The gelato chain says the three eggs can feed between six and ten people, but it's obviously up to you how much you share them On the menu: a custard and shortbread gelato number, with the chocolate egg also featuring strawberry jam yolk, and then dipped in strawberry white chocolate; and an egg packed with vanilla and coconut gelato, mango sorbet, mango gel yolk and baked cheesecake, then encased in white chocolate and desiccated coconut. And, rounding out the pack is a pretzel and milk chocolate-coated egg featuring chocolate gelato with peanut fudge, chocolate brownies and peanut butter caramel. Your tastebuds might already remember that Messina did gelato-free chocolate Easter eggs in 2022, too. This year's version sprinkles its shell with chopped roasted hazelnuts, and boasts two waffle cone and white chocolate rocher balls (filled with waffle cone cream), two 65-percent dark chocolate and salted peanut rocher balls (filled with peanut cream), and two milk chocolate and hazelnut rocher balls (filled with Messinatella cream) inside. That'll set you back $70, and apparently will keep two-to-four people (or just you) very satisfied. As a bonus, Messina is also making golden versions of both Easter sets — and the difference isn't just in the appearance. If your milk chocolate gelato-filled eggs happen to be gold on the outside, you've won a year's worth of Messina. If your giant chocolate egg has a golden rocher inside, same deal. You will need to take a photo, then email hello@gelatomessina.com to claim your prize. Messina's Easter kits can only be ordered online on Monday, March 20 for collection over Easter — of course — between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9. Messina now opens its orders at various times for various places, so you'll want to hop online at 9am for Queensland and Australian Capital Territory stores, 9.15am for Victorian shops, and at either 9.30am, 9.45am or 10am depending on where you are in New South Wales. Gelato Messina's Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, March 20 for pick up between Thursday, April 6–Sunday, April 9 — head to the Messina website for further details.
In recent times, this fine country has seen Harry Potter brunches, dinners, movie marathons, train rides, spoof plays and trivia nights. And that's not to mention the Cursed Child mania that's currently happening down in Melbourne. But are you sick of it? No chance. If there's one thing we know, it's that the demand for Harry Potter will never die — and this latest pop-up, along with the fact that there is a seemingly endless stream of Harry Potter events to come, proves that. The next piece of mainstream Harry Potter fandom to hit Brisbane next January will be the Wizard's Cauldron. Inspired by the experiences that the gang had in potions class — and hopefully avoiding the botched polyjuice potion episode — the pop-up bar will mix magic and mixology. That's to say, there will be cocktails. Probably with some dry ice and bubbling substances. It'll be sort of like a science class, except you'll wear robes and mix your drinks with a wand. And drink what you mix, of course. The 'experience' will take 90 minutes — and while exact Brisbane dates are yet to be announced, and tickets are yet to go on sale, events in Sydney and Melbourne have come with a $45–55 price tag. For that, attendees get a hot mug o' mead and help from a (probably) greasy-haired Potions Master to mix a potion or two for yourself. Challenges are also part of the fun, with participants tasked with unlocking the ingredients for their concoctions. You may or may not have to take your O.W.L exam after — and, either way, there'll be a cash bar so you can celebrate or commiserate your results for further drinks and snacks. The Wizard's Cauldron will pop up in Brisbane in January 2020, with exact dates yet to be announced. We'll let you know when further details are revealed — and, in the interim, you can register for updates on the event website.
The Beta version of Google's long rumoured music service, Google Music, was released on Wednesday. The service lets you to upload your music collection directly to the service from CDs, iTunes or Windows Media Player, allowing you to access your music using any browser anywhere. Utilising Cloud technology, the service allows much simpler devices to run at much more complicated levels of output by an outsourcing of technology requirements, in this case memory storage. Although very similar to the recently released Amazon Cloud service, the Google variant is a lot easier to use, with the user interface simplified drastically and the typeface very similar to the older Google applications. Although free and accessible, the program is still within the testing phase, with early reports suggesting annoying long load times when starting the program and uploading music. Although not the first of its kind, simply being equipped with the Google brand will ensure this program gets a lot more attention, deserved or not. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZrNhKcxBbZo [Via Mashable]
A new opera penned by Damon Albarn (frontman of Blur and Gorillaz) will premiere as part of the English National Opera's 2011/2012 season. Doctor Dee, Albarn's second opera, follows the life of 16th Century advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, John Dee, whose claim to fame includes dalliances with alchemy, astrology and espionage. Albarn's debut opera, Monkey: Journey To The West, was an adaption for the stage of a 16th Century Chinese novel. This year, despite a recent funding freeze from Arts Council England, the ENO is treating its audiences to 11 new productions, four of which are by living composers. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XT0tBKB2_PA
Queensland might be hot, steamy, wet and stormy come summer, but it is also the place to be. Staying in the city isn't in keeping with the spirit of the season, even when there's plenty of fun to be had in the Brisbane sun. Head to a beach, hole up in the mountains or otherwise embrace the elements in that break you know you need: a summer getaway. SURFERS PARADISE See: Descending upon the centre of the Gold Coast sets any summer trip up for sun and fun. The beach is never more than a stroll away, and Cavill Avenue boasts more than its fair share of bars, clubs and restaurants. Wander down the road for a spot of mini golf, head to Broadbeach for some shopping, or jump on a bus to Sea World, Movie World, Dreamworld or Wet'n'Wild. Rest assured, you'll never be bored. Stay: QT Gold Coast is one of Surfers Paradise's newest hotel, and it shows. With its own bar, cafe and spa on site, you might not even want to venture further. Drink: Before your head starts thumping, why not enjoy a Pain Killer? This twist on the Pina Colada combines 60ml Appleton 8yr old, 120ml pineapple juice, 30ml coconut cream and 30ml orange juice, shaken, strained and served over ice. Add a Maraschino cherry and an orange slice for garnish. TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN See: A mountain getaway is just as enjoyable as a beach break, and more so if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the coastline. Tour the breweries, browse the galleries and trek along the many trails. Conquer your fear of heights on the rainforest skywalk, or bask in the glory of the glow-worm caves. Stay: Take your pick – of places, and styles. Camping embraces the back-to-nature vibe, and Thunderbird Park even has its own theme park, as well as lodges if sleeping under the stars isn't for you. Drink: Things might get Dark and Stormy staying up high, and we're not just talking about the weather. Pour 60ml Appleton 8yr Old, 90ml ginger beer and 15ml lime juice into a short glass filled with ice, stir and savour as the clouds form. NOOSA See: Which Noosa do you want to visit? Take your pick! Head to Noosa Heads for Hasting Street's boutique shopping strip, cavalcade of cafes and patrolled Main Beach. Go to Noosaville for chilling in, on or by the river. At Noosa North Shore, you'll find sand dunes, a national park and secluded swimming spots. Stay: If you can't choose where to stay – or want to take in all that Noosa has to offer – then why not try a houseboat? Bring your friends for the ultimate in waterfront accommodation. Drink: Kick back and relax with that summer-time favourite: the Daiquiri. You only need three ingredients and a cocktail glass, and you're on your way to liquid glory. Mix 60ml Appleton V/X, 40ml fresh lime juice and 20ml sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker full of ice, then strain and serve. MOOLOOLABA See: Home to Underwater World's aquarium delights, and a mighty fine surf club too, Mooloolaba is a little sleepy and a little stylish – and that's the way it likes it. Your trip might coincide with a local surf competition, if watching is your thing. Or cruise the canals all year round, and dream about permanent beachside living. Stay: You won't get closer to Mooloolaba's many esplanades of action than the Aegean — or better views, either. Everything you need is in walking distance, be it food, fun or the ocean. Drink: The Mai Tai is a cocktail classic, best enjoyed with a stunning summer view. Throw 30ml lime juice, 15ml orange Curacao, 7.5ml sugar syrup, 7.5ml Orgeat, 30ml Appleton V/X, and 30ml Coruba dark into a shaker, strain and pour over ice. Add a mint sprig and a lime shell, then look longingly out into the distance RAINBOW BEACH See: Known for its shaded sands of up to 72 different colours, Rainbow Beach is the quiet spot to end all quiet spots. Indoor types need not apply, unless you're happy reclining by the sea while others get active. There's fishing, boating and surfing – and diving and gliding, too, of the scuba and sky, and hang and para varieties. Four-wheel driving is the real thing to do, both along the beach and on specific tracks. Stay: Keep close to the main drag while peering out over the sea at Plantation Resort. As an added bonus, The Rainbow Beach Hotel is part of the same complex. Drink: You've enjoyed a spot of fishing – and maybe even caught your own dinner – so here's the drink to match. Mix up 45ml Appleton 8yr, 15ml cognac, 5ml peach brandy, 20ml lemon juice, 45ml water and 10ml sugar syrup, and you have yourself some Fish House Punch. Multiply all quantities by 10 to fill a punch bowl. MONTVILLE See: The only way is up if you want to eat your way through a summer feast. In Montville and its mountainous surrounds, you'll find candy stores, dairies, wineries, the ginger factory and strawberry fields ripe for the picking. You're also a short drive away from the famous Eumundi Markets for more supplies, and from the Glasshouse Mountains if you want to walk it off afterwards. Stay: This one's for the lovers, who'll want to relax the only way you should in such a setting: in a free-standing tree house. With a spa bath overlooking greenery, and a fire to snuggle up around, you'll soon forget what season it is. Drink: Holed up in a cabin and inspired to put pen to paper by your surroundings? You'll want a Hemingway Daiquiri to keep those creative juices flowing. All you'll need is 60ml Appleton V/X, 15ml maraschino liqueur, 20ml lime juice and 15ml grapefruit juice – and a Maraschino cherry for garnish – shaken up with ice. STRADBROKE ISLAND See: First, there are the ocean sights of the ferry ride across. Then, there's beach and bush as far as the eye can see. Checking out the flora and fauna – be it walking under koala-dotted trees, or going whale watching – are common pastimes. And then there's the famous Straddie Pub at Point Lookout. The old buildings may have been torn down, and new ones built, but its reputation remains. Stay: A private lodge suits the laidback island atmosphere, and is perfect for groups. Try Straddie Bungalows, set against nearly 2 acres of Moreton Bay waterfront. Drink: It does get mighty windy over at Stradbroke; however, the only Hurricanes you will see will be in your glass. The original fruity punch is a concoction of 60ml Appleton V/X, 20ml passionfruit puree, 30ml orange juice, 15ml lime juice, 5ml grenadine and 5ml sugar syrup, shaken, strained and served over ice. Then add as much seasonal fruit as you can find. STANTHORPE See: Head inland to eat, drink and be merry, courtesy of a plethora of gourmet food producers of all kinds and styles. There's a foodie event almost every weekend, but Stanthorpe isn't just known for its on-site tasty treats. Take a cooking class during your stay, and learn how to recreate the magic at home afterwards. Stay: When in wine and cheese country, there's only one type of accommodation that fits the bill: bed and breakfast. Head to Diamondvale Cottages to sample the local hospitality not only while you're out and about but overnight too. Drink: Being surrounded by so much wine and cheese might just set your sugary cravings into overdrive – and in need of Treacle. Add 60ml Appleton 8yr old, 10ml sugar syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters and ice slowly to the serving glass a little at a time, constantly stirring. Float the 15ml freshly pressed apple juice over the drink, tasting as you're making, and add orange zest as garnish when it hits the sweet spot. CASUARINA See: So we've ventured over the Queensland border and into the wilds of Northern New South Wales – but this sleepy new stopover is worth the trip. Not yet a tourist trap, but with plenty to explore, this place just past Kingscliff is perfect for baking on the beach, lazing by the pool and doing little else. Well, there's also the nearby Tropical Fruit World, if you need some sights to see. Yes, that's a themed destination devoted to lychees, mangos, papaya and the like – and the home of the big avocado. Stay: Go all-out at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa, with its lagoon pool and top-notch day spa. If there's one spot for spoiling yourself, this is it. Drink: Hang out at a beach resort and channel the essence of a movie star such as Mary Pickford. The silent siren's cocktail namesake will perfect the picture, combining 60ml Appleton V/X, 45ml un-sweetened pineapple juice, 5ml Maraschino liqueur and 5ml grenadine in an ice-filled shaker, then straining and adding a Maraschino cherry. BYRON BAY See: What isn't there to see and do in Byron Bay? Swimming, surfing, sunbaking – all the typical beach activities are covered. Shopping, eating, drinking – all the fun holiday things, too. Depending on the time of year, there's probably a festival in town. And for something different, head to the hinterland to check out the serenity of the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens. Stay: Accommodation is abundant in this popular destination, but there's only one place to experience the lifestyle of former lighthouse keepers: Lighthouse Cottages. You'll be surrounded by the peace and quiet of a national park, and gifted a truly amazing view. Drink: Find the right part of Byron, and come nightfall, you might feel like the only ones around. Whip up a Zombie to embrace the mood. Blend 30ml Appleton V/X, 30ml Appleton 8yr old, 25ml lime juice, 15ml grapefruit juice, 45ml unsweetened pineapple juice, 7.5ml Falernum, 10ml Maraschino, 5ml grenadine, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, and 2.5ml Pernod with ice until evenly mixed through, then top with a pineapple spear, orange slice, cherry and a mint sprig. Avoid brains.
Doughnuts might be Brisbane's current sweet treat craze, but before the city's residents fell in love with circular orbs of pastry, they couldn't get enough of cold, creamy confectionary. Who are we kidding — that's still true. And if all of the other ice cream and gelato shops around town haven't convinced you, Sonder Dessert will. Making its home on Farne Street in Sunnybank Hills, Sonder serves up the kind of dishes that you'll happily venture south of the CBD to devour — and at any time of the year, too. The eatery's minimalist, booth-lined interiors allow their mouth-watering morsels of frosty goodness to garner all the attention they deserve; however with flavours like peanut butter crunch, toasted marshmallow, sticky rice, black sesame, lamington and strawberry jam, their ice cream was always going to do that anyway. Don't worry if you can't choose your favourite; that's why 4, 6 and 8-variety mini-cone flights were invented. An array of cakes are also on offer, so leave soon room to feast your eyes — and then your stomach — on something from the in-store display case. And, in good news for those that liked their chilled scoops served with a hot beverage, the latter might just prove Sonder's second claim to fame. Matcha and hojicha are the drinks of choice here, whether you like them hot or iced, or as a float, affogato, frappe, parfait or creme brûlée.
Tucked between Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich, and sprawling around the towns of Beaudesert and Boonah, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region is home to scenic sights, national parks, mountains and plenty of other reasons to head outdoors. Come October, it'll also boast another attraction luring visitors into the area's the natural surroundings — a 55-kilometre walking trail, complete with eco-cabins. Dubbed Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, just approved by the Queensland Government and expected to take six months to complete, the new route will start at the existing Spicers Hidden Vale Retreat and venture through Mt Mistake, up to Spicers Peak Nature Reserve and through parts of Main Range National Park. Extending existing walking tracks, it'll trek through sub-tropical rainforests, eucalypt forests and mountain heathlands over five days. And if the frequent name-dropping didn't give it away, the venture is being spearheaded by the Turner family, who founded the Spicers Retreats chain, to the tune of $10 million. The Turners are building two new sustainable eco-camps along the path, both within Main Range National Park. The first, Spicers Amphitheatre, will feature light coloured cabins perched above the floor of the forest, surrounded by gum trees, decked out with king-sized beds and adjacent to an observation deck. As for the second site, Timber Getters Eco Cabins, the structures will take on a darker hue. Both will include six sleeping pods, two wash pavilions and impressive views. As well as bunking down for the night, the full walk itinerary includes a visit to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a 4WD trip to a private nature reserve, and hiking along the Scenic Rim's Main Range. Weekly journeys will depart on Sundays from October, costing $3190 per person twin share with all accommodation, meals and beverages included, while the 2020 season will run from March to November. The venture comes in response to a state initiative to increase ecotourism in Queensland's national parks, with Main Range National Park featuring one of 42 reserves that comprise the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area (GRAWHA). For those planning a visit to the area in general, without booking in for the official trail, the project will also include improvements to public camping and hiking facilities. Spicers Scenic Rim Trail and eco-cabins are slate to open by October, with bookings now open. For more information, visit the trail website. Images: Spicers Retreats and Spicers Scenic Rim Trail.
Melbourne's skyline is looking up, with the city set to gain another huge tower that'll become both the Victorian capital's and Australia's tallest building. Proposed by the Royal Society of Victoria and designed by Decibel Architecture, the structure is planned for the corner of La Trobe and Victoria streets in the CBD where the RSV is currently based — and as well as reaching high into the sky, it'll also catch the eye with its super skinny appearance. Named Magic, the building will feature 60 storeys soaring more than 330 metres high, with one document listing the skyscraper as 362 metres tall. While it'll primarily feature apartments, the site will also enable the RSV to upgrade its heritage-listed home, add a science engagement centre and cafe, and create a science precinct. The organisation has described its plans as "dedicated to science and the spirit of the Royal Exhibition Buildings World Heritage Precinct". Indeed, celebrating Melbourne's science prowess is at the heart of the project, which architect Dylan Brady states "will demonstrate ingenuity, cutting edge sustainable technologies and be an iconic marker to Melbourne". Magic's lofty status will join eclipse the city's current tallest building, the 297.3-metre tall Eureka Tower, as well as the in-progress 319-metre Australia 108 residential tower at Southbank and the 323-metre-tall One Queensbridge tower slated for the Crown precinct. Around the rest of the country, the Gold Coast's Q1 presently reaches 332.5 metres, with the new 328m Orion Towers in Surfers Paradise in development.
Ice cream-loving Brisbanites, start screaming — and not just for any old frozen confection. Gelato Messina has finally come to our fair city, with their first permanent Brisbane venture officially open. Remember that feeling you had as a kid when Christmas finally rolled around? Excitement, enthusiasm and an inability to decide just what you should do first? That's what walking into 109 Melbourne Street feels like. A red display case filled with 42 flavours of Messina's finest, all chilled to -14 degrees, is the first thing you see when you enter their largest store in Australia, sparking one immediate thought: it's okay to want to try everything. You're only human, after all. The ace thing Messina newcomers mightn't know is that taste-testing is heartily encouraged. In fact, you can sample as many flavours as your stomach demands. With vegan and dairy-free sorbet, a couple of yoghurt-based options, the permanent signature gelato varieties and five specials always on offer, there's certainly plenty to choose from. Salted caramel and white chocolate is Messina's best-seller around the country, should you need a recommendation. Anyone after something different might want to opt for the pandan and coconut sorbet, which is made from a green leaf used in Asian cooking — or the kind of choc mint you've never had before, which is actually made from the pressed herb and tastes nothing like you think it will. Like the rest of its stores, Messina brings in its house-made flavour bases from the company's Sydney headquarters, then makes ice cream magic on-site. Watching new batches being churned is quite something, and will make you even hungrier. And, if finding out just how your favourite sweet treat is made sounds like your kind of thing, you're in luck, with Messina's gelato classes heading to Brisbane by June, if not earlier. Yep, that's why their West End digs has its own classroom. Those eager to attend will not only get a glimpse behind the scenes, but will also learn how Messina's chefs whip up such frosty delights — and taste plenty of gelato. Always be tasting gelato, folks. That's great advice to live by. The larger Gelato Appreciation Class will shower around 20 people at a time with oh-so-much ice cream, while the smaller Hands On Class walks ten eager people through the process of pasteurising, plating, and other gelato tricks and tips. If you've ever wondered how their eye-catching mushroom cakes are made, for example, prepare to find out. Messina also plans to bring their Creative Department to Brisbane later in the year — that is, their regular seven-course degustation dinners that will expand your idea of just what ice cream can be. Think garlic gelato, just as one example, plus all kinds of savoury and sweet pairings. While their specials seem experimental — as seen in the appropriately named QUEENSLANDAARRR!!!, which combines ginger gelato with pineapple cake and Bundaberg rum caramel, for instance — their Creative Department offerings are something else. Design-wise, the Melbourne Street shop also boasts bench seating and bean bags, because everyone wants to chill over chilled desserts. It's also the first of Messina's 16 stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Coolangatta, Brisbane and Las Vegas to carve their name into the wooden wall. Yep, they've arrived in Brissie alright, and they're making it clear.
Sydney Airport's next public art installation is a colourful reminder of Australia's roots, in a place where cultures and people from all across the globe converge daily. The work United Neytions by Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore will set a pretty striking scene, hung from the 17-metre-high ceiling of T1 International Terminal's Marketplace. Featuring 28 distinctive flags to represent the diversity of our country's Aboriginal cultures, the piece was chosen by The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Sydney Airport for their latest art commission, edging out works from seven other leading Aussie artists. According to MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, the work, by "one of our nation's most important contemporary artists", is a fitting one to be shared with the 15 million passengers that flow through this part of the airport annually. "Archie Moore has approached this exciting opportunity with great flair and his visually striking installation will no doubt intrigue, engage and capture the imagination of the millions of passengers passing through the airport's International terminal every year," she said. Moore himself explained that the flags would help draw attention "to the histories, voices and presence of local Indigenous people on which land the airport – an international zone/'no man's land' – lies, but also the passages of cultures, pasts, territories, ages and cultural knowledges that airports foster." United Neytions is set to be completed and unveiled at Sydney Airport in 2018.
Whether vintage fashion defines your style or kitsch antiques make your house a home, one thing is certain: everyone has fallen head over heels for everything deco and retro. And art nouveau-style trinkets, 1950s throwbacks, and all other types of mid-20th century paraphernalia too. Just like every other trend, there’s now an event catering for this communal outpouring of affection. Focusing on items from the 1920s to the 1970s, the Everything Deco to Retro Fair will bring more than 40 dealers together to flaunt their wares. Think clothing, jewellery and accessories, of course, as well as homewares, furniture and other odds and ends. Basically, anything cool, cute, offbeat and one-of-a-kind you might come across from the period. Want more? Well, that’s not all. The fair’s Facebook page gives plenty of sneak peeks of all the rad retro things you’re going to want to take home with you.
We know. We've all done it. Home alone with a block of cheddar, a few scraps of brie and a lone Kraft Single. It all seemed so promising. When your mum/housemate/significant other returned, though, the truth became apparent. You'd made a cheese quagmire in your microwave, hadn't you? Hadn't you. Fortunately, the guys behind PappaRich, the ST Group, are now getting set to help you realise all of your cheese dreams without the weird kitchen smell three weeks later — they're bringing Malaysian chain Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart to Brisbane. With multiple stores in Kuala Lumpur and other areas of the country — plus a handful in Melbourne and Sydney, as of last year, as well as Pacific Fair since July — the cheese tart connoisseurs are continuing their expansion with not one, but two Brissie ventures. The city's introduction to the gooey, creamy ways of the three-cheese tart arrives on November 27 in the Myer Centre, with a second store to follow at Garden City not long after (at a yet- to-be-revealed date). And, to celebrate, they're offering up 100 free original tarts on December 1. Stop by between 4pm and 5pm — or, arrive in advance and line up, because HBCT's openings in Melbourne and Sydney have seen people have been queuing out the door. If you're still wondering what all of the fuss is about, HBCT's namesake is the cornerstone of their offering: a savoury-sweet three-cheese situation encased in a shortcrust shell, designed to be eaten either hot or cold. The cheese, while made with local produce, is based on the distinct taste and texture of the dairy products of Hokkaido. The Japanese island is known for their dairy — it produces half of Japan's total milk and a huge 90 percent of their natural cheese — and HBCT have worked tirelessly to replicate it. Malaysia has gone nuts for it, as has Australia, where it's available in original, chocolate and blueberry flavours. We weren't joking when we mentioned hefty lines filled with folks eager to get their hands on one (or 12). Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart will open in the Myer Centre, 91 Queen Street, Brisbane on November 27 — and at Westfield Garden City at a yet-to-be-revealed date. For more info and to look out for an opening date, keep an eye on their Facebook page. By Matt Abotomey and Sarah Ward. Images: Tim Grey.
Theatrical masterpiece This Is Our Youth will undergo another celebrity makeover when the play hits the Sydney Opera House this March. Michael Cera will lead the cast in an unconventional departure from his high-profile role in television series Arrested Development and films such as Juno and Superbad. He will be joined by Golden Globe nominee Kieran Culkin and AFI Award winning actress Emily Barclay. Having directed the world premiere of This Is Our Youth in 1996 and sophomore season in 1998, Mark Brokaw returns to the director role in his debut Australian showcase. The script was written by Kenneth Lonergan, who went on to pen Gangs of New York. This Is Our Youth follows a tumultuous day in the lives of three New Yorkers in 1982, and explores their contemplations and sense of confinement in the Big Apple. Painting a bittersweet image of a discontent generation lost in a society undergoing rapid change, the play takes Australian audiences to a time and place that may not be so different from our everyday lives. Although it explores American society in the Reagan-era, the play's sheer bluntness and honesty has garnered worldwide appeal and acclaim. Its popularity with theatre enthusiasts has been reflected in stars such as Matt Damon, Colin Hanks and Jake Gyllenhaal all playing roles in previous seasons. The Australian performance is set to uphold the play's celebrated status. This Is Our Youth will run from March 14-25, 2012 at the Sydney Opera House. Tickets are available from February 10.
When Scotland's BrewDog made the leap to Australia, setting up its own brewery to pump out its tipples, the beer brand turned a riverside patch of land in Murarrie in Brisbane's east into its Down Under base. That was back in 2019, and it always meant to be the company's first step on the path to boozy Aussie things. The next one? A new three-level beer bar in Fortitude Valley. Come September, likely towards the end of the month, Brisbanites keen on a BrewDog beer in a BrewDog bar will be able to pick between two locations. That said, BrewDog's Head of Australian Operations Calvin McDonald doesn't expect that it'll be a difficult choice. He loves the OG Brissie venue, and he's already singing the new Valley watering hole's praises — but he also thinks that the Murarrie spot will continue to draw in eastsiders, while the new Brunswick Street digs will appeal to everyone else. BrewDog's Valley home will definitely be central, taking over the heritage-listed Tranberg House building across the road from the Valley Metro complex. And, it'll be sizeable — nestling into all three levels, all with their own bars pouring brews from 20 taps each. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BrewDog Australia (@brewdogau) On the entry level — from Brunswick Street — beer lovers will find a space that caters to 115–120 people, while the big drawcard will be the beer hall-style lower-ground floor that'll fit around 120 folks as well. Then, up on the top storey, patrons will find two shuffleboard tables, as well as a space that'll be able to be used for functions. Being able to have separate areas, rather than one big setup like DogTap at Murarrie, gets McDonald excited — especially about what it means for events and group bookings. The idea, of course, is that the whole venue is always pumping. Based on how busy BrewDog's original Brissie site gets, plus the Valley locale, that seems highly likely. "It's been a bit of a long time coming," McDonald tells Concrete Playground. "We didn't want to our second opportunity in Australia to be two years after number one, but the situation dictated that that's which way it had to go." "Essentially, it's bringing all of the good elements of that [Murarrie] — so a similar food menu, along the lines of burgers and pizzas, and a similar draft lineup — but over three floors." "It allows us to run things slightly differently to how we do at Murarrie. Even though it's a great venue, it's only one space... So I was really quite proactive in wanting a multi-floor venue, which gives us a lot more flexibility," McDonald continues. Brews and food-wise, as McDonald mentioned, BrewDog will keep doing what its doing — pouring its own beers, celebrating other local brewers, and sticking with a pub grub-heavy menu that spans pizzas, burgers, vegan eats and the like. In terms of decor, playing up the heritage features is a big focus. "It's an old listed building. We've been really lucky with the landlord that we've got there, that he's really interested in preserving a lot of the heritage aspects of that," McDonald explains. "So as much as we can, we're keeping the original frontage, the original walls, the original finishes, a lot of the original brickwork is being preserved as well and the original floors... It's definitely a modern bar, but very much in a heritage setting." While Brisbane will boast two BrewDog sites within months, the brewery still has plans to expand nationally. Back in June, it was revealed that it is teaming up with hospitality company Australian Venue Co to set up bars around the country — starting at Pentridge in Melbourne this spring, and also including Sydney as well. Find BrewDog Fortitude Valley at Tranberg House, 235 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, from sometime in September. We'll update you with an opening date and operating hours when they're announced. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
First things first: if you're going to combine karaoke with feminism and need a name for the resulting event, you can't get any better than Femioke. If there was ever a term bound to inspire the proud and passionate singing of many a pro-girl anthem, it's this one. Expect to do plenty of that at Femioke, whether the likes of the Spice Girls, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Cyndi Lauper or Beyonce gets your vocal talents flowing. As emceed by Metro Arts' Amy-Clare, the event isn't only interested in belting out favourite feminist tracks, however — it's also about taking back misogynist songs. Think of it as a DIY-style sing-along, an all-inclusive feminist event and a safe space to celebrate International Women's Day — complete with a cash bar because every great karaoke session needs a tasty tipple. If you missed either of the first two events, don't do the same this time. All feminist identifiers are welcome. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Hey boy, hey girl — we've got some news. Pioneering electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers is heading Down Under — for its first Aussie tour in six years. Off the back of dropping its ninth studio album No Geography just last month, the pair has just announced it'll be taking a new live show (also called No Geography) around the world this year. Stops include the UK, US and Mexico — and, luckily, also Australia. If you've been lucky enough to catch The Chemical Brothers live before, you'll know its shows aren't your average stand-behind-the-decks-and-play performances. They feature strobe lights, lasers and mind-bending images projected onto huge screens. It's sort of like a trip, without the LSD. If you haven't seen one before, take a peek at one of the psychedelic shows below. As well as new hits off the new No Geography album, including 'Free Yourself' and 'MAH', we're hoping the duo will add some throwbacks to its live performances — the late-90s and early-2000s hits 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' and 'Galvanize' would be particularly welcome. As an added bonus, the duo will be touring the country with a big-name local: The Avalanches. The Melbourne-born electro group will be playing a live DJ set at all The Chemical Brothers' shows. If you don't know them, you'll definitely know their song 'Since I Left You'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tri7gjlmfdk THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS NO GEOGRAPHY LIVE 2019 DATES Brisbane — Thursday, October 31, Brisbane Riverstage Sydney — Saturday, November 2, The Dome, Sydney Showground Melbourne — Tuesday, November 5, Melbourne Arena The Chemical Brothers No Geography Live pre-sale tickets start at 10am on Tuesday, May 7 with general tickets going on sale at 10am on Thursday, May 9. For more information, and to sign up for pre-sale access, head to the Frontier Touring website.
Halloween rolls around once a year, and it's always an occasion worth celebrating, especially if you're a horror film fan. Watching Michael Myers' various slasher exploits, staying away from wardrobes, devouring a marathon of scary movies — they're all great things to do. Come October 27, however, Netherworld and Crowbar are teaming up to provide something different across the two venues. Horror costumes? Tick. A spooky vibe and an all-round celebration of horror film villains? Tick again. Two stages filled with bands such as The Gutterbirds, Fiends and Cosmic Psychos cranking out killer tunes? Yep, you guessed it — tick again. Different acts will play at each place, but a whole heap of fun awaits at Nightmare On Brunswick Street no matter where you start or end up. Dressing up as your favourite horror movie villain could win you a prize, but you probably want to go beyond the obvious overalls, hockey mask or striped sweater. It all kicks off at 7pm, with entry free. Also, Semi Pro Brewing's Brunswick Street Blood Red Ale will be pouring through the taps, there'll be folks onsite at both locations to help you with your ghoulish, gory makeup, and two special enamel pins — one paying tribute to Michael Myers — will be available to collect.
This post is sponsored by our partners, lastminute.com.au. It's hard to fathom how to tackle our nation's biggest state. Flights to Perth are easy enough, but what to do from there? The seemingly uncharted wilderness is huge and menacing, and you don't even remember how to apply mosquito repellant, let alone set up a tent. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Whether you're going for just the weekend or the better part of a month, here's the low-down on everything from swimming with whale sharks to kicking back in a brewery. If you're spending the weekend If you're only around for a couple of days it's going be hard to get too far out of Perth. This is by no means a bad thing though! For great cafes and kindred spirits, check out Leederville, Subiaco or Northbridge, and if ever in doubt, make a beeline straight to Fremantle. While there, you can catch the Fremantle Dockers play a game on home soil, and follow it up with a trip to the Little Creatures Brewery. After you've eased your way into the local custom, your next stop is the beaches. Just a short drive west of the CBD, Cottesloe is one of the best beaches in the entire country — why not take advantage with some swimming or paddle boarding? Once you've lounged around there for awhile, it'll be time to stretch your legs out to Rottnest Island. Bikes are your best bet for getting around, and if you've still got some energy by the end of it all, take advantage of that clear water with some snorkelling. Extending it to a week If you've seen all Perth has to offer and you're curious about the rest, the first pitstop is Exmouth. This place is so surreal you will think the two-hour flight from the city has transported you to an alternate dimension. Fittingly, your first task is to swim with some whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef. This World Heritage Listed marine park stretches over 300 kilometres and is home to more than 500 species of fish, as well as turtles, dugongs, dolphins and humpback whales — most of which you are welcome to swim with. Who knew the sea could be so much better than Seaworld? After Exmouth, we recommend hiring a car and driving to Monkey Mia. It'll take ten hours and there is the option to fly, but again, the coasts of WA are a destination in themselves. The coast at Monkey Mia is particularly excellent because it has the added benefit of being populated by dolphins. Each morning, hundreds of bottlenose dolphins come right up to the shoreline and say hi, and you'll definitely want to be there when they do. Alternatively, if sealife just ain't your thing, head to the Pinnacles — one of the many geographical wonders WA is naturally blessed with. In for the long haul All this is only brushing the surface. If you really want to have the full WA experience, jump in for more than a week. When a state is the size of Queensland and New South Wales combined, you need a bit of time to get your head around it. You'll also need some extra time to venture up to Broome. Here, you'll find a beautiful little community and an endless summer, but more importantly, camel rides on the beach. If that's not dramatic enough, check out the Kimberley — Baz Luhrmann's inspiration for Australia. Get grubby in the outback with a day trip to Karijini National Park, Koolpin Gorge or the Bungle Bungle Range, then balance it out the next day with a sojourn to Margaret River. Known best for its wineries, this south-west gem will have you eating and drinking all day with some of Australia's premier winemakers, and expending your leftover energy with leisurely bike rides. Last, but certainly not least, make time for the sightseeing. Whether it be an amazing natural sediment formation such as Wave Rock, or a city that's a spectacle in itself. The town of Esperance will take you straight along WA’s South Coast Highway — the perfect position for spotting whales and wildflowers, and an opportune place to pop off to the beach and rest your muscles in the sparkling water. This is a holiday after all. Book your next WA escape now at lastminute.com.au.
Dev Patel means business in Monkey Man, both on- and off-screen. Starring in the ferocious vengeance-dripping action-thriller, he plays Kid, a man on a mission to punish the powers that be in Yatana (a fictional Indian city inspired by Mumbai) for their injustices, and specifically for the death of his mother Neela (Adithi Kalkunte, who Patel worked with on Hotel Mumbai) when he was a boy. As the film's director, producer and co-writer, he isn't holding back either, especially in adding something to his resume that no other project has offered in his almost two decades as an actor since Skins marked his on-camera debut. Dev Patel: action star has an excellent ring to it. So does Dev Patel: action filmmaker. Both labels don't merely sound great with Monkey Man; this is a frenetic and thrilling flick, and also a layered one that marries its expertly choreographed carnage with a statement. In the post-John Wick action-movie realm, it might seem as if every actor is doing features about formidable lone forces taking on their enemies. Patel initially began working on Monkey Man over ten years ago, which is when Keanu Reeves (The Matrix Resurrections) first went avenging, but his film still acknowledges what its viewers will almost-inevitably ponder by giving John Wick a shoutout. Thinking about the Charlize Theron (Fast X)-led Atomic Blonde and Bob Odenkirk (The Bear)-starring Nobody is understandable while watching, too — but it's The Raid and Oldboy, plus the decades of Asian action onslaughts and revenge-filled Korean efforts around them, that should stick firmest in everyone's mind. All directors are product of their influences; however, Patel achieves the rare feat of openly adoring his inspirations while filtering them through his exact vision to fashion a picture that's always 100-percent his own (and 100-percent excellent). In a city that has a Gotham-New York relationship with its real-life counterpart, Kid isn't a feared assassin who other hitman consider the boogeyman. While Batman nods come through, too, he's definitely not a wealthy man about town with a secret alter ego as a saviour cleaning up the corruption that's darkening the streets. The second part is his aim, just without the cash to fund it — but before that fantasy can fall into place, he's donning a monkey mask and playing the pawn to brawnier wrestling opponents, as the sunglasses-wearing Tiger (Sharlto Copley, Patel's Chappie co-star) emcees. Losing earns him a living. It also lets him hone his fighting skills. And, it's a time-biding tactic, as Kid works his way closer to Yatana's most powerful, such as Chief of Police Rana (Sikandar Kher, Aarya), plus Sovereign Party leader and guru Baba Shakti (Makarand Deshpande, RRR). (Parallels with reality that punch through Kid's quest aren't by accident, with IRL news footage weaved in to stress the point). His stepping stone to his targets: getting a job with Queenie Kapoor (Ashwini Kalsekar, Merry Christmas), who runs restaurant-slash-brothel King's Club, which services the well-to-do. In a gig that nabs him a friend in fellow employee Alphonso (Pitobash, Prachand), Kid says that he'll do anything. He isn't lying when it comes to using his position as a means to play out the vendetta against the man who made him an orphan, as well as the Hindu nationalist organisation leader that the latter is tied to. Patel and co-writers John Collee (Boy Swallows Universe, and another Hotel Mumbai alum) and Paul Angunawela (Keith Lemon: The Film) entwine flashbacks to Kid's childhood, heartbreak and getting comeuppance for it furnishing his backstory. They also knit in Hanuman, the Hindu deity that their protagonist was told stories about when he was young — as was Patel himself — and now draws upon, as assisted by India's third-gender hijras population, as if he's becoming the monkey god himself. Originally, Monkey Man wasn't set to bounce its kinetic brutality through cinemas, nor Patel's gravitas-laced action-star performance or Sharone Meir's high-octane, often neon-lit cinematography (which follows his lensing of Silent Night, another flick about one man seeking retribution against the unscrupulous for a shattering loss). Netflix was due to be its home, then Jordan Peele's (Nope) Monkeypaw Productions stepped in to help lock in a big-screen date. (Peele, who made his own blistering filmmaking debut with Get Out, knows the route that Patel is walking intimately). The vision for Monkey Man was clearly bigger from the outset, though, and not just via frays that dance with raw energy and prove a dazzling spectacle worthy of a movie theatre's giant canvas. It's impossible not to notice that this, like much in film of late, is an origin story. Monkey Man is a calling card several times over, then: for Patel kicking ass and killing it, for the actor-turned-director behind the camera and for more to hopefully follow. To describe the aesthetic Monkey Man experience, paraphrasing The Nanny's theme tune (as thoroughly unrelated as it is) works: this has style, it has flair, and Patel is well and truly there. It has an infectious immediacy and intensity as well, aided by dizzying fist-to-fist bash, crash and smash clashes — melees that injure eyes, heads, throats, limbs and testicles alike — plus propulsive editing (by Joe Galdo, an additional editor on Ferrari; The Crowded Room's Dávid Jancsó; and Black Mirror alum Tim Murrell) and a mood-setting urgency in its score (by Australian composer Jed Kurzel, who was responsible for the sounds of Snowtown, The Babadook and Nitram). There's also meaning in the franticness as blood and sweat fly feverishly, with each face-off increasing in polish. Again, Kid as an unstoppable force isn't a given going into his first bout out of the ring. Patel hasn't become a hulking figure to look at. His character grows into the physicality of his mission, on a journey that apes his coming-of-age path — because crunching bones and smartly telling this tale aren't mutually exclusive. Paying tribute to genres and movies that Patel loves, including taking cues from the liveliness and enthusiasm of both Hong Kong actioners and Bollywood musicals, and even nodding to Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Only God Forgives; making a deep-feeling ode to Indian culture and myths; baking in a heated takedown of oppression, inequality and societal power used only for self-interest; exploring the impact faith has for better and for worse; honouring family: Monkey Man does it all. Patel also gives himself the kind of fierce showcase that's worlds away from the likes of Skins, Slumdog Millionaire, his Oscar-nominated Lion performance and The Personal History of David Copperfield. If his portrayal has predecessors on his filmography, it's via The Wedding Guest and The Green Knight, both vastly different flicks that delivered glimpses of where Monkey Man now takes him. That destination: a passion project that's an arrival several times over for a talent crafting his dream flick with confidence and commitment, matching mayhem with a message, and knocking it out of Monkey Man's underground fight clubs, elevators, bathrooms, hallways and everywhere else where Patel wreaks intoxicating havoc.
It's happened to all of us. Your favourite band is in town and tickets are $50. Easy. Done deal. You see the tour announcement, log onto Ticketmaster or Ticketek and begin the transaction. But then, they start casually bringing up other fees. Oh, you want to book the ticket, that'll be an extra $5. Pay with a credit card? $2. Mail it, print it or pick it up at the venue? Each will cost you. By the end of the process your bargain price can end up looking pretty awful. Now, following an investigation led by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), these two ticketing companies will be forced to stop being so sneaky. This process, known as 'drip pricing', will be stopped and all compulsory fees will now be included in the up-front price. Both Ticketek and Ticketmaster will include the payment processing fee in the advertised cost, and Ticketek will also add the service/delivery fee as soon as you select the number of tickets. Admittedly, it's not a huge win for music fans. You're still paying these ridiculous arbitrary fees, but at least you'll know about it upfront. There's nothing worse than grabbing tickets to an event that's selling out and being gouged by mounting fees. Just look at this year's Splendour ticketing hack: even when the price climbed into the thousands people felt pressured to buy. "Although the law does not prevent traders from charging fees, it does require that they are disclosed clearly to avoid consumers being misled," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. "The steps taken by these ticketing companies should give consumers more clarity upfront about the total cost of buying tickets for entertainment events." Two enthusiastic thumbs up. Next on the agenda: airlines. The ACCC have also launched a similar investigation into Jetstar and Virgin that will hopefully put an end to their extra booking and servicing fees. We can deal with buying our own sandwiches on board, but when you try to sneakily charge us $10 for picking a special seat, you've gone too far.
Every Easter long weekend for 29 years, Bluesfest has descended on Byron Bay for five days of blues and roots. But this year, the acclaimed festival's 30th anniversary, may be its last in the Northern Rivers location. In a scathing letter addressed to the NSW Government, Festival Director Peter Noble has revealed that Bluesfest might leave the state because of the government's strict new policies on music festivals. "I am saying now, Bluesfest will leave NSW. We have no choice it's a matter of survival," the letter, originally published on The Industry Observer, said. "Will the last festival to leave NSW please turn out the light of culture in this soon to be barren state?" You can read the full open letter, which was shared with Concrete Playground, below. Noble described the new policies — which include a strict new licensing regime — as "poorly thought-out", "unbalanced" and "the Lockout Laws Version Two for festivals", highlighting that the State Government had neglected to fully consult those in the industry. He also revealed that the 30-year-old festival is having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with recently implemented policies. Bluesfest, if relocated, will be just the latest casualty of the NSW Government's new policies, with both the Mountain Sounds and Psyfari teams cancelling their 2019 festivals in the last seven days, stating "the government's war on festivals", particularly "newly imposed safety, licensing and security costs", as reasons. Both said they were also required to spend thousands of dollars to comply with the new policies, but were unable to do so at such short notice. The new music festival licensing regime follows advice from the government's expert panel on music festival safety, which was assembled in September after two young people died of suspected drug overdoses at Defqon 1. Since then, three more young people have died from suspected drug overdoses at NSW festivals. The NSW Government is continuing to ignore increased calls for pill-testing as a harm-minimisation technique at festivals. Read Peter Noble's full letter below. Letter from Peter Noble OAM, Bluesfest Festival Director re NSW Government's policy changes to festivals in the State: Bluesfest may well be celebrating our last festival in NSW, should the sitting NSW Government proceed with its plans for its policies. Even though we are Australia's most highly-awarded festival both nationally and internationally – having won Best Major Event at the NSW Tourism Awards three years in a row; and in representing NSW we came in second in the Australian Tourism Awards (beating Victoria's F1 Grand Prix) – we have been designated a 'high risk event'. This will cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with a policy where we and every other event in this State have had zero opportunity to have any consultation or input into a policy where we will need to spend significantly more money to put on the event this year with zero notice. The policy will see our full-strength liquor approval denied, while a myriad of other costs may be levied costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars. The NSW police regularly state that our policies are those of an industry leader in the supply of alcohol, field hospital, and crowd security and care. But, due to headlines in the media, our 30-year-old professional business is to be seriously damaged in a new policy imposed regarding festival presentation by a government who has rushed the judgement of our industry without full consultation of stake holders, or meetings with entertainment industry professionals. I charge the Government with a systemic failure in fairness here and implore all politicians from all parties to quickly become involved with what is a serious injustice. We, like most events in this State, supply a significant level of culture – we don't receive a cent from government even though we cause thousands of people to be employed – and bring tens of millions of dollars into NSW through Tourism. In the recent study done by the NSW government into the arts, it was found NSW is significantly behind Victoria and Queensland. I ask the Premier, the Minister for the Arts, Tourism and Major Events and EVERY sitting politician: WHY? Why do you seem to be hell-bent on destroying our industry? We provide culture to the people of this state, and Australia, through our good works. Most festivals haven't had drug deaths and contribute greatly to our society through presenting well-run, professional, world-class events. Why have we been given zero recognition in this government's actions? It seems the new policies are poorly thought-out and through their implementation will decimate our industry, should our government not see good sense. Will the last festival to leave NSW please turn out the light of culture in this soon to be barren state? I have in my 50 years in presenting music NEVER EXPERIENCED such poorly thought out, unbalanced legislation. Surely a professional governing body could do better. It's the Lockout Laws Version two for festivals. This is NOT a vote winner in the upcoming election. Thank you, Peter Noble OAM Presenter, Bluesfest and the Boomerang Indigenous Festival Bluesfest 2019 is scheduled to run from April 18 to April 22 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here. Image: Joseph Mayers.
No need to dig for pocket change at this chocolate shop. All you need to surrender is a little piece of your generosity. Danish chocolatier Anthon Berg created his one-day pop-up sweet shop 'Generous Store' because he believes that "there is not enough generosity in people's lives". Adorned with numberless 'price tags' that specified good deeds, the store's chocolate boxes could be taken home for the cost of a promise. Shoppers had to promise to complete the good deed, sanctifying their pledge by sharing it on Facebook via the store's iPad. If they failed to hold up their end of the bargain, their Facebook friends would be aware to hold them accountable. Chocolates were exchanged for the promise to serve a loved one breakfast in bed, to speak nicely to one's mother, and to complete a variety of other deeds, proving that chocolates aren't the only thing that makes life sweet. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_cNfX3tJonw [via GOOD]
If you find yourself walking through QUT's Creative Industries Precinct at night, firstly be wary of the nocturnal creatures (possums have been known to Parkour onto people's heads from time to time) and secondly take the time to look up! The shining light on the buildings is part of an innovative outdoor projection exhibition thanks to The Parer Place Project. The Parer Place Project is solely dedicated to providing a digital canvas for emerging or experimental artists, allowing innovative work to illuminate QUT's burgeoning creative campus. This month the project will showcase Floating Effect – a collection of short animations from Japan's Digital Hollywood University. The film university holds strong ties with organisations both inside and outside Japan and represents a range of study fields including Anime, games, film and IT. The Floating Effects series of short animations will address the interweaving of Japan's strong traditions and historical traumas with contemporary aesthetics such as Superflat and western influences. An interesting and exotic spotlight on a culture that uniquely integrates modern change with traditional practices. Floating Effect will screen outdoors, every night from 6pm until dusk.
Playing Hawkins, Indiana's chief of police Jim Hopper, David Harbour has faced everything from monsters, grief and missing kids to frozen waffles, mall battles and a Russian prison camp. Across the rest of his non-Stranger Things resume, he's gone red in Hellboy, joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow and played a not-so-jolly Santa in Violent Night, as well as showing up in three different versions of Law & Order — some more than once — and the American remake of Rake. Next on his agenda: a trip to Australia to revel in his fandom. For famous faces, that's what joining the bill at a big pop-culture convention is all about. A new excuse to show your love for your movie, TV, comic book and game favourites is popping up in Melbourne, with Metro Comic Con making its debut in July. That's news worth busting out your cosplay best for, but Harbour's involvement might have you donning Hawaiian shirts from Saturday, July 8–Sunday, July 9 at Melbourne Showgrounds. The convention's biggest name will make an appearance ahead of his next flick Gran Turismo, which reaches cinemas in August. And, he isn't the only Stranger Things cast member on the lineup. Also swapping the Upside Down for a stint Down Under is Jamie Campbell Bower, aka Vecna, in news that'll make you go running up that hill — any hill. Netflix's huge hit sci-fi series isn't the only title in the spotlight at the two-day event, of course. More than four decades since E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial became a classic, Henry Thomas and Dee Wallace want to get you phoning home about the beloved film. Sons of Anarchy aficionados can look forward to Kim Coates and Tommy Flanagan, while Lucifer's Tom Ellis, The Walking Dead's Khary Payton, and Shadow and Bone's Danielle Galligan and Dean Lennox Kelly will also be in attendance — plus Our Flag Means Death's Vico Ortiz, Roswell's Brendan Fehr and The Mandalorian's Katy O'Brian. The full list of guests also spans voice talents, writers, illustrators and comic artists, with Metro Comic Con's talents appearing across panels, and photo and autograph opportunities — and alongside stalls filled with merchandise, plus oh-so-many ticketholders in costume. Metro Comic Con hits Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale across Saturday, July 8–Sunday, July 9 — head to the event's website for further details and tickets. Stranger Things images: Netflix.
On Sunday, January 20, Sydney staged a huge march through the city streets, with thousands waving witty (and moving) signs to protest violence against women around the globe. Australia was just one of 30 countries taking part in the third annual #WomensWave march — protests were also held in in France, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and across the USA. According to Destroy the Joint, an Australian group that researches and records the number of women killed by violence, 69 women died due to violence in Australia in 2018. This year's march was, unfortunately, timely, following the murder of exchange student Aiia Maasarwe in Melbourne just last week, and Maasarwe was the focus of many of the event's speeches and signs. Speakers at the event included Yumi Stynes, host of SBS documentary Is Australia Sexist? and ABC Radio podcast Ladies, We Need to Talk; Bri Lee, author of Eggshell Skull; Bhenji Ra, indigenous queer artist and activist; Jane Brock of Immigrant Women's Speakout and 1 Billion Rising; and Aunty Norma, a Wiradjuri woman and activist. It's estimated 3000 Sydneysiders marched from Hyde Park to Belmore Park, calling on the Australian government to address gender-based violence and to continue working towards equality for women. Words by Jasmine Crittenden.
What's better than one glorious art exhibition bringing a slice of America to Queensland? Two, obviously, and all in the same gallery. The Gold Coast's HOTA, Home of the Arts is currently filled with pop art from New York, but that's not the only way that the six-level venue is giving its heart — and walls and halls — to the US of A right now. From Saturday, March 11–Sunday, May 21, Lost in Palm Springs has another location firmly in its sights. This free showcase takes inspiration from the titular Californian spot's art, architecture and design — and yes, it's a case of a sunny Aussie city paying tribute to another radiant destination on the other side of the globe. Lost in Palm Springs has tasked 14 artists, photographers and thinkers from both countries to reflect upon and respond to Palm Springs' desert landscape. Doing the honours: talents such as Kate Ballis, Tom Blachford, Paul Davies, Rosi Griffin, Anna Carey and Robyn Sweaney. Unsurprisingly, the idea for the exhibition was first sparked by trips to the US, with Dr Greer Honeywill undertaking three artist research residencies in 2017, 2018 and 2019 in exactly the place expected. But the end result also examines the ties between Palm Springs and Australia, especially via mid-century modern architecture. Feel like watching the Andy Samberg-starring movie Palm Springs right now for obvious reasons? Whether you start streaming ASAP or save it for when you get home from peering at this exhibition, that's perfectly understandable.
When that slice of inner-city delights known as Teneriffe was officially named a suburb back in 2010, locals threw a party to celebrate. More than a decade on, the shindig is still going strong — you know it as the Teneriffe Festival. For its 2022 outing, the event will boast another wide-ranging day of fun, aka the kind of shindig that previous attendees have come to expect. When 10am–9pm rolls around on Saturday, May 28, there'll be music, food, markets and more, all helping locals and visitors alike make the most of the bustling locale. This is all familiar news, because the fest announced its date for this year last month — but now the event has also revealed its lineup. Leading the all-Australian bill: Ben Lee, so expect a 'Catch My Disease' singalong, and also local legends Resin Dogs. If you've lived in Brisbane long enough, you'll know that isn't really a party in this town of ours if the latter isn't on the lineup. The music program is curated by the crew from The Triffid — they are right there in the neighbourhood — and doesn't stop with its headliners. Also hitting Teneriffe Festival's two stages: the likes of The Steele Syndicate, Will Wagner, The Predators, Great Sage and Melaleuca. Between stints of dancing in the street — including at a jazz-fuelled, wine-pouring riverside garden — Brisbanites will be able to sample the area's bars and restaurants, find a feast of from a food truck, hit up pop-up beer gardens, then walk around more than 100 bespoke market stalls. Usually, everywhere from Green Beacon Brewing Co and Zero Fox to Dalgety Public House and Campos join in — and more than 50,000 people have attended in previous years, so you'll also have plenty of company. TENERIFFE FESTIVAL 2022 LINEUP: Ben Lee Resin Dogs The Steele Syndicate Will Wagner The Predators Great Sage Melaleuca Yb Danny Widdicombe and Dana Gehrman Pandamic Mojo Webb Jo Davie Holly Joy Miranda vs Arizona House of Harlen Lucy Korts The Verandahs The Dandys Jazz on the River Teneriffe Festival 2022 takes place from 10am–9pm on Saturday, May 28 on Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe.
As a generation, we've watched the internet emerge from its fledgling beginnings to its modern state, where nearly a third of Earth's population is logged on. In mere decades, the internet has gone from nonexistent to a necessity. We are a population obsessed. And then came Facebook. The ever-expanding social network debuted in 2004, turning us all into Facebook-stalkers and using up any free time we had left. It's hard to remember the internet before Facebook, let alone any of the computer technology of yesteryear. Squirrel Monkey's video tutorial, which imagines Facebook if it had been designed in the 1990s, will bring you right back to the horrendous colour graphics and primitive Windows versions of the technology's start. The video, a humourous how-to, takes a new user through the nuances of "the Facebook". The concept of Facebook, set against the simplistic '90s graphics, suddenly seems very ridiculous. And perhaps that is just the point. The subsequent videos, which imagine Twitter in the '80s and Draw Something as an old PC game, similarly put social media into perspective, reminding us not to take our status updates and tweets all too seriously. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xrYRH3PYYT0 [via Flavorwire]
You have to hear Noisy Jelly to believe it. This science project-esque game, imagined by Raphaël Pluvinage and Marianne Cauvard, allows you to create your own musical instrument out of jelly. Using water, agar agar powder and a set series of molds (contained in Noisy Jelly's mini chemistry lab) players can create their own set of jellies. The jellies are then placed on the included game board, where they may be touched and manipulated to create sound. If you don't quite get the jelly-to-music correlation either, Noisy Jelly includes a scientific diagram to explain what is actually happening. The game board functions as a capacitative sensor, and the final sound it produces all depends upon the shape and salt concentration of the jelly. The distance and strength of the finger-to-jelly contact can create different sounds, as well.
If you've always thought that Brisbane could use a twice-yearly food market that doubles as a pop-up arts and culture festival, rejoice — because you're about to be in luck. Announced in 2022 among a slate of additions and changes to Brisbane Powerhouse, Night Feast is that event, and it'll unveil its debut outing from Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 26, 2023. And, the neon-lit riverside setup just keeps adding excitement to its evolving lineup. First, the food. Already on the culinary bill from past program drops: Longrain's Martin Boetz, e'cco Bistro's Philip Johnson, Lyndon Tyers at Donna Chang and Tuan Nguyen at Ngon, plus Lek Senee from Lek's Thai and Patricio Sarno from Mary Mae's Kitchen & Bar — and City Winery's vino thanks to winemaker Dave Cush. [caption id="attachment_886620" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bruce McKinven Design[/caption] After a wave of Night Feast's headlining chefs and eateries were announced in late January, the event has now revealed a heap more. Get ready for dishes from Taro's Ramen and Ham on Rye, as well as from Saison Salumi and Wine & Dine Em. The full bill will still add a few more names to come, but it also spans chef Anchalee Kasurin whipping up poffertjes pancakes. All up, operating 4.30–9.30pm from Wednesday–Sunday at the Powerhouse forecourt and its surrounding parks during its first-ever run, Night Feast will survey Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek, modern Australian cuisine and more across 20-plus gourmet food stalls. Communal feasting will be one of Night Feast's big focuses — and getting the restaurants taking part in Night Feast to dish up the absolute top thing on their menus is another. That means tucking into their signature dishes, but by the river in New Farm. [caption id="attachment_637609" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Taro's Ramen, Anwyn Howarth[/caption] Night Feast will also feature an open fire pit for roasting and a dedicated dessert bar, plus cocktails and a top-notch wine list to wash it all down with. But, the food side of the program is just one of the highlights. The arts and music program looks just as ace, giant illuminated humanoids and laser beams that look like intergalactic events included. Those towering glowing figures come courtesy of Amanda Parer's Fantastic Planet, which has been to Brisbane before alongside other the artist's past works such as Intrude, What's That and Lost. And those lasers are the product of Australian audiovisual artist Robin Fox, who is part of Night Feast's lineup and Powerhouse's also-debuting "festival of other music" ΩHM. His site-specific Brisbane Constellation is all sound and light, as aided by a matrix of crystal refractors. The aim: to make you hear what you see and feel. Attendees can also look forward to Zimoun's symphony made with everyday materials; Rising Lotus, a series of large triangular sculptures that'll loom over the venue; the refracted sunlight-focused Tower; Theatre of Thunder's Succulenticca, aka costumed creatures roving around; and an old-school gaming den courtesy of Netherworld. Or, via Swiss site-performance designer and fog artist Tom Mùller, Steam Works will deploy four large industrial fog generators to pump out steam twice a day, in a piece that responds to Brisbane Powerhouse's industrial past. The music roster features Akala Newman, GLVES, Lucy Francesca Dron, Mark Crotti and Nicole McKinney on different dates, plus Paris Irwin, Paulina and the QUIVR DJS. [caption id="attachment_703786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] Also included at Night Feast: Blade Runner-meets-Queensland theming with a dash of Cantonese culture, thanks to site design by Bruce McKinven (Dark Mofo). After its March debut, the market will take place again from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29, 2023, then return each March and October moving forward. [caption id="attachment_882045" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Night Feast will debut at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, from Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 26 — operating 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Sunday. For more information, head to the event's website. Night Feast will then return again from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29 — plus twice a year after that.
In 2013, the Oxford Dictionary deemed 'selfie' the word of the year. Given that advances in mobile phone technology mean that no one can stop taking them, that's hardly surprising. When everyone started carrying around compact, high-resolution cameras in their pockets, taking a constant stream of self-portraits was kind of inevitable. We're sure that Marisa Georgiou, Kristian Fracchia and Chloe Waters have captured more than a few happy snaps of themselves over the years; however you won't see those at Self Imag(in)ing. Instead, you'll find an exploration of the way in which navigating issues of identity, gender and corporeal experience via a perpetual state of self-imaging has become the norm. Think of it of an artistic dissection of how and why we're compelled to not only photograph ourselves, but share the resulting pictures with the world via social media, and construct a visual narrative of our lives as a result. You'll never look at your Instagram feed the same way again, because you haven't thought about selfies quite like this before. Image: Marisa Georgiou Afternoon Fountain Reverie 2016, Video still.
2023 was the year of the Matildas. Here's hoping that 2024 will be as well. Australia's national women's soccer team made history on the pitch and on TV screens at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and inspired the word 'Matilda' to be chosen as the Australian National Dictionary Centre's 2023 Word of the Year. The squad's current aim: making it to this year's Paris Olympics, with two matches standing between them and playing at the games. The Tillies competed in three qualifiers in Perth in October and November 2023, winning all three. The next step is a two-match fixture against Uzbekistan, which will determine whether the Aussies score one of the Asian Football Confederation's two places in Paris. First up, on Saturday, February 24, the Steph Catley-led squad will play at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. Then, they're coming home to take to the pitch at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Wednesday, February 28. If you'll be in Melbourne on the second date and you don't already have tickets, you've missed your chance to head along live. But, as always, 10Play and Paramount+ are your destinations — plus Network 10 on regular TV — to watch from home. As for the squad, Sam Kerr won't be playing after injuring her ACL at a training camp for Women's Super League team Chelsea, which is why Catley will wear the captain's armband. Familiar names abound from there, including Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Hayley Raso, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop. Cortnee Vine will sit out the games for personal reasons, while Michelle Heyman rejoins the squad for the first time in six years. The Matildas are hoping not only to get through to the Olympics, but to best the 2020 games' fourth placing, which is the team's best result yet. In the qualifiers, Japan will play North Korea in two matches on the same February dates, with the winner securing the other Asian Football Confederation spot. Whatever happens against Uzbekistan, the Tillies will hit the turf again in April, thanks to a friendly against Mexico in San Antonio in the US. Matildas Final Paris Olympics Qualifying Matches vs Uzbekistan: Saturday, February 24 — kickoff at 8pm AEDT / 7pm AEST / 5pm AWST Wednesday, February 28 — kickoff at 8pm AEDT / 7pm AEST / 5pm AWST The Matildas' final Olympic qualifiers take place on Saturday, February 24 and Wednesday, February 28 — and you can watch via 10Play and Paramount+. Images: Tiff Williams.
You would think that for a country girt by sea, comprising a shitload of bewilderingly great beaches and a population who love a good bevvy, we'd have more opportunities to drink by the ocean (you know, outside of a sneaky goon sack stroll down the shore on NYE). But we haven't, legally, until now. Fremantle's Bathers Beach House has been granted Australia's first liquor license for alfresco beach dining (and drinking). The WA establishment is currently the only place in Australia where you can (legally) drink on the beach. Of course, they've arranged sun lounges in their newly licensed sand and will be serving a range of food and drinks from their beachside menu, delivered straight to your sunbathing face. General erosion, gradual ecosystem destruction and environmental impact aside, generally speaking, it could be the impetus the rest of Australia needs to start amending the laws that forbid the pairing of our nation's two strongest assets: a hot beach and cold beers. The Gold Coast toyed with the idea in 2015 but to no avail. Come on local Australian councils, legalise beach beers. Think of the boom in sales of those fold-out chairs with in-built drink holders. We can't afford not to follow suit on this one. Via Hospitality Magazine.
