Before the pandemic hit, throwback tours were doing big Aussie business — nationwide shows that brought a heap of 90s and 00s musicians our way, let them belt out their biggest hits and doused everyone in as much nostalgia as possible, that is. And while life isn't quite back to normal yet, nature is healing in one key way, with Made in the 90s about to unleash an old-school lineup that'll get you chasing dreams. Responsible for one of the most iconic songs of the 90s, Coolio headlines this retro party, which hits Brisbane on Friday, April 1. Head along to Eatons Hill Hotel, prepare to feel like you've jumped back three decades and put that those memorised 'Gangsta's Paradise' lyrics to great use (because yes, if you were alive in the 90s, you know the words). Also on the bill are All-4-One ('I Swear', 'I Can Love You Like That'), Next ('Too Close', 'Wifey') and Renee Neufville, aka one half of Zhané ('Hey Mr. DJ', 'Groove Thang'). Been spendin' most of your life waiting for this? Of course you have.
Speedsters of Brisbane, it's time to don your best red cap, slide into a pair of overalls and jump behind the wheel. If you want to take part in Mushroom Racing, the outfit isn't optional — if that's not your style, you could pick a green hat or a dinosaur costume instead. Not content with zipping through the streets of Tokyo and causing quite a stir, a real-life version of Mario Kart made its way to our shores this year, starting in Melbourne and Sydney. If you're a Brisbanite eager to dress up as your favourite character, get cosy in a go-kart, race till your heart's content and collect stars to win prizes, don't worry — our fine city is next on the agenda. While Tokyo's MariCar lets racers zoom along the city's actual roadways — yes, really — that's not the case here. And, throwing shells or bananas at your opponents isn't be allowed either. Sure, that's all well and fun when you're mashing buttons and trying not to fall off the Rainbow Road while you're playing one of Nintendo's many console versions (or counting down the days until the first Mario Kart smartphone game is released), but it's definitely not cool in real life. Instead, you'll get your Mario Kart fix while you're speeding along a custom go-kart track. If you're keen, you can sign up to receive further information when it comes to hand, with Brisbane dates and a venue yet to be revealed. Organisers are calling it "the rally of a lifetime", and while that's definitely overstating the significance of driving around pretending you're Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Wario or whichever other character you like, you know you're eager to give the novelty a go. And, let's face it, it's not quite as ridiculous as human bowling. Mushroom Racing is coming to Brisbane at a yet-to-be-announced date in 2018. Tickets will be limited — register on the Mushroom Racing website for further updates.
There might be no such thing as a bad sausage, but that doesn't mean that all snags are created equal. Your regular ol' supermarket banger isn't quite the same as the gourmet butcher variety, and your tastebuds know it. Now, imagine adding a third category of sausage to your barbecue repertoire: the sausages that you make yourself. If it sounds good in theory but much too hard in reality, don't worry. There's a workshop for that, and courtesy of Work-Shop in fact. At Snags 101: The Art of Sausage Making, you'll learn how to really make your next sausage sizzle, well, sizzle, thanks to expert advice from smallgoods maker Anna Mortimer. Running on Thursday, August 23 from 6.30pm, the two-hour class will take you through the tools of the sausage-making trade, the different types of snags, and the steps needed to end up with the best kind of wurst — all using pork shoulder. You'll get to taste an array of sausage styles, drink beer while you do it, and take some recipes home with you, too, with participation costing $80 per person.
Brisbanites, it's time to go birdwatching — but not in the usual manner. You're looking for one type of winged creature. You're trying to spot the only six of them in the city, in fact. They're giant and perched atop Brissie landmarks, however, so they shouldn't be too difficult to locate. One of Brisbane Festival's literally big 2020 inclusions, Messengers of Brisbane is comprised of a half-dozen Gouldian finches, all towering over the likes of the Goodwill Bridge, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum, South Bank, Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane City Hall. They're colourful, they can be seen whether you're walking, driving, cycling or on a CityCat, and they're another of the fest's arty pieces — like Hiromi Tango's Rainbow Circles (Healing Circles) and Brainbow Magic — that's designed to add some cheer to this year. Messengers of Brisbane is also the latest large-scale art work by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, who is known for placing oversized animals in iconic spots. If you've seen footage of his massive inflatable Rubber Duck sculpture, then you'll know why you should be getting excited. Messengers of Brisbane is on display until Saturday, September 26. Images: Atmosphere Photography.
Chef Matty Matheson is stepping out of the kitchen and onto the stage, heading Down Under for an expletive-laden speaking tour. Known for his hit TV shows Dead Set On Life and It's Suppertime — and his new New York Times best-selling book, Matty Matheson: A Cookbook — the culinary star and award-winning author will hit up The Triffid on Thursday, June 27. A colourful character famed for his larger-than-life personality, Matheson will be dishing up a his cooking (and life) tips, with an audience Q&A and a meet-and-greet session, too. He's set to serve his home truths on topics like addiction and mental health, the #MeToo movement and its impact on the food industry, and a few of his own life's ups and downs, as well as talking about his new web series, Just A Dash. Audiences will be treated to a true taste of this foodie legend, as Matheson tweaks each show to best represent himself, even down to the soundtrack plucked straight from his own playlists.
In Sydney, across Australia and around the globe, Maybe Sammy has earned quite the reputation. That's always going to be the case when the annual World's 50 Best Bars ranking shows a Harbour City watering hole plenty of love, including the venue in its list in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. For Brisbanites heading to Sydney, sips at Maybe Sammy should be on your agenda. What if you didn't need to venture south to enjoy its drinks, however? Enter: W Brisbane. Getting Brisbanites tasting top-notch cocktails from award-winning venues around the world has been this hotel's game at its Living Room Bar for a few years now. In the past, acclaimed Barcelona bar Paradiso — aka the best bar on the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2022 — has whipped up a special menu featuring the Spanish spot's globally famous beverages. Enlisting bartending talents closer to home, Matt Whiley from Sydney's Re (which placed 46th on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2021) also created a Conscious Cocktails lineup, heroing a low-waste approach. Now comes the brand-new Bar Swap Series, making a habit out of bringing acclaimed bars to Brisbane on a regular basis. It all kicks off from 6pm on Thursday, February 27, 2025 with Maybe Sammy making the jump north. The venue's mixologist and Venue Manager Giorgio Gervasoni will be behind the bar, assisted by W Brisbane's own Francesco Squillacioti, the Bar Manager of Living Room Bar. Perhaps you'd like to try the Check In, a gin-based highball that's inspired by the Americano a twist. Or, the vodka-based, sour-flavoured, shaken Sauna Room might tempt your tastebuds. On the four-drink menu, another option features agave, kalamata olives distillate, seaweed dry vermouth, and capsicum vinegar, while there's also a blend of vodka, lacto-fermented strawberries, sencha tea and mango soda. Whatever tempts your tastebuds, walk-ins are welcome at the series' first one-night affair. Can't make it on the evening? W Brisbane is also adding the Maybe Sammy sips to its in-room menu from February, which is a great excuse for a staycation in the River City's CBD. There's no word yet which other bars from beyond Brisbane will feature in the Bar Swap Series in the future, but stellar cocktails from further afield joining the menu in the Queensland capital, even if only temporarily, is worth saying cheers to.
Whether you started getting emails about it before Christmas even hit, you just know that February is almost here, or you've spotted pink and red hues — and roses and chocolates — at your local shops, yes, Valentine's Day is almost upon us again. And if your sweetheart has a sweet tooth and a love of Gelato Messina, the ice cream chain has whipped up some of its favourite non-gelato treats for this year's romance-fuelled occasion. Never one to miss an opportunity to experiment with new ways to inhale desserts, Messina has been cooking up novelty treats for Valentine's Day for a couple of years, and it's going with a twist on a tried-and-tested option for 2022. That'd be its bon bons, which it usually serves up for Mother's Day — but hey, fancy choccies are a go-to on plenty of occasions for good reason. An important note, though: while Messina's chocolate bon bons were filled with gelato to begin with, the chain has been doing all-chocolate versions for a couple of years now. And, that's what's on offer again this Valentine's Day. They come in three nutty varieties all in the same box, all in shades of red and pink — and, with Messina recently stepping up its in-house chocolate-making capabilities, you'll be tasting some of the gelato chain's new wares. Each box features with four versions of each of the three different flavours: peanut praline, which fill a milk-chocolate shell with milk chocolate, wafer and salted peanut praline; macadamia and coffee praline, which opt for a white-chocolate shell, plus roasted and caramelised macadamia and coffee praline; and hazelnut praline, again with the white chocolate exterior, but this this time with milk chocolate, roasted hazelnut and wafer praline inside. So, your special someone will have a variety to feast on. And hey, if they don't like one of the flavours, maybe they'll share it with you. Boxes cost $45 each for 12 bon bons and you'll need to place your order on Monday, January 31, with times varying depending on your state. You can then pick up the choccies between Sunday, February 13–Monday, February 14. Gelato Messina's Valentine's Day Bon Bons will be available to order on Monday, January 31, from 9am local time in Queensland and the ACT, 9.30am in Victoria and between 10am–11am in New South Wales.
Until the Queensland Government just coined the term, absolutely no one would've dreamed of a golden Go Card. We've all wished and hoped for golden tickets, obviously, because every kid who reads Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or watches one of its big-screen adaptations has that fantasy. But, Brisbanites, no one is giving you the keys to a lolly-making facility any time soon. Sorry, but we're sure you already know that. Catch a bus, train or ferry, though, and you might just score yourself free public transport for 12 months. That's what the just-launched golden Go Card campaign is about. Run by the Queensland Government, it's the latest attempt to encourage folks to get out and about — and into the CBD — to end the working week. Brisbanites are already being tempted into the inner city before the weekend with giveaways and cheap lunches, all as part of the Property Council of Australia's Fridays in the City initiative, but this promotion has its own way of lure you in. To go in the running, you'll need to use whatever form of public transport you like throughout Translink's southeast Queensland network, and do so on a Friday throughout June. Naturally, you'll need to pay for it by swiping on and off with your registered Go Card as well. After that, you'll also have to fill in an entry form on the Translink website. One winner will then be selected at random each Monday afterwards. That means you have four chances to win. It also means you'll need to use public transport on each Friday to qualify for that week's draw. The four winners will then be able to hop on buses, trains, ferries and — if they're down on the Gold Coast — trams as well, all without paying a cent for the year between July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022. Presumably, you'll be given an actual golden-hued Go Card to swipe on and off with, otherwise you'll be stuck explaining the situation every time you get onboard. And, unsurprisingly, the four winners won't be able to transfer their prize to anyone else. For more information about the golden Go Card initiative, or to enter to win after travelling via public transport a Friday, head to the Translink website.
In a bid to contain the most recent coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government mandated the wearing of masks across southeast Queensland in late June, and then extended that requirement in Brisbane and several other parts of the state until mid-July. Accordingly, wearing a mask has been part of daily Queensland life throughout this month so far — until 6am hits on Friday, July 16, that is. At the moment, if you're spending time indoors somewhere other than your house, you need to wear a mask. They must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible. But, from 6am on Friday, July 16, covering your face will no longer required unless you're at an airport or you're flying. The Queensland Government still advises that folks should carry a mask with them, though, to use in crowded places when you're not able to social distance. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1414376694836649987 The change was announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today, Monday, July 12, alongside a number of other easing restrictions. Queenslanders will be able to as many people as they like over to their houses, dancing is back on the cards and more people will be allowed inside hospitality businesses and entertainment venues. The usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms still apply, though — as they have since March last year. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Whether you're a sports fanatic or not, it's hard to escape chat about the cricket over summer. But among the in-depth analyses of certain plays and team strategy, comparison of players past and present, and reliving of legendary moments in the sport's history, there is one tale that has long been ignored. In 1868, a group of Aboriginal Australian cricket players became the first Australian sports team to travel and play overseas. Beyond all expectations, the team did extremely well — they won as many games as they lost — and one particular player, Johnny Mullagh (born Unaarrimin), was lauded for his performance, which included scoring 1698 runs across the tour. The tour was a pretty remarkable feat, particularly given the climate of Indigenous affairs in Australia at the time, but the history books have, for the most part, failed to recognise it as such. That's exactly what this play by screenwriter Geoffery Atherden (Mother and Son, BabaKiueria) and director Wesley Enoch aims to rectify. Taking to the stage at Brisbane Powerhouse across Friday, April 8–Saturday, April 9, Black Cockatoo begins with a group of activists sneaking into a museum to hunt down (and expose) the story of Mullagh and his team. The play then shifts its focus onto that very story — it tracks the team's journey from regional Victoria to Lord's Cricket Ground and reveals the travesties that were unfolding at home while the team were away. Top image: Jillian Mundy.
What if you were at a Titanic museum and Céline Dion was there? What if she was not only your narrator, but her songs accompanied the tale that she was telling? What if Titanic, the king of the boat-set blockbuster world, got an off-Broadway musical-comedy parody that went heavy on Dion, then? That's Titanique — and it's coming to Australia. This amusing ode to James Cameron's (Avatar: The Way of Water) movie docks in Sydney from Thursday, September 12, 2024 to make its Aussie debut. Nearing three decades since Titanic first splashed into cinemas, the film's status in popular culture will clearly go on. Near, far, wherever you are, you'll need to set sail for the Harbour City to see Titanique, which is playing an exclusive season at The Grand Electric in Surry Hills. "I am so excited that Sydney will be the next stop on Titanique's international cruise. If you love Céline Dion, if you love the film Titanic and you love having a completely silly night out, then this show is for you. Titanique is a nonstop waterfall of pure joy that will literally melt your troubles away. I can't wait to see you there!" said Tye Blue (RuPaul's Drag Race), Titanique's director and co-writer. "I am so thrilled that Titanique will make its maiden voyage to international waters in Sydney for its Australian debut, and I cannot wait to see that Aussie sense of humour embrace this hysterically funny nautical fantasia when it comes to life down under this September," added Titanique's original producer Eva Price. Titanique will dive back into the story of Jack and Rose until at least early November, with Drew Weston and Georgina Hopson stepping into Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Kate Winslet's (The Regime) shoes as Jack and Rose — and Marney McQueen playing Dion. It was back in 2017 that the show premiered in Los Angeles, and in 2022 that it set a course for off-Broadway. It also has berths in Toronto, Montreal and London in its future. So far, the production has three Lucille Lortel Awards to its name, plus two Dorian Awards and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical, among other gongs. And as for the songs, co-writers Blue, Marla Mindelle (Sister Act) and Constantine Rousouli (Cruel Intentions) — with the latter two originally starring as Céline and Jack — have worked in everything from Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On', of course, to Where Does My Heart Beat Now' and 'A New Day Has Come'. Titanique plays The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, Sydney from Thursday, September 12, 2024 — head to the show's website for tickets and further information. Images: NYC Off-Broadway cast, Daryl Roth Theatre, NYC, Evan Zimmerman.
In the two years since Lambda first started catering every Thursday night for poor students with a penchant for raucous partying, the atmosphere hasn’t changed much. It’s still every week, the red cups full of cheap drinks are in high abundance, and Mitch Exton is still lurking around flirting. Although the original crowd of indie kids might have grown up and moved on, you can be damn sure there is a constant stream of 18 year olds ready to take their place armed with chinos, button up shirts, flower headbands and long socks. In celebration of reaching their terrible twos, Lambda are throwing a party that’s apparently going to include lolcats, cake and balloons. Beyond that they’re being very mysterious in terms of what’s actually going to go down, but considering a regular Thursday night there involves excessive alcohol, slutty dancing and the high potential for kissing strangers, we can only imagine the excess that will occur on their birthday.
Arming oneself against a global pandemic and helping to protect your community are already pretty strong incentives to get a COVID-19 vaccination. But thanks to a new initiative by legendary Aussie label Nobody Denim, that jab could also now score you some free threads. The fashion brand has announced the launch of its Nobody Gives A Jab campaign, which will see a free personalised pair of jeans sent out to the first 100 people who share proof of their initial COVID-19 vaccination on Instagram. As the country struggles to contain the spread of the Delta variant — with Melbourne currently in the midst of its sixth lockdown and Sydney now almost two months into its latest outbreak — the campaign is just one of many encouraging locals to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated as soon as possible. To be in with a shot at nabbing some free denim, you'll need to get your first dose of the vaccination, then post a photo of your freshly-jabbed arm, tagging both @nobodydenim and #NobodyGivesAJab on socials. If you're one of the first 100 people to do so, Nobody will be sliding into your DM's with details on how to collect your prize. Just note that you'll also need to be able to supply proof of your jab. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nobody Denim (@nobodydenim) As a family-owned business, Nobody says it wants to see the community come together and do their bit to help make Australia's vaccine rollout a success and limit future lockdowns. "We would like to continue to contribute to our Australian family and community far and wide in any way we can," explained the label's co-founder and chairman John Condilis. "We want to keep the fashion and retail industry alive, we want to keep our wholesalers stocked, we want to see them thrive. We want to see our neighbouring brands' doors open and trading." Last month, Melbourne's Prince Alfred Hotel put out a similar call-to-arms, offering free pints to punters who'd been vaccinated. And more recently, Sydney craft brewery Hawke's Brewing Co announced its new Jab & Slab program will offer free slabs of beer in return for proof of a jab. Follow Nobody Denim on Instagram for more details on the Nobody Gives A Jab program.
Every year since 2007, millions of people throughout the world collectively shut off the lights for one hour to support environmental sustainability. Known as Earth Hour, this 60 minutes of darkness has reached over 125 countries and major landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Rome's Colosseum and Toronto's CN Tower. This year, Earth Hour will take place on March 26 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, creating an hourly wave of support as the blackout hits each time zone. But how much change can a single hour make? Although Earth Hour serves its purpose by creating a universal initiative to save the planet, for the past four years the effort never seemed go beyond that one hour. 2011 has the potential to be different. In 2011, we hope to extend environment-friendly living beyond a single hour of darkness. Beyond the Hour is a platform that encourages individuals, governments and organisations to post pledges using various social networks about how they will decrease their carbon footprint in their everyday lives. Pledges can be as simple as recycling, carpooling, using reusable bags or shutting off the water when brushing your teeth.The Beyond the Hour platform has already been released as an iPhone application called 60+, where users can click "do this" next to others' pledges that they like and agree to do the same. It's hard to believe that cutting a few showers shorter will make a big difference in sustaining a positive future for Earth. But when small changes are made by a large group of people, that little bit of effort can go a long way. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MyTe66KY7SY
Otto and Astrid Rot claim to be brother and sister, play in a band together and have a fondness for the colours red, black and white. Yes, they sound like a certain American rock duo, and their group name only makes that more apparent. In German, they're known as Die Roten Punkte, which translates to The Red Dots in English. At their latest show, KUNST ROCK, you'll discover why the Berlin export are more than just Germany's answer to The White Stripes, and why the twosome — otherwise known as Australians Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias — have been hailed as irreverent and hilarious around the world. Think The Pixies and Kraftwerk meets This is Spinal Tap and Flight of the Conchords, aka rock 'n' roll meets musical comedy mayhem. And if you love their performance, you can also check out their one-off club night as well.
UPDATE, Friday, December 2, 2022: The West End Christmas Twilight Market has been postponed from Friday, December 2 to Friday, December 9 due to wet weather. This article has been changed to reflect the new date. Please visit the event's Facebook page for further details. Loving Christmas is easy, especially when Brisbane delivers so many ways each year to get into the festive spirit — including seasonal flicks, Xmas putt-putt and more. But here's the secret about Christmas markets: even if you're not usually a fan of the season and all the trimmings, who doesn't adore an excuse to spend an evening browsing, buying, eating and drinking, all under glittering lights? The West End Christmas Twilight Market is one such place to do all of the above in 2022, taking place from 4–10pm on Friday, December 9. Once quittin' time comes for the week, make a beeline to the West End Markets' usual spot in Davies Park and prepare to get jolly — or to make the most of another night market, no matter your feelings on the theme. A familiar festive spread will be on offer, which involves a heap of stalls to shop for artisanal gifts, Christmas decorations all over the place, live entertainment and Mariah getting a spin on the stereo. Kids can also get the obligatory snap with Santa. And, the food and drink menu will go all in on Christmas fare. Try saying "bah, humbug!" to that.
Brash and irreverent rock outfit Future of the Left have announced that they will be playing a string of shows down under in January 2014. Formed following the dissolution of the beloved post-hardcore band Mclusky, Future of the Left is a Welsh quartet that emerged in 2005. They have since gained a sturdy reputation for the sprawling energy and raw power of their live sets. With a knack for fusing together melody and groove, the band will be sweeping up the eastern seaboard, rewarding their loyal Aussie fan base with raucous performances filled with biting wit and musical mayhem. From their wry song titles to lyrics such as, "I have seen into the future/ Everyone is slightly older" and "Civilised people don't fuck bears/ Civilised people don't play fair", Future of the Left showcase an offbeat, slightly cynical sense of humour armed with heavy riffs. Prepare for a meaty slice of rock 'n' roll and a welcome dose of cheeky laughs. Future of the Left’s forthcoming album, How to Stop Your Brain in an Accident, will be released on October 25, 2013.
Everyone’s favourite beer festival is back with more malt and hops than you can poke a sachet of yeast at. Brisbane’s thirst for good brews has resulted in 65 venues jumping on board to host a massive 120 events across the week. From fancy beer dinners and simple baked goods to bearded bogans, beer bingo and hop aromatherapy massages, there’s plenty of ways to reconnect with the glory of beer. Whatever you do, make sure you check out a venue you haven't tried before. Meet some new beer buddies. Brisbane has never had a more vibrant and exciting beer culture. Raise a new beer to your lips, breath it in and gulp it down.
The footwear fantasies of sneaker heads and Back to the Future aficionados are closer to being realised with the release of Nike's limited edition 2011 Mag Shoe — an exact replica of the pair of sneakers famously worn by Michael J. Fox, aka Marty Mcfly, in the second film in the trilogy. Designed by acclaimed sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, the Back to The Future shoes are both a playful look at the past and a serious glimpse into the future of sneaker design. And as all proceeds from the sale of the shoes go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson's Disease Research, there really is no excuse for fans not to get their wallets out. Nike has only released 1,500 pairs of the shoes, which are currently being auctioned at NikeMag Ebay. However, one pair has recently been sold at an auction to British rapper (and not so closeted Back to The Future fan), Tinie Tempah, for a reported US$37,000. To further entice bidders, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki have also sweetened the deal by promising to match all donations to the foundation until the end of 2012. And for the unsuccessful bidders, there is some comfort in this 'lost scene' — reworked as a Nike commercial — featuring Bill Hader, Tinker Hatfield, Kevin Durrant, Donald Fullilove and Christopher Lloyd. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3yiSdjwi_bg
Christmas movies and daytime television may suggest pulling off the perfect (or near to perfect as humanly possible) Christmas dinner is one of the seemingly simplest tasks of the season. That, friends, is bullshit. But, on the flip side, these days you don’t need a managerially trained brain, a through-the-generations-tried-and-tested menu and days upon days of free time to ensure your St. Nick celebrations are just that: a celebration. If you’re leaving your plan of attack to the last minute, here’s how to hit the mark, in style. THE MENU We’re hoping you have at least 24 hours of preparation time with this one, as you probably shouldn’t be hosting a dinner if you think Christmas day is a suitable time to go shopping. But, saying that, it’s definitely a case of earlier the better when it comes to getting the good quality meat in. Hudson Meats (available in both NSW and Vic), have a super simple online ordering form that takes a few minutes to fill in and offers a whole range of their genuinely delicious produce. Christmas cut-off will be dependant on individual butchers (the Sydney Surry Hills store, for example, tells us they’ll take orders up until Monday 22nd), but definitely call ahead as they will be totes biz. Queenslanders out there will do well to get in touch with Jack Purcell Meats: these guys have special maple-infused hams and turduckens available too. If, however, you’re opting for the supermarket frozen bird or pig, then all you need is a decent recipe. Google comes up with some brilliantly simple ones, but in the name of tradition, sometimes it pays to get a little help from our neighbours. British culinary icon, Delia Smith, or Saint Delia to many, offers a fail-safe turkey recipe that not only addresses the potential trauma of cooking with an audience but also guides you step-by-step until serve-up. Her five-ingredient chocolate torte is also mind-blowingly rich and just as simple. For veg, this recipe from another Brit, Jamie Oliver, has a built-in Woolies app so you can shop for the goods at the same time. Too easy. THE DRINKS Of course no Christmas is complete without breakfast Champers and (responsible) drinking. Anyone stockless out there needs to turn their attention to WineMarket. This national wine producer specialises in all kinds of alcohol from top-of-the-range Penfolds to pale ales and mixed cases in the single-digit price range per bottle. Plus, these guys have just launched their FastCase shipping, which on certain selections means delivery in as little as one day or less for Sydney metro and two days for Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Christmas Stock-Up packages are unsurprisingly your best bet, as not only are there gold medal winners in there to tipple on but you can also get a free bottle of Mumm Champagne or Johnnie Walker Blue Label all for less that $100. But don’t let us take all the fun out of booze shopping; there are heaps of decent offers available as well as individually presented gift sets so any unexpected visitors or forgotten recipients (hey, it happens to us all), can get something nice, already packaged (for delivery cut-off times, see their website). THE TABLE Now all that’s really left is the table, and mark our words, this is just as important as the food and drink. But you don’t have to have a passion for interior design or flair for festive macramé to ensure your guests feel at home and happy. All it takes is a little creative thinking. If you’re entertaining in the double figures and have to push tables together, think about a T shape instead of one long table, as this allows conversation to flow better. We also suggest keeping all the food in the kitchen and serving up buffet style (leaving more room for glassware on the tables). For décor, simple is the best, especially for the time poor, so try to keep the theme easy. Avoid Christmas-themed crap at all costs, saving both money and time, opting instead for an ironed tablecloth and a beautiful bunch of flowers in the centre of the table. If you have nice napkins, pour yourself a glass of bubbly and iron them too (from damp). This speeds up the pressing process and honestly, ironed Manchester speaks volumes about your hosting skills. Personalisation also rules so write down everyone’s name on those extra gift tags lying around. Then simply tie them to something delightfully Christmassy, like a tree decoration (warning, baubles will roll), and hey presto: cute little place tags. And finally, Christmas crackers are undeniably fun, but they’re always full of something cheap and nasty. Why not do something a little more meaningful this year, and before dinner, take it in turns to say something you love about each other? It might seem a little corny, but hey, is there really a better time to share the love than old Noel? Now all that’s left is to turn the Sufjan Stevens Christmas playlist on loop, throw some tea lights around and wait for the guests to turn up. Christmas dinner done, without the fuss.
The growing obsession with games on Facebook is no secret. Whether it's Jetman, Family Feud or Bejeweled, more and more people are losing hours of time racking up points in a desperate attempt to get the highest score of the week. All of this effort just to be awarded Facebook credits, the magical online currency whose power only extends as far as allowing us to 'buy' entry to new levels of our favourite games or silly virtual prizes. But do these invisible dollars have the potential to be more? PSFK thought so, so they went to their experts to find if the possibility was realistic. Giuseppe Riva explains that for digital currency, the factors of exclusivity and exchange apply. In order for Facebook credits to become a real-world currency, we would have to be unable to use our current money to purchase features of a digital experience. The credits would also have to have an exchange value with other currencies throughout the world with a verified transfer system outside of Facebook. Expert Jason Madhosingh had doubts about using Facebook credits as real currency as well, since virtual goods do not have as much real-world value as tangible ones. He said consumers are less likely to be reeled in to use credits as cash unless the revenue share is favourable. So for now, it doesn't seem like Facebook credits are the currency of the future. I guess we will just have to continue using our precious prizes to unlock episodes of Family Feud and buy virtual cows for Farmville.
When it premiered at Brisbane Festival 2022, Fourteen gave the fest one of its regular big stage premieres with local relevance (see also: Boy Swallows Universe in 2021 and Love Stories when 2024's event rolls around). Missed it the first time? Keen to see it again? The production is also making a comeback this year from Wednesday, June 6–Saturday, July 7. Once again, Shannon Molloy's memoir heads to QPAC, bringing the journalist's time as a queer teenager at an all-boys Catholic school in regional Queensland to the theatre. The play is returning to the Cremorne Theatre, too, still exploring growing up gay in the centre of the Sunshine State in the process — and Brisbane-raised actor Conor Leach (Sequin in a Blue Room) is still starring as the onstage version of Shannon. Even if you haven't lived the same experience, you can likely imagine it. The year is 1999. Rugby is an obsession. And coming out would change Shannon's high-school years forever. Given the time that it's set, Fourteen features everything from Shania Twain and the Spice Girls to S Club 7 on its soundtrack. A 90s-era coming-of-age tale wouldn't be complete without them. Molloy's memoir comes to the stage courtesy of Shake & Stir Theatre Co, continuing an impressive run of page-to-stage adaptations alongside past versions of Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, Dracula and Jane Eyre. Images: David Fell.
The Sunshine State's latest of lockdowns is coming to an end, after multiple parts of Queensland were put under stay-at-home conditions for three days this week, and folks in in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay Local Government Areas were locked down for four days. From 6pm today, Saturday, July 3, there'll be no stay-at-home conditions in place statewide. New restrictions are coming into effect, however, and will apply until 6pm on Friday, July 16 — including mandatory mask-wearing. In the Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset LGAs in southeast Queensland, plus Townsville, Palm Island and Magnetic Island, covering up is compulsory for the next fortnight. So, if you're spending any time anywhere other than in your own house, you'll be masking up. This isn't a new development, with the latest mask mandate first coming into effect on Tuesday, June 29. It was originally meant to run for two weeks from that date, but that has now been extended. Accordingly, you'll still need to keep covering up whenever you leave home — which includes places such as shopping centres, public transport, hospitals, aged care facilities and churches. And, you'll need to mask up in workplaces where you can't maintain physical distancing and it's safe to wear a mask. You'll need them outdoors, too, unless you're doing vigorous exercise. You'll also need to always carry a mask with you when you aren't at home, obviously. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1411147986931896324 Announcing the end of lockdown for Brisbane and Moreton Bay and the new restrictions coming into effect at a press conference today, Saturday, July 3, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that it's "really important to wear your mask. These masks are mandatory. Now, there could be some other community cases out there, so we really need people to wear their masks." In the past 24 hours, Queensland reported five new locally acquired cases, with 47 cases currently active in the Sunshine State at the time of writing. As always, Queenslanders are asked to keep social distancing, and maintaining the hygiene practices that have been in place since March 2020. You're also requested to keep checking the state's list of exposure sites — and to get tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms. Face masks will be mandatory in the Greater Brisbane area until 6pm on Friday, July 16. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown, masks and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
Brisbane's latest lockdown might be over, but new COVID-19 cases are still being identified — and, as a result, the city's list of exposure sites continues to grow. So far during this current outbreak, shopping centres have featured heavily among the places visited by folks who later returned a positive coronavirus test. DFO at the airport, and both Chermside and Indooroopilly shopping centres have already been named, and now Garden City has joined them. You know the drill from here, because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a key element of Queensland's containment strategy, and has been since last year. Also a core part of the plan: requiring people who've attended the same sites at the same time to take action, including self-isolating and getting tested. So, if you went to Garden City, the biggest shopping centre in Brisbane's south, between Monday, June 28–Wednesday, June 30, you may have some extra time at home in your future. On the Monday, anyone who went to Wallace Bishop between 12.50–2pm, the Optus Store from 2–2.35pm and 2.40–3.05pm, Sushi Hub or Coffee Hit between 2.15–2.45pm, and Robin's Kitchen from 2.50–3.45pm will need to get tested ASAP and then self-isolate even after receiving a negative result. You'll also need to contact Queensland Health to find out exactly how long you'll need to quarantine for. The same applies on the Tuesday at Wallace Bishop from 2.50–3pm, Aldi and Spuds & Plums from 3.10–4pm, Woolworths between 3.50–4.25pm and Cinnabon from 4.15–4.35pm — and on the Wednesday at National Australia Bank between 3.05–3.20pm. Anyone at the shopping centre in general on the Monday from 12.35–3.45pm and the Tuesday between 2.45–4.35 should also get tested, but they only need to isolate if they're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1411947770164826113 Other places of note that've joined the exposure sites list recently include Woolworths at Forest Lake, IGA New Farm, Night Owl in Kangaroo Point, and Kmart, JB Hi-Fi and Woolworths at Indooroopilly — for the full list, head to the Queensland Health website. As always, the usual advice regarding COVID-19 applies anyway. So, requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms in general are still in effect, as they have since March 2020. As last reported on Monday, July 5, Queensland currently has 47 active cases. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the Queensland COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Google Maps.
When a hit show comes to an end, the network behind it often tries to fill the gap with something similar. It's the situation that HBO found itself in last year when Game of Thrones wrapped up, with the US cable channel quickly launching new fantasy series His Dark Materials and committing to making a GoT spinoff called House of the Dragon. And, with Big Little Lies looking like it's also all done and dusted, the station seems to be in the same predicament in the star-studded murder mystery genre as well. Enter The Undoing. Starring Nicole Kidman, and written and produced by Big Little Lies' David E. Kelley, it's a case of HBO sticking with what they know. Kidman plays a successful therapist who appears to have the perfect life, with a loving husband (Hugh Grant), a son (A Quiet Place's Noah Jupe) attending an elite school and her first book about to be published. Then a violent death sparks a chain of revelations that shatters her life as she knows it. Also part of the plot, as seen in the show's first teaser: a missing spouse, plenty of public attention, a heap of interrogations and a plethora of tough choices for Kidman's Grace Fraser. It'll all play out as a once-off limited series — although that was originally the case with Big Little Lies before it came back for a second season. Based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz, The Undoing also features Donald Sutherland and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace's Edgar Ramirez — with Bird Box director Susanne Bier behind the camera on every episode, just as she was on excellent Emmy-winning mini-series The Night Manager. The Undoing is set to screen on HBO sometime in May, with an air date Down Under yet to be revealed. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG1ZQERAlGQ The Undoing is set to screen on HBO in the US from May, with air dates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you when further details come to hand.
The first of Red Rock Deli's Secret Suppers has been and gone, with MasterChef Australia 2010 winner Adam Liaw kicking things off in May. The exclusive supper series — running until September at secret locations across Sydney and Melbourne — sees some of Australia's most talented chefs whipping up mouth-watering, three-course feasts inspired by Red Rock Deli's new limited-edition range. And when we say exclusive, we mean it — only 20 lucky guests get to tuck into each lavish dinner. On Wednesday, May 15, Malaysian Australian chef Adam Liaw put up an Asian-fusion feast. After guests were picked up from Central Station's Grand Concourse entrance and whisked away to a mystery location, Liaw dished up plates inspired by Red Rock Deli's Thai red chilli and creamy coconut chips. In the first course, Liaw made chilli the hero with a Korean bo ssam of pork, prawns and herb kimchi, while his dessert of coconut and lychee pavlova with mango sauce incorporated the creamy texture of coconut. But it was the melt-in-your-mouth braised ox cheeks in red chilli and coconut curry that was the real winner — to recreate it at home, check out the recipe here. If Liaw's dinner is anything to go by, the upcoming suppers will be quite something. Duncan Welgemoed of Adelaide's famed African-inspired wood fire joint, Africola, is up next. The dinner will take place on Thursday, June 20 and will be inspired by Red Rock Deli's flame grilled steak and chimichurri flavour. To nab tickets for Sydney's upcoming Red Rock Deli supper, enter the ballot here to be given the chance to purchase tickets. Images: Conrad Coleby and Kitti Gould.
Time flies when you're heading out of the house to eat at every Brisbane restaurant you can — and with that, 2022 is done and dusted. The past 12 months were busy for the River City's dining scene, welcoming in a hefty range of new eateries. Whether you like pairing your food with stunning riverfront views, nodding to all things French or tucking into top-notch sushi, there's a Brissie newcomer devoted to it. Here's our wrap-up of ten of the additions to Brisbane's restaurant lineup that impressed us most in 2022. Maybe you've already visited them, and you're keen on a repeat trip. Perhaps you just haven't had the time to pop along yet. Either way, make sure you tick them off before 2023's list starts shaping up.
Clear your weekend, because local art guru Luke Jaaniste is bringing to the Judith Wright Centre a festival like no other. Mesmerism Summer Festival is a unique art- and ideas-based, Diplo-free festival that focuses more on ambience than beat drops. Part hypnotic, part-meditative and totally relaxing for all, Mesmerism is a collection of sonic immersions, aimed at mesmerising the body, mind and soul. Promising the comfiest cushions in the universe, it welcomes you to lie down, sit or simply pace about while letting your body listen and float through gorgeous clouds of undulating sound. Friday night will features Involuntary Strings by Sydney sound artist Michaela Davies, and Luke himself will be performing Trance Piano on an amplified, thunderous grand piano. Prepare to tremble. Saturday is set to deliver a full spectrum of audible throbbing, featuring a Tam Tam Solo by renowned percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson and electric guitars and basses from local rock and experimental musicians Chris Perren (Nonsemble, Software of Seagulls, Mr Maps), Seamus Kirkpatrick (King Colossus), Adrian Mauro (Machine Age) and James Scott (Tesla Coils).
Usually, hanging out in the Valley at 6am on a Sunday morning is a sign of a big night — and one that's still going. But X Cargo is giving Brisbanites another reason to head by just as day is breaking. Adding to the shipping container hangout's growing roster of regular events, the McLachlan Street spot is now home to a weekly Sunday Farmers Market. Kicking off on May 5, it'll keep going till midday (so if you can't give up your sleep-in, you can roll along before noon hits). Stock up on fresh food of the seafood, meats, cheese, baked goods and gourmet condiments variety, with nuts, seeds, spices and salts all on offer as well. Bringing your pet pupper with you? There'll also be dog food available to buy, and a dog wash in operation. X Cargo's bar and cafe also serves up breakfast and coffee, should you be feeling peckish and in need of a caffeinated buzz first thing. And, because it's the Valley, live music is also on the agenda. We suspect it won't start quite so early, however. Image: Dane Beesley.
Though you might be back in the office, there are still ways to treat yourself as if every day is a summer holiday. One such encounter is going down at Cucina Regina, who's bringing back their decadent midweek lunch special to ensure the good times keep flowing right through to the end of the season. Running until Thursday, February 26, you're invited to indulge in the much-loved restaurant's bottomless pizza and Aperol spritz experience. Served up for $54 per person, this feast pairs classic slices like margherita, diavola, ortolana and boscaiola with a free pour of Veneto's most famous orange cocktail on arrival. Presented within Cucina Region's European-style dining room, it won't take long to feel like you're holidaying alongside the Amalfi or Adriatic. Available every Monday–Thursday from 12–2.30pm, there's little chance of rushing back to the desk. In fact, the whole experience is designed to be playfully social, where it's all about la dolce vita, not simply a quick feed. Taking cues from old-school trattorias amid Queens Wharf, expect Cucina Regina's comforting midweek special to nail all the notes of an idyllic Med-like long lunch.
Since Netflix dropped the third season of Stranger Things way back in mid-2019, fans of the 80s-set sci-fi/horror series have been left with plenty of questions. Some were answered relatively quickly, with Jim Hopper's (David Harbour, Black Widow) immediate fate covered in an early teaser back in February 2020. Other queries took a while to answer, with the streamer only revealing an exact release date for the show's fourth season in February this year. But here's one train of thought that's been going through absolutely no one's minds until now: do they play guitar in the Upside Down? Arriving after a heap of shorter sneak peeks over the past year or so — with a couple more teasers released in May 2021, then another one in August, followed by yet another in September and one more last November — the full trailer for Stranger Things season four resolves that axe-shredding question. The answer: a wailing yes. But if you're now wondering the obvious — aka why? — you'll need to wait till the show's first new episodes arrive on Friday, May 27, or maybe even until its second batch of season four instalments hit on Friday, July 1. Also covered in this long-waited return trip to Hawkins: mysterious packages, an angry Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) setting off sparks, a new D&D club and a levitating Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). Oh, and a new monster who looks like it should've crawled out of The X-Files. And yes, the vibe here is all old-school horror — which is hardly surprising given that one of those past teaser trailers had Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max exploring an eerie haunted house. Across the clips so far, viewers have also been taken to California, which is where Eleven, Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) have washed up following season three. Eleven is settling in as well as she can settle in anywhere, as she explains in a letter to Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch) — but she also can't wait until she can see him in person again. And, we've headed back to Hawkins Laboratory and its whole creepy setup, too. So, piece all these trailers together and Netflix has dropped plenty of clues about what's in store — but facing a new supernatural threat and trying to put an end to the Upside Down's horrors is the gang's main aim in season four. If it feels like series' creators Matt and Ross Duffer are working on their endgame, that's unsurprising. The pair announced a few months back that there'll only be one more season to follow after season four. But, this season has "a runtime of nearly twice the length of any previous seasons," the Duffer brothers also advised. It certainly has a whole heap of trailers, and the full sneak-peek clocks in at over three minutes. May 27 can't come soon enough — but until then, you can check out the Stranger Things season four trailer below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix in two parts, with Volume One dropping on Friday, May 27 and Volume Two hitting on Friday, July 1. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
Two Australian music legends, one must-attend 2022 tour: now there's some news to come sail your ships around. In November and December this year, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will bring their Carnage tour home — although if you subscribe to Cave's perfectly named The Red Hand Files emails, you should already know that. An official announcement is bound to arrive sooner rather than later with crucial details such as cities, exact dates and venues, but for now, Cave has shared the tour news himself. "I can see, glowing lovely, glowing redly, a Nick and Warren Australian Carnage tour that has been recently added. This has not yet been announced — and I will no doubt be reprimanded for doing so here on The Red Hand Files — but I can see it there, that bright, red block, beginning mid-November and ending mid-December. This new addition makes me very happy. In fact, quite literally, it brings tears of joy," Cave wrote in the fan email's 184th issue. [caption id="attachment_716220" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Thorne[/caption] The upcoming Australian Carnage run earned a mention amid musings on Cave's other tour dates this year — first overseas on the American Carnage tour with Ellis, and then with the Bad Seeds in Europe. "I am sitting here looking at this year's calendar. My assistant, Rachel, has helpfully laid it out in various child-friendly, primary-coloured blocks. A red block means touring, a blue block means other extracurricular creative stuff, and a yellow block means time off. The year is largely big, red blocks, with some sudden moments of blue, and a little lonely threadbare patch of yellow," Cave explained. Bandmates across several projects since the 90s — including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Grinderman — Cave and Ellis are Aussie icons, with careers spanning back decades. Together, they also boast more than a few phenomenal film scores to their names, including for The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Road, West of Memphis, Far From Men, Hell or High Water and Wind River. When Carnage released back in early 2021, it actually marked Cave and Ellis' first studio album as a duo — and picked them up an ARIA nomination, naturally. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' Australian Carnage tour will run throughout November and December 2022, with cities, exact dates and venues still to be announced — we'll update you when more details are revealed. Top image: Kerry Brown.
The Powerhouse are doing their part to keep appreciation going for innovative live music experiences. The Long Player Sessions are a series of shows that place two Brisbane bands on the same bill, both playing a different landmark album in music history. This week see’s Silver Sircus take on the task of performing The Velvet Underground & Nico while Rattlehand (Pictured) will be performing You Am I’s Hourly Daily. Both bands will also be throwing a few of their own songs in for good measure. The Long Player Sessions celebrate the music ‘album’; an icon of emotions and thoughts from a different time and a signpost of a different cultural era. In an age there instantaneous satisfaction reigns supreme, The Long Player Sessions continue to celebrate the classics and deliver them from start to finish. Lovers of classic, ground-breaking albums will enjoy this event.
Whether you're embracing being at home, or itching to get out of the house and into a bar as soon as possible, we expect you've experienced many mood changes with every 'new normal' moment. Perhaps you've been unexpectedly thrilled with your baking skills? Mortified with your home hair dye efforts? Proud of your Zoom hosting skills? Each day comes with its own highs and lows, so, we've teamed up with Jimmy Brings to suggest a drink and a snack for the small wins through to the mini meltdowns. Jimmy Brings is known for its 30-minute delivery times, so even when all you're doing is cleaning out the fridge, you can order a spontaneous drink to mark the occasion. Find the iso moment you relate to most, below. UNEXPECTED JOY AT YOUR BREAD BAKING SKILLS Deserves: a mini celebration with Covielle sparkling. In times like these it's all about celebrating the little things. Is your starter bubbling and doubling as it should? Are you proving your dough without having to watch the clock? Sounds like you're nailing it. When you're ready to slice into that crusty loaf, pair it with a selection of deli cheeses, from one of these cheese shops in Sydney, these ones in Melbourne, or from Le Fromage Yard in Brisbane. And make yourself an Aperol spritz with Covielle sparkling, which has a citrus tang and a clean, crisp finish that pairs well with the gooey cheese and that proud grin on your face. UTTER PUZZLE FRUSTRATION WHEN THAT BLUE PIECE DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT Deserves: a comforting bowl of pasta and a Mists & Shadows Chardonnay. You're 300 little blue shapes from completing that masterpiece of dots and swirls, and though you don't remember caring about puzzles before 2020, this is now all you think about. Why. Won't. It. Fit? Just remember, it's the little things that cause us most angst. No, your friends probably don't understand. But, you know what will help? A warming hug in a bowl. Order in a lamb ragu from Tottis or a cacio e pepe DIY pasta kit from Ragazzi, if you're in Sydney. Melburnians, Tipo 00 has its braised duck gnocchi for pick up, and much-loved vegan spot Smith & Daughters is delivering its penne carbonara and vodka-spiked spaghetti. In Brisbane, you can get spaghetti, rigatoni and carbonara to take away from 1889 Enoteca. The white peach and nectarine notes in the Mists & Shadows chardonnay pairs particularly well with lighter pasta dishes. [caption id="attachment_770129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Mossholder[/caption] BOTCHED ISOLATION HAIRCUT BLUES Deserves: a treat-yourself moment with Heritage House Shiraz. Too scared to embrace the grombre, you decided it was a good idea to touch up those roots yourself and now… well, it's a good thing all those social catch ups come with a 'no video' mode. At least you didn't cut yourself a fringe, or decide now was the time to grow a beard. Console yourself with a treat meal — after all, you've saved all that money avoiding a professional. We suggest ordering Walter's dry-aged steaks, if you're in Brisbane. Or you can get wagyu sirloin steaks and beef fillets from Vic's Meat in Sydney, and Meatsmith can deliver a porterhouse or marinated minute steaks to you by the next day if you're in Melbourne. Get Jimmy to bring you a full-bodied red to match it. The Heritage House Shiraz has rich berry flavours and hints of oak that complement a sirloin or porterhouse served with buttery veggies. [caption id="attachment_770049" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Creative Exchange[/caption] PURE HAPPINESS AT A SUCCESSFUL VIRTUAL DANCE PARTY Deserves: a cheeky Jolly Trotter Pinot Grigio to set the mood. If you've been tuning into Hot Dub at Home every weekend, you'll know a dance party is all about the details. Balloons? Check. Glitter on your cheeks? Check. A raving outfit ready for that 'Sandstorm' drop? Triple check. When you're in the mood to dance, it doesn't matter if you're in a sweaty club or jumping around the sofa — so to help you get into the spirit, crack open a bottle of pinot grigio. Jolly Trotter is a crowd-pleaser with an orchard fruitiness to it that leans on the dry side. And, because you're planning to recover like a champion, prep an order of bacon and egg rolls for the morning. Sydneysiders can order a BKE roll and coffee combo from Paramount Coffee Project. In Melbourne, Egglab has its full menu available for delivery. And Brisbanites, you can order crispy bacon and fried egg baps from the masters of the humble brekkie roll, Yolk. WHOLE BODY SATISFACTION AT FINALLY CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE Deserves: Mists & Shadows Cabernet Merlot on the couch, with a chocolatey treat. Look at that: you've organised the dairy to the top shelf and everything. You deserve to put your feet up on the couch (once again) and give yourself a much needed pat on the back. We all made lists during lockdown, but you actually achieved something. May we suggest having your cake and eating it? Our pick would be this decadent baked cheesecake from Attica. But if you're too far from Melbourne and want something you don't have to share, Koi Dessert Bar is delivering its weekly rotation of cakes around Sydney, from mascarpone tiramisu to mango yuzu tarts. And in Brisbane, you could order Gelato Messina's bombe alaska, or just a jar of its housemade dulce de leche. Pair it with Mists & Shadow's South Australian cab merlot that has a smooth mouthfeel and plum and blackcurrant aromas. GIDDY ANTICIPATION FOR YOUR UPCOMING FIVE-GUEST DINNER PARTY Deserves: Kiwi Hawk Sauvignon Blanc, because you're the host who knows the most. There's a reason everyone's looking to you to host the first catch-up dinner: you're the social alpha. You always know the best bars to visit and the newest restaurants in town, so now we're allowed friends over once again, it's your turn to impress with all that local knowledge. Not that you need our help, but if you're in Sydney, stock up at Paddington's Fish Butchery, which also has Mr Niland at Home meals if you're feeling lazy. Pair your seafood feast with a Marlborough savvy-b with a difference — Kiwi Hawk's is crisp and medium-bodied and works well with shellfish and herbaceous salads. In Melbourne, you can buy sashimi platters and green ocean king prawns from restaurant seafood supplier Clamms. And Brisbane's oldest seafood market, The Fish Factory, has plenty of whole fish and freshly shucked oysters to choose from. [caption id="attachment_770050" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unsplash[/caption] NERVOUS BUTTERFLIES BECAUSE YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOUSEMATE Deserves: a bottle of Arcadian Tryst Shiraz and a couple of bowls of ramen. So you hooked up with your housemate during iso, and you liked it more than you expected. In fact, you want to take this out of the friend zone and into an IRL relationship. That's a ballsy move, so you may want some dutch courage. Better yet, make it a romantic dinner date for your do-you-feel-the-same? chat. First, order a bottle of date-night worthy shiraz from the cool climate Langhorne Creek; its sweet berry flavours, with crushed plum and smoky spices, pairs well with rich food, like the pork broth of a tonkotsu ramen. In Sydney? Order The Darkness from Rising Sun Workshop or RaRa's tonkotsu shio. Global ramen chain Hakata Gensuke is delivering across Melbourne. And Brissy lovers can enjoy Taro Ramen's DIY home packs. Even if things don't pan out, at least you ate good food. Download the Jimmy Brings app and use the code 'CONCRETE' to get $10 off your first order. Offer expires July 30, 2020. Top image: Andrea Piacquadio.
Barbeque pork buns, sushi, stir fried noodles, pho, laksa, prawn dumplings, rice paper rolls, beef masaman, honey chicken and so much more. Asian food really has the goods: mixing spices, sugar, oils, nuts, herbs and chillies to create flavours that really make the tastebuds sing! Brisbane City Council is giving local folk the opportunity to learn the secrets to making these delicious foods, with Asian cooking classes being held from 12-2pm each Saturday throughout February and March in the China Town Mall in Fortitude Valley. All classes are free, and are hosted by excellent local chefs, each specialising in a different Asian cuisine. A unique cultural dish will be featured each week, and participants will get a chance to observe the cooking process, ask questions, taste test the food and go home with a copy of the recipe. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, meet diverse people and to try some delicious food, to then replicate at home for friends and family (or maybe just yourself)!
UPDATE, September 27, 2022: Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert general admission tickets have sold out, with only Sydney WorldPride's affordability option left — but you can still head along thanks to Concrete Playground Trips. The Sydney WorldPride package includes tickets to the Domain Dance Party and Live and Proud: Opening Concert, plus three nights at the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour Sydney. On a Sydney stage on Friday, February 24, 2023, here's hoping that Australia's princess of pop utters four specific words: "come into my WorldPride". The massive LGBTQIA+ festival is heading to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, taking over Sydney for two and a half weeks — and who else but Kylie Minogue could open it? Sydney WorldPride has been announcing parts of its lineup since June, including the return of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to Oxford Street after the 2021 and 2022 events were held at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to the pandemic — and it will drop its full program in November. But Kylie headlining Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert, spinning around The Domain and making sure that Sydney WorldPride festivalgoers can't get her out of their heads is obviously massive. LOVERS! For the first time ever, WorldPride is coming to the Southern Hemisphere. YES! I'm so excited to announce that I will be performing at the opening concert in Sydney on 24 February, 2023 at The Domain. Can't wait to see you there! 💖 https://t.co/ExghPi5NEw pic.twitter.com/Wt0q1Szg2n — Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) September 23, 2022 Sydney shall be so lucky — and so will Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert attendees, because it'll mark Kylie's only WorldPride performance. Her set for the night is also being created especially for the evening, so this isn't the kind of Kylie show you've seen before. Already know that you can't make it along? The performance will also be broadcast live nationwide on the ABC. On a night like this, Casey Donovan and Courtney Act will be on hosting duties — and the rest of the Live and Proud lineup will be revealed later this year. Hand on your heart, you know you want to be there, with tickets on sale now. The event doubles as a celebration of 45 years of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, if you needed more motivation to break out your best 'Loco-Motion'. "Kylie is not only a beloved musician and rainbow icon, but the highest selling Australian-born solo artist of all time," said Sydney WorldPride CEO Kate Wickett, announcing the news. "We are honoured and INCREDIBLY excited to have Kylie again stand with our community at Sydney WorldPride 2023 — the global rainbow family reunion we've been waiting for." Sydney WorldPride will run from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5, 2023, with the opening concert taking place at The Domain on Friday, February 24. Tickets for Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert are on sale now. For more information about Sydney WorldPride, or for general ticket sales, head to the event's website.
Back in mid-2019, the revamped section of Fortitude Valley around the Alfred Street and Brunswick Street area welcomed a couple of newcomers, with Foresters Restaurant and Bar and Altitude Rooftop Bar opening in the slick FV by Peppers precinct. Plenty can change in 18 months, however, with both venues saying goodbye — and a new Italian-themed duo launching in their place. The space at 209 Brunswick Street is actually set to feature four new places to have a bite and get a drink; however, two have already opened their doors so far. If you're keen on a tipple with a view, you can head up to Cielo Rooftop. For those eager for a cocktail or other beverage on the ground level, that's where La Costa comes in. Both venues have their own personalities, but they share a couple of things other than an address. Firstly, they're the latest ventures from the team behind Salt Meats Cheese and Roman-style eatery Eterna. Secondly, they all take inspiration from Italy's coastline and riviera (so you can feel like you're on holidays without leaving the city). And thirdly, they're pouring drinks menus from the folks at Sydney's Maybe Sammy — which was not only named one of the world's best bars late in 2020, but ranked 11th on the World's 50 Best Bars list. [caption id="attachment_796304" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Upstairs at Cielo — which is accessed via an internal lift — that means cocktails like the Portofino (with vodka, mango, passionfruit, maraschino, orange curaçao, lemon and a tropical bubble), the Venice Beach (which combines a strawberry daiquiri and piña colada) and the Santorini (with tequila, mezcal, Aperol, mango and lemon). Three types of spritzes are also on offer, plus champagne, wine and spirits. And seafood features heavily among the bites to eat, including oysters, octopus carpaccio with fried capers, kingfish ceviche, and blue swimmer crab and mango salad. Patrons can tuck into the above beverages and food under a pastel-hued canopy and fairy lights, while perched on stools sat around round tables. Downstairs on the ground floor, behind the building's eye-catching facade — in a building that was first erected in 1889, was originally known as Foresters' Hall, initially housed a community meeting place and then became Fortitude Valley's first cinema in 1910 — more cocktails await, as does antipasti, and live tunes and DJs. Drinks-wise, La Costa Bar serves up mango coffee margaritas (with tequila, Mr Black coffee liqueur, mango and lime) and Olive and Tonics (made with olive leaf gin, madeira, tonic, rosemary and olives) from a nine-option cocktail list — and has three spritzes on offer, too, plus sparkling, wine and beer. On the food menu, the tapas range spans four cheeses and two types of fish, among other choices, and there's both a small plate and a brunch lineup. While exact dates haven't been revealed, Cielo Rooftop and La Costa will be joined by the La Costa Restaurant and an all-day wine bar. They're due to open by the end of January 2021. Find Cielo Rooftop and La Costa at 209 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. Cielo Rooftop is open from 11am–12am Thursday, 11am–2am Friday–Saturday, and 11am–8pm on Sunday — and La Costa Bar is open from 6am–2pm and 5pm–late Wednesday–Friday, and 7am–2pm and 5pm–late Saturday–Sunday.
Brisbanites are gifted brag-worthy sunshine and clear skies almost all year around, which makes for perfect outdoor gig and picnic weather. So, as the site did back in 2018 and 2019, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is letting everyone make the most of Brissie's ace climate with a Gigs & Picnics series. Taking place on the fourth Saturday of each month from August–November — running from 12–4pm on August 29, September 26, October 24 and November 28, in fact — the event will rustle up some of the city's best food trucks, put on some free tunes and invite folks to get cosy on their own blanket all afternoon. Entering through the main gateway at the intersection of Alice and Albert Streets, attendees can expect everything from jazz and modern reggae to dub and gypsy, all in gorgeous greenery-filled surroundings. You can also order a picnic basket in advance, which'll be there for you on the day. Or, if you're bringing your own feast, just remember that the gardens aren't BYO. Gigs & Picnics takes place from 12–4pm on August 29, September 26, October 24 and November 28 in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Image: Gigs & Picnics.
We all know that solid dose of 'the good feels' you get after you've done something nice for yourself/your body (like exercise). And from the end of September through until late November, you can expect those feelings to increase two-fold. Thanks to the return of Brisbane's Feel Good Program, the city will welcome a series of outdoor fitness classes — and, unlike that fancy new yoga studio in your neighbourhood that smells like acai berries and only serves charcoal tea, these classes are all entirely free. Ranging from sessions to get your blood pumping (Zumba) to classes to get your zen flowing freely (yoga, tai chi), plus aqua classes held at the Boat Pool, the Feel Good Program is an initiative designed to suit any and all fitness levels. Classes are held at both South Bank Parklands and in the city at Queens Park. BYO water bottle, towel and, where required, a yoga mat — the ones provided are subject to availability. Adapting to the times, you'll also need to register for each session in advance. Classes happen every day except Fridays and Sundays, and they all run for between 30–45 minutes. Get started early and face the day with a 7am bootcamp session, or finish it with pilates from 5.30pm — or ballroom or Bollywood dancing from 6.30pm. Whichever you choose, it'll have you embracing the warm outdoors and feeling good — check out the timetable online. The Feel Good Program returns for 2020 from Monday, September 28–Saturday, November 28.
Good things happen when the minds behind Peters Ice Cream and Gelato Messina come together, as has proven the case multiple times now. In the summer of 2019 — centuries ago — the dessert experts unveiled a limited-edition line of gourmet Drumsticks. Fast forward to spring 2020, and they teamed up for a range of Messina X Peters gelato bars. Now, with spring 2021 in full swing, they've added a new lamington flavour to its in-supermarket lineup. Yes, next time you're hankering for a frosty sweet treat, you can nab one of Messina's takes on the best chocolate- and coconut-covered cake there is. The new creation, which has just landed in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket, comes filled with chocolate gelato mixed with desiccated coconut, plus raspberry sauce — a mix that might taste familiar if you're already a Messina fiend. Here, all that gelato is placed on a biscuit base, then covered in milk chocolate. The Messina lamington gelato bar joins the existing Messina X Peters choc hazelnut and espresso dulche de leche numbers. The former features layers of chocolate biscuit, cocoa gelato, a hazelnut sauce and a chocolate coating, while the latter pairs espresso gelato and dulce de leche, then covers it in milk chocolate. All three flavours are available at supermarkets around Australia. Each comes in pop art-style boxes of four, priced at $10 per box. On Tuesday, October 19, to mark the new lamington gelato bar's launch, Messina is also giving away boxes of them. To get your hands on one, you'll either need to make a purchase at a Messina store — or order from Messina via Uber Eats from 12pm onwards and tick the 'free box of lamington gelato bars offer' box. Both giveaways are while stocks last, so getting in early is obviously recommended. Gelato Messina X Peters gelato bars are available at supermarkets around Australia.
Not that long ago, the narrow spaces around Fortitude Valley were just that — spaces, not vibrant laneways. These days, however, the area boasts not one, not two, but now three jam-packed alleys. Yes, that's a development that's worth celebrating. In fact, it's a change worthy of a day-long festival, which is exactly what the returning Hidden Lanes Festival is all about. On Saturday, October 26 from 10am until late, Bakery Lane, Winn Lane and California Lane will turn into a flourishing — and free — party, complete with markets, beverages, art installations, food, fashion, a heritage trail, masterclasses and more than 50 live musical acts. Tunes-wise, the lineup includes The Vanns, Tyne-James Organ, Boatkeeper, Bonsai, Concrete Surfers, Greta Stanley, The Jensens, Cry Club, Dream Coast, James Rigby, Greaves and more, all across ten stages. If you're eager to pick up a new skill, everything from decorating cookies, to making dumplings and kimchi, to the secrets of being a silversmith are all on the bill. And, of course, the event will definitely involve the 80 businesses who call the three laneways home. Here, you'll eat, drink, dance, shop, chat, learn something, marvel at art and restock your wardrobe — across one huge day and a trio of busy alleys, the list goes on. Images: Markus Ravik / Alvaro Mayorga. Updated September 17.
It has been five months since Queensland's Containers for Change refund scheme launched, hot on the heels of the state's single-use plastic bag ban. And, like the move away from disposable shopping containers, it's already having an impact. In the initial two months of the CRS, it received more than 102 million empty drink containers — and across its first five months, that number has now rocketed up to over 400 million. That's 400 million water bottles, beer cans, juice containers and more that aren't sitting in landfill or headed to our waterways, all since the scheme was rolled out on November 1, 2019. As well as recycling a hefty amount of aluminium, glass, plastic and steel items, the regime has also paid out a sizeable sum to eco-conscious Queenslanders. Money is a great motivator, obviously, with ten cents per eligible vessel refunded. So far, the scheme has paid more than $40 million to participants. The figures exceed initial expectations, with "container redemption volumes about a third higher than forecast," according to Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch. In the first ten months of 2018, nearly three billion beverage containers were used by Queenslanders — so while returning 400 million bottles and cans since November still represents a mere fraction of the recyclable containers in use across the period, it's definitely a promising start. More collection and refund points continue to be added to the scheme, with 270 now set up — an increase from the 230-plus available when the CRS launched. For more information, visit the Containers for Change website — or check out our how-to guide.
Part dance movie, part dystopian comedy, The FP is a rare beast of a movie — an instant cult classic that feels both alluring familiar and completely its own creation, and that instantly sears every frame into your brain. Given the premise, none of the above should come as a surprise. This low-budget 2011 flick is set in at a time when gangs fight over control of their home turf, Frazier Park, by dance-fighting it out while playing a Dance Dance Revolution-style game called Beat-Beat Revelation. Basically, if Footloose was set in a post-apocalyptic future, it would look something like this. As you're no doubt thinking, it would look rather amazing. That's The FP from start to finish, and it's getting only its second-ever public Brisbane screening on Monday, February 25, after first showing here all the way back at the 2011 Brisbane International Film Festival. Even better — The FP now has a follow-up called FP2: Beats of Rage, and it's hitting Brissie as well. Both are written and directed by Jason Trost, who also stars, and they're bound to make for one unique night of staring at the silver screen. Fitting, this double feature is coming to Netherworld as part of its regular Two Bit Movie Club, with tickets costing $10 — which includes both flicks plus popcorn and a drink. Here's a taste of the sequel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgdVv6MK1PA
When a major arts festival drops its latest program, as Sydney Festival just has for its massive 2023 event, it's easy to start playing the numbers game. The figures are impressive, with the event's second year under Artistic Director Olivia Ansell boasting 748 performances across 54 venues. The lineup also spans more than 100 unique events, 26 of which won't cost attendees a thing. And, there'll be 18 world premieres and 14 Australian exclusives — aka shows that you'll need to travel to Sydney to see if you don't live there, because they won't pop up elsewhere. All of these stats do indeed tell a story, conveying how widely the festival crew has scoured for top-notch shows; how jam-packed the resulting calendar of performances, gigs and exhibitions is; and how busy the 25 days from Thursday, January 5–Sunday, January 29 are going to prove. And, they help express the most important message there is for audiences: if you're looking for not just a culture fix but to bathe in art, theatre, music and all-round exciting festivities for weeks on end all around Sydney at the start of 2023, then you'd best block out your diary now. There's no shortage of highlights in the program, no matter what kind of cultural experience take your fancy. Here's perhaps the most surprising one: turning Sydney Town Hall into a beach courtesy of 26 tonnes of sand. No, you won't be able to swim there — but you can watch Lithuanian opera Sun & Sea, which won the Venice Biennale's Golden Lion in 2019, stage its sandy work in the round. The end result explores the climate emergency, is certain to make for a memorable show, and is one of Sydney Festival's Australian exclusives. Also unlikely to be forgotten quickly: the Australian premiere of Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon, a multi-sensory art experience dedicated to the iconic Mexican painter. Think: the immersive Vincent van Gogh showcase that's being doing the rounds, or the new Monet one headed to Melbourne, but all about the one and only Kahlo. Hailing from Spanish digital arts company Layers of Reality, alongside the Frida Kahlo Corporation, it'll take over the Cutaway with holography, 360-degree projections and live performances of traditional Mexican music, as well as a virtual-reality system that'll let you step inside the artist's iconic pieces. [caption id="attachment_874188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Other standouts include Bonobo hitting the decks at the Masonic Centre, and turning its banquet hall into a unique dance party; performance piece In Chamber, which literally takes place in a safe in the basement of the Margot Kimpton Hotel; ROOM, the latest surreal theatre piece by James Thiérrée; and Tracker, which sees choreographer-director Daniel Riley combine dance, ceremony and text. Or, there's also 16 days of live music inside the 70s-era underground bar beneath Martin Place's Harry Seidler-designed Commercial Travellers' Association building (yes, the mushroom building). That subterranean space remains unrenovated, so expect The Weary Traveller, as the fest-within-the-fest is called, to serve up a huge blast from the past (plus tunes by Alice Skye, Astral People, Automatic, June Jones, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Lil Silva, Party Dozen, Tom Snowdon, Moktar, Two Birds with Bayand, Coloured Stone, HTRK and Potion). In the same structure, the 28-room hotel itself is being taken over by American artist Kelsey Lu. You'll want to check in for this one, and stay the evening — because In The Lucid: A Dream Portal to Awakening is an eight-hour audio journey. [caption id="attachment_874185" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Wallis[/caption] Heartbreak High fans will want to catch Blue, and fans of homegrown theatre as well — it stars and has been written by Thomas Weatherall, and will enjoy its world premiere at Sydney Festival. Or, for something completely different, a Shinjuku-inspired magic bar will pop up at Darling Harbour, transporting you to Tokyo if you haven't already made Japan holiday plans now that the country has reopened its borders. The list goes on, including Bloodlines, an exhibition paying tribute to artists lost to HIV/AIDS; The Party, which'll celebrate Sydney's LGBTQIA+ nightlife and party culture between 1973–2002; and Retrosweat hosting a big 80s pool party that, yes, will involve aqua aerobics. Or, there's flamenco dancer Sara Bara in Alma at the Sydney Opera House; Dead Puppet Society and Legs On The Wall's take on the Trojan war in Holding Achilles; drag brunch show Smashed: The Brunch Party hosted by Victoria Falcone; and Prinnie Stevens singing tunes by superstars like Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston and Beyoncé. Plus, Sydney Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Lunar New Year outdoors at Parramatta Park; Polar Force at Carriageworks explores the extremes of ice and wind by pairing Antarctic field recordings with live industrial percussion; and Restless Dance Theatre's dance piece Guttered is set in a real-life bowling alley. And, Lego lovers can check out a new Brickwrecks exhibition, which recreates shipwrecks with the plastic bricks. Also, ENESS, who was behind the 2022 fest's Airship Orchestra, is back with Cupid's Koi Garden — which'll give Tumbalong Park a six-metre-tall immersive water-play park right in the middle of summer. [caption id="attachment_874184" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Roberts Photography[/caption] Sydney Festival 2023 runs from Thursday, January 5–Sunday, January 29 at venues across the city. For further details and to buy tickets, visit the Sydney Festival website. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, October 19. Top image: Andrej Vasilenko.
Eons ago Alhambra Lounge was infamous mainly for indiscretions made on the premises by footballers, and a regular saxophone performer who graced the stage. Thankfully it has long since evolved into a budget friendly party haven with red cups, attractive people and stellar performers in high quantity. And although they frequently bring in musicians of an international calibre, they love to showcase up and coming Australian acts, especially of the Unearthed Variety. Headlining this Saturday’s Anything Goes is Sydney four-piece Nantes. This band have been getting some serious air time on Triple J which should be an indication of the indie rock tunes they have in store. What should be an even larger indication is that their influences are Radiohead and Joy Division. Also playing on the night will be Trip Kick DJs, a group of guys from Byron with a serious penchant for mixing great music and ensuring a great night out.
It is 1988, and 15 years since president Salvador Allende committed suicide as Pinochet's military jets bore down upon the Chilean presidential palace. Under international pressure, Pinochet has agreed to determine his future by referendum. A 'yes' vote will see the continuation of the torture and 'disappearances' that have characterised his reign (today, over 1000 Chileans remain missing). A 'no' vote will mean the restoration of democracy. For four weeks, each side of the campaign has a daily 15-minute television segment with which to win over voters. Enter advertising creative Rene Saavedra (Gabriel Garcia Bernal). A composite character pieced together by director Pablo Larrain and scriptwriter Pedro Peirano, he has been raised outside of Chile by his exiled father and is expert at conjuring up slick commercials designed to sell Western-style products. It takes some convincing for socialist politician Urrutia (Luis Gnecco) to shake Rene out of his apolitical apathy and get him on board the no campaign, but once he does so, the action begins in earnest. No derives its dramatic tension from two sources: the intersection of advertising propaganda and political rhetoric, and the difficulty of reconciliating the private life with the public. The no campaigners believe that their aim is best achieved through graphic reminders of Pinochet’s brutalities, so Rene must convince them of his strategy: to present post-dictatorship freedom as one would a shiny commodity — symbolised by a rainbow logo, communicated by the slogan 'Happiness Is Coming', and accompanied by a jubilant jingle. Simultaneously, he must navigate his emotions over the departure of his wife, a hardcore activist who sees her husband as lacking courage and conviction. Bernal approaches Rene's character with an enigmatic composure, conveying his conflicting traits through subtleties — standing stock still amidst an erupting crowd upon announcement of the referendum results, or tearing up in silence as he walks away from his wife's door. Larrain's exploration of the power of advertising is not without its ironies. On one hand, we celebrate Rene's backing of justice; on the other, the success of his commercial-style simplification of a complex political situation is disturbing. Larrain touches on this uneasy contradiction through staccato stabs of humour, masterfully interwoven with darker moments. It is worth noting that a recent New York Times article revealed that the film has attracted criticism in Chile for downplaying the significance of the grassroots movement to the no campaign. Seeking an aesthetic reflective of the period, Larrain recorded No with a 1983 U-matic video camera. Flares and flashes are included deliberately. Archival material blends seamlessly with contemporary footage. Some may find this approach a little self-conscious, and it's certainly not pretty, but the intention is to transport viewers back in time. The third feature in Larrain's filmic study of Chile, No is a triumph, historically and dramatically. Sure, its verisimilitude may be questionable, but its study of at least one aspect of the referendum that toppled Pinochet is compelling.
2020 has been a devastating year to cap off a tough decade for arts and entertainment in Australia. The global pandemic that has decimated the industry comes after years of overbearing lockout laws and strict licensing regimes for festivals in NSW. Now, as the industry begins to emerge from the rubble, it's getting some much-needed support from the Federal Government. The Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund is a government initiative that will invest $75 million into supporting the arts and entertainment sector across the next 12 months. One recipient of the funding is Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival organiser Secret Sounds, who has received funding to put towards launching a new festival in 2021. Secret Sounds Group Co-CEO Jessica Ducrou didn't give much away about the new venture, telling Concrete Playground, "Secret Sounds is thrilled to receive financial support and recognition for an exciting innovative project we look forward to launching in 2021." The new festival will sit alongside the 2021 edition of Splendour in the Grass, which is currently planned for July with headliners Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, the Creator pending mass gathering and border restrictions. The festival was postponed to 2021 in June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Minister for the Arts Paul Fletcher announced the Victorian recipients of RISE grants on Monday, November 23. Among the Victorian recipients are the Melbourne Theatre Company, which received just over a million for three new Australian works, as well as the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne Fringe and Grande Experiences who recently worked on Sydney's Van Gogh Alive. [caption id="attachment_636254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bec Taylor[/caption] The full list of recipients is expected next month, but according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, 28 NSW organisations will receive funding. Some of those include Byron Bay's Bluesfest, which is forging ahead with its Easter long weekend event for 2021, the Darlinghurst Theatre Company and the Australian Theatre for Young People. A new Secret Sounds-run festival will be a welcome addition to 2021 after a year void of major events and music festivals. Summer festival announcements have begun to roll, however, following the easing of gathering restrictions across the country in recent months. So far This That, Untitled Day Party, the newly funded Byron Bay Bluesfest and Yours & Owls have all announced 2021 dates with all-Australian lineups. A full list of recipients of the RISE grant will be announced mid-December. You can stay up to date at arts.gov.au. Top image: Justin Ma
A year after Queensland finally introduced a container refund scheme, and 16 months after scrapping disposable plastic bags, the Sunshine State is set to ramp up its war on waste once again. As part of the just-released Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan, the government is proposing a ban on single-use plastics — and while it's just an idea at this stage, legislation could be introduced as early as next year. In the crosshairs are plastic straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers, with the Qld Government also committing to investigate banning coffee cups, plastic cups and heavy-weight plastic shopping bags as well. Crucial to the plan is the existence of already-available alternatives — whether they're reusable, in the case of cutlery and plates, or 100-percent compostable, as seen with paper straws and stirrers. Before anything official is put in place, the state will undertake consultation with the community and various stakeholders, including people with disability. For the latter group, some alternative products to plastic — such as bamboo, paper and metal straws — aren't always a viable option. From 2020, the Qld Government will start by banning the products from their own events; however an exact timeline from there hasn't been revealed. Also on the state's agenda: developing facilities to process and repurpose plastic, mandating the use of recycled plastics, and expanding the Plastic Free Places program, which works with retailers, events and markets at the community level to wipe out single-use water bottles, straws, coffee cups and lids, takeaway containers, food ware (such as cutlery, plates and cups) and bags. In Noosa, more than 200 businesses have signed up to the scheme. While Qld's powers-that-be are calling their proposal an Australian first, they're not the only authority figures looking to tackle the growing waste problem. Similar laws are being drafted in South Australia, Hobart is progressing down the same track and, as a nation, Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025. That's on top of plenty of smaller-scale initiatives, not only including bag bans and container schemes, but the phasing out of single-use plastics in various guises at the company level, with McDonald's, IKEA, Coca-Cola Amatil and Qantas among those making steps in the plastic-free direction. You can read more about the Queensland Government's Plastic Reduction Plan over here.
After nearly a decade of Westerosi power struggles, obsessed fans and soaring ratings, HBO now finds itself with a Game of Thrones-sized gap to fill. The network isn't completely saying goodbye to the world created by George RR Martin, with at least two spinoffs in the works, and possibly more to come. But it's also looking for its next big hit. Bleak superhero saga Watchmen is one of the network's options, thanks to a television adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel that's headed to screens this month. His Dark Materials is another, as based on Philip Pullman's award-winning young adult trilogy of books of the same name. And if the latter sounds familiar, that's because — like Watchmen — one of the tomes has already been turned into a movie. Twelve years after the incredibly family-oriented The Golden Compass made its way to cinemas, it's now heading to TV alongside sequels The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. HBO is keeping things simple by sticking with the franchise name, other than individual book monikers. Also, they're betting on star power. As the first teaser demonstrated a few months back, the series boasts a hefty cast, spanning James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Wire's Clarke Peters and Logan's Dafne Keen. Still on the big-name front, Academy Award-winning The King's Speech director Tom Hooper also helms the first two episodes (which, unlike his next big movie Cats, probably won't feature big-name actors and singers shrunk down to feline size). Amidst all of the above well-known folks, Keen leads the charge, playing an orphan by the name of Lyra Belacqua. She seems just like everyone else, but hails from an alternate universe — one where a person's soul manifests as a shape-shifting animal called a daemon. As she looks for a kidnapped friend in the Arctic, Lyra discovers a church-run stolen children ring, learns about mysterious particles known as Dust and ventures through different worlds, including the one we all know. McAvoy pops up as a powerful aristocrat, Wilson is his ex, and Miranda plays a balloonist and adventurer. If you're already eager, the eight-episode first season will drop in November — and there's more to come. Instigated by and co-produced with the BBC, the show has already been renewed for a second season before it even airs. Check out the full trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APduGe1eLVI His Dark Materials launches on November 5, Australian and New Zealand time — with the series airing weekly from that date on Foxtel in Australia. Images: HBO.
