We've made it to the last day of winter (time to burn your beanies and unpack your togs) and to celebrate Falls Festival has just gifted us with one helluva lineup. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 26th year is a pretty buzzworthy gang of musical mates headlined by American rapper Anderson .Paak. He'll be taking the stage with his band The Free Nationals, and performing hits off his Grammy Award-nominated album Malibu and maybe a tune or two off his highly anticipated third album, Oxnard Ventura. He's joined on the bill by big names like UK foursome Catfish and The Bottlemen, who'll be debuting some fresh new material at their only Aussie show; Australia's own Vance Joy; Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches, who'll also be here for NYD celebration Field Day; Interpol, fresh off the back of their new album release, Marauder; and Toto. Toto. Yes, the American rock band behind the masterpiece that is 'Africa' is heading to Falls. While you're feeling nostalgic, you'll also be able to hit up Hilltop Hoods — call dad. True to form, the Falls 2018 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include the dance-ready Flight Facilities, Melbourne's psychedelic King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Sydney producer Touch Sensitive, Gold Coast native Amy Shark and Heaps Gay DJs & Friends back for another year. This year, too, an impressive 48 percent of acts performing have female artists and, while it's not quite half — and there are still lots of other minority groups that are underrepresented — it's a start. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, the North Byron Parklands and the Fremantle Oval Precinct, WA. But here's what you're here for — the full lineup. FALLS FESTIVAL 2018 LINEUP Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Catfish and The Bottlemen (no sideshows) Vance Joy Chvrches Hilltop Hoods Toto Interpol 88Rising Feat. Rich Brian, Joji, Niki & August 08 (no sideshows) Flight Facilities Amy Shark DMA's Kind Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Golden Features First Aid Kit (no sideshows) Ocean Alley Hockey Dad Cashmere Cat (no sideshows) The Vaccines Cub Sport Ruel Jack River Bishop Briggs Mallrat Briggs Touch Sensitive Tkay Maidza Dermot Kennedy Tired Lion Hobo Johnson & The Lovemakers Soccer Mommy Banks Triple One Alice Skye Heaps Gay DJs & Friends + More to be announced FALLS FESTIVAL 2018 DATES Lorne, VIC — December 28–31 Marion Bay, TAS — December 29–31 Byron Bay, NSW — December 31–January 2 Fremantle, WA — January 5–6 Falls Festival 2018 will take place over New Years. Friends of Falls members pre-sale tickets are available from midday Friday, August 31, with General Sales kicking off next Thursday, September 6 at 9am. For more info and to buy tickets, visit fallsfestival.com.
He's one of the most critically acclaimed and successful hip hop artists of our generation. He has 14 Grammys to his name, plus an Academy Award nomination for one of his contributions to the Black Panther soundtrack. He won the 2017 Triple J Hottest 100, and also became the first ever artist to take out the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for contemporary music in 2018. His last stadium shows Down Under, back in that same year, sold out ridiculously quickly, too — and he's coming back to Australia and New Zealand to play five huge gigs before 2022 is out. We're talking about Kendrick Lamar, of course, who has just announced a huge 'The Big Steppers' world tour in support of his just-dropped fifth solo studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers — his first since 2017's DAMN., and also his first full-length release since 2018's Black Panther soundtrack. The Compton rapper will be heading to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland in December, to close out a global jaunt that starts in the US in July, then ventures through Europe before coming our way. The word you're looking for: alright. While fans can expect plenty of tracks from Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Lamar's extensive catalogue is sure to get a whirl — including tracks from 2011's Section.80, 2012's good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly and, obviously, DAMN.. Lamar won't be taking to the stage solo, with Las Vegas rapper Baby Keem, aka Lamar's cousin, in support on all dates. Just like his last trip Down Under — when he also headlined Splendour in the Grass — expect tickets to get snapped up quicker than Lamar can bust out lyrics when they go on sale at 12pm local time on Friday, May 20. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers literally just dropped yesterday, Friday, May 13, too, so there's your soundtrack sorted while you celebrate the tour news. KENDRICK LAMAR'S 'THE BIG STEPPERS' 2022 TOUR AUSTRALIA AND NZ DATES: Thursday, December 1 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, December 4 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, December 8 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, December 12 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, December 16 — Spark Arena, Auckland Kendrick Lamar's 'The Big Steppers' tour will hit Australia and New Zealand in December. Tickets go onsale online at 12pm local time on Friday, May 20. Top image: Renell Medrano (@renellaice).
New arts collective Nuclear Family, believe everyone deserves nice things — especially you. As a result, you're invited to join in their new and very exciting arts event, HEY, NICE THINGS — and boy, is it full of some the most delightful things Brisbane has to offer. Hosted by Burnett Lane's cosy alcove of a bar Brew, HEY, NICE THINGS is a showcase of Brisbane's best upcoming musicians, matched with a selection of art by Henri Henri, Kendall Coffin-Grey, Lynette Letic and more. The evening will begin with melancholic, pop-folk songwriter Hannah Karydas; followed by the quirky, mischievous sound of Sahara Beck; with funkalicious brothers Wheeler finishing the evening with a healthy dose of angsty, fun-filled rock. Browse the art, grab a drink and let the delightful selection of sights and sounds take you to a place of all things nice — you deserve it.
Tucked along the coast close to the Victorian-South Australian border, and just beyond the westernmost end of the Great Ocean Road, Nelson is a charming country town brimming with incredible outdoor adventures. With its tight-knit local community and hardy surrounding wilderness, this is one spot to put on your list if you're looking for top-notch hiking, surfing, fishing and more. Nelson might not be considered the end of the earth, but its veritable collection of stunning landscapes means you and your pals will struggle to find a place with better access to nature. Whether you get your kicks from underground walkways, remote inland hikes or riding rugged waves, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to present a collection of experiences in this thriving border town where unforgettable memories are guaranteed. [caption id="attachment_841188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE THE DRAMATIC PRINCESS MARGARET ROSE CAVE Situated along the banks of the Glenelg River, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave sees daring travellers descend into a subterranean cavern where calcite formations have ebbed and flowed over the last 700,000 years. Opened in 1940 as one of Australia's first show caves, the limestone lair is one of Nelson's standout destinations. Make the most of your time underground with a guided tour, during which you'll have 45 minutes to wander illuminated walkways flanked by crystalline stalagmites and stalactites that have expanded to over six metres in length. If you can't get enough of your surrounds, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave is located next to a picturesque campground, where you can find close encounters with native wildlife among a eucalypt forest. [caption id="attachment_841190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] TACKLE THE GREAT SOUTH WEST WALK AND SPEND A NIGHT BENEATH THE STARS A staggering amount of rewarding hikes are located along the Great Ocean Road's 243 kilometres, but few are as impressive as the Great South West Walk. While the total distance of this epic journey through Victoria's western coast takes around 12 days to complete — the whole trail is longer than the Great Ocean Road itself — choosing a section or two to tackle is a far more realistic prospect for most. Across full-day hikes and laidback loops, the path meanders from the coastal edge inland through Cobboboonee National Park and side-by-side with the Glenelg River, meaning you'll see both lush forests and idyllic seaside villages. If you're looking to really connect with nature, pack a tent and set yourself up at one of the 14 well-maintained campsites along the way, which provide fitting amenities for an overnight stay. [caption id="attachment_843921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] SEE WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY ESTUARY BEACH Exploring scenic beaches is one of the main reasons to cruise Victoria's western fringe. Discovery Bay Estuary Beach is a particularly beautiful highlight, as the meeting point of the Glenelg River and the rugged Southern Ocean. And whether you want to take it easy on the river side or test your mettle on the ocean side, the two kilometres of sandy shoreline means that the swimming and surfing potential is virtually endless. Fair warning: the beach isn't patrolled by lifesavers so be sure you know what you're doing before you set off. Situated about a five-minute drive from the centre of Nelson, this beach is also beloved for its fishing, with local anglers heading out by boat or seeing what they can catch in the shallows. Plus, the surrounding wetlands and sand dunes provide critical ecosystems for hundreds of rare waterbirds and plant species, ensuring you feel that enchanting connection with nature. [caption id="attachment_841194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SURF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY COASTAL PARK For even more surfing possibilities, heading further south to the Discovery Bay Coastal Park leaves you totally spoilt for choice. Spanning nearly 26,000 acres from Cape Nelson to the South Australian border, this spectacular national park welcomes you to soak up the diverse landscape from end to end. While you might feel the urge to dive in anywhere, several top-quality breaks present the best waves. Crumpet Beach and Blacknose Point are ideal for newbies, while Descartes is where more experienced surfers test their skills. Meanwhile, Discovery Bay Marine National Park offers outstanding underwater ecosystems, so be sure to pack your snorkelling gear. There's plenty happening inland, too, thanks to soaring coastal cliffs, impressive sand dunes and idyllic freshwater lakes and swamps. Feel free to take your time here — there are several vantage points within the park where you can catch one of the best sunsets in Victoria. [caption id="attachment_841197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HEAD TO CAPE BRIDGEWATER FOR OTHERWORLDLY ROCK FORMATIONS Set in an ancient volcanic crater, Cape Bridgewater's otherworldly landscape is perfect for road trippers seeking a unique adventure. Its jagged coastline is home to some of Victoria's highest clifftops, and the countryside beyond overflows with freshwater lakes that are excellent for fishing and water skiing. However, the coast remains the main attraction, with the Bridgewater Blowholes helping travellers get up close to rock formations forged in the basalt and scoria rock over millions of years. The cape is also well-known for its population of fur seals, with a dedicated viewing platform providing a glimpse of this year-round colony situated on the ocean edge. [caption id="attachment_843922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] FISH AND PADDLE ALONG THE GLENELG RIVER Spanning 350 kilometres from Nelson's Discovery Bay to the lofty Southern Grampians, the Glenelg River boasts a thriving biosphere that makes for a captivating day on the water. With the waterway considered one of the state's top fishing destinations, you can cast a line for flathead, morwong and silver sweep throughout the year. If you decide to explore the inland reaches of the Glenelg River, Dartmoor is great for a pitstop. Here, Paestan Canoe Hire provides everything you need for a peaceful paddle beneath the shaded banks. For something a little different, tee off for a round at Dartmoor Golf Club or feast on classic pub grub at the Dartmoor Hotel Motel. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Visit Victoria
Tossing up between waves and still water? Go to Inskip Recreation Area — a 500-metre wide peninsula — and you won't have to decide. Spend all morning fumbling about on your board and all arvo doing nothing on your lilo. When you need coffee and people, Rainbow Beach is just a 15-minute drive away (check out our weekender's guide here for things to do in town). The campground is divided into four sections, which are named after local shipwrecks, with varying levels of accessibility and comfort. You're welcome to take your dog, as long as he or she sticks to the leash and watches out for crocs (as should you). Reservations are necessary. Image: Nick Boustead via Tourism and Events Queensland
If you're in the vicinity of Elliott Street in Woolloongabba, you're bound to spot the suburbs's new cafe — even if you're barely paying attention to your surroundings. With a brightly coloured mural on its exterior walls, let's just say that it stands out. That's the attention-grabbing packaging — and yes, the food offerings will catch your eye (and stomach) as well. The usual early morning options are available at Shawty's Espresso, including toast with or without eggs, avocado and fetta. However, whatever time of the day you're stopping by, you're probably going to want to grab a bacon, egg, mozzarella and chutney filled brekkie bagel, an I Heart Brownies treat or a homemade slice of banana bread. Of course, you don't name your cafe Shawty's Espresso without serving up hot cuppas as well; in fact, whether you like coffee or tea, you'll more than warm to their range. The former comes courtesy of Supreme Coffee, while the latter features loose-leaf varieties from The Steepery, including a zesty, fruity melon and lychee green tea. Yum.
Sophisticated courtyard bar Capulet is set to have a new neighbour by early August — the Montagues are moving in. The team behind the fairy-lit Fortitude Valley bar is transforming a neighbouring space into the cafe-restaurant-cocktail bar hybrid Montague. Complementing the romance and vintage flair of Capulet, the new Euro-inspired venue will have a distinctly lavish yesteryear aesthetic, with gilt mirrors, red velvet armchairs and plush booths to sink down low in. Though open for breakfast and lunch, Montague promises to come into its own after dark. Co-owner Liegh Metzeling, operations manager Scott Griffin and bar manager Addam Winkels have collaborated on a cocktail list inspired by spirits from across the globe, and if Capulet's drinks list in anything to go by, expect high-quality creations. The real attraction of this new venture is the crepe menu. Riding on the city's recent trend of French-inspired eateries, including 127 Bar & Bistro and Libertine Bar & Restaurant, Montague is taking its crepes seriously. French chef Jean-Paul Bayer will design the menu, and has already ordered crepe-making equipment direct from Paris. There'll be sweet and savoury varieties, as well as a 'super-crepe', filled with cacao, goji berries, banana and coconut oil. But crepes, like cocktails, are made for indulgence, so why not go all out and sample the crepe with speculoos — a decadent Belgium spread with the consistency of peanut butter and the flavour of caramelised gingerbread. Find Montague next door to Capulet, at 188 Brunswick Street, Brisbane, from early August. The cafe will be open from 6.30am Monday to Friday and the bar from Wednesday to Sunday (until late).
Elisabeth Moss has been on our screens for more than three decades, dating back to when she was just eight years old — and she's amassed an enviable resume that spans everything from The West Wing and Mad Men through to Girl, Interrupted and The French Dispatch over that time. But of late, from Jane Campion's Top of the Lake onwards, the two-time Emmy-winner has been loving thrillers. So, it should come as no surprise that her latest series falls firmly within the genre. Joining Moss' resume after The Handmaid's Tale, Queen of Earth, High-Rise, Us, Shirley and The Invisible Man, Shining Girls sees the acclaimed actor play the victim of a violent attack — a traumatic assault that saw her character, Kirby Mazrachi, put her plans to be a journalist on hold. Now, she's a newspaper archivist in Chicago, but her old terrors and dreams both get pushed to the fore when she hears about a new murder with similarities to her own incident. Soon, she's teaming up with experienced reporter Dan Velazquez (Wagner Moura, Narcos) to hunt down the culprit. That's just part of the new Apple TV+ show's setup, however. Also a key aspect of the story, as the just-dropped trailer shows: a blurring of reality, which unsurprisingly gets in the way of Kirby's quest. In the first sneak peek, she thinks she has a cat, then suddenly she has a pet dog instead — and that's just the beginning of the tale's mind-bending chaos. Where the show goes from there will start to be revealed from Friday, April 29, with the first three episodes dropping all at once, then future instalments arriving weekly. And if it all sounds familiar, that's probably because you've read Lauren Beukes' best-selling novel of the same name. Moss executive produces as well, and is also joined on-screen by Phillipa Soo (Hamilton), Amy Brenneman (Goliath) and Jamie Bell (Rocketman). Of course, the latter has been part of the film and TV landscape since he was a kid, too. Here, though, in a trailer that's both twisty and eerie — and instantly gripping — he looks worlds removed from Billy Elliott. Been obsessing over Apple TV+'s exceptional Severance lately? This might help fill the gap when its first season wraps up. And, obviously, it'll help tide you over until Moss' The Handmaid's Tale comes back as well. Check out the trailer for Shining Girls below: Shining Girls will start streaming Down Under via Apple TV+ on Friday, April 29.
First, Lune Croissanterie arrived in Brisbane, setting up a local pastry haven. Then, it brought its croissant degustations to town, because who doesn't want to eat multiple different types of buttery pastries in one sitting? Now, it's teaming up with the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery on a special croissant for the two galleries' 10th Asia Pacific Triennial — and the result looks like it could be on display itself. This eye-catching, tastebud-tempting dish is called The Rose Lychee, and it does indeed feature both rosewater and the sweet-tasting fruit. Stuffed inside, you'll find rosewater syrup, coconut frangipane, vanilla cream, Japanese cheesecake and lychee jelly, while it's also decked out on top with fresh lychee, lychee jelly, candied rose petals and white chocolate shards. In its daily operations, Lune already goes the extra mile with its croissants. The flaky pastries have been called "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" by The New York Times, and benefit from founder Kate Reid's background as an ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist — so they're made and baked in a climate-controlled glass cube, and perfected using a time-consuming process. But The Rose Lychee clearly takes things up a few notches, with Lune Brisbane's Head Chef Mitch Suchowacki fittingly taking inspiration from the creativity and flavours of the Asia-Pacific region. "APT10 is a contemporary exhibition that celebrates the art and culture of our neighbouring nations and islands," said Suchowacki. "From the Japanese cheesecake to the Tahitian vanilla cream, The Rose Lychee is our own unique contribution. A celebration of the tastes and produce that we are fortunate enough to have access to from across the Asia and the Pacific, brought to life in a beautiful pastry." To nab one, you'll need to head to either the QAG Cafe and GOMA Bistro from Saturday, December 4 through till the end of January. Getting in early each day is recommended — while they're on the menu daily, only a limited number will be made every day. Lune's The Rose Lychee croissants are available from the QAG Cafe and GOMA Bistro from Saturday, December 4 through till the end of January as part of the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery's 10th Asia Pacific Triennial.
Alex Seton crafts sculptures out of marble, and yet the name of his latest exhibition actively invites audiences to think of paper. That's not by accident. He might be working with a strong substance, but the circumstances he's trying to bring attention to are fragile. The chasm between the large amount of time he has spent making his pieces, and their usual quick, easy and flimsy appearance, is also by design. With 400 carved boats the centerpiece of the show, Paper Armada responds to Australia's current asylum seeker policies. Consider his collection a depiction of complex political and humanitarian issues. The exhibition is also the latest example of Seton's existence as an analogue artist living in a digital world. He's drawn to the sensory and tactile appeal of materials, and believes that powerful emotion is attached to works of art made by the human hand. Gazing at his recreations of paper boats in all their glistening marble glory, it's difficult not to agree with him.
Strolling through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, enjoying the most-luminous two-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine: you'll be able to do all of this again when Lightscape returns to Brisbane in 2024. If you went to the 2023 version, this second Lightscape stint in the Queensland capital will also take place as part of Brisbane Festival 2024. For two years in a row, one dazzling event hosts another, then, with this year's iteration running from Thursday, August 29 and staying around for a few weeks post-fest until Saturday, October 12. Once more, the after-dark light festival is taking over the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, beaming away from 5.45pm each night. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along the lengthy route, including sparkling trees, lit-up walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. But don't go thinking that you'll just be repeating what you saw last year, because 2024's Lightscape in Brisbane has a few new additions courtesy of works by Queensland First Nations artists Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin) and Michelle Yeatman. The whole experience has also been reimagined, in fact. Also, pop-up food and drink stalls will be scattered throughout the walk. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after initially taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a single season overseas. "I am delighted to welcome a new version of last year's festival favourite, Lightscape, to once again delight and dazzle visitors to Brisbane's beautiful inner-city oasis," said Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina. "This year's Brisbane Festival program encourages us to embrace frivolity and I cannot imagine a more fitting place to do so than among technicolour trees, fields of luminous blooms and ethereal soundtracks." [caption id="attachment_960564" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © Photography by Jake Davis[/caption] Lightscape will light up the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from Thursday, August 29–Saturday, October 12, 2024. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Lightscape website.
"They're more scared of us than we are of them," many mothers have told their offspring, soothing fears of monsters, spiders and other scary forces — and in The Boxtrolls, the adage proves accurate. The village of Cheesebridge is intent on exterminating the cardboard-wearing, subterranean-dwelling titular creatures, driven by tales of child stealing, people eating, and rivers of blood. All the benevolent grey critters want, however, is to play with junk and tinker with machines. A lost baby is the source of the boxtrolls' bad reputation, after the villainous Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) convinces the townsfolk of their involvement. A decade later, the missing boy has been raised by his new pals and christened Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), happy in his existence beneath the streets. Then Winifred (Elle Fanning) spots him, her morbid curiosity soon turning to affinity. Alas, Snatcher's pursuit continues, with the rest of the populace ambivalent to the girl's protests. From animators Laika, The Boxtrolls is steeped in the offbeat and styled in the eccentric; this is the stop-motion studio that brought Coraline and ParaNorman to life, after all. Adapted from Alan Snow's novel Here Be Monsters!, the film shares many aspects with their previous hits: gorgeously grotesque imagery, smart gags slipped amongst endearing detail, a winning blend of the sweet and surreal, and intelligent messages for young and old. With a steampunk aesthetic, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi lovingly revel in their intricate world, complete with rusting metal, slops of mud, unattractive adults and more. They remain unafraid of letting the harshness of life manifest in the gothic look, albeit lightened by the sense of adventure, the cuteness of the boxtrolls, a celebration of cheese (food, not corniness) and a story concerned with acceptance outside the norm. The weighty themes don't stop there, nor does the studio's penchant for a specific type of material. Outcast children find fondness in things typically considered strange, looking beyond accepted bounds to discover their identities and values. Open-mindedness is championed, just as the blinkered view of most — Snatcher's coveting of social-climbing grandeur, and Winifred's father's (Jared Harris) preference for dairy over his daughter — is skewered. The thoughtful feature even contemplates self-determination and the outsourcing of immoral deeds to the poor through the comic conversations of Snatcher's employees, voiced by Richard Ayoade, Nick Frost and Tracy Morgan. Such high-profile casting tops the delightfully dark film, its talent deepening the characters rather than merely inciting the usual celebrity spotting (although Ayoade and Frost's banter is always a treat). Stitching together the sensibilities of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl, The Boxtrolls is a warm and witty excursion through the weird and wonderful, as well as a true slice of cinematic enjoyment for all ages. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uHfkJMILG4U
Break out the cake, candles, streamers, party hats and lolly bags, because someone's having a birthday. Well, not just someone, but somewhere. And not just anywhere, but one of Fortitude Valley's favourite hangouts. Yes, that slice of music heaven on Brunswick Street that is Black Bear Lodge has now been part of the inner city scene for ten years. If that's not cause for celebration across Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, then we don't know what is. Trust the BBL crew to throw its own shindig (and cry if it wants to) to mark the occasion. And trust it to rope in a whole lot of other folks to make the two evenings something extra special, too. From the DJ lineup, A Love Supreme's Ben Chiu, The QUIVR's Hol Hibbo, Liliana Michell and Luke Brazier will all hit the decks on Friday, while Saturday will see Jimmy Ellis, Ethan Greaves, Emily Leach, Grace Green and Todd O'Rourke do their thing. They'll all be joined by a heap of bands across the two evenings — with the party running from 6pm–3am on Friday and 6pm–dawn on Saturday. Tickets for each night costs $20 on the door.
When you spend your childhood working in the family seafood eatery, growing up to become a restaurateur yourself is hardly surprising. Neither is running your own joints that sling the ocean's finest. That's Michael Tassis' story, starting at his dad's George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant in Sanctuary Cove, also including Eagle Street's now-closed Fatcow Steak & Lobster, and now seeing Fosh launch at Portside. First announced in 2022, locked in for a winter opening back in July and officially open from Thursday, August 17, Fosh doesn't just sling fish, prawns, scallops, bugs, oysters and the like — it does so by the river, and with impressive views. Here, peering at the water while enjoying fresh lobster and doing caviar bumps is firmly on the menu. So is hitting up the island bar and enjoying the fireplace's warmth (when the weather calls for it) at this 700-square-metre spot. Tassis is also behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Massimo Restaurant and Yamas Greek + Drink, and has overwater restaurant and bar Bombora and landing cafe Mulga Bill's on the way 2024 in Kangaroo Point's new green bridge, plus steak venue Rich & Rare in West End's West Village this September. So, variety is in his wheelhouse along with seafood. As a result, it also shouldn't come as shock that Fosh is two venues in one. Fancy a more casual experience? Fosh Tails does fish and chips in a more relaxed setting, complete with picnic tables. Fosh's menu starts with whipped taramasalata and fish finger sandwiches among the snacks, those caviar bumps with optional vodka and champagne, and a raw seafood lineup heroing oysters. From there, it moves onto prawn cocktails, barbecue squid and Hokkaido scallops as starters, then mains such as dry-aged fish, Moreton Bay bugs with spaghetti, pan-seared snapper and one-kilogram servings of black mussels. The live seafood range features rock lobster and mud crabs. Or, pick from both cold and hot platters keep serving up catches from the sea. If you're after a different source of protein, spiced lamb ribs sit among the small plates, and twice-cooked chicken, a couple of steaks and smoked eggplants are among the larger options. From a kitchen team that includes Head Chef Vikash Gurung (Greca, Fatcow Steak & Lobster, Rico Bar and Dining, and Jellyfish) and sous chef Daniel Hernandez (Agnes, Restaurant Dan Arnold and La Cache à Vin), dessert picks span a cheese selection and chocolate cake with raspberry gel, plus lemon tart and creme caramel with orange segments. At Fosh Tails, patrons can choose from grilled, beer-battered, crumbed or coconut fish of the day, cod, snapper, barramundi, ocean trout or coral trout. The chips come with kombu salt and mayonnaise, and the potato scallops with curry mayo and curry leaves. There are also fish sandwiches, fish bowls, both fish and wagyu burgers, buckets of fresh prawns, beer-battered prawns and chips, oysters and calamari — so, levelled-up takeaway fish-shop fare. "Our philosophy is simple: offering fresh, high-quality and sustainable seafood that is caught and served on your plate within 24 hours, with an atmosphere and customer service that is just as good as our food," said Gurung. "Whether you're wanting an intimate dinner, hosting a large celebration or seeking a casual bite, through Fosh and FoshTails we have something perfect for everyone." The restaurant joins Portside as part of the precinct's current revamp, which is set to be complete this December. The makeover has already seen the Gold Coast's Rosé Gelateria and Rise Bakery launch their Brisbane debuts. Find Fosh at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — open 11am–late Monday–Sunday. Images: Markus Ravik.
The underworld beckons: in 2025, hit musical Hadestown is set to take to the stage for the first time in Australia. Initially premiering as an indie theatre piece in 2006 in Vermont, then reaching off-Broadway in 2016 and Broadway in 2019, the show from musician and playwright Anaïs Mitchell plunges into the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. Audiences at Theatre Royal Sydney will be able to see the production give the ancient Greek myth a new spin from February. The Harbour City will host the Aussie debut season of the musical that spent 2019 and 2020 collecting accolades after accolades. From 14 Tony nominations, it won eight awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. At the Grammys, it took home Best Musical Theatre Album. If you're new to the show – which has been seen by more than three-million people and streamed over 350-million times — two love stories get Hadestown's narrative burning. Orpheus and Eurydice share the spotlight with King Hades and Persephone, as Mitchell accompanies their intertwined affairs with a soundtrack of New Orleans-inspired jazz and American folk. Aussie audiences have Opera Australia and JONES Theatrical Group to thank for Hadestown making its way Down Under. "I'm absolutely thrilled that we're able to bring this incredible new musical to Australia for the first time, and I'm sure it will be as adored here has it has been overseas, finding a whole new legion of fans," said Opera Australia's Artistic Director Jo Davies. "Creator and writer Anaïs Mitchell is just such an amazing talent, I'm very much looking forward to working with her and her team to realise this production here," Davies continued. "Hadestown is one Broadway musical experience you remember forever. It is magical, bold, exciting, and full of love and promise," added JONES Theatrical Group's Suzanne Jones. "It transports the audience in a way that only great theatre can. JONES Theatrical Group is extremely excited to be bringing this incredible production to Australia with Opera Australia and can't wait for Australians to embrace it just as audiences all over the world have." Just like exact dates for the musical's inaugural Down Under run, there's no casting announcements for the show as yet, with open-call auditions happening in June — on Saturday, June 15 in Sydney and Sunday, June 16 in Melbourne. There's also no word as yet whether Hadestown will make a trip to any other Australian cities. Accordingly, if you're excited about descending into the local production, you might have a visit to Sydney in your future. Hadestown will open at Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney, from February 2025 — head to the musical's website for further details and to join the ticket waitlist. Images: Hadestown Original London Cast.
New Farm is well known for its many breakfast and brunch hotspots. As a 4005 local and a lover of all things brunch, I've always considered myself well versed in these hotspots. However, as I recently learned, I had let an absolute gem fly right under the radar. In good news, this unfortunate oversight has now been rectified. Double Shot Espresso is somewhat hidden, tucked away on Oxlade Drive about as far from Fortitude Valley as you can get. Its location in this mostly residential area gives it a suburban, community-oriented feel that is reflected by its devoted troops of local regulars. Double Shot is also a provider of that most valuable of commodities, the all-day breakfast. The menu covers light breakfast options and a more substantial range of 'Eggs and things'. The former includes a fresh baked croissant ($3.50), toasted homemade coconut bread with ricotta and honey ($8.50) and the mouth-watering stewed rhubarb and ginger with Greek yoghurt ($10.50). 'Eggs and things' includes Double Shot's signature flaky pastry tart with scrambled eggs and bacon ($14.50) or smoked salmon ($16.50), Spanish sardines with sourdough, fresh tomato and a moreish garlic mayonnaise (served up rustic-style on a wooden chopping board, $15.50), breakfast burrito with chorizo and red pepper salsa ($16.50) and shakshouka ($16.50). Flip over to the lunch menu if you're not a 'breakfast for every meal' type person. Options include chicken rolled with green olives, pistachios and fresh herbs with a green salad ($16.50) and a scrumptious-looking lamb pie. Considering how small the space appears on a first glance, there is quite a bit of seating strategically placed in the nooks and crannies surrounding Double Shot Espresso. On a busy morning you might have to wait for a few minutes, but rest assured it will be totally worth your while. Be warned, your day will not be complete without a pasty, tart or piece of cake from the sweets cabinet to take home for later.
To the dismay and disbelief of some (and to the giggles and chuckles of others), the recent Anthony Weiner sex scandal in American politics is producing some very interesting coverage. For instance, today's New York Post headline has created plenty of controversy as it brazenly proclaims 'Obama Beats Weiner'. The headline relates to President Obama's comments about Weiner's resignation, and while many are growing tired of the constant double entendres others are enjoying watching how far the joke can be pushed. The House Majority Leader, John Boehner, made comments earlier today calling for Weiner's resignation. Potential suggestions from Twitter for tomorrow's headline include 'Boehner Hard On Weiner'. While some suggest that this kind of childish joke-making is degrading American politics, it is hard not to laugh when you consider other recent political news. Fox Business host Eric Boilling yesterday remarked "What's with all the hoods in the hizzy?" after President Obama hosted rapper Common and Gabon President Ali Bongo at the White House recently. Boilling later apologised for "getting a little fast and loose with the language" but not for his comments about Obama "chugging 40s". And of course who could forget Sarah Palin, who continues travel around the United States on her One Nation tour, obviously inspired by her Australian political counterpart Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. Let's just hope the entire presidential campaign continues to be this much fun. https://youtube.com/watch?v=0XnLjDaREXs
At this stage in the pandemic, we're no longer spending all of our time at home. That doesn't mean we can't treat ourselves to impressive desserts when we are just staying in and kicking back on the couch, though. After serving up plenty of tasty specials during 2020's lockdowns, Gelato Messina is still tempting everyone's tastebuds with its limited-release sweet treats — and, if you've enjoyed its big Iced VoVo, Viennetta-style, choc-hazelnut and cremino tubs in the past, you're going to want to try its new basque cheesecake version. Initially, the gelato chain made a small batch of this dessert hybrid for Sydney's Firedoor; however, now it's scooping a heap more into tubs and making it available across the east coast. The catch: like all of its specials, it'll only be on offer for a short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's basque cheesecake tub entails? It combines basque cheesecake gelato, naturally, then tops it with a slice of toasted basque cheesecake. In other words, it's the ideal option for when you can't pick between gelato and cheesecake — a choice that no one ever wants to make. The latest release in Messina's new 'Hot Tub' series, the basque cheesecake tub can only be ordered online at 9am on Monday, May 17, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store — other than The Star — to pick up your tub between Friday, May 21–Sunday, May 23. Gelato Messina's basque cheesecake tubs will be available to order at 9am on Monday, May 17, for pick up between Friday, May 21–Sunday, May 23 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
If you want to get up close and personal with the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, make tracks to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway located 15 minutes north of Cairns. Aboard the cableway, you'll glide over the pristine jungle canopies between Smithfield and Kuranda, soaking in panoramic views of the rainforest and beyond before ending your ride near the banks of the heaving Barron River. You can also opt for the open-air Canopy Glider to sail top-down over the treetops with the expert guidance of a Skyrail Ranger or upgrade to the diamond view experience to ride in a gondola with a glass floor. To maximise your rainforest ride, combine your treetop adventure with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to see the sights from a different perspective on your round trip. Plus, if you want to help maintain the tropical rainforest, you can donate to The Skyrail Rainforest Foundation which distributes funds to research and education projects that help protect and conserve this natural wonder.
Fond of Betty's Burgers and its Shake Shack-style burgs? Keen to share the love with someone you love? On Thursday, May 5, the chain of eateries wants Brisbanites to come in for a bite — and to bring their besties in as well. To mark the 2022 return of Betty's Bestie Day, the brand's Brissie joints will be serving up two-for-one burgers all day long. Pay $11.50 for a Betty's Classic — which stacks angus beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and Betty's special sauce on a soft bun — and you'll score a pair of them. The offer also applies to Betty's Crispy Chicken Supreme burgers ($15.50) and the Betty's Classic Vegan burg ($14); however, whichever you pick, you both have to get the same one. If you're already salivating, make plans to head to one of Betty's Brisbane stores — including at Chermside, Indooroopilly, Newstead and Howard Smith Wharves. Again, the two-for-one deal is available all day. It's also on offer via dining in and takeaway, too. So, if you and your favourite fellow burger fiend are especially eager, you could always hit up one for lunch and another for dinner.
Photobombing is an art attempted by many, yet perfected by few. Ruining somebody's photo in the most humorous way possible takes impeccable timing and swift movement. Now, photobombing experts will have their work cut out for them as software company Scalado look set to release their new Remove technology. As the name suggests, Remove allows you to erase unwanted objects from those precious picture moments. When a photo is taken, Remove actually takes a lightning-quick succession of snaps, and detects moving objects within the lens. It then gives you the option to simply remove any moving objects, leaving the regular background unscathed. If you're a little vain and a strict perfectionist, Remove will be right up your alley. Not only will you be able to erase immature friends who sneak into your photos, but you also won't have to worry about flying birds, speeding cars or annoying pedestrians. Taking the perfect picture for your bedside table has never been so easy. No word on when it will be available to the public, but we're guessing that plenty of teenage girls will be eager for this one. Check out the video below and see how this technology works. https://youtube.com/watch?v=flNomXIIWr4 [Via Mashable]
The art world's love affair with Andy Warhol has lasted far longer than 15 minutes. Australia's fondness for the iconic artist definitely hasn't been fleeting, either. In 2023 alone, not one, not two, but three different exhibitions Down Under have showcased or are about to celebrate his work; however, only the just-announced Instant Warhol is solely dedicated to his skills with a polaroid camera. On the Gold Coast in autumn, Pop Masters highlighted Warhol's pieces alongside works by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In Adelaide around the same period, Andy Warhol & Photography: A Social Media honed in on the artist as a shutterbug. Obviously, Instant Warhol has the same idea as the latter, but it will only be filled with polaroid portraits — 59 of them. [caption id="attachment_906816" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andy Warhol self-portrait in drag, 1980. © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Artists Rights Society [ARS]/Copyright Agency, 2023.[/caption] This time, Warhol's work is headed to Ballarat, displaying from Saturday, August 26–Sunday, October 22 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat during the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. The regional Victorian photography festival is never short on things to see, but Instant Warhol is quite the drawcard for the biannual event. The original snaps that Warhol himself took — when he wasn't painting Campbell's soup cans and images of Marilyn Monroe, of course — will be on display. Even if you haven't seen them before, some should be familiar. One of the reasons that the artist captured polaroids, other than loving them, was to turn some of the famous faces he snapped into his screen prints. [caption id="attachment_906817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top image: Andy Warhol, Sylvester Stallone, 1980. © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Artists Rights Society [ARS]/Copyright Agency, 2023.[/caption] Drawn from the thousands of photographs he took with the instant cameras between 1958–87, this selection of pictures will also feature images of Warhol himself. They're all coming to Australia thanks to The Brant Foundation, with founder Peter M Brant one of Warhol's early patrons, then a friend, and also the the producer of Warhol's films L'Amour and Bad. "Warhol had an unparalleled ability to chronicle the visual culture of his time. The Brant Foundation is delighted to share our collection of portraits including celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Liza Minnelli for the Australian public to discover and enjoy," said Allison Brant, The Brant Foundation's current director. 'These original polaroids captured a moment in time and went on to identify our culture, our art form, our view of celebrity. Warhol was the inventor of the 'superstar' and it's fascinating to take a moment to absorb these tiny snaps within our fast and furious scrolling world," added Vanessa Gerrans, CEO of Ballarat International Foto Biennale. [caption id="attachment_906823" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Platon, Cate Blanchett, November 2004.[/caption] As revealed earlier in May, 2023's event will also feature People Power — Platon, which'll span 120-plus portraits by photographer Platon, including images of everyone from Cate Blanchett to the snapper himself. Also already announced: a showcase of Yvonne Todd and Erik Johansson's work, with Todd's The Stephanie Collection making its Australian premiere, and a suite of Johansson's surreal landscapes and optical illusions world premiering in Ballarat. [caption id="attachment_906824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Johansson, Above All, C-Type, 180 x 135cm.[/caption] Instant Warhol will be on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, during the Ballarat International Foto Biennale from Saturday, August 26–Sunday, October 22, 2023 — head to the festival's website for further details. Top image: Photograph of Andy Warhol taking a polaroid picture while sitting with Jack Ford and Bianca Jagger on the Truman Balcony, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library via Wikimedia Commons.
If you’re the forgetful type and your keys often go rogue then this new technology may be the solution for you. KeyMe is a cloud-based key management platform where you can now store your keys digitally so you no longer need a physical key in order to make a copy. KeyMe’s newly launched free mobile app which scans a copy of your key and generates a set of instructions that you can give to any locksmith to create a new key from scratch instead of bringing in a physical key to make the copy, very handy when you’ve misplaced the original. KeyMe can even mail you a key within two to three weeks if you’re not in a rush. The app also allows you to share your digital keys and create digital key chains to share with flatmates or overnight guests, but be wary of you who trust with your digital keys, once shared you can’t revoke them. Currently only available in the USA, this technology will be a saving grace for the almost 90 million forgetful folks who get locked out of their homes each year. Now just makes sure you don’t lose your mobile phone with your keys. [via mashable]
If the name doesn't clue you in (a moniker shared with a Rod Stewart single from five decades back, in fact), then the heaving splashes of mustard, brown and teal should: Newstead newcomer Maggie May sure does love the 70s. That it's badging itself as a supper club gives that away, too — plus the prawn rolls, s'mores and chocolate fondue on the menu — however, this fresh addition to Longland Street is welcoming in punters all day. First announced back in September, and now swinging open its doors on Friday, October 21, Gasworks Plaza's latest spot does indeed have something to say to Brisbanites: when it comes to worshipping the 70s, this is your place. It seems to be a thriving time for new venues inspired by blasts from the past, with the supper club following in the footsteps of freshly opened Fortitude Valley nightclub Superfly Disco. Hit up one, then head to the other: there, that's your next night out planned. At Maggie May, the menu spans share plates, including both small and large bites; wine and cocktails, with a particularly hefty vino list; and a casual vibe that's playful and retro. Standout food options include baked bruschetta topped with whipped feta, duck shanks with chilli caramel, gin-cured salmon, roasted cauliflower gnocchi, South Australian black mussels and stacked charcuterie boards. Or, from the breakfast menu, there's also a baked stone fruit bruschetta and peanut butter pancakes. Among the cocktail selection, drinks come with names like 'Saturday Night Fever', 'Disco Daddies Ice Tea' and 'Soul Sister Spritz' — bringing the 70s to your sips. Serving up coffee and breakfast, long lunches, both quick and leisurely dinners, and cocktail-hour beverages, Maggie May joins Hallmark Hospitality's list of southeast Queensland sites, and settles into The Defiant Duck's old stomping ground adjacent to the Newstead Gasometer. It sits alongside Retro's Cocktail Lounge and Finn McCool's Irish Bar in both Fortitude Valley and Surfers Paradise, plus Asylum Nightclub, Lefty's Music Hall, Lost Kingdom Nightclub, The Cavill Hotel, The Spotted Cow, The Lord Alfred Hotel and Hey Chica! in company's growing portfolio. "Playful and energetic, the venue boats seventies nostalgia with a modern twist," said Hallmark Hospitality Director Joe Heanen, describing Maggie May ahead of its launch. "Maggie May is a place where patrons can feel at home and ultimately know they're in for a good time — a place that brings friends, colleagues and loved ones together to enjoy great company, good food and even better wine." Find Maggie May at 3/84 Longland Street, Newstead, from Friday, October 21.
When it's winter in Australia's southern states, Hamilton Island couldn't be more gorgeous. If you like the cold, a midyear trip to Tasmania might be high on your holiday list. Or, perhaps you're dreaming of a Byron Bay getaway, a vacation to Australia's best beach for 2023 on Kangaroo Island, an excuse to head to the outback or a date with the Red Centre. Whichever of the above applies, Qantas has a sale flight to fit during its latest batch of discounted domestic fares. The Australian airline is serving up more than a million one-way flights across a whopping 100-plus routes — covering everywhere from Queensland's tropics to the Apple Isle's cities, and from Perth to Sydney, too, as well as all the other state capitals, the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Mt Gambier, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie and more. Get ready to explore your own backyard, with discounts around 30-percent below the normal year-round price on each route. The cheapest, as tends to be the case on all flight sales, is the Sydney–Ballina route, which'll get you from the Harbour City to Byron Bay from $99. The Melbourne–Launceston fare also comes in at $99. While the options from there do crack $100, more than 40 routes on offer during the sale boast flights under $150. That includes heading from the Gold Coast to Melbourne, or vice versa, from $135; from Melbourne to Sydney from $139; from Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $149; and from Perth to Sydney from $309. The sale runs until Wednesday, May 3, so you have some time to get a bargain. That said, if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. And, inclusions-wise, the sale covers fares with checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, wifi and seat selection. Qantas' Australia red tail sale runs until Wednesday, May 3 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
When a sentence starts with the words "Nicolas Cage plays", there's no bad way to end it; however, one option is better than all the rest. Cage has given the world quite the range of different characters, including ex cons, con men, heartbroken lumberjacks, a version of Spider-Man, lonely paramedics, kooky dads milking alpacas, John Travolta, Elvis obsessives, himself — the list goes on and on, gloriously — but Cage playing Dracula is a next-level idea. Fans of 1988's Vampire's Kiss, rejoice: this is the part Cage has clearly been working towards for 35 years. All those decades ago, the actor played a man who thought he was a member of the undead, so much so that he ran around the streets shouting "I'm a vampire! I'm a vampire! I'm a vampire!" (as you do). Now, Cage is playing the most famous bloodsucker of them all — although Renfield, which has just dropped its first trailer and hits cinemas in April, actually focuses on Dracula's minion and his toxic relationship with his boss. Giving audiences two Nicks for the price of one, Renfield boasts The Great's Nicholas Hoult as titular character, who is getting unsurprisingly tired of doing his master's bidding. Catering to a vampire's every whim for centuries, even when you're given considerable powers in return, is losing its bite for the literary offsider — who, like the Count himself, does indeed hail from Bram Stoker's iconic horror novel. But ending that relationship isn't going to be easy in Renfield, as this sneak peek makes plain. The film's namesake is already doubting his allegiances to the Dark One and the Lord of Death when he crosses paths with traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and sparks fly — just as his employer does. Accordingly, in a first glimpse that goes big on camp, Renfield mixes up its horror-comedy by giving its lead a love interest. And, if you're feeling shades of Hugh Grant in Hoult's performance, you're not alone. Filmmaker Chris McKay (The Lego Batman Movie) sits in the director's chair for Renfield, working with a script by Rick and Morty writer Ryan Ridley based on an idea by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman (an idea straight from everyone's dreams, too). And, joining Cage, Hoult and Awkwafina on-screen is a cast that also spans Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty) and Adrian Martinez (The Guilty). Check out the trailer for Renfield below: Renfield releases in cinemas Down Under on April 13.
Music festivals can happen almost anywhere — or so contends the crew behind Wine Machine, Snow Machine and Dream Machine. Tunes amid the vineyards? Yes please. Dancing in alpine climes between skiing and snowboarding? That's a winter treat in both New Zealand and Japan. Hitting a scenic resort for a huge party soundtracked by big music names? That's on the agenda as well — including in 2024. Dream Machine started in 2022 at a secluded beachside resort in The Whitsundays, after initially planning to go ahead in 2021 but getting waylaid by the pandemic. Then, in 2023, it moved to Nusa Dua in Bali. That's where it's returning next year, complete with a packed roster of talent. The dates: Thursday, May 30–Monday, June 3, 2024. The lineup: it starts with Genesis Owusu, Snakehips and Hayden James leading the charge. They'll be joined by everyone from The Jungle Giants and Kimbra to Poolside and Cosmo's Midnight, plus Cub Sport, Miami Horror, Lazywax and more. So, if you've been longing to hear your favourite tunes while surrounded by your friends and also taking a trip to a beachside resort in Indonesia, this fest has you covered — again. 2024's Dream Machine will take place over a five-day, four-night once more, too, for a party-forward good time. Other activities promised, apart from the music, include a 500-person long-table lunch on the sand and a poolside conga line. If the simple activity of grooving to tunes in tropical surroundings, including by the pool and ocean, isn't enough motivation for you, festivalgoers have ten resorts to choose from among the fest's ticketing packages — at The Grand Hyatt and other spots to slumber that are connected to the main site via a beachside path, such as The Laguna, Kayumanis Villas, Mercure Nusa Dua, Novotel Nusa Dua and The Grand Bali. Keen to treat yo'self to a waterfront stay? You can add that to your itinerary. Enjoying kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and waterside cocktails is usually available as well. Unsurprisingly, this isn't a cheap festival to attend, starting at $799 per person. Accommodation, transfers and festival tickets are all included in the fest packages; however, you do still need to buy flights on top. Folks feeling particularly flush can also upgrade their tickets to gain VIP access, which includes a welcome party, plus VIP areas to catch the tunes that come complete with table service and access to private toilets — and start at $299 per person on top of your ticket. DREAM MACHINE 2024 LINEUP: Argonaut Cosmo's Midnight Cub Sport Dice Genesis Owusu Hayden James Jimi the Kween The Jungle Giants Kimbra Lazywax (DJ set) Leisure Mell Hall Miami Horror (DJ set) Old Mervs Poof Doof Poolside Shouse Snakehips Y.O.G.A Dream Machine 2024 takes place from Thursday, May 30–Monday, June 3, 2024 at Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, with pre-sales from 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, October 31 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, November 1 via the festival's website. Dream Machine images: Danny Clayton / Khan Ong. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
You might normally associate the rockstar lifestyle with big boozy nights and sure-fire hangovers, especially when you're talking about a band that actually owns a bar. But Peking Duk are completely bucking that trend with their latest project — the electro duo of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles have just released their own booze-free brew, dubbed the Fake Magic Lager. Named after one of the ARIA Award-winning band's hit tracks, the new beer has been crafted in collaboration with the experts at First Nations non-alcoholic drinks company Sobah Beverages. "We've been riding the non-alcohol wave for a while now — especially when we're on tour and want to have a few pre-show drinks, without the headache," explained Styles in a statement. It's this lifestyle shift that inspired the pair to team up with Sobah, which has set out to destigmatise the art of socialising sober. Not only has it got some additional healthy connotations thanks to an infusion of lion's mane mushroom, but the limited-edition canned sip will be helping a great cause, with all proceeds going straight to supporting Sobah's work promoting First Nations' arts, culture, language and history. [caption id="attachment_874695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peking Duk with Sobah's Dr Clinton Schultz[/caption] If you're keen to try the booze-free beer, you've got just one place to head. The lager will be available exclusively via the new ING Good Finds Market — the banking company's new online store dedicated to social enterprises that are committed to doing good in the world. Think: The Social Outfit, TABOO Period Products, Juluqarly Art Group, Two Good Co, Kua Coffee and stacks more. Profits from all products sold on the site will be funnelled right back into the organisations' various causes and initiatives. It's designed to make it a whole lot easier for Aussies to shop from and support businesses with a conscience. Running across four Saturdays from October 29–November 19, the Good Finds Market will be launching three other exclusive collaboration products over the coming month. That includes a new limited-edition collection by Good Citizens Eyewear featuring all-recycled frames crafted from plastic bottles. Find the Fake Magic Lager exclusively online at the ING Good Finds Market from Saturday, October 29. It'll cost you $19 for a four-pack of tinnies, with a 24-pack coming in at $92.
In The Boys, wins and chaos are rarely far away from each other. Something goes right for its characters — its namesake group fighting corrupt caped crusaders, or vice versa — and then something often goes pear-shaped. Fans of the series are in that situation themselves right now, with season four about to start streaming from Thursday, June 13, 2024, but showrunner Eric Kripke freshly revealing that there's only one more season left after this. The Boys was renewed for season five back in May, before season three hits, but now Supernatural alum Kripke has advised that it'll be a last hurrah. "The Boys season four premiere week is a good time to announce: season five will be the final season! Always my plan, I just had to be cagey till I got the final okay from Vought. Thrilled to bring the story to a gory, epic, moist climax," he tweeted. #TheBoys Season 4 Premiere Week is a good time to announce: Season 5 will be the Final Season! Always my plan, I just had to be cagey till I got the final OK from Vought. Thrilled to bring the story to a gory, epic, moist climax. Watch Season 4 in 2 DAYS, cause the end has begun! pic.twitter.com/3p7Wt4jGA6 — Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 11, 2024 Since first making the jump from the page to the screen from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comics series of the same name in 2019, The Boys has told of a version of earth where caped crusaders are real, as are superpowers, and a group called The Seven are placed above all superheroes. But, digging into the dark side of the scenario, not everyone thinks that should be the status quo. The series has always stood out as an antidote to narratives about powerful folks who are supposedly better than most, by both satirising and questioning that very idea. Here, superheroes work for Vought. They're still the main form of entertainment, but they're real, the most-famous celebrities there are and inescapable in daily life. While The Seven are the absolute top talent, most are hardly role models when the public isn't looking. Yes, that has made quite the change from the usual cinematic universes as the Prime Video show has kept notching up the seasons. The Boys has never been afraid to splash OTT violence — gory carnage, too — across its frames along the way, or to parody reality within its superhero tale. The same proved true in 2020's second season and 2022's third, and also in college-set spinoff Gen V, which arrived in 2023 and has been renewed for a second season as well. In the cast: Karl Urban (Thor: Ragnarok), Jack Quaid (Oppenheimer), Antony Starr (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant), Erin Moriarty (Captain Fantastic), Claudia Doumit (Where'd You Go, Bernadette), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Jessie T Usher (Smile), Laz Alonso (Wrath of Man), Tomer Capone (One on One), Karen Fukuhara (Bullet Train), Colby Minifie (I'm Thinking of Ending Things) and Cameron Crovetti (Boy Kills World) — with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead), Susan Heyward (Hello Tomorrow!) and Valorie Curry (The Lost Symbol) joining for season four. There's obviously no trailer for season five yet, but check out the trailer for The Boys season four below: The fourth season of The Boys starts streaming via Prime Video from Thursday, June 13, 2024. Read our reviews of The Boys season three and Gen V. Season five doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced.
Does Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick) only have one more mission left in him? The title for the eighth Mission: Impossible film might just point in that direction. Viewers won't know until the movie hits cinemas in 2025, but the flick that was initially called Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two is now named Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: spending until May wondering if audiences are about to see the last of Ethan Hunt. It was back in 2023 when Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One hit cinemas and left viewers wanting more, by design: when it wrapped up its 163 minutes of espionage antics, everyone already knew that a second part was on its way. Originally, the latter was meant to arrive in June 2024, less than a year after the first film. But amid Hollywood's strikes last year, the film was pushed back almost 12 months. Its release date Down Under: Thursday, May 22, 2025. It was also rumoured at the time that the movie would get a new moniker, so The Final Reckoning isn't a surprise in that regard. But the 'final' part of the title — and a just-dropped trailer that focuses on how every step leads you down a specific path, complete with the tagline "every choice has led to this" — wasn't as expected. "I need you to trust me one last time," Cruise also utters. The film's first teaser trailer traverses everywhere from snow and sky-high heights to under the sea and frozen in ice — and, as always, features plenty of Cruise running. Story details are sparse, however, but of course the film's star is seen hanging off of a plane. Viewers can expect world-hopping intrigue, explosions, chases and fights, though, as regularly occurs when Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Missions Force team return. Also back: a cast including Simon Pegg (The Boys), Ving Rhames (The Wild Robot) and Hayley Atwell (Heartstopper), Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon), Esai Morales (Crescent City), Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Henry Czerny (Zombie Town), Angela Bassett (9-1-1) and Shea Whigham (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) — and, behind the camera, director Christopher McQuarrie helms again after doing the same on Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible — Fallout and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. On-screen, Holt McCallany (The Lincoln Lawyer), Janet McTeer (The Old Man), Nick Offerman (Civil War) and Hannah Waddingham (The Fall Guy) feature as well. Check out the first teaser trailer for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning below: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Read our review of Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. Images: Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
UPDATE, September 14, 2020: Custody is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. If Kramer vs. Kramer met The Shining, it would look like Custody. That's filmmaker Xavier Legrand's own description of his bleak and tough domestic thriller, and it's one that firmly fits. The French writer-director initially styles his debut movie as a social realist drama, following a divorcing couple fighting over their 11-year-old son. But as courtroom arguments give way to the family's daily reality, Custody understands the devastating terror that comes from living in fear. As strained civility is replaced by deep-seeded turmoil, the film turns the trauma of a dissolving marriage and the accompanying fallout into an unwavering portrait of horror. Everyone in Custody is afraid of something and, crucially, they know it. Anxiety overwhelms the movie, with Legrand mirroring the Besson family's shattered nerves in the film's relentless mood. Miriam (Léa Drucker) is clearly frightened of her husband Antoine (Denis Ménochet), who she has left suddenly with their two children in tow. The duo's pre-teen son Julien (Thomas Gioria) and nearly 18-year-old daughter Joséphine (Mathilde Auneveux) share her concern, although Julien is also worried that he can't protect his mother from his father. An imposing figure even when he's attempting to be calm, Antoine can't face the lack of control and power that comes with his new situation. Panicked anguish and agitation radiates from his pores, gaze and stance, turning every gesture into an act of hostility. After spending its first 15 minutes scrutinising Miriam and Antoine's court battle — she claims that he's violent, he says that she has turned their kids against him — Custody charts the aftermath of the judge's decision. Julien must stay with Antoine on alternating weekends, but the boy visibly doesn't want to go. Dread and distress build with each scene, as Julien tries to stay composed while Antoine's thin facade of restraint just keeps cracking. Every moment is weaponised, be it a hug where Julien remains blank-faced and limp, a tussle over the kid's mobile phone, Antoine's bullying determination to find out where Miriam and the children are living, or the man's overbearing behaviour when he arrives unannounced on more than one occasion. Following the same characters first seen in his Oscar-nominated short Just Before Losing Everything, Legrand canvasses the whole family's reactions and perspectives — but Julien remains the film's quivering heart. In a masterstroke of casting, first-time actor Gioria conveys the internalised pain and stress of being literally caught in the middle of a parental tug-of-war. More than that, even when he's keeping silent, he shows how terror shapes Julien's entire existence. As a result, the boy's time with Ménochet is impossible to look away from, even though it's crafted to evoke maximum discomfort. Meanwhile, the disarmingly naturalistic Ménochet never plays Antoine as a simplistic villain, although he's always a threat. Legrand purposefully cast someone who physically fills the frame, and constantly uses the hulking talent to push his other stars to the edge of the image. Indeed, it's Legrand's visual approach — particularly in his depiction of his menacing antagonist — that speaks to his film's true brilliance. The director doesn't merely want to tell a brutal tale about divorce, fear and violence. He doesn't just want his actors to express their characters' complex emotions with each breath and blink, either. And he doesn't simply want to chronicle the destruction that springs from domestic abuse, although that's one of his aims. Rather, the filmmaker is intent on trapping viewers in this incredibly fraught scenario with his protagonists, and using every means at his disposal to make the audience feel that same all-encompassing horror. Sometimes, that means shooting a scene from ground level, solely focusing on feet beneath a toilet stall. At one point, Legrand lets a rare musical moment — one that should be a celebration — swell with almost-unbearable tension. Over and over again, in his placement of the camera, he makes every composition bristle with claustrophobia. Rhythmically, as things in the narrative get increasingly out of hand, his fast and abrupt takes grow looser and longer, but no less urgent. Legrand won the best director award at the 2017 Venice Film Festival for his efforts, and it's easy to see why. Every meticulous move he makes in Custody is heartbreakingly effective, in a film that's already downright heartbreaking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8mJT7wEtkA
UPDATE, December 22, 2023: Foe streams via Prime Video from Friday, January 5, 2024. Pondering the end of the earth also means pondering the end of people. When the planet that we live on withers to the point of becoming uninhabitable, humanity doesn't just suffer big-picture consequences as a species — existentially, the basic facets of being human are upended as well. So explores and interrogates Foe, the haunting third feature from Australian director Garth Davis (Lion, Mary Magdalene), as well as the latest adaptation of Canadian author Iain Reid's books after 2020 movie I'm Thinking of Ending Things. The pair teamed up to pen the script to a dystopian thriller that looks every inch the stark sci-fi part, using Victoria's Winton Wetlands as its shooting location to double for America's midwest circa 2065, and yet is always one thing above all else: like Killers of the Flower Moon, too, this is a relationship drama. In his third film to reach Australian cinemas in 2023, his second since earning an Oscar nomination for Aftersun and also one of two in a row made Down Under alongside Carmen, Paul Mescal plays half of Foe's key couple opposite his Irish compatriot (plus Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird and Little Women Academy Award-nominee) Saoirse Ronan. The pair trade their natural lilts for American accents as Junior and Hen, holdout farmers in a world and at a time where there's little hope in the field, their actual fields or for the future. As a title card explains, days on the third rock from the sun are numbered. Also noted in that opening text is the setup moving forward, relocating the population to space stations. And, as Blade Runner did decades ago and The Creator — which is also set in 2065 — adopted just this year, simulated humans are also entwined in this new status quo. Junior and Hen's marriage is one of lived-in routine, concise exchanges and loaded looks — of resignation and malaise, in fact, with life's realities tampering down the high-school sweethearts' spirits mere years into their wedded bliss. He works at a poultry factory, she waits tables at a diner, and the bleak expanse surrounding their farmhouse sports rows of symbolism; Foe's central couple cling to the wish that the inherited land and their love alike hasn't turned fallow, no matter the signs otherwise. With such barrenness lingering, car lights outside their home one night and then a sharp knock at the door were always going to feel like more than just an ordinary visitor. The cause is anything but an average passerby: he's government consultant Terrance (Aaron Pierre, Old), who has come with conscription orders for the OuterMore project, which is building the off-world installation that earth's residents will soon need to live on. Like young men before him forced to wage war, Junior doesn't have a choice in the plans to send him to space. With Hen, he also has no say in the next two crucial pieces of information that the calm-yet-commanding Terrance imparts: only Junior is going, but a simulant will take his place, not only looking and sounding but behaving exactly like him, so that Hen isn't left alone. The pair are told that they have around two years to adjust to this news, and that Terrance will eventually come to live with them as that departure date shuffles closer. Swiftly, the dust storms outside have another threat as a source of swirling tension and visible upheaval. In an already-fraying marriage and with an increasingly slipping sense of control, neither Junior nor Hen is pleased about their twist of fate, understandably — but enjoying what they have takes on added urgency. Even if two of Ireland's best current actors can't share their native tones in Foe, they share the screen with shimmering potency, selling every iota of emotion felt by their characters. Whether only coming to fame in 2020 with Normal People or demanding attention since being a 13-year-old stealing scenes in a BAFTA Best Picture-winner — so, each breaking out in highly anticipated and widely applauded page-to-screen adaptations — Mescal and Ronan keep proving themselves spectacular acting talents, which isn't different here. Both are supremely skilled at being silently, subtly and naturalistically expressive, and so at conveying interiority. Under Davis' guidance, that means cycling through hurt, anger, uncertainty, yearning, surprise, betrayal, affection and hope as Junior and Hen grapple with the full spreadh of responses to their situation, and also navigate the remnants of their long-festering romance. Each giving deeply felt performances that could swell through several countryside abodes, they bring to mind another great on-screen coupling that also tore into marital melancholy: Kate Winslet (Ronan's co-star in Ammonite) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon) in 2008's Revolutionary Road. Pierre, too, more than holds up his role as the third point in Foe's acting triangle. Ahead of becoming the voice of Mufasa in upcoming The Lion King sequel Mufasa: The Lion King — which reunites him with filmmaker Barry Jenkins after The Underground Railroad — he finds the ideal balance of enigmatic and intimidating in a movie that's all about shifts big and small. As Pierre's star rises, which it is destined to and fast, this will remain one of his essential performances. Adding to the excellent work all-round is cinematographer Mátyás Erdély (The Nest), who sees the landscape as surreal, foreboding and dreamy all at once. While Foe's backdrop might look like Australia if you're aware that it is, but devoid any ochre dirt and standard outback sights, it also blazes as lonely terrain that's as thorny and knotty as its animal, plant and human occupants. It could seem ambitious, getting desolate yet heatedly psychological and emotional in Black Mirror-esque environmental sci-fi-meets-AI territory, but Davis and Reid know what Charlie Brooker always has as well: that tales about where the future leads, and the technology it inspires with it, are nothing if they're not actually about people. Although within Foe sits a question about whether accepting and embracing AI replacements for our nearest and dearest is ever possible, what it means to live and love, to work out who we are and want to be, and to grow and progress — with or without tech — is hardwired into this affecting film. This is a movie about how people change and evolve, especially within relationships; how that change and evolution both responds to the climes and occurs regardless of it; and how it can happen together or individually, complete with the heartbreak when the latter applies. Aptly, then, it's an evocative, stirring and exceptionally acted feature that morphs in hindsight the more that's revealed on-screen, poignantly so.
French cuisine and the restaurants that serve it can sometimes take themselves very seriously — which is fine if you're in the mood. But French food doesn't have to be all snooty; there are a variety of options available from fine dining and wine rooms to regional, homestyle restaurants and BYO bistros through to patisseries and boulangeries. We've scoured the city to bring you this list of the ten best French eateries in Brisbane. Montrachet A decade-old this year, Montrachet holds a special place in the heart of Brisbane Francophiles, a fact for which the Soufflé aux Crabe et Gruyère is largely accountable. Though other delectable dishes may come and go from the menu, this double baked soufflé with crab meat and Gruyère cheese, finished with a light cream sauce, is stalwart. 224 Given Terrace, Paddington Brents Sitting at the bottom of one of those steep residential streets common to Brisbane’s inner western suburbs, Brents is easily missed. Almost hidden by shrubbery, with a little letterbox out the front, from the street it looks like someone’s house, rather than a hatted restaurant. However, the modern French menu, devised by head chef Brent Farrell, is made up of some pretty impressive dishes, particularly in the area of dessert. Sadly Brents is set to close January 24, so hurry now to send this classic out with a bang. 85 Miskin St, Toowong Bistro Arlette New Farm’s Bistro Arlette has found favour with those who prefer their French food unpretentious and straightforward. Dishes are reassuringly recognisable: French onion soup, Duck a l’Orange and profiteroles feature on the menu, and are executed with finesse. Even the wine list is comfortingly short and very affordable. Shop 4/154 Merthyr Road, New Farm Anise A 20-seater wine room, Anise is the type of establishment where you can feel comfortable spending quite a bit of time. It’s warm, understated and surprisingly relaxed, and very conducive to a tête-à-tête; couples in particular would benefit from a trip. If you are after a tasting flight, then wine is available by the glass, and the selection is often updated, according to curatorial wisdom. If you’d prefer degustation with matched wines, the Gallic inspired European fare at Anise will not disappoint. 697 Brunswick Street, New Farm Chouquette For those lucky enough to have travelled to France, a trip to Chouquette will bring back memories of the quickly adopted daily ritual of visiting Parisian patisseries and boulangeries. If you manage to step past the first counter displaying a mouth-watering array of reasonably priced petit cakes you’ll find a selection of pastries, fresh baked artisan bread and the all-mighty coffee machine. We recently crowned Choquette king of Brisbane’s best croissant, and rightly so. 19 Barker St, New Farm Privé249 Located in the Sofitel Hotel, Privé249 offers an intimate fine dining experience. Degustation is available as either six courses or eight, and a la carte offerings, though undeniably fancy, are likely to suit most tastes. Case in point being the Wagyu beef fillet with black truffle sauce, sweet potato gratin and pea textures. 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane Rhubarb Rhubarb Rhubarb Rhubarb is named not only for a favoured ingredient, or the festive colour of its paint job, but also the theatre practice of creating a convincing crowd hum by having actors repeat the word 'rhubarb' from the wings. As far as restaurant names go, some thought has gone into this one. Both the venue and the food are far from modern and not too fussy. A standout is the grass fed eye fillet with Gruyere croquettes, speck fumet, horseradish creme and confit tomato. Shop 5/85 Kent Rd, Wooloowin Le Bon Choix With locations on Queen Street, Racecourse Road and Given Terrace, Le Bon Choix is one of Brisbane’s most well-established Parisian-style bakeries. Crusty bread loaves of different shapes and sizes are arranged on shelves behind the counter. Ready-made rustic salad baguettes and croque monsieur are piled up in one corner of the display case, with croissants and other flaky breakfast pastries in another. Next to these are perhaps the biggest drawcard, the assorted colourful mousse cakes. 379 Queen Street,Brisbane; 2/121 Racecourse Road, Ascot; 1/251 Given Terrace, Paddington La Provence The Brisbane French food scene seems to be rooted quite firmly north of the river, so it is nice to see Coorparoo restaurant La Provence making a name for itself. Boasting a rather romantic atmosphere, La Provence specialises in traditional, provincial French food. The Cassolette d’escargots façon bourguignonne (French snails ‘Burgundy style’) currently holds a place on the seasonal menu. 321 Chatsworth Rd, Coorparoo Lutece In a dining world of charcuterie boards, micro herbs and croquettes, sometimes it is refreshing to find a restaurant not swaying to trends — sticking to the classics and doing it well. Situated in Bardon, Lutece will first take your breath away with its view (looking out south west and to Mount Warning), and then with its food. When it comes to French fare, it can be hard to go past duck and if you do this at Lutece, you will regret it. 1/60 Macgregor Terrace, Bardon
Between Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 23, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is hosting a sales event of most peculiar stock. Strange things they are, full of pages, rampant with words and with covers of the most beautiful colours. You can't charge them, they don't run out of battery, their brightness is unalterable, and they won't smash when you drop them and have them lost forever. Lifeline Bookfest is back for another round of vintage bargains and startling ranges of everything from Australian Women's Weekly Cookbooks to a bit of cheeky erotica. If you're been before, you'll know there are warehouse quantities of books for sale – your grade five diary is probably hidden under a copy of Shantaram, and you'll come across at least three copies of Cooking with Days of Our Lives. Prices range from cents to the big bucks — bring a trolley and your glasses and absorb yourself in books.
It's been home to David Lynch's eerie filmscapes, Yayoi Kusama's infinity and obliteration rooms, Gary Carsley's projected jacarandas and Patricia Piccinini's forest of flowers that aren't quite flowers. It has also welcomed a riverbed, a snowman and a suspended installation that visitors can climb through, too. Marvel has taken over the place, and European masterpieces from The Met have graced the walls as well. But a labyrinth of red and black wool? That's about to completely transform Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art this winter. Yes, GOMA loves an immersive installation. It loves this one in particular — and yes, it should sound familiar. Originally, Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles was announced as part of the gallery's 2020 lineup; however, we all know how that year turned out. So, it's coming Brisbane's way as an Australian exclusive from June 18–October 3 this year instead. The eye-catching exhibition will showcase the Berlin-based Japanese artist and her work over the past quarter-century, coming to Brisbane after premiering in Tokyo back in 2019. And while it won't sit 53 storeys up or come with panoramic views of the city, like it did in Japan, Shiota's string-heavy installations are certain to garner more than a little attention. Fashioned from millions of strands, they resemble weaved, maze-like webs and take up entire rooms. The Soul Trembles is the largest-ever solo exhibition by the artist — and although GOMA hasn't revealed just how much of the Tokyo lineup is coming to Brisbane, art lovers can expect an array of sprawling installations, sculptures and video footage of Shiota's performances, as well as photographs and drawings. Highlighting her fascination with intangible concepts, such as memory, anxiety, dreams and silence, the ticketed display is Brissie's big art date for the winter. [caption id="attachment_750700" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chiharu Shiota. b.1972, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Uncertain Journey (2016/2019). Courtesy: Blain | Southern, London/Berlin/New York. Installation view: Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles, Mori. Art Museum, Tokyo, 2019. Image courtesy: Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Photograph: Sunhi Mang.[/caption] The Soul Trembles will take over GOMA once the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art wraps up at the end of April. Also doing the honours this year: a blockbuster summer showcase called Air, which'll follow on from Water back in 2019 and 2020. Running from November 26, 2002–April 23, 2023, it'll feature works by Ron Mueck, Anthony McCall, Dora Budor, Jonathan Jones, Dr Uncle Stan Grant Sr AM, Carlos Amorales and Tomás Saraceno, all diving into air in a cultural, ecological and political sense — with further details to be revealed later in the year. Before that, though, Transitions will showcase historical Aboriginal bark paintings and contemporary Indigenous works from August 20, 2022–April 10, 2023, with pieces hailing from Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA's collection. And, over at QAG, Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art will run from August 13, 2022–January 22, 2023, complete with new commissions and recent work by Robert Andrew, Burchill/McCamley, Megan Cope, Archie Moore, Ethel Murray and Ryan Presley, as well as Obery Sambo, Vanghoua Anthony Vue, Rosie Ware, Jenny Watson, Warraba Weatherall and Justene Williams. From August 27, 2022–January 29, 2023, QAG will also present the first major museum survey of work by Queensland-born painter Joe Furlonger. In other words, get ready to spend a whole lot of 2022 — and much of 2023, too — in a Brissie art gallery. [caption id="attachment_677208" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gallery of Modern Art, exterior, south and east face, James Turrell artwork.[/caption] QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY AND GALLERY OF MODERN ART 2022 PROGRAM: The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at GOMA — until April 25, 2022. Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles at GOMA — June 18–October 3, 2022. Knowledge: Queensland Contemporary Art at QAG — August 13, 2022–January 22, 2023 Transitions at GOMA — August 20, 2022–April 10, 2023. Joe Furlonger at QAG — August 27, 2022–January 29, 2023. Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles displays at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from June 18–October 3, 2022. For further details — or to find out more about the gallery's full 2022 slate — visit its website. Top image: Chiharu Shiota b.1972, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In Silence (2002/2019). Production support: Alcantara S.p.A. Installation view: Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2019. Courtesy: Kenji Taki Gallery, Nagoya/Tokyo. Image courtesy: Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Photograph: Sunhi Mang.
Boy & Bear are kicking off the 'Old Town Blues' on their upcoming tour to perform after the 'Southern Sun' sets. Travelling by 'Arrow Flight' and 'Bridges', the Sydney boys will not be stopping at 'Percy Warner Park' but they will be enjoying 'Milk and Sticks' at The Tivoli, a piece of 'Real Estate' they are no 'Stranger' to, on November 9 to provide all their fans with 'A Moment's Grace'. This is far from the 'End of the Line', with the band enjoying a 'Harlequin Dream' of a year. 'Lordy May' has it been big; they have played across the globe, allowing them to stay off the 'Feeding Line', and transformed any 'Part Time Believers' into full-time fans with the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album. At only $47.50 you won't need to trade your 'Blood to Gold', so get out of 'The Village', leave the 'House and Farm' and step off the 'Beach' to join the 'Big Man', 'Mexican Mavis' and the 'Three Headed Woman' in singing 'Rabbit Song' and experiencing a night of glorious indie music more exciting than a 'Golden Jubilee'. (Writing a Boy & Bear preview primarily using only their song titles is much harder than it looks, okay.)
Each individual member of How I Met Your Mother seems to do something cool. Jason Segel resurrected the Muppets. Neil Patrick Harris produces interactive theatre and dresses his adorable babies in adorably elaborate Halloween costumes. Alyson Hannigan was Willow freakin' Rosenberg. When you break it down, the omnipresent sitcom might be less than the sum of its parts. Josh Radnor, the personal pronoun of How I Met Your Mother, follows suit by being an indie film writer and director of some repute, having won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for 2010's happythankyoumoreplease. His newbie, Liberal Arts, is about a 35-year-old demi-achiever, Jesse (Radnor), who works a dull job as a university admissions officer and reads dead-tree books constantly, while walking even. When he visits his alma mater to honour his retiring former professor, Peter (Richard Jenkins), Jesse also starts a romance with sparky 19-year-old student Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen). Between her exuberance for new knowledge and the campus's leafy, Midwestern nourishment, he rediscovers some of the wide-eyed optimism of his own college days — and also learns why he can't have them back. Really, you can't blame anyone for falling a bit in love with Olsen. She elevates the whole movie, bringing a flood of beauty and intelligence to a character already written to be quite beautiful and quite intelligent. She's not a manic pixie dream girl, although the film pales from being made in an MPDG world. The story of 'unremarkable pre-middle-aged male seeks shaking up, via female, into remarkable life' is a little tired. Sure, seedy, equivocating men deserve our empathy, but arguably they've already had their time in the sun. We know you shouldn't sleep with the girl; we don't need to see your working out. There are other flaws in the film that follow on from all this obviousness: One character, Dean (John Magaro), a random student among thousands, appears in front of Jesse 'by coincidence' with such frequency he'd have to be a ghost stalking our protagonist (he's not), and his arc becomes too foreseeable. Perhaps Liberal Arts would have meant something more if all these other characters didn't so perfectly serve Jesse. They awaken him, confront him, absolve him, and release him. That said, arts graduates will nod in recognition of post-modern theory references, and Allison Janney fans will delight in her cameo as an ironically hard-hearted Romantics professors. There are several estimable bon mots. Liberal Arts may make a forgettable thesis, but you'd still find a couple of passages within it to highlight.
When Brisbane Festival unleashed Riverfire's fireworks in 2022, it moved them to the beginning rather than the end of its annual September run. That shift was a hit — brightening up the sky is always a hit whenever it happens, of course — so now the yearly arts fest is locking in the same kind of spring start in 2023. Brisbane Festival will run from Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 23 this year, with Riverfire getting dazzling on Saturday, September 2. The fireworks display has now settled into its new slot after a chaotic few years, which saw it scaled back in 2019, then replaced with a light and laser show in 2020 due to the pandemic, and finally returning in 2021. If you're the type of person who plans your entire day around staring upwards, mark your diary now. Initially, Riverfire moved to shift out of school holidays. No matter when it's held, more than 500,000 people usually attend. If you've been to South Brisbane when it's on — even hours earlier — you will have seen the masses of people to prove how popular it is. In fact, head anywhere with a decent vantage over the river and crowds await. Even if fireworks aren't usually your thing, you might still be interested in the Riverfire shindigs that always pop up on the night, with bars around town usually throwing plenty of parties with quite the lit-up backdrop. Full details about the this year's Riverfire won't be revealed until the Brisbane Festival program is released later in the year, with a few key events set to be announced in late May ahead of the full program in early July. Naturally, Riverfire itself will be as straightforward as it usually is — with fireworks doing their thing for more than 20 minutes across the evening, and folks around Brissie finding the right spot to look up. As for the rest of Bris Fest, it'll be Artistic Director Louise Bezzina's fourth at the helm, and promises another array of local, national and international artists putting on must-see shows. The event will also be endeavouring to build on 2022's successes, which saw it prove a hit not just with locals but visitors — notching up 71,866 visitor nights in Brisbane, and $12 million in spending from folks from out of town. "Brisbane really does become the stage for great art over September, and it is a great thrill and privilege to program events that amaze, inspire, thrill and challenge audiences, both local and from interstate," Bezzina said. "To this end, we are finalising the 2023 program and will have a few surprises in store that will offer even more compelling reasons to visit Brisbane this spring." Riverfire 2023 will take place on Saturday, September 2, during this year's Brisbane Festival. Further details will be announced with the full Brisbane Festival program later in 2023.
Being named the world's best gin producer for two years running, selling half of its business to beer behemoth Lion and opening a Sydney bar in the middle of the pandemic — they're just some of reasons that Four Pillars has had a big couple of years. The Australian gin company is in for a hefty 2021, too, especially at the Healesville site it calls home. Over the next 12 months, it's undertaking a $6 million redevelopment, which'll enable twice as many juniper spirits-lovers to head to the Yarra Valley and enjoy its tipples. Come December 2021, you'll be able to visit Four Pillars' Lilydale Road address and check out a much larger setup. New hospitality, production and bottling facilities will be part of the revamped site — including the company's sixth German-designed Carl still — as will an events space. The latter will be able to house 250 guests, and there'll also be a retail space and something that Four Pillars is calling 'a special sensory surprise', should you want to do more than just taste its gin. Giving the site an eye-catching new facade designed by Breathe Architecture, the new works are taking place adjacent to Four Pillars' existing distillery, and are designed to blend the two together seamlessly. So, if you're fond of the current setup — as around 100,000 people were in 2019 — it's sticking around. When the new addition opens, however, the Healesville facility will be able to welcome more than 200,000 visitors per year. [caption id="attachment_799170" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist's impression of Four Pillars' distillery redevelopment. Breathe Architecture/Neverstop.[/caption] "When we began making Four Pillars, the Yarra Valley was always intended to be our home — and when we found our original site, we couldn't believe our luck," said Four Pillars co-founder Cameron Mackenzie. "When the opportunity came to buy the land next door, we simply had no choice but to roll the dice and back our Yarra Valley dream to the hilt." Four Pillars' current distillery and hospitality space will continue operating as normal while the new works are taking place, and continue serving up the brand's award-winning range — which includes barrel-aged, bloody shiraz, rare dry, spiced negroni, Christmas, overproof, olive leaf and summer-inspired gins. And, if you've made the visit since the Healesville spot reopened over the summer, only to find queues snaking outside, that's one of the things the big revamp is designed to address. Four Pillars' revamped distillery will open at 2–6 Lilydale Road, Healesville, in December 2021. The company's existing site at the same address is still open as usual during the redevelopment.
Brisbane is pretty much like an extra family member to me. I’ve known it my whole life; complain pretty frequently about what it lacks yet am super protective if anyone from Sydney/Melbourne should throw some chat northward. It’s also pretty good at surprising me with greatness, whether it’s an awesome Christmas present, or the even awesome-er ‘Thousand in Twenty’ celebrations for Rave Magazine’s birthday. This magnificent event was born out of two massive Rave Magazine stats that occur this year: its 20th birthday and its 1000th issue. The main theme that the organisers seem to have chosen is highlighting how super the Brisbane music scene actually is, and they have succeeded. Opening the night the night are local cool kids Inland Sea, Velociraptor, and Dave McCormack & The Polaroids. Following them is The Brisband Experience, a crazy collaboration including but not limited to Katie Noonan (george, Elixir), Dan James (Drawn From Bees), Caleb James (Rhubarb), Thomas Murphy (The Bloodpoets), Ben Dalton (Hungry Kids Of Hungary), Tony Garrett (The Boat People), and Steve Pope (Transport, Kate Miller-Heidke). Finally, headlining this celebration of Brisbane is a super mystery act that Rave refuses to announce but suffice to say, given the caliber of the other acts I’m sure everyone will be happy with their choice. Now, has anyone actually finished reading this without buying a ticket yet? What’s wrong with you?! Go forth and purchase!
As far as crowd-pleasing music goes, it's hard to top a Fleetwood Mac playlist. Formed in the late 60s, the British American rock band cemented itself in musical history with now-classic tunes like 'Little Lies', 'The Chain', 'Dreams' and more. Sadly, the band members themselves have hung up their guitars, but that doesn't mean we can't continue to enjoy their hits live. Thanks is due to Concerts By Candlelight, the event series you've no doubt heard about on social media. The concert group is rolling out the 2025 event program and the first item on the agenda is The Music of Fleetwood Mac By Candlelight. With a live band and a cast of West End singers performing all the hits (and selling out shows in the UK), the tour is hitting Australia and New Zealand throughout February and March. After a series of shows across the ditch, The Music of Fleetwood Mac By Candlelight will kick off an Australia-wide tour. First up is QLD, with the concert hitting the Gold Coast and The Star Theatre on Friday, February 28. Then, on Friday, March 7, it's Sydney's turn at Darling Harbour Theatre — followed by a stop at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, March 11. Later that week, it crosses the country to PCEC Perth for a show on Friday, March 14, before finishing at Her Majesty's Theatre for an Adelaide performance on Friday, March 28. The Music of Fleetwood Mac By Candlelight will tour across cities in Australia and New Zealand from Friday, February 14 to Friday, March 28. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website.
You're soon about to lead an existence in which you carry chicken salt and vinegar in your bag at all times. Australian hot chip vending machines are about to be all up in your grill. Again, slower. Hot. Chip. Vending machines. According to the ABC, the Perth-based Hot Chips Company have been cooking this up for the last five years, inspired by Australian '90s models and similar developments in Dubai, Japan, the UK and Belgium. They've been working with WA potato processor Bendotti Exporters to create the perfect take-away solution for late night snackery — reppin' the Western Australian potato industry while they're at it. Stephen Bendotti (of Bendotti Exporters) told the ABC the chips will be freshly cooked while you wait, all inside the machine. "You put your money in and it goes from frozen to the fryer and in your cup within two minutes and 20 seconds," he said, with an aim to whittle that waiting time down to two minutes. And in case you're freaking out over the hefty price of Perth airfares to try this out, these babies are going national. According to the ABC, Bendotti's friends over at WA Chip are going to roll them out Australia-wide. So how long will we have to wait for the mighty hot chip robots? Apparently we're looking at national distribution by December 2015, with trials and development continuing until then. We're still waiting on details for condiments, salt options and cost, so watch this space for your chippie deets. Via ABC. CORRECTION 29/1 3:15PM : We initially ran this story reporting that these were Australia's first hot chip vending machines. They aren't, in fact, the first, as numerous models have made their way through Australian cities since the '90s. Apologies for the wrong info, we got way too excited about the prospect. Image: will ockenden via photopin cc
If you're fond of spending your time browsing through stalls, looking at local wares and buying everything from arts and crafts to fashion and homewares, then you've probably made a visit to a BrisStyle market. The Brisbane group hosts several regular events around town, including the Brisbane Twilight Markets in King George Square and The Handmade Markets outside the Queensland Museum. It doesn't usually focus primarily on greenery, though — which is one of the reasons that its returning Plant Market is so special. Here are two others: it's happening in spring, so it's the ideal time for it; and it's happening in Roma Street Parklands. From 9am–2pm on Saturday, September 23, you'll want to head to Roma Street Parklands's Celebration Lawn to get shopping. Yes, you'll be looking for greenery while surrounded by greenery. As well as plants, there'll be pots, gardening accessories and floral-themed homewares on offer, with more than 25 stallholders selling their goods. You'll also be able to chat to experts to get some tips about putting your green thumb to best use. Expect food vendors onsite as well, because we all know that trawling the markets is hungry and thirsty work. Or, you can grab a picnic basket — if you pre-order first — from Roma Street Parklands' The Garden Room Cafe. Either way, live tunes will provide a soundtrack. Before or after your purchasing and picnicking, take a wander to the site's Spectacle Garden, too, where 10,000-plus flowers are blooming.
A lot of doco makers rely on the adage that 'truth is stranger than fiction'. A few supremely lucky ones find a story that is so mind-bogglingly strange that they could sit back and let the film make itself. The Imposter is just such a story, at every stage revealing another layer of the bizarreness of which human beings are capable. British director Bart Layton is no slouch, either; the film is slickly made, metring out its tantalising information and almost single-handedly reviving the use of re-creation as a respected documentary tool. The subject is an incident in 1997 in which a 17-year-old Texan boy, Nicholas Barclay, was returned to his family after having been missing for three years. Except he turned up in Spain, had no physical resemblance to the missing blue-eyed boy, was noticeably older, and spoke with a French accent. He was accepted back into the family regardless. His sister thought she could recognise that smile anywhere. From the relatives to the authorities, everyone around him seemed ready to excuse the differences, taking the 'he's not the little boy you knew' trope to extreme and literal levels. In reality, the boy was French con man Frederic Bourdin, a 23-year-old obsessively seeking the comfort of childhood. At first, it seems the documentary reveals his identity prematurely, almost right from the beginning — but that's just because you don't know, at that point, of all the twists that remain for the story to take. The supremely tense Imposter features sensitive, in-depth interviews with almost all of the major characters in the incident, including Bourdin, the FBI agent who handled his repatriation, the PI whose suspicions uncovered the truth and Nicholas's mother and sister. Without them, no number of re-creations could have carried the story so far or got you close to understanding any of these people's motivations. And as for the re-creations, they're filmed with a keen cinematographer's eye and a sense of enigma, putting them at a long distance from those we're used to on made-for-TV specials. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mENui3UdMOY
A few people are saying the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost/Edgar Wright partnership is getting tired. There might be some truth to that, but it isn't tired yet. The World's End — the third film in their 'Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy', a series of comic genre mash-ups that also happen to feature a random Cornetto ice-cream in each one — is a whirlwind of exuberant humour it's easy to get swept up in. Sure, some of the surprise of the mash-up twist has faded since 2004's breakthrough Shaun of the Dead, but the team has also matured as actors, filmmakers and observers of the human condition. The particular human condition they're concerned with this time around is the sad state of being stuck in one's halcyon days, particularly when they're situated in high school, particularly when you're now nearing 40. Pegg plays the thusly afflicted man-child, and it's far from the loveable, self-effacing type of loser character we're used to seeing him be. As Gary King, he is a real loser, still sporting his teenage sludgy black hair and greatcoat, still driving 'The Beast' registered in someone else's name, still embarrassingly overconfident and still sleazing onto women in the loos. He's so close to being unlikeable, yet there's just enough good in him — and just a smidge of relatability — that we want him to win on his ridiculous quest to unite his high school buddies and claim the victory that should have been theirs 20 years earlier: completion of a 12-stop pub crawl known as the Golden Mile. Gary's more capably adult friends — Andrew (Frost), Steven (Paddy Considine), Oliver (Martin Freeman) and Peter (Eddie Marsan) — want out of the caper not long after arriving back in their insular home town, Newton Haven. But then they discover the place has gone Invasion of the Body Snatchers in their absence, and fighting off invading alien robot hordes takes precedence over fighting each other. All the while, following some spectacular drunk-person reasoning, they continue the course of their pub crawl to the mythic World's End bar. In some ways, The World's End doesn't feel like the final movie of the trilogy; it has the anarchic, careening, appropriately drunken energy of an early oeuvre picture, but one suspects that mood is actually harder to control than it looks. The movie is also unexpectedly mature in its human drama, teasing out the fraught relationship we have with our histories and ultimately encouraging us to go a little less hard on our past selves. There's great joy in watching The World's End, and plenty of rewards in the team's signature brand of comedy. Maybe it is time to move on from the genre mash-up, but this is a thundering way to go out. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ibQvQUpMTg
Let’s face it, the past few months have been a boon for Mayan 2012 doomsayers. Floods in Australia, Christchurch flattened by an earthquake, and most recently Japan suffering the triple blow of quake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe. The scenes of devastation have led people to donate cash and their own time to help with relief efforts. But what do you do if the tyranny of distance and the fact you’re a struggling artist make it impossible to help out? Well, why not donate your art? Proving that the internet can actually be used for good, BuzzFeed has collated a gallery of art works inspired by the disaster in Japan, with the artists donating proceeds to relief efforts. A number of the works are from the Threadless Japan and Pacific Relief T-shirt Challenge, which called for designs reacting to the events in Japan — the most popular design will soon go into production and be sold to raise money for the Red Cross. Others come from the Poster Cause Project, which gets artists to design posters for a new cause each month and donates 50% of all profits to charity. Others still, like the charitable storm troopers are the artists’ own initiative. Browse the Art for Japan gallery and, if something grabs your attention, don’t be afraid to purchase – after all, it’s going to a good cause. Or, if you’re feeling arty, why not donate your creative juices to something meaningful? Threadless are now calling for submissions on the theme ‘Acts of Green’ to support Earth Day.
Cards on the table: thanks to Russian Doll and the Knives Out franchise, Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson are both on a helluva streak. In their most recent projects before now, each has enjoyed a hot run not once but twice. Lyonne made time trickery one of the best new shows of 2019, plus a returning standout in 2022 as well, while Johnson's first Benoit Blanc whodunnit and followup Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery were gems of the exact same years. The latter also saw the pair team up briefly — Lyonne and Johnson, that is, although getting a Russian Doll-meets-Knives Out crossover from the universe, or just the Netflix algorithm, would be a dream. Until that wish comes true, there's Poker Face. It's no one's stopgap or consolation prize, however. This new mystery-of-the-week series is an all-out must-see in its own right, and one of 2023's gleaming streaming aces already. Given its components and concept, turning out otherwise would've been the biggest head-scratcher. Beneath aviator shades, a trucker cap and her instantly recognisable (albeit sun-bleached here) locks, Lyonne plays detective again, as she did in Russian Doll — because investigating why you're looping through the same day over and over, or jumping through time, is still investigating. Johnson gives the world another sleuth, too, after offering up his own spin on Agatha Christie-style gumshoes with the ongoing Knives Out saga. This time, he's dancing with 1968–2003 television series Columbo, right down to Poker Face's title font. Lyonne isn't one for playing conventional detectives — not that she couldn't, or wouldn't nail it hands down. Streaming on Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand, Poker Face casts her as Charlie Cale, who starts poking around in sudden deaths thanks to an unusual gift and a personal tragedy. As outlined in the show's ten-part first season, four episodes of which arrive on Friday, January 27 with new chapters dropping weekly afterwards, Charlie is a human lie detector. She can instantly tell if someone is being untruthful, a knack she first used in gambling before getting on the wrong side of the wrong people. Then, when a friend and colleague at the far-from-flashy Las Vegas casino where Charlie works winds up dead, that talent couldn't be handier. Poker Face's 1970s-inspired debut episode sets up three whys: why its charmingly wry and affably no-nonsense protagonist knows when anyone around her is fibbing, why the series itself follows her road-tripping across America in a rundown Plymouth Barracuda, and why an episodic array of murders in different places is in her future. Courtesy of her gift, she's soon fleeing casino boss Sterling Frost Sr (Ron Perlman, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio) and his enforcer Cliff Legrand (Benjamin Bratt, DMZ), then taking whichever odd jobs she can find from town to town. The show's second instalment sees her car break down, requiring a mechanic to patch it up — while its third takes her to a famed brisket barbecue business, and its fourth involves a hit 90s metal band attempting to reclaim past glories on tour. In Poker Face's fifth episode, an aged-care home is the scene of a crime. And in its sixth, two former TV co-stars bicker their way through a play until someone becomes a victim. "Why?" isn't just a question that Johnson — as Poker Face's creator, the writer and director of its first instalment, a helmer twice more, plus a scribe once again as well — has to establish, and fast. As Charlie notes about her preternatural ability, "the real trick of it is figuring out why: why somebody is lying". People spout fabrications and deceptions all day every single day, as she can't avoid everywhere she goes. Mostly, they're minor and have little impact on anyone else, Charlie advises. But it's the reasoning behind the bigger falsehoods that she's interested in. So, the show moves her from place to place, has her hear a lie just as a body shows up, then saddles her with puzzling out what's going on — and, yes, why. Poker Face doesn't hide its own formula, laying it bare from the outset. In its opening episode and all that follow, the focus initially sits with someone who isn't long for this world, their killer and the surrounding players. Viewers watch what happens to that chapter's fated person, scope out all the connected parties, then team up with Charlie — learning where she fits in and witnessing her getting to the bottom of the latest death. Poker Face's audience has the advantage of already seeing what occurred, of course. But, as it does for Charlie, the why still requires unravelling. Often she's putting together what viewers know, but adding further details or context, or seeing the various pieces from different angles. She's also openly calling bullshit frequently, with Lyonne uttering it as often and distinctively as she does "cockroaches" in Russian Doll. In the era of peak TV — peak streaming also — as populated by hook-heavy series demanding non-stop binges, Poker Face does something old-fashioned: it revels in its standalone chapters. Wanting to watch one after another after another is still the end result, but soaking in each mystery rather than constantly setting up the next twist is the show's main aim. Some elements bleed from one instalment to the next, as Charlie keeps trying to evade her pursuers. But for between 45–60 minutes per episode, there's a whodunnit to solve, a contained cast of players, and plenty of Lyonne being a sharp, droll and astute delight. Sometimes she's tasting pieces of wood, too, or calling a dog a fascist. In fact, in the same very episode that contains the timber chewing and canine altercations, she also introduces someone to Bong Joon-ho's Okja — because Poker Face's small joys are many. As comes with the case-of-the-week territory — see also: one of the all-timers in this genre, Law & Order — this series' sweet sleuthing baby is joined by a masterful cast of familiar guest stars. When Lyonne isn't squaring off against Adrien Brody (See How They Run), she's hanging out with The Menu's Hong Chau and Judith Light, or with Lil Rel Howery (Deep Water) and Danielle MacDonald (The Tourist). Her Russian Doll mother Chloë Sevigny (Bones and All) leads those aforementioned metal rockers, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pinocchio), Ellen Barkin (Animal Kingdom), Nick Nolte (The Mandalorian), Cherry Jones (Succession), Jameela Jamil (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) and newly minted Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once) also feature. Throw in Johnson's own history with mysteries, hailing back to his stellar 2005 movie debut Brick and also including Looper, and Poker Face couldn't boast a better winning hand. Going all in for the series and its big bag of fun is the natural response. Check out the full trailer for Poker Face below: Poker Face streams from Friday, January 27 via Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand. Images: Peacock.
First, it turned Speed into a play. Then, it gave Titanic the same treatment. Now, Act/React is saying "yippee-ki-yay" to the mother of all Christmas-set action films. Break out the white singlets, get festive and prepare to spend plenty of time watching someone crawl around in vents, because Die Hard is coming to the stage, too. This comedic theatre performance will transform the Brisbane Powerhouse's Turbine Platform into Los Angeles' Nakatomi Plaza, let European terrorist Hans Gruber do his worst and task New York cop John McClane with saving the day — with help from the dad from 80s and 90s sitcom Family Matters. Throw in more than a few one-liners, incredibly low-fi special effects and an all-round comic atmosphere, and that's Die Hard: The Movie, The Play, which'll unleash its mayhem from Thursday, November 21 to Sunday, December 1. Playing as part of this year's Wonderland festival, this is one hijacking you'll want to witness.
The inaugural Vivid Residence is the headline event in Vivid Sydney's huge new food lineup. The two-week residency brings a hotly sought-after international chef behind the pass of one of Sydney's most beloved fine diners. The bad news: this exceptional dining opportunity is completely sold out — and with good reason. The once-in-a-lifetime event will give hungry Sydneysiders the chance to savour a menu from Daniel Humm — of New York's three Michelin–starred Eleven Madison Park — at Aria Sydney between Tuesday, June 6–Saturday, June 17. [caption id="attachment_902234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] The good news: deliciously, we managed to secure a few tickets (five pairs, specifically), just for you. If you're not already aware, along with its starry reputation, Eleven Madison Park and its plant-powered plates have previously sat at number one on the World's Best 50 Restaurants list. Backdropped by the glittering harbour, Humm and his team, with the support of Aria, will offer a nine-course tasting menu (and a slightly shorter lunch menu) capturing the essence of NSW. In this exclusive Concrete Playground Trips package, you and your date will choose between a lunch and dinner service at Aria, stay in a superior heritage room at the Harbour Rocks Hotel and then enjoy breakfast the next morning. All the makings of a standout winter trip to Sydney. To secure one of the last five spots, book your package stat. Eleven Madison Park takes over Sydney's Aria from Tuesday, June 6 till Saturday, June 17. Take in the full Vivid Sydney experience with Concrete Playground Trips' exclusive event package, which includes lunch or dinner for two at the Eleven Madison Park x Aria Vivid Residence, one night at The Harbour Rocks hotel and breakfast for two the next morning. For more information, head to the website. Specific dates and dining times apply.
