As music, spandex and glitter fans everywhere already know, the Eurovision Song Contest didn't go ahead this year. It's one of the many events worldwide that have been affected by COVID-19, alongside SXSW, Glastonbury, Coachella and Splendour in the Grass — but it's the only one to leave a huge Europop-shaped hole, of course. In Australia, broadcaster SBS attempted to make up for Eurovision's absence by spending a week celebrating the annual contest. And, globally, Netflix is also doing its bit. The latter is helping out in a much less serious fashion, however, all thanks to its new Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams-starring comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Due to hit the streaming platform at the end of June — and just dropping its first trailer this week, too — the film follows two small-town Icelandic singers who've always wanted to represent their country at the famed sing-off. Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (McAdams) aren't particularly well-liked in their homeland, or considered popular. But when they're named as the next Eurovision contestants, they're determined not only to win but to show that chasing their lifelong dream was worth it. Directed by Wedding Crashers, The Change-Up and The Judge filmmaker David Dobkin, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga looks set to feature plenty of Ferrell's over-the-top comedy — as the initial sneak peek makes plain. It also boasts icy backdrops, a song called 'Volcano Man', a fierce rivalry between Fire Saga and fellow competitor Alexander Lemtov (Legion's Dan Evans), and a cast that also spans Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q6Co-nd0lM Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga hits Netflix on Friday, June 26. Images: John Wilson and Elizabeth Viggiano, via Netflix.
Ever feel like you deserve a prize for just how much you love your wine? Are your efforts as an amateur sommelier yet to be properly rewarded? WineMarket are ready to make your dreams come true with a truly massive giveaway. Every case of wine you buy from WineMarket this February will put you into the running for a five-night getaway on the West Coast, complete with a wine lover's experience of Margaret River and a chance to explore Perth in style. Along with flights and four-star accommodation the lucky winner and a friend will win a tour of a Margaret River winery, a fancy dinner for two in Perth, a scenic tour around the city, five days' car hire and more (to the value of $4500+). The more cases you buy and the more friends you get involved, the better your chances, so now's the time to stock up your cellars for a rainy day. Or if you've already got a healthy supply, get an entry just for signing up to WineMarket's newsletter. Check out the WineMarket website for all the details and to enter. Just hurry — the competition closes on Saturday, February 28, 11.59pm. To all you wine lovers, we salute you and wish you luck.
We've heard of moving-out parties; however Barack Obama's version of a final celebratory shindig is about to put everyone else's to shame. What do you do when your time as the most powerful man on the planet is just about up, and you're about to vacate the world's most famous home? You bring SXSW to the White House. Obviously. The event is called SXSL, with the last two letters referring to the south lawn of Obama's not-so-humble presidential abode. As announced on the White House blog, South by South Lawn will bring together creators, innovators, and organisers for a one-day shindig on October 3. And as far as heading along is concerned, eager attendees can apply online. Yep, the Pres is throwing his very own festival, complete with interactive, film and music components. SXSL-goers will listen to panel discussions and learn about new technologies, watch shorts at the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival, and groove along to live performances by well-known and emerging artists. While there's no word on a lineup just yet, Obama's summer playlist could possibly provide a few clues. Clearly, both the US commander-in-chief and First Lady Michelle Obama had a mighty fine time when they attended and spoke at SXSW earlier this year. And clearly, once Obama out of office, nothing quite like this is likely to happen anytime soon. Image: Zach Rudisin.
Last year's inaugural Antidote, Sydney Opera House's new festival of ideas, action and change, saw an impressive lineup of LBGTQI+, Indigenous and feminist rights activists — and 20,000 balloons — fill the iconic building last year. For its second weekend-long run on September 1 and 2, the festival is bringing in a host of international heavyweights to inspire and incite positive change in this crazy messed-up world. Leading the list is investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, whose exposé on Harvey Weinstein in The New Yorker — along with The New York Times' piece — won him a Pulitzer Prize and triggered the start of last year's global #MeToo movement. He'll speak alongside WikiLeaks whistleblower, trans activist and US Senate candidate Chelsea Manning and Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. These high-profile American voices will be joined by a pretty diverse list of thought-provokers, including Syrian urban planner Marwa Al-Sabouni, South African storyteller Sisonke Msimang and Liz Jackson, the founder of disability self-advocacy organisation, the Disabled List. You'll also be able to settle in for a night of queer stories with Maeve Marsden and get Benjamin Law and his mum to answer some of your most embarrassing questions. Extending its practical positioning, the festival will also feature a few workshops this time around — you'll be able to learn how to fillet a fish with Saint Peter's sustainable fishmonger Josh Niland and Kirsty Mootz will show you how to make your own organic skincare with things you find in your house. Antidote comes at a time when a lot of us are angry and anxious about what's happening in the world. Hopefully you can take away some action points — and if you don't, well, talking it out should at least prove cathartic. Antidote will take place at the Sydney Opera House on September 1–2, 2018. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday, June 22 here.
Perhaps you're a diehard Tetris fiend. Maybe you just can't get enough of Mario Kart. Or, you could be an avid Untitled Goose Game devotee. Whichever video game takes your fancy, it has likely robbed you of more than a little precious slumber — so you might as well lean into it and enjoy your next overseas getaway in a video game-themed hotel. Catering for folks who really do want to eat, sleep and breathe the button-mashing pastime, old-school gaming company Atari is getting into the accommodation business. Launching its own line of places to stay, it's planning to open at least eight hotels across the US. Construction on the first — in Phoenix, Arizona — is due to start in the middle of this year, with other sites in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose set to follow. Keeping to the theme, guests can expect plenty of gaming — obviously. That'll apply to the hotel's look and feel, as well as to the activities on offer. Design-wise, the aim is to make you feel like you're staying inside an Atari console. The Atari Hotels website calls the hotels "a unique lodging experience", and notes that they'll combine the brand "with a one-of-a-kind video game-themed destination". That'll include both virtual reality and augmented reality, while some sites will also feature venues and facilities to host esports events. Given that Atari has been around since the 1970s, was one of the industry's pioneers, and is known for a hefty range of games — spanning classics like Asteroids, Centipede, Pong and even Rollercoaster Tycoon — it's safe to assume that the company's big-name titles will all pop up in some shape or form as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnfvlqjvk7A Other than that, just what the Atari hotels will entail is being kept pretty close to the organisation's chest for now. Opening dates haven't been announced yet either, if you're eager to make travel plans. Atari Hotels' first site will begin construction in Phoenix, Arizona in mid-2020. Visit the chain's website for further details.
Dead Language are a New York based trio who dedicate themsevles to breathing new life into old music. Based on the idea that scored music (as in, written for a play, musical, opera, ballet, television programme or film) can be seen as a dead language akin to Latin. Unfamilliar to some, forgotten by most. Utilising aspects of the art world (theatre, visual art) and with the help of others, Dead Language are shining a light on forgotten songs and reinterpreting them for a contemporary audience. Dead Language will be performing works by Morton Feldman, George Lewis and Bernhard Lang and will be accompanied by Graeme Jennings (violin) and students of Queensland Conservatorium’s New Music Ensemble and Jazz department. This is a one off show, so if you are at all interested in musical history or just keen for some soothing sounds, get to the Queensland Conservatorium on the 9th of October. Oh, and the show is free too - so there is another good reason to head along.
If your end-of-summer plans usually involve hitting up St Jerome's Laneway Festival for a day of tunes, rejoice: the beloved annual event is here with a new round of dates for 2024. Actually, it wants you to mark your calendar not once but twice. Exactly when and where it'll take place next year has been revealed, and so has when the lineup will drop. If you're all about who'll be playing, you will still need to wait until Tuesday, September 5 to get the details. So, for now, just know that Laneway has locked in returns in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland, all in February. There's a bit of stability to next year's list of venues, after 2023 took Laneway to a heap of new spots. The festival started by Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio in the mid-00s will kick off at Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, February 3, then head to Sydney Showground on Sunday, February 4 — so, exactly where it took place this year. Still in Australia, Laneway also has a Friday, February 9 date with Bonython Park in Adelaide on the agenda, then a Saturday, February 10 run at The Park, Flemington in Melbourne and a Sunday, February 11 wrap-up show in Wellington Square in Perth. Again, these are all the same locations that 2023's fests hit up. Over in New Zealand, the event will take over Western Springs in Auckland on Tuesday, February 6. That date means that it's moving to Waitangi Day. And 2024's venue comes after 2023's Auckland Laneway stop was cancelled due to due to the Auckland floods. As for the lineup, start guessing. In 2023, HAIM, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers headlined, in what marked a comeback for Laneway for the first time since the pandemic began. Before that, in 2020, the roster of talent was headed up by the likes of The 1975, Charli XCX and Earl Sweatshirt, as well as a host of local favourites like Ruel, DMA's and Ocean Alley. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2024 DATES: Saturday, February 3 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane / Turrbal Targun Sunday, February 4 — Sydney Showground, Sydney / Burramattagal and Wangal Land Tuesday, February 6 — Western Springs, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau Friday, February 9 — Bonython Park, Adelaide / Kaurna Yerta Saturday, February 10 — The Park, Flemington, Melbourne / Wurundjeri Biik Sunday, February 11 — Wellington Square, Perth / Whadjuk Boodjar St Jerome's Laneway Festival will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Head to the festival's website for further details, and to register for ticket pre sales (which kick off at 11am local time on Tuesday, September 12) — and check back here for next year's lineup when it drops on Tuesday, September 5. Images: Daniel Boud / Maclay Heriot / Cedric Tang.
Everybody wins — you, me, our fair nation — when six experienced winemakers join forces to create unique vintages out of the Hunter Valley and then take their finest drop on the road. Caravan of Courage, the ingenious pop-up wine bar creation of Next Generation Hunter Valley, enjoys its third incarnation this year with the apt title One More for the Road, boasting a selection of 24 wines to titillate the palette. Formerly setting out northwards from Melbourne in a big green bus to secret locations all over Australia, this time around Next Generation have taken to the skies, heading south from Brisbane on May 3. Over the subsequent month they'll deliver classy boozing to the lucky folk of Newcastle (Saturday, May 4), Sydney (Friday, May 10), Canberra (Thursday, May 16), and Melbourne (Friday, May 17). What makes Next Generation Hunter Valley special? It's a collective of six prized stables (David Hook Wines, Thomas Wines, Meerea Park Wines, Mistletoe Wines, De Iuliis Wines and Margan Wines) that share a commitment to the future of the Hunter Valley, melding old, well-established vineyards with contemporary winemaking practices. In true Aussie style, Caravan of Courage embodies the larrikin spirit, and you can get to know the wines better by meeting the personalities behind them — David Hook, Andrew Thomas, Rhys Eather, Nick Paterson, Mike De Iuliis and Andrew Margan will be in attendance. Ever broadening the scope of their imperialist tipple agenda, they're rumoured to have their sights set on Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania for upcoming pop-ups. Tickets to One More for the Road are $35 (available here). The Brisbane launch takes place on May 3, 6-9pm at Loft West End (100 Boundary Street, West End, 4101). Updates are available by following @nextgenhv #COC2013 on Twitter and becoming a fan on Facebook.
He's the horror and thriller author responsible for bloody proms, haunted hotels, possessed cars, sewer-dwelling clowns and spooky animal resting grounds, not to mention literary stalkers, depression-era death row prisoners, a town plagued by unexplained fogginess and another trapped under a dome. Indeed, since coming to fame with Carrie back in the 70s, Stephen King has never proven unpopular — but the world sure loves the writer's work right now. The viewing world in particular seems to adore King at the moment, with page-to-screen adaptations of his books popping up thick and fast. In 2019 alone, a new version of Pet Sematary hit cinemas, as did IT: Chapter Two and The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep — while In the Tall Grass recently arrived on Netflix. On the small screen, Mr Mercedes is up to its third season, Castle Rock unfurled its second and Creepshow's first recently landed. Next year will see three more TV shows join them, too, all based on King's books — and if you like the author in murder-mystery mode, you might want to add The Outsider to your viewing list. HBO's addition to the fold is a ten-part mini-series taking inspiration from King's 2018 novel of the same name, which focuses on the gruesome death of an 11-year-boy. Little League coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) is suspected of the shocking murder, with his fingerprints all over the scene; however, video footage places him 60 miles across town at the time the crime went down. Unravelling just what happened is a task for police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn), who's also mourning the death of his own son. When nothing seems to add up, he brings in unconventional private investigator Holly Gibney (Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale's Cynthia Erivo) to help, despite him professing to have "no tolerance for the unexplainable". In case you're thinking that this all sounds like one of King's more straightforward tales, "an insidious supernatural force" is also involved according to the official HBO synopsis — it is called The Outsider, after all. And, while the show's first teaser focused on the murder case, its just-dropped full trailer plays up the creepiness, coincidences and the fact that something beyond the bounds of normal logic just might be going on. Mendo, Australia's favourite current acting export, also produces the show, as well as seemingly getting a rare chance to play something other than a blockbuster baddie of late (see Rogue One, Ready Player One and Robin Hood, for example). As for recent Emmy directing winner Bateman, he executive produces and jumps behind the lens on the series' first two episodes. Check out the new trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNDKWr3Xmjk The Outsider starts airing on Sunday, January 12 in America — we'll update you once viewing details for Down Under have been announced.
If your wildest dreams right now are all about getting in on Taylor Swift's Eras tour, then the pop superstar comes bearing gorgeous and enchanted news. The singer will play Melbourne and Sydney in early 2024, but she's splashing her massive show across cinema screens first, confirming that Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film will show Down Under when it rolls out worldwide this spring. Look what the world made Swift do: turn her current smash-hit tour into a movie that's hitting picture palaces and sharing all things Eras with the globe. The film was first announced a few weeks back, when it dropped a trailer, but only North American screenings were locked in at the time — and, it was feared that the flick mightn't play Australia and New Zealand until Swift visited this part of the world in February. Thankfully, Swift isn't making Aussie and NZ cinemagoers wait for this big-screen view of her huge show. "The tour isn't the only thing we're taking worldwide," the singer announced via social media. Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film will roll out across more than 100 countries, most on Friday, October 13 — including Australia and Aotearoa — and some in early November. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) Fans are in for a money-can't-buy view of the 'Shake It Off', 'We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Bad Blood' musician's gig — working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular. The Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, ending that run in August. Swift also headed to Mexico in August as well. Brazil is her last stop in 2023, before playing Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Austria and Australia until August 2024. She'll then return to the US, and then visit Canada next November. Check out the trailer for Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film below: Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film will hit cinemas worldwide, including in Australia and New Zealand, from Friday, October 13 — head to the film's website for further details and bookings.
There's no such thing as an ordinary dish to chef Nelly Robinson, namesake of and driving force behind Sydney restaurant NEL, as his degustation menus keep demonstrating. KFC? Lamingtons? French onion soup? Pots of honey? They can all be given a fine-dining twist, and have. Paddington Bear's marmalade sandwiches? They're next. For the Harbour City restaurant's latest 11-course feast, it's going all in on dishes inspired by England. The theme: great British memories. So, of course everyone's favourite talking bear and his sandos get a nod. So do beef wellingtons, scampi and beer, Sunday roasts and chocolate orange. This limited-time special hits NEL from Wednesday, August 16–Saturday, September 30 — and, like all of the eatery's degustations, is a bucket list-worthy meal for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. That nod to Paddington Bear? It's made with Davidson plum marmalade, and dished up in a suitcase. And those NEL-style beef wellingtons? They're whipped up from slow-cooked stout beef cheeks, which come wrapped in cime di rapa, then topped with carrot puree and English peppercorn sauce. The pub grub-esque scampi and beer is a prawn-filled tart mayonnaise seasoned with and tajin, also featuring avruga caviar, and paired with a sarsaparilla-flavoured drink. As well as the chocolate orange — which doesn't resemble the Terry's supermarket-sold version — and the riff on a roast, spins on gammon and eggs, cheese and onion, fish and chips, korma scallops, and rhubarb and custard feature. Robinson is drawing upon his own formative years. "The team knew exactly where I was coming from when crafting of this menu began. It was really special to create a whole new menu honouring my childhood and roots," the chef advises. "As always, we have paired it with some sensational wines, too." Patrons can tuck in for $185 per person, with matched beverages starting at $85 each on top. NEL's great British memories degustation is on offer on from Wednesday, August 16–Saturday, September 30 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
Looks like it's time to throw An Unexpected Party; The Hobbit now has its own beer. Set to be released as a trio of microbrews, the Hobbity bottles will be available in the coming weeks, brewed to promote the next Tolkien-penned chapter of Peter Jackson's epic film series, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (out this December). With chilli-infused Smaug Stout on the line, this is a branding exercise we can get behind. Created far over the misty mountains cold by Washington state-based microbrewery Fish Brewing (backed by an army of investors including New Line Productions, Warner Brothers, BevLink and Ocean Brands), the three Hobbit-themed beers take on the personas of three of the series' most villainous characters in 650ml bottles. First off the rank, the Gollum Precious Pils, golden and somewhat bitter like its namesake. Then there's the ol' Smaug Stout named for our fiery treasure hoarder, a black imperial stout infused with chillies (classic dragon beer) and the perfect companion for lengthy, Orc-pursued journeys to Lonely Mountains, if you will. Finally, the Bolg Belgian Style Tripel is a robust beer embodying the evil Orc leader, crafted with enough dark strength to lead an army of goblins, Wargs and Bats in the Battle of the Five Armies. While we're yet to learn whether the Hobbit beer will make its way to Australia, the trio will be available in the US (here's hoping some nifty Australian boutique bottle shops get importing). For now, we'll just have to take a trip to the real life Green Dragon. Via Grub Street and Beer Pulse.
Do you want to kick off 2014 with a bang? Do you like your music loud? Do you like to party? If you answered yes to any/all of these then I think I have an event that might interest you. The Fox Hotel is backing up from their New Year's Eve celebration for a beach-themed shindig to ring in the New Year. If your head isn’t too sore from celebrating the end of 2013, then what better way to embrace 2014 than to party some more with some of Brisbane’s best bands. Don’t worry about the heat, as this beach party will be enough to keep you cool. Inflatable pools, Weis Bar cocktails, beer esky’s, fish and chips, live sets from Dune Rats, Go Violets and The Good Sports as well as heaps of disc jockeys – what more could you want or need? Entry is free, make sure you get in early though because this could be the party of the year - and the year just started!
Since the Australia Government introduced an effective and indefinite ban on international travel back in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19, no one has been heading overseas for a holiday. There has been plenty of talk since about what the future of global trips might hold over that time, of course. It's expected that the country's international borders unlikely to reopen until next year, for instance, while the entire international tourism industry isn't predicted to return to normal until 2023. If you plan to jet overseas via Qantas once you're able to, the airline's chief has advised one requirement you'll have to adhere to as well: you'll need to have had a COVID-19 vaccination. Speaking on A Current Affair on Monday, November 23, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said that the airline is "looking at changing our terms and conditions to say, for international travellers, that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft". "Certainly for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country, we think that's a necessity," Joyce said. But when asked if the requirement would also apply for local flights, he wasn't certain. "Whether you need that domestically, we'll have to see what will happen with COVID-19 and the market," he advised. https://twitter.com/ACurrentAffair9/status/1330788260856131584 That means you'll need to add one more thing to your pre-travel checklist — with Joyce's statement coming at a time when a COVID-19 vaccine looks closer to becoming a reality. In the past few weeks, the companies behind three different vaccine candidates have announced positive results from their ongoing clinical trials, covering potential immunisations developed by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. As a result, there is currently hope that vaccines might be able to start being rolled out in the new year. When you are able to receive a jab, it won't cost you a cent, as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged back in August. Obviously, the government won't provide further details about how everyone will get vaccinated until a working vaccine actually exists. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.
2020 will forever be known as the year everyone wore an extra groove into their couch. And because the past 12 months have just been so chaotic, you probably haven't managed to do everything you wanted to — even working through your streaming queue. You've been distracted by quite the hectic circumstances, so that's perfectly natural. Now that life slowly seems to be returning to normal — and now that holidays are upon us, too — you're probably wondering which series you should catch up on. 2020 delivered a heap of stellar new shows, however, so that isn't a straightforward question. Thankfully, in collaboration with streaming service Binge, we're here to help. Here are five of the year's absolute must-sees, all of which you can binge in full now — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Milky Lane might be best-known for its burgers named after Kevin Bacon, Drake and Post Malone, but that isn't the only reason that Australians hit up the chain's eateries. The sides menu is just as indulgent, including mac 'n' cheese croquettes and hot skillets of liquid cheese. So is the dessert range, complete with deep-fried Golden Gaytimes, plus Biscoff and Nutella pancakes. And the drinks? If you like creaming soda spiders but boozy, you'll find them here. Keen to sip Milky Lane's cocktails at home, too? Enter the brand's new range of tinnies. Three varieties are on offer — and yes, the creaming soda spider, a canned take on the cocktail that's made with vodka, watermelon, creaming soda and an ice cream mix in-store, is one of them. You can also get cans of lychee and passionfruit mojito, as well as the Bondi sour. In-stores, the first is a blend of white rum, sauvignon blanc, passionfruit soft drink, lemon, lychee and mint in-store — and the second is made with vodka, Aperol, passionfruit, pineapple, vanilla and egg whites. So, that's the mix of flavours you'll be tasting, but in versions made for tinnies. Your summer picnics, barbecues and beach trips can all now include Milky Lane's sips, with Milky Lane founder Christian Avant advising that the canned range was born of the growing demand "for high-quality, convenient cocktails at home". Available in packs of 16, or as a bundle that includes a pack each of all three varieties, these are limited-edition drinks with just 8000 cases available. There's no word on whether any other Milky Lane boozy concoctions will get the same treatment, but fans of its grape Hubba Bubba spiders, bubblegum sours, pine lime Splice sips, Nerd cocktails and shared sour apple Warhead beverages can cross their fingers. Milky Lane's RTD cocktails are available online via the chain's website.
Bubble-gum pop may have left the charts, but it never left our hearts. And this week it's back and bigger than ever with AQUA's Australian tour. Selling out their first Brisbane show in a matter of hours devastation was fast wreaking havoc across the Brisbane burbs. But saving the day like the (cartoon) heroes they are, AQUA launched a second show at the HiFI and are also gracing the Coolangatta Hotel on the Coast. This year has been a big surprise with 90s greats popping up all over. The Venga bus came and went, S Club are on their way and AQUA, arguably the biggest band of the 90s are just around the corner. They survived a lawsuit from Mattel, sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles and became the most successful Danish band to achieve global success. There is no doubt AQUA are prime 90s history, loved by an overwhelming majority of the population. This once in a lifetime AQUA opportunity won't come by again anytime soon. Which ever show you're going to, make the most of this live dose of colourful candy classics. Come on Barbie, let's go party!
Winter is all about staying indoors — and you want those interiors to look as great as possible. Art and design lovers, that's where the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's annual Winter Design Market comes in. Browse, buy and then prepare to get cosy. Find jewellery, ceramics, textiles, homewares and clothing and more at the day-long maker market, which will feature more than 50 stalls when it takes over the GOMA forecourt from 9am until 4pm on Saturday, June 8. Don't go giving their official store a miss either — take the time to peruse the GOMA collection of books and art, and thank us for the tip later. Remember: cute design wares call for cash, as EFTPOS facilities might not be available at all sellers. And while GOMA will host another design market once the silly season rolls around, getting your gift shopping out of the way now will make you feel like Christmas has come early.
Queensland's gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions is set to continue, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk bringing forward the next stage of the state's loosening of lockdown conditions. It's a result of the "tremendous job that everyone in this state has been doing," the Premier advised. And if you've been eager to travel to anywhere in Queensland, have more than a few friends over, head out with a big group of your mates or go to the gym, it's all great and welcome news. Since the beginning of May, the state has been easing restrictions in stages, including announcing a roadmap for the government's plans between May–July. At present, up to five visitors are allowed inside homes, gatherings of ten are permitted outside, retail shopping is back on the cards, Queenslanders can travel within 150 kilometres within the state, and cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels can welcome ten people at a time. Now, today, Sunday, May 31, the Premier has outlined a heap of additional activities that will be permissible from midday tomorrow, Monday, June 1. The majority of the newly announced changes were already planned to come into effect in mid-June, but are now happening at the beginning of the month, with all of the following allowed: Up to 20 people in your home, including both residents and visitors. Gatherings of up to 20 people outside of the house, for outdoor, non-contact activities — such as personal training, hiking in national and state parks, swimming in outdoor and indoor pools, visiting public spaces such as South Bank Parklands (including the lagoons), and heading to parks, playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms. Up to 20 people in gyms, health clubs and yoga studios. Up to 20 people in libraries. Weddings with up to 20 people. Church gatherings of up to 20 people. Funerals with up to 50 people. The reopening of entertainment and cultural venues such as galleries, museums, historic sites, indoor cinemas, arcades, zoos, concerts, theatres, arenas, auditoriums, stadiums and outdoor amusement parks — with 20-person limits. Non-contact community sporting activities, both indoors and outdoors, with 20-person limits. Dining in and/or seated drinks at cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and licensed clubs, with up to 20 people allowed inside at any one time. Open homes and auctions with up to 20 people. Beauty therapy services, with up to 20 people allowed in-store at any one time. Recreational travel, camping and accommodation, including caravan parks, anywhere in the state — including overnight stays. In addition, cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels with more space will be allowed to permit 20 people per defined area from midday on Friday, June 5, rather than just 20 customers in total in their entire space — but only if they have an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan in place. Some venues, such as places of worship and tourism experiences, will be required to collect and keep the names and contact details of people visiting their sites to assist with contact tracing. Notably, given the debate on the issue in recent weeks, Queensland's borders still won't be opening to interstate visitors as yet. No timeframe has been announced; however the new announcement does advise that "current interstate border control measures will remain in place and [be] reviewed for Stage 3 of the Roadmap, commencing on 10 July". Here's Queensland's updated stage-by-stage rundown, reflecting the changes announced today: If all goes well, the next stage of eased restrictions will come into effect on July 10. That said, the Queensland Government will continue to assess community transmission and testing rates before giving the go-ahead to loosen more limits. When the next stage does start in Queensland, people limits will increase to 100, and nightclubs, food courts and gaming areas will also be able to reopen with those caps. At each stage, the standard social-distancing requirements still apply — so sticking with physical distancing, maintaining four square metres per person indoors, hand and cough hygiene, and frequent cleaning and disinfection. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/photos/a.523591701005345/3203690996328722/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBQ8sFM861RNmz7gHdttGcQE-HINUGw6jMm13M3Iqvl9uGZ7-ccRiova23CP1-SJP27MXKjTSFdhzlBMO-K-eCY8zePOiOq-m0yX9oJkpXYwXUm9VHY7l5M9tuqLliMFXOgnrmsEQeUExJrFAIojVkhNmoPu7G3ozujF2bsEMxu81D9GnPqc0yUA75qw1JhDioLgcZ417qNhaLSDP7GdRstmEE_WBOD5Ecxos0HbOWHkejm8nJtlwv4O-p2Vi97mGS-0RtvUQ0o-HTy0befST_Pi-lFU-LZKISyErywum6UIn2pwt3PVrETA9GyjOEgcbQaa8-nh5XrKBeXlNzfLxQtxw&__tn__=-R Announcing the eased restrictions, Premier Palaszczuk also advised that Queensland only has five active cases of COVID-19 at present, with zero new cases overnight. To find out more about Queensland's easing COVID-19 restrictions, and the status of the coronavirus in the state, visit Queensland's online COVID-19 hub. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top images: Nick Boustead, Tourism and Events Queensland / Atlanta Bell.
Oh Hi-Fi, you had me at hello! You bring the best live music, have the sharpest venue in town, the coolest spot to stop for a drink and are now serving me delicious, amazing, mouth watering food. Is there anything you can’t do!? The Hi-Fi’s newest addition, Vinyl, is scratching in all the right places. The concept tapas restaurant/bar is cleverly designed to allow patrons to enjoy a leisurely beer or meal and still bare witness to the on-sight performances via live projection and audio feeds. But much more than that, Vinyl serves amazing food. Plain and simple. Catering for carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians or vegans, Vinyl’s menu stars an array of delicious cuisine from bruschetta to pumpkin pie, ocean trout to Wagyu cheeseburgers, miso eggplant and sirloin steak. All of this alongside friendly and attractive staff (now offering table service), vibrant print wall paper, and a bar with all the bells and whistles, it really is hard to deny Vinyl’s fun, exciting persona.
For a country surrounded by stunning coastlines, Australia hasn't been pulling its weight in the beach club department. Sure, we have waterside bars, but truly relaxing on the sand with a beer in your hand isn't something you can do legally in most of the country. The Gold Coast toyed with the idea, but it didn't come to fruition. And when Fremantle's Bathers Beach House opened up, it scored the nation's first liquor license for alfresco beach dining and drinking. The Gold Coast also played around with the beach club concept — aka European-style lounging, sipping and relaxing by the shore — however Adelaide has beaten it to the punch. If you're down South Australia way from mid-January, make a beeline to the beachside hotspot of Glenelg, and specifically the new Moseley Beach Club. An extension of the existing Moseley Bar & Kitchen, the club will boast eight premium sunbeds and 48 sun lounges on the Glenelg foreshore, which will be available for eager beachgoers seven days a week. Unsurprisingly, you'll need to book ahead to nab a comfy berth — but, once you're there, you'll also find a bar and casual dining area, with the entire space catering for a total of 350 people. The Moseley will also offer live acoustic music on weeknights and DJs on weekends. If you're wondering why the SA venue was able to achieve something nowhere else in the country has, it's simple: tourism. The local council, the City of Holdfast Bay, is acting upon independent research that found visitors would come to Glenelg more often if there was a licensed pop-up bar on the beach. For now, the Moseley Beach Club will run for 75 days until April, opening from noon to 9pm from Monday to Thursday, noon until 11pm on Fridays, 10am to 11pm on Saturdays and 10am to either 9pm on 11pm (if the next day is a public holiday) on Sundays. Entry is free before 5pm and $5 afterwards, while catching some rays on a lounge will set you back $50, which is redeemable on food and beverages and includes a free beach towel hire. Premium sunbeds are $100.
Electro duo Canyons have been on the music radar for some time now and with the release of their debut album, Keep Your Dreams, big things are in store for them in 2012. After a busy few months of touring, supporting electronic royalty Justice, and scoring positions at summer festivals, March has seen the boys taking their live show to the road as they tour Keep Your Dreams. Their music is multi-layered, poppy dance beats, folk vocals and euphoric atmospherics combine to make a musical kaleidoscope. Brisbane keeps pumping out exciting musical acts and special guests, Young Men Dead and Silas and The Seasons are no exception. Four piece Young Men Dead have played with the likes of songstress Kate Nash and electronic extraordinaire Yuksek. Like Canyons, they are difficult to pigeon hole as they mix tribal drum beats, funky bass lines with catchy vocals resulting in a unique sound. Silas and The Seasons are masters of chilled out, floaty electronica and are sure to be crowd pleasers. Cobra Kai is one of the last stops on Canyons' nation-wide tour, but don't fret, the pair haven't lost their momentum. Get down to Oh Hello and treat your ears with musical deliciousness, it's going to be a corker of a night.
Although summer has been and gone for another year, our sunshine state boasts wonderful weather all year round. Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar is the perfect place for nibbles and cocktails all to be enjoyed under the stars. If you thought it couldn't get any better than that, think again, Limes Hotel also hosts movie nights. If you missed Black Swan in the cinema or if you saw it and like many, loved it, you're in for a treat as it is the next film to be screened on Limes' movie night. Two screenings of the psychological thriller staring Natalie Portman will be shown: 6.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday. Various movie packages are available to make the night extra enjoyable. It's the perfect place to take your special someone and what better way to impress them than the package for two including two tickets, a share platter and a bottle of Chandon. Sipping on a cocktail as the sun slips behind the city skyline whilst enjoying the fresh air beats a busy movie theatre and pricey popcorn any day. Make sure you book your tickets soon as they are sure to be snapped up quickly.
Don't confuse Crass Creatures as just another cheap imitation garage band– these guys are so much more. Hailing from Brisbane, these five talented guys combine the likes of Les Savy Fav, The Pixies and Die Antwoord to create a sound that easily rivals some of the garage-band industry's greatest talent - check out their unique sound here. Crass Creatures will be joined by local favourites Lucky Bradford and The Bee's Knees in a night of freakishly fun rock at The Zoo. Lucky Bradford are a fresh face to the Brisbane music scene. Having formed in 2012, this dynamic group quickly formed a large, and ever growing fan base with their catchy riffs and lead singer David's unique voice. Their counterparts, The Bees Knees, are best known for their on stage antics, raw rhythms and ear-drum ringing sound . For only eight dollars, this night of fresh entertainment is a steal - don't miss it.
If you haven't perked your ears up to have a little listen to The Jensens, then what are you waiting for? This Brisbane five-piece has quickly moved from new kids on the Brisbane block to a band that's pumping out hit after hit without breaking a sweat. Want the proof? Check out their latest, feel good hit 'Elvis is Dead'. Now, to celebrate their newest EP, The Jensens will be hitting up The Foundry for a night of stomp your feet, clap your hands, inhibition-less fun. If you're in the need for a bit of a feel-good groove, then this is probably the weekend gig to get to. Tickets are $10.20 and you can still grab them online. Doors for The Jensens EP Launch open at 8pm, so chuck on some comfy, dancing shoes and head along!
Despite the rapid change we experience in our cities, there are some things that stay the same. And just like clockwork, Melbourne has been named the world's most liveable city in the world The Economic Intelligence Unit's Liveability Index ranks 140 cities on stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment. This marks Melbourne's seventh consecutive year at the top of the charts, and the Victorian Government could barely contain its glee. "Melbourne pipped Vienna for the top ranking, and finished well above Sydney, which did not make the top ten," read the incredibly smug press release issued by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' office earlier today. "This is a win for all Victorians, who contribute so much to making Melbourne the best place to live in the world," said Andrews. "Every Melburnian knows that they're living in the world's greatest city – and this proves it yet again," added Tourism and Major Events Minister John Eren. Rounding out the top five were Vienna, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary, which tied with Adelaide in fifth place. Sydney came in at number 11 — which, for what it's worth Melbourne, is only just outside the top ten.
Whether or not you believe that time is a flat circle — and everything we've ever done or will do, we're gonna do over and over and over and over again, too — watching new True Detective episodes is about to become a reality again. January 2024 will mark ten years since the HBO series first started, and five years since it dropped its third season. So, there's clearly no better point for True Detective: Night Country to arrive. This six-episode fourth season will focus on a new cop duo: detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster, The Mauritanian) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis, Catch the Fair One). In the show's two trailers so far, this pair isn't happy to be working together; however, they've got an icy mystery to solve. Set in Alaska, True Detective: Night Country follows the aftermath when eight men working at the Tsalal Arctic Research Station in Ennis disappear. Cue calling in the police, and also ample complications, with Danvers and Navarro endeavouring to ascertain what has happened and why. When it hits Down Under on Monday, January 15 — via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — True Detective: Night Country will also feature Finn Bennett (Hope Gap), Fiona Shaw (Andor), Christopher Eccleston (Dodger), Isabella Star LaBlanc (Long Slow Exhale) and John Hawkes (Too Old to Die Young) in front of the camera. Behind the lens, every one of the series' six new episodes is written and directed by Tigers Are Not Afraid filmmaker Issa López, with Moonlight's Barry Jenkins an executive producer. Each season of True Detective tells its own tale, so there's no need to catch up on past chapters if you watched the Matthew McConaughey (The Gentlemen)- and Woody Harrelson (White House Plumbers)-led first season in 2014 — as everyone did — but didn't keep up from there. Taylor Kitsch (Painkiller), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) starred in season two, while Mahershala Ali (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Stephen Dorff (The Righteous Gemstones) took over in season three. Check out the two teaser trailers so far for True Detective: Night Country below: True Detective: Night Country will stream in Australia Monday, January 15, 2024 via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
When your Friday sees the calendar bear the number 13, it's time to get a little evil. And what better way than to revisit the film that made everyone fear cabins in the woods, be wary of dusty old books, warm to a chainsaw-wielding, shotgun-blasting hero, and take notice of director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell. Yes, we're talking about The Evil Dead. Yes, we mean the 1981 original effort, not the 2013 remake that it'd be best if we all forgot ever happened. To mark the spookiest time of the year outside of Halloween, the New Globe Theatre and Kristian Fletcher are treating audiences to a big-screen viewing. We know you've probably seen the movie many times before, but there's never a bad time to return to this classic horror effort. In fact, regardless of the date, there's probably never been a better time. Raimi and Campbell have reunited for TV series Ash vs. Evil Dead, which has just started showing on Australian streaming media services — but if you're a fan, you likely already knew that.
On the fairly unassuming Hallenstein Street in picturesque Queenstown sits one of the most luxurious new offerings in New Zealand's hotel portfolio, offering a personalised accommodation experience worth travelling for. The Carlin is the brainchild of US-born hotelier Kevin Carlin, a property developer with a special connection to the region after buying up large swaths of land here decades ago in a move he says people claimed was "nuts". But unlike other hotels in the area, his newest venture and namesake does not sit on the crowded shores of Lake Wakatipu. Instead, it's found quietly up Queenstown Hill and therefore boasts jaw-dropping views of the lake and CBD. For those after a luxurious hotel experience, The Carlin is fairly unmatched. If you're looking for a typical five-star experience look elsewhere – this hotel modelled on the luxury hotels of Europe offers a range of spacious suites with 88 to 500 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space, and boasts a ''beyond five-star' experience. The "beyond five-star" features include (but are not limited to) private butlers, private chefs, private massage, a separate private entrance and access to a private jet and luxury vehicles — you can take a Bentley for a quick shopping sojourn into town and save your legs from the hike back up the hill afterwards. While most hotel balconies are an afterthought, that's not the case here – instead, your outdoor space has been maximised to make the most of those views. You'll find a spa, a fireplace and a full-sized dining table for entertaining. Want to host a dinner party? Your suite has a fully stocked kitchen — although you'll probably want to leave cooking preparations to your private chef. Our experience: Our arrival at the Carlin for a recent stay was marked by an extensive tour by the man himself. While clutching our welcome cocktails (dirty gin martini for me, spaced rum old-fashioned for my partner) we were taken around the various one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suits – including a peek at the penthouse. More resembling a full-scale apartment, The Carlin Skyhome is the largest penthouse suite in Australasia. It has seven bedrooms spanning three floors, and a separate quiet entrance "for when Tom Cruise comes to stay", according to Carlin. If you want to book in hoping to spot celebs or royalty you'll probably be out of luck as discretion is the name of the game here. The hotel only accommodates a maximum of 50 guests at one time and can even be booked out by single groups – Carlin told us he has a family taking over the whole hotel for a week in December. Once you've settled into your suite and noticed the unique touches luxuriously appointed in gold and marble, showered with the Molten Brown toiletries and tried out the wildly exciting modes on the toilet (turn it into a heated bidet if you're so inclined), it's time to head downstairs for dinner. Oro (meaning 'gold' in Italian and Spanish) is the hotel's single restaurant, and hospitality brains will notice the clever separate hot and cold pass system designed by Kevin Carlin himself. This eatery offers a further elevated experience and one not reserved solely for hotel guests – you'll spot a mix of Queenstown locals taking the opportunity for a special occasion meal. The menu has a local lean, making the most of suppliers from the region. Standouts include the grilled ora king salmon, South Island venison, line-caught seafood and lamb rack from Royalburn Station — a name that will stand out for fans of Nadia Lim's television series Nadia's Farm. We opted for steaks, and upon learning my partner was a scotch man, the wonderfully attentive front of house brought out various examples on offer on a board so he could choose the most appealing cut. It's that attention to detail that most stands out at the Carlin — nothing is a bother. And while you're drinking, dining and chatting you'll realise the tinkling piano playing while you dine isn't a Spotify playlist, but the work of the hotel owner himself, taking a quick 10 minutes to entertain guests with a virtuoso performance in the corner. Attention to detail, indeed.
There are many ways that you can show love for your pet pooch, especially in these extremely dog-friendly times. Want to take Fido to a music festival? Head to a pub with Coco? Let Rex loose at a Halloween party for canines? Yes, you can do just that — and have your four-legged bestie's cute face plastered across your swimmers, too, because the list really does go on. Only one adorable pupper can get immortalised in Lego, however. We're not talking about just sticking a few bricks together at home, either. Inspired by International Dog Day, Melbourne's Legoland Discovery Centre will build a life-size replica of one lucky doggo. The celebratory date was actually this past Monday, but the competition runs until 11.59pm on Friday, September 2o. If you're already clearing a spot for your new Lego addition to the family — and wondering how your fluffball will react to their own likeness — you'll need to submit a photo of your pooch on the Legoland Discovery Centre's Facebook page, specifically to its competition post. You'll also need to explain why your dachshund or dalmatian should get the Lego treatment, which shouldn't be hard. Serve up the best answer, and a master builder (yes, that's a real thing) will recreate your dog with in tiny plastic bricks. While the contest terms and conditions don't require entrants to live in Melbourne, the winner will be unveiled there in November — and you'll need to head by in person to pick up your prize. You'll also need to like the Legoland Discovery Centre's Facebook page to enter, and include your pet's name, age, breed and one crazy fact about them with your submission. If your canine can walk on its hind legs or bark to a tune, don't keep that detail to yourself. To enter the Lego Dog Competition, visit the Legoland Discovery Centre Facebook page before 11.59pm on Friday, September 2o.
Throughout October, Greece is the word in Australian cinemas. That's right, Hellenic-loving cinephiles — it's Greek Film Festival time. Now in its 24th year, the annual showcase of the European country's film output is set to do the rounds once again, highlighting the best contemporary efforts being made across the Aegean Sea. Accordingly, prepare for the kind of backdrops that'll make you want to book your next holiday, probing insights into the nation's migration situation, and for a few strange and wonderful confusions — they don't call their current spate of movies "the Greek Weird Wave" for nothing, after all. If you're after more, prepare for a snapshot of not only features and documentaries being made in Greece, but a showcase of talent and tales that have spread around the world. To help you whittle down your viewing list, we've picked five must-sees from this year's lineup. https://vimeo.com/192731022#at=0 DOGS OF DEMOCRACY Anything cats can do, dogs can do too, right? If you've ever had both feline and canine four-legged BFFs, you'll know that the latter frequently wants to follow in the former's footsteps. In Dogs of Democracy, that's just what's happening — as anyone who saw and fell in love with Turkish cat doco Kedi will recognise. This time around, it's playful pooches on the streets of Athens that are in the spotlight, in an effort by Greek-Australian philosopher and filmmaker Mary Zournazi. What can the city's strays teach us about tumultuous everyday life? You'd be barking mad not to watch and find out. Dogs of Democracy screens in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=CQFdGfwChtw THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER Ever the master of exposing humanity's true nature in unexpected, unnerving and bleakly amusing ways, and of serving up clinical visuals and a commanding tone in the process, Yorgos Lanthimos is up to his usual tricks in The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Of course, where the Dogtooth, Alps and The Lobster writer/director is concerned, there's no such thing as usual. Here, in his second successive feature to star a career-best Colin Farrell, he steps inside the struggles of a doctor whose family is forced to cross paths with the son of one of his patients. Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone and Dunkirk's Barry Keoghan round out the cast — the latter in an astonishing performance — as Lanthimos serves up a savagely accurate exploration of self-interest, sacrifice and the horrors of everyday life. The Killing of a Sacred Deer screens in Sydney and Melbourne. https://vimeo.com/211444789 ROZA OF SMYRNA There's a reason that filmmakers keep coming back to Romeo and Juliet, or R+J-like stories. Conflict, love, tragedy, heartbreak — even if real life often has a happier ending, the Bard's story of a star-crossed but ill-fated romance captures its ups and downs. Add Roza of Smyrna to the pile following in its footsteps, in a Greco-Turkish tale that blends its amorous affairs with a portrait of relations between the two country. Greek veteran Leda Protopsalti stars as the titular character, a formidable family matriarch whose youthful exploits drive the movie. Roza of Smyrna screens in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=goJzKqpAdEk AMERIKA SQUARE After making a splash in Chevalier, Greek actor Makis Papadimitriou stars in Amerika Square — and gets immersed in a different kind of battle. Here, he's playing a Greek nationalist in a country still tussling with immigration and refugees, and his character has strong feelings about it. An African singer looking to escape with her tattoo artist boyfriend and a Syrian doctor trying to leave with his daughter also form part of the film's narrative. Exploring the current state of the nation, the powerful drama is Greece's submission for the best foreign-language film category at the 2018 Oscars. Amerika Square screens in Sydney and Melbourne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L98Lc1F7UtA KISSING? Mumblecore, the American low-budget indie movement that gave us Greta Gerwig, Joe Swanberg, Mark Duplass and more, is going Greek. You won't find any of them in Kissing?, sorry, but you will find a raw, candid effort about the ordinary existence of almost thirtysomethings trying to get by. Yes, Danny (Thanassis Petropoulos) and Stella (Iro Bezou) are navigating the maze of life and love tahat you'd expect; however filmmaker Yannis Korres' feature is made all the more resonant due to his country's economic turmoil. Kissing? screens in Brisbane. The Greek Film Festival runs from October 10 to 22 at Palace Norton Street in Sydney, October 11 to 22 at Palace Como and The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, and October 12 to 15 at Palace Barracks in Brisbane. Head to the festival website for further details.
It might sound like some sort of lunar identity crisis, but the rare super blue blood moon proved a pretty spectacular addition to last night's skies. Stargazers across Australia had prime position to view the celestial phenomenon, which hasn't occurred anywhere in the world in over 35 years. The event combined the first total lunar eclipse since 2015, with a blue moon, or the second full moon of the calendar month. Clouds might have made for sketchy viewing in some parts of the country, though, as always, social media is chock full of impressive snaps from folks lucky enough to catch the astronomical treat. Here are some of the best shots of 2018's blue blood moon from around the planet. A post shared by Ken Perkes Photography (@perkesken) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:44am PST A post shared by Jenny Herron (@jenniferherronn) on Jan 31, 2018 at 9:15am PST A post shared by Justin DeLand (@aperture_of_the_soul) on Jan 31, 2018 at 1:15pm PST A post shared by +15⚓🌴🍀🌊 (@cristian_perrone) on Jan 31, 2018 at 1:24pm PST A post shared by Jeff Morris (@itwasthelight) on Jan 31, 2018 at 8:33am PST A post shared by Landscapes-Astro-Cityscapes (@bay.photography) on Jan 31, 2018 at 9:58am PST A post shared by Senai Senna (@sennarelax) on Jan 31, 2018 at 1:13pm PST A post shared by Carlos Sanchez (@officialcarlossanchez) on Jan 31, 2018 at 7:14am PST A post shared by Maria Heni (@henimaria) on Jan 31, 2018 at 5:38am PST A post shared by @harsha_taurus on Jan 31, 2018 at 2:41pm PST
For a few days 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. Or, head along from 6pm on January 25, when Bookfest is pairing late-night shopping with live tunes.
If you've seen the last season of Arrested Development — or actually been to Mexico — you'll know that Cinco de Mayo is celebration like no other. Think spicy food, energetic dancing, street stalls and more mariachi bands than you can tip your sombrero to. All that comes to the Cinco de Mayo Mexican Festival, which takes over Riverlife this Sunday. Yep, it's just going to be one of those fast-paced, high-octane events that will have your eyes darting between DJs, dancers, chimichangas, chillis and chicken wings till you collapse. A bit of history on the day: originally Cinco de Mayo commemorated the Mexican battle of Puebla where Mexico defeated the French. Now, the fifth of May marks a celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, cocktails and music. That means you've finally got a chance to bust out that dusty sombrero and show off your attempt at salsa. The Cinco de Mayo Mexican Festival will take place Sunday May 1 from 12pm till late. Tickets are still available at $65, and can be purchased online.
Whoever said an encyclopaedic knowledge of a cartoon about a dysfunctional yellow family would never come in handy was a real narc. The Brightside is pulling the Comic Book Guy out of every Simpsons fanatic on April 14 with Simpsons Trivia. If you don't know squat about Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, then don't even bother checking it out – this is for die-hard fans only. You should at least know the name of Lionel Hutz's law practice? The name of Lisa and Bart's hockey teams coached by Apu and Chief Wiggum? The names of two other Sideshows besides Bob and Mel? And who was Lisa's first hook-up? These are elementary questions. You don't know those answers, quit while you're ahead. Prizes are on offer, of course — and, if the night gets as ruthless as expected, includes a couple of souls. If you've ever been to a Simpsons or Seinfield trivia night before you'll understand these get pretty intense, with some competitors near crazed with cartoon intelligence. So be prepared for the moment you stare at the leader board, hypnotised by self-doubt, and repeatedly, self-pityingly mutter to yourself, "I'm not so S-M-R-T."
For a few days, 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.
If you've never hallucinated a coyote, or simply really really like hot chilli, then get to Kettle and Tin for their annual Chilli Cook Off. If Kettle and Tin's last four cook offs proved anything, it's that this festival isn't one for the timid of stomachs. That's why they've ramped up the action and spread it over two days this year, first offering up a warm up of meat, a barbecue showcase and Bloody Mary masterclasses on March 18, before things heat up on March 19. That's when competitors don't mess around, the chilli proves off-the-scale delish and everything from the food to the drinks bites hard. Admission is $15, with eight Brissie venues battling for supremacy, plus live music and plenty of beverages. Our tip: if you're not a fan of spice, BYO milk. The Chilli Cook Off begins at 10am and is expected to run long into the evening. If you think you can handle the heat, pack your chilli spoon and head along.
Think size is a reflection of quality? Think again. One of Brisbane's quaintest little bars is striving to prove otherwise by showing off some of the nation's emerging talent. Just head down to Ashgrove's Junk Bar this Saturday to catch some of Australia's best acts in the World's Smallest Festival. Playing on two incy wincy stages will be Trevor Ludlow and the Hell Raisers, Seja, Jeremy Cole, and returning hosts Greg Brady and the Anchors. The evening kicks of at 7.30pm, with all of Junk's signature cocktails and drinks guaranteed to be flowing. It's only $13.30, which probably makes it also one of the world's cheapest festivals, too — and it's recommended that you buy tickets in advance. If you've never been to Junk Bar before, this is as good an excuse as any to jump on the Maroon Glider as it heads in the Ashgrove direction and check these humble little digs out. And hey, you might even discover a new favourite band while you're at it.
When it comes to the Institute of Modern Art's sound scouring skills, they don't disappoint. Their latest musical import is a goody, too worthy for us simple Brisbanites — Swans' guitarist Norman Westberg. On Thursday April 14, Westberg will be performing at Mono.21 in his first solo concert outside of North America. His guitar playing with Swans influenced a generation of musicians through his provocative and focused methods. His solo work strays from the rigid structures of Swans, producing composition of deep texture and harmonic intensity. His works generate an affecting quality that drives the listener towards reductive transcendence — and that's reductive transcendence that won't cost you a buck, because this event is free. Joining Norman Westberg is An Infinity Room, the spatial drone project of Australian artist Julian Day.
Richard Tognetti is the Heston Blumenthal of Australian classical music. He is a master of his craft, an experimentalist and most importantly a composer whose work has continuously radiated perfection. Now, in Tognetti's latest and most ambitious project to date, The Reef, he takes his audience to the rugged coast and desert landscape of northern Western Australia. In what is best described as a beautiful yet delicate marriage of pieces, Tognetti intersects music and nature to create a unique cinematic and musical experience. Tognetti, however, is not a solo artist in this production. In what is a remarkable collaboration of artists, including photographer Jon Frank, director Mick Sowry, composer Iain Grandage, didgeridoo player Mark Atkins, singer Stephen Pigram and the young musicians of ACO2, The Reef delves into links between surfing, the ocean, landscape and music. Dive in and be mesmerised by the swirls of music, arid landscapes and captivating footage that is, The Reef. Take a sneak peek at The Reef
Chris Salewicz is probably one of greatest music writers that ever was, and you can catch him in conversation this Saturday at the Triffid. Active at the height of British punk — i.e. the '70s — Salewicz was among the journos credited with really writing the book on music journalism. Through his time at NME, he forged lasting bonds wth some of the world's greatest musicians, such as Joe Strummer and Bob Marley. Now, he's releasing his latest of 15 books, called Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer. Salewicz will be reading a few lines from his book and talking about The Clash, the early days of punk in the UK, all things reggae, and his long friendship with Strummer, of course. The evening kicks off at 5.30pm.
Still sad because you missed The Avalanches much hyped comeback show at Splendour? Well, start saving your pennies because they're back for the Falls Music & Arts Festival. They're just one of the artists on the 2016 lineup, alongside Childish Gambino, London Grammar, Grouplove, Broods, Jamie T, Parquet Courts and heaps, heaps more. As always, Falls will be heading to Byron Bay for three nights over New Year's Eve. The NSW festival will run simultaneously with legs in Marion Bay and Lorne. Falls will also be setting up shop in Fremantle for the first time with Falls Downtown, a two-day city festival slated to take place over the weekend of January 7-8. Anyway, this is what you're after — here's the full lineup. FALLS FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP Childish Gambino (No Sideshows) London Grammar (No Sideshows) The Avalanches Violent Soho Matt Corby Alison Wonderland* Catfish and the Bottlemen* Fat Freddy's Drop* Ta-ku The Rubens* The Jezabels Ball Park Music Grouplove Bernard Fanning* Jamie T Broods Tkay Maidza Grandmaster Flash Illy MØ Hot Dub Time Machine DMA's AlunaGeorge Booka Shade Client Liaison Vallis Alps Parquet Courts City Calm Down LDRU* Modern Baseball Tired Lion* Remi* RY X Marlon Williams* Lemaitre Shura *Not Playing Fremantle
Think your old rusty bicycles belong in the dumpster? Think again. Yes, that old bike can indeed be reincarnated if it falls in the right hands. Carolina Fontoura Alzaga's hands to be exact. Alzaga transforms bicycle chains into beautifully rustic looking chandeliers. Her passion is repurposing castoff materials, and she does it well. Since medieval times, chandeliers have been used as elaborate decorations associated with wealth and power. Alzaga shatters this concept with her warm and elegant designs. Using aspects of her cultural past from Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S., she is able to create unique and appealing artwork. She aims to combine the idea of discarded and forgotten items with the power and influence associated with chandeliers. Using her creativity and visions of a healthier planet, she gives 'trash' a second chance. Below is a video that describes Alzaga's mission to preserve our world. You can order your own chandelier here. Alzaga handcrafts each one upon order. Take a look at these pieces from her ongoing series titled CONNECT.
When IT floated onto the big screen in 2017, inspiring plenty of coulrophobia in the process, it only told half of the story. Adapting Stephen King's bestseller into a film, the horror hit jumped back to 1988–89, visited the author's usual setting of Derry, Maine, and followed a group of teenagers who came face to face with their worst clown-filled nightmares. But, as fans of the book or the 1990 TV series know, that's literally just the beginning. Cue IT: Chapter Two, another excuse to unleash the white-faced, flame-haired Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) upon the world, rustle up more than a few creepy scares and make a mint at the box office, all by charting the novel's other timeline. Set 27 years later — because that's how often the sadistic, shapeshifting demon pops up — it revisits the kids known as the Losers Club. They're all grown up, with Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader leading the cast, but they're not done with red balloon-wielding evil just yet. Or, to be more accurate, Pennywise isn't done with them. If you're already afraid of clowns, IT: Chapter Two clearly won't be for you. If you'd like to discover just what it takes to make you tremble at the sight of circus performers, this sequel will definitely help. So will its just-released first trailer, which introduces the adult gang, reminds everyone not to chase toy sailboats into storm drains and — of course — lets its sinister villain do his worst again. Original director Andy Muschietti (Mama) is back at the helm, so expect a hefty dose of unnervingly effective and all-round unsettling horror imagery once more. And, while this eagerly anticipated follow-up has plenty of star power, the first flick's Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard and company all return as the younger versions of the Losers Club as well. Take a peek at the first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqUopiAYdRg IT: Chapter Two releases in Australian cinemas on September 5, 2019.
With its variety of vivid styles, colours, tags and images, street art doesn't just look great on walls and subways. It also shines bright in photographs. And, for almost five decades, Martha Cooper has spent her time snapping pictures of street creativity in its many forms. In 1984, with fellow American photographer Henry Chalfant, she literally published the book on the subject — with their collaboration Subway Art considered not just a chronicle of New York's graffiti movement, but its bible. Cooper hasn't just restricted her focus to the Big Apple, however. From Japan, Haiti and Baltimore to Berlin, Japan and Sao Paulo, she has immortalised street scenes around the world. She sees things that others usually walk straight by — more than that, she takes photos of them — and now the highlights of her career are on display at Brisbane Powerhouse. Running until Sunday, September 22, Martha Cooper: Street Shots 1970–2019 showcases a diverse array of Cooper's work, and her keen eye for urban art. As well as hopping around the globe, the free exhibition also features her own personal mementos and collections. Martha Cooper: Street Shots 1970–2019 is on display in Brisbane Powerhouse's Visy Foyer, open from 9am–5pm on Mondays and 9am–9pm Tuesday–Sunday.
Among the latest list of temporarily shuttered venues to drop a revamped online offering for the sanity of us isolated locals, are the Museums Victoria stable of cultural institutions: Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and Scienceworks. The three sites can now be experienced from any screen, whenever you fancy, thanks to newly launched virtual programming Museums at Home. Museums Victoria's digital channels will now play host to a suite of videos, live streams, online events and other experiences, to keep you connected and indulging that curiosity while cooped up at home. You can take a virtual tour of Melbourne Museum, hitting exhibitions like Phar Lap: A True Legend, Dinosaur Walk, and brain-focused collection The Mind, seeing and learning plenty along the way. There'll be regular Q&A videos with the museum experts, too, where you can jump online and ask your own burning question about something that's got you stumped. Meanwhile, Scienceworks' new online offering is sure to inspire a few at-home scientists, packed with virtual tours of its own exhibitions, research videos and links to loads of fascinating science stories. You can journey to Pluto with NASA's Alice Bowman and watch a hilarious video of 'things you shouldn't put in a microwave'. Don't try and recreate at home, folks. And the Immigration Museum will have you embracing Victoria's multicultural roots, exploring personal stories and historic photos on a virtual tour of the current exhibitions. Identity: yours, mine, ours questions what it means to belong in Australia, while video footage captures award-winning First Nations artist and choreographer Amrita Hepi taking over the Immigration Museum's Long Room for a special performance last year. Or, you take a peek at much of the Museum's extensive Migration and Cultural Diversity collection, while reading up about the colourful history of migration in Australia. Check out the full Museums at Home offering at the website and each of the museums' social channels. Top image: Scienceworks, 'Beyond Perception' exhibition courtesy of Museums Victoria. Photo by Benjamin Heally.
Eco-warrior Joost Bakker (Greenhouse by Joost, Brothl) is at it again, acting as creative consultant for what may become the world's most sustainable shopping centre. Teaming up with Frasers Property Australia, Bakker will design a 2000-square-metre rooftop farm and restaurant at the heart of the new Burwood Brickworks development — set to begin construction in mid 2018, just 15 kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD. The rooftop's massive agricultural hub will sit within the complex's 12,700-square-metres of retail and hospitality space, with the urban farm split between greenhouse, external planter box and landscaped growing areas. Some of the sustainable elements Bakker plans to implement include a closed-loop water system, composting capability, and minimal transportation of food and waste. It has yet to be decided which restaurateur will run the space, with Frasers currently seeking expression of interest from established food and drink providores. The rooftop is already sounding like an inner-city gem and we are eager to see which tenant takes this massive project on. "There is such a hunger for this kind of development throughout the world," says Bakker. It really fills a gap in the market to feed and nurture conscious consumers... [that] want to shop, eat and relax in environments that truly support a sustainable world." The design of the wider mixed-use development will also focus on sustainability, using a large solar PV system and an embedded electricity network to target a minimum five-star green rating, with the aim of becoming Australia's first six-star Green Star Design — and to achieve Living Building Challenge accreditation. This accreditation is seriously hard to obtain and means the building must have a net zero carbon footprint, produce more electricity than it consumes, grow agriculture on 20 percent of the site, and prove net water and waste positive. It must also be constructed using non-toxic and recycled materials, and have other social benefits like access to natural daylight and indoor air quality. Once completed in October 2019, the Burwood Brickworks development will join the challenge to determine if they meet the criteria to be considered the world's most sustainable shopping centre. Here's hoping Frasers puts their money where their mouth is.
Having completed a sold out Australian tour only last year, funny man Gabriel Iglesias returns to Brisbane for two nights of high-octane laughs. Known for mixing storytelling with voice effects, Iglesias provides a roller coaster of comedic experience from start to finish. Known predominantly for his shows I'm Not Fat I'm Fluffy and Hot and Fluffy, Iglesias' comedy career has been moving forward in leaps and bounds. Having started work for a mobile phone company, Iglesias suddenly changed to a career in comedy, risking his financial security for a shot at his dream. Luckily for us, Inglesias has been performing to audiences all over the world for the last 12 years, and even featured in the 2012 film Magic Mike with Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum. Inglesias will be performing two nights of stand up at the Tivoli. Don't miss your chance at seeing this electric, life-filled performer in the flesh. Gabriel Iglesias 'Drive Thru Voice'
Every year, one of Australia's favourite lit events undergoes a slight, temporary rebranding, simply by dropping their first syllable. Yep, Women of Letters becomes Men of Letters, bringing to the Zoo stage a huge selection of Brisbane's — hell Australia's — best male talent as they rediscover the lost art of letter writing. Included on this year's jam-packed lineup are a wealth of the titular men-folk, including singer and Star Wars star Jay Laga'aia, and The Grates guitarist and Southside Tea Room co-owner John Patterson. They'll be demonstrating their winning ways with words, and they're not alone. Also having a hand in the day's letter writing are local rebel priest Peter Kennedy, Aussie artist Michael Zavros, writer and editor Khalid Warsame, actor Leon Cain, broadcaster Ian 'Dano' Rogerson, Twitter's Thomas Violence (aka Ben McLeay), and former Big Brother contestant Ben Zabel. Each will be penning and reading a letter to 'The Woman Who Changed My Life'. Doors open at 3pm, and wine, cheese, stamps and envelopes are provided. Grab your finest quill and head along.
