"Get a little closer... Cut open my sternum and pull my little ribs around you," Megan James sings on Purity Ring's 'Fineshrine', a song so immaculate and pretty it takes a few listens for the darkness of the lyrics to come into focus. The Canadian duo revel in this kind of contrast: lush, manicured synth pop with a dark undercurrent that leaves a more unsettling afterglow. Initially formed out of Montreal indie band Gobble Gobble, Purity Ring's debut full-length Shrines ranks as one of the year's best, an immersive, swirling collection with pulsing rhythms and pockets of deceptive darkness. Touring for Golden Plains festival, the pair will also bring their live show (which includes a renowned light show courtesy of the other member, Corin Riddick).
When you're a bar that nods to all things spooky in your name, and you boast more than a couple of monster-themed pinball and arcade machines, then you're going to like the end of October. Netherworld does, of course. Indeed, the Valley pub celebrates Halloween in the expected style each and every year. So, what's on the agenda, other than a few pumpkins around the place? The venue's themed beer fest is back, and so is its annual A Netherworld Halloween party. The latter hits on Tuesday, October 31, getting into the spirit of the occasion on the appropriate date. Expect a ghoulish night of scary fun, complete with those horror-centric pinball tables. Yes, you can call it a monster mash if you like. You know that the track will get a spin, and you know that you're going to dance to it, creepy cocktail in hand. [caption id="attachment_605021" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sarah Ward[/caption] iiWii and Grieg will also help provide tunes, singing live onstage — and the Hellmouth Diner is catering its menu to suit the theme, too. And, there'll be a karma keg for Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld Inc, so your drinks will help a good (and apt) cause. Plus, if you dress up for this evening of Halloween gaming goodness, you'll score five free tokens for your trouble. You might also win the costume contest. Entry is free, with the spooky fun going down between 6pm till late. And there is a theme within the theme, if you fancy dressing up like a vampire. [caption id="attachment_669756" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] Top image: Sarah Ward.
Time flies when you're slurping up Japanese noodle soups and having fun, as Paddington's Hai Hai clearly knows. It has been three years since it opened it's doors, and the eatery is throwing a party to celebrate. Unlike any old birthday shindig, however, this one comes with free ramen. When the merriments kicks off on Wednesday, April 1, you'll want to arrive as close to 4pm as you can — the free brothy bowls will only be available to the first 200 customers. And, it's a dine-in only affair, so prepare for a line to get into the eatery's cute, cosy Latrobe Terrace digs. Also on offer are 200 free ramen t-shirts — because why just eat at Hai Hai when you can get decked out in their kit as well? Again, it's a first in, best dressed arrangement. Commence the slurping. UPDATE, APRIL 1: Hai Hai's birthday celebrations were originally due to take place on Wednesday, March 27, but were postponed until Wednesday, April 3 due to rain.
When SBS's new free-to-air 24-hour World Movies channel arrives in July, it'll boast plenty of reasons to get cosy on your couch, ignore the world and settle in for your own stay-at-home film festival. In fact, you might want to cancel your weekend daytime plans for the month — because you'll be spending every Saturday and Sunday watching a non-stop Studio Ghibli marathon. From 6am–7.30pm each weekend during July, the new channel will work its way through a heap of the studio's beloved flicks, including Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, The Secret World of Arrietty, Tales From Earthsea, The Cat Returns, The Castle of Cagliostro, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises and When Marnie Was There. If that's not enough delightful Japanese animation for you, a couple of other films will be thrown into the mix — such as The Red Turtle, a gorgeous Ghibli co-production directed by Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit; the lively Mary and the Witch's Flower, which was made by animators who previously worked at Studio Ghibli; and The Boy and The Beast and Summer Wars, which both hail from rightfully acclaimed filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wf57f5F09c SBS has also revealed what else will be screening on World Movies throughout its first month, and it's a hefty list that includes box office hits, festival favourites and plenty of familiar faces. Get teary over Lion's Oscar-nominated real-life reunion tale, start pondering the afterlife in A Ghost Story (aka the film where Rooney Mara devours a pie and Casey Affleck stands under a sheet), or check out the moving, banned-in-Kenya lesbian romance Rafiki. Elsewhere, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem team up for the second time in as many years in Loving Pablo, which follows a journalist who falls for Pablo Escobar, while applauded Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke unveils a sprawling crime epic in Ash Is the Purest White. If you're looking for something to do on a Tuesday, the channel is devoting the night to French actor Romain Duris (Heartbreaker, The New Girlfriend), while Thursday evenings will be all about women in film. SBS World Movies launches on Monday, July 1 on channel 32. For its full lineup, visit the SBS TV guide.
As soon as they step off the plane in Tropical North Queensland, most people make a beeline for the Great Barrier Reef. After all, this marine wonderland is the largest coral reef system in the world and attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. The reef is bold and beautiful but it's also a delicate ecosystem, so it's important to take care when travelling to help protect it and to remember a few quick tips before you explore. Even simple actions like swapping to reef-safe sunscreen or checking you're fishing where you're allowed to do so can have long-lasting positive effects on the health of this natural wonder. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways you can help keep our reef beautiful for generations to come. [caption id="attachment_842448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] OFFSET YOUR TRIP Offsetting your trip is an easy way to travel responsibly — especially with many tourism and travel providers of all sizes now providing you an option to do so. One Tropical North Queensland tourism provider that is both dedicated to eco-friendly explorations and aids sustainability efforts is the award-winning Cairns-based Passions of Paradise. The company offers reef tours as well as snorkelling and scuba diving with all gear included, too, so you can get up close to turtles, fish and all the coral-dwelling creatures of the reef with ease before relaxing on board with a buffet lunch. Passions also gives certified divers the chance to engage in citizen science with its Eco Tours. Under the direction of a Master Reef Guide, divers who opt for this experience can contribute to ongoing reef conservation projects and support the work of local conservationists on the Great Barrier Reef through things like surveying reef locations, monitoring reef health or assisting in coral planting. Not a certified diver? You can still make a difference — Passions of Paradise work with researchers to help grow coral through the Coral Nurture Program and offset carbon emissions by planting trees in the Daintree. If you're visiting the reef from Port Douglas, consider a trip with Sailaway. This full-day tour with a qualified marine biologist is a great way to learn more about the wonders beneath the shimmering blue waves. The best bit? The company donates $20 from every ticket to its reforestation and carbon offsetting project. [caption id="attachment_830381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SEE THE REEF WITH FIRST NATIONS GUIDES If your idea of a perfect day in the ocean is seeing beautiful reefs and getting an insightful connection to the sea, put Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel on your itinerary. Offering a unique experience, this local team of First Nations sea rangers will invite you to step into the Great Barrier Reef's Dreamtime. Cairns' only Indigenous-focused cruise, Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel is recognised as one of Australia's leading ecotourism providers thanks to its Advanced Eco accreditation awarded by Ecotourism Australia and a Climate Action Business Certification, with its tours and activities carried out in line with industry-best standards. Some proceeds from ticket sales go to local conservation initiatives and further research through GBR Biology group, a dedicated team of marine biologists, educations and rangers that delivers immersive experiences and invests in coral reef monitoring and research. [caption id="attachment_845484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mikhail Nilov (Pexels)[/caption] USE REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN (OR WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING SO YOU DON'T NEED SUNSCREEN) If you went to primary school in Australia, then you are probably pretty familiar with the 'slip, slop, slap' campaign. Sun protection is always paramount when you live in a scorching country, but there are ways to keep yourself protected that also help protect the planet. Certain sunscreen ingredients are known to cause coral deterioration, so it's worth being savvy when choosing your products. An easy guide is to look for reef-safe ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and avoid nasties such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Also, look for packaging that is recycled or recyclable and stay away from spray sunscreens that cause excess product to land on the sand. But if you're looking for the easiest (and most effective) way to escape sun damage, opt for protective clothing that is dark and densely woven. Unlike sunscreen, it doesn't need to be reapplied, and never washes off. [caption id="attachment_845201" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET INVOLVED IN CITIZEN SCIENCE It's easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef, but there are some simple ways we can all help. The Eye on the Reef app allows you to quickly log information about reef health and wildlife sightings, allowing anyone who visits to contribute to its protection. It's simple to use, free to download and use and requires zero special equipment — it takes just seconds to record any spots of coral bleaching or instances of sick animals. The app also uses GPS settings to give you specific zoning rules for each area, so you don't get caught out fishing or diving in restricted spots. [caption id="attachment_845200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] PLANT SOME CORAL Want to help the reef in an immediate and hands-on way? Scuba divers: assemble. All you need is a PADI certification and a ticket on the Passions of Paradise reef tour. This proud ecotourism operator has spent decades on the reef via its 30-metre catamaran. Its Coral Nurture Program is a collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney and allows previously damaged sections of coral to flourish. Divers are carefully guided underwater and shown how to harvest tiny pieces of coral that they then relocate to a coral nursery where they can safely grow up to 30 centimetres each year. This is an immersive and educational activity that gives divers a tangible connection to coral rehabilitation. [caption id="attachment_845197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] ADOPT SOME CORAL Keen to help with coral conservation but don't have your diving licence? We've got you sorted. The Reef Restoration Foundation (RRF) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that challenges the idea that the reef is damaged beyond hope. Following a coral bleaching event in 2016, keen diver and soon-to-be RRF founder Gary McKenna observed that the coral in his home aquarium could regrow and create new fragments. He expanded his research worldwide, and discovered that there were several coral replanting methods that hadn't been tried on the Great Barrier Reef. International experts came on board, and grant funding allowed the RRF coral nurseries to double. While these steps are incredibly positive, reef restoration is a long-term project. By adopting your own patch of coral through RRF, you can provide much-needed funds to keep resources flowing. Plus, you will receive regular growth updates on your cute coral patch. [caption id="attachment_845797" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juergen Freund[/caption] VISIT THE OUTER REEF When visiting the Great Barrier Reef, it's tempting to look for the quickest tours that have you zipping there and back before nightfall. However, for those who want to really immerse themselves in the region, the Eco Tourism Australia-accredited Coral Expeditions offers seven- and ten-day adventures to the outer stretches of the reef, far beyond the reach of most tourist vessels. Jump on board one of the company's purpose-designed small ships for an immersive voyage to uninhabited sand cays and pristine reef systems, taking in some of the most impressive and untouched dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. The expeditions visit both the Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, with on-board experts to guide you through unforgettable moments like meeting green sea turtles, a Welcome to Country in the world's oldest rainforest and many more. LEARN ABOUT REEF CONVERSATION A useful resource for reef conservation information are the Master Reef Guides. These marine experts must meet a long list of criteria before they can carry the title, as well as having to undergo additional training in public speaking and storytelling. If learning more about the iconic destination is on your list while in Tropical North Queensland, be sure to book a tour that has a Master Reef Guide – they work across both tourism and research vessels. Ready to be rewarded for living responsibly? For more information on obtaining Green tier status via the Qantas Frequent Flyers program, visit the website. Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland Words: Eliza Crisp, Courtney Ammenhauser, Stephanie Monteith, Nik Addams.
Thanks to its prime location on Melbourne Street in South Brisbane, as well as its multiple levels of bars, the Fox Hotel was once one of the River City's must-hit pubs — and recently. Soon, it's aiming to be exactly that again. Ghanem Group has announced that it is taking over the well-known and heritage-listed spot, and will reopening the site before 2025 is out. Expect stacked levels of eating and drinking, turning the venue into a new dining, events and entertainment precinct. "This is our largest and one of our most-exciting projects to date," said Ghanem Group Director Adonis Ghanem, announcing the company's next venture, which follows the launch of Lúc Lắc at Queen's Wharf late in 2024. "The growing community of this area has long awaited the return of this legendary venue, and to have the opportunity to bring the next era of dining and entertainment to this iconic site is a true honour. This is a project that we are very much excited about." There's no exact reopening date as yet, but it will be before 2026 arrives. Overall, the aim is get Brisbanites flocking back to the landmark venue, and to make the most of its position as part of Fish Lane. Expect the revitalisation to pay tribute to one helluva building, too, and to both nod to the past and cement the site's future across its various floors. Yes, making a date here will feel like hitting up different venues in one, with each level adding to a diverse setup. You'll head in via a new entry on Fish Lane, then either hang out in the public bar on the ground floor — where you can grab a bite at the bistro as well — or venture upstairs. Function spaces, a bottle shop and a late-night cocktail lounge will all be included in the Fox's latest guise, as will the rooftop terrace. Space Cubed Design Studio is leading the charge on the interior redesign and fitout, but heritage features will remain, as will the building's art deco touches. Initially it opened in 1927 as the Hotel Terminus, replacing a prior hotel on the site. As for what you'll be eating, an array of different cuisines will be on the menu across the Fox's levels. The pub joins not only Lúc Lắc, but also Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Bisou Bisou, Iris Rooftop, Byblós Bar & Restaurant and Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events among Ghanem Group's Brisbane ventures. Adonis and his brother Nehme started the company in 2006, which is when Byblós Brisbane launched, but their family history dates back further, to Lebanese restaurants owned by their parents from the late 70s. [caption id="attachment_760445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Fox Hotel[/caption] The Fox Hotel will reopen at 71/73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane sometime in late 2025 — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Keep an eye on the Ghanem Group's website for further information in the interim.
Calling all sleuths of Brisbane — again. If you haven't fulfilled your murder-mystery fix on the big and small screens over the past few years, and if you missed a whodunnit play hailing from the one and only Agatha Christie back in 2022, then you'd best make a new date with The Mousetrap. Here are two questions for you to solve before you get there: why is it a big deal when is it coming your way once more? The answers: as well as being penned by Christie, it's the world's longest-running play; and after last year's season proved such a hit — and a sellout — it's returning to Brisbane's QPAC Playhouse from Friday, May 26–Sunday, June 11. Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, The Mousetrap has been treading the boards in the UK ever since, only pausing during to pandemic venue closures. When theatres reopened in Britain, so did the show. Indeed, when it arrived in Australia last year, The Mousetrap did so 70 years to the month that it first debuted. Unsurprisingly, that hefty run means that the show has enjoyed the longest stint for any West End production, and for any play anywhere in the world. So far, there's been more than 28,500 London performances. To answer the other obvious question, yes, it's all about an unexpected death. The murder-mystery starts with news of a killing in London — and with seven people snowed in at a guest house in the country. They're strangers, which is classic Christie. When a police sergeant arrives on skis, they're told that the murderer is among them (which, again, is vintage Christie). They all have wild pasts, too, and all those details are spilled as they're interrogated, and also try to work out who among them is the killer. Those guests at Monkswell Manor include a pair of newlyweds who run the house, a spinster, an architect who is handy in the kitchen, a retired Army major, a man who says his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist. Naturally, there's another death as they're all puzzling it over — and a twist conclusion, which audiences have been requested not to reveal after leaving the theatre for seven decades now. Images: Brian Gleach.
If you're a fan of basketball, talented Aussies shooting hoops and one of the biggest local names in the game in the 21st century, then this one's a slam dunk: Patty Mills is coming home to chat about his career. The Brooklyn Nets point guard returns to Australia for the first time since helping score the Boomers their first-ever Olympic medal — and shooting 42 points himself in the crucial bronze-winning match — to tour the nation throughout September. Whether you're keen to hear the man himself discuss his success, life, learnings and everything in-between in the flesh, or you know some budding basketballers who are eager to follow in the Indigenous Aussie's footsteps, you have options. There are two parts to the tour: basketball camps for young up-and-comers and in-conversation gigs. Yes, the four-time Olympian will be present at both. [caption id="attachment_867421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Drost via Flickr[/caption] The camps will hit up the Gold Coast, Logan, Sydney, Thursday Island, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne in one-day stints, starting on Wednesday, September 7 — but players do need to be aged between 12–17 to head along. If that's someone you know, they'll get time with the some of the top basketball coaches and volunteers in each area, and also nab an up-close-and-personal experience with Patty Mills himself. Plus, basketball clinician DJ Sackmann will be leading the fun. The onstage component of Mills' tour will make four stops, kicking off on Monday, September 5 at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, then heading to ARA Darling Quarter Theatre in Sydney, Astor Theatre in Perth and the Palais Theatre in Melbourne. That's where the star player will speak from the heart about his journey — which has taken the Kokatha, Naghiralgal, Duaureb-Meriam man from growing up in Canberra to rising through the basketball ranks, and also becoming Australia's first Indigenous Olympics flag bearer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patty Mills (@balapat) "The Patty Mills Unearthed Tour is the realisation of a dream that I have had for some time now. Home really is where the heart is, and this homecoming trip fulfils a desire in me to connect with the communities and supporters who have been by my side, no matter where my career has taken me," said Mills. "It's been a huge couple of years and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to go back to my roots to deliver an immersive experience to be felt and enjoyed both on and off the court. It was also important that this tour allowed me to share parts of me that I've never been able to share before. Getting up close and personal with my own hopes, challenges and achievements has allowed me to embrace opportunity to the fullest and by sharing my own journey, I hope to inspire others out there, especially our youth, who are on their own path of self-discovery." PATTY MILLS UNEARTHED AUSTRALIA 2022 TOUR DATES: SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE — PATTY MILLS IN HIS OWN WORDS Monday, September 5 — The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Sunday, September 11 — ARA Darling Quarter Theatre, Sydney Friday, September 16 — Astor Theatre, Perth Tuesday, September 20 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne PATTY MILLS BASKETBALL CAMPS WITH DJ SACKMAN Wednesday, September 7 — Gold Coast Thursday, September 9 — Logan Saturday, September 10 — Sydney Tuesday, September 13 — Thursday Island Saturday, September 17 — Perth Monday, September 19 — Adelaide Wednesday, September 21 — Melbourne The Patty Mills Unearthed Tour heads around Australia throughout September 2022, with tickets to both the on-court and speaking events on sale now.
Two Sci-fi fans have taken their excitement at the release of the new Tron: Legacy film to the next level. Drawing inspiration from the film's nightclub scene, Brits Ben Rousseau and architect Ian Douglas-Jones have toiled under freezing conditions to create the Legacy of the River suite at Sweden's Icehotel. The futuristic light installation is just one of several art suites at the hotel. Literally the coolest hotel in the world, Icehotel is no Travelodge. An annual fixture in the Swedish town of Jukkasjärvi situated 200km north of the Arctic Circle, the site stands vacant through summer. But as soon as winter starts to push temperatures below zero, a bunch of artistic little elves from all over the world get to work. Using only frozen water from the Torne River, they create this spectacular, functional ice sculpture with a different twist each year. Meanwhile in sunnier Sydney, the rest of us are still counting down the days to the Australian release of the Tron: Legacy film on 16th December. The sequel to the 1982 classic Tron has already been elevated to cult status, featuring cutting edge futuristic special effects and an electro-freaky soundtrack by cult French artistes Daft Punk. [via Wired]
When a massive revamp was announced for Portside Wharf back in 2022, Brisbanites started looking forward to more dining options, new eateries and expanded outdoor seating. The makeover is still ongoing, but this refresh has been delivering since 2023. Seafood restaurant Fosh, pastry haven Rise Bakery, ice cream spot Rosé Gelateria, grilled-skewer chain Birds Nest Yakitori, gastropub Portside Social, sports bar The Ballpark Portside and the burger-slinging Dumbo have all opened their doors already. There's more still to come — and, among the Hamilton precinct's mainstays, Byblós Brisbane is also undergoing a huge revamp. By the time that October 2024 is out — bookings are currently open for Thursday, October 24, onwards — Portside's riverside Lebanese restaurant will look a whole lot different. Byblós launched its Hamilton digs 18 years ago. When it reopens, it'll do so with a new focus on contemporary Lebanese cuisine, plus a reimagined design. Indoors, expect an open dining and bar area, complete with dining booths and private nooks. If you're keen to eat and drink outside, you'll step through bi-fold glass sliding doors to the plant-filled waterside al fresco space, which is also being expanded and weather-proofed. Space Cubed Design Studio is on design duties, aiming to nod to Lebanese cuisine's past and present. "The rich history of Lebanese culture and cuisine underpins the interior aesthetic, strongly influenced by elements of the world-heritage site — the ancient city of Byblós," explains Space Cubed Design Studio Associate Interior Designer Jill Chilton, of decor that includes grain-patterned marble slabs on the new bar, stepped arches aplenty, and terracotta Tyrian purple tones. "Sand-like textural rendered walls mimic the qualities of the desert terrain, sculptural dining booths with their forms inspired by the Phoenician alphabet are centrally situated in the now voluminous dining space, among small and larger table settings, and the facade has been opened up to maximise views and connection to the waterfront." Patrons will tuck into a menu influenced by a 2023 research trip to Lebanon, plus a new drinks range featuring cocktails such as Lebanese Lemonade, a hefty array of spirits and a wine cellar filled with drops from around the world. When it opened in 2006, Byblós Brisbane marked the first eatery from brothers Adonis and Nehme Ghanem. The pair have since established Ghanem Group, which is also behind Brisbane's Bisou Bisou, Iris Rooftop, Blackbird Bar, Dining and Events, Boom Boom Room and Donna Chang, plus Byblós Melbourne and the Victorian capital's Le Bon Ton. Also on the way in the River City for Ghanem Group: Lúc Lắc at Queen's Wharf. Find Byblós Brisbane at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, open 11.30am–late Tuesday–Sunday — with bookings open from Thursday, October 24, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Fancy a few stints at the flippers, but don't quite possess the skills? Pinball is a game that looks easy, but can be downright frustrating if you're struggling to find your button-mashing rhythm — which is where Netherworld's experts come in. If you're going to run a retro-style gaming and arcade bar, then you're going to staff it with folks who know their stuff. And, with pinball lovers happy to share their talents with the masses. Just mosey on by from 5–9pm on Thursdays, August 30, where the venue's experts will teach you their tricks — for free, including a few games on the house. Dead flipping, cradling and post passing might mean nothing to you now, but that'll change once you've spent a few hours working your way around the Brunswick Street hangout's tables. Pinball for Beginners is all part of this year's Valley Fiesta, and it'll have you mastering the multi-ball mania in no time. Image: Cole Bennetts
Parks in urban places are often considered sacrosanct. They are a haven where one can escape from the mass urbanisation and technological transformations surrounding them. Development remains outside whilst nature dominates the metropolitan Eden. Until now. Invisible Structures, a London-based design and engineering company, is transforming this train of thought into a train of innovation as it seeks to integrate public parks and the modern technologically developed city in an attempt to enhance the environment, rather than harm it. The implements for this idea are ingenious biophilic structures constructed from a creative combination of sustainably sourced timber 'ribs' and a range of eco-friendly 'skins'. They use elements found in nature to create constructions that camouflage into their surrounds. These organic architectural works thus mimic the natural world and Invisible Works hopes to plant them in Central London parks in the upcoming summer, pulling people out of urbanity and into nature. "The idea, in a simple way," Invisible Structures owner Edward Shuster says in an interview with Fast Company, "is that they'd look like they'd grown there." Shuster and Claudia Moseley, the other half of the team behind Invisible Structures, hope to create a new interactive space within London, with the structures housing an ampitheatre, an exhibition space and dining 'seeds', amongst other things. Moseley and Shuster believe the semi-permanent structures will improve the interaction between urban populations and nature as they provide unique arenas to enhance artistic performances. "The fundamental problem that we think we're tackling is the lack of how people who live in cities are able to interact with green spaces and interact with nature," says Shuster. They are hoping the project resides in London for 10 years. If not, though, the structures can also be easily dismounted and flat-packed to move to new cities and shared around the world, transforming the way humans interact with nature. Via PSFK.
Star Wars did it. Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones, too. No blockbuster movie franchise stays away from cinemas for too long these days, so of course The Lord of the Rings is being taken back to the big screen — even though it has already spawned one huge hit trilogy, then followed it up with another. Expect more hobbits, elves and dwarves in more places — in multiple movies, in fact — given that The Lord of the Rings is also doing big things on the small screen of late. In 2022, the long-awaited The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power hit streaming, bringing Middle-earth to Prime Video across a stunning-looking series. Season two is in the works as well, with the show stepping back thousands of years into the JRR Tolkien-created fantasy realm's past. The new Lord of the Rings flicks are being made by Warner Bros Discovery, so it's unlikely that they'll tie into the TV show — but exactly what they'll cover, be it new tales or linking in with the OG three LoTR movies or The Hobbit films, is yet to be revealed. So far, Warner Bros has just advised that more features are on their way, announcing the news as part of the company's latest investor earnings call. Making more LoTR films involves coming to an agreement with Swedish gaming and media company Embracer Group, which owns the intellectual property rights to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and other Middle-earth-related literary works. As part of the new movie arrangement, the upcoming flicks will be produced by Warner Bros-owned production company New Line Cinema, which was behind the first two trios of hobbit-filled features. "Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we're thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of JRR Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways," said Lee Guinchard, CEO of Freemode — which is part of Embracer — in a statement. "We understand how cherished these works are and, working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros Pictures, we plan to honour the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values." No further details, including regarding plots, characters, casting, directors or timing — including whether Oscar-winner Peter Jackson will be involved after helming all six past New Line features — has been announced as yet. But Warner Bros Pictures Group Co-Chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy added that "for all the scope and detail lovingly packed into the two trilogies, the vast, complex and dazzling universe dreamed up by JRR Tolkien remains largely unexplored on film." "The opportunity to invite fans deeper into the cinematic world of Middle-earth is an honour," the pair continued. The first LoTR trilogy hit the big screen two decades ago, with The Fellowship of the Ring arriving in 2001, The Two Towers in 2002 and The Return of the King in 2003. They were followed by the three Hobbit movies a decade later, An Unexpected Journey debuting in 2012, The Desolation of Smaug in 2013 and The Battle of the Five Armies in 2014. Before the latest Lord of the Rings films come to a fruition, an anime will get there first. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is currently in production, and will spin a story set 183 years before the events of LoTR, focusing on the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan. Expect it in cinemas in April 2024. Obviously there's no trailer for the just-announced flicks as yet, but here are the trailers for The Fellowship of the Ring,The Two Towers and The Return of the King in the interim: The new Lord of the Rings movies don't yet have a release date — we'll update you with more information when it's announced.
The war on waste isn't just about banning plastic shopping bags, recycling plastic drink containers, phasing out plastic straws and finding alternatives to disposable coffee cups. That's a great start, but humanity's reliance upon single-use plastics includes cutlery, plates, stirrers, cotton buds and more. Europe has committed to stop using such items by 2021, building upon similar decisions in the UK and France, while Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025 — but one Aussie state is now taking matters into its own hands. As originally revealed earlier this year, the South Australian government has been exploring the possibility of implementing its own ban on single-use plastic items. After a consultation period — which followed the initial proposal by SA Environment Minister David Speirs, who released two discussion papers and called for for public feedback — the plan is progressing towards legislation. The government will now draft applicable laws for further community input, with the aim of introducing them to parliament in 2020. If they're enacted, it'll become the first Australian state to take the step. SA Premier Steven Marshall has outlined the proposed ban, which'll occur across multiple phases. At present, the government is trialling plastic-free precincts. When the legislation comes into effect, plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers will be phased out immediately, then takeaway polystyrene containers and cups will follow 12 months later. As for takeaway coffee cups, plastic bags and other takeaway food service, further investigation and consultation will be undertaken before eradicating them from circulation. https://www.facebook.com/StevenMarshallMP/photos/a.334019693384086/2240955376023832/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCgQEDNSaeZW-ix7RSmoon8MNPIMnKTQMdJynEovfagvk0Qc8FeIer17xgDJjo8GTsDkxiNJUMPUPgHPbwasO3fOkX2xwSuybsGzBQZOLx5UOxsgTghfVz4pOfoZ68issh_w_1scmiE6bNXV0QAATbBw8cQplg2d5CzUuCV7b9Ebh_j2toAPshn-xQpP4n76zaucK56WXfhmv58JzY-6HT4HzBgw5Et3NJo2Mg48O0BwM11PwniCfX4tEXlrSEvjnC_vRFqnNsYLNtyHP8KAUwGmKeqdbm8GzM8KaRu05zf-g8NHef-7Bg2Tf78LsmaweIMPp_lceUvUMOY-Qme8bp5qQ&__tn__=-R SA was the first state in the country with a container refund scheme, introducing its 10-cent refund for eligible items back in 1977 — and causing an entire generation of interstate dwellers to grow up making jokes about driving a haul of cans and bottles to Adelaide to collect some cash. It was also the first state to phase out lightweight plastic bags, a move that came into effect in 2009. In comparison, New South Wales only brought in container refunds in 2017 and is yet to commit to banning single-use plastic bags. Victoria doesn't have a container refund scheme on the horizon, but will phase out plastic bags this November. And Queensland enacted both container refunds and a plastic bag ban in 2018. While action at a government level continues to take its time across the country — apart from in Hobart, where takeaway containers will be banned either late this year or early next year — companies and venues have been stepping in themselves. McDonalds will remove plastic straws from its packaging by 2020, IKEA is phasing out single-use plastics by the same year, Melbourne's Crown Casino is cutting down its plastic usage, the Queen Victoria Market is banning plastic bags and straws and Coca-Cola Amatil is also getting rid of plastic straws from 115,000 Aussie venues. In the skies, Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly is committed to becoming the world's first single-use plastic free airline by the end of 2019, while Qantas is eradicating 100 million single-use plastic items from its flights and lounges each year from 2020 onwards.
It's the most frightening time of the year — and one of the most fun. Whether Halloween means scares, silliness or both is up to you. Yep, you can choose your own spooky adventure. That certainly rings true this year, with Brisbane offering up plenty of options. Basically, however you choose to celebrate, somewhere around the city has you covered. From werewolf-themed parties to cult movie screenings to markets focused on cute black cats, here's the six best Halloween events that'll get you into the spirit of the occasion.
Heading on holiday, looking for a place to stay, but aren't keen on the usual hotel experience? Thanks to Airbnb and a growing array of similar platforms, finding somewhere different to bunk down is now easier than ever. Whether it's an apartment, a campervan or an architecturally significant home, there's a service for it — and now there's a site that specialises in letting you kip in the luxe digs owned by your friends, or friends of friends. If you've ever visited a pal's place and thought that you'd like to holiday there, or heard stories about a mate of a mate's gorgeous pad in a far-flung spot, Stay One Degree is here to help. It operates like other house-sharing platforms, but puts trust, recommendations from those you know and good ol' fashioned vouching for others at the centre of its transactions. As such, users can only rent from people they already know — such as family, friends or work colleagues — or people who know someone they know. The idea came to founders and friends Thomas Bennett and Jorge Munoz during their own frequent travels. The duo realised something that everyone does at some point during a trip — that, even though there's no place like home, actually staying somewhere that feels like home comes close. After testing out the concept themselves and discovering that only renting from people they were already connected to still took a lot of planning, they decided to start a service that simplified the process, and that anyone could use. After launching at the beginning of 2018, Stay One Degree now boasts hundreds of properties all around the world — including two in Australia and 19 in New Zealand at the time of writing, should you be looking to stay close to home. And, as well as offering travellers the chance to hang out in a friend's ace digs, it obviously also works the other way around — helping folks fill their empty house with someone they know (or someone that someone they know knows) while they're away. For more information, visit Stay One Degree. Image: Stay One Degree.
Your bags are packed, you've caught the Airtrain and you've navigated the check-in process. All that's left is to sit and wait until your flight boards, and then your holiday will be underway. That's how most of us approach airports, admit it. But we've all been forgetting a very important piece of travel advice: your trip actually begins when you walk through the airport doors. Once you've collected your boarding pass, dropped off your bags and passed through security, you're basically on your way. So, you might as well enjoy it. Most of us are guilty of finding the nearest seat, pumping out a few last-minute emails and tapping our toes impatiently as we scroll through our newsfeeds for the 1000th time until it's time to hop on the plane. But Brisbane Airport offers a range of alternatives at its Domestic Terminal. Whether you're a local starting your trip or you're a visitor with a spare window between connecting flights, coffee, shopping, music and more await. GET YOUR CAFFEINE FIX Airports and coffee are one of life's essential pairings. Most of us can't even contemplate making our way through the building — let alone the flight — without a good caffeine hit. Of course, as every coffee fiend knows, there's a difference between an average takeaway brew and a proper coffee — and Fonzie Abbott is onsite at Brisbane Airport to deliver the latter. Open from 4.30am weekdays and 5am on weekends, the coffee roasters brew up flavoursome beans that are widely considered among the best in Brisbane. Otherwise, rich hot chocolates are on offer — if that's your preferred warm beverage. Pair your coffee or choccie with a muffin or slice of banana bread, and sit by the cafe's windows for a bit of plane-spotting. And, if you're worried about the coffee situation when you land, you can also grab a bag of beans to take with you. HIT THE SHOPS One of the best views in the Brisbane Airport isn't at any of the boarding lounges, it's in the Lorna Jane store. If you find yourself staring outside rather than rifling through the racks, that's understandable — although shoppers will find plenty to keep their attention. Those needing something comfy to wear on the flight will be in the right spot, but whatever you're after, you'll likely find it among the Domestic Terminal's mini mall. You'll find the usual shopping centre suspects including Witchery, Seed, Peter Alexander, Typo and Sunglass Hut — great for when you realise you left your sunnies on the kitchen bench. There's also a Mecca Maxima should you need some skincare to help you stay fresh on the plane. Finally, there are, of course, spots like Newslink, Watermark Books and News Travels, where you can pick up a book to really sink your teeth into on your long-haul. EAT A DECENT PRE-FLIGHT MEAL Kimchi-filled Korean-style chicken sandwiches, slider platters and a pie tasting plate might not sound like your usual airport fare, but they're all available at the Domestic Terminal's Glasshouse Bar. Named after the nearby mountains on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the restaurant and watering hole places a particular emphasis on local produce. Expect to also find a Darling Downs rump steak and a caesar salad with soft-boiled Tamborine Mountain free-range eggs on the menu, plus a range of Queensland brews. Settling in by the mountain mural is a great, leisurely sit-down option, but if you only have time for a food court meal, you can still have something a few steps above the reheated and fried meals that can plague food courts. At the Qantas food court, you'll find Vietnamese joint Roll'd with an array of vegetable-stuffed rice paper rolls, pho and banh mi, and Sumo Salad serving an array of fresh salads, grain bowls and made-to-order wraps at the Virgin end of the terminal. RELAX OVER A PRE-DEPARTURE BEV You might not be heading from Brisbane Airport to Cairns, but you can still enjoy some of the tropical Queensland city's best brews at the onsite Great Northern Bar. Because it's always 5pm somewhere, the bar stays open from 5am until late, with the closing time depending on the flight schedule. Expect a hefty lineup of beers and other alcoholic beverages, plus pub-style food and a nice view out over the tarmac. GET YOUR TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER Arrived at the airport after a busy day at work with a phone battery that's fading fast? Want to get in a few episodes of your favourite Netflix show during your flight, but forgot to download them? Finished shopping, eating and drinking but still have a couple of emails to write? That's where Brisbane Airport's free wifi and free charging stations come in handy; let's face it, hopping on a plane staring at the red power meter on your phone is the stuff nightmares are made of. With wifi throughout the terminal, you can get your affairs in order while you browse or sit at the bar. And as for charging up, you'll find a number of outlets scattered throughout the terminal's two food courts. Next time you find yourself at Brisbane Airport, pass the time pre-flight eating, drinking and shopping your way through the terminal. Images: Atlanta Bell.
Is Renée Jeanne Falconetti's face the most haunting in cinema history? For almost a century, The Passion of Joan of Arc has made that case. Playing the titular role in Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 silent great, the French actress says everything with her eyes as she stares at the lens with deep and lingering soulfulness. Seeing the film means never being able to forget her. Watching The Passion of Joan of Arc on a big screen also usually involves being treated to a new experience each and every time. Among the silent films from almost 100 years back that keep scoring new cinema showings, this is a deservedly popular pick — and it keeps gaining new scores, too. Julia Holter is among those who've tried their hand, first performing her soundtrack for the movie in Los Angeles in 2017. In 2025, she's finally bringing it to Australia. Melbourne International Film Festival is presenting the cinema masterpiece with Holter's score played live, taking over Melbourne Recital Centre for two evenings across Monday, August 11–Tuesday, August 12. This is both an Australian premiere and Australian exclusive, with Holter taking to the stage with her band and The Consort of Melbourne choir — and with UK-based orchestrator and composer Hugh Brunt conducting. A film like no other, a performance to match, and a score by the musician that also left an imprint on the screen with her soundtrack for Never Rarely Sometimes Always: this will be a memorable movie-and-music presentation.
A buttery pastry goes down a treat when paired with tasty coffee. Fortunately, a new spot just opened in Bowen Hills offers the best of both worlds. Launched by Dean Merlo, the brains behind long-standing Queensland roastery, Merlo Coffee, he's breaking into the artisan baking scene with the arrival of Milano Bakehouse right next door to its existing cafe. The move represents just the latest chapter in the Merlo family's culinary legacy, with the bakery named after the dynasty's Milanos. A silver-service restaurant, it proved a big hit with the upper crust of the 1960s from its home on Queen Street Mall. Guided by Dean's father, Gino, his reputation for warm service and impeccable standards saw visiting dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II swing by for a bite. While Milano Bakehouse probably won't be receiving such luminaries just yet, guests can expect the bakery to offer a similarly sophisticated European flair. Prepped with state-of-the-art equipment, the menu will include 30 pastries and 25 breads, inspired by French and Italian traditions. Plus, adding the bakery to the cafe setup makes it an even more alluring destination when seeking a different class of beans to sip. "We are also reimagining our menu offerings at our Bowen Hills Merlo cafe to include an authentic Italian touch — taking full advantage of the fresh artisan goods baked within the building, a process which patrons can see for themselves, first-hand from behind the glass, just next door to our popular cafe," says Dean. In the kitchen, Dean and his business partner James Wilkinson have assembled a dream team of baking talent. Leading the crew is French Head Baker, Thomas Meneau, who has the busy task of producing around a thousand baked goods day in and day out, including sourdough batard, baguettes and croissants. He's developed the menu alongside renowned Brisbane restaurateur and former Montrachet co-owner, Shannon Kellam. "Our team, led by Shannon — celebrated for his excellence, innovation, and mentorship in the fine-dining restaurant industry — has been working hard with the highest attention to detail to finesse our baking processes," says Dean, who quips that his mother has also helped with taste-testing. "[That's] the true Merlo way of hospitality — making sure that our family delivers the very best possible experience for our loyal, long-standing customers who we've been serving for generations." Milano Bakehouse opens on Saturday, July 5, at 10 Thompson Street, Bowen Hills. Head to the website for more information.
Just when you thought you'd used every excuse there is to drink espresso martinis — different flavours, different festivals, because it's Friday, because you're tired — along comes a new one. And, let's face it, boozy espresso martini soft serve isn't the kind of frozen cocktail treat that you get to have every day. The chilled, caffeinated delight is on offer at Riverbar and Kitchen for the month of February, as part of a month-long party the riverside venue has dubbed 'pool bar'. Sadly, there isn't an actual pool, so keep your togs at home. But there are a whole heap of inflatable animals and deck chairs, as well as a menu that might make you think you're sitting by a spot of water that isn't just the Brisbane river. In addition to the soft serve, you can tuck into other frozen drinks and vodka cocktails — plus snacks like charred corn on the cob paired with chipotle mayo, potato scallops covered in chicken salt, prawn po'boys, and both Cubano and haloumi and portobello mushroom sandwiches. Entry is free, with the pool bar vibes hanging around every day until February is out. Heading by on weekends is recommended, though, with live music also on the bill.
Air guitar enthusiasts will be treated to a garment that makes it even easier to live out their rock star fantasies. Old Navy have collaborated with ThinkGeek to create a shirt that not only features an image of a guitar, but also sounds like one when a button is pressed on the guitar neck and the hand is moved in a strumming motion. Sound is projected through a small guitar amp which can clip to your belt, with adjustable volume depending on how hard you're shredding. But make sure you detach all electronic parts before you throw this bad boy in the wash. Importantly, the design of the shirt also features flames to let everybody know that you're the real deal. See how far you can get into a Jimi Hendrix song on one of these. Wear this under a button-up to work, and only unleash it when you're ready to rock. [via PSFK]
All across New South Wales, stages are being swept, setlists are being finalised, speakers are being stress tested, and crowds are gearing up—because the statewide Great Southern Nights is just about to make its 2025 return. With well over 300 gigs taking place across 17 nights in cities and districts from Byron Bay to Broken Hill and beyond, it's going to be one hell of a festival. Midway up the NSW coastline, you'll find one of Great Southern Nights' hubs in the live music-loving city of Newcastle and the Newcastle Midtown Gig Trail set to host over 40 gigs across the festival's 17-night runtime. We've teamed up with Great Southern Nights to pick out the must-see entries on the lineup and some suggestions on how to stay busy between them. The Lineup The fun starts on Friday, March 21, with multi-disciplinary Filipino/Wiradjuri artist MO'JU at The Stag and Hunter Hotel in Mayfield, the five-piece Kiwi band SIX60 at NU's Bar on the Hill and EDM duo Slumberjack at King Street Nightclub. The following night, back at Bar on the Hill, late 80s/early 90s indie rock legends The Cruel Sea will take to the stage with some throwback hits and new recordings. To end the first weekend, solo multi-instrumentalist Running Touch and Melbourne-native indie rock quartet The Belair Lip Bombs will take over the King Street Warehouse on Sunday, March 23. The following weekend, on Saturday, March 29, legendary Aussie Blues and Roots soloist Xavier Rudd will be performing a bit out of town at Dashville Campground in Lower Belford. When the festival heads into April, expect a few hot gigs in the King Street Bandroom. Namely, the multi-platinum-winning rapper Winston Surfshirt on Friday, April 4; five-piece folk-rock group The Paper Kites on Saturday, April 5; and indie rock favourites Slowly Slowly on Sunday, April 6. If you find yourself with a free night, hit up the Newcastle Midtown District Gig Trail. Every night throughout the festival you'll find free gigs, performers, actors and more at seven venues in the heart of the action. That's just the tip of the iceberg, all sorts of gigs are set to take happen around the headliners. [caption id="attachment_938853" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Flotilla[/caption] Local Eats and Treats Newcastle is home to a buzzing blend of eateries to refuel between gigs; if anything, you'll end up pressed for time to hit all the venues around town. For a compact taster menu of what the city has to offer gastronomically, the Honeysuckle Foreshore is right in the centre of the city, close to Newcastle's premiere hotels, attractions and waterfronts. But if you're willing to go further afield, it'll pay off. Without leaving the city, you can enjoy Spanish tapas at Bocados or a sizeable yum cha feast (on Sundays) at Ginger Meg's, and if you like something a little fancier, there's sustainable seafood at Scottie's or curated cocktails and Italian feeds at Market St Basement. Should you find yourself a bit beyond the city lights, you can find an authentic Californian taqueria at Antojitos, and one of the most popular restaurants in the area is the famous Flotilla in Wickham. If you prefer to hit the streets and let the universe guide you to the eatery for you, you'll find casual options aplenty in Hamilton, eclectic, trendy small spots in Cooks Hill, while heading out west to the Hunter Valley will connect you with some of the top wineries in the country. Things to Do and Places to See Most of the GSN gigs on offer take place after dark, so what are you supposed to do beforehand? Glad you asked. One of Newcastle's most famous, accessible and affordable attractions is its ocean baths. Found along the Bather's Way, a six-kilometre walking track that traces the coast from Nobbys Beach to Merewether Beach, these pools (and the more secluded-yet-scenic Bogey Hole) are midway on the route and are recognised as some of the most scenic ocean pools in the country. If the sun is blazing and you'd rather stay indoors and dodge the steps, the Newcastle Museum is a great place to learn some local history, as is the Fort Scratchley Historic Site if military history is your jam, being the only fort in Australia to engage enemy combatants in maritime defence during WWII. For a dose of First Nations history and culture, take a guided tour through the towering sand dunes of the Worimi Conservation Lands. Where to Spend the Night The many facets of Newcastle's identity are plain to see in the accommodation options throughout the city. The QT hotel group is known for bold interiors and luxury by the pound — and QT Newcastle is no exception. A love for music and the arts and Newcastle's prominent surf culture can be felt at this dynamic stay. Set in a heritage building with waterfront views, the hotel also boasts one of Newcastle's finest rooftop bars and an on-site luxury restaurant that exclusively serves local produce. If you want to be as close to the water as possible, it's tough to get closer than Noah's On the Beach. A literal stone's throw from the surf break of Newcastle Beach, staying here means you'll be sent off to sleep by the sounds of the sea. And though you could be catered for with the onsite eatery, you'd be well within walking distance from the Newcastle CBD. If you want something further from the action (45 minutes further, to be precise) but don't want to skimp on the luxury, secure a booking at Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows. South of Newcastle behind Caves Beach, this resort property brings a touch of the Hamptons and a pinch of the Maldives to the mid-north NSW coast. With bungalows, townhouses and villas available for booking and the luxurious restaurant Caves Coastal, this is the perfect place for larger groups looking to explore the surrounds of Newcastle. Great Southern Nights is set to take over venues across NSW between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6. Check out our gig guides for Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong or visit the website for more information.
Awarded Unearthed Artist of the Year at the 10th annual J Awards last night, Meg Mac — or Megan McInerney to her folks — is the Melbourne-based soul-pop artist making a serious name for herself in the indie music scene. The 23-year-old singer songwriter has come a long way from recording lyrics on her phone while still in high school. If her fast-growing fan-base, sell-out performances and distinctive, soulful sound are anything to go by, McInerney is definitely one to watch. Here are the top five things you should know about her. She's no one-hit wonder Though you may have already heard her powerful first single 'Known Better' played on triple j in the lead-up to the J Awards, don't overlook McInerney's more recent tracks. These songs showcase her bold, rich vocals – think 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' – as well as her talent for raw, personal lyrics — check out 'Every Lie'. 'Turning' also highlights the soul-meets-electronica sound she's developing, a unique style that has already captivated audiences. She takes cues from Motown, Irish folk and French chansons McInerney recently admitted to triple j Unearthed that, when she was nine, "I could not get enough of Vanessa Amorosi… please don't judge me. 'Absolutely Everybody' was my favourite." Lucky, then, that her dad introduced her to soul, primarily Motown, while her mum would sing her Irish folk ballads from an early age. It wasn't until she was 17 that she started writing her own songs and working on a personal style, inspired by her love of "big voices and a bit of that drama — [artists who] sing because they have to or they would die sort of thing, like Edith Piaf". She also counts Ray Charles and Sam Cooke among her primary influences, and more recently, James Blake and Frank Ocean. She's going from strength to strength It's an understatement to say 2014 has been a big year for the up-and-coming artist. In September she released her first EP, the self-titled MEGMAC, featuring four original tracks plus an impressive cover of a classic Bill Wither's song, 'Grandma's Hands'. The EP launch kicked off a national tour, with Melbourne and Sydney shows selling out in days, and Brisbane and Perth following soon after. Later nominated as Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year, McInerney opened the Australian Indie Music Awards in October. #dogswearinghats A photo posted by MEGMAC (@megmacmusic) on Oct 10, 2014 at 12:11am PDT Her second favourite thing to do is dress up animals in human clothing When she isn't performing or making music, McInerney likes nothing better than to play dress ups with her dog. She told Music Feeds that she and her sister sent a photo of their pet to the Facebook page Dogs Wearing Hats, where "she got more Facebook likes than my whole music page in one hour." Following her knock-out live performances, its safe to say this is about to change. . @megmacmusic @kcrw So very welcome — Jason Kramer (KCRW) (@kcrwkramer) August 13, 2014 An international career is on the horizon While McInerney is gaining a serious fan base here, she's also making waves internationally, with 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' recently played on independent US radio station KCRW. The singer is already considering a trip to the US, where, she told Music Feeds, she'll "catch up with some label type people [who] want to meet me. It is exciting to think I can reach people away from my home." You can catch her at Falls Festival for NYE But before she jets off, McInerney will be taking on her first major festival as winner of the Falls Festival competition. Next to the likes of John Butler Trio, La Roux, Vance Joy and Empire of the Sun, she'll be performing some newly written songs with her sister as backing vocalist. Expect more bold piano sounds, big vocals and electronic elements from this promising young artist with a big future ahead of her.
The Westin Brisbane brings a softer, more indulgent take on city stays. While its location is firmly urban, the hotel leans into a resort-style experience – one that feels designed for switching off without ever leaving the city. At the centre of it all is Nautilus Pool, a sprawling inner-city oasis complete with Brisbane's first swim-up bar. It's the kind of feature you'd expect at a coastal resort, not in the middle of the CBD, and it quickly became one of the hotel's defining drawcards. Cabanas, deck seating and a relaxed atmosphere make it easy to lose a full afternoon here. Rooms and suites are spacious and refined, following The Westin Brisbane's signature approach to comfort with plush bedding, calming interiors and thoughtful touches throughout. The overall feel is understated luxury, less about spectacle, more about ease. Beyond the pool, guests can unwind at the Heavenly Spa, work out at the gym or settle in at on-site dining venues including The Charles. Valet parking is available, Brisbane Airport is around a 20-minute drive away, and the hotel's central location puts the CBD, Queen Street Mall and the river within easy walking distance.
For years, French wine has carried a reputation that's both revered and, let's be honest, a little intimidating. Grand Cru? Appellation d'Origine Protégée? It can all feel like a secret language. But beyond the codes and classifications lies a truth worth rediscovering: French wine is less about labels and more about land. And today, a new generation of producers is making that land speak louder — with clarity, purpose and a surprising accessibility that's finally reaching Australian tables. Read on for our guide to French wines, their Aussie lookalikes and what you should be drinking them with. The Loire: Fresh, Crisp and Perfect With Seafood Sauvignon blanc drinkers used to wines from the Adelaide Hills or Marlborough will find familiarity — and perhaps surprise — in the Loire's restrained, mineral expressions. Stretching from the Atlantic coast to the heart of central France, the Loire Valley produces some of the most food-friendly wines. It's one of the country's most diverse and dynamic regions, and one that pairs beautifully with Australia's seasonal, produce-driven cuisine. Sancerre, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fumé offer crisp, flinty sauvignon blancs that elevate seafood, fresh cheeses and vegetables with vibrant acidity. Ordering oysters at a restaurant? Skip the sparkling and go for a Loire sauvignon instead — it'll slice through the brininess with razor-sharp freshness. Quincy adds a floral, zesty touch, ideal with grilled fish or salads. For reds, cabernet franc brings a lighter touch: bright-fruited, low in tannin and full of charm. Pair it with charcuterie, grilled vegetables or a Sunday roast chicken. [caption id="attachment_1018160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Burgundy: Precision Rooted in Exceptional Terroir Pinot noir lovers from Tasmania or the Mornington Peninsula will feel at home, but Burgundy adds a savoury depth that's worth exploring. If Bordeaux built its prestige on boldness, Burgundy built its legacy on nuance. Here, pinot noir and chardonnay are the stars — two grapes Australians already know well, but in Burgundy they show another side. Pinot noir here is savoury, earth-driven and age-worthy. If you love Tasmanian pinot, you'll recognise the elegance but with less fruit and more mushroom, spice and forest floor. It's perfect with duck breast, mushroom risotto or soft cheeses such as brie. Chardonnay shifts depending on its village — from steely and mineral in Chablis (picture it with freshly shucked prawns and grilled fish) to rich and nutty in Meursault (ideal with lobster, roast chicken or creamy pasta). [caption id="attachment_688735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] The Rhône Valley: Warmth, Spice and Balance Fans of Barossa shiraz or GSM blends from McLaren Vale will find Rhône reds comfortingly familiar — but with lifted aromatics and distinctly European restraint. Stretching from Lyon to Avignon, the Rhône produces wines that feel instantly relatable to Australian palates: bold yet balanced, sun-drenched but structured. In the south, grenache-led blends like Châteauneuf-du-Pape offer layers of fruit, spice and silky tannins — perfect with chargrilled lamb or slow-cooked vegetables. In the north, syrah reigns supreme: savoury, peppery and elegant. If you love Barossa shiraz, it will feel like its leaner, spicier cousin. Pair it with beef fillet, venison, roast duck or smoky eggplant dishes. Champagne: Beyond the Big Names Champagne might be the classic aperitif, but in France, it's also a food wine. A glass of brut with oysters or tempura? Perfect. A bottle of rosé champagne alongside salmon, duck or a summer berry dessert? Even better. Vintage champagne, made only in exceptional years, pairs beautifully with richer dishes like lobster, scallops or truffle risotto. Extra brut — bone-dry and precise — cuts through fried chicken or chargrilled seafood with ease. For Australians, the closest comparison is Tasmania's boutique sparkling scene, where grower champagnes offer freshness and complexity without the flash. If you normally reach for prosecco or Tassie fizz, try champagne in its many forms — brut for starters, rosé with mains or vintage for something special. The renewed interest in French wine isn't about prestige — it's about connection. Just as Australians have embraced minimal-intervention wines from regions like the Adelaide Hills or Margaret River, they're now discovering that many French producers follow a similar ethos. While big names still dominate shelves, smaller importers are fuelling the renaissance. One such importer is Aptent Gourmet, a Sydney-based team whose portfolio spans the Loire, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône — all chosen for their focus on small-scale, sustainable farming and wines that reflect people as much as place. Ready to trial a French drop at your next dinner? Explore our favourite French restaurants in Melbourne and French restaurants in Sydney. Images: Supplied
If someone was to ask you to imagine a dinosaur, and to picture one type only, it's likely that the Tyrannosaurus rex would come to mind. The towering ancient creature is just that fascinating to kids and adults alike, and not solely because it's rarely far from screens. Head to any museum with a T. rex fossil on display and you'll be surrounded by crowds, whether or not they've seen King Kong, a Jurassic Park movie or Night at the Museum. Head to Melbourne Museum from Friday, June 28–Sunday, October 20, 2024 in particular and expect to have plenty of company, then. Thanks to the Victoria the T. rex exhibition, that's when the fossil of Tyrannosaurus rex Victoria will make its Australian debut in the state with the absolute best name for the occasion. The specimen dates back 66 million years, and is one of the world's largest and most complete T. rex skeletons. Showing exclusively at Melbourne Museum, it's also marks the first time that a real T. rex has ever been on display in Victoria. How big is big? Found in South Dakota in 2013, Victoria is comprised of 199 bones, including a skull that weighs 139 kilograms. The fossil reaches 12 metres in length and 3.6 metres in height. And, because the skull is so heavy, it has to be displayed separately as it can't be mounted upon Victoria's body. Victoria the T. rex will also feature interactive elements, such as multi-sensory installations that'll let you experience how the Tyrannosaurus rex saw and smelled, plus dioramas and a section where you can make your own customised 3D T. rex. Welcome to... the cretaceous period, then. The informative side of the showcase will step through recent palaeontological findings, so that you'll get an idea of what Victoria's life was like all that time ago — and also find out what brought about her end. If that's not enough dino action to make you feel like David Attenborough — or his brother Richard in Jurassic Park and The Lost World — Victoria the T. rex will display alongside Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs, which has been open at Melbourne Museum since 2022. The latter permanently features Horridus, the world's most complete Triceratops fossil, and entry to both exhibitions is included in one ticket. At IMAX Melbourne, 45-minute documentary T.REX 3D will also be showing — complete with footage of Horridus — from Friday, June 21. Images: Neon Global.
The perfect pit stop for city suits making the mad dash to work, either straight off the train or post gym sesh. Situated at the Queen Street Mall entrance of the Wintergarden complex and open seven days a week, Nutrition Station’s menu is designed by internationally recognized dietary nutritionist and resident 'diet doctor' at Men’s Health, Moodi Dennaoui. Expect to find a series of protein and supplement-packed shakes, super smoothies, froyo and nu bowls of acai and pitaya.
If you're a movie-loving Australian resident, and you're also constantly dreaming of overseas getaways, odds are you have the country's annual film festival lineup to thank. In March, the French holiday cravings kick in courtesy of the relevant cinema showcase. Then, it's time for Spanish fantasies beamed down from the silver screen. A trip to Germany comes next, followed by a whole heap of Scandinavian vacation cravings — and, when September hits, prepare to start wishing you're in Italy. Yes, it's Italian Film Festival time again, and it's doing the rounds with quite the lineup — including everything from Italian box office hits and Sophia Loren-starring classics through to a documentary about a shoemaker to the stars helmed by Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria's Luca Guadagnino. As the fest always does, it's touring its just-announced program around the country, kicking off in Sydney, then heading to Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Byron Bay, all between Tuesday, September 13–Sunday, October 16. This year's IFF will open with Belli Ciao, which did huge box office business in Italy. It both stars and is co-written by comic duo Pio D'Antini and Amedeo Grieco, who play once-inseparable friends who went their own ways after high school — Pio leaves for Milan, Amedeo stays in their hometown — and now reunite, complete with a north-versus-south culture clash. Among there, highlights include The Hummingbird, an ensemble drama with Nanni Moretti (Three Floors) and Berenice Bejo (Final Cut), which hits IFF fresh from premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival; drama Lord of the Ants, about the controversial 1960s trial of intellectual Aldo Braibanti, which screens direct from its Venice Film Festival competition debut; and The King of Laughter, which features Toni Servillo (The Hand of God) as actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta. From the documentary selection, two big titles stand out. The aforementioned Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams focuses on Salvatore Ferragamo, while Ennio — The Maestro sees director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) pay tribute to legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight). Elsewhere on the bill, there's rom-com Breaking Up in Rome, homecoming drama Nostalgia, play-to-screen adaptation The Great Silence, the fairground-set Swing Ride and prison The Inner Cage — the latter of which also features Servillo. In fact, he pops up again in Casanova's Return, as an acclaimed Italian director making his last movie about Casanova. More than 25 films grace the full lineup — including blasts from the past, such as closing night's Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni-starring Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. To celebrate the centenary of filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini's birth, three of his iconic movies — all adaptations of literary works — will screen as well, with The Canterbury Tales, Arabian Nights and The Decameron all getting big-screen showings. ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: Tuesday, September 13–Wednesday, October 12 — Palace Central, Palace Norton St, Palace Verona and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, September 14–Wednesday, October 12 — Palace Electric Cinema, Canberra Thursday, September 15–Wednesday, October 12 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor and Cinema Nova, Melbourne Wednesday, September 21–Sunday, October 16 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Wednesday, September 21–Sunday, October 16 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Thursday, September 22–Sunday, October 16 — Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Friday, September 23–Sunday, October 9 — Palace Byron Bay The 2022 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between Tuesday, September 13–Sunday, October 16. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Fred again.. is currently in Australia, as everyone knows thanks to his Tuesday, February 27 announcement that he was playing Sydney Opera House that night. Missed out? As he mentioned on his Instagram, the British producer and DJ didn't make the trip Down Under just for one show. So, he's gone and announced a three-city tour for the rest of his Aussie stay. Melbourne will next welcome everyone's favourite chaotic electronic musician, for three gigs all at Rod Laver Arena. After that, he's heading to the Gold Coast — at a pop-up location TBC — for a single show. Then, it's back to Sydney, this time to Qudos Bank Arena for another trio of gigs. All seven shows are taking place in March, giving fans more notice this time after 145,000 people attempted to get tickets to Fred again..'s Sydney Opera House set. Also, you've been given more warning about tickets going on sale, too. They'll be available to purchase from Thursday, February 29, with times staggered depending on the city. The tour came out of nowhere, after a post to Fred again..'s Instagram showing him boarding a flight with his buddy and collaborator JOY (ANONYMOUS), teasing that they'd be performing wherever the plane landed. Next, he popped up on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, announcing that ultra last-minute performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. Before now, Fred was last in town for Laneway 2023 alongside Haim, Joji and Phoebe Bridgers, at which time he created pandemonium by performing at a slate of pop-up DJ sets around Australia and New Zealand alongside his festival appearances. At this upcoming shows, he'll be bringing his catalogue of hits, of course. So, if you want to catch 'Delilah (pull me out of this)', 'Marea (we've lost dancing)' and 'Rumble' — and new single 'stayinit' with Lil Yachty and Overmono — this is your latest chance. JOY (ANONYMOUS) will be on supporting duties at all seven shows. Fred again.. Australia 2024 Tour: Monday, March 4–Wednesday, March 6 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Saturday, March 9 — pop-up location TBC on the Gold Coast Tuesday, March 12–Thursday, March 14 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Fred again.. is performing in Australia in March 2024, with tickets on sale on Thursday, February 29 — from 9am AEDT for Melbourne, 10am AEST for the Gold Coast and 1pm AEDT for Sydney. Hit up the tour website for more details. Live images: Maclay Heriot / Daniel Boud, Laneway 2023.
Perusing the menu at Petite brings the restaurant's name to mind. Diners will find 20 dishes on offer, each listed next to a wine that the team at the Fortitude Valley newcomer has chosen to pair perfectly with it, whether you're opting for a glass or a bottle. The goat's cheese croquettes are matched with a sauvignon blanc from Sancerre, for instance, and the the pan-fried gnocchi with comte cream gets a grenache blanc from Rhône to accompany it. Pick an eye fillet with pepper cognac sauce among the two steak frites options instead and it comes coupled with a merlot from Pomerol. The idea behind the latest venture from Cameron and Jordan Votan is to focus on French favourites. Cue the concise offering, although a second page of the menu spans to cheeses, desserts such as creme brûlée and chocolate soufflé, sweet wines, spirits, cocktails and other beverages. The brothers have broadened their focus from the Chinese cuisine on the menu at Happy Boy and Snack Man, but remained in the same East Street strip that they clearly love. Petite also follows pop-ups Kid Curry, Nice Thai and Mini, with the latter also taking tastebuds on a trip to France. Its chef Aubrey Courtel (ex-Greenglass) now leads the new restaurant's kitchen. Petite doesn't quite embody its moniker in size, however. On the main floor, including in leather booths beneath glass chandeliers, 70 diners can tuck into the eatery's dishes. Upstairs in the private dining room, groups of between eight and 50 can get comfortable while seated. The steel-frame windows that line the corner spot, which faces Ann and James streets, also make the space roomier. They give Petite another feel, too: the team describes the setup for passersby as akin to peering into a dollhouse. Something that both those strolling along outside and patrons eating inside can't miss is the open kitchen, where everything from baked scallops and kingfish carpaccio to onion tarte gratin with creme fraiche, cordon bleu and pork terrine is also whipped up. Of course, only those dining at Petite can settle in for the night, which is heartily encouraged — complete with a special button in the online booking system tailored for those taking their time. Whether Courtel and the crew are serving up confit duck or the ice cream or sorbet of the day, they're skewing simple and humble with their ingredients. Among the vino choices, Petite also keeps cognisant of price. Glasses start from $15, with the venue ensuring its sips are affordable by sourcing its wine from smaller producers across France. Design-wise, as well as the attention-grabbing windows, concrete pillars are a big feature — another touch that connects Petite with Happy Boy. If you know your Fortitude Valley history or just look outside, you'll also know that they nod to the suburb's air raid shelters. Find Petite on the corner of East and Ann streets, Fortitude Valley, open from 5.30pm–late Tuesday–Saturday. Head to the restaurant's website and Instagram for further details. Images: Callie Marshall.
On Bram Stoker's pages, as penned into gothic horror history 128 years ago, Count Dracula travels to the UK. It's fitting, then, that Sydney Theatre Company's cine-theatre take on the all-time classic vampire novel is following the same voyage. While pop culture's most-famous bloodsucker ventured from the Carpathian Mountains to London, Kip Williams' inventive interpretation of Dracula is making the trip from Australia — as the theatre-maker's fellow one-actor horror adaptation The Picture of Dorian Gray similarly did. Also shared by Williams' iterations of Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Gray: a big-name actor with international clout stepping into the production's sole role. Sarah Snook (Memoir of a Snail) did the honours for the director's Oscar Wilde adaptation, won an Olivier Award for it, then moved to Broadway with the show and is now nominated for a Tony. Taking the lead for Sydney Theatre Company's dance with the undead: Cynthia Erivo (Poker Face). [caption id="attachment_1004199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Seliger[/caption] Erivo's West End stint in Dracula will start on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, playing the Noël Coward Theatre — and if you're wondering whether she'll add to her trophy cabinet for the production, any awards for her efforts here will join the stacked lineup of accolades that she's already collected. For 2016's The Colour Purple, she won a Tony. For that musical's album, she won a Grammy. And for performing from it on America's Today Show, she won an Emmy. This year, Erivo was also an Oscar-nominee thanks to Wicked, joining her two past nominations for Harriet. Dracula marks her return to the stage, premiering in London after Wicked: For Good hits cinemas globally in November 2025. Erivo will portray all 23 characters in Stoker's story. Yes, that means Count Dracula, obviously, but also spans vampire hunter Van Helsing, solicitor Jonathan Harker, his fiancée Mina Murray and her friend Lucy Westenra, among other figures. "Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I've been craving for a long time. To do so with a story as rich, complex and haunting as Dracula offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth and into the heart of what makes us human," said Erivo. "From the moment I was asked, I could not get the role out of my mind. Kip's vision is thrilling, terrifying and deeply resonant, offering a chance to sit with not only the darkness in the world, but also the light we fight to hold onto. It's a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece, and I'm honoured to do it for West End audiences in this extraordinary production. The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I'm ready to give it." Added Williams: "I am thrilled to be returning to the West End to direct my adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula and to collaborate with the extraordinary Cynthia Erivo, as she brings to life the many iconic characters of this much-adored tale." "Our production expands upon Stoker's exploration of the tension between fear and desire, offering a contemporary perspective on the vampire as a monster that lurks not beyond, but within. I am excited to reunite with many of my Dorian Gray collaborators on this project, and it is an immense privilege to have such a singularly gifted artist as Cynthia at the heart of it. I can't wait to share this piece with London audiences, especially in the West End, a place where Bram spent so much of his creative life." Dracula is the third instalment in Williams' trilogy for Sydney Theatre Company, following not only The Picture of Dorian Gray but also The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In Australia, Zahra Newman portrayed every part in this bite of spectacular theatre. Given how popular its namesake, or versions of him, is in cinemas (see: Nosferatu, Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter and Renfield just in the past two years), don't be surprised if Williams' Dracula also gets picked to make a stage-to-screen leap, as The Picture of Dorian Gray has. Dracula will play the Noël Coward Theatre, 85–88 St Martin's Lane, London, from Wednesday, February 4, 2026 — for more information and tickets, head to the production's website. Dracula images: Zahra Newman and camera operator Lucy Parakhina in Sydney Theatre Company's Dracula, 2024, Daniel Boud ©.
If you’ve ever had that joyful experience of finishing an arts/creative degree with such pride and hope, marched into the world looking for the big career move only to find yourself doing one of the following: A. waitressing B. working at Maccas C. selling frocks D. stacking shelves – well, you’re not alone. With performing arts degree in hand, Gillian Cosgriff found herself in the no job, no house, and in a place where eating chips and watching Oprah reruns formed the main activities of the day. What did she do? She picked herself up, dusted herself off and became a waitress! In a highly and widely praised new cabaret show, Cosgriff takes her audience on this hilarious journey of life lessons, exploring every detail of this period and its many funny, frustrating, odd and wonderful experiences. The show features many of Cosgriff’s original songs, as well as some old faves given a reworking. This is a show for all those who have experienced this big adventure, and those who are currently embarking on it.
Holidaymakers love staying in them. TV shows sing their praises. Everyone has wondered what their days would be like if they lived the tiny house life. Expect to explore that train of thought at the National Gallery of Victoria until April 2025, all thanks to the latest temporary addition outside the NGV International on St Kilda Road in Melbourne: Home Truth, the NGV's Architecture Commission for 2024. How big does the average Australian home need to be? How many tiny houses could fit in the space that a standard Aussie abode takes up? These mightn't be the normal questions that anyone tends to ponder when they visit an art gallery, but it's the query that Home Truth wants everyone to contemplate right now. First, you'll see and enter a standard-sized Aussie house. Inside, you'll then find an abode of much smaller size — and you'll notice the difference between the two. Each year, the NGV unveils a site-specific pop-up construction that experiments with design concepts while musing on subjects of public importance. This year's pick is a tiny house — which wouldn't sound out of the ordinary if it wasn't a pint-sized abode within the frame of the average Australian home, and if drawing attention to the contrast wasn't its aim. Created by Melbourne-based architecture and design studio Breathe, Home Truth continues the firm's focus on sustainable architecture that'll endure and has a purpose — and, since Wednesday, November 13, it's getting NGV visitors walking through a house-within-a-house labyrinth. The larger building represents the average 236-square-metre Australian residence. Nestled within it, the smaller-scale home is designed to spark conversations about alternative modes of housing. To get from one to the other, visitors enter via the larger house's garage door, then wander through rooms and hallways. When you reach the tinier home, you'll feel like you've hit the centre of a maze. Attendees will notice two different materials distinguishing each abode, too, with the bigger spot constructed from framing pine and the smaller house from the waste-made and silver-hued saveboard — offering up a comment on how homes are currently built in Australia as well. "Through its clever play on scale and materials, this thought-provoking work of architecture sparks a fascinating conversation about housing and sustainability in this country," explained NGV Director Tony Ellwood when he announced the 2024 Architecture Commission back in September . "Home Truth speculates that overconsumption of space and materials translates into ecological and social consequences — for both us and the planet. But importantly, it offers a provocative vision of a new way of thinking about building — seeing the value of living in spaces that are of smaller scale — a vision that prioritises people and planet," added Ewan McEoin, NGV's Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. Home Truth follows 2023's stunning pick (This is) Air, a giant inflatable sphere that breathed, as created by Australian architect Nic Brunsdon with Sky Castle, Airship Orchestra, Cupid's Koi Garden and Lost Dogs' Disco' ENESS. The 14-metre-high piece did indeed expand with air, then release it — so, yes, it inhaled and exhaled all day — to get everyone thinking about humanity's need for and relationship to air, how essential it is, how dependent we all are upon the element, how finite it is and how its quality is being impacted. In the past, NGV's Architecture Commission has also seen a colourful mini Parthenon, a bright pink pool to wade through, a bamboo garden with its own deck and an unforgettable pink carwash pop up, all as part of an initiative that started in 2015. 'Home Truth' by Breathe is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until Sunday, April 27, 2025 — head to the NGV website for further details. Images: installation view of the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission: Home Truth by Breathe. on display from 13 November 2024 until April 2025 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Derek Swalwell.
If Luke Mangan has his way, some of the globe's famous bridges will double as restaurants — including Brisbane's own Story Bridge. It's a dream that's already become a reality in Sydney, and now the River City is in the celebrity chef's sights alongside the Golden Gate Bridge and London Bridge. Back in 2022, Mangan launched Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout, aka a unique sky-high spot atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A collaboration with BridgeClimb that keeps booking out quickly, it gets patrons climbing up 200 stairs, listening to details about Sydney's history, then eating a three-course meal paired with matching wines while sitting at a 20-seat communal table 87 metres above sea level — and looking at panoramic vistas of the Sydney Opera House and the city skyline. Now, the idea is to take the concept elsewhere. Accordingly, instead of just using Brisbane's Story Bridge to cross from Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley by car or foot, or to climb up high to score a killer view of the Queensland capital, you'd be able to eat there as well. "After opening Sydney's Luke's Table on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I'm keen to expand in iconic locations — which would be the the Story Bridge, the Golden Gate and London Bridge, to name a few," Mangan tells Concrete Playground. "So to open in Brisbane would be amazing." When the Sydney version of Luke's Table initially launched, it was billed as a one-of-a-kind dining experience — but that obviously doesn't mean that other cities can't get in on the action. There are no concrete announcements about a Brisbane iteration as yet, but the hunger on Mangan's part is clearly there. Down south, patrons who are lucky enough to snap up a reservation — it's currently booked out until the end of August — enjoy a welcome mocktail, a guided climb up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon, a glass of champagne and canapes. And, of course, the three-course meal with paired wines by twilight. As well as attracting interest from Glass Brasserie and Luke's Kitchen chef Mangan, Brisbane has recently welcomed Guy Grossi's first Queensland restaurant and a meat-heavy eatery from Adrian Richardson. Also, Andrew McConnell's Melbourne restaurant Supernormal is launching a Brissie outpost in 2023. So, if Luke's Table does open on the Story Bridge, it'll have ample celebrity chef-backed company. Dating back to 1940, the steel cantilever structure itself is no stranger to hosting more than just vehicles, pedestrians and climbers. Back in 2015, to celebrate its 75th birthday, it became a food market for a day. We'll update you on Luke Mangan's Story Bridge plans if and when they keep developing. To stay up to date with the chef's work and ventures — and to book a meal at Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the interim — head to his website.
This is a true story: in 2014, Hollywood decided to take on a task that was destined to either go as smoothly as sliding on ice or prove as misguided as having a woodchipper sitting around. Revisiting Fargo was a bold move even in pop culture's remake-, reboot- and reimagining-worshipping times, because why say "you betcha" to trying to make crime-comedy perfection twice? The Coen brothers' 1996 film isn't just any movie. It's a two-time Oscar-winner, BAFTA and Cannes' Best Director pick of its year, and one of the most beloved and original examples of its genre in the last three decades. But in-between credits on Bones, The Unusuals and My Generation, then creating the comic book-inspired Legion, writer, director and producer Noah Hawley started a project he's now synonymous with, and that's still going strong five seasons in. For the TV version of Fargo, the setup mirrors the film. "This is a true story," all iterations of Fargo claim. "At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed," each season of the series goes on, as the movie did before them. "Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred," they also advise. What follows from there is always a twisty tale set in America's midwest, as filled with everyday folks in knotty binds, complicated family ties, crooks both bumbling and determined trying to cash in, and intrepid cops investigating leads that others wouldn't. Hawley's stroke of genius: driving back into Fargo terrain by making an anthology series built upon similar pieces, but always finding new tales about greed, power, murder and snowy landscapes to tell — including the latest, which starts releasing episodes via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Wednesday, November 22. Consider Fargo a Coen brothers remix, too, nodding to its inspiration while existing in the same universe, and also winking at the sibling filmmakers' other features. It's a series where stars from Joel and Ethan's movies have key roles, such as The Man Who Wasn't There's Billy Bob Thornton, A Serious Man's Michael Stuhlbarg and The Big Lebowski's David Thewlis, to mention a few. References to The Big Lebowski's white russians, mugshots that ape Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou?-esque bluegrass and calling someone "friendo" No Country for Old Men-style also happily pop up. Lines of dialogue, monikers, shots, scenes, character types, plot specifics: from Blood Simple and Barton Fink to Burn After Reading and Hail, Caesar! — and Miller's Crossing, The Hudsucker Proxy, True Grit, Inside Llewyn Davis and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs as well — the links keep coming. Hawley's Fargo adores the Coenverse overall, enthusiastically scouring it for riches like it's the TV-making embodiment of Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's namesake. That film hailed from Damsel's David Zellner instead, and took cues from the urban legend surrounding the purported Fargo ties to the IRL death of Japanese office worker Takako Konishi; however, wanting the contents of the Coen brothers' brains to become your reality is clearly a common thread. Of course, for most of the fictional figures who've walked through the small-screen Fargo's frames, they'd like anything but caper chaos. Scandia, Minnesota housewife Dot Lyon (Juno Temple, Ted Lasso) is one of them in season five. North Dakota sheriff, preacher and rancher Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm, Good Omens) isn't as averse to a commotion if he's the one causing it. Minnesota deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani, Never Have I Ever) and North Dakota state trooper Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris, Woke) just want to get to the bottom of the series' new stint of sometimes-madcap and sometimes-violent mayhem. The events depicted in Fargo season five take place in 2019, after the film's 1987 timing, then season one's 2006 setting, season two's jump back to 1979, season three unfurling in 2010 and season four using 1950 as a backdrop. This is the most current of the franchise's interconnected stories in two ways, with America's recent political climate and corresponding polarisation key to its ten-episode narrative. Indeed, when Dot and her tween daughter Scotty (Sienna King, Under the Banner of Heaven) are introduced in the fifth season's opening scene, it's at a PTA meeting-turned-brawl. After Dot busts out a taser to escape the mob, her presence in the melee ends with an arrest by Olmstead, worry from her car salesman Wayne (David Rysdahl, Oppenheimer), disapproval from his debt collection company CEO mother Lorraine (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hunters) and the latter's in-house lawyer Danish Graves (Dave Foley, The Kids in the Hall) snapping into action. Similarly a consequence: the dawning realisation by those around her that this stay-at-home mum has secrets. Fans of the movie are in for a treat as Hawley treads in its footsteps more directly than ever, but still cleverly, entertainingly, and while reinforcing the idea that basic human nature sparks tales like this over and over. A home invasion and kidnapping, dispatched criminals doing a job that goes awry, a massive face wound and the line "it's a beautiful day" — uttered here by Olmstead — all feature. As Dot joins Fargo's array of indomitable women, so do Olmstead and Lorraine, offering three stripes on an upstanding, ruthless and caught in-between flag. And the saga's savaging exploration of masculinity? The Trumpian Tillman, who sees the law as a mere guide, is all about boosting his own status, has son Gator (Joe Keery, Stranger Things) following his lead and also sports the Anton Chigurh doppelgänger Ole Munch (Sam Spruell, The Gold) on the payroll, is its primary target. Season five kicks off with a title card in addition to the playful "this is a true story" spiel (it's well-established by now that Fargo trades in anything but, at least where narrative facts are involved). Defining "Minnesota nice" as "an aggressively pleasant demeanour, often forced, in which a person is chipper and self-effacing, no matter how bad things get" gives way to the school riot. In mere minutes, Hawley hammers home the truth that even putting on niceties is a rare occurrence in today's America — and 2019's. The season unpacks this notion, setting its sights on the society, attitudes, leaders and powerbrokers perpetuating self-serving fractures so deep that smiling and pretending to get along isn't possible. Fargo sees the fightback, too, both when class and gender are involved, and especially in the resourceful Dot. She could give MacGyver a run for his money, gets compared to a tiger and, out of necessity, never stops notching up ways to outsmart her foes. Add Temple's lead performance to Fargo's long list of standout portrayals; Frances McDormand received her first of three Best Actress Oscars (before also winning for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Nomadland) for the film, after all. Add Hamm to the franchise's can't-look-away villains, swapping his Mad Men charm for the prickliest of confidence. And, add another delight of a run to the show's pile, this time delivering a striking service station siege, the memorable use of The Prodigy's 'Smack My Bitch Up' and multiple references to The Nightmare Before Christmas along the way. Here's another genuinely true story: Fargo keeps proving one of the best film-to-TV adaptations there is. Check out the trailer for Fargo season five below: Fargo season five streams via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Wednesday, November 22. Images: Michelle Faye/FX.
Whether you're the kind of fan who has a lightsaber on your shelf and a Jedi robe in your cupboard, or you prefer simply watching and rewatching every last second of the space-themed science fiction franchise, it has never been easier to indulge your love for Star Wars. We've just seen five new films hit big screens over the latter half of the past decade, The Mandalorian keeps bringing new tales to streaming and, pre-pandemic, an event devoted to the series was never too far away no matter where Down Under you reside. When 2021 rolls around, though, you'll be able to live, breathe and sleep the saga by staying not only in a themed hotel, but onboard a Star Wars spaceship. Yes, in the very near future, in this very galaxy, you can set your sights on Walt Disney World's immersive 360 vacation concept in Orlando. Disney first announced this addition to its growing theme park realm back in 2017, and dropped specific details for all those wannabe Jedis clamouring for a unique holiday back in 2019 — but now it has released a sneak peek of what its new hotel, called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, will look like. When you're getting some shuteye, expect grey and orange tones combined with white surfaces, and an industrial look and feel as well. Fancy climbing up a ladder to kick back in a space built into an alcove — yes, as seen in oh-so-many space-set flicks? Well, based on the initial mockup imagery, that's in store. To answer the obvious question: no, you won't actually be going into space (although that idea isn't as out-of-this-world as it may sound). You will have a blast pretending that you're headed to a galaxy far, far, away, though. We're happy to report that the resort is taking the immersive part very seriously, with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser allowing patrons to embark upon a two-day, two-night adventure on the starcruiser Halycon. First step: leave your real life at the door. Upon check-in, guests become a citizen of the galaxy — which means that, every minute of every day of your stay, you're a part of the Star Wars story happening around you. You'll hang out in the Atrium, where crew and passengers gather; operate the Halycon's navigation and defence systems, with plenty of guidance; and learn how to use a lightsaber, because an interactive Star Wars-themed stay wouldn't be complete without wielding a glowing weapon. You'll also sleep in the aforementioned spaceship cabins, drink in the passenger lounge and try to sneak into the crew-only engineering rooms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOGH5fpqStE&feature=emb_logo Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will form part of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Walt Disney World's new sprawling zone dedicated to the space-set franchise — which opened at the Orlando site, and at Disneyland in California as well, in 2019. For now, the hotel doesn't have an exact 2021 opening date given the current state of the world at the moment; however, you can sign up to register your interest. If you're keen to give it a whirl once it opens (and once international travel gets back to normal, too), you'll have to be committed to the experience. The "every minute of every day" comment may well include sleeping hours — the dark side never sleeps, after all. For more information about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which is due to open sometime in 2021, head to Walt Disney World's website. Image: Disney/Lucasfilm via Disney Parks Blog.
2024 is a double Dune year. First, Dune: Part Two brought the science-fiction franchise back to the big screen with help from director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049), plus stars Timothée Chalamet (Wonka) and Zendaya (Euphoria). Next, television's Dune: Prophecy will arrive before spring is out. A six-part prequel series from HBO, it's set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides — and, as the latest teaser trailer for the show advises, this is a time when sacrifices must be made. Dune: Prophecy marks this book-to-screen universe's return to the small screen. Over the past four decades, the saga started on the page by Frank Herbert has hit cinemas three times so far, including David Lynch's 1984 film and Villeneuve's 2021 standout Dune: Part One. In the 00s, it also spread sandy across TV via two miniseries. Everything in pop culture has to span both movies and television at the same time these days, however, hence Dune: Prophecy — even though the tale of Paul, aka sci-fi's spiciest man, is set to continue in a third Dune film that doesn't yet have a release date. Come November, including via Binge in Australia, Dune: Prophecy will follow the sect that gives rise to the Bene Gesserit, aka the sisterhood that secretly sways the universe. In the debut sneak peek back in May, the narration explained how the faction formed, and was "assigned to the great houses to help them sift truth from lies" — but also noted that that power comes with a price. The new glimpse doubles down on the costs and chaos. Across both trailers, cue plenty of plotting, lurking in dramatically shadowy spaces, schemes, rituals, battles and marriages. The focus falls on two Harkonnen sisters — part of the same family that includes Stellan Skarsgard's (Andor) Baron Harkonnen, Dave Bautista's (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Rabban and Austin Butler's (The Bikeriders) Feyd-Rautha in the movies — who are attempting to sure up humanity's future. Dune: Prophecy is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson's novel Sisterhood of Dune, and features Emily Watson (Small Things Like These), Olivia Williams (The Crown), Travis Fimmel (Boy Swallows Universe), Jodhi May (Renegade Nell), Mark Strong (Tár), Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Colony), Josh Heuston (Heartbreak High) and Jessica Barden (You & Me) among the cast. HBO is as keen as most Dune characters are about spice on turning films into TV shows at the moment, with The Batman spinoff The Penguin, IT prequel series Welcome to Derry and a Harry Potter remake as a television show all also on the way. Check out the latest teaser trailer for Dune: Prophecy below: Dune: Prophecy will stream from in November 2024, including via Binge in Australia — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Read our reviews of Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, and our interview with cinematographer Greig Fraser.
When November hits, murdering some dance floors should be on every Brisbanite's must-do list. That's just what you do when Sophie Ellis-Bextor comes to town to headline this year's Melt Festival. The British singer's local stop was announced back in August, alongside a Queensland-exclusive show by Big Freedia, who you'll know from Beyoncé's 'Formation' and 'Break My Soul' — but if you've been holding out for the full LGBTIQA+ celebration's lineup, Brisbane Powerhouse has just dropped the details. Obviously, the Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Big Freedia gigs are huge — the former with Jodie Harsh DJing, and burning this goddamn house right down (metaphorically) while 'Murder on the Dancefloor' plays; the latter with Kinder in support. Jesswar and JessB were also already the bill, and they all now have a heap of company between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27, including Shane Jenek, Polytoxic, Brendan Maclean, festival artist-in-residence Dylan Mooney and a Cher-inspired cabaret by Larissa McGowan. Among the newly announced events across the 18-day fest, as overseen by Festival Curator Daniel Evans, Jenek – aka Courtney Act — will chat about his memoir Caught in The Act. Yes, expect his stint on RuPaul's Drag Race season six to get a mention. Meanwhile, McGowan's solo show Cher includes contemporary dance, chameleonic displays, and a pop culture-fuelled exploration of gender and power. Polytoxic's In Your Dreams will enjoy its world premiere at the fest, heroing genderqueer and intersectional artists, and performed as an awards ceremony for the future. As for Maclean, he's bringing his solo show Alone At Last! to Brisbane after its successful debut season at Adelaide Cabaret Festival. And Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander man Mooney will continue his impressive recent run of exhibitions, spreading his art across multiple Brisbane Powerhouse spaces and surfaces. Also a highlight: Meltdown, a night of tech house beats from Soul of Detroit featuring John 'Jammin' Collins of Underground Resistance, Sophie Forrest and DJ Enn, as curated by Joel Devereux. It'll also span installations, guest appearances, drag acts and performances, aka one helluva party. [caption id="attachment_869189" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shane Jenek[/caption] There's the Melt Comedy Gala, too, which'll be hosted by Mel Buttle and feature New Zealand comic Chris Parker; Queerstories making a comeback, complete with Benjamin Law among its LGBTQIA+ storytellers; and the similarly returning Lesbian Love Stories. Both the LGBTQIA+ Elders Dance Club hosted by All the Queens Men, and Backbone Youth Arts' Revel in the Queer, will be free to attend — with a huge focus on providing uplifting and safe spaces for queer culture. Keep an eye out for The Good Room's The Chapel of Love, which'll build a chapel — yes, really — on Brisbane Powerhouse's Turbine Platform (taking inspiration from everything from Dolly Parton to Hallmark and Vegas' neon dreams, naturally). Some Melt events will make use of Brisbane Powerhouse's new Pleasuredome, an outdoor venue that's set to join the New Farm site. [caption id="attachment_716453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Evans[/caption] Melt Festival 2022 runs from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27 at Brisbane Powerhouse. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the fest's website now.
We've officially entered one of the busiest times of the year when it comes to buying gifts for the fam. Luckily, Black Friday deals make it a lot more affordable, especially if you have a big family. To help you get prepped, we've narrowed down some of the best bargains from Amazon for mums, dads, kids, sisters, brothers and partners. From coffee machines to cookbooks, skincare essentials and wardrobe staples, these savings are tantalizingly good, so get shopping and make the most of the deals while they last. For Mum Often the most self-sacrificing people when it comes to gifts, mum absolutely deserves a treat. From skincare to some newfound inspiration in the kitchen, these Black Friday deals will have you covered. Philips Espresso Machine for $699.00 – 41% off. VT COSMETICS CICA Reedle Shot 100 Serum for $26.40 – 47% off. RecipeTin Eats: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi for $24.00 – 47% off NIVEA SUN UV Face Shine Control Sunscreen for $8.99 – 50% off. Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker for $138.98 – 54% off. COSRX Snail MucinPower Repairing Essence Hydrating Serum for $12.99 – 66% off. For Dad Grab the dads in your life some gifts they will love, like an air fryer for lazy, healthy dinners or even a new watch if you think his outfits are in need of a little bit of extra flair. The Voice Inside by John Farnham for $29.00 – 42% off. Philips 5000 Series Air Fryer for $229.00 – 49% off. Inkbird Digital Meat Thermometer for $18.99 – 51% off. Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results Book for $17.49 – 53% off. Bonds Men's Underwear Cotton Action for $19.99 – 43% off. Tommy Hilfiger Men's Stainless Steel Watch for $139.00 – 58% off. For Your Sister or Girlfriend You really can't go wrong with some new shoes, hair accessories or nice-smelling stuff for the girls in your life. You can thank us later. d'Alba Italian White Truffle Toner for $19.98 – 50% off. Australian Food by Bill Granger for $29.00 – 42% off. Calvin Klein, Carousel Thong 5 Pack for $35.99 – 56% off. Dr. Martens Unisex Myles Brando Leather Slide Sandal for $139.99 – 46% off. Philips 5000 Series Hair Straightener for $64.99 – 40% off. Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Bath And Shower Gel for $13.55 – 60% off. For Your Brother or Boyfriend Whether they're a tech nerd, Lord of the Rings obsessed or are more of the active type, we've narrowed down some of the best low-price gifts to suit any kind of guy. BUZIO Insulated Water Bottle for $29.58 – 44% off. The Hobbit / The Lord of the Rings Box Set for $40.24 – 50% off. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Special Edition Headphones for $335.00 – 46% off. MERRELL Men's Moab 3 GTX Hiking Shoe for $128.99 – 54% off. Calvin Klein One Eau De Toilette for $33.94 – 86% off. UGREEN Magsafe Power Bank for $49.99 – 42% off. For Kids If there's one thing we're certain of, is that it's oh-so-easy to make kids smile with a simple gift that will guarantee endless entertainment, whether it's a book, a board game or a toy you've heard them begging for the past six months. The Adventures of Tintin Complete Boxset for $149.90 – 57% off. Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker for $149.00 – 40% off. PicassoTiles 100 Piece Magnetic Playboards Tiles Set for $45.60 – 49% off. Barbie DreamHouse for $175.00 – 53% off. Blokus for $19.99 – 52% off. Crocs Kids' Bayaband Sandal for $28.04 – 42% off. Images: Supplied. This article contains affiliate links, Concrete Playground may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site.
If you've been walking around Sydney in the last week, you may have noticed the fancy new plaques at most street crossings. But what you probably didn't know is that these signs now make up the most comprehensive network of braille and tactile signs in the world. That's right: the entire world. Thanks to the major effort by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the signs were officially launched on Monday, July 4, with more than 2100 braille and raised-letter signs installed at pedestrian crossings in the city. The aluminium panels, which denote street names and building numbers, have been placed next to push buttons at crossing areas. These plaques improve signage and accessibility for the blind and vision impaired, and will allow them to navigate the city streets much more easily. A champion for the vision impaired, Moore is aiming to make Sydney more accessible for both locals and tourists. "The signs make it easier and safer for people who are blind or have low vision to use their city — to have the freedom and the independence of movement that most of us can take for granted," she told Concrete Playground. Basically, she rules. Both Vision Australia and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are giving this act two thumbs way up and were integral in the program launch. "The design and installation arose from extensive consultation with the community and on-site testing with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Vision Australia," says Moore. "My sincere thanks to them for their help in this significant step towards an even more open and inclusive city." Making sure Sydney is accessible to the vision impaired is becoming increasingly important by the year — it is estimated that around 100,000 people suffer from non-correctable vision loss in NSW alone, and that number is predicted to increase by more than 20 percent by 2020. We've been truly impressed with Sydney's initiatives of late – like the fact that we're getting our own entrepreneur school and a permanent School of Life. This new braille network is a massive leap forward for the city's planning and an overall ace move. Nice one, Sydney. Image: Clover Moore via Instagram.
Sundays can be bittersweet. Do you party, or do you prepare for the week ahead? Answer: go ahead and check out these ten great things to do in Brisbane on a Sunday. They'll put in you in the perfect Monday mindset. A Sunday well spent brings a week of content, it's true. Leftover Sundays at Depo On Sunday nights the crew at Depo serve up a special chef’s menu to make use of the leftover produce from the week. As the menu changes depending on the produce available, the only thing I can tell you is that these ain’t your average leftovers. With mains for $20, desserts for $10 and cocktails for $12, the menu is served until it is sold out, so make like your granny and get in for an early dinner. Find a seat among the taxidermy and the sheepskin rugs, soak up the atmosphere and get down with the chill vibe Depo does oh so well. With a DJ on the decks from 4pm until late, you’ll be begging to stay out past your bedtime. All that is left to say is head on over to Horan Street and experience one of the tastiest Sunday sessions in town for yourselves. 16 Horan Street, West End Eat Street Markets If anyone has experienced the tastiness of Eat Street Markets on a Friday or Saturday night over the past few months, you’ll be pleased to know that the markets have extended their trading hours to now include Sundays. That’s right Brisbane, you can now get your cronut fix three days in a row! With stalls trading 10am to 7pm, Hamilton Wharf is a great place to embrace Brisbane’s balmy spring weather and while away the day indulging in the fantastic food, fashion and atmosphere to boot. Macarthur Avenue, Hamilton Limes Rooftop Bar Limes rooftop is a great spot any day of the week but on Sunday afternoons the dress code relaxes and so should you! Drinks, share plates and live entertainment fill guests with merriment and let you pretend that Monday morning isn’t quite as close as it seems. In some parts of Australia rooftop activities might get put on hold during that season they call ‘winter’ but up here in the Sunshine State we can play outside almost any day of the year. So embrace the sunshine and make Limes a Sunday staple because who doesn’t enjoy a pre-week beverage on a rooftop? 142 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley Kettle and Tin A Sunday at Kettle and Tin epitomises just how Given Terrace keeps on givin’. Behind the picket fence, Kettle and Tin serve up one of the best cheese platters in Brisbane, and on a Sunday afternoon you can enjoy your cheese with a side of live music. Order a cocktail jug or a glass from the fantastic wine list and sample the ever-changing but always scrumptious menu while you watch the sun go down on Brisbane Town. 215 Given Terrace, Paddington Livespark at the Powerhouse While free comedy has moved to Friday nights, the good folks at the Powerhouse have not left your Sunday nights bare, as free live music fills the Turbine Platform every Sunday from 3.30-5.30pm. With two acts playing every week, this is a chance to relish in some of the best indie-pop and rock bands from Brisbane and beyond. And if you’re not ready to go home when the music stops, you’re mighty lucky that the Powerhouse has two fantastic on-site restaurants. Both Bar Alto and Watt Bar and Restaurant deliver excellent food and drinks and an unbeatable riverside vibe. An afternoon at the Powerhouse is one of the best ways to appreciate the cultural, edible and physical gems on offer in the River City. 119 Lamington Street, New Farm Chester Street Bakery and Bar Whether you’re an early riser, a slow starter or a late-night craver, on a Sunday Chester Street can cater to all of your needs. Brunch is served 8am to 3pm, and the bar gives you the option to spike any juice or smoothie (I’ll leave you to make that decision depending on how your Saturday night panned out). An array of cooked, griddled and just baked menu items should satisfy just about any Brisbanite’s appetite, so why not make your next group catch up a boozy Sunday brunch at Chester Street? If your bakery cravings hit you a little later in the day (or night), do not fear, dessert is served all day until late. 32a Chester Street, Newstead Sunday Sessions on the Green at River Quay The River Quay Green at Southbank is one of Brisbane’s best riverside destinations, making it another grand spot to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. From 2pm you can enjoy great entertainment as you hang out in the lush green grass. If free live music and lawn games doesn’t quite satisfy, then why not mosey on over to Stokehouse and get Stoked on Sundays. From 4pm you can soak up the spectacular city views and sip on a cocktail or two to the sounds of Brisbane’s best DJs. South Brisbane Sixes and Sevens Should you find yourself in need of rehydration after a day of strolling James Street, make your way to At Sixes and Sevens, where “the speak was easy, the food shared, the drink appreciated” — exactly how a Sunday session should be. The menu is designed for sharing and allows you to eat a little or a lot. Beer, cider, wine or spirits — whatever your poison, the bar at Sixes and Sevens has got you covered. Find a cosy nook inside or lounge around in the sun out back, but whatever you do, make sure you try the smokey eggplant, white bean and feta dip. 67 James Street, Fortitude Valley Australian Cinematheque at QAGOMA The Gallery's Australian Cin ematheque at QAGOMA has an extensive film and moving-image collection, and they want to share it with you, Brisbane. Every Sunday there are two free showings at the cinema (1pm and 3pm). From documentaries to dramas, expect a showcase of works of influential filmmakers and artists to add a little bit of eye-opening culture to your weekend. You can check out the calendar for full details of current and upcoming programs. Stanley Place, South Brisbane Ballyhooed BBQ at The Statler and Waldorf Sometimes on a Sunday you just need to sink your teeth into a hearty meal and eat them feelings about the week ahead. But when your mum isn’t around to cook a roast for you, the beautiful people at The Statler & Waldorf are here to help out. Every Sunday from 3pm at the Ballyhooed BBQ, the chef serves up gastronomical delights that are sure to make you feel better. The offerings changes each week, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page for details and put it in your diary. 25 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace Top image: Limes Hotel Rooftop.
UPDATE, January 28, 2022: Good Love Festival has postponed its 2022 festival from February 5 to May 7. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Clear your diary, grab your sneakers and prepare to spend some time dancing to reggae by the water — because on Saturday, May 7, 2022, Good Love Festival is headed to Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. New Zealand's huge One Love Festival actually made its local debut back in 2020; however, it's now had a name change — and it's popping up in 2022 in a different GC location. The festival is quite the big deal across the ditch, attracting more than 20,000 festival-goers each year for a decade before the pandemic. And, the reggae-focused fest clearly enjoyed its first trip to our shores, so now it's returning fo another day of Jamaican-influenced tunes. This time, the lineup is set to span Katchafire, Stan Walker, Kora, Sons of Zion, Nesian Mystik, The Black Seeds, 1814 and House of Shem. Also on the bill: Tomorrow People, Krisy Erin & Mike Mayz, Swiss & Tree, and DJ TIKELZ.
The North American food trend keeps on keeping on, continuing its infiltration of Brisbane suburbs. Albion’s Hudson Corner American Barbecue & Ale House has been around for almost one year and has hit its stride. Though its inner north location is not exactly the sticks, the place seems a little underappreciated. Their smoked pork ribs (dry rubbed and served with house-made sauce) and wings (buffalo, Hudson or BBQ, $12) are solid, but they excel at various incarnations of beef between bread. Beef brisket, in comparison at least to its more popular cousin pulled pork, is often missing from Brisbane BBQ menus. Thankfully, Hudson Corner gives this cut the love and attention it deserves; their brisket roll ($20, or in a burrito for $14) is one of the best dishes they offer. The best, in our opinion, is the cheeseburger ($12): a testament to the indulgent umami flavours of a US culinary icon, without the stodginess it often entails. Hudson Corner’s burger strikes a happy balance between the wholesomeness of quality ingredients and fatty, salty instant flavour gratification. Sides include more than the obligatory chips ($5) and onion rings ($8); the green chilli rice is a fragrant addition and the Tex Mex black beans (both $5) help to make your takeaway seem like a proper meal. The jalapeno poppers ($10) are even a bit classy. Stuffed with cream cheese, bacon and shallots then grilled, they're a far cry from the breaded and deep-fried calorie bombs more commonly seen in Tex Mex cuisine. Meals may seem small to some and conveniently portion-controlled to others. Craft beers on tap and Back Porch Tea (peach iced tea with bourbon) are available for those who dine in. Though the greasy spoon aesthetic is obvious, the fit-out is not slavishly on theme, nor too cool for school. Similar, in some ways, to the food.
There's never a bad time to party while you're perched above the rest of the world, especially when there's a new year to celebrate. December 31 isn't the only time to do just that, of course, with Brisbanites able to climb up high from 4–9pm on Saturday, February 4 to mark the start of the new lunar calendar on a shopping centre's rooftop. As it has in the past, the 2023 BrisAsia Festival is throwing a huge Lunar New Year Rooftop Party. To join in the fun you'll want to head to Sunnybank Plaza and head up to the top of the Hoyts Cinema carpark. Expect dragon and lion dancers, lantern workshops, Asian pop and plenty to eat. Expect to feel like you're at a traditional lantern festival, too, but without leaving Brisbane. Past years have featured tea ceremonies, calligraphy classes and more — and fireworks are always a big highlight. Entry is free, but bring your wallet to feast on dinner from the nearby restaurants.
Arts festivals are all about looking. Before the event starts, everyone looks forward to something dazzling dancing in front of their eyes. When a fest is in full swing, audiences peer at everything that the lineup can splash their way. Brisbane Festival is currently engaging the first mode for 2023, and there's plenty to get excited about. More than 1000 performances will take over the River City across 23 spring days, filling the first three weeks of September with everything from fireworks and kazoos to gospel-meets-dance music parties and glowing gardens. Throw in brand-new musicals, including one by Kate Miller-Heidke; Paul Kelly getting behind the microphone; and a day-long music festival headlined by Groove Armada and The Avalanches, too. In fact, that was all announced before Brisbane Festival even dropped its full 2023 program. Now that the whole shebang has been unveiled, the list of things to start counting down the days to — looking forward, of course — is even heftier. Swirling drones, circus in a cathedral, large-scale dance pieces: they'll also have you looking, as well as listening, between Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 23. From Brisbane Festival's just-revealed highlights, Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale is set to literally soar. It's a never-before-seen mass drone performance that'll tell a First Nations narrative. And we mean mass: 400 drones will fly through the sky above the river in front of Queen's Wharf. Also certain to stun is Circa's new world-premiere show Eternity, which will see eight acrobats and artists tumble into St John's Anglican Cathedral — and Maxine Doyle, Es Devlin and Australasian Dance Collective's Salamander, which'll head to Northshore, settle into a riverside warehouse, and ponder the future, labyrinths and landscapes beset by floods. Clear your calendar, then prepare to fill it with Brisbane Festival events — there's more where the above must-sees came from. The Making of Pinocchio, which hits Brisbane with international acclaim and a personal tale about gender transition, is one of them. Hiromi Hotel: Yu Ka 夢花, aka Hiromi Tango's latest towering installation, is another. And, so is Bangarra Dance Theatre's new show Yuldea, which makes its Queensland premiere. In Tracker, Wiradjuri choreographer and Australian Dance Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Riley steps through his great-great uncle's story. In Stunt Double, film fans and theatre lovers alike can delight in a piece about the shooting of a 70s Aussie action flick filled with, yes, stunts. Love rom-coms? There's Something About Music will sing through a heap of movie soundtracks. And, with The Party, Strut & Fret return to Brisbane Festival after Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO to live up to their latest show's name. Bite Club is similarly back, courtesy of Briefs Factory, this time with Sahara Beck joining the saucy cabaret, drag and burlesque blend. Also, South Bank Piazza is welcoming in circus again thanks to Cirque Bon Bon, which hails from former Cirque Du Soleil Assistant Creative Director Ash Jacks (McCready) and choreographer Julieann Nugent. While almost every inner-city venue you can think of will host part of Brisbane Festival's 2023 program, this fest isn't just about the middle of town. The returning Brisbane Serenades takes tunes to the suburbs, with more than 23 places across the Queensland capital playing host. Also, Moorooka's block party with First Nations and World Music talents is on the bill again, as is MOSAIC Multicultural Festival. A newcomer: West End Stories, a world-premiere session heroing storytelling and songwriting about Meanjin through an Indigenous lens. Common People Dance Eisteddfod graces the lineup for the fifth year, puppeteers Erth will get you diving with sharks without actually diving with sharks and Dead Puppet Society is unleashing full-size flamingos. Bowen Hills' King Street is going retro with inflatable gaming consoles and an 80s street party complete with rollerskating, while South Bank will host the fest's wine and food hub. Given the massive number of performances — including 19 world premieres, two Australian premieres and 11 Queensland premieres, plus more than 1400 Queensland-based artists and arts workers taking part, 57 arts organisations getting involved and over 170 First Nations artists joining in — the program clearly doesn't end there. When it all comes to an end, however, All Together Now will do the honours. A closing concert at Victoria Park / Barrambin, it'll feature the already-announced 10,000-kazoo orchestra and the 100-drum percussive sounds of Noise. [caption id="attachment_908141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacinta Oaten[/caption] Brisbane Festival 2023 runs from Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 23 at venues all around Brisbane — head to the fest's website for further details and tickets.
If you're a perennial re-watcher of the all-timer Christmas classic Love Actually?, you may or may not already be aware of the musical stage adaptation that's getting ready to hit Australia's east coast. After a swathe of nationwide auditions, the production has announced not one but three casts of performers for shows in NSW, VIC and QLD. They've broken past the typical range of stage veterans and hired everything from impressionists and stand-up comedians to musical veterans and internationally touring artists — the producers call it "pure festive chaos". The Sydney cast includes Ellis Dolan (The Rocky Horror Show 50th Anniversary Tour, School of Rock), Tommy James Green (The Fox and the Hunter, Scratch), Hamish Pickering (Hello, Asteroid), Gracie Rowland (Josephine Wants to Dance), Bash Nelson (Once on This Island) and Brittany Morton (Into the Woods). In Melbourne, audiences will see Mitchell Groves (Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical), Belinda Jenkin (Friends! The Musical Parody), Jeremy Harland (A Zoom Group Project: The Musical), Ian Andrew (Midnight: The Cinderella Musical), Sophie Loughran (50 Shades of Grey — The Musical Parody), and Massimo Zuccara (Opera Australia's West Side Story). Brisbane's production features Dylan Hodge (Legally Blonde The Musical), William Kasper (Rate of Decay), Benjamin Hambley (Godspell), Nicole Kaminski (Urinetown), Stephanie Beza (Chicago), and multi-award-winning Gold Coast actor Ashton Simpson (Romeo & Juliet). "This show is like Christmas dinner after a few too many champagnes — loud, ridiculous, and way too much fun," said Associate Producer Ashley Tickell. The show follows nine quirky couples as they chase love across London, sending up the cult 2003 rom-com with tongue-in-cheek songs such as "He's The Prime Minister of Rom Coms" and "Keira Knightley Actually". Written by the creators of Friends! The Musical Parody, the production promises a night of high-energy laughs for audiences aged 15 and up. Love Actually? The Musical Parody first premiered in Australia in 2024 to rave reviews, hailed as "fabulously hilarious and laugh out loud entertainment" (Musicals Reviewed) and "a surefire way to get into the festive spirit" (Toorak Times). With its cheeky humour, catchy songs, and irreverent take on one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, the show promises to be the ultimate untraditional holiday tradition. As Tickell puts it: "Whether you love Love Actually, love to hate it, or have never even seen it, you will actually love this musical." 'Love Actually? The Musical Parody' will play at Sydney's Darling Quarter Theatre from November 27 to December 23, followed by Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from December 5–23 and Brisbane Showgrounds from December 11-21. Tickets start at $69 via loveactuallymusicalparody.com.
Two gigantic Australian billboards were hijacked this week, now sporting seriously gnarly tatts. Located in Sydney's George Street and Melbourne's St Kilda Junction, the 16m x 6m billboards have been emblazoned with giant tattooed lions by longtime team-up Aussie artists The Yok and Sheryo in collaboration with LYNX. The two artists were invited to use their own unique styles and expression to transform the men's brand's latest outdoor campaign. Marking phase one of LYNX's brand new 'Expression Series', the billboards were completed over four days; with a limited run of t-shirts and posters available through Facebook. This isn't the first time the pair have worked together; The Yok and Sheryo have exhibited and painted their fantastical creatures everywhere from Mexico to NY, Atlanta, LA, Miami, Africa, Belgium, London, Europe, Seoul, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Cambodia. So why the massive lions? The Yok has seen his fair share of expression-fuelling travel, moving to Africa from Australia and finding an addictive freshness in his newfound environment (lions included). "I moved to Kenya when I was 25 and I lived there for a year and a half; I think that had a real dramatic effect, it was a really rewarding experience" says The Yok in the behind-the-scenes video. "I really value that feeling, so maybe I'm always trying to chase that feeling again. It's kind of like being a kid and everything's new. "I remember when I saw my first lion in Kenya. Such an amazing animal to see close up; they're just so powerful-looking. I can't really describe what it is to look at a lion in the face, but they're an amazing creature." https://youtube.com/watch?v=zNQyWPUqdF0 LYNX aren't stopping at two gigantic billboards; the next phase of the 'Expressions Series' will see typographer Luca Ionescu and a photographer collaborate on a mystery project to be announced later in the year. LYNX's project aims to help Australian guys express themselves authentically, supporting creators who stay true to their vision but might not always have the opportunity to do so. Check out LYNX's 'Expression Series' over here and stay tuned for the next project announcement later this year.
The humble neighbourhood pub will always hold a soft spot in every Australian's heart. We all live near one. We've all spent time in one. They're the places that you can mosey to just because the feeling hits, and the venues where you can while away many an hour over several brews. And, perfect for the Aussie climate, they're usually home to sunny, breezy beer gardens. On that list: Capalaba's Koala Tavern. Just in time for summer 2022–23, this popular Redlands pub has reopened after a $3-million renovation, complete with plenty of features that'll come in handy for the warm weather. That includes a new fairy light-lit beer garden with seats, cushions, benches and umbrellas aplenty, giving patrons a whole heap of options for eating and drinking al fresco. And, for visitors with kids in tow, there's a new play area as well. The rest of the venue has also been given a makeover, as seen in the new-look bistro, as well as the sports bar that's been turned into an entertainment hub. The latter now hosts local and touring bands, and is also decked out with screens showing sport. Head by on Tuesdays for trivia, too, and on Thursdays for 'Blues and Brews' evenings. As for the menu — another big drawcard at any neighbourhood pub — Koala Tavern's new culinary lineup heroes classic Australian pub grub. Yes, that means chicken schnitzels and parmas, beer-battered fish and chips (in XXXX, being Queensland), rumps and eye fillets, salt and pepper calamari, caesar salads and steak sandwiches. The garlic bread range includes a bacon and cheese version, bacon mac 'n' cheese croquettes are also on offer, and the house pie changes weekly but always comes stacked with onion rings on top. Another humble favourite, the rotisserie chicken, also gets some love here. You can order a serving of it with sourdough stuffing, slaw and chips, or grab a warm roast chicken roll. And for dessert? Warm bread and butter pudding, chocolate brownies and blueberry cheesecake. Cocktail fans will also find two kinds of spritzes on the menu — strawberry and river mint, and ginger and mango — plus classics like Long Island iced teas, margaritas, espresso martinis, sparkling raspberry negronis and creaming soda highballs. Images: Kirra Smith.
Catch Queensland Theatre's latest production and you'll catch a slice history in more ways than one. The Sunshine Club sets its feel-good story in 1946, and follows a First Nations serviceman coming home to Brisbane from World War II — and, if it sounds familiar, that's because it was first staged in 1999. In fact, back when the play made its debut 23 years ago, a heap of now-huge theatre names were involved, including Wesley Enoch, David Page, Roxanne McDonald, Stephen Page, Ursula Yovich, Wayne Blair, Elaine Crombie, Tessa Rose and Christen O'Leary. This time, during The Sunshine Club's QPAC Playhouse run from Saturday, July 9–Saturday, July 30, former Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Enoch directs. He knows the material; he was commissioned to create the original, after all. Alongside Enoch, composer John Rodgers, musical director Wayne Freer and costume designer Richard Roberts all return, too. In the new staging, Marcus Corowa (Bran Nue Dae) plays Frank Doyle, who heads back from the battlefields eager to restart his life with girl next door Rose (Irena Lysiuk, The Marriage of Figaro). This couldn't be a look back at the era — even a fictional one — without exploring Australia's history of race relations, of course, but Frank endeavours to overcome society's prejudices by starting his own ballroom where everyone is welcome. Images: Brett Boardman.
Join in the celebrations of the homecoming of Mik Shida’s works when this internationally recognised artist comes to Brisbane’s own Powerhouse. His works, spanning some 10 years and many countries, takes indoor and outdoor spaces and transforms them into monolithic works with minute details. He reconstructs spaces and perceptions through stylising and saluting classic techniques, pairing mastery and bewilderment. His murals are monumental artworks that demand note and admiration. Shida’s latest collection, Mythographies, continues in the same direction as previous works, guided by imagination and intuition. It’s been described as the culmination of his works and experiences as an artist. The exhibition has toured through Sydney and Melbourne, finding its final place of celebration in Brisbane, where Shida’s painting career first began. A fitting location, particularly for a collection of work so enamoured by and concerned with history. A dazzling combination of Science Fiction Art, French Post-Impressionism and Russian Symbolist Art, where the ethereal meets the immovable. It must be seen to be believed and experienced.
