The Australian Open is coming in hot for its 2023 edition, with thousands of punters set to descend on Melbourne Park for two weeks of Grand Slam tennis action from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. But as usual, the tennis won't be the only thing pulling crowds and whetting appetites. Serving a few aces of its own is the AO's 2023 food and drink offering — a star-studded lineup of restaurant pop-ups and experiences to tempt tennis-goers and foodies alike. Throughout the tournament, a slew of big-name chefs and dining institutions will be headed courtside to dish up a blockbuster menu of culinary gold. Among these familiar favourites you'll catch Andrew McConnell's modern Asian diner Supernormal, hosting both a set-menu restaurant and a walk-in-friendly al fresco dining terrace. And yes, there'll be plenty of that famed lobster roll to go around. Meanwhile, award-winning Sydney chef and seafood maestro Josh Niland (Saint Peter) will treat locals to a taste of his sustainable fish and chipper Charcoal Fish, which is heading south for the first time. Hit the pop-up eatery for cult-fave dishes like a rotisserie Murray cod roll with gravy and crispy skin, and the double yellowfin tuna cheeseburger. You can also nab tickets to his one-off talk. [caption id="attachment_884148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charcoal Fish[/caption] Fellow Sydneysider Jacqui Challinor will be recreating the magic of her own Nomad stable courtside, serving bites like mushroom and bone marrow empanadas, standout house-made charcuterie and a Middle Eastern-inspired olive oil cream sandwich. There'll be restaurants by Penfolds and Rockpool Bar & Grill if you fancy dialling up the sophistication factor, as well as a pop-up fine-diner by the Stokehouse crew serving a sumptuous set-menu affair — including an adorable tennis ball dessert. And a collective of chefs including Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook), Adam D'Sylva (Tonka, Coda) and Scott Pickett (Longrain, Estelle) are assembling to cook up the fusion feast of your dreams. Elsewhere, you can tuck into plates from the likes of Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, Shane Delia's Maha, Oasis, Ca Com (by Anchovy's Thi Lee and Jia-Yen Lee) and The B.East. Josh Fry will be whipping up a menu of two-handed delights a la Rocco's Bologna, while Mischa Tropp showcases his acclaimed Keralan fare — that legendary butter chicken included. No one's going thirsty, either. The palm-fringed AO Spritz Bar will be your go-to for all things fizzy, with the menu ranging from a booze-free guava marg to a signature hibiscus-infused spritz. It'll be rocking a breezy resort-inspired aesthetic, complete with bookable cabanas and a prime location adjacent to Charcoal Fish. Meanwhile, over at the Canadian Club Racquet Club, you'll find another tidy lineup of sips, alongside free gigs, street food by Beatbox Burgers and Taco Truck, and the tennis action playing live and loud on the big screens. Further booze pop-ups come courtesy of labels like Piper Heidsieck, Balter, Sommersby, Peroni and Gordon's. [caption id="attachment_884140" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maha[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Penfolds Restaurant[/caption] [caption id="attachment_884145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supernormal[/caption] The 2023 Australian Open and its food offering will take over Melbourne Park from Monday, January 16–Sunday, January 29. For details on the full lineup or to book a table, see the website. Top images: Stokehouse, Nomad.
It's supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but Christmas sure does require everyone to make a whole heap of decisions. You need to select which gifts to buy your nearest and dearest, all the ways you're going to celebrate with your loved ones and where to spend any time you get off over festive break, for starters. You also have to pick how many seasonal-themed events to attend across December, and which dishes to make and/or eat. And, you need to choose something to drink — on several occasions over the whole period. Need something to pour into your next festive-themed cocktail, or to sip with pudding on the big day itself? Bass and Flinders has just released a limited-edition spiced Christmas brandy that's designed for both — or just to drink neat over ice when you're saying a jovial cheers to your friends and family if you prefer. The idea: to basically make a brandy that tastes like Christmas pudding in a bottle (because why just eat dessert when you can drink it, too?). Head distiller Holly Klintworth took inspiration from her family's own Christmas pudding recipe, in fact, which has been passed down through four generations. If you're wondering what you'll be knocking back, Bass and Flinders' spiced Christmas brandy uses chardonnay grapes from a Victorian vineyard, which have been distilled and matured to into an Aussie-made spirit. Then, the distillery steeped it with Christmas fruits and spices for ten days — with dried currants, cranberries and apricots; spices such as nutmeg, clove and cardamom; and also citrus rind, frankincense and myrrh. Golden amber in hue, and smelling like all of the aforementioned ingredients, the tipple is now available to purchase for $125 for a 700-millilitre bottle. And if you're after a few cocktail ideas, Bass and Flinders has also come up with a spiced brandy eggnog recipe on its website. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bass & Flinders Distillery (@bassandflinders) Bass and Flinders' spiced Christmas brandy is available to purchase now — for more information, head to the brand's website.
If you're a fan of Nutella, then you likely live by one rule: when it comes to the chocolate-hazelnut spread, you can never have enough. Of course, just how you interpret that idea is up to you. Maybe you slather your bread with it every morning for breakfast. Perhaps you always opt for whichever Nutella dessert is on any given restaurant menu. Or, you could head up the highway for a dedicated Nutella Festival. The Sunshine Coast's Nightquarter is throwing the latter from 4–10pm on Saturday, July 23. We recommend arriving hungry. Entry costs $3, and you'll need to pay for whatever Nutella creations you'd like to eat or drink — but this fest is rather devoted to combining its favourite ingredient with, well, everything. The food menu includes Nutella doughnuts and cronuts, as well as Nutella pancakes. Think Nutella can only be added to traditional dessert-style foods? The fest's Nutella pizza and Nutella bao will change that opinion. Nutella brownies, churros, milkshakes, bubble waffles and funnel cakes are on the menu, too. And, there'll apparently be some legit Nutella savoury options. Basically, if you're wondering what could possibly be tempting your tastebuds, just think of a dish and imagine adding Nutella to it. The spread will even be worked into the entertainment lineup, including Nutella juggling, Nutella-eating competitions, a Nutella variety show and a magician doing what no one at this event will want (other than when they're devouring the stuff): making Nutella disappear.
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White needs little introduction – his epic career has seen him work with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal at renowned restaurants across the world. But the latest project from the Michelin-starred chef isn't in the kitchen, but in the form of an app that allows customers to score meals at some of the city's best restaurants at discounted prices. Launching in Melbourne this month, EatClub is a new platform that allows restaurants to offer real-time discounts to customers at specifically slow or off-peak periods So if a restaurant doesn't have many covers for dinner, they can put up four tables and offer, say, 30 percent off to EatClub users that book those tables before 7.30pm. When you open the app, you're shown a selection of nearby restaurants with live deals on a map or in a list. You can then browse the restaurant's interior, peruse the different deals on offer and even check out the menu before you redeem the deal. It's a first in, best dressed system, so if you see something you want to jump on, best be quick – once a deal has been redeemed, it disappears from the app. The technology was co-founded by Matt Cantelo, Ben Tyler and Pan Koutlaki (ex-CEO of Foodora) who worked alongside Pierre White. The idea is that it'll encourage people to eat out more on a whim, an activity that has declined noticeably since delivery apps like UberEATS and Deliveroo have risen in popularity. More than 130 Melbourne restaurants are on board so far, including +39 Pizzeria, Mr Scruffs, Papa Goose and Babu Ji. Arguably the most exciting part of the app is that twice a day, at a random time, one restaurant will offer a 100 percent off deal for a single table. The first person to snatch up this daily deal will be able to dine for free, which is as good a reason to give it a go as any. EatClub has only launched in Melbourne so far, but there's talk of the app launching in Sydney very soon. To download EatClub, visit the Apple App Store or head to Google Play.
Peter Pan fans love Michigan’s latest public art experiment. Secret fairy doors have been appearing in walls, doors and windows all over the city of Ann Arbor. Even though it might break a five-year-old’s heart to say it, they’re not actually works of magic, but the creations of real-life artist and writer Jonathan B. Wright. Like Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, Wright began his work with the desire to entertain his own family. Back in 1993, after planting a magical miniature portal in his own home, he found his children investigating it in fascination. ‘In 1993, the first fairy door that I know of was found in our house,’ Wright explains in an interview with the Michigan Daily. ‘The door was not necessarily attributed to a fairy. My wife was running a childcare program in our home and it was the kids who found the door and they speculated on what might be living there — which included a “lion mouse” and various other tiny beings.’ Twenty-two years later, in Spring 2005, a fairy decided to set up house in Ann Arbor’s popular café, Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea, and it wasn’t long before others moved into gift shops, music venues and even the public library. Each door is a one-of-a-kind piece, imitating an aspect of the human-sized business, organisation or residence to which it is attached. Even the local Google office features a pint-sized entranceway titled ‘Giggle’. ‘I see [urban fairies] as a kind of new generation of fairies, maybe ones that have got beyond some of the traditional foibles of fairies — being allergic to iron, etc.,’ says Wright. ‘They’re a little bit more interested in people, and that’s why they live in closer proximity.’ He and his partner have been enthralled by magic and mythology for years. Wright has written several fairy-inspired books and is responsible for the running of urban fairies operations. [via PSFK]
Artist, illustrator and muralist George Rose is a big believer in looking within to ignite that creative spark, rather than banking on anything external. "That way, I'm a lot more independent, and I don't have to wait for inspiration or wait to see something for it to trigger another thought," she explains. "It's a much more calculated way of doing things, but it means that my creative output is not reliant on anything else. I can just create my own stuff." For the artist, there's a creative freedom that comes with that assurance, knowing that inspiration is something that can always be tapped, regardless of time, place or outside muses. It's a creative process born of a lifestyle that sees the artist constantly moving between Sydney, Brisbane and her current hometown of Melbourne. We sit down with Rose to discuss her inspirations, artistic process and the denim she wears to get her creative juices flowing. "There are lots of different aspects to my work; it depends on where I am because I've got such a transient existence," she explains. "I'm travelling around quite a bit, so I'm not reliant on a lot of stable or external structures. Quite often, I've got to create my own inspiration and my own work environment. I've never been super great with structure, anyway." When the inspiration's been tapped, and it comes down to creating a piece, Rose champions a sort of back-to-front approach. "Often I'll be asking a lot of questions of my work, even before I've started anything," she explains. "In a way, it's working backwards, like asking, 'Ok, what's the output of this? Who's it for? Where is it situated? Is there anything that client wants to say or that I want to say? What feeling do I want to create for someone who's looking at the mural?' If I can answer all of them, that gives me direction for what I do next." See some of Rose's bold artworks, and it'll come as no surprise that that creative flair also extends to her wardrobe — though she'll tell you functionality is key when getting down and dirty with some paint and a wall. "I have a pair of denim overalls that I wear because they wear really well and they've got pockets everywhere and I don't have to wear belts and they don't fall down," says the artist. "And it just so happens that denim overalls are in right now so I'm pretty happy with that!" Off the tools, she likes to have a little more fun with her wardrobe. "I really enjoy Melbourne style," says Rose. "It's a lot more relaxed. You can push it in different directions and pair different things with one another; I really enjoy that aspect of it. I can mix and match things from my mum's wardrobe, things from a $2 shop and things from, say, The Iconic. There aren't many rules. "I like wearing dresses and skirts, but I'm a jeans girl," she admits. "I always feel comfortable when I'm in my jeans, and I've always got a staple selection in my wardrobe." As for her favourite piece right now, it's a black denim number she stumbled upon when collecting jackets for a potential art project. "It's oversized, it's super baggy, it looks like I'm wearing my dad's jacket — but I kind of like that aesthetic," she laughs. "Dad clothes!" Check out George Rose's work here, and find the denim that brings out the creative, innovator and gamechanger in you at The Iconic. Images: Kate Shanasy.
When the fuel light starts glowing, it's easy to pull into the nearest service station and pay the corresponding (and hardly cheap) price. No one likes forking out big bucks for petrol, though, which is why it's always such a huge talking point. No matter what you're driving, when it comes to the pump, every motorist loves a bargain. Opening its first retail outlet, Queensland-based company Mega Fuels is doing its best to entice car owners to Rocklea on Saturday, July 20 by giving everyone what they want: heavily discounted petrol. If you race on in between 9am–12pm, you'll be able to fill up your tank with unleaded for 99 cents per litre. There'll also be discounted premium diesel, should that get your engine running. If you fancy a snack while you're in the city's western suburbs, the new Ipswich Road spot will also be putting on a free barbecue. If hardware and sausages can go hand-in-hand, then servos and and barbies can too. And, for dedicated car fans — as opposed to just cheap petrol fans — Supercars champion James Courtney will be onsite, complete with a show car and other race cars.
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2019 — This winter, we'll be able to return to Margaret Atwood's unsettling dystopian realm, with the announcement that the third series of The Handmaid's Tale will hit SBS and SBS On Demand at 8.30pm on Thursday, June 6. Lucky for us Down Under, this is the same time as it'll be dropping on Hulu in the States, so hopefully no spoilers will crop up. The 13-episode series will follow June's (Offred's) continued struggle against the controlling regime. While details are scarce, a teaser was dropped during this month's Super Bowl — which you can watch below. Under his eye. Praise be, Handmaid's Tale fans. The series' third season is due to hit the small screen sometime this year, and US streaming platform Hulu has just released the first sneak peek during the Super Bowl. Blessed be not only the fruit but the football, we guess. If you've been immersed in this world from the absolute beginning and can remember the show's first trailer, then this initial look at the next season will feel somewhat familiar. Of course, that's by design. How better to show just how creepy the fictional society of Gilead is than to start with a dose of recognisable propaganda — and then dive deep into the chaos that awaits Offred/June (Elisabeth Moss) and her fellow subjugated women? As the fiery clip tells us, it's time to wake up. Otherwise, details about the third season are about as scarce as a happy woman in red. The series' regulars are expected to return, and given how the second season wrapped up, expect the story to get even darker, too. While the current trailer may be brief, there's plenty more Handmaid's Tale bleakness to enjoy this year (well, not that enjoy is necessarily the right term). Margaret Atwood, author of the original 1985 novel that started it all, is coming to Sydney next month. And, she's also releasing a long-awaited sequel, called The Testaments, which'll hit bookshelves comes September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=PuWg6AyzETg The Handmaid's Tale's third season will screen on SBS in Australia at 8.30pm on Thursday, June 6.
Eight-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder. Jam-packed souvlaki filled with lamb, onion, mustard mayo and hand-cut chips. A Sunday lamb roast. In the '80s, they're all dishes Naomi Watts would've given up a date with Tom Cruise to eat. These days, they're staples at The Lamb Shop on the Gold Coast — and now they're heading up north to Brissie. Anyone eager to devour hearty, spit-roasted, mostly lamb-centric meals should make their way to King Street in Fortitude Valley from October, with the Broadbeach eatery becoming the latest restaurant to make the revamped Brisbane Showgrounds their new home. Expect all of the tasty items that have made them such a favourite on the Coast since opening first opening their doors in late 2014. They're known for their modern take on traditional Greek offerings, as inspired by owner Peter Glouftis' memories of his childhood. Those after something other than the form of meat mentioned in the restaurant's moniker can snack on char-grilled corn, prawns, octopus or sheeps' cheese, or tuck into chicken versions of their souvlaki and small plates. Their menu is simple — like their concept — but it's also succulent and delicious. And it comes with the added bonus of allowing diners to watch their meat rotate over hot coals while they're waiting. The Lamb Shop joins other King Street tenants The George Bar and Bistro, GG Espresso, Fat Dumpling and Il Verde, with a new boutique food and creative precinct also in development. As the area continues to grow, one thing is certain: no one is going to be hungry here. Find The Lamb Shop on King Street, Fortitude Valley, from October. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more information.
If you can hold on tight for one teeny, tiny minute longer, the long weekend will be with us. We know you have all sorts of awesomeness planned, so to get you in the mood (and help you through this final, painful hour or two), we'd like to treat to you a little visual relaxation. These gorgeous, dreamy cinemagraphs (the technical word for GIFs that are partly animated but don’t qualify as video) are the creation of a Strasbourg-based photographer by the name of Julien Douvier. He’s a 24-year-old freelancer who studied design and is now making inroads into the visual world via various creative projects. On his Tumblr, Douvier says, "As you can see, I attach a great importance to quality and details in my work. I will never release something I'm not satisfied of [sic.], even if I have to spend a lot of extra time on it. The meaning is very important too; I could create a lot of personal projects, but I don’t want them to be meaningless." Douvier isn't in too much danger of that with this collection. Every carefully composed image is just begging you to take a moment out of your day and pause to meditate. And that would be Friday. Just. About. Over. Via PetaPixel. Image credit: Cinemagraphs by Julien Douvier
Steak might be the star at both Fatcow on James and Rich & Rare, and seafood at Fosh Bar & Restaurant; however, Tassis Group is celebrating a different source of protein at Dark Shepherd. The second of the hospitality group's eateries at Brisbane's Queen's Wharf precinct — the first: the French-themed Pompette — this 120-seater loves lamb so much that Victoria's White Pyrenees Lamb is its hero ingredient. It's been dubbed the "wagyu of lamb", and it's served here slow-cooked in a woodfired oven, as available as full and half shoulders, plus in tomahawk cutlets. It's been a big year or so for Dark Shepherd's parent company, thanks not only to Fatcow on James and Pompette opening, but Longwang on Edward Street and Mulga Bill's at the foot of the new Kangaroo Point Bridge doing the same as well. As with Yamas Greek + Drink and Opa Bar + Mezze, Mediterranean cuisine is also in the spotlight at the lamb-centric restaurant. And, as pops up across the group's venues, seafood is no stranger, either. For most choices from the menu, your food will come fresh from the 1.5-metre-wide woodfired oven, which features an internal rotating steel plate and reaches a temperature of 280-plus degrees Celsius inside. Meat and seafood options aren't the only choices putting the restaurant's key appliance to good use, though. Everything from pillow bread (in either thyme and olive oil; feta, olives and capers; or sand crab, feta and capsicum varieties), scallops (with tyrokafteri butter) and octopus (with olive oil and fava) to beets (with feta cream and lemon), sprouts (with orange, honey, garlic and leek) and cabbage (with garlic, tahini and pistachio) is also cooked in the oven — as is the signature cheesecake, which comes served with soft apple, cinnamon and ice cream. Among the fellow dishes certain to tempt tastebuds, standouts include wagyu souvlaki; pastitsio bites made with wagyu lamb, pasta and bechamel; prawns saganaki; slow-cooked lamb ribs; Moreton Bay bug pasta; beef-stuffed capsicum; and the lamb and lobster pairing. Dessert choices also span galaktoboureko, baklava Biscoff, and a white chocolate Greek filo pastry cone with custard and soft meringue. Yiros are available at lunch, too, as is a $54-per-person banquet — with the latter one of several bigger feasts, including a Sunday-only feast for $68 a head, plus others seven days a week ranging from $88–180. To sip, you've got more than 140 wines to select from, alongside beer, cider, non-alcoholic drinks and specialty cocktails. The Notorious F.I.G. will get you enjoying caramel and vanilla flavours — and pear as well — while the Adriatic sour is made with yuzu gin and pomegranate liqueur, for instance. Or, go with the Achilles, which blends milk-washed rye, apricot liqueur, and almond and macadamia liqueur. With Allo Creative and Clui Design on decor duties, the venue opens from a curved entryway into the dining room. Among the booths and marbled tables beneath mirrored ceilings, Dark Shepherd also features a sunken area, ten-seat private dining room and a dry-ageing lamb cabinet. Find Dark Shepherd at The Star Brisbane, Queen's Wharf Road, Brisbane — open from 11am–late daily. Head to the restaurant's website for more details. Images: Markus Ravik.
Things are always better in miniature. Baby animals, bonsai trees and miniature adults (read: children) never fail to excite squeals of adoration and appreciation in normal human beings. So why don't we turn the shrink ray on other everyday items? Good question. Lea Redmond, 'Postmaster' of the World's Smallest Postal Service (WSPS) has therefore created a range of ridiculously tiny letters, packages and custom stationery. Submit a message on her website and your words will be transcribed into a little letter and sent directly to the recipient of your choice. You can also send packages containing buttons, little compasses or paper flowers, or order your own tiny custom stationery. Think of all the uses! You need to send a birthday card to your friend who lives on the island of Lilliput, but you know the average Hallmark missive will squish her tiny frame flat? Send her a tiny letter just the right size for her little lady paws! You want to break up with your boyfriend, but hate confrontation? Send him a tiny break-up letter that cannot be read by the naked eye! By the time he gets a magnifying glass and the heartbreaking disappointment sinks in, you'll be in Barbados lounging on the beach with his best friend! You need to send your own obituary to The Herald, because you've actually perished from a cute overdose? Signed, sealed, delivered. *If you order a package, you also get a tiny mailbox, as featured below.
Australia has a long and illustrious history of banning, restricting or causing an almighty fuss over perfectly reasonable things. The newest incident is the banning of American director Travis Mathews' film I Want Your Love, which was brought to national attention this week when James Franco filmed himself sitting on a sofa in a Hawaiian shirt, declared the banning as "really silly" and posted it to YouTube. I Want Your Love, which was due to screen at both Brisbane and Melbourne's Queer Film Festivals was rubber stamped with the letters RC — Refused Classification — by the Australian Classification Board. The reasons for the board's decision were the film's depictions of explicit gay male sex. But the film is not pornographic, or extreme. Mathews explains that he "sought to capture honest and intimate depictions of modern gay life with everyday men". A film gets given an RC rating if it depicts scenes "in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults". Yet the Australian Classification Board can be wildly inconsistent in what they see as morally offensive. Last year, a documentary called Donkey Love screened at Sydney and Melbourne's Underground Film Festivals about the special love between Colombian men and their donkeys. Within the first five minutes, a man was having sex with a donkey. It wasn't refused classification. The board maintains that they don't censor, they classify. While this is true, it remains a fact that when the board gives a film, publication, or game an RC rating it cannot be distributed in Australia, effectively censoring it. In what follows, we walk you through some of the most infamous incidences of head-shaking and pearl-clutching in Australia's censorship history. Ern Malley In the 1940s, Sydney poets James McAuley and Harold Stewart wrote a series of poems and submitted them to the journal Angry Penguins under the name Ern Malley. The poems were written to embarrass the journal and 'prove' that modernist poetry was nonsensical. But in the meantime, the police had impounded editions of Angry Penguins and the poems, on the grounds that they were obscene. So commenced the most ridiculous obscenity trials Australia has ever seen. The police took issue with the poem Night Piece, for instance, because "apparently someone is shining a torch in the dark, visiting through the park gates. To my mind they were going there for some disapproved motive ... I have found that people who go into parks at night go there for immoral purposes." Lady Chatterley's Lover Many of the best pieces of 20th-century literature were banned in Australia, including — but by no means limited to — Ulysses, Portnoy's Complaint, Lolita, and everything ever written by Henry Miller, Jean Genet, and William S. Burroughs. One of the most infamous banned books was D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, which describes scenes of explicit sex and delights in its use of the word 'cunt', seen as likely to cause the good ladies of Mosman and Toorak to collapse in a faint. In fact, not only was Lady Chatterley's Lover banned, but the book about censoring the book, The Trial of Lady Chatterley's Lover, was also banned. Salò, or The 120 Days of Sodom In 1975 Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini released Salò, a film inspired by the Marquis de Sade. Due to scenes of extreme sexual violence and sadism, the film was immediately banned in Australia, as well as many other countries. The cult arthouse film became a cause celebre for Australia's anti-censorship campaigners and was eventually deemed suitable for screening in 1993. Then, five years later, in the early years of the Howard government, the ban was reinstituted. It was only in 2010 that Salòwas given an R18+ classification and made available on DVD. Grand Theft Auto It was only at the start of 2013 that video games could be given an R18+ classification in Australia. Before, anything that exceeded MA15+ was automatically banned. Grand Theft Auto was continually subject to this problem. In 2002, Grand Theft Auto III was withdrawn because it allowed players to have virtual sex with virtual prostitutes, and then violently murder them. It was re-released when the ability to solicit sex was removed, but players were still perfectly free to violently murder prostitutes if they so wished. Explicit sex also caused the Vice City and San Andreas editions of the series to be withdrawn. Ken Park In 2003, Ken Park, an American arthouse film, was refused classification by the board. The film, which had been due to screen at that year's Sydney Film Festival, was banned because it portrayed real-life sex scenes involving characters that were supposed to be minors (the actors weren't actually minors). In defiance of the ban, Ken Park was given a public screening at Balmain Town Hall, but it was shut down by the police. Among those arrested was Margaret Pomeranz. They arrested Margaret Pomeranz. Need anything more be said? The Peaceful Pill Handbook In 2007 pro-euthanasia campaigners Philip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart published The Peaceful Pill Handbook, intended to give the elderly and seriously ill information about the legal and moral aspects of suicide as well as how-to instructions for painless and non-violent suicide methods. After an appeal by Right to Life, the book was pulled from the shelves. While The Peaceful Pill Handbook is available in other countries, there remains a ban on both importing and distributing the book in Australia. Bill Henson While Bill Henson's photography wasn't banned, the mainstream media gave it a red-hot go in 2008. The scandal occurred when the police shut down an exhibition at Sydney's Roslyn Oxley9 gallery after accusations that the images of young girls displayed in the exhibit were pornographic. Henson was cast as a paedophile by the likes of Miranda Devine and had Kevin Rudd declare the photographs "absolutely revolting". Despite the uproar, the Department of Public Prosecutions dropped the case after Henson's images were declared "mild and justified" and given a PG rating by the board, in one of the most sensible decisions they ever made. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-3rbDIsT4f0
UPDATE: July 17, 2020: Aquaman is available to stream via Netflix, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Not since the screaming spider of Arachnophobia has there been something so ridiculous as a shark that roars. Then again, this is a film that also gives a bedazzled octopus a drum solo, so where does one draw the line? Welcome to Aquaman, a movie that chooses all the wrong places to play it safe, and all the weirdest ones to, well, be weird. It's a shame, too, because DC had a good opportunity here to turn things around for its ill-fated Universe. The ingredients were solid: a charismatic and sexy leading man (Jason Momoa), an unconventional hero with an appealing no-fucks-given attitude and, best of all, a generous amount of distance between itself and the woeful Justice League that preceded it. Add to that the relegation of DC veteran director Zack Snyder to a producer credit and Aquaman was neatly positioned to carve out another potentially lucrative sub-franchise in the vein of Wonder Woman. Instead, it delivers another special effects-laden delirium whose plot is both convoluted and dull. It's an origin story of sorts, albeit one set after Aquaman's formal introduction in Justice, with the film's opening scenes providing an engaging balance of history and action. We learn Aquaman (born Arthur) is the result of a star-crossed romance between lighthouse keeper Tom (Temuera Morrison) and self-exiled Atlantean royal Queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), whose semi-literal fish out of water routine offers the film both some amusing and tender moments (as well as a kick-arse fight scene from out of nowhere). Arthur's burgeoning powers are seldom explored, however, and the occasional training or education flashbacks offer none of the excitement or moral dilemmas that are custom-built for superhero origin stories (Clarke Kent not beating up his bullies in Man of Steel but then saving a busload of kids, including the bullies, being a prime example of the device done properly). Aquaman's powers are extreme, and extensive, yet they're rarely explained. How is it, for example, that in addition to his aquatic properties he's essentially bullet-proof? Doubtless all answers lie in the comic books, but a movie can't rely so heavily on its source material that it obviates at least some screenplay hand-holding. The problem is, Aquaman chooses to do its exhaustive exposition not for the fun stuff like talking to fish, but for dry factional politics between its secondary characters (a near-identical mistake to that made by George Lucas in The Phantom Menace). It also falls into the ridiculous trap of establishing a world full of aliens and monsters, then denying their very existence for the sake of artificial conflict. To wit, it makes absolutely no sense to have conservative TV pundits in the vein of Fox News panelists saying things like "Atlantis!? Please! It's a myth!" when they all live in a world that openly acknowledges the existence of Super Man, and Wonder Woman, and The Flash, and Cyborg, and Steppenwolf and a whole bunch of invading aliens (some of whom previously levelled several cities and tried to terraform the Earth). Given those realities, a lost city seems entirely plausible by comparison. On the plus side, Momoa owns every scene he's in, assisted by a solid turn from Amber Heard in a role that's entirely warrior princess and zero damsel in distress. It's also comfortably the brightest and most colourful DC film to date, delivering visuals that wouldn't feel out of place in Blade Runner. Too often, though, director James Wan takes the focus away from Momoa and Heard, favouring instead either long-winded pontificating from the villain Orm (Patrick Wilson) or CGI-heavy action that never even comes close to looking real. It's an entertaining ride and a refreshing break from the Snyder-driven darkness/slow-mo aesthetic that has long felt stale. But the only character you ever really care for is Arthur's father, and his story receives the least amount of time of all. Aquaman is one small step forward for DC, but one giant leap missed for the Universe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkg3h8PCVU
The grassy headland fringing the delightful blue waters of Bronte, with tribes of surfers bobbing on the waves and tanned sunbathers lining the beach, is the perfect setting for Perrier mixologist Tomas Vikario to re-create summer’s best cocktail for sharing: The Perrier Summer Punch. It's the fourth delectable concoction in Perrier’s series of cocktails tailor made for Concrete Playground, and on a perfect Sydney summer day, it couldn't be more welcome. "Did you know that the origins of punch can be traced back to seventeenth century British sailors?" asks Tomas, explaining how citrus fruits were added to the sailors' ration of rum to prevent scurvy. It’s a quirky historical flashback, but Vitamin C deficiencies aside, today's punch comes with a 'Tomas' twist on the classic. By replacing the traditional rum with a smooth vodka and adding Perrier, Tomas has created a beverage that's as light and refreshing as a Sydney summer is sizzling and steamy. "This is the perfect no-fuss drink for casual summer get-togethers or when friends turn up unexpectedly,” says Tomas as he expertly dices fruit for the punch. “You don’t need any special equipment and you can also use whatever fruit you have on hand.” As Perrier’s beverage innovation manager, Tomas has his pulse on international trends and says there's a move towards lighter, cleaner flavours and drinks that have a bit of 'fizz'. With its long-lasting bubbles and low mineral content - which means it doesn’t inhibit other flavours - Perrier certainly injects this refreshingly delicious punch with a zingy edge, making it an invigorating treat on hot summer days. To re-create the Perrier Summer Punch you'll need: 700 ml vodka 500ml iced tea 200ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (roughly three lemons) 200ml freshly squeezed orange juice (roughly two oranges) 2 oranges 2 lemons 10 strawberries 750 ml Perrier Step 1 Prepare the fruit: take the oranges, limes, lemons, and strawberries and halve or quarter into bite-sized pieces. Combine in a glass punch bowl. Step 2 Add the freshly squeezed lemon and orange juices or substitute with bottled juice if you're out of the fresh stuff. Then add 500ml of iced tea — store-bought or a homemade brew, whichever is on hand. Tomas uses a peach iced tea but says you can try other flavours like mango or lemon. Step 3 Measure out 700ml of good-quality vodka — you can go heavier or lighter depending on your taste — and pour over the fruit. Belvedere is Tomas's vodka of choice on the day, but he adds that you can use others like Grey Goose. Want to mix it up a bit? Experiment with liqueurs like Grand Marnier or Cointreau in place of the vodka. A tip from Tomas: if you have the time (and the patience), start steps 1-3 the night before — or a few hours in advance — to allow the fruit to soak up the alcohol, intensifying its flavoursome goodness. Stir together slowly. Step 4 If you can get your hands on it, add a large chunk of ice. According to Tomas, a block of ice takes longer to melt than cubes and helps to prevent diluting the light, fruity flavours of the punch. Don’t have an ice maker nearby? Tomas suggests using a plastic container, like an old ice cream tub (make sure it’s clean first), to make your own ice blocks at home. Step 5 Finally, to add that extra fizz, slowly pour one 750ml bottle of chilled Perrier into the punch. Stir gently and serve in glass cups or demitasses, as Tomas has used in this recipe, with generous helpings of fruit. Variations Fancy some punch alternatives? Replace the strawberries with 20 fresh cherries and the vodka for 300ml of white rum, add in a bottle (750ml) of champagne (or sparkling wine) and some Perrier, and omit the lemon and orange juices for two tins of canned peaches or apricots (along with their juice) to create a chic white sangria Perrier punch.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. THE QUIET GIRL When Normal People became the streaming sensation of the pandemic's early days, it made stars out of leads Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, and swiftly sparked another Sally Rooney adaptation from much of the same behind-the-scenes team. It wouldn't have been the hit it was if it hadn't proven an exercise in peering deeply, thoughtfully, lovingly and carefully, though, with that sensation stemming as much from its look as its emotion-swelling story. It should come as no surprise, then, that cinematographer Kate McCullough works the same magic on The Quiet Girl, a Gaelic-language coming-of-age film that sees the world as only a lonely, innocent, often-ignored child can. This devastatingly moving and beautiful movie also spies the pain and hardship that shapes its titular figure's world — and yes, it does so softly and with restraint, just like its titular figure, but that doesn't make the feelings it swirls up any less immense. McCullough is just one of The Quiet Girl's key names; filmmaker Colm Bairéad, a feature first-timer who directs and adapts Claire Keegan's novella Foster, is another. His movie wouldn't be the deeply affecting affair it is without its vivid and painterly imagery — but it also wouldn't be the same without the helmer and scribe's delicate touch, which the 1981-set tale he's telling not only needs but demands. His focus: that soft-spoken nine-year-old, Cáit (newcomer Catherine Clinch), who has spent her life so far as no one's priority. With her mother (Kate Nic Chonaonaigh, Shadow Dancer) pregnant again, her father (Michael Patric, Smother) happiest drinking, gambling and womanising, and her siblings boisterously bouncing around their rural Irish home, she's accustomed to blending in and even hiding out. Then, for the summer, she's sent to her mum's older cousin Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley, Extra Ordinary) and her dairy farmer husband Seán (Andrew Bennett, Dating Amber). Now the only child among doting guardians, she's no less hushed, but she's also loved and cared for as she's never been before. Clinch is another of The Quiet Girl's crucial figures, courtesy of a downright exceptional and star-making performance. If you were to discover that she was a quiet girl off-screen, too, you'd instantly believe it — that's how profoundly naturalistic she is. Finding a young talent to convey so much internalised, engrained sorrow, then to slowly blossom when fondness comes her way, isn't just a case of finding a well-behaved child who welcomes the camera's presence. Clinch makes Cáit's isolation and sadness feel palpable, and largely does so without words: again, this is The Quiet Girl in name and nature alike. She makes the comfort and acceptance that her character enjoys with the instantly tender Eibhlín feel just as real, and kicks into another still-composed but also visibly appreciative gear as a bond forms with the tight-lipped Seán. Pivotally, Clinch plays Cáit like she's the only lonely girl in Ireland, but also like she's every lonely and mostly silent girl that's ever called that or any country home. That astonishing performance, and the empathetic and absorbed gaze that beams it into the film's frames, tap into the lingering truth at the heart of this soulful picture: that overlooked and disregarded girls such as Cáit rarely receive this kind of notice on- or off-screen. The warm way that the movie surveys her life, and is truly willing to see it, is never anything less than an act of redress — and, even with dialogue sparse, The Quiet Girl screams that fact loudly. It gives the same treatment to loss, which is an unshakeable force in Eibhlín and Seán's home despite remaining unspoken. "There are no secrets in this house," Eibhlín tells Cáit, but that doesn't mean that the type of pain that defies speech doesn't haunt the place, as it does the lives lived in it. Grief, too, is usually pushed aside, but The Quiet Girl sees how it persists, dwells and gnaws even when — especially when — no one is talking about it. Read our full review. FLUX GOURMET Flickering across a cinema screen, even the greatest of movies only inherently activate two senses: sight and hearing. Audiences can feel the seats they nestle into in their favourite picture palaces, and savour both the scent and flavour of popcorn while they watch, but no one can touch, taste or smell films themselves as they're playing — even if adding scratch-and-sniff aromas to the experience has become a cult-favourite gimmick. British director Peter Strickland knows all of the above. And, he hasn't ever released a feature in Smell-o-Vision, Smell-O-Rama or Odorama. But his work still conjures up sensations that viewers know they can't genuinely be having, such as running your fingers over an alluring dress with In Fabric, detecting the flutter of insect wings against your skin via The Duke of Burgundy and, courtesy of his latest movie Flux Gourmet, relishing the fragrances and tastes whipped up by a culinary collective that turns cooking and eating into performance art. If you've seen his features before, Flux Gourmet instantly sounds like something that only Strickland could make — and from its first frame till its last, it proves that with every moment. While spinning this innately sensory tale, which he both helmed and penned, it does indeed literally sound like something that only Strickland could've come up with, in fact. As the acoustics-focused Berberian Sound Studio demonstrated, the filmmaker's audioscapes are always a thing of wonder, too. His movies may manage to magically engage senses that cinema's sound-and-vision combination intrinsically shouldn't, but they also make the utmost use of every echo. The same applies to each image; unsurprisingly due to his strong and distinctive sense of style and mood, everything about Flux Gourmet looks and feels like pure Strickland. His films can't actually be injected into anyone's veins, but the director's devotees will instantly want this delirious farce pumping through their system. The setting: The Sonic Catering Institute, a conservatory specialising in blending sound and cuisine, as its name makes plain. The "institute devoted to culinary and alimentary performance" is overseen by the couture-coveting Jan Stevens (Gwendoline Christie, Game of Thrones), and regularly welcomes in different groups to undertake residencies. Those visiting artists collaborate, percolate and come up with eye-catching blends of food, bodies and creativity. Hosting OTT dinners, role-playing a trip to the supermarket, getting scatalogical and turning a live colonoscopy into a show: they're just some of the menu items that Jan's latest guests cook up. In Elle di Elle (Strickland regular Fatma Mohamed), Lamina Propria (Ariane Labed, The Souvenir: Part II) and Billy Rubin's (Asa Butterfield, Sex Education) case, however, that unique kind of kitchen virtuosity only springs when they're not broiling in messy bickering. Chaos bubbles through and troubles the trio's troupe, who stir up mayhem among themselves as heartily as any chef stirs their dishes. But Elle, Lamina and Billy aren't the Institute's only current visitors. Watching and chronicling is journalist Stones (Makis Papadimitriou, Beckett), who is also suffering from gastrointestinal struggles that he worries might be something more. As his subjects keep riffing on the human digestive system, or trying to, he can't control his own. Endeavouring to withhold his flatulence 24/7 is his constant struggle. Somehow, keeping a straight face as everything gets absurd around him is a far easier task, but Flux Gourmet's viewers shouldn't want to share that achievement with him; this purposefully strange, silly and surreal film is far too deliciously hilarious. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23 and June 30; and July 7, July 14, July 21 and July 28; August 4, August 11, August 18 and August 25; and September 1. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Mothering Sunday, Jurassic World Dominion, A Hero, Benediction, Lightyear, Men, Elvis, Lost Illusions, Nude Tuesday, Ali & Ava, Thor: Love and Thunder, Compartment No. 6, Sundown, The Gray Man, The Phantom of the Open, The Black Phone, Where the Crawdads Sing, Official Competition, The Forgiven, Full Time, Murder Party, Bullet Train, Nope, The Princess, 6 Festivals, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Crimes of the Future, Bosch & Rockit, Fire of Love, Beast, Blaze, Hit the Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing and Orphan: First Kill.
In recent years, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art has played host to an array of weird and wonderful exhibits. The Hulk's giant bed, a real-life snowman and Patricia Piccinini's otherworldly field of not-quite-flowers have all graced the South Brisbane site's halls and walls, as have David Lynch's inimitable art and a recreation of a real-life riverbed. But between Saturday, November 28, 2020–Monday, April 26, 2021, the cultural institution is heading in a completely different direction. A gallery-wide celebration of motorcycles mightn't be the kind of thing you'd generally expect to find at GOMA; however, that's exactly what'll be on display. Called The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire, the Queensland-exclusive showcase explores the two-wheeled vehicle's enduring appeal — from the way it looks and how it has evolved over the years, to the way it's portrayed in popular culture and how it makes people feel. Obviously, the exhibition does so by displaying plenty of motorbikes. Sourced from public and private collections from around the world, more than 100 are riding into GOMA — with some dating back more than 150 years. That'd be the Perreaux steam-powered velocipede from 1871, which is the oldest-known motorbike on the planet. It's joined by a selection of the first Aussie built and designed motorcycles, including one made in Brisbane in 1906; record-breaking bikes, such as the land speed record-breaking 1951 Vincent Black Lightning; and a lineup of super-modern motorcycles that represent the vehicle's future. [caption id="attachment_798484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Motorcycle - Design, Art, Desire; VIP Preview; GOMA Level 1[/caption] Honing in on the motorcycle's importance not just as a mode of transport, but as an ever-evolving machine, The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire also features interactive experiences — so prepare to virtually hop on a 50s Vespa and go riding in real-time through a themed landscape, or build and customise your own bike. And, because there are quite a few motorbike-related movies to choose from, GOMA's Australian Cinematheque is getting into the same gear so you can revved up while watching a film. In March, there's an Up Late program of after-hours parties, too. Installation view The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire 28 November 20 – 26 April 21 Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane Photograph: Chloë Callistemon, QAGOMA
Coming via London's Victoria and Albert Museum, a new exhibition of garments by groundbreaking fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga has made its way to Australia. As well as being one of the most well-known fashion designers of the 20th century, the Basque-born couturier was also one of the most influential in changing and shaping modern fashion and haute couture. He was even once called "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. Showing exclusively in Victoria's Bendigo Art Gallery, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion features more than 100 iconic pieces from the 50s and 60s as well as works by his protégés and contemporary designers continuing his legacy. It's a must-see if you're interested in not only the craftsmanship of fashion, but the history of it and how it can change societal standards and trends. Here, we've picked out five pieces you should seek out at the regional exhibition. [caption id="attachment_739079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Imagine Pictures[/caption] DEFINING THE CLASSICS: THE TULIP DRESS Balenciaga retired unexpectedly in 1968 at age 74. In an interview with The Times in 1971, he's reported to have said: "When I was a young man I was told by a specialist that I could never pursue my chosen métier of couturier because I was far too delicate. Nobody knows what a tough métier it is, how gruelling the work is. Underneath all this luxury and glamour, the truth is, it's a dog's life!" This dress shows Balenciaga at the height of his craft. Playing with gravity and weightlessness, the tulip dress is one of the classic pieces of the collection. It also shows to using texture, light, structure and form to create the striking silhouettes for which the couturier is known. [caption id="attachment_739090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Veasey[/caption] MAKING FASHION PRACTICAL: AN X-RAY OF A DRESS The meticulous structural work undertaken for garments like those made by Balenciaga again highlights the work involved to produce his gowns. Balenciaga worked carefully to reduce the number of fastenings so women could dress easily and without assistance, making his gowns both beautiful and comfortable to wear. As Bendigo Art Gallery Curator Jessica Bridgfoot puts it, "the garment did the work for you." New forensic investigations reveal the couturier's hidden workings and processes. This includes a series of x-ray images by British photographer Nick Veasey. Veasey's x-ray photographs are presented in the exhibition alongside works made during a digital pattern making project with the London College of Fashion. [caption id="attachment_739092" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn wearing coat by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paris, 1950. Photograph by Irving Penn © Condé Nast,Irving Penn Foundation[/caption] DITCHING THE WAISTLINE: THE COAT Balenciaga is credited as the designer who took women's fashion beyond an obsession with a tiny waistline. His sculptural contributions to fashion include the sack dress, babydoll and shirt-dress which all remain staples today. This influence can be seen in the work of contemporary designers like Comme des Garçons and Hussein Chalayan. Here, model Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn sits for photographer Irving Penn in a Balenciaga coat. Irvin Penn was Balenciaga's favoured photographer, and one of the only people the famously private designer allowed in to his workrooms and studios to document his collections. [caption id="attachment_719353" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dovima with Sacha, cloche and suit by Balenciaga, Cafe des Deux Magots, Paris 1955 © The Richard Avedon Foundation[/caption] STICKING TO STRUCTURE AND TEXTURE: DOVIMA IN PARIS When Richard Avedon photographed Dovima in Paris in 1955, she was one of the world's most famous models. This photograph shows her in a cloche and suit by Balenciaga. Striking contrasts in colour and texture are complemented by the couturier's hallmark minimalist shapes, fastidious attention to colour, and structured outlines – the aesthetic that made him one of the most influential designers on modern fashion. [caption id="attachment_739103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Imagine Pictures[/caption] A FASHION LEGACY: GHESQUIÈRE'S GREY CAPE An important part of the show examines the legacy that Balenciaga made on fashion — both in his own house and others. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion includes works by other designers who worked to carry the Balenciaga label forward after its founder's retirement, including Nicolas Ghesquière. Ghesquière designed the grey cape — which was features in Vogue in 2006 — and was known for pairing voluminous, billowing shapes with tightly cut suits and pants. He is now creative director of the house of Louis Vuitton — so you may notice some similarities in the two labels' pieces. Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion is exclusive to Bendigo Art Gallery in Australia, and runs until November 10, 2019. Bendigo is a two-hour drive from Melbourne. Top image: Imagine Pictures.
If you live in Brisbane you have probably heard (or even seen) Jeremy Neale. He is a man about town in the sense that he is everywhere at once — and this is a good thing. If there was a competition for 'Mr. Brisbane', he'd probably be the only nominee and the 'sure-thing' winner. You may have seen Jeremy on stage, singing or shredding (or drumming) in one of his many bands; you may have seen him on YouTube, dreamily crooning and punching bad-guys in his video clips; you may have seen him at Black Bear Lodge where he is slinging you drinks; you may have seen him behind the decks at many jaunts around Brisbane, when he DJs under the moniker Bris Springsteen. I hope you get my point; he is everywhere — but for good reason. He is a supremely talented individual and a super nice guy. Jeremy Neale is the frontman for 12-piece garage-rock hydra Velociraptor, but he is quickly gaining notoriety for his solo material, earning high rotation on Triple J with songs called 'Swing Left', 'Darlin'', 'A Love Affair To Keep You There' and 'In Stranger Times'. He's played around the country and earned thousands of adoring fans, each one with a story about he was really nice to them and gave them a high-five. Jeremy is going on tour with equally talented men The John Steel Singers this month. We asked Jeremy about his tour, his music and his love of Brisbane. G'day Jeremy! How has the past year been for you? Pretty crazy, right? Scientifically speaking with outdated pop culture colloquialism I guess you could say it was cray cray. You're a super busy guy. How do you find time for all your projects and still manage to live? To be honest, last year I didn't really. I butchered myself to get stuff done. Smashed a bunch of work to pay for music and then music took up all of my spare time. It was kind of like working two full-time jobs at the same time, I guess. I didn't really get my personal life in order but like any good coming-of-age movie I learned some valuable lessons and this year I'm looking after myself a bit better, eating well, exercising, y'know? Those kinds of things. I started doing yoga again, playing basketball and indoor soccer and watching TV every so often. Normal stuff that's helping me get out of my head and into the world again. You're touring with the John Steel Singers. What do you like about them and what do you think makes them a great band? They're legendary dudes. They've got that band of brothers-style camaraderie that I think any good band needs to have. They're clearly intertwined in each others lives outside of just music. It's beautiful. Their tunes are great too. The evolution between Tangalooma and Everything's a Thread has just been incredible too. What you've got now is a release that is a true artistic statement. For me personally, the new album took a couple of listens to get into but it's a truly magical album and well worth your time. What can people expect from the Jeremy Neale tour extravaganza? If some heinous aggressive dance type bro challenges you to a breakdance fight out the front of the venue, you better let them know that I've done nothing but watch the film clip to Run DMC vs Jason Nevins 'It's Like That' for the last week so I've got your back and I'm ready. Other than that — there'll be some music. Some guest appearances from Jeremy Neale starring as himself; myself and the band playing the songs as good as on the recordings but with this sweet live vibe. The stage banter of a young John Candy. No candy though, I don't really eat sugar. I guess it's cool if you want to though and I could probably buy some if there's a corner store nearby. Tell us about what else you have in store for us this year? This year is a mighty year. It seems Tiger Beams is no more, but everything else that I'm an active writer in seems to be making some exciting plans. There will be a new Velociraptor single out in a few weeks with an album coming out in July. I've been recording a bunch of new stuff with Teen Sensations as well. As for the solo guise after the tour with The John Steel Singers, I'll be heading to play a festival in Wollongong, touring with Loon Lake, hitting up the UK for The Great Escape and subsequent international touring. Come October you should also see the first single from my new generation of club banger tracks too which is what I'm most excited about. You DJ under the moniker Bris Springsteen so you must have a bit of hometown pride. What do you like about Brisbane as a city? I think it's just the right size — complete with a very supportive music scene. The weather rules and there's enough good people to live a life that has meaning (if in this instance we are stating that an important testament to the value of life is making meaningful relationships with those you share the world with. Which I am in fact stating in this instance is an important aspect). There's a bunch of cool stuff you can do and we have a man-made beach in the city. Total victory. Brisbane is a land of opportunity if you apply yourself. When you are in town, where do you like to eat, drink and hang out? A lot of the new places I end up venturing to are either through playing or DJing. My staple hangouts are Black Bear Lodge and Alhambra Lounge. As far as smaller bars go I really enjoy Shady Palms in Stones Corner and Jungle and The End in West End. My favourite restaurant is still Halim's in Rosalie. Who are some other Brisbane musicians that you think are doing great things for the local scene? WOODBOOT are an exciting band. Roku Music are an exciting band. Occults are an exciting band. Rolls Bayce are an exciting band. The Good Sports, also an exciting band. I'm super keen to see what Go Violets will do next. I wish Johnny & The Fembots were still playing shows. As for individuals. Andre Johansson-Walder - the kid can play but he's also just a top bloke who knows how to record bands like a pro boss. And there would be a bunch more but it's 2:40am I'm one sleepy dog, so my recall isn't great and nobody is posting on Facebook at the moment to trigger my memory. We've got a great scene of musicians, writers, venue operators, promotors and all round participants so rest assured, there's a bunch of legendary people doing legendary things right at this very moment. And maybe they're sleeping at this particular moment but they're merely charging their batteries for the most triumphant things to come. Jeremy Neale and The John Steel Singers are playing two shows this week, both at Black Bear Lodge. More info here.
Need a reason to make a date with Bluesfest in 2025, in what might be the event's last year? There's plenty. Ten-time Grammy-winner Chaka Khan and rains-blessing rock group Toto are two, and also showcase the Byron Bay festival's commitment to variety. There aren't many events in Australia where audiences will find the Queen of Funk and the yacht-rock favourites behind 'Africa' on the same bill. Khan is playing an Australian-exclusive set to celebrate 50 years in music, and returns to Australia two years after headlining the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Among the Chicago-born singer's hits: 'I'm Every Woman', which was later covered by Whitney Houston; the Prince-penned 'I Feel for You'; and 'Ain't Nobody' with her funk band Rufus. As well as hearing the drums echoing tonight in 'Africa', Toto's discography includes fellow anthems 'Hold the Line' and 'Rosanna' — and its members are known for playing on a wealth of albums from other artists in the 70s and 80s, including 'Thriller'. [caption id="attachment_986631" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Brody[/caption] Across the Easter long weekend, so from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20, 2025, Bluesfest will also welcome Crowded House, Ocean Alley and Vance Joy, plus Hilltop Hoods, Budjerah, Kasey Chambers and The Cat Empire — and Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Tones and I, Missy Higgins, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and many more. 'Sailing' and 'Ride Like the Wind' singer Christopher Cross is another yacht-rock inclusion. Before it started announcing its roster of talent in August 2024, the festival advised that it would bid farewell with its 2025 event, marking the end of an era — and coming at a time when Australian fests have been struggling and cancelling (see: Groovin the Moo, Splendour in the Grass and Spilt Milk, for just three high-profile examples). Bluesfest saying goodbye may no longer be happening, however, with reports that discussions are underway about the festival's future and also that artists are already being booked for 2026. Bluesfest 2025 Lineup: First announcement: Crowded House Vance Joy Ocean Alley Tones and I Gary Clark Jr Rag'n'Bone Man RY X Allison Russell Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Brad Cox Here Come the Mummies The California Honeydrops Marc Broussard Pierce Brothers Taj Farrant Fanny Lumsden 19-Twenty WILSN Cimafunk Neal Francis Second announcement: Hilltop Hoods Xavier Rudd John Butler The Cat Empire Kasey Chambers Melbourne Ska Orchestra CW Stoneking Budjerah Lachy Doley Group Ash Grunwald Kim Churchill Miss Kaninna The Beards Velvet Trip FOOLS ROSHANI Sweet Talk The Memphis Three featuring Fiona Boyes, Jimi Hocking and Frank Sultana Third announcement: Missy Higgins George Thorogood & The Destroyers Rodrigo y Gabriela Nahko BJ The Chicago Kid Melody Angel Don West Fourth announcement: Chaka Khan Toto Christopher Cross Maoli Clarence Bekker Band Hussy Hicks Eric Stang The Steele Syndicate The Royals Bluesfest images: Joseph Mayers, LD Somefx and Roger Cotgreave.
The first WorldPride to ever be held in the southern hemisphere is upon us, boasting more than 300 shows, gigs, exhibitions and parties, and taking over Sydney across 17 days from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5. On the program: everything from art exhibitions and film festivals to dance parties and big-name international headliners, in one helluva jam-packed festival. We've pulled together a list of ten events popping up throughout the festival that feature once-in-a-lifetime lineups or celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride in their own unique way. From the long-awaited return of the annual Mardi Gras parade to its spiritual home through to multi-day party programs, these are the cream of the crop that will have you considering last-minute flights to Sydney. Explore our picks for the best WorldPride events this massive program has to offer. LIVE AND PROUD: SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE OPENING CONCERT Who else to open the Southern Hemisphere's first WorldPride than Australia's pop princess Kylie Minogue? Sydney shall be so lucky, with the iconic hitmaker taking to The Domain for a blockbuster concert kicking off the festivities on Friday, February 24. But, it doesn't end with Kylie. Live and Proud will also feature appearances from Charli XCX and Jessica Mauboy, with local legends Casey Donovan and Courtney Act on hosting duties. If you can't be there in person, the performance will be broadcast live nationwide on the ABC as well. [caption id="attachment_749877" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeffrey Feng[/caption] MARDI GRAS PARADE One of Sydney's biggest nights of the year is returning in a massive way in 2023. Not only is this Mardi Gras parade the event's 45th anniversary, as well as its return to Oxford Street, but it's also part of WorldPride. It's all happening on the streets of Darlinghurst on Saturday, February 25. The theme: gather, dream, amplify. All of the colourful floats and community groups the parade is known for will begin to march from 6pm, with the parade continuing until 11pm. Expect more than 12,500 marchers and 200 floats throughout the five-hour celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. DOMAIN DANCE PARTY Two days after Kylie takes to The Domain, another megastar will arrive, with Kelly Rowland headlining DJ Dan Slater's Domain Dance Party. DJ Suri and DJ Isis Muretech will also be on the decks, but the big star is clearly the former Destiny's Child member, who'll work through tracks from across her career. Fancy getting sweaty on the dance floor with 10,000 people? That's what's on offer on Sunday, February 26, with Rowland, the DJ lineup, onstage dancers and surprise acts all providing good times. MARDI GRAS FAIR DAY Fair Day is traditionally one of the first events of Mardi Gras each year, but in 2023 it's going one better: happening on Sunday, February 19, it's also the first major event of WorldPride. Get ready for a family-friendly, pup-friendly, eco-glitter-friendly day in Camperdown's Victoria Park that's inclusive, relaxed and free. This year's Fair Day will feature a fancy dress competition for dogs, over 300 market stalls, pop-up bars, a main stage with leading queer performers in Australian music, plus the chance to shine brightly with your nearest and dearest chosen family. Highlights from the performance lineup include Eurovision champion Conchita Wurst, a Sissy Ball vogue showcase, The Buoys, Nana Miss Koori, Carla Wehbe, Jamaica Moana and Latifa Tee — plus pop-up bars from the likes of Archie Rose and Squealing Pig. RAINBOW REPUBLIC: SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE CLOSING CONCERT While we'd love the celebrations to continue year-round, nothing lasts forever, and WorldPride will be coming to an end on Sunday, March 5 — but not before one last pop-filled party. Wrapping things up will be Rainbow Republic, another hit parade in The Domain featuring German pop star Kim Petras. Joining the 'Unholy' and 'Coconuts' hitmaker is MUNA, G Flip, Peach PRC, Alter Boy, BVT and Vetta Borne. Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon, The Flash, Eden) will also be performing and taking to the stage between acts on hosting duties. MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL The annual Mardi Gras Film Festival returns with a bumper edition celebrating both WorldPride and its own 30th anniversary. Fans of queer cinema, rejoice: this annual Sydney film fest is screening 166 films at eight venues around the city, running from Wednesday, February 15–Thursday, March 2. MGFF highlights include All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, 2022's Venice Film Festival Golden Lion-winning documentary about queer artist Nan Goldin, her life and career, and her battle against the billionaire Sackler family — plus closing night's The Venus Effect, with the Danish movie about two young women in love enjoying its Aussie premiere. The full fest program includes 100-plus sessions in cinema, outdoors and on-demand, alongside panel discussions, workshops, networking events and parties. Plus, there's an online component showing 21 movies nationwide. [caption id="attachment_887917" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Davies[/caption] DAY FOR NIGHT: THE PLEASURE ARC Festivalgoers should prepare their endurance for The Pleasure Arc, a 24-hour party packed with incredible talent set to immerse attendees in an extravagant queer utopia. Enjoy some of Australasia's best queer artists including House of Sle, House of Silky, Marcus Whale, Basjia Almaan and imbi during the opening weekend of the festival across Saturday, February 18–Sunday, February 19 at Carriageworks. In charge of keeping the tunes rolling during the overnight extravaganza will also be the Your Pleasure DJs, meaning there won't be a dull moment across the non-stop party. [caption id="attachment_887907" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] MARRI MADUNG BUTBUT Also at Carriageworks is Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): Sydney WorldPride First Nations Gathering Space. This six-day program from Thursday, February 23–Tuesday, February 28 celebrates Indigenous LGBTQIA+ artists and communities. Kicking off the festivities is a free-to-attend opening night party, the Djarraba Disco, featuring some of Eora and Naarm's best performance artists lighting up the dance floor. From there, you can head along to 11 different free events and several ticketed pop-ups ranging from variety shows to heartfelt plays. "Marri Madung Butbut is a place where everyone is welcome to experience the rainbow heart of the oldest surviving culture on the planet," explains Festival Creative Director Ben Graetz. ALL THE SEX I'VE EVER HAD We've all heard of the saying "the older you are, the wiser you are" — and in this case it stands true. It is common knowledge that we can glean so much from our elders with their breadth of experience. So when it comes time to learn about experiences pertaining to love, romance and sex, who better to ask than the ones with the most expertise? Strap in — or on — for a wild ride, as All The Sex I've Ever Had returns to Sydney completely revamped for WorldPride. The Darlinghurst Production Company has teamed up with Canada's Mammalian Diving to bring an LGBTQIA+ edition of the hugely successful, 90-minute tell-all production back to Sydney. From Tuesday, February 21–Friday, February 24, plus a 5pm show on Sunday, February 26, you can draw upon the wisdom of queer local senior citizens at the Eternity Playhouse Theatre. You'll also experience the climaxes of truly raw storytelling as these generous elders recount some of the highest highs and lowest lows when it comes to dating, relationships and sexuality. THE ABERCROMBIE WORLDPRIDE PROGRAM Following years of lockouts and lockdowns, the dance floor has finally made an emphatic comeback in Sydney. Part of this return is the reopening of storied nightclub The Abercrombie, which is making full use of its 24-hour license and multiple dance floors for WorldPride by rolling out a stacked program of parties. Curated by DJ Kate Monroe and party-starter Xander Khoury, the program runs from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5, and enlists the help of party crews like Heaps Gay, Kerfew, Fur Ball and the Queer House Collective to bring together three weeks of packed dance floors, thumping bass and joyous energy. From full-venue takeovers and post-parade kick-ons raging until 8am to rooftop recovery brunches, this lineup has packed in as much dance music and good times to WorldPride as possible. The entire program features plenty of free events as well as a few ticketed nights — and all events are free for drag performers and First Nations attendees. Sydney WorldPride runs from Friday, February 17–Sunday, March 5 — for information, or for tickets, head to the event's website.
Ain't nothing better than a well-placed cameo. They keep the Muppet movies relevant, made The OC better than it actually was (you know it) and give A$AP Rocky the chance to include even more of his friends on tour. When one of music's biggest calendar events, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, kicked off its opening weekend in Indio, California, the cameos ran freely and generously, with almost more pop-in names appearing than the actual lineup. Here's a little recap of the stuff you might have missed on Twitter, though we're not sure how you could have; the large majority of Coachella-goers were brutally happy to tweet their highlights right in your face. While there were plenty more Coachella cameos where these came from (Future, Killer Mike and Janelle Monae casually dropping in on Outkast, Drake and Donald Glover popping into Jhene Aiko's Gobi-tent, whatevs), it remains to be seen how jealous and grumbling second weekend ticket holders will be. Rumours will undoubtedly fly for the next few days; the usual finger crossing for David Bowie will commence. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFeb-pnATE Debbie Harry Danced With Streamers and Arcade Fire Closing the final day of Coachella's 'gang's all here' first weekend, the legendary Debbie Harry joined Arcade Fire for a rendition of Blondie's 1979 single 'Heart of Glass'. Régine Chassagne matched soprano heights with Harry, with Win Butler playing them all the way to 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)'. Streamers were thrown, days were made, VIP tents were dissed on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DcZ_XN-4hK4 Mary J Blige Brought the '90s Back to House with Disclosure Following AlunaGeorge's routine 'White Noise' appearance, Mary J Blige fronted her powerhouse vocal for 'F For You', recently re-released with Blige and sounding even more '90s British house than usual. Sam Smith also popped in to lend some vox to the duo's hit single 'Latch'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zjsoBPD4rnM Beyonce and Solange Threw Down Slumber Party Choreography One for the Knowles fridge. For those of us who've choreographed unbeatable dance routines with our sisters (haven't you?), this cameo couldn't have been any better. Making a surprise appearance during Solange's super single 'Losing You', the formidable Ms. Carter took off her crown to share the stage with her sister, where they box-stopped, hair-flipped and step-touched like nobody was watching. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MwhtcruhT-8 Pharrell Held an A-List Karaoke Party In a set Spin called "the most well-attended karaoke party of all time", everyone's favourite mountie/producer Pharrell Williams jigged in his Vivienne Westwood hat beside Snoop Dogg; Tyler, the Creator; Diplo; Puff Daddy; and Busta Rhymes. Rasping his way through the set due to Californian dust throat irritation, Pharrell finally brought out his favourite 'Hollaback Girl', Gwen Stefani, for a big ol' throwback. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qqFbgBN5zKY Nas and Jay-Z Celebrated Their Make-Up Anniversary Once bitter rivals in the early 2000s, master MCs Nas and Jay-Z put their differences aside in 2005, publicly shaking on it and performing "Dead Presidents II" at Jay's I Declare War concert. Almost a decade later, Coachella 2014 marked the return of the legendary Queensbridge MC to the stage, delivering his seminal album Illmatic from start to finish. After midnight Nasty Nas was joined by Jay-Z to reignite 'Dead Presidents II' and 'Where I'm From', when rap fans collectively lost it. Chance The Rapper Allowed a Competition Winner On Stage... Sporting a white bucket hat and neckerchief, a fresh-faced young competition winner made his way on sta... Wait. Bucket-hatted pop drag racer Justin Bieber joined Chicago MC Chance The Rapper on stage to perform latest collaboration 'Confident'. Internet chaos ensued.
When is a brewery about more than just beer? When its pizzas are so in demand that it launches its own pizzeria, too. That's the story at Newstead's Range Brewing, which opened its doors on Byres Street in 2018, expanded to Melbourne in 2020 and now has its own onsite slice-slinging eatery at its OG Brisbane venue. Jacopo's Pizza isn't the only new addition joining Range's range in 2023, either. Roman-style pizza has been on the menu at Range since the beginning, with the brewery priding itself on having some of the thinnest bases around. A big driving force: the Newstead site's original Roman-born chef Jacopo, who has since moved back to Italy but still lends the company his name for this new venture. "It's a little ode to him and his dough recipe – which has been tweaked a little bit since then, but is very much still the base of our recipe," Range's co-founder Matt McIver tells Concrete Playground. "We've also added on some really fun, interesting sides as well — Italian-inspired eats that people can enjoy casually with friends. And we think it works really well with the space and with the beers we have to offer." At Jacopo's, which sits inside Range Brewing itself and operates from Wednesday–Sunday, 24-hour slow-rise sourdough bases are the star. They're made with a cold-fermentation process that allows the dough more time to whip up its flavour and texture, which is also how they also get so thin. Seven different combinations of toppings are available, including the vegetarian-friendly Aunty Marg; the Pied Piper, which comes with fermented chilli, honey, salami and pickled peppers; a vegan number called The Spice Rack, as made on a pumpkin base, then packed with twice-roasted chickpeas and spiced eggplant; and the House Arrest, aka ham and pineapple. Another option pops house-made 'nduja meatballs on top, or you can get them with focaccia as a snack. Jacopo's also does cacio e pepe rice balls, fried chicken with ranch sauce every Thursday and a dessert of the week — which might have you tucking into peanut butter cheesecake, for instance. And, if you don't have time to drop by for a bite and brew, the pizzeria does takeaways. Open since March, Jacopo's is scoring some new company from Saturday, May 13, when Range Brewing's second addition for the year starts welcoming Brisbanites in. Meet The Bethnal, a barrel room next door to the Newstead taproom that's been in the works since late 2022, and is all about giving Range a space for events. Fancy getting married at the brewery? This is where you can tie the knot and celebrate afterwards. Hosting 120 people cocktail-style and 80 folks sitting down, The Bethnal also owes its name to Range's beginnings. When McIver and fellow co-founders Gerard Martin planned their jump into owning their own brewery years back, they did so at a pub in Bethnal Green in the United Kingdom. "Bethnal Green is where Gerard and myself lived when we came up with Range the concept, Range the brewery and Range the name. We planned most of the brewery while we were still living in London, and came home to get it off the ground," advises McIver "Bethnal Green holds a very firm place in our hearts. We actually struggled for a really long time to name that venue. This was something that I came up with which links to the brewery and our story." Given that The Bethnal is a barrel room, those oak cylinders line the walls atop polished concrete floors and beneath an exposed ceiling. The vibe is dark and industrial yet also warm; in other words, it's purposefully dramatic. The floor-to-ceiling barrels also house Range's wild-fermented beers and barrel-aged stouts, but the venue's own custom-built private bar will pour its own in-house red and white wines as well. Made in partnership with LATTA Vino from Victoria's Coghills Creek, you'll only find them at Range's own premises. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Range Brewing (@rangebrewing) Soon, that'll include a third newcomer: Patio, which is headed to Rosalie in Paddington by the end of May or beginning of June. "Patio is going to be a neighbourhood craft beer, wine and cocktail bar. It's something that we've wanted to do for a little while, which is have more of a suburban presence in Brisbane, and really latch onto another community that we think a space like that will work in," McIver explains. Find Jacopo's Pizza and The Bethnal at Range Brewing, 4 Byres Street, Newstead — with Jacopo's open now and The Bethnal launching on Saturday, May 13.
The National Gallery of Victoria has just announced its 2019-20 Spring/Summer program — and it's sure to get more than a few people excited. Last winter, the NGV saw over 200 works from New York's famed MoMA and over summer it housed the Escher x Nendo: Between Two Worlds — an exhibition showcasing the works of both Dutch artist M.C. Escher and Japanese design studio Nendo. So, it had some big shoes to fill. Its summer blockbuster, announced this morning, is Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines — and the NGV has succeeded in bringing yet another world-class exhibition to Australian shores. Similar to the Escher x Nendo and 2016's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibitions, it will showcase an intersection between the two artists' lives, ideas and practices, delving into their radicalism, socio-political standings and distinctive imagery. A world-premiere retrospective exclusive to Melbourne, Crossing Lines will feature over 300 works, including Haring's iconic dancing figures and Basquiat's crown and head motifs throughout a collection of painting, sculpture, objects, drawings, photographs, notebooks and pieces in public spaces. The exhibition will also house the artists' collaborations with some of the world's most-celebrated pop culture icons, including Andy Warhol, Grace Jones and Madonna. [caption id="attachment_717213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Untitled 1982, Keith Haring, copyright Keith Haring Foundation.[/caption] On top of this stellar exhibition, the NGV will also host a number of smaller (yet no less impressive) exhibitions over spring and summer, including a look at New Jersey artist Brian Donnelly (aka KAWS) in Companionship In The Age Of Loneliness, and a collection of hyperreal photographs by Sydney-based artist Petrina Hicks in Bleached Gothic. A photography exhibition featuring the works of over 100 contemporary photographers from around the world, and a solo show by Australian photographer Polixeni Papapetrou round out the list. Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines will run from December 1, 2019—April 13, 2020 at the National Gallery of Victoria International, Melbourne. Top images: Portrait of Keith Haring by William Coupon; Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, copyright George Hirose; Untitled 1982, Jean-Michel Basquiat, copyright estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. ETERNALS It's the only Marvel movie by an Oscar-winning director. Focusing on a superhero squad isn't new, even if everyone here is a Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer, but it's the lone instalment in the franchise that's about a team led by women of colour. It's home to the MCU's only caped crusader who is deaf, and its first openly gay superhero — and it doesn't just mention his sexuality, but also shows his relationship. It happens to be the first Marvel flick with a sex scene, too. Eternals is also the only film in the hefty saga with a title describing how long the series will probably continue. And, it's the sole MCU entry that features two ex-Game of Thrones stars — Kit Harington and Richard Madden, two of the show's Winterfell-dwelling brothers — and tasks them both with loving a woman called Sersi. (The name isn't spelled the same way, but it'll still recalls Westeros.) When you're 26 movies into a franchise, as the MCU now is, each new film is a case of spotting differences. All the above traits aid Eternals in standing out, especially the empathetic, naturalistic touch that Chloé Zhao brings to her first blockbuster (and first film since Nomadland and its historic Academy Award wins). There's a sense of beauty and weight rippling through almost every frame, as well as an appreciation for life's struggles. Its namesakes are immortal aliens sent to earth 7000 years ago to battle intergalactic beasts, and yet Eternals shows more affinity for everyday folks who don't don spandex or have superpowers than any Marvel flick yet. It's also largely gorgeous, due to its use of location shoots rather than constantly stacking CGI on CGI. But everything that sets the film apart from the rest of Marvel's saga remains perched atop a familiar formula. Perhaps that's fitting; thematically, Eternals spends much of its lengthy 157 minutes contemplating set roles and expectations, and whether anyone can ever truly break free of either. Spying an overt statement in these parallels — between the movie's general adherence to the MCU template and the ideas bubbling within it — might be a little generous, though. Of late, Marvel likes giving its new instalments their own packaging, while keeping many of the same gears whirring inside. That's part of the comic book company-turned-filmmaking behemoth's current pattern, in fact. Still, even after Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals finds its own niche. It both intrigues and entertains, and it's ambitious — and it's often more than the sum of all those MCU firsts and onlys it's claimed. As opening text explains, Eternals' central group were dispatched by a Celestial — a space god, really — called Arishem. With the monstrous Deviants, another alien race, wreaking havoc, the Eternals were tasked with fighting the good fight — and were forbidden to interfere otherwise, which is why they've been absent in the last 25 movies. But now, a new Deviant attacks Sersi (Gemma Chan, Raya and the Last Dragon), her human boyfriend Dane Whitman (Harington) and fellow Eternal Sprite (Lia McHugh, The Lodge). That gets the gang back together swiftly, including the flying, laser-eyed Ikaris (Madden), the maternal Ajak (Salma Hayek, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), Bollywood star Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani, The Lovebirds), the super-strong Gilgamesh (Don Lee, Ashfall), warrior Thena (Angelia Jolie, Those Who Wish Me Dead), the super-speedy Makkari (Lauren Ridloff, Sound of Metal), tech wiz Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry, Godzilla vs Kong) and the mind-manipulating Druig (Barry Keoghan, The Green Knight). Read our full review. THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK So much about The Many Saints of Newark is a matter of when, not if: when familiar characters will show up looking younger, when well-known New Jersey locations will be sighted and when someone will eat ziti. This all occurs because it must; it wouldn't be a prequel to The Sopranos otherwise. Servicing fans is a key reason the movie exists, and it's far more resonant if you've already spent 86 episodes with Tony Soprano and his mafia and blood families while watching one of the best TV shows ever made. This is a film with a potent air of inevitability, clearly. Thankfully, that feeling reaches beyond all the obligatory nods and winks. That some things are unavoidable — that giving people what they want doesn't always turn out as planned, and that constantly seeking more will never fix all of life's woes, too — pulsates through this origin story like a thumping bass line. And yes, on that topic, Alabama 3's 'Woke Up This Morning' obviously gets a spin. Penned by The Sopranos' creator David Chase and series alum Lawrence Konner, and helmed by veteran show director Alan Taylor, The Many Saints of Newark doesn't merely preach to existing devotees, even if they're the film's main audience. Marking the last of the big three 00s-era prestige US cable dramas to earn a movie spinoff — following El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Deadwood: The Movie — the feature is aware of its own genesis and of gangster genre staples in tandem. Casting Ray Liotta, who'll forever be associated with Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, was always going to show that. Travelling back to the 70s, when The Godfather franchise electrified cinema, does also. Indeed, The Many Saints of Newark plays like a hybrid of pop culture's three most influential and essential mob stories. A bold move, it also explains what works and what falters in a film that's powerful and engaging but firmly baked in a well-used oven. The first detail that Sopranos fans should've picked up when this flick first got a title: in Italian, many saints translates as moltisanti. While The Many Saints of Newark spends time with young Tony as a pre-teen in the late 60s (played by feature first-timer William Ludwig) and a teen in the early 70s (when The Deuce's Michael Gandolfini, son of the late, great James Gandolfini, steps into the character's shoes), its protagonist is Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, The Art of Self-Defense). He's seen as an uncle and mentor by Tony, who'll eventually hold the same roles for Dickie's son. The Sopranos mainstay Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli, One Night in Miami) turns narrator here, in fact, offering knowing voiceover that occasionally channels the show's dark humour — calling out Christopher's death at Tony's hands, for instance. Dickie was recalled with reverence in the series, yet threw a shadow over Tony's middle-aged mob-boss malaise — as seen in his duck obsession, panic attacks and reluctant chats with a psychiatrist. Here, Dickie falls into a similar pattern with his dad 'Hollywood' Dick (Liotta, No Sudden Move), who returns from Italy to subject his new, much-younger bride Giuseppina (Michela De Rossi, The Rats) to domestic violence. One of The Many Saints of Newark's finest traits is its layering, honing in on cycles that keep echoing through generations as it examines Dickie's role in turning Tony into the man viewers watched from 1999–2007. Its greatest stroke of casting plays with the same notion as well, and the younger Gandolfini is a soulful yet primal revelation. To call his performance lived-in is the epitome of an understatement, and it's never a gimmick. Read our full review. JULIA Call it the SNL effect: in two of their past three films, Julie Cohen and Betsy West have celebrated pioneering women who've been parodied on Saturday Night Live. They've referenced those famous skits in RBG and now Julia, in fact, including their subjects' reactions; Ruth Bader Ginsburg was seen howling with laughter when she first saw Kate McKinnon slip into her robes, and Julia Child reportedly played Dan Aykroyd's blood-soaked 1978 impersonation to friends at parties. Cohen and West clearly aren't basing their documentaries on their own sketch-comedy viewing, though. Instead, they've been eagerly unpacking exactly why a US Supreme Court Justice and a French cuisine-loving TV chef made such a strong impact, and not only in their own fields. Julia makes an exceptional companion piece with the Oscar-nominated RBG, unsurprisingly; call it a great doco double helping. Julia arrives nearly two decades after its namesake's passing, and 12 years since Meryl Streep earned an Oscar nomination for mimicking Julia in Julie & Julia. If you've seen the latter but still wondered why Julie Powell (played by The Woman in the Window's Amy Adams) was so determined to work her way through Julia's most famous cookbook — first published in 1961, Mastering the Art of French Cooking completely changed America's perception of printed recipe collections — let this easy-to-consume doco fill in the gaps when it comes to the culinary wiz's mastery and achievements. Let it spark two instinctual, inescapable and overwhelming reactions, too: hunger, due to all the clips of Julia cooking and other lingering shots of food; and inspiration, because wanting to whip up the same dishes afterwards is equally understandable. In their second film of 2021 — after My Name Is Pauli Murray, another portrait of a woman thoroughly deserving the spotlight — Cohen and West take a chronological approach to Julia's life. The two filmmakers like borrowing cues from their subjects, so here they go with a classic recipe that's been given slight tweaks, but always appreciates that magic can be made if you pair a tried-and-tested formula with outstanding technique. Julia's entire cooking career, including her leap to television in her 50s, stirred up the same idea. Her take on French dining was all about making delectable meals by sticking to the right steps, even while using supermarket-variety ingredients, after all. Julia boasts a delightful serving of archival footage, as well as lingering new food porn-esque sequences that double as how-tos (as deliciously lensed by cinematographer and fellow RBG alum Claudia Raschke), but it still embodies the same ethos. Born to a well-off Pasadena family in 1912, Julia's early relationship with food is painted as functional: the household's cooks prepared the meals, and wanting to step into the kitchen herself was hardly a dream. In pre-World War II America, the expectation was that she'd simply marry and become a housewife, however, but a hunger for more out of life first took her to the Office of Strategic Services — the US organisation that gave way to the CIA — and overseas postings. While stationed in the Far East, she met State Department official Paul Child. After a berth in China, he was sent to France, where the acclaimed Cordon Bleu culinary school eventually beckoned for Julia. From there, she started her own cooking classes in Paris, co-penned the book that made her famous, turned a TV interview into a pitch for her own show and became an icon. Read our full review. RED NOTICE When Interpol hunts down the world's most wanted international criminals, it issues red notices — and for anyone who isn't already aware of that fact, Red Notice starts by spelling out the details. If the film world circulated the same kinds of warnings about bland, cliched, charmless and tedious movies, this Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot-starring supposed action-comedy would earn several. That it bears far too much in common at times with two of its stars' most recent features — Johnson's likeable-enough Jungle Cruise and Reynolds' excruciatingly terrible The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard — says plenty about this by-the-numbers affair. If only they were the sole instances that it conjured up other movies; Reynolds does a Borat impression, whistles the Indiana Jones tune and verbally references Jurassic Park, and it's all as dated as it sounds. Also tired and trying: Reynolds' performance in general, which is permanently stuck on the same kind of schtick at the heart of both Deadpool and Free Guy. This time, however, he's playing the globe's second-best art thief — and his character, Nolan Booth, desperately wants the top spot. But a couple of people stand in his way, which is where Red Notice's other big names come in. Firstly, FBI profiler John Hartley (Johnson) interrupts Booth's latest heist, which involves tracking down three golden eggs that were once owned by Cleopatra (the third of which has never been found before). Secondly, the planet's number one art thief, The Bishop (Gadot, Wonder Woman 1984), is on the same hunt for the same $30 million payday. She's also constantly one step ahead of not just her professional competitor, but also the man pursuing both criminals. Red Notice plays like the result of watching 80s and 90s hits, its three leads' filmographies and the National Treasure flicks, then throwing their basic ideas into a blender and pouring the jumbled mess onto the screen. It's Netflix's most expensive movie yet, and it's also shiny-coated garbage. That its opening scene involves a decoy egg doused in Coca-Cola to reveal an empty shell inside is far more telling than it's meant to be. Also landing with a thud: a dance between Hartley and The Bishop at an Eyes Wide Shut-styled party that's supposed to herald this as the next True Lies, but just makes viewers wish they were watching that instead. That's the thing with shovelling in reference after reference instead of penning a decent and coherent script, even when around half of those winks are done with writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber's (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper) tongue firmly in his cheek: constantly calling attention to better movies but failing to live up to them is like punching yourself the face. They're three of the highest-profile names in blockbuster cinema, but Johnson, Reynolds and Gadot all sleepwalk through their parts here — not that the screenplay asks much more. Not a single gag lands, either, and neither does any tension, chemistry, timing or reason to care about its lead trio, their characters' globe-hopping quest and all the chaos they leave in their wake. Of course Nazis are involved, even though it's now 2021 and not 1981 when Raiders of the Lost Ark did the exact same thing. Of course the whole film looks like the dullest kind of CGI onslaught, with green screens standing in for Rome, Russia, London, Egypt and more. Of course it also plays like something an algorithm would spit out — and one that thinks Ed Sheeran is the height of stunt cameo casting after Game of Thrones already proved that idea oh-so wrong four years ago. Red Notice screens in select Australian cinemas from Thursday, November 4, and streams via Netflix from Friday, November 12. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on June 10, June 17 and June 24; July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22 and July 29; August 5, August 12, August 19 and August 26; September 2, September 9, September 16, September 23 and September 30; and October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28. For Sydney specifically, you can take a look at out our rundown of new films that released in Sydney cinemas when they reopened on October 11, and what opened on October 14, October 21 and October 28 as well. And for Melbourne, you can check out our top picks from when outdoor cinemas reopened on October 22 — and from when indoor cinemas did the same on October 29. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Herself, Little Joe, Black Widow, The Sparks Brothers, Nine Days, Gunpowder Milkshake, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Old, Jungle Cruise, The Suicide Squad, Free Guy, Respect, The Night House, Candyman, Annette, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Streamline, Coming Home in the Dark, Pig, Big Deal, The Killing of Two Lovers, Nitram, Riders of Justice, The Alpinist, A Fire Inside, Lamb, The Last Duel, Malignant, The Harder They Fall, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, Halloween Kills and Passing. Top image: Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Wubba lubba dub dub, Rick and Morty fans. Yes, everyone's favourite interdimensional adventurers are finally back. It's been way too long since a certain eccentric scientist and his anxious grandson caused chaos across the multiverse, with the animated sitcom's third season releasing in 2017 — and if you've been feeling the duo's absence over the past two years, you're not alone. Even the just-released new trailer for the series' next batch of episodes recognises the elephant in the room — or the lack of Mr Meeseeks and Mr Poopybutthole on our screens, to be specific. Those beloved characters are back, too, alongside Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland); Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke), father Jerry (Chris Parnell) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer); and all the world-hopping craziness that anyone could ever hope for. If you've been counting down the days since the last episode hit back in October 2017, the fourth season will rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe — and absolutely anything could happen from there, really. If you're just getting schwifty with the series for the first time, Rick and Morty doesn't just ape a concept straight out of Back to the Future (aka a lab coat-wearing old man, his teenage sidekick, and their time- and space-jumping antics), but filters that idea through the inventive minds of Roiland and Community's Dan Harmon. After proving such a huge hit across its first three seasons, there's plenty more Rick and Morty to come, with the show renewed for a huge 70 episodes by US network Adult Swim last year (which is more than double the 31 that the comedy has aired to date). Of course, all that animated insanity takes time to put together, hence the delay. The first five new episodes are slated to drop from mid-November in America — watch this space for local release details. And that's the wayyyyyy the news goes — check out the fourth season's trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw6BrzB1drs Rick and Morty's fourth season will start airing weekly from November 10 in the US. We'll keep you updated with a release date Down Under once one comes to hand.
Whether you're in full lockdown mode, are only leaving the house to buy groceries or still have to venture out regularly because you can't work from home, no one is moseying far in these COVID-19 times. Everyone wants to, though. That's just human nature. Even if you're a homebody whose idea of a perfect vacation is getting cosy on the couch with your partner and your streaming queue, we're betting you're currently craving something — anything — to look at beyond your own four walls. Being cooped up in the house and experiencing a hefty dose of wanderlust go hand-in-hand, unsurprisingly — and you can cope in two ways. If you're itching to travel the globe the second you're able to, you can spend all your new spare time planning the trips you'll take when you can finally leave isolation behind. Or, if you're happy to simply pretend that you're somewhere far, far away, you can enter the world of travel live streams. You've virtually toured museums, galleries and landmarks already. Now it's time to while away as many minutes, hours or days as you like staring at a live webcam feed that's capturing life in another country right at this moment. Maybe you want to see what's going on in some of the places you've already been to. Perhaps you're keen to view stunning sights that you've always wanted to visit. Either way, here are seven travel live streams that you can watch from your couch at this very instant. A hint: pop one on in the background while you're working from home, and your day will instantly seem brighter. Also, a word of warning: they're rather addictive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwriDd8STdI&feature=emb_logo THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, CHURCHILL, CANADA The northern lights, aka aurora borealis, are one of the world's great natural wonders — the type of phenomenon that you need to see with your own eyes to truly appreciate. Caused by solar winds, the lights beam an array of colours across the evening sky, emitting a show that luminous events like Vivid only wish they could emulate. And, for everyone who needs that kind of magic in their lives at the moment, they're being live-streamed via Explore.org's dedicated webcam. You'll obviously need to tune in at the right time; however the middle of the night in Churchill, Canada (where the camera is stationed) coincides with late afternoon Down Under. And, even when you can't glimpse the main attraction, you can still peer at a scenic sky above an expanse of snow, all on the other side of the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZAez2oYsA CANAL OF CANNAREGIO AND PONTE DELLE GUGLIE, VENICE, ITALY Perhaps it's the centuries-old architecture. Maybe it's the glistening water. Or, it could be the entire idea of a city built on a group of 118 small islands, all separated by canals and linked by bridges. Whichever one fits, Venice boasts a particular kind of magic — and, in good news, that remains the case if you're watching on via live stream. Peering at the Ponte delle Guglie over the Canal of Cannaregio, the webcam setup at Hotel Filù is one of the best. Also, while you're viewing, you'll be doing so from a camera inside a building that dates back to the 800s. Those interested in more of Venice's distinctive sights can choose from a range of other cams, too, including a rolling live feed that switches between various scenic vantages. SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE CROSSING, TOKYO, JAPAN It has been featured in everything from Lost in Translation to Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift — and, during normal circumstances, it's one of the busiest places in one of the busiest cities in the world. That'd be Shibuya's famous scramble crossing, where hordes of people usually cross the intersection all day, everyday. Whether you've been to Tokyo plenty of times or you've always wanted to take a trip, this bustling site is on everyone's must-visit list. For now, though, you can simply watch. Shibuya Community News' web cam peers down at the four-way crossing non-stop, as the few folks who are still out and about in Tokyo go about their business. If you've ever walked across the road yourself, the sparse sight is quite surreal. If you haven't yet had the chance, get ready to start people-watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnNrd-VjLsQ WAIMEA BAY, HAWAII, USA Who doesn't wish that, right about now, they were sunbathing on a beach with nothing but sunscreen, sand and the crash of the waves to worry about? We all know the feeling — and while Australia's beaches have been closing over the past few weeks, all in an effort to enforce the country's current social-distancing requirements, you can check out Hawaii's Waimea Bay instead. If you find looking at the surf and listening to the roar of the ocean soothing at the best of times, you'll undoubtedly feel the same in today's far-from-usual predicament. This is a live stream you'll want to turn the volume up for, too, so you can make the very most of every sound from the scenic O'ahu spot. THE EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS, FRANCE Live stream network Earthcam.com has access to cameras in a huge number of places; however there's nothing quite like staring at one of the world's most famous tourist attractions while you're sat on your couch. If you time your peek just right — aka, you have a look when it's evening in Paris but daytime Down Under — you'll see the Eiffel Tower lit up against the night sky, perhaps even with the moon in the background, too. And, if you'd like to see how the iconic structure looks at various times of the day and under different conditions, you can scroll through the site's extensive image gallery, checking out how the tower appeared over the past hours, days, weeks and months. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA, USA There's no shortage of magnificent natural land formations to see in California's Yosemite National Park. While no one can lock their peepers on them in person at present, anyone eager to get a glimpse can still do so online. And, thanks to Yosemite Conservancy and the US National Park Service, there are multiple options — peering at multiple sights, too. If it's a live webcam feed you're after, then take a gander at Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest waterfalls. Watching water stream down from almost 740 metres up is quite the vision to behold. For those who'd rather peer at the Yosemite High Sierra, the Badger Ski Pass Area or Half Dome, or vicariously live out their Free Solo dreams at El Capitan, you can do so via static live images that refresh every 60 seconds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUmDtZAd28&feature=emb_logo LOCH NESS, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND You could spend your days in isolation learning a few new skills, catching up on a heap of movies, watching everything from theatre to opera, getting your sweat on and cooking up a storm. Or, you could keep your eyes peeled for a famous critter: the Loch Ness Monster. Thanks to the Nessie on the Net live stream, a webcam is trained at the body of water in the Scottish Highlands all day and night. If anyone is ever going to spot the creature — if it does even exist — now seems like the perfect time for it. You'll want to check out the stream when it's daytime in Scotland, otherwise you'll just see darkness. And, monster or no monster, the lake and the surrounding countryside still looks idyllic either way. Top image: Shibuya scramble crossing, Benh Lieu Song via Wikimedia Commons.
Last week, Australia had its first ever drive-in concert. It took place in Sydney's Robyn Webster Sports Centre in Tempe on Thursday, May 21, with Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan as the headline act. It was free and — despite the midday time slot and the slightly off-kilter artist choice — it garnered a crowd. Drive-In Entertainment Australia's first concert was an example of how it plans to run its (many) future events. From July, the company hopes to host live music concerts for up to 600 people, in 300 cars, with plans to launch eight drive-in venues across NSW and Victoria. Depending on how successful the events are, more states may follow. So, how does it work? Much like a scene out of hit 70s film Grease — or any drive-in cinema, really — you drive in, park up and watch from your car. The sound will be broadcast by an FM radio to your car, with the option for the spectacle to be live streamed via Zoom, too. You won't be able to get out of your vehicle though, unless going to the bathroom. All ticketing will be contactless, as will any snack purchases, which will be delivered to your car from onsite food trucks. It's no secret Australia's music industry has been hit hard during the pandemic, with website I Lost My Gig reporting about $340 million in lost income since COVID-19 saw the cancellation and postponement of festivals and gigs nationwide. With Australia's proposed roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown, mass gatherings of up to 100 will be permissible from July, which isn't a sustainable outlook for all facets of the industry. Despite Falls Festival 2020 announcing its plans to go ahead, a public health expert predicts music festivals may not be able to restart until September 2021. At least with drive-in concerts, larger live music events will be able to have a small revival — even if it means you must cut shapes in your car. Australia is not the first country to trial drive-in gigs, with one of the first happening in an LA carpark back in March and another in Aarhus, Denmark last month, which sold out in minutes according to Forbes. Drive-In Entertainment Australia plans to launch eight venues across NSW and Victoria, with other states to potentially follow. Entertainers, producers, agents and managers can register for a gig from Saturday, July 18 onwards. More information and contact details can be found on the website.
If you're not familiar with FOMO, it's Australia's clash-free one-day summer festival. When it announced it was coming back for a fourth year in January 2019 — with Nicki Minaj headlining, no less — tickets were snapped up at a fast pace. As such, the Brisbane leg of the daytime festival has already sold out. But not to worry. The festival organisers have tacked on an all-ages Friday night spin-off, which will hit Brisbane Showgrounds the night before the main event. FOMO by Night will feature a condensed selection of FOMO's full lineup — but it doesn't leave off the headliner. Leading the program is famed American-Trinidadian rapper Minaj, who released her high-energy, highly acclaimed fourth album Queen just last month — which features everyone from The Weeknd to Ariana Grande, Eminem and Lil Wayne. Hot on her heels is Florida's Lil Pump is heading Down Under for the first time, bringing hits 'Gucci Gang', 'Esskeetit' and songs from his yet-to-be released album Harvard Dropout, and electro music producer Mura Masa will break up the hip hop and rap with his disco tunes. Also on the schedule is Dutch experimental artist San Holo and Brisbane's own Miss Blanks among others. After the Brisbane show, FOMO by Night will head to Adelaide and Perth. Tickets go on sale on October 16. FOMO BY NIGHT 2019 LINEUP Nicki Minaj Lil Pump Mura Masa San Holo MIMI Miss Blanks Eljae Image: Mitch Lowe.
Throwing its support behind bushfire-affected Australians, efforts to combat the ongoing blazes and recovery activities — all worthy causes close to everyone's hearts at present — The Tivoli is putting on a huge benefit gig. The aim: to raise $100,000. And, the inner-city venue has enlisted Megan Washington, Matt Corby and The Kite String Tangle to help. All three will take to the stage at Raise 'Em Up — Raising the Roof for Australian Bushfire Relief, which'll kick off at 5pm on Saturday, January 25. They'll be joined by Asha Jefferies, Ngaiire and The Riot, with more artists to be announced. The concert will also feature a party in the car park outside, food trucks and community raffles to raise more funds. [caption id="attachment_757056" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Megan Washington via Bruce Baker via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] All ticket, bar and merchandise profits from the night will be donated to two organisations, with the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal receiving 70 percent of the funds and WIRES – The NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Emergency Services getting the other 30 percent. Price-wise, this big party a pick-your-figure kind of affair — pay either $50, $75, $100, $150 or $200, depending on what you can afford to give. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, January 9. Top image: The Tivoli.
Whether you hated or loved her as an eight-year old, or you’re completely impartial towards her (like you should be in 2012), there’s no denying Britney Spears’ story is one of the great disappointments and tragedies of our generation. She came from innocent beginnings in Kentucky, to being a full-blown mental patient with two children to a guy who now stars on a weight loss show on Australian television. It really can’t get much worse than that, or can it? Here to satirise a quite bleak tale are Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank, who have carefully crafted a cabaret performance around the life and times of the electro-pop nightmare that Britney has become. It is a piss-take at times, but has surprisingly real and honest undertones that actually evoke care within for someone that really was so naive, or ‘Overprotected’. She gave us grammatically incorrect hits like ‘I’m A Slave 4 U’ and ‘If U Seek Amy’ (say it out loud...), as well as heart wrenching ballads with deep undertones such as ‘Gimme More’ and ‘Womanizer’, but once these songs are stripped back to just piano and lyrics, that’s when their true meaning become apparent – that is, that Britney is a genius. If you want to reminisce and laugh at your favourite teen idol, I insist that you see Britney Spears: The Cabaret. You might even shed a tear along the way.
For those of you who want to transform your morning walk into a catwalk, the lovechild of activewear brand Jaggad and high fashion mogul J'Aton Couture has just the outfit for you with their new collaboration. Launching November 10, the team-up's new activewear line is touted as 'haute couture meets high-performance wearability', and features an undeniably striking line of leggings, crop tops and muscle tanks. Described as a "capsule collection of activewear for the everyday consumer", with prices ranging from $79.95 for rose gold running shorts to $159.95 for the Baroque Contour 7/8 leggings, the line certainly isn't for the shallow-pocketed. For the Melbourne couture house with only 100–150 dresses being produced each year for high profile women around the world including Nicole Kidman, Poppy Delevingne, Ellie Goulding and Margot Robbie, J'Aton claims the collaboration is an opportunity to reach a wider audience. Whether or not this audience will necessarily be able to splurge for a $160 'panelled–bodice' running jacket is another question, but there would certainly be few who would turn down the opportunity to look this flashy in the weights section. J'Aton have also been the recipients of many prestigious awards, including the 2009 Prix de Marie Claire Awards for Best Eveningwear Designers. It remains to be seen if this line could score the 2016 'Best Leggings to Squat In' Award. The capsule collection is available online and in-store at Jaggad stores and extended local retailer boutiques from November 10, 2016.
London has one, currently letting locals and visitors fly across the city. Sydney is getting one as well, stretching between two skyscrapers 75 metres above Circular Quay. Melbourne flirted with the concept, but it was ultimately too structurally difficult and costly to implement. Yes, ziplines are popping up and topping tourist attraction wishlists everywhere — including the new desert wire that's set to become the world's longest. Although the exact length of the new zipline coming to the United Arab Emirates won't be revealed until it opens in December, it's reported to be longer than 28 soccer fields. That will make it at least 2800 metres in total, zooming past The Monster in Puerto Rico, all from Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak. Indeed, the numbers keep coming for the mammoth line, with its mountain base located 1934 metres high above sea level, and riders expected to reach speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. Plus, the site will boast two wires for double the fun, allowing high-flyers to glide side by side. Throw in the fact that anyone eager to zip along will do so face down — getting a stellar view of the scenic sights, and living out their superhero fantasies — and the scene is set for quite the thrilling experience. The project is designed to be eco-friendly, using LED lighting and photovoltaic fabric materials, and also features a welcome centre, complete with a viewing lounge and restaurant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wo0A2Wgl90&feature=youtu.be Via Whats On UAE. Images:Mathew.k.scaria / Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.
Since December 2023, Brisbanites have been welcomed to... a real-life way to feel like you're visiting Isla Nublar, recreated dinosaurs and all. These creatures are made out of Lego, however, as part of the Jurassic World by Brickman exhibition that's turned Queensland Museum into its latest home using more than six-million blocks. Haven't wandered through it yet? You now have a couple more weeks to head along. The showcase has been a hit, unsurprisingly, with more than 200,000 people attending, including previews and across extended hours. Jurassic World by Brickman can't stay in the River City forever, though, and was originally set to close on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Now that end date has been extended by a fortnight to Sunday, July 28. When Michael Crichton put pen to paper and conjured up a modern-day dinosaur-filled amusement park, he couldn't have known exactly what he'd done — or what else, such as this exhibition, would come. The author easily imagined the story making its way to the big screen, because the Jurassic Park novel started out as a screenplay. He could've also perceived that a whole film and TV franchise could follow, and that folks would be quoting the movies for decades. And yet, we're guessing that he didn't predict recreating the Jurassic World movies, which started with the fourth flick in the series back in 2015, made completely out of Lego. Jurassic World by Brickman first popped up in Melbourne in 2021, then Sydney in 2022. At each stop, Brisbane among them, visitors can peer at more than 50 dinosaurs, props and scenes from the Jurassic World movies that have all been fashioned out of the popular plastic bricks in the process. The four-metre-tall park gates, the lab where the dinosaurs are genetically engineered, those instantly recognisable jeeps, a heap of critters: they're all there. Welcome to... your Lego Jurassic World fantasy, basically. Lego dinosaurs are clearly the main attraction and, yes, this event has gone big. You can see a life-sized brachiosaurus that weighs more than two tonnes, a huge tyrannosaurus rex, two life-sized velociraptors (Blue and Delta), and everything from a stegosaurus to a triceratops, too. Plus, patrons can check out some prehistoric creatures in the baby dinosaur enclosure, encounter more on the loose and learn how to track them over the exhibition's recreation of Isla Nublar (while using your imagination a whole heap, obviously). Lego aficionados are also able to get building while they're there, with 2.5-million bricks to play with. This is a family-friendly affair, so expect plenty of small dinosaur fans for company. Jurassic World by Brickman will now display at Queensland Museum, corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank, South Brisbane until Sunday, July 28, 2024. Head to the venue's website for further details. Images: Anna Kucera, Australian Museum.
If your ideal cafe visit includes shopping for homewares either before or after your coffee and a bite, St Lucia's latest go-to for a caffeine fix understands. Even better: it's making that ritual a one-stop-shop affair. Open since Saturday, May 6 on Hawken Drive, Sorelle Eatery is both an Italian-inspired place to tuck into tiramisu cruffins, Sicilian chilli scrambled eggs, mortadella toasties and mini cannoli, and a space to pick up ceramics, baskets, soft furnishings, and other bits and pieces for your house. On the cafe side, Sorelle boasts a hefty heritage, hailing from the team behind Milton favourite Tognini's. For three decades, Mark and Narelle Tognini have served up deli and cafe fare on Baroona Road, and now it's their daughters Madeleine and Nastassia's turn just a couple of suburbs over — still in Brisbane's inner west — with Sorelle meaning 'sisters' in Italian. "Food is far from foreign to us. We've always stepped in and out of working within the businesses since we were teens — we've grown up surrounded by a deep appreciation for good food, company and style. We're all hands-on — you'll likely see a Tognini in the business most days of the week," explains Madeleine, who is also a a paediatric nurse. "Dad's always been food-obsessed — scouring cookbooks, looking for a new dining experience. He loves simple food done brilliantly. It's what started them in the industry all those years ago and why it's still thriving today," adds Nastassia, a commercial lawyer. Sorelle takes its cues from its elder sibling venue; Madeleine describes it as "rooted in the Tognini's legacy", but bringing "the same delicious taste of tradition with a fresh new twist". Menu-wise, that's where everything from coconut yoghurt panna cotta through to that mortadella, mozzarella and japaleño toastie comes in, as well as ricotta, chocolate chip and pistachio crumble cannoli. Other culinary highlights span spicy merguez sausages with bacon lardons, potato hash, fried eggs and tomato relish from the all-day breakfast menu, plus burrata, saffron risotto, barramundi with asparagus and butter bean sauce, and apple rhubarb crumble among the lunch range from 11am. In a light and airy space that operates five days a week, patrons can sip Sorelle's own custom-blend coffee, or knock back a glass of Italian wines from a tightly curated vino range. Australian and other imported mid-range drops are also on offer. And if you're looking to add something new to your home, the shop's curated selection includes Robert Gordon's pottery, Madras Link's colourful decor and Urban Rituelle's fragrant range — and no, it's no coincidence that Sorelle has launched just in time for Mother's Day. Find Sorelle Eatery at 242 Hawken Drive, St Lucia — open from 7am–4pm Wednesday–Sunday. Images: Callie Marshall.
Having recently spent a crazy couple of months living in Berlin, the news of East Berlin club Salon Zur Wilden Renate installing a real life maze in the two-storey abandoned building comes as no surprise. With the intention of creating an other-worldly, ethereal experience, the Peristal Singum labyrinth uses confined spaces to confuse your sensory perceptions, where one visitor at a time is forced to crawl, duck, and slide to their salvation. Prepare for a lucid mind where your whole metaphysical being is questioned while disproportionately-sized objects create the illusion of fantasy characters that roam rooms that seem smaller than they actually are. There is no marked pathway, so drinking too much prior to entering may not be the wisest of ideas. Peristal Singum
Many road trippers heading north from Sydney aim for major hubs, such as Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. But, less than four hours away, there's a less-famous patch of coastline, national parks and green pastures called the Manning Valley. The area's lush beauty is down to its unusual waterway, the Manning River. It's one of the only major rivers in Australia that hasn't been dammed. Plus, it's a double delta, so it meets the sea in not one, but two places. Stick to the shore for empty beaches, impressive walks and a designer hotel dedicated to David Bowie, Nick Cave and Dave Grohl. Pop inland to sample at farmers' markets, groom alpacas and meet flying foxes in NSW's last bit of floodplain rainforest. Here's your guide to road tripping the Manning Valley. [caption id="attachment_604884" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Surfhouse Merewether[/caption] DAY ONE: INDIGENOUS HISTORY, SPARKLING LAKES AND WINE TASTING Road trips aren't for rushing. Break up yours with a couple of stops. Firstly, there's Newcastle — one-time steel capital of Australia, now creative hub by the sea — where laneways are dotted with street art, independent shops and cute cafes. Swing by The Tea Project for a just-right cuppa, Sprocket for locally-roasted coffee and The Edwards for mountainous cheese platters. Cashed up and wanting ocean views and oysters? You'll get them at Surfhouse Merewether. Find loads more Newie tips over here. Another hour on the road lands you in the Great Lakes region. If time's on your side, pretty Myall Lake and its eponymous national park are a worthy diversion. To take a journey into indigenous history, visit Dark Point, which, in 2002, was declared an Aboriginal Site of Significance. For more than 4000 years, the Worimi people met here for seafood feasts — look out for middens. You'll also be treated to spectacular views of Broughton Island, the only spot in New South Wales where you can camp the night among a sea bird colony. Continue along the Pacific Highway to Wootton to visit Great Lakes Paddocks Winery. You're welcome to sprawl out on the grounds for hours, trying the latest in verdelho and sparkling shiraz. Keep an eye out for live music events too. [caption id="attachment_604888" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Rudi's Farmers Market[/caption] DAY TWO: FARMER'S MARKETS, RAINFOREST AND A MUSIC DESIGN HOTEL Another 30 minutes north lands you in Taree, on the banks of Manning River. Start with a visit to Mentges Meats, where Rudi Mentges continues a 700-year-old family tradition, started on the Rhine, of turning local cuts into gourmet kranski, wurst and ham. Every Thursday morning, Rudi's Farmers' Markets takes over with a cornucopia of home-grown veggies, home-made jams, honey, raw cakes and fresh flowers. It's one of many farmers' and artisans' markets in the Manning Valley. Find out how tasty that produce can get when treated by a multi-awarding winning cafe. Bent on Food is in Wingham, a laidback town ten kilometres inland, which hosts the Wingham Akoostik Festival every October. Cafe owner Donna Carrier is a big fan of local farmers, as proven by the super-fresh, piled-up dishes, overseen by head chef Simon Livingston. Tuck into a spinach tortilla with chicken, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted pumpkin and house-made basil pesto or local scotch fillet with house-made beetroot relish, cheese, lettuce, horseradish cream, Turkish bread and beer-battered chips. The cafe doubles up as a grocery shop, so you can take some valley goodness home with you. [caption id="attachment_604873" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bent on Food[/caption] The Wingham Brush Nature Reserve, which harbours the only floodplain rainforest left in New South Wales, is lovely for a shady afternoon stroll. There are a variety of walks, but the easiest is the 1.9-kilometre boardwalk, along which you'll meet flying foxes, brush turkeys, white cedars and a massive Moreton Bay fig tree. Tinonee Road winds south out of Wingham, passing through The Bight and Mondrook. Now that you've indulged in local produce, it's time to find out what the artists have been getting up to. Make an appointment at Artisans on the Hill, to see art works, handcrafted jewellery, wood turning and more. Workshops are held occasionally. [caption id="attachment_604904" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Boogie Woogie Beach House[/caption] Tonight's digs are The Boogie Woogie Beach House, found 20 minutes east in the beachside town of Old Bar. This extraordinary designer hotel was "born from the love of music and not wanting to go home after a great night out". There are five unique rooms, four of which are dedicated to legendary musicians, namely David Bowie, Dave Grohl, Nick Cave and Louis Armstrong. Can't decide? Go for the fifth: The Mixtape. Whether you take a spa with Ziggy Stardust or shower with Nick Cave, you can count on a luxurious therapeutic mattress, a record player (with vinyls supplied), free wifi, a mini-bar and a HD flatscreen TV. Downstairs, Flow Bar hosts live music on Fridays and Sundays, and serves up consistently excellent food. In the morning, go for The Frenchie (brioche, Rudi's smoked bacon, lemon mascarpone, toasted pecans, wild berry compote, maple syrup). [caption id="attachment_604899" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Black Head Beach[/caption] DAY THREE: BEACHSIDE RESORT, OCEAN POOL, COASTAL WALKS South of Old Bar is a series of gold sand beaches, backdropped by dunes and national park. The safest for swimming is sheltered Black Head Beach, where you can jump in patrolled surf or laze about in a stunning ocean pool. Should you work up an appetite, drop into Gobblegutz Cafe in Hallidays Point for coffee and tasty gourmet wrap. Don't let the shopping centre surrounds deter you — the food is good and hearty. Next up, it's time for some explorations on foot. There's a network of walking trails to help you do just that. For coastal rainforest, secluded beaches, caves and and rock formations, head into Black Head Reserve. You'll pass by a tranquil lagoon and, chances are, find yourself sharing the path with brush turkeys. Check out other tracks nearby over here. [caption id="attachment_604870" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ramada Resort[/caption] Tonight, you're sleeping over at Ramada Resort, right behind 5.5-kilometre-long Diamond Beach. To get as close to the water as possible, go for a one-bedroom apartment with water views, a two-bedroom apartment or a beach house. Whichever you choose, you'll score plenty of space and a spa bath. When the surf's too rough, take a windy stroll or stick to the resort, where you can dip in the pool, hit the tennis court or relax in the day spa. Jasmine Crittenden travelled to the Manning Valley as a guest of Destination NSW. Images: Peter Saw.
Swapping sketch comedy for horror movies has turned out pretty well for Jordan Peele so far. When the Key & Peele star made his first leap behind the camera, Oscar-winner Get Out was the excellent and unnerving end result — and the comedian turned writer/director isn't done terrifying cinema audiences just yet. To add a fright or two to your festive season, the first trailer for Peele's second directorial effort has arrived. If you scare easily, consider yourself warned. In Us, the filmmaker follows a family (Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Evan Alex and Shahadi Wright-Joseph) holidaying by the beach with friends (Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker), which all sounds very normal. Then things go awry, in a flick that promises to make you feel just as uneasy about your own reflection as you felt about stirring cups of tea after Get Out. In preparation for her role, Peele tasked Nyong'o with watching a heap of classic horror movies — films such as The Shining, The Babadook, It Follows, The Birds, Funny Games, Martyrs, Let the Right One In, The Sixth Sense, Dead Again and A Tale of Two Sisters, Nyong'o told EW. If that list of creepy flicks doesn't give you an idea of what's in store in Us, then the suitably unsettling trailer will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNCmb-4oXJA Us releases in Australian cinemas on March 14, 2019.
UPDATE, October 19, 2022: The Stranger released in Australian cinemas on October 6, then streams via Netflix from October 19. No emotion or sensation ripples through two or more people in the exact same way, and never will. The Stranger has much to convey, but it expresses that truth with piercing precision. The crime-thriller is the sophomore feature from actor-turned-filmmaker Thomas M Wright — following 2018's stunning Adam Cullen biopic Acute Misfortune, another movie that shook everyone who watched it and proved hard to shake — and it's as deep, disquieting and resonant a dance with intensity as its genre can deliver. To look into Joel Edgerton's (Thirteen Lives) eyes as Mark, an undercover cop with a traumatic but pivotal assignment, is to spy torment and duty colliding. To peer at Sean Harris (Spencer) as the slippery Henry Teague is to see a cold, chilling and complex brand of shiftiness. Sitting behind these two performances in screentime but not impact is Jada Alberts' (Mystery Road) efforts as dedicated, determined and drained detective Kate Rylett — and it may be the portrayal that sums up The Stranger best. Writing as well as directing, Wright has made a film that is indeed dedicated, determined and draining. At every moment, including in sweeping yet shadowy imagery and an on-edge score, those feelings radiate from the screen as they do from Alberts. Sharing the latter's emotional exhaustion comes with the territory; sharing their sense of purpose does as well. In the quest to capture a man who abducted and murdered a child, Rylett can't escape the case's horrors — and, although the specific details aren't used, there's been no evading the reality driving this feature. The Stranger doesn't depict the crime that sparked Kate Kyriacou's non-fiction book The Sting: The Undercover Operation That Caught Daniel Morcombe's Killer, or any violence. It doesn't use the Queensland schoolboy's name, or have actors portray him or his family. This was always going to be an inherently discomforting and distressing movie, though, but it's also an unwaveringly intelligent and impressive examination of trauma. There's no other word to describe what Mark and Rylett experience — and, especially as it delves into Mark's psychological state as he juggles his job with being a single father, The Stranger is a film about tolls. What echoes do investigating and seeking justice for an atrocious act leave? Here, the portrait is understandably bleak and anguished. What imprint do such incidences have upon society more broadly? That also falls into the movie's examination. Mark, along with a sizeable group of fellow officers, is trying to get a confession and make an arrest. Back east, Rylett is one of the police who won't and can't let the situation go. Doling out its narrative in a structurally ambitious way, The Stranger doesn't directly address the human need for resolution, or to restore a semblance of order and security after something so heinously shocking, but that's always baked into its frames anyway. Travelling across the country, Henry first meets a stranger on a bus, getting chatting to Paul (Steve Mouzakis, Clickbait) en route. It's the possibility of work that hooks the ex-con and drifter — perhaps more so knowing that his potential new gig will be highly illicit, and that evading the authorities is implicit. Soon he meets Mark, then seizes the opportunity to reinvent himself in a criminal organisation, not knowing that he's actually palling around with the cops. It's an immense sting, fictionalised but drawn from actuality, with The Stranger also playing as a procedural. The connecting the dots-style moves remain with Rylett, but Wright's decision to hone in on the police operation still means detailing how to catch a killer, astutely laying out the minutiae via action rather than chatting through the bulk of the ins and outs. When Wright made his initial leap behind the camera after almost two decades on-screen — an acting resume that spans a range of weighty fare, such as Van Diemen's Land, Balibo, Top of the Lake, The Bridge and Sweet Country — he spun a tale of two men connecting, entangling and grappling with hard truths. Acute Misfortune and The Stranger are immensely different movies in a plethora of ways, even if both do find their basis in IRL situations, but there's no missing their common central dynamic. While The Stranger wouldn't be the film it is without its time with Rylett, and with the phenomenal Alberts in that key role, the interplay between Mark and Henry retains its core focus. To be accurate, Mark sits squarest in its spotlight — including surveying the anxiety he feels as a single father tasked with such a case, which plays out in striking domestic and dream sequences — but it isn't a coincidence that Edgerton and Harris are styled to visibly resemble each other. Also never an accident: that The Stranger's male leads turn in transfixing performances, whether guiding the film's viewers through Mark's waking ordeal and literal nightmares, or showing their cause. This is Edgerton and Harris' third project together in mere years, after The King and The Green Knight — but if it wasn't, it'd be clear why both Wright and Edgerton (who produces and optioned the rights to The Sting to begin with) opted for the pairing. The Stranger sears not just with intensity but tension, so much of which jitters whenever the two men share the frame. A blazing car fire aside, the largely muted colours lensed by cinematographer Sam Chiplin (Penguin Bloom) add to the brooding, primal, dread-filled mood. The nervy soundscape by composer and cellist Oliver Coates (Aftersun, and also a Radiohead collaborator) does the same. But The Stranger's faces and bodies, as haunted and unbalanced as they always are, say — and silently scream — everything. Wright wants his audience to observe carefully, and to listen. The feature's sound design toys with this very idea; when a drive with Mark and Henry switches its dialogue to surveillance audio, it's such a straightforward choice, and yet its execution is layered, smart and immensely powerful. There's no such thing as passively and easily viewing The Stranger, it tells us, as does describing calming breathing techniques in its opening moments. Engaging with this movie has to be an active and complicated feat because engaging with the darkness it explores always is. Who retells grim chapters of history, and why and how, aren't questions isolated to Australian cinema, especially with true crime a perennially popular genre on screens large and small — and pages and podcasts, and wherever and however else such tales are told — and with The Stranger, they've surfaced again just a year after bubbling up around Justin Kurzel's Nitram. Like that, this equally exceptional and unsettling film makes plain that interrogating events like these is crucial. Here, it's also transformative for those doing the probing, the world they inhabit and those watching.
Fleabag fans, rejoice — because Phoebe Waller-Bridge is back on our screens, and back working with playwright and screenwriter Vicky Jones, too. The latter is the driving force behind comedy-thriller Run, and Waller-Bridge only plays a supporting part, but that's more than enough reason to binge your way through its seven instantly moreish episodes. The setup: college sweethearts Ruby (Merritt Wever) and Billy (Domhnall Gleeson) always promised each other that, if one of them texted the word 'run' to the other and received the same back in reply, they'd drop everything, hightail it to New York's Grand Central Station and catch a train across America together. And, that's exactly what happens. As for why, and what this means to the two central characters, that's all part of the fun of watching. So is enjoying the rapport between the always-great Wever and Gleeson.
Some music festivals fill your calendar for a day or two, or perhaps a week or so at once. Popping up midyear each year for multiple months, Open Season has much longer in its sights. The Brisbane event that's all about getting everyone out and about enjoying the River City's live music scene first launched in 2020, and now celebrates its fifth birthday in 2025 in its favourite way: with a hefty lineup that's not only heading to The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre, the venues behind the series from the outset — or to Winn Lane, where it expanded to in 2024 — but also making the Queensland Performing Arts Centre one of its homes. Six venues, 30-plus live gigs, three months: that's 2025's Open Season setup, no matter what kind of tunes that you're into. Bringing QPAC onboard means adding Sigur Rós' already-announced stint at the South Bank location's Concert Hall with the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra to the program, for starters. The partnership also sees First Nations fest-within-the-fest Blak Day Out team up with QPAC's Clancestry, even though the former is taking place at The Princess Theatre. On its bill: Christine Anu is joining the party, alongside Thelma Plum, Miss Kaninna and more acts still to be announced. [caption id="attachment_974235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alive87 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Indeed, this isn't the full Open Season lineup, either, with the talents revealed so far set to score more company. The names already hitting Brisbane would make any other festival jealous, though, including more from Iceland courtesy of Kiasmos, the Afro Cuban sounds of Ezra Collective, Grammy-nominee Kamasi Washington, Soccer Mommy, Killing Heidi playing their debut album Reflector to celebrate its 25th anniversary, DIIV touring on the back of their latest record Frog in Boiling Water, Cloud Control reuniting for the first time in over ten years and Moktar spinning beats. Pale Jay, Jessica Pratt, Mount Kimbie, Ravyn Lenae, Surprise Chef, MonoNeon: they're all on the lineup as well. You'll also find The Preatures, Skegss, Maxwell Byrne (aka Golden Vessel), Sahara Beck, Pruient, SHOUSE and The Gin Club taking to the stage, plus Handsome and Emma Volard at Quivr's Quiet on Set program. This years' Open Season boasts its own brew, Green Beacon's Open Season Lager, which you'll find quenching your thirst at participating venues during the festival. For bites to eat, King Street in Bowen Hills is serving up deals among its eateries, too. "This program is designed to inspire, to awaken our adventurous spirit, step out of the house and get amongst some seriously excellent live music," said The Tivoli Group Creative Director Dave Sleswick. "Every year, Open Season expands and evolves. This time, with QPAC on board, we're taking over the whole damn city. International icons, national treasures and incredible local talent will take over a variety of intimate and grand venues throughout Brisbane. It's an open invitation for everyone to experience the magic of live performance and the power of community through music." "This is the first time we've partnered with Dave and the team at The Tivoli Group to present performances at QPAC as part of Open Season; it's proving to be a brilliant collaboration, and we love that we're increasing the footprint and audience of this awesome festival," added QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy. "Both QPAC and The Tivoli Group are all about ensuring as many people as possible experience live performance together. We're passionate about presenting both new and emerging artists as well as those established and already loved, and shouting from the rooftops that Brisbane is well and truly a live music capital." "It's thrilling to see Open Season grow every year and the program this year is better than ever. It really is fast becoming a destination music festival for Brisbane and we're very proud to be on board." Open Season 2025 Lineup 1tbsp Accomplice Collective Christine Anu Cloud Control DIIV Emma Volard Ezra Collective Handsome Jessica Pratt Kamasi Washington Kiasmos Killing Heidi Miss Kaninna Moktar MonoNeon Mount Kimbie Pale Jay Purient Ravyn Lenae Sahara Beck Shouse Sigur Rós with the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra Skegss Soccer Mommy Surprise Chef The Gin Club The Preatures Thelma Plum [caption id="attachment_995853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maximilian Konig[/caption] Open Season 2025 runs from May–July, with pre-sale tickets available from 8am AEST on Wednesday, March 26 and general sales from 9am AEST on Thursday, March 27. For further details, head to the event's website. Open Season images: Chris Love, Darcy Goss, Kelsey Doyle and Lachlan Douglas.
Trekking across a continent is the type of bucket-list activity plenty of people think about, but few ever manage. If you're in Canada, however, walking across the country just got a whole lot easier. Spanning 24,000 kilometres across 13 provinces and territories, the world's longest hiking track has just been completed. It has taken 25 years to come to fruition, so it's no wonder that they're calling it The Great Trail. Opening in its 100% connected form at the end of August, the path connects Canada's east and west coasts via an outdoor journey through all of the terrain the nation has to offer. Urban, rural and wilderness landscape is featured, plus greenways, waterways and roadways, with track perfect for not only hikers, cyclists and horse riders, but anyone keen for a paddle, cross-country ski or snowmobile trip as well. The trail was first conceived as part of Canada's 125th anniversary celebrations in 1992, with Pierre Camu, Bill Pratt, and Paul LaBarge coming up with the idea to connect all of the country's various tracks. As well as the types of treks you'd expect — over rocky ground and through leafy forests, for example — highlights include wanders through major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa, a sea-to-sky marine trail around islands and waterfalls, and dog-sledding during snow season. Via Travel + Leisure / Image: The Great Trail.
Futurama is coming out of stasis, and a pandemic, vaccines, bitcoin, streaming and cancel culture all await. How will the Planet Express crew deal with all of the above, plus a massive disruption in the flow of time, when the Matt Groening-created show about life in the 31st century returns in July? As seen in the comeback season's initial teaser and now its just-dropped full trailer, they'll cope the same way they always have in this beloved animated sitcom: by knowing that anything and everything can and will happen. If a pizza delivery guy was to accidentally wander into a cryogenic chamber back in July 2013, get stuck frozen inside for ten years, then wake up in July 2023, plenty that he knows about the world will have changed — but Futurama would remain a constant. Back then, the series was still on-screen. Now, it's finally being defrosted after a decade off the air. Good news, everyone! — it's back, baby, after US streaming platform Hulu first announced plans to go back to the future in 2022. Futurama was renewed for a 20-episode run, with the first ten new instalments arriving from Monday, July 24 Down Under via Disney+. Say hello again to the 20th-century's Philip J Fry (voiced by Billy West), distant uncle to Planet Express cargo company Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (also voiced by West), plus the rest of the outfit's crew. Yes, that means more antics with one-eyed ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal); fellow employees Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom) and Zoidberg (also West); and everyone from self-obsessed starship captain Zapp Brannigan (West again) and his amphibious 4th Lieutenant Kif Kroker (Maurice LaMarche) through to scheming corporation owner Mom (Tress MacNeille). And, yes, it Bender Bending Rodríguez will be causing chaos, with John DiMaggio also back with the cast. When the revival was first announced, that wasn't the case — but it wouldn't be Futurama without its constantly sauced robot exclaiming "bite my shiny metal ass!". You can put a beloved show into suspended animation, but someone is going to thaw it out one day — and more than once. Initially airing from 1999–2003, the futuristic series then returned from 2008–2013, before now being given another run. Hulu is calling this comeback season 11, even though Futurama spans a past seven seasons and four direct-to-DVD movies so far. As for what this return is about, other than satirising life in the year 3000 and beyond — and parts of life today — the streaming service is promising more about Fry and Leela's love story, what's in Nibbler's litter box, evil Robot Santa's secret history, and Kif and Amy's tadpoles. Check out the full new Futurama trailer below: Futurama season 11 will stream via Disney+ Down Under from Monday, July 24.
If rice wrapped in nori is your idea of a perfect meal, then you might have June 18 permanently circled on your calendar. Each and every year, that's when the world's sushi devotees celebrate their favourite food for International Sushi Day. We're not saying that the Japanese dish will taste better on that date, but if you just can't get enough of it, it's definitely time to celebrate. This year, to mark the occasion, ten restaurants across Australia are offering a tasty special — and one that your bank account will like, too. If you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide — and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts — you can nab $1 sushi all day long via Deliveroo. Lunch, sorted. Sydneysiders can choose between Sushi Dining DEN Vaucluse and Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining, while Melburnians will need to order from SUPERHIRO Japanese Food & Bar by Yoyogi and Wabi Sushi. In Brisbane, Sushi Kotobuki and Sushi Lovers Rosalie are doing the honours, and Adelaide's Kintaro Sushi Brickworks and Kintaro Sushi Kurralta Park are also joining in. You can check out the full list below. To get your fix, all you need to do is jump on to Deliveroo, search for "$1 deals" and order — only on Saturday, June 18. Exactly which varieties you can score for $1 differ per store, but we see everything from teriyaki chicken, prawn tempura and karaage chicken with lettuce to salmon avocado, spicy tuna and chicken schnitzel rolls in your future. There is a $10 minimum order limit, and you can only get three $1 rolls per order — and while stocks last. INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY RESTAURANTS SYDNEY Sushi Dining DEN Vaucluse Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining MELBOURNE SUPERHIRO Japanese Food & Bar by Yoyogi Wabi Sushi BRISBANE Sushi Kotobuki Sushi Lovers Rosalie GOLD COAST Sushi Doori SUNSHINE COAST Flaming Sushi House ADELAIDE Kintaro Sushi Brickworks Kintaro Sushi Kurralta Park
Many discovered it through its gigs. A few by suggestion, and some out of sheer chance, a drunken stumble and good luck. The reality is, most of us were lured there after a tireless, soul-crushing wait in a Rics line, where only 10 meters away, faint dance beats drifted down a Lodge stairwell, beckoning us into a pair or warm, fuzzy Black Bear arms. In two year’s, Black Bear Lodge has added more than a bit of spice to the Brunswick Street ‘party scene’. They’ve hand picked and hosted bands dreams are made of, set up a dance floor that would have Kevin Bacon weeping, and drowned lodge-goers in the finest of drinks – and for that they're celebrating with Black Bear Radio. Leading the night will be garage-psych heroes The Frowning Clouds, with all girl super-group The Madisons, and homegrown, under-aged rock geniuses The Kramers working stage. It wouldn’t be a Black Bear bash without some of our best local DJs in the mix - Black Amex, Soul Train and Bris Springsteen, as well as London’s DJ Philistine giving a hearty hip-hip-hooray on the turntable. Admit it – in the two years of Black Bear Lodge we’ve all been just that little bit more cultured and educated at their hands. Now it’s your turn to say thanks, cheers and happy birthday in one huge night of jamboree.
It's safe to say that 2020 has been a strange and surreal year. In fact, as we all know, that's quite the understatement. Prefer to get your weird and wonderful fix watching the big screen, rather than reading the news? That's perfectly acceptable — and that's what Monster Fest is all about. Returning to Event Cinemas Myer Centre from Thursday, October 29–Sunday, November 8, this fest is all about out-there cinema. In 2020, it's even taking on an apocalyptic theme. That means that film fans can expect flicks about dystopian scenarios; however, it'll also be serving up a selection of the latest and greatest genre and horror movies in general. If you're only going to add two films to your must-see list, make them Possessor and Synchronic. The former is the latest vivid and engrossing sci-fi/horror mind-bender from Brandon Cronenberg, son of iconic filmmaker David Cronenberg, and it stars Andrea Riseborough (Mandy) and Christopher Abbott (Vox Lux) in a thriller about corporate espionage via mind control. As for the latter, it's the stellar new movie from The Endless duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead, and features Anthony Mackie (Avengers: Endgame) and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) as paramedics who keep being called out to cases involving a trippy, reality-shifting new drug. Also on the bill: documentary Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, which features the legendary director talking about his big horror hit; Occupation: Rainfall, the world-premiering sequel to Australian sci-fi film Occupation; and new 4K restorations of retro favourites Total Recall and Event Horizon. The list goes on, and this year's fest comes with a difference: nothing in its program screens against each other, so you can head along to absolutely everything if you're super keen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl_kzTQvPVw
When Saturday, February 5, 2022 hits, Australia was going to welcome a situation that it hasn't experienced in almost two years: open state borders with Western Australia. But the country's current Omicron outbreak has seen the WA Government announce that it's delaying its reopening to the rest of the nation — and to the world — as Premier Mark McGowan revealed in a late-night press conference on Thursday, January 20. If you're wondering when WA will now allow vaccinated folks from other Aussie states to visit without quarantining — and WA residents to take getaways somewhere other than your home state and then return home easily, too — the Premier hasn't yet set a new date, postponing the planned reopening indefinitely. In a statement, the WA Government advised that "the updated plan means the full border opening will be delayed given the full impacts of Omicron in Australia are still unknown, with peak infections not yet reached in jurisdictions with widespread transmission" — and that "further reviews of border controls will be considered over the course of the next month". The change means that Western Australia's hard border policy that it's had in place throughout the pandemic will remain in effect for now, as now covered by the state's updated safe transition plan. There are a few amendments that'll kick in, though, with the list of people allowed to bypass the hard border expanding to include compassionate reasons — but still with a 14-day quarantine period. In light of what has occurred across the country, having closely assessed the situation over east and listening to the latest health advice, we have reworked WA's Safe Transition Plan to fit the environment that now confronts us. pic.twitter.com/o7Qb2vRrMU — Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) January 20, 2022 Here's how it'll work: from Saturday, February 5, to get into WA from interstate you'll need to meet specific exemption criteria, have had either two of three doses of a COVID-19 vaccination — three if you're eligible for them all, two if you're not yet eligible for your third jab — and have returned a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of departure. You also need to get one of WA's border passes, the G2G Pass, then undertake 14 days quarantine upon arrival. And, there's a PCR testing requirement within 48 hours of getting there, and on day 12 afterwards. Exemption categories will include returning Western Australians who have strong recent connections or direct legitimate family connections with WA; compassionate grounds, which covers funerals, plus palliative care or terminally ill visits; if you're a family member of an approved traveller; and entering for urgent and essential medical treatment. Also on the list: reasons of national and state security; commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament and diplomats; people providing specialist skills that aren't available in WA, plus health services and emergency service workers; those who have to attend court matters, judicial officers and staff of court, tribunals and commissions; and special considerations and extraordinary circumstances as determined by the State Emergency Coordinator or Chief Health Officer. For international travellers, you'll have to meet the federal requirements to come to Australia under the nation's arrivals cap, and go into 14 days of quarantine — which includes seven days in hotel quarantine and seven days of self-quarantine if you have somewhere suitable for the latter. There's also PCR testing on days one, six, nine and 12 after your arrival, and mandatory use of G2G Now. This applies if you're coming to WA directly from overseas; if you're arriving via another state or territory first, you'll fall under the same rules as interstate visitors. Announcing the reopening delay, the Premier said that "it would be irresponsible and reckless for the State Government to ignore the facts, and ignore the reality of the situation playing out on the east coast". McGowan continued: "it is expected that they will be reaching the peak of this current wave in the coming weeks. At that point, after the peak, I hope we can have a better understanding of Omicron and what it means for Western Australia." To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub.
Looking for plant-based Italian food your non-vegan friends and even your nonna will be able to get around (eventually)? That's what you can expect at Nonna's Nightmare. Cosy up at this West End spot with pizzas, pasta and comfort food made for feeling good about your choices. Locally sourced ingredients come together to make dishes like gnocchi al ragu (made using Beyond Meat bolognese), ravioli al tartufo with mushroom and truffle and sourdough pizzas. If you really want to see nonna get cranky, order the Italian Nightmare pizza, topped with grilled pineapple, vegan bacon, chilli and lime salsa. If only a burger will cure your cravings, there are three options to choose from, including one stacked with eggplant parmigiana. And if you somehow have room for dessert, check out the pistachio-infused ricotta cannoli. This is definitely not the kind of place you'll leave hungry — at least nonna can't be mad about that.
If you regularly wish you were on the other side of the world staring at the Eiffel Tower, sipping champagne and living the Emily in Paris life, you can take a break from dreaming about plane fares and European summers for three days this winter. Before the pandemic, Brisbane's French festival Le Festival offered an annual reason to celebrate all things Gallic, and it's finally making a big comeback in July. Mark your diaries: this excuse to enjoy French food and booze aplenty returns from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23. Just like with Paniyiri and Oktoberfest, Le Festival hosting its first COVID-19-era event is huge news. This revival comes with a massive change, however, with the fest on the move. In 2023, Francophiles will be eating, drinking, hitting up French markets and listening to French tunes at Victoria Park / Barrambin for the first time, with the cultural affair crossing to the other side of the river from South Brisbane. As always, Le Festival will feature plenty of French staples, although the wine selection is always popular. If you're able to tear yourself away from sipping on deliciousness, then make a date with the cheese display. While 2023's full details haven't yet been revealed, snacking on crepes, mussels, baguettes and pastries is usually on the menu, too, and drinking French red and white wines, champagne, sparkling rosé, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Thanks to the market, attendees can also browse for homewares, gifts, fashion, books and magazines, with showcasing French and French-inspired products the key aim. There'll also be an artists and artisans tent, and a boutique for souvenirs. Entertainment-wise, as well as live music, the fest will feature cabaret performances and can-can dancing. Want to steep yourself a little deeper in French style? That's where masterclasses have come in previous years. Past topics have featured everything from making French perfume to dairy to whipping up some profiteroles to dressing like you're in Paris. Then, cap off your weekend of Gallic goodness with a glass of champagne — yes, there tends to a session on that, too. Le Festival 2023 will runs from 4–9pm on the Friday, 8am–9pm on the Saturday and 8am–5pm on the Sunday, with tickets on sale now and the complete program still to come. Le Festival — Brisbane French Festival 2023 takes place from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23 at Victoria Park / Barrambin. For further details and tickets, head to the festival's website. Images: Ange Costes.
