While face masks were first mandated in Melbourne back in mid-July, the Queensland Government spent 2020 encouraging its citizens to cover up, rather than making face coverings compulsory. From 6pm on Friday, January 8, however, that changed — and masks aren't going away in Queensland any time soon. At the moment, until 6pm on Monday, January 11 as part of the Greater Brisbane lockdown (in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands local government areas), masks are mandatory unless you're at home. When 6pm hits, the rules will loosen, but masks will still be compulsory in a number of circumstances, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today. These new rules will be in place for the next ten days, so until at least 1am on Friday, January 22, in line with other venue and gathering caps that will come into effect when lockdown ends. If you're spending time indoors somewhere other than your house, you'll need to wear a mask. That specifically applies at shopping centres, supermarkets, gyms, entertainment venues such as cinemas, libraries and places of worship, as well as workplaces where people can't socially distance. You'll also need to don a mask on public transport, and in taxis and ride share vehicles — and if you can't maintain social distancing outdoors, you'll need to wear one too. This means you will always have to carry a mask with you, even if you're somewhere that doesn't require you to pop one on at that very moment. For instance, you don't have to wear a mask if you're outside at a safe distance from other people, exercising strenuously or in your own car — but you have to have one on you in case you come to a crowded area outside, for when you stop working out or for when you hop out of your vehicle if you're going to an indoor premises. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1348405629535219712 Discussing the new mask rules, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young noted that mandating face coverings meant that other restrictions didn't need to be quite as strict. "Masks are quite a game changer. We didn't have masks in March went we did all of those restrictions then. We do have masks [now], so we can be more confident about our other strategies," she said. As has proven the case during Greater Brisbane's lockdown, $200 fines are in effect for folks who don't comply with the mask rules. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown, masks and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
They have toured extensively throughout the US, Canada and Europe, now Australia will again be able to revel in the sonic bliss that is The Black Keys. The 2-piece garage rock heroes have rocked festivals all over the world on the back of some massive success with their latest albums, Brothers and El Camino, which have firmly set the duo at the top of the rock music heap. This will sure to be a highlight on the live music calendar, be sure to get your tickets before they go. The Black Keys will be supported by Australian garage-soul rock upstarts, Royal Headache, who are quickly gaining a massive following of their own.
Your weekly grocery shopping adventures (or misadventures) could soon be given a shake up, with Amazon set to launch a series of bricks-and-mortar stores and an online supermarket within the next two years right here in Australia, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. The retail giant has been flirting plenty with the grocery sector of late; its most recent global initiatives include the Prime Now program — an impressive US service where you can get everything from groceries to restaurant food to clothes and household items delivered in less than two hours — and Amazon Fresh, an online grocery delivery service that recently entered the UK market. Both of these programs now look set to land in Singapore, Southeast Asia, and on our own shores — a move that could see Amazon snap up between $3.5 and 4 billion in Aussie sales within five years, according to Citi's Australian retail analysts. Each of these new multi-function stores would be about the same size as an Aldi supermarket, but stock only items like meat, dairy, alcohol, fruit and veggies — all the bits and pieces you like to have a proper squiz at before buying. Tens of thousands of other items would be stored offsite in fulfilment centres and available to order via a mobile app or in-store kiosk for delivery to your doorstep. Word is, the stores will even have drive-through lanes, where you can pick up groceries you've ordered online, without leaving your car. Not quite as exciting as those Macca's runs, but pretty darn convenient nonetheless. The shift from online to bricks-and-mortar stores is a stupefying one, but not new for Amazon — last year they opened their first physical bookstore. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
The saying "all good things come to an end" doesn't apply that often on TV anymore. Whenever a show wraps up, there's usually a chance that it could return in some shape or form, whether as a prequel such as House of the Dragon, a sequel series like That '90s Show or a revival as Party Down is currently doing. But when Barry finishes its run after its upcoming fourth and final season, this really might be it for Bill Hader's (Lightyear) military sniper-turned-hitman-turned actor. If you've watched season three, which was characteristically phenomenal, you'll know why — but, also, a show about an assassin trying to be an on-screen star in Hollywood can't keep its main figure away from the law forever. So, in the just-dropped first trailer for Barry season four, HBO teases an "arresting final act". Barry is incarcerated, his mentor and veteran thespian Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, Black Adam) is being hailed as a hero, but this turn of events is clearly going to have consequences. In the initial sneak peek, Barry is seeing his friends and acquaintances as he wanders around the yard in prison — including Cousineau, his former handler Monroe (Stephen Root, Succession) and his ex-girlfriend Sally (Sarah Goldberg, The Night House) — which doesn't bode well for his already-fragile mental health. Is this where the killer-for-hire will be when the eight-episode season concludes? Will Chechen gangster Noho Hank (Anthony Carrigan, Bill & Ted Face the Music) somehow intervene? What's happening with Sarah's career after season three? These are all natural questions to have about the Emmy-winner's return. Answers will start coming soon, with Barry season four set to start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 17. If you're new to all things Barry, Hader not only stars but created the show, has directed a heap of episodes, and also co-wrote others. The initial setup: when Hader's Barry Berkman heads from Cleveland to Los Angeles for his job, he discovers a previously unknown passion for acting after he stumbles into a class held by veteran thespian Cousineau. The catch? Barry kills people for money, and that isn't a line of work that you can leave easily, especially when you become caught in the Chechen mafia's violent and deadly dramas. Check out the first trailer for Barry season four below: Barry's fourth season will start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 17. Top image: Merrick Morton/HBO.
Open Frame presented by Room40 is on this week at the Brisbane Powerhouse and is about to stretch the boundaries of sound design. The event will explore and reveal esoteric music, soundscapes, tectonic tones, and concepts that will blow your freaking mind. The show features New York turntablist and conceptual artist icon Marina Rosenfeld, who has developed a new style of turntable use that is completely her own and completely cutting edge. Also on show will be melodic minimalists Minamo from Tokyo, as well as post-pop artist Miskitoo, the fantastic Fourcolor with their new album 'As Pleat', and Australian audio-visualist Scott Morrison who will be launching his new DVD edition ‘Ballads’, a collection of individual landscape deconstructions. If this all sounds amazing and crazy to you too, you should definitely get to the Powerhouse and hear it for yourself this Wednesday or Thursday.
Nestled into a leafy pocket of Brisbane's western suburbs, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary already boasts the honour of being the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. It's a tourist destination and a favourite with locals, as well as a great place to cuddle a koala — including on Christmas Day if you're looking to for something other than the usual festive celebrations. From November, it'll become a new spot to see animals by night, too, with the Fig Tree Pocket venue announcing the addition of an nocturnal precinct. Opening on Wednesday, November 1, Lone Pine's latest reason to drop by will hero Australia's nocturnal wildlife and offer night-time experiences. The animal haven is gaining seven exhibit spaces, which will become home to ten species. On the list: tree kangaroos, potoroos and pademelons, plus bandicoots, bettongs and more. Half of the residents of the nocturnal precinct will be new species to Lone Pine, with patrons able to peer their way using portable thermal imaging cameras. The experience is designed around not disrupting the critters — so, no torches beamed their way. If you're keen, you'll be able to sign up for a tour that'll run for 90 minutes three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Each group will welcome 20 visitors. As well as the nocturnal precinct, Lone Pine is also gaining a new kilometre-long accessible boardwalk. Part of a $3.2-million project, the new additions further expand a venue where getting up close and personal with wildlife — not just by cuddling a koala, but also by holding an owl, touching snakes, and watching everything from kangaroos, wombats and echidnas to birds of prey, turtles and even Tasmanian devils — is on offer. "Australia has some of the world's most unique wildlife and being able to discover their natural behaviours after dark will be an experience like no other — it's a secret world some of our staff haven't even seen!" said Lone Pine General Manager Lyndon Discombe. "In addition to the night experience, we're very excited to offer our animals beautiful new exhibit spaces, perfectly reflecting their natural habitat. The new precinct is situated among our working eucalyptus plantation, so although you are only 12 kilometres from the CBD, it feels like you're in the middle of the Australian bush," Discombe continued. "Opened almost 100 years ago as a koala refuge, Lone Pine Sanctuary has an enduring reputation among overseas and Australian visitors as a Brisbane bucket list destination," added Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, with the state government contributing $1.2 million to the new additions. "Lone Pine's night-time precinct opens up an entirely new dimension in marsupial experiences for visitors to discover in one of Queensland's great tourism destinations." Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's nocturnal precinct opens on Wednesday, November 1 at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane. Head to the venue's website for more information and bookings.
Melbourne's NGV International is celebrating the unique designs and lasting legacy of fashion icon Christian Dior, in a world premiere exhibition launching this Sunday, August 27. Running until November 7, The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture will be one of three major surveys of Dior's groundbreaking work, alongside exhibitions in Paris and New York. The Melbourne show will include more than 140 show-stopping garments, stretching the length and breadth of the label's extraordinary history. "Highlights of the NGV's House of Dior exhibition will include one of the few surviving examples of Christian Dior's New Look collection, which revitalised women's fashion in the post-war era," said gallery director Tony Ellwood last year. "And of course it wouldn't be a Dior exhibition without their sculptural tailoring, their signature ball gowns and their glamorous evening dresses which have become synonymous with the fashion house." "Audiences will discover the nuances of Dior's fashion design, and observe the ways in which these have evolved through the decades. The exhibition will also celebrate the milestones of Dior's six successive designers," he added. A key element of the exhibition will be an exploration of Dior's historic 1948 spring fashion parade at David Jones in Sydney, considered to be the first complete Dior collection to be shown outside of Paris. The exhibition will also tie in with the gallery's first ever Gala Ball on Sunday. If you're heading to Melbourne in the next few months, add this to your must-do list. Images: Installation view of House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture at the National Gallery of Victoria. Shot by Sean Fennessy.
When it comes to choosing a type of wine, we've got our decision-making process down. If it's a lunch wine, we'll make it a white. Steak for dinner? Red it is. Hot days may call for a rosé. But now a group of Spanish entrepreneurs are set to throw a spanner in the works and disrupt the clear wine colour scheme we've grown accustomed to as the natural way of things. They've created a wine that's bright blue. We were so over rosé anyway. This futuristic new wine is called Gik, and it's been created by six young Spanish go-getters in collaboration with the University of the Basque Country and Azti Tecnalia (the food research department of the Basque Government). The wine's electric blue colour looks a lot like regret (aka Blue Curacao cocktails of the 00s), but, according to Eater, is actually made from an undisclosed blend of red and white grapes sourced from vineyards in Spain's Basque region. It gets its bright blue colour from the addition of anthocyanin (a pigment found in grape skin) and indigo (a dye extracted from the Isatis tinctoria plant). The wine is a sweet, easy to drink drop, and is evidently trying to shake up the traditional wine game. "Try to forget everything you know about wine," says a statement on the Gik website. "Try to unlearn the hundreds of protected wine designations of origin, the complex and demanding service standards and everything that sommelier said at a tasting course to which you were invited." The wine was launched in Spain last year and will be stocked in retailers in France, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany over the next few months. It may be a while until we see blue wine on our dinner tables yet though. Via Eater.
Pencil in this one for a future getaway: a sprawling 100-acre spot in the Yarra Valley that's home to a 300-bed hotel, an outdoor concert venue, three restaurants, lakes and gardens to roam around, and an arts and craft village. Come 2024, that's set to become a new place to add to your holiday itineraries, all on the Maroondah Highway just over an hour's drive from Melbourne. Here, you'll be able to see a gig, then not only bunker down for the night but truly make a weekend of it. It's envisaged that the new site will play host to big names, spanning both local and international acts — and also showcase local growers, artisans, winemakers, distillers and brewers. Specifics such as who'll run the hotel and what the restaurants will offer haven't yet been revealed, however, and development plans are still to be lodged. That said, helping boost the state's tourism and live entertainment industries after the past couple of tough years is one of the project's big aims. The just-announced $200-million precinct springs from Cedar Mill Group, which is owned by Newcastle-based property development firm Winarch Capital, and has just snapped up the land to bring this plan to fruition. It's the company's third such development in the works, and the first in Victoria — following Cedar Mill Lake Macquarie, which is revamping a golf course and adding a 30,000-person concert venue, cafes, restaurants, accommodation and a huge aquatic park; and Cedar Mill Hunter Valley, a 40-hectare spot in in Pokolbin that's set to open in late 2023 with a 22,000-person amphitheatre, a 100-room hotel and a wine museum. Cedar Mill Group is also still looking for other sites around Australia — so that list might grow in the near future. And, yes, adding new spots for Aussies holidays to your getaway bucket list is becoming easy of late. There's also the in-the-works new hotel in the Barossa, smack bang in the middle of a vineyard; the about-to-open QT Newcastle, which includes a rooftop bar and a suite in a clock tower; and Sydney's Porter House Hotel, which'll launch in July with a five-story restaurant and bar hub next door. And, there's the just-opened first Down Under outpost for Ace Hotels, the soon-to-open The Langham on the Gold Coast, design-driven Marriott chain AC Hotels' first Aussie site and the 2025 local debut of The Waldorf Astoria, too. The Cedar Mill Group's Yarra Valley site is expected to open in 2024. For more information about its plans, head to the company's website.
With the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's major 2023 winter exhibition Goddess, the Melbourne cultural institution is going big on an essential topic: how women are represented on-screen. For six months from Wednesday, April 5–Sunday, October 1, the venue's new world-premiere showcase will pay tribute to formidable ladies in cinema, femininity across screen history, and what female talents have represented — and been forced to deal with — about the society around them. And, thanks to a new one-day conference with Geena Davis as its headline speaker, all that musing on representation, equality and diversity won't just be gracing ACMI's gallery spaces. Announced to celebrate International Women's Day, Being Seen on Screen: The Importance of Representation will run on Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion's opening day. Davis will take to the stage to speak as part of a range of discussions, on behalf of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media — which the Academy Award-winning actor founded in 2004, and has been working to create gender balance in the industry for almost two decades now — and as the exhibition's lead ambassador. [caption id="attachment_891918" align="alignnone" width="1920"] GabboT via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] In addition to the rare opportunity to hear from Thelma & Louise, Beetlejuice, The Fly and A League of Their Own star Davis herself live in Australia, the Melbourne conference will also feature Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media President and CEO Madeline Di Nonno and a heap of Aussie talent. The latter includes 52 Tuesdays and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande filmmaker Sophie Hyde, journalist and TV presenter Jan Fran, actor Pallavi Sharda and casting director Anousha Zarkesh, as well as 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt. Goddess itself is quite the drawcard, of course, whether or not you head along on opening day. Both a massive and a landmark exhibition, it's set to display more than 150 original objects, artworks, props and sketches, all championing oh-so-many talented women and their impact upon cinema. [caption id="attachment_882193" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, 2020, Margot Robbie, © Warner Bros. Image courtesy of LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] That lineup covers costumes that've never been displayed before, various cinematic treasures, large-scale projections and other interactive experiences. Silent-era sirens, classic Hollywood heroines, unforgettable femme fatales and villains, Bollywood stars, women in China and Japan's cinematic histories: they're all being given the spotlight. Goddess will also dive into provocative on-screen moments from Hollywood's silent days through to today that've not only left an imprint, but also played a part in defining (and altering) what's considered the feminine ideal. Think: Marlene Dietrich in 1930's Morocco, Pam Grier's spectacular Blaxploitation career, Tilda Swinton in 1992's Orlando and Margot Robbie via 2020's Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Plus, Mae West's sky-high heels from 1934's Belle of the Nineties, costumes worn by Davis and Susan Sarandon in 1991's aforementioned Thelma & Louise and Michelle Yeoh's fight-ready silks from 2000's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will also feature. [caption id="attachment_882194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blonde Venus, 1932, Marlene Dietrich. Image courtesy of PARAMOUNT PICTURES / Ronald Grant Archive / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] The list goes on, clearly, spanning Anna May Wong, Marilyn Monroe, Laverne Cox and Zendaya as well. And, expect everything from Glenn Close's Cruella de Vil in 102 Dalmatians to the Carey Mulligan-starring Promising Young Woman to get time to shine. Goddess will pair its wide-ranging display with soundscapes by Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum, and also feature a sprawling events program complete with late-night parties, performances and talks — and film screenings, of course. ACMI has also just revealed further details about those other activities, including in-depth monthly curator tours of the exhibition, which'll take place after hours and dive deep into the showcase. [caption id="attachment_882188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Britt Romstad, 2022, photo by Phoebe Powell. Costume: Kitty (Elaine Crombie) costume, Kiki and Kitty, Australia, 2017, designed by Amelia Gebler, courtesy of Jetty Distribution Pty Limited. Backdrop: Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot, photo by Don Ornitz, © Globe Photos / ZUMAPRESS.com. Image courtesy of ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo.[/caption] There's also a music program called Goddess Nights from late May, which'll focus on three femme-centric live music lineups with performances by DJ JNETT, CD, POOKIE and Ayebatonye — and a curated range of food and booze put together just for each evening. For film buffs, movie series Divine Trailblazers will focus on contemporary actors at the height of their powers, while the Goddess Sundays is all about on-screen personas. So, the first includes Angela Bassett's Oscar-nominated performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, fellow Academy Award contenders Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Cate Blanchett also earning that description for Tár, Viola Davis in warrior mode in The Woman King, Filipino actor Dolly De Leon stealing every scene she's in in Triangle of Sadness, and Leah Purcell writing, directing, producing and starring in The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson. And, the weekly Sunday afternoon lineup includes Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot, Pam Grier in Jackie Brown, Daniela Vega in A Fantastic Woman and more. After showing in Melbourne for its premiere season, Goddess will then tour internationally, taking ACMI's celebration of women on-screen to the world. Goddess will display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Wednesday, April 5–Sunday, October 1, 2023. For more information — including about Being Seen on Screen: The Importance of Representation on Wednesday, April 5 — head to the ACMI website. Top image: Thelma and Louise, 1991, L-R Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, © MGM. Image courtesy of Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo.
Winter is upon us, the gloves and beanies are out of storage, and it's time to start loading up on sweets and carbs. That's how every June starts — and, every year, Krispy Kreme wants to help with the latter. How? By giving away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. You're probably now wondering what constitutes an excessive amount of doughnuts. No, polishing off a packet by yourself doesn't count, at least in this instance. Krispy Kreme's giveaway is going big, with the chain slinging 100,000 original glazed doughnuts in conjunction with National Doughnut Day. Whether or not you're a big fan of food 'days', we're guessing you are quite fond of free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie, head to your closest Krispy Kreme store in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on Friday, June 2. That gives you more than 40 places to flock to, with Sydneysiders able to hit up 15 stores stretching from Penrith to the CBD, Victorians needing to visit nine locations from Chadstone to Collins Street, and Queenslanders given eight different doughnut shops to pick from (with the most central in Albert Street in the CBD). And, in Adelaide you have eight stores to visit, while residents of Perth can make a date with one of four Krispy Kreme locations. The National Doughnut Day deal isn't available at BP outlets, 7-Eleven stores, Jesters or Woolworths, or via online orders or third-party deliveries. There's also a limit of one freebie per person, and the giveaway only applies to the original glazed variety. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across the participating stores, so you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Obviously, whether you nab one or not is subject to availability. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening in the chain's stores around the country on Friday, June 2. To find your closest shop and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
It's the film that first made the world fall in love with Hugh Grant, screenwriter Richard Curtis and their brand of British rom-coms — and, just like everything else with a well-known name in the entertainment game, Four Weddings and a Funeral has made a return. This time around, the hit flick has been remade as an American TV miniseries. If you're unsurprisingly a little skeptical, the news that Mindy Kaling is one of the show's creators and writers should change that. Kaling's six-season sitcom The Mindy Project was basically a long-running ode to the romantic comedy genre, complete with plenty of references to plenty of classic flicks. As a result, reworking one of the huge rom-com successes of the past quarter-century really does feel like the logical next step. Across a ten-episode series made for US streaming service Hulu, the latest version of Four Weddings and a Funeral follows four American friends who meet up in London for a wedding. Clearly, given the title, three more ceremonies are in their future, as is a tearful farewell to someone they know. The show tracks a year in their lives, their romantic escapades and even political scandals — all with a cast that includes Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel as Maya, plus Rebecca Rittenhouse (The Mindy Project), Brandon Mychal Smith (You're the Worst) and John Reynolds (Search Party) as her best buddies. Nikesh Patel (Doctor Who) also features as Maya's potential love interest, who she first encounters in an airport meet cute, naturally. And while Hugh Grant doesn't show up — sorry, 90s obsessives — original Four Weddings star Andie MacDowell does. Because Kaling isn't averse to nodding to other rom-com favourites of the era, My Best Friend's Wedding's Dermot Mulroney also makes an appearance. The series actually dropped in America in 2019, but it's now making its way to Australian viewers via streaming platform Stan. If you're looking for something to watch over your summer break, it'll be available in full from Friday, December 18. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe8trFdvJPU Four Weddings and a Funeral drops on Stan on Friday, December 18.
No matter how jolly December normally looks to you, one merry getaway has your festive plans beat: staying in Santa's cabin for three nights. Say "ho, ho, holidays" to Airbnb's latest one-off listing, with the accommodation-sharing and -booking platform letting up to four lucky guests — two adults and two children — head to Finland to slumber in a winter wonderland adjacent to Santa's Main Post Office in Rovaniemi. And if that's not enough of a present, the reservation is free. Airbnb's Santa's cabin listing follows in the footsteps of Shrek's swamp, Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse, the Ted Lasso pub, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, Hobbiton, the Bluey house, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop, the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage and more — all once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As well as the ultimate jolly vacation, the trip to the Arctic Circle includes channelling your inner elf to help with the letters. 'Tis the season, after all. If you're lucky enough to score the booking for Monday, December 18–Thursday, December 21, Katja, Chief Elf of Santa Claus' Main Post Office, will be your host — and teach you the necessary 'elfing' skills for your visit. You'll sort letters while referring to the naughty and nice list, as well as empty mailboxes, stamp the post with the Arctic Circle postmark and learn about how the post office runs on a day-to-day basis. "The elves have been working around the clock to transform Santa Claus' cabin into a winter wonderland. We want this to be a magical and immersive experience for a family in search of the ultimate yuletide experience. Not only will guests get to sleep in Santa Claus' cabin, they'll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of the world's official Santa Claus' Post Office during our liveliest time of the year," said Katja. The stay isn't just about Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas. It also spans seeing the northern lights, getting steamy in a traditional Finnish sauna, a snowmobile activity and traditional Finnish meals. Still, grinches likely need to not apply — nor anyone already thinking "bah humbug!" to the idea. As for the cabin itself, it's decked out with Yuletide Lapland decorations, an open fire for roasting chestnuts and appropriate elf attire — because you'll be donning a felt hat, complete with a jingling bell, as well as a tunic for your stay. If you're keen, you'll need to try to nab the booking at 9pm AEDT / 8pm AEST / 11pm NZDT on Monday, December 11. Whoever gets these special kinds of Airbnb reservations is usually responsible for their own travel, including if they have to get to and from their destination, but this one includes complimentary return flights to Rovaniemi from London Heathrow Airport via Finnair. You will still need to cover your travel to and from London, however. This listing is also helping a good cause, with Airbnb making a one-off donation to Special Children's Omaiset ELO as part of the Santa's cabin promotion. For more information about the Santa's cabin stay on Airbnb, or to book at 9pm AEDT / 8pm AEST / 11pm NZDT on Monday, December 11 for a stay across Monday, December 18–Thursday, December 21, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Samir Zarrouck. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you're a fan of Australian-made streetwear and indulging in pop-culture nostalgia — and who isn't? — then we've just found your new summer threads. Melbourne label HoMie has teamed up with Disney on a 90s-style range that's decked out with the Mouse House's beloved animated characters, with the 18-piece collection of t-shirts, shorts, hoodies and socks set to hit the brand's online store from Tuesday, November 16. It's a whole new world of nostalgia for your wardrobe — and while the HoMie and Friends range is clearly excellent news for Disney lovers, it's even better news for young people affected by homelessness or hardship. When the collection goes on sale, HoMie will donate 100-percent of the profits to the worthy cause. The label's first-ever range with Disney, HoMie and Friends is designed to offer a bright and retro way to embrace the warmer weather, too — especially after the chaotic year that's been 2021. "This collection organically grew from wanting to produce a range that focuses heavily on fun, positivity and friendship after what has been a really difficult time for people," said HoMie co-founder and Creative Director Marcus Crook. "We wanted the range to be fun to wear, so you will find lots of bright colours, bold prints, premium embroidery and, my personal favourite — the matching sets." The collection includes vibrant pink t-shirts emblazoned with Minnie Mouse's face, peach-hued hoodies featuring everyone from Donald Duck to Mickey Mouse, and other old school-leaning designs that draw upon Disney's OG stable of animated characters — such as a lime-green Goofy shirt, and both pastel blue and aqua-coloured Mickey combos. The whole collection is gender neutral, and sizing spans from XS to 3XL. The HoMie and Friends range will be available online from Tuesday, November 16 — head to HoMie's website for further details.
Jasmine van den Bogaerde, also known as Birdy, has taken the world by storm following the huge success of her debut album. The English singer and songwriter has topped the ARIA chart and reached double platinum sales figures thanks to her successful singles ‘Skinny Love’ and ‘People Help the People’. Her soulful delivery, enchanting stage presence and focused approach to live performance have made her a hit everywhere she visits. She is playing at the Tivoli for a special all-ages, alcohol-free show, encouraging fans of any ages to come and witness the young phenom before she hits bigger stages. Birdy will be supported by UK singer Lewis Watson and Australian performer Lakyn Haperi.
It was the follow-up that had to happen. The sequel we crossed everything for. After gaining viral status and worldwide applause for her 2013 book Shake, photographer Carli Davidson is back with a brand new series to follow her comical, high-speed images of dogs mid-shakedown. Yep, you guessed it. This time, it's cats. Shake Cats is the brand new book from Davidson, who actually took the photos of cats shaking themselves dry back in 2011, at the same time as taking the Shake dog photos. "I had originally thought I would do cats and dogs in the same book, but looking back I think it was best to give each animal its own book so their unique features could be highlighted," says Davidson. Shooting with Nikon D4s at a very rapid frame rate, this animal-loving photographer shot close to 100 cats for the series, including her own cat Yushi and hectic cat celeb Lil' Bub. Almost all of the cat models are local Portlandians, or from rescue shelters. In addition to the shake shoot, Davidson would get a pretty headshot of the kitty for the rescue shelter to post on their website — and most of these cats were adopted almost immediately as a result. "Taking a good photo of an animal in a shelter can go a long way to help that cat or dog find a home. So much of rescue is done online; people pick out a pet before they even get to the shelter. They fall in love online with an expression, so capturing that personality in a photo is really important." So how exactly did Davidson get those money shots? How do you make a cat shake itself clean (we're pretty sure you're asking yourself this question daily)? Simple, you pamper them like crazy. "Getting the cats to shake was actually more of a grooming process than a waiting game. We basically treated the shoot like a mini grooming session with lots of treats and cat cuddles... Ear cleanings are what generally caused the shake to happen, I just had to be ready." Apparently the cats weren't too hard to wrangle either — apparently they couldn't get enough of the warm studio lights. Cuuuute. It goes without saying that Davidson's tapped into social media's favourite thing, cats and dogs. But this animal-lover sees more in internet kitties than a grumpy face. "Cats are popular because they are awesome, independent thinkers and humans love to worship them. We have been worshipping them as spiritual icons for 10,000 years," she says. "The rise of the cat back into worship status on the Internet seems natural if you look at their historic significance... Cats combat internet negativity with their sheer visual presence." Shake Cats is out now via Harper Design, available to purchase from Booktopia. All images courtesy Carli Davidson with permission.
Jay Rayner — journalist, prolific food writer, and a man who does apparently not go in for any wanky gastronomy business — will speak at Brisbane Powerhouse on Sunday, May 21. Appearing in conjunction with his new book The Ten (Food) Commandments, Rayner will expand the rules crucial to his dining experiences, taking the audience through his own ten commandments. But don't expect any biblical stuff. As the resident food columnist at the UK's Observer, Rayner's done his fair share of eating, savouring and, most importantly, shaking his head at establishments serving a plate of onions for close to $100 — so you can assume he knows what he's talking about. Let him guide you through the food of the 21st century and probably teach you exactly how to pronounce 'acai'. Hopefully he'll expand even further on this scathing review, which was published in The Guardian in April. Image: Levon Biss.
When one thinks about puppets, one tends to think Muppets. But if you haven’t seen a Dead Puppet Society production in the past and you plan to head along to The Harbinger at La Boite this month then you should switch your thinking about puppets pre-show. This enthralling production features a plethora of multilayered, complex characters that just happen to be puppet in form. The Harbinger, which means an ‘omen’ or a ‘herald’ of future goings on, explores storytelling and history-making in a gothic style. Combining puppets, digital projections and live performance the Dead Puppet Society will immerse their audience in this gothic world through music, colours, sounds and movement, to both shock and delight at the same time Each puppet has been handcrafted for the production and the cast features 17 puppet characters, including a lead puppet that stands 10 feet tall. The Dead Puppet Society is one of the truly exciting theatre companies around, and after their successful 2010 production, The Timely Death of Victor Blott, The Harbinger is certain to cement this reputation.
Imagine waking up, and the first thing you saw was this wall decal. There is just no way you could ever start the day in a bad mood. Broken up with your girlfriend? Kermit is there to remind you it's much harder being green than single. Missed out on that job you really wanted? Who cares? You can imagine yourself making popcorn with the Swedish chef and all will be well again. Buy one to psyche yourself up for the release of the Muppets movie in Janurary, 2012. It's got to be the best way to make it through what seems to be a not-so-cheery summer. To find out what else you can look forward to seeing over summer, have a squiz at our Summer Film Guide.
Last month, Douwe Egberts surprised weary air travellers with their yawn-activated coffee machine. Before that, Pepsi set up a vending machine that exchanged drinks for Facebook likes, rather than cash. Now, Amstel Bulgaria has taken the concept to a new level, with a vending machine that gives a beer to anyone who can stand still for three minutes. As you can see from the video, it's not necessarily as easy as it looks. Checking your mobile phone, for example, can prove to be something of a thirst-prolonging distraction. Despite our modern propensity for restlessness, however, Amstel did manage to give away 1,344 beers over the course of 16 days, which equates to a daily average of 84 giveaways and a total of 67 hours of rest time. The machine was placed in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, where drinking in public is still legal. The promo is a collaboration with creative agency NEXT-DC, whose goal is 'to keep the conversation between brands and their customers alive and inspiring'. [via PSFK]
The Queensland Music Festival may not be totally encompassing of the music currently being made in Queensland; perhaps its more of a celebration of music, which is something we can certainly get behind. Regardless, if you aren’t into the big swing of jazz or the soaring sounds of orchestral music, you might think this isn’t for you. Think again! Here are a couple of our favourite events. Esperanto is a series of shows bringing together differing styles of music, creating a blend of worldly sounds that are as exotic as they come, but with a flavour that everyone can enjoy. Check out Mzaza, The Mouldy Lovers and more at the Esperanto series at The Powerhouse. If you are a fan of Pitch Perfect-style a capella and smooth RnB rhythm, listen to Take 6. These cool cats are a multiplatinum-selling, Gammy Award-winning, universally praised group of singers who can make any song come to life with just their voices. This is probably the coolest event of the QMF calendar. It’s so smooth, so cool, so worth seeing. There are a lot of hidden gems at this years Queensland Music Festival. Have a look at their calendar — there might be something for you.
It’s always good to do something a little different every now and then to shift from the traditional norms society feeds us. It’s all the added frills of a venue attempting to embellish an experience that often hinders the good time that could be had. The Anywhere Theatre Festival appeals to a more logical and simplistic notion. You don’t need a big expensive stage to have a big performance. They maintain an any time, anywhere type of experience for anyone who wants it. This not-for-profit vision is to propel a trend of theatre outside its traditional theatre space. Showcasing thirty-two different acts from a range of national and international theatre companies, The Anywhere Theatre Festival is arriving at random locations and streets around Brisbane, bringing the best of a performance with out the effort and extra expense of the theatre. Be emailed the location of a secret show hours before it begins or gather in a public toilet for a discussion forum with out professional façade. With many performance mediums to appeal to almost anyone, there is sure to be a performance and location that fits you. All you have to do is be there. Coming to a street near you soon!
We’ve all heard of ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ but that pales in comparison to the tangle that’s about to happen in the Brisbane jungle this Friday night. Presented by community cultural development organisation Contact Inc., Tangle in the Jungle is a celebration of the performance-based work Contact Inc. has done with diverse communities throughout 2011. The event features the cutting-edge dance crew *ALL STARS* who recently brought the house down when they performed at the Brisbane Powerhouse. There is also the Contact’s own Unison Choir, Southside Education’s dance/vogue crew Red Roses, Causus Circle Ensemble (with performers from Circa and Polytoxic) and the beautiful but edgy sounds of all-girl music act Beauty and the Beats. Hosted by the notorious Candy B (Poetry Slam 2011/ Australian Booty/ Who’s that Chik? /Sista She) and very special guest DJ Busty Beatz. Contact Inc. is an incredible Brisbane community organisation that works with people of diverse ages, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Through creative practice (from hip hop to visual arts to choirs) they support communities, particularly working with people affected by violence, vulnerability and marginalisation. Tangle in the Jungle is a chance to see some of the outcomes of their amazing work, and to celebrate some of the amazingly talented people in this jungle.
Driverless transport. Everyone's doing it (well, trying to) — but while Washington D.C. got their own self-driving mini bus earlier this year and Uber has started trialling driverless cabs, Australia is yet to ditch humans in favour of computers in the driver's seat. Until now. Yesterday Australia's first fully driverless bus was released onto the roads of Perth. The RAC Intellibus™ has been a joint venture between French electric company NAVYA and Western Australia's motoring body RAC WA. The 11-seat shuttle bus — which is adorable, by the way — is a level four vehicle, which basically means it's fully autonomous. The bus is fitted with ultraviolet light detectors, front and back cameras, a GPS, motion sensors and autonomous emergency braking to drive around town without causing absolute mayhem. This allows it weave its way through traffic, dodge parked cars and interact with pedestrians and cyclists. At the moment it's in the on-road trial stage, which will see the bus travel a pre-programmed route up and down South Perth Esplanade. However, if you're planning on getting anywhere fast, it might be better to get on yer bike — the bus will only travel at an average speed of 25 kilometres per hour. "This trial is an Australian-first, and will be a real trial incorporating members of the public travelling on public roads," RAC Group Chief Executive Officer Terry Agnew said in a statement of the RAC website yesterday. "We anticipate this first step in exploring driverless technology will start a conversation on further trials, research and collaboration, which will increase WA's understanding of how driverless vehicles can integrate into our transport system." Can we have one? Pleeeaaase?
Two hundred years ago, New York City expected a flood about once a century. These days, however, it’s looking more like one every three to five years. That’s largely because a significant sea level rise has reduced lower Manhattan’s seawall to a height of just 1.75 metres. So a design team by the name of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has dreamed up a possible solution. Titled Big U, it’s a 16 kilometre-long frontier of parks that would wrap around Manhattan. Not only would it provide protection from flooding, it would also create more spaces for community interaction and art. “In the history of New York with the legacy of Robert Moses, most of the infrastructure — whether that’s highways or parks — have generally been imposed without a lot of regard for existing community fabric,” Big U head honcho Jeremy Siegel told Fast Co.Exist. “If you’re going to be investing so much money into an infrastructure for resiliency — that’s going to be sitting along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world — there’s a huge opportunity there to also improve civic infrastructure, so it can protect the city, but also become a platform for civic life.” Beginning at West 57th Street and stretching as far as East 42nd street, Big U would create a series of independent flood protection zones. So the sections could be constructed one-by-one, in response to resource availability. It also means that, were flooding to occur in one area, it could be locally managed. “It’s a little bit like the hull of a ship,” Siegel explains, “where you’ve got different segments, and breaching one area doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole system fails.” The design would involve raising the land, which would then double-up as extra park space, and building ‘flippable walls’. If water were to rush in, they would flip down, creating a barrier; on the other hand, when flipped up, they would showcase murals. There’s also a possible plan to transform a Coast Guard admin building into a combo museum and school, including an educational “reverse aquarium”, which would protrude into New York Harbor, affording views of rising water levels. Big U is a finalist in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Rebuild by Design Competition, created in response to structural and environmental vulnerabilities exposed by Hurricane Sandy. Via Fast Company.
The unthinkable happens. Disaster hits, society collapses and the bulk of the world's population becomes shuffling, brain-munching members of the undead. Yes, a zombie apocalypse is in full swing — but how long does it last? In The Walking Dead's case, the answer is 11 seasons. Ten have already aired since 2010, and the show's final go-around will arrive in 2021. Whether you're well acquainted with its dystopian world, or you've somehow missed this TV horror classic, that means there's already 146 episodes to sink your teeth into. The story, as adapted from the comic book series of the same name, will sound familiar. But you don't squeeze over a decade's worth of life out of the concept without delivering some drastic twists and turns — and plenty of gore, too. The premise: awakening from a coma, sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) learns that the zombie-free life he previously knew has well and truly disappeared. His first aim is to find his wife and son, but that's not the most straightforward feat when you're surrounded by walkers.
You’ve heard about The Beards right? The four men from Adelaide whose lives are solely dedicated to the preservation, care and upkeep of their fabulous facial hair. They love those beards so fondly they have recorded three studio albums in their honour. The hairy men have just embarked on their 100 Beards Tour with the aim of their musical travels to convince 100 beardless people, (the clean chins) to grow and keep a beard throughout their tour around the country. That said, don't think you female-types will be spared of this expectation. Girls, I would consider take a falsey if you are attending this show. If you already have a beard, you must offer a clean chin to commit to the beard revolution and if you dare show your face with a moustache, shit just may hit the fan. Whatever excuse you have, it won't surpass their dedication. The mission's progress will be tracked on the 100 Beards Tour Facebook page, with devotees signing up and posting a picture of their brand new beard. Come join the hairy, razorless revolution. Be brave and be bearded. Get growing.
It's the huge exhibition that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is showcased hundreds objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it finished its final run in Brooklyn earlier in 2018, it's coming back in a new format. From Tuesday, January 8 — aka what would've been the music icon's 72nd birthday — David Bowie is will exist as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone. As first announced back in July, fans can expect to tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality (AR) experience, which will feature a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting artifacts from Bowie's life. In total, there'll be more than 500 high-resolution images of Bowie-related items, including 60 new objects that weren't included in the touring exhibition. Available on iOs and Android platforms, David Bowie is' AR version won't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And, there's more to come, with a virtual reality version still in the works. Here's hoping that Bowie obsessives will be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in one — yes, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange or experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "the augmented reality adaptation of David Bowie is enables you to explore the entire exhibition in the intimacy of your own environment, without glass barriers, vitrines or throngs of visitors," according to the exhibition website. How much it will cost is yet to be announced, but a portion of the profits will be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. David Bowie is will become available on iOs and Android platforms on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. For further information and to sign up for updates, head to davidbowieisreal.com.
Missed Coldplay's sole Down Under stop in 2023, when they played exclusively in Perth? Didn't nab tickets when the British group announced 2024 shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland? Caught the Chris Martin-fronted band's Glastonbury set via the livestream and started wishing you could catch them live next time that you had the chance? Ahead of their upcoming Australian and New Zealand visit, Coldplay have dropped more tickets for their late-October and November concerts. The limited number of additional tickets are on sale now, releasing at 8am AEST and 10am NZST on Tuesday, September 24. There's no extra shows, just extra seats for their four already-announced dates in the Victorian capital, four in the Harbour City and three in Auckland. [caption id="attachment_926978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Lee[/caption] It'll be all yellow at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday, October 30–Thursday, October 31 and Saturday, November 2–Sunday, November 3, then at Accor Stadium across Wednesday, November 6—Thursday, November 7 and Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10, before heading to Eden Park on Wednesday, November 13 and Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16. Coldplay's current tour kicked off in March 2022, meaning that the band will have been on the road for almost three years when they make their return to Australia and Aotearoa. Packed stadiums have also been awaiting; when the Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland gigs were initially announced, every show between then and October 2024 had already sold out, with the group hitting up Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Athens, Bucharest, Budapest, Lyon, Rome, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Munich, Vienna and Dublin before their return trip Down Under. When they take to the stage in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, the British band will play their first shows in each city since 2016. Fans can look forward to a setlist that covers Coldplay's 27-year history, including everything from 'Clocks', 'Fix You' and 'Sparks' to 'A Sky Full of Stars', 'Viva la Vida' and 'The Scientist. On all dates, Ayra Starr, Shone and Emmanuel Kelly are on supporting duties. Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour Australia and New Zealand Dates 2024 Wednesday, October 30–Thursday, October 31 + Saturday, November 2–Sunday, November 3— Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Wednesday, November 6—Thursday, November 7 + Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Wednesday, November 13 + Friday, November 15–Saturday, November 16 — Eden Park, Auckland Coldplay is touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024, with new tickets available online now. Head to the tour website for further details. Images: Anna Lee.
Before the pandemic, compiling a travel bucket list was limited only to your imagination. Now, after years of international border closures, and also the shutting down of overseas travel into and out of many countries, it's also guided by COVID-19 rules, requirements, restrictions and entry procedures. But if you've been keen to add Bali to your itinerary, the Indonesian island has good news: it's now open to double-vaccinated Australian and New Zealand tourist without quarantine. Back in February, Bali started welcoming back select tourists — including folks from Down Under — but with a shortened isolation period, requiring arrivals to quarantine for five days once they hit the island. Now, since Monday, March 7, that rule has been scrapped. There's still mandatory testing, as well as a few other procedures to abide by, but you no longer have to factor in a lengthy stint confined to your hotel before your getaway genuinely kicks into gear. Firstly, the new rules only apply to travellers who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine — and, in the 48 hours before you get to Bali, you also need to get a PCR test (and, obviously, it needs to return a negative result). Then, thanks to Bali's newly implemented Visa on Arrival program, you'll fill out the paperwork and pay the fee (around AU$50) when you hop off the plane, and also take another PCR test. You will need to isolate until you get a negative result from that one, but that's clearly better than spending five days in quarantine. Upon arrival, you'll also need to show proof of a paid hotel booking for four days/three nights, as well as health insurance that covers COVID-19 up to at least US$25,000. And, you'll have to download the Bali COVID app as well. Then, three days after you get there, you're required to take another PCR test as well — but there's no isolation requirement attached. Countries covered under Bali's Visa on Arrival program since Monday, March 7 include Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Italy, Turkey and UEA, with the scheme expanding to 42 nations on Monday, March 21. Indonesia has also just dropped its quarantine requirement nationwide, effective from the same date. That yearning you now feel? It's the need to pull out your dusty suitcase, get packing and book yourself a beachy Bali holiday. For more information about the requirements for travelling to Bali, head to the Indonesian Government's website.
If you didn't know that The Outsider was based on a book by Stephen King, you'd guess rather quickly during the show's first episode. A child is found dead, a town is understandably shocked and scandalised, and all of the evidence points detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) towards local Little League coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) — except that just as much evidence also shows that Terry was miles away at the time the murder took place. Throw in a strange hooded figure who keeps hanging around the Maitlands' house, plus a private detective (Cynthia Ervio) with preternatural deductive abilities, and The Outsider combines crime and horror in an instantly absorbing fashion. It's a must for King fans, whether you've read his 2018 novel or not. It's also absolutely essential for Mendo lovers, with the Aussie actor breaking away from his recent villainous blockbuster roles and putting in quite the performance.
At the 2024 British Film Festival, when you're not watching movies starring Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh and Barry Keoghan, you'll be catching the latest performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. There's never any lack of big-name talents gracing the screen at Australia's annual celebration of the UK's latest and greatest contributions to cinema, but this year's is particularly jam-packed — so much so that there's not just one feature boasting Ronan among its cast, but two. Blitz, which sees the Foe, Little Women and Ammonite actor team up with 12 Years a Slave, Widows and Small Axe filmmaker Steve McQueen, is the British Film Festival's 2024 opening-night film. Playing Down Under fresh from also launching the London Film Festival, the period drama heads back to World War II, and starts the fest's month-long run from Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 with one of the year's must-see movies. At the other end of the festival, the also highly anticipated We Live in Time will close out the event's seasons in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and Ballarat. Pugh (Dune: Part Two) and Garfield (Under the Banner of Heaven) lead the romance from Brooklyn filmmaker John Crowley, which follows a couple's relationship across a decade. The second Ronan-led flick on the full 2024 British Film Festival comes courtesy of page-to-screen adaptation The Outrun, where the four-time Oscar-nominee plays a recovering addict — and there's plenty more highlights on the program from there. Hard Truths sits in the fest's centrepiece slot, reuniting iconic director Mike Leigh (Peterloo) with his Academy Award-nominated Secrets & Lies star Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Surface). Also boasting the coveted pairing of an impressive helmer and an exceptional on-screen talent: Bird from Andrea Arnold (American Honey), which is where Keoghan (Saltburn) pops up. As for Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), he stars with Juliette Binoche (The New Look) in The Return, a British spin on Homer's Odyssey — and also in papal thriller Conclave with Citadel's Stanley Tucci, Killers of the Flower Moon's John Lithgow and Spaceman's Isabella Rossellini. Law (Peter Pan & Wendy) plays King Henry VIII opposite Alicia Vikander (Irma Vep) as Katherine Parr in Firebrand, while Brosnan (The Last Rifleman) and Bonham Carter (One Life) feature in romance Four Letters of Love. Other standouts include the century-hopping dark comedy Timestalker from Garth Marenghi's Darkplace alum Alice Lowe, the Gillian Anderson (Scoop)- and Jason Isaacs (Archie)-led The Salt Path, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (You Hurt My Feelings) facing death in Tuesday, and Kelly Macdonald (Operation Mincemeat) and Damian Lewis (Billions) in vampire comedy The Radleys. For music fans, there's a dedicated themed sidebar featuring both Blur: To the End and Blur: Live at Wembley Stadium — one about the band's most-recent chapter, the other a two-hour concert film — as well as the Led Zeppelin-focused The Song Remains the Same and The Rolling Stones-centric The Stones and Brian Jones. This year's British Film Festival is also peering backwards via retrospective sessions of Ratcatcher, the debut feature from You Were Never Really Here's Lynne Ramsay; the Bonham Carter- and Dame Maggie Smith (The Miracle Club)-starring A Room with a View; and classic British historical dramas such as A Man for All Seasons, Heat and Dust, The Lion in Winter and Kenneth Branagh's (A Haunting in Venice) Henry V. British Film Festival 2024 Dates and Venues Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Regent Ballarat Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor, Perth Wednesday, November 6–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Byron Bay Thursday, November 7–Sunday, December 8 — Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema and Palace Central, Sydney The 2024 British Film Festival tours Australia in November and December. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Australia is teeming with ace things to do every single week, which won't be news to Concrete Playground readers. It's also filled with stellar and stunning places to head, which won't be a revelation either. Still, every year, the Australian Interior Design Awards names and celebrates the best of the best when it comes to indoor spaces to hang out, live and work in. And, 2022's dazzling crop of winners have just been announced. Back in April, AIDA unveiled its 2022 shortlist, which was filled with impressive spaces in hospitality, residential, workplace, retail and public settings. Whittling down those contenders to a list of winners must've been a tough gig, but it's one that the judges clearly relished. Their picks are spectacular, naturally. [caption id="attachment_858619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Troy Sivian's house. Image: Anson Smart.[/caption] Nabbing the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design: Clare Cousins Architects for Stable and Cart House in North Melbourne, which the jury said was "sublime in every way". Located within a 1920s brick warehouse, the home also took out the Residential Design category, and was singled out for the way it "beautifully balances the retention of an existing building with very bold and practical new insertions". If that's not enough home inspo for you, the 2022 Residential Decoration Award went to Flack Studio for Troye Sivan's house, also in Melbourne. Yes, you'll want to live there. Indeed, making sure that the tri-level abode, which has big London vibes and was originally a 19th-century hardball court, reflects its famous occupant was a big reason why it scored a gong. The home boasts a "strong sense of the client's character through a beautiful curation of art, furniture, lighting and objects in a way that doesn't feel forced or contrived," the jury said. [caption id="attachment_858637" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arkhé. Image: Timothy Kaye[/caption] Announced at a dinner the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Friday, June 17, AIDA's 2022 winners also include Studio Edwards for Finesse Shoe Store — still in Melbourne, this time in Collingwood — which took out the Retail Design field. As well as displaying and selling rare and limited-edition kicks, the sneaker store is clearly quite the covetable space itself. Up in Sydney, YSG Studio nabbed the Interior Design Impact gong for Edition Roasters in Haymarket, while Adelaide's Arkhé claimed the Hospitality Design Award for Studio Gram. [caption id="attachment_828028" align="alignnone" width="1920"] View of Eucalyptusdom showing commissioned work Pyriscence: After Fireby Anna May Kirk. Image: Zan Wimberley.[/caption] Back in Melbourne, the Monash Robotics Lab scored the Public Design prize, with Studio Bright doing the honours. Meanwhile, Sydney's Powerhouse Museum took out the Installation Design category for exhibition Eucalyptusdom, a win for SJB in collaboration with Richard Leplastrier and Vania Contreras. In that same field, one of the most luminous new additions to the Australian art scene also picked up a commendation: digital-only, multi-sensory art gallery The Lume, with Decibel Architecture behind its stunning design. [caption id="attachment_858618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lume.[/caption] For the full Australian Interior Design Awards 2022 winners list, head to the AIDA website. Top image: The Lume, Decibel Architecture.
"Sadder than destitution, sadder than a beggar, is the man who eats alone in public," Jean Baudrillard famously wrote in his 1986 book, America. "Nothing more contradicts the laws of man or beast, for animals always do each the honour of sharing or disputing each other's food." Marina van Goor, the founder and designer of Eenmaal, a pop-up that made a lightning-quick, 48 hour appearance in Amsterdam last week, begs to differ. 'Here, you can dine in pleasant solitude,' she explains. 'Eenmaal is an exciting experiment for those who never go out dining alone, as well as an appealing opportunity for those who often eat alone at restaurants.' In fact, the only tables available at the restaurant were those for one. It was the first establishment of its kind in the world. Working in conjunction with Dutch branding agency, Vandejong, van Goor was hoping to lessen the negative stigma associated with spending time alone in public spaces. Even though we know that more and more people are now living on their own, many individuals still feel insecure about making a solo trip to a cinema, theatre or restaurant. The name Eenmaal translates (loosely) to 'One Meal' or 'One Time', with the sign pictured below reading, 'You come with one, You sit with one, You eat with one.' [via PSFK]
Summer might be over, but the New South Wales art world is already looking forward to the next, following the announcement of two major exhibitions to launch this October as part of the 2018–19 Sydney International Art Series. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will host an extensive retrospective by renowned South African photographer David Goldblatt, while the Art Gallery of New South Wales will feature artworks from Russia's State Hermitage Museum — considered to have one of the world's most important collections of modernist European paintings. Running until March 2019, David Goldblatt will dive deep into the life and work of one of recent history's most legendary photographers, covering a career of more than sixty years. Goldblatt is best known for his portrayal of South Africa's tumultuous history, especially surrounding apartheid. As the photographer's first major retrospective in the southern hemisphere, the exhibition will feature Goldblatt's most famous photo series, along with early vintage prints, never-before-seen footage from his personal collection and a new feature-length documentary. As MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE explained, "visitors will discover an extraordinary artist whose documentary eye has not strayed from the complexities of his country of birth, but resonates with other global histories (including Australia's own) through narratives of race and racism, and industry and the land." David Goldblatt will run at the MCA from October 19, 2018, until March 3, 2019. Modern masters from the Hermitage is at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from October 13, 2018, until March 3, 2019. Image: David Goldblatt, A plot-holder, his wife and their eldest son at lunch, Wheatlands, Randfontein. September 1962 (3_4907), 1962. Image courtesy the artist and Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg © the artist.
Some cocktails sport names that just scream 80s, even if you weren't around then — or of drinking age at the time. What other decade could've loved a tipple called sex on the beach? Or, there's the Miami Vice, which does indeed share the moniker of a TV show of the era. And while it wasn't invented then, the mix of lemonade and beer that is the good ol' shandy sure did enjoy a mighty fine heyday back when shoulder pads were everywhere. With nostalgia for four decades back having quite the moment right now, of course some of the top drinks of the 80s are in the spotlight again as well. In fact, they're the beverages of honour at Brisbane's new disco-inspired cocktail pop-up The 86 Club, which'll make its debut in May to celebrate the period in question. This boozy addition to the River City's social scene actually takes its title from the hospitality term "86", which refers to something that's no longer available; however, it does a nice double duty with its nod to 80s as well. Bartenders and The 86 Club creators Andie Bulley, Blade Deegan, Liam Murphy and Martin McConnell definitely want you to revel in the decade — although, given that their new pop-up also takes its cues from disco, it's clearly gleaning inspiration from the 70s as well. [caption id="attachment_897131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Max MacInnes (@__highlandermax)[/caption] The quartet have branched out from their jobs mixing drinks at Savile Row, The Gresham and Frog's Hollow Saloon, and are teaming up with brands such as Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose, Patron, Marionette and Range Brewing on this side venture. The 86 Club will launch from 7pm till late on Sunday, May 7 at Black Bear Lodge, with entry free but wallets required to sip your way through five reimagined 80s cocktails — sex on the beach, Miami Vice and the shandy obviously among them. For a soundtrack, DJ collective QUIVR will be on the decks spinning house and disco tunes. And yes, dancing beneath the disco ball with a cocktail in your hand is firmly on the menu. [caption id="attachment_707293" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Bear Lodge[/caption]
Last week we discovered a new site called Posse. Posse pitches itself as a social search engine that'll help you find the favourite places of your friends and friends of friends, no matter where you are in the world. Imagine if you're travelling to Berlin, for example; you'd normally have to think through which friends have been there before and email or call them to ask for recommendations for the best bars, restaurants, clubs, shops and places to hangout. Posse is really useful because it guides you via social network on the fly without actually having to ask anyone. I used it on Saturday to find a breakfast spot in Manly, and ended up going to In Situ on Sydney Road. I hadn't heard of it before, but they did great coffee and was a real find. Posse is pretty creative in the way it works. When you join, you get your own 'street' to list your five favourite places in the world. The site creates a hand-drawn depiction of your favourite shops, then if you zoom out, you discover a whole town that's made up of the streets of your Facebook friends. When you comment on your friends' places, you earn bonus spots to add more favourite places to your street. We also like Posse because it's such a positive community. People only add places that they really love so the recommendations are top notch. The retailers that you add are notified; sometimes, they send little gifts through the site to thank people for listing them. So you never know, you might end up with a bottle of wine, or a dinner from one of your favourite restaurants. We think Posse is an awesome idea and here at Concrete Playground we've all made our ultimate streets. Check out our CP editor Rima's street here, our music editor Hannah's street here, and some of my favourite hangouts on my street here. Posse are giving you the chance to win a $300 night out for you and your posse at The Victoria Room. To enter the competition, login at www.posse.com and nominate your 4 favourite restaurants, bars, spas or shops.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning 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, comedies, music documentaries, 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbE96sCJEjo MINARI Although they can frequently seem straightforward, films about the American dream aren't simply about chasing success. The circumstances and details change, but they're often movies about finding a place to call home as well. Such a quest isn't always as literal as it sounds, of course. While houses can signify achievement, feeling like you truly belong somewhere — and that you're comfortable enough to set your sights on lofty goals and ambitions that require considerable risks and sacrifices — transcends even the flashiest or cosiest combination of bricks and mortar. Partly drawn from writer/director Lee Isaac Chung's (Abigail Harm) own childhood, Minari understands this. It knows that seeking a space to make one's own is crucial, and that it motivates many big moves to and within the US. So, following a Korean American couple who relocate to rural Arkansas in the 80s with hopes of securing a brighter future for their children, this delicately observed and deeply felt feature doesn't separate the Yi family's attempts to set up a farm from their efforts to feel like they're exactly where they should be. The result is a precise, vivid, moving, and beautifully performed and observed film told with honest and tender emotion — so much so that it was always bound to be equally universal and unique. When Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun, Burning) introduces his wife Monica (Yeri Han, My Unfamiliar Family), pre-teen daughter Anne (first-timer Noel Cho) and seven-year-old son David (fellow newcomer Alan S Kim) to their new 50-acre plot, he's beaming with pride. He's bought them "the best dirt in America," he says. It might only span a trailer, a field and a creek, but he's certain that it will revolutionise their lives. Although both Jacob and Monica still spend their days in a chicken sexing factory to pay the bills, Jacob is confident his agrarian dream will reap rewards. The path he's chosen isn't a glossy fantasy, though. From trying to work out where best to build a well to provide water for his crops, to endeavouring to convince stores to buy his wares, Jacob weathers more than his fare share of struggles. Monica's worries about their isolation, and about money, also weigh heavily, as she'd rather live in a larger city as part of the Korean diaspora. Also joining their daily woes in a movie that eschews overt conflicts for everyday dramas: Anne and David's attempts to fit in, the latter's heart murmur and the change that sweeps through the family when Monica's mother Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung, Sense8) comes to live with them. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg7QTqm_i4o THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS Northern Italy's woods are abundant with truffles, especially the tuber magnatum — otherwise known as the white variety. But before these highly sought-after morsels can make their way into kitchens, onto plates, and into many a willing and eager mouth, someone has to spend their time and expend their energy finding the edible fungus. Accordingly, The Truffle Hunters introduces viewers to multiple elderly men and their adorable dogs who all do just that, with their lives revolving around roving the forest and searching out the prized food. It might sound like a relaxed pursuit — as walking through trees with your pet pooch to fill your pockets with a delicacy is bound to — but it's a highly competitive endeavour, and one that the documentary's central figures are intensely passionate about. For Aurelio, the only thing he loves more than foraging for truffles is Birba, his canine partner in the hunt. The cantankerous Angelo has become disillusioned with the way that the industry has evolved over time, so he now attacks his typewriter with gusto instead, using it to chronicle his myriad woes and complaints. Then there's Sergio, who enjoys his task with his dogs Pepe and Fiona by his side. As for Carlo, his beloved pastime is forbidden by his wife. Unperturbed, he routinely sneaks out at night to search with a torch in hand. Cycling between these men's stories, directors Michael Dweck (The Last Race) and Gregory Kershaw (cinematographer on The Last Race, and also on this) chart their individual efforts. The titular subjects try care for their canines, argue with others encroaching on their turf, type missives about how the world has changed and, in Carlo's case, keep absconding by moonlight. Their hounds remain a focus, including their efforts to avoid poison baits. Devoted to capturing the pooch perspective however they can, Dweck and Kershaw aren't above using puppy cam as well. Seeing truffle hunting from a dog's viewpoint may be an easy gimmick, but it's also both a joy and a thrill — and emblematic of the film's fondness for flavour and character above all else. Narration is absent, talking heads don't clog up the screen, and no one is on hand to describe the ins and outs of the business in the spotlight, with Dweck and Kershaw favouring immersion rather than explanation. It's a fitting approach, and a purposeful one, even if the documentary takes on a relaxed air from start to finish. The Truffle Hunters is a leisurely movie that's content to chronicle its subjects' easy-going lives, lean into their eccentricities and survey their lush surroundings — and, even clocking in at just 84 minutes, it's an unhurried gem of a film — however, it's also carefully compiled. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3REMs9I9Tg FIRESTARTER — THE STORY OF BANGARRA More than three decades since it was first formed, Bangarra Dance Theatre is still going strong. In just the last ten years alone, the Sydney-based organisation has unleashed the beauty and potency of works such as Blak, Patyegarang, Lore, OUR land people stories, Bennelong and Dark Emu across Australia's stages, and repeatedly confronted the nation's colonial history head-on in the process. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts outfit, it can't avoid it. It similarly can't ignore the impact that the country's past has had upon Indigenous culture, and the trauma that's rippled across generations as a result. And so, as excellent new documentary Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra tells the company's tale, these struggles are firmly part of the narrative. Co-directors Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Top End Wedding) and Nel Minchin (Matilda & Me, Making Muriel) know their power. Indeed, the two filmmakers are well aware that they can't step through Bangarra's history without placing the acclaimed dance theatre in its rightful social, political and cultural context. What audiences have seen on stage over the years is stunning, astonishing and important, of course, but all of those exceptional performances haven't ever existed in a vacuum. For those unacquainted with the details of Bangarra's origins, evolution, aims and achievements, Firestarter recounts them, starting with its leap out of the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association and the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre. Actually, it jumps back further, not only stepping through Bangarra's predecessors, but also charting how Stephen, David and Russell Page became its most famous names. Just as it's impossible to examine the dance company's accomplishments and influence without also interrogating and chronicling Australia's history, it's simply unthinkable to do so without focusing as heavily on the Page brothers as Blair and Minchin choose to. Stephen would become Bangarra's artistic director, a role he still holds. David was its music director, while Russell was one of its best dancers — and their path from growing up in Brisbane in the 60s, 70s and 80s to helping shape and guide an Aussie arts powerhouse is a pivotal component of Bangarra's overall journey thus far. If it sounds as if Firestarter has been set a hefty task — doing triple duty as a celebration, a record of Australia's past and a portrait of three siblings with dreams as big as their talents — that's because it has. But this dense and yet also deft documentary is up to the immense feat, and dances through its massive array of material, topics and themes as skilfully as any of Bangarra's performers ever have. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HZAnkxdYuA THE LITTLE THINGS Before you've even seen a single frame of a film, much can sometimes be gleaned by merely knowing who's in it — if they've been cast to type. The Little Things features Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto, which means it can brag that it stars three Oscar winners, as its trailer does. This 90s-style serial killer thriller has also happily deployed its trio of main players exactly as you'd expect. So, adding yet another cop to his resume, Washington plays unflinchingly dedicated and determined, as well as a character who's far from perfect. Malek has a much shorter acting history, but once again combines the blend of awkwardness and meticulousness that seeped from his pores over four seasons of Mr Robot. As for Leto, he's asked to mine not just his recent cinematic past, but also his overall status in popular culture. From his overcooked take on the Joker in Suicide Squad to the misplaced swagger that's defined his off-screen persona and his rock stardom with Thirty Seconds to Mars, he's hardly widely beloved. The Little Things wants everyone watching to remember that, and perhaps to even stoke the flames of their existing Leto hatred. It works; he's been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his greasy-haired turn, and he's so one-note and over-the-top that it's near-impossible to fathom why. Washington's Joe 'Deke' Deacon was once a well-admired Los Angeles detective; however, when writer/director John Lee Hancock (The Blindside) begins The Little Things, his central character is now a deputy sheriff in Kern County. Deke's current and former colleagues all see that shift as a step down, but he's just as dogged in his new job — and, when he's reluctantly sent back to LA to collect evidence for an important trial, then gets brought in on a new case by Malek's hotshot newcomer Jim Baxter while he's hanging about, he's downright unrelenting. A number of women have been found murdered, and in gruesome circumstances. Baxter doesn't realise it, but the details prove familiar to Deke from years earlier. As the pair's new investigation leads them to repair store employee Albert Sparma (Leto), neither Deke nor Baxter is willing to rest until they solve the case. Off-putting and unpleasant from the moment he's first seen, the creepy, possibly psychotic Sparma likes being seen as a suspect, though, and enjoys toying with the men following him. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e9w0IL2U0c&feature=emb_logo DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER For everyone of schooling age, the onset of warm weather means a lengthy break from classes, teachers, and the child and teenage version of the daily grind. It's a time of freedom, of never needing to worry about what day of the week it is, and of roaming around like there's no tomorrow. For Daniel Bagnold (Earl Cave, True History of the Kelly Gang), he's looking forward to leaving his suburban British existence far behind for a few weeks by visiting his father in Florida. As an added bonus, his librarian mother Sue (Monica Dolan, The Dig) — who he's constantly embarrassed by — isn't coming with him. Then his dad's new life, wife and soon-to-arrive baby daughter get in the way of Daniel's plans, leaving the 15-year-old stranded at home and unhappy about it. He'd be content holing up in his room, listening to metal and fantasising about starting his own band, but Sue is adamant that he tries to find a job. She also complicates Daniel's days by going out on a date with one of schoolteachers (Rob Brydon, The Trip to Greece). That's the leisurely story at the heart of Days of the Bagnold Summer, a coming-of-age comedy driven more by mood than by narrative developments. It has an overall arc, watching on as Daniel and his mother reconnect; however, this adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name is at its best when it sinks into the annual season of teen dreams and disappointments. First-time feature filmmaker Simon Bird is no stranger to the subject, having spent three seasons and two movies starring in The Inbetweeners. Fans of that franchise's irreverent humour will find themselves in far more laidback territory here, though — and watching a film that, visually and tonally, strives to offer a Wes Anderson-esque view of adolescence. Days of the Bagnold Summer's meticulously framed widescreen images don't ever feel like a cheap imitation, thankfully. Rather, they're artful and probing, especially when they manage to peer on at Daniel and Sue doing different things in the same household space. Indeed, this is a movie with a keen sense of how living in the same place and weathering the same struggles doesn't always make two people a family if one of them is determined to resist the concept. It's that insight, always tinged with bittersweet emotion, that helps Bird's feature strike a chord. Working with a script adapted by fellow first-timer Lisa Owens, he also finds the right balance between deadpan quirkiness and lived-in naturalism. Also assisting is Cave, son of Nick, who wears Daniel's malaise like a second skin — and the soundtrack by Belle and Sebastian, which is perfectly pitched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1aOK-4UmoM ZAPPA Not everyone can brandish the swagger and charisma of a rock star, but that might actually be the easiest part of the job. To truly earn the term is to genuinely stand out from the ever-growing crowd and, often, to become the kind of music icon that can be referred to with just a single word. Frank Zappa was that kind of figure. Almost three decades after his death in 1993 to cancer, he still is. His music isn't for everyone, but his talent is undisputed, and he has more than 100 albums (62 released while he was alive, and 50 that've hit stores since his passing) that showcase his efforts as a singer, songwriter, composer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist. While he was alive, he also amassed an enormous archive of materials from across his career, spanning his work with his band Mothers of Invention, his collaborations with other artists and, of course, the 1982 hit single 'Valley Girl' that he recorded with his then 14-year-old daughter Moon Zappa. Combine all of the above, and you get Zappa. Lively, detailed and riveting, this documentary attempts the difficult feat of condensing Frank's life and impact into 129 minutes — and, regardless of whether you're already a fan or not, it does an impressive and engaging job. You could say that Alex Winter — yes, the star of the Bill and Ted franchise that's not Keanu Reeves — took on an easy task when he decided to direct Zappa. Thanks to all the footage, songs, clips and photos at his disposal, as well as the participation of Frank's family, friends and colleagues, he definitely wasn't short on material to weave into this wide-ranging chronicle. Candid chats, eye-popping claymation and home videos all feature, and the film zips happily from one to the other with enthusiasm. But great documentaries don't just splice together the obvious bits and pieces, then throw in a few left-field choices. They explore and examine their subjects, even when they're celebratory. And, in Zappa's case, they wholeheartedly interrogate a man seen as a genius by some and considered too out-there and inaccessible by others. There are moments in the film that prove both viewpoints. There are others that appear to veer off on tangents, but firmly showcase the breadth of Frank's musical experimentation along the way. In his sixth stint as a documentarian (with Downloaded, Deep Web and The Panama Papers among the other titles on his resume), Winter circles and leaps through his central figure's existence and enigma, and it's never anything less than fascinating viewing. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on November 5, November 12, November 19 and November 26; and December 3, December 10, December 17, December 26; and January 1, January 7, January 14, January 21 and January 28; February 4 and February 11. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Craft: Legacy, Radioactive, Brazen Hussies, Freaky, Mank, Monsoon, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), American Utopia, Possessor, Misbehaviour, Happiest Season, The Prom, Sound of Metal, The Witches, The Midnight Sky, The Furnace, Wonder Woman 1984, Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles, Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig, The White Tiger, Only the Animals, Malcolm & Marie, News of the World, High Ground, Earwig and the Witch, The Nest, Assassins, Synchronic and Another Round.
In his groundbreaking 1900 study, The Interpretation of Dreams, Sigmund Freud wrote, 'The virtuous man contents himself with dreaming that which the wicked man does in actual life.' According to the rather unyielding Austrian psychiatrist, we can only come to a complete understanding of an individual via the unconscious, as revealed through a study of dreams. Freud would have had a field day with the 'Sleep Talk Recorder' app. Launched in 2011 by Mad in Sweden, it has the capacity to record what we say when we are fast asleep, deep inside the realm of our inner psychological recesses and unguarded by inhibitions. The prospect of having it planted in your room on the sly isn't too appealing. However, thousands of individuals, all too happy to have their midnight ramblings go public, have uploaded their recordings to the Mad in Sweden site. With many expressing their elation that the app has 'changed their lives', a crew from the company jetted to the US to find out more. They met a lady who'd discovered she was an inveterate sleepwalker, and a man who'd revealed a talent for singing in Yiddish. A documentary, featuring these and a wealth of other stories, is in the making. The Sleep Talk Recorder, which has seen more than one-and-a-half-million downloads, is available online for $0.99. [Via Lost at E Minor]
As so many excellent documentaries have before it, Baby God tells a tale so astonishing it can only be true. It also steps through a story that's harrowing, horrifying and downright nightmarish. For more than three decades, couples eager to start a family went to Dr Quincy Fortier, seeking his help to have children when they couldn't conceive. Alas, the Las Vegas-based fertility specialist assisted them in a thoroughly unwanted way: by secretly inseminating women hoping to become mothers with his own sperm. Directed and produced by documentarian Hannah Olson (whose next project is about the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its COVID-19 outbreak), Baby God really has to be seen to be believed. It dives into shocking circumstances, and isn't always easy to watch as a result, but it's gripping from start to finish. Olson explores her subject's history and the details of his crimes, and also surveys the aftermath through his biological children.
Plenty has happened across Brisbane for Melt Festival, the city's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, in past years. Getting more than a thousand people singing together to support and champion the LGBTQIA+ community will be a first, however. After already locking in a a Brissie-only show by Broadway icon Bernadette Peters for its 2025 event, and also confirming the return of the River Pride Parade for this year, Melt has now announced 1000 Voices, which will see singers from queer and pride choirs — plus anyone else who wants to join in — get crooning. Set to take place on Sunday, November 9 to close out Melt 2025 — which runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9 — the choral event will feature voices from across both Australia and New Zealand. Already, participation by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir and Brisbane Pride Choir is confirmed, but that'll be just the beginning. It's expected that folks from Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide, Northern New South Wales, Perth, Canberra, Auckland and beyond will take part as well. Adam Majsay, Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, is leading the charge — which will also give the River City a preview the day prior. On Saturday, November 8, a flash mob featuring some of 1000 Voices' talents will hit up a Brisbane bridge (there's plenty to choose from) as a sneak peek before the main event. "There's nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices rising as one — it lifts the spirit, opens the heart and reminds us what true family feels like. I've had the privilege of leading large-scale choral projects that centre inclusion and visibility, and I've seen first-hand how music welcomes people in," said Majsay, announcing 1000 Voices. "1000 Voices at Melt Festival will be more than a performance — it will be a powerful moment of connection for LGBTQIA+ singers, allies and anyone who simply loves to sing. Whether you're part of a choir or stepping into something like this for the first time, there's a place for you in this sound. And what a sound it will be — joyful, bold and unapologetically full of pride." "I'm personally so excited to be coming to Brisbane for this extraordinary event, and I can't wait to stand together with voices from all over Australia and New Zealand. Come be part of it — lift your voice and help us share in something unforgettable." If you're keen to join in, whether with your existing choir or lending your solo voice to the event, registrations are now open via the Melt Festival website. Melt takes place in spring, and returns in 2025 after being reborn in 2024 as a fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture that not only fills Brisbane Powerhouse, but spreads across the city. Last year, more than 120 events popped up in 70-plus venues across southeast Queensland, complete with a Wicked-themed Halloween ball, a pool party and plenty more. 1000 Voices is taking place on Sunday, November 9 in Brisbane, with registrations available via the Melt Festival website. Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Hit up the festival website for more details.
Uncut, unreleased and unseen movie footage provides fans with a unique and fascinating insight into the creative process of cinema's great artists. By taking a trip behind-the-scenes, the viewer is transported into the magical world of film, revealing the true genius of an actor's performance, a white-knuckled chase scene or a director's creative vision. Whether it be peeking into Francis Ford Coppola's famously meticulous nature or into the technical trickery that made it possible for Michael J. Fox to ride a hoverboard in Back To The Future II these astounding pieces of footage lift the veil on some of the mysteries of movie-making and demonstrate how some of the most iconic scenes in movie history became a reality. The Seven Year Itch While not all of us can claim to have seen Marilyn Munroe's 1955 rom-com about the perils of monogamous relationships, just about everyone with access to a television has seen that iconic scene where Marilyn coos and caws seductively as her dress billows around her waist. At only 17-seconds this footage of Marilyn and director Billy Munroe creating one of cinema's most iconic images is simply mesmerising. The Godfather Voted by the International Movie Database as the greatest film of all time, The Godfather is a melange of spectacular performances and sublime scriptwriting all brought together by Francis Ford Coppola's uniquely sympathetic vision of the Italian-American mafia. This collection of completed scenes, interviews with the stars and crew commentary takes us on a fascinating tour of this 1970s masterpiece. Frenzy The macabre and majestic character of Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most mysterious figures in film history. This behind-the-scenes footage from the making of his 53rd film Frenzy shows Hitchcock in his element: watching his production with keen intensity and directing his lead actress Barbara Leigh-Hunt moment-by-moment through her death scene. It is a remarkable insight into the man who more than any other has shaped the direction of modern cinema. Avatar James Cameron has created an unthinkably successful career out of pushing the technical possibilities of film and writing some of the cheesiest, most cringe-inducing dialogue ever to grace the silver screen. With his 2009 sci-fi epic Avatar, Cameron launched a 3D revolution with his green screen wizardry and original use of motion-capture technology. This B-roll footage clearly shows why Cameron is seen as the most innovative technical director working in the industry today with his giant action sequences particularly demonstrative of the immense amount of work required in post-production to create his bombastic epic. The Exorcist Often seen as the scariest film of the 20th Century, The Exorcist combined innovative production techniques, a frightening-as-all-hell soundtrack and an incredibly daring performance by child actor, Linda Blair, to bring the world this terrifying story of a young girl possessed by a demon. This eerie behind-the-scenes footage, taken by cinematographer Owen Roiza for his personal collection, is a compelling vision of the film, showing how the make-up artists were able to transform a cute 12-year old into a demonic monster and how a small country cottage was transformed into a veritable hell-on-earth. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Here is one for every pock-marked teenager who ever dreamed of owning a lightsaber: a backstage look at George Lucas' final chapter of the Star Wars trilogy (the original one, not those god-awful, cash-grabbing prequels). All the gang are here: Luke Skywalker, R2D2, Jabba the Hutt, C3PO and, of course, Princess Leia in her infamous and oft-parodied slave outfit. If you have ever wondered how Lucas was able to create those thrilling lightsaber battles and wow the world with his intricate sets of spacecrafts and flying bounty hunters then this seven minutes of grainy Super 8 footage is a perfect starting point. Back To The Future II For every kid growing up in the 1980s, Michael J. Fox riding a hoverboard was the coolest thing since flared jeans and Huey Lewis. This footage demonstrates how Steven Spielberg's sci-fi protege, Robert Zemekis was able to use skateboards, wooden props and cable suspension to transform Fox into an unlikely teen idol. Set in 2015, we still have our fingers crossed that these hoverboards will be available in your local Toys-R-Us in the years to come. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Mullets, male eyeliner and fishnet stockings abound in this behind-the-scenes look at the camp, cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Interviews with the stars, creators and writers behind this risque rock musical reveal a host of characters that are as weird and wonderful as their on-screen counterpoints. If you've ever wondered what prancing around in drag singing 'Time Walk' for three months feels like then watch out for the interview with Tim Curry, the man who made Dr. Frank-N-Furter into a household name.
From the Grounds of Alexandria's resident pig, the postcard-happy sands of Surfers Paradise and the hallowed turf of Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's a genuinely Instagrammable place. Inevitably, there's a few prime snap-happy spots that get a little more filtered love than others; for obvious tourism reasons but also for kickass food on the table reasons. Sydney dominated the list, with seven in the top ten — a number it clearly can thank Vivid Sydney for. Using geotag data, the Daily Telegraph has revealed the ten most Instagrammed places in Australia for 2014. The results were taken from the geotags added by 'grammers (if you glazed over before, that's the latitude and longitude of your current location with your photo) and compiled into a top ten list. Here's the places you whacked a sweet filter on this year. Australia's Ten Most Instagrammed Places For 2014 10. Coogee Beach, Sydney The Pool in Coogee. #coogee #coogeebeach #aussie #australia #aussieadventure #australiansummer #summer #december #beachtime #sydney #sydneycity A photo posted by Daniela Valencia (@danyvalencia88) on Dec 12, 2014 at 4:55am PST 9. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Hallowed ground. A photo posted by @tonikchurch on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:31pm PST 8. Circular Quay, Sydney Lights on and crowds out at #vividsydney. A video posted by Concrete Playground Sydney (@concreteplayground) on May 5, 2014 at 4:12am PDT 7. St Kilda Beach, Melbourne A photo posted by Claudia (@claw_dear) on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:27pm PST 6. The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney Thanks to all our 'grammers who tag #thegrounds as their location when they visit! @instagram has just named us the 6th most geo-tagged destination in the country alongside some big tourist icons. Thanks for the love. Keep tagging, you guys rock! (One of our fave images from @chriscourt) A photo posted by The Grounds of Alexandria (@thegroundsofalexandria) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:45pm PST 5. Surfers Paradise Beach Waking up to this isn't too bad #visitsurfersparadise #surferssnaps photo: @absolomphotography A photo posted by SurfersParadise (@visitsurfersparadise) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:11pm PDT 4. Bondi Beach "Double trouble" - last night. Sydney is in for another run of storm and rolling clouds. If you decide to go out and shoot, be safe ! I might be out there again... #frothers #frothersgallery #franckgazzola #mynikonlife #d4s #amazing #weather #extreme #bolt #lightning #flash #clouds #cloudporn #sydney #australia #seeaustralia #crazy #ocean #sea #eclair #orage A photo posted by Franck Gazzola (@franckgazzola) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:15pm PST 3. Sydney Harbour Bridge spinal tap // #sydney #sydneyharbourbridge #architecture #architectureporn #bridge #bridgeporn #blue #colour #street #streetphotography #citylife #igerssydney #icu_aussies #tv_pointofview #rsa_streetview A photo posted by John Appleseed (@thateightieskid) on Dec 12, 2014 at 11:04pm PST 2. Darling Harbour, Sydney #australia #sydney #darlingharbour#instaaustralia #instasydney #nightview #instatravel #instatrip #??????? #????#?????????#??#?? #?? A photo posted by @kumasuca on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:35am PST 1. Sydney Opera House VIVID Sydney 2014 #vivid #vividsydney A photo posted by Photos of VIVID (@photosofvivid) on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:03pm PST Via Daily Telegraph.
The Judith Wright Centre has been transformed into the Lonely Hearts Club. A place were love is sought and where love is sometimes never found. The dance floor of the Lonely Hearts Club is the epicentre of a dance, the steps of which are ever explicitly explained but failure to perform them correctly can result is disastrous social consequences. Don’ts for Dancers is about dance floor etiquette – avoiding the traps and pitfalls of ‘looking for love on the dance floor’. Looks are everything, the way you move is everything, and if you haven’t got that down pat then you haven’t got anything. This is what happens when social cues are taken to their extremes. Choreographed and produced by Nerida Matthaei, Don’ts for Dancers is ‘a self-help session for the left-footed lonely heart’, head along and see if there is anything you can learn yourself.
If you've been spending your sudden abundance of couch time binging your way through your streaming queue, you've probably become acquainted with Joe Exotic over the past couple of weeks. Clearly, that isn't the name that he was born with. But given the mullet-wearing zoo owner's over-sized personality, love of big cats and line of work — founding and running The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which was home to hundreds of tigers, lions and other large felines, between 1999–2016 — he obviously decided that the moniker fit. That's the story that Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness tells. Well, in a tale that spans lions, tigers, eccentricity, polygamy and killing-for-hire, that's really just the beginning. Joe Exotic's life has encompassed such a wild series of events that, thanks to the docuseries' success, a dramatised version is now in the works — but if you just can't get enough in the interim, you can also take part in Isolation Trivia's Tiger King-themed edition. For the online quiz night's next event, it's dedicating its focus to Joe Exotic, his rival Carole Baskin, and all the ups and downs that ensure their stories are so strange that they can only be true. Run by Man vs Bear and Not On Your Rider's Aimon Clark — who'll be donning a mullet wig for the occasion — it'll live stream from 6.30pm AEST on Saturday, April 11. To play along like the cool cats and kittens you are, head to the event's Facebook page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is now streaming on Netflix. Images: Netflix
Reading that daily horoscope might be enough of a foray into astrology for some, but what about a whole hotel dedicated to the celestial study? If the moon positions itself correctly, true buffs might be compelled to start planning that weekend away now — because Sydney is set to get the world's first ever astrology hotel. The Ultimo officially launches next month with a collection of newly refurbished rooms, which include single, studio, trio, family and pet-friendly courtyard rooms. But keen astrologers will have to wait a bit longer to get the low-down, as the hotel has given next-to-no hints as to what's involved with this, er, innovative hotel concept. That said, if it's anything like Switzerland's Park Hotel Weggis, which has offered a 'Park and Stars' package in the past, guests can probably expect individual astrological readings and consultations, and perhaps even a dinner created with their astrological sign in mind. Located at 37 Ultimo Road in Sydney's CBD, The Ultimo is set to open next month — and their full set of offerings will be unveiled on Wednesday, February 8. We'll update this story once we know the details.
It has been 11 art-filled years since Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art first opened its doors, and the creative riverside hub just keeps going from strength to strength. Fresh from hosting a huge Yayoi Kusama exhibition, GOMA is preparing to unveil its illuminating new permanent work: a brand new light installation by artist James Turrell. You might be familiar with the Arizona-based artist's work if you've been to Mona or the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). He's the one behind the sky-centred installations at both galleries — at Mona, the gazebo-like Armana lights up at sunrise and sunset each day, and at the NGA in Canberra, Within without acts as an outdoor viewing chamber to enhance your view of the sky. All up, Turrell has created 80 'skyspaces' like these around the world. Brisbane's Turrell piece isn't a standalone structure like these other two Australian works. Instead, the work will light up GOMA's eastern and southern white façades from within the building with a pattern developed by Turrell especially for the location. It's been described as "an ever-evolving pattern of intensifying and diffusing coloured light" by GOMA director Chris Saines, and when lit, it will make the gallery visible from across the river and around South Bank's cultural precinct. The plan is to light up the gallery from dusk until midnight each evening — and while the tunnel was originally set to be installed by late last year, it'll officially start glowing from 7pm on April 20, with Turrell in attendance. And while it's a new addition to GOMA, it's also a feature that ties into the gallery's history. As Saines explains, "during the development of GOMA, lead architects Kerry Clare, Lindsay Clare and James Jones envisaged an artist-illuminated 'white box' on the gallery's main pedestrian approaches. More than a decade on, Turrell's architectural light installation realises the potential of GOMA's white box façade, and completes a major aspect of the architects' original design intention." By Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
It never gets all that cold in Brisbane. It doesn't snow, for instance. But it's still fun to pretend it's frostier than it is. One way to do exactly that: In the Snow at Customs House, which sets up igloos and wintry decor by the river each year. It's the Queen Street venue's regular seasonal makeover when the mercury drops, and it comes complete with see-through domes for you and your mates to hang out in — while peering at the river and knocking back a range of Veuve Clicquot tipples. Or, if you'd prefer cocktails for your chalet-style waterside hangs, the Berries and Bubbles pairs raspberries, lemon juice, Belvedere Pure and Veuve Clicquot Brut, while the Hennessy Old Fashioned goes for Angostura bitters, sugar and an orange twist. Espresso martinis and martinis are also on offer. Open Thursday–Sundays weekly from Friday, May 13 until the end of winter — operating from 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays — the pop-up is also serving up a selection of bites to line your stomach. Start with up to four cheeses with truffle honey, or the baked whole brie. There's also oysters, rabbit rillettes, crumbed cauliflower and mac 'n' cheese croquettes. Or, there's the always-popular Moreton Bay bug croissant, too, which you can also pair with truffle fries. Just rocking up, walking in and enjoying the Aspen-inspired vibes is more than welcome, but you can also book igloos for between six and ten people — with a minimum spend of $80 per person.
It is hard to deny that the UK is a pretty important part of our history. While the Poms like to lay it on thick with the sledging, saying that we are simply their former convicts and cast-offs, we have grown to become a stand-alone country in our own right, with our own culture and unique traits (as well as comparable sporting prowess, ha ha ha). Regardless, there are a lot of things the UK and Australia share, and the latest exhibition at Griffith University’s QCA Gallery examines how cultural, familial and artistic transplantation has taken place throughout the years. Bringing together artists from both sides of the pond, Transplantation, explores the nature of this bond and how it impacts each artists worldview. Each work is a piece of ‘narrative jewellery’, describing the personal interpretation of each artist. This exhibition is on until February, so you still have plenty of time to check out these interesting pieces of work.
