It's becoming a trend these days for music festivals to make a big song and dance (pun, hoy!) about their food lineup — and, frankly, we couldn’t we couldn't be happier about it. Melbourne's Sugar Mountain Festival is stepping it up with an immersive 'sensory' restaurant, and St Jerome's Laneway Festival has announced a tight little food sched for their upcoming spots along the east coast. And it looks like it's going to be as good and as varied as the music. Here's what's going to be in your gob while you get down to Grimes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. SYDNEY It's a real meaty affair in Sydney with LP’s Quality Meats on the smoker, Mary's doing their signature burgers, Porteno firing up the Argentinian barbecue, and Mexican snacks from Playa Takeria. Stuff from the sea will be provided by Oysters Unplugged and Zetland's Salmon and Bear. It's not all animals through; vegos and vegans can chow down on Yulli's cuisine. Of course, Gelato Messina will be there, alongside Knafeh, who'll be serving up their sweet and cheesy (and totally delish) Jerusalem street desserts. Plus, there'll be ice-cold Young Henrys and Stone & Wood on-hand to wash it all down with. MELBOURNE Melbourne Laneway is going to be a bonanza of classic Melbourne eats. Japanese food wizards Mr Miyagi (who are the feature restaurant partner of 2016) will be doing their nori tacos, Beatbox Kitchen will be pumping out those burgers, and beef short ribs will come by way of Burn City Smokers. You may have trouble choosing though, as they'll be joined by an army of food options, including Taco Truck, Slice Girls West, Gelato Messina, Gyoza Records, Juanita Peaches, Nuoc Mama's, Rice and Dice (for vegan dumplings!) and more. Beer-wise, it's going to be a choice between Byron's Stone & Wood, Sydney's Young Henrys, and local breweries, Footcray's West City and Brunswick East's Temple. Wear loose clothing. BRISBANE Punters at Brisbane Laneway will enjoy incredibly diverse food options from some classic Brissie establishments. Good luck trying to choose between homemade Greek food by Greek Street Grill, pizza by Pizzantica, and German sausages by Brat Haus. Or weigh up between vego fare by the legendary Govinda's, nachos by Sweethearts and Venezuelan by Fiery Deli. Throw Phatboys Food Truck, Puerto Taco and Mangia! Mangia! into the mix and it's going to be a tough choice. One decision is easy though: don't go past a local brew from Newstead Brewing Co. To check out the full Laneway food lineup (or the real lineup), go to their website.
To take a page out of Charles Baudelaire’s book, I’d like to think of myself as a modern day flâneur. That is, “a person who walks the city in order to experience it,” in the Baudelairian sense, anyway. There’s something really satisfying about wandering off the beaten track and into the depths of your town, whether it’s in search of a shady place to read a book, a cosy winter night spot or even just a new place to grab a coffee before work. And I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking there‘s something truly satisfying about stumbling upon one of these urban treats by chance. That’s exactly what happened when I found Five Sisters Art House Café hidden down a laneway in South Brisbane. Tucked away between Melbourne Street and Fish Lane, Five Sisters is a café with a traditional breakfast and lunch menu infused with a touch of Greece. If you’re partial to moussaka or souvlaki every once in a while then you’re probably already aware that the south bank of the river is home to some of the best Greek cuisine to be found in Brisbane. From the Greek Club to the various blue-and-white tableclothed restaurants on Boundary Street and, of course, the annual Paniyiri Festival, the area is a known hotspot to sample the delights of the Mediterranean. According to the five sisters who run this neat little café, nothing beats a home cooked meal "just like Mama used to make" and thus generations of recipes were passed down to grant the success of the ever-inviting Five Sisters Art House Café. Whether you fancy a hot bevvy, a sweet treat or a generous meal, take a wander down the laneway and check out what my new favourite ‘quiet place’ has to offer!
Things happen quickly in the digital world. Movies about it don't always earn the same description. In the TRON franchise's case, the first film hit cinemas in 1982, then sequel TRON: Legacy arrived 28 years later in 2010. A third movie was announced the very same year, but TRON: Ares won't return cinemagoers to the grid until 2025. Some flicks fall into the "I'll believe it when I'm actually sitting in a theatre watching it with my own eyes" category, and this has been one of them for more than a decade. But Disney has not only announced that TRON: Ares has a date with picture palaces next year — although the exact date itself hasn't been revealed — but also dropped a first image now that production is underway. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) If your immediate response to this news is to hear "the grid, a digital frontier" in your head in Jeff Bridges' voice while Daft Punk's music plays, then you're obviously a fan. At present, there's no word on who'll be taking care of the score this time around, trying to follow in TRON: Legacy's huge footsteps. Cast-wise, TRON: Ares spans a heap of familar names. Jared Leto (Haunted Mansion) plays Ares, while Greta Lee will be worlds away from Past Lives. Evan Peters (Wish), Hasan Minhaj (No Hard Feelings), Jodie Turner-Smith (White Noise), Arturo Castro (The Vince Staples Show), Cameron Monaghan (Shameless) and Gillian Anderson (Sex Education) also feature. As for the plot, TRON: Ares follows the program that shares its moniker, which makes the jump from the digital realm to the real world. So, it's a tale about AI, plus humanity's first encounter with it. [caption id="attachment_935550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] TRON: Legacy, ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] The film started shooting in January in Vancouver, with Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) directing — taking over from Australian Lion and Foe filmmaker Garth Davis, who was initially attached to the movie. "TRON: Ares builds upon the legacy of cutting-edge design, technology and storytelling. Now more than ever, it feels like the right time to return to the grid," said Rønning. TRON: Ares doesn't have a trailer as yet, but you can check out the trailers for TRON and TRON: Legacy below: TRON: Ares is set to release in cinemas Down Under in 2025 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
With winter fast approaching, we've realised (yet another) thing we're missing out on this year: those change-of-season warehouse sales where you can nab high-end designer threads and accessories at insanely discounted prices. Luckily, Bondi eyewear favourite Local Supply is taking its annual warehouse sale online this year — and offering up to 70 percent off to boot. The brand's prices are hard to beat on a regular day, but from Wednesday, May 27 until midnight on Monday, June 1, you'll be getting Local Supply goods for a serious bargain. A whopping 70 styles are up for grabs at ridiculously reduced prices — that's sunnies starting at just $24 dollarydoos. Want to see the world through rose coloured lenses during these especially difficult times? You can nab a pair of Arena PMP20s with plum coloured lenses for $26.99. Or, for those long hours sitting in front of your laptop, some blue light protective lenses for about $45 bucks. Polarised lens are also on the docket from around $60. As the name suggests, the independently owned brand is all about keeping it local — and keeping prices attainable, too. Opened in 2013, it's run by former Dior eyewear designer Petra Ekborn, so you know you're getting some seriously schmick sunnies. Plus the brand uses zero waste manufacturing techniques and the frames are BPA-free and hypoallergenic, too. Local Supply is currently offering free delivery across Australia on all orders over $100, and a flat rate of just $5 for smaller purchases. The Local Supply online warehouse sale will run from Wednesday, May 27 until midnight on Sunday, May 31, with 70 percent off select styles. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Following the success of their previous hotel takeover in Byron Bay, the grand Clicquot Hotel is now heading to Queensland's Sunshine Beach — a hop, skip and jump from Noosa — for 10 days only. The French champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, has made the most extra luxury accommodation focused around premium experiences. Expect exclusive food and Champagne experiences, spa treatments, sunrise surfing lessons and yoga overlooking the coastline. And, of course, everything is adorned with the famous Veuve Yellow. But those offerings are just the cherries on top of the hyper lavish experience. Over two nights, you'll also have private access to Sunshine Beach and Noosa National Park, complimentary Veuve Clicquot champagne whenever the whim takes you (of course), a private sommelier and 24-hour concierge service, as well as chauffeured airport and local transfers. And, for a little extra cost, you can cruise on a chic mahogany speedboat – the Clicquot Dreamboat – along the Noosa River before having a curated picnic on the riverbank, served with chilled Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, the champagne house's refined, full-bodied take on pink bubbles. These guys have gone all out — and then some. It's a stupid-cool pop-up hotel. Clicquot Hotel bookings are available from November 4-13 and you can book your stay here.
Short, smart and sharp as a tack, The Party flies in the face of one of modern-day cinema's worst instincts. When we say it's short, we mean it, with this hilarious social satire clocking in at just 71 minutes. As an argument in support of concise, compact filmmaking (and against protracted running times with pointless meandering and overdone special effects), the movie really couldn't be stronger. Who needs to spend two to three hours watching '80s nostalgia, giant robots or whatever other bloated spectacle keeps coming our way when you can laugh heartily and frequently through this brief, biting take on Britain's bourgeois? Of course, we're generalising. Not all lengthy blockbusters overstay their welcome, but few do exactly what they need to in the exact right amount of time like The Party. That said, the latest film from writer-director Sally Potter (Ginger & Rosa) doesn't just win over viewers with brevity and succinctness. Among its considerable charms, the movie also boasts scathing humour and a stellar lineup of talent. The fast-paced shenanigans start with Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) opening the door to her London home, staring directly at the camera and looking incredibly unhappy. Jump back to earlier in the evening, when she's just been appointed Shadow Minister for Health and is preparing to host friends to celebrate. Her husband Bill (Timothy Spall) seems to be getting into the mood with a few drinks, although he's rather maudlin given the occasion. Entering at their own leisure, the guests are a motley crew of emotions and moods. The snarky April (Patricia Clarkson) fights with her soon-to-be-ex Gottfried (Bruno Ganz); expectant couple Martha (Cherry Jones) and Jinny (Emily Mortimer) bicker over their approaches to motherhood; while banker Tom (Cillian Murphy) bides his time by doing cocaine in the bathroom — and trying to find somewhere to hide his gun. With The Party confining its characters to Janet's house and charting their actions almost in real time, things get heated rather quickly. Secrets are spilled, tempers seesaw, relationships threaten to unravel and acidic one-liners fly thick and fast – with a few earnest confessions thrown in for good measure. The specific surprises and revelations are best discovered by watching, but Potter and co-writer Walter Donohue (a story editor on much of the filmmaker's work) do more than just thrust seven people into close quarters and wait for them to erupt. As the conversation flows, the movie covers everything from class clashes to gender roles to political instability, in a manner that very much feels like a product of its post-Brexit timing. In what is perhaps a surprise for such a dialogue-heavy piece, the arguing and antics are shot in crisp black-and-white, with gorgeous roaming imagery that isn't afraid to get up close and personal. As a result, the movie sparkles not only in its comedy but in its visuals, which also helps overcome an obvious issue. Yes, The Party can sometimes resemble a play, albeit a particularly brisk and snappy one. Still, if Potter had plonked the same scenario and actors onto the stage, it'd still be an utter delight to watch. As for her cast, there are no weak links among the high-profile bunch — although Clarkson gets all of the best lines and Murphy will make you wish he flexed his comic chops much more often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb4FF6lCqFw
Even before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic visiting an Australia supermarket to buy groceries had become a rather fraught affair. First came panic-buying of household staples. Then, limits on everyday items were put in place. Even after that, shelves normally stacked with toilet paper, paper towel, tissues, hand sanitiser, pasta and rice can still be found empty in plenty of stores around the country. To help — and to help you stay home if you're social distancing or self-isolating — Deliveroo has announced that it has added kitchen and household products to its delivery range. As well as restaurants and other takeaway eateries, you can now order from local stores and supermarkets to get basic supplies dispatched to your door via the service. The range varies depending on your area, as is always the case with Deliveroo; however, for those keen on staying home, it's a handy option. Deliveroo has also implemented a 'no-contact' drop-off service, which lets you request that your rider leaves the food on your doorstep — so that you can still place an order if you are feeling unwell, have just returned from overseas or you're being cautious about coming into contact with other people. To order via Deliveroo, visit the service's app or website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Do we really need another movie about male mid-life malaise? The answer, obviously, is no. Still, don't discount the partially crowd-funded Anomalisa on account of its seemingly familiar storyline. Springing from the mind of Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind writer Charlie Kaufman, who also co-directs with stop-motion specialist Duke Johnson, this animated effort is far from commonplace. Kaufman's latest sad-sack protagonist is author Michael Stone (voiced by David Thewlis). In Cincinnati overnight to speak about his latest book at a customer service convention, he's lonely and restless, not even raising a smile when he calls home to talk to his wife and young son. Instead, he meets up with an ex-girlfriend, an interaction that unsurprisingly ends badly. Everyone he encounters seems the same, until he comes across visiting call centre worker Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh). She looks and sounds different to everyone else. In a sea of blandness, she stands out. As they spend an evening together, Michael realises why: Lisa is an anomaly. Yes, there's some titular trickery at work, though there's much more than that to this perceptive, precisely paced feature. Stylised touches of the classic Kaufman kind — everyone other than Michael and Lisa is stripped of their individuality because they're all voiced by actor Tom Noonan, for example — amplify an atmosphere that's both mundane and surreal. However, what shines brightest is Anomalisa's haunting understanding of the frailties and anxieties that linger inside all of us, whether we're following our usual routines, falling in love when we're not supposed to, witnessing romantic bliss turn sour, or simply stewing over our unhappy place in the world. There's something about animation that, in the right hands, can get to the heart of such existential, universal angst — and that's not just one of Kaufman's specific skills, as the astute and affecting works of Don Hertzfeldt also show. Perhaps it's a product of forcing viewers to emphasise with figures rather than actors. Perhaps it's the act of focusing on emotions over appearances. Perhaps it's the ability to splash even the strangest thoughts and feelings across the screen. Perhaps it's all of the above. Certainly, the vocal work of the mournful Thewlis, radiant Leigh and versatile Noonan deserves ample credit in Anomalisa's case, particularly given its dialogue-heavy nature (a remnant of the material's origins as a play that wasn't initially intended to make the leap to cinema). One of the movie's main pleasures stems from listening to Thewlis and Leigh talk, whether Michael and Lisa are sharing stories about their lives or awkwardly engaging in puppet sex. In fact, their fluid tones help achieve Kaufman's ultimate aim: making the audience forget they're not actually watching real people. There's nothing strained or tiring, or remotely ordinary, about that.
With the sun usually shining and frozen, creamy treats available on almost every corner, it's never a bad time to be an ice cream lover in Brisbane. This March, however, dedicated fiends will find a concentrated dose waiting, thanks to the city's first day-long, dedicated ice cream extravaganza: the Brisbane Ice Cream Festival. On March 11, the festival will bring together more iced confections than you've probably ever seen in one spot. And, it has found the perfect location for such sweet, sweet shenanigans. When you're about to unleash an entire city's worth of ice cream upon the eager masses, you head to a place with a history of doing just that — the old Peters Ice Cream Factory in West End. Whatever kind of ice cream or gelato takes your fancy, you can bet that you'll find it here. That means coffee-flavoured popsicles from Queen of Pops, ice cream sandwiches courtesy of Boss Bites, fruity icy poles from Frozen Sunshine, and an ice cream burger made exclusively for the event by the Red Hook gang. Because Brisbanites like doughnuts just as much as they like ice cream, Minus 32 will be on hand to serve a fantasy-level combo of the two. And, while their very own store mightn't be up and running just yet (the current ETA is April), it wouldn't be an ice cream event without Gelato Messina stopping by — their menu is to be revealed. The Doughnut Bar's scrolled deliciousness, Cowch's decadent desserts, IcePhile's deep-fried morsels and J'adore Les Crepes bon batches of batter will be on the menu too, alongside offerings from Ice Cream Curls, Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van, Hett's n Ice Shaved Ice and more. There'll also be some savoury to go with all that sweetness — here's the lineup of vendors: Gelato Messina Ice Cream Curls Queen of Pops Minus 32 Frozen Sunshine Boss Bites Icephile J'adore Les Crepes La Macelleria The Doughnut Bar Mister Fitz Ruby Ice Cream Cowch CocoWhip Red Hook Hett's n Ice Nitrogenie Alfred & Constance pop-up bar King of Wings Rolls Pho Mi Micasa Two Teas Live music and boozy frozen beverages will also be on available, because it's a festival after all. Wear something stretchy, because it's going to be an over-indulging kind of day. It's also going to be quite the popular event, of course, with attendees required to register on the festival website to help cope with demand. There'll be three sessions throughout the day — 11am to 1pm, 1pm to 3pm, and 3pm to 5pm — with numbers capped at 1800 people for each. Registrations are free, and open at 10am on March 1.
Culinary puns, food-themed songs, and the delightful adventures of a burger-slinging family: on the small screen, that's what Bob's Burgers has been serving up since 2011. Just like the dish that's right there in the title, there's more than one way to enjoy this animated gem, however, with The Bob's Burgers Movie set to hit cinemas in May this year. The film has been a long time coming — and not just because the series it springs from has been on the air for a whopping 12 seasons now. The Bob's Burgers Movie was originally due to reach the big screen back in mid-2020, but the pandemic got in the way. Think of it as the movie version of IRL supermarket shortages. Thankfully, 2022 is here with the promise that The Bob's Burgers Movie will be a real thing that we'll all get to feast our eyeballs on — and soon. And if your appetite for a movie-length musical comedy-mystery-adventure flick about Bob Belcher (H Jon Benjamin, Archer) and his nearest and dearest isn't already ravenous, the film's just-dropped trailer is here to help. Sexy burgers, a big summer for Tina and trying to keep Bob's Burgers afloat after a ruptured water main causes a huge sinkhole right in front of the store: they're all on the movie's menu, as is a mystery that only Belcher kids Tina (Dan Mintz, Veep), Gene (Eugene Mirman, Archer) and Louise (Kristen Schaal, What We Do in the Shadows) can solve. And yes, The Bob's Burgers Movie does offer a solution to the feeling that every Bob's Burgers' fan has felt more than once: not wanting this colourful, hilarious and engaging animated meal to end when you're binging through it in 20-minute episode blocks. Check out the trailer for The Bob's Burgers Movie below: The Bob's Burgers Movie will open in cinemas Down Under on May 26, 2022. Images: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Christmas, jingling bells and gingerbread tempting the tastebuds all go hand in hand. At Riverbar & Kitchen, so does festive season and sipping gin — in 2024, at least. In the lead up to the jolliest day of all, the Eagle Street watering hole is getting merry with a seasonal pop-up. There's gin to drink, plus dishes using gin to tuck into. Gin and limoncello soft serve, anyone? Across Saturday, November 30–Tuesday, December 24, the Gin-gle Bar is in full swing — and expect the $15 meringue soft serve to be one of its most-popular dishes. It features Bombay Sapphire gin, limoncello, passionfruit and meringue. Need something to knock back with it? Try the Gingerbread Fizz for $21, which features gin, gingerbread, passionfruit, vanilla and bubbles. Also on the menu: the $18 Elfed-Up Sour (aka gin, mango wine, matcha, citrus and egg whites); to share, $39 jugs of Gin-gle Juice Jug (Bombay Bramble, pomegranate, cranberry, peach and bubbles); and gin-cured salmon bruschetta with crème fraiche, capers and dill for $17. Gin-gle Bar is a collaboration with Bombay Sapphire, hence the brand's tipples featuring heavily. Riverbar is also looking the part with festive decorations — yes, it's decking its halls appropriately. Entry is free, but booking a table in advance is recommended. Images: Markus Ravik.
It has been less than a year since NYC Bagel Deli opened their permanent West End store, but you just can't stop the bready wheels of bagel progress (and nor should you want to). Thanks to Brisbane's love of the circular snack, they're packing up and moving on — literally just down the road, and to a place where you can watch them make their tasty namesake. From April 8, 57 Vulture Street will replace 47 Vulture Street as NYC Bagel Deli's West End digs. Luckily, because the two addresses are so close together, you won't have to go far if you get them mixed up. The new spot is four times bigger than their existing one, which means that they can pump out more bagels as part of a new bakery-bagelry cafe setup. And, on opening day, they'll be handing out free coffee from 6.30am to 2.30pm. https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ84KnbBJMJ/?taken-by=nycbageldeli As well as choosing between 12 different types of bagels fresh out of the oven — including garlic, cinnamon raisin, jalapeño, sunflower rye, onion, blueberry and the rainbow varieties — customers will also be able to see just how a heap of flour, yeast, salt, sugar and poppy seeds gets turned into their favourite bread snack. That includes watching staff knead and hand-roll bagels, retire them overnight, and boil and bake them into the bready goods you know and love. No guarantees they'll divulge their secret ingredient though — you'll have to guess that one. Expect an expanded range of fillings as well as all of the old favourites, ranging from peanut butter and Nutella (together at last!) to 12-hour pulled pork. For salty go the grilled haloumi, for sweet go the espresso butter with cream cheese, poached pear and berry compote, or for a mix of both, choose the Elvis-inspired combo of bacon, banana, cream cheese and peanut butter. Cleanskin coffee and thickshakes in chocolate, banana, lemon meringue and — you guessed it — peanut butter again are also on the menu. Find the new NYC Bagel Deli at 57 Vulture Street, West End from April 8. Head to their website and Facebook page for further info.
Sydney has really stepped up its art game this year. In addition to increased investment in some of our most beloved galleries, the city has secured exhibitions by some of the most influential artists of their generation from home and abroad across the next few months. From prizes celebrating Australia's best contemporary art to retrospectives from the masters, there's something for everyone whether you're a studied aficionado or a casual fan. Each of the following exhibitions is worthy of an article in itself, but let's start with a little taster. We've teamed up with Destination NSW to give you the lowdown on the seven of the most anticipated exhibitions to have on your radar.
Gordon Bennett is one of Australia's most visionary and important artists. Born in 1955, Bennett spent most of his early life travelling with his family before finally settling in Nambour. He was an average student, but excelled greatly in art, social studies and English. Between working and studying, plus being surrounded by hideous racism, art became a tool to articulate the denial of his Aboriginal identity. It is little wonder, then, that Bennett quickly established himself as one of Australia's most praised creatives. Though he passed away last year, he left behind one of the most significant and powerful bodies of work every produced by an Australian artist. Now, the Institute of Modern Art is showcasing of a selection of largely unseen works by Bennett in their latest exhibition, Be Polite. The pieces on show include of drawings, paintings, watercolours, poetry and essays from the early 1990s through to the early 2000s. Be Polite exhibits works that embrace rich layers of western and Australian Indigenous art history and contemporary politics, a direction Bennett developed throughout the 1980s and explored until the end of his life.
The announcement of Shane Delia's debut Queensland restaurant made more than a few waves, with Brisbane diners excited to experience a glimpse of Melbourne favourite Maha Restaurant and its many offshoots: Maha North, Maha East and Jayda. Arriving in the form of Layla at the back end of March, guests have been flooding in since. Tucked into a heritage-listed section of West End's Thomas Dixon Centre, Layla continues Delia's focus on Middle Eastern cuisine, offering bold, spice-fuelled dishes shaped by some of the best Queensland produce. With the team settled into its new home, the time has come for Layla to take its weekly offering to the next level. Bringing a little more warmth to the cooler months, Spice & Sound takes over Sunday afternoons with an outdoor hibachi grill, live DJ sets and much-loved Layla cocktails. Suitably rich in theatre — the Thomas Dixon Centre is also the home of Queensland Ballet — guests can expect a menu designed for easygoing sharing and grazing. For instance, grilled dishes like chicken shish or eggplant are paired with soft and springy flatbread. Then, smaller plates span wagyu empanadas, butter chicken and grilled Fremantle octopus. Layla's cocktail menu is also a highlight. Elevated through Middle Eastern spices and aromatic botanicals, refreshing drinks combine classic concoctions with innovative mixology. The Winter Bloom is a go-to option, featuring whisky, arak, apple and spiced honey. Launching from Sunday, August 3, don't overlook the second ingredient of Spice & Sound. DJ Alex will get behind the decks from 1.30pm in Layla's leafy terrace, serving up a sun-kissed set that adds a little more kick to the end of your week. Spice & Sound is happening every Sunday from 1.30–5.30pm at Layla throughout winter — walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are encouraged. Head to the website for more information.
Love heading to a scenic spot to dance to live tunes? Adore sipping wine, too? Music and vino festival Grapevine Gathering understands. That pairing is this annual event's entire setup, with the fest bringing a heap of bands to vineyards each year. Yes, that includes 2022, with its October dates and venues now locked in. And if you live in Queensland or South Australia, get ready to experience Grapevine Gathering on your home turf for the very first time. The fest will return to Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, of course — hitting up Sandalford Wines in Swan Valley, Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley and Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley, respectively. But this'll mark the first time that Grapevine Gathering has made its way to the Sunshine State and SA. Where it's heading: Sirromet Wines at Mount Cotton and Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale. While it's too early for the event's full lineup, it has dropped one key act: Aussie sketch comedians and Instagram celebrities The Inspired Unemployed. As they did at the last Victorian Grapevine Gathering, they're taking on hosting duties in order to keep you entertained between musos — and also hitting the decks as well. If you're wondering what the duo also known as Jack Steele and Matt Ford might have in store, shenanigans-wise, they did shoeys out of punters' footwear, performed an acoustic version of 'Drops of Jupiter' and hosted a segment of The Bachelorette the last time around. If you're also eager to find out who'll they be introducing, aren't we all — but past fests have been headlined by Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities, The Wombats, Tkay Maidza and The Veronicas. Naturally, sipping wine is a huge part of the attraction. As always, attendees will have access to a heap of vino given the fest's locations, as well as an array of yet-to-be-announced food options. GRAPEVINE GATHERING 2022 DATES: Saturday, October 1 — Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley, Western Australia Sunday, October 2 — Serafino Wines, McLaren Vale, South Australia Saturday, October 8 — Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, Victoria Saturday, October 15 — Roche Estate, Hunter Valley, New South Wales Sunday, October 16 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, Queensland Grapevine Gathering will tour Australia in October 2022. The full lineup hasn't been announced yet, but we'll update you when it is. In the interim, you can head to the festival's website to register for further details when it hits.
Since first making a big-screen splash in 2016's Lady Macbeth, in just her second film role, Florence Pugh has just kept proving an on-screen force to be reckoned with. In everything from Fighting with My Family and Little Women through to Black Widow — and including excellent TV series The Little Drummer Girl as well — she's gone from strength to strength. In Midsommar, too, she put in an all-timer while coping with the creepiest of creepiest scenarios. As that horror gem showed, Pugh also gives great reaction shots, especially when she's playing someone who is facing a terrifying nightmare. That's the situation the British actor finds herself in again in Don't Worry Darling — and, based on the initial and just-dropped second trailers, Pugh is in phenomenal form once more. When the two sneak peeks start, life is dreamy for Alice, her character; however, that unravels quickly. In the second feature from actor-turned-filmmaker Olivia Wilde (Booksmart), Alice gets stranded in the worst kind of 1950s ordeal despite all initial appearances to the contrary. Victory, the community where she's just moved to with her husband Jack (Harry Styles, Eternals) appears picture-perfect, but we all know how that can be deceiving. The town is home the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project — such as Jack — and their families, and it's where Don't Worry Darling's central duo are meant to enjoy nothing but bliss. They're given two rules to abide to, though: exercising the utmost discretion and committing 100-percent to Victory's vision, even if the town's wives don't actually know what their husbands get up to all day. That's all well and good — and terrific, in fact for most of Victory's residents — but it stops being the case for Alice. Despite the pervasive optimism of the era, as well as overt reassurances by company CEO Frank (Chris Pine, All the Old Knives) and his wife Shelley (Gemma Chan, Eternals), Alice is certain that all isn't quite what it seems — or that she can or should trust what the company is so determined to impress upon the town's inhabitants. Yes, as immaculate as Don't Worry Darling appears, it's 100-percent a psychological thriller. It gives off huge The Truman Show vibes, too, as Alice refuses to acquiesce. Hitting cinemas Down Under in early October, Don't Worry Darling also co-stars Wilde herself, playing another Victory employee's spouse, as well as Nick Kroll (Our Flag Means Death), KiKi Layne (The Old Guard), Sydney Chandler (The Golden Rut), Kate Berlant (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Asif Ali (WandaVision), Douglas Smith (Big Little Lies), Timothy Simons (Station Eleven) and Ari'el Stachel (Zola). Check out the latest trailer for Don't Worry Darling below: Don't Worry Darling releases in cinemas Down Under on October 6. Top image: © 2022 Warner Bros. Enterainment Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital nomad visas and remote working have never been more attainable, so if you've ever toyed with the idea of taking your skills abroad, Tourism Authority of Thailand is giving you the chance to try before you fly (away forever) with its Live Your Best Digital Nomad Life competition. Up for grabs is a Concrete Playground Trips voucher valued at $3000 (covering return flights to any major airport in Thailand and accommodation for any hotel in Thailand hosted on the CP Trips website), a $500 Klook voucher to spend on top experiences, activities and travel essentials such as transport and SIM cards, as well as $1500 worth of Visa travel vouchers which should cover you for long-tail boat rides along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, trekking in Chiang Mai's Doi Inthanon National Park, hopping on island escapades in Phuket or Krabi and all the Tom Kha Kai you can consume in a week. That's a total prize value of $5000. And who knows — at worst you can enjoy a change of WFH scenery. Or after a week you might love the Thai hospitality, your digital nomad life (and affordable living) so much, that you'll decide never to come back. Want to find out more about remote working in this incredible part of the world? Here's what you need to know to get yourself set up for a working holiday in Thailand. [competition]885290[/competition]
Once you've self-proclaimed your next album as the "album of the life" (see tweet), the next logical step is to create an epic, worldwide premiere party for its release. Well, it is if you're Kanye West (and, really, Kanye is the only person who could pull this off). So for the release of his upcoming album Waves — which was, up until a few hours ago named Swish — he'll be debuting it with a show at Madison Square Garden in NYC on February 11. And he'll be broadcasting the performance live in cinemas around the world. Yep, Kanye is literally going cinematic — and if you're in Melbourne or Sydney, you can get in on the action. Sydney's Hoyts Broadway and Hoyts Melbourne Central have both added listings for Kanye West / Season 3 / Waves which, according Hoyts' synopsis, will feature the "world premiere of the album Waves in its entirety, live from Madison Square Garden". He's also expected to present his new fashion line, Yeezy Season 3 at the show. Both screenings will take place at 8am on Friday, February 12. On Monday, Kanye tweeted a handwritten page detailing the tracklist for the then-Swish, now-Waves album. It's set to be broken into three acts and include collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Sia, Ty Dolla $ign, Vic Mensa and Post Malone. Amazingly, there are still a few tickets left to the screenings, so head over to the Hoyts website to snap some up. This is the greatest album of your whole life, after all.
Brisbane is a river city and always will be — but it's now a rooftop city as well. Only a few years ago, sky-high bars were rare across this town of ours; however, that's been changing. In fact, these days, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to drinks with a lofty view. The latest watering hole that's asking you to look at Brissie from a different vantage: Ooh La La Rooftop, which has made its home in Woolloongabba. It's an upstairs offshoot of beloved French restaurant C'est Bon, and it's serving tipples and bites to eat three days a week — from Friday–Sunday. First, when it comes to a view, you'll be peering over a different part of the city than usual — given that this sky-high spot isn't in the CBD or Fortitude Valley. The Mater Hospital and its carpark will be in your eye line, but so will the rest of this inner-city pocket. When the suburb's revamped Princess Theatre reopens in August, that'll just be around the corner, too. So, you know what you'll be looking at after you climb up the rear steps from C'est Bon, with entry to Ooh La La Rooftop via the rear laneway and carpark. As for what you'll be eating and drinking while you sit at high tables — or in regular chairs — the French theme unsurprisingly travels upstairs. Food-wise, both Siberian and Oscietra caviar is on the menu, including as part of a blini caviar set with potato rye blinis. From the seafood-heavy lineup, you can also tuck into Appellation oysters, Fraser Island crab, mussels, barbecued prawns and kingfish crudo. Or, there's duck liver parfait eclairs, angus tartare and confit suckling pig terrine, as well as a cheese and charcuterie selection for snacking. On the beverage list, the vino hails from either France or Australia — and while there's only four signature cocktails on the menu, Ooh La La is clearly about quality over quantity. Warm up with a hot whisky grog, opt for passionfruit or elderflower-heavy concoctions, or drink your way through a Tasmanian pinot negroni. Whatever you're sipping, you'll be doing so in a spot designed by Brisbane's JDA Co — who looked to open up the space, highlight its views and pay tribute to the building's history. Another key aspect of this makeover: ensuring that the structure's 1900s facade still has pride of place, too.
Cyclists, for a long time considered well behind the peloton in the fashion stakes, seem to be catching up. Leading designers are decking them out in fashionable threads, and now the helmet is even starting to look good. Perhaps fuelled by the rise in cycle chic, designers are now rethinking the humble lid and giving it a new look — after all, what’s the point of looking sharp in your $650 jacket if you cap it off with a Stackhat? Designboom have gathered together some of the more interesting takes on the humble helmet. Some simply add some quality materials to the traditional design, others take inspiration from the military, or nature. The more radical ideas start with a blank slate, and end up with something foldable that can be slipped in your handbag or back pocket. They might look great and suit your new outfit perfectly, but many of them wouldn’t meet Australian safety standards. Which is a shame, as it seems that a lot of cyclists would rather be a traffic-victim than a fashion-victim. [via Designboom]
The last two years might have been a little lighter on travel adventures than we're used to, but if you're keen to make up for lost time, Visit Victoria has come up with a beaut excuse to escape the city and hit the road again. It's just unveiled its latest touring off-grid accommodation experience championing the regions — a tiny home stay for two by the name of Stella the Stargazer. Similarly to Visit Victoria's Wine Down Pop-Up Hotel, which launched in mid 2019, Stella won't be tying herself down to just one location. Rather, she'll move between three idyllic regional settings for eight weeks at a time, starting with a sojourn at Maffra's Blue Gables vineyard from Friday, October 14. [caption id="attachment_869901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Gables Vineyard, Maffra[/caption] After its Gippsland stint, the environmentally sensitive pop-up will relocate to a spot along the Great Ocean Road for a couple of months, before seeing out its last leg nestled against the mountainous backdrop of the Grampians in April and May, 2023. The accommodation itself is a study in simple luxury, the off-grid tiny home the work of Port Fairy-based design and manufacture crew Ample. Inviting you to switch off, unplug and recharge, without forgoing comfort, it's kitted out with a queen-sized bed, complete with threads from Weave Home Australia, Society of Wanderers and Grampians Goods Co. There's a roll-out sleeping platform that's primed for stargazing, an indulgent shower surrounded by adjustable glass louvres designed to envelop you in the natural surroundings, and a central wood fire that doubles as a hotplate for cooking. Glass sliding doors open onto the modular deck and fire pit, and you'll find plenty of local wares featured throughout; from crockery, to Dindi Naturals toiletries. Meanwhile, famed chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria by Farmer's Daughters) will ensure you're dining like royalty, with guests enjoying a curated welcome hamper, a bottle of wine and breakfast provisions showcasing top local produce. A dinner experience is also available to add on to your stay. Stella the Stargazer will make her home in Maffra, Gippsland, from October 14–December 15, 2022. She'll then stop in a new location along the Great Ocean Road from February 3–April 6, 2023, before moving to the Grampians from April 17–June 18, 2023. Rates are $330 per night Monday–Thursday, and $390 per night Friday–Sunday.
We've seen plenty of iPhone camera extensions before but this one takes the cake. Don't go wild just yet – it's still only in concept stage – but with the optical zoom of a Leica lens combined with the functionality of the Apple iPhone, the Leica i9 is sure to take iPhoneography to new heights. This week Black Design Associates announced the Leica i9 concept, which lets you slip your iPhone 4 into a Leica camera casing. The result? A point and shoot camera with internal flash memory, a 12.1 megapixel sensor and 8x optical zoom. In developing the concept, BDA asked the question: "How do you combine a great smart phone with a great digital camera when your brands may speak to very different categories?" BDA approached the brief with the strategy of compliment without compromise, allowing the strengths of both Apple and Leica products to shine through in tandem. Sweet features of the Leica i9 include: Camera/iPhone Toggle: turns on your camera with an instant start-up time of 0.3 seconds, while simultaneously loading the Leica app on your iPhone 4 Flash and Light Meter: offers higher quality photos and videos in low-light conditions Camera Back Dock: harks back to traditional 35mm film, the back swinging open like a traditional film door to reveal the standard Apple 30-pin connector dock [Via Engadget]
2024 is set to be a huge year for Australia's most-inclusive music festival, with the Dylan Alcott-founded Ability Fest not only playing Melbourne but also hitting up Brisbane for the first time as well. Expanding is a massive achievement for the event. Also hefty: the lineup, with Ocean Alley, King Stingray, Cub Sport and Bag Raiders leading the bill. In Queensland, Ability Fest will head to Victoria Park/Barrambin in Brisbane on Saturday, October 26. As for what'll get you moving to the tunes, attendees will also see Asha Jefferies, Boone, Brenn!, Dewbs, Eliza Hull and jamesjamesjames, alongside Jordan Brando, Jordz, Kita Alexander and a triple j Unearthed winner. From there, Brisbanites will can catch Middle Kids, Cheq, Eves Karydas, Mikalah Watego, Moss, Neesha Alexander and Xeimma as well. Ability Fest is splitting its musicians across two stages, one for bands and one for DJs. The fully accessible event, which launched in 2018, has been carefully designed from the get-go. It features ramps and pathways for easy access, Auslan interpreters working alongside the artists, and elevated platforms to give everyone a shot at seeing the stage. Plus, there's also quiet zones, dedicated sensory areas and accessible toilets. The Brisbane festival will cater to around 5000 people, and Ability Fest is committed to being financially accessible during the current cost-of-living crisis in both of its stops. Accordingly, tickets will only cost $60 plus booking fee, and carers will receive complimentary entry. The fest is also lowering the age of admission to 16 so more folks can head along. While dishing up primo live tunes and music experiences to Aussies of all abilities, the not-for-profit fest also raises money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation, with 100-percent of its ticket proceeds going to the organisation. [caption id="attachment_963996" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Lineup: Asha Jefferies Bag Raiders Boone Brenn! Cub Sport Dewbs Eliza Hull jamesjamesjames Jordan Brando Jordz King Stingray Kita Alexander Ocean Alley triple j Unearthed winner Brisbane only: Cheq Eves Karydas Middle Kids Mikalah Watego Moss Neesha Alexander Xeimma Top images: Ian Laidlaw, Chloe Hall and Jayden Ostwald.
There's not a whole lot that can't be fixed with a big serve of carbs, especially when that involves diving headfirst into a generous bowl of pasta. A slurp of spaghetti or forkful of fettuccine and life suddenly looks very sweet indeed. So we've teamed up with American Express to pick out some of Brisbane's finest pasta-slinging spots — especially the ones where you can easily tap that Amex of yours — to ensure no gnocchi craving ever goes unanswered again. Whether you're recovering from a big night or down in the dumps after a subpar day at work, here are the best places to go when a big bowl of pasta is the only thing that will bring you back to life. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Last-minute shopping, over-indulging at celebratory shindigs, and pretending not to be annoyed about receiving another pair of socks: they're all a part of every Christmas. For kids and adults alike, so is many a seasonal-themed movie. If it has Santa or Christmas in the title, it's optimal viewing at this time of year. The folks at South Bank certainly think so, and have thrown together their yearly Christmas Cinema Series brimming with merriment. These free films aren't just for families. Any Yuletide movie held under Brisbane's starry skies and by the water at River Quay Green at this summery time of the season is perfect for, well, everyone. Pack a picnic and enjoy double features every night from Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 23. The familiar but still festive and fun lineup includes everything fromthe 80s stylings of Gremlins to the classic treat that is Miracle on 34th Street. That's not all, with Elf, The Polar Express, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone and more among a positively jovial and jolly selection of childhood classics gracing the waterside big screen.
Camping on a tropical island might seem like it's reserved for films and fantasies. But, in Tropical North Queensland, you can make it your reality at Dunk Island in the Family Islands National Park. Drive two hours south of Cairns to the idyllic coastal town of Mission Beach. Then, take a ten-minute ride across the glittering Coral Sea in the Water Taxi to Dunk Island where you can pitch a tent at one of only eight sites on the island. The campground comes with all the essentials — picnic tables, barbecue facilities, hot showers, drinking water and a loo — but, you'll need to take everything else with you. Pack snorkelling gear to catch the marine life in action at Muggy Muggy Beach, a good pair of walking shoes to complete the 11-kilometre Island Circuit hike, and plenty of food to refuel and enjoy on the sands of this tropical paradise.
Over the past six months, Fleabag picked up six Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes, becoming the most-acclaimed TV comedy of the past year. Sadly, that isn't enough to inspire Phoebe Waller-Bridge to make more episodes of the hit show — but for everyone lamenting the Fleabag-sized hole in their lives, the multi-talented Brit has a new project landing soon. She has a couple, actually. Waller-Bridge helped write the script for upcoming Bond flick No Time to Die, which is no small feat. If you're keen to see her on-screen, however, then you'll want to add Run to your must-watch pile. Waller-Bridge executive produces and pops up among the cast, with Vicky Jones — the director of her Fleabag stage show, and a script editor on Fleabag's first TV season — writing and producing the series. Hitting HBO in the US in mid-April, with release dates Down Under yet to be revealed, Run spends time with ex-lovers Ruby Richardson (Unbelievable's Merritt Wever) and Billy Johnson (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker's Domhnall Gleeson). They dated in college and, 17 years ago, they made a pact. First, one of them has to text the word 'run' whenever they feel like it. Next, the other has to respond the same way. After that, they both have to drop everything, step away from their everyday lives and meet at Grand Central Station, then travel across the America together. For Ruby, that means escaping her monotonous existence and leaving her husband (Mad Men's Rich Sommer) at home. As for what happens next, the just-released first trailer gives a sneak peek. Expect plenty of chatty train trips, as well as both tension and laughs — with HBO badging the series as a romantic-comedy thriller. And if you're wondering about Waller-Bridge, she plays Laurel, a woman who Ruby and Billy meet on their journey. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=_jwEiXdJGKM&feature=emb_logo Run starts screening in the US from Sunday, April 12, with air dates Down Under yet to be announced — we'll update you when local details come to hand. Image: Ken Woroner/HBO.
If you're missing travel as much as we are, you're probably spending your days dreaming of faraway destinations — and binge watching every single travel show on Netflix. But, Australian intrastate borders are beginning to open, which means it's time to start planning a local getaway. And we found a way to do this that won't cost you a cent. Surf fashion brand Roxy is giving two Aussies the chance to win a free trip to absolutely any beach in the country. Maybe you could head to New South Wales' Cabarita Beach — Tourism Australia's best beach for 2020 — or The Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach, which has been named one of the best beaches in the world (multiple times). Whether you're after white sands and sparkling blue waters, secluded spots hidden away from the hustle and bustle or legendary stretches of surf, Australia has it. You just need to choose the beach you want to visit. [caption id="attachment_785976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitehaven Beach in The Whitsundays[/caption] To enter, head over to the competition website and describe, in 25 words or less, your all-time favourite Aussie beach, and what makes it so bloody great. You'll also have to subscribe to the Roxy mailing list, but we reckon that's a small price to pay. If you win, Roxy will organise the flights, accommodation and hire car to your chosen destination — and you'll get a $500 gift card to spend on some new beachy threads. And don't worry about COVID-19 restrictions when choosing your beach — Roxy will honour the prize until it's fully safe to travel anywhere in Australia. The competition closes on Saturday, October 31, though, so best get on it. Roxy's Request a Beach competition run until Saturday, October 31. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
There's never been a better time to head out to Manly, particularly if you like eating breakfast whenever takes your fancy. You'll find dishes most consider early morning fare on offer right into the afternoon at Banter Coffee House; however that's not the only thing to get excited about. Don't get us wrong — given that Banter's menu features stacked brioche waffles with honeycomb crumbed strawberries, salted caramel anglaise and bee pollen sweet potato crisps, plus crab benedict on a French baguette, chilli scrambled eggs, and soy-glazed pork belly with fried bread, too, there's plenty on their all-day brekkie menu to get your mouth watering. Just leave room for lunch options like octopus salad and feta and asparagus flan, and one of their Fancy Shmancy Shakes as well. Yep, that's what they're called, and they come in apple blueberry pie, snickerdot and banana split flavours. Of course, you don't champion coffee in your name without offering hot cuppas of Uncle Joe's finest (and if you've been to Holland Park's Deedot Coffee House, aka Banter's sister store, then you know the type of caffeinated goodness you're in for). And, anyone keen on a chilled hangout space will find that too, courtesy of an airy Bayside pavilion vibe.
Attention aestheticians, minimalists and lovers of Tumblr, this is a public service announcement: there's Pantone-themed café just opened in Monaco and it’s fifty shades of beautiful. The eatery, named Pantone Cafe (keepin’ it simple, classic Pantone), has been set up on Avenue Princesse Grace overlooking the Côte d'Azur and against the vibrant backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. They'll be serving up treats and drinks that perfectly match Pantone’s famed hues. You know what this means, people. Bring your goddamn cameras. Everything at Pantone Cafe has been matched to a Pantone shade — even the staff uniforms. The menu reads like summer incarnate: ice creams, eclairs, granitas, soft drinks, 'fruit alcohol', cold sandwiches and juice. Try the in-vogue Pantone 13-0221 Pistachio Green éclair or the Pantone 13-2804 Parfait Pink ham sandie. A ham sandie has never been so lux. In case you hadn't guessed from the Côte d'Azur/Mediterranean location, Pantone Cafe has a summer theme and is therefore only open for the summer months until September 9. That is still ample time to quit your job, leave your family, bail to Monaco and really focus on your Tumblr aesthetic. But you better crack your piggy bank wide open because according to 2014 stats from the World Bank, the Monegasque are the richest people on earth. A Pantone 15-5534 green salad will set you back $13, so all you poor colourphiles might have to stick with a $3 croissant instead. Find the Pantone Café at Grimaldi Forum, 10 Av. Princesse Grace. Open from 10am-8pm daily, until September 9. Images: Pantone Cafe.
Is there any activity that KFC doesn't think could be improved by fried chicken? Given that the fast-food chain has put on weddings, opened a pop-up nightclub, held a music festival and hosted an 11-course degustation, there clearly isn't. The next to join the list is holidays. Even better, the chook-slinging brand is serving up free holidays. Always wanted to know what KFC dishes up in other countries? Now you can head there to find out on the brand's dime. KFC is calling its giveaway Kentucky Fly Chicken, naturally. Is Kentucky on the destination list? That hasn't been revealed, because exactly where you could be spending time is being kept a surprise. The promotion starts on Tuesday, February 20, runs through to Monday, March 18, and includes giving away trips over four weeks. Each week's winner scores a jaunt to somewhere around the world were fried chicken is definitely on the menu, of course. To enter, you do indeed need to buy some KFC first. Wannabe travellers can hit up the KFC app, then look for the international products among the usual range. They'll stand out in terms of what they're dishing up, but they're hidden. Locate them, spend at least $1 on an order, then cross your chicken-loving fingers that you emerge victorious in the winners' draw. Whatever the special meal is that you're looking for on the app, the nation that it's from is where you'll be flying to if your name is picked. And while there's only four trips on offer now, the campaign unofficially started with a fifth getaway which has already been won. It was to Tokyo, and involved spotting the wafu cutlet burger on the Aussie app, then jetting to Japan to try it in-person. The four folks who receive the rest of the prize getaways will get business-class flights, four-star accommodation, plus $6000 in total in cultural experiences and spending money while you're there. KFC is calling the promotion a travel service, because arranging your itinerary is covered. Depending on the destination, this might be an excuse to break out your KFC sweater — or your bucket hat from the chain's 2023 couture line. To enter the Kentucky Fly Chicken promotion, head to the KFC app between Tuesday, February 20–Monday, March 18, look for the international products among the menu and spend at least $1 on an order. Visit the KFC website for more details.
Is there anything more soul-crushing than doing your weekly grocery shopping? The packed aisles, the irritated checkout operator, the trolley that won't steer straight? No thanks. Take your food shop up several notches by stopping by Davies Park Markets for a big box of farm-fresh produce. Need a little more encouraging to get out of bed on a Saturday? The food stalls at Davies Park are worthy of the trip alone — every imaginable cuisine is represented, plus there is plenty of seating so you can enjoy your brekkie comfortably (without the usual din of your regular brunch haunt).
Despite also serving up everything from all-day breakfast to ice cream sandwiches, we still think that fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. It's right there in the name, after all. The chain's chips are particularly tasty — as made with Australian potatoes and cooked in a cottonseed sunflower oil blend. There is one thing better than Lord of the Fries' titular dish, however. That'd be free fries from the chip-loving establishment. And on Tuesday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away just that. Free. Fries. Yes, really. To snag free fries on Tuesday, you'll need to head to your chosen store — Brisbanites can flock to Fortitude Valley, or to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast — between 1–2pm, and you'll be gifted a serving of shoestring deliciousness. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. There is a limit of one freebie per person, though, so take that into consideration if you're feeling particularly peckish. You'll get your choice of classic sauces, too. And if you're wondering why, that's because it's National Fry Day. Of course it is.
As a nation girt by sea, as our anthem tells us, Australia boasts plenty of water. We're surrounded by it thanks to our scenic shorelines, picturesque harbours and cosy coastal inlets. And courtesy of the gobsmackingly gorgeous pools, curvy rivers and splash-tacular waterfalls found inland as well. Indeed, it's particularly easy to take a dip if you're in Brisbane, whether you're roaming around close to home or roving further afield when the weather's warm. Sea spray, refreshing swimming holes and even crystal-clear public pools are usually only a stone's throw away. Here's where you'll find them — and cool down.
Remember when you were 8 years old, snuggled up in front of the telebox, with a bowl popcorn in your lap, witnessing the death of Little Foot’s mother on the Land Before Time (sorry) for the first time? Remember the warmth of the blanket, the salty aromas of the room, and the borderline maternal relationship between the screen and yourself? Well those day’s aren’t dead, and new kids on the block, Found, are showing why with their upcoming movie night. Now if Found had decided to project Kangaroo Jack, Norbit or Spiderman 3 for their first film night, we writers at Concrete Playground would be faced with a real pain, and would probably have to implement 1940s propaganda strategies in order to sell it. Fortunately though, they’ve opted for Pulp Fiction, which needs only this hyperlink to remind us why it’s the crème de la crème of cult films. But wait, there’s more! Found are stripping all of the original music from the film, and replacing it with live music – CRAZY! Check out the bands who are covering it here and be sure to rock up and along with blankey.
Sometimes, you just want to watch a couple of coins get tossed into the air, and then try to guess which way they'll land. Come ANZAC Day, if that's you, The Shaftson has your day planned. After wowing the city with their Tinnies and Two-Up combo last year, the East Brissie pub is giving their appropriately themed laneway party another spin. Expect food trucks, free-flowing beer and many a person throwing money about. Sure, that might sound like a normal Shaftston get-together — but this time, when you're splashing cash around for a one-day-a-year tradition, you'll be channeling the ANZAC spirit.
One of the key events on Australia's film festival calendar will swashbuckle its way into 2024, with the next Alliance Française French Film Festival set to open with The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan. Mark your calendars not just for one big night at the movies, but plenty of them. While the François Civil (A Place to Fight For)-, Vincent Cassel (Liaison)-, Romain Duris (Final Cut)-, Pio Marmaï (Daaaaaali!)- and Eva Green (also Liaison)-starring version of Alexandre Dumas' famous novel will take pride of place to launch AFFFF's 35th year, the event's full lineup is always hefty. The complete details haven't been unveiled as yet, but the fest has locked in its 2024 dates and the first eight titles that'll be gracing its screens. The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan is part one of a two-part saga from filmmaker Martin Bourboulon (Eiffel), with part two The Three Musketeers: Milady also on the bill. As it always does, the Alliance Française French Film Festival will return in autumn, taking its celebration of Gallic cinema — the world's biggest outside of France, in fact — around the nation in March and April. Viewers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide will be treated to around a month of French movies. In Byron Bay, cinephiles will score an almost three-week stop. Other than the two Three Musketeers flicks — which are the first French takes on the tale in more than three decades — the program so far also boasts French icon Catherine Deneuve (The Truth) playing Bernadette Chirac in The President's Wife, as set in 1995 when Jacques Chirac was elected President. The Taste of Things is another of the event's big-name titles, with Juliette Binoche (The Staircase) starring in the cookery-fuelled romance, and filmmaker Tran Anh Hùng (Norwegian Wood) winning the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Also first debuting at Cannes: The Animal Kingdom, which sees Duris pop up again. Here, he plays a father in a future where humans are starting to become animal hybrids. Jeanne Du Barry also premiered on the Croisette, in the opening-night slot, with writer/director Maïwenn (Polisse) starring as the mistress of King Louis XV. Rounding out the picks so far are All Your Faces, focusing on France's Restorative Justice program, and Iris and the Men, the reunion of Antoinette in the Cévennes filmmaker Caroline Vignal and actor Laure Calamy (The Origin of Evil). As for the full bill, which usually includes 30-plus movies, it'll drop in early February. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 DATES: Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 9 — Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, The Chauvel, Roseville Cinema and Cinema Orpheum Cremorne, Sydney Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Como, Kino Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville and Windsor Cinema, Perth Thursday, March 7–Wednesday, March 27 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Thursday, March 7–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, March 21–Tuesday, April 16 — Nova Prospect and Palace Nova Eastend, Adelaide The Alliance Française French Film Festival will tour Australia in March and April 2024. For more information, visit the AFFFF website. Check back here on Wednesday, February 7 for the full program.
Brisbanites, if catching a train is on your weekend agenda, you might want to make other plans. As part of city-wide track maintenance, every line that runs through the Brisbane CBD is experiencing closures until Monday morning — including every single stop from Roma Street to Albion. The list of impacted stations is considerable, running out to Corinda on the Ipswich line, Murarrie on the Cleveland line, and Yeerongpilly on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines, too. Northsiders fare much better, with the track work only extending as far as Albion in that direction. If this sounds familiar, yes, it's the second time this has happened this year. Buses will replace trains through the CBD over the weekend, although Translink advises that passengers should add an extra hour onto their travel time until the first service on Monday. And if you're wondering why, the list of maintenance tasks is hefty, including general track and overhead line work, wire replacement at Roma Street, and track reconditioning at Central Station and Yeronga. Rails will be replaced from Corinda to Yeerongpilly and Graceville to Sherwood, and bridge replacement works will also occur on the Ipswich line. Image: Denisbin via Flickr.
Calling all sleuths of Brisbane — again. If you haven't fulfilled your murder-mystery fix on the big and small screens over the past few years, and if you missed a whodunnit play hailing from the one and only Agatha Christie back in 2022, then you'd best make a new date with The Mousetrap. Here are two questions for you to solve before you get there: why is it a big deal when is it coming your way once more? The answers: as well as being penned by Christie, it's the world's longest-running play; and after last year's season proved such a hit — and a sellout — it's returning to Brisbane's QPAC Playhouse from Friday, May 26–Sunday, June 11. Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, The Mousetrap has been treading the boards in the UK ever since, only pausing during to pandemic venue closures. When theatres reopened in Britain, so did the show. Indeed, when it arrived in Australia last year, The Mousetrap did so 70 years to the month that it first debuted. Unsurprisingly, that hefty run means that the show has enjoyed the longest stint for any West End production, and for any play anywhere in the world. So far, there's been more than 28,500 London performances. To answer the other obvious question, yes, it's all about an unexpected death. The murder-mystery starts with news of a killing in London — and with seven people snowed in at a guest house in the country. They're strangers, which is classic Christie. When a police sergeant arrives on skis, they're told that the murderer is among them (which, again, is vintage Christie). They all have wild pasts, too, and all those details are spilled as they're interrogated, and also try to work out who among them is the killer. Those guests at Monkswell Manor include a pair of newlyweds who run the house, a spinster, an architect who is handy in the kitchen, a retired Army major, a man who says his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist. Naturally, there's another death as they're all puzzling it over — and a twist conclusion, which audiences have been requested not to reveal after leaving the theatre for seven decades now. Images: Brian Gleach.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 3, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its seventh year running. This year over 700 cafes will aim to raise as much as they can, with totals reaching more than of $160,000 in previous years. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 3 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. There are a heap of cafes participating across the city, but some include: Felix for Goodness Denim Mylk and Co Grinders Pablo and Rusty's The Low Road Cafe Sassafras NYC Bagel Deli
No matter what their colour, condition, or quality, Rutherford Chang wants your iconic 1968 Beatles 'White Album'. Although it was only sold as a limited edition item, the White Album sold over 3 million copies back in the day. The album was unique in its simplicity with a purely white cover and only an embossed script of the band's name and a serial number to distinguish it from a plain piece of cardboard. However, the period of 45 years proves to completely transform these indistinguishable albums into individuals each with their own personality. After a lifetime of differing experiences, alternate uses, and completely separate wears and tears, these plain white albums now share rich historical stories through the text written on their covers, the scratches in the music, the yellowing on the corners, and even the mould on the surface. These intricacies, these signs of love, rejection, kinship, or heartache are exactly what Chang is interested and why he was inspired to collect as many of these White Albums as possible for his exhibition: 'We Buy White Albums'. What he calls his 'anti-store' is set up in SoHo, New York and being featured by the artistic workspace Recess. Rather than selling these aged vinyls, Chang is offering to buy any White Album for a fixed price, no matter what their condition. Chang was fascinated by the concept of mass customisation. Although the white albums start off as homogenised products, each as identical and monotonous as the next , he "noticed how personalised every copy of the White Album has become over the course of the last half century and wanted to compare different copies.” While some copies may have been played religiously every night for a decade, some were played once then discarded and others may have been passed down a long line of buyers and sellers, rocked out at in clubs, provided background music for parties, or even experienced the blossoming of love or the breaking or hearts. Each individual album has been distinctly shaped through its history, which is evident through the imperfections in both its physical appearance and audio quality. The 'We Buy White Albums' Exhibition is on show until March 9; however, Chang is determined for it not to simply reach a standstill there. He has collated over 697 records to date and doesn't intend to simply discard the treasures like so many have before him. Following the closing of the anti-store, Chang will press a double LP of all the songs from 100 different albums layered together in a single audio sequence. Each discrete record has developed its own unique character with scratches and warps at various points in the songs. The resulting track will be like hearing hundreds of Beatles albums at once, with the individuality of each standing out above the next. Via Wired.
If you're someone who habitually forgets to grab your dear ol' dad a Father's Day gift until the last minute, now is your chance to get him something really special — especially if he loves a dram and his motorsports. Glenfiddich has partnered with the Aston Martin Formula One Team to release a limited-edition 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (ABV 43%). Housed in an Aston Martin Racing Green presentation box, this will really pop on dad's bar shelf (when he isn't pouring himself a glass, that is). When it comes to whisky, few names are as renowned as Glenfiddich. Founded in 1887, this Scottish distillery has long been a pioneer in the production of single malt Scotch whisky and is one of the few remaining family-owned distilleries. Continuing to embrace the innovative practices of its founder, William Grant, it's responsible for some of the best-selling whiskies on the market, including the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Its commitment to such a high level of craftsmanship is exactly why Glenfiddich has partnered with Aston Martin to release this limited-edition bottle. Announced at the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024, this 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky celebrates the precision and mastery of these two iconic brands. "At Glenfiddich, we're committed to creating exceptional whiskies that honour tradition while embracing innovation," commented Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich's Malt Master. "The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old is a true testament to this philosophy. It combines craftsmanship and precision in a whisky that invites exploration and discovery, much like the journey of our partnership with Aston Martin Formula One Team. It's a celebration of blending tradition with the thrill of innovation." So what exactly makes this single malt Scotch whisky special? Like all of Glenfiddich's spirits, the devil is in the details. This 16-year-old whisky is aged in a carefully selected marriage of American oak wine casks, new American barrels and second-fill bourbon casks. Through the distillery's meticulous blending process, the result is a bottle that features distinct notes of maple syrup, caramelised ginger and, subtly, toasted oak. As it goes down, it has a silky and syrupy palate that tastes like fresh fruit salad and Chantilly cream. All of this culminates in a finish that's smooth and bold, with a sustained sweetness. What wouldn't Dad love about that? If he considers himself a bit of a whisky connoisseur or has an eye for the more luxurious things in life, this limited edition bottle is sure to go down smooth. It's also the perfect Father's Day gift if your dad is the kind of guy who saves spirits so he can crack them out for "special occasions". Every dram of Glenfiddich's 16-Year-Old Single Malt is sure to be enjoyed. If you're lucky, he might even let you have a glass. The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (RRP $150) is available at First Choice, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and independent retailers. You can purchase it here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Glenfiddich
Maybe you adore frights and scares. Perhaps bumps and jumps aren't for you. Don't worry, Halloween still caters for everyone. Between the nauseating amounts of lollies, flexing your arts and crafts skills to fashion yourself a costume, and the themed cocktails, plus the all-round excuse to party, there's something on the agenda no matter how deeply you embrace horror. Trick or treating isn't as big here as it is in the US, but we'll be damned if we won't use Halloween as an excuse for a spooky time. And, thankfully, there are plenty of eerie events and horror-centric nights happening around town for you to dive into. Here's a list of some of the best things going on in and around Brisbane for Halloween this year, ranging from the not-so scary (catching a blockbuster musical or a spooky-themed game of mini golf) to the truly unsettling (an old favourite: eerie movies) — and including the wild (partying on a yacht in costume) and wonderful (drinks to fit the date), too.
If your 2024 resolutions involve seeing stunning art and travelling, here's one of the best ways to tick both boxes: a visit to digital-only art gallery teamLab Borderless in Tokyo. Not only is the Japanese venue finally set to reopen in a new location, but it'll welcome folks back in with a spectacular array of never-before-seen installations. If you fancy being surrounded by bubbles, jelly, flowers and oceans, you'll be especially thrilled. When it initially launched in 2018, teamLab Borderless instantly became one of the most spectacular must-sees on any Tokyo trip; however, the venue has been closed for a year and a half while shifting to its new site at Azabudai Hills. Come Friday, February 9, it'll reopen its doors with another dazzling array of artworks — pieces that epitomise terms like breathtaking, kaleidoscopic, glorious and delightful, and are worth a trip to Tokyo to see all by themselves. The new teamLab Borderless will span both evolved and brand-new artworks. So, even if you've been before at its old digs, you won't just be seeing the same things — even though they're definitely worth enjoying more than once. While the full range of works that'll feature at teamLab Borderless 2.0 still hasn't yet been revealed, the list keeps growing — and impressing. Pieces announced so far include the jaw-dropping Light Sculpture series, which cycles through an array of light formations and colours, as well as an eye-catching mirrored infinity room-style space that's tentatively been titled Microcosmoses. Among the world-premiere installations, there's also Bubble Universe: Physical Light, Bubbles of Light, Wobbling Light, and Environmental Light, which is comprised of spheres that look like soap bubbles and jelly, and will move through various colours. With Flowers and People — Megalith Crystal Formation, you'll spy florals bud and blossom, then wither and decay, repeating that pattern endlessly. And thanks to Black Waves — Megalith Crystal Formation, the sea gets a nod. Attendees can also enjoy Giant Solidified Spark, which is a sphere made from rays of light — plus Wall Without a Wall, which you'll see as a wall even though nothing physical exists. In its original guise, teamLab Borderless was also anointed the most-visited single-artist museum in the world during its first year of operation. Expect that to happen again in central Tokyo, where it's relocating to from its past Odaiba base. That means that you'll no longer be crossing over Tokyo's gorgeous Rainbow Bridge to get there — but your eyes will have much to feast on inside. If you were lucky enough to mosey around the OG spot before the pandemic, you'll know that the Borderless experience involves vibrant, constantly moving, always-changing interactive digital art keeps that keeps glowing and rearranging before your eyes. As the name makes plain, nothing is fixed or static here. Pieces move from one space to the next, and interact with other works. Sometimes, several different projections and installations mingle together. For attendees, peering at the end results isn't merely a passive experience, with the venue encouraging patrons to "wander, explore and discover". teamLab might be best-known for its Tokyo site, but it doesn't only operate in Japan. A second teamLab Borderless has already been open in Shanghai since 2019, and others are slated for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Hamburg in Germany — the former without an exact opening date, the latter slated to launch in 2025. The organisation also operates a different museum in Macao, and has its first teamLab Phenomena on the way for the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, again targeting a 2024 launch. The list goes on, with teamLab's works a drawcard wherever they pop up. teamLab Borderless Tokyo: MORI Building Digital Art Museum will reopen at its new location at Azabudai Hills, Garden Plaza B B1F, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo sometime on Friday, February 9, 2024, with tickets on sale from Tuesday, January 16 — for more information, visit the museum's website. Images: teamLab, Exhibition view of teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, 2024, Azabudai Hills, Tokyo © teamLab, courtesy Pace Gallery.
Cinema has a big problem — and for the first time in quite a while, it can't be summed up by the words "sequel", "reboot" or "Adam Sandler". For a long time now, convenience stores and cinema candy bars have been known for their bizarre Prohibition-era pricing of ordinary goods. Now they are being joined by a third champion of Weimar-esque inflation – the cinema ticket counter. According to Screen Australia, in 2005, the maximum price you'd pay to see a movie on the big screen was $15. In 2015, the last year for which there is recorded data, that price had exploded to $24.50. And while this hasn't reduced the number of Australians going to the flicks each year, the number of times people visit has been steadily declining since 2009. Melbourne couple Sonya Stephen and Shane Thatcher say that only around 16 per cent of available movie tickets are purchased in Australia each year. Their solution, a new app called Choovie, is an attempt to allow audiences to drive demand — and, by extension, the prices they pay at the door. "Every time we went to the cinema and there was only a few people in there, he [Thatcher] would start questioning how you could use technology to get more people to go to the cinema more often," says Stephen. "It became obvious that by using smartphone technology there could be a genuine win-win, people could see more movies and cinemas could make more money." Choovie is a push for cinemas to adopt a fluid ticket price based on the time of the screening and the popularity of the film. The app would then share this information with users and allow them to find the best deal. In other words, you'll probably still pay a mozza for the new Star Wars in mid-December and whatever the biggest flick is on Boxing Day, but when you're busting to see Tears of the Otter by that Danish guy at 11am on a Wednesday morning, Choovie will help you find a ticket that takes these things into account. Obviously, much of the app's success will rest on whether cinemas decide to play ball or not; however with Australian movie theatres currently selling less than a fifth of their available product, Stephen is confident that more bums on seats will also mean bigger profits for cinemas. "The onus is on us to prove that it works. If we can do that I can't see why everyone wouldn't come on board." Choovie goes live on 27th March in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, with staggered launches across the rest of Australia in the months following. For more information, visit their website.
In A Wrinkle in Time, a giant-sized Oprah towers over the world like a goddess, arching her bejewelled eyebrows, wearing glittering outfits and dispensing advice. Mindy Kaling offers wisdom in quote form, cribbing as much from age-old sages as current popular culture. Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon is full of goofiness and good cheer — when she's not turning into a flying lettuce leaf. With names like Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Whatsit, the three actresses play magical beings intent on helping 13-year-old Meg Murry (Storm Reid) find her missing astrophysicist father (Chris Pine). They're also pivotal to this fantastical film. Make no mistake: A Wrinkle in Time is Meg's movie. Based on the 1962 novel of the same name, it's the story of a girl who's not only uncertain in her own skin, but is uncertain about her place in the world since her dad disappeared. When the three Mrs arrive in her life — claiming to know where her father is and eager to spirit her away to a parallel dimension — Meg is instantly wary, even when her super-smart younger brother (Deric McCabe) tries to quell her fears. Meg has other things on her mind as well: she's being bullied by the girl next door (Rowan Blanchard), particularly about her hair, and she's not quite sure why her cute classmate (Levi Miller) suddenly wants to be her friend. Still, she's intrigued by her new celestial pals (as odd and otherworldly as they clearly seem), largely because they're also so sincere and genuine. That's the kind of film that Meg and the Mrs are in, after all: earnest from start to finish, and unashamed to wear its heart on its sleeves and every other piece of multi-coloured clothing in sight. It's the type of movie that really isn't made all that often these days — a movie that owns its brand of sentimental optimism, doesn't try to be anything else, and doesn't really try to appeal to adults either. While A Wrinkle in Time has garnered significant attention thanks to its high-profile stars, it's ultimately an upbeat and affectionate kids' sci-fi/adventure flick through and through. Filled with child-friendly messages about believing in yourself and your intelligence, choosing hope over darkness, and trusting that good will prevail over evil, the film is basically an Oprah-style empowerment lesson for everyone under the age of 15. Pre-teen and teenage girls will be wrinkling their faces with happiness. For those familiar with the book, this shouldn't come as a shock. The source material has been considered unfilmable for decades, with the only other attempt coming courtesy of a 2003 TV movie. Given that the episodic narrative toys with time travel, hops between wondrous planets, and tasks Meg with evading a tentacled monster, it shouldn't surprise anyone who hasn't read the novel either. That said, A Wrinkle in Time proves a nice throwback to the live-action family fare that Disney used to pump out in the '60s, '70s and '80s, including on television. Indeed, even if you're not in the obvious target market, the fact that the movie is so committed to its old-school, old-fashioned vibe is admirable. Jumping from powerful civil rights drama Selma and race-relations documentary 13th to something completely different, director Ava DuVernay hits the mark in more places than just the film's all-ages vibe. She gets the best out of her diverse cast, especially the younger players, with Reid a picture of relatable, youthful awkwardness, and Aussie actor Miller (Jasper Jones, Better Watch Out) continuing his great run of late. From the bright costumes to the overall explosion of special effects, DuVernay also ensures that everything looks and feels like a larger-than-life fantasy in every frame. Her quest to make a big-thinking, big-hearted kids' flick is always apparent, but like A Wrinkle in Time's gossiping flowers — yes, there's a field of flowers that literally gossip — the movie's beauty and its limitations go hand-in-hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwlZ1r-BiQA
The oldest floral festival in Australia, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival focuses on the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees that line the town's streets. First held in 1935, the festival brings together art exhibitions, live music, markets and parades for a week-long celebration from October 27 through November 4. While the jacaranda blooms are of course the main attraction, it's by no means the only event you'll have to look forward to during the festival — think a dragon boat race and a riverside circus and carnival, along with buskers, fireworks and stallholders aplenty. Grafton takes their tree heritage seriously and currently holds the title for biggest jacaranda on the National Tree Register of Big Trees (yes, it is a real registry). While in town, visit 'The Gorge', a tree which measures at a massive 30 metres high with a six-metre circumference. It deserves a nice big hug, we reckon.
Home baking might be among 2020's biggest trends — and its most unexpected — but tucking into bakery-level bread and pastries remains one of life's simple pleasures. And, that's exactly what's on the menu at West End newcomer Superthing. That, and an eye-catching pastel pink colour scheme. Now open on Montague Road, the croissanterie, bakery and cafe serves up a creative range of baked goods in a visibly striking space, so you can give both your stomach and your eyes a feast. It's a case of coming for the croissants, danishes, bagels and cruffins, then staying to feel like you've walked into a cloud of pink — while standing beneath globe lighting and, once dine-in customers are allowed in, sitting on bench seats as well. Croissants are, unsurprisingly, one of the main attractions. Tuck into a plain variety on its own, stuffed with ham, cheese and bechamel, or filled with your choice of cream cheese, Nutella or avocado. Or, you can treat your tastebuds to tiramisu, almond, or chocolate and hazelnut versions. If you prefer your flaky pastries mixed with a muffin, the cruffin lineup includes zesty bitter orange and burnt basque cheesecake. Fruit danishes, vanilla custard buns and choc-chip cookies are also on the menu, alongside special daily flavours and a range of organic sourdough. Superthing also serves up breakfast, brunch and lunch-style meals, such as overnight oats, bacon and egg-filled breakfast buns, and poke toast — as well as reuben sandwiches, bagels stuffed with either salmon or haloumi, pasta and cheeseburgers. Drinks-wise, expect Padre coffee to put a spring in your step, with a selection of packaged cold beverages available, too. Find Superthing at 215 Montague Road, West End — open from 7am–2pm daily.
If there's an occasion worth celebrating, including Christmas, spring and winter, Woolloongabba's South City Square has marked it with markets in the past. The inner-east precinct can still roll out the stalls just because, however — such as on Friday, May 24, when it's hosting a Vegan/Vego Laneway Fest. Running from 4–8.30pm, this after-work event goes heavy on plant-based bites — and also gluten-free wares. Some will be vegetarian. Some will be vegan. Either way, food trucks are taking over the place. [caption id="attachment_949992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] Live tunes are also on the agenda, and are plant and flower market stalls, plus upcycled wares and gift options. Entry is free, as is onsite parking for five hours, as the Vegan/Vego Laneway Fest joins South City Square's monthly series — with an Asian Hawker Market and European Food Trail also set to come in 2024. [caption id="attachment_949993" align="alignnone" width="1920"] All Images[/caption]
