Between an immersive dinner experience in a historic house, performances by The Flaming Lips and Kamasi Washington and a swag of captivating theatre experiences inviting audiences into parallel worlds, this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF) will be tough to ignore. Unveiled yesterday, the festival's 2019 program is set to deliver a diverse, vibrant celebration of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and architecture from October 2–20, with the entire city as its stage. For one of 12 Australian premieres, famous illusionist Scott Silven will host multi-sensory dinners for 24 people inside Chapter House, combining magic and storytelling (and, hopefully, some food). Another Australian premiere that'll be equally captivating is Yang Liping's contemporary dance masterpiece Rite of Spring. Tokyo-based art collective teamLab — made up of mathematicians, architects, animators and engineers — will take over Tolarno Galleries with sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence", which will make you feel as though you're standing on a floating wave of light. If you've been lucky enough to visit Tokyo's Digital Art Museum or Shanghai's pop-up digital waterfall you'll know what to expect — they're both works by teamLab. Over at the Arts Centre, Black Mirror actor Maxine Peake will lead 15 musicians in a captivating exploration of enigmatic artist Nico and her 1968 masterpiece The Marble Index, in an Australian exclusive. [caption id="attachment_724480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Flaming Lips[/caption] In terms of music, there are some big names heading Down Under for the two-week festival. Psychedelic rock legends The Flaming Lips will perform their ninth, and most celebrated, record The Soft Bulletin in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The band's performances are never run-of-the-mill either — so, expect confetti cannons, elaborate costumes and neon unicorns. Jazz king Kamasi Washington — who has collaborated with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Kendrick Lamar and St Vincent — will be performing his latest album Heaven and Earth, as well as other top hits. Grammy Award-winning string quartet Kronos Quartet will be heading to Melbourne, too, and if the name doesn't immediately sound familiar, you'll most definitely recognise their Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. Elsewhere on the program — which, yes, continues – will see the return of Melbourne's beloved art trams, Nakkiah Lui's new show Black is the New White, a thought-provoking look at (and questioning of) 2019 Melbourne in Anthem and a world premiere of Chunky Move's new contemporary show Token Armies. This will be the last MIAF in its current format, too. Starting from 2020, MIAF will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with White Night. Melbourne International Arts Festival runs from October 2-20, 2019, at venues across the city. Tickets are available here, from Monday, July 22. Images: Borderless Tokyo Digital Art Museum by Sarah Ward; Yang Liping's Rite of Spring; Kamasi Washington.
Come March 2021, it will have been 12 months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Accordingly, just when jetting overseas will be back on the agenda has been the subject of much discussion. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate, in fact — and now it looks like that could remain the case in 2021 as well. This isn't particularly surprising news; however, with a COVID-19 vaccine currently being rolled out around the globe — with the first jabs slated to hit Aussie arms sometime in February — there was hope that 2021 could see a slow return to normality. But Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has now forecast that the travel situation is unlikely to change soon, even with the vaccine. Appearing on ABC New Breakfast on Monday, January 18, Murphy — who is now the Secretary of the Department of Health — said "I think the answer is probably no. I think we will go most of this year with still substantial border restrictions. He continued: "even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus, and it is likely that quarantine will continue for some time". "At the moment, we have this light at the end of the tunnel — the vaccine — so we're going to go as safely and as fast as we can to get our population vaccinated," he also advised. "And then we'll look at what happens." https://twitter.com/breakfastnews/status/1350911014544449538 Murphy also said that, early on in the pandemic, he told Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he didn't want to "predict more than two or three months ahead" — because, "one of the things about this virus is that the rule book is being made up as we go". Eager travellers might remember that last April, Murphy advised that international travel wouldn't be back for at least three-to-four months. With COVID-19 cases continuing to spike elsewhere in the world, that timeframe just keeps extending. At the moment, Australia has implemented a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide. It's presently only one-way, though, meaning that New Zealanders can come to Australia, but Australians aren't yet able to holiday in NZ. It's worth noting, as everyone should be well and truly aware, that Australia's domestic border situation keeps changing with frequency, too — including recent updates in response to cases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne — so travelling anywhere beyond your own city probably isn't guaranteed to be straightforward for the foreseeable future. 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.
Some people wind down by watching Nicolas Cage movies. Others prefer getting whimsical with Wes Anderson, indulging in Studio Ghibli's animated delights or rustling up a few laughs. Or, there's the group of folks that finds nothing more relaxing than binging movies and TV shows about architecture, design, sustainability and outdoor living. If the latter applies to you — especially in a year that's seen us all spend far more time in our homes — soon there'll be a new streaming service for that. Joining the ever-growing online viewing ranks (and giving Netflix even more company than it already has), Shelter will launch on Friday, July 31 with a lineup focused on design-centric content. Think documentaries such as Tiny, which steps inside six super-small homes; Art House, about the abodes of 11 creatives and the way they reflect their craft in their surroundings; and Homo Sapiens, which gets philosophical about the impact — and fragility — of human existence. Or, you can explore the work of architects such as Eileen Gray, Kevin Roche, Harry Seidler and Tadao Ando via separate docos. Home-centric series Dream Build and Charlie Luxton's Homes by the Sea are also on Shelter's launch lineup — as is the six-part Inspired Architecture series, which explores six Australian structures. The platform is also teaming up with global publications like Design Anthology and Green Magazine to host and present new content. And, it'll be expanding its range with fresh additions each month. When it goes live at the end of July, Shelter will be available online and via iOS and Android apps — costing AU$7.99/NZ$8.99 per month, with a 14-day free trial period on offer, too. And, it's partnering with Eden Reforestation Projects to do more than merely serve up something new for design aficionados to watch. For each paid subscriber Shelter has each month, it'll plant a native tree via the not-for-profit reforestation organisation — which works to plant millions of trees annually in impoverished and environmentally devastated areas of the globe. Shelter launches in Australia and New Zealand on Friday, July 31 — visit the streaming platform's website to sign-up for updates.
Last week's Australian Interior Design Awards had us fawning over the most majestic new spaces and mentally redecorating our own little corner of the world. But they also seemed to capture something else — a more confident, unique sense of Australian style, all earth and light, outdoorsy and unfussy. The nature of the Australian aesthetic is fodder for an exciting mini-conference at this year's Vivid Ideas. In Australian Interiors, prominent voices in Australian design such as Sibella Court, Russel Koskela, Alice Blackwood and Rachel Castle will speak on their own practice, current style and future trends. Ahead of that, they talk to us about that big question, Australianness, and how it finds expression in design. Sibella Court Sibella Court is an interior stylist, product designer, historian, globetrotter and creative director who's designed some of our favourite Sydney spaces, such as Mr Wong, Palmer ? Co and The Fish Shop (pictured above). Do you think there is such a thing as a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Contemporary Australian design doesn't follow a trend; it is eclectic and a great mix of history and creation. Geographically, we are a shipping nightmare! Our lack of product access makes Australians more creative, resourceful and awesome. There’s an embracing of collaboration and a celebration of new and upcoming designers and artisans. Australian style is laidback, and our outdoors and surrounds are already so beautiful, we are a product of our landscape. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? What new trends do you see emerging? Australians have their finger on the (global and local) pulse when it comes to design. Perhaps due to our distance from the rest of the world we have a slight dose of FOMO! The lifestyle of Australia influences our design: a casualness and comfort to our style, as well as creatively experimenting with all sorts of different trends, without ever actually following a trend. Social media is a huge influencer of this, especially Instagram. It is a virtual portfolio, and everyone is watching. It’s a fantastic means of discovery of artists, designers and makers, and it lends itself to being the base of exciting collaborations. Russel Koskela Russel Koskela founded Koskela with his partner Sasha Titchkosky in 2000. They've become a fixture for minimal, sustainable, unique furnishings and Russel last year won both an Idea Award and Eat Drink Design Award for his designs. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Yes I do, although I don’t think it’s completely definable. I think there is a relaxed casualness and playfulness to Australian interiors that reflects our climate and attitude. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? It’s very difficult to pick any trends as it’s almost like ‘anything goes’ at the moment. We really noticed this when we were in Milan earlier this year — there was something there for everyone. Even with colours it was almost impossible to pick trends. Alice Blackwood Alice Blackwood is Melbourne editor at Indesign Media, having last year completed a five-year stint as Editor of DQ (Design Quarterly) magazine. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Absolutely there is. The way we live and the built environments in which we live directly reference Australia's unique natural environment, our climate, lighting, lifestyle, cultural habits and more. Our love for the outdoors, for example, is hugely influential on our approach to interior design, that creation of a seamless transition between indoors and out being a common element among most contemporary Australian spaces. If I had to apply a general descriptor to the Australian aesthetic, I would say, natural, honest materials; open spaces that allow for lots of natural light; clean, uninterrupted lines (moving away from poky, old Victorian spaces), and open-plan spaces that integrate kitchen and living into one. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? I tend to question, are we capitalising on our local vernacular properly? I've seen a real push-pull among furniture and interior designers — some are keen to 'own' the Australian vernacular, while some feel pigeonholed by it (we are, after all, constantly fighting our 'tyranny of distance') ... In terms of emerging trends, having just come back from the Milan Furniture Fair, I saw a profusion of mixed material use, as well as natural material use, which I think resonates very strongly with our Australian aesthetic. Marble was hugely popular, the cold, beautiful, elemental 'feel' of it resonating strongly with Aussie designers already. Do you have a personal favourite bar or restaurant interior that nails ‘contemporary Australian'? At Indesign Media, we're loving Mocan and Green Grout in Canberra, which we covered recently on Habitusliving.com. It’s located on Capital Hill, and does coffee and bicycles, (how cool!). The interior fit-out features lots of beautiful timber joinery, it receives lots of natural light during the day. The fact that it also specialises in bicycles resonates strongly, I think, with our love for health and wellbeing, and being active outdoors! As well, there’s no denying the growing popularity for cycling and bike culture in Australia. Rachel Castle Rachel Castle of CASTLE designs and manufactures her own bedlinen and homeware range that is full of colour, life and non-boringness. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? I think these days its really hard to pinpoint a definitive Australian aesthetic. Its like asking us to define our Australian fashion; it's so varied. I think the explosion of interiors blogs and online imagery banks such as Pinterest have allowed anyone and everyone to evolve their own unique aesthetic. I think in general though, we all try to keep it quite relaxed and uncontrived. I think people now are as interested in what they put in their homes as what they put on their bodies, so its wonderful to see such an engaged audience. It's no longer necessary to pick and look and stick to it. You can read the mags, the books, go online, and start to really hone your own aesthetic and source it online, from anywhere in the world. If I had to define a style I would say its a very personal mix of natural materials and products, lots of handmade product, with pops of colour and tons of white for backdrop, and am loving seeing a resurgence for indoor plants! My personal favourite. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? I think we're going to see everything start to pare back a bit. There has been a trend for pattern and pattern and more pattern, which I personally love, but I think it can become a little overwhelming, so am seeing a lot more recently, in the mags especially, a simplistic, cleaner look. Metallics and blush are everywhere, which hello we love, and a softer colour palette with the neutrals and greys and pastels starting to emerge. Do you have a personal favourite bar or restaurant interior that nails ‘contemporary Australian'? I would have to say Kitchen By Mike [designed by and sharing space with Koskela]. Utilitarian, communal, friendly, warm and earthly. Yummy food too. Sibella Court, Russel Koskela, Alice Blackwood and Rachel Castle are all speaking as part of Vivid Ideas' Australian Interiors: Objects, Furnitures, Textiles from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, May 24, at the Vivid Ideas Exchange on Level 6 of the MCA. It's one of our picks of the top ten events to see at Vivid Ideas — check out the rest here.
What if a vampire didn't want to feed on humans? When it happens in Interview with the Vampire, rats are the solution. In Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, Sasha (Sara Montpetit, White Dog) gets her sustenance from pouches of blood instead, but her family — father (Steve Laplante, The Nature of Love), mother (Sophie Cadieux, Chouchou), aunt (Marie Brassard, Viking) and cousin Denise (Noémie O'Farrell, District 31') — are increasingly concerned once more than half a century passes and she keeps avoiding biting necks. Sasha still looks like a goth teenager, yet she's 68, so her relatives believe that it's well past time for her to embrace an inescapable aspect of being a bloodsucker. What if she didn't have to, though? The potential solution in the delightful first feature by director Ariane Louis-Seize, who co-writes with Christine Doyon (Germain s'éteint), is right there in this 2023 Venice International Film Festival award-winner's title. With What We Do in the Shadows, both on the big and small screens, the idea that vamps are just like the living when it comes to sharing houses has gushed with laughs. Swap out flatmates for adolescence — including pesky parents trying to cramp a teen's style — and that's Louis-Seize's approach in this French-language Canadian effort. As much as Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person brings fellow undead fare to mind, however, and more beyond, the Québécois picture is an entrancing slurp of vampire and other genres on its own merits. There's an Only Lovers Left Alive-style yearning and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night-esque elegance to the film. Beetlejuice and The Hunger bubble up, too, as do Under the Skin, Ginger Snaps and The Craft as well. But comparable to how drinking from someone doesn't transform you into them — at least according to a century-plus of bloodsucking tales on the page, in cinemas and on TV — nodding at influences doesn't turn this coming-of-age horror-comedy into its predecessors. Why does a vampire shy away from their basic method of feeding? Compassion and empathy, as a vamp doctor diagnoses. At a childhood birthday party in the 80s, Sasha (played by Avant le crash's Lilas-Rose Cantin in her younger guise) is gifted what her family thinks will be the ultimate present, to help her fangs come in: the clown hired as the shindig's entertainment isn't just there for a merry time, but as the cake. She won't kill him. She won't murder anyone afterwards. As she ages, it isn't just appeasing her parents that's putting pressure on Sasha to indulge her ingrained urges; when she sees blood, her desire kicks in. That Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person falls into the nest of flicks that understand how harrowing becoming a woman can be is as apparent as a puncture wound around the jugular; again, it still finds its own way to muse on a well-contemplated topic, even while broadly sticking with the familiar "being a teen girl is a horror movie" concept. As a last resort, Sasha is sent to stay with Denise, who nab her meals simply by picking up men and taking them home (her industrial-chic abode has meathooks to assist). But forcing anyone to follow in an authority figure's footsteps never turns out well whether they're breathing or undead, which is another of Louis-Seize's universal notions. A search for identity sits at the unstaked heart of Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, as Sasha endeavours to grow up and be a creature of the night on her own terms, and without losing who she knows she is. Enter suicide support groups, which depressed and bullied high-schooler Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard, The Wall) attends to grapple with his own feelings about mortality — an opinion that's far less concerned with retaining his own life than Sasha is about letting humans keep existing. Warm Bodies, Let the Right One In, a human-vamp reversal of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's main romances: that's all dripped into Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person's blood bag as well. With her raven locks and dark-clad outfits, plus the movie's deadpan comedy, there's a touch of Wednesday Addams-but-a-bloodsucker, too. That said, tenderness rather than sarcasm is Sasha's vibe — and finding the balance between bleak and sweet is the feature's. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is a film about not just forging your own sense of self, and staying true to it, but discovering someone to connect with who accepts you for who you are, takes the good with the bad, and makes life (or the afterlife) worth living. It might be red with blood, then black with melancholy and angst, thematically, but it's also pink inside. Aesthetically, the Montreal-based Louis-Seize, cinematographer Shawn Pavlin (who also shot her shorts) and editor Stéphane Lafleur (Goddess of the Fireflies) adore contrasts — and letting the feature's visuals say as much as dialogue, especially about Sasha's inner state. Atmospheric yet also neon-lit, taking cues for lighting choices from German expressionist cinema but imparting the flick with a 90s teen-movie sheen: just as it balances humour with bittersweetness, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person juggles all of the above. Texture and richness pulsate emotionally and stylistically, and also in the soundtrack's bounces from jazz to pop. Indeed, one of the reasons that viewers being able to glean Louis-Seize's sources of inspiration doesn't overwhelm her picture is because it so deeply feels like you could step right into the film. Montpetit and Bénard turn in performances to match, portrayals where angst and longing pump in the same veins at the same time, and where frolicking through the night — sunlight still isn't a vampire's friend here — has the liminal taste of being caught between juvenile fun and adult reality. Alongside possessing great chemistry, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person's central pair know how to convey the movie's whimsy, darkness and romance while never succumbing fully to any over the other. They play a twist on Romeo and Juliet as well in the process, in a way, as two beings from opposite worlds drawn together. One would prefer to die than hurt someone who doesn't want it. The other would donate his life willingly because it'd give him purpose. As with the rest of her nudges, Louis-Seize doesn't feast on Shakespeare's most-famous tragedy, either; her take has its own charms and flavour.
2022 marks 90 years since the ABC first started broadcasting in Australia, beginning as a public radio service all that time ago. Over the decades, it has also made the leap of television, and been a source of news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks. And, it's home to Spicks and Specks, the Aussie music quiz show that no one can get enough of. So, it's fitting that as part of the network's celebrations for its big birthday, it has confirmed that Spicks and Specks will return again this year for a new ten-episode season. What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. Yes, that's the concept behind Spicks and Specks. It takes a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and, as it keeps being resurrected. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks has been enjoying more comebacks than John Farnham of late, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten more new episodes await. It's expected that Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough will settle back into their old chairs — new eps, same stars has been a big focus in recent years, of course — but plenty about 2022's run has yet to be confirmed. That includes exactly when it'll start airing, and who'll be hitting buzzers among the program's guests. Still, you can add playing along with the show from your couch — again — to your plans before 2022 is out. Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV for ten episodes sometime in 2022. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
New York's Museum of Modern Art isn't the only major international gallery bringing its wares to our shores this year, with an exhibition from London's Tate Britain gallery heading to Australia from December. Entitled Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate and displaying from December 14, 2018 until April 28, 2019, it'll bring more than 40 of the Tate's beloved works to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, in an exhibition that'll focus on the artistic movement that started in 1848. Iconic pieces such as John Everett Millais' Ophelia and John William Waterhouse's The Lady of Shalott will be making the journey as part of the showcase. Part ode to early Renaissance efforts, part protest against the prevailing creative traditions of the mid-19th century, pre-Raphaelite art was sparked by a group of rebellious artists eager to create something different to the art of the time — and their preferred style, featuring detailed, colourful compositions painted in thin layers with small brushes, certainly managed that. In addition to the pieces from the Tate, the exhibition will also feature an additional 40 works loaned from other British and Australian collections. Each will help highlight the themes of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, examine the different styles adopted by the various artists adhering to its principles, stress the importance of draughtsmanship and emphasise the movement's fondness for collaboration. "This exhibition includes some of the most loved and visited paintings at Tate — some of which have never before been seen in Australia," said NGA director Nick Mitzevich. Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate will be the NGA's major summer exhibition, although it's not the gallery's only new addition come the end of the year, with Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin-filled infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens set to join its permanent collection in December. Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra between December 14, 2018 and April 28, 2019. Images: John Everett Millais, Ophelia 1851-2. Oil paint on canvas. Tate collection presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894. © Tate. / John William Waterhouse, The Lady of Shalott 1888. Oil on canvas. Tate. © Tate.
With Tilda Swinton as the model, W magazine was sure to have a wild spread for their May issue. But this is probably Tilda's most striking photo shoot yet. The cover story, rightfully titled 'Stranger Than Paradise' is strangely insane (and totally surreal). The series of photos actually pays tribute to some of Swinton's favourite artists. The 52-year-old star of We Need to Talk About Kevin and glass boxes poses with everything from glamorous Chanel and Givenchy clothing to centipedes — yes, you read right, centipedes. And you know what? Even with centipede face, she's gorgeous. Check out some photos from the series below.
Arachnophobes, beware — a heap of creepy-crawly eight-legged creatures are descending upon Queensland Museum. As part of the site's next big exhibition, the South Brisbane spot is turning its walls and halls over to spiders of all shapes and sizes. More than 200 specimens will be on display, including 12 live species. Yes, that means there'll be real, living, prowling Sydney funnel webs, trapdoors, hunstmans, redbacks and tarantulas. Don't worry — they'll be behind glass. Obviously, if the mere thought of these arachnids fills you with terror, this showcase won't be for you. Feeling brave? If you're keen to get playful with the critters, Spiders – The Exhibition will also include interactive elements. You'll be able to hold a wolf spider in your hands (virtually, of course), challenge a peacock spider to a dance-off, peer at a web-slinger's insides via 3D scanning technology and get caught in net-casting spider's web (for a photo, naturally). Running from December 6, 2019 to May 4, 2020, the exhibition will showcase spider ecology in all of its facets — from reproduction, to their specialised jaws and silk, to their venom, to their adaptive qualities — all drawing upon expert research. Queensland Museum is actually known as a bit of a spider-hub, so its arachnologists will be putting their own skills on display, and doing whatever a spider buff can. Image: Robert Whyte.
Australia's cities are filled with must-try places for a bite, whether you're seeking out Sydney's very-best restaurants, Melbourne's top eateries or Brisbane's latest openings, but there's still nothing like a home-cooked meal. Alison Roman understands this. The Brooklyn-based food writer and chef may live in New York and have access to its thriving dining scene, but she's a big fan of eating in — and she has viral recipes such as #TheCookies, #ThePasta, #TheStew and #TheDip to prove it. Roman also has two cookbooks currently in bookshops, and possibly on your own shelves: Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes and Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over. Come April in Australia, Sweet Enough: Desserts for People Who Don't Do Dessert will join them. To launch the latter, and to make her first trip ever Down Under, Roman is hitting our shores on a three-city tour to get chatting about home cooking, those internet-famous dishes and why she adores her own kitchen. [caption id="attachment_894215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Bernabeo[/caption] The viral recipe queen and New York Times-bestselling scribe leads this year's Melbourne Writers Festival lineup, which is her first Aussie stop. She'll discuss her career and her journey to the dessert-focused Sweet Enough with Benjamin Law on Friday, May 5 at Melbourne Town Hall — plus her love of culinary imperfection. Next destination: a stint at Brisbane Powerhouse on Sunday, May 7, where she'll be in-conversation with Belinda Sweeney, touching upon everything from having her own CNN cooking show to releasing her first baking book. And, last but by no means least, Sydney Opera House will add Roman to its impressive list of 2023 guests — see also: Michael Sheen during Amadeus, Bikini Kill on their first trip to Australia in more than a quarter-century and the whole All About Women lineup — on Tuesday, May 9. In the Harbour City, she'll be talking with Melissa Leong, and expect her food newsletter A Newsletter and YouTube series Home Movies to also get a mention. "I was scheduled to come to Australia in March of 2020 but the world had other plans, so I am beyond thrilled to finally make it over," said Roman, announcing the tour. "A first-time trip to Sydney was already going to be special, but speaking at such a legendary venue as the Opera House is more than I could have dreamed of. I really, truly can't wait." ALISON ROMAN AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2023: Friday, May 5 — Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne, as part of Melbourne Writers Festival Sunday, May 7 — Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Tuesday, May 9 — Sydney Opera House, Sydney Alison Roman tours Australia in May 2023. For more information — and for tickets — head to the Sydney Opera House (for pre-sales from 8am AEDT on Thursday, March 23 and general sales from 9am AEDT the same date), Melbourne Writers Festival and Ticketek (from 9am AEST on Thursday, March 23) websites. Top image: Alison Roman by Chris Bernabeo.
The Gold Coast, with its enviable combination of good weather and beaches, already gives off festival vibes all year round. But the real kicker happens when you add beer to all of that goodness. Add vitamins B (beer) and C (cider) to the vitamin D you cop on the coast with the Crafted Beer and Cider Festival, on Saturday, September 7. Taking place in Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach, the beer festival will unite more than 40 of Australia's top craft breweries, over 200 different brews and some good food and live music to line your stomachs and ears. It's as good an excuse as any for a cheeky getaway to the Goldy. Locals like Balter Brewing Company, Black Hops Brewing and Burleigh Brewing Co join up with visitors like Sydney's Akasha Brewing Company, Yulli's Brews and Young Henrys, plus Victoria's Bridge Road Brewers and Moon Dog — and that's but a few of the many beer houses to be represented on the day. More of a cider person? Far From the Tree and Granite Belt Cider Co. are some of the cideries making the pilgrimage to the Coast. Food-wise, your picks span Little Havana, Smokin' Grill BBQ, Mac From Way Back, The Wiener House and more — including a hot dog-eating contest. The music lineup is equally eclectic with The Delta Riggs, Wharves, Seaside and Nice Biscuit among the bands providing the soundtrack to your day. Also on the day's agenda is comedy, a ping pong competition and beer yoga, where you can perform a few downward dogs before you down your beer — it's all about balance, after all.
Strawberry sundae season is in full swing, but no matter how much you love the Ekka's iconic scoops of pink-coloured ice cream, we can't all go to the show to grab one every day that it's on. If you fancy treating yo'self to something similar — and in a fancier setting, too — you can make a date with Stokehouse Q from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 18, with the South Bank restaurant serving up its best Ekka-inspired creation. Created by group pastry chef Lauren Eldridge, this strawberries and cream concoction is a serious treat, combining strawberries and cream-flavoured semifreddo with strawberry meringue and fresh strawberry. It's available during the lunch and dinner service for $19, and it's for fans of the red, juicy fruit, clearly. Making a great deed even better, Stokehouse Q is partnering with The Common Good, aka The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, and donating a portion of the proceeds from the limited-edition dish to this worthy cause. That's something you won't get with your regular sundae — or river views, either. Plus, if you want to try whipping up the dessert yourself, the recipe is also available on Stokehouse Q's website.
Via Studios is playing host to the Brisbane Collective Exhibition this weekend. The venue, commonly used as a rehearsal space and a recording studio, is undergoing a transformation into a gallery for what is sure to be a great display of artistic talent from a variety of local artists. This creative haven will host works from the following Brisbane artists: Susan Shambrook Lucy Wolber John Patterson Megan Starr-Thomas Jeff Paton Julia Palazzo Jade Thompson Cathryn Ruhle Kimberley Clifford Cameron Gillard Tiffany Howe Travis D. Hendrix Tommy Knott Chuck Mayfield Charly Designs Sophie Vaughan Adam Leigh Rita Rose Raven Hodgson Ella Mobbs Khi-Maree Brent Wilson Irkle It is free to enter, is BYO and will have a few sets of live acoustic music. This is shaping up to be a great night for the local artistic community. Make sure you are a part of it!
Lady Gaga doesn't shy away from innovation. Ridiculous costumes and outrageous hairstyles aside, the 25-year old artist has harnessed the power of the interwebs to reach over 10 million Twitter followers, 35 million Facebook fans and 1 billion YouTube views. Teaming up with Google, Gaga and her little monsters have created a 90-second ad for Google's Chrome browser. The underlying message? The web is what you make of it. Gaga's not the first musician to endorse Google Chrome. Late last year Arcade Fire released an interactive video clip which made use of the brower's extensive capabilities. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sDPJ-o1leAw [Via Engadget]
Fan art has been deemed the domain of the obsessive. Whether that is reserved for the creator or extends to the viewer is still undecided. Nevertheless, Seinfeld - the show about nothing that graced our television screens for 9 years and 180 episodes - is being remembered in a unique way in Newcastle's ArtHive. During the month of May and thirteen years after the show ended, ArtHive, an artist-run initiative, will be home to a new exhibition, Art Vanderlay. The showcase, curated by Jessica Louttit, will showcase art inspired by the show's 9-season run and feature works from local artists including Mike Foxall, Ry Wilkin, Sarah Mould and "many sponge-worthy others in one huge Seinfeld fan flaunt." The opening night on May 27 will see the exhibition come to life with episodes of the hit television show being beamed onto the walls, prizes awarded for the best character costumes, as well as catered to the brim with your choice of muffin tops, black & white cookies, Junior Mints and Pretzels. To get in contact, share your ideas, get more details, yada yada yada, keep an eye on the gallery's blog at subjecthive.blogspot.com https://youtube.com/watch?v=t_nCmj9IyLo [via Lost at E Minor]
In the latest addition to the ever-growing trend toward themed wine festivals, Oinofilia will hit Melbourne's Meat Market on June 24 as Australia's newest event entirely focused on Greek wine. The festival is brought to you by Bottle Shop Concepts, the crew behind wine events Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and will celebrate all things Greek wine, food and culture. The name appropriately comes from the Greek term for "a love of wine". As the oldest wine-producing region in Europe, the festival will showcase 80 wines from 20 of the country's best producers, with wines made everywhere from the Aegean and Ionian Islands to Crete. To accompany the drinks, sister restaurants Elyros and Epocha will join forces with Prahran Market's Sweet Greek and Collingwood's Meatsmith to curate an authentic feast of spit-roasted meats, grilled seafood, pickles, breads, cheese and pastries, among other Greek delicacies. The location is ideal as Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. Bottle Shop Concepts' wine festival empire will also continue to expand, with the company recently announcing a new Barossa Valley event, launching this July. The Oinofilia Greek Wine and Food Festival will take place on Saturday, June 24 from 11am through 5pm at the Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne. Check the Oinofilia website for tickets and more information.
Generally well-regarded, Australian owned and operated Coopers Brewery has come under fire this week for their involvement in this painfully uncomfortable Bible Society video. The video depicts two Liberal Party MPs, Andrew Hastie and Tim Wilson, discussing marriage equality in a 'lighthearted way', washing it down with a few ice-cold bottles of Coopers Light. Yeesh. If you're confused how Coopers got roped up in such a casually offensive and poorly executed pun, the sad news is that they pretty much tied the noose themselves. As a congratulatory gift to the Bible Society's bicentenary this year, Coopers released a collaboration limited edition light beer which features the Christian non-profit's logo and Bible verses on each case — 10,000 of them, to be exact. The brewery — which is family-run and openly Christian — and their association with the Bible Society flew under the radar until the society's 'Keeping it Light' campaign went live over the weekend, which is meant to showcase "light discussion on the heaviest topics". The Bible Society's somewhat haphazard video (which, it must be noted, Coopers has claimed they had no involvement in) acts as the first in a planned series using the Coopers Light beer as a gateway for their 'light' discussion. Shortly after the video was released, The Sydney Morning Herald published these statements by the two MPs, who seemed to find nothing wrong with the video's content. With 64 percent of Australian's in support of marriage equality, the video came across as patronising and flippant to a large chunk of the public who feel same-sex marriage shouldn't be a debate at all. Coopers' involvement with the video is questionable. Their first response was a sort-of apologetic statement essentially defending the video's content, saying it was "a lighthearted but balanced debate about an important topic". When this did not quell the backlash and boycotts, they then released a second statement claiming that they "did not give permission for [their] Premium Light beer to feature in, or 'sponsor' the Bible Society's 'Keeping it Light' video". The Bible Society has since released their own statement backing up this claim, stating that they were "entirely responsible" for the video and that no money changed hands in regards to the campaign. Twitter, not surprisingly, exploded. The hashtag #BoycottCoopers has taken over social media over the last few days, with consumers and venues alike speaking out. Venues across the country are pulling Coopers stock from their bars, including Sydney's Hollywood Hotel and Newtown Hotel and Melbourne's Old Bar and Sircuit/Mollies Bar & Diner — the latter of which posted this video of their GM throwing all their Coopers stock into the bin. Whatever their involvement with the production of the video, it doesn't look like Coopers is getting out of this one anytime soon. It certainly muddies the waters in relation to how religious groups and brands can influence consumers and secular institutions — particularly as Coopers has been a donor to the Liberal Party in the past, which not one, but both MPs in the video belong to.
When it comes to the display of a-grade artistic initiative, in a setting that's cosy as pie, The Hold Artspace knows how to deliver. And when it comes to jaw-dropping, visually confronting, finely crafted nature photography, Polish-born Renata Buziak knows just the same. Unfolding Rhythms is the latest showcase by Buziak, drawing on the infinite - and sometimes unnoticeable - progressions of nature’s rhythms in various frequencies and times. In photographic sequences that would have National Geographic fuming in jealousy, Buziak uses experimental biochrome processes and time-lapse photography to expose the graphic composition or organic decomposition. The plants used in this piece hold a special significance to the Quandamooka people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) for their traditional and medicinal purposes - the cultural layers of this exhibit make it just as rich as the work itself. The complex and completely visual take on these humble pieces of nature, make Buziak a conductor and creator of one simple question – what is the importance of the relationship between ourselves and the natural world?
UPDATE, July 6, 2021: Antarctica Flights will also be flying out of Canberra this year, departing on November 7. For further details, head to the Antarctica Flights website. Seeing the South Pole is a bucket-list dream at the best of times, and even more so in these pandemic-afflicted times. But, if you have a bit of spare cash to burn, it's actually achievable — including while Australia's borders remain mostly closed to international travel. Eager to head overseas just for one day? Then you'd best get in quick to score a seat on the upcoming Antarctica flights out of Australia. As it has in previous years, sightseeing group Antarctica Flights is taking bookings for a series of rare, sky-high charter tours. And if you're wondering how the day trips can go ahead during COVID-19, that's because they're classified as domestic flights. You won't even need to take your passport with you. Departing Perth (November 14, 2021), Adelaide (November 21, 2021), Brisbane (November 28, 2021), Melbourne (December 5, 2021 and February 6, 2022) and Sydney (December 31, 2021 and February 13, 2022), these flights will cruise above the dazzling Antarctica Treaty area for around four hours. Each flight path is carefully chosen to maximise viewing from both sides of the plane and to ensure the best views should the weather turn nasty, while some passengers will rotate seats to allow everyone an equal shot at the spectacular scenery below. Travelling on a Qantas 787 Dreamliner, the whole trip clocks in at around 12.5 hours — depending on your departure city — during which you'll hear from expert Antarctic explorers, talking about the polar environment and its fascinating history. All that, while enjoying some better-than-average Qantas plane food, full bar service and, in the lead-up to the views, a spot of in-flight entertainment — classic flick Happy Feet, or some Antarctic docos, of course. As expected, this kind of plane trip doesn't come cheap — you're looking at $1199 to be seated without direct access to a window. Other options, including Standard Economy Class ($2199), Superior Economy Class ($3199) and Premium Economy Class ($3999) involve seat rotations throughout the flight, so passengers can spend time both close to the window and further away. Of course, you and your favourite travel buddy could drop $7999 each on Business Class Deluxe tickets to have a window seat and the one next to it all to yourselves for the entire flight. Regardless of which type of seat you fork out for, COVID-19 safety measures will be in effect — including temperature testing and pre-flight health and safety forms; providing disposable masks, sanitiser and disinfectant wipes; enhanced cleaning procedures; and not selling all seats in Economy Class. Antarctica Flights' 2021–22 season is open for bookings now, with flights out of Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney between November 14, 2021–February 13, 2022. Images: Antarctica Flights
When September rolls around in Brisbane, expect to do at least one of three things — all involving the moon. You can get up close and personal with a giant floating replica of the celestial object. Or, you'll be able to party beneath it at a series of synchronised rooftop shindigs. And, you can also stare up at it at its fullest while floating along the river surrounded Lindy Lee's art. Why? Because Brisbane Festival 2022 will be taking over the town from Friday, September 2–Saturday, September 24, and it's going big on lunar action in a variety of ways. Perhaps that's why the fest announced back in mid-March that it'd begin with Riverfire this year, rather than end with it. Starting with a night of moonlit fireworks now proves extremely fitting, and a case of kicking the festival off as means to go on. As part of its just-dropped first hefty program announcement, Bris Fest will bring the moon down to earth thanks to British artist Luke Jerram, who is perhaps best known for his seven-metre Museum of the Moon. It adorns a floating orb, will make its temporary home at West Village for the fest, and will also share that huge sphere with two other of Jerram's works — Gaia and Mars — displaying one each week. [caption id="attachment_810754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Museum of the Moon (2017) by Luke Jerram, courtesy University of Bristol[/caption] As for those parties, they'll pop up on six Brisbane rooftops on one single night as part of an event called Raise the Roof. Exactly where hasn't been revealed as yet, but the sextet of soirees will feature six artists and/or artist collectives such as Michael Zavros, Briefs Factory International and The Grates' Patience Hodgson, all curating a venue each around a specific colour palette. If you're heading along, you'll be asked to embrace the theme. On the water, Brisbane's Art Boat will return after proving such a hit in 2021, and set sail from Northshore Brisbane once again. Australian visual artist Lindy Lee will be doing the honours, decking out the floating venue as part of a festival-first collaboration. And while it'll be cruising along all across the fest, Brisbane's Art Boat will host a midnight cruise on Saturday, September 10 so that patrons can peer up at that evening's full moon. [caption id="attachment_855887" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy Lee by Joel Devereux[/caption] These lunar-loving events form part of Brisbane Festival's new focus on weekends — rejigging its program around what it's calling four "weekends of wonder". Also on the bill so far: the Queensland Symphony Orchestra playing 70s disco tunes in the moonlight at the Riverstage, with the openair Disco Wonderland gig also featuring Paulini and Ben Mingay. Plus, the 2022 lineup includes the world premiere of Holding Achilles, an aerial-focused theatre production set amid the Trojan War, staged by Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall, and featuring Montaigne performing an original score live; the stage adaptation of Shannon Molloy's coming-of-age memoir Fourteen by shake & stir; and a tri-lingual reimagining of Shakespeare's Othello by Queensland Theatre, as set in the Torres Strait at the height of World War II. [caption id="attachment_827941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Girl From the North Country, Tristram Kenton[/caption] Or, there's Tiddas, a La Boite Theatre and Queensland Performing Arts Centre co-production described as Anita Heiss' "love letter to Meeanjin"; the already-announced Queensland premiere of Girl From the North Country, complete with a Bob Dylan soundtrack; and the return of smoking ceremony Jumoo. And yes, that's just a taste of what'll be filling Brisbane come September — with the full fest lineup set to be announced in July. Brisbane Festival runs from Friday, September 2–Saturday, September 24. Tickets for the event's festive weekends lineup will go on sale on Monday, June 6 — and we'll update you with further program details when the full lineup is announced in July. Top image: Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram, Greenwich & Docklands Festival, UK, 2017. Photo by @edsimmons / @visitgreenwich.
Many would say trekking around an art gallery does not exactly count as a workout. I beg to differ. But it remains that art and exercise are worlds apart and I take my hat off to anyone who successfully manages to marry the two. Interactive collective YesYesNo has collaborated with sportswear giant Nike to develop software which integrates with Nike+GPS data to generate abstract digital artworks. Runners' routes are recorded by a Nike Sports Watch and, based on the speed, consistency and unique style of each person's run, dynamic formations are revealed. A two-day workshop was held to launch the Nike Free Run+ 2 City Pack, inviting runners to record their movements and use colours and composition to personalise their exercise artworks. They took home unique high resolution prints and a custom shoebox with their name, distance run and route laser-etched onto the surface. It's not quite the first project of its kind, with rock band OK Go! unveiling a similar idea in partnership with Range Rover recently. [Via Engadget]
If you'd like to tuck into a burger created by famed chef Heston Blumenthal, you'd usually need to head to one of his restaurants. But that's no longer the case thanks to a new collaboration with Grill'd, with the British culinary whiz whipping up two new plant-based burgs for the chain. These combinations of bread, salad and mushroom-based meat use Fable, the brand that turns shiitake mushrooms into a meat alternative (and a product that's obviously gotten Blumenthal's tick of approval). And, because there's a couple of options, burger lovers also have the chance to sink their teeth into a limited-edition version that's only available for two weeks this August in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth — and after lockdown in Sydney. The special burg in question? That'd be the Heston Fable Burger, which is made with a Fable patty, tofu, cucumber, fresh slaw and hoisin sauce, and then topped with Fable's plant-based version of crispy beef — and served on a brioche bun. Only 4000 are available, and one will set you back $35. That said, that price includes a serving of Grill'd's chips with white miso mayonnaise, as well as choice of pinot noir, chenin blanc, a local beer or a non-alcoholic drink. If your tastebuds are now well and truly tempted, the Heston Fable Burger is only available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — with Sydney details to be announced post-lockdown. You can book now, though, with reservations available online from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online. If you're keen to take a bite of a second Blumenthal-created burger — and to do so whenever you like — that's where the Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston comes in. It too is made with a Fable patty, as paired with aged cheddar, Spanish onion, dijon mustard, dill pickles, egg mayonnaise and Heston's fire roasted spicy tomato sauce. And, this one is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu at all stores — and for $14.50 — from Tuesday, August 3. The collaboration between Blumenthal and Grill'd is part of the latter's broader range of Fable burgs, with two more varieties also joining the menu. The Fable Truffle features a Fable patty, aged cheddar, cos lettuce, fresh basil and truffle mayonnaise, while the Fable Southern BBQ features a Fable patty, cabbage slaw, shredded carrot, Spanish onion, egg mayonnaise, dill pickles and native Davidson plum barbecue sauce — and they're both available now on the regular lineup as well. Heston Fable Burgers are available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — from Sunday, August 8–Sunday, August 22, with bookings available from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online, with the burgers set to become available in Sydney after lockdown. The Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu from Tuesday, August 3.
Like Underworld's 90s anthem 'Born Slippy', Brisbanites will be shouting "lager, lager, lager, lager" at Howard Smith Wharves for three days this spring. The reason? The arrival of Lagerpalooza, Felons Brewing Co's new gift to fans of, well, lager — aka a three-day outdoor booze festival by the river that'll hero one type of beer. Running across the long weekend of Saturday, September 30–Monday, October 2, this fest will serve up plenty of its namesake brew, pouring 34 different varieties from 16 breweries. Felons' own Crisp Lager will feature, of course, but it's also celebrating tipples from fellow beermakers locally, across Australia and internationally. Range, Revel and Heads of Noosa are among the other Queensland outfits set to serve up their top lagers. Hop Nation, Stomping Ground and Wayward are on the Aussie list, too. Eagle Bay joins in from Western Australia, and Lost & Grounded from Bristol in the UK. "Living in sun-drenched Queensland, there's no better feeling than being outdoors and enjoying an icy cold lager with your mates. This feeling is what inspired Lagerpalooza — a welcoming and family-friendly outdoor festival centred around the most refreshing drink on the planet!" explains Felons Brand Director Dean Romeo. "Having spent over 15 years in the good beer industry in Australia, it feels like it's time to give lager a party it deserves — and to have this down on the lush lawns of Howard Smith Wharves was the froth on top!" Felons' riverside location in the HSW precinct means taking over a grassy patch and a waterside perch, with the event hosting five sessions: 11am–4pm and 5–10pm runs on both the Saturday and Sunday, and a public holiday event from 11am–6pm on the Monday. Attendees can opt for a $20 ticket that includes their first fill, or a $90 pass that covers all tastings, plus a festival tote and access private al fresco area. While lager is the drink in the spotlight across the entire event, there'll also be gluten-free beers, non-alcoholic sips and cocktails to enjoy. Food-wise, attendees can look forward to barbecued meats fresh from an eight-metre Argentinian grill, as well as rotisserie chicken rolls, artisanal cheese, and a seafood range that goes big on local catches — and the almost-obligatory oysters, too. Live tunes and roaming performers will help set the cruisy mood, in yet another of HSW's big outdoor parties — including margarita week, gin week and Italian food market FESTA ITALIANA already in 2023. And if it sounds big, Felons have advised that it's both Australia's largest lager party and the first fest of its kind. Lagerpalooza runs from Saturday, September 30–Monday, October 2 at Felons Brewing Co, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane — head to the brewery website for further information and tickets.
Huge news, food lovers — especially if you've ever had a steak at Rockpool Bar & Grill, a pink blossom cocktail at Saké, some meat and bread at the Burger Project, a parma pizza at Fratelli Fresh or a stein at Munich Brauhaus. Until this week, some of those eateries were owned by Urban Purveyor Group, and some by Rockpool Group. Now, they've joined forces, pulled them all under one umbrella, and created the epic hospitality venture that is Rockpool Dining Group. Yep, all of your favourite restaurants are now part of the same company, including Spice Temple, The Cut Steakhouse, Rosetta, Bavarian Bier Cafe, El Camino Cantina, Fratelli Famous, Café Ananas and Saké Jr as well. The group's portfolio spans 47 places and 15 restaurant brands across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth, and features Tex-Mex and Asian-fusion venues, plus everything in between. Sounds pretty epic — and if you're a fan of Rockpool's Neil Perry, don't worry' he's the head of culinary for the combined outfit. His most recent venture, the more casual Eleven Bridge in Sydney, isn't part of the merger. Creating a tasty Frankenstein's monster of the culinary and dining world comes with added resources, obviously, which all us hungry folks will enjoy in the form of new must-eat destinations. Rockpool Dining Group expects their portfolio to grow to more than 80 eateries over the next 12 months. And, if that's not enough, they plan to expand to more than 200 over the next few years. We already knew that Brisbane is going to get on the Munich Brauhaus train; however other new projects such as a second Rosetta at Grosvenor Place in Sydney, a smaller-format Spice Temple and a Rockpool Bar Series are also slated. And they're looking abroad as well, with the group in early discussions to open first venues in both London and Los Angeles.
How does Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) fare against airport security screenings? Why is she willingly returning to a school for the first time ever? What happens when she plays with dolls? How has Tim Burton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) worked Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) into Wednesday's cast for the series' second season? Some of that has been revealed in the just-dropped teaser trailer for the Netflix hit show's long-awaited comeback — and any other questions you have will begin receiving answers soon. Wednesday has not only unveiled its first season two sneak peek, but also announced its return dates. There's two, because the streaming platform is going with a split release this time around. Part one arrives on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, then part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Conjuring up another spot in your streaming queue three years after its first season released, Wednesday again follows its namesake to Nevermore Academy in its second season — and again features a fresh mystery for her to solve, amid navigating a new round of other woes. The initial trailer also spans her reunion with roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie), Wednesday likening her second trip to Nevermore to "returning to the scene of the crime", bees, pink mist, creepy and kooky playthings, swinging axes and a few truths. "Wherever there's murder and mayhem, you will always find an Addams," Wednesday notes — followed by "I do my best work in the dark". Season two will also feature more of Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago, all getting meatier parts than in season one. Among its new cast members, not only Lumley, Buscemi, Piper and Newton are onboard, but also Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, however — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's talk of a spinoff about the character. In its first season, Wednesday unsurprisingly proved a smash, breaking the Netflix record for most hours viewed in a single week, then doing so again — notching up 341.23-million hours viewed in its first week, then 411.29-million hours viewed in its second. All things Addams Family have always found an audience, with the Ricci-led 90s films beloved for decades for good reason, and the 1960s TV show and 1930s The New Yorker comics before that. Check out the first teaser trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025.
Ah, Sriracha. Possibly the only condiment with a true cult following. From ramen to lollies, it can be used on and in anything, literally. Devotes can’t live without that so hot but so good burn that leaves mouths on fire, noses runny and eyes watery. Well, people, there’s some bad news. The major Sriracha factory in California is partially shutting down. All because the citizens of Irwindale couldn’t take a little heat. Residents complained of heartburn, inflamed asthma and even nosebleeds that were caused by a "spicy odour" coming from the factory. They took Huy Fong Foods to court, where a local judge ordered the manufacturer to stop doing, er, whatever they were doing to cause the stench. The ruling does not order the company to stop operating entirely, nor specify the types of actions that are required. Basically, they can go back to making their spicy sauce once they get that damn smell under wraps. The best part: the judge conceded to the "lack of credible evidence" linking the apparent health problems to the odour, but said that it seems to be "extremely annoying, irritating and offensive to the senses warranting consideration as a public nuisance." Weeeak. So what does this mean for Sriracha lovers? Well, because Huy Fong uses only the freshest chillies in its secret recipe, the fiery little guys must be ground within days of harvest. This process, which happens only two or three months out of the year, has fortunately been completed. The bottling process goes on year round, but a partial shutdown of this factory, the largest of two, could leave the sauce to spoil. Since the company already struggles to keep up with its growing global demand, this is no bueno. Huy Fong’s founder, David Tran, claims he’s never raised the wholesale price for the sauce in over 30 years, but that might have to change. So you might want to think about making a supermarket trip or two, like soon. Image via ilovememphis. Story via Quartz.
Have you ever been casually scoffing a big tub of rocky road ice cream — the kind with the hulking big chunks of chocolate and marshmallow that may just slip right into your heart valves, killing you right then and there — and thought, man, I wish there were some carrots up in this mix? I doubt it. Because no one has ever, or should ever have thought that. Enter Haagen-Dazs' new Japanese offerings: Carrot Orange and Tomato Cherry; the ice cream flavours that have just usurped vanilla as the dull person's ice cream of choice. Set to launch on May 12, the veggie flavours make up a new line of products appetisingly named Spoon Vege (you can't accuse them of being coy about it). "Carrot Orange [will] take the gentle flavour of carrot and add to it the fresh citrus taste and scent of orange, giving the carrot a sophisticated and refreshing twist," reads the translated press release that is astonishingly not satire. "Tomato Cherry [will] combine the natural sweetness of tomato with the fruity flavour of cherry, which should accentuate the rich taste of the tomato." Now, Carrot Orange is clearly the winner of the two — carrot cake is a thing that exists, orange sorbet is acceptable. At the very least Carrot Orange can be a thing that annoying Gym People eat with half-guilty expressions. After all, these ice creams will be somewhat healthy; containing about half the amount of milk fat found in their sweeter counterparts. But in any circumstances, Tomato Cherry: not okay. Chow down on some Cherry Garcia instead. Via RocketNews and PSFK.
There are a whole lot of bands that make you want to dance, but none have done it quite so well in the past few years as The Wombats. Shooting to global recognition in 2007 with 'Let's Dance To Joy Division' and 'Moving To New York', staples of indie dance-floors everywhere, the pressure was on for the Liverpool three-piece to follow up with something that went above and beyond their debut. With last month's release of This Modern Glitch they look set to eclipse themselves, and are back in Australia to begin an intense year of touring. Sporting a very fine hat, the Wombats' drummer Dan Haggis sat down to chat with Madeleine Watts ahead of their Sydney gig. I'm sure every Australian asks this, but how did you get to be called the Wombats? It was completely random. We've made up stories in the past, but actually we just needed something for the poster for our first gig. Me and Murph called each other 'silly goats' or 'wombats' sometimes. But it stuck, and now we can't get away from it. How was Groovin' The Moo over the weekend? It was amazing. We didn't know what to expect, but it's just insane. Even though it was freezing last night, people still had their tops off, just going for it and having a great time. To be honest we've never really had a bad experience in Australia, except one where we were jet lagged and broken from touring too much. What did you guys do differently with the new album? We were really happy with the first album, but we played for so long that we needed something completely different. The first album was right up in your face, non-stop high energy, which probably reflected how we were at the time. But this album is more thought through. So we had ninety percent of the songs mapped out but then we could mess around in the studio and get excited and geek out with knob twiddling. What kind of bands were you listening to when you were recording? We're all fans of Depeche Mode, New Order, Joy Division, obviously, and Kraftwerk as well. We had a couple of really grungy new songs. Then we did some DJ sets for a bit of pocket money one weekend and we were absolutely annihilated. And me and Murph were in the hotel room dancing around to Kraftwerk, still pissed I think. So we bought a Moog right after that. I think we wanted to challenge ourselves to be octopuses. Was it just you, or all of you, who had near death experiences before recording? It was me and Murph. Murph was in a car going really fast and ended up in a bush by the side of the motorway. Then we were in Dubai, and I was on a dune buggy - just, you know, a day off in the desert, normal day - and my girlfriend was on the back and I got a bit over-excited, as you do, and went too fast and she went flying off the back. I tried to keep on but I couldn't, so I fell off and it landed next to me. But things like that wake you up a bit. It shakes you and you go "oh fuck it, we're not immortal." You guys all met at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Did you meet Paul McCartney while you were there as well? Yeah, we've met him a couple of times actually. At LIPA Paul McCartney does one-on-one song-writing classes. Then we met him again at the European Music Awards. We passed him and said, "oh, Sir Paul, congratulations on your award." And he said, "Oh yeah. Thanks for your album, really liked that 'New York' song," And we said, "OK, thanks a lot, take care," and then walked off and all screamed wildly for ten minutes and generally shat ourselves. Then we ended up doing an interview with him on Radio One. Which was even more nerve-wracking because we were the presenters. Imagine if your first interview was live on Radio One with Paul McCartney. That's what we did. It was fucking horrendous. But it went really well. Talked about tea with him for a while. Finally, after all this time can you still dance to Joy Division? I think we can, yeah. We just have to be really shitfaced. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DRhUIJextp8
[Via Mashable]
Whether robots will inherit the earth is yet to be seen, although science fiction keeps telling us they will. Until that becomes a reality, they're going to keep pitching in to help make our lives scarier easier. Take food deliveries, for example. Here we were, just getting used to UberEATS helping us eat from a wider arrange of restaurants without leaving home — aka ferrying meals from places without their own delivery service — and now machines are taking over. Welcome to the future. Yelp and robotics company Marble have joined forces to start delivering food orders on the streets of San Francisco, with a small number of four-wheeled bots transporting meals in the city's Mission and Potrero Hill neighbourhoods. The robots "use advanced sensors and high-resolution 3D city maps to efficiently and politely navigate busy urban environments", in case you were wondering. Yep, they'll bring you your food and they'll be nice about it. If you saw Marble's machines in person, you'd definitely notice. Built from the base of an electric wheelchair, and featuring swappable cargo bays to ensure that goods of various sizes can be stored and moved in the most efficient manner possible, they measure just over four metres in height and travel at a pace of three to four miles per hour. For the current trial, they'll venture short distances of around one mile over a six to eight-hour shift, accompanied by living, breathing people to make sure everything runs smoothly. Good to see that humanity still has a use. As for those doing the ordering, they'll simply sit back and wait — and, after receiving a text message with a customised code, unlock the bot when it gets to their door. Expect more robotic food delivery to follow. It was just last year that Dominos unveiled an autonomous vehicle built for the sole purpose of delivering pizza. And, shortly afterwards, the company completed the world's first-ever pizza deliver drone. Via CNet. Images: Marble.
If there's one thing we grew up hearing from our mothers, it's "don't follow strange men you've just met in Mexico into abandoned churches in the middle of nowhere". Or something like that. In any case, you'll be shaking your head just like your mum within the first half hour of Truth or Dare, as you follow the sordid activities of a group of teenagers on spring break as they become embroiled in a ~deadly~ game. Regardless of how your mother phrased her advice, we're sure it was much more sensible and well-intended than this waste of time of a film. Somehow earning the stripe of being from Jason Blum's Blumhouse Productions team (who brought you Get Out, Insidious and Whiplash), we have a feeling this is one movie Blum deigns to forget pretty quickly – as will most people who watch it. The film follows a group of teenagers on spring break (ugh) who, after the standard montage of tequila and bars and hook-ups (uuugh), find themselves playing a game of truth or dare with a stranger who soon gets weird and jumps ship. That leaves Olivia (Lucy Hale) and a bunch of her friends to finish the game, only to realise that the game isn't finished with them. Yeah, that's right – another movie where pretty young people are killed off one by one. This time it would seem a demon curse is the culprit. Unsurprisingly, Truth or Dare is extraordinarily silly, from the setup all the way down to the ridiculous facial effects that look as though they're the result of too many pingers and one of those carnival fun mirrors. It's meant to be scary, and to indicate how dark and terrifying a demon it is we're dealing with here (spoiler alert: not very). More disturbing is how little the characters seem to care when their mates start kicking the bucket. Teens these days, huh? The only semi-interesting story element relates to one character's struggle with how to come out to his strict father. Unfortunately, most everyone is dead before it can really develop into anything worthwhile. Thin in plot, thick in bad acting and dialogue, we dare you to turn your back on this limp sponge of a film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgnk3MLw9TM
Since 1989, Sweden's Icehotel has given travellers a decidedly cool place to stay each winter. December hits, and the site reveals its new super-chilled rooms — the kind that are carved out of ice and only around for a short time, as they'll melt once the weather gets warmer. They're not just any old slabs of ice and snow in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, however. As part of its annual tradition, the accommodation provider calls for designers and artists to unleash their chilly ideas — then unveils their wondrous creations to travellers. In the 2019–20 crop? A pride of lions chiselled out of cold substances, an icy depiction of Santorini, a frozen cabin in the woods and a space that resembles a grand theatre. Or, perhaps you'd like to climb into a cat's lair, sleep in a room filled with giant ice bones, stare at a frosty version of a kaleidoscope, be watched over by huge hands or curl up in a book in a more literal sense than usual. The 'Golden Ice' room certainly stands out among the new additions, too — it shimmers with its titular hue. [caption id="attachment_755983" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ICEHOTEL 30 | Art Suite The 6th Feeling | Design Ekaterina Barsukova and Vladimir Barsukov | Photo Asaf Kliger | © ICEHOTEL[/caption] Now open until April 2019, the fresh blend of ice and creativity features 35 one-of-a-kind rooms in total, as crafted by 33 artists from 16 different countries. They're made from more than 30,000 cubic metres of snice — that's a mix of snow and ice — from the local Torne River. As well as places to sleep, the new iteration also includes an ice bar, a 75-metre-long ice ceremony hall, a four-metre-tall outdoor ice sculpture that people can enter and an icy observation deck with views of the northern lights. [caption id="attachment_755986" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ICEHOTEL 30 | Icebar by Icehotel Torneland | Design Mathieu Brison & Luc Voisin | Photo Asaf Kliger | © ICEHOTEL[/caption] If you're a fan of the kind of coldness that the southern hemisphere doesn't see at this time of the year (especially at the moment), but you can't make it to Icehotel's cold climes during the northern winter, don't worry — in addition to its annual slate of artistic suites, Icehotel is open all year round. It includes 20 permanent suites, an ice bar, plus private saunas and spas for an added touch of warmth in such cold surroundings. Icehotel 30 runs until April 14, 2020. For further information, visit www.icehotel.com. Images: Asaf Kliger.
When Emi Kamada and Marie Yokoyama headed to Japan to study with traditional chefs — and, specifically, to learn everything they needed to know about yakitori — they weren't the first to visit the country and feel inspired. But the pair did make the most of that sensation, creating Brisbane's expanding Bird's Nest Yakitori chain. The brand started in 2013 in West End, with its OG site now boasting three sibling venues — including the just-launched Portside Wharf outpost. The Hamilton spot joins Bird's Nest Yakitori's outposts in Fortitude Valley and Toowong, too, the latter just for takeaways. All four share a key focus, of course: grilled Japanese skewers. The latest Bird's Nest Yakitori has made its home in a 100-square-metre space, with getting cosy aptly on the menu. Diners can choose between indoor and al fresco dining — and if you go with the former, you'll eat while peering into the open kitchen, with the bottle-lined bar also in sight, plus under atmospheric lighting. The mood: casual but authentic and also intimate, in a place that takes its design cues from the nation that clearly holds significant influence over all things Bird's Nest Yakitori. In other words, it's an enticing place for a drink over a bite, including picking from cocktails, sake and Japanese brews. If you've been to one of the brand's other locations, you'll know what to expect food-wise. The skewers range from chicken thigh, chicken skin, chicken meatball and pork belly to zucchini, oyster mushrooms and grape tomatoes; however, that's just the start of the culinary lineup. Rice bowls are also a feature, including charcoal chicken, both katsu and karaage chicken, slow-cooked wagyu, yakiniku, teriyaki salmon and eel — while Japanese burgers, wings and gyoza are also on offer. "We're excited to welcome new and existing customers to our Portside Wharf store to experience our signature dishes, including succulent grilled chicken bowls, flavourful Japanese burgers, fresh sashimi, drinks and sake in new and unexpected ways," said Yokoyama. "Like all our venues, our Portside Wharf store grills our fresh selection of high-quality ingredients over binchoutan, a Japanese white charcoal, that enhances the flavour of our dishes. We are the only yakitori bars in Brisbane that practise this method." Bird's Nest Yakitori is Portside's latest new addition, with the precinct adding a heap of fresh spots to eat and drink since announcing its current revamp — such as the Gold Coast's Rosé Gelateria and Rise Bakery making their Brisbane debuts, plus brand-new seafood restaurant Fosh, Find Bird's Nest Yakitori at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — and head to the venue's website for further details.
This Christmas, the sound of tap, tap, tapping will be echoing around Victoria Park. While that's hardly unusual, it'll be accompanied by plenty of festive cheer, decorations and sculptures between Friday, November 6 and Thursday, December 31. Because nothing says end-of-year merriment like hitting up a seasonal-themed mini-golf course, the putt putt venue will be decking out its greens with boughs of holly, giant candy canes, gingerbread houses, elves, toy soldiers and everything else festive that it can think of — again. Yes, reindeers and Santa are involved, too, and different sections of the 18-hole site will be designed to look like, a winter wonderland, a candy cane lane and Santa's workshop. Find out whether you're naughty or nice by swinging your way through Christmas Putt Putt from 6am–11pm daily — which means that you can stop by on your way to work, during your lunch break or after quittin' time as well. If you head along post-6pm, you'll take to the green beneath Christmas lights, naturally. Tickets cost at $19 for adults for weekday daytime sessions, and $22 on evenings and weekends. [caption id="attachment_752778" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] Victoria Park Christmas Putt Putt runs from Friday, November 6–Thursday, December 31, with tickets on sale now.
If you haven't yet had a chance to sit on a bean bed under the night sky while feasting your eyes on the big screen and filling your stomach with a picnic, aka the annual Moonlight Cinema experience and an Australian summer staple, here's your next round of motivation: the outdoor picture palace's January lineup, plus a few other highlights for the next few months. This cinephile heaven drops its program in parts, so its December bill arrived in November, and now it's time to see what'll be kicking off 2024. On the way: a heap of upcoming releases getting sneak peeks at Moonlight Cinema before they hit general release, plus old-school throwbacks aplenty. So, whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth, you have much to look forward to in scenic surroundings. The preview list includes Adam Driver (65) stepping into Enzo Ferrari's shoes in Ferrari, which is also filmmaker Michael Mann's first feature 2015's Blackhat; the new musical silver-screen version of Mean Girls, as based on the stage show adapted from the OG flick; and Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley, plus Australian Euphoria and Saltburn star Jacob Elordi as Elvis, in Sofia Coppola's Priscilla. Moonlight audiences around the country can also grapple with wrestling biopic The Iron Claw, which features Zac Efron (Gold) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as part of the Von Erich family — and then check out spy action-comedy Argylle. In Sydney and Melbourne only, the haunting and swoonworthy All of Us Strangers with the internet's boyfriends Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (Fleabag) will also get a spin. Films that are or will already be in cinemas everywhere will also grace Moonlight's screens, such as Wonka, Saltburn and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. For blasts from the past, The Mighty Ducks, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, She's The Man, The Parent Trap and Clueless will welcome in audiences nationwide, as will Hocus Pocus, The Devil Wears Prada, A Cinderella Story and The Princess Diaries. Sydney scores a date with Mamma Mia!, while the Harbour City as well as Melbourne and Perth will watch The Goonies and The Princess Bride, too. The lineup always varies per city, and the films and the setting are just two parts of the Moonlight Cinema setup. Also on offer: an official Aperol spritz bar, which is new for 2023–24. Nosh-wise, the event lets you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can enjoy a plethora of bites to eat onsite while reclining on bean beds. There's also a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, plus a platinum section that levels up a night at the movies even further in Sydney and Melbourne. A beauty cart is handing out samples, too. And, dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2023–24 DATES: Brisbane: until Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Roma Street Parklands Sydney: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Centennial Parklands Perth: until Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: until Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in Botanic Park Melbourne: until Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema runs through until March 2024, with dates varying per city. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
After collaborating with The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, nabbing a Coachella spot and spinning her way to international success over the past year, Sydney's Alison Wonderland is embarking on her second tour of industrial warehouse parties. Wonderland Warehouse Project 2.0 is set to hit the road nationwide from late May, the highly anticipated sequel to her wildly successful 2014 tour of the same name. Armed with a fresh set of tracks from debut album RUN, Wonderland will be popping up in secret locations across the country for what's pinned to be some seriously huge shows. Bringing electronica out of the clubs and into a string of mystery warehouses, this powerhouse Sydney DJ is going to run some rather unconventional, mega-scale dancefloors. Set to make her first appearance at Coachella in the States in April, off the back of casually working with Wayne Coyne for her latest record, Wonderland appears to have quite the 2015 in store. After last year's sell-out tour, get in quick to secure your spot at these epic warehouse shindigs. Tickets are only $40-45, so they sell quicker than you can fall down a rabbit hole. WONDERLAND WAREHOUSE PROJECT 2.0 DATES Brisbane — Friday May 22 Melbourne — Saturday May 30 Sydney — Saturday June 6 For tickets and more info, head to wonderlandwarehouseproject.com.
The first Australian solo exhibition by award-winning New Zealand artist Luke Willis Thompson, Misadventure is a celebratory showcase; however it is also much more than that. Chronicling the first five years of his creative efforts, it acts as a time lapse. Each piece provides a glimpse of his emotions, ideas and artistic expressions at a certain moment, allowing viewers to see how things changed and morphed in relation to his next work. Given that Thompson explores the concept of colonial legacy in his output, capturing and then comparing his efforts over a distinctive period certainly leaves a lasting impact. Across three conceptual sculpture and film projects, he ponders racial politics in a reconfiguration of Andy Warhol's screen tests, and examines social traumas in a pair of pieces reflective of complex histories. Separately, each of the trio makes a statement; together, they shout Thompson's thoughts and feelings at the audience. Evoking a reaction to volatile meanings is what he does best, after all — as winning the 2014 Walter's Prize, New Zealand's most prestigious art award, attests. Image: Luke Willis Thompson Sucu Mate / Born Dead, 2016, installation view: Hopkinson Mossman, Auckland. Courtesy the artist and Hopkinson Mossman.
Printhie Wines, run by brothers Ed and Dave Swift, has also taken its cellar door experience into the online realm, cracking the top off a new weekly virtual wine tasting series. The Molong-based winemakers are hitting screens from 4pm AEST every Friday, to help you wind down and kick-start the weekend in style. Or at least, in some good, wine-loving company. Via Facebook, the guys will guide viewers through a double tasting each week, showcasing a range of drops from their own label and answering plenty of audience questions along the way. To get you in the zone, Printhie is currently slinging a virtual tasting pack via its online store, starring six of the wines featured across the next few weeks' live streams. Get one delivered to your door so you can taste along with the guys and discuss your favourites as the camera rolls.
Want to drink wine and support a great cause while you do it? The team at Vinomofo has you covered. The online wine cellar has just launched its limited edition Homeless Grapes Project Yarra Valley chardonnay, and it's donating 100 percent of proceeds to Australians who are sleeping rough. The mineral-rich drop comes courtesy of De Bortoli Wines, Rochford Wines and TarraWarra Estate, who all donated grapes to the project. It goes on sale on Monday, February 4 at $25 per bottle, sold in a case of six, with only few hundred cases available. All proceeds from the sales will go to St Mary's House of Welcome, which provides food, shelter, showers and emergency assistance to Melburnians doing it tough. Last year, the sale of 200 cases of Homeless Grapes Project shiraz raised more than $50,000 and was able to provide housing for 570 clients, over 40,000 meals and 3000 appointments with nurses. The Homeless Grapes initiative has been running since 2015 and has already raised more than $150,000 for charity. "Homelessness is a community issue that can be solved by the community and initiatives like Homeless Grapes," said Vinomofo co-founder Andre Eikmeier. "We can raise money for the front line to help make a real difference. And importantly, we change our attitudes." The Homeless Grapes Project Yarra Valley chardonnay is available from Monday, February 4. To find out more about the Homeless Grapes initiative and to buy a couple of bottles, head to vinomofo.com.
In case there was still anyone out there who thought donning a Native American style headdress was a totally appropriate, acceptable, fun-loving thing to do, one of the world's biggest music festivals has just laid down the law. Glastonbury has officially banned the sale of these offensive accessories from their 2015 festival. The decision announced today comes after a well-researched Change.org petition was submitted to the festival's organisers. Though it only gained a humble 65 signatures, the petition made some salient arguments that have been echoed by most of the world for the last few years. "[Wearing these headdresses] is an offensive and disrespectful form of cultural appropriation," the petition read. "It homogenises diverse indigenous peoples, and perpetuates damaging, archaic and racist stereotypes." Amen. Though cultural appropriation is still a contentious topic with no hard and fast answers (see: bindis/everything to do with Miley Cyrus), most people are on the same page in regards to headdresses — well, everyone except Harry Styles. And, if the thought of being on the same side of this debate as One Direction didn't irk you out enough, trust us, there are a lot of other reasons to stand against it. Though a couple of other festivals around the world (including Australia's own "no dickheads" darling Meredith) have banned these headdresses from being worn at all, the new ban at Glastonbury will only relate to their sale. Though we'd obviously rather they get rid of them completely, it's a great step in the right direction. Last month, Glastonbury was declared "the most influential festival on the planet" after a survey conducted by Spotify. Here's hoping this policy proves as popular as their headline acts. Via Music Feeds. Photo credit: Shell Daruwala via photopin cc and Hipsters in Headresses.
Street art already has a magical quality about it. It pops up in laneways, on buildings, and on forgotten street corners every night; in a single sleep your city can be transformed. But now, one artist has taken things a step further. Spanish photographer and motion designer A.L. Crego enriches these creations with even more intrigue — he brings them to life. Utilising the almighty power of the GIF, Crego expertly animates the street art he finds on his daily travels. In an attempt to boost the meaning of each work, he spends between a couple of hours and two days creating each animation. "Some of them are easier than others because the painting was made with a few elements, but other ones were made with a lot of techniques and elements," he told Pixable. Though GIFs are usually there to be laughed at or shared in addictive listicles, over the past few years they've really taken off as a legitimate art form. There are a number of artists using the medium in incredible and unexpected ways. Far from their most common use as vehicles for Lena Dunham quotes, GIFs (or cinemagraphs, if we're being fancy) can actually be quite beautiful. Take a stroll through A.L. Crego's collection below. Your imagination will thank you for it. Via My Modern Met and Pixable.. All images: A.L. Crego.
Late last year, Taco Bell quietly opened a test store in Annerley, Brisbane. And today — fittingly, International Taco Day — the US Tex-Mex chain has announced plans to open 50 new stores across Australia in the next three years. While its expansion will begin in Queensland — with stores already confirmed for Robina, Cleveland and North Lakes — the chain has confirmed that it will also be expanding interstate. Taco Bell, whose parent company is Collins Foods — which also operates 28 Aussie KFC restaurants and the 13 remaining Sizzler venues — announced today that after receiving positive feedback from its test store, it would be rolling out 50 new Taco Bell outposts over the next three years. Managing Director Taco Bell Asia Pacific Ankush Tuli suggested locals have embraced the brand. "We have had an overwhelming response to the launch of Taco Bell in Brisbane," Tuli explained. This is, however, Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market. The chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997 — but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew. It was speculated earlier this year that as part of the brand's expansion, Collins Foods would be rebranding its Sizzler restaurants as Taco Bells; however, this has not yet been confirmed. You can currently find Taco Bell at 594 Ipswich Road, Annerley, with the Robina store slated to open this year.
UPDATE, September 11, 2020: Colossal is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play and YouTube Movies. It may feature a giant creature lumbering around Seoul, but Colossal isn't your typical big predictable monster movie. In fact, there are plenty of refreshing ideas scurrying around within the latest film from writer-director Nacho Vigalondo, who previously taunted Elijah Wood through a computer in Open Windows, and now saddles Anne Hathaway with a lizard the size of a building. Come for the Godzilla-scale antics; stay for an insightful exploration of the destructive tendencies that lurk within us all, as well as an unexpected celebration of female empowerment. When we first meet Hathaway's aimless, out-of-work writer Gloria, she's a partying mess. Tired of her drinking-all-night ways, her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens) kicks her out, sending her fleeing from New York City to her empty childhood home. Though it has been decades since she lived in the small town she grew up in, it doesn't take long for her to catch up with former school pal Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), become boozing buddies with him and his friends (Tim Blake Nelson and Austin Stowell), and take a job at his bar. Binging and benders come next, as does the news that a monster has been wreaking havoc on the other side of the world. How Colossal expands its concept from there is one of the many joys best discovered by watching, but it's hardly a spoiler to say that battling demons, both internal and external, sits at the heart of the film. Connecting a trainwreck of a character with a gargantuan reptilian critter doing more damage than a railroad disaster mightn't be the subtlest metaphor, and yet Vigalondo ensures that the link between the two does more than just hammer home an obvious point. Indeed, examining just how one influences the other inspires narrative twists and emotional revelations, giving the movie the heart and smarts to match the size of its towering central figure. Just as it does with its creature feature premise, though, Colossal takes its underlying ideas a step further. Noting that humanity – collectively and individually – can be as ruinous as a hulking kaiju is really just the beginning. It doesn't escape attention that Gloria is surrounded by a bunch of ostensibly well-meaning men who all think that they're helping; realising just how large a shadow they're casting upon her life is crucial to the story. Indeed, this movie doesn't just tear down a city. It attempts to topple gender politics as well. Monsters, male domination and manoeuvring around both provide meaty food for thought, as well as a whole heap of meaningful material for Hathaway and Sudeikis to play with. Actually, their casting is a stroke of genius. Clearly given the lead role with a knowing awareness of how polarising she can be with general audiences, Hathaway fleshes out a protagonist who initially seems a stock-standard flurry of flaws, bad decisions and grating traits. Sudeikis also gets to toy with his usual persona, dissecting a character that seems on the surface like the kind of likeable nice guy he's played many times before. Just like the creature they're dallying with, however, there's more to each of them than it first appears. It takes a particularly inventive way of thinking to weave all of the above together, and to deliver a mighty fine monster flick at the same time. Vigalondo's brain is clearly wired in just the right way. His love for all things kaiju shines through every time his creature makes an appearance, visually boasting more in common with the genre's B-movie roots than its slick Hollywood incarnations. Still, his affection for his intelligent concept and empowering message stomps harder. Talk about a colossal effort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMp9sscNVc
We’re not talking lion hunting while munching caviar and canapés, nor are we dreaming of zebra reductions or tiger tartare: this gourmet safari, courtesy of travel experts Mr & Mrs Smith, features hotels whose restaurants alone are worth a bumpy ride in a 4X4, whose chefs are the big game of the food industry, and whose dining rooms draw food critics like thirsty wildebeest to a watering hole. 1. SANGOMA RETREAT Where: 70 Grandview Lane, Bowen Mountain, NSW What: Game reserve-inspired glam City grind got you ground down? Sydneysiders in need of respite should write their own prescription for a stay at African-inspired Sangoma Retreat in the Blue Mountains, just a 70-minute drive away, where five light, airy and very spacious suites loll across 10-hectare grounds. Rooms are blessed with huge freestanding Philippe Starck tubs and wraparound balconies for soaking up bush scenes, but chances are you’ll be hard-pressed to tear yourself away from the restaurant. Owner/chef Zenga Butler cooks up globe-trotting cuisine with Ottolenghi influences (healthy, seasonal, locally sourced and largely organic). It’s a relaxed affair: heaped platters of fish and salad, which you can help yourself to. 2. METROPOLITAN BY COMO Where: 27 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand What: Manicured minimalism Australian chef David Thompson’s rice-white and mango-yellow Nahm restaurant in the Metropolitan by Como, Bangkok hotel may survey the pool, but you’ll only have eyes for your food, however many starlets or stallions strut past. Expect elegant Thai cuisine featuring tingling flavours and succulent seafood: kingfish salad with chilli, lime and mint, deep-fried crab with pomelo, and coconut-cream-slathered desserts. Lesser known, but equally wonderful, is the hotel’s guilt-free Glow restaurant, where Amanda Gale’s zingy salads keep you feeling great. The low prices (around AU$21 for a fresh juice and two-course lunch) are equally revitalising. 3. ROYAL MAIL HOTEL Where: 98 Parker Street (Glenelg Highway), The Grampians, VIC What: Gourgeous gourmet pub Need a dose of vitamin C? Head to Royal Mail Hotel in the Grampians, where fat pumpkins, albino eggplants and juicy tomatoes flourish ripely in the green, green garden. Dan Hunter (formerly head chef at Spain’s two-Michelin-starred Mugaritz) flirts with vegetarians and omnivores alike via two 10-course tasting menus: one leafy; one meaty. This chef melts rules like butter: lamb comes with liquorice; pigeon is paired with white chocolate. Such creativity has garnered a fistful of awards, so book your table when you book your bedroom. There’s also a casual bistro with a sunny courtyard and a tapas menu, and – for less calorific moments – mountain views, hills for hiking and a peaceful outdoor pool. 4. QT SYDNEY Where: 49 Market Street, Sydney, NSW What: Theatrical temptress Scantily clad door-sirens with flame-red wigs, rooms with DIY martini kits, a buzzing bar and a spa with hammam, ice-room and hipster barber: at sexy QT Sydney hotel, you could easily forget to eat. That would be tragic, though, given the excellent restaurant housed in the hotel’s historic State Theatre and Gowings department store buildings. Helmed by executive chef Paul Easson, under the creative direction of Sydney restaurateur Robert Marchetti, Gowings Bar & Grill is a funked-up Euro-flash brasserie which relies of the most artisan producers for the freshest Australian ingredients, and cooks them to perfection in wood-fired rotisseries. Repair to the Gilt Lounge afterwards for vintage cocktails. 5. EICHARDT’S PRIVATE HOTEL Where: Marine Parade, Queenstown, New Zealand What: Historic haven with watery vistas If you fancy drinking in both Lake Wakatipu views and silky seafood chowder, book a bedroom at Eichardt’s Private Hotel in Queenstown. This glam grand dame has mountain- and lake-spying rooms, a famous bar and a very good restaurant. Choose between dining at the award-winning bar or at Eichardt's Parlour, a private lounge and dining area on the first floor, styled with Georgian grace. Chef Will Eaglesfield is the talent in charge, plating up delicious dishes such as wild-game terrine with house pickles and mustard, and salted-cod-and-potato croquettes with herb aioli. Comfy sofas, friendly service and a toasty fireplace keep things cosy. 6. LAKE HOUSE Where: 4 King Street, Daylesford, VIC What: Restrained rural retreat Delicious little Lake House hotel in Daylesford began life in 1984 as a 40-seat, weekend-only restaurant, owned by acclaimed chef Alla Wolf-Tasker. Fast forward more than a few years, and lake-scoping rooms and a Scandinavia-inspired spa with treetop hot tubs and a blissful 75-minute signature treatment have been added to the equation. The emphasis is still firmly foodie, though: what’s dished up varies according to the season, but you can expect house-made charcuterie, heritage vegetables and fruits, local trout, eel and cheeses, free-range pork and wagyu beef. Be sure to book your table when you bag your stay, and call by Alla’s more casual café, Wombat Hill House, in the nearby Botanic Gardens. 7. ESTABLISHMENT HOTEL Where: 5 Bridge Lane, Sydney, NSW What: Everything-under-one-roof design destination Devotees of dim sum will think they’ve died and gone to har gow heaven when they clap eyes upon Establishment Hotel’s impressive Cantonese restaurant, Mr. Wong, a sprawling 240-cover space. When pork buns pale, there are plenty of other in-house options: Est., for Australian fine dining with French and Asian flair; Sushi-e, for succulent sashimi; Palings, which has a 'kitchen' menu designed for sharing, and the stunning Gin Garden bar, with lush plants, sexy pendant lamps, raw brick walls and a choice of Thai and Australian dishes. This multi-tasking pleasure palace can organise access to the Fitness First gym next door, if you start to feel fatty. 8. HUKA LODGE Where: 271 Huka Falls Road, Taupo, New Zealand What: Trad Twenties hunting lodge Fan of fishing, food and fast-paced adventures? Huka Lodge has all three covered. Set in Taupo, home to New Zealand’s largest lake in the heart of the volcanic North Island, this heritage 1920s hotel was founded as a frill-free fishing lodge, but don’t expect simple dinners of fisherman’s pie. Instead, the Michelin-starred executive chef brings European influences to contemporary New Zealand cuisine, harnessing the finest fresh, flavoursome local ingredients, including fruit from the orchard. Menus change daily according to the produce available, but previous crowd-pleasers include: freshwater lobster butter-poached with lemon-infused gnocchi and watercress, and chocolate fondant with espresso ice-cream. Cosy up in the main dining room or dine alfresco in the riverside grounds. 9. SPICERS VINEYARDS ESTATE Where: 555 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, NSW What: Modern manor house Lovers of vine things have long flocked to the green-gold hills of the Hunter Valley, where some of the country’s sweetest, punchiest grapes flourish. Spicers Vineyards Estate makes the most of its regional charms: the 350-strong wine list (manager Belinda Stapleton's pride and joy) includes local gems from Margan, Tyrrell's and the like, or old-world classics from Burgundy and Bordeaux, and the restaurant has a veggie patch, chickens and pigs, and clever chef Mark Stapleton. Botanica's contemporary menu is loaded with lip-smacking dishes, such as house-made charcuterie, slow-cooked duck with caramelised fennel, and hand-cut pappardelle with lobster cream. Rattan chairs, earthy tones and floor-to-ceiling windows offering serene vineyard views make for a relaxed setting. 10. THE PRINCE Where: 2 Acland Street, St Kilda, Melbourne, VIC What: High-drama design, art deco grace Melbourne knows that the way to a visitor’s heart is through their stomach: this is the city where pop-up eateries sprout like mushrooms in the little laneways, after all. The Prince boutique hotel, a colourful art deco distraction in bayside St Kilda, lives up to its location, with not one but two ravishing restaurants. At Circa, rising star Paul Wilson and seasoned chef Jake Nicolson rustle up sharing plates with Asian zing: kingfish sashimi with yuzu and basil jelly, or bonito with green tea, for example. There’s a Mexican in the basement, too, but don’t be scared: Acland St Cantina spans a casual canteen and a cute, characterful restaurant. Save room for the salted-caramel ice-cream churros taco (we kid you not).
If there's one thing every Brisbane Festival attendee can count on, it's the Spiegeltent. The location of the canvas dome has changed throughout the years, but the lineup of excellent entertainment never wavers. This year, the program includes old favourites, new discoveries and all the goodness between the two extremes. Where else will you see Megan Washington do her thing, watch Conrad Sewell before he becomes an even bigger hit, revel in Spain's best surf rock band and celebrate the birthday of Brisbane's preeminent community broadcaster, after all? Note: entry to the tent itself is free, but each show has varying prices, so you'd best check the Bris Fest website in advance.
Wherever your suitcases are currently stashed, dig them out: spring is almost here, Jetstar has dropped an end-of-winter flight sale, and a range of Australian and international destinations await. There's no better motivation for a getaway than cheap fares, whether you're keen to soak up the sunshine away from home, book your next big overseas trip, lock in a pre-Christmas vacation or plan your first holiday of 2025. All of the above scenarios are covered by the Australian carrier's latest batch of discounted flights, which start at $34. As always, that price spans trips from Sydney to Byron Bay. From there, the Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Uluru, Bali, Tokyo, Hawaii, Bangkok, Seoul and Vanuatu are among the options, and the list goes on from there. Some specific highlights include Sydney to Hamilton Island from $79 and Melbourne to Hamilton Island from $109, Brisbane to Cairns from $69 and Brisbane to Tokyo from $335 — plus Honolulu flights from $280 out of Sydney, $285 from Melbourne and $359 departing from Brisbane. Domestically, other destinations span Newcastle, Darwin, Mackay, Busselton, Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday Coast, Hobart, Launceston and Hervey Bay. And from the overseas bargains, you also have Osaka, Queenstown, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Fiji, Singapore, Manila, Phuket, Krabi and Ho Chi Minh City to pick from. Travel periods vary, starting as early as September 2024 and ranging as late as July 2025, if that helps you to decide where — and when — to go. You've got until 11.59pm AEST on Monday, August 26, 2024 to nab your flights, or until sold out if they're snapped up by other travellers before then. There are a few rules, as is always the case. All sale fares are one-way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. Jetstar's Just Plane Good Sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Monday, August 26, 2024 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. 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.
There's no meal that can't be improved by dessert — yes, even breakfast — and no special occasion, either. That's all in Gelato Messina's wheelhouse, and it's mighty fond of releasing specials to make holidays even tastier. The latest example: the chain's Easter offering, which brings back its popular 2021 snack pack. Even better: if you've always wanted to smash open a Messina Easter egg, that's on the menu as well. Your tastebuds might already remember Messina's hot cross bun version of the brand's sticky snails — and they can savour it again this year. Basically, it's the brand's interpretation of a Cinnabon-style scroll, then combined with an Easter favourite. It's another of Messina's limited releases, and it'll be available at all of its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's hot cross bun sticky snail entails? Well, that spiced sticky hot cross bun dough is filled with choc chips and vanilla custard. Crucially, raisins aren't included — but it is topped with a cinnamon malt caramel. The sweet bake-at-home bite to eat can only be ordered online on Monday, April 4. It will set you back $65, which includes a one-litre tub of the brand's triple choc gelato hot tub, too — which features milk chocolate gelato, toasted white chocolate mousse and Ecuadorian dark chocolate crack. Or, also available at the same time — and for the same price — is the Messina Easter egg. Made from 44-percent single-origin cocoa couverture chocolate, the 420-gram egg comes filled with even more sweet treats. Crack it open and you'll find white and milk chocolate chickens, white chocolate and passionfruit gel fried eggs, caramelised white chocolate and waffle cone mini eggs, and milk chocolate hot cross bun bites. Messina now opens its orders at different times for different places, so you'll want to hop online at 9am for Queensland and Australian Capital Territory stores, 9.30am for Victorian shops, and at either 10am, 10.30am or 11am depending on where you are in New South Wales. Once you've placed your preorder, pick up will be available between Thursday, April 14–Sunday, April 17 from your chosen Messina location. And, after you've got the hot cross bun sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila. Gelato Messina's Easter snack packs and Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, April 4, for pick up between Thursday, April 14–Sunday, April 17 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Writing a prescient tale is the science-fiction holy grail, and a feat that Philip K Dick firmly achieved. Making a movie that becomes the prevailing vision of what the future might look like in the entire world's minds? That's a stunning filmmaking feat, and one that Ridley Scott notched up as well. The reason for both? On the page, 1968's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. In cinemas, 1982's Blade Runner. And if you need reminding of how stunning a story that the iconic sci-fi author penned, or how spectacular a film that the legendary director then turned it into, look no further than Blade Runner's return to the big screen — with a live score. When Dick pondered the difference between humans and artificial intelligence more than half a century back, he peered forward with revelatory foresight. When Scott followed fresh from Alien, he did the same. Now, in 2023, with the clash between the organic and the digital a daily part of our lives in this ChatGPT-heavy reality, of course it's time for Blade Runner to flicker again. Film lovers, get ready for another dream movie-and-music pairing. Get ready for synths, too. Vangelis' stunning score will echo as Scott's feature screens at Melbourne's Hamer Hall, in the only Australian stop announced so far for Blade Runner Live — an event that premiered in London in 2019, made its way around the UK, then hit Japan earlier in 2023. The Victorian capital will host two sessions, on Saturday, November 4–Sunday, November 5, and show the Final Cut version of the movie. Wondering how it differs from the OG release, and also the House of Gucci, The Last Duel and Napoleon filmmaker's Director's Cut? First unveiled in 2007 for the feature's 25th anniversary, it's the only version that Scott truly had full artistic control over. Blade Runner's narrative, if you're new to the franchise — which also includes exceptional 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049 and recent animated series Blade Runner: Black Lotus, with a new Blade Runner TV series also on the way — focuses on the one and only Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) as cop Rick Deckard. His task: finding replicants, aka androids, which turns into quite the existential journey. It's almost impossible to name a movie or TV series in sci-fi that's popped up over the four decades since Blade Runner first arrived that hasn't owed Scott's film a massive debt — and any synthesiser-fuelled score that hasn't done the same with Vangelis. And yes, add Blade Runner to the list of favourites getting another silver-screen run that celebrates their tunes heartily, alongside everything from Star Wars: Into the Spider-Verse to The Lion King to Star Wars and Harry Potter, plus The Princess Bride, Home Alone and Toy Story. Check out the trailer for Blade Runner below: Blade Runner Live will play Melbourne's Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, on Saturday, November 4–Sunday, November 5. Head to the event website for further details, and tickets from 10am AEST on Friday, August 11.
The Koreans do violent. The Italians do romantic. The French do flowery and pretentious. But when it comes strange, no one make movies like the Greeks. Characterised by a deadpan, absurdist sense of humour often punctuated by moments of unsettling violence, the so-called Weird Wave has led to a renewed interest in Greek cinema in recent times — and what better place to get acquainted than at Australia's very own Greek Film Festival. Standout wave films on the program include Luton and the aptly named Miss Violence. The latter title caused quite a stir at the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals earlier this year for its extremely graphic content, which caused a number of audience members to walk out. It's a remarkably well-made film for anyone who can stomach it. Just don't say we didn't warn you. Thankfully, there's more to the Greek industry than brutality and existential angst. Opening night film Little England is a lavish period romance set during the Second World War, while Block 12 mixes Bollywood dance numbers into a comedy about the country's economic crisis — because really, they just seem like a natural fit. For the full Greek Film Festival program, visit their website.
