UPDATE, May 19, 2021: A Quiet Place is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Silence isn't simply deafening in A Quiet Place. As a family attempts to evade aliens that attack every sound, the absence of noise couldn't scream louder. The film's stillness is forceful and unrelenting, creating a stunning soundscape. One type of silence fills a room, farm house, abandoned supermarket and sprawling country property with dread and anxiety. Another thrums with the comfort of routines designed to impart normality in a clearly abnormal situation. Moreover, this symphony of quiet doesn't just play at different volumes, but with different instruments. As voices drop below a whisper and words are signed rather than spoken, the surrounding din of a desolate, post-apocalyptic world buzzes faintly: the whistling wind, the rushing water, the creaking of branches. In a movie that's acoustically muted for most of its running time — a movie that infuses its hushed status into its very premise — all of the above couldn't be more crucial. As an achievement in sound design, A Quiet Place is positively thunderous, even if Buffy the Vampire Slayer did something similar years ago. Director, co-writer and actor John Krasinski makes every minute of silence and every sudden burst of noise count, executing a straightforward B-movie concept with exceptional technical precision. More than that, The Office star ensures that his third stint behind the camera echoes both literally and emotionally. Here, a protruding nail is a heartbreaking sight. A bloodied hand streaking along a pane of glass proves horrifying as well as surprisingly hopeful. A suppressed grimace of pain gets the audience's adrenaline pumping, as well as their empathy. Viewers first meet A Quiet Place's central family on day 89 of their ordeal. When the central unnamed couple (Krasinksi and Emily Blunt) and their young children (Millicent Simmons, Noah Jupe and Cade Woodward) take a cautious trip to stock up on supplies, it ends in tragedy, establishing just how deadly absolutely any sound can be. Skip to day 472, with Blunt's character now heavily pregnant, Krasinski's patriarch trying to keep everyone safe, and the remaining kids quite rightly nervous. Still, they're as happy as they can be in their terse, jumpy, grief-stricken state. They're together, and thanks to the eldest daughter's hearing impairment, they're able to communicate via sign language. But the impending baby is certain to cry, the children waver between wanting to help and wanting to run, and the extra-terrestrial critters are rarely out of earshot. Krasinski's stripped-back use of sound reflects his entire approach, crafting a masterfully sparse movie from start to finish — and a downright masterful one too. Forget questions about why the monsters are there and where everyone else is: they couldn't matter less in this taut, fast-paced thriller, and they shouldn't even cross your mind. Disposing with the need to provide clunky explanations or exposition (something which can and has thwarted many horror flicks), A Quiet Place hones its focus on the protagonists, their immediate plight and their quest for survival. Indeed, the script's economical nature allows the film to flex its other muscles — or sharpen its other senses, fittingly. Visually, A Quiet Place flits between claustrophobic close-ups and the wide-open expanse of the family's farm, a contrast that ratchets up the tension as well as the movie's impact. When it's used, the score proves stirring without over-stressing the scenario's urgency, or making the bumps and jumps feel cheesy. Above all, however, it's the cast that not only benefit from the film's preference for showing rather than telling, but make their mark as a result. Like her work in Looper and Sicario, Blunt is both formidable and feminine, demonstrating that one doesn't negate the other in one of the best performances of her career. Watch out for the scene-stealing Simmons, though. The deaf young actress, who was similarly great in last year's Wonderstruck, is the strong, silent, expressive heart of this stellar picture — and its secret weapon in more ways than one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqy27Bk0Vw0
They're undeniably cute and cuddly. They hop through fairy tales, cartoons, and play an important part in everything from Us to The Matrix franchise. They're also considered adorable by some and a pest by others. That'd be the humble rabbit — and for three weeks between Tuesday, March 29–Sunday, April 17, the floppy-eared creatures will be taking over Brisbane Quarter in a giant, inflatable and illuminated way. That's when Amanda Parer's eye-catching Intrude is popping up at the CBD spot, with this iteration of Australian artist's installation featuring three big bunnies that'll tower over the precinct. The world-famous artwork is designed not only to glow, garner attention and look glorious, but also to get people thinking about rabbits, their environmental impact and the many contradictions surrounding the way they're regarded by society. It's the second time that the installation has come to Brisbane, following a stint in 2020 — and expect it to be popular. Sky-high luminous bunnies will have that effect. Entry is free and, if you don't want to be late for this very important date, the rabbits on display daily on Brisbane Quarter's Podium One at 300 George Street.
Fans of Australian mysteries, page-to-screen crime tales, Eric Bana (Dirty John) getting sleuthing and all things Aaron Falk, you'll have to wait a bit longer for your most-anticipated Aussie film of 2023. With the SAG-AFTRA strike currently in effect, and Bana a member of the union, Australian and New Zealand distributor Roadshow Films — in consultation with the filmmakers — has decided to push back The Dry sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2 from its planned August release. "It is with some regret, but a large amount of conviction, that we have decided to postpone the release of Force of Nature: The Dry 2. I'm incredibly proud of this much-anticipated Australian film and want to be able to do it justice by promoting it thoroughly," said Bana in a statement. "Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, of which I am a longstanding member, it is not possible to do that at this time. Just as we did with The Dry, our plan is to be face to face with the cinemagoing public through event screenings, Q&As and press appearances at the time of release. I stand in support of the changes that SAG-AFTRA are fighting for on behalf of all working actors. I apologise for any inconvenience it causes anyone who has pre purchased tickets to our already soldout Q&A sessions. Thanks for your understanding. See you at a cinema soon," Bana continued. When the Aussie star stepped into Falk's shoes in The Dry, more movies were always bound to follow. On the screen, the film became a massive Australian box-office hit in 2021 thanks to its twisty mystery, determined detective, stunning scenery and spectacular cast. It was capitalising, of course, on the story's proven success on the page. And, to the delight of movie producers and audiences, the beloved novel by author Jane Harper was just Falk's first appearance. Accordingly, throw that formula together again and you now have Force of Nature: The Dry 2, the big-screen sequel that no longer has a release date — with exactly when it'll hit cinemas now yet to be confirmed. This follow-up sees the core duo of Bana and writer/director Robert Connolly (Blueback) return, with the latter again investigating a case. This time, as both the movie's initial teaser and full trailer explore, Falk is looking into the disappearance of a hiker from a corporate retreat attended by five women. Alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing traveller — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse list of Aussie talent just like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Reteaming not just after The Dry, but also fellow 2023 release Blueback, Connolly and Bana make quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. It's likely that this won't be the last big movie that's delayed due to the current actors' strike, with Hollywood talents fighting against diminishing residual payments for performers, and to establish firm rules about the future use of artificial intelligence in the industry. When they took action in mid-July, SAG-AFTRA's members joined their counterparts in the Writers Guild of America, who've been striking since May. Check out the full trailer for Force of Nature: The Dry 2 below: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 doesn't currently have a release date for Australian and New Zealand cinemas — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our full review of The Dry. Images: Narelle Portanier.
With several restaurant precincts spread throughout and around its parklands, and plenty of grassy sitting spots too, South Bank offers hungry Brisbanites the best of both worlds. Sometimes, you just want to dine in and feast on a fresh-cooked meal that's brought to your table. At other times, relaxing on the lawn and enjoying a leisurely picnic is exactly what the mood calls for. Enter new Italian eatery Mister Paganini, which will be able to cater to both scenarios when it opens its doors in early December. The multi-faceted venue will feature a restaurant serving up classic cuisine, as well as a deli for on-the-go and take-home bites and snacks. Those keen on the sit down, in-house approach will find simple, communal fare made with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Chef Steve Wildermoth's full menu is yet to be unveiled, but the veteran of restaurants Sorellina, Ortiga and Moda will be serving up spaghetti with spanner crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and olive oil, as well as porchetta with crispy pork belly, fried herb potatoes and pear mostarda. Dessert fiends can expect to devour millefoglie with coffee cream, puff pastry, peach jam and chocolate, among other delectable dishes. If dropping by and taking away takes your fancy instead, you'll be able to get your coffee fix, and then pick from traditional pastries and sweets — plus, there's more substantial offerings such as fresh salads and gourmet rolls for lunch. Whichever option you choose, it all sounds delicious. And if you like Italian food, there's really no wrong choice. Find Mister Paganini at 174 Grey Street, South Brisbane from early December, and visit their website and Facebook page for more information.
A boozy trip to the Treasury's courtyard usually involves pairing wine and cheese. The inner city venue has hosted more than a couple of parties that combine the two, and it'll undoubtedly do so again in the future. But, from 5.30–7.30pm on Friday, May 28, a different drink and a different type of food will be on the menu on George Street — which is great news if you like beers and American barbecue dishes. At Brewed Treasury Brisbane, your beverages will be yeasty. For two hours, you'll be sipping tipples from James Squire, Eumundi Brewery, Panhead, Brooklyn, Burleigh Brewing and XXXX, all while wandering through an event that takes place inside the hotel as well. Food-wise, your $60 ticket also gives you access to a wing station, where you can choose your toppings and sauces. Nachos and sliders will also be on offer — but, if you really can't get enough chicken, there'll be a wing roulette challenge, too.
American artist Roy Lichtenstein is one of the key players in the Pop Art movement of the '60s and '70s. His innovative artwork and trademark colourful benday dot imagery, which parodied the comic strip, cemented his place as an iconic artist alongside the likes of other influential pop artists, such as Andy Warhol. Pop Remix showcases Lichtenstein's classic pieces as well as revealing a different side to the artist and showing a glimpse at how he developed his artwork through newly restored candid photography and film. Roy Lichtenstein inspired a generation through his tongue in cheek artwork that shook up all previously established 'rules' regarding what should be classified as art. Now it's your turn to be inspired. Pop Remix is held at the QUT Art Museum, in the middle of our city and the icing on the cake is that the event is absolutely free.
Bringing the outdoors in, greening up tiny city apartments, eating farm-fresh food, growing your own edible morsels: noble aims, all of them, but they're not always easy to achieve. A lack of room and a need for ongoing effort can hinder even the best laid inside gardening plans; however O Garden aims to make cultivating your own indoor veggie garden as simple as buying a new — and eye-catching — piece of furniture. Designed and manufactured in Canada, O Garden is a round, rotating cylinder specially designed for growing organic goodies in small spaces, and with as little need for human intervention as possible. Seeds are planted in soil placed on top of coconut matting, then automatically fed with organic liquid fertiliser while the wheel slowly spins around a central light source. All you need to do is water them once a week, then wait 30 to 40 days until harvesting time. Overall, the O Garden can produce around 100 plants in about half a square metre of space, making it quite the compact indoor greenhouse. As for just what you can grow within its circular confines, expect to munch on herbs like basil, rosemary, mint and parsley; greens such as spinach, lettuce and chives; and even celery, cherry tomatoes and strawberries. Alas, homegrown fresh food fans, the O Garden doesn't come cheap — though its US$1397 price tag doesn't factor in what you'll save if you put it to good veggie-growing use. At present, it only currently ships to the US and Europe, but here's hoping that changes soon. Via inhabitat.
When Bong Joon-ho's Parasite won Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or in 2019, it became the second movie in as many years to nab the coveted prize for exploring class and wealth inequality through a tale of family. The year prior, when Hirokazu Kore-eda's Shoplifters scored the same gong, it too examined the ties that bind, plus the societal circumstances that conspire against and complicate such bonds. Indeed, that's the Japanese filmmaker's favourite subject. In a career spanning over three decades, he keeps being drawn to people who are drawn together, sometimes by biology and sometimes because that's simply the hand that fate has played in shaping a makeshift brood. It's fitting, then, that Kore-eda's latest Broker — his second feature since that big win — stays true to his go-to topic while also starring Parasite's Song Kang-ho. This is Kore-eda's first South Korean film, following 2019's French and English The Truth, which was his first non-Japanese picture. This is vintage Kore-eda, in fact, and it's warm, wise, wonderful, canny and complex. No matter how his on-screen families come to be, if there's any actual blood between them, whether they're grifting in some way or where in the world they're located, the Japanese writer/director's work has become so beloved — so magnificent, too — due to his care and sincerity. A Kore-eda film is a film of immense empathy and, like Like Father, Like Son, Our Little Sister, After the Storm and The Third Murder also in the prolific talent's past decade, Broker is no different. The setup here is one of the filmmaker's murkiest, with the feature's name referring to the baby trade. But showing compassion and humanity isn't up for debate in Kore-eda's approach. He judges the reality of modern-day life that leads his characters to their actions, but doesn't judge his central figures. In the process, he makes poignant melodramas that are also deep and thoughtful character studies, and that get to the heart of the globe's ills like the most cutting slices of social realism. It isn't just to make a buck that debt-ridden laundromat owner Sang-hyun (Song, Emergency Declaration) and orphanage-raised Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won, Peninsula) take infants abandoned to the Busan Family Church's 'baby box' — a chute that's exactly what it sounds like, available to mothers who know they can't embrace that part for whatever reason — then find good families to sell them to. There's a cash component, of course, but they're convinced that their gambit is better than letting children languish in the state system. In Kore-eda's usual kindhearted manner, Broker sees them with sensitivity. Even if blue hues didn't wash through the film's frames, nothing is ever black and white in the director's movies. The same understanding and tenderness flows towards mothers like So-young (Lee Ji-eun, Hotel Del Luna, aka K-Pop star IU), whose decision to leave Woo-sung (debutant Park Ji-yong) isn't easily made but puts Broker on its course. It's on a rainy night that So-young farewells Woo-sung, placing him gently in the hatch packed with blankets and soundtracked by lullabies, and leaving a note to say that she'll be back to claim him. She's nervous and tentative, peering around to see if anyone is watching — astutely so, because two groups are waiting on her significant choice. The traffickers have their plan to enact, while detectives Su-jin (Doona Bae, The Silent Sea) and Lee (Lee Joo-young, Rose Mansion) are keen to catch them. Muddying matters for both: unlike what usually happens in this situation, So-young does genuinely return for her baby. So sparks a road trip with Sang-hyun, Dong-soo and football-loving seven-year-old Hae-jin (first-timer Seung-soo Im), a runaway orphan, to meet Woo-sung's prospective adoptive parents, all with the cops on their trail as part of a six-month investigation. Broker's plot is never straightforward, nor are the questions it incites — questions about what family truly means, what governments say it's supposed to and why a ragtag group of outsiders can find a greater sense of belonging together on the run than anywhere else. Without offering any simple justifications, answers or solutions, Kore-eda ensures that the factors that lead So-young to the baby box, and Sang-hyun and Dong-soo to the illicit adoption market, constantly demand the audience's attention. "This car is filled with liars," Dong-soo says mid-trip, but it's the why behind that statement that sits at Broker's core. Like in Shoplifters before it, Kore-eda queries the forces that've made his characters who they are, brought them to this juncture and meant that the choices they're making feel like the only ones they can. Here, that includes pondering expectations placed upon women whether or not they're mums, the baggage attached to motherhood, the alternatives to baby boxes, and the stark truth that bringing life into the world and having a family aren't the same things. If he'd decided that literature rather than cinema was his medium of choice, there's no doubting that Kore-eda would've made an excellent novelist. His plots are that layered, perceptive, generous, emotional and involving. Also, in his TV adaptation The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, one of 2023's streaming delights, he showed that he's equally as skilled at bringing tales from the page to the screen. But filmmaking is clearly Kore-eda's calling — and he's such a masterful visual storyteller, not to mention an affectionate movie craftsman, that it's forever plain to see why. Enlisting the great South Korean cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, a veteran not just of the aforementioned Parasite but also Bong's Snowpiercer and Mother, Na Hong-jin's 2016 standout The Wailing and Lee Chang-dong's sublime Burning from 2018, he gives Broker an earthy, lived-in, clear-eyed and yet eternally hopeful look. Falling rain, cramped rooms, cosy car rides, sprawling countryside, everyday phone calls: this film, and Kore-eda and Hong, make each one stun and say, well, everything. Broker's score by Jung Jae-il (another Parasite alum, and also Squid Game's composer) — plus the movie's spectacular use of Amy Mann's 'Wise Up' on its soundtrack, nods to Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia and all — are just as impressively and attentively fashioned. Nothing quite makes a Kore-eda feature what it is like his way with casting, though, pairing his empathetic stories with actors who gracefully live and breathe the same trait under his gaze. Accordingly, Kore-eda and the always-exceptional Song are a match made in cinematic heaven; it's no wonder that the latter deservedly earned Cannes' 2022 Best Actor prize for his latest phenomenal performance as a complex patriarch-type. Kore-eda and Bae is just as sterling a duo, too, especially when it comes to conveying yearning within this already bittersweet tale. Every heartfelt portrayal in Broker gets its audience feeling, however, including the scene-stealing Lee as a woman facing impossible choices, and pivotal baby Park.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato, Weet-Bix and fairy bread varieties, hot cross bun gelato and even gelato for dogs. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from an extremely popular drink: bubble tea. Yes, bubble tea is now a thing you can eat, not just drink, thanks to Gelatissimo. Launching this Friday, July 24, the brown sugar bubble milk tea flavour is made from a combination of organic assam tea and black tea, which are infused in creamy gelato and mixed with a swirl of brown sugar syrup. As it wouldn't really be a bubble tea without pearls, each cup or cone comes topped with chewy brown sugar tapioca pearls. If you order a takeaway tub, pearls come packed separately. Prefer sipping on your bubble tea rather than scooping it? Gelatissimo is also whizzing the limited-edition flavour into gelato shakes. As Victoria is in lockdown and NSW residents have been advised against non-essential travel, Gelatissimo is bringing the gelato to you and offering delivery through UberEats, DoorDash and Deliveroo. Gelatissimo's brown sugar bubble milk gelato flavour is available from all 43 stores nationwide for a limited time.
With COVID-19 cases numbers continuing to rise in both Victoria and New South Wales — with Melbourne just over two weeks into its second lockdown and three Sydney local government areas identified as hotspots by the Queensland Government — the Sunshine State has tightened some restrictions for licensed venues in an effort to maintain social distancing. In an announcement made on Friday, July 24, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said that patrons will now need to stay seated while eating and drinking in pubs, clubs, hotels and nightclubs — a return to the previous rule that was in effect until the beginning of July. "For the last three weeks, patrons have been allowed to stand, although we've still asked them to maintain the one person per four square metres," Dr Young first noted, then explained that the government now needs "to send a very, very clear signal out there to everyone" about adhering to social distancing. "So I do ask that everyone, when you go into a facility, that you take a seat — because that reminds you to keep your distance from other people." In effect immediately, the compulsory restriction still enables folks to go to the bar to buy a drink, order food, and collect both meals and beverages; however you'll then need to take your drink and/or food back to your seat, whether at your table or to your chair along the bar, before you tuck in. And, while you're sitting and either knocking back your beverage of choice, eating a meal or both, the existing density rules (one person per two square metres for smaller venues below 200 square metres, one person per four square metres otherwise) still apply. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1286539042515951616 "We have seen what has happened in Victoria and NSW with just a few cases. We really need to be prepared for if we get a case in Queensland, so that we can manage it," Dr Young advised. As at midday on Saturday, July 25, Queensland has five active cases of COVID-19, from a total of 1076 since the pandemic began. The new restrictions for Queensland pubs, clubs and hotels are now in effect. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in the state, head to the Queensland Government website. Top image: Atlanta Bell
During this last week of April there's been a bit of good news about Australia's battle to contain coronavirus. Queensland and NSW both announced the easing of some restrictions from this Friday, May 1, South Australia has had seven days in a row of no new cases and the ACT, as of today, has zero active cases. Also unveiled today was the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal, which includes the reopening of restaurants, bars and cafes — in just two weeks. Announced today by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, the roadmap is broken into three parts. From midday tomorrow, May 1, some "simple and safe" outdoor activities are allowed — including weddings and funerals, outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained (so tennis is OK, but not basketball) and fishing, boating and sailing with other people — and public swimming pools, water parks, playgrounds and campgrounds (outside biosecurity areas) can open. Stage two, set to start from midday on Friday, May 15, allows "safer" indoor activities for "less than two hours". Places of worship, public libraries, gyms, beauty therapy salons (for non-facial services), shopping centre food courts and restaurants, cafes and bars can all have customers for short bursts. So, you can go and have a couple of pints at a bar or a bowl of pasta and a wine, but not sit down for an eight-course degustation. The venues wanting to reopen as part of this second round of eased restrictions must submit a "simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist" to prove they're operating within physical distancing and hygiene guidelines, but these do not need to be approved. At present, the Chief Minister has not outlined exactly what these physical distancing guidelines are, but the checklist will be made public on May 5. [caption id="attachment_714483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney's Cantina OK is currently closed. Image by Kimberley Low.[/caption] If the guidelines include the Federal Government's previous one person-per-four-square-metre limit, it's possible it won't be viable for all hospitality venues to reopen. When this restriction was first introduced back in March 20, many hospitality spots — including tiny Sydney mezcal bar Cantina OK — chose to close. Some closed even earlier, when the government introduced a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Part three of the NT government's plan is set to be rolled out on June 5, and includes the removal of the two-hour limit and the commencement of more indoor and outdoor activities, such as going to a football game and the opening of cinemas, theatres, concert halls, nightclubs and entertainment venues (in an "approved configuration"). The territory's 14-day forced quarantine rules for all non-essential interstate travellers does not have an end date as part of the plan — so, no, don't expect to go on a holiday to the Top End anytime soon. The NT has had significantly less cases compared to other states and territories, with a total of 27 — as of 6am on April 30 — compared with 1034 in Queensland, 1354 in Victoria and 3016 in New South Wales. But the two-month plan could be an example of what the road out might look like for the rest of the country, albeit a little later on. You can find out more about the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal here.
Every ten-year-old's birthday party always boasts one thing in abundance: sugar. And yes, that proves true even when Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art is blowing out the candles. GOMA's latest free exhibition, Sugar Spin: You, Me, Art and Everything, doesn't hand out bags of lollies that you can take home with you (sorry) — but it does bring together more than 250 contemporary artworks exploring light, space, architecture and the senses. Expect plenty of sweetness as the collection of pieces contemplates the connection between humanity and the natural world. And, because there's always a flipside, expect a showcase that recognises the many challenges that go hand-in-hand with out beautiful environment as well. Taking over the gallery until April 17, 2017, one the major drawcards is Nervescape by Icelandic-born artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir a.k.a. Shoplifter, which is a multi-coloured landscape of synthetic hair. Yes, really. Attendees can also enjoy the return of Left/Right Slide by Carsten Höller — and of sliding and spiralling from the top floor of GOMA to the bottom.
From a 140-year-old watering hole on Lutwyche Road to a spot to sip brews on Bribie Island — and including a Bald Hills mainstay, too — plenty of Brisbane pubs have been getting big makeovers over the past few years. Actually, be precise, a heap of Brissie pubs owned by Australian Venue Co have been undergoing facelifts. The latest: the Salisbury Hotel in the city's south. This Toohey Road spot reopened its doors on Tuesday, April 19 after a hefty revamp to the tune of $1.6 million. The big change: a huge new beer garden, so you've now got somewhere leafy to sit while you're knocking back beverages. Filled with picnic-style tables topped with striped umbrellas, and sprawling out over a scenic stretch of grass, the beer garden caters to 108 people in two sections, with one for the bistro and the other for the sports bar. Accordingly, whether you're heading by just for a drink or for a meal, sunshine awaits — or, at night, hanging out beneath the strung-up fairy lights. Both the bistro and sports bar have also undergone a refresh, with the former offering up a family-friendly space for bites to eat and the latter decked out with big screens. Menu-wise, the bistro is going heavy on pub classics; think: parmigianas, schnitzels, burgers and pizza, plus pork belly, cob loaf, fried pickles and loaded wedges. Other highlights include prawn linguine, mushroom gnocchi and spiced pumpkin fritters, plus steaks from the grill, a Thai-inspired beef salad, and sticky date pudding, rocky road and baked cheesecake for dessert. If you're looking for a reason to drop in on a particular night, the Salisbury is dedicating Tuesdays to $16 parmigianas and schnitties, doing trivia nights on Wednesdays, and hosting live music on Fridays and Sundays. And, if you make the trip between Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1, the pub is putting on a number of reopening specials, including an hour of free chicken wings from 5–6pm on the Friday and all-day pizza deals on the Sunday. For those eager to spend the night, the Salisbury also does accommodation — and its 16 rooms, both internal and external, have been refurbished as well. Find The Salisbury Hotel at 668 Toohey Road, Salisbury — open 10am–3am Sunday–Tuesday and 10am–4am Wednesday–Saturday.
It is shocking to think that there is only one holiday a year that truly cries out for a French-themed party. Why don't we have Croissant Day? Or Baguette Day? Romance and Cheese Day could easily be a thing. Still, we do have Bastille Day, and that isn't going anywhere, despite Russell Crowe proving that he absolutely cannot sing. Bastille Day is important because it celebrates the beginning of the French Revolution — that bloodthirsty struggle for freedom, equality and fraternity. When "the people" stormed the Bastille and seized the military stores, an entire decade of idealism, savagery and carnage started. So why celebrate such a heady (and often headless) period? Because it's about seizing control and brandishing baguettes and bringing about the end of feudalism. Being independent and being proud and well, being French, basically. Along with the start of a new nation, the revolution also saw the explosion of French culture — a culture that Sydney has continually adapted and played with. Compiled here is a list of Sydney's best and most fun French. Carpe diem at one of them this weekend. 1. Claude's Claude's, Woollahra's fine dining stalwart, has ditched the whole grown up thing. When it comes to the space, that is. This Oxford Street veteran has been reborn as a chic, vibrant and airy restaurant; an almost unrecognisable transformation from the proper white table-clothed eatery it once was. Downstairs you'll find a compact bar offering a finely tuned wine list and a selection of smaller dishes such as the souffle a la suissesse, hot and sour mussels and a black fungus relish sandwich. Upstairs is where the serious degustation is at. French culture bonus: Stop in at Palace Verona for the Dans la Maison (In the House), the latest darkly comic French drama from high-profile director Francois Ozon (8 Women, Swimming Pool) 2. Felix If Felix was in a Paris arrondissement rather than the Sydney CBD, no one would blink a perfectly curled eyelash. From the (sometimes) French waiters bustling around the tiled floors to the decadent crustacean bar and elaborate murals on the ceiling, Felix is the bistro the city deserved. It’s a humming, buzzing, people-watchers delight: all beautiful wooden finishes, crisp white table cloths and intricate tiling. All the classic French cues are here: the ever-changing ‘Plat du Jour’, the rotisserie section and that incredible oyster bar. Bastille Day: Felix is celebrating La Fete Nationale by offering three courses with a glass of Ruinart champagne for $100pp for lunch or dinner. They'll also host live entertainment. Bookings call (02) 9240 3000. 3. Ananas An interesting mix of old-school French cuisine and new-world glamour, this sultry restaurant will wow even the most apprehensive amongst us. Contrary to the area's out-of-date pubs populated by tourists, Ananas is a cocktail, champagne and oyster bar extravaganza with an art deco-inspired restaurant and late-night supper club. It's time to join us in indulging what's on offer here, because it's all just brilliantly joie de vivre. Bastille Day: Ananas is celebrating the Bastille Day weekend with a party on Saturday, 13 July, from 6pm until late with free entry. Held at Bar Ananas, guests can enjoy all things French, including canapes, special champagne offers, DJs and live entertainment. Then on Sunday there's a Bastille Day lunch, where a special a la carte menu created by new head chef Paul McGrath will be served. To make a reservation for either call (02) 9259 5668 or email reservations@ananas.com.au. French culture bonus: It's just a hop and a skip over The Rocks to Sydney Theatre for The Maids, the famous French play by Jean Genet about two maids (Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert) dreaming of killing their mistress (Elizabeth Debicki). 4. Absinthesalon Absinthesalon has been around for a while now, and it doesn't really get old. It's still like stepping into another world. This is not only because of the absinthe itself, as we hear that this bohemian drink-of-choice doesn't quite possess the hallucinogenic qualities that it once did. Tucked away in an unassuming corner building in Surry Hills, the interior is dressed to a T as an authentic 'Parisien' cafe. In the middle of each table sits a fountain, surrounded by the various accoutrements of the spirit — silver spoons and cubes of fine French sugar. Absinthe, clearly, is more than just an aperitif, and this salon is its Utopian home. Bastille Day: The Absinthesalon is going all-out with an Off with Their Heads Bastille Day Soiree on Saturday, July 12. Bookings advisable. 5. Le Petite Creme No revolution before breakfast. The French have a reputation for being, how do you say, outrageous? Le Petit Creme fits the genre perfectly: it has a reputation and it is most certainly outrageous. If it's service you're after, this tiny cafe might not be your first pick — the waitstaff tend to be casual at best. However, if you're searching for an absurdly luxurious breakfast feast, you've found the right place. The Eggs Benedict is the star attraction — deliciously runny eggs, rich hollandaise and your choice of ham or salmon on freshly toasted brioche. 6. Le Pelican On Bourke Street sits this quaint French restaurant. A stone's throw from Taylor Square and the flurry of hipsters hanging at Lo-Fi, Johnny Wong's, or nearby Beresford, it's hard to believe that one could experience something so removed from the familiar. Le Pelican offers a unique experience marked by authentic French cuisine in only the most delightful of settings. Ditch the Hills' common haunts for a night and try the road less trodden. The Coorong Angus onglet with potato mille-feuille (layered pastry) and sauce vierge (olive oil, lemon, tomato, and basil) was almost like the stuff of our dreams. Bastille Day: Le Pelican is offering a special Bastille Day menu for lunch or dinner, for $75pp or $105 with matching wines. 7. Le Pub Le Pub is one of those confused places that's somehow just right for Bastille Day. Le Pub still has "le pokies room" and the appearance of a traditional basement pub: no windows and darkly lit. But then there's the pleasant tiled back area, with Scrabble-like words connected to the French theme, and a gastro menu. There's not a huge indicator that the theme of the bar is anything Gallic related outside of the menu, really, which may explain the simplicity of the name, as almost to say to customers, "look, it's slightly Frenchie but you can get a pint here too." Bastille Day: Le Pub is throwing a soiree on Friday, July 12, and will have meal specials all weekend long. They also promise can-can dancers and a Parisien discotheque. 8. La Banette If you just want a slice of France rather than a whole feast, stop by La Banette. The Glebe patisserie-cafe oozes with French charm right from the baked goods to the delightful 'petit miams' in the glass cabinets. Even the provincial-like striped awning out front is indicative of a boulangerie and the wooden furnishings and baskets holding baguettes add a rustic touch. But it's not the decor that you're here for. No, no. It's the flaky pastries and intense chocolate slices of opera sitting alongside the chocolate eclairs that are filled with the creamiest of custards. It's the almond croissants and pain au chocolats that have been handcrafted with passion. 9. La Croix Given that the walk down Greenknowe Avenue into Elizabeth Bay looks faintly Parisian, it's a suprise there aren't more French establishments in the area. La Croix is a goodie, though. There is a strong adherence to classical decor, with white marble Hellenic sculptures and tables, and you can pick up a croissant, an artwork, and a large clay pot for your olive tree in one fell swoop, as they're also a gift shop. Their specialty is the 'tartine', which literally means 'a slice of bread' but it is more like an open sandwich with a sweet or savoury topping. Many kinds are available, from smoked trout to roast beef. Bastille Day: A special menu awaits, as well as a free glass of champagne upon arrival. Look out for French toast and beef bourguignon and tarte tatin. 10. La Grillade Tucked away in a quiet corner of Crows Nest is a cheap alternative to a holiday in Provence. An unassuming cottage on the outside, inside La Grillade is both Gallic hominess and sober modernity. From the same people who brought you the new Vicinity Dining in Alexandria, La Grillade is the North Shore equivalent to Ananas, if less show-offy in appearance. By the Concrete Playground team.
Australian brothers Mike and Scott Norrie are onto a winner. While traveling through Africa, they were inspired to create a way to share music sustainably, and came up with Tembo Trunks. These silicone speakers integrate with your earphones, amplifying the sound to 80 decibels. Foldable, stackable, washable and virtually indestructible, they are the ultimate in sustainable speakers as they require no power, are made up of one material and are designed to last. The speakers are meant for use in a casual setting. "Don't expect to bust an eardrum or feel the ground shake when you're playing your music," say the Norrie brothers, "that's kinda the point." They're a great addition to any traveller's suitcase, and will soon be available in a range of bright colours. As a clever way of raising seed funding, the team allow you to pre-order a set of speakers by backing Tembo Trunks on Kickstarter. For a lazy ten grand you can even become the 'Chief of Colour' and the brothers will fly you to Sydney and cook you a beach-side BBQ. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IU2NVxN6zck [Via PSFK]
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef sits on every Australian's bucket list, especially given that the thriving underwater expanse is under threat from climate change. And while most of us have been content to simply swim, snorkel or sail through it — or stay in the Whitsundays and gaze out at it from a sandy beach — visitors to Queensland's far north can now spend a night underwater. Get ready to sleep under the sea at Reefsuites, the Great Barrier Reef's very own underwater hotel. It's not the first space of its type around the world — a resort in the Maldives, submerged villas in Dubai and a room at an African hotel all boast similar experiences — but it is the first at this Aussie natural wonder, and in Australia in general. Launching on Sunday, December 1 as part of a new floating pontoon called Reefword — which is moored at Hardy Reef, around 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach — Reefsuites features two underwater rooms that can sleep four in total. Guests can choose betweeen king double or twin single options, and each room comes with floor-to-ceiling views of the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life. Those underwater vistas are a highlight not only in the bedrooms, but in the attached private ensuites A stay onsite includes all meals, most beverages (beer and wine are part of the package, but cocktails will cost you extra), a night dining experience under the stars, a guided snorkelling tour and a semi-submarine tour, and access to the underwater observatory. Naturally, it doesn't come cheap. Enjoying all of the above will start from $799 per night per person for a double booking (two people in a room), or $1199 for a single — and that covers a stay from 4.30pm on the day of arrival until 2.30pm the next day. As for the $8 million Reefworld pontoon itself, it's a partnership between Cruise Whitsundays and the Queensland Government, and has the capacity to host 300 visitors per day. Measuring 12 metres by 45 metres, it's designed as a hub for diving and snorkelling — as well as a place to stay — and also offers guests access semi-submersible vessels. Announcing the project back in August, Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones noted that Reefworld and Reefsuites will add something new and unique to the popular tourist hotspot. "This will give more people the chance to see the Great Barrier Reef and will allow tourists to experience this natural wonder in new ways." The aim, of course, is to ramp up tourism, with an extra 60,000 visitors per year expected thanks to the new attraction. For more information about Reefsuites, or to book a stay, visit the Cruise Whitsundays website. Images: Cruise Whitsundays.
Forged over six decades so far, Robert De Niro's resume contains multitudes. 2025 marks exactly 60 years since his uncredited on-screen debut in Three Rooms in Manhattan — and if a New York-shot French drama seems an unlikely pick for his first-ever movie, it's a case of De Niro starting to build his wide-ranging filmography from the outset. Comedies, thrillers, musicals, horror, dramas and action fare all have a place among his work. His name instantly brings a particular genre to mind, though: gangster flicks. For one, The Godfather Part II, he earned his first Oscar. For Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon), he made a helluva early impression in Mean Streets, then was spectacular in 90s masterpieces Goodfellas and Casino, plus in 2019's The Irishman. With Barry Levinson, another director that he's collaborated with again and again, De Niro one-ups his past organised-crime movies in a specific way, however, including Once Upon a Time in America and The Untouchables. The Alto Knights is a tale of two IRL mob bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Neither figures are new to the screen. They're not even new to Levinson's pictures, after both popped up in Bugsy back in 1991. But here, the Academy Award-winning Rain Man filmmaker and directing veteran — helmer of Diner, The Natural, Good Morning, Vietnam, the first episode of iconic police procedural series Homicide: Life on the Street and two instalments of Dopesick, too, and more — focuses on the pair's relationship as the two childhood pals become fierce rivals. And to stress the connection between Frank and Vito, and draw attention to the parallels between the duo, he has his Sleepers, Wag the Dog, What Just Happened and The Wizard of Lies star play both men. De Niro doing double duty for one of his go-to filmmakers. De Niro leading a gangster picture with a script by Nicholas Pileggi, the crime reporter who wrote the non-fiction books Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family and Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, then co-penned the screenplays for their movie adaptations Goodfellas and Casino with Scorsese. De Niro in a mobster flick produced by Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Irishman's Irvin Winkler. That's the recipe behind The Alto Knights. It was Winkler who had the idea for De Niro to portray both Frank and Vito, Levinson tells Concrete Playground — and the choice is one of the feature's best moves, especially when the actor is literally facing off against himself. When he's in Frank's shoes, De Niro is all about attempted respectability, as someone who sees diplomacy as the best way to rule the Big Apple's criminal underworld. Switching to Vito, he's the hot head who'll do anything, and bring down anyone, to regain the top job. Costuming, hair and makeup help, but De Niro makes both roles distinctive as the two men, who both grew up as Italians in NYC hanging out together around the titular social club, find themselves battling it out after Vito takes control of the Luciano crime family, then flees to Italy following a run-in with the law, then returns for the throne Frank is now perched on. As has proven true across many of Levinson's movies, since the chatter-heavy Diner with Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine), Mickey Rourke (The Wheels of Heaven), Steve Guttenberg (High Potential), Daniel Stern (For All Mankind), Paul Reiser (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Tim Daly (Life & Beth) and Ellen Barkin (Poker Face) gave him his directorial debut, there's a storytelling element to The Alto Knights. With the film structured around Frank telling this tale to viewers, add another familiar component to the picture's setup. The narrative shared is one not just about friends turned foes, or about power struggles between mob bosses both vying to sit at the top of the mafia ladder, including the impact upon those around them — Debra Messing (Bros) plays Frank's wife Bobbie, Kathrine Narducci (Godfather of Harlem, and De Niro's past co-star in both The Irishman and A Bronx Tale) is Vito's counterpart Anna and Cosmo Jarvis (Inside) portrays Vito's righthand man Vincent Gigante — but of a moment that changed America and organised crime within it forever. That's one of the reasons that Levinson was so interested in hopping onboard, he advises. And of getting De Niro acting opposite himself as the film's two lead characters, it helped that the two-time Oscar-winner (for Raging Bull as well) and seven-time nominee beyond his two victories (for Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Awakenings, Cape Fear, Silver Linings Playbook, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon) is "one of the great actors in the history of cinema" and "has great instincts as an actor", he notes. Speaking with Levinson, we dived into the decision-making behind that pivotal casting, digging into Frank and Vito's connection, and the organic nature of De Niro's performance. On Casting De Niro as Both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese This is a film with history, not only because it heads back to the 50s — and to the decades around it. But if The Alto Knights had made it to the screen before now, those twin De Niro performances mightn't have been at its centre. "Well, it came about — originally this goes back, I guess people have been trying to do a movie about Frank Costello for years," Levinson explains. "And Nick Pileggi got involved and was working on something, and I came onto the project. And somehow we were talking about Vito, and he was a character in it, but the idea was 'well, why don't we just follow what took place?'." "That they were best friends as kids, they hung around The Alto Knights place, and as they grew older, best friends, they started to grow apart. One was much more ruthless and spontaneous in doing things. The other one was much more deliberate, almost a corporate sensibility about how to run the mafia. And then the clash of the two," he continues. "And so when we began to really get that together, Nick's writing, and we had a draft of it, we gave it to Irwin Winkler. And Irwin Winkler liked the draft and he said 'what about Bob playing both roles?'." "And I was thinking for a second, and I went 'well, that's s an interesting way to — we are talking about one of the great actors in the history of cinema, so it's not like this is impossible for him to do. Let's see what he thinks'." "And he responded well, and then that's how that all came about." On What Appealed to Levinson About Digging Into Costello and Genovese's Connection in The Alto Knights, Especially After Featuring Both Figures as Characters in 1991's Bugsy When Frank and Vito last played a part in a Levinson movie more than four decades ago, they weren't the focus. Bugsy hones on its namesake, with Warren Beatty (Rules Don't Apply) as Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. But because Bugsy had his own key childhood link to Charles "Lucky" Luciano, they're all in the same slice of the mob world. Before Vito and Frank's stints at the apex of the Luciano crime family, Lucky was in the job first. (In a film that also flashes backwards, NCIS and Mayor of Kingstown alum Amadeo Fusca plays him in The Alto Knights.) A Frank- and Vito-centric film interested Levinson "because we were watching the mafia as Vito took over, and then because of having to leave the country and turning it over to Frank, it began to change," he says. "And that change led to a feud between the two of them, basically because of Vito wanting control again. You go 'well, that's a great conflict. That's a story to explore'." "And then: 'what happened because of that?'. It wasn't like it was just two guys and one killed the other or whatever, maybe. It changed the whole, in the sense it brought the hearings on organised crime, that all came about because of the incident that takes place in the film." "And you'd say 'well, this is an interesting arc of the mafia and what happened. That's a story that's interesting'. That was basically 'can we tell that story?'." On the Direction That You Give Someone When They're Playing Two Different Characters in the Same Film How do you guide someone as a director, if you even need to in the case of an actor of De Niro's calibre and experience, when they're tasked with portraying two completely different characters and giving two completely different performances in the one movie? And how does the process of building the two parts work? "He has great instincts as an actor," Levinson calls out to begin with. "And as we would go along in the process leading up to the filming of it, you're talking about one character, you're talking about the other character, this piece of information, that piece of information — you just start adding that. Bob absorbs it." "Then you're going through the whole process of makeup. 'What does this one look like? What does that one look like? How do we do this? How do we handle that?'. And then that starts coming in — and then 'what is the rhythm of the way they talk to one another?'. One is slow, much more deliberate. The other one is faster, quicker, more sort of dangerous in the way that he throws ideas around. And then you start putting these pieces together," Levinson adds. "And then, of course, in the process of the shooting, we would sit down in Bob's trailer and go over the scene and tweak it a little bit and tweak it a little bit. And 'hey, what about this?'. And then you add to it and you keep building for it. And at the end of the day, after you build all that, you want to create the spontaneity. And that's what Bob can do — he's not mechanically going through one character or another." "There's a spontaneity about them that it feels like these two guys are talking to one another, and they're making up things as they go along, rather than 'I say my line, now you say your line'. It just feels more organic." The Alto Knights opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Low and slow barbecuing has long become one of Brisbane's favourite styles of food preparation, and there's a festival to prove it. Come Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 18, the Victoria Park sporting fields will be engulfed in the kind of smoky, spicy taste sensations that can only come from taking your time to lock in as much goodness as possible. Following on from sold-out fests in previous years, the fifth annual Brisbane BBQ Festival will once again see a convoy of food trucks, burger joints and more converge upon Herston to prove their culinary patience. They'll be starting up their ovens long before their doors open, and you'll get to devour the long-simmering rewards. Between sampling from the likes of Brisket & Co, Black Iron Smokers, The Bacon Strip Club and Ze German Sausage, you'll also watch teams of professionals battle it out to be crowned the low and slow champions, all while scoring free samples of their creations. Or, sip frosty bevs at pop-up bars, learn new skills at masterclasses and workshops, and browse the marketplace for barbecue-related products to help you whip up a storm at home.
Back in 2007, when the original, UK version Skins started airing and you started watching, you didn't know how handy your new favourite show was going to be. These days, an actor from the first two generations of the cast pops up in just about everything. Nicholas Hoult was in Mad Max: Fury Road and the last three X-Men movies. Dev Patel went on to star in Slumdog Millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold flicks. Jack O'Connell just stole the show from George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Money Monster. And don't forget Hannah Murray and Joe Dempsie are in Game of Thrones. Yes, your British teen drama fandom certainly is useful when it comes to spotting familiar faces in current films and television programs — but consider that a warmup. We're going to stop listing all the awesome things former Skins talent have done, because we don't want to give away all the answers to the ultimate test of your love: Brightside's Skins UK Generation 1&2 Trivia. We know, we know — there really is a trivia night for everything these days; however you know you want to go to this one. Man vs Bear will be asking the questions about Effy, Cook, Tony, Sid, Michelle, Jal, Cassie and the gang, and if you want to respond, you'll need to register in advance. It's free, there'll be prizes (of course), and if you're keen to keep celebrating all things English, you can hang around afterwards for Brighty's Smiths Tribute.
Describing a dance and a state of uncertainty alike, limbo is one of those always-intriguing words. Many terms boast multiple meanings, but this one skirts two ends of the spectrum — the party-fuelled joy of a parade of people trying to pass under a bar while bending over backwards, and the malaise of being stuck waiting and not knowing. Both require a degree of flexibility, though, to either complete physical feats or weather the fickleness of life (or, in limbo's religious usage, of being caught in an oblivion between heaven and hell). It's no wonder then that British writer/director Ben Sharrock chose the word for his second feature, following 2015's Pikadero. His Limbo lingers in a realm where men are made to contort themselves, biding one's time anticipating a decision is the status quo and feeling like you've been left in a void is inescapable. The fancy footsteps here are of the jumping-through-hoops kind, as Limbo ponders a revelatory question: what happens when refugees are sent to a Scottish island to await the results of their asylum applications? There's zero doubting how telling the movie's moniker is; for Syrian musician Omar (Amir El-Masry, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) and his fellow new arrivals to Scotland, there's little to do in this emptiness between the past and the future but wait, sit at the bus stop, check out the children's playground and loiter near the pay phone. That, and navigate the wide range of reactions from the locals, which veer from offensive to thoughtful. Everything about the situation demands that Omar and his companions make all the expected moves, but it also forces them to potter around in purgatory and stomach whatever is thrown at them to do so. In Omar's case, he's made the trip with an actual case — physically, that is, thanks to his prized possession. He's brought his grandfather's oud with him, which he rarely lets slip from his grasp, and so he feels its weight where he goes. It's a canny part of Limbo's script in two ways. Whatever they're fleeing in search of a better life, every refugee has a case to be welcomed into safer lands that they carry around with them, but Sharrock manifests the idea in a tangible sense. With Omar's musical dreams, which the beloved oud also represents, in limbo as well, the ever-present instrument additionally acts as a constant reminder of the sacrifices that asylum seekers make in leaving their homes, even when there's no other option, and the costs they pay when they're met with less-than-open arms, then left waiting for their new existence to begin. Just as the term limbo means so much, so does that oud — and so does the feature it's in. A film can be heartbreaking, tender, insightful and amusing all at once, and Limbo is indeed all of those things. It's both dreamlike and lived-in, too, a blend that suits its title and story — and also the mental and emotional state shared by Omar and his other asylum seekers as they eke out their hope and resilience day after unchanging day, all while roaming and roving around an island that may as well be another world. The Scottish landscape around them looks like it could grace a postcard, and Sharrock has cinematographer Nick Cooke (Make Up) box it into an almost-square frame to make it resemble vacation snaps. That choice of 1.33:1 aspect ratio also confines the movie's characters in another fashion, of course, offering a blatant visual flipside to the holiday-perfect splendour; being trapped anywhere is bleak, even if it appears picturesque. Omar has company in his misery: in the run-down house he's installed into, Afghani Farhad (Vikash Bhai, Hanna) is more optimistic, while Abedi (Kwabena Ansah, Enterprice) from Ghana and Wasef (Ola Orebiyi, Cherry) from Nigeria wait the wait with them. The biggest events in their routines come via talks by Helga (Sidse Babett Knudsen, The Translators) and Boris (Kenneth Collard, Fanny Lye Deliver'd), government officials, about appropriate behaviour and 'cultural awareness' in the fresh lives they haven't get been given permission to start. If hell is other people, as Jean-Paul Sartre coined, limbo is being told what to do by other people while lacking the means and opportunity to do it. A film can be both heavy and light simultaneously as well, which is another of Limbo's strengths, with every dose of biting truth counterbalanced by a wry streak. Sharrock sees both seriousness and levity in his narrative, his characters and their plights, and recognises the nightmarish and the beautiful in tandem. Obviously, the latter especially applies to the feature's aforementioned haunting cinematography, which lenses a place that keeps Omar pals physically in limbo with a probing eye, but it also ruminates on the small delights. Limbo is a film about people first and foremost, and also spies the solace they bring each other — and the catharsis they find when they need to, including when they're so far from home, not really by choice, and endeavour to find themselves a new one. In a movie that's witty and perceptive, affectionate and poignant, and unwavering and clear-eyed, the tonal seesaw that Sharrock rides and perfects is just that: perfection. Trauma, racism and punishment by bureaucracy sit beside friendship, Freddie Mercury obsessions and binge-watching Friends; yes, whether Ross and Rachel were on a break comes up. Limbo's casting is perfection also, because so much hangs upon El-Masry's ability to convey the whirlwind of emotions torturing Omar inside. He's trying to reconcile where he's stuck now with what he's left, and watching him fight that battle — in scenes where he's calling home to talk to his mother especially — epitomises the film at its most moving. That's the movie overall, too, lingering as it is between knowing what's right, best, smart and safe, and wanting what the heart wants when blighted by pain and dreariness. Limbo is a feature about coping with that dance, and it's something to willingly dwell on.
There's a new kid on Brisbane's bubble tea block, but this one's no amateur. In fact, Milksha is one of Taiwan's leading bubble tea chains. First launched back in 2004 — and now boasting hundreds of outposts across Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau and Canada — the company originally made its debut Down Under in Melbourne in 2019. Now, it's heading to another Australian city, opening the doors to a shiny new Albert Street store on Thursday, April 7. Known as Milkshop to its Taiwanese fans, Milksha was founded by a dairy farmer and sets itself apart from competitors by using fresh milk. It took almost two decades, but now those creamy bubble teas will finally be on offer in Brissie. With hopes of winning a new legion of local bubble tea fans, Milksha Brisbane is serving up its signature milky drinks, seasonal juices and specialty teas. So, what exactly will you find in your Milksha drink? Well, if bubble tea's your thing, you'll want to check out the honey pearl toppings — tapioca pearls cooked in honey and flash-frozen before being shipped to Brisbane. There's also matcha from century-old Japanese brand Izumo Tousuien, fresh taro milk made with taro imported from Taiwan's famed Dajia District, Valrhona cocoa. and a range of vibrant toppings such as milk pudding and herbal fairy-grass jelly Other tea flavours include brown sugar, wintermelon, earl grey and barley, as well as mango and orange green tea blends. When it first hit Melbourne, Milksha sold more than 1000 cups a day during its initial two weeks — if you're wondering just how popular these milky bubble teas are. And, to celebrate its arrival in Brisbane, Milksha is giving away free earl grey tea lattes from 11am on Thursday, April 7 — until stock runs out. Find Milksha at 115 Albert Street, CBD from Thursday, April 7. Images: Tim Harris.
Think bright sights in Brisbane, and Riverfire probably springs to mind. Or, if you're fond of all things festive, any one of the city's Christmas displays might, too. But the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens plays host to another must-see luminous attraction each year: Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside, which turns the riverside CBD spot into a dazzling outdoor art gallery — after dark as well. The 2022 event is all locked in, so mark Friday, May 20–Sunday, May 29 in your diary. For ten days, from 5–10pm daily, the gardens will come alive with artworks, installations and projections, with nine pieces set to liven up the already-scenic inner-city spot. On the artist lineup: Leila Honari, Julie Monro-Allison, Tim Gruchy and more. And if previous years' pieces are anything to go by, expect everything from the gardens' plant life to its furniture and buildings to get quite the vibrant makeover. All those shimmering sights will be paired with twilight walks, interactive workshops and talks, as well as a discovery trail for children. You'll be able to watch artworks created live, too — and contribute to them — and also hit up food trucks and an outdoor bar from Friday–Sunday. Of course, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens has always been more than just that patch of grass and trees at the edge of the CBD thanks to its gorgeous greenery, ponds filled with cute turtles, free exercise classes and more — but it's never more alluring than during this fest. And if you missed the first three events in 2018, 2019 and 2021 — or if you went along and loved it — 2022's event promises a whole heap of new garden wonders. Either way, prepare to roam through the centre of Brisbane and see its natural splendour in a whole new way. Top image: 'Museum of our lost world' (2021) by Simone Eisler.
No one should spend their lunch break eating at their desk, but stopping that habit isn't always easy. From Monday, February 3–Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Howard Smith Wharves precinct is giving you plenty of motivation to step away from the computer. Head to the riverside spot from Monday–Thursday for a middle-of-the-day meal and your lunch costs will start at $25. Seven HSW venues are getting in on the deal, with most serving up multiple options — so you can pick between several dishes at Felons Brewing Co, Felons Barrel Hall, Mr Percival's, Stanley, Greca, Yoko Dining and Ciao Papi. Or, you can work your way through them all (and stare at their slightly different views of the water) across two months. You'll just need to keep an eye on each eatery's opening hours — and, while you can just rock up, bookings are recommended. As for what you'll be eating during the Let's Dine festivities, the specials are varied. Double smash burgers, baked fish and char-grilled eggplant parmigianas are on offer at Felons, while chicken and cashew stir fry, warm pork salad and noodles in beef curry broth are on the menu at the brewery's Barrel Hall — all for $25 each, and not just for lunch, with the deal running from 11am–late. For dining over the water, Mr Percival's is doing grilled fish, pork cutlets and pumpkin lasagne for between $25–29 — and also from 11am–late. If you're keen on Ciao Papi, you'll be eating a two-course menu for $49 from 12–3pm that includes a glass of wine or beer, plus a pick of dishes such as kingfish crudo and roast chicken. Stanley also has a two-dish spread for the same price from 12–4pm, but with selections including duck spring rolls and Beijing shredded beef. Opt for Greca or Yoko and you'll be paying $35 — for a souvlaki platter at the former from 12–3pm, with your choice of chicken, haloumi or seasonal vegetables; and for a bento box at the latter from 12–4pm, with a vegan option available.
Few things in life are better than a long weekend getaway with your mates accompanied by excellent views and quality brews. So, where are the best road trip stops for stocking your picnic along the route? We asked, and you answered. There's no better recommendation than a recommendation from a mate, and we consider you all to be the sharpest mates out there, dear readers. So here are choice spots to stop along your route for tasty grub — and a bev from your local The Bottle-O — as recommended by you. As a side note and a hint of things to come, we're pleased to see that sausage rolls will never go out of fashion. The Baker's Duck, Toowoomba QLD Are you keen on a trip out to the lovely Darling Downs region for a long weekend? Home to great beef farming, famous gardens, top produce and epic escarpment views, if you're out that way, you won't have to go far to pack your picnic bag or stock your esky. Head to Toowoomba, Queensland's 'Garden City', which boasts the best of the Darling Downs. While you're there, don't miss out on the quality pastries and pies at The Baker's Duck, as recommended by Concrete Playground reader Steve: "Top choices for a road trip feed are definitely the chunky beef and mushroom pies or the pork and apple sausage rolls." Once you've stocked up on bakery classics, hit Picnic Point to take in those great views over a bottle of regional plonk or some cider. Closest The Bottle-O: Toowoomba Les Nôtres, Riddells Creek VIC This long weekend, Melburnians up for a hit of fresh country air should head to the Macedon Ranges. Village vibes, a booming local arts scene and farmers' markets stocked with local goodies are all on the cards. Don't miss a visit to Les Nôtres (which is French for 'ours', but once you see the food, you'll be thinking 'mine'), recommended by our Vic-based reader Sarah: "They have the best croissants and these excellent lemon curd cruffins and hazelnut praline eclairs that I can never say no to." We're sold. You can find Les Nôtres at a bunch of markets or the pop-up in Riddells Creek. Stock up and pair them with a lager or chilled white wine from Romsey's The Bottle-O once you hit your campsite or accommodation. Hot tip: While you're in the area, if you're up for an adventure, go explore Lerderderg State Park for a good chance of spotting koalas. Closest The Bottle-O: Romsey Bred Co, Albany WA If you're in Perth, Pemberton or Margaret River and keen on a coastal drive over the long weekend, Albany is a cracking weekend getaway spot boasting spotless white sand beaches and 'gram-worthy granite cliffs. Stock up on local brews and wines at Centennial Park's The Bottle-O, then swing by Bred Co, a hyperlocal bakery with a particularly loose menu item that comes recommended by our IG follower Blake: "You should go there for the beef sausage roll with béchamel cheese, life-changing!'' Once you're set for drinks and eats, all you need to worry about is enjoying those stunning coastal vistas around Albany. Closest The Bottle-O: Centennial Park Uprising Bakery, Newcastle NSW Sydneysiders, are you heading north this long weekend? Myall Lakes National Park is popular for its views, cheap campsites, epic sand dune beaches and kayaking on the lakes — even better when enjoyed with baked goodies from Uprising Bakery in Newcastle as recommended by reader Kate: "Pork and lemon preserve sausage roll — it doesn't get better than that. Maybe the brownie slab." Maybe? How about definitely. Check Lambton's local The Bottle-O to pick up some drinks to enjoy as the sun sets across the sand dunes after you arrive. Bliss. Closest The Bottle-O: Lambton Bruny Island Cheese Co, TAS Tasmanians or the Tasmania-bound, grab your mates and hop a barge to Bruny Island to enjoy the rugged coasts, wild nature and secret coves. Bruny is wonderfully untouched, which means you're definitely not getting any local sparkling delivered via UberEats, so before you leave the Tassie mainland, make sure you stock up at The Bottle-O in Margate. When you arrive at Bruny, check out the famous Bruny Island Cheese Co., as recommended by reader Tom (and every member of Concrete Playground's team who've done a stint in Tassie): "The best cheese in all of Australia, you can't change my mind." There are plenty of accommodation options on the island, but you can embrace the elements by staying at one of the park's campgrounds at Cloudy Bay or Jetty Beach so you can toast with your mates and scoff cheese as the sun sets over the water. Closest The Bottle-O: Margate Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Bred Co.
There's nothing like a splash of gin to make your day feel a little fancier, summer or otherwise. But if you're after something a little less boozy than a mid-arvo martini, clear some space in your fridge for this nifty line of alcohol-infused condiments. The Amsterdam-born Gin Mayo — and its recently released sibling Gin Chup — are here to help liven up your lunch. Starting life in 2017 as a house-made condiment on the menu at Amsterdam seafood restaurant Mossel & Gin, the boozy mayo quickly became a cult pantry staple, with the brand taking on a life of its own. Packaged in a squeeze-friendly tube, the gluten free sauce is crafted on creamy Zaanse mayonnaise, which is made to a recipe from the 1950s. It's then elevated with a hit of Bobby's Gin, which is distilled in the Dutch city of Schiedam and boasts a base of eight different botanicals. Clocking in at two percent alcohol per tube, the Gin Mayo supposedly is a solid match to some seafood or fried chicken, but also brings a little something extra to that sandwich or burger. Recently, the brand has added to its line of products with a zesty gin-infused ketchup, or Gin Chup, which creators say works a treat when accompanying the likes of a triple-cheese toastie. Like its mayonnaise sibling, it also boasts two percent alcohol per tube — though you can expect that to translate to a festive flavour punch, rather than any overpowering boozy aftertaste. Steadily growing in popularity here on Aussie shores, the gin condiments are now available online and at select specialty food retailers across the country. That includes Sydney's Darlo General and Sorry Thanks I Love You, and Melbourne's St Ali, Blackhearts & Sparrows and Meatsmith. To find out all the spots stocking Gin Mayo and Gin Chup locally, or to buy them online, head to the St Ali website. You can grab a 170-millilitre tube for RRP $15.
When BrewDog created its own craft brew for dogs back in 2018, it was one of those moments that really just had to happen. If you're going to give your brewery a canine-centric name, you're going to have to come good on it at some point. So, by whipping up an IPA solely for woofers, the Scottish beer brand did just that. Again, it was inevitable — BrewDog was started by a couple of friends and a dog, after all. That's not all that the company has in store for pupper-loving craft brew fans and their four-legged best friends, though. Now, during a period when every pet owner has been enjoying more quality time with their furry companions — and really needing the company, let's be honest — BrewDog is launching new Dogkeeper packages. In fact, it's doing more than that. It's also giving 50 of the Dogkeeper packages away for free, too. The brewery is calling the giveaway a 'scheme'; however, it's really just a chance to win one of the packs. You just need to upload a photo of you and your doggo to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag in #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your cute pooch has been oh-so helpful during this chaotic year. That last part shouldn't be difficult at all. On offer — and also available to buy via BrewDog's freshly minted Australian online store from Monday, August 31 — is the full selection of the company's Aussie-brewed beers. Each Dogkeeper package is $25 and includes the brand's Punk IPA, Hazy Jane New England IPA, Elvis Juice grapefruit-infused IPA and West Coast-style pale ale, which are all for humans, as well as the Subwoofer IPA that's especially for your canine. As Brisbanites all know — and beer aficionados across the rest of Australia have been envious about as well — BrewDog set up its first Aussie brewery in Brisbane in 2019. That's where it's making its brews locally and, via its new online store, will be sending them around the country. Delivery costs $15, no matter the size of your order or your location. BrewDog's Dogkeeper packs will be available to purchase for $25 via the Aussie online store from Monday, August 31. To go in the running to win one of 50 free packs, upload a photo of you and your dog to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your pooch has been especially helpful in 2020.
Before watching The Nest, you mightn't have imagined Jude Law playing Mad Men's Don Draper. He didn't, of course. But this new 80s-set psychological thriller about a corroding marriage brings that idea to mind, because it too follows a man who spends his days selling a dream, thinks he can talk and charm his way into anything, and may have unleashed his biggest spin upon himself. More often than not, Law's character here has used his charisma to get whatever he wants, and to evade whichever sticky personal and professional situations he's plunged himself into. Indeed, stock trader Rory O'Hara slides easily into Law's list of suave on-screen roles, alongside the likes of The Talented Mr Ripley and Alfie. But there's also a tinge of desperation to his arrogance, as the actor showcased well in miniseries The Third Day. A Brit who relocated to New York and married horse trainer Allison (Carrie Coon, Widows), Rory looks the picture of Reagan-era affluence but, when he suddenly wants to return to London to chase new work opportunities, the cracks in his facade start widening. When Rory proposes the move to Allison, she's reluctant. From the instant she first spies the centuries-old Surrey mansion he's rented for them, her teenage daughter Sam (Oona Roche, Morning Wars) and their son Ben (Charlie Shotwell, The Nightingale), she's mistrustful as well. Rory crows about how Led Zeppelin once recorded an album there as he tours her through the cavernous property, but the glassiness in Allison's eyes shows that she can't unthinkably subscribe to his glossy view of their relocated existence. That remains true even after he buys her a new horse, and brings home a fur coat for her to wear to his work get-togethers, where he brags about his prowess, success and eagerness to expand his property portfolio with a city apartment. It takes time for Allison to confront Rory's lies, and for his efforts to swindle and cajole his way out of financial strife to tear apart the O'Haras' lives; however, that Rory's posturing and pretence will crumble isn't a matter of if, but when. While it's obvious from the outset that trouble is afoot — from early images that survey the family's almost too-idyllic NY life, in fact — filmmaker Sean Durkin isn't in any rush to unleash The Nest's full nightmare. The writer/director made his feature debut with 2011's cult thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene, so his big-screen career pre-dates Hereditary and Midsommar's Ari Aster, but he's just as committed to evoking a climate of pervasive, unshakeable dread. And, he wants his viewers to linger in it, because his characters must. Allison is forced to live with the knowledge that little is right, but the way she chain-smokes hurriedly illustrates that she also knows how far her fortunes could fall. Every move Rory makes is driven by his need to paint a gleaming portrait of himself, and he's aware that it's a reverse Dorian Gray situation: the shinier and flashier he makes everything seem to anyone who'll listen, the more he rots inside. Durkin doesn't just rely upon an exacting pace and a festering mood of gloom, though. Reuniting with cinematographer Mátyás Erdély (Son of Saul) after 2013 miniseries Southcliffe, he gives every second of The Nest an eerie look — whether staying a few beats longer than normal on its opening shot, lensing vast rooms to emphasise their emptiness, repeatedly peering at the film's characters through glass or breaking out the most gradual of zooms. A sense of distance echoes through the movie, mirroring how the O'Haras can never get close enough to what they really want. Reminders of conflict are perched everywhere, especially in the way that Erdély plays with light and shadow across the family's faces. Decadence abounds, too, but in an overstressed fashion via wood-panelled walls and deep colours seething with darkness. The score by Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry plays up the threat and menace, while few recent films have compelled their audience to pay such attention to their unsettling sound design. All that tension and unease conveys not only Rory and Allison's domestic discontent — and, as one rebels and the other frets, Sam and Ben's as well — but also the false promises of chasing capitalism-driven fantasies. When, in a vulnerable exchange, Rory says that his job is pretending that he's rich, The Nest slices savagely into the toxic and false notion that money, belongings and status equal happiness. That should have viewers thinking about Mad Men again, but Durkin takes to the subject like he's making a biting horror movie rather the 21st century's best TV drama so far. The film is called The Nest, after all, and that luxurious abode evokes terror in a number of ways. It's the ultimate symbol of living beyond one's means and attempting to fake it till you make it. It's worlds away from the humble upbringing that Rory's trying to hide. It has more than enough space for Allison to fill with her worries, and to lose her sense of self in. And, in, every creak and suddenly open door, it reflects the paranoia that accompanies trying to be someone you're not. Law is perfectly cast, and Durkin is now two for two, but Coon is as essential to The Nest as her fellow lead and her director. As she demonstrated in Gone Girl and on TV in The Leftovers and Fargo, she's so adept at cutting to the heart of a character's complexities with minimal fuss that her performances feel like their own form of shorthand. And, that's crucial here. As Rory's bluster sees him increasingly flounder, Coon ensures that audiences know exactly how it's affecting Allison at every turn. Cue many of The Nest's most haunting scenes, because there are few things more gut-wrenching than realising that the life you don't even love is a sham, but wading through it day after day nonetheless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OR8RC2t7Q
Summer is well and truly over, but no one needs to tell your tastebuds that. For three days between Friday, March 5–Sunday, March 7, The Woods Bar in Mitchelton is certainly happy to pretend that it isn't yet autumn, with pina coladas taking pride of place on its menu. Multiple types of the cocktail will be on offer — as many as the bar's staff can think of and whip up — and the food lineup will hero both pineapple and coconut, too. And, if you're more of a beer kind of drinker, there'll be two themed brews on tap: 'Do You Like Pina Coladas?', an IPA from Happy Valley; and 'Caught In the Rain', a pina colada-inspired sour from Milton Common. Some other brews that fit the occasion will also be available, so you'll definitely have options. Yes, the whole event is also called Do You Like Pina Coladas? Yes, you now have the song stuck in your head. Also, there's a slight chance of some damp weather over the weekend, so you might get caught in the rain. Bookings are recommended, especially if you'd like a seat surrounded by pineapples — and wearing something tropical is encouraged.
Travers Beynon, a man currently in the news for leading his wife around on a leash, is hosting auditions for a chance to live in his gross sex mansion. Beynon, a tobacco heir and former model, is the proud owner of the Candy Shop Mansion, a “Playboy-style” “mansion” on the Gold Coast. Should you win one of the 12 coveted positions, you'll be treated to party invites, designer gifts, “regular work” (what a treat!), a cash sign-on bonus, photos shoots and styling by The Candy Man himself. And don’t for a second think the photo shoots, styling and monetary bribes will be creepy, because you'll be living with Beynon’s wife and family in what will possibly be the most awkward domestic situation ever conceived. You can catch a glimpse of the happy family on Beynon’s Instagram, in amongst photos of him using other women, women not much older than his daughters, as literal furniture. If you are keen to audition for the coveted position of Travers Beynon’s chair, don’t think it’ll be easy. Contestants will need to “charm the Candyman with their personality” and prove they’ve got what it takes to become part of the Candy Shop Mansion’s 12-piece dining set. But enough about the perks of the job, let’s hear about the ethos behind the Candy Shop Mansion. As Beynon tries, and fails, to explain in a media release, “What and who is your Candy?” An interesting question, Travers, please do go on. “Entering Candy Shop Mansion gives you a chance to escape ... reality for a day and enter a world of fantasy.” Whose fantasy world are you entering into though? No prizes for guessing right. But seriously, barbs aside, let’s all acknowledge that Beynon is baiting. It’s supposed to be controversial; he’s whipping up media frenzy to sell his “opulent” parties and cigarettes. Who cares? If any hot chickas out there want to audition, bleed this greasy Ken doll dry and maybe wear a sombrero with a GoPro attached while you’re at it, please do feel free. The saddest thing of all is that unlike his predecessors Dan Bilzerian, Hugh Hefner and their ilk, Beynon’s sex mansion is tacky and everyone looks depressed. There’s no sheen to it; he makes being rich look gross. The world waits in anticipation for the inevitably awkward Louis Theroux documentary, most likely titled 'The Saddest Place on Earth'. Who can take tomorrow and dip it in a dream? Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream? The Candy Man can. Auditions are being held at 9am on June 7 at the Candy Shop Mansion.
Travel looks a little different in 2021. With international borders still closed for the foreseeable future, there's no better time to explore your own backyard — and you don't need to drain your savings to do so. There are plenty of ways to get that much-needed dose of escapism without venturing too far from home or blowing your budget. In partnership with P&O Cruises, we've found six ideas to get you started. [caption id="attachment_803036" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Travel Sourced, Unsplash[/caption] ADMIRE THE CITY SKYLINE ATOP A LANDMARK The Story Bridge is undeniably the most iconic structure in Brisbane. It's one thing to marvel at the innovative design as you drive across it, but it's quite another to climb the bridge right to the top and admire the 360-degree views of the River City. Climbs operate at various times of the day, so you can watch the city wake up or take in the lights turning on as you conquer the 80-metre summit at twilight. Prices start at $129 for a day climb. If you're keen to add a little more action into your experience, you can lean out or walk the plank 50 metres above bridge traffic, or abseil down the southern pylon into Captain Burke Park. [caption id="attachment_766169" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Riverlife[/caption] ENJOY A LEISURELY PADDLE DOWN BRISBANE RIVER The Brisbane River is a landmark in itself. Hell, it was even given the moniker the 'brown snake' for the way it wraps its way around the city. So, there are few better (or budget-friendly, for that matter) ways to get to know Brisbane than from the water. Hire a kayak from Riverlife for a small fee ($35 for two hours) and make your way from Kangaroo Point to Howard Smith Wharves, marvelling at the city from a different perspective as you go. It'll blow your mind to paddle alongside the Citycats. LAUGH YOUR SOCKS OFF ON A COMEDY CRUISE Overseas travel might be on the back burner, but you can still hit the high seas with a cruise. If live comedy is your thing, then take advantage of P&O's Comedy Cruise, a three-night cruise that departs and disembarks from Brisbane. It gives punters the opportunity to spend a few nights at sea with some of Australia's best comedians. You'll enjoy all the luxuries of a P&O Cruise — think dining experiences to suit all taste buds, onboard entertainment and accommodation options for every budget. Fancy yourself a budding comedian? Sign up for a comedy workshop to learn all the tips and tricks from the professionals, then put your new skills to the test by entering the Comedy Gong Show. [caption id="attachment_800310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dogtap[/caption] TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF BRISBANE'S BEST BREWERIES Craft breweries are certainly having a moment, and there's no denying Brisbane is leading the charge. So, why not dedicate a day to sampling a brew at each one? You'll get to traipse your fair city with a mission and your mates while supporting a bunch of local businesses along the way. We suggest kicking off your self-guided tour at Brewdog's Murarrie site Dogtap. The extensive food offering — including burgers, pizzas, tacos, salads and more — will line your stomach for the full-day session. Next, make your way to inner city digs Range Brewing, Newstead Brewing and Soapbox Beer, before heading north to Aether Brewing. And that's barely scratching the surface. You can find a full list of our favourite Brisbane breweries here. [caption id="attachment_718545" align="alignnone" width="1050"] Daniel Christie, Unsplash[/caption] VENTURE UP MOUNT COOT-THA FOR A SUNRISE PICNIC Is there anything more romantic than watching the sun rise with the cityscape in the background? Start your day off early with a hike to the summit of Mount Coot-tha. Start about an hour before dawn — there should be enough light to see where you're going but we suggest packing a torch, just in case. The view from the top makes for a great reward after sweating it out on the hilly terrain below, as will the tasty treats you've packed for a picnic breakfast. Prefer a sleep-in? Head there for a romantic sunset instead and enjoy watching the day turn to night. [caption id="attachment_785008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] CYCLE ALONG THE RIVERWALK Whether you're visiting Brisbane for the weekend or you're a local looking to explore your city on a budget, you can cover a lot of ground by hiring a city bike. And one of the most popular pathways to pedal along is The Brisbane Riverwalk, which stretches over the river between New Farm and the city. Follow the path starting at Merthyr Road and stop at Wilson Outlook Reserve for a rest and to admire the views — or head to Howard Smith Wharves to cool down with a beer at Felons Brewing Co. If you're keen to keep pedalling, the adjoining City Reach Boardwalk will take you from Howard Smith Wharves all the way to the City Botanic Gardens. For more information about P&O Cruises, head to the company's website. Top image: Travel Sourced, Unsplash
Australia's hot springs fiends and bathing connoisseurs have a lot to be excited about — if a trip to Victoria is in your future, or will be now. First, we learned the much-loved Peninsula Hot Springs crew was planning a new wellness and bathing precinct for East Gippsland, the Metung Hot Springs. Then, a proposal for a 900-kilometre trail linking the state's hot springs and other bathing spots was unveiled. And now, it's time to actually start planning those Gippsland-based bathing adventures, because the Metung Hot Springs has announced an initial launch date, with bookings to open in a matter of days. The first phase of the $100-million precinct's long-awaited grand opening is slated for Saturday, October 29 — and you can jump online to book a visit from Monday, September 19. Much like its Mornington Peninsula sibling, the Gippsland site is set to be one giant haven of wellness and indulgence, nestled on 25 acres surrounded by coastal bushland and located within strolling distance of the quaint lakeside village of Metung. Guests will be able to soak in cliff-top barrels overlooking Lake King, let off steam in various architecturally designed saunas (including a floating one), pamper themselves at the day spa and rejuvenate while bathing in pools filled with geothermal water. There'll be bush walks to wander, plunge pools to get your blood pumping, and all-day dining options to refuel in between dips, too. Located four hours out of Melbourne, Metung Hot Springs will also feature onsite accommodation, including safari-style glamping tents each decked out with its own private balcony and geothermal bathing barrel. As announced earlier, the bathing precinct is also joining forces with — and renovating — the nearby former Kings Cove Golf Course, soon to relaunch as the Metung Country Club. It'll have its own resort-style accommodation and facilities, and a revamped clubhouse and restaurant, with 'stay, bathe and golf' packages on offer across the two sites. [caption id="attachment_869322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Metung Hot Springs glamping[/caption] Meanwhile, those looking to indulge in some 'me' time can immerse themselves in the offerings of the onsite day spa, centred on authentic Larn'wa Aboriginal Lore wellness rituals incorporating native botanical spa products. The hot springs project is being brought to life with the help of $1.5 million in funding courtesy of the Victorian Government's Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package, as well as an additional $1.5 million from the federal and state governments' Local Economic Recovery Program In other related news, Victoria's proposed bathing and hot springs trail is set to start taking shape over the coming summer months, with the latest map and venue updates available to scope out online. Keen on multiple trips south to hit the hot springs? Back on the Mornington Peninsula, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is on track to open its own doors in a matter of weeks, now taking spa and bathing bookings from September 26 onwards. Metung Hot Springs will open to customers from Saturday, October 29 at 73 Storth Ryes Avenue, Metung, Victoria. Online bookings are open from Thursday, September 19.
Thanks to a certain chest-bursting franchise that first hit screens more than four decades ago, Ridley Scott has long been synonymous with science fiction. So when the veteran filmmaker jumps onboard a sci-fi TV series — featuring androids again, but no aliens this time around — it's definitely something worth paying attention to. That show is Raised by Wolves, which is set in a dystopian future in the 22nd century, when the earth has been destroyed by war. Two androids, known only as Mother and Father, head to the planet Kepler-22b with two human embryos in their care, with the obvious aim of restarting civilisation. While it's immediately apparent that little will go as planned — that's just not human nature — don't go thinking that you'll be able to pick this striking, big-thinking series' every twist and turn.
I found love in a dive bar in Hicksville, USA, around a decade ago, and that sad-sweet yearning has never left me. Being young and naive at the time, I didn't even really know what wings were until I propped myself up at some busted saloon in North Carolina, saw a board advertising 25c Buffalo Wings and thought I would give them a go. The salacious urges these amazingly tasty morsels triggered in me had evolved into true love by the third time I revisited the bar, two days later. It was the beginning of an affair that lasts to this day. Fortunately (since we all know long-distance relationships never work), American comfort food has become quite the trend in Brisbane now, with a number of bars and restaurants around town that offer chicken wings of a similar ilk to those available in your average yokel hangout or sports bar in the US of A. We've done the dirty work and tried-and-tested many a wing here to find the best eight joints in Brisbane. TIPPLER'S TAP One of those blue-coloured notes in your pocket will get you a kilogram of wings at Tippler's Tap, proving once and for all that money (even a little bit of it) can buy you happiness. A crisp, mildly spiced coating allows the succulent chicken itself to be the star of the show without the need for a Buffalo sauce covering, though the accompanying blue cheese dip is highly addictive. These are just about the best value wings around, and you know the Tap has superb brews to wash them down with. SOUTH SIDE DINER These guys are specialists in yank food, so you know they are going to do their wings right. The portion is hefty, while the actual pieces are quite a bit larger than your typical wings. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your personal taste, but it does mean there is no elegant way to eat them. You just need to make a pact with the people at your table that nobody is going to judge anybody else, roll up your sleeves and dive in. The tangy, reasonably hot Buffalo sauce is lavishly slavered, and it goes oh-so-well with the blue cheese dip. Oh, and they haven't forgotten the fresh celery sticks either, which should really be included with every serving of wings. CAROLINA KITCHEN Established before the current craze for American eateries kicked into full swing, Carolina Kitchen has managed to liven up a quiet Coorparoo corner by drawing in a constant stream of hungry punters with its sensational hoagies, ribs, burgers and, of course, wings. If you're not interested in dilly dallying at a bar or fancy restaurant, and just want to get stuck into some chicken right now, this might be the best choice for you. Service is quick, whether you're sitting down at one of the appropriately checked cloth-covered tables, or taking away, and the prices are excellent (and get better if you order larger quantities, which you will probably want to do). And the wings themselves? Perfect. Smeared with sticky, zesty Buffalo sauce, you are bound to find them incredibly more-ish. YARD BIRD ALE HOUSE Now, for those who are having disagreements with friends and loved ones about just how hot your wings should be, Yard Bird have three varieties that range all the way to the extreme end of spicy scale. The Caribbean Jerk Chicken Wings are... well, the name is pretty descriptive; they're tasty and crisp if that's what you are looking for. The standard Buffalo wings pack plenty of flavour and have a decent kick to them, but the Death Sentence Wings are, as you can imagine, itsy-bitsy servings of insanity. Think of them more as a challenge than a meal. SUPER WHATNOT Debate raged at our table over whether Super Whatnot's Rasta Chicken tibits really qualify as 'wings' in the traditional sense, but since they are from the right part of the chicken, and they are delicious, we're going to give them the benefit of the doubt. These dainty bites won't satisfy any epic hunger, but they are perhaps the safest option on this list if you are accompanied by someone you are trying to impress. Basically, you won't end up with sauce smeared all over your face and clothes. The crunchy coating has just the right amount of spicy flavour, and the chicken itself is gorgeously tender. THE SMOKE BBQ Authentic Southern-style American fare is the speciality of The Smoke BBQ and the chicken wings they serve up certainly fit that description. They have found the divine balance of flavours between the hot sauce and the blue cheese sauce, and the chicken is delectable. Y'all can choose between the regular or the blue hot varieties, with the latter particularly impressive because it still retains its tastiness while slapping you across the chops with its zing. MIGHTY MIGHTY CUE AND BREW They may be new on the scene, but the kids at Mighty Mighty know how to make Buffalo wings like veterans. You are going to want a generous serving of cold beer if you order the Hell Boys Wings, as they pack some serious punch. Symptoms include tears, sniffles, dancing taste buds and skyrocketing endorphin levels resulting in a feeling of euphoria. The celery in this case has controversially been added to the sauce mixture, meaning it doesn't really give you that fresh mouth cleanse that I think is supposed to be the point. So, like I said, have some beer ready. ARCHIVE I'd venture to say that Archive's scrumptious wings are the closest thing I've tried in Brisbane to the original American version I first fell in love with many moons ago. They may not be as economical as some of the others on this list, but they are plentiful and extremely satisfying when combined with the tempting craft beers on tap at the locale. The chicken is plump and the sauce is, well, finger-licking good. Top image: South Side Diner
That age-old act of verbalising frustration, anger or in some instances passion, in the form of a swear word is generally seen as a crass act. But artist Theo Olesen has turned this everyday language into illustrations that prove even the most profane words can be beautified with good design. When Olesen was in kindergarten learning four-letter words, he recalls suggesting 'fuck' as a four-letter word beginning with 'F'. Since then, his fascination with profanity has evolved into finely illustrated graphics that he posts on his online blog, Beautiful Swear Words. Barely two months old, his blog has already attracted over 2,000 followers. Not bad for a 17-year-old who cites "fun" as his motivation for illustrating profanities. Olesen updates his blog daily with hand drawn illustrations of swear words ranging from 'boobs' to 'gonads' and has begun making his illustrations available for purchase on t-shirts. Why say it when you can wear it?
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Assistance Dogs Australia need you. They have an abundance of puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy educator, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–16 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as an assistance dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend puppy classes. A fenced-in backyard or outdoor area is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, all food and supplements, training equipment, and flea, tick and worming treatment. Assistance Dogs Australia is looking for people in Sydney's North Shore and Sutherland shire, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains; in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula area; and in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than four hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. Once the pups reach 12-16 months old, they'll move on to their advanced training at Assistance Dogs Australia's national training school in Sydney. And, after they graduate, the four-legged companions will provide support to people with disability. Keen? You can apply online. And send pics please. For more information about Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy educators, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
We have so much to thank the '70s for: P-Funk, The Clash, platform shoes, the advent of modern computing, and, most importantly, the terrarium. Back in the day, you would finish off whatever was in your favourite brandy snifter or plastic bottle, wrap it in your latest macrame creation, throw in a few ferns, and marvel at the fact that you suddenly had a portable piece of nature in your home. During the past few years, the terrarium has come back with a vengeance — and a sophistication with which it wasn't graced, traditionally. An expertly executed terrarium is now considered a work of high art, as demonstrated by the careers of New York's Paula Hayes and Melbourne's Clea Cregan. Even individuals putting together their own "ultimate, low-maintenance garden" at home can create a piece that'd make their mum proud. Whether you're a film buff who wants to see your favourite character immortalised in glass, a nature lover who wants to wear some greenery around your neck or are just looking to add a trendy touch to your home, you're sure to be inspired and surprised by the latest manifestations of the mighty terrarium. It's probably not a bad idea to take Don Burke's advice and keep your creation well-watered. The Hobbit Terrarium Recognise this door? Behind it, you'll find the home of one of fiction's favourite adventurers, Bilbo Baggins. The Hobbit terrarium miniaturises the already teeny-tiny world of Bag End, Hobbiton. The Beetlejuice Terrarium Yes, this really is what you think it is: a one-and-a-half inch model of Connecticut's spookiest house, built to scale. Made of wax, wire, paint and a hairbrush, it perches on a 'hill' of live, growing moss. If genius truly is patience, terrarium artist Rachel Bishop well might qualify. The Star Wars Terrarium Yoda's famous quip "Size matters not" takes on a new dimension here. The 900-year-old Jedi Master stands upon a hand-created 'landscape' surrounded by a glass globe just five inches in circumference. The Australian Open Terrarium CHARD asked Melbourne artist Clea Cregan to create this one for the Australian Open VIP Lounge. Cregan's Miniscapes can be found in all kinds of interesting places in Victoria's capital city. Forensics in the Flora Contemplating inviting friends over for How to Host a Mmurder? This terrarium could be the perfect conversation starter. Surreal Scenes Canadian costume designer Thyrza Segal fills her terrariums with Dali-esque visions. Polymer clay figures — half-human, half-flower — peer out from dreamily arranged, organic foliage. Terrarium in a Tear Drop New York artist Paula Hayes creates scenes of delicate beauty within glass that has been hand-blown into organic shapes. Last year, she installed a large terrarium at Lever House, New York City as part of an exhibition that explored the interaction of human beings with the natural environment. Terrarium in a Light Bulb Blown a light bulb and feeling guilty about throwing it away? Get out your tweezers and devise a world of your own imagining. A Living Necklace Seattle-based artist Courtney creates miniscule universes that you can take with you everywhere you go. Litill Terrariums New York-based artist Lauren Coleman uses succulents, sand and found objects to create unique terrariums of simple, elegant design.
You're sure to be a little worn out from your Earth Day's tree-hugging and recycling activities, so why not relax with an eco-friendly cocktail? These 100% organic drinks will keep you in the green holiday spirit. Like any cocktail, these begin with quality (and in this case, organic) liquor. Some Earth Day-friendly stand-outs include Square One Vodka from Marin County, California, Del Maguey Mezcal, which imports single-village mezcals from Mexico via Taos, New Mexico, and Kanon Vodka, from Sweden. Each company produces 100% organic spirits. Square One and Kanon focus on sustainable production, utilising wind power in their distilleries. Square One bottles even feature labels made of sustainably grown bamboo and cotton. With the main ingredient covered, all you need are a few organic limes and tangerines and some creativity. Good's cocktail enthusiast Ken Walczak shows you how. So Fresh, So Green 1 ½ oz. Square One Basil Vodka ¾ oz. lime juice ½ oz. ginger-peppercorn syrup* Shake with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an organic lime wedge. * To make the ginger-peppercorn syrup: Combine 3 to 4 oz. of ginger, sliced thin, 1 tsp. black peppercorns, the skin and core of an apple, 2 cups sugar, and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; simmer for about 40 minutes or until syrup has the desired flavor and consistency. Cool completely. Strain. El Niño 1 ½ oz. pepper-infused vodka* 1 ½ oz. tangerine juice [I squeezed organic Minneolas] 1 oz.Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal [i.e., mescal with agave syrup added] ½ oz. agave syrup Shake with cracked ice. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a vodka-soaked pepper or a dried Fuyu persimmon. * To make the pepper-infused vodka: Remove the cores and seeds from a habanero, a jalapeño, two serranos, and an Anaheim pepper—preferably while wearing gloves. (Ripe peppers may be best overall, but firmer, crisper ones produce a “green” taste that is not entirely unwelcome in the cocktail, in addition to the heat.) Chop the peppers roughly. Clean and dry a mason jar thoroughly, place the chopped peppers in the bottom of the jar, and fill with an organic vodka (I used Kanon). Screw the lid on to the jar. Let the vodka infuse for 8 to 48 hours—longer infusion will result in more intense, spicier flavor. When the flavor is to your liking, strain the infused vodka. The vodka-soaked peppers can be retained as a garnish. [via Good]
The Black Phone didn't need to star Ethan Hawke. In a way, it doesn't really. Fresh from Moon Knight and The Northman, Hawke is definitely in this unsettling 1978-set horror film. He's also exceptional in it. But his top billing springs from his name recognition and acting-veteran status rather than his screen time. Instead, superb up-and-comer Mason Thames gets the bulk of the camera's attention in his first feature role. After him, equally outstanding young talent Madeleine McGraw (Ant-Man and The Wasp) comes next. They spend most of their time worrying about, hearing rumours of, hiding from, battling and/or trying to track down a mask-wearing, van-driving, child-snatching villain — the role that Hawke plays in a firmly supporting part, almost always beneath an eerie disguise. Visibly at least, anyone could've donned the same apparel and proven an on-screen source of menace. There's a difference between popping something creepy over your face and actually being creepy, though. Scary masks can do a lot of heavy lifting, but they're also just a made-to-frighten facade. Accordingly, when it comes to being truly petrifying, Hawke undoubtedly makes The Black Phone. He doesn't literally; his Sinister director Scott Derrickson helms, and also co-wrote the script with that fellow horror flick's C Robert Cargill, adapting a short story by Stephen King's son Joe Hill — and the five-decades-back look and feel, complete with amber and grey hues, plus a nerve-rattling score, are all suitably disquieting stylistic touches. But as the movie's nefarious attacker, Hawke is unnervingly excellent, and also almost preternaturally unnerving in every moment. Whenever he opens his mouth, his voice couldn't echo from anyone else; however, it's the nervy, ominous and bone-weary physicality that he brings to the character that couldn't be more pitch-perfect. Everyone is tired in The Black Phone, albeit in varying ways. At first, that comes as a surprise — it's a looser, more laidback time, and the film happily rides the vibe in its opening Little League game. Still, that relaxed air comes with its own sense of anxiety. What's better, an era when kids escape their homes during daylight, roaming the streets as they like but also instilled with a festering sense of stranger danger, or a period where such unsupervised freedom seems utterly unthinkable? This movie lurks in the former, obviously, and there is indeed a dangerous stranger prowling around north Denver's suburban streets. To 13-year-old Finney Blake (Thames), his younger sister Gwen (McGraw) and their schoolmates, that monstrous figure is known as The Grabber, and he's abducted several of their peers so far. Finney and Gwen are also exhausted at home, where their alcoholic father Terrence (Jeremy Davies, The House That Jack Built) is hardly hands-on — unless his hands are flying in anger their way. At school, Finney has a trio of bullies to deal with, too; luckily, if his pal Robin (first-timer Miguel Cazarez Mora) isn't around to save him, the plucky and sweary Gwen usually is. She's zapped as well, courtesy of dreams of events that haven't quite happened yet. The pair's mother had the same ability, which is why their dad is so sozzled, and also so hard on the two of them. Fatigue is well and truly in the air, thick yet invisible, although The Grabber's (Hawke) is the flimsiest. After taking Finney, he's drained by his need to kidnap and kill. That doesn't stop him from terrorising the neighbourhood, of course — but if his latest target has his way, aided by advice whispered down the disconnected basement telephone by past victims, the masked assailant might soon be far worse than simply weary. If you didn't know that The Black Phone came from Hill's pen, or that his father is the most famous horror author alive, you'd likely guess it the moment that The Grabber uses balloons to lure his prey. Those decorations are black, not red. The Grabber is a part-time magician instead of a demonic clown. No one dwells in a sewer here, but the trapped Finney does peer out of a basement window — and looking at him from the outside has a Pennywise-in-a-storm-drain appearance to it. The Black Phone isn't an IT do-over; however, it always feels like it has been moulded not just from memories of growing up in the 70s (Derrickson and Hill are the right ages, as is Hawke), but by minds that have also internalised King's brand of horror. Stranger Things does the same, but with the 80s. And as with the Netflix hit, that loving, knowing, nodding sensation doesn't stop The Black Phone from drawing viewers in — or keeping them immersed, engaged, entertained and unsettled. If you also didn't know that The Black Phone was a short story on the page, you'd swiftly pick that by watching, too. The film can't be called economical or slight, but it jumps speedily from forebodingly setting the scene with gripping unease (that weariness is palpable) to getting close to wrapping everything up, all without lingering much in the middle. The sense that connecting the dots is happening a tad too fast can't be shaken, although it doesn't confine The Black Phone to the cellar where terrible, half-baked, by-the-numbers horror flicks should go to rot. (Also, The Black Phone isn't any of those things.) Rather, for such an escape room of a movie — a picture that's all about a teenage boy who isn't the typical hero using his brains and even his fears to hopefully puzzle together the necessary pieces to escape a room, with some supernatural help — it just seems too eager to flee. Wishing there was more teasing and loitering to Derrickson's return to horror after helming the first Doctor Strange, and Hawke's as well, is the right kind of problem to have, though. There's plenty about The Black Phone that keeps audience hooked — and, unlike Finney, we'd be happy to remain that way a little longer. Derrickson's film is big on mood, and on crucial details. Almost every character feels lived-in, from its two key kids through to The Grabber, Terrence, and other victims fleshed out in small scenes and flashbacks. (Performances obviously play a pivotal part in the latter, not just from the superbly vicious Hawke and the impressive Thames and McGraw, but right down to IT: Chapter Two's James Ransone showing up and getting unhinged quickly.) There's always a dripping sense of tension, much of the picture's imagery is perturbing all on its own, and the well-executed jump scares do exactly what they're supposed to. The Black Phone doesn't always know when to stay on the line, but the chilling flick is still a horror-movie call worth taking.
Plenty of Australian cities boast radiant arts and culture festivals that light up their streets and spaces, from Vivid Sydney and Rising in Melbourne through to Brisbane Festival's luminous displays and 2021 newcomer Illuminate Adelaide. But Parrtjima - A Festival In Light takes the whole concept to several different levels — celebrating Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including via an eye-catching array of light installations, in Alice Springs and against a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. It's the type of event to add to your travel bucket list, and it's bringing its dazzling presence back again in 2022 — between Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 17. And, if you're wondering exactly what'll be brightening up the already striking Red Centre, Parrtjima has just announced its full lineup. As always, the event will take over Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that showers the MacDonnell Ranges with light each night of the festival, is definitely on the bill. When it comes to staring at the stunning natural landmark, expect a 'desert of light experience, as Parrtjima is dubbing it. If you've seen images from past festivals, you'll instantly spot why that description is accurate. Grounded, which turns traditional and contemporary stories into a projected animation — complete with an immersive soundscape — will return this year as well, after consistently proving a crowd favourite. [caption id="attachment_843423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artists' impression: Farron Jampitjinpa Furber (Budgerigar Dreaming)[/caption] Also on the installation lineup for 2022: Water Tree, a piece inspired by the artwork of Karen Napaljarri Barnes that uses acrylic glass to replicate the sight of thousands of budgerigars flocking together, and will be strung across four archways; plus Flight, similarly going with budgies, this time featuring artwork by Farron Jampitjinpa Furber printed on sheer fabric spears to represent the birds' journey along the Lander River. Or, you can look forward to scoping out Eagle's Eye, which takes inspiration from irretye (the wedge-tailed eagle) constellation, and brings a tunnel to life with animation of works by Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan — as well as Wild Wind, by Raelene Ngala Williams, which uses her artwork to celebrate the stories of the whirly whirly through a series of floating and moving structures. There's also the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists' Energy, comprised of eight static bikes and wheelchairs, which attendees jump on and spin the pedals to illuminate and revolve the artworks. And, the 15-metre-high Night Sky, as created in collaboration with artist Carmen Glynn-Braun and Common Ground, is filled with 1200 glowing orbs that are suspended to look like a blanket of stars. [caption id="attachment_843424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artists' impression: Carmen Glynn-Braun (Dreamy)[/caption] From the rest of Parrtjima's ten-night lineup, there'll also be live tunes from Dan Sultan, King Stingray, BARKAA, Black Rock Band and Jimblah. Plus, some of the musicians on the bill will also participate in the talks program, which includes Black Comedy's Steven Oliver, and Parrtjima artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Raelene Ngala Williams as well. And, film-wise, the work of Sweet Country, The Beach, Firebite and Samson and Delilah filmmaker Warwick Thornton will be in the spotlight. Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 8–17, 2022 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information or to book tickets, visit the festival website. Top image: artists' impressions: Raelene Ngala Williams (Walpa Pulka – Whirly Wind) / Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan – (Rain Dreaming, Budgerigar Dreaming, Bush Tobacco Dreaming, Native Fuchsia Dreaming and Ceremonial Pole Dreaming).
When you're playing tourist in a city, be it your own or somewhere far from home, there are two tried-and-tested ways to get a great glimpse at your surroundings. If you're fine with heights, head up. If you're comfortable with hitting the water, get cruising. A new Sky Deck is on its way to Brisbane to help with the first option — and, with the second, so is the return of glamorous floating venue Seadeck. This three-level vessel is no stranger to joining the Queensland capital's list of things to do near, around, in or on its very own river, but it hasn't made its way to Brisbane for six years. That drought is being broken from Saturday, August 10, when Seadeck will start doing both brunch and sunset cruises on weekends. Then, come Brisbane Festival time for 2024, it'll become the fest's Art Boat for this year. It's actually thanks to that Bris Fest berth that Seadeck is making a comeback until the end of September, after the event was keen for fellow floating venue Oasis to do the honours for its on-the-water art experience. With Dave Auld, Managing Partner for both vessels, organisers came to the conclusion that 42-metre Seadeck with its two bars, loungers aplenty and retractable awning would be a better fit, however. "I'm thrilled about the opportunity to bring Seadeck to Brisbane and collaborate with the Brisbane Festival. This partnership not only allows us to contribute to the community but also strengthens our future relationships here. I can't wait to see Seadeck hosting exceptional events, adding to the vibrant Brisbane scene," explains Auld. "Having both Seadeck and Oasis on the Brisbane River is incredibly exciting, especially with the 2032 Olympics on the horizon. We envision our vessels becoming regular fixtures on the river, allowing guests to experience Brisbane from a whole new perspective" Sydney's first permanent floating venue, Seadeck initially debuted in the Harbour City in October 2016, then made trips to Brisbane in both 2017 and 2018. When it launched, it was designed to be the epitome of handcrafted luxury — from the handmade tiles and custom-designed brass bar to the bespoke furniture from every corner of the glove, everything you see was tailored for floating. Each of the three decks is connected by sweeping staircases and cast iron lace railings, an homage to Hollywood's golden age of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Yes, the word "swank" should come to mind. For its third stint in the River City, Seadeck is doing both brunch and sunset cruises each Saturday and Sunday between August 10–25. At the first, which costs $150 per person, you'll tuck into canapes over beer, wine and bubbles — plus either a bloody mary or a mimosa to start — while scoping out the city. At the second, you'll pay for what you want to eat and drink on top of your $30 ticket. Brisbane Festival's Art Boat runs between Thursday–Sunday from Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21. Seadeck starts sailing the Brisbane River for 2024 from Saturday, August 10, 2024, departing from South Bank Pontoon B, and becomes Brisbane Festival's Art Boat between Thursday–Sunday from Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21. Head to the vessel's website for more details.
UPDATE, December 23, 2022: Barbarian is available to stream via Disney+ from January 4, 2023. "Safe as houses" isn't a term that applies much in horror. It isn't difficult to glean why. Even if scary movies routinely followed folks worrying about their investments — one meaning of the phrase — it's always going to be tricky for the sentiment to stick when such flicks love plaguing homes, lodges and other dwellings with bumps, jumps and bone-chilling terror. Barbarian, however, could break out the expression and mean it, in a way. At its centre sits a spruced-up Detroit cottage listed on Airbnb and earning its owner a trusty income. In the film's setup, the house in question is actually doing double duty, with two guests booked for clashing stays over the same dates. It's hardly a spoiler to say that their time in the spot, the nicest-looking residence in a rundown neighbourhood, leaves them feeling anything but safe. Late on a gloomy, rainy, horror-movie-101 kind of night — an eerie and tense evening from the moment that writer/director Zach Cregger's first feature as a solo director begins — Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell, Suspicion) arrives at Barbarian's pivotal Michigan property. She's in town for a job interview, but discovers the lockbox empty, keys nowhere to be found. Also, the home already has an occupant in Keith Toshko (Bill Skarsgård, Eternals), who made his reservation via a different website. With a medical convention filling the city's hotels, sharing the cottage seems the only option, even if Tess is understandably cautious about cohabitating with a man she's literally just met. Ambiguity is part of Barbarian from the get-go, spanning whether Keith can be trusted, what's behind their double booking and, when things start moving overnight, what's going on in the abode. That's only the start of Barbarian's hellish story. Canny casting plays a considerable part in Barbarian's early unease; if you rocked up to a place that's meant to be yours alone for the evening only for Pennywise from the recent big-screen version of IT and its sequel lurking within — sans red balloon, luckily — you'd be creeped out. Skarsgård's involvement isn't the only reason that the movie's first act drips with dread and uncertainty, but it's a devastatingly clever use of him as a horror-film talent, and the Swedish star leans into the slippery and shifty possibilities. Still, after taking a photo of his ID and being wary of drinking beverages he's made, Tess warms to Keith over wine and conversation. He's having a loud nightmare on the couch, too, when her bedroom door opens mysteriously. When she gets stuck in the locked basement the next day, he's out at meetings. Then he returns, and they'll wish that a reservation mixup really was the worst of their troubles. Clearly made with affection for old-school horror, especially films by genre great Wes Craven, Barbarian feels like a well-crafted take on a familiar premise while it's laying its groundwork. Foolish is the viewer who thinks that they know where the movie is heading from there, though — or who ignores the instant bubblings of potential to zig and zag, plus the lingering inkling that something beyond the easily expected might stalk its frames. Indeed, watching Barbarian recalls watching scary flicks from four and five decades back for the first time, a rite of passage for every horror-loving teen no matter the generation, and being gripped by their surprises. Cregger bundles in twists, but he also establishes a vibe where almost anything can shift and change. Two cases in point: when Justin Long (Giri/Haji) shows up as a smug and obnoxious Hollywood player with #MeToo problems, and when the 80s isn't just an influence in scenes lensed in a tighter aspect ratio. Keeping audiences guessing is chief among Barbarian's games, and one it plays with glee and skill on Cregger's part. That's true when the film is nodding to other horror greats, as also seen in its Psycho nudges (side note: Skarsgård would make a great Norman Bates if anyone was to try remaking Alfred Hitchcock's classic again). It's also accurate when Barbarian is going all in on unnerving frights and inducing fear — the moment you think you know where the plot sits, it careens sharply, and the moment you think you know when the next shock or source of apprehension will arrive, and how, it flips just as boldly. He's co-helmed Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs before, but it's the filmmaker's background in sketch comedy (as a cofounder of New York-based troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know, in fact) that might underline his ability and willingness to turn wildly, and to make each pivot and leap pay off. Jordan Peele took a similar jump and that's going swimmingly, as Get Out, Us and Nope attest. But Cregger opts for what might seem an unusual choice in these elevated horror times: he flirts with topical subjects and helms a movie with things to say, but layers in his many points rather than makes any one the main focus. It isn't by accident that Barbarian is set in Detroit, or in its Brightmoor area. The way suburbia can boom, change and falter under capitalism is firmly in the film's sights, as are the inequities in income in general, and at the heart of the short-term rental market — plus the fact that such services can virtually snap up entire neighbourhoods, price plenty of folks out of them, and see homes turned into cash cows at the expense of any sense of community. Cregger also muses just as savvily and bitingly on toxic masculinity and the roles it forces women into, such as victims, villains and simply constantly being on high alert, as Tess always is. Splashing around an eagerness to keep challenging itself — including visually, with cinematographer Zach Kuperstein (The Eyes of My Mother) rarely using the obvious shot, and also ensuring every frame is taut and precise — Barbarian is deeply, gloriously and entertainingly sinister. It's meticulously and impressively executed, and also innately unsettling. It knows all the tropes and horror conventions that've filled films both spectacular and terrible before, and it knows how to toy with and subvert them, when to let them run their course, and how to make a movie that feels fresh no matter which of the above it's doing. And, in the process, it deserves to boost not only Cregger's career, but also the excellent Campbell's. Playing a memorable potential final girl takes fortitude (see: Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode again and again), and playing a character that's smart, determined, resourceful but keeps making questionable horror-movie decisions for understandable reasons requires commitment. Believing in Campbell as Tess, and in the attention-grabber of a flick she's in: now that's a move that's safe as houses.
If Four Lions, Nightcrawler and Rogue One haven't already made you a fan of Riz Ahmed, then The Night Of will. The British actor is phenomenal in the tense eight-part mini-series, putting in the type of quietly potent performance that he has become known for across his career, and also winning himself a well-deserved Emmy Award in the process. Ahmed plays Pakistani American college student Nasir 'Naz' Khan. When a young woman is murdered on New York City's Upper West Side, he's accused of the crime — with hardworking lawyer John Stone (John Turturro) enlisted to try to prove his innocence. If someone made an entire series that just featured Ahmed and Turturro chatting, it'd be must-see TV. Based on the first season of UK series Criminal Justice, The Night Of delivers much more than merely its two leads talking, but it also makes the most of its stars.
UPDATE, January 29, 2021: Joker is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Lonely, isolated and struggling with a lifetime of trauma, a man exorcises his demons through violence. Plagued by troubling memories and mental health issues, but devoted to caring for his ailing mother, he finds catharsis in wreaking havoc on others. When Joaquin Phoenix played this part to perfection in Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here, he explored the burdens of a crusading hitman who rescued violated children — saving them from the pain he still suffered, and punishing the abusers who treat kids as carelessly as he once was himself. And while he steps into similar shoes in Joker, the exceptional actor is now on a completely different mission, crossing the threshold from noble vigilante to deranged villain. It's impossible to watch Joker without thinking about You Were Never Really Here; by casting Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, the man who becomes one of Batman's worst enemies, that's an intended effect. It's impossible to see director Todd Phillips' (The Hangover) take on Gotham's clown prince of crime without thinking of Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy as well. Phillips cakes his influences on thick and, if the connection wasn't already apparent in the film's 70s look and feel, he also enlists Robert De Niro as Arthur's favourite television host. It's a purposeful move, filtering one of popular culture's most infamous antagonists through such blatant touchstones — and, it ensures that viewers won't be contemplating the character's past guises, be it Cesar Romero's TV version, Jack Nicholson's unhinged late-80s spin, Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning portrayal or Jared Leto's cartoonish work in Suicide Squad. Focusing audiences firmly on the Joker at hand, this origin story asks a probing question: if the world's ills were to shove a tormented man over the edge in a volatile socio-political climate, what would that look like? In other words, how would You Were Never Really Here play out if its assassin killed to avenge a cruel, uncaring city's failings, rather than protect its victims? Or, what shape would Taxi Driver take if its cabbie was a bullied clown-for-hire? Phillips stops short of lifting the latter movie's dialogue, but it's easy to imagine Arthur uttering one of Taxi Driver's well-known lines: "here is a man who would not take it anymore". First seen grinning into a mirror as he puts on his makeup (and signalling the film's allegiance with his fraying mindset in the process), Arthur doesn't have much to smile about. He's beaten by street punks on the job, loses his mental health care due to citywide budget cuts and watches his mother (Frances Conroy) fruitlessly try to contact her ex-employer turned mayoral candidate, aka billionaire Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen). An aspiring comedian, Arthur is also taunted and jeered whenever he steps onstage. Basically, his life is one huge kick in the face after another. But his mum has always told him that he was put on this earth to spread joy and happiness, which he takes to heart. As Gotham descends into riots and widespread violence, Arthur finds a drastic way to put this belief into action. When Joker isn't shoehorning in undoubtedly necessary but still distracting Batman references (including yet another re-do of a scene that's been done to death), it just keeps inspiring questions. Is Arthur an inevitable product of a crumbling city that's failed its citizens in general, and its most vulnerable in particular? Or, clinging to his downtrodden status, does he capitalise upon his powder-keg surroundings, using it to excuse his psychopathic behaviour and demand that he's finally paid the attention he's certain he deserves? Penning a deliberately thorny narrative, Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver (The Fighter) keep both of these perspectives in their sights. Alas, the pair sometime struggle to juggle the opposing notions, or to flesh them out beyond the obvious. Indeed, for all the controversy that Joker has sparked since it nabbed the top prize at this year's Venice Film Festival, it's mostly happy to stick to the murky middle ground. The movie paints a thoroughly nightmarish image of modern-day capitalism and its devastating imprint on the 99 percent — one that instantly rings true — but remains content to dance along its surface rather than burrow meaningfully into its dark heart. Specifically, it calls out the conditions that lead to the Joker's rise, yet never quite decides if it's condemning, celebrating or commiserating with him. Joker is unflinchingly bold and brilliant in one inescapable fashion, though, as it was bound to be when it cast its lead. All skin, bone and sinew as he cavorts, frolics and chortles, Phoenix is in stunning, mesmerising, awards-worthy form yet again. His raspy cackle isn't easily forgotten; neither is his off-kilter demeanour, whether Arthur is connecting with his neighbour (Zazie Beetz), taking a stand against the latest folks to push his buttons or leaning as far into his crazed impulses as possible. When, towards the end of the film, Lawrence Sher's (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) textured cinematography peers up at Phoenix as he struts down some stairs, its hypnotised gaze doesn't feel out of place. In fact, it feels natural. That said, that the scene is accompanied by 'Rock and Roll, Part 2' by convicted sex offender Gary Glitter says much about a movie that's often as thematically muddled as it is emotionally and visually striking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-Lg-_KFHU
It's finally going to happen: someone is going to be named as Logan Roy's (Brian Cox, Remember Me) successor, or no one will and this business-magnate family will just keep feuding. Either way, whatever occurs in Succession season four when it arrives this March, that'll be the end of the story, with the award-winning HBO drama ending with this next batch of episodes. In an interview with The New Yorker ahead of season four's arrival — on Monday, March 27 in Australia and New Zealand, airing week to week — the series' creator and showrunner Jesse Armstrong advised that this fourth go-around is the last for TV's current favourite bickering brood. Love all those delicious insults slung by Logan and his adult kids Shiv (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman), Kendall (Jeremy Strong, Armageddon Time), Connor (Alan Ruck, The Dropout) and Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move) — plus Shiv's husband Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat), and Roy-family cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun, Zola)? Of course you do, and you've only got ten more new instalments to enjoy them. "Who knows about the psychological reasons, but the creative ones were that it felt really useful to not make the final, final decision for ages. You know, there's a promise in the title of Succession," Armstrong said. "I've never thought this could go on forever. The end has always been kind of present in my mind. From season two, I've been trying to think: is it the next one, or the one after that, or is it the one after that?," he continued. "I got together with a few of my fellow-writers before we started the writing of season four, in about November, December 2021, and I sort of said, 'look, I think this maybe should be it. But what do you think?'. And we played out various scenarios: we could do a couple of short seasons, or two more seasons. Or we could go on for ages and turn the show into something rather different, and be a more rangy, freewheeling kind of fun show, where there would be good weeks and bad weeks. Or we could do something a bit more muscular and complete, and go out sort of strong. And that was definitely always my preference." All that scheming, all those grudges, that blood pressure-raising tension over who'll run the family company (and that wondering if Logan will just sell the whole thing off and leave his kids high and dry): that's all winding down. Succession is certain to go out with a bang, though. In the trailer for season four, Shiv announces: "this is not about getting back at dad. But, if it hurts him, it doesn't bother me." Shiv, Kendall, Roman and Connor have banded together to form a rebel alliance against their father, a move sparked by the season-three decision to offload the Roy's company Waystar Royco to a tech visionary played by Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman) — who also returns in season four. Unsurprisingly, not everyone is thrilled. When an entire series is about who'll take over the lucrative and powerful family business, removing that option for everyone is going to cause some hefty fallout. It was back in 2021 when HBO announced that Succession would return for a fourth run, after its Emmy-winning third season proved that exceptional — and popular. Now, however, viewers are in for just one more season of power struggles and savaging of the one percent, aka more of what Succession has always done best. Indeed, if you're a fan of twisty TV shows about wealth, privilege, influence, the vast chasm between the rich and everyday folks, and the societal problems that fester due to such rampant inequality, there have been plenty of ace examples of late, including The White Lotus and Squid Game. No series slings insults as savagely as this tremendous series, however. No show channels feuding and backstabbing into such an insightful and gripping satire, either. Check out the most recent teaser for Succession season four below: Succession season four will start streaming from Monday, March 27 Down Under, including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Check out our review of season three. Via The New Yorker. Images: Claudette Barius/Macall B Polay, HBO.
When International Dog Day rolls around on August 26 each year, there are a few acceptable ways to spend it. All of them involve oh-so-adorable doggos, obviously. If you don't have a pet pooch in your life, looking at cute canine videos and photos is perfectly acceptable. Yes, that's what the internet is for. And if you do have a four-legged, barking companion — or several — you really should be spoiling them as much as you can all day long. Here's a question for this glorious occasion: would your dog look better wearing a bandana? You can apply the same query to your friend's pupper, or your parents', or whichever canine you like to pretend is yours if you need to get your pet joys vicariously. Obviously it's a trick question, because the answer is always yes. Find us a dog that wouldn't look dapper with a bandana and you will have found nothing because it's just not possible. The team at Australian activewear label The Upside clearly agrees, so it has released a doggo bandana for International Dog Day. The name: The Pupside, naturally. And this is a piece of canine fashion that also helps dogs and other animals in need, because all of the proceeds from each $19.99 item are being donated to RSPCA NSW. Blue in colour, covered in a paisley print, lined with soft grey marle jersey and suitable for pooches of all sizes, the bandanas went on sale today — because today is August 26, aka the dog-focused day in question — and they're made from recycled fabric offcuts, so The Upside is doing the environment a solid as well. The brand is aiming to not just support RSPCA NSW, but also to encourage people to adopt animals — including dogs, of course — in need. And if you need more motivation to deck out Fido with some new threads, just look at the brand's images of bandana-wearing pooches. Go on. We'll also remind you that, for NSW residents in lockdown, RSPCA NSW has moved its adoption process online again. The Pupside bandanas ship nationally, though, so dogs across the country can spruce up their outfits. The Pupside bandanas are available for $19.99 via The Upside website.
Fancy an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall? Then prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery. Originally set to open in late 2020, then postponed till autumn 2021, and now finally set to launch when the first day of spring hits — so, Wednesday, September 1 — The Lume will make its home permanently at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The big drawcard: projections of some of the world's most celebrated artworks, which will be splashed across various surfaces. Those luminous displays will be backed by powerful musical soundtracks, too, and even complemented by aromas. The inaugural exhibition at The Lume will celebrate the works and life of Vincent van Gogh. So, you'll be able to walk through artworks like The Starry Night and Sunflowers while listening to a classical music score. If you were lucky enough to make it up to Sydney last year for Van Gogh Alive, expect something very similar. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Experiences, which, for the past 15 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world — and is taking Van Gogh Alive around Australia this year, too. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. The Lume will open at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, September 1. General public tickets go on sale at 12pm on Thursday, June 3 — with wait list pre-sales from Monday, May 31.
If you've ever been on a KFC mission — because you were hungry, hungover, or just hankering for the Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices — then the fast food chain's latest endeavour will feel a lot like art imitating life. The fried chicken fiends have released a new smartphone game that's all about hunting down buckets of chook pieces. Yes, of course it is. Available for both iOS and Android, the smartphone game is called The Great Bucket Hunt — because what else would it be called? — and it's available to play now via the KFC app. And, as it uses augmented reality, it'll have you wandering the streets looking for chicken buckets. Again, that might feel a little too familiar. KFC doesn't need a reason to get playful with its marketing. Case in point: mindfulness website KFChill, which lets you bliss out to the sounds of chicken frying (and is actually immensely soothing). This time, though, there is a tangible reward. If all that staring at your phone and searching for buckets starts getting your tastebuds in a tizzy, there's chicken to be won — and cash and other prizes. Once you've tracked down buckets near you, you'll give them a spin to see what you've won. Every bucket has a prize, so you're always going to nab something. The big freebies: $50,000 in cash and free KFC for a year. Find three golden buckets, and you can win $5000, too. Yep, it's a bit like Pokemon Go, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and your drunken cravings all rolled into one — all to promote KFC, of course. Other prizes include eftpos gift cards worth between $25–200, free food (15-piece buckets, burgers, popcorn chicken, nuggets and plenty of combos), tickets to the NRL and AFL grand finals, free KFC every Sunday, KFC merchandise and cheap KFC deals. And getting in quick is recommended — once someone finds a bucket, it's out of the game forever. The Great Bucket Hunt is available to play via the KFC app between Tuesday, June 15–Monday, July 12.
Don't just grab a drink. If you're heading out for a sip with a date or mate, you want it to feel like an occasion, even if there's nothing particularly special to celebrate. Located inside the W Brisbane hotel, Living Room Bar understands that train of thought. Even better — it keeps trying to make knocking back cocktails within its walls stand out via creative collaborations and installations. In 2022, the venue teamed up with top Barcelona bar Paradiso, aka the third-best bar on the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2021, on a special menu featuring the Spanish spot's globally acclaimed beverages. Now, for at least six months across the second half of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, Living Room Bar is pairing its latest cocktail offering with an immersive light, sound and art setup. The watering hotel has dubbed its latest excuse to drop by Sensory Sips, with art and design studio Loose Collective taking care of everything that patrons see and hear. On offer: bespoke work all around the North Quay bar, including mesmerising lighting effects, audiovisual sculptures, motion graphics, and patterns projected across the floor, roof and even the bar itself. In one especially eye-catching piece called Light Lines, 400 lit-up vines made from medical-grade silicon look like they're floating. That's what Sensory Sips has opened with. The idea is for this dazzling setup to not just let cocktail lovers feel like they're escaping, but for it evolve over its stay, which started in August 2023 and will run until mid-February 2024 at the earliest. So, that means that Brisbanites have plenty of motivation to head along more than once — and ample time to do so. As for the drinks, the event's nine cocktails are made with Brown-Forman spirits, with each concoction designed to also engage the senses just like the installations around the bar (and given names such as The Hypnotist, The Heist and Mystique to match). Among the highlights, The Illusionist goes floral and colourful with gin, violet-flavoured liqueur, white chocolate bitters, hibiscus, coconut, lemon and butterfly pea ice — and, crafted to appear as if it is floating, The Magician combines whisky, Frangelico, cocoa nibs and bloody mary drops. If you opt for the Cirque Du Fizz, you'll be sharing your sips with at least one other person (minimum: two) while tasting vodka, butterscotch bitters, marmalade cordial, sage, lychee and Australian Daintree tea. Not hitting the hard stuff? The Ballerina is Sensory Sips' non-alcoholic option, as made with a lemon marmalade and hibiscus non-boozy wine, zero-alcohol dry gin, lemon and lychee foam. And, when it's served, it comes with a light projection showing stars. Images: Markus Ravik.
The Taste Riverina Festival sees the region's producers come together in a month-long celebration of local food from October 1 through 31. The curated program spans agricultural tours, cooking demonstrations, food treks and beer and wine tastings, along with your requisite degustation dinners, farmers markets and cafe specials available around town. Riverina is know for its diverse range of local produce, including rice, citrus, olive oil, lamb and beer — to name a few. The region's plentiful vineyards will be offering up cellar door tastings paired with music and food to boot. There will be whole meals dedicated to salami and the Ploughman's Lunch, along with a food and art fusion exhibition. Bush tucker tours, pool parties and pub crawls round out the jam-packed program that is sure to leave your belly satisfied.
