Before 2020 comes to an end, Queenslanders will be able to gather in bigger numbers, outdoor events will be permitted to expand their capacity and New South Wales residents will be welcomed back into the Sunshine State. They're all on the agenda as part of Queensland's new 'COVID Safe Future' roadmap, which was revealed today, Friday, October 2, by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. While the state has unveiled similar plans before, we all know that nothing in 2020 remains certain for long — and that the situation regarding COVID-19 is constantly changing. So, this new outline responds to the current circumstances, and is designed to make clear how the state will be changing between now and the end of the year, in an effort to provide more certainty to both businesses and the community. Already, as at 1am on Thursday, October 1, the first step of the new plan has come into effect — with northern NSW residents allowed into Queensland without quarantining as part of an expanded border zone, and density restrictions easing for outdoor venues, events and stadiums. There's one more newly annonced element to this phase, however, and it'll kick off at 4pm today, Friday, October 2, with Queenslanders once again allowed to eat and drink while standing at indoor and outdoor venues with a COVID-Safe plan or checklist in place. Next, when 1am on Sunday, November 1 rolls around, a new step will start — and it'll be of great interest to anyone eager to head further into NSW, or for NSW residents keen to come north to soak up the sunshine. At that point, no one from NSW will need to enter mandatory quarantine when they come to Queensland. Relaxing that rule is contingent on the southern state having community transmission under control but, just this week, NSW reported a seven-day stretch without any new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, so fingers crossed that continues. Also on November 1, Queenslanders will be able to gather in groups of 40 at home and in public spaces, which is an increase from the current limit of 30. Plus, up to 40 people at weddings will be able to dance, as long as there's a COVID-Safe plan in place. Finally, from 1am on Tuesday, December 1, gatherings at home and in public spaces will increase to 50 people, just in time for Christmas. Outdoor events with COVID-Safe checklists will be able to host 1500 attendees, up from 1000, while weddings will no longer resemble Footloose in any shape or form (unless, for some reason, Kevin Bacon is invited) — because unlimited dancing will be permitted. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1311817281438019584 For now, Queensland will remain closed to Victoria throughout this whole period, but the roadmap notes that the state will reassess the situation when community transmission is under control. And, while the present announcement is all about opening back up again, it does specify that limits may come back into place if there's community transmission in Queensland. It's likely this'll happen in impacted areas only, and could include capping gatherings at ten people again, requiring the wearing of masks, increased testing, only allowing seating rather than standing in venues and scrapping dancing at weddings once more. Announcing the changes, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young advised that it's thanks to the state's compliance with restrictions thus far that Queensland can reopen further. "The hard work of Queenslanders has helped us to the strong position our state is in today — it has been a fantastic result," Dr Young noted. That said, she also stressed the need to remain cautious regarding hygiene and social distancing. "So that we can keep easing restrictions, it is vital that we maintain physical distance, wear a face mask in public when physical distancing is not possible and wash your hands." For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 gathering restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Atlanta Bell.
The Night Noodle Markets are nearly upon us and Gelato Messina is preparing to wow Brisbanites once again with its newest creations. Perhaps it was its recent Sydney collaboration with Hoy Pinoy that did it, because this year's menu is full on Filipino. Messina's Filipino Jeepney food truck dishes will be available exclusively at the Brisbane markets from July 24–August 4. Expect the Southeast Asian country's most popular desserts to get the good ol' Messina treatment, starting with the 'Allo 'Allo! — a take on the shaved-iced hallo hallo, which combines leche flan with caramel-flavoured shaved ice, syrup and sauce, all topped with toasted milk crumb and dulce de leche gelato. [caption id="attachment_702004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Allo! 'Allo![/caption] The truck is is also bringing back a 2016 favourite under the guise of a different name — Thrilla from Manila is a take on turron, which in this case is filo-pastry wrapped and deep-fried brown sugar and banana gelato, mixed with bits of banana bread and topped with custard and chocolate peanut butter crumb. If you're more into fruity desserts, Filopieno is a mango and peach jelly-filled concoction with chantilly cream and graham cracker crumb toppings. Handheld dessert lovers are covered, too, with the Brazo de Messina, an ice cream sandwich of pandan gelato, baked meringue and condensed milk custard, all layered with a shortbread crust. To check out what else you'll be able to eat at the markets over the 12 tasty nights, head to the Good Food Month website. The Night Noodle Markets run from July 24–August 4 at South Bank, Brisbane.
April is here, which means that it's almost that time of year: the time when you're either at Coachella or curing your FOMO by watching it at home. 2024's lineup dropped in January, featuring Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and the reunited No Doubt as headliners. Now comes news just as big: if you're dancing along in your living room over two weekends this month and you've got a set clash, you'll be able to livestream multiple stages at once. How many? Four in total, all thanks to YouTube's annual coverage of the event. Each year, Coachella and the online video platform join forces to beam the massive music fest around the world. Of course, that's no longer such a novelty in these pandemic-era times — but being able to fill your screen with a quartet of Coachella sets at the same time definitely is. YouTube's multiview concert experience will enjoy its debut in the music space, and globally, at Coachella. This year, the service will be capturing six different stages, as it did in 2023 for the first time ever — with Sonora on the list for the first weekend and Yuma on the second. That said, while you can feast your eyes on four stages simultaneously, you'll only be able to hear one, so you will still need to pick a favourite in any given timeslot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Coachella 2024 runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 and Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21, which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under. For those lucky enough to be getting the IRL experience, the fest takes place at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The full bill is a jaw-dropper, as usual, featuring a stacked array of acts that also spans everyone from Blur, Ice Spice, J Balvin and Peso Pluma to Sabrina Carpenter, Grimes, Lil Yachty and Flight Facilities. [caption id="attachment_936351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casey via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Coachella 2024 runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 and Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 — which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: Roger Ho.
In the last couple of years, the humble bicycle has come to symbolise a few things. On one hand, it's been used as a symbol of sartorial hipness and, on the other, it's been held as the hero alternative to cars that consume too much space and omit carbon pollutants. But in the battle of 'car vs. bike', there's been a vital part of 'travel' that the bike lacks. Aside from its eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing points, traveling via bike leaves no room for stuck-in-traffic music, which can help with lightening your mood a great deal. Taiwan-based Bone Collection has designed a bike horn that doubles as an amplifier. The silicone case holds the iPhone and can be attached to your bicycle, allowing you to use it to play sweet music and use the inbuilt iPhone GPS app to help you leisurely navigate your way through sticky traffic situations. An added brown (or should I say green?) point is that the silicone cases are washable. It can also be used as a speaker (without an external power source) and has an additional spot for your charger. [via PSFK]
First, it was COVID-19 that threw Queensland's music festivals into chaos. Now, the recent spate of devastating weather is having an impact on the scene. For Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, the latter means ditching its plans to take over a secret Fraser Coast spot across the Labour Day long weekend, with the event now moving to September instead. "It's unfortunately now not possible to hold the festival at the Gootchie site safely as we originally planned," said Festival Director Raymond Williams in a statement. "We were so looking forward to seeing our vision come to life next month, and it's a real bugger to have to change pace and reschedule." "Thankfully, we're already experienced in dealing with setbacks like these since the pandemic started," Williams continued. "The silver lining is we now have more time to create an even more immersive wonderland that will be safe and accessible for all." [caption id="attachment_843588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Savannah van der Niet[/caption] Music fans, you'll now have some free time between Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1 — and you'll be venturing north from Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4. The event will still take place in Gootchie, and still offer festival-goers something other than ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground. Among Jungle Love's drawcards: a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? Jungle Love announced its program back in February; however, that'll likely now change due to the new dates. "We're working with our suppliers, partners and performers to retain as many amazing acts as possible," said Williams. Still, get ready for visual arts displays, circus, cabaret, theatre, workshops, knocking back those BYO beverages and plenty of tunes — just later in 2022 than originally planned. Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival will now take place from Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4 at a secret location in Gootchie, Queensland. For more information, head to the festival's website. Top image: Lauren Crabbe.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Pan Pacific Singapore. [caption id="attachment_892011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This five-star hotel is right in the heart of Singapore, boasting views across Marina Bay, the South China Sea and surrounding city skyline. It also boasts a heap of extra luxe features, including three pools and an in-house spa. THE ROOMS This is a mighty big hotel, with 790 lavish rooms and suites available to guests. You can go for the more modest Deluxe Room — which is still an impressive 38 square metres in size and has sweeping views across either the city or bay. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the more luxurious suites or studios that have separate living and dining rooms, additional bedrooms and little kitchenettes. There's even the Urban Jungle suite which is made for families. It has a super fun jungle-themed room with an inflatable rocking hippo, a tepee and a treehouse bunk bed that sleeps two kids. FOOD AND DRINK As you'd expect in a city known for its food, this opulent hotel boasts a series of spectacular restaurants and bars. There is the fine-dining Cantonese restaurant Hai Tien Lo and the Keyaki Japanese Restaurant which has its own Japanese rooftop garden. But one of our favourites has to be Edge. Here, you get to feast on a high-end buffet that includes fresh oysters and lobster, roast meats with all the trimmings and a massive selection of local dishes. Quantity and quality combine at this spot. [caption id="attachment_864958" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Pan Pacific Singapore is close to most of the city's best bits. Head to the adjoining Marina Market for boutique stores, walk along the nearby Singapore River for more entertaining and dining options or take a quick cab ride to any of the city's other great sites. Be sure to check out Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street as well as the famous island of Sentosa, if you seek beach clubs and water activities. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world.
Showcasing the brilliance and mastery of young Canadian pianist Avan Yu, winner of this year’s Sydney International Piano Competition, the doors of the acoustically perfect concert hall will open for an intimate encounter with music at its highest level. Hotly tipped by Eduardo G Saluena as a talent of outstanding promise twenty-four year old Canadian Avan Yu has captivated audiences on four continents across the world, with performances at Carnegie Hall, The Philharmonic in Berlin and the National Auditorio De Musicain in Madrid. Since coming to attention at seventeen he has enjoyed numerous relationships with world-renowned orchestras and musicians, and won countless awards. Playing the works of Chopin, Schumann, Debussy and Liszt Avan Yu will perform at an intimate level, merging his sounds with the heartbeats of the audience.
With events across the country cancelled and postponed in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19, the live music industry is being hit hard. According to Aussie website I Lost My Gig, the industry has had a lost income of about $340 million so far. To help some of those affected, some of the country's best musical talents have been coming together for a weekly two-day music festival and fundraising event series every weekend — that's all online. In past weeks, the festival has seen the likes of Julia Jacklin, Marlon Williams, Hermitude, Vera Blue, Asta and Stella Donnelly. So, order a disco ball and make a flower crown for your cat, because it's time to party in your apartment. This week's lineup is yet to be announced, but expect it to be announced on Isol-Aid's Instagram soon. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKEmcRByKp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link While watching, viewers are encouraged to donate to a fundraiser set up by Support Act, which is raising money for musicians and music workers who've lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic and to help "keep our music industry alive". You can also support the individual artists by buying merch and music from their Bandcamp pages, as well as get your hands on some Isol-Aid merch. Isol-Aid runs from 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tune in via isolaidfestival.com. Top image: Bec Taylor
By now, you've probably had an absolute gutful of your house, backyard, neighbourhood and city. You've probably spent much of the past 13 months daydreaming about getaways, too. Well, wannabe jetsetters with a vacation-shaped hole in your life, it turns out this is your lucky week, because a mammoth travel sale is hitting the internet tonight. The bargain-filled Click Frenzy Travel sale returns for a 53-hour online shopping riot, kicking off at 7pm (9pm NZT) on Tuesday, April 20. And it's chock full of airfare, accommodation, tour and holiday package deals, for all kinds of budgets. Obviously, international travel isn't back to normal yet — the trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and New Zealand only just opened this past weekend — but there are plenty of bargains to be found if you're keen to either stay local or plan well ahead. Virgin Australia is offering up to 25 percent off a range of domestic journeys, with prices starting from just $75. You can nab ten percent off flights with Air New Zealand, too. And, if you're thinking further afield in the hope that borders will reopen sooner rather than later, Qatar is doing up to ten percent off flights to places such as the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy and Spain. Obviously, you'll need to take into the consideration the fact Aussies can't currently leave the country for holidays anywhere other than NZ at the moment while you're booking. Staying close to home, Wotif is offering up to 25 percent off Aussie hotels, Park Regis and Leisure Inn hotels are doing up to 40 percent off, and Ascott Australia is taking up to 30 percent off their hotels and apartments in Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and Perth. Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites is offering the same 30 percent discount, but at select locations in Australia and NZ if you stay for two nights or more. Fancy seeing the country by road? Greyhound Australia is taking 20 percent off all tickets and passes if a leisurely bus trip — complete with free wifi — sounds like your idea of a great holiday. If you're in need of a few travel essentials for your next getaway, Click Frenzy also does 99 percent off deals on some items, such as GoPros for $5, Beats headphones for $2, Weber barbecues for $3 and beach umbrellas for $2. Dust off that suitcase and start plotting your annual leave — it's holiday time, finally. The Click Frenzy Travel sale runs from 7pm (9pm NZT) on Tuesday, April 20, until midnight on Thursday, April 22. You can find it and all the tasty travel bargains on the Click Frenzy website.
Boasting arguably the best views of Brisbane and Story Bridge, Jellyfish is a must-visit for locals and visitors searching for a fishy feast. As the moniker suggests, seafood is the name of the game at Jellyfish. Each day, the kitchen cures, crumbs, steams or roasts between eight and 14 different species of fish. Other delights from the big blue include Moreton Bay bugs with kombu and wasabi butter, seared scallops served with pork cheek and sweet corn and spanner crab. Sides are kept simple — the fat chips with malt vinegar nailing those nostalgic paper-wrapped fish 'n' chip vibes – while the wine list is hefty and made up of mostly Australian and New Zealand labels.
Maybe you've changed your computer backdrop to a picture of Hamilton Island. Perhaps you keep perusing snaps from a past Byron Bay getaway on your phone. Can't stop thinking about your previous holidays? The midwinter blues will do that. We've said it before and we'll say it again: another cure is planning your next vacation, especially when there's a flight sale to capitalise upon. Qantas has dropped another massive round of discounted fares. In June, it put more than one million cheap seats up for grabs. A month later, it's doing the same. The focus is still on its domestic network, spanning 60-plus routes — and this time, prices start at under $160 one-way on more than 40 of them. You'll be able to travel between August 2024–March 2025, although the specifics vary per destination. If you're keen, you'll need to get in quick as this is a 72-hour-only sale, running until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, July 25, 2024. And yes, the usual caveat applies: if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. Options include Sydney to the Gold Coast for $109, and to Byron Bay for the same price; Melbourne to Launceston from $119, and to Maroochydore for $179; and Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast from $119, or to Hamilton Island for $169. Other routes and fares span both Brisbane to Sydney and Adelaide to Melbourne from $129, Brisbane to Cairns from $159, Sydney to Albury for $149 and Melbourne to Coffs Harbour for $169. Trips to and from Perth, Hobart, Alice Springs, Darwin, Canberra, Newcastle, Mildura, the Fraser Coast, Wagga Wagga, Devonport, Broken Hill, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton and Townsville are also on the sale list — and there's more after that as well. Inclusions-wise, the sale covers fares with checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, wifi and seat selection. Qantas' 72-hour surprise sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, July 25, 2024, or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Whether you like it or not, summer's balmy weather is set to last a little bit longer this year, with most of Australia forecast to score a hotter-than-average autumn. Off the back of a record-breaking summer — with January the hottest month ever recorded in Australia — the good folk at the Bureau of Meteorology have released their climate outlook for the March to May period, revealing that most of the country is in for warmer days and stickier nights than we usually see at this time of year. Yep, the soupy weather is set to continue. In fact, if you call mainland Australia home, there's an 80 percent chance you'll experience autumn temperatures that are a whole lot warmer than the median. To give an idea of exactly what that all means, the average daily maximum temperature for March sits at around 24.2 degrees in Melbourne, 24.8 in Sydney and 29.1 in Brisbane. In May, it's around 16.7 degrees for Melbourne, with 19.5 for Sydney and 24.5 for Brisbane. The BOM is forecasting that we'll see warmer than that across the three months. Unfortunately for farmers, large parts of the north are looking to struggle through drier-than-average autumns, too. The southern part of the country, however, is expected to cop the usual rainfall. Looking further into the year — and getting a touch technical — the BOM's senior hydrologist, Dr Robert Pipunic, says there's a 50 percent chance of El Niño forming over the next couple of months, which is double the normal risk this time of year. This means we could see warmer-than-average temperatures and low levels of rainfall continue into winter, too. If you'd like to know more about what exactly El Niño is, and how it impacts Australia, the BOM has a whole heap of fun facts over here. NSW folk survived their second-warmest autumn on record last year, with the statewide mean temperature clocking in at 1.88 degrees hotter than the average. And let's not forget that in 2018, overall, Australia copped its third-warmest year ever. With another sweaty autumn on the way, 2019 looks well set to steal that title. Image: Mark Chew for Visit Victoria.
You've probably heard all about the power of blockchain, but we bet you didn't know cryptocurrency could get you free burgers and gelato. Well, it can (kind of). To celebrate the launch of Liven Coin (LVN), the world's first digital currency for food, Liven has teamed up with Gelato Messina and 8bit to bring you a whole month of crypto-inspired dishes. And if you're a new Liven user, you can get your hands on them for free — or discounted if you're an existing user. Available in Sydney and Melbourne until Monday, November 19, the limited-edition dishes are both creative and innovative. It allows you the opportunity to invest in LVN coin just by dining at your favourite restaurants and rewards you every time you eat out. 8bit will be serving up the Insert Coin burger with a beef patty, american cheese, smashed avo, feta and the much-loved 8bit sauce. New users can score it for free while existing users will get $5 off. Meanwhile, Gelato Messina will sling scoops of ChipOCurrency, a decadent peanut butter gelato with white chocolate and potato chips. New users can get two scoops for free and existing users get one. If one month of freebies is not enough, Liven is also giving one lucky person free gelato and burgers for 12 beautiful months — all you have to do is enter with a quick comment on this Facebook post. Good luck and happy feasting.
From November to March each year, the turtle nesting and hatching period kicks into gear along Queensland's coastline. First, the shell-wearing critters lay their eggs. Then, they wait for their young to emerge. If you're a fan of the animals, it's prime turtle-spotting season. Located within the Mon Repos Conservation Park and home to the largest population of nesting marine loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific, the Mon Repos Turtle Centre has long hosted tours during breeding season, letting turtle lovers watch nature in action. When the 2019 period commences, visitors will not only be able to see the sea-dwelling creatures come home to lay their eggs, watch their babies hatch and witness the cute infants make their first journey out to sea — they'll also be able to roam around a revamped facility. Launching in November along with this year's tours, Mon Repos Turtle Centre will unveil its $22 million renovation, with $17 million of that funding provided by the Queensland Government. While it'll get plenty of traffic during peak turtle-viewing season, the aim is to entice visitors all-year-round. To help, the refreshed centre will boast an immersive theatre room that recreates the turtle nesting experience. Attendees will take off their shoes, step onto sand and watch the process, regardless of whether they're heading on a nightly tour or just stopping by in the off-season. Other new additions include a cafe, touch screen TVs and new displays. The revamped facility will also be decked out with new interpretive signage, welcoming visitors to the region by its First Nation tribes — the Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Tarebilang and Byellee peoples. Find the Mon Repos Turtle Centre at 141 Mon Repos Road, Mon Repos from Saturday, November 9. For further details or to book tickets, visit the centre's website.
If spending two days feasting on loukoumades, souvlaki and haloumi was on your autumn agenda — enjoying Paniyiri's first full event since 2019, too — the weather comes bearing bad news. As everyone in Brisbane has noticed, it has been wet over the past week. Yes, again. And, due to the conditions, the city's beloved Greek festival is moving its dates until spring instead. Paniyiri was due to take place across Saturday, May 21–Sunday, May 22 at West End's Musgrave Park, making a proper comeback after two pandemic-interrupted years — with the 2020 event cancelled and the 2021 fest opting for a scaled-down and largely online format. But the soggy weather, including forecast rain right through until the fest's dates, has wreaked havoc. So, you'll now need to mark Saturday, October 15–Sunday, October 16 in your diary. "We are disappointed to have to make this decision, particularly for the community groups and charities who rely on Paniyiri as their major fundraiser; as well as all the vendors, sponsors, and the team behind the scenes and for all the people who were looking forward to coming to this, particularly given the last two years," said Paniyiri Organising Committee Chairman Chris Kazonis in a statement. "But the good news is, we will be back bigger and better than ever on October 15 and 16 at Musgrave Park, and we are encouraging everyone who has pre-purchased their tickets to hold onto them as they will be valid." "Unfortunately, this is the one element of an outside festival that we can't control. This decision was not made lightly and ultimately took into account patron, stallholder, talent, volunteers and staff safety given the current weather forecast," Kazonis continued. When it does return later in October, Brisbane's massive Greek fest will take over West End with quite the array of food, drink, partying and more. Yes, there's a reason that more than two million people have gone along over the years. Think: grapes to stomp, coffee to sip, olives to consume and plates to smash, plus TV stars to rub shoulders with and cooking demonstrations to watch. Food-wise, more than 20 stalls will serve up bites from 11 Greek regions, including an abundance of loukoumades, souvlaki, haloumi and barbecued calamari. If devouring as much as you can is your idea of fun, the festival's regular food contests usually keep stomachs satisfied. Then, to wash all of that down, there'll be Greek wine, Greek beer and Greek-inspired cocktails as well. Of course, it wouldn't be Paniyiri without entertainment. Dancing is always a big feature, all thanks to Greek Dancing with the Stars and the Hellenic dancers. In addition to celebrating all things Greek in Musgrave Park, Paniyiri also takes over The Greek Club — and given that it's now marking its first regular fest in more than two years, expect both venues to host one massive shindig when October rolls around. Paniyiri 2022 will now take place from Saturday, October 15–Sunday, October 16 at Musgrave Park and The Greek Club, Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane. For more information, head to the event's website.
The urge to explore can be a little tricky to satisfy in this day and age, but the desire to find something new, go somewhere different and get an adrenalin hit along the way remains. Silent UK tells the stories of urban explorers, an emerging (and international) subcultural group dedicated to delving into closed, unknown and abandoned city spaces— the derelict buildings and the drainpipes we walk past everyday. In a new short film that takes viewers into London's underground tube network, the explorers talk frankly about what motivates their adventures — the appeal of unknown places, the beauty in what others may deem ugly, and the photographic opportunities. Mostly the explorers just do it because it's fun. That, and the fact that there is also a real risk of danger, something you should give some serious thought to if you find yourself eyeing off your local drainpipe.
When it was announced that Fiji was planning to open its borders to Australian tourists back in November, you could almost hear the collective woosh of laptop lids opening as everyone went straight to travel booking websites. After a long two years without island escapes, it seems like everyone is suddenly posting pics of boarding passes and palm tree-lined pools —and we simply love to see it, as our close island neighbours need our tourism and support more than ever. Airlines have ramped up their offerings in response — when the border opening was announced, Virgin Australia was quick to restart its twice-daily return flights to Nadi from Sydney, daily return flights from Melbourne and thrice-weekly return flights from Brisbane. These days, Jetstar, Fiji Airways, Virgin and Qantas are offering direct return services. So yes, get ready for some beach pics to fill your feed. But it's fair to say we're a little out of practice with international travel, and things have changed a lot since the last time we whisked away. Whether you're heading off for some sunshine or you're considering booking in a much-needed holiday, we chatted to the crew at Tourism Fiji to find out everything you need to know about testing requirements, currency conversion, and what happens if you test positive for COVID while you're away. What are the testing requirements for travelling to and from Fiji? For fully-vaccinated travellers, there is no need to complete a pre-departure test. Instead, Fiji requires all tourists aged 12 and over to confirm they have a pre-booked RAT test to be taken anytime within 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. This can be done at a hotel or nearby testing facility — you can find more information about that here. You'll need to provide proof of your vaccine status when checking in at the airport – digital or paper certification will cover you — and for holidaymakers, medical travel insurance with international coverage that includes COVID-19 cover is required. Before returning home to Australia, you'll need to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration, which can be found here. What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 when I'm in Fiji? So, the nightmare has happened. But don't stress — there are worse places to recover from COVID than a Fijian resort. You'll be placed in isolation, where possible remaining in the room you are already in. Tourism Fiji says that occasionally resorts will put people up in a room with a private pool to wait out their isolation in their own space, while still being able to swim and relax. If travel companions are testing negative, they can choose to join the positive person in isolation or stay in their original accommodation separately — that's a fight waiting to happen if we've ever heard one. If you're still testing positive after the seven-day isolation, a medical certificate will be provided by health officers in Fiji confirming that you are no longer infectious so you can travel home freely. What are the mask-wearing protocols in Fiji? Wearing a mask is optional in Fiji but it's recommended to protect yourself and the locals – especially when in indoor spaces, on public transport, or in taxis. You'll also need to wear your mask in the airports and on the plane, except when eating or drinking. How long is the flight and do I need to prepare for jet lag? Flying from Brisbane is the quickest way to get to Fiji — the flight time is only around two-and-a-half hours. The flight time from Sydney to Nadi is approximately four hours, while Melbourne to Nadi is closer to five — have a snooze on the flight and you'll be sipping a cocktail poolside in no time. Fiji is two hours ahead of Australia (AEST), so there shouldn't be major jetlag issues. Besides, you're on island time now, so turn off those alarms. Where can I stay in Fiji? Across Fiji's 333 islands there is a range of accommodation offerings from bougie to budget. Whether you're choosing a five-star resort on a private island or a family-friendly apartment, the island nation is famous for its hospitality, so you're bound to have a great time. If you're keen to splash out, check out Concrete Playground's guide to luxe Fijian stays to splash out on. For stays a little more off-grid, check out this guide to a "less obvious" Fijian holiday. Do I need cash in local currency? What's the exchange rate? Most retailers and tourism providers take card payments and have paywave, so if you're travelling on a package tour with transfers included it's unlikely you'll need cash. But Tourism Fiji says that if you are planning on travelling by taxi you're best to keep some Fijian cash on you as most don't take a card. ATMs at Nadi airport are the best place to get cash out on arrival — you will be charged a transaction fee, so be aware it's best to get all the cash you'll need at once. And the most important question for any traveller… Do I need to bring an adapter for my wall plugs? Nope! In Fiji, the plugs and sockets are type I – the same as here in Australia. One less thing to think about when heading away. Top images: Sofitel Fiji, Six Senses Fiji
The next level of the global transport economy is fast approaching — even Down Under. First, there was news that Melbourne could be one of the first cities to test Uber's flying cars, then came the announcement of the proposed Hyperloop Transport System, which would get you from Sydney to Melbourne, or Brisbane to Sydney, in just 37 minutes. Sure, these are still a relatively distant dream, but one such technological advance is much closer than you may think — an Uber-like service with driverless electric cars, courtesy of Tesla. At a conference earlier this week, Tesla founder Elon Musk announced that the company is planning to roll out a massive fleet of one million self-driving 'robotaxis' as early as next year. These autonomous vehicles are planned to hit roads in the US by mid-2020 — regulatory approvals pending, of course. If all goes to Musk's plan, here's how it'll work: the app will function much the way all ride-sharing apps do — except the car will drive itself. The existing Tesla app will be fitted with a 'summon' option, where you'll be able to order the closest robotaxi from its stored location, and it'll drive itself over to pick you up. [caption id="attachment_718225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tesla ride-sharing app[/caption] Plus, some Telsa owners will be able to add their own car to the service, with the options to limit sharing to friends, co-workers or social media contacts. In areas where not enough share vehicles are available, Tesla will release a dedicated fleet to ensure short wait times. But what does this mean for Australia? According to the ABC, Australian transport ministers plan to have a regulation for commercial self-driving vehicles in place by next year — a neatly timed goal with Musk's ambitious roll out. So, depending on which way next month's election swings, we could soon be riding in cars with no-one at the wheel. If you're really interested, a four-hour livestream of the Tesla conference, in which Musk discusses the ride-sharing service, is available to watch here. Tesla is aiming to put one million self-driving 'robotaxis' on US roads by mid-next year, depending on regulatory approvals. In Australia, regulations for commercial autonomous vehicles are set to be in place by next year.
When Boxing Day rolls around, it'll be 15 years since the old Red Hill Skate Arena met a fiery end. Other than the brightly coloured graffiti adorning the burnt-out building's walls, the site on the corner of Musgrave Road and Enoggera Terrace has remained largely unchanged since, though plenty of redevelopment plans have been floated. If the latest goes ahead, it could see Brisbane gain yet another new cinema. A development application has been lodged for a five-screen cinema and a two-lane bowling alley, in what's proving a boom period for new movie houses across the city. The Elizabeth Picture Theatre opened in October, the new Dendy Coorparoo will follow at the end of November and Reading Cinemas Newmarket is slated to launch in December. This proposal comes courtesy of the folks behind the former, as well as New Farm Cinemas. According to documents submitted to the Brisbane City Council, the Sourris family were the owners of the original building on the site in the 1950s. They plan to resurrect its name — Red Hill Pops Theatre — as part of a project that nods to the address' history. If it gets the go-ahead, locals can expect a quintet of big screens with a total capacity of 355 seats, bowling lanes put in beneath the upper foyer, and the restoration of architectural pieces with significant cultural heritage as part of the design by James Davidson Architecture. A new metal roof will replicate the previous roof while replacing the existing open framework, while some fire-damaged aspects will be demolished. Previous ideas for the spot have included a function centre, shops and restaurants, as well as an extension of Musgrave Road's Clovely Estate Cellar Door, but none have come to fruition. Via Your Neighbourhood.
Pour yourself a white russian, pop on your favourite bathrobe and prepare to spend two hours with one of the best big-screen creations there is. No one else in the history of celluloid is quite like Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski, played with such relaxed slacker charm by Jeff Bridges that it genuinely seems as if he isn't acting. And no other filmmakers could've brought his zany (and immensely fictional) story to life like the Coen brothers, either. There's a reason that this flick has been a cult classic for more than two decades now. Actually, there are plenty — including a bowling joke that you've probably either quoted or heard multiple times, because it never gets old. If you're a newcomer to the 1998 movie, prepare for a mistaken-identity tale, with The Dude mixed up with a millionaire with the same name. Oh-so-many hijinks ensue, with the Coens firmly in offbeat crime-comedy mode, as aided by a cast that includes everyone from John Goodman and Julianne Moore to John Turturro and Steve Buscemi.
It was the decade that gave us Magic Eye pictures, the Macarena, Pokemon and Tamagotchi, too. We're talking, of course, about the 90s. The decade might've come to an end exactly 20 years ago now, but it's easy to get nostalgic about — especially in a hectic year where we're all thinking about how simple life once was. The easiest way to indulge that nostalgia? You can pop on a flannelette shirt or some Hypercolour if you like, or you can head back in time via your viewing choices. Press play on one of the big hits of the decade, and you'll be transported back to a period when a group of mates sat on an orange coffee shop couch, and when the Dude also abided. To help plan out your ultimate retro watch list, we've teamed up with streaming service Binge to highlight five beloved TV shows and movies that'll take you back to the 90s faster than a DeLorean — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
After headlining Splendour in the Grass earlier this year, The National are bringing their moody, Nick Cave-esque brand of indie rock back to Australia in February 2014. The tour kicks off in Adelaide before heading to Sydney (where they'll be performing on the Opera House forecourt), Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Given we're an island on the other side of the world, it took the New York-based band a while to make their way Down Under, but better late than never right? We've loved them doubly ever since. The National first came to Australia in 2008 to promote their fourth album, Boxer, before coming back in 2010 and 2011 for the Falls Festival and Harvest. They took a break for a few years before returning with their sixth album, Trouble Will Find Me, which is being hailed as their best to date. After appearances at several major festivals like Reading and Leeds and Lollapalooza, The National are fast building a reputation as a must-see live act. Fans can expect to hear some of their older songs, like 'Demons', 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Fake Empire' (which was controversially used in a Mitt Romney election video without their knowledge) as well as newer stuff from Trouble Will Find Me. Update 4 September: The National will perform a second and final show on the Forecourt, on Friday, 7 February, after selling out their first performance in under an hour. Tickets will go on sale at midday tomorrow, Thursday 5 September. The 2014 tour dates are: Thursday 6 February – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Saturday 8 February– Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney. Opera House pre-sale from Tuesday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Friday 30th August, 9am AEST. Sunday 9 February - Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Tuesday 11 February - Riverstage, Brisbane. Handsome Tours pre-sale from Thursday 29th August. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 3rd September, 9am AEST. Friday 14 February - Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth. Perth Festival pre sale from Thursday 7 November. General public tickets on sale Tuesday 12 November, 9am WST. For more information see the Handsome Tours website.
Normally, no one plans to go to sleep at the movies. If an uninspiring film, being in a cavernous darkened room, the comfort of recliners and daybeds, simple tiredness or any combination of the above can cause your eyes to get heavy, however, there's now a session where dozing is encouraged. More than that, having a nap is exactly what patrons are meant to do at southeast Queensland's Limelight Cinemas when its new Snooze Sessions kick off. Is this the first trip to the flicks that's all about drifting off? This chain thinks so. Its Ipswich venue initially floated the idea as an April Fool's gag, but it's now officially on the lineup, kicking off on Monday, July 14, 2025. If you hear snoring during it, well, don't be surprised. Those chaotic A Minecraft Movie screenings with "chicken jockey" screams and other mayhem that were packing cinemas earlier in 2025? Consider Snooze Sessions the exact opposite. The projectors will still get whirring, but there'll be no shouts and thrown popcorn. Also, you won't be slumbering through a big franchise hit, side-splitting comedy, affectionate rom-com or any other type of movie. Instead, relaxing visuals are on the agenda. At its first edition, Snooze Sessions is going with a rainforest theme, not just in what graces the screen but in the dialogue-free soundscape as well. Tickets cost $10 for a recliner and $20 for a double daybed — and places are limited to ensure that it truly is a restful experience Maybe this is your moviegoing dream, because picture palaces always make you sleepy. Perhaps you already know that dropping off will be impossible. Or, if you're spending cash at a cinema, you could want to actually see a film. Whatever fits, Limelight Cinemas is giving Snooze Sessions a try for a short time — and it's not joking about it.
The history and culture of Tibet is truly incredible - it is a place with such a fraught and distressing history (and present) but it continues to have a strong, rich and evolving culture. Now in its fourth year, the Festival of Tibet at the Brisbane Powerhouse is a celebration and exploration of Tibetan history, culture and life. The festival pays tribute to Tibetan heritage, which is founded on the principles of compassion and non-violence. Simultaneously the festival examines the current state of Tibet and the threats to its future. Summer Pasture, a feature length documentary telling the story of a young Tibetan family struggling to come to grips with modern life, begins the festival and following this screening there will be a traditional opening ceremony with the Tashi Lhunpo Monks of Tibet. Throughout the festival’s five days audiences can participate in yoga, meditation and workshops; view ritual dance, see exhibitions and experience traditional sand mandala as well as Tibetan music and films. World renowned activist and author Tenzin Tsundue shares his personal journey and story, and there are forums hosted spiritual leader Geshe Lobsang Jamjang as well as Dr Tsering Thakchoe from the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute. This unique event is a journey into the stories and experiences of a culture completely removed from our own, but one that speaks to and is open to all people.
Back in 2018, KFC wanted us all to relax to the sound of sizzling chicken. Over the past few years, IKEA has tried to put everyone to sleep by listening to its catalogue read aloud — and to get folks to bliss out while watching its products take a 14-day journey to Australia, too. Now, it's Lego's turn to help relieve our stresses, with the toy brand releasing a new relaxation playlist that has been created using its interlocking bricks. If that familiar clicking sound makes you feel zen, you'll be keen to give Lego's 'White Noise' tracks a whirl. If you instantly feel calmer whenever you hear a heap of bricks jumbled together, then you'll be in your element as well. The playlist runs for three and a half hours, and has just hit the company's website, as well as 15 different streaming services including Spotify and iTunes. It only uses Lego bricks, too, so everything you'll hear was made with the famed blocks. More than 10,000 pieces were used to create tracks with names like 'It All Clicks', 'The Waterfall' and 'Searching for the One (Brick)', with the full playlist spanning seven tunes that all clock in at around 30 minutes each. And yes, they do indeed sound like they've been created using Lego. Yes, if you've ever played with the bricks yourself, you already have all those sounds committed to memory. Lego has been touting its wellness credentials of late, including via its new Botanical Collection — which is designed to help adults destress, unwind and get mindful. So, it should come as little surprise that the company suggests you listen to its new playlist while you're building its latest kits. To listen to Lego's White Noise playlist, head to the company's website — or check out your streaming service of choice, such as Spotify and iTunes.
Sipping beers, standing under giant chandeliers: at the first-ever brew festival set to be held at Fortitude Music Hall, that's firmly on the agenda. The brainchild of the Range Brewing crew, this one-day event will fill the eye-catching Valley Mall venue with independent brewers for an ale of a great and boozy time — and yes, given the location, you'll be knocking back your yeasty beverages to a soundtrack. Creating the new event — which has been dubbed Juicy — Range duo Gerard Martin and Matt McIver have taken inspiration from all-inclusive brew fests overseas. So, you'll buy your ticket, get your glass and start sipping your way through all the brews on offer — without needing to worry about paying for drinks as you go. Served up in 100-millilitre tasters, there'll be more 40 specialty beers poured by 20 independent brewers. Doing the honours: Range, naturally, as well as everyone from Banks, Garage Project and Sea Legs to Wildflower, Hop Nation and Mountain Culture, with Juicy spanning not only tipples from Brisbane breweries, but also from the rest of Australia and New Zealand as well. Hitting the decks to soundtrack all that drinking are Sampology and Winston Surfshirt, as well Quivr DJs. Again, it's all happening in the exact right place for it. And to line your stomach between brews, there'll be an oyster and stout bar at The Outpost upstairs, pop-up stalls from Brissie restaurants such as Kid Curry, and also the winning combination that is steak and frites. Joining Brisbane's fast-growing lineup of food and booze festivals popping up this autumn and winter — alongside Pinot Palooza, Regional Flavours, Paniyiri and Indie Spirits Tasting, just to name a few — Juicy will run two sessions: an afternoon slot from 12–4pm and an evening one from 6–10pm. [caption id="attachment_734388" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Charlton[/caption]
If you're a fan of the Apple iPad be sure to pencil March 7, 2012 into your diaries. According to tech site iMore.com, this is the day that Apple will unveil the iPad 3 — or iPad HD. These predictions are in sync with AllThingsD's earlier report that the iPad 3 will be announced in the first week of March. In addition, Apple insider, Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, has indirectly accepted this rumoured announcement date with a solid "Yep." Citing "sources who have been reliable in the past", iMore suggests that features of the next-gen iPad are to include 4G LTE networking, a 2048 x 1536 Retina Display and a quad-core A6 processor. These are considerable upgrades when considering the current iPad 2's specs. Other circulating rumours anticipate an improved camera (either 5 or 8-megapixels), a HD front camera and the possibility of a mini 7" iPad. Considering Apple's world domination in the business of technology, one thing that's for certain is that you'll have to fight off a hoard of iPad-loving vultures before you can get your hands on Apple's newest edition to the iPad family.
If you're a Queenslander with a trip to Adelaide in your future — or vice versa — this chaotic year has just interrupted your plans. With 17 COVID-19 cases identified in the South Australian capital in the past 24 hours as part of a new cluster, the Sunshine State has declared the area a coronavirus hotspot. And, as a result, Queensland is closing its borders to the SA city. Today, Monday, November 16, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that folks from Adelaide will no longer be permitted into Queensland from 11.59pm this evening — unless they receive an exemption and then go into quarantine for 14 days. That puts the SA city in the same situation as the entirety of Victoria and all local government areas in Sydney. Noting that some folks from Adelaide will already be in Queensland — and some Queenslanders who've visited the city and then returned home recently, too — the State Government is also asking anyone who has been to Adelaide in the past seven days to get tested immediately. And, they're being asked to go into self-isolation for 14 days as well, regardless of whether they're showing any symptoms. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1328147231015280640 Not only is the growing size of the new Adelaide cluster of concern to Queensland's powers that be — expanding from four cases yesterday — but also the fact that it involves community transmission. Announcing the changes, Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said "that's a very rapid increase of cases, from four to 17, and some of those cases have been in very complex situations". Queensland will still move forward with its next stage of eased local restrictions, including relaxing caps on at-home gatherings, venue limits and public events — which are due to come into effect at 4pm on Tuesday, November 17. As always, the usual rules regarding hygiene, social distancing and getting tested if you display any possible COVID-19 symptoms all still apply throughout the state — as restrictions keep easing, and with the new border restrictions with SA. Queensland joins Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory in introducing new requirements for SA residents, or those who've visited the state. In WA and Tassie's case, both states had only just started reopening to folks from the rest of the country over the past few weeks. Victoria has also declared SA a hotspot, but isn't shutting its border — while New South Wales premier Glady Berejiklian has said that her state won't be closing to SA. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 border restrictions, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
What do you get the Gelato Messina fan who has everything, including a freezer filled with ice cream, plus gelato-inspired candles, lip balm, lube and body wash, too? The perfect kicks to don while eating gelato, thinking about gelato, going out to get gelato and wishing they had more gelato, of course. While Messina already has its own clothing line, now the sweet-treat brand is launching its first-ever range of sneakers. And, like chain's wild and wonderful gelato flavours, these shoes are a limited-edition special. After fellow Sydney-born dessert chain Tokyo Lamington teamed up with the artists at Customs Den on its own footwear earlier in 2023, Messina has now gone and done the same. This time, pairs of Nike Dunk Highs have been given a handpainted makeover, which is never a small feat. With these gelato-hued shoes, each set took between eight and ten hours' work. Gelato is obviously a wide-ranging theme — as Messina fans know, the variety of flavours that the chain scoops up is limited only by its team's imaginations — so these sneakers hone in on one of its favourites. If you adore the brand's dulce de leche gelato, as everyone who tastes it does, then you'll spot why these new shoes feature caramel and cream tones. Yes, Messina's Argentinean caramelised milk, which it makes in-house, is the colour inspiration for these multi-tone kicks. Also featured on the shoes: Messina cartoons and the company's name, so everyone will know why you're sporting some truly rare footwear. Only 100 pairs are available, all numbered from one to 100, and they unsurprisingly don't come cheap. You'll pay $700 to show your love for Messina, gelato and dulce de leche on your feet — and every one will be made bespoke for each customer. Custom Den is taking pre-sale orders now until Wednesday, May 31, unless they sell out earlier. Once you've nabbed yourself a pair, you can expect them to be delivered within six-to-eight weeks. For more information about Gelato Messina's sneakers, or to buy a pair, hit up the brand's website.
The end of October is upon us, and that means one thing: it's time to get a little evil. And what better way than to revisit the horror movie trilogy that made everyone fear cabins in the woods, be wary of dusty old books, warm to a chainsaw-wielding, shotgun-blasting hero, and take notice of director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell. Yes, we're talking about 1981's The Evil Dead, 1987's Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn and 1992's Army of Darkness (it'd really be best if we all forgot that the 2013 remake ever happened). To mark the spookiest time of the year, Palace Cinemas is treating audiences to a big-screen viewing of all three OG flicks — screening at Palace James Street at 6.30pm on Friday, October 29 and at Palace Barracks at 7pm on the same date. We know you've probably seen these movie many times before — you really should've — but there's never a bad time to return to this classic horror trio. And if your idea of an ace Halloween involves camping out in a cinema and hearing about boomsticks, even two days before the actual date, there's obviously never been a better time.
Whether you're staring at an iconic painting or making a date with an inflatable dreamscape, a great piece of art can whisk you far away from your everyday routine. Exceptional art has always done that — and that's an experience we could all use right now. Thankfully, before 2021 comes to an end, Brisbane won't be short on vibrant pieces to peer at and mosey through. On the agenda: surveying masterworks, gazing up at giant birds and scoping out glowing arches on a boat. Just remember to take a breather between each one as you hop around the city.
Discounted airfares have been quite the topic of conversation over the past year or so, as Australian airlines have endeavoured to encourage us all to explore this scenic country of ours. If we can't holiday overseas while the international border is closed, we should all make the most of our own backyards — or so the very sensible thinking goes. That said, with lockdowns and border restrictions still a regular part of pandemic-era life Down Under, holidaying within Australia isn't straightforward. But, if and when that becomes a bit easier in the coming months — with both New South Wales and Victoria set to start easing stay-at-home conditions when the two states each reach certain vaccination thresholds — enjoying an Aussie getaway will hopefully be back on the cards nationwide. And, in preparation for that becoming a reality, Virgin is hosting a five-day sale that's serving up cheap flights. Called 'Anywhere But Here', this sale has more than a million discounted fares up for grabs — but you'll need to get in quick. They went on sale today, Monday, September 6; however, they're only available until Friday, September 10 or sold out, whichever comes first. All one-way fares, the discounted economy flights cover 70 different routes. Some of the specials on offer include Sydney to Byron Bay for $49, Sydney to the Sunshine Coast for $69, Melbourne to Launceston from $49, Melbourne to the Whitsunday Coast from $139, Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $105, Brisbane to Darwin from $149, Adelaide to Melbourne from $79 and Perth to Broome from $179 (and vice versa in all cases, naturally). And, if you're wondering when you can travel — depending on lockdowns and border restrictions, of course — you can book flights for trips between October 6, 2021–June 23, 2022. Only some fares cover seat selection and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in August that it is now splitting its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights also became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin's 'Anywhere But Here' sale runs from today, Monday, September 6–Friday, September 10 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions via the Australian Government's Health Direct website.
When Australia started to get excited about Brisbane potentially hosting the 2032 Olympic Games — with the Queensland capital named as the preferred host last month — one important detail stood out. Planning for an event 11 years away is all well and good (and necessary, of course), but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics hasn't yet been held, with the Games postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. With COVID-19 case numbers still high around the world, there has been much speculation about whether the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this year, too; however, Japan is currently forging ahead with its plans. Much will likely be different about the event, which is slated to run from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8 — and a lack of overseas spectators looks set to be one of the big changes. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting that the Japanese government has decided to exclude international fans from attending both the Olympics and the Paralympics, in a bid to stop the coronavirus spreading at the event. The move is sparked by fears of more contagious variants of the coronavirus that are in circulation outside of Japan. At present, restrictions on international travellers entering the country are in place in general. Japanese officials are due to meet with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee by the end of March to make a final decision on overseas spectators, and then to decide capacity levels — including whether Japanese spectators will be permitted to attend at all, too — for the Games in April. If international spectators are banned from attending, current ticket holders that fall into that category would receive refunds. Spectators would also be banned from the opening ceremony for the torch relay, which is due to kick off on Thursday, March 25 in Fukushima. [caption id="attachment_801246" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Department for Culture, Media and Sport via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Of course, even if Japan does allow folks from overseas to travel to Tokyo to attend the Games, both Australia and New Zealand presently have international travel restrictions in effect. In Australia, a travel ban is still in place until at least mid-June, with Aussies unable to depart the nation unless they seek an exemption from Home Affairs. And in New Zealand, the government still currently advises that all New Zealanders do not travel overseas at present. For more information about the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which are due to be held from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8, 2021, head to the event's website. Via Kyodo News Agency. Top image: IOC Media.
Gone are the days when mobile phones didn't fit in anyone's pocket and Snake was the only game available; however the process of charging your trusty device hasn't changed much over the years. Cable ports might look a little different and smartphones have definitely gotten smaller, but juicing up your handset still takes the one thing we all don't have enough of: time. Well, it does at the moment — even if you have your own portable charger always sitting at the bottom of your bag, and even if you've scoped out every free charging station and spare powerpoint around town. Enter an Australian researcher who wants to make this timely chore not only quicker but instantaneous, all through the use of quantum batteries. In fact, the University of Adelaide's Dr James Quach is planning to build the world's first quantum battery, which will harness the unique properties of quantum mechanics. He's just been appointed the institution's newest Ramsay Fellow — a scheme that aims to keep local bright minds working to advance scientific research — and will now spend the next four years trying to create quantum batteries to replace the ones in everyday electronic devices. If you're wondering how it all works — and how your phone, Kindle, computer or other gadget will go from one to 100-percent charge faster than you can click your fingers — it's based on a feature of quantum mechanics called entanglement, which sees two objects sharing their individual properties. Accordingly, the more batteries that are placed together, the more powerful their charging capacity. "If one quantum battery takes one hour to charge, then two would take 30 minutes, three would take 20 minutes, and so on," Dr Quach explains. "If you had ten thousand batteries, they would all charge in less than a second." While the concept has been discussed in papers since 2013, the academic plans to "take the theory from the blackboard to the lab." More than that, the ultimate goal is to build larger quantum batteries for use beyond simply making sure your iPhone keeps buzzing. "The long-term aim is to scale up, to build bigger batteries which will support renewable energy technologies by making it possible for continuous energy supply no matter the weather conditions – rain, hail or shine," says Dr Quach.
The much anticipated Graphic Festival at the Sydney Opera House is nearly upon us. A whole weekend dedicated to anime and animation, live performances, innovative visuals, inspiring talks and, no doubt a substantial dose of fun. And Silent Comics, a mini festival within the festival, is set to be one of its highlights. Silent Comics aims to celebrate the illustrated works in their purest form, where the narrative of the comic is entirely visually driven — no captions, no text, no words. And to add to your sensory pleasure, they have asked some seriously talented local and international musicians to come to the party too. Comics by artists such as Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat), Jim Woodring (Frank), Peter Kuper (Spy vs Spy) and Nathan Jurevisius (Scarygirl), will be accompanied by ten minute sets of brand new music by Gotye, Plaid, Seekae, FourPlay, Captain Matchbox and Darth Vegas, in what is sure to be Sunday afternoon of visual and auditory goodness. For a chance to win one of five double passes to Silent Comic, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
The planned construction of anything 'bold, provocative and edgy' seems innately destined for failure — the aforementioned buzzwords, particularly when used in quick succession, conjure up images of middle-aged, fat-cat executives chain smoking cigars around a boardroom table or, worse still, mid-life crisis Mum trying with thinly veiled desperation to shake it with her 20-something-year-old daughters. In short, not an uplifting portrait. It could be argued that SBS2's recent youth-targeted makeover, which saw the digital channel relaunch on April 1 in a bid to ensnare a specific 16-to-39-year-old demographic, is destined to go the way of other 'cool, hip' initiatives that sadly end up being neither of the two. What Even Is Emerging Culture? By attempting to reach 'young people' as an isolated bracket, SBS2 have been criticised for assuming that age is an effective means by which to categorise and target the behaviours of viewers. Admittedly, if shows like Network Ten's Being Lara Bingle and The Shire are indicative of what Gen-Y supposedly wants, it would appear that young people people are in fact the dullest, worst kind of viewer and, more widely, human. What's different about SBS2's approach is the diversity of their programming — already popular offerings like US comedy series Community and gritty drama Skins feature alongside A-League football coverage, Japanese game shows and documentaries on everything from the truth about smoking marijuana to a history of controversial sex in cinema. The breadth of subject matter covered suggests that SBS2 is not targeted at some imagined, specific breed of young person with a narrow, mundane sphere of interest; it's an attempt to engage a younger but no less intelligent consumer in a meaningful way. Facilitating Your Binge A particularly interesting component of the new SBS2 is the Back 2 Back feature, where after the first episode of a series has screened on free to air, viewers can watch the entire season of some shows via SBS On Demand. A response to what Tony Iffland, SBS's director of TV and online content , calls 'binge watching' the feature allows viewers the kind of total control over their viewing habits that most of us have been enjoying since we learnt how to illegally download content (everybody does it but nobody talks about it). While the idea of huddling around the box once a week for a single episode of one's personal brand of entertainment crack might provide great fodder for water-cooler banter the next day at the office, in today's fast-paced media landscape the notion seems as quaint and outmoded as listening to the wireless, yet most traditional TV networks still privilege this lost model, for lack of another way. News for the Attention-Challenged Another of SBS2's responses to changing media consumption habits is the addition of a 15-minute news bulletin with 30-second headlines, which offers a time-poor alternative to the increasingly archaic traditional news bulletin. Although this opens up a contentious debate about the dangers of pandering to rapidly shrinking attention spans, it seems that regardless of such protestations, behavioural and attitudinal changes are inevitable. If this is the case, fast news is still better than none at all, right? SBS Is Your Friend Where, as a 'young person' your natural reaction might be to boldly and feverishly reject any initiative that attempts to examine, categorise and subsequently cater to your complex needs and desires in a collective way, it's important to remember who the one doing the talking is. SBS isn't he dreaded man — they're an independent, underfunded TV channel, committed to providing high-quality, culturally relevant media to all Australians regardless of geography, background, language skills and, indeed, age. Seven billion stories and counting, only now some of those are digital, on demand and ready for your binging pleasure, 'bold, provocative and edgy', or otherwise.
Overseas travel is at the top of many Australian bucket lists right now. And if you're the kind of traveller who prefers fewer stopovers, there's some exciting news on the horizon from Qantas. Dubbed Project Sunrise, the Australian airline has unveiled plans to introduce a fleet of twelve Airbus A350s, which are all capable of flying direct from Australia to London and New York. Direct flights are currently available from Darwin to London, however, for those on the east coast of Australia, this still means factoring in a layover to your journey. Qantas has announced that with these new aircrafts, direct flights will be available from the east coast as well, starting with Sydney-to-London and Sydney-to-New York flights in late 2025. Qantas first toyed with the idea of direct flights from Australia's east coast to New York and London back in 2017, however after two trial flights in 2019 decided to delay the decision. "The A350 and Project Sunrise will make any city just one flight away from Australia," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. "It's the last frontier and the final fix for the tyranny of distance." With time in the air set to exceed the current 18-hour flight time of the Darwin-to-London route, the new aircrafts are also being designed with comfort in mind. The A350-1000s will carry 239 passengers compared to other airlines' average of 300 passengers, and will feature a designated comfort zone in the middle of the cabin where people can stretch their legs. [caption id="attachment_852120" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A350 wellness zone render[/caption] Alongside this announcement, Qantas has also revealed it will add 40 new A321XLRs and A220 aircrafts to its domestic fleet late next year. These new planes will gradually replace the Boeing 737s and 717s as they are retired. "The A320s and A220s will become the backbone of our domestic fleet for the next 20 years, helping to keep this country moving," continued Joyce. According to Qantas, this new fleet of aircrafts will create over 1000 jobs and Joyce says the aircrafts will help reduce emissions "by at least 15 per cent if running on fossil fuels, and significantly better when run on Sustainable Aviation Fuel". This will play a role in Qantas' commitment that it made in 2019 to reach net-zero by 2050. If you fly Qantas regularly and you're committed to sustainability, you can also sign up for its Green Tier rewards program which unlocks rewards and benefits to customers who complete at least five sustainable activities across six areas in their lives. Qantas' direct flights from Sydney to London and Sydney to New York are set to take to the air in late 2025. For more information, head to the Qantas website. Images: Qantas
Thinking about UK cinema's biggest names brings a wealth of famous talents to mind. Odds are that they're on the 2023 British Film Festival program in one way or another. When the Australia-wide cinema celebration returns for its latest tour, it'll do so with Olivia Colman's latest movie, Ian McKellen's as well, what might be Michael Caine's final role and an Alfred Hitchcock documentary. Ken Loach, Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Richard E Grant, Timothy Spall, Helena Bonham Carter, Gemma Arterton, Maggie Smith: they're all covered, too. In total, 28 films are on the British Film Festival's 2023 lineup, including both brand-new flicks and retrospective screenings. Audiences can see the results throughout November, with the festival kicking off on Thursday, November 2 in Brisbane — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street — and keeping its projectors whirring for four weeks until Wednesday, November 29. Opening night's One Life will begin the 2023 fest, with the Hopkins (The Son)-starring biopic coming to Australia after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival. It tells the tale of Sir Nicholas Winton, whose World War II story includes assisting in the rescue of hundreds of Jewish children, earning him the label of the 'British Schindler'. Johnny Flynn (Operation Mincemeat) plays the humanitarian in his younger years, with Bonham Carter (Nolly) also co-starring. Still on BFF's big festival slots, the Colman- (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking)-led Wicked Little Letters will close out the 2023 event. The two actors reunite after both featuring in The Lost Daughter, although this time they aren't playing the same character. Instead, they're in a mystery-comedy that's based on a real-life scandal dating back 100 years And, playing as BFF's centrepiece is The Critic, which is where McKellan (Cats) and Arterton (Funny Woman) come in, and Mark Strong (Tár), Lesley Manville (The Crown) and Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as well. As the name makes plain, it does involve a critic — a theatre specialist, in a whodunnit that's based on the novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn. Also a huge inclusion: My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock, the new documentary from The Story of Film's Mark Cousins. This time, the filmmaker turns his meticulous attention to a director like no other, and to plenty of suspense, including featuring footage from the bulk of Hitchcock's classic films. Among the other highlights, war veteran tale The Great Escaper could be Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance; The Old Oak marks the latest from iconic filmmaker Loach (I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You); The Lesson features Grant (Persuasion), Julie Delpy (On the Verge) and Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) in a literary thriller; and musical Greatest Days features Take That's songs. Or, there's Sweet Sue from Leo Leigh, son of Peterloo and Mr Turner director Mike Leigh; the Irish village-set In the Land of Saints and Sinners, which features Neeson (Retribution), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones, and also Sex Education); Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First, with Gabriel Byrne (War of the Worlds) as the playwright; Golda, starring Mirren (Barbie) as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir; Mad About the Boy, a doco about Noël Coward; and Pretty Red Dress, which is set to the songs of Tina Turner. Plus, fans of movies about music can add Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis), which hails from Control's Anton Corbijn and hones in on the titular photo-design company and its contribution to record cover art, to their BFF schedule. And, among the retrospective titles, the Mirren-starring Caligula, rock opera Tommy and drama Howard's End are all playing in 4K restorations — with Smith's (The Miracle Club) Oscar-winning performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, plus The Remains of the Day, Women in Love and Morgan — A Suitable Case for Treatment also on the classics list.
Just over a year ago Thee Oh Sees came to Australia to play Melbourne's Sugar Mountain Festival and sell out Sydney's Annandale Hotel. If you a) missed out on a ticket, b) got kicked in the head by a rogue crowd surfer and can't remember most of the show or c) had your eardrums ruptured and couldn't hear most of the show then don't stress, because they're coming back this month. The San Francisco band are known for having a sound that is difficult to pin down and a live performance best described as cacophonous. Frontman John Dwyer has been consumed by music for over 25 years and finds inspiration in everything from Dracula to Donald Duck. How he soaks those up and spits them out in the form of such moshable rock 'n' roll anthems I don't know, but maybe the huge range of and genres he draws from is why these tracks are so raw and harmonious simultaneously.
If you think you don't know who Cody ChesnuTT is, then you will be pleased to learn that you are wrong. He is the soulful singer of the incredibly catchy 'Look Good In Leather', one of many brilliant songs from his debut album, The Headphone Masterpiece. The Roots (you will know them) also reworked ChesnuTT's song 'The Seed' for their famous album Phrenology. Since then it has been a long time between drinks — Australia last saw ChesnuTT in 2006. Thankfully, though, he is back with his second studio album and an Australian tour. Landing on a Hundred was released late last year and is well worth seeing performed live. In fact, anyone compared to music legends Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Jimmy Hendrix and Prince is worth seeing, especially for under $50. So hand over a gold note, get your change and enjoy an evening of musical artistry. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8iTRRkOXIoI
Every autumn, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the Eta Aquarids are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Eta Aquarids annually. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Tuesday, May 7 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse. WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Tuesday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 30 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. WHERE TO SEE IT Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. So, if you're living in the city, it could be time for a last minute trip to a clear-skied camping spot. The trick is to get as far away from light pollution as possible. For Sydneysiders who don't mind a long drive, this could mean a trip to the far south coast. We reckon Picnic Point campsite in Mimosa Rocks National Park might be a winner. Or, if that sounds too far away, Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay is pretty light-free. Alternatively, head west — after all, you'd be hard pressed to find better views than at The Dish, just outside of Parkes or at Australia's only Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran. Melburnians might consider a journey to Wilsons Promontory or along the Great Ocean Road, as far as Killarney Beach. For somewhere closer, there's Heathcote, which is just a 90-minute drive from the city, but is an excellent vantage point. For a real escape, head to Snake Valley in the central west, where there's hardly a light in sight. For a quick trip out of Brisbane, try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wivenhoe or Lake Somerset, which are all rather dark, considering their proximity to the city. If you have a bit more time, head two-and-a-half hours' west to Leyburn, which has some of the busiest skies in Queensland, or eight hours' west to the tiny town of Charleville in the outback. HOW TO SEE IT The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Eta Aquarii, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. If you struggle to get out of bed, NASA Apart from that, wear warm clothes, take snacks and be patient. Happy stargazing.
Self-sufficiency is not simply an environmental goal but an all-consuming way of life for Spanish design company, Elii Studio. With their brilliant new invention — the Jane Fonda Kit House — these Mediterranean innovators have created an experimental home powered almost entirely through that most futuristic of technologies: human movement. The concept itself is startlingly simple. The house, which resembles something between a DIY greenhouse and an M.C. Escher design, is fitted with a number of low-tech exercise devices hooked up to some pretty high-tech generators. Every time you punch out some sit-ups, jump on the exercise bike or even water the plants, these generators convert your kinetic energy into energy that can be used to power your household appliances. Thus, the fitter you get get yourself, the more episodes of Game of Thrones you can watch. While JF-Kit may certainly isn't for everyone, if you're the kind of person who likes to put their fitness first and likes to keep energy expenses to a minimum, then this might just be future-you's perfect home. Via Inhabitat
They're red, sweet and juicy — and they're everyone's favourite fruit. They're also grown in abundance around Queensland. Did you know that 40 percent of the state's strawberries come from the Moreton Bay region? Well, you do now — and you might just want to celebrate that fact. All you need to do is head on over to Sandstone Point from 10am on Saturday, September 10 for the returning Strawberry and Dessert Festival. Because you can never have too much of a good thing, this Sandstone Point Hotel event will paint the pub pink with farm-fresh strawberries — and strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, scones with strawberry jam and chocolate-coated strawberries are all usually on the menu. So is a strawberry-eating competition, plus a bar serving strawberry-flavoured cocktails. As you might've noticed, this isn't just a strawberry festival. It's a showcase of many a sweet treat as well. Basically, arrive hungry — and wear something stretchy — as you prepare to devour desserts aplenty. Also on the lineup: cooking demonstrations, spanning strawberries and desserts; dessert cocktail-making demos as well; and live tunes and fireworks. Images: Sandstone Point Hotel.
It's Groundhog Day The Musical — and it's finally making its way to the Australian stages ten years after it was first announced. Back in 2014, Australian comedian, musician, actor and writer Tim Minchin (Upright) revealed that he was making a song-filled onstage version of the Bill Murray-starring classic comedy. Then, the end result premiered in London in 2016. Next came Broadway in 2017, with 2024 marking Australia's turn. Prepare for plenty of déjà vu in Melbourne from January. Feeling like you've been there and seen this comes with the territory with this production, of course, given that that's what the story is all about. Obviously, you've probably seen the film. In fact, you've likely done so more than once. Still, when Groundhog Day The Musical hits Princess Theatre from Wednesday, January 24–Sunday, April 21, 2024, this'll be Aussie theatregoers' first chance to catch the stage show on home soil. The tale remains the same, with Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Connors tasked with travelling to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day event — and none too happy about it, oozing cynicism as everyone else around him embraces the occasion. After a cantankerous day, he wakes up the next morning to find that everything is repeating again. And, that's how every day continues, no matter what he does or how he tries to tinker with the cycling routine. On the big screen (and on VHS and streaming queues since), the result proved hilarious, and also one of Murray's best-ever roles. For the stage iteration, Minchin teamed up with screenwriter Danny Rubin — who originally co-wrote Groundhog Day's movie script and won a BAFTA in the process — plus Minchin's Matilda The Musical director Matthew Warchus. Their theatre efforts earned Groundhog Day The Musical Tony Award nominations, as well Olivier Award wins for Best New Musical and Best Actor. Yes, Groundhog Day The Musical's Australian-premiere season runs across Groundhog Day itself, aka February 2. Yes, you can listen to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe' on repeat now to celebrate. And yes, like the musical version of Matilda, this'll likely return to the big screen at some point — but after the Melbourne season. Groundhog Day The Musical comes Down Under exclusive to the Victorian capital — and if you're wondering who'll step into Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) shoes, and Andie MacDowell's (Maid) as Phil's producer Rita Hanson, too, the cast for the show's Australian run hasn't yet been announced. "I have waited seven years for this moment! Groundhog Day The Musical, like Matilda The Musical, has a unique mixture of darkness and light, of head and heart, and of complexity and joy, and I've been convinced since its first iteration that Australians will love it!" said Minchin, announcing the Aussie premiere. "I'm so excited that the run is going to be in Melbourne, the city I lived in when I wrote my breakout comedy shows, and the place where — when things weren't going so well — I learned how important it is to find the beauty and hope in the day to day." "Following its celebrated run at London's Old Vic Theatre, where it broke all box office records, I couldn't be happier to be bringing Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin's musical masterpiece to the Princess Theatre in Melbourne (coincidentally, the very venue which was home to Matilda back in 2016)," added Warchus. "Groundhog Day The Musical, I know, will surprise many people. Perhaps the most joy-filled show I have ever directed, this magical tale of redemption somehow manages to be both a truly hilarious romantic comedy and a profoundly moving and inspiring message of hope. I love the original movie and I love this adaptation. It inspires us to be the best possible versions of ourselves, to break free of our repetitive gloom and to learn how to love life. All that plus a rodent who predicts the weather... what more could you ask for?" Check out the trailer for Groundhog Day The Musical below: Groundhog Day The Musical will premiere at Princess Theatre, 163 Spring Street, Melbourne from Wednesday, January 24–Sunday, April 21, 2024, with tickets on sale from 9am on Friday, October 6 — head to the production's website for further details and to join the ticket waitlist.
The Salvation Project is a dramatic musical performed by an amazing group of Griffith University Applied Theatre students, reportedly confronting and enthralling at the same time. Bringing together conflicting images by juxtaposing beauty and savagery, this theatrical production touches on White Australia's relationship with the Australian landscape and its future. Exploring the blood-soaked soil of our distant past, The Salvation Project aims to reveal the possibilities of the future, and determine what is destined for Australia in the heat-haze of the horizon. The Salvation Project is conceptualised and directed by Linda Hassall.
Eight years after she last toured Australia in 2005, nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones will bring her soulful blend of country and folk-tinged jazz pop back here this February. Defying everyone who ascribed her success to genetics (she's not only gorgeous but the daughter of recently deceased sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who she collected a posthumous Grammy for just last Sunday), Jones achieved massive critical success with 2002's Come Away With Me and followed it up with 2004's Feels Like Home. Both albums were an addictive blend of jazz and pop that marked a fresh direction for Blue Note Records, the New York jazz label she released them on. Last year Jones clawed her way back to media darling status with the Danger Mouse-produced Little Broken Hearts, the first album since 2009's The Fall. This new offering mixes her smoky vocals with a comparatively uptempo beat and darker themes, "Miriam" even painting her as a murderous lover, but it's still family-friendly. By that we simply mean it defies generations, which in turn means competition for tickets will be that much tougher. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MZgkClKE6hQ
Brisbanites, if you were planning to eat a variety of foods on sticks and tuck into mango sorbet crepes in the very near future, we have bad news. Those things will still happen, but not when you were expecting — because the 2021 Brisbane Night Noodle Markets have just been postponed. The event was due to run from Wednesday, July 21–Sunday, August 1, this time taking place at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens — a new venue for this year. The full vendor and food lineup had already been announced, in fact; however, as we've all gotten used to over the past year and a half, the pandemic has scuppered the event's plans for now. With many of the Night Noodle Markets' vendors based in New South Wales — and with Greater Sydney's lockdown ongoing, and travel and quarantine restrictions in place for folks heading north from Sydney to Queensland — the Night Noodle Markets aren't able to go ahead at present. Instead, the Good Food Month staple will take place at another time this year. Those new dates haven't been announced as yet, so you'll need to wait to find out exactly when you can hit up a hawker-style array of stalls slinging all manner of dishes. Fingers crossed that the already-announced culinary lineup will still make its way to Brisbane once new dates are revealed. In total, 17 stallholders were headed our way, including returning favourites such as Hoy Pinoy, Bao Brothers, Bangkok Street Food, Donburi Station and Gelato Messina. All other Good Food Month events are still going ahead as planned, so your stomach won't completely miss out this month. The 2021 Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will no longer take place at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from Wednesday, July 21–Sunday, August 1. New dates will be revealed in the near future — we'll update you when they're announced.
Why are we so quick to dub certain books 'unfilmable'? After dozens of so-called-unfilmable film adaptations, maybe it's time to stop doubting the ability of screenwriters and directors to translate written expression to visual. Sometimes these unfilmable films are among the most exciting cinematic adventures of all, having to be inventive in a way that defies our expectations. Among unfilmable books, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell surely takes the cake, so let's resolve to be excited rather than plain old dubious that mind-fuck virtuosos the Wachowskis (The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) are tackling it. The novel is set across time, from the Colonial Pacific to a circularly primitive future, and follows the exploits of several people who have basically nothing to do with each other. It's always told in the language and point of view of the character currently in focus — among them, an intrepid reporter, a precocious composer, and a woman genetically engineered for a life in hospitality — and constantly undermines conventional narrative structure by ripping us out of a story just when it's picking up pace. It's also a completely intoxicating read that was nominated for the 2004 Booker Prize. Tykwer and the Wachowskis are clearly aiming for greatness here, but they don't make it, and that leaves the unorthodox film open to savagery from many angles, far more than it deserves. Even at three hours, it's not a difficult watch, as the thickly intercut stories are individually intriguing and easy to distinguish. The editing involved in Cloud Atlas is a real marvel, actually. I'm picturing some obsessive Gollum (actually Alexander Berner) emerging from the editing suite with scurvy and a hunchback after months of toil. It's this intricate editing that subtly pulls the film along, so that the appearance of an actor in one time cuts to their transformed face in another and the mention of a door will in the next vignette open a gate. One of the best elements of the film is how it turns the 'actor playing multiple roles' trope from a novelty into an art. Although the message of the book and film is ambiguous, the idea of recurrence and of us having traceable connections to distant times is a major theme. The filmmakers are able to give vivid expression to that idea by having actors take on several characters, often across gender and race. Some critics have accused the film of racism for its use of yellow-face, but to do so seems sensationalist when you see how much thought, awareness, and purpose has gone into the portrayal of race. It's basically the point of the movie. On top of that, the prosthetics are awe-inspiring, and it's worth watching the credits just to see which unrecognisable appearances from Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw, Doona Bae, Hugh Grant, Keith David, Xun Zhou, and others passed you by. Some of the other mise en scene, however, is surprisingly forgettable given the filmmakers; one of their futures looks pretty much like Bladerunner. The other big problem for the film is that, as it builds to its breathless, hypercutting crescendo, it looks a bit like cloying Western mysticism, if not all-out schmaltz. Resist falling into this vortex and you might enjoy the personal reading you take out of Cloud Atlas's ambiguous melting pot. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ByehYal_cCs
