Uber is expanding its services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with new high-end and cost-effective ride options. Launched June 1, the new uberXL service is targeted at groups of up to six people. When requested, users will be picked up in an SUV or van, such as a Toyota Highlander, a Ford Explorer or a Nissan Quest. Alternatively, if you're looking for something a little bit swankier — but aren't keen to break the bank on uberBLACK — you can now order uberSELECT and connect with a driver in an upscale vehicle like an Audi A3, a BMW 3 series or a Lexus RX. Both uberXL and uberSELECT will be charged at 1.5x the cost of an uberX — although especially in the case of the uberXL, that's still a damn sight cheaper than you and your mates ordering two separate cars. In less exciting news, the ridesharing service is introducing a flat 55c booking fee on all rides, and is also raising the minimum fare rate in Sydney ($8 to $9) Melbourne ($6 to $7.50) and Brisbane ($6 to $7.50). "Following our recent roundtable listening discussions with driver-partners, we heard that an important improvement Uber could make to the driving experience would be increasing the minimum fare," said an Uber spokesperson. The booking fee, meanwhile, will be used to assist with "the operational costs associated with providing a ridesharing service."
Baz Luhrmann, the internet's current poster boy for excess and anal-retentiveness, thinks so. It came as no surprise to the millions of die-hard Gatsby fans that the bloke who made Moulin Rouge! (and oh did that film earn it's exclamation mark) and this scene was going to make something bordering on the bombastic and the flamboyantly camp. And with the film already finding itself in the firing line for its "flimsy phantasmagoria" and resemblance to a "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as staged by Liberace", it seems fair to say that The Great Gatsbywill fit like a glove within Luhrmann's filmography. Yet for a man that seems to have spent his career baulking at the notion of "subtlety", Luhrmann is capable of some surprising poignancy. Take for instance this little gem taken straight from the horse's mouth, about his decision to employ walking billboard and hip hop demigod Jay-Z as his soundtrack producer: "In our age, the energy of jazz is caught in the energy of hip hop." In vintage Luhrmann style, Baz has taken this assumption to its most extreme realisation, with a soundtrack that includes the likes of Fergie, Andre 3000, Nero and (cue the sounds of a thousand sinking hearts) will.i.am. But is Luhrmann onto something here? Is hip-hop the 21st Century equivalent of jazz music? In a recent Flavorwire article, Tom Hawking answered this question with a resounding 'oh hell yeah'. He argued that regardless of what you may think of the quality of the film's music, the soundtrack manages to encapsulate what an extravagant Gatsby party might actually feel like if it was thrown today — completely overblown, obsessed with its own sense of retro-ness and filled with the sort of mega-sized beats that are sure to get any self-respecting 19-year-old gyrating. There are some other obvious parallels between F. Scott Fitzgerald's jazz age and Luhrmann's hip-hop generation. Most notably, both these musical styles are deeply rooted in black culture and history, originating in the clubs, ghettoes and basements of Harlem and the Bronx. Yet from these humble beginnings, both jazz and hip hop have suffered a similar process of bastardisation, transforming from black cultural icons, into packageable, mass-producible commodities that rich white folk can consume. And it is here that Luhrmann might be right on the money. Not only has Luhrmann's soundtrack got all the hallmarks of a cashed-up, Long Island party but it has all the vapidity and disposability of such a party as well. Take for instance Beyonce and Andre 3000's aping of Amy Winehouse's darkly melancholic 'Back to Black' into an overproduced mess of showy vocals and grizzly bass lines. In this song alone we have both the success and failure of the soundtrack all contained in one. While the song is initially gratifying, it is ultimately empty and insubstantial. And this is exactly what Gatsby taught us about the opulence and decadence of the jazz age. It was beautiful and incredibly intriguing but ultimately fleeting and meaningless. The perfect analogy for what Fitzgerald saw as the great American lie: the American Dream. As such, The Great Gatsby soundtrack is big, it's bold and it's infrequently magnificent (Jack White's cover of U2's 'Love Is Blindness' manages to grip at your nerve ends and give them a toe-curling squeeze) but just as often it is just plain dumb. So in answer to our original question, is hip hop the 21st-century equivalent to jazz music? Yeah, Jay-Z may be the closest thing we have to a modern-day Jay Gatsby, but in a much darker vein perhaps it is the decline of these genres from cultural icons to products of a commercialised and materialistic society that makes them so alike. How very Gatsby that is. https://youtube.com/watch?v=5snA5TEse9w
Ever wish your sneakers smelt more like roses after a long sweaty run? Le Coq Sportif aren't making any technology-defying promises, but they have certainly been inspired by the classic perennial in their new, limited-edition running shoe, the Eclat Rose EXD. It's the tenth anniversary of Barcelona's sneaker store Limiteditions and to celebrate, the French sports style experts at Le Coq Sportif decided it was time to revitalise the original 1985 Eclat classic with a Barcelonian motif. Complementing rich red and pink hues with woody greens and browns, the Eclat Rose EXD is indeed reminiscent of a rose, symbolising the city of Barcelona. Made from waterproof nubuck, it has a quick lacing system, supportive sole bands and comfy freeform insoles. This unique design is only available locally at Up There in Melbourne and Highs and Lows in Perth. But thanks to Le Coq Sportif, we have two pairs of the limited edition Eclat Rose EXD (retail price is $159.95) to give away — one size 43 and one size 45. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and email us with your name, address and preferred size. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Image: "The Kiss" by Pablo Picasso in the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. REUTERS/David Gray The Art Gallery of New South Wales is among six Australian galleries to share their collections with the online community via Google Art Project. The project, launched last year, allows art enthusiasts to view the great artistic works of the world, all from the convenience of their computer screen. The Art Gallery of NSW has now launched 415 of its most notable works, including a wide sampling drawn from every aspect of its collection. Included are works from the gallery's Australian, Indigenous, Asian and European collections. All of the pieces are featured in incredible high-resolution detail, revealing brushwork and other elements that are undetectable by the naked eye. 250 of these works are accessible through the website's 3D gallery walkthrough. "To think," says Anne Flanagan, acting direction of the Art Gallery of NSW, "that while a person here at the Gallery is viewing a work, someone else, anywhere in the world, can also be viewing the same work with such crystal-clear definition." Other participating Australian galleries include the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Museum, and Griffith University's Rock Art Research Centre. They have joined the efforts of 151 cultural institutions in 40 countries, under Google, to transform the art-viewing process, and to make fine art universally accessible.
Keen on all things innovative when it comes to technology and culture? Suffer from pangs of envy when SXSW kicks off on the other side of the planet each March? Jetting around the world to get your fix mightn't be realistic; however, thanks to Brisbane's newest festival, it's no longer necessary. Say hello to Myriad. Coming to Brisbane Powerhouse from March 29 to 31, Myriad might be in its first year, but that hasn't stopped the fest from going big. More than 100 speakers from over 20 different countries will ponder the future of culture, health, money, cities, and work and play — aka the event's five key themes — with more than 2000 people expected to head along to listen. Still playing the numbers game, more than 100 startups and 75 investors will be represented at the kind of gathering that aims to bring technology's best and brightest together in the one place. As for what everyone will be chatting about, topics include the intersection of fashion, robotics and technology; future business trends such as shaking hands with robots (yes, expect to hear robots come up quite often); tech advancements everywhere from Estonia to Chile; 3D-printed body organs; things that you can learn from Spotify and Tinder; drones; and the future of sex (you know that robots will get a mention here too). In addition to the discussion component of the program, Myriad also features a variety of interactive experiences, such as an art exhibition that explores sexual violence and women's rights through augmented reality, an exclusive V8 racing installation, and a series of collaborations with fellow Brissie fest BIGSOUND. That might sound like a massive amount of interesting pieces all jammed into two and a half bustling days; however consider organisers and Myriad cofounders Murray Galbraith and Martin Talvari up to the task. Galbraith was behind Melbourne's Pause Fest in 2015, while Talvari was formerly one of the guiding hands at Slush, the Helsinki startup event with more than 17,500 attendees. Myriad takes place at Brisbane Powerhouse from March 29 to 31, 2017. For more information, visit the festival website.
The Mornington Peninsula is now home to a gluten-free brewpub thanks to Twøbays Brewing, which opened the doors to its Dromana taproom in December 2018. The public tasting room is set amongst the production brewery, which began operation in 2017. It's stainless steel tanks are visible from the brewpub side, and the entire facility overlooks the picturesque Arthur's Seat. Founder and beer enthusiast Richard Jeffares was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2016 and became inspired by similar gluten-free taprooms found in The States. Jeffares signed on head brewer Andrew Gow, who's resumé boasts 20 years in the business, including at Mornington Peninsula Brewery, Mountain Goat and Five Islands in Sydney's Wollongong. While most beers use gluten-containing malted barley, Twøbays instead uses gluten-free millet, rice and buckwheat — imported from Colorado and California — in all its beers. The brewpub has launched with a range of seven core and specialty tap beers, including an easy-drinking pale ale; an English-style extra special bitter dubbed Local Knowledge; Gose Against, a German-style gose brewed with coriander, salt and lime; and a mid-strength ale called Little Arthur. To try a few at once, patrons can nab a four-pony tasting paddle. Apart from brews, there's locally produced Quealy wine and Ten Sixty One cider to enjoy. And, adding to theme, there's also a woodfired oven slinging gluten-free pizza. The taproom is a cash-free environment, though, so make sure you come with card in hand. Twøbays also sells its pale ale and IPA online — both of which are endorsed by Coeliac Australia. If you're a keen home-brewer, Twøbays is already selling and shipping its gluten-free brew packs and malts across Australia. Find Twøbays Brewing Co at Unit 1, 2 Trewhitt Court, Dromana, Victoria. Opening hours are Friday from 3–8pm, Saturday from 12–6pm and Sunday from 12–5pm. Updated: June 3, 2019.
In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron describes meeting people who are concerned about being too old to start learning an artistic pursuit. Her answer to the question, ‘But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really write or play an instrument or act?’ is ‘The same age you’ll be if you don’t learn to play at all.’ Hal Lasko is one artist who sees age as no barrier. Having just turned 98, and diagnosed as legally blind, he spends ten hours a day painting with Windows 95’s Microsoft Paint program. This year has seen his debut exhibition, and according to Colossal, his work has been described as a 'collision of pointillism and 8-bit art'. An array of pieces is available for sale online. Affectionately nicknamed Grandpa, Lasko was born in Taledo, Ohio, on July 28, 1915. After commencing work as a graphic designer, he was called to draft directional and weather maps for bombing raids during the Second World War. Once the bombing stopped, he returned to design, working for the likes of General Tire, The Cleveland Browns, Goodyear and American Greetings. Evenings would be spent painting. However, it wasn’t until retirement that Lasko could find enough time to focus entirely on art. And he was in his late 80s before he learnt how to use Microsoft Paint. Vision loss came in 2005, with the onset of wet macular degeneration. In the video below, documentary maker Josh Bogdan takes a journey through Lasko’s creative world. [via Mashable]
Since Netflix officially launched in Australia back in 2015, their buffet of streaming movies and TV shows has lacked one thing: new original local content. Indeed, it took more than two years for the popular SVOD platform to finally announce that they're making their first Aussie series — and, if the Australian government has anything to do with it, there'll be much more where that came from. During a government enquiry into the sustainability of the film and television industry, Department of Communications content head Carolyn Patteson revealed that the department is looking into quotas for Aussie content on streaming platforms. "We recognise that the system we currently have in place is probably not contemporary for our environment, and what we're really starting to grapple with is the online space," she advised. Just how much Australian programming could be required is yet to be discussed; however, under similar quotas for TV networks, local commercial free-to-air television stations must show a minimum of 55 per cent on their main channels between 6am and midnight. Further sub-quotas apply to Australian drama, documentary and kids' programs. A similar idea has been floated in Europe, with a figure of 20 per cent suggested. In the interim, in addition to their recently announced supernatural crime drama series Tidelands, Netflix has also co-commissioned new comedy series The Letdown with the ABC — their third local collaboration after the second season of Glitch and Monkey Magic reboot The Legend Of Monkey. Over at Stan, No Activity and Wolf Creek have flown the flag for local content on the Australian platform so far, with four new shows currently in the works, as well as feature film The Second. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
The festive season is upon us, again, which means that Christmas shopping is about to become everyone's favourite pastime. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift, either for your loved ones or yourself — or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. Returning for another year from 6.30–10pm on Friday, November 29, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix — more than 180 of them, in fact. Prepare to tuck into festive treats, too (because you'll need to eat while you browse), as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland, with the decorations, carols and workshops to prove it. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer.
In these cutthroat days of citizen journalism, a single tweet can obliterate a career. Just ask all these people. That which has been posted — and shared 20,000 times — cannot be unposted. And whether you were drunk, feeling sorry for yourself, on some kind of weird ego trip (Anthony Weiner = Carlos Danger?), really bad at conveying irony, genuinely misunderstood or just plain stupid when you penned the fatal line, excuses aren’t likely to get you out of hot water. Precedent suggests that neither your employer nor the angry mob is likely to be too easily persuaded. But if your most ill-thought-through posts are still buried deep in your feed, rather than across the front page of the Daily Mail, there’s hope. A new app by the name of Clear can burrow into your social media past, analyse your history and flag posts that seem inflammatory or offensive. Based on a mix of miraculous algorithms and Watson, a supercomputer created by IBM, the app works on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Clear’s creator is a man who’s name you might have seen in the headlines. Earlier this year, EthanCzahor was working on a campaign for Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and possible 2015 presidentialcandidate, when a flurry of old tweets appeared out of thecyber-ether. One read, “Most people don’t know that Halloween is German for ‘night that girls with low self-esteem dress like sluts.’” And another, “When I burp in the gym I feel like it’s my way of saying, ‘sorry guys, but I’m not gay’.”Czahor lost his job within 48 hours of starting, which was a huge blow for a 31-year-old who’d spent his twenties pursuing a career in politics. From the get-go, Ethan maintained that the tweets were jokes, the meaning of which had become skewed. “I was telling jokes with my friends and they were completely tongue-in-cheek and completely harmless,” he told Time. “But years later after I had forgotten about them, they’d been pulled out of context and it looked terrible.” “You exist in a lot of places on the Internet,” he said. “And I just feel that you have the right to at least know what’s out there, and to take care of it.” Via Mashable and Time.
Flight of the Conchords return home for a New Zealand and Australia tour this winter. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, the goofy halves of this comedy and musical duo, announced the tour on their website, saying, "We are finally returning to Australia … mostly to apologise." Fans seem to agree that there is nothing to be sorry for: the original tour dates have already sold out. Luckily, additional dates have been added; make sure to snatch yours up quickly. The pair returns from a lengthy run of success abroad, including a BBC radio series, HBO television series, film appearances and an Oscar. Tickets go on sale here on Tuesday, April 17, at 9am. Australian Tour Dates: Thursday, 5th July 2012 - Sydney Opera House, Sydney Saturday, 7th July 2012 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Tuesday, 10th July 2012 - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Wednesday, 11th July 2012 - WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Friday, 13th July 2012 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Saturday 14th July 2012 - The Plenary, Melbourne Wednesday 18th July 2012 - Challenge Stadium, Perth
We've all had days that can only be salvaged by hurling an axe at a wooden target — and, from Saturday, August 11, Brisbanites can enjoy this very specific form of stress relief. Already offering both casual and competitive axe throwing on the Gold Coast, Lumber Punks is bringing its distinctive sporting antics to West End. Yes, moseying on down to Montague Road from Thursday to Monday, picking up actual bladed weapons and then chucking them across the room is about to become a very real thing. "It's kind of like darts, but with big axes," explains co-owner Tyson McMillan, who started Lumber Punks with Sam Hay. The idea came to the pair after a stint of throwing axes in the backyard, which is where the sport has traditionally been practised. Commercial outfits started popping up around the world about a decade ago, but this is just Australia's second joint — with Maniax operating in Sydney and Melbourne. Patrons can simply gather the gang and start throwing across a 90-minute session, or take part in the axe throwing league. The game is comprised of five rounds, each with five throws, with everyone flinging their axes towards a pattern of concentric circles. Get inside the outer blue ring and you'll score one point. Make it into the middle red ring and you'll nab three. A bullseye — aka inside the black ring — is worth five points, although you can earn a whopping seven if you hit an adjacent green circle on your fifth throw. For those worried about safety, Lumber Punks advises that their activities are "as safe as we can make it", with everyone using self-contained lanes to minimise the risk of wayward axes. Only the thrower is allowed into the lane, those watching and waiting have to stand behind a barrier, and everyone gets a tutorial before they are allowed to take part. You will have to sign an online waiver before you can get to chucking, however, and you definitely won't be able to drink alcohol. While Lumber Punks is all about blowing off steam in a fun and unusual way, it really is best for everyone that throwing axes and booze don't mix. Find Lumber Punks at 2/427 Montague Road, West End from Saturday, August 11.
A night out at at one of Brisbane's top restaurants doesn't have to start or end with dinner. An evening at Stanley, the Cantonese go-to at Howard Smith Wharves, will soon be able to expand beyond your meal without leaving the premises, in fact. While there's no change to the eatery's operations downstairs in its heritage-listed 1930s-era former water police building by the river, the restaurant's upstairs space is relaunching as a new lounge bar called Stan's. Accordingly, of the city's best places to eat is about to become one of its must-visit places for a drink as well. Stanley announced its new addition early in September 2024, and will open the doors at Stan's on Thursday, October 3. So, when you're not tucking into a feast of dishes on the ground level — including yum cha daily for lunch — you'll want to head up a floor for beverages over snacks in a newly transformed part of the site. At Stan's, the vibe and the decor take inspiration from Hong Kong — and the idea is to mix old-world touches with modern flourishes as well. Think: jewel-hued furnishings and decor, such as rich red seating and velvet curtains in emerald tones; dark and moody lighting; antique mirrored wall panels, including the back bar; timber aplenty as accents; hand-painted mural walls across the private lounge; and aged brass cocktail tables to sit at. This is also a place to make shapes or simply enjoy DJ-spun tunes, thanks to a vintage JBL sound system. The promise for the music choices: extensive and eclectic. The bar will have folks on the decks most evenings, and also host album listening sessions in the middle of the week. Turning the space into a late-night dance floor is encouraged. Naturally, cocktails feature prominently on the beverage list — and the approach here is classic-meets-new, too. Martinis and daiquiris are highlights, with the signature martini menu letting patrons pic their gins or vodkas, bitters and extracts to taste. If you're just after spirits and you have some cash to splash, a collection of vintage tipples from around the world, some dating from as far back as the 60s, is also a drawcard. You'll find the range of rare drops on display in a custom-built cabinet. Stanley Executive Chef Louis Tikaram isn't just focusing on the main restaurant downstairs when Stan's begins trading. He's whipped up a new range of Cantonese bites just for the upper floor, designed to match the beverages. Options span steamed lobster and truffle dumplings, rolled peking duck pancakes and painted tropical crayfish, ensuring the venue's luxe vibes come through in its food offering. "My aim was to design a menu to complement the vibrant energy of Stan's, with every dish crafted to elevate your experience — bringing refined Cantonese flavours to life in a way that feels modern, approachable, and perfect for sharing alongside great music and drinks," explains Tikaram. "We've reimagined a space that captures the charm of Hong Kong's past while delivering an unforgettable bar experience where people can come together to enjoy exceptional drinks, food, music and service. It's an elevated offering while keeping the fun front and centre. We can't wait to welcome everyone to Stan's," adds Stanley and Howard Smith Wharves owner Adam Flaskas. Now start imagining how Stan's will fit into the newly announced development plans for HSW, which — if approved — include a second hotel, a new music hall, and an overwater pool. Find Stan's on level two at Stanley, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane, from Thursday, October 3, 2024 — open Monday–Thursday 3pm–1am and Friday–Sunday 12pm–1am. Head to the venue's website for more details.
So, you read one of 2023's huge literary sensations. And, you engaged with one of TikTok's biggest memes. What comes next? Diving into them both at All About Women. Notching up 12 years when its 2024 edition takes place, this Sydney Opera House event enlists impressive talents to dig into gender, justice and equality, including by exploring the hits, trends and issues of the 12 months prior. Accordingly, naming Yellowface author Rebecca F Kuang and Roman Empire scholar Mary Beard for next year's one-day festival couldn't make more sense. Kuang will be heading to Sydney to chat about her satirical novel, which dives into cancel culture, cultural appropriation and diversity in the world of publishing, and has been a must-read since arriving on shelves in May. As for Beard, she's coming to the Harbour City fresh off the release of her latest book The Emperor of Rome, and will explore misogyny, power, murder and gossip in the ancient world — and its relevance to now. So, how often will All About Women think about the Roman Empire? At Beard's session, plenty. [caption id="attachment_929572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Packman[/caption] So far, Kuang and Beard are the first headliners on the 2024 event's program, with both getting talking in Australia for the first time. But they'll have company when the full lineup drops in January. All About Women brings together international and Australian artists, thinkers and storytellers to examine a broad variety of topics relevant to its main focus — so, to gender, justice and equality — via panels, conversations, workshops and performances. After expanding to two days in 2022 and then to three in 2023, Sydney Opera House's key feminist festival is running as a one-day event again in 2024. The date to mark in your diary: Sunday, March 10. Won't be in Sydney that day, because you'll be away or you live elsewhere? All About Women will also take place online again. "It will be such an honour to host both Rebecca F Kuang and Mary Beard on their first speaking tours in Australia. We look forward to announcing our fierce and fearless co-curators and the full lineup in the new year, and can't wait to welcome audiences back to the festival for its 12th year in March," said Sydney Opera House Head of Talks and Ideas Chip Rolley. 2024 marks the third year that the fest is enlisting a team of co-curators to put the program together. 2023's cohort gave audiences everyone from riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill to child actor-turned-I'm Glad My Mom Died author Jennette McCurdy. [caption id="attachment_837698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] [caption id="attachment_844647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] [caption id="attachment_844646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] All About Women 2024 will take place on Sunday, March 10 at the Sydney Opera House, and also stream online. The full program will release on Tuesday, January 16, 2023 — check back here then for further details. Tickets for the just-announced first sessions go on sale at 9am on Thursday, December 7, with pre sales from 9am on Tuesday, December 5. Top image: Jacquie Manning.
It's that time of the year: you've set your out-of-office, made the couch your new home, and only plan to leave to head to the beach, eat festive food or party. That means it's prime movie viewing time, and Google and Amazon have just the film-oriented gift for the occasion, offering up 99 cent film rentals. Need to catch up on The Jungle Book, Lights Out or Louis Theroux: My Scientology Movie? Get your Christmas mix courtesy of Love Actually, Elf or Die Hard? Revisit John Wick before the sequel arrives in cinemas next year? Or enjoy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping seeing that it didn't end up making it to Australian theatres? Here's your chance. The good news: Google Play's deal is available in Australia and runs until January 23, 2017, with a limit of one film per user. The discount is applied at checkout, and once you finalise the transaction you have 30 days to watch your pick. The not so good news: Amazon might've launched Prime Video on our shores just last week, but their rental service hasn't made the jump. Of course, if you're interested in renting something from their library and you're handy with a VPN, you might know how to make that happen.
It's summer in Brisbane just after the Christmas holidays. As a result, kicking back and having a few drinks ranks highly on everyone's weekend plans. As always, Ballistic Brewing Co is happy to oblige — and, in response to the bushfires currently burning around Australia, to turn its latest weekend shindig into a fundraiser. Head down to the brewery's Salisbury digs from 1pm on Saturday, January 11, then grab yourself a beer or several — with all bar sales profits being donated to the bushfire recovery efforts. It's one of the easiest ways that you can help, turning something that you'd probably be doing anyway into a show of support. Ballistic will also be putting on live music and playing host to food trucks, so you'll have something to listen to and eat while you're sipping cold brews. And, if you're bringing any littlies with you, there'll be a jumping castle for kids as well.
Gold Coast favourite I Like Ramen has set up shop in Brisbane, slinging its brothy vegan noodle bowls out of The Flying Cock. It's a case of one door closing and another one opening, with the Fortitude Valley watering hole saying goodbye to chicken-focused eatery The Coop in mid-October. I Like Ramen now takes its place in the freshly revamped space, following a number of pop-ups onsite in late August and early September. As announced earlier this month, it's a permanent arrangement, so punters can slurp their way through a range of meat-free dishes from Wednesday to Saturday each week. I Like Ramen will open for dinner every night, and for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays too, slinging seven types of ramen and a smattering of other options. It's a mix of old classics from the Gold Coast menu, plus a few additions. When it comes to the main dish, Brisbanites can choose from chick'n white miso, mushroom in an earthy shiitake and soy soup, kimchi with plenty of spice, 'mean green' with spinach, bok choy and wakame, and cauliflower and onion with crispy beetroot and charred corn. If you can't decide, you can nab a combination of two flavours — and if you're extra hungry, the loaded option includes almost everything. Those after a more adventurous type of noodle can also opt for activated charcoal ramen. Among the non-ramen highlights sits the panko mushroom po'boy, which is made with panko-crumbed mushrooms that are flavoured to taste like sour cream and onion. And as for sides and small plates, the range spans panko mushroom and kimchi bao, shiitake mushroom croquettes and agedashi tofu with shiitake dashi, as well as garlic soy Asian greens, kimchi potatoes and panko mushrooms on their own. I Like Ramen is now open at The Flying Cock, 388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley from Wednesday to Saturday.
If ever an event could straddle the line between gross and fun, it's this one. For 35 years, the Story Bridge Hotel has commemorated Australia Day by seeing if one scurry pest could outrun another. It all started as a bet between friends back in 1981, and now it's an annual party. And yes, it's something that every Brisbane resident really must experience for themselves at one point or another. 14 races, complete with a steeple chase, is just the beginning, with live music, street entertainers, costume contests and food trucks all part of the action. Basically, it's a great excuse to throw a shindig without worrying about pest control.
Bargain-hunting Christmas shoppers, rejoice — if you're doing Christmas on a budget, like buying secondhand gifts to do the environment a solid or just love garage sales, you'll want to head to the Sunday Discovery Market at Rocklea's Brisbane Market on Sunday, November 28. From 6am–12pm, the westside spot is hosting a mega garage sale in addition to its usual weekend stalls. 'Tis the time of year for it, which is great news for your wallet. For starters, the standard 200-plus vendors will be onsite selling all kinds of wares — so whether you're after vintage records, plants or new threads, you'll find it here as per normal. The garage sale part of the event involves hosting around a month's worth of secondhand sellers, all hoping to turn their unwanted items into your new treasure. Entry costs $1 if you're on foot and $4 per car, and there'll also be an array of food trucks keeping you fed and caffeinated.
It only took three years for Wynnum Fringe to evolve from a three-day festival to an almost three-week run. Returning in 2023 for the fourth time, the event is sticking with that extended setup. It's easy to see why, not only because the fest keeps drawing crowds to Brisbane's bayside — with 36,000 people heading along in 2022 — but also thanks to the jam-packed lineup it keeps curating. This year's includes Shrek-inspired burlesque, ABBA sing-alongs, Daryl Braithwaite and a ferris wheel for starters, plus Robert Forster taking to the stage, a dog celebration, Will Anderson and Jimeoin doing comedy sets, and pop-up bars as well. Brisbane's embrace of Wynnum Fringe isn't surprising, either. The River City loves an arts festival, whether it's Brisbane Festival, Anywhere Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, MELT or the Brisbane International Film Festival, to name just a few events on the Queensland capital's cultural calendar. At this one, hanging out in a seaside suburb is on the agenda — this year from Wednesday, November 15–Sunday, December 3. "I can't believe this idea started in the spare room of my parents place while I was freeloading there during COVID," said Wynnum Fringe founder Tom Oliver. "Now look at it — people are travelling from interstate to check it out, and Aussie entertainment royalty are keen to put on a show here." "Wynnum Fringe has gone from three days to three weeks in three years. We've employed over 1000 artists, injected millions into the bayside economy and won the most prestigious award in the Queensland Industry Awards. Crazy proud!" "There is something special about Brisbane's bayside and the community living around Wynnum and Manly. They get around stuff. They have embraced this festival with open arms. We wouldn't be here without our community," continued Oliver. 2023's lineup of shows and events includes that sultry — and wholly unofficial — take on everyone's favourite animated ogre franchise, plus a corresponding burlesque and drag parody of The Simpsons. Still riffing on beloved pop-culture staples, Wynnum Fringe is staging the latest season of Speed: The Movie, the Play, which brings the 90s action film into IRL in the name of comedy. Sweden's most-famous music group earn a tribute via free community choir The Wynnum Takes It All — singing, yes, a version of 'The Winner Takes It All'. As for Braithwaite and Forster, they sit alongside Diesel, Sarah McLeod, Marcia Hines and Rhonda Burchmore in what's clearly a stacked list of Australian talent taking to the stage. To hear 'The Horses' echo, you'll want to head to the closing Rock the Bay event, which also features Hines and The Bamboos. The comedy bill not only includes Anderson and Jimeoin, but Dave Thornton and Geraldine Hickey as well. Laughing is part of seeing Ancient Greece-set comedy GODZ, too, while the Wynnum Fringe Comedy Gala is back for a one-night-only stint of giggling. After opening ceremony yana marumba (Walk Good) kicks off 2023's festival, attendees can look forward to an adults-only magic show, silent disco walking tours, Chocolate Starfish doing Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, Massaoke Oz getting everyone belting out songs and Cheap Fakes playing the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. Or, there's a club devoted to Broadway tunes, a dose of Shakespeare in 60 minutes and a Bluey and Bingo experience — plus What Would Dolly Do?, which is about worshipping Dolly Parton. For hanging out between shows, the garden hub returns to George Clayton Park, which is where Wynnum Fringe's spiegeltent will sit — and a ferris wheel, food trucks and bars. It's also the site of Puppypalooza, complete with dog-focused markets, dog competitions, dog photography and everyone bringing their pooches along. Wynnum Fringe 2023 runs from Wednesday, November 15–Sunday, December 3. Head to the festival's website for the full program.
UPDATE, September 30, 2022: The Dry is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Prime Video and iTunes. In The Dry, a man heads back to the drought-stricken town he grew up in for the first time in two decades, returning in the aftermath of a new tragedy and unearthing the still-blistering remnants of an old one in the process. An Australian Federal Police officer who left the regional farming community of Kiewarra under terse circumstances, Aaron Falk has the look of someone who long ago let the ability to display his feelings dry up — and while that isn't what the film's title refers to, Eric Bana plays the movie's protagonist as if it was. He's dogged and no-nonsense. He can shoot a glare at someone that's as severe as his profile, and often does. Twenty years after Chopper made Bana's name as a dramatic actor, rather than a sketch comedy star whose movie career began with The Castle, he's a canny pick for The Dry's lead role. As he stalks through his first Australian movie since 2007's Romulus, My Father, he silently simmers with intensity in every gaze; however, viewers already know that Bana never just plays the hard man — or, in his comic days, just one type of funny guy either. And so, the audience can also spot that his unrelenting exterior holds back a storm of Aaron's pain and loss, all lurking behind an expression as parched as the yellowed fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. Conveying that balance of steely focus and buried heartache isn't a new task; tales on the page and screen are filled with characters, typically men and often those with a badge, who fit the type. But one of the reasons that Bana is so right for The Dry is that, in his hands, Aaron isn't merely the sum of his well-worn traits. Similarly, he isn't just a cookie-cutter conflicted cop in yet another small-town murder-mystery about a community torn apart by a young woman's death, never recovering, then rehashing their woes when another trauma arises. It's lucky that Bana makes such an impact for another reason, too. When the film repeatedly stresses that Aaron was a teenager 20 years ago — with scenes starring Joe Klocek (Nowhere Boys) as a younger, more sensitive version of the character to help — that's The Dry's least convincing element. Bana is a great actor, but buying that he's playing someone who was an adolescent hanging out in a creek and pining after his crush Ellie (debutant BeBe Bettencourt) two decades ago is a stretch, and always feels that way. Those flashbacks pepper The Dry's main narrative, although both threads are intertwined. Based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Jane Harper, the film explores Aaron's need to interrogate himself and unlock his past as much as his quest to investigate whether there's anything more to the shocking murder-suicide that brings him back. He's renowned for being outstanding at his job, with his reputation preceding him upon his return. Indeed, it's why the Hadlers (Winchester's Bruce Spence and The Dressmaker's Julia Blake) ask him to look into the death of their son and his childhood best friend Luke (Martin Dingle Wall, Strangerland) — and of Luke's wife and son. Alas, this isn't the first time that Luke and Aaron have been linked to a grim situation. To many in a place so wearied by the lack of rain that everyone has been sapped of their strength, his homecoming is far from welcome, and neither are his questions. Sitting in the shadow of recent Australian crime thrillers Mystery Road and Goldstone, The Dry is a whodunnit multiple times over, with Aaron determined to discover the truth behind not only Luke and his family's deaths, but Ellie's. For the audience, the movie itself is just as dedicated to uncovering why the teen Aaron and Luke (Sam Corlett, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) remained under a cloud of suspicion from all those years ago. Both parts of the story encompass Kiewarra's key figures, spanning everyone from Aaron's old friend Gretchen (Genevieve O'Reilly, Glitch) and Ellie's angry brother Grant (Matt Nable, 1%) to local cop Greg (Keir O'Donnell, Project Blue Book) and his pregnant wife Rita (Miranda Tapsell, Top End Wedding), plus school headmaster Scott (John Polson, acting for the first time since Mission: Impossible II). Still, even given that lineup of characters and the excellent talent behind them, it's Aaron's journey that always demands attention. One of the most intriguing aspects of The Dry is how it's clearly stitched together from familiar elements — not just regarding its central character, but throughout the entire narrative — but, through Aaron, this tale of grief, guilt, secrets, stark truths, dusty fields and emotional desolation finds a way to resonate. At first glance, it might seem as if filmmaker Robert Connolly is in vastly different terrain to 2014's Paper Planes, his last cinema release. Even with its family-friendly focus, that movie was steeped in mourning, though — and it also jumped into a well-populated realm, embraced its tropes and traded upon existing genre affection as well. That's The Dry through and through. Co-scripted by Harry Cripps (the forthcoming Penguin Bloom), it's a solid crime movie, and an engaging but rarely surprising one. It's built from recognisable parts, and stakes its own patch by choosing where and how to make an impact. Of course, with Balibo also on his resume as a writer/director, plus The Boys and Acute Misfortune as a producer, Connolly is experienced in making thorny stories stand out. The filmmaker knows how to tell an absorbing tale, however clear-cut it may be. He's skilled at splashing memorable and thematically loaded imagery across his frames, as The Dry's flaxen landscape, as shot by Stefan Duscio (The Invisible Man) shows. But viewers don't just connect with a dark narrative and eye-catching visuals — they connect with the people within both. Here, there's no choice but to connect with Bana, and with the sorrow that'd seep from Aaron and saturate the movie like a tidal wave if he'd let it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJhS4O_IdM
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 go to The Lindis in Canterbury, New Zealand, where you'll find small but mighty luxe pod accommodations overlooking the Ahuriri Valley's dramatic landscape. If you're itching to get away and ready to book an Aotearoa holiday now, head to Concrete Playground Trips to find a fabulous line-up of deals on roadtrips around New Zealand — including car rental, accommodation and breakfast. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? These nature pods are inspired by the tiny homes you've seen popping up all over Australia and New Zealand — but so much more luxurious. The design of the rooms, the epic views and the access to the nearby lodge all make for a spectacular stay. THE ROOMS What the Lindis pods lack in size (they're about 18 square metres), they more than make up for with amenities. Each totally private room boasts a king-size bed with lush linens, ensuite with premium toiletries and private bathtub, an outdoor sitting area and, crucially, heating for when the outside temperature drops. But one of the best features comes in the form of the pod's structure itself. Three of the sides are covered in double-glazed mirrored glass than spans from floor to ceiling — perfect, in other words, for sitting in bed and marvelling at the incredible valley views before you. The Lindis pods are also entirely separate from everything else on the property, but you are within a short walk of the property's main lodge. Head here for the property's main dining room, a bar, lounge areas, a games room and a billiards room. FOOD AND DRINK One thing to note up front: at The Lindis, daily breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks and canapes, multi-course dinner and the minibar is all included in the price of your stay. Because a truly relaxing getaway should involve needing to make as few decisions as possible. On the menu, you'll find produce that's either locally sourced or harvested from the property's on-site garden, from wild venison to porcini mushrooms and even locally caught seafood. The ever-evolving menu can also be paired with a nightly rotating selection of New Zealand and international wines. THE LOCAL AREA The Lindis is located in the Ahuriri Valley on New Zealand's South Island. Up here you'll spend your time among rugged mountain ranges, wetlands bursting with wildlife, tussock grasslands and vast beech forests. If you're looking for peace, quiet and reconnecting with nature, you're in the right place. THE EXTRAS Sure, you could take in the rugged terrain from your bed or outdoor terrace, but The Lindis also offers plenty ways that allow you to experience the land from up close. Take yourself on a hike or e-bike ride through the valley, or saddle up for a horseback tour for a truly unforgettable experience. Want to see it from above? The Lindis also offers helicopter flights so you can truly feel on top of the world. If you're after something more leisurely, book a picnic or barbecue package. And, when the sun goes down, join the team for a spot of spectacular stargazing. Head to The Lindis website to book a stay at one of its luxurious pods. 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 in destinations all over the world.
The National Gallery of Victoria has today revealed its summer centrepiece: a bold new world premiere exhibition pairing the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher and Japanese design studio Nendo. Much like the NGV's 2016's Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei show, Between Two Worlds celebrates two very different creators, bringing them together in an assembly of immersive art and design. More than 150 of Escher's prints and drawings created between 1916 to 1969 have made their way to Melbourne from the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague for the artist's first ever major exhibition in Australia. Optical illusion is what he's best known for — his intricate pieces use patterns and design to warp space and perception. You'll need to take second, third and fourth looks at pieces like Day and night and Drawing hands. To really mess with your mind, Nendo — led by designer Oki Sato — has created an immersive gallery space that's just as trippy. The studio has taken inspiration from Escher to manipulate geometry and space to warp perception, giving you an imagined sense of what it would be like to enter Escher's mind boggling world. Expect lots of mirrors, shrinking corridors and projections that will mess with your brain (in a good way). The exhibition will officially open tomorrow with the gallery's exclusive black tie NGV Gala. Then it opens to the public on Sunday, December 2 and will run until April 2019 alongside a public program of talks, workshops and the NGV's Friday night parties. Escher x Nendo: Between Two Worlds will run from December 2 until April 2019 at NGV International. Images: Eugene Hyland and Sean Fennessy.
Whether you're trying to find your way around your a far-flung holiday destination, a part of your own city you're not so familiar with or your own neighbourhood, Google Maps has probably helped you out of a bind more than once. Over the years, you've been able to play everything from Pac-Man and Mario Kart to Where's Waldo and Snake via the online service, too — so using it for a global Easter egg hunt really isn't too far out of the ordinary. Because it's almost that time of year, and because Cadbury wants to remind us all to eat chocolate, the brand has teamed up with Google Maps for the second year in a row to create a virtual way for you to hide and search for Easter eggs. It's all digital, though, so it does mean that you won't actually be eating any choccies. If you want to dive into your own stash while you're clicking and scrolling away, though, absolutely no one is going to stop you. Here's how it works: you head to the worldwide Easter egg hunt website, sign up and then get hiding. Once you've picked your spot — somewhere of significance to you and the person you're hiding it for — you'll write a clue, which'll then get sent to your chosen person. For those on the receiving end, it's up to you to decipher the details and find the virtual egg. If it's too hard, that's all down to whoever enlisted you in the hunt — so, if you can't find your digital egg, you might want to ask them for more hints. You can only hide one egg at a time, and only send the corresponding clue to one person. But, you can repeat the process as many times as you like. While there is a physical component, it sadly doesn't involve racing around the world, the city or even the house actually trying to get your hands on chocolate. Instead, you can arrange to send one of seven Cadbury products to someone in Australia, including tins and hampers. Staying virtual doesn't cost a thing, however, if that better suits your budget. To take part in the worldwide Easter egg hunt, head to the Cadbury website.
Charging your phone is probably one of the most mundane things you do each day. Your phone's on three percent, you scramble to find your charger cord, you plug it in, it makes a noise and, hey, it's charging. But a Canadian startup has decided to take the downright borezo process of charging your phone and make it look like literal magic — they've created a charger that makes your phone levitate while it's powering up. The OvRcharge is a wireless charging base that puts your smartphone on show. While it's charging your device it not only suspends it in mid-air, but it can slowly rotate it too through an invisible magnetic field. The product, which has been created by Toronto studio AR Designs, is currently being funded on Kickstarter, and is $10k (Canadian dollars) off their $40,000 goal. Of course, it's not actual magic. The OvRcharge is able to simultaneously charge and suspend the device through magnets, which will transmit from the base to a special phone case that plugs into your device. "It consists of two main technologies: electromagnetism and induction," AR Designs' founder and CEO Rukhsana Perveen told Digital Trends. "Electromagnetism is responsible for maintaining its altitude and balance, [while] induction is for wireless power transfer." The charger is set to be compatible with the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia and a few other models. If you want one, you'll have to pledge to the Kickstarter campaign — there's 15 days left. Via Digital Trends.
After a year that saw the deaths of Mitch Lucker and Tony Sly rock the Californian music world, the appearance of The Story So Far on Australian shores is a welcome sight indeed. Currently working on album number two with New Found Glory rhythm guitarist and lyricist, Stephen Lee Klein, The Story So Far are far from being a conventional pop-punk band. With honest, sincere and emotional songs infused with catchy and melodic tones toeing the line between hardcore and hard rock, the Bay Area band have been making waves since they broke into the limelight and are expected to do great things. The band's trip to The Zoo will be just one of two stops in Brisbane on a tour that will take them to Australia's biggest cities. Fans can expect to hear favourites from Under Soil And Dirt, as well as classics from While You Were Sleeping and their split EP.
Home to stacked burgers named after Kanye West, Drake and Kevin Bacon, loaded fries of both the potato and doughnut variety, and boozy shakes and spiders, Milky Lane's regular menu brings one word to mind: indulgent. We all know that we shouldn't be eating fried chicken and maple smoked bacon burgs, mac 'n' cheese croquettes and deep-fried Golden Gaytimes every day — or drinking Bubble O' Bill and Zooper Dooper cocktails, either — but that's exactly what the chain serves at its stores across Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Canberra. If you think that those aforementioned dishes are OTT, they are. The brand's latest additions to its menu earn the term several times over, too, because mixing up Caramilk and Biscoff cocktails will do that. From Monday, June 28, Milky Lane will try to tempt your tastebuds with 12 new items — and whether you're keen on its burgs, desserts or boozy beverages, you're likely to find something to try on the new menu. On the burger lineup, the Hail Caesar will feature a herb and panko-crumbed chicken schnitzel and a parmesan deep-fried mozzarella patty; the Chicken Parmy comes loaded with a schnitty, ham, mozzarella and smashed potato gems on a mozzarella coated bun; and the Big Poppa pairs a smashed pattie, pulled brisket, bacon, mozzarella and twice as much American cheese as usual. Still sticking with all things savoury, loaded potato gems are exactly what they sound like — and if you like the deep-fried cheese curds that come on top, you can also order them separately. For folks with a sweet tooth, the new desserts range spans deep-dried Snickers served with liquid peanut butter, Nutella, crushed peanuts and vanilla ice cream, as well as a Caramilk and Biscoff cookie skillet — combining two cult dessert items in one dish. And, there's more Caramilk and Biscoff concoctions on the booze list, including Biscoff espressos, shots and loaded shakes, all featuring crushed Biscoff pieces, and Caramilk-heavy cocktails and loaded shakes. A grape Hubba Bubba spider made with grape vodka, bubblegum syrup and grape Fanta rounds out the new offerings, if you'd like to combine sweet treats and booze in a different way. Sydneysiders can head to Milky Lane's eateries in Bondi, Cronulla, Parramatta, Gregory Hills and Crows Nest, with fellow New South Wales stores also located in Newcastle and Terrigal. Queenslanders can hit up joints in Newstead and Surfers Paradise — and there's a store in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, too. Milky Lane will start serving its new menu from Monday, June 28 at all of its stores across Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Canberra. For further details, head to the chain's website.
Facebook is swiftly becoming the radar of global activity, now obtaining the power to track not only people's social networking patterns but also their travel paths, their ages and even their political inclinations. With over 800 million active users the social networking site is rampant, with immense data processing required for the constant stream of check-ins, status updates and photo uploads. Data scientist at Facebook, Justin Moore, created these global maps as a captivating visual indicator of where and who the world's Facebook users are to make sense of some of the unique data. SEASONED TRAVELLERS WHO WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN Forget the old maps of showing aeroplane's routes across the globe because we can now follow travel patterns through Facebook users' check-ins. This map uses check-ins at two far off locations as a way of tracing globe-trotting journeys. NYC HUSTLE AND BUSTLE Check-ins over several days in New York City alone reveal the heavier users are situated around more heavily trafficked commercial and tourist areas. Shouldn't you guys be working or studying or something? NEW VS. OLD The colour ranges of this dazzling map represent the ages of users, again through their check-ins on Facebook. The green zones constitute the older and more established Facebookers whilst the blue are the younger rookies. PRETTY POLITICAL Although what may look like some sort of beautiful and rare star constellation, this last image actually maps American users' political affiliation. Democrats are shown as blue and the Republicans are red. Better pick up your game Obama, the social world has spoken.
Ever dreamed about joining nine skateboards together to create a giant skateboard loop, known as a Circle Board, and skating this Circle Board in front of the Eiffel Tower at the crack of dawn? If your answer to that question is ‘Yeah, but on my current retail/hospitality/Centrelink wages I just can’t afford to head up to Paris, plus I lack the technical abilities to join nine skateboards together’ then the next best thing is Le Cercle, the latest title from Izrock Pressing. Le Cercle is born of a collaboration between skateboard expert/photographer Benjamin Deberdt and poet/skateboarder Mark Gonzales. Gonzales created the Circle Board and rode it at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, all the while being photographed by Deberdt. The resulting prints were then drawn on by Gonzales, resulting in Le Cercle. The Outpost plays host to the launch of Le Cercle, with a display of prints from the book, a projected video of Gonzales riding the Circle Board in Paris and live music from Nite Fields. It’s free, too, so you can’t blame your lack of Centrelink benefits if you don’t end up attending.
Over 150 artists and designers will take over Brisbane this May for the inaugural BRISBANE ART DESIGN (BAD) festival. From Friday, May 10, this new festival will showcase emerging and established talents in 25 spaces throughout the city — from the festival hub at the Museum of Brisbane and across the CBD, West End, Fortitude Valley, Woolloongabba and surrounds. A multi-dimensional exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane will sit at the heart of the festival, featuring works across robotics, object design, performance art, video, installation, virtual reality, ceramics, sculpture and painting. BAD@MoB will include new commissions from artists and designers like Justene Williams, Nicolette Johnson, Craig and Karl and Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan. The BAD program will also include Shared Connections, a series of outdoor installations, projections, tours, workshops and conversations by First Nations artists including Michael Cook, Sonja Carmichael, Dale Harding, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Tamika Grant-Iramu. Also on the agenda is the BNE DESIGN market with jewellery, homewares, fashion, ceramics, stationery, accessories and more for sale on Friday, May 24, from 4–9pm, in Reddacliff Place. There'll be food trucks and a live performance by gypsy jazz band The Van Dijk. Meanwhile, you can take part in roaming street and public art tours through various city precincts on foot, on a bike or camera in hand, meditate in QUT's The Cube or channel your creative skills in a spray painting and screen printing workshops. BAD runs from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 26. The Museum of Brisbane's BAD@MoB exhibition will continue until Sunday, August 11. To check out the full program and register for workshops, visit the BAD website. Images: Craig & Karl, Triptych (2018), Liu Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai; Kellie O'Dempsey, installation shot, National Gallery of Australia; Derlot, QTZ chairs, photo by Florian Groehn; Nicolette Johnson, Spire, Two-Pronged Vase (Ore), Crucible I.
Anything Jamie Dornan can do, Zac Efron can, too? That's the situation that'll play out on streaming service Stan this January. First, Dornan will get stranded in the outback in TV thriller The Tourist, and then Efron will do the same in Gold — aka the movie he shot when he decamped from Hollywood to Australia during the pandemic and seemed to be the only thing other than COVID-19 that was making headlines. Gold will also play in some cinemas, if you'd like to watch Efron try to survive the Aussie landscape on the big screen — with the film receiving a theatrical release on January 13, then streaming via Stan on January 26. Wherever you choose to watch it, you'll see the High School Musical, The Greatest Showman and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile actor get a serious case of gold fever after stumbling upon the biggest gold nugget ever found. Efron's character, known only as Man One, discovers the huge chunk of gold with the movie's writer/director/co-star Anthony Hayes (Total Control) — who, yes, plays a figure known as Man Two. The pair of drifters then come up with a plan to excavate the precious metal, but it involves Man One staying behind to guard it while Man Two goes to nab the necessary equipment. As the just-dropped first trailer for Gold shows, that doesn't look too promising for Man One. Gold also features Wentworth and Cargo's Susie Porter as a stranger who crosses Man One's path — and obviously features oh-so-many lingering looks at the outback backdrop that filmmakers have loved ever since 70s greats such as Wake in Fright and Walkabout. Plonking big-name stars against Australia's striking terrain is only a small genre, but it's still a growing one — with Gold joining everything from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Australia to The Rover and The Dressmaker. Check out the trailer for Gold below: Gold will screen in selected cinemas from January 13, and stream via Stan from January 26.
Living the resort life is what summer is all about, and Brisbanites don't need to travel too far to get their fix. If an overseas holiday isn't quite calling for various reasons — leave balances, bank balances, life in general — hitting the Gold Coast's Sheraton Grand Mirage will help you feel like you've made the trip to Mexico. Until Sunday, January 29, you can pair a stay at the Main Beach hotel with creative margaritas and a pop-up taco market. The drinks come courtesy of tequila brand Avión, which has set up an Avión Beach Cantina poolside, complete with plenty of beverages and Mexican-style bites made with Queensland produce. In leafy surroundings with a big tropical garden bar vibe, this cantina is pouring mango, lime, grapefruit and passionfruit margs, including 'ritas infused with jalapeño for an extra kick, plus sangria jugs, frosé and mocktails. As for the tacos, expect grilled chipotle chicken, barramundi, black beans and slow-cooked pulled pork served with salsas, as well as guacamole, corn chips and pico de gallo. Operating from 12–7pm daily, with food over lunch from 12–3pm, the cantina does have one catch: you need to be a hotel guest to enjoy the pop-up. Yes, the Goldie counts as a vacation, even just for a night or two.
When it's festival time in Brisbane, the city lights up. That said, expect this town of ours to shine a little brighter when Curiocity Brisbane rolls around. A first-time event that's all about imagination, innovation, creativity, science, technology and art, this fest will see immersive installations pop up all over the place between Friday, March 15 and Wednesday, April 3. Leading the charge is Ross Manning's Wave Opus IV, a large-scale self-playing instrument that resembles a waveform. A new iteration of a work first commissioned by the Institute of Modern Art back in 2017, it's headed to Brisbane Powerhouse — and it's just one of the pieces on the bill. From making stickers out of your own shadow to wandering between luminous statues, there's plenty to pique your interest, all thanks to a lineup of local and international artists, technicians and makers. The free interactive installation trail will span from South Bank and New Farm, running day and night across the 20-day period. And if you're looking for talks, performances, movies and more, Curiocity also includes this year's World Science Festival Brisbane from Wednesday, March 20 to Sunday, March 24.
Sydney's city centre has been overrun by birds — though they're not the usual kind. Rather, these dainty bronze bird statues gracing spots along Bridge and Grosvenor streets are part of the latest public work by acclaimed artist Tracey Emin. The Distance of Your Heart, which was commissioned by the City of Sydney back in 2014 and unveiled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore for the City Art collection yesterday, features over 60 of the handmade sculptures, carefully placed atop doorways, awnings and poles around the CBD. A birdbath inscribed with the work's title forms a centrepiece in Macquarie Place. Emin is perhaps best known for her work My Bed, which included items from her own bedroom, including dirty sheets, cigarette butts and condoms, but the message behind this work is much less controversial. It's about comfort — a kind of reflection on Australia's distance from the rest of the world and a little piece of hope for those who might be feeling homesick or detached. "Sydney is big but the birds are small, tiny, delicate, fragile — just like we are as human beings," Emin explained. "Sometimes we can feel lost and sad, but the sight of a bird can give us hope." The Lord Mayor said that "with its underlying concept of global migration and travel, this artwork will particularly resonate with the many Sydney residents born overseas and the millions of visitors who visit our shores each year". The Distance of Your Heart is a permanent addition to Sydney's collection of public art — you can find the birds on Bridge and Grosvenor streets in the CBD.
Love, sex, internet dating, a charismatic conman, psychological abuse, murder — in the realm of true-crime stories, Dirty John had it all. Hosted by Los Angeles Times journalist Christopher Goffard, the podcast became a huge hit when it dropped back in October 2017. Now the tale of John Meehan has been adapted into a TV series, and it's heading to Netflix. Come Thursday, February 14, you'll be able to watch Aussie actor Eric Bana step into the notorious con artist's shoes, opposite Connie Britton as interior designer and Meehan's mark, Debra Newell. The high-profile cast also includes Juno Temple and Maniac's Julia Garner as Newell's daughters. If you've listened to the podcast, you'll know that all four actors will be re-enacting quite the ordeal. The eight-episode series has just finished its week-to-week run on US television, but Netflix will drop all eight episodes when Valentine's Day hits. It's a stroke of great timing on behalf of the streaming platform — if you were looking for alternative plans for what's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, consider yourself sorted. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG70KroYlik&feature=youtu.be An anthology series, when Dirty John was picked up by its US network Bravo, two seasons were ordered. That means there's more to come; however, when the next season will arrive — and what it will focus on — hasn't yet been revealed. Dirty John drops on Netflix Australia/New Zealand on February 14, 2019.
When it comes to top-class galleries, Brisbane more than punches above its weight. But, for the city's next big display of artwork, you won't need to set foot inside of one. Instead, you'll be roaming the streets and checking out pieces in laneways, in light boxes affixed to the outside of buildings and in car parks. You'll even be peering up at projections as well. All of the above forms part of a free three-month exhibition called Razzle Dazzle, which runs from Monday, August 10–Sunday, November 22. In total, 11 artists will feature across nine Brisbane locations — with curators Amy-Clare McCarthy and Kieran Swann also putting together an accompanying series of talks and tours as well. By focusing on great art in outdoor locations — and basically turning much of the CBD into one huge outside art gallery in the process — Razzle Dazzle aims to ponder the connection between humanity and our environment. Among the exhibition's questions: do people stand out against the world around us, or disappear in public spaces? If you're wondering what you can see and where, Eric Bridgeman's work can be found in Fish Lane, Chantal Fraser and Sancintya Mohini Simpson do the honours in Eagle Lane, and Jemima Wyman has pride of place in King George Square. Banners by Gerwyn Davies are on display in Irish Lane, and projections by Hannah Gartside, Rachael Haynes, Justin Shoulder and Bhenji Ra are brightening up Howard Smith Wharves — and that's just some of the pieces on offer. Razzle Dazzle has popped up in various Brisbane CBD locations, and will be on display until Sunday, November 22. Top image: Gerwyn Davies.
He's responsible not just for a big Australian movie franchise, but for the big Australian movie franchise. He's also followed a pig in the city, made penguins dance, gotten witchy and granted wishes, too. He's Australian filmmaking icon George Miller, and he has just joined the Sydney Film Festival lineup for 2024 to talk about his career, and of course Mad Max and Furiosa. Mere weeks after Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hit cinemas — starring Anya Taylor-Joy (The Super Mario Bros Movie) as Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder) as wasteland warlord Dementus — Miller now has a date with Sydney's annual cinema showcase to chat about on-screen storytelling. For company, he'll have someone else who knows a thing or two about action cinema, and just filmmaking in general: stuntman and filmmaker Nash Edgerton, brother of Joel (Dark Matter), and director of episodes of Bodkin, plus Mr Inbetween, Gringo and The Square. The Road to Furiosa — George Miller with Nash Edgerton will take place at 3pm on Saturday, June 15 in the Sydney Film Festival Hub at Town Hall, on the second-last day of the fest. SFF's full dates: Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16. Miller won't just be stepping through his work in a general sense, either. The director that started the Mad Max franchise 45 years ago and has helmed four more films in the saga — and has Babe: Pig in the City, The Witches of Eastwick, the two Happy Feet movies, Lorenzo's Oil and Three Thousand Years of Longing on his resume as well — will dig into a specific action sequence, if you want to find out how it was executed. After also adding a visit from Elvis star Austin Butler for his new picture The Bikeriders and straight-from-Cannes body-horror flick The Substance as closing night's flick since announcing its 2024 program, Sydney Film Festival has now popped something for Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon fans on the bill, too. Ahead of season two's arrival, the Iron Throne spend time at Martin Place from Wednesday, June 5–Friday, June 7. Yes, you can sit in it. Other talks and events on the program also include a queer cinema night, going all in on the 80s to tie in with opening night's Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line, K-pop fun as part of a Korean cinema celebration and a session on the impact of AI. [caption id="attachment_959668" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Belinda Rolland © 2023/SFF[/caption] Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website. Read our interview with George Miller, Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, and our review of the film. Top image: Sonna Studios.
When Easter rolls around each year, one thing is always on everyone's minds: eating as much chocolate as humanly possible. Chocolate eggs, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cocktails, chocolate-filled hot cross buns — the list goes on. Thanks to SBS, Easter 2020 won't just involve eating chocolate, however. Courtesy of The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury Australia, Australian audiences can also spend three hours watching chocolate Easter treats get made. It's the latest instalment in the network's 'slow TV' series — which has previously let viewers spend 17 hours watching a train journey on not one but two occasions, and tracked a lengthy cruise from Broome to Darwin, and a trip from New Zealand's north island to its south island as well. Of course, vicariously indulging your wanderlust is one thing. Teasing your sweet tooth is another entirely. Spanning three hours — and set to a new original score by Amanda Brown and Caitlin Yeo — The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury Australia charts the chocolate-making process from beginning to end, starting with seeing sugarcane being harvested from north Queensland fields and milk being collected from a Tasmanian dairy farm. Naturally, the observational documentary devotes the bulk of its time to the factory itself, focusing on the creation of its best-selling easter eggs and chocolate bunnies by combining the aforementioned two ingredients with cocoa imported from Ghana. Expect melting, rolling, drying, shaping and wrapping. Expect to be mesmerised by the routine and rhythm, too. Airing twice over the Easter weekend of Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 — and then available for a year on SBS On Demand — it's basically Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, just without the Oompa-Loompas, songs or everlasting gobstoppers. That said watching chocolate come to fruition will likely have your stomach singing out with hunger, so don't forget to stock up on appropriate snacks (yes, chocolate) to accompany your viewing. Check out the trailer for The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury Australia below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFSE3TW7EPc&feature=youtu.be The Chocolate Factory: Inside Cadbury Australia screens is now available to watch on SBS On Demand.
‘Frenzy’ is a word that conjures up a sense of chaotic, energetic movement – a kind of mindless consumption or fulfillment of base needs and instincts. It’s this primal nature that underpins FRENZY, a collaborative exhibition by young artists Eric Sesto and Ben Shih. Their art is driven by impulse and intuition, capturing honest reactions to the constant balancing act between culture and counter-culture, societal norms and individualism. Both artists’ work shows fluid movement and form that complement each other, creating a conversation throughout the exhibition. Sesto uses watercolour, sketch, pastel and acrylic to create softly-coloured, dreamlike forms, mixing human figures with landscapes and objects. Shih twists familiar scenes and shapes into impressionistic creations with bold, dramatic expanses of colour. FRENZY exhibits at The Hold Artspace from 19 to 22 August, with an opening event on 21 August. Image: Eric Sesto, 'Creation Dialogue', 2015, watercolour and coloured pencil.
For most of us on the morning after a big night out, our time is generally spent lounging around complaining, taking painkillers, drinking sports drinks, filling the bottomless pit that is your stomach with truckloads of the greasiest foods you can find and generally just waiting out the torture of the self-inflicted pain you have forced upon yourself. While this may seem like the only option of how to handle your hangover at the time, there are actually a plethora of natural methods which will rid you of that dreaded ill feeling or at least make you feel slightly more bubbly. Rather than just avoiding hangovers altogether by stopping at the second drink — which let's face it isn't going to happen at those big celebrations — Good.is suggests a few fresh and healthy ways to cure the hangover and get you back on your feet and functioning like a normal human being again. Miso Soup and Eggs Despite what you may be thinking by looking at the picture, this funky combination of miso soups and eggs is actually a great Japanese-inspired hangover cure because of the nutrients that it replenishes you with, which you lost from the previous night of drinking. Stacked full of sodium, water and electrolytes as well as probiotics to subdue that queasy stomach, this trick will be sure to get you charging for the rest of the day. Omega-3 Omega-3 is a fantastic nutrient to take to alleviate hangovers as it helps clear the free radicals produced when alcohol is broken down. Omega-3 also helps fight the dry, blotchy skin on your face, which alcohol causes. Have a cuddle To dim your stress levels and get yourself feeling better just have a 20 second Oxytocin-releasing hug. Studies have shown that after a 20 second embrace with someone, oxytocin will be released, which helps relax and repair your body. Inconclusive evidence has also shown that having sex is a great hangover cure - probably largely due to the hormones released, but also cause it will simply take your mind off the pain. Get a Massage Massages are very helpful the morning after a night out, not only because of the release of happy hormones such as oxytocin but also because they have been proven to help your body produce more white blood cells and thus boost your immune system. So if you're looking for an excuse to treat yourself, simply have a few more shots. Take a Dip One of the most effective (and nice) ways to cure a hangover is to submerge yourself is some refreshingly cool water and have a swim around. Find yourself a body of water - preferably a beautiful white sandy beach with a radiant, shining sun - and have a dunk to wake yourself up, clear the head and rejuvenate yourself for the day ahead. Go Bananas Bananas are a great source of potassium and vitamin B, which help replenish your body's lost nutrients, and they also rehydrate your dehydrated body. And what better way to consume them than by making a delicious smoothie. Alternatively, a berry smoothie would also go down a treat because of the antioxidants within them. Mix it up with almond milk to make it twice as effective as the healthy fats, oils and vitamins in the almonds will help get you back on your feet. Drink Some Coconut Coconut water can be extracted from coconuts while they're still very green and not mature enough to produce milk. This wonder fluid has been used intravenously in medical emergencies for rehydration, so it's pretty safe to say it'll do wonders for your hangover. It also has no fat, is low in calories and is lower in sugar than most other juices — it's a win-win! Kombucha Tea Despite it's not-so-delicious looking floaties and somewhat sour apple cider vinegar flavour, Kombucha tea is a fermented miracle drink which is great for liver stimulation or detoxification, blood purification and even euphoria. So to replace your vacant look of pain and regret with a beaming smile, simply get yourself some Kombucha tea. Pickle Juice Although this last one is somewhat disputed, pickle juice is the cure of choice in Poland and has been shown to be highly effective in quelling the effects of the hangover. The sodium of the juice helps you bring your electrolyte levels back up in order to help you rehydrate. Honey is also a great addition not only to lessen some of the awful taste, but also because the glucose and fructose assists the rehydration process.
Heading to Marvel Stadium at Melbourne's Docklands usually means watching a game of AFL. Or, you could be hitting up the venue to see a gig. Moseying beneath the space to wander around an underground light show and labyrinth definitely isn't normally on the cards. That'll change come winter, with the city's Firelight Festival returning for 2024 — and, for the first time, bringing the Firelight Labyrinth with it. The fest itself is a three-day affair over the last weekend in June, running from Friday, June 28–Sunday, June 30 at New Quay Promenade, Victoria Promenade and Harbour Esplanade. On the agenda, as in past years: fire performers, fire pits, fire drums, flame jets, fire arches and fire sculptures. There'll also be live music, African drumming, and an array of stomach-warming food and drink options — such as dumplings, smoked meats, paella, churros and hot chocolates. Flame-filled arts — and bites to feast on and beverages to sip while you're enjoying them — aren't the only drawcard this year, though. Cue more than 144,000 lights beaming beneath Marvel Stadium, with the labyrinth sticking around for over two weeks from Friday, June 28–Sunday, July 14. Accordingly, this year's Firelight Festival is also a huge tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike, especially if you want to see a key Aussie Rules venue in a new light — literally. As well as all of those sources of luminousness, the Firelight Labyrinth will feature immersive audio, making the experience an audio-visual maze. While the festival is free to attend — you'll need your wallet for whatever you eat and drink — the Firelight Labyrinth is ticketed, costing $37.50 for adults.
Just as not all movies are created equal, neither are all stints on screens. The big, in budget and attendance, stick around. The small, in audience awareness but not in artistry or effort, might not stay that long. Such a cinema environment sees many gems fall by the wayside in the battle for viewer hearts and minds – many that rank among the year’s best, too. So which 2014 films should you have perhaps taken a chance on instead of just seeing the latest shiny blockbuster? Here’s ten that local box office performance tells us you most likely missed, but really shouldn’t have. THE BABADOOK Jennifer Kent’s debut feature is one of the best among Australian efforts, horror films, and haunted house fright fests — both of this year, and of all others. Alas, in a nation that rarely embraces anything spooky on the big screen en masse, it came and went quickly, though what it lacked in local attention it is now making up for in international acclaim. Such recognition is mere window dressing for a movie that allows its equally touching and terrifying content to make its own statement as it charts a single mother’s troubles when her six-year-old son finds fear in a formidable figure that springs from the page into his bedroom. The style, the story and the scares can now continue off-screen, too, courtesy of a crowd-supported production run of the pop-up book at the centre of the chills. Read our full review. ALL THIS MAYHEM Great dramas are made of the same ingredients as this stunning homegrown true tale, a rise to fame, a fall from grace, seeking glory at all costs, and getting mixed up with the wrong things among them. In Eddie Martin’s documentary, all this and more is wrapped up in a roller-coaster ride that starts in the Melbourne suburbs, reaches the heights of the international skateboarding scene, and comes crashing towards its conclusion with the tragedy of what might have been in different circumstances. For those unfamiliar with the story of brothers Tas and Ben Pappas, the film offers the best account you’ll ever experience. For those aware of the details, devastation still emanates from a feature suitably straightforward in structure and shattering in sentiment. Read our full review. FORCE MAJEURE While audiences flocked to Gone Girl’s twisty take on marriage and masculinity, a Swedish couple holidaying in the French Alps with their kids spawned the same musings in just as cynical and striking a fashion. Force Majeure begins with a seemingly impending avalanche, in the face of which, a man runs away as his family looks on. Watching the aftermath as the central pair fight in public yet drift apart in private is not only astute but also amusing in its insights. Writer/director Ruben Östlund has crafted an acerbic comedy of discomfort that says everything about the most intimate of interpersonal relations, with a mastery of form to match the complexity of theme. Read our full review. MY SWEET PEPPER LAND One feminist western – A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, which also earns many other descriptors, too – is starting to appear at Australian festivals and in niche screening runs; however, this year also brought another to local screens. Writer/director Hiner Saleem and actress Golshifteh Farahani combine to chart a teacher’s fight for independence in male-dominated Kurdistan, both excelling with the material. Also fuelling the narrative is a policeman’s quest for a new existence free from his gun-slinging past. In this tale of two outsiders endeavouring to establish their own identities and exert power over their own dominion, all the tropes unravel amid a desolate landscape, and given the parallels with the nation’s sociopolitical climate, the film ranges beyond its adopted genre. Read our full review. THE MISSING PICTURE Wading through the past to get a grasp on his – and Cambodia’s – present, filmmaker Rithy Panh attempts to fill in the gaps in his own and well as the collective memory. With the assistance of sculptor Sarith Mang, he assembles figurines and dioramas of clay and wood to restage scenes from his childhood, the fleetingly beautiful and the inescapably brutal among them. The documentarian earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for his efforts, his latest offering continuing his prolonged fascination with the state of his country. As modest as it is meticulous, and as moving and illuminating, too, this is a picture that shouldn’t be missed. Pun intended. THE DARK HORSE Stories similar to the real-life circumstances of Genesis Potini have been seen before on screen, steeped as they are in a relatable arc of redemption. What James Napier Robertson’s film perfects is the mindset of the troubled chess prodigy turned coach to marginalised youth, in every expressive image and atmospheric sound, and in a tone that never loses hope – just like its inspiration. Formula might seethe through the underdog story, but so does authenticity. The feature swept the recent New Zealand Film Awards for its earnest and emotional efforts, with acclaim rightfully thrown the way of star Cliff Curtis and supporting actor James Rolleston (worlds away from the work he is best known for, his titular role in the charming Boy). Read our full review. THESE FINAL HOURS When this Australian apocalyptic effort made its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2013, it set audiences ablaze with excitement for its fresh cinematic talent and its invigorating approach to the end of the world. Fast forward to a year later, and the flames spluttered when Zak Hilditch’s debut earned a general release, a response that doesn’t reflect the skill and style of the movie. Nathan Phillips plays against type in a story not of special deeds but of looking beyond a selfish, self-serving mindset. As his protagonist, James, journeys from nihilism to humanism upon a road trip through Perth’s suburban streets — motivated by the lost, lonely girl he decides to help — he evokes a quiet awakening not just for the character but for a new Australian classic. Read our full review. SON OF A GUN Not even the lure of Ewan McGregor enticed patrons into theatres for Julius Avery’s first feature, another film coming out of Western Australia. As a veteran criminal masterminding a jailbreak, then caught in a web of mobster manipulation, the Scottish actor rightfully commands attention — but so do his co-stars, Australia’s own Brenton Thwaites as the innocent immersed in underworld dealings, and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander as the obligatory love interest. Yes, there’s no escaping the film’s fondness for standard crime caper cliches as it navigates prison hierarchies, daring heists and dalliances with Russian gangsters, but its embrace of its genre exceeds what could’ve just been an ordinary assembly of average parts. Avery also shows a knack for set pieces and a confidence with pace and tone that keeps everything moving beyond the familiar. Read our full review. NYMPHOMANIAC Lars von Trier doesn’t make films to cater for all tastes, to be certain. Danish cinema’s enfant terrible earned the label after making many a feature considered unpalatable by broader audiences. Four hours of his work may be an endurance test for some (and that’s the short version of his latest effort); however, his frank dissection of female sexuality demands to be seen. Lust eclipses love as the driving mechanism in the experiences of Joe as she grows from a girl into a woman, ever-aware of her carnal impulses. Some chapters hit the mark better than others, just as some performances — from a cast that includes Stacy Martin and Charlotte Gainsbourg sharing the lead role, as well as Uma Thurman, Christian Slater, Shia LaBeouf and Jamie Bell — suffer the same fate, yet the end product is never anything less than engrossing. Read our full review. OUT OF THE FURNACE A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it run in Australian cinemas excuses many from failing to cross paths with the latest feature from Crazy Heart writer/director Scott Cooper. Though he again steeps his story in the struggles of those striving for something more but continually restrained by their circumstances, here he places his stumbling characters in the midst of small-town malaise, post-war apathy and generational inertia. Excellent work from Christian Bale, Casey Affleck and Woody Harrelson lies at the core of an intimate, intricate effort played out with a brooding look and feel from start to finish. Also strong is the sense of conviction that helps patch over thematic similarities with other films.
Spring, plus light- to medium-bodied red wine: what a pairing. It's the duo that not only sits at the heart of Australian wine-tasting festival Pinot Palooza, but has helped the vino-swilling event become such a hit. The weather is sunny, the tipples are heady, and sipping your way through a heap of the latter is on the menu — including in 2023. The Melbourne-born wine tasting festival will celebrate its 11th year by touring the country, including hitting up Brisbane Showgrounds from Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15. This three-day affair filled with vino-sipping fun will cover organic, biodynamic, vegan and low-intervention wines, and more, as well as bites to line the stomach. In its decade of life until now, the fest has welcomed in thousands of vino lovers. Indeed, an estimated 65,000 tickets were sold globally before its 2022 events. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the popular celebration was shelved for two-and-a-half years, before making a comeback last year. The response? More than 12,000 folks heading along around the nation. Set to share their tipples among producers from Australia, New Zealand and further afield: New Zealand's Burn Cottage and CHARTERIS; Small Island, Ghost Rock and Meadowbank from Tasmania; M&J Becker from NSW and Moondarra from Victoria. The food lineup will feature cheese, salumi, terrines, patê, olives and other perfect vino accompaniments, with Tasmania's Grandvewe Cheese and Victoria's Mount Zero among the suppliers.
Virtual reality is no longer just something found in science fiction films, as anyone who has experienced a VR concert or tour, attended a festival of VR flicks or bought their own VR headset is more than aware. That's just the beginning. The next step in this brave new world — well, maybe that's where everything the likes of The Matrix, TRON, eXistenZ and Strange Days told us starts to come into play. In Vienna, a world-first bar lets patrons combine the real and virtual worlds in a new fashion: by heading out for a few beverages, donning the requisite gear and hanging out in an intangible space rather than just soaking in the bricks and mortar surroundings. Who needs to chat to the people around you when you can plug in, play and interact in the VR space, right? Equipped with an array of VR gear, Vrei Lounge encourages both, with Playstation VR, HTC Vive, Samsung GearVR and more all on the menu alongside the usual selection of booze, coffee, pizzas and muffins. While you're sipping and snacking, you can play mini-golf, train to be a space pirate, repair robots, plunge into the underwater deep or race cars — virtually, of course. It might be the first of its kind, but with arcade and pinball bars popping up with frequency these days, expect more alcohol-fuelled VR haunts to follow around the world. It does indulge humanity's now-engrained love for always being glued to a screen, after all. Whether putting on a headset and having a tipple is better than lounging around and chatting to your mates — that's up to you. Via AWOL. Image: Vrei.
For everyone who'll always love Dolly Parton, the icon herself has unveiled excellent news: she's turning her life story and unrivalled career into a musical, which will debut on Broadway in 2026. Parton is writing the new stage show's music and lyrics. She's also co-penning the book for the musical. Will she pop up during a performance? You'll have to head along to Hello, I'm Dolly to find out. If the production's name sounds familiar, then you truly are a Parton fan: it shares its moniker with her very first studio album, which was released in 1967. In the almost six decades since — a year short of it when Hello, I'm Dolly premieres, in fact — Parton has done everything from dominate country music and star on the big screen to read bedtime stories and donate money to COVID-19 research. Her music is also no stranger to Broadway thanks to 9 to 5: The Musical, as based on the 1980 film of the same name, which made its leap to theatre's most-famous district in 2009. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) "Hello, I'm Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage," said Parton in a statement about the musical. Dolly diehards, you now have this in common with the legend. "I've written many original songs for the show and included all your favourites in it as well. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll clap, you'll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol' Opera. Pun and fun intended. Don't miss it!" Parton continued. As well as composing the score and new songs for the show, and co-writing the book with Maria S Schlatter, Dolly is producing Hello, I'm Dolly with Adam Speers for ATG Productions and Danny Nozell for CTK Enterprises. There's no word on an exact opening date as yet, or any casting details or touring plans after its Broadway run, but Parton just keeps pouring cups of ambition. And if you're now begging for the musical to please head Down Under, we understand. There's obviously no clips or imagery from Hello, I'm Dolly available yet, but check out the trailer for 9 to 5 — the film — below: Hello, I'm Dolly will premiere on Broadway in 2026. We'll update you with any details of a season Down Under if and when they're announced. Head to the musical's website for further details in the interim.
After the year that's been, we've all got our sights set on making this summer one to remember. So, no doubt, you'll want to shake things up a little — and, if you're hosting the crew around for some backyard drinks, you'll want to make sure those sips are darn memorable, too. Because balmy days call for cocktails, we've teamed up with tequila distiller 1800 Tequila to help you unleash your inner bartender. Recently, the brand launched a limited-edition merch range in collaboration with Aussie accessories queen Poppy Lissiman and Sydney-based artist Manu Crooks. So, if you were looking for some bold new accessories for summer, it's got you sorted in that department — but you better get in quickly, before they sell out. Now, the two aforementioned creative legends, plus 1800's Hayley Dixon (Proximo Spirits Tequila Specialist), have come up with three tequila cocktail recipes that are guaranteed to spice up your next at-home session. POPPY LISSIMAN'S TASTE OF TULUM Serves one Sleek, chic and a little bit fun, this little libation created by Poppy Lissiman is the perfect drink for summer nights spent on the dance floor. The concoction uses 1800 coconut-infused tequila, which lends a taste of the tropics, while prosecco keeps things sophisticated. So, break out the champagne flutes and get shaking. Ingredients 30ml 1800 Coconut 15ml peach syrup 10ml Fino sherry 20ml fresh lemon juice 5ml simple syrup 90ml prosecco Method Minus the prosecco, shake all ingredients together, then double strain into a champagne flute. Top the glass with prosecco and garnish with lemon zest. MANU CROOK'S CHERRY CHILL Serves one The classic cherry-cola combo gets served a grown-up twist in this moody drink designed by hip hop artist Manu Crooks. Expect smoke and spice from the 1800's barrel-aged Reposado, which is perfectly balanced with a fun, fruity hit from the rest of the ingredients. It's safe to say that this is one smooth sip that'll see you from day to night. Ingredients 30ml 1800 Reposado 15ml cherry liqueur 2ml vanilla extract 15ml simple syrup 25ml fresh lemon juice Dash Angostura orange bitters 60ml cola Method Minus the cola, shake all ingredients together, then double strain the mix into a double rocks glass over ice. Top with the cola and garnish with a lemon twist. 1800 TEQUILA'S SUMMER STAPLE Serves one When sunny skies and post-swim sessions call for a tipple that's fresh and fruity, keep your cool with this fizzy, pink-hued number. Made with the extra-smooth, double-distilled 1800 Silver, it's a crafty riff on the classic G&T that's sure to become your new summer go-to. Ingredients 40ml 1800 Silver 15ml watermelon syrup 15ml honey syrup (three parts honey, one part warm water) 20ml fresh lemon juice 15ml fresh grapefruit juice 60ml dry tonic Method Minus the tonic, shake all ingredients together, then double strain the mix into a highball glass over ice. Top up with tonic and garnish with a watermelon wedge. Spice up your summer with these three easy-to-make 1800 Tequila cocktails, then get yourself some fresh new accessories from the 1800 Essential Artists merch range. 1800 Tequila promotes responsible drinking practices, for 18 years and over only.
He turned the world's most famous shipwreck into one of biggest movies in history and reinvented 3D filmmaking to make another box office behemoth — and now James Cameron is bringing the ocean's depths to Sydney. Making its world premiere at Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum from May 29, 2018 until January 30, 2019, James Cameron – Challenging the Deep will dive deep into the Titanic and Avatar director's rather expensive hobby: deep-sea exploration. When you make a movie about a necklace called the Heart of the Ocean, becoming obsessed with the sea is understandable, and Cameron has quite the array of artefacts, specimens, underwater recordings, inventions, cinema-scale projections, and film props and costumes to prove it. They'll all be on display, in a showcase that examines the filmmaker's passion for understanding and wading through our oceans. According to the The Sydney Morning Herald, Cameron himself will be in attendance to open the exhibition — taking a break from making four (yes, four) Avatar sequels. And if you're wondering why he's launching his latest project here, it could have something to do with his custom-built Deepsea Challenger submersible, which was made in Sydney. Back in 2012, Cameron piloted the vessel to the Mariana Trench, a cool 10,994 metres below the sea and also the deepest part of the ocean, becoming the first person to venture there solo. You might've seen a documentary about his efforts, 2014's Deepsea Challenge 3D, which is just one of the many movies to chart his fascination with what lurks beneath. After kicking things off with 1989's The Abyss, he not only sent Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio running around the RMS Titanic, but made his own documentary about exploring its real-life ruins, aka 2003's Ghosts of the Abyss. Expect The Abyss and Titanic to feature heavily in the exhibition. James Cameron – Challenging the Deep will display at Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum from May 29, 2018 until January 30, 2019. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Image:NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island via Wikimedia Commons.
The National Gallery of Victoria has hosted some of Australia's biggest contemporary art exhibitions in recent memory. There was the Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei blockbuster that paired the works of two of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, the huge debut of the NGV Triennial late last year and, next week, the Melbourne gallery will unveil a collection of works from New York City's MoMA. But, in the coming years, all these exhibitions could be moved to a new location, as the Victorian Government has today announced plans for a brand new contemporary art gallery to be built nearby. This is a pretty big deal. The new gallery — dubbed NGV Contemporary (NGVC) — will be part of a major redevelopment of the Southbank arts precinct and, according to the Victorian Government, will be the biggest contemporary art gallery in the country. While it will be part of the NGV, it'll be a standalone gallery, and will be built around the corner on the site of the old Carlton & United Breweries building on Southbank Boulevard. It sounds like the NGV's permanent collection will stay at NGV International, while NGVC will focus purely on contemporary art and design. As well as the gallery itself, the redevelopment will also add 18,000 square metres of public space to the area, theatre upgrades and new facilities in an attempt to turn 1 City Road into Melbourne's arts hub. The State Government will invest $208 million for the first two years of the project — this will allow the NGV to start planning and raise philanthropic funds. Premier Daniel Andrews is calling the redevelopment a "once-in-a-generation" project, and thinks it will be a "game-changer" for the city. Once completed, we think it's safe to assume that the NGV will be able to pull even more big names for its blockbuster exhibitions.
