The mercury is rising and things are getting steamy, with the hotly anticipated return of World Movies Summer of Sin. Featuring only the most scandalous and salacious titles that the international film world has to offer, this four-week-long, adults-only program is sure to get pulses racing. Here listed are five of our favourite films from the lineup. From critically acclaimed French melodramas and German erotic comedies to James Franco making a documentary about his favourite BDSM porn site, these are the titles that consenting adults simply can't afford to miss. BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR (2013) The winner of top honours at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Blue Is the Warmest Colour gained notoriety for its extremely graphic lesbian sex scenes, as well as director Abdellatif Kechiche's tyrannical behaviour on set. Controversy notwithstanding, the sex is actually the least interesting part of this film, a devastating portrayal of the lifespan of a relationship featuring absolutely phenomenal performances from actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux. Friday, December 19, at 9.30pm KINK (2013) Produced by James Franco (because of course he did), Kink takes viewers inside the daily workings of Kink.com, one of the world's leading producers of BDSM-themed pornography. Through interviews with directors and models, documentarian Christina Voros dives into the ins and outs of the adult entertainment world, exploring both the appeal of bondage pornography and the practical considerations involved in shooting it. Tuesday, December 23, at 9.30pm EMMANUELLE (1974) Yuletide revellers, ring in the festive season with this Christmas Eve screening of a classic soft-core porno. Marketed to mainstream moviegoers as an arthouse flick, Emmanuelle follows the Bangkok sexual odyssey of its titular heroine, the young, naive wife of a French diplomat. The film helped turn Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel into a sex symbol, and spawned dozens of sequels and spinoffs, a number of which will also be screened as part of the Summer of Sin program. Wednesday, December 24, at 9.30pm IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (1976) Hugely controversial upon its release both in its native Japan and around the world, Nagisa Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses dramatises the violent sexual affair between a hotel manager and a maid in 1930s Tokyo. The film is inspired by the real-life case of Sada Abe, a woman who sparked a media sensation in Japan after strangling her lover and cutting off his penis. You'll have to watch the film yourself to see how closely it sticks to reality. Friday, January 2, at 9.30pm WETLANDS (2013) Although it's just a graphic as anything on this list, it's hard to think of a recent film less sexy than David Wnendt's Wetlands. Adapted from Charlotte Roche's novel of the same name, the film is a punk-rock feminist satire about 18-year-old Helen, a self-described "living pussy hygiene experiment", who falls in love with her attractive male nurse after landing in the hospital with haemorrhoids. Gleefully disgusting, it's sinful in a whole other kind of way. Monday, January 5, at 9.30pm
Americans afraid of a Donald Trump presidency are using websites and apps in order to trade votes with people in other states, in an effort to keep the Republican candidate out of the White House. Websites like Trump Traders are aimed at Republicans in so-called swing states, such as Florida and North Carolina, who are opposed to Donald Trump but don't wish to vote directly for Hillary Clinton, so intend to vote for a third party candidate instead. "We get it. Secretary Clinton is not your favourite," explains the website. "But at this point she is the only one standing between Trump and the White House. If you are #NeverTrump but want to support Gary Johnson or another third party candidate in a swing state, don't do it. You may toss the election to Trump. Instead, find a friend in a state that's safely blue or red — they'll vote for your third party candidate in exchange for your vote for Clinton." According to Trump Traders co-founder John Stubbs, more than 15,000 people had enrolled to swap their votes on the site. Apps such as NeverTrump functions in a similar fashion, allowing voters in swing states to swap votes with those in states that are considered safe. Vote trading is perfectly legal, although it does rely on the honour system — that is, you have to trust that the random stranger that you're trading votes with will actually vote for who they say they will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTUe04et4EQ Via ABC.
In case you needed more proof that Hollywood is scraping the bottom of the barrel, audiences will soon be getting not one but two Uber-themed comedies. Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox will be racing to see who can get their flick into theatres first, after both studios unknowingly purchased Uber-centric scripts within 24 hours of each other. Honestly, this is just like Antz and A Bug's Life all over again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures threw down a seven figure sum on an untitled pitch from Bad Neighbours screenwriter Brendan O'Brien, with Will Ferrell set to produce and star. The script isn't actually finished yet, but sources say it will concern an unfortunate Uber driver (Ferrell) whose fare turns out to be an escaped convict. Fox, meanwhile, purchased Tripper Clancy's completed script Stuber, which in an amusing twist of fate follows an Uber driver whose passenger is a cop, working what THR calls "the most dangerous case of his career." Is it just us, or does it sound like these two films are ripe for an Avengers-style crossover? No word yet on when either film will be released. It does make you wonder whether movies based on apps could be the next big thing, especially with The Angry Birds Movie hitting cinemas in the next few weeks. Surely it's only a matter of time before we get a romantic comedy and/or serial killer film based on Tinder. Via THR.
At long last SPECTRE — the 24th film in the iconic James Bond franchise — has made its way to screens around the country, and to mark the occasion, Heineken is giving fans a bunch of prizes to make them sharper than Bond himself. To help celebrate its long-standing partnership with Bond, Heineken has teamed up with the boutique experience cultivators over at Mr Aristotle for a brand new project, The Catch. Throughout November and December, Heineken will be hosting exclusive SPECTRE 007 events that are so mysterious participants won’t know what’s in store until they’re suddenly whisked away and thrown right into the middle of the action right as it happens — like this one, where you and your mates head off on an exclusive personal tailoring adventure through some of Brisbane's premier male fashion outlets and stores. Winners secure the expert advice of a top-tier fashion consultant to accompany you around town for a full three hours. You'll have what every indecisive shopper dreams of: your very own personal stylist advising on your needs, style and personality. They won't tell you how to dress — they'll tell you how to dress perfectly for you. No time-wasting, no queues and, most importantly, no buyer's remorse. It doesn't matter if you're keen for a complete overhaul or the simple addition of a few key pieces, your consultant will be there to offer their years of experience and VIP access to some of Brisbane's fashion meccas. You'll finish up at celebrated men's clothing establishment Calibre — fitting name. To be in the running for prizes like this, sign up via the Heineken's The Catch website and have your mates locked, loaded and ready to move at a moment’s notice. Then dive into your wardrobe and get cracking on that long overdue stocktake review — because if you win, you'll need to make some space.
“Will you be ready for THE CATCH?" This is the intriguing question posed by Heineken just one week out from the release of the 24th James Bond film SPECTRE, and it’s referring to something pretty darn special. To celebrate Heineken's 18-year partnership with the iconic 007 franchise, they're offering a select group of lucky fans a chance to experience the intriguing and prestigious world of James Bond. Sure, that could technically mean you have to infiltrate villain lairs and have various tuxedo scuba suits on hand for 24 hours, but we’re pretty confident it’s referring to the fun stuff: parties filled with glamour, prestige, special guests and VIP performances. Throughout November and December, Heineken will be hosting exclusive SPECTRE 007 events that are so mysterious participants won’t know what’s in store until they’re suddenly whisked away and thrown right into the middle of the action right as it happens. You won’t know where. You won’t know when. Will you be ready? To be in the running, fans need to sign up via the Heineken's The Catch website and have your mates locked, loaded and ready to move at a moment’s notice. Helipads and jet skis aren’t essential, but they’ll certainly come in handy...
A brand new streaming service could change the way you watch new release movies — assuming you're willing to fork over the cash. The latest online endeavour from Napster co-founder Sean Parker, Screening Room wants to bring movies into your living room on the same day they hit cinemas. The idea has already received backing from several major Hollywood filmmakers, including Peter Jackson, Martin Scorsese, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. But hostile theatre chains and prohibitive costs could mean the service remains a way off yet. The biggest hurdle, it would seem, is the cost of the service. Subscribers would need to purchase a US$150 set top box, after which they'd be charged $50 per film, which would remain available to them for 48-hours. Admittedly, you're paying for the convenience of not having to leave the house, and if you get enough people to chip in, it could easily work out cheaper than going to the cinema. But by the same token, if you're willing to wait a few months, you'll be able to watch the exact same movie on Netflix for a fraction of the price. The reason for the cost is in part to placate theatre owners, who might understandably be none too pleased about Parker trying to muscle in on their territory. According to Variety, as much as $20 out of each $50 rental fee would be paid to exhibitors, in return for two free tickets to see the given film in theatres, should Screening Room subscribers so choose. Film studios would also get a substantial slice of the pie, with Universal, Sony Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox all expressing interest in getting on board. There have, however, been several prominent naysayers, including filmmakers James Cameron and Christopher Nolan, who reaffirmed their commitment to theatrical presentation. It's easy to see their point: films are designed to be viewed on the big screen with the best possible picture and sound, something that cannot be replicated at home. On the other hand, it only takes one jerk on their phone in front of you to ruin the whole experience. Of course regardless of what happens with the Screening Room, we'd wager it'll still be quite a while before it makes its way to Australia. Looks like movie night is still a go, for now. Via Variety.
Look, in our book, every single day is gin day. But this Saturday, June 11, the drink that launched a thousand drunk texts (and counting) will be officially celebrated the world over. It's World Gin Day. And considering the experimental foodie age we live in, it doesn't seem appropriate to celebrate with just another gin and tonic — not when you can have it infused with ants or steeped in red wine grapes, anyway. So we've found two new weird Australian gins that won't only make for an unconventional G&T, but will spark a few conversations and raised eyebrows too. ANGRY ANT GIN — BASS AND FLINDERS Up and coming gin barons often differentiate themselves and their product by distilling the botanicals of the local area to give a distinctive, but familiar, flavour and scent. Australian species lend themselves perfectly to the task — but for the chaps down at Bass and Flinders Distillery in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, that simply wasn't weird enough. They've distilled a gin made with a special ingredient: ants. Like all gin, Angry Ant is made up of a selection of botanicals. But along with the usual juniper berries and lemongrass, the essence of ants has also been thrown in. That's because ants release a pheromone during the distillation process, which produces a flavour that complements the other botanicals to create a damn fine gin. While they're not the first people to use the tiny insects in gin — Copenhagen's Nordic Food Lab produces an Anty Gin that costs a bomb per bottle — they're certainly the first in Australia, with the ants sourced from Wooleen Station in WA. Grab a bottle here, if you dare. BLOODY SHIRAZ GIN — FOUR PILLARS Ron Swanson may say that "clear alcohols are for rich women on diets" and while we usually take his word as gospel, we couldn't disagree more with him on this one. But if you want to add some colour (and kick) to your 5pm G&T, look no further than Four Pillars' brand new Bloody Shiraz Gin. The revolutionary gin created by Victorian gin legends Four Pillars is exaaactly what it sounds like — a Shiraz and gin blend. To create this bloody monster, they steeped Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes in their high-proof dry gin for eight weeks before pressing the fruit and blending it with the gin, and hoped like hell it would turn out well. It did. The pretty, deep purple hue combined with a potent alcoholic content (37.8 percent, compared to an average 30 percent in sloe gin) and sweet undertones make the Bloody Shiraz Gin a near perfect specimen. Four Pillars are releasing the mix on World Gin Day — you can head down to their Healesville distillery to try it or buy it on their website. And on that day, we'll raise a toast to all the gins that were and to all the weird, delicious gins that will soon be. Cheers to you gin, you glorious bastard!
Uber's switched on marketing team are at it again. Less than a week after teaming with Optus on an Australia Day stunt that saw cricket umpires dispatched to backyards around the country, the ridesharing service have announced their latest promotion. From 11am on Sunday January 31, Uber users will be able to summon a driver to collect unwanted gifts and second-hand clothes for donation to the Red Cross. The promotion is being run in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Geelong, Adelaide, Perth, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, in partnership with local Red Cross Shops. Users wishing to donate can simply log in to the app between 11am and 4pm and select the 'Clothing Drive' option. The Red Cross asks that people bag up their donations, and only include items that can be resold. "The more donations we receive the more we are able to support the work of Red Cross around Australia," said Red Cross Shops Marketing Manager Kate Dear. Proceeds from sales at Red Cross Shops go directly to support the daily work of the organisation. Here's hoping people respond to this Uber promotion with the same enthusiasm that they did to ones involving kittens and ice-cream. Sure, helping people in need might not be as exciting as cats on demand, but you'd be hard pressed to argue it isn't a little bit more worthwhile. For more information visit the Uber newsroom.
Anyone who has ever watched a horror movie before knows that you should never, ever go into the woods. Yet that's exactly what the people behind Australia's coolest new immersive cinema experience are asking you to do. Horror Movie Campout is a blood-soaked overnight camping trip held in a secret Blair Witch-style forest an hour from the city. Just please, leave the machete at home. Coming to Melbourne in December and Sydney next year, this uniquely scary take on outdoor movie-going will treat campers to two classic horror films, along with a number of gory shorts. The first is 1973's head-spinner The Exorcist – enjoy the serenity of fear while roasting marshmallows and munching on popcorn (or spilling it) into the early hours of the morning. The second popular horror feature will be voted for by HMC campers via Facebook. But it's not just the movies. Beyond the comfort of your cosy cinema spot, surprises lurk in the forest. Is someone following you? Is that a person’s shadow, or just your imagination playing tricks? Horror Movie Campout promises to put your heart – and your bladder – to the test. Each $180 ticket includes a tent to sleep three mates. Glamping options are also available for $240, offering luxury horror-goers VIP perks such as express entry and primo spots in front of the screen. Just don't think you're exempt from the special horror surprises. Melbourne’s Horror Movie Campout is being held at Point Cook Homestead on December 4 and 5, while the Sydney event will be held in early 2016. It should also probably go without saying that this is strictly an R18+ event. Image via Dollar Photo Club.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has established a studio on the Greek Island of Lesbos, where he and his students will create works relating to the ongoing European refugee crisis. Ai made the announcement while visiting the island, which has become one of the main entry points into Europe for hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of whom are fleeing the conflict in Syria. "As an artist, I have to relate to humanity’s struggles...I never separate these situations from my art," Ai told reporters. "I think that good art only comes out from when we have strong beliefs in aesthetics and human dignity. This can never be separated." The 58-year-old hopes to return to the island several times this year. He also plans to create a memorial on the island for refugees who lost their lives at sea. Ai, whose art frequently deals with human rights issues, has only recently begun travelling internationally again, having had his passport confiscated by Chinese authorities in 2011 when he was imprisoned for 81 days. Since its return he has visited London, where he snapped a selfie with Julian Assange, and Melbourne, where he attended the opening of the Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. He has chronicled his experiences in Lesbos via social media, posting images of himself with refugees and volunteers. Happy new year #refugees #lesvos A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Dec 31, 2015 at 8:56am PST A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Dec 30, 2015 at 11:42am PST Engines of refugees boats #refugees #lesvos A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Dec 31, 2015 at 1:57am PST In related news, volunteers for Greenpeace and Medecins San Frontieres recently created an enormous peace sign in Lesbos using discarded refugee life jackets, in an attempt to bring more attention to the crisis. More than half a million migrants have passed through the Greek Islands in the past 12 months alone. Via The Guardian.
Well, this is rather excellent branding. Britpop kings and experts in cheesemaking Blur are selling its own ice cream for their latest album tour. Coinciding with Blur's newest album The Magic Whip, the new edible merch is an attempt to recreate the neon sign on the cover; taking something like Gelato Messina's Jack White flavour next level. Damon Albarn and the lads teamed up with UK based ice cream company The Licktators, whose previous music-themed flavours include 'John Lemon' and 'Jiggy Pop'. But the company really made its headline-worthy reputation after releasing 'Baby Gaga' for the royal baby — an ice cream flavour made with human breast milk. Yep. Really. Blur's own escapade into iced confection will, of course, be called 'Magic Whip' after the new album. Attempting to mimic the cover art, the ice cream will be vanilla custard flavour with raspberry sauce. Unfortunately, 'Magic Whip' will be available exclusive at the legendary foursome's concerts and at a few London co-ops this year. We're not sure whether the ice cream will make it to Australia for their highly anticipated Splendour appearance and stadium tour, but until we're sure we'll be cooking up our own Blur dessert using the recipe hidden within the video for lead album single 'Go Out'. Via AV Club.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and make that film you've always wanted to? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of some bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Sydney's Jason Perini knows all about the anti-comfort zone. He's a man standing on the precipice of an opportunity so monumental it's overwhelming — a fully loaded-career with seriously big names already sitting in his credit roll. Alright, so it's not quite as dramatic as all that but he has recently found himself hurtling from struggling up-and-comer to directing Oscar nominated Maggie Gyllenhaal in a film he wrote himself in the space of a few short weeks. One of three winners of Jameson's 2016 First Shot competition, an international short film comp giving aspiring writers and directors their 'first shot' in the film industry, Jason's channelling 'Sine Metu' all the way to Hollywood with his film The New Empress. But how the heck did he get there? GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS/AWESOME WIFE Jason started his directing career, as all great directors do, on the other side of the camera. Graduating from the Actors Centre Australia in 2009, he starred in a few short films, episodes of Underbelly, and a few plays for the likes of Belvoir, RockSurfers and NIDA. Highly sought after as a voice over artist, he churned out ads for KFC, Sony and Samsung before taking a little more creative control over his film career. He wrote and starred in multiple award-winning short films including 2012 Tropfest finalist and Best Comedy winner at NYC's BrownFish International Film Festival Kitchen Sink Drama, and the Cannes-screened short A Little Bit Behind. Being a director, writer and actor was paying off. In his new arrangement though, the scales are loaded. On one side is his family (wildly supportive wife Susan, three young kids and preschool fees stacking up), fear and niggling self-doubt. On the other side is the pure joy of making films and a fair dollop of entrepreneurial spirit. In the end, they balance each other out — but it doesn't come easy. "My wife reassures me to keep moving in this direction and making short films because… I think she just sees the joy it brings me," he says. "And that it brings me a level of satisfaction." Perini doesn't fit into any preconceived notions you might have about actors and directors. He could be your brother, your mate, your neighbour, your uncle — there's not a skerrick of Tinseltown pretentiousness in him and he seems acutely aware of that. What he lacks in old Hollywood gravitas he more than makes up for in relatability. He's not a polished protagonist and seems to have no faith in things working out for him. For some, that fear might be calcifying, but for Perini, it makes him cautious, calculated and hardworking. His approach isn't razzle-dazzle, it's a hard slog, and maybe that insight is why Trigger Street Productions president Dana Brunetti, Kevin Spacey and Maggie Gyllenhaal, chose his script out of hundreds to win First Shot. FYI, this is the straight-up baller way Jameson, Trigger Street and Spacey told the three First Shot winners they'd won (get the tissues ready): EAT HUMBLE PIE FOR EVERY MEAL There's nothing glamorous about clawing your way up the film industry ladder. Like most of the creative professions, there's a dearth of funding and a saturation of hungry mouths to feed. Putting a dollar value on creative ideas can be challenging but not as difficult as going hand-to-mouth to potential investors and supporters. But that's the reality for most filmmakers. There's no fat stack of Hollywood money, no personal assistants and no safety net. Making it work means calling in a lot of favours. "Constantly having to approach people I don't know and say, 'I don't have much money, my idea is probably not very good but would you be willing to come along and help out with this thing,' you think, 'I don't want to do this, it's out of my comfort zone.' But in five years, if I hadn't given it a shot, I would kick myself. "I'm not getting any younger. I get nervous calling anyone on the phone, I can't stand it. I get weirded out by emailing people [the same as] approaching people cold. But the more you do it, you still don't like it but you know that's what you have to do." Herein this simple admission lies the crux of Perini's appeal – he's you. He's all of us, unpolished and goofy and cringing about having to pick up the phone and ask a favour. He's a man with the same hang-ups, the same road blocks we all have (age, time, money, warring responsibilities), who's managed to somehow close his eyes, steel himself and awkwardly run screaming into the fray 'without fear'. FAKE IT TILL THE HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHTS NOTICE YOU Perini quickly discovered that for him, being an actor was far easier than being an everything else (don't throw anything at us, actors). As director, producer and writer, he finds himself holding a lot of threads which threaten to unravel at any moment and ruin everything. "What's nice about it is that you get more of a vision but then if it comes crashing down, it sucks," he says. "If I was acting it I'd just go, 'Oh they cut it badly, the director was a jerk.' But there's nowhere to hide once you start producing, directing and writing." His approach to his craft is one of self-assured humility; an oxymoron that blends equal parts ability and uncertainty. When asked if he thinks he's a good filmmaker, he's characteristically self-deprecating. "No I don't," he says quickly. "I think I'm a baby in it. Now that I've made two films completely on my own, in the sense that I produced them and wrote them, I think I learned the hard way really quickly. I look back at both those films and would do them completely differently. But I've learnt so much… that's kind of helpful." Trigger Street and Maggie Gyllenhaal evidently disagree. Perini's script, which he nearly didn't submit, was chosen out of hundreds as a co-winner of First Shot. The prize is a filmmakers' dream Your script is brought to life with you as the director, Kevin Spacey as creative director, Trigger Street as producers and Maggie Gyllenhaal in front of the camera. As you may guess, Perini is dealing with it in a characteristically low-key way. "They're gonna have a rude shock when I turn up and don't know what I'm doing... I'm just thankful and I want to learn from them as much as I can. I want to be as ignorant as I can and soak it all up." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website. Images: Michael Ciccone, Jameson, Trigger Productions.
Reluctant pirates of Australia, this one's for you. Announced today, Australia's getting a brand new internet service, Yournet, which uses geododging to grant you access to TV from around the world. No VPN/funny business needed. Yournet is a soon-to-be-launched internet provider with a philosophy that everyone should pay for the content they consume, but also that Australians often get shafted out of competitive deals and easy access to good streaming services because of a certain someone’s monopoly on the market (Foxtel. It's Foxtel. Foxtel.). According to SMH, Yournet will un-geoblock your access to the holy grails of cheap TV streaming (US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer) and other blocked foreign sites. Yournet will become available in August and you’re looking at an ADSL2+ connection for $129.95 with unlimited downloads, which is a wee bit more than your current (terrible) TPG bargain bin deal. But considering a good VPN will cost up to $10 a month and Yournet has an uncapped download limit, we’re pretty into it. Yournet is also designed specifically for people who like to procrastabinge-watch entire seasons of TV shows without slow buffering times reminding you of the mountain of responsibilities that lurk outside of the safe zone (your laptop-warmed, bed pillow fort). If you're using Yournet, you will need to find your own way to sign up for blocked overseas services and actually pay for the service. But once you're signed up, Yournet allows you to flick between platforms easily with the 'Global Mode' service — unlike many VPNs like Hola, which don't allow Australian geoblocked sites through to the rest of the world, you can just flick between BBC and ABC iView for example. With Australia's new copyright laws rolling out with gusto, this could be the solution that lets you hang up the cutlass and parrot. How this is possibly legal, we're still pretty in the dark. However, Fairfax references legal advice that this type of technology to bypass geoblocking is perfectly okay, something that consumer advocacy group CHOICE Australia thinks is not exactly correct. "It's possible that we'll see a legal challenge against Yournet, similar to the actions against Global Mode services in New Zealand," CHOICE campaigns manager Erin Turner told SMH. "CHOICE remains concerned that the recently passed Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 will allow Australian rights holders to block access to online tools that allow consumers to access geo-blocked services. This isn't an anti-piracy measure, it's an anti-consumer measure that could see some of Australia's biggest companies block access to their international competitors." Check out Yournet here, launching in Australia in August. Via SMH.
A nirvana of live music and creative thinking nestled smack bang in the middle of one of America’s most conservative states, Austin, Texas is amongst the most hypeworthy cities in the world. Never is this truer than during South by Southwest, a ten day festival of hugely talked-about movies, must-hear new music and groundbreaking, interactive tech. From flying cars to talks by Edward Snowden, this year’s event has once again got us turning green with envy. To help us cope with hardcore FOMO, we’ve come up with seven things happening at SXSW 2015 we wish we were bragging about experiencing firsthand. MEERKAT IS TAKING OVER With a tech-head on every corner, SXSW has become a premiere destination for developers looking to launch their latest app. Twitter and Foursquare both got their start in Austin, but this year the buzz has coalesced around Meerkat, an app that lets you live stream video from your phone to Twitter. Interesting idea, although whether it has staying power remains to be seen. VIRTUAL REALITY IS PUTTING PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE AT SNL40 Right now it feels like we’re right on the cusp of virtual reality actually being a thing. The team at Saturday Night Live certainly think so, teaming up with Sony to capture the filming of their recent 40th anniversary show. Just think: now you’ll be able to experience Eddie Murphy’s awkward guest spot like you were squirming in the audience firsthand. THERE'S A KWIK-E-MART FOOD TRUCK HANDING OUT FREE SQUISHEES Celebrating 25 years since the Kwik-E-Mart first opened its sliding doors on The Simpsons, Fox have created a food truck for SXSW that's serving up free squishees to lucky, lucky jerks for the duration of the festival. The flavours? 'Not So Very Cherry' and 'Give 'em the Razz'. The whole thing's a publicity stunt of course, and coincides with the announcement of the first ever 1100-piece Lego Kwik-E-Mart set. JIMMY KIMMEL TAPED A COMMERCIAL FOR A LOCAL AUSTIN VIDEO STORE For the second year in a row, late night host Jimmy Kimmel made the trip to Texas for a week’s worth of shows, with guests including Bill Murray, Willie Nelson and Kanye West. But the highlight might be the trio of TV ads he recorded for Austin’s Vulcan Video, where he and a self-effacing Matthew McConaughey pay tribute to Leonard Nimoy and extol the virtue of VHS. Alright, alright... alright? THERE'S BEEN SWORD FIGHTING AT SXSWESTEROS Well of course there was a Game of Thrones thing. HBO’s SXSW installation, teasing the launch of the show’s fifth season, has been one of the biggest drawcards of the festival, with lines stretching around the block. Fans got the chance to practice their swordsmanship, snap a pic in the Iron Throne and get a taste of the show’s latest branded beer, Three-Eyed Raven Ale. As of yet, no one appears to have been betrayed and brutally murdered, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted. TINDER'S BEING USED IN A CREEPY BUT MOVING MARKETING CAMPAIGN Okay, so we’re not exactly sure we’d actually want to experience this one. Like any popular social networking app, Tinder has got its fair share of bots, but none of them are quite like Ava. While she appears to be a pretty 25-year-old, she’s actually part of a viral marketing campaign for sci-fi thriller Ex Machina, which premiered at the festival over the weekend. It’s a clever stunt, although we can’t help but feel a little bad for the guys who swiped right. PEOPLE ARE VOLUNTARILY STAYING AT BATES MOTEL We all go a little crazy sometimes. Some of us are even crazy enough to want to stay in a pop-up Bates Motel, publicising the A&E thriller television show with a terrifying stay. An exact replica built with the help of the show's set designers for the third season of Bates Motel, the pop-up fully functioning hotel accommodates guests in three rooms from March 13-21. You're only able to check-in by winning a daily sweepstakes in the motel office. Lucky winners have found a fake blood spatter in the shower in their room, along with poor ol' Norma's bathrobe on the bed. Freaky. PEOPLE ARE GENUINELY RALLYING AGAINST ROBOTS Perhaps a few of Ava’s disgruntled victims were amongst the protestors at the Rally Against Robots, a protest march attempting to warn festivalgoers about the dangers of artificial intelligence. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. Turns out this was actually another marketing stunt, for a dating app called Quiver. That said, we’ve seen The Terminator enough times to think they might actually be on to something. PUNTERS ARE TAKING INTERSTELLAR VR TOURS Speaking of virtual reality, a VR tie-in with Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar put attendees 'inside' the film’s Endurance space craft — letting them explore the ship in zero gravity and get a glimpse of a time-warping black hole. No word on whether this experience actually helps you understand the plot of the movie, but either way it sounds pretty cool.
Ethical shopping is really goddamn hard sometimes. On one hand, you don’t want clothes that have been painstakingly made by someone earning a dollar a day in a sweatshop. On the other hand are a bunch of shopping bags because you've no idea where to even start shopping ethically. Like everything, an ethical mindset happens incrementally and the first step you can take is here — the Good On You ethical shopping assistant app is seeking crowdfunding. Intended to help you make better consumer choices, the Good On You app amalgamates information on the ethical rating of fashion brands, either by search term or in your local area. The app also measures different production impacts and processes such as child labour, treatment of animals and contribution to climate change. Basically, the app tells you all the real ingredients that went into making your must-have leather jacket, leaving no stone unturned. At times, it may be a hard pill to swallow if your favourite brands don’t pass the test, but the GOY team don't want you to stop shopping — the app also feature alternative suggestions, based on your style, that do better ethically. And perhaps the feature with the greatest potential to catalyse change is the ability to directly message brands who don’t pass muster (fire up your emoji dictionary for maximum emotional impact). There are a few ethical shopping assistant apps on the market right now, however this is the first that systematically catalogues Australian fashion and beauty brands — and it’s about time. Ethical shopping needn’t be a time-consuming ordeal and with an app that creates brand transparency it hopefully soon won’t be. Image: Dollar Photo Club and Good On You. UPDATE DECEMBER 18, 2015: Thanks to awesome crowdfunded dollars, Good On You reached their target of $15,000 and the app is now live. You can download it from their website. Go team!
A magical feast awaits the foodies of London, inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis. For two weeks starting in late January, fiction-inspired supper club The Literary Hour is hosting a five course Narnia-themed banquet — and yes, you have to step though a wardrobe to attend. Just don't forget to bring your winter furs. Set to take place in a secret location somewhere near Tottenham Hale station in north London, Feast in Narnia is but the latest literary supper club hosted by the group. Previous dinners took their cues from the Brothers Grimm and Roald Dahl, and featured dishes such as Cinderella's pumpkin arancini and Willy Wonka's whipple-scrumptious fudgemellow delight. They've also run a not-so-fairytale dinner inspired by Hannibal Lecter, featuring blood soup, brain fritters and Silence of the (Ten Hour Slow Roasted) Lamb. What exactly you'll find on the menu in Narnia is currently being kept under wraps, although the organisers are promising "traitors' tea with Mr Tumnus" and "a fine fishy time with Mrs Beaver". We figure that it's not too much of a stretch to assume that Turkish delight will feature prominently as well. Londoners can book themselves a spot at the table via Grub Club. The rest of us might have to find our own enchanted wardrobe to transport us there first. Via Londonist.
Woken up in a self-induced, whiskey-fuelled, stomach-grating, cold-sweating Sunday Hades too many times? You’re about to feel real guilty. London’s wholesome beige cashmere cardigan of a suburb, Notting Hill, is about to open the unthinkable: an alcohol-free cocktail bar called Redemption. We like to call this a ‘juice bar’. But apparently there's more to it than that. Redemption is London’s first alcohol-free bar, the city’s only ‘cocktail spot’ with a mocktail and food menu designed by nutritional therapists. Created by Catherine Salway, ex Virgin Group Brand Director, executive chef and raw, vegan specialist Andrea Waters, the bar sports the tagline, “Spoil yourself without spoiling yourself.” It’s the latest in a ‘healthvolution’ (yep) of dry bars happening across England, tackling the country’s huge social drinking focus by simply replacing the booze with Healthy Things. It's like almost like nicotine patch for being around bars. “These days it’s hard to get away from booze – you can’t even go to the cinema without being offered a glass of wine,” says Salway and Waters. “With Redemption, we are creating a space away from temptation that still feels like a treat. We’re challenging the convention that we need alcohol to lubricate every social occasion.” Anyone who just did Dry July (right here), would probably be down with this. But let’s be honest, this isn’t a ‘cocktail bar’. Basically it’s a wholesome, vegan cafe open late and using a buzzword to generate articles like the one you’re reading now. Consider us suckers. Redemption’s less about getting smashed on Negronis and more about filling your weekends with less sugar and alcohol. Think 'beet-o-tinis', 'apple mockjitos', and the mildly terrifying-sounding ‘lettuce spray’. For those who don’t drink at all, or those looking to detox the Captain Morgan from their pores, this is a great, appealing initiative from a country whose deep-set drinking problems mirror our own. Perhaps it’s time for a Redemption of our own? *rolls over, orders pizza online, burps Chardonnay* Redemption Bar opens on August 10 at 6 Chepstow Road, London. Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 11pm. Sunday 10am – 5pm. Via VICE and Sharking for Chips and Drinks. Images: Redemption and Sharking for Chips and Drinks.
People are always finding new and exciting ways to advance technology — and when their aim isn’t creating phone apps or more realistic pornography, it’s often about helping others. The Chilean team behind the SULI project fall into the second category of helpers. Their solar-powered SULI lamp is designed to bring a quick, easy, renewable light source to people without access to electricity. SULI estimates 1.5 billion people worldwide are without access to lighting, and use alternatives (such as kerosene lamps, candles, etc.) that are expensive and dangerous. And while solar-powered lights aren’t exactly new technology, an easy, cheap and versatile application for solar lighting is. With 3D-printed accessories, the SULI lamp has applications in both the developed and developing word. It can be used as a flashlight, a bicycle light, a garden light, a reading lamp or (this is the best one) screwed onto a water bottle and transformed into a device that throws light up to five metres. The light takes up to 12 hours to charge and the charge lasts for around 50 hours. For those of you trying to cut down your electricity bills, this may be the gadget for you. With two years of development and several grants behind them, the SULI team has finally brought the project to us via Indiegogo. For US$52 plus shipping you can send yourself one lamp, but for $85 you can add a second that gets sent to Haiti, where 3500 people are still living without electricity or access to water since the devastating 2010 earthquake. SULI have already raised US$22,000 but they still need to sell a few hundred more lamps in order to keep production costs low and their altruism train rolling. So get on board with this clever idea, fill your house with SULIs and know that while your household enjoys light after dark, so does a household in Haiti. Via PSFK. Image via Suli Lab.
Anyone who’s dreamed of spending a summer living in Berlin has just gotten some added incentive. The German capital has officially enacted new rent-control legislation, in order to curtail rising rental prices that have been driving low-income earners out of the city. Must be nice. The new law, which was approved by the German parliament in March, will prohibit landlords from increasing rent to more than 10 percent above the local average. The law was already in place for existing contracts, but will now apply to new tenants as well. Berlin was previously experiencing some of the fastest rising rental rates in Europe, with the average rate jumping by more than 9 percent between 2013 and 2014 alone. If you’re wondering why Australia doesn’t have similar legislation on the books, then welcome to the club. A recent global survey that took into account rental prices as well as various other cost of living factors including food, transport and utilities found that Sydney was the fifth most expensive city in the world, with Melbourne right behind at number six. Brisbane came in at 21, while Perth and Adelaide tied at 24. By comparison, New York City was number 26. That’s right. Living in New York is less expensive than Perth. The NSW Greens Party actually proposed changes to Sydney rental laws during their state election campaign earlier in the year. Under their proposal, rises in rent would be tied to the rate of inflation, and landlords would be restricted to one price increase per year. Member for Newtown Jenny Leong has pledged to introduce the legislation to the state’s lower house. In the meantime, Flight Centre has tickets to Berlin starting at $1499. Via The Guardian. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
It seems you can never have too many burger joints or American-style eateries, so another is joining Brisbane’s ranks. Meet 5 Boroughs, the newest addition to the busy Greenslopes and Stones Corner area. Just don’t expect its blend of casual dining and New York-influenced food to be like all the rest. Already trading ahead of its official opening on March 31, 5 Boroughs endeavours to fill in the gaps in what is becoming a sizeable US food scene. That means looking beyond the usual, to dishes influenced by the Big Apple’s multiculturalism across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Queens. It also means an opening day special of two-for-one meals, and every tenth burger free, too. Yes, the good ol' meat-and-bun combo is a mainstay, complete with artisan bread baked daily and fresh, handcrafted beef patties (particularly taking cues from Le Parker Meridien's Burger Joint in NYC) . Yes, the drinks list includes staples such as craft beers, whiskey and classic cocktails. However, the 5B menu also features quite a few other Noo Yawk classics. As well as picking from a hefty list of sliders and fries, customers can also choose street bites and what 5 Boroughs is calling 'drinking food'. Think steamed bao buns, Cubano and Reuben sandwiches, soft snapper tacos, duck and plum gyoza and more. To wash it all down, think spiced rum and bottomless iced tea. "New York food is about so much more than burgers," says Todd Clayton, co-owner with his wife Marisa. "We love New York for its melting pot of the cultures and cuisines. In true New York City spirit, our menu will take the best of these cuisines, ensuring it is continually evolving.” 5 Boroughs was inspired by the pair's extensive travels and love for New York, with the eatery their attempt to put their affection into practice. Marisa explains, "We're passionate about translating our travels and experiences into venue concepts that don't just follow trends, but expand on them and bring longevity to the table." Visit 5 Boroughs at 9/401-405 Logan Rd, Stones Corner Village, Greenslopes or visit their Facebook page for more information. Image: Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien, New York City.
Australian diners, greasy, fast food is currently battling with wholesome, nutritious fast food for most on-trend — and our arteries are favouring the latter. Brisbane has just added one more go-to for nutritional nosh to its repertoire with The Farm Wholefoods opening in Newstead. After crafting three successful cafe-grocery-stores in Sydney, owners Josh and Lisa Thompson have brought their famed business north of the border to Gasworks Plaza. Their mission? Reminding Brisbanites that a well-rounded approach to wellness starts with a good meal. No scary calorie counters or sad-looking salads here. The cafe's interiors reflect its relaxed approach to healthy eating, with exposed brickwork, black steel, recycled timber and concrete showcasing an abundance of greenery and natural light. The Farm offers a seasonal menu focusing on fresh produce and hearty meals made from quality ingredients, ranging from the breakfast bowl (sourdough with smashed avocado, goats cheese, beans and scrambled eggs) to the bento lunch bowl (buckwheat, soba noodles, salmon, pickled ginger, edamame beans and avocado). Everything is made in-house daily, with a selection of smoothie bowls, salads, sandwiches, soups and sides on offer for dining in or taking away. If the 'Glowing Matcha Smoothie Bowl' (mango, banana, spinach and matcha powder blended with coconut water and topped with buckinis, chia seeds, coconut flakes and strawberries) inspires you to whip something up at home, they've also got you covered. The store offers a wide range of organic and ethically sourced ingredients for sale so you can conjure up some masterpieces in the comfort of your own kitchen. The Farm Wholefoods is open at Gasworks Plaza in Newstead for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Finally, the Bloody Mary will have a breakfast bev companion. Bacardi has been cooking up what is thought to be the first spirit distilled from tea leaves, a new product they're calling Tang. Although we're pretty sure that's already a long-copyrighted drink name for a sugary orange fizz, Bacardi are running with it as inspired by the Chinese Tang Dynasty — when the country's obsession with tea really put down its roots. And with tea still the second most widely consumed beverage in the world (behind coffee, of course), it looks like Bacardi's capitalising on a still-travelling bandwagon. Someone at Bacardi obviously saw more than The Grim in their tea leaves. Apparently the company has been developing a brand new distillation process for four years, according to The Spirits Business. Releasing complex sugars from green tea leaves, the process makes the tea leaves fermentable — so able to become booze. Looks like someone at Bacardi left the leaves in their home teapot too long and had a Brilliant Idea. The fermented gloop then heads to distillation phase, before being blended to really get those tea flavours out. Then the whole thing is diluted with French spring water at Cognac's Grey Goose distillery and you've got yourself a 'tea spirit', designed to drink alongside Chinese food or dropped into cocktails. If you're all fired up to drop a little Tang in your morning cup, be warned; it's going to be exclusively distributed in China (initially only from DFS Hong Kong until May). Plus, it's not going to be cheap. Bacardi are only making small batches of 2000 500ml bottles a go (HK$1888 or AU$318), with the first 500 of the batch numbered, so you're going to see some pretty steep eBay prices on Tang. Via The Spirits Business.
Calling all Gordon Gekkos and Jordan Belforts, the UK's got a new bar for you. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange is London's new venue where drink prices fluctuate in real time according to their nightly popularity, opening on June 17. Set across three floors, Reserve is attempting to connect customers to the value of their cocktails, and how quickly one drink can rise in value while another crashes. It all depends on which drink is most popular on the night — classic supply and demand. There's a live market price board where you can see how different cocktails are doing, and the bar's smartphone app will let you keep track of things at your table — an app that also allows patrons to order cocktails right to their table. The bar's advice? "Buy low, play the market, and when the market crashes... everybody wins." We guess that means a sweet cheapo special. So who's the Wolf of Wall Street behind this whole deal? Reserve has been dreamt up by Alan Grant and his crew, whose former escapades include London's Cherry Jam, Supper Club and Notting Hill Arts Club. It's London's first bar of its kind, but it's not the world's — Austin, Texas has a stock market themed bar called The Brew Exchange, where the hundred beers on tap fluctuate according to popularity. If you happen to be in London (or you've got buds over there) before the bar opens on June 17, Reserve is offering punters the chance to feel like a right ol' Gecko — you can invest £25, £50 or £100 in the bar and you'll double your money instantly with a 100% return of £50, £100 or £200 in bar credit. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange opens on June 17 at 46 Gresham Street, London. Via The Drinks Business. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
In the latest "hello young people" example of giant fast food chains desperately attempting to be cool, McDonalds has announced that a dedicated French fry 'concept store' will open tomorrow in Sydney and it's called, wait for it, Fries With That. You can probably hear us sighing from here. Located on Glebe Point Road in Glebe, Fries With That will throw its doors wide to the insatiably curious masses at 11am tomorrow and the menu is (as you may have guessed) dedicated solely to fries. It's a big trend-sucking gimmick to promote their new loaded fries menu, and they'll be test running six new varieties of toppings. The most popular topping will get the honour of becoming a permanent member of the illustrious Maccas menu. As is tradition in a democratic country, you vote by smashing down your fave French fry flavour. After Camperdown's new eatery The Corner turned out to be a Maccas in disguise last year, this is just some more casual bandwagon-jumping for Maccas. Just look at this on-trend interior, blonde wood, white tiles, exposed light bulbs — someone's been paying attention: It's only open for three days and will close up at 6pm on Sunday, giving you only three days to try all the new flavours — which are, quite honestly, boring as batshit. The six options include sour cream and sweet chilli, Caesar, curry, pesto and parmesan, chipotle cheese sauce and peri-peri cheese sauce. Yawn. They'll also be serving gravy loaded fries which launched nationally yesterday. Eh, we'll probably inhale some. Stop looking at us like that. Find Fries With That at 166 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Opening hours Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29 11am-6pm.
Ever wanted to own your own Banksy original? Well now for a mere $435,000 you can. And while that may sound a bit steep, the price actually isn't that bad when you consider that it includes the entire three bedroom house on which the mural is painted. Located on the side of a two-story terrace in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Spy Booth depicts three secret agents dressed in trenchcoats and dark glasses monitoring a nearby phonebooth with surveillance equipment. Painted in April 2014, it's viewed as a comment on the global surveillance scandal caused by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The house is located just a few kilometres away from the headquarters of the GCHQ, Britain's security and intelligence agency. But while you might imagine that having a Banksy on the side of your house would be a blessing, the owner of 159 Fairview Road says he has experienced constant stress since the appearance of the artwork, which he's been unable to remove or sell since council planners granted it retroactive planning permission. So instead, he's selling the whole building. "If Cheltenham want it, they can have it," 45-year-old David Possee said in an interview. "Just buy the building off me, I just want to get on with my life. Cut me free, you can have the Cheltenham Banksy." Fair warning to any potential bidders out there: while the artwork may be great, the house itself is in need of serious renovations. Or, as real estate agents Peter Ball & Co put it, "requires a comprehensive schedule of refurbishment." To view the listing, go here. Via Domain.
Sick of the winter weather? Then escape from the chill to a warm, dark cinema, where you can watch movies from places even colder than here. Returning to Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival will once again showcase the best of Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic cinema, from award-winning dramas to esoteric comedies and the very best of Nordic Noir. One of the big highlights on this year's program is the Golden Globe-nominated The Fencer, a Finnish-German-Estonian co-production — dubbed by Finland Today as "the best Finnish film in a decade" — about a fencing instructor hiding from Soviet forces in Estonia in the years after the war. It's one of a number of critically-acclaimed titles in the program this year, alongside oddball Icelandic rom-com The Together Project which took home a screenplay prize at Cannes, and the excruciatingly tense Danish drama Land of Mine, which played in competition at the Sydney Film Festival earlier this year. Check out our list of the five must-see films at this year's Scandinavian Film Festival, below. https://vimeo.com/166024818 WELCOME TO NORWAY The opening night film at this year's festival is the fittingly titled Welcome to Norway, a jet black comedy about the current European migrant crisis and the attempts of one intrepid businessman to cash in. Anders Baasmo Christiansen plays a casually racist Norwegian hotel owner who, due to mounting debt, is forced to turn his establishment into refugee housing. With a supporting cast made up of actual Syrian refugees, director Rune Denstad Langlo has created a timely piece of social satire that promises to be both funny and outrageous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMAkhyC6bY THE FENCER One of two post-war dramas to feature on this list, The Fencer first caught our attention at the Golden Globes earlier this year, when it competed as Finland's nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Directed by Klaus Härö, the film tells the story of a world class swordsman turned reluctant German soldier, who in the years following WWII finds himself hiding from the Soviets in a small Estonian village, where he finds work as a school P.E. teacher and fencing instructor. Critically acclaimed in Finland, The Fencer was described by one media outlet as "the best Finnish film in a decade". Good luck finding a more glowing recommendation than that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CLtk5NewrM LAND OF MINE In the aftermath of WWII, German POWs under the command of Allied forces were put to work clearing Denmark's western coast of more than two million German landmines. This gripping Danish drama follows one such group of prisoners, with director Martin Zandvliet drawing on historical events to craft a film that combines the stomach-churning tension of The Hurt Locker with the anti-war sentiment of Joyeux Noel. With the lives and limbs of frightened young soldiers hanging in the balance for much of its running time, Land of Mine is certainly not for the faint of heart. For anyone who can handle the anxiety, however, the film is an absolute must-see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XKM2zqzoMw THE TOGETHER PROJECT In a desperate attempt to get closer to a beautiful swimming instructor (Florence Loiret-Caille), a lonely crane driver (Samir Guesmi) signs up for lessons with her at the local pool — despite the fact he already knows how to swim. A sure-fire charmer, The Together Project is the final film from French-Icelandic filmmaker Sólveig Anspach, who passed away last year after a battle with cancer. The breezy, off-beat rom-com premiered posthumously at Cannes, where it scored strong reviews from critics and won the Directors' Fortnight SACD Prize for Best Screenplay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6m9B-xk3sk THE PUSHER TRILOGY Long before anyone in the English-speaking world had heard of him, director Nicolas Winding Refn broke onto the scene in Denmark with this violent, kinetic crime saga set on the mean streets of Copenhagen. Crisscrossing the lives of various unseemly characters, the Pusher films, with their stylish aesthetic and searing central performances, are unmistakably the work of the same auteur who would go on to direct Ryan Gosling in Drive and Only God Forgives. Each film in the trilogy will screen just once over the course of the festival, in late night time slots befitting their underground status. Special discounted ticket prices are available to patrons who decide to see all three. The Scandinavian Film Festival runs July 5-27 in Sydney, July 6-27 in Melbourne and July 13-27 in Brisbane. For the full program, visit scandinavianfilmfestival.com.
It's been a big year or so for Delfina's Bistro. First, they set up shop at Emporium, and started serving up hearty meals with a gourmet twist. Then, when their mouthwatering mix of modern Australian and European cuisines proved a hit, they expanded their menu and operating hours, adding weekend brunch to the mix. Onwards and upwards must be the restaurant's motto, because they're not stopping there. In fact, they're not staying at 1000 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley at all. Come the end of July, they're shutting up their existing location, and shifting their entire operations up the road. Well, not just up the road to 959 Ann Street, but to the Alex Perry Hotel and Apartments. And part of the fun of getting into bed with a luxury accommodation provider is that anyone staying on the premises overnight will soon be able to enjoy their delicious dishes in their rooms, on their rooftop bar and in their plush beds as well. Indeed, the new setup will include in-room gourmet hampers of house-made breads, relishes, jams, butters and cheeses, plus the ability to order a barbecue dinner and have a chef cook for them on the rooftop — or arrange for the ingredients to be delivered to you so you can cook it yourself. Drinks-wise, Delfina's will be making the hotel's flavoured sparkling waters, syrups, soft drinks and cocktails, too. And whether you're checking in for a night, or just dropping by for a tasty bite or beverage, you'll also be able to actually sit in the kitchen while you tuck into whatever takes your fancy. Now that really is home-style eating. Find Delfina's Bistro at the Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments, 959 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, from the end of July. Check out their website and Facebook page for more information.
Simple Pleasures Camping Co. is taking over the grounds of Oberon's Mayfield Garden for its next luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat. Glamping in the Garden will pop up from March 23 through April 30 in one of the world's largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Located three hours west of Sydney's CBD, the gardens are seriously impressive and include an 80-metre waterfall, a walled kitchen garden, an Islamic-style pond and a six-acre water garden — plus a bluestone chapel, aviary and rose garden. Bookings include three-day passes to all 160-acres, with exclusive nighttime access for glamping guests. There's plenty to do apart from moseying around, including romantic canoe rides, interactive garden games, tours and workshops, with the garden's Autumn Festival also on during April. The intimate campsite will include only 15 two-person tents, situated next to the picturesque obelisk pond. The bell-shaped tents are fitted with Hugo Sleep queen mattresses, IN BED linens, goosefeather pillows, bedside tables, solar lighting and vintage rugs from around the world. The experience also comes complete with towels, an outdoor table and chairs to sit at, lanterns and torches, along with on-site bathrooms and showers, which are exclusive to the glamping area. Bookings also include a 'paddock and garden-to-plate' barbecue menu for two, with 80 percent of the produce sourced on-site and 20 percent handpicked from local suppliers. The cook-it-yourself menu includes steaks, marinated chicken, a fresh vegetable platter and vegan salad, with all cookware provided and communal barbecues and alfresco dining area available on the campground. If you really want to be greeted to your personal oasis in style, you can add on a drink and food package, which includes bubbles, cheese and charcuterie on arrival. Bookings for Glamping in the Garden are now open. Each tent costs $290 per night and includes dinner for two, with the option of drinks ($45) and charcuterie ($26) on arrival and family packages are also available. If you're looking for more glamping options, check out our ten favourite glamping spots near Sydney. Glamping in the Garden will run from March 23 until April 30 at Mayfield Garden, 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon. Check out the website to book or for more information.
A new rooftop hotel in Melbourne is offering a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Opening on Friday, August 26 atop a Flinders Lane carpark in the CBD, this boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the U.S. and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with queen size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to a goddamn spa outside your trailer. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. A photo posted by Notel Melbourne (@notelmelbourne) on Aug 24, 2016 at 3:03am PDT Guests will have access to tablets loaded with music and movies along with a virtual guide to help them explore the city. The space will also be available for functions, with room for up to 300 people on the roof. Keen to book a night up there? Airstreams are going at $395 a night for two people, and bookings are officially open here. Notel Melbourne is now open on the corner of Flinders and Harper Lanes, Melbourne. For more information and to book visit notelmelbourne.com.au.
Maintaining that perfect yoga pose may have just gotten a wee bit easier, thanks to the latest innovation in wearable tech. Australian company Wearable Experiments have developed a pair of yoga pants with electronic sensors that will vibrate when you're body is out of alignment. Thanks to the Nadi Smart Fitness Pants, you'll never have to feel self-conscious at beginner's yoga class again. Y'know, except for the fact you're wearing vibrating leggings. The unassuming looking pants come fitted with sensors that can sense your body's position. If you're not downward dogging quite hard enough, subtle haptic vibrations on the wearers skin let them know they need to adjust. And while you might think wearing vibrating pants would be distracting (get your mind out of the gutter), the vibrations are designed to be so subtle that you process the feedback subconsciously. "As someone who doesn't always know the correct form or alignment or pose, I find having that proper guidance is crucial," said Wearable Experiments co-founder and CEO Billie Whitehouse at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. "As a lifestyle product, Nadi not only acts as that guide, but also integrates into your everyday life – reminding you of something as simple as uncrossing your legs while sitting down." The pants, along with corresponding Android and iOS apps, will be available later in the year for an undisclosed amount of money. According to Mashable, the pants will last up to 25 washes, and can be recharged by a basket that is currently being developed. In addition to their yoga pants, Wearable Experiments also make smart rugby and football jerseys that let fans feel what the players on the field are feeling. What a brave new world. Via Mashable.
If you're a female chef, sommelier, waiter, restaurateur or manager — in short, if you're a woman and you work in hospo — there's a brand new not-for-profit in Australia dedicated to you. It's called WOHO and it's already attracted the support of some big names in the industry, including Christine Manfield, Danielle Alvarez and Nadine Ingram, who'll be acting as mentors. Even though 51.8 percent of Australian hospitality workers are women, only 15.4 percent of CEOs in the same industry are. So, when it comes to the top jobs, females are seriously underrepresented. WOHO will be bringing educational opportunities and forums to professionals at all stages of their careers. Members will be able to share experiences, ask questions, discuss issues, seek advice and access a supportive network. There'll be a formal mentoring program, regular events and meet-ups. "It is a very exciting time for Australian hospitality, which is now getting more recognition on the world stage," says Julia Campbell, founder and chair of WOHO. "While our forward-thinking approach to food and concepts is well-recognised, it is imperative that we face the issue of female underrepresentation at a senior level in the industry. WOHO is a vehicle for us to inspire, recruit and retain more females and to give them the confidence to support themselves and each other in their professional development." The rest of the WOHO Board is made up of Anna Pavoni (Ormeggio), Jane Hyland (4fourteen), Claire van Vuuren (Bloodwood), Michelle Maiale (A Tavola), Jane Strode (Bistrode CBD), Lisa Hobbs (Dedes Group), Lisa Margan (Margan Estate), Kerrie McCallum (delicious and Stellar) and Lyndey Milan (OAM). WOHO will launch on May 29 at 6pm at Three Blue Ducks, 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery. There'll be food by Bloodwood, 4Fourteen, Pastry Project and Bistrode CBD, and drinks by Printhie, Lisa McGuigan, Margan Estate, Young Henrys and Santa Vittoria. Tickets are $25 (members) or $30 (non members). WOHO membership is $10/month.
The advertising will tell you that Brisbane's BIGSOUND is all about a whole lot of music, played by whole lot of bands, at a whole lot of venues over a whole lot of nights. And it is. But there is a deeper subtext to the festival — it's a deliberate symposium of an important cross-section of 'the music industry'. Music label representatives, radio producers, agents, artists, producers and even lawyers descend upon the Valley in an expedition to unearth and support Australian talent. BIGSOUND 2017 had an especially broad and eclectic showcase this year, guaranteeing no two punters had the exact same experience. But, in an attempt to compress four nights worth of amazing performances into a list, here's the ten most kickass, going places artists we came across. [caption id="attachment_636231" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BOAT SHOW Boat Show might be one of the most important bands that played BIGSOUND this year. They've opened for San Cisco and Pond, yet still haven't reached the acclaim one would expect for possibly the best punk band in Australia at the moment. Punk — not post-punk. Boat Show don't just play sharp and sweet compressed guitar lines with nonsense lyrics about petty modern gripes. Boat Show are angry, and their tracks are poignant, feminist anthems about the many patriarchal constructs in society that need to change — and the energy Boat Show brought to Heya Bar made the entire audience embrace the notion that it can be achieved. Lead singer Ali Flintoff jumped from amp to amp, got amongst the crowd, and demanded to be heard. She even approached the lanyard-wearing audience members and made a public, ironic, and hilarious attempt to 'network'. Boat Show has big things ahead of them. [caption id="attachment_636279" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] OH MERCY Oh Mercy aren't exactly undiscovered as such — they've been around since 2008, have four studio albums under their belt and an ARIA. But the aesthetic of Oh Mercy, canvassing both the ensemble and the sound of the band, is perpetual, and the band we saw at BIGSOUND 2017 seemed to resemble a contemporary take on Brit-Pop, with some remnant of resemblance to the Hoodoo Gurus. The founding member Alexander Gow took to the Woolly Mammoth stage looking like a dashing Garth Marenghi with his leather jacket, and sung of love and heartbreak in that way only an acoustic guitar-playing front man can. His backing ensemble was tight and rich, and it was evident Gow had complete faith in his band, and this afforded him the complete freedom to engage with the audience in an authentic way. [caption id="attachment_636239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DONNY BENET There's nothing about Donny Benet and his big band that doesn't scream '80s, with his killer saxophone solos, rippling, almost ironic synth tones and endless hip movement. Benet himself might have been one of the most personable performers at BIGSOUND. At both his shows he danced with the crowd and was seen around the Valley inviting people to rub his bald head. A man you could call the king of anachronistic fashion (a heavily contested title amongst the BIGSOUND crowd), he was a favourite for photo opportunities, and embraced the role with relish. His songs are sensual synth-pop anthems detailing sexual ballads, all homages to the age of shoulder pads and powersuits. As a musician, Benet is doing something no-one else is in Australia is — and as a live-act he's wickedly fun. [caption id="attachment_636252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] SLOW DANCER Slow Dancer (Simon Okely), along with Didirri and Stella Donnelly, completed the trio of the most beautiful, simplistic artists at BIGSOUND 2017. His whispered anthems and minimal instrumentation made for one of the most heartwarming sets of the festival. His music is deeply thought-provoking — best listened to with closed eyes, prompting reflection on childhood memories and lost loves. His set at the Blackbear Lodge was one of the last acts of night one of the festival, and the crowd sat absorbed in an appreciative silence. [caption id="attachment_636230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BIG WHITE Big White is Australia's answer to Pavement, almost two decades later. Their distinct jangle rock filled The Zoo on the second day of BIGSOUND to a solid crowd. The five-piece seem to be an ensemble in the truest meaning of the word, a single pulsing organism working as one to produce technically fanciful yet fun music. Their almost ineffable stage demeanour is that of a band of brothers (and sister), and is one expressed well by their music. While they haven't made the festival headlines yet, if their insanely dedicated fanbase keeps growing as they are, it won't be long before Big White are an established name in the national scene. [caption id="attachment_636255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BRIGHTNESS There is a certain kind of band where someone can listen to the lead singer and think "gosh, I hope he's okay". Such are the lyrics of Brightness. Lead singer Alex Knight conducts his backing ensemble as an iconoclastic figurehead. His sound is an angry indie-rock but the resounding authenticity of the sound lies in Knight's acoustic guitar and gripping vocals. One only needs to listen to their hit single 'Oblivion' to perfectly understand the allure of Brightness. Simple lead guitar and bass lines (usually played on one string) create a musical vacuum in which Knight's art is free to grow and dominate the stage. [caption id="attachment_636258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] DIDIRRI Like Slow Dancer, Didirri was one of the more acoustic, meditative sets of BIGSOUND. Comparable to Slow Dancer's beautiful lyrics and stage presence, and Stella Donnelly's endearing modesty, Didirri is a natural performer. Even when only using a nylon-string guitar, Didirri, in his recordings and in his live performances, fills all spaces in an uncanny way. Didirri might actually be magical — or a great vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and gripping storyteller, at the least. [caption id="attachment_636248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] MADDY JANE Maddy Jane's entry on the Spotify BIGSOUND playlist was 'No Other Way', a dole-wave, blues pop hit that's fiercely catchy and reminiscent of Courtney Barnett. With interesting guitar lines and endearingly peculiar lyrics, one might have expected her BIGSOUND sets (of which she played an above-average, three) to mimic Barnett. But her sets were far beyond this scope. Maddy Jane's musical prowess, lyricism, and engaging stage presence is amazing for someone of only 22 years old. Both Jane and her band seem to truly enjoy performing, and the audience of 256 Wickham couldn't help but get on board with this compelling energy. [caption id="attachment_636225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] BAKER BOY A lot is said about Australia's hip hop and rap scene, and most of what is said is generally valid criticism. Which is why talented Australian rappers are such diamonds in the rough and usually cause a good deal of excitement. Based on Baker Boy's set at Oh Hello! on the second day of BIGSOUND, he's an Australian rapper to get very, very excited about. This 20-year-old artist is from remote Northern Territory and he is doing everything right — poignant lyrics (some of which he sings in the language of his people, the Yolgnu), a bit of didgeridoo, and the best dance moves of BIGSOUND. Baker Boy told the crowd we could expect new music from him shortly — so look out for that. [caption id="attachment_636263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bec Taylor.[/caption] STELLA DONNELLY Stella Donnelly was one of the last acts of BIGSOUND. This may have been a deliberate choice as her performance was nothing short of emotionally draining (in the best conceivable way). She is an endearingly human performer and engages her audience in frank conversation. She committed herself fully to her performance at the Heya Bar, from crossing her eyes when she hit her high notes, to throwing her body into each and every rhythmic beat. With only an electric guitar and a microphone as her instruments, every member of the crowd was moved by Donnelly's performance, laughing and even crying together as a single presence. In the course of half an hour she sung little comedic ditties, and deeply heartbreaking ballads — an especially impressive juxtaposition to her equally striking work as the rhythm guitarist for Boatshow. Go listen to her stuff.
It's such a shame David Bowie's not around to see this. Sydney installation artist Michaela Gleave has come up with an app that translates constellations into musical scores so you can 'play' the stars above you. Wherever you are in the world, at anytime of night, A Galaxy of Suns can read your geolocation and plays the music it transcribes from the constellations within your view. But don't expect space to sound like Ziggy Stardust or Sun Ra. Instead, the app reads the galaxy as though it's a score. The transposing — which has been years in the making — was a collaboration between Gleave, composer Amanda Cole and programmer Warren Armstrong. What's more, every 'song' comes with a matching light display, choreographed according to the stars' movements, as they rise, cross the sky and set. Gleave launched the A Galaxy of Stars app at Dark Mofo's Dark Park this month, where the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra helped to bring the night sky's songs to life. She'll be doing a similar performance with the Bristol Choir at the Bristol Biennial in September this year for the work's international premiere. But you don't need a choir to do this thing. You can download the app for yourself via iTunes (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android).
After a string of applauded festival appearances, these Swedish sisters appear to have fallen in love with life in Australia. Johanna and Klara Soderberg, the angelic pair behind folk act First Aid Kit, are set to hit stages for shows along the east coast this week. Captivating fans with their dreamy, heartfelt harmonies, these two certainly know how to pull a crowd. First venturing to Australia in July last year for Splendour in the Grass, First Aid Kit are about to embark upon their largest Australian tour yet. Audiences can expect to be greeted with the duo's signature spine-tingling vocals and melodic arrangements. Featuring a fresh offering of tracks from their recent album Stay Gold (the pair's third released to date), these shows promise gorgeous acoustic storytelling, with a dash of classic country Americana. With dates in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney (supported by Melbourne indie duo Luluc), and after glowing reports of their sets at Golden Plains and WOMADelaide earlier this year, First Aid Kit will leave you wondering who wrote 'America' in the first place.
There's a reason that flexing, the rhythmic street dance style from Brooklyn that has gained traction over the past decade, is also known as bone breaking. Just one glimpse of the performer's gliding, contortionist movements and you'll be wondering how their limbs remain intact. At the aptly named FLEXN, however, something else will set your jaw agape. Flex pioneer Reggie 'Regg Roc' Gray and theatre and opera director Peter Sellars have corralled a cohort of dancers use their moves to tackle post-Ferguson social injustice. In their pausing, snapping and other energetic dance displays, a beautiful, brutal statement is made.
At this point, it's not really a surprise when Uber announces some strange, attention grabbing promotion. Sometimes they bring you ice cream. Other times, it's kittens. And this Australia Day, they're delivering the most Australian thing of all: an umpire to officiate your high stakes game of backyard cricket. Starting from 11am on January 26, Uber users in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra will be able to log onto the app and, with the touch of a button, request an UberUMPIRE who can lay down the law when it to comes to the at best sketchily laid out rules of the countries favourite backyard pastime. "Like so many great traditions, the official ‘rules’ of this revered sport have long been a cause of debate, testing the patience (and mateship) of well-meaning backyard athletes across the nation," reads a statement on Uber's website, confirming that yes, this is in fact an actual thing that is happening. "We thought it was about time someone put a stop to this, so we’ve joined forces with the legendary Billy Bowden and our mates at Optus to bring you UberUMPIRE – your very own, real-life, legit, Cricket Umpire on-demand." https://youtu.be/7Gxi6TKtVFk Via Pedestrian. Image via Dollar Photo Club.
The world now has unprecedented access to Australia's most recognisable landmark, after the launch of a new partnership between the Sydney Opera House and the Google Cultural Institute. More than 1000 historical items, including photographs and architectural drawings, have been made available online as part of the new digital collection, along with a virtual reality tour featuring some of Australia's leading classical musicians. Developed over more than six months, the online exhibition can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, providing them with a behind the scenes look at one of the most iconic performance in the world. Archival footage, interviews, photographs and other documents take visitors through the history of the building's design and construction, but perhaps the most exciting element of the collection is the 360-degree tour for Google Cardboard, complete with performances by young Australian soprano Nicole Car, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal on the Concert Hall stage. "The Sydney Opera House is the symbol of modern Australia, its premier cultural venue, number one tourist destination and a World Heritage-listed masterpiece of human creativity," said NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant. "The launch of this incredible collection will mean more people can explore the Opera House's rich history and the diverse artistic and cultural experiences it offers, wherever they are." "We're delighted to have worked with the Sydney Opera House to bring this cultural icon online and make it available for all the world to experience," added Google Cultural Institute Director Amit Sood. You can access the Sydney Opera House on the Google Cultural Institute via desktop, tablet or mobile. Just visit the Google Cultural Institute's Sydney Opera House page or download the Google Arts & Culture app from the App Store or Google Play.
Home wine delivery is finally catching up with the wine fiend’s need to sample as many drops from as many places as often as possible. A new US-based service by the name of Vinebox brings wines to your door — by the glass, rather than by the bottle. For a neat monthly price, subscribers score three premium drops, sourced from wine regions all over the planet. Fingers crossed for an Australian version. Each tasting comes in the form of a 100ml vial. Thanks to Vinebox’s patented, cutting-edge tech, the packaging process meets the stringent standards demanded by bottling. The wine is not exposed to oxygen at any point, so you can store your samples for at least three years. Vinebox’s team of specialists and sommeliers are experts in unique vineyards, obscure locations and wines that wouldn’t normally be available in the US, so subscribers can count on fun and interesting discoveries. And the company provides your own user account, enabling you to keep track of your tastings and thoughts. Once Vinebox has established your preferred flavour profiles, you can choose to receive personalised recommendations — very much like this savvy taste-predicting app. So who dreamed up this handy service? Vinebox is the creation of two former attorneys from New York City, Matt and Rachael, who quit their jobs to pursue their passion for wine. Their goal is to promote “spectacular” wines made in independent wineries around the world that often don’t make it to bottle shop shelves. Unfortunately, Vinebox is only taking sign-ups from US residents at the moment. We’re hoping it’s not long before it catches on here.
MPavilion, the annual architectural commission and design event that sees a new temporary structure erected in Melbourne's lush Queen Victoria Gardens each spring, has unveiled its next iteration: an inside-outside contemporary take on the ancient amphitheatre. It will open to the public between October 2017 and February 2018. The work of two Netherlands-based architects from internationally renowned practice OMA, Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten, this year's pavilion plays on the form of the ancient amphitheatre. With flexible design configurations, the structure will create a forward-thinking space for MPavilion's annual program of workshops, public debate, and music and arts events. According to MPavilion founder Naomi Milgrom, 2017's project is an exciting, multi-faceted work that "reflects the way architecture is going in the future". OMA's design centres around two tiered grandstands — one fixed, and the other rotatable, allowing for various interactions with the surrounding landscape and those impressive city skyline views. They'll be circled by a bank of native plants and crowned with a floating grid canopy that will house all that lighting and technical gear, while the translucent roof above is designed to capture the sunlight like an urban beacon. The build of MPavilion is slated to kick off in this August, with the design duo hoping their structure will be seen, "not just as an architectural object, but as something that injects intensity into a city and contributes to an ever-evolving culture". OMA's 2017 MPavilion will be open to the public between October 3, 2017, and February 4, 2018 inside Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens. For more info, visit mpavilion.org.
Louis Theroux's recently announced speaking tour of Australia could lay the seeds for a new documentary, the esoteric filmmaker has revealed. Speaking to the ABC, the British documentarian mentioned that he has long considered making a film in the outback, and that his upcoming visit could double as a reconnaissance mission. "I've always been interested in the landscape of Australia," said Theroux. "I've got a romantic association both with the American West and the Australian interior which seems to strike [an] emotional tone of austerity and size and remoteness, people carving out their destinies in this vast wilderness." "I don't know exactly what the story is but I've loved the idea of being in that frontier... the town at the end of line, this one-horse town with lives that combine dignity and a sense of desperation." "This two-week tour, I will keep my ear to the ground," he added. Theroux's documentaries for the BBC have tackled a range of controversial topics, from the American prison system to the porn industry and the hate-mongering Westboro Baptist Church. He also recently spoke about wanting to make a documentary about US Presidential hopeful your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving. His two-week trip of Australia kicks off in September and will include speaking engagements in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane. Via ABC.
Hey kids, seems pizza does grow on trees, according to mightily-moustachioed, all-American comedian Nick Offerman. In a brand new Funny or Die video, the Parks and Recreation star takes you on a rip-roaring tour through his fictional Pizza Farm — where the team are hard at work "growing the ripe, juicy pizzas your kids love.” We wish. "What could be healthier than this? Acres of pizza, kissed by the sun, stretching as far as the eye can see." Offerman, or ‘food expert’ Daniel Francis, unearths Sloppy Joes from moist fields irrigated by cola, picks taquitos from the tree, wanders past fish finger vineyards, and eats a fresh slice of pepperoni pizza straight from the tree. “If it’s on a plant, it’s good for you, who cares how it got there.” According to TIME, Offerman’s genius Pizza Farm is apparently a big ol’ flip of the bird to idiotic protests against First Lady Michelle Obama’s huge campaign to change US school lunch regulations and get Congress to reauthorise the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 — which regulates the amount of unhealthy, high fat, high sugar, high salt food you can serve to school kidlets at lunch. Until then, most US school lunches will remain as cheaply-made and unhealthy as they can possibly can be. But as Offerman says, "French fries are practically salads, which is why I like mine with ranch." Pizza Farm with Nick Offerman - watch more funny videos Via TIME.
When the ancient Greeks dreamt up democracy many moons ago, they surely knew their labour of political love would reap plentiful rewards for humanity — barbecuable rewards. Voting and sausage sizzles go together like Q&A and provocative tweets. And in 2016, you don't even have keep your fingers crossed for a damn sizzle at your voting booth — there's an actual Australian election sausage sizzle tracker website to help you, aptly named Snagvotes. No longer will you needlessly wheel around town, crazed with hunger and the insatiable need to drag a giant bedsheet-sized piece of paper into a booth, to find a sausage sizzle in your electorate. Created by Australian legend and all-round goalkicker Grant Castner, Snagvotes compiles a list of all the polling booths in Australia, thankfully cross referencing sausage sizzles with cake stalls. Important. The site was unearthed by Junkee last year, and was so popular that it's back, spreading election day cheer (pinpointing exactly where you can go to stuff your face full of tubed pig meat, fried onions, local go-getter spirit and democracy). They're even giving back to the community with sausage-based 'How To Vote' guides. What a world we live in! In 2013, there were a staggering 1470 sausage sizzles across the county, at 19 percent of all polling booths and we're hoping like hell to beat that total in 2016. Volunteers can register their snag station here and snag-hungry voters can find their closest sizzle here. Remember to thank your barbecue team.
The seasons are changing, beer lovers. And true to form, the brewers at James Squire’s Malt Shovel Brewery are changing with them. Mixing up their methodology yet again, the craft beer company have just announced the latest iteration of their mercurial American-style Pale Ale, with the uniquely flavoured Hop Thief 7. Described by James Squire senior brewer Rob Freshwater as "probably the number one beer of choice amongst the brewers," the Hop Thief variety began as something of an experiment, but has quickly evolved into one of the company's best loved beers. What makes the beer stand out is its constantly changing recipe; each Hop Thief instalment is made with a different combination of hops, allowing the brewers to essentially reinvent the beer each time. This most recent iteration combines Galaxy and Mosaic hops. According to head brewer Chris Sheehan, the first strain adds "a vibrant citrus and passionfruit aroma," while the second adds "pine notes and a strong, earthy undertone." "Our last Hop Thief release was incredibly popular, so we needed to make sure we came up with a unique and equally flavoursome successor," says Sheehan. "We've worked hard on this brew and believe we've created a beer adult Australians will love." Certainly, Hop Thief 6 will prove a tough act to follow. Not only was it a hit with the general public, but it also took home Bronze at the 2014 Australian International Beer Awards. Still, no one at James Squire seems too worried. Hop Thief 7 will available in-pack and on-tap nationwide in March.
No shirt, no shoes, no problems whatsoever. London is getting a pop-up restaurant that takes the concept of casual dining to a whole new level. Opening over the northern summer, The Bunyadi promises a dining experience free from the distractions of your complicated modern life. That means no phones, no electricity and – yep! – no clothing. Now, technically the no clothing clause is an optional one, with the restaurant split into nude and non-nude sections. But who are we kidding here: if you're rocking up to a clothing optional restaurant and not going naked, what exactly was the point? Taking its name from the Hindi word for 'natural', The Bunyadi is the brainchild of Lollipop, the pop-up specialists responsible for ABQ, London's Breaking Bad-themed cocktail bar. Guests at their new venture will be seated in wood-hewn furniture and dine by candlelight on flame-cooked food served in handmade clay crockery. "We believe people should get the chance to enjoy and experience a night out without any impurities: no chemicals, no artificial colours, no electricity, no gas, no phone and even no clothes if they wish," Lollipop founder Seb Lyall told Made in Shoreditch. "The idea is to experience true liberation." Reservations will be released on a first come, first serve basis. Anyone interested in dining in the buff can sign up to the waitlist behind 3500 other nudists at The Bunyadi's website. Via Made in Shoreditch. Image: Patryk Dziejma. UPDATE APRIL 28, 2016: As of today, there are a whopping 28,000 people on the waitlist for The Bunyadi. And it's climbing. Better off just getting your kit off in the dining room at home?
A new study by Melbourne's La Trobe University has led one expert to suggest what we've all known deep down for years: dogs should be allowed at the pub. A recent survey of more than 2300 Victorian pet owners found that 63 percent of dogs were not walked daily and that many animals were left alone for large amounts of time throughout the day. The solution? Take them out drinking, of course. According to La Trobe researcher Dr. Tiffany Howell, only 26 per cent of people take their pet on an outing every day, and 17 per cent do it less that once a week. It's a concerning statistic that RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty attributes to restrictive Australian laws that mean dogs are allowed in fewer public places than they are in other countries around the world. "In England or Scotland or New York they are always getting exercise because they go everywhere with their owner," Beatty told the ABC. "In Australia they can't go everywhere with their owner, like a pub ... They can in Europe and most parts of America and the UK." Obviously, we here at Concrete Playground fully support the notion that dogs should be allowed in pubs and bars. For starters, it'd mean you'd never have to drink alone again. Studies have shown that animal companionship is great for people's mental health and happiness, so that's another big mark in its favour. Plus, if you have one too many beverages, your dog can help you find your way home. Mr. Beatty also said that human laziness plays a major part in why pooches aren't getting enough exercise, telling the ABC that "unfortunately some people seem to think that owning an animal is a right rather than a privilege. With that privilege comes certain responsibility." And in case you were wondering, it's not just dogs in need of a workout. The same La Trobe Uni study found that 40 per cent of cats were overweight. Frankly, a nice long pub crawl would probably do them good. Just whatever you do, don't give your pets alcohol. We know you'll be tempted, but really, we cannot stress that enough. Via ABC Online. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
From children playing in the sea near Arnhem Land to an elderly man cleaning his suburban pool, Australians from all walks of life are represented in the 22 stunning images chosen as finalists in this year's Australian Life photography contests. An initiative of Art and About Sydney, the competition is the second largest photography contest in the country, with a cash prize of $10,000. The winner will be announced on September 17, while all the finalists will be on display along the St James walkway in Sydney's Hyde Park from September 18 to October 11. The judges for this year's competition are previous winner Tamara Dean, ARTHERE founder and Stills Gallery curator Sandy Edwards, Australian Centre for Photography curator and exhibition programmer Mark Feary, and interior stylist, author and lifestyle blogger Jason Grant. Organisers have also partnered with Tourism Australia for a special Instagram competition, which last year drew more than 30,000 entries. Amateur photographers can submit their entries using the hashtag #australianlife and go in the running to win $5000. The Instagram competition closes on October 1, with winners announced on October 9.
Lovers of cinema and hummus-fuelled picnics rejoice: the Moonlight Cinema program has finally arrived and it’s looking mighty good. The lineup features some of this year's biggest new Hollywood releases alongside more demure titles, family favourites and age-old classics, so you can guarantee you’ll find something that piques your interest. Let’s start with the bigwigs What better way to see the big releases of summer than outdoors on a balmy night? Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two and SPECTRE are all showing and (we’d imagine) best viewed under the stars. We’re also thrilled to see a fair whack of female-centric films in the lineup too, as well as an array of movies that cover hitherto taboo topics in the popular cinema circuit. Joy, starring everyone’s favourite human Jennifer Lawrence, follows the unconventional story of a mother of three as she builds a business empire in the '90s; Suffragette is an important historical period drama about women's fight for the vote in pre-war Britain and appropriately features a dreamy cast of unique and unapologetic women including Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter. We’ve also got The Danish Girl, featuring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, which explores the life of transgender artist Lili Elbe. Closer to home on Australia Day, we’ve got The Dressmaker, a montage of Kate Winslet looking hot and Liam Hemsworth looking filthy hot (maybe other things happen in the plot too but why would they bother?). And at the other end of the spectrum is the lighthearted comedy Sisters, featuring unstoppable duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But don’t think the gentlemen miss out. The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest Oscar bid, was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (of Birdman fame) so you can guarantee it’ll be equally beautiful, dramatic and weird. And if you miss The Martian or missed Jurassic World in cinemas, you can catch them at Moonlight sessions too. As always Moonlight Cinema will be throwing back to classics: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing and Grease. Tickets are on sale now for the summer sessions so get booking lest you get stuck in front of Dirty Grandpa (yes, a film where you can see Robert Deniro making out with April Ludgate while Zac Efron wears a vast array of golfing sweaters — that is apparently showing too :/). Moonlight Cinema runs across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide from December 3, Perth from December 5 and Brisbane from December 16. Tickets are on sale now from the Moonlight Cinema website.
Chucks: for a long time, it seemed like every second person had a pair. There have been different colors, patterns and materials, but there has never been a significant redesign of this ubiquitous shoe. Or at least there hadn't been – until now. On July 28 Converse is officially set to release the All Star II, a brand new iteration of their classic Chuck Taylor All Star. It's about time, too. As iconic as they may be, Chucks aren't historically the most comfortable shoe to actually wear. Walk any significant distance in them and your feet tend to feel like a combination of white noise and the burning sensation of the sun. Thankfully, it would appear Converse has been listening to our complaints. You won't hurt your arches with the new All Star II, which uses Nike Lunarlon cushioning to make it feel like you're walking on a fluffy cloud. The shoe will also feature a more "breathable" micro-suede lining and a padded non-slip tongue. At the end of the day though, while the guts may be different, the outside remains more or less the same. Converse is keeping the familiar rubber toe, All-Star patch and matte eyelets, albeit with a few minor enhancements. Moreover, classic Chuck-lovers don't need to worry: the All Star II isn't replacing the original. Rather, it's an addition to the family. Unlike its predecessor, there are only four colours available for the limited initial run (black, blue, red, and white). That being said, don't be surprised if Converse release more versions of this new shoe after the first run has ended.
"Black people. I love you. I love us. Our lives matter." One Facebook post and Alicia Garza made history, a call to action that would gain traction and spark the founding of #BlackLivesMatter in the wake of the violent deaths of African Americans Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and many others. It's one of the world's most important international activist movements, campaigning against violence toward black people, and Garza will bring it front and centre at this year's Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Set to return to the Sydney Opera House over September 3 and 4 for its eighth year, FODI is bringing one of its most serious, enlightening programs yet as part of Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas. Delivering the opening address with none other than Stan Grant, Garza leads a host of colossal thinkers and strong minds not afraid to question the problematic way things are — over 50 speakers across 24 solo sessions, 12 panels and one free workshop. This year, FODI has four major themes: 'Disappearing Countries', 'Dealing in Death', 'Disruptive Behaviour' and 'Dirty Politics'. One sure to provoke is apparently repentant author of The Game Neil Strauss in his sure-to-be-debated talk 'Cheaters, Sex Addicts and Pick-Up Artists'. UK comedian and The Young Ones legend Alexei Sayle dives into his ratbag past with 'Thatcher Made Me Laugh' — a perfect pairing for anarchists locked in for Henry Rollins' already-announced 'Blood Sport' talk about US politics. In fact, politics in Australia and abroad feature prominently in FODI's response to current 'World is fukt' times. Favourites Annabel Crabb and David Marr will pull apart the recent (and by-FODI, it'll be solved) federal election in 'The Government We Deserve?' — both have written biographies on Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten respectively, so this one's going to be a humdinger. Marr's also hosting an epic two-hour forum titled 'Can We Solve The Asylum Seeker Crisis?'. Perpetual WTF-generator and controversial commentator Andrew Bolt will lead a talk dubbed 'How Many Dangerous Ideas Can One Person Have?', so expect Twitter to be all over that one. Climate change and social justice feature prominently on this year's bill, with Canadian activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier's 'The Right To Be Cold' set to be a highlight — she sees the failure of the world to act on climate change a gross violation of Inuit human rights — and The Economist's Environment Correspondent Miranda Johnson wants fishing the high seas stopped. Arts and sport will both get their turn on the chopping block this year. Sport nuts should jump on tickets to see journalist Tracey Holmes, sports scientist Stephen Dank (yep, that guy), former Olympic swimmer Lisa Forrest, academic Jason Mazanov and former IOC boss Kevan Gosper will be deciding whether drugs in sport should be legalised. Visual artist, activist and Drawing Blood author Molly Crabapple (who designed this year's 'FODI-land' concept on the festival website) will take you from Syria to Guantanamo Bay and back to Occupy Wall Street. We Need To Talk About Kevin author Lionel Shriver wants you to break a rule a day, while author of The Magicians trilogy and TIME's book critic Lev Grossman will argue that 'There Are No Good Books'. But we haven't even scratched the surface on FODI 2016, from former Kevin Rudd staffer Jennifer Rayner standing up for millennials in 'Generation Less', to the incredibly important panel 'Not Worth Living' delving into the specific, tragic epidemic of suicide in Indigenous people. Plus, co-founder of The Maintainers Lee Vinsel wants people to stop worshipping innovation and start focusing on maintenance of technology — something we can't wait to argue with him on. Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas team of Ann Mossop and Danielle Harvey have curated this seriously epic program, with Simon Longstaff from The Ethics Centre as curatorial adviser . The 2016 Festival of Dangerous Ideas is coming to the Sydney Opera House on September 3 and 4. Multipacks are on sale from July 11 at 9am, single tickets on July 14 from 9am, all from the FODI website — where you'll find the full FODI program alongside Molly Crabapple's web design.
Beloved short film festival Tropfest made the devastating announcement yesterday that due to mismanaged funds by the third party agency in charge of, you know, correctly managing funds, the festival has been cancelled this year. Founder and director John Polson made an (appropriately) salty statement on Facebook. “I have been made aware that the company contracted to raise the funding and administer the Tropfest event is unable to move forward for financial reasons. It is too early to tell what has actually happened here, although it is hard to avoid concluding there has been a terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds.” And fair enough, as he estimates the funds mismanaged run into six figures. "It goes without saying that this announcement is the most difficult one I've made in Tropfest’s 23 year history," said Polson. "My heart goes out to this year’s 16 filmmaking finalists, to our incredible list of sponsors and partners, and of course to our loyal and beloved audience." Tropfest has been a staple in the Australia film vernacular since 1993, when it screened for an audience of 200. It's broadcast each year live to approximately 150,000 people around Australia and, despite everything, apparently received ample support this year, making the announcement even more upsetting. It’s a tangible blow to the Australian arts and filmmaking community as Tropfest was (and still is, we sincerely hope) one of the few festivals to offer sizeable prize money and valuable industry experience to the winning entrants (including a trip to Los Angeles to take meetings with film industry execs among other prizes). Can someone make a Kickstarter already so we don’t have to live in a world without Tropfest?
