When 2019 began, Qantas was named the safest airline to travel on in 2019. Now that the year has almost reached its midway point, the Australian carrier has also been named one of the best airlines in the world. While it was pipped for the top seven spots, Qantas came in eighth at Skytrax's World Airline Awards — after placing 11th in 2018, 15th in 2017, ninth in 2016, tenth in 2015, 11th in 2014, tenth in 2013 and 15th in 2012. Emerging victorious was Qatar Airlines, followed by Singapore Airlines in second place. While that's a reversal of last year's results, the carriers placed in the same positions back in 2017. For those planning overseas trips sometime soon, this year's top ten is rounded out by a cross-section of international companies, with Japan's ANA All Nippon Airlines coming in third, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific taking out fourth spot, Dubai-based Emirates at fifth, Taiwan's EVA Air sitting in sixth, China's Hainan Airlines placing seventh, Germany's Lufthansa at ninth and Thai Airways coming tenth. Among other local airlines, Virgin Australia nabbed 25th spot, Jetstar sits at 53rd and Air New Zealand pops up at 16th. Jetstar also placed sixth on the best low-cost airline list, behind winner AirAsia — with other gongs awarded for best cabin staff (Singapore Airlines), cleanest airline (EVA Air), best business class (Qatar), best economy (Japan Airlines) and most improved (Philippines Airlines). Now in their 19th year, the Skytrax World Airline Awards are based on an online survey, which ran from September 2018 to May 2019. Participants from more than 100 nationalities took part, with over 21 million entries received — because if there's one thing that's synonymous with air travel, it's telling everyone how you feel about your trip afterwards.
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ has been accumulating some serious buzz around the world and in Australia and New Zealand, we are set to host it for the very first time. Meaning, with Sydney hosting some exciting games, the city will be bustling with football fever. The event will run from July 20 to August 20, adding some much-needed winter excitement to our lives — especially with the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Tumbalong Park. So if you are planning a trip to Sydney, let's not forget a key ingredient in the making of an unforgettable holiday: range. Make sure you balance out all that sporting fun with some art and culture to create a perfectly rounded getaway and keep all your travel buddies happy. We've tracked down some excellent cultural activities that prove Sydney isn't just sunshine and beaches. While the footy will undoubtedly captivate your attention, this guide will ensure you make the most of your stay by immersing yourself in the city's vibrant cultural scene. So beyond your dose of World Cup action, Sydney offers an array of experiences to satisfy any culture vulture. [caption id="attachment_884303" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Hamish McIntosh[/caption] ALL ABOUT ART Sydney's art gallery scene is one to impress traveller and connoisseur alike. From iconic institutions to small, independent galleries, there is a lot to explore when you aren't in the stadium. Don't miss Australia's iconic Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes for this year, showing at the newly expanded Art Gallery of NSW from now until early September. While you're there, be sure to check out the Brett Whiteley Studio, a museum in the former home of the legendary avant-garde artist. If contemporary art is more up your alley, you can't go past the impressive works in the MCA, located right on Sydney's idyllic harbour. Or, explore a world-class collection of Chinese contemporary art at the White Rabbit Gallery. And after you finish browsing, you can enjoy tea and dumplings at their tranquil teahouse. [caption id="attachment_813468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Daniel Boud[/caption] SPOTLIGHT ON THE STAGE With the Opera House and Sydney Theatre Company in its stable, Sydney is leading the way in global theatre. So once you are done with the international football stage, you can shift your focus to a different stage. Be sure to pay a visit to the harbourside icons and check out a classical music performance at the Opera House, or a production at Sydney Theatre Company's Roslyn Packer Theatre. Or roam the charming streets of Surry Hills and catch a play at the innovative Belvoir Street Theatre. For something further afield, you can check out Riverside Theatres and the Seymour Centre. There's no shortage of culture during your Sydney stay. [caption id="attachment_846614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Destination NSW[/caption] THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC When it's time to take off the football boots and whack on your dancing shoes, head to a gig at one of Sydney's live music venues. Looking to hit the dance floor with a live DJ set? Then check out what's on at Oxford Art Factory. Or, if seeing local live talent and bands is more your thing, enjoy new music alongside beer and burgers at Mary's Underground or The Lansdowne Hotel. For something on a bigger scale, the Enmore Theatre is host to some of the top international acts in the game. Sydney is sure to provide you with plenty of options to dance the night away after a big football win. ON YOUR MARK(ETS), GET SET, GO You can't come to Sydney without doing a bit of shopping. So if you're in town for World Cup season, be sure to make time for some market and boutique-hopping when you aren't cheering in the stadium. The charming suburb of Paddington, lined with designer boutiques in Victorian terrace homes, is a must-visit destination. After enjoying a coffee at one of the leafy cafes in Five Ways, take a stroll up Glenmore Road, where you'll find a range of high-end boutiques from renowned Australian fashion houses such as Lee Mathews, Dion Lee, Venroy and more. Don't forget to explore Paddington Markets, held every Saturday on Oxford Street. Here you can immerse yourself in a wholesome community atmosphere with bustling stalls filled with artisanal goods from local businesses. Sydney boasts many more vibrant markets waiting for your perusal. For a unique and eclectic shopping experience, head to The Rocks, Bondi, or Glebe, where you'll discover a treasure trove of handmade goods, vintage clothing and gourmet food. Uncover hidden gems that reflect Sydney's creative spirit. [caption id="attachment_833493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sharon Hickey[/caption] DIVE DEEP INTO FIRST NATIONS CULTURES Sydney will be bursting with international visitors, both on the field and in the stands, this World Cup season. We have a lot to celebrate in terms of our multicultural landscape, but it is also important to discover and celebrate Sydney's Indigenous origins and continuing cultures. If you are the type to crave a bit of time out in nature, then be sure to include time to explore the Jibbon Loop Track in the Royal National Park. Embark on a journey through ancient landscapes and sacred sites, walk in the footsteps of the Dharawal people and discover some Aboriginal carvings. The track is about an hour's drive out of Sydney, and takes about an hour and 45 minutes to complete the circuit. It's a perfect interlude to your Sydney getaway when you need a break from city-slicking. For those who prefer to stay city-side, then embark on a compelling Dreamtime Southern X Rocks tour. Led by knowledgeable Indigenous guides, this 90-minute tour takes you around the historic Rocks area to uncover the history of the Aboriginal people's saltwater heritage in Sydney Harbour. After your tour, you can head to Leichardt and immerse yourself in contemporary Indigenous art at the Boomalli Aboriginal Art Co-op. This space showcases the works of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in a diverse range of mediums. Curated exhibitions are held regularly. If visiting Sydney for the FIFA Women's World Cup, be sure to check out the FIFA Fan Festival™ Sydney, taking place from Thursday, July 20 till Sunday, August 20 at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. Check out the website for the full schedule of events.
In the kind of news that cinephiles dream about, Brisbane's inner east is getting a new cinema. If you're thinking that sounds familiar, that's understandable — but we're not talking about Coorparoo's new Dendy. It's still in the works, as anyone who has driven along Old Cleveland or Cavendish Road lately will have spotted, however, it'll soon have some competition over at Woolloongabba. Adding another picture palace to the eastside mix, Reading Entertainment will be moving into South City Square, the suburb's $600 million urban regeneration project on the corner of Logan Road and Deshon Street. Their eight-screen complex will boast both large and boutique theatres, and will also offer patrons a Gold Class-like dine-in movie experience — think hot food, desserts and licensed bar, if their other sites provide any indication, and not just popcorn and choc tops. The new cinema will form part South City Square's 13,000 square metre retail and dining precinct — and yes, it's as huge as it sounds. A market hall, mix of yoga and relaxation spaces, al fresco dining areas and a supermarket are all slated for the development, as is a central, publicly accessible, 5000 square metre green square. You can't name call your site a square if you don't have one, which developers Pellicano and Perri Projects clearly recognise. South City Square will also include six towers of residential apartments and a five-star hotel, with the first building due to open in June. The whole project is due to be completed by 2022, so don't go looking to book your movie tickets just yet — but know that seeing more flicks in more cinemas is in your future.
With international trips off the cards for the next little while — even if a travel bubble with New Zealand does eventuate by the end of the year — it's time to throw the focus back onto the stunning scenes and world-class landscapes found right here on home soil. After all, this big ol' island of ours is brimming with enough natural beauty to give any international destination a run for its money. And now the folks at Tourism Australia have come up with a new way for you to scratch that domestic travel itch, without even leaving your front door. The organisation has just dropped an impressive new video series, tipping its hat to the unique sights, sounds and textures of Australia. The flicks really endeavour to engage your senses and make you feel like you're there, too, with the videos made using high-tech 8D audio — a sound engineering treatment designed for listening through headphones, which makes music and effects sound as though they're coming from every angle. Each of the six videos is themed around a different colour, evoking various emotions based on the striking hues of Australia's natural scenescapes. For example, the soothing Blue: A Moment of Joy mini-escape takes punters crashing through waves at Esperance in Western Australia, gliding over the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef, swinging by Hervey Bay for a spot of whale-watching and frolicking with seals in South Australia's Baird Bay. [caption id="attachment_784598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hutt Lagoon, Tourism Western Australia[/caption] The Magenta: A Moment of Freedom video envelops audiences in the romantic sunsets and vibrant tones of destinations like Hinchinbrook Island National Park, the Kimberley and Hutt Lagoon, while White: A Moment of Peace is a minimalist's dream, featuring calming shots of Lake Eyre's salt plains, Fraser Island's glistening sands and Mount Kosciuszko's slopes drenched in snow. Whether you're allowed to trek interstate just yet or you're simply planning for the day when you can, these virtual escapes should offer a good dose of domestic travel inspiration — no long-haul flight required. Check out all six video escapes at the Tourism Australia website, or via the YouTube channel. Top images: via Tourism Western Australia and Tourism & Events Queensland
Record Store Day might only come once a year, but each month, Brisbane gets into the spirit of the occasion. A treasure trove of vinyl descends upon a specific spot in this fair city of ours, showering music fiends in the stuff collectors' dreams are made of. Brisbane Record Fair is the type of event that gives aficionados reason to salivate, deliberate, negotiate, and then spend, spend, spend — after rifling through crates and crates of rare material, obviously. And from Saturday, November 13, it'll pop up in a brand new place. Thousands of items will be for sale as usual, with Brisbane Record Fair now making its home at Coorparoo Square. Expect a smorgasbord of sounds — offering up music of all types — when you head along from 8.30am–3pm. Vinyl-wise, whether you're after a decades-old gem or something newer on an LP or a 45, chances are you'll find it here. Sellers come from far and wide to share their wares, including private collectors parting with their sonic pearls. And no matter the time of year, a selection from their stash would make a perfect present — whether for someone else, or for yourself.
Founded by twins Cam and Chris Grant back in early 2017, Unyoked's tiny houses have been in high demand since the outset. There are 13 cabins across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including one designed by Matthew McConaughey. All properties have been placed in secret patches of wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city. The off-the-grid experience brings you the convenience and comforts of four solid walls, alongside the adventure, spontaneity and closeness-to-nature of camping. Unyoked's ethos is to connect back with nature to help unplug, alleviate stress and anxiety. Each cabin is designed to make you feel like you're part of the surrounding landscape, too. Think timber, oversized windows, solar power, composting toilets and a blissful lack of wi-fi. At the same time, though, simple comforts are taken care of, so you get a cosy bed, kitchen appliances, firewood, coffee, milk, herbs and the like. [caption id="attachment_745749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Brimble[/caption] Images: Unyoked and Luisa Brimble
It's widely known that New Zealand is a bit of a stunner of a travel destination. Overflowing with majestic terrain, impeccable wine and warm hospitality, there are a few reasons why this little corner of the world makes it onto many a bucket list. Whether you're seeking an adventure or want to wine and dine your way around, the South Island, in particular, is a mecca for visitors looking to indulge in the finer things in life. From helicopter flights over glaciers to sailing day trips, we've rounded up some of the South Island's most luxe experiences for when you're feeling a bit flash. SLEEP IN STYLE AT A LAKESIDE LODGE A great holiday starts with a great night's sleep and Whare Kea Lodge is the perfect spot to catch some quality zs during your South Island adventure. Nestled on the edge of Lake Wanaka, this luxurious, private retreat boasts eye-popping vistas of the lake and mountains. Whare Kea is small but perfectly formed, with each of its rooms offering postcard-worthy views that'll be the envy of all your friends back home. Relax and unwind in the stylish surrounds where you'll find loads of light-filled nooks and cosy spaces. On-site, you'll also find a massage room and an outdoor spa pool, so you'll slip into holiday mode in no time. The lodge offers a full kitchen so you can cook up a storm, too. Otherwise, you can treat yourself to a private chef for a real foodie experience. With its five-star views and home comforts, you won't want to leave. SIP TOP DROPS AT A STYLISH WINERY A visit to New Zealand wouldn't be complete without sampling some of the country's famous vino, and Central Otago is the perfect place to enjoy a grape escape. Head for The Shed, the gorgeous, new cellar door by celebrated winemakers, Cloudy Bay. Located in the heart of wine country, just an hour's drive from Queenstown, The Shed is a stylish sanctuary perched amongst stunning South Island scenery. With touches of rustic New Zealand charm, The Shed blends seamlessly into the landscape, and is an unforgettable spot to discover Cloudy Bay's wine range. Book a private tasting tour to get to know the wines and the story behind them. Take a stroll through the vineyards with a Cloudy Bay ambassador to learn about the terroir and the connection between the land and the brand. Afterwards, settle into the private tasting room to savour some of Cloudy Bay's finest, while lapping up the dazzling vistas of Lake Dunstan and the rugged ranges beyond. FORAGE FOR YOUR LUNCH ON AN EPIC HELI TOUR If you thought the South Island was mind-blowing from the ground, just wait until you see it from the sky. Take your trip to the next level with the ultimate experience for adventurous food lovers — a helicopter and foraging tour through the majestic, untamed landscapes of the remote south with Alpine Helicopters. Begin your adventure with a stop on the edge of Lake Wanaka, where you can try your hand at trout fishing. From here you'll be whisked into the Southern Alps, where you'll land smack bang on a glacier for the ultimate photo stop. After the obligatory selfies, fly out to the wild west coast to gather fresh crayfish for lunch. Next, you'll be flown deep into a lush valley for a lunch stop like no other — a Kiwi bush barbecue, featuring smoked trout and premium Te Mana lamb and washed down with local wine. With happy bellies, enjoy a final flight over more epic nature before returning to base. SAIL AWAY IN THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Marking the gateway to the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds is a sparkling labyrinth of winding waterways and bush-clad hills. With its hard-to-reach bays and beaches, the best way to discover this scenic playground is from the water. Get your sea legs on and sail away for a day on a luxury yacht, hosted by Cloudy Bay. Cruise the turquoise waters of the Sounds, visiting quiet coves teeming with untouched nature. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way, too. Fancy yourself a bit of a sailor? Get stuck in and be part of the crew. Or if that doesn't float your boat, simply sit back and relax — with a glass of Cloudy Bay vino, of course. At lunchtime, tuck into delicious locally caught seafood with matching wines served against a backdrop of pure New Zealand beauty. GET BACK TO NATURE AT A SECLUDED RETREAT Nestled into a lush hillside, in a remote bay that's only accessible by boat, Bay of Many Coves is the retreat of your dreams. Luxury villas pepper the hillside, offering knockout views of pristine waters and bushy peaks. Stay a night or two to truly experience the magic of this secluded paradise. During the day, go for a dip, dine out on the water's edge, or get your walking shoes on to explore nature trails that teem with wildlife — don't worry, New Zealand's bush is proudly snake free. If that's just a bit too active, take it down a notch, listen to the bird song and relax in the serenity. It doesn't get more zen than this. ADVENTURE OFF-ROAD AROUND ONE OF MARLBOROUGH'S FIRST WINERIES If you're a wine enthusiast there's a mighty good chance you've heard of a wee region called Marlborough. Famous for its top-notch sauvignon blanc, Marlborough is the ultimate destination for any wine lover. Experience a taste of the region by visiting one of the very first wineries to put down roots here. The original Cloudy Bay Cellar Door is a chic spot to try the brand's diverse wines, from the iconic sauvignon blanc to the lively pinot noir and crispy Pelorus bubbly. Taste your way through the range in the spacious cellar door before grabbing a glass of your favourite and settling into a hanging egg chair in the leafy courtyard. For a unique adventure, take a vineyard tour by car — jump into a custom-restored 1985 Land Rover Defender and discover the vineyard sites with the Cloudy Bay crew as you learn how these distinctive wines make their way from grape to glass. Discover more about Cloudy Bay wines and the tailor-made experiences you can have in New Zealand here.
Australians across the country have spent the last year adapting to a slew of changes, including restrictions and lockdowns that keep popping up to slow the spread of COVID-19. Yes, we're all getting really good at the whole social distancing thing. But, even if you have plenty to watch and a go-to list of takeaway joints to keep your stomach satisfied, everyone could always use a top-up of warm and fuzzy feels. Whether you're currently under stay-at-home conditions in Melbourne, or you just need to brighten up your day elsewhere, the good folks at Zoos Victoria have your back. They're still live streaming the daily antics of an assortment of adorable wildlife, from both Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Instead of venturing out to the actual zoo, you can now get your cute animal fix from the comfort of home, by simply jumping online. But WFHers, be warned — these small-screen heartthrobs are pretty much guaranteed to steal hours of your time. You can tune in to watch Melbourne Zoo's three fluff-ball snow leopard cubs as they spend their days playing and exploring alongside mum Miska, or the giraffes being all leggy and graceful, munching leaves pretty much non-stop. Keep an eye out here for some humans of the species zookeeper, too, offering a bit of entertainment of their own. You can also prepare to be charmed by the penguins splashing in and out of their pool, especially old mate Ed the Fiordland penguin, who's apparently quite partial to being in the spotlight. All of these cuties seem to love a good close-up. And over at Werribee Open Range Zoo, it's the lions on show, alternating between roaming their enclosure and getting in some serious sunbaking time. The zoos themselves are currently closed due to Melbourne's seven-day lockdown and, at this stage, will reopen on Friday, June 4 — but even a COVID -19 cluster can't stop you from peering at these critters from your couch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wb6o3QvrxY Catch Zoos Victoria's animal live streams over on the organisation's website and on its social media channels.
Airplane eating leaves much to be desired. However, airport eating is arguably hitting its prime. Once wastelands for passable food options (with highlights of poorly constructed sandwiches, bags of chips or mass-produced muffins pre-packed in plastic sleeves), the airports of the world are now the homes of micro-breweries, up-market food chains and artisan provisions. When it comes to dining options, Brisbane Airport (BNE) has your cravings covered from dawn to dusk. Whether you're an early riser or a night owl, the culinary lineup ensures that your taste buds take flight before the rest of you. So, forget about the conventional rules of time because, in this bustling airport, it's always 5pm somewhere. Savour that slice of cake at 6am, enjoy a mid-morning steak or do a dinner of scrambled eggs after 8pm. At this tasty terminal, there are no boundaries. Breakfast: Seeds by Bruno Loubet Begin your travel journey on the right note with a healthy breakfast bowl from Michelin star chef Bruno Loubet. Seeds by Bruno Loubet offers a delightful array of nourishing options that will fuel you up for your travels. From vibrant salad and breakfast bowls, every dish is carefully crafted to provide a burst of energy and flavour. The pumpkin salad with slow-roasted pumpkin tossed with baby spinach and topped with toasted almonds and feta cheese is a popular pick. Add another protein if you like and wash it down with a refreshing juice to get your energy levels up for the journey ahead. Brunch: Lord Lamington For a decadent mid-morning meal, make your way to Lord Lamington, the largest restaurant at the airport — and nod to the first governor of Queensland and supposed creator of his namesake, the Lamington. Indulge in a luxurious brunch experience fit for royalty. From buttermilk pancakes drizzled with maple syrup to classic eggs benny, Lord Lamington's menu has a satisfying option for the discerning brunch fan. Munch down on the signature Lord Butty — a tasty combo of locally sourced bacon, spinach, fried egg and melted cheese between a toasted bun with your choice of sauce. Lunch: Graze Grill and Bar As the lunch hour approaches, head to Graze Grill and Bar. At this tasty locale, you can try the soft fluffy bao buns with sticky pork belly and crisp veggies — a perfect light lunch (unless you plan to buy a few plates). Graze serves food for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as small plates. If you've got plenty of time before your flight and are looking for a leisurely grazing option with a glass of wine, this joint has you covered with a selection of charcuterie and cheeses. Dinner: Glasshouse Bar Tuck into local produce as you relax before your flight at the Glasshouse Bar. Named in honour of the Sunshine Coast's Glasshouse Mountains, this bustling eatery offers a diverse menu that celebrates the region's culinary heritage. Local suppliers are all over the Glasshouse menu, expect to find providers like Green Beacon Brewery, Tamborine Mountain Free Range Eggs and Chriberg Quality Smallgoods sprinkled throughout. Plus, this place has an unparalleled view of the runway so you can enjoy a meal and a brew while plane-watching before you have to get on your way. Dessert: Bound Come for the cake, stay for the books. Brisbane's iconic artisan patisserie Jocelyn's Provisions makes an appearance with Bound. Head in for a scrumptious cake and pastry before you set off — and maybe grab a page-turner or two for your journey. Jocelyn's cult favourites all make appearances like the popular carrot cake with chopped Brazil nuts and cream cheese icing. Perfectly paired with a long black made with award-winning local coffee Bellissimo. Pre-Flight: Newstead Brewing Co. Before bidding farewell to Brisbane, make sure to pay homage to one of the city's original craft breweries — Newstead Brewing Co. Take a moment to enjoy a pot of their finest, showcasing the passion that put Brisbane's craft beer scene on the map. But the fun doesn't stop there, as Newstead is offering a menu of tasty bites — vegan and non-vegan options are provided — to enjoy with your brew. Cheers your next adventure with the airport-exclusive Tailwind Lager and pair it with a Moreton Bay bug slider with sriracha mayo served in a buttery brioche bun. Looking for something vego? Go for the moreish cauliflower bites. To-Go: Coffee Royal When it's time to satisfy your pre-flight caffeine fix or grab a quick snack to-go, look no further than Coffee Royal. This charming spot is the destination for a cup of Merlo coffee and an assortment of pre-flight treats. From freshly baked pastries to smashed avo on toast, Coffee Royal ensures that your classic cafe cravings are met and your journey starts on a tasty note. Looking for something with a bit more kick? Coffee Royal has the largest selection of gins in the terminal as well as a curated wine list, cocktails and craft beers. Brisbane Airport (BNE) is more than just a gateway to your next holiday and adventure, enjoy your own tasty terminal experience at the growing offering of stellar food options. Check out the website for more details. Safe travels! Images: Markus Ravik
As affordability becomes the top priority for Australians while the economy buckles under global affairs we have no control over, we're all adapting our savings differently. The methods of saving vary widely, but as costs like groceries, rent and fuel force us to eat into our savings, millions of Australians have targeted one of those major costs by resorting to shared living, as revealed in a new study by Finder. Finder completed a survey of 1,011 respondents to capture a snapshot of data representative of the wider Australian population, and found that one-fifth of Aussies have started saving by moving in with others in the last 12 months — that's 4.1 million people around the country. However, the majority (33 percent) of those respondents live in Victoria. Of those surveyed who have given up on bachelor and bachelorette pads, the most common category of roommate is parents or grandparents, with ten percent of respondents moving back home over the last year. That was followed by seven percent of respondents moving in with siblings, four percent with friends and a desperate three percent who turned to moving in with former partners. [caption id="attachment_1092312" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Maree Williams/Getty[/caption] Of the respondents who've turned to shared living, 39 percent were Gen Z, and 27 percent were Millennials, showing how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting young people most of all. Finder's Cost of Living Pressure Gauge, which compiles data on pressure from rent, mortgages, savings, debt, credit card repayments and more, is currently sitting in the red at 75 percent pressure. Taylor Blackburn, a personal finance advisor at Finder, explained that millions of Aussies are staring down uncomfortable living as a salve to housing security, saying, "Between soaring rents, rising interest rates and general cost-of-living pressures, the ability to live alone is slipping out of reach for many." To be prepared for the expenses we might not see coming, and the general financial wear and tear of the 2020s, Blackburn says to "design your life so you can manage a drought. One surprising expense that sinks you isn't a surprise – it's a design flaw. Maintaining even a modest financial buffer can be the difference between staying in control and being forced into living situations you never imagined." Lead image: iStock Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
There is nothing more beautiful than the nostalgia of love letters. It’s the long lost art of putting pen to paper that makes the perfect dialect of affection that can be cherished and remembered. The Women of Letters road show is returning to Brisbane this Sunday with a line up of lovely ladies to share their letter lovin’ with us all. The afternoon celebration will feature musical favorites Katie Miller-Heidke and Patience Hodgson of The Grates (pictured), journalist and award-winning novelist Kris Olsen, food writer and editor Morag Kobez-Halvorson and Queensland’s first indigenous magistrate Jacquie Payne. Not only will there be a line up of amazing female talent along with a wine/aerogramme-penning combo, but proceeds of the event will be donated to animal rescue shelter Edgar's Mission, so you're afternoon of listening to whimsical words and drinking wine can be written off as guilt free. Last year's event was a sell out so booking this year is essential. Grab your girlfriends and enjoy a pleasant Sunday afternoon listening to the stories of our favourite females love correspondence.
"You wanna get through this?" asked Furiosa in the film that introduced her to the world. With the heat of a blazing sun in a desolate future Australia scorched by ecocide, the answer to that question was baked into Mad Max: Fury Road's frames. All that the characters in the dystopian franchise's fourth film in 2015 wanted was to survive, its namesake (Tom Hardy, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and the long-running hero's new hero in Furiosa (Charlize Theron, Fast X) included. Of course, merely getting through the phenomenal George Miller (Three Thousand Years of Longing)-directed addition to a saga that the iconic Aussie filmmaker started in 1979 couldn't have been further from its audience's mind. Mad Max: Fury Road wasn't just the return of an Australian franchise three decades after its last instalment; it was the return of the Aussie franchise. It was post-apocalyptic action cinema at its most spectacular, too — and the action film that all action films are now judged against. Viewers got through it not only revved up and buzzing, but seeking more like a war boy chasing Valhalla, especially as further chapters were teased by Miller. It took nine years, but now the fifth Mad Max flick is finally racing onto silver screens: prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. As Furiosa, The Witch, Split, Emma, The Queen's Gambit, The Northman and The Menu's Anya Taylor-Joy dons a shaved scalp and grease smeared across her forehead. As Dementus, her captor from childhood — and the adversary that she devotes her pre-Fury Road life to getting revenge on— Chris Hemsworth trades a Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero for a wasteland warlord. Much to the amusement of both while they're chatting with Concrete Playground about the film, the latter can't quite leave his time as the MCU's resident hammer-wielding god behind even while he's riding a chariot made out of motorbikes across a hellscape. A cape that turns red via a flare gun's crimson smoke guarantees it. "You did bring it up," Taylor-Joy says to Hemsworth about the wardrobe choice that pushes his four Thor films, 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder being the last, to mind. "I said it to George, I go 'you know I wear red cape in that film we're trying to forget about, and that character we're trying to remove myself from?'," Hemsworth tells us. "And he said 'oh, I didn't think of that. Anyway, cool.' And I was like 'so it stays red?'. And he's like 'yeah, it stays red'." [caption id="attachment_956846" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasin Boland[/caption] Scarlet capes aside, the only thing that anyone should be thinking about during Furiosa is Furiosa. That, and the magnificent cinematic series that Miller has been crafting for 45 years now. Back then, he didn't foresee a future for anything Mad Max. He couldn't predict the response to Fury Road, either. "You can't. It's like life; there's almost no point in trying to prognosticate," the former doctor explains to Concrete Playground. Talking through why that's the case Steven Spielberg anecdotes spanning both E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park — and charting how the technology that helped bring the Babe pictures to life (Miller scripted and produced both, and helmed sequel Babe: Pig in the City), and then the Happy Feet flicks, led him back to the world of his directorial debut. Miller hasn't just been making visions of a potential sunburnt fate that increasingly no longer feels purely fictional — especially with Fury Road and now Furiosa, he's been making dystopian magic. We also chatted with him about the route to the saga's fifth entry, plus the decision to cast Taylor-Joy instead of digitally de-ageing Theron. And, with Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth, we dived into entering such a significant franchise, living the Aussie dream, the threads that connect Furiosa and Dementus, Taylor-Joy's love for her character and why this is Hemsworth's favourite part in years. On Never Imagining 45 Years Ago That Mad Max Would Still Be Going All of This Time Later George: "Not in a million years. I mean, to be perfectly honest, the first Mad Max was so difficult to make, I didn't even think I'd make another movie — let alone make more Mad Max movies. But one thing led to the another. As John Lennon said, life is what happens when you're making other plans, and that's what happened to me. Luckily for me, the first Mad Max had some resonance with audiences — and I couldn't even figure out why. Because for me, it just wasn't anything close to what I thought was a film that would work. And then I realised 'oh, I'd better find out why' and that led me to do Mad Max 2 — which was technically and physically a much more difficult film to make, but I understood then what makes a film. I'd learned all the things I did done wrong on Mad Max. And then that basically started my lifelong inquiry into how to make films and why we make films, or why we tell stories on film. So here I am still curious about that process all these years later. Never expected to be, but here I am." On Taking on a Mesmerising Fury Road Character and Stepping Into an Iconic Australian Franchise Anya: "Oh my goodness, I think my brain does a very clever thing where anything that could possibly stop me from taking an opportunity, it just keeps in the back of my mind and I don't think about it until it's way too late. But I will say that I have a lot of friends that made Fury Road and they had one piece of advice — and it was just 'trust George'. This is a man that's been living with this character for forever. He's had this script in his mind for forever. He wasn't going to let us mess it up. He was going to deliver exactly what it is that he wanted." On Living the Aussie Dream of Starring as a Wasteland Warlord in a Mad Max Film Chris: "I remember watching these films with my dad many years ago, and the nostalgia and vivid memories I have around it is incredible. And to be not just working with George Miller, but on a Mad Max film, was kind of this pinnacle for me. And I don't know where I go from here. It may all be downhill. But it was a dream come true. I peaked too early. I'm retiring. There it is." On the Huge Response to Fury Road — and Not Being Able to Predict How Much the World Would Love the Film George: "People say set goals. The only goals you should set are what you can do in front of yourself. You can't lay out plans because life's too unpredictable in every endeavour in life, no matter what people say. That's why I think that John Lennon quote is so true, really. But on Fury Road, that was an exercise in basically realising one day that filmmaking had changed from the celluloid, analogue filmmaking, where we made the first Mad Maxes. Fury Road was a decade into the digital dispensation, which we kind of really got into fairly early with the first Babe movie. That was done at Universal Studios, which had made Jurassic Park, which was the first big movie where Steven [Spielberg] used the digital technology. There were 63 shots of dinosaurs and that basically heralded the new digital age of filmmaking. They saw what was happening with that, hadn't yet released that and said 'hey, if you guys wanted, this would be good if you wanted to shoot the pigs and the animals live action, you could do it'. So that's what got me on that path. The story is always privileged over everything else in filmmaking, but the technology and the tools are also a fascinating thing because the new technologies can really help you make films — interesting films that are in some way unique. So, almost a decade later when [Australian cinematographer] Andrew Lesnie, who shot Babe, went off to shoot Lord of the Rings, and he came back to Sydney after the first one and showed me the first motion capture of Gollum, I suddenly thought 'hey, this penguin story we've got, we can make the penguins tap dance'. And so that technology, motion capture, I'd never even heard the words before and now we could use it in animation — and so on and so on. So, by the time we got to Fury Road, all that technology, that's another decade later, almost. I thought 'holy cow, there's things we can do with a basic action film like this, we could never dream of doing way back two, three decades before'. So that led to Fury Road. You put all that you know, your skills and what you've learned along the way into a film like Fury Road. You go through the process and push it out there and people will make of it what they will — there's no other way you can do it. You can never anticipate whether a film is going to be successful or not. You really can't. I met Steven Spielberg for the first time about a month and a half before E.T. came out. He showed me a trailer of this film. I thought, 'gee, that's very moving'. I was very touched by the trailer. And he no idea at the time that it would become E.T., that it would have such a cultural impact. He was more concerned with some other film that he was working on at the time. So you can never predict. You can't tell either way. You don't know if something's going to be successful. I'm just very thankful that after Fury Road, which was a pretty arduous film to make, that it had some traction and ultimately it led us to do to make Furiosa." On Avoiding Feeling Daunted About the Massive Reaction to Fury Road While Making Its Prequel Chris, to Anya: "I get a little bit of what you were saying — you could spend your entire day kind of thinking of all the..." Anya: "Reasons not to do something." Chris: "Yeah, the consequences. And all of the should, could, etcetera. And it ends up distracting you from what you should be doing, which is just focusing on the character and the story and so on. Plus, the more films I do, I realise how much of it is just out of your control. That used to scare the hell out of me, and now I find it really comforting. I'm like 'there's a lot of people involved in this, it's not my fault'. We're all a part of this massive collaboration or jigsaw puzzle that's trying to be assembled — and it works or it doesn't, but as long as you put your heart and soul into it, then, great. If you try to take it personally and look at it like 'oh, there's this many years and so on', occasionally it's a motivation but it shouldn't be a distraction. Anya: "I'd also say rather than thinking about all of that as something that was scary, we both wanted to do this because in recent memory we'd seen Fury Road. We knew what that was. We knew what an adventure it would be and we wanted to be a part of the team that made such an incredible creation — and now we've done it. So if anything, it's just more exciting to get to work with these incredible artists." On Digging Into the Commonalities Between Furiosa and Dementus, Even Though They're Adversaries Chris: "Quite a lot in the rehearsal process, what I found so impressive from Anya, and what I take away now in that everything I do, is the how fiercely protective she was of the character Furiosa. I suggested doing something in one of the rehearsals with the younger Furiosa and she overheard and said 'hang on, hang on, no, no, no, no, no, she wouldn't take the bear. She wouldn't do this. She wouldn't do it'. And I thought 'oh wow, okay'. That was, I found, inspirational, but it also did drastically alter the way I had to then perform that action. And it was sort of to bury it [a teddy bear] within her grip and then she drops it within the film, you see, as opposed to holding on to it like I was suggesting. And so a lot of our early conversations in the rehearsals definitely, I think, spawned or dictated where these characters were going to go and evolve to or change throughout the film. That was just one thing that always stuck in my mind that I thought I was very thankful for." Anya: "Thank you for saying that, Chris, genuinely. People say that hurt people hurt people. And I think that you can explain egregious action, but I don't think that you should excuse it. That's not something that necessarily makes sense to me. So I think in this relationship, despite the fact that they both have a lot of pain, you can't argue the fact that he is a focal point for a lot of the things that have gone wrong in her life." Chris: "Yeah, it's a beautiful examination, too, of people put in traumatic situations facing adversity." Anya: "Yeah. Everyone's a victim." Chris: "But ultimately it being a decision on the individual. It's not the circumstances that define us, it's ultimately our free will and our decision to act accordingly to that thing. And two people who both have suffered but react very differently and behave very differently — I found that interesting." On Deciding Not to Use De-Ageing Technology and Instead Cast Taylor-Joy as the Younger Furiosa George: "It was a big, big issue. Once we decided to go ahead and realised that close to a decade had gone by — and this is a story that starts with Furiosa at ten and takes her to 28. It happens from childhood to adulthood, whereas Fury Road was compressed into three days and two nights, a completely different exercise in filmmaking. I thought 'gee, who are we going to find to fill those big, big shoes of Charlize?'. And then it turned out to be relatively quick because Edgar Wright showed me an early cut of the movie he'd made — Last Night in Soho, a movie he'd just done with Anya. I saw the movie. I'd seen just clips of her earlier movies, but I hadn't really seen a full movie that she'd done – and I was really struck by her presence. There's a timeless quality about her. She seemed to be very, very in the role. It was a tricky role, it involved dance, there was a lot of precision. And I turned to Edgar and talked about the movie, and then I said 'Anya, she'd be great for...' — he had no idea that I was talking about Furiosa. I said 'she'd be great for...' and before I finished the sentence, he said 'do it, do it, she's got it all, she's got it all' or some words to that effect. I asked him recently is that what he said, and he said it was something different. But my memory was 'she's got it all, she's got it all, do it'. And so I talked to her. I got to understand a little bit about how she approaches her work. She had a lot in common with Charlize. They both were skilled ballet dancers from a very young age, which is a really, really good marker for somebody who's got physical skills. They had that precision. She rode motorbikes. She came from a big family, she was the youngest of them, rode motorbikes when she was a little kid — illegally, of course — in Argentina, and so on. And then we went through the process of working on the film together, and I subsequently learned that it was the right decision, because she was equal to the task — and not only to take on what Charlize had done, but who could match what Chris did with Dementus. These two adversaries had to be evenly matched from the top to the end of the movie, and she was able to do that. I think the movie depends on them both being worthy adversaries." On Conveying So Much of Furiosa's Story Without Words Anya: "It's really extraordinary — characters have always been real for me, and I think with each script I understand how I'll be able to tell the story. Sometimes I'm a little bit ahead of them, and so I can tell it more with hindsight. And with this script, I just knew straight away that I was going to have to tell it in real time — that it was just going to feel very real for me and I'd have to experience it, and that's how I was going to be able to bring the truth of this story to light. I will say that I'm so grateful to both Chris and George for just respecting how much I cared about her. Like, I was really fighting for her every single step of the way, and rather than seeing it as something intense, they saw it as something beautiful — and I really appreciated that. On Hemsworth Getting His Favourite Role to Play Since He Was in Rush Chris: "I think like Rush, when I did Rush, I had just done Thor and a few other things, action films, and it was the great departure from that space. And look, I love playing Thor and if the opportunity came up and there was a story, I'd love to do again. But I definitely feel like I've also run out of ideas with it, whereas this just spawned an abundance of the creativity in me, which I sort of had forgotten about, I think. And it gave me an opportunity to experiment and try different things and lose myself in a role, and get back to the joyful playfulness that we have as kids — and just experimenting with removing the critic and that judgmental voice and just having fun. As odd as that may sound, because he's a murdering psychopath, but it was enjoyable. This is what acting's about. It's about transportation and inhabiting other spaces and someone else's shoes." Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Read our review.
In 2006’s Night at the Museum, the exhibits and dioramas of New York City's Museum of Natural History sprang to life, surprising freshly hired evening security guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller). In 2009’s Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Larry returned to save enlivened treasures being shipped off to storage in Washington, D.C., stumbling upon a power battle between magically resurrected pharaohs in the process. The films, mixing an everyman protagonist with an exaggerated situation, established an easy formula of heroics and humour, history and fantasy, and quests and chaos, as suitable for all ages. Now, once more adhering to the blueprint but transporting the action to London, the trilogy crawls towards its conclusion with Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Here, the perpetually bumbling Larry is thrust into trouble once more when an important event goes awry as a result of his animated mannequin friends. The tablet that endows the appearance of life into the museum’s trinkets is starting to corrode, courtesy of an Egyptian curse. Only specimens housed in Britain hold the answers to stopping the rot, reinstating the spell and rescuing the likenesses of famous figures from reverting to a permanent state of wax. Adding to the antics are Larry’s English counterpart, nightwatchwoman Tilly (Rebel Wilson), and an arrogant Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens), both endeavouring to thwart the visitors’ efforts for their own reasons. Returning director Shawn Levy (This Is Where I Leave You) and new scribes David Guion and Michael Handelman (Dinner for Schmucks) aren’t concerned with offering any unexpected detours in the events that follow, repeating the beats of the earlier films with a heightened emphasis on outdated pop culture jokes. Indeed, that the feature’s biggest source of laughs — and its best surprise cameo – stems from an internet meme gives an indication of the level of comedy cultivated, as does the prominence of online cat videos to the plot. Even the usual reliance upon slapstick wavers, for worse, not for better. The odd-couple banter of Owen Wilson as an old west cowboy and Steve Coogan as a Roman soldier is similarly toned down. Elaborate staging aside (best manifested in Secret of the Tomb in an uncharacteristically excellent M.C. Escher-inspired sequence), the biggest lure of the Night of the Museum series has always been its extensive cast. Performers express enough energy to keep the movie bubbling along; however, for reasons inconsequential to the content itself, it is Robin Williams’ return as Teddy Roosevelt that stands out. His last on-screen appearance evokes both sweetness and sorrow that far exceeds the average franchise swansong he is saddled with.
2023 already marks Australia's last chance to be in the room where it happens. Until winter, it's now every Aussie muggle's final opportunity to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child pick up its wands as well. Currently running as a condensed single-night play rather than the original two-part version, this onstage follow-up to the page and screen Harry Potter franchise has announced that it'll wrap up its Melbourne season on Sunday, July 9 — and then leave our shores. Unlike other big shows such as Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and The Book of Mormon in recent years, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child isn't jumping elsewhere around the nation after its stint in the Victorian capital. So, when the curtain falls on its lengthy stay at Melbourne's Princess Theatre after four years, that'll be the end of its magic Down Under. That gives theatregoers five months to book in a date with the hit wizarding production, which picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and its abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Here, Harry is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee, with the play focusing on both him and his youngest son Albus Severus Potter as they grapple with the past and future. Since debuting in London in July 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won a swathe of awards (including nine Olivier Awards and six Tonys) and proven a repeated sellout — in the West End, on Broadway and in San Francisco, too. In its Melbourne run, it has become the most successful play in Australian history, including attracting 326,500 people in its first year. Four years on from first opening in Australia in February 2019, and after navigating the pandemic during that time, the local season has sold more than a million tickets and hosted over 1300 performances. "We are extremely proud of our Melbourne production and to be the longest-running play in the history of Australia is an extraordinary achievement," said producer Sonia Friedman CBE, announcing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Aussie end date. "Opening our production here has been one of the highlights in the life of our groundbreaking, astonishing show and we look forward to an amazing final five months in this glorious city." Muggles, if you want to see The Cursed Child, you'll need to accio yourself along before July — with more tickets released on Monday, February 6. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays Melbourne's Princess Theatre until Sunday, July 9. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the play's website. Images: Michelle Grace Hunder.
At a time when most IKEA furniture ends up deep in the Gumtree 'For Sale' ads or left on the side of the road, the Swedish retailer has come up with a pretty clever plan to give those unwanted flat-pack ensembles a second lease on life. In good news for those moving house and face with an accumulative collection of Malm blond wood pieces, IKEA has launched its furniture buy-back service at all of its Australian stores. From today, Australians will be able to bring in their retired IKEA pieces to be sold on to a new home — and score a voucher for their efforts. The program is being rolled out nationally after a year-long trial at Sydney's Tempe store which saw 1600 pieces bought back from customers. Now, you'll be able to do the same at the other two Sydney stores — in Rhodes and Marsden Park — as well as stores in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. The initiative was initially spurred by findings from the company's latest People & Planet Positive Report, which suggested Aussies threw away up to 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused or repaired. So how does it work? If you've got some furniture you want to get out of your life, you'll need to get an estimated quote online. Then, you'll need to take it and your furniture — still fully assembled, mind you — to the nearest IKEA store. Once there, your furniture will be assessed by an IKEA staff member, and they'll decide on a value and give you a buy-back refund card to use in-store. The buy-back scheme is only for IKEA furniture, and not for other products like lighting, mattresses, textiles, kitchen components or appliances. That's because the bought-back pieces need to be in good enough condition to be sold on to other customers in the As-Is store. It does, however, have separate recycling schemes for mattresses, batteries and light bulbs. If your Malm bed frame or chest of drawers isn't in quite good enough condition for the As-Is store, you might need to consider donating it to charity or finding another way to recycle it. And if you are buying new furniture, consider buying something secondhand from the As-Is store, or at least investing in something that you plan to keep long-term. You can get a quote on your IKEA furniture here, and then you'll be able to take it to the Tempe, Marsden Park, Rhodes, Richmond, Springvale, Logan, North Lakes, Adelaide, Canberra or Perth stores to redeem a refund voucher.
The only thing that's ever wrong with a delicious pasta meal is the fact that it ends. For two hours at Vici Italian three evenings a week, that's no longer a problem. The South Bank spot has added bottomless pasta nights to its menu, where you can feast on all the bolognese, pomodoro and carbonara that you can handle — for $25, plus a drink purchase. This special happens weekly, from Tuesday–Thursday to liven up your weeknights. Make a booking at 5pm or 7pm, then dig in. You can only choose between the three dishes, however, and everyone at your table has to partake. The bolognese features crushed beef in a tomato sugo that's been slow cooked, and comes topped with parmesan on your choice of fettuccine or gnocchi. With the pomodoro, you'll be enjoying a slow-cooked tomato sauce with mascarpone and parmesan, again on the same types of pasta. And the carbonara boasts bacon, wild mushrooms, mascarpone cream sauce and parmesan on spaghetti. Spend an extra $5 and you can opt for gluten-free pasta. And as for the drink that you need to buy to receive the deal, boozy options include raspberry negroni sours, yuzu spritzes, tiramisu martinis, pineapple daiquiris, Peroni on tap and a range of wines.
If there's one thing that Brisbanites can agree on, it's that King of the Wings delivers some of the best buffalo wings in Brisbane. Choose from its range of tasty flavours including a Southern-style spicy dry rub, a smokey American barbecue blend, honey sesame, buffalo and peri-peri. With a six or 12 pack to choose from, either one is sure to stop those hunger pangs in their tracks. King of Wings can be found at a variety of locations across Brisbane, including Howard Smith Wharves, Green Beacon and the Kangaroo Point Lookout. Check its Facebook page for its daily whereabouts.
With fresh COVID-19 cases continuing to pop up across Australia and community transmission still a very real issue, the Victorian Government has launched a new travel permit system in an attempt to keep the coronavirus out of the state. Victoria has just chalked up six days straight without any new locally transmitted coronavirus cases; however, with other states experiencing outbreaks in recent weeks, the Victorian Government is now tightening the borders and rolling out new regulations for anyone wanting to enter from interstate locations. After going live yesterday, Monday, January 11, the new permit scheme will now manage all domestic travel into Victoria, using a traffic light-style system to categorise origin locations as red, orange or green — based on their level of risk. It applies to visitors who reside in other parts of Australia, as well as to any Victorian residents returning home from elsewhere. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1348469170472509440 Under the new system, travellers wanting to head into Victoria will need to apply for one of the various permit types, depending on where they've been beforehand. Anyone who has been in a designated red zone — the highest level in the system, which currently covers Greater Brisbane and Greater Sydney — is barred from entering the state. Exceptions apply to residents of NSW/Victorian border communities, and folks who've been in a red zone can also apply to receive an exemption or a permitted worker permit. The former covers instances such as emergency relocations, funerals, essential medical care, and people needing to return home for health, wellbeing, care or compassionate reasons. That said, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) states that exceptions are limited and that they'll only be granted in special circumstances. Victoria will be cracking down on rule-breakers, too — the government has warned that trying to make a land border crossing from a red zone will get you turned away, while attempting to enter by plane or sea without a permit will score you a $4957 fine. Travellers coming from orange and green zones may apply online for a permit. During the application process, you'll be asked where you've travelled to — and you'll also need to answer questions about any symptoms, close contacts and previous COVID-19 diagnoses. Anyone travelling from green zones should get a permit granted easily and only need to monitor for symptoms once they've arrived, as long as you've steered clear of any red or orange zones in the previous 14 days. If you're coming from an orange zone, you'll be required to get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your arrival in Victoria, and to self-isolate before and after the test until you're given the all-clear. Of course, the current designated zones and regulations are subject to change, with DHHS advising that "border arrangements are constantly reviewed based on the health situation in each state and territory". When the system went live yesterday, it did so almost three hours after its announced launch time of 5.59pm; however, it is now up and running. For more information on Victoria's new permit system — or to apply for one — head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Huge birthday, huge program, huge list of reasons to spend an entire year at the Sydney Opera House. Come October 2023, the iconic Australian venue will reach its 50th birthday, and it's doing what everyone does when it hits a massive milestone: celebrating for as long as possible. In fact, the Opera House is dedicating 12 whole months to its 50th-anniversary shenanigans, starting a year in advance. From October 2022, the acclaimed Sydney Harbour venue will kick off the festivities in the most fitting way — with From the Sails: Light Years, a nightly projection series featuring new art by Sam Doust and Art Processors, which'll adorn the structure's famous sails from Wednesday, October 19–Sunday, 30. Obviously, that's just the beginning of a hefty program, with the already-announced Amadeus starring Michael Sheen taking over the site's newly revamped Concert Hall from Tuesday, December 27, 2022–Saturday, January 21, 2023, too. Also on the bill: a full lineup that spans 230-plus performances, events and experiences, covering outdoor concerts, community events, First Nations storytelling, tours, public art, exhibitions and more, and happening in the venue's theatres, on its forecourt and online. From Thursday, October 20–Sunday, 30, that includes From the Steps: Voices at Dusk, which'll see local community choirs — as curated by resident company Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Artistic Director Brett Weymark OAM — sing free open-air choral performances on the Opera House steps. Also outdoors, this time running from Thursday, November 10–Saturday, November 19, is a concert series at the Opera House's forecourt featuring Tim Minchin, New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop and two shows by Vance Joy. There'll be two free gigs, too — one dedicated to Yolŋu music and culture with Djakapurra Munyarryun, Dhapanbal Yunupingu, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and more on the lineup, and another that'll see Ngaiire and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra join forces. [caption id="attachment_871449" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ngaiire[/caption] While Sydney Opera House hasn't unveiled the full program yet, with further events set to be announced in the coming months, the rest of the lineup so far features two big festivals: Inside/Out at the House and Open House Festival. The first will arrive at the beginning of May 2023, heroing performances by the London Symphony Orchestra, Australian Ballet, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Australian Chamber Orchestra. Each show will take place inside either the Concert Hall or the Joan Sutherland Theatre, but you'll also be able to watch in the forecourt, where they'll be broadcast to an openair cinema setup. At the second, Open House Festival will live up to its name across the entire month of October 2023. That means hosting performances, events and activities in every part of the Opera House, and also holding an open day where attendees can go exploring. [caption id="attachment_871446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ken Leanfore[/caption] Plus, Bangarra Dance Theatre will unveil the world premiere of a new production in June 2023, under incoming Artistic Director Frances Rings. Sydney Theatre Award-winning play The Visitors will receive a new staging, directed by Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch — and the Opera House will present Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert in conjunction with Sydney WorldPride 2023. Also, the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir (CAAWC) — which hails from six remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory — will unleash their vocals in the Concert Hall, German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann and an international cast will perform La Gioconda, and Mad Scenes by Jessica Pratt will showcase the Australian talent. [caption id="attachment_871445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Marking a full-circle moment given that it was part of the Opera House's opening in 1973, Sydney Dance Company will stage three works. And, there'll be a revamped Opera House tour that highlights past performances and historic moments. Clearly, this year-long party is going to be massive — it's supported by the NSW Government's Blockbuster Funding initiative, and 'blockbuster' is the right word for it. [caption id="attachment_871453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] Sydney Opera House's 50th anniversary program kicks off in October 2022 and runs for a year. For more information, head to the Sydney Opera House website. Top images: Prudence Upton / Keith Saunders / Anna Kacera.
Japanese photographer Shinichi Maruyama has captured nude dancers from an unsual viewpoint, representing their motion in a series of complex whirls and swirls. The result is an elaborate yet beautiful depiction illustrating some of the amazing movements the human body is capable of. Maruyama has gracefully encapsulated the swaying of legs, swinging of hips and twirling of arms and combined the movements to create a single, intertwined image of motion patterns that enthralls and amazes. Take a look at these shots from Maruyama's remarkable series of blurred nude dancers.
Not all that long ago, rooftop bars were rare in Brisbane. What a difference a few years makes. Iris Rooftop is the latest to join the city's sky-high heights, towering over Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley. And if you haven't had an excuse to stop by yet, you might want to add it to your Sunday itinerary quick smart. You can obviously drop by any other day you like, of course, but the last day of the weekend is when you'll find Sky-High Sundays in full swing. From 2pm, Iris is pairing its usual menu — think soda cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired dishes — with R&B tunes. As you peer over the city, stand by Iris' lit-up bar and tap your toes, you'll be able to tuck into cantabrian anchovies with tomato migas bread and crème fraiche — and sip margarita, cosmopolitan, watermelon daiquiri and amaretto sour sodas. Entry is free, but you'll need your wallet for whatever tempts your tastebuds.
Icy poles and booze — they're the two staples of a long, hot Aussie summer. And now they've come together as one, in the form of Calippo-style Champagne icy poles. They're the genius creation of POPS, a UK brand that has been keeping folks stylishly cool since 2014, when it launched its first frozen Champagne treat — apparently supermodels like Kate Moss and Bella Hadid are on board, if that's something to sway you. The Champagne pop (called The Classic) contains half a glass of Champers (wahee!), and the range has since expanded to include another grown-ups-only creation: the Bellini, which blends hibiscus flowers, blood orange juice, peach Schnapps, and half a glass of Prosecco. Plus, there are a couple of all-ages products too, which see the alcohol swapped out for real fruit. The frozen delights are arriving in our eskies just in time to be eaten in front of the fan (or, y'know, in the sun) this summer. They'll launch in Melbourne first, with a series of pop-up events, and festival appearances aplenty. No word yet if you'll be able to buy a box for the freezer, but let's hope. POPS will launch in Melbourne soon. For more info, visit wearepops.com.
How do you follow up Game of Thrones? So asks one of the biggest questions in pop culture over the past decade. HBO's hit adaptation of George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series ended five years ago, but the network behind it, the TV industry in general, and everyone involved in it on- and off-screen has been grappling with that query since the series became a worldwide smash. For the cable station that made it, more Game of Thrones shows is the answer, aka House of the Dragon, the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight and other floated spinoffs. For Hollywood, leaning in on fantasy franchises has been a solution. And for David Benioff and DB Weiss, the showrunners on the Westeros-set phenomenon, bringing another complex book saga to the small screen is the chosen path. Those novels: Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy, which reaches Netflix named after its debut entry, in another of its similarities with Benioff and Weiss' previous success. So arrives 3 Body Problem, streaming all eight of its first-season episodes from Thursday, March 21, with 2008 book The Three-Body Problem as its basis. Invasions, feuds, jumping timelines, a hefty cast of characters: they're all still in place. So are John Bradley (Marry Me), Liam Cunningham (Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter) and Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses) among the cast, answering the "what comes next?" question for three Game of Thrones actors. Also, that composer Ramin Djawadi (Jack Ryan) is on music duties again isn't difficult to notice. With 3 Body Problem, which sees Benioff and Weiss team up with True Blood and The Terror's Alexander Woo to bring Cixin's text to the screen, sprawling high fantasy gives away to time- and space-hopping hard sci-fi, however. The danger to global stability still springs from a battle for supremacy, but one where countdowns start dancing in front of some people's eyes, particle accelerators stop functioning properly, other folks can't be seen in security footage, scientists seem to be killing themselves and aliens linger. The series begins with a physics professor being beaten to death in front of a crowd containing his daughter during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Then, it flits to London today to watch the entire sky wink, gleaming helmets spirit whoever dons them into a complicated and intricate virtual-reality game, and what lurks beyond the earth — and who — play a significant part. This isn't the only attempt to bring Cixin's novels to the screen, with 2023's 30-part Chinese series Three Body getting there first. 3 Body Problem also isn't concerned with creating as faithful a take on its source material as possible; rather, its main aim is to do for science-fiction mindbenders what Game of Thrones did for epic fantasy. Accordingly, this is a propulsive and addictive drama within its chosen genre — and one where pressing "next episode", since the whole first season drops at once, doesn't feel optional. Given how crucial that advanced maths and physics concepts are to its plot (its moniker is taken from orbital mechanics, after all), sparking a must-binge reaction is far from a simple mission. Structurally, cliffhangers are used liberally. Thematically, all of the scientific minutiae, and sci-fi as well, always comes back to people, families by blood and by choice, and humanity as a species. 3 Body Problem's grim 60s-set opening introduces Ye Wenjie (TV first-timer Zine Tseng), who is also punished by the anti-intellectual movement for being her father's offspring and protege. When she discovers Rachel Carson's Silent Spring at the logging camp where she's forced to toil, prison then awaits — then a secretive mountaintop base, where her work changes not just her life, but the planet's future. In 2024, then, as numbers haunt fields of vision and bright scientific minds commit suicide, old choices made by Ye (who is now played by Rosalind Chao, Sweet Tooth) start having an impact. If it all seems like a mystery, 3 Body Problem purposefully plays out like one, complete with detective Da Shi (Benedict Wong, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) investigating what's happening for shadowy government agency head Thomas Wade (Cunningham). Enter a sextet with ties to Oxford: Vera Ye (Vedette Lim, FBI) and five of her former students. Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo, Babylon) is her research assistant, not that their studies can continue now that technology is failing them; Jin Cheng (Jess Hong, The Brokenwood Mysteries) also remains in science; Auggie Salazar (Eiza González, Mr & Mrs Smith) is trying to revolutionise nanofibres; Jack Rooney (Bradley) has sold out, making a fortune in junk food; and Will Downing (Alex Sharp, One Life) now teaches high schoolers. Trauma brings them back together. Hallucinations, VR, disappearing strangers and odd occurrences in the heavens keep them connected. Also linked to their plight is Mike Evans, who Ye in the earlier timeline (with Y: The Last Man's Ben Schnetzer in the part), but segues from being an eco-activist to living on a tanker (with Pryce taking over the role). Then there's the headsets, which appear randomly and selectively like the present that no one knows that they want (because no one knows about them before they materialise). Popping one on means tussling with the eponymous quandary in a realm so lifelike that everyone who visits is convinced that they're really seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting everything around them. 3 Body Problem proves a spectacle when it slides into VR. Benioff, Weiss, Woo and their directors — Derek Tsang (Better Days), Andrew Stanton (who made WALL-E in his Pixar days), Minkie Spiro (Pieces of Her) and Jeremy Podeswa (Station Eleven, and another Game of Thrones alum) — understand the allure of escaping, of hoping that something better exists beyond our everyday reality and of dreaming big. With the threat of extra-terrestrials taking over looming large, however, their series also recognises the mundanity, brutality and beauty that surrounds humanity daily. One gruesome sequence, arriving just past the halfway mark of the season, won't be forgotten. When a series has such a wealth of narrative to dig through, and so many ideas unearthed in the process, characters can feel like mere pawns. Thankfully, Benioff and Weiss have also been here before. As they did with Game of Thrones, the duo never let the fact that this is a tale about people first and foremost get out of sight. Among the cast, the always-welcome Wong, both Tseng and Chao as Ye, plus Adepo, Hong and Sharp all leave the biggest imprint — and give 3 Body Problem's story several weighty anchors. In no small part due to their efforts, the show's first season inspires another question as it wraps up: how do you now follow that? Check out the trailer for 3 Body Problem: 3 Body Problem streams via Netflix from Thursday, March 21, 2024. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to permit restrictions. Since it opened back in 2001, you've probably done a lot of things on the Goodwill Bridge. Chances are you've walked, jogged or cycled over it, looked out over South Bank, enjoyed the sunset from its vantage point — the list goes on. And yes, you've probably devoured a coffee or eaten a snack, too. But we're guessing you haven't had a full three-course evening meal on it. For $155 per person, Dinner on the Bridge offers up just that, including three courses of gourmet fare with matched wines and twilight views as far as the eye can see. It's the kind of event that could only be a collaboration, with Stokehouse Q joining forces with Cafe on the Bridge as part of Good Food Month for a night — and plenty of food — to remember.
After playing host to Brisbane's decadent Lobster Shack pop-up, Petrie Terrace is now home to the city's newest American-themed eatery and watering hole. Open in the spot formerly known as Sandy's Goodtime Bar, Fat Belly Jack's is the inner-city area's new home of fried chicken, bourbon, whisky and beer. The new venture actually comes from the folks behind the aforementioned short-term lobster and Champagne venture. Indeed, they were so impressed with its success that they decided to settle into 48 Petrie Terrace for the long haul. This time around, though, they're all about Nashville-style poultry pieces cooked in a southern-style batter, then dunked in spicy coatings that range from mild to 'really fucking hot', as well as specially paired boilermakers. Food-wise, patrons can choose from burgers, wings, tenders, and either quarter or a half birds, which all come with bread, pickles and a choice of sides. And as far as those accompaniments go, Fat Belly Jack's is slinging bacon-fried greens, Memphis slaw, creamed corn, mac 'n' cheese and crinkle cut fries. With bare brick walls on display, neon signs a-blazing, and a soundtrack of American blues, rock, soul, funk and country music, the venue leans into its theming; however, other than the chook, it's the huge back bar that's the focal point. A sizeable range of American spirits sits alongside a rotating lineup of US beers, plus Fat Belly Jack's special boilermaker menu. Spanning from high-end to more affordable options, the lineup includes the likes of the Baller Boiler, pairing Deep Creek IPA with five-year-old Willet Pot Still Reserve whiskey, as well as the Poor Boy, which combines a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon with a shot of Jameson.
The year: 1943. The place: America. The sport: baseball. Misty faces: apparently not allowed. Yes, there's no crying in baseball, again — and yes, after proving a hit on the big screen back in 1992, A League of Their Own is back as an eight-part streaming remake with those firm thoughts about waterworks still intact. That said, in both versions, there definitely are tears in the sport. Someone proclaims there shouldn't be, although Tom Hanks doesn't do the honours the time around. And, when it arrives in Prime Video's series, which is streaming its first season in full from Friday, August 12, that line isn't code for the entire perspective that A League of Their Own is rallying against: that the bat-swinging pastime isn't for women anyway. The new A League of Their Own's characters are still forced to deal with that abhorrent view, however. The same storyline, and the same societal journey — starting with horrified newspaper editorials about the masculinisation of women, then building to excited crowds embracing the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — slides through the show's frames, too. Indeed, much is familiar, including a small-town star catcher chasing her lifelong dream while her husband serves in the Second World War, a ragtag group of other women living their fantasies as well, a world that sees them as a joke and a male manager who used to be a major star but is only in this gig to restart his own career. But Broad City's Abbi Jacobson, who leads, co-writes and co-created this A League of Their Own, helps ensure that the series broadens its playing field. Bringing the show to fruition with Mozart in the Jungle's Will Graham, she anchors a do-over that covers a far wider range of bases. In the original Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell-starring film — which did initially spark a short-lived TV spinoff in 1993, continuing the movie's story but without its best-known stars — a pivotal moment happens early. Alas, it lasts mere seconds and doesn't go anywhere. At the Chicago AAGPBL tryouts, a Black woman (DeLisa Chinn-Tyler) tosses back an overthrown ball, and it's clear that she isn't permitted to be a part of this realm. A League of Their Own circa 2022 takes this idea and keeps lobbing it, dedicating half of its time to Max Chapman (Chanté Adams, Voyagers). While an immensely talented pitcher, she isn't allowed to audition, let alone play, due to her race. Back home in Rockford, she can't get a game either because she's a woman, even when she takes a job at the town screw factory in the hopes of joining the company team. Max's attempts to even get on the mound, a quest that's supported by her comic book-loving best friend Clance Morgan (Gbemisola Ikumelo, The Power) but frowned upon by her salon-owning mother Toni (Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Better Call Saul), are as much a focus as the Rockford Peaches' on- and off-field exploits. That's the team that the anxious Carson Shaw (Jacobson) is recruited to alongside lifelong pals Greta Gill (D'Arcy Carden, The Good Place) and Jo De Luca (Melanie Field, The Alienist) — plus everyone from non-nonsense pitcher Lupe Garcia (Roberta Colindrez, Vida) and the similarly dedicated Jess McCready (Kelly McCormack, George & Tammy) through to fellow teammates Esti González (Priscilla Delgado, Julieta), Maybelle Fox (Molly Ephraim, Perry Mason) and Shirley Cohen (Kate Berlant, Search Party). Just as in the OG movie, the Peaches' path to baseball success is bumpy. A chaperone (Dale Dickey, Palm Springs) oversees their every move, enforcing rules about drinking, dating and not wearing pants in public — and manager Dove Porter (Nick Offerman, The Resort) mightn't be the drunk that the film's equivalent was, but he also doesn't take the team seriously. Deportment lessons and makeovers are more important to the higher-ups than gameplay, and the whole league just a way for a candy bar mogul (Kevin Dunn, King Richard) to sell tickets to his baseball field while male baseballers are off at war. That's A League of Their Own's overall framework, which tweaks specific character beats but sticks to the same general match plan as its predecessor. Fleshing out the details couldn't be more important, thankfully, including exploring the reality of being a queer woman in the era. Again, that's a glaring omission in the 1992 feature — a beloved sports comedy by director Penny Marshall (Big) that's warm, spirited and charming, yet only nods to queer players via subtext. The new series is determined to redress that gap, exploring same-sex relationships across both Carson and Max's halves of the show, and painting a clear portrait of how fraught life was at the time if you were anything other than a straight, white, married and stereotypically feminine homemaker. Being more inclusive and honest can't lift a remake all on its own; however, it gives this batch of A League of Their Own characters more depth and emotional resonance. In all of its guises, this has always been a story about finding and owning your own park, and surveying the wide array of obstacles in these women's ways — not just sexism, but racism and homophobia as well — is crucial in providing the full picture. Making A League of Their Own today but keeping 1990s or 1940s sensibilities would've been pointless, of course. In what proves a worthy extra innings, there's never any doubt that the new series is firmly a 2022 creation, as echos through in its dialogue. Rather than feeling anachronistic, even in big speeches that encourage the team to make things epic, it helps build the sense that Carson, Max, their respective pals and their individual plights weren't ever allowed to fit in neatly at the time. It also befits a show that reconsiders as much as it remakes its source material, and that has more than a little in common with another unrelated streaming effort about women finding themselves while navigating a traditionally male-dominated sport: the cancelled-too-soon wrestling-focused Netflix gem GLOW. A League of Their Own's gorgeous ladies of baseball span an impressive cast — so much so that the series deserves a second season to bring them all back. Jacobson's first starring role after Broad City isn't a stretch, but her brand of awkwardness and uncertainty also wasn't a twenty-first century invention, something else this show implicitly acknowledges. A separate program could've been made around Adams and the scene-stealing Ikumelo, even without the A League of Their Own brand attached. And Carden continues to improve everything she's in, including when it's already excellent (see also: The Good Place, naturally, and also Barry and her one-episode part in Killing It). Colindrez, McCormack, Dickey, Berlant: they hit it out of the park, too. Being glad that A League of Their Own has a heartfelt show of its own with them in it, and roving fresh eyes over the past, is as easy as cheering for a home run. Check out the trailer for A League of Their Own below: A League of Their Own streams via Prime Video from Friday, August 12.
UPDATE, April 19, 20201 The Invisible Man is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play and YouTube Movies. In the latest version of The Invisible Man, Universal unwraps the bandages from one of its iconic horror figures in an astute, unnerving and thrillingly contemporary fashion. But it almost didn't happen, with the studio originally pursuing completely different plans. Let's all take a moment to thank the cinema gods that Tom Cruise's stint as The Mummy didn't work out. If his time dallying with Egyptian spirits had been a success, we'd now be watching Johnny Depp as The Invisible Man instead. That's what Universal's 'dark universe' — aka the studio's modern-day remakes of its old 1930s monster movies — had in store. Then the 2017 version of The Mummy proved a flop, forcing the company to change course. Suddenly, Depp's slated film disappeared into thin air just like the imperceptible man he was supposed to play. So too did an Angelina Jolie and Javier Bardem-starring take on The Bride of Frankenstein. And that left Universal with a gap — which Australian writer/director and Saw co-creator Leigh Whannell fills grippingly and convincingly with his top-notch update of cinema's most famous see-through character. In the Upgrade filmmaker's hands, The Invisible Man has been through some significant changes since HG Wells' 1897 novel and James Whale's 1933 first film adaptation. In fact, this movie doesn't really tell the eponymous figure's story, but that of the woman terrorised by the unseen guy. After years of suffering through an abusive relationship with hotshot optics pioneer Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) works up the courage to leave him. Fleeing from his remote mansion in the middle of the night with the help of her sister (Harriet Dyer), she's petrified that he'll track her down and retaliate. But, as she hides out with a cop friend (Aldis Hodge) and his teenage daughter (Storm Reid), word arrives that Adrian has committed suicide — although when strange things start happening around Cecelia, she's convinced that he's still somehow messing with her. To not only make The Invisible Man today, but set it in today's world too, two areas needed to be addressed. The first is technology, recognising that turning a person invisible is far more plausible than it once was — and that being involved in someone's life without being physically present isn't just possible these days, but commonplace. The second is gender politics. Watching a man terrorise a woman sight unseen has very different connotations in the 21st century, as does the stalking and gaslighting that comes with it. Crucially, Whannell embraces the complexities of both areas in this thoroughly modern take on the tale, switching focus from villain to victim, and bolstering his narrative by pondering the underhanded capabilities of technology as well as the ongoing problem that is domestic violence. Accordingly, this slow-building version of The Invisible Man isn't an account of a scientist corrupted by his latest discovery, as seen in its predecessors. Rather, it's a portrait of a woman at the mercy of a man who'll do anything and use any means to get what he wants. The end result: psychological horror mixed with futuristic science-fiction and layered with a piercing societal statement, and it's as effective as it sounds. Of course, anyone who saw Upgrade will realise that this is the only interpretation of The Invisible Man that Whannell could've made. The Aussie filmmaker continues his fascination with body modification and tech-enabled surveillance, as well as his fondness for hyper-kinetic action, a pervasive mood of dread and tension, and a sparse, sleek look — plus his interrogation of the kind of society that, with not too many imaginative tweaks needed, we just might be headed for. Forgetting the terrible Insidious: Chapter 3, the only blip on his directorial resume to date, Whannell is swiftly establishing a reputation as a genre filmmaker with smarts, style and something to say — as well as the skill to combine all of the above into a thrilling, harrowing and engaging package. He also has canny casting instincts, with The Invisible Man as much Moss' movie as Whannell's. The Handmaid's Tale and Her Smell actor has had more than a little practice in this terrain of late — aka battling insidious enemies, navigating persecution, and devolving into distress, distrust and paranoia — and she draws upon that experience here. Indeed, watching someone face off against an unsighted foe can play as hokey or unintentionally comic, but not with Moss and her haunted yet determined stare taking centre stage. This definitely isn't the movie that Universal imagined when, high on dreams of building its own megastar-studded, monster-fuelled universe, the studio announced its now-defunct Depp-led project. That's something else to continue to thank the movie gods for — because no one needed Depp's usual daffy schtick wrapped in gauze, but cinema definitely does need Whannell's savvy, unsettling, spirited and refreshing The Invisible Man remake. Great horror movies have always reflected and responded to the times they're made in and, in the same vein as Jordan Peele's Get Out and Us, The Invisible Man helps lead the charge as the 21st century reaches its third decade. This is a socially conscious, savagely creepy, supremely clever reinterpretation of a classic scarefest that takes every part of that equation seriously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLAJyugYEiY
For more than a decade, CIRCA have showcased Brisbane's circus skills to the world, thanks to performances in 39 different countries. For their latest, they're not only unleashing their acrobatic feats on home turf, but taking inspiration from it. Headed to South Bank's new Flowstate precinct from March 6 to 25, Aura endeavours to capture the spirit — and the sounds and vision — of this great city of ours. Guided by a collaboration between director Darcy Grant and sound designer Daryl Wallis, the all-ages effort has been described as "a physical love letter to Brisbane". Yep, unlike your usual ode, this one will literally leap to life in front of you. It'll also echo through your ears, with attendees wearing headphones so that they can experience the immersive sound mix — one that includes everything from buses, trains and bikes to feet walking and car horns honking. And, as part of Flowstate's first year of operation, it's absolutely free; however you will need to register for your selected date and session.
"You know you're like the tenth guy to try this, right? It never works out for the dipshit in the mask." So scolds TV reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, Shining Vale) in the latest trailer for Scream VI, saying what everyone that's ever watched this slasher franchise has long known. But, if bad past outcomes for fellow Ghostfaces were going to stop the next killer in the horror-film saga from getting stabby, there wouldn't even be a new flick to begin with. If you like scary movies, then you've likely watched a Scream film or five over the last quarter of a century. And, across that period — ever since the OG feature became a box-office smash in 1996, then delivered 1997's Scream 2, 2000's Scream 3, 2011's Scream 4 and 2022's Scream, plus TV spinoff Scream: The TV Series — you've seen the saga's mask-wearing killer Ghostface slash his way through the fictional Californian town of Woodsboro multiple times, as well as a college in Ohio and then Hollywood. This time, however, he's following in The Muppets' footsteps and making a date with Manhattan. In both the initial Scream VI teaser trailer from back in 2022 and the just-dropped full sneak peek, New York City has an unwanted guest — and the current person donning a Ghostface mask is more than a little obsessed with their task. Early in the clip, there's even a shrine to the franchise so far, taking a trip down memory lane through the saga's history. There's also another familiar face: Hayden Panettiere (Nashville), returning to the fold as Kirby Reed following Scream 4. She joins Cox as Weathers, the last Scream's Melissa Barrera (In the Heights) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) as sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter, and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets) as the siblings' film-obsessed pal Mindy among the existing franchise players making a comeback to get stalked by Ghostface once again. Or, make that Ghostfaces. In the two trailers so far, it's clearly Halloween, and costumes abound on a NYC subway. Among all that spooky attire: more than one black-clad person in a Ghostface mask, making Sam, Tara and Mindy more than a little distressed. Ghostface also whips out a gun in a convenience store, slinks around New York's streets and gets Gale on the phone. Does the latter signal an end to one of the series' original characters? Amid references to other horror movies, and to the franchise's own past, that's how those kinds of scenes usually play out. Whatever's in store for Gale, Kirby and company — and whether Kirby might be the killer this time around, because this series does love links when it comes to Ghostface's identity — will be revealed in early March, when Scream VI hits cinemas. Ready or Not's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to direct, as they did with 2021's Scream. Also involved, featuring on-screen: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and The Other Two's Josh Segarra, Servant and The Grand Budapest Hotel's Tony Revolori, and Australian Nine Perfect Strangers and Ready or Not star Samara Weaving, plus Dermot Mulroney (Umma) and Henry Czerny (another Ready or Not alum). Check out the full Scream VI trailer below: Scream VI releases in cinemas Down Under on March 9. Images: Philippe Bossé.
Eating gelato is great, but what if you learnt how to make your own? Every Monday night from 5.30-7pm the new La Macelleria Gelateria in Newstead hosts workshops in the Art of Gelato with a Bolognese man. The two owners, both named Matteo, both from Bologna, have the gelato magic inside them that will transport you to the Italian summer of '12. Roll up your sleeves, listen in and become your own gelato-maestro. Best of all, you get to take home the fruits of your labour — gelato for the week!
Longtime might've closed its doors a couple of years ago, but the team behind the Fortitude Valley favourite has been busy tempting Brisbantites' tastebuds at its growing range of local restaurants. Fans of Japanese cuisine have been flocking to Hôntô since 2018, while Same Same started serving up Thai dishes in 2019 — and pouring more than 140 different tequilas at its upstairs bar Los, too. In 2020, Agnes joined the fold as well, and marked the latest venture from acclaimed chef Ben Williamson (ex-Gerard's Bistro, The Apo). Now, classic Italian dishes are on the menu, thanks to new James Street trattoria Biánca. Nestled into Ada Lane, which branches off of the popular Valley roadway — and also houses The Calile Hotel, Same Same and Gelato Messina — Biánca is all about simple, old-school Italian fare. Williamson has overseen the menu, which gives its range of dishes a few Australian twists via its focus on seasonal produce. Within the trattoria's pastel-hued confines, diners can tuck into marinated mussels, pickled sardines, 'nduja, prosciutto di parma, burrata and fiore sardo pecorino with figs — as well as a pasta range that includes pork and fennel lasagne, plus spaghetti with prawns. The chicken is done Milanese-style, the porchetta skews Roman and a Florentine steak is on the menu, while the dessert lineup includes pistachio gelato, lemon sorbet, tiramisu and filled Italian doughnuts. When you're tucking into Biánca's cheeses, breads and pastas, you're eating slices of dairy and servings of carbohydrates all made in-house, and paired with a lengthy Italian-focused wine list. Or, if you'd prefer a cocktail, highlights include a Campari, creme de peche, white peach and orange juice number, plus a combination of gin, apricot, rosemary and lemon. And, should you be dining with seven or more people, you'll be picking from the restaurant's two set menus. The $70 option works through five courses, while the $110 menu offers a bigger range, plus a serving of lemon sorbet as a cleanser before dessert. Inside, as well as pink, salmon, peach and terracotta hues, tiles are a big feature — as is the openair bar. Upstairs sits the private dining room, which can seat 36, and only serves the two set menus. Find Biánca at Shop 5 Ada Lane, 46 James Street, Fortitude Valley — open for dinner daily, and for lunch Friday–Sunday.
Turn it back up to 11: 41 years after the members of Spinal Tap were first immortalised on film, David St Hubbins (Michael McKean, The Diplomat), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer, The Simpsons) and Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, Mascots) are scoring their second big-screen moment. As announced in 2022, iconic 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap is getting the sequel treatment. And if this felt like one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" follow-ups, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues has just dropped its first trailer ahead of hitting cinemas Down Under this spring. Filmmaker Marty DiBergi is also back to chronicle the group's latest antics — which means that IRL director Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men) is as well, both playing the fictional part on-camera and helming Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. As the sneak peek shows, he's pointing the camera at a reunion concert and its preparations, including efforts to find a new drummer, merchandising ideas and waxing lyrical about Spinal Tap's journey so far. Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney are also sighted in the first glimpse at the new film, as Spinal Tap's estranged bandmates reform, grapple with their past and contemplate their mortality — and ponder how the latter might help bring in fans. Viewers will be able to watch along with their efforts from Thursday, September 25, 2025. If you're new to all things Spinal Tap, the fictional English heavy metal band initially debuted on American TV in 1979; however, it was This Is Spinal Tap that made them legends. With this trio, there is indeed a fine line between stupid and clever. The group behind 'Lick My Love Pump', 'Sex Farm' and 'Hell Hole' have reformed in reality a number of times, too, and released albums. This Is Spinal Tap isn't just an 80s comedy gem that everyone needs to see at least once, and actually several times more than that. Every music documentary since for the past four decades has followed in its footsteps, straightforward and satirical alike. Also, Spinal Tap's name has become shorthand for OTT bands who take themselves too seriously. The OG film is also hitting picture palaces in 2025, re-releasing in 4K from Thursday, August 7. Check out the trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues below: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues releases Down Under on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Images:Bleecker Street & Authorized Spinal Tap LLC.
When Bridgerton initially premiered on Netflix at the end of 2020, becoming the platform's most-watched original show ever at the time, did it get you dreaming of stepping into its world? If so, you've been in luck ever since thanks to a flurry of events themed around the series, including unofficial balls, garden brunches and more. Your next opportunity arrives soon, and also requires venturing out of Australia's capital cities. Your destination: Bowral in the New South Wales Southern Highlands. Bridgerton season three is on its way, dropping four episodes in May 2024 and then four more in June this year — and to celebrate, Netflix is bringing the series into real life. This is the streaming service that set up public toilets based on Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris back in February, after all. In the past, it has also opened a Stranger Things rift on Bondi Beach, unleashed the Squid Game Red Light, Green Light doll by Sydney Harbour and a had pop-up Heartbreak High uniform shop slinging threads in Newtown, too. This time, it's giving a regional town a makeover. Head to Bowral between Tuesday, April 16–Tuesday, April 23 and you'll see what this patch of Australia looks like when it's harking back to the regency era. A number of spots around town will receive the Bridgerton treatment, with local businesses joining in on the fun. The idea is to make you feel like you're getting the full ton experience. If you want to dress up to fit the part, that's obviously up to you. While the bulk of the details are still vague, a few specifics have been revealed already, including the fact that there'll be a garden party at Milton Park to close out the week. To score tickets, you'll need to channel your inner Lady Whistledown — because noting what would be written about you in the series' gossip sheet in 25 words or less is how you'll enter to nab a spot at the shindig. Also, Bowral's Empire Cinemas will be hosting four free screenings of the first episode of Bridgerton's third season across Monday, April 22–Tuesday, April 23, letting you see it weeks before it makes its way to Netflix on Thursday, May 16. If you're going to treat yourself to a getaway this April, you can now make it a Bridgerton-loving getaway. And if you're a Bridgerton obsessive who lives in Bowral, prepare for plenty of company. Check out sneak peeks at Bridgerton season three below: The town of Bowral will get a Bridgerton-themed makeover from Tuesday, April 16–Tuesday, April 23. For more information, keep an eye on the event's website. Bridgerton season three will stream via Netflix in two parts, with four episodes on Thursday, May 16, 2024 and four on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Images: Liam Daniel/Netflix.
When you're deciding how to spend your next brunch — and where to spend it, more importantly — perhaps it's a case of what you'd like to drink. Tired of mimosas? Fancy something stronger with your first Sunday meal? Or, maybe you just really love gin. West End gin joint Covent Garden has been in the bottomless brunch game for a while now, and shows no signs of stopping. Here, you can tuck into gin tap cocktails — including the monthly cocktail special — for two hours, or opt for a few Pimm's cups. Pimm's is based on gin, after all. For $49 per person, you'll also sip red or white wine sangria, and munch on a shareboard spread — choosing between charcuterie, remoulade, chutney and mustard, or feta, pickled vegetables, hummus and olives. Both come with that breakfast and brunch staple, aka bread, too. The food and drink feast goes down between 11am–3pm each week and, while bookings aren't essential, it's recommended that you secure your spot in advance anyway.
Brekkie for dinner: was our favourite dinner as a kid. And you can keep up the tradition as a grownup thanks to The Rabbit Hole Cafe. On Fridays and Saturdays, the cafe offers dinner service, serving burgers, share-style plates and, of course, brekkie for dinner — including breakfast gnocchi, corn fritters and haloumi bruschetta. The Seven Hills joint serves up plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, like a tasty chia pudding bowl with toasted almonds, coconut flakes, strawberries, passionfruit pulp and coconut yoghurt. For something fresh and light, there's the Nourish Bowl with a plant-based protein ball, pumpkin hummus, sliced red radish, avocado, roast tomatoes, sweet potato, edamame, pomegranate seeds, spinach and tahini dressing. For those with a substantial hunger, go for the veggie brekkie complete with house beans, plant-based protein balls, mushroom, roast tomatoes, hash browns, avocado and house relish served on ciabatta with tofu scramble or eggs. Oh, and did we mention it's BYO between 12–2pm?
What's more terrifying: knowing that death is inevitable, because our fragile flesh will fail us all eventually and inescapably, or accepting that little we ever sense can truly be trusted given that everything in life changes and evolves? In horror movies, both notions stalk through the genre like whichever slasher/killer/malevolent force any filmmaker feels like conjuring up in any particular flick — and in You Won't Be Alone, the two ideas shudder through one helluva feature debut by Macedonian Australian writer/director Goran Stolevski. An expiration date isn't just a certainty within this film's frames. It's part of a non-stop cycle that sees transformation as just as much of a constant. You Won't Be Alone is a poetically shot, persistently potent picture about witches but, as the best unsettling movies are, it's also about so much that thrums through the existence we all know. Viewers mightn't be living two centuries back and dancing with a sorceress, but they should still feel the film's truths in their bones. First, however, a comparison. Sometimes a resemblance is so obvious that it simply has to be uttered and acknowledged, and that's the case here. Stolevski's film, the first of two by him in 2022 — MIFF's opening-night pick Of an Age is the other — boasts lyrical visuals, especially of nature, that instantly bring the famously rhapsodic aesthetics favoured by Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life, A Hidden Life) to mind. Its musings on the nature of life, and human nature as well, easily do the same. Set long ago, lingering in villages wracked by superstition and exploring a myth about a witch, You Won't Be Alone conjures up thoughts of Robert Eggers' The Witch, too. Indeed, if Malick had directed that recent favourite, the end product might've come close to this entrancing effort. Consider Stolevski's feature the result of dreams conjured up with those two touchstones in his head, though, rather than an imitator. The place: Macedonia. The time: the 19th century. The focus: a baby chosen by the Wolf-Eateress (Anamaria Marinca, The Old Guard) to be her offsider. Actually, that's not the real beginning of anyone's tale here in the broader scheme of things — and this is a movie that understands that all of life feeds into an ongoing bigger picture, as it always has and always will — but the infant's plight is as good an entry point as any. The child's distraught mother Yoana (Kamka Tocinovski, Angels Fallen) pleads for any other result than losing her newborn. You Won't Be Alone's feared figure has the ability to select one protege, then to bestow them with her otherworldly skills, and she's determined to secure her pick. That said, she does agree to a bargain. She'll let the little one reach the age of 16 first, but Old Maid Maria, as the Wolf-Eateress is also known, won't forget to claim her prize when the years pass. Nevena (Sara Klimoska, Black Sun) lives out that formative period in a cave, in her mum's attempt to stave off her fate — and with all that resides beyond her hiding spot's walls glimpsed only through a hole up high. Then the Wolf-Eateress comes calling, as she promised she would. From there, Nevena's initiation into the world — of humans, and of her physically and emotionally scarred mentor — is unsurprisingly jarring. Her transition from the care and protection of her "whisper-mama" to the kill-to-survive ruthlessness of her new "witch-mama" disappoints the latter, soon leaving the girl on her own. Still, the need to hunt, devour and mutate has already taken hold, even if Nevena is left fending for herself as she shapeshifts between animals and other humans, after extracting their innards and stuffing them into her own body first. With Noomi Rapace (Lamb), Alice Englert (The Power of the Dog) and Carloto Cotta (The Tsugua Diaries) also among the cast, You Won't Be Alone turns Nevena's curiosity-driven experiences of life, love, loss, identity, desire, pain, envy and power into an unforgettable, mesmerising and thoughtful gothic horror fable — charting switches and the stories that come with them with each metamorphosis. In her first new human guise, Nevena may as well be a newborn again; the families and communities she enters, assuming their members' forms, think her behaviour is strange to say the least even when she's been through the process a few times. But every incarnation teaches the young woman plenty, including that existence and its happinesses are oh-so fleeting, precarious, tenuous and precious. The more years that Nevena spends among the living, the more that the bitter Maria is dismayed, as she returns periodically to stress (and because completely leaving the child she took as her own isn't ever straightforward.) Stolevski doesn't let hurt and cruelty subside from You Won't Be Alone, especially as it ponders the way that women — be they mothers, daughters, spinsters desperate for children, ageing figures considered past their prime or anything in-between — are and have been so savagely treated in a patriarchal world. Suffering and fear dwell in the feature's intimate frames, which rove and roam, and also survey nature's horrors (as well as its splendours) as devotedly as they follow its central figure. Cinematographer Matthew Chuang adds the handheld camerawork here to his also immersive and expressive work in Blue Bayou, not only sweeping the audience on a witchy and whispery journey, but making them sense the film's emotions deeply. A repeated refrain, alongside that contrast between stark agonies and gorgeous sights, says everything about the movie, however: "it's a burning, breaking thing, this world; a biting, wretching thing. And yet... and yet...". Unnerving flicks, whether gruesomely carving up a body count like fellow 2022 release X or contemplating a plethora of weighty themes as Nope does, also pulsate with another truth: that life isn't something to lose or squander lightly. You Won't Be Alone emphasises that fact, and the yearning for connection that simmers within us all — recognising that being alive can mean blood, terror and tragedy, but also hope, beauty, affection, soul-changing bonds and even just delighting in the smallest of wonders. Cycling through its cast given the premise, the film's performances soar beyond the last category with their impressive and pivotal physicality, although it's You Won't Be Alone's ethereal mood, energy, understanding and reflection that hang powerfully and poignantly in the air. Take the title literally for many reasons, and because of one pivotal outcome: you won't be alone in being haunted by this meditation on what it means to live. To say that it is bewitching is obvious, too, but also accurate.
Let's face it, you can't buy a whole lot for 50 cents in 2022. But on one day — Wednesday, April 6 to be exact — you can consider that little dodecagonal coin your best friend. That's all you'll need to grab a cheeseburger at McDonald's on that date, with the fast-food giant treating the whole country to 50-cent burgs. If this sounds familiar, that's because Macca's has dished up this deal a few times now. On this current occasion, which coincides with the launch of McDonald's new chicken range, there are 350,000 50-cent cheeseburgers available Australia-wide. So, you'll want to get in early to get this classic combo for pocket change — beef, bun, onion, pickles, ketchup, cheese and all — because that cheap price will apply on a first-in, first-served basis. To claim your 50-cent burger, you'll first need to download the MyMacca's app via the Apple Store or Google Play. Then, log on, check the My Rewards section and boom — Ronald's your uncle. Unfortunately, there's a limit of one 50-cent cheeseburger per customer, which probably isn't enough to make a meal of. But we're sure there are a few other Macca's menu items that might tempt your tastebuds while you're there. Because you have to use the MyMacca's app, you'll only be able to get your cheap burg via takeaway, drive-thru or in-store — not through McDelivery. McDonald's 350,000 50-cent cheeseburgers are available on Wednesday, April 6 until sold out via the MyMacca's app.
Gelato Messina loves a creative ice cream flavour, and an inventive dessert in general. It also adores something else almost as much: collaborations. Messina lube, sunscreen, festive treats, craft beer spiders, sneakers, body washes and balm all either do exist or have existed, to name just a few of the brand's team ups in the past couple of years. Next on the list: FELLR seltzers that taste like Messina's sorbets. If you like the dessert chain's yuzu, blood orange, and salted coconut and mango sorbets to lick in a cone or from a cup, and you like boozy seltzers, then we're betting you'll be keen on the FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series. Those three flavours will be available to sip from Friday, December 1 thanks to a new range that'll hit bottle-os such as BWS and Dan Murphy's, plus selected venues and festivals. For drinking at home, at parties, on picnics and the like, you'll be getting your sorbet-inspired tipples in a ten pack. Messina and FELLR's advice: get in quick because these are limited-edition beverages. The seltzers are launching with a series of festivities, too, whether you like dessert or drinks. Firstly, three new specials will arrive in Messina's cabinets at all stores for a week, or until stocks last: custard gelato with blood orange gel, baked sponge and whipped cream (from Thursday, November 30); mango and coconut gelato with salted coconut fudge and coconut biscuits (from Friday, December 1); and yuzu cheesecake gelato with baked cheesecake and dulce de leche (from Saturday, December 2). You can also enjoy yuzu sorbet from Friday, December 1–Thursday, December 7. The seltzers are also getting a Bondi launch party from 5pm on Friday, December 15 at Beach Road Hotel, with help from The Lazy Eyes and Gully Days. And, a heap of pop-ups are on their way across Australia's east coast, with FELLR and Messina heading to Manly Beach's New Brighton Hotel, Victoria's Brighton Beach Hotel, Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane and Miami Tavern on the Gold Coast — with dates set to drop via FELLR and Messina's socials. The FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series hits BWS, Dan Murphy's, and selected venues and festivals on Friday, December 1.
Next time you break out your best downward-facing dog, you could just have a posing pooch for company. As well as helping Brisbanites bend and stretch with kittens this weekend, Stretch Yoga is also sharing the love with cute canines as part of their latest animal-oriented exercise bonanza, aka Stretch for a Stray. Marking the studio's fourth birthday and raising money for the deserving cause that is Kitt Kat Care, Puppy Yoga & Pilates gives every dog-loving yoga aficionado their day. Yes, the class really will pair adorable pooches with beginner yoga poses and pilates moves. You'd be barking mad not to head along. The classes take place at 6.10pm and 7.10pm on April 26, but register early — the $40 classes sure to get snapped up faster than a dog munching on a treat. If you decide to back it up with a kitten session on April 27 or 28, too, we'd totally understand.
Much might be changing at the Museum of Old and New Art in 2024, including giving Dark Mofo a rest for the year and farewelling summer festival Mona Foma for good. But having a party in winter is still on the cards, as the Tasmanian venue confirmed a few months back. The lineup of events keeps growing, in fact, as part of what's now being dubbed a 'Dark Mofo presents' program. On offer from Thursday, June 13–Sunday, June 23: Winter Feast, the Nude Solstice Swim, both Genesis Owusu and Marlon Williams playing live, the Mona Gala, a new exhibition, a multi-storey nightclub and late-night tunes that begin the next morning. [caption id="attachment_950174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rosie Hastie, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo 2022, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] "I know we said Dark Mofo would stay quiet, but winter wouldn't feel the same without the chance to feast and frolic during the long Tasmanian nights," said the fest's Artistic Director Chris Twite. "As the chill of winter creeps in, I know we are already longing to feast, dance and swim together. So we're really excited to be able to present these beloved pillars of the festival this June for Tasmanians and all our dedicated Dark Mofo pilgrims." [caption id="attachment_950181" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Stewart. Courtesy of Dark Mofo / DarkLab, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] If you're keen to eat your way around a huge midyear food festival on the Apple Isle, Winter Feast will be serving up plenty to tempt your tastebuds. Vaughan Mabee, the Executive Chef of New Zealand's Amisfield in Queenstown, is the the guest chef, teaming up with Mona's own Vince Trim. They'll hero unorthodox ingredients, such as Tasmanian deer and wallaby, wakame furikake, wattleseed and long-spined urchin, in an outdoor pavilion that'll be custom-built for the event. The meats will be fire-roasted onsite, then sliced to order. For dessert, deer also proves pivotal via deer milk ice cream, a signature dessert from Mabee. You won't forget it — it comes shaped like antlers, served in a real deer skull, then topped with 'deer blood' caramel. [caption id="attachment_950183" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Vaughan Mabee and Dark Mofo / DarkLab, Nipaluna Hobart, Lutruwita Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Also set to be at Winter Feast: 80 stallholders, spanning not only returning favourites, but also 25 new joints from around the state. Standout dishes to look out for include spit-roast pork buns, crispy-fried southern rock lobster sliders, neo-Nepalese goat curry, arancini filled with beef ragu and mozzarella, and mortadella cruller choux pastries, as well as milk and honey doughnuts, mulled wine and smoked beetroot vodka. Yula (mutton bird) will also be back on the menu, while a Tasmanian sparkling wine bar is new for the year. Another change for 2024: making Winter Feast entry free on Sundays. [caption id="attachment_950175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo/Rémi Chauvin. Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] If you're most excited about taking a swim sans clothes to celebrate the winter solstice, the Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach will have a larger capacity than in the past. Elsewhere, Owusu and Williams are each playing gigs at Odeon Theatre on successive nights; the Mona Gala will get everyone partying for the opening of exhibition Namedropping, which showcases 200-plus artistic works about status, perception and trying to look good for others; and Dark Mofo 2021's Night Shift is making a comeback so that you can hit the dance floor, get debauched and make the absolute most of the early hours. Slow Burn, a brand-new event for 2024, is also about staying up late, only opening at midnight at Odeon Theatre's Mezz Bar. At the In the Hanging Garden precinct, Winter in the Garden will get DJs spinning tunes earlier, and also host food and drink pop-ups. [caption id="attachment_950177" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of the artist.[/caption] Dark Mofo will return in 2025 as the full usual shebang, but better than ever — not that there's anything usual about the event. "Dark Mofo has established itself as a beacon of artistic exploration and challenging ideas for a decade, immersing audiences in the depths of darkness and the heart of winter," said Twite earlier in 2024. "This year, by taking a fallow year, we are taking a crucial step in ensuring that Dark Mofo continues to be a catalyst for artistic innovation, cultural dialogue, and shared experiences for many years to come." [caption id="attachment_950178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford. Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950182" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950176" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2021. Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950180" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rémi Chauvin. Courtesy of DarkLab, March 2023.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford. Courtesy of the artists and Mona, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] Dark Mofo Presents: Winter 2o24: Thursday, June 13–Sunday, June 16 — Winter Feast week one Thursday, June 13–Sunday, June 23 — Winter in the Garden Friday, June 14 — The Mona Gala Saturday, June 15 — Genesis Owusu Saturday, June 15–Sunday, June 16 — Slow Burn Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — Namedropping exhibition Sunday, June 16 — Marlon Williams Thursday, June 20–Sunday, June 23 — Winter Feast week two Friday, June 21 — Nude Solstice Swim Friday, June 21–Saturday, June 22 — Night Shift The Dark Mofo Presents lineup takes place at Mona from Thursday, June 13–Sunday, June 23, 2024. Head to the festival's website for further details, and for tickets on Tuesday, April 16 — from 10am for subscribers and 12pm for everyone else. Top image: Rosie Hastie, 2022. Courtesy of Dark Mofo 2022.
When the mercury drops and getting out of bed borders on a crime against humanity, you know it's time to holiday inland. Fortunately, you don't have to travel too far out of Brisbane to discover some of Australia's cosiest and most characterful getaway cabins. All that's missing from them is your friends, some beers, a hunk of meat to slow cook and you. So wave goodbye to that tan and bookmark this YouTube tutorial on fireplace building, because winter's about to hit hard, and we've got five snug solutions to make the most of the chill. ALCHERINGA, LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK If you're looking for a forest-surrounded nature getaway that's close enough to Dreamworld in case you get sick of trees, this is your spot. Alcheringa is a a beautiful, architect-designed house that sports four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an open fireplace and million-dollar views in Coomera. It has a heated outdoor spa and the nearby forests home koalas. The house is super close to Lamington National Park, east Queensland's go-to walking spot, and there's cafes, wineries and art galleries dotted around the area. GIRRAWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL LODGE, DARLING POINT So you'll have to drive a little inland for this one, but it's the kind of getaway worth travelling the world twice over for. Girraween is one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring slices of nature Australia has to offer, and in winter it's a holiday maker's dream. The Girraween Environmental Lodges are is an easy pick for accommodation. Each lodge is fitted with a fireplace, spa and kitchen and is an easy walk away from warm natural springs and national parks. If you're a fan of morning frosts, crystal clear days and crackling warm fires, grab your hiking shoes and head west. COUNTRY CREEK RETREAT, COOROY So this fits very loosely under the definition of cabin, but with its open plan lounge room, wall-length windows and brookside view, it would be a sin to ignore it. This beautiful and relaxing house sits in a quiet valley, down a dirt road in Cooroy, one of the most isolated and tranquil spots in south-east Queensland. If you ever had plans of getting into poetry or watercolours, this is the place to do it. It's surrounded by a landscape of ramblings hillsides, magpie geese fly by every evening, and there's even a platypus in the brook (have you seen how much Australia Zoo costs these days? This house is a bargain). FORGET ME NOT COTTAGE, STANTHORPE Sometimes to feel the snuggest you have to venture to the coldest part of the state and rug up there. That would be Stanthorpe. Diamondvale B&B Cottages show off country living at its finest, and their Forget Me Not Cottage is a stunner. You can head there and not speak to another soul for your entire visit, or get into the social spirit and meet other holidayers — there's a communal area and bonfire. Make sure you stop into Vincenzo's at The Big Apple on the way. It's like the Bunnings of cold meats, cheeses and local produce.
It'll soon be a whole lot harder for any Queensland driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving, or for a driver or front seat passenger to fail to wear a seatbelt — and it's thanks to new safety cameras being installed to detect the illegal behaviour. Starting Monday, July 26 — just a day short of a year since they were first trialled — the Queensland Government will permanently roll out phone and seatbelt detection cameras. When the technology was tested in the second half of last year, it was part of a plan to implement them on a widespread basis if the pilot phase was successful, so that's exactly what's happening now. So, how do they work? Well, the distracted driving and seatbelt cameras take high-resolution images of the front seat of the car, and those images are then scanned by artificial intelligence to detect folks either using their phones while they're behind the wheel, or not wearing seatbelts if they're driving or sitting in the front passenger seat. The cameras can apparently operate in all conditions, day and night, and regardless of the weather — and they can watch vehicles across multi-traffic lanes, whether installed on overpasses and bridges, or operating from trailers by the roadside. The new technology was tested across several metro and regional locations, and followed the launch of similar world-first cameras in NSW. Victoria is bringing in mobile phone detection cameras as well, in 2023; however, only Queensland's cameras will also capture folks who don't wear a seatbelt. Some of Queensland's cameras will be set up at specific locations, while some will be mobile — so they could be stationed anywhere. There'll be a three-month grace period for drivers snapped by the new setup, so fines won't come in until November 1. From that point, anyone caught by the cameras will get a $1033 fine and lose four demerit points. In 2020, Queensland implemented new penalties for using your mobile phone while driving — with those caught with their device in their hands and being used for any reason, even when stopped at traffic lights or in congested traffic, facing those same penalties. And if you're wondering about privacy concerns involving the new cameras, images will only be used to identify mobile phone use and the wearing of seatbelts, and to check the registration status of the vehicle. "Images that do not contain any illegal mobile phone use or failure to wear a seatbelt will be deleted by the system in a short timeframe," the government advises. Queensland's six-month trial of safety cameras starts on Monday, July 27. To find out more, head to the Queensland Government website.
Watch Red, White & Brass and you'll never see the pre-game or half-time entertainment at a big sporting match the same way again. Of course, if Rihanna, or Beyoncé with Destiny's Child, or a heap of hip hop and rap legends are taking to the stage at the Super Bowl, you won't question it — but if there's a community band on the turf, you might start wondering when they first picked up their instruments, why and if it was only four weeks ago to make it to this very gig. Are they just out there because they were that desperate to see their team play? And, because they missed out on expensive and instantly sold-out tickets? Were they so eager, in fact, that they bluffed their way into a gig by claiming to already be a musical group, then had to speedily do anything and everything to learn how to get melodic, and obviously not embarrass themselves, in a passion-fuelled whirlwind of pretence and practice? A band solely forming to score access to a rugby game sounds like pure screenwriting confection. Often enough, though, when tales like that make it to the silver screen, it's because they're so wild that they can only be true. Such is the case with Red, White & Brass' premise, as it notes at the outset. Back in 2011, New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup, which was a source of particular excitement to Aotearoa's Tongan population, and especially to avid aficionados at a Wellington church. The kind of fans that were showing their devotion by decking out their homes in the Tongan flag top to bottom, hitching the red-and-white cloth to every free space on their cars and carrying around the symbol on their phone cases, they were determined to see Tonga play France in their own home city, and willing to whatever it takes to do so — wholesomely, in the type of underdog story about fervour, ingenuity, self-belief and luck that engagingly makes for an easy and warm-hearted cinema crowd-pleaser. On-screen, the dynamic Maka (NZ Popstars personality and film debutant John-Paul Foliaki) first thinks that he'll simply raise enough in donations for his congregation to attend the big game, aided by his dancing while the choir sings. When it ends up taking too much money to make money that way, that plan hits a bum note. So does a too-good-to-be-true offer that's exactly that. But sports fandom and a love of one's country are just like life in frequently finding a way. Handily, Aroha (Hariata Moriarty, Cousins) from the city council is looking for a brass marching band to perform before the match, asking at Maka's father Pita's (Tevita Finau) church for local talent. They don't have what she's searching for, and have never been anywhere near even thinking about having a brass marching band; however, that doesn't stop their resident born entertainer from saying otherwise when he hears that free Rugby World Cup tickets are involved. It may spring from reality, with co-writer Halaifonua (Nua) Finau scripting the story with first-time feature director Damon Fepulea'i from his very own experiences — yes, this happened to Finau — but there's a touch of Brassed Off meets Pitch Perfect meets Cool Runnings to Red, White & Brass. Although some films bring others to mind because they're that generic, often lazily as well, that isn't what's occurring here. Whether or not you know the IRL outcome going in, you know the outcome. You know that there wouldn't be a movie unless exactly what you think will happen happens. Stepping through this real-life quest makes for infectious viewing because it does follow the expected narrative pattern so lovingly, with such heart and so satisfyingly, especially when it comes to celebrating NZ's Tongan community. Maka has plenty of convincing to do, including friends like Veni (Dimitrius Shuster- Koloamatangi, Upright), who has largely lost touch with his Tongan heritage; Irene (Ilaisaane Green, The Commons), who is sceptical about this new brass-playing scheme; and his disapproving father and wary mother Elisiva (Valeti Finau). In the process, with help from Samisoni (Michael Falesiu), the only person Maka knows with any brass marching band experience, the Tongan word "māfana" is mentioned more than once. It means an overwhelming feeling of warmth and emotion, so it happily fits his mission, and it's also what Red, White & Brass itself is revelling in. This is an affectionate and joyous film that doesn't just pay tribute to events that clearly begged for the big-screen treatment from the moment that they happened, or to the feeling and energy behind them, but to the community and culture goes all-in when it comes to national pride. Even when they're disagreeing, disparaging or doubting — and when the familiar sports-film training journey sees Maka and his pals start out with plastic bottles, then join a school band for lessons, and also become the unhappy stars of a viral fail video — Red, White & Brass' persistent group of Tongan rugby superfans don't waver in their māfana. Nor does the cast that Fepulea'i has assembled to portray them, as led by Foliaki bouncing around the movie with a larger-than-life vibe that plays as pure zeal. That the Finaus, Nua's parents and both first-time actors, basically step into their own shoes is a nice touch, as is including some original members of the Taulanga Ū Brass Band, who started it all. Red, White and Brass is directed with inescapable fondness as well, which flows through to its sunny frames (as shot by Andrew McGeorge, The Panthers), upbeat editing (including by Fepulea'i) and mix of marching-band tunes with tracks from Three Houses Down. In music, hitting every expected note is usually pivotal. When that skill is perfected, creativity and experimentation can echo, which Red, White & Brass acknowledges and embraces. In cinema, movies that stick to the sheet before them can be blandly cliched, and many do, but the best of them swell with reassurance and comfort. Everyone watching wants this film to turn out the way it does, which it does, sticking to reality and offering a soothing bit of solace in a hectic world. That's what loving a sport, your culture or anything that you're passionate about can be, too, and Fepulea'i, Finau and executive producer Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder) know it, feel it and let it resound.
For those who love the finer things as much as much as they love nature, there's Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Between Cairns and Port Douglas lies a private headland of 145 acres that is your ultimate eco-resort luxury getaway. But the resort is more than a private beach and spa treatments — it's a leader in ecotourism, too. After a rigorous vetting process in 2018, it was handpicked for membership of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World as well as being awarded Green Travel Leader with Ecotourism Australia after meeting strict criteria for a decade. Throughout the site you can enjoy complimentary wildlife walks, stargazing by the sea, expert-guided flora and fauna explorations, and Australia's only coconut tour. Dine on seasonal local produce in the treetops at Ospreys Restaurant with the sights and sounds of nature as entertainment. Or, grab a gourmet picnic basket and head into the nature reserve. The eco-resort is your oyster. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
It's barely spring and Queensland's weather is hardly at its warmest, but bushfire season is already off to a horror start. Catastrophic blazes have been carving a destructive path through both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, ramping up in recent days — which means that it's, understandably, an inopportune time to unleash a fiery installation in the middle of Brisbane. Between Wednesday, September 11 and Saturday, September 14, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens were set to host the world-renowned Fire Gardens as part of this year's Brisbane Festival. But in light of current events — and taking into consideration the total fire ban presently in place across southeast Queensland, as well as advice from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services — organisers have decided to reschedule the installation. It'll now run next week, between Wednesday, September 18 and Saturday, September 21. One of highest-profile inclusions on Brisbane Festival's 2019 lineup, Fire Gardens has already popped up everywhere from Stonehenge to The Kremlin to Melbourne. It's the work of French art collective Compagnie Carabosse, who has been starting fires professionally for more than 20 years — so it knows how to do so safely. This isn't just about watching things burn, obviously, with a mysterious soundtrack boosting the mood and allure. Expect live musicians performing French music, adding to the radiant ambience. Although Fire Gardens has popped up around the world, this iteration will be crafted specifically for the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. That means that you really won't see anything like it anywhere else. And, of course, you haven't seen the gardens set on fire before — on purpose, and in a controlled and safe manner — anyway. More than 40,000 people are expected to make their way through the huge work, which usually sells out wherever it pops up. If you've already nabbed a ticket for the old Brisbane dates, you'll be emailed about the changes. For those still keen to purchase, you can also donate to disaster relief charity GIVIT when you buy online — and Brisbane Festival will also be collecting public donations for the same cause at its Arcadia hub at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt. The rescheduled Fire Gardens comes to Brisbane as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, running from Wednesday, September 18 to Saturday, September 21. Tickets were not on sale at time of writing, but will become available once organisers have made the necessary arrangements — keep an eye on the event website for details. For updates on the Queensland bushfires, head to the Rural Fire Service website and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Twitter. Images: Sylvie Monier, Regina Marcenkiene and Vincent Muteau.
This July, it's time to deck your halls with boughs of whichever greenery you'd like. Yes, we know it's not Christmas yet. Winter in Australia means pretending 'tis the season — but early — and VEND Marketplace is doing just that with a huge Christmas in July Twilight Market. There'll be more than just succulents, cacti and indoor-friendly plants on offer; however, given that the northside spot is home to its own indoor greenhouse — aptly called the Greenhouse, naturally — that's definitely a big drawcard. Between 4–9pm on Saturday, July 16, you'll also be able to get festive at VEND's 100-plus shops, and at the array of pop-up stalls that it's setting up outside. Food trucks will keep your stomach satisfied, and there'll be a pop-up cocktail bar serving boozy beverages, included mulled wine. Hot chocolates and Christmas dinner will be on the menu as well. Also, VEND is also doggo-friendly — should you want to bring your four-legged pal with you for a stint of Christmas in July fun. There's also a competition for dressing the part, with a $100 voucher up for grabs. That's a good enough reason to bust out your jolliest outfit — whether it's a red-and-green number or a festive costume. And yes, getting your Christmas shopping early is also a huge motivator. Just think how smug/good you'll feel come December, when everyone else is rushing about. Images: VEND Marketplace.
Put your hand on your heart and tell us: how excited are you that Kylie Minogue has not only announced a new world tour, which is her biggest in 14 years, but that she's starting it in Australia? Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but the Aussie pop superstar is ensuring that local fans will see her new Tension tour before anyone else on the planet. It's a 'Padam Padam' summer all over again, with Minogue kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has a single date locked in for Adelaide, two in Brisbane, plus three shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. In the River City, Minogue will get behind the microphone on Wednesday, February 26–Thursday, February 27 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Images: Erik Melvin. Updated: Monday, February 17, 2024.
In 2017, Brisbane screamed for ice cream at our own dedicated ice cream festival — and then we screamed again in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Those frozen sweet treat-induced exclamations are set to continue in 2022, too, with the Brisbane Ice Cream Festival returning to West End's West Village precinct — home to the old Peter's Ice Cream factory — for a huge fifth event. Perhaps this sweet treat-loving city's most popular occasion, BICF is hanging around for longer this time as well. Brisbanites will be able to gorge on frosty, creamy food from Thursday, March 17–Saturday, April 9, with much of the dessert-themed fun concentrated on weekends between those dates. So, like choosing how high to pile ice cream on top of a cone or into a bowl, you have options, including tucking into dessert degustations and hitting up pop-up vendors. On the luxe side of things, Brisbane Ice Cream Festival is hosting indulgent multi-course dinners — all filled with dessert. Chefs Phillip Johnson (E'cco Bistro and Philip Johnson Catering), William Wallace (William Wallace Group) and Matt Golinski (Ready Steady Cook and Peppers Noosa Resort) will do the honours in the kitchen, and attendees will be treated to an experimental lineup of twists on sweet-treat favourites for $129 a ticket. Some dishes will even be savoury, but they'll all tie into the dessert theme. For young ice cream-lovers, the fest will also set up crafty activities for kids for $10 a pop. And, because there's no such thing as too much ice cream, the event will also dedicate a weekend to showcasing a heap of different ice cream joints — West Village's own newcomer Anita Gelato included, obviously, but also the likes of Ungermann Brothers and Roll It Ice Cream Co as well. And, if you head along for an ice cream fix during the week, you can expect a host of different specials right through the entire fest. Whichever part of the fest you attend — and how many times you go along — arrive hungry, obviously. Updated April 4.
When a festival dedicates its focus to art and design, it is limited only by its imagination. Exhibitions and installations, parties and food trucks, markets and tea celebrations, getting cosy on bean bags and staring at mini Queenslanders — they're all on Brisbane Art Design's program for 2023, with the fest celebrating Brisbane's creativity from Friday, May 12–Sunday, May 28. With more than 150 events on its lineup, Brisbane Art Design is going big, broad, bright and busy for its latest run. Wherever you look throughout the River City in May, you'll likely find part of the festival's program livening up the place — including breweries, record stores, restaurants, gardens and the usual galleries. Wondering what to see? Where to browse and buy? Which works you should be peering at? Where you can feast and dance as well? We've picked ten must-attend Brisbane Art Design festivities for this year. Top image: Alessia E Art.
You've heard that good things come in small packages. You've also heard that sometimes, it's the simplest things in life that are the best. They're oft-spouted phrases for a reason, and they ring true at Dutton Park's newest eatery. Think of Little G as a slice of Italian deliciousness that mixes tradition with a few new additions. Little more than a hole in the wall next to Gertrude & Mabel on Gladstone Road, what Little G lacks in size it makes up for in the kind of pizza you'll want to go back for again and again. In fact, since the restaurant opened its doors, its outdoor picnic tables have bustling — and they're not the only area of the place that have gone into overdrive. Dough production has also doubled in response to demand. So just what's inspired such a frenzy? Well, that'd be pizza combinations such as pear, gorgonzola and proscuitto; potato, smoked paprika and roasted garlic; and mac 'n' cheese and lardo. Yum. From the "not pizza" section the menu, feast on a selection of salumi and accompaniments, or brussel sprouts with mozzarella and crackling. And for dessert? Well, let's just say that Nutella arancini is about to become your new favourite treat. Images: Hennessytrill
