If you're a dinosaur fan in Sydney, life keeps finding a way to indulge your interest in prehistoric creatures. Sydney's latest: Jurassic World: The Exhibition, which roars into town with life-sized, lifelike critters, as well as a celebration of 30 years since the first Jurassic Park movie initially rampaged across the big screen. A showcase with the same name displayed in Melbourne back in 2016, but this Harbour City visit comes after stops everywhere from London, San Diego, Paris and Madrid to Seoul, Shanghai and Toronto — running from Friday, September 22, 2023–Sunday, February 18, 2024. Expect to feel like you've been transported to Isla Nublar, complete with a walk through the big-screen saga's famed gates. From there, you'll walk through themed environments featuring dinos, including a brachiosaurus, velociraptors — yes, get ready to say "clever girl" — and a Tyrannosaurus rex. Also linking in with the animated Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous series, there'll be baby dinos, including the show's Bumpy. Sydneysiders and visitors to the New South Wales capital can get roaming, and staring at animatronic dinos, at the 3000-square-metre SuperLuna Pavilion at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park. Now, all that's left is to decide which Jurassic franchise character you want to emulate (the best choices: Laura Dern's palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler, Sam Neill's palaeontologist Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum's mathematician Ian Malcolm, of course). And no, when Michael Crichton penned Jurassic Park in 1990, then Steven Spielberg turned it into a 1993 film, they wouldn't have expected that this'd be the result three decades — and five more movies — later.
How does Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega, Death of a Unicorn) fare against airport security screenings? Why is she willingly returning to a school for the first time ever? What happens when she plays with dolls? How has Tim Burton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) worked Joanna Lumley (Amandaland), Steve Buscemi (The Studio), Billie Piper (Kaos) and Thandiwe Newton (Mufasa: The Lion King) into Wednesday's cast for the series' second season? Some of that has been revealed in the just-dropped teaser trailer for the Netflix hit show's long-awaited comeback — and any other questions you have will begin receiving answers soon. Wednesday has not only unveiled its first season two sneak peek, but also announced its return dates. There's two, because the streaming platform is going with a split release this time around. Part one arrives on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, then part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Conjuring up another spot in your streaming queue three years after its first season released, Wednesday again follows its namesake to Nevermore Academy in its second season — and again features a fresh mystery for her to solve, amid navigating a new round of other woes. The initial trailer also spans her reunion with roommate Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie), Wednesday likening her second trip to Nevermore to "returning to the scene of the crime", bees, pink mist, creepy and kooky playthings, swinging axes and a few truths. "Wherever there's murder and mayhem, you will always find an Addams," Wednesday notes — followed by "I do my best work in the dark". Season two will also feature more of Catherine Zeta-Jones (National Treasure: Edge of History) as Morticia, Luis Guzmán (Justified: City Primeval) as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez (Color Box) as Pugsley and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Dreamers) as Deputy Ritchie Santiago, all getting meatier parts than in season one. Among its new cast members, not only Lumley, Buscemi, Piper and Newton are onboard, but also Evie Templeton (Criminal Record), Owen Painter (Tiny Beautiful Things), Noah B Taylor (Law & Order: Organised Crime), Frances O'Connor (The Twelve), Haley Joel Osment (Blink Twice), Heather Matarazzo (Paint) and Joonas Suotamo (The Acolyte) — plus Christopher Lloyd (Hacks), following Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) among the stars of the 90s Addams Family films popping up in Wednesday. Fred Armisen (Fallout) remains Wednesday's take on Uncle Fester, however — one that Netflix is so keen on that there's talk of a spinoff about the character. In its first season, Wednesday unsurprisingly proved a smash, breaking the Netflix record for most hours viewed in a single week, then doing so again — notching up 341.23-million hours viewed in its first week, then 411.29-million hours viewed in its second. All things Addams Family have always found an audience, with the Ricci-led 90s films beloved for decades for good reason, and the 1960s TV show and 1930s The New Yorker comics before that. Check out the first teaser trailer for Wednesday season two below: Wednesday season two arrives in two parts, with part one dropping on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and part two on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, both via Netflix. Read our full review of Wednesday season one. Images: Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025.
Brisbane's cultural ecosystem is booming. Cafes and bars are opening on a (almost) weekly basis, restaurants and pubs are more forward-thinking and imaginative than ever and you can find innovative cultural events and pop-up spaces to visit every day of the week. The cafe culture is stronger than ever, too, with new cafes not only guaranteeing a stellar cup of Joe, but also innovative lunch snacks and sleek interiors that'll really make you reconsider that desk sandwich. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Brisbane to be a better, braver city. And so, these six new cafes, opened in 2017, were nominated for Best New Cafe in Concrete Playground's Best of 2017 Awards.
First, it was COVID-19 that threw Queensland's music festivals into chaos. Now, the recent spate of devastating weather is having an impact on the scene. For Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, the latter means ditching its plans to take over a secret Fraser Coast spot across the Labour Day long weekend, with the event now moving to September instead. "It's unfortunately now not possible to hold the festival at the Gootchie site safely as we originally planned," said Festival Director Raymond Williams in a statement. "We were so looking forward to seeing our vision come to life next month, and it's a real bugger to have to change pace and reschedule." "Thankfully, we're already experienced in dealing with setbacks like these since the pandemic started," Williams continued. "The silver lining is we now have more time to create an even more immersive wonderland that will be safe and accessible for all." [caption id="attachment_843588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Savannah van der Niet[/caption] Music fans, you'll now have some free time between Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1 — and you'll be venturing north from Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4. The event will still take place in Gootchie, and still offer festival-goers something other than ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground. Among Jungle Love's drawcards: a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? Jungle Love announced its program back in February; however, that'll likely now change due to the new dates. "We're working with our suppliers, partners and performers to retain as many amazing acts as possible," said Williams. Still, get ready for visual arts displays, circus, cabaret, theatre, workshops, knocking back those BYO beverages and plenty of tunes — just later in 2022 than originally planned. Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival will now take place from Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4 at a secret location in Gootchie, Queensland. For more information, head to the festival's website. Top image: Lauren Crabbe.
Eli Manning and the Giants. Tom Brady and the Patriots. No, we're not talking indie alternative pop rock folk jam bands. We're talking football, of the American variety. Yesterday, New York rose up and once again again beat New England to take out the biggest sporting event of the year. In what has been dubbed by some as the greatest Super Bowl of all time, it was, as usual, the half time antics and ad breaks that captured the imaginations of those outside of the 50 US states. This year's Ad Bowl, the name given to 'the battle of the big ads', was taken out by Volkswagen, who charmed audiences with 'The Force' last year. This year's winner, 'The Dog Strikes Back', pipped Doritos to make VW the most talked about brand of Super Bowl XLVI. Relief for their marketing team, no doubt; the average 30 second ad slot goes for US$3.5 million. Here are the ten best ads of 2012 for your viewing pleasure. https://youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo 1. Volkswagen - The Dog Strikes Back https://youtube.com/watch?v=y3bqbJduK2w 2. Doritos - Man's Best Friend https://youtube.com/watch?v=hyFWSys3TJU 3. Bud Light Rescue Dog https://youtube.com/watch?v=P6C2G5I1Z1g 4. M&M's - Ms. Brown https://youtube.com/watch?v=MlYCBJSYWBQ 5. Skechers - Mr. Quiggly https://youtube.com/watch?v=4GIeIpcRv7o 6. Doritos - Sling Baby https://youtube.com/watch?v=VhkDdayA4iA 7. Honda - Matthew's Day Off https://youtube.com/watch?v=tFAiqxm1FDA 8. Chrysler - Clint Eastwood Halftime https://youtube.com/watch?v=lHZbXvts0LE 9. Kia - Dream Car https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ae52ourE3Pw 10. Chevy - Happy Grad
If you're a fan of Gelato Messina and its frosty sweet treats, 2020 is the year that just keeps on giving. That saying doesn't apply to much over the past 12 months, but it definitely fits in this situation. The dessert chain has released all manner of one-off specials, launched a new range of chocolate-covered ice cream bars in supermarkets, dropped a new merchandise line and brought back its Christmas trifle, for starters — and now it's aiming to take care of your summer drinks list. Teaming up with Cocktail Porter, Messina is now serving up DIY kits that'll let you make your own boozy beverages — either using Messina's gelato or its just-as-beloved toppings. Basically, it's the answer to a familiar dilemma, especially when the weather is warm. No one likes choosing between tucking into a chilled, creamy dessert or having another boozy beverage, after all. The Messina dessert cocktail packs come in two flavours: dulce de leche espresso martinis, and gin-fuelled coconut and lychee piña coladas. In the former, you'll get Ciroc vodka, coffee liqueur, premium cold-drip coffee and Messina's dulce de leche topping, plus Messina's chocolate hazelnut spread and shaved coconut to go on top. In the latter — which are being called 'giña coladas' — you'll receive Tanqueray gin, coconut water, pineapple juice, verjuice, and vouchers to go pick up a tub of Messina coconut and lychee gelato. As well as choosing with variety you'd prefer — caffeinated and zesty or fruit and refreshing, basically — you can pick between two different-sized packs. A mini espresso martini kit costs $85, while a mini giña colada kit costs $89, and both serve up six drinks. Or, you can opt for the large ($149/159), which makes 18 dessert cocktails. Cocktail Porter delivers Australia-wide, if that's your summer drinking plans sorted. To order Cocktail Porter's Gelato Messina cocktail kits, head to the Cocktail Porter website.
Protestors are taking to Brisbane's streets this morning, marching in the city to advocate for action on climate change. The latest rally organised by Extinction Rebellion Australia (ERA), it started outside Parliament House at 7am and is expected to congregate at 1 William Street between 8am–2pm. While those two sites are virtually next to each other, it's anticipated that the event will have a considerable flow-on effect throughout the CBD and across to South Brisbane. As all Brisbanites know, if you block any part of the inner-city's roads, traffic tends to bank up throughout town. At Parliament House, the protestors will present their demands. When the group moves to William Street, setting up outside the towering skyscraper that's home to many government departments, it'll settle in for a day of speeches, music and food. Since grabbing news headlines when a number of activists glued themselves to a crossing in the middle of Queen Street back in June to oppose the approval of Queensland's controversial Adani coal mine, ERA has been frequently staging events and roadblocks like these around the city. Traffic-wise, both Queensland Police and Translink are advising anyone travelling into the CBD to expect disruptions and delays. At the time of writing, William Street is closed between Margaret Street and Alice Street, and only local traffic has been impacted so far. With its ongoing, non-violent climate protests, ERA is aiming to draw attention to the rapidly changing state of the planet's environment. "We accept that this disruption will affect peoples [sic] day to day lives as our Rebellion must happen to disrupt [...] a system that is accelerating the existential threat to all of earths species, including humans," the group advises in the Facebook post for today's event. For public transport and traffic updates throughout the day, keep an eye Qld Traffic Metro and Translink's twitter feeds, as well as Brisbane City Council's Facebook page. Images: Extinction Rebellion SEQ
It's a terrible thing to watch: a political leader attempting to rap, discuss sport or, really, engage in any pursuit that isn't laying gradual legislative waste to the country. Nevertheless, it is these minor embarrassments that are increasingly served up for public consumption as politicians try to reassure voters that they are, indeed, human. Green Room-nominated playwright Katy Warner's latest work captures a dangerous subspecies of this political animal — the MP convinced they have the common touch. In A Prudent Man, Lyall Brooks plays an amalgam of several conservative politicians. He's an ordinary bloke, y'know? A cobber who'd sit down with you at the end of the day to knock back a raw onion or two. But he's not in his element here. He's recounting an…incident. And he's clearly not happy about it. The façade is starting to slip. Conservative politics is at a very interesting place right now. Brawling has become the new populism. The Abbotts, the Hansons the Duttons have realised that many voters rate naked bastardry as being more genuine than affected decency. A Prudent Man was lauded for its critique of this approach to politics when it did the rounds at the Melbourne and Perth Fringe Festivals, nabbing the People's Choice Award at the latter. Now it's headed into Bjelke-Petersen country for a two-night stint at the QUT Gardens Theatre. It's unlikely Warner will be appointed a dame for her efforts any time soon, but rest assured — she hasn't stinted on the zingers. Image: Adam Fawcett
It has been almost three months since Queensland closed its borders to Greater Sydney, making the Sunshine State off limits to residents of specific local government areas in the New South Wales capital. Over that period, the status of Queensland's borders has changed multiple times — as it has throughout much of 2020 — including shutting out all of NSW, then reopening to areas down to Byron Bay. But Sydneysiders won't be able to make the trip up north anytime soon. Today, Friday, October 30, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that Queensland will remain closed to folks from 32 local government areas in Sydney. On the list: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-Ring-Gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Woollahra and Sydney Harbour (Unincorporated). The Queensland border will also remain shut to people in Victoria, covering the entire state. In good news for NSW residents outside of Sydney, however — and for Queenslanders keen to head to parts of the state without quarantining upon their return — Premier Palaszczuk also revealed that the Sunshine State will open up to the rest of NSW come 1am on Tuesday, November 3. The announcement arrives a day before Queensland's next state election, which takes place on Saturday, October 31. Back in August, Premier Palaszczuk had already noted that the state was unlikely to reopen its borders to Victoria and Sydney until there has been no community transmission in those areas, so today's news wasn't unexpected. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1321968426349256704 Going into detail about the decision, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said "it is all about numbers. There are 4.8 million people who live in those 32 LGAs in Sydney. They are the risk, they are the ones moving around". She also noted that there have not been any cases in the past 28 days outside of those 32 LGAs, hence the move to open Queensland up to the rest of NSW. If you're a Queenslander now keen on a southern getaway, you can do so by flying via Sydney airport at Mascot — and that isn't counted as entering one of the 32 LGAs. But you can only travel through the airport, flying in and then flying out to somewhere outside of Greater Sydney. If you go anywhere else in the city, the quarantine rules come into effect upon your return back north. Whichever way you're heading — whether you're a NSW resident from outside of Greater Sydney who is keen to come to Queensland, or a resident of the latter eager to venture beyond the state's borders for a bit and then come home — you will still need a border pass. It isn't required to leave the state, but NSW folks will need one to enter and Queenslanders will need one to come back. To obtain a pass, you'll need to apply online, with each one valid for seven days. Regarding when Queensland might open to Greater Sydney, Dr Young said that she couldn't predict a date. "I genuinely do not know — it depends what happens with the virus. We are learning more and more about it every day. And what we are learning is that it is actually very contagious so we just have to look at the evidence, and I look at the evidence every single day, seven days a week, and work out what is the best advice." For more information about Queensland's border policies, head to the Queensland Government website.
Whether you're having a shit day or a really good one, a bunch of blooms delivered to your doorstep (or doughnuts, for that matter) will almost always make it better. But, like everything good in this world, flowers are only temporary. So if you're looking for a gift that will go the distance (like, survive in the desert kind of distance), this new Brissy delivery service is for you. The Succy Bunch lets you send a succulent to your pals around Brisbane. Each week the succulent offering — which comes in a little etched pot — will change, which means you can rack up quite the collection if you become a regular. First up, The Succy Bunch are delivering a 'Black Prince' echeveria in an 11cm x 12cm blue botanic pot. If you're in the Brisbane metro area, you're in luck — this little guy can make it to your desk (or a mate's, if you're feeling generous) for $40, including delivery. If your recipient is outside that reach, there's still hope — just get in touch with the team directly and they'll see if they can make it work. Orders are shipped out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and must be ordered the day before at thesuccybunch.com.
Five years in the making, W Hotel's luxury Darling Harbour development will finally bring the global hotel chain back to Sydney in October this year. Originally scheduled to open in 2020, the unmistakable harbourfront hotel has faced several delays and setbacks, but will finally swing its doors open in three months' time — and it has just revealed the next-level dining options that are in store for Sydneysiders and guests alike. The flagship restaurant and bar for the hotel will be called BTWN, playing on the building being wedged between its neighbouring expressways. This ambitious all-day eatery's kitchen is led by Head Chef Chris Dodd (ex-Aria, The Blue Door and Bistrot Plume), whose menu places emphasis on sustainability and local New South Wales produce. Hotel breakfasts and hearty dinners will be available here, with expected highlights from the mains menu including poached Murray cod, slow-cooked yoghurt-rubbed lamb shoulder and mushroom ragout. The level-three restaurant can be seen from the adjacent highway, acting as a living, breathing billboard for the hotel. Inside, designer Bowler James Brindley uses urban hallmarks and a slick chrome fitout inspired by airstream food trucks to celebrate the hotel's place in the heart of the city. Come sundown, a one-of-a-kind dessert bar labelled 2AM will open inside BTWN. Acclaimed Singaporean dessert chef Janice Wong is in charge of this venue within a venue — her first permanent outpost in Australia. Wong has twice been named Asia's best pastry chef on The World's Best Restaurants list, and runs restaurants and dessert bars across Singapore, London, Korea and Tokyo. The accomplished lover of all things decadent has crafted a menu that will appeal to both sweet tooths and more conservative dessert-enjoyers — and one that is designed to pair with BTWN's wine list and custom cocktails. 2AM's cacao forest is created using chocolate mousse, passionfruit chocolate, and consommé made from mango, lime and lychee. Or, there's the cassis plum, which places a bombe with yuzu pearls on top of elderflower yoghurt foam and choya granita. Rounding out the offerings at the sleek inner-city venue is the cocktail bar, which will keep things rolling from midday till late with a meticulously designed drinks list and sweeping views of Darling Harbour. Located within The Ribbon, the multimillion-dollar development has been designed by HASSEL architects and sits on the former IMAX theatre site (don't worry, the new IMAX is scheduled to also reopen this year). Outside of the dining options, W Sydney's drawcards include 585 stunning rooms and suites, plus exuberant shared spaces throughout the hotel including a heated rooftop infinity pool overlooking the water, a luxury spa and a gym. If you want to be one of the first to stay in the massive Darling Harbour accommodation, bookings are now open for stays starting from Wednesday, November 1. [caption id="attachment_909978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Janice Wong[/caption] W Sydney will open its doors in October 2023 at 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour — head to thee Darling Harbour website for further details.
My my, how can you resist this? MAMMA MIA! The Musical is bringing its Greek-set onstage party back to Brisbane in 2023 — and if you're a musical fan, an ABBA devotee or perennially keen to indulge in 70s nostalgia, you'll want to be there. By now, the hit production is well-known around the world, including from previous Aussie runs. It has spawned not one but two movies, too. And, its tale of a young bride-to-be's quest to find her father before her wedding will liven up QPAC's Lyric Theatre from Sunday, August 6. Here we go again with this restaging of the popular 2017 production, which is filled both with romantic chaos and 22 ABBA tracks. It's one of the biggest jukebox musical hits of the past quarter-century, in fact, as seen by over 65 million people worldwide so far. And, for this run, Elise McCann will be playing Donna Sheridan, after she played Ali in the 2009 season. Sarah Krndija (9 to 5 The Musical, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical and Friends! The Musical Parody) steps into Sophie's shoes, while Martin Crewes (Handa's The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour), Drew Livingston (War Horse) and Tim Wright (New Amsterdam) play her three potential dads. The story, as theatre audiences have enjoyed since 1999, follows 20-year-old Sophie, who is about to marry her fiancé Sky on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. It's her dream for her dad to walk her down the aisle, but courtesy of her mother Donna's old diary, she learns that her father could be one of three men: Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin or Harry Bright. Calling all dancing queens, obviously — with that track, the titular number, and everything from 'Money, Money, Money', 'Thank You for the Music', 'Super Trouper' and 'The Name of the Game' to 'SOS', 'Does Your Mother Know', 'Waterloo' and 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' featuring (and 'Take a Chance on Me', 'The Winner Takes It All' and, of course, 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do', too). The new Australian run hails from producers Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick, plus Helpmann Award-winning director Gary Young, choreographer Tom Hodgson and musical supervisor Stephen Amos. Images: James D Morgan / David Hooley.
As we come into the cool winter months, it warms the heart to look forward to one of the flagship events on the Sydney calendar. Vivid Sydney will be back for its twelfth year from May 27 to June 18 — and the 2022 iteration promises to be bigger than ever. The range of attractions on offer are many and varied but, at its core, Vivid Sydney is a light festival that gives colour and glow to the night sky and every conceivable canvas the city can provide. From illuminating some of Sydney's most famous landmarks to immersive exhibitions that seek to alter your perception of reality, here are ten must-see light installations on this year's program. Prepare to be dazzled. [caption id="attachment_853123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Sharing the Same Life Essence', Rhoda Roberts AO and Deon Hastie, Destination NSW[/caption] 'FIRST LIGHT' First Light, the piece which kicks off the 2022 program on Friday, May 27, promises to be a stunning beginning that celebrates our rich Indigenous and First Nations culture. Vivid Sydney takes place on Gadigal land and waters, and as an acknowledgement of this, the Harbour Bridge pylons will be lit up with Sharing the Same Life Essence (Wayne Quilliam), a projection celebrating the Traditional Owners. First Light will also feature a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and performance by NAISDA dancers, culminating in a powerful and poignant opening work. Find out more here. [caption id="attachment_853125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spinifex Group, Destination NSW[/caption] SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE 90TH BIRTHDAY The iconic coathanger has already had its own birthday party this year but, as one of the key landmarks of Vivid Sydney, you just know there had to be something special happening to mark the Sydney Harbour Bridge entering its tenth decade. Suitably, there's a storytelling angle to this year's light extravaganza, with the Historical Archive and Digitisation Team at Transport for NSW looking back into its comprehensive photo archive to tell the tale of one of the world's most famous man-made structures through the people and places it connects. The light show will be brought to life on the bridge's giant pylons by animation experts Spinifex — and it's on repeat every night of the festival. [caption id="attachment_846473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mandylights, Our Connected City[/caption] 'OUR CONNECTED CITY' The bright lights of Sydney are impressive all year round, but it doesn't compare to the illumination of Vivid Sydney. This year, the creative festival will be taking advantage of that already expansive canvas with Our Connected City, an installation from the creative minds at Mandylights. Hundreds of colour-changing lights will pulse through The Rocks, Circular Quay and across the harbour, lighting the CBD in a ribbon of light that spreads from the Opera House all the way to the northern pylon of the Harbour Bridge. There will also be 150 searchlight beams shining into the night sky like a series of beacons connecting the clouds to the people and land below. To add to the effect, all of these lights will be perfectly synchronised — a representation of connection come to life before your eyes. [caption id="attachment_853126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glenn Turner, Oracle-Liquid, Destination NSW[/caption] 'SYDNEY INFINITY' There's no doubt that one of the biggest selling points of Sydney is the incredible harbour, so it's only fitting that it will be celebrated at Vivid Sydney 2022. Glenn Turner, of internationally renowned special-effects company Oracle-Liquid, is putting the waterway front and centre with Sydney Infinity, a site- and festival-specific installation billed as the largest liquid and light show ever seen in Australia. At Darling Harbour, water and light will combine in a spectacular, infinity-shaped floating installation consisting of compressed-air water cannons, robotic fountains and thousands of LEDs (plus, the dazzling display will be synced to a soundtrack from Peewee Ferris). The sheer scale will be something to behold — the cannons will blast water 80 metres into the air and the fountains will disperse nine tonnes of water in the air per second. It's thanks to this pumping power that the exhibition can be viewed from around the city, including Pyrmont Bridge, nearby high-rises, and the harbour's floating walkway. [caption id="attachment_854523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Temple of Joy, Elliot Routledge, Destination NSW[/caption] VIVID HOUSE Taking over Darling Quarter, Vivid House is an immersive experience that combines light and sound to stimulate your senses over three distinct installations. In A Floating World (Stephen Ferris), musicians and visual artists combine to create a sonic painting that evokes imaginary landscapes. With Progressum (aFX Global), subtlety is key as flickers of light permeate the darkness and gradually build to become one with sound. Finally, Temple of Joy (Elliott Routledge) is a tribute to the halcyon days of Sydney's nightlife. Take in all three for the full, unforgettable Vivid House experience. [caption id="attachment_853127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Dive, Destination NSW[/caption] 'BUMP IN THE NIGHT' While Australia isn't quite as full of terrifying, life-threatening creatures as the rest of the world seems to think, you do tend to hear unidentifiable sounds of nature on a regular basis. Was that mad cackling a cockatoo, a kookaburra, or your neighbour watching Kath & Kim reruns again? Bump in the Night (by installation artist James Dive) is an interactive exhibition that looks like a genteel campsite (complete with muffled snores coming from inside the tents) but you get to play the strange creatures in the dark, with any noise you make potentially stirring the campers. This might be one of Vivid Sydney's strangest experiences but it's also one of the most fun. [caption id="attachment_853130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isabel Hudson and Trent Suidgeest, Destination NSW[/caption] 'A MIRRORED CITY' A Mirrored City creates a city within a city at The Goods Line. Conceptualised by artists Isabel Hudson and Trent Suidgeest, the installation brings shimmering surfaces to reflect the rich tapestry of Sydney life. As darkness falls, lights hidden within the surfaces create a larger Sydney, one that goes far beyond the confines of the station. From some of the city's most recognisable urban landscapes to stunning beachside vistas, A Mirrored City will take you on a tour of the city, telling stories about the people and places that make it what it is, all while you stay in one place. [caption id="attachment_853131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michaela Gleave, Destination NSW[/caption] 'ENDLESS LOVE' The concept here — from contemporary artist Michaela Gleave — is pretty simple, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful. The words 'endless love' will be displayed as part of a giant, lit-up arch at Circular Quay. Because who doesn't want endless love — and what could be bigger and better than an enduring promise of never-ending adoration? Endless Love is Vivid Sydney's gift to the city, and it's also a message from our city to the rest of the world. Every morning, the sun rises above Sydney to herald a new day and, throughout Vivid Sydney, this message will be shining too. Oh, and you'll look great standing beneath it on Instagram, which is also important. [caption id="attachment_853132" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atelier Sisu, Destination NSW[/caption] 'EPHEMERAL OCEANIC' For this year's festival, Walsh Bay will be turned into a floating, bubble-laden playground courtesy of Atelier Sisu artists Zara Pasfield and Renzo B Larriviere. A floating boardwalk weaves between 150 giant orbs, lit from the inside and changing colour throughout the night, projecting ever-changing patterns onto the water below. Remember the pure glee you'd get from blowing bubbles as a child? This is the grown-up version of that, but it's also a reminder that you're never too old to have fun and lose yourself in life's simple pleasures. The inherent ephemerality of this piece is also encouragement for you to consider your environment and how easily things can change. [caption id="attachment_853134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sinclair Park, Destination NSW[/caption] 'FRANKLY, MY DEAR...' When Vivid Sydney rolls round, everything is a canvas — iconic buildings and structures offering more surfaces and interesting angles for light to hit. The UTS School of Business is known for the paper bag-like aesthetic given to it by seminal architect Frank Gehry. Sinclair Park, the light artist behind Frankly, My Dear, noted the building is "unique and playful... an irresistible canvas", and created a site-specific work that will allow viewers to see the structure from a whole new perspective. Using lights in changing hues in the building's windows, he accents the exposed brick and unusual shapes, turning one of Sydney's most distinctive buildings into one of its most undeniably beautiful. Vivid Sydney takes place at locations citywide from May 27–June 18. For the full program and to find out more, head to the website. Planned your visit already? Remember to get social and use the hashtag #vividsydney or tag Vivid Sydney in your shots. Top image: Yarrkalpa — Hunting Ground (2021), by the Martu Artists and Curiious with soundtrack by Electric Fields and Martu Artists (inspired by Yarrkalpa — Always Walking Country, 2014), Destination NSW
Gauchito Gil is Argentina's Robin Hood. As such, it seems fitting that Australia's own Malbec Day has been borrowed from the South American country, where the majority of the world's malbec comes from. If this day is a donation from the grape god, it's one we're happy to accept. After a successful six years, Gauchito Gil is once again bringing Malbec Day to Brisbane with a four-hour wine bonanza at the Valley's Lightspace on Sunday, April 7. The event comes from the organisers of the Pinot Palooza and Mould cheese festival, and mirrors the free-reign tasting set up. Your $60 ticket includes a wine glass, and from there you'll be able to move around, sampling over 60 Australian, French and Argentinian malbec varietals. Other events have been known to get a little boozy, so to soak up all that wine there will be top-notch empanadas from five local restaurateurs — who'll be vying for the prestigious Golden Empanada award. It really doesn't matter if you know everything there is about malbec or if you don't know much at all, because Malbec Day is about education and celebration of the Argentine grape. And what better way to celebrate than with an bottomless glass of wine?
What's better than one weekly food market in the heart of Brisbane? Two, of course — and, to spread the love, this one is over the other side of the inner city. For a few years now, in great news for anyone who works at the Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley end of the CBD, Cathedral Square Markets has been popping up on Thursdays to give Brisbanites another chance to grab a tasty lunch, some top fresh produce and all kinds of other bites to take home. A weekly Thursday affair, the markets run from 8am–2pm. Because it's organised by the same folks behind the Wednesday markets at Reddacliff Place, you know what you're in for — just on a different day. As well as farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, artisanal breads and baked goods, and local seafood and meats, you'll find a range of stalls selling meals you can eat while you're there. That's handy —because we all know that it's best not to shop for food on an empty stomach. 2023's vendors include Carlos Tacos, Bapboi slinging Korean barbecue eats, Lamb Marinade with its slow-cooked meats and waffles via Whisk and Flip. And if you're usually in another part of town but you want to drop by before work or during your break, that's obviously on the agenda as well.
Bundaberg is the gateway city to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, a 4.5-hour drive from Brisbane. The sometimes overlooked region is filled with activities for the adventurous, such as snorkelling with abundant marine life by day, and for the epicurean, with rum tastings by night. As you might be familiar with the area's famed rum distillery and marine creatures, we've teamed up with Bundaberg Tourism to bring you a list of activities you mightn't have expected to find in the region. Read on to discover locally made ciders, lesser-known fairy pools and how to find magnificent public artworks. [caption id="attachment_795654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kalki Moon Distilling & Brewing Company owner Rick Prosser. Image: Bundaberg Tourism/Paul Beutel[/caption] VISIT THIS LOCAL GIN AND VODKA DISTILLERY The only thing better than a trip to Australia's rum capital is a visit to Kalki Moon Distilling & Brewing in Svensson Heights. It was founded in 2017 by former Bundaberg Rum Master Distiller, Rick Prosser, who now creates a range of handcrafted gins, vodkas and liqueurs. The company is proudly family-owned and offers free mini tours with complementary tastings. Kalki Moon also sells its range of barrel-aged gins, which are perfect to take away as a souvenir. You can pick up the Solstice Sherry Barrel Gin for $120 and vodka infused with Bundaberg's finest grown chillies for $90 for a twin pack. [caption id="attachment_795660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tracy Olive/Bundaberg Tourism[/caption] TAKE A DIP IN ONE OF THE AREA'S FAIRY POOLS The Bundaberg region is known for its marine life, and there are heaps of tours you can take to swim with turtles, manta rays and tropical fish. You may also want to experience a more serene swim in the crystal-clear waters of the fairy pools at Elliott Heads. The coastal town is a 20-minute drive from Bundaberg, and after a plunge in the fairy pool, you can soak in the ambience of the white sandy beaches nearby. Or, head to the coastal fringe reefs to explore with a snorkel before sitting down for a picnic at the park or at one of the public barbecues in the area. [caption id="attachment_795653" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ohana Cider & Tropical Winery owners Zoe and Josh. Image: Bundaberg Tourism/Paul Beutel[/caption] SEEK OUT THIS HAWAIIAN-INSPIRED CELLAR DOOR Hawaii meets Bundaberg at the Ohana Cider House and Tropical Winery, in Bundaberg East. Ohana uses fresh local Queensland produce and specialises in handcrafting award-winning tropical wines and liqueurs. Its team is led by Josh Phillips and Zoe Young, who offer behind-the-scenes cidery tours for $15 per person. It gives visitors a glimpse into the cider-making process, from crushing the apples to bottling. And you can sample a range of liqueurs here, too, such as its cold drip coffee flavour. For the smartest way to try a little bit of everything, pull up a pew at the cellar door and order a tasting paddle to try six of the best for $18. [caption id="attachment_795658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Three Moon'. Image: Nathan White/Bundaberg Tourism[/caption] TAKE A TOUR OF MONTO'S SILO AND WATER TOWER ART In the rural town of Monto, a 2.5-hour drive inland from Bundaberg, you'll find magnificent public art displays as part of the Australian Silo Art Trail. The initiative started when not-for-profit art and cultural organisation Form painted grain silos in the small town of Northam in Western Australia, now the project has grown to include painted silos and water tanks across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. In Monto, about 400 metres east of Monto Shopping Centre, you'll come across a water tank artwork called 'Three Moon Creek Legend' by artist Karen Gross, which recalls the early exploration of the Monto District. There's a water tower called 'Fun and Freedom' painted by Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson, which shows children playing. And, a newly painted silo called 'Three Moon', also by Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson, depicts a local legend with two possible origin stories. [caption id="attachment_795655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Williams[/caption] ADVENTURE OFF ROAD AT BURRUM COAST NATIONAL PARK Fifty minutes' drive south of Bundaberg is Burrum Coast National Park, covering 26,000 hectares of coastal plains. It is home to abundant wetland areas and eucalypt forests, and it's also ideal for 4WD adventure seekers. If you're in a four-wheel drive, take one of the park's tracks to explore the area at your leisure. You can settle in for the night at camping spots at Burrum Point or behind the dunes at Kinkuna for $6.75 per person per night, or $27 per family per night. Book online here, or call the Bundaberg Information Centre on 1300 722 099. And, if you're eager to stretch your legs, try the Woodgate Beach section of Burrum Coast for walking tracks that range from the tame 5.2-kilometre return Banksia track to the more advanced 12.3-kilometre return Melaleuca track. For more must-do experiences in Bundaberg, visit the Bundaberg Region website. Top image: Burrum Coast National Park via Matt Williams/Bundaberg Tourism
2023 marks six years since Revel Brewing Co set up shop on Oxford Street in Bulimba, and started both brewing and pouring its beers. And, when the end of the year hits, it will have been two years since these purveyors of yeasty beverages opened their second location in in Morningside, a sprawling spot in a century-old riverside factory in the Rivermakers precinct. They're usually the only two places you'll find the brewery doing its thing — except during the 2023 Brisbane Comedy Festival. Fancy a brew while you're giggling? Until the end of May, Revel has launched a pop-up bar outside Brisbane Powerhouse. It's a first for both — Revel's first time at Brisbane's annual laughfest, and the first time that the event has boasted its own bar at all. And, it's one of only a few places where beer lovers can sip a brand-new brew whipped up just for the occasion: the aptly named Laughing Lager, a limited-release drop that's on tap at the Revel Bar, plus BCF's hubs at The Tivoli and Fortitude Music Hall. With the Revel Bar making itself at home on the Powerhouse Plaza until Sunday, May 28, Brisbane Comedy Festival attendees can also kick back under strung-up lights and grab a bite from a range of food trucks. Eating and drinking here should be familiar — the space just hosted the first Night Feast markets back in March, which will return again in October. "For the first time, we have a designated festival bar with the Revel Bar, which includes a selection of great food trucks out on Brisbane Powerhouse's Plaza. We look forward to watching this space come to life throughout the Festival," said Brisbane Comedy Festival Director Phoebe Meredith. "As well as developing the limited-release Laughing Lager, we are excited to deliver the Revel Bar. We look forward to offering a fantastic, streamlined customer experience where visitors to the festival can get great quality food and beverages quickly, then relax and enjoy before they head into their show for a laugh," added Revel Brewing Co Founder and CEO Jay Neven. Until Monday, May 22, Revel and Brisbane Powerhouse are also giving one lucky person the chance to win a year's worth of beer to celebrate the Revel Bar — which you can enter online. Find the Revel Bar at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm during the 2023 Brisbane Comedy Festival until Sunday, May 28.
Take a must-visit Paris art museum, an acclaimed Victorian gallery, an iconic French painter and one of the world's most influential architects, mix them all together, and Australia's latest huge exhibition is the end result. So is something unsurprisingly stunning: the world premiere of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi at the NGV International in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria's revolving door of blockbuster exhibitions shows no sign of slowing, with this exceptional meeting of creative minds gracing its halls from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. When the temperature dips each year, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series kicks in — and, as created in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, home to the world's largest collection of Bonnard works, this ode to Bonnard and Mahdavi is the current centrepiece. On display: more than 100 pieces by the famed French artist, but seen through a fresh lens. Helping provide that new perspective is scenography by internationally renowned architect and designer Mahdavi, in a major showcase that was originally slated to debut in 2020 before the pandemic did its thing. An icon of late 19th- and early 20th-century art, and a good mate of Henri Matisse, Bonnard is known for his colourful, textural depictions of French life, offering stylised yet subtle glimpses of intimate domestic scenes, urban backdrops and natural landscapes. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi includes a hefty collection of the artist's own paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and other decorative objects, alongside works from his contemporaries — including Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Félix Vallotton and cinematic pioneers the Lumière brothers. Attendees can expect to step through Bonnard's early artistic days in the 1890s, highlighting his focus on Parisian street life; his evolution from there, including when he started focusing on more domestic scenes as inspired by his relationship with his companion Marthe Bonnard; and his love of landscape, especially from 1910 onwards, and as influenced by his fellow pal Claude Monet. Numerous pieces are on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, as well as other museums and private collections in Europe, Australia and the USA. The NGV's own collection also includes significant works, however, including Bonnard's 1900 painting La Sieste (Siesta). Considered one of the world's most influential architects, multi-award-winning Mahdavi has been commissioned to help bring the historic pieces to life via her scenography, tasked with creating a setting that complements Bonnard's signature use of colour and light. The results aren't just spectacular — they're dreamy. Images: Installation view of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi, on display from June 9–October 8, 2023 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Lillie Thompson.
It's been more than a month since Brisbane's last lockdown ended, but keeping an eye on COVID-19 exposure sites definitely isn't a thing of the past. On Thursday, September 9, Queensland Health issued a new public health alert that named the city's latest venues that've been visited by someone who since tested positive — and, as has happened a few times now during the pandemic, Garden City shopping centre in Upper Mount Gravatt is the big, well-known and busy spot on the list. You know the drill from here, because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a key element of Queensland's containment strategy, and has been since last year. Also a core part of the plan: requiring people who've attended the same sites at the same time to take action, including self-isolating and getting tested. So, if you went to Garden City, the biggest shopping centre in Brisbane's south, on Sunday, September 5 and Monday, September 6, you may need to get tested for COVID-19 and then self-isolate. Four sites within the centre have been named as close contact venues, which requires immediately quarantining at home, getting tested as soon as you can, completing the online contact tracing form and continuing to quarantine for 14 days even if you get a negative result. That applies to you if you were at Grill'd in the Garden City town centre on the Sunday from 8–9.30pm or on the Monday from 5.35–6.05pm, at Momo Chicken and Beer on level two near Timezone on the Monday between 5.05–5.30pm, in the male toilet on level two near the food court between 5.20–5.40pm the same day, and at Cinnabon from 5.20–5.45pm on the Monday. The Garden City town centre has also been listed as a casual exposure site from 8–9.30pm on the Sunday and between 5–6.05pm on the Monday, while the level two food court has been put in the same category from 5–6.05pm on the Monday as well. If you were at any of these spots at those times, you need to isolate ASAP, get tested, then keep self-isolating until you get a negative result. And, the whole Westfield Garden City shopping centre has been added to the list as a low-risk site from 5–6.05pm on the Monday, too. That requires getting tested ASAP, then monitoring for symptoms. ⚠️ Public Health Alert ⚠️ Queensland Health is issuing new contact tracing locations for: 📍 Archerfield 📍 Upper Mount Gravatt Full details can be found at: https://t.co/rujm8F3qL4 pic.twitter.com/xPZv2ohJCa — Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) September 9, 2021 Other places that've joined the exposure sites list recently include the BP service station on the corner of Randolph Street and Boundary Road in Archerfield on both the Sunday and the Monday — for the full list, head to the Queensland Health website. As always, the usual advice regarding COVID-19 applies anyway. So, requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms in general are still in effect, as they have since March 2020. As last reported on Thursday, September 9, Queensland currently has 21 active cases. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the Queensland COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: Google Maps.
Grab your togs, plus your mates or date, then get ready to indulge your love for swims, sips and breakfast: The Westin Brisbane has relaunched what's fast becoming an annual River City summer highlight. The Mary Street hotel doesn't just feature 298 rooms and suites with views, onsite eateries and bars, and a spa — it's also home to a swim-up spot for drinks, aka Nautilus Pool Bar, which opens its doors to the public when the weather is warm. From now until Sunday, April 28, you don't need to be a guest at the Marriott-owned international brand's first Queensland location to go for a splash while enjoying a cocktail in the water. As it did across 2022–23's hot temperatures, The Westin Brisbane is turning Nautilus Pool Bar into a beach club. This year's inspiration: The Maldives. Again dubbed Nautilus Beach Club, this seasonal stint includes live DJs spinning tunes on the deck, poolside cabana service and, for the first time, floating breakfasts. Yes, your food will be served to you literally in the pool, with the $280-per-person spread spanning fruit, pastries, juice, Mumm champagne, your choice of tea or coffee, and a number of hot breakfast dishes. If that sounds like your way to spend a morning, it's on offer from 10am–11.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Nautilus Beach Club: Maldives Moments runs from Friday–Sunday until the end of March, then Saturday–Sunday in April, with its regular menu offering slow-braised octopus in a tomato chilli ragout; yellowfin tuna ceviche in a curry powder rub with red onion, chilli, coriander and tomato; and seafood platters that feature Moreton Bay bugs, tiger prawns, kingfish ceviche and green lip mussels. Drinks-wise, special cocktails include a Maldivian take on the piña colada and spritzes Attendees have a couple of other options for Mediterranean-influenced lounging by the pool, with a $49 ticket covering access, a towel to use while you're there and your first spritz. If you and a date or mate are feeling like treating yo'selves, there's also a cabana experience for $269 for two, which gives you your own cabana to hang out in, a seafood platter and a bottle of rosé. And the pool itself? It's heated to 28 degrees, perfect for comfortable swims during Brisbane's sultry summer.
Whip out the suspenders and grab the beer stein from the pool room, Oktoberfest is here! It's the time of year again where we can shamelessly wear long socks, slap our knees and drink to our heart's content, Oktoberfest. Like previous years, the RNA will be hosting this three day long festival of beer guzzling, pretzel eating and dancing. Opening at 4pm Friday, and 11am Saturday and Sunday, this will sure to be days and nights of German appreciation. The RNA will be constructing a traditional Bavarian village atmosphere, with Heidi the yodeller, a petting zoo for the kids and a Schunkel dance floor - just follow the others. The Germans bought many wonderful things into our world. Pretzels, Volkswagens and coffee filters, all of which have made life just that little bit easier for us. But in this time of exam stress, work pressure and hot weather lets all give a big 'danke' for whomever came up with the idea of Oktoberfest.
The idea that good things come to those who wait isn't just a piece of advice everyone's mum have given them at least once; over the past couple of years, it's also been the mantra behind Australia's live gig scene. And, yes, now that music festivals, concerts and shows are back in a big way, great things are indeed coming Down Under — including Fisher's rescheduled Aussie tour. The former pro surfer-turned-DJ will be hitting up Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth in November, throwing a huge outdoor dance party in each city. He'll be on the decks, of course, but he'll also have company in the form of Booka Shade, Pnau, Loco Dice and HoneyLuv. Also on the bill: Little Fritter, Richard Penny, Tina Says and Loco Dice. International names, local talents — they're all on this lineup. And if you're wondering how excited that Fisher is to finally bring the tour to fruition, it's all there in the name. Originally his first-ever Aussie national tour was called 'Bigger Than a Beach Party', but now it's the 'Australia, It's Fk'n On' tour. [caption id="attachment_860230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Booka Shade[/caption] A few details have changed, however. Originally, the tour was headed to Wollongong, but Stuart Park can no longer play host to major gigs due to heavy rain earlier this year. So, Fisher will hit up The Domain in Sydney instead — which is obviously ace news for Sydneysiders. It's been a huge few years for the Gold Coast DJ, since the Grammy-nominated 'Losing It' brought him to international fame. He also launched his own boozy seltzer brand FIZZ during the pandemic, which your tastebuds might be aware of. Fisher heads around Australia after headlining the Under Construction festival in the US, and playing shows at Petco Park in Denver. And yes, expect dance floors at Melbourne's Catani Gardens, Brisbane's Riverstage, The Domain in Sydney and Perth's Langley Park to be busy. [caption id="attachment_860229" align="alignnone" width="1920"] HoneyLuv[/caption] FISHER'S 2022 'IT'S FK'N ON AUSTRALIA' TOUR DATES: Saturday, November 5 — Catani Gardens, Melbourne Sunday, November 6 — Riverstage, Brisbane Saturday, November 12 — The Domain, Sydney Sunday, November 13 — Langley Park, Perth Fisher's 'It's Fk'n On Australia tour heads Down Under in November 2022. The waitlist for tickets is open now, with tickets pre-sales from 8am local time on Wednesday, July 13 — and general sales from 8am local time on Thursday, July 14.
Whiplash is a film about a drummer, and it might just be the scariest thing you see all year. It's not Annabelle scary, as in paranormal pant-soiling scary, nor is it Silence of the Lambs scary, aka psychological pant-peeing. It's more disturbing, a sort of 'do whatever it takes', Talented Mr Ripley kind of film, chronicling the terrifying lengths people will go to in pursuit of a goal. It's a 'jazz thriller', really, and it's an exceptional, engrossing movie. Narrow in its focus, Whiplash concerns an ambitious young drummer named Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller), a first-year student at a prestigious New York music academy. When the school's premier conductor, Terence Fletcher (JK Simmons), invites him to join the marquee jazz ensemble, Neyman quickly finds himself embroiled in a gripping, exhausting, unsettling and even violent clash of egos driven by Fletcher's unyielding pursuit of excellence and Neyman's own determination to be the next musical great. Chairs are thrown, punches are thrown, and in any given practice session the trinity of 'blood, sweat and tears' becomes almost mandatory. The one small mercy for panic-stricken viewers who found The Exorcist to be an exercise in endurance rather than enjoyment was that the terror occurred predominantly within the confines of the bedroom. You knew when to be afraid, and in Whiplash that room is Fletcher's rehearsal space. What ought to be the epitome of cool is instead the Roman colosseum, with Fletcher its sitting Emperor. One of the bad ones. More Caligula than Caesar. He rules through fear and exploits his students' aspirations as a means of ensuring his own reputation remains one of excellence and achievement. A few minor roles notwithstanding (Paul Reiser has a nice turn as Neyman's softly spoken father), this is a movie focussed on the performances by Teller and Simmons, and they're both first rate. Teller spent hours on the kit every single day rehearsing for the role, and his percussive skills are as impressive as his acting ones. Both arrogance and insecurity bubble just beneath his character's surface, and his descent into physical and mental ruin is painfully believable. Opposite him, Simmons is a powerhouse of brute force and bravura; a fedora-wearing, baton-wielding drill-sergeant right out of Full Metal Jacket. He bullies, he abuses and he hurls bigoted slanders so often it's almost as though that's how he breathes. The explanation he offers is as unapologetic as it is simple: greatness only comes from being pushed beyond the comfort zone and penetrating the unknown. For a jazz movie there's surprisingly little of it, and while the final performance is nothing short of extraordinary, the lack of jam sessions and gigs feels at odds with Neyman's professed love of the art and his dogged pursuit of pre-eminence. The film's conclusion, too, is troubling, for while it delights on the musical front, conceptually it appears to reinforce what is plainly a flawed and dangerous approach to nurturing talent. Still, this a showcase of two outstanding performances and a clear standout in what has otherwise been a largely mediocre run of films in 2014. Must see. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8J6JH-R-TN0
UPDATE, Thursday, October 5: Zach Bryan's Australian show has now been moved to Flemington Racecourse due to demand. Not content with bringing Christina Aguilera to Australia for a one-off Down Under show, and boasting exclusive Eric Prydz and Jai Paul gigs as well, Victoria's statewide music celebration Always Live has added country music megastar Zach Bryan to its 2023 bill. The 17-day festival will now feature the biggest name in the genre right now, taking to the stage at St Kilda's Catani Gardens. The 'Something in the Orange' singer will head to Melbourne on Saturday, December 9 for an openair gig that'll give the Oologah, Oklahoma native's 2022 American Heartbreak album a hefty spin. Although he released two records prior — 2019's DeAnn and 2020's Elisabeth — his third album marked his major-label debut, and also the reason that Bryan has become such a sensation. Among Bryan's recent feats, American Heartbreak premiered in the top spot on America's Billboard 200. 'Something in the Orange' has now stayed in the charts longer than any single by a male country artist. In Australia, Bryan has earned that same achievement in the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart for all country artists. And his streaming numbers? In excess of 6.8 billion worldwide. Yellowstone viewers will also know him from popping up in the western series. As he's been taking his American Heartbreak tour around the US — including stops at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits — Bryan has been smashing attendance records, too. In his first-ever Australian stint, he'll also have tracks from his latest album to play, with the self-titled Zach Bryan releasing in August. Among the tunes: collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, The War and Treaty, and Sierra Ferrell. Being brought Down Under by Untitled Group, which is also behind Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands and Ability Fest, Bryan's just-announced spot on the Always Live bill is his only currently scheduled gig in Australia. The statewide music celebration's full lineup includes more than 165 artists at 60-plus events — all, of course, in Victoria. Always Live 2023 runs from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 10, with one pre-festival gig on Saturday, October 14. For more information, and to get tickets, head to the festival website. Zach Bryan will play St Kilda's Catani Gardens on Saturday, December 9, with pre sales from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, October 5 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Friday, October 6.
The hit rock musical based on Green Day's iconic album American Idiot will return to Brisbane in 2018. Following a hit season in 2017, this next run of Green Day's American Idiot will see Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson reprise his lead performance as St Jimmy — a role played internationally by the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cheney and Green Day's own Billie Joe Armstrong. The acclaimed Aussie musician will again be joined on stage by Phoebe Panaretos, whose performance as Whatsername during the show's Brisbane run scored her a Helpmann nomination. Hailed as a bold and explosive production, the Tony and Grammy award-winning show features every song from the band's eponymous album, along with a number of tunes from Green Day's follow-up record, 21st Century Breakdown. It's the tale of three lifelong mates, torn between remaining in their safe, aimless ruts, and challenging the status quo to embark on a journey of self-discovery. The American Idiot 2018 tour will begin with a brief season at the Sydney Opera House, before runs in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. Images: Dylan Evans.
It only took three years for Wynnum Fringe to evolve from a three-day festival to an almost three-week run. Returning in 2023 for the fourth time, the event is sticking with that extended setup. It's easy to see why, not only because the fest keeps drawing crowds to Brisbane's bayside — with 36,000 people heading along in 2022 — but also thanks to the jam-packed lineup it keeps curating. This year's includes Shrek-inspired burlesque, ABBA sing-alongs, Daryl Braithwaite and a ferris wheel for starters, plus Robert Forster taking to the stage, a dog celebration, Will Anderson and Jimeoin doing comedy sets, and pop-up bars as well. Brisbane's embrace of Wynnum Fringe isn't surprising, either. The River City loves an arts festival, whether it's Brisbane Festival, Anywhere Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, MELT or the Brisbane International Film Festival, to name just a few events on the Queensland capital's cultural calendar. At this one, hanging out in a seaside suburb is on the agenda — this year from Wednesday, November 15–Sunday, December 3. "I can't believe this idea started in the spare room of my parents place while I was freeloading there during COVID," said Wynnum Fringe founder Tom Oliver. "Now look at it — people are travelling from interstate to check it out, and Aussie entertainment royalty are keen to put on a show here." "Wynnum Fringe has gone from three days to three weeks in three years. We've employed over 1000 artists, injected millions into the bayside economy and won the most prestigious award in the Queensland Industry Awards. Crazy proud!" "There is something special about Brisbane's bayside and the community living around Wynnum and Manly. They get around stuff. They have embraced this festival with open arms. We wouldn't be here without our community," continued Oliver. 2023's lineup of shows and events includes that sultry — and wholly unofficial — take on everyone's favourite animated ogre franchise, plus a corresponding burlesque and drag parody of The Simpsons. Still riffing on beloved pop-culture staples, Wynnum Fringe is staging the latest season of Speed: The Movie, the Play, which brings the 90s action film into IRL in the name of comedy. Sweden's most-famous music group earn a tribute via free community choir The Wynnum Takes It All — singing, yes, a version of 'The Winner Takes It All'. As for Braithwaite and Forster, they sit alongside Diesel, Sarah McLeod, Marcia Hines and Rhonda Burchmore in what's clearly a stacked list of Australian talent taking to the stage. To hear 'The Horses' echo, you'll want to head to the closing Rock the Bay event, which also features Hines and The Bamboos. The comedy bill not only includes Anderson and Jimeoin, but Dave Thornton and Geraldine Hickey as well. Laughing is part of seeing Ancient Greece-set comedy GODZ, too, while the Wynnum Fringe Comedy Gala is back for a one-night-only stint of giggling. After opening ceremony yana marumba (Walk Good) kicks off 2023's festival, attendees can look forward to an adults-only magic show, silent disco walking tours, Chocolate Starfish doing Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, Massaoke Oz getting everyone belting out songs and Cheap Fakes playing the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. Or, there's a club devoted to Broadway tunes, a dose of Shakespeare in 60 minutes and a Bluey and Bingo experience — plus What Would Dolly Do?, which is about worshipping Dolly Parton. For hanging out between shows, the garden hub returns to George Clayton Park, which is where Wynnum Fringe's spiegeltent will sit — and a ferris wheel, food trucks and bars. It's also the site of Puppypalooza, complete with dog-focused markets, dog competitions, dog photography and everyone bringing their pooches along. Wynnum Fringe 2023 runs from Wednesday, November 15–Sunday, December 3. Head to the festival's website for the full program.
It's now been 23 years since a certain modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew had us all swooning over Heath Ledger and wishing we were Julia Stiles. Yes, that'll make you feel old. And if you're one of the scores of Aussie teens who devoured smash-hit flick 10 Things I Hate About You when it first came out — and then about a million times on VHS since — you've probably taken up every occasion there is to celebrate the 1999 movie. Your next chance: Yatala Drive-In's Valentine's weekend screening — aka an excuse to hop in the car, head down the highway and revisit the timeless high school-set tale. Yatala's movies-on-wheels site is hosting a special throwback showing on Saturday, February 12 from 7pm, which is perfect for you and your 90s-worshipping significant other — or a car full of pals (because you'll pay $40 for a carload of up to six people anyway). Prepare to revisit all those late-90s feels as you catch those classic movie moments — from the cheer-worthy smashing of Joey Donner's car to that pre-formal pregnancy suit. You can pack your own food for the session (Ms Perky would definitely recommend bratwurst), but BYO booze obviously isn't allowed. Otherwise, you can make the most of Yatala's 50s-style diner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVHxKeFZU1s
The folks over at Gelato Messina know how to whip lovers of all things sweet and frozen into a frenzy, and they've done it again, announcing that their Sydney degustation bar will be venturing north to Brisbane. The Messina Creative Department will be setting up shop for the first time at the South Brisbane store for two weeks only, from August 31 until September 9. An offshoot of the famed gelato parlour, the Messina Creative Department offers an epic seven-course degustation, complete with non-alcoholic drink pairing. Since opening next door to their OG Darlinghurst venue last year to rapturous response, the tiny dessert table space has proved to be immensely popular, with places booking out almost as soon as they're released. Their recent sold-out truffle degustations in Sydney and Melbourne have been similarly received. With two to three sittings per night and just 12 seats available per sitting, Brisbanites had best book these $130-per-head spots at the ice cream sorcery table as soon as possible. The menu should have you doing just that. It will be a combo of the best dishes from Sydney and Melbourne (along with a few brand new Brissie creations) — previous dessert dinners have seen the likes of garlic gelato, a sugar egg filled with delights and an amazing matcha and pistachio cake concoction. A recent dish matched a vanilla and black truffle oil with vanilla and parsnip puree, a parsnip crisp and a vanilla 'fern' matched with a chai latte. It's dessert meets art meets one helluva tastebud adventure.
Float on, festival fans: come April, Australia's newest excuse to see a heap of bands in one spot will make its way along the country's east coast. That touring event: the just-announced Daydream. It's hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with quite the roster of indie-rock talent — headlined by Modest Mouse three decades after the Washington-born group first got together. Don't listen to the title of the band's acclaimed 2004 album, though — this is good news for people who love good news, not bad. Joining Modest Mouse on the bill are Britain's Slowdive, who initially formed in 1989, the reformed in 2017, as well as Australian favourites Tropical F*ck Storm. Daydream will hit up Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, April 22 to kick things off, then head north. The fest plays the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on Saturday, April 29, followed up Brisbane's Riverstage on Sunday, April 30. The lineup varies slightly per city, with Beach Fossils and Cloud Nothings taking to the stage at all stops, but Majak Door missing Brisbane. And no, it isn't too early into 2023 to start packing your calendar with music festivals. New year, new diary to fill, after all — and Daydream, the also just-announced Lazy Mountain and more are firmly here to help. DAYDREAM 2023 LINEUP: Modest Mouse Slowdive Tropical F*ck Storm Beach Fossils Cloud Nothings Majak Door DAYDREAM 2023 DATES: Saturday, April 22 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Saturday, April 29 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Sunday, April 30 — Riverstage, Brisbane [caption id="attachment_886745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Jardine[/caption] Daydream will hit Australia's east coast capitals in April. Early-bird pre-sales start at 9am local time on Thursday, February 2, with general sales from 9am local time on Friday, February 3 — head to the tour website to sign up for the pre-sale, or for more information. Top images: Modest Mouse by Matthewvetter via Wikimedia Commons; Tropical F*ck Storm by Somefx.
Taking a trip to Thailand or Japan is already on the cheaper end of itineraries for Australian travellers. Yet the cost of your next trip could be even more affordable than usual, as Scoot has just announced new flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, and Okinawa and Tokyo in Japan. Commencing between December 2025 and March 2026, these deals might convince you and the crew to lock in another adventure. Ready to take to the skies? One-way economy flights to Chiang Rai start at $219, while Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) fares start at $329. With all flights from Australia including a stopover in Singapore — Scoot is Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary — now is your chance to check out what many consider the world's best airport, from its peaceful butterfly garden to the Rain Vortex — the world's tallest indoor waterfall. But if a stellar stopover isn't enough to convince you to book, the destination at the end of your flight might. Situated in Thailand's lush northern region, Chiang Rai's mountainous terrain and cool climate present a different side of the country from its white-sand beachfronts. With the Lanna region home to seven major hill tribes, expect a multicultural experience captured through architecture, cuisine and art. Okinawa and its 160 island neighbours present a similarly distinct experience for those keen to visit Japan. Located over 600 kilometres south of the mainland, this subtropical archipelago is renowned for its pristine beaches, clear waters and Ryukyu heritage shaped by the region's indigenous people and culture. Paddle a canoe deep into Yambaru National Park to explore the region's immense natural beauty. Though it needs little introduction, Scoot is also offering cut-price fares to Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Whether you're heading along for the first time to see what all the fuss is about or returning for a second, third, or fourth adventure, you could spend years exploring this megalopolis and barely scratch the surface. Best of all, making the most of a Tokyo adventure on a shoestring budget is simple with a little research and planning. Perfect for an end-of-year escape, three-time weekly flights to Okinawa will begin on Monday, December 15, while Scoot will begin five-time weekly flights to Chiang Rai on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, daily flights to Tokyo (Haneda) will commence on Sunday, March 1, 2026. With loads of flights added to the schedule, the launch of these three routes could be just the excuse you need to take off in the months ahead. Scoot's new flight service commences from Monday, December 15, with bookings now open. Head to the website for more information.
When it comes to forming habits, three weeks is often bandied about as the right amount of time to cement a new part of your routine. With annual massive music, technology, screen and gaming festivals, perhaps three years is a better fit. After initially making its debut in 2023, then returning in 2024, SXSW Sydney will be back again in 2025. Mark your calendar accordingly. You can now call the huge event a fixture of not just the Harbour City's cultural calendar, but also Australia's. The dates for its third iteration: Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19. Although there's no lineup details as yet, attendees can expect big things again after 2024's fest built upon 2023's successes. The second-ever SXSW Down Under featured 1400 conference sessions, 95 screenings, 315 performances and 150 games. It also hosted more than 92,000 unique visitors, with folks attending from 56 countries. In terms of total visits, the seven-day festival notched up 300,000 — including 190,000-plus people heading along to the 163 events as part of the free programming in Tumbalong Park. Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Broadway will be among the places playing host to SXSW Sydney in 2025, but more details there are still also yet to be revealed. "SXSW Sydney 2024 was a great success on all fronts, and was bigger than its debut year in attendance numbers and sessions throughout the week," said SXSW Sydney Chair Geoff Jones, announcing the 2025 dates. "We look forward to paving the way for more innovators across the tech and innovation, music, screen, games and creative industries by providing these creators with an opportunity on a global stage." Whatever graces the bill in 2025, it'll follow on from Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker, Chance The Rapper, Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb and Nicole Kidman in 2023, plus The Kid LAROI, human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, The New Boy filmmaker Warwick Thornton, The Babadook composer Jed Kurzel, Grace Tame and Tim Minchin in 2024 — and heaps more. SXSW Sydney 2025 will run from Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Images: Paul McMillan, Jess Gleeson, Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW and Nina Franova/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
It’s only January, but already 2016 is shaping up to be a really good year for art in Australia. Melbourne's NGV is currently showing the epic Andy Warhol | Ai Wei Wei exhibition and a collection of Australian surrealist works with Lurid Beauty, with a tight line-up of Degas, surrealist works and Whistler’s Mother coming to the gallery later this year (not the original of course, we all know Mr Bean has that). Sydney is currently being graced by The Greats, Grayson Perry and will soon get to enjoy a more contemporary exhibition by Tatsuo Miyajima. Known for his immersive and dramatic tech-inspired pieces, the Japanese installation artist will be bringing his work to the Museum of Contemporary Art this November as part of the 2016-17 Sydney International Art Series (pencil it in, guys). It's his first solo exhibition in Australia, and it will include all of his significant pieces as well as some video and performance works. While Miyajima's work may appear slick and futuristic, his philosophy incorporates some really profound ideas about life and death. As he summarises it: "Keep changing, connect with everything, continue forever". His installations largely feature LED lights and counters that countdown from one to nine. However, they never reach zero as Miyajima believes zero is a meaningless, Western concept. As he told Frieze back in 1992, there is no physical zero. Buddhist philosophy is also a major influence on his art, as well as his ideas about zero and nothingness. "In Buddhist philosophy we have the word ku, which means emptiness — which is very different from zero," he says. "The word ku is realistic emptiness, physical emptiness…ku contains the cycle of life and death." His work is best consumed as a spiritual experience, and we've got plenty of time to prepare for it. The MCA's 2016-2017 International Art Series featuring Tatsuo Miyajima will run from November 3, 2016 – March 5, 2017. FOr more info, visit the MCA website.
September's looking up, as Brisbane Festival returns from September 4–26 with a hopeful and joyful program of live music, dance, sexy literary performances and a huge light and laser installation. Artistic Director Louise Bezzina has ensured that no matter where you live in the city, this annual arts extravaganza can reach you, as intimate performances are planned across all 190 suburbs. There are 490 performances all up, 80 percent of which are free of charge, and most showcase the talents of local Queensland artists. There's a lot to wrap your head around in the program, so to help you make the most if it, we've partnered with Brisbane Festival to bring you a list of ten shows that are free or under $30. And though not every performance requires you to leave your house, Brisbane Festival is following strict COVID-19 regulations across its entire program — so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the show.
Forget celebrating Christmas in July — when the middle of the year hits, it's time to start working yourself up to the best occasion of the year. If you like scary movies, candy and dressing up in costumes, then you know the occasion. And in 2022, Halloween is almost here in more than a few ways. In just a few months, the spooky celebration itself will indeed arrive. Also hitting in October: the latest film in the Halloween franchise. A sequel to last year's Halloween Kills, as well as the third film in the trilogy within the broader saga that started with 2018's Halloween, it's been dubbed Halloween Ends. To that, we have two questions: will it really, and do we want it to? The just-dropped trailer for the new film certainly wants audiences to believe that this will be the last time that Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All At Once) and mask-wearing villain Michael Myers do battle. If the movie is a box office blockbuster, though, that might prove otherwise. Nothing ever truly dies these days in the pop-culture realm, especially successful big-screen series — and, since debuting back in 1978 with John Carpenter's OG masterpiece, the Halloween franchise has come back 11 other times before now. Story-wise, Halloween Ends will pick up four years after Halloween Kills, and see Laurie still processing the fallout — and living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak, Foxhole) while writing her memoir. She wants to move on from Michael Myers, who hasn't been seen since the events of the last movie. Then, a young man (Rohan Campbell, The Hardy Boys) is accused of killing a boy he's babysitting. As well as Curtis and Matichak, Will Patton (Outer Range) will return as Officer Frank Hawkins, and Kyle Richards does the same as Lindsey Wallace — a part she also played back in the very first film. David Gordon Green (Stronger) is still in the director's chair for the third Jason Blum-produced Halloween entry in a row (and his third, too), and co-wrote the screenplay with Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones), Paul Brad Logan (Manglehorn) and Chris Bernier (The Driver). If the Halloween saga really does end here after 44 years, it'll wrap up one of horror's best franchises — albeit a series that also varies wildly from movie to movie. Again, the first flick is an absolute masterpiece, as well as one of the best horror films ever made. Since then, the slasher saga has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. Check out the Halloween Ends trailer below: Halloween Kills will release in cinemas Down Under on October 13.
UPDATE, December 20, 2021: Happiest Season is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Heading home for the holidays and stepping into a sea of interpersonal dramas is a familiar on-screen set-up, as a new movie every Christmas or so reminds us. By now, then, we all know the formula. Adult children make the pilgrimage to their parents' place, rivalries and animosities flare up, secrets are spilled, chaos ensues and, by the end of the film's running time, everyone has learned something. Happiest Season fits the template perfectly. With the merriest time of the year in full swing, the Caldwells converge on the Pennsylvanian family home, with their celebrations given an extra edge due to patriarch Ted's (Victor Garber, Dark Waters) mayoral campaign. His fastidious wife Tipper (Mary Steenburgen, The Book Club) insists on snapping every moment for his Instagram feed, all as stern eldest daughter Sloane (Alison Brie, GLOW) arrives with her husband (Burl Moseley, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), two children (Asiyih and Anis N'Dobe) and plenty of unspoken tension in tow; zany middle sister and aspiring fantasy writer Jane (Mary Holland, Between Two Ferns: The Movie) is largely ignored; and Pittsburgh-based political journalist Harper (Mackenzie Davis, Irresistible) returns with the girlfriend, Abby (Kristen Stewart, Charlie's Angels), that none of her relatives know about because she hasn't come out to them yet. If someone other than The Faculty, Girl, Interrupted, Veep and The Handmaid's Tale actor-turned-filmmaker Clea DuVall had made Happiest Season, the above paragraph would accurately reflect the feature's character hierarchy — because Sloane would take centre stage, and Harper and Abby would hover around the narrative's edges. But DuVall did make Happiest Season and, with co-writer Holland, she flips the movie's focus, even while still sticking with a well-worn general premise. Accordingly, this festive flick resembles a comfy sweater that often gets a wear, but seems welcomely different on this particular occasion. As Aussie queer teen rom-com Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt) also demonstrated this year, it shouldn't be so subversive to take an overused genre that's heavy on recognisable tropes, then strip away the engrained heteronormativity. But it is, in both high school-set romances and movies about meeting your partner's parents over eggnog. After filling the credits with details of the formative stages of Harper and Abby's relationship, the feature introduces them properly as they're touring local Christmas lights. The towering Harper is giddier than one might expect of someone of her age, but the calmer Abby isn't fussed about the season after losing her parents when she was a teenager. When the former asks the latter to come home with her for Christmas, though, Abby gets excited. She wants to pop the question anyway, and figures there's no time or place better to make the festive-loving Harper her fiancée — although her best friend John (Dan Levy, Schitt's Creek) points out that asking Harper's dad's permission beforehand is hardly a progressive step. It isn't until Happiest Season's central couple has almost reached the Caldwells' that Abby discovers Harper's subterfuge. Not only do Ted, Tipper and company not know that Harper is gay and in a relationship, but Abby is asked to pretend she's straight as well (yes, one gag literally places her in a closet, because of course that happens). In the broad strokes, the movie doesn't serve up any surprises. But like moving its focus to Harper and Abby, this Christmas rom-com is all about the details. Amid the sibling struggles, the re-emergence of old flames both male (Jake McDorman, What We Do in the Shadows) and female (Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation), and the always-hectic whirlwind that surrounds every seasonal family affair — and every attempt to run for political office, too — Happiest Season explores two crucial themes in a meaningful way. First, it unpacks the performative nature of human existence, where too often we're all trying to match other people's perceptions and expectations without consistently remaining true to ourselves. And, it also interrogates how coming out isn't a simple or straightforward act, even in seemingly loving circumstances. These are weighty ideas and, while Happiest Season is light and jovial overall, it doesn't sugarcoat its heavier moments. It doesn't devote all of its running time to them either, but DuVall and Holland's script finds a delicate balance — with the part played by Holland herself at first seeming to be the movie's most overtly exaggerated role for comedic effect, but eventually proving more thoughtful, for instance. It's easy to see how the screenwriting pair could've turned this into a different picture, with the initially tentative friendship that springs up between Abby and Plaza's Riley, and the commonalities they feel as women who've been pushed aside so Harper could maintain a lie, 100-percent begging for an entire movie of its own. But DuVall never forgets the task that she has clearly set herself: to make a queer meet-the-parents Christmas comedy. The film's warm-hued, Hallmark-style imagery never lets the audience overlook the fact that Happiest Season willingly sticks to a formula in order to update it, either. Also apparent is just how well Stewart and Davis anchor the movie's generic and more soulful elements alike. This shouldn't come as a surprise, with Stewart picking most of her post-Twilight roles astutely (see: Clouds of Sils Maria, Certain Women, Personal Shopper and Seberg), and Davis always a memorable addition to any cast. In their hands, their characters feel lived-in. So does Happiest Season's central relationship, especially as it navigates considerable ups and downs, including an ongoing series of questionable decisions by Harper. Steenburgen, Plaza, Levy, Brie, Garber — they're all reliably great, too, but it's likely this LGBTQIA+-friendly dose of merriment wouldn't have found the right mix of festive familiarity and emotional substance with other leads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_jjELPpKkk
When Christmas Eve hits, most of us are already feeling the festive spirit. If you work in retail or hospitality, however, you might have to press pause on your merriment until your shift is over. Even worse — while the majority of folks are getting into the swing of seasonal celebrations, those left serving food and drinks, manning store counters and just working in general aren't being compensated more than their usual rates. Following in the footsteps South Australia and the Northern Territory, the Queensland Government is proposing a solution: turning Christfmas Eve into a public holiday. Well, turning part of December 24 into a public holiday, at least. Their plan would see penalty rates come into effect once 6pm hits, meaning anyone left working when it's literally the evening before Christmas would be paid accordingly. If that's you, don't go spending that potential extra cash just yet. At the moment, the idea is open for public consultation to weigh up the broader benefits and costs, with Queenslanders able to submit their thoughts on the move until 4pm on Monday, September 2. If the part-day public holiday receives community support, it could even apply this Christmas. Affected workers would receive penalty rates of up to 250 percent of their normal wages, as well as the option not to work, where reasonable. For further information about the proposed Christmas Eve public holiday, or to submit your feedback, visit the Queensland Government Industrial Relations website.
How do you make it in the theatre when you're neurologically incapable of sticking to a script? That was the challenge faced by Jess Thom, whose Tourette's compels her to shout out words like "hedgehog" and "biscuit" thousands of times each day. A comedic exploration of a misunderstood psychological condition, by its nature no two performances of Backstage in Biscuit Land are the same. Heading to Brisbane after making its Australian premiere at this year's Melbourne Festival, the performances will be "relaxed", welcoming audience members with learning disabilities, movement disorders and other physical and neurological conditions that might otherwise prevent them from enjoying a night out at the theatre.
Melbourne's 17-year-old bedroom producer, Gab Strum, is probably more talented than you are. Strum, who otherwise goes under the moniker of Japanese Wallpaper, recently played Splendour in the Grass for the first time, won this year's triple j Unearthed High Competition and had his music featured on the soundtrack of Zach Braff's new film, Wish I Was Here. Now, he's embarking a mini-national tour of sorts, with a couple of shows spanning Melbourne and Brisbane. Japanese Wallpaper's ambient electronic-pop is a breath of fresh air in the Australian music scene, drawing similarities between other lo-fi artists like Washed Out or Teen Daze. His recent single, Between Friends, is a lush track of summer nostalgia, thanks to his collaboration with vocalist Jesse Davidson, who elevates his tunes with a splendid three-dimensionality. Tickets to his first two shows in Melbourne have sold out, so get on it before it's too late.
Only one poem can be considered to have both changed a country and defined a generation. The year was 1955. The writer was Allen Ginsberg. His punchy prose, as first performed at the Six Gallery in San Francisco on October 7, was entitled 'Howl'. That initial public explosion of words — soon earning a follow up, as well as making its way to print — electrified the beat movement, courted controversy and even became the subject of an obscenity trial. It's little wonder then that the occasion is something to celebrate via readings held all around the world. In Brisbane, Avid Reader is doing their bit by bringing together Anthony Lawrence, Bronwyn Lea, Brentley Frazer and Eleanor Jackson, all under the guidance of master of ceremonies Adam Pettet, to lend their voices to Ginsberg's infamous text. Whether you have Howl and Other Poems committed to memory, have seen the James Franco-starring film about it, or even if you're a newcomer, this is something you want to experience in person and spoken aloud.
Back in 2007, when the original, UK version Skins started airing and you started watching, you didn't know how handy your new favourite show was going to be. These days, an actor from the first two generations of the cast pops up in just about everything. Nicholas Hoult was in Mad Max: Fury Road and the last three X-Men movies. Dev Patel went on to star in Slumdog Millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold flicks. Jack O'Connell just stole the show from George Clooney and Julia Roberts in Money Monster. And don't forget Hannah Murray and Joe Dempsie are in Game of Thrones. Yes, your British teen drama fandom certainly is useful when it comes to spotting familiar faces in current films and television programs — but consider that a warmup. We're going to stop listing all the awesome things former Skins talent have done, because we don't want to give away all the answers to the ultimate test of your love: Brightside's Skins UK Generation 1&2 Trivia. We know, we know — there really is a trivia night for everything these days; however you know you want to go to this one. Man vs Bear will be asking the questions about Effy, Cook, Tony, Sid, Michelle, Jal, Cassie and the gang, and if you want to respond, you'll need to register in advance. It's free, there'll be prizes (of course), and if you're keen to keep celebrating all things English, you can hang around afterwards for Brighty's Smiths Tribute.
Everyone has a preferred temperature. Some folks like rainy days, while others crave sunshine. Tropical weather beckons to some, and snowy climes call others. That remains the case when you go on holidays, but unless you're going skiing, you probably want to head somewhere where it'll be warm but not blistering hot, and where you won't need an umbrella. And, now, regardless of when you're getting away, you can always find the perfect destination. Ryan Whitaker thought that working out the best place to go at any particular time of year would be easy; however when he found otherwise — "searching Google for things like 'best places to visit in January' or 'best time to visit Spain'", and coming across broad recommendations that weren't backed up by data or experience — he decided to create his own. Available on DecisionData.org, the result is a map called The Best Time to Visit Anywhere in the World, and yep, that's exactly what it tells users. [caption id="attachment_618852" align="aligncenter" width="1219"] Image: DecisionData.org[/caption] Just enter your preferred week of travel, the temperature range you're after (including ideal minimum, maximum and average values), and how much rain you'd accept, and Whitaker's map has the answers. Available in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, it's based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data from the past ten years, captured every day at between 10,000 and 12,000 weather stations — or 35 million lines of information. Users can also exclude areas that don't report on precipitation to minimise showery surprises. Whitaker includes a reminder that his map isn't designed to replace local knowledge of events or seasonal attractions, but aims to "supplement it with good data on where temperatures are ideal." Keeping all that in mind, it's certain to prove a handy tool when you're planning your next getaway. Say goodbye to filling your suitcase with everything from an umbrella to swimwear to a warm coat — just in case — and hello to perfect holiday conditions. Via AWOL.
One thing is for sure: Avenue Q is not your average puppet show. It follows the story of recent college graduate Princeton, who moves to a drab apartment on the colourful street of Avenue Q in New York to follow his dreams. As they say, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Along the way, Princeton meets girl-next-door Kat,; the neighbourhood Republican named Rod, an internet sexpert called Trekkie, and Lucy, who has a bit of a street corner reputation. They help him along the way, teaching him the ways of the Big Apple, as well as discovering what Princeton was meant to do with his life. This Tony Award-winning act has circled the globe, and returns to Brisbane Arts Theatre's stage for the fifth time after sell-out shows of the past. While the whole escapade is one big nod to Sesame Street, the target audience is nostalgic, quarter-life-crisis-having adults, and the show is not recommend for children. Hit songs from the soundtrack include 'Everyone's A Little Bit Racist' and 'The Internet Is For Porn'. Avenue Q runs from Thursday–Sunday between November 10 and December 22.
When it comes to watching films in the open air when the weather is warm, Brisbane's trusty go-to is Moonlight Cinema, which screens from November through to February each year. Looking for somewhere to catch a flick under the stars this autumn instead? From Thursday, March 23–Thursday, April 27, Sunset Cinema returns to the River City as part of its national tour, making Northshore Hamilton's Maritime Green its new home. Maybe it's the twilight glow. Perhaps it's the stars twinkling above. Or, it could be the cooling breeze, the picnic blankets and beanbags as far as the eye can see, and just seeing a movie grace a giant screen with a scenic backdrop. When the weather is warm enough, as it is for much of the year in Brisbane, a trip to the cinema just seems to shine brighter when it's outdoors for all of these reasons and more — and that's what's on offer in Hamilton for just over a month. Kicking off the Northshore run is Magic Mike's Last Dance and its lusty thrills — and it pops up on the program again later in the season, too. Or, viewers can enjoy the John Wick franchise's latest outing, The Menu's savage take on the restaurant trade, 2022 blockbusters Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water, and a retro double feature of Clueless and Mean Girls. It's an eclectic array of flicks, clearly. Other titles include the Tom Hanks-starring A Man Called Otto, Marvel's new Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Adam Driver fighting dinosaurs in 65 and the old Hollywood excess of Babylon. Or, get blast from the pasts with 10 Things I Hate About You and a sing-along session of the animated The Lion King. No matter where it heads — with its full 2022–23 itinerary covering one stop in Canberra, three in New South Wales, two in Victoria and one in Queensland — this excuse to see a movie under the stars pairs new and classic titles with a setup perfect for cosy date nights or an easy group hangs outdoors. Sunset Cinema's Brisbane stop takes movies back to a place that's hosted them before, dating back as far as a pop-up Brisbane International Film Festival drive-in over a decade ago. BYO picnics are encouraged here, but the event is fully licensed, so alcohol can only be purchased onsite. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be hot food options, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn. And, on Fridays and Saturdays, Eat Street Northshore is right next door. Sunset Cinema screens at Northshore Hamilton's Maritime Green from Thursday, March 23–Thursday, April 27. Head to the Sunset Cinema website for further details. Top image: Northshore Hamilton, Brisbane Festival.
Apologies to whatever piece of furniture sits in the centre of your lounge room at present. Once you've seen the Living Table, the place you currently put your warm beverages, remote controls and whatever is in your pockets is going to look pretty average. Turning the everyday item into an accessible and eye-catching indoor garden, it doesn't just brighten up any space — it transforms the humble coffee table into a living work of art. Available in two square sizes and ranging from US$850 to $1600 in price, the Living Table ensures that greenery is front and centre. Now that's something sticking a few pot plants in corners and on shelves definitely doesn't do. It's designed for low-growing ground cover plants that can grow and thrive without touching the table's glass surface, with manufacturers Habit Horticulture suggesting a list of ideal varieties. Don't go putting it in a dark corner, though; in fact, finding a spot that gets bright, indirect natural sunlight is recommended. As well as looking great and sparking many a conversation, the table is designed to copy the way that plants absorb water from the ground courtesy of a passive sub irrigation system. In other words, it layers the necessary materials — bio balls, felt, soil, plants and glass — without needing to include drainage outlets. And, even better than that, it means that the plants inside don't need much H20. If you've ever killed a piece of flora with some over-watering kindness, you'll be thrilled. Via inhabitat.
Ask just about any international visitor and they'll tell you how it is: Australia is packed full of creepy crawlies that are all dangerous and mostly deadly. We locals know the situation's not quite as sketchy as all that, but that there are plenty of native snakes, spiders and insects you probably wouldn't want jumping on your face. Well soon, you'll be able to determine the nasty ones from the nice ones with just a quick snap on your smartphone camera, thanks to new app Critterpedia. Currently in the beta testing phase with an artificial intelligence training platform being developed with CSIRO, Critterpedia is the brainchild of a regular Aussie mum and dad, Nic and Murray Scarce. The idea was spawned after fielding continuous questions from visiting British friends and family regarding our scary local wildlife population. So, how does this creature-identification app work? You simply use your device to take a photo of any snake or spider, then Critterpedia will call on its trained algorithm system to classify the beast, also offering details on its family, genus or species. It's designed to educate and raise awareness about our much-maligned Aussie creatures, while removing some of that fear factor. While Australia is home to more than 2000 species of spiders of 170 species, many of them don't pose a serious threat. As you can imagine, there's been a stack of AI work behind Critterpedia's hefty catalogue of info, with hundreds of thousands of images fed to the platform to help train its speedy identification function. CSIRO's digital specialist arm Data61 is collaborating on a special machine-learning engine that can sort through the masses of data to accurately classify species in just moments. While the app is in this development stage, users can do their bit to help train up the algorithm by submitting their own photos of local snakes and spiders. The extra imagery will assist in fine-tuning the platform's recognition systems in the lead-up to its launch. The Critterpedia app is currently in development. You can sign up here to become a tester and contribute photos to help train its algorithm.
For years, the transport situation in Brisbane has been all over the shop. Whether it's the crazy expensive public transport, peak-hour traffic that never ends, or the many empty, expensive tunnels that criss-cross under the city like catacombs, things are a little grim if you're a Brisbane resident who wishes to leave the house at all. But thanks to some political argy-bargy, the plans for a light rail to service Brisbane's CBD are being pushed into the realm of possibility by mayoral candidate Rod Harding. The rail would operate in the same area as the CityGlider bus service. The proposed project — which is currently un-costed and being opposed by current Lord Mayor Graham Quirk on account of it being too expensive — is being pushed by Harding ahead of the March 19 mayoral election. And, while it's probably to curry favour with Brisbane’s light rail enthusiast demographic, we can't deny that he know what we want, damnit — and we want a light rail. Brisbane did have a tram system from 1885 to 1969 — the remains of which can be seen on Old Cleveland Road in Camp Hill — before it was shut down in favour of a bus system (and immediately commemorated by the Brisbane Tramway Museum in Ferny Grove). There have been a fair few proposals over the years for a tram system, most notably in 2007, but so far they've all been shot down. Light rail is a main mode of public transport in Melbourne, has been a recent addition to the Gold Coast and even Sydney are in the middle of building another light rail line from the CBD out to the eastern suburbs. The light rail proposal is scant on details but what we do know is that Brisbane’s transport infrastructure is super whack and people are keen for solutions. Whether that means light rail, trains, buses, bikes, canals that we can paddle down on stand up paddleboards or government-subsidised hoverboards for the masses — who knows! — Brisbane's gotta make a choice. Throw up your hands and raise your voice: transport infrastructure! Transport infrastructure! Transport infrastructure! Via The Courier Mail. Top image: Gold Coast tram by Bahnfrend via Wikimedia Commons
Ahoy there! September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a holiday conceived by mateys John Bauer and Mark Summers of Oregon, USA in the mid-'90s. After a plug from American columnist Dave Barry in 2002, a joke between friends grew into an international phenomenon, where ‘arrr’ becomes a universally understood term for a day. In Australia, Talk Like a Pirate Day takes a charitable turn. Talklikeapirateday.org raises a fine loot and then gives it to Childhood Cancer Support, assisting the families of little pirates going through cancer treatment. Share your spoils, mateys! Here are our recommendations for how Brisbane pirates can spend International Talk Like a Pirate Day next Thursday. In the words of Bauer and Summers, “Silliness is the holiday’s best selling point”. So strap on your peg leg and eye patch, switch your Facebook language to Pirate, and off we go! START THE DAY Avast! Didn’t your mother ever tell you that brunch is the most important meal of the day? A good pirate kicks off a long day of mischief with something from Chester Street Bakery & Bar. With its shiny blue wood-fire oven and an all day brunch menu, this is the place pillage some pancakes and throw back some grog. Jug of Bloody Mary? Aye aye! MID MORNING Every pirate needs to be able to sniff out treasure and practice makes perfect. Have your mateys hide your treasure of choice around New Farm Park and hunt it down. Try not to scare too many children. If your treasure hunt works up an appetite, sit down with your crew for a picnic. Ye could even try some of the recipes from the Bake Like a Pirate guide on talklikeapirateday.org. Treasure hunt doesn’t float your boat? Perhaps ye need to get your sea legs back. Catch the City Cat to South Bank – the trip’s not quite long enough to risk scurvy, but just enough to avoid being labeled a blasted landlubber. Smartly now, lass or laddie! Once you’ve reached the hallowed shores of South Bank, pay a visit to the Maritime Museum. There ye can gaze upon some seafarin’ history, including photographs (look out for your pirate ancestors), artwork, and maritime artefacts. MIDDAY If your last few expeditions have yielded plentiful booty, maybe it’s time to spoil your pirate self with a scenic lunch cruise on the Kookaburra Queen. She’s been the grand wench of the Brisbane River for more than 25 years and is a true icon of this great city. Commandeering is not encouraged. If your sea legs have failed and some solid ground is sought, make for either the South Bank Surf Club or Merthyr Bowls club, depending on where ye olde compass points you. At both places you can feast on oysters and fish and chips with a water view worthy of pirate kings. AFTERNOON After lunch it must be high time to walk the plank… straight into the sea monster-free waters of Streets Beach at South Bank. With its tranquil blue waters, white sandy shores and lush surrounds, you’ll feel like you’ve woken up on a deserted tropical island. For the active pirate types, set towards the river once more for kayaking at Riverlife at the bottom of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. There be no need to abseil (unless that’s the sort of thing that blows your hornpipe) – just follow the walkway along the river. The kayaking tours take you past landmarks like the Botanical Gardens and the Story Bridge. Now there’s a beauty! DINNER A real pirate needs real meaty sustenance – arrr! And what be better after a long day of (nonviolent) pillaging than roast pork carved from the whole pig at Alfred and Constance? Your dinner will be complete with a tropical cocktail from the upstairs Tiki bar, where a model of the famous historical beacon of piracy - Jack Sparrow - shall greet ye. NIGHT CAP The best pirates never have an early night, not when there’s rum to be drunk. Get your crew to prohibition-style hideaway The Walrus Club in Auchenflower. There, ye can soak up the subterranean ambience, enjoy a Cuban cigar and choose from over 300 rum varieties to finish Talk Like a Pirate Day 2013 the way it should be. Arrr!
