Time to brush the cobwebs off your novelty gumboots and gear up for some serious footstomping, Red Deer Music and Arts festival have announced their 2015 lineup. The annual overnight BYO (couches and booze) and camping festival is set to return to the Ed Hope and Mucho Bravado Ampitheatre stages for another solid marathon of national, emerging and local bands — and legendary festival favourites Frenzal Rhomb are at the top. Locked in for October 3 beneath the pretty, pretty D’agular ranges of Mt Samson, Red Deer has invited Australia's punk ratbags Frenzal to headline one humdinger of a lineup, from synth-pop goalkicker Andy Bull to NZ dub legends Salmonella Dub Soundsystem. Queensland's best local bands have pride of place on the bill too, with the likes of Hey Geronimo, Ayla, Mosman Alder, WAAX and Cheap Fakes set burst a few eardrums. True to BYO form, Red Deer allows you to BYO booze (no glass), couches and camping gear. And of course, the festival's not just about music. They'll be selling jungle-themed cocktails at the Stolen Rum Jungle Bar, Northside arts company Party Artworks will be hosting art workshops, there'll be food and market stalls, and there's going to be a Flight or Flop frisbee tournament, because FUN. RED DEER FESTIVAL 2015 LINEUP: FRENZAL RHOMB ANDY BULL SALMONELLA DUB SOUNDSYSTEM HEY GERONIMO AYLA MOSMAN ALDER WAAX CHEAP FAKES WE ALL WANT TO ROLLS BAYCE DJS BAD PONY ISAAC CAVALLARO MACHINE AGE SUNDOWN JURY ERIN JANE + RESIDENT ACTS THE LYRICAL THE DASHOUNDS BLAKE THOMPSON [DJ SET] Red Deer Festival 2015 is happening on October 3 beneath the D’agular ranges of Mt Samson, northwest of Brisbane, approximately 35 kms from the CBD. Tickets on sale now. For more info and tickets, head to the website.
This winter, Falls Creek welcomes a slick, well-panelled new(ish) resident, as the just-renovated Astra Lodge opens its doors to the public. Having taken out the title of Australia's Best Boutique Ski Lodge at the 2016 World Ski Awards in Austria, the ski-in ski-out lodge is now ready to impress the locals with a new fitout, kicking off the season on June 10. Sporting downright dapper interiors by Grant Amon Architects, the Astra Lodge's aesthetic resembles a 1970s European alpine hideaway. Owned by locals Rosy and Seumas Seaton and run by general managers Tom and Sally Simpson, the lodge contains every last wintry comfort — starting with its own integrated day spa, where guests can unwind with a whisky and a moustache grooming session after a long day on the slopes. There's a heated magnesium mineral pool for soothing those muscles, a state-of-the-art ski drying room, a panoramic library, a Chesterfield-filled lounge bar, a generous wine cellar and a seasonally-focused Italian fine diner, headed up by hatted chef, Emma Handley (Villa Gusto). After dinner, roasting of marshmallows in the common fireplace is highly encouraged. Perhaps the biggest drawcard for serious ski bunnies is that Astra Lodge will host Skimetrics founder Adalbert Leibetseder, who'll be offering his tailored ski program and boot fittings, helping to ensure you've got all the right gear for a top-notch ski trip experience. Rooms come in five styles, from deluxe to two-bedroom apartment. Suffice to say, rates aren't cheap, with the lowest off-peak nightly rate at the deluxe room at $346 per night (sleeps two, minimum two-night stay) — the highest being the apartment at $1630 per night (sleeps four, minimum two-night stay). Astra Lodge is currently taking bookings for the 2017 ski season and is set to open on June 10. Find it at 5 Sitzmark Street, Falls Creek.
No longer need we flock south to find a rooftop bar. While our southern sister Melbourne turned rooftops into hotspots, Brisbane just twiddled her thumbs — building anticipation, we'll argue. Just a few years ago, we couldn't have made a list of them. But the time has come, and the time is now that people in the grand city of Brisvegas can take it to the top for a night on the town. With an average of 263 days of sunshine per year, it seems silly that we hadn't thrown the tops off them all earlier —here's our list of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane. SAZERAC This sky-high watering hole can be found above Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at 99 Mary Street — 30 storeys above street level. In this swish rooftop bar, you can enjoy a cold beer or sip on a cocktail, including the New Orleans-originated combination of cognac, absinthe, Peychaud's Bitters and sugar it's named for. Both will go down nicely with panoramic city skyline views, and with the share plate-heavy food menu by executive chef Ambrose Andrews. LENNONS POOL BAR One minute you're shopping down Queen Street Mall, the next you're having beers and people-watching from level four at Lennons Pool Bar. Overlooking the mall, this open-air rooftop is the perfect place to catch the last rays of sun disappear beyond South Bank. Order a snack, grab a drink and pretend to talk on the phone as though you're an exotic businessperson staying at the hotel to do important business things. EAGLES NEST Located atop The Point Hotel, Eagles Nest boasts incredible sunset views. Incredible views before and after that glowing ball in the sky disappears over the horizon, too. Head to the bar and fetch yourself a schooner or two, then you and your friends can enjoy one of the city's favourite Sunday sessions. Yes, you've seen plenty of 'Grams of this picture-perfect view. UP ON CONSTANCE When it rains, it pours. You don't want it to rain when you're at a rooftop bar, of course, but this one came during a flurry of sky-high openings. Up On Constance sits at the top of the Tryp Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Just make your way down the street art-covered alleyway and up the lift for some topless drinking — strictly in the roof sense. SIXTEEN ANTLERS Peer out over King George Square and the City Hall clock tower at CBD rooftop hangout Sixteen Antlers. It's perched 16 stories above the ground on the top level at Pullman and Mercure Brisbane on the corner of Ann and Roma streets — and it might just boast one of the best inner city views in Brissie. While you'll find eye-popping views aplenty, don't go expecting Sixteen Antlers to match its vast vistas with big crowds — instead, it's a relatively intimate 120-person bar. SOLEIL POOL BAR A few years back, the area once known as Bacchus pool bar underwent a makeover and relaunched as Soleil Pool Bar, a summer spot in South Bank to be enjoyed by Brisbanites from sunrise to sunset. Tan on the pool deck or lounge around the main bar while DJs spin the soundtracks of summer and a team of bartenders serve, stir and shake a brilliant array of beers and cocktails. Soleil invites you to enjoy a poolside party vibe with a little bit of glamour. ELIXIR ROOFTOP BAR Despite being one of the first rooftop bars, it seems many locals are still unaware of dear old Elixir. Climb the sterile staircase to find an inner-city urban oasis. Decor is a mix of sleek and natural, with the heavy marble-topped bar and cement tables contrasting with wooden benches and lush foliage. The perfect place to watch the sunset over Fortitude Valley, the open yet intimate venue is a sophisticated bar for beers cocktails and and fine wines. DANDY'S ROOFTOP I remember lining up between singlet-clad, fake-tanned men on a Sunday for a ticket to reach The Fox Hotel's rooftop — only to never make it to the top. Luckily things have progressed, I'm no longer a student and The Fox has grown up too. A renovation saw the top floor become Dandy's Rooftop — a fun, colourful, tennis-themed space that says summer all year long. Head along for city views, tasty drinks and enticing bar food. THE STOCK EXCHANGE ROOFTOP A great secret marketing campaign and sneaky renovation turned the Stock Exchange from drab to fab. In the city centre, the rooftop now attracts a more corporate crowd and the makeover puts the whole venue a league above where it was previously. The large, square space is filled with wooden tables, hanging plants and fairy lights, giving it a casual beer garden atmosphere perfect for after-work drinks.
Get ready to pick your jaw back up off the floor, because the World Press Photo Contest have just released their winning images for 2016. Back for its 59th edition, the yearly photographic collection regularly leaves us gaping at the mouth — and this year is no exception. Right at the top with 2015 Photo of the Year is Australia's own Warren Richardson, with his poignant picture of a man passing his baby through a fence at the Hungarian-Serbian border. He beat 82,951 submissions by 5775 photographers from 128 countries for the top prize, while also taking out first prize in the Spot News category. After almost six decades of beautiful and devastating photojournalism, the WPP contest continues to be one of the world’s most important platforms for art, journalism and humanising the headlines. The exhibition travels the world each year, although sadly it won't be making a stop in Australia in 2016. Take a look through some of the landmark images that caught the eye of the WPP judges; from a Tibetan Bhuddist ceremony in rural China to a 16-year-old Islamic State fighter being treated for burns in Syria, to one of those epics #sydneystorms rolling over Bondi. With many of the photographs documenting the more saddening news headlines, they’re often not easy images to look at, but it’s the work of these photojournalists that wakes up an otherwise ignorant world. Hope for a New Life, Warren Richardson (Röszke, Hungary) 2015 Photo of the Year + First Prize Spot News, singles "I camped with the refugees for five days on the border. A group of about 200 people arrived, and they moved under the trees along the fence line. They sent women and children, then fathers and elderly men first. I must have been with this crew for about five hours and we played cat and mouse with the police the whole night. I was exhausted by the time I took the picture. It was around three o’clock in the morning and you can’t use a flash while the police are trying to find these people, because I would just give them away. So I had to use the moonlight alone." The Forgotten Mountains of Sudan, Adriane Ohanesian (Sudan) Second Prize Contemporary Issues, singles "Adam Abdel, 7, was severely burned after a bomb was dropped by a Sudanese government Antonov plane next to his family home in Burgu, Central Darfur, Sudan." Bliss Dharma Assembly, Kevin Frayer (Sichuan, China) Second Prize Daily Life, stories "A Tibetan Buddhist nomad boy in Sertar county. Tibetan Buddhists take part in the annual Bliss Dharma Assembly. The last of four annual assemblies, the week-long annual gathering takes place in the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar and marks Buddha's descent from the heavens." IS Fighter Treated at Kurdish Hospital, Mauricio Lima (Hasaka, Syria) First Prize General News, singles "A doctor rubs ointment on the burns of Jacob, a 16-year-old Islamic State fighter, in front of a poster of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, at a Y.P.G. hospital compound on the outskirts of Hasaka, Syria." Storm Front on Bondi Beach, Rohan Kelly (Sydney, Australia) First Prize Nature, singles "A massive 'cloud tsunami' looms over Sydney as a sunbather reads, oblivious to the approaching cloud on Bondi Beach." La Maya Tradition, Daniel Ochoa de Olza (Colmenar Viejo, Spain) Second Prize People, stories "Young girls between the age of 7 and 11 are chosen every year as 'Maya' for the 'Las Mayas', a festival derived from pagan rites celebrating the arrival of spring, in the town of Colmenar Viejo, Spain. The girls are required to sit still for a couple of hours in a decorated altar." Neptun Synchro, Jonas Lindkvist (Stockholm, Sweden) Third Prize Sports, singles "Members of the Neptun Synchro synchronized swimming team perform during a Christmas show in Stockholm, Sweden." See all the 2016 World Press Photo Contest winners and finalists here.
Deck the halls and unpack the plastic tree — the festive season is well and truly upon us. And while that whole Christmas tradition stuff is nice, we're not going to deny what we're most excited about: a whole stocking-load of new films. Along with the cricket and stampeding through shopping centres, going to the movies is one of our favourite Boxing Day traditions. After all, what better place to recover from your post-Christmas food coma than in a nice, dark, air-conditioned cinema? Of course, not all of the end-of-year titles measure up. That's why we're reporting in with our annual Boxing Day Battle Royale, to ensure that you get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck. From critically claimed indie flicks to an epic blockbuster about a man who can talk to fish, you're guaranteed to find something to enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvPkDdFeTk8 COLD WAR We give it: 5 stars With Cold War, writer-director Pawel Pawlikowski achieves a plethora of astonishing feats. Constrained within 4:3 frames, his sumptuous black-and-white imagery immerses audiences in an intimate and complicated tale, with the filmmaker painting every possible emotion across the screen. The talent behind Oscar-winner Ida also turns his parents' own story into a heart-wrenching romance, and crafts a snapshot of Polish life as the Second World War gave way to the Cold War. Last by no means least, he gifts audiences with astoundingly intricate performances from actors Tomasz Kot and Joanna Kulig. The duo plays a couple who are desperate to be together, but live in a world that cares little about their desires — or about them at all. – Sarah Ward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYb-wkehT1g THE FAVOURITE We give it: 4.5 stars One queen, two women vying for her attention, and nearly two hours of acerbic and perceptive black comedy. That's The Favourite, a historical drama that looks like a lavish period picture, but boasts a savage wit — and savage insights into human behaviour — that's far from standard for the genre. The key is The Lobster filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. Not only does he again showcase his winning ways with stilted conversations and his fondness for skewering social expectations; he also exhibits a knack for political comedy and even slapstick. Lanthimos is aided by his fantastic cast, including top awards contender Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone as her bickering offsiders, and Nicholas Hoult as the wannabe leader with his own conniving plans. – SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaiR3zdv5cU THE WILD PEAR TREE We give it: 4 stars After Once Upon a Time in Anatolia and Winter Sleep, Nuri Bilge Ceylan crafts another slow-burning affair that combines probing insights into human behaviour with sublime imagery. A tale of dreams and disappointments both mundane and life changing, The Wild Pear Tree sprawls and spreads in its everyday drama and perceptive dialogue. The movie's protagonist is Sunan (Dogu Demirkol), a new graduate returning home with qualifications but no job, and with a manuscript but no means to publish it. Across the movie's 188 minutes, the aspiring writer walks the town's dusty farmland and quiet streets seeking financial help, while his father's (Murat Cemcir) gambling debts continue to mount. The result is a picture that fits firmly into the acclaimed Turkish filmmaker's exceptional oeuvre. – SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkg3h8PCVU AQUAMAN We give it: 3 stars The latest film in the DC Cinematic Universe is far from perfect. Its plot is a mess and its leading man, a roguish surfer-dude turned superhero (Jason Mamoa), is criminally underused. Despite these issues, it's also, for the most part, wildly entertaining. With dazzling visuals that, at their best, feel like Blade Runner (and, at their worst, The Phantom Menace), Aussie director James Wan never lets things slow down for too long, aided by a thumping electro soundtrack reminiscent of Daft Punk's work on Tron: Legacy. Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson and Nicole Kidman help round out a stellar cast, albeit one that commands far too much time away from the true star, Mamoa. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that DC is slowly, painfully but ever so positively clawing its way back to credibility with each new film not directed by Zack Snyder. In the wake of the enormously successful Wonder Woman, Aquaman represents another small foot forward for the franchise. – Tom Glasson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSGFt6w0wok VICE We give it: 3 stars Sporting a hunch and a paunch, speaking in gravelly grunts and side-eyeing everyone around him, Christian Bale turns in another committed, transformative performance in Vice. His vision of former US Vice President Dick Cheney is a sight to behold, and with Amy Adams suitably steely as Lynne Cheney, Sam Rockwell in laidback mode as President George W. Bush and Steve Carell obnoxiously slippery as Donald Rumsfeld, he's in good company. But, as written and directed by Adam McKay in the same slick, jam-packed fashion as his previous film The Big Short, Vice never completely lives up to its performances. It's impassioned, amusing, designed to get audiences angry and stuffed with stylistic tricks to an almost overwhelming extent. However it also merely states the obvious rather than offers any new or deep insights. – SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8mdIB1WxHI KUSAMA: INFINITY We give it: 3 stars How do you capture the enigma that is Yayoi Kusama in a single 85-minute film? The short answer: it's impossible, but Kusama: Infinity gives the task an affectionate try. Unsurprisingly filled with dots and pumpkins, this documentary celebrates the Japanese artist and showcases her work, however it doesn't break the mould the way that Kusama always has across her seven-decade career. What the movie does do well is explore the battles that the nearly 90-year-old artist has faced again and again, both as a woman in Japan and as a foreigner abroad. For those new to Kusama's story — people who've marvelled at her infinity rooms but haven't delved any further — writer-director Heather Lenz also provides a Kusama 101 lesson. – SW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BcYBFC6zfY WRECK-IT RALPH 2: RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET We give it: 2 stars A shadow looms over this Disney sequel — and, despite his hefty size, it doesn't stem from Wreck-It Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) himself. Rather, in taking the loveable video game character and his racer best friend Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) out of the arcade and into the online world, the film brings one of 2017's worst movies to mind. Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet fares better than The Emoji Movie, but its efforts to both literalise and satirise cyberspace just keep falling flat. Worse: its straightforward vision of the internet instantly feels dated. With product placement and a pixel-thin emotional journey the flick's other main components, this pop culture-heavy affair proves visually lively but lacklustre overall. – SW
Beer lovers of Brisbane, it's your time of year. Of course, there's never a bad time to sink brews in Brissie, but dedicating a ten-day stretch to more yeast and hops-focused events than you can dream of really does only happen once every 12 months. Brewsvegas has rolled around again, taking over almost every decent bar, pub, watering hole and gathering spot in town between March 10 to 19. And, as they've done for the past three years, the festival's offering up plenty of unconventional temptations to lure you into a beer-paired escapade. Putt putt, golf, a scavenger hunt, BASEketball, NES, a cartoon drawing competition, bowls, Japanese game shows, trivia, RPGs, live painting, beerlympics and an art tour... the list goes on. Want to get straight to the good stuff? Make our picks your picks.
Proving that causing the internet to lose its mind by delivering adorable puppies to offices around Australia is simply not enough for them, Uber has moved yet another step closer to total world domination. The ridesharing service will launch UberEATS in Brisbane today, October 11. Because who needs multiple apps when you can use one for just about everything? Melbourne was the first city in Australia to be bestowed the food delivery platform back in April, followed by Sydney in July — and now Brisbane can start using the standalone food delivery app too. It basically allows restaurants to get their food delivered to customers between 10am and 10pm by a wide access of ever-available drivers — much like (and in direct competition to) other food delivery apps like Foodora/Suppertime, Deliveroo and Menulog. The list of Brisbane restaurants exceeds 100, including the likes of Esquire, Sake, Ze Pickle, Doughnut Time, Pawpaw, Alfredo's, Miss Bliss and Ben's Burgers. Oh, and delivery will be free for the launch. So you only have to pay the cost of your burg, and not a cent more. Plus, you can get ten bucks off your first meal with the code BRISEATS until November 10. UberEATS launched in select US cities last year, allowing users to order lunch or dinner from an ever-shifting menu that includes options from a number of different restaurants. Brisbane's UberEATS service will be available in the inner suburbs only, from Albion to Auchenflower, Newmarket to Woolloongabba and all the suburbs inside that area. You can download the UberEATS app here. For all the details, visit ubereats.com/brisbane.
Deck the halls and unpack the plastic tree — the festive season is well and truly upon us. And while that whole Christmas tradition stuff is nice, we're not going to deny what we're most excited about: a whole stocking-load of new films. Along with the cricket and stampeding through shopping centres, going to the movies is one of our favourite Boxing Day traditions. After all, what better place to recover from your post-Christmas food coma than in a nice, dark, air-conditioned cinema? Of course, not all of the end-of-year titles measure up. That’s why we’re reporting in with our annual Boxing Day Battle Royale, to ensure that you get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck. Or you could just go see Star Wars for the sixth time. That's also a totally valid option. JOY See it if: you can't get enough J-Law in your life. We give it: 3.5 stars Jennifer Lawrence stars in the latest film by David O. Russell (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook), a fictionalised account of the rise of a real-life home shopping network star. Joy is a rags-to-riches tale of a battler trying to improve herself and her situation. Wrestling Russell's current patterns and preferences into a canny character study, the film watches on as a woman fights for agency and control, despite constantly being told that she should take care of others and rein in her go-getting ways. Weaving in surreal soap opera segments, it's an astute and engaging dissection of the power of selling a fantasy. Read our full review here. SUFFRAGETTE See it if: you want to be inspired. We give it: 3.5 stars Sarah Gavron's Suffragette may play out somewhat conventionally, but that doesn't make its impact any less resounding. Carey Mulligan is fantastic as Maud Watts, a downtrodden washerwoman in early 20th century London who becomes involved in the fight for women's suffrage. It's a timely tale that will no doubt strike a chord with many modern viewers, reminding us of how far we have come and how much further we still have to go. Just don't expect much Meryl Streep. Despite being a major part of the marketing campaign, she's in the film for less than five minutes. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9p0qnj4OC4 THE BELIER FAMILY See it if: you love a good coming of age tale. We give it: 3.5 stars A box office smash in its native France, The Belier Family is an immensely charming holiday crowd-pleaser. The film tells the story of 16-year-old Paula, who acts as an interpreter for her deaf parents and brother in the running of the family dairy farm. But her future becomes uncertain when her music teacher encourages her to apply to a prestigious singing school in Paris. The film is overlong, a tad melodramatic and gets bogged down at various points in underdeveloped side-plots. But the family drama remains compelling — and surprisingly poignant — throughout, as does the remarkable performance from singer-turned-actress Louane Emera. THE GOOD DINOSAUR See it if: you're hoping to get in touch with your inner child. We give it: 2.5 stars In their stories and themes, Pixar often play in the same territory over and over. And yet, when it comes to visuals, they rarely do the same thing twice; each new Pixar movie might feel somewhat similar, but they always look different. The Good Dinosaur, the animation studio's latest effort, demonstrates both extremes. The tale of a dinosaur and his primitive human friend trying to make their way back home, the film takes a routine narrative that pales in comparison to the animated splendour that surrounds it. It's not often that the background proves more engaging than the figures at the centre of the frame, yet that's frequently the case here. The photorealistic details evident in images of fields, mountains, waterfalls, trees and other natural features are the real stars of the show. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhVDSzj2Lrw YOUTH See it if: you want something pretty to look at. We give it: 2.5 stars Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel wonder about days gone by, while Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda deliver verbal tirades designed to awaken the ageing men from their apathy. All four spend their time in an expensive Swiss spa, and in a film as visually luxurious as their lush surroundings, Paolo Sorrentino's Youth unravels — its seasoned cast and opulent images its obvious selling points. Musings about life, love and legacy have rarely looked as exquisite, even if the movie's charms remain somewhat surface level. It's a decadent picture about watching the world go by, rather than really experiencing it. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqe1kFb0xTk PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT See it if: you're an art addict yourself. We give it: 2 stars Audio snippets from the eponymous art addict are all that keep this unremarkable doco afloat. Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland struggles with tone, never quite knowing whether to interrogate the gossip that surrounded Guggenheim's personal affairs or to simply recount the rumours. It still makes for pleasant-enough viewing, particularly for art addicts themselves — but it just never manages to fully do Guggenheim justice. In fact, it's only her vocal presence that stops the movie from amounting to little more than an interesting video of a Wikipedia listing. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arhMMJx7tCU DADDY'S HOME See it if: you're a sucker for punishment. We give it: 1 star Apologies to fans of Will Ferrell, but watching Daddy's Home is one of the more agonising experiences we've had in a cinema all year. Ferrell stars as a dweebish music exec married to an improbably tolerant wife (Linda Cardellini), who is forced to compete for the love of his step-children when their cool but irresponsible biological father (Mark Wahlberg) rolls back into town. Cue a mind-numbing comedy that mixes kindergarten-level humour with weirdly adult sex gags and feels about three times as long as its 96-minute runtime. Stand-up comic Hannibal Buress manages to scrape a few laughs here and there, but otherwise it's slim pickings. Do yourself a favour and steer well clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNkSYE6HiOE ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROADCHIP See it if: ...yeah, we've got nothing. We give it: N/A Look, we're going to level with you here: we didn't actually see this. Life's too short. But if you want to go out and spend your hard earned money on a ticket for a film about a group of wise-cracking rodents, feel free to let us know what you thought. If you're looking to steer well clear of cinemas on Boxing Day, take a look at our list of the year's ten best films that hardly anyone saw here. Words by Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
If you hadn't noticed, fermentation is a bit of a thing. One of the driving forces behind the movement is the fact that fermented food and drinks can help promote good bacteria in your gut. So it's not surprising that one of the more popular workshops at Cornersmith — who dish out hearty breakfasts and hold workshops in cheesemaking, pickling and fermenting among others — is the wild soda class, where you learn to make a fermented, fizzy fruit beverage that's both delicious and good for your digestion. That's the domain of Cornersmith's head fermenter Jaimee Edwards, a veteran in teaching lucky folks how to make wild soda, and then supervising as they make their own. For those who haven't attended one of her sessions — which have fittingly taken over nature-filled houses — go DIY and follow the instructions below. WHAT ACTUALLY IS WILD SODA? A wild soda is a fizzy fruit drink with a slightly sour, yeasty taste that's derived from the fermentation process involved in making it. The flavour is richer and more complex than any fizzy fruit drink you could pick up from a store because — like sour beer or wild fermentation wines — they're a product of nature. There are no artificial ingredients added. The fermentation process is unpredictable and gives each batch a unique flavour — even if you use the same ingredients and follow the same method each time. The process of making wild soda is similar to that of making wild fermentation wine. In winemaking, the yeast overpowers the lactic acid and turns the drink into alcohol, but in wild soda the lactic acid overpowers the yeast and creates carbonated water. Winemaking is best left to the professionals, but you can easily create wild soda on your own. Here's how. GET OUT THERE AND FORAGE To make wild soda, pick some of your favourite native plants, flowers and fruit. Edwards encourages you to get out there and forage. Supermarket fruit has likely gone through numerous cleaning processes, which means the natural microflora living on it (essential to the fermentation process) has likely been washed away. The more microflora, the easier the fermentation process — and the tastier the drink. "Foraging is pretty key," says Edwards. "That way you're not dealing with stuff that's gone through excessive washing." She recommends foraging for clean leaves and bark for bacteria, and wild flowers and fruit (strawberries, lemons and blueberries) for flavour. Once you've foraged, break up your flowers, leaves and bark, pulp your fruit and place it all into a plastic bottle. "Experiment with almost anything — that's part of the fun," says Edwards. "You're going to have some failures, and you're going to have successes. The ingredients you've added are obviously going to add a strong flavour, so you have to like them." GET THE FERMENTATION GOING When starting out, Edwards says it's a good idea to use plastic bottles. The natural carbonation that results from the fermentation process could cause glass jars to crack, and the last thing you want is a kitchen filled with half-finished strawberry and lemon verbena soda. Making a carbonated soda relies on the natural yeasts and bacteria that are available on the surface of plants. These microorganisms turn sugars into lactic acid and produce CO2 to make your soda bubbly. Because there is very little sugar in the foraged material in this recipe sugar is added. Mix all ingredients in a clean jar of filtered water and cover with a clean tea towel. Stir three times a day while the soda is fermenting. This will take between two and three days. Then strain the soda from the plants and bottle. Carbonation will occur as the CO2 builds up in the bottle over a few days. Refrigerate, and when it's nice and cold, take it out of the fridge and enjoy. HOW DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO WINE? Stoneleigh use a similar process of natural fermentation to make the wild fermentation wines in their Wild Valley range. Rather than adding a yeast known to produce a certain flavour, the yeasts and bacteria that naturally present on the grapes (aka microflora), are tasked with the fermentation. By letting nature do its thing (and because of the many different types of yeast getting involved), the wine ends up with a more complicated flavour profile. That means that just like wild soda, each vintage has its own unique flavour. Follow Jamiee Edwards' adventures at @fermentingprojects. Images: Steven Woodburn.
The boffins at Australia's leading scientific institution are branching out into the art world, in an attempt to raise awareness about the need to invest in renewable energy sources. The CSIRO Infinity Swing is a giant light-up swing set powered by the momentum of its users, turning playtime into clean, sustainable power. According to its creators, the light and sound installation came about in response to one of the most challenging questions facing the world today: "how do we make sure energy stays affordable and available while protecting our planet?" The eight-person swing serves as a timely visual reminder of the importance of clean, renewable energy, as well as the things that can be achieved when people work together. It's also given us a great idea about connecting the nation's playgrounds directly to the power grid – although we suspect that child protection services mightn't be quite so keen. The pop-up swing will open to the public at Sydney's Custom House between Wednesday November 4 and Sunday November 8, before travelling down to Federation Square in Melbourne from Monday November 16 until Saturday November 21. Representatives from CSIRO will be on hand to discuss their ongoing research into clean energy – and if you're extra nice, they might even give you a little push.
Called it. When more and more breweries started popping up in Milton, we were pretty sure that a brewery crawl was going to be in order. And while Brewsvegas not only made the idea a reality earlier, but has kept bringing it back, hopping around brew-slinging joints isn't just a once-a-year affair. There's no prizes for guessing what happens on The Milton Good Beer Trail, but there is plenty of beer. Yes indeed. Take a self-paced 1.4-kilometre stroll between The Scratch, Aether, Newstead Brewing, Brewski and Mongrel, snaffle a different schooner at each venue, and just generally be merry. Who's thirsty? Even better — your $30 ticket also gets you a stubby cooler to commemorate your trek. And, you can make the stroll whenever you feel like between Friday, September 13 and Sunday, September 15 from 12–11pm.
You don't need to be Liza Minnelli to think that life is a cabaret, particularly if you're in Brisbane this June. Yes, it's Queensland Cabaret Festival time again, which means that spending your nights watching talented singers tell stories through song is well and truly on the menu. For its third year running, the Brisbane Powerhouse-based festival is back with another jam-packed program of music-fuelled fun, spanning new takes on old classics, repeat tributes to lost icons, and everything from ukuleles to comedic musical therapy in between. In fact, if one of the fest's 13 shows doesn't inspire a prolonged bout of humming, clapping and toe tapping, then you're not looking hard enough. We've picked our five favourites to get you started.
As any published author will tell you, settling on a cover design is tricky. But California-based designer Maria Mordvintseva-Keeler has come up with a novel approach. She's repackaged classics in cans — with labels that reveal their 'ingredients' without giving away their storylines. Titled Food for Thought, the design series features three classic books, each of which contains a foodie reference in its title — Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, William Burroughs' Naked Lunch and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. The label lets the reader know if the book suits his/her mood and literary diet. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, for example, reads: "[It] has the characters, serving size, with the number of pages, and emotions in the daily value sections," Mordvintseva-Keeler told Mashable. "I sometimes wish they featured something like that on the cover, since the right book at the right moment is better than any sort of therapy. Reading is certainly better than stress eating." Originally from Moscow and now based in San Diego, Mordvintseva-Keeler's previous projects include Packaged Pets, which promotes the adoption of animals from shelters; EcoBag, a biodegradable plastic-bag replacement containing seeds (and similar to these coffee cups); and Bold as a Rooster, a typographical study exploring the "potential of roosters’ combs, feathers and legs to become legible letters". Take a leaf out of this artist's book. Via Mashable. Images: Maria Mordvintseva-Keeler.
In 2026, a brick hall perched on Wynnum Road in Brisbane's east will turn 100. That place: Morningside School of Arts. The art deco structure is no longer operating as a place to enhance your creative talents, but it has been everything from a library to a market site over the years. Ballet, karate, gymnastics, life drawing, line dancing: classes on each still pop up within its walls, too. A year before it reaches its centenary, Morningside School of Arts is getting celebrating by joining a different party: Brisbane Open House. This is the first time that it'll be on the event's lineup, letting folks head by to peer behind the scenes — which is what this architecture-loving weekend is always all about. [caption id="attachment_1007055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Riviere by Aria, Cieran Murphy[/caption] Taking place across Saturday, July 19–Sunday, July 20, 2025's Brisbane Open House is embracing its usual agenda to not only let Brisbanites play tourist in their own town, but to take them exploring the River City's key buildings and landmarks. In total, 91 structures and sites are on the itinerary, spanning returning favourites that welcome in sticky beaks every year and newcomers. Among the second group, Morningside School of Arts is joined by Milton House, Rivière by Aria at Kangaroo Point, St Laurence's College and Bradbury Park Playscape in Kedron. Historical and heritage-listed spots, apartment towers, schools, playgrounds: even just Brisbane Open House's brand-new additions for this year give a decent glimpse at the variety of buildings that attendees can meander through. In the returning camp, Newstead House, Brisbane Arcade, ABC Brisbane at South Bank, Queensland Ballet's Thomas Dixon Centre, Centenary Pool and Roma Street Fire Station are just some of the other locations to hit up. Speaking of Roma Street, it's also on the program a second time, but taking visitors underground. Thanks to the Cross River Rail works, you can venture 30 metres beneath the road to where the new station is set to sit. Brisbane Airport is 100 years old this year, so one tour on Brisbane Open House's agenda commemorates that milestone. Still on huge pieces of infrastructure, Wivenhoe Dam and Port of Brisbane are on the itinerary, too. Plus, 2025's lineup marks the first time since 2020 that private homes are back on the program, letting the public into ten architect-designed houses, thanks to a collaboration with the Australian Institute of Architects. As well as tours and guided walks — such as one through Kurilpa — the program also features an exploration of ancient Egypt's architecture at Queensland Museum, Brisbane Open House's photography competition making a comeback, live tunes and performances, film screenings, a PechaKucha night at ARUP and more. "This is a landmark year for Brisbane Open House, not just in the scale of what we're offering, but in the depth of experience we're creating for locals and visitors alike," advised Brisbane Open House Chair Malcolm Middleton, announcing 2025's program. "Architecture is more than just buildings. It's about how we shape the spaces we live, work and gather in. It's about culture, climate and creativity. It's what leaves a lasting impression on our city's visitors, and it's what fills our lives with everyday beauty." [caption id="attachment_1007058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] HOSPITALITY, COMMERCIAL[/caption] Brisbane Open House 2025 runs across Saturday, July 19–Sunday, July 20 at a variety of places around Brisbane. For the full program, head to the event's website.
Puffy shirts and cereal bowls at the ready. It's been 17 years since Jerry Seinfeld shut the door to his New York apartment, but for just five days lucky New Yorkers can relive the finicky glory of Larry David's immortal sitcom. There's a Seinfeld pop-up museum opening for just five days in New York City, featuring a replica of Jerry's apartment 5A, the gang's favourite diner booth, a Festivus Pole, a host of original props and scripts, yada yada yada. Held at New York's Milk Studios in the Meatpacking District, the pop-up is a publicity stunt by Hulu — US users (or sneaky VPN-wielding fiends) can stream all 180 episodes of the series online from today. Actor Patrick Warburton (Elaine's boyfriend David Puddy) told the New York Daily News it was "like the Smithsonian of Seinfeld." Larry Thomas (who played the formidable Soup Nazi) instead said, "It’s like Disneyland for Seinfeld fans." We get the drift, schmoopies. Set around an eight season replica of Jerry's apartment, the museum is brimming with niche props only real fans would genuinely squeal over: Jerry's Superman figurine (lurking in the background of almost every single episode), George's Frogger arcade game, Bachman pretzels — "These pretzels are making me thirsty." You can sift through Jerry's VHS collection (featuring a copy of Pretty Woman), check out the Bryan Cranston-signed wall logo from the taping of the final episode, and there's even a couch where you can recreate George's highly erotic pose from 'The Package' episode. Of course, super fans have already picked out the one fatal flaw in Hulu's installation — Jerry's computer. Mashable pointed out that Jerry's beloved Apple computer has been traded for a dastardly retro PC. No dice. Eh, computer schmomputer, at least the Soup Nazi's endorsing it: The Seinfeld pop-up museum is open June 24–28 from 10 am–7pm at Milk Studios, 451 West 14th Street, NYC. Via New York Daily News and Gothamist. Images: Tod Seelie.
One of the biggest mistakes that novice surfers make is thinking they can learn anywhere. Soft-top board in hand, they plunge idealistically into thrashing waves and rips, before returning to shore after two hours of near-drownings without a single catch to brag about. Start in the right place, however, and it's a different experience altogether. What newbies need are small waves breaking over sand, as opposed to rocks or reefs. You won't find them at just any old beach — which is why we've teamed up with Jim Beam to find just the right spots for you and your mates to get to grips with Australia's favourite beach pastime. Assemble the squad, grab your boards and pay a visit to a few of these beginner-friendly surfing destinations. Umina Beach If you (or God) were to design a beach specifically for apprentice surfers, it would like the Central Coast's Umina. Its blissfully protected location — along the north east curve of Broken Bay — means the ocean's relentless hammering is barely felt. Only a serious storm can mess matters up. What's more, the long, sloping sea bed gives the waves buckets of time to exhaust themselves before reaching you. Surf lessons and hire are available at Central Coast Surf School. Palm Beach (Southern End) When the swell is powering in from the south, grab your boardies and hotfoot it to Palm Beach. The sheltered southern corner is a beginner's Nirvana. You can count on mercifully consistently waves, giving you ample time to conquer the whitewash and, when you're ready, take off across smooth, green faces. Need some tips? Cast an eye around for the Manly Surf School van. For après-surf leisure, there's the Barranjoey Lighthouse Walk or a dip in the ocean pool. Collaroy Beach (Southern End) Like Palm Beach, Collaroy is shielded at its southern end. Long Reef Point (a splendid spot for snorkelling, by the way) juts into the Pacific, separating the beach from neighbouring Dee Why. So, it's also at its best in south swells. Once you've racked up some experience, have a crack at the gloriously long point break. One word of warning: this one is better avoided when seas are rough or north winds are raging, when the shore break can turn into a dumping ground. Long Reef Beach On the city side of Collaroy Beach lies the northern end of Dee Why Beach, formally known as Long Reef Beach (the two beaches are separated by the mouth of Dee Why Lagoon). Here, Long Reef Point also does its protective duty. It, in combination with some solid sand banks, keeps the waves smooth and regular. For practising in whitewater, head down at low tide; if you're ready to tackle faces, high tide is more promising. When winds are strong, you'll find milder conditions in Dee Why's southern corner. Freshwater Beach Freshwater Beach is the birthplace of Australian surfing. Exactly 100 years ago, residents got a shock when they saw a Hawaiian by the name of Duke Kahanamoku carve a board out of local timber, jump into the sea and ride the waves, on his feet. Soon enough, everyone was giving it a go. For lessons, get in touch with Surf Skool. Once you're done, the nearby Harbord Beach Hotel (aka the Harbord Hilton) will vanquish your post-surf appetite with some fresh tucker and cocktails. Manly Beach (Southern End) Get started along Manly's southern stretch and you'll land yourself in esteemed company. Midget Farrelly, Pam Burridge and Layne Beachley are just a few of the surfing legends to have had their early rides here. Like those at Palm Beach and Collaroy, the waves are best when the south winds are a-blowing. Chaos reigns when a north swell is coming in. Options for surfboard hire and lessons are plentiful. Try Manly Surf School or Manly Surf Hire. Bondi Beach (Northern End) When you've a north wind on your hands, make tracks to Bondi. The waves can get wild in the middle of the beach, but in the northern corner, you're protected by Ben Buckler headland. The only catch is that crowds can be intense, especially on sunny weekends. So if you can, pop along on a weekday or in the late afternoon. For lessons, give Let's Go Surfing a call. Greenhills Beach Backed by grassy sand dunes, Greenhills is the northen end of Cronulla Beach. It tends to be less busy than South Cronulla — and many of Sydney's other beaches for that matter — which is a bonus for learner surfers. There's no need to worry about driving your out-of-control board into an unsuspecting swimmer. Go here during north-east winds. If you're in need of a teacher, try Cronulla Surf School or Cronulla Surfing Academy. Thirroul Beach (Southern End) One hour and 15-minutes drive (or 90 minutes by direct train) south of the Sydney CBD along the Illawarra Coast, Thirroul is home to a kilometre-long strip of golden sand. According to former international surf master Terry Richardson, the Illawarra is home to "the best surfers in the world". Beginners should visit when the swell is weak and the wind is coming up from the south. Leave the big surf to the pros. Plus, you can always drop by Thirroul village instead for great coffee, art galleries and records. Illawarra Surf Academy offers classes and gear hire. Corrimal Beach (Northern End) Drive ten minutes south of Thirroul, and you'll find Corrimal Beach. It's also best for learners in small surf. Stick to the northern end, which is sheltered (to an extent) by Bellambi Point. The Illawarra Surfing Academy runs three-day camps here, which can be a great way to gain confidence quickly. There's a caravan park within a few hundred metres of the surf, so staying the night isn't a hassle either. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Images: Dollar Photo Club, MITLRproductions, Kspilling, Kyle Taylor, Terovian at English Wikipedia, Nigel Howe, George Grinsted, J Bar, Vanessa Pike-Russell
Australian Venue Co-owned bar Riverland has been around since 2017, but underwent a $3.5-million revamp since 2022, reopening in May 2023 with spectacular results. Brisbanites can now kick back on Riverland's new 800-square-metre deck extension, which isn't just larger than the venue's original setup — it sprawls across three tiers. Also, this piece of prime river frontage can accommodate 1000 people, making the already-popular CBD spot even busier. Those three levels include the sky deck up top, boasting uninterrupted views of the Story Bridge and a new container bar. Then there's the promenade deck with direct Eagle Street Pier access, as well as a space with a new live music stage, plus a large screen that'll show sports. Expect a talented lineup to jump behind the microphone or on the decks from Wednesday–Sunday, giving Riverland's latest guise an acoustic and DJ-spun soundtrack. Expect an array of new food options to tuck into, too, with Riverland 2.0 also featuring two new kitchen concepts. Given the name, it's no surprise that Sunshine State produce and dishes shine brightly at The Queenslander. Place your order here and you'll be tucking into pub fare such as chicken wings in a pineapple rum barbecue glaze, mango salad, cured Tin Can Bay cuttlefish paired with a brioche doughnut, Mooloolaba prawn san choy bow, fish and chips using Queensland seafood, and the usual burgers and parmigianas. Over at The Traveller, the culinary range takes its cues from international street food. On a seasonally changing menu, the first stop is Mexican eats; think: fried tortillas with guacamole, roasted tortilla soup, jalapeño poppers, cured red emperor tostadas and a variety of soft-shell tacos — and churros for dessert. Also new at Riverland is the beverage menu. Your new sips include spicy watermelon margaritas, a signature cocktail alongside the gin, lemon, apple and raspberry number that's called Burst My Bubble. There are more spirits-heavy concoctions, plus 16 beers and ciders on tap, and a sizeable wine list. With its makeover, Riverland now spans seven different function spaces — adding plenty of areas for parties, too.
Touring outside of France for just the third time since it was designed in Paris circa 1500, medieval masterpiece The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle comes to the Art Gallery of New South Wales this month and everyone's pretty excited. On special loan from impressively named Musèe de Cluny – Musèe National du Moyen Âge, the six exquisitely beautiful, mind-blowingly intricate wool and silk woven tapestries span over 20 metres in length and are considered to be some of the greatest surviving textiles from the European Middle Ages — the French national treasure has been dubbed the 'Mona Lisa of the Middle Ages', after all. (Can you imagine being in charge of packing these things up and getting them to — literally — the other side of the world? No pressure.) Embodying meditations on earthly pleasure and courtly love, they depict a bejewelled lady in richly adorned costume alongside a majestic unicorn set against a luscious millefleur ('thousand flowers') background. Five tapestries explore the senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight, with the sixth said to represent an internal sense — usually interpreted as the heart, desire or understanding. There's a whole host of talks, activities and workshops designed to complement the exhibition (textile fans may want to take Natalie Miller's tapestry masterclass) so you can make an entire morning or an afternoon of it. Take note: this is going to be busy. It's not every day that you get to see a 15th-century national treasure up close, not to mention one that has directly inspired everyone from George Sand to Rilke to Jean Cocteau. You'll want to book ahead. Image: Sight c1500 (detail), from 'The lady and the unicorn' series, Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge, Paris Photo © RMN-GP / M Urtado.
Sydney foodies, we're spoilt for choice at every turn. New top-notch eateries are cropping up faster than ever before. If you're struggling to keep up — and who isn't? — never fear Taste of Sydney 2016 is the four-day foodie festival to get to up to speed on the cream of the culinary crop. Setting up residence in Centennial Park from March 10 to 13, Taste of Sydney in partnership with Electrolux is all about bringing diners and chefs together. Ticketholders will be treated with nosh from some of Sydney's top restaurants, including Middle Eastern street food from the crew at Glebe's Thievery, Porteno's famously hearty fare, Biota Dining's sustainable modern Australian dishes, nel.'s fine dining dishes, plus fire-cooked noms from Firedoor. Also joining the deliciousness will be Kitchen by Mike, MoVida, Sake, and the newly opened Kensington Street Social, among others. But we can't wait until then. We annoyed the Thievery team to give us a recipe, NOW. NOOOOOOW. So they relented and told us how make their mouthwatering baba ghanoush with sheep's milk yogurt, pinenuts and burnt butter. You can make it too! Thievery's Baba Ghanoush with Sheep's Milk Yogurt, Pinenuts and Burnt Butter 2 eggplants 25g tahini Juice of one lemon 1 clove of garlic 25g olive oil Salt and pepper (to taste) For pinenut burnt butter 75g pinenuts 120g unsalted butter For sheep's milk yoghurt dressing 100g sheep's milk yoghurt ¼ clove of garlic 15ml extra virgin olive oil Chervil leaves, to garnish Lebanese bread Method Prick the eggplants with a fork all over. Over an open flame, using tongs, grill the eggplant whole under tender and soft. Juices should bubble and start to flow. Alternatively, roast in oven at 190 degrees until tender and soft. Cut eggplants in half, length ways, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Allow to cool. Add remaining ingredients to the eggplant flesh in the bowl. Using a whisk, gently combine all the ingredients together, keeping the texture thick to avoid turning the eggplant into a paste. Season to taste. On medium heat, melt unsalted butter in a saucepan until butter starts to turn an amber colour with a nutty smell. Just before beurre noisette (brown butter) add the pinenuts, tossing until noisette stage is achieved. Remove from heat. Set aside and keep warm so that butter does not solidify, allowing the pinenuts to infuse the flavour. Finely grate ¼ clove of garlic. Add sheep's milk yoghurt and olive oil, combining all ingredients together in a bowl. Season to taste. Place baba ghanoush in a serving bowl. Dollop sheep's milk yoghurt dressing around the baba ghanoush. Using a spoon, mix the pinenut burnt butter and spoon over the top. Garnish with chervil leaves and serve with warm Lebanese bread.
The Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is returning in 2024 and further cementing its status as one of the most coveted culinary tickets on the annual calendar of events. The 2024 program runs across four days and nights, promising a blockbuster lineup of 75-plus events. This covers everything from sessions with superstar chefs, a series of long leisurely lunches, and a Beach Club with Italian-style grazing and cocktails right by the waves on beautiful Noosa Main Beach to make the most of Queensland's winter sunshine. Some specific highlights include the Festival Village that runs throughout the Saturday and Sunday. The Village is the vibrant heart of Noosa Eat & Drink where ticket-holders can meander between cooking and cocktail masterclasses, competitions and chef demos featuring big ticket foodie personalities like Hayden Quinn, Khanh Ong, Gary Mehigan and Anna Polyviou. You'll also find pop-up restaurants and a VIP Lounge co-hosted by Chandon Garden Spritz for the requisite refreshments. The lineup of long lunches is always a major drawcard where you can really take advantage of the gorgeous coastal location. This year, Hasting Street favourite Locale is hosting The Locale Long Italian Lunch in collaboration with Will Cowper of Otto Brisbane for a generous Italian feast to be paired with Cloudy Bay wines. The Peregian Beach Hotel is throwing the Local Love Lunch to celebrate the best local and native produce from the region. And if Mexican food and booze are your favourite things, the Bandita Late Lunch will find Bandita in Noosaville bring big fiesta energy with a five-course lunch with matching cocktails and tequila tasters courtesy of Australia's top distributor of Mexican spirits, Mextrade. And that's just the tip of the delicious iceberg. Noosa Food & Drink is well and truly worthy of a long weekend sojourn to the Sunshine Coast. But get in quick on the tickets — they don't stick around for long.
Melburnians now have even more of a reason to head down the Mornington Peninsula for a pampering session, as the acclaimed Peninsula Hot Springs unveils some swish new facilities as part of a $13 million upgrade. The award-winning wellness destination now has a revamped program of offerings as part of its biggest expansion since opening back in 2005. This includes the addition of two cold plunge pools and seven new hot spring pools — which, if you've ever jostled for a spot in the top pool on a busy Saturday, you'll know is good news. An impressive outdoor Bath House Amphitheatre has also been added to the Fingal site, which is set to host a whole swag of shows. Baths also now have views of the stage and underwater speakers have been installed so visitors can get stuck into some live entertainment while they're submerged. The Hot Springs is also delving into cryotherapy for the first time with a new 'ice and fire' experience. This will allow bathers to switch between hot and cold therapy — the hot being two new 30-person saunas, and the cold being a new (and Australian-first) ice cave and a 'deep freeze' treatment room, which will be kept at a cool 25 degrees below freezing. The idea is that, by jumping between hot and cold, you will sweat out toxins, cleanse your skin and potentially burn calories. The venue also has a new cafe, a cultural meeting space designed in collaboration with local Indigenous elders, and a multipurpose wellness centre for classes and talks. Meanwhile, a new on-site veggie garden marks the start of a planned three-acre terrace 'food bowl', which will grow produce for the Peninsula Hot Springs' kitchens. Thermally heated glasshouses and an underground mushroom cave are also in the works. If that doesn't sound like enough, there's more growth in store for the Peninsula Hot Springs, with glamping facilities and 126 rooms of accomodation to be built on-site over the next three years. The Peninsula Hot Springs is located at Springs Lane, Fingal. Booking is recommended on weekends. Updated: October 5, 2018.
Deck the halls and unpack the plastic tree. The festive season is well and truly upon us, and with it come some of the biggest films of the year. Along with the cricket and stampeding through shopping centres, going to the movies is one of our favourite Boxing Day traditions. After all, what better place to recover from your post-Christmas food coma than in a nice, dark, air-conditioned cinema? Of course, not all of the end of year titles measure up. That's why we're reporting in with our annual Boxing Day Battle Royale, to ensure that you get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck. ST VINCENT See it if: you've always dreamed of having Bill Murray for a neighbour We give it: 4 stars A crotchety old man gets a new lease of life when he becomes the reluctant babysitter to the 12-year-old kid next door. Sounds pretty unbearable, until you factor in that the old man is played by Bill Murray. First time writer-director Theodore Melfi doesn't reinvent the wheel, but the film's formulaic plotting is offset by sharp dialogue and the natural comedic chemistry of its cast. Melissa McCarthy and Chris O'Dowd are standouts in supporting roles, while newcomer Jaeden Lieberher is a revelation. Unsurprisingly though it's Murray who steals the show, delivering the perfect mix of irritable wit and genuine emotion. Read our full review. MR TURNER See it if: you're an art lover We give it: 4 stars Grunting and wheezing, Timothy Spall gives one of the best performances of the year as famed British painter J.M.W. Turner, in this two-and-a-half hour biopic from writer-director Mike Leigh. Strictly for arthouse crowds, the film doesn't have much of a narrative through-line, but as a portrait of a lonely artist it's surprisingly compelling. The film also contains some absolutely gorgeous cinematography, the painterly quality achieved by director of photography Dick Pope seemingly inspired by the work of Turner himself. Read our full review. BIG HERO 6 See it if: you're babysitting, or just want to indulge your inner child We give it: 3.5 stars Disney's follow-up to the phenomenon that was Frozen is an adaptation of a Marvel comic book about a plucky teenaged inventor who joins forces with an inflatable robot named Baymax in order to bring down a supervillain who is terrorising the city. As animated superhero films go, it's not a patch on The Incredibles, but kids will gets a kick out of it, and there's some great physical comedy courtesy of the film's plus-size robotic co-star. Frankly, if Baymax toys aren't flying off the shelf come January, someone in the Disney merchandising department should be out of a job. Read our full review. THE WATER DIVINER See it if: you're a really big Russell Crowe fan We give it: 2.5 stars Russell Crowe's directorial debut follows a father searching for the bodies of his sons after they're killed in combat at Gallipoli. Given Australia's tendency to mythologise that particular battle, it's refreshing to see how measured Crowe is in his approach, presenting the Turkish perspective as well as our own. Unfortunately, on a more technical level, Rusty still has quite a lot to learn. Flat photography and harsh lighting makes the film look as though it was shot for community television, while the overly earnest dialogue likewise leaves a lot to be desired. Read our full review. THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES See it if: you really, truly can't be bothered reading the book We give it: 1.5 stars We've had mostly nice things to say about this series up until this point, but that all ends now. After beginning with a dragon-sized anti-climax, the final part of Peter Jackson's painful protracted Tolkien adaptation turns out to be exactly what we all feared it would be: 2 hours and 20 minutes of padding. Comprised of one long, generic battle sequence, it's difficult to think of a recent film in which you feel less invested in the outcome. It's a sad, flabby end to what will likely be remembered as one of the most pointless movie trilogies of all time. Read our full review. Also out on Boxing Day: family flick Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
Time flies when you're eating ice cream sandwiches. Just five short months ago, Mister Fitz was the new kid on the dessert block. Now, Damian Griffiths' chilly wonderland is one of the city's favourite purveyors of frozen goodness — and they're growing. Not content with serving up their insane ice cream and cookie creations in Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane, Mister Fitz is adding two more Queensland stores to the fold. In six to eight weeks, East Brisbanites will be able to gorge on epic concoctions at 55 Lytton Street, while Gold Coast residents can head to The Strand precinct in Coolangatta. Yep, if pink sea salt and caramel ice cream smashed between two crunchy biscuits gets your tastebuds tingling — or the winning combo of banana, brown sugar and bacon, perhaps? — you'll now be able to get your fix at two extra locations. The same jam-packed menu will be on offer at both new outlets, including Mister Fitz's signature hip hop-themed milkshakes. Fancy a Boom! Shake the Room with Nutella ice cream, anyone? Given the breakneck pace at which the ice creamery's sibling brand — aka fellow Griffiths'-owned venture Doughnut Time — has taken over the country over the last year, Mister Fitz's aggressive expansion regime is far from surprising. And with a couple of Sydney shops also in the works, plus plans to open in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, it's only a matter of time before ice cream sandwiches replace doughnuts as the nation's sweet treat of choice. Find Mister Fitz at 1 Little Street, Fortitude Valley and Grey Street, South Bank — and keep an eye on their website, Facebook and Instagram for more info on their East Brisbane and Coolangatta expansion plans.
When Three Blue Ducks announced that it was closing its first-ever River City outpost, which has sat inside the W Brisbane hotel since 2018, the inner-city space it has called home for five years was never going to be empty for long. The site's original tenant will shut up shop at the end of May, leaving room for The Lex to get cosy. And get cosy it will — and fast — with the new New York City-inspired restaurant set to open its doors on Thursday, June 15. Pairing the space's spectacular water views with nods to both the Big Apple and Queensland — aka the chain's starting point and its Sunshine State berth — W Brisbane is keeping things in-house with The Lex, which boasts the venue's Chef de Cuisine Pawel Klodowski overseeing the menu. "Having been lucky enough to be a part of The Lex since its very inception, this has felt like more than just a project for me," says Klodowski. "I put all my heart into carefully crafting every step of the dining journey along with the team and it's been an incredible feeling to see this coming to life. I can't wait to reveal the experience to Brisbanites and guests to the city and showcase the unique culinary experience we've curated here." The NYC vibes will flow through in a grill-heavy eatery, and in the style of dishes served; however, southeast Queensland produce will be the star of every plate. Think: oyster brine martinis, dry-aged beef using local cuts and tableside caesar salads. The full culinary lineup hasn't yet been unveiled, but hyper-locality will be a big feature. So too will familiar comfort-food dishes given a playful twist, dashes of the old and the new, and natural cooking techniques. And while you're tucking in, you'll sit in an airy terrace-style setup that's designed to bring the outside in, complete with that vantage over the river. "We are excited to be unveiling this new restaurant concept and adding to our diverse beverage and food programming at W Brisbane. We are continually innovating to enhance our guests' experiences, and The Lex will really elevate the hotel's culinary offering with a refined menu and sophisticated dining experience from start to finish," adds Haldon Philp, W Brisbane's General Manager. "Inspired by the birthplace of W Hotels in New York City, The Lex builds strongly on the W origin story and not only brings a highly sought-after dining experience to Brisbane, but one that connects us with our brand globally." [caption id="attachment_891335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Blue Ducks, W Brisbane, Marriott International Hotel[/caption] Find The Lex at W Brisbane, 81 North Quay, Brisbane, from Thursday, June 15. For more information about the hotel, visit the website. The Lex images: Markus Ravik.
Ice cream-loving Brisbanites, start screaming — and not just for any old frozen confection. Gelato Messina has finally come to our fair city, with their first permanent Brisbane venture opening its doors at 5pm on March 29. Fans will know that this has been worth the wait. They'll also know that waiting for fresh scoops of creamy goodness will probably be part of every visit to Messina's certain-to-be-busy West End store. Remember that feeling you had as a kid when Christmas finally rolled around? Excitement, enthusiasm and an inability to decide just what you should do first? That's what walking into 109 Melbourne Street feels like. A red display case filled with 42 flavours of Messina's finest, all chilled to -14 degrees, is the first thing you see when you enter their largest store in Australia, sparking one immediate thought: it's okay to want to try everything. You're only human, after all. The ace thing Messina newcomers mightn't know is that taste-testing is heartily encouraged. In fact, you can sample as many flavours as your stomach demands. With vegan and dairy-free sorbet, a couple of yoghurt-based options, the permanent signature gelato varieties and five specials always on offer, there's certainly plenty to choose from. Salted caramel and white chocolate is Messina's best-seller around the country, should you need a recommendation. Anyone after something different might want to opt for the pandan and coconut sorbet, which is made from a green leaf used in Asian cooking — or the kind of choc mint you've never had before, which is actually made from the pressed herb and tastes nothing like you think it will. Like the rest of its stores, Messina brings in its house-made flavour bases from the company's Sydney headquarters, then makes ice cream magic on-site. Watching new batches being churned is quite something, and will make you even hungrier. And, if finding out just how your favourite sweet treat is made sounds like your kind of thing, you're in luck, with Messina's gelato classes heading to Brisbane by June, if not earlier. Yep, that's why their West End digs has its own classroom. Those eager to attend will not only get a glimpse behind the scenes, but will also learn how Messina's chefs whip up such frosty delights — and taste plenty of gelato. Always be tasting gelato, folks. That's great advice to live by. The larger Gelato Appreciation Class will shower around 20 people at a time with oh-so-much ice cream, while the smaller Hands On Class walks ten eager people through the process of pasteurising, plating, and other gelato tricks and tips. If you've ever wondered how their eye-catching mushroom cakes are made, for example, prepare to find out. Messina also plans to bring their Creative Department to Brisbane later in the year, aka their regular seven-course degustation dinners that will expand your idea of just what ice cream can be. Think garlic gelato, just as one example, plus all kinds of savoury and sweet pairings. While their specials seem experimental — as seen in the appropriately named QUEENSLANDAARRR!!!, which combines ginger gelato with pineapple cake and Bundaberg rum caramel, for instance — their Creative Department offerings are something else. Design-wise, the Melbourne Street shop also boasts bench seating and bean bags, because everyone wants to chill over chilled desserts. It's also the first of Messina's 16 stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Coolangatta, Brisbane and Las Vegas to carve their name into the wooden wall. Yep, they've arrived in Brissie alright, and they're making it clear. Find Gelato Messina at Shop 1, 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane from 5pm on Wednesday, March 29. Regular store hours are 12pm to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, and 12pm to 11.30pm Friday and Saturday. Check out their website for more information.
Move over, Sydney Harbour. Lake Macquarie, just 90 minutes drive north, is two times bigger than you. In fact, it's the largest full-time saltwater lake this side of the equator. There are 167 kilometres of shoreline for strolling, swimming and paddling, and 90 villages for coffee-ing and feasting, just a short cruise up the Legendary Pacific Coast. Meanwhile, a short scurry overland to the coast leads to a string of pretty, pretty beaches, including Caves Beach (where there are real, actual caves on the beach), to quaint Catherine Hill Bay, dotted with 1890s miners' cottages. And, just to the west, lie the mountains, waterfalls and rainforest gullies of the Watagans National Park. Here's your guide to a dreamy lake weekender. [caption id="attachment_575383" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Lake Mac Kayak.[/caption] DO To get your bearings — and stretch your legs after the drive — start with a walk. You can take your pick, in terms of length, difficulty level and scenery. One of the easiest and most popular is the 8.9 kilometre, water-hugging Warners Bay Foreshore. It's a shared path, so you can saunter or cycle, and there's a handy, 24-7 bike hire station onsite. A mightier adventure is the 25-kilometre Yuelarbah Track, which forms part of the Great Northern Walk and takes in coastal rainforest, plus two waterfalls, before finishing at Glenrock Beach. For epic views, pop inland to conquer Mount Sugarloaf. When you're done with those, you'll find stacks more walk ideas over here. After seeing Lake Macquarie from the dry safety of land, the next step is to launch yourself onto the water. Pick up a kayak or paddleboard from Lake Mac Kayak and get shaping up those biceps. If you're the intrepid type, choose your own adventure. Otherwise, book a guided tour with School of Yak, whose itineraries include uninhabited Pulbah Island and secretive Dora Creek. Both two-hour and half-day trips are available. [caption id="attachment_554861" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Robert Montgomery.[/caption] More interested in lazy beach days? Make tracks to the coast to visit Caves Beach at low tide and you'll be playing The Goonies in a network of sea caves. For safe, patrolled swimming, head to Blacksmiths, which is at the southern end of a 14-kilometre strip of sand, ending in the rocky formations of Redhead Beach. And, at Catherine Hill Bay, you'll feel like you've stumbled into the 19th century. Once a mining village, it's heritage listed, so developers have kept away for the past 100 years. While you're there, drop by the Catho Pub for a beer in a refreshingly un-renovated, un-themed, old-school, Aussie watering hole. If you're looking for a beach inside the lake, swing by Murrays. [caption id="attachment_575386" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sephardim.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK After completing the Warners Bay Foreshore track, tuck into a Mediterranean feast at Sephardim, where the motto is, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die." Amen. When we say Mediterranean, we really mean it. The menu is a kind of circumnavigation of the Sea, with tapas-style dishes covering Spanish, Turkish and Persian influences. Be sure to try something from the Ottoman grill, which is fired up every single day, powered by Aussie charcoal. Seasoned with herbs, standouts include the swordfish, the gypsy steak and the Zhoug chicken. Vegetarians, don't panic, there are loads of dips, salads and fancy veggies. To dine surrounded by trees with water views, grab a table at The Lakehouse Cafe, at Murrays Beach. Their hearty breakfasts, like the monster bacon and egg roll or the mega signature breakfast, will sort you out for a day of action, and lunch and high tea are on the menu, too. Special events, like tapas nights, are held every now and again — keep an eye on the website for details. [caption id="attachment_574793" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Olde Bakehouse.[/caption] Get your Italian fix on the western shore at The Olde Bakehouse, Morisset. But you can forget your usual country town spag bol or chicken parmi. Head chef Dan Way is a master of his craft and unafraid to experiment, working with the best produce that the seasons bring to his door. That's why the restaurant made the finals of the 2015 NSW Regional Restaurant Awards. So, gear up for house-made pastas, exotic inventions like wasabi-infused flying fish roe, and perfect panna cotta. Of course, the Hunter Valley's not too far away, so expect plenty of wines from the region on most wine lists in the area. If you have the time, then work your way through a degustation. On cold evenings, you won't want to rush, anyway — the fire's always a-crackling away. Another waterfront option is the Swill 'n' Grill Bistro at the Gunyah Hotel, at Belmont. Unfortunately, it was closed by a basement fire in early April, but the owners are promising to reopen soon. When that day comes, claim a spot on the verandah if you can (locals love this place). Freshly-shucked local oysters are dished up natural, Kilpatrick or mornay, while the generous Atlantic salmon steak is glazed with maple. There's also a bunch of premium quality meatiness, like the surf 'n' turf, which comes in the form of a 400 gram King Island rump with chilli garlic prawns. [caption id="attachment_575381" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Airbnb.[/caption] STAY For an old-fashioned stay on the lake's eastern edge, check into Selby Cottage at Mark's Point. You'll be cosying up among antiques and black-and-white photos, soaking in a claw-foot tub, pottering around in a private garden and catching sunsets from a waterfront verandah. Or, to be encircled by Wallarah National Park, opt for Bluebell Retreat at Murrays Beach. Designed by Queensland architect Gabriel Poole, this cottage won a UDIA for Sustainability and a HIA Greensmart Design Award. It features two large, sunny bedrooms and loads of luxe touches, from Sheridan linen to a Bose entertainment centre to decks overlooking landscaped lawns. There's also a selection of beauties on Airbnb. At The Boathouse, Wangi Wangi, on the lake's western shore, you and up to six friends can kick back in a spacious, open plan living-kitchen-dining room on waterfront reserve. Doing the romantic thing? Book peaceful Cedar Cottage, with its bamboo floors and fancy-pants bathroom and kitchen. Top image: Bill Collison.
There's a big, white container coming to South Bank. But, like most shipping containers in the city, it's not being used to transport furniture. And the word 'séance' will be written on the side in black. It's kind of ominous. Séance is actually a new installation where participants take a seat inside the tiny space, put on a headset and place their hands flat on the table in front of them. The lights go out and the container enters complete darkness. For the next 20 minutes, participants are fed 'suggestible information' through their headsets. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser assures us that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. And so Séance is a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of a group sitting together. Despite not being a horror or supernatural-themed piece, it's a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, information overload and the people siting right next to us to affect our judgment. Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. It's not recommended for the claustrophobic or the easily frightened. The spooky installation visited Sydney and Melbourne late last year, and is now descending on the Treasury Brisbane Arcadia, South Bank Cultural Forecourt, from September 8–29 this year as part of the 2018 Brisbane Festival.
It's been a big few months for gadgets. In September Apple released the iPhone 7 and, just last week, Google released their first ever fully-Google phone, the Pixel. The new MacBook Pro went on sale today after an early morning our-time launch by Apple in California — and devotees are very, very excited. Thinner, shinier and way more powerful than previous iterations, the computer will retail for between $2199 and $2999 depending on which of the three models you're after (more on that in a second). It's probably not the sort of cash you blow willy-nilly, so before you make any impulse buys — and, yes, we realise the temptation is strong and the online store is right there — we've taken a gander at the specs and broken down Apple's new laptop into five key talking points. IT'S WAY THINNER 17 percent thinner, to be precise. The new MacBook Pro is available in two screen sizes: 13-inch and 15-inch. They come in at 14.9 and 15.5 millimetres, respectively. Thinner also means lighter, with a weight of 1.37 and 1.8 kilograms (also respectively). The accepted wisdom is that these bad boys will replace the MacBook Air, may it rest in peace. THE KEYBOARD HAS A NEW LED TOUCHSCREEN BAR The coolest addition to the new MacBook Pro is the organic LED function bar that replaces the standard keys for controlling volume, brightness and so on. The so-called Touch Bar (proper noun) can do all those things, but can also be customised depending on what you're doing at the time. So for example, if you're using the internet, the Touch Bar can display your favourites or open tabs. It can even be used as an emoji keyboard — what a brave new world this is. The Touch Bar is available on both 13-inch and 15-inch models, although there is also a cheaper 13-inch variant without it. YOU CAN LOG IN USING YOUR FINGERPRINT One of the additional upsides of the Touch Bar is that it enables Touch ID. Located on the power button (makes sense), the sensor lets users log into their MacBook using their fingerprint, just as the they can with their iPhone. The sensor also works with Apple Pay, making it that much easier to splurge on more Apple products in the future. THE TRACKPAD IS ENORMOUS AND USES ELECTROMAGNETIC TECHNOLOGY The new MacBook Pro trackpad seems the same as ever, but don't let yourself be deceived. Rather than actually depressing when a user pushes down, electromagnets within the track pad shift to create that clicking sensation, meaning the pad itself doesn't physically give at all. Sorcery! It's also nearly twice as large as one previous MacBook Pros. THE USB AND CHARGE PORTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED The downside of making your laptop so much thinner is that you don't have room for all the fancy holes. Gone is the standard USB and MagSafe charging ports, replaced by four identical Thunderbolt 3 powered USB-C ports. The ports are incredibly versatile, and can be used for power, USB, HDMI and more. Good idea, but it promises to be a bit of a pain in the short term, with adapters required for all your current devices, including your brand spanking new iPhone 7. Typical. The new MacBook Pro is available from today, Friday, October 28. For more info, visit apple.com/macbook-pro.
Little Stanley Street is a popular restaurant mainstay and easy go-to when finding a place to eat. But with so much choice, where to start? We’ve been around the block and selected our choice of old favourites and new neighbours. NEXT DOOR KITCHEN & BAR Travel back in time to jazz music, wild parties and sophistication at Next Door Kitchen and Bar. The prohibition-themed venue is bringing back jazz and naughtiness with a modern twist. Next Door Kitchen offers share plates, and while one dish could keep an individual happy, it’s much better to share a few. As one might expect at a prohibition-era venue, you come for the food but you’ll stay for the cocktails. With drink names such as Hootenanny, Giggle Juice and Cotton Club Swinger’s Punch, book your cab home now. Shop B11, Little Stanley St CHE ASADO New kid on the block Che Asado has just replaced The Point Bistro and brings a fresh Argentinian flavour to the street. Asado pretty much means barbecue, so if you’re after a not-your-average steakhouse, head in here for a meat-filled feast. Not just playing to Aussie tastes, the venue offers a handful of traditional South American drinks and dishes too — try the pickled veal tongue if you dare. Wash it down with a jug of sangria. Shop 15, Little Stanley St SOUTH SIDE DINER What would a multicultural street be without a slice of American pie? Step into a diner for the 21st century. South Side is decked out with pop art and polished concrete floors. Maintaining a retro vibe (but not sparkly red vinyl a la Hungry Jacks), South Side Diner’s subtle ode to yesteryear is in its small touches: sauce bottles on the table and a tasteful tiled bar with chrome bar stools. Pop by at lunch for a New York Skyscraper burger ($13.50). Towering high in the basket, this guy is stacked with a beef patty, caramelised onion, cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon and mustard mayo — all makings of a great burger. OLE Your mother would approve of the Spaniards, who choose not to drink on an empty stomach, and instead accompany their tipple with some of the finest Mediterranean flavours your mouth can try. Mum’s the word, so with that in mind say, ‘hola, Ole!’ and order a jug of their finest sangria - red of course, we’re fond traditionalists. With a swish of the wooden sangria spoon, stuff some deep-fried, cream cheese-filled olives ($6) down your gob and chase it with more sangria. Ahhh, the temporary mindset of summer is settling in and the best way to keep is there is order more tapas. More friends = more tapas = more fun. See, maths is easy. 12 Little Stanley St DENIM CO Can you believe that Little Stanley Street’s unique combo cafe and fashion boutique has been around for 20 years? Always on trend, the venue does a mean breakfast – whether it’s a classic benny and pancakes, or a health-kick breakfast board, bliss balls or acai bowl – Denim Co has it all. Just be sure to save room and the calories to indulge in the thick Italian chocolate and peanut butter drink. It’s worth it. Shop 9a, Little Stanley St HOP & PICKLE Hop & Pickle is another newbie stepping up the pub stakes (or steaks). The ex-Beastie Burgers owners have reinvented the space by opening this gastronomy pub. A set of bar plates are mainstay, while mains change daily and you can pop by on Saturdays for pub classics and Sundays for roast. Perfection. Shop 6e Little Stanley St AHMETS Oh Ahmets, it feels like you’ve always been there for us. When you don’t know where to eat in South Bank, you go to Ahmets – and for good reason, the food is damn tasty. Combining culture and dining in one, enter the bazaar and sit your tush on a Turkish rug draped stool where you can peruse the menu while watching belly dancing or listening to live music. The first Sunday of every month Ahmets also hosts a special ‘Istanbul Night’ with belly dancing, coffee reading, a grand bazaar and live music.
Obliterating your eardrums by throwing mad shapes too close to the speakers at Listen Out is one thing. Wearing a subwoofer on your own personal wrist so you can feel that bass is another. One of these things is much better for your body, and it's being funded on Kickstarter as we speak. Because 2016, the world's first wearable subwoofer is seeking crowdfunding, claiming "sound is meant to be felt, not just heard." Created by a Berlin-based startup founded by Daniel Büttner and Gwydion ap Dafydd from Ableton and Native Instruments, The Basslet is a watch-like gadget that sits on your wrist and delivers the beats directly to your body, letting you "experience powerful bass — anywhere you go." Best bit? It's 100 percent silent to the rest of the world. Y'hear that, beats-hungry commuters? SILENT. Intending to block out every other sound from the world around you, The Basslet works with music, gaming and VR, connecting to your smartphone, laptop, console, VR headset — even with your old Walkman. It doesn't need an app and promises a powerful, wholly immersive sound experience beyond headphones — with the full bass spectrum (10-250 Hz). Rather than being just a mere force to eat up hectic Hud-Mo drops, The Basslet could have some serious potential for people who are deaf or have limited hearing. Sound isn't the only way to enjoy music. Check out The Basslet's Kickstarter page. Via Protein.
The 35th incarnation of Woodford Folk Festival — a temporary village of alternative lifestyle, music, art and performance — is finally happening this December and January. Over six days and six nights, more than 2,000 performers (and many, many more attendees) will bring this festival to life in the Sunshine Coast hinterland after a two-year pandemic-induced break. The festival will feature music from all over the globe including folk, rock, blues, First Nations performances as well as children's events, comedy, cabaret and talks on everything from social justice to science and innovation. You'll be able to wander through market stalls, encounter installation artworks and take part in workshops and activities at the Bushtime camping experience on Jinibara Country as you see out the year in with thousands of other festival goers. And that's all before the mammoth closing ceremony fire display on New Year's Eve that'll help you welcome in 2023. Keen to head along? The full Woodford Folk Festival program and tickets are yet to be released. For more information, visit the website. Images: Woodford Folk Festival via Flickr.
When you're on holiday, we think it's a rule that you can't leave the city without exploring the local pub scene. But often, there are so many pub options that the whole choosing-where-to-go thing can be a little overwhelming. What you need is a go-to guide that saves you a lot of research and tells you exactly where to go depending what mood you're in or what vibe you're after. Whether you're keen for a party, a chilled beverage in a beer garden, a good quality pub feed or a drink by the water, we've got you covered. We've partnered with Hahn Brewers and come up with a few failsafe options for you to visit. Never be lost for pub options in Perth again. FOR LIVE MUSIC: THE ROSEMOUNT, NORTH PERTH The affectionately-named 'Rosie' hosts national and international bands like Spoon, The Panics and Tiny Little Houses regularly in its live music room. It's the regular venue for album launches, karaoke nights and open-mic nights where undiscovered Perth talent can often make an appearance. If you're in Perth and looking to go to a gig, this is definitely the place to be. Sometimes there are food stalls and vintage markets out in the 'backyard', which consists of the 'deck' and the 'lawn'. Both spectacular spots to grab a beer to drink outside while checking out what's happening on the day. FOR THE VIEW: OCEAN BEACH HOTEL, COTTLESLOE The Ocean Beach Hotel, opposite Cottlesloe Beach, has everything — it serves coffee and breakfast from 7am, there's a sports bar, pool tables, a dining room, accommodation and most importantly, a huge, sunny rooftop with stunning views of the beach. Famous for its Sunday sessions and rooftop beer garden, it's the perfect spot to stop for a feed and a cold beer after a swim, or the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the ocean. [caption id="attachment_605929" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: The Local[/caption] FOR A FEED: THE LOCAL HOTEL, SOUTH FREMANTLE The Local Hotel in South Fremantle is one of Perth's stylish and recently renovated pubs. It's the perfect place to grab a slightly fancy pub feed, with a menu that accommodates almost every meal and appetite. There are simple cheese boards and starters, more substantial mains such as the sirloin steak, beef and veggie burgers and the grilled lamb loin. At the Local there's a public bar, a casual dining area and a whisky bar. There's also the Local Garage — a drive-through bottle shop that's been converted into a pop-up garden bar, open for breakfast on weekends and hosting food trucks in the afternoon. Should you need to stay the night, The Local also has beautiful boutique accomodation options. Each of the eight rooms are styled by local designers and offer their own light and airy features. FOR THE BEER GARDEN: THE NORFOLK, FREMANTLE Much loved by locals in Fremantle, The Norfolk is a failsafe option for a beverage in Perth. On the menu are all the pub classics like pizza, pasta, parmas and steaks, but the real highlight of the place is the two outdoor beer gardens. Leafy, half-sunny and half-shaded just like a good beer garden should be, the Norfolk is famous for its huge limestone walls. They make for a great, cosy atmosphere where you can sit back and watch some live music. [caption id="attachment_605945" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Raffles Hotel[/caption] FOR THE WATER: RAFFLES HOTEL, APPLECROSS The Raffles Hotel is located in the riverside suburb of Applecross. It's worth the trip from Perth to the other side of the river, because Raffles has beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere where you can grab a drink and chill out by the water. Gourmet pizzas are on the menu alongside upscale pub classics like burgers, parmas and big plates of fresh seafood and pork belly to share. Raffles has multiple levels of outdoor seating, which means it hosts quite a few summer parties. Fashion launches, dinners, New Year's parties and Australia Day gatherings by the water. That kind of thing. FOR A BIT OF HISTORY: THE WINDSOR, SOUTH PERTH The Windsor Hotel in South Perth is an institution in the area. It's that classic, huge, old pub that everyone knows and occasionally visits. There's a sports bar, a beer garden out the back, and DJs that play on the weekends as well as all the classic events like Melbourne Cup, Australia Day and New Year's. The old building is surrounded by a historic verandah — a great place to settle down with an afternoon beer and read about one of the city's oldest pubs. FOR THE GAME: THE VIC, SUBIACO If you're in Perth and there's a game on (whether it's football, NRL, AFL, tennis, golf or anything else really), the place to watch it is at The Vic in Subiaco, one of Perth's popular inner-west suburbs. This place is as classic as an old-school sports pub gets, with parmas, burgers and cheap pints of beer served up in the beer garden and multiple dining rooms alongside local live music and trivia nights. The Vic packs out especially on big AFL days. The projector screens are rolled out and the building is filled with sports fans and footy scarfs. FOR A PARTY: BOTANICA BAR AND BISTRO, INNALOO Botanica boasts 'the best Sunday Session in Perth'. It's a big call, but if you're a regular you'll know that this Innaloo pub throws a few parties, and they tend to go off. During the day (or when there's no special event on, like the Silent Disco pictured), the outdoor beer garden is packed with people enjoying the sunshine, a brew and a pub feed. At night (and on Sundays) the DJs come out to play. There's also a sports bar attached to the Botanica — the crowd can get rowdy (in a good way) when there's a big game on the screens. Sign up to Hahn Brewers and settle down with a drink this weekend.
Brisbane's contemporary art scene is brimming with talent, risk-taking and innovation, the result of decades of dedicated practitioners, curators and gallerists supporting the newest, most controversial and strangest art in the local game. From West End to Woolloongabba, art spaces have popped up all over the city over the years, with big guns like QAGOMA sitting alongside smaller unconventional spaces and pop-ups. And they're usually free — realms where you can view groundbreaking modern work for nothing. Clear your schedules and start pounding the pavement to visit some of the best free art available in Brisbane. Your itinerary starts here. [caption id="attachment_626236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Meagan Streader, W-inter (exhibition installation image), 2016. Image: Louis Lim.[/caption] METRO ARTS Metro Arts is a solid institution in the Brisbane art scene. The space opened in 1981, and over the years has evolved to reflect the needs of the artists and the community. It's a space for expression and risk, exhibiting bold local contemporary art and facilitating a range of other creative outlets including workshops, seminars and performance. Metro Arts has a reputation for being at the forefront of creative scene in Brisbane, a role they take seriously. They also place a major focus on social inclusion and accessibility. When visiting Metro Arts don't forget to make time to drop into Verve Restaurant and Cider-House, the New York-style basement bar underneath Metro Arts, where, since last century, a whole spectrum of Brisbane artists have gathered to eat, drink and generate debate and discussion. CLUTCH COLLECTIVE CLUTCH Collective is a Brisbane-based artist-run initiative hosting one-night exhibitions in the back of a three tonne truck. Local artists are encouraged to find innovative ways to respond directly to the limitations of the space. The project aims to invigorate the Brisbane ARI scene with an alternative, unconventional and experimental approach to exhibiting. CLUTCH has a full calendar of artists lined up until September. If you want to witness art that's all about thinking outside the box, well, inside a box, follow CLUTCH Collective on Facebook to check where this pop-up gallery will be heading next. WOOLLOONGABBA ART GALLERY WAG is a stunning two-storey space situated in the heart of Woolloongabba. Since its establishment in 2004, WAG has quickly become one of Queensland's best art galleries, with a reputation for regularly exhibiting stylistically varied, high quality contemporary work — including many works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. If you're heading to Woolloongabba for drinks and nibbles at one of the area's many bars and restaurants, take some time to visit WAG. You might just miss your dinner reservation getting lost in some remarkable shows. POP GALLERY While you're in Woolloongabba, why not pop into POP Gallery? Griffith University has a number of galleries associated with it but the 'Postgraduate and Other Projects Gallery' is one of the best (yeah, POP's a much catchier name). POP started as a research space primarily for postgraduate and research student from QCA. Now in its newly refurbished venue, POP has been transformed into a premium art space, presenting a diverse program of research-based art to a broad public audience. This venue is open five days a week and anyone is welcome. Keep an eye on POP's calendar for upcoming events — opening nights often include art's characteristically indulgent siblings: wine and cheese. QUT ART MUSEUM While we're poking around university art galleries, QUT Art Museum is another vibrant Brisbane gallery that is always well worth a visit. From June to August, they'll be exhibiting the work of 2016 Archibald Prize winner Louise Hearman. This will be Hearman's first major museum survey featuring paintings and drawings from across her 25-year practice. QUT Art Museum also hosts a reoccurring event called Texta Book Club, a book club specifically for people who love art. The next event will use the occasion of Louise Hearman's exhibition to discuss popular novel Burial Rites by one of QUT's very own Hannah Kent. The event is free and includes a glass of wine. Art, literature and wine, for free — what more could we ask for? MAUD CREATIVE Maud Creative is one of the only dedicated photography galleries in Brisbane. Since opening in 2014, the gallery has has significant impact on the Brisbane art scene. According to director Irena Prikryl, this gallery is a true passion project. "We don't make any money off it, we just keep propping it up," she says. The gallery showcases the works of award-winning photographers as well as supporting new and emerging talent in a stunning contemporary space. They also encourage creativity by providing a darkroom for members and hosting regular workshops. Maud Creative is currently exhibiting a series of spectacular aerial images of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park in South Australia by Light Collective. Clear your schedule, because these photographs demand long periods of attention. MILANI GALLERY Focused exclusively on contemporary works of art, Milani is another Woolloongabba art space. The gallery is clean, light and minimalistic — the classic no-interruption aesthetic. Recent exhibitions include Tim Johnson's Metamodernism, a collection of new works alongside work from key periods influencing the artists' practice. The gallery also recently hosted the works of Richard Bell for his exhibition Dredging up the past. SPIRO GRACE ART ROOMS SGAR is a contemporary art space tucked away in Spring Hill. Established in 2010, SGAR's founder Paul Spiro and gallery manager Miranda Hine are both established members of the art scene in Queensland and are passionate about cultivating the career development of local Queensland artists. Currently showing is an exhibition entitled Here, where everything lands by Franz Ehmann. For over 20 years, Ehmann's work has explored the processes of food production and waste, themes that are strongly reiterated in this latest exhibition. The works have been created in collaboration with Ehmann's bees (that's right, bees) and explores the uses and processes of beeswax. HONOURABLE MENTION: HOUSE CONSPIRACY While it's not a conventional gallery per se, House Conspiracy is an exciting new project that launched in Brisbane earlier this year and should be right on your radar. The project is located in a beautiful historic Queenslander situated in the lively creative hub of West End. The House was purchased in 2015 by an anonymous owner who bought it with the goal of keeping it in the community. This is a vision House Conspiracy founders Jonathan O'Brien, Lewis Holmes, Cinnamon Smith and Elizabeth Cowie are working hard to fulfil. In 2017, more than 100 artists will receive support from House Conspiracy. At least 68 of these artists will participate in the Emerging Artist Residencies program. The house will also be available for hire, welcoming Brisbane artists to make the most of the space for collaboration, meetings, rehearsals and performances. According to one of the project's founders, Jonathan O'Brien, the idea of the project is to provide low cost and often free space for artists who need it. "By giving artists space to work, and documenting that work we hope that we create a sort of touchstone for artists to say I was here. I did this." Top image: Benjamin Crowley, Walking to the edge of a small cliff, 2016. Installation view, shown at CLUTCH Collective.
When Vivid Sydney kicks off winter, the city instantly gets brighter. And, come Friday, May 27–Sunday, June 18, the popular event might just beam a little stronger than usual — returning for the first time since 2019. Vivid Sydney's 2022 lineup certainly boasts plenty of highlights — and more than 200 events in total. Sticking with all that eye-catching light, to begin with, there'll be more than 50 luminous installations dazzling the city, including two particularly spectacular attractions by the water. The first, Sydney Infinity by Oracle Liquid, is a water sculpture in Darling Harbour that'll feature 12 80-metre-high water shoots, plus a Sydney-inspired soundtrack by DJ Peewee Ferris. And the second, at Walsh Bay, will see a 100-metre floating Light Walk pop up for folks to mosey along. Vivid Sydney will also host First Light, a Welcome to Country celebrating the Gadigal people and Country on Friday, May 27. And, Our Connected City by Mandylights will literally shine new light on the city's landmarks via 150 searchlights, which will illuminate the CBD with ribbons of light from the Sydney Opera House all the way to the northern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. [caption id="attachment_851810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Hong and Mike Eggert, Destination NSW[/caption] In something completely new for 2022, Vivid Sydney will throw its first-ever Vivid Sydney Dinner, taking place at Merivale's Ivy Ballroom and hosted by Justine Clarke. The lineup spans Ken Done, Julia Baird, the Vivid Sydney Brass Band, James Morrison, Ngaiire, Virginia Gay and Kate Monroe, plus food by chefs Dan Hong and Mike Eggert. On the talks part of the program, American filmmaker Aaron Sorkin is headed to Sydney to discuss the intersection of politics and drama, as seen so often in his work. Also among the big names getting chatty: musician, artist and actor Troye Sivan, who'll talk with Lillian Ahenkan (AKA Flex Mami); and US journalist Gretchen Carlson — one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People (2017) — who successfully sued Fox founder and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment and has since worked tirelessly to change legislation that silences the victims of sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Vivid Ideas Up Late will pop up at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Australian Museum, the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum, hosting free nights filled with talks, performances, fashion, music and food. Music-wise, Vivid Sydney is no slouch, either. For starters, Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House will feature Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum and Ash Naylor during a gig dubbed Time And Tide: Four Decades of Song; Sampa The Great's new show An Afro Future; and Berlin-based piano star Nils Frahm performing Music for Sydney. Over at the Carriageworks precinct, the all-female Japanese rock band Chai will be hitting the stage, as will Estonian rapper Tommy Cash. Baxter Dury is bringing a splash of London disco to the CBD, and rock 'n' roll meets psychedelia at Spiritualized's taking over Luna Park's Big Top. Vivid Sydney 2022 will run from Friday, May 27–Sunday, June 18. For further information and tickets, head to the event's website. Top images: 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 (first image); For Sydney With Love, by Ken Done on Customs House, Spinifex Group (fourth image); Future Natives, by Chris Daniel, Destination NSW (fifth image); Convergence, by Mandylights, Destination NSW (sixth image).
While the rest of the world goes crazy for all things green, Allen's Lollies is cutting two of their famous green jellies from production: the classic green frog and the spearmint leaf. This isn't as bad as the barbaric downsizing of the Killer Python, but still. Sad. Margaret Stuart, a Nestle spokesperson, passed the blame directly to YOU for letting your childhood fear of vegetables prevent you from ever buying green lollies. "The situation is that our lollies are actually going gangbusters, but we have deleted a couple — we have deleted Spearmint Leaves and also the Green Frogs basically because they weren't selling so well." We kind of understand the "deletion" (honestly, weird word choice) of the spearmint leaves. As much as we remember them fondly, they do kind of taste like toothpaste but are terrible for your teeth. The spearmint leaf is definitely the Jerry Gergich of the lolly bag. But green frogs? Green frogs are OK, they’re an almost savoury partner frog to the classic Allen's red frog. But what of the humble Sherbie? The still-not-renamed Redskin? To put your quiet freak-out to rest, here's what's safe, according to Allen's: "The Red Frogs are going gangbusters ... they outsell the green by ten to one," Stuart says. Cuts like this are going to homogenise grab bags into only the popular flavours like 'red' and orange but that’s the brutal world of candy business. The only upside we can imagine is the hopefully inevitable TV series about a couple of desperate dudes cooking up counterfeit spearmint leaves and green frogs in a camper van in Arizona. It'll happen. Via ABC.
Brunswick Street Mall boasts a plethora of bars, markets on weekends and a once-a-year festival, but it doesn't have a permanent indoor space where thousands of people can watch a band or show. Come mid-2019, that will change, with the folks behind The Tivoli, The Triffid and Splendour in the Grass teaming up to build a brand new live entertainment venue. 312 Brunswick Street is the address that'll be undergoing quite the revamp, in what'll be a massive $40 million project bound to change both Fortitude Valley's and Brisbane's live music scenes. The 2500-square-metre site next door to McWhirters will be repurposed to become a mid-sized venue for concerts, events and productions, with a capacity of 3300. By comparison, The Tivoli holds 1500 and The Triffid only 800. In addition to theatre and functions facilities, the space — which was first built as a Coles in 1957 and most recently known as The Optus Centre — will include retail stores, restaurants, cafes and bars. Inside, the live venue will be designed by the same acoustic and service team responsible for The Triffid. Outside, the exterior will feature a modernised '50s-style exterior that nods to the place's history. Given the city's lack of comparable places since Festival Hall was turned into apartments over a decade ago, there's certainly room for it — and if anyone would know Brissie's needs in this area, it'd be Scott Hutchinson of Hutchinson Builders, who helped rescue The Tivoli when it was slated to become units; former Powderfinger bassist John Collins; and Paul Piticco from Secret Sounds, the group behind Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and more. Together, they own and operate The Triffid at Newstead — so they've all already played a part in adding a new live music venue and hangout to Brissie's cultural scene. "We've learned a lot since the early days of The Triffid," explains Collins. "I guess our hunch about the potential growth of the live music scene back then has paid off in spades… I think that venues created for music by musicians add something extra to the whole experience for both audiences and performers." Image: The Triffid.
Giving two cents to your younger, wide-eyed, keen-for-life-lessons self is a luxury only those with Time Turners or Deloreans can afford. So the next best thing is asking those (a little) older and (a lot) wiser for their mad tips on how to be a bonafide boss. From directing one of Australia's best festivals to producing next-level electronica, from shooting Arcade Fire to handpicking and delivering the best music in Australia and the world right to your eardrums, these five Aussie folks have already kicked major goals in their respective creative industries. So we tugged their ears, made 'em give up the goods and lay some sweet advice on us. Disclaimer: This editor knows these five humans and is lucky to, hence why they dished out such excellent advice. [caption id="attachment_564974" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Tim Da Rin.[/caption] CLARE DOWNES, SECRET GARDEN FESTIVAL DIRECTOR Some people plod on through this little ol' life of ours settling for mundane thrills and spills. But folks like Clare Downes, festival director for NSW's Secret Garden Festival, are different. They've managed to find some unfathomable way to create a career out of unpretentious, unbridled, balls-to-the-wall fun. Founding Secret Garden and running it for eight glorious years on her family's property just outside Sydney, Clare's successfully created a made-by-mates-for-mates event that gets bigger — but not a skerrick less genuine — every year. Did you go to uni/TAFE? If you did, what did you study? I did. I went to uni and studied communications journalism. What's the most random job you've had? I helped organise an elephant polo tournament in Sri Lanka. What are your top three tunes for getting shit done? I can't listen to music when I really, really need to focus. I put on my noise cancelling headphones and don't come up for air for hours. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what'd be your alter ego job? Unicorn wrangler counts. Ha. I would love to advise on sustainable tourism, particularly in Asia. I might still do that ya know? I have many more years of living to go I hope. What advice would you give your 21-year-old-self? You're here for a good time, not a long time. So don't let fear drive any decision. Grit and kindness goes a long way in the workforce. So don't worry so much if you're not the top of the class. Don't feel like you have to wear heels, just 'cause everyone else is. RICH LUCANO, PHONDUPE Bit of a night owl with a love for crisp, atmospheric, hip hop-infused, Nicholas Jaar-meets-TV on the Radio-like electronica? You're in good company with Rich Lucano. NYC and Sydney-based, Rich is one half of Phondupe with Nathan Chan. The pair produce pretty damn unpindownable beats — check out the duo's Greenhouse EP and The Ecstasy Of single series to know what we're talking about. What's the most random job you've had? One time... I was hired to dress up in a penguin costume and cruise around the city in a hummer with four fellow penguins, cranking hip hop and drawing attention by any means possible. What are your top three tunes for getting shit done? Right now... Al Dobson Jr — 'Malful (Nebetia)' Alex Seidel — 'Quinn' OKE — 'Sundews' But I'm a big believer in a good disco breakfast. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what'd be your alter ego job? I'd be a pizza chef that yelled at anyone who asked for a chicken topping. What advice would you give your 21-year-old-self? - Quit your band and pick up a drum machine - Learn how to DJ asap. - If you have an empty wallet and a bunch of ticket stubs, you're doing the right thing. - Listen to as much international radio as you can. - This fluoro phase will be over soon, don't worry. - Please stop wearing Rabens. Your poor feet. - Get a photo of you shaking Kanye's hand. No one will ever believe that happened. - Buy some bitcoins. - Eat more pizza. - You don't know shit but everything's going to be great. [caption id="attachment_564976" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: FBi Radio.[/caption] STEPHEN GOODHEW, FBi RADIO MUSIC DIRECTOR Looking for new music? How about the best new tunes out there? How about the best new Australian music? Stephen Goodhew knows his shit, ask him for tips. Go on. FBi Radio's insanely knowledgable music director steers the beloved Sydney radio station and its listeners toward damn good tunes every day — 50 percent Australian music, half of that coming from Sydney. Epic job. You can listen to Stephen present 'The Playlist' every week. Did you go to uni/TAFE? If you did, what did you study? Yeah, I went to uni, but it was done pretty half-assed. I did a three year degree over six years, just doing one or two subjects a semester. The reason being was so that I could focus on extracurricular activities (i.e my band), which was great, but also meant that I came away feeling pretty 'meh' about the whole uni experience. I studied a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University, but here's the thing; you don't actually need a degree to do a lot of jobs in media. Don't get me wrong, it certainly helps to have on your resume, but most people I know who land jobs do so based on their work experience. I would definitely recommend doing as many internships/volunteer positions as you can while you're studying, even if it means your degree takes a little longer. What are your top three tunes for getting shit done? Deafheaven — 'Dream House': Straight up, I challenge you to listen to this song and not feel compelled to run up a mountain or swim Bass Strait. If you're looking for something of a productivity sprint, this is the song. Steve Reich — 'Music for 18 Musicians': This is the track for the medium pace long-haul. It has this wonderful hypnotic quality about it that I find helps me focus, while it's constant momentum keeps me pushing forward. The fact that it's 61 minutes in length also helps set something of a time-goal as well. Todd Terje — 'Delorean Dynamite': Whenever this song plays all I can think is that I'm creating a real life '80s style montage of inspiration and by god I better not mess it up. Great motivator. A+. What's the most random job you've had? I've never done anything super random like helping rhinos breed for the sake of conservation, but I did used to work in a tea store for a number of years, which was a slightly weird segue into alternative radio, but there you go. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what'd be your alter ego job? I'm fascinated by people and their motivations. Chances are if we've ever had a conversation that's lasted longer than five minutes, I've probably tried to work out your Myers-Briggs personality type. So with that in mind, I'd probably say, psychologist. I guess that's probably not quite as exciting as I'd like it to sound, but it sure beats a hard day in the field helping endangered herbivores procreate. What advice would you give your 21-year-old-self? People are generally more worried about what you think of them than the other way around. Act with a quiet confidence, don't be afraid to put yourself out there and you'll be amazed at the opportunities that come your way. BRIDIE CONNELLAN, UNIVERSAL MUSIC MARKETING DIRECTOR If you've listened to Kendrick Lamar, Dr Dre, The Weeknd, Lorde, Disclosure, Jarryd James or The Preatures, chances are Bridie's had a hand in your Spotify playlist. Universal Music's Marketing Director switched course from journalism and writing for Rolling Stone, kicking goals for Sydney's TITLE store as Creative Director before moving to Universal and invading Sydney with Disclosure face paste-ups citywide. Did you go to uni/TAFE? If you did, what did you study? The brain the brain the centre of the chain. I studied a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) at the University Of Sydney — biggest bunch of badasses all trying to out-do each other on cultural capital and debating Bourdieu's relevance. Occasionally we learnt things about 'the media' but mostly we drank wine and stayed in the media lab until 4am wrestling with Final Cut Pro. But seriously it was the realest. Four huge years of digging into the theoretical side make everything I do now have so much more cultural relevance to me, and I made some of the best friends of my life there. Go study kids. What are your top three tunes for getting shit done? R.L. Grime — 'Scylla': 'Cause you feel heaps good saving the world. Kanye West — 'Black Skinhead': I keep it 300, like the Romans. Gang of Youth — 'Magnolia': Play it LOUD, and imagine your mates cheering you on. What's the most random job you've had? I was Khloe Kardashian's 'Talent Escort' for the MTV Music Awards. Yeah I'm not gonna explain that further. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what'd be your alter ego job? I'm a sucker for existential theory and questioning the shit out of everything so I'd be a white-haired monochrome-wardrobed philosophy academic probably halfway through my next book on the flaws of Descartes which will probably remain unfinished. Because #being. What advice would you give your 21-year-old-self? Stop wearing that Franz Ferdinand t-shirt, they're not very good. [caption id="attachment_564979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Hazal Alkic.[/caption] YAYA STEMPLER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND FBi RADIO PRESENTER If you've seen an impossibly epic photograph of [insert musician here] and [insert Australian music event here], it's likely Yaya Stempler snapped it. The Israel-raised, Sydney-based photographer shoots some of Australia's best music photography — she's responsible for making the likes of Blur, Arcade Fire, D'Angelo, Tame Impala, Childish Gambino, deadmau5, Phoenix and more look damn good. Keen to chat about the tunes as well as shoot them, Yaya's also a presenter on Sydney's FBi Radio. Did you go to uni/TAFE? If you did, what did you study? I studied screen media and broadcasting at St Leonard's TAFE and a fine art degree majoring in photomedia at COFA. What are your top three tunes for getting shit done? David Bowie — 'Suffragette City' Santigold — 'L.E.S Artistes' Clams Casino — 'Treetop' What's the most random job you've had? I was a fire juggler once in Mexico. If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what'd be your alter ego job? Definitely an orangutan whisperer. What advice would you give your 21-year-old-self? Don't doubt your abilities, trust your instincts, think before you speak and drink lots of water. Top image: Tim Da Rin.
Hankering for something sweet, fluffy and moist, but of the healthy (or healthier) variety? Finding something that ticks both boxes is usually no mean feat; however thanks to Nutri Hitt, it's about to become much easier. You could even say it's now a piece of cake (couldn't help it). The new Geebung-based shop specialises in tasty morsels that are actually good for you, which includes raw, vegan and paleo options, as well as goodies free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar. If you've been to a market or deli around town, you might've tried their wares. Now, like many a stall before them, they've made the leap to a permanent store. That's where you'll find all the guilt-free cakes that you could want, including the slice of white chocolate heaven that is the Snow White, childhood nostalgia in the form of the Rainbow Swirl, and everything from lemon, lime and coconut and tiramisu too. If you're after a smaller bite, don't despair — you'll still find slices and cupcakes at Nutri Hitt's stockists around the city. Snow White White Chocolate Cake covered in our own raw White chocolate shards #nutrihitt #nutrihittcakes #raw #rawcake #rawwhitechocolate #chocolate #snowwhite #whitechocolate #rawlife #treatyourself Posted by NUTRI HITT on Sunday, November 8, 2015 Nutri Hitt started out when owners Candi Coonan and Tamara Lord just wanted to serve delicious treats without the kilojoules. As their success shows, they've achieved that aim — and now everyone keen to have their cake but avoid the not-so-good ingredients has become a winner. Find Nutri Hitt at 8/328 Newman Rd, Geebung, or visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
For everyone who can't make a trip to IKEA to buy furniture and homewares without eating meatballs, but also doesn't eat meat, the Swedish retailer has added both vegetarian and plant-based versions to its range in recent years, including Down Under. But what if you feel the same about the chain's hot dogs? Enter IKEA's plant dogs, which have just hit Australian stores. Let's be honest — getting through a visit to the brand's warehouse-sized outlets doesn't just involve shopping, and also deciding that everything in your house could use a facelift, but also working up an appetite while browsing and buying. Accordingly, it usually entails tucking into one of IKEA's famed bites, whether you're sitting down for those meatballs mid-shop or nabbing a hot dog on the way to the car. Obviously, the original meaty hot dogs that've been on offer for more than four decades aren't going anywhere; however, these new plant dogs expand the range. They're made from rice protein, plus carrot, onion and apple — and they'll set you back $2 a dog. IKEA is working to make 50 percent of the meals in its restaurant meals plant-based by 2025, with offering plant dogs the next step in that direction. In Sydney only, on four individual dates, the brand is also busting out a plant dog truck to hand out freebies. You'll find it at IKEA Marsden Park from 2–6pm on Tuesday, May 28 and at IKEA Tempe from 11am–3pm on Wednesday, May 29. After that, it's popping up at Centenary Square in Parramatta from 12–4pm on Thursday, May 30 and at Dolphin Court at Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, from 11am–3pm on Saturday, June 1. To nab a free taste — your choice of a plant dog or plant balls — from the yellow-hued truck at its Sydney stops, you will need to show your IKEA Family membership (and if you're not already a member, you can sign up for free online). IKEA's plant dogs are now available at its Australian stores — head to the chain's website for further details. The IKEA plant dog truck is popping up across Sydney from Tuesday, May 28–Thursday, May 30 and on Saturday, June 1.
With more than 150 years of winemaking history, the Mudgee region is a well-known weekend destination for wine lovers exploring New South Wales. Sheltered in the Cudgegong River Valley and surrounded by fertile farm land, it's the third largest grape-producing area in the state. The warm, temperate climate is ideal for varieties like tempranillo and garnacha. And many of the varieties you'd find in the Hunter Valley are also on offer here. Whether you're taking a road trip from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney, we've partnered with Destination NSW to bring you a guide to spending 48 hours in the wine region, from which vineyards and restaurants you should visit to the boutique accommodation on offer in the region. Start planning your road trip now. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_790168" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pipeclay Pumphouse via Destination NSW[/caption] EAT Thanks to powerful promotion of local produce, Mudgee specialises in high-quality eateries. Market Street Cafe is one of them. The large, sunny space feels like a French country kitchen and the food follows suit — classic dishes, cooked with premium ingredients. For dinner, there's Pipeclay Pumphouse. It's part of the Robert Stein Winery and Vineyard, one of Mudgee's best-known winemakers. Opened in October 2013, the fine diner presents a range of seven- and ten-course degustations and you can add on matching wines from the Robert Stein range, or from Mudgee vineyards more broadly. Meanwhile, good coffee can be found at cute, French-influenced, courtyard cafe Alby + Esthers. [caption id="attachment_790162" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gilbert Family Wines via Destination NSW[/caption] DRINK Start your wine tasting experience at Lowe Wines. Headed by sixth-generation Mudgee man and intelligent farming advocate David Lowe, it's home to expansive organic, biodynamic vineyards, rescued donkeys and a recycled 'chook palace'. Take it all in on a self-guided walking tour. Next, head to one (or more) of several wineries in the area specialising in European varieties. Mudgee's warm, temperate climate is ideal for them. Vinifera is known for its excellent Spanish-inspired drops and was one of the first wineries in Australia to experiment with tempranillo. Then, at Di Lusso, you'll find a focus on Italian wines and food, and at Mansfield, you'll discover unusual Portuguese-style drops. There are another 30 or so wineries to visit, including slick, big-name operations like Robert Oatley and smaller, fifth-generation winemakers Gilbert Family Wines, so be sure to book into your favourites in advance to secure tasting sessions before you travel. [caption id="attachment_790153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roth's Wine Bar via Destination NSW[/caption] DO When you want to drink somewhere other than at a vineyard, head to Roth's. It's the oldest wine bar in New South Wales, having set up as an illicit operation in the 1920s. And the 80-percent local wine list gives you the chance to sample anything you might have missed on your tasting adventures. Just up the road, the Mudgee Brewing Company is where to sample locally made ales and, when up and running again, hear local live music. If shopping is more your thing, check out the diverse range of native products and foods at the cafe and shop by Indigiearth. [caption id="attachment_790157" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dunns Swamp, Destination NSW[/caption] For those looking for some outdoor adventuring, there's the western fringe of the Wollemi National Park to explore, including the incredible scenery of Dunns Swamp, which forms the head of the Cudgegong River, and has plenty of opportunities for cycling, walking and kayaking. [caption id="attachment_790159" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sierra Escape via Cameron D'Arcy[/caption] STAY One of the most beautiful (albeit pricey) options for sleeping is Evanslea. The estate sprawls across nine acres on the Cudgegong riverfront, yet it's within walking distance to town. Accommodation takes the form of five-star luxury spa cottages, and there's a communal pool and a tennis court. Here's the clincher: private wine tours in a vintage Valiant can be organised on request. Alternatively, you can stay at luxury glamping site Sierra Escape, which is only 20 minutes' drive from the centre of Mudgee, but feels a million miles from anything as it's surrounded by rolling countryside as far as the eye can see. Two-person tents start at $440 per night. Or, for a more architectural experience, there's The Black Shed. The newly built shed is found five kilometres from Mudgee, set within a working vineyard with free-roaming chooks and farm dogs. Now that interstate border restrictions have started to ease, start planning a trip to this picturesque wine region in NSW. For more details, visit Destination NSW's website. Top image: Lowe Wines, Destination NSW
At a glance, Deer Duck Bistro looks like the entertaining parlour of an eccentric great-aunt with a fondness for fine wine and antique furniture. And if your great-aunt's place is this good, I'll be coming over to raid her liquor cabinet. Since opening in late 2011, Deer Duck Bistro has been receiving rave reviews from every which way, and received the Dan Murphy's award for BYO Restaurant of the Year in 2012. It has proved a much-needed addition to an otherwise low key Auchenflower dining scene, bringing charm and elegance to the shop front that formerly housed Cava Cava Italian restaurant. Its unassuming location on busy Milton Road makes it easy to miss when driving, so keep your eyes peeled. The menu blends European and Modern Australian cuisines with molecular gastronomy methods, while the antiques, oil paintings and Persian rugs recall another era. Put simply, to cross the threshold is to leave your everyday life behind for a short time and embrace a candlelit, otherworldly alternate reality where old and new come together. Current on offer from the Deer Duck kitchen are 5 and 8 course Chef's Menus. Priced at $75 per person, or $110 per person with matching wines, the 5 course menu includes a beautifully refreshing crab dish with tomato, avocado, lemon snow, jamon and salmon roe; sweet and sticky Chinese pork belly with prawn, cured sausage and asparagus; lamb with chilli tomato jam and vegetables; and a delicious ash goat chevre cheese with honey, apple and lavosh. The final course features seven textures of chocolate with orange marshmallow and is an appropriately sinful finish to a decadent meal, and includes a divine aerated chocolate so light you can almost pretend it's not naughty. With the 8 course dinner ($110 per person or $175 per person with matching wines), you'll also get the tuna with pesto, white fungus, edible sand and sea shell; Balinese duck breast; and nitro banana with salted caramel, peanut butter ice cream and coconut biscuit. BYO wine is available with a $10 corkage charge. The private dining room upstairs is perfect for functions, and in the leadup to Christmas, Deer Duck is offering set menus for groups of 10 or more at $80 per head.
They've made fireworks you can eat, cooked T-bone steaks with lava and served bespoke cocktails tailor made to match your DNA. But this past week in London, culinary wizards Sam Bompas and Harry Parr may have outdone themselves yet again. Hosted in a converted warehouse in partnership with deals website bespokeoffers.co.uk, The 200 Club can claim the title of the world's longest tasting menu, featuring 200 different dishes over 24 non-stop hours of service. Eight chefs toiled away in the kitchen creating the tasting plates, which ranged from truffle bubbles to coffee-compressed watermelon. A two hour sitting cost between £49 and £99 depending on the time of day, or you could attempt the entire gastronomic marathon for £2,000 per couple. Only four people have the stomach for the latter option, but we have to imagine they were happy with their decision. Of course it wouldn't be a Bompas & Parr affair without a little additional visual theatre. As such, each sitting was differentiated by the colour of the food, a move inspired by the monochromatic feasts of Emperor Nero. Check out the menu, as well as some photographic highlights, below. 200 CLUB MENU Yellow Breakfast: A morning repast that zings with citrus, caffeine and craft. This culinary explosion will hybridise flavours of the East and West in a high-energy, high-end display of homely food love. White Elevenses: A British tradition bejewelled in surreal sparkle. Expect custards, shortbread, quiches, clouds of confection sugar and a dreamy sweet vision of the classic treats. Green Lunch: This meal will be a rustic yet refined version of the garden snacking of yore. Look forward to leafy eating including the freshest greens, meats and cheeses, plus a procession of fluorescent jellies. Blue Afternoon Snack: A powerhouse of flavour for the lazy hours of the day. Taste an otherworldly array of vibrant and dusty turquoises in the form of naturally tinted roots and skilfully prepared fish. Purple Five O’Clock Tiffin: Rooted in the wild and rich darkness of summer, enjoy ingredients such as wild game and dark summer fruits. Dishes will speak to simple food traditions reinterpreted with modern culinary craft. Pink Dinner: Forget “trendy” food items like burgers or hot dogs. Your table will be buzzing with eye-popping fuchsia, cured meats, and smouldering wood smoke. Red Party Time: A sultry explosion of party vibes and hot weather flavours. You’ll see Australian and Asian influences, balancing classic spice and tropical tangs with modern style. Orange Drunchies: The extension of a great night out. Expect contradicting textures, bleeding edge techniques, and lashings of moreishness to tantalise the palate. Brown Blackout: Indulge in a meal of carnal urges – sweet, hot and savoury dishes. The chef will keep you on your toes with coffee, chocolate, black garlic, squid ink, soy sauce, and liquorice. Multicolour Final Countdown: A communal carousal of globally-inspired festival food. Mark the culmination of The 200 Club with a multinational flavour and colour explosion, using vibrant colours with grand presentations. Images by Adam Laycock via Bespoke Offers.
They say home is where the heart is. If that's the case then we need to get our heart into one of these places as soon as physically possible. Houses Magazine has just revealed the winners of the 2015 Houses Awards, singling out some of the most innovative and extravagant homesteads in the country. The top prize, Australian House of the Year, went to Planchonella House in far north Queensland; the extravagant tropical abode that bears at least a passing resemblance to a villain's lair in a Bond film also won the gong for New House over 200m². The prize for New House under 200m² went to Sawmill House in regional Victoria, which combines more than 250 one ton concrete blocks with a timber screen and a nine metre long sliding glass wall. Best Apartment or Unit went to The Darlinghurst Apartment, a one-bedroom dwelling in inner-Sydney just 27m² in size. The competition also hands out awards for Outdoor and Sustainable residences, which this year went to the partially roofless (and bafflingly named) Cut Paw Paw in Seddon, Victoria and the QV8 apartments in the Melbourne CBD, respectively. The Houses Awards are decided by a panel of esteemed designers and architects. You can find the full list of this year's winners below. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE OF THE YEAR – Planchonella House by Jesse Bennet Architecture. NEW HOUSE UNDER 200M² – Sawmill House by Archier Studio. NEW HOUSE OVER 200M² – Planchonella House by Jesse Bennet Architecture. HOUSE ALTERATION & ADDITION UNDER 200M² – West End Cottage by Vokes and Peters. HOUSE ALTERATION & ADDITION OVER 200M² – Tower House by Andrew Maynard Architects. APARTMENT OR UNIT – Darlinghurst Apartment by Brad Swartz Architect. OUTDOOR – Cut Paw Paw by Andrew Maynard Architects. SUSTAINABLE – QV8 by Breathe Architecture. HOUSE IN A HERITAGE CONTEXT – House in House by Steffen Welsch Architects.
Every time you enter a darkened cinema to spend a few hours gazing at the silver screen, you pay tribute to French movies. More than a century ago, the European nation was at the forefront of the medium — its filmmakers are not only responsible for the oldest surviving film in existence, but also the 46-second piece considered the first true film ever made, as well as many influential early efforts. They're still helping shower audiences in movie delights today, of course, with Australia's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival providing an annual snapshot of just how busy and bustling the French film industry remains. When you're selling more than 212 million cinema tickets to eager audiences in a single a year, as the country did in 2016, you need plenty of great flicks to show them. As far as our slice of Gallic cinema in Australia is concerned, the numbers keep coming: reaching its 28th year, the 2017 festival will screen 45 films in nine different cities and towns, and will try to exceed its 168,000 admissions from its last outing. That all adds up to a great problem for a cinema lover to have: being spoiled for choice. Should you opt for watching many a French movie star? Exploring many an intriguing tale? Or try to combine both? Let us help steer you in the right direction with our ten must-see picks of the fest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ-y_3mquoc THE ODYSSEY When The Odyssey starts relating the tale of Jacques Cousteau, you can be forgiven for expecting to see Billy Murray's face, hear Brazilian versions of Bowie tracks and laugh at Wes Anderson's sense of humour. We all love The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which comically paid homage to Cousteau — but, taking to the seas for a biopic of the famous French oceanographer, director Jérôme Salle favours a much more traditional approach. With Lambert Wilson playing the man in question and Audrey Tautou co-starring as his wife, expect more than a few waves to result as the film examines Cousteau's professional and personal lives. The Odyssey opens this year's Alliance Francaise French Film Festival with a splash, which is exactly how you want things to kick off. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu3OdZ8RJd4 BEING 17 It's okay if Being 17 sounds familiar — it has been doing the rounds of Australia's major film festivals over the past year. However, one of the great things about the AFFFF is the opportunity to catch up with movies you might've missed elsewhere. And, if you haven't put this vibrant coming-of-age flick in front of your eyeballs just yet, make sure you rectify the situation. The story itself makes a certain impact as it charts two teenage boys exploring their feelings for each other, then grappling with the uncertainty that follows, as told with sensitivity and insight by Girlhood director-turned-Being 17 screenwriter Céline Sciamma. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAOVBV670XM DAGUERROTYPE Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa is well known for dwelling in horror territory — in fact, his last movie screened at the Japanese Film Festival late last year. Here, he makes the jump to France to tell a Gothic ghost tale, enlisting the help of actors Tahar Rahim and Mathieu Amalric. At the centre of the film sits the titular form of photography, which involves capturing images on a silver surface, and requires those getting snapped to sit still for hours on end. The film moves similarly slowly; however, it doesn't take long for its Gothic charms to work their magic. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnp0f9xoAfM IN BED WITH VICTORIA When it premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, In Bed With Victoria earned comparisons to Trainwreck. So if that's your kind of film, get excited. Yes, that means you should expect an account of a woman's quest for romantic success, relayed in both a frank and funny fashion. It also means you'll be falling for an engaging lead performance, with Up for Love's Virginie Efira more than handling the task of playing a Parisian lawyer and single mother trying to navigate the ups and downs of life, dating and finding happiness. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5dh7UWbSZI IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD Prepare to question your life choices. In the last nine years, French-Canadian writer/director Xavier Dolan has made six films, five of which have screened at Cannes. He'll turn 28 this month, and he's currently working on his seventh effort, his English-language debut starring Kit Harington, Jessica Chastain, Natalie Portman, Thandie Newton, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon and Room's Jacob Tremblay. That's quite the accomplishment — and while his most recent movie, It's Only the End of the World, has received mixed reviews, there's still plenty of emotion-dripping French family drama and eye-catching visuals to enjoy. Gaspard Ulliel, Nathalie Baye, Léa Seydoux, Vincent Cassel and Marion Cotillard star, with the film taking out Cannes' 2016 Grand Jury Prize. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H96Qxp-3ssc A JOURNEY THROUGH FRENCH CINEMA We've already told you that France and cinema go hand-in-hand, but there's no need to simply take our word for it. Trust the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival to screen just the movie that'll teach you everything you ever needed to know about French filmmaking, with veteran writer/director Bertrand Tavernier's A Journey Through French Cinema an informative and engaging guide. Be warned: because there's plenty to cover, you can expect to get comfy for more than three hours. And remember to clear your schedule for months afterwards, because you're going to want to spend every waking moment delving into as much French movie history as possible. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmPTQdW79Tg PLANETARIUM With a title like Planetarium, writer/director Rebecca Zlotowski will have you thinking about stars — and seeing them as well. Expect to be dazzled not by the shining lights above or a place dedicated to them, but by the talents of Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp (yes, Johnny's daughter). The two combine to bring a pair of American sisters to life on a stylish journey through pre-war Europe, complete with seances and other paranormal phenomena, as well as the process of bringing supernatural magic to the movies. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elM9HxIlDnQ THINGS TO COME Come on, admit it: we were all hoping that Isabelle Huppert's name would be read out at the Oscars this year. Alas, there was no envelope mix-up in the best actress category. Elle wasn't the only astonishing performance that the French actress gave in 2016 though, with her work in Things to Come just as moving and revelatory. Under the affectionate direction of Eden's Mia Hansen-Løve, Huppert is once again at her best as a philosophy professor forced to reassess her life. And, if you can't get enough of all things Isabelle, she also pops up in fellow festival effort Souvenir. Double feature, anyone? View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRgjsnadqOA THE INNOCENTS Cinema has made a habit of following those in habits, pondering faith and exploring the space where religious beliefs and the realities of life meet. Add The Innocents to the contemplative pile, as a young French doctor visits a Benedictine convent to tackle the one scenario that's not supposed to happen: several pregnancies. Set at the end of the Second World War, Anne Fontaine's film proves all the more compelling by taking its tale from a true story. No wonder it got audiences talking when it screened at last year's Sundance, and no doubt it'll do the same again at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. View sessions here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=FWaf830692s TOMORROW After wowing audiences as one of film's most memorable cinema owners in Inglourious Basterds, Mélanie Laurent hasn't just continued to pop up on-screen — she has stepped behind the lens as well. In fact, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival gifted Australian audiences with the chance to see her last fictional feature, Breathe, and they're coming through again. This time, Laurent turns documentarian with co-director Cyril Dion to dive into today's environmental issues, and just what they might mean for tomorrow. If that sounds powerful, it should. It also won the duo the Cesar award for best documentary at France's top film awards. View sessions here. The Alliance Française French Film Festival will visit Sydney from March 7 to 30; Melbourne from March 8 to 30, and Brisbane from March 16 to April 9.
And now, the end is near. And so we face the final curtain... My, what a ride it's been. 22 films, more than a dozen TV series, 80-odd main characters, $4 billion spent and close to $20 billion made. But as Tony Stark, the man whose original Iron Man film kicked this whole crazy thing off, says: "part of the journey is the end". In Avengers: Endgame, we're given an end worthy of that extraordinary journey. In the simplest sense, Endgame is a sequel to 2018's Infinity War, and the 22nd film in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yet, there's very little that's simple about this picture, marking as it does the extraordinary culmination of several dozen intricate and intertwined story arcs that extend all the way back to 2008. It's also, if you'll forgive the pun, a stark counterpoint in both style and content to Infinity War, presenting very much like an out-and-out drama instead of the traditional comic book spectacle. Where Infinity War was all bombast, Endgame offers reserve. Where Infinity War wrought intergalactic devastation and destruction, Endgame delivers intimacy and an examination of grief, loss and very private regret. It's comfortably the Marvel film in which the least happens, yet it never for one moment feels dull or lags — even with its 3 hour run time. Despite Disney's best efforts, spoilers are abounding online, so in the interests of preserving secrecy for those who've managed to silo themselves away from revelations, we'll keep any plot discussion to a minimum. The shock of Infinity War's conclusion, in which 50 per cent of all living things in the universe were snapped into dust by Thanos (Josh Brolin), looms large over those left behind. Survivor guilt affects everyone, most notably the remaining superheroes burdened with the additional feelings of failure, blame and empty vengeance. In one of the film's best scenes, Captain America (Chris Evans) sits in an AA-style support group, telling those in attendance it's up to them to move on, rebuild and make something of earth again. It's a beautiful speech and entirely true, but the hollowness behind Cap's eyes betrays his own failure to practice what he preaches. So too the rest of the Avengers. Thanks to the trailers, it's safe to say Ant Man (the ever-appealing Paul Rudd) plays a pivotol role in kick-starting Endgame's plan to rectify the devastation of Thanos's genocide, employing what he playfully terms "a time heist". Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely gleefully unpack some of the persistent myths of that particular device, ripping apart the plotholes of iconic chrono-cinema stories like Back to the Future and The Terminator. In Endgame, there's some impressive backtracking through the MCU's own history, which doubles as the launch pad for most of the film's lighter moments (a discussion about Cap's butt being chief amongst them). The humour, though, doesn't always land, and the main offender in Endgame, we're sad to say, is Chris Hemsworth's Thor. He's taken the failure to prevent Thanos' snap particularly badly, but save for a solid sight gag early on, Hemsworth's performance feels at odds with everything else in the film. Only when he abandons the attempted comedy does he again sizzle on screen, be it in one of the rare moments of action or in a tender moment with a key character from his past. And there are a lot of those, with Endgame drawing its cast list from the entire MCU catalogue. Most appearances are fleeting, but rather than feel like mere fan service, they serve to reinforce the scale of the franchise's achievement. With each new face we're reminded of another moment within another film from somewhere in our own past; an opportunity to engage in some time-travelling of our own as we revisit the experience of watching these films throughout the last decade. When the inevitable culmination arrives at the film's conclusion, it's so much more than a roll call. It's at once a reunion, a rectification, a resurgence and a cathartic, tearful farewell. Yes, tearful. There are deaths here, and having spent so long in the company of these characters, the emotional resonance of their departures isn't easily absorbed. Technically, the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home is pegged as the official end to Phase 3 of the MCU, but emotionally there's no question Endgame lives up to its name. When the dust finally (and literally) settles, the payoff is thoroughly earned and the emotions are heartfelt and raw. But goodbye doesn't necessarily mean gone here, and in certain cases a character's departure simply means their baton is passed on to others. A few of these are shown; others, merely hinted at. Phase 4 will mark a significant reset for Marvel, and with the recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the path now lies open for drawing in the X-Men franchise to the growing MCU roster. According to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, however, it'll be a while before we see the likes of Magneto and Professor X alongside Captain America. Til then, Marvel's challenge will be to build, develop and deliver the same level of complexity and pathos into its next generation of heroes as with those we've just farewelled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6hldpSTF8
