For a country surrounded by stunning coastlines, Australia hasn't been pulling its weight in the beach club department. Sure, we have waterside bars, but truly relaxing on the sand with a beer in your hand isn't something you can do legally in most of the country. The Gold Coast toyed with the idea, but it didn't come to fruition. And when Fremantle's Bathers Beach House opened up, it scored the nation's first liquor license for alfresco beach dining and drinking. The Gold Coast also played around with the beach club concept — aka European-style lounging, sipping and relaxing by the shore — however Adelaide has beaten it to the punch. If you're down South Australia way from mid-January, make a beeline to the beachside hotspot of Glenelg, and specifically the new Moseley Beach Club. An extension of the existing Moseley Bar & Kitchen, the club will boast eight premium sunbeds and 48 sun lounges on the Glenelg foreshore, which will be available for eager beachgoers seven days a week. Unsurprisingly, you'll need to book ahead to nab a comfy berth — but, once you're there, you'll also find a bar and casual dining area, with the entire space catering for a total of 350 people. The Moseley will also offer live acoustic music on weeknights and DJs on weekends. If you're wondering why the SA venue was able to achieve something nowhere else in the country has, it's simple: tourism. The local council, the City of Holdfast Bay, is acting upon independent research that found visitors would come to Glenelg more often if there was a licensed pop-up bar on the beach. For now, the Moseley Beach Club will run for 75 days until April, opening from noon to 9pm from Monday to Thursday, noon until 11pm on Fridays, 10am to 11pm on Saturdays and 10am to either 9pm on 11pm (if the next day is a public holiday) on Sundays. Entry is free before 5pm and $5 afterwards, while catching some rays on a lounge will set you back $50, which is redeemable on food and beverages and includes a free beach towel hire. Premium sunbeds are $100.
Mid-April 2018 was a great period for Beyoncé fans, with the superstar singer taking to the Coachella stage and making it her own across two huge sets. Bey isn't playing the festival in 2019, but she's still staking a claim on this part of the year. After simultaneously releasing a Netflix documentary about the epic show and a 40-track live album just this week, it looks like more Beyoncé specials are heading to the streaming platform. As part of the deal for Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé, Netflix signed on for three Beyoncé projects, according to Variety. Just what the other two will be and when they'll land is yet to be revealed; however the streamer has been growing its music library in recent years — it also has concert and music docos about Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Quincy Jones in its catalogue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8qvx0HOlI For now, Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé remains the concert documentary you definitely knew you needed, but didn't know existed until recently Picking up where the most-watched live-streamed performance of all time, the film follows all of the on-stage and behind-the-scenes action, including the 100-plus dancers, the show's powerful homage to America's historically black colleges and universities, and "the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement". Like the real-life performance, the film clocks in at 137 minutes, so expect a lengthy and intimate tour through the festival set everyone has been talking about for 12 months, including behind-the-scenes footage and candid chats that delve into the preparation process and Bey's stunning vision. You know what else is lengthy? The 40-track live album Bey also dropped on Spotify. As well as live renditions of 'Sorry', 'Crazy in Love' and 'Soldier' — the latter which was performed with former Destiny's Child group mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — from Coachella, the album, also called Homecoming, features a song by Blue Ivy (Bey's daughter) and two bonus tracks. It's also doubly exciting that the album is available on the easier-to-access Spotify, as Bey dropped her most-recent album Lemonade exclusively on Tidal, her husband Jay-Z's streaming service. Head to Netflix to watch Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé and listen to the album below: Images: Courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment
When the eighth season of Game of Thrones finished its run in 2019, bringing the highly popular series to a conclusion, everyone knew that it wasn't really the end. The world created by George RR Martin will live on in his books, whenever the author finally publishes the long-awaited next instalment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series. And, because HBO likes both ratings and advertising dollars, the US cable network will keep the GoT-related TV shows going as well. Like residents of Westeros hoping that summer (or at least autumn) will last for ever, HBO isn't ready to let go of its highly successful commodity. Before GoT even finished, there had been plenty of chatter about what it'll do next, in fact. First, HBO announced that it was considering five different prequel ideas. It then green-lit one to pilot stage, scrapped it and later decided to adapt Martin's House Targaryen-focused Fire & Blood for the small screen instead. Now, the channel is reportedly in the early development phase for another GoT-related series also stemming from Martin's books. This time around, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg looks set to get the TV treatment, Variety reports — with HBO still eager to keep building upon GoT's massive success, as the network is likely to be for the near future. The project is in the very early stages, however, so there's no word yet on who'll be involved either on- or off-screen. If it does come to fruition, Tales of Dunk and Egg will draw upon three novellas published so far: 1998's The Hedge Knight, 2003's The Sworn Sword and 2010's The Mystery Knight. Set around 90 years before the events of GoT, all three focus on the titular characters. Dunk will eventually become the future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall, while Egg is the future king Aegon V Targaryen — and both earn a mention in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. As happened with the first proposed GoT prequel — as mentioned above — the fact that HBO is pondering making a new Westeros-set show doesn't mean that it'll end up making it to screens. Still, if you've been missing the chaos of the franchise's fictional world (and could use a return visit as a distraction from the real world), it's welcome news. Until any of the prequels actually drop, you can always rewatch the original — which is streaming in Australia via Binge — or revisit a trailer from its eighth and final season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuLUyJdRvSU Via Variety.
Cinderella, Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast have all taken to Australia's stages in recent years, bringing beloved narratives that everyone associates with Disney movies from the cinema to the theatre. For the next show that falls into that category, no one needs to grow up. The inhabitants of Neverland, where Peter and the Starcatcher is set, certainly aren't known to. A five-time Tony Award-winner for its 2012 Broadway season, the production earned theatre's coveted accolades for its costumes, sound design, scenic design and lighting, and for Best Featured Actor in a Play — but the version that's coming to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane comes with a twist. For Peter and the Starcatcher's long-awaited Aussie debut, Dead Puppet Society (The Wider Earth, Ishmael) is reimagining the stage favourite, which is a prequel to JM Barrie's Peter and Wendy. Accordingly, from October 2024, expect puppets helping to spin a tale that features more than 100 characters, as well as live tunes. Originally based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's novel Peter and the Starcatchers, then adapted for the stage by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), the play heads to Neverland before Peter Pan visited — before Captain Hook inspired terror, too. So, it's an origin story, complete with an island, a moustachioed pirate, an orphan without a name and Wendy's mother Molly. "The initial production of Peter and the Starcatcher was a passion project — just a great group of artists and high expectations. To see the play come to life over and over again around the world is a joy I never expected," said Elice. "And to witness the marriage of this humble piece with the vast imagination and ingenuity of Dead Puppet Society is more than a joy, it's a privilege — and, for this playwright, an inspiration." [caption id="attachment_930290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Barton[/caption] "Nearly everyone knows the tale of Peter Pan, but Peter and Wendy's origin story has been a much more closely guarded secret. Rick Elice's incredible play takes the characters we know and love and charts the course they take to Neverland and into the classics when a group of lost orphans, moustachioed pirates, and Wendy's mother Molly collide over a trunk full of Starstuff, the most powerful substance on earth," added Dead Puppet Society's Creative Director David Morton. "This lightning-paced, whimsical show was a mega hit on Broadway. To have the opportunity to bring an all-new production to Australian audiences, reimagined with Dead Puppet Society's approach to design-led theatre and stagecraft, is both an honour and a dream come true." "Ultimately this is a story of villains finding their heroes, of timeless friendships and fates that can't be avoided. But don't be fooled... this isn't just a show for young people, it's for the young at heart, and anyone else who never wanted to grow up." PETER AND THE STARCATCHER AUSTRALIAN DATES: From Tuesday, October 15, 2024 — Canberra Theatre, Canberra From Friday, November 8, 2024 — Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From Thursday, January 9, 2025 — Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide From Friday, January 31, 2025 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney From Friday, March 14, 2025 — QPAC, Brisbane Peter and the Starcatcher will tour Australia across 2024–25 — head to the production's website for tickets for Melbourne now, tickets for Canberra from Wednesday, December 13 and to join the waitlist for other cities.
Solar power. Who needs it? Well, we do — and pretty desperately. To generate it though, we need those pesky black solar panels to be fitted to people's roofs and properties and anywhere we can find a space for them. This can be a little hard without overtaking natural environments and farmland. But France have found thousands of kilometres of space perfect for solar panels — their roads. This idea of paving roads with solar panels was first floated by Scott and Julie Brusaw, when they launched a crowdfunding campaign to pave American parking lots with the things in 2014. But this project is a little more legit. Proposed by French transport infrastructure company Colas and France's National Institute for Solar Energy, it's been given the go-ahead by France's Agency of Environment and Energy Management. And if all goes to plan, they're promising to bring solar power to 1000-kilometres of roads in the country over the next five years. Named the Wattway system, the 7mm photovoltaic road surface would be stuck on top of existing road surfaces. Both its thinness and ease of application to existing roads make it the best proposal yet — and seeing as roads are only occupied by vehicles only 10% of the time, they'll be soaking up a lot of sunlight too. Claiming they are "paving the way to tomorrow's energy" (nice one, guys), Colas say that a one-kilometre stretch of Wattway panels would be able to provide the electricity to power public lighting in a city of 5000 inhabitants. According to Global Construction Review, tests on the solar roadway panels will begin this year. Let's hope the French trial is successful, and makes its way over here. As anyone who's stood barefoot on asphalt on a hot day knows, that stuff stores a lethal amount of heat. Via Tree Hugger.
If you've been wondering about the story behind today's rainbow Google doodle, here's the low-down. With the Winter Olympics opening ceremony to be held tonight in Sochi, the online giant has put its weight behind the protest against Russia's discriminatory laws. Six stylised athletes are depicted participating in various winter sports, from ice hockey to figure skating to bobsledding. Underneath, a quotation from the Olympic Charter reads, "The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." Activists all over the world have spoken out against the International Olympic Committee's decision to hold the Games in Russia, where the law bans the promotion of non-traditional sexuality and prevents under-18-year-olds from having access to information about homosexuality. On Wednesday, February 5, protests were held in 19 different cities. Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon acknowledged the issue in his speech to the IOC, stating, "Many professional athletes, gay and straight, are speaking out against prejudice. We must all raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face."
Wintertime is gallery time in Melbourne, so it's no surprise the NGV took a go-big-or-go-home attitude to follow up their extended Van Gogh and the Seasons exhibition. Thankfully, they haven't disappointed with a huge display of the works of Katsushika Hokusai. Running until October 15, the Hokusai exhibition is the largest single assemblage of the artist's work ever to be seen in Australia. More than 150 of his works are on display – including his five career-defining series of woodblock prints, the complete 15 editions of handprinted manga, plus silk works and rarely exhibited paintings. To make the exhibition a reality, NGV curator of Asian art Wayne Crothers worked closely with the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum (JUM), a privately owned gallery and one of the world's largest collectors of Japanese woodblock prints. Crothers says this relationship allowed the NGV to showcase the "highest quality examples" of Hokusai's work available. On entering Hokusai, you'll get to know the artist from works from his early career before coming to his universally acclaimed Thirty-six Views of Mt Fuji series. Created during Hokusai's own circumvention of Mt Fuji and his eventual summit, this series is the best instance of Hokusai's uncanny ability to depict everyday Japanese life and the population's closeness to nature. Next up is the unmistakable centrepiece — The Great Wave off Kanagawa — while across the gallery threshold is A Tour to the Waterfalls in Various Provinces, which rests against a distinctly 'Hokusaian' Prussian blue backdrop. Here, the gallery splinters into various spaces dedicated to his many manga volumes, and other lesser-known (but equally as impressive) works. While we're fortunate enough to be able to see many of Hokusai's headline artworks for the first time in Australia, Crothers explains the artist's most famous works are only the beginning to this exhibition: "One of the things we wanted to show through this exhibition was for everyone to enjoy 'The Wave', but then move beyond it and to experience the imagination in Hokusai's other creative projects." Here, with the help of Crothers' nuanced insight, we've selected five great works (aside from The Great Wave) from the Hokusai collection that you can't possibly miss. [caption id="attachment_630150" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Amida Falls in the far reaches of the Kisokaidō Road, courtesy of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Matsumoto.[/caption] THE AMIDA WATERFALL ON THE KISO ROCK, A TOUR TO THE WATERFALLS IN VARIOUS PROVINCES, (C. 1832-1833) The Waterfalls series represents some of the most experimental and creative works Hokusai produced at any time throughout his career. A stunning design piece, The Amida Waterfall on the Kiso Road shows an overhead view of flowing water, before halfway down the work changing perspective to a right-angled illustration of a waterfall. [caption id="attachment_630153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hokusai install at NGV, shot by Tom Ross.[/caption] VIEW OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE AT SANO IN KOZUKE, REMARKABLE VIEWS OF BRIDGES IN VARIOUS PROVINCES (1830) One of Crothers' favourite works of the exhibition, this piece captures the beautiful Japanese winter landscapes, while the travellers trudge across the snow covered pontoon in silence. Throughout this series, Hokusai illustrates the changing of the seasons across diverse locations and depicts the lives of working class Japanese people during this period. [caption id="attachment_630155" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The ghost of Kohada Koheiji, courtesy of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Matsumoto.[/caption] 100 GHOST STORIES (1831) Based upon numerous well-known Japanese supernatural tales, the Ghost Stories series is Hokusai's surreal interpretation of these stories. Taking a satirical and humorous approach, for this woodblock print series Hokusai took one small detail from each popular fable and crafted caricatures, which mocked government corruption, societal wrongs and other common issues during this era. An immaculate collection, Crothers says these prints best demonstrate Hokusai's "vivid imagination". [caption id="attachment_630159" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hokusai installation, shot by Tom Ross.[/caption] CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN, THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF MT FUJI (C. 1830-1833) While you might assume Thirty-six Views of Mt Fuji has 36 accompanying prints, in fact, the series was so popular that Hokusai created an additional ten prints (although the original title was kept). Described by Crothers as the perfect 'final gesture', this 46th print depicts a group near Mt Fuji's summit, which was said to hold the key to immortality — a topic Hokusai often showed interest in. REFLECTION IN LAKE AT MISAKA IN KAI PROVINCE, THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF MT FUJI (C. 1830-1833) Depicting a peaceful reflection of the summertime summit of Mt Fuji in its lush landscape, this woodblock print is another from the subsequent ten prints to the original series. Hokusai is known for including many subtle details and references throughout his work, and on closer inspection of this piece, you'll notice the distinctly summer time Mt Fuji shows off its wintery side in the lake's reflection. Hokusai is now showing at NGV International.
It happened — it really, finally happened. After being forced to move online in 2020 due to COVID-19, then having to push back its 2021 dates not once but twice for the same reason, the Sydney Film Festival returned to cinemas around the city this month for a 12-day big-screen run. If you're seeing a movie in Sydney, there's nothing quite like seeing it at the glorious State Theatre — or spending almost a fortnight camped out there doing nothing but watching films. SFF hasn't forsaken the online realm, however. The pandemic turned attending film festivals into a virtual pursuit as well as a physical one, and Sydney's annual celebration of cinema is still keen to stream its wares. Enter SFF On Demand, the fest's digital offshoot for 2021, which is showing 56 feature-length films and 13 shorts between Friday, November 12–Sunday, November 21. It's the SFF you can keep enjoying after the IRL festival has packed up its projectors for the year. It's also the SFF you can head to no matter where you're located in Australia, all without worrying about border restrictions and plane fares. The SFF On Demand lineup is jam-packed with must-sees, too, including our ten picks of the online program. Yes, first we watched, reviewed and recommended ten excellent films showing during SFF's physical run, and now we've done the same for its virtual lineup to help liven up your at-home viewing. You can even stream SFF's two big award-winners — and they're definitely on our list. CRYPTOZOO Throw a fantastical menagerie worth of mythical beasts into a kaleidoscope, plus copious amounts of hallucinogens. Then, sprinkle in some savvy cynicism about capitalism, corporations, the military-industrial complex and the 21st century's consumerism-driven ethos, as well as a savaging of xenophobic attitudes and a keen awareness of how humanity has been impacting the natural world. Next, shake vigorously. That's not how you make a movie, even one that splashes hand-drawn animation across the screen and is happy to look like it has been sketched and coloured in while under the influence, but it's easy to imagine that this is how Cryptozoo came together in all its mind-bending glory. A wild ride of a movie — and one aimed purely at adults — it's outlandish, ambitious, irreverent and entertaining all at once. It's also as smart as it is silly, and it's just as willing to make more than a few statements in more than a few ways. In comic book artist-turned-writer/director Dash Shaw's (My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea) psychedelic alternative version of our own universe, and of the 1960s, unicorns, pegasi, krakens, gorgons and other critters of legend all exist. The titular locale is home to many thanks to cryptozoologist Lauren Gray (Lake Bell, Medical Police) and her mentor Joan (Grace Zabriskie, Twin Peaks), but it also doubles as a theme park for humans to gawk at its rare inhabitants. Lauren is devoted to trying to protect the creatures, called cryptids; however, that's easier said than done when shadowy mercenaries are trying to capture the same beings. Some critters take humanoid forms and it's one, Phoebe (Angeliki Papoulia, The Lobster), who encourages Lauren to challenge everything that she believes — and both wondrous and astute chaos ensues. HIVE In Hive, to peer at Kosovo-born actor Yllka Gashi is to look deep into a battler's eyes. She plays Fahrije Hoti, a woman who has never been allowed to stop fighting, although the men in her patriarchal village would prefer that she'd simply attend to her duties as a wife and mother, do what's expected and keep quiet. That's just another roadblock she's forced to rally against with every word, thought and breath. With her husband missing for years due to the Kosovo War, and her father-in-law eager to maintain the status quo, she's been trying to make ends meet in a town — and a male-dominated culture — that's unsympathetic to her plight. Fahrije isn't alone, however, with many of the village's other women also widowed due to the conflict and expected to somehow survive. So, with the beehives she dutifully attends to unable to keep paying her bills, she decides to start a female-run co-operative to make and sell ajvar, a pepper relish. A picture of blistering resilience, unflappable fortitude and baked-in sorrow, Gashi is phenomenal as Fahrije — and first-time feature writer/director Blerta Basholli puts in just as magnificent an effort behind the lens. They're both playing with reality, drawing upon the real-life Hoti's moving and inspiring story, but Hive could never be mistaken for a standard biopic. Lived-in fury and resolve buzzes through every exactingly staged and observed scene, and each facet of Gashi's performance as well, all as Fahrije weathers even more derision — and worse — for even dreaming of attempting to support herself. At this year's Sundance Film Festival, Hive became the first movie in history to win its World Cinema Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Best Director gong, and deservedly so. THERE IS NO EVIL The death penalty casts a dark and inescapable shadow over There Is No Evil, which is just as writer/director Mohammad Rasoulof intends. The Iranian filmmaker has spent his career examining the reality of his homeland, as previously seen in 2013's Manuscripts Don't Burn and 2017's A Man of Integrity — so much so that he's actually been banned from his craft, not that that's stopping him. With There Is No Evil, Rasoulof doesn't simply continue the trend that's guided his cinematic resume thus far. Rather, he interrogates the most severe form of punishment that any society can enact, and doesn't shy away from horrors both obvious and unplanned. To call the result powerful is an understatement, and it's won him Berlinale's prestigious Golden Bear in 2020, and now the 2021 Sydney Film Festival Prize as well. An anthology film that unfurls across four segments, There Is No Evil explores capital punishment, its impact and the ripples that executions have upon Iranian society. Even the mere concept of state-sanctioned killing rolls through the feature like waves, changing and reshaping much in its wake. It touches a stressed husband and father (feature first-timer Ehsan Mirhosseini), a conscript (Kaveh Ahangar, Don't Be Embarrassed) who can't fathom ending someone's life, a soldier (Mohammad Valizadegan, Lady of the City) whose compliance causes personal issues and a physician (Mohammad Seddighimehr, The Sad Widows of the Warlord) unable to practise his trade. While some sections hit their mark more firmly and decisively than others — There Is No Evil's introduction sets a high bar — this meticulously crafted movie, both visually and thematically, has a lingering cumulative effect as it ruminates on the threats and freedoms that come with life under an oppressive regime. THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING Essie Davis and Thomasin McKenzie have each enjoyed a busy few years. Since they co-starred in True History of the Kelly Gang, Davis has added Babyteeth, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears and Nitram to her filmography, while McKenzie has appeared in Old, The Power of the Dog and Last Night in Soho just this year alone. A drama about a mother desperate to reclaim custody of her children, The Justice of Bunny King slots in nicely on both actors' ever-growing resumes. It's Davis' movie — she plays the titular New Zealand mum, and inhabits the part like a force of nature — but McKenzie still leaves an imprint as Bunny's niece Tonyah. Both characters yearn for a life that doesn't constantly push them aside and ignore their struggles, and longing, determination and resourcefulness shines through in Davis and McKenzie's performances alike. When asked, Bunny describes herself as a "homeless squidgy bandit". She washes car windscreens in traffic for change, and runs her sister's household in exchange for a couch to crash on. And, as social services reminds her every chance they get, she doesn't have the requisite fixed address they require in order to release her kids (Black Hands' Angus Stevens and debutant Amelie Baynes) from foster care. Simply finding a house and being a family again is all that Bunny spends her days working towards, but needing to extricate Tonyah from a horrific situation soon becomes just as crucial. Making a memorable and heartfelt feature debut that pairs its standout performances with naturalistic imagery and a pulsating air of authenticity, filmmaker Gaysorn Thavat gives Bunny and Tonyah the one thing that the world around them won't: the space to have their stories heard, and to fly the flag for other women in similar circumstances. APPLES Add Apples to the list of films that owe a significant debt to The Lobster and The Favourite's Yorgos Lanthimos. Any Greek Weird Wave movie does, after the Greek filmmaker's 2009 feature Dogtooth made such a splash and helped ignite the cinema movement — but it's actually on that very title that Apples' writer/director Christos Nikou earned his first feature filmmaking credit. His time spent there as a second assistant director and script supervisor has served him well. Indeed, his own full-length debut sports the same deadpan tone, but Nikou doesn't merely try to emulate Lanthimos' success. Working with an accidentally timely topic — a pandemic, something he couldn't have foreseen before Apples' premiere more than a year ago — he finds his own way to tap into the ridiculousness at the heart of existence. There's much to poke, probe, ponder and parody, after all, especially when it comes to the difference between the genuine and the performative in daily life. There are no coughs or fevers fuelling Apples' sweeping illness. Instead, a widespread bout of amnesia has obliterated memories at random. For those who can't recall their past life or anyone in it, being cared for by the state awaits — followed by a step-by-step experimental process to learn to live in the world again. That's the new reality for Aris (Aris Servetalis, Alps), who is encouraged to take Polaroid photos to show how he's working towards normality, and also finds himself warming to fellow amnesiac Anna (Sofia Georgovassili, Thread). Apples finds the midpoint between playing it straight and seeing the absurdity in its setup, and it's a perceptive balance. Nikou also uses the film's fastidiously shot frames to muse on happiness, connection, and the latter's role in the former. EL PLANETA A film can be shaggy and precise at the same time — and both warm and melancholy, too. El Planeta is all of these things as it follows a struggling but resourceful mother-daughter duo. Leo (director/writer/producer/star Amalia Ulman) and María (Ulman's real-life mum Ale) have fallen on hard times, yet are desperate to cling to their middle-class existence in the Spanish coastal city of Gijón. María still slinks around in a fur coat and oversized sunglasses, trying to look the glamours part; frequently, she's lining her jacket's pockets during her shoplifting sprees. Leo is initially seen trying to set up her first job as a sex professional (Colossal filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo plays her potential client), but usually works as a stylist. As a video call with a fashion editor about a prospective New York gig with Christina Aguilera demonstrates, though, exposure is her usual form of payment. There's a witty sense of humour coursing through El Planeta's gorgeous greyscale frames — this isn't a social-realist post-financial crisis slice-of-life — but multidisciplinary artist Ulman still steeps her feature in all-too-real income inequalities. While she's taken loose inspiration from actual mother-and-daughter scammers who tried to fake it till they made it as socialites, she peppers Leo and María's days with markers of a society that cares little for anyone who isn't comfortable at worst and wealthy at best. Indeed, this is a movie teeming with devilish and revelatory details, from the frozen curses that María thinks will save them to Leo's dancing dress-ups, and including a clever Martin Scorsese fixation as well. The use of screen wipes and the whimsical score by Chicken suits its characters perfectly, though; they're not above embellishing their lives however they can, and neither is Ulman's playful and thoughtful delight of a film. NOWHERE SPECIAL If the way that cinema depicts cancer was plotted out on a scale, Babyteeth and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl could easily demonstrate its extremes. One sees its protagonist as a person first and a patient last; the other uses terminal illness as a catalyst for other people's emotions (the "dying girl" part of its moniker is oh-so-telling about how it regards someone with cancer as an afterthought). Nowhere Special thankfully sits at the Babyteeth end of the spectrum. Its premise screams weepie, given that it follows a 35-year-old single father, John (James Norton, Little Women), who needs to find an adoptive family for his four-year-old son Michael (first-timer Daniel Lamont); however, writer/director Uberto Pasolini opts for understatement and realism over wringing tears. His last film, 2013's Still Life, was also just as beautifully measured and tender, all without mawkishness — and he hasn't lost his touch during his sizeable gap between movies. Nowhere Special is bittersweet, too; as it charts John's quest to secure Michael the best future he possibly can without himself in it, it soaks in the ups and downs of their life together. Visually, it dwells on small touches in passing moments, such as the type of mirrored behaviour that a young son adopts from his dad, the sight of them walking around in matching baseball caps, and the joy Michael gets from washing his toy truck — because John works as a window cleaner. There's an unfussy, unsentimental but always empathetic feel to every second of the Northern Ireland-set movie, including with prospective new parents both doting and disastrous, and in John's efforts to make the most of the time that he has left with Michael. Both Norton and Lamont are both exceptional as well, in a movie that's firmly something special. NEVER GONNA SNOW AGAIN In Never Gonna Snow Again's opening moments, Ukrainian masseur Zhenia (Alec Utgoff, Stranger Things) walks out of a forest and into a gated community in eastern Poland. His destination is lined with lavish identical houses — the kind that the song 'Little Boxes' has satirised for almost six decades now — but he's about to be its most extraordinary visitor. His hands can help knead away physical troubles, and they can soothe minds as well. Trundling his massage table from well-appointed home to well-appointed home, he quickly builds up a devoted client list of well-to-do residents desperate for his touch. He steps into their worlds, spying their outward gloss — the similar wreaths on each door, the doorbells chiming with snippets of classic music — and palpating away their inner pain. There's a surreal, seductive and otherworldly atmosphere to Never Gonna Snow Again, which filmmakers Malgorzata Szumowska (Mug) and Michal Englert (also the movie's cinematographer) let float through their frames like a lingering breeze. There's also a devastatingly savvy interrogation of the type of rich lives that pine for Zhenia's presence, including their complete obliviousness to him as anything more than a salve for their ennui. Much festers in the feature's McMansions. As it contemplates the everyday malaise that dulls wealth's superficial glow, as well as the vast chasm between gleaming exteriors and empty insides, much haunts Never Gonna Snow Again, in fact. Plenty dazzles, too, including Szumowska and Englert's confident handling — the film could've easily crumbled in other hands — as well as Utgoff's magnetic performance. GAIA A vivid eco-horror set in South Africa's Tsitsikamma National Park, Gaia doesn't sport a subtle title. Referencing the Greek goddess who personifies the earth, it doesn't see its namesake as the warm and welcoming genesis of all life, however. Here, Mother Nature has a bone to pick with humanity and its wanton destruction of the planet. To be specific, she has bodies to overpower with serpentine tendrils and infect with the multi-hued fungal blooms that give Jaco Bouwer's (Balbesit: 'n Studie in Stemme) film its most spectacular images. That's a fate that forest ranger Gabi (Monique Rockman, Number 37) hopes to avoid after being separated from her boss Winston (Anthony Oseyemi, The Red Sea Diving Resort), then injured in a trap set by wilderness-dwelling survivalist Barend (Carel Nel, The Last Days of American Crime) and his teenage son Stefan (Alex van Dyk, The Harvesters). The mushrooms here aren't magic — they're mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore. Gaia isn't nuanced about its environmental messaging, including when the mud-covered Barend starts preaching about the modern world's ruinous ills from his heated manifesto, but understatement and rallying against the ravaging of the planet really shouldn't go hand in hand anyway. And, leaning into that fury, as well as embracing nature's revenge, is what makes the movie so gripping. Bouwer hooks viewers from his first overhead shots of sprawling trees, keeps them enchanted with his hallucinogenic fungi and ramps up the tension with pitch-perfect sound design, but his vengeful jungle is the feature's most important inclusion. Too often, locations are deemed extra characters in films; Gaia actually earns that description. I'M WANITA In Amy, Whitney: Can I Be Me, Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry and similar documentaries, audiences nabbed behind-the-scenes glimpses at music superstars. Via personal and candid footage not initially intended for mass consumption, viewers peeked behind the facade of celebrity — but I'm Wanita evokes the same feelings of intimacy and revelation by pointing its lens at a singer who isn't yet a household name. The self-described 'Australian queen of honky tonk', Wanita Bahtiyar hasn't given filmmaker Matthew Walker a treasure trove of archival materials to weave through his feature debut. Rather, the Tamworth local opens up her daily existence to his observational gaze. Following his 2015 short film about Wanita, Heart of the Queen, Walker spent five years capturing her life — and the resulting doco is as wily as its subject is unpredictable. I'm Wanita mightn't spring from a dream archive of existing footage, but it does dedicate its frames to a dream point of focus; its namesake is the type of subject documentarians surely pray they stumble across. Since becoming obsessed with Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn as a child, Wanita has chased music stardom. Her voice earned her ample attention from her teen years onwards, and her first album received rave reviews that she giddily quotes now; however, she's spent her adult life drinking, partying, and supplementing occasional gigs with sex work. Today, she's a legend in her own head, and also an erratic whirlwind. I'm Wanita charts her trip to Nashville to finally make the record she's always wanted, and yet it never paints her tale as a simplistic portrait of talent unrealised. A Star Is Born, this isn't either — even with a glorious closing number that could easily cap off a Hollywood melodrama. Read our full review. Looking for more SFF On Demand recommendations? We've already taken a look at Strong Female Lead and A Fire Inside, too. SFF On Demand's 2021 program is available to stream between Friday, November 12–Sunday, November 21. For further information, head to the festival website.
One of the best restaurants in Australia will be immortalised in print, thanks to a new book by chef Dan Hunter. Brae: Recipes and Stories from the Restaurant will showcase the history, philosophy and food of the iconic eatery in country Victoria, and is shaping up as one of the most salivating reads of the year. Due to hit shelves on May 1 thanks to Phaidon Press, the 256-page hardback will explore the early days of Brae, while also charting Hunter's journey from kitchen porter to celebrated chef. Personal essays will explore Hunter's ethical vision and strong preference for local ingredients. It's an approach that saw Brae rewarded with the number two spot on the list of Australia's Best Restaurants last year. Amateur cooks will also be keen to get a glimpse of Hunter's recipes, a number of which will be included in the tome. Finally, the book will feature more than 150 of artist Colin Page's photographs, detailing the food, the kitchen and breathtaking Australian landscape that surrounds the restaurant on all sides. Brae: Recipes and Stories from the Restaurant hits bookshelves and online stores from May 1 with a recommended retail price of $75.
It hasn't served up meals for more than a decade, but El Bulli will always be a famous culinary name. Until 2011, when the spot in the town of Roses in Catalonia, Spain was operating as a restaurant, it was the pinnacle of fine-dining. It boasted three Michelin stars to prove it. Documentary El Bulli: Cooking in Progress also told its story. Head Chef Ferran Adrià didn't just oversee one of the world's best eateries, either — he's one of the world's best chefs, too. Didn't get the chance to enjoy a dish there, for all manner of reasons? How about sleeping at El Bulli for a night instead. That's the latest money-can't-buy experience on offer via Airbnb, and for one evening only. Slumbering at elBulli1846, the museum that's now onsite, is also free — for two people, but you are responsible of getting yourself to Roses, including paying your own way from Down Under if you score the booking. Airbnb loves opening up places that you wouldn't normally be able to kip in, as seen in the past with Shrek's swamp, Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse, the Ted Lasso pub, the Moulin Rouge! windmill and Hobbiton, for starters. It has also listed the Bluey house, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop, the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage and Santa's festive cabin in Finland. Earlier in 2024, Christina Aguilera hosted a two-night Las Vegas stay. Adrià does the honours at elBulli1846 — which, as you'd expect, goes all in on El Bulli's history. As you spend the night in the venue at Cala Montjoi, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, he's hoping that you'll get inspired by its gastronomic innovation while soaking in the Mediterranean sea views. The museum is named after the 1846 dishes that El Bulli created in its restaurant days, after all. "The mission of elBullirestaurante was about pushing limits. We had reached what we felt was the limits of what can be done in a gastronomic experience at the maximum level," said Adrià. "Now I'm excited to push new creative boundaries, to share this way of seeing the world with the guests who stay here and to introduce them to our latest chapter as elBulli1846." This is the first time that El Bulli has allowed anything like this within its famed culinary halls. Whoever nabs the reservation will meet Adrià, and hear all about the restaurant from him; eat at one of his favourite restaurants in Roses; and get overnight access to El Bulli, including its private rooms. You'll also have dinner the next day at Enigma in Barcelona, where Adrià's brother Albert is the chef. And, in-between all of that, you'll be sleeping in a bed designed to look like a plate, which takes its cues from El Bulli's spherical olive. To enjoy all of the above, you'll need to be free to stay across Wednesday, October 16–Thursday, October 17 — and you'll be getting booking at 2am AEST / 4am NZST on Thursday, April 18. Again, while you won't pay a cent for accommodation or the two dinners while you're at elBulli1846, you will need to fork out to get there and back. For more information about the elBulli1846 Airbnb stay, or to book at 2am AEST / 4am NZST on Thursday, April 18 for a stay across Wednesday, October 16–Thursday, October 17, 2024, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Marc Ensenyat. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
A tasty new go-to for the hungry and time poor has arrived on Elizabeth Street. Chunky Town is a hole-in-the-wall serving up a cheesy Korean street food favourite inspired by carnivals and childhood memories. The 'Chunky' (as it's called) is a little like the Australian dagwood dog, but cheesier. It's made using a crisp batter and hunks of gooey cheese — and comes in seven different flavours. In Korea, it's served at one of the 200 Chung Chun stores around the country (the chain opened its OG store in Seoul's Gangnam district). In Australia, you'll find it at Chunky Town in Melbourne's CBD. How it works is simple: you pick your Chunky and your cheese filling, sprinkle it with sugar and load it with sauce at the counter. The bestsellers are the original Sausage Chunky with cheddar ($5.50) and the upgraded OG with stretchy mozzarella ($6.50). Other flavours include the Potato Chunky, the Noodle Chunky (which is dipped in crushed noodles), the black Squid Ink Chunky (all $7.50) and a vegetarian version with no sausage and lots of cheese. We suggest adding a side of crunchy waffle fries to your order for a salty hit, too. To drink, pick up one of the Korean bubble teas. The Thai-style milk tea and mango green tea are our top picks, but there are 21 different flavours to choose from. In the future, it's rumoured that Korean doughnuts (called Chunky Balls) will be added to the menu, too. The doughnuts are drizzled with maple syrup, condensed milk and seeds. It was Adam Ong, one of the four owners — alongside Adam Wang, Charles Park and Derek Lo — who wanted to bring the Korean treat to the Australian market. And, according to the group, there are big plans to expand across the city and country. So, keep an eye on this space for future openings. Images: Julia Sansone.
Twenty years ago, Triple J gave the Victorian town of Natimuk a day to remember when the spot 300 kilometres out of Melbourne hosted its very own major music festival, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe and The Dissociatives (aka Daniel Johns and Paul Mac) all hitting the stage. So began One Night Stand, which became a yearly tradition, with the Australian radio station putting on a fest in different regional locations every year between 2004–2014, then again from 2016–2019. There's no prizes for guessing why One Night Stand hasn't taken place since 2020, but that gap in the event's history will come to an end in 2024. Triple J has announced the return of the festival this year — date, lineup and place to be confirmed, of course, because this stint of live tunes is still all about folks submitting their towns to play host, making a convincing case about their area, then one lucky place being chosen. The all-ages event will return at time when the Australian live music scene is suffering, and after a spate of festivals have been cancelling or saying farewell forever. In 2024 alone, both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass announced lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also didn't go ahead. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo is taking a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, has advised that its 2024 event was its last ever. With the state of the industry in mind, bringing back One Night Stand is not only much-needed and well-timed, but will also raise funds Support Act, the charity for the Australian music industry. "The ABC is one of the biggest supporters of Australian music and live performance. At a time when the local music industry needs support, the ABC is thrilled to come to the party with the return of triple j's One Night Stand," said ABC Managing Director David Anderson. "We recognise the festival landscape in Australia has changed since we last put on a One Night Stand." "We're beyond stoked to be bringing back Triple J's One Night Stand in 2024 to continue our support of Australian artists and provide an opportunity for young people in the regions to get around some live music," added Lachlan Macara, Head of Triple J, Double J and ABC Country. "We're busy working on an incredible line up sure to create another One Night Stand for the history books and we can't wait to see where we'll be heading in 2024." If you live beyond the big smoke and fancy a music fest in your regional town, now is your chance to tell the radio station why — and a party might be coming your way, while helping the music industry at the same time. Submissions to host 2024's One Night Stand are open now. In the past, the event has also been to Ayr, Dalby and Mt Isa in Queensland; Port Pirie, Tumby Bay and Lucindale in South Australia; Cowra and Dubbo in New South Wales; Collie and Geraldton in Western Australia; Sale and Mildura in Victoria; Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; and St Helens in Tasmania. And on the One Night Stand bill over the years? Flume, The Jungle Giants, G Flip, Hilltop Hoods, Silverchair, Pnau, Art vs Science, The Temper Trap, The Rubens, Rufus, Alison Wonderland, Peking Duk, Tash Sultana, Violent Soho, Tkay Maidza, Ocean Alley, Meg Mac, AB Original and more. To submit your regional Australian town to host 2024's triple j One Night Stand, fill out the radio station's form — and head to its website for more details.
Gardening enthusiasts will be able to spend even more time with Mother Nature in this wonderful garden shed, a collaboration between architect Ville Hara and designer, Linda Bergroth. While greenhouses are usually inhabited by plants, this one is nice enough for you to sleep amongst the greenery. A prototype built at Bergorth's summer cottage in eastern Finland features a wooden floor and solar panels for power lighting. Bergroth also added a mattress so that the greenhouse can become a spare bedroom during the summertime, when she wakes up overlooking the water. Safety glass windows line the walls and roof, and have automatic openers to control the temperature inside. The back of the garden shed features a storage compartment where all tools can be placed compactly. Surprisingly, this entire garden shed can be assembled using a screwdriver. This neat piece of architectural innovation proves that simplicity is often the key.
In excellent news for your forthcoming silly season travel plans, local brewery Stomping Ground has relaunched its pop-up beer garden at Melbourne Airport, bigger and better than before. Dubbed Terminal 3 ½, the venue's located between Terminal 3 (Virgin flights) and the newer Terminal 4 (Tiger and Jetstar flights), slinging a hefty range of craft brews on tap and coffee by Proud Mary, alongside a rotation of some of the city's most legendary food trucks. Big screens throughout are set to show all of the season's major sports events, while others will feature more useful airport info, like up-to-date gate information to help avoid any missed flight mishaps. There are deck chairs for maximum pre-flight relaxation, and even a fridge filled with takeaway tinnies. Meanwhile, a vibrant look comes courtesy of local illustrator and muralist Justine McAllister, who's collaborated on a series of cheery artworks for the space, including colourful designs referencing the brewing process. You might almost forget you're about to endure the tedious process that is air travel. Melbourne Airport's about to enter its busiest time of the year, so a few craft brews should help ease at least some of the stress of dealing with all those other passengers. Stomping Ground's Terminal 3 ½ beer garden is located between terminals three and four at Melbourne Airport, and is open daily from 7.30am for the near future.
Whenever 90s rom-com Pretty Woman comes to mind, Roy Orbison's song likely does as well. When the musical based on the hit flick arrives in Australia for the first time, you'll be getting Bryan Adams tunes lodged in your head, too. The Canadian singer-songwriter helped bring the Julia Roberts (Leave the World Behind)- and Richard Gere (The Agency)-starring film to the stage, penning the music and lyrics for the show — and during his latest Aussie tour, it's been announced that Pretty Woman: The Musical is finally heading Down Under, debuting in Brisbane. From October 2025, the late 80s-set tale of Vivian met Edward will roll into the QPAC Lyric Theatre in the Queensland capital, following a romance that's already fuelled a box-office smash as a movie, then premiered on Broadway in 2018 as a theatre production. If you've seen the film, you'll know the story, as an escort and a corporate raider fall in love — and you'll also know that it made Roberts a star, complete with a Golden Globe win, plus her first Best Actress Oscar nomination. Alongside America's most-famous theatre district, where it broke records at the Nederlander Theatre, Pretty Woman: The Musical has graced the stage in London's West End, plus Spain, Italy, Poland and Germany. "I'm thrilled Pretty Woman is finally in Australia, I went to see it last year and it blew me away!" said Adams, announcing the news. "I first saw this on the West End in London and just loved it, and knew immediately that I needed to bring it to Australia. I'm so excited to premiere this production in Brisbane," added producer Suzanne Jones. There's no word yet regarding the local cast, so who'll be following in Roberts and Gere's footsteps — and Laura San Giacomo (NCIS) and Hector Elizondo's (Mr Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie) as well — hasn't been announced. Whether Pretty Woman: The Musical will head to other Australian stops also hasn't yet been revealed. Behind the curtain, Adams worked with his songwriting partner Jim Vallance, who he wrote 'Summer of '69', 'Run to You', 'Cuts Like a Knife' and 'Heaven' with, on the music and lyrics. Late filmmaker Garry Marshall (Mother's Day), who directed the Pretty Woman movie — plus Roberts and Gere's on-screen reunion in 1999 in Runaway Bride — penned the book with the OG flick's screenwriter JF Lawnton (Yellow River Christmas). Pretty Woman: The Musical will play the QPAC Lyric Theatre, corner of Grey and Melbourne streets, South Brisbane, from October 2025 — head to the production's website for more details and to sign up for the ticket waitlist. Images: UK tour, Marc Brenner.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. You might know that Adelaide is the original home of the pie floater. But did you also know that it boasts more restaurants per head than any other city in Australia? For way too long, the South Australian capital has been Australia’s beleaguered middle child, struggling to get the attention of which it’s worthy, and defending itself against the nation’s collective jokes. But, earlier this year, things changed. When Lonely Planet published its 2014 Top 10 Cities of the World, the “city of churches, festivals and homicides” burst into the international spotlight at number nine. “Adelaide is effortlessly chic,” commented Lonely Planet media and communications manager Adam Bennett, “and like a perfectly cellared red, it’s ready to be uncorked and sampled.” And the especially good news? Wotif.com wants you to do the sampling. So, they’re giving away a holiday of epic proportions. One creative reader and their guest will score return economy flights to Adelaide from their nearest capital city, four days’ car hire and three nights’ accommodation. The first two will be spent in king-beds and deep baths at the luxurious Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, situated just 50 metres from the cultural epicentre of Rundle Street. On the third, the winners will find themselves at Mount Lofty House, a 160-year-old manor in the Adelaide Hills, where they’ll be treated to a five-course degustation with matching wines and wake up to a buffet breakfast. What’s more, to ensure a comprehensive experience of the food and wine adventures that so impressed Lonely Planet, there’s a Penfolds Magill Estate Tour, a Top Food and Wine Choco-latte Tour and an Adelaide Central Market Morning Tour thrown in. All you’ve got to do is give your creative fruit a squeeze and tell Wotif.com why they should send you to Adelaide, in 25 words or less. The video below might help you to get thinking left of centre.
Crowdfunding is a relatively new concept, but it's also been pretty controversial, especially after big-name artists started using it to fund albums (Amanda Palmer and Eskimo Joe, anyone?). But it's also being used as a starting point for some great ideas and inventions that may not have ever become a reality otherwise. In 2012, cycling enthusiast Izhar Gafni invented a bicycle made out of recycled cardboard, rubber and plastic — the total cost of the materials coming to just $9. Now, Gafni has launched a $2 million Indiegogo campaign to take the project to the next level, which would involve mass producing the bike with the ultimate aim of making it affordable and widely available to people all over the world. Gafni describes the technology behind the bike as 'game changing' and thinks it could be the start of a 'green revolution'. On his Indiegogo page, Gafni says that the bike "means that children in under-developed countries can have access to these bikes to get to school, and their parents can get to work" and "the funds we raise will allow us to establish the first cardboard bicycle production line, thereby creating jobs, affordable transportation and a cleaner environment. For the people, by the people." https://youtube.com/watch?v=jBa0Wy50X5Y Via PSFK.
Are you sick of the dull winter weather that has taken over our southern skies? Is your skin turning pale from the lack of Vitamin D hitting your pores? Do you want to bring back the sun, sand and sea of glorious summer? For those who, like us, answered 'hell yes' to all three, we have collated ten of the best beaches in the Northern Hemisphere that are must-see destinations for people wanting to chase summer around the globe and see some exquisite, exotic foreign places in the process. 1. Shoal Bay, Anguilla With its pinkish-white sand and stunning turquoise water, this two mile stretch of beach is not only one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean, but also the world. Despite its many villas and restaurants, this holiday destination has not yet been overrun by tourists, so you can still enjoy a relaxing day at this pristine spot before witnessing a dreamlike sunset, seemingly at the edge of the earth. 2. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands Judged the 'World’s Leading Beach' at the World Travel Awards four years in a row, you can be sure that this spectacular beach will not disappoint. Along with white sandy beaches, Grace Bay is also home to some of the richest and most beautiful coral and aquatic life in the world. Unwinding doesn’t get much better than this. 3. Paradise Beach, Philippines Living up to its name, this spot really is a traveller’s paradise. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun, sip on a coconut cocktail, munch on some delicious Filipino cuisine as you listen to the waves crashing gently on the shore whilst laying in your beach recliner. 4. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand The hype surrounding this picturesque island is not unwarranted. The looming fortress-like cliffs tower over approaching boats, and the beaches are simply beautiful. Of the two islands, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, the former remains completely free of inhabitants and the latter totally without roads. 5. Candolim Beach, India One of the longest beaches in the state of Goa, Candolim is a stark contrast to the populated centres of bustling India. It is just south of the famous Calangute Beach, but this beach is much more serene and peaceful. Candolim is a relaxed village containing only smalls inns and hotels, and has also been home for over 12 years to an immovable beached tanker, River Princess. 6. Costa Smeralda, Italy The southern tourist island of Sardinia, off mainland Italy, plays host to some of the most alluring and secluded coves and beaches in the world. The ‘Emerald Coast’ features 80 idyllic bays with pristine beaches, many of which are only accessible by boat. This northern coastline is ensconced in the unspoiled wilderness of Sardinia’s Lisa di Vacca and contains unique panoramic views of the surrounding national parks. 7. Baska Voda, Croatia Baska Voda is a major tourist resort situated along the astonishing Makarska Riviera in Croatia’s south. Lying at the foot of the incredible mountain Biokovo, this 2km long pebbly beach is rich in olive groves and pine woods, making for an interesting and dynamic holiday destination. 8. Maspalomas Beach, Canary Islands The beach comprises of enormous wind-sculpted dunes, located just behind the mesmerising blue sea and soft sand. Divided into four regions, Maspalomas caters for all tastes. The beach offers tonnes of sports and leisure facilities as well as beach bars, restaurants and shops, and though it sits off mainland Africa it is considered the westernmost point of the Sahara Desert. 9. Makena Beach, Maui The iconic Maui Island is one of Hawaii's most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. Comprising all the qualities travellers crave in a classic Hawaiian beach holiday - surfing, volcanoes, family friendly activities, posh resorts and traditional culture - Maui encompasses the envisioned relaxing yet exciting Hawaiian vacation. Makena is considered by many to be the best stretch of sand on the island. 10. South Beach, Florida Last but certainly not least on the list, is the primary party coastal city, Miami Beach. Featured in countless movies and TV shows, this iconic strip is a must-visit location for those on the quest of following summer around the world. Miami Beach is home to myriad festivals, parties and events, including Art Basel and Winter Music Conference.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to the Woodland Cabin, one of three luxe lodgings at Logan Brae Retreats in the Blue Mountains. With room for only two, any one of the cabins is an ideal getaway for when you need space, solitude and something a little fancy. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? The magical quality of this escape starts well before check in. If you're heading here from Sydney, you'll start your journey by winding your way through Hazelbrook, Wentworth Falls and Blackheath (stopping off for deli provisions and vino, so there's no need to interrupt your imminent immersion in nature) before you're welcomed by expansive views across Megalong Valley. Once you pull into the gravel driveway and make your way up to the Woodland Cabin, you'll immediately be consumed by calm. Warmly hued festoon lights, wildlife wandering freely, a round plunge pool perched alongside your deck, a vista to rival most: everything is special here. THE SPACE Although there's only room for a pair at the Woodland Cabin, the lofty open-plan design, towering windows and pared-back earthy palette delivers a space that's anything but small. You'll arrive to an already-built fire in the hearth with logs aplenty stacked alongside — all you need to do is strike the match. There's a deep stone tub to soak in, which when married with that view makes for a deliciously spent afternoon. And in the bathroom? A wide double shower, stone-topped vanity and gold fixtures, a lineup of lush products from Apotheke, plus style-heavy towels and robes adding a transportive touch of luxe. Outside, deck chairs beckon you for a morning coffee, as does a breakfast bar and outdoor dining set. While the deep plunge pool ensures you can beat any country heat. FOOD AND DRINK As a delightful touch to start your trip, a basket of snacks, vino, chocolate and light breakfast supplies waits on the dining table for you. Then, in the kitchen, you've got all the essentials. An oven, gas stove and nice wide sink join all the usual suspects (fridge, microwave, toaster, pots and pans); and you've covered for both olive oil and salt and pepper. Caffeine a pre-requisite? You've got a dedicated coffee bench, you lucky thing. Espresso machine? Tick. Plunger? Tick. Percolator? Tick. You can even make your own drip coffee. There's freshly ground beans, milk — cow only, so BYOM(ilk) if you're an almond or oat drinker — plus a 12-strong selection of teas. If you don't want to cook, you can get catering from Lavender Hill Graze. There's breakfast boxes, barbecue and salad packs and grazing platters ideal for by the pool. You can even have a picnic basket (complete with bubbles and rug) delivered to your doorstep. THE LOCAL AREA The Blue Mountains is a classic choice for a Sydneysider's weekender. And it's with good reason. There are hikes up to world-class views and secluded waterholes, buzzy breweries and cosy restaurants — all surrounded by that fresh clean country air. Nearby your lodging are farmers markets (in Blackheath on the second Sunday of the month), Euro-inspired saunas and the option to explore the area atop a horse. And if you want to stay close, stroll to the staggering cactus plant or stick to the private Woodlands Walk for a top-notch spot to take in the sunset. Got a book? Head to the tree hammock and while away your time suspended among the trees. THE EXTRAS Beyond the fact that this spot is clearly a winner, the family-run stay boasts delightfully personal touches too. Take the props adorning the walls: hats fit for seasoned bushmen and a whip. You two holidaymakers can stage a shoot, ensuring you have more than happy memories when you leave. There's a set of vintage binoculars for spotting faraway critters and all the deets for you to organise an in-room spa treatment. You can even organise flowers on arrival, from the locally loved micro flower farm Floral by Nature. It's just about time you booked a stay, dear reader. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Everyone knows that SXSW is a haven for music, including unearthing new talent. The festival's screen side, showcasing your new favourite movies and TV shows, is just as famous. So is the fact that all manner of well-known names take to its stages to get chatting — plus the event's all-round focus on tunes, tech, innovation, films, television, games and culture, as Sydney first experienced in 2023. SXSW's Down Under leg also lets the community get behind the microphone, via a part of its conference programming called Session Select. More than that, it allows you to choose what makes it into this portion of the fest's lineup. All you need to do is vote, which is now open for 2024. [caption id="attachment_923287" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] It was in late 2023, after the inaugural SXSW Sydney proved a hit — and featured everyone from Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker and Chance The Rapper to Future Today Institute founder and CEO Amy Webb and Nicole Kidman onstage — that the Australian event confirmed that it'd be back in 2024. If you're wondering who'll be on the bill from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20, nothing else has been announced so far. But make your picks among the Session Select candidates and you can help shape the conference portion. You'll be choosing from proposed sessions from over 1000 organisations and folks, hailing from 35 countries. Whether you're interested in hearing more about and from Concrete Playground, TikTok, Reddit, Aussie airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia, Getty Images, or a bunch of Australian and international universities, you've got options. That's obviously just the start of a list that also spans Google, Meta, Leonardo.ai, Canva, Xero, Tourism Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission and plenty more. [caption id="attachment_923316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] Whatever earns your vote, topics set to feature at the conference cover AI, the future of work, climate and sustainability, food, lifestyle and beauty, and the creator economy, for starters. In total, there's 23 tracks, all picked to reflect what's garnering conversation right now. The chosen sessions will start being announced from this month. Early-bird tickets to SXSW Sydney 2024 have also gone on sale, including platinum badges, which gets you into all SXSW Sydney events in the conference, and at the games, music and screen festivals; tech and innovation badges; and music, screen and game festival badges. There's also a new Under 25s option for the latter two — tech and innovation, plus music, screen and game — which offers a discount if you fit that age group. [caption id="attachment_923286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] 2023's SXSW Sydney notched up 287,014 attendances from 97,462 unique attendees. Those figures came from 34,975 total tickets, with folks from 41 countries heading along to 1178 sessions. Among its wealth of highlights, last year's SXSW Sydney featured Brooker chatting about his hit series and technology's future; Chance The Rapper talking about 50 years of hip hop; Coachella CEO Paul Tollett discussing his own fest; Kidman exploring her work as a producer on the likes of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Love & Death; the Australian premiere of Kitty Green's The Royal Hotel; and the world premiere of The Wiggles documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles. The full lineup spanned a 700-plus strong bill of talent, covering over 300 sessions, and featuring more than 300 gigs across 25 venues. From talks and concerts to films, TV shows and games, there was no shortage of things to see. That's all in store again in 2024. SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details, tickets and to vote for Session Select conference sessions. If you're be interested in attending Concrete Playground's panels, please visit the voting pages for New Rituals: The State of Socialising and Hospitality and Appetite for Distraction: Youth, Information and the Digital Age in 2024 to show your support. Voting closes on Monday, April 22, 2024. Images: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
Shut up and take my money: Futurama is continuing its latest return with even more episodes on its way. The animated hit made another comeback this winter, slipping out of stasis to riff on pandemics, vaccines, bitcoin, streaming, cancel culture and life's general chaos. That new stint with the Planet Express team was dubbed season 11, and season 12 was locked in at the same time — but now season 13 and season 14 will officially follow. The Matt Groening-created show about life in the 31st century was in vintage form when it dropped its recent batch of ten episodes, and embraced the fact that anything and everything can and will happen as it always has. When Futurama's return was first announced in 2022, it was for a 20-episode run, which has been doubled with the latest renewal. So, viewers are going back to the future for even longer. Yes, this is good news, everyone! And yes, Futurama will just keep coming back, baby. Streaming Down Under via Disney+, the added seasons will keep audiences saying hello to the 20th-century's Philip J Fry (voiced by Billy West, Spitting Image), distant uncle to Planet Express cargo company Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (also voiced by West), plus the rest of the outfit's crew. That means more antics with one-eyed ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal, Dead to Me); fellow employees Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr, Craig of the Creek), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom, Dragons: The Nine Realms) and Zoidberg (also West); and everyone from self-obsessed starship captain Zapp Brannigan (West again) and his amphibious 4th Lieutenant Kif Kroker (Maurice LaMarche, Rick and Morty) through to scheming corporation owner Mom (Tress MacNeille, The Simpsons). Bender Bending Rodríguez will be causing more mayhem as well, with John DiMaggio, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts also back with the cast when season 11 arrived. When the revival was first announced, that wasn't the case — but it wouldn't be Futurama without its constantly sauced robot exclaiming "bite my shiny metal ass!". You can put a beloved show into suspended animation, but someone is going to thaw it out one day — and more than once, as fans have experienced for decades now. Initially airing from 1999–2003, the futuristic series then returned from 2008–2013, before now being given another run. Hulu, which is behind the return in the US, called this first new comeback season 11 — even though Futurama spans a past seven seasons and four direct-to-DVD movies so far. Season 12 is expected in 2024, with seasons 13 and 14 after that. There's no trailer yet for Futurama's 12th, 13th and 14th seasons, but check out the sneak peek for Futurama season 11 below: Futurama streams Down Under via Disney+, with season 12 expected in 2024, then seasons 13 and 14 after that. Read our review of season 11.
This week sees the premiere of the latest effort from renowned indie filmmaker, Spike Jonze, and it's as spectacularly bizarre as you would expect: a stop-motion animated short film that ends with two felt skeletons having sex all over the bookshelves of Paris' Shakespeare & Co. Mourir Auprès De Toi (roughly translated as 'to die by your side') reveals the filthy, filthy things that happen at night when all the world's booksellers are innocently sleeping. After the lights have been turned off, Macbeth, voiced by Jonze, a sprightly skeleton, unstitches himself from the cover of his book with the aim of reaching the bed of the doe-eyed redhead in a nightgown across the shelf, ostensibly Dracula's Mina (voiced by French singer Soko, famous for threats of murder). On the way he's waylaid by the malevolent whale from Moby Dick, forcing Mina to tear a slit in her nightgown and set out to rescue him. The film concludes with the aforementioned skeleton sex, a little post-coital cigarette smoking and a baby. It's amazing. Mourir Auprès De Toi is the product of the collaboration between Jonze and Olympia Le-Tan, a French accessories designer with a penchant for creating literary bags. Le-Tan channelled her talents into hand-crafting the 3000-odd felt parts that make up the books lining the shelves of Shakespeare & Co., Paris' infamous English-language bookshop and haunt of luminaries such as Ernest Hemingway and William S. Burroughs. While the film premiered in May of this year at La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes, it had its official online premiere this week.
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is over. Sadly, the Matildas didn't win. But the Sam Kerr-led squad just kept making history, including scoring Australia's best-ever placing by coming in fourth and notching up the country's most-watched TV event since 2001 — and likely ever. Those are all phenomenal feats. They're statue-worthy achievements. Also, they're the kind of accomplishments that've deservedly had the whole nation talking. And, in great news for fans of the world game, captain Kerr isn't done inspiring everyone yet. No one will ever forget the champion striker's stunning goal against England. No one will ever forget the entire Australian national women's soccer team's efforts throughout the whole competition. And, plenty of Aussies now want to be just like Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso and their fellow footballers. Enter Kerr's own football school for kids. First, the key point for all Kerr-adoring adults: this football academy is only for children, both girls and boys, aged 3–14. Of course, seeing an Australian sporting champion helping to bring about the next generation of football heroes is truly excellent. Every kid is probably trying to recreate that spectacular goal now anyway — and now they can learn how to at Kerr's own academy. If Kerr did decide to lend her name to a version for women, it'd be huge. Who wouldn't sign up? Unsurprisingly, the replies to the Matildas and Chelsea star's Instagram post announcing the venture are filled with adults wanting their own Kerr academy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Kerr (@samanthakerr20) "Sam Kerr Football will provide players with a world-class program to be delivered by high-quality coaches, all with a focus on ensuring that young players fall in love with football the same way I have," said Kerr in a video announcing the school. Participants will not only level up their soccer skills, using training plans and sessions that've been whipped up by top Aussie soccer experts, but will take part in a holistic initiative that also covers health and wellbeing. Developing self-awareness, learning to overcome adversity, regulating emotions and understanding the importance of mindset will all be covered, as well as nutrition, rest and recovery, and injury management. There'll also be digital and media training — age-appropriate, of course — including preparing players for the kind of off-field press attention that Kerr has become used to. [caption id="attachment_913581" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LittleBlinky via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] The program will launch for enrolments in 2023, with a 2024 start date. Exactly where it will operate is yet to be announced, but there'll be multiple sites. Right now, the academy is open for expressions of interest for players — and for coaches, partners and franchises, with the latter meaning that you can own your own Sam Kerr Football School. If you have or know a child that'd love to be involved, the academy will do free trial sessions — one lesson only — and charge a fee after that. Kids will also need to don a Sam Kerr uniform, which might be the easiest uniform to get them to wear. Training days are yet to be finalised, and will vary per school, but some centres will offer holiday programs. [caption id="attachment_913019" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LittleBlinky via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] And if your child wants to meet Kerr — don't we all? — the school advises that "Sam's expertise and oversight is an integral part of Sam Kerr Football; however, as a star athlete, opportunities for her to meet young players are limited". "There may be some events and opportunities through your child's journey with Sam Kerr Football where Sam will be available to participate. Details of these occasions will be shared as they are known." Sam Kerr Football will open for enrolments later in 2023, and launch in 2024. To register your interest or for more information, head to the Sam Kerr Football website.
The inaugural Vivid Residence is the headline event in Vivid Sydney's huge new food lineup. The two-week residency brings a hotly sought-after international chef behind the pass of one of Sydney's most beloved fine diners. The bad news: this exceptional dining opportunity is completely sold out — and with good reason. The once-in-a-lifetime event will give hungry Sydneysiders the chance to savour a menu from Daniel Humm — of New York's three Michelin–starred Eleven Madison Park — at Aria Sydney between Tuesday, June 6–Saturday, June 17. [caption id="attachment_902234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] The good news: deliciously, we managed to secure a few tickets (five pairs, specifically), just for you. If you're not already aware, along with its starry reputation, Eleven Madison Park and its plant-powered plates have previously sat at number one on the World's Best 50 Restaurants list. Backdropped by the glittering harbour, Humm and his team, with the support of Aria, will offer a nine-course tasting menu (and a slightly shorter lunch menu) capturing the essence of NSW. In this exclusive Concrete Playground Trips package, you and your date will choose between a lunch and dinner service at Aria, stay in a superior heritage room at the Harbour Rocks Hotel and then enjoy breakfast the next morning. All the makings of a standout winter trip to Sydney. To secure one of the last five spots, book your package stat. Eleven Madison Park takes over Sydney's Aria from Tuesday, June 6 till Saturday, June 17. Take in the full Vivid Sydney experience with Concrete Playground Trips' exclusive event package, which includes lunch or dinner for two at the Eleven Madison Park x Aria Vivid Residence, one night at The Harbour Rocks hotel and breakfast for two the next morning. For more information, head to the website. Specific dates and dining times apply.
A lot of sketch comedy on YouTube can be well...stupid. Not saying that these channels aren't, but they are definitely of the good (and funny) variety. Concrete Playground has come up with the cream of the crop as far as comedic YouTube videos go. Check them out whenever you need a laugh; there's parodies and hilarity galore. 1. Barely Political The guys behind Barely Political are best known for their politically charged parodies, of "I Got a Crush...on Obama" fame. They also produce a number of sketch comedy series;'The Key of Awesome', however, is definitely the most popular. Making fun of everything and everyone, Barely Political's videos show that no one is off limits. If you like parody songs and sheer ridiculousness, this channel is for you. 2. 5 Second Films These five-second-long films are "wasting your time, but not much". If you didn't think five seconds of one of these goofy skits is enough to make you laugh, you'll be proved wrong. We dare you to try and just watch one. 3. UCB Comedy If Saturday Night Live or The Office make you laugh, chances are so will the folks at Upright Citizens Brigade. Finding ridiculous in the everyday, these films will reveal humourous moments of truth amidst their hilarity. 4. Smosh Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox team up in these ludicrous pop-culture parodies. Over-the-top, always. Dull, never. The duo has several series under their belts, and are working on an upcoming cartoon series. 5. Funny or Die Founded by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, this site is spot-on comedy. Content is generated by high-profile contributors and skits often feature funny celebs. Stellar series include 'Between the Ferns', 'Billy on the Street', and 'Drunk History'.
Last last year, US Tex-Mex chain Taco Bell quietly opened a test store in Annerley, Brisbane. Now, it's planning to rapidly expand across Australia with a slew of new stores. Taco Bell's parent company Collins Foods, which also operates 28 Aussie KFC restaurants and the 13 remaining Sizzler venues, announced last week that after receiving positive feedback from its test store, it would be opening more Taco Bell outposts before the end of the year. Managing Director and CEO Graham Maxwell suggested locals have embraced the brand wholeheartedly. "We are pleased with the acceptance of the Taco Bell brand by Australian consumers," he explained. This is, however, Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market. The chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997 — but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew. As part of Collins Foods' expansion, Real Commercial reported that the company would be rebranding its Sizzler restaurants as Taco Bells, as the US fast food giant makes its most-recent attempt at taking on the Aussie market. In the company's end-of-financial-year summary, it reported that its Sizzler restaurants were underperforming and one more had closed. Currently, you'll find 13 Sizzler restaurants across Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, though it's unclear how many of these could soon be swapping the salad bar and cheese toast, for burritos and quesadillas.
Under normal circumstances, when a new-release movie starts playing in cinemas, audiences can't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with a worldwide pandemic forcing picture palaces across the globe to shut down temporarily in the interest of public safety, the film industry is being forced to adjust. While no one in Australia can currently head to their local movie theatre, sit in a darkened room with a crowd of fellow film buffs and feast their eyes on the silver screen, that doesn't mean we aren't eager to see the latest flicks. In fact, as these quarantine days turn into isolation-heavy weeks, you can be forgiven for craving something new to watch. So, film distributors have started fast-tracking their recent releases from cinemas to streaming — movies that were playing in theatres when they closed, flicks that had just released and even films that didn't yet get the chance to hit the big screen. Here's a dozen you can watch right now at home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLAJyugYEiY THE INVISIBLE MAN Our critic says: "As written and directed by Australian filmmaker Leigh Whannell, this slow-building version of The Invisible Man isn't an account of a scientist corrupted by his latest discovery, as seen in its predecessors. Rather, it's a portrait of a woman at the mercy of a man who'll do anything and use any means to get what he wants. The end result: psychological horror mixed with futuristic science-fiction and layered with a piercing societal statement, and it's as effective as it sounds. Of course, anyone who saw Whannell's previous feature Upgrade will realise that this is the only interpretation of The Invisible Man that he could've made. The Aussie talent continues his fascination with body modification and tech-enabled surveillance, as well as his fondness for hyper-kinetic action, a pervasive mood of dread and tension, and a sparse, sleek look — plus his interrogation of the kind of society that, with not too many imaginative tweaks needed, we just might be headed for." — Sarah Ward The Invisible Man is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygzqL60kvwU BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN) Our critic says: "From the moment that Margot Robbie stole the show in Suicide Squad, a Harley Quinn-focused spinoff was always inevitable. So, knowing when they're onto a good thing — and witnessing their now Academy Award-nominated Australian star keep rising in fame via I, Tonya, Mary, Queen of Scots, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bombshell — the folks behind the DC Extended Universe have gone and done the obvious. Thankfully, the powers-that-be learned a few lessons along the way, leaning into everything that first made the anarchic character attract so much big-screen attention. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is vividly stylised, irreverently upbeat, and both frenetic and fluid. To the benefit of every fight and chase scene, it's also more concerned with eye-popping action choreography than overblown special effects. The movie's riotous mood, lurid colour scheme and kookily comic sensibilities can't smooth out all of its bumps, though, but put it this way: Suicide Squad, this definitely isn't." — Sarah Ward Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrmnEHSJx-M COME TO DADDY Our critic says: "Following a map to a remote waterside location, Norval Greenwood (Elijah Wood) knocks on his father's door, reuniting with the man he hasn't seen for more than 30 years. It's a tense, awkward scene, with more of the same following — and, in a movie that segues from reunion drama to unsettling mystery flick to crime thriller, things only get unhinged and deranged from there. Marking the feature directorial debut of New Zealand producer-turned-filmmaker Ant Timpson (The ABCs of Death, Turbo Kid, Deathgasm), Come to Daddy proves an anarchic, unruly and very amusing ride, complete with committed performances not just from Wood, but from Martin Donovan, Michael Smiley and The Breaker Upperers' Madeleine Sami as well. It's also inspired by reality, although to say more would be to reveal too much about a movie that revels in its twists and turns. And in its ample splashes of gore and blood, too." — Sarah Ward Come to Daddy is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and Umbrella Entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxKXiQvyG_o ONWARD Our critic says: "Onward tells the tale of brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (Marvel co-stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt), two teenage elves who've grown up without their dearly departed dad. Thanks to an unexpected flash of long-dormant magic, they're given the chance to spend one last day with their father — but, in order to do so, they'll have to undertake a perilous quest in Barley's rundown van Guinevere. From this description, you might've noticed that Pixar's usual formula isn't at play here, with the company branching beyond the "what if toys/cars/rats/robots/monsters/feelings had feelings?" setup that's served it so well in everything from the Toy Story franchise to Inside Out. Rest assured, however, that Onward's central elf siblings do indeed experience a whole heap of emotions as they cast spells, try to decipher mysterious maps, endeavour to avoid curses, explore their complicated brotherly relationship and team up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion called The Manticore (Octavia Spencer)." — Sarah Ward Onward is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes, and will hit Disney+ on Friday, April 24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxAWKALOCAg THE HUNT Our critic says: "When The Hunger Games pit people against each other in an elaborate battle royale-style fight to the death, it did so in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world. In Craig Zobel's The Hunt, a similar situation applies — but, taking aim at the political divides so prominent between the left and right in America today, this satirical horror-thriller is firmly set our current reality. Here, 14 strangers awaken in a remote woodland area, gagged but with access to a giant crate of weapons. Soon afterwards, the shooting starts. Pitting "deplorables" against "liberal elites" in a film with the kill-or-be-killed chaos of reality TV parody Series 7: The Contenders and action choreography that'd make the John Wick franchise proud, The Hunt is nowhere near as savage, smart or politically astute as it thinks it is. That said, thanks to a steely lead performance by GLOW's Betty Gilpin, a playful sense of humour and a willingness to toy with audiences as much as it does with its characters, it entertains far more often than it provokes." — Sarah Ward The Hunt is available to stream via Google Play and iTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbHkNiIyl3I THE WAY BACK Our critic says: "Pitched as Ben Affleck's big comeback role after a run of average-at-best flicks — including his short-lived turn as Batman — The Way Back follows a faded man who used to be a big deal. His character was once a high school basketball star; however the years since have been filled with bad choices, tragedy and an overabundance of alcohol. Given the chance to relive his glory days by coaching the school's struggling current team, he embarks on a quest for redemption. As well as boasting Affleck's best performance since Gone Girl, it's to The Way Back's credit that this underdog story on multiple levels doesn't always take the obvious route. Still, it's guilty of leaning on illness-related heartbreak for easy, cliched emotional manipulation, rather than trusting its central performance. Affleck feels like he's trying a little too hard to follow in his brother Casey's footsteps, too, with similarities to the far superior Manchester by the Sea evident." — Sarah Ward The Way Back is available to stream via iTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je22_P3Qm7U THE GENTLEMEN Our critic says: "When in doubt, they say to go back to your roots. Given that Guy Ritchie's last two films were Aladdin and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, it's fair to assume that doubt had squarely reared its head. As the director's name alone evokes the sound of cockney rhyming slang and the image of grimy London back alleys, dancing bedazzled elephants were about as off-brand as it gets. So he goes back to his roots with The Gentlemen — and it's a warm and welcome return. Overall, The Gentlemen is fun, to put it in the simplest of terms. It's certainly not without its faults — the patchwork of styles, from action film to hip hop music video and everything in between is constantly jarring — but the general experience is an agreeable one. Like the scotch enthusiastically consumed by the film's unofficial narrator, Fletcher (a delightful turn by Hugh Grant), The Gentlemen is a little rough at first, but smoother with every sip until you're silly drunk and smiling like a fool." — Tom Glasson The Gentlemen is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llt7-EQP6dg EMMA Our critic says: "In the latest big-screen version of Jane Austen's beloved novel, well-heeled chaos ensues — as much chaos that can within stately and sprawling country manors, while compliant, silent servants are always on hand, and amidst polite conversation constantly tinted with gossip (although as Downton Abbey keeps demonstrating, that's plenty). Emma circa 2020 does everything it's supposed to, including using its sumptuous production and costume design to paint a vivid picture of Regency-era England, but it adds little of its own personality. Austen's prose, here shaped into a screenplay by The Luminaries' author Eleanor Catton, still sparkles with wit. Making her feature filmmaking debut, photographer and music video director Autumn de Wilde retains the novel's playful mood, and pairs it with a sweeping sense of visual symmetry that'd do Wes Anderson proud. And yet, this adaptation feels mostly indistinguishable from the many other unchallenging film and TV versions of literary classics that've reached screens over the years. In fact, the end result is fine, but in the passable rather than excellent sense of the word." — Sarah Ward Emma is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78k9Mhgzy74 JUST MERCY Our critic says: "Just Mercy boasts much that other films would envy, such as an emotive true tale, serious subject matter that's sadly still relevant today and a top-notch cast. Eyes blazing, his voice calm yet commanding, and compassion driving his every move, Michael B. Jordan is especially fantastic as real-life lawyer Bryan Stevenson — and he's matched by a restrained but no less resonant Jamie Foxx as a man on death row and resigned to the lie of the land in the deep south. But the feeling that this has all been seen before is used to particularly compelling effect here. It's something that writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton is clearly cognisant of, as he was when he focused on troubled teens living in a group home in the excellent Short Term 12. Layering in other cases, such as that of fellow condemned prisoner Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan), the filmmaker draws attention to the unending spate of real-life stories such as these. That's not a new revelation, but it bears heavily on a movie that's already weighty anyway." — Sarah Ward Just Mercy is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szby7ZHLnkA SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Our critic says: "Cast-wise, there's a clear standout. Jim Carrey is back in full force, dropping the most endearingly over-the-top performance audiences have seen from him in ages. As villain Dr Robotnik, he's somehow even more cartoonish than the CGI Sonic — and it's spectacular. Like Sonic's running, however, there's far too little of it throughout. Instead, the lion's share of screen time is reserved for Sonic (voiced by Parks and Recreation's Ben Schwartz) and his new pal Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), the local sheriff who's helping him avoid capture. Giving credit where credit's due, Marsden delivers the goods, charming his way through scenes that ought to have tanked hard. Schwartz, too, makes the inspired choice of keeping Sonic low-key instead of manic, resulting in a far more likeable hero." — Tom Glasson Sonic the Hedgehog is available to stream via iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpbKh4FqR2g RICHARD JEWELL Our critic says: "All it took was a concert and a backpack for Richard Jewell's (Paul Walter Hauser) life to change forever. That's the real-life story that monopolised news headlines 24 years ago. It's also the tale that Jewell, with his desperate desire to work in law enforcement, was overjoyed to have attached to his name. And, it's the narrative that Richard Jewell tells, although Clint Eastwood's involvement should make it obvious that it doesn't end there. As demonstrated with gusto in the latter years of his five-decade directorial career, Eastwood is drawn to heroes. He's not just fascinated by people acting bravely, but by true tales of fortitude in the face of pressure, scrutiny, admonishment and even contempt by society, authorities and bureaucracy. American Sniper's flag-waving tribute to the deadliest marksman in US military history, Sully's recreation of the Miracle on the Hudson and subsequent investigation, and The Mule's account of an octogenarian forced to become a drug courier to make ends meet — they all fit the profile, as does Jewell's swift slide from saviour to suspect." — Sarah Ward Richard Jewell is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7ACXBRP-g BLOODSHOT Our critic says: "Vin Diesel as Frankenstein's monster? Vin Diesel reliving the same events over and over again, Edge of Tomorrow-style, to right a past wrong? Vin Diesel filled with tiny robots — including in a Terminator-esque scene where half his face is exposed, revealing the nanotechnology gleaming beneath his flesh? Throw in shades of Universal Soldier and RoboCop as well (and some speedy car chases, because Diesel sure does love getting fast and furious behind the wheel), and that's Bloodshot. Yes, as well as tasking Diesel with playing a US soldier brought back from the dead, Bloodshot attempts to revive a variety of parts itself — all cobbled and spliced together from multiple other science-fiction stories and action flicks. Indeed, the fact that Bloodshot is actually based on a comic book character dating back to 1992 doesn't seem anywhere near as important to first-time feature director David SF Wilson as nodding at a heap of other pop culture titles." — Sarah Ward Bloodshot is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Read our full review.
With international travel unlikely to return for some time yet, your 2021 holiday plans probably include vacationing somewhere within Australia. If heading to the country's southern-most state is on your list, and you're keen to do so via car, then you'll welcome the Federal Government's temporary expansion of the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme — because it's letting travellers take their wheels to Tassie via ferry for a four month period without paying extra. Announced on Thursday, January 7 by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, the move sees an existing rebate — which dates back to 1996, and is designed to "reduce the cost of seagoing travel between the mainland and Tasmania" — extended via $6 million in funding from the Australian Government. As part of the scheme, it'll be free for passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to take their vehicles on the journey with them. That also applies to motorcycles and bicycles, if they're your preferred methods of transport. The scheme's expansion covers travel between March 1–June 30, 2021, and can be booked from January 14 — with tickets available until sold out. When you book the journey between Melbourne and Davenport (or vice versa), the rebate will be applied automatically, so you won't need to do anything else. Travellers taking their cars to Tassie with them will save an average of $240 for a return trip. If you're taking a caravan or motorhome with you, you'll still save the same amount — but, unlike with a car, you'll still need to pay an amount on top as the rebate won't cover the full price of the caravan or motorhome fee. There is still a passenger fee, which varies depending on whether you're travelling by day or night, and if it's high or low season. [caption id="attachment_796424" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mattinbgn via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Like plenty of schemes announced by various governments this year — such as Victoria's and South Australia's tourism vouchers — the aim is to get more folks going on local holidays, and spending money to support Australia's tourism industry. Tasmania does currently have border restrictions in place as at the time of writing, affecting those who've been in parts of Victoria and New South Wales. Accordingly, in advice we're all used to by now, it's worth checking the requirements and taking them into consideration when making your booking. For more information about the temporary expansion of the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme — or to make a booking with Spirit of Tasmania — visit the latter company's website. Top image: Steve Penton via Wikimedia Commons.
Gather an eclectic group of people in an intriguing place, spill a few secrets, commit a few crimes and watch sparks fly. It's an approach that's worked for Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight and even the board game Cluedo, and it works a treat for Bad Times at the El Royale. Contrary to the film's moniker, you can expect a rollicking good time with this mystery-thriller, which has devilish fun taking both its sharp narrative and its motley crew of characters on a twist-filled ride — and taking the audience along too, for that matter. On a sunny 1969 day that's soon to turn stormy, Lake Tahoe's El Royale Hotel welcomes four guests to its distinctive surroundings. Checking into the spot smack-bang on the border of California and Nevada are smooth-talking vacuum salesman Laramie Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), jobbing singer Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), man of the cloth Father Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges) and a woman who writes "fuck you" in the ledger instead of her name (Dakota Johnson). Strangers crossing paths for the first time, each has their own reasons for being there, not that anyone is forthcoming. As they assemble in the lobby beneath photos of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and other bigwigs who've stayed on the premises, the young, distracted manager Miles (Lewis Pullman) gives them the spiel: they can slumber in either U.S. state, but rooms in California cost $1 extra and you can't drink in the Nevada lounge, or gamble either since it lost its gaming license. The hotel's divided layout aside (and yes, a line literally runs right through the middle), much about Bad Times at the El Royale initially feels familiar. The basic setup, the use of title cards, the shifting perspectives and fractured timelines, and the air of foreboding in a fading abode all could've stepped out of countless other movies. Thankfully, derivation isn't the name of the game here, although there's one particular film that writer-director Drew Goddard owes a debt to. It's his own last big-screen release, The Cabin in the Woods — and while the filmmaker isn't trying to make the same flick twice by any means, he approaches this slightly over-long 90s-style crime throwback in the same way as his hit horror movie. Both share a sense of playfulness that's highly engaged with their chosen genres, neither follows the routine path, and each comes packed with an energy that's thoroughly infectious. Chris Hemsworth plays a part in both films, although just how the star and his frequently bare chest fit into Bad Times at the El Royale's narrative is best discovered by watching. But, by re-teaming with Goddard, he's once again immersed in an engrossing story that's spun around a fantastic setting — complete with shooting, spying, scandals, bank robbers and cults. While treating a movie's location like one of its characters might be commonplace to the point of cliche, this lively, pulpy and often amusing noir-esque picture wouldn't be anything without its central lodge. From the diorama-like opening scene that buries a secret beneath the floorboards, to roving camerawork that stalks every hidden nook and cranny of the place in a striking fashion, the El Royale proves a slick visual playground for blood-splattered revelations and reversals. Along with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (The Greatest Showman), roaming the hotel's halls is a well-chosen group of actors, helping to overcome what could've been the film's greatest flaw. Casting can often be a movie's biggest spoiler, instantly signalling that a high-profile name is destined for a more sizeable role than their seemingly small part first indicates — but even when that remains true here, talent such as Bridges and Johnson craft fascinating characters who are more than the sum of their flaws, failings and deceptions. Firmly and delightfully in Kurt Russell-meets-Patrick Swayze mode, Hemsworth is charming to watch in a more straightforward part, however it's Erivo who's having the best time of all. Turning in a performance as powerful as the soulful tracks she's often singing, the Tony and Grammy winner only made her cinematic debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. With Bad Times at the El Royale, Erivo checks in to a darkly entertaining affair, and certain big-screen stardom as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7wzBVARwaU
Jurassic Park still hasn't become a reality, but plenty of people are trying to build the next best thing. Brisbane played host to a virtual dinosaur zoo, Queensland could be getting a Jurassic Park-themed amusement park, an American attraction lets visitors roam through the desert with life-sized renderings and Jurassic World movies keep being made.. Now, an open-air dinosaur exhibition has popped up in Australia. Dinosaur Canyon is the latest addition to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, aka the dinosaur-focused museum you mightn't realise sits in central Queensland. Perched on a cliff, the new section boasts a 300-metre floating, treetop-style concrete walkway that takes patrons over a gorge and past five galleries filled with dinosaur replicas. Cast in bronze and built to scale, they're not just statues of any old dinos — they're versions of the types of dinosaurs that have been found in the region. Yes, if you're wondering why the country's dinosaur haven resides in the middle of the outback — it's located just outside of Winton, which is approximately 1500 kilometres from Brisbane — it's because that's where dino fossils were found back in 1999. Local grazier David Elliott came across a piece while mustering, and then turned his attention to transforming the site into a natural history museum that delves into its previous inhabitants. Dinosaur Canyon opens to the public on April 16, offering a fresh attraction for dinosaur fiends who happen to find themselves in the dusty centre of Queensland. As well as checking out the new replicas against a stunning natural backdrop, visitors to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs can view bones, touch them — yep, touch actual dinosaur bones — and participate in both dinosaur digs and fossil preparation. Via ABC. Images: Sarah Ward / Australian Age of Dinosaurs.
Long before Australia was plunged into a cost-of-living crisis, German-born supermarket chain Aldi was beloved by budget-conscious shoppers for its discounted groceries. Fans of cheap snow gear love the brand for cheap winter threads, too — and everyone knows someone who has nabbed a bargain bed, TV, barbecue, air fryer, outdoor setting or kettle from the retailer. Next on Aldi's list: $3.25 beers. No, there's no figure missing from that number. Yes, that's a wallet-friendly price for a frothy. If you're in Sydney on Wednesday, December 13, you can also enjoy the cheapest pub visit that you're ever likely to have while still buying a drink. To celebrate its new summery beers, which are called ALD IPA and are brewed by BrewDog at its Brisbane base, Aldi is setting up a one-night-only pop-up pub. Meet Special Brews by Aldi, with beverages costing $3.25 there as well, and the beers on offer from 3–7pm at Hotel Sweeney's on Clarence Street. In the past, Aldi has showcased its low prices by hosting a pop-up bar where gin, wine and cheese only cost $4.41, also in Sydney; serving up six gyoza for $1.44 at a pop-up dumpling truck, again in the Harbour City; and slinging 37-cent barista-made coffee in Melbourne. So, not only are the bargain brews on-brand, but so is setting up a site to launch and celebrate them. Head along to Special Brews and you'll get a sneak peek at ALD IPA, because it'll be available at the pop-up before it hits supermarkets on Wednesday, December 20. It's a first-come-first-served setup with no bookings, which means that arriving early is recommended. There'll also be a three-drink limit per person, so you won't even spend $10 on brews. Tucking into some chips while you drink will up your budget, however, with Special Brews featuring Aldi's Blackstone crisps in smoky chorizo (aka smoked paprika, pork, garlic and salt) and truffle and olive oil flavours for $3.49 a pack. Also on offer on the night: limited-edition BrewDog stubby holders and socks. "Produced in our state-of-the-art brewery in sunny Brisbane, our new ALD IPA is packed with all the hops and flavours you dream of in a quintessential summertime beer. It may boast a price tag fitting for ALDI, but it is the same high quality that BrewDog fans are so used to enjoying across our entire range, so we hope that Aussies enjoy picking up a case of ALD IPA in their weekly shop and cracking open a cold one this summer," said BrewDog Australia CEO Ed Bott. Described as "a fresh, fruity ale with tasting notes of citrus, stone fruits and a hint of toast", made with four different hops and coming in at four-percent ABV, ALD IPA will cost $13 for a four-pack — so, still $3.25 each — at Aldi. The one caveat: you can only get it at Aldis in states where supermarkets can sell booze, so in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia. Special Brews by Aldi will pop up at Hotel Sweeney's, 236 Clarence Street, Sydney from 3–7pm on Wednesday, December 13. In states where supermarkets can sell alcohol, you'll also be able to pick up a four-pack of ALD IPA in Aldi stores from Wednesday, December 20 until sold out.
When SXSW Sydney first started revealing details of its 2025 lineup, it promised more free programming on this year's bill. If you're keen to head along to the event's third year — after making its Harbour City debut in 2023, then returning in 2024 — without spending a cent, you'll want to make a date with Tumbalong Park, then. Again, the spot is playing host to the fest's budget-friendly activities, including everything from live music to movies, as well as DJ sets, talks, fashion showcases, pop-ups and more. Free sessions have always been a component of SXSW Sydney, but adding more was never not going to be a welcome move. Accordingly, after outlining that there'd be a significant expansion of its free programming, the festival has upped its Tumbalong Park lineup to 85-plus hours of events. At SXSW Sydney Unlocked, as the hub has been dubbed, there'll be more than 200 options to engage in the fest between Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19. This part of the lineup runs every day, but will feature extended hours from Thursday–Sunday. Weekday lunch breaks are a particular focus, spanning programming from 12–1.30pm Monday–Friday, as are happy-hour sessions from 4.30pm Tuesday–Friday. So, SXSW Sydney clearly wants the city to join in whenever suits everyone's daily schedules — and via everything from guest appearances to surprise hosts, too. Highlights include the return of FOMA: Fabrics of Modern Australia on the runway; gigs by Indonesian hip hop stars Tenxi, Filipino folk-pop singer Angela Ken, J-Pop boy band Psychic Fever and Chinese Tencent singer Tia Ray; and Blak to the Future: A Celebration of First Nations Creatives' celebration of Indigenous filmmaking. Or, hit up twilight gigs in the Seymour Centre courtyard, get line-dancing lessons and see a range of country talent — Max Jackson, The Washboard Union, Lewis Love and Big Wheels — at Tumbalong Honky Tonk, and explore the Australian Space Agency's space-themed hub. There's also Small Fry Rock for families, with Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson and Little Birdy's Katy Steele taking to the stage. The Rubens are set to celebrate ten years of 'Hoops', while K-pop is also getting a moment. On the Saturday, if you fancy attending the Games Showcase and Innovation Expo without bothering your wallet, that's also on the agenda. Images: Jess Gleeson, Paul McMillan and Ben Gibson.
Your brain knows it as well as your stomach: food tastes a certain way after midnight. And that way is generally very good. Something happens to your tastebuds (and appreciation for food) after a night out. One minute, you're happily wandering up Swanston Street on your way to get a tram home, and the next, you're hit with a craving for noodles or dumplings. Or you're suddenly incapacitated in the middle of Lygon Street with a need for pizza or pasta. Instead of doing a futile (and probably ineffective) search through Google Maps when you're after the best Melbourne restaurants and bars for late-night eats, bookmark this page to come back to when hunger strikes. We see you and your late-night food cravings — and give you the best late-night eats in Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Bars for Dancing in Melbourne The Best Cheap Eats in Melbourne
International fast food giant KFC is inviting its diehard fans to take their gravy drinking habits to the next level, unveiling one of its wackiest, most unnecessary releases yet — a series of cocktail recipes crafted on its signature gravy. Yep, the same marketing team that last year gifted the world with fried chicken-scented bath bombs has found another way to infuse flavours of the deep frier where they probably shouldn't be infused. According to the Independent, KFC's taken cues from bone broth cocktails that have been creeping onto forward-thinking (read: paleo) drink lists around the world, working with cocktail pros to design three boozy sips that hero its legendary gravy. The lineup includes a meaty version of the classic bloody mary (complete with a popcorn chicken skewer as the suggested garnish), and The Southern Twist, featuring bourbon and a parsley brown sugar rim. Requiring a touch more flair is the Finger Lickin' Sour, made with mezcal, cherry liqueur, marmalade and egg white. Gravy so good you can drink it... #BlueMonday pic.twitter.com/G5C1IgfM0H — KFC UK & Ireland (@KFC_UKI) January 15, 2018 This is of course another elaborate publicity campaign by the brand, but one that admittedly sums up weird food trends pretty well. And the recipes are indeed available online, along with videos created by London-based ad agency Mother, just in case you feel like getting creative the next time you order KFC. Come to think of it, this would make one hell of a hair of the dog drink. Via the Independent. Image: YouTube.
There's no denying that the United Kingdom has given the world a lot in the way of music. The nation is steeped in musical culture, from The Beatles to Bonobo; Oasis to One Direction; Elvis Costello to Elton John. It's given us The Spice Girls and 'Careless Whisper'. In short, its veins run thick with musical wealth — but there's more to it than just strolling through The Beatles museum in Liverpool. With the European summer just around the corner, we've been thinking about seminal musical experiences you can tick off your bucket list in the UK. And luckily, Contiki has launched a tour that covers exactly that. Dubbed Contiki Sounds, this ten-day journey includes stops in England's major cities — London, York, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool— and culminates in a VIP experience at long-running rock and pop extravaganza Reading Festival. This Aussie winter, pack your guitar (probably sacrificing some undies for space), head over the water to (somewhat) sunnier plains and prepare to pay homage to some legends. Tell your mum you love her and let her know you're off to find your inner John Lennon. ABBEY ROAD CROSSING, LONDON There's no getting around the Fab Four's reputation as paving the way for modern pop music and music fandom. Speaking of paving the way, the Abbey Road crossing in London's St John's Wood neighbourhood is certainly one of the enduring symbols of the band. The crosswalk is traipsed by countless fans of The Beatles daily in a bid to recreate the iconic Abbey Road album cover — undoubtedly frustrating traffic to no end. You can join the crowds and stroll your way across the road in tribute to the fallen members, John and George, and enduring larrikins Ringo and Paul. Sneak a peek at the current musical talent who might be ensconced inside the famous Abbey Road Studios across the way, where many of The Beatles' hits were recorded. [caption id="attachment_717739" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image: David Dixon via Wikipedia Commons.[/caption] DENMARK STREET, LONDON Another London road worth a visit is Denmark Street. Traipsing this patch of pavement will have you walking in the boots of the ghosts of the London music scene founders. Somewhat of a musical mecca in the mid-20th century, the street is even referenced in a song of the same name by The Kinks. Here, many bands quintessential to the British music world either rehearsed or recorded, and David Bowie even lived on the street in a campervan. Bowie has passed but the street's resonance lives on. Today it's a hotspot for musical instrument sales and repairs, as well as being home to famous grungy livemusic venue Crobar. READING FESTIVAL, READING There's no greater musical experience than packing up a tent, dancing to live music in your gumboots with your best friends for a few days and coming back having had the time of your life. If you're seeking a definitive musical experience and are up for a good time, an all-in UK music festival is a must — and this is one of the best. Reading is the longest-running pop music festival in existence and serves up a jampacked lineup of pop, rock and alternative heavyweights each year in conjunction with its partner festival in Leeds. It also boasts a number of important moments in musical history, including Nirvana's first ever UK show and Arctic Monkey's launch into superstardom in 2005. And if you're going tick this musical mecca off your bucket list, you'll want to do it in style. If you hop on board the Contiki Sounds trip, the on-site crew will take care of all the logistics — from setting up your tent and mattress to making sure you've got brekkie every day — so you can concentrate on donning your boots and moshing in front of the main stage. [caption id="attachment_717914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: travelmag.com via Flickr.[/caption] SALFORD LADS CLUB, MANCHESTER Made famous by the sleeve art of The Smiths 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, Salford Lads Club has been on the scene since 1903, when it was still a boys club. Over 100 years later, the club has had a whole fleet of musical legends as members (The Hollies also used to practise there). A decade or so ago saw some necessary refurbs, partly financed by Morrissey himself. These days, it's often used as a film and TV location for the likes of British series Coronation Street and hosts a variety of sports and talks geared towards young people. While that might sound like a far cry from The Smiths posing moodily outside, true fans need not fear — there's still an entire room dedicated to the band inside. The Salford Lads Club's musical pedigree is impossible not to acknowledge. [caption id="attachment_717753" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image by Hens Zimmerman via Wiki Commons[/caption] CAVERN CLUB, LIVERPOOL A guide to the British music scene wouldn't be complete without Liverpool — the epicentre of a huge part of the UK's music roots. And yep, it's generally down to The Beatles. Every year thousands of people flock to the harbourside town, many wanting to explore The Beatles Story museum. The Cavern Club is equally as important and just as drenched in musical history. Step inside and take a deep breath — you'll be inhaling the atmosphere of years of musical history (along with beer). Still an important live music venue to the town, The Beatles made a name for themselves here, playing their first gig in 1961. Over the years, countless other British bands have followed suit, including The Wombats and The Rolling Stones. Pay your respects to this holy stage. Travel around the best spots in the UK with Contiki at Reading Festival. Unearth the UK's musical heritage, then experience an unforgettable party at one of the world's best and biggest music festivals. Contiki wants to take you there — all you have to do is choose from the 7- or 10-day trip. Plus, if you bring a mate, it'll give you both $200 off. Find out more here.
It's undeniably tough for a hotel to cater their rooms to every guest that will ever stay in them, but this problem can be far more real for the intrepid traveller with a disability. The latest design of hotel room from new collaboration AllGo, however, seeks to change this fact by creating an adaptable room that makes rooms more accessible than ever before, all while channelling the contemporary aesthetic guests have come to expect from upmarket hotel experiences. The AllGo project is the brainchild of international architecture studio Ryder and contemporary bathroom design firm Motionspot. The idea came from the need to "create a concept that redefines the design of hotel bedrooms and bathrooms so they deliver the individual access requirements of guests without compromising on the aesthetics of the environment," according to Motionspot founder Ed Warner. Each room, according to the design, will incorporate features like handrails with braille printed on them, retractable wall panels that can fold away and act as furniture, wheelchair-friendly flooring, and motorised tracks to assist in access and egress to the bed. The best part is, however, that these features can be easily added and removed before the guest even arrives. The AllGo concept took out the top gong at the lauded Celia Thomas Prize late last year. The prize awards £20,000 (nearly AU$34,000) to the design that best creates a hotel experience for people with disabilities, and that can best "challenge the perception of hotel facilities set aside for disabled people, which can often be viewed as joyless, poorly designed and over-medicalised," according to the Royal Institute of British Architects. Gold medal-winning Paralympian, member of British parliament and bad-ass Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was one of the driving factors in having the Celia Thomas Prize created. "Great architecture is about spaces that make you feel better and which make you want to return," she said, and the AllGo design strives to achieve that goal for everyone. Motionspot and Ryder will use their winnings to have a pilot program for the design up and running within the year. Via PSFK.
Spring in Victoria means one gorgeous thing: the stunning annual Blossom Festival descending upon Cherryhill Orchards for two weeks of quintessential springtime revelry. From Saturday, September 16–Sunday, October 1, the Yarra Ranges orchard will come alive to celebrate the new cherry blossom season — though there's much more on offer here than an abundance of beautiful blooms. Visitors will be able to enjoy cherry-infused sips, cherry ice cream and plenty of live tunes while they stroll through the rows of blossoming trees. Once you've worked up a thirst, you can soak up some spring sunshine while sipping cherry vodka, which uses the orchards' cherries; cherry blossom gin, for something else boozy and on theme; and both cherry blossom frappes and cherry blossom tea. Or, opt for high tea among the blossoms as hosted by Mary Eats Cake. If the superb scenery has inspired your creative side, there's also a program of hands-on family-friendly workshops running through the festival, covering everything from flower crown creation and candle-making to beekeeping basics. And if you're in the mood for romance, you can precede your visit with a sunrise hot air balloon ride, thanks to the folks at Global Ballooning. Only for over-18s: the sip-and-paint workshop, which'll unleash your creative side over drinks across a 2.5-hour session. Adult general admission is $12.50 on weekdays and $15 on weekends, with various experiences and food packages available to add to your booking. And just like in 2022, dogs are welcome to join your blossom adventures.
We know, we know — saving for a house is a top priority. But, look, splashing out occasionally doesn't make you 'naughty', it makes you human. You only live once, after all. We think every couple should do something extra special from time to time, which may involve spending a little more cash than you usually would. Don't worry, we won't judge; you work hard for your money. To help you formulate your next escapade, we've curated some epic money-can-buy date experiences, while our mates at CommBank have the money tips to help you live money smart when dating or coupled up. So, now you can treat yourself and save for the house. Win, win. Celebrate more big (or little) life moments together. Learn to budget as a couple and save for those special dates with these helpful tips from CommBank. [caption id="attachment_656745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] SIP CHAMPAGNE ON THE WATER If Bridget Jones's Diary taught us anything, it's that romance can bloom on the water, rowing is very romantic and Hugh Grant looks good in a wet shirt. But, we digress. Pick a sunny spring day, head to Fairfield Boathouse, hire out a rowboat and punt yourselves around on a body of water. When you get tired of rowing, just float around in a leisurely manner — but don't forget a hat (or parasol) if it's a sunny day. To top things off, pop into your local bottle-o before you jump on the water and pick up a bottle of Champagne, you're well worth the price tag. The 'gentleman's' rowing boats are $37 for the first hour and $7 for each hour after and if you need some inspiration of what Champagne to get, a bottle of fine Ruinart will set you back $136–540. EAT, DRINK AND SPA AT THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA For your next big luxe date, why not get out of the buzzing Melbourne metropolis? The Mornington Peninsula is a haven for food and wine enthusiasts and the perfect place to escape for the weekend. First, take your date to Laura in Merrick's Pt Leo Estate. This intimate fine diner boasts tasty set menus (from $120 a head without drinks) and an expansive open kitchen that's sure to impress. Then, walk off the multiple courses with a stroll around Pt Leo Estate's 50-piece sculpture garden — keep an eye out for the sculpture by famed Spanish artist Jaume Plensa that Laura is named after. Of course, no trip to the Mornington region is complete without hitting up Peninsula Hot Springs. After a big reno, it's ready and raring to pamper your indulging bodies. The private bathing package costs $120 per person and spa packages start at $150 per person. [caption id="attachment_618664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Craft and Co.[/caption] LEARN A NEW SKILL TOGETHER This one may take a little more time but it'll be worth it, you'll get the chance to spend some quality time with your partner and acquire a new skill. Self-improvement is a go. Pick something which you'll get pleasure — and tasty treats — out of, like learning how to brew beer (from $275 at The Public Brewery), make cheese ($95 at The Craft and Co.), butcher your own meat (from $310 with Cannings Free Range Butchers) or even DIY kombucha ($120 for two people with The Mighty Booch at Work-Shop) if you're really wanting to treat your insides. Work-Shop also has a variety of interesting courses that aren't food or drink related but are still hands-on; give the schedule a look, pick something that won't end in a couples spat and Bob's your uncle. SPEND THE NIGHT IN A FANCY TRAILER Correct, NOTEL is "not a hotel" and it demonstrates this by taking the form of six silver Airstream trailers sitting nice and shiny above Flinders Lane. Half boutique hotel, half trailer park, NOTEL will certainly offer the opportunity to spice things up in your relationship. There's nothing like 'exploring' a new place with your partner. The trailers are situated on top of a carpark roof, are genuine American Airstreams straight from the 70s and come fully equipped with bathroom facilities and all the usual mod cons. Make one of them your digs for a weekend (from $395 a night) and treat yourselves by eating your way up and down the food mecca that is Flinders Lane. The trailers might make it feel like you're in the desert somewhere in Arizona but, my, you sure won't be going hungry. HIRE OUT AN ENTIRE CINEMA If your date is a bona fide cinephile — the type that saw Call Me By Your Name five times in the cinema and cried every time — surprise them by renting out a whole movie theatre. Not only is it a grand romantic gesture but it will allow them to watch the entire movie in peace, something which all movie buffs love. Forget about annoying chats and rustling candy wrappers, it's just you two and the silver screen. Try hitting up your local arthouse cinema, like Cinema Nova, first, since some have 20 seats or less, for a more intimate setting. Once you've got the location sorted, grab your partner and all the obligatory snacks, then get ready for a night at the movies that you'll never forget. Private screenings start at $430.50 and private hire at $800 at Cinema Nova. If a splashy date just isn't on the cards, not to worry. Enter our comp and let us pick up the bill instead.
Aunty Donna fans, we're living in a golden time for the sketch comedy group's jokes making their way from skits to IRL. Obviously, everything is still a drum and always will be. On top of that, though, Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane are making a sitcom about whipping up morning browns, have dropped an Always Room for Christmas Pud picture book and are releasing a $30 bottle of wine literally called $30 bottle of wine. If you're already giggling at all of the above, then you know the skits that they all spring from — and, when it comes to the new vino, you're ready to chug-a-lug. First, though, you'd also best be prepared to aerate the wine by pouring it into a decanter, then wait an hour before drinking. Then, you'll need to swirl, sniff, maybe find a cupcake in your glass, spit some wine out to explore the flavours and just generally feel like a fancy rich type. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Built To Spill Wine (@builttospill.wine) Saying that it costs $30 a lot, and respecting it because it costs $30, are also essential. So is singing the Home and Away theme song, apparently. Obviously, you don't have to take Aunty Donna's $30 Bottle of Wine skit as actual instructions, but watching said clip while drinking is definitely recommended. The $30 bottle of wine — which isn't just any bottle of wine, of course — hails from a collaboration with Built to Spill. The wine label was started by Tai Tate (ex-Porteno, Mary's, P&V) back in 2020 and has built itself up a following since, with this collaboration coming after Tate was introduced to the world of Aunty Donna by tattoo artist called Sanchez. The latter has now done the honours with the bottle's label, in fact, and yes, the words "$30 bottle of wine" feature prominently. Tate advises that the wine, which retails for $29.95 and ships from Monday, November 28, is probably worth more than $30. A natural shiraz from Macedon by Trutta Wines, it features bright red fruits and cacao, plus notes of cranberry and wild cherry. Go on, give all that a mention as you're sipping — you have to, it's the $30-bottle-of-wine way. Built to Spill is selling Aunty Donna's $30 bottle of wine solo, and in a bundle with Always Room for Christmas Pud. Ace Christmas present alert, clearly. All that's left now is to revisit the sketch that started it all, because you can never watch it too many times. Check it out below: For more information about Aunty Donna's $30 bottle of wine, head to the Built to Spill website. Orders are open now, and bottles ship from Monday, November 28.
A friend of mine works in an op shop. A proper one, not an overpriced 'vintage' one. A few months ago she showed up to the pub with a collection of books which had been donated, one of which was a colouring book for medical students, complete with every element of human anatomy you'd ever need to know. We sat tipsily entranced by the semi-coloured-in pictures of lungs and kidneys and feet, the outspread arms of nerve cells and the fragile spiderweb-like bone structure of the hand. Bodies are funny things. We're often quick to forget what's under the surface, what's holding us together and propelling us forward. Japanese illustrator Wataru Yoshida has recently captured this idea in a startlingly beautiful way, in a series of posters entitled Composition of Mammals. The images combine photographs of different mammals, including humans, overlaid with the ethereal shadows of their skeletons and vital organs. The series was created as part of an imaginary exhibition at the National Musuem of Nature and Science in Tokyo, aiming to show the mystery and fascination of how delicate even the strongest of bodies is when you peel back the skin. [Via Design Bloom]
Which Australian city has the best steak joints? Which boasts the top restaurants in general? Which is considered the ideal place to live? May 2024 has delivered new answers to all of these questions (more fuel for interstate rivalries, too), and it has just dropped another handy tidbit: the home of Australia's best bartender for this year. Global bartending competition Diageo World Class shows Aussie talents some love in a couple of ways, including via its Bartender of the Year Australia award — and, after a fierce contest showcasing exceptional mixology, we have a winner. Earning the coveted title this year is Sydney bartender Jake Down from Pleasure Club, one of three Harbour City folks competing in the showdown. In the pool of six bartenders, Perth and Hobart were each represented, too (sorry other Australian cities). Down, Merivale's James Irvine and The Waratah's Tom Opie faced off against each other, and also against Matt Bodycote from State Buildings in Perth, Shirley Yeung from Foxtrot Hospitality Group in Perth and Rohan Massie from Rude Boy in Hobart. Held in Sydney on Monday, May 27, the final stage of the annual drinks competition saw the six Aussie finalists battle it out behind the bar, showing off their skills across three challenges. One had them coming up with new options for traditional whisky serves, working with Johnnie Walker, Talisker and The Singleton. The next involved taking inspiration from their favourite bars while heroing Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. Then, a speed task involving making six classic cocktail serves in six minutes rounded out the contest. Down, whose resume locally and internationally also includes This Must Be the Place, Scout London, Re and Housemade Hospitality, now has a chance to score some more kudos at the global finals in September. He'll shake and stir up a storm alongside 50-plus other international hopefuls in a bid to be named World Class Global Bartender of the Year. "The competition has exposed me to some of the best bartenders in the industry, allowing me to learn and grow alongside incredible talent," said Down about his win. "I'm honoured to be part of our incredible hospitality community and I can't wait to represent Australia in September at the global finals." [caption id="attachment_942593" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pleasure Club, Parker Blain.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_929495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Waratah, Jason Loucas.[/caption] For more information about the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition and Diageo World Class in general, head to the Diageo Bar Academy website.
Airbnb Australia has just launched #UntilWeAllBelong, a marriage equality campaign that involves wearing an 'incomplete' ring in an act of LGBTQI+ marriage support. The company is using this physical symbol as a way to further publicise the equality gap conversation, as well as to give individuals the chance to have their voices heard through direct action. Designed in partnership with influential Australian designer Marc Newson, each limited edition ring has an electroplated matte black finish and has been inscribed with the phrase "Until we all belong" — supporters promise to wear the ring until marriage equality legislation is passed. The ring also features a 2.2mm gap in its loop, which is meant to symbolise the current inequality of marriage in Australia. Participants can purchase the ring for a postage and handling fee of $3.50, with absolutely no profit on the rings going to Airbnb. Per unit costs cover only the postage and handling within Australia. "This incomplete ring symbolises the gap in marriage equality that we need to close," reads the website. "Until the day comes when two people who love each other can celebrate that love through commitment, will you wear this ring and show your acceptance of marriage equality?" A video supporting the campaign was released on the Airbnb Australia Twitter account yesterday and it promotes the fight as one which all Australians should be participating in — whether you're showing support for your sibling, parent, neighbour, friend or yourself. This incomplete ring symbolises the gap in marriage equality in Australia. Wear this ring & show your acceptance #untilweallbelong pic.twitter.com/hiTRtChHks — Airbnb Australia (@airbnb_au) April 2, 2017 Airbnb's public support of marriage equality comes after a wave of Australian businesses and brands speaking up, with a major marriage equality campaign backed by 30 of the nation's largest companies in March. The letter, coordinated by Australian Marriage Equality, urges PM Malcolm Turnbull to legislate same-sex marriage and is signed by the chief executives of such big businesses as Qantas, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Holden and ANZ, to name a few. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has continued to speak out on his and the company's support of the campaign, despite backlash comments by immigration minister Peter Dutton, who has made bold claims that the businesses were "bullied" into supporting the letter — though no proof of this claim has been offered by Dutton. The debate around marriage equality has been continuously escalating in recent months, with Skyy Vodka's Cheers to Equality and Smirnoff's We're Open campaigns also recently launched, and following last month's consumer boycott against Coopers after an uncomfortably timed video run by the Bible Society. According to Galaxy Research polls, 64 percent of Australians support marriage equality, so its likely more brands will herald their support for the cause.
Humanity's love for Nutella truly knows no bounds. We've had Nutella deep-fried ice cream, frozen custard, arancini, jaffles, calzones and doughnuts, among other edible items. There's a day dedicated to it, as well as a festival, food truck, dessert bar and restaurant. Here in Australia, we've even caused a country-wide shortage of the good stuff. And now, McDonald's in Italy is selling Nutella burgers. Given that burgers are one of the only others food items that are as popular as everyone's favourite hazelnut spread (alongside doughnuts and pizza), this really is the culinary mashup we had to have. And Maccas isn't messing around. Their Sweety con Nutella only features two ingredients: Nutella and a burger bun. In the words of the McDonald's Italy Facebook page, it's "soft bread with a creamy, indulgent centre". We can understand their thinking. Why complicate something as amazing — and simple — as the delectable substance we all love on bread? We can also understand why you might be contemplating an overseas trip right about now. Alas, as yet, there's no news of a local launch for this must-have addition to Maccas' menu.
The rest of the year, it's a champion of movies and television, but for nine days this November, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will be all about those tunes, as it transforms into the official hub for Melbourne Music Week 2018. This year's festival is set to deliver even more immersive experiences, making the most of ACMI's Gallery One, its event space The Lightwell and its primo audio and video tech. Following in the footsteps of previous MMW hubs, including St Paul's Cathedral (2017) and the State Library of Victoria (2016), the precinct will be dishing up some pretty incredible musical celebrations, with a swag of free and ticketed MMW events happening from November 16 to 24. It all kicks off with a bang with the wild Opening Night party, curated by legendary LGBTQI+ party people Heaps Gay. Expect a smorgasbord of dancing, drag and music, with must-see performances from the likes of The Cocoa Butter Club, The Huxleys and LGBTQI+ artists including Kira Puru and Maribelle. Other events set to fire up the ACMI gallery include a performance from Detroit techno boss Jeff Mills, a label showcase serving up the best of Rice Is Nice, and a high-energy dance floor session guided by London producer Rival Consoles and house legend Leon Vynehall. Aussie songstress Renee Geyer will host a celebration of disco and there's even talk of a family-friendly, mid-arvo rave. Elsewhere in the MMW lineup, the Immigration Museum nods to African roots with a night of soul and R&B headlined by REMI, Brittain's Leon Vynehall makes another appearance, taking on the Melbourne Recital Centre backed by a 10-piece string ensemble, and Aussie rockers You Am I have their first taste of the MMW stage, alongside festival favourite The Grand Organ. Melbourne Music Week 2018 runs from November 16 to 24, at various venues across the city. Tickets are on sale now, with the full program set to drop on October 2.
2024 is a double Dune year. First, Dune: Part Two brought the science-fiction franchise back to the big screen with help from director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049), plus stars Timothée Chalamet (Wonka) and Zendaya (Euphoria). Next, television's Dune: Prophecy will arrive before spring is out. A six-part prequel series from HBO, it's set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides — and, as the latest teaser trailer for the show advises, this is a time when sacrifices must be made. Dune: Prophecy marks this book-to-screen universe's return to the small screen. Over the past four decades, the saga started on the page by Frank Herbert has hit cinemas three times so far, including David Lynch's 1984 film and Villeneuve's 2021 standout Dune: Part One. In the 00s, it also spread sandy across TV via two miniseries. Everything in pop culture has to span both movies and television at the same time these days, however, hence Dune: Prophecy — even though the tale of Paul, aka sci-fi's spiciest man, is set to continue in a third Dune film that doesn't yet have a release date. Come November, including via Binge in Australia, Dune: Prophecy will follow the sect that gives rise to the Bene Gesserit, aka the sisterhood that secretly sways the universe. In the debut sneak peek back in May, the narration explained how the faction formed, and was "assigned to the great houses to help them sift truth from lies" — but also noted that that power comes with a price. The new glimpse doubles down on the costs and chaos. Across both trailers, cue plenty of plotting, lurking in dramatically shadowy spaces, schemes, rituals, battles and marriages. The focus falls on two Harkonnen sisters — part of the same family that includes Stellan Skarsgard's (Andor) Baron Harkonnen, Dave Bautista's (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Rabban and Austin Butler's (The Bikeriders) Feyd-Rautha in the movies — who are attempting to sure up humanity's future. Dune: Prophecy is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson's novel Sisterhood of Dune, and features Emily Watson (Small Things Like These), Olivia Williams (The Crown), Travis Fimmel (Boy Swallows Universe), Jodhi May (Renegade Nell), Mark Strong (Tár), Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Colony), Josh Heuston (Heartbreak High) and Jessica Barden (You & Me) among the cast. HBO is as keen as most Dune characters are about spice on turning films into TV shows at the moment, with The Batman spinoff The Penguin, IT prequel series Welcome to Derry and a Harry Potter remake as a television show all also on the way. Check out the latest teaser trailer for Dune: Prophecy below: Dune: Prophecy will stream from in November 2024, including via Binge in Australia — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Read our reviews of Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, and our interview with cinematographer Greig Fraser.
There's no shortage of picturesque coastal spots along the Gippsland coastline. But Inverloch is the choice port of call for many, with its beachy vibe and coastal cycling trails making the most of its enviable location. Now the region's tourism sector is getting another boost, as RACV has just unveiled plans for a multi-million-dollar upgrade to its already rather luxe Inverloch Resort. With the region becoming an increasingly popular destination for weekend escapes, the refurb features 36 premium rooms to help the resort meet demand during peak season. In fact, the expansion will allow RACV Inverloch Resort to cater for 20,000 more guests annually, making it easier to stay within touching distance of the region's most captivating scenery. "This is an investment into Inverloch and Gippsland tourism that RACV is tremendously proud to be a part of," says RACV Executive General Manager Leisure, Craig Peachey. "With regional tourism booming post-pandemic, these new premium rooms will help address a significant market gap while elevating Inverloch's status as a premium destination." The major change will welcome the construction of a striking two-level wing, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that capture panoramic views across Andersons Inlet. Designed by leading architecture practice GHD, guests can expect the new-look resort to harmonise with the coastal landscape through sustainable materials and native vegetation. While the existing resort is often the go-to option for travellers seeking an upmarket stay in the Gippsland region, the expansion will enable the property to reach broader customer segments. The new capacity will make the accommodation more suitable for hosting larger events and conferences, while families will appreciate a greater selection of flexible room configurations. Ready to book? Construction is scheduled for mid-August 2025, with the new wing expected to welcome its first guests by December 2026. So, pencil in your plans for the summer after next — alongside world-class beaches, you'll encounter stellar local cuisine in the Radius Restaurant, plus meaningful support for Inverloch's coastal arts scene. RACV Inverloch Resort's expansion is expected to open for summer 2026 bookings. Head to the website for more information.
When you venture into Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, the multi-storey venue in Fed Square from Alejandro Saravia, you're set to be met with a culinary showcase of the state. A menu that brings farm-fresh produce from regions as varied as the Murray region and the stretch of land along the Great Ocean Road, all the way out to Mallacoota and the Pyrenees. Alongside the usual menu, the team is adding a plentiful end-of-weekend meal to the mix. On Sundays, between 11am–6.30pm, diners will be invited into the warm embrace of The Mighty Sunday Roast — a changing three-course set menu spotlighting a Melburnian twist on the pub classic. Starting off a little left of centre, you'll break bread, perhaps with salumi, buffalo ricotta and a crudo with kohlrabi and kelp. Or, maybe sweet mussels from Portarlington, smoked and served with chickpeas and fired peppers. Then, it's the crown jewel: the roast. It may be lamb shoulder or possibly beef shin, but it'll certainly be hearty and served with gravy, crunchy potatoes roasted in duck fat and housemade Yorkshire pudding. Rounding out the generous communal meal — which goes for $85 per person — is a sugar-sweet finisher. Perhaps the classic floating island: cloud-like poached meringue atop chocolate custard. Or, maybe, a creme caramel decked out with marinated plums and the fried crunch of crostoli. However your grand Sunday feast concludes, you'll be fuelled — and in the perfect location — for city explorations. Put the word out to your group, set a date and book your table. The Mighty Sunday Roast is available at Victoria by Farmer's Daughters every Sunday between 11am–6.30pm. For more information and to book your seat, head to the website. Images: Arianna Leggiero
At last, the gluten free gods have answered your prayers. The Gohil family — whose coeliac-friendly products have been gracing local supermarket shelves for 20 years — are making lives even easier, launching the country's first dedicated gluten free, ready-cooked meal delivery service. Just like the recently launched Freshara is doing for Australia's vegan contingent, The Gluten Free Meal Co is opening up the meal delivery game to a whole new group of foodies, with a collection of nourishing, ready-prepared dishes endorsed by Coeliac Australia. They've also done away with the whole subscription caper. Instead, users simply order by selecting from the lineup of $9.90 single-serve meals on The Gluten Free Meal Co's online menu. And, while there's a minimum spend of $65 for each order, you will score free delivery Australia-wide. All meals are whipped up in a state-of-the-art facility and undergo external gluten testing before arriving at your doorstep — although by the looks of that menu, they're designed to tempt taste buds just as much as any gluten-filled goodies. We're talking global-inspired main dishes like crumbed fish fillets and a country-style chicken pie, a solid range of vegetarian meals, and even a dessert selection featuring sweet treats like chocolate profiteroles. "The gluten free community deserves the same privilege of eating a wide variety of high-quality, nourishing food as everyone else," said Pran and Jitesh Gohil. "We're so excited that we can look after everyone with this fantastic range of delicious mains, finger foods and desserts that are indistinguishable from dishes everyone enjoys." For more information about The Gluten Free Meal Co visit www.gfmeals.com.au.
Nick Cave remains one of Australia's most mysterious music raconteurs, maintaining an enigmatic presence on the music scene via a number of various band incarnations since the 70s. There's been The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Grinderman, not to mention his solo work and various collaborations with other artists. He also writes screenplays, scores films, and has popped up in acting roles too. There's not much the man can't do (he has seen some things and been some places) and Thornbury Picture House is ready and raring to celebrate this. Dedicating an entire week to the legendary man, the cinema will screen various tributes to his work between June 29 and July 6. Documentaries, film scores, music videos, short films will all feature, including The Proposition, One More Time with Feeling, Wake in Fright and a 90-minute 'visual mixtape' of everything from Grinderman to footage of his first high-school band. If you're a fan of his music, you won't want to miss some of the rare footage on display. Some sessions are already sold out, so best book tickets in advance.
It's never too late to learn something new, and we're not just talking about the ins and outs of superannuation. Rather, turning your brain to studying — and possibly launching yourself into a new career — has never been so easy. Open Universities Australia (OUA) helps you find a degree to fit your goals and study it online. So, no matter your physical proximity to the university running the course, or your life commitments, you can make it happen. Whether you're a first-time student, an aiming-to-finisher, or just looking to extend your career options by adding another notch to your belt, we know that half the battle can be figuring out what you actually want to study. Rather than spending hours trying to nut it out, why not use the time you've already dedicated to your favourite television show? Chances are, your favourite genre might give you a pretty good clue as to what you're into. Read on to discover eight possible careers based on a small-screen hit, then go tell your mum that you weren't wasting time after all. YOU LOVE: THE HANDMAID'S TALE Consider studying: Bachelor of Psychological Science and Sociology with University of South Australia (UniSA), Bachelor of Behavioural Studies with Swinburne University or Master of Public Policy and Management with Flinders University. Well, things are pretty bleak at the moment in Gilead. And they have been for June (Elisabeth Moss) since the show — an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name — began. An oft-bleak reflection of parts of our world in the modern day, The Handmaid's Tale isn't a happy watch, but it is an important one — and from it arises a wider commentary on policy, oppression and herd mentality. If you really want to unpack everything that's happening to June, or if the eerily familiar (and frustrating) circumstances have lit a fire in your belly, consider studying a degree in policy, social studies or psychology, available online through OUA. YOU LOVE: BROOKLYN NINE-NINE Consider studying: Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice with Griffith University or a Master of Criminology with Macquarie University. You only need to spend a little time on social media to know that Brooklyn Nine-Nine has become a cult TV offering — there are memes everywhere. The comedy has a surprising amount of heart behind Detective Jake Peralta's (Andy Samberg) antics and the joke-a-minute vibe (if you didn't laugh at that Backstreet Boys cold open, then you don't have a sense of humour). Although it's cloaked in fictional comedy, this show covers some seriously diverse crimes. This, plus the backlog of true crime documentaries on your to-watch list, prove that there are seriously interesting stories out there and some wild stuff that happens in the world. If you want to hustle your case-cracking prowess into a career, explore a degree in criminology with Griffith University. Or, if you've already got a bachelor's degree and notched up some work experience in the field of security, you can jump into a masters with Macquarie University. YOU LOVE: GAME OF THRONES Consider studying: Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) with Curtin University, Master of Writing with Swinburne University or Master of Arts (TESOL) at Bond University. Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over — the characters of Westeros and Jon Snow's immense sadness can live on in your heart long after the final episode. And we've found a way for you to continue your obsession with the epic fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin's books. You can learn to appreciate the intricacies of the world he created or, even better, create your own Westeros (maybe one where slightly less characters die) by taking on a creative writing course online through OUA. You can start from the very beginning with Curtin University's bachelor degree, which allows you to explore different styles including poetry, short fiction and screenwriting. Or, you can hone your already established craft with a masters with Swinburne University of Technology or Bond University. The latter explores the principles of the English language and will grant you a teaching qualification, too. YOU LOVE: CHERNOBYL Consider studying: Diploma in Science with University of New England or Associate Degree in Engineering at University of South Australia. It's the one everyone has been talking about, and it recently rated the best TV show of all time on IMDb. Chernobyl, which explores the catastrophic incident at a Ukrainian power plant in 1986, breaks down a particularly harrowing chapter of history. The disaster had far and long-reaching consequences and the show gets you thinking about what happens when science and human error combine to fail us. If your brain is ticking over with nuclear reactor designs or chemical equations, it might be time to hit up OUA to embark on a new career in science or engineering. YOU LOVE: SEX EDUCATION Consider studying: Bachelor of International Public Health with University of NSW or Master of Public Health with Curtin University. Netflix's very funny, very sweet British show has basically everything you need for a weekend binge show: good writing, a great cast and a storyline tackling critical gender and sexuality issues among young people. Oh, and Gillian Anderson. Sex Education tells the story of Otis (Asa Butterfield) trying to making it through high school while contending with his mother (Anderson), who is a sex therapist working from home. A show that anyone, young or old, can find something to relate to in, Sex Education is a worthy reminder that health and sexual education should be taught comprehensively to young people. If you think you could fill those very important shoes, considering studying a public health degree with a leading uni online through OUA, which could open you up to career opportunities in government agencies, research or community health programs. YOU LOVE: RICK AND MORTY Consider studying: Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design) with Curtin University or Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) in Games Design and Development with Murdoch University. Yeah, we know — it's a silly one. But it's pretty damn funny. Rick and Morty was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, of Adventure Time and Community respectively, and it's not for the underage (or faint-hearted). Following mad scientist Rick and his grandson Morty as they go on interdimensional adventures, the show is wacky, original, and a little gross. But, it may also get you thinking about the rising popularity of adult cartoons, and the animation teams behind their increased profile. So, if you've always had an artistic streak that you'd like to nurture into a full-blown career, have a search through the online options through OUA for animation and game development. YOU LOVE: THE GOOD PLACE Consider studying: Bachelor of Education (Primary, Secondary or Early Childhood) with Curtin University. One of the most clever shows in recent years has to be Michael Schur's The Good Place. From the man who brought us Parks & Recreation and The Office comes a comedy starring Kristen Bell as Eleanor — an unremarkable person during her life on earth who wakes up in The Good Place, or a heaven-like utopia, being shown around by Michael (Ted Danson). Three seasons of moral questions, philosophical quandaries and people just being human ensue. While a lot of it is silly fun, The Good Place does provide a solid vessel for the discussion of ethics, via creative uses, and exploration of belief. It also hammers home, while we watch Chidi attempt to teach Eleanor moral philosophy, that the world needs more good teachers. Live your dream and explore your own moral questions by becoming one. YOU LOVE: SUITS Consider studying: Bachelor of Laws with University of New England and Juris Doctor with Flinders University. Pre-prince days for Meghan Markle brought us Suits, an Aaron Korsh-created legal drama focusing on Mike Ross and Harvey Specter, lawyers working at a large firm in New York City. While Mike (Patrick J. Adams) goes in entirely untrained and manages to pull off working large cases without a sweat, we don't encourage that — in fact, we'd strongly urge you to look into a law degree, which you can study online through OUA. Combine your interests in watching endless episodes of Suits (there are nine seasons), besting someone in a verbal argument and, if you like Mike, helping the underdog by getting a law degree. The two-piece suits await. Explore hundreds of degrees from leading Australian universities available online through Open Universities Australia. You could have a new skill by the end of the year. Hop to it.
