Prepare yourself for a serious dose of girl power: Janelle Monáe and Kimbra have announced they're joining forces for an Australasian tour, on sale this Thursday. The two pop heavyweights, who bonded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland last July, are coming to Australia for The Golden Electric Tour at the end of May. Scheduled for four shows throughout Australia, the dynamic duo is also making a stop in Kimbra's native New Zealand before closing out the tour in Melbourne. The award-winning pop powerhouses will co-headline the tour, combining forces for a portion of the show while also playing individual sets. Kimbra and Monáe first made sweet music together at an impromptu bar gig when they met last year. Their taste for eccentric pop music coupled with fierce vocals proved a heavenly match, thus the idea for a joint tour was born. To (successfully) hype us all up for the endeavour, the pair released an unfathomably adorable video singing a mash-up of Aretha Franklin's 'Rock Steady' and Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Something', both of which are sure to be on the set list. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SyqltX5lRhQ Monáe will feature tracks from her 2013 release The Electric Lady, as well as her celebrated 2010 debut album The ArchAndroid. Kimbra is expected to release the follow-up to her 2011 album Vows later this year, so fans should expect some new gems amongst the singalongs. Tour Dates: Friday, May 16 - Challenge Stadium, Perth Monday, May 19 - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Wednesday, May 21 - Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane Saturday, May 24 - Vector Arena, Auckland Monday, May 26 - The Plenary, Melbourne Tickets go on sale 10am on Thursday, April 17 via Live Nation. Pre-sale is available for My Live Nation members at 10am on Monday, April 14.
The world is in chaos. Violent confrontations, atrocities, nations teetering both politically and economically: that's the situation. On a luxe snowy getaway, four presidents of tech watch on. What could the US President have to say when he calls, then? "That your platform's inflamed a volatile situation, circulating unfalsifiable deepfakes, massive fraud, market instability," is one prediction in the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Mountainhead. The new movie is the latest project from Jesse Armstrong, who both writes and directs — and is making his return to the screen after Succession wrapped up in 2023. Based on the scenario seen in the sneak peek, aka a group of billionaires showing little care for the state of the globe while they live it up on holiday, Armstrong is still in eat-the-rich mode. Steve Carell (Despicable Me 4), Jason Schwartzman (The Last Showgirl), Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) and Ramy Youssef (Poor Things) play cashed-up group, aka Randall, Souper, Venis and Jeff — and when Venis arrives, the fact that he's the richest guy in the world earns a callout. Cue ribbing and riffing between the four, including about platforms that are "racist and shitty", as well as poker and catering seeming to be more of a concern than an international crisis. Mountainhead might be Armstrong's first feature as a director, but it's a straight-to-streaming flick, hitting Max in Australia on Sunday, 1 June, 2025. Co-starring alongside Carell, Schwartzman, Smith and Youssef: Hadley Robinson (Anyone But You), Andy Daly (Night Court), Ali Kinkade (Lessons in Chemistry), Daniel Oreskes (A Real Pain), David Thompson (It's What's Inside), Ami MacKenzie (Pulse) and Ava Kostia (Love Across Time). Although Armstrong is best-known for Succession — understandably so given that it has earned him seven Emmys — he's an Oscar-nominee for In the Loop's screenplay, also co-created Peep Show, was a writer on The Thick of It and Veep, co-penned Four Lions and wrote a season-one episode of Black Mirror, among other credits. Check out the trailer for Mountainhead below: Mountainhead streams via Max from Sunday, June 1, 2025. Images: Macall Polay/HBO.
Two years ago, Pappa Rich gave tastebuds across Australia the culinary hybrid they didn't know they were craving: a nasi lemak burger. They were originally sneakily trialled in Sydney stores in 2018, then rolled out for a limited time in 2019. Now, they're back. The burger takes the typical accompaniments in this Malaysian rice dish and sandwiches them all between two toasted burger buns. There are layers of crispy Malay fried chicken, spicy sambal, peanuts and anchovies, all topped with cucumber, lettuce and a fried egg. As a side? Expect Pappa Rich's deep-fried chicken skin, of course. You can also opt for chips if you prefer. The Malaysian hawker chain is returning the nasi lemak burger to its menu — at all of its 31 stores countrywide, but only until Sunday, May 30. If you're instantly hungry, you'll want to pop into one of Pappa Rich's outlets, which includes Chadstone, Southern Cross and QV in Melbourne.
Once fairly short on applaudable dining destinations, the northside suburb of Preston has been busy steadily carving out a different story. Now it boasts neighbourhood food gems aplenty and is welcoming more to the fold each year. The area's multicultural community has helped spawn a diverse lineup of top-notch dining offerings, too, from modern Australian burger joints packed every night of the week, to pizza-slinging cocktail bars to cheery noodle houses dishing up an array of authentic eats. If you're not a local and haven't ventured beyond that Dundas Street-Plenty Road junction in a while, it's time to head north and embrace this suburban pocket's many culinary charms.
If you've ever wandered into Heartbreaker at midnight, or were lucky enough to perch at The Everleigh or Bar Margaux, you've felt the Madrusan effect — fastidious drinks, generous service and a belief that the right cocktail can change the temperature of a night. Zara and Michael Madrusan's new book, The Madrusan Cocktail Companion, is that ethos on paper: a sprawling, meticulously organised reference designed to be used, dog-eared and returned to again and again. [caption id="attachment_854881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Madrusan's iconic rock 'n' roll dive bar in Melbourne's CBD.[/caption] Originally designed as an in-house guide for their own teams, the Companion has evolved into what Zara describes as "the definitive reference guide for classic cocktails, young and old" — the result of years of collecting, perfecting and categorising recipes from across the globe. The finished product is a bible that is equal parts accessible and technical (and looks pretty chic on the coffee table, too). We caught up with the Madrusans to talk about their cocktail philosophies, the summer drink everyone will be sipping, and why aperitivo culture will never go out of style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bartender's Choice Consultancy (@bartenderschoiceconsultancy) CP: Let's talk summer drinks — if you had to pick one cocktail as the drink of this Australian summer, what would it be and why? Zara: The Pepino: a Blanco tequila sour with cucumber. It's light, clean and fresh. Tequila is thriving and we're here for it. CP: What trends are you noticing right now in the way Australians are drinking — either in bars or at home? Zara: Agave spirits are more popular than ever with our guests, and for good reason. There are so many amazing products available to us now. With more emphasis on health and wellbeing, low sugar, savoury cocktails are also very popular with ingredients like ginger, chilli and tomato. The martini is still having a moment (which is also music to our ears). This ongoing trend is pushing the industry to experiment with the classic formula, as well as creative garnishing, and scale — we love a half-size Hoffman House directly from the freezer, lemon twist, personally. CP: Spritzes and lighter aperitivo-style drinks have been huge over the past few years. Do you think that momentum will continue, or is something else about to take its place? Zara: The thing about aperitivo drinks is that they were deeply embedded in [Italian] culture long before they were popularised in modern culture. To so many people around the globe, they're not just drinks — they're a moment in time. Aperitivo culture connects people. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Concrete Playground Melbourne (@concreteplaygroundmelbourne) CP: For readers who want to impress friends at home this summer, which recipe from the book would you recommend they start with? Zara: Five-star cocktails don't have to be big, fancy-looking drinks. Some of the best reactions we've received from guests have been when we've offered simple, creative tweaks to well-loved classics — like adding a few dashes of absinthe to the negroni to make a 'Quill' or 'Ritz Negroni'. A subtle change that transforms the flavour profile, giving a crisp, dry finish to the bittersweet classic. Start with a base that people already know and love. This is where The Madrusan Cocktail Companion works wonders — if you know they love Gimlets, head to the Gimlet branch and you'll find a whole chapter of variations to explore. CP: The book draws on cocktail history dating back to the 1800s. Do you see any "forgotten classics" making a comeback this season? Michael: There are so many forgotten classics that are worthy of a resurgence, and we really hope this book brings them out of the shadows. I'm a big fan of blending base spirits — gin and Cognac go well, especially in refreshing drinks like the "Stay Up Late" from 1951. Zara: There are age-old cocktail categories included in the book that we don't see enough of currently. Simple drinks like the Sherry Cobbler from the 1860s deserve a renaissance this summer. CP: Non-alcoholic and low-ABV options are now firmly part of the drinking culture. How did you approach including those in the book, and what's exciting in that space for summer? Zara: Non-alcoholic cocktails deserve to be interesting and complex. The rise in their popularity is no surprise and shows no sign of slowing. Similarly, low alcoholic cocktails are a no-brainer. People are drinking differently, and it's exciting. We pushed our peers around the globe particularly with this category and included two distinct chapters in the 'By Popular Request' section of the book — 'Aperitivo and Spritz', which contains various low-ABV options, and a separate 'Non Alcoholic' collection with drinks spanning all styles. Don't skip past 'La Piña' by Jessica Gonzalez of Nomad NYC for sober summertime sessions — a Piña Colada riff spiked with jalapeño and lengthened with soda. CP: The scale of this book is staggering — but how do you personally like to drink when you're off-duty at home? Zara: We like a simple frozen Martini. It's truly a poem in a drink. 'The Madrusan Cocktail Companion' is out now — available via Murdoch Books. Prefer to have your cocktails made for you? Check out Melbourne and Sydney's best bars. Images: Supplied
Architecture aficionados and self-confessed sticky-beaks, listen up. The historic city of Bendigo, located an easy two-hour drive from Melbourne, will throw the doors open on some of its top buildings for one weekend next month. Across October 27–28, locals and visitors will get the chance to see inside spaces that are generally closed to the public. A boom town during the gold rush period, Bendigo is home to a rich architectural heritage that has been met with rapid development in recent years. Hop on one of the vintage trams and explore the city from the inside. The Open House weekend is a chance to engage with city planners and discuss Bendigo's design future. Visitors are welcome to explore the iconic designs of the city, from private homes and heritage buildings to commercial and civic developments. Over 20 buildings will be on display — highlights include the $630 million Bendigo Hospital (the largest regional hospital development in Victoria), along with B House, a newly completed, bespoke three-bedroom townhouse designed by E+ Architecture. Plus, you can enter the historic Beehive Building while its still under renovation. The building was designed by the famed Charles Webb (the architect behind Melbourne's Royal Arcade) and erected in 1864. Alongside the program will be a series of talks and public workshops. For more information or to pre-book tours, head to the Open House Bendigo website.
The laughs are served up a little differently at The Arbory's annual MICF series, the Silent Comedy Festival. Returning for another round of hilarious stand-up showcases from Thursday, March 25, the fan favourite event sees some of Australia's top comics taking to the riverside stage to perform...in total silence. Or at least, that's how it appears from the outside. Rather, audience members enjoy the stand-up acts through noise-cancelling headphones, in a similar vibe to what you'd expect from a silent disco. Running Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights throughout MICF (until April 15), the Silent Comedy shows will each feature a trio of side-splitting comedians, with the likes of Jimeoin, Dolly Diamond, Lawrence Mooney and Katie Burch included in this year's lineup. Tickets are $25, which gets you an evening full of chuckles, plus a pair of headphones to use for the night. And if you fancy some refreshments, you'll also find a $25 MICF burger and beer special, teaming your pick of Arbory burger with a schooner of Mountain Goat summer ale. [caption id="attachment_804282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jimeoin, photographed by Simon Shiff.[/caption] Images: Simon Shiff
To hear the latest new tunes by Flume, you'll need to make a date with the Art Gallery of New South Wales' Volume music series when it returns for 2024. The Australian talent won't be performing at the event. There's no word of him popping up with Tkay Maidza, who is already on the festival's bill, following their 2023 single 'Silent Assassin'. But he has composed the soundtrack for a world-premiere installation in AGNSW's old Second World War oil tank that's been turned into a performance and art space. Featuring sound, projections, lighting and lasers, Every dull moment (EDM) hails from Flume and multidisciplinary artist Jonathan Zawada, and shows its inspiration right there in its name — EDM festivals, specifically. It has been designed for the unique site in Naala Badu, AGNSW's $344-million extension that opened in late 2022. Comprised of sequences spanning between ten and 90 seconds, the piece goes on continuously and randomly without repeating, paired with Flume's new compositions. It's also on the free portion of Volume's lineup. Not just Zimbabwean Australian singer-songwriter Maidza, but also André 3000's Australian-exclusive shows with his experimental jazz project André 3000 New Blue Sun LIVE, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Ghanaian Australian talent Genesis Owusu were previously announced as the event's headliners — all at ticketed gigs. Now comes the rundown of events that won't cost you a cent to enjoy between Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 21. Every dull moment (EDM) has company from a heap of excuses to see live tunes for free, featuring more than 30 local and international artists in total. Another huge highlight: Blak Country, a celebration of Aboriginal country music which will take place during 2024's NAIDOC Week. On the bill: Roger Knox, Kyla-Belle Roberts, Loren Ryan, Frank Yamma, Jarrod Hickling and Kathryn Kelly, as well as a playlist from musical talents from incarcerated First Nations communities as part of the Songbirds project. [caption id="attachment_957075" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Day[/caption] Volume is devoting another night, dubbed Extasis, to experimental sounds curated by Lawrence English, with Jim O'Rourke, Eiko Ishibashi and Hand to Earth among the artists featured. And, at Future Tilt, it'll spend an afternoon getting creative with salllvage, Lydian Dunbar, DeepFaith and more in experimental pop and electronic drone. Fennesz, amby downs, Jules Reidy, Seaworthy and Matt Rösner will be world-premiering new compositions across both AGNSW buildings — the new north building Naala Badu and the OG south building Naala Nura — in a program called Threshold, while Play on, play again, play forever will see musicians from Asylum Seeker Centre play tunes in response to the site's artworks each weekend. Volume initially premiered in 2023 with Solange and Sampa The Great taking to its stages. As the above lineup shows, the fest is using its 2024 program to build upon its first-year successes — and to give everyone plenty of motivation to experience the blending of music and art this winter. [caption id="attachment_957076" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Luker[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jim O'Rourke [/caption] [caption id="attachment_957078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Hadfield[/caption] Volume 2024 Lineup: Headliners: Friday, July 5–Saturday, July 6 — Genesis Owusu Saturday, July 13 — Tkay Maidza Thursday, July 18–Friday, July 19 — Kim Gordon Saturday, July 20–Sunday, July 21 — André 3000 New Blue Sun LIVE Free program: Saturday, July 6 — Future tilt Saturday, July 6—Sunday, July 21 — Threshold Sunday, July 7—Sunday, July 21 — Every dull moment (EDM) Wednesday, July 10 — Blak Country Wednesday, July 17 — Extasis Dates TBA — Play on, play again, play forever [caption id="attachment_954053" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dexter Navy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_954055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @trippydana[/caption] [caption id="attachment_954056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bec Parsons[/caption] Volume 2024 runs from Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 21 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, with general ticket sales from 11am on Wednesday, May 22 — head to the festival website for further details.
Music fans have a reason to get excited for this year's AFL Grand Final celebrations, and that reason is The Killers. That's right — the US rock legends behind tunes like 'Somebody Told Me' and 'Mr Brightside' have confirmed they'll be making the trip Down Under, tasked with serenading the country from the hallowed turf of the MCG for the pre-game show at this year's Grand Final clash. What's more, you won't even need to battle it out for a ticket to the footy to see them, with the band revealing they'll also be performing at a free post-game gig. They're one of the acts set to light up the stage at the Virgin Australia Premiership Party, a free concert held at the stadium on Grand Final evening, which is Saturday, September 30. Doors to the MCG are set to open at 6pm — you might want start lining up now to secure your spot. Access to the show is via MCG Gates four, five and six, from 6pm.
Hosting season has arrived. Gather your mates for one last hurrah that will impress with minimal effort — because who needs more to do at this time of the year? We've partnered with the legends at The Kraken Black Spiced Rum to put together some easy ideas for your next summer sesh, from simple snacks and refreshments to tips on keeping cool in the heat. Whether you're just venturing into the world of hosting or are after some fresh ideas to spruce up your skills, you'll be primed to start throwing some dates in the group chat. SIP Nothing says summer quite like sipping a cold one in the backyard. In addition to the usual sessionable favourites, you can't go wrong with some convenient canned tipple, so you're not running around topping up drinks or whipping up cocktail concoctions. The Kraken has released a new canned cocktail perfect for sipping on balmy afternoons. Featuring its signature spiced rum, the Kraken Caribbean Punch delivers a tropical hit of pineapple, mango and coconut. For a fruity, icy twist, add the premixed drink to a frozen fruit slushie of mango and coconut water or pineapple and mint. Other classic options by Kraken include the Black Spiced Rum and Cola, Black Spiced Rum and Dry Ginger Ale and Black Mojito mixes. EAT Equally important is the spread. Cater to a wide range of preferences with snacks that guests can tailor to their tastes. A taco bar, salad station or charcuterie board allow even the pickiest of eaters to put together a combination of bites they'll enjoy. Add an elevated twist by including refreshing summer salads like watermelon and haloumi or spicy marinated cucumber, or a baguette board with tinned fish, dips and pickles. All of these nibbles can be prepared well in advance. Plus, you won't face complaints when they're served at room temperature. For more substantial fare that's still low effort, you can't go wrong with a rotisserie chook from your local chicken shop, which you can pair with salads, wraps or a baguette, or even a pizza kit from Hank's Hot Box that's delivered straight to your door. If you'd prefer to flex your grilling skills, keep it simple by purchasing pre-marinated cuts from the butcher or supermarket. Skewers are always great for variety and easy munching that'll cook in a flash. And don't underestimate the importance of a strong sauce. In a previous interview, Chin Chin's Executive Chef Benjamin Cooper shared his advice for pared-back hosting: "Less is more. Focus on simply cooked proteins or veg and spend your time on a wicked sauce or dressing." Not only will this save you on prep time, but it also means that you'll be able to enjoy your event. COOL DOWN It's all well and good to prepare an impressive feed, but the last thing your guests will want to do is eat if all they're feeling is the sweltering summer heat. When in doubt, look to the freezer. Stash cut fruit in the freezer for chilled nibbles — grapes work exceptionally well — and use them instead of ice cubes to cool drinks without watering them down. Cups can also be stored in the freezer or fridge for refreshing sips. Grab a facial spray, like Mario Badescu's Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea, and keep it in the fridge or on ice for a fresh twist that serves the dual function of calming redness and making your skin glow. Don't underestimate the power of a hand fan. Leave these scattered around for guests to use at their leisure — you can even include markers and stickers so friends can decorate their own to take home. PLAY Your friends won't have any trouble keeping themselves entertained, but it's helpful to have some activities on hand for any awkward lulls in conversation, especially when you're mixing different groups of mates. Don't want the activities to be a huge focus? Go laidback with a small paint-and-sip station with watercolours and drawing pads or small canvases and easels. Otherwise, you can pick up some tapered candles and coloured tealights (like these IKEA options) for dinner candles that your guests can paint and take home. There's no shortage of zany games on TikTok, like Fear Pong. Set up a game of giant Tic Tac Toe with some strips of tape and different coloured cups, or get your hands on giant Jenga, bocce or cornhole from Sunnylife, Rebel Sport, Kmart or Big W. If you're keen to get even more active (and have ample space), go for a casual game of backyard cricket or table tennis. And when all else fails, you can't go wrong with a deck of cards or a round of UNO. GROOVE Don't overlook the power of a well-curated playlist, particularly when you've a crowd of different groups and ages. You could stick to a theme and build around it, whether it's this vibrant indie mix from Spotify, classic disco, chill hip hop or new jazz. Or, mix it up with a variety of tunes and genres. Our Editorial Director's advice for pleasing a diverse audience? "The safest bet is to have a list of certified classics, recent bangers and cheesy guilty pleasures with a few surprise or little-known tracks mixed in that could get people talking." Either way, the key is to make sure the music isn't so loud or distracting that it overwhelms conversation. Even if you love deep house, it's hard to carry a convo over those throbbing beats — remember that you can always build up to firing up a dance floor later in the night. The refreshing Caribbean Punch from The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is now available at your local bottle shop or online from Kraken's website.
If there’s one thing the movies of Noah Baumbach tell us — including the college exploits of Kicking and Screaming, the teenage unhappiness of The Squid and the Whale and the midlife crisis of Greenberg — it’s this: growing up doesn’t come easily. Sure, we all get older as the days, months and years pass, but that doesn’t mean we feel our age. While We're Young lives and breathes this sentiment, and its characters as well. “For the first time in my life, I've stopped thinking of myself as a child imitating an adult,” says documentarian Josh Srebnick (Ben Stiller) to his producer wife Cornelia (Naomi Watts), to which she replies, "you feel that way too?" It's an easy way of expressing the feature's theme in dialogue — a little too easy, in fact — but it rings true. They're trapped by expectations they can't fulfil and ambitions they haven’t achieved, and they're not ready for that realisation. Two events start Josh and Cornelia thinking that maybe their mid-forties life isn't what they think it is. First, friends their own age (Maria Dizzia and the Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz) have a baby and tell them constantly that they should do the same. Then they meet wannabe filmmaker Jamie (Adam Driver) and his wife, Darby (Amanda Seyfried), twenty-somethings they can nostalgically see decades-earlier versions of themselves in. Cue a whole heap of generational contrasts, of the young-folks-like-retro-trinkets versus older-people-prefer-technological-gadgets variety. Again, it's simple shorthand for a divide that looks obvious, but the film isn't just trying to show how things are different. Focused on a couple who don't feel in synch with their age group yet soon learn that they don't really fit in with younger friends and trends either, While We're Young is trying to understand why. That's a big challenge for a 97-minute comedy; however, it is one that the ever-perceptive Baumbach accepts. As he did with the delightful Frances Ha before this, the writer/director homes in on details so specific, they might as well be ripped from many of the audience's lives. And if his last film was his attempt at combining such wry observations with a French New Wave coming-of-age tale, this is him revelling in Woody Allen, comedy-of-manners territory. Though a Bowie song is again in the mix, While We're Young doesn't quite bounce along with the same zest as its predecessor, but it does roll with the punches of a story that morphs into a contemplation of authenticity. Thankfully, the film's bright frames boast that in spades, as it juxtaposes both sides of the age divide but, crucially, never judges. Everyone — Josh, Cornelia, Jamie and Darby alike — just wants to reconcile their dreams with their reality. Performance-wise, the good stuff keeps on coming, gifting Watts her best work in years, letting Stiller show a more chilled version of his Greenberg persona and playing with Driver's natural charm. That said, if there's one thing that doesn't sit right in the whole movie and its musings on getting older, it's one piece of casting. Seriously, who wouldn't want to hang out with Ad-Rock, baby or not, at any age?
If you're a science-fiction fan — and a lover of 2008's Cloverfield and its 2016 follow-up 10 Cloverfield Lane, specifically — then you might want to cancel your plans for tonight. With barely a few hours notice, Netflix is now streaming the third film in the franchise. Yes, today. No, that's not a typo. Previously called God Particle, it's now going by the name The Cloverfield Paradox, and it's now available worldwide (yes, even on Australian Netflix) via the streaming platform the moment the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles walk off the field. Haven't even heard of the flick, even though it stars Black Mirror's' Gugu Mbatha-Raw, The IT Crowd's Chris O'Dowd, Inglourious Basterds' Daniel Brühl, Selma's David Oyelowo, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Zhang Ziyi and Aussie actress Elizabeth Debicki? That's okay — the first trailer for the movie only aired during the game, bearing the words "only on Netflix tonight" at the end. The news that it'd be available via Netflix rather than in cinemas is a recent development, too. Initially, it was set to release in theatres last year, before being moved to February 1 this year and then later this year. In fact, up until a few minutes ago, we still had the film in our review schedule for April. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8brYvhEg5Aw&feature=youtu.be In taking on a star-filled, decent-budget movie that was originally made to be viewed in cinemas, then releasing it for all the world to see with very little warning, Netflix is in uncharted territory. If this was another sci-fi saga, we'd say they're boldly going where no one has gone before. It's great news for film buffs eager to watch something when and where they want — and not be at the mercy of different release dates around the world — but it's also indicative of a new trend. Paramount, the studio originally behind The Cloverfield Paradox, did something similar with fellow sci-fi title Annihilation, the latest effort from Ex Machina's Alex Garland. As The Hollywood Reporter noted in December last year, it decided to find another avenue for the film after worrying it was "too intellectual" and "too complicated" for viewers. If you think that sounds a little patronising, you're not alone. The Atlantic ran through some of the worries behind the strategy, but, in short, it could be a sign of not-so-great things to come. At a time when cinemas are filled with endless Star Wars instalments and multiple superhero cinematic universes — not that there's anything wrong with that, either — movies like The Cloverfield Paradox and Annihilation are becoming increasingly rare. Not just sci-fi flicks, but anything that doesn't fit into an existing franchise, remake/reimagine/reboot a recognisable property or star The Rock (or, sometimes, all of the above). And while they're frequently the films that do extremely well at the box office, audiences do want to see other things too. We don't just want our cinematic candy — bright, loud, comfortable and familiar — but fare that's are different, intriguing, unusual and unexpected as well. Of course, the Cloverfield franchise has a history of surprise reveals, keeping things close to its chest and doing things differently. The first film, a found-footage monster effort, gave very little away before the movie hit cinemas. The second, which focused on Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a bunker with a possibly hostile John Goodman, only released its first trailer and confirmed that the movie even existed a month before it was released. Netflix's plan of attack with The Cloverfield Paradox makes that seem positively slow. But, when you're settling down to watch the flick from today onwards, here's hoping that you'll still be able to see movies like this on the big screen in the future. The Cloverfield Paradox is now streaming on Netflix here.
Since opening last year, sleek Surry Hills star Nomad has made waves in Sydney's restaurant scene, boasting a sophisticated, local-focused menu and an even more notable wine list. Known for its dedication to serving exclusively Australian wine from smaller, boutique producers, wine lovers will now be able enjoy these hard-to-find wines at home with Nomad's Online Cellar Door. The service lists most of the 50-odd wines from the restaurant's main wine list and a selection from the reserve list, as well as other locally produced sparkling, rose and dessert wines. With the online range changing regularly, Nomad's Online Cellar Door is the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the impressive, if little-known, wines produced in our own backyard. In the spirit of the silly season, Concrete Playground is giving away three of Nomad's Celebration Bundles — a range of mixed half dozens sure to get your festivities into full swing. Go in the running to win a Christmas BBQ Bundle (valued at $210), or get lucky with the Cellar Reserve Selection ($489) — six of Nomad's best red wines, ready to quaff now or savour in another 20 years. For fans of sparkling, don't miss the chance to win the New Year's Celebration Selection ($199) for the ultimate NYE party, containing Prosecco, Courabyra and Arras NV. Thanks to Nomad Online Cellar Door, we're giving away three Celebration Bundles — one each week until the end of the year. Delivery within Australia is included in the prize. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address: Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
If you like celebrating October German-style, a trip to Europe at the right time of year is likely on your must-do list. For those who can't take a boozy overseas holiday this year, Oktoberfest in the Gardens has you covered. There'll be steins. There'll be schnitties. There'll be lederhosen-wearing revellers — and if you're keen to dress the part as well, that's up to you. The Australian Oktoberfest event has been in the Bavarian-themed game for 14 years now, with its 2024 run in seven cities solely taking place in October. Clear a Saturday, whether you live in Perth or Adelaide, where the fest will kick off on Saturday, October 5; on the Gold Coast or in Melbourne, where it's time to say "prost!" on Saturday, October 12; Brisbane or Newcastle, which'll be downing brews on Saturday, October 19; or Sydney, where the tour wraps up on Saturday, October 26. This series of German shindigs isn't small, with 65,000 people expected to attend across the full slate of events this year. At each, the kind of beer- and bratwurst-fuelled shenanigans that Germany has become so famous for at this time of year are on offer. So, if you have a hankering for doppelbock and dancing to polka, it really is the next best thing to heading to Europe. Oktoberfest in the Gardens boasts a crucial attraction, too: as well as serving a variety of pilsners, ciders, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, it constructs huge beer halls to house the boozy merriment. When you're not raising a stein — or several — at the day-long event, you can tuck into pretzels and other traditional snacks at food stalls, or check out the hefty array of entertainment. Live music, roving performers, a silent disco, rides and a sideshow alley are all on the agenda. "We say it every year, but this year's Oktoberfest celebrations will be bigger than ever before. It's amazing how this event has continued to grow across the country," said Ross Drennan, co-founder of Nokturnl Events, which runs Oktoberfest in the Gardens. "Last year, we added additional cities to the tour and introduced even more fun activations. The response was overwhelming, with record-breaking sales." Oktoberfest in the Gardens 2024 Dates and Venues: Saturday, October 5 — Langley Park, Perth Saturday, October 5 — Pinky Flat, Adelaide Saturday, October 12 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Saturday, October 12 — Catani Gardens, St Kilda, Melbourne Saturday, October 19 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, October 19 — The Station, Newcastle Saturday, October 26 — The Domain, Sydney Oktoberfest in the Gardens tours Australia in October 2024 — head to the event's website for further details, plus tickets from Wednesday, July 31.
Charming Richmond brewery and bar Nice Guys boasts a strong sustainability focus, as well as a retrofuturistic fitout that pays homage to the gritty end of Victoria Street. Here, the brewery itself is open to the public, so punters can enjoy a close glimpse of the large steel tanks where the magic is made — and that supply the 25-strong tap list with signature creations like the Kiwi lager made with New Zealand barley malt and a bright mango-forward NEIPA. Core brews like an American pale ale also sit alongside seasonal specials like a sweet, full-bodied vanilla porter. You'll also find non-beer delights on offer, like Victorian wines, classic cocktails and craft cider, all served on tap in an effort to minimise wastage. The space is both comfy and community-driven, with artists commissioned to fill the venue with locally-made furniture, handmade macrame and custom lamp shades. Cantilever chairs, swivel stools and velvet couches help lend the feel of a vintage furniture bazaar — and, out front, the dog-friendly beer garden zone is filled with lush indoor plants and a central fireplace to keep things cosy during the cooler months. Soon to round out the fun will be Nice Guys' new kitchen, serving a rotating menu of bao, buns and American barbecue. Images: Julia Sansone
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their stay based on creature comforts and hotel accolades, you'll want to put a jaunt to Queenstown's newest boutique hotel on your 2023 bucket list. With jaw-dropping views of the lake and town centre thanks to its position on Queenstown Hill, The Carlin has been wowing guests since it first opened seven months ago. And now this 'beyond five-star' hotel just picked up a slew of gongs at this year's World Boutique Hotel Awards in Sydney on Friday night — including the top gong for World's Best New Hotel. The luxe accommodation offering also won prizes for Best New Hotel in Australasia and Best Hotel With a View: Australasia. The Carlin is the brainchild of US-born hotelier and property developer Kevin Carlin, who called the international recognition "very humbling". "We pride ourselves on delivering an outstanding level of service, and these awards formally acknowledge the hard work of our team," he said. [caption id="attachment_880380" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Allen[/caption] With more than 250 nominees from 70-plus countries, judges base their scores on various aspects of guest experience, including restaurants, facilities, location, design and emotional impact. Judges were impressed by the Carlin's "finer details" including the stunningly designed outdoor living spaces, 24-hour on-call staff, private chef and spa services, and guest access to luxury vehicles and private jets. And although it wasn't officially noted, we're guessing the hotel's famously appointed marble bathrooms and wildly exciting various remote-controlled toilet modes all played a role. "We confidently expect to see The Carlin taking more awards in the future," the judges said. Keen on a luxe Queenstown experience with a scenic flight, gin-tasting tour and private Onsen hot pools? Check out this CP Trips package. The Carlin was awarded three prizes at the World Boutique Hotel Awards, including World's Best New Hotel. The hotel can be found at 43 Hallenstein Street, Queenstown.
When New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the two-way trans-Tasman bubble back in April — allowing Australians to travel to NZ without quarantining upon arrival — she noted that it could and would be paused if and when outbreaks occur. So, when Melbourne started to identify locally acquired COVID-19 cases back in May (which led to restrictions and a lockdown in response), the NZ Government stopped its arrangement with Victoria. It has been almost a month since the NZ Government suspended quarantine-free travel between NZ and Victoria — and, with restrictions now slowly easing in the Australian state, NZ has announced that it'll reinstate the travel bubble. From 11.59pm NZST/9.59pm AEST today, Tuesday, June 22, quarantine-free flights will be able to resume. If you're a Victorian eager to head across the ditch, soon you'll be able to. NZ public health officials now deem that "the public health risk from Victoria is low", although travellers are still advised to keep monitoring for symptoms — and to keep checking for Victorian exposure sites. You won't need to get a pre-departure test, though, so that's one less thing to put on your travel checklist. https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/1406891419634044929 Initially, the pause was put in place for 72 hours to give Victorian authorities time to investigate the initial cases in the cluster; however, it was extended when case numbers in the outbreak grew. This wasn't the first time that the trans-Tasman bubble has been paused, with NZ suspending flights from Western Australia at the beginning of May in response to Perth's recent cases — and doing the same with New South Wales this month as well. In both cases, flights with NZ were given the all-clear to resume within days. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, head over to the Department of Health website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, visit to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
There'll be bottles poppin' and bubbles flowing at Northcote Town Hall come Saturday, February 29, as the space plays host to Melbourne's third edition of The Prosecco Festival. Held across two sessions — between 11am–3pm and 4.30–8.30pm — this bubbly oasis is being brought to life by a deadset expert, Melissa Brauer. She's organised a celebration to entice hardcore fans and novices alike, with the lineup of exhibitors always including both Australian and Italian producers. Your $50 ticket will score you a goodie bag, a real crystal Plumm teardrop tasting glass and four solid hours of prosecco heaven. Sample some of the world's best-loved prosecco, chat to winemakers and importers from across the globe, and learn all about the wine's best food matches, while nibbling pizza, pasta, cannoli, gelato, cheese and salami. More than 45 different proseccos will be on offer — and, of course, there'll also be plenty of opportunity to grab a few bottles for your home collection.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. DOG One of the many 80s comedies on Tom Hanks' resume, Turner & Hooch has already been remade in 2021 as a low-stakes streaming series with nothing worth wagging one's tail about to show for it. Still, it gains a big-screen spiritual successor in Dog, Channing Tatum's return to cinemas after a five-year absence (other than a brief cameo in Free Guy, plus voice-acting work in Smallfoot and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part). Sub out a police investigator saddled with a canine witness for an Army Ranger transporting a dead colleague's ex-working dog; swap Hanks' uptight everyman for Tatum's usual goofy meathead persona, obviously; and shoehorn in a portrait of America today that aims to appeal to absolutely everyone. The result: a good boy of a movie that Tatum co-directs, isn't without its likeable and affecting moments, but is also a dog's breakfast tonally. Like pouring kibble into a bowl for a hungry pooch each morning, Dog is dutiful with the basics: a man, a mutt, an odd-couple arrangement between seeming opposites with more in common than the human among them first thinks, and an emotional journey. Comedic hijinks ensue along the way, naturally, although Turner & Hooch didn't involve anyone getting cock-blocked from having a threesome with two tantric sex gurus by its four-legged scamp. Given that Tatum's Jackson Briggs needs to take Belgian Malinois Lulu 1500 miles from Montana to Arizona by car — she won't fly — Dog is also a road-trip film, complete with episodic antics involving weed farmers and fancy hotels at its pitstops. That's all so standard that it may as well be cinema's best friend, but this flick also reckons with combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder of both the human and animal kind, and ideas of masculinity and strength attached to military service. When Dog introduces Briggs, he's working in fast food by necessity — think Breaking Bad's fate for Saul Goodman, with Tatum even channelling the same stoic demeanour — as he waits to get redeployed. All he wants is to head back on active duty, but his higher-ups need convincing after the brain injury he received on his last tour. But his direct superior (Luke Forbes, SWAT) throws him a bone: if Briggs escorts Lulu to their former squad member's funeral, after he drove himself into a tree at 120 miles per hour, he'll sign off on his re-enlistment. Lulu has also been changed by her service, so much so that this'll be her last hurrah; afterwards, Briggs is to return her to the nearest base where she'll be euthanised. Given that Dog is exactly the movie it seems to be, its ending is never in doubt. Accordingly, fretting about Lulu is pointless. The journey is the story, of course, so Tatum and co-director/screenwriter Reid Carolin — also making his helming debut, and reteaming with the former after penning Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL (and the upcoming Magic Mike's Last Dance) — endeavour to make the small moments matter. That's a line of thinking on par with Briggs' readjustment to civilian life, and similarly howling through his burgeoning bond with Lulu past simply playing chauffeur. Yes, Dog is that obvious. An emotional throughline doesn't need to be novel to strike a chord, though, and this film yaps the message loud and clear. That said, it also trades more in concepts than in fleshed-out characters, making an already-broad story even broader. Read our full review. ANONYMOUS CLUB With her song and record titles — her lyrics as well — Courtney Barnett has long found the words to express how many people feel. It's a knack, talent and gift, and it's helped her rocket to Australian fame and global success within a decade of releasing her debut EP in 2012. As thoughtful and captivating documentary Anonymous Club shows, it's also something she's frequently asked about in interviews. But expressing those lines and the emotions behind them with a guitar and microphone as weapons, plus a riotous melody as armour, is different to sharing them quietly one on one. Directed by her long-time collaborator Danny Cohen, who has helmed a number of her music videos, Anonymous Club begins with this reality. Barnett can pour her heart, soul and observations about life's chaos into the tunes that've made her a household name, achieving something that few others can; when she's on the spot, however, she's as uncertain and awkward as the rest of us. Barnett's way with words and wordplay in her work, and her lack thereof elsewhere, thrums through Anonymous Club like a catchy riff. The subject doesn't fade, burrowing into the film as an earworm of a song inside a listener's head does, and feature first-timer Cohen doesn't want it to. His movie was shot over three years, starting in 2018, which places it between Barnett's second studio album and her third — and knowing that makes the phrases from their titles, and from her debut record also, echo with resonance throughout the doco. Anonymous Club could've been called Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, like its subject's first album in 2015. Tell Me How You Really Feel from 2018 would've worked as well. And, yes, Things Take Time, Take Time would've been apt, too, concluding a line of thinking that the film invites anyway — ultimately finding its moniker in a Barnett track from 2014, before all those releases. Across two tours spanning Europe, the US and Asia, plus stints in Melbourne, Anonymous Club watches Barnett sit and think, and sometimes just sit. It tasks the singer/songwriter with telling how she really feels, and shows her realising the truth that things take time. All of the above is captured on glorious 16-millimetre film and, even within a mere 83 minutes, the backstage documentary is overwhelming comprised of these ruminative, reflective moments — of snatches of Barnett's life caught as she hops between rooms that aren't her own, be it stages or green rooms or hotels or homes she's housesitting. Her thoughts and feelings come via brief chatter in front of the lens (or, more accurately, with the unseen Cohen behind it, shooting with a camera customised to record synchronised sound), and from overlaid snippets of the audio diary he asked her to keep. That's a job she tussles with — more words, more on-the-spot candour rather than deliberated-over lyrics, more struggles — but she still stuck at it for the project's duration. Frank, earnest and honest, so much of what's uttered is as revelatory as everything that Barnett has sung over the years. She confides in the fly-on-the-wall film via her Dictaphone recordings; as a result, a highly poised, posed, image-conscious portrait, this isn't. "I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about anymore. I just feel like I'm going around in circles and digging myself a deeper hole," she says at one point, and many other statements have the same tone. Jumping from America to Japan to Germany and elsewhere, life on the road gets to her. Back in Australia, life without a fixed space to call her own after spending so long touring has a similar impact. "My heart is empty, my head is empty, the page is empty," she offers, another telling statement. "It feels like I'm being part of this scripted performance of what we think we're supposed to see on stage, and it just feels really pointless," she also advises. Read our full review. PREPARATIONS TO BE TOGETHER FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME Will they or won't they? Do they or don't they? Every time that romance and relationships are portrayed on-screen, at least one of these questions always echoes. In the entrancingly moody and astute Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, it's the latter. Whether Hungarian neurosurgeon Márta Vizy (Natasa Stork, Jupiter's Moon) and fellow doctor János (Viktor Bodó, Overnight) will end the film in each other's company still remains a pivotal part of the plot, but if there's ever been anything between them — or if it's all simply in Márta's head — is the far more pressing concern. She's a woman smitten, so much so that she's returned home from a prestigious job in the US just for him. But his behaviour could be called vague, rude or flat-out ghosting, if he even remembers that they've crossed paths before — and, if they ever actually have. Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time first introduces Márta as she's unloading her János-sparked romantic woes upon her therapist. What could've been a standard rom-com or romantic drama setup soon twists into something far more alluring and intriguing, however. Indeed, as writer/director Lili Horvát (The Wednesday Child) ponders the role of memory in affairs of the heart, her film just keeps inspiring more trains of thought. How can we ever know how someone else really feels about us? How long will any romantic emotions last, and can they last? Is it ever truly possible to trust whoever our hearts fall or, or our hearts to begin with? And, can we genuinely believe those intense memories of love that implant themselves inside our brains, refuse to leave and inspire life-changing decisions — or is love too subjective, no matter how deep, real, shared and strong that it feels? These queries all spring from Márta's homecoming, after she meets János at a conference in New Jersey, then pledges to do so again a month later on a Budapest bridge. She shows, but he doesn't. Worse: when she tracks him down at his work afterwards, he says that he doesn't know her. While tinkering with memory is a familiar film and TV concept — see: everything from Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to Mulholland Drive and Severance — Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time is interested in the emotional fallout from János' claims to have zero knowledge of Márta first and foremost. Confused, unsettled and still wholeheartedly infatuated, she just can't bring herself to return stateside, and also can't get János out of her mind in general. Scripted with empathy and precision by Horvát, and also shot and styled like a waking dream, Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time isn't easily forgotten either, siding its viewers with Márta over János. This is a haunting and beautifully acted psychological drama that lays bare just how all-encompassing, obsessive, intoxicating and mind-melting love can feel, all as it plays with recollection and its ability to shape our perspectives. The tone is loaded but uncanny — sweet but uncertain, too — and Horvát has fun getting both emotional and cerebral while having her characters cut open brains. The latter happens literally and yes, there aren't many movies quite like this one. Cinema doesn't boast too many performances like the exceptional Stork's, either, which draws viewers into every feeling, question, and pang of both intense affection and shattering uncertainty that flows through Márta. Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time opened in Melbourne from February 24, and screens in Sydney and Brisbane from March 17. IT SNOWS IN BENIDORM Forty-four years have passed since Timothy Spall first graced the silver screen — and what a gift he's given both cinema and television since. He won Cannes Best Actor prize for Mr Turner, earned five BAFTA nominations in five years between 1997–2002, popped up in lively Aussie crime flick Gettin' Square, stole every scene he was in in The Party and recently proved formidable in Spencer. He has everything from multiple Harry Potter movies to playing Winston Churchill in The King's Speech on his resume, too, and also routinely improves whatever he's in with his presence alone. In fact, he does exactly that with It Snows in Benidorm, which'd be a mere wisp of a film otherwise. Following a just-made-redundant bank employee to Spain, this meandering drama frequently mistakes mood for depth — and while Spall can't polish away its struggles, he's always the key reason to keep watching. A fan of the weather and little else, Spall's Peter Riordan has given decades of his life to his employer, and is so settled into the routine he's fashioned around his job that it's as natural and automatic to him as breathing. Accordingly, when he's unceremoniously let go, he finds it difficult to adjust. He's told that being freed from the monotony of his work is a gift, allowing him to retire early — so in that spirit, he heads off to the Mediterranean coast's tourist mecca to spend time with the brother he otherwise rarely talks to. But upon his arrival, Peter finds his sibling conspicuously absent. He still stays in his high-rise apartment, but what was meant to be a family reunion-style holiday now becomes a detective quest. Helping him is Alex (Sarita Choudhury, And Just Like That...), who worked with Peter's shady club-owning brother, might know more than she's letting on about his whereabouts, and also welcomes her new pal's tender companionship the more that they spend time together. Spall has spent his entire career being described by one well-meaning term: character actor. Here, he's centre stage in a character study instead. He's marvellous in the role — more so in the film's early scenes, where conveying both weight, importance, security and dreariness of Peter's lonely niche relies heavily upon his measured performance, but also whenever sharing moments with the always-luminous Choudhury as the complicated Alex. That said, as written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet (Elisa & Marcela), It Snows in Benidorm proves as thin as the chance of an avalanche in its sunny setting. The script is more interested in contrivance than letting its characters' thoughts and feelings stew naturally, and revels in a ruminative tone that's ponderous rather than revelatory. It's a holiday photo of a complicated getaway given two hours of focus, in other words, and it's as flimsy as waving around a strip of negatives. Coixet helms with emotion rather than story in mind, to the detriment of both. There's such a concerted effort to make audiences share Peter's listlessness at home and his awakening abroad that every second feels forced, and the narrative's leaps and languishing never seem authentic. Thanks to Spall, the end result fares better than Coixet's last English-language effort, 2017's abysmal The Bookshop — but the director's latest can't reach the heights of 2003's My Life Without Me and 2008's Elegy. It Snows in Benidorm's reliance upon comedy rarely hits its marks either, other than when dwelling in the British expat-filled hellscape that is Benidorm's nightlife scene. Indeed, its lasting imprint is a 'what if?', because Pedro Almodóvar and his brother Agustín Almodóvar sit among the movie's producers. Being left wondering what wonders might result if Spall and Choudhury teamed up for the Parallel Mothers auteur isn't a ringing endorsement of their current project, though. DEADLY CUTS The Full Monty wasn't the first to do it, and it definitely hasn't been the last. But for the quarter century since that crowd-pleasing comedy became an enormous worldwide hit, British movies about underdogs banding together to save their livelihoods and communities have no longer been scrappy battlers themselves. Irish film Deadly Cuts is the latest, joining an ever-growing pile that also includes everything from Calendar Girls to Swimming with Men — and first-time feature writer/director Rachel Carey knows the formula she's playing with. Each such picture needs to be set in a distinctive world, follow a close-knit group, see them face an apparently insurmountable task and serve up a big public spectacle that promises redemption, and every step in that recipe is covered here. But a movie can stick to a clear template and still boast enough spirit to make even the creakiest of plot inclusions feel likely and entertaining enough, and that's this low-budget affair from start to finish. It does raise a smile that AhhHair, the glamorous hairdressing contest that Deadly Cuts' main characters want to enter and win, is all about innovation in its chosen form. The movie itself would never emerge victorious at such a competition, but it's filled with broad, blackly comic fun along the way, even if it boasts about as much subtlety as a mohawk. The setting: Piglington, Dublin, an as-yet-ungentrified corner of the Irish capital, where the titular salon is a mainstay. The aim: saving the shop from being torn down and replaced with shiny new apartments. The wholly predictable complications: the determination of corrupt local politician Darryl Flynn (Aidan McArdle, The Fall) to forge ahead with the development, which'll boost his bank account; and the suburb-scaring thugs led by the overbearing Deano (Ian Lloyd Anderson, Herself), who throw their weight around at every chance they get. While lead stylist Stacey (Ericka Roe, another Herself alum) has her heart set on AhhHair glory — a dream that her colleagues Gemma (Lauren Larkin, Love/Hate) and Chantelle (Shauna Higgins, Dating Amber) share — their boss Michelle (Angeline Ball, perhaps best known for The Commitments three decades back) is much less enthused. In another of the script's obligatory choices, the latter has a far-from-joyous history with the event and its head judge D'Logan Doyle (Louis Lovett, Moone Boy), and remains reluctant even when basking in the contest's fame and acclaim might be the only thing that'll keep her salon and Piglington itself going. Of course, movies like Deadly Cuts always find ways to get their characters to the big dance, especially when the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against them. Once there, their mission doesn't get easier. "You've got about as much chance as a dark brunette going to a platinum blonde in one step without her hair falling out," one rival spits at them. There's pluck to Stacey and her hair-snipping crew as they sharpen up their scissors, unfurl their curlers and do everything they must to whip up show-stopping styles to dye/die for — and yes, Deadly Cuts does take its name seriously. As a result, there's the same verve to the movie itself, which dips itself not only in the usual underdog formula, but in twisted OTT crime comedy as well. Patchiness comes with the territory, including in quick-fire gags that don't always land and lines of dialogue that are blunter than rusty clippers, but Carey's film still strives forth with ambition and confidence. Buoyed by game performances, it's the movie equivalent of rocking a by-the-book do and an outrageous hue at once, even if it's far better when it's skewing darker. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on November 4, November 11, November 18 and November 25; December 2, December 9, December 16 and December 26; January 1, January 6, January 13, January 20 and January 27; February 3, February 10, February 17 and February 24; and March 3 and March 10. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Eternals, The Many Saints of Newark, Julia, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick... Boom!, Zola, Last Night in Soho, Blue Bayou, The Rescue, Titane, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, Dune, Encanto, The Card Counter, The Lost Leonardo, The French Dispatch, Don't Look Up, Dear Evan Hansen, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Lost Daughter, The Scary of Sixty-First, West Side Story, Licorice Pizza, The Matrix Resurrections, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Worst Person in the World, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci, The King's Man, Red Rocket, Scream, The 355, Gold, King Richard, Limbo, Spencer, Nightmare Alley, Belle, Parallel Mothers, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Belfast, Here Out West, Jackass Forever, Benedetta, Drive My Car, Death on the Nile, C'mon C'mon, Flee, Uncharted, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Cyrano, Hive, Studio 666, The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow and The Souvenir: Part II.
Earlier this year, when events worldwide started cancelling, postponing and rescheduling due to COVID-19, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s Dark Mofo was sadly one of many that had to pull the plug. It's also just one of the annual festivals that the venue holds and, thankfully, MONA's summer event will be forging ahead — with the venue announcing dates and locations for Mona Foma 2021. Come January, arts and music fans will be able to soak in the fest's eclectic sights and sounds across two weekends — and in two locations. Although Mona Foma was originally held in Hobart, where MONA is located, the event made the move to Launceston in 2019. In 2021, however, it'll split its program between both Tasmanian cities. Launceston will be up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. Just what'll be on the bill hasn't been announced as yet, and won't be until later this year, but the fact that the festival is happening at all is the kind of great news that 2020 has been lacking. As Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie explained, "Mona Foma thrives on reinvention and we are compelled to do that big time in January 2021. One weekend in Launceston, and one weekend in Hobart, to spread the love. Great Tasmanian artists, unusual venues, and an irrepressible creativity". Focusing on Tassie artists isn't new for the fest, with 61 percent of creatives involved in the 2020 event hailing from the state. [caption id="attachment_784488" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robin Fox laser installation at the Albert Hall, Launceston, Mona Foma 2019. Photo Credit: MONA/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] Of course, before you go making big plans for a weekend getaway down south, you'll want to keep an eye on Tasmania's current border restrictions — which, at the time of writing, requires 14 days in quarantine in government-designated accommodation for non-Tasmanian residents who aren't classified as essential travellers, and additionally requires pre-approval from the Deputy State Controller if you're entering from a location considered high-risk, such as Victoria. Mona Foma will take place from January 15–17, 2021 in Launceston, and from January 22–24, 2021 in Hobart. We'll update you when the full program is announced later this year — but head to the festival website in the interim for further details. Top image: The Flaming Lips, Mona, Hobart, Mona Foma 2016. Photo Credit: MONA/Rémi Chauvin. Image Courtesy Mona, Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Feeling a big dose of wanderlust and itching to get away? We don't blame you. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to go, and also what you should do when you get there — which is exactly where a trip on the high seas comes in handy. There are more than a few reasons that you should consider hitting the water for your next getaway. Think: taking the stress out of navigating, getting to explore multiple locations, having ample opportunities for 'me time' and finding yourself with an abundance of entertainment options. Need further details? We've partnered with P&O Cruises to run through a couple of things that make cruising a great holiday option. YOU ONLY NEED TO UNPACK YOUR BAGS ONCE One massive benefit of jumping onboard a cruise ship is only having to unpack and repack your bags once. Every seasoned jetsetter knows the pain of having to pack and repack over and over — but on an ocean vessel, you can organise your things in your room and make yourself at home. Your toothbrush can stay in the holder, your clothes can go in the drawers and your skincare will be ready for you in an easy-to-find (and use) arrangement. And you won't ever need to wake up early to try to jam your suitcase shut because you're carting all of your stuff around with you from destination to destination. THERE'S NO CHANCE OF GETTING LOST If you've never been lost while on an adventure, you deserve a round of applause. For most of us mere mortals, this is a problem we're well-acquainted with — along with arguing over directions and getting flustered when driving in new terrain. Cruise ships, however, take all of that stress away by sailing you to exactly where you need to go (no Google Maps required). Instead of getting Siri to help navigate or debating with your travel partner over which turn you were supposed to take, you can just put your feet up and enjoy the ride. YOU CAN EXPLORE MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS Not only do you get to hang out in the fresh ocean air, sip cocktails with a view and relax in the sun when you're on a cruise, but you also get ferried to some amazing locations, which you then get to explore. Think tropical beaches and oceanside towns, plus places where you can take a trip through limestone caves filled with glow worms, snorkel over coral hotspots and hang with wild dolphins. Plus, some cruises also provide shore tours, which take you to hand-picked sights with some stellar tour providers. You get to just hop onboard the ship and be taken straight to a heap of incredible spots. YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR 'ME TIME' There's nothing like a bit of time to rest, recoup and recharge — and the pampering on the side is a pretty great bonus, too. Accordingly, one huge positive of cruise getaways is the ample opportunities they provide for a more than a little stint of 'me time'. Enjoy some solo exercise with a bit of yoga or a run around the onboard jogging track. Ease into a deckchair and escape into a good book, or relax in a salon chair as a beautician pampers you or a hairdresser tends to your locks. As a bonus, there's always retail therapy to fill your solo time if that's more your cup of tea. THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE OF ENTERTAINMENT You'll never be bored on a cruise ship with all the entertainment options on offer. While riding the ocean waves, you'll find plenty of music in the evenings, ranging from acoustic to jazz and R&B. You can flit between heading to theme parties, watching movies and checking out screenings of major sporting events. Plus, hitting the pools and waterslides, feasting at a fancy dinner, and taking part in deck games, table tennis and golf putting. You can take special event cruises too, such as an Elvis-themed trip or an onboard comedy festival with The Big Laugh. With so much to watch, listen to, laugh at and participate in, the time onboard will surely fly. For more information about P&O Cruises, head to the company's website.
In the best films of 2019, lush love stories swept across the screen, intense thrillers laid bare class inequities and Hollywood history was given a playful twist. Australia's dark past was pushed under a magnifying glass, doppelgängers wreaked havoc and a marriage came to an end — and they're just some of the year's highlights. Come 12am on January 1, 2020, they're all yesterday's news, however. When a new year arrives, it brings 12 more months of glorious movies. They won't all be winners, but plenty of standouts will rise to the top — and, spanning everything from slasher thrills to long-awaited musicals, we have our eye on these ten must-see movies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE7YVZA5YVc TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG New year, new searing Australian film that carves up our national identity — and boasts no qualms about laying bare our troubled history. In 2018, Sweet Country did the honours, while 2019 gave us The Nightingale. Now, in 2020, it's True History of the Kelly Gang's turn. The latest distinctive and daring feature from Aussie director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth), this adaptation of Peter Carey's Booker Prize-winning novel follows the country's most famous bushranger from his childhood (where he's played by excellent newcomer Orlando Schwerdt) to his bush-ranging years (when talented UK actor George McKay takes over). Don't expect a standard interpretation of Kelly's well-known tale, though, because Kurzel's star-studded affair is gritty, galvanising and spans far beyond the usual cliches. Visually, emotionally and in its performances (including by Essie Davis, Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult and Charlie Hunnam), the result is electrifying. True History of the Kelly Gang releases in Australian cinemas on January 9, then hits Stan on January 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkDOuzri5hw&feature=youtu.be TENET Is it a follow-up to Inception? Does Christopher Nolan just like getting twisty every ten years? Or does the acclaimed director simply enjoy messing with everyone's heads? When the trailer for Tenet dropped, it inspired all of the above questions — but keen moviegoers will need to wait until July for answers. For now, we do know that Nolan's latest will involve time travel, the afterlife and stopping World War III. Also: spies, boats, sensing things before they happen and objects running in reverse. Throw in an active attempt to bend viewers' minds, plus many a superbly shot and staged spectacle, and Nolan is back in the territory that has served him so well since Memento. BlacKkKlansman's John David Washington leads the cast, alongside Robert Pattinson, Nolan regular Michael Caine, Aussie actor Elizabeth Debicki and Kenneth Branagh. Tenet releases in Australian cinemas on July 16. BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC It was first uttered more than three decades ago, but the world could always use Bill & Ted's main nugget of wisdom. "Be excellent to each other," Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure first told us in 1989, before continuing the message in 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey — and it'll do so again in the long-awaited Bill & Ted Face the Music. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves are back as everyone's favourite high school slackers and wannabe rockers, who initially started travelling through time in a phone booth to pass a history report and secure the world's future. They're middle-aged now and they even have daughters (played by Ready or Not's Samara Weaving and Bombshell's Brigette Lundy-Paine), but when you're told as a teen that your music is going to change the entire universe, that responsibility doesn't just fade because you get older. Bill & Ted Face the Music releases in American cinemas on August 21, with an Australian release date yet to be confirmed. HALLOWEEN KILLS For 42 years, the Halloween franchise has been delivering stone-cold horror masterpieces, weird and wonderful detours, and entries that deserve to be locked away for all eternity with Michael Myers. The difference between the series' John Carpenter-directed best and its trashy worst is enormous, but when David Gordon Green (Prince Avalanche, Pineapple Express) took the reins for 2018's Halloween — a direct sequel to the 1978 original that ignores the seven other follow-ups and two remakes in-between — he served up one of the saga's best chapters. It helped that Jamie Lee Curtis was back, of course. Also beneficial: a meaty story that grapples with trauma, a skill for slasher thrills, a new score by Carpenter himself, and producer Jason Blum's support. So it was great news when two more movies were announced, including 2020's Halloween Kills, which brings the whole gang back to Haddonfield for another encounter with the town's masked menace. Halloween Kills releases in Australian cinemas on October 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i5kiFDunk8 PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN From Hustlers to Black Christmas, a swathe of great female-written and directed films haven't just been dancing in topical territory of late — they've been tackling issues of gender inequality, misogyny and sexual assault head on. Due to premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Promising Young Woman belongs in the same company, as its immensely popular trailer shows. It all starts in a bar, where Cassie (Carey Mulligan) appears intoxicated and Jez (Adam Brody) helps her home. They've never met, but he's supposedly being nice. Then, while she's virtually passed out, he makes a move — and she makes it known that she's not going to become a drunken statistic. The feature debut of writer/director Emerald Fennell, the showrunner on Killing Eve's second season, this looks like a revenge flick with serious bite. Promising Young Woman premieres at Sundance in January, then releases in American cinemas on April 17, with an Australian release date yet to be confirmed. [caption id="attachment_756329" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Marriage Story[/caption] ANNETTE It has been eight years since Leos Carax's Holy Motors hit cinema screens, becoming one of the most memorable movies of both the decade and the 21st century in the process. And, for four of those years, his next project has been eagerly anticipated: musical Annette, starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. Lavant will make his English-language debut with the song-filled feature, which follows a stand-up comedian (Driver), his soprano opera singer wife (Cotillard) and the drastic change in their lives when their daughter Annette is born. Part of the film's delays have been put down to Driver's busy Star Wars schedule (and starring in The Dead Don't Die, The Report and Marriage Story this year alone, too), but the movie finally shot late in 2019 — so here's hoping that we soon get to see what Carax's inventive mind has put together next. Annette doesn't yet have a release date. [caption id="attachment_555885" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Cemetery of Splendour[/caption] MEMORIA With Memoria, another acclaimed auteur makes his first film in English — and returns after a significant gap in his filmography. That'd be Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the Thai director who last splashed dreamlike visuals and poetic musings across the screen with 2015's Cemetery of Splendour, and whose resume also features three Cannes prize-winning features (including the Palme d'Or for 2010's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives). It's a claim made too often, but Weerasethakul truly does make movies unlike anyone else. Not much is known about Memoria, apart from that it was shot in Colombia, but the filmmaker's work is always about much, much more than plot. This one possesses some serious star power, too, with the international cast led by Tilda Swinton. Memoria doesn't yet have a release date. HOPE When New Zealand's Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek directed 2018's The Breaker Upperers, they gave the world one of the smartest and most amusing female-focused comedies in recent years. For their follow-up, Hope, the duo is keeping things funny — and given that this time they'll be pointing the camera at Aubrey Plaza, that doesn't seem particularly difficult. Another movie that's keeping its details quiet for now, it's described as a romantic comedy and is being made for Netflix. To shore up its rom-com credentials, it's based on a script by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith, who also wrote the screenplay for another great example of the genre: the modernised Shakespeare adaptation that is 10 Things I Hate About You. Hope doesn't yet have a release date. [caption id="attachment_756331" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] A Very Murray Christmas[/caption] ON THE ROCKS Sofia Coppola. Bill Murray. Enough said, really. The Lost in Translation duo reunite for On the Rocks, which focuses on a young mother who reconnects with her wayward dad during a New York adventure. Parks and Recreation's Rashida Jones and Jenny Slate also star, as well as Marlon Wayans, with Coppola both directing and writing the screenplay — as she has with all of her projects since her 1999 debut The Virgin Suicides. Of course, the filmmaker also teamed up with Murray back in 2015 for Netflix special A Very Murray Christmas, but more of this pair is never a bad thing. On the Rocks will also mark Coppola's first film since winning Cannes Best Director prize (and becoming only the second woman to do so) for 2017's The Beguiled. On the Rocks doesn't yet have a release date. [caption id="attachment_492422" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Jodorowsky's Dune[/caption] DUNE David Lynch's Dune is one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever made. It's not the version that Alejandro Jodorowsky would've whipped up — as explored in excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune — but the 1984 movie still has its surreal delights. Just how Denis Villeneuve's new adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel will fare is still yet to be seen, but the French Canadian director has already revived another 80s sci-fi property to stunning effect with Blade Runner 2049. Once again, he has amassed a stellar cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Doctor Sleep's Rebecca Ferguson. They'll all fight over 'the spice', the most valuable substance in the universe. Dune releases in Australian cinemas on December 26. With hundreds of movies reaching Australian screens every year, there's plenty more to look forward to in 2020 too. We've also checked out a heap of trailers for the year's upcoming flicks, including Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), The Invisible Man, Fantasy Island, Mulan, No Time to Die, Black Widow, The Woman in the Window, Wonder Woman 1984, In the Heights, Soul, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jungle Cruise and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run. Only one of them features Keanu Reeves as a talking sage, though.
Call it wild, weird and wonderful. Call it surreal and sublime, too. Whichever terms you want to sling Dark Mofo's way, there's no other event quite like it on Tasmania's cultural calendar — or Australia's. 2024 felt the winter arts festival's absence, after it sat out the year to regroup for the future ahead. Get excited about 2025, however, because Dark Mofo has confirmed that it'll be returning in June. "Dark Mofo is back. For our 11th chapter, once more we'll bathe the city in red and deliver two weeks of inspiring art, music and ritual," said Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite, announcing the event's 2025 dates, and advising that limited pre-release tickets for Night Mass, which fills downtown Hobart with art and music, will be on offer from 10am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. "Night Mass is a beast, and this year it will evolve once more — worming its way through the city with new spaces, performances and experiences to dance, explore or crawl your way through," Twite continued. Not only Night Mass is returning, but so is the full Dark Mofo setup, largely taking place across Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025. The one exception: the Nude Solstice Swim, one of the festival events that still went ahead in 2024. Next year, it'll get everyone taking a dip on Saturday, June 21. Winter Feast, which also took place in 2024, will be back in 2025 as well — as will the Ogoh-Ogoh, plus a yet-to-be-announced (but sure to be jam-packed) art and music program that'll be revealed next year. If you spent a few days in 2023 attending a Twin Peaks-inspired ball and seeing a giant teddy bear with laser eyes — watching a stunning new take on Dante's classic examination of hell, purgatory and paradise, too — then you went to Dark Mofo's most-recent full run. Organised by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, the winter arts festival fills Hobart with all manner of surprises every year, other than its gap year in 2024. When the break was announced, it was done to ensure that event could "move forward in a viable manner", said Twite at the time. "The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025" was the promise, and it's being lived up to. The year off came after a hit 2023 run that saw Dark Mofo smash it with attendances and at the box office — notching up record figures, in fact. Despite the event's success, the crew behind it have been working towards "a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next ten years", taking rising costs and other changing elements into consideration. Dark Mofo returns from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025 and for the Nude Solstice Swim on Saturday, June 21. Head to the festival's website for further details. Winter feast images: Jesse Hunniford, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023. Nude Solstice Swim images: Rémi Chauvin, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023.
Uber has become a worldwide phenomenon, expanding across the globe to more than 70 cities in its brief five-year history. The mobile app and car sharing service, bankrolled by investors including Google and Goldman Sachs, has caused waves with its recent valuation of a hefty US $18.2 billion. With growing business as smartphone ownership continues to spread, those in need of a post-gig ride home are viewing Uber as a more convenient — and often cheaper — alternative to a taxi. Now, the cabbies have finally had enough. Claiming that the mobile app is affecting their livelihoods, taxi drivers in London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro protested in the streets. Blockading access to major CBDs and shopping districts across these cities for hours on end, cabbies demanded tougher regulations to be imposed on Uber drivers. Taxi drivers in Europe often pay between $200,000 and $300,000 for their license, while Uber promotes their ‘No Sign Up Fee’ policy openly on their website. How could a cabbie compete with that? Taxi drivers in London slowed traffic to a crawl near Trafalgar Square, continuing on to Dowling Street where they honked their horns as they passed Parliament and the Prime Minister’s address. Home to the iconic black cabs, London saw the most monumental protests, with more than 10,000 taxis participating in the demonstration. Ironically, Uber reported an increase in downloads of the app by 850 percent in the past week. That's 850 percent. Similarly, cabbies from the other European cities cited severe damage to their income and loose, easily manipulated laws for those working under the Uber umbrella. In Rio de Janeiro, taxi drivers participated in the demonstrations ahead of the World Cup — seemingly apprehensive of the possible impact it will have on what should be their highest payday yet. The protests overseas come shortly after contention in Australia over the parameters of ride-sharing cars. The Victorian government was dishing up fines of $1,700 a pop to Uber drivers. The company’s response was to pledge that they would cover any and all of these penalties. Last month, the NSW government claimed Uber drivers could face a charge of up to $110,000 for being in breach of state law. It seems Australia has been imposing the regulations taxi drivers overseas so dearly wish to see in their own regions, yet Uber continues to be a viable — and profitable — business for drivers across the country. Cabbies in Uber-inhabited regions around the globe are feeling the brute force of an evolving world. It seems the tides of change are causing an insurmountable swell for the humble taxi driver, with no sign of an end. Via Reuters and Fast Company. Images via Mashable and Business Week.
Independent art and design festival Finders Keepers is back for another season. The twice-yearly fair is a calendar staple for those on the hunt for unique, quality wares. Plus, there's an added bonus: the market supports local and emerging artists. This year, the Melbourne event will run from Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21, and oh boy, is the lineup looking good. With 270-plus vendors planning to set up shop in The Royal Exhibition Building, we wouldn't blame you for getting overwhelmed by all the choices. Rather than letting you walk around aimlessly, we have narrowed down the list to give you our top five favourite stalls. Make a beeline to these vendors to discover a bevy of bold, quirky and, in one case, tasty finds. And then you're free to explore the rest — truthfully, they're all stellar. [caption id="attachment_688003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samee Lapham.[/caption] GARDENING: THE LITTLE VEGGIE PATCH CO. If you fancy yourself someone with a green thumb, or you would if you had the space, go and have a chat to the team at The Little Veggie Patch Co. Aiming to help budding gardeners, regardless of their living situations, the business created 'instant gardens', made to order from recycled fruit crates, which can easily fit into the pokiest of apartments. Design your own patch from the extensive range of heirloom seeds, including basil, beetroot, parsley and peas — or pick up one of the seasonal starter kits. There's also gardening tools, books and planting calendar posters if you need a little extra guidance. Think how much better dinner will taste when you use produce you grew yourself. [caption id="attachment_688004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samee Lapham.[/caption] QUIRKY JEWELLERY: CHLOE MCCOLL JEWELLERY If your favourite part of visiting a local artisanal market is picking up pieces that are completely unique, Chloe McColl Jewellery will fit the brief. This range of jewellery takes inspiration from the label's home on the Mornington Peninsula coast, and each piece is handcrafted, meaning they all have their own individual touches and organic quality to them. Stop by the stall to find rings, earrings, cuffs and necklaces punctuated with ocean-toned gemstone clusters and textured gold and silver metal. [caption id="attachment_688005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Lobo.[/caption] SNAZZY ACCESSORIES: PEGGY AND FIN Crazy things happen to our social calendars when spring kicks off: engagements, weddings, garden parties and even more weddings. Basically, the warm weather signals the arrival of occasions in which you're expected to don the glad-rags and, for most, it's inconceivable to buy an entirely new outfit every time. If we've learned anything from Tan on Queer Eye (aside from the 'French tuck'), accessorising is the secret, and this is where Peggy and Fin come in. The creative duo behind the brand creates cufflinks and wooden bow ties made from recycled timber, plus an extensive selection of fabric ties and pocket squares that'll help spruce up any spring wardrobe. FUEL: GRANDMA'S GIRL Shopping can be tough work and, given the monumental size of the markets, you'll definitely need to refuel at some point. When the tummy grumbles get a little too much, head to Grandma's Girl for a hearty feast that'll put the pep back in your step. We're talking cheesy, potato-filled pierogies doused in butter. These tasty little morsels are a twist on the traditional Eastern European delicacy with dashes of unexpected ingredients — think pine nuts, marinated feta and even figs. You'll be tempted to return for round two. KITCHEN NEEDS: LITTLE BUMBLE Living sustainably can be tricky: on one hand, you don't want to waste leftover food, but on the other, you're conscious of how much plastic pollution is created in doing so. Enter Little Bumble. This Gippsland-based brand sells beeswax food wraps, a great reusable replacement for the old cling film dispenser. The all-natural wraps are handcrafted using cotton, organic Australian beeswax, coconut and jojoba oils and pine resin. They're available in a variety of sizes and arty designs (so your fridge will look better as well) and can be washed and reused for up to 12 months. After that, you can order a top-up pack or make your own using Little Bumble's DIY kit. For more information about the Melbourne Spring/Summer 2018 Finders Keepers market and for the full list of vendors, head to the website. Top image: Samee Lapham.
The Gold Coast, Australia's beach club capital. That isn't how anyone refers to the Glitter Strip to at the moment, but it might soon become a reality. The tourist spot is already home to a rooftop beach club in Surfers Paradise, and will welcome a pop-up beach club on the sand at Broadbeach this month, too. Plus, sometime early in 2022, it'll also boast La Luna, a new floating beach club at the Marina Mirage. The space is the brainchild of the Gennari Group, which is already behind the Gold Coast's Koi Broadbeach, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, The Loose Moose, Maggie Choo and Roosevelt Lounge. This new venue will clearly stand out, though — setting up a beach club on pontoons will do that. La Luna will take inspiration from its European counterparts — and from Mykonos and Saint-Tropez in general — with a few cues gleaned from the setups in Tulum in Mexico as well. Think: daybeds, private cabanas and pools, obviously, as well as a bar, and dining both inside and by the water. Based on concept images, the look is light and airy, with splashes of pink and blue against white and cream-hued furniture — including ever-trusty beach umbrellas. Given the venue's moniker, circles, glowing orbs and lunar shapes aplenty pop up, too. And, as well as making you feel like you're on the other side of the world, La Luna is aiming to radiate big yacht life vibes. Basically, it'll be the beach club you hang out in when you want to pretend you're spending your daily lazing around on a boat's deck. Bring your adult siblings, start bickering and you'll feel like you're in Succession, perhaps? While specifics in terms of menu and entertainment haven't been revealed as yet, La Luna will serve up Mediterranean and Asian fusion bites made with local produce, have DJs set the mood and host parties under the stars. Cocktails will be big on the drinks list, naturally. La Luna's restaurant is currently slated to have a soft launch in January, ahead of the full venue opening sometime early in 2022 — so whether you'll be able to add floating pool club hangs (and living the yacht life without the yacht) to your summer plans hasn't yet been confirmed. La Luna Beach Club will open at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Gold Coast sometime in early 2022 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Images: artists' impressions of La Luna Beach Club.
Since premiering on Broadway in 2015, winning 11 Tony Awards and nabbing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Hamilton has become a pop culture phenomenon. As a result, it was always going to make the leap to the screen in some shape or form. So, it's no wonder that Disney has jumped at the opportunity, albeit via a filmed version of the stage production rather than a traditional theatre-to-film adaptation. An actual Hamilton movie might still happen — creator, writer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda has talked about it, and apparently the first draft of a script has been written — but that's not the case just yet. Originally, the Mouse House intended to bring this recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda's historical hip hop musical to cinemas in late 2021. Then, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic came along. Doing everyone a solid, the company has instead fast-tracked Hamilton to its streaming platform — with this vibrant, whip-smart and immediately dazzling tale of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton available from today, Friday, July 3, on Disney+. If you haven't been lucky enough to catch the popular all-singing, all-dancing production in New York, as it toured the US or on London's West End, this "live capture" version is here to fill the gap. Now, everyone who missed out on the opportunity to see the musical's initial run live can experience the next best thing. Shot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway back in 2016, the recording features the show's original Broadway performers, including Miranda in the eponymous role. Also seen on-screen as part of the production's colour-blind approach to casting (including enlisting actors of colour to play white historical figures): Daveed Diggs (Snowpiercer) as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Leslie Odom Jr (Murder on the Orient Express) as Aaron Burr, Christopher Jackson (When They See Us) as George Washington, Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter) as King George III, Renee Elise Goldsberry (The House with a Clock in Its Walls) as Angelica Schuyler and Phillipa Soo (the Broadway version of Amelie) as Eliza Hamilton. The story, for those who aren't intimately acquainted with US revolutionary history, chronicles the Caribbean-born "bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman" from his arrival in New York in the early 1770s. As the musical's informative opening number explains, Alexander Hamilton will go on to become "the ten-dollar Founding Father without a father", with the production charting how he "got a lot farther by working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter and by being a self-starter". It's a tale that, unlike those of US Presidents Washington and Jefferson, you mightn't have heard before — which is one of the themes that the musical addresses. Just who is charged with recalling and immortalising the past, and who is remembered in the process, is a significant factor in shaping a nation's vision of itself. Hamilton isn't the first stage show to release a filmed version, of course; however it arrives on streaming after half a decade of buzz, chatter, acclaim, awards and cultural obsessiveness — and instantly demonstrates why it's been the most talked-about production of the past five years. Infectiously exuberant from its first moments, and not only lively but frequently funny, Miranda's rich, dense but always accessible words and songs interrogate US history with passion, intelligence and energy. Via an array of tunes that prove as clever as they are catchy, Hamilton ponders America's battle for independence from the British, the situation the fledgling country finds itself in afterwards, and what it truly means to start a new nation. Along the way, it also casts a light on political wheeling and dealing, the framing of the American Constitution, as well as Hamilton's complicated personal life. When the musical isn't turning discussions about debt into rap battles, for example, it's letting Groff's scene-stealing King George III sing absolute show-stoppers about imperialism, then breaking up the politics with yearning ballads sung by Goldsberry and Soo that also unpack the plight of women at the time. By now, the fact that Hamilton is excellent really isn't news — but, if you haven't already seen it for yourself, prepare to be wowed. Miranda, Groff, and Tony-winners Diggs and Odom Jr couldn't turn in better performances and, as directed for the screen by the stage production's helmer Thomas Kail, this filmed version gets up close to their potent and compelling portrayals. Visually, viewers always know they're watching a recording of a live theatre show, too. Pretending otherwise just wouldn't do the production justice. That said, this on-screen presentation of Hamilton is also engagingly shot and edited, not only cutting between different angles, but successfully capturing the rhythm of the choreography, actors and moving set. Getting swept up by Hamilton's wonders is easy. Recognising its added weight, importance and resonance now, as Black Lives Matter protests continue to take place across the globe and America finds itself at another crossroads, is just as straightforward, too. Once you've watched the small-screen version, Australians can also get excited about seeing the stage production, as it's finally set to arrive Down Under in March 2021. Under present circumstances, though — and with international travel still banned for the foreseeable future — it's possible that this could be delayed. Check out Disney+'s Hamilton trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSCKfXpAGHc The filmed version of Hamilton is available to stream worldwide from Friday, July 3, via Disney+. Images: Hamilton filmed version courtesy Disney+.
Finally we have proof that Hogwarts exists, and it is in the shape of 400,000 Lego blocks. Alice Finch, a mother of two from Seattle who became a Lego aficionado after building blocks with her son, has unveiled her completed scale rendition of Hogwarts, and it is arguably the largest Lego structure built by a single person, measuring 4m in length. This is impressive enough, but when you look inside and uncover the magic of intricately detailed rooms and scenes from the world of Harry Potter, you can see that no block has been left untouched. Finch’s masterpiece took a painstaking 12 months of building, but that time let her perfect her Hogwarts by allowing her to research the books, films, and sets of the magical series to record the finest detail, from moving staircases right down to the old-fashioned slide projector in Lupin's Defence Against the Dark Arts class. This effort has not gone unrecognised either, with Finch taking home both the People's Choice and Best in Show Awards at Brick-Con 2012 — two awards much deserved for continuing the magic that J.K. Rowling first started more than 15 years ago. And why did she do it? "I wanted my kids to be able to play in all the spaces where the story takes place," she told Brick Brothers. You may not be able to play with your own giant Hogwarts, but you can visit Alice's by looking through the Mirror of Erised (your computer screen) at her photoset here. We've picked out a few of the best pictures below. Hogwarts exterior Feasting in the Great Hall. Durmstrang students enter Hogwarts Potions class Gryffindor noticeboard Gryffindor common room The greenhouses Astronomy towers and Ravenclaw
If you'd like to tuck into a burger created by famed chef Heston Blumenthal, you'd usually need to head to one of his restaurants. But that's no longer the case thanks to a new collaboration with Grill'd, with the British culinary whiz whipping up two new plant-based burgs for the chain. These combinations of bread, salad and mushroom-based meat use Fable, the brand that turns shiitake mushrooms into a meat alternative (and a product that's obviously gotten Blumenthal's tick of approval). And, because there's a couple of options, burger lovers also have the chance to sink their teeth into a limited-edition version that's only available for two weeks this August in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth — and after lockdown in Sydney. The special burg in question? That'd be the Heston Fable Burger, which is made with a Fable patty, tofu, cucumber, fresh slaw and hoisin sauce, and then topped with Fable's plant-based version of crispy beef — and served on a brioche bun. Only 4000 are available, and one will set you back $35. That said, that price includes a serving of Grill'd's chips with white miso mayonnaise, as well as choice of pinot noir, chenin blanc, a local beer or a non-alcoholic drink. If your tastebuds are now well and truly tempted, the Heston Fable Burger is only available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — with Sydney details to be announced post-lockdown. You can book now, though, with reservations available online from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online. If you're keen to take a bite of a second Blumenthal-created burger — and to do so whenever you like — that's where the Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston comes in. It too is made with a Fable patty, as paired with aged cheddar, Spanish onion, dijon mustard, dill pickles, egg mayonnaise and Heston's fire roasted spicy tomato sauce. And, this one is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu at all stores — and for $14.50 — from Tuesday, August 3. The collaboration between Blumenthal and Grill'd is part of the latter's broader range of Fable burgs, with two more varieties also joining the menu. The Fable Truffle features a Fable patty, aged cheddar, cos lettuce, fresh basil and truffle mayonnaise, while the Fable Southern BBQ features a Fable patty, cabbage slaw, shredded carrot, Spanish onion, egg mayonnaise, dill pickles and native Davidson plum barbecue sauce — and they're both available now on the regular lineup as well. Heston Fable Burgers are available from Grill'd for dine-in sittings at the chain's Hawthorn and Windsor stores in Melbourne, Carindale and Wintergarden shops in Brisbane, and Scarborough outlet in Perth — from Sunday, August 8–Sunday, August 22, with bookings available from Tuesday, August 3 by visiting the eatery's website. Folks in New South Wales can also register their interest online, with the burgers set to become available in Sydney after lockdown. The Fable Spicy Cheeseburger by Heston is available on Grill'd's regular dine-in, takeaway or delivery menu from Tuesday, August 3.
Image: "The Kiss" by Pablo Picasso in the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. REUTERS/David Gray The Art Gallery of New South Wales is among six Australian galleries to share their collections with the online community via Google Art Project. The project, launched last year, allows art enthusiasts to view the great artistic works of the world, all from the convenience of their computer screen. The Art Gallery of NSW has now launched 415 of its most notable works, including a wide sampling drawn from every aspect of its collection. Included are works from the gallery's Australian, Indigenous, Asian and European collections. All of the pieces are featured in incredible high-resolution detail, revealing brushwork and other elements that are undetectable by the naked eye. 250 of these works are accessible through the website's 3D gallery walkthrough. "To think," says Anne Flanagan, acting direction of the Art Gallery of NSW, "that while a person here at the Gallery is viewing a work, someone else, anywhere in the world, can also be viewing the same work with such crystal-clear definition." Other participating Australian galleries include the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Museum, and Griffith University's Rock Art Research Centre. They have joined the efforts of 151 cultural institutions in 40 countries, under Google, to transform the art-viewing process, and to make fine art universally accessible.
When the Goodwill Bridge, then the Neville Bonner Bridge, then the Kangaroo Point Bridge each opened in Brisbane, helping pedestrians get around the River City on foot was high among each structure's aims. Brisbane Festival 2025 clearly applauds that idea. The Queensland capital's major annual arts fest is not only embracing the concept, but is also building upon it. How does an event in a city that adores constructing more and more bridges work that reality into its program? By turning those three aforementioned river crossings into art installations — and featuring them in an art trail. Walk This Way is one of Brisbane Festival's big 2025 highlights, in what marks the last year of six at the helm for Artistic Director Louise Bezzina. Brisbane art and design duo Craig Redman and Karl Maier, who are globally known as Craig & Karl, have been given the task of transforming the Goodwill, Neville Bonner and Kangaroo Point bridges with large-scale art. With this free part of the fest's program, you'll not only see these structures as you've never seen them before and, of course, mosey along them; you'll also follow the path around the city to other iconic sites. Craig & Karl have an exhibition at Griffith University's Art Museum, celebrating where they first met, on the Brisbane Festival 2025 as well. [caption id="attachment_1008628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig & Karl[/caption] Across Friday, September 5–Saturday, September 27, Bezzina has plenty more in store for the city — 106 productions and 1069 performances, in fact, featuring contributions from 2260 artists. A huge 21 events in the program are world premieres, while more than 39 percent of the lineup is free. How does Bezzina describe it? "This year's program is a love letter to Brisbane — bold, joyful, and created with and for the city," she advises. "My final festival is a celebration of everything Brisbane Festival has become: a world-class event with a fiercely local heart. From world premieres to deeply resonant community works, this year's program is ambitious in scale and grounded in storytelling, deeply connected to the people and places that make this city so special. As the city comes alive this September, I welcome everyone to take their place in the story." [caption id="attachment_1008620" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laurent Philippe[/caption] Here's some of the other ways that Brisbane Festival 2025 is showing its affection for its hometown: with after-dark experience Afterglow among those global debuts, filling the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens with fire sculptures and candlelit installations — and also with The Great Gatsby-themed show and pop-up club GATSBY at The Green Light, which is heading to Twelfth Night Theatre to celebrate 100 years since F Scott Fitzgerald's book first hit shelves. Two of the fest's other huge drawcards stem from the world of dance. Thanks to Gems, which was commissioned by French luxury house Van Cleef & Arpels, Brisbane will witness three specific pieces by acclaimed choreographer Benjamin Millepied and LA Dance Project staged together for the first time ever. And courtesy of Baleen Moondjan, First Nations artist and Bangarra Dance Theatre founder Stephen Page is back home in Brisbane with a production that explores the link between baleen whales and Country — and, fittingly, will be performed in a barge featuring whale bone sculptural elements on the Brisbane River. Another must-attend Brisbane Festival show pays tribute to one of the city's beloved Indian restaurants, with A Place in the Sultan's Kitchen not only featuring Joshua Hinton chatting about his family's eatery, but cooking his grandmother's chicken curry live. [caption id="attachment_1008619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] UAVS[/caption] Fellow standouts include yet another dance must-see in Bad Nature, with Australasian Dance Collective and the Netherlands' Club Guy & Roni teaming up; TINA — A Tropical Love Story's tribute to Tina Turner; the solo debut of Josh Taliani, who is behind House of Alexander; Shake & Stir giving A Midsummer Night's Dream a pop makeover as The Lovers; and Back to Bilo bringing Priya and Nades Nadesalingam and their family's tale to the stage for the first time. Plus, AMPLIFIED: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett is an ode to its namesake, Milestone is William Yang's latest presentation, 100 Guitars gives 2025's festival its mass-participation performance and Community Choir: The Musical does indeed show the love for everyday voices. [caption id="attachment_1008618" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stephanie Coombes[/caption] Roma Street concert series Night at The Parkland has a heap of Aussie talent on its bill, such as ICEHOUSE, Lime Cordiale, Jack River, Xavier Rudd, Amy Shark, Grinspoon and Cut Copy. To catch Odd Mob, CW Stoneking, Wolters, Phantastic Ferniture and more, head to Tivoli in the Round, which is shaking up its stage setup. And, Wunderhorse, Winston Surfshirt and Sarah Blasko are also on Brisbane Festival's program, as are Brisbane Serenades' outdoor concerts at Brisbane Powerhouse, Manly, Moorooka at St Lucia. It wouldn't be a Brisbane Festival without Riverfire, which will light up Brisbane's night sky with fireworks on the event's opening weekend. Also getting everyone looking up, Skylore will be back with another First Nations traditional story taking to the air via 400 drones. [caption id="attachment_1008616" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Children of the Revolution[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008625" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008564" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mellumae and Sean Dowling[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008461" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JD Lin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008621" align="alignnone" width="1920"] George Gittoes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008624" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1008617" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura Du Ve[/caption] Brisbane Festival 2025 runs from Friday, September 5–Saturday, September 27 at various venues around Brisbane. Head to the festival's website for tickets and further details. Top image: Craig & Karl, Dirty Puppet and Jared Hinz.
From giant Godzilla statues to karaoke ferris wheels, you can find almost anything in Tokyo. Top-notch Australian coffee also belongs on that list. Sydney-based roaster Single O has been giving Japan a taste of its caffeinated brews for a decade, and opened its first international cafe in the country's capital back in 2021. Hit up the city from now on, however, and you'll have the brand's second overseas cafe to head to as well. While Single O has boasted a roastery and tasting bar in Ryogoku since before its Hamacho spot for a cuppa launched, Ryogoku Roastworks is now a cafe, too. All in one swoop, the chain has moved into bigger digs and added its second space for aficionados to grab a brew. And yes, coffee on tap — which first became available at Single O's Surry Hills cafe in 2019 — is part of the setup. If you're keen to pour your own beverage, the self-serve counter will rotate its range of single-origin brews. Otherwise, the cafe will also serve up espressos and long blacks made from a changing array — and, of course, Single O's signature blend Reservoir, with its notes of stonefruit and milk chocolate, will be in the spotlight. Aussie patrons won't just sip a taste of home at Ryogoku Roastworks, but will also find dishes from the brand's Surry Hills and Newstead cafes on the food menu. So, if you're in Tokyo and craving Single O's banana bread with espresso butter, you're in luck. The same goes for The Avo Show, which is made with rye, achiote cashew cheese and pickled fennel, plus a seasoned crumb, chilli oil and sweet lemon aspen. Other culinary choices span the Reservoir Dog (Tesio sausage, caramelised onion and tomato sauce), as named after Single O's street address in Surry Hills — and also Boris' Beans (a Turkish-inspired bean stew that comes with tomato, chilli oil and labne). Or, opt for two types of jaffle: prosciutto, gouda and maribo; and Vegemite butter, camembert, cheddar and onion jam. As for the warehouse digs themselves, Ryogoku Roastworks has received Luchetti Krelle's design touch, with the Sydney-based firm heroing industrial flourishes and sustainability in their approach. A corrugated metal facade greets customers, inside which a freestanding pod is home to the cafe, with the roastery behind it. "We hit the ground running in Japan a decade ago, and the response we've had since then has honestly blown us away — we're now roasting for 130 wholesale partners across Japan," said Single O co-founder Dion Cohen. "Moving the roastery into a bigger and better space is really an opportunity to double down in support of those partners and grow our offering." Launching its new Ryogoku site allows Single O to quadruple production in Japan — and is just one of the chain's big 2024 openings in Tokyo. The other is set to arrive in July in the form of a Shibuya venue, the brand's third in the city, which will debut a new coffee bar concept. Find Single O's Ryogoku Roastworks at 3-21-5, Kamezawa, Sumida, Ryogoku, East Tokyo, open from 10am–6pm Wednesday–Sunday. Head to the brand's website for more details. Images: Koji Shimamura.
When you wish upon a star, do you wish for all things Disney to be worked into your daily life? If so, then you'll be familiar with Sydney fine-dining institution NEL and its Once Upon a Time degustations. Since 2019, the Harbour City restaurant has been regularly plating up 11-course meals featuring dishes inspired by the Mouse House and its movies. In fact, it's done so four times so far. 2024's run will mark the enchanting dining experience's fifth chapter, then — and NEL's Executive Chef and namesake Nelly Robinson has new film-themed culinary creations in store. From Tuesday, April 16–Saturday, August 10, fans of top-notch meals and Disney alike can flutter into the Surry Hills eatery to enjoy courses that take their cues from Frozen, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book and more. Both savoury and sweet dishes are on offer, with or without beverages — including cocktails — that also help tell a magical tale. For those who'll never be able to let their Mouse House obsession go, cured ocean trout Nordic-style — complete with a pickled onion snowflake, snow made out of cream cheese, and dustings of lemon and dill done at your table — is on the menu. Of course the Cruella de Vil-themed plate goes with a black-and-white colour scheme, featuring ricotta gnocchi, pan-seared mushroom and a celeriac velouté. And there'll be far more than the bare necessities tempting your tastebuds with the banana-shaped cream paired with roasted white chocolate and peanut butter brittle. Other courses include a nod to Peter Pan via a golden sweet pastry crumble, aka the Once Upon a Time degustation's version of pixie dust; saying "hi ho, hi ho" to a Snow White-inspired dish; and also paying edible tribute to Mulan, The Lion King, Bambi and The Nightmare Before Christmas. There's even NEL's version of a wand, aka a chicken and eggplant pastry that comes in a crisp tulle. "I am taking our diners on a journey of nostalgia. It is so much fun creating this menu. The films continue to inspire me. With the team at NEL, we have crafted the menu to ensure a moment of joy and wonder in every single dish," says Robinson about his fifth Once Upon a Time menu. NEL is known for its themed degustations, also spanning KFC-inspired dinners, Moulin Rouge!-themed and Christmas degustations, and heroing native Australian ingredients in the past. Unsurprisingly, the Once Upon a Time spread is especially popular — and because it serves up new and fresh dishes riffing on the Mouse House's favourites each time, it's always a different experience each year for locals and Disney-adoring visitors to Sydney. Price-wise, this childhood-inspired feast will require an adult salary, costing $185 per person, with beverages matched for an extra $165. Reserving a spot ASAP for dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 5.15pm, and for lunch from 12pm on Saturdays as well, is recommended — this always books out. NEL's Once Upon A Time (Chapter Five) degustation is on offer from Tuesday, April 16–Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. With the epic likes of Blur, Mark Ronson, Florence and The Machine, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wombats, Tame Impala and Of Monsters And Men, Pond, Royal Blood and the Dandy Warhols on the bill, 2015's fest has one heck of a huge lineup. Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt is back, Australia's own dancefloor kings Flight Facilities are landing back home, Azealia Banks makes her Australian festival return and Spiritualised will play their only Australian show. Ryan Adams is comin' on over, Best Coast is bringing the beachery back to Splendour, while recent Coachella-smash Jenny Lewis is another of the bigwigs we can all get squealy about. SXSW buzz artists like Gengahr and Elliphant are coming, UK producer Shlomo will take things down a notch (and King Khan will do exactly the opposite), while Canadian duo Purity Ring should be one packed-out, all-the-emotions must-see. Australian artists really dominate the lineup this year, including Client Liaison, Elizabeth Rose, Hayden James, Megan Washington, Thundamentals, Meg Mac, Japanese Wallpaper, Dune Rats and more. Plus, there's going to be four stages this year, with the new Tiny Dancer stage joining the Amphitheatre, Mix Up, GW McLennan stages to host Splendour's DJ lineup. Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Onsite camping is once again available from Wednesday 22 July. Splendour In The Grass 2015 lineup Blur Florence + The Machine Mark Ronson Of Monsters & Men The Wombats Tame Impala Peking Duk Ryan Adams Flight Facilities Royal Blood (only Aus show) Death Cab For Cutie Earl Sweatshirt Boy & Bear Porter Robinson (Live) The Dandy Warhols (only Aus show) Xavier Rudd & The United Nations Azealia Banks The Rubens Jamie T Pond Spiritualized (only Aus show) Alison Wonderland Thundamentals Best Coast Everything Everything San Cisco MS MR Jarryd James Purity Ring Allday Carmada The Grates The Smith Street Band Tkay Maidza Johnny Marr Last Dinosaurs Megan Washington The Vaccines #1 Dads The Church Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The King Khan & The BBQ Show Alpine Catfish and the Bottlemen Paul Mac Dustin Tebbutt MØ Years & Years Jenny Lewis C.W. Stoneking Seekae George Maple Elliphant Client Liaison Palma Violets SAFIA Hayden James Dune Rats Wolf Alice Meg Mac Cosmo's Midnight Marmozets Oh Mercy Mansionair The Districts Shlohmo Elizabeth Rose The Delta Riggs Circa Waves Nancy Whang Eves The Behaviour Urban Cone Art of Sleeping Japanese Wallpaper Gengahr Bad//Dreems Ecca Vandal Holy Holy Vallis Alps UV Boi The Babe Rainbow Harts Generik Young Franco Mickey Kojak GL Benson Harvey Sutherland Total Giovanni DJs Dugong Jr I'lls Akouo Noise In My Head triple j Unearthed Winners Plus ... Joyride Post Percy Ara Koufax CC:Disco! Adi Toohey Set Mo Edd Fisher Mike Who Shantan Wantan Ichiban For more info, check out the official Splendour In The Grass site.
There are few things in this life as uniquely satisfying as lounging in a hotel room. The sheets are softer and straighter and somehow cleaner than you can ever achieve at home. That fluffy robe inscribed with the hotel's initials elicits an overwhelming sense of contentment as soon as you throw it on. The kettle always works. And if it doesn't? Call reception and someone will magically spirit one onto your door step. Whether it's on a work trip, a sneaky staycation, or a blowout weekend away with your bestie or beau, if you're in the market for the next hotel to put on your list, we have the stay for you — no matter your budget — with our Hotel Hitlist 2024. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express Southbank If Melbourne is on your travel list in 2024, you can't beat the location of this Holiday Inn Express — or its budget. Located in the Southbank arts hub, where you can count the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art as next-door neighbours. Experience this hotel's smart rooms that include a pillow menu, complimentary grab-and-go express breakfast (as well as a breakfast buffet), and free wifi. Ink Hotel Melbourne Another spot along the Melbourne Southbank is the stylish Ink Hotel. Designed to suit all kinds of travellers, the chic hotel offers guest rooms from pocket-size (just there to sleep) through to spacious suites. You don't have to go far for a good cup of coffee (it's Melbourne, after all) but breakfast and brunch are available from 7.30am until 3pm daily, and the cafe is open from 7am until 11pm. There's also an on-site bar serving drinks and bar snacks every day until late — there's even a daily happy hour from 5–8pm. Holiday Inn Sunshine Coast If the Sunshine Coast is calling, this Holiday Inn Express and Suites is another can't-beat stay when you're travelling on a budget. Located in Maroochydore, it's an ideal spring-off point for exploring one of Queensland's most popular regions. Each morning, sit down to a complimentary breakfast buffet or choose a grab-and-go option. Whether you're here for work or play, the hotel offers all the essentials and some fun extras, like the pillow menu, guest-only rooftop pool and shopping hub at the ground-floor level. Waters Edge Port Macquarie The once-sleepy town of Port Macquarie is now a popular vacation location for hikers, kayakers and beach lovers (there are eighteen beaches in the area to choose from). The picturesque spot is now home to plenty of Gen X and millennials who left city life for more scenic shores. Explore the area for yourself while staying at Waters Edge Port Macquarie. Perched on the banks of the Hastings River and only a short stroll from beaches, retail hubs and all the sites. BOUTIQUE: Kimpton Margot Sydney If a city stay is on your trip list for 2024, head to Sydney's CBD and stay in one of the city's iconic Art Deco buildings, reinvented as a stylish boutique hotel: Kimpton Margot Sydney. This hideaway heritage hotel boasts a great location, a recently opened rooftop bar (the biggest in the city), and restaurants and bars helmed by legendary Australian chef Luke Mangan. It's pet-friendly, too. Hotel Indigo Potts Point If Sydney is calling, you could stay in the cosmopolitan inner east suburb of Potts Point at this just-opened retro hotel tucked behind the iconic Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. Only officially open on January 29, Hotel Indigo Potts Point celebrates the area's famed cabaret scene with homages to the locale's entertainers and musicians. The lobby features artist portraits, lush velvet red curtains, digital NFT artwork projections, and a vintage vinyl collection you can play on the lobby's turntable. In your room, you will find similar artwork, retro phones and an in-room cocktail station to get you in the party mood. VOCO Brisbane If BrisVegas is your destination in 2024, get involved in the hustle and bustle of Queensland's sun-drenched capital city from your comfy stay at voco® Brisbane City Centre. It is located along the city's waterfront, close to many of the city's top sights, including King George Square, the Museum of Brisbane and the South Bank Art Precinct. Enjoy some sips at Kraft & Co. restaurant and bar, take a dip in the rooftop pool or borrow a bike (for free) and explore the city on two wheels. Hotel Indigo Melbourne If you're looking for a creative haunt in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, you can't get better than Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders. You'll be ideally located in the culture hub of Flinders Lane from hole-in-the-wall bars, fresh street art, museums, galleries, and excellent eateries and cafes. Situated close to photographer Helmut Newton's studio (whose artistry inspired the hotel's kit-out), this hotel is a celebration of fashion photography. Explore its large collection of artworks by local artists or take your own Newton-esque selfie at the on-site photo booth. BLOWOUT: Next Hotel Melbourne Located in Melbourne's CBD east end district, Next Hotel Melbourne is a super chic city stay next to hospitality and high-fashion hot spots and footsteps away from the city's theatres. Relax in the hotel's guest-only Club — with an aperitivo hour every evening with local wines by the glass, local spirits and snacks to graze on — or dine at the on-site restaurant La Madonna. It encompasses the entire third floor with a cocktail bar and Italian-Asian-inspired restaurant run by chef Paul Turner. Southern Ocean Lodge This local favourite on Kangaroo Island was damaged during the Black Summer bushfire of 2019, leading to its closure. It has been lovingly restored and reopened in late 2023, making it a must for luxury lovers heading to Kangaroo Island in 2024. Its guest suites now point southeast so guests can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean. All suites have private decks, an EcoSmart fireplace and a sink-in bathtub. There's even an ultra-premium Ocean Pavilion, where guests can stay in a single four-bedroom owner's residence; or two separate two-bedroom suites, an on-site spa, and a wet-edge pool at The Great Room terrace. Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula Forget heading to Sorrento, Italy, for a luxe summer; instead, head down to Victorian wine country and sip on some local sangiovese at the luxury seaside hotel Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula. It's got a Mediterranean-inspired guest-only pool deck you won't want to miss, Aurora Spa & Bathhouse to relax in, and a suite of food and drink venues from the dapper speakeasy Barlow, the terrazzo-floored public bar and lofty, glass-ceilinged beer garden to the light-filled Atrium with all-day wining and dining. [caption id="attachment_936260" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Diah Lateri[/caption] W Sydney Sydneysiders had long awaited the opening of this luxury hotel in Darling Harbour. The hotel has 588 stylish rooms and a bevy of world-class amenities, including an openair infinity pool, a restaurant and dessert bar, two cocktail bars and a luxe spa. Footsteps away from Friday fireworks, the ICC, Imax cinema, and the waters of the iconic Sydney Harbour, W Sydney is definitely one hotel that should be on your list for 2024 — maybe even more so if you're based in Sydney and are keen on a budget blowout staycation.
Here's one way that 2025 is certain to dazzle: with Lightscape and its luminous path through the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne making a comeback this winter. Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most lit-up route through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this again, just like in 2022, 2023 and 2024. If you attended in past years, this fourth Lightscape stint does have surprises in store. 2025's event will feature 20-plus stunning new installations. So, no matter whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, you haven't seen this. Exactly what'll be on offer hasn't been revealed as yet, but it'll be on display from Friday, June 20–Sunday, August 10. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after initially taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it has understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas. 2024's Melbourne event featured the return of the popular Winter Cathedral, which is made out of glowing bulbs — and also the vibrant Laser Garden. Also included last year: Submergence, letting patrons move through suspended — and colour-changing — lights by the thousands, for instance, and Lili with its glowing three-metre-tall flowers. Whatever is on the agenda in 2025, prepare to see the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne illuminated by immersive and large-scale pieces scattered along that lengthy walking route, including sparkling trees, shimmering walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. Prepare to feel like you're being bathed in radiance — and ample neon — as well. Pop-up food and drink stalls are usually a feature, too, as scattered throughout Lightscape — selling, we always hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm in the thick of winter.
First, there were cat cafes, the cosy spaces where sipping a coffee and getting friendly with some cute felines go hand-in-hand. Next came pooch and pint sessions, where taking your doggo for a drink is heartily encouraged. While pubs that welcome puppers aren't all that rare in general, one US watering hole is taking all of the above concepts, combining them and turning it into their own animal haven. The end result is Fidos, an Oregon establishment calling itself the world's first dog tap house. With the words "Eat. Drink. Adopt." emblazoned on its walls, Fidos is part craft beer tap room, part foster home for shelter dogs, with the ultimate goal of rehoming the canines within its confines. Located outside of Portland, it encourages patrons to come in for a beverage and a bite — and, like a cat cafe, they'll will be able to play with the puppers — then take a new four-legged buddy home with them. Opening back in January, but holding a grand launch on February 13, Fidos boasts 40 rotating taps, a room dedicated to interacting with the doggos — which are provided by Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals — and dog videos playing on the onsite TVs. Events such as art shows and dog training demonstrations are planned, in an environment that's all about having a few drinks, celebrating man's best friend, and supporting dog and animal charities. For more information, visit www.ilovefidos.com. Via PR Newswire.
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 heart of Beechworth, Victoria, and honey country. We've teamed up with Maker's Mark and Beechworth Honey to offer a totally exclusive Concrete Playground Trips deal to stay at The Hive Apartment and enjoy the fruits of their new partnership: The Gold Rush Cocktail, a symphony of pure Australian honey and the bold flavours of bourbon. Celebrate the coming together of liquid golds for a cocktail that's rich in character and richer in history. If Beechworth looks like your ideal historical stay then head to Concrete Playground Trips, where you'll find our travel deal – including two night's stay at The Hive Apartment, a bespoke Makers Mark x Beechworth Honey gift pack (complete with everything you need to make a Gold Rush cocktail), an exclusive honey tasting experience and a dining voucher. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? You can't get closer to the centre of Beechworth than The Hive Apartment. Owned and operated by Australian honey powerhouse Beechworth Honey, The Hive Apartment is your opportunity to explore historic Beechworth and stay in a piece of Australian history. The apartment is located in one of the most historic buildings in Victoria — originally built in 1856, it was actually the original residence of the bank manager of the Bank of New South Wales. Beechworth played a significant role in the Australian gold rush in the 1800s. Beechworth Honey pays homage to the town's gold rush past with a look to preserve the future. Stay in what was once the "Gold Office" where mined gold was stored and where a new liquid gold now calls home: honey. There are nods to honeybees everywhere from the bespoke breakfast basket (with a selection of Beechworth Honey samples) to bee-themed furnishings and gold elements throughout. THE ROOMS The self-contained apartment is situated on the first floor, providing an impressive outlook across Beechworth's two main streets, its historic buildings and its original architecture. It features a fully equipped kitchen and spacious dining and living room. You can look out over the Beechworth skyline from the comfort of the generous living room, cook up a feast in the kitchen and enjoy a meal in the dining room or on the couch while you take in a movie for a chill night in. The apartment can accommodate up to six guests across three bedrooms. The spacious king room offers a lovely light-filled space with windows on two sides overlooking Beechworth's iconic clock tower. The queen room offers its own private ensuite while the third bedroom is made up of two single beds, perfect for a family weekend away. The renovated master bathroom creates a sense of modern luxury, a place to relax and unwind from a day of exploring Beechworth's impressive sights. FOOD AND DRINK While guests can enjoy the homey Beechworth breakfast basket and kitchen amenities, there are also quaint cafes and rustic bistros footsteps from the apartment. Grab a meal at the historic Tanswell's Commercial Hotel — one of the earliest hotels opened in Beechworth and the first two-storey building in town. The menu is packed with local suppliers' produce, so guests can enjoy the best of what the local area has to offer. There's also a range of local wines, beers and spirits on offer to enjoy with your meal or alternatively to take away from the bottle shop — located in the pub's old safety deposit box. Another local favourite is The Ox and Hound Bistro, a relaxed and intimate spot along the main street that also heroes local produce. Chef (and owner) Sean Ford has stacked the menu with rustic French and Italian bistro classics including chicken liver parfait, goat cheese souffle, fettuccine with wild rabbit and the signature honey pannacotta — with cinder toffee, fresh honey and a lemon curd ice cream. Beechworth is also a small wine-producing region with local wineries producing fine examples of chardonnay and shiraz as well as some Italian varietals like sangiovese and nebbiolo. If beer is your preferred beverage, Beechworth is also home to one of Australia's oldest breweries: Billson's, founded in 1865. Settle in for lunch, a drink and a tour of the historic brewery site. [caption id="attachment_898228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beechworth, Gavin Green[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA The historic town of Beechworth is a treasure trove of iconic insights into the world that was. Visitors can follow the life and times of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, starting at the Beechworth Historic Courthouse and Law Library — built in 1858 and in continuous service for 131 years — where the committal trial of Ned Kelly took place. Then move on to the HM Prison Beechworth — which held Ned Kelly as well as many of his sympathisers — and finish at the Beechworth Lockup where prisoners awaited trial. History enthusiasts will delight at the Burke Museum — named for the famous explorer and former Beechworth Superintendent of Police Robert O'Hara Burke — relive the Whatsapp of the past at the Telegraph Station, or pick up some bits and pieces at Dow's Pharmacy — a time capsule with over 4000 original items in its collection from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hive Apartment is located 300m meters from The Beechworth Honey Shop. Discover the wonderful world of Australian honey at Beechworth Honey's flagship store. With over 40 Australian single-varietal honey to taste, a working bee hive and a self-guided educational tour, your mind and tastebuds will be blown. The Beechworth Honey Shop is open 7 days, 9.00am–5.30pm — our Trips package includes a bespoke honey tasting at the iconic Beechworth Honey Shop. Don't forget to pack your walking boots as there's a range of walks, cycle tours and lookouts only a stone's throw from the apartment. The Beechworth Gorge is a popular walking, bike riding and driving loop with views to the Woolshed Valley and across the township. A little further afield, you can climb the 545-metre summit of Mount Pilot to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. THE EXTRAS The Hive Apartment is the perfect location from which to go back in time and explore Australia's Gold Rush era. And what better way to enjoy the stay than with a cocktail that celebrates the combination of two liquid golds the Maker's Mark and Beechworth Honey's Gold Rush cocktail? Book our Trips package and the Beechworth team will be on hand to ensure you have the sweetest and smoothest stay, from the private entrance and free parking to the bespoke honey breakfast package. 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.
From the Box Hill Community Arts Centre and the art collection inside the historic town hall, to the bustling market and the annual Chinese New Year Festival, Box Hill has its share of suburban charm. As you may know first-hand, residents here are spoiled for choice when it comes to authentic noodles, hot pot and dumplings; a large percentage of the population has Chinese heritage, contributing to a community filled with family-run eateries and businesses and some of the best Asian food in Melbourne. We've teamed up with American Express to sift through the numerous independent local traders providing Box Hill and surrounds with the restaurants, cafes and shops that make the eastern suburbs so great. Strive to shop small, with these nine local businesses that will welcome you and your American Express Card like you're part of the family.
This resort is so remote that it is only accessible by four-wheel-drive, speedboat, or a paraglider (although we have no idea where your luggage will fit on the glider). You'll feel totally isolated from the rest of the world — in a good way — when staying in the northern-most region of Oman. The resort is located within the Musandam Peninsula which is so damn beautiful. You've got clear blue waters which are perfect for snorkelling, as well as rocky cliffs and open plains that can be explored by foot, mountain bike or four-wheel drive. You come here to bask in the unique natural landscape. Constructed to resemble a traditional Omani village, these stone-walled villas and suites are the pinnacle of luxury, even if they look rustic from the outside. Staying here might take up a large chunk of your accommodation budget but it will be an unforgettable experience worth the splurge. This starts with the villas themselves. Each has its own private plunge pool, a large terrace with a dining area, a sand 'garden' and a butler who will help you experience all that this magical stay has to offer. Seriously, when staying here, you'll feel like you're in a dream — it's that unique and beautiful. Six Senses Zighy Bay has stacks of options when it comes to dining. Have dinner at the hilltop restaurant overlooking the entire bay which serves local and international cuisine, or experience some authentic Bedouin dining right on the beach. They also have tapas at an al fresco bar and can even send a private chef to your villa. The luxurious digs might be remote but there's still a diverse range of activities available for guests. For one, there is an award-winning spa facility which includes two Arabic-style hammams. Its best known for its locally-inspired treatments that use indigenous ingredients to both pamper and soothe. But you're not just here to sit by a pool and spa (although you certainly can if your heart so desires). Adventure activities abound at Six Senses Zighy Bay. Explore the craggy coastline's clear deep waters on a traditional dhow cruise or a scuba-diving expedition, go waterskiing in adjacent bays, canoe around the bay at your pace, paraglide from the cliffs, join a mountain-biking trek in the Hajar Mountains or hike up some of the goat paths. You can even go a little further out on one of their Dubai day trips and 4x4 excursions to the ancient village and plateau of Sabatyn. Whether you're doing serious unwinding or This has got to be one of the very best resorts in the world. Now you can book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips, and discover inspiring deals on flights, stays and experiences.
It's widely known that New Zealand is a bit of a stunner of a travel destination. Overflowing with majestic terrain, impeccable wine and warm hospitality, there are a few reasons why this little corner of the world makes it onto many a bucket list. Whether you're seeking an adventure or want to wine and dine your way around, the South Island, in particular, is a mecca for visitors looking to indulge in the finer things in life. From helicopter flights over glaciers to sailing day trips, we've rounded up some of the South Island's most luxe experiences for when you're feeling a bit flash. SLEEP IN STYLE AT A LAKESIDE LODGE A great holiday starts with a great night's sleep and Whare Kea Lodge is the perfect spot to catch some quality zs during your South Island adventure. Nestled on the edge of Lake Wanaka, this luxurious, private retreat boasts eye-popping vistas of the lake and mountains. Whare Kea is small but perfectly formed, with each of its rooms offering postcard-worthy views that'll be the envy of all your friends back home. Relax and unwind in the stylish surrounds where you'll find loads of light-filled nooks and cosy spaces. On-site, you'll also find a massage room and an outdoor spa pool, so you'll slip into holiday mode in no time. The lodge offers a full kitchen so you can cook up a storm, too. Otherwise, you can treat yourself to a private chef for a real foodie experience. With its five-star views and home comforts, you won't want to leave. SIP TOP DROPS AT A STYLISH WINERY A visit to New Zealand wouldn't be complete without sampling some of the country's famous vino, and Central Otago is the perfect place to enjoy a grape escape. Head for The Shed, the gorgeous, new cellar door by celebrated winemakers, Cloudy Bay. Located in the heart of wine country, just an hour's drive from Queenstown, The Shed is a stylish sanctuary perched amongst stunning South Island scenery. With touches of rustic New Zealand charm, The Shed blends seamlessly into the landscape, and is an unforgettable spot to discover Cloudy Bay's wine range. Book a private tasting tour to get to know the wines and the story behind them. Take a stroll through the vineyards with a Cloudy Bay ambassador to learn about the terroir and the connection between the land and the brand. Afterwards, settle into the private tasting room to savour some of Cloudy Bay's finest, while lapping up the dazzling vistas of Lake Dunstan and the rugged ranges beyond. FORAGE FOR YOUR LUNCH ON AN EPIC HELI TOUR If you thought the South Island was mind-blowing from the ground, just wait until you see it from the sky. Take your trip to the next level with the ultimate experience for adventurous food lovers — a helicopter and foraging tour through the majestic, untamed landscapes of the remote south with Alpine Helicopters. Begin your adventure with a stop on the edge of Lake Wanaka, where you can try your hand at trout fishing. From here you'll be whisked into the Southern Alps, where you'll land smack bang on a glacier for the ultimate photo stop. After the obligatory selfies, fly out to the wild west coast to gather fresh crayfish for lunch. Next, you'll be flown deep into a lush valley for a lunch stop like no other — a Kiwi bush barbecue, featuring smoked trout and premium Te Mana lamb and washed down with local wine. With happy bellies, enjoy a final flight over more epic nature before returning to base. SAIL AWAY IN THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Marking the gateway to the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds is a sparkling labyrinth of winding waterways and bush-clad hills. With its hard-to-reach bays and beaches, the best way to discover this scenic playground is from the water. Get your sea legs on and sail away for a day on a luxury yacht, hosted by Cloudy Bay. Cruise the turquoise waters of the Sounds, visiting quiet coves teeming with untouched nature. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way, too. Fancy yourself a bit of a sailor? Get stuck in and be part of the crew. Or if that doesn't float your boat, simply sit back and relax — with a glass of Cloudy Bay vino, of course. At lunchtime, tuck into delicious locally caught seafood with matching wines served against a backdrop of pure New Zealand beauty. GET BACK TO NATURE AT A SECLUDED RETREAT Nestled into a lush hillside, in a remote bay that's only accessible by boat, Bay of Many Coves is the retreat of your dreams. Luxury villas pepper the hillside, offering knockout views of pristine waters and bushy peaks. Stay a night or two to truly experience the magic of this secluded paradise. During the day, go for a dip, dine out on the water's edge, or get your walking shoes on to explore nature trails that teem with wildlife — don't worry, New Zealand's bush is proudly snake free. If that's just a bit too active, take it down a notch, listen to the bird song and relax in the serenity. It doesn't get more zen than this. ADVENTURE OFF-ROAD AROUND ONE OF MARLBOROUGH'S FIRST WINERIES If you're a wine enthusiast there's a mighty good chance you've heard of a wee region called Marlborough. Famous for its top-notch sauvignon blanc, Marlborough is the ultimate destination for any wine lover. Experience a taste of the region by visiting one of the very first wineries to put down roots here. The original Cloudy Bay Cellar Door is a chic spot to try the brand's diverse wines, from the iconic sauvignon blanc to the lively pinot noir and crispy Pelorus bubbly. Taste your way through the range in the spacious cellar door before grabbing a glass of your favourite and settling into a hanging egg chair in the leafy courtyard. For a unique adventure, take a vineyard tour by car — jump into a custom-restored 1985 Land Rover Defender and discover the vineyard sites with the Cloudy Bay crew as you learn how these distinctive wines make their way from grape to glass. Discover more about Cloudy Bay wines and the tailor-made experiences you can have in New Zealand here.
When someone spots a giant spider, they take notice, even when it's simply a tall metal piece of art. Seeing one of Louise Bourgeois' towering arachnids is indeed a stunning experience; however, so is watching people clock her lofty works. Her Maman sculptures demand attention. They're the type of public art that audiences just want to sit around, soak in and commune with. They're photo favourites, too, of course — and one is coming to Australia. This will be the first time that Maman has displayed Down Under, with the world-famous work heading to Sydney as part of Sydney International Art Series returns for 2023–24. As previously announced, Bourgeois is one of three hero talents scoring a blockbuster exhibition during event, alongside Wassily Kandinsky and Tacita Dean. And, the nine-metre-high, ten-metre-wide sculpture that she's best known for will be catching Aussie art lovers in its web. [caption id="attachment_914565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Louise Bourgeois' Maman, located outside the National Gallery of Canada. Radagast via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] That said, there won't be any physical strings of silk — but Maman is that entrancing. The sculpture hails back to 1999, and boasts its name because it's a tribute to Bourgeois' mother. The artist described her mum as "deliberate, clever, patient, soothing... and [as] useful as a spider". If you're keen to see Maman on home soil, it'll sit on the forecourt of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' South Building from Saturday, November 25, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024 during Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day?'s run. And if it sounds familiar, that's because you might've seen permanent installations of the bronze, steel and marble work outside the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo — or at the Tate Modern in the UK, National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville in Arkansas or the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha. [caption id="attachment_914560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Louise Bourgeois 'Clouds and Caverns' 1982–89, metal, wood, 274.3 x 553.7 x 182.9 cm, Collection The Easton Foundation, New York, courtesy Kunstmuseum Den Haag © The Easton Foundation, photo: Christopher Burke.[/caption] "We are proud that the subject of our first major solo exhibition in our new SANAA-designed North Building, almost one year since opening, is the great Louise Bourgeois. We are honoured to introduce this deeply influential artist to new generations, and to have the opportunity to share the strange beauty and emotional power of her art with Sydney,' said Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand. "The scale of this exhibition, which is one of the most extensive ever dedicated to an international woman artist in Australia, demonstrates our commitment to revealing the depth and complexity of the artistic careers we explore and our commitment to celebrating the work of women artists in our collection and exhibitions." "We are proud to bring Maman, the largest spider sculpture ever made by Bourgeois, to Sydney for the very first time, and to be showcasing the extraordinary breadth of the artist's practice, which includes fabric sculpture, works on paper, bronzes, works from her series of Cells, mechanised sculpture, and more." [caption id="attachment_914563" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Louise Bourgeois 'Twosome' 1991, steel, paint, electric light, 190.5 x 193 x 1244.6 cm, Collection The Easton Foundation, New York © The Easton Foundation, photo: Elad Sarig.[/caption] A collaboration with The Easton Foundation in New York, Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day? will showcase more than 150 works. It's the largest survey of Bourgeois' work ever displayed in Australia — and, as Brand mentioned, one of the most comprehensive ever devoted to a female artist in the country. The Bourgeois exhibition will display 13 years after the Paris-born artist passed away in New York in 2010, and after she stamped her imprint upon the art of the 20th century. Visitors to will see her Personage sculptures from the 1940s, textile works of the 1990s and 2000s, and plenty in-between, with the showcase playing up the duelling themes and ideas in her work by taking over AGNSW's major exhibition gallery and 'the Tank'. Other highlights include The Destruction of the Father, which is among the pieces that've never been displayed in Australia before; Crouching Spider, and one of the biggest works ever to grace the Tank; Clouds and Caverns, which is rarely seen in general; and the mirrored piece Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day?, which shares the exhibition's moniker. [caption id="attachment_889027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Louise Bourgeois, The destruction of the father 1974-2017, archival polyurethane, resin, wood, fabric and red light, 237.8 x 362.3 x 248.6 cm. Glenstone Museum, Potomac, Maryland. Photo: Ron Amstutz. © The Easton Foundation.[/caption] Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night, or Has the Night Invaded the Day? runs from Saturday, November 25, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney, with tickets on sale from Wednesday, September 6. Sydney International Art Series runs from November 2023 — head to the AGNSW and MCA websites for further details. Top image: Louise Bourgeois 'Maman' 1999, installed during the exhibition 'Louise Bourgeois: To Unravel a Torment', Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, Porto, 3 December 2020 – 20 June 2021 © The Easton Foundation, photo: Filipe Braga.
On a futuristic earth that's been rendered a frozen wasteland, a constantly hurtling train plays host to the world's only remaining people. Instead of banding together — it was humanity's attempts to combat climate change that caused their dire predicament, leaving the speeding locomotive as their only solution — the residents of the Snowpiercer have instead transported society's class structure into the carriages of their new home. That's the story that drives Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film Snowpiercer, which marked the acclaimed South Korean writer/director's first English-language film, and one of the movies that brought him to broader fame before Netflix's Okja and this year's Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite. As well as boasting a smart, immersive and all-too-timely concept — and unpacking its underlying idea in a thoroughly thrilling and involving manner — the flick proved a star-studded affair. Among the jam-packed cast: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Bong's frequent collaborator Song Kang-ho. Given how great its premise is, it's hardly surprising that Snowpiercer has now been turned into a US TV series. First announced back in 2016, it'll finally speed across screens early in 2020. And while it doesn't feature any of the film's high-profile lineup, it does include a few big names of its own, such as Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and Tony-winner Daveed Diggs. Alongside Frances Ha's Mickey Sumner, Slender Man's Annalise Basso and The Americans' Alison Wright, they inhabit Snowpiercer's new world order — the planet outside the titular train may be a dystopia with a temperature of -119 degrees celsius, but everyone from the wealthy to the poor have been put in their place inside. Of course, that's until matters such as class warfare, social injustice and the politics of trying to survive start to fester almost seven years into the circling vehicle looping journey. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lFMpmwn_hQ Snowpiercer will premiere on US TV network TBS in 2020, with airdates Down Under yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they come to hand.
So you thought you'd be cool with giving Parklife a miss this time around? Well if FOMO is already kicking in hard with a week or so still to go we've got a solution, and it doesn't involve drowning your sorrows in beer and lying to everyone that you really just want to stay home and relax anyway. That's right, thanks to Grill'd Healthy Burgers we here at Concrete Playground are giving away two VIP double passes to the first chapter of summer's already-way-above-average music festival calendar. In case you missed it when we almost wet ourselves over the first line-up back in June this means you'll be enjoying tunes from the likes of The Presets, Passion Pit, Justice, Tame Impala and breakthrough beatmaker Flume, with plenty more equally exciting acts permeating Centennial Park with musical goodness. It's so fully sick that even the Bondi Hipsters have put their usual weekend plans on hold to join the bill. And since it's not a spring weekend without something chargrilled and delicious, Grill'd will be giving you each a voucher you can swap for a nice fresh burger at their on-site Airstream trailer. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name, postal address and preferred city to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm Wednesday 26th September. What you're getting: 2 double VIP passes to Parklife in the city of your choice ($384 value) 2 Grill'd Burger vouchers ($25 value) Parklife 2012 Dates: Parklife Brisbane | Saturday 29th September at Riverstage and Botanic Gardens Parklife Sydney | Sunday 30th September at Centennial Park Parklife Perth | Monday 1st October at Wellington Square Parklife Melbourne | Saturday 6th October at Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Kings Domain Parklife Adelaide | Sunday 7th October at Botanic Park, Botanic Gardens of Adelaide
It's been winning over fans since opening its OG pasta and wine bar in Highett in mid 2020. But Abbiocco is about to earn itself a whole swag of new loyal followers, as it adds to the family with a second outpost, this time in the heart of St Kilda. Abbiocco 2.0 has set up shop on Barkly Street, its light-filled space paying homage to its sibling with a mix of olive green tones, terrazzo flooring and timber slatting throughout. The name references an Italian phrase that loosely translates to 'food coma', hinting at the kind of generous feasting situation that awaits you here. Familiar Italian flavours are given a creative, contemporary refresh and, while the menu shares a similar feel to that of its Highett counterpart, it's also a treasure trove of new additions, too. Pasta is the hero, made fresh in-house each day. You might be in for prawn tortelli starring fennel and lemon thyme butter, pumpkin gnocchi with gorgonzola and wattleseed, or a pork sausage campanelle finished with chestnuts. A strong antipasti lineup includes the likes of preserved lemon and baccala arancini, veal carpaccio matched to a rocket gremolata and black garlic, and even Abbiocco's own mortadella, served with veneti peppers and pistachios. There's a hefty t-bone for those looking beyond a pasta fix, and revamped classics like mandarin bomboloni and lemon myrtle cannoli beckon from the dessert list. Meanwhile, the wine offering celebrates Aussie drops alongside plenty from the homeland, with an impressive range pouring by the glass — you can just as easily match your after-work snacks with a Yarra Valley savarro by Soumah, as with the Caprili Rosso Di Montalcino sangiovese out of Tuscany. A collaboration lager made with Bad Shepherd headlines a solid craft beer lineup, while cocktails sport a distinctly Euro lean; from the blood orange negroni, to a limoncello and grapefruit spritz. Find Abbiocco's new outpost at 173 Barkly Street, St Kilda. It's open from 5.30–11pm Wednesday to Friday, 12–2.30pm and 5.30–11pm Saturday, and from 12–2.30pm and 5.30–10pm Sunday.
Long-running music festivals aren't just events. They become more than just beloved dates on everyone's calendars, too. Attending a fest like Golden Plains is a ritual and a pilgrimage for devotees, and it unfolds in steps. Here's the first for 2025's three-day takeover of the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre: the launch of the Golden Plains ticket ballot. Come Saturday, March 8–Monday, March 10, 2025, it'll be time to dance among the autumn leaves in regional Victoria again, in the same place that Meredith Music Festival also calls home. While the lineup isn't here yet, you can now put your name down for the chance to nab tickets. This round of Golden Plains will mark the fest's 17th year. Your best clue as to what's to come is, as always, the brief description offered by the festival team while announcing the opening of the ballot. "A premium long weekend of music and nature, sense and non-sense, in the supernatural-est habitat on earth," starts the latest word from the Aunty team. "Party largesse at the one and only Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. Right size, right shape, with no commercial sponsors, free range camping, BYO, the No D---head Policy, and One Stage Fits All," it continues. The online ballot for Golden Plains 2025 remains open until 10.17pm AEDT on Monday, October 14, 2024, which means that clicking ASAP is recommended. Once the ballot is drawn, the lineup will be announced. Catering to 12,000 punters each year across three days and two nights, the fest has long proven a favourite for its one-stage setup, which skips the need for frantic timetabling. And, like Meredith Music Festival, its sibling, Golden Plains is also known for the Aunty crew's star-studded bills. If you're wondering how the roster of talent has shaped up in past years, 2023's fest boasted Bikini Kill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Soul II Soul and Four Tet, while 2024's featured The Streets, Yussef Dayes, King Stingray and Black Country, New Road — and plenty more. Golden Plains will return to the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre from Saturday, March 8–Monday, March 10, 2025. Head to the festival's website for further details, or to enter the ballot before 10.17pm AEDT on Monday, October 14, 2024. Images: Chip Mooney and Ben Fletcher.
The Office is reopening — in America, and in the same universe as the Steve Carell (Asteroid City)-led series dwelled in from 2005–13. It was back in 2023 that news dropped of a potential US reboot of the beloved sitcom, and now the project has been given the green light; however, the as-yet-untitled show isn't simply walking into Dunder Mifflin with new staff. Instead, US streaming service Peacock is staying in the same world as the Scranton-set show that itself was a remake — of the original UK version that arrived in 2001 — by moving the mockumentary format to a new workplace. This time, the same documentary crew who spent time with Michael Scott and company will focus on a dying newspaper office in America's midwest, where the publisher is trying to keep the business going with help from volunteer reporters. [caption id="attachment_765735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Run, HBO[/caption] Leading the cast: Domhnall Gleeson, who co-starred with Carell on 2022's The Patient, plus Sabrina Impacciatore from The White Lotus season two. Who they're playing hasn't been revealed as yet. There's no character details at all so far, or anything more on the plot or fellow actors, but Greg Daniels — who created the US version of The Office to begin with, and has also been behind Space Force and Upload — is steering the project behind the camera with Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman. "It's been more than ten years since the final episode of The Office aired on NBC, and the acclaimed comedy series continues to gain popularity and build new generations of fans on Peacock," said NBCUniversal Entertainment President Lisa Katz about the new series. "In partnership with Universal Television and led by the creative team of Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, this new series set in the universe of Dunder Mifflin introduces a new cast of characters in a fresh setting ripe for comedic storytelling: a daily newspaper." [caption id="attachment_870908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The White Lotus, HBO[/caption] For everyone who has ever had a cringeworthy boss, annoying co-worker or soul-crushing office job, a truth remains apparent, then: this situation, which The Office franchise has understood for more than two decades now, shows no signs of fading away. As well as the UK and US versions so far, other international takes on the show have followed, including an in-the-works Australian series that'll mark the 13th iteration beyond Britain to-date. On its first go-around, the American The Office proved one of the rare instances where a TV remake is better than the original. It was also immensely easy to just keep rewatching, as fans have known for over a decade. Of course, that's what you get when you round up Carell, John Krasinski (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan), Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together), Rainn Wilson (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Mindy Kaling (Velma), Ed Helms (Rutherford Falls), Ellie Kemper (Happiness for Beginners), Craig Robinson (Killing It) and more in the same show, and let all of them break out their comedic best. There's no sneak peek at the new The Office spinoff so far — it doesn't start production until July — but, in the interim, you can check out a couple clips from the US version below: The new spinoff of the US version of The Office doesn't have a release date yet — we'll update you with more information when it is announced. The Office Australia will stream via Prime Video sometime in 2024 — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced.
As its name suggests, Melbourne's newest Japanese-accented restaurant leans right into the contemporary. The Future Future has officially arrived — in Richmond, at least — and it's already wowing with its incredibly considered offering. Design-wise, the Swan Street eatery wholeheartedly embraces that Japanese concept of wabi-sabi — that is, exploring the beauty in imperfection — as well as the philosophy of omotenashi, which is the concept of offering primo service without expectation of a reward. Out of the kitchen comes a technique-driven menu that's high on creativity and filled with revamps of classic Japanese dishes, that are fun, yet innovative. Unsurprising, given head chef Atsushi Kawakami's resume includes stints at some of Melbourne's hottest Japanese eateries, including Kappo, Izakaya Den and Hihou. You're in for plates like raw wagyu teamed with puffed wild rice and a wasabi-infused creme fraiche, meatball katsu-sandos, and donburi rice bowls filled with combinations like sweet-soy salmon, crisp tofu skins and green tea dashi broth. The hibachi grill also gets a solid workout, turning out skewers threaded with panko-crumbed barramundi, kewpie and tobiko, or maybe Japanese chicken meatballs, matched with sweet soy and an onsen egg. The drinks offering champions quality over quantity, running to an interesting lineup of whisky, sake, wine and beer from both Australia and Japan. Right now, you'll find the likes of a friulano and a pinot noir, both on tap, from the Mornington Peninsula's legendary Quealy Winemakers, alongside selections from one of the world's only female-owned and -led sake breweries, Japan's Imada. Crafty cocktails include the likes of the Tokyo Express-o, blending vodka, cold drip coffee, umeshu and maple syrup, and the Harajuku Highball, featuring strawberry whisky and vermouth. Meanwhile, a custom line of dapper tea cups, sake sets and candle holders round out the slew of thoughtful touches, courtesy of Copenhagen's Studio Arhoj. Future Future is now open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, and lunch on Friday and Saturday, at 191 Swan Street, Richmond. Images: Josh Robenstone
So, you're an actor and you want to win an Emmy? Based on the just-announced 2022 nominees, here are a few ways to go about it. First, star or guest star in Succession, the HBO behemoth that just nabbed 25 nods, including 14 for acting. Or, appear in the US cable network's fellow recent hit The White Lotus, which scored 20 noms, eight of which were for its cast. Being on Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso works, too, given that it just picked up 20 nods for the second year in a row — and ten of them went to its on-screen talent. Yes, they're the big three shows that scooped the pool at this year's Emmy nominations. All three are competing in different categories — Succession in the drama field, The White Lotus in the limited series section and Ted Lasso in comedy — so they don't have to battle it out among themselves. That said, plenty of each series' individual actors are nominated against their co-stars, although that's a bit of a trend in 2022. Announced in the early hours of Wednesday, July 13 Australian and New Zealand time, the list of shows notching up the nods also includes Hacks and Only Murders in the Building with 17 each, Euphoria with 16, and Severance, Squid Game, Barry and Dopesick with 14. Squid Game also became the first-ever drama series nominee that isn't in the English language. Ozark collected 13 nominations, as did the fourth season of Stranger Things — but, bucking the trend, none of the latter's nods came for its performances. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel nabbed 12, while Pam & Tommy collected ten. That means it's been a great 12 months for eat-the-rich dramas, wild based-on-true-story miniseries (with The Dropout and Inventing Anna), returning favourites that've been off the air for a few years (including Better Call Saul and Barry) and former Saturday Night Live stars (Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis, specifically). Seeing excellent new thrillers Severance and Yellowjackets earn some attention is also fantastic — and What We Do in the Shadows should just have a standing nomination in the Best Comedy category. Who'll emerge victorious will be announced on Tuesday, September 13 Down Under — and plenty of exceptional shows and actors are in the running. But, you can't have a hefty rundown of nominees without a few glaring gaps. Pandemic series Station Eleven deserved more than just one acting nomination. The wonderful Reservation Dogs was somehow thoroughly overlooked, as was the stellar We Own This City and the second season of Girls5Eva. Plenty of folks were recognised for Only Murders in the Building, but not Selena Gomez. And the astonishing Pachinko only nabbed an Outstanding Main Title Design nomination. The 73rd Emmy Awards will take place on Tuesday, September 13, Australian time. Here's a rundown of the major nominations — and you can check out the full list of nominees on the Emmys' website: EMMY NOMINEES 2022 OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Better Call Saul Euphoria Ozark Severance Squid Game Stranger Things Succession Yellowjackets OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Abbott Elementary Barry Curb Your Enthusiasm Hacks The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Only Murders in the Building Ted Lasso What We Do in the Shadows OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES Dopesick The Dropout Inventing Anna Pam & Tommy The White Lotus OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers Ray Donovan: The Movie Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon The Survivor Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Jason Bateman, Ozark Brian Cox, Succession Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul Adam Scott, Severance Jeremy Strong, Succession OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Jodie Comer, Killing Eve Laura Linney, Ozark Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets Sandra Oh, Killing Eve Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show Zendaya, Euphoria OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Donald Glover, Atlanta Bill Hader, Barry Nicholas Hoult, The Great Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant Elle Fanning, The Great Issa Rae, Insecure Jean Smart, Hacks OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Colin Firth, The Staircase Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven Oscar Isaac, Scenes From a Marriage Michael Keaton, Dopesick Himesh Patel, Station Eleven Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Toni Collette, The Staircase Julia Garner, Inventing Anna Lily James, Pam & Tommy Sarah Paulson, Impeachment: American Crime Story Margaret Qualley, Maid Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Nicholas Braun, Succession Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Kieran Culkin, Succession Park Hae-soo, Squid Game Matthew Macfadyen, Succession John Turturro, Severance Christopher Walken, Severance Oh Yeong-soo, Squid Game OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Patricia Arquette, Severance Julia Garner, Ozark Jung Ho-yeon, Squid Game Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul J. Smith-Cameron, Succession Sarah Snook, Succession Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Anthony Carrigan, Barry Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso Toheeb Jimoh, Ted Lasso Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary Henry Winkler, Barry Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Janelle James, Abbott Elementary Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live Sarah Niles, Ted Lasso Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary Juno Temple, Ted Lasso Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus Jake Lacy, The White Lotus Will Poulter, Dopesick Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy Peter Sarsgaard, Dopesick Michael Stuhlbarg, Dopesick Steve Zahn, The White Lotus OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Connie Britton, The White Lotus Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus Alexandra Daddario, The White Lotus Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus Sydney Sweeney, The White Lotus Mare Winningham, Dopesick OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Hope Davis, Succession Marcia Gay Harden, The Morning Show Martha Kelly, Euphoria Sanaa Lathan, Succession Harriet Walter, Succession Lee You-mi, Squid Game OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Adrien Brody, Succession James Cromwell, Succession Colman Domingo, Euphoria Arian Moayed, Succession Tom Pelphrey, Ozark Alexander Skarsgard, Succession OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Jane Adams, Hacks Harriet Sansom Harris, Hacks Jane Lynch, Only Murders in the Building Laurie Metcalf, Hacks Kaitlin Olson, Hacks Harriet Walter, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Jerrod Carmichael, Saturday Night Live Bill Hader, Curb Your Enthusiasm James Lance, Ted Lasso Nathan Lane, Only Murders in the Building Christopher McDonald, Hacks Sam Richardson, Ted Lasso
