When John Safran was making his comedy/doco program John Safran vs God for SBS in 2004, his segment on Catholicism included a guest spot from South Melbourne Catholic Priest Father Bob Maguire. It was one of the show’s standout moments: the sardonic Father Bob playing off Safran’s nebbish persona like they’d just come off a 30-week Neil Simon run on Broadway. The relationship continued in television and radio, and Father Bob’s increasing media profile led to him to become every non-Catholic’s favourite Catholic: an outspoken priest who seemed unafraid of offending the Church with his opinions. Because of Bob's notoriety, it's not unreasonable to approach this documentary with trepidation. Would the film simply be repeating what we already knew about Bob? Would it be more suitable for a crowd who’d never heard of him? The film does play to an audience unfamiliar with Bob’s extraordinary personality, but even those who are fans of the man will find much to learn here. And it’s actually Safran who goes unexplained throughout the film. He appears sporadically — most satisfactorily as 'Death' in a beachside callback to Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal — without much comment. This is not necessarily a bad thing; enigmatic figures are an underrated tool for fostering audience intrigue. But it's Father Bob who is the star of the show. Filmed over the period during which the Catholic Church was trying to forcibly eject him (deeming him "too old" at age 75), In Bob We Trust documents the opinions and work of a man who seems to understand the fundamental message of Christ better than many of his counterparts. Not only that, but he puts it into practice. His well-fostered grumpy persona is the perfect conduit for what seems to be a genuine frustration at the Catholic Church's attitude towards women, gays, refugees, the poor, etc. He nearly explodes at the idea of having to explain to his superiors why he keeps spending money on the less fortunate. Lynn-Maree Milburn again proves herself a masterful director, following her superb documentary Autoluminescent: Rowland S Howard in 2011. She confidently steps back when the scene demands it but isn’t afraid to ramp up the production values (jump cuts, non-diegetic music and anything that dares to threaten the film’s verisimilitude with artifice) when needed. Father Bob continuously insists that he himself should not be the message, and the film’s central thesis largely bears this out: Bob is presenting to us the reason and the ideal of Catholicism, what it should be and what it could be. He does not particularly wish to be venerated, and the film respects that whilst slyly paying tribute to a man of extraordinary grace, intelligence, wit and compassion.
True-crime stories have saturated all forms of media of late. If you're not listening to podcasts on the topic, you're watching Zac Efron play Ted Bundy, exploring the intersection of fact and fiction in Mindhunter or poring over a TV series about Serial's Adnan Syed. But despite the seemingly never-ending list of new additions to the genre, we're betting you haven't yet witnessed anything quite like Joe Exotic's story, which is the subject of Netflix's new Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness docuseries — and, now, an upcoming drama series as well. Clearly, Joe Exotic isn't the name that the show's mullet-wearing focal point was born with. But given Joe's love of big cats, line of work and over-sized personality, he obviously decided that the moniker fit. Between 1999–2016, he created and ran The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which was home to hundreds of tigers, lions and other large felines. Joe also took his tiger show on the road and, because he just adored tigers so much, he literally sang about them as well. His first country music album was called I Saw a Tiger, because of course it was. He found time to run for Governor of the state and, in 2016, President of the US. He's fond of guns and just as fond of marrying more than one person at once. Oh, and the zookeeper tried to hire a hitman to get one of his rivals — Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary's CEO Carole Baskin — killed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 Lions, tigers, eccentricity, polygamy and murder-for-hire, oh my! That's the jaw-dropping tale that Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness — and yes, it's so strange that it can only be true. It's no wonder that Netflix has turned it into a series, which is now available to stream. And, as Deadline reports, it's no wonder that a new TV drama is set to recreate these events as well. Based on the podcast Joe Exotic — the latest season of ongoing series Over My Dead Body, which is created by the podcast studio behind Dirty John, Homecoming and Dr Death — the new drama will chart Exotic's long and complicated battle with Baskin. If you've already binged your way through Tiger King, you'll know there's much more to both sides of the story, and to both of their backgrounds, including suspicions about the death of Carole's second husband. While few details have been released about the Joe Exotic limited drama series as yet, which'll only run for one batch of episodes, it will boast a big star. Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters and Yesterday's Kate McKinnon will be playing Baskin — and yes, that means she'll be saying "hey all you cool cats and kittens" more than once, as well as dressing head to toe in tiger print. The TV drama version of Joe Exotic doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is available to stream now on Netflix. Via Deadline. Top image: Netflix.
If ice cream is a gift from the gods, then free ice cream is pure divinity. And that would make the Ben & Jerry's team martyrs, because this Sunday, July 16 they're giving out tubs of their ice cream, gratis. Think of it as a donation to your enjoyment on Earth. If you want to get in on this higher experience, Ben & Jerry's will be stationed at holy sites in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This is where they'll be: Sydney: Queen's Victoria Building forecourt (next to the statue) from 11am – 1pm, then Manly Wharf from 3–6pm. Melbourne: The entry to Luna Park, St Kilda from 12–4pm. Brisbane: 168 Grey Street, South Brisbane from 1–3pm. All up, they've got 20,000 tubs to give away, including cult favourites like salted caramel, the caramel core Karamel Sutra and Chubby Hubby, which has fudge-covered pretzels and peanut butter swirls. The giveaway will celebrate International Ice Cream Day and the brand's new partnership with food delivery service Foodora. It's a great week for cheapskates, as Lord of the Fries is also giving out no-charge chips on Thursday in Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane's new Lucky Egg West End is doing free fried chicken burgers on Saturday and Sunday. The Ben & Jerry's Big Tub Giveaway will take place on Sunday, July 16 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For more info, visit their Facebook page.
The crew at Beyond Cinema are at again, bringing yet another of their immersive, movie-themed experiences to both Sydney and Melbourne. In the same vein as previous hits like that Mad Hatter-esque Botanic Gardens tea party and last year's Moulin Rouge! cabaret-style sing-along, it's set to be an indulgent, multi-sensory affair — this time dedicated to the Hugh Jackman-led smash-hit musical The Greatest Showman. While we know the event's happening this July at a couple of secret Sydney and Melbourne locations, most other details are been kept under wraps for now, in true Beyond Cinema form. But if past events are anything to go by, you can bank on a wildly imaginative evening, that blurs the lines between cinema and reality while giving those vocal chords a serious workout. This one promises to have you singing along to all the films award-winning hits, while witnessing impressive moves from acrobats, aerialists and more — just like PT Barnum would've orchestrated in the late 1800s. Circus-inspired dress-ups are, of course, encouraged, so you'd best start rewatching the flick for some costume ideas and song practice. [caption id="attachment_711479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beyond Cinema's Great Gatsby event.[/caption] Beyond Cinema's The Greatest Showman event will at a yet-to-be-revealed Sydney location on Saturday, July 13 and Melbourne spot on Saturday, July 27. You can sign up for more details at here.
With COVID-19 testing ramping up in Victoria over the past few weeks — and 161,000 administered in the last fortnight — the state is preparing to relax some coronavirus-related restrictions. At the moment, Victoria has some of the most stringent rules in Australia, but come 11.59pm tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 12, a number of limitations will be lifted. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the state's next stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions today, Monday, May 11, following a similar announcement at the federal level on Friday. While Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the nation's three-step plan to lift lockdown limitations between now and July before the weekend, that country-wide framework needs to be implemented at the state level individually by each state. Victoria's announcement coincides with the end of its second four-week state of emergency, which expires at midnight tonight. Victoria's first stage of relaxed restrictions, will be introduced at 11.59pm on Tuesday, May 12, and remain in place with a renewed State of Emergency until 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31. A selection of normal, everyday activities that have been off the cards since March will be permissible once again, with the following allowed: Up to five visitors in your home Outdoor gatherings of up to ten people, including leaving the house for recreational activities such as hiking, jogging, fishing and golf Weddings will be allowed to have a maximum of ten guests Funerals with up to 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors Religious gatherings and ceremonies will be permitted with up to 10 people Previously, Victorians were only allowed to leave their homes for one of four reasons — to obtain food and supplies, to receive medical care or provide care yourself, for exercise and to attend work or education if you cannot do so from home — but from 11.59pm tomorrow night, there'll be a fifth reason: to visit friends and family. The Premier has said that there's no limit on how far you can travel to visit friends and family or to exercise, but overnight stays are not allowed and camping, AirBnBs and hotels are still off-limits. He also said that the new rule is not an excuse to have "a rotating roster of acquaintances and associates – or your third best friend from primary school – over for a visit. This is about seeing those you need to – if you need to." The Premier also said that "while the numbers are stable, there is a real need to be cautious", and Melburnians should work at home if they can until the end of May. "If you can stay at home — you must stay at home," the Premier said. Unlike in NSW and Queensland, Victoria's cafes and restaurants are not yet allowed to reopen to dine-in customers, but the Premier is hopeful this will be allowed to in June, when they next step of eased restrictions is likely to be introduced. "As we go through this month, we'll keep reviewing the situation and our case numbers – and hopefully, we'll be able to make further announcements then," the Premier said. For more information about NSW's eased restrictions, read the Premier's press release. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
If there's been a cheap pizza-shaped hole in your heart since that day a fire forced Fitzroy institution Bimbo Deluxe to close its doors in May last year, you can finally breathe easy. The home of $4 pizzas and late-night dance floor sessions is ready and raring for a comeback, with Bimbo 2.0 set to open next Wednesday, May 22. After a year-long hiatus, the reborn Brunswick Street venue is dropping Deluxe from its name and, from here on in, will simply be known as Bimbo. And, before you ask — yes, those wallet-friendly $4 pizza deals will be sticking around, though you'll find the wider menu has been revamped alongside a brand new program of music, drinks and after-hours shenanigans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BIMBO (@bimbomelbourne) on Apr 6, 2018 at 1:55am PDT A makeover from designer Rabindra Naidoo — including new booth seating — will no doubt make the place feel refreshed, as will a swag of new large-scale artworks featured throughout. Pieces from the likes of Elliot Routledge and L.A's Kristen Liu Wong feature on the walls, as well as a big mural from Celeste Mountjoy (aka Filthy Ratbag), whose work graced the walls of the OG Bimbo. Colonial Leisure Group – which owns the venue along with sister venue Lucky Coq, Brunswick's Penny Black and Half Moon in Brighton — has also hit refresh on the weekly events calendar, with a new offering that includes a bunch of drink specials (details TBC), acoustic sessions each Tuesday, Wednesday night trivia and an all-local gig lineup on Fridays. Legendary queer club Poof Doof is also coming to play, with weekly collaboration Queer Deluxe happening from June onwards. This one will feature a colourful program of DJ sets and performances from some of the city's top queer talent. The new-look Bimbo will open on Wednesday, May 22 at 376 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
If you’re anything like me, confessing your deepest and most private secrets to an audience of over six million people each month is a concept more terrifying than being forced into Delta’s group on The Voice. Thanks to Frank Warren’s anonymous submission based blog The PostSecret Project, I am free to admit I never actually watched the KONY 2012 video. I feel better already! Warren will wax lyrical on the atheist's answer to the confession box at Hamer Hall this Thursday, as part of a national tour. Conceived in 2005 as a community art project, the premise of PostSecret is simple — people send Warren their honest, untold secrets on a decorated postcard, to be displayed each month on the website as a collection of admissions. Eight years later and the project has received over 500,000 postcards, spanning the hysterical, the horrifying and the downright heart breaking. I thought hiding the fact that I’ve been strategically eating my flat mate’s gourmet yoghurt was a cross to bear. Tickets to see honest bloke Warren hold court are just $32 for students and $44 for adults; a small price to pay to see the person Forbes ranked fourth on their list of the most influential people on the whole of the Internet. It’s the biggest bargain in town, but don’t tell anyone lest the secret should get out. Honesty isn’t always the best policy. Image via postsecret.com
A 90s-set musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. A crime thriller starring Gal Gadot, Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. Amy Poehler's latest stint behind the camera. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence teaming up in the newest film from The Big Short's Adam McKay. They're just some of the big new movies heading our way in 2021 — and they're all coming to Netflix, with the streaming platform revealing its slate of features for the year. Miranda's tick, tick…BOOM! will mark his filmmaking debut as a director, while Johnson plays an FBI profiler forced to team up with rival crims played by Gadot and Reynolds in Red Notice. As for Poehler, she's directing (and co-starring in) Moxie, about a 16-year-old fed up with the sexist attitudes at her high school. And the collaboration between DiCaprio, Lawrence and McKay — and Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep, too — happens in Don't Look Up, about two astronomers trying to warn humanity that a comet is about to wipe out the earth. [caption id="attachment_796892" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Moxie. Colleen Hayes/NETFLIX © 2020[/caption] They're just some of the films on Netflix's lineup for 2021 — and if you can't wait to check them out, the streaming service has released a sneak peek that rounds up a heap of its other titles for the year, too. Thunder Force sees Octavia Spencer and Melissa McCarthy play superheroes; western Harder They Fall features everyone from Idris Elba and Lovecraft Country's Jonathan Majors to Watchmen's Regina King and Atlanta's Zazie Beetz; and Escape From Spiderhead plunges Chris Hemsworth into a futuristic tale about experiments on inmates using emotion-altering drugs. Or, there's a remake of The Guilty, this time starring Jake Gyllenhaal; the third and final films in both the Kissing Booth and To All the Boys trilogies; The Power of the Dog, the latest movie from filmmaker Jane Campion; and Robin Robin, the newest release from Aardman Animation, featuring the voices of Gillian Anderson and Richard E Grant. Some flicks, like the Zendaya-starring romantic drama Malcolm & Marie, already have release dates. Plenty of others don't as yet, including zombie movie Army of the Dead, starring Dave Bautista; Blonde, a fictional portrait of Marilyn Monroe featuring Knives Out's Ana de Armas as the real-life figure; Halle Berry's directorial debut Bruised, about an ex-MMA fighter; and thriller O2, which starts with a woman waking up in a medical cryogenics unit that's no larger than a box. Either way, though, Netflix has announced that it'll be releasing at least one new movie a week for the entire year. More than a few of these titles might hit cinemas, too. The Vanessa Kirby-starring Pieces of a Woman already has in Australia, while The White Tiger, an adaptation of the Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, will release on the big screen in January — as will fellow page-to-screen affair The Dig. And, some were originally supposed to screen in theatres, but have made the jump to streaming due to the pandemic, such as The Woman in the Window with Amy Adams. Whether Netflix's 2021 movies get a cinema run or not, they'll obviously pop up on the platform. So, expect a hefty list of star-studded flicks sitting in your streaming queue throughout the year — and making sure that you're still well-acquainted with your couch. Check out Netflix's trailer for its 2021 films below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9t86v_JMG0&feature=youtu.be New movies will hit Netflix every week throughout 2021 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue.
Richmond stalwart the Prince Alfred is jazzing up your average bottomless brunch (literally). Each Saturday, it's serving up food and two hours of endless pours — with a side serving of swingin' live jazz. Available from noon till 2pm, the brunch series is offering much more than just free-flowing mimosas — think all-you-can-drink espresso martinis, house wines and beers, too. Food-wise, you can choose one item off the menu, which includes the likes of hotcakes with ricotta, blueberry compote and lemon butter; fried chicken burgers with coleslaw, bacon and chipotle mayo; and smashed avo with feta, charred broccolini and a poached egg. Plus, the smooth sounds of a jazz band will play as you feast and sip away. And, if you want to kick on afterwards, you can nab $15 espresso martinis and Aperol spritzes all afternoon. The brunch will cost you $59 all up. Bookings are essential and can be made here.
While seeing fruit mince pies in your local shopping centre in October feels downright disturbing, there's one Christmas treat that no one ever minds arriving early: Four Pillars annual Christmas Gin. The latest iteration of the Healesville distillery's seasonal sip is coming in strong, set to hit shelves on Saturday, October 31. It's the delicious result of a yearly tradition that sees a bunch of Christmas puddings handmade with distiller Cameron Mackenzie's mother's recipe — the 1968 Australian Women's Weekly recipe, in fact — distilled with various festive botanicals to create a sought-after tipple that pretty much screams December 25. The flavours of an Aussie Christmas are captured in notes of cinnamon, star anise, juniper, coriander and angelica. The Christmas gin is then blended with some earlier gin that's been carefully ageing in 80-year-old muscat barrels. It's all finished with a hit of Rutherglen muscat for a bit of added richness and complexity. [caption id="attachment_785822" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The last five years of Four Pillars Christmas gin.[/caption] Each year, a new unique label is chosen to wrap up this Christmas creation, setting out to evoke that same festive spirit. The 2020's bottle design is the work of Melbourne-born artist Lucy Dyson, who has created a whimsical collage of a traditional Christmas day celebration happening in a surreal Aussie landscape of giant flowers and floating puddings. The distillers recommend you sip the limited-edition gin neat, mix it with ginger ale or whip up a Colada Punch with the festive gin, coconut water, sparkling wine and pineapple and lime juice. Or you can just splash a bit of it on your own Christmas pudding. If you want to nab a bottle, have your fingers poised over the 'buy' button when they go on sale online on October 31. Alternatively, you can stop by the Four Pillars HQ in Healesville, Victoria (if restrictions allow, of course) or the new Surry Hills shop. Bottles are $100 a pop and would make stellar Chrissy pressies, if you're already thinking about that. Four Pillars Christmas Gin is available to buy online, from the Healesville distillery and Surry Hills shop from Saturday, October 31. But you'd best be quick — there's only a limited amount of bottles.
Kendrick Lamar kicked off his four-city Australian DAMN. album tour on Tuesday, with a standout show in Perth. On top of the tour, which is also heading to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, the acclaimed hip hop artist is also headlining a sold-out Splendour in the Grass later this month. If that wasn't enough Lamar-goodness for Aussie punters, the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist has just announced that he's bringing his coveted DAMN. Pop-Up stores down under, too. Damn. The first pop-up is happening in Melbourne right now, running from 11am to 7pm today and tomorrow on Brunswick Street. Sydney will get its chance to nab some of Lamar's limited-edition merch later this month on July 24 and 25. While details of what exactly will be stocked at the stores are extremely vague, the rapper's pop-up has already appeared in Europe and across the US, stocking vinyls, tees, caps and hoodies. You can take a look inside his NYC pop-up here. The rapper has also made surprise appearances at many of the pop-ups, so if you're keen to grab a closer-than-row-z sighting of Lamar we suggest heading along. If you are thinking of heading along, however, take this as a warning: there will be long lines. DAMN. Pop Up is open in Melbourne at Doomsday, 195A Brunswick Street, Fitzroy on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 from 11am–7pm. Sydney's pop-up will be located at Above The Clouds, 205 Oxford Street, Sydney on Tuesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 25 from 11am–7pm. Kendrick Lamar is playing in Melbourne on July 13 and 14 and in Sydney on July 24 and 25. via Triple J
When July 2021 came and went, it marked two years since Stranger Things last graced our streaming queues. That's two years of wondering what's become of Hawkins' beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) — and where everyone else we've all come to know and love in the hit Netflix series has washed up, too. Sorry fans, you'll have to keep pondering for the rest of this year as well, as the streaming platform has officially announced that its 80s-set sci-fi series won't be returning till 2022. Fancy a sneak peek in the interim? In revealing that Stranger Things will finally make a comeback next year, Netflix has also dropped a new glimpse at what's in store. The platform has done so a few times already since the beginning of 2020, providing an initial clip back at the beginning of last year — which now seems like a lifetime ago — and a couple more teasers in May 2021. But hey, when you're hanging out for anything and everything related to the show's fourth season, each trailer and teaser drop is exciting. From that first 2020 teaser, we already know what happened after season three's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script — when Hopper, the mind flayer, the Russian lab below Starcourt Mall and that pesky gate to the Upside Down all had a run-in. And, we know that Hawkins Laboratory is going to feature again moving forward, with the last two clips focusing on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) and Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal). The new sneak peek combines both new and old footage, so parts of it will look familiar — and parts of it tease what's to come. There's little narrative detail provided, but that usually comes with the territory anyway. You already know you'd prefer to discover Stranger Things' secrets by binging your way through it as soon as new episodes become available to stream. Of course, it's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". Naturally, we'll have to wait to see what that really means for its cast of characters — including not only Hopper and Eleven, the latter of which was last seen leaving town with Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Hubie Halloween) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants), but also for Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy), Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle), Steve (Joe Keery, Spree) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard). Check out the new Stranger Things season four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
It's the beloved series that's been on the air for more than a decade, and finally made the leap Down Under this year. That'd be RuPaul's Drag Race, which first premiered in the US in 2009, wholeheartedly embraced its mission to unearth the next drag superstars, and debuted its Australian and New Zealand version earlier in 2021. And, in spectacularly great news for fans of local drag talent — and of the show's namesake — RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is coming back for a second Aussie and NZ season in 2022. The original US series aired its thirteenth season this year, so this is a program with proven longevity. It has also spun off international iterations before, including in the UK — where it's also hosted by RuPaul — plus in Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. So, revving up the engines for another spin Down Under shouldn't come as a big surprise. And yes, RuPaul will be back on hosting duties again. After Kita Mean took out this year's first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, exactly who'll be donning eye-catching outfits, navigating dramas and vying for glory next year hasn't been revealed — because casting is now open until Tuesday, October 5. Obviously, exactly when the second season will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand in 2022 hasn't been announced yet either. Neither has the lineup of celebrity guests, after 2021 saw Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue and Taika Waititi all pop up. Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're still a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch the next batch of Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of Mean and US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Check out RuPaul's announcement video for Drag Race Down Under season two below: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will return for a second season in 2022 on Stan and TVNZ. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
If you watched Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's vampire sharehouse mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows back in 2014, then instantly found yourself yearning for more, that's understandable. Smart, silly and hilarious, the undead flick is one of the decade's best comedies. Thanks to two TV spinoffs, that dream has come true, letting viewers keep spending time in the movie's supernatural world — and that's not going to end any time soon. Last year, the New Zealand-made Wellington Paranormal made it to screens, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. It proved a hit, unsurprisingly, and has a second season in the works. This year, an American television version of What We Do in the Shadows also started airing, following a group of vampire flatmates living in Staten Island. Featuring Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou, The Magicians' Harvey Guillen, The Office's Mark Proksch and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein, it follows the same basic concept as the original movie, just with memorable new characters. And now it has been renewed for a second season as well. Created and co-written by Clement, and executive produced by the Flight of the Conchords star with Thor: Ragnarok's Waititi, the US take on What We Do in the Shadows was first hinted at back in 2017, and then confirmed in May 2018. While the duo don't star in the new-look series, Berry, Novak and company have been doing them proud as the next batch of ravenous — and comic — vamps. Novak plays the gang's self-appointed leader, 'Nandor The Relentless', who dates back to the Ottoman Empire days and is somewhat stuck in his ways. As for Berry's mischievous British dandy Laszlo and Demetriou's seductive Nadja, they're like a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde (but much funnier). Guillén plays Nandor's familiar, who'd do anything to join the undead, while Proksch's Colin is an 'energy vampire'. And Feldstein's Jenna is a college student with a new craving. If you haven't caught the series yet, here's one of the first season's trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWUiU3t5udM Can't wait to sink your fangs into more? The first season is still on the air at present, and the second season will continue the story — charting Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and the group's undead antics in the New York borough. It wasn't easy being a centuries-old bloodsucker in Wellington in the movie, and it's just as tough (and amusing) on the other side of the world. What We Do in the Shadows' first season is currently airing on Foxtel's Showcase channel weekly at 8.30pm on Tuesdays. Expect the second season in 2020. Via Variety.
Surfers of Melbourne — all 300,000 of you — don't go anywhere. Come Easter, the first waves will be rolling through Australia's very first surf park. And, no, you won't have to drive all the way out to Torquay or the Peninsula. Instead, Urbnsurf Melbourne will be located on a huge site in Tullamarine, just near the airport. Plans for the park first surfaced way back in 2016, and Urbnsurf has today announced that the park has installed its wave generator. That means it will be pumping out surf by April, with a view to be open to the public by spring this year. At the moment, the site is still a hole in the ground — but when it opens, the two-hectare lagoon will power up to 1000 waves per hour, day and night. And you'll get a choice of waves. Want to ride nothing but perfectly-formed right-handers for an hour? Or would you prefer a random selection, like what you'd experience in the ocean? You'll be able to take your pick. According to Urbnsurf founder Andrew Ross, "every wave has six different take-off spots", which equates to 3600 surfable positions every hour. The waves are created by Wavegarden technology, which was developed by a Spanish engineering firm of the same name. So how does it work? Basically, the waves come from an 85-metre pier that runs down the centre of the lagoon (which you can see in the image below). A series of pistons located on the pier then push the water to the left, then to the right, to create the waves. Ross likens the movement to "moving your hand back and forward like a shark's tail". [caption id="attachment_707250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Urbnsurf lagoon under construction.[/caption] If you're worried about the amount of energy needed to drive such an operation, take comfort in the fact that Urbnsurf aims to run on 100 percent renewables within the first 12 months of opening. From the get-go, the rest of the facility's built environment — which includes a beach club, loads of eateries and a retail space — will be partially solar powered (with the rest sourced from renewable sources), and water will be sourced from storm water stores near the airport before being treated and filtered. Once the lagoon is filled, the team will then enter a testing period — if you're a keen surfer, you can sign up to give it a test drive before the park opens to the public in spring this year. The ability to create waves means that the park will be built for both pros who are looking for steep, barrelling waves and novices looking for a safe place to get their start in the surf. "Becoming a great surfer is all about getting waves under your feet," says Ross. "But, in Melbourne, the nearest waves are over an hour away. Unless you set up your life so you can get down there regularly, it's difficult to progress as a surfer, without dedicating decades of your life to it." At Urbnsurf, Ross predicts, most novices will stand on their board within an hour and ride across the green face within two. And not only will you get guaranteed waves — you won't be fighting for them. The park holds 84 riders per hour. And, should you get seriously hooked, you'll be able to enter amateur competitions, maybe with (or against) your mates. When completed, it will be the fourth commercial wave park in the world, and the first in Australia. But not for long. Urbnsurf has already has plans for a Sydney park approved, and it's also lodging a development application for a site in Perth. Another park has also been proposed for regional Queensland. https://vimeo.com/256710737 Urbnsurf is due to open in spring 2019 near Melbourne Airport. You can sign up to test out the surf park before it opens on the website. Top image: Wavegarden San Sebastian, by Ed Sloane. All images courtesy Urbnsurf.
If Wes Anderson was to rove his hyper-stylised gaze over everyday British life, the result might look like Sometimes Always Never. If he transplanted his fondness for melancholy family dysfunction to Merseyside, it could resemble this grief-fuelled drama, too. And if the acclaimed auteur ever decided to set his sights on the game of Scrabble, the end product might also share much in common with Carl Hunter's debut stint as a feature filmmaker. To the director's immense credit, this elegant and tender movie always feels like a relative of Anderson's work instead of an imitation — a kindred spirit with evident similarities, but bearing its own sensibilities. Sometimes working with noticeably exaggerated backgrounds, always demonstrating a flair for quirkiness and precision in tandem, and never overplaying his aesthetic approach, Hunter turns Sometimes Always Never into a visual playground. Every stylistic choice reflects the inner states of the film's characters, with the first-timer's images doubling as an imaginative escape. Even when the movie merely watches the fashionable but forlorn Alan (Bill Nighy) wandering along a beachfront, takes him on a country road trip with his silently resentful son Peter (Sam Riley), or spies more than a few folks slinging Scrabble tiles, it does so with a curious and perceptive eye. Hunter understands the creative truth that sits at the heart of whimsy, surrealism and flights of fantasy, and at the heart of this picture as well: that finding a little magic in ordinary surroundings is a simple but effective coping mechanism. A retired tailor who hasn't lost his sense of style, Alan has plenty of worries that he'd happily avoid. His relationship with Peter is cordial but strained, his other son disappeared without a trace years earlier and, thanks to his preferred pastime, he'd rather work his charms on words than people. When a development in the missing person case doesn't turn out as hoped, Alan is caught at a crossroads. He can unofficially move into Peter's house, play nice with his daughter-in-law (Alice Lowe) and teenage grandson (Louis Healy), and keep deploying Scrabble as a distraction, or he can face his woes, stop wallowing on what he's lost and appreciate what he has left. Whether it's played casually between friends and family or competitively with money at stake, Scrabble requires a combination of inventiveness and rigour. A willingness to take risks is just as important as an extensive vocabulary — and although Alan knows this all too well, he's slow to apply the same thinking to his world in general. While Frank Cottrell Boyce's screenplay embraces life's troubles as much as its joys, it's never less than a pleasure to watch Something Always Never run its course. Indeed, there's an entrancing power to the movie's story and mood, with both acknowledging the many ways that grief can leave an imprint. Sometimes the film's sentiments prove a little too neat, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Intricate and vivid even when painted in subdued colours, Hunter's eye-catching imagery helps considerably, immersing viewers in the movie's distinctive tone and narrative realm. But pretty pictures can't pierce the heart quite like a slate of excellent performances, which Something Always Never boasts in spades. It's a testament to Nighy's talents that the veteran actor retains his familiar vibe, yet completely inhabits his character. It's a testament to Riley, Lowe and virtual newcomer Healy that they more than hold their own against their experienced co-star, as do fellow supports Jenny Agutter and Tim McInnerny. Among all of the film's astute elements, the great work of its cast ranks among the most crucial. You can't win at Scrabble without playing multiple hands, and you can't make an eccentric, insightful treatise on mourning and moving on without the handiwork of multiple players. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22R-JQRov_U
Feeling a little anxious about saying farewell to Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Since it was announced earlier this year that the beloved sitcom would end after its next (and eighth) season, that's been an understandable reaction. Long-running shows become a comforting part of our routines, giving us something to look forward to with each new episode — and in the case of this supremely warm-hearted comedy, giving us all plenty of feel-good laughs as well. If you think that you're dreading B99 coming to an end, you might still want to spare a thought for Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio). If the show comes to a conclusion and sees him spend less time with Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), he obviously won't cope well. That's the angle the just-released full trailer for the series' final season takes, in fact. "No more stakeouts, or drinks after a long shift, or midnight calls when you've had a breakthrough in a case," Boyle laments — while wearing a big fluffy coat for some reason. Heart and laughs: that's been a noice, toit and cool cool cool formula for Brooklyn Nine-Nine over the years. "Title of your sex tape" jokes, Die Hard nods and Halloween heists have all worked well, too. Cross your fingers that's all in the pipeline during the last batch of ten episodes as well, which will start streaming on SBS On Demand and airing on SBS in Australia come Friday, August 13. Definitely on the bill: other districts' versions of Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller), Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) accidentally sending intimate pics, Peralta and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) trying to handle parenthood, Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) on edibles and Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) popping his pecs. And, to answer an obvious question, it wouldn't be a last ride for Brooklyn's fictional 99th police precinct without Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti) making a final appearance. Check out the full trailer for Brooklyn Nine-Nine's final season below: The first two episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's eighth and final season will be able to stream via SBS On Demand (and to view on SBS) on Friday, August 13, with new episodes dropping weekly afterwards.
What do Gertrude Stein, J.K. Rowling, Jack Kerouac, Rudyard Kipling, Sylvia Plath and Colonel Sanders have in common? On top of collectively penning a notable portion of the most memorable and well-known literature ever (the king of KFC came up with that song about Kentucky fried chicken and a pizza hut, right?) they are all familiar with the harsh sting of rejection, each having had their unpublished manuscripts rejected by people whose names no one remembers now. If only these seminal thinkers had been familiar with premier print-on-demand publishing company Blurb they could have cut out the middleman and saved themselves the heartache. The creative platform allows anyone with a computer (aka anyone with a pulse) to create, promote and flog his or her own seriously schmick looking book, photo book, magazine or e-book. This weekend Blurb hosts a series of free master classes and workshops run by photographers Daniel Milnor and Garry Trinh, who wax lyrical on the bookmaking process, the future of print and advancements in modern storytelling. Book now to avoid the kind of disappointment experienced by Stein, Rowling, Kerouac and co. Image Garry Trinh via Blurb
Little has changed since the 2016 leak of the Nauru Files, which detail 2116 incident reports of assault, sexual and child abuse, self-harm and horrible living conditions suffered by asylum seekers on Nauru, one of Australia's offshore refugee detention centres. With the centre continuing to operate regardless, 32 award-winning artists have teamed up to create All We Can't See: Illustrating the Nauru Files, which will show at Fortyfivedownstairs Gallery from Tuesday, July 31 through Saturday, August 10. The exhibition illustrates the suffering of detainees through creative expression, with each artist having chosen a specific Nauru file to interpret. The exhibition's renowned Australian artists include painter Ben Quilty, 2017 Bvlgari Art Award recipient Tomislav Nikolic, Tim Maguire, Sulman Prize winner Aida Tomescu, and multi-discipline artist Belinda Fox. Since the show first debuted in Sydney earlier this year, many more leading artists — including Julian Meagher, Khaled Sabsabi, and Stanislava Pinchuk — have joined. Members of the public, including school children, have also illustrated files, which can be viewed on the All We Can't See website. Three free events will also run alongside the event, including free panel discussion on Thursday, August 2. The first will be moderated by Daniel Webb from Human Rights Law Centre and include discussions with Gillian Triggs, the former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. On Friday, August 3, there will also be free screening of Watan, a documentary that explores the human cost of the Syrian refugee crisis. Finally, on Tuesday, August 7, there'll be a conversation between artist Hoda Afshar, who visited to Manus Island earlier this year, and poet Behrouz Boochani, a current detainee who will join via Skype. With a complete lack of media access to the island, the artists hopes to raise greater awareness through their art in this sure to be powerful exhibition. Artworks at the exhibition will also be for sale, with all proceeds going to the Human Rights Law Centre. Image: Work by Pia Johnson and Janet Laurence
Romantic comedies work as wish fulfilment, and they're the main way we consume ideas of romance in cinema. So when a movie comes along and steps out of the fantasy bubble to present a relationship that's nuanced, messy, and even time-limited, it's instantly refreshing. Celeste & Jesse Forever then goes beyond mere refreshing idea to become a memorable, honest, sweet, and satisfying film. Starring and co-written by adorable Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation), the film joins Celeste (Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) six months after their separation. They're still so joined at the hip, however, that we're not aware of this for a good 10 minutes of the movie, until their dinner companions and best friends, Beth (Ari Graynor) and Tucker (Eric Christian Olsen), interrupt the couple's cosy in-joke fest to tell them that their behaviour is not normal, not healthy, and has to stop. They don't listen, but after things eventually come to a head, Jesse moves out of the granny flat — and into a sudden, very committed relationship with a beautiful Belgian (Rebecca Dayan). It's then that Celeste has to deal with the fact that she may have taken her great love for granted. Jones co-wrote this with long-time pal Will McCormack (who also plays drug dealer Skillz), and the buddy banter is the first of many things they've gotten eerily close to reality. They touch on the possibility of there being a difference between a best friend and life partner and the experience of seeing a hopeless ex abruptly scrub up in a new relationship. Celeste has friendships with multiple women and men (!), a level of social complexity we don't often get to see in film but which brings tons of warmth and zest. It's this kind of sweetly personal resonance that explains why a person's 'favourite films' list is often different to a 'best films' list — and Celeste & Jesse Forever might feature on a few of the former. With Celeste's high-powered career as a futurist, the film briefly threatened to go down a Bettina Arndt-paved path to a moral of learning to settle with a mediocre man. Fortunately, that path remains in a whole other universe to Celeste & Jesse Forever. Its world is real, contemporary life with extra funny, making for a break-up movie where no-one stands in the night staring up at the rain. https://youtube.com/watch?v=NQoH1IGRB3w
Melbourne, the underworld beckons: in 2025, hit musical Hadestown is set to take to the stage for the first time in the Victorian capital. Initially premiering as an indie theatre piece in 2006 in Vermont, then reaching off-Broadway in 2016 and Broadway in 2019, the show from musician and playwright Anaïs Mitchell plunges into the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. It's finally making its Australian premiere in Sydney from February, then heads to Melbourne from May. Audiences at Her Majesty's Theatre will be able to see the production give the ancient Greek myth a new spin, courtesy of the musical that spent 2019 and 2020 collecting accolades after accolades. From 14 Tony nominations, it won eight awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. At the Grammys, it took home Best Musical Theatre Album. If you're new to the show — which has been seen by more than three-million people and streamed over 350-million times — two love stories get Hadestown's narrative burning. Orpheus and Eurydice share the spotlight with King Hades and Persephone, as Mitchell accompanies their intertwined affairs with a soundtrack of New Orleans-inspired jazz and American folk. Aussie audiences have Opera Australia and JONES Theatrical Group to thank for Hadestown making its way Down Under. "I'm absolutely thrilled that we're able to bring this incredible new musical to Australia for the first time, and I'm sure it will be as adored here has it has been overseas, finding a whole new legion of fans," said Opera Australia's Artistic Director Jo Davies when the Sydney season was revealed. "Melbourne audiences embrace musicals like no other city and, in return, musicals delight in performing here due to the rousing receptions and support that they receive. Hadestown will be no exception. Creator and writer Anaïs Mitchell is such an extraordinary talent and her musical is magical, bold, exciting, and full of love and promise," noted JONES Theatrical Group's Suzanne Jones, announcing the Melbourne run. Just like exact dates for the musical's Victorian debut, there's no casting announcements for the show as yet. Open-call auditions took place in June in both Sydney and Melbourne. If you're keen to head along, expect to have plenty of company — when tickets went on sale for the Sydney season, Hadestown broke Theatre Royal Sydney box-office records. Hadestown will open at Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Sydney, from May 2025 — head to the musical's website for further details and to join the ticket waitlist. Images: Hadestown Original London Cast.
Over the spring and summer months, Heide Museum of Modern Art will showcase four decades worth of work from Aleks Danko. This Victorian-based performance artist and sculptor creates poetry out of objects. He is continually playing with puns and visual jokes. Growing up in suburban Adelaide to Ukrainian parents, Danko gravitated toward art school as a place to explore his feelings of alienation. The whimsical and cartoonish nature of his practice caught the attention of national and international galleries, transforming him into one of our foremost conceptual artists. Curated by Glenn Barkley and Lesley Harding and heading to Melbourne after a few months at Sydney's MCA, this show will unpack how Danko works with objects and the way he gives them a kind of veracity and performative power. As the son of immigrant parents, he is also keenly aware of Australia’s social and political fabric and frequently satirises cultural values.
Worlds have collided and a few of your favourite chocolate and booze brands have come together in snack-friendly harmony. Renowned chocolate maker Haigh's has rallied three top Aussie gin distilleries to create one of the year's dream collaborations — a series of boozy chocolates. Fusing smooth Haigh's chocolate with artisanal spirits and boasting a careful marriage of botanicals, the limited-edition trio is known simply as The Collaboration. Not just a celebration of local produce and Aussie craftsmanship, it also makes for one pretty swanky gift, packaged in a handmade navy and copper embossed box, and complete with tasting notes. On the lineup, you'll find a dark chocolate creation crafted with Archie Rose's Signature Dry Gin, studded with pieces of macadamia and sandalwood nut, and infused with peppermint gum and mountain pepper leaf. Then, there's a milk chocolate number enveloping a white chocolate ganache centre, which pairs the bitter orange aperitif and 78° classic gin from Adelaide Hills Distillery with real honey and peach. And flying the flag for Victoria is a milk chocolate fudge treat made on Melbourne Gin Company's Melbourne dry gin and finished with an extra sprinkle of juniper. The gift box comes packed with four of each chocolate variety (so 12 in total) and tasting notes for $49.90, or you can buy them by the individual piece. Stay tuned also for details of an exclusive virtual chocolate and gin tasting flight, presented by Haigh's Chocolates Product Manager Ben Kolly, along with guests from each gin distillery. We'll let you know more about that closer to the date. The Collaboration chocolates are available now to buy individually, or as part of a $49.90 gift box. Find them online and in Haigh's stores.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning 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, comedies, music documentaries, 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7eZEZHRrVg PENGUIN BLOOM Nature is healing in Penguin Bloom, but not in the way that 2020's most famous meme has taught us all to expect. This Australian drama tells the story of Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts, The Loudest Voice), a nurse who becomes paralysed from the waist down due to a tragic accident during a Thailand vacation. Then, while adjusting to being in a wheelchair upon her return home, she finds solace in the company of an also-injured magpie chick. Her three young sons Noah (Griffin Murray-Johnston), Rueben (Felix Cameron) and Oli (Abe Clifford-Bar) name the bird Penguin. They're keen to look after it until it recovers, something they're unable to do with their mother. But the strongest bond between human and magpie forms between Sam and Penguin, albeit reluctantly at first. Traumatised by her experience, pushing her husband Cameron (Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead) away, subjected to her mother Jan's (Jacki Weaver, Never Too Late) fussing, and struggling with the changes from her old life — so much so that she's barely able to look at photos from the past — Sam is angry, upset and unhappy. She's hurt, and not just physically. As enjoying the presence of and caring for a pet is known to do, however, she finds hope, purpose and perspective via her new feathered friend. Describing Penguin Bloom's plot is bound to make anyone think that it's a piece of fiction conjured up by a screenwriter, but the Glendyn Ivin (Last Ride)-directed movie is based on real-life events — with scribes Harry Cripps (The Dry) and Shaun Grant (True History of the Kelly Gang) adapting the book by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive. Still, overcoming that manufactured, formulaic, sentimental feeling is the movie's chief obstacle, and one that it can't completely manage. In her first homegrown role since 2013's Adore, Watts puts in a film-lifting effort. The several exceptionally trained birds by her side all do too, vying with their high-profile co-star for the feature's best performance. And the rapport between human and magpie is as touching as it should be, ensuring that you don't need to have sat in Sam's exact seat or seen the world through the picture's wheelchair-height cinematography to understand the impact that Penguin has on her emotional and mental wellbeing. But, as most Australian films that that focus on a human-animal connection have been (with 2014's Healing a rare exception), Penguin Bloom is firmly a family-friendly affair. Movies that are suitable for all ages should genuinely earn that term, engaging adults as much as children; here, though, chasing that feat involves sticking to a noticeably easy, straightforward and simplistic template even when the film does strike a chord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Fr1M2fjY0&t=26s ONLY THE ANIMALS Murder-mystery Only the Animals starts with a killer opening image, featuring a live goat being worn like a backpack. The animal is slung over the shoulders of a cyclist as he rides through the streets of the Côte d'Ivoire city of Abidjan, and the unique picture that results instantly grabs attention — for viewers, even if it doesn't appear to interest anyone in the vicinity on-screen. This involving French-language thriller doesn't explain its attention-grabbing sight straight up, though. Instead, it jumps over to the Causse Mejean limestone plateau in southern France, where snow blankets the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and — unrelated to the weather — a number of locals are icily unhappy. Indeed, farmer Michel (Denis Ménochet, Custody), his insurance agent wife Alice (Laure Calamy, Call My Agent!) and Joseph (Damien Bonnard, Dunkirk), one of her clients, are all far from content before word arrives of a shock death in the area. Doing house calls is part of Alice's job in the small, close-knit community, and it sees her embarking upon an affair with the awkward Joseph, who has shut himself off from everything beyond his property after his mother's passing a year prior. The surly Michel barely seems bothered about his marriage, spending all his time in the office attached to his cattle-feeding shed ostensibly working on the farm's accounts. When the grim news spreads, it has implications for all three. Adapting the novel Seules Les Bêtes by Colin Niel, writer/director Dominik Moll (News from Planet Mars) and his frequent co-screenwriter Gilles Marchand switch between Only the Animals' characters and relay the details from their perspectives. First, Alice's take on the situation graces the screen. Next, it's Joseph's turn. Waitress Marion (Nadia Tereszkiewicz, The Dancer) earns the third chapter, which charts her hot-and-heavy rendezvous with Evelyne (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Let the Sunshine In), the woman who'll turn up dead — while the final and longest segment belongs to Armand (debutant Guy Roger 'Bibisse' N'Drin), without the goat, as he tries to catfish his way to riches, success and the girl of his dreams. A whodunnit, Only the Animals tasks its audience members with sleuthing their way through its fractured tale, all to discover who is responsible for Evelyne's demise and why. Thanks to its multiple parts, it also gets viewers guessing about events that initially appear unrelated, and how they'll end up linking into the broader story. But the suitably cool-hued film is filled with other questions, too, ruminating on the primal nature of love and pondering the ways in which pursuing it — or chasing a mere moment, however fleeting, with someone else — can lead down immensely complicated paths. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5xoxzO9bRQ&feature=youtu.be DAWN RAID When Danny 'Brotha D' Leaosavai'i and Andy Murnane set up their own record label in the late 90s, they took its title from a bleak chapter in New Zealand's history. During the 70s and 80s, early-morning round ups were deployed by the government to locate and detain Pacific Islanders who had overstayed their visas — a racially motivated tactic that left a strong imprint in South Auckland, where Leaosavai'i and Murnane grew up. Accordingly, by using Dawn Raid as moniker for a venture that supported Polynesian artists, the duo were reclaiming and repurposing a problematic term. Their clothing line, also under the same name, was filled with slogan-heavy apparel that did the same thing with other words. And, as their business empire grew quickly to also encompass stores, bars and even a barber shop, the pair employed the same irreverent, enthusiastic, passionate but carefree approach at every turn. The local impact was considerable, launching careers, giving aspiring musicians a pathway and inspiring hope throughout the local community as well. But, as the new documentary that's also called Dawn Raid makes clear, Leaosavai'i and Murnane's entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude sent them on a complicated rollercoaster ride. Their rise was meteoric; their struggles, when they came, were just as significant. Filmmaker Oscar Kightley details Dawn Raid's tale, paying tribute to the label's influence and the artists that it brought to the public's attention as well — including hip hop group Deceptikonz; its members Savage, Mareko and Devolo, who have each pursued solo careers; singer Aaradhna; and R&B duo Adeaze. The filmmaker may have already been well-acquainted with Leaosavai'i and Murnane after the pair oversaw the soundtrack to Kightley's big 2006 hit Sione's Wedding, but he still takes a warts-and-all approach to their ups and downs. It'd be impossible to do justice to their story otherwise and, as the movie's main interviewees, Leaosavai'i and Murnane are just as frank and willing to discuss both the good and the bad. They need to be, of course; it's their experiences after meeting in business school, overcoming troubled childhoods, lucking into some of their success and making as many fortunate choices as mistakes that makes the documentary particularly compelling. Indeed, Kightley doesn't need to amass much more than talking heads, archival footage and music videos to unfurl Dawn Raid's history, or to keep viewers interested. Still, he not only skilfully weaves together this engaging and comprehensive chronicle, but also knows when to give particular incidents from the company's past — like Savage's surprise viral hit when his single 'Swing' was used in the movie Knocked Up — the spotlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_T0F36YEi0&list=PLB5pxwdW-CtP4EVTJe_bHhQ-iBR8mBeBS THE MARKSMAN If film stars are ever able to digitise their likenesses, then let CGI versions of themselves do the acting for them, Liam Neeson could end up with an even longer list of forgettable action flicks on his resume. That idea for that kind of technology stems from the 2013 movie The Congress, which didn't feature Neeson — but, perusing much of his recent output, you can be forgiven for wondering if letting a computer insert him into however many Taken ripoffs that Hollywood seems to need would be any different. For now, Neeson keeps performing the usual way. And, he keeps making movies that call upon his particular set of fist-throwing, villain-dispensing skills more than the talents that saw him receive an Oscar nomination for Schindler's List. The good news with The Marksman is that it's an improvement on 2020's Honest Thief; however, it's also yet another thoroughly by-the-numbers movie that only seems to exist so that it can star Neeson. This time around, he plays a retired marine-turned-Arizona rancher who lives near the Mexico border, has spent his time since his wife died reporting illegal crossings, and earns a drug cartel's bloodthirsty interest after he helps the fleeing Rosa (Teresa Ruiz, Narcos: Mexico) and her 11-year-old son Miguel (feature debutant Jacob Perez). Neeson's character, Jim, isn't the type to let murderous thugs hunt down a boy — or to trust that they won't still get to Miguel in police custody, even with his own stepdaughter Sarah (Katheryn Winnick, Vikings) on the force. So, in an inversion of the role that cemented Neeson as a 21st-century action star, Jim takes the kid on the run in an effort to deliver him safely to relatives in Chicago, all while both assassins and the cops try to hunt them down. Unsurprisingly, The Marksman trades in routine action scenes, but it thankfully does so in an unflashy way. It's far less subtle about its patriotic imagery; when Jim is told that the bank is selling off his house, the cringeworthy scene sees him deliver a speech about serving his country and working hard all of his life while grimacing sternly and wearing an American flag slung over his shoulder. It's the type of dialogue you might expect Clint Eastwood deliver and, in case you weren't thinking about him during the film, writer/director Robert Lorenz even has Jim and Miguel watch a clip from the actor's 1968 western Hang 'Em High. The filmmaker has a history with Eastwood, actually, directing him in 2012's Trouble with the Curve and working on a long list of Eastwood-helmed movies. Lorenz doesn't have ties to John Wick, but that doesn't stop him borrowing a little from that franchise as well — and stranding Neeson in a passable-enough but always derivative movie several times over in the process. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30; August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27; September 3, September 10, September 17 and September 24; October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22 and October 29; and November 5, November 12, November 19 and November 26; and December 3, December 10, December 17, December 26; and January 1, January 7 and January 14. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Craft: Legacy, Radioactive, Brazen Hussies, Freaky, Mank, Monsoon, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), American Utopia, Possessor, Misbehaviour, Happiest Season, The Prom, Sound of Metal, The Witches, The Midnight Sky, The Furnace, Wonder Woman 1984, Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles, Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig and The White Tiger.
Sure, Melbourne has a lot of cool things happening, pretty much all of the time. But White Night is something special. It's hard to find anything much cooler than an entire night of live music, movies, roving performers and pop-up art. It attracted huge audiences in its inaugural run last year, and the recently released 2014 program looks even better; a cultural playground from dusk 'til dawn. In a celebration of music, art, fashion, theatre and performance, White Night will feature a mix of free and ticketed entertainment, spread out over 12 hours. The events on offer are quite extensive so the program has been separated into regions defined by areas of the diverse cityscape for your convenience. The Lucky Dip region will feature a kaleidoscope of sideshow spectaculars, promising the thrills and delights of carnival culture all the way up central Swanston Street. Of particular note is A Vogue Idea, which sees Matthew Linde lead a group of more than 30 identically dressed models through some of Melbourne’s fanciest venues, in an exploration of how fashion informs human interaction and the tradition of opening night. Flinders Street Station and Fed Square will again be a focal point this year as they showcase projections, installations, photography and dance. The station will again be transformed into a stunning light display (Wonderland) and an extensive program list is available at ACMI and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia as well. Bourke Street Mall will feature the J+R&B Music Stage, dedicated to rhythm and blues that will be programmed by Julie O’Hara. And the Vortex region of Southbank Pedestrian Bridge will become an immersive cocoon of light — a dazzling installation in the centre of the river. The great thing about White Night last year that it had something for everyone. You don't have to be into dance or theatre or art to appreciate the fun. It's a night to celebrate the city's passions, yes, but it's also a chance for all Melbournians to explore their city in a way that is otherwise impossible, in the night that is like no other. White Night 2014 will be on February 22 from 7pm 'til 7am. Check the website to see the full program.
Nora is a tiny, immaculate cafe in Carlton and you’d be forgiven for not being able to place it because, from the outside, it looks like an art gallery. The white walls and simple furnishings fade into the calm ambiance and an arrangement of fresh flowers and raw ingredients sit on a large dining table in the center of the space. Co-owner and head chef Sarin Rojanametin comes from a photography and advertising background — and it certainly shows. Nora has a reputation among those in the know for being off-centre — as evidenced by their experimental Thai breakfast and lunch menu with nary a Western standard in sight — but it seems they’ve reached the creative boundaries of what can be achieved with a daytime menu. At the end of February, they’re packing it in and reopening as a degustation restaurant. “It’ll be Nora the nighttime girl now,” Sarin says. “We started a thing called Small Dinner Club, which was a Friday night event that stemmed from the frustration of the inability to create more.” The idea behind the dining club is now taking over, and the Nora team will be unleashing their creativity over five courses every Thursday to Monday. The new nocturnal Nora will offer a progressive long-or-short degustation by reservation only, and you should expect a fluid, seasonal menu that breaks all the rules. After all, the Small Dinner Club flyer does promise "punch in the face, dance in the mouth flavours of Thailand" and, according to Sarin, the new restaurant will employ a similar philosophy. It will be "an accessible and affordable progressive dining experience with deep roots in Thai cuisine, taking you on a ride to the homes, the back streets, and the craziness of Thailand, but with a refined and sophisticated approach," he says. "Like the first time that you went through an acid trip and you came down from it thinking 'WTF just happened?!? But I want to get back on it again'." "We’re trying to create an experience that is seamless, from start to finish," he continues. "Traditionally you would have snacks, entrees, mains, desserts. What we’re trying to do is blend them into one experience from start to finish. The main doesn't have to stand out as a piece of protein and some green and purees.” She’ll undergo a little makeover — slick new tables and bar seating will be introduced — but will pass on the stiff, formal characteristics of a traditional degustation, and keep their price point accessible. "The word degustation scares everyone off, you can’t pay half your rent for a degustation," says Sarin. "I don’t want that — we’re young, we should have fun. I want people to come in and have fun, wear thongs, wear shorts, whatever. Have some good food, a good experience and laugh, clap, give us a hi-five." You heard the man, folks — when Nora reopens, get on down and experience a real degustation (and don't forget to give them the old hand slap). In the meantime, the breakfast and lunch menu is still available for those with open hearts and minds. Nora is located at 156 Elgin Street, Carlton, and will close at the end of February and reopen on March 10 with a Thursday to Monday degustation menu.
Your mates have been listening to your 'big idea' for months. It's that passion project you dream all day about or that side hustle that's yet to get off the ground. And yet, somehow, another year has rolled past and you're still waiting for the time to feel 'just right'. Spoiler alert: the timing will never be perfect. Starting your own business can feel daunting and dazzling all at the same time. While you'll find yourself in the driver's seat, calling the shots and running the show, it's not all fame and control. With power comes chasing unpaid invoices, juggling timelines and hoping you're charging enough to cover the bills. So, to see your idea become a (profitable) reality, you have to be prepared. To help with the financial stuff, we've teamed up with Westpac, in celebration of its Presto Smart payment solution, to track down some Australian business owners — and ask for some advice. Read on to learn the biggest business dos and don'ts from three Australian hospo entrepreneurs: head chef and owner of LP's Quality Meats Luke Powell; Lyndon Kubis, co-owner of Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop; and William Edwards, founder of Sydney distillery Archie Rose (which also happens to be one of Westpac's Businesses of the Tomorrow). [caption id="attachment_511979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Archie Rose by Nikki To.[/caption] DO: INVEST IN PEOPLE TO HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS As cheesy as it sounds, people are the backbone of every great business. Seriously. A great barista will keep coffee lovers coming back and a talented sales rep will build a thriving network of distributors and partners. They're the face of your brand and the people you'll be working alongside through thick and thin. Even during your first years of operation, as you're still working out how to be profitable as a business, you should consider ways to invest and give back to your team. This is especially true for Archie Rose's William Edwards. "You may not have the resources to give out big salaries or awesome job perks, but your people are literally the number one asset you'll have," he explains. "They will drive the business to places you would have never thought to go, or could not have gone on your own — so treat them with respect, empower them to lead the areas they are responsible for and acknowledge the contribution they make." [caption id="attachment_664743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LPs Quality Meats via Destination NSW.[/caption] DO: DIVERSIFY YOUR OFFERING You've heard it plenty: "don't put all your eggs in one basket". When kicking off a business, this little phrase is essential. You want to build an offering that is resilient and, most importantly, sustainable. If your heart is set on selling handmade rings, you should consider broadening your focus. Release other accessory ranges; collaborate on a line of monogrammed notebooks. The key is to find multiple ways of generating income, rather than investing everything into one product or service. Powell is a master of this. The meats made at LP's are also supplied to other restaurants across Sydney, which opened up a whole new revenue stream for the business. "We have diversified our business by making smallgoods for other restaurants, cafes and venues," Powell reveals. "We were making them just for ourselves then other people started asking for them. We got a license as a meat processing plant and can now make and sell to anyone." [caption id="attachment_697656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bella Brutta by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DO: TAKE THE LEAP BEFORE YOU'RE READY Still waiting to hit 'publish' on your website? To announce your business on social media? Are you still endlessly searching for the perfect space to house your new operation? Edwards' advice? Just go for it. "I've met so many people with so many good ideas and the talent to make them a reality, but they never did anything because it wasn't the perfect time," Edwards explains. "I'm not saying don't prepare for what you're about to undertake, but there will never be 'a perfect time' — at the end of the day, you just need to start." The business you launch isn't set in stone. While you want to have the practical stuff like budgets and point of sale technology sorted out, your concept, branding and offering will evolve over time. Just take the first step, and the rest will begin to fall into place. [caption id="attachment_724984" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Power of LPs Quality Meats by Kitti Gould.[/caption] DON'T: FOLLOW TRENDS AND FORGET TO CRAFT YOUR OWN VISION Remember those jeans you bought in 2002? Yep, the ultra low-rise ones with raw hems that dragged along the floor. Everyone had a pair. And now? It's all skinny jeans and retro flares. Trends come and go, but a truly unique idea sticks. That's why it's key to use innovation as the foundation of your business. "Restaurant trends are constantly changing, but we do try and stay away from them as they are usually not enduring," says Powell. "We try to be as creative as possible while staying true to our brand to keep it fun and fresh for our staff and customers." His biggest tip for fellow entrepreneurs? "Don't do something because it's trendy. Make sure you are doing it because you love it, and play the long game." [caption id="attachment_724988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] William Edwards of Archie Rose by Trent van der Jagt.[/caption] DON'T: AIM TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT FROM DAY ONE Starting a business means making tough calls and hoping you're on the right track. There are going to be plenty of bumps along the way, and striving for perfection isn't going to make the journey any easier. Edwards has some sage words of wisdom on the topic. "One thing I would do differently is to not try to set up everything perfectly for the long term on day one. [For example,] I purchased two 40-foot containers of 750ml bottles for the US market on day one in order to get a better cost per unit...those bottles are still sitting in storage." So what would he do differently? "In some instances, you're better off just perfecting what you need in the short term, and then getting a better understanding of what you're going to need in the long term as you actually operate and grow." [caption id="attachment_712428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Milton Wine Shop.[/caption] DO: KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR CASHFLOW It goes without saying that money is essential to get any business off the ground (and keep it there once it's opened). But when you're caught up in brainstorming, building, hiring staff and making sure everything just keeps moving every day, it can be hard to stay on top of the cash coming in and going out. Lyndon Kubis, who opened Melbourne's Milton Wine Shop with his business partners back in 2014, knows that, when starting a business in hospitality, income doesn't necessarily come before expenses — or vice versa. So, he says, when trying to turn a profit in the long run, it's important to remember that "money in the bank account belongs to a lot of people" — not just you. Utilising new tech can help, too. On a day-to-day level, Kubis uses Presto Smart at point of sale to track and process cashflow. Powell uses Westpac's tools at LP's, too, saying the information it provides has been "insightful and useful" for growing the business. DON'T: BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH THE WORLD When you've invested so much of yourself in your business, it's then a huge leap of faith to announce it to the public. But don't let your apprehensions prevent you from creating buzz for your business. Powell wishes he'd taken the jump much earlier. "I held back on letting people know in case the build was delayed," Powell reveals. "It then took a long time to build momentum." So, start talking about your idea. Show your mates and their mates what you're working on. And in the words of the LP's founder: "get it out there and start building hype." Now that you have the dos and don'ts to get you started, it's time to make the jump. And when it comes time to set up your payment technology, look to Westpac's Presto Smart terminal. It's made for speedy payments, busting queues, removing keying errors and seamlessly connecting to a range of Point of Sales systems, including Kounta, to help you keep track of cashflow. Please note that the above information is intended to be general in nature and should not be relied upon for personal financial use. Request more info and speak to Westpac here. Top images: Luke Powell by Kitti Gould, followed by William Edwards by Trent van der Jagt.
Have you heard? Award-winning theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh's stand-out adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera has landed in Melbourne for an exclusive season. For the uninitiated, the story follows a masked figure as he lurks in the catacombs below the Paris Opera House, haunting all within — then there's a big dose of love thrown in, which is all you want from a night at the opera. In celebration of the opening, we've teamed up with Opera Australia and their official hotel partner Sofitel Melbourne on Collins to treat five theatre lovers (and their lucky plus-ones) to an unforgettable evening inspired by the luxurious offerings of the City of Lights, right here in the heart of Melbourne. You're one of the lucky winners? You and your date (or mate) are in for a night of dramatic opulence: two tickets to the famed musical at the State Theatre, a sophisticated stay in a Superior Room at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins (including brekkie at No35 in the morning). Essentially, a culture-packed overnight escape, close to home. To enter, fill out the form below. [competition]876514[/competition] Images: Daniel Boud
"Things are mental at the moment." "I'm totally slammed." "Where has this month gone?" Sound familiar? At this time of the year, work schedules can get pretty crazy. With the end of financial year, the start of a new one and everything in-between, it probably means you're starting earlier, finishing later and answering emails whenever they hit your inbox — even if it's 11pm and you're in bed. So, no doubt, you're clocking a lot of hours of screen time. A huge problem with that is that screens emit a blue light that strains our eyes and makes our brains think it's daytime — even when it's midnight and you're about to go to bed. With your brain still running around in circles, chances are, you won't be able to switch off and drift into the deep sleep that you need to be chipper and productive the next day. But there's no need to throw in the towel (or throw out your phone) completely. Oscar Wylee offers lenses that filter out this blue light, which you can add to your glasses whether they're prescription or not. Think of it as an easy way to set yourself up for a restful sleep and a super productive day ahead. And that's just one way you can increase your productivity. Once you've got those eyes sorted, you can get into these stress-busting hacks that will help you make the most our of each work day and get stuff ticked off your to-do list. USE AN APP TO SORT OUT YOUR TO-DO LIST Almost missed that 2pm meeting? Keep forgetting to pay that overdue gas bill? Constantly double-booked on Saturday nights? There's a lot to keep on top of. From birthdays to boxing classes, we're swimming in a sea of emails, alarms, missed phone calls and unanswered messages. But there are several ways to make your life easier. Enter project management apps. They're the lifesaving, schedule-sorting saviours that keep your to-do list in check at the office and at home. These handy apps act as a virtual assistant, reminding you of all the stuff you've already forgotten about. Simply type whatever you need to do, add a due date and let the app do the rest. Talk about taking the stress out of adulting. Ready to get started? Check out Asana, Trello, Airtable or Wunderlist to get your to-do list sorted. INVEST IN THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO GET THE JOB DONE Eight hours of staring at a screen is, well, about as fun as it sounds. Hunched shoulders and headaches are usually how it ends. But there is a way to combat that 3pm fuzz, even if you just can't leave your desk for that highly necessary walk. Look to glasses that filter out blue light, like Oscar Wylee's blue light filter lenses. These bad boys help block the harmful rays of blue light that can lead to eye strain and disrupted sleep pattern. Using clear lenses, these glasses are perfect for digital desk dwellers who spend long hours on their computer or smartphone. Plus, blocking blue light will help you sleep better. Our brains associate blue light with daytime, so these lenses make winding down after a big day a breeze. BLOCK OUT YOUR CALENDAR SO NO ONE INTERRUPTS YOUR FLOW Meetings can chew up so much of time at the office. So treat your desk time like all those back-to-backs you've been in, and book it in like an appointment. Better yet, add a daily appointment in the cal for your lunch break. It's time to take control of your calendar. Set aside 15 minutes at the beginning of your week to block out 'no meetings' hours each day. Consider what project deadlines are looming and prioritise your time towards these tasks accordingly. Make sure to lock in time for yourself, too, such as lunch dates and midday workout classes. Establishing boundaries will help others better respect your time, which in turn, will help you get through the day's tasks they're nagging you about anyway. [caption id="attachment_728617" align="alignnone" width="1920"] April, @coffeewithme.[/caption] TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK AWAY FROM YOUR DESK We've all been there. You're swamped with reports to write and emails to respond to. Then Word crashes, your laptop freezes and all your hard work disappears into the digital abyss. Sure, you've now got your Oscar Wylee blue light filter lenses on to combat the strain on your eyes, but you need to combat the strain on your brain, too. As counterproductive as it might seem, taking a break away from your desk can be the best move. When we're flustered and overwhelmed, getting out and into the fresh air does wonders to clear the mind. Even just 20 minutes sitting in a nearby park or walking to a local cafe will do the trick. Soak up that vitamin D, take a brisk walk and try to avoid scrolling through your phone while doing so. You'll return feeling refreshed and, most likely, in a better mood, making the recovery of that hard work not so daunting. SWITCH OFF YOUR EMAIL AND PHONE NOTIFICATIONS Staying on task can be tough. The buzz of a phone and ping of our emails can be enough to pull us way off course. These might seem like tiny distractions, but their powers are mighty. There are plenty of findings out there linking mobile phones and depression, but also those distractions end up putting you in a state of multitasking. What's so wrong with that? Well, it slows your productivity right down. So, kick the habit of jumping between tasks once and for all. By turning off those pesky notifications that lure you back to your inbox, you'll be much better placed to smash through your to-do list. Plus, you can batch your time to respond to emails in one go, rather than drip-feeding responses throughout the day. Prime yourself for your productivity kick. Head to Oscar Wylee to pick your frames and speak to its team about adding a blue light filter to your lenses. You and your less-strained eyeballs can thank us later.
The gypsy brewing days are over for Hop Nation Brewing Co. On Saturday, July 23, the Melbourne-based small batch brewers will welcome patrons into their new home, a historic site of an 1880s blubber factory in Footscray. The winemakers-turned-brewers, Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, have been contract brewing out of Hawkers and Cavalier since 2015. The co-owners started out as home brewers and have seen much success since launching their flagship brew in May 2015, an Australian IPA called The Fiend. While some brewers take many years (and beers) to get from home brew to production stage, the Hop Nation guys have fast tracked their way to the pro game. "We saw our good mates Sawmill Brewery put their equipment up for sale and Duncan went over to New Zealand and shipped it back over here," says Hambour. "The ball just kept rolling after that." In the short months to follow, the duo found their ideal location, a warehouse photography studio in the inner west suburb of Footscray. "We'll be the first brewery in the area, but there's already a good craft beer culture that we're excited to be a part of," says Hambour. Though both men haven't yet given up their winemaking day jobs, they've still found time to build all of the brewpub's new furniture out of recycled wood and old pallets from the photography space. They've also commissioned local graffiti artists to liven up the walls. As the name would suggest, the brewery is focused on hop forward beers, but the cool twist is that each brew uses hops from a single-country, creating distinct flavour profiles. "We specifically like to look at all different hops around the world and the unique varieties of each country," says Hambour. While The Fiend contains all Aussie hops, The Buzz is an All-American hopped red ale, and The Damned, a new world pilsner, uses New Zealand hops. The duo are coming out with some pretty interesting seasonals as well, starting with The Sturm, a collaboration beer with the Yarra Valley's Jamsheed Wines, which uses wild fermented Riesling juice and German hops as a nod to the wine varietal's origins. This beer-wine hybrid sounds much like the brewers themselves. Patrons can also expect the impending launch of a barrel-aged program, food trucks and unique brewpub-only beers to come. It's another new notch in Footscray's new foodie belt, along with the recent openings of barbecue joint Up in Smoke and Jerome Borazio's Back Alley Sally's. Hop Nation Brewing Co. will launch their new brewpub on Saturday, July 23 at 6/107-109 Whitehall Street, Footscray. Opening hours are Friday from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday from noon to 10pm and Sunday from noon to 6pm. For more info, visit hopnation.com.au.
The Melbourne Ceramics Market is finally returning after a two-year hiatus and will present its biggest lineup ever. The upcoming event will take place at a new location in Brunswick East from Saturday, November 26—Sunday, November 27. Over 50 ceramic artists — both experienced and rising talents – will showcase their individual styles and creations ranging from homewares to jewellery. This will be the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and shop for Christmas presents ahead of the holidays. On top of browsing through the selection of ceramics, you can also hit up the onsite local coffee truck and florist. Visit the Melbourne Ceramics Market at the Mycelium Studios from 10am—4pm on the aforementioned dates. [caption id="attachment_877343" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sally Frawley[/caption] Top images: Sally Frawley
Melburnians, if you're under the age of 40 and you've been waiting for your chance to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the Victorian Government has just revealed some great news. At the state's daily coronavirus press conference on Sunday, August 8, Premier Daniel Andrews announced two big additions to Victoria's vaccination rollout: the launch of a new drive-thru vaccination hub, and opening up the AstraZeneca jab to folks aged between 18–39 at state-run vaccination centres. Both new initiatives kick off today, Monday, August 9. The Federal Government actually announced back in June that people of all ages could get the AZ jab; however, now Victoria is making that a reality at its vaccination hubs. Keen for a drive-thru experience? The new vaccination site has set up shop at the former Bunnings site in at 149 Barries Road in Melton, in Melbourne's west. Before you can get jabbed, drivers and passengers will be screened for eligibility and symptoms at the entry to the car park, and will then be let through in groups of ten cars. Once allowed in, you'll park your car, get jabbed, and then remain sat in your vehicle for 15 minutes for observation, before being allowed to leave. You do still need to make an appointment for the vaccination drive-thru, however. Aged under 40? Eager to get the AZ vaccine? It's now time to roll up your sleeves. The AstraZeneca jab will now be available to 18 to 39-year-olds hubs such as the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Showgrounds, Sandown Racecourse and Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston — as well as Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre in South Morang, Former Ford Factory in Geelong, Kilmore District Health and Mansfield District Hospital. And, it's still available at available at participating GPs, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, too. If you're aged 39 and under and you're opting for the AstraZeneca vaccine, you will still need to give a doctor your informed consent before you go ahead. Since Thursday, June 17, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in people aged over 60 only due to the risk of rare blood clotting disorders that've been linked to the vaccine when given to younger folks. That change followed an early recommendation back in April, which noted the AstraZeneca vaccine wasn't preferred for anyone under 50. But anyone of any age, including those under 60, can still get the AZ jab — after making an informed decision by talking to a doctor. For Victorians under 40 who'd prefer the Pfizer vaccine, you need to fall into a specific group to access it at present, as the nation's vaccination rollout hasn't yet opened up the Pfizer jab to everyone under 40. That means that adults aged up to 39 aren't yet eligible to get the Pfizer vaccination unless you're of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent; work in quarantine, border or healthcare roles; work or live in an aged care or disability facility; work in a critical and high-risk job such as defence, fire, police, emergency services and meat processing; have an underlying medical condition or significant disability; are pregnant; or participate in the NDIS, or care for someone who does. For further information about Victoria's vaccine rollout, head to the Victorian Department of Health website — and for more information about the new drive-thru hub and opening up the AstraZeneca vaccine to under 40s, head to the Premier's announcement.
Melbourne is fond of a good light show, particularly when the temperatures drop and the nights start to get a little darker. Here to add to the city's illuminated winter calendar is newly-announced Rialto Aglow. The free, after-dark lights festival will take over the Rialto Piazza, nestled in an intersection of Collins, Flinders and King Streets in the CBD. Head down from 5pm between 19 July–29 July to see the public precinct transformed with interactive light installations, large-scale projection artwork and appropriately themed food and bevvies. Highlights include Amigo & Amigo studio's Accordion, comprised of six interactive, oversized archways inspired by the instrument of the same. The same studio will pay tribute to the cycles of the moon with Lunar Lamp Posts, a brand-new large-scale installation with over 40 different sounds and illuminated animations. [caption id="attachment_897494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Amigo & Amigo's Affinity at Illuminate Adelaide[/caption] "Bringing light artworks into public spaces creates safe spaces and changes the fabric of our city, inviting discovery and play from audiences of all ages." Amigo & Amigo Director Simone Chua says. "Our mission is to inspire play and cultural connection with our works. We love to create destinations in unusual or unexpected places that spark curiosity and joy." Beloved Melbourne-based neon light artist Carla O'Brien, whose previous works appeared at Burning Man and White Night, will also pop-up throughout the ten-day festival. Rialto Aglow will host works including Neon Play The Music, a fun and playful live instrument installation, and Double Rainbow Love Heart Archway, set to be an irresistible social media snapping opportunity. The Rialto Aglow Winter Lights Festival is part of the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, granting funding for after-dark activities to all to give the night-time economy a hefty boost. [caption id="attachment_865990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Rialto for Daffodil Day.[/caption] Rialto Aglow will run from Wednesday, 19 July to Saturday, 29 July from 5pm until late at Rialto Piazza. Live entertainment kicks off from 6pm–9pm daily, and entry is free. Images: supplied.
When the eighth season of Game of Thrones finished its run a few months back, bringing the highly popular series to a conclusion, everyone knew that it wasn't really the end. The world created by George RR Martin will live on in his books, whenever the author finally publishes the long-awaited next instalment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series. And, because HBO likes both ratings and advertising dollars, it will keep the GoT-related TV shows going as well. Like residents of Westeros hoping that summer (or at least autumn) will last for ever, the US network isn't ready to let go of its highly successful commodity. For years, there's been plenty of chatter about what it'll do next, with HBO first announcing that it was considering five different prequel ideas, then green-lighting one to pilot stage, and then pondering adapting Martin's House Targaryen-focused Fire & Blood for the small screen. Now, the channel has finally decided what GoT fans will be watching next. Sorry, everyone who was keen to explore Westeros thousands of years before the events we all just agonised over for this entire decade. That series — which was set to star Naomi Watts, Miranda Richardson and John Simm — has officially been scrapped. While that's disappointing news, HBO has softened the below with some flame-breathing scaly creatures and the family that adores them, ordering ten episodes of the Fire & Blood-based House of the Dragon. If you thought the Targaryens were chaotic already, we're guessing that delving into their history — and their love of using dragons to wage wars and claim power — is only going to cement that idea. We all know what happened to the last surviving members of the family in GoT, aka Daenerys, her brother Viserys and her boyfriend/nephew Jon Snow; however, House of the Dragon, like Fire & Blood, jumps back 300 years earlier. Published in November 2018 and coming in at a whopping 738 pages, the first volume in Fire & Blood's planned two-book series starts with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of the Seven Kingdoms — and then works through the family's history from there. He created the Iron Throne, so you'll probably get to see one returning favourite. And you don't have to be the Three-Eyed Raven to know that this tale involves plenty of GoT's staples: fighting, battles for supremacy and bloodshed. If you're wondering when you'll be able to feast your peepers on House of the Dragon, or who'll be starring in it, those crucial details haven't been revealed just yet. But, as well as announcing that House of the Dragon is definitely happening, HBO has unveiled the key folks behind the scenes, with Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal acting as the series' showrunners. Sapochnik has a hefty GoT history, winning an Emmy and a Directors Guild Award for directing 'Battle of The Bastards', helming season eight's 'The Long Night', and doing the same on four other episodes. As for Condal, he co-created and oversaw recent sci-fi series Colony, and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2018 film Rampage.
With a booming five-year stint and loyal crowd of regulars under its belt, unique party place Pawn & Co shocked plenty when it announced it was getting turfed from its Chapel Street home — at the hands of developers, no less. But, as promised fiercely to its fans, the bar-pawn shop hybrid has returned with a vengeance, moving to impressive digs around the corner, at 177 Greville Street. The new iteration is bigger and better than ever, with the original hidden bookshelf entrance now leading punters to a heftier two-level space, complete with cosy booths, a courtyard, and three separate bars. This time though, co-owner and designer Josh Lefers has dialled up the steampunk aesthetic to a whole new level, with the retro-futuristic reboot boasting such random treasures as a cryogenic chamber, a steampunk throne, and an old Victorian tram you can sit in. There's also a church organ mixing cocktails, a talking vending machine taking drink orders, and a host of bonus extra features, glimpsed only through special glasses given to patrons. Of course, Pawn & Co has stuck with the bar concept that put it on the map (it was once featured by Forbes back in 2013), so absolutely everything inside the space is up for sale. Best keep that credit card on a short leash though, unless you really want a cryogenic chamber for your house.
Like all great love stories, the romance of Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell was an unlikely one — like Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers came from feuding families and had a less than perfect initial encounter (Scott confused Charlene for a burglar), but went on to defy all odds and capture the hearts of the world via Ramsay St. In the fashion of Neighbours' favourite prince and princess from whom he borrows his name, pop-grunge artist Craig Dermody aka Scott & Charlene's Wedding has managed to make the bleak beauty of local suburbia appealing to international audiences, now calling New York home. He returns to local shores for a national tour and will perform songs from last year's Paravista Social Club at the Liberty Social this Friday. While the Yanks might like Dermody's poignant lyrics and simple melodies, nobody understands songs like "Epping Line" and "Footscray Station" like those who have walked the mean streets he memorialises. Image via scottandcharleneswedding.bandcamp.com
The Dumbo Feather Conversation Series is back in 2013 with entrepreneur and social innovator Chid Liberty, CEO of Africa's first Fair Trade Certified apparel factory, Liberty and Justice, which creates economic opportunities for displaced African women. "We keep talking about poor people as if they don't make rational decisions," says Chid. "But they make much better, much more rational decisions than most wealthy people. All we're going to do is move the needle a little bit at a time every day." p> The Dumbo Feather Conversations series is a live version of Dumbo Feather magazine, which features inspiring conversations with "people worth knowing, across enterprise, education, science, sport, politics, fashion and the arts". You can start chewing over the issues of the night by having a read of Chid's Dumbo Feather interview here.
There ain't no burger like a Queensland burger, it seems — even if you live in Melbourne. Perhaps that's why the Sunshine State's finest purveyors of beastly burgers keep expanding down south. First it was Betty's Burgers — now, it's fellow Gold Coast-based outfit Brooklyn Depot. Of course, you can't tell the eatery's state of origin from their name, but you can tell the theme of its cuisine. Yes, everything American is on the menu here, including stacked towers of beef and cheese, a hearty list of wings, rings, strings and things, and their signature drinks — which not only includes alcohol-infused shakes, but also a rum old-fashioned or two. After gaining fans in Surfers Paradise, where they opened in 2015, Brooklyn Depot has since opened in Brisbane and Sydney — and come this Thursday, February 23, they'll be flipping burgs at 399 Lonsdale Street. As if Melbourne was wanting in the American-style burger department. But, nonetheless, we're swayed by the promise of their 'Brooklynised' fries with bacon, onion rings, cheese sauce and a side of frickles (aka battered and fried pickles). Brooklyn Depot will open at 4/399 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne at 11am on Thursday, February 23. Check out their website for more information.
Remember the days before coffee pods, when getting your caffeinated fix didn't involve spending many a minute trying to choose a flavour? Well, that experience has arrived at an Australian pub near you. Yes, beer pods are now a reality. Carlton & United Breweries has rolled out a trial of their new Bond Brothers Fusion brand to selected venues in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, adding a whole new dimension to ordering a drink. The base lager remains the same; however once you select your variety of choice — with pink grapefruit, honey, lime, raspberry and apple options available — the appropriate pod will be slipped into the tap, infusing your yeasty beverage with flavour as it is poured. Sounds like a gimmick that's trying to jump on the craft beer bandwagon, right? Yep, it sure does, but we all thought something similar when the concept first reared its head in the coffee world. Speaking to Nine News, CUB marketing director Richard Oppy said that they were looking to "add some excitement" to drinking beer (although we thinking having a bev is pretty exciting enough), as well as extra varieties. While this is the first time you can get this type of drink in Aussie bars, the concept isn't particularly new. Launching in 2014, US company SYNEK is a countertop beer dispenser that uses cartridges to let you pour and drink your favourite brews at home, while wine, spirits and cocktail takes on the trend are also in development. Via Brews News / The Drinks Association.
Both in Australia's nationwide lockdown between March and June and under Victoria's current Stage Four restrictions, the country's hospitality businesses have been doing it tough. Temporary closures, pivoting to takeaway and delivery, stocking sought-after grocery items, enforcing social distancing, operating at limited capacity — these have all been on the cards across the nation to help stem the spread of COVID-19, and they've all had a sizeable impact on restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. In fact, in Melbourne, 15 percent of hospitality venues don't think they'll be able reopen after the present stay-at-home period. The situation is comparable worldwide, of course — and in the United Kingdom, a new scheme has just come into effect to attempt to help the culinary sector. Operational since Monday, August 3 and running until Monday, August 31, the UK Government's 'Eat Out to Help Out' regime is trying to encourage folks to head out of the house and have a meal, all by offering 50 percent discounts. There are a few caveats, understandably. Nonetheless, diners will indeed score a half-price feed if they sit down for a bite at a participating venue — of which there's more than 72,000, the BBC reports. As well as restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars, the scheme also applies to canteens at workplaces and schools, plus food halls. But, it's only on offer for dine-in customers, not takeaway or delivery. [caption id="attachment_763228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Among the other rules, the deal is only available Monday–Wednesday each week, only applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages (sorry, no booze), and only provides up to £10 (about $18 AUD) off per diner per meal. But, there's no minimum spend, no vouchers required to redeem the discount and no limit on the number of people per group. There's no cap on the amount of times a person can claim the discount, either, so UK residents could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out of the house three days a week for the entire month if they wanted to. The UK's social distancing requirements and other COVID-19 hygiene practises still apply to anyone venturing out of their house for a meal, naturally. Still, if you're an Aussie currently thinking "that sounds like a good idea", you might want to cross your fingers that something similar is implemented closer to home — when it's safe to do so. If you're reading this from the UK, you can find more information about the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme via the UK Government's website.
Dark Mofo might've had to pull the plug on its 2020 event, but the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s other big annual arts festival, Mona Foma, will definitely be hitting up the Tasmanian site when January 2021 rolls around. On the agenda at the big summer fest: art, performances, music, eclectic sights, engaging sounds, and plenty to see and do across two weekends — at 58 venues in two cities. Plus, of the more than 352 artists involved, 90 percent of them hail from Tasmania. 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 is splitting its program between both Tasmanian places. Launceston is up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. Whether you pick one or you're keen to head to both, there's plenty on the bill. First up, in Launceston, the city's Cataract Gorge will host the latest work by audio-visual artist Robin Fox. The site's landscape will be taken over by immersive world-premiere installation Aqua Luma — which'll run on a 20-minute cycle from 9.30am–11.30pm, is free to attend, and includes 12 metre-high water jets that erupt in time with subharmonic frequencies, plus lasers tracing geometrical patterns in the watery mist. Or, you can hop on the Gorge Scenic Chairlift and listen to Chairway to Heaven, a suspended symphony in the sky. Other Launceston highlights include Acoustic Life of Boatsheds, where you'll flit between boatsheds along the Tamar and Esk rivers and listen to live music; All Expenses Paid, a dance piece about fast fashion and consumerism; 'Til It's Gone, combining installations, sculptures and videos in an old car museum that'll be torn down after the festival; and three interactive spaces as part of Soma Lumia's Lacunae, all spread around the city. A number of events will hit up both Launceston and Hobart, such as an evening concert series called Mofo Sessions, sound work Zinc, opening performance Relay / Country Remembers Her Names, the fest's beloved Morning Meditations, and After Erika Eiffel — where you'll fire an arrow on a custom-made archery course and learn about Erika Eiffel, the archer who married the Eiffel Tower. [caption id="attachment_790934" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] K&D Warehouse, Hobart, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Taking place just in Hobart, Mona Foma is turning the site of former hardware store K&D Warehouse into a gallery — with exhibition No Place Like Home filling the entire place with video installations, art and sculptures all selected by Mona curator Emma Pike. You'll be able to wander through one of the city's best-known buildings, which dates back 118 years, and see works by artists such as Tony Albert, Zanny Begg, Andy Hutson, Rachel Maclean, Nell, Ryan Presley and Phebe Schmidt. Entry will cost $10 per person. And, of course, Hobart's program has more in store. There's also a musical version of Edgar Allen Poe's The Masque of the Red Death, blocks of ice hanging in the air as part of Lucy Bleach's Rueremus and a Forest Gin Walk. Or, you can check out Making Ground, an exhibition by First Nations and multicultural artists held on sites of colonial ruin; Let Me Dry Your Eyes, a sonic performance at Beaumaris Zoo; and World of Worlds, which is about fictional world-building, other dimensions and parallel realities. Top image: Aqua Luma, Robin Fox. Photo credit: Nick Roux. Image courtesy of the artist and and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
When you think of the Big Apple, you can't help the image of a yellow taxi springing to mind. That's even if, like me, you've never been there. It's the brightest of American icons and it's about to get a Japanese makeover. Automaker Nissan has won the exclusive 10-year, US$1 billion contract to produce the city's fleet of 13,200 yellow taxis. Nissan's North American take on the NV200, a model already in use in Europe and Asia, won over finalist manufacturers Ford and Karsan, from Turkey. Previously, the taxis of New York City have been produced by Ford: Crown Victorias and hybrid Ford Escapes. These models will be phased out over a 3 to 5 year period to make way for Nissan's new model. [Via Jalopnik]
There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who think the movie Legally Blonde is awesome, and those who are wrong, so plain wrong. Reese Witherspoon's adventure as Elle Woods, the Malibu sorority girl who goes to Harvard Law for all the wrong reasons and yet finds it's just the right place for her, is a 2001 classic that's totally hilarious, surreptitiously full of heart, and a pillar of the teen girl-power canon. And with all its exuberance, kitsch, and preposterous costume, it was ripe to make the hop from celluloid to the musical theatre stage. Legally Blonde: The Musical opened on Broadway in 2007 to widespread 'snaps' of approval. Now that show's original director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, has reproduced the spectacular on the Lyric stage with a knockout Australian cast. Avenue Q or The Book of Mormon it ain't, but Legally Blonde is still a hipper musical than most and a great excuse to leave your cynicism and 'thinking brain' at the door for a night of giddy, gratifying musical theatre that will have you grinning like a golden retriever puppy. The numbers here are big and seductive. It opens with the all-in 'Ohmigod You Guys' as Elle (Lucy Durack) prepares with her Delta Nu sisters for an impending proposal from boyfriend Warner (Rob Mills), and the uber-catchy, always-apt refrain happily reappears throughout the show. Things briefly take a turn for the wistful when its revealed Warner and Elle have their lines crossed on what it means to get 'Serious', as Warner dumps Elle to begin his fast track to political candidacy via Harvard Law School. He now needs a Jackie, not a Marilyn, he memorably tells her. Heartbroken, she resolves to become that serious partner, applying herself to her studies for the first time so she can blitz the SATs and join him at the prestigious university. But, as we all know, being something other than who you are is a recipe for disaster, and Elle learns that in a glorious, individuality-affirming way. The only musical number that equals the charm of 'Ohmigod You Guys' is the courtroom drama 'There! Right There!' (also known as 'Gay or European'), but solid songs dot the performance, from Elle's turning-point mantra 'Chip on My Shoulder' to the energetic exercise routine 'Whipped Into Shape' from Brooke Wyndham (model Erika Heynatz making her impressive musical debut) and 'Blood in the Water' from legal shark Professor Callahan (Cameron Daddo), which drips with cartoon villainy in a manner reminiscent to Scar preparing to kill Simba. Occasional dashes of contemporary pop and hip hop are welcome in the typically Broadway broth, although the forays into Irish folk are a little stranger. The performers really make this production, as they're beautifully cast. Durack, last seen as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, effuses high energy and total adorableness as Elle. Mills has well and truly come good in the musical theatre world since his Idol days, and he does 'caddish and slightly infuriating' really, really perfectly. Thesp Helen Dallimore gets sweetly garish as Paulette, and David Harris is a strong presence as Elle's new, better love interest, Emmett. The performers do well just to hold their own against the four dogs playing Bruiser and Rufus, whom audiences are clearly smitten with. It must be said, however, that this Elle Woods does not rock as much as Witherspoon's, and it's through no fault of Durack's. It's that composers Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and director Jerry Mitchell have increased Emmett's role to the point where he often stands in for Elle's intellect and morality, stripping her of her own agency, which drove her arc in the film. Now, it's Emmett who pushes Elle into reorientating her attention towards her studies in 'Chip on My Shoulder', rather than her making that change of her own reckoning, and Emmett even prompts her first legal victory, where she reclaims Paulette's dog. In return, she gives him a makeover (ugh). You can see why they've done it — to centralise the romantic plot for a mainstream audience and to theatricalise her internal journey for the big stage — but the consequences are disappointing to anyone who valued Legally Blonde precisely because of Elle's independence. (Outside of gender politics, the creative team also seems to have decided that the source of Elle's pep is Red Bull, which seems to miss the point of the story's supposedly central message of embracing your true, natural self, whatever it may be. No?) But that's already too much serious talk for a buoyant musical with sets that unfurl like pretty Transformers, costumes that dazzle, and songs you'll download to iTunes in secret. Its simple philosophy is that femininity can be a strength and not a weakness. And that positivity is cool. And that pink goes with everything. This review was written about the Sydney opening night performance of Legally Blonde at the Lyric Theatre.
With summer upon us and Christmas on the horizon, it's the perfect time to treat yourself and sort out your sleep. If you're tossing and turning at night it might not just be because of the state of the world, it could be your mattress and pillow as well. Luckily, premium homewares brand Ecosa wants to help you get a good night's sleep. All items on the Ecosa website are 25 percent off from Monday, November 9 to Wednesday, November 11. If you've been complaining about a crook neck, maybe head off to the physio and get yourself fancy new memory foam pillow. The ergonomic pillow boasts an adjustable height, a curved shape that suits side and back sleepers and a compressible foam that supports the natural shape of your head. Plus, two compression bags so you can pack it up and take it with you everywhere. Yep, it's one helluva pillow. If that's not enough, Ecosa also offers free shipping and returns Australia-wide, plus a 100-day free trial period. And, with everything on sale, get in early with some Christmas shopping. Ecosa is your one-stop sleep shop, with luxe bamboo sheets, silk pillowcases, wooden bed base, memory foam mattress and weighted blanket all available at the discounted price. So, you can treat yourself, your friends and your whole family to a better night's sleep. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
That pup of yours (or that pup you've been thinking about getting) could soon score a whole bunch of new places to sniff, socialise and play, with the Victorian Government announcing plans to create nine new off-leash dog parks and 15 new 'pocket parks' by 2021. The new green spaces are included in the first round of the Government's $154 million Suburban Parks Program, which will see a total of 6500 hectares of new parkland, walking trails and bike trails, as well as a total 25 pocket parks and 16 off-leash dog parks, created across the city. Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio announced plans for the new parks yesterday, Sunday, May 25, saying: "being stuck inside the last few months has reminded us of the value of open green space to stretch the legs, clear the head and get some fresh air. As our suburbs continue to grow, we're making sure people have easy access to much needed open green space to exercise, relax or just enjoy the outdoors." [caption id="attachment_771284" align="alignnone" width="1920"] New pocket and dog parks projects funded under round 1 via Victorian Government[/caption] Set to being opening from next year, the nine new dog parks will be located in Carrum, Cranbourne East and Rowville in Melbourne's south; South Yarra in the east; Eltham North and Mickleham in the north; and Maribyrnong, Cairnlea and Werribee in the west. The pocket parks will be popping up everywhere from Flemington to Moorabbin. According to the Government, the locations have been chosen based on accessibility by public transport, road or walking and biking trails, as well looking at what dense, urban areas were lacking green open spaces. Funding for the second round of parks will open on June 1. It's not the first time the Andrews Government has proved itself pet-friendly, having recently introduced new rental reform laws making it way harder for landlords to ban pets, too. For more information about Melbourne's new pocket and off-leash dog parks, head to the Victorian Government website.
UPDATE, November 04, 2020: Good Time is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Robert Pattinson. New York City. One wild night. What could possibly go wrong? In Good Time's account of a petty crook trying to rustle up some cash to get his brother out of jail, the answer is plenty. The title is tongue-in-cheek, for the characters at least. For the audience, it's more of a promise. A good time is all but guaranteed as you watch Benny and Josh Safdie's grubby, energetic heist movie unfold. Gritty but vivid is an unlikely blend, and yet that's Good Time from start to finish. In the siblings' hands, the film is so grimy that you can almost feel the dirt, blood and blonde hair dye getting under your fingernails (full credit to cinematographer Sean Price Williams and his constantly roaming camera). Amplifying the sense of immediacy even further is Oneohtrix Point Never's pulsating electronic soundtrack, which proves so urgent and exhilarating in its mood and rhythm that you'll feel as riled up as the figures on screen. When a bank robbery leaves Connie (Pattinson) and his mentally challenged brother Nick (played by Benny Safdie) covered in telltale red paint from head to toe, the particularly crafty crim is quick to search for a solution. After the cops spot them and detain Nick, he's desperate and determined to rustle up the cash for his bail — sweet-talking his sometimes-girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh), staging a hospital rescue, fooling around with a teenager (Taliah Webster), trying to find some stashed acid, and tussling with an amusement park security guard (Barkhad Abdi) in the process. This eclectic series of events would be played for laughs in any other movie, but that's not Good Time's angle. Likewise, a lesser film might have wallowed in its protagonist's backstory, making him a sympathetic underdog with a thousand reasons for breaking bad. That's not what the talented Safdies are up to either. Like their last picture, the excellent heroin addict drama Heaven Knows What, the duo plunge into marginalised worlds that many of their viewers won't have experienced, and from there let their characters do the talking. The siblings' distinctive on-the-street style never fails to set the tone, or demonstrate their eye for rich texture and grungy detail. That said, the filmmakers are also aided by their high-profile star giving what might just be the finest performance of his career — and with a growing array of great non-Twilight turns on his resume, that's saying something. Armed with peroxide locks, a greasy complexion and a jittery demeanour, in Good Time Pattinson wears his character's confident, quick-thinking guise like a second skin. The charm to always get his way, the resourcefulness to constantly find a path forward, the smarts to get the best of almost everyone he encounters: thanks to this former teen heart-throb, the scheming, scamming, never-stopping Connie is magnetic, dynamic, complicated and compelling. In one of the year's best films, Pattinson is having a very good time indeed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsQBe3BlMMk
Aboriginal theatre company Black Arm Band, in collaboration with various prominent Australian artists including members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, will explore notions of contemporary Indigenous identity in their latest production, ngangwurra means heart. The show, which takes its name from the Yorta Yorta word for ‘heart’, will combine music, performance and visual art in order to tell the story of seven key points in Aboriginal history, from the time before European settlement all the way up until today. According to Artistic Director Lou Bennett, the show aims to present these moments “from an internal empathetic point of view rather than a dry history lesson.” Ngangwurra means heart is the most recent work from Black Arm Band, whose previous shows include the critically-acclaimed Hidden Republic and dirtsong, among others.
Having recently returned from a spot of European travel-on-a-shoestring, I think I can hyperbolically decree that the Sleepbox may well be one of the greatest things I have ever seen. Sleepbox, designed by the Arch Group, does essentially what it says on the tin: it's a pod wide enough for a bed and a drop-down desk. This means that the days of sleeping on rows of metal chairs while clutching your belongings for dear life or sitting slumped over coffee-flavoured hot water in an airport food court may well be behind us. The first Sleepbox has recently been installed in Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, and can be rented out from half an hour to many hours. Kitted out with an LED reading light, WiFi and electrical outlets for you to charge your phone or get your ironing done or whatever it is you need to do, the pods also come with a mechanism which automatically changes the linen once each guest checks out. Which means there is less chance you will have to come into close contact with the bodily odours of others before you have to sit wedged beside them for fourteen hours in a flying tin can. Arch Group is proposing Sleepbox as a contemporary staple of urban life, with plans to set them up in other airports, railway stations. large shopping spaces, and even on the streets in warm climates. Genius. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3qxnqy37KPc [Via PSFK]
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes Pinot Noir as 'sex in a glass', while winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. One of the most challenging grapes in the world of vinification, it's also one of the most surprising and rewarding. No wonder Bottle Shop Concepts — the good folk who bring Game of Rhones, Malbec World Day and Vin Diemen our way — are coming back to town with Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things Pinot Noir. For just one day, Brisbane wine connoisseurs will have the chance to sample more than 100 drops, direct from Australia and New Zealand's best producers. Expect drops from Victoria's Curly Flat (Macedon), Tassie's Josef Chromy, and Ata Rangi and Pegasus Bay from NZ — and that's just the first few leaves on the vine. Whether you're a newbie who wants to start with something light and inviting, or a Pinot pro ready for the biggest, most complex mouthful on the menu, there'll be an abundance of selections at either end — and plenty along the spectrum, too. You'll even be able to vote for your favourite. If, at any point, you need to take a pause in your tasting adventures, you'll be catered for. There'll be food from Epocha and Maker & Monger, beer from Young Henrys and Stone and Wood, frosé and cider. Plus, the epic Burgundy Bar will be back, a kind of Pinot Noir mecca where you'll be able to sample some seriously good (and spenny) bottles at cost price. Expert sommeliers will also be on hand to help you make selections. What's more, those keen to fuel their brains (as well as their tastebuds) can spot $100 for a VIP pass. For that you'll get access to the VIP area, a food voucher, an extra special glass of wine and a one-on-one with one of the event's sommeliers, who will personally curate your Pinot experience for you. Pinot Palooza will hit the Royal Exhibition Building on Saturday, October 7. Tickets are $60, which includes tastings and a take-home crystal Plumm RedB glass.
