Surf, sun, sand and ice skating? It's not as far-fetched as it might seem. While most holidaymakers headed for hot climes plan to cool off with a dip in the ocean — and not with a roll around the ice — one Maldives resort is offering a little from column A and a little from column B. Now open at the Jumeirah Vittaveli, it's the Maldives' first ice rink, which is hardly surprising given the South Asian country's year-round 25 to 31-degree weather. When it is warm and sunny every single day, the only glistening white surface you'd expect to see by the sea is made of sand; however even folks in the tropics need a dose of winter fun. Due to launch just before Christmas — aka, in the coming days — the rink is comprised of special artificial ice plates that stay cool regardless of the temperature. Made by a company by the name of Glice, the synthetic surface also functions without water and doesn't use any energy. While Sydney has its own beachside ice-skating rink in Bondi Beach each winter, no one would ever have contemplated going for a dip, strolling across the shore and hitting the ice in the middle of a blazing Australian summer. Of course, that's not the only bright idea the Maldives boasts when it comes to novelty beachside activities; think floating golf courses and a waterslide straight into the ocean.
If you're thinking small for your next domestic getaway, there's a new pint-sized accommodation option to add to that holiday radar. NRMA, aka the National Roads and Motorists' Association, has just unveiled two new stylishly-repurposed shipping containers it's calling 'glamtainers' — and they'll be making their home on New South Wales' Central Coast until autumn next year. Easily movable and extendable in size, the seven-metre-long luxury tiny homes have room to sleep four, each boasting two queen beds, a full bathroom and a decent sized kitchenette. What's more, they're fitted out in style, with upscale features including comfy King Koil mattresses, plush linens, air-conditioning and attached outdoor entertaining spaces. No slumming it here, that's for sure. Currently located at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, the two new glamtainers are the work of Melbourne company GlamXperience, which makes a whole suite of glamping tents and mini retreats — and whose creations you might have spied at the likes of St Jerome's The Hotel and the newly launched Clifftop at Hepburn. They're designed to allow guests to experience staying amongst the great outdoors, without sacrificing comfort. Bookings are already filling up fast for the glamtainers' debut stint on the NSW Central Coast, with prices starting from $180 per night. And, because the entire concept of turning shipping containers into places to stay means they're easily portable, the pair of glamtainers will be packed up and shuttled off to NRMA's Jindabyne resort come late autumn — where they'll enjoy a second iteration during ski season. The glamtainers are now available to book at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort. Head to the website to check availability and make a booking. Images: Shan Rose Photography
After a run of successful kitsch Disco Yoga events — Michael Jackson and Woodstock themed — pink-haired Disco Yoga Queen Nickie Harding is holding a Halloween-themed yoga night sporting her unique blend of novelty, Vinyasa flow and dance. It’s like a party, but rather than boozing you get amazing core strength. If you like your yoga classes silent, conservative and you like to hide in the corner, probably give this one a miss. If your idea of a good time is dressing up and finding your inner peace to the soothing sounds of ‘ The Monster Mash’, ‘Time Warp,’ and ‘Thriller' then this one's for you. In a recent Queen Victoria Market Week Disco Yoga event, Nickie encouraged strangers to hug, hold hands and support each other through poses. Massive balls bounced around the marketplace and a live DJ played Top 40 and classic dance tracks. Expect more of that in this two-hour event surrounded by zombies, witches and vampires on Saturday, October 31.
Maybe you've always had a Lego collection, because the popular plastic bricks really are for everyone. Perhaps you signed up for a subscription service back when COVID-19 lockdowns came into effect, because there are only so many puzzles one person can do. Either way, you probably need something to store your Lego in — and, in a collaboration due to hit Australia in 2021, IKEA now has a solution. Obviously, IKEA has plenty of storage on offer. Walk through one of the Swedish retailer's shops and just try to come out without a basket, box, container or other type of storage in your big blue bag — it's virtually impossible. But, when its new Bygglek range arrives in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17, it'll actually feature Lego studs. Keep your bricks in them, or use them to build with (or both). The new boxes were first revealed in 2020, as part of a team-up initially announced in 2019. The collection will encompass four different sets: one of three small boxes ($20), two different types of bigger boxes ($20–22), and one of Lego bricks ($35). All of the above will connect to existing Lego products, too, because of course it will. While the Bygglek products are part of IKEA's children's range, everyone knows by now that Lego isn't just for kids. Indeed, Lego just released a new botanical-focused collection that is firmly for adults. And creative storage boxes aren't just for children either, because everyone needs containers to keep objects and items other than Lego in. IKEA's Lego Bygglek collection will be available in stores and online on Wednesday, February 17 — head to the IKEA website for further details.
The weather is cooling down, a heap of public holidays are just around the corner and getting cosy on your couch seems like the best way to spend a day (or several). Yes, April is here. With autumn well underway and Easter giving everyone a few days off, it couldn't be a better time for one specific activity: feasting your eyes on a whole heap of movies and television shows. Flick on your TV, fire up your chosen streaming platform and prepare to watch everything from sitcoms based on excellent movies to perhaps the best action film triple bill there is — plus dazzling nature documentaries, revived sci-fi anthologies and the most anticipated returning show of the year (you know the one). And, prepare to do so without spending much too long scrolling through a seemingly endless array of viewing options. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue for April. NEW STUFF TO WATCH NOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBbSwX6kEk WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS A bunch of vampires. One share house. Ample undead hijinks. It worked well in 2005 short film What We Do In the Shadows. It worked hilariously in 2014 mockumentary movie What We Do In the Shadows. And it's working mighty fine in new TV spinoff that's also called What We Do In the Shadows, too. Adapted for television by original creators and stars Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi (with the first episode written by the former and directed by the latter), this Staten Island-set version focuses on a new set of vamps and new supernatural problems, and the laughs keep coming. Unsurprisingly, Matt Berry's English bloodsucker Laszlo is a highlight, but this is a great ensemble effort, complete with ace turns from Kayvan Novak as Ottoman Empire-era soldier Nandor the Relentless, Natasia Demetriou as Romani vamp Nadja, Mark Proksch as 'energy vampire' Colin Robinson and Lady Bird's Beanie Feldstein as a live-action role-play fan who falls in with the undead crowd. What We Do In the Shadows is available to stream weekly on Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQaTa5eTxnk THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED It has been five years since much of the world first heard the name Adnan Syed, delving into his case in the first season of Serial. And just like the hugely popular true crime podcast, Syed's is a tale that just keeps fascinating audiences. Murder and the possible miscarriage of justice will do that, as will the grim circumstances surrounding the death of Baltimore high school student Hae Min Lee in 1999. Enter The Case Against Adnan Syed, the four-part documentary TV series that has been in production since 2015 and promises to answer — and pose — more questions. Yes, it delivers. As well as boasting a compelling subject, the series also has an impressive pedigree, with filmmaker Amy Berg adding another top effort to her resume after Oscar-nominated 2006 doco Deliver Us from Evil, 2012's West of Memphis and 2014's An Open Secret. The first episode of The Case Against Adnan Syed is available to stream now on SBS On Demand, with subsequent episodes available weekly on Sundays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t39E5xMD5I THIS TIME WITH ALAN PARTRIDGE Last month, it was Get Krack!n. This month, ABC iView is skewering breakfast TV with This Time with Alan Partridge. Credit where credit is due, of course — without Steve Coogan's iconic alter ego, who's been hitting the airwaves since 1991, there'd be no Get Krack!n or many other supremely awkward TV industry spoofs either. This time, the fictional inept broadcaster has been tapped to co-host a morning magazine and chat show — and the world's collective stomach muscles instantly feel the strain of oh-so-much cringing. If you've laughed and grimaced along to Knowing Me, Knowing You, I'm Alan Partridge and movie Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, then you'll do so again. If you're new to the character, who was co-created by Coogan with The Thick of It and Veep's Armando Iannucci back in the 90s, prepare for quite the introduction. This Time with Alan Partridge is available to stream now on ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_51UsTDBAE UNICORN STORE Just last month, Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson shared the screen in Captain Marvel, which happens to be this year's biggest grossing film so far. As you might recall, they also co-starred in 2017's Kong: Skull Island. And, in-between the two, they made a third movie: Unicorn Store. Directed by Larson in her filmmaking debut, this indie fantasy couldn't be more different from the duo's big-budget pairings. It follows a young art student who has always loved unicorns, doesn't fit in anywhere, and is offered the chance to own her very own one-horned animal (by a pink suit-wearing Jackson, no less) just when her life is at its lowest point. It's all as twee, quirky and offbeat as it sounds — and as filled with rainbows and glitter — but Larson's take on arrested development from a rare female perspective isn't without its charms. Unicorn Store is available to stream now on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytB8xNQ18_c MIRACLE WORKERS Existential comedy is having a moment — and add Miracle Workers to the already great pile that includes The Good Place and Russian Doll. Based on the novel What in God's Name and adapted for TV by the book's author Simon Rich, the series asks a very important question: what if God was a slacker played by Steve Buscemi? The amusing questions keep coming. What if heaven was a huge company charged with making Earth run smoothly? What if two employees were responsible for all of the world's miracles? What if said miracle workers made a bet with God, and he's planning to blow up the planet if they lose? It all makes for ace viewing, complete with a stellar cast, including Daniel Radcliffe and Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan (Emo the Musical, Blockers) as the duo trying to save humanity by performing one heavenly feat: making a shy couple fall in love. The first season of Miracle Workers is available to stream now on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aETNYyrqNYE OUR PLANET Prepare your ears for one of the best sounds in the world: the sound of David Attenborough narrating a nature documentary. He has a whole heap to his name, including The Living Planet, State of the Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Planet Earth, and now he has Our Planet as well. The eight-part Netflix series explores Earth's remaining wilderness areas and their animal inhabitants, and delivers an array of simply astonishing natural sights in the process (given it has been made in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund, that's hardly surprising). Wildebeests in the Serengeti, penguins in their icy climes, elephants trekking across continents and the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef — they're just some of the wonders in store. Our Planet is available to stream now on Netflix. ONES TO WATCH OUT FOR LATER IN THE MONTH https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=rlR4PJn8b8I GAME OF THRONES Finally. After an almost two-year wait, the time has come for Game of Thrones to unleash its final season. And, naturally, to unleash more battles, bloodshed, bickering, living and icy dragons, undead hordes, revenge-seeking Stark children, scheming Lannisters, Daenerys looking fierce and Jon Snow knowing nothing as well. Just where the enormously successful hit series will end is anyone's guess, especially since its narrative has long overtaken the tale told in George RR Martin's books, although we all know that the fight for the Iron Throne will continue until the show's very last moments. Get ready to start saying your goodbyes — to your favourite characters (not all of whom will survive, we're guessing) and to the show as a whole. Also worth remembering: this farewell is going to be quick, because the season only runs for six episodes. Game of Thrones will available to stream weekly on Foxtel Now from Monday, April 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29_gA_GDGvE THE TWILIGHT ZONE The Twilight Zone is back, and it's in the best possible hands. After wowing horror movie lovers with Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele takes on the task of presenting, narrating and redeveloping the legendary sci-fi anthology show for the 21st century. Picking up where Rod Serling's original five-season 50s and 60s show left off (and short-lived revivals in 1985 and 2002, too), the eight-episode first series blends the old with the new — both remaking previous episodes and coming up with fresh, thrilling stories. It's as entertaining as you'd rightfully expect, and it comes with a huge cast, including Adam Scott, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracy Morgan, Steven Yeun, Zazie Beetz, Taissa Farmiga, Greg Kinnear, John Cho, Rhea Seehorn, Jessica Williams, Jacob Tremblay, Allison Tolman, Betty Gabriel, Ginnifer Goodwin, Chris O'Dowd and Seth Rogan. Put simply, it's must-see viewing. The Twilight Zone will be available to stream weekly on 10 All Access, with the first four episodes available on Friday, April 19. CULT CLASSICS TO REVISIT AND REDISCOVER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC86WzMhuSw NICOLAS CAGE FILMS Back in 1995, Nicolas Cage won an Oscar for alcoholic drama Leaving Las Vegas. For many actors, that'd be the pinnacle of their career. But Nicolas Cage isn't any old star, so he followed it up with three consecutive action movies — all of which prove supremely entertaining by themselves, but make for one hell of a triple-feature. We're talking about The Rock, Con Air and Face/Off. All three released one after each other in 1996 and 1997, and movie fans everywhere are still thanking Nicolas Cage for them. All three are also now streaming on Stan, and you just know you want to watch them back-to-back-to-back as soon as possible. A number of other Nicolas Cage flicks are also available, including the terrible Aussie-shot Knowing and the twisty recent black comedy Mom and Dad, should you need more Nicolas Cage fun. The Rock, Con Air and Face/Off are available to stream on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfVyDegH1wk JACKIE CHAN COLLECTION Perhaps you're a Jackie Chan fan from way back, and will take any excuse to revel in his martial arts and action-comedy mastery. Perhaps you've always wanted to delve into his filmography — further than Rush Hour, at least — and just didn't know where to start. In both situations, SBS On Demand has you sorted with a ten-movie lineup of the Hong Kong star's finest. Head back to 1980 with The Young Master, which he also directed. Catch the first two films in the stunt-filled Police Story franchise, or see him jump back to the 19th century in Project A. The list goes on, and promises plenty of fast-flying fists, cheesy gags and exceptional work from a movie master. Ten Jackie Chan movies are available to stream now on SBS On Demand.
With You &Proud is an initiative launched by American Express as part of the brand's ongoing activity as a major sponsor for Sydney WorldPride. The campaign invites Australians to nominate the loved ones in their life who deserve to be celebrated for their support of and commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. If you know a legend who fits the bill, you can nominate them here and go in the running to win a phenomenal WorldPride experience for you and the one you've nominated. Fifteen winners will score a package that includes tickets to the sold-out opening ceremony featuring Kylie (no surname necessary) and Charli XCX, VIP viewing access of the Mardi Gras Parade, and dining and entertainment vouchers at top Sydney venues. Flights and accommodation will also be provided for interstate recipients. So as prizes go, this one is a certified banger. Scroll for the full details. Speaking of certified bangers, it is apt that the campaign is fronted by Lisa and Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas. The mighty pop queens have consistently used their platform to support and celebrate the rights and spirit of the queer community throughout their career. The duo launched their involvement with the following statement: "For Jessie, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for both of us as passionate allies, we're honoured to bring American Express' With You &Proud initiative to life — we can't wait to celebrate this incredible community and share our personal stories of pride together." "Having grown up deeply connected and involved with the LGBTQIA+ community from a young age and creating safe space for all at our shows for 18 years, representing Australia for WorldPride and being part of this incredible initiative will be an absolute personal and career highlight." The Veronicas join NBL player Isaac Humphries and MasterChef alum and beloved food personality Khanh Ong as With You &Proud ambassadors. Full Prize Details Recipient packages will include curated experiences made up from the below: 2x tickets to Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert featuring Kylie Minogue 2x tickets to Kinky Boots performance Double pass Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience Merivale dining experience voucher Saint Peter dining experience voucher 2x Club Cindy Parade viewing passes Hair styling experience or make up experience House of Priscilla voucher for costume shopping Flights and accommodation at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, for interstate travellers Nominations are open until 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday, 29 January. For T&Cs visit the website.
Australian theatre fans haven't yet had the chance to see Dear Evan Hansen on the stage without leaving the country, but that's finally changing in 2024. When Sydney Theatre Company announced its season for this year, it revealed that the six-time Tony Award-winner would grace theatres in the Harbour City. In excellent news for folks around the rest of the country, the season will now make stops in Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide as well. When a musical becomes a Broadway sensation, FOMO tends to sink in for Aussie theatre aficionados. Rave reviews might start pouring in, and awards as well, but seeing whichever production has New York talking usually requires a Big Apple trip — an expensive endeavour even for the biggest stage aficionado. The other option: waiting patiently for NYC's brightest shows to head Down Under. It happened with Hamilton eventually, and now it's happening with Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen premiered in the US in 2016, then made the leap to the big screen in 2021. The next stop, back in stage form, is Sydney's Roslyn Packer Theatre from Saturday, October 12, then Playhouse Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from December 2024, Canberra Circuit Theatre from February 2025 and Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide from April 2025. Brisbanites and Perthians, runs for both cities haven't been revealed as yet — so start crossing your fingers. Created for the stage by songwriting and composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — who nabbed an Oscar for La La Land's 'City of Stars' — with playwright Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon), the musical spins a coming-of-age story about a plethora of high school struggles. Dear Evan Hansen follows its titular anxious teen, who is advised by his therapist to pen letters to himself to highlight the good aspects of his day. Then one of his notes ends up in a similarly lonely classmate's hands, sparking a complex chain reaction. STC, who is putting on the production with Michael Cassel Group, has also announced a number of cast members who'll bring Dear Evan Hansen to life on Australia's stages. Get ready to see Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) as Evan's mother Heidi, Natalie O'Donnell (MAMMA MIA!, Come From Away) and Martin Crewes as Cynthia and Larry Murphy, Georgia Laga'aia as Zoe Murphy, Harry Targett as Connor Murphy, Carmel Rodrigues as Alana Beck and Jacob Rozario as Jared Kleinman. You'll need to wait until August to find out who'll be following in Ben Platt's (Theater Camp) footsteps — after he played the lead part on both Broadway and in the film — as Evan in the Aussie show. Dear Evan Hansen Australian Season: From Saturday, October 12, 2024 — Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney From December 2024 — Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From February 2025 — Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra From April 2025 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide Sydney Theatre Company's production of Dear Evan Hansen will kick off in Sydney in October 2024, then tour the country. Head to the show's website for tickets, waitlists and more details. Images: Universal.
Here's two ways that 2025 will be better than 2024: The White Lotus will return for season three, as will The Last of Us for season two. If you've been hanging out for more holiday chaos and dystopian tension, you can now start marking your calendar. Neither show has exact return dates yet, but HBO has just gotten more specific about when each will be streaming. In February 2025, it'll be time to check in again. Your destination this time: Thailand. Walton Goggins (Fallout), Carrie Coon (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), Jason Isaacs (The Crowded Room), Michelle Monaghan (MaXXXine), Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale), Parker Posey (Mr & Mrs Smith) and Lisa from BLACKPINK are among the new cast of The White Lotus season three, all playing characters that are bound to learn — and the anthology series' on-screen figures always do — that getaways and bliss don't always go hand in hand. From season one, Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone) is also returning. HBO is planning to drop big tentpole shows a few times a year — so it'll be in 2025's second quarter, which is autumn Down Under, that The Last of Us will return. There's no exact month as yet, but Joel and Ellie will be back. In their shoes, so will Pedro Pascal (The Wild Robot) and Bella Ramsey (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget), of course. This time around, the series' main duo have company from both familiar faces and a heap of newcomers. Rutina Wesley (Monster High) and Gabriel Luna (Fubar) return as Maria and Tommy, while Kaitlyn Dever (Good Grief), Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Young Mazino (Beef), Ariela Barer (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope), Spencer Lord (Family Law) and Danny Ramirez (Black Mirror) are the season's additions. The US cable network revealed the timing for both shows during a Wells Fargo-hosted conference, also advising that new Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to arrive in summer in the US — which is winter in Australia and New Zealand, fittingly. And if you can't wait for more Euphoria, the long-delayed and eagerly anticipated third season is now expected to arrive early in 2026. If you're wondering what else is in store for HBO in 2025 and beyond — or even to close out 2024 — the network dropped a trailer back in November teasing the slate to come. Also on the way, and also debuting never-before-seen footage in the clip: IT prequel series Welcome to Derry, season four of Hacks, season two of The Rehearsal, a new show led by Bottoms and Saturday Night's Rachel Sennott, two-part documentary Pee-Wee as Himself, The Righteous Gemstones season four, Peacemaker season two, The Pitt with ER veteran Noah Wyle, Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things)-led FBI series Task and Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) comedy The Chair Company. Season three of And Just Like That... and The Gilded Age also feature in the trailer, albeit without any new material, with each series joining the list for 2025. You can spot scenes from Dune: Prophecy, season three of The Sex Lives of College Girls, the animated Creature Commandos and limited series Get Millie Black, too, all of which are 2024 releases. From 2025's lineup, newcomer Duster with Lost's Josh Holloway and season two of Conan O'Brien Must Go scored a look as well. Where Australians will be watching all of the above is yet to be revealed, however, given that HBO has confirmed that its own streaming service Max will launch here sometime in the first half of 2025. Watch HBO's most-recent 2024–25 roundup trailer below: The shows highlighted in HBO's new trailer will arrive across the end of 2024 and in 2025. At present, the bulk of the network's programs stream via Binge in Australia and on Neon in New Zealand. Images: HBO.
Start dreaming about visiting New Zealand's lush greenery — or enjoying a snowy midyear holiday — because Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced Aotearoa's latest reopening plan. The good news: by July, our neighbours across the ditch will let vaccinated Aussies head over for holidays, although an exact date hasn't yet been set. Prime Minister Arden unveiled NZ's new five-step plan for reopening to Australia and the rest of the world in a press conference on Thursday, February 3, with the new way forward beginning with allowing double-vaxxed New Zealanders travelling from Australia to return home without going into managed quarantine. That'll kick in from 11.59 NZ time on Sunday, February 27. Then, from 11.59pm NZ time on Sunday, March 13, New Zealanders from elsewhere around the world can return home to Aotearoa, and some skilled workers and folks on Working Holiday Scheme visas will also be allowed to enter. Next, over the following months, there'll be a staggered rollout regarding when other vaccinated visitors can come to NZ — including tourists from Australia — with most international visitors, spanning travellers from the countries covered in NZ's visa-waiver scheme, then able to enter by July. Aussies might even be able to head to NZ earlier, with COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins advising that "the reopening to visa-free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening." New Zealand will still use its managed quarantine in some special cases, including for unvaccinated travellers and those coming countries it deems 'high risk'. Finally, in October, the border will reopen to visitors from anywhere around the world, and in all visa categories. If this all sounds a bit familiar — but just a bit later in 2022 — that's because New Zealand's border reopening plan was initially proposed in November last year, but was then postponed after Australia's Omicron wave hit, before emerging in the community in NZ, too. The new reopening plan comes after recent mounting pressure across the ditch to do away with its mandatory two-week hotel stay. Since the beginning of November 2021, double-vaxxed Australians have been permitted to leave our shores for overseas holidays; however, exactly where you can head obviously depends on travel restrictions in other countries. And, it's also subject to the border requirements and regulations in each Aussie state, as we've all come to learn over the past two years. For instance, while Queensland has recently opened up to double-vaccinated travellers, Western Australia remains shut for the meantime. The New Zealand border will reopen to Australian tourists sometime in July — we'll update you when an exact date is announced. To check out NZ's full border reopening plan, head to the NZ Government website.
For a country that's girt by sea, as our anthem reminds us, Australia has become rather obsessed with waves of the man-made kind of late. The Sunshine Coast was supposed to be getting a wave pool that hasn't yet come to fruition, work on URBNSURF's 2.1-hectare space near the Melbourne airport has already begun — targeting an April 2019 opening — and a 3.2-hectare Sydney spot was approved late last year. Indeed, 'who needs real beaches?' seems to be the current line of thinking. If a regional Queensland surf park that's set to become operational this year proves a success, we could all living out at Point Break dreams at more places — called Surf Lakes, it's actually a prototype facility designed to give a new kind of technology a whirl. Located near Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast, the park is built around a central mechanism that sends waves from the middle of the 200-metre by 150-metre lake towards the edge. With the water lapping over eight distinctive breaks, it'll produce 2400 surfable waves per hour. [caption id="attachment_676066" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Surf Lakes[/caption] Surf Lakes also has some high-profile support, with Aussie surfers Mark Occhilupo and Barton Lynch the park's two ambassadors. More than just lending his encouragement to the project, Occy is lending a hand on an attraction called Occy's Peak, The Morning Bulletin reports. It's a barrelling break that'll range up to 2.4 metres high — the park record — and span across 60 metres. The full-scale demo site is currently to slated to be up-and-running around August, according to Stab Magazine; however don't go booking a trip to central Queensland just yet. At present, it'll be run as a test facility for media and folks who might be interested in licensing the idea for other parks, although there are plans to open to the public at a later date.
This year's Night Noodle Markets are getting a shake-up, with the food festival reimagined in a new At Home format that's set to bring all the usual flavour and fun straight to your house. Every night from Tuesday, June 1–Wednesday, June 30, the revamped event will see a lineup of eight Asian-inspired eateries offering their cult dishes — and some new hits — for home delivery. At a pop-up kitchen in the CBD, festival favourites including Puffle, Wonderbao and Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart will be cooking up their finest eats and sending them to your door, so you can recreate the Night Noodle Market magic at home. You'll be able to pick and mix food from multiple menus in the one order, with everything delivered via Doordash. Choose from the likes of Hoy Pinoy's glazed pork belly and chicken skewers, Mi Goreng-crumbed chicken ribs from Indomie and Kariton Sorbetes' boozy trifle. There'll be two weekly rotating banquets, too — a vegetarian feed for two named 'Broc 'n Roll' and the 'I Love You Soy Much' date-night feast. Night Noodle Markets At Home will service a range of inner suburbs — check here to see if yours is one of them. [caption id="attachment_745518" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Puffle is making an appearance as part of the Night Noodle Markets At Home.[/caption]
If you're in a part of Australia that's sweating through a heatwave right now — Sydney is set to break its record for the most days above 35 degrees in a season — you've probably been visualising trickling streams and cannonballing into a body of water for a few days now. But how about gliding down a waterslide straight into the ocean? A photo posted by Jongkol Palarit (@pookjongkol) on Jan 20, 2017 at 12:23am PST Unfortunately the cooling relief is purely a psychological one, as this slide of slides is located at luxury resort Soneva Jani in Medhufaru (Noonu Atoll) in the Maldives. The moderately-sized waterslide takes guests from the top deck straight into the ridiculously clear blue private waters the resort resides on top of. You can do all this between courses at dinner or drinks on the catamaran nets that are suspended just above the water. The resort, which opened at the end of last year, boasts 25 over-water villas — all of which include their own private outdoor decks, pools, access to the ocean and retractable roofs. If you're already picturing yourself there, note that villas start at a huge $2000 AUD per night, with some even exceeding $10,000 a night. So while going to the Maldives would be a great right about now, we might just have to live in hope that Australia's main swimming spots gets a slide — we can definitely picture one down at Clovelly in Sydney or jutting off the pier at St Kilda.
Chapel Street is popping off right now. In the past few months, the strip scored Suzie Q, Windsor Wine Room, The Chapel and Inca — and now Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisumé, Grill Americano, Society, Yakimono and Baby Pizza) is giving it a go. Come Saturday, September 7, his two-storey Japanese-inspired restaurant and sake bar Tombo Den will open next door to Lucas' own Hawker Hall. This latest venue is inspired by Lucas' time living and working in Tokyo in the 90s, and is a celebration of Japanese street food and izakaya culture. Head Chef Dan Chan (Supernormal and Michelin-starred Yardbird in Hong Kong) is spearheading the culinary offerings at Tombo Den, serving up a heap of dumplings, rice and noodle dishes and charcoal-barbecued seafood and meats. Desserts like strawberry and sake ice cream sundaes and brûléed dark chocolate mousse with black sesame also feature. Tombo Den's menu also champions sushi, which is strongly inspired by the food's more casual beginnings as a street food staple. Kisumé's Sushi Masters Toaki Kyo and Carlos Lopez oversee the sushi lineup, crafting a selection of sashimi, nigiri and handrolls. This more casual dining style is complemented by an approachable drinks lineup curated by Society's own Tokyo-born Master Sommelier Yuki Hirose. Society is known for its encyclopedic drinks offering — often winning international wine list awards — but Tomo Den's menu won't be quite as exhaustive. This isn't meant to be a fine-diner. The aim is for it to have a more laidback izakaya feel where you don't need a sommelier to guide you through the offerings. A good mix of local and international wines will be up for grabs, with plenty offered by the glass or in a half-bottle carafe. Classic cocktails also get a Japanese twist, so you can expect to find sips like the sake martini, yuzu spritz, and macadamia and tonka espresso martini. Japanese beers and a fairly extensive collection of whiskies also feature here, while sakes are championed upstairs in the separate Sake Bar. Adding to the late-night Tokyo vibes is Tombo Den's own private karaoke room, which is sure to book out well in advance. This all sits within a totally revamped space that has a distinctly brutalist Japanese feel. DKO Architecture and Projects of Imagination have achieved this by blocking out the space with concrete, mahogany wood and marble finishes. AI-generated artwork from artist Tom Blachford breaks up these somewhat cold design features, adding a little colour and playfulness to the whole affair. All in all, it looks to be another winner for Lucas, who's built up a hugely successful Australian restaurant empire, and still plans to open more venues in the coming years. [caption id="attachment_971728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Chan[/caption] Tombo Den is set to open on Saturday, September 7, and will be found at 100 Chapel Street, Windsor. For more information, you can visit the venue's website. Images: Michael Pham.
The two main reasons people know about Armenia are so starkly different, it's kinda concerning. Either they've studied the Armenian Genocide, or just watch a lot of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Melbourne itself is a dry zone for Armenian food. This probably has something to do with the miniscule Armenian population here — according to the last Census it was only about 3500 — but Sezar is one restaurant proudly showcasing what Armenia has to give. Nestled in Melbourne Place, the restaurant offers contemporary Armenian food that also pays homage to other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. The restaurant's interior itself is beautiful. At night it's dark, fit out with leather banquettes and warm lights to make a romantic atmosphere. During the day Sezar is perfect for a business lunch. The menu is quite expansive. Sharing dishes come in the forms of spinach and feta pastry cigars ($12 for three), oysters with compressed apple and anise ($9 for two) and the knockout spanner crab manti — Armenian dumplings served with yoghurt and paprika butter ($16 for four). What takes the food to another level at Sezar is how anchored the spices are in the dishes. Powerhouse flavours such as cumin, paprika, cardamom and chilli sing out from the plates. That goes for the cocktails too, which almost make for a separate dining experience. The cocktail list features concoctions such as the Good Fortune, which is packed with Noy brandy (from Armenia), pomegranate, chilli and lemon ($22). Subtract the alcohol and this drink is almost good for you. Sezar also has a range of wines, beers and mocktails available. But back to the food. When you're ready to move onto something more substantial, consider the dangerously addictive twice-cooked chicken wings with pomegranate glaze ($18) — it comes highly recommended by the waitstaff. For lamb lovers, try the shish kebab with eggplant caponata and some of the smokiest babaghanoush out ($22). But the anoush (that is, sweets) menu is where the tongue trembles. The new-style baklava is a must, made with layers of filo pastry and Ricketts Point's vanilla and walnut praline ice cream ($14 for two pieces). The honey cream is a great choice if you don't feel like something too sweet, topped with saffron poached pear and brik pastry ($14). You can also order a dessert tasting plate if choosing one is all too much ($40). On that note, there's also a banquet option, where the stress of choosing is alleviated. Be prepared for a never-ending mix of dishes to land on your table for $59 — seafood, pastries, dips, meat, dessert, the lot. And the lot is exactly what you want — at Sezar, you're going to want to eat it all.
Tucked away on the quietly charming Bond Street next to sister venue Maha, Jayda feels like stepping into a glamorous old-time jewellery box. Through the entrance marked by a glowing red canopy overhead, you'll find a sleek, dimly lit cocktail den and private event space that feels like the perfect fit for the 1930s art deco building in which it lives. The front room is dotted with dark high-top tables and anchored by a curved bar clad in a dramatic deep green, finished with a top of black marble. It's intimate without feeling stuffy, just as suited to a cheeky post-work stop as it is to a vibey date night. The vibe becomes slightly more convivial at the venue's rear — through a corridor framed by elegant archways lies a salon inspired by European cigar lounges featuring plush velvet sofas and low tables. The cocktail list is playful and bold, featuring Middle Eastern flavours alongside modern cocktail-making techniques. The Espress Yourself feels like a grown-up espresso martini, a mix of Martell VS cognac, Havana Especial rum, pineapple, espresso and whey, which is clarified and served over ice. For something silky and decadent, the Pomegranate Sour combines pomegranate liqueur with vanilla vodka, citrus and egg white, while the 5* Arak Hotel is an intriguing combination of Vansetter vodka, pisco, vanilla arak, rockmelon cordial and cucumber. There's also a tight wine list featuring a roll call of the best drops from cellars across the Maha stable. Of course, being a Shane Delia venue means that food takes equal billing at Jayda. The menu pays homage to its adjoining sister venue, showcasing some of Maha's most celebrated dishes over its two decades of service. Small plates include smoked hummus with spiced lamb and pine nuts (which can be mopped up with the 'high-rise' za'atar-flecked focaccia), chemen-cured kingfish dressed with smoked aleppo pepper and preserved lemon and duck and apricot kibbeh. If you're planning a longer stay, you can take your pick from larger dishes like slow-roasted lamb paired with green olive tabouleh and Turkish manti dumplings swimming in spiced butter and garlic yoghurt.
You may have already heard, indeed the internet has been speaking of nothing else, but Stereosonic will not be returning in 2016. They announced on Facebook that the festival will be back and bigger than ever in 2017 which, tbh, just sounds like a gentle breakup. Why would a beloved festival, a cornerstone event in the calendars of both gym bros and dinger slingers alike, clock out for a whole year? Organisers Totem Onelove say it's because they're committed to bringing fans the best festival experience possible. It may also be attributed to the tragic deaths of two patrons in 2015, or that the American company who own Totem Onelove, SFX, recently filed for bankruptcy. All hypotheticals, all 'could be's. It could be that the Year of the Monkey is just not their year. It could just be a sign of the times. Future Music was cancelled in early 2015 because it doesn't make "financial sense"; Soundwave soon followed due to poor ticket sales (although to be fair, their version of poor ticket sales was around 20k at $170 a pop – about $3.4 million revenue. And now Stereosonic has folded and the big three festival that defined the Aussie festival scene are done and dusted. The real shame here is without a big festival, and the big budgets they bring, there's one less drawcard to get the big acts out to Australia and put on sideshows. It's pretty good news for people who would rather bathe in urine than step foot into a gym-bro festival because at the same time, as you've probably noticed, boutique festivals are going boom — it's been a killer few years for the likes of Sugar Mountain, Secret Garden Festival, Strawberry Fields, Let Them Eat Cake, Inner Varnika, OfftheGrid, Dark Mofo and Meredith to name only a handful. In the place of the massive one-size-fits-all festival giants come hundreds of smaller, niche events. The democratisation of festival culture can only be a good thing right? See ya Stereo. You'll be missed, like the lost revenue from many, many Australian gym memberships this year. Image: Stereosonic.
The Athlete's Foot pride themselves on helping you find your fit, and if you haven't found a fun run that suits your exercise style yet, you're in luck — we're coming up to the major running event season for 2013. While nothing like an actual marathon, fun runs range from the absolute crazy to the absolute gruelling. Whether you're in costume, taking a stroll, or crawling through mud, some things remain the same: it's a great way to get fit, socialise, and have some fun. If you're planning to do one or more of these, make sure you've got the right shoes to tackle all the obstacles. The folks at The Athlete's Foot pride themselves on excellent service and really know what shoes you need. Drop into one of their 130 stores nationwide or shop online. They have footwear solutions for muddy runs and colour runs, and they know all about the shoe technologies to keep you ahead of zombies, Spartans, and more. 1. The Zombie Escape Survival Challenge One of the most inventive fun runs around, and in keeping with the current zombie fad, the Zombie Run pits runners against zombies. Runners must brave various obstacles while pursued by 'zombies', who have professional make-up applied before being let loose to go after the runners' brains. The organisers' recommendation for preparation is "Run. Watch zombie movies. Run some more." Spectator tickets are available for those who wish to purely watch the action. When and where: 13 April (Brisbane, Gold Coast), 13 May (Sydney), 13 June (Melbourne, Perth)Length: 5kmCost: TBC, pre-register here. 2. Cupid's Undie Run Purported as putting "the hilarity back into charity", the Cupid's Undie Run tells hopefuls to leave their Sunday best at home and don nothing but their underwear. Participants raise money for the Children's Tumour Foundation of Australia, an organisation dedicated to fighting neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder which can cause deafness, blindness, cancer, and chronic pain. Runners are rewarded for their good deeds with prizes, post-race entertainment, drinks, and awards. Get in the spirit with some cool red, pink, or purple Nike Frees — flexible footwear in great colours for the run. When and where: The weekend before Valentine’s Day at Bungalow 8 and the Barangaroo Foreshore Walk, SydneyLength: 1.5kmCost: $30 3. The Color Run The Color Run certainly puts the fun into the run. Decked out in white shirts, runners are blasted by volunteers, staff, and sponsors with a new colour each kilometre: pink, orange, yellow, blue, then a mishmash of colours for the final stretch. Stick around at the finish line for more colour, food, and activities. Participants are encouraged to raise money for charity; the Color Run has a different charity partner for each city. The run in Sydney supports HeartKids Australia, which provides support to children with heart disease and their families. When and where: 10 February (Sydney) at Sydney Olympic Park, with other capital cities throughout the yearLength: 5kmCost: $55 (solo) or $50 (4+ group) 4. Tough Mudder The Tough Mudder run means taking a cup of tough with a spoonful of humour. Designed by British Special Forces, the run is an obstacle course which tests strength, endurance, and solidarity but is more enjoyable than a marathon. 'Mudders' work in teams, with the option of wearing outrageous team costumes, and are greeted at the end with live music, beer, and good cheer. A season pass is available for entry to all Australian events, including those already sold out. When and where: 13 & 14 April (Sydney), 17 & 18 August (Sunshine Coast), 14 & 15 September (Melbourne), 12 & 13 October (Sydney) or 26 & 27 October (Perth)Length: 18–20kmCost: $80-$180 5. Spartan Race The Spartan Race is no joke. In a bid to transport participants back to ancient times, the race, a little sibling of the Spartan Death Race, is set on harsh terrain with obstacles of fire, water, mud, and barbed wire. The first races in the season are 'Sprints' of 7km, which progress to 'Super' of 14km and 'Beast' of 21km. People can fly solo or register as a team, and the Spartan Kids race allows children to experience some of the challenges. The race is followed by food, drink, and stalls. When and where: 2 March (Melbourne), 16 March (Sydney) and 22 June (Brisbane)Length: 7km (Sydney, Melbourne) or 14km (Brisbane)Cost: $85-$95 6. Mother's Day Classic - Sponsored by The Athlete's Foot Kill two birds with one stone by getting fit and raising money for breast cancer research. People can choose to run or walk the easy Mother's Day Classic course, which has a 4km or an 8km version. If you are one of the fastest, or have the largest school team, corporate team, or friends and family team, you could score a trophy. It's a perfect day out for the family, with entertainment, food vendors, and kids’ activities, such as face painting and jumping castles, on site. Participants can be sponsored for their run or walk by setting up an online fundraising page. The Athlete's Foot is one of the major sponsors of this event, and you should look out for their stand after you complete the race to score awesomely rewarding treats (like their 'I did it!' medals last year). Make sure you get fitted properly for your training in your nearest store, and join them on Facebook — we hear rumours they are giving away lots of tickets for free, plus training tips, training nights, and more very soon. When and where: Mother's Day, 12 May, at The Domain, Sydney (other capital cities and regional areas also hold events)Length: 4km or 8kmCost: $20-$50, with special prices for families 7. True Grit If you’re looking for minefields, 4 metre high cargo nets, rivers of fire, and crisscrossing routes, True Grit is for you. The term 'fun run' is used loosely for True Grit; with over 30 obstacles in each military-style event specially designed by Australian Special Forces, it is not for the faint-hearted. Two training programs assist participants in their preparation, as well as improving fitness and body strength. Their promotional videos will either entice you or scare you away from the challenge. When and where: 11 & 12 May (Adelaide), with other capital cities to be announced soon. Pre-register here.Length: 10–12kmCost: $70-$120 8. Greatest Athlete The Greatest Athlete Challenge is much more than a fun run: participants compete for the chance to appear on the Greatest Athlete TV Series which will appear on the Nine Network from September 2013. The challenge is an obstacle course with 16 obstacle stations, ranging from easy to advanced. The top 50 men and women win a place on the TV series, where they will battle against each other and well-known sporting legends for $200,000 in cash and prizes. TV-shy athletes can take the 'Adventure Challenge', a modified, non-TV version of the course. When and where: 18 May (Gold Coast, Brisbane), 25 May (Sydney), 1 June (Canberra), 8 June (Melbourne), 15 June (Adelaide), 29 June (Perth)Length: 5kmCost: $110 (Adventure), $145 (TV Series) or $350-$500 for a season pass 9. The Warrior Challenge This is an obstacle course for people who don't mind getting dirty. Stretching over forest, bitumen, mountain terrain, mud, and snow, the Warrior Challenge organises tough challenges throughout the year, regardless of the seasons. The Samurai Challenge is coming up in March, with large mud pits, huge walls, cable climbs, commando crawls, a snow pit, and prizes for the winners. Accommodation and food packages are on offer, and there's no need to worry about the kids, who can be left to amuse themselves in a jumping castle. When and where: 2 March at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, VictoriaLength: 15kmCost: $55 (early early bird), $69 (early bird) or $79 (regular admission) 10. The Great Tribal Chase Working in tribes of two to six, people scour Sydney's streets for 'checkpoints' by solving riddles on their clue sheet. At each checkpoint, there are two activities to be completed, which might be a history question or a puzzle. Tribes raise money for Good Beginnings Australia, a charity that provides support to disadvantaged children and their parents. There are great prizes for those who solve the most puzzles and raise the most money. When and where: 5 May at Sydney CBD and foreshoreLength: 4 hoursCost: $24 (individual), $49 (family) If you need some inspiration to start training, make sure you visit The Athlete’s Foot. We're also loving their latest Brooks Float or Feel range, in stores and online now.
Not even Australia's balmy December temperatures can keep us from embracing the ironic ugly Christmas sweater trend. Christmas in July is here again, my friends, and so too is the Colonel's line of OTT Yuletide-themed pullovers for another year. Yep, KFC has just dropped its 2023 Christmas jumper range — and, like in 2022, there's a matching outfit for the furry mate in your life, too. Available to snap up now, the limited-edition designs are primed for cheesy family photos, rocking a cheery red-and-white pattern and emblazoned with a cheeky nod to fried chicken: "Tis The Seasonings". Both the human sweaters ($60) and the pet versions ($40) come in a range of sizes, so you're sure to find a good fit no matter how hard you — or Murphy— have gone on the winter comfort food this year. What's more, there's zero shame to be felt in this daggy knitwear purchase, since all profits from the jumpers are going to support KFC's charity partners such as The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. 2023's range also includes socks ($25) — if you're all about business on top and a party on your feet — and a black long-sleeved jumper ($60) that's a bit more subtle in its seasonal cheer (although KFC buckets and drumsticks still feature). And if the matchy-matchy outfits have left you and your pooch really wanting to cash in on that Christmas in July spirit, KFC is also doing festive food specials until Tuesday, July 11. KFC's 2023 Christmas in July sweaters are available to buy online, costing $60 for the human jumpers and $40 for pets.
Poodle Bar & Bistro, aka The Kennel, is celebrating its 5th birthday in style this Labour Day long weekend. Renowned for its European-style cuisine, moody interiors and stellar cocktail selection, this not-so-old dog is breaking out a few new tricks to ring in the occasion, with the venue's biggest-ever free party. Kicking things off at 2pm, deli-sandwich newcomer Carlito's will be in the house serving hot and fresh Italian sandwiches. As you'd expect, party cocktails will be pouring late into the night, while you can always satiate yourself with Poodle's house-made plonk for a cheaper alternative. Then, make your way upstairs to the first-ever Poodle Private Dining Rave Room with Turbo Thot on the decks – it'll be as debaucherous as it sounds. Every birthday bash needs a killer soundtrack – good thing the DJ lineup is stacked with talent, as DJ Sarah (in2stellar), Pjenné, Yumdoggmillionaire, Myles Mac and DJ Possum guide the tunes across the rest of the venue. Entry is free, but RSVP is required to attend. Just know, you're gonna need some hair of the dog come Monday morning. [caption id="attachment_993580" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Michael Pham[/caption]
Video art can be isolating, often presenting disjointed, non-linear images and sounds that lack obvious narrative or aesthetic meaning. The viewer, raised on a steady diet of numbing Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms peppered with canned laughter designed to remind us how and when to feel, may balk. What is the story? Who are the characters? Where is the plot? Although filmmaker and artist Warwick Thornton's recently parked (yes, parked) film installation at ACMI raises such questions, the immersive, inclusive nature of the piece ensures the audience is not lost to utter confusion. The viewer's introduction to Thornton's protagonists, Aboriginal matriarch Mother Courage (Grace Rubuntja), for whom the installation is named, and her grandson (Elijah Button) is informal — they have grown so accustomed to visitors circling the dusty Toyota campervan they call home that they probably won't even look up. Nanna is busy lovelessly churning out the Aboriginal dot paintings she sells to whitefellas to support herself and her grandson, who intermittently sips a can of Coke while listening to the local radio. Although it is logically apparent that the figures are merely projections, they are so vivid in their actions that one can almost smell the heady scent of paints, dust and sweat hanging in the air. The van is caked in red earth and adorned with scribbles, trinkets, and paraphernalia that initially suggest your average frenetically decorated travelling wagon. On second glance a number of dual tensions emerge. Do the tiny Aboriginal figures on butcher's paper plastered to one side of the van resemble ants to suggest their homogeneity in the eyes of colonisers, or are they merely the innocent stick figures of a child? Is the red handprint smeared atop the hood a celebration of a tradition of hand painting, or a reminder of the gore of invasion? What of the newspaper article placed on the windshield that tells of “at risk youths” removed by the Department of Human Services? A sense of uncertainty recurs as the audience struggles to place the resourceful Mother Courage character as either a victim or a hero. Forced out of the very homeland she now re-creates in conditions akin to a third world sweatshop, this poor old lady bears the strain of a grandchild one may uncomfortably assume has been forgotten by absent parents. On the flip side, she gets the last laugh; possibly charging thousands to guilt-riddled white, rich people who clear their colonial consciences by hanging dot paintings atop Victorian fireplaces, missing the irony. It is interesting to note that Thornton, predominantly a director, has described his foray into the art world as “entertainment, but without financial gain”, in that it allows him an outlet not bound by the pressure and drawn out processes involved in the production of a film. In doing so he intrinsically links the validity of his own practice to the creative freedom it gives him, something that an artist limited to creating work that exists to feed a specific economic market, like Mother Courage, may never enjoy. Due to his economic, social and cultural position, Thornton has the flexibility to subvert traditional notions of what it means to be an Aboriginal working in a creative field. In Mother Courage, he does so by drawing attention to another Indigenous artist who is not in a position to do the same. The point is not necessarily to find answers to the questions presented in Mother Courage surrounding the plight of Thornton's non-nuclear family and their real-life counterparts. Instead, all viewers need take away is that such conversations are worth having in the first place.
Family-run Middle Eastern venue Oasis currently holds a firm place in a whole lot of hearts. It's been 21 years since Emad and Marwa Makool first launched their pint-sized bakery and grocery store in Murrumbeena, and its popularity has spurred plenty of expansion along the way. In fact, the cult favourite has grown so much, it's opened the doors to a second outpost. This month, it has unveiled its new cafe, food store and cooking school in the heart of Fairfield. Marking an exciting new era for the long-running favourite, the Station Street space is a contemporary food-lover's haven, complete with a restaurant, an all-day wine offering and a sprawling retail selection. The restaurant space boasts room for 170 people across two levels, its contemporary fit-out cheery and inviting. Here, you can settle in over coffee and hearty breakfast plates, such as the orange blossom hotcakes with blood orange syrup, honey labneh and rose petal katifi, and a classic shakshuka eggs starring house-made tomato sauce and cilbir yoghurt. [caption id="attachment_725339" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey[/caption] Lunch and dinner might find you tucking into one of Oasis's famed shawarma wraps, a salmon burger showcasing its legendary 'yalleteef' spice mix, or maybe a share plate of roasted chicken wings elevated with chilli and pomegranate sauce. To match, there's a lineup of craft beers, wines from both Victoria and Lebanon, and classic cocktails available all day. Venture through to the grocery section to find a hefty range of Oasis's signature Lebanese pita bread, pizzas and pastries, baked at the original outpost in Murrumbeena. The rest of the shelves are stocked with a tidy curation of pantry staples, regularly adjusted according to what customers are loving. Find Oasis Fairfield at 92–96 Station Street, Fairfield. It's open from Monday–Thursday 7am–7pm, Friday 7am–9pm, Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 8am–7pm. Images: Gareth Sobey
It's been a big year for Melbourne's iconic cocktail haunt The Everleigh, first scoring a nomination at The Spirited Awards for Best International Cocktail Bar, and in July unveiling a sleek new look after a much-hyped makeover. So it's only fitting that the world-class bar has some very big things planned for it's sixth birthday party later this month. One and all are invited to join in the fun on Sunday, September 24, as The Everleigh welcomes its sixth year in fine form, with a 1960s Vegas-themed birthday extravaganza. Infused with all the glitz and glamour of this golden era and taking cues from the city's iconic Sands Hotel, it'll be one for the press pages. Prepare yourself for an evening of live performances, show girls, big bands and of course, plenty of exceptional drinks. The Everleigh will be showing off its new-look digs in all their elegant, old-world glory, including the latest addition, The Starling Room. Starting scouting out some worthy party threads now — you'll need to dress to impress Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra, specifically. Image: James Morgan.
First postponed from July to October last year, and then ditching 2020 altogether, Splendour in the Grass has announced today, Tuesday, March 2, that its next event will now be held in spring 2021. The last time the festival updated its plans, it was intending to take place in July 2021; however, it'll now go ahead between Friday, November 19–Sunday, November 21. So, get ready for a much warmer trip to North Byron Bay Parkland than usual. Get ready to see The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator, too. Both acts were originally set to headline the cancelled 2020 fest, and will now hit the stage on the Saturday and Sunday nights, respectively. They'll be joined in the top slot by Gorillaz, who'll do the honours on the Friday evening. Announcing the change of dates via its website, Splendour in the Grass co-founders Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco noted that they "had so hoped to bring you Splendour's 20th anniversary edition this July, but we can't stage the event that you know and love within the current restrictions and international border closures. Since March 2020, not a single festival in Australia has been able to run at full capacity and the industry is currently operating at a fraction of pre-COVID levels." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Splendour in the Grass (@splendourinthegrass) Just who else will be on the bill is still up in the air, but we'll let you know as soon as anything else is announced. If you had already purchased a ticket for SITG 2020, you'll be happy to know that it's valid for the 2021 edition. If you've bought one for this year, for the July dates, it's still valid for November, too. And if you don't have a ticket yet, you can head to the festival's website to nab a pre-loved ticket now. Splendour in the Grass has been postponed again and will now take over North Byron Bay Parkland from November 19–21, 2021. All 2020 tickets and July 2021 tickets are valid for November, with pre-loved tickets currently available via splendourinthegrass.com. Top images: Splendour in the Grass 2018 by Charlie Hardy / Splendour in the Grass 2019 by Dave Kan.
Twirling elegantly around the stage as part of a world-class ballet performance is one thing, but just imagine getting to do so kitted out in stunning outfits by Jean Paul Gaultier. Announced today, a dark contemporary retelling of Snow White by France's Ballet Preljocaj is set to hit both Sydney and Melbourne this winter, complete with a wardrobe of captivating costumes by the internationally acclaimed haute couture designer. Gaultier's work will complement what promises to be a multi-sensory masterpiece; the show features choreography from renowned French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, gorgeous set design by celebrated artist Thierry Leproust and a soundtrack of lush Gustav Mahler symphonies. Preljocaj's Snow White adaptation made its Australian debut at QPAC for the 2016 Brisbane Festival, last year scoring the Helpmann Award for Best Ballet. "I was very keen to tell a story, offer something magical and enchanted," explained Preljocaj. "I have followed the version by the Grimm Brothers, with just a few personal variations based on my own analysis of the symbols in the tale". Snow White will only run for five shows at the Sydney Opera House before heading to Melbourne's State Theatre for six performances. Ballet Preljocaj's Snow White will run at the Sydney Opera House from June 6–10 and at the Arts Centre Melbourne from August 1–5, 2018. Tickets to the Melbourne show are currently on sale here, and tickets to Sydney will go on sale at 9am on Monday, March 19 here. Images: Jean-Claude Carbonne. Updated: March 15, 2018.
Tasmania's north-west is a land of dizzying mountain peaks, ancient rainforests and rushing waterways. It's home to the Tarkine Wilderness, Cradle Mountain and the Franklin River. These wild places provide plenty of inspiration for local chefs and producers, who are spoilt for ingredients — be it pristine water, native berries, iron bark honey or fresh salmon. And the good news is, it's all too easy to spend a weekend indulging in their marvellous creations. Simply jump in your car and get yourself to Port Melbourne to board Spirit of Tasmania, which will sail you straight to Devonport and make your journey to Australia's southernmost state one to remember. Here, you can get a jump on your foodie road trip before you've even hit land. Partake in Tasmanian oysters in the ship's restaurant, indulge with ice cream from The Pantry shop, and enjoy the brews and sea views in the ship's bars. May to October there's even a Flavours of Tassie showcase, where you can sample everything from local cheeses and chocolates to wines and spirits. Here's your guide to eating and drinking once you drive off the ship in Devonport and hit the road to Launceston. SOUTHERN WILD DISTILLERY Your eating and drinking adventures begin as soon as you hit Devonport, with some gin tasting. You'll find Southern Wild Distillery on the western banks of the Mersey River. Master distiller George Burgess creates unique spirits that express Tassie's wild landscapes, using water from mountain streams and ingredients grown by locals. Meadow Gin, for example, is a heady mix of lavender, sage and oranges (alongside 12 other botanicals), while Ocean Gin features aromas of seaweed, nori, jasmine, ocean spray and rose petals. Burgess's weapon is a one-of-a-kind copper still, handcrafted for him by Stillsmiths, who live just up the road. Southern Wild Distillery is at 17 Fenton Way, Devonport SEVEN SHEDS BREWERY Now that you've tried some of Tassie's finest gin, it's time to find out how the brewers compare. Just half-an-hour's drive south of Devonport, in Railton, is Seven Sheds Brewery, Meadery and Hop Garden. Here, brewer Willie Simpson grows organic hops, which, along with mainly local malts, go into small-batch beers and Kentish ales. Meanwhile, local honey is turned into mead. Relax on a bar stool and (if you're not the designated driver) work your way through his creations, starting with Black Inca — a rich, black ale infused with cacao beans, as well as organic oats and quinoa — and working your way to Razzamatazz, a wheat ale infused with local clover honey. It also includes raspberries and blackberries from Christmas Hills Farm, your next destination. Seven Sheds Brewery, Meadery and Hop Garden is at 22 Crockers Street, Railton [caption id="attachment_666229" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Eugene Hyland[/caption] CHRISTMAS HILL RASPBERRY FARM CAFE Continue along Railton Road for another 20 minutes to reach the Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm Cafe, devoted to one of the best things in life: fresh raspberries. The farm cafe menu is an explosion of brilliant red, juicy goodness. Start with a raspberry daiquiri or Red Cow (blended raspberries, raspberry liqueur, Kahlua, milk, syrup), then tuck into crumbed mushrooms with raspberry chilli sauce or Petuna ocean trout with raspberry hollandaise, followed by raspberry ice cream. There's also a shop peddling jams, sauces and chocolates, letting you take some bucolic memories home with you. The Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm Cafe is at 9 Christmas Hills Road, Elizabeth Town [caption id="attachment_665957" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Adam Gibson for Tourism Tasmania[/caption] 41 DEGREES SOUTH By now, you could probably do with a stroll, so pop on your hiking boots and drive to 41 Degrees South, an inland salmon farm within Tasmania's World Heritage-listed wilderness. The self-guided walk takes you past the working farm and through wetlands before reaching Montana Falls. Along the way, expect to meet native birds, meandering creeks, diverse grasses, tranquil ponds and, if you're quiet and patient, maybe a platypus or two. Once you've worked up an appetite, sink into a chair at the cafe and prepare to taste some of the freshest salmon you've ever eaten. There are tasting plates, hot smoked salmon sandwiches and a mighty salmon burger, with local beers and wines to match. 323 Montana Road, Deloraine BLUE HILLS HONEY If you've time to explore further afield, head west to visit Blue Hills Honey, in Mawbanna – about 90 minutes' drive from Devonport. The Charles family have been making honey here since 1955 and, today, they sell it all over the world, from Hong Kong and Singapore to Germany and Russia. Every mouthful is created by European honey bees, who draw nectar from the flowers of leatherwood, manuka, blackberry and other Tasmanian natives. Bees wax and honey chocolate are on offer, too. 1858 Mawbanna Road, Mawbanna SLEEPING With so much eating and drinking to do, you'll need to make sure you get a good sleep. Stays don't get any more peaceful than Eagle's Nest Retreat, a luxe, totally private getaway on a rural property, with views directly over Tasmania's renowned Cradle Mountain wilderness. Expect a lush king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows affording 360-degree views, your own campfire and an oversized spa. If you're really keen to float away, book a relaxation massage or a hot stone therapy session. You can also invite a private chef over to take care of dinner. THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS HOW TO GET THERE: Sail to Devonport on Spirit of Tasmania, which departs Port Melbourne. That way, you can take your car with you, and load it up with gourmet gifts galore on the journey back — there are no weight restrictions stopping you. WHEN TO GO: Tasmania is spectacular all year round. WHAT DOES IT COST: This varies, depending on how many fancy lunches you plan on indulging in. Expect to spend anywhere between $50 and $200 a day (plus accommodation). To book your Tasmanian adventure today, head to the Spirit of Tasmania website.
Let the games begin: Squid Game: The Challenge, that is, and IRL rather than in a fictionalised thriller. When Squid Game became one of Netflix's biggest successes, a reality show that riffed on the concept was always going to happen. There's no death here, but there's still 456 players competing for a huge cash prize while wearing green tracksuits, being overseen by red-clad figures, and playing hopscotch, marbles, sugar honeycombs and tug of war. The reality competition TV show received the green light back in 2022, after the streaming platform had also confirmed that a second season of Squid Game itself was on its way. In June 2023, Netflix also announced that Squid Game: The Challenge would arrive in November. Then, it locked in Wednesday, November 22 as the spinoff's launch date, and dropped a teaser trailer. Now, a full sneak peek is here — and, sans murder, it looks exactly like its inspiration. If you're one of the hordes of viewers who watched Squid Game when it instantly became one of the best new TV programs of 2021, as we all are, then you'll understand the concept at the heart of Squid Game: The Challenge. As seen in the two glimpses at the show ahead of its arrival, the whole pesky compete-to-the-death angle is missing, obviously, but everything about the series is as everyone expects. The outfits, the games, the decor, the music and, yes, the notorious Red Light, Green Light doll: they're all accounted for. And the prize? $4.56 million, aka the biggest cash prize in reality-show history. How does it work? Again, you already know the details. Those 456 folks — all ordinary people, and not actors — will try to score the $4.56 million by playing a series of games inspired by the extremely fictional South Korean thriller, as well as a few new additions. Also, competitors will be eliminated as the games go on, and forming strategies and alliances will play a huge part. So, Squid Game: The Challenge is clearly designed to get as close to the OG Squid Game as possible, just without the body count. It's all being overseen by a Front Man, too, because of course it is. The results will unfurl over ten episodes, in what Netflix has dubbed "the biggest reality competition series ever". Well, it certainly has the biggest cast. Making a gripping and brutal TV show that satirises capitalism, then bringing its games into real life does sound like something that might happen in Squid Game itself if the show was getting meta. "This is a savage game," one of the contestants in the new trailer offers — but, again, viewers already know that. Check out the trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge: Squid Game: The Challenge will stream via Netflix in on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Squid Game's first season is available to stream via Netflix . Images: Netflix.
Travelling to and from Queensland is about to become a possibility again, and almost a week earlier than expected. At 5pm today, Monday, November 15, the Sunshine State will start reopening to double-vaccinated visitors. A 14-day stint in home quarantine will still be required if you're coming from a part of the country that's considered a hotspot, but this is the first step in the plan to open Queensland's borders back up — and it's been brought forward after the state hit the 70-percent double-vaccinated mark ahead of schedule. Yesterday, on Sunday, November 14, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the Sunshine State had reached the 70-percent double-dose threshold, which wasn't initially expected until Friday, November 19. Back in mid-October, when the state's roadmap out of border restrictions was revealed, that mark was outlined as the key date for beginning to restart interstate travel. So, today's announcement means that you can now bring forward your travel plans. To travel here, you must return a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours, have a valid border pass and must complete 14 days of home quarantine at a self-contained dwelling, as long as it has no shared common areas accessible by people outside the household. — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 14, 2021 When 5pm hits today, travellers who've been in a hotspot area within Australia in the past 14 days can enter the state again. They'll need to be double-vaxxed, to arrive by air and to have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before arriving — and to get a border pass. Also, anyone in this category will need to go into home quarantine for 14 days at a self-contained dwelling that doesn't have any common areas shared with people from outside the household. Obviously, needing to quarantine — even at home — still isn't the best incentive to travel to and from Queensland; however, given that the state hit the 70-percent double-jabbed threshold early, it's hoped that it'll also do the same with the 80-percent double-vaxxed mark. That was originally expected around Friday, December 17, and it's when travellers from interstate hotspots can arrive in the Sunshine State by either road or air, and also won't need to quarantine at all. At today's press conference, the Premier advised that "if these rates continue, that is good news because it may even see our date in December [brought] a little bit forward as well — but that depends on Queenslanders getting vaccinated." Queensland's Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski also advised that the state is "preparing if we need to go earlier as we have this time." BREAKING: We just hit 70% double dosed. Keep it up Queenslanders 💪#GetVaccinated pic.twitter.com/PyznKOjzxW — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 14, 2021 The 80-percent double-vaxxed mark is also when Queensland will ditch capacity restrictions for all hospitality and entertainment venues, and change entry requirements to only allow double-jabbed folks into places such as restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas, stadiums, festivals, libraries, galleries and museums. So, if the 80-percent double-vaccinated threshold is met ahead of schedule, that requirement could kick in earlier as well. If you're wondering what all of this means for international travel, nothing is changing at the moment — because, under the roadmap, international arrivals are still handled as they have been during the pandemic at the 70-percent double-vaxxed target. But when Queensland hits 80-percent double-jabbed, double-vaccinated overseas travellers will be able to undertake 14 days of home quarantine — if they've also received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before getting to Queensland. And, when the Sunshine State reaches the 90-percent double-vaccinated threshold, all entry rules and quarantine requirements will be ditched for folks who've had both jabs. For the unvaxxed, the 14-day quarantine rule will still be in effect. Queensland will start allowing double-vaccinated domestic visitors back into the state via air from 5pm on Monday, November 15. For more information about Queensland's border policies and border passes, head to the Queensland Government website.
If you'd said five years ago that Matthew McConaughey was one of the finest actors of his generation, you'd have been a laughing stock. As it turns out, you'd also have been right. After spending most of last decade taking his shirt off in rom-coms and exhibiting poor equilibrium in film posters, the Texan has undergone a total reinvention in recent times, and his role in Dallas Buyers Club is his most transformative yet. With Christian Bale-like commitment, the actor is down to skin and bones as Ron Woodroof, a real-life AIDS patient who, at a time when the legally permitted treatments were proving totally ineffectual, ruffled the feathers of the Federal Drug Administration by smuggling unapproved medicines in through Mexico. Even more emaciated than McConaughey is Jared Leto, nigh unrecognisable as an AIDS-suffering transgender woman named Rayon. Together, she and Woodroof thumb their noses at the medical bureaucracy by forming the 'Dallas Buyers Club', providing patients with imported drugs in return for a $400 monthly fee. Even discounting their weight loss, both actors are in phenomenal form. Leto disappears completely into his part, creating a kind, funny, heartbreaking character whose unlikely friendship with Woodroof gives the movie its beating heart. Dallas Buyers Club is in cinemas on February 13, and thanks to Pinnacle Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au. Read our full review of Dallas Buyers Club here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=F5YQh7qsGNQ
"It's about the journey, not the destination" rings true when applied to Victoria's Great Ocean Road — a road trip greater than the sum of its parts. For those looking for a wintry weekender filled with scenic coastal driving, forest hikes and excellent food and drink, the famed Victorian coastline is a degustation of seaside townships ranging from quaint to almost metropolitan, all approximately 30–90 minutes apart. Given the layout, it's best to pick a central hub for accommodation and plan your days exploring by car. During long weekends (or in summer), you'll get more bang for your buck by opting for a smaller, central town — then it's just a matter of a full tank, a good playlist and a thoughtfully crafted itinerary. Our top tip? Make the most of this incredible stretch of coastal highway with an especially fun (and safe) set of wheels. A comfy SUV, a luxe European sedan, or a convertible Mustang — check out peer-to-peer car hire service Turo for something to make the drive that bit more memorable. [caption id="attachment_1010561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Great Ocean Road – Eliza Campbell[/caption] Saturday At approximately an hour and a half from Melbourne's CBD, Torquay is our preferred breakfast stop on a Great Ocean Road road trip. It's one of the bigger towns along the coastline and takes cues from inner-city Melbourne's culinary culture — evident along The Esplanade and up Gilbert Street. Our pick? The much-loved (by locals and Melburnians alike) Mortadeli — a Mediterranean grocer, pasta bar and sandwich shop in the Gilbert Street precinct. Grab a takeaway breakfast roll (add sausage) and a coffee to keep your hands warm during a crisp beach walk. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DELI ✠ SANDWICHES ✠ COFFEE ✠ PASTA (@morta.deli) Coming to Torquay and not stopping at Bells Beach would be borderline blasphemous. One of the most famous surf beaches in Australia and home to the annual Rip Curl Pro, Bells' dramatic cliffs and natural amphitheatre are connected by easy-access staircases. Rug up and get your phone out — this is one of the Great Ocean Road's best photo ops. [caption id="attachment_1010476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bells Beach – Eliza Campbell[/caption] Next, make your way to Aireys Inlet, a pint-sized seaside town home to a cosy concentration of maritime landmarks, casual dining and gourmet Victorian produce. Check in to The Sunnymead Hotel, a cheerfully revamped motel that takes cues from a Slim Aarons scene, with bright yellow and orange-striped accents and a considered approach to sustainability throughout. Adjoining the Sunnymead Hotel is Indie, a boutique day spa and bathhouse open to the public (guests get a discount on treatments when booked as part of a package). The Rasul steam room treatment is a must, complete with Moroccan scrub, melt treatment and hair masque and finished off with an invigorating Snowflake Shower. [caption id="attachment_889861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Indie Spa at Sunnymead Hotel — supplied[/caption] For dinner, stroll to The Captain of Aireys for woodfired pizza topped with the best of the region's fresh produce. It's hard to pick a favourite, but the lemon and garlic prawn is a strong flavour contender to bookend a day of seaside exploration. Sunday One of the most iconic landmarks along the Great Ocean Road is the '12' Apostles — due to natural erosion, only seven stacks remain — a breathtaking group of limestone stacks located off the coast of Port Campbell National Park. Plan to head to the Apostles via the scenic route, stopping at Wye River for breakfast, the Otways for a mid-morning hike, and then home via an early dinner in Lorne. [caption id="attachment_711488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hopetoun Falls — Visit Victoria[/caption] The Wye General Store is a mandatory stop, offering a dine-in or takeaway menu, plus a shop full of locally sourced gourmet food and wares. Fuel up before heading into the Otways for a short-but-steep hike to Hopetoun Falls — one of the region's most beautiful waterfalls (even in winter). From Great Otway National Park, make your way to the 12 Apostles. There are plenty of vantage points from which to view the Apostles, Mutton Bird Island, and beyond – but for a true bucket-list moment, a flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters is hard to beat. Choose between different durations, from London Bridge to the Bay of Islands and Cape Otway at the far end. [caption id="attachment_1011609" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Great Ocean Road Tourism[/caption] Once your Apostles adventure is complete, plug the Lorne Hotel (now owned by the Merivale group) into your GPS. For an early dinner, choose between the hotel's bistro for classic pub fare or the Victorian iteration of Sydney's much-Instagrammed Bar Totti's. Order the woodfired bread — thank us later. Once you're sufficiently full of carbs, it's time for the journey home. [caption id="attachment_894352" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Totti's Lorne — supplied[/caption] Got more time on your hands? Explore our Great Ocean Road four-day itinerary, or check out these seven lesser-known stops along the way. Concrete Playground explored the Great Ocean Road as a guest of Great Ocean Road Tourism and Turo. Header image: Great Ocean Road Tourism
There's something so satisfying about pssssst sound made when cracking a tab on a canned beverage. That coupled with the fact canned drinks have in-built portion control, guaranteed freshness (with a delightful little spritz to them) and can be recycled, more winemakers, distillers and brewers are saying "yes, we can" to the can. Plus, they're perfect for a multitude of drinking scenarios — from a fruity pinot gris while sitting on your balcony at home watching the sunset to a super refreshing G&T at your mate's barbecue. So, we've scoured bottle shops and online retailers across the country for the best canned beverages in each category: boozy, caffeinated and alcohol-free. No glassware or garnishes needed — just crack open a can, throw on your best playlist and you've got yourself an instant party. WINE BLIND CORNER SOUTH WEST COOLER 2019 ($34 FOR A SIX-PACK) Straddling the line between wine and a cocktail, this newest creation comes from organic and biodynamic winemakers Blind Corner. The team's homage to the 80s is a wine spritzer (or cooler) made from their estate-grown shiraz grapes. A juicy, bright, red fruited nouveau-style wine, it's a must-have for any barbecue. Just add grilled meats (or grilled eggplant for the vegos). SITE WINE PINOT GRIS 2019 ($12) Site Wine's single-site Victorian pinot gris has been handpicked and naturally fermented to create a refreshing and vibrant wine with hints of tropical fruits. There's the unavoidable spritz — that you find in all canned wine — but it dissipates after a few sips. With 3.8 standard drinks per can, this little delightful little number is packed full of flavour, so drink slowly. INNOCENT BYSTANDER MOSCATO NV ($6) Many people's favourite "secret shame" drink from arguably Australia's best moscato producer, Innocent Bystander's moscato NV is now available in easy-to-slurp can form. Smells like fairy floss, rose petals and mandarin peel, and is filled with flavours of vibrant strawberry, red apples and a hint of jasmine flowers, with a well-integrated sweetness that jumps out of the can and into your mouth. In our opinion, it goes with any brunch scenario you want to throw at it — pavlovas; pancakes with lemon sugar; blue cheese, pear and candied walnut salads. COCKTAILS CURATIF TOMMY'S MARGARITA From the creative minds that brought you the negroni in a can (a collab with Four Pillars) and the espresso martini in a can (a collab with Archie Rose), Curatif's newest drink is a tommy's margarita made in collaboration with Tromba tequila. Curatif prides itself on making the world's best cocktails by sourcing only the finest ingredients from around the globe, and the tommy's is no different. It's made with Tromba's blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and salt. Simply pour over ice, and you've got instant summertime in a glass — all year round. At this stage, the Curatif Escape Series is only available at limited locations (Jackalope Hotel, Victoria; Pink Hotel, Coolangatta; Sails Motel, Brunswick Heads; and Pablo & Rustys, Sydney). However, the tommy's margarita (and a very delicious looking bloody mary in conjunction with Archie Rose) will be launched more widely come June 2020. MOUNTAIN GIN AND TONIC ($8.99) You can't throw a lime without hitting a new Australian gin distiller. However, not many have decided to pre-package the much-loved G&T in a can ready for your next barbecue. This is where the team at Mountain Gin (hailing from Victoria's Macedon Ranges) comes in with one of the most delicious and well-balanced canned G&Ts available. Each can includes 45 millilitres of its 100-percent batch-distilled gin, carefully blended with its recipe for low-sugar tonic, to bring forth the sharp citrus character of orange peel and lemon myrtle. The gin is inspired by locally foraged botanicals, and made using new growth pine needles and native pepperberry found throughout the area. The flavours in the gin are so crisp and clean — it's like taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air. LOVE CAN SPRITZ ($7.50) The complexity of a negroni meets the refreshing lightness if a spritz. Made with Mildura lemon juice, Poor Toms strawberry gin, Poor Toms Imbroglio orange amaro, the Sydney-distilled Love Can is also fairly low-calorie (if that's something you care about) at only 120 per can. If not, it's just another excuse to skip the gym and workout your drinking arm instead. The Love Cans — which also come in vodka yuzu and G&T varieties — are a collaboration between Marrickville's Poor Toms distillery and soda maker Strange Love. ALCOHOL-FREE SOBAH DAVIDSON PLUM GLUTEN-FREE ALE ($20 A FOUR-PACK) Indigenous Australian-owned Sobah is Australia's first non-alcoholic craft beer company. It's run by husband-wife team Clinton and Lozen Schultz, who are creating brews that are equal parts flavoursome and sustainably made. The duo's newest flavour is a light and aromatic gluten-free brew, that's sold out on the website, but our friends at Newtown bottle shop P&V currently have some on their shelves (plus the other styles in the Sobah range). It has an earthy aroma with musk and a touch of sweetness, the taste of davidson plum is tart ( similar to a cranberry) with some sourness and a slight bitterness. If you can't get your hands on this one, there are plenty of other flavours — including lemon aspen pilsner and pepperberry IPA — to try. FIRE TONIC SPARKLING SWITCHEL LEMON AND GINGER ($24 FOR A SIX-PACK) Based on an 18th-century rural American recipe, switchel is thought to be the 'original sports drink'. So, move over Gatorade — the ultimate hangover cure is here thanks to Victorian-based company Hilbilby. Bursting with good things, this can is refined sugar-free and only contains all-natural ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, raw honey and pink mineral salt. With so many non-alcoholic drinks and sodas on the market filled with excess sugar, this is the perfect drink for those wanting something a little more savoury. COFFEE MINOR FIGURES NITRO COLD BREW ($24 FOR A MIXED SIX-PACK) Brewed with a focus on sustainability and no dairy or added sugar, Minor Figures is our latest coffee obsession. What makes its brews so special is the process of nitrogen-infused cold brewing, which assists in producing a silkier, frothier consistency and a softer, but more flavoursome brew that's guaranteed to shake out the brain fog in the morning and wake up the senses. The cold brew comes in three caffeinated flavours: black, oat milk latte and oat milk mocha.
A shadowy old house. A strange little boy. An unexplained object that won't go away. There's nothing particularly revolutionary about The Babadook; it's simply a matter of execution. Taking time-honoured plot points that in lesser hands would seem cliched, Queensland director Jennifer Kent has managed to craft a film that feels both entirely original and utterly terrifying. Featuring both a gripping lead performance by Essie Davis and one of the most creepifying monsters to ever stalk your dreams, The Babadook sets a bar by which future local horror films will be measured. Davis plays Amelia, the overwhelmed, widowed mother of a seven-year-old problem child named Samuel (newcomer Noah Wiseman). A maladjusted and volatile lad with a penchant for producing homemade weapons, Sammy is quite the handful for his mum, who's still haunted by the trauma of losing her husband in a car-wreck while driving to the hospital on the night of her Samuel's birth. One evening, while putting Samuel to bed, Amelia finds a mysterious new book on the boy's bookshelf. Written in Dr Seuss-style rhymes, the story it tells is of a strange, spindly-fingered creature named Mr Babadook. Although innocent at first, the stanzas grow steadily more menacing. Of course, by the time Amelia clues on to the fact that this might not be suitable bedtime reading, the damage has already been done. In an age when 'scary' is so often mistaken for 'bloody', Kent gives us a reminder of the power of anticipation. With next to zero onscreen violence, The Babadook is the kind of slow-burn horror movie that gets under your skin and raises the hairs on your neck; the kind of horror movie that has you bracing yourself for the next scare yet still catches you off guard when the monster finally rears its ugly head. A stop-frame creation that lurks in the shadows, the eponymous Babadook moves with a slithering unreality that seems to freeze the blood vessels in your brain. You know he can't exist. And yet he does. The terror comes also from our empathy with Amelia and Sam. Present in just about every scene, Davis is phenomenally good as Amelia, a worn-down figure who becomes increasingly erratic, and then monstrous herself, as the Babadook's presence grows stronger. More than once, the film implies that the creature may just be a product of Amelia's frazzled mind, pushed to the brink by the death of her husband and the constant demands of her son. In truth, that might be the most frightening suggestion of all. Kent doesn't quite stick the landing, unfortunately. Ambiguity is one thing, but the ending here is just plain unclear. Even so, an unsatisfying coda doesn't undo what came before. To anyone who can handle their heart in their throat, consider The Babadook highly recommended. To anyone who can handle their heart in their throat, consider The Babadook highly recommended. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IuQELNFtr-g
This August, Melbourne's iconic Fed Square is shaking up its usual offering to deliver a dazzling program packed full of installations, activities and one-off events as part of its first Anything But Square Festival. One of these will see guests embark on a futuristic bunker feasting adventure, dubbed Sensory Underground. This mysterious dinner is being hosted by modern Japanese favourite Tokyo Tina across a series of 90-minute sittings from July 31 to August 11. And it will be anything but normal. First, you'll enter the space through Platform 13 at Flinders Street Station and make your way through to an unforgettable subterranean space deep below Fed Square. There, you'll be served up a four-course dinner, with each future-leaning dish inspired by current food forecasts for the year 2045, crafted around sustainable food practices, minimal energy use and seasonal, local produce. Think casual dining crossed with Blade Runner. While you're tucking into your innovative feast, you'll also be treated to a program of multisensory experiences, from some of Melbourne's hottest creative talent no less. There'll be lighting installations by artist Kit Webster, virtual reality elements from PHORIA Studio's Trent Clews-de Castella and Joseph Purdam, and visual delights from the team at Studio SPGD. Tickets to the dinners clock in at $120, including food, a welcome drink and all that sensory fun. Sessions will run at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and at 6pm, pm and 9.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
For one week each September, Brisbane becomes Australia's live music capital — even if a Melbourne survey generally claims otherwise. When BIGSOUND hits the city, it seems like every venue in Fortitude Valley is packed to the rafters with bands, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest the country's music scene has to offer. And given this year's newly announced lineup, expect that to be the case once again. Unveiling its first 76 acts for 2019, BIGSOUND will play host to a stacked pack of musos, spanning everything from pop, electronic, rock and rap to metal, hip hop and folk. Topping the bill so far is the likes of Bad//Dreems, Electric Fields, SCABZ, Outright, Milan Ring, LOSER, Tones & I and Tasman Keith, plus yergurl, EGOISM, Stevan, Laura Imbruglia and Concrete Surfers. Yes, the list goes on. A swag of other acts, reaching more than 150 in total, will be announced closer to the event. That said, the current lineup joins a host of previously revealed speakers — including keynote speaker Terry McBride, CEO and co-founder of Nettwerk Music Group, which includes Canada's largest independent record label, artist management and music publishing company; and British TV and radio presenter Abbie McCarthy, from BBC Music Introducing, Radio 1 & 4 Music, and Good Karma Club. [caption id="attachment_727168" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] I Know Leopard at BIGSOUND 2018. Image: Bianca Holderness.[/caption] Previous BIGSOUNDs have showcased everyone from Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana and Courtney Barnett to San Cisco, Violent Soho, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants, so its program is usually a very reliable bellwether of current and up-and-coming talent. Even better — the festival's four-night $85 (plus booking fee) Rainbow Pass nabs you access to 270 music showcases at 18 venues. And, they're all held within three blocks of each other. Here's the full lineup of music acts so far: 100 3K Ainsley Farrell Alana Jagt Approachable Members Of Your Local Community Aquila Young Bad//Dreems Being Jane Lane Black Rock Band Bobby Alu Butter Butternut Sweetheart Chakra Efendi City Rose Concrete Surfers Deline Briscoe DREGG DRMNGNOW Dulcie EGOISM Electric Fields Fan Girl First Beige Fletcher Gull Flossy FRITZ Future Haunts Gordon Koang Hannah Blackburn Hemm Hope D Johnny Hunter Kat Edwards Kobie Dee Kymie Laura Imbruglia LOSER Louis Baker Love Deluxe Lucy Peach Mambali Marco Mariam Sawires Mermaidens Mickey Kojak micra MID CITY Miiesha Milan Ring Nerve Outright PINCH POINTS P-UniQue Raj Mahal Rebecca Hatch Reija Lee Reliqa RINI Royal And The Southern Echo Ruby Gilbert Ryan Fennis SCABZ Shady Nasty Spacey Jane Stellie Stevan Sycco Tasman Keith Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers THE DEAD LOVE The Money War Temgazi Tones And I Wolfjay yergurl ZĀN BIGSOUND 2019 runs from September 3–6 at various venues around Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For further details or to buy tickets from 9am on Monday, June 27, visit bigsound.org.au. To discover what to do, see, eat and drink while visiting Brissie for the annual event, check out our weekender's guide to Brisbane during BIGSOUND. Image: Bianca Holderness.
Trust a mockumentary about the undead to keep coming back in new guises. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's What We Do in the Shadows first came to light as a short film in 2005, then made its way to cinemas in rib-tickling feature-length form in 2014, and currently has both a werewolf-focused sequel and a US television remake in the works. As first announced back in 2016, it's also getting a Cops-style TV spinoff named Wellington Paranormal — and SBS has just announced that it will air on Australian TV later this month. The first two episodes of the much-anticipated series will air on SBS Viceland (and be available on SBS On Demand) on Tuesday, July 31, with episodes airing weekly after that. We don't even have to wait too much longer than New Zealand audiences, either — it will air on TVNZ tonight. If you haven't watched the trailer, here's a little background info. Wellington Paranormal doesn't spend more time with everyone's favourite Wellington-dwelling bloodsuckers, even though Waititi and Clement conceived the six-part series. Instead, it follows police officers Karen O'Leary and Mike Minogue, who WWDITS fans might remember came knocking at the vampire share house's door. With the help of Sergeant Maaka (Maaka Pohatu), the cop duo will keep trying to keep the city safe from supernatural happenings — and we're sure viewers will keep watching. When Wellington Paranormal's existence was first revealed, Waititi described the show as "Mulder & Scully but in a country where nothing happens" on Twitter, should you need any more reason to get excited. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=WRO2QfESbEI
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from July's haul. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL NOW THE BEAR The more time that anyone spends in the kitchen, the easier that whipping up their chosen dish gets. The Bear season two is that concept in TV form, even if the team at The Original Beef of Chicagoland don't always live it as they leap from running a beloved neighbourhood sandwich joint to opening a fine-diner, and fast. The hospitality crew that was first introduced in the best new show of 2022 isn't lacking in culinary skills or passion. But when chaos surrounds you constantly, as bubbled and boiled through The Bear's Golden Globe-winning, Emmy-nominated season-one frames, not everything always goes to plan. That was only accurate on-screen for Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, Shameless) and his colleagues — aka sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson), baker-turned-pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Hap and Leonard), veteran line cooks Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, In Treatment) and Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Fargo), resident Mr Fixit Neil Fak (IRL chef Matty Matheson), and family pal Richie aka Cousin (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, No Hard Feelings). For viewers, the series' debut run was as perfect a piece of television as anyone can hope for. Excellent news: season two is better. The Bear serves up another sublime course of comedy, drama and "yes chef!"-exclaiming antics across its sizzling second season. Actually make that ten more courses, one per episode, with each new instalment its own more-ish meal. A menu, a loan, desperately needed additional help, oh-so-much restaurant mayhem: that's how this second visit begins, as Carmy and Sydney endeavour to make their dreams for their own patch of Chicago's food scene come true. So far, so familiar, but The Bear isn't just plating up the same dishes this time around. At every moment, this new feast feels richer, deeper and more seasoned, including when it's as intense as ever, when it's filling the screen with tastebud-tempting food shots that relish culinary artistry, and also when it gets meditative. Episodes that send Marcus to a Noma-esque venue in Copenhagen under the tutelage of Luca (Will Poulter, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), get Richie spending a week learning the upscale ropes at one of Chicago's best restaurants and jump back to the past, demonstrating how chaos would've been in Carmy's blood regardless of if he became a chef, are particularly stunning. The Bear season two streams via Disney+. Read our full review. THEY CLONED TYRONE Jordan Peele's Get Out and Us would already make a killer triple feature with Boots Riley's Sorry to Bother You. For a smart and savvy marathon of science fiction-leaning films about race in America by Black filmmakers, now add Juel Taylor's They Cloned Tyrone. The Creed II screenwriter turns first-time feature director with this dystopian movie that slides in alongside Groundhog Day, Moon, The Cabin in the Woods, A Clockwork Orange, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and They Live, too — but is never derivative, not for a second, including in its 70s-style Blaxploitation-esque aesthetic that nods to Shaft and Superfly as well. Exactly what drug dealer Fontaine (John Boyega, The Woman King), pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx, Spider-Man: No Way Home) and sex worker Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris, Candyman) find in their neighbourhood is right there in the film's name. The how, the why, the specifics around both, the sense of humour that goes with all of the above, the savage satire: Taylor and co-writer Tony Rettenmaier perfect the details. Ignore the fact that they both collaborated on the script for the awful Space Jam: A New Legacy, other than considering the excellent They Cloned Tyrone as a far smarter, darker and deeper exploration of exploitation when the powers that be see other people as merely a means to an end. On an ordinary day — and amid vintage-looking threads and hairstyles, and also thoroughly modern shoutouts to SpongeBob SquarePants, Kevin Bacon, Barack Obama, Nancy Drew and bitcoin — Fontaine wakes up, has little cash and doesn't win on an instant scratch-it. He chats to his mother through her bedroom door, tries to collect a debt from Slick Charles and, as Yo-Yo witnesses, is shot. Then he's back in his bed, none the wiser about what just happened, zero wounds to be seen, and going through the same cycle again. When the trio realise that coming back from the dead isn't just a case of déjà vu, they team up to investigate, discovering one helluva conspiracy that helps Taylor's film make a powerful statement. They Cloned Tyrone's lead trio amply assists, too, especially the ever-ace Boyega. Like Sorry to Bother You especially, this is a comedy set within a nightmarish scenario, and the Attack the Block, Star Wars and Small Axe alum perfects both the humour and the horror. One plucky and persistent, the other oozing charm and rocking fur-heavy coats, Parris and Foxx lean into the hijinks as the central threesome go all Scooby-Doo. There isn't just a man in a mask here, however, in this astute and inventive standout. They Cloned Tyrone streams via Netflix. GOOD OMENS Since 2019, witnessing David Tennant utter the word "angel" has been one of the small screen's great delights. Playing the roguish demon Crowley in Good Omens, the Scottish Doctor Who and Broadchurch star sometimes says it as an insult, occasionally with weary apathy and even with exasperation. Usually simmering no matter his mood, however, is affection for the person that he's always talking about: book-loving and bookshop-owning heavenly messenger Aziraphale (Michael Sheen, Quiz). With just one term and two syllables, Tennant tells a story about the show's central odd-couple duo, who've each been assigned to oversee earth by their bosses — Crowley's from below, Aziraphale's from above — and also conveys their complicated camaraderie. So, also since 2019, watching Tennant and Sheen pair up on-screen has been supremely divine. Good Omens, which hails from Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's award- and fan-winning 1990 novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, was always going to be about Aziraphale and Crowley. And yet, including in its second season, it's always been a better series because it's specifically about Sheen as the former and Tennant as the latter. In this long-awaited return, neither Aziraphale nor Crowley are beloved by their higher-ups or lower-downs thanks to their thwarting-the-apocalypse actions. Season one saw them face their biggest test yet after they started observing humans since biblical times — the always-foretold birth of the antichrist and, 11 years later, cosmic forces rolling towards snuffing out the planet's people to start again — and saving the world wasn't what their leaders wanted. One fussing over his store and remaining reluctant to sell any of its tomes, the other continuing to swagger around like Bill Nighy as a rule-breaking rockstar, Aziraphale nor Crowley have each carved out a comfortable new status quo, though, until a naked man walking through London with nothing but a cardboard box comes trundling along. He can't recall it, but that birthday suit-wearing interloper is the archangel Gabriel (Jon Hamm, Confess, Fletch). He knows he's there for a reason and that it isn't good, but possesses zero memory otherwise. And, in the worst news for Aziraphale and Crowley, he has both heaven and hell desperate to find him — which is just the beginning of season two's delightful chaos. Good Omens streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. FULL CIRCLE Whether on screens big and small, when an audience watches a Steven Soderbergh project, they're watching one of America's great current directors ply his full range of filmmaking skills. Usually, he doesn't just helm. Going by Peter Andrews and Mary Ann Bernard — aliases from his parents' names — he shoots and edits as well. And he's prolific: since advising that he'd retire from making features after Side Effects, he's directed, lensed and spliced nine more, plus three TV shows. Among those titles sit movies such as Logan Lucky, Unsane, Kimi and Magic Mike's Last Dance; the exceptional two seasons of turn-of-the-20th-century medical drama The Knick; and now New York-set kidnapping miniseries Full Circle. The filmmaker who won Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or at 26 for Sex, Lies and Videotape, earned two Best Director Oscars in one year for Traffic and Erin Brockovich, brought the Ocean's franchise back to cinemas in 2001, and eerily predicted the COVID-19 pandemic with 2011's Contagion is in his element with his latest work. Six-part noir-influenced thriller Full Circle reunites Soderbergh with Mosaic and No Sudden Move screenwriter Ed Solomon, boasts a starry cast, involves money and secrets and deception, and proves a twisty and layered crime tale from the get-go. Full Circle starts with a murder, then a revenge plot, then a missing smartphone. These early inclusions all tie into an intricate narrative that will indeed demonstrate inevitability, cause and effect, the repercussions of our actions, and decisions looping back around. The pivotal death forms part of a turf war, sparking a campaign of retaliation by Queens-based Guyanese community leader and insurance scammer Savitri Mahabir (CCH Pounder, Avatar: The Way of Water). She enlists freshly arrived teens Xavier (Sheyi Cole, Atlanta) and Louis (Gerald Jones, Armageddon Time) to do the seizing under her nephew Aked's (Jharrel Jerome, I'm a Virgo) supervision; one of the newcomers is the brother of the latter's fiancée Natalia (Adia, The Midnight Club), who is also Savitri's masseuse. The target: Manhattan high-schooler Jared (Ethan Stoddard, Mysteries at the Museum), son of the wealthy and privileged Sam (Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble) and Derek Browne (Timothy Olyphant, Daisy Jones & The Six), and grandson through Sam to ponytailed celebrity chef Jeff McCusker (Dennis Quaid, Strange World). Savitri is convinced that this is the only way to stave off the curse she's certain is hanging over her business — a "broken circle", in fact. But, much to the frustration of the US Postal Inspection Service's Manny Broward (Jim Gaffigan, Peter Pan & Wendy), his go-for-broke agent Melody Harmony (Zazie Beetz, Black Mirror) is already investigating before the abduction. Full Circle streams via Binge. Read our full review. WHAM! "If you're gonna do it, do it right," sang Wham! on their 1985 single 'I'm Your Man'. When it comes to living the dream of becoming international pop sensations in your twenties, and with your childhood best friend by your side, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley took those lyrics to heart. Wham!'s rise wasn't perfect, as the documentary that shares the group's name surveys, but the group's brief existence in the 80s saw them make their mark on history — and release quite the array of earworms. The songs, the ska band that Michael and Ridgeley formed first, the doubts, the struggles: documentarian Chris Smith (Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal) steps through it all, including Michael's difficult decision to keep his sexuality closeted. The early club gigs to drum up a fandom, the big-break Top of the Pops appearance, catapulting to fame, becoming the first Western pop group to play China: that's all featured as well. And shorts — so, so, many shorts donned by both the man who'd become a massive solo star once Wham! split and the pal who volunteered to show him around on his first day at Bushey Meads School long before their Wham! success. Smith crafts an affectionate and insightful film that's unashamedly a tribute, celebrates all things 80s from the hair and the outfits to the aura of excess, but makes clear that the band was never just Michael's launching pad — even if it did cement his talents not just as a singer, but also as a writer and producer. A fast-paced array of archival footage tells the tale visually, aided by scrapbooks kept by Ridgeley's mother that chart their careers; candid interviews with Michael before his death and Ridgeley now fill in the details. Also echoing: Wham!'s hits from 'Wham Rap!' and 'Young Guns' to 'Club Tropicana' and 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go'. Each gets their engaging origin story, although none more so than the still-astonishing 'Careless Whisper', which record executives dismissed when they ignored the group's very first demo four decades ago. The behind-the-scenes material is relaxed and intimate, the live clips electrifying, and the joy on Michael's face while playing Live Aid with the likes of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie is genuine (even as he talks of his fears that he didn't belong in their company). Watching means getting Wham!'s catalogue stuck in your head, of course — yes, 'Last Christmas' as well. Wham! streams via Netflix. THE HORROR OF DOLORES ROACH It takes place in New York, not London. The era: modern times, not centuries back. Fleet Street gives way to Washington Heights, the demon barber to a masseuse nicknamed "Magic Hands", and pies to empanadas. There's still a body count, however, and people end up in pastries as well. Yes, The Horror of Dolores Roach namedrops Sweeney Todd early, as it needs to; there's no denying where this eight-part series takes inspiration, as did the one-woman off-Broadway play that it's based on, plus the podcast that followed before the TV version. On the stage, the airwaves and now via streaming, creator Aaron Mark asks a question: what if the fictional cannibalism-inciting character who first graced penny dreadfuls almost two centuries back, then leapt to theatres, films and, most famously, musicals, had a successor today? Viewers can watch the answer via a dramedy that also belongs on the same menu as Santa Clarita Diet, Yellowjackets and Bones and All. Amid this recent feast of on-screen dishes about humans munching on humans, The Horror of Dolores Roach is light yet grisly, but it's also a survivalist thriller in its own way — and laced with twisted attempts at romance, too. That knowing callout to Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street comes amid an early banquet of knowing callouts, as The Horror of Dolores Roach begins with a play based on a podcast that's wrapping up its opening night. Newspaper clippings in actor Flora Frias' (Jessica Pimentel, Orange is the New Black) dressing room establish that the show takes its cues from a woman who got murderous in the Big Apple four years prior, and helped get unwitting NYC residents taking a bite out of each other. Meet the series' framing device; before the stage production's star can head to the afterparty, she's face to face with a furious Dolores (Justina Machado, One Day at a Time) herself. The latter isn't there to slay, but to haunt the woman spilling her tale by sharing the real details. Two decades earlier, Dolores was a happy resident of Lin-Manuel Miranda's favourite slice of New York, a drug-dealer's girlfriend, and a fan of the local empanada shop. Then the cops busted in, The Horror of Dolores Roach's namesake refused to snitch and lost 16 years of her life. When she's released, gentrification has changed the neighbourhood and her other half is nowhere to be found. Only Luis Batista (Alejandro Hernandez, New Amsterdam) remains that remembers her, still in the empanada joint, and he couldn't be keener on letting her stay with him in his basement apartment below the store. The Horror of Dolores Roach streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. HUESERA: THE BONE WOMAN The sound of cracking knuckles is one of humanity's most anxiety-inducing. The noise of clicking bones elsewhere? That's even worse. Both help provide Huesera: The Bone Woman's soundtrack — and set the mood for a deeply tense slow-burner that plunges into maternal paranoia like a Mexican riff on Rosemary's Baby, the horror subgenre's perennial all-timer, while also interrogating the reality that bringing children into the world isn't a dream for every woman no matter how much society expects otherwise. Valeria (Natalia Solián, Red Shoes) is thrilled to be pregnant, a state that hasn't come easily. After resorting to praying at a shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in desperation, neither she nor partner Raúl (Alfonso Dosal, Narcos: Mexico) could be happier, even if her sister Vero (Sonia Couoh, 40 Years Young) caustically comments that she's never seemed that interested in motherhood before. Then, two things shake up her hard-fought situation: a surprise run-in with Octavia (Mayra Batalla, Everything Will Be Fine), the ex-girlfriend she once planned to live a completely different life with; and constant glimpses of a slithering woman whose unnatural body movements echo and unsettle. Filmmaker Michelle Garza Cervera (TV series Marea alta) makes her fictional narrative debut with Huesera: The Bone Woman, directing and also writing with first-timer Abia Castillo — and she makes a powerfully chilling and haunting body-horror effort about hopes, dreams, regrets and the torment of being forced into a future that you don't truly foresee as your own. Every aspect of the film, especially Nur Rubio Sherwell's (Don't Blame Karma!) exacting cinematography, reinforces how trapped that Valeria feels even if she can't admit it to herself, and how much that attempting to be the woman Raúl and her family want is eating away at her soul. Solián is fantastic at navigating this journey, including whether the movie is leaning into drama or terror at any given moment. You don't need expressive eyes to be a horror heroine, but she boasts them; she possesses a scream queen's lungs, too. Unsurprisingly, Cervera won the Nora Ephron Award for best female filmmaker at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival for this instantly memorable nightmare. Huesera: The Bone Woman streams via Shudder. NIMONA Bounding from the page to the screen — well, from pixels first, initially leaping from the web to print — graphic novel-to-film adaptation Nimona goes all in on belonging. Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal) wants to fit in desperately, and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. In this animated movie's medieval-yet-futuristic world, there's nothing more important and acclaimed than being part of the Institute for Elite Knights, so that's his aim. Slipping into armour usually isn't possible for someone who grew up on the wrong side of this realm's tracks, as he did, but Ballister has been given a chance by Queen Valerin (Lorraine Toussaint, The Equalizer), who says that anyone can now be a hero. Alas, just as he's about to have his sword placed upon his shoulder with all the world watching, tragedy strikes, then prejudice sets in. Even his fellow knight-in-training and boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang, Star Wars: Visions), who boasts family ties to legendary monster-slaying heroine Gloreth (Karen Ryan, Under the Banner of Heaven), believes that Ballister is responsible. His only ally? Nimona's namesake (Chloë Grace Moretz, The Peripheral), a shapeshifter who offers to be his sidekick regardless of his innocence or guilt. Nimona usually appears as a human girl, but can change into anything. The shapeshifter also wants to belong — but only by being accepted as she is. Unlike Ballister's feelings of inferiority about being a commoner, Nimona is happy with morphing from a kid to a rhinoceros, a whale to a shark, then between anything else that she can think of, and wouldn't give it up for anyone. Indeed, when Ballister keeps pestering her for reasons to explain why she is like she is, and asking her to remain as a girl, she's adamant. She already is normal, and she rightly won't budge from that belief. Animated with lively and colour animation that sometimes resembles Cartoon Saloon's Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers, Nimona is a family-friendly adventure and, as penned as a comic by ND Stevenson (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), also a clear, impassioned and sincere allegory for being true to yourself. As a film, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (who also teamed up on Spies in Disguise) and screenwriters Robert L Baird (Big Hero 6) and Lloyd Taylor (another Spies in Disguise alum) ensure that it remains a thoughtful delight. Nimona streams via Netflix. RETURNING FAVOURITES TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK FUTURAMA Good news, everyone: Futurama keeps getting thawed out. The small screen's powers that be love defrosting the animated sci-fi series, and viewers should love watching the always-funny results. Not once but twice in the past quarter-century, Matt Groening's other big sitcom has been cancelled then respawned years later. It was true back in 2007 when the show was first reanimated, and it's true again now: whenever Futurama flies across the screen after a stint in stasis, it feels like no time has passed. Groening first spread his talents beyond The Simpsons back in 1999, riffing on Y2K excitement and apprehension, and also leaping forward in time. Futurama's 20th-century pizza delivery guy Philip J Fry (voiced by Billy West, Spitting Image) didn't welcome the 21st century, however; he stumbled into a cryogenic chamber, then awoke to greet the 31st. After tracking down Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (also West), his only living relative, he was soon in the delivery game again — but for intergalactic cargo company Planet Express, in a show that that satirises every vision of the future previously committed to fiction, and with one-eyed ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal, Dead to Me) and shiny-metal-assed robot Bender Bending Rodríguez (John DiMaggio, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) by his side. Futurama's initial run lasted four seasons, four years and 78 episodes. Then, the show reappeared in 2007 as a direct-to-DVD movie, followed by three more, which were then turned into episodes for the show's fifth season. Alas, another trio of seasons later, Futurama said goodbye again. Thankfully, when a series not only peers at and parodies the next millennia, but takes an anything-goes approach that's brought everything from robot Santas and soap operas to human-hating alien news anchors and talking celebrity heads in jars, there's always room for a new spin. Still, getting the Planet Express soaring yet again does pose one difficulty: how do you undo a perfect finale? When the prior season ended in 2013, it wrapped up Fry and Leela's on-again, off-again romance in a smart, sweet and widely loved bow. The new instalments pick up exactly where that swansong left off, then unleash a "massive disruption in the flow of time" to move everyone to 3023, then restore the usual status quo. So, Fry, Leela, Bender, the Professor, Jamaican accountant Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr, Craig of the Creek), Martian intern Amy Wong (Lauren Tom, Dragons: The Nine Realms) and lobster-esque alien doctor Zoidberg (also West) resume their workplace sitcom antics — in vintage form. Futurama streams Disney+. Read our full review. WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS Following in Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's footsteps isn't easy, but someone had to do it when What We Do in the Shadows made the leap from the big screen to the small. New format, new location, new vampires, same setup: that's the formula behind this film-to-TV series, which is now in its fifth season. Thankfully for audiences, Matt Berry (Toast of London and Toast of Tinseltown), Natasia Demetriou (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) and Kayvan Novak (Cruella) were enlisted as the show's three key bloodsuckers in this US spinoff from the New Zealand mockumentary, all in roles that they each seem born for. The trio play three-century-old British aristocrat Laszlo, his 500-year-old creator and partner Nadja, and early Ottoman Empire warrior Nandor, respectively, who share an abode and the afterlife in Staten Island. In cinemas, the film already proved that the concept works to sidesplitting effect. Vampire housemates, they're just like us — except when they're busting out their fangs, flying, avoiding daylight, sleeping in coffins, feuding with other supernatural creatures and leaving a body count, that is. On TV, What We Do in the Shadows has been illustrating that there's not only ample life left in palling around with the undead, but that there's no limit to the gloriously ridiculous hijinks that these no-longer-living creatures can get up to. It was true as a movie and it's still true as a television show: What We Do in the Shadows sparkles not just due to its premise, but when its characters and cast are both as right as a luminous full moon on a cloudless night. This lineup of actors couldn't be more perfect or comedically gifted, as season five constantly demonstrates via everything from mall trips, political campaigns, pride parades and speed dating to trying to discover why Nandor's long-suffering and ever-dutiful familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillén, Werewolves Within) hasn't quite started chomping on necks despite being bitten himself. Berry's over-enunciation alone is the best in the business, as is his ability to play confident and cocky. His line readings are exquisite, and also piercingly funny. While that was all a given thanks to his Toast franchise, Year of the Rabbit, The IT Crowd, Snuff Box, The Mighty Boosh and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace history, What We Do in the Shadows is a group effort. Demetriou and Novak keep finding new ways to twist Nadja and Nandor's eccentricities in fresh directions; their characters have felt lived-in since season one, but they're still capable of growth and change. What We Do in the Shadows streams via Binge. Read our full review. THE AFTERPARTY When The Afterparty arrived on Apple TV+ in 2022, riding a wave of revived murder-mystery comedy love that Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building had helped wash over screens big and small, it made one big risky move. Throwing a motley crew of characters together, then offing one? Tried, tested and a favourite for a reason. The ensemble cast attempting to sleuth its way through a shock death? Flawless. The genre-bending setup that saw each episode in the season parody a different style of filmmaking? Perfectly executed. Having the words "how great is this party?" uttered over and over again? That's what could've proven dicey if The Afterparty wasn't in fact great; thankfully, it very much was. There's a reason that phrase kept being uttered, because superfluous detail isn't this show's style: as in all great whodunnits, everything happens, is mentioned or can be spotted with cause. Creator Christopher Miller and his fellow executive producer Phil Lord, a duo with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street, and The Lego Movie on their resumes as co-directors, know the format they're working with. Crucially, they know how carefully their audience will scrutinise every clue and element. And, in the show's first season and now the second season — they also know how to equally honour and spoof. Fittingly, The Afterparty feels like a murder-mystery comedy party as a result. Adoring, irreverent, willing to get loose and shake things up: that's the vibe and approach. In season one, the series' title was literal thanks to a high-school reunion with fateful post-soiree hijinks. In season two, a wedding brings a disparate group together — and, following the nuptials and reception, The Afterparty's moniker comes into play again. To the horror of the returning Aniq Adjaye (Sam Richardson, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) and his ex-classmate, now-girlfriend Zoe Zhu (Zoe Chao, Party Down), another body then puts a dampener on the festivities; however, this second go-around doesn't get a-solving just in one night. Aniq and Zoe have recovered from their last confrontation with a killing at a celebration by diving into their romance, but it's the latter's younger sister Grace (Poppy Liu, Dead Ringers) who's getting hitched. Her groom Edgar (Zach Woods, Avenue 5) sports both family money and a cryptocurrency-aided bank-balance boost, he's an all-work-no-play socially awkward type as a result and, when he's alive, he's more fond of his pet lizard than most humans. Then he's found face down after the afterparty, déjà vu arrives and so does the also-returning Danner (Tiffany Haddish, The Card Counter) to sift through the suspects. The Afterparty streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review, and our interview with Sam Richardson. MINX A full-frontal embrace of feminism, penises and 70s porn for women greeted audiences when Minx instantly cemented itself among 2022's best new TV shows. The setup: Vassar graduate and country club regular Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond, Trying) makes her dream of starting her own magazine come true, but for pornography publisher Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). Created by Ellen Rapoport (Clifford the Big Red Dog) and executive produced by Paul Feig (Last Christmas), the show wasn't shy about the industry it dived into, even if its protagonist initially was. It wasn't afraid to push the strait-laced Joyce out of her comfort zone, see the empowering side of erotica for the fairer sex and champion the female gaze, either. The end result: a savvy, smart and breezy series that was as layered as it was astute and funny — and, yes, one that happily filled its frames with male genitalia. The show was quickly renewed, but also then cancelled in December 2022 during production as part of David Zaslav's cost-cutting measures at Warner Bros Discovery. Then, fellow American network Starz stepped in to save it. Watching Minx's bigger, richer and deeper second season, it's mindboggling to think that it almost didn't make it to screens. "Minx is back and better than ever," announces Doug with his usual shambling brand of swagger — the kind that Johnson long-perfected in New Girl, and also in film roles in Drinking Buddies and Win It All — and he isn't wrong. Of course, he's talking about the series' eponymous erotic mag, not the series itself, but he's on the money. First, though, the again vibrantly shot, styled and costumed show has season-one finale fallout to deal with, after Joyce and Doug ended their tumultuous working relationship. The former goes looking for a new publisher, with boardrooms overflowing with men dropping compliments and promising money awaiting. Then billionaire and ex-shipping industry titan Constance Papadopoulos (Elizabeth Perkins, The Afterparty) shows an interest in the magazine, in supporting and mentoring Joyce, and in having Doug involved — and the Minx gang, including former model Bambi (Jessica Lowe, Miracle Workers), photographer Richie (Oscar Montoya, Final Space), Doug's girlfriend and ex-secretary Tina (Idara Victor, Shameless), and Joyce's sister Shelly (Lennon Parham, Veep), are back together. Minx streams via Stan. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May and June this year. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream shows from this year as well — and our best 15 new shows of 2023's first six months, top 15 returning shows over the same period and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies from January–June 2023, too. Top image: Parrish Lewis/Netflix.
Weddings, parties, performances — The Thornbury Theatre does it all. The 1920s former picture house and longstanding icon of Melbourne's inner north is one of the area's most versatile venues, hosting both private events and intimate concerts by local and international musical talent. The venue is full of old-world charm, too, with art deco ceilings, ornate walls, magnificent drapes, woven antique carpets and a showstopping marble staircase to make any event feel like a proper night on the town. Images: Julia Sansone
In 2020, we all started paying extra attention to where we've been, in case venues we've visited were also attended by confirmed COVID-19 cases. And, with Victoria now facing another bout of locally acquired cases, frequently checking the state's list of exposure sites is once again a regular part of Melburnians' routines. The state's Department of Health maintains a register of places that positive COVID-19 cases have visited, and urges Melburnians to get tested and/or self-isolate if they've also visited at specific times. But, you can also see all of the venue alerts across the state on an interactive map. Called COVID-19 Near Me, the statewide map gives locations specific hues depending on the action visitors are being urged to comply with, making it easy to see whether or not you must get tested and self-isolate or just monitor for symptoms. For example, red-coloured venues are T1 close contact locations and, therefore, visitors are to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, even if they receive a negative test. Orange is used for T2 spots, with visitors urged to get a test and self-isolate until receiving a negative result — whereas blue shows lower-risk T3 locations that require visitors to monitor for symptoms and get tested should any appear. At the time of writing, the map was last updated early on Thursday, August 5. Unlike the Victorian Government's pre-existing map for COVID-19 cases by local government area and postcode, this map is not run by the government, but is instead powered by its official data. So, Victorian residents are urged to also check the official Victorian DHHS website if they have any concerns about venues they may have visited. As has proven the case throughout the pandemic, everyone in the state with even mild cold and flu symptoms is encouraged to come forward and get tested for COVID-19. You can check out all existing COVID-19 venue alerts at covid19nearme.com.au. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Services website. Images: COVID-19 Near Me as of Thursday, August 5.
Radar Bar and Nightclub has some pretty big shoes to fill, taking over the space that was once home to legendary live music venue Lounge for almost thirty years. But if anyone can do it justice and deliver Melbourne a cracking new home for independent music, it's new owners hospitality group Cast of Falcons. Adding to a stable of popular haunts that includes Section 8, Ferdydurke, The B.East and Globe Alley, the team has reopened the Swanston Street site over the weekend, setting out to deliver a winning mix of diverse tunes, booze and late-night fun. [caption id="attachment_731267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] The team has given the space a quick overhaul, with a fit-out that's a little more grown-up than its predecessor, yet still laidback and comfy. The DJ booth has been relocated and lowered to open up the room, while plush green curtains and banquettes have created a series of cosy nooks for camping out between sets. A Funktion One sound system and lighting from acclaimed studio John Fish help bring things to life. And, of course, that stellar balcony remains, primed for the warmer afternoons to come. The music offering is set to be an eclectic one, spread across a considered program of regular club nights and ticketed gigs. From hip hop and techno to funk and jazz, it'll all be getting a workout at Radar. A slew of well-known labels and music collectives are joining in the fun, with the likes of 1800 Tequila's Thursday hip hop night and a weekly Friday party digging into deep French house and techno. You'll catch a loaded calendar of gigs with plenty of international names pencilled in for later this year, too. [caption id="attachment_731250" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] In a similar spirit, independent labels reign supreme across the drinks list, headlined by a solid rotation of craft brews that currently includes the likes of Hop Nation's The Chop IPA, the Juicy NEIPA from 3 Ravens and Bad Shepherd's pilsner. You'll spy an organic-heavy wine selection peppered with plenty of French drops, like Goisot's 2017 aligoté from Burgundy. A crafty range of signature cocktails includes drinks like the caffeine-charged Black Mamba – a blend of 1800 coconut tequila, cold drip, coffee liqueur and orange bitters — and a couple of house tap cocktails will be joining the lineup soon. A food offering is slated to launch later this year, too once the kitchen has had a revamp of its own. Radar celebrated its soft opening over the weekend, but you catch the launch of the new weekly Wednesday party Connecting Service from 9pm on July 17. Find Radar Bar & Nightclub at 1/243 Swanston Street, Melbourne. It's from Wednesday–Thursday, 4pm–3am and Friday–Saturday 4pm–6am. Images: Julia Sansone
Somewhere between Margaret Preston and that giant plastic island, Australia popped its domestic relationship with nature on the backburner. Chrysanthemum versus bottlebrush? Sorry, we cried, but we have bigger fish to fry (sorry for the fish jokes,Torsten Knorr). That is, unless you have been hanging our around Flinders Lane or Melbourne-based artist Vicki Mason, in which case you will know that our hedgerows are as topical as ever. The New-Zealand born jeweller has taken over Craft's Gallery One with pieces inspired by the front gardens of South-West Melbourne. Vignettes from a Suburban Front Yard is a collection that returns to ideas of private versus public, recurring fashions and suburban house pride with fresh eyes. In fact you might want to ignore what I said earlier about bigger fish, because Mason is taking on a whale with Vignettes — the artist would like to open up a dialogue about the consequences of aspiring to a rural aesthetic within the realities of urban sprawl, and the associated challenges for Australia... And, there goes Wordsworth rolling around in his grave again.
In this or any other galaxy far, far away, now and a long time ago alike, this is a first: an exhibition displaying the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled, and ranking as the biggest touring Lego showcase ever. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition was initially announced in 2024, and now unveils the scenes crafted from its eight-million-plus plastic bricks at Melbourne Museum on the best day for it: May the fourth. The force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is, in this world-premiering exhibition featuring Lego models based on the George Lucas-created space saga. Locations, characters, duels: they're all included, such as the Millennium Falcon, Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards, a stormtrooper helmet, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader facing off, and the Mandalorian and Moff Gideon doing the same. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition hails from Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has indeed been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of the smash-hit franchise that's been soaring across screens big and small — and beyond — for almost five decades now. To build, the showcase took more than 25,000 hours at McNaught's headquarters in Tullamarine. As it constructs an immersive experience and follows in the footsteps of the Jurassic World series, which has also received the Lego treatment from Brickman, Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition has plenty of material to draw upon. On-screen, so far it spans the initial film trilogy that released from 1977–83, then the prequels from 1999–2005, then the sequels — including The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker — from 2015–2019. Rogue One, Solo, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Skeleton Crew: the list goes on across cinemas and TV, including the wealth of animated efforts in the saga. This is not just the first Lego showcase dedicated to Star Wars, but the only Lego showcase devoted to it. Another drawcard: being able to build your own Lego brick lightsaber, then giving it a swing in augmented reality. If you're keen to check it out and you don't live in Melbourne, you'll need to head to the Victorian capital to wander through Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. Alongside the hosting the world-premiere season, which runs until Monday, January 26, 2026, the stint at Melbourne Museum is an Australian exclusive. "Building the Star Wars galaxy from Lego bricks has been a dream project, and I couldn't be prouder of what we've created. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition takes some of the most-iconic moments from the beloved saga and reimagines them at a scale that's never been done before. The detail, the size and the sheer number of bricks used to make this exhibition is something truly special. Whether you're a lifelong Star Wars fan or just love to build, it's an experience that everyone can enjoy," said McNaught. "This world-first exhibition unites two of the most-iconic and -imaginative forces in global culture ‚ right here in Melbourne. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition boldly blends creativity, storytelling and interactivity into an adventure for curious minds of all ages," added Museums Victoria Chief Executive Officer and Director Lynley Crosswell. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition runs from Sunday, May 4, 2025–Monday, January 26, 2026 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Head to the exhibition's website for tickets and more details. Exhibition images: Eugene Hyland, Museums Victoria / The Brickman.
No one makes social satires like Boots Riley. Late in I'm a Virgo, when a character proclaims that "all art is propaganda", these words may as well be coming from The Coup frontman-turned-filmmaker's very own lips. In only his second screen project after the equally impassioned, intelligent, energetic, anarchic and exceptional 2018 film Sorry to Bother You, Riley doesn't have his latest struggling and striving hero utter this sentiment, however. Rather, it springs from the billionaire technology mogul also known as The Hero (Walton Goggins, George & Tammy), who's gleefully made himself the nemesis of 13-foot-tall series protagonist Cootie (Jharrel Jerome, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). Played with intensity by the inimitable Goggins, this head of "a modern computational instruments fortune" also publishes comic books about The Hero. In character, he dons a helicopter backpack to roam the skies and scour the streets for lawbreakers. He's also reminiscent of both Iron Man and Batman, and makes a target out of Cootie, his biggest fan, from the moment that the shy Black teen takes his first steps in the broader world at the age of 19. And, as he chats about creativity and its choices always being commentary, The Hero helps Riley stress a pivotal point. Knowing that all stories make a statement isn't just the domain of activists fighting for better futures for the masses, like himself, and he wants to ensure that his audience knows it. Streaming via Prime Video from Friday, June 23, with all seven episodes dropping at once, I'm a Virgo is a show with something to say, and forcefully. On the big screen, Sorry to Bother You was the same. They both share more than just a creator, purpose and stunning outcome, which Riley also wants viewers to notice. Again, he sets his scene in a science fiction-infused alternate version of Oakland. Once more, he takes aim at capitalism — and savagely — alongside the prevailing status quo around race, class and wealth. Crying out for justice and equality, he remains concerned about the way that corporations and their ultra-rich overseers wield their power, influence and fortunes to control everyday lives. Riley is angry again, too, and wants everyone giving him their time to be bothered — and he still isn't sorry for a second. With Jerome as well-cast a lead as Atlanta's Lakeith Stanfield was, I'm a Virgo also hinges upon a surreal central detail: instead of a Black telemarketer discovering the impact of his "white voice", it hones in on the oversized Cootie. When it comes to assimilation, consider this series Sorry to Bother You's flipside, because there's no way that a young Black man that's more than double the tallest average height is passing for anyone but himself. Riley knows that Black men are too often seen as threats and targets regardless of their stature anyway. He's read the research showing that white folks can perceive Black boys as older and less innocent. There isn't a single aspect of I'm a Virgo that doesn't convey Riley's ire at the state of the world — that doesn't virtually scream about it, actually — with this series going big and bold over and over. How does someone so towering exist for nearly two decades without attracting attention? Via a massive effort by his cautious uncle Martisse (Mike Epps, You People) and aunt LaFrancine (Carmen Ejogo, Your Honor). They've brought Cootie up in secrecy, promising that he can venture out when he turns 21, and endeavouring to instil a wariness about how the world will treat him because he's black and preternaturally lofty. "People are always afraid, and you are a 13-foot-tall Black man," says LaFrancine. "People are gonna try to figure out how to use you and, when they can't use you no more, they're gonna try to get rid of you," Martisse warns. But, like anyone that's only ever experienced life beyond their own four walls and canopy-hidden backyard through windows and television, Cootie is curious and sick of being cooped up. Thanks to TV ads, he also desperately wants a Bing-Bang burger. The first time he sneaks out, he's nicknamed "twamp monster" and goes viral. Next, he finds pals by reaching over the fence for a joint: the car-worshipping Felix (Brett Gray, Star Trek: Prodigy), laidback Scat (Allius Barnes, Cruel Summer) and fierce activist Jones (Kara Young, The Staircase). When Cootie finally tastes one of those coveted burgs, he swoons over Flora (Olivia Washington, Breaking), who works behind the counter and stands out with The Flash-esque super speed. Friends, fast food, falling in love: that's the coming-of-age path that I'm a Virgo charts, with the horoscope-abiding Cootie chasing adventure and attempting to work out who he is. Of course, most tales about teenagers discovering themselves don't also span giants, vigilantes, cults, streetwear modelling campaigns, shrunk-down people, stoner cartoons that incite existential malaise, odes to bass and rebellions for fair treatment, all while tearing into myths by spinning one, but Riley couldn't tell most tales even if he wanted to. What Riley can and does craft is potent, probing, playful and piercing — a wild and wonderful series that has everything on its mind, too, and is determined to be unlike anything else that's streaming. This may be another story about heroes and villains, aka popular culture's prevailing type of narrative at present. And, it might sit on the same platform as The Boys. And yet, it couldn't be further from the onslaught of caped-crusader universes that frequently fill screens. As it contemplates and agitates, I'm a Virgo eschews slickness for authenticity visually as well. Practical effects are everywhere, with forced perspective getting a heavy workout and sets boasting a handmade feel. Puppetry, miniatures, animation that'd look at home on Adult Swim: they're also part of the series' experience. Imagination reigns supreme in every image, and the lack of dull CGI is a genuine sight for sore eyes. Advocating for thinking and seeing differently is a task that I'm a Virgo adopts with the utmost seriousness, clearly, even as it constantly proves eagerly eccentric and sharply amusing. In other words, Riley is back doing what he does impeccably, but no one could ever accuse him of repeating himself. From racism and conformity to social hierarchies and capitalist domination, the parts of life that he's challenging demand continual scrutiny. Including exploited workers, violent policing and America's money-driven healthcare system that seems to regard living as a right only afforded those who can afford it, the distressing art-apes-life elements of I'm a Virgo's dystopian realm need interrogating in as many ways as possible. This won't be the last time that the filmmaker brings them to the screen, or champions a different way forward. Here's hoping that everything that follows — be it a second season of this or whatever Riley plies his talents on next — is as glorious and essential. Check out the trailer for I'm a Virgo below: I'm a Virgo streams via Prime Video from Friday, June 23.
The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), curated by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, are annual awards for First Nations artists from across the country. This year, NATSIAA award winners will be announced online — and all Australians can get to know the nominees via a virtual gallery — as well as vote for their favourites in the Telstra People's Choice Award. Each year, the awards celebrates contemporary artworks across a broad range of disciplines. Think paintings, craftsmanship, photography and textile works. There are 65 finalists from across the country, and what makes the awards so special is the diversity in storytelling; there are perspectives from coastal regions, desert towns, cities and everywhere between. [caption id="attachment_776094" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Telstra Bark Painting Award Winner 2019, Noŋgirrŋa Marawili. Photo: Fiona Morrison[/caption] For 37 years, Telstra NATSIAA has represented the art of the nation — culturally, geographically and historically, as well as looking to our future. And long-standing partner Telstra has been part of the awards for almost three decades. For those who plan to visit the Northern Territory, you can also experience the artworks in person at the Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory from Saturday, August 8. And it's good news for those of us who'd usually miss out on the awards ceremony, as this year's presentation (usually held on the grounds of the museum) will be broadcast online. You can join host Brooke Boney on Friday, August 7 to find out which artists have won by visiting the Telstra NATSIAA website from 6pm. While you're there, check out the fully interactive, virtual gallery and chuck a vote in for your favourites.
It's said that good things come in threes, and this couldn't be truer right now for Sydney theatre lovers, with the announcement that the city has exclusively secured a trifecta of musical blockbusters. The NSW Government has locked down the world-class productions of Chicago, Saturday Night Fever and Waitress. It's that last one we're most excited about — it first hit Broadway in 2016 and has gone on to gain stellar reviews, numerous Tony nominations and sold-out shows night after night. Based on the 2007 movie of the same name, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. While Waitress won't be here until 2020, the other two productions are set to be performed in 2019. The story of Chicago needs no introduction being one of the most successful theatre productions ever, while Saturday Night Fever is a favourite amongst Australian audiences, although its current iteration has never been performed here. Together, the three shows are expected to bring in more than 60,000 visitors to Sydney, while also generating millions in tourism revenue. Perhaps in an effort to rival Melbourne's theatre scene — which nabbed the Australian 2019 premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — Sydney has upped its commitment to theatre this year. As well as these international shows, the NSW Government announced plans to turn the Powerhouse site into a new theatre. Chicago will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in mid-2019, while Saturday Night Fever will be performed at the Capitol Theatre from August 2019. The Australian premiere of Waitress is set to hit Sydney Lyric Theatre in 2020. Image: Joan Marcus.
Inner-city Melbourne is now home to its first 'green' tram tracks, as over 4000 plants begin to bloom along a stretch of tramline down Southbank Boulevard. A carpet of native pig face and everlasting daisies were planted there as part of a $42 million project to give Melbourne's most densely populated suburb a 'green makeover'. The project will see an entire lane of Southbank Boulevard, along with adjoining Dodd Street, transformed into 2.5 hectares of open space featuring greenery, public art spaces and 1.2 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes connecting Domain Parklands to the Yarra River. Late last year, it was announced that the new public space on Dodd Street would cater for everything from street performances to farmers markets and medium-scale music festivals. It's the start of what the government hopes will be 12 MCG's, or 240,000 square metres, worth of new open spaces to be unveiled across the city over the next 15 years. The recent Southbank Boulevard works have included a major revamp of tram infrastructure and the addition of a new accessible tram stop, with blooms planted right through the middle of the tracks. Around 300 trees are also being planted, in an effort to create a year-round canopy for the residents in this booming, apartment-heavy corner of the city. [caption id="attachment_693362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The new-look Southbank Boulevard[/caption] During the Southbank Boulevard's makeover portions of Southbank Boulevard, Dodds Street and Sturt Street will be closed. You can stay up-to-date with what's open (and what's closed) at the City of Melbourne website. Work is also set to kick off this week on the City of Melbourne's new 5000-square-metre park next to the nearby Boyd Community Centre. The project will replace a 1960's school building with a family-friendly public space, complete with communal garden, improved bike and pedestrian access and lots of grassy areas. Southbank Boulevard's 'green makeover' is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from April's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmSK3XliTk4 RUTHERFORD FALLS He co-wrote and produced The Office. He did the same on Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which he co-created as well. And, he gave the world The Good Place — which makes Michael Schur one of the best in the business when it comes to kind-hearted, smart and savvy small-screen laughs. His new show, Rutherford Falls, continues the streak. Co-created with star Ed Helms and showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas (Superstore), it also boasts his usual charm and intelligence and, as with all of the above programs, it's exceptionally well-cast. Plus, it's immensely easy to binge in just one sitting, because each one of its ten first-season episodes leave you wanting more. The setup: in the place that gives the sitcom its name, Nathan Rutherford (Helms, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun) runs the local history museum. One of his descendants founded the town, and he couldn't be more proud of that fact. He's also very protective of the towering statue of said ancestor, even though it sits in the middle of a road and causes accidents. So, when the mayor (Dana L.Wilson, Perry Mason) decides to move the traffic hazard, Nathan and his overzealous intern Bobbie (Jesse Leigh, Heathers) spring into action. Nathan's best friend Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding, Blast) helps; however, the Minishonka Nation woman begins to realise just how her pal's family have shaped the fate of her Native American community. Also featuring a scene-stealing Michael Greyeyes (I Know This Much Is True) as the enterprising head of the Minishonka Nation casino, Rutherford Falls pairs witty laughs with warmth and sincerity, especially when it comes to exploring the treatment of First Nations peoples in America today. The first season of Rutherford Falls is available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PkRz0Qda4 WAKEFIELD Scroll through the list of Wakefield's cast members, and many a famous Australian name pops up. Ryan Corr (High Ground), Wayne Blair (Rams), Kim Gyngell (Brothers' Nest), Harriet Dyer (The Invisible Man), and comedians Felicity Ward and Sam Simmons are just some of them, but this ABC series belongs to phenomenal British talent Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split). With an Aussie accent so flawless that all other actors attempting the feat should study it in the future, he plays nurse Nik Katira. His workplace: the eponymous Wakefield, a mental health hospital in the Blue Mountains. Nik's days involve caring for his patients, navigating the usual workplace politics and grappling with his personal life, with all three often overlapping. That might sound like the usual medical drama, but Wakefield isn't ever as straightforward as it might appear. From its very first episode — one of five directed by The Dressmaker filmmaker Jocelyn Moorhouse, with the other three helmed by The Rocket's Kim Mordaunt — the series purposefully throws its viewers off-kilter. With roving cinematography and looping stories, it keeps everyone watching guessing, just as the figures within its frames are doing about their daily existence (including and sometimes especially Nik). Already set to be one of Australian TV's most impressive new series of the year — and likely the best of the year, too — Wakefield is gripping, twisty, powerful and almost devastatingly empathetic about a topic that is rarely handled with as much care and understanding. In other words, it's a knockout. The first season of Wakefield is available to stream via ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ3dgHqaw8U CONCRETE COWBOY Like many titles that grace Netflix's catalogue, Concrete Cowboy sounds like the type of movie that the streaming platform's algorithm could've easily cooked up. It might've gleaned that its subscribers like Idris Elba, and that they're keen on horses. It already knows that viewers love Stranger Things, obviously, which is where Caleb McLaughlin comes in. Combine all of the above with a coming-of-age tale that also doubles as a story of redemption, and this movie could be the end result. That's not how Concrete Cowboy came about, though. It's based on Greg Neri's novel Ghetto Cowboy, and it has both a classic and a vibrant air — befitting a film about a teenager who finds his life forever changed by an animal, and a movie about an urban riding community in Detroit as well. As the trouble-prone 15-year-old at the centre of the story, McLaughlin puts in a stirring performance. As his initially estranged father, and the man that introduces him to the stables, Elba (Cats) is magnetic, but his work here doesn't coast by on charm alone. First-time feature writer/director Ricky Staub guides stellar portrayals out of both his stars, and also works with cinematographer Minka Farthing-Kohl (The Nowhere Inn) to ensure that every second of Concrete Cowboy looks and feels as if it's galloping thoughtfully and perceptively through an oft-seen subculture. Concrete Cowboy is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgB7rMuxY-s THE SERPENT One day, Tahar Rahim will likely win an Oscar. He's that phenomenal an actor, as he has shown in everything from A Prophet, The Past and Daguerreotype to The Eddy and The Mauritanian. In The Serpent, however, he's never been more unsettling — but given that he's playing Charles Sobhraj, that comes with the territory. If the real-life French serial killer's name doesn't ring a bell, then this eight-part series will make sure you'll never forget it. The instantly riveting drama tells a grim true tale, and an unnerving one. With his girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman, The Cry) and accomplice Ajay Chowdhury (TV first-timer Amesh Edireweera), Sobhraj targeted young travellers in Bangkok and south Asia in the 70s — usually luring them in with a scam first, or trying to flat-out steal their money, then drugging them, killing them and stealing their passports. Ripper Street writers Richard Warlow and Toby Finlay intertwine Sobhraj, Leclerc and Chowdhury's murderous exploits with the efforts of Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) to find two missing tourists. After being tipped off about two bodies by a loud-mouthed Australian in Thailand (Damon Herriman, Judy & Punch), Knippenberg begins to piece together the broader story. It's easy to feel just as he does while watching The Serpent, actually, because getting swept up in its distressing details is simply inevitable. The Serpent is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9xVoRoWmnA I USED TO GO HERE With I Used to Go Here, writer/director Kris Rey (Unexpected) tackles an experience that everyone goes through once they've spent a decade or so being an adult. You might've achieved everything you'd ever hoped for when you were in university — and you might be well-aware that your teenage self would be gobsmacked by what you've conquered — but few dreams are ever as glittering in reality. For Kate Conklin (Gillian Jacobs, Love), things should've been perfect. But while the 35-year-old's first novel is new on bookshelves, it isn't selling. Her book tour has been cancelled as a result. And, although a wedding was in her near future, she soon finds herself single, confused, angry, alone and hurting. So, Kate accepts an offer to step back into the past. Asked to speak at her alma mater by a professor (Jemaine Clement, Legion) she looked up to, she jumps at the chance to revisit her old haunts, to feel like a big deal in her old college town and to get nostalgic with familiar faces. But, she primarily ends up hanging out with the students who now live in her old house, and regressing emotionally. In in its narrative, I Used to Go Here delivers few surprises. And yet, this keenly observed film knows how it feels to walk in Kate's shoes, and how to make those emotions drip from the screen as well. It helps that both Rey and Jacobs invest depth and emotion into every frame; indeed, this would've been half the movie it is otherwise. I Used to Go Here is available to stream via Stan. NEW SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQqyfO66uw MARE OF EASTTOWN Kate Winslet doesn't make the leap to the small screen often, but when she does, it's a must-see event. 2011's Mildred Pierce was simply astonishing, a description that both Winslet and her co-star Guy Pearce also earned — alongside an Emmy each, plus three more for the HBO limited series itself. The two actors and the acclaimed US cable network all reteam for Mare of Easttown, and it too is excellent. Set on the outskirts of Philadelphia, it follows detective Mare Sheehan. As the 25th anniversary of her high-school basketball championship arrives, and after a year of trying to solve a missing person's case linked to one of her former teammates, a new murder upends her existence. Mare's life overflows with complications anyway, with her ex-husband (David Denman, Brightburn) getting remarried, and her mother (Jean Smart, Watchmen), teenage daughter (Angourie Rice, Spider-Man: Far From Home) and four-year-old grandson all under her roof. With town newcomer Richard Ryan (Pearce, The Last Vermeer), she snatches what boozy and physical solace she can. As compelling and textured as she always is, including in this year's Ammonite, Winslet turns Mare of Easttown into a commanding character study. That said, it's firmly an engrossing crime drama as well. Although yet again pondering the adult life of an ex-school sports star, The Way Back's Brad Ingelsby isn't just repeating himself by creating and writing this seven-part series, while The Leftovers and The Hunt's Craig Zobel takes to his directing gig with a probing eye. The first two episodes of Mare of Easttown are available to stream via Binge, with new episodes available weekly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg_160Be71g THE HANDMAID'S TALE Fans of The Handmaid's Tale have had to wait longer than expected for its fourth season, with the dystopian series' next batch of episodes among the many things that were postponed due to the pandemic. But, now it's here — and yes, the word you're looking for is 'finally'. Basically, it's time to trade one source of anxiety and tension for another. Watching the series has never been a stress-free experience, and that continues this time around. Given that the show is all about toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality, sending your blood pressure soaring is to be expected (and reading Margaret Atwood's 1985 book wasn't a calm experience, either). After season three's cliffhanger, June (Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man) is still battling against Gilead. In fact, after everything that the oppressive regime has done to her and her loved ones — and the ways in which it has changed life for women in general — she's firmly out for justice and revenge. That involves taking new risks, but that's what a rebel leader has to do. And we all know that stress and tension is only going to keep building as The Handmaid's Tale drops its new episodes week by week. The first three episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season four are available to stream via SBS On Demand, with new episodes available weekly. INSTANT AND OLD-SCHOOL CLASSICS TO WATCH AND REWATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc5hiLqHa6g ZAMA Nine years is a rather long time to wait for a filmmaker to make a new movie. But, for fans of Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel, that's exactly the period that passed between her 2008 thriller The Headless Woman and 2017's exceptional Zama. Although there was never really any doubt that the latter would be something special when it finally surfaced, the acclaimed auteur well and truly made her comeback with an effort that matches her reputation: mythic. Here, Martel takes on Antonio di Benedetto's 1956 Argentinean novel Zama to explore the story of an 18th-century Spanish magistrate — the Don Diego de Zama (Daniel Giménez Cacho, The Promise) of the movie's title. He's stuck in a small South American town, desperately hoping for a transfer and, as he waits and his patience slips, he's also quickly losing his grip on everything. Narrative-wise, Zama has plenty to say about colonialism and class, and uses drama, comedy and tragedy to do so; however, it's how Martel conveys the film's tale and dives into its themes that sears this inimitable movie into viewers' brains. As its protagonist's ideas of his own grandeur are chipped away moment by moment, Zama, the feature, charts the opposite trajectory with its exquisite imagery, hypnotic rhythm and distinctive logic. Zama is available to screen via Binge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH-aPyydgoE SNOWPIERCER Whenever Bong Joon-ho makes a movie, the entire world should take notice. It did with Parasite, with the masterful thriller nabbing Cannes' Palme d'Or, Sydney Film Festival's prize and four Oscars to prove it (and a slew of other awards as well). But, arriving two titles and six years earlier on his filmography, Snowpiercer didn't initially get the same amount of attention. Yes, it sparked an immensely watchable TV remake; however, it didn't attract eyeballs en masse. It should've, but that's the thing about movies once they're out there in the world: if you've missed them, you can always hunt them down. When it premiered in Australia, also at SFF, more than a few folks in the audience walked out. They robbed themselves of a smart, savage and supremely entertaining dystopian action-thriller, all set on the perpetually moving train that gives the film its title. Adapted from the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Bong and co-screenwriter Kelly Masterson (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead), the film transports the world's class, social and economic struggles into the locomotive's stratified carriages, and charts the inevitable uprising that follows when those left at the back of the train decide to rebel. Bong's first English-language feature, it boasts a killer cast, too, including Chris Evans (Knives Out), Song Kang-ho (Parasite), Tilda Swinton (The Personal History of David Copperfield), Jamie Bell (Rocketman), Octavia Spencer (The Witches) and John Hurt (Jackie). Snowpiercer is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8lT_X8Oycc FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. If those six words already mean something to you, you're clearly a fan of Friday Night Lights — which, although it only spanned five seasons and 76 episodes, is one of the very best dramas of the 00s. It wasn't guaranteed to be a hit, or to even be any good, though. Initially, Friday Night Lights was a 1990 non-fiction book about small-town high-school football. Then, it became a grim sports film, starring Billy Bob Thornton when he was fresh off of Bad Santa. Both the text and the movie still exist, of course, but it's the TV series that everyone now thinks of when the Friday Night Lights name comes up. It's the show that made everyone think of Kyle Chandler (Godzilla vs Kong) as their coach and their dad, too, because they're the roles he plays to absolute perfection here. The general premise remains the same, this time following the Dillon Panthers. Chandler's Eric Taylor steps into the head coach role just as the team's star quarterback is injured, which sets up the storyline for the first season. Not just centred on sport, the series also dives deep into the everyday lives of its players in its fictional Texas community, and their loved ones as well — which is where everyone from Connie Britton (Promising Young Woman), Taylor Kitsch (21 Bridges) and Jesse Plemons (Judas and the Black Messiah) to Michael B Jordan (Just Mercy) and Jurnee Smollet (Lovecraft Country) pop up. All five seasons of Friday Night Lights are available to stream via Binge. Top images: The Serpent, Mammoth Screen Ltd, photographer: Roland Neveu.
If you've ever whiled away your evening hours watching MasterChef while enviously eating a two-ingredient pesto pasta for dinner, we have some good news for you: Jacob's Creek is setting up a pop-up kitchen in Sydney, and it's aimed precisely at those who want to refine their chef skills a little — i.e., you. Rather than defaulting to one of the well-worn tourist trap restaurants on your Sydney trip, head to Kitchen Collective for a more memorable experience. In this Surry Hills pop-up restaurant, Huxtaburger chef (and past guest judge on MasterChef) Daniel Wilson will guide attendees through a two-course cooking demonstration of one entree and one dessert. Diners will learn from Wilson and then take part in a little friendly competition as they recreate the two courses. While there will be prizes up for grabs, there won't be any eliminations (and hopefully no tears, either). To take a little of the pressure away, caterers Studio Neon will take care of your main course and Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature wines will be matched to each course. Wine expert Ambar Maddox will be present to chat through each free-flowing drop and share the secret to food and wine pairing. As well as helping you hone your top chef skills, the pop-up will also contribute to an even greater good: 100 percent of profits are being donated to SecondBite, a charity that provides food and support for the needy. It's the perfect excuse to book an interstate jaunt. Jacob's Creek Kitchen Collective will take place between Friday, July 27 and Sunday, August 12 in Surry Hills, Sydney. Daytime sessions will run from 12pm–4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and the nighttime experience will run from 6pm–10pm every Friday to Sunday. Only 16 seats are available for each session, so move quickly and nab your spot here.
This weekend sees the opening of Marquee Sydney, the city's brand new superclub, brought to us by The Star. It's well known that The Star, formerly Star City casino, has been attempting to rebuild its image over the past year. They want you to see it as the kind of classy place jet-setters hang out at, as opposed to the image people had previously - over-priced drinks and square-eyed gamblers mechanically pressing buttons on pokie machines in a vast room that reeks of Brut and broken dreams. Marquee is the most anticipated part of their grand plan to erase that image. Marquee Sydney is being brought to us courtesy of nightlife operator Tao Group, which operates a number of superclubs in the US including the Marquee Nightclub and Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Marquee is promising to bring "a monumental change to Sydney's nightlife landscape." It's an unusual claim to make, given that Sydney's nightlife over the last few years has been focused on improving and innovating the small, boutique bar scene and creating the kind of places people can sit around in black skivvies reading books and drinking chardonnay - like Melbourne, if you will. And everyone has very much enjoyed the explosion of small bars, which provide a welcome alternative for those not so keen on side-stepping the drunken punch-ups outside Kings Cross nightclubs at three in the morning. Marquee is set to take up the entire top floor of the reinvigorated Star's new harbourside entrance. 20,000 square feet of floor space will host a 30-foot projection stage with an LED DJ booth and two dance floors, a "stylish library-style" lounge complete with a working fire place, a seperate DJ area on a patio, a chillout area and a unisex "bathroom lounge," which will surely be the most wholesome spot in the club. The VIP launch party this weekend will feature will.i.am and Afrojack of The Black Eyed Peas playing to 'celebrities' such as Nick Lachey, Ashlee Simpson and Paris Hilton.
Historically, there are many different yogic paths that emerged and influenced each other. ‘Yoga’ has changed over the centuries, and has many different techniques ascribed to it. While in Western interpretations yoga has become an increasingly mainstream and consumerist form of exercise, the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga are just as, if not more significant, than the physical. A combination of asanas (physical poses) and pranayama (breath control), the actual word ‘yoga’ comes from the root yuj, which translates as “to yoke, to unite” with the divine. Uniting with the divine is all well and good, but, let’s be honest, there’s probably some small part of you that secretly relishes the idea of having Jennifer Aniston arms or smugly crossing off the last session on your 30-day yoga challenge. I’m not judging you. Whatever your reason for pursuing yoga, we’re here to help you navigate the way between sun salutations and savasanas. FIND YOUR FLOW There are endless varieties of yoga to suit any number of different needs and intentions. MEDIUM Vinyasa yoga is a term that can cover a wide range of different yoga classes and is characterised by its dynamic flow transitions. Popular worldwide, it is relatively fast paced. Poses and sequences are connected by said vinyasa, which refers to a series of three poses — plank, chaturunga and upward facing dog. While it may seem intimidating to be in a room full of people who don’t skip a beat when a teacher instructs them to be various types of animals (pigeon? cat? cow? lizard? dolphin?!?), there are generally newbies in every class with whom you can make frenzied eye contact while trying to figure out how one is supposed to get their legs to go that way. Typically, these classes have a standing sequence and a floor sequence, followed by an inversion (varying degrees of upside down-ness) and finishing up with ‘savasana’ (if you are good at sleeping you will be wonderful at this). My personal recommendation to bring along to a vinyasa class is a small towel for hand grippy purposes (clammy palms people, you get me), a water bottle and potentially a light drapey scarf with an exotic foreign pattern on it for savasana, when the body temperature drops and you may need a little cover-up. Image: Power Living Melbourne, Fitzroy and South Melbourne. INTENSE Adapted from traditional Hatha yoga in the early 1970s by Bikram Choudhury, Bikram yoga follows the same 26 poses and two breathing exercises for 90 minutes, in a room heated to approximately 40 degrees Celsius. It’s specifically designed for its detoxifying and rejuvenating purposes, while increasing flexibility and total body strength. While initially I thought my yoga teacher was some sort of sociopath for kindly (but firmly) encouraging me to stay in the class for the full 90 minutes, adjusting to the heat is an important part of your beautiful Bikram journey*. There’s some sort of sick, addictive pleasure in making it through a full class, and it only gets easier every time you go. For your first Bikram yoga class, bring a towel or two — one to absorb the ocean of sweat that your body will expel, and the other to shower with at the end of class (highly recommended). Also bring a giant bottle of water. Take small sips during the class and drink the hell out of it afterwards. *That being said, listen to your body. If something is just not okay, you didn’t lose at yoga! Stand your ground and get the hell outta there. Image: chantel beam photography via photopin cc MODERN I’m a pretty big fan of the incense, shrines and chanting music variety of yoga, so I was a little cautious about the new phenomenon to hit our fair shores, Hip Hop Yoga. However, the combination of my great loves for both downward dog and Snoop Dogg resulted in a wonderfully unique flow that was uplifting in a totally different way. Hip Hop Yoga is exactly what it sounds like — a vinyasa flow style of yoga set to hip hop music in various degrees of intensity. While it bears similarity to more traditional styles in terms of poses and breath control, Hip Hop Yoga stands as its own kind of practice, more like a choreographed combination of dance and yoga. You’re not quite pop, lock and dropping that booty, but there’s no group chanting or gentle gong beating either. Image: Yoga 213 Studio, South Yarra. WHAT TO EXPECT Expect to feel welcome. Despite the notion of an exclusive yoga culture that both intimidates and entices newbies, you should feel comfortable at any yoga studio. Sharing the practice and community with everyone is what yoga is all about! Bow down to the joys of yoga! Expect not to be able to do everything. If you haven’t practiced before, expect poses to feel unfamiliar and potentially uncomfortable. While you are probably very good at sitting on chairs, walking up stairs and going to get coffee, our Western bodies are not accustomed to things like balancing on one leg, being upside down or standing on our heads. Be mindful of this and know that you did not lose at yoga just because you face planted while attempting crow pose. Expect to be jealous of the girl who drifts into class with an exotic scarf from a small village in India and can hold a five-minute headstand with ease. There will be one in every class and it will not be you. Be okay with that. Expect to say 'namaste'. It might feel a little cheesy and unnatural at first, but it’s how you will end every single yoga class you ever take. Don’t be alarmed if at some point in the class people start chanting OM. Despite what it may sound like at first, you are not being indoctrinated and this is not a cult. Just go with it. FROM DRISHTIS TO DOWNWARD DOG(G)S Drishti The eyes' focus point during poses, intended to keep the mind from drifting and keep you awareness inward. Downward Dog Perhaps the most frequently visited yoga pose, Downward-Facing Dog is achieved by placing the hands and feet on the floor and lifting the hips upwards to form an upside down V with the body. A traditional pose in sun salutation sequences, this pose in often used to warm up initially and reset in between sequences. Vinyasa Poses linked with breath and connected together to form a ‘flow’. Chakra The seven centres of energy or spiritual power within the bodies. These can relate to different emotional issues. Namaste This has a variety of different specific translations, but ultimately is an expression of gratitude acknowledgement to a divine power or presence, something greater than ourselves. Can loosely be interpreted as, “The spirit in me acknowledges the spirit in you”. Savasana A pose of total relaxation taken at the end of practice, or sometimes at intervals during. Chaturanga Going through a sequence of plank, chaturanga (which is kind of like the downwards part of a push up) and upward dog or cobra. This is taken in between vinyasa flow sequences. Asana The various physical postures and poses in yoga. Pranayama The flow of breath or breath control in yoga. Ujjayi breath A type of yogic breathing that is made by gently constricting the base of the throat, filling the belly first, then upper rib cage and throat, making an oceanic sound. WHERE TO PRACTICE Power Living in both Fitzroy and South Melbourne is hard to go past with their wide range of class times and options that range from basics to dynamic vinyasa. Recently opened on Napier Street in a beautiful converted warehouse is North Yoga, specialising is classical yoga and aiming to bring it back to basics. Bikram Yoga Fitzroy on Johnston Street boasts a great introductory special ($30 for 30 days) and flexible timetable options, as does Bikram Yoga Melbourne, with locations in Richmond and Prahran. Over the river, South Yarra is home to Yoga 213, the only place in Melbourne to get your Hip Hop yoga fix (owner Sammy Veall is responsible for bringing the style to Australia), as well as One Hot Yoga, a studio popular for their dynamic flow classes in heated rooms. Image: North Yoga Studio, Fitzroy. Images courtesy of The Yoga Company, Bikram Yoga Prahran and Richmond, Power Living Australia, Yoga 213 and North Yoga. Top image: Kris Krug via photopin cc
Trekking across a continent is the type of bucket-list activity plenty of people think about, but few ever manage. If you're in Canada, however, walking across the country just got a whole lot easier. Spanning 24,000 kilometres across 13 provinces and territories, the world's longest hiking track has just been completed. It has taken 25 years to come to fruition, so it's no wonder that they're calling it The Great Trail. Opening in its 100% connected form at the end of August, the path connects Canada's east and west coasts via an outdoor journey through all of the terrain the nation has to offer. Urban, rural and wilderness landscape is featured, plus greenways, waterways and roadways, with track perfect for not only hikers, cyclists and horse riders, but anyone keen for a paddle, cross-country ski or snowmobile trip as well. The trail was first conceived as part of Canada's 125th anniversary celebrations in 1992, with Pierre Camu, Bill Pratt, and Paul LaBarge coming up with the idea to connect all of the country's various tracks. As well as the types of treks you'd expect — over rocky ground and through leafy forests, for example — highlights include wanders through major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa, a sea-to-sky marine trail around islands and waterfalls, and dog-sledding during snow season. Via Travel + Leisure / Image: The Great Trail.
