If you're trekking around Sydney Road and Melbourne's inner north this weekend, you'd best be prepared for a few changes to your usual transport routine. From 12.30am this Saturday, April 21, until the final tram on Monday, April 23, Route 19 trams are set to be replaced by buses, as construction begins on a new accessible platform at Stop 19, on the corner of Brunswick Road and Sydney Road. The buses will run in place of the usual trams between Stop 7 at The Queen Victoria Market and Stop 27 at the Brunswick Tram Depot, picking up travellers at temporary stops and existing kerbside tram stops. Public Transport Victoria has also warned that services could experience delays, and is urging passengers to leave a little extra time for their travels. The Route 59 service between the CBD and Flemington Road will feature extra trams during peak times this weekend to help take off some of the pressure — but if you've got a bike, this might be a good weekend to get some use out of it. Jump over to the PTV website for more information about the changes. Image: PeterChickenCampbell via Wikimedia Commons.
Ponyfish Island has delivered few big changes in the decade it's spent atop the Yarra, beneath the Evan Walker Bridge. Until now. The legendary bar reopened last week, showing off the results of a long-planned revamp, which came to fruition during Melbourne's latest lockdown. Owners Jerome Borazio (Laneway Festival, Back Alley Sally's), DJ Grant Smillie (Melbourne City Brewing Co, and LA's EP & LP) and Andrew Mackinnon (from marketing communication agency The Taboo Group) opened the boozer ten years ago to the month. But the unique set of challenges that comes with such an unconventional location have meant a makeover's been on the wishlist for almost half that time. Bags of ice and bottled drinks had to all be lugged in by hand, and powering appliances often managed to black out half of nearby Southbank. "We realised the business itself wasn't broken, so it was a risk saying 'start again'," Mackinnon tells Concrete Playground. "But the only way to fix it, to make it more efficient, was to strip the whole thing down...and start again." The guys have worked with Adelaide's Studio Gram on multiple makeover plans over the past few years, but various delays kept putting renovations on hold. It wasn't until COVID-19 lockdowns struck that the timing fell into place and this latest design iteration was able to be brought to life. "We were running Ponyfish right up until that week hospitality venues were told to close and it was about that exact week we'd always planned to close," remembers the co-owner. "And so building was allowed to continue." Of course, construction wasn't without its own challenges, requiring a barge to be sent up the Yarra just to move building materials to and from the bar. But now, Ponyfish Island's new look is finally complete, ready for a balmy riverside summer. [caption id="attachment_792748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] "We were really focused on improving the aesthetic, instead of being that shanty shack, dive bar in the middle of the Yarra," explains Mackinnon. "I think we've challenged what people would expect, it's a bit more modern, more Miami," he says of Studio Gram's newly chic space full of curves and terrazzo. There are now additional bathrooms and extra seating, bumping up capacity to 150 (outside of restrictions), while custom-made adjustable shade paddles rise artistically above the bar's al fresco section. Much of the space is reserved for walk-ins, though there are three green-cushioned booth set-ups available to book. For the first time, the venue's got its own cool room, ice machines and beer lines, the latter pouring a concise range of tap brews that includes a recreation of the Ponyfish lager. Elsewhere on the drinks list, you'll find some bottled beers, an Aussie-led wine selection and a handful of summer-inspired cocktails — ranging from a share-friendly rosé sangria, to the Ponystar Martini crafted with passionfruit liqueur and mango syrup. Meanwhile, a vastly bigger kitchen will be making its debut in the coming weeks, turning out a secret menu from what Mackinnon hints is some "exciting" chef talent. Find the new-look Ponyfish Island beneath the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge, Southbank. It's open from 11am till late daily. Images: Julia Sansone
If the just-dropped 2018 Good Food Month program is anything to go by, those stretchy pants are set to get a serious workout this June. Melbourne's annual month-long food fiesta is this year packed with more goodness than ever, featuring top Aussie chefs, masterclasses, rollicking parties and unique dining experiences that'll knock your socks off. Promising to inject a bit of sunshine into those impending frosty winter days, pop-up restaurant Melbourne Palms brings a taste of Palm Springs to Federation Square from June 13–23. It'll play host to a broad lineup of culinary gold, kicking off with a celebration of homegrown heroes Andrew McConnell (Cutler & Co., Supernormal) and Alla Wolf-Tasker (Lake House), for the June 13 Melbourne Greats Party. All the way from Denmark, pioneering chef Bo Bech (of Michelin-starred Paustian and Restaurant Geist) will give Australia its first taste of his innovative cooking by treating diners to a thought-provoking wine-matched degustation on June 15. Meanwhile, sustainability and locality will be front and centre when Sydney's seafood king Josh Niland (Saint Peter) shares the inspiration and ethos behind his acclaimed fare, at a three-course brunch teamed with liquid treats from Coonawarra winery Brands Laira. Then, when Tipo 00's Andreas Papadakis joins fellow Aussie pasta masters Mitch Orr (Sydney's ACME) and Joel Valvasori-Pereza (Perth's Lulu La Delizia), diners are in for an all-out pasta party, with a four-course wine-matched dinner giving each chef the chance to win over tastebuds with his signature moves. Other sure-fire hits include a tasty take on date night as imagined by 8bit and dessert queen Christy Tania's Glacé Frozen, and a much-anticipated collaboration between Longsong's David Moyle and Embla's David Verheul. The 2018 Good Food Month runs from June 1-30. Tickets are on sale now at goodfoodmonth.com.
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? At Sydney Film Festival's 2024 closing night, that'll be the question of the evening. The query sits at the heart of The Substance, which premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, got the movie world talking instantly and now has a date with the Harbour City on Sunday, June 16 to wrap up SFF with a dose of body horror. If you've being seeing Demi Moore's name pop up a heap lately and were wondering why, this film is the reason. After recently adding Feud, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Please Baby Please and Brave New World to her resume, the actor leads The Substance as celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle. When the character uses a black-market drug in an effort to cling on to her image and fame, it creates a younger version. "More beautiful" and "more perfect" is also how the first official clip from the film describes the temporary clone. If everything went swimmingly, however, there wouldn't be much of a movie. The Substance is also the long-awaited second feature from writer/director Coralie Fargeat, who made a spectacular debut with 2017's Revenge, and just picked up the Best Screenplay award on the Croisette for her sophomore effort. And, alongside Moore, Margaret Qualley (Drive-Away Dolls) and Dennis Quaid (Lawman: Bass Reeves) also star. "We are thrilled to close this year's Sydney Film Festival with the Australian Premiere of The Substance. Coralie Fargeat's film, featuring an outstanding performance by Demi Moore, promises to leave a lasting impression," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. While the festival announced its full lineup in early May, the event always keeps adding to the program afterwards. Elvis' Austin Butler also joined the bill, coming to Sydney for a screening of his new film The Bikeriders. Plus, normally before the fest kicks off, it reveals a few more straight-from-Cannes titles. Accordingly, keep watching this space. Check out the teaser trailer for The Substance below: Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website.
At the beginning of 2020, Melbourne welcomed a new summer pop-up: The Exchange Beach Club, which was only around for a month. With the weather heating up, it's returning for another bout of drinks by the sea — once again bringing private cabanas, umbrella-covered outdoor seating, day beds, refreshments and entertainment right onto the sand of Port Melbourne Beach. You can enjoy an ice-cold boozy beverage — think passionfruit caprioskas, spritzes, prosecco, hard seltzers and more — while kicking back by the ocean. You can also tuck into fish and chips, a lobster roll or a burger as the sun goes down. There'll be ice cream doughnut sandwiches for when those sweet cravings hit, too, plus an ice cream cart for more frosty goodness. Need more motivation? On Tuesdays, it's doing $2 oysters — and on weekends from 10.30am–12pm, the club will be hosting bottomless brunch sessions with 90 minutes of drinks for $49 per person. Private cabanas will be available for up to four people. Oh, and puppies are welcome as well, with water bowls and free dog treats provided. The beach bar will be return from Friday, December 4–Sunday, March 21 — running from 12–10pm Monday–Thursday, 10am–10.30pm Friday–Saturday and 10am–10pm Sunday.
Whatever your plans are on Tuesday, November 8, change them — or find a way to include peering at the sky into your diary, too. For 85 minutes, folks Down Under will be treated to a blood moon and a total lunar eclipse, giving you a stellar reason to spend your night staring upwards. While blood moons aren't particularly rare, there is one big reason to look up this time around. This total lunar eclipse is the last one that'll be able to be seen in Australia and New Zealand until 2025. If you're wondering what else you need to know, we've run through the details below. WHAT IS IT? If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know. When a full moon happens to coincide with a total lunar eclipse, it's also called a blood moon. Why? Yes, it has to do with the colour. When the astronomical body passes directly into the earth's actual shadow, it turns a blood-red shade thanks to sunlight that's filtered and refracted by the earth's atmosphere. WHEN CAN I SEE IT? If you're keen to catch a glimpse, you'll want to peek outside on Tuesday, November 8. According to Timeanddate.com, the total lunar eclipse is due to begin at 9.16pm AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne — and, because of daylight saving in the southern states, at 8.16pm AEST in Brisbane. Those times adjust accordingly in Adelaide (8.46pm) and Perth (6.16pm) — with the full total lunar eclipse running for 85 minutes. In NZ, you'll be looking up from 11.16pm. Moonrise will happen before that, and the partial eclipse will begin 67 minutes prior to the totality times, too — so at 8.09pm in Sydney and Melbourne and 7.09pm in Brisbane, for instance. WHERE CAN I SEE IT? You can take a gander from your backyard or balcony, but the standard advice regarding looking into the night sky always applies. So, city-dwellers will want to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the absolute best view. Naturally, you'll be hoping for cloud-free skies that evening. If you can't get a clear vantage, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live-streaming from the skyline above Rome from 8.30pm AEDT / 7.30pm AEST / 10.30pm NZ time. The blood moon and total lunar eclipse will take place on Tuesday, November 8, with the full total lunar eclipse starting at 9.16pm AEDT / 8.16pm AEST / 11.16pm NZ time. For further information, including about timing, head to Timeanddate.com.
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. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this months latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from November's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW THE GREAT Huzzah! The best satirical comedy about Russian history there is has returned for another run, and proves as much of a delight this time around as it did in its first batch of episodes. The concept was already there — following the rise and reign of Catherine the Great, including her marriage to and overthrowing of Emperor Peter III, with only the slightest regard for the actual facts — but The Great definitely doesn't suffer from second-season syndrome. Indeed, while the series has always been supremely confident in its blend of handsome period staging, the loosest of historical realities and that savage sense of humour (it does spring from Oscar-nominated The Favourite screenwriter Tony McNamara, after all), this season it feels even more comfortable in its skin. Smoother, too, yet just as biting. In fact, its ability to seesaw tonally is as sharp as a shot of vodka — or several. Following the events of the first season, Catherine (Elle Fanning, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) is still waging war with Peter (Nicholas Hoult, Those Who Wish Me Dead) — via soldiers on the battlefield to begin with, and then in the royal court in the aftermath of her bloody coup. Her pregnancy is also ticking along, the couple's various hangers-on have chosen sides, and changing Russia into a progressive nation isn't going to be an easy task. This time around, Gillian Anderson (The Crown) joins the cast as Catherine's acid-tongued mother, but both Fanning and Hoult continue to turn in the performances of their careers. Devastatingly witty and entertaining — and addictive — The Great has lived up to its name for two seasons now. Season two of The Great is available to stream via Stan. BURNING "This could be the new normal," a snippet from a news report comments early in Burning. The reason for the statement: Black Summer, the Australian bushfire season of 2019–20 that decimated large swathes of the country, sent smoke floating around the world and attracted international media attention. Australians don't need a documentary to confirm how horrific the situation was, and this is now the second in months — after the gripping first-person accounts in A Fire Inside — but this powerful film from Chasing Asylum's Eva Orner also lays bare all the factors that coalesced in the tragic events of just two years ago. Accordingly, this is a doco about inaction, government indifference to the point of failure, and the valuing of fossil fuels over their destruction of the environment. It's a movie about climate change as well, clearly, because any film telling this tale has to be. Orner, an Oscar-winner for producing 2007's Taxi to the Dark Side and an Emmy-winner for 2016's Out of Iraq, takes a three-pronged approach: providing context to the bushfires, including charting the Australian government's choices before and after; amassing expert and experienced testimonies, spanning activists and those on the ground alike; and bearing witness. Facts — such as the three billion animals killed — sit side by side with personal recollections and devastating images. The latter includes not only the fires and their ashy aftermath, but political arguing and Scott Morrison's Hawaiian holiday; all hit like a punch to the gut. The result is urgent, important and stunning — and absolutely essential viewing. Burning is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. MR MAYOR Here are five of the most glorious words you're ever likely to read: Ted Danson plays the mayor. The sitcom stalwart (see also: Cheers, Becker, Bored to Death and Curb Your Enthusiasm) has hopped from The Good Place into Mr Mayor, actually, and into the latest TV comedy created and/or produced by Tina Fey. Fans of the latter's other shows — 30 Rock, obviously, and also Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and Girls5Eva — will know the sense of humour her series tend to work with, and it's a fabulous match for Danson. So too is Mr Mayor's setup, which sees a wealthy, clueless but amiable businessman decide he can improve a post-COVID-19 Los Angeles, and get elected. Firmly a workplace comedy, the series chronicles the ups and downs in the mayor's office as Danson's Neil Bremer tries to do a job he clearly isn't qualified for. Naturally, with the arrogance of a rich, white and otherwise successful man of a certain age, he believes otherwise. Mr Mayor is firmly an ensemble comedy as well, however, and both Holly Hunter (Succession) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) are comedic gems as Bremer's over-enthusiastic deputy mayor and bumbling communications director, respectively. The series is a tad less successful when it endeavours to be a family comedy, too, bringing the mayor's teenage daughter Orly (Kyla Kenedy, Speechless) into the mix. But when its gags land — and whenever Danson and Hunter share the screen, which is often — it's smart, hilarious and all-too-easy to binge. Season one of Mr Mayor is available to stream via 9Now. FINCH There's a sweetness to Finch that transcends its easy-sell concept — because tasking the always-likeable Tom Hanks with navigating a solar flare-ravaged earth was always going to be inherently watchable. Perhaps Turner and Hooch meets Cast Away meets Chappie meets The Road was the elevator pitch? Maybe seeing not just America's on-screen dad, but the world's, play father to a cute pooch and a teenager-like robot was the key selling point? Either way, filmmaker Miguel Sapochnik (Game of Thrones) and first-time feature screenwriters Craig Luck and Ivor Powell tap into a tender and selfless existential quest in their post-apocalyptic drama. The titular Finch isn't attempting to survive, but trying to ensure that the dog that's been his only flesh-and-blood companion for a decade or so can live on after he's gone. In Hanks' second protective father-figure role in as many features, following News of the World, he also plays Geppetto to a robot Pinocchio or Victor Frankenstein to a new mechanical life, too. Jeff, the wiry being born of his labour, is far from perfect — and Finch's slow, initially begrudging acceptance that he can't mould and control everything about his creation ranks chief among the movie's touching emotional journeys. The film's musings on mortality, leaving a legacy and being a better person are also layered and thoughtful, and never feel well-worn even though science-fiction can't stop pondering such ideas. In an excellent motion-capture performance, Caleb Landry Jones (Nitram) also leaves an imprint as Jeff. Unsurprisingly, however, Hanks is always Finch's key source of texture and empathy. Finch is available to stream via Apple TV+. COWBOY BEBOP A TV show can live or die based on its casting alone. With Netflix's live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, it frequently seems as if it only exists because some immensely clever person had the stroke of genius to cast John Cho (The Grudge) as Spike Spiegel. While being the best thing about a series or a movie isn't always a good thing — on the big screen, both Jungle Cruise and Venom: Let There Be Carnage haven't managed to match their ace lead casting in recent months — Cho always makes Cowboy Bebop much more than watchable. Well, Cho, his effortless swagger, sleek costumes, and the film's overt eagerness to look and feel as much like anime come to life as it possibly can. It isn't on the same level as its source material, and it doesn't even try to improve it, but it's still an exuberant, stylish and frequently engaging piece of sci-fi television. As anyone familiar with the 90s anime will know, Spike is just one of Cowboy Bebop's bounty hunters on the spaceship Bebop. After a disaster has scattered humanity across the solar system, chasing down criminals is Spike and Jet Black's (Mustafa Shakir, The Deuce) way of making a living. That's true both before and after they cross paths with Fay Valentine (Daniella Pineda, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), with the series as concerned with the sitcom-esque odd-threesome vibe between its key figures as it is with their quests. Everyone has their complications, but almost everything is madcap and manic here — and when it works it works, with particular thanks to Cho, naturally, as well as Shakir and Pineda. Season one of Cowboy Bebop is available to stream via Netflix. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK YELLOWJACKETS When Yellowjackets begins, it's with an intriguing mystery, a killer cast — led by the compulsively watchable Melanie Lynskey (Mrs America), Juliette Lewis (Breaking News in Yuba County) and Christina Ricci (Percy vs Goliath) — and a deep valley full of trauma. In their high-school years, Shauna Sheridan (Lynskey, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager) and Natalie (Lewis, plus The Tomorrow Man's Sophie Thatcher) were key players on the titular high-achieving New Jersey soccer team, while Misty (Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty) was the squad's frequently bullied student manager. Then, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane in 1996, they entered Lost territory. That crash saw the survivors stranded in the wilderness for 19 months, and living their worst Lord of the Flies lives, too. As established in a tremendous first episode directed with the utmost precision by Destroyer's Karyn Kusama, Yellowjackets isn't simply interested in an inherently disturbing experience that'd change anyone's life. It's just as obsessed with that transformation itself — with how, after falling from the sky, learning to endure in such remote surroundings and plummeting into a horror movie, someone copes when normality supposedly comes calling afterwards. Flitting between the two 25-years-apart time periods, it's about tragedies endured, paths taken, necessities accepted and the echoes that linger from all three. Even just a handful of episodes in, this instant must-see is chilling, perceptive, resonant and potent. Yellowjackets is streaming via Paramount+, with new episodes dropping weekly. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM There's no one on television quite like Larry David. Famously, the Seinfeld creator was the inspiration for George Constanza, but that comparison will never do justice to the on-screen version of David himself. The writer and comedian has played that fictionalised, satirised version in Curb Your Enthusiasm for 11 seasons over the course of more than two decades now, and he's a character that overflows with complexities and contradictions. He's notoriously and excruciatingly petty. He has zero tact or sensitivity. He's constantly in everyday situations that seem him forced to navigate social codes and conventions, and he's always putting them to the test. When he's wrong, he's the king of cringe comedy. When he's right, he's the champion of everyday grievances. In this HBO comedy, they don't just get aired at Festivus around a pole. Setting up a spite store — opening a coffee shop next door to an identical cafe purely for malicious reasons — anchored Curb Your Enthusiasm's tenth series. In season 11, David is trying to make TV again. He has an idea for a Young Rock/Everybody Hates Chris-style show called Young Larry which he's shopping around to streaming platforms but, as always, he's his own worst enemy. The episode featuring the great Albert Brooks as himself is one of the show's best ever, and also a delightful tribute to the late Bob Einstein, a former CYE regular and Brooks' real-life brother. Watching David at his best and worst is always this discomfort-courting series' core, though, and he's as stellar as he's ever been. Season 11 of Curb Your Enthusiasm is streaming via Binge, with new episodes dropping weekly. HAWKEYE Another month, another reason to direct your eyeballs towards Marvel. 2021 hasn't quite played out like that, but only just — there's been three MCU movies so far (Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals), three streaming series before now (WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki), and there's still Spider-Man: No Way Home to come. And, Hawkeye has just started bringing the franchise's arrow-slinging hero to the small-screen. Jeremy Renner (Mayor of Kingstown) returns to the eponymous character, aka Clint Barton, but he isn't actually the main attraction in this miniseries. That'd be Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson) as Kate Bishop, who has taken inspiration from from Barton, is just as handy with a bow and arrow, and finds herself becoming his protege. There's a lot of scene-setting in the series' first episodes — establishing Bishop's story, including links back to The Avengers in 2012, and also stepping inside Barton's ordinary life with his family (the presence of which, even as just a background detail, has always made the character stand out). Nonetheless, Steinfeld's addition to Marvel's ever-growing on-screen realm provides just the spark that Hawkeye needs, and that the broader MCU could use as well. The fact that Florence Pugh is set to reprise her Black Widow favourite Yelena Belova in the show, too, firmly thrusts it towards the future — and hopefully, finally and welcomely sets the scene for a different generation of heroes. Hawkeye is streaming via Disney+, with new episodes dropping weekly. EXCELLENT RECENT CINEMA RELEASES TO CATCH UP WITH IMMEDIATELY NITRAM It's terrifying to contemplate something so gut-wrenchingly abominable as the bodies-in-barrels murders, which director Justin Kurzel and screenwriter Shaun Grant depicted in 2011's Snowtown, and to face the fact that people rather than evil were behind them. Nitram courts and provokes the same response. Exploring the events preceding the Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were murdered and 23 others wounded in Tasmania in 1996, it focuses on something equally as ghastly, and similarly refuses to see the perpetrator as just a monster or a Hollywood horror movie-style foe. It too is difficult, distressing, disquieting and disturbing, understandably. In their third collaboration — with 2019's bold and blazing True History of the Kelly Gang in the middle — Kurzel and Grant create another tricky masterpiece, in fact. That Nitram is about a person is one key reason for its brilliance. The film's core off-screen duo don't excuse their protagonist. They don't justify the unjustifiable, explain it, exploit it, or provide neat answers to a near-unfathomable crime. Rather, they're careful in depicting the lone gunman responsible for Australia's worst single-shooter mass killing, right down to refusing to name him. In an exacting movie in every way possible, they also benefit from exceptional performances by Caleb Landry Jones (Finch) as the film's namesake, Judy Davis (Mystery Road) as his wearied mother, Anthony LaPaglia (Below) as his father and Essie Davis (The Justice of Bunny King) as his lottery heiress friend. Nitram is available to stream via Stan. Read our full review. BECOMING COUSTEAU He's been parodied in a Wes Anderson film and mentioned in a Flight of the Conchords song. His red beanie, and those worn by his fellow crew members on his research ship Calypso, are an enduring fashion symbol. He won the second-ever Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or — becoming not only the first filmmaker to receive the prestigious prize for a documentary, but the only one to do so for almost half a century afterwards. When he started making television in the 60s, he turned his underwater-shot docos about the sea into truly must-see TV. He helped create undersea diving as we know it, and he's the most famous oceanographer that's ever lived. He was also one of the early voices who spoke out about climate change and humanity's impact upon the oceans. He's a rockstar in every field he dived into — and he's Jacques Cousteau, obviously. Becoming Cousteau touches on all of the above — except The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Flight of the Conchords' 'Fou de Fafa', of course — and makes for a a riveting splash into its namesake's life and career. There's just so much to tell, to the point that it frequently feels as if director Liz Garbus (an Oscar-nominee for What Happened, Miss Simone?) could've filled an entire series instead. This isn't just an affectionate ode, though, even with ample praise floated Cousteau's way. Garbus knows that Cousteau's achievements, and the glorious archival footage that comes with it, elicit an awe-struck reaction, but doesn't shy away from thornier aspects, the tragedies and struggles among them. Becoming Cousteau is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October this year — and our top straight-to-streaming movies and specials from 2021 so far, and our list of the best new TV shows released this year so far as well.
The beloved Cameo Cinema will once again showcase some of the summer's most talked-about films on its magnificent outdoor movie screen under the stars. From Friday, November 2 right through summer, audiences will get the chance to relax in deckchairs and beanbags, with craft beer, homemade choc-tops and freshly popped popcorn in hand. If that's not worth the drive out to Belgrave, then we just don't know what is. Featured on the big screen will be a selection of new flicks and concert films, as well as a 30th-anniversary edition of Goodfellas and a dog-friendly session of Lassie Come Home as part of the Children's International Film Festival (but kidults are definitely welcome, too). David Fincher's new black-and-white flick Mank and the new Russell Crowe film Unhinged are also on the lineup. Those itching to head back to a live gig can relive some of the best with Stop Making Sense, a 1984 film of a live Talking Heads performance and Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace, the new concert film from the acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter produced during lockdown. It doesn't hurt that the Cameo concessions are a cut above what you'll find at your local shopping centre multiplex. It has craft beer and boutique wines — and dogs are welcome here, too. In line with current COVID-19 restrictions, masks are mandatory and capacities are limited. Films starts at 9pm.
The biggest horror movie of 2018 kept things muted. We're talking about A Quiet Place, of course, and we mean that in a very literal sense. The blockbuster monster flick tasked a young family with staying soundless, lest they be heard and then killed by giant spider-like creatures — and their efforts to survive became a huge box office hit. A Quiet Place's hushed tones were so successful, they had a flow-on effect. When you watched the film in a cinema, you probably glared whenever someone near you crunched popcorn, crinkled a packet of chips or started talking. Your ears keenly listened out for any noise that could put Lee (John Krasinski, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan), Evelyn (Emily Blunt, Wild Mountain Thyme), Regan (Millicent Simmonds, Wonderstruck) and Marcus (Noah Jupe, Honey Boy) Abbott in jeopardy, and you didn't want some loud person in the next row ruining that viewing experience. The frightful aliens, the hushed tones and Emily Blunt in kick-ass mode — it's all back thanks to sequel A Quiet Place Part II, which hits cinemas Down Under on May 27 more than a year later than originally planned due to pandemic delays. Also returning: hoping that your fellow cinema-goers don't make a sound while you soak in every second of expertly calibrated stillness. Like the first film, this follow-up is directed and written by Krasinski, with Blunt, Simmons and Jupe all returning on-screen. The sequel's cast also welcomes franchise newcomers Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy). And while Krasinski is due to pop up among the actors as well, going back and watching the original movie again will remind you of the type of role he'll be playing this time around. As the initial trailer way back in January 2020 showed, and the just-dropped latest sneak peek does as well, A Quiet Place Part II picks up where its predecessor left off. Both suitably unsettling glimpses start with a flashback to the day the monsters initially made their presence known, before jumping to Evelyn, Regan and Marcus' latest attempts to avoid the fearsome creatures. Expect plenty of bumps, jumps and — naturally — silence. Check out the new trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id00Eq1j8M4&feature=youtu.be After being delayed from its original 2020 release date, A Quiet Place Part II will open in Australian cinemas on May 27. Image: © 2019 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved
UPDATE Wednesday, June 2: Rising organisers have announced today that the final three days of the festival — June 4, 5 and 6 — will also be cancelled. The news comes after the Victorian Government extended the state's snap lockdown by an extra week, pushing its end date until at least 11.59pm on Thursday, June 10. In a statement, the Rising team confirmed refunds will be issued for all events and reiterated that they would "continue to explore ways that audiences may be able to experience 2021 Rising activity into the future." A small selection of free, non-contact events will remain on show through Reconciliation Week, including Wandering Stars. In the wake of Victoria's latest circuit-breaker lockdown, arts and culture festival Rising has hit pause, only a day after opening night. Rising's team announced the news via Instagram today, also confirming that refunds will be issued to attendees for any events that fall within Victoria's lockdown period. The Victorian Government announced that the state would revert back to stage four restrictions from 11.59pm Thursday, May 27, in response to Melbourne's growing COVID-19 outbreak. The snap lockdown is expected to last seven days until 11.59pm on Thursday, June 3. The timing is about as unfortunate as you can imagine for Rising organisers and artists. The multi-site festival kicked off last night, May 26, and was slated to deliver a jam-packed program of events across the next 12 days before wrapping up on Sunday, June 6. Instead, all festival events scheduled between 5pm on Thursday, May 27 and midnight on Thursday, June 3 will be cancelled. As for Rising events scheduled for June 4, 5 and 6 — after the planned seven-day lockdown is expected to wrap up — further decisions will be made over the coming days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RISING (@rising.melbourne) "We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure we achieve the optimal outcomes for all those involved with the festival — this includes exploring ways people may be able to experience Rising activity into the future," the Rising team said in a separate media statement. The festival has been two years in the making and was set to feature over 750 Victorian artists across 133 different projects and events. Rising co-artistic directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek called the situation 'devastating', but said they were buoyed by the resilience of those involved. "Together they created something that spoke to Melbourne; something beautiful and beguiling; something extraordinary, for extraordinary times," the pair said. "We could not be prouder." All of Victoria will revert back to stage four restrictions from 11.59pm on Thursday, May 27 until the same time on Thursday, June 3. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website. For the latest on Rising, see the festival's website.
When it comes to movies, we sometimes use 'Hollywood' as a pejorative. We might employ it to mean schmaltzy, unrealistic, vapid and other similar unpleasantries. But when I say The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the ultimate Hollywood movie, I mean it's the good side of Hollywood, all packaged and wrapped up in time for Christmas. Funny, optimistic, life-affirming and full of pretty pictures and massive special effects, the film is something of a passion project for Ben Stiller, who directed, produced and stars in it. It's adapted from a 1939 short story by Jamie Thurber that's been reshaped entirely beyond its basic premise. The film follows a quiet Life magazine staffer as he learns to seize the day. As the head of the negative assets department, Walter is responsible for selecting and processing the works of their world-roving star photographers, chief among them the shamanistic Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn). But Walter has never experienced this wide world for himself, after the blows of life turned him timid. Instead, he imagines epic adventures for himself — diving into exploding buildings to save a dog, hiking the Arctic and, in a high point of the film, living a backwards Benjamin Button-like life with the woman he loves. That he 'zones out' while engaged in these daydreams does not help his social standing in cutthroat New York. Life doesn't exist any more, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is set in the dying days of the monthly magazine. Ted Hendricks (a disconcertingly bearded Adam Scott) is brought in to oversee the move from print to online and the accompanying rafts of redundancies, and Walter is firmly in his sights. Unfortunately, Walter can't find Sean's 'negative 25', which the photographer has described as capturing the "quintessence of life" and which is wanted for the final cover. Given new courage by love — in the form of colleague Cheryl (Kristen Wigg) — he sets off to track down Sean and the missing negative, using the few clues he has. Iceland is his starting point for a very big adventure that sees his latent resourcefulness and cool coming to the surface. For a mainstream, very feelgood film, it's the weird quirks that make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty loveable. Aside from the interjecting daydream worlds, Walter is shadowed by an over-caring eHarmony customer service representative, Todd (Patton Oswalt), who's determined to help him succeed in love. Their phone chats, coming at inevitably odd times throughout the film, are always funny and welcome. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is really ideal New Year's rather than Boxing Day fodder, egging you into living fully and booking that adventure holiday you've been putting off. There's so much focus on travel as a means to self-realisation, in fact, that it's ultimately to the film's detriment. It's simplistic; skateboarding down the valley of an active volcano might make you a more open person, or it could make you a twat. All outcomes are possible for the intrepid traveller. But that shouldn't ruin the journey of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's a charmer with a good heart and a healthy dose of unrealism. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ve8mc6UNSk
A surprise delivery was made to Melbourne's Hosier Lane this morning. It wasn't a new piece of street art, but 35,000 tulips planted by eco-warrior Joost Bakker. The designer and activist — who has recently been building the world's most sustainable shopping centre in Burwood Brickworks — arrived in the laneway before sunrise, bringing the tens of thousands of tulips with him from his family's farm in Monbulk. In a Facebook post, Bakker explained that the flowers were not of a 'high-enough quality' to sell and were destined for the bin, but he had a better use for them: an installation raising awareness about the country's flower growers. "For me this installation is about making people aware that there's a thriving industry with more than a thousand growers in this country," Bakker explained in the post. "It's currently under a lot of pressure from imported flowers with some estimating close to 70% of flowers in this country are imported." https://www.instagram.com/p/BohlYOIFwo6/?taken-by=joostbakker He then got approval from the City of Melbourne, borrowed some trucks and took the flowers on an hour-long journey into the city. As well as being nice to look at, the 35,000 red tulips are also up for grabs. So head along and pick up a bunch for your loved one — or a deserving colleague — before they disappear. Image: City of Melbourne
UPDATE Friday, September 3: Victoria is currently under stay-at-home orders, with all venues restricted to offering takeaway and delivery. Right now, you can get your Sonny's fix by ordering takeaway here, or hitting up UberEats or Doordash for delivery. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, as well as current restrictions, at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. Making its home within legendary rock 'n roll pub The Curtin, Sonny's is a finger-lickin' casual eatery specialising in proper old-school, US-style burgers and fried chicken. Here, in the front bar, red-and-white gingham and red plastic baskets work as a fitting backdrop to a menu of American classics, served alongside a lineup of Aussie tap beers. Southern-style chook is brined for 24 hours and then pressure fried to crisp perfection, while the burgers are unashamedly beast-like. Stock up on napkins before you dive right on into options like the four-piece feed — 1/2 a Bird ($16.50) — loaded bacon or vegan fries ($15), a classic cheeseburger ($13.50), or the standout spicy fried chicken burger piled high with zesty slaw and whole-egg mayo ($14.50). To match, you'll find all the southern favourites, including an ultra-creamy mac 'n cheese ($7), iceberg wedge salad ($7) and gravy-drenched mash ($7). Be sure to add on some deep-fried pickles ($9) and popcorn cauliflower ($9) for full effect. It's delightfully far from virtuous, though if you're feeling guilty, you can always burn off some of your feed with an energetic session in the band room next door.
Prepare to stare at the moon in all of its glory — up close, without a telescope and without zooming into space. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring renderings of the celestial body's surface based on NASA imagery, the Museum of the Moon is a detailed installation by UK-based artist Luke Jerram. The giant sculpture has been touring the world since 2016, displaying in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai and plenty of spots around Europe. Between December 1, 2018 and April 28, 2019, it'll add Melbourne to its orbit. Inspired by Jerram's time living in Bristol and "noticing the huge tidal variation as he cycled over the Avon Cut each day" according to the Museum of the Moon's website, the artwork recreates the moon at a scale of approximately 1:500,000, with each centimetre equating to five kilometres of the lunar surface. And if you're wondering just how intricate the 120dpi imagery is, the high-resolution NASA photograph that it uses is 21 metres wide, and was taken by by a satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. The spherical sculpture is lit from within, so it'll add a glow when it comes to Scienceworks for five months. It also combines its imagery and light with a surround sound piece created by composer and sound designer Dan Jones, and just how each venue displays it is up to them. Basically, it's never the exact same installation twice. Jerram has multiple moons, with several touring simultaneously — so the Museum of Moon will also be on display in Newcastle in the UK across some of the same period. Its stint at Scienceworks will mark the Museum of the Moon's second visit Australia, following 12-day showing on the Gold Coast during the city's Commonwealth Games-adjacent arts festival earlier this year. Museum of the Moon comes to Melbourne's Scienceworks from December 1, 2018 to April 28, 2019. Keep an eye on the sculpture's website for further details.
Cover your ears if you love local music; another Aussie festival is in serious trouble. Newcastle-turned-Sydney experimental darling Sound Summit has announced they'll be taking a 2014 hiatus in order to reassess their "ongoing financial viability". Cue anxious collar pulling and angry pub rants about the end of festivals altogether. However bleak it sounds, organisers aren't yet throwing in the towel. "This decision has not been made lightly and was made with the aim to develop a more robust platform for the festival’s long term sustainability," said festival representatives. "Sound Summit [are] currently seeking out a range of funding and partnership options within a revised business plan." With a history spanning over 13 years, it's definitely a cause worth fighting for. Originally held in Newcastle as part of the This is Not Art Festival (TiNA), Sound Summit has since made a name for itself in the realm of experimental and alternative music; and looked to be on the rise after expanding to Sydney just last year. The 2013 lineup boasted the likes of Oval (Germany), Tyvek (US), Heatsick (UK), Angel Eyes, Bushwalking, The Stevens, Ooga Boogas; and past years have seen bigger names such as Aloe Blacc and Ariel Pink. Times are tough all 'round for festivals these days with the cancellation of Harvest, Homebake and Pyramid at the end of last year alone. Throw in the ongoing drama with the Big Day Out/pretty much anything AJ Maddah touches, and the outlook doesn't look great. Sound Summit, for the moment at least, are staying resilient. Festival co-director Liza Harvey will be conducting an in-depth review of the festival to find a way to stay afloat and MusicNSW are on the lookout for any feedback from ex-festivalgoers that can help. They will also be holding smaller isolated events through the year, to ensure an ongoing platform for innovative new artists. If anyone out there's solved the problem facing Australian festivals, feel free to speak up now. For the moment at least, we got nothin'.
With Melbourne slowly emerging from its latest COVID-19 lockdown, the city's retail and hospitality spaces are beginning to welcome back customers. When the end of November rolls around, a brand new precinct will join them — in a historic old spot that's been given a huge revamp. As first announced last decade, the former Pentridge Prison in Coburg has undergone a multimillion-dollar restoration and makeover, turning the site into a sprawling retail, dining and entertainment precinct. The entire precinct spans 6.7 hectares, encompassing shops, food, a new 15-screen Palace cinema and outdoor public areas, including a 6500-square-metre piazza. Some heritage elements from the prison have been retained, and the venue will also showcase stories about its former life in its design. While the cinema announced its opening plans earlier this month, revealing that it'll be starting its projectors before 2020 is out, the entire precinct itself has now unveiled its opening timeline as well. Come Thursday, November 26, the Pentridge Lifestyle Precinct and Pentridge Shopping Centre will be up and running — and, adjusting to the times, making the most of its outside space. A range of eateries, such as Cielo Gelateria, Jacky Jones Fish 'n' Chips, Pelicana Chicken, Mela Patisserie, Miskeh Middle Eastern Café and Lucky Little Dumplings, will all getting in on the action from day one. They'll be offering both indoor and al fresco dining, with the precinct specifically keen on picnics on its lawns. Also part of the new shopping centre: Ritchies IGA Fine Food and Wine supermarket, Lux Hair, Tao Massage and Classic Barber, plus Zen Home and Bountiful Garden Florist. And, the new Pentridge Adina Apartment Hotel will be located at the precinct, too. When it opens in the coming years, that means you'll be able to stay onsite in heritage rooms. Also slated in the future are tours of the entire former prison, which are expected to start in early 2022. The Pentridge Lifestyle Precinct and Pentridge Shopping Centre will open at 1 Champ Street, Coburg on Thursday, November 26.
If there's one thing that every Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan knows about Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), it's that he loves, adores, worships and obsesses over one of the best cop films of the 80s. Come Christmas — and any other excuse he can think of — the detective likes nothing more than watching Die Hard. So, when it comes to dropping a trailer for B99's upcoming seventh season, of course the sitcom's powers that be took inspiration from several decades ago. Crafted to look like grainy VHS footage — complete with a square aspect ratio to match the boxy TV sets of the time — the just-released 80s-style trailer picks up where the series' sixth season left off. If you need a refresher (and consider this your spoiler warning), the New York precinct wrapped up its last batch of episodes with a bang. The squad brought down the city's corrupt police commissioner, and their beloved Sergeant Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) managed to avoid being transferred to Staten Island. When Captain Holt's (Andre Braugher) boss and nemesis found out that he hadn't spent enough time in uniform back in the day, however, he was demoted. The new season will chart the fallout from all of the above, plus the usual B99 antics — and based on this amusing teaser, there's much in store for Peralta, Jeffords, Holt, Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) and Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), as well as Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller). If you're not already counting down the days until the show returns, the seventh season will start its 13-episode run on Friday, February 7, Australian time. The series has also been renewed for an eighth season, which'll air either later in 2020 or early in 2021. Watch the season seven trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=QuJ1ih5srzw&feature=emb_logo Brooklyn Nine-Nine's seventh season will start airing from 8.30pm on Friday, February 7, Australian time on SBS Viceland, with episodes available to stream on SBS On Demand after they've been broadcast.
UPDATE Monday, February 7: Bodriggy has pushed back the dates of this year's Electric Kool-Aid festival — it'll now run across the Labour Day weekend from Friday, March 11–Sunday, March 13. All tickets purchased for the original dates are refundable (via Eventbrite) and/or valid for the new dates, and additional tickets have been released. There have been minor changes to the music lineup — see the updated program and grab tickets here. Pucker up, Melburnians, for the return of Electric Kool-Aid — a festival dedicated to acid-driven sour beers and dance-friendly tunes, which is hitting Bodriggy Brewing's Abbotsford HQ from Friday, February 11–Sunday, February 13. The event will pull together a tastily tart lineup of kettle- and barrel-aged sours, fruity sour brews and other mouth-puckering delights, including from the likes of Site FP by Hop Nation, Garage Project, Future Mountain, Sailors Grave and others. With plenty of drops brewed especially for the event, you can expect to be trying some very fresh beers. To balance out the sour sips, a super smooth program of live tunes, DJ sets and dance performance will run across all three days. The stellar lineup of over 30 artists features the likes of Jnett, Emma Volard, Otologic, Squid Nebula, Colette, Dr Condiments and a host more. An exclusive menu of Bodriggy's South American-inspired snacks will also be on offer, and more breweries and acts are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Nab a $24 one-day pass for any day of the festival online. [caption id="attachment_838756" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Electric Kool-Aid 2020[/caption] Top Images: Kate Shanasy.
Screw gas guzzling tankers and utes — Bruges is taking their beer transportation system underground, preserving their UNESCO World Heritage-listed city streets with an extensive, 3.2-kilometre-long beer pipeline that will begin operation in September. This ingenious design is all thanks to the perseverance of Xavier Vanneste, the heir to De Halve Maan (Half Moon), the city's only continuously working brewery. Initially established in 1564, the brewery is an iconic part of the city — and despite urging from financial advisors, Vanneste has long refused to relocate to a more industrial location. His alternative? To build an underground pipeline from the brewery to the bottling plant. The pipeline itself is an incredibly crafty design, with Vanneste hiring tunnelling experts from the oil and gas industry and Belgium's top brewing professor (what a title!) to get the plan just right. The experts laid the pipeline using computer-guided drills, which minimised street digging and further protected the historic city. As you can expect, the budget was a big one. A total of €4 million (that's almost six million AUD) were needed for the project, and over €300,000 was raised through a crowdfunding campaign. Backers who purchased a gold membership will be entitled to a bottle of Brugse Zot Blond every day for life as part of their €7500 donation. Beer for life is a such a legendary reason to donate. As it currently stands, the pipes can fit enough beer to fill 12,000 bottles an hour. The beer will be pumped down the underground pipeline from the brewery in the city centre to the bottling plant three kilometres out of town. Vanneste's ability to get this approved came as a shock to many, especially considering no private company in history has been allowed to lay cable under the city's cobbled lanes and medieval buildings. Luckily, city officials, including mayor Renaat Landuyt, smartly saw the pipeline as an opportunity to sustain employment while maintaining the city's heritage and sharply reducing the number of beer tankers driving in and out. If the pipeline actually works and stands the test of time, Vanneste will certainly go down in history as a beer legend and a champion forward-thinker. We're already hatching dreams of an Australian-wide network of underground beer pipelines and hope one of our many craft brewers is ready to get behind the idea. If a UNESCO city can get this approved, what's to stop the rest of us? Via The Guardian. Image: Ricardo Samaniego via Flickr.
With the 89th Academy Awards here again, we're at once proud and legally hesitant to again bring you Concrete Playground's Annual Oscars Drinking Game. Play by the rules, and by the time the Best Visual Editing in a Foreign Animated Short Documentary category comes around*, you'll be dancing on tables better than Gosling and Stone could ever dream of. As always, Concrete Playground encourages both the responsible consumption of alcohol, and the soonest-possible-end to all reboots of movies that were fine the first time round. Read up on our predictions and settle in for a big Monday afternoon. ONE SIP (EVERGREEN OSCAR STAPLES) Anyone makes a President Trump joke. Jack Nicholson wears sunglasses. Diane Keaton wears gloves. Harrison Ford wears an earring. Jennifer Lawrence does something adorably "real" (three sips if it's a fashion mishap). Leo brings his mother as his date. Winner thanks God or Jesus. Winner's speech is played off by the orchestra. Winner pays tribute to his/her extraordinary fellow nominees. Winner describes his/her film as "important". Winner describes his/her film's director as "a genius" and/or "visionary". TWO SIPS (THE OSCARS ARE PREDICTABLE) Anyone makes an almost-President Hilary joke. Kimmel jokes that one day, thanks to advances in technology, translators like Amy Adams' character in Arrival might be able to decipher some sort of intelligence from President Trump's tweets. Whenever you catch yourself humming 'City of Stars' after it's performed during the ceremony. When the cast and crew of La La Land are invited to look under their seats to find a complimentary Oscar already taped to the bottom. Whenever Ben Affleck smiles, but remains dead behind those cold, joyless eyes. Nicole Kidman rocks up with her hair in the killer '80s 'do from Lion. The Manchester By The Sea video package depresses everyone so profoundly they all just pack up and go home. Nobody can figure out how to remove the default nominee settings of 'Steven Spielberg' or 'John Williams' from the teleprompter, so both men are named as contenders for Best Supporting Actress (three sips if one of them wins). Whilst presenting an award, DiCaprio plays it all cool as if Oscars don't really matter anyway. Alicia Vikander offers words of inspiration to all nominees from the Best Actress category by proving you can win for drama and finally graduate to playing Lara Croft like you always dreamed of. THREE SIPS (IF MOVIE STARS WERE INTERESTING PEOPLE) Anyone makes a President Nixon joke. Trump actually does tweet about the Oscars while they're happening. Meryl Streep turns up with a band of sherpas carrying all her previous Academy Awards. Dev Patel wins Best Supporting Actor and immediately does a flawless impersonation of whoever presents him with the award. A congratulatory kiss or embrace from the presenter "gets awkward". You've actually seen one of the nominees for Documentary Short Subject. Lady Gaga abseils onto stage for no apparent reason and hangs suspended for the remainder of the evening. Suicide Squad wins for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, resulting in a world-ending vortex as soon as the first person utters the words: "Academy Award-Winning Film Suicide Squad". FINISH YOUR DRINK (WOULD BE TREMENDOUS) Anyone makes a President Martin Van Buren joke. I Am Not Your Negro wins Best Documentary (Feature), but never receives the award after the progressive white presenter doesn't know if it's okay to say the title aloud. After winning the Best Actress award for Jackie, Natalie Portman jokes about 'a more preferable Presidential assassination' and is promptly taken down by the Secret Service. Someone forgets to thank Harvey Weinstein, so he summons a 50-foot demon and begins stealing the souls of everyone present. To prove he's no longer an anti-Semite, Mel Gibson instead goes on a tirade about Sentinelese tribesmen. * If at any stage you believe this is actually a legitimate category, put the drinks down — you've played hard enough. Tom Glasson is one of Concrete Playground's senior film writers and a regular Oscars Drinking Game participant. You can read his reviews here, here and here.
At a time when every second movie seems to feature caped crusaders, you can be forgiven for thinking Gifted might fit the usual bill. Captain America aka Chris Evans leads the cast, The Amazing Spider-Man's Marc Webb sits in the director's chair, and, based on her off-screen interviews, Jenny Slate is the smart, spirited actress superhero we all need. Their collaboration doesn't involve spandex or fighting crime, however, but rather championing strengths and recognising truths of another kind. This precocious, kid-centric film makes no attempt to hide its efforts to tug at your heartstrings. But memorable performances and a refreshing perspective ensure that it's a winner nonetheless. In a tale of brains rather than brawn, seven-year-old Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) is the smartest student in her new Florida school, and her teacher (Slate) wants to do something about it. But Mary's uncle Frank (Evans) disagrees, having seen her genius mathematician mother follow a similar path only to end up taking her own life due to the pressure. When the headmistress calls in Frank's own estranged mother (Lindsay Duncan), a tug-of-war ensues over the girl's future. He insists that Mary should have a normal childhood, while his mum wants her granddaughter prodigy to realise her potential as soon as possible — regardless of the consequences. What's the best option? With its allegiance firmly with the likeable Frank, Gifted plays up the contrasting parenting styles for drama, rather than delving too deeply into the question. And yet, as Mary gets stuck in the middle of a very predictable custody battle, the film makes a crucial case: that being normal and special aren't mutually exclusive. Don't underestimate this viewpoint, and the alternative it offers to almost every other message that movies thrust our way. Seeing a constant parade of superheroes on screen can cast everyday existence in a pretty dull light, but Gifted celebrates the idea that life and people can be both extraordinary and average, and that that is perfectly okay. Perhaps that's how Webb approached making the film as well — sometimes it's great, sometimes it's simply good, but it comes together nicely overall. It's easy enough to see where the by-the-book plot is going, although thankfully it's all engaging enough that viewers won't really mind. The score lays the sentiment on a little too thick sometimes, and the Florida setting is given quite the sunny hue, but ultimately the film never veers into territory that could be called grating or cloying. Still, blending all of the above together mightn't have worked as well if Gifted wasn't so superbly cast. Pay attention to young Grace, a veteran of 42 roles at the age of just 11, who makes Mary feel like the type of kid everyone can relate to — even if you don't share the same exceptional math skills. Elsewhere, Evans gives his conflicted character ample emotional range, while Slate makes her kindly teacher more than just a helpful love interest. As a feisty neighbour, Octavia Spencer mightn't have quite as much to do, but she's as warm and enjoyable as anything else the movie has to offer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDgOnFH_KEo
US rapper Lizzo has had a big year. A huge year. As well as releasing her extremely well received (and much played) album Cuz I Love You, she's been in Hustlers and is currently on the cover of British Vogue. If you've become as unstoppably obsessed with everything she does as the rest of the world has, then we have good news for you: the lady herself will be coming to Sydney and Melbourne next year to play shows at the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall and Melbourne's The Forum. Lizzo (or Melissa Viviane Jefferson) will fill the venues with her catchy hits 'Juice' and 'Truth Hurts' — and have the crowd hollering, "turns out I'm 100 percent that bitch" — as well as other bangers off her hit 2019 album. This will be her first ever visit to Australia. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ktT5yhq4k/ While she's in Australia, she'll also be heading to Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne with FOMO in early January. There are still tickets to those festivals if you can't make it to her solo shows. If you do want to go to her solo shows, though, you'll need to snap up tickets fast — Lizzo will only be taking to the stage once at the Sydney Opera House (on Monday, January 6) and once again at The Forum (Wednesday, January 8). Her Sydney show will be one of the last performances, alongside Solange's in late Jan, in the Concert Hall before it shuts for major renovations next year. Lizzo will perform at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Monday, January 6, 2020 and at The Forum, Melbourne on Wednesday, January 8. For Sydney, general tickets go on sale at midday on Thursday, November 21, with pre-sale kicking off at midday on Wednesday, November 20 — you can sign-up for the latter here. Melbourne general tickets are available from 9am on Tuesday, November 19, with pre-sale from 9am on Monday, November 18 — sign-up for those here. Image: Luke Gilford
In the 22 years since they formed out of Melbourne's underground scene, Eddy Current Suppression Ring haven't ever played a free headlining show — until September 2025 rolls around, that is. Whether you're a fan of Aussie Rules football or you just like an excuse for a public holiday, here's one way to spend this year's AFL Grand Final eve: catching the iconic band taking to the stage in Federation Square, putting on their first gig in nine years and doing so without punters needing to pay a cent. Over the years, Melbourne's Fed Square has hosted free concerts by the eclectic likes of Robbie Williams, Kneecap, Caribou, Glass Beams and more. Now, Eddy Current Suppression Ring are jumping onto that list. They'll take to the stage for their first major appearance since the garage-punk group's last-minute Dark Mofo set in 2016, and for their first headlining Melbourne show since playing The Palace in 2010. Word of the Friday, September 26, 2025 gig follows Eddy Current Suppression Ring's release of their new split 7-inch Shapes and Forms — and sees the group, aka Brendan Suppression, Eddy Current, Danny Current and Rob Solid, keep adding to a career that started after a jam session at a Melbourne vinyl pressing plant's Christmas shindig back in 2003. For company in Fed Square, the Australian Music Prize-winning and ARIA Award-nominated band will be joined by New York's EDAN and the Melbourne-based Wrong Way Up.
If it's summer in Australia and you're not eating something frosty yet creamy after each and every meal, then you aren't making the most of the season. In some parts of the country — hello Brisbane — it's never too cold for gelato. Actually, even when it is chilly elsewhere in the thick of winter, that statement still applies. But licking your way through your ice cream of choice really is one of the best things about summer there is. After that short ode to gelato — and lots of it — you're likely craving the good stuff. Here's something that'll help: a huge $350,000 Gelato Messina giveaway. From 6pm AEDT / 5pm AEST on Wednesday, November 8, Uber Eats is going all out to celebrate the beloved dessert chain moving its deliveries exclusively to the service. So, from now onwards, you'll be getting your Messina delivered by Uber Eats — and for 20 minutes tonight you'll want to head to the brand's Instagram page to get your hands on some freebies. It's handing out 'cow codes', which you'll then enter into the Uber Eats app to nab different prizes. As well as discounts on Messina — ranging from ten to 50 percent off — there'll be free tub upgrades up for grabs. Or, if you're a particularly lucky dessert fiend, you might score a year's supply of Messina gelato. If you'll be busy during this evening's unveiling, the codes will also be live until midnight on Sunday, December 12. And, when it comes to ordering — either after winning a prize, or next time the gelato hankerings strike — Messina will be operating 22 virtual Uber Eats storefronts across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Uber Eats' Gelato Messina Cow Codes livestream runs from 6–6.20pm AEDT / 5–5.20pm on Wednesday, December 8 on Uber Eats' Instagram page, with the codes live until midnight on Sunday, December 12.
Staying in with just Netflix for company might be all the rage these days, but once upon a time, the local drive-in cinema was the must-do event. Dandenong's Lunar Drive-In was first opened in 1956 but the introduction of the VCR in the 1980s crippled the drive-in industry. However, in 2002, two movie buff brothers got together and purchased the drive-in site, putting up four massive screens and modernising the experience. Showing the latest films alongside double features, family sessions and late-night screenings, load your car up with your best mates and head out to enjoy a night-time flick. Much cheaper than your regular cinema, a carload worth of tickets goes for as little as $25 on Monday–Wednesday, and $30 on Thursday–Sunday. Don't miss the Lunar Café, the on-site burger joint that serves up a typical diet of movie-going snacks and hot food to enjoy throughout your screening. Image: Thomas Hawk via Flickr.
With Easter just around the corner, you've probably already got stuck into a few fruit-spiked buns and choccy eggs, with plenty more to come. But here's another, more grown-up treat to add to your wish-list again this year — an Aussie craft rum inspired by the humble hot cross bun. Off the back of a wildly popular 2022 debut, family-run Margaret River distillery The Grove has been busy whipping up a new edition of its beloved Hot Cross Rum. Once again, the small-batch sip has been hand-crafted using The Grove's four-year barrel-aged dark rum, then housed in a former bourbon barrel made of American oak. Raisins, oranges and a bunch of warm spices are left to steep, before the rum is given a final infusion of classic hot cross bun flavours including cinnamon, cloves and vanilla. At the end, you've got a warm, rich, festive-tasting spirit, packed with notes of caramelised raisin, vanilla and cinnamon, with a lingering fruity finish and a hit of molasses to round it all out. A 40-percent ABV hot cross bun in a glass, if you like. The Grove team recommends you sip their new creation neat — with a hot-buttered Easter bun on the side for full effect, of course. Word is that it's also a solid match to a cheese board or dessert, and proves an ideal drop to whip out for any celebratory occasion through the rest of the year, too. Just 120 bottles of the Hot Cross Rum have been made this year, available now to purchase online, with Australia-wide delivery happening just in time for Easter. The Hot Cross Rum marks the fourth release from The Grove's Collector's Series of limited-edition spirits. Each of the French cubic glass bottles features a handwritten, numbered calligraphy label by Perth artist Stacey Teo. The Grove's Hot Cross Rum is available to purchase via the website at RRP $110 for a 500ml bottle. Images: Freedom Garvey Photographer
Located in a historic blue-stone chapel dating back to 1858, Prahran's Chapel Off Chapel has long been an institution for emerging Melbourne creatives. It has hosted independent productions of musicals, many of which were premiers, including the likes of Is There Life After High School?, Songs for a New World, Putting it Together and The Colour Purple. There have been over a million punters through its doors since it opened in the early 90s, and it has played host to more than 20,000 creatives. The venue is famous for a lot of things, from dance to live musicals, and to this day, it continues to nurture and give a stage to emerging artists. Chapel off Chapel is also renowned for its regular comedy shows, often hosting big names who use the stunning space to record gigs that'll be streamed online.
Melbourne still knows how to draw a crowd. Whether you're a sucker for the city's killer food scene, a mad AFL head or simply enjoying the pleasure of travelling by tram, there's no bad time for a weekend stint in the Victorian capital city. To make the journey even easier, we've teamed up with plush CBD hotel Dorsett Melbourne to offer you an all-inclusive one-night stay for you and a guest. For all your vacay (or staycay) needs, you'll receive one night in a balcony suite, access to the hotel's heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, pre-dinner drinks at Jin Bar AND dinner and breakfast in Port Bistro. Plus, the hotel has an extensive collection of art that you can take in during your stay. To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is complete the form below by Monday, July 31. [competition]907586[/competition]
It's happening months earlier than anticipated, but New Zealand is set to reopen its doors to tourists from next month, kicking things off by welcoming back its closest neighbours. In news sure to trigger a sigh of relief for tourism operators and those keen on a winter break, from 11.59pm NZST / 8.59pm AEST on Tuesday, April 12, Aotearoa will scrap its current international border ban for Australian tourists — meaning double-vaccinated Aussie holidaymakers will be able to travel across the ditch without requiring isolation. Then from 11.59pm NZST / 8.59pm AEST on Sunday, May 1, double-vaccinated holidaymakers from visa-waiver countries like the US and UK will be able to follow suit. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the move in a press conference on Wednesday, March 16, revealing that she's excited and ready "to welcome the world back". "In particular, I'm ready to welcome back our trans-Tasman travellers… they'll be able to arrive in time for the Australian school holidays and provide a boost for our winter ski season," she said. "I'm asking our Australian family and friends to book their tickets." Tourists will be required to test negative for COVID-19 with a PCR or RAT before leaving Australia for their trip, before providing negative tests on day one and day five of their stay in New Zealand. The new plan is an expedited version of the New Zealand Government's original border-reopening arrangement announced back in February, when it was proposed tourists from Australia and around the world would probably be able to visit New Zealand by July. However in March, NZ COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said he believed that would be "at the latest". The change of plans has come amid New Zealand's current Omicron outbreak, which sees the country currently ranking among the highest rates of COVID-19 transmission in the world. Australian tourists will be able to enter New Zealand without isolating from 11.59pm NZST / 8.59pm AEST on Tuesday, April 12. For more information, head to the New Zealand Government's official COVID-19 website.
In a year where lots of time was spent tripping in and out of lockdowns, both the ups and downs were plentiful. While stay-at-home orders were a curse we could have all done happily without, we also saw wins like the debut of a much-anticipated citywide arts fest, a suite of clever culinary pop-ups and a joyful post-lockdown music festival descending on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. What's more, Melbourne scored an abundance of new venues to add to that ever-growing list of must-visits; from glamorous restaurants to suburban brewery bars. We pulled together a shortlist of our favourite new venues and the most exciting events that saw us all through this year's good times and bad as part of Concrete Playground's Best of 2021 Awards. And now, we're presenting the cream of the crop, with both a reader-voted People's Choice award and an overall CP Pick in each of these categories: Best New Restaurant Best New Bar Best Event Best New Space Best Lockdown Pivot So, without further ado, here are your winners for 2021: BEST NEW EVENT [caption id="attachment_752127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wade Malligan[/caption] CP PICK: PLAY ON VICTORIA On October 30, as we slowly emerged from yet another lengthy lockdown, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl hosted Melbourne's first big event in months: new one-day music fest Play On Victoria. Unsurprisingly a sell-out success, it was held for a solely double-vaccinated audience of 4000 punters, in an effort to test the state's reopening settings in the post-lockdown period. It also gifted us with a long-awaited opportunity to catch some live tunes, after one heck of a musical dry spell. Local music-lovers got right back into the swing of things, as acts like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Baker Boy, Amyl and the Sniffers, Grace Cummings, and Vika and Linda Bull all took to the stage. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: VAN GOGH AT THE LUME After years of hype, Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery opened in November, set to project some of the world's most famous artworks in large-scale format. Its inaugural exhibition is currently celebrating the works and life of Vincent van Gogh, allowing you to walk through his famous masterpieces including The Starry Night and Sunflowers. For the latter, there's a dedicated mirror infinity room filled with sunflowers. Elsewhere, expect a reimagined Café Terrace 1888, and a life-size recreation of Van Gogh's The Bedroom. On top of that, a carefully curated fusion of colour, sound, taste and aroma lets you experience the works of the famed Dutch artist like never before. After a stack of time spent cooped up at home, it's no surprise this multi-sensory wonder has been going down a treat with Melburnians. BEST LOCKDOWN PIVOT CP PICK: GOMI RAMEN SHOP Melbourne chefs Ryan Maher and Ben Reardon launched their ramen delivery business back in June 2020, dropping handmade, ready-to-heat soup kits to select suburbs each week under the Gomi Boys label. The orders kept flooding in and the fanbase continued to grow — so much so, that the duo were able to crowd-fund their first bricks-and-mortar venue this year, with Gomi Ramen Bar opening its doors on Sydney Road this month. The 60-seat eatery is serving a range of the guys' cult-favourite ramen varieties, heroing their slurp-worthy hand-made noodles, house-made ferments, preserves and flavour-packed broths. Head in now to find the likes of a niboshi tonkotsu with pork and chicken, and a mushroom miso number, alongside loads of Japanese snacks. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: CA COM BÁNH MÌ BAR When Anchovy co-owners Jia-Yen Lee and Thi Le first started slinging khao jee pâté — the Lao cousin of the Vietnamese banh mi — from a window during last year's lockdown, it was never meant to become a permanent venture. But as the pandemic continued and the street food offering earned itself a loyal following, it became clear the Ca Com pop-up was here for the long run. Now, it's spawned its own standalone shopfront next door. Named after the Vietnamese words for 'anchovy', Ca Com's rotating banh mi menu was exactly the kind of accessible, lockdown-friendly fare the neighbourhood was craving. The pop-up has run on and off through lockdowns, with a hibachi on the window sill used to barbecue proteins. The lineup changes regularly, giving the team a chance to flex their creativity and trial new flavour combinations for its many dedicated Melbourne fans. BEST NEW BAR CP PICK: PEARL DIVER COCKTAIL & OYSTERS Arriving just in time for the festive season and its associated indulgences, Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters is a sparkling newcomer from The Speakeasy Group's (Eau de Vie, Nick & Nora's, Mjolner) Alex Boon and Pez Collier. Its focus is on memorable, produce-driven cocktails and oysters sourced from the country's best-growing regions. Libations show respect for individual ingredients and a penchant for creativity, while an oft-changing wine list represents only that which is 'fun' and 'delicious'. Oysters are the kitchen's headline act, served au naturale, dressed (think, creme fraiche and caviar, or a lemon granita) or cooked. Other upscale snacks include the likes of a duck terrine, house-made buffalo halloumi, and comté-topped waffle fries. [caption id="attachment_812442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Blachford[/caption] PEOPLE'S CHOICE: HOPE ST RADIO The new wine bar and kitchen from internet radio station Hope St Radio became a go-to for knock-offs in the inner north. It's an expansive indoor-outdoor space beside Collingwood Yards' central courtyard, decked out with timber booths and mural art by Alice McIntosh. Chef Ellie Bouhadana's food offering heroes after-work snacks and dinner options; best enjoyed alongside local beers and sustainably-produced wines. The menu rotates regularly, though expect plates like lamb rigatoni, marinated sardines, and focaccia with whipped garlic and thyme butter. Unsurprisingly, music is a big part of the bar's DNA, with a custom sound set-up featuring tunes from Hope St's expert curation of artists, and a live broadcast program to keep you buzzing through the end of each week. BEST NEW RESTAURANT CP PICK: ROBATA From the team behind South American eateries San Telmo, Pastuso, Palermo and Asado, comes this playful, neon-heavy restaurant taking its cues from the streets of Tokyo. Robata embraces the art of charcoal grilling, celebrating Japanese techniques and traditions with its custom-built robatayaki grill. An izakaya-style menu is headlined by yakitori and kushiyaki skewers cooked over charcoal; including the must-try chicken meatballs with cured yolk and tare sauce. You'll find various sashimi and small bites, too, alongside larger Japanese-accented plates. Meanwhile, the bar's pouring a strong spread of sake, Japanese whisky and craft brews, backed by clever cocktails like the shochu-infused espresso martini. [caption id="attachment_833161" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] PEOPLE'S CHOICE: FARMER'S DAUGHTERS This impressive, three-level venue from acclaimed chef Alejandro Saravia (Pastuso) is dedicated to celebrating and showcasing Gippsland's finest produce. On the first floor, a gourmet deli, food store and eatery turns out share-friendly fare like O'Connor beef carpaccio, and crumbed Lakes Entrance fish matched with spring onion hollandaise. Upstairs, the restaurant plates up a more formal celebration of provenance, complete with an open kitchen fuelled by charcoal and wood. It's a sophisticated space of gentle greens and greys, with a seasonal set menu and a Gippsland-focused drinks list. But as the crowning glory, the secluded rooftop cocktail bar is a summertime favourite, delivering innovative, produce-driven sips against a backdrop of native mountain pepper trees. BEST NEW SPACE [caption id="attachment_819111" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Blachford[/caption] CP PICK: SOCIETY Opened in the new 80 Collins dining precinct, this much-anticipated venture from Chris Lucas (Chin Chin) is sporting a timeless (and dramatic) aesthetic that fuses elements of art deco, mid-century, art nouveau and brutalist sensibilities. And it's guaranteed to wow. The high-impact look plays out strikingly across its two restaurants — Society Dining Room and Lillian Terrace — plus the upmarket Society Lounge bar and various other private spaces. It's the vision of Melbourne designers Russell & George, who worked closely with Lucas to create something that would have a deep connection to the city. They designed every element from the chairs to the dazzling chandeliers, and the spaces are complemented by a curation of works by Victorian artist David Noonan. [caption id="attachment_773820" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sharyn Cairns[/caption] PEOPLE'S CHOICE: GIMLET AT CAVENDISH HOUSE When it comes to creating smash-hit venues in stunning spaces, it's no secret legendary chef Andrew McConnell has a knack. He's the mind behind favourites like Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co and Marion, to name a few. And it appears he's done it again with Gimlet — a cocktail bar and restaurant in the CBD's 1920s heritage building Cavendish House. While it originally launched in 2020, thanks to lockdowns this is the first year anyone's had much of a chance to experience its magic. Sydney-based architecture and design studio Acme (The Grounds Of Alexandria) is behind the fitout, which nabbed a commendation in this year's Eat Drink Design Awards. It sees the historic space filled with black and gold marble bars, leather booths, geometric tiles and honeycomb chandeliers inspired by famed Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. Congratulations to all the winners. Our city is a better place with you in them.
After a huge 2011 - a new album and a year long world tour, the Arctic Monkeys landed in Australia post-Christmas. The band is back in Sydney this week to perform two sold-out shows and, lucky for us, the perfectly coiffed and sonorous toned lead singer, Alex Turner, took time out to chat to Concrete Playground's Rachel Fuller about counting down to 2012, Sydney and his current obsession - motorbikes. Hey Alex, thanks so much for chatting to me today and lovely to meet you. Hey Rachel, no worries. You too! I was down in Tassie for Falls and saw you guys play on the 30th, thanks for a great show! Yeah, it was a great festival, a great couple of days. We hadn't played for a while so we were a little rusty but it was good to get back into it. And you brought in the New Year at Lorne? What song did you go with? Yeah, well it was a bit of a fucking mess, it was all a bit confused. We were meant to go off and we thought there was going to be a countdown. But it was ok, we went off and then came back on and we played Fluorescent Adolescent and it was fine. Everyone was drunk and having fun – us included – so it really didn't matter in the end. My friends and I were talking about the logistical nightmare in getting all the bands from Tassie to Lorne and vice versa. Was it total chaos in the time-space continuum? Or are you guys just used to the back to backs? Sure, I mean, we flew the morning after the show and then had to get a coach from Melbourne to Lorne. It was a bit of a drive. And did you get to walk around the festival at all and see some other acts? Not really. We saw Aloe Blacc. No one else. But the kids were loving it. The kids! You must be totally exhausted after such a huge year of touring. After all this time have you perfected some sort of balance between the highs of performing and finding down time? Yeah, well we had a great year and we are really enjoying playing live. On top of that we have had a good response to the new record so we are having a buzz. But how do you sustain the buzz? Well, when I say buzz I mean internal buzz. We have got into a good rhythm and a good place this year. Really, we have hit our stride. And we have really been enjoying playing in the States; we have played there a few times this year. And you are heading back in a couple of months? Yeah, we will be supporting the Black Keys and we are huge fans of theirs. You are obviously a really talented songwriter, Alex, do you ever imagine yourself branching out and writing longer pieces, away from music? No, I don't think so. I don't think I am really capable of writing anything else. I'm happy with the song. And lastly, since you guys have been to Sydney quite a few times, is there anything you are really looking forward to getting up to whilst you are here? Yeah, well we have had loads of good times, too many to mention, Rachel. I had my birthday there once, down at the beach. I think we are just really looking forward to playing. I might try surfing, I keep saying that, but now might be the time. One thing we will be doing will be going to this place called Deus Ex Machina, they have this thing on. That's cool, I know the guy that runs Deus. Oh yeah? What's his name again? Dare Jennings. That's right. And he started Mambo, right? Yeah. So I am guessing you have a motorbike? Yeah. And Deus pretty much has the coolest bikes in the world. Yeah, the coolest! Well, you have fun Alex and best of luck for your Australian shows over the next couple of weeks. And thanks for your time! Thanks Rachel, we will, catch you round.
Sebastián Lelio's A Fantastic Woman has been unexpectedly popular with the pundits, which is great for two reasons. For starters, it's always encouraging when foreign language films are financially successful. But what's even better is that the film offers a sensitive, uplifting portrayal of a transgender protagonist. After taking home a deluge of awards, there's no doubt that A Fantastic Woman is a serious contender to win Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards. Frankly, it's just a shame it wasn't nominated for Best Picture The story follows Marina Vidal, played by trans actress Daniela Vega. We meet her partner Orlando, played by Francisco Reyes, on the evening of her birthday, and get a glimpse into their tender, hopeful relationship before it all comes crumbling down. Orlando, who is a fair bit older than Marina, wakes up feeling sick – and although she rushes him to the hospital, it's all too late. The bulk of the film takes place in the aftermath of Orlando's death, as Marina is forced to deal with his family as they tear strips off her from all angles. It can't be overstated how wonderful it is to see transgender representation on the big screen (no offence Eddie Redmayne, but this is how it should be). Vega's performance as Marina feels authentic, in no small part because it is authentic. Every movement, every delivery is subtle, considered and real. To convey the character's mental state, Lelio oscillates between realism and magical realism, maintaining an elegant balance that ensures neither style feels heavy or overdone. And all the while, his leading lady is mesmerising in every scene. One of the most heartwarming elements of this film is the relationship between Marina and Orlando. It's sweet, romantic, sexy, like a healthy relationship should be. It's neither fraught nor kept secret – and while the depiction of it shouldn't feel remarkable, it absolutely does. A Fantastic Woman does great work capturing a spectrum of light and shade, love and grief, without relying on excessive violence or grim stereotypes that are so common in cinema about marginalised groups. That's not to say that this film doesn't contain disturbing scenes. Marina experiences more than her share of abuse and menacing microaggressions, enough to set your teeth on edge. And yet she's never portrayed as a helpless victim. Leilo's narrative realism and restraint, coupled with Vega's captivating performance, are proof that you don't need to use shock and awe tactics to have an impact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA
It's impossible to think about Christmas without also thinking about ornament-adorned trees, but the traditional towering variety isn't always practical. Perhaps you don't have space in your apartment. Maybe you're keen on the real thing, but just can't make it to market, farm or nursery to get one. And, even if you've found a place for the same old plastic tree that you trot out every year, you're probably still wishing that you could gaze up at the real thing. Floraly, the Australian plant delivery service that focuses on sustainable blooms and even offers monthly subscriptions, now has a Christmas offering — and if you're eager for a living tree, and you're happy with a pint-sized version, then it's about to make your festive dreams come true. 'Tis the season to order a 60-centimetre-tall tiny tree that comes with decorations and a pop-up pot, wait for it to be delivered, then feel mighty jolly. Sourced from farms in Victoria and New South Wales, and able to be sent Australia-wide, Floraly's trees also arrive with soil, fairy lights, baubles and a tree-topper — so they really do look like miniature versions of your ideal Christmas centrepiece. You'll also receive batteries to power the lights and, if you need some extra sweetness, can order some Koko Black chocolate with your mini plant. In line with Floraly's eco-conscious mindset, its trees still have their root system intact. That means that once Christmas is over, you can replant them, keep them for some year-round merriment and then enjoy their splendour next year. The trees also come in fully recyclable packaging, further reducing their environmental impact. If you're keen, you can pre-order a small bundle of greenery from the Floraly website for $79, with trees due to be shipped in the first week of December. Even better — delivery is free to Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne. Fancy sending a tiny tree as a gift? You can do that too. Floraly's tiny Christmas trees are available to pre-order now by visiting the service's website.
Queen Victoria Market's Purpose Precinct has done things differently since it launched in 2022. Operating as a social enterprise marketplace filled with over 80 products designed to create social, environmental and cultural good, one part of this forward-thinking marketplace is the Moving Feast Kitchen — a space that explores what food justice and sustainability look like in practice. It's been announced that Australian chef, author and food advocate Tobie Puttock is moving into the kitchen as the new Innovation Chef, bringing his enduring passion for sustainable food systems. Best known for his long-standing collaboration with Jamie Oliver, where he helped establish training restaurants for underprivileged young people, Puttock's ambitious approach to zero-waste cooking and food education is central to his purpose-driven goals. Back home in Melbourne, Puttock's pairing with Moving Feast Kitchen is certainly a harmonious fit. "Food has the power to bring people together, to nourish, and to create lasting change. The Moving Feast model – circular, inclusive, community-driven — is exactly the kind of space where I want to cook, teach and collaborate," says Puttock. Launched by leading social enterprise STREAT at the start of the pandemic, Moving Feast's network of food-based social enterprises collaborates on fair and regenerative system projects. Though it was initially founded in direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, the operation has since expanded to over 30 one-off and multi-year projects, including the Purpose Precinct and Crowd Sauce — a series of pantry ingredients made from surplus produce. Now with Puttock at the helm, Moving Feast Kitchen will step up its program of cooking classes, events and zero-waste retail food products. "We're expanding our commitment to innovation and community impact at Queen Victoria Market, and the work happening through the Purpose Precinct is central to this," says Matt Elliott, CEO of Queen Victoria Market. "The addition of Tobie will build on the incredible work by the STREAT team already underway on site." In tackling issues like food waste and food injustice, Moving Feast aims to address numerous climate and social challenges. From within the Purpose Precinct, it operates more as a science lab than a traditional kitchen, giving innovative changemakers like Puttock the space to rethink our relationship with the food supply chain to make a tangible impact. However, the pantry's range of long-shelf life products made from overripe and unsold produce also makes for a nourishing bite. Moving Feast Kitchen is open at QVM's Purpose Precinct on Tuesdays and Thursday–Saturday from 9am–3pm. Head to the website for more information.
The end of the year is hurtling closer, which means it's almost time for the fleeting annual lotus flower season to kick off once again. And, for the Blue Lotus Water Garden to throw open its gates and show off its brand new blooms. Open to the public only from December 27 until April 22, the lush landscaped grounds boast a collection of ponds, lakes and lagoons, which all come alive for these few months of the year, jam-packed with thousands of flowering lotus and waterlilies. You can wander the gardens through the lotus-filled waterways and flower beds in full-boom, with over three kilometres of pathways to explore. See the stunning 500-metre-long Monet lake, carpeted with over 70 varieties of water lily — including a collection of the artist's original flowers — then wander over the Japanese Pond's red bridge to catch a glimpse of flowers spawned from one of the world's oldest known lotus blooms. There's even an onsite cafe and ice cream cafe to fuel your flower-filled adventures. Blue Lotus Water Garden is open from 10am–5pm, daily.
Rummaging through your cupboards can be an invigorating exercise, unearthing and breathing new life into old gems. In one of the most high-fiveworthy collaborations in recent memory, Future Classic and le coq sportif have paired up for their own big ol' throwback project. The Sydney-based electronic label home to Flume and the French-founded sportswear company have joined forces to release a collection of remixes and reissues from the archives. Dubbed 'The Reissue Project', the double-sided project sees both parties bring their mad skills to the table. Delving deep into the back catalogues, le coq sportif have designed a collection of garments exclusively for Future Classic. Looking particularly to the '80s and '90s chapters of le coq history, the team have created six brand new designs that hope to fuse le coq aesthetic with the beats-loving clubs of now — think drop crotch trackies, reversible jackets, bucket hats, fleecy sweaters and good old fashioned t-shirts. Best part? Glow in the dark details, FO' CLUBBIN'. The team have also made exclusive varsity jackets for Future Classic artists, not for sale but still fly. In return, Future Classic have dug into their own back catalogue to reissue some older bangers, revamped with some pretty damn excellent remixes and reworks by Chicago legend Derrick Carter, Sydney's acid house master DJ HMC, NYC beatsmaster Jaques Renault, French young gun Pyramid and UK 'resident producer' of Wolf Music, Greymatter. Touch Sensitive's 2006 track 'Body Stop' has been worked over, alongside Luke Million, Stick Figures, Peret Mako and the gold nugget-like 'Possum', the first tune Flume ever put on triple j Unearthed. The physical collaboration element between the two comes from the unique codes paired with each le coq sportif piece; if you buy a piece you can download the Reissue Project tracks to strut down the street with for free. But because both sides are legends, they're letting you listen in anyway — you'll be able to stream the tracks from Soundcloud and www.thereissueproject.com from Thursday, August 14 at 10am AEST. Here's the sweet threads, you can run from the gym to the clurb without changing a thing: The LCS x FC Reissue Project is available in le coq sportif stores, selected Glue Stores nationally and online from 14 August. Want to customise your own le coq sportif threads in the meantime? Stroll to The Rocks over here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=FBh7PVr0p9Y
If you like chocolate and hazelnuts, odds are that you like Nutella. Actually, it's incredibly likely that you love it, are obsessed with it, and have eaten it slathered on bread, oozing out of doughnuts and combined with every other food you can think of. The popular spread brings out that kind of obsession in people, so it's hardly surprising that the brand is creating a whole place dedicated to the chocolate and hazelnut-flavoured concoction — albeit just for one weekend. Between January 10–12, 2020, Hotella Nutella will be a real place that'll actually exist, rather than somewhere that Nutella fans have just dreamed about since they can remember. It's coming to Calistoga in Napa Valley in California, and it'll make sure that visitors know exactly what it's about. Think "larger-than-life jars of Nutella and breakfast decor, and hazelnut and cocoa spread-inspired hotel items", according to the company's press release. Also on the agenda: two Nutella-filled meals, with one all about breakfast for dinner and the other focusing on brunch. No prizes for guessing what the star ingredient will be in all dishes whipped up, of course. There'll also be a pancake art session, which'll no doubt test just how creative people can be when it comes to drizzling Nutella over the sweet favourite. Yep, everyone's had plenty of practice at that. Alas, don't go getting too excited. These kinds of branded pop-ups always come with caveats, as Taco Bell's hotel did earlier in the year. At Hotella Nutella, only three Nutella lovers and their guests will be able to stay, they'll have to win a competition in order to do so, and entries are only open to US citizens. Given the cult-like following that the brand has inspired around the world, it's worth crossing your Nutella-loving fingers that it decides to do something similar for fans elsewhere. For more information about Hotella Nutella, visit the competition website. Images: Nutella USA.
Westfield Shopping Centres around the city are celebrating the arrival of spring (and the delicate bouquets, cute pastel outfits and afternoon picnics that it brings) with a weekend of fashion and freebies. On September 12-13, they are pushing out the boat and installing various pop-ups, including a cheeky tasting stand for Brown Brothers Moscato (nothing says spring has sprung like a rejuvenating flute of bubbly). Westfield retailers are also joining in, with spring sales in stores such as Cue, Bardot, Sportsgirl and Cotton On. So ladies and gents, if you were planning on grabbing some new duds for the in-between season, now is your chance to do it in style.
Brazil certainly seems to have it going on at the moment. Not only are they in possession of the world's 8th largest economy and have come out of the GFC relatively unscathed, they are also playing host to the 2014 World Cup and the Olympics in 2016. Brazil is shaping up to be the place to be (or at least watch on TV) over the next few years. And if the winning design of the Rio 2016 Olympic Park Urban Masterplan is anything to go by, it looks like it is going to be quite an attractive place to be as well. Announced last week by the Brazillian Municipal Olympic Company and the Brazil Architects Institute, the Olympic Park's winning design by British firm AECOM combines both utility and aesthetics, providing a strong vision for the games, but perhaps more importantly, a strong vision for how the space can be strategically and sustainably used after the Olympics. Inspired by Brazil's rainforests and unique flora and fauna, the winning design consists of five villages, parks, sporting facilities and exceptional transport facilities. It also works with and protects the environmental features of the area, in particular a local lagoon. Brazilians have always had a reputation for knowing how to throw a damn good party. And with these designs they''ll have another great place to do it too. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JdLRuwczjwc
You've strolled through its lush expanse, you've picnicked on its grassy lawns and you've probably bent to sniff a few of its vibrant blooms. Well, now, you can experience the Royal Botanic Gardens from a whole new angle: your tastebuds. Geelong-based distillery Anther has teamed up with the historic precinct to create a new gin made using plants grown on-site. Dubbed Florescence — meaning, 'the process of flowering' or to develop 'richly and fully' — the experimental spirit was crafted exclusively on ingredients grown at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Cranbourne. [caption id="attachment_834807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anther[/caption] It incorporates a slew of native Australian additions such as alpine pepper, violet kunzea and alpine baeckea, along with more familiar botanicals including juniper, orange peel and coriander seeds. Ingredients like finger lime, lemon myrtle and liquorice root also get a look-in. They've been pulled together into one delicate, aromatic sip, by award-winning distillery Anther, whose distillers worked closely with the Gardens' botanists and scientists to select the perfect botanical balance. And the resulting gin has even been given the taste-test tick of approval by the Gardens' Director and Chief Executive Professor Tim Entwisle. You can grab a bottle from Anther's online store, as well as from the distillery's usual stockists. Anther's previous creations include the Dry Gin, a cherry-infused gin and a Chocolate Gin. To get your hands on a bottle of Florescence, head to the Anther website or check out its usual stockists. Images: Anther
Brisbane's premier destination for all things art, the Gallery of Modern Art is showcasing the 30-year trajectory of a culture that knows a thing or two about unique fashion design. Now showing, Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion will chart the transformation of Japanese fashion design from the 1980s until today. We're talking the weird and the wonderful, from street wear to haute couture. These are the cutting-edge Japanese fashion designers who experimented with genres and influences to create a sartorial scene quite unlike any other. Thanks to Brisbane's Airtrain, we are offering one lucky entrant two free return flights to Brisbane from either Sydney or Melbourne. Included is return travel with Brisbane's Airtrain, the premier rail link connecting Brisbane Airport to the city; two nights of accommodation; and two guest passes to see the one-of-a-kind exhibition at GOMA. Airtrain is the fastest, most efficient and affordable way to get from Brisbane Airport to the heart of the Brisbane CBD, and it takes you there in 20 minutes flat. Hard to beat in terms of simplicity, comfort and punctuality, Airtrain runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak periods. To ensure bookings runs smoothly, Brisbane's Airtrain has introduced an iPhone app for travellers on the go offering easy access to mobile tickets when entering and exiting an Airtrain station. To sweeten what is already a pretty sweet deal, there is a 10 percent discount for all advance online bookings, as well as great web group fares offering substantial discounts for groups of two or more. Your accommodation for this trip is a one-bedroom apartment at sleek, four-star Mantra on Edward, located only 200 metres from Central Station, where you'll hop off the Airtrain in Brisbane's CBD. You will be on the doorstep of some of Brisbane's best cafes, restaurants and bars and a short walk from the Brisbane River at Eagle Street Pier as well as the shopping district Queen Street Mall. Or you can just stay in your hotel and enjoy the pool and sauna. Future Beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion will be running from November 1, 2014, until February 15, 2015 at the Gallery of Modern Art. Thanks to Brisbane's Airtrain, Mantra Hotels and GOMA, one winner will get to go on this holiday with a friend, enjoying: A double pass to the Future Beauty exhibition or Future Beauty Up Late at the Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane Return flights to Brisbane per person from either Melbourne or Sydney Two-nights' accommodation in a one- bedroom apartment at Mantra on Edward Return travel with Airtrain so you can fast-track your trip to and from the airport To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and address. Entry to the competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Image: Broken Doll, performing at Future Beauty Up Late.
When Hollywood isn't bringing back beloved television shows such as Daria and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or spinning off huge hits like Game of Thrones, it's taking successful films to the small screen. The Lord of the Rings is the next beloved property in the spotlight, making the leap from the page to the cinema to your TV, with a five-season series first announced in 2017, then receiving the official go-ahead in mid-2018. Amazon Studios is the driving force behind his return to Middle-earth, adapting a television version of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, publisher HarperCollins and Warner Bros. Entertainment's New Line Cinema. And before you go thinking that this'll be a simple rehash, the show's twitter account has started unveiling details about your next favourite TV program. The big news: it doesn't look like it'll be remaking events already covered by the movies. For a few weeks, the social media account has been posting maps accompanied by Lord of the Rings quotes, such as "Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky" and "One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne. In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie". This week, it welcomed fans to the Second Age — as accompanied, once again, by a Middle-earth map. While that mightn't seem like the most significant piece of information, it's worth noting. With Tolkien's best-sellers and Peter Jackson's films taking place in Third Age, it reveals that the show will be focusing on stories set before both The Fellowship of the Ring and The Hobbit. https://twitter.com/LOTRonPrime/status/1103656946509344768 Since the series was first announced, it has been widely expected that it would chart new ground rather than serve up the same details on a smaller screen. If you're a little rusty on your Lord of the Rings lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Exactly which tale Amazon's series will tell hasn't yet been revealed, and it's still way too early for even rumours about who'll be eating second breakfasts. But the show is moving ahead with JD Payne and Patrick McKay (writers with credits on the upcoming Star Trek 4 and Jungle Cruise) developing the series. "We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care — it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime," said the lifelong friends when their involvement was announced. According to The Hollywood Reporter last year, Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke revealed that the series will be in production by 2020 — so expect to make a date with the first season in 2021. If you're so excited about the show that you'll settle for pouring over maps in the interim, you can do just that at Amazon's website for the series.
What's your idea of a perfect night out? If it's a casual wander through Melbourne's 'Paris End', stopping by the city's best cocktail bars, with a passport that gets stamped as you go, that's exactly what you'll get with the Melbourne Walking Whisky Tour. A premium bar hop experience for whisky lovers, run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week by The Speakeasy Group and The Glenlivet Whisky. The night kicks off at glamorous oyster and cocktail bar, Pearl Diver, before hitting up local favourite, Nick & Nora's, and finishing at Eau-de-Vie. At each stop, you'll be treated to a Glenlivet whisky cocktail, a 15ml nip of whisky and a gourmet snack. You'll also get a special passport to guide your journey, complete with a snippet of The Glenlivet and venue history, and a stamp at each venue. Interested? There are two ways to take the tour. You can go your own way with the $120 self-guided option (perfect as a gift or a fancy date night out). Or for an extra $250 per group, you can book a guided experience for eight to 15 people and have a whisky connoisseur host your group, sharing tales of Melbourne's bar scene and expert whisky tips as you go. The Melbourne Walking Whisky Tour runs Tuesday to Thursday, starting at Pearl Diver. Self-guided vouchers are available via the Speakeasy Group website. Or call (03) 8393 9367 to enquire about a guided group experience. Images courtesy of the Speakeasy Group By Jac Kennedy
If you're looking for a bar situated near the G, have a gander at the London Tavern; it's been there since 1921 and is somewhat of a footy icon in the area. Watch the match there of a weekend night, or enter the hefty meat raffle every Thursday. If you don't make too much of a ruckus yourself perhaps you'll be able to hear the live MCG action from your seat.
A quarter-century ago, Christmas changed forever. Sure, the end of the year was filled with plenty of festive cheer before Mariah Carey released 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' — but since 1994, that upbeat ditty has become everyone's go-to seasonal soundtrack. Just last year, in fact, the track topped the US charts. It didn't even achieve that feat back when it was initially released, making it the song that has taken the longest journey ever to the top spot. Carey has re-recorded 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' several times, and it just keeps spreading its festive melody. Yes, we know you now have it stuck in your head just from thinking about it. The singer has several holiday albums to her name, too, which keep prolonging the song's longevity. And if that's all 100-percent okay with you, you'll be particularly excited about her next Christmas-themed project. As announced earlier this year, Apple TV+ is releasing Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special — aka the star-studded festive show you didn't know you had always wanted until now. And if you're wondering just when it'll head to your streaming queue, the company has just revealed that it'll hit come Friday, December 4 — in the lead up to Christmas (obviously). In its efforts to help salvage the trainwreck that is the past 12 months, Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special will feature Carey, of course, alongside a star-studded lineup of other guests. You'll also be seeing Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris take part — and, as co-directed and executive produced by A Very Murray Christmas alumnus Roman Coppola, the special will include not only music and dancing from this list of famous names, but animation as well. It's Apple TV+'s latest big-name project — with Sofia Coppola's new Bill Murray-starring movie On the Rocks also hitting the service this year, and its recent live documentary Beastie Boys Story earning a couple of Emmy nominations. If watching Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special is now all you want from the rest of 2020, you can check out a teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhwdLOYOg-8 And because we already know you're humming it to yourself, you can also check out the music video for 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special will hit Apple TV+ on Friday, December 4.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia wrapped up last Friday after showcasing the best of local fashion design against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Noticeably absent this year were big names Lover, Josh Goot and Dion Lee, as well all as our well-shod friends from across the ditch like Kate Sylvester and Stolen Girlfriends Club, but often it's the emerging designers who put on the most impressive shows. To celebrate five days of more laser lights and short shorts than you could poke a complimentary bottle of San Pellegrino Aranciata at, here are five exciting local labels to familiarise yourself with immediately. 1. MICHAEL LO SORDO To say rising cool kid Michael Lo Sordo’s show at The Apollo was highly anticipated would be a sweeping understatement. Sydney-based Lo Sordo recently took out the Qantas Spirit of Youth Award for his prodigious grasp of construction, and lived up to the hype with a meticulously tailored collection of soft white shirting, coloured metallic tees and knockout party dresses with graphic prints and gladiator detailing. Buy his pieces at Maubourg, Roots & Wings Design or Adelaide’s Chasing Nel. 2. KAYLENE MILNER Among the six talented graduates showing at the highly anticipated TAFE show was Kaylene Milner. Milner has just been selected for an internship with Diane von Furstenberg, and it's thanks to this patchwork-luxe collection juxtaposing earthy furs with vibrant colours. The young designer also has a gutsy back story — she was flipping through a 2007 Vogue during a uni lecture when she decided to ditch musicology in favour of whipping up a portfolio to submit to the prestigious TAFE. Previous designers to have made their runway debut at the Innovators show include Dion Lee and Emma Mulholland, so expectations are justifiably high. 3. AJE Design duo Edwina Robinson and Adrian Norris staged a confident runway debut which mixed sequins, mesh, fishtail skirts and scalloped micro hemlines — sometimes all at once — without sacrificing the label’s nonchalant elegance. Among the many standout pieces was a heavily sequinned mermaid-inspired gown, fittingly anchored by beaten leather boots with the tongue hanging out. Aje is stocked in Desordre in Sydney and Strada in Noosa. 4. CHRISTOPHER ESBER Most 23-year-olds are navigating life one mistake at a time, but Christopher Esber is not most 23-year-olds. The young Sydney designer was one of the standout newcomers at Rosemount Australia Fashion Week last year, consistently proving himself worthy of the hype that has surrounded his collections since he debuted alongside Dion Lee in 2008. Esber’s clothing is characterised by minimalist design, meticulous tailoring and luxurious fabrics, and this season he's all about clinical whites offset by delicate sheer fabric. 5. AN ODE TO NO ONE Few things kick of a runway show like a holographic laser light display, but you don't want the theatrics to outshine the clothing. Luckily An Ode To No One designer Adi Setiadi is a sartorial genius. Last year he penetrated a market saturated with digital prints by rendering his own in trippy 3D, and this time he paraded an army of sci-fi bombshells in Tron-esque geometric dresses, sharply tailored pantsuits and silks that rippled like water. Setiadi cut his teeth working for iconic Aussie designers Akira and Nicola Finetti before starting An Ode To No One in 2008, but his futuristic aesthetic is all his own.
There are many reasons to thank Mike White, creator and writer of The White Lotus, for bringing the hit HBO series to our screens. Firstly, he's responsible for one of the best TV shows of late — a program that's weaponised luxurious settings, helped set travel itineraries, thoroughly eaten the rich, spun twisty murder-mysteries, and kept viewers guessing throughout each and every episode of two spectacular seasons. What else? He's brought cultural darling Jennifer Coolidge to her rightful place at the front of our consciousness — and the winning spot in awards season. The star of the show, she dazzled us in everything from American Pie and Legally Blonde to Promising Young Woman before she brought the cool, loveably clueless millionaire Tanya McQuoid to life. In huge news, on Saturday, June 10, worshipping the White-and-Coolidge pairing in the flesh is a possibility thanks to Vivid Sydney — and Concrete Playground Trips has an exclusive deal for you. First, the event details: the duo is coming to the Harbour City's Aware Super Theatre at the ICC Sydney for an exclusive in-conversation session moderated by Benjamin Law as a part of Vivid Ideas. As well as hearing about their careers and long friendship, you'll hear Coolidge talk about her time on The White Lotus, and White chat about the creation of the series especially for Coolidge: "Jennifer's the reason I did [The] White Lotus in the first place. I just wanted to write something for her, I just adore her," White told The New York Times. The exclusive Trips deal? Two tickets to Vivid Sydney's Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge in Conversation event on Saturday, June 10, plus a night at the lush Kimpton Margot in the CBD. That's one night to luxuriate into your inside look at this Hollywood pair's relationship before soaking up Vivid Sydney's bright lights and creative expression. So, whether you're a superfan of The White Lotus or simply witnessed the culture-altering effects of the show take shape, this Vivid Sydney session will have you immersed in a stellar friendship, creative storytelling, cultural commentary and the power of comedy. Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge in Conversation hits Aware Super Theatre at the ICC Sydney on Saturday, June 10. Take in the full Vivid Sydney experience with Concrete Playground Trips' exclusive event package, which includes two A-reserve or premium tickets to the in-conversation event and a one-night stay at Kimpton Margot (or another hotel handpicked by us). For more information, head to the website.
On New Year's Eve, Victoria's 61-day run of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases came to an end. As a result, the Victorian Government introduced new restrictions on gatherings and masks. Thankfully, Victoria has now notched up another solid run of doughnut days — with today, Friday, January 22, the 16th consecutive day of no community transmission — and restrictions are easing again in response. Last week, the state relaxed its mask rules, making them mandatory in only some indoor settings, not all. From 11.59pm tonight, the gathering restrictions will also revert back, allowing you to have up to 30 visitors in your home, double the current limit of 15. Which means, you may be able to invite a few more people to that Saturday dinner party you're hosting. "Victorians have done an incredible job getting tested and we're happy to be able make these changes to private gatherings in time for a public holiday — so families can continue to enjoy a COVIDSafe Summer," Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement about the eased restrictions. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1352361271946059788 The Premier also announced relaxed border restrictions with NSW and Queensland today. From 6pm tonight, it's reclassifying nine Greater Sydney LGAs as 'orange zones', which means travellers from anywhere in the city except the Cumberland LGA (which is still classified as a 'red zone') can enter the state, but they'll need apply for a permit, isolate on arrival and get tested within 72 hours, then when they receive a negative result they're free to leave isolation. The rest of regional NSW (apart from Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, which are all 'orange zones') and Greater Brisbane will also be redesignated as 'green zones'. Travellers entering Victoria from a 'green zone' still need to apply for a permit, but do not need to get tested or isolate on arrival, unless they develop symptoms. You can read more about these changes over here. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria and current restrictions, head to the DHHS website.
Located at the top end of Melbourne's CBD, the Imperial Hotel offers some of the best city views from its lofty rooftop. It has been around for a while — a sports bar and pub just across the road from Parliament House — but recently launched its rooftop in 2015. The rooftop, with stunning 360-views of the city, can fit 270 punters and serves up 20 beers on tap. And while summer is long gone, the pub is keeping things cosy with its boozy winter rooftop garden. Inspired by the rolling highlands, with comfy blankets, wooden furniture and back country greenery, the massive transparent rooftop marquee — equipped with a dozen new heaters — will keep the great city views without the winter chill. Keeping things toasty is a boozy cocktail selection offering an assortment of delicious winter-themed drinks and a special build-your-own hot chocolate menu. Create your own concoction, starting with a base of either Kahlúa, Baileys, red wine or choc-mint mezcal. Then, top it off with your choice of marshmallows, crushed nuts, choc mint, grated chocolate or chocolate syrup. Once you've got drinks sorted, dive into the winter food menu which includes a warm antipasto platter, loaded fries and a range of cob loaf dibs — think gooey camembert and mixed herb, lamb and rosemary or chilli pulled pork. Gazing out over Treasury Gardens, Parliament House and the city skyline, with a boozy hot chocolate in hand seems like the perfect winter choice.
If you're after an auspicious start to the Year of the Tiger, South Yarra's Yugen Tea Bar has it covered. The modern tea apothecary is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a sumptuous banquet, themed around the lucky number eight — so the evening will be brimming with good food and good luck. On Tuesday, February 1, you're invited to mark the occasion at one of three dinner sittings (5pm, 7pm and 9pm), tucking into a parade of eight different dishes for $88 per person. On the menu, expect plates like crispy wontons with soy bean, ginger and chilli; a 'yee sang' (Cantonese-style raw fish salad) finished with crispy taro and a plum dressing; Sichuan-style marinated cucumbers; and char siu pork neck served with steamed buns, pickles, herbs and condiments. To up the indulgence factor, there's also a sashimi platter available to add on ($186 for two, $368 for four), featuring ocean-fresh goodies like oysters, caviar, ocean trout, kingfish and Hokkaido scallops. One of the evening's guests will be extra lucky, too, walking away with a special prize from the Yugen Tea Bar team. [caption id="attachment_839608" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean McDonald[/caption] Images: Sean McDonald
