If there was ever a film that made you wish you could step right into its frames, it's Wet Hot American Summer. The cult hit from 2001 took a satirical look at the American coming-of-age ritual that is heading off to summer camp, complete with Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Molly Shannon and Michael Showalter along for the fun. And, while it wasn't the biggest money earner, its enduring popularity caused Netflix to fund both a prequel and a sequel series. Now, the eager folks at Devastator Press! want to help make all of our dreams a reality. No, they're not hosting a real-life summer camp, sorry (but Brisbane's Death Valley Fun Camp is doing a pretty good job, though, and Camp Kidinyou did the same thing in Melbourne late in 2016). Instead, they're turning WHAS into a role-playing game that'll ensure film and TV fans can play along as a camper, counselor or staffer at Camp Firewood — while wearing cutoffs and drinking beer, obviously. Even if tabletop role-playing games aren't normally your thing, we're betting you'd try out Wet Hot American Summer: Fantasy Camp; it's designed for newcomers to the genre, with "more emphasis on storytelling and party game craziness". At the time of writing, the game's makers have taken to Kickstarter to crowdfund their efforts. After just four days, the campaign has made US$10,802 of its US$12,500 goal, so it's pretty likely that it'll happen. Yes, basically one of the film's biggest fans is turning his favourite flick into a game, but it has the official tick of approval, and we all get to reap the benefits. Until you can get your own copy — they're expected to begin shipping in August — spend your time thinking about playing as a can of mixed vegetables. And as for that sequel series we mentioned earlier, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later is due to drop on Netflix later this year.
Playwright Dan Giovannoni draws on personal family history in a new show premiering at Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Performed in both English and Italian by Red Stitch regulars Jordan Fraser-Trumble and Olga Makeeva alongside guest actors Devon Lang Wilton, Caroline Lee, Edward Orton and Joe Petruzzi, Jurassica tells the story of a multi-generational migrant family, and in doing so ponders what exactly it means to have a home. Inspired by his grandparents, who migrated from Italy to Melbourne in the years following WWII, Giovannoni spent two years developing the script with the assistance of the Red Stitch Writers program. Bridget Balodis directs in her first production for Red Stitch, having previously directed shows as part of Next Wave and Melbourne Fringe. She also participated in the Melbourne Theatre Company's Women Directors' Program.
It's set in Canada. It pays tribute to iconic Iranian filmmaking. It took home Cannes Directors' Fortnight's inaugural Audience Award. It's now the recipient of the Melbourne International Film Festival's Bright Horizons accolade, too. The movie to put on your must-see list if you haven't already caught it at MIFF 2024: Matthew Rankin's Universal Language, the picture chosen by the event's 2024 jury as the pick of the fest's competition titles. It was back in 2022 that the Victorian film festival, which is Australia's oldest, revealed that it was introducing a prize for standout new filmmaking talents. The Bright Horizons Award heroes both first-time and sophomore directors — and gives each year's winner a cool $140,000 for their troubles. Nabbed by Afrofuturist musical Neptune Frost in its initial year and Senegalese-French love story Banel & Adama in 2023, that hefty amount of prize money makes the gong one of the richest film fest awards in the world. Debuting at Cannes, and also set to make its North American premiere on home soil at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, Universal Language explores a vision of Winnipeg that resembles Iran in the 80s — and where Farsi as well as French are the official tongues. Alongside helming his second feature after 2019's The Twentieth Century, Rankin also appears in one of the movie's stories, as he spins absurdist tales about two kids on an adventure started by a random banknote, an unhappy teacher and a filmmaker. "Our task as jury was joyful, invigorating and inspiring. It was also incredibly arduous, heartbreaking and some might even say cruel, because how could anyone choose a favourite or pick a winner from such an incredible lineup of films, all worthy of accolades in their own ways, all testaments to the fact that the future of cinema is bright indeed?" said 2024's MIFF Bright Horizons jury, which was led by Australian filmmaker Ivan Sen (Limbo). "One movie represented all of the facets of the Bright Horizons Award: a film whose cultural specificity transcends borders; whose cinematic playfulness is matched equally by its sensitivity; and whose very form is in conversation with cinema past, present and future. This is why the Bright Horizons Award goes to Universal Language by Matthew Rankin," continued the group's statement, with director David Lowery (Peter Pan & Wendy), producer Yulia Evina Bhara (Tiger Stripes), costume designer Deborah L Scott (Avatar: The Way of Water) and actor Jillian Nguyen (White Fever) joining Sen. The quintet also gave a Special Jury Award to Flow, an animation about animals on a boat, when selecting Universal Language from a packed pool of contenders. Other films in the running included Janet Planet, the debut movie from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker; Inside, a prison drama with Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders) that's directed by Charles Williams, who won the 2018 short film Palme d'Or for All These Creatures; and The Village Next to Paradise, the first-ever Somali film play Cannes. Also since 2022, MIFF's lineup of prizes spans the Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award as well, which recognises an outstanding Australian creative from one of the festival's movies. 2024's recipient to the tune of $70,000: Jaydon Martin for Flathead. "We were captivated and affected by Jaydon Martin's visually arresting and very moving portrait of individuals often forgotten about in society — in this case, the real people of small town Bundaberg," advised the jury. "Flathead's seamless merging of realities and fiction, both so raw yet so cinematic, had a profound effect on our jury. We hope all of you have a chance to watch this brilliant, sensitive examination of survival, of humanity and of mortality, which will stay with you for days to come." In 2023, MIFF launched its First Nations Film Creative Award, which is now named the Uncle Jack Charles Award — with April Phillips winning for XR piece kajoo yannaga (come on let's walk together) in 2024. As chosen by festival attendees having their say as they're spending all of their spare time in a cinema, 2024's MIFF Audience Award went to two Australian movies: documentaries Voice and Left Write Hook, with the first about seeking support across the country for the Indigenous Voice referendum, and the second stepping into a boxing and creative writing program for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 8–Sunday, August 25. For more information, visit the MIFF website.
Back in August, Webjet gave Australian travellers a mighty great reason to book a holiday in the Northern Territory: super-discounted flights to Uluru and Alice Springs starting at $15. Fancy hitting up Darwin instead, or using it as a base to explore the rest of the Red Centre? Now the booking site is doing a flight sale on fares to the NT's capital city, with prices from $19 one-way. For less than a lobster, you can indeed fly from Adelaide to Darwin — and fares obviously vary depending on your departure city. They're still cheap from much of the east coast, though, including starting at $20 from Brisbane, $35 from Sydney and $56 from Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_868754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Helen Orr[/caption] The whole sale includes $150 off one-way trips, which is where those budget-friendly prices come from. From some cities, the end cost isn't quite as cheap, however — costing $122 from Hobart, $159 from Perth and $169 from Darwin. Still, if you're the kind of person who picks their getaway spots based on travel bargains, then this might be the sign you were looking for. You've got until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15 to book, or until sold out. Booking ASAP is recommended, because some fares might be snapped up earlier. [caption id="attachment_868753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT, Backyard Bandits[/caption] The sale covers trips to Darwin for travel between September 2022 — yes, this month — through to March 2023. Fancy a spring jaunt to the middle of the country? Making summer plans to help cope with the last of the winter chill? Know that you'll be craving an early-autumn break next year? They're all options. One key caveat: the discounted prices are available for inbound flights only, so you won't receive the same discount to come home. Webjet's Darwin sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Thursday, September 15, or earlier if sold out. First top image: Tiwi Island Retreat, Tourism NT.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level — and case numbers in each state varying — different parts of the country have navigated the situation in different ways when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Western Australia, that meant a hard border and strict quarantine requirements for most of the year. For folks who didn't normally reside in WA, you could only visit the state if you were classified as an exempt traveller, applied for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then self-isolated for 14 days — or went into a mandatory state quarantine facility for the same period. That changed for most of the country in mid-November, however, and now it'll change for New South Wales and Victorian residents from 12.01am on Tuesday, December 8 as well. As announced today, Tuesday, December 1 by WA Premier Mark McGowan, the state will relax its border restrictions with the two eastern states as part of the system that's been dubbed a 'controlled interstate border'. WA currently allows travellers from very low-risk states and territories to enter under eased conditions — people from places that haven't had any community transmission of COVID-19 for 28 days, who can now head to WA without isolating — which'll be updated to include NSW and Victoria from next week. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1333570927590719488 That means that, along with folks from Queensland, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, residents from NSW and Victoria will be able to venture west without quarantining. You do still have to complete a G2G Pass declaration, and you'll undergo a temperature test and health screening upon arrival — and you're advised to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if necessary as well. That's a hefty shift from the current situation, where NSW and Victoria are considered low-risk states — which, for travellers, presently means still self-quarantining for 14 days, then taking a COVID-19 test on the 11th day. WA has always said it would likely only consider downgrading NSW and Victoria to very low-risk once they'd chalked up 28 days without community transmission, which the latter has hit and the former is due to reach on Friday, December 4. Announcing the change, Premier McGowan said "we can take this next step, safely and cautiously, thanks to the recent success of our friends over east getting the spread of the virus under control". He continued: "Victoria's success is something all Australians should be proud of. I want to thank everyone for their understanding and co-operation — it's because of their commitment we are now able to take this next step." Folks from South Australia are currently classified as hailing from a medium-risk jurisdiction, however. That means they currently need to apply for an exemption to enter WA, and then quarantine — but that'll be reviewed on Friday, December 11. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub.
A business card with Carly Rae Jepsen's immortal words "Call Me Maybe" has been doing the rounds on Facebook for the last few months. And while we had a little giggle at this one, it pales in comparison to some of the wacky and wonderful business cards out there. With designs that range from a balloon to a fortune cookie to a lego piece, here are some of our favourite creative business cards. Mais Pilates Studio's business cards The Bombay Bakery's Edible Business Card Charlotte Simonsen, Your Local Lego Expert Pfizer's Viagra Business Cards Freelance Photography Business Cards Divorce Lawyer James Mahon Design your Own Future with Daniel Butler Cut the Excess Weight with this Fitness Trainer Furniture specialists Tok & Stok Gengaivan Likes Everything Second-Hand Local Chest Physician Dr. Niphadkar's Card Reboot your Life with Psychologist Jack Napier Fly into Paperplane Graphics
The gin-making superstars at Four Pillars are at it again, unveiling their latest range of tipples — including the return of a couple of old favourites, and the fresh arrival of a newcomer. While the brand has been barrel-aging gins for some time, the release of its yearly batch is always eagerly anticipated. 2021's lineup is its first in two years, too, with the much-lauded Yarra Valley distillery's barrel-aged tipples taking a year off in 2020. Making a return is Four Pillars' Sherry Cask Gin, which — as the name suggests — is made in former sherry barrels to lend a rich, intense character to the final drop. It's rounded out with notes of pine needles, dried fruits and nuts, and infused with a small amount of Amontillado sherry to give some length and sweetness. According to the experts who made it, this one works well neat with just a single ice cube. And, price-wise, it'll set you back $80 for a bottle. Also launching is the 2021 edition of Four Pillars' Chardonnay Barrel Gin, which is now up to its ninth release. This time around, the spirit's enjoyed a full 12 months in chardonnay barrels, giving characters of ginger, lemon, vanilla and cinnamon. You'll also taste an oak-driven sweetness, and this one also costs $80 a bottle. And, the latest addition to the barrel-aged program is the Single Barrel Release, which marks the first tipple in Four Pillars' new Single Barrel series. It's particularly limited, so much so that the $150-per-bottle drop has already sold out online. If you were lucky enough to nab some, the gin in question has been aged for three and a half years in a 30-year-old sherry and apera cask, and boasts a concentrated juniper flavour, plus notes of dried fruits, cashew, chocolate and spice. The Sherry Cask Gin and Chardonnay Barrel Gin are still available online, and at Four Pillars' gin shops in Surry Hills and Healesville. For more information about Four Pillars' 2021 barrel-aged range, head to the distillery's website.
Smoke sits alongside sunscreen, mangos and seafood as one of those unmistakable scents and tastes of summer. So, to get you in the mood for the impending sunny season, premium Scottish whisky brand Ardbeg is bringing its signature flavours to the Grosvenor Hotel for a decidedly smoky Sunday session. This unique drop, which has been around for more than 200 years, is both incredibly smoky and surprisingly sweet — something which fans describe as 'the peaty paradox'. To test your ability to handle this complex flavour, make tracks to the Grosvenor's terrace at 12.30pm on Sunday, November 18 for a laid-back arvo of barbecue, whisky cocktails and live music. DJs will bring the summer vibes as you eat and drink the afternoon away. The cocktails follow the warm weather theme, too. Try the An Oa Summer Sling (Ardbeg An Oa, stem ginger and Strangelove cloudy pear soda) or the Corryvreckan Sour (Ardbeg Corryvreckan, amaretto, popcorn syrup and amaretto crumble). For each Ardbeg cocktail you buy, you'll also receive a free food voucher for the barbecue — the menu includes decadent Pacific oysters with Ardbeg Corryvreckan veloute and Yarra Valley caviar ($5), pork ribs glazed with Arbeg An Oa ($7) and slow-cooked brisket sliders glazed with Ardbeg 10-year-old ($8). There'll also be Angus beef burgers and Ardbeg Islay brisket burgers (both $15) on offer. For more details and the full food and cocktail offering, check out the Facebook event.
Located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, Ombra Salumi is the perfect location for an after-work bite and snack. Opened by the renowned Grossi family, the bar has a neat selection of cicchetti, a long list of cured meats — featuring everything from mortadella to capocollo — pizza and heartier snacks. It also has a 16-page drinks list, which covers everything from aperitivi, to beer to Australian and Italian wine. It also hosts a daily aperitivo hour when every drink you order will arrive with a complimentary (and complementary) plate of snacks.
The term 'live art' has always been a bit deliberately vague. Popping up on festival programs for years now, you never quite know what to expect going in. Some kind of experimental theatre? Will you have to participate? It could just be some kind of installation piece — something seemingly innocuous that takes on a new meaning when you stand alongside it. But as of March next year, this wild card of a genre will be stepping into the spotlight. Australia's first dedicated Festival of Live Art has been announced. It will be no small affair either. Brought to us by the talented people at Arts House, Theatre Works and Footscray Community Arts Centre, FoLA will encompass over 35 events over nearly two weeks in four suburbs around our diverse city. According to the first festival announcement there will be performances in the street, on the website, and even over the phone. An audience for each event will vary from a crowd of 200 to an intimate audience of one. Angharad Wynne-Jones of Arts House says the festival will also be a perfect opportunity to explore the direction of contemporary art as a whole. "[It's] a great way to cast a light on the art form breakers, the risk takers, the mavericks, the socially engaged and the determinedly experimental," she says. This is understandably a pretty large task, and the three organisers will be divvying up the work in curation. Opening weekend will be run by the Footscray folk and will kick off with an international keynote yet to be announced and a new annual symposium by artists Amy Spiers and James Oliver. The following weekend will be on northern turf at Arts House, and the final week will take audiences to the seaside St Kilda home of Theatre Works. Though the full program has not yet been announced, we do have some exciting work to look forward to. Performance artist Tristan Meecham will be bringing us a very special game show where 50 people with no performance experience compete on stage to win the host's own possessions. Edinburgh Fringe Festival Award winner Bryony Kimmings will be presenting a scathing satire of tween pop stars with her nine-year-old niece in Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model. Yana Alana will bring us a show from her bed (in the least dirty way possible), there will be art floating by the Yarra on your way home, and even an hourly performance event that features 24 live works over one long-haul day. Your favourites from this year's Sydney or Melbourne Festival may be popping up too. Tawdry Heartburn's Manic Cures (pictured) is already confirmed. In a 20-minute act that resembles a live-action Post Secret, performance artist James Berlyn takes audience members in one by one, paints their fingernails and exposes any secret they're keeping. Live art really is diverse. We're excited to see what else makes the cut. The full program for the first Festival of Live Art will be released on February 3.
A year filled with catastrophic bushfires, seemingly never-ending Brexit negotiations and a US President that Tweets this, 2019 doesn't particularly inspire the phrase "dependable and stable". But Pantone is hoping 2020 will. Its colour experts have just announced the 2020 Colour of the Year and they're saying (or hoping) it'll signal a "new era" that's a little less shaky. Classic Blue (Pantone 19-4052) is the elegant, simple and enduring colour Pantone has chosen for the turn of the decade. As well as highlighting "our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era", the cooling shade makes us think of summer — well, all those beaches, ocean pools and rivers we'll be jumping into during the warmer months. Speaking of water, hopefully Classic Blue also inspires some more of it to fall down on Australia, parts of which are pushing through a two-year drought. [caption id="attachment_663542" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bilgola Beach by Paros Huckstepp[/caption] According to the Pantone experts, Classic Blue can also do a lot for you mentally — including bringing "a sense of peace and tranquility" and helping concentration, clarity and reflection. So paint your room in it, cover your body in it or just buy some snazzy blue socks — it might help you get through this crazy messed up world in 2020. You can check out all the previous Colours of the Year, head to the Pantone website.
The Feminist Writers Festival was created in 2016 and will return this May, with a bumper lineup that will take over venues in both Melbourne and Geelong. A space to promote and support female-identifying writers within the Australian writing sphere, FWF will again this year unfurl a program that provides critical engagement and furthers teaching and learning for all those who consider themselves feminist writers or readers — or just feminists in general. The program (running from May 25–27 in Melbourne and May 26 in Geelong) includes, on opening night, a gala surrounding the legacy of feminist texts. There's also a forum on writing about violence against women in the public eye, workshops to aid in finding a feminist voice, and discussions with prominent female activists. Artists such as Jax Jacki Brown, Tasneem Chopra, Clementine Ford and Tara Moss will take to the stage along with many others. Check out the website for the incredible array of feminist writers, editors and activists that attendees will be lucky enough to hear from. Head along to learn, engage, ask questions or just listen — you can buy tickets to individual sessions, a full day, or the whole weekend.
In general, 2020 wasn't a great year. When it came to streaming new TV shows — something we all did, and much more than we normally would — it was an excellent year, however. Plenty of top-notch fresh releases joined everyone's must-see and favourites lists, and helped fill all of those hours spent at home, including a particularly delightful (and satirical, and also savage) jump back to 18th-century Russia. That show: The Great. It takes its title from its central figure, empress Catherine the Great. It's filled with lavish period-appropriate costumes, wigs, sets and decor. And, it explores an immensely famous time that had a significant impact upon the world. Normally, that'd all smack of a certain kind of drama — you know the type — however this is firmly a comedy as well. Starring Elle Fanning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) as the eponymous ruler and Nicholas Hoult (Those Who Wish Me Dead) as her husband Peter III, The Great is full of witty, laugh-out-loud lines, sports an irreverent and often cheeky mood, and has ample fun with real-life details — much in the way that Oscar-winner The Favourite did with British royalty on the big screen. That comparison couldn't actually be more fitting, with that film's BAFTA-winning screenwriter, Australian Tony McNamara, using his skills to pen The Great as well. Across its ten-episode, very easy-to-binge, immensely hilarious first season, the series immersed viewers in Catherine and Peter's hardly happy marriage, all the day-to-day dramas in the Russian court, and her plans to push him aside and become the country's ruler in her own right. Thankfully, it didn't finish telling that tale, with a second season due to arrive later this year. In Australia, it'll land on November 20, at the same time as it hits — and a fresh new trailer that teases everything viewers can look forward to has just dropped. Here's five things that should take your fancy: Catherine and Peter slinging sharp banter back and forth, her preference for eating chicken over sex, the word "huzzah", more chaotic antics and Gillian Anderson falling off a chair. Because starring in everything from The X-Files and Hannibal to The Crown and Sex Education isn't enough for latter, she pops up here as Catherine's mother. If you weren't already hooked on all things The Great, that's obviously an excellent — and great, naturally — reason to start watching. Check out the first trailer for The Great's second season below: The Great's second season will be available to stream in Australia via Stan on November 20.
Summer's en route, which means it's almost time to start planning those backyard barbeques. Or, you could leave the hard work to a professional — namely acclaimed chef Matt Wilkinson, as he returns to the Pope Joan barbie for his annual Summer Camp Cookouts series. After the smokin' success of last summer's debut season, the al fresco dining series will once again see Wilkinson take over the Brunswick East cafe's backyard for a 12-night stint slinging charry, seasonal dishes hot off the coals. On offer Tuesdays through Fridays from December 5 to 22, this year's menu features a summery lineup of local mussels; chargrilled chicken hearts, lamb and turkey; oysters and squid; veggie dishes aplenty and an array of 'things-in-tins'. Meanwhile, sister and next-door neighbour The Pie Shop will be keeping things sweet, plating up a special edition peach, lemon verbena and raspberry pie for dessert. Bookings for Pope Joan's Summer Camp Cookouts open Monday, November 20. Contact the eatery by phone or email to reserve your place. Images: Annika Kafcaloudis
Mildura has been a magnet for artists for more than sixty years. So, even though international touring artists don't always make it to Australia's outback towns, it's no surprise that Lenny Kravitz is doing the honours. On 28 November, he'll take over the Mildura Sporting Precinct with his Blue Electric Light Tour, hot from London, Paris and Berlin. Skip the massive crowds in Sydney and Melbourne, and catch the legend with just a few thousand avid fans. You can expect classic hits like 'Are You Gonna Go My Way?', 'Fly Away' and 'It Ain't Over Till it's Over', as well as tunes from Kravitz's new album, Blue Electric Light. As he has for decades, Kravitz is still winning crowds with his catchy hooks, high energy and undeniable charisma. While you're in Mildura, go exploring with our weekender's guide. There's a lot to see and do – from Bruce Munro's dreamy, contemplative Trail of Lights to cruising on a 19th century paddle steamer to wine tasting on the banks of the Murray River.
These days Twitter is known as two things: a medium on which to stalk Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, and a platform for #QandA Twitterati to descend into madness. With all the white noise out there it's easy to forget its true function — Twitter is a place for discussion. Thankfully this is a notion not lost on those fine folks at The Wheeler Centre. In their most recent project #discuss they're dragging Twitter philosophy into the real world, printing it on our city walls and starting important conversations nationwide. Thankfully it goes a lot deeper than catty #QandA tweets about Christopher Pyne's lizard face. The week-long project — which comes to an end tomorrow — has been launched in an effort to reignite a quality public discussion. From June 2, participants on Twitter were urged to put forward opinions or interesting thoughts on whatever topic they please. Paired with the hashtag #discuss, the initial thought was then open for exploration, disagreement, or extrapolation from the wider Twitter community. The best ten thoughts from each day have been printed on plaques and placed in fitting locations around Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs. Right now Estelle Tang's culturally-weighted declaration that "Australians don't know how lucky they really are" lies knowingly outside Crown Casino. In what must be another blow for employees at The Age, a bleak assertion from writer Clementine Ford is currently plastered right out front of their city offices: "The old guard can fight as much as they like, but they can't stop the youth from one day taking over." Within a week of opening, Chris Lucas' latest venture Kong has already been hit with some Twitter truth: "Thanks to social media, place-dropping has become worse than name-dropping." It's a powerful concept, and one which gives abstract notions or debates an all-important physical weight. Arguments about boat people are no longer throwaway comments in cyberspace; they're staring you in the face on your way past the Immigration Department. An unsettling philosophical statement gives you some mind fodder on your way into Coles. Once again, this valued cultural institution is proving its intellectual importance. Disagree? Discuss! The project ends Sunday, June 8 so there's still a chance to get your words plastered on a city street. Even if you miss the deadline, don't worry, the discussion never really stops. @waouwwaouw at Crown Casino, Southbank. @clementine_ford at The Age offices on Spencer Street. @mattfitzy at Chris Lucas' new restaurant Kong on Church Street, Richmond. @uptosquat at Hosier Lane. @SophieMcAulay at Hungry Jacks on Russell Street. @MIFFofficial at The Classic Cinema in Elsternwick. @hamlwat at the Immigration Department. @Melbfoodandwine at Cumulus Inc. @tesslawley at Coles Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. @AsherTreleaven at The Melbourne Club. Lead photo: @elissebaitz at Northside Records. All photos via The Wheeler Centre.
In these multi-purpose, multi-tasking, multi-hyphenate-filled times, the idea of a winery simply featuring rows of vines, the facilities to make vino, and somewhere to buy and drink it is long gone. Sure, all of the above are still included — but so are sculpture gardens, luxury hotels and four-acre spaces filled with edible greenery, plus giant five-storey cubes. The latter is the standout attraction at South Australian winery d'Arenberg, which opened its new centrepiece in McLaren Vale on December 14. More than 14 years and $15 million in the making, the towering structure looks like a partially twisted Rubik's Cube floating above the plants below. Of course, even over-sized versions of everyday puzzles don't usually feature an art gallery, a wine inhalation room, a virtual fermenter, a blending bench, a video room or a smartphone app-linked functionality that's being dubbed an "alternate reality wine museum." A cellar door and a restaurant are part of the space as well, the former boasting panoramic views over McLaren Vale, the Willunga Hills and the Gulf St Vincent, and the latter serving up seasonally changing degustations over two levels. Anyone visiting for a sip and to stock up their own wine reserves can expect to pay $10 to enter, then try 30 different grape varieties, 70 wines and choose from four different premium tasting flights (for an extra fee). Meanwhile, hungry attendees can feast on a menu cooked up by husband and wife team Brendan Wessels and Lindsay Durr. Other highlights include 115 televisions, and a glass roof that features 16 hydraulic umbrellas — which lift in a choreographed sequence. As well as proving unlike any other winery in the country, it's anticipated that the massive square will become a tourist attraction. "The d'Arenberg Cube has been a once in a lifetime project – high tech, yet grounded in the dirt of our McLaren Vale vineyard, with views to the future," explains d'Arenberg Wines chief winemaker and viticulturalist Chester Osborn. Images: d'Arenberg.
Two Spiegeltents, two labyrinths and close to two hundred events are part of the program for Sydney Festival 2015, announced today. A happy 85 of the events are free this year, so it's looking like a long, wallet-friendly summer. "What’s really special about Sydney Festival is the diverse programming, with the best local and international artists from high arts — opera, theatre, and contemporary dance — to circus and family shows," says festival director Lieven Bertels. "Sydney Festival gives audiences the perfect excuse to celebrate the city in summer." Music Music at Sydney Festival has doubled this year, with Domain concerts, Spiegeltent gigs and late-night parties dominating the program. Latin and South American tunes take centre stage, from The Life Aquatic-popularised Brazilian legend Seu Jorge to Afro-Brazilian hip hop powerhouse Karol Conka and Argentinian WTF genre-spanners Frikstailers. Beats stake their claim as festival favourites this year, from Warp Records legend Nightmares on Wax to Young Turks’ Oneman, while strummers like #1 Dads and Kim Gordon’s Body/Head take things up a notch from the myriad of female folk artists on the bill — Alela Diane, Olivia Chaney, Jessica Pratt, Tiny Ruins. Anna Von Hausswolff takes to the Sydney Town Hall grand organ supported by NZ’s Aldous Harding, Moroccan trance dancers Fez Hamadcha explore Sufi sounds, co-founder of The Saints Ed Kuepper delves into a retrospective, while Ben Frost and Tim Hecker team up for a co-headline show at the Opera House. Then Tex Perkins plays Johnny Cash tunes at the historic Parramatta Gaol (check out the Parramatta program, announced yesterday over here), while Gotye realises the music of William Onyeabor with members of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, among others. Sydney Festival’s love for the eclectic ‘who the hell?’ wildcards shines once more, from frenetic Barcelona multi-layering duo ZA! to the unexpected J-pop-meets-noise-pop team-up of Salyu and Cornelius. International hype cards How to Dress Well, Omar Souleyman, Wye Oak and return SydFester Dan Deacon are sure to get punters' paws rubbing. Giving local artists a sophisticated SydFest high-five, one third of the program features Australian musicians. Raise a plastic cup to the likes of Client Liaison, Kirin J Callinan and Firekites among the big Tex Perkins/Gotye guns. Public art Home to much of the festival's music, two Spiegeltents will be anchoring the expanding Festival Village, one of the real successes of last year and a true hub for hanging out in. Also within it will be a huge-scale art work from Ireland's answer to Banksy, street artist Maser. The maze-like, colour-splashed, two-storey-high installation, called Higher Ground, is said to be "a dream come true for those who always wished they could step inside a painting", and will be the focus of everyone's Instagramming this festival (which for the first time in two years, is Rubber Duck-less). Maser will be the artist-in-residence at the Village, though as he operates in anonymity, we don't expect to see too much of him. Other highlights among art installations include the must-ride Waterfall Swing at Darling Harbour, a giant swing that sends you flying towards a curtain of water that, thanks to the work of sensors, parts just before you hit it. Over at Carriageworks is another super-enticing labyrinthine experience, Inside There Falls (by UK-based Mira Calix), an immersive, tissue-paper environment you walk through, guided by haunting audio and the occasional glimpse of dancers. Also at Carriageworks, you can watch the meditative, 45-minute SpongeBob SquareTimes, an accidentally shot video of a man in a SpongeBob suit trying to make friends in Times Square. Performance Another big pillar of the festival is international theatre, dance and performance works. This year the big draws are Belgium's Kiss & Cry, a cinematic romance performed by two hands (yes, hands); India's The Kitchen, a spectacle of cooking and drumming from the creator of The Manginyar Seduction; France and the UK's The Night Dances, a celebration of the words of Sylvia Plath and music of Benjamin Britten, performed by Charlotte Rampling; and France's On the Harmful Effects of Tabacco, a Chekov one-act comedy performed by Theatre Des Bouffes du Nord (former home of Peter Brook) with costumes by Christian Lacroix. These join the already announced Tabac Rouge, a festival centre piece from another French innovator, circus performer James Thierree. On the smaller and more experimental side, there's one-woman memory mission I Guess If the Stage Exploded and, told entirely through the contents of one man's shoebox, Wot? No Fish!!. There's plenty of Australian contributions too, of the likes of Kate Mulvany's Masquerade, Force Majeure's Nothing to Lose, ambitious multimedia ethical exploration The Experiment and the return of the folks from Alvin Sputnik for Falling Through Clouds. On the circus side of things, the new Aurora Spiegeltent will be home to both last year's Limbo and new minimal circus artists A Simple Space, while the USA's Wau Wau Sisters lead the cabaret lineup. Those still holding a torch for the iconic Festival First Night will have to keep holding it; there's no sign of its return any time soon. Absent that inclusive and accessible event, hit up Sounds in the Domain, the Festival Village and the POP Parramatta Opening Party for free outdoor shenanigans. The 2015 Sydney Festival is on from January 8-26. Multipack tickets go on sale on October 24 (tomorrow!) at 9am, and will get you nice discounts. Single tickets go on sale on October 27 at 9am. To buy tickets and check out the full program, see the festival website. By Rima Sabina Aouf and Shannon Connellan.
Suffocating repression and blind religious fervour underscore an atmosphere of stomach-clenching dread, in the much-hyped arthouse horror flick that took last year's Sundance Film Festival by storm. The disquieting debut of writer-director Robert Eggers, The Witch unfolds on the very edge of civilisation, where puritanical devotion inevitably gives rise to the very evil it so desperately fears. The Witch isn't a horror film in the way that modern viewers may expect, with Eggers mostly steering clear of graphic violence and sudden scares. Yet while the film's gnawing brand of terror may not be particularly immediate, its lingering effects are also far less easily dispelled. The film takes place in New England in the early days of pilgrim settlement, and concerns the unfortunate affairs of a family of colonists who find themselves exiled from their community for an unspecified religious offence. Travelling into the wilderness, they establish a farm on the edge of an ominous forest, only for further misfortune to befall them when newborn baby Samuel mysteriously disappears. As winter creeps closer and hope stretches thin, suspicion is cast upon eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), who the rest of the family fear may have made a sex pact with the devil. On a production level, The Witch is immaculate. Close attention to period detail – from the threadbare costumes and setting to the carefully researched era-specific dialogue – lends the narrative an authenticity that in turn makes its supernatural elements feel uncomfortably real. A muted colour palette, dominated by greys, off-whites and faded greens, seems to drive home just how grim the family's situation has become, while leaving little doubt in our minds that evil lurks just around the corner. Combine that with a nerve-jangling orchestral score, and it's clear Eggers wishes to unsettle you from the moment the film begins, and leave you feeling that way for many hours after the house lights come up. He's aided in that eerie ambition by the fine work of his cast. As the family patriarch William, Ralph Ineson embodies the world-weariness and internal conflict of a man who believes it's his duty to provide for his family, but whose pride prevents him from seeing that he is leading them to ruin. As his wife Katherine, Kate Dickie captures the calcified intensity of a woman from whom all pity has been driven. So hard has been her life that even her religious conviction is rooted in bitterness. But it is to 19-year-old Taylor-Joy that all eyes will be drawn, her pale, striking features and compelling performance speaking to the true source of the film's terrifying power. For while Eggers makes it clear that there is indeed a witch lurking in the shadows of the woods, her supernatural powers are far less frightening than the threats – both real and imagined – that lie within the four walls of the farmhouse. The true terror of The Witch is that our family might turn against us, for reasons that are entirely beyond our control. The mere fact that Thomasin is a young woman is enough to make her the subject of suspicion, as Eggers explores in no uncertain terms society's ongoing fear of female sexuality. Tellingly, the film's mesmerising final few moments depict exactly what such a society fears most: a woman unchecked by repression, with full control of her body, finally embracing her dark, seductive powers to the ruin of the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXmlf3Sefg
If you like cheese, then it's impossible to have too much of it. Whether it's served on a platter, combined with macaroni, slipped onto burgers, grated over pasta, melted into gooey fondue or part of a 150-cheese pizza — to name just a few cheesy examples — the more there is, the merrier your tastebuds are. That applies to cheese toasties, too, because even the simple combination of warmed bread and cheese can be improved by adding more of the later, then more still, then just a bit more. How much cheese should a toastie boast? As much as you can manage, really. If 40 different types of cheese sounds like enough (or close to it), then you'll want to celebrate National Cheese Day on Friday, June 4. Yes, it's another of those food-focused days that are really just excuses to spruik more of the dish in question. It's actually one of three that are set to tempt tastebuds this coming weekend, alongside National Doughnut Day and World Fish 'n' Chip Day. But it's also a reason to tuck into a 40-cheese toastie — or several. The cheese behemoths will be on offer for two weeks, and only via Deliveroo — with eateries in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland whipping up different versions. Wherever you opt to order from, you'll need to use the delivery platform. Each toastie will cost you $12, and $5 from each order will go to Eat Up, a charity that works to counteract child hunger. In NSW, Butter's Parramatta and Chatswood stores are serving up their take on the 40-cheese creation. So are South Dowling Sandwiches in Alexandria and De'assis in Collaroy, while Custom Cafe in Brookvale and Paper Plane Cafe are doing ham and 40-cheese toasties. Victorians can check out Royal Stacks' version, or opt for a 40-cheese and herb variety from Collingwood's Punjabi Curry Cafe, a 40-cheese breakfast toastie from Blackburn Pizza Kebab and Cafe, and either salami or ham versions from Yarraville's Antipasti Deli Cafe. And in Queensland, Fortitude Valley's Hashtag Burgers and Waffles and West End's Suburban Cafe are both doing their extra cheesy thing, as is Toowong's Kingfisher Seafood Cafe — which is making a beef and cheese variety. At Tutto Cafe in Ashgrove, a ham and cheese type will be on offer as well. Wondering what types of cheeses will be included? Obviously, it's a long list. Here's the full rundown, which will have you dreaming of oozing sandos for days to come. Sori Buffalo mozzarella Lemnos feta Floridia haloumi Scamorza bianca mozzarella Mainland shredded egmont Scamorza smoked mozzarella Fred Walker shredded tasty Provolone mild brazzal Black jack cheddar Pecorino romano zanet Ashgrove Tassie trio Colby Vega wine-infused cheese Gouda cumin wedge Zanetti pecorino romano Parmigiano reggiano Smoked cheddar Saganaki Havarti Blue Stilton Asiago dop Camembert Natural Swiss cheese Sartori balsamic Sartori espresso Pecorino romano Truffelino Red Leicester Rubicon Lancashire Double Gloucester Gourmet mozzarella Jarlsberg Fiordimaso Pickled onion cheddar Gouda nutty and robust Comté Emmental Manchego Roncal Burrata Forty-cheese toasties will be available to order from eateries in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane via Deliveroo for two weeks from Friday, June 4–Thursday, June 17.
Nothing makes us feel so alive as to see others die. This starkly confronting line comes from Leo Carax's new surrealistic film, Holy Motors, and is resemblant of the tone and style of the whole story. Carax's first feature film in 13 years, Holy Motors is an abstract expression of a heightened reality. It follows the life of Monsieur Oscar, a roving assassin played expertly by Denis Lavant, who meanders between varying identities and lives - whether that be a family man, a monster or a captain of industry. The film is set between dawn and dusk, yet follows no clear linear progression, instead exploring the irrational nature of the human subconscious. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarded the film a whopping five stars and described it as "wayward, kaleidoscopic, black comic and bizarre; there is in it a batsqueak of genius, dishevelment and derangement; it is captivating and compelling". It first appeared at this year's Cannes Film Festival and although it has received some mixed reviews, it has largely been received as a cinematic delight and created a mass of critical excitement. Other notable performances in the film include the slender blonde chauffeur, Celine, played by Edith Scob, the sultry Eva Mendez as Kay M, and Kylie Minogue, whose character is believed to represent the struggles in the protagonist's career. The most important thing to note in Holy Motors is to not look for one simple meaning - although we can safely say that it is at least in part about the significance of human role-playing as we journey through life. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to giveaway to see Holy Motors. To go in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email your name and postal address to us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Nine months after the original controversy, the Chaser team will watch the ABC apologise to conservative commentator Chris Kenny, after the political satirists suggested he had sex with a dog. We realise that's a ridiculous sentence for a number of reasons, nonetheless today it's where we find ourselves. As part of the settlement proceedings for Kenny's defamation suit, an apology will be aired on ABC1 at 9pm tonight. However, the Chaser team will not apologise to Kenny whatsoever, instead sticking to their guns. This is understandably a bitter pill to swallow for the much-loved comedians who have railed against both the lawsuit and the resulting decision. After refusing to apologise and instead launching an internal review into the skit, the members of the Chaser were actually cleared of fault according to ABC editorial policies. Of course, this did little to resolve the issue. In an act of appeasement, ABC managing director Mark Scott issued a personal apology earlier this year. But the Chaser team were quick to offer their opinion. Re ABC statement today: http://t.co/uKfKMggo76 pic.twitter.com/L5mAFEtlbP — Jules Morrow (@julesmorrow) April 14, 2014 As part of the settlement proceedings for Kenny's defamation suit, the ABC's apology tonight is to be free of outside commentary and the Chaser team are explicitly prohibited from making public statements that detract from its sentiment, or republishing the sketch. The settlement also comes with substantial compensation for Kenny. The ABC are paying all of his resultant legal costs as well as an undisclosed amount in damages. As the Chaser crew continue to claim the original skit meets the editorial standards for satire, I wouldn't expect to see any remorse from the controversial comedians. Via The Daily Telegraph. UPDATE: In our first version of this article, we incorrectly stated the Chaser would be forced to apologise to Chris Kenny. It is the ABC, in fact, who will be apologising to Kenny and paying the settlement — The Chaser team have no intention of doing any such thing. We sincerely make apologies of our own to The Chaser, we should have know you wouldn't cave.
2020 gave us Normal People, the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's beloved second novel. 2021 saw the Irish author's third book, Beautiful World, Where Are You, hit shelves. So now that a new year is here, Rooney fans need something new to obsess over — and the Conversations with Friends streaming series, which has just unveiled its first teaser trailer, definitely fits the mould. Based on Rooney's 2017 debut novel, the show itself won't reach eyeballs until May, which is when it'll premiere in the US on Hulu and in the UK on BBC Three — and hopefully Down Under via Amazon Prime Video at around the same time. But the initial sneak peek, while brief, teases plenty to look forward to, including a stacked cast that features newcomer Alison Oliver as Frances, The Favourite and Mary Queen of Scots' Joe Alwyn as Nick, American Honey's Sasha Lane as Bobbi, and Girls and Sex Education's Jemima Kirke as Melissa. If you've read the book, you'll know that Conversations with Friends follows Dublin college students Frances and Bobbi, as well as married couple Nick and Melissa. Frances and Bobbi used to date, but are now best friends; however, everything shifts when they meet their new pals — with Frances and Nick having an affair, Melissa and Bobbi drawn to each other, and Frances and Bobbi's friendship put under threat. The 12-part Conversations with Friends miniseries' first trailer is brief, but firmly sets the mood — and quickly conjures up memories of Normal People. There's a reason for that beyond the shared Rooney-penned source material, with Normal People co-director Lenny Abrahamson and co-screenwriter Alice Birch leading the charge behind the scenes here. When Conversations with Friends was first published five years back, it launched Rooney's career and sent award nominations her way, with Hulu and BBC Three announcing their plans to bring it to the screen after the Normal People adaptation proved such a hit. And yes, if you can't wait for Conversations with Friends to land in your streaming queue, you can obviously try to fill your time rebinging Normal People. Check out the teaser trailer for Conversations with Friends below: Conversations with Friends will start streaming in the US in May, and is set to stream Down Under via Amazon Prime Video — we'll update you with a specific date when one is announced. Images: Alison Oliver (Frances), Sasha Lane (Bobbi), Joe Alwyn (Nick) and Jemima Kirke (Melissa) in Conversations with Friends, Element Pictures. Photographer: Enda Bowe.
Something wicked this way comes: the first trailer for the 29-years-later sequel to Hocus Pocus. Yes, The Sanderson sisters are back in this follow-up to beloved 1993 favourite, with the trio wreaking havoc in modern-day Salem. For viewers, they'll be getting witchy on Disney+ in the lead up to Halloween. The Mouse House's streaming platform sure does love dropping seasonal-themed movies at the appropriate times. Here's hoping this one turns out better than last year's Christmas-focused Home Sweet Home Alone, though, when it hits the platform on Friday, September 30. Three things that Hocus Pocus 2 instantly has in its favour: original stars Bette Midler (The Addams Family 2), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) and Kathy Najimy (Music), all returning as Winnie, Sarah and Mary Sanderson. In the new film's first sneak peek, the magical trio make a reappearance thanks to a different threesome — a trio of teenage pals who, early in the teaser trailer, are told that "it's on the 16th birthday that a witch gets her powers". Cue a black cat, a book of spells, chanting in a graveyard and big The Craft vibes. Soon, cue Winnie, Sarah and Mary as well. Story-wise, Hocus Pocus 2 obviously follows what happens next, as the Sandersons try to unleash their child-eating ways — and the high schoolers who conjured them up attempt to stop them before dawn on All Hallow's Eve. It's been 29 years since someone last lit the black flame candle which resurrects the 17th-century sisters in the movie's world, just as it has in our own, and the witches aren't happy about it. "Lock up your children," Winnie cackles, of course. Yes, Midler makes the line count. Hocus Pocus 2 also features Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl), Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Stories), Lilia Buckingham (Dirt), Froyan Gutierrez (Teen Wolf) and Tony Hale (Veep). While the original film was directed by Kenny Ortega — before the filmmaker gave the world the High School Musical movies — this one has Dumplin', Hot Pursuit and The Proposal's Anne Fletcher behind the lens. Check out the trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 below: Hocus Pocus 2 will be available to stream via Disney+ on Friday, September 30. Images: courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
As a treat to us for being such good eggs (or so we like to think), the National Gallery of Victoria is hosting a huge exhibition featuring the works of French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces. Degas: A New Vision will run from June 24 to September 18 at the NGV International and is comprised of over 200 works by Degas, from collections the world over. For those of you who don't know, Degas is a pretty big deal in the art world and practiced during the late 1800s-early 1900s. At a time when many artists where still painting posed works, Degas and a sect of bohemian Parisian artists (including Honoré Daumier and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec), were cultivating the first big art movement that focused on candid impressions of subjects en plein air (meaning in 'open air' style, as opposed to in the studio or from memory). A lot of his pieces feature ballerinas and inevitably, this did lead to a lot of lurking around backstage at the ballet and, in Lautrec's case, in a tonne of brothels (for the artistic potential, surely). Degas' work also focused on an infrequently explored subject: the everyman. Blue collar workers in their natural habit where a recurring and novel theme in his work; French Impressionism tapped into that vein of human curiosity that makes reality TV so popular ("They're just like us!"). Degas actually rejected the Impressionist mantle and referred to his style as realism, so intent was he on representing the world around him. In fact, according to art historian Carol Armstrong, Degas said "No art was ever less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and of the study of the great masters; of inspiration, spontaneity, temperament, I know nothing". Well damn. We can't wait to check it out. Image: Edgar Degas, In a café (The Absinthe drinker) 1875–76, oil on canvas, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, Lemoisne 393, © RMN-Grand Palais (musée d'Orsay) / Martine Beck-Coppola.
Once the beating heart of many suburban streets, the humble corner store has, unfortunately, all but disappeared. However, opened in 1956 and hidden away in the backstreets of Richmond, the Rowena Parade Corner Store is, without a doubt, one of Melbourne's better-kept secrets. Standing up for the old guard of Richmond's food scene, the Rowena Parade Corner Store presents customers with delicious brekkie and lunch options, like deluxe BLTs with egg, avo, cheese and the like, while they've also been making 'outta this world' milkshakes for more than 60 years. With experimental flavour combinations, such as vegemite and lamington, it's no wonder these guys have a steady stream of both Richmond locals and anyone else who knows about it.
For the past few months, Netflix has been drip-feeding The Crown fans sneak peeks of the show's fourth season. By now, you've probably watched the first teaser, which gave a brief 46-second snippet of the royal drama's latest ups and downs. And you've likely also viewed the longer trailer, which sported quite the heavy mood. If you can't wait for more, however, a new glimpse at the series' next batch of episodes has just hit — just over a fortnight before you'll be able to watch the entire thing, too. Of course, it has been a huge year for The Crown all round, even before the show started dropping teasers and trailers. At the beginning of 2020, Netflix announced that it would end the royal drama after its fifth season. Then it had a change of heart, revealing it would continue the series for a sixth season. That's quite the drama — and, obviously, there's more to come on-screen. This season focuses on two showdowns. Firstly, as shown in some detail in the new trailer, Queen Elizabeth II (Oscar-winner Olivia Colman) and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (The X-Files icon Gillian Anderson) don't quite see eye to eye. Also, with Prince Charles' (God's Own Country's Josh O'Connor) marriage to Lady Diana Spencer (Pennyworth's Emma Corrin) a big plot point, the latter clashes with the entire royal establishment. When season four hits Netflix on Sunday, November 15, it'll be the last chance for fans to see the current lineup on talent. The series' fifth and sixth seasons — which are expected to follow the Queen in the 1990s and 2000s — will switch out its cast again, as it did after seasons one and two. This time, after season four, Downton Abbey, Maleficent and Paddington star Imelda Staunton will don the titular headwear, and Princess Margaret will be played by Staunton's Maleficent co-star and Phantom Thread Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville. Also, Game of Thrones and Tales from the Loop's Jonathan Pryce will step into Prince Philip's shoes and Australian Tenet, The Burnt Orange Heresy and Widows star Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana. Check out The Crown's latest season four trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiXEpminPms The Crown's fourth season will hit Netflix on Sunday, November 15. Image: Ollie Upton / Netflix
Disneyland has so monopolised the 'happiest place on earth' tag, it seems Universal Orlando has been driven to try the opposite: They've announced they're building an immersive recreation of horror movie Cabin in the Woods. It's one of the scariest films released in the last few years, so this maze attraction is set to make grown-ups cry and children stare jealously from the gate, as their entry is, of course, strongly discouraged. It's also one of the cleverest movies of the last few years, and how often can you say you've gone on a ride based on a clever movie? (If it succeeds, our vote is for Primer: Hall of Mirrors next.) The Cabin in the Woods maze will be spoilery, with Universal Orlando Entertainment Team member Michael Aiello telling Zap2it, "We are building the cabin completely. You're going to walk through a forest to get there. You're going into the cabin. You're going to go into the cube cells. We're literally taking everything we can in the film and giving you a kind of best-of montage of the film with this kind of linking story." The film, by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, follows a party of five young people who go to stay at a stereotypically idyllic/deadly cabin in the woods. Every horror movie convention is then thrown at them, and twisted. Goddard is on board helping script the storyline for the maze, so you can rest assured your own little journey through hell will be thoughtfully integrated with the main plot. The Cabin in the Woods maze is part of Universal Orlando's 'Halloween Horror Nights', a program of scares that runs from from September 20 to November 2. It all fits into the US's seemingly unending appetite for extreme haunted houses, which feature Broadway-level production values and favour psychosexual torture over the fake cobwebs and peeled grape 'eyeballs' of so many Baby-sitters Club novels. Via io9.
Like much of Melbourne, the NGV is slowly recalibrating, returning to its regular pre-COVID programming. And like before, that means that as the temperatures dip, the gallery's gearing up to kick off a fresh winter season of its ever-popular NGV Friday Nights. Off the back of a busy summer run, the precinct will continue to prove it knows how to party like the best of them, via a new season of after-hours shindigs filled with tunes, food, pop-up bars and more. NGV Friday Nights are set to make a sweet return from June 10, running every Friday night until October 7. And this time around, the offering's inspired by the coinciding Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, The Picasso Century. [caption id="attachment_821535" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Swinnerton[/caption] Happening from 6–10pm each week, the sessions have something for gallery-lovers and general night owls alike. Guests will gain exclusive after-hours access to explore The Picasso Century at their leisure, browsing over 70 works by the Spanish artist, along with 100-plus others from over 50 of his contemporaries — including Dalí, Matisse and Gertrude Stein. The late-night art appreciation will be backed by a program of eats, drinks and music that nods both to Picasso's Spanish heritage and the creative Parisian community he called home in the early 1900s. A rotation of top artists is set to deliver a sparkling soundtrack to these soirees, ranging from instrumental jazz-funk acts to dance floor-bumping DJs. On the lineup, you'll find favourites including future soul star NGAIIRE, Indigenous vocalist Emma Donovan performing with The Putbacks, DJ Harvey Sutherland, Solomon Sisay, Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, Pjenne and a whole host more. [caption id="attachment_853273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Burrata and piperrada at Bar Lourinhã, by Jo Gamvros[/caption] Meanwhile, taking over the NGV's Garden Restaurant for your Friday night feasting needs (plus a daily lunch service) is long-running legend Bar Lourinhã. Expect modern riffs on classic Spanish fare, from jamon croquetas and gildas, to manzanilla-braised beef cheeks. Plus plenty of cocktails, sherry and wine, of course. NGV's Garden Terrace bar will be getting into the spirit with cosy blankets and mulled wine. And two other pop-up bars will be serving a hefty array of liquid refreshments and Mediterranean eats — swing past the Pommery Champagne Bar for fine bubbles and empanadas, or hit the Yering Station pop-up to sample a selection of acclaimed Yarra Valley wines alongside churros and Basque cheesecake. NGV Friday Nights will run weekly from June 10–October 7 at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Jump online to see the full lineup and book tickets. Top Images: NGV Friday Nights, by Eugene Hyland. Thandi Phoenix performing at NGV, by Tim Carrafa.
Ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma. The terror of Crystal Lake will stalk the aisles at Cinema Nova in an all-night movie marathon with one hell of a body count. In the centrepiece event of Monster Fest 2014, watch slasher movie icon Jason Voorhees carve his way through a swathe of unsuspecting camp councillors in a 10+ hour horror endurance test that only the most dedicated gore-hounds will survive. It's difficult to defend the objective "quality" of the Friday the 13th franchise, one that began its life as a blatant Halloween knock-off and quickly descended into unintentional self-parody. And frankly, that's why we love it. Unconcerned with things like character motivation or internal logic, Mr Voorhees can instead hone in on the one thing that ticket holders really want to see: ludicrous bodily dismemberment. Starting at 11.15pm on Friday, November 28, The Monster Fest marathon features the first eight films in the franchise, concluding with the hilariously awful Jason Takes Manhattan. The one flaw in the program is that they cut it just short of number ten, aka The One Where Jason Goes to Space.
When Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi invited the world to experience the vampire sharehouse mockumentary genre, one of the best comedies of the decade wasn't the only result. Every film seems to spawn sequels, remakes, spinoffs and the like these days, but no one's complaining about spending more time in the What We Do in the Shadows universe. A follow-up, We're Wolves, is in the works, focusing on the undead bloodsuckers' Rhys Darby-led lycanthrope enemies. So is six-episode television spinoff Wellington Paranormal, following the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural, and expected to air in New Zealand mid this year. Add a US TV remake of the original flick to the pile as well, but withhold any "do we really need a remake?" judgement. First revealed by Waititi last year, given a pilot order earlier in 2018 and now officially moving ahead with a 10-episode first season, the American version will be written by Clement and directed by Waititi, The Hollywood Reporter notes — and will see a documentary crew follow three vampire flatmates living in New York City, according to Variety. The series will star Toast of London's Matt Berry, Four Lions' Kayvan Novak, British stand-up comedian Natasia Demetriou and The Magicians' Harvey Guillen. It's unknown whether Clement and Waititi will reprise their on-screen roles in a guest capacity. With What We Do in the Shadows actually starting its life as a short back in 2005, the concept of flatting members of the undead arguing about bloody dishes has taken quite the journey since those early beginnings. If any idea was going to come back in multiple guises, it's this one. Of course, so have Clement and Waititi. Clement has a new Flight of the Conchords TV special airing on HBO this month, while Waititi two post-Thor: Ragnarok flicks in the works — a stop-motion animated effort called Bubbles, about Michael Jackson's chimp, and another by the name of Jojo Rabbit, set during World War II and starring Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell. As for feasting your eyes into What We Do in the Shadows' new TV version, fans will have to wait until next year. The US remake isn't set to air in America until early-to-mid 2019. Via The Hollywood Reporter / Variety. Image: Kane Skennar.
UPDATE Monday, October 24: Almost Summer has been cancelled due to major flooding in the region, with organisers saying they "are committed to revisiting the concept soon". Full refunds are available. For more details, see the website. There's something pretty sweet about being done and dusted with another Melbourne winter, and having months of balmy days stretched out just around the corner. And it's that blissful energy that's at the heart of regional Victoria's newest music festival, which is set to debut at the end of spring. Almost Summer is a three-day celebration of good times and great tunes, descending on Bendigo from Friday, November 25–Sunday, November 27. The brainchild of Melbourne creative agency Hear Them Holler, it's dishing up a jam-packed lineup, headlined by a mix of local talent and much-loved artists from across the country. [caption id="attachment_864599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kardajala Kirridarra[/caption] Gracing an openair stage outside Bendigo's legendary Capital Theatre, there'll be 16 acts, tripping through genres ranging from disco to new-school R&B. You'll catch the likes of alt-folk singer-songwriter Gabriella Cohen, electronic trio Black Cab, Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung artist Carissa Nyalu and hip hop legend Pookie. Plus, all-female First Nations act Kardajala Kirridarra will be playing their first Naarm gig in over four years, coming in hot from the Red Centre. Ever-upbeat Melbourne group Bananagun will be helping ring in those summer vibes, as will psychedelic pop act Sunfruits and Mornington Peninsula songstress Suzi. Meanwhile, you'll find DJs like Friday and Joey Lightbulb hitting the decks, and Aplegate, Nadia Phillips and Flora flying the flag for the local music scene. [caption id="attachment_864598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DJ Joey Lighbulb[/caption] Bendigo Vinyl will be running a pop-up record store throughout the duration of the festival, and there'll be loads of local eats and drinks on offer to keep you fuelled for all those big sessions on the dance floor. What's more, with tickets capped at just 500 per day, it's set to be a much more intimate affair than some other of the season's large-scale music fests — aka, the ideal way to cruise on into summer in a blissed-out bubble of musical goodness. Almost Summer is being presented in conjunction with new statewide music program Always Live, which kicked off with Grammy Award-winning US rockers Foo Fighters playing to a massive crowd at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium in March. A full three-day festival pass will cost you $150. Otherwise, nab tickets to the individual days' happenings — Friday night clocks in at $42 (5.30–11pm), Saturday is $82 (11am–11pm) and Sunday will set you back $58 (11am–6pm). [caption id="attachment_864600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunfruits, by Kalindy Williams[/caption] Almost Summer hits Bendigo from November 25–27. For more info or to buy tickets, see the website. Top Image: Bananagun
Short of physically volunteering your time, there aren't many ways you can help those in need over lunch. But Sydney-based social enterprise food company Two Good is trying to change that, with their buy-one, give-one lunch delivery model. After launching in Melbourne in September last year, Two Good has continued to deliver delicious salads through Deliveroo in the two cities — and for every one sold, a meal is donated to domestic violence shelters in both. They're not just any old salads either. After working with Yotam Ottolenghi and renowned Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell last season, the Two Good guys — Rob Caslick and Cathal Flaherty — have teamed up with Melbourne's Ben Shewry of the 33rd best restaurant in the world Attica to create a lunch option that far surpasses any soggy salad you were planning on making in your office's kitchenette this afternoon. The kimchi, chicken and soba noodle salad will be available to order for lunch through Deliveroo for $14 each Tuesday starting today, which is a pretty standard price for a salad in this town. And, considering for each salad you order Two Good will donate a meal to a domestic violence shelter in your city, it's an incredibly low-cost way to feed yourself and help someone who needs it. Meals are donated to shelters around NSW and Victoria. What's more, Two Good also employ women from the shelters they work with in NSW, and are looking to do the same in Victoria in the near future. If you want to buy a salad, you can place an order through Deliveroo between 11am and 2pm in Melbourne and Sydney. For more information on Two Good, go to twogood.com.au.
No one ever needs an excuse to escape their daily routines with a stint of mini golf, ten-pin bowling or sleuthing through a challenge room, but on Tuesday, October 22, Funlab's venues are giving you a mighty great reason to anyway. That's when the company's Day of Fun rolls around for 2024, and lets you get putting, rolling and puzzle-solving for $8 a pop — all to help Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation. All day at 45-plus venues Australia-wide, including in Melbourne, Funlab will donate all of its proceeds to the charity, which provides early-intervention mental health services to 12–25 year olds across Australia. So, you'll be aiding your own headspace — tap, tap, tapping your way around an indoor mini golf course will do that, for instance — and also showing some love to a great cause. Funlab's Melbourne sites include multiple Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and Archie Brothers joints, plus Chadstone's Hijinx Hotel and B. Lucky in Melbourne Central — and the $8 deal covers bowling, darts, laser tag, an hour of games and nine holes of golf (all at $8 per activity). Booking in advance is recommended, but Archie Brothers and B. Lucky are doing walk-ins only. Obviously, if you'd like to add a few drinks — these venues serve plenty — that'll cost you extra. [caption id="attachment_681171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] Top image: Markus Ravik.
Leave a message for your family or roommate without having to scramble for a pen on your way out the door. Luc van Hoeckel's 'Record me' allows you to leave a personalised voice message as opposed to a haphazardly scribbled note. 'Record me' is wall-mountable and can save up to 12 messages at a time. To use, simply turn the dial to a free 'station', press the button, record your message, and press it once more. Messages may be deleted by holding down the same button. Leaving voice messages gives you the chance to be both fun and informative, allowing a quick 'I love you' to a significant other, or a reminder to your roommate get dinner started. 'Record me' ensures that you never have to ask "Did you get my note?" again. [via PSFK]
Aspiring artists and functioning alcoholics will both feel right at home in this brand new BYO art studio in Collingwood. Located on Smith Street, Cork & Chroma is a 'paint and sip' studio that embraces one of life's universal truths: everyone is more creative when they've had a little bit to drink. Open evenings Wednesdays through Saturdays as well as Sunday afternoon, the studio is run by artist Hillary Wall along with her husband B.J. A visit costs $60 for a three-hour session, during which time an artist will run you through the basics of acrylics on canvas, before you're let lose to create a masterpiece of your own. Each class is themed — Parisian strolls, the faces of Frida Kahlo, and Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night are some of the sessions already on offer — and they also host private functions and parties, if you're looking to make a mess with your friends. Cork & Chroma started out in Brisbane, then made the jump to Sydney in 2016. Melbourne attendees can look forward to "a place where you can savour a wine and play with paint," explains Hillary. "We know that creativity and fun go hand in hand. And we think that the more fun you're having, the more creative you'll allow yourself to be." Canvas, paints, brushes, easels and glassware all come provided, while they also have a selection of nibbles for purchase, including cheese, olives, chilli spiced nuts and chocolate brownies. All you need to bring is the liquid inspiration. Find Cork and Chroma at 36 Smith Street, Collingwood from late October. Bookings are now available for classes from October 25 onwards — for more information. visit www.corkandchroma.com.au. By Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
The Sydney Dance Company has announced they'll be kicking off their 2013 season with a killer show, De Novo, which features costumes by Dion Lee and the music of Sarah Blasko and Nick Wales. The artists are collaborating on artistic director Rafael Bonachela's Emergence, one part of a trio of dance works that make up De Novo. It will be a testament to Bonachela's belief in the value of pop culture and other artistic practices to contribute to contemporary dance, with Blasko's vocals and Wales's soundscape providing the inspirational fuel for the piece. It's certainly piqued our interest, even more so because Lee's and Blasko's aesthetics don't suggest an immediate match. Will it be severely tailored, or adorably vintage? Adorably tailored? The start of a new cultural epoch? The only thing we know for certain is that it will be memorable. The other two works in De Novo have their own lure. Cacti is the product of renowned Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman, currently working with the Netherlands Dance Theatre, and features 16 dancers, a string quarter, and a dynamic set with the titular cacti. Meanwhile, the third dance, Fanatic, is about a fan outraged over the Alien vs Predator franchise — a choreographic theme as old as star-cross'd romance. De Novo opens in Sydney on March 1. Tickets are available from the SDC website.
Whether you're a Queenslander hoping to hop over the border for a mid-year holiday, or a resident of the rest of the country eager to soak in the Sunshine State's splendours once winter hits, don't go making plans anytime soon — with Queensland's borders possibly remaining closed until September. While the state has been relaxing its COVID-19 restrictions in recent weeks — including allowing non-essential trips out of the house, then permitting small in-home gatherings and letting restaurants, cafes and pubs reopen — Queensland hasn't changed its stance on its locked-down border. And, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed this morning, that's not likely to happen in the short term. Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, the Premier said "we want to welcome as many domestic tourists as possible to Queensland", but that isn't on the cards as yet because "there is still community transmission in Victoria and New South Wales". The Premier also explained that the border situation will be reviewed at the end of each month, and that she's aware that people are starting to ponder their plans for the June–July school holidays; however she noted that it's likely "things will look more positive towards September". Asked about opening up travel to other states without community transmission — that is, allowing Queenslanders to visit Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia, and permitting residents of those regions to visit Queensland — the Premier advised that she "could see that happening before New South Wales and Victoria, but that's a matter for the premiers there as well". https://twitter.com/BreakfastNews/status/1262137356460539904 The Queensland Premier's comments come a few days after her New South Wales counterpart Gladys Berejiklian called for borders between Australian states to be reopened — and just a day after the NSW Premier singled out Queensland specifically, saying "I don't want to be able to say to people I'm allowed to go to Auckland before I can go to Brisbane". As part of the national three-step roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this month, some interstate travel is earmarked to return in step two, while all interstate travel would be allowed in step three — however, while it's the Federal Government's aim to implement all three stages by July, each step has to be put in place by every state individually. Over the past week, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria each moved to the first stage of eased coronavirus restrictions in different ways, with the same approach likely to apply to interstate travel. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland
The #OccupyWallStreet movement has really ignited the spirit of the disenfranchised in America. Anecdotes from ordinary people describing their economic plights has seen anger directed towards the 1% that continue to control the economic agenda in the USA. Through extensive use of Twitter and other social media tools, the increasingly large and angry mob are attempting to convey their message across the internet to gain support for their cause. But as thousands rally against social and economic inequality, corporate greed and the increasingly close relationships between politicians and financial institutions, this message is getting lost in seas of online rhetoric. According to the movement's own mission statement, 'Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.' Without a clear purpose and no set goals, though, the message is becoming murkier. Most Australians have little idea about the extent of problems facing youths in America. With rising unemployment, little to no health care and increasing student debt, young graduates are increasingly anxious about their futures. And rightly so. According to a NY Times report, the jobless rate for college graduates in the U.S.A under the age of 25 has averaged 9.6% over the past year. For high school graduates, the average is 21.6%. Whilst the actual demands by the group remain a little unclear, a poll conducted by David Maris for Forbes has outlined a tentative set of demands or issues that are really aggravating the protestors. With many stating that the American Dream has now turned into a nightmare, the protests are continuing to spread like wildfire throughout the U.S. And whilst a rumoured Radiohead appearance at Liberty Square was later confirmed by the band to be a hoax, the movement has been getting increased backing from influential supporters. With Slavoj Zizek speaking at the rallies, Anti-Flag playing a set in Liberty Square, and Kanye West dropping in to say hello (without removing his gold chains) this protest doesn't seem to be quietening down any time soon. With an evolving approach to their demands, the 'We are the 99%' catchcry has now started to take a hold across the world, not just in New York. The movement has now spread to cities such as Chicago and Seattle, and there are also calls for global demonstrations, with planned protests as far afield as Italy, Spain and the London Stock Exchange. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r3ptmm8lAMM
In the 18 years that Gelato Messina has been in business, over 4000 special flavours have made their way through its 20 gelato cabinets around the country. To celebrate some of these oldies but goodies, Messina is dedicating an entire week to its top 40 greatest hits. From June 5–11, lucky Sydneysiders, Melburnians and Brisbanites will be able to treat themselves to an entire freezer-full of limited-edition gelato flavours. While last year's greatest hits were a buy-in-shop-only deal, this year it's all preordered tubs — so you don't have to worry about long queues and empty cabinets. You can preorder 500-millilitre tubs of the 40 flavours (we'll get to those in a minute) from 1pm on Thursday, May 21 and pick up from Sydney's Rosebery, Tramsheds, Bondi and Darlinghurst stores, Melbourne's Fitzroy store and Brisbane's South Brisbane store between the aforementioned dates. Individual tubs can be filled with just one flavour and will set you back $16, or you can get three for $45, six for $85, nine for $125 or — if you have the freezer space — 20 for $260. Now, we'll get to what you're all waiting for: the flavours. Jon Snow (white chocolate gelato with dark chocolate mud cake and almond praline), Fairy Bread (toast and butter gelato with 100s & 1000s), Mango Pancake (mango gelato with vanilla cream and pancake crunch), Old Gregg (Baileys and butterscotch sauce) and the Robert Brownie Jnr (milk chocolate gelato, chocolate brownie and chocolate fudge sauce) are all on the lineup. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAMtFiqA7Mp/ You've got two days to make a list of your favourites before preorders open, so we suggest you start making some hard decisions ASAP. Here's the full lineup: MESSINA'S 40 GREATEST HITS Fairy Bread Montgomery's Goldmine Triple Whammy Super Duper Dulce de Leche Hodor Twixed Gorgeous Dave True Romance Derelicte Cremino Old Gregg The Voicemail Have a Gay Old Time Lady of Winterfell Jon Snow The Hat Trick Drop It Like White Choc Mr Potato Head The Maltster Pavlova Super Flan Number Two Sticken To Me Date NYC Plus Milomiso Robert Brownie Jr Iron Born Just Like a Milkshake Musk Finger Bun Peach Bellini Baklava Oreogasm Duke of Earl The Boss's Wife Mango Pancake Messina's Momofukup Red Velvet Molto Bueno Alfajores Gelato Messina's Greatest Hits are available to preorder from 1pm on Thursday, May 21 with pick up between Friday, June 5 and Thursday, June 11 from Sydney's Rosebery, Tramsheds, Bondi and Darlinghurst stores; Melbourne's Fitzroy store; and Brisbane's South Brisbane store.
When it comes to street art, names don't get any bigger than Banksy. And when it comes to street art exhibitions, a new showcase of the artist's work that's about to make its way around Australia is going huge. This major display of the enigmatic talent's pieces will feature more than 150 artworks — including infinity rooms and simulations that play with some of Banksy's most famous creations. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits will debut in Brisbane from May; however, that's just its first stop. If you're already excited and can't head to the Sunshine State, the exhibition will make future stops in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, with details still to be announced. A massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon — The Art of Banksy: Without Limits' 150 artworks will include Banksy's certified art, prints on a heap of different materials, plus photos and sculptures as well. For an immersive experience, there'll be installations — physical and digital — as well as murals and mapping shows. One such installation: a simulation of Dismaland Bemusement Park. Another: that mirrored infinity room. Banksy's recent murals in Ukraine will also get a nod, and one space is devoted to the MV Louise Michel, the 30-metre-long high-speed lifeboat funded by Banksy that patrols the Mediterranean to rescue refugees. There will be reproductions of Banksy's works, too, made exclusively for this exhibition. They'll recreate some of the artist's pieces as made with — of course — stencils. The full list of exactly which works will feature hasn't yet been officially revealed either, if you're looking forward to potentially seeing the well-known likes of Flower Thrower, Rude Copper and Girl with Balloon (a version of which was shredded after sale in a highly publicised prank in 2018) — but images of the show's recent stop in Bangkok provide plenty of clues. Everywhere it sets up shop, The Art of Banksy: Without Limits will run daily and take between 45–60 minutes to wander through. And yes, you can snap away for the 'gram while you're there. You can probably exit through the gift shop, or a simulation of one, as well. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits debuts in Brisbane from early May — and we'll update you with details of further city stops when they're announced.
The climate crisis can feel overwhelming at times. There's so much critical work to be done on our quest for a more sustainable future. To alleviate some of the existential helplessness, we've teamed up with our pals in Tropical North Queensland to come up with some practical ways we can give back to our beloved environment this Earth Day (April 22) and beyond. Whether you want to volunteer for a conservation organisation or you've been meaning to move your moolah to a financial institution that doesn't invest in fossil fuels, read on for practical ways you can show the environment some love. MOVE YOUR MONEY When it comes to helping the environment, money might not be the first thing you think of. But, if you take a moment to properly consider it, where your money is invested really matters. Some banks and superannuation funds invest their customers' cash into industries that are harmful to the environment — like fossil fuels. If you've been meaning to move your money to a more environmentally friendly financial institution — or to find out what industries your money is currently propping up — Earth Day seems like a timely reminder to do that bit of life admin. Not sure what industries your bank or superannuation fund invests your money in? Find out via the Market Forces website. HAVE MEAT-FREE MEALS It's no secret that mass meat production has a negative impact on the environment. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, livestock farming is responsible for 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Want to reduce your intake of animal products? Consider opting for meat-free meals on Earth Day. Or, if you want to take it one step further, make meat-free meals part of your week, every week. There are plenty of plant-based menus to try in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. [caption id="attachment_844234" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY From offsetting flights to booking eco-certified experiences, trying to do your bit for the environment while expanding your horizons is a big help. One destination that's loaded with low-impact ways to explore the natural environment is Tropical North Queensland. In the tropics, you can stay in eco-certified accommodation, enjoy the Great Barrier Reef responsibly and explore the region's lush rainforest with minimal impact activities. Want to find out how? Check out the eco-certified experiences and accommodation via the website. SHOP LOCALLY Shopping within your local community has a few benefits. Firstly, it helps to boost the local economy. Plus, if you're buying products that have actually been produced in your local area, it helps to reduce carbon emissions. When you buy produce that is grown near to where you are, the food is only travelling a minimal distance to reach you. That means it takes less resources to transport and store the food after it leaves the farm. So, next time your want to fill up your fridge, head to your nearest farmer's market and grab your goodies from a local. [caption id="attachment_829895" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] EAT SEASONALLY Eating with the seasons is another great way to cut back the travel miles on your food. Similar to shopping locally, when you consume food that flourishes in the season you're in, the transportation and storage resources required to get the produce from paddock to plate are reduced. Want to eat seasonally on your next trip away? Make sure you check in with the locals to see what's in season. If you're planning a trip to the tropics, hit this list to find the finest local produce that's in season. Spoiler alert: there's plenty grown up in this part of the world. If you dine at a Crystalbrook Collection venue, you can even find out how sustainable your food is via its new Climate Calorie concept. The hotel group have labelled its menus to tell you when your food is locally sourced, supplied in eco-friendly packaging, whether or not First Nations People were consulted in the food production and more. [caption id="attachment_793108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] PARKS AND RECREATION -- "Recall Vote" Episode 607 -- Pictured: (l-r) Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope -- (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC)[/caption] TALK TO PEOPLE IN CHARGE One of the most impactful ways to have the environment's back is to tell people in power what you think needs to be done to protect it. While individual action can add up, it's the government that has the power to implement policy changes that'll have a much greater impact. Think we need better emission reduction targets? Reckon the government should stop subsidising the fossil fuel sector and invest in renewable energy instead? Get in touch with your local Member of Parliament to get it off your chest into action. And, of course, ensure your votes in upcoming elections aligns with your beliefs. [caption id="attachment_844433" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DONATE OR VOLUNTEER FOR LOCAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS If you've been putting off donating time or money to a local conservation project, but know it's something you want to do, Earth Day is an ideal time to finally make it happen. Most national park organisations have programs for volunteers to get involved in. Or, if you're keen to send some love to the Great Barrier Reef or rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, visit this website to find out how you can help. [caption id="attachment_851154" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET INVOLVED WITH CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS As the old saying goes: knowledge is power. So, to feel more equipped to make positive contributions to the environment, consider getting involved in a citizen science project. Wondering what that even means? Citizen science does what it says on the tin. It's all about getting everyday citizens involved in scientific projects. Our top picks to get among the action are Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and Eye on the Reef. Want to find even more ways to give the environment some love this Earth Day? For more information, visit the Tropical North Queensland website.
A black comedy about neighbours fighting over a tree. A harrowing recreation of the worst incident on Norwegian soil since World War II. A gothic interpretation of a well-known folk tale. A film about an infatuated college student who discovers she has unusual abilities. These are just some of the Nordic films headed to Australia as part of the 2018 Scandinavian Film Festival — and yes, it's shaping up to be a great year for movies hailing from the colder parts of Europe. All of the above titles — the opening night's Under the Tree, Berlinale hit U – July 22, the gorgeously shot Valley of Shadows and the empathetic thriller Thelma — head to the festival after amassing quite the buzz at overseas events, and they have plenty of company. Across the Scandinavian Film Festival's almost month-long tour of the country, between July 10 and August 5, 21 features will grace Australian screens, showcasing everything from the latest award-winners to the career output of one of the region's late master filmmakers. In the first camp falls Border, which is based on a short story by author John Ajvide Lindqvist and just won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes; high-school comedy Amateurs, the recipient of the best Nordic film award at this year's Goteburg Film Festival; and Winter Brothers, a flick about siblings living in a remote region that nabbed nine Danish Academy Awards. In the latter category, viewers can celebrate the life and career of renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in the 100th anniversary of his birth, with six Swedish figures — including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's Tomas Alfredson — making shorts inspired by the influential filmmaker for compilation effort Bergman Revisited. Other highlights include a semi-scripted cross-cultural comedy about two Danish men trying to set up a dog breeding business in China, aka The Saint Bernard Syndicate, SXSW-standout Heavy Trip, a film about a heavy metal muso spearheading a music festival in a small Finnish town, and The Real Estate, which attacks the chasm between the rich and the not-so in an unflinching fashion. In short: if it hails from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and it popped up over the past year, it's probably on the lineup. The Scandinavian Film Festival tours the country between July 10 and August 5, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Palace Central from July 10–29; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay and Palace Westgarth from July 12–29; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks from July 19 to August 5. For the full program, visit the festival website.
If you want a trip to remember full of endless sunshine, tuk tuk rides and temples (but you don't fancy the idea of going within sniffing distance of Denpasar) then Cambodia might be the place for you. The Kingdom of Cambodia is home to a generous and open people, incredible and fragrant food, staggering temples, and a truly incredibly history. When you combine all of this with 24-hour action, scooters piled high with chooks and kids, and a country still in recovery from recent turmoil, you get a formidable destination for the fearless. Cambodia has been steadily building a reputation as both a place to immerse yourself in history and culture — and, more recently, as a place to party. It's a place of highs and lows. Your first glimpse of the formidable Angkor Wat will leave you in no doubt as to its status as one of the most incredible feats of ancient architecture on the face of the Earth; your last glimpse of the party beaches of Koh Rong Island will remind you of why your liver is hurting. But when you've had your fill of temples and you're sick of the endless party scene in Sihanoukville, you should make for the peaceful riverside town of Kampot. Steeped in French Colonial history — but without the big-names of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh — this beautiful and fascinating spot in southwest Cambodia is well worth a stay, especially when some R&R from constant travel is required. Need some help on how to fill your days? Here's ten things to do while kicking it in Kampot. [caption id="attachment_578323" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Aram Visser via Flickr.[/caption] VISIT AN ABANDONED LUXURY RESORT This remote and once-grandiose luxury resort was dreamed up by colonial French settlers in 1922. Now abandoned, Bokor Hill Station's buildings are still standing (no mean feat, given that this spot was one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge in the 1990s) and make for an eerie day trip. The best way to get out there is to jump on a scooter and ride out yourself — but if you're not confident on a bike, there will be a tour or ten being spruiked in town. Cap your visit off with a drink in the creepy and almost completely patronless, brand spanking new casino which has been curiously constructed on a very out-of-the-way hilltop. Not weirded out enough? Check out the abandoned Catholic church, which is complete with a still-standing altar. WATCH A FILM AT A ROOM SERVICE BED CINEMA So we know you can do this anywhere in the world, but sometimes you just want to take five and watch a film in a foreign country. Watching a film on your laptop will suffice — but watching one in a private bed cinema is approximately one million times better. At Ecran Movie House, you get to splay out over a massive bed in your own private viewing room with air-conditioning, room service drinks and on-demand dumplings from the adjoining noodle joint. Can Hoyts take cues from this? EAT VEGO NOSH BY THE RIVER AT BANTEAY SREY SPA Travelling around Cambodia is tough. Reward yourself with a soothing oil massage or a facial. Banteay Srey Spa is women-only — with the exception of yoga in the morning — and is a great place to enjoy a spa treatment, as well as a swim in the river and some vegetarian and vegan food afterwards. Didn't bring your swimmers? No problem. The spa provides traditional Khmer wraps, which perfect for taking a dip. [caption id="attachment_578321" align="alignnone" width="1280"] James Antrobus via Flickr.[/caption] VISIT THE GIANT DURIAN Surely this one needs no more explanation. The giant fruit sits in the middle of a roundabout in the centre of town and is something of a spiky statue sister to our own Big Pineapple. Plus, there's no smell. [caption id="attachment_578349" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Blake Wheeler.[/caption] ROPE SWING INTO THE RIVER Like swinging off ropes into the river? Great. Get thee to Arcadia Backpackers for the highest of rope swings, the best tower jumps and one of the busiest backpackers in Kampot. If you're looking for a travel buddy as well as a bit of adrenalin, you'll find one here. [caption id="attachment_578333" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Oliver Townend via Flickr.[/caption] EAT PEPPER CRAB AT KEP Unless you're on a secluded romantic vacation (or don't mind everything being a bit of a drive away), don't bother staying in Kep. Head there on a day trip instead. You'll be able to feast on the famous pepper crab, which is local Kep crab served with Kampot green pepper. It's only forty-five minutes away by tuk tuk, so you can be back at your riverside bungalow in Kampot by sundown. EXPLORE KAMPOT'S CAVES Craving caving? Visit the guys at Climbodia. They'll lead you into a dark abyss of limestone caves, and then lead you back out again into the light. No experience needed — just a willingness to explore Kampot and enter dark spaces. [caption id="attachment_578337" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marie via Flickr.[/caption] TASTE THE BEST PEPPER IN THE WORLD Fun fact: Kampot is the pepper capital of the world. Khmer people have been cultivating the spice in the area from as early as the 13th century — and up until the Khmer Rouge occupation from 1975, there wasn't a hatted restaurant in Paris worth their salt that wasn't using this piquant spice. If you want to try the best pepper in the world, straight from the source, head to one of Kampot's pepper farms for an insight into the industry. [caption id="attachment_578339" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marie via Flickr.[/caption] WATCH THE FISHING BOATS ON KAMPOT RIVER This massive gulf of water is home to an abundance of fish, and is basically life for the Khmer people in Kampot. Sit by the river at sunset and watch the stream of green fishing boats puttering out to sea for the night. [caption id="attachment_578340" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ruben I via Flickr.[/caption] HAGGLE AT THE NIGHT MARKETS These markets start from about 4pm down near the durian roundabout and are worth a look — although, be warned, they're super dense and truly packed. Haggle hard, people. Top image: P W via Flickr.
We've almost made it to the end of this chaotic year. Holidays are looming ever closer, and it's time to hang out with friends and fam, recharge and reflect — potentially doing so at beaches, in ocean pools, while hiking or chilling out in parks — and maybe logoff from social media for a bit. And Pantone is suggesting we do so surrounded by 'life-affirming' coral. Living Coral (PANTONE 16-1546) has just been named as Pantone's 2019 Colour of the Year. The energising — and appropriately summery — shade was chosen by Pantone's colour experts not only because it "provide[s] comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment", but because it encourages lighthearted activity and pursuit of fun — exactly what we're all hoping to do over the next couple of months (and, ideally, throughout the New Year). Of course, coral is associated with nature, too, in animals (like flamingos) and in Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. While we doubt it was on the minds of Pantone's colour experts, the colour is timely due to the recent, reinvigorated fight for emergency action on climate change in Australia. Hundreds of school students, just this Wednesday, descended on Canberra's Parliament House to demand action on climate change and to stop the Adani coal mine — a proposed Queensland mine, which, if it goes ahead, could have huge impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Then there's Living Coral's reinvigorating nature — it's said to energise and enliven. So paint your room in it, cover your body in it or just buy some snazzy coral socks — it might help you get through this crazy messed up world in 2019.
It was 35 years ago in the original 1977 Star Wars film that Princess Leia called for the help of Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi through holographic messaging. At the time we thought anyone would be out of their mind to think such a thing would be possible. We were wrong about a lot of things back in 1977. Educated as an industrial design engineer but always fascinated by lights, Japanese artist Makoto Tojiki turned his head to creating art in 2003 and for five years has worked on his life sized light sculptures. Through the medium of thousands of LED lights and optical fibres, the futuristic celestial like sculptures approach the idea of 'physical presence' in an illuminating way. Tojiki explains his stunning 'No Shadow' light installation sculptures: "An object is seen when our eyes capture light that is reflected from the object. If we extract just the light that is reflected from ‘something,’ are we still in the presence of that 'something?' Using contours of light, I try to express this 'something.' Playing with perception and space, Tojiki encourages the audience to interact with his sculptures from different angles and distances, in turn altering viewer experience. Despite the international success of Tojiki's artworks, his talents are not limited to LED sculptures. Dabbling in interior design and jewellery, Tojiki hopes to see his artworks integrated with fashion brands and featured at events, stores or showrooms. For all you Harry Potter fans, check out Tojiki's 'Horse with No Shadow' installation. Created for Hermes, and probably with no connection to the wizarding world whatsoever, I can't help but see a comparison to Harry Potter's Petronus charm. [Via The Cool Hunter]
Want to get your hot little hands on a buttery, flakey Lune croissant...for free? Then read on and clear your schedule for next Thursday, May 16. Japanese retailer Uniqlo is opening its seventh Victorian store in the new District Docklands precinct, and Melbourne's internationally renowned croissanterie is joining in the fun by giving away 250 of its signature pastries. While the doors won't open until 10am next Thursday, complimentary croissants will be handed out to the first 250 people waiting in queue from 9.30am. Hopefully the world-class pastry — which The New York Times said could be the best croissant in the world — will distract you from the wintry Melbourne morning chill. If fashion's more your thing, the grand opening festivities also involve freebies of the sartorial variety. On launch day, Uniqlo Docklands will have special offers on a swag of men's, women's and kids' clothes, while the first 500 customers who spend over $100 in store will each score a free bag. The new outpost will play host to the complete range of Uniqlo's LifeWear apparel.
