Fill your mid-week with cosy vibes, as the Winter Night Market returns to QVM for another 13-week run. Kicking off at 5pm every Wednesday from Wednesday, June 4–Wednesday, August 27, expect another fascinating program brimming with tantalising street food, hot drinks, retail experiences, live music and free entertainment. Taking up residence in the Queen Victoria Market's sprawling laneways and sheds, the event has a host of foodie newcomers ready to serve up comfy cuisine that ensures your chilly evening is a snug one. Think Cannoleria's Sicilian-style treats, La Trafila's artisan pasta and The Little Paris's raclette and garlic butter snails. There's also plenty of returning favourites from past editions of the Winter Night Market, with the likes of Churro Kitchen, Smashville and the Soup Factory serving everything from chocolate-drizzled desserts to king crab chowder spooned into bread rolls. Plus, there's mulled wine, alongside spiced Milo cocktails and warm butter beer, to enhance the rugged-up ambience. Beyond the extensive food and drink selection, the Winter Night Market is home to stellar shopping and entertainment. Stock up on vintage clothing and handmade jewellery, or see what awaits in your future with tarot card reading. Meanwhile, the Guru Dudu Silent Disco returns, taking groups on a 20-minute dance tour through the market.
If you've ever watched the films of Studio Ghibli and wished you could walk right into their gorgeous frames, you're not alone. In fact, you're only human. The beloved animation house already boasts one site that basically lets you do just that, thanks to its museum in Mitaka, a city on the western outskirts Tokyo — but, come 2022, it'll also unveil its very own theme park. The studio initially announced the news in 2017, with a plan to open in 2020. Then, in 2018, it pushed back its launch timeline to 2022. It's still aiming to open at least parts of the park next year, which should have you crossing your fingers that international travel starts returning to normal by then. Need more motivation? A few more details about the park have been revealed, and they're worth getting excited about. In big news for fans of Howl's Moving Castle, Ghibli's park will feature a life-sized replica of the titular structure. It'll reach about 16 metres in height, and you'll be able to step inside to check out Howl's bedroom. Hideaki Ōmura, the governor of Nagoya's Aichi Prefecture where the park will be located, tweeted a CGI concept image of the castle — and, while the structure is only depicted in white, it still looks as impressive as it sounds. It won't move, though, but the cannon on the front will. [caption id="attachment_799539" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Studio Ghibli[/caption] Also slated to feature in the park: nods to the cat from Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns, buildings with design elements that take their cues from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and a super-sized garden that'll make you feel like you're one of the tiny characters in Arrietty. There'll also be a permanent exhibition room, a special exhibition room, a video exhibition room, a playground, and a shop and cafe, so you'll have plenty of places to explore, eat and browse. Yes, the Ghibli site will spirit visitors away to a whole realm dedicated to its considerable catalogue of movies — although it was initially described as a My Neighbour Totoro-focused park. Totoro-themed attractions are still part of the design, including a replica of Satsuki and Mei's house, which already exists at the 200-hectare Expo Park site. However, you'll also be able to check out the antique shop from Whisper of the Heart, Kiki's home from Kiki's Delivery Service and a village area that pays tribute to Princess Mononoke. The latter certainly looks the part, as Governor Ōmura also tweeted. [caption id="attachment_799541" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Studio Ghibli[/caption] Expect more nods to Ghibli's various features to follow, recreating other aspects from its three-decade-old body of work — and possibly its latest movie, Earwig and the Witch, too. If the end result is even half as wondrous as the studio's aforementioned museum, then fans are in for a treat. There, you can climb up to the building's rooftop garden to see one of the robots from Laputa: Castle in the Sky; watch exclusive shorts, including a sequel to My Neighbour Totoro; and touch a life-sized cat bus, which kids under 12 can climb and play on. Indeed, the museum is such a tourist attraction, you have to buy tickets over a month in advance — and experiencing the rush of folks in the merchandise-packed gift shop will make you feel like a susuwatari (Totoro's gorgeous little balls of floating soot). Incorporated into the existing parklands, the theme park will be heavy on greenery and the natural surroundings, which matches the environmental messaging that plays a prominent part in Ghibli's movies. The site will also encourage "enjoying walking", according to the draft concept outline, while aiming to offer "a one-of-a-kind park loved by more people". We don't think either will be difficult. The Studio Ghibli theme park is slated to start opening in 2022. For more information, keep an eye on the animation company's website.
Few combinations sound like they could take the edge off winter quite like that of whisky, wine and roaring fire. So things are set to get very cosy when Caulfield Racecourse hosts its annual festival dedicated to this very trinity, from Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21. The second edition of Whisky, Wine & Fire will see punters fending off that Melbourne chill in style, with a program of tastings, fire-driven feasts, hot cocktails and art. A lineup of twelve top Aussie winemakers and eleven distillers will be showcasing their finest winter drops, from boutique shiraz to bone-warming whisky creations. Some of the names you'll see on the boozy lineup include Laphroaig, Maker's Mark, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and Starward. On the food front, you'll catch a diverse spread of pop-up restaurants, playing with fire to deliver a menu full of heat- and smoke-driven fare. Pastuso's Alejandro will be serving smoky meats and whisky-cured pastrami jaffles, while Charlie Carrington from Atlas Dining will be dishing up smoked ham hock and shrimp gritz. Milk and Cow will also be bringing its many cheeses, Bluebonnet its low-and-slow meats and Tokyo Tina its baos and yakitori. For dessert, Glacé's Christy Tania will have chocolate and whisky lava cakes and sticky date puddings with whisky caramel sauce. The entertainment offering promises to warm those cockles, too — think, live tunes, expert-led booze talks and a theatrical fire sculpture garden to wander through, preferably with a hot toddy in hand. Tickets are $16.50 and include a reusable tasting glass. Whisky, Wine & Fire will run from 5.30–10.30pm on Thursday, 5.30–11pm on Friday, 4–11pm on Saturday and 4–9pm on Sunday. Updated June 18, 2019.
There are some things that remain universal truths in the realm of television: Early episodes of The Simpsons are much better than the later, 'The Contest' and 'The Soup Nazi' are hands down the greatest things to happen on Seinfeld, and Breaking Bad is the best thing that's been on TV in recent years. Though these claims usually land you in nerdy arguments over a pint of beer, they can now be statistically proven due to the help of one glorious person with too much time on their hands. Graph TV is an easy-to-use website made by Kevin Wu, data analyst extraordinaire, that charts the rating of every episode of every TV series rated on IMDb. Let's just take a second to compute that information. You can type in the name of any show and find out which is the best and worst episode, how the series tracked as it went on, and when it officially should have called it quits. The future is here, and it's incredibly nerdy. Wu claims he thought of the concept while watching the final episodes of Breaking Bad. "I thought the last half of season five was just amazing, and wondered if people thought the same,” he said. After a quick look at the chart, it's easy to tell the majority of people agreed with him. Yeah, science! Obviously, the ratings system is still incredibly subjective. It's just a collection of opinions after all. But if democracy has taught us anything it's that there's strength in numbers, and when nearly 2000 people vote to say that racist episode of How I've Met Your Mother was the worst thing to happen in the entire show, I'm inclined to believe them. The numbers get more convincing when you move to bigger shows like The Simpsons. Showing a gradual but steady decline in viewer ratings over the show's long run, your argument at the pub can finally be put to rest. The highest rating episodes are all old classics from seasons 4-8. The lowest rating, however, is not the horrible compilation shows they tacked together for the offseason, but the cameo of Lady Gaga in season 23. Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Via Wired.
If you needed another reason to explore Melbourne right now, the city is being treated to its first major post-lockdown cultural event. Marking the slow return of events to Melbourne, the annual Fringe Festival is back both online and in-person for its 2020 iteration. The dynamic range of comedy, theatre and performing arts will take place outdoors, online and around the city between Thursday, November 12 and Sunday, November 29. Many of the works on this year's program were created throughout the last turbulent year and the months of lockdown Melbourne has endured. Highlights include a miniature diorama of Ned Kelly's life set up in a Fitzroy costume shop, a nightly live-streamed news spoof comedy show and a live band that will play outside of aged-care homes across Melbourne. Patrons are also invited to join cult cabaret icon Tomás Ford from the comfort of their bathtub for his performance Come Have a Bath With Me, whilst performance artwork Losing Touch will be one of Melbourne's first outdoor post-lockdown events, taking place in Abbotsford Convent on Wednesday, November 25. The full program is available at the Melbourne Fringe Website with each performance and artwork assigned a rating so you know how family-friendly and socially distant it is. [caption id="attachment_789669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Slipstream[/caption] Top images: Trigger Happy and A Small Spectacle.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to Lomani Island Resort on the small Fijian island of Malolo Lailai. Scroll down to get a preview of what's in store once you set your clock to island time. We've also teamed up with Lomani Island Resort to create the ultimate week-long romantic Fiji getaway —with two massages, a three-course dinner on the beach and all your transfers included. Head to Concrete Playground Trips to book your spot now. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This small beachside resort is for adults only, meaning you can relax in total peace no matter what time of year you decide to visit Fiji's famous Mamanuca Islands (which makes our list of the best Fiji islands for a tropical escape). THE ROOMS The Lomani Island Resort has three kinds of rooms. The Deluxe Suite is the most affordable option and comes with a separate living room and bedroom overlooking the water as well as a private balcony or patio. The other options step up the luxury levels a little more. There are two kinds of beachfront bures (little bungalows) — one with a plunge pool and one without. These won't cost you that much more than the suites, but they do give you a greater sense of privacy. The large outdoor rain showers are a big win, too. FOOD & DRINK There are stacks of dining options at this Fiji island resort. The Flame Tree Restaurant serves a range of cuisine options from steak and chips to pasta and traditional Fijian Kokoda. Either dine on local dishes (always recommended) or try something a little more familiar. It's all up to you. And if you're looking for something a little extra, ask the team to set up a private dinner on the beach. It's romantic without being overly cheesy and staged — the Lomani team will place a small table out on the sand dunes and let you dine with uninterrupted sunset views. [caption id="attachment_877271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cloud 9 by Brook Sabin[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA The Lomani Island Resort is located on one of the popular Mamanuca Islands — a small archipelago located near the main island of Fiji. From the resort, you can easily get around to all the best parts of this region by chartering a small boat for the day or jumping on a ferry. Hit up the famous Cloud 9 floating bar or simply do some island hopping, snorkelling around coral reefs and lounging beneath palm-lined beaches. THE EXTRAS Overall, this Fiji resort is for a laid back holiday full of lounging and swimming. But you can also get the best out of this tropical destination by joining a few of the resort's extra activities. There's a sunset cruise which costs less than $80 and includes your first drink as well as roaming canapés during the trip. The resort also offers a 'Sunset Serenader' for which the team will direct you to a private part of the beach where you will be serenaded by a local musician for an hour and includes a platter of canapés and a bottle of wine. We've teamed up with Lomani Island Resort to create the ultimate week-long romantic Fiji getaway —with two massages, a three-course dinner on the beach and all your transfers included. Head to Concrete Playground Trips to book your spot now.
At skate parks around the world — and on consoles in lounge rooms, too — many an hour has been spent kickflipping and ollieing because of Tony Hawk. He's the professional skateboarder who became a household name, and the man whose licensed video game series had everyone sliding and grinding just by furiously mashing buttons. And, come 2024, he's coming to Australia to chat about his career. The skater icon is taking part in a talkfest aptly called An Evening with Tony Hawk. If you've ever wondered how he landed his famous '900', becoming the first skateboarder to complete two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions — or if you just want to know why Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, its sequels and spinoffs are so damn addictive — head along to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Friday, January 19, or The Athenaeum in Melbourne on Monday, January 22 and The Triffid in Brisbane on Thursday, January 25 to find out. Hawk's Brissie trip comes with a caveat, however: his discussion has already sold out, but he's also going to turn the Fortitude Music Hall into an immersive Tony Hawk's Pro Skater experience for one day only on Saturday, January 27. [caption id="attachment_924147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joshua Cutillo[/caption] In the chats, as well as discussing life, turning skating into a job, career highlights, his pop culture prominence and more — and maybe even his on-screen appearances in everything from the first xXx movie to Sharknado 5: Global Swarming — Hawk will be joined by Birdman: Or the Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band. Setting the vibe through tunes from the games, their setlist includes Rage Against the Machine, Millencolin, Goldfinger and more. In Brisbane only, Hawk's THPS25 event will drop in to celebrate a quarter century of the games series, with Fortitude Music Hall turned into a replica of one of the levels from the game. Yes, Hawke will hop on a board on an 11-foot-plus vertical ramp that'll sit in the centre of the venue. Joining him from the Birdhouse skate crew, including Lizzie Armanto, Elliot Sloan Felipe Nunes and Reese Nelson. The THPS25 event will be split into two sessions, with the daytime slot an all-ages affair and the evening session only for over 18s. Birdman: Or the Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band will pick up their instruments at both, too, as joined by DZ Deathrays doing a DJ set at each. Yours Truly and Teenage Joans will also take to the stage during the day, and Bodyjar and Alex Lahey at night. If you're keen to play Tony Hawk's Pro Skater while you're there, that's understandable and will also be an option. Show off your moves on a five-metre video wall, plus console stations set up around the venue. [caption id="attachment_924146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vans[/caption] [caption id="attachment_576145" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tony Hawk's Pro Skater[/caption] TONY HAWK AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024: Friday, January 19 — An Evening with Tony Hawk, Enmore Theatre, Sydney Monday, January 22 — An Evening with Tony Hawk, The Athenaeum, Melbourne Thursday, January 25 — An Evening with Tony Hawk, The Triffid, Brisbane — SOLD OUT Saturday, January 27 — THPS25, Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Tony Hawk is touring Australia in 2024. Head to the tour website for further details and tickets for An Evening with Tony Hawk. For the THPS25, join the waitlist at the event website, with tickets presales from 9am AEST on Wednesday, November 1. Top image: Victor Solanoy via Flickr.
Before Union House was Union House, it was neighbourhood favourite Union Dining. As with many good things, it came to an end, and in February this year Nicky Riemer and Adam Cash closed the doors to the Swan Street space. But now the crew from Marquis of Lorne has Fitzroy moved in. It can be daunting taking over a venue that was already a favourite. But the re-fit has been done tastefully and the food and drink offerings are so good, Union House looks set to become one in its own right. What about the old adage that you can't please all the people all the time? Yeah, nah — out the window at Union House. This place has drawcards coming out its ears. First and foremost it's a pub — so if you're after a couple of pints of local craft beer and a burger, you can get some great versions of those. The rockling burger ($19) is made up of a well-crumbed rockling (a saltwater fish, for the uninitiated), chilli and cos on a brioche bun. It's the perfect size to get your mouth around and fills a sizeable gap. If you're after more bistro-style fare, they have that too — snacks, starters, mains and steaks. The only reason you'll be frowning here is because choosing is hard. Will you have the roast chicken breast and confit leg ($29)? Or the grilled pork loin with braised beans and gravy ($26)? Vegetarians are well catered for as well, with several interesting options. The smoked eggplant with tahini labneh ($14) has a lovely lemon twist and it's melt-in-your-mouth delicious, especially when scooped up with toasted flatbread. Combining healthy and tasty, the ricotta and semolina dumplings in broccoli broth ($22) are a lighter, smoother take on traditional gnocchi. As well as beer, there's a beautiful French-inflected wine list. If there are a few of you, and you're in for the long haul, there's a menu just for magnums and they're available in fizz, pink, orange and red. Depending on your mood, and the weather, you can enjoy the open bar area downstairs — with its booths and high tables — or head up the stairs to the dining room made cosy by the Cheminees Philippe fireplace. For sunny days, or just because you like rooftops, there's an upstairs terrace with a bar, lots of wooden furniture and plants. Union House is casual and unpretentious. You can wheel in your pram and park it next to a booth, bring a date here on a Friday night or meet up with some friends and work your way through a magnum and the menu. Images: Letícia Almeida.
Screw gas guzzling tankers and utes — Bruges is taking their beer transportation system underground, preserving their UNESCO World Heritage-listed city streets with an extensive, 3.2-kilometre-long beer pipeline that will begin operation in September. This ingenious design is all thanks to the perseverance of Xavier Vanneste, the heir to De Halve Maan (Half Moon), the city's only continuously working brewery. Initially established in 1564, the brewery is an iconic part of the city — and despite urging from financial advisors, Vanneste has long refused to relocate to a more industrial location. His alternative? To build an underground pipeline from the brewery to the bottling plant. The pipeline itself is an incredibly crafty design, with Vanneste hiring tunnelling experts from the oil and gas industry and Belgium's top brewing professor (what a title!) to get the plan just right. The experts laid the pipeline using computer-guided drills, which minimised street digging and further protected the historic city. As you can expect, the budget was a big one. A total of €4 million (that's almost six million AUD) were needed for the project, and over €300,000 was raised through a crowdfunding campaign. Backers who purchased a gold membership will be entitled to a bottle of Brugse Zot Blond every day for life as part of their €7500 donation. Beer for life is a such a legendary reason to donate. As it currently stands, the pipes can fit enough beer to fill 12,000 bottles an hour. The beer will be pumped down the underground pipeline from the brewery in the city centre to the bottling plant three kilometres out of town. Vanneste's ability to get this approved came as a shock to many, especially considering no private company in history has been allowed to lay cable under the city's cobbled lanes and medieval buildings. Luckily, city officials, including mayor Renaat Landuyt, smartly saw the pipeline as an opportunity to sustain employment while maintaining the city's heritage and sharply reducing the number of beer tankers driving in and out. If the pipeline actually works and stands the test of time, Vanneste will certainly go down in history as a beer legend and a champion forward-thinker. We're already hatching dreams of an Australian-wide network of underground beer pipelines and hope one of our many craft brewers is ready to get behind the idea. If a UNESCO city can get this approved, what's to stop the rest of us? Via The Guardian. Image: Ricardo Samaniego via Flickr.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, gelato for dogs, and ginger beer, Weet-Bix, fairy bread, hot cross bun, cinnamon scroll, chocolate fudge and bubble tea gelato. Most recently, it made its own spin on Caramilk gelato, too. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from another beloved foodstuff — and from the current time of year. Can't choose between devouring Easter eggs or licking your way through a few scoops of ice cream? Gelatissimo has the solution. Yes, that very combination will be on the menu from Friday, March 26, with Easter egg-filled mint chocolate gelato earning the honours as Gelatissimo's next flavour of the month. Only available while stocks last until Thursday, April 22 — so for Easter, but not just until Easter — the flavour starts with mint-choc gelato, then adds in those round pieces of chocolate. It also features cookie crumbs, which add to the chunky texture. You can get it in stores Australia-wide, or via delivered take-home packs through services such as UberEats, Deliveroo and DoorDash. And yes, you can add it to your indulgent Easter list — alongside everything from boozy coffee liqueur-filled Easter eggs to hot cross bao (but you'll only be able to nab the latter if you're in Sydney or Melbourne). Gelatissimo's mint-choc Easter egg gelato is available from all stores nationwide from Friday, March 26–Thursday, March 22.
Port Melbourne's venues have undergone many transformations over the years, but perhaps none more so than number nine Waterfront Place. The venue, which sits squat alongside the Spirit of Australia ferry terminal, was the first to move into the area 15 years ago. Since then, the restaurant has undergone many conceptual changes at the hand of its original owners, who still look after the site today. Noom Duck is its most recent reincarnation. And while still in its infancy at just under a month old, this newest development shows a lot of promise and room to grow. They've nabbed ex-Chin Chin chef Steven Ngo chef to head the kitchen — which should tell you a lot about their intentions — and create a menu that places classic and modern Asian-style dishes alongside the staples expected of a traditional seafood restaurant, without necessarily blurring lines between the two. For example, there's the tour de force seafood platter for two ($85 per person), but you can also order a no-frills serve of butter chicken. But the menu really excels when the kitchen turns a knife to reinvent ingredients that have become somewhat naff in Asian cooking. Barramundi breathes again as a fish cake ($24.50), thanks to thin and freshly sliced green apple, cabbage, mint and crushed peanuts and a refreshing sweet pork salad. A crispy fried half duck ($36) is well rendered, dry where it's meant to be and moist where it counts. It's a strong choice if you're sharing, and is served with a ginger nuoc cham dipping sauce, banana blossom, shallot and fried chilli salad. Coconut sago with vanilla bean ice cream ($12.50), topped with crunchy toasted coconut, fresh fruit and a miso caramel sauce is ambitious. And while you feel the sauce is neither perfectly miso or caramel, it's a clear winner for dessert and really rounds out Noom Duck's best hand. Fresh, quality ingredients served both confidently and boldly is what Noom Duck do best. And with a little time to refine their offering (and perhaps sharpen their culinary message), Noom Duck looks to be a seaside summer hotspot if it can rise to its obvious potential.
Inspired by Madonna, Michael Jackson and Nine Inch Nails, Auckland based synth pop duo Computers Want Me Dead have decided they're not going to take themselves too seriously – resulting in a sound that's chaotic, almost dizzying synth pop that you can't help but pull shapes to. They've played Rhythm + Vines, Big Day Out and supported 30 Seconds to Mars – all while having only released their debut EP in March this year. They've taken over New Zealand and plan to take over the rest of the world later on this year, one synth track at a time. One half of Computers Want Me Dead, Sam Harvey, chats to Kirstie Sequitin about Gary Numan, Nine Inch Nails and embracing their inner synth pop. I read this thing on your Facebook profile last night, saying that your set is 'a whirling and buzzing tornado of sound akin to some wonderful lovechild of Gary Numan and Nine Inch Nails on ecstacy'. And then I saw that you had a photo taken with Gary the other day – did he have something to say about that? Yeah, yeah that was amazing! A friend of mine was organizing the Gary Numan show over here in Auckland, so as soon as I found out I ran in saying 'please, please, please can I meet him?' And I met him, he was the nicest guy I've ever met, it was incredible. Did he listen to your music at all? I don't know. It was funny because the friend that hosted the television show knows I'm a huge fan (of Gary) and actually gave him a copy of our CD live on air. I was like 'Oh my God, I can't believe you did that.' But, I don't know. I'd like to think that he would have heard it but yeah, no idea. Why do computers want you dead? The name is definitely ironic, because we both love computers and we're kind of nerdy in that way. But it actually comes from a friend of mine who had moved to Chicago wrote me this massive long email on MySpace, back in the day when MySpace was all the rage. So she wrote me this massive email and clicked send and… it timed out. She had spent two hours writing this email and was really really pissed off. The next email she wrote was titled 'Computers want me dead'. I was like, "I'm totally going to use that as a band name". She didn't believe me until we put out a single. What were you guys doing before Computers Want Me Dead and how did you guys start working together? I was wearing a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt at a work function and Damien came up to me and was like, "Oh yeah, I'm a fan of Nine Inch Nails too." And we just got talking. We were both talking about how we wanted to, you know, start a band, and we started jamming. We ended up moving into an apartment – I live here with Damien and his girlfriend – and it kind of just went from there. So how does a love for Nine Inch Nails translate to the stuff that you guys make together? Well, it's funny - it started off being a lot darker and kind of grittier. Then one day I changed the bass line on something and added the sort of poppy sounding synth and all of a sudden it was a different song and we just ran with that. But yeah, Nine Inch Nails are definitely a massive influence on both of us and kind of evidence of earlier stuff that we've done. I've played one of our singles to a friend of mine who is also a Nine Inch Nails fan and – I don't know if this is compliment but - he said "It sounds like Nine Inch Nails on E". And I was like, "Sweet. That's awesome". That was the coolest thing he could've said. You say that your music comes from being able to embrace pop music shamelessly; do you think other bands take themselves too seriously? Do you think that there's a bit of synth pop in every band? (laughs) I think everyone has a potential to take themselves too seriously. We're all guilty of it sometimes. But yeah, I don't know, there's some music that's more serious than others – and I'm a big fan of all kinds of stuff. I don't look at people who are really into what they're doing as taking themselves too seriously – I don't think they're pretentious or anything, but it's just not what this band is about. Computers Want Me Dead's self-titled EP is out now.
Aside from that time Bart Simpson called Australia and learnt that Australian toilets drain clockwise (and subsequently had to travel out 'ere to apologise), The Simpsons hasn't really uncovered many of our country's truths. But that's not true anymore with a new Simpsons short — which takes place outside the Sydney Opera House — released online yesterday. In the video, Homer manages to take down our accents, diss Rupert Murdoch, meet the Sydney seal and get attacked by seagulls in little more than a minute. It was created by Matt Groening ahead of his appearance at the Sydney Opera House for their GRAPHIC festival, which will run over one weekend in November. The fest celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Groening will be doing a keynote (which has already sold out), as well as a talk with fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. Finally, the rest of the world can know the truth: the Australian animal to be afraid of isn't snakes — it's seagulls. Watch the full short video below. Video: THE SIMPSONS TM & ©2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
The man behind some of Britain's best sitcoms is coming to Australia to share his expertise with the country's aspiring comedy writers. Best known for writing and co-creating Black Books, The IT Crowd, Father Ted and Big Train, Graham Linehan is heading to our shores to debut his one-day workshop Insights Into The Art Of TV Comedy Writing. In a world first, the six-hour sessions will give eager funny folk the chance to learn from the five-time BAFTA winner, with two classes taking place on June 17 and 18 at Melbourne's Wheeler Centre, and a further two being held on June 23 and 24 at Sydney's Darlinghurst Theatre. Tickets range from $99 to $219, including both morning and afternoon tea, with limited spots available. Attendees will learn more than simply turning computers off and on again — or the fact that some ovens can cook anything. According to Lineham, figuring out comedy "is something I've been trying to do for the last twenty five years and I'm hoping that I've gained enough insights into my own process that I won't actually mess yours up too much." Graham Linehan's Insights Into The Art Of TV Comedy Writing takes place on June 17 and 18 at Melbourne's Wheeler Centre, and June 23 and 24 at Sydney's Darlinghurst Theatre. Early bird ticket sales commence at midday on April 16, with general public sales kicking off at 1pm on April 17. Visit the Frontier Comedy website for further information.
Trends come in cycles. That's a fact that everyone has not only heard but experienced, and it's also a reality that helps us travel back in time. Missed the grunge era? Fashion revived it in 2023. Love 80s synth sounds? They're not hard to find among pop tunes recently. Wish that you could deck out your home with 60s and 70s decor? In comes IKEA, which is making peering backwards its focus right now. The reason that the Swedish retailer is feeling nostalgic is the same reason that plenty of us do: a big birthday. In 2023, IKEA celebrated 80 years of operation. To mark the occasion, it unveiled the Nytillverkad collection, which scours the company's design archives to hero pieces that've proven a hit in the past, and also riff on its prior highlights in general. That wasn't just a once-off, either. Accordingly, the range keeps dropping new pieces, including a big dose of 60s and 70s items earlier in 2024, and now another batch that's especially fond of the period's flower power. The latest homewares will hit IKEA stores in Australia in April, focusing on bright colours, bold designs and retro florals. Sure, it's autumn here at the moment, but that doesn't have to be the theme of your interior decor. Highlights include floral patterns first introduced in the 70s by designer Göta Trägårdh, including on quilt covers and cushions; a pendant lampshade that initially hit IKEA in 1964; and plant stands and coffee tables that also debuted in the 60s. Or, there's the ÖNNESTAD armchair, which reincarnates the brand's GOGO chair that first arrived in stores in 1972 and remained on offer at the time for more than a decade. It's made out of steel tubes, with updating the piece seeing the chain cutting back from 6.8 kilograms to 3.3 kilograms of the material — and now using high-strength steel — so that it can create twice as many. Prices range from $8 for cushion covers to $199 for chairs, with everything from vases ($19) to mirrors ($99) — available in-between. If all these blasts from IKEA's furniture and homewares past has you thinking about its history, there's a reason that almost everyone can't remember a time before the chain was a homewares go-to. Started by Ingvar Kamprad, aka the IK in IKEA's moniker, it began in 1943 and moved into furniture in 1948. The company then opened its first store in Sweden a decade later — and came to Australia in the 70s. The latest pieces in IKEA's Nytillverkad collection will hit Australia, in store and online, from April 2024 until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
Put on your Sunday best and head to the CBD on Sunday, May 9 to treat your mum, or a mother figure in your life, to high tea featuring free-flowing Chandon NV Rosé — and tea, of course — for Mother's Day. For $124 per person — or $49 for children where a special Le Petit Kids High tea menu will be served — you and your mum can indulge in a tower of decadent treats. Think, raspberry, lemon and white chocolate scones cascading from the top tier to meet cream cheese, watermelon, salmon roe and dill bagels in the middle. Then, descend to a blood peach, raspberry and lemon heart mille feuille to finish. All this will be accompanied by plenty of Chandon bubbles and enough tea to satisfy the queen — your mum — while live jazz music soundtracks your dining experience in The Westin's Lobby Lounge. Plus, your mum will leave with a special gift in hand. Bookings are essential as places are limited so make sure to secure your table here. Image: supplied
In celebration of negroni week, Campari and The Everleigh are teaming up to present Sips On Screen: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. This iconic Wes Anderson film will be paired with a cosy night of cocktails, pizza and popcorn, all at one of Fitzroy's favourite bars. After grabbing a negroni on arrival courtesy, you'll find it very easy to settle into The Eveleigh's Elk Room. During the screening, you'll be able to sit back with popcorn, Connie's Pizza and three negroni-inspired mini cocktails, with everything included in the ticket price. Running from 6pm on Wednesday, June 26, the event doesn't just mark the annual negroni week — which launched in 2013, and has become a feature at more than 10,000 participating venues worldwide, raising around $2 million for charities in the process. It also helps mark 100 years of the beloved beverage, with The Everleigh donating $5 from every ticket sold to Australian food rescue organisation Oz Harvest.
Corpses and killings don't normally herald joy on-screen, even in pop culture's current murder-mystery comedy wave, but Only Murders in the Building isn't just another amusing whodunnit. With the two Knives Out films so far plus two seasons of The Afterparty, there's no shortage of excellent detective tales that pair crimes with laughs — and killer concepts with stellar casts, too — however there's a particular warmth to Disney+'s Selena Gomez (The Dead Don't Die)-, Martin Short (Schmigadoon!)- and Steve Martin (It's Complicated)-starring take. In each of its three seasons to-date, this New York-set series has unleashed a motley crew of amateur gumshoes upon a shock death, with its key trio sifting through clues and podcasting the details. Along the way, it has also kept telling a winning story about second chances and finding the folks who understand you. Streaming from Tuesday, August 8, Only Murders in the Building's ten-episode third season relays that tale again, expanding its portraits of artist Mabel Mora (Gomez), theatre director Oliver Putnam (Short) and veteran actor Charles-Haden Savage (Martin) — and of their friendship. Once more, it embraces the power of chemistry, both within its narrative and for audiences. That isn't new; when the show debuted its first season in 2021, instantly becoming one of the best new arrivals of that year, it felt like the murder-mystery comedy genre's version of a cosy embrace because its three leads were so perfectly cast and their odd-throuple characters so full of sparks. While Mabel, Oliver and Charles wouldn't be a trio if it wasn't for a building evacuation, a murder and a love of true-crime podcasts, their connection isn't merely fuelled by chatting about the murders in their building, with crossing each other's paths changing their respective lives. There's a death in season three's initial episode — it first occurred in season two's dying moments, to be precise — and, of course, ample sleuthing and talking about it follows. But Only Murders in the Building's latest run also opens with Mabel, Oliver and Charles in places that they wouldn't be if they were solo. Largely, that applies emotionally: Mabel is more grounded and open, and now thinking about the future more than the past; Oliver has faced his career fears, resurrecting his showbiz bug with a new show; and Charles is less misanthropic and more willing to take new chances. They're also frequently in a different location physically thanks to Oliver's comeback production Death Rattle. No, the series isn't now called Only Murders in the Building and on Broadway. The victim: actor Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania), a silver-screen star best-known for playing a zoologist who fights crime by turning into a snake in the blockbuster CoBro franchise. (Yes, if those movies weren't just Only Murders in the Building's Ant-Man gag, existed IRL and starred Rudd, they'd be a hit.) Ben is Oliver's leading man and biggest name, but he's hardly lacking detractors within Death Rattle's cast and crew. Among the suspects that Mabel, Oliver and Charles swiftly look into is Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep, Don't Look Up), who has spent her whole life trying to make it on the stage. Also earning their interest: influencer Kimber (Ashley Park, Joy Ride), one of the play's other talents; filmmaker Tobert (Jesse Williams, Grey's Anatomy), who was helming a Ben-centric behind-the-scenes documentary; and Ben's dutiful assistant Dickie (Jeremy Shamos, Dead Ringers), who is also his put-upon brother. From both 2021's first season and 2022's similarly smart, bright, astute and funny second effort, viewers already know the always-engaging Only Murders in the Building template from here. Season three still links back to the Arconia, still has its core trio scouring for hints and answers while feeding their podcast, still savvily satirises true-crime obsessions, and still charts Mabel, Oliver and Charles' ups and downs both individually and as a team. Using a theatre as a fellow setting doesn't simply mix things up, however, or work in ghosts and superstitions, precariously placed sandbags, a heap of new faces, and ample nooks and crannies. And, it's not only an excuse to also unfurl the third season as a hustle- and bustle-filled backstage piece as Oliver endeavours to rescue Death Rattle (complete with earworm-level musical numbers and the fact that the play is about a potentially homicidal baby). All of these things are true, and wonderfully and entertainingly weaved into the show. But season three also uses its jumps to Broadway to get the series and its main players pondering roles, performances and what represents a showstopper in their daily lives. Indeed, Only Murders in the Building isn't just warm and joyous because it celebrates the camaraderie of three unlikely pals discovering that life is a bit easier to handle — not to mention other people's deaths — when they have each other to lean on. It's cosy and delightful because it keeps deepening Mabel, Oliver and Charles amid the hunches, evidence hunts, red herrings, pointed fingers, annoyed cops and eager recordings, as aided by pitch-perfect performances by one of streaming's great current collaborations. Gomez, Short and Martin make that ace a threesome; whenever they're together, Only Murders in the Building could have them bickering and bantering about absolutely anything and it'd gleam. That said, as creators and writers, Martin and colleague John Hoffman (Grace and Frankie) aren't afraid to separate their main trio to explore who they truly are on their own and why they find such solace in each other, either. In season three, Mabel feels left out with Oliver and Charles getting all wrapped up in Death Rattle, for instance, and relies upon different partners in sleuthing. Navigating this change in the show's core dynamic delivers some of its most revelatory character insights — and, as always, thoughtful comedy. You can take Only Murders in the Building away from its namesake setting, even if temporarily, and it remains a gem. You can get its chief investigators going out on their own, again only fleetingly, and it's still a spirited unpacking of their friendship. And, this new season also makes plain that you can welcome a couple more megastars to the cast — in more than guest parts, pivotally — and everything still runs like comic clockwork. Rudd and Streep are dream additions, unsurprisingly. The former has a visible and hilarious blast leaning into Ben's egotistical ways and conveying why so many figures could've been responsible for his demise. The latter shimmers with melancholy among the suspects as Loretta faces the costs of a life spent chasing a dream. There are only wonderful star turns in this series, clearly — and you don't need to be a detective to come to that conclusion. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season three below: Only Murders in the Building's third season streams via Star on Disney+ from Tuesday, August 8. Read our full review of season two — and of the show's first season, too. Images: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
Melbourne has really thrown itself into Halloween festivities this year with a range of parties, gigs, film events, comedy and burlesque shows all being put on in honour of the spooky non-holiday. For most of us, Halloween is something we’re glad to get involved with, but rarely plan for. It always seems like a last-minute effort pulling together a costume or a happy accident that your favourite bar is throwing a horror-themed party. Whether you're putting the final touches on your ornately-crafted spooky outfit or have only just realised Halloween is actually this week, here are a few options. Gigs and Parties All right, ghosts and ghouls it’s time to bust out the bandages, pour on the fake blood, and work on your Count Dracula accent because the witching hour is nearly upon us. Our pick of the Halloween gigs for this year would have to be The Halloween Ball at The Forum, featuring local country lads Graveyard Train. For the uninitiated, Graveyard Train only sing horror-themed song such as 'Ballad for Beelzebub' and 'Even Witches Like To Go Out Dancing', which makes them the perfect choice for All Hallow's Eve. One band member even plays a hammer and chain for goodness sake. If you're after something a little more modern head down to the Liberty Social for I OH YOU & Converse Present: Halloween House of Hell. The night will feature indie bands and DJs including Straight Arrows, Sable, Bad//Dreems, UV Boi, City Calm Down, and Two Bright Lakes. It’s only 15 bones for entry, but there are no presales, so make sure you drop in at a decent time. Prizes are also up for grabs for best dressed so don’t hold back. While there are plenty of Halloween parties happening at bars all over the city, there are also a select few who have decided to celebrate the Mexican version, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). As part of Good Food Month, Howler will be transforming their beer garden with calaveras and piñatas for Howler Day of the Dead Mexican Takeover. Think tapas with a modern twist, slow-cooked meats, and cocktails. DJs and bands will also be pumping Mexican tunes to keep you in the festive mood. If you want to combine the best of both worlds, head to Fitzroy Beer Garden for Halloween VS Day Of The Dead. A dual celebration, Friday will be all about Halloween and Saturday will be Dia de los Muertos. Doors are open from midday both days, with $2 tacos, $2 tequila shots, face painting and plenty of DJs playing all weekend long. Even if you don’t come dressed like a zombie, you’re going to feel like one after this two-day bender. Movies, Comedy and Burlesque If you like to keep your festivities a little more low-key, there are plenty of shows you can attend without going the whole nine yards costume-wise. Cinema Nova are running fantastic movie marathons with Cultastrophe, and this Friday will bring the Halloween Creature Triple Feature. It includes John Carpenter’s In The Mouth Of Madness, '80s creature-feature Critters and Wes Craven’s cult classic Deadly Friend. There will also be a haunting pre-show, door prizes and scary movie trivia for those who know all about things that go bump in the night. Beyonce and Halloween finally come together at last with ZomBey Dance Fest. The night will feature Bey Dance girls doing their Mrs Carter thang for a spooky showcase and The Real Hot Bitches dance posse Yo Let’s Go '90s Dance Troupe. To keep the good times rolling, comedians Claire Hooper, Harley Breen, Luke McGregor, Backwards Anorak and Aunty Donna will also take the stage for some creepy comedy. If you feel like turning this night into an all-out rager, stick around for Andrew McClelland’s Finishing School and pull out your best Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance moves. Ticket money for the night will go to the Bey Dance crew finally funding the studio space of their dreams. For those looking to laugh until their sides spit, Joel Creasey’s Halloween Party at Newmarket Hotel is where it’s at. This is the fourth year Creasey has hosted a horror-infused comedy night for Halloween, and although costumes are optional there are prizes for best dressed. Halloween is notorious for bringing out the devil in all of us, so it’s no surprise there are a few burlesque events to coincide with October 31. The 86 are hosting two horrifyingly good things on Friday night, starting with Halloween Trivia at 7pm with Cherry Bites. At 10pm is Blood and Grind, a gore-filled burlesque show featuring Kerry X, Raven, Betty Blood, and plenty more. House Party Tips and Tricks Halloween house parties are the greatest for getting in the ghostly spirit without having to run around the CBD in your gory rags. If you need to organise a costume, or add the final touches, don't fret. There are a bunch of amazing places still stocked up to get you sorted. Rose Chong on Gertrude Street always has a fantastic selection of costumes and vintage pieces for any fancy dress occasion. If you have got an idea in your head tell the amazing team and they will help you assemble an outfit. Added bonus: on October 31, nail art whiz kids I Scream Nails will even be popping up in store to add that extra something to your scary/sexy outfit. If you're further up north, Centre Stage Costumes in Brunswick have accessories and makeup available as well as full costumes. They've put together some Zombie Make Up Kits with all the goods to make you look truly messed up. Alternatively, you can go nuclear at Costume Factory Melbourne (previously known as Fancy Dress Melbourne). These guys have everything from the kitsch to couture. Tucked away in Hardware Lane in the CBD, this is an excellent place to pick up a quick costume on the go. Once you've got the outfit sorted, it's time to turn to the haunted house. We suggest kicking it off with some bright green potion party punch. Mountain dew, lime cordial or Midori will start you off, everything else that goes in there is your call. Next is a killer playlist: don’t be afraid to get super cheesy and throw on 'Monster' by Kanye West, 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, the Ghost Busters theme song and of course, 'The Monster Mash'. Finish it off by splattering around some extra face paint, fake blood capsules and toilet rolls to make impromptu costumes for those who came unprepared. No one is too cool for Halloween. No one. Photo credits: danhollisterduck, the cherry blossom girl and --Mark-- via photopin cc.
With a promise to support artisan, organic, seasonal, wild crafted, handcrafted, sustainable, free range, ethical and nutrient dense produce, the focus at Little Sunflower Cafe in Elwood falls squarely on providing whole food, naturally. With ten years experience in the Melbourne hospitality industry, owners Angie Robertson and Grant Waters have quietly and confidently made their presence felt on Ormond Road since opening their doors in August. Serving up healthy, delicious food in a relaxed, mindful space, there are no pretensions at Little Sunflower. It's simple, calm and soul filling. And everyone there is just so gosh-darned nice. As such, there's a happy buzz at 8.30am as locals filter in and out. Angie is in the kitchen, but comes out with meals, greeting customers like an old friend. Little Sunflower is all blond wood, blue and yellow pastel patchwork chairs and jaunty cushions. If you like a bit of sun on your back, the window bench seating provides a curl-up cosy alternative to the smaller wooden tables or large communal table. Lovely final touches are the 102 planter vertical wall creating a green leafy celebration of nature juxtaposed with a charmingly simple cream faux pressed tin wall. The choice of name for the cafe is explained on the menu — they represent cheerfulness, as well as healing, vitality and longevity — as are the various terms and products used on the menu. But it doesn't feel like preaching; the information is merely there if you want it. Other than that, it's just good food, done well — and it tastes delicious. There's an all-day breakfast with a good variety of dishes. It is difficult to decide between dishes such as a breakfast salad packed with all the goodness of freekeh, avocado, watercress, spinach salad, rye croutons, puffed amaranth, bacon pieces and a poached egg ($15.50), or a warm black rice pudding with coconut milk, strawberries, banana, bee pollen and buckinis ($14.50). There are not one, but two types of granola: one raw and one toasted (both $13.90). The raw granola — soaked for three days to activate the nutrients — is crunchy and light, and the addition of coconut yoghurt, rose and rhubarb compote, and some edible flowers perched on top, is visually and nutritionally satisfying. If flavours can transport you elsewhere, this granola does so — it's a sunny day, the wind is tugging lightly at your hair, there's a soft floral fragrance in the air and life is definitely golden. There are also smaller offerings for those who don't like to start the day big. The chia, banana and coconut pudding ($8.90) or a corn tortilla taco with black beans, a sunny side-up egg and avocado salsa ($7.50) are both great breakfast snacks. Lunch features Buddha bowls: nutrient-packed bowls of delicious vibrant vegetables, legumes, grains, shoots and optional protein, served either hot or cold. To wash it all down, choose from cold pressed juice, super smoothies, Allpress coffee, or tea by Somage. This is health food without all the fanfare. Like a sunflower, it's cheerful and vibrant — and it's good.
Barbecue and smoked meat experts Fancy Hanks are at it again — after their highly successful pop-up, Majestic Hawker, where food was cooked over an open flame, they've decided to bring their stoveless concept back to Bourke Street. The Fancy Hanks team (Kent Bell, Mike Patrick, Daragh Kan and Myles Munro) have named this huge new Chinatown establishment Heroes. Opening in late May, it's inspired by their travels around the Malay Peninsula, as well as their experiences dining in Singaporean and Malaysian eating houses and beer gardens. The hawker-style food includes wings, skewers and barbecued meats, complete with a special Szechuan brisket that'll be smoked up the road at Fancy Hanks. Given that it's a barbecue bar, everything edible will come off the charcoal grill, accompanied by sides of steamed rice and pickles. Alicia Cheong, who grew up in the region's Singaporean and Malaysian food culture, will take on the role of chef and food advisor at the new venue — a throwback to her previous stints with Fancy Hanks and Majestic Hawker. Between devouring Cheong's dishes, you'll be able to sit back with a drink in the brightly coloured, rooftop beer garden, which will boast views over Chinatown. Beverages will span six rotating taps of craft and international beer, including Asahi; a wine list paired with the Asian barbecue flavours; and cocktails such as Heroes' version of a Singapore Sling and Chai Masala, as curated by Oscar Eastman of Loretta's and Eau de Vie. Plus, the venue will also fill its first two floors with private dining rooms and karaoke rooms, perfect for group hangouts. Yep, it looks like you'll be able to enjoy your entire night out here without leaving the building. Meanwhile, the decor mirrors the high-energy design the crew fell in love with on their travels — very '80s, a little Blade Runner-esque, and old world-meets-new world, too. In fact, Munro, Bell and Cheong picked up many of the bar's interior elements in Kuala Lumpur, rummaging "through dodgy junkyards, thieves' markets, pawn brokers, basement vintage flea markets — all the way to an old lady's backyard toilet," says Bell. Find Heroes at 188 Bourke Street, Melbourne from late May. Keep an eye on the venue's website and Facebook page for further details.
Take a trip down memory lane with the upcoming EziStreat x 91 Vintage Mini Night Market 3.0, as North Melbourne's food and drink hall will be turned into a vintage paradise on Saturday, May 18. Over 20 vintage and food stalls will provide a carefully curated assortment of pre-loved clothes, accessories and shoes, as well as delectable snacks. Vibes will be high thanks to live DJ sets, while drink specials like hot chocolate rum and house beer will also be available. Tickets are priced at $5, which you can now purchase via the ticketing website.
The opening moments of For Sama aren't easily forgotten. As journalist Waad Al-Kateab sings to infant Sama in their Aleppo home — a room in the city's only remaining volunteer hospital — in 2016, the sound of tank shells puncture her soothing tones. With her doctor husband Hamza, Waad and her daughter soon start to flee. As they rush hurriedly downstairs, a flash appears at the end of the hallway, filling the corridor with smoke. The trio make it to safety, huddling with others in the same situation. To keep Sama distracted as they wait out the attack, they play a game of peek-a-boo with the baby using their air-filtration face masks. Shot by Waad herself — For Sama's narrator, producer, cinematographer, co-director with Edward Watts and one of its subjects — this sequence kicks off this Oscar-nominated, Cannes-awarded, BAFTA-winning documentary as it means to go on. That said, in a film that doesn't shy away from the blood spilled, lives lost and bodies piled up during the ongoing Syrian Civil War, this introductory scene actually provides some of the movie's least confronting sights. Given how tough, fraught and tense the feature's first moments are, that speaks volumes about everything that follows. But difficult images and emotions are to be expected when peering into the lives of ordinary Syrians caught up in the country's seemingly ceaseless conflict, especially when detailed in such an intimate fashion. As the film's simple, personal and expressive title suggests, Waad has fashioned her documentary as a visual letter to her firstborn. A chronicle of Sama's time in the crumbling Aleppo, it's also an explanation, a time capsule and a portrait of a place that the Al-Kateabs passionately fought for. Using footage recorded since 2012 — when the Arab Spring initially sparked protests in Syria — Waad captures the war from her own viewpoint. Her skills as an activist and journalist are essential, but her role as a mother and the fact that she's a passionate, empathetic person prove even more important. Waad doesn't capture soldiers in battle, bombs being fired or buildings turning to ruins, instead focusing on her own efforts to simultaneously fight for her home, maintain a life and help many others in need. Piecing it all together via a poignant video diary, she also depicts the many others trying to do the same, as well as the casualties and consequences. Accordingly, this is a doco where children arrive at the hospital covered in blood, muck and dust from artillery fire, then leave crying as their siblings join the growing body count. It's a film where mothers scream with pain and fury, inconsolable about their losses but adamant that everything must be recorded in order to show the world what's happening. And, it's a movie where Waad is committed to battling for freedom however she can — by documenting the war, assisting at the hospital and, crucially, by refusing to run away — but still agonises over the choice to bring Sama into the world. Every second is heartwrenching. Every moment is devastating. Every frame stares into the on-the-ground nightmare, as relayed by someone experiencing it as it happens. While the conflict in Syria has understandably become a frequent cinematic topic — For Sama is just one of two films on the subject that were nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary — Waad's personal approach makes an enormously powerful impact. We watch as she evolves from economics student to married filmmaker and mother. We hear her thoughts, prayers and regrets. We feel her initial hope that Bashar al-Assad's Russian-backed dictatorship will come to an end, her fear when the shells and bombs keep raining down, and her seemingly impossible quest to balance her love of her country with her love for her fledgling family. And, we also watch as she records intimate, life-changing events around her, giving them the benefit of her eyewitness insight. In the latter category, footage of doctors working on a baby born via emergency caesarian ranks among the movie's many inclusions that audiences will want to both stare deeply at and instantly look away from. Jerky and jittery both emotionally and visually, there are no easy images here — even when Waad's handheld cinematography simply gazes at Sama's smiling face. There are no easy answers either, even though the utter horror of targeting civilians like Waad and her compatriots in war is never in doubt. A dedicated, distraught and despairing act of bearing witness, For Sama channels all of its energy into presenting a vital perspective — and one that's so routinely overlooked in tales of conflict. War is waged not just on nations, leaders and soldiers, but on ordinary people, mothers, children and babies, as this shattering film never lets slip out of view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BVhwx1RpA
If you're a Melbourne Airport regular, you'll know that it's one place where you can never be too spoilt for choice in the food and drinks department. And you'll probably be stoked to learn that ever-popular Collingwood brewery Stomping Ground will soon be among those choices. Having hosted a pop-up beer garden at the airport for the past two summers, the independent beer label is now set to become a permanent fixture, with plans to open a new brew bar inside Terminal 3 (a domestic terminal). Slated to be up and running by summer, the new venue will feature its own onsite six-hectolitre brewery system, alongside a modern beer hall designed by Studio Y – the same team that scooped a swag of awards for its work on Stomping Ground's original Gipps Street space. It'll also mark the first-ever independent on-site brewery to call an Australian airport home. Here, you'll be able to settle in pre-flight with a hearty snack, a range of Stomping Ground's core brews and even a few special-edition treats brewed on-site. There'll also be a fridge full of tinnies for take away. The brewpub's imminent arrival is just one part of a major hospitality refresh planned for Melbourne Airport's Terminals 2 and 3 in the coming months. Acclaimed chef Shane Delia will open his new concept Moors by Shane Delia here, Scott Pickett will unveil a new outpost of his produce-driven Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie, and coffee favourites Cobb Lane, Axil Coffee Roasters and Proud Mary are all set to call the airport home. Over in the international terminal, you'll find a new outpost of St Ali, too. News of this latest Stomping Ground project comes just one month after the brewery announced plans to open another brewpub as part of Moorabbin's historic Morris Moor development. Stomping Ground will open within Melbourne Airport's Terminal 3 this summer.
Social enterprise café and caterer Kinfolk is expanding, adding another venue to its name and making the love it spreads stretch a little further — launching a café called Sibling by Kinfolk in Carlton North. The organisation strives to create an inclusive community, counteracting social isolation via a volunteer-run, self-sufficient café, which donates all profits to its charity partners: Cathy Freeman Foundation and Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. The waitlist to volunteer at Kinfolk is long — some positive news in a world often overwhelmed with negative headlines — there are so many people wanting to join that prospective volunteers are often waiting for months. Currently, Kinfolk has 60 weekly volunteers, from more than 30 different countries, including those living with a disability, transitioning from prison, or seeking asylum. With the launch of Sibling, they'll be able to double the size of their volunteer program — providing guidance, support and a shared friendly space. Before the team launches Sibling, however, it needs the community's help to get it off the ground. What help exactly? It's crowdfunding $60,000 for the cause. $60K seems like a lot — well, it is — but the team has already passed the half-way mark, and is hoping to reach target by August 29. Also, you don't just get warm fuzzies in return for your donation — you get coffee, masterclasses, hampers, dinner and warm fuzzies. Donate $30 and you'll get a bag of Small Batch coffee, $50 will get you a composting masterclass, and $80 will get you a meal for two. Have more cash to splash? $465 will get you a handmade ceramic cup and three months of bottomless coffee at either venues. The crowdfunding campaign for Sibling by Kinfolk will wrap up on Wednesday, August 29. To donate, head to startsomegood.com. Image: Kinfolk
We're still not sure if Australian Bacon Week is a gimmick or not, but — if we're being honest — we don't really care. We're happy to support Australian bacon as long as it's supporting us (by being a delicious wunderkind of the meat world, that is). Want to get involved? Grab your fork. This year, it's Huxtable and Huxtaburger that are bringing home the bacon and using it two create two unique dishes that showcase the holy piece of pork. For the week of June 22-28, both venues will be serving up a limited edition bacon dish to celebrate Australian Bacon Week. Huxtable will be plating up a cider braised kaiserfleisch with buttered cabbage and sweet mustard sauce for $26 (a.k.a. fancy bacon), while over at Huxtabuger, the guys will be flippin' their first ever BLT ($10). It's the Huxtaburger that you know and love, filled with a wagyu pattie, double smoked Istra bacon, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard mayonnaise. Don't forget the side order of chips with super spesh bacon salt. Or just mill around Smith Street for the smell. Plus, we hear that Messina up the road is bringing their Kevin Bacon special back especially for Bacon Week. That's maple and whiskey gelato with a candied bacon crunch, so go the whole hog and eat bacon for dessert too.
The 40th parallel is much more than simply a line of latitude spanning the distance of America from East to West; and Bruce Myren's photographs of it are much more than just photos. The line N 40° 00' 00'' bisects the country from New Jersey's shore crossing through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, over the border between Nebraska and Kansas, following on past Colorado, Utah, Nevada and finally finishing in California. Myren is not only capturing the stunning surroundings of these landscapes, but is trying to understand and portray the "human desire to create systems and then locate ourselves within them". The fortieth parallel north is a tool for measurement, as well as acting as the baseline for creating homesteads and townships, functioning as a useful marker during Western settlement. The project began as a fairly small and basic undertaking, using maps to identify the areas because GPS's were not widely available during that time. However, as geographical technology began to grow and develop, so too did Myren's photo series. Using an 8 x 10 Deardoff camera and colour transparency film, Myren produced panoramas by snapping three shots moving from left to right then adding them together during editing. The photographer is aiming to take a landscape panorama shot at every longitudinal point along the line, adding up to a total of 52 locations and images, spaced roughly 53 miles apart from each other. So far he has captured 28 stunning images of these locations. Here are 10 of the inspired images from his series, aimed to make you "consider the history of landscape photography, American development , but most importantly [your] own relationship to place." N 40° 00' o0'' W 109° 00' 00", Rangely, Colorado, 2000 N 40° 00' 00" W 108° 00' 00", Meeker, Colorado, 2000 N 40° 00' 00" W 101° 00' 00", Ludell, Kansas, 2011 N 40° 00' 00" W 98° 00' 00", Webber, Kansas, 2007 N 40° 00' 00" W 97° 00' 00", Hollenberg, Kansas, 2007 N 40° 00' 00" W 95° 00' 00", Fillmore, Missouri, 2007 N 40° 00' 00" W 93° 00' 00", Winigan, Missouri, 2011 N 40° 00' 00" W 81° 00' 00", Belmont, Ohio, 1999 N 40° 00' 00" W 76° 00' 00", Gap, Pennsylvania, 1999 N 40° 00' 00" W 74° 03' 32", Normandy Beach, New Jersey, 1998
The capital of Malaysia and home of the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world, Kuala Lumpur is a thriving hub that offers an intriguing melting pot of cultures — the name literally translates as 'the point where two rivers join'. The weave of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures ultimately makes for an extraordinary food experience — you'll regularly encounter fragrant clouds of spice and find restaurants overflowing at any hour of the day. For those with limited time, the city's compact centre and accessible public transport makes it a breeze to tick off all the good bits. To save even more time, here's how to spend 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur. WHERE TO STAY Element Kuala Lumpur is the fourth tallest building in KL and one of the newest properties. The property is ideal for larger groups with several suites offering two or three bedrooms and fully-functional kitchens. Guests also have easy access to the metro system and sights like KLCC Park and the Petronas Twin Towers in walking distance. Sustainability is a key focus of the property; water filters are fitted in every room to deter the purchase of plastic water bottles, the pool uses saline over chlorine and the onsite restaurant can link every single ingredient back to its origin. Found 40 floors up, TRACE — a "sky dining venue" — has views to write home about. Western-fusion is the overarching theme. The breakfast buffet ticks every single box; as well as all the early morning classics you'll encounter a noodle and dim sum station, fresh pastries and pure honeycomb. During lunch and dinner service traditional dishes are given a contemporary spin. [caption id="attachment_639376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] McKay Savage[/caption] EAT AND DRINK With such a great commingling of cultures food is always going to be a main attraction. The burning question is: what to order? The staples are a good place to start: piping hot curry laksa, banana leaf rice served with a variety of vegetables and curry, fall-apart Hainanese chicken rice (a safe option for those not down with spice) and roti canai which you can pick up for pennies. For something a little blurrier on tourist maps, the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery is somewhere you can find inner peace and load up on a vegetarian banquet at the same time. Found down the side of a Chinese Buddist temple, the buffet of all buffets is open from 11.30 - 2.30pm daily. Fill a plate from 20-30 local vegetarian options for just over $1. With that price you can be sure that it gets busy; expect to wait in line and don't expect to find a seat with friends. And as you stumble out in a food coma just be wary that tourists aren't allowed to enter the temple. Between unassuming hole-in-the-wall joints and shiny tourist eateries, finding exactly the right spot to eat can be a task. Found in the popular shopping district Bukit Bintang, Lot 10 Hutong is a reliable option and what many consider to be the best food court in KL. Flaunting every single type of hawker-style food you can imagine, you'll be more than spoilt for choice — just be sure to look around the entire subterranean eating spot before making a decision. The fried Char Kuey Teow noodles are a major attraction. As the locals say, there are only two season in KL: hot and really hot. Humidity is a given and there's no better way to combat the extreme sweaty heat than by grabbing an ice-cold drink. Teh tarik (sweet pulled tea) is the number one beverage of choice and can be served either hot or cold. For something entirely different, there's the drink fondly referred to as 'Michael Jackson'. The soya milk drink comes on ice with floating grass jelly that gives off a herbaceous flavour and provides an odd mouth sensation — for lovers of bubble tea. SEE AND DO Dominating the skyline, the Petronas Towers are the main attraction of KL and no trip would be complete without a photo in front or a journey up to the 86th floor. Tickets are released on a first-come, first-served basis so booking ahead is recommended. For that reason you should grab a skip-the-line ticket. The towers are most popular from sunset through until closing time when the majestic skyline is glowing. On the first and third Sunday of each month the major streets of the city's Golden Triangle are closed off to cars as a way for residents to stay healthy and give mother nature a rest. Open to cyclists and runners, the seven-kilometre loop starts from Dataran DBKL and makes its way around the twin towers and back. It's a great way to navigate the city without having to constantly be on guard for traffic. Around 150 loan bicycles are provided by organisers on a first-come, first-served basis — be sure to take ID. Any tourist map will point you in the direction of the Petaling Street Chinese markets. Those in the market for dirt-cheap knock-offs will have no trouble finding something here, as long as you have the patience to barter. A more relaxing environment to pick up souvenirs is the Central Market. Just a short walk away from Chinatown, the market offers air-conditioning, smaller crowds, free Wi-Fi and practically the same prices. A 20-minute drive from the city centre you'll find the Batu Caves. Overseen by the world's tallest statue of Hindu war god, Murugan, the temple boasts 272 steps up to deep limestone chasm which has gradually been created by wind and waves. A large continent of macaques rule the site so make sure you don't have any food or drink on you unless entirely concealed — you'll need a drink at the top. GETTING THERE AirAsia flies daily to Kuala Lumpur from Auckland, starting from $269 one way economy. The mentioned attractions were booked through TripAdvisor. Feature image: I Gunawan
UPDATE: JUNE 22, 2020 — The Arts Centre Melbourne has decided to postpone its partial reopening because of the new restrictions on capacities (20 compared to the initial 50). We'll let you know when a new date is announce.d This month, life is going to be a little more normal for Melburnians. From today, Monday, June 1, restaurants, cafes and pubs are reopening for dine-in service, you can have 20 people over and you can head on a regional holiday — just in time for the long weekend, too. Plus, a little later in the month, we'll be allowed to, once again, visit many of the city's cultural institutions. While Premier Daniel Andrews said that the reopening of art galleries, historic sites, libraries and museums is permissible from June 1, Melbourne's major cultural institutions today announced that they won't officially reopen till Saturday, June 27, to coincide with the upcoming school holidays. Similarly to restaurants and cafes, they'll need to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and will be allowed one visitor per four square metres. The list of late-June reopenings includes the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum, State Library Victoria, IMAX Melbourne and Scienceworks. The Immigration Museum is slated to reopen in August. If you want to borrow or return a library book sooner, The City of Melbourne is reopening six libraries — City Library, Library at the Dock, Kathleen Syme Library, North Melbourne Library, Southbank Library and East Melbourne Library — from Tuesday, June 9. https://www.facebook.com/museumvictoria/photos/a.373399576234/10157452865101235/?type=3 As capacity is limited, time-allotted visits will be essential, with many of the galleries and museums requiring pre-purchased tickets. Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks tickets will go on sale from June 22, which you can book via the Museums Victoria website. For IMAX Melbourne, head here for ticket sale updates. The NGV's strategy will include free timed ticketing and "appropriate queue management". Melbourne's major art and cultural institutions have been closed to the public since mid-March. So, in order to keep a sense of connection going — between artist and audience, venue and punter — many institutions made the transition to digital. There's the NGV's series of virtual tours and drawing classes, Melbourne Museum's at-home digital content, the State Library's 19,000-strong e-book collection and the Victorian Government's new online hub of comedy, live music and film screenings, to name a few, which will continue for the meantime. Top image: Scienceworks 'Beyond Perception' courtesy of Museums Victoria and Benjamin Heally.
If you care about your 'do then hairdresser Leanne Peddle has got you covered at Henry Lee Barbershop — which may or may not be named after the Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds song. The place quickly became a local favourite soon after it opened and is known far and wide among well-kept northsiders as one of the best places to go when you need a precision cut, beard trim or an old-school shave with a refreshing hot towel. Customers are welcomed into the shop with a cold beer, and are charged based on hair length and service, rather than gender. The best part? Dogs are welcome, so your furry friend can come too. Image: Simon Shiff.
Sometimes tour news is so huge and demand for tickets is so feverish that the details change before anyone has even snapped up a ticket. It happened with blink-182's upcoming 2024 tour. It was the same with Lizzo's visit this past winter, and also with The Weeknd's forthcoming trip Down Under from November. Now, it's also proven the case with Zach Bryan's first-ever Australian gig. A Melbourne exclusive, Bryan's Aussie debut was set for St Kilda's Catani Gardens; however, organisers have swiftly realised that that space won't be big enough. So, before tickets even go on sale — with pre sales from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, October 5 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Friday, October 6 — Bryan's gig has been moved to Flemington Racecourse. The date of the show is still the same: Saturday, December 9. That's when the 'Something in the Orange' singer and Oologah, Oklahoma native will hit the Victorian capital for statewide music celebration Always Live, which runs for 17 days — and also features Christina Aguilera doing a one-off Down Under show, plus exclusive Eric Prydz and Jai Paul gigs as well. Expect the biggest name in country music right now to give his 2022 American Heartbreak album a hefty spin when he takes the stage in Melbourne. Although he released two records prior — 2019's DeAnn and 2020's Elisabeth — his third album marked his major-label debut, and also the reason that Bryan has become such a sensation. Among Bryan's recent feats, American Heartbreak premiered in the top spot on America's Billboard 200. 'Something in the Orange' has now stayed in the charts longer than any single by a male country artist. In Australia, Bryan has earned that same achievement in the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart for all country artists. And his streaming numbers? In excess of 6.8 billion worldwide. As he's been taking his American Heartbreak tour around the US — including stops at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits — Bryan has been smashing attendance records, too. So, the Melbourne change of venue isn't that surprising. In his first Australian stint, he'll also have tracks from his latest album to play, with the self-titled Zach Bryan releasing in August. Among the tunes: collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, The War and Treaty, and Sierra Ferrell. Being brought Down Under by Untitled Group, which is also behind Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands and Ability Fest, Bryan's just-announced spot on the Always Live bill is his only currently scheduled gig in Australia. The statewide music celebration's full lineup includes more than 165 artists at 60-plus events — all, of course, in Victoria. Always Live 2023 runs from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 10, with one pre-festival gig on Saturday, October 14. For more information, and to get tickets, head to the festival website. Zach Bryan will play Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, December 9, with pre sales from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, October 5 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Friday, October 6.
Dishing up the goods all round, the Vale Bar & Eatery is what you'd call Ascot Vale's quintessential neighbourhood haunt. And, with its dapper fit-out, wide-ranging offering and cheery local charm, it's an easy one to love. For the booze-inclined, choice is in strong supply, with craft beers galore, a 150-strong wine selection and a solid crop of Japanese whisky starring behind the bar. Meanwhile, a cocktail list heroes classics, alongside modern creations that showcase oft-underrated grape-based spirits. Try the Flor-less Cobbler, blending Olorosso sherry with gin, blueberry and hibiscus. To match, you'll find a share-friendly lineup of grazing plates, loaded tasting boards and pizzas, featuring combinations like gorgonzola with hot salami, caramelised onion and bacon ($21), and pork sausage with rosemary-covered potatoes ($20). Post-dinner snacks will most likely feature cheese, thanks to Vale's late-night wine and cheese offer, which give you free cheese with every bottle of vino purchased after 9pm on Fridays. This spot's even sure to have the local pooches on side, with its specialty dog menu: a lineup of preservative-free snacks and eats from Trav's Treats, the profits of which go to support the Lost Dogs' Home.
Shimmering glacial lakes, stunning wildflower meadows, enchanting snow gum forests and mountainous vistas that seem to go on forever — the Snowy Mountains is home to some of the most varied and magical scenery in Australia. And there's so much more to see outside of the chilly season. Spring, summer and autumn are ideal for exploring freely, unhindered by snow, ice and bitter winds. Whether you're a coffee cruiser who likes your hikes short and easy or a hardcore adventurer keen to conquer as many peaks as possible in a day, here are five spectacular hiking trails in the Snowy Mountains that you really should try before Jack Frost comes around again. MT KOSCIUSZKO SUMMIT WALK This exhilarating walk carries you to the highest point in Australia: the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, 2228 metres above sea level. Its eighteen kilometres start at Charlotte's Pass, then follow the Old Summit Road, surrounding you with epic views of the Australian Alps and the Bogong Peaks Wilderness much of the way. Stop by the Snowy River for a picnic, spend a moment in the Seaman's Hut (built in 1929) and leave yourself plenty of time to wander among wildflowers, rock formations and snow gums. For a more challenging adventure, take the alternative Main Range Walk, a 22-kilometre loop that passes some stunning glacial lakes. If you're looking for less of a challenge (but equally stunning valley views) take the Express Chairlift — it's a scenic 15-minute, two-kilometre ride from Thredbo almost all the way to Mount K. NICHOLS GORGE WALKING TRACK You'll need a torch to make the most of this wondrous, seven-kilometre loop. That's because within 500 metres of setting out, you'll come across Cooleman Cave — and it's pitch black inside. The next section — dotted with ancient fossils of brachiopods and sea lilies — journeys along Cave Creek before traversing plains covered in snow grass and backdropped by the rugged Gurrangorambla Range and Tom O'Rourkes Peak. Along the way, expect to pass numerous views of breathtaking Nichols Gorge, and look out for wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead. The track starts at Blue Waterholes Campground in the High Plains area of Kosciuszko National Park. Fair warning: you'll be tempted to sleep over and visit Clarke Gorge the following day so plan ahead. DEAD HORSE GAP WALKING TRACK This spectacular five-kilometre track transports you 600 metres above Thredbo Valley and across part of the Australian Alps Walking Trail, a 655-kilometre adventure that crosses the country's highest peaks. Start at either end: Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way or at the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift in Thredbo. Whichever you choose, you'll spend your time immersed in snow gum forests, alpine heath and meadows dotted with native herbs, all the while surrounded by dramatic Ramshead Range. Alternatively, walk from Thredbo Village through the golf course and onto the Thredbo River Track. THREDBO VALLEY TRAIL While Dead Horse Gap Track puts you above Thredbo Valley, this 17-kilometre one-way trail allows you to explore its depths. What's more, it's shared, so you can jump on a bike for something different. Your escapade begins at Thredbo Village, follows Thredbo River and crisscrosses at several points via suspension bridges. Snow gum forests and tall mountain gum woods interweave with open grasslands, and if you're especially observant, you might spot a 400-year-old mountain plum pine or two. There is the option to catch your own lunch, so try your luck at catching a fish along the way. The trail ends at Bullocks Hut, but you can continue to Lake Crackenback Resort or shorten your adventure by using an access point, such as Thredbo Diggings Campground or Ngarigo Campground. [caption id="attachment_661587" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] YARRANGOBILLY CAVES WALK Most people associate Yarrangobilly Caves with strolls into dark caverns and along meandering rivers, but this two-kilometre walk gives you quite the opposite: grand, head-clearing views. Strap up your boots at Glory Hole carpark, from where you should follow the road leading into Yarrangobilly Valley, before turning off at the Bluff Lookout sign. Just 150 metres later, you'll find yourself staring out over Yarrangobilly Caves House, backdropped by dramatic limestone formations and wilderness. Do note that the trail gets steep in places, so you'll need some fitness, willpower and water on your side. The good news is that the return trip is an easy 500 metres, all downhill and ending up at a picnic area with free electric barbies. Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from jam-packed adventures to culinary excursions and so much more.
Fancy Hanks has long been one of Melbourne's premiere destinations when it comes to old-school American-style barbecue. But if you think that's the only string to their bow, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Taking over an Abbotsford warehouse for two nights in July, Hank's Majestic Hawker pop-up will see the brisket and pulled pork substituted for an array of Singaporean dishes — including soy marinated chicken wings with chilli vinegar, sambal stingray served in banana leaf, rice noodles with Chinese sausage, fishcake and egg, and fried banana fritters with pandan coconut ice-cream. Turns out Americans aren't the only ones who know their way around a charcoal grill. Fittingly, the chef in charge of the pop-up is none other than Alicia Cheong, who previously ran Hank's kitchen when they were based at The Mercat Cross Hotel. Cheong is back in Melbourne after a year-long stint at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Par Andre in her native Singapore. But Cheong isn't Hank's only South East Asian connection — co-owner Daragh Kan's father was born in Malaysia. "My childhood holidays were mainly spent having satay eating competitions with my brothers at hawker centres," he says. Tickets to Majestic Hawker cost $30 for three dishes — a one from the BBQ, one from the wok, and one for dessert. For $50 you also get drinks included, with both beers and cocktails on offer.
Think of your favourite major events that have happened across the country — chances are Gill Minervini had something to do with them. The legendary creative director has been behind some of Australia's best festivals and parties. So, when you're wanting to bring some excitement to local communities, Minervini should be your first call. Wanting to encourage Aussies to support small, local businesses that have done it tough this year, American Express did just that. We recently spoke with Minervini about this special partnership — read on to learn about her creative process and the small businesses she loves supporting. [caption id="attachment_762640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winter Feast, Dark Mofo by Remi Chauvin[/caption] HER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS It's hard to play favourites when you've been at the helm of many of Australia's best events in the past two-plus decades. Minervini has been involved in Adelaide Festival, Sydney Lunar New Year and Art and About Sydney to name but a few. The ones that she seems most proud of are those that really drove positive change. "I was the first professional festival director that Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras had," Minervini says. This was in the late 80s and early 90s, which Minervini describes as the "golden era". "We were really crashing through some of those political barriers, and I'm very proud of the work I did there," she continues. Another career highlight was the birth of Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, now a beloved highlight of Tasmania's annual winter festival. "It brought together all the things I love: food, music, events, outdoor activations, community," Minervini says. "We didn't know if it would work or not. Clearly, it did." And, of course, one of her career highlights is still to come. In April 2021, Minervini was appointed one of her most exciting roles to date: Festival Director of Vivid Sydney. However, with the festival postponed till 2022, she's yet to make her Vivid debut. "I'm really looking forward to my first Vivid. We're working on programming that now" she tells us. THE SILVER LININGS OF LOCKDOWN It's impossible to discuss a career in the arts right now without acknowledging the big COVID-shaped elephant in the room. The past two years of lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions have decimated an industry already struggling. But, Minervini suggests, there are some silver linings to be found — for herself, for the industry and for audiences. "It's given me a lot more time in the planning and research phase. It's made audiences a lot more grateful in terms of the vast array of live events we have and what it looks like when they're not there," she says. "That sense of anticipation is a positive thing. It's going to take a while to recover, a lot of people have left the industry. But the renaissance is coming." HER CREATIVE PROCESS Minervini's mention of planning piques our curiosity. How does she approach the mammoth task of producing a creative event, be it a big citywide affair or a small activation? Where do you even begin? "It's really about research. It sounds boring but it's the most fascinating part of the job for me," says Minervini. "I always try to pare it back to: what is the story that we want to tell? And, most importantly, who are we trying to tell it to? It's that simple and that complicated. Finding that overriding narrative is really crucial. If you get that right, people will connect with it." Minervini also places a lot of importance on working with community members — from Indigenous leaders to LGBTQIA+ voices — to ensure their stories are central. "I try to make sure I'm as collaborative as I can be and that there's a sense of ownership and a sense of self-determination in terms of working with diverse communities. When you do that, the resulting event has a lot more power," she says. [caption id="attachment_836896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Handsom[/caption] HER FESTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS Minervini's creative process was practiced in her recent partnership with American Express. The brand enlisted Minervini to create spectacularly festive installations in the shop windows of Sydney's Collector Store and Art on King and Melbourne's Handsom for two important reasons. The first: to bring a dose of festive joy to local communities. And the second: to encourage Aussies to shop up a storm at small businesses that have done it tough this year. As a small business advocate, Minervini jumped at the opportunity. "It seemed like a match made in heaven," she says. She began by interviewing the business owners to understand their backgrounds, the shops' histories, the communities they operate within and their customers. The creative direction Minervini landed on was 'Great Things Come in Small Packages'. "These shops are small but there are amazing things in them. Things you wouldn't find anywhere else," she says. Designer James Dide then took Minervini's concept and put it into reality. The end result was three vibrant wreaths handmade out of paper through 3D printing — each completely unique and reflective of the shop they represent. "Each of the wreaths has elements of the area that the shop is in and elements of what they sell. For example, Art on King has some real urban elements in the wreath, everything from the local buses that run up King Street to birds of the area and telegraph poles," says Minervini. "Handsom had a really interesting take on what they love at Christmas time and what they sell in the store. The shopkeepers met in Ibiza, so some of the designs of their clothes are really inspired by Spanish summer vibes. So we really picked up on the colours, Spanish fans, stars, candles and florals." Collector Store's wreath is trying to convey the Aussie Christmas experience with florals, cockatoos, Australian natives and cocktail glasses, with Minervini saying it has "a real summery vibe". [caption id="attachment_836146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Collector Store[/caption] HER FAVOURITE SMALL BUSINESSES Minervini's passion for small business is evident all throughout our chat. She partly attributes this to having come from a family of small business owners (publicans to be precise), but also to the unmatched experience one can expect from a small business. "If we lose those small local shops, we lose the diversity of what's on offer to us," she says. "The three shops that we're doing these installations in are a really good example of the curation of goods that you won't find anywhere else. You get an individualised experience." So, where in Sydney will she be hitting up for her Christmas gift shopping? "I'm a big reader and I love giving books, so I love Better Read Than Dead and Pentimento. And I'll be going to Collector. They have some of the most luxe towels — that's my present to myself," she says. [caption id="attachment_820890" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casa Mia Osteria by Kitti Gould[/caption] HER SUMMER PLANS After such a busy and tumultuous year, it's safe to assume Minervini deserves a break (hell, we all do). And she has some pretty enviable plans for the next few weeks. "I will be doing a lot of swimming, a lot of reading and a lot of eating," she says. As an inner west local, she mentions a couple of restaurants that she'll be frequenting over this time: much-loved vegan pizzeria Gigi and King Street newcomer Casa Mio Osteria. "It's just brilliant," she says of the latter. She also plans to check out lots of Sydney Festival, which kicks off on January 6, and then "back to work because Vivid will be here very soon". After two long years without Sydney's favourite festival of lights and ideas, we can't wait to see what Minervini has in store for next year's program. Shop Small this festive season and spend at least $100 with a small business. This small action will help inject an additional $2 billion into the sector to help it recover. To learn about American Express and the Shop Small initiative, visit here.
It started back in 1956 as a singing contest between a mere seven nations. Now, more than six decades later, Eurovision is a glitter and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Forty-one countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere compete — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse each May to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their playlists. But with COVID-19 continuing to spread, the show won't go on in 2020. Due to take place in Rotterdam, this year's Eurovision Song Contest won't be delayed or rescheduled — it has completely been cancelled. In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union explained that it had explored other alternatives, such as postponing, staging it remotely and running it without an audience, but there was no other viable option. "The uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe — and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities — means the EBU has taken the difficult decision to not continue with the live event as planned," it announced. With big event cancellations and postponements coming through with frequency at the moment — including SXSW, Coachella, Dark Mofo, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Vivid Sydney and Glastonbury, to name a few — scrapping Eurovision 2020 is hardly surprising. It'll still come as a disappointment to fans, however, especially given the contest would've been perfect self-isolating viewing material. And, it's obviously disappointing for the artists already selected by their countries to try to sing their way to glory, such as Aussie talent Montaigne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974&feature=emb_logo While the EBU is still working through the ramifications of cancelling this year's Eurovision, it is in discussions with the City of Rotterdam about hosting the event next year. The Netherlands earned the right to stage Eurovision 2020 when Dutch singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence won the 2019 contest with the song 'Arcade' — as is Eurovision tradition, each year's winning country hosts the next year's event. Also under discussion is whether this year's selected artists can perform when the contest returns in 2021 and, if so, whether they can sing their 2020 songs. The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest will no longer be held in May 2020, or at all in 2020. 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.
In a year already filled with huge tour news Down Under, Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye dropping plans to hit both Australia and New Zealand before 2023 is out is up there with the biggest — and concertgoers clearly agree. The Canadian singer-songwriter and The Idol star only announced his Aussie and Aotearoa dates on Tuesday, August 22, and general tickets aren't due to go on sale until Friday, September 1, but he's already doubled the number of shows that he'll be playing in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. This arena spectacular will now play two nights apiece in each of the four cities across November and December, with the second dates immediately after the first in every spot. The extra gigs will join a tour that's been notching up soldout shows far and wide. In the UK, The Weekend saw 160,000 folks head to London Stadium across two nights, smashing the venue's attendance record. And in Milan, he became the first artist to sell out the Ippodromo La Maura for two nights. Those feats are just the beginning. In Paris, he scored Stade de France's biggest sales this year — and in Nice, the 70,000 tickets sold across his two shows are the most in the city's history. Will his Down Under dates add to his record-breaking run? Australia in particular has been loving the return of huge international tours. See: the Taylor Swift frenzy. And, if more shows are already being added to the 'Starboy', 'I Feel It Coming', 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills' and 'Blinding Lights' artist's visit before the general on-sale date, fans are obviously mighty excited. The reason for the extra Aussie and Aotearoa gigs is the massive demand during the Vodafone pre-sale. And the reason for the whole tour, other than just because, is to celebrate The Weeknd's 2020 record After Hours and its 2022 followup Dawn FM. Obviously, he'll be playing tracks from 2013's Kiss Land, 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness and 2016's Starboy as well. In support across The Weeknd's four Down Under shows: Mike Dean and Chxrry22. The tour will help a good cause, too, other than your need to see The Weeknd live. The artist has been contributing funds for his shows to the United Nations World Food Programme's XO Humanitarian Fund, as one of the organisation's Goodwill Ambassador, raising over $1 million from his Europe run alone. THE WEEKND'S 'AFTER HOURS TIL DAWN TOUR' 2023: Monday, November 20–Tuesday, November 21 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Friday, November 24–Saturday, November 25 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Friday, December 1–Saturday, December 2 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Thursday, December 7–Friday, December 8 — Eden Park, Auckland The Weeknd is touring Australia and New Zealand in November and December 2023. For more information, and for pre-sale tickets for the second shows on Thursday, August 31, then general tickets from Friday, September 1 — all at staggered times depending on the city — head to the tour website.
Another day, another new streaming service, or that's how it feels these days. When Tubi joins the ever-growing ranks of online platforms vying for Australian eyeballs, however, it'll boast a significant point of difference — it's free. Already up and running in the US and Canada, where audiences viewed more than 94 million hours of its content in May alone, Tubi is an ad-supported on-demand video service. Few things in life truly cost nothing, so, while this streamer doesn't ask for any of your hard-earned cash, it will make you sit through commercials. For your troubles, you'll get access to almost 7000 movies and TV shows when the service launches in Australia on Sunday, September 1. That number is due to grow, too, with the Aussie service aiming to reach 15,000 titles — which is what's currently offered on the US service — over time. If you're keen to get spooked by Hansel and Gretel, sing along to Hairspray and Purple Rain or watch Jean-Claude Van Damme unleash his martial arts skills in Lionheart, you'll be able to do without paying a cent from this weekend. As this range of flicks makes plain, Tubi doesn't focus on new releases, with fellow retro movies such as Dirty Dancing, I Am Sam and Young Guns also on the lineup. To access the streaming platform, you can head to Tubi's website or use most internet-connected screen devices — including Samsung televisions, Apple TV, Telstra TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Apple iOS, Android tablets and smartphones, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. And if you're feeling spoiled for viewing choice at the moment, that's because Australia is in the midst of a streaming boom. Disney+ is due to launch in November, Apple TV+ should arrive sometime in spring, documentary service iWonder hit earlier this year, and everything from Netflix, Stan and Amazon Prime Video to Ozflix, DocPlay and Kanopy are already operational, just to name a few services. We're still waiting for horror-focused service Shudder, though, after it announced last year that it was heading to our shores. Tubi launches in Australia on Sunday, September 1. For more information, or to sign up, visit the service's website.
If you're the type of traveller — or staycationer — who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you'll be particularly excited about the latest addition to Melbourne's accommodation offerings. Originally slated to launch in May, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer has now opened its doors, marking the Swiss brand's second site in Australia, after Mövenpick Hotel Hobart. And if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes; they're very much part of the hotel's menu. For starters, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne is celebrating chocolate hour every afternoon, from 3.30–4.30pm. That's when guests can tuck into complimentary desserts ranging from mini ice cream cones, to chocolate petit fours, to ice cream sandwiches. You can even dial up the indulgence factor with a few chocolate cocktails or the signature chocolate ice cream parfait. Mövenpick's hotels all serve the brand's line of food and beverages as well, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is also available. Also onsite, you'll find the dedicated Mövenpick Cafe, along with newly opened modern Asian restaurant Miss Mi, which is plating up a bold, vibrant menu by Head Chef Esca Khoo (Dinner by Heston, Longrain, Lûmé). The 172-room hotel will sate your appetite for style, too, its elegantly appointed suites boasting premium linens, photography works from the likes of Steve Scalone and Sean Mcdonald, and contemporary bathrooms complete with rain showers and Yuni Beauty products. And those wanting to work off any overindulgences can hit the hotel's dedicated recreation floor, home to a 25-metre swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and gym. Housed within the new 78-storey Premier Tower development on Spencer Street, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne is one of more than 80 of the brand's accommodation sites worldwide. Find Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer at 160 Spencer Street, Melbourne. Head to the Accor website for bookings and other information.
Feel the grass beneath your feet and the breeze on your face, as the silver screen lights up at this multi-venue outdoor cinema. After springing to life in Portsea in 2016, Barefoot Cinema now also screens films in Mount Martha and Elsternwick over summer. It all kicks off on Boxing Day. First stop is Point Nepean National Park in Portsea from December 26 through until January 8. Films on offer include some of 2018's biggest hits, including Crazy Rich Asians and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, along with older fare such as Pulp Fiction Next it's off to the Mount Martha on the Peninsula, where movies like Grease and The Lion King will be paired with more recent films like Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman will screen from January January 11–27. Finally, Barefoot Cinema will arrive at Elsternwick's Rippon Lea Estate with a lineup of yet to be determined titles from January 31 until February 16. In addition to movies, Barefoot Cinema will feature live music, food trucks, a candy bar, local wines, and craft beers from Gage Roads. For more information about Barefoot Cinema, go here.
He captured imaginations and made his artistic mark with big-screen hits like The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. And, he once designed a Milan cafe that resembled one of his film sets. In the coming months, he'll release his new stop-motion animated movie Isle of Dogs — but that's not all that acclaimed director Wes Anderson is working on. Known for his visual distinctive style and fondness for symmetry, Anderson will also take his creative vision into the art world, playing museum curator alongside his partner, set designer and illustrator Juman Malouf. The pair have been invited to put together an exhibition for Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, which you've got to admit looks like it's been plucked from a dreamy Anderson flick itself. The exhibition is set to kick off this September and run until January 2019, featuring a broad collection of in-house artifacts, as chosen by the creative couple. Pieces like historical musical instruments, suits of armour, foreign antiques, carriages and sleighs will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue — sure to be a swoon-worthy piece of art in its own right. Via architecturaldigest.in. Image: Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf in the Picture Gallery, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna © KHM-Museumsverband .
Want to invest in crypto but aren't sure where to begin? Or are you already investing and want to avoid paying those pesky trading fees? Whether you're a crypto pro or total novice, you can now start investing in crypto sans trading fees via the Finder app. To celebrate the launch of Finder's new fee-free crypto-trading function, it's throwing a Bitcoin Drop Party where it'll be giving away a share of Bitcoin to everyone who signs up to the app. Once you've joined, you'll then have the chance to score even more Bitcoin via daily prize drops until the virtual party wraps up at 5pm on Monday, March 7. There's $200,000 worth of Bitcoin in total to be won, so don't worry, there's plenty to go round. Keen to join the party and to nab yourself some free Bitcoin while you're at it? The Finder Bitcoin Drop Party is happening online until 5pm, Monday, March 7. For more information and to read the terms and conditions, visit the website.
First, the obvious news: in 2021, Falls Festival won't be unleashing a huge end-of-year music lineup. This'll mark the second year in a row that the event hasn't gone ahead, after skipping its usual December/January slot in the summer of 2020–21 due to the pandemic, too. But, come this time next year, Falls will be gearing up for its big comeback. Festival organisers have announced that Falls will return for the summer of 2022–23, so get circling in your diary now. That said, there'll be a few changes — including skipping its usual Tasmanian leg in Marion Bay, and also moving from Lorne in Victoria as well. Tassie is no longer on the agenda for Falls' next fests, while the Victorian event will move to Pennyroyal Plains in Murroon. The latter is only 30 minutes away from Lorne and less than two hours from Melbourne, handily. "It has been a privilege to operate Falls Festival in such beautiful locations and we're so thankful to the Surf Coast Shire, Sorell Council and supporting stakeholders of Lorne and Marion Bay who have shown Falls Festival such incredible support over the years. We hope that our Lorne and Tassie Falls fam will join us at Pennyroyal Plains," said festival promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco in a statement. "Lorne is where Falls Festival started so we want to give a particularly special shout out to the locals there. You have been instrumental in making the festival all that it is today, and we'll always be grateful to the community for their long-time support," the pair continued. Falls spent 27 years in Lorne and 17 in Tasmania. The 2022–23 event will still head to North Byron Parklands in Yelgun and Fremantle Oval in Fremantle — and if you're wondering who'll be on the bill, it's clearly far too early for that kind of news. When Falls was planning to proceed last summer, it was going to champion an all-Australian lineup; however, with the international border situation changing, overseas headliners could be back on the cards. In addition to sitting out the 2020–21 and 2021–22 summers, Falls has had a chaotic few years all round. When it was held in 2019–20, the music festival was impacted by the bushfires, with the Lorne leg cancelled one day in because of extreme and hazardous weather. Falls Festival will return across December 2022–January 2023, taking place at Pennyroyal Plains in Murroon, North Byron Parklands in Yelgun and Fremantle Oval in Fremantle. Further details won't be announced until sometime in 2022 — we'll update you when more information comes to hand.
Many a Brisbanite has spent their 21st birthday partying their way around Fortitude Valley. Plenty of us have spent several days around the milestone date hopping between venues throughout the inner-city suburb and prolonging the merriment for as long as possible, in fact. It's a Brissie rite of passage; however, it isn't just restricted to people — with huge music-fuelled celebration BIGSOUND planning the same thing when it returns in September 2022. To mark hitting the big two-one — and its return to in-person events after a pandemic-afflicted couple of years — BIGSOUND will take over the Valley with a massive four-day event. Running from Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9, this year's fest will welcome more than 150 bands to its stages, too, and also keep the birthday theme going by popping up in 21 different venues. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know what that entails: filling as many spaces as possible with bands, industry folks and music-loving punters, all enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent the country has to offer. Expect 2022's iteration to be no different to usual — well, the pre-pandemic usual — although the vibe is set to jump up a few notches given that there's so much to celebrate. [caption id="attachment_851422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] It's still too early to announce who'll be on the bill, but expect BIGSOUND to commemorate its big occasion — and its first physical fest since 2019 — with an impressive roster of bands. Past events have showcased everyone from Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana and Courtney Barnett to San Cisco, Violent Soho, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants, so its program is usually a very reliable bellwether of current and up-and-coming musos. This year's fest will also include 300 artist showcases and more than 20 parties, while the conference side of things will welcome in 150-plus speakers over 55 sessions (and more than 1500 delegates as well). And, a new event called BIGSOUND Country will join the lineup, focusing on the Aussie country music scene. [caption id="attachment_851424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND's return to the Valley's streets follows a virtual event in 2020, and comes after 2021's fest was originally slated to go ahead in-person, but had to cancel due to COVID-19. Announcing the event's 2022 plans, QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said that the BIGSOUND team is "feeling from the industry far and wide that they're itching to be back in rooms together — and we couldn't be more excited to get artists back on stages and industry back in their live element." If your spring routine usually involves bar-hopping around Brisbane while listening to bands — whether you're a local or you head north for the event — mark your calendars accordingly. And if you're an artist looking to take part in the event in general, applications are now open until Friday, May 20. BIGSOUND 2022 will take place between Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information — or to apply to take part if you're an artist — visit bigsound.org.au. Images: Lachlan Douglas / Bianca Holderness.
If your wardrobe is looking a little tired and you're well overdue for a vintage shopping session, then Melbourne, this weekend is your time to shine. From 10am–4pm on Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, a group of the inner north's best-loved vintage and retro stores are joining forces for a huge celebration of pre-loved wares. Meet the Smith Street Vintage Trail. Dotted along the Smith Street strip, you'll find traders throwing open their doors for some great shopping, lively tunes and other activities. Sally's Retro Fashion is running mini styling sessions, Monkey Jar will host a runway show dedicated to retro threads and sequins, and Shappere Vintage Clothing is handing out free drinks and discounts. Nearby, Recycled Delightful has planned a vintage market and treasure hunt, while Memorabilia on Smith is set to host a garage sale, complete with giveaways for the kids. And at Plug Seven Records, you'll be able to shop new and pre-loved vinyl while enjoying live tunes courtesy of The Psychedelic Freaks. More entertainment will be dished up by the likes of Jack Lynch and What The Funk Brass Band, plus there'll be plenty of slick vintage cars to check out, too. Images: Monkey Jar
First The Basics, now Tex Perkins — this legend of the Australian music scene best known for his work with The Cruel Sea is making a bid for state parliament. Though The Basics have strong feelings about education and welfare as well as local music restrictions, Perkins has one specific goal in mind. He wants to save the Palais Theatre. Since August this year, major doubts have been cast over the future of this iconic beachside venue. Despite consistently pulling big name acts including the great Bob Dylan, the Palais has been facing irreconcilable infrastructure problems. Once these impending renovations costs were estimated to be between $25-40 million, the Port Philip Council began lobbying the state government for funding. In the past month the Council has pledged $7.5 million for repairs if the state front the remainder. And, frankly, it doesn't look great. To remedy this and potentially save the regal old St Kilda venue, Perkins plans to run as an independent candidate for the seat of Albert Park. "The neglect of such an iconic performance venue, along with all the buck-passing from both sides of politics — it's just not good enough," Perkins said in a statement. "The Palais is a state-owned heritage building and there are policies for how you maintain these buildings." Though the problem of the decaying Palais hasn't made the same headlines or drawn the same amount of protest as the potential demolishment of the Palace Theatre in the CBD, support is growing quickly. I Love My Palais is gaining traction on social media, and even Mick Jagger came out in support of the campaign this week. While playing at Rod Laver Arena, Jagger urged his audience to "give generously". "I'd just like to tell you, we played at the Palais Theatre about 50 years ago," he said. This is good news for both Perkins and the Palais. Government is unlikely to affect change without significant community outrage. "The depth of voter disillusionment presents a frightening possibility," Perkins told The Age. "I might win." Via ABC and The Age. The Victorian state election will take place on November 29.
Start dreaming about visiting New Zealand's lush greenery — or enjoying a snowy midyear holiday — because Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced Aotearoa's latest reopening plan. The good news: by July, our neighbours across the ditch will let vaccinated Aussies head over for holidays, although an exact date hasn't yet been set. Prime Minister Arden unveiled NZ's new five-step plan for reopening to Australia and the rest of the world in a press conference on Thursday, February 3, with the new way forward beginning with allowing double-vaxxed New Zealanders travelling from Australia to return home without going into managed quarantine. That'll kick in from 11.59 NZ time on Sunday, February 27. Then, from 11.59pm NZ time on Sunday, March 13, New Zealanders from elsewhere around the world can return home to Aotearoa, and some skilled workers and folks on Working Holiday Scheme visas will also be allowed to enter. Next, over the following months, there'll be a staggered rollout regarding when other vaccinated visitors can come to NZ — including tourists from Australia — with most international visitors, spanning travellers from the countries covered in NZ's visa-waiver scheme, then able to enter by July. Aussies might even be able to head to NZ earlier, with COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins advising that "the reopening to visa-free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening." New Zealand will still use its managed quarantine in some special cases, including for unvaccinated travellers and those coming countries it deems 'high risk'. Finally, in October, the border will reopen to visitors from anywhere around the world, and in all visa categories. If this all sounds a bit familiar — but just a bit later in 2022 — that's because New Zealand's border reopening plan was initially proposed in November last year, but was then postponed after Australia's Omicron wave hit, before emerging in the community in NZ, too. The new reopening plan comes after recent mounting pressure across the ditch to do away with its mandatory two-week hotel stay. Since the beginning of November 2021, double-vaxxed Australians have been permitted to leave our shores for overseas holidays; however, exactly where you can head obviously depends on travel restrictions in other countries. And, it's also subject to the border requirements and regulations in each Aussie state, as we've all come to learn over the past two years. For instance, while Queensland has recently opened up to double-vaccinated travellers, Western Australia remains shut for the meantime. The New Zealand border will reopen to Australian tourists sometime in July — we'll update you when an exact date is announced. To check out NZ's full border reopening plan, head to the NZ Government website.
Wednesday nights haven't been the same these past two years, without the Queen Victoria Market's usual midweek offering to boost that Hump Day vibe. Thanks to the pandemic, the precinct's much-loved winter night market series was canned two years in a row, with the most recent summer edition also scrapped. But now, Melbourne, the wait is over, with the glorious news that the QVM Summer Night Market will kick off a huge comeback season this January 2022. Back to fire up your Wednesday nights from January 5 to April 6 next year, the night market's return marks the precinct's first major nighttime event since April 2020. And yes, it's going to be a big one. Each week, the Summer Night Market will feature a mouthwatering lineup of food vendors slinging street eats from every corner of the globe. We're talking melty raclette from Frencheese, meaty US-style barbecue fare courtesy of Bigger Than Texas, The Cypriot Kitchen's famed halloumi chips, and all sorts of spherical sweet treats from the doughnut masters at Taki's Balls. To wash it all down and quench your summer thirst, you'll find no less than five dedicated festival bars, along with drinks stalls from the likes of Antagonist Spirits — did someone say apple-strawberry mojitos? As always, there'll be a program of live, local tunes to soundtrack your food-focused wanderings, with one stage dedicated to DJ sets and another serving up a primo rotation of acoustic acts. For a little midweek shopping action, see the diverse range of artisan maker stalls, brimming with an array of handmade gifts, homewares, fashion and more. Over in The Book Nook, you can treat your inner bibliophile to a selection of new and pre-loved books, along with local author chats and stalls filled with second-hand records. There's even a pop-up space dedicated to serving up future insights from a lineup of leading clairvoyants, fortune tellers and psychics, dubbed The Spirit Zone. The Queen Victoria Market 2022 Summer Night Market will run from 5–10pm every Wednesday, from January 5–April 6 (excluding January 26). Find it at the Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne.
Stopping Godzilla isn't easy. Within the Monsterverse, the American movie and TV universe that's sprung up around the iconic kaiju, that lesson has been well and truly learned. On-screen, the giant critter is no longer seen as a foe, as 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire embraced — and for Legendary Entertainment, the company producing the franchise, there's no such thing as too much of the towering behemoth. Cinemas have seen 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong before this year's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. In 2023, Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters brought Zilly to streaming as well. The latter starred none other than Kurt Russell (Fast and Furious 9) and Wyatt Russell (Night Swim), with the father-son duo sharing the same part in a time-hopping narrative. Understandably paying more attention to humans given its two leads, it proved an excellent addition to the franchise, so it comes as no surprise that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has been renewed for a second season. Exactly when the series will return hasn't been revealed, but Apple TV+ is going big with its part of the saga, also announcing that multiple spinoffs are also on the way. What they'll entail, who'll be in them and when they will arrive hasn't been locked in, either, but get ready for plenty more Godzilla-related television viewing. "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has left an indelible imprint on the hearts, minds and imaginations of audiences around the world," said Apple TV+'s Head of International Development Morgan Wandell. "We couldn't be more excited for viewers to not only have the chance to experience even more thrills in season two, but to embark on epic, new journeys in the franchise as we expand Legendary's Monsterverse." With Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the Monsterverse went the episodic route via a story set across generations and 50 years. The Russells play army officer Lee Shaw — while a couple of siblings attempting to keep up their dad's work after events between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco in the aforementioned 2014 film, as well as their family history, also proves pivotal. So, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters involves unpacking links to clandestine outfit Monarch, activities back in the 50s and how what Shaw knows threatens the organisation. Yes, monsters and rampages were part of the first season, but so were secrets, lies, revelations and mysteries. Also appearing on-screen: Anna Sawai (Shōgun), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Ren Watabe (461 Days of Bento), Mari Yamamoto (Pachinko), Anders Holm (Inventing Anna), Joe Tippett (The Morning Show), Elisa Lasowski (Hill of Vision) and Takehiro Hira (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story). Behind the scenes, Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Da Vinci's Demons) co-developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, while Matt Shakman (The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales) helmed the opening pair of episodes for season one. All three were among the series' executive producers, and will return for season two. Check out the trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season one below: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters streams via Apple TV+ — we'll update you with a release date for season two when it's announced. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kurt and Wyatt Russell.
