Examining the dark underbelly of suburban Australiana, Drop Out by Toby Pola consists of a series of balsa wood carvings that investigate rituals, obsessions and iconography. Solid replicas of woolen sweaters (just like that one your great-Aunt Joan always gives you for Christmas) hang alongside a collage of a McDonalds bag, the bustier of a cat and the latest issue of BUNS magazine. Sounds like a perfect Friday night in to me. Maybe as part of the imaginary fast-food bag contents, a larger than life sculpture of a soft serve ice cream takes pride of place in the center of the space, perhaps an artistic interpretation of Australia’s growing obesity problem? A Freudian phallic symbol? Or maybe Pola just had a craving for a 50-cent cone. While these objects are seemingly mundane, work titles like Waiting to be invisible, furious to be ignored, Losers blame their parents, failures blame their kids and He’s going to hell on a poker suggest something greater lying beneath the surface of hard veneers and glossy exteriors in these recreated objects. Nearby in Gallery 2, Lucas Grogan’s installation The Wedding Quilt celebrates the evolving and diversifying definition of marriage. A double bed stands in the middle of the room, although there’s no champagne on ice or strawberries dipped in chocolate in sight. Spoiler: TV lied to us about marriage. Covered in 4,000 blue roses, basking under an ominously dripping blue rainbow, Grogan’s hand embroidered quilt is emblazoned with inspiring quotes, such as, “opinions are like arse holes so enjoy yours” and “low and behold, the sky didn’t cave in”. Love is so complicated and beautiful. Striking a balance between beauty and morbidity, the back gallery space is occupied by Eddy Carroll’s exhibition, Glimmer of Wild Patience. Based on an Inuit skeleton myth relating to loss, fear and compassion, Carroll uses skeletal shapes adorned with hand-me-down jewelry, found objects, native feathers and thread, to slightly unsettling affect. Long, bejeweled strands drip from a skull in Galaxy Head, while beside it sits the aptly titled Clavicle, made of leather, felt and beads. In a room filled with the suggestion of that which is internal (both literally and philosophically), it’s as though Carroll has dissected the human body, assembled it in order and laid it out for show in all its gore and glory. Image credit Toby Fola
Think you've seen it all when it comes to wedding fairs? Think again — this one's a little less about the dress and a little more suited for, well, suits. Groom Fest will unite around 40 wedding vendors from all over Australia to concentrate on those who need a snappy three-piece suit and a pocket square to top it all off — the grooms of the world. There'll be much to see in the way of men's fashion, not to mention suiting, styling and grooming advice, with a barber setting up shop to do live hairstyling demonstrations. Presenter and wedding celebrant Shura Taft will play MC for the day, while you wander through the stalls and get that special day sorted. To help you sail even closer to being your smoothest self, live panel sessions will cover everything from delivering a killer wedding speech to nailing that daunting first dance. There'll be plenty of food and drinks on offer, including gin tastings from Sydney-based distillery Archie Rose and live music performances from The White Tree Band (to help settle that band-versus-DJ argument once and for all). The event is open to all (not just grooms), so round up the troops for a two-hour wedding planning power session. All attendees will score a free goodie bag filled with items from Hunter Lab, a free Hello May magazine and the official Pocket Groom's Guide, written and produced exclusively for the event. Groom Fest will take place from 7.30–9.30pm on Tuesday, March 26 at The Toff in Town. Entry is free but RSVPs are essential — and you can add a donation to Movember at check-out if you wish. To reserve your ticket, head this way. Images: The White Tree.
Community sport, outdoor boot camps, and leisure activities such as bushwalking, fishing, golf and swimming might soon be back on the agenda nationwide, with the Australian Government releasing its National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities. As referenced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, May 1 in his press conference after the latest national cabinet meeting, the 15-point set of principles outline the pathway for resuming physical pastimes — focusing on a staged approach. Using the Australian Institute of Sport's Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment as a guide, the principles recommend that small-group, non-contact activities involving less than ten people be allowed to recommence first, with social distancing required for participants. Then, at the next stage, large group and full-contact pastimes could recommence, covering sports and activities with more than ten people involved. That means that anyone eager to go for a stroll, hit a few balls or do some laps in the pool will be able to do so in the first stage, with large team sports returning in the second stage. The government hasn't provided an exhaustive list of activities that fall into each category, or of the steps required at each stage — but for those eager to get outside and get active as soon as possible, it's still a positive sign. Guided by health concerns first and foremost, and noting that outdoor activities likely possess a lower risk for COVID-19 transmission than indoor activities, the principles also touch upon professional sport — aka football codes such as AFL and NRL. "For the foreseeable future, elite sports, if recommenced, should do so in a spectator-free environment with the minimum support staff available to support the competition," the principles state. And at the community level, "sport and recreation activities should limit those present to the minimum required to support the participants". Crucially, the principles don't include a timeline or timeframe for implementation. But with the Prime Minister announcing that the national cabinet will meet on Friday, May 8 to decide on how to relax some of Australia's social distancing and public gatherings restrictions — bringing the date forward from Monday, May 11, because "Australians have earned an early mark" — it's safe to assume that progressing with the National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities will be on the agenda. Once actioned at a national level, it'll be up to the individual states and territories to implement in their own jurisdictions. As the nation's new daily cases of COVID-19 continue to drop — remaining below 20 per day nationwide since Wednesday, April 22 — governments at both the federal and state levels have been looking to relax limitations on daily life. Queensland and New South Wales eased some restrictions this week, while the Northern Territory outlined its roadmap to "the new normal". Learn more about the National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities and the Australian Institute of Sport's Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment. 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.
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, The Mighty Boosh, Frida Kahlo: they're just some of the faces that've graced exhibitions around Australia in 2023. The next to join them is Amy Winehouse, in a showcase that's doing what documentary Amy also dedicated some of its frames to: stepping back a couple of decades to the beginning of the 'Back to Black' and 'Rehab' singer's career. When Winehouse was 19, photographer Charles Moriarty was requested by a friend to take some snaps of the then-unknown talent. They're the images that Amy, Before Frank will display. More than 30 will feature — and if you're wondering where the exhibition's name comes from, it references Winehouse's debut album Frank, with the photos covered hailing from before that record dropped. When Winehouse was in front of his lens, Irish photographer Moriarty didn't know what'd follow for the performer — the fame and success, nor her passing in 2011. The session clearly worked out well because Moriarty also shot the cover art for Frank, and became friends with the singer. "It's time for people to know the girl I knew; Amy before the fame, Amy before Frank" said Moriarty about his exhibition, which heads to Australia for a two-city tour this spring. To check out Amy, Before Frank, fans will need to head to Sydney's M2 Gallery from Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 or Melbourne's @14 Gallery from Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5. That timing couldn't be more perfect, given that Frank — which includes the singles 'Stronger Than Me', 'Take the Box' and 'In My Bed' — released two decades ago in October. Moriarty is coming to Australia with the exhibition, chatting in both Sydney (on Saturday, October 21) and Melbourne (on Saturday, November 4) about his work and Winehouse. AMY, BEFORE FRANK AUSTRALIAN DATES: Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 — M2 Gallery, 4/450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5 — @14 Gallery, 14 Langridge Street, Collingwood, Melbourne Amy, Before Frank will display in Sydney in October 2023 and Melbourne in November 2023 — head to the exhibition website for further details. Images: Charles Moriarty.
Section 8, a collective in Melbourne like no other, is launching its biggest event lineup to date. Dubbed Level Up, the six-month-long series is set to take place at the hip open-air bar nestled between Lonsdale Street and Chinatown. One headline event has been allocated per month from November 2022 to April 2023. Kicking off the lineup is a record store showcase (Sunday, November 13) featuring four of the city's classic record stores: Natural Selection, Wax Museum, Northside Records and Skydiver. Each establishment will present its own collections via two 30-minute sets. [caption id="attachment_876668" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leilani Bale[/caption] Other events include a Vox/MC battle (Sunday, December 11), improv battle (Sunday, January 8, 2023), dance battle (Sunday, February 12, 2023) and beat battle (Sunday, March 12, 2023). Rounding off the series is Section 8's vinyl release launch party (Sunday, April 9, 2023), a celebration of the bar's eight-track multi-genre vinyl comprised of unreleased tracks by local artists. To sweeten the deal even further, Section 8 will also be giving away $10,000 worth of prizes, including cash prizes, an Ableton mentorship, dance classes, festival tickets and food vouchers. Finally, a new drinks menu will be available spotlighting the likes of Coopers, Jameson, Chivas Regal and Headline Acts. As usual, entry is free. You can head over to the official event page to find out more about what to expect in the next six months. [caption id="attachment_876665" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leilani Bale[/caption] Top images: Duncographic, Leilani Bale
Docs have been kicking for decades. Your parents' soles are probably still relatively intact. Punks wear Docs. Pop stars wander to Starbucks in Docs. Somehow they've never lost that lovin' feeling since the first pair of Dr. Martens rolled off the production line in 1960. Now they're fusing their long-loved lace-ups with a solid live music lineup, with their #standforsomething pop-up store and concert series. Taking over Tongue & Groove on St Kilda's Grey Street, the Docs pop-up will stock boots, shoes, and Dr. Marten's products not available in Australia so you can be That Guy at your next coffee date. But it ain't all lace ups at the pop-up. Ahead of the general public launch Docs are hosting some pretty killer gigs in the space — Band of Skulls (June 18), Kingswood (June 17) and Stonefield (June 16). Unfortunately they've already closed the ballot for the gigs, but keep an eye on their Facebook page for any updates. After the gig-goers have checked out the merch, the Docs pop-up store will open up to the public from Thursday June 19 to Sunday June 22, so we can rifle through the Docs we'd usually only find online. You can find Docs at Tongue & Groove, 16 Grey Street, St Kilda from June 16. Hours are Thursday and Friday 11am - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zxntDF0-5Uk
A tense, make-your-stomach-drop drama from director Benedict Andrews, Una is not an easy watch. You'll find your skin crawling, and your legs and arms crossed, physically recoiling from the modern-day version of Lolita too realistic for comfort unfolding on screen. You might even forget all about the big crush you have on your fave Aussie dad figure Ben Mendelsohn. The effect of Una is just that jarring. The film tells the story of Una (Rooney Mara), a woman whose sudden reappearance threatens to destroy the life of Ray (Mendelsohn), a man who at first glance it seems she was once intimately involved with. But we soon pick up on the fact that "involved with" here means "sexually abused by". Una was 13 when Ray began a sexual relationship with her. Years later, she arrives at his workplace, come to confront him about the past. In brief, disjointed moments of flashback we meet Una as a child, and Ray as a younger man who becomes obsessed with his neighbour's daughter, sexually abusing her through the guise of them "being in love". Back then, it all ended in a plan to run away to Europe, a single motel bed, abandonment, and a jail sentence. Years later, Ray (now "Peter") has rebuilt his life with a new job, a new wife, a new house, and a whole new identity. Una? Not so. Still dealing with what was done to her as a child, she lives in the same house where it all happened, with a mother she's still failing to communicate with. The last time we see Una as a child, she's pleading with Ray via live video feed in a courtroom, asking him to come back, to make contact, and to tell her why he left her. The first time we meet her as an adult, she's having sex with a faceless man at a club and wandering home in the early morning, stuck in her anger and her past. The film was adapted from Blackbird, a play by David Harrower, and its origins on the stage are clear to see. Una's musings to Ray, mostly within the confines of the lunchroom at his workplace, are delivered like monologues. Mara chews up and spits out the dialogue the way her character must have practised hundreds of times in the years since her abuse. The film succeeds in what it sets out to do in part through its handling of the aspects of Una and Ray's past that, obviously, it can't actually show. A chill runs down your spine with each horrible moment left unseen; a close-up of two hands holding each other, or a long shot of a huge tree that obscures our view. Our imaginations run cold along with our blood. Mendelsohn is convincingly charismatic while bringing the requisite darkness to his role. Mara struggles a little in her attempts to pull off a British accent, but aside from that her performance is exceptional. The chemistry between the two is patently present, enough to make you shudder. Una is one of those films that you can't stop watching, no matter how much you might want to; a tense, confined study of a paedophile that dares you to look away. Is Ray rehabilitated, trying to move on from the unforgivable actions of his past? Or is he still as sick and manipulative as ever? The film, and Mendelsohn, will leave you guessing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSpZBmnamhg
Having been open for just shy of a month, Ether is the latest cafe to land in Melbourne's western suburb of Avondale Heights. And it's serving up speciality coffee and a hearty brunch menu inspired by the classical elements: earth, air, fire, water and ether. "Our focus is coffee, which is essentially a combination of the elements," says owner Adem Kolege. "Coffee beans come from the earth, you add water and you use fire to create the steam giving you the final product." Kolege, who previously owned and ran a cafe in West Melbourne as well as a coffee and gelato pop-up in Melbourne Central, decided to open this latest venture in his home suburb of Avondale Heights. "I always had the idea to open a cafe here," explains Kolege. "I nearly got the spot three years ago but it didn't work out, so when the space recently became available again, I knew it was fate." [caption id="attachment_734205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Having a Turkish background, Kolege has created a menu that stays true to a classic brunch experience, but also has an undeniable Turkish influence. As an added bonus, many of the key ingredients are being made in house. "We try to make as much as we can," says Kolege. "Our basil pesto, chilli jam, granola, dukkah and sweet potato rosti are all made right here in the cafe." On the menu you'll find dishes like the Ether Bowl, which is made up of quinoa, beans, spiced broccoli, pumpkin puree, avocado and house-made chilli hummus, as well as with optional additions like poached eggs, haloumi and Moroccan chicken. The 'Avo-Heights' avocado smash is a highlight, featuring salty herbed feta, house-made almond dukkah and a side of Angus beef 'bacon', giving this quintessential Aussie brunch dish a twist. [caption id="attachment_734211" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] For a quick fix on the run, the Breakfast Brioche Burger is already popular among locals. Filled with the usual suspects of egg, cheese, bacon and chilli jam, the dangerously yolky burger is finished off with Ether's house-made sweet potato rosti infused with ground spices. The minimalist and light-filled space, lined with quirky vintage tiling and hanging plants, was designed by Kolege and his brother, who also run a side project designing home and work spaces. In addition to the cafe's rotating single origin coffee menu, Kolege will start serving up traditional Turkish coffee in the near future, as well as extending the menu to feature seasonal food specials. Find Ether Coffee & Kitchen at 51 Military Road, Avondale Heights. It's open from Tuesday–Friday 7am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday 7am–3pm. Images: Julia Sansone
If you're looking for a way to get inspired by exceptional women and witness some live talent for International Women's Day this year, check out the happenings at Melbourne Quarter between Monday, March 7 and Friday, March 18. This year's International Women's Day theme is Break the Bias, encouraging us to imagine a world void of bias and discrimination to see how a gender-equal world can benefit communities everywhere. Melbourne Quarter will be home to a series of free events to commemorate all the inspirational women in our lives. From live music, guest speakers and art installations — there is so much to discover this March. If you are a fan of ARIA award-winning musician and author Clare Bowditch, check out her free International Women's Day address on Thursday, March 10 at 11am. Witness a convergence of story, song and science as Clare forms a playful and effective lesson on how to 'tame your inner critic'. You can register here. You can also check out the interactive video gallery that will feature six women sharing how they personally overcame bias. You'll be inspired by women like former AFLW star and advocate Moana Hope and author and cancer survivor Janet Parsons. The gallery will be shown at One Melbourne Quarter lobby on weekdays from 8am to 5pm. While exploring Melbourne Quarter you might come across the Empowerment Wall filled with empowering quotes. Or, the wonderful live art installation in Gunpowder Walk by muralist George Rose. You can also expect live music from an exciting lineup of local female artists from Tuesday, March 8 till Thursday March 10 between 12-2pm. Check out the full lineup for International Women's Day at Melbourne Quarter at the website.
Breakfast, brunch and microroasteries are to Melburnians what brown sauce is to the Brits. But it's a ritual that often requires heading toward, rather than away from, the city. Paul Vernuccio is trying to turn that notion around with his new all-day eatery in Pascoe Vale, George Jones. The name, George Jones, belonged to the first business owner to open a general store in the area in 1841. And with Pascoe Vale being sparse in venues of this kind and calibre, the name is a fitting tribute. George Jones the eatery, then, has been 174 years in the making. The northern suburbs cafe is a familiar concept, yet not one seen in these parts before. Polished concrete, painted grey steel and soft blonde timbers are all incredibly warm when paired with the mid-tone lighting and gradient of tri-colour tiles. Eon Design, the team responsible for the interior, have produced a gem capable of standing alongside the best of the leafy inner east — and the menu doesn't skimp out either. A well-rounded day menu features a variety of the light, sweet and substantial with no shortage of gluten-free or vegetarian options. Green eggs and 'ham' ($19.90) are more than a fictional favourite: poached eggs are plated with a pea puree, crispy chunks of pork and a potato hash before being dusted in dry and crispy kale. On the flip side, the buttermilk hotcake stack ($18.90) offers a sweet-toothed alternative. Dinner here is the domain of burgers ($17.90), pasta (from $17.90) and a parmigiana ($23), along with a host of other crowd-pleasing favourites. Another neat addition is the on-site coffee roaster. Here, George Jones produce their house blend as well as a rotating list of single origins. It's specialty coffee without the fluff or feather puffing, served as you like from one of their four grinders. They also have a small but growing retail trade. George Jones is slick, and you can tell this isn't Vernuccio's first rodeo. He's opened up a polished venue in an area where nothing like this has really ever existed, and it's already proving popular with an intergenerational cross-section of locals. George Jones shows that with great risk does come reward. And that there may be more reward for locals around the corner with an adjacent gelato shop in the works. Stay tuned on that one. Images: Thanh Do.
When the Australian Government introduced an indefinite ban on all overseas travel in late March, Qantas and Jetstar suspended all scheduled international flights and temporarily stood down two-thirds of its staff. Today, Thursday, June 25, the airline has revealed that overseas flights will not takeoff again until at least July 2021. At a press conference this morning, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced 6000 job cuts across all parts of the business and the continued standing down of 15,000 employees until flights return — which, for international flights, won't be for a while. Referencing a report released earlier in the year by an airline industry expert, Joyce said that it is expected to take three years for international travel to return to 2019 levels. "We think international will take a long time," Joyce said. "There'll be nothing this next financial year, July next year we may start seeing some international services and that will only get us to 50 percent. The following year, only two-thirds of the pre-COVID international schedule." [caption id="attachment_773510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A trip to Japan won't be on the cards until 2021[/caption] The likelihood of international travel not returning for Australians until at least 2021 isn't new, news, though. Earlier this month, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said as much, telling the National Press Club, "international border restrictions are likely to be there for some time to come" — and that "keeping those border restrictions largely in place is a price we're going to have to pay to keep COVID under control". The good news is that, as has come up frequently over the past few months, implementing a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — aka reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide — is still under consideration according to Birmingham. Whether Qantas and Jetstar will run flights across the ditch if a travel bubble is allowed before July 2021 is currently unknown. The airlines will, however, definitely still be running domestic flights — and expect domestic travel to be back to 100 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels by 2022. "We're very optimistic about domestic," Joyce said at the press conference. "The domestic market will get back to maybe 70 percent of pre-COVID levels in the next year and the following year to 100 percent." The airlines have started ramping up domestic flights again and even held a big sale, with one-way flights as cheap as $19, last week. https://twitter.com/Qantas/status/1268341083257233408 It's worth noting, of course, that many of Australia's state borders are still closed. Queensland is working towards reopening to visitors from other states on July 10, although that hasn't been officially confirmed as yet, while the Northern Territory announced it'll reopen on July 17 — and South Australia is slated to do the same on July 20. While Victoria, NSW and the ACT currently have open borders, numerous state health ministers — including NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard today — have encouraged their residents to avoid travel to Victoria, especially to Melbourne's COVID hotspots, as the state has seen a recent uptick in new cases, with 33 recorded in the last 24 hours. Qantas and Jetstar's 6000 job cuts are part of post-COVID-19 recovery plan for the airlines, which also includes the retiring of the remaining 747s six months early and the grounding of 100 aircraft for up to 12 months. 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.
Just as hearts will go on, so will everyone's fascination with the Titanic: the ill-fated vessel and the film of the same name. Where the latter is concerned, it has been two decades since Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet stepped onboard James Cameron's Oscar-winning behemoth, danced, flirted, fell in love and fell afoul of an iceberg, but cinemas aren't done with the box-office hit yet. To be fair, however, the movie's latest outing isn't exactly in your usual picture palace. In November, Beyond Cinema will screen Titanic in the way you never thought you'd see it: on a ship in Sydney Harbour as part of a live event that not only lets you pretend you're on the real thing, but re-enacts the feature. They're calling it a unique cinema experience designed to take you into the movie, aka Titanic cosplay. If you're a fan, you'd best hold onto your necklaces and maybe bring your own door to use as a raft. The Titanic Experience is the maiden voyage in a planned series of similar events, with screening The Shawshank Redemption in a jail one of the next on the agenda according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Of course, they're not the first to jump into the immersive, interactive cinema space — Underground Cinema and World Movies Secret Cinema are just some of the organisations that have done the same thing, and Brisbane has had its own pop-up prison cinema as well. Still, Titanic on a boat sounds like a watery treat. Information regarding specific dates and prices is also yet to be announced; however anyone interested in pretending they're the king of the world can sign up for pre-release details on the Beyond Cinema website. Beyond Cinema's Titanic screening will take place in November. For more details, keep an eye on their website and Facebook page. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
This year, Australia's leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, is inviting audiences to experience a connection to Country in a whole new way. The company's newest stage production, Illume, will tour nationally from June to September 2025, bringing Bard-Bardi Jawi culture and storytelling to the stage. Developed by Mirning woman and Bangarra Artistic Director and Co-CEO Frances Rings, the show is an exciting kaleidoscope of images, music and movement. It explores light as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, the impacts of light pollution, and puts forward the question: 'Is the deep wisdom passed down from elders enough to illuminate a path forward from the shadows of a dark future?'. [caption id="attachment_1007624" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] It's also the first time a Bangarra mainstage production has been created in partnership with a First Nations visual artist – Goolarrgon Bard man, Darrell Sibosado. Sibosado is known for his pearl shell carvings and large-scale geometric installations, with works shown at the Biennale of Sydney and QAGOMA, and held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of South Australia. In Illume, his visual language shapes the entire production, from costume and set design to lighting patterns that ripple across the stage, creating a shimmering world that draws directly from his Bard-Bardi Jawi heritage. "I think [Frances' work] and my work will work very well together, there is a similar energy," Sibosado says. "It's always about the rhythm and everything of my own Country." [caption id="attachment_1002105" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cass Eipper[/caption] On top of Sibosado's artistic influence, what makes the production special is the way it came to life through Bangarra's Cultural Creation Lifecycle, a process that involves years of community engagement, transfers of knowledge, and on-Country visits. This unique Cultural Creation Lifecycle is the foundation of all Bangarra's work and can take anywhere from 3 to 4 years from start to finish. With each production, the process begins with people, place and story, then involves multiple stages of research, development and input from cultural leaders. [caption id="attachment_1002103" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cass Eipper[/caption] For Illume, the Bangarra creative team made multiple trips to draw inspiration, including travelling to Lombadina on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia. There, they met with local cultural consultants, spent time listening and observing, and sought permission to bring elements of their stories into the work. Rings and her collaborators consider the Cultural Creation Lifecycle an essential part of the creative process. Rather than drawing from archives or second-hand sources, the company builds work through lived experience. By being on Country, surrounded by the landscape and people who shape the story, they're able to create something that's authentic and respectful. [caption id="attachment_1002106" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] In Illume, that deep connection to Country is felt in every moment, from the stunning set details to the choreography led by Rings, and the score by Brendon Boney, an Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi man and longtime Bangarra collaborator. The end result is a performance that's immersive, powerful and grounded in place. It promises to bring audiences closer to the stories of Bard-Bardi Jawi Country in a way that's creative and entirely original. Bangarra will tour Illume nationally from June to September 2025, with stops in Sydney, Perth, Albany, Canberra, Brisbane, Darwin and Melbourne. Whether you've followed Bangarra's work for years or you're seeing the company for the first time, Illume is a chance to experience a unique creative collaboration that brings Country to the stage in your city. Illume tour dates: Gadigal Country Sydney Opera House – Wednesday, June 4 to Saturday, June 14 Whadjuk Noongar Boodja Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth – Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13 Kinjarling Albany Entertainment Centre – Friday, July 18 Ngunnawal Country Canberra Theatre Centre – Friday, July 25 to Saturday, July 26 Meanjin QPAC, Brisbane – Friday, August 1 to Saturday, August 9 Garramilla Darwin Entertainment Centre – Friday, August 15 to Saturday, August 16 Wurundjeri Country Arts Centre Melbourne – Thursday, September 4 to Saturday, September 13 Bangarra's 'Illume' tours nationally from June to September 2025. Head to the website for more information or to book your tickets. Images courtesy of Bangarra Dance Theatre By Jacque Kennedy
Last week we told you about Endulj, a brand new Melbourne food service replicating and delivering dishes from some of the swankiest restaurants in town. Well, if Endulj is the equivalent of dinner at a high-end restaurant, then FoodByUs would surely be a comforting home-cooked meal. In fact, that's literally what they're all about, connecting hungry Australians with talented home chefs. Because why bother borrowing a half-dozen eggs from your neighbour when you can get them to make the whole omelette for you? Described as "a vibrant local community of food buyers and sellers", the online portal and app has been operating in Sydney back in August, and launches in Melbourne this week. Users can chose from culinary creations — ranging from Egyptian tangines to vegan treats and incredible cakes — made by dozens of different professional and amateur chefs for pick-up or delivery. It's like UberEats at community level — a place where it's perfectly acceptable to ask someone else's nonna to cook you dinner. "It's an opportunity to meet your [food] maker and have really authentic food that is homemade and that is really hard to find anywhere else," co-founder Ben Lipschitz told SBS earlier this year. "It's about having that authentic experience." Alternatively, you can try your hand at making and selling dishes of your own. Have your friends ever told you your cupcakes are so good you could charge people for them? Well, here's your chance to put that to the test. For more information and to try it for yourself visit foodbyus.com.au. The app can be found on Google Play and in the Apple App Store.
Disney has its own. Apple has one too. And so does Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. If you're fond of documentaries, you have not one but two local choices. The same applies if you're eager to get viewing for free, especially if you can handle retro flicks and titles that you've never heard of before. And if you're eager to support Australian content, there's one for that as well. We're talking about streaming platforms, of course. Throw in Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand and ABC iView, and Aussies can't say there isn't anything to watch. That's not an exhaustive list either, because this space just keeps growing — with a new service dedicated to British television shows about to join the fold this year. Already operational in the USA, Canada and, of course, the United Kingdom, Britbox is a joint collaboration between two English TV networks: the BBC and ITV. They both have a hefty stable of programs up their sleeves — and while exactly what'll be available on the Aussie version of the service hasn't been announced, you can expect retro and recent series such as Absolutely Fabulous, The Office, Blackadder, Harlots and A Confession, based on the titles showcased on the current local website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2DCExerOsA Britbox will focus on box sets of UK shows, which means full seasons all there at once ready for audiences to stream. You'll be able to do so via mobile devices, tablets, connected TVs and Chromecast — and via the online site. Just when Britbox will start streaming in Australia is yet to be revealed, other than than sometime in 2020. Nor has a price as yet, if you're eager to add another platform to your subscriptions. Britbox is set to launch in Australia sometime in 2020. Visit the streaming service's website to sign up for further updates.
Garden State Hotel, the reliable, always-bustling, fuss-free Flinders Lane pub, is set to get an upgrade with a new two-level rooftop bar coming soon. The massive, four-storey, sprawling venue will add to its huge digs, which already have space to host more than 800 people. Garden State is located at 101 Flinders Lane, inside a 130-year-old building that began its life as a sawmill before playing host to Rosati, one of Melbourne's top dining destinations in the '80s and '90s. In the centre of the building, punters gather at the multi-level beer garden built around several large ficus trees. Lush greenery and a seamless indoor-outdoor feeling help transport patrons away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD. The Public Bar is a favourite post-work hangout for many city workers who come here for a care-free, good time. Pub classics like chicken parmas, pizzas, burgers and fish and chips are complemented by elevated snacks such as grilled haloumi with capsicum relish and kingfish crudo with pickled zucchini, as well as dishes including oven-baked ricotta gnocchi and salmon Nicoise salad. On the basement level, you'll find The Rose Garden, a vibrant, late-night cocktail bar, accessible through AC/DC Lane and Duckboard Place. Find live music and DJs on the weekend, or consider hosting your next dynamic event here. The options really are endless at this sprawling pub. Step through the yellow-framed doorway to find Tippy-Tay, a love letter to the coastal cities of Italy. Tippy-Tay is a relaxed, eccentric and chaotically welcoming Italian restaurant that loves to see a celebration coming. Whether it's a midweek catch-up or a weekend hens party, you can't go wrong with the generous feed me menu, especially when you go for the matched wines options, which include three wines plus a Limoncello for just $50 per person. Now, Garden State Hotel is set to improve its already sprawling offering with a 300-seat, two-level Rooftop Garden to be unveiled later in 2026. With sweeping views of the CBD, the rooftop will be a natural extension of Garden State's signature upbeat, social energy. Easy-to-drink herb and floral-inspired cocktails, craft beers, approachable wines, and non-alcoholic drinks are set to draw even more post-work punters for relaxed city drinking at its best. Designed by Melbourne-based architect Telha Clarke, the new space will feature layered greenery, banquette seating and soft lighting. "The rooftop will be a true extension of what people already love about Garden State," says Garden State Venue Manager Scott Woods. "With a retractable roof, it will be the perfect place to gather all year round. Images: Supplied.
Earlier this year, Goose Island migrated down under from its home in Chicago, setting up shop in Tasmania. Now, the craft brewery is bringing its Migration Week event series to Australia for a hop-fuelled week of brews, eats and Aussie-American mashups. To kick off the very first Aussie Migration Week, Goose Island is throwing a street fest at Welcome to Thornbury in Northcote on Monday, November 13 from 5pm. Bringing together the best of Chicago and Aussie culture, the brewery will team up with local eateries including Mr. Burger, The Art of Fried Chicken, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks, Bluebonnet BBQ and Loaded Gourmet Sweets & Creams. Each vendor will be dishing out Chicago-inspired classics alongside Goose Island's premium brews including the Midway IPA, the award-winning IPA, plus the barrel-aged Halia, Lolita and Matilda — flown in direct from Chicago. Before the street fest kicks off, the brewery will host an exclusive tasting where you'll also be able to meet the Chicago brewers. Want to attend? We have enough passes to go around for you and a few friends to join, so you can take not just a plus one but plus three. Join the flock for a night of frothy fun and American eats by entering below. [competition]644305[/competition]
For those who like their comedy a little more introspective, you can’t go past Sydney’s Michael Workman. Combining wry observational humour with surreal long-form storytelling, he’s a rare kind of comedian capable of transcending genre, moving audiences to tears even as they’re cracking up with laughter. We Have Fun Don’t We explores Workman’s first-hand experience with heartbreak and depression. Sounds hilarious, right?
Atop iconic Curtin House on Swanston Street, illuminated by the moon and the lights of city skyscrapers, the screen at Rooftop Cinema & Bar is about to flicker back to life. Fresh on the heels of The Shadow Electric in Abbotsford and Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema in St Kilda, the folks at Melbourne’s highest-altitude outdoor picture house have just unveiled the first half of their summer program, with plenty of awesome choices to whet cinephilic appetites. The party begins on December 5 with a screening of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. Other recent releases on the schedule include Gravity, Francis Ha, The Counselor and, perhaps the year’s most talked about film: Sharknado. As fun as those titles might be, it’s the retro picks that show the team have really outdone themselves. Unlike Ben & Jerry’s, the program at Rooftop leans heavily on nostalgia, with titles like Pulp Fiction, Casablanca and The Blues Brothers barely scratching the surface of the film-buff favourites on offer. The latter flick is just one in a kick-ass '80s stream that also includes Labyrinth, The Goonies and Stand by Me. The following decade is similarly well represented by Reality Bites, Point Break and Dazed and Confused, amongst numerous others. This year also sees Rooftop teaming up with the gang from Speakeasy Cinema for a Tuesday sidebar that includes Lena Dunham’s breakout feature Tiny Furniture, David Lynch’s divisive Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and the new film from David Gordon Green, Prince Avalanche. The week leading up to Australia Day, meanwhile, features a trio of great local flicks in the form of Muriel’s Wedding, BMX Bandits and the newly released Mystery Road. Seating at Rooftop begins at 9:00pm for a 9:30pm start. The good news is that the bar begins operations at midday, as does the All Day Burger shack. One floor down, Mesa Verde opens at 5:00pm and offers a wide selection of beer, wine, tequila and Mexican cuisine. For more information about Rooftop Cinema including the full December-January program, see here. The February-April program will be announced at the end of January.
Melbourne is getting a gin festival. Or should we say: Melbourne is getting another gin festival. In a turn of events that could only be a problem in our fine city, Melbourne is all of the sudden faced with the happy problem of having not one, but two gin festivals on the cards for this year. You might remember the hugely successful Juniperlooza, a locally-organised festival which was held in November last year. Well, this new festival — confusingly called Junipalooza (yes, that's an 'a' instead of an 'er') — is coming to Melbourne by way of the UK, and will unsurprisingly be dedicated entirely to gin. The Melbourne version of the festival (the first to be held outside of the UK) will be a twin event to Junipalooza London, which started back in 2013. The event will be held over two days this October at North Melbourne's Meat Market. It'll be hosted by founders of the UK's Gin Foundry, Olivier and Emile Ward — so you know you're in good gin-pouring hands. The award-winning brothers live, breathe and drink gin, compiling all their knowledge onto their comprehensive online gin directory. It makes sense then that the pair have teamed up with local gin expert, The Gin Queen (aka Caroline Childerley) and gin makers Four Pillars, Archie Rose and Poor Toms Gin (just to name just a few) to celebrate the noble spirit in Melbourne. Junipalooza will feature sampling stations, cocktails and gin masterclasses with some of the world's best distillers. Over 26 distillers from around the globe will be in attendance, giving punters the chance to take a bottle or two of their favourite gin home. Tonic water specialists Capi will be on-hand as well to bring the T to your G&T. The festival will take place over the weekend of October 22-23, and early bird tickets are on sale for $35 now. We see a lot of gin drinking in your future.
Buckets of sunshine, adrenaline-inducing thrills in the heart of the city, plus dreamy white-sand islands and lush rainforests on its doorstep... Brisbane and its surrounds are a wonderland for outdoor adventurers. There's the iconic Brisbane River where you can captain your own eco-friendly boat or abseil down 230 million-year-old rock formations at sunset. Or, further afield you can find the epic sand islands of Bribie, Moreton and North Stradbroke/Minjerribah, hugged by crystal clear waters, covered in national park and packed with wildlife — from green sea turtles and dolphins to wallabies and koalas. Then there's the Lamington National Park that provides nature lovers and enthusiastic hikers with magnificent waterfalls or the chance to kick back in a spa overlooking ancient rainforest. Read on for seven unmissable outdoor adventures in and around Brisbane for your next adventure. [caption id="attachment_856015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] River to Bay Tour at Moreton Island. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] TAKE A RIVER TO BAY TOUR Just east of Brisbane you can find islands galore to explore. The easiest way to experience them? Book in a day trip with River to Bay. For snorkelling among tropical fish and green sea turtles at the picturesque Tangalooma Wrecks, spotting koalas among tall trees and wandering around the haunted ruins of Queensland's first penal colony, take the Moreton Island Bay Tour. Alternatively, go for incredible swimming beaches, spectacular scenery and boutique cafes in a historical village on the Stradbroke Island Tour. Another tempting option is the Champagne and Oyster Tour, which involves sipping bubbly and sampling oysters fresh from the ocean while watching the sun set. GO ABSEILING WITH RIVERLIFE For an adrenalin rush, go abseiling with Riverlife. On the Day Abseil, you'll complete a 90-minute ascent and descent of the 20-metre high Brisbane Kangaroo Point Cliffs. They're heritage-listed formations of 230 million-year-old volcanic rock which flank the Brisbane River, just a stone's throw from the CBD. Once you make it to the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Brisbane City and its surrounding waterways. For an even more magical experience, book a Twilight Abseil Tour. And if you're a nervous abseiler, don't worry. Riverlife is all about helping you overcoming your fears. [caption id="attachment_807856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Go Boat Brisbane. Image by Lean Timms.[/caption] JUMP ON A GO BOAT One of the newest additions to the adventure scene is Go Boat. Founded in Copenhagen in 2014, it was launched in Brisbane to make the most of the city's glorious weather and winding river. For up to three dreamy hours, you'll captain a blissfully silent electric boat made of recycled PET bottles transformed into fibreglass. Pack a cheeseboard, a bottle of bubbly and up to seven mates, and see Brisbane from a whole new perspective on the water. Pets are welcome. By the way, there's no need for a boating licence, as the Go Boat crew will show you what to do before waving you off on your adventure. [caption id="attachment_856018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hot Air Ballooning Brisbane. Image by Sam Lindsay/Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] GO HOT AIR BALLOONING WITH FLOATING IMAGES Once you've seen Brisbane from the water, the next logical step is to see it from the sky. You can do just that with Floating Images. Their sunrise flight takes you up where the air is clear for 60 glorious minutes. Prepare for incredible views of the Brisbane city skyline, backdropped by the Great Diving Range, the Scenic Rim and the countryside of Somerset. Afterwards, you'll be treated to a breakfast fit for royalty at a local restaurant. Chief pilot Graeme has flown air balloons for three decades on three continents, so you can relax knowing you're in safe hands. TAKE AN ADVENTURE TOUR WITH G'DAY Another spot on the must-see list for visitors to Brisbane is Bribie Island, the fourth largest sand island in the world. It, in itself, is an outdoor adventurer's kingdom packed with national parks, wild surf beaches, idyllic coves for swimming and the Pumicestone Passage, a protected marine park home to dolphins, turtles and dugongs. To get amongst it, take a tour with G'Day Adventure Tours. Their frolics range from the three-hour 4WD beach and bunker tour to the two-day, one-night Camping Adventure, which sees you kayaking through Norfolk lagoon, swimming in Mermaid lagoon, toasting marshmallows around a campfire and meeting wallabies. [caption id="attachment_856009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] RETREAT INTO THE RAINFOREST AT O'REILLY'S Another of Brisbane's drawcards is its proximity to lush ancient rainforests. One way to immerse yourself is a visit to O'Reilly's, an eco-retreat overlooking the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park. Visitors have been escaping here for nearly 100 years. There's a bunch of activities to try, including an adventure trek to the Thunder and Lightning Falls, indulgent treatments in the Lost World Day Spa, a glow worm experience and e-bike tours. To fit them all in you'll want to stay overnight, either at the campground with your own tent or go a little more luxe with a variety of studios and villas. [caption id="attachment_856007" align="alignnone" width="1920"] North Gorge Walk at North Stradbroke Island. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] VISIT NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND / MINJERRIBAH If beaches are your thing, then you'll want to put North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah on your itinerary. It's the world's second largest sand island, which means there are beaches for surfers, swimmers and sun-soakers of all kinds. For stunning views (especially at sunset) hit Flinders Beach (Point Lookout). For a long seaside walk try a stretch of sand across the 33km-long Main Beach. For amazing surfing (not for beginners) get some epic swell off Frenchmans Beach or Cylinder Beach. For solitude make your way to Toompany Beach and for laidback swimming in gentle crystal-clear waters visit Amity Beach. And, since you can't pack all that paradise into one day, you should definitely stay for a night (or three). Ready to plan a trip to Brisbane and its surrounds? Learn more at the Visit Brisbane website.
If the just-dropped 2019 Good Food Month program is anything to go by, those stretchy pants are set to come in very handy this June. Melbourne's annual month-long food fiesta is back for a jam-packed few weeks of culinary fun, featuring top Aussie chefs, food-focused parties and unique dining experiences to impress just about every palate. Heading up an impressive lineup of culinary icons is the legendary Marco Pierre White, joined by homegrown stars including Andrew McConnell, Oakridge Wines' Matt Stone, Tipo 00's Andreas Papadakis and Lulu La Delizia's Joel Valvasori-Pereza. Taking the reins from 2018's Palm Springs-inspired Fed Square pop-up, South Melbourne warehouse space Canvas House is set to host this year's Good Food Month Restaurant, coming alive for its own program of exciting feature events. [caption id="attachment_715805" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marco Pierre White.[/caption] The fun here kicks off on Wednesday, June 5, with a stunning four-course feast hosted by White, which sees the acclaimed Phil Wood (Pt Leo Estate and Laura) reworking some of the UK chef's classic dishes. Then, Andreas Papadakis, Joel Valvasori-Pereza and White will team up to host a pasta party. Elsewhere in the program, you'll catch two of Australia's food sustainability champions working their magic at The New Vanguard, a dinner by Joost Bakker protégé Matt Stone and Paul Iskov, of Fervor in Perth. And on June 9, the traditional Sunday roast gets a revamp at the hands of White and good mate Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co), who'll deliver a contemporary family-style feast matched with wines and James Squire brews. Good Food Month's Let's Do Lunch — a series of $45 lunches at Melbourne's hatted restaurants — will also return. More events are set to be announced soon. The 2019 Good Food Month runs from June 1-30. Tickets are on sale now at goodfoodmonth.com. Pasta image: Griffin Simms
If it feels like you've been seeing a lot of Benedict Cumberbatch lately, there's a reason for that. On screens big and small, the British actor has featured in no fewer than five movies in 2021. Thanks to The Power of the Dog, he even looks poised to collect an Oscar for the best of them — and, with Spider-Man: No Way Home, he's also a significant part of the flick that's certain to be crowned the biggest box office hit of the entire year. Cumberbatch popped his Doctor Strange cloak back on in the hit web-slinging movie and, as anyone with an interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will know — anyone who watched No Way Home, too — he's set to reprise the role next May. That's when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will reach cinemas, in what's both a sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange and the 28th movie in the MCU. As the just-dropped first trailer shows, this new dive into the mystic arts promises to live up to its name. In No Way Home, Doctor Strange was asked to cast a spell to make the world forget it knew Spider-Man's true identity — and that had big repercussions in that film, exposing the MCU to the multiverse. Those consequences will flow over to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as will trippy Inception-style imagery, Strange's brooding demeanour and Marvel's usual world-in-peril shenanigans. Few MCU movies ever just feature one of the franchise's superheroes, so a post-WandaVision Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) also pops up — alongside Benedict Wong (Nine Days) as Wong, Rachel McAdams (Game Night) as Strange's ex Dr Christine Palmer and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Locked Down) as fellow Master of the Mystic Arts Mordo. In one of Marvel's nice pieces of symmetry, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness marks the MCU filmmaking debut of acclaimed Evil Dead franchise director Sam Raimi — the man who helmed the original three Spider-Man movies in the 00s, way back before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was even a glimmer in the comic book company's eye, and obviously long before Doctor Strange and Tom Holland's Spider-Man became pals. Check out the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer below: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in cinemas Down Under on May 5, 2022. Images: Photos courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Attention BLACKPINK fans around Australia — and get ready for love — because 2023 just got a whole lot better. As initially announced back in 2022 and now officially locked in, the world's most successful female K-Pop group are heading Down Under this winter, hitting Australia mere months after a rather huge gig: headlining Coachella 2023. Last year, the dates for the [Born Pink] World Tour were unveiled in a post on Instagram, revealing that the tour was kicking off in Seoul before moving through the US and Europe. As revealed then, come June 2023, BLACKPINK will spend the final leg of the tour performing over two nights in Melbourne (Saturday, June 10–Sunday, June 11) and two nights in Sydney (Friday, June 16–Saturday, June 17). A one-night stint in Auckland, however, has been ditched. "Due to unforeseen logistical challenges, the originally announced Auckland show will no longer be feasible," according to the tour announcement. [caption id="attachment_887179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jiya & Arcam[/caption] BLACKPINK's two Melbourne shows will take over Rod Laver Arena, while their Sydney gigs will unleash their pink venom at Qudos Bank Arena. Fans around the rest of Australia, we bet you wanna show your BLACKPINK love, too — so you have trips to the New South Wales or Victorian capitals in your future. The tour supports BLACKPINK's latest album BORN PINK, which released in September 2022. It also comes after 'Pink Venom' made history by becoming the biggest release by a female group or solo artist this decade. First, then tune debuted at number one on Spotify's global top songs chart. Then, it racked up over 7.9-million streams within the first 24 hours. And on YouTube, the official music video reached 100-million views quicker than any video by a female group ever, including 90.4-million views notched up in the first 24 hours. Also the most-subscribed music act on YouTube thanks to their 84 million-plus followers, and the most- followed girl group on Spotify, BLACKPINK will head through Asia first before hitting Australia. And if you can't make it or don't manage to nab tickets, there's always the Coachella livestream in April. BLACKPINK [BORN PINK] WORLD TOUR AUSTRALIAN DATES: Saturday, June 10–Sunday, June 11 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, June 16–Saturday, June 17 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney BLACKPINK's [Born Pink] world tour heads to Australia in June 2023. The Frontier members' pre-sale runs for 24 hours — or until the allocation is all snapped up — from 11am AEDT for Sydney and 1pm AEDT f0r Melbourne on Wednesday, February 8, with general sales from 12pm AEDT for Sydney and 2pm AEDT for Melbourne on Thursday, February 9.
Lucinda Coxon's Herding Cats isn't about what you think it is. Nope, it's about two mid-twenties housemates whose work fills them with expletive-filled fury and mind-boggling frustration. Justine is a high-powered office worker who physically can't stand to be around her boss, and Michael earns his living by pretending to be a woman and making dirty calls to men such as Saddo. Theirs is an increasingly fraught relationship as their different circumstances threaten to swallow them whole and life in the 'cat' race becomes unbearable. Directed by Suzanne Chaundy, Herding Cats takes a long hard look at the herd mentality which leaves people so overworked and overwrought that they only have time for the wrong kinds of intimacy. The intensity of Coxon's script lends itself well to a Red Stitch Actors Theatre production and the award-winning script offers disturbing insights into loneliness, bitterness and human frailty.
English record producer and trance DJ extraordinaire Paul Oakenfold brings the beat to the Melbourne Festival Hall this Friday. With two albums topping the US dance music charts, Oakenfold is a man used to having his name up in lights. One of trance’s biggest names, the DJ has worked with many big names over his illustrious career, like Madonna and The Happy Mondays, as well as having contributed to soundtracks of big name films like The Planet Of The Apes and The Bourne Conspiracy. No stranger to touring, Oakenfold has brought his electric show to venues all over the globe, and is expected to set the festival hall aflame. Fans can expect one hell of a show.
The Heide Museum of Modern Art is one of Melbourne's most significant cultural institutions, with a history that dates back to 1934 and an exhibition program that often plays host to some of the biggest names in Australian art. Boasting 16 stunning acres in Bulleen, it's usually a prime spot for laidback weekend adventures. The gallery is, in-line with current COVID-19 restrictions, closed to the public until at least June 30, but when you visit later in 2020 expect to find a new multi-sensory exhibition: a Healing Garden. Designed by architecture studio Openwork, it's inspired by Heide founder Sunday Reed's passion for plants. While it's not promising to cure any of you ailments, the circular garden is hoping to be a place that'll "improve people's wellbeing and restore a sense of equilibrium". Kind of like The Secret Garden, but in 2020 Melbourne. Sandwiched between Reed's existing heritage-listed kitchen garden and the Heide cottage, the new Healing Garden will be split into six different 'mini exhibits'. When you first enter, you'll be greeted by a cacophony of aromas from the Scented Entries section, which will feature some of Reed's original roses. Then, you'll move through two edible gardens: a Sensory Kitchen Garden and a Bush Tucker Garden. Here, you'll be able to touch, smell and even eat some of the plants. Elsewhere in the maze-like area, you'll find a Haptic Play Garden with a water feature; The Meadow, which is promising to be "rambunctious" and "immersive"; and the climbing rose-filled Wild Garden. Dotted throughout, there'll be limestone seating and nooks where you can sit and socialise (distantly, most likely). When you visit Heide in the hopefully not-too-distant future — with the museum set to reopen on June 30 — you'll also be able to browse the architecturally stunning galleries, explore the mid-century Heide house and cruise through the sculpture park while moseying among the lush green grounds. The Healing Garden is slated to open at the Heide Museum in late 2020. The museum is set to reopen on June 30. Images: Design render of Heide Museum of Modern Art's Healing Garden courtesy Openwork.
Across November, New South Wales is hosting 1000 gigs at more than 300 venues, all thanks to the State Government-run Great Southern Nights. The event is helping to restart the state's live music scene after this year's lockdowns and restrictions, and it has just gained a huge new addition — especially in terms of crowd size. While you might've already filled your calendar with smaller shows both in Sydney and across the rest of NSW, make room for The Great Southern Nights series, which'll take place on Saturday, November 28 and Saturday, December 5. Not only will the two gigs hit up Qudos Bank Arena — marking the first big indoor arena shows in Australia since the beginning of the pandemic — but they'll host just over 5000 punters at each gig. That's just a fraction of the venue's 21,000 total capacity, but it still covers a hefty number of music lovers in a year that's been mostly devoid of listening to live tunes en masse. It'll all be held in a COVID-19-safe manner, of course — and, across the two shows, it's expected that crowd numbers will near 12,000 in total. As for the lineup, the first evening will see Ocean Alley, Jack River, Ruby Fields and Jack Botts doing their thing on stage — while the second gig will feature Bernard Fanning, Matt Corby and Merci Mercy. The Great Southern Nights series will take place as NSW's events calendar is slowly filling up, and as venues are being given the go-ahead to welcome in bigger crowds. The state's outdoor stadiums can have up to 10,000 fans in the stands; theatres, concert halls and cinemas can host events of up to 1000 people, and country shows of up to 5000 people will be allowed to happen this summer. The Great Southern Nights takes place on Saturday, November 28 and Saturday, December 5 at Qudos Bank Arena. For more information, or to buy tickets — from 10am ADST on Monday, November 9 for the first gig and at the same time on Tuesday, November 10 for the second — head to the Ticketek website. Top image: Ocean Alley, Neegzistuoja via Wikimedia Commons.
It only takes one perfect record to make a musician a legend. For Ms Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was that album. The American singer and rapper fronted The Fugees before dropping her only solo release. She starred in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit as well. But come 1998, when the record that bears her name hit, it ensured that she'd always be an icon. 2023 marks 25 years since The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill first arrived — and to celebrate, Hill is touring. Down Under, she has locked in three stops, including a stadium show on Tuesday, October 3 at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Home to singles 'Doo Wop (That Thing)', 'Ex-Factor', 'Everything Is Everything', 'Lost Ones' and 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a smash on the charts, with critics and at the Grammys. It peaked at number two in Australia; has been named in oh-so-many lists of 90s, hip hop and rap records, as well as albums of all time and releases by women; and earned five Grammys from ten nominations. During her tour, Hill will play tracks from her time with The Fugees, too — killing audiences softly with the iconic cover that the band is best known for, plus 'Ready or Not', 'Fu-Gee-La' and more. Top image: Città di Parma via Wikimedia Commons.
We all have a mate with a special interest that doesn't quite match up to our own. Maybe you've got a friend who is trying to drag you on a camping trip when you'd much rather spend a weekend staying in a luxury hotel? Or a Crossfit-mad mate who wants you to fall in love with the beloved fitness regimen that you have zero interest in? We get it. But it doesn't mean you can't have a good time while supporting your mate's penchant for niche activities. To help you be a supportive mate (and to have a good time while you're at it) we've teamed up with Ticketblaster to find a few ways to enjoy yourself at your friend's special interest events. Whether it's getting around the footy or seeing a movie you don't couldn't care less about, read on to find out how you can have a good time in unexpected places — even when you'd rather be anywhere else. TO ENJOY THE FOOTY: WATCH THE GAME AT THE MEDALLION CLUB If you need extra convincing to head along to the footy in Melbourne, Ticketblaster has your back. You can nab tickets to the Medallion Club on a game-by-game basis exclusively through the ticketing site. Even if you're not a member, you can still have an elevated AFL experience (think: premium seats, dining and access to the corporate suites) at the MCG and its Shane Warne Stand or Marvel Stadium courtesy of Ticketblaster. That means you can enjoy all the perks of a season membership without the hefty annual price tag with tickets starting from $50. TO APPRECIATE THE THEATRE: START WITH TWILIGHT DRINKS IN THE COURTYARD If you're not typically keen on theatre or sitting in the dark for long periods on end, beginning your evening with an alfresco drink beforehand might just be the gateway you've been looking for. Make tracks to Malthouse Theatre, an old brewery turned contemporary theatre complex, which presents various forms of performing arts including comedy, music and theatre. Here, you can enjoy drinks in the sunny courtyard bar before heading inside to see that play that your friend won't stop banging on about. TO GET ON THE GREEN: MAKE IT MINIATURE Golf isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you make the game a more bite-sized length, it can be a good time for the game's naysayers. Thankfully, Victoria has a few options when it comes to mini golf. Holey Moley promises a putt putt party in the CBD, with a fully stocked bar and plenty of snacks to keep you going as you tackle the venue's whopping 27 holes across its three colourful courses. And, if you get sick of swinging your golf club, you can jump on the mic and have a crack at karaoke instead. Feeling adventurous? Head further afield to Maru Koala and Animal Park to test your skills at Pirate Pete's 18-hole course. Don't forget to say hello to all the gorgeous animals at the park after your day on the green. TO HEAD OFF ON A HIKE: SCHEDULE A SUNSET SOAK AFTERWARDS Been guilted into digging out the trainers for a hike in the great outdoors? Why not reward yourself with some serious relaxation after your trek? After getting your heart rate up, escape to the Peninsula Hot Springs for a soak in its spectacular baths. The geothermal mineral waters span over 50 bathing experiences, including the hilltop pool and smaller ones amongst the trees. There are also spa treatments if you really want to spoil yourself and moonlit bathing available, too. [caption id="attachment_799282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Kinross Photography[/caption] TO ATTEND A NICHE FILM: CATCH IT A BOUTIQUE CINEMA If you're being dragged along to a movie you don't really care for, make plans to see it at a boutique theatre. The Astor Theatre on the corner of Chapel Street and Dandenong Road is an ideal spot. There's only one screen in the huge auditorium that opened in 1936, and a trip to this famous theatre really does feel like an event in its own right. It's known for showing classic and cult favourites, along with new releases here and there. Another option is the Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick, which shows a selection of new releases and arthouse classics in a gorgeous 1800s building. The best part? There are cocktails and handmade ice cream to enjoy during your mate's favourite film. TO GET YOURSELF GAMING: TEST YOUR SKILLS AT AN ARCADE Not the gaming type? The arcade and pinball bar Bartronica, located on Flinders Lane in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, might help you change that for the night. The retro arcade is filled with neon everywhere you look and boasts pinnies, consoles, arcades games and more. There's also plenty of tinnies and cocktails being slung and and bar snacks to keep you refreshed during the big gaming battles. Sounds pretty good right? Tap into the nostalgia of playing games in your younger years and enjoy a cold bev while you're at it. TO FROTH THE WAVES: HANG TEN AT URBNSURF Always wanted to try new surfing but afraid of, you know, sharks? URBNSURF Park in Tullamarine may be the way to go to indulge your mate who wants to hang ten. With ocean-like waves in a controlled environment, the surf park offers you the chance to catch a wave without the dangers (or anxiety) of deep ocean water. There are waves for newbies, intermediate surfers and challenging barrels for those who are more accustomed to the riding the sea. After your surf, head to Three Blue Ducks to refuel with food from a menu featuring sustainable and ethically farmed produce. Reckon you're ready to join your mate's niche interest activity? For more information on Medallion Club and to book tickets, visit the Ticketblaster website.
Run to the Melbourne Fringe Hub for this late-night celebration of the music of Whitney Houston. Taking over Arts House in North Melbourne on Friday, September 21 in the middle of the festival, Queen of the Night will see a bevy of local performers — including Mz Rizk, Mama Alto, Shamita Siva, Jennifer Vuletic and the cast of Lou Wall's Drag Race — pay tribute to the legendary singer with unique takes on her iconic music. Best of all, it's free. Have a boogie, feel the heat, and make the most of this one moment in time. The party doesn't kick off until 10pm, so you can even sneak in a Fringe show beforehand.
There's a whole swag of reasons to love Melbourne in February, from the balmy rooftop bar weather to the abundance of cracking beach days. And of course, there's that much-loved summer favourite — the long-running live music celebration that is St Kilda Festival. The legendary event is back for its 42nd year in 2023, bringing another huge program of gigs to its bayside home from Saturday, February 18–Sunday, February 19. Across the weekend, multiple stages will play host to a bumper showcase of Aussie musical talent, spotlighting big-name acts and exciting up-and-comers alike. And, as always, it's free. [caption id="attachment_839020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nathan Doran[/caption] Along for the ride this year, you've got celebrated singer-songwriter Christine Anu, who'll be headlining Saturday's new First Peoples First program. The Archie Roach Foundation has curated a good chunk of the lineup, while its namesake, the late Uncle Archie, will be further honoured with a dedicated musical tribute. Meanwhile, legends including longtime Aussie rockers Hoodoo Gurus and electro-pop act Confidence Man are confirmed to be hitting the main stage the following day for Big Festival Sunday. As always, Fitzroy Street's New Music Stage is set to be a treasure trove of emerging musical goodness — and where audiences themselves will scout and crown the winner of the New Music Competition — while Acland Plaza plays host to a dedicated locals stage. [caption id="attachment_884062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Sweetnam[/caption] More music is set to envelop the St Kilda Foreshore and its surrounds, as artists also work their magic across the Triangle Stage, the Catani Gardens Stage and the family-focused O'Donnell Gardens Stage. Plus, throw in a spot of roving entertainment, dance performances, community activities, market stalls, and a slew of food and drink pop-ups, and you've got one very festive February weekend by the bay. Stay tuned for the full St Kilda Festival program, which is set to drop on Wednesday, January 18. [caption id="attachment_884064" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nathan Doran[/caption] [caption id="attachment_839022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nathan Doran[/caption] St Kilda Festival will take over the St Kilda Foreshore and surrounds from Saturday, February 18– Sunday, February 19. Catch the full program over on the website from Wednesday, January 18. Top image: Nathan Doran.
UPDATE: April 15, 2020: Aladdin is available to stream via Disney+. Let's get the obvious reference out of the way: in remaking the 1992 classic, Disney's live-action Aladdin doesn't venture to a whole new world. Instead, the company's latest rehash of its back catalogue adds literal, visible flesh to everyone's favourite makeover concept (Blue Eye for the Street Rat Guy, basically), as well as a few minor twists and an extra song. Relaying the same tale again isn't necessarily an issue, on paper. Storytellers have been doing the same thing since time began, as have filmmakers for more than a century, with re-interpreting familiar narratives, adapting them to different contexts and seeing them afresh all part of human nature. But what Aladdin lacks is a purpose beyond the obvious. It's a glossy new version with actors instead of animation; a shiny, nostalgic replica that's definitely entertaining enough. However it never tries to soar on its own magic carpet. One line of thinking, of course, is that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Another is that faithful do-overs of beloved hits (including Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast and Dumbo, plus the forthcoming The Lion King) are just Disney's safety-driven success strategy. These are risk-averse filmmaking times, so the latter approach is understandable. When fans mobilise online en masse to cry about women with lightsabers and demand that a television show be remade because it didn't end the way they personally wanted, simply giving viewers what they already like is the all-too-sensible option. Accordingly, Aladdin circa 2019 is exactly what it was always going to be, with all of the expected ups and downs that entails. Yes, it'll make you want to revisit the original. No, Will Smith can't match Robin Williams, but he doesn't always try to. Surprisingly, while there are no geezers spouting Cockney rhyming slang (and no Jason Statham, sadly), director Guy Ritchie's penchant for energetic spectacle generally fits. The story, for those who didn't spend their childhoods rewatching the animated flick endlessly and committing the details to memory, charts Agrabah urchin Aladdin (Mena Massoud), his newfound love for Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and the lamp-dwelling Genie (Will Smith) who can make dreams come true. Aladdin is merely a kind-hearted petty thief with a cheeky monkey for a best friend, with Jasmine only able to marry royalty — and her sultan father (Navid Negahban) is hardly fond of breaking tradition. Complicating matters even further is nefarious advisor Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), who exerts his own influence — with the help of his all-seeing parrot Iago (voiced by Alan Tudyk) — to try to seize the throne. With Genie's wish-granting assistance, Aladdin pretends to be a prince to secure Jasmine's hand, but securing the kingdom becomes just as pressing a concern. There's a timely female empowerment thread to this version to Aladdin, as seen in its new song, as well as Jasmine's rallying against her lack of agency. Barely tinkering with the initial flick's script, Ritchie and co-scribe John August (Frankenweenie) aren't trying to break the mould — or enchanted lamp — yet it's a welcome albeit fairly obligatory touch. Where the director best exerts his influence is in teaming with cinematographer Alan Stewart (Mary Poppins Returns) to bring Agrabah to vivid, jewel-toned life, watching Aladdin sneakily parkour himself around the city and giving the musical numbers the requisite bounce. Where the tunes are concerned, established crowd-pleasers such as 'Prince Ali', 'Friend Like Me' and 'A Whole New World' prove the high points they're meant to be, which sums up the film's fortunes perfectly: its hits are already known, and making sure they don't crash compared to the original is the primary plan. That could sum up Smith's tactics also, or at least that's how it initially seems. He's less comfortable and convincing when he's overtly mimicking Williams at the outset, but serves up an engaging and amusing Genie once he makes the character his own (and when he isn't sporting a distracting shade of blue). Indeed, if viewers had three wishes for the Aladdin remake, and one of them was for a great cast, that has largely been granted. Crucially, Massoud makes a suitably charismatic rapscallion, and Scott brings poise and radiance to a star-making performance, helping you forget that she was in the awful Power Rangers movie. The true scene-stealer, though, is ex-Saturday Night Live star Nasim Pedrad as Jasmine's handmaiden Dalia. It's a move that'd never happen, but if this adequate yet never arresting Aladdin revival sparked a spin-off about its two main ladies just being great and taking on the world, it'd justify its existence several times over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyufD52aog
The Scandinavian crime fixation currently sweeping non-Nordic nations shows no signs of abating. Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series provides the latest instance, a four-instalment-to-date police procedural setting a duo of detectives in search of answers to dead cases. The Keeper of Lost Causes is the first feature to result. All the elements exist in director Mikkel Nørgaard and writer Nikolaj Arcel's version of the novel. (They're both veterans of the burgeoning genre with resumes that encompass television's Borgen and the Swedish-language The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as evidence.) An odd couple, an against-the-odds task, brooding backstories, a pretty prey and a cat-and-mouse game with the perpetrator furnish a feature that stays within the confines of the expected — except for one significant deviation. As well as tracking the law enforcement quest to uncover the truth, the film gifts viewers with the victim's perspective: her tale told as a parallel to the investigation. The Keeper of Lost Causes is in cinemas on July 31, and thanks to Madman Entertainment, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Read our full review here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=68sO1s9Hy70
The Atlantic Group is known for setting up some of the best seafood restaurants in Melbourne — most notably, The Atlantic. So, it was no surprise to see its takeaway sushi joint Sushi Baby do so damn well in Brighton immediately after opening in mid-2023. Riding this wave of success, the crew has now gone ahead and set up a new dine-in restaurant with a bright pink and green dining room and a courtyard filled with greenery and pink blossom garlands. This fit-out is starkly different from most of Melbourne's sushi joints, which tend to keep the colour scheme muted and furnishings traditional. But Sushi Baby isn't your classic sushi diner. Its colourful design reflects the kitchen's contemporary stylings and playful approach to Japanese cuisine. The nori tacos — filled with raw salmon, avocado, teriyaki sauce and furikake — are a brilliant representation of this. The classic flavours and ingredients are presented differently without being unusual just for the sake of it. The sushi purists out there shouldn't be scared off, as the Sushi Baby crew isn't messing around too much. Traditional nigiri, maki rolls and inari are up for grabs, plus there's a daily changing sashimi platter for those wanting to really treat themselves. Katsu sandos and some larger sharing plates help the diner transition from day to night. Upgrading the space hasn't meant that it has totally abandoned its takeout sushi roots. Most of the dine-in goodies can be made to take away, plus the 62- and 85-piece sushi boxes are still as stunning as always — coming in a bright pink box with the brand's signature laughing baby face printed under the lid. Sushi Baby can be found at 414 New Street, Brighton, open 11am–8.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday (and on Sundays) and 11am–9.30pm from Friday to Saturday. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Back in 2018, Australia scored the kind of festival we were always bound to, and to love: The Drop, a music fest that sets up its song-filled stages beside the country's iconic surfing spots. And if that still sounds like your idea of quite the big — and sandy — day out, you'd best get ready to surf the festival wave again, with the event returning in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, The Drop will stage a two-date run in New South Wales, hitting up Bondi Beach and Coffs Harbour in October. This marks the first time that the fest has made its way to Bondi, so expect it to be huge. On the bill at both 2022 shows: Tones and I, Matt Corby and Dune Rats, as well as Cub Sport, Gretta Ray, Shag Rock, TOWNS and Hallie. They'll head to Sydney's most famous beach on Saturday, October 15, then back it up the following week, on Saturday, October 22, at Park Beach Reserve in Coffs Harbour. [caption id="attachment_753215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Walk Wild Studio[/caption] Fans in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, where The Drop has played before, will need to wait until next year to get their sun, surf, sand and song fix. The 2023 lineup hasn't been revealed, but dates have announced. Whether the event will do what it usually does and follow the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour hasn't been confirmed yet either, but fingers crossed. Stops are locked in for Coolangatta, Torquay and Busselton, though, plus a return to NSW thanks to the Newcastle show. And pairing music not only with sandy settings, but with surfing contests, has always been a big part of The Drop. If you have tickets to previous The Drop fest that didn't go ahead due to the pandemic, you now have a few options — to either roll them over to the new festivals in each location (where they're returning), switch to Bondi or Coffs Harbour instead, or obtain a refund. [caption id="attachment_753214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] THE DROP FESTIVAL 2022 DATES Saturday, October 15 — Bondi Beach, Bondi, New South Wales Saturday, October 22 — Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales THE DROP FESTIVAL 2022 LINEUP Tones And I Matt Corby Dune Rats Cub Sport Gretta Ray Shag Rock TOWNS Hallie THE DROP FESTIVAL 2023 DATES Saturday, January 21_Sunday, January 22 — Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, Queensland Tuesday, March 28 — Empire Park, Newcastle, New South Wales Saturday, April 8 — Torquay Common, Torquay, Victoria Saturday, April 15 — TBC, Busselton, Western Australia Saturday, May 13 — Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, Queensland The Drop will return for two 2022 festivals in New South Wales in October. Ticket pre-sales start at 9am on Tuesday, August 9, with general sales from 9am on Wednesday, August 10. For more information, visit the festival's website. The Drop's 2023 lineup will be announced closer to its 2023 dates — we'll update you when details come to hand. Images: Ian Laidlaw / Miranda Stokkel.
It was back in September 2022 that Weird: The Al Yankovic Story first hit screens, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival with its happily ridiculous take on its namesake's life, and with Daniel Radcliffe (The Lost City) sporting a mop of curls to play the titular part. And, it was in November last year that the film became available to stream in the US, releasing via The Roku Channel. Since then, however, there has been no sign of the movie Down Under. That is, unless you took Weird Al's advice. The man himself noted on Twitter at the time that "Roku's working on it. In the meantime there's VPN (Very Probably No) way to watch it legally. I'm sure you have a TORRENT of other questions, but I have to move along, sorry." Roku's working on it. In the meantime there's VPN (Very Probably No) way to watch it legally. I'm sure you have a TORRENT of other questions, but I have to move along, sorry. — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) November 5, 2022 Thankfully, come Thursday, March 2, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will finally hit streaming in Australia thanks to Paramount+. When you're not getting yourself and egg and beating it, you might want to mark that date in your diary. This is the 100-percent Weird Al-authorised take on his own accordion-playing existence, so expect 'weird' to be the word in more ways than one. Indeed, in too many music biopics to count, a star is born — and also rises to fame after putting their talents towards a dream that's inspired them as long as they can remember. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story follows that same formula, but also parodies it. It wouldn't be a movie about Weird Al if it didn't take something that already works, then give it a satirical spin, now would it? "My whole life, all I wanted was to do... was make up new words to a song that already exists," Yankovic, as played by Daniel Radcliffe (The Lost City), says Weird's full trailer — which, yes, looks gloriously ridiculous. This line bookends glimpses of a childhood Al happily thumbing through accordion magazines and getting caught at a polka party. In other words, this humorous look at the man behind oh-so-many humorous songs takes the exact approach a film about Weird Al really has to. Viewers can also expect: accordions, obviously; recreations of Weird Al's film clips and live performances; oh-so-many Hawaiian shirts; chaotic meetings with Madonna, as played by Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood; and origin stories behind tracks like 'My Bologna' and 'Like a Surgeon'. Beneath wire-framed glasses, those shirts, that hair and Yankovic's instantly recognisable moustache — and in a piece of casting that seems like it jumped straight from the internet — Radcliffe looks to be having the time of his life as the musician behind 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise', plus comedic riffs on pretty much every other big song of the past four-plus decades that you can think of. Yankovic is one of the screenwriters, alongside director Eric Appel (a TV sitcom veteran with Happy Endings, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and top-notch cop-show parody NTSF:SD:SUV on this resume). If the man in the spotlight's career has taught us all anything apart from the wrong words to pop hits, it's that he doesn't take a single thing, including himself, seriously. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will hit Paramount+ in Australia with perfect timing, because Yankovic is touring the country in March, playing Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. Check out the trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story below: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will stream in Australia from Thursday, March 2 via Paramount+.
A lineup of local makers, shakers and musicians are pooling their talents for the creatively charged Bush Bop Day Party, helmed by the crew at Flo Creative Events. They'll all descend on the Old Apple Shed in Boneo on Sunday, January 19, for a jam-packed day of fun, celebrating local talent while drumming up donations for WIRES Wildlife Rescue, and the Qld, NSW and Vic fire brigades. There'll be a slew of market stalls to browse, along with a mini art exhibition featuring pieces by the likes of Jordyn White, Broken Oath Print Shop, Emma Whitelaw, Luna Tunes and Talk Talk Die. Meanwhile, acts like The Belair Lip Bombs, Polly And The Pockets, Velvet Bloom + The Vito Collective and Noddy make up the day's diverse live music offering, matched to striking visuals by Nathan Nagorcka Stewart. Entry to all of it will cost you $10 on the door, with half of all profits heading to support bushfire victims via Flo's nominated fundraising partners. Bush Bop Day Party runs from 11am–3pm.
After eight seasons, a huge body count and an enormous wait for winter, Game of Thrones is coming to an end in 2019. But that doesn't mean saying goodbye to the world first created by author George R.R. Martin — not only thanks to the author's books, whenever The Winds of Winter eventually hits shelves, or even simply due to the planned prequel series. In addition, fans will soon be able to visit a heap of new GoT tourist attractions. After filming much of the show in Northern Ireland for the past decade, HBO has announced that it's teaming up with Tourism NI to open a number of sets and sites to the public for the first time. If you've ever dreamed about walking around Westeros, this will be your chance. Winterfell, Castle Black and King's Landing are among the iconic spots that'll feature in what's being called Game of Thrones Legacy. Visitors won't just see the ancestral home of House Stark, the headquarters of the Night's Watch or the capital of the seven kingdoms, but also view exhibitions complete with costumes, props, weapons and set decorations, plus art files, models and other production materials. There'll also be accompanying digital content and interactive materials, highlighting GoT's digital effects. Given that the show includes both dragons and wights, aka Martin's version of zombies, there's plenty to showcase. The project is still in an exploratory process, with full details still to be revealed, but a 2019 opening date has been slated. Seeing as though the show's final season will air next year, that timing is hardly surprising — you'll probably be able to find out whether Jon Snow really knows nothing, and then head to Northern Ireland to visit many of his haunts.
One pair of Aussie pastry chefs are on a mission to make the humble lamington famous. Well, famous outside of Australian borders — just how Iranian-born jalebi and Italian cannoli are now found the world over. To do this, Min Chai and Eddie Stewart, founders of Australia's N2 Extreme Gelato, have launched Tokyo Lamington. Currently available in Singapore and Tokyo, the dessert brand doesn't just make traditional takes on the quintessentially Aussie chocolate- and coconut-covered cake. Instead, the sponge gets an international makeover with iterations in pandan, ube, lemon myrtle, black sesame, matcha and milk tea. While the duo has initially been focused on piquing the interest of overseas tastebuds, the chefs are heading back Down Under this July to the lamington's motherland for a one-day pop-up. [caption id="attachment_774462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] On Tuesday, July 7 — and on Tuesday, July 7 only — the pair's untraditional lamingtons will be available at Koko Black stores across Sydney and Melbourne. The chefs have collaborated with Koko Black's Master Chocolatier Remco Brigou to create three flavours that are definitely luxe and a little Aussie. There's a sweet and sour davidson plum lamington made with dark fruity Sao Thomé Callebaut chocolate; a triple choc number with 80 percent dark chocolate ganache and finished with chocolate shavings; and a caramelised coconut sponge coated in white chocolate. On the day, you'll be able to buy these lamingtons in packs of three for $21 at the following Koko Black stores: The Strand Arcade and the QVB in Sydney; and Carlton, Chadstone, Como Centre, Doncaster, Highpoint Shopping Centre, Town Hall, Royal Arcade and The Glen Shopping Centre in Melbourne. Like all good things, we expect these sweets to sell out fast, so head in early if you can. Tokyo Lamington's limited-edition lamingtons will be available at select Koko Black stores across Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday, July 7. Images: Nikki To
It’s a sweltering night in Brunswick, the week’s heatwave at its crest, and one has to feel for the actors gamely stepping out under the stage lights in suit jackets and ties. Still, a bit of sweat doesn’t go astray in The Temperamentals, a tale combining steamy romance and a thick atmosphere of fear. The year is 1950, the place Los Angeles, and Harry Hay (Angelo de Cato), a gay teacher, has hit breaking point. Tired of having to conduct his romantic life in secret, Hay decides to take a stand and writes a manifesto asserting equal rights for homosexuals — the seed, he hopes, for a new civil rights movement. The Temperamentals, penned by Pulitzer prize winning American playwright Jon Marans, is not fiction but a docudrama about the little known gay rights movement of the early fifties. Hay and his lover, Rudi Gernreich (Tim Constantine) — later an acclaimed fashion designer — founded an activist group called the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest organisations of its kind, and the play traces their often frustrating experience trying to get a public movement started among a group committed to secrecy. Taking its name from a code word by which gay men of the time identified each other, The Temperamentals gives a nuanced account of social repression. The censure of society is depicted subtly but persistently, creating an atmosphere of constant tension. The psychological impact of repression is powerfully depicted, the characters riven by inner turmoil — themselves embedded in 1950s attitudes about masculinity and propriety, even as they struggle against them trying to establish their own identity. The interplay between the fledgeling struggle for queer rights and the other social tensions of the day, from anti-communism to endemic racism, adds another layer to the rich text too. The Temperamentals first played in New York in 2009 and this production from local indie outfit Mockingbird Theatre is the first performance of it in Melbourne. It uses a stark set and a tight cast of five. De Cato gives a powerful turn as the seething, conflicted Hay, delightfully contrasted by Constantine as his elegant lover. The three energetic support actors (Chuck Rowland, Jai Luke and Sebastian Bertoli) do a lot of switching between minor roles early on, and it can at times be a little tricky differentiating who’s who, but the play really finds its stride once they settle into ongoing characters who are able to develop more. The play goes from strength to strength, alive with historical detail without being weighed down by it, emotive without being heavy handed and rousing without needing to sugarcoat the fractured politics and personalities involved in the story. While there could have been better use of props, with some odd inconsistencies such as a significant costume item not being the colour the characters say it is, the performances are heartfelt, the cast very likeable and the script incisive and witty. Whether what you want sharp social commentary or sharply dressed men getting torrid with each other, The Temperamentals delivers. It is a riveting show and one that shines a light on a fascinating slice of history.
Have you ever needed to convey an important message to someone in a big way, but sweated to find the perfect gift to do so? Maybe you needed to say, 'sorry for being a jerk', 'thanks for being a great mate', or simply, 'I love you'. Well, perhaps not surprisingly, there’s a website to fix that problem. Sorry Thanks I Love You is an online store that’s working to reignite the culture of giving. By taking a short personalised shopping quiz based on the person in mind (with questions such as ‘What were they like a kid?’ or ‘What would they do with 24 hours in NYC?’), Sorry Thanks I Love You has everything you could ever need to help you say any of those five little words (you'd hope). The site features handmade accessories, homewares, gourmet foods, fresh flowers from boutique florists and craft beverages sourced from around the world. This holiday season, you’ll be able to see and try out all these goodies for yourself at Sorry Thanks I Love You's new pop-up store in Pran Central. The store will features tonnes of products, including knives carved from Scandinavian reindeer antler, hand-woven Kashmiri scarves and traditional Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloths. Gourmet goodies include wheels of Bruny Island cheese and premium single malt whisky distilled in highland Tasmania, which you can taste test in the store. Sorry Thanks I Love You will also be featuring wares from iconic jewellery makers Dinosaur Designs and iconic Finnish design brand Marimekko. The shop will offer gift wrapping for gold coin donation, with proceeds donated to Motor Neuron Disease Australia as part of Sorry Thanks I Love You’s Random Acts of Kindness project. Quality wares, gourmet goodies, and supporting good causes? There's no way your mum can be disappointed this Mothers' Day.
Stripping back the Big Macs, McDonalds is set to reveal its latest campaign in Paris — with no staged food styling in sight. Developed by TBWA Paris as a 'Pictogram' campaign, McDonalds' new billboards see paired down classics like chicken nuggets, fries and Big Macs (which all look undeniably stylin'). One of the world's most easily identifiable brands, McDonalds' minimalist campaign exposes how ingrained their products are in consumer consciousness. Creative director Jean-François Goize, copywriter Frank Marinus, and art director/illustrator Michael Mikiels are capitalising on your nomming muscle memory to fill in the gaps. TBWA London paved the way with this type of advertising campaign with their No Logo strategy for FCUK, with Lego picking up the logo-less brand identification technique for their 2012 ads. Imagination is the key. Business Insider pointed out that "most men, women, and children in the world know the Mickey D's staples like they know their own names." ABC found that kids were learning to identify logos before their alphabet. Check out the campaign below, alongside TBWA's Azealia Banks-fuelled ad, full of highly attractive, youthful 'street artists'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OFu4cN7Df-8 Via Business Insider.
A film festival that brings the best and brightest new Japanese movies to Australian cinemas each year is a film festival to cherish. Also ace: a film fest that features a solely digital lineup of flicks and TV shows from Japan that you can check out from your couch. So, while it isn't time for the IRL Japanese Film Festival for 2024 yet — it last hit locations around the country across September–November 2023 — the Japanese Film Festival Online will keep you entertained come winter. Both fests serve up a handy way to view the latest and greatest Japanese fare without hopping on a plane, but only the online version lets you do so from home. Running from Wednesday, June 5–Wednesday, July 3, 2024's version will feature 23 films and two TV dramas, the latter serving up 20 episodes. And, you'll be able to check out for four Japanese horror shorts, too, all of which initially debuted in 2023 at the first-ever Horror Film Competition in Japan. The other big drawcard: Japanese Film Festival Online screens its program for free. Accordingly, this lineup won't test your budget, whether you're keen on I Am What I Am, which stars Drive My Car's Toko Miura; Anime Supremacy!, about a new director and a hotshot facing off while making their own competing anime; Single8, a Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans)-influenced picture about Star Wars-loving teens making their own movie; or classic anime Kimba the White Lion from 1966. Film lovers will be catching the movies on the program between Wednesday, June 5–Wednesday, June 19. Fellow feature options include Father of the Milky Way Railroad, a biopic about poet and novelist Kenji Miyazawa; magazine drama Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction; Baby Assassins, where teen assassins are forced to give up the murderous life; and The Handsome Suit, about a magical outfit. TV fans will be tuning in from Wednesday, June 19–Wednesday, July 3, with 2017's Rikuoh starring Kôji Yakusho (Perfect Days), and stepping inside a traditional Japanese sock company — and 2015's Downtown Rocket based on Shitamachi Rocket novels about an ex-aerospace researcher who leads a factor that he inherited. While you won't pay a thing to watch, you do still need to register via the fest's website. Won't be in Australia at the time? The fest is available in 27 countries. "JFF Online 2024 is not just a film festival; it's a cultural bridge connecting fans of Japanese cinema across the globe," said The Japan Foundation in Sydney's Manisay Oudomvilay. "From the comforts of your home, you can traverse a wide array of genres — from heartfelt dramas and engaging documentaries to captivating anime stories. This festival celebrates the breadth and diversity of Japanese storytelling." "Our lineup includes films that challenge the norms, explore deep human connections, and celebrate the artistry of both seasoned and emerging Japanese filmmakers. We invite cinema lovers and Japanophiles alike from around the world to join us in this unique virtual celebration of Japanese cinematic artistry," continued Manisay. The 2024 Japanese Film Festival Online runs from Wednesday, June 5–Wednesday, July 3. For more information and to register to watch, visit the festival website. Top images: Single8 Film Partners / Jun Ikeido, TBS / Kenji Yamamoto / Anime Supremacy! The Movie Production Committee.
Plenty of music polls have claimed to name the best songs ever made and, whatever they've chosen, they've sparked a heap of debate in the process. It's a tough, tricky and supremely subjective task, of course. But if 'Lick My Love Pump', 'Sex Farm' and 'Hell Hole' isn't on these lists, can you really trust them? If you're a This Is Spinal Tap fan, then no. Come 2024, those tunes just might have some more company — because the team behind the iconic 1984 music mockumentary is getting the band back together. Get ready to spend more time with David St Hubbins (Michael McKean, Better Call Saul), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer, The Simpsons), and Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, Mascots), aka the loudest, most explosive band in the world — at least according to their original movie outing. If you're new to all things Spinal Tap, the fictional English heavy metal band first debuted on American TV in 1979; however, it was This Is Spinal Tap that made them legends. With this trio, there is indeed a fine line between stupid and clever — and turning it up to 11 is a must. They've reformed IRL a number of times, too, and released albums. As reported by Variety and Deadline, filmmaker Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men) is returning to direct this four-decades-later on-screen followup, which'll release in 2024 to mark the OG flick's 40th anniversary. He'll also resume his role on-camera in Spinal Tap II as well, playing fictional filmmaker Marty DiBergi. The plot will follow the band as they reunite yet again to do one last in-film concert. They contractually owe it to their manager, who has passed away but his widow is insistent. This Is Spinal Tap isn't just an 80s comedy gem that everyone needs to see at least once, and actually several times more than that. Every music documentary since for the past four decades has followed in its footsteps, straightforward and satirical alike. Also, Spinal Tap's name has become shorthand for OTT bands who take themselves too seriously. Like all sequels made oh-so-many years later, Spinal Tap II is the kind of film that you'll believe is actually, genuinely, really happening when you're sitting in a cinema watching it, though, and coming up with your own two-word review. Still, best mark March 19, 2024 in your diaries now. And, in the interim, you can check out the trailer for the OG This Is Spinal Tap below: Spinal Tap II is set to release on March 19, 2024. We'll update you with further details when they're announced. Via Variety/Deadline.
It's possible that after directing the pastoral idyll that was the Olympic Opening Ceremony, Danny Boyle felt the need to dirty things up. That would explain Trance, a gangster/heist movie that takes a turn into the unexplored psychosexual corridors of Inception. James McAvoy stars as a young art auctioneer, Simon, who gets mixed up in some bad business. Charged with hiding the most valuable artwork on the auction block in the event of a heist, Simon cops a severe bump on the head after Franck (Vincent Cassel) and his men breach the building. He now has amnesia and doesn't know what's what. It's soon made clear to him, however, that this was an inside job of his orchestration, and that he's the only one who knows — knew? — where the painting is hidden. In an attempt to retrieve the buried information, Franck sends Simon to a hypnotherapist, Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson), who soon inserts herself into the gang. Things get crazy from here on in. Boyle might never have made a bad film (or play or Olympic spectacle). His titles range from Trainspotting to 28 Days Later and 127 Hours (how is that range possible, even?). Slumdog Millionaire was universally adored. But Trance will divide people. A film like this really rests on the payoff of its twist, and the Trance twist is limp and signposted early on (and I'm not one of those actively thinking cinemagoers who can usually guess the ending). There seems no good reason for the lack of subtlety throughout. On top of that, some debasing things are inflicted on the single female character, and you'd really like that kind of treatment to only happen with good narrative cause. That said, Trance is definitely interesting. You should see it just so you can have a healthy argument about it with your movie date. It's dark, complex, challenging and so inventive as to demand attention. Above all, it has a distinct and mesmerising visual style. Most of the shots you see are indirect; you are not looking at the actors as they stand in front of the camera lens but at their image as reflected off potentially several mirrors or other reflective surfaces. At one point, it's such that I swear I can see a pool cleaner crawling along the kitchen ceiling. What we think we're looking at is literally not what we are looking at. It could be a kitchen. It could also be a pool. It's a beautifully accomplished metaphor for the hypnotised state that Boyle has realised together with cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, a frequent collaborator. Their saturated blue-orange colour palette is a stunner. Another frequent collaborator of note is Rick Smith of Underworld, the iconic electro band who have worked on Boyle's Trainspotting, Sunshine and, yes, the Olympic Opening Ceremony, among other things. Smith adds another literal dimension to Trance — the music. Those demanding, racing beats are one unsubtle touch that works. Read our interview with Danny Boyle and the cast of Trance here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=L4_bdS3_gr0
When you're relaxing around the house with your pet pooch or cute kitten, you want your four-legged friend to be as comfortable as possible. Yes, all dogs and cats are masters at getting cosy in any given space — boxes, old blankets, your seat on the couch and your bed all included — because that just comes with the territory. But your furry little woofer or meowing companion is certain to dial up the snugness with an item from Big W's new spring pet range. Whether your shar pei would love to relax on a soft faux suede bed, your poodle would absolutely make the most of a pillow bed or your mouser could use a three-level space to scratch and sleep, you'll find it on offer in this new line. It's super-affordable, too, with dog beds starting from $15 and cat beds from $12. More than 400 items are currently available (including various sizes and colours), spanning collars, harnesses and leads, as well as pet clothing, toys and tunnels. The chain's pet line adds further items throughout the year, too — see: its winter collection — because even your doggo's wardrobe or kitty's favourite blanket can change with the seasons. As tends to be the case when it comes to accessories for pets, dogs have a broader range of items to choose from than cats. That said, while felines can be notoriously picky, we're sure your tabby won't notice if its getting some shut-eye on a soft, fluffy bed marketed at canines. Big W's 'Petember' collection is currently available to purchase — including online, with contactless home delivery and pick up available.
Jiro is an idealistic young man obsessed with the concept of flight. His poor eyesight means he can never be a pilot, so he becomes an engineer, designing planes that go as fast as is humanly possible. As Japan finds itself embroiled in the Second World War, Jiro falls in love with Naoko, and is torn between his desire to be with her, and his duty to his masters. Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki — best known for classics such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo — creates what may be his final film ever. (Miyazaki has announced his retirement many times in the past, and did so in the lead-up to this film. There are claims that he has backtracked this one as well.) If it is his last, it's a fitting coda. It's not difficult to see Miyazaki in Jiro: a single-minded focus with an artistic endeavour to the point of obsession. Despite being based upon a true story, a significant amount of creative licence is taken. This is, counter-intuitively, a good thing. Often, the more reverential a biopic attempts to be, the less interesting a film it is. This is a film about artistic passion, and there are more important truths about life during wartime that are illuminated in a way that a simple recounting of events would not. The film studiously avoids the cliches one would expect from this setup. It refuses to shy away from the questionable decisions made by Japan during wartime, but nor does it allow the idea of the country as the destined defeated to overwhelm what is ultimately a tale of human passion and endeavour. It's hard to think of a more measured film about non-violent people in wartime. Much of the controversy surrounding the film has focused on the fact that the protagonist is developing planes that will eventually becomes those that attacked Pearl Harbour. But that is the exact position of the myopic Jiro, who at one point expresses frustration that the planes must carry weapons and bombs, for they will slow down his masterpieces. And that's the point of the film: that the purity of artistic endeavours are often destroyed by those more concerned with conflict and battle. Madman Entertainment is releasing the film in both English and Japanese with English subtitles. You'll have to check to see which version your local cinema is playing, but if you have a choice, the Japanese language one is always preferable. There's something about the formality and manner of Japanese speech that doesn't translate well into English vocals, and even the most careful redubs often sound silly and awkward. Moments of sincerity can often sound funny, so exercise discretion. On the other hand, the English version has Werner Herzog as a German spy, so you can't really go wrong either way. It's a bold, unapologetic film that is not always completely successful, but there is a confident vision at play, and that is always welcome. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RzSpDgiF5y8
Put a jig in your step and head over to The Quiet Man Irish Pub as they welcome back fan favourites Double Shot Maggie. Once a month, you can catch this quintessential Irish rock band with a high energy punk flavour. Entry is free, leaving you more gold coins for a pub feed and a pint.
Need a bit of extra motivation to exercise? Would the chance to dress up and step back in time make you more eager to burn some calories? If so, jog along to Retrosweat. The themed workout has been getting Sydneysiders sweaty in spandex for a few years now, and s heading to Melbourne for the first time. The class will be led by founder Shannon Dooley of Physique Aerobics, who says she's aiming to inject a lot more fun (and eye shadow) into exercising. Her classes celebrate the glorious music and dance moves of the '80s. Think Prince, Michael Jackson and Madonna. The session will be a non-intimidating 60 minutes and all experience levels are welcome, so don't rule yourself out if you think you have two left feet. Held the day after Cup Day, the workout will be somewhat horse-themed, with a prize going to the best ponytail. As for the dress code? "G string leotards are encouraged, scrunchies and sweatbands compulsory."
