This piece of tour news will get you smiling like you mean it: The Killers are returning Down Under before 2024 is out, announcing their latest stint on Australia's stages. The Las Vegas-born rockers were last here in November and December 2022 — including playing intimate midnight shows — and will head back across the same months this year to get local crowds singing 'Mr Brightside' and 'Somebody Told Me' again. Hot Fuss, the album that gave the world those two beloved tracks — and 'Smile Like You Mean It', 'Jenny Was a Friend of Mine', 'All These Things That I've Done' and more — is the reason for the tour. 2024 marks 20 years since it first released, so Brandon Flowers and company are celebrating. More than that, they're playing two types of gigs on their Aussie trip. Most will be Rebel Diamonds shows, pumping through the group's hits across their entire career. In Sydney and Melbourne, however, The Killers are doing an extra night to work through Hot Fuss in its entirety. [caption id="attachment_972411" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © 2022 Chris Phelps[/caption] Open up your eager eyes, Australia: destiny is calling you to those two concerts apiece in the New South Wales and Victorian capitals, at Qudos Bank Arena and Rod Laver Arena, as well as to single shows at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in the Sunshine State capital and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. Sadly, the November/December timing means that The Killers won't be repeating their AFL Grand Final berth after stealing the show back in 2017. They will be in the country for the AFLW Grand Final, however, if you want to start crossing your fingers. Given the band's lengthy back catalogue, The Killers won't just be focusing on Hot Fuss tunes at both kinds of shows on their tour, but have plenty more songs to bust out. Also likely to get a whirl as well: 'When You Were Young', 'Bones', 'Human', 'The Man' and latest single 'Bright Lights', just to name a few. The Hot Fuss gigs have been receiving a workout in the group's hometown of late, where they played a soldout residency at Caesar's Palace from mid-August till early September. The Killers 2024 Australian Tour Dates: Saturday, November 30 — Rebel Diamonds — Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Friday, December 6 — Rebel Diamonds — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, December 7 — Hot Fuss — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, December 9 — Rebel Diamonds — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, December 12 — Rebel Diamonds — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, December 13 – Hot Fuss — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_831494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Killers are touring Australia in November and December 2024. Pre-sale tickets go on sale at 3pm local time on Tuesday, September 10, with general tickets on sale from 4pm local time on Monday, September 12. For further details, head to the tour website. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
If watching An makes you feel hungry, that's completely understandable. Named after a type of Japanese red bean paste, the film is set in a small bakery that specialises in delicacies known as dorayaki, and when it's characters aren't making them, they're wolfing them down. Chief among these folk is unhappy store owner Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase), who makes the pancake sandwich-like desserts, which are stuffed with the titular paste. When the elderly Tokue (Kirin Kiki) answers his advertisement for an assistant, he's initially reluctant, but changes his mind after sampling her delicious version of the necessary filling. Cue two predictable elements: an array of scenes depicting the careful preparation and loving production of the tasty treat in question, and a narrative that charts the unlikely bond that blooms between the two colleagues. Both play out largely as expected, although that doesn't mean that An can't provide a few pleasant surprises. Just as the students who frequent Sentaro's shop find delight in his new and improved recipe, so too will audiences find delight in the film's earnest take on a recognisable formula. The film's biggest asset is the endearing Kiki, who brings texture and depth to a tale that is both bittersweet and hopeful. Her efforts are instrumental in elevating the movie beyond its well-worn plot. Indeed, filmmaker Naomi Kawase can hardly bear to tear the camera away from her leading lady, which could be why scenes focusing on Sentaro's troubled background, or teenaged customer Wakana (Kyara Uchida), don't feel quite as engaging. With the writer-director employing her trademark slow pace and lingering visuals, it's Kiki who gives the proceedings a noticeable burst of energy. Alas, while the film's star and style both serve it well, other aspects aren't quite as successful. Only some of the plot developments work, with the film assured in its patient first half yet less convincing when it becomes concerned with dramatic revelations. As Kawase tries to work in bigger and broader themes, including passing wisdom between generations and ignoring social conventions in general, her material veers further into sentimental territory. And then there's the accompanying score, which fires up the piano a little too mournfully at obvious moments. Of course, not just finding but perfecting the right balance of ingredients is as difficult for filmmakers as it is for pastry chefs. Though An marks Kawase's 24th film in 23 years, she's clearly still tinkering with her recipe book. Still, she does more than enough right to make her latest concoction appetising.
These days, most Sydneysiders head to the Hunter or the Southern Highlands when they're looking for a local wine. However, back in the 19th century, it wasn't necessary to go so far. Vineyards flourished all over Sydney itself — from Macquarie Street, where Australia's first grape vines were planted 230 years ago, to Parramatta to Narrabeen. You pretty much couldn't travel in any direction without feeling tempted to stop for a glass or two. For the most part, these historical vineyards were paved over at one time or another, to make way for housing, roads and car parks. Now, though, Cracka Wines wants to bring grapes back to the city. How? By getting residents to grow them on their porches, windowsills and in their backyards. And, to encourage everyone to get started, they're giving away vines of the Pinot Noir and Riesling varieties, because they're the ones that grow best in Sydney's temperate climate. This ambitious, citywide initiative is called the Urban Vineyard Project. Once the vines are growing, participants will be invited to upload them to an online map, which lets them see where other vintners are busy at work. While they're at it, they can access some helpful instructions for cultivating and harvesting grapes, and, of course, making good wine. "On average, Aussies drink around 530 million litres of wine each year!" says Dean Taylor, founder and CEO of Cracka Wines. "We want to educate them further on the wine making process and bring everyone together over a shared love of wine." For more information, visit the Urban Vineyard Project website
If you were one of the many (46,000 to be exact) people on the waiting list for London's pop-up nude restaurant The Bunyadi earlier this year, then you'll be stoked with the news that Spain is set to open its own nude restaurant — only this one will be permanent. Yep, there'll be nude meals all year-round at Innato Tenerife, which will be located on the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. According to The Local, the restaurateur behind the concept Tony de Leonardis was inspired by the London pop-up and will have a similar no clothes, no phones policy. Unfortunately that doesn't mean no wallets though — you'll have to pay a hefty price of €70 for the privilege, which includes an all-inclusive buffet. Perhaps most interesting is the table situation — the waitstaff won't just bring your food, they'll stick around so you can eat it off them too. Yum? Apparently they will be wearing loin cloths and vine leaves though. For modesty. Apart from that weird feature, the setting sounds rather nice. Innato will be located in candle-lit private gardens in the town of San Isidro, with room for 44 to dine among fruit trees. Sounds very Garden of Eden. It will open on January 20 next year — here's the Facebook event if perchance you're naked and in town. Via The Local.
In space, no one can hear you scream. But the darkened aisles of the Astor Theatre are quite another matter. 35 years after changing the face of science fiction forever, the terrifying final journey of the star-freighter Nostromo will light up the screen once more, followed by a special Q&A with two of its ill-fated crew. Presented at The Astor on 35mm in its extended director's cut version, there will never be a better way to view Ridley Scott's masterpiece, a film that demands to be seen in a theatre. Only on the big screen can you fully appreciate the dark, twisting intricacies of the iconic set and creature design. And only as part of a rapt audience can you become immersed in the horror, as the monstrous alien Xenomorph first rears its ugly head. After the screening, actors Veronica Cartwright and Tom Skeritt, aka Lambert and Captain Dallas, will take to the stage to answer questions about their experience making the film. For more information and to book tickets, visit The Astor's website.
When the cold weather snaps, a short break is the ideal way to reset and recharge — and warm up. If you're craving a weekend away filled with an abundance of local produce, fresh seafood, breweries and endless drops of pinot, head to the East Gippsland Winter Festival happening across three weeks this June and July. The festival kicks off on Saturday, June 19, with an event celebrating the Winter solstice in Bruthen — expect fire sculptures, food trucks and a parade of lanterns — as well as a dining experience at Lindenow favourite The Long Paddock, featuring six courses of smoked, roasted and slow-cooked local produce. In the weeks that follow, explore art projections, murals by well-known local and international artists, food and wine events and entertainment in Bairnsdale's laneway. Then, head back to Bruthen on Saturday, July 3 to catch performances at the Winter Fringe Cafe. The Official Closing dinner is at Metung, at Kings Cove's Golf Course, with chef Rob Turner at the helm. Plus, there'll be a private tour of the Metung Hot Springs site with the opportunity to partake in the pop up hot tubs. Pack your winter woolies and head to East Gippsland for a relaxing weekend away filled with art, food and wine from Saturday, June 19 – Sunday, July 11. For the full program and information, head here. An Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative.
So often, when we think about Japan, we think of the kawaii side: Hello Kitties serving up cute looks and bento boxes. But South Yarra's new 'outlaw-Tokyo-biker-gang-themed' joint (their words) is less about throwing up a peace sign and more about throwing you through a glass window for not minding your business. The burger bar/sake den takes aesthetic inspiration from Tokyo's sleek and sexy club scene and the outlaw biker gang for which it is named. Bosozoku is the big, bawdy brainchild of Craig Kellerman, Dan Hansen (Lady Grange and the Mauer Brothers Bird Watching Society) and it's got a lot going on. First off, there's the bombastic burger menu, curated by chef Tomoya Kawasaki (ex-Wabi Sabi). It's a bit pricey for your average burger but, then again, they're not your average burger. The 'Die by the Sword' features a crumbed swordfish steak wrapped in a green tea brioche bun ($15) and the 'Road Rage' is sliced M57 wagyu on a beetroot brioche ($18). At the fanciest end of the spectrum is 'The Boss' — an indulgent, fresh lobster tail stuffed beetroot roll that will cost you a mere 42 dollarydoos. You can take your burger as a bento box, if you so choose, and add sides like chicken karaage ($14), gyoza ($8), edamame ($5) and katsu curry fries ($6 small, $9 large). This may sound meat heavy, and that's because it is, but there are also plenty of vego, GF and vegan options available and substitutions are welcomed. Remember, this is a sake den too and you'll find a tonne of the stuff at the bar. They're also serving up standard offerings with a Japanese twist — think wasabi Bloody Marys, cherry blossom infused gin, and an array of Japanese beers. Once you're fuelled up, the fun can really begin and Bosozoku has spared no expense in providing the entertainment for its 200-seater. In the sprawling club you'll find pool tables, Mario Kart battles, an outdoor firepit, karaoke rooms, Hitatchi train sets and a dry ice spa, which is an empty spa pumping out dry ice. Why not. Look, it definitely sounds weird but we reckon it works. Dust off your leathers because it's open now, but please don't actually throw anyone through a window — we're fairly certain that would be looked down upon. Bosozoku is located at 34 Bray Street, South Yarra. Open 5pm to midnight, seven nights a week.
A former gold-mining town, the Victorian High Country town of Beechworth now draws in travellers seeking treasures of a different kind: award-winning wines, sausage rolls made from a family heirloom recipe, orchard-fresh apples and pears, and ethically produced honey. It's a place where you should spend time sampling wines at the cellar doors and dining at local restaurants, but also seek out the historic town's surprises — you can downward dog alongside a bleating baby goat, camp surrounded by gum trees near Lake Catani and venture down a walking track once frequented by the infamous Kelly Gang. Towns like Beechworth are recovering from a summer of bushfire devastation, so it's more important than ever to drop into the area's small businesses to fill up on goat's cheese, locally produced prosecco and Beesting pastries. Travelling from the city? It's an hour-long flight to Albury from Sydney, or it's 2.5 hours from Brisbane, and you can hire a car to drive through some of Victoria's scenic countryside and explore the area. Melburnians can grab their car keys for a three-hour one-way trip to fill up the car boot with produce from a food- and wine-filled wonderland. Here's where to stay and where to explore for the best food and drink. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. While regional holidays within Victoria will be allowed from May 31, some of the places mentioned below may still be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_763033" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pizzini Winery via Visit Victoria[/caption] EAT AND DRINK For vinous lovers, most of the wineries and cellar doors in Beechworth are by appointment only so make sure you jump onto the vineyards' websites to book an appointment in advance. With 150 years of winegrowing history in the region, it's well worth planning a few visits into your itinerary. First up, the young guns Vignerons Schmölzer and Brown and Sentio Wines are crafting some of the most exciting new wines in the region (both winemakers are classically trained and they're putting a new spin on typical European varieties). Then, make your way to award-winning producers Castagna, which specialises in biodynamically grown fruit, and 36-year-old Sorrenberg (which is also certified biodynamic) has its gamay sell out in record speeds every year — definitely try your luck when you visit as it's worth picking up a couple of bottles to impress your friends with when you return home. With the fires almost decimating this year's crop of fruit (smoke taint means a lot of producers won't make a Beechworth 2020 vintage — but don't worry, things will be back on track for 2021), now's the time to restock your cellar to keep these wineries going until next year. Complete your journey along the King Valley's Prosecco Road (home of Australia's first prosecco vines, planted in 1999) by visiting Brown Brothers, Sam Miranda and Pizzini Wines. The Pizzini family vineyards are a mosaic of Italian varieties (like prosecco, nebbiolo and sangiovese) all of which can be enjoyed in its cellar door, and you can even try your hand at making some traditional Italian dishes — think gnocchi, risotto and pizza — to accompany the wine at Mama Pizzini's Cooking School. Also, make time to pick your own prosecco at Dal Zotto. The winery runs Yoga in the Vines and cycling tours, too. [caption id="attachment_709717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dal Zotto Winery[/caption] For a fine dining occasion, look no further than The Terrace at All Saints Estate. It has been consistently awarded Good Food Guide hats since 2014 and is a great place to splurge during your northeast Victorian adventure — plus, the heritage-listed castle and shiraz vineyards make it a pretty special setting, too. For those who are all wined-out and in need of a classic country pub feed, head to the Empire Hotel, which also has accommodation available above the pub for that authentic countryside hospitality. Hangovers can be salved with a strong coffee at Beechworth Bakery with a side of its famous Beesting pastries. [caption id="attachment_763026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beechworth Honey by Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn[/caption] DO Following this summer's fires, Beechworth Honey has created a Bee Rebuild and Recovery Fund to support bees and beekeepers over the next decade as they recover from the bushfire crisis. The generations-old beekeeping company is always worth a visit to stock up on its award-winning honey, honey-based sodas and honeycomb chocolate bars, and to learn about the importance of bees to our agricultural system. It's open daily and, though unstaffed, the Bee School welcomes visitors for drop-in opportunities to learn more buzzy facts. Take a 20-minute drive from Beechworth to Tarrawingee, where you'll find family-run farm store Tolpuddle. It's here you can stock up on delicious chèvre that you can only buy from the estate, and — if you need to work off all the cheese — the farm hosts goat yoga session on the property throughout the year (keep an eye on its Facebook page for dates). If all the yoga made you thirsty, stop by Billson's on the way back into town. It's a one-stop-shop for everything liquid (beer, cider, cordials, spirits and sodas) — and, as you sip you can explore the brewery, historical museum, cafe and speakeasy bar. There's even a barbershop for those needing a quick trim before having a schooner. Come for the lime and coconut soda (made from a secret recipe) and stay to learn about the Billson family and their history in the region. When you're ready to stretch your legs, Beechworth Gorge Walk is a seven-kilometre circuit of the town, which was once a hideout for the infamous Kelly Gang. It's a low grade stroll that provides views over Beechworth and takes around two hours to complete. You'll come across waterfalls and wildflowers, depending on the season, and there are plenty of historical sites such as Rocky Mountain Tunnel, which dates back to the area's mining days. [caption id="attachment_763032" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake Catani Mount Buffalo by Visit Victoria/David Kirkland[/caption] STAY Accommodation in the Victorian highlands is like a choose-your-own-adventure game. Depending on your budget, you can splurge on boutique accommodation in old castles or camp in luxury in a vineyard. When your top priority is maximising downtime with your road trip companions, book in at Mt Bellevue Lodge in the King Valley. Boasting affordable luxury at only $125 per person, the delightful three-bedroom alpine cottage overlooks the Lodge's high-altitude cool-climate vineyards, where you'll find Mt Bellevue's sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio vines. For those wanting something more off-the-beaten-track, camp at Mount Buffalo National Park. The campground is set alongside Lake Catani and has some of the most picturesque views of the region, which you can enjoy without having to leave your tent. Top image: Visit Victoria.
Melbourne's own 17-year-old bedroom producer, Gab Strum, is probably more talented than you are. Strum, who otherwise goes under the moniker of Japanese Wallpaper, recently played Splendour in the Grass for the first time, won this year's triple j Unearthed High Competition and had his music featured on the soundtrack of Zach Braff's new film, Wish I Was Here. Now, he's embarking a mini-national tour of sorts, with a couple of shows spanning Melbourne and Brisbane. Japanese Wallpaper's ambient electronic-pop is a breath of fresh air in the Australian music scene, drawing similarities between other lo-fi artists like Washed Out or Teen Daze. His recent single, Between Friends, is a lush track of summer nostalgia, thanks to his collaboration with vocalist Jesse Davidson, who elevates his tunes with a splendid three-dimensionality. Tickets to his first two shows in Melbourne have sold out and this is the final additional show, so get on it before it's too late.
Summertime at High Street staple The Smith is all about hangs in the venue's lush courtyard, and every Aussie knows that an outdoor party isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, The Smith is about to launch bottomless prosecco and spritz picnics, on offer every Sunday from January 27. And the restaurant isn't simply offering the standard two hours of bottomless booze, either. Instead of table service, patrons have unlimited access to an antique-looking stone fountain, which comes complete with a carved lion that has a prosecco and spritz tap for a mouth. You'll be able to pour-your-own bubbly — prosecco and Sicilian spritz with blood orange liqueur — from that tap throughout the two hours, while enjoying an extensive picnic spread and listening to live jazz. Once you've got your drink (important things first) nab a seat in the sunlit courtyard and enjoy a gourmet grazing board — it includes corn and blue cheese croquettes, fried chicken with caviar, along with chicken parfait doughnuts, cheese, smoked salmon and assorted charcuterie. Sides include hummus, pickled vegetables and olives, plus a selection of bread and crackers. There's no word yet how long these Sunday sessions will be running for, but we suggest booking in a visit sooner rather than later. Sparkling Springs Sundays costs $60 per person, for two hours of bottomless booze and a grazing board, and will run every Sunday from January 27 at 2pm. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.
Violent Femmes enamoured audiences in 1992 when they first visited Australia with Nirvana as their support act. They proficiently conducted a Falls Festival sea of fans to sing along to 'Auld Lang Syne' to welcome the new millennium and wrapped up a not-so-brief tour of the country in early 2007. Now, for the very first time, the legendary Violent Femmes will grace the Sydney Opera House at the end of this year. It's been over 30 years since the American trio released their debut self-titled album that sold nine million copies and impressed them into 1980s (and now) music history. The soundtrack to burger-eating and highway cruising, Violent Femmes has most certainly stood the test of time and will see the indie-rock professors perform as part of Music at the House, the program reinvigorating contemporary music at the Sydney Opera House. Founding members Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie, with new drummer Brian Viglione will be performing the 1983 album that started it all in its entirety, as well as tracks from their impressive follow-up Hallowed Ground. Further Australian tour dates are yet to be released and such a late December diary entry does leave Falls Festival doors open. In any case, we've got 'Blister In The Sun' on repeat and are waiting tight. Violent Femmes play at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 29 December 2014. Tickets start from $59 +BF and will go on sale to the general public at 9am, Friday 15 August. Head to the Music at the House website for all the details. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ekL7o8BQkZM
Whether you want to stay rustic and pitch a tent, find the best spot to park your hippie van or lounge around in a luxe, beachfront bungalow sipping margaritas, there's a place on the Coral Coast for you. Here, we take a look at five of the best accommodation options between Perth and Exmouth — from the lush yet earthy Novotel Ningaloo to the friendly Kalbarri Seafront Villas to the laidback Dongara Tourist Park. LUXURY: NOVOTEL NINGALOO, EXMOUTH Novotel Ningaloo's primary bragging point is that it's the only accommodation on Sunrise Beach. But rather than imposing itself on its pristine surroundings, the resort aims to blend in effortlessly. That means earthy colours, natural materials and organic shapes. Rooms feature king-size beds, spa baths, high ceilings and private balconies, and vary from standard doubles to two-bedroom bungalows. Go for the latter if you're after uninterrupted ocean panoramas. Hit the onsite restaurant and bar for sunset meals and cocktails. HOME AWAY FROM HOME: KALBARRI SEAFRONT VILLAS These neat villas are located on the Kalbarri waterfront. They come with free use of dinghies, so you can explore the Murchison River at your leisure, and should you need any tips, your friendly hosts will help you out. Accommodation varies from studios to villas to a two-storey townhouse, with most rooms offering excellent water views. Plus there's an outdoor pool and a barbecue area. As far as value for money goes, this is one of the best options on the Coral Coast. HOMEY HIDEAWAY: OCEANSIDE VILLAGE, DENHAM, SHARK BAY If you were any closer to the water, you'd be sleeping in a submarine. Oceanside Village is on absolute beachfront, meaning that your door is literally 20 metres from the surf. Accommodation consists of free-standing, self-contained villas. Opt for one-bedroom or get fancy with the two-bedroom arrangement, complete with private balcony and panoramic views. Free Wi-Fi, free Foxtel, barbecue facilities and a pool are all part of the deal. COMFORT: BROADWATER MARINER RESORT, GERALDTON Stroll just 50 metres from Broadwater Mariner Resort and you'll find yourself at peaceful Champion Bay, a favourite swimming spot among Geraldton locals. The resort's 107 guest rooms are beautifully decorated and dotted among landscaped gardens. Choose accommodation to suit you — from studios to spacious, three-bedroom apartments. Next door, the L'attitude 28 Restaurant offers a menu inspired by local produce and a long wine list, with an emphasis on vintage and boutique drops. BUDGET: DONGARA TOURIST PARK Bring a tent, roll up with your caravan or book into a deluxe cabin — whichever way you want to holiday, Dongara Tourist Park can make it happen. You'll find its acres of green, rolling grass right on the coast at Port Denison, 3 kilometres south of the cute, sleepy village of Dongara. The marina is just three minutes away, for easy launching of boats, and during lobster season, you can buy fresh crustaceans direct from local fishers. If, however, you'd rather someone else do the cooking, there's a great restaurant just a short walk away.
For such a tiny island, Jamaica has had a disproportionate impact on global culture. Naturally, Bob Marley's ubiquitous portrait and defiant, uplifting anthems are the first exports to come to mind. But then there's the rest. It's thanks to Jamaica's 10,911 square kilometres of sundrenched Caribbean goodness that we can gawk at physics-defying athletes, fantasise about encountering Sean Connery or Ursula Andress under a waterfall, and luxuriate in the world's finest coffee and rum. THE FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD One of his legs is a half-inch shorter than the other. During warm ups, when his competitors are stressed to the max, he's usually found dancing. His height measures in at 6 feet, 5 inches — too tall for sprinting, according to convention. And he describes himself as 'lazy'. Against quite a few odds, Usain Bolt, who grew up in a country town in Trelawny, Jamaica, is the fastest man on the planet. At the 2009 World Championships, held in Berlin, he set the current world record for both the 100 metre sprint, at 9.59 seconds, and the 200 metre sprint, at 19.19 seconds. EVERY JAMES BOND NOVEL YOU’VE EVER READ In 1946, Ian Fleming bought fifteen acres on a cliff-face on Jamaica’s north coast, built a house and named it Goldeneye. He then wrangled an agreement with his employer, The Sunday Times, which allowed him to take January and February off work. When each new year rolled around, he'd hole himself up in his Caribbean hideaway and write a new James Bond saga. By his death in 1964, twelve novels and two books of short stories were completed. These days, Goldeneye is a fancypants hotel and resort where people like Richard Branson and Harrison Ford hang out. BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE In Jamaica's Blue Mountains grow some of the most expensive coffee beans you'll find anywhere. Online, they'll set you back $180 a kilogram. They're cultivated in small acreages, between 600 and 1500 metres above sea level, where the moist, cool environment increases the ripening period to as long as ten months. Consequently, the natural sugars within the beans have oodles of time to develop, giving them their famous smooth flavour. JERK Finding a local eatery is never difficult to do in Jamaica. That's because the chief national dish, jerk, gives its whereabouts away, as a result of its mouthwatering aroma. Jerk cooking involves rubbing or marinating meat (usually chicken or pork) with a fiery blend of ingredients known as Jamaican jerk spice. Pimento and Scotch bonnet peppers are crucial, but you can also add cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, cloves, garlic, salt and shallots. PREMIUM AGED RUM FROM APPLETON ESTATE When Christopher Columbus visited Jamaica in the 15th century, he brought with him sugarcane and rum. Thanks to the island’s lush climate, some of the finest spirits to ever pass the lips of humankind were soon in production. One such place is Appleton Estate — Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and distillery — which is located in the heart of Jamaica on an incredible 4,614 hectares in the picturesque Nassau Valley. Appleton Estate has continued their craft in the traditional way, using copper pot and column stills for the distillation process, American oak barrels for ageing and naturally limestone-percolated water from the hills of cockpit country. A master blender then blends the spirit by hand, creating the distinctive flavour profiles and handcrafted feel for which Appleton is renowned. Fun fact: Appleton is one of the few rums in the world that can claim terroir: the unique flavour that only comes from being wholly produced in a single location. DUNN'S RIVER FALLS Dunn's River Falls is one of the few waterfalls in the world that you can climb without being in constant fear that you're going to tumble to some horrendous watery death. Even though they're 55 metres high, they're 180 metres long, because they're conveniently shaped like stairs, officially referred to as 'travertine terraces'. In Dr. No (1962), Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) emerges from the sea at the base of the falls, where she runs into James Bond (Sean Connery). REGGAE, SKA, DUB, ROCKSTEADY Bob Marley might be the most legendary of Jamaican musicians, but he's just the start of the record catalogue. Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots and the Maytals were all raised on the island too. Reggae took hold in the late 1960s, but before that, there was rocksteady, which The Wailers cut their teeth on, and earlier still, ska. With the '70s emerged dub, spearheaded by producers like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and King Tubby. A WAY OF LIFE THAT ISN'T AN –ISM Some people have fallen into the habit of describing Rastafari as Rastafarianism, but it's a term that followers don't use — and don't like to hear. That's because they're generally extremely critical of 'isms'. The Rastafari movement kicked off in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastas worship Haile Selassie I, who was the Ethiopian emperor between 1930 and 1974. They refer to 'conventional society' as Babylon, rejecting what they see as its oppression, consumerism and way too much focus on quashing sensual pleasures. COOL RUNNINGS Cool Runnings might have been created by Disney, but its story was inspired by Jamaica and parts of it were shot there. The film hit cinemas in 1993, debuting at box office #3, and was the last movie featuring John Candy released before he passed away. It is (very) loosely based on the real-life experiences of Jamaica's national bobsled team, which made its debut at the Winter Olympics in 1998 at Calgary, Canada. CIVIL RIGHTS One of Jamaica's national heroes is civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica in 1914 before moving to Harlem in 1916. Like Martin Luther King, he was a rousing orator, and spent years travelling across America, attracting thousands and thousands of loyal followers. His major contribution was boosting African Americans' pride in their culture and encouraging their return to their homelands in Africa.
Accustomed to digital deception across all types of visual media, it often takes us more than one look to realise that an effect has been achieved solely by the human hand. The new food-art stylings of Hong Yi, or 'Red' as she is nicknamed, almost look too perfect to be real. An artist/architect, Red set herself the task of creating a new artwork using only comestibles, every day for a month. From a serene cucumber landscape to a dragonfruit dragon in battle rapture, the resulting scenes are highly detailed, innovative and beautiful. Hong Yi loves painting "but not with a paintbrush"; her other works have included a painting made using a basketball, a portrait of Ai Weiwei in sunflower seeds, and another of Adele using melted candles. Check out her Facebook page to see deluxe Louis Vuitton mushrooms and more. Via Colossal.
Kicking goals, winning hearts, starring in a docuseries, inspiring statues, making history on the field and on TV: in 2023, the Matildas have been doing it all. Next, the Sam Kerr-captained squad has been immortalised by the Australian National Dictionary Centre, inspiring Australia's latest Word of the Year. 'Matilda' has been chosen as the Australian National University-based organisation's pick of 2023 thanks to the Tillies' huge successes, plus the devotion they've inspired across the country. With huge crowds heading to the team's games at the Women's World Cup, then backing it up at the recent Olympic qualifiers — and millions of people watching the former on TV as well — the words 'Matildas' and 'Tillies' have certainly been uttered countless times by most of us this year. [caption id="attachment_912965" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liondartois via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] "The team name (Matildas, or Tillies for short) and singular form (Matilda) were everywhere as Matildas mania swept the country, with Australians transfixed by every minute of play," advised the Australian National Dictionary Centre in a statement announcing its new Word of the Year choice. And if you're wondering about the word's history in Australia, "from the 1880s, matilda was one of the names for a swag, a bag of possessions carried by an itinerant man looking for work," explains the Centre's Director Dr Amanda Laugesen. "These days most people would only know this in relation to the song Waltzing Matilda." "It's only since the mid-1990s that the women's soccer team has been called the Matildas, but after this year's World Cup the word has once again cemented itself in the Australian lexicon." [caption id="attachment_913693" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rovena Rosa/Agência Brasil via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Matilda emerged victorious from a shortlist that also included 'noer', 'yesser', 'truth-telling' and 'hallucinate', with the first three linked to this year's referendum for the Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament. In 2022, 'teal' was the Word of the Year, with 'strollout' getting the nod in 2021, 'iso' in 2020 and 'voice' in 2019. For more information about the Australian National Dictionary Centre's word of the year, head to the centre's website.
A hot bowl of ramen will make you feel warm and comfortable after a long day at work (even if that's working from home). It's cozy, it's microwave friendly and it's bound to leave you satisfied. While we try to get used to a new way of life indoors, it can be hard to keep up with cooking every single meal, and even if we do manage to do it, let's face it — leftovers get old, real quick. So, here's a handy list of what we reckon are the best ramen jaunts around town — which are now serving takeaway or delivery so you can social-distance while enjoying some comfort food. If you are going out to pick up takeaway, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Time to bust out your overalls and dust off the shopping cart. A popular monthly market has returned to Canberra and is going to have you picking up way more than the usuals — a jar of local honey and a handmade soy candle, that is. Love Local Markets will take place on the last Sunday of every month between 9am–2pm at The Plot at Pialligo Estate. Here, you'll find a range of vendors offering local produce and products, including fresh food, drinks and lifestyle goods. While you're there, make sure you check out everything the estate and its neighbours have on offer, including the Pialligo Market Grocer, the Farm Shop Cafe, Wren & Rabbit Interiors, Pink Flamingo Interiors and Bisonhome. Plus, being conveniently positioned near the inner south and Fyshwick precincts, the location makes it a great way to start your day before taking on other activities in the Canberra region. Make sure you grab the loose change hanging around the house or swing by an ATM on the way as the stalls are cash only and there aren't any EFTPOS facilities. Love Local Markets will take place from 9am–2pm on the last Sunday of each month (excluding December) at The Plot at Pialligo Estate. For more information, visit the website here.
You've heard of bed and breakfasts. In fact, you've probably even stayed at a couple. They're all well and good; however a new cocktail-focused hotel is offering up something even better than brekkie with your room: a bed and beverage experience. If you're in the vicinity of Los Angeles from September onwards, head to ten-room The Walker Inn to enjoy an intimate and relaxing evening complete with a nightcap or several (and painkillers when you check out). And no, you won't just guzzle whatever's in the mini-bar in your vintage-heavy room. Instead, you'll get the kind of high-quality home bar setup you could only dream of having in your actual house, complete with a recipe book to guide you through the cocktail-making process. You'll be shaking, mixing and stirring your own drinks in no time. Don't think that The Walker Inn isn't for sociable clientele, though. With the '20s-style hotel also boasting its own bar, you'll have plenty of opportunities to sip on a mixologist-made beverage and mingle with other patrons, if that's what you'd prefer. Some rooms even have their own secret staircase leading back down to the shared lounge area. Basically, think of The Walker Inn as accommodation for those who want a couple of options for winding down after a nice meal out with friends, which is exactly how owner David Kaplan describes it. Similar establishments have popped up in Paris and Los Feliz, so it seems like this is part of a growing trend. Fingers crossed that some clever person brings the concept to Australia — and soon. Via PSFK and Skift.
Sake is a drink known by many but — in Australia at least — understood by very few. It's a beverage that's generally relegated to fancy sushi work lunches where your boss is picking up the bill, but, truth is, the fermented Japanese rice wine is much more versatile than that. You can order a bottle to pair with fish at your next dinner party, but you can also pick up a pull-tab can to take to a party or add some to prosecco and soda for a Japanese-style summer spritz. There are many ways into sake, and we've laid them out below. Need a refresher first? Have a read of our bluffer's guide to sake then get started. [caption id="attachment_628082" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sakeshop[/caption] FOR THOSE WANTING AN EASY INTRODUCTION TO SAKE A Japanese sake providore located in both Melbourne and Sydney, Sakeshop is your one-stop shop for all things sake. Here, tastings and internationally recognised sake courses are held and there's even an extensive Japanese beer selection — so there's really no greater place to immerse yourself in the blossoming world of sake appreciation. Pick up one of the Hanamikura Aya 200ml with its cute little ring-pull tab lid, throw it in your beach bag and sit in the sun sipping on the peachy and pear flavours with the sounds of summer echoing in your ears. FOR THOSE SICK OF APEROL SPRITZES The ultimate in spring and summertime drinking is a Japanese yuzushu made with equal parts one-year-old Junmai sake and yuzu juice (a type of native Japanese grapefruit). It's great either on the rocks or in a spritz — the perfect alternative to an Aperol Spritz for 2017–18. It's lively, fresh and zesty with a hint of a jasmine floral and pink grapefruit character on the nose. On the palate, it's delicate and strikes the perfect balance between tart citrus flavours and sweet characters. Try the Heiwa Shuzo Yuzushu in a wine glass filled with ice, 30ml Yuzushu topped with a dry prosecco (the Dal Zotto from Australia's King Valley is always a winner) and a splash of soda with a twist of lemon. Be careful, though — they're so dangerously delicious that you might be wondering where the bottle went in no time. FOR THOSE WANTING TO ADD A BIT OF JAPANESE HISTORY TO THEIR DINNER Hailing from the third-oldest sake brewery in Japan, which was established in 1548, Yoshinogawa is the Rolls Royce of sake: elegant, high quality and impeccably made. Made by the 20th generation of the Kawakami family, Yoshinogawa Ginjo Gokujo is created using a combination of techniques, both ancient and modern, to craft what is considered to be a classic yet modern interpretation of the style. Floral, with just a hint of umami character, it's almost ethereal on the palate. Pop down to the Fish Markets and pick up some salmon, slice it up and make a ginger and soy glaze while lightly searing the fish in a pan, crank The Go-Go's and pour some of this sake chilled for the ultimate trifecta. [caption id="attachment_645960" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Studio Hortenzia.[/caption] FOR THOSE LOVERS OF JAPANESE AESTHETICS Now, not all sakes are from 469-year-old breweries. Some are just brand spanking new, like the newly released Toji Sake from Melbourne couple Yuta and Shar Kobayashi. Distilled with Yuta's childhood memories of drinking sake with his grandfather, this approachable sake draws upon traditional Japanese flavours but modernised for an Australian palate. Crisp, perfumed and well balanced would be a perfect accompaniment to a trip to see the contemporary art collections at Sydney's White Rabbit or GOMA in Brisbane. Plus, the bottle is a work of art in itself — you'll want to keep it. FOR THOSE NEEDING A MEMORABLE HOUSEWARMING GIFT Your friend's just moved into a new place and you want to bring a housewarming gift that's not a plant (that they will inevitably overwater) or a set of cheese knives (that are beautiful but they'll probably never use). Enter the versatile bottle of sake. Grab an all-rounder like the Dewazakura Dewa Sansan Junmai Ginjo — it's great for sipping on a hot day and can also be used as a base for curing fish because of its signature fragrant perfume and delicacy on the palate. It's also available in a 1.5-litre bottle if you really want to earn your place as friend of the year. Top image: Sakeshop.
When you head to a gallery or museum, peruse its walls and halls, and stare at a famous work of art, you spend time bathing in visible beauty. If you're peering at a painting, then colours, compositions and brush strokes grab your attention. Should you be looking at a sculpture, it's the lines, shapes and forms that stand out. Even if you're the most dedicated art fan, you're really only engaging one of your senses — that's why it's called visual art. You can't touch something as iconic as the Venus de Milo, for example. You certainly can't taste it either, and it doesn't emit a sound or aroma. But if you have ever found yourself wondering just what the ancient Greek work smells like, or how some of The Louvre's other notable artworks might tickle your nostrils, you can now douse yourself in perfume inspired by eight of the Parisian museum's pieces. For the first time, The Louvre has teamed up with French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly to create a range of scents that draw upon the gallery's masterpieces — not only for art-lovers to spray over their body, but in scented candles, scented postcards and scented soap sheets too. As well as the world's most famous statue with missing arms — which apparently smells like lilies and musk — the lineup takes its cues from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres' La Baigneuse and Grande Odalisque, Thomas Gainsborough's Conversation in a Park, Jean-Honoré's The Lock and Georges de La Tour's Joseph the Carpenter. You can also smell like Lorenzo Bartolini's Nymph with Scorpion or, still on sculptures, you can opt for the Winged Victory of Samothrace. If the latter sounds familiar, that's because it featured in Beyonce and Jay-Z's 'Apeshit' video last year. https://vimeo.com/347284474 Buly's collection of The Louvre-themed products doesn't come cheap — ranging from just under €6 for a postcard, to around €17 for soap, to €125 for a candle or perfume. If you don't have a trip to Paris in your future, you can order the artwork-inspired scented products online.
Artists often attempt to picture the world from alternative views and odd angles in order to get a fresh perspective on the quirks and idiosyncrasies of everyday life. For Canadian photographer Laurel Johannesson the world is at its most bizarre and beautiful when viewed through water. While swimming in Lido di Venezia in Italy, Johannesson found herself fascinated by the dream-like world of mirror images, refracting light and warped figures that emerged when she began taking photographs while submerged in water. The resulting photographs provide a mesmerising insight into our world, familiar yet somehow alien in their distortion, with the artist seeing the dream-like vulnerability of the images as alluding to "the equation between desire and voyeurism". And by printing on metallic paper and laminating the images with a thick layer of acrylic, Johannesson was able to enhance the already otherworldly quality of the photographs. For those of us that cannot see the images in the flesh, here is a virtual tour through Johannesson's fascinating new exhibit.
Your worst technological nightmares are returning to your streaming queue. No, we don't just mean forgetting your password, having trouble logging in, getting an error message that your account doesn't exist after you just used it yesterday or being stuck watching buffering instead of the program you're trying to see. First, Black Mirror's Twitter account broke a four-year silence. Next, Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi hit has dropped a sneak peek at its next batch of technological nightmares — aka the first trailer for the show's long-awaited sixth season. This season is being teased as "the most unpredictable, unclassifiable and unexpected season yet", which is saying something given everything that Black Mirror has thrown at the screen in past seasons (and in choose-your-own-adventure-style movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch). "I've always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people — and myself — or else what's the point? It should be a series that can't be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself," Brooker told Netflix about season six. "Partly as a challenge, and partly to keep things fresh for both me and the viewer, I began this season by deliberately upending some of my own core assumptions about what to expect. Consequently, this time, alongside some of the more familiar Black Mirror tropes we've also got a few new elements, including some I've previously sworn blind the show would never do, to stretch the parameters of what 'a Black Mirror episode' even is. The stories are all still tonally Black Mirror through-and-through — but with some crazy swings and more variety than ever before." Wondering when you might be staring at your own black mirror again to watch Black Mirror? The show will return to Netflix in June, ready to add some extra chill to winter Down Under — with an exact date yet to be announced. Cast-wise, the series makes a comeback with another stacked roster of familiar faces, including Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself), Paapa Essiedu (Men), Josh Hartnett (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Himesh Patel (Station Eleven), Rob Delaney (The Power), Rory Culkin (Swarm), Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance), Aaron Paul (Westworld), Kate Mara (Call Jane), Michael Cera (Life & Beth), Danny Ramirez (Stars at Noon), Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother), Auden Thornton (This Is Us) and Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve). How exactly will the series manage to be even more dispiriting than reality over the past few years? That's increasingly been one of its dilemmas — and noting that something IRL feels just like Black Mirror has become one of the cliches of our times — but this'll be the mind-bending effort's first round of episodes following the pandemic. No one has ever watched the Brooker-created series for a pick-me-up, though. Since first hitting the small screen in 2011, Black Mirror has spun warped visions of where technology may lead us — and, no matter what tale the show has told so far across its 22 instalments (including that interactive movie), the picture has usually been unnerving. So, imagine what the program will cook up after what we've all been living through since it last aired. Brooker has already riffed on COVID-19 in two Netflix specials, actually: Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, which offer satirical and star-studded wraps of both years with mixed success. For something completely different, he also jumped back into choose-your-own-adventure content with animated short Cat Burglar, which hit Netflix back in 2022, has viewers play through it as a thieving feline called Rowdy and gets you to answer trivia questions to advance the story. Check out the first trailer for Black Mirror's sixth season below: Black Mirror season six will stream via Netflix some time in June. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Images: Netflix.
The Queen Victoria Market is adding a touch of je ne sais quoi with their French-themed vintage marketplace, the QVM Brocante Marche. Hosted on the first Sunday of every month, this Parisian-style bazaar features hundreds of second-hand dealers selling clothes, jewellery, memorabilia, furniture and everything in between. The market springs to life at 9am sharp, so get there bright and early to make sure you can grab a bargain. Once you've shopped yourself beyond the point of exhaustion, you can turn your attention to the food. Crepes, croissants and coffee will all be in plentiful supply, although the more decadent among you may prefer a pot of Nutella fondue. The April market will even include an Easter egg hunt — although much to our disappointment it's meant to be strictly for kids. For more information about the QVM Broncante Marche, check them out on Facebook.
Playing host to all-night, pizza-slinging sports bar Holy Moly, legendary party destination Untz Untz and a nifty 24-hour licence, the space at 660A Glenferrie Road is a hotbed of activity at the best of times. So just imagine the buzz it'll see when The Holy Weekender takes over on Saturday, November 18, delivering an all-day, all-night celebration of street art, fashion, food and tunes. A vibrant mingling of the local art and design communities, the free event will feature live art installations from a collection of local artists, a curation of market stalls, dance battles, and eats and drinks from the Holy Moly team. Plus, there will be an after-party where karaoke will be highly encouraged. As well as eating lots of pizza. The market will run from 10 till 5pm and the party from 5pm till late.
The world is grey and there are few absolutes. That slavery is abhorrent, however, is not a matter for debate. It is a black and white issue based on the black and white issue that ought never have been an issue in the first place. For some reason, though, cinema — so often the most effective form of public debate — has either largely steered clear of it or, at best, touched upon it with altogether reckless abandon (Django Unchained). Not so, 12 Years A Slave. In its own right, Steve McQueen's new movie is an extraordinarily accomplished and captivating piece, yet in the wider context of American history, both literary and filmic, it is nothing short of revelatory. Adapted from the 1853 memoir of the same name, it chronicles with undaunting authenticity the story of Solomon Northup, a free man of the north who was abducted under the pretence of observing the Fugitive Slave Act, then secreted across the Mason-Dixie line where he was sold into slavery for the next 12 years. Playing Northup is British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor in an assured and career-defining role. Subjected to countless closeups by McQueen, Ejiofor's every expression speaks volumes, with his near-impercetible parting of lips or minisucle tilt of his shoulders marking the difference between irrepressible joy and despairing submission into subservience. There are no weak links in the packed cast that also boasts Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Brad Pitt (who produced the film); however, it is newcomer Lupita Nyong'o who best supports Eijofor as 'Patsey' — his fellow slave and the subject of a violent, destructive infatuation by their master, Epps (Fassbender). This is an unquestionably difficult film to watch; uncomfortable and unsettling for reasons that extend far beyond what transpires on screen. The enslavement of Northup — an educated, respectful and respected family man — feels an affront at every stage: he is conned, drugged, kidnapped, blackmailed, transported in secret, beaten and betrayed — even by those who were smart enough to recognise he was clearly never meant to be there. And therein lies perhaps the most discomforting layer of all, because, of course, no one was meant to be there. Slavery was the affront, and the realisation that Northup's tragedy feels somehow more unjust than (for want of a less despicable expression) those of the 'normal slaves', is at once confronting and embarrassing. This imagined distinction between 'slavery' and 'unfair slavery' is as redundant as Todd Aiken's 2012 reference to 'legitimate rape', yet in 12 Years a Slave the sense that gradations of cruelty exist visits you repeatedly. There are good slavers and bad, you feel; cruel overseers and kinder ones, despicable racists and the just mostly despicable. In his short carrer McQueen has already established himself as a director both prepared and determined to capture honest and unflinching representations of life, no matter how unattractive. Both Shame and Hunger cast their lights upon dark areas of the human condition, yet in 12 Years A Slave McQueen somehow goes even further. One extended scene, for example, involves an uninterrupted and excrutiatingly graphic lashing that was so horrific it momentarily warranted turning away from the screen. As my eyes met those of my neighbour, it was clear we were far from alone in doing so, yet our temporary retreat from the film was in no way an indictment upon it. It should be unbearable to watch, and it is, but you must persist, because in 12 Years A Slave McQueen has crafted an enthralling, thoughtful and necessary modern classic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=z02Ie8wKKRg
Hey everyone, Kanye West is back at his Kanye best — being characteristically mysterious while simultaneously stirring everyone into a frenzy. Today he ambiguously announced on Twitter that he'll casually open 21 "Pablo temporary stores" around the world this weekend. 21 PABLO STORES WORLDWIDE THIS WEEKEND LOCATIONS HERE https://t.co/tYuzqs7kJW — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 18, 2016 He's run this racket before. In 2013, he opened a pop-up shop on Bowery in NYC to commemorate the Yeezus tour and — as you could guess, it went bananas. This time around though the whole world is getting a taste. Life of Pablo pop-ups will open briefly in cities across the globe, including Melbourne and Sydney. It's unclear at this stage exactly what range of merchandise will be available, but Vogue is reporting that each city will be selling custom merch including t-shirts with the city's name spelt out in the custom Life of Pablo font (think of the re-sale value!). At previous pop-ups Kanye's sold copies of the namesake album and associated merch. Other cities that will be graced with a Pablo pop-up are Singapore, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Cape Town, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Miami (so we're in pretty good company). He'll announce the exact locations 24 hours prior to their opening, so prepare to stalk, line up (early) and pounce on whatever Kanye's got in store for us. Via Vogue.
To celebrate the passion and artistry of Italian cinema, we're giving ten lucky Playgrounders (and their mates) free tickets to one of the most anticipated films of this year's Lavazza Italian Film Festival: the Australian premiere of Bangla. And, not only will you be watching this fresh and witty rom-com on the big screen, but you'll also be treated to dinner and drinks beforehand — on us. It's called Culture Club. We've teamed up with Palace Cinemas to curate a (free) evening of food, drinks, film and conversation — and the next club meeting will take place next month, on Saturday, October 12. From 6pm, you'll be treated to dinner at Albert Park's well-loved pizza joint Italian Artisans. Expect a drink on arrival (spritz, beer or vino) followed by antipasto platters, mains (expect lots of pizza) and endless pours of wine. Geeky film chat with your fellow VIPs is encouraged. Once you've finished wining and dining, you'll be picked up and whisked away to Chapel Street's much-loved hidden speakeasy, Promise Bar, for a pre-film tipple at 8pm. Then, you'll be taking a (very) short stroll down to the plush Palace Cinema Como to watch the movie at 8.50pm. Movie snacks (a drink and a popcorn) will be there for you to enjoy — if you're not too full from dinner, that is. For a little taste of what to expect from Bangla, check out the trailer below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69O1G1ZRAM If you're keen to nab free tickets to Culture Club, enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]741009[/competition]
Nadine Labaki directs and stars in this amusing modern fable about a group of women in a remote Lebanese village who try to defuse mounting inter-religious tensions by finding obscure ways to distract their menfolk. Lead by the beautiful Amale (Labaki), the women of the village, both Muslim and Christian, band together to find various ways to stop the men from following in the civil strife that has engulfed their country. In an attempt to keep the peace, the women conspire to hire exotic dancers, lovingly drug sweet pastries and remove weapons from the village. However, not all of their extraordinary ideas go to plan, resulting in a serious of comic, and chaotic, incidents. Following on from Caramel, Labaki's second feature film in the director's chair made official selection at Cannes in 2011 and this year at Sundance, as well as making its debut on Australian screens at the recent Sydney Film Festival. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to give away to see Where Do We Go Now? To be in the running to win a pair of tickets, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
When you're Australia's oldest film festival and you screen hundreds of movies each and every year, how else do you keep standing out after notching up seven decades of cinema celebrations? If you're the Melbourne International Film Festival, you start your own major accolade. That was MIFF's approach in 2022, when it announced the new $140,000 Bright Horizons Award. Adding the gong to its lineup annually, the Victorian capital's major film fest has just revealed its 2023 winner: Senegalese-French love story Banel & Adama. When you're such a long-running event and you show so many flicks year in and year out, how do you highlight newcomers worth knowing about? That's the Bright Horizons Awards' remit. In 2023, 11 titles were chosen to compete again as part of the festival's full lineup, but only one could emerge victorious. That winner hit Melbourne fresh from playing in-competition at Cannes, and marks the feature debut of Franco-Senegalese writer/director Ramata-Toulaye Sy. Banel & Adama follows it titular characters (Khady Mane and Mamadou Diallo), who are happily in love in a rural village in Senegal's north. But when Adama shies away from being the future chief, their romance — which has already been complicated by Banel being married off to Adama's older brother Yero first — sparks repercussions. Sy cast her star-cross'd lovers-focused film not only with first-time actors, but with non-professionals hailing from the region she uses as her setting. She also shot her movie entirely in the Pulaar language, a variant of Fulah from the area. To take out the 2023 Bright Horizons Award, Banel & Adama competed against features such Australian efforts Shayda (MIFF's opening-night film) and The Rooster (starring Hugo Weaving, Love Me); 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard winner How to Have Sex, about three British teen girls on a boozy getaway; Earth Mama, an A24 release by Grammy-nominated music video veteran Savanah Leaf; and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, which follows a musical journey across the Vietnamese countryside. Also, Disco Boy stars German talent Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom) and Animalia explores an alien invasion in Morocco. Fellow contender Tótem, which spends a single day with a seven-year-old, earned a Special Jury Mention for Mexican actor-turned-director Lila Avilés (The Chambermaid). Picking Banel & Adama as the winner, and showing Tótem some love: co-jury presidents Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, who directed 2022's Bright Horizons-winner Neptune Frost; documentarian Alexandre O Philippe (Lynch/Oz, Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist); former Cannes Camera d'Or-recipient Anthony Chen (Wet Season); and Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini (Yuni). Announcing their selections, the jury said that Banel & Adama "is a film that speaks directly to the times with a cinematic language and landscape that challenges and confronts while drawing you into its immense beauty. A mysterious and strong first film from a young filmmaker with bright horizons". And about Tótem, it advised that "the rich subtleties and nuance of this circular story draws us in and makes us a part of its family". The MIFF jury also gives out another of fest's prizes: the $70,000 Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award. Also first arriving in 2022, it recognises an outstanding Australian creative from one of the festival's movies, and can span span a large number of roles, including the winning flick's director, technical or creative lead, or other craft positions. This year's recipients: Soda Jerk for their latest clip-based satire Hello Dankness, which the jury called "a clear-eyed, sharply satirical take on one of America's most troubling chapters, transformative use of existing footage, and groundbreaking manipulation thereof". The winner of 2023's brand-new First Nations Film Creative Award was also unveiled at the festival's closing night, with directors Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody winning for autobiographical documentary Kindred. And, scoring 2023's MIFF Audience Award: This Is Going to Be Big, about Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School in Bullengarook staging a John Farnham-themed musical. The 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival runs until Sunday, August 20 in-person, and until Sunday, August 27 via MIFF Play, the fest's online platform.
Gathering the country's best of the best, the annual Melbourne Royal Wine Awards (MRWA) took place on Thursday 27 October at the Victoria Pavilion after receiving a colossal 2,350 entries this year (South Australia submitted the most with 967). Taking home The Champion Victorian Winery Trophy was Yarra Valley's Oakridge Wines led by chief winemaker David Bicknell. On top of its other five gold medals from this year, Oakridge also claimed Best Victorian Chardonnay in 2021. Elsewhere, Scotchman's Hill snagged The Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz for its 2021 Shiraz, an offering that was also awarded Best Victorian Shiraz. As for the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, Barossa vineyard Hentley Farm had the honour of claiming the title this year thanks to its Old Legend grenache featuring a medium body and notes of strawberry, red currant and nutmeg. "The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Australian winemaking. The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy was first awarded 60 years ago and is the trophy winemakers from all around Australia want to win. Melbourne Royal congratulates South Australia's Hentley Farm on being the 2022 winner," Brad Jenkins, Melbourne Royal CEO, shared. Meanwhile, for the first time in a number of years, The Francois De Castella Trophy for Best Young White went to a category other than chardonnay—the Macclesfield Grüner Veltliner 2022 by Longview Vineyard in Adelaide Hills. In addition to its Francois De Castella Trophy, Longview Vineyard also earned Best Pinot Gris/Grigio, Best Single Varietal White, and Best Cabernet Sauvignon. You can check out the full list of award winners at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards website. Top image: Kelsey Knight
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. ALI & AVA All plot, all the time: that's how some filmmakers craft movies. Every scene leads to the next, then to the next and so on, connecting the story dots so that event A plus event B (plus event C, event D, event E and more) neatly equals wherever the narrative eventually ends up. Clio Barnard is not one of those writers or directors. Every scene always leads to the next in every film that tells any tale, no matter who's spinning it, but much of what happens in the Dark River and The Selfish Giant helmer's movies doesn't change, shift or drive the plot at all. Indeed, her features often have storylines that seem straightforward, as the tender and tremendous Ali & Ava does. But that uncomplicated appearance — including here, where a man and a woman meet, sparks fly, but complications arise — couldn't be more deceptive. In Ali & Ava, that man and woman are indeed Ali (Adeel Akhtar, Killing Eve) and Ava (Claire Rushbrook, Ammonite), both residents of Bradford in Barnard's native West Yorkshire. He's a working-class landlord — a kind and affable one, noticeably — from a British Pakistani family, and was once an EDM DJ. She's an Irish-born teacher's assistant at the school where one of Ali's tenants' children attends. Frequently, he's on drop-off and pick-up duty, because he is that helpful to his renters. So, when the skies open one day during his school run, Ali offers Ava a ride home rather than seeing her walk to the bus in the pouring rain. They chat, click, laugh, bond over a shared passion for music and slowly let their guards down. But what would a romance be, especially an on-screen one, if the path to love truly was effortlessly smooth? With a lyrical social-realist bent that'd do Ken Loach, living patron saint of British lyrical social-realist filmmaking, proud — see: Loach's I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You for his two most recent examples — Barnard unpacks everything that roughs up Ali and Ava's tentative courtship. But there's another English director who springs to mind, too, thanks to the way that Ali & Ava can turn from poignant to portentous in a second: This Is England and The Virtues' Shane Meadows. His work finds bliss and joy in ordinary, everyday moments, and also violence and menace as well. One can become the other so quickly that, if it didn't all feel so genuine and authentic, a case of whiplash might be the end result. All three filmmakers possess a commitment to detailing lives that aren't typically fodder for celluloid dreams; all three, including Barnard with The Selfish Giant and now Ali & Ava, make features in the vein that are potent, perceptive, dripping with empathy and as emotionally raw as films come. Ali, friend to everyone, is troubled by more than just regret about no longer hitting the decks. He has a wife, Runa (Ellora Torchia, Midsommar), who no longer loves him or wants to be with him. But he's too proud to tell his family, so they still live together while she keeps studying. That brings judgement his way, with his sister Usma (Krupa Pattani, Ron's Gone Wrong) vocal in her disapproval about his growing closeness with Ava. It makes Ava apprehensive as well, unsurprisingly. She already has enough of her own worries as it is, caring for her five kids — some of which have had kids of their own — as a single mother. One, her son Callum (Shaun Thomas, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), remains affected by his father's death a year earlier, and also his parents' breakup before that. He's far from welcoming to Ali as a result, terrifyingly so, hating even the idea of him as his mother's potential friend. Read our full review. AFTER BLUE (DIRTY PARADISE) In his 2017 feature debut, French writer/director Bertrand Mandico took to the sea, following five teens who were punished for a crime by being sent to a mysterious island. Sensual and lurid at every turn, The Wild Boys was never as straightforward as any description might intimate, however — and it proved both a tempest of influences as varied as Jean Cocteau, John Carpenter and David Lynch, and an onslaught of surreal and subversive experimentation several times over. Much of the same traits shine through in the filmmaker's second feature After Blue (Dirty Paradise), including an erotic tone that's even more pivotal than the movie's narrative. Mandico makes features about bodies and flesh, about landscapes filled with the odd and alluring, and where feeling like you've tumbled into a dream most wonderful and strange is the instant response. Tinted pink, teeming with glitter, scored by synth, as psychedelic as bathing in acid and gleefully queer, the fantastical realm that fills After Blue's frames is the titular planet, where humanity have fled after ruining earth. As teenager Roxy (debutant Paula-Luna Breitenfelder), who is nicknamed Toxic by her peers, tells the camera, only ovary-bearers can survive here — with men dying out thanks to their hair growing internally. In this brave new world, nationalities cling together in sparse communities, with roving around frowned upon. But that's what Roxy and her hairdresser mother Zora (Elina Löwensohn, Mandico's frequent star) are forced to do when the former meets and saves a criminal called Kate Bush (Agata Buzek, High Life), who she finds buried in sand, and are then tasked by their fellow French denizens with tracking her down and dispensing with her to fix that mistake. If Dune met The Love Witch, the resulting film still wouldn't be as seductive, kaleidoscopic and phantasmagorical as After Blue — a picture that, as The Wild Boys also proved, has to be seen to be truly understood. Obviously, that's accurate of every movie; again, though, Mandico couldn't be more disinterested in making features that can be neatly summarised or unpacked. He isn't fond of holding back, either, and so After Blue dives straight into its maximalist adventure quest, ramping every sight, sound and performance up to levels that'd do This Is Spinal Tap proud. His latest release isn't a mockumentary, but an exercise in excess over and over that's turned up far past 11. Guns are named after designer brands like Gucci and Chanel; Kate Bush sports a third eye between her legs that sparks stirrings in Roxy; pleasure bots are the only masculine presence sighted, and even then they're forbidden; cigarettes wriggle like insects; and goo drips and oozes whenever it can, for instance. As well as pre-empting the current Stranger Things-inspired Kate Bush mania by almost a year (After Blue first premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2021), Mandico doesn't make brief features. With a sizeable array of shorts to his name dating back to 1998's Le cavalier bleu, he seizes his opportunities when he's playing with long-form flicks. That gives After Blue more than two hours to luxuriate in its look, sound and vibe — a 70s-meets-80s sci-fi/western heaven — but also makes its narrative feel slight. Of course, the tale itself isn't the main attraction, but the style-over-story focus also doesn't scuttle into the background. But whenever the plot lags or zips by, aka Mandico's two pacing struggles, tentacles slide into view, nipples shoot metallic balls, a line of dialogue becomes a hilariously absurd gift, and either cinematographer Pascale Granel (Simple Passion) or composer Pierre Desprats (Olga), or both, deliver a piece of sound and/or vision that's trippy and sublime. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28; and May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26; and June 2, June 9, June 16 and June 23. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman, Ithaka, After Yang, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Petite Maman, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Firestarter, Operation Mincemeat, To Chiara, This Much I Know to Be True, The Innocents, Top Gun: Maverick, The Bob's Burgers Movie, Ablaze, Hatching, Mothering Sunday, Jurassic World Dominion, A Hero, Benediction, Lightyear, Men, Elvis, Lost Illusions and Nude Tuesday.
Bad news for Occupy protesters: Bernado Bajana has created a new riot shield which does much more than just shield officers. Inspired by the shell of the armadillo, this has an adjustable visor which allows officers to be protected from any projectiles launched from in front or above. Furthermore, if things get real rowdy, the shield is lined with multiple taser strips. Furthermore, it has a built-in pepper spray which can reach up to 30 feet. Both of these attacks are conveniently trigger-operated. Regardless of your thoughts on protesting and police misuse of power, you've got to admit that this is a pretty nifty piece of design. It would be pretty handy to have one of these when you brave the crowds at the upcoming Boxing Day sales. Those crowds can get pretty pushy. [via TrendHunter]
Rolling hills, gnocchi as good as Nonna makes, and enough Prosecco to make you pop. You would be forgiven for thinking we're describing scenes from a Tuscan vineyard. Thankfully though, you can experience these Italian delights much closer to home. The King Valley wine region in Victoria's northeast has been the epicentre of Italian familial winemaking down under for generations. To celebrate the very best of the regions flavours, 11 of the valley's wineries are throwing a wine and food festival on November 18 and 19. And for $25, you'll be able to get in on the action with proceeds being fed directly back into the wine region. Between giving your free souvenir glass a workout sipping on Prosecco, Sangiovese and a heap of other drops, there will be lots of action to keep you occupied. Each winery is putting their own personal spin on the event with free wine tastings an obvious inclusion. Prosecco king Dal Zotto will be serving up Prosecco pops and cocktails while you play bocce or partake in a helicopter joy ride. Head to Pizzini to take part in the Ms Gnoccha Gnocchi Rolling competition at 2.30pm on both days. Or improve your dinner party expertise with a flavour matching class at Brown Brothers. And don't worry about drawing the short straw on playing designated driver. For $35 for one day, or $50 for both, King Valley will shuttle you between wineries.
In the midst of the hype of the recent premiere of Season 5 of multi award-winning series Mad Men comes a Mad Men-themed interactive video on YouTube created by The Fine Brothers. Combining gameboy-style graphics with the characters and settings of Mad Men, writer and director Doctor Octoroc allows users to step into the shoes of Don Draper, completing tasks to save Sterling Cooper. With three alternate endings, the future of the company rests in the hands of the user whose decisions will determine which outcome will be reached. With a similar aesthetic to old-school Pokemon games popular back in the '90s, the syncopated music and references to Roger's promiscuity and Don's heavy drinking make for a pretty neat game.
It has won 11 Tony Awards. It's one of the Obamas' favourite musicals. A filmed version of its Broadway production was nominated for several Golden Globes. It was also the hit of Sydney since early 2021, and it's now making its way to Melbourne — and, if you're as keen to see Lin-Manuel Miranda's game-changing musical Hamilton as its namesake was about American politics in the 18th century, you just might be able to nab yourself a cheap ticket. As has happened with The Book of Mormon, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, a ticket lottery is being held for Hamilton's Melbourne run at Her Majesty's Theatre. And, this one is cheap. Very cheap, in fact. Via Today Tix, you can sign up for your chance to score a ticket for just $10. Yes, that figure is accurate. Obviously, you won't want to throw away your shot to see the most talked-about musical of the decade for less than the price of a cocktail. To take part in the lottery, you will need to download the Today Tix app — which is available for iOS and Android — and submit your entry each Friday. The lottery will go live at 12.01am every Friday morning and close at 1pm the next Thursday, with winners drawn between 1–6pm on that Thursday. If your name is selected, you'll have an hour to claim your tickets from when you receive the good news. The first lottery will open on Friday, March 4, covering performances for dates between March 15–20. From then onwards, you'll be entering on a Friday, then hearing if you're successful on the following Thursday, all for performances that start the next week. And, if you need a reminder, you'll also be able to sign up for lottery alerts via Today Tix, too. The critically acclaimed hip hop musical, for which Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and the book, is about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, as well as inclusion and politics in current-day America. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, which include Best Musical, it has nabbed a Grammy Award and even a Pulitzer Prize. After hitting Broadway in 2015, then West End in 2017, Australians have been finally getting their turn — including Melburnians from Tuesday, March 15. Usually, tickets will set you back $70–200 a pop, so the $10 lottery really is an absolute bargain. Thinking about heading south from interstate to be in the room where it happens? A $10 ticket obviously makes that trip to Melbourne a much cheaper option. [caption id="attachment_817298" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamilton, Daniel Boud, Destination NSW.[/caption] This isn't Miranda's first musical to hit Australia, of course, with his take on the classic 2000s film Bring It On: The Musical hitting Melbourne in 2018 and quadruple Tony Award-winning In The Heights playing a short season at the Sydney Opera House in 2019. While you wait for your lottery shot, you can watch the filmed version of Hamilton with the original Broadway cast on Disney+ — yes, it's as phenomenal as you've heard. Hamilton's Melbourne season kicks off on Tuesday, March 15 at Her Majesty's Theatre. Visit the musical's website for further details. To enter the Today Tix $10 lottery, download the company's iOS or Android app, and head to the company's website for more information — and to set up an alert. Top image: Hamilton, Daniel Boud, Destination NSW.
Take the Fast and Furious franchise's ongoing success and longevity, the current rush to make game-to-movie and -TV show adaptations, and everyone's affection for Stranger Things star David Harbour. Then, throw in the real-life story of a British teen who turned his love of PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo into an IRL racing career. The end result: a movie also called Gran Turismo, which will speed into cinemas this August — taking a Tetris-style approach, too, to bringing a button-mashing favourite to the screen. "Do you really think you're going to take a kid who plays video games in their bedroom, [and] you're going to strap them to a 200-mile-an-hour rocket?" They're Harbour's words, sounding characteristically cranky and unsurprisingly incredulous, in his role as Jann Mardenborough's trainer. Indeed, much of Gran Turismo's just-dropped trailer features Harbour doing his best Hopper schtick while being none too happy about the concept behind GT Academy, which is how the real-life Mardenborough made the leap behind the wheel. For newcomers to the story, and to anything beyond knowing Gran Turismo as a racing game, GT Academy did turn gamers into racers from 2008–16. Players competed through phases, including in real Nissan cars, with each year's winners scoring fast-tracked training to get an international racing license, and usually a competition slot in an international endurance race. In 2011, Mardenborough was one such winner — the youngest, in fact. So, his path from racing virtually to actually hitting the track provides the framework for the Gran Turismo film to offer something more than just speeding cars. They're still a part of the flick, of course, because it wouldn't be a GT movie without them. Alongside Harbour, Gran Turismo features Beau Is Afraid, Voyagers and Midsommar's Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough, plus Djimon Hounsou (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) as his father and Orlando Bloom (Carnival Row) as the marketing executive behind GT Academy. And, although it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-her situation in the trailer, Geri Horner — aka Spice Girl Geri Halliwell — plays Mardenborough's mother. Behind the lens, director Neill Blomkamp adds the high-octane flick to his resume after District 9, Elysium and Chappie. And if you're thinking about past instances of racing video games becoming movies, Need for Speed might've come to mind. Here's hoping that focusing on Mardenborough's story steers Gran Turismo to a better result. Check out the trailer for Gran Turismo below: Gran Turismo releases in cinemas Down Under on August 10.
For the past 37 years, everyone that's wanted good neighbours to become good friends has wished they were living in one spot: Ramsay Street. Since 1985, the cul-de-sac in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough has been beamed into homes around Australia, and further abroad, unfurling the always melodramatic, often chaotic, sometimes downright wild antics of residents named Charlene, Harold and Madge and more. Some folks don't have to dream about living on the nation's most famous TV street, though. For a small portion of Aussies, feeling like you're on one of the country's big soap operas just comes with the address. Indeed, if you happen to reside on a Ramsay Street somewhere across the country, the shadow of Neighbours has been inescapable — and now that the long-running series has been cancelled after almost four decades, with its final episode set to air on Thursday, July 28, Ramsay Street inhabitants nationwide can celebrate with a free meal. To mark the last-ever instalment of Neighbours — which is set to see a hefty cast of well-known Aussie names return, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and more — Menulog is giving away free food to folks who really do live on a Ramsay Street somewhere in Australia. If you happen to be in love with someone called Scott, that's obviously a bonus. No, you don't need to have been through an amnesia spell or a shock return from the dead, or know someone who has. [caption id="attachment_844968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Manon van Os[/caption] You don't need to have been held hostage, been through more than one tumultuous wedding, or managed a bikini store called Bounce — all things, among oh-so-many others, that happened to the one and only Jarrod 'Toadfish aka Toadie' Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). And if you're wondering why we're bringing him up specifically, that's because he's the face of Menulog's Ramsay Street giveaway, fittingly. Here's how it works: if you have the right address — with or without the Toadie-style Hawaiian shirt — you can head to Menulog between Monday, July 25–Monday, August 1. That's where you'll find a $20 voucher code in the 'For You' section if you're eligible, which you need to redeem within those dates. Also, you have to spend more than $20 in your order. Hey #Neighbours fans 👋 We wanted to confirm when you'll be able to watch the finale in the UK & Australia. Both us here in Australia and our friends @NeighboursTV in the UK will be a spoiler free zone until everyone has had a chance to watch our incredible final episode. pic.twitter.com/fBQRmU10ST — Neighbours (@neighbours) July 4, 2022 Obviously, if you were wondering what to eat at 7.30pm on Thursday, when the final-ever Neighbours episode goes to air on 10 and 10 Peach, now you know. And if you need a dose of Neighbours nostalgia in the interim, you can also check out Toadie revisiting the famed roadway below: Menulog is giving away $20 vouchers between Monday, July 25–Monday, August 1 to folks who live on Ramsay Streets around Australia. If that's you, head to the Menulog app and the Menulog website.
Ever since The Great Train Robbery back in 1903, heist films have been a much-loved part of our moviegoing diet. There's something uniquely thrilling about watching a group of smooth-talking outlaws come together for a caper, especially as filmmakers keep finding new ways to inject new life into the genre. Whether it's crime meets comedy like in Snatch or A Fish Called Wanda, or high-octane action a la Heat and Mission: Impossible, Hollywood has shown time and time again that there's more than one way to separate a mark from their money. To celebrate the release of Logan Lucky, we've put together a list of five very different heist flicks. Consider this essential reading ahead of your next movie night… or if you're planning to rob a bank. LOGAN LUCKY The latest film from the chameleonic Steven Soderbergh, Logan Lucky has been billed as a 'hillbilly heist', and based on the trailer it's easy to see why. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as Jimmy and Clyde Logan, two dim-witted brothers attempting to pull off an elaborate robbery during a big money NASCAR race. They're joined by the likes of Riley Keough, Katherine Waterstone and Daniel Craig, whose performance as an eccentric explosives expert looks to be worth the price of admission all on its own. If nothing else, we know Soderbergh is adept with this kind of story, which brings us to the next film on our list… OCEAN'S ELEVEN A rare remake that eclipses the cultural cache of the original, Soderbergh's hugely entertaining 2001 hit remains one of the prototypical heist films of the modern era, as stylish as it is funny as it is wholly unpredictable. They say crime doesn't pay, but boy does Ocean's Eleven make it look fun. Oh, and it also features one of the most impressive, big-name casts in modern movie history. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle… need we go on? An all-female spinoff is in the works for next year, and we could not be more keen. RESERVOIR DOGS The low budget indie flick that launched the career of Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is a rare kind of heist film in that we never actually get to see the heist. Instead, the story jumps backwards and forwards in time, between the planning stages and the disastrous aftermath of a diamond robbery gone wrong. The film's graphic violence, distinctive dialogue and non-linear timeline has inspired endless imitations of varying quality — it's not an exaggeration to call this one of the most influential films of the 1990s. And yet, like all of Tarantino's movies, it somehow feels utterly unique. INCEPTION "Your mind is the scene of the crime," teased early trailers for Inception, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster version of an M.C. Escher print. Rightfully celebrated upon release as a smart, original property in a sea of unremarkable franchise films, this epic sci-fi caper — about a group of professional thieves who ply their trade in their victims' dreams — confirmed Nolan as one of the most ambitious filmmakers working in Hollywood today. Sure, some of the exposition may be a little bit clunky, but what Inception lacks in nuance it makes up for in excitement, emotion and sense of scale. Most importantly, like all the best heist films, it totally stands up on second viewing. FAST FIVE The best film in the Fast and Furious franchise, it was Fast Five that helped transform this flagging series into a bona-fide global phenomenon. Street racing takes a backseat as Dominic Toretto and fam instead set their eyes on a $100 million score — one that is ultimately realised via one of the greatest action sequences of this decade, involving a massive bank vault being dragged through the streets of Rio at breakneck speed. Inventive and exhilarating, with a charismatic cast at the top of its game, Fast Five is popcorn entertainment at its absolute finest. Logan Lucky is now showing at cinemas nationally.
Ah, the humble loo — a place of peace and sometimes panic when you realise the roll is empty (or was simply never there to begin with). Here in Straya, not only do we have stunning landscapes, amazing surf and adorable native critters, but there are loos with views so sensational that they'll make you forget about the TP entirely. We decided to make a list of a few of the best, and in order to cover as much ground as possible, we asked our readers and social followers to chip in with your reccos. The following list is made up of our favourite submissions. So if you've decided to head off on an adventure this long weekend, here's where you should head when nature calls — plus some nice spots to chill over the weekend with a bev from our mates at The Bottle-O. [caption id="attachment_942303" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Wellington, Darren Tierney[/caption] Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), TAS If you fancy a Tassie road trip, head up to Kunanyi (Mount Wellington) for the best bathroom views, according to reader Alan: "There's a public toilet at the top with the best views even on a cloudy day. The window is literally above the sink, so you can look out while washing your hands." Once peak dunny has been achieved, continue on the adventure to Huon Valley or down to Bruny Island, stopping in at local The Bottle-O to grab a haul of evening beers to crack with your road trip buds — ideally over a roaring fireplace. Closest The Bottle-O: Grove [caption id="attachment_942299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kalbarri Skywalk, Gagliardi Photography[/caption] Kalbarri National Park, WA Are you keen on an outback adventure in WA this long weekend? Explore the dramatic coastline and striking red sandstone gorges of Kalbarri National Park. Take it all in at the Kalbarri Skywalk – and make sure you pay your respects at the toilets next door. Our IG follower Tanya paints a glorious picture: "You step out of the bathroom, and there are just uninterrupted views of the landscape. Just breathtaking." Then, make your way to Dongara's The Bottle-O for a well-deserved beverage to enjoy with your mates at the local campground. Closest The Bottle-O: Dongara [caption id="attachment_942305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunset Beach, Penny Britt[/caption] Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach, Onslow, WA Concrete Playground commenter Laura recommends this spot: "There are bathrooms with showers, so whether you're arriving first thing for a dip at sunrise or chilling in the evening, there's everything you need to get sorted and perfect sunrises and sunsets over the ocean with a bev." If you're WA-bound and the beach is calling you this long weekend, enjoy epic sunrise and sunset views at Sunrise Beach (or front beach, ideal for swimming and chilling) and Sunset Beach (or back beach, perfect for fishing and picnicking) after picking up your drinks at The Bottle-O and snacks at the local grocers at Onslow. Closest The Bottle-O: Onslow [caption id="attachment_942304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Wellington, Nick Clark[/caption] Mount Solitary, Blue Mountains National Park NSW Every Sydneysider has gone to the Blue Mountains at least once. But have you made it over to Mount Solitary? Reader Michael recommends the Mount Solitary walking track for the views and the drop toilets: "There are two toilets and a water tank near Ruined Castle if you need to take care of business. There's never too many people about, and the views are unreal." Keep in mind this walk is for experienced bushwalkers, but once you've successfully completed the journey, nothing will taste better than that first drink back at the campsite once you've kicked off your walking boots. Stock up your dinner supplies at Hazelbrook and drinks at the local The Bottle-O on the way to the track's starting point. Closest The Bottle-O: Hazelbrook [caption id="attachment_942302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lord Howe Island, A Goyen[/caption] Lord Howe Island, NSW If you're looking for a long weekend adventure with a whole lotta luxury, Lord Howe Island, with its pristine beaches and lush rainforests, make it a straight-up paradise. And apparently, the public toilets stick to the same high standards. Concrete Playground follower Pat confirms: "Everything is lush on this island. There's a stunning view from every window, especially the public toilets at Ned's Beach." There are a few ways onto the island, but unless you and your mates have access to a boat, you'll have to fly over. Regional flights head from Port Macquarie, head there to stock up on supplies and bevs from The Bottle-O toast to island life for the long weekend. Closest The Bottle-O: Flynn's Beach, Port Macquarie [caption id="attachment_942300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lake Bellfield Toilets, Tracie Louise[/caption] Gariwerd (Grampians) National Park VIC Melbourne-based readers: are the mountains calling you for a long weekend getaway? Trek along the ridges and clicks of the epic mountain range before chasing emus off your campsite at Smith's Mill Campground. Once you've arrived in the Grampians, you're not going to have the opportunity to head down to the local shop for snacks, so get sorted at Sebastopol and head to The Bottle-O there for any campsite brews to enjoy with your mates. David recommends Lake Bellfield for a loo with a view, and sounds like prime real estate: "Just off the main road from Halls Gap, in this large two-storey wooden shelter, you'll find the toilets with views out over the lake, perfect for stretching your legs." Closest The Bottle-O: Sebastopol [caption id="attachment_942306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Wirestock[/caption] Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, TAS Want to get a little wild for the long weekend? Head into the wild west of Tassie to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. According to reader Natalie, the dunnies located near Nelson Falls are among Australia's most scenic: "A perfect sidetrack if you're road-tripping from Cradle Mountain to Queenstown or vice versa. Toilets themselves are nothing special, but the waterfalls are gorge". Once you've finished admiring the scenery, head over to Queenstown to pick up a drink at The Bottle-O and toast to the wonders of the Tasmanian wilderness at the free campsite at Lake Burbury. Closest The Bottle-O: Queenstown Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Canva Stock
For most of the past two years, Australians haven't had many chances to attend a music festival or escape the mainland. We all know how the festival landscape has fared during the pandemic, and the travel situation as well. But if you've been longing to hear your favourite tunes while surrounded by your friends and to take a trip to a secluded beachside resort in The Whitsundays, Dream Machine has you covered. The brand-new festival was first announced in 2021, and was meant to take place last year as well — but the past 12 months didn't turn out as anyone planned, either. In great news, however, it's been locked in to go ahead this month, and will now occur between Wednesday, January 26–Sunday, January 30. Handily, that news comes just after Queensland revealed that it's ditching its domestic border restrictions from Saturday, January 15. A new venture from the team behind Wine Machine and Snow Machine, the fest will see music lovers travel to The Whitsundays for a stacked lineup of local electronic talent. On up the party-forward lineup: Hayden James, former Triple J House Party presenter KLP, Touch Sensitive, CC:Disco!, Set Mo and Yolanda Be Cool, as well as The Jungle Giants, and Confidence Man hitting the decks for DJ sets. Yes, the list goes on. If the simple activity of grooving to tunes on a tropical island isn't enough motivation for you, festival-goers will also be treated to an island-hopping adventure between Daydream Island, Paradise Cove and a surprise location. Your itinerary can also include kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and waterside cocktails, and, if you stay at Daydream Island Resort, you'll have four restaurants, three bars, a pool and a spa to enjoy as well. Dream Machine will run for three days within its five-day, four-night period. Unsurprisingly, it isn't cheap, starting at $1999 per person — and also to the astonishment of no one, plenty of packages have already sold out, so you'll need to get in quick if you're keen. The extravagant price tag will get you accommodation, breakfast each morning, ferry transport to and from the airport, and tickets to the festival (of course). DREAM MACHINE 2022 LINEUP: Belta Variant CC:DISCO! Confidence Man (DJ set) Client Liason (DJ set) Dena Amy Generik Happiness Is Wealth Harvey Sutherland (DJ set) Hayden James Jimi the Kween The Jungle Giants (DJ set) Juz KLP Kristina Jaman Late Nite Tuff Guy Made in Paris Mell Hall Mira Mira Owl Eyes Pat Stevenson Poof Doof DJs Robbie Set Mo Squeef Stace Cadet Shouse (DJ set) Sneaky Sound System Touch Sensitive Wax'o Paradiso Yolanda Be Cool Dream Machine takes place from Wednesday, January 26–Sunday, January 30 in The Whitsundays, with final tickets available via the festival's website.
Since they first won our hearts and tickled our senses of humour on Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have inspired two reactions. Audiences either want to be them or be best friends with them, though the former is impossible and the latter highly unlikely. 30 Rock, Parks and Rec and their Golden Globes co-hosting gigs didn't lessen this desire, so their latest collaboration offers the next best thing. For two hours, Sisters re-teams the charismatic comedic twosome, throws an outlandish party and invites everyone to witness the mayhem. Fun is high on the agenda, and laughs are too — aka everything anyone could want when two of their favourite stars join forces once again. But even with such a pedigree, there's a difference between an enjoyable film and an excellent one, just as there's a difference between meeting expectations and exceeding them. Sisters' director Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) and writer Paula Pell (another SNL alum) know their leads will put a smile on most people's faces simply by sharing screen time. They're also aware that the movie doesn't need to do much else. Accordingly, Sisters takes a well-worn scenario, adds a few just-as-recognisable issues, and hopes that the charm and hilarity of Fey and Poehler wins out. Unsurprisingly, it does. The two play mismatched siblings forced to finally say goodbye to their childhood and face everything maturity entails. Fey's free-spirited hairdresser and single mother Kate can't hold down a job or find a permanent place to live, while Poehler's responsible nurse Maura has dedicated her post-divorce life to her job. They're summoned to their family home in Florida when their parents (James Brolin and Dianne Wiest) decide to sell. But before the sale goes through, the girls decide to throw one last party. Adults behaving like teenagers may have worn somewhat thin, now that every second film is obsessed with states of arrested development. Still, you can trust Fey and Poehler to make the most of the concept. They're game for whatever comes their way — and plenty does. Sure, the script reverses their roles from Baby Mama, their last big-screen pairing, and then relies upon the usual march of escalating big-screen silliness. Yet even when the parade of outrageous antics seems familiar, nothing ever feels stretched or tiresome thanks to the central duo's winning chemistry and all-round energetic performances. Moreover, while the leads are never anything less than a delight to watch, in a feature that's as much a reunion movie as it is a party movie, they're certainly not the only humorous highlights. Maya Rudolph threatens to steal every scene she's in as Kate and Maura's high school nemesis; Ike Barinholtz affably plays against type as Maura's love interest; and John Cena continues to amuse outside of the WWE arena. The movie's attempts to traverse darker territory aren't quite as successful as its jokes, though it's nice that there's something more to the film than Fey and Poehler acting wild and cracking wise. Though it's execution is slight and clumsy, the movie's initial nostalgia for times gone by blossoms into the bittersweet epiphany we all eventually have: that youthful dreams don't always come to pass. Sisters is the type of film best consumed with an eager crowd. There's little that's unexpected here, with the film largely content with letting two of the funniest people on the planet do their thing. And you know what? That's okay. When it comes to laughs, Sisters well and truly delivers — and throws in a great dance routine set to Snow's 'Informer' as well.
SNAFU Theatre’s new production, by May Jasper and Sam Wilson, is a snappy psychological drama set some place that isn’t Australia where clapping in public is an arrestable offence. Spy #1, played by the sensational Samantha Hill, has been working undercover there for three years. Whatever manner of operation she’s undertaking, her cover is working and seemingly allows her enough time for trivia night. All this is disrupted when she stumbles home one night to find a stranger rummaging through her kitchen. He says he’s from her agency – but he's a spy too, can he be trusted? Ten months sounds a lot like a penitentiary term and it would appear to be how long how long Spy #2, played by newcomer James Gand-Hunt, has been assigned to stay in this cold town. The problem with being undercover is there’s nobody you can really trust, nobody you can readily share your Weetbix with. The cagey dialogue that takes place between the two spies as he tries to discover where confidential documents are hidden and she skilfully deflects his questions is tightly scripted and thoroughly intriguing. There’s a neat juxtaposition between Spy #1’s love of trivial pursuits and Spy #2’s increasing desperation to make for the hills. The suspense is effectively amped up a notch when a mysterious fax arrives and a lonely Russian neighbour comes calling. Ten Months in a Cold Town explores the dangers of feeling trapped and the potential fallout when Seduction Technique 101 fails. It’s kind of similar to a game of Jenga, where players take turns to remove and restack a block from a tower, creating a taller and increasingly unstable structure until the whole tower topples and wham! Game over. Image via SNAFU Theatre
It might just be Australia's brightest festival, and it's back to light up Alice Springs once again. That'd be Parrtjima - A Festival In Light, which kicked off for 2020 on Friday, September 11 and runs through until Sunday, September 20. And, while it's being held as a physical event, the fest also has something on offer for everyone who can't be there in person. For the first time, Parrtjima is hosting a virtual tour — via a four-and-a-half-minute video that showcases the event's dazzling, glowing sights. Expect luminous lights and plenty of them, with the tour giving viewers a peek at the Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling fest's enthusiastic celebration, including its signature installations and new displays. This year, all of the above falls under the theme of 'lifting our spirits'. Even from afar, via your screen, seeing the Alice Springs Desert Park come alive will do just that. You'll also see the huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges each year, showering it with light each night of the festival. Yes, it's spectacular — and called The Ebb and Flow of Sky and Country in 2020, it's designed to reflect the colours and movement of the changing seasons. Check out the virtual tour below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=217&v=l0v6l2LeP4E&feature=emb_logo Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2020, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. And, in good news for everyone who can't head to the NT this year, Parrtjima will be back in 2021 — taking place again from April 9–18. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light's runs until Sunday, September 20. For further details, visit the festival website. Top images: Lachlan Dodds-Watson, Greg McAdam.
After taking on the entire Nazi high command in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, Brad Pitt's second foray into the WWII genre feels significantly closer to reality. Directed by David Ayre, Fury follows the trials of a five-man American tank crew, played by Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Pena and Jon Bernthal, as they push deep into German territory during the closing months of the war. Brutal and unflinching, the film's been compared in many reviews, including our own, to Steven Spielberg's Academy Award-winning Saving Private Ryan. On Saturday December 6, Concrete Playground will present a special screening of Fury at Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema. Gates open at 6pm for a 7.30pm live performance by Melbourne-born singer-songwriter JR Reyne, who'll be cranking out an openair live set until sundown. Tickets are selling fast, so grab them while you still can. Concrete Playground presents: Fury is on Saturday, December 6. Thanks to Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinemas, we have five double passes to give away. Winners will have a spot reserved for them in a premium location at the site. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address at win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema runs from November 30 to December 21 at South Beach Reserve, next to the St Kilda Sea Baths. For the full program see their website.
All right ramblers, let's get ramblin'. After packing the place tighter than Minnie's Haberdashery for the past three years, 24 Moons Bar's Tarantino Ball is back. For one night only, the Northcote watering hole will celebrate the work of one of modern cinema's most distinctive — and bloodiest — auteurs with an evening of music, beverages and fancy dress inspired by the movies of QT. Kicking off at 8pm on Saturday May 19 and stretching well into the hours of the following morning (not quite dusk till dawn, but pretty damn close), the fourth annual Tarantino Ball will feature $5 Sailor Jerry shakes, a Jack Rabbit Slims twist contest, foot massages by the Foot Fucking Master, and all the best tunes from Tarantino's iconic soundtracks played by Melbourne's very own Quentin tribute band, The Tarantino's. There'll also be a costume competition with some pretty epic prizes. So make sure you put in some effort — no guys, just wearing a black suit with a black tie and sunglasses isn't going to cut it.
While Christmas is undoubtedly one of the best holidays of the year for most, pulling off said celebration ain’t the easiest of tasks. You’ve done the presents, sent the cards, but this year there’s 15 coming over, two are vegetarian and uncle James is big into wine. Like crazy big. The Solution? WineMarket has made playing sommelier easier than convincing yourself to pop the champers at 11am on Christmas morning, with a wide range of drops to match any menu and suit even the fussiest sniff and swillers. TURKEY:EVANS & TATE CLASSIC SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC Leaving aside the vegetarians for a moment, ain't no one going to say no to some turkey. Similarly, a semillon sauvignon blanc blend is a people-pleaser. The perfect middle ground between semillon structure and weight, and the herbal, punchy fruit highlights of Sav Blanc, it's perfect with white meat and lighter condiments. Try the take on it from Margaret River's Evans & Tate. $150 for a case from www.winemarket.com.au. BBQ PRAWNS: TEMPUS TWO PROSECCO Nothing complements a juicy, flame-grilled prawn or yabby off the barbie like a glass of something cold and sparkling. Prosecco is your go-to here. Try the cool-climate, lemon-zesty Adelaide Hills Tempus Two variety to match seafood. Oh, and don’t forget this fresh and clean Italian-style bubbly makes the ideal pre-dinner tipple, so be sure to stock up. $89.94 for a six-pack from www.winemarket.com.au. CHRISTMAS HAM: BLEASDALE SPARKLING SHIRAZ Unless, of course, you’re super into pork, that hunk of scrumptious piggy steaming on the table usually only comes out once a year. So why not go with the flow and crack open a bottle of sparkling shiraz to give it that extra special-occasion kick? Aussie legends Bleasdale have a great sparkling shiraz (their drops regularly score 90+ points), but it’s not exactly surprising seeing as they’re Australia’s second oldest wine growing family. $135 for a six-pack from www.winemarket.com.au. TURDUCKEN: ALEXIA BY JANE COOPER PINOT NOIR A hybrid of turkey, duck and chicken, this big meaty beast is probably best suited to a slightly lighter bodied red (especially on a hot summer’s day). Jane Cooper's 'Alexia' Pinot Noir will suit game meats with its earthy, dark cherry flavours, plus a dozen of these babies comes in at just $11 a bottle. $132 for a case from www.winemarket.com.au VEGAN TURDUCKEN: GEMTREE GREEN JADE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY Anyone going for a vegetarian or vegan roast (yes, it’s a thing) should think about a chardonnay. We know this poor ol’ drop somewhat went out of fashion, but the pesticide-free, medium-bodied dry Gemtree Green Jade Organic Chardonnay, with a whole bunch of pure fruit flavours sans oak, will add delicious textures to the vego’s delight on your plate. $99 for a case from www.winemarket.com.au. POTATO SALAD: BALLAST POINT 'BIG EYE' INDIA PALE ALE Of course, sides shouldn’t be forgotten, and neither should beer. In the hotter months you’re gonna want something bitter and hoppy (and cold, obvs), and a frosty Ballest Point 'Big Eye' India pale ale has your name, and those creamy carbs, written all over it. $79.99 for a case from www.winemarket.com.au.
Soaking up Melbourne's dynamic cultural scene and getting on top of your spending can seem at odds. But this balancing act is made a little easier when you make the most of the countless discounts and wallet-friendly hacks that our fair city serves up on the reg. We've teamed up with Great Southern Bank to track down eight surefire ways to save your bucks while you get a big ol' dose of culture. After so many months at home, it's time to rediscover our city — from after-dark art events to raucous drag shows. If you've got big saving goals, Great Southern Bank has a range of clever tools to help you hit that financial figure sooner rather than later. For those who want to live their best lives — and top up their funds — The Boost lets you add to your savings every time you spend, while The Vault helps impulse buyers curb their instincts. So, hit the pavement and experience the city's cultural best — and keep your accounts ticking over — with this budget friendly hit list. [caption id="attachment_821535" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NGV Friday Nights, Ben Swinnerton[/caption] CHECK OUT SOME AFTER-HOURS ART You don't have to spend a fortune to immerse yourself in Melbourne's world-class arts venues. Running over several seasons throughout the year, NGV Friday Nights lets you saunter through the institution's latest exhibitions with a soundtrack to match, thanks to a weekly lineup of local DJs and indie acts. Just be sure to check the NGV website for the latest information to avoid any disappointment. Down the road, the Melbourne Cinémathèque at ACMI presents screenings of acclaimed films and obscure cinema on Wednesday nights. Grab a Mini Membership for $32 and explore the world of film for three consecutive weeks. Or, head to the Immigration Museum after dark. The superb cultural institution highlights fascinating perspectives on our shared humanity, and it costs less $20 for entry. So, hit up one of its regular after-hours events that celebrate Australia's multicultural make-up. To see what's coming up, head to the Museum's website. [caption id="attachment_760381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Hamer Hall[/caption] BANK ON LAST-MINUTE TICKET DEALS A night at the theatre is a smashing idea, but it doesn't quite fit the definition of bargain hunting. Fortunately, several cut-price ticket sellers specialise in eleventh-hour deals on the city's unmissable shows. TodayTix lists discounts for headline productions like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and performances from The Australian Ballet. Or, you can experience outstanding events at Arts Centre Melbourne venues, including Hamer Hall and Sidney Myer Music Bowl, for $30 thanks to Tixatsix. The ticket platform promises a minimum of 20 discounted tickets per show every single night. Meanwhile, Halftix Melbourne has been helping punters see shows for less since 1983. You can browse a selection of tickets online or head into the store at 208 Little Collins Street post lockdown to secure a last-minute deal. [caption id="attachment_691296" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Theatre Company[/caption] USE YOUTH TO YOUR FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE Under 30? You can easily save some dough when attending some of Melbourne's leading performing arts institutions. The Melbourne Theatre Company lets anyone aged 29 or under secure premium tickets or a season subscription at a 50 percent discount. People in this age bracket, as well as full-time students, can also soak up the best independent productions at St Kilda's renowned Red Stitch Actors' Theatre for just $29. If incredible sopranos and booming basses are more your thing, under 30s can also catch glass-shattering performances at Victorian Opera for a markdown rate of $30 per ticket — that's up to 70 percent off usual prices. [caption id="attachment_827197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Comedy Republic (Supplied)[/caption] SIT DOWN AND WATCH SOME STAND-UP Melbourne is home to some of the most celebrated comedy clubs in the country. Whether you prefer one-liners or absurdists, you won't have a problem finding cheap laughs across a variety of top-notch stages. North Melbourne's The Comic's Lounge is perhaps the best known, with nightly showcases of newbies and professionals that you can catch for as little as $15. There's also the newly opened Comedy Republic. Founded by much-loved comics Alex Dyson, Kyran Wheatley and Rhys Nicholson, the CBD venue is purpose-built for intimate stand-up routines, with tickets usually in the $20–30 range. Or, for a New York-style underground space, the Basement Comedy Club takes over the European Bier Cafe on Thursday nights. Head here to see local and international talent for a steal, with tickets for some shows starting at just $10. [caption id="attachment_764005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Koorie Heritage Trust, Artra Sartracom[/caption] GO ON A CULTURAL TOUR As the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne's city streets are overflowing with cultural significance. You can learn from some wonderfully insightful guides on Koorie Heritage Trust's Aboriginal Walking Tours. Here, you'll be informed about the city's history as a meeting place and have an opportunity to reflect on this deep connection. On the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria's Heritage Walk, a guide will reveal how numerous native plants can be used for food, medicine and tools, as well as teach you about the ongoing connection to Country. Want to venture further afield when you can? Deep in the lush Yarra Ranges, Bullen Bullen Cultural Tours invites guests to take part in a welcome ceremony and appreciate the link between people and Country. CATCH A CHEAP FLICK Catching the latest blockbuster, indie flick or foreign film is a great time. But, if you're a dedicated movie buff, the cost can start adding up quickly. Fortunately, pretty much every cinema in town has a cheap night, which means you either head home with more cash — or have extra to spend on snacks. At Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn, you can score tickets for $12 on Tuesdays. Plus, students can pay just $8 on Wednesdays with a valid ID. If you sign up to a yearly membership (for $21), you can also access a $1 ticket upon signing up or renewing, as well as $8 tickets on Tuesdays. Lido's super-popular rooftop cinema is set to return next month, too, should you wish to catch an al fresco flick. Across participating Palace Cinemas, tickets are $10 on Tuesdays. There's also a free and paid membership program that gives you access to discounted tickets year round at participating theatres around town. You can take advantage of this offer at The Kino Cinema, too, or head to the Collins Street picture house on a Monday to nab tickets for just $8.50. BE DAZZLED AS YOU DINE AT VAU D'VILE DINNER AND SHOW Dinners don't come much more ravishing than at Vau d'vile Drag Cabaret. Head to this Johnston Street spot to dine on delightful tapas as The Vixens, a troupe of some of Melbourne's beloved drag queens, strut through comedy skits, choreographed dances and lung-busting solos. Friday and Saturday nights are the headline evenings, with tickets costing $69, $89 or $115 depending on how glamorous you want to get. There's also a strictly limited number of $37 show-only tickets for those watching their wallet. For a cheaper but just as playful alternative, Bingo a la Vau is on Thursday nights, with tickets starting from $19 per person. The winner takes home tickets for a Friday night show and dinner for two, so prep accordingly. EXPLORE OLD MELBOURNE WITH AN AUGMENTED REALITY WHODUNNIT Think you've got what it takes to solve a century-old crime? This is the premise behind the augmented reality app Eastern Market Murder, which takes users on a 2.5-kilometre journey through the city streets to crack the case. As you visit the actual crime sites involved in the 1899 whodunnit, your smartphone camera will discover 3D scenes and characters on the streetscape, gradually revealing vital evidence and witnesses to question across ten historical CBD sites. Available for iOS and Android for just $4.99, this low-cost activity doubles as a captivating history lesson. Result. Great Southern Bank is empowering Aussies to get clever with their banking. Whether you want to stick to your savings goals with The Boost or hide your house deposit fund from yourself with The Vault, Great Southern Bank helps you get there. For more information on its savings tools and home loan plans, head to the Great Southern Bank website. Top image: NGV Friday Nights
They played the first game of their 2023 Women's World Cup campaign in Sydney. They took on Denmark there in the round of 16, then England in the semi-final loss. The next reason that the Matildas will hit the Harbour City: a match against China PR on the way to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and also for goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and coach Tony Gustavsson to take to the Vivid stage. The duo have just joined the already-packed Vivid Sydney 2024 lineup for a Vivid Ideas session at Sydney Town Hall on Monday, June 10. At Champions of Change: Mackenzie Arnold and Tony Gustavsson, the pair will have plenty to talk about — all things Matildas, of course, including the team's achievements over the past year, the challenges along the way, the squad's impact, the pressures and the coach-athlete dynamic. "This Vivid Sydney event is an awesome opportunity to connect with fans and reflect on the incredible ride we've had with the Matildas over the last couple of years. The highs and lows, the pressure and the triumphs, what it means to represent your country on the world stage — this is more than just a game. It's a chance to inspire the next generation and make a difference for women and girls on and off the field," said Arnold about the session. "The Matildas have had an incredible journey over the last 12 months, and it's a proud moment for me as a manager to celebrate and reflect on this at Vivid Sydney alongside Mackenzie," added Gustavsson. "I want to shed light not only our achievements on the field but also the incredible spirit and resilience behind the scenes, how much each of these players gives to this game. This conversation is also a chance to delve into the strategies that shaped our team's success and to touch on the broader implications of our journey for women's sport and society at large." Arnold and Gustavsson's addition to the Vivid lineup comes after Amy Poehler recently also joined the bill, to discuss her career and the upcoming Pixar sequel Inside Out 2. "We're so proud to be bringing two modern-day superstars of sport to the Vivid Sydney 2024 program. This discussion with Mackenzie and Tony will explore humanity through the lens of sport and bring a relatable and inspirational touch to their world class achievements on the field. You do not want to miss this opportunity to hear from two of Australian football's most influential and inspiring figures," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Champions of Change: Mackenzie Arnold and Tony Gustavsson takes place on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Sydney Town Hall, with tickets on sale from 9am on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Vivid Sydney runs from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15 at various locations around Sydney. Head to the festival website for further details and tickets.
Cue the nostalgia and prepare to feel positively ancient — Brisbane's last remaining video store is shutting its doors for good. As reported by the ABC, Oxley's Network Video has taken to social media to farewell its legion of loyal customers, many of whom have been trekking from all over Brisbane on the regular (and evidently still own DVD players). Owner Brenton Snell revealed the store's set to close this month, due to family issues. Even still, the old girl held her own longer than anyone anticipated. When Snell bought the store in 2010, the concept of video rentals was already taking a dive, fast succumbing to the popularity of online streaming services. He expected to sell up just a few years later, but DVD fans just kept rolling in and business boomed despite stiff competition from the internet. Those keen for a memento of the good old days — or to snap up a few titles for their home collection — should pay a visit in the coming weeks. Snell plans to start clearing out his 14,000-strong movie collection from Saturday, February 17. After Network Video's graceful departure, the nearest walk-in video stores will be those out in Ipswich and Logan. Network Video is located at Shop 4, 121 Oxley Station Road, Oxley, Brisbane. Its last official date of trade will be Wednesday, February 14 and it will start selling its collection on Saturday, February 17. For more info, visit the Facebook page. Via ABC.
In what was probably the biggest celestial (and perhaps social media) event of 2016, last night the supermoon rose majestically in the sky, like a beacon reminding that, yes, the world will keep turning even if certain world events have us feeling like it will stop dead in its tracks. Token stargazers turned out to coastal and elevated vantage points around the country to catch a glimpse of the bigger-than-normal moon, which would come over the horizon Melancholia-style to take or save us all. Well, perhaps it wasn't quite as dramatic. The moon — while 13 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual — looked sort of normal. And that was just to those who could see it. Many parts of Australia had their view of the big piece of cheese obstructed by some very unconsiderate clouds. So if you didn't see it, here's the best photos from Australia and around the world. They should be enough to tide you over until 2034. SYDNEY A photo posted by T Vaclavek (@wayfarerphoto) on Nov 14, 2016 at 1:29am PST A photo posted by Jon Bader (@jon_bader) on Nov 14, 2016 at 12:52pm PST MELBOURNE A photo posted by D. (@ogonbatosan) on Nov 14, 2016 at 12:41pm PST BRISBANE A photo posted by Thiago Pacheco (@thiagopacheco) on Nov 14, 2016 at 3:51am PST A photo posted by Christopher Dakers (@chrisdakers) on Nov 14, 2016 at 12:22pm PST A photo posted by Daily Mail (@dailymail) on Nov 14, 2016 at 10:26am PST UTAH A photo posted by Jonathan Irish (@jonathan_irish) on Nov 14, 2016 at 10:24am PST epa editor's choice 14 November 2016 - https://t.co/XCGNo4r46z pic.twitter.com/MGvfpoS5Sx — epaphotos (@epaphotos) November 14, 2016 LONDON Outstanding photo of the #supermoon & a plane over London (📷 by @photogator96) pic.twitter.com/JgNbcZHKdV — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 14, 2016 SOMERSET, UK A photo posted by Pearl Lowe (@pearllowe) on Nov 13, 2016 at 9:42am PST A photo posted by GreekGateway.com ® (@greekgateway) on Nov 14, 2016 at 9:26am PST Top image: thiagopachec via Instagram.
