It has been less than a year since the sale of medicinal marijuana became legal in Australia, but the Federal Government isn't stopping there. They've now approved the export of the country's cannabis-based medicines. Yes, domestic manufacturers can now sell their wares overseas. The move applies to medicinal cannabis products, rather than cannabis itself. In a statement, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt dubbed the move "an important step for the development of the medicinal cannabis sector and to secure long-term supplies for Australian patients," and said it "will help both the domestic supply and Australian producers by strengthening the opportunities for domestic manufacturers." Hunt expanded upon the rationale further to the ABC, noting "we would like to be, potentially, the world's number one medicinal cannabis supplier." It is believed that by helping Aussie manufacturers expand, it'll assist in warding off competition from imports by allowing local outfits to grow their market. As part of any licence authorising export, medicinal cannabis products will be required to be made available to Australian patients first. Since February 2017, local companies have been allowed to distribute the drug as a medicine, with people with chronic illness and pain — like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer — able to access the drug after getting a prescription from their doctor. "We want a robust Australian medicinal cannabis industry so that doctors have safe, quality domestic products that they can confidently prescribe to their patients," said Hunt. Just to be clear, though, recreational use of marijuana is still very much illegal and laws vary state-to-state. By Lauren Vadnjal and Sarah Ward.
If catching a real-life talk by Barack Obama is on your intellectual bucket list, then you're about to get your chance to tick it off — the former United States president is coming Down Under for a speaking event next month. The New Zealand United States Council yesterday revealed that it'll host Mr Obama for two exclusive talks next month, with the first to be held at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre on March 22. He will then fly into Sydney for a second talk at the on March 23 which, according to News Corp, will be held at the Art Gallery of NSW. "President Obama's presidency had an extraordinary impact on the world and during his service, New Zealand's deep friendship with the United States was strengthened politically, culturally, in trade and investment, innovation and security," said NZUS Council Chairman Leon Grice in a Facebook post. Mr Obama visited Australia twice during his eight-year presidency. This will be his first post-presidency trip to the country. The finer details are yet to be announced and it's not yet known if the event will be open to the general public. We'll let you know when more details are confirmed.
Nike has launched something exciting and new that could make your night jogs a whole lot safer and more fancy: the Air Max Glow Collection. Like something straight out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze, the Air Max Glow kicks run on green radioactive glamour. By day you are an ordinary Jerry Seinfeld in smart white sneakers. By night? You're high tech, high octane and highly visible. Building on the design of the Nike Air Max 1, Air Max 90, Air Max 95 and Air Max Thea, the Glow Collection's luminous accents are created by under-mesh glow-in-the-dark prints, changing the shoe's vibe completely as soon as the sun goes down. Men get electric lime while ladies get an attractive mint set of accents. The obvious roadkill avoidance measures offered by this shoe are bolstered by the mate attraction benefits, as you seductively dangle a glimmering foot in the direction of your love interest. Like a school of that rarest jewel of the sea, the phosphorescent jellyfish, or a herd of shimmering unicorns, we can now maraud along the highways and byways of the night in our state-of-the-art Nikes. The Nike Air Max Glow Collection featuring the Air Max 90 ($200) and the Air Max 1 ($180) is now available at selected Nike stores across Australia.
When Daft Punk announced that they will premiere their new album, Random Access Memories, at the Annual Show in the tiny town of Wee Waa, NSW everyone lost their minds a little bit. It seems like every website and news outlet in the world ran an equally incredulous item that, 'Yes, this is actually happening', and, 'No, this is not a joke'. Up until now, though, we hadn't heard any music from what is probably the most keenly anticipated album of the year. All changed over the weekend with the release of a snippet of a song called 'Get Lucky', featuring Pharrell Williams (from N*E*R*D*) on vocals and Nile Rodgers (from everything). The clip also reveals the names of some of the other very special guests who will feature on the album, including Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Panda Bear of Animal Collective, DJ Falcon, Chilly Gonzales, Paul Williams, Giorgio Moroder and Todd Edwards. So. Excited much? https://youtube.com/watch?v=JMJwcOiBoZE
What happens when director and choreographer Dave Coombs teams up with four of his fellow graduates from the National Institute of Circus Arts? The result is Uncovered, a tale about coming out set to a soundtrack of popular songs, with strobe lighting, smoke and a little bit of nudity thrown in. This steamy, high-energy circus-dance hybrid has been developed specifically for this year's Midsumma Festival in partnership with Gasworks Arts Park and AfterDark Theatre. Five shows only, beginning Wednesday, January 27.
While we Southern hemisphere-bound folk have been digging out our cosy coats and clinging to our winter warmers, Fremantle's San Cisco have been blitzing the UK and the US, inspiring sun-kissed comparisons from the critics. The Guardian's Paul Lester introduced them as the 'New Band of the Day' on November 1, 2012, with "meet the new beach boys and girl." And if you've haven't heard, they've been signed. As in, to a major label. Fat Possum has picked them up in the US and they're with Columbia in the UK. 'Awkward's domination of the Aussie pop charts and 4 million+ YouTube hits may have had something to do with that. The good news is that San Cisco is home, to spend May and June on their nationwide The Beach Tour. Their first Sydney gig (May 31) is already sold out, but tickets are still up for grabs for a second show on June 9. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ukNOaKeUEQY
The way people talk about food has changed. With a lot of the focus shifting to the 'paddock-to-plate' movement, people are putting more onus on where their food is coming from and are being encouraged more and more to support local and sustainable farming operations. Transparency on sustainability, provenance and 'food miles' is becoming increasingly meaningful to consumers. And this movement hasn't just stopped at food. It's trickled into the world of drinks, particularly in brewing, with beer drinkers and makers raising their glasses to a 'paddock-to-pint' movement. Tracking a beer's creation every step of the way is a rich and rewarding way to ensure its quality, as well as gain a greater understanding of its flavour. So, it's this experience that's captured the hearts and tastebuds of many brewers in Australia and around the world — and it's the story of these beers that's captured the hearts of consumers. Everyone loves a good tale. So, getting to know the narrative of a product, be it the eye fillet on your plate or pint in your hand, has allowed for another layer of appreciation. Family-owned and with a reputation for winning over beer drinkers with its high-quality brews, Coopers has released its 2018 seasonal Vintage Ale, which this year, channels this paddock-to-pint movement. We chat with Dr Tim Cooper, chief brewer, to find out more about the brewery's approach to the movement and how it plays into this year's seasonal release. THE FIRST STEP The first step of the brewing process is the sourcing and preparation of malts typically sourced from barley, though wheat and rye are also used for certain styles. High-quality malt is a vital base for creating good beer, and being certain of where your malt comes from is a great place to start. Recently, the independent, family-owned Coopers reopened a maltings facility next to its Regency Park brewery, placing it in a "relatively small group of brewers worldwide with their own maltings". Having carefully sourced Westminster barley from nearby Kangaroo Island, Dr Cooper remarks on the brewery's "enviable advantage" of not only being able to source its malt locally but also being able to then manage the full process from the paddock to the maltings facility, from the brewery and into your glass. Another vital ingredient in the beer making process is the hops. The variety used for this year's Vintage Ale, though not local, is the high-quality Aramis hops, originating from eastern France and known for its herbal, citrus and spicy notes. The specialist hop is a blend of Strisselpalt and Whitebread Golding, which typically offers medium spice and a stable, refreshing bitterness. Just a small quantity was imported for this year's vintage release to provide "an elegant hop flavour". This was achieved by adding the hops during fermentation, as well as late in the brewing stage to give the beer notes of dried fruit, spice and a hint of vanilla, complete with a herbal, aromatic bitterness to round everything out. THE RELEASE Speaking of the seasonal vintage brew, this year marks the 20th anniversary of Coopers' iconic annual release. The recipe and base ale yeast have both grown and developed over time depending on what ingredients were best available at the time of brewing each year — not on what's trending. As Dr Cooper explains, "creating Coopers Vintage is not a matter of following trends, but about the Coopers brewing team experimenting with what they think is good". The beer style that best befits Coopers Vintage is that of an English strong ale, expect malt-driven flavours of honey, toffee and caramel, contrasted by moderate spiciness and a refreshingly earthy bitterness from the presence of the Aramis hops. Pouring a deep amber colour with a creamy white head and weighing in at a hefty 7.5% ABV, this is a rich, but well-balanced beer that has plenty of character from the first sip to the last. THE AFTER PARTY Like fine wines, beers with a higher ABV (like 7.5%) can be aged, so over time, they develop idiosyncratic qualities resulting in truly unique beers whose flavour profiles shift and become more complex with age. With carefully monitored and selected ingredients, each vintage of Coopers Vintage Ale offers a different experience when aged correctly, from day one to year one to year five. Dr Cooper advises that the journey of flavour, much like the paddock-to-pint process, is a rewarding step-by-step adventure for the more discerning drinker. "I recommend buying a carton and savouring the Vintage Ale over a period of time, to enjoy the flavour journey and to see how the flavour evolves...Depending on the storage conditions, I think five years is enough time to enjoy a carton this way." Keen to know more about cellaring beer? Grab a carton of this year's Vintage Ale and read up on why and how you should be cellaring more beer.
With the future of international travel looking uncertain for a little while longer, it's time to embrace those closer-to-home adventures and make 2021 the year of the great Aussie holiday. And, whether you're after a breezy island-hopping getaway, craving a weeklong escape to wine country, or fancy glamping under the stars by an award-winning beach, Australia has got scores of gorgeous destinations to scratch your particular brand of travel itch. The best part? Without any long-haul flights and lengthy stopovers chewing up precious travel time, you should be able to squeeze even more holidays into your year than usual. To help you maximise your 2021 wanderings, we've rounded up ten must-visit Aussie destinations worth a spot on your travel hit-list. Put in that leave request and start plotting a new year of memorable local escapes. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, with border requirements varying from state to state, there are limitations on where you can holiday. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_754819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DNSW[/caption] CABARITA BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES If sun, sand and surf are top of your holiday wish list, what more fitting destination than Australia's best beach of 2020? Nestled between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, NSW's Cabarita Beach owns that honourable title, proving a summertime favourite for its top-notch surfing, ace facilities, sparkling water and general 'wow' factor. Nearby Cudgen Lake and Nature Reserve deliver natural thrills of their own, while the surrounding towns feature a lively mix of shops, boutique stays and varied dining options — including award-winning modern Australian restaurant, Paper Daisy. And for full impact, you can glamp in total luxury just metres from the Cabarita shoreline, at unique beachside resort The Hideaway. [caption id="attachment_785574" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK, NORTHERN TERRITORY If all that extra time spent cooped up at home has left you itching for some truly memorable getaway action, you'd best pop Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on your 2021 travel itinerary — the only Aussie spot to make the top ten of Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List for 2020. While the striking formation of Uluru is undoubtedly the star of this show, the park's also got plenty more to offer: check out the many walking tracks, tours and ranger-guided experiences, or dive into some history and knowledge at the Cultural Centre. What's more, Bruce Munro's spectacular Field of Light installation has recently been extended indefinitely, magically illuminating the grounds around Uluru with over 50,000 glowing frosted-glass spheres each night. [caption id="attachment_796501" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, QUEENSLAND Even with overseas adventures off the cards, you can still experience Australia's own natural wonder of the world — the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The largest coral reef system on the planet, it's home to all the idyllic beaches, tropical islands and stunning seascapes your holidaying heart could desire. Sail, snorkel or cruise the days away; explore the buzzing coastal hub of Airlie Beach; or clock up some scenic steps trekking through the area's gorgeous rainforest. While there, The Whitsundays' famed Daydream Island makes for a luxurious vacation base, or you can literally sleep among the fish by booking a stay at the Great Barrier Reef's underwater hotel, Reefsuites. [caption id="attachment_785511" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria[/caption] THE GRAMPIANS, VICTORIA Squeeze a little more out of your next regional escape, with a trip to The Grampians. Around 250 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, the area's a haven for foodies and nature lovers alike, brimming with things to explore. Discover the beauty of the Grampians National Park and its famed Pinnacle lookout by trekking the Grampians Peaks Trail, or experience the country's largest outdoor gallery with a drive along the Silo Art Trail. There are wineries and cellar doors galore, along with a host of culinary gems, ranging from the likes of Hamilton's Little Koi Cafe, to Dunkeld's renowned Royal Mail Hotel. And if you're lucky, your visit will coincide with the legendary Grampians Grape Escape wine festival, normally held in May. [caption id="attachment_747138" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Zach Sanders[/caption] LORD HOWE ISLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES With its pristine beaches, lush green slopes and plethora of hiking trails, it's not hard to see why Lord Howe Island was named among Lonely Planet's list of best places to visit in 2020. Sitting 600 kilometres off the northern coast of NSW, this idyllic holiday destination has a little something for everyone, whether you fancy snorkelling among over 500 species of fish, or soaking up views on the 875-metre trek up Mt Gower. There are world-class dive sites and stunning rainforests, along with a range of accommodation options and impressive eateries featuring dreamy vistas. What's more, a visitor capacity of just 400 people means you're always in for one truly quiet, crowd-free getaway. [caption id="attachment_796527" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] ROTTNEST ISLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA It's perhaps best known for its photogenic resident quokkas, but WA's Rottnest Island has plenty more to tempt a holiday visit. Perched 19 kilometres (or a 25-minute ferry ride) off the coast of Fremantle, this idyllic nature reserve is both brimming with wildlife and rich in history. Explore its many tracks and trails by foot or bike, or travel the coastline on a waterbike tour. You'll find an array of bars and eateries — including waterfront beauties like Frankie's on Rotto and Hotel Rottnest — and a range of accommodation options running from campsites and eco-cabins, to the swanky new Samphire hotel. Throw in some historic lighthouses, a museum and 63 blissful beaches and you've got yourself one enviable vacation. [caption id="attachment_796528" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef[/caption] NINGALOO REEF, WESTERN AUSTRALIA The West's answer to Queensland's most prized natural wonder, Ningaloo Reef is another World Heritage-listed site, hugging the coast around 1250 kilometres north of Perth. With its crystal-clear waters home to over 500 species of tropical fish, this 260-kilometre coral reef is heaven for snorkelers of all abilities. While there, you can brave a swim with whale sharks (April to July), spot pods of humpbacks making their annual migration (July to October), and explore the adjoining town of Exmouth and the Cape Range National Park. Plus, experience eco-friendly glamping teamed with stunning ocean views with a stay at the Sal Salis luxury lodge. [caption id="attachment_796529" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA If your holiday sip of choice is of the full-bodied, red variety, a trip to Barossa Valley wine country is a must. Just an hour out of Adelaide, the region is perhaps best known for its world-class shiraz. Here, you can spend your days tasting your way around much-loved cellar doors like Henschke, Seppelt, Penfolds and Saltram. Or, opt for a more virtuous itinerary of hiking tracks and national parks, exploring nearby natural gems like the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park and The Barossa Trail. The region's also dotted with cultural finds — like the Barossa Regional Gallery — and an esteemed collection of eateries, including favourites Char Barossa and Appellation at The Louise. [caption id="attachment_743683" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Charles Hill, Tourism Tasmania[/caption] WINEGLASS BAY, TASMANIA A stunning pocket of Tasmania's Freycinet Peninsula named for its unusual shape, Wineglass Bay boasts some serious cred, regularly named among the world's best beaches. Sporting pristine sandy curves framed by pink granite mountains, it's a slice of coastal paradise to rival anything requiring a passport stamp. In between lazy sessions on the beach, sea kayaking adventures and boat cruises along the coast, you can dose up on more nature by taking one of the numerous treks through Freycinet National Park. Be sure to climb up Wineglass Bay Lookout for some of the most incredible views south of Bass Strait, and to gorge on as much fresh Tasmanian seafood as possible at the local eateries. [caption id="attachment_707960" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Apollo Bay Seafood Festival[/caption] APOLLO BAY, VICTORIA Nestled along the Great Ocean Road, 2.5 hours from Melbourne, this seaside town is a year-round holiday gem. In balmy weather, it's all about the surf breaks, sandy coastline stretches and dreamy seafood dishes enjoyed at local eateries like La Bimba. In fact, each February, scores of food-lovers descend for the annual Apollo Bay Seafood Festival. Not only is the town also home to the starting stretch of the Great Ocean Walk, but it's just a short drive from the lush rainforests and hiking trails of The Otways. And of course, a few local beers and sea views enjoyed in the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse beer garden are a treat no matter the season. Top image: Rottnest Island via Tourism Australia.
What started with one of the best sci-fi films ever made, delivered two underwhelming sequels, also includes an excellent animated anthology and rightly claims that Keanu Reeves is the one? For the past two decades, we've all known the answer: The Matrix franchise. The science-fiction epic smartly recognises that it's Keanu's world and we're all just living in it — but what if that isn't the case in The Matrix Resurrections? Come Boxing Day Down Under, the series' long-awaited fourth live-action flick — and fifth film overall — will reach screens. Yes, Keanu is back, as is Carrie-Anne Moss (Jessica Jones) as Trinity. But as the new movie's first trailer showed, and the latest sneak peek keeps teasing, things aren't the same for his on-screen alter-ego Neo. After working with sibling Lilly on the first three live-action films, filmmaker Lana Wachowski was never likely to bring back The Matrix without throwing in more than a few trippy twists, of course. "Maybe this isn't the story we think it is," the new trailer tells viewers — all while reminding us both verbally and visually about the deja vu glitch in the matrix theory. Things get trippy, and quickly. And as well as changes for Neo, it looks as if Trinity has a new role. From the clips so far, audiences can also expect Keanu's John Wick-era look; a version of Neo who can't remember anything about blue and red pills, bending spoons, bullet time and living in a simulated reality in a dystopian future where artificially intelligent machines harvest human bodies for power; an advice-spouting character (played by Mindhunter's Jonathan Groff) who just might be the new Agent Smith; some martial arts moves in a recognisable dojo; and a familiar figure in a new guise. Arriving 18 years after The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions hit cinemas in 2003, this follow-up obviously dives back down the rabbit hole as Neo once again grapples with the Matrix and everything it means for humanity — and also sees Jada Pinkett Smith (Girls Trip) return alongside Reeves and Moss. They're joined by Matrix newcomers Neil Patrick Harris (It's a Sin), Jessica Henwick (On the Rocks), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (The White Tiger), Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman). Forget Christmas — Boxing Day can't come soon enough. Check out the latest trailer for The Matrix Resurrections below: The Matrix Resurrections opens in cinemas Down Under on December 26, 2021.
Perhaps you've always wanted to spend summer enjoying an island getaway, but haven't yet had the chance. Maybe spring to you means checking out Queensland's beaches. Or, you might like to start each new year with a holiday to wherever takes your fancy. Stop dreaming and start planning, because Virgin is doing another big flight sale. This time there's 500,000 cheap fares on offer to both Australian and international locations. Prices start low, at the usual $49, which once again gets you from Sydney to Byron Bay — the normal cheapest fare in any flight sale — and vice versa. From there, the domestic side of the sale spans everywhere from the Gold Coast, Launceston and Darwin through to Hamilton Island and Newcastle. Virgin's Get Set, Jet sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, August 2 — unless sold out earlier, with fares to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide also covered. That means paying $69 one-way from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, $79 from Melbourne to Hobart, and $99 for a trip from Brisbane to Cairns or Canberra to the Gold Coast. Or, still on local deals, the specials also cover $69 from Melbourne to Launceston, $109 from Adelaide to Sydney, $169 from Brisbane to Darwin and $209 from Melbourne to Perth. Internationally, trips to Fiji cost $519 from Sydney and $569 from Melbourne. Bali fares come in at $539 from Adelaide, $549 from Brisbane, $559 from the Gold Coast or Sydney, and $599 from Melbourne. And, you can head to Queenstown from Sydney for $269 and from Melbourne from $265. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover between October 11, 2023–March 14, 2024, all varying per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to stack the rest of 2023 and the start of 2024 with holidays. Virgin's Get Set, Jet sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, August 2 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
It’s time to teach you how to dance, real slow, at Slow Grind Fever. On the last Saturday of every month, DJs Richie1250, Pierre Baroni and Mohair Slim play their "slowest, spookiest, sweetest, swinginest" records all night long at The Tote. If you like the thought of slow dancing to moody music from the mid '40s to the mid '60s in a smoky, dimly lit room, this could be your kind of dance party. Slow Grind Fever post their mix a week before the monthly event commences, and they’ve been collaborating with Stag-O-Lee Records in Germany to create a series of Slow Grind Fever LPs and CDs for those looking to recreate the moody atmosphere elsewhere. Looking for an even spookier time? Slow Grind Fever will be hosting their own Halloween Special at the Gasometer this month. It’s $5 entry with costume, $10 without, so make sure you’ve dressed for the occasion.
Mockumentaries tend to get a bit of a bad rap in critical circles. 'Lazy filmmaking' is the most common smear, and — to be fair — they are a far gentler form of screenwriting than an out-and-out screenplay. They've also experienced massive growth in recent years, most notably in television, with the likes of Modern Family, The Office and Summer Heights High all achieving both popular and critical success. In film, This Is Spinal Tap set the benchmark way back in 1984 and has reigned supreme ever since — an 11 out of 10, if you will. The newest edition in the genre is What We Do In The Shadows, a collaboration between writer/directors Taika Waititi and Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement. Billed as "a couple of interviews with a couple of vampires", it's a fly on the wall 'documentary' about four vampires sharing a flat in present-day New Zealand and is, quite simply, hilarious. The subjects of the film are: Viago (Waititi), an 18th-century dandy whose anal retentiveness makes him 'that' flatmate; Vlad (Clement), a legendary Lothario and formerly prolific hypnotist; Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), the self-proclaimed 'sexy one'; and Petyr (Ben Fransham) an ancient vampire from the early days. Key to its appeal is the way What We Do In The Shadows presents the needs, problems and activities of vampires as entirely commonplace. It makes them immediately relatable, treating something like the accidental puncturing of a victim's jugular and subsequent living room mess with no more pomp or fanfare than a spilled drink on a beige couch. The flatmates cruise the clubs of Wellington seeking victims like others seek a one night stand, they jeer each other on when a back-alley argument descends into a 'bat fight', and they projectile vomit blood when they absentmindedly eat actual food. Yes, they've their share of 'vampire' problems (sunlight, vampire hunters, etc), but also more normal ones, like having to tell your best friend you're the undead and suppressing the unceasing desire to kill him. What We Do in the Shadows also comes in at the welcome length of just 87 minutes, but its brevity doesn't come at the expense of jokes. It's packed with laughs, both visual and scripted, as well as offering a decent dose of improv (a common trait for mockumentaries). There's also more than a bit of horror and gore (so much so that with minimal tweaking this could easily have been reshaped as a solid B-grade scary film), yet there's no fear of fear thanks to the unbroken procession of gags. If this is lazy filmmaking, then bring on the trackies and couch surfing, because it suits us just fine. Check out Concrete Playground NZ's interview with Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cv568AzZ-i8
Let's call it the year of comebacks. Based on huge pop-culture behemoths hitting streaming queues, 2022 is certainly panning out that way. First, Stranger Things finally dropped its long-awaited fourth season. Next, eagerly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon arrived three years after the HBO hit wrapped up. And, come Friday, September 2, The Lord of the Rings is getting the TV treatment — taking the elves, dwarves and harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors) to Prime Video. Eight years after the last of The Hobbit movie adaptations hit cinemas, and 19 years since the Lord of the Rings film did the same, the fantasy realm conjured by up JRR Tolkien will start unfurling across the small screen in an all-new series set in Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been in the works for five years, but it's finally becoming a reality. And as the array of trailers keep showing — including the initial sneak peek, then not one, not two, but three new trailers in July, and now a just-dropped final glimpse before the series actually arrives — the first season is all looking suitably epic. Get ready to jump back to Middle-earth's Second Age, with The Rings of Power bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the first time. A young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) has a mission to hunt the enemy, after her brother gave his life doing the same — and she sees fighting for fate and destiny as the work as something greater. "Each of us, every one, must decide who we shall be," Galadriel declares — with the new trailer focusing on folks choosing to go into battle for what's right. The big bad they're trying to stave off? The rise of Sauron, with the show charting how that gave rise to the rings and the impact across Middle-earth. Gorgeous settings, elves, dwarves, harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors), stormy seas, strange skies, cave trolls, orcs, raging fires, a balrog — they're all set to show up across The Rings of Power's first season. So will a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man), as well as New Zealand's natural splendours standing in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set its premiere date back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, as per the show's official synopsis, it follows "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. The series will "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness," the synopsis continues. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. That's a massive tale to tell and, this latest The Rings of Power trailer stresses, more than a few figures are involved. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the new The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
First, the British Film Festival's 2022 lineup wowed movie lovers with Bond and big-name festival hits. Now, the Australia-wide event has revealed its full program for the year — and it too is filled with highlights. Get ready to catch Paul Mescal's latest post-Normal People role, then check out a rom-com starring Lily James (Pam & Tommy) and Shazad Latif (Toast of Tinseltown), before seeing the Australian premiere of Olivia Colman's (Mothering Sunday) newest movie. As always, it's a star-studded affair, and it'll tour the country in October and November. 2022's ode to British will run from Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16, hitting picture palaces in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Byron Bay. Opening the fest: the already-announced Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, set in the world of French fashion, with Oscar-nominated Phantom Thread actor Lesley Manville in the titular role. At the other end, that aforementioned rom-com What's Love Got to Do With It? will wrap things up, with James and Latif joined on-screen by Emma Thompson (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande). Mescal's addition to the program comes courtesy of Aftersun, which charts a father-daughter bond during a holiday — while Colman's arrives via Joyride, about a 12-year-old who flees a difficult home situation in a stolen taxi, only to find a woman passed out in the backseat with a baby. Among the flicks with big names at this year's fest, they join the previously announced The Banshees of Inisherin, which reunites In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and his stars Colin Farrell (After Yang) and Brendan Gleeson (The Tragedy of Macbeth); plus the Bill Nighy (The Man Who Fell to Earth)-starring Living, about a terminally ill man in the 1950s. There's The Lost King, too, which takes inspiration from the IRL discovery of King Richard III's remains beneath a Leicester car park, and features Sally Hawkins (The Phantom of the Open) and Steve Coogan (The Time with Alan Partridge). Also on the complete bill, and a huge inclusion: Empire of Light, the new film from 1917, Skyfall and Spectre's Sam Mendes. Skyfall will also play as part of the Bond retrospective, but the director's latest has been called a love letter to cinema — because charting a romance in an old picture palace in the 1980s was always going to earn that description. An Emily Brontë biopic, aptly named Emily, and directed by Australia actor-turned-filmmaker Frances O'Connor (The End), also sits on the lineup — as do more sea shanties in song-filled sequel Fisherman's Friends 2: One and All. Or, there's Rogue Agent, which dramatises conman (and fake undercover MI5 agent) Robert Freegard's IRL story; In From the Side, about an affair between two members of a fictional South London gay rugby club; and Aisha, focusing on a young Nigerian woman seeking asylum in Ireland. As for that shaken-not-stirred contingent, it celebrates six decades since Dr No, the first movie in the 007 franchise, initially graced cinemas — and includes 14 films, with tickets $13 for each. The title that started it all is well and truly on the lineup, as are the fellow Connery-led You Only Live Twice, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger and Thunderball; Roger Moore-era titles Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun; On Your Majesty's Secret Service with Australia's Bond George Lazenby; Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill; Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough with Pierce Brosnan; and Daniel Craig's Casino Royale and Skyfall. BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Norton, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Electric, Canberra Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor, Melbourne Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace James Street and Palace Centro, Brisbane Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16— Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The 2022 British Film Festival tours Australia between Tuesday, October 18–Wednesday, November 16. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
The last time that Timothée Chalamet and Luca Guadagnino joined forces, the best film of 2017 was the end result — and what a swooning, moving delight Call Me By Your Name proved to be. The 1980s-set romance nabbed Chalamet a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and Guadagnino a Best Picture nod, too. So, arriving five years later, it's safe to say that pair's second collaboration is among 2022's most eagerly anticipated movies. That film is called Bones and All, and it'll premiere at this year's Venice Film Festival at the end of August/early September — and it boasts another key factor that'll pique viewers interests. Once again, Chalamet and Guadagnino collaborate on a love story, although this one comes with an extra bite. Forget peaches; here, Chalamet plays one half of a cannibal couple. "You don't think I'm a bad person?" he says as Lee, speaking to Taylor Russell's (Waves) Maren, in Bones and All's just-dropped first teaser trailer — which the Dune, The French Dispatch and Don't Look Up actor himself unveiled via Twitter. The response is exactly what you'd expect: "all I think is that I love you," she replies. While Bones and All will follow its cannibal lovers as they road trip across America, at 28 seconds, this first sneak peek is big on mood rather than plot — and the vibe is yearning, swooning again, but also unsettling. When Mark Rylance (The Phantom of the Open) pops up, he has his finger to his lips in a gesture of warning. Bones and All marks Guadagnino's first feature since 2018's Suspiria remake — after a detour to television with HBO series We Are Who We Are — and sees the director bring Camille DeAngelis' novel of the same name to the screen. Also set to feature in the film: Chalamet's Call Me By Your Name co-star Michael Stuhlbarg, We Are Who We Are alums Chloë Sevigny and Francesca Scorsese (yes, the daughter of filmmaker Martin Scorsese), plus André Holland (Passing), Jake Horowitz (The Vast of Night), filmmaker David Gordon Green (Halloween Kills), and Jessica Harper from both the original Suspiria and Guadagnino's version. Bones and All will release in the US on November 23, but doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — fingers crossed that that changes sooner rather than later. Check out the trailer for Bones and All below: Bones and All hits US cinemas on November 23, but doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is confirmed.
Jumping on a bike and pumping the pedals is one of the best ways to explore a new city; however, usually it's something that only happens on land. Not in Paris if their new navigating gym comes to fruition. Here you won't just ride your way along the city's River Seine — you'll ride on it. To be specific, you'll sit on a stationary bike on a glass-enclosed 20-metre platform that floats down the famous French waterway. And, you'll actually be helping make the vessel move, with the workout-centric boat powered by exercise (plus solar panels for added energy, in case the 45 people on board prefer to cycle at a leisurely pace). Opening its windows to the elements during the summer, and keeping everything closed and warm during colder months, the Paris Navigating Gym will also feature cross-trainers for those keen on a different kind of fitness routine, plus augmented reality screens. That's how you'll keep track of just how much pedal power you're contributing to the vessel's trip, as well as data about the Seine's environmental conditions. The concept is a collaboration between Italian architects Carlo Ratti Associati, fitness equipment manufacturer Technogym, non-profit architecture group Terreform ONE and urban regeneration institute URBEM. At this stage, it's just that — a concept — but fingers crossed that this certain tourist drawcard becomes a reality. Via Inhabitat.
What millennials lack in genuine outdoorsy skills, they make up for in kitsch, throwback hobbies. Everyone nowadays is seeking out hobbies that our grans and grandpas would be familiar with, hobbies that harken back to a simpler time. It's motivated by a combination of factors, like environmental concerns, chasing that organic life and wanting to know more about what we're consuming. However, unlike grandparents, our generation generally doesn't have a piece of land in the picturesque countryside to gallivant around on. Pursuing a rustic hobby in the inner city requires some strategic shortcuts. We've put together a list of the best DIY hobbies that are helped along significantly by technological innovations. PRESERVING Preserving isn't just something our grandmas used to do before supermarkets were invented, it's actually an incredibly fun and rewarding activity (when you have the right tools). However, there's an element of foraging and gathering that even technology can't help you with (but thankfully, it's also really fun). It's ideal to figure out what berries or veggies grow seasonally in your neighbourhood or surrounding farmlands and head out with a bucket to forage or, just buy directly from farmers. Alternatively, for city dwellers, take that same bucket down to your local farmers' market and start buying your fave produce in bulk. From there, the world is your canned oyster. Nifty gadgets like this mean you can make experimental, small-batch jams quickly without the mess. With a stack of empty jars, you can stock a pantry full of preserves for the whole year. BREWING BEER One of the main drawbacks to personal brewing is that it's a fiddly process. You can labour for months over your craft beer brew and still end up with an average drop that you're forced, from a combination of stubbornness and pride, to get through. But no more. For budding brewers, BrewArt have innovated a highly precise (and easy) personal brewing system. The system is temperature controlled (from your smartphone, might we add) and automatically brews ten litres of quality beer with no fuss. It then spits it out with the world's first temperature-controlled dispenser that doesn't require CO2. Even amateur brewers will know that messing around with CO2 levels is the difference between a grimace and a sigh of delight, so have a beer robot taking care of this step means you can guarantee a show-off grade batch of beer even if it's brewed in the stuffiest of apartments. INDOOR GARDENING Having access to fresh, homegrown fruit and veggies might seem like a distant dream for all of us living in apartments, but there's hope. Innovations specifically to address this problem (dubbed 'apartment gardening') have come a long way. Vertical gardens, artificial lighting and self-watering herb trays all make the dream a possibility. Smartphone-controlled plant pots, like Planty, will also monitor the humidity, temperature and light, and will make recommendations based on the plant species. Technology aside, herbs are your best bet and will give you the most return (and a big flavour hit, too ) for a smaller investment. If you have the luxury of a balcony, utilising your vertical space with trellises for climbing plants like tomatoes and passionfruit is a winner. SOAP-MAKING Making your own soap is an incredibly easy and rewarding exercise that'll make you think twice about throwing away your paycheque at The Body Shop. It's also great for those of you with sensitive skin — you'll know exactly what's going into your soap (no hidden nasties here). Soap is made by combining fats or oils with lye. You can even make it fancy, by simply adding fragrances or essential oils (and a swirl of colourant, if that's your thing). There are a few methods for soap-making, and the simplest involves melting down basic pre-made soap bars and 'seasoning' them to your taste — adding fragrance and oil and resetting until you have the perfect, rustic bars. It's not exactly technologically advanced, but it will cut down your soap-making time significantly. Or you can go from scratch with bulk fats and lye. This will probably require a bit of experimentation to get the perfect balance. Once you've got the base right, the rest is like icing a cake — the possibilities are endless. Experiment with forms, environmentally friendly glitter and essential oils, and voila — an endless supply of homemade Christmas presents. DIY FERMENTATION Fermentation isn't exactly a new hobby but it's quickly becoming popular, mostly because it makes you feel really healthy. Fermented products have almost-magical gut health properties thanks to the probiotics and good bacteria that develop in fermented foods. And it's incredibly easy and cheap to whip up a batch of fermented whatever-you-have-lying-around. Plus, thanks to the bacteria, it lasts for ages. Fermentation jars (sold at most kitchen supply stories) are a nifty invention that create the perfect environment for filtered airflow to get the good bacteria brewing. You can ferment all sorts of things — kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled veggies — and decant into any empty jars you have left over from your preserving sesh. If you want to go next level, try picking up a scobie on trade sites and brewing your own kombucha — your gut will thank you.Kick off your urban hobbying by tackling beer brewing with BrewArt, which comes in two parts the BrewFlo ($699) and BeerDroid ($799) and can be found here.
If you spent any chunk of your adolescence living in Melbourne, chances are you're familiar with Chapel Street's iconic Jam Factory — a well-worn go-to for cinema trips and shopping adventures alike. But the southside site could soon look very different, under new plans to transform the centre with a $1.5 billion makeover. The plans would see the Jam Factory reimagined as a multi-faceted mixed-use precinct complete with new public spaces, a five-star hotel, residential towers, and an assortment of retail and entertainment offerings, including a revamp of the famed cinema complex. Jam Factory operators Newmark Capital, Gurner and Qualitas have unveiled their proposed refurbishment of the 18,000-square-metre site, with designs courtesy of internationally recognised architects Bates Smart (Hotel Chadstone, Bourke Street Green, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Melbourne). The proposed plan features a new 1700-square-metre split-level public space with an open staircase and amphitheatre, as well as a diverse retail, hospitality and entertainment precinct linked to Chapel Street by a series of integrated laneways, as a nod to the site's original master plans from 1864. The Jam Factory's heritage street facade would be restored, and a series of office buildings and high-end residential towers would be added, built atop stilts. These workspaces would be optimised to suit a post-COVID world, with integrated technology and touchless services, while a game-changing residential offering is set to reference the luxury penthouses of New York and London. The existing cinema would also score an upgrade of its own, making up part of a three-level retail and entertainment precinct. A five-star luxury hotel with around 180 rooms is on the cards, too, though the developers are yet to lock in an operator. The proposal is set to be submitted to council for approval shortly. If all goes to plan, the redevelopment will launch publicly in early 2022, slated for completion by 2025. Find the Jam Factory at 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra. We'll share more details about the new refurbishment project as it develops.
Lee Ranaldo, one of the founding members of Sonic Youth, is performing some exclusive shows around Australia, and Melbourne is lucky enough to play host. Performing with his own band to promote his new album, Between the Times and the Tides, Lee is in the country as part of the Melbourne Festival. Hailed as one of the seminal musicians of his generation, Ranaldo was a pioneer for alternative indie-rock with his unique guitar playing and song writing ability. After stepping out on his own, he has collaborated with many notable musicians for his latest solo album, and is bringing his songs to Australian audiences. Supported by local veterans, We All Want To, this show is not to be missed, if only for the fact that Ranaldo is one of the greatest guitar players of the past two decades and is an incredible song writer in his own right.
They say humans only use 10 percent of their brain capacity. Of course, 'they' are idiots, because even someone operating at just 10 percent would be able to plug that persistent non-fact into Google and discover: it's utter rubbish. Speaking of rubbish, Lucy — the new film by French director Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, The Professional — opens this week. Here's the gist: Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is a no-hope American student in China who ingests a new party drug that inexplicably boosts her brain capacity from 1 percent to 20 percent. The initial symptoms include: pain, inverted roof crawling and the (again inexplicable) immediate development of expertise in martial arts, small arms fire and quantum mechanics. She also gets shot and doesn't care. Kids: stay in school, because — apparently — smart people don't feel bullets. With her now enhanced brain, Lucy concludes she'll need more of the drug to stay alive and hence comes to blows with the Korean drug baron determined to instead spread it on the streets. And...that's...pretty much it. Lucy gets smarter, drug baron gets stabbier and the police remain phenomenally absent and/or ineffectual. Lucy begins by posing a question to the audience: "Life was given to us a billion years ago. What have we done with it?" 89 minutes later it concludes in a similar fashion: "Life was given to us a billion years ago. Now you know what to do with it". Wrong. Seriously, I've no idea what the message of this film was. Assuming it wasn't 'take drugs', then it could only have been the line driven by Morgan Freeman's philosopher character Professor Norman: that people with knowledge should pass it on. However, that's already what we do as humans, so actually, we've not learned anything from this film at all. The concept of wildly enhanced cerebral activity is an excellent one, and was similarly explored in 2011's Limitless. However, neither it nor Lucy felt confident enough to let the science or ethics of the issue be the sole focus. Both kept the chemistry to a minimum and instead padded their scenes with periodic action sequences and flashy special effects. It's precisely what Dustin Hoffman was referring to several years ago when he publicly bemoaned the lack of intelligent science fiction films and called for smarter scripts. The irony of movies like Lucy is that studios believe the only way to ensure box office success for stories about intelligence is to dumb them down to an almost unintelligible level. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MVt32qoyhi0
Hold onto your various HP merchandise, kids, because there are two new books comin' atcha. To celebrate 20 glorious years of making a generation of pessimistic adults low-key believe in magic, Bloomsbury publishing house has announced two new Harry Potter books. They'll be released as part of a long-ass exhibition titled "A History of Magic" that will run from October 2017 to February 2018 hosted by the British Library in London. The books are named Harry Potter: A History of Magic – The Book of the Exhibition and Harry Potter – A Journey Through A History of Magic. So, not exactly canon but still jolly good. The former is about the curriculum offered at Hogwarts and an exploration of its glorious subjects, from herbology and transfiguration, all the way through to the OHS nightmare that is Care of Magical Creatures. The latter is a more general history of magic and ancient creatures. Both include sprinklings of previously unseen bitties from J.K. Rowling and illustrations by Jim Kay (the illustrator behind the book covers). Look, it's not as exciting as a real new Harry Potter story (we're still not sure if the Cursed Child even counts) and now we'll have to sell our organs for a trip to see this exhibition, but we're cool with that. We'll just quietly continue to hold out hope that the Harry Potter empire never crumbles and/or turns out to be real all along. Via Reuters.
Chef Jerry Mai has been bringing Melburnians top-notch Vietnamese food for years now. She's responsible for the upmarket eats at Annam and casual CBD diners Pho Nom. It's no surprise her restaurants are so good (and popular), having cut her teeth at the likes of Gingerboy and Longrain, as well as London' s Zuma and Michelin-starred Nahm. As of August 1, Mai will be launching her latest venture: Bia Hoi. It'll pay homage to the beer halls of Vietnam, which pour fresh, locally produced brews — just like this new restaurant will. The 100-seat venue is set to open at The Glen's new outdoor dining precinct and will offer Vietnamese bar bites, a daily happy hour and bottomless brunch. The beer list will feature both local and Vietnamese brands, including Dandenong's Kaiju! Beer and Seaford's Mr Banks Brewing Co, along with 333, Bia Hanoi and Saigon Special. Apart from all the brews, there will Vietnamese-inspired cocktails and over 20 wines on offer, primarily sourced locally from small-batch producers like Billy Button, Pinemount and Cloak & Dagger. Head in from 5–7pm daily, when you'll find $4 pots and $6 wines during happy hour. [caption id="attachment_730158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render by Architects EAT[/caption] For eats, there will be bar snacks like crispy pork skin, house-made salted peanuts and dried squid, along with a range of rice paper rolls and skewers. The space will also include four barbecue tables, where guests to grill their own meats and build their own rice paper rolls — among the options are wagyu beef and shellfish, served with sauces, herbs, salads and rice noodles. On those cooler winter nights, you'll be able to opt for a 'steamboat': large hot pots for groups of two to four. Choose from the hot and sour canh chua, made with tamarind and pineapple broth and served with barramundi, prawns, rice noodles and greens; or the beef pho steamboat with wagyu sirloin, brisket, beef balls and rice noodles. If you want to try a bit of everything, stop in during the Sunday bottomless brunch. For $55 per person, you'll be treated to two hours of all-you-can-eat snacks — delivered by yum cha-style roving trolleys — along with unlimited beer, wine, mimosas and spritzes. You can enjoy this unlimited eats and drinks in either the large dining room, the U-shaped bar or the outdoor beer garden. Designers Architects EAT are responsible for this multi-space fit-out, which will include colourful hanging lanterns and old wooden shutters, plus red brick walls, rattan and terracotta finishes and concrete floors. Bia Hoi will open on Thursday, August 1 at The Glen, 235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley. Opening hours will be 11am–late daily, with happy hour 5–7pm each day and bottomless brunch 11am–3pm on Sundays. Images: Architects EAT
If you've ever needed proof that some stories never get old, the ongoing obsession with Britain's royal history provides plenty. On screens and stages, a slice of regal intrigue is regularly awaiting our viewing, interpreting and remixing the past in the process. The Crown might take ample artistic license with reality, but it's got nothing on the empowering pop-scored twist on the 16th century that's been wowing audiences in Six the Musical. Taking a few cues from well-known history, adding toe-tapping tunes and making theatre magic: that's this hit's approach. If you think you know the stories of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr, then you probably do — even those with little interest in Britain's past kings and queens are likely aware that Henry VIII had six wives — but Six the Musical's version isn't about telling the same old tale. That's what Australian audiences discovered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — and can again in 2024 and 2025. Every year is a royally excellent year for this production, which has just announced returns to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Exact season dates haven't been locked in as yet, but Victoria's next dance with the show arrives from August 2024 at Comedy Theatre. Sydney's will start from October 2024 at Theatre Royal Sydney and Brisbane's from January 2025 at QPAC Playhouse. First premiering back at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then jumping to London's West End — and winning Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, plus a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album, along the way — Six the Musical gleans inspiration from one of the most famous sextets there's ever been. It also finds its own angle despite how popular the Tudor monarch's love life has been in pop culture. So, move over 00s TV series The Tudors and 2008 movie The Other Boleyn Girl — and this one takes the pop part rather seriously. Six the Musical is presented as a pop concert, in fact, with the Catherines, Annes and Jane all taking to the microphone to tell their stories. Each woman's aim: to stake their claim as the wife who suffered the most at the king's hands, and to become the group's lead singer as a result. Cast details for the new season haven't yet been revealed, but expect Six the Musical's comeback tour to be popular. In Sydney, it played a whopping 15-week Sydney Opera House from December 2021, then returned to the Harbour City from August 2021 due to demand. SIX THE MUSICAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024–25: From August 2024 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne From October 2024 — Theatre Royal Sydney, Sydney From January 2025 — QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane Six the Musical will tour Australia again in 2024 and 2025. For more information and to join the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Images: James D Morgan, Getty Images.
If you're loving what they've been dishing up at Frank Camorra's Bar Tini, you can now recreate some of the magic at home, with the addition of a new Spanish wine and produce shop inside the Hosier Lane tapas bar. It's a bricks-and-mortar version of the chef's online retail offering Alimentaria, which launched last year, stocked with a selection of his favourite Spanish wines and artisan products. While you'll still be able to browse the range online and have goodies delivered to your doorstep, visitors to Bar Tini will now have the option of picking up gourmet supplies on their way home from work, or after that lunchtime tapas session. The selection features plenty of products used throughout Bar Tini's own menu, including tinned sardines and anchovies — that are hard to find elsewhere in Australia — artisanal jamón, and a solid range of imported Spanish wines, from the Aguila Picaro tempranillo to the Cucu verdejo. Pop in for a montadito and sherry at the bar, and leave with a little piece of Spain in your shopping bag. Find Bar Tini and its new retail offering at 3-5 Hosier Lane, Melbourne.
Fancy a casual surf before work? Maybe a quick dip before your serious retail escapades? It's a luxury oft taken for granted by many a Sydneysider. However, a proposal to insert a giant floating wave pool in the heart of Melbourne's CBD could change the game for a city better known for its thriving arts and culinary scene, than any semblance of a beach culture. One of the most insanely ambitious proposals the city's seen for many a day, the project is the brainchild of Melbourne architect and surfing enthusiast Damian Rogers, in collaboration with global design and engineering firm Arup. Projected to cost more than $8 million, the Melbourne wave pool development is heralded to be the first of its kind due to the fact that it will be churning out 1.5 metre waves in a central harbour location. While many cities have dappled with the concept of manmade beaches — London, Paris and Brisbane to name a few — this is the first time it's looked like an actual possibility for Melbourne. The prospective beach will literally float in the middle of the city, providing a reprise from the skyscraper expanse that is Docklands. Placed at the end of Docklands' Central Pier, the layout is projected to include a sandy shoreline, a deck, a retail strip, a lawn area and everyone's favourite — a wave pool. And by wave pool, they're talking legit waves. Adjustable legit waves at that. Wave size can be modified to suit the varying requirements of pool-goers — from 30 metre wide breakers for surfing pros, to a slight swell for the more uncoordinated among us. The water used will be filtered seawater taken from Victoria Harbour, which hopefully will be filtered to an inch of its life. "Just to be able to hear the waves breaking and go for a surf — even if you're not a surfer, to be able to sit there and watch it," said Damien Rogers, the architect behind the proposal told the ABC. "It would just be a great place to be. Yet another great place for people in Melbourne to go." Swimming is probably the last thing that Melbourners think of when winter rears its ugly head, but with the pool being heated all year round, it may just be one of your better options of keeping warm. Via ABC and The Age.
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And it's just in time, too. To save Melburnians from these blustery days, they'll be churning out 31 hot chocolate flavours over 31 days. This year, the festival will be run across two locations: the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie in Bellbrae. Eight different flavours will be served up each day, so make sure you plan your visit(s) carefully as to not miss out on the best. Fan favourite flavours like triple chocolate brownie and Nutella will return to this year's menu, along with the more adventurous likes of Mad Camper — made with smoked dark chocolate and charcoal ice-cream — Ohh La La, which is served with a mini almond croissant, and an insect-spiked Jiminy Cricket. All limited edition hot chocolates will be served with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and a giant handcrafted marshmallow. Some of the highlights will arrive topped with edible bugs, exploding choc balls and edible drinking cups — the perfect antidote to any winter blues. The chocolateries together creates over 6000 hot chocolates per year, so newcomers can trust they know their way around this winter-warmer. If exploring the festival and enjoying all the free chocolate tastings isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can also book into a 45-minute tasting session at both the Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road stores. For $20 you'll be able to sample eight hot chocolates and make three of your own 'hot chocolate spoons' from over 50 ingredients to take home. The Hot Chocolate Festival will run daily from 9am–5pm, August 1–31 at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae, and the Yarra Valley Chocolateire, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen.
In winter, Marysville is a sea of red. It's like the damp, cool air is keeping autumn's leaves — which have already fallen from the trees — alight and burning until spring comes along, when new ones will be ready to take their place. The sentiment is a lot like Marysville itself. This one-street country town was left with nothing after it was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009; everything was charred black, and only now has it regained its full colour. Marysville has all but been reborn, just like the leaves in springtime. With homes rebuilt, storefronts repaired and new buildings erected — including a massive new commercial hotel, which takes up most of the frontage on Murchison Street — the little country town has life again. And winter is the perfect time to appreciate it. Bereft of much else but good wine and nature, Marysville is the place to spend that weekend away from the city (and your computer) that you've been talking about; doing all those classic, wholesome activities you associate with a cosy winter weekend in the country. The air is cold and a little damp, the kind that tastes like the trees it comes from and freshens you from the inside out. There's plenty of opportunity for walking, drinking and eating, or just reading from the comfort of your hotel room — all the sort of stuff that will make you feel like you've had a soul massage before returning to work on Monday. Best part is, it's less than two hours drive from the city. SEE AND DO One of the best things you'll see in Marysville presents itself before you even get there. If you follow the Maroondah Highway through the Yarra Valley (stops for wine optional, but recommended) and past Healesville, you'll find yourself driving through the lush, dense forest of the Black Spur. This winding road is completely surrounded by crazy tall mountain ash and a lush buffer of ferns. It's really beautiful and it can be hard to keep your eyes on the road, so pull over at one of the overtaking lanes if you need a few minutes to take it all in, and do your Instagramming outside of the car. Once in Marysville, it won't take you that long to scope out the main drag. But we recommend getting off it and disappearing into the depths of the surrounding forest. The Tree Fern Gully Trail is one of the best walks you can do; almost immediately you feel isolated as the dirt track winds from the town down to Steavenson Falls. It's not a necessarily easy walk — there are a few hills and it takes about an hour each way — but it's just what your inhibited winter soul needs: fresh air and enjoyable exercise. And if you want to visit at night, you can drive straight to the falls carpark and walk down to the viewing platform. It's lit up until midnight. For something a bit more fantastical, take a walk through Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden. The work of Bruno Torfs in enclosed within a somewhat magical garden, and will probably take you back to a time of looking for fairies in the bottom of the garden and tearily watching The Secret Garden. The whole garden was destroyed in the 2009 fires, and local legend Bruno has painstakingly recreated all his work from scratch. There's a $10 entry fee on weekends. EAT AND DRINK Being so close to the Yarra Valley, it makes sense that the Marysville area is prime for growing grapes and making wine. In neighbouring Buxton, Buxton Ridge Winery's cellar door is worth a visit. Lorna Gelbert and her son Michael run the family-owned winery, and will give you a taste of their best drops. They'll even make you up a cheese platter to eat outside on the terrace with a glass of your choice. We recommend the rose or the Shiraz. Whether you've been for a walk or have simply tired yourself out tasting wine, there will no doubt come a time on your Marysville weekend that you'll want to take refuge indoors, with cake. There aren't any trendy cafes here (and you won't get a Small Batch coffee, sorry!), but at Fraga's Cafe, you will be able to get a mean piece of banoffee pie. And really, that's all you need. But the brand new jewel in Marysville's culinary crown is Radius Bar & Eatery, which is adjoined to the new Vibe hotel. All the locals are talking about it (many have already visited multiple times), and on a Saturday night — despite my scepticism about the size of the restaurant in a tiny little town — the place is basically full. Nearly all produce is sourced from within a 100km radius, which explains why locals are so keen to get behind it — by supporting the restaurant, they're supporting their own businesses, and that of their friends. Everything on the menu specifies how far it's travelled to get to the restaurant; the feta-stuffed zucchini flowers use zucchinis from Flowerdale (96km away) and the chicken liver parfait gets its comes from Mansfield (98km). The idea here is to choose your meat and the sides to go with it, and it's the 12-hour roasted lamb shoulder that you really should order. The lamb is pulled and tossed with green olives and eggplant, which makes it rich and decadent, and altogether perfect for a winter meal with a bottle of red. The dish would easily feed three people (which is good value at $28), and you'd only need a few sides — maybe the woodfired barbecue corn and the shaved baby fennel salad. A no-brainer if you're in the area. STAY At last count, an Airbnb search returned only two property results in Marysville. These might be very viable options (if you can nab your preferred weekend in advance), but you'll have much better odds at getting a room at the brand new Vibe Hotel. That's because, by Marysville standards, it's massive — with 101 rooms, it seems like it's been built to house every person who could possibly be in town on any given night. There's a gym, spa, sauna and (for the adventurous) an outdoor pool, so even on cold nights, you'll have multiple ways to keep warm. Ideal for one-nighters where you want the fresh-sheet feel of a hotel, and a buffet breakfast in the morning. CP stayed as a guest of Vibe Hotel Marysville.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia earlier this year. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for another round in 2018. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2018's events are scheduled for March 10 at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate, May 5 at Domaine de Binet in the Hunter Valley, May 19 at Ocean View Estates near Brisbane, September 8 at Pipers Brook in Tasmania and October 6 at Leura Park Estate in Geelong. For more information, visit the Grapest 5k run website.
If you are looking for your next date night or outing with friends, Chadstone – The Fashion Capital's latest entertainment offering could be your answer. Dreamweaver will be hitting the retail mecca from September 15 to October 1 and features a series of free and unique events and immersive experiences. Adding to Chadstone's retail, dining and entertainment offerings — including its new precinct The Social Quarter which serves up kidult fun with Funlab favourites like Strike Bowling, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq — Dreamweaver presents yet another reason to visit the shopping mecca. You'll be spoilt for choice if you're here to unleash your playful side. Stroll outside Tiffany & Co. and discover the Dream Wall — a towering digital light-art wall that reacts to gestures or movements. This is brought to life at the three after-dark live dance performances from 4pm every Friday and Saturday night during the festival. Not to be outdone by dazzling performances, mirror infinity boxes will be outside Target. You can put your head inside these infinity boxes, see endless reflections of yourself, and be dazzled by lights and the patterns your reflections make. Your mate can snap a photo of the kaleidoscopic creation from a window at the side of the infinity box. So whether you're looking for something different, something for your kids during the school holidays or you want to add a little bit of dazzling dreamwork into your night out with mates, put Dreamweaver in your diaries. Dreamweaver at Chadstone – The Fashion Capital runs from Friday, September 15 until Sunday, October 1. For further details on the events in the schedule, head to the Chadstone website.
Feeling poorly? A wee bit under the weather? Then strap on your straight jacket and check yourself into The Asylum. For three terrifying nights only, Ormond Hall on St Kilda Road will be transformed into a haunted house on steroids, complete with sadistic surgeons, murderous matrons and maniacs around every corner. Enter at your peril. Visitors to The Asylum will be guided down the corridors of one of Australia’s oldest insane asylums. Tickets cost $25 (or $20 if you’re a student) and should be booked in advance, particularly if you’re planning on visiting after midnight. Dressing up is encouraged, naturally, although make sure you wear appropriate footwear — just in case you have to run for your life. Those of you not too traumatised by the experience will be able to kick on at The Village Bar adjacent to Ormond Hall, where they’ll be serving food and Halloween cocktails long into the night.
Sure, it doesn't get that cold in Australia, but there are certainly times when a wearable heater wouldn't go astray. Anyone who's been to Hobart in July will surely attest to that. So our future shivering selves are pretty happy to hear about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) latest development: a material that can store heat from the sun, and release it back to you on demand when you get chilly. That is, solar-powered heated clothes. The material MIT's researchers have developed is made from a polymer film, which they say soaks up energy from the sun and stores it in a chemical state. Storing it in this chemical state then lets the wearer reactivate it later and release it as heat. You'd be able to decide when to release it, and how much to release — all depending on how freezing it is, and how cosy you want to be. Researchers claim that, when activated, the material will be able to heat up by 15 degrees. Imagine the toastiness levels of a jacket that warm. We'd never get out of that thing. But it's not just clothing that this material could work for. As the polymer is a transparent film, it could be applied to heaps of different surfaces, including car windows. They could store the sun's heat during the day, and then use that heat to melt a layer of ice the next morning — or the next week. Looks like we're one step closer to finding our personal, portable heated nirvana. But don't throw away that Snuggie just yet — the material is still in development at MIT, so it might be a while until our thermostat jacket makes its way onto your body. Via Ecouterre. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Fancy stepping into the mind of iconic artist Salvador Dali? For a one-month period early next year, you'll simply need to head to Perth's Fringe World festival. Between January 18 and February 17, 2019, the annual event will play host to a world-first exhibition dedicated to the great surrealist master — complete with more than 200 of Dali's works on display. Timed to mark the 30th anniversary of the artist's passing and taking place over four levels, Dali Land will boast his drawings, sculptures, photography, films, installations, graphics and more as part of a program that both highlights his work and pays tribute to Dali in a broader sense. The virtual reality experience Dreams of Dali will also make the trip, taking viewers into the painting Archaeological Reminiscence of Millet's "Angelus" in an immersive piece that's usually on display at the Salvador Dali museum in Florida in the US. Other highlights include a second exhibition called Unconscious Contemporary, which showcases works from both early surrealist artists and their contemporary counterparts, as well as Dada Cinema, which'll screen surrealist films. The list of names featured across both is hefty, with Jean Cocteau, Andre Breton, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Man Ray, The Crow filmmaker Alex Proyas and photographer Thor Engelstad all included. A lineup of live events and performances will also tip their hat to Dali, such as a surrealist-themed ball, a gig by Lily Allen, theatrical show Dali After Dark by Briefs and degustations dubbed 'Dali Dinners'. And, there'll also be 'surreal cocktails' at the late-night rooftop salon bar — which sounds a bit like a case of attaching the word 'surreal' to everything in the exhibition, but in a space that'll also feature live music, magic, burlesque and comedy. Dali Land comes to Perth as part of Fringe World, exhibiting at the former Metro City site at 146 Roe Street, Northbridge from January 18–February 17, 2019. For more information, visit www.dali-land.com.
Don't you hate those little stickers that come with pieces of fruit? Of course you do. Everyone does. I somehow always forget to peel these off before I eat fruit. They say that practice makes perfect, but I still struggle with this after all my years of eating apples and nashi pears. However, Scott Amron has come up with an ingenious and hygienic way to get rid of these once and for all. Amron has recently unveiled his 'Vanishing Fruitwash Labels', which are stickers that turn into organic soap when washed. Even though the stickers are water resistant, rubbing them with water will trigger the sticker's transformation. This way, you don't have to peel the fruit sticker off and stick it to your kitchen bench. Rather, it will just disappear when washed and you'll get a much cleaner fruit which is free of all the pesticides that your mother warned you about. Generously, Amron is offering people to invest in a 10% stake in the Fruitwash Label Intellectual Property (patents). [Via PSFK]
It's not often you get to see bears casually drinking next to cheetahs. New York-based artist Cai Guo-Qiang's first solo exhibition in Australia is something of a cross between The Lion King and Noah's Ark that way. The exhibition, titled Falling Back to Earth, consists of three large-scale, nature-inspired installations, two of which are commissions inspired by the artist's own experiences in Australia. Heritage (2013) features 99 lifelike animals from all around the world drinking from a blue lake surrounded by white sand. The other new work is Eucalyptus (2013), a long gum tree extending the length of the gallery, and the third piece on display is the artist's famous and fabulous Head On (2006), where 99 artificial wolves are shown in various stages of colliding with a glass wall. The exhibition will be at Queensland's Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) until May 11, 2014. The exhibition also includes an interactive element for children, an illustrated book, videos and regular Chinese tea ceremonies. Images from Cai Guo-Qiang Studio Blog and QAGOMA.
Maybe you're keen to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of the warmer weather. Perhaps 2022 has just been a chaotic year for you, as it has for most of us, and you're desperate to get away. You could always be yearning for a holiday, as almost everyone is. And, you might have the perfect vacation partner that you haven't been able to spend enough time flying to scenic spots with during the pandemic. If a few, most or all of the above applies, Jetstar comes bearing great news: a fly a friend for free' flight sale. Until 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, August 28 — or sold out — the Aussie airline is doing package deals for paired travellers, with one person's airfares included for nothing. Your wallet, your calendar, all that stress you're carrying around in your shoulders — they all love this for you. So will whichever mate or date you're now hitting up for a discounted holiday adventure. The packages cover flights, hotels and, usually, breakfast as well — with deals from Sydney including $484 for two nights at the Holiday Inn Express Little Collins Street in Melbourne, $1122 for five nights at Meridian Port Douglas, and $604 for a three-night getaway at voco Gold Coast. There's also a $732 three-night package at Pacific Hotel Cairns, a $1316 option for three nights at Daydream Island Resort and a $1151 stay for three nights at Hobart's Mövenpick Hotel. Offers and prices vary per city, as do dates for travel, but most destinations remain the same. Melburnians can also stay at the Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central for two nights for $434, for instance — and get cheaper prices to Hobart and slightly more expensive costs to Queensland. Whichever you pick — including options leaving from Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more — you'll need to book online. When you do so, to get the deal, you'll also need to add an extra passenger. Also, checked baggage isn't included, so factor that into your budget — or pack light. Jetstar's 'fly a friend for free' sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, August 28 — or until sold out. Images: Jetstar.
It's been 12 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival has announced its 2017 lineup. Returning to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland and Singapore next January and February, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with one heck of a killer lineup. Following the already announced appearance of AB Original and Chet Faker (or is it Nick Murphy now?), Laneway will see one heck of a crew on their stages, including Aussies Tame Impala — who will be only doing Laneway this time, no sideshows. Oxford band Glass Animals will be coming out for the festival, along wiht other international acts Tourist, Tycho, Nao and riot grrl Kathleen Hanna. There's plenty of local love on the lineup too, with Gang of Youths, Jagwar Ma, Sampa the Great and Camp Cope all making appearances. In short, you'll want to be getting a tickie — they go on sale at 9am AEST on Wednesday, September 21. But, enough chat, here's the full lineup. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP A.B.Original AURORA Baro* Bob Moses Camp Cope Car Seat Headrest Clams Casino Ecca Vandal* Fascinator Floating Points (live) Flyying Colours* Gang of Youths GL Glass Animals Jagwar Ma Jess Kent Julia Jacklin Koi Child Luca Brasi Mick Jenkins Mr. Carmack NAO Nicholas Allbrook Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker)** Roland Tings Sampa The Great Tame Impala** Tash Sultana The Julie Ruin Tourist Tycho White Lung Whitney *Melbourne only **Exclusive to Laneway, no sideshows LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2017 DATES Brisbane — Thursday, January 26 Melbourne — Saturday, January 28 Auckland — Monday, January 30 Adelaide — Friday, February 3 Sydney — Saturday, February 4 Fremantle — Sunday, February 5 Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 21 at 9am AEST from Laneway Festival. Image: Andy Fraser.
I’ve spent my life operating under the premise that pollution is ugly. No doubt you have too. But oh, how wrong we were. Ohio environmental engineer Dr Guy Riefler and artist John Sabraw have told us all by engineering a paint that recycles toxic runoff and keeps it out of waterways — eventually producing colourful and wondrous abstract works of art. The waste is collected from streams in Ohio, where heavy metals leak from abandoned coal mines, coat the habitat in a thick sludge and render water acidic. “When this water hits streams, it lowers the pH and kills fish,” Riefler, whose career has focused on acid mine drainage, told the Smithsonian magazine. While the professor deliberated how to restore the ecosystem, it was realised that the runoff and commercial red and yellow paints oddly have something in common — they both contain ferric oxyhydroxides. Excessive chemistry jargon ensues. The transformation begins with collecting water from the damaged site and, using sodium hydroxide, raising its pH levels while exposing it to oxygen at a specific rate (don’t try this at home, kids) to oxidise the iron. The metal components, invisible until this point, blossom into rich colours. The iron sludge is then dried, milled and mixed with alkali refined linseed oil — a traditional binder — until finally we have (voila!) an oil paint that’s safe to both use and produce. In an ugly-ducking-to-swan-type scenario, Riefler and Sabraw transform the toxic sludge into artworks inspired by trees, streams and landscapes — the very thing they might be saving. Their invention, six years in the making, is now being refined for a commercially viable paint, the proceeds of which would be put towards cleaning up polluted streams. Via Inhabitat and Smithsonian.
Summer's yet to kick off, but already you can get a jump-start on plotting your entertainment for the cooler months, as the NGV drops its jam-packed 2020 autumn/winter art program. Heading the lineup is world-premiere exhibition Pierre Bonnard, created in collaboration with famed Parisian museum the Musée d'Orsay. It offers a glimpse into the life and work of acclaimed 20th-century French artist Bonnard through a sprawling collection of pieces on loan from the likes of London's Tate and The Museum of Modern Art in New York, along with other renowned French museums. A close friend of the legendary Henri Matisse, the artist is best known for his stylised decorative works evoking scenes of everyday domestic life. The exhibition will see Bonnard's recognisable designs brought to life even further, with the help of famed Iranian-Egyptian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi. Mahdavi — who has designed eye-catching spaces like London's Red Valentino store and the famous all-pink Gallery at sketch — will use her signature colour palettes and love of textures to create an immersive, life-size version of one of Bonnard's domestic scenes. [caption id="attachment_747306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coffee (1915), Pierre Bonnard, Tate, London, presented by Sir Michael Sadler through the NACF 1941.[/caption] Another of the NGV's upcoming exhibitions is the first major Australian survey of contemporary artist and Venice Biennale Silver Lion winner, Camille Henrot. The now New York-based artist creates rich multimedia works that explore the idea of myth, while striving to capture the ways in which we humans try to make sense of existence. This season also sees the NGV pulling together the biggest ever retrospective of Melbourne-based artist Destiny Deacon, who explores their links to the K'ua K'ua and Erub/Mer peoples to create humorous works that confront the tougher parts of Australia's history. You'll catch a generous collection of over 100 installations, photos, sculptures and videos, including newly commissioned pieces and collaborations with fellow artist Virginia Fraser. Pierre Bonnard will run from June 5–October 4, 2020; Camille Henrot from May 22–October, 2020; Destiny from March 27–August 9, 2020. Images: The Gallery at sketch designed by India Mahdavi, London, 2014, photo by Thomas Humery; The Pale Fox (2014), Camille Henrot, copyright and courtesy of the artist and Kamel Mennour, Konig Galerie, Metro Pictures, photo by Anders Sune Berg; Smile (2017), Destiny Deacon, copyright and courtesy of the artist.
If you missed out on a Brazil or Chile trip this year, fear not — the folks at Lady Carolina are serving up the next best thing. Over the course of one lively evening, the Brunswick East venue will take guests on a culinary trek across South America and Mexico, as executive chef Hugo Diaz puts his own spin on some iconic, Latin American dishes. Tickets to this one-off Good Food Month event include five vibrant courses, matched to Latin American wines and a surprise feature spirit.
"I'm still a flight attendant, and I've been making better choices." In the just-dropped trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season, they're some of the first words that Cassie Bowden (The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco) utters — at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Los Angeles, where she's moved after the dramas we all watched back in 2020. But no one ever thought that this pulpy thriller would come back and just give its protagonist a normal, average, uneventful life, so those opening moments of calm are short-lived, naturally. Cassie has picked up a part-time job, which she also tells her sober pals in LA about — but she doesn't mention that she's now moonlighting for the CIA. Yes, in its second batch of episodes, this airport novel-to-screen series is going full chaotic international espionage thriller. Expect to spy plenty of Berlin in the first sneak peek, too. This time around, Cassie is doing great things at both of her jobs — booze-free things, too — when she inadvertently witnesses a murder while on assignment for her side hustle overseas. Cue more country-hopping intrigue, with the show also filming in Reykjavik. Cue more of Cassie's inner monologues as well, even if she thinks she's seen the last of them with her last drink. Coming to Binge in Australia and streaming via Neon in NZ, The Flight Attendant has also unveiled its return date: in Australia, you can mark Thursday, April 21 in your diaries. Also new: cast members Mo McRae (Big Little Lies), Callie Hernandez (Under the Silver Lake), JJ Soria (Gentefied), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jessie Ennis (Mythic Quest), Mae Martin (Feel Good), Margaret Cho (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Santiago Cabrera (Ema), Sharon Stone (Ratched) and Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse). They'll join Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominee Cuoco, obviously, plus returning co-stars Zosia Mamet (Girls), Griffin Matthews (Dear White People), Deniz Akdeniz (The High Note) and Rosie Perez (The Last Thing He Wanted). And if you're new to this small-screen adaptation of Chris Bohjalian's 2018 novel of the same name, the first season unravelled quite the twisty tale — starting high in the sky, bouncing around the globe and delivering a hectic murder-mystery. Quickly addictive, filled with sudden revelations and reversals, multiple points of interest playing out across a split-screen setup, and also sporting cliffhangers to end every episode, the slick, swift-moving series knew exactly the kind of story it was telling and went for broke. More is coming in season two, clearly. Check out the trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season below: The Flight Attendant's second season will be available to stream via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 21 — and is headed to Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Top image: HBO Max / Binge.
Prepare yourself, folks — this year, Australia's launching into summer with the help of a huge new music festival. The brainchild of industry big guns Onelove (Stereosonic), Live Nation (Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival) and Hardware (Piknic Electronik, Babylon), Festival X will hit Melbourne on Sunday, December 1. The large-scale music party is pulling no punches when it comes to its debut lineup, headlined by international heavyweights including Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, the Grammy-nominated Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki and our own Alison Wonderland. Spanning multiple stages, it's set to deliver a world-class serve of hip hop, pop and electronica.US rapper Lil Pump will make his own Aussie debut, joined on the all-star bill by the likes of British DJ duo CamelPhat, Ohio-based rapper Trippie Redd, Denmark's Kölsch and German techno king Paul Kalkbrenner. Meanwhile, there'll be plenty flying the flag for the local scene, with sets from favourites including bass and dubstep star Godlands, Australian-raised trance DJ MaRLo, Sydney act Sunset Bros and singer-songwriter Thandi Phoenix.
It's been less than two years since Sophie Ellis-Bextor last played live Down Under; however, when she took to the stage at Summer Camp in Sydney and Melbourne in 2022, and Melt Festival in Brisbane as well, Saltburn hadn't happened. So when the British singer-songwriter performs in Australia and New Zealand in spring 2024, busting out 'Murder on the Dancefloor' is certain to be a whole new experience. The 2001 single has always been an earworm, a delight and a floor filler, but echoing over an unforgettable scene in one of 2023's best movies has made everyone remember that they love it again. Indeed, expect it to be a highlight not just of Ellis-Bextor's set, but of the whole show that's actually a Take That tour with Ellis-Bextor burning the goddamn house right down in support. Those houses: RAC Arena in Perth, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Spark Arena in Auckland, all across late October to mid-November. Take That and the talent that also helped make Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' so memorable are also playing A Day on the Green, with Ricki-Lee also on the bill. On those shows, they'll head to Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, then Bimbadgen in New South Wales' Hunter Valley and finally Sirromet Wines in Mount Cotton in Queensland. Still touring 34 years after first forming, but now a trio consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald — with fellow OG members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange no longer part of the group — boy band Take That are leading the trip Down Under fresh from releasing their latest album This Life in 2023. Certain to include 90s hits 'Back for Good', 'Pray' and 'Relight My Fire', these gigs will be their first in the region since 2016. Take That This Life Tour with Sophie Ellis-Bextor — Australia and New Zealand 2024 Dates: Wednesday, October 30 — RAC Arena, Perth Saturday, November 2 — A Day on the Green, Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley, with Ricki-Lee Wednesday, November 6 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thursday, November 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, November 9 — A Day on the Green, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, with Ricki-Lee Sunday, November 10 — A Day on the Green, Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, with Ricki-Lee Thursday, November 14 — Spark Arena, Auckland Take That and Sophie Ellis-Bextor are touring Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2024. Presales start at 3pm local time on Wednesday, February 7, with general sales from 1pm local time on Tuesday, February 13. Head to the tour and A Day on the Green websites for further details. Top image of Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Laura Lewis.
We have come a long way from segregation, but there are still lessons we have to learn about racial prejudice, even if it comes in comedic form. Delectable Shelter is a “black comedy about white terror”. It looks at five fortunate survivors of the apocalypse, each of whom is privileged and white. Their plans for the future go awry when they realise they may not be the only ones to survive, and that they may be sharing the earth on equal terms with those they thought were inferior. This play is a reportedly hilarious production that takes aim at the prejudices of Western society and provides an all-too-real look into the future. Brought to you by The Hayloft Project (Thyestes and Critical Stages and featuring the 1980s pop/classical music mash-ups of the inimitable Benny Davis (The Axis of Awesome), Delectable Shelter is a comedy that makes you think about a serious issue — one that isn't simply black and white.
Traipsing through a decaying apartment complex, getting his rotting teeth checked, and munching on roasted dog leg: all part of an ordinary day for Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston). It wasn't always this way though. Just three months earlier, the surgeon was a fresh resident in the gleaming tower, filling his new home with boxes, meeting his neighbours, and talking about starting over with a clean slate. He soon discovers, however, that a strict hierarchy rules the titular structure, and when it starts to falter, so does anything resembling a civilised existence. All it takes is a power outage and an unauthorised dip in a communal swimming pool for classes to clash and all hell to break loose. Welcome to the world of High-Rise, with director Ben Wheatley and his regular screenwriter and co-editor Amy Jump bringing the dystopian vision of J.G. Ballard's cult 1975 novel to the screen. They're the perfect pair for the task, particularly in light of their previous output. Psychological horror Kill List, murderous black comedy Sightseers and hallucinatory historical thriller A Field in England all examined the bleak and brutal side of the human psyche. If those films aren't the ideal stepping stones towards exploring the mayhem of the masses when left to their own devices, then we don't know what are. The eponymous property's descent into anarchy runs in parallel to Laing's ascent through its social ranks, though the smooth, suave newcomer proves a friend to those who inhabit all levels. He mingles with seductive single mother Charlotte (Sienna Miller), who lives directly above him, as well as documentary filmmaker Wilder (Luke Evans) and his pregnant wife Helen (Elizabeth Moss), who dwell several stories below. Much to the dismay of the folks that consider themselves at the top of the pecking order, he also befriends Royal (Jeremy Irons), who created the block and resides in its penthouse. Just as Wheatley and Jump are the best off-screen team to make High-Rise scale the satirical heights its seeks, so too is Hiddleston the ultimate leading man for the job. Managing to lure the audience into the twisted tale while still making sure that his protagonist keeps a little distance from the disorder around him, the actor proves as fascinating a point of focus as the film's true main character: the building itself. Given the attention-grabbing antics that take place within its walls, that's saying something. Indeed, as the alcohol flows freely, the sex grows more debauched and petty arguments spiral rapidly out of control, everything plays out like a big, bold, busy bash that slowly turns oh-so-sour. With dance sequences aplenty and the increasingly frequent sight of ordinary life turning to the stuff of nightmares, Wheatley ensures that every frame of High-Rise looks the part as well. Whether crafting a quick-cut montage out of carnage and carnality, or switching between a sublime Portishead cover of ABBA's SOS and Clint Mansell's ominous score, the '70s-set film proves a slick but festering affair in its aesthetics and themes from start to finish. It's little wonder that it's also incredibly divisive. If you don't adore the film's deliciously dark and unashamedly scathing depiction of humanity, you'll probably abhor it.
Somewhere in Paris a marriage is unfolding. Portraying a nuanced and gripping relationship within the confines of a particularly ordinary Parisian apartment, this Red Stitch production simmers with guilt, betrayal and regret. Written by Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright Amy Herzog (After the Revolution, 4000 Miles), Belleville tells the story of Abby and Zach — American expats who have made the move to Paris to follow their increasingly disconnected dreams. In the space of a day, their marriage tips from domestically dysfunctional to intoxicatingly brutal. The shift is so subtle that we barely notice until it erupts in our face, despite the hints along the way. This subtlety is a testament to brilliant writing by Herzog as well as the well-paced performances by Red Stitch actors. It’s a chilly December, and Zach and Abby are approaching their "first grown up Christmas" overseas, away from family. Abby comes home to find Zach who, believing he was home alone, is at his computer "not checking emails". The awkwardness that ensues suggests a marriage not equipped to handle a relatively harmless indiscretion. As Zach proceeds to try and make up for the morning’s activities, Abby chats obsessively to their landlord Alioune about their wedding, her family and life in Paris. We discover, unbeknownst to Abby, that Zach has been mishandling their finances among other secrets. So begins his downward spiral, unfortunately taking Abby with him. Directed by Denny Lawrence, Belleville features outstanding performances by Christina O’Neill as Abby, and Paul Ashcroft as Zach. O’Neill is perfect as the nervous, anxiety-ridden wife. Her performance flawlessly shifts from a somewhat irritating and seemingly self-involved yoga instructor to a woman crippled by circumstance. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s impetuous character swings terrifyingly between endearing and pathological. The direction is understated and genuine, while the Americanisms of both characters are playful and faultless. Tariro Mavondo and Renaud Momtbrun are Alioune and Amina, the French-Senegalese landlords of the property. Their quiet performances providing much-needed contrast to the abrasive Americans and their destructive relationship that exists in the apartment next door. Despite a slow beginning (but one with a justified purpose), this is by no means a gentle play. The intimacy of the set and the theatre itself means we are cocooned with them, unable to escape. Belleville is superbly crafted from beginning to end. Image credit: Jodie Hutchinson.
Asian-style beers are often stereotyped as simple, easy drinking lagers that are low in alcohol content and great at hydrating in the heavy, humid heat. To be fair, many of the mainstream brews do match this generalisation — but Hong Kong is swiftly becoming a city to reckon with in the craft beer scene. The city is home to upward of ten local breweries, most of which have launched in the last two years alone. From black IPA to cherry saison, the local brewers are up on all of the current trends and styles — they're even trying out wackier brews, like Young Master Ales' oak infused Rye on Wood ale and Black Kite Brewery's Oh Bacon!, a smoked amber ale that truly does taste the part. Heading to Hong Kong? Here's what beers to drink and where to find them. WHERE TO DRINK The Hong Kong craft scene has had a massive push in the last two years with a slew of newcomers making their mark in the city. The movement has undoubtedly come from the craft beer boom in countries overseas (including here in Australia), but while a few are helmed by expats, many of these breweries have been organically started by locals. It's becoming a big part of drinking culture as a whole; the Hong Kong Beer Co., which originally opened in 1995, has recently relaunched as a craft beer brewery, and in 2012 the Hong Kong Craft Beer Association was established, which promotes and protects the industry as a whole. Local establishments are supporting this movement too — and while craft brewpubs may not be on every corner, it's pretty easy to stumble upon one. Even in the tourist-heavy Kowloon district lays Kowloon Taproom, a craft beer haven that sits unassumingly among your standard pubs and lounges. Their extensive beer list includes both local and imported craft, the most badass of which is City Brew's Lady IPA and Gentlemen Stout duo. These can be drunk either separately, or combined to create a black IPA — an impressive and delicious endeavour by one of Hong Kong's own. It's also an awesome feeling to drink a great beer while fighting gender stereotypes. In the trendier district of Mong Kok lays Tap: The Ale Project. With the modern allure of bright blue walls and a bar that looks more like a makeshift cafe, this spot certainly has the hipster aspect going for it. Opened in 2014 by self-proclaimed beer geeks, their 14 taps are dedicated to local and select import, with an even wider selection in bottles. They even offer growlers with a ceramic seal for takeaway. Both Tap and Kowloon Taproom are run by locals and are filled with locals almost every night, demonstrating the city's true dedication to the craft. WHAT TO DRINK If you're in Hong Kong, these are the beers you need to try. If you're not, well, most are not yet shipping internationally — but we expect big things to come, and can't wait to see these names on Sydney shelves. Gweilo Beer Mak's Beer Yardley Brothers Brewing City Brew Young Master Ales Black Kite Brewery Top image: Dollar Photo Club
There are all sorts of bad movies. Some, like Palo Alto, smack of pretention and self-indulgence. Others, like Grace of Monaco, are poorly written and incompetently made. Yet others, like The Rover, fail on a level that is more difficult to quantify, unable to deliver a satisfying experience in spite the qualities they possess. Then there are movies like Yves Saint Laurent. For them, the word 'bad' seems inappropriate, because it suggests that they are in any way noteworthy. A French-language biopic on the eponymous fashion icon — a man whose name and designs altered the world of luxury clothing forever — Yves Saint Laurent is so bland, conventional and boring that it barely registers as a movie at all. Actor-turned-director Jalil Lespert follows the biopic playbook to the inoffensive letter. Guillaume Gallienne plays Laurent's long-time lover and business partner, whose wistful voiceover gives a rose-coloured tint to the already obsequious treatment. YSL himself is played by the gangly Pierre Niney; the competent enough actor saddled with a totally uninteresting role. And therein lies the film's biggest problem: Laurent's arc — from youthful prodigy to cocksure rebel to lonely, introverted genius — is one that we've seen played out literally hundreds of times before. So we watch, with utter indifference, as he alienates his friends and turns an industry on its head. Or so we're told, anyway. Thinly drawn side characters flit in and out as the years go by, each there to remind us that Laurent is changing the game. At a certain point, you just have to take their word for it. To be fair, even a layman can recognise the beauty of his designs, which Lespert trots out in montage after golden-hued montage. For fashionistas, at least, the film gives you plenty nice to look at. But clothes, despite what the old adage says, do not make the man. Laurent's work was remarkable, but his life, unfortunately, was not. So we're left with a film that is purely surface level, and that fades from your memory the second the end credits role. In some ways, you actually wish it were worse, because at least then there'd be something more to say about it. If nothing else, Grace of Monaco was fun to make fun of. Yves Saint Laurent doesn't even give you that. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-ec-DQ_7EUM
If you've ever spent hours falling down the wildlife and nature video rabbit hole online late at night, this one's for you. National Geographic's Symphony for Our World will combine the best of the footage from the organisation's 130-year archives with a live orchestral performance, synchronising the triumphant moments of both music and nature under one spectacle. And, that soundtrack will feature a Hans Zimmer-flavoured score and feature a live choir as well. The natural history footage will be drawn from years of past images, drawing from Nat Geo's shots from all over the world. The accompanying symphony will be created by Bleeding Fingers Music, featuring the work of composers such as the legendary Hans Zimmer, as well as Austin Fray and Andrew Christie. Just like the recent Planet Earth II Live in Concert, Zimmer's score especially will make you feel things you didn't know you could about animals you'll never meet. A five-part composition that'll tour Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Symphony for Our World will take the audience on a journey from the sea, along the coastlines, across the land, through the mountains and then finally into the sky, with differing orchestral movements for each world environment. It's the story of our planet, but brought to life in a different way — so why not get out of the house and off YouTube and go see some fully immersive nature.
This autumn, parts of Alice Springs and its surrounds will shine brighter than ever before, when the region's fourth annual Parrtjima - A Festival In Light delivers its most expansive program yet. Previously held in September, the festival will this year run from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 14. The free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling is perhaps best known for its dazzling light installations. And, this year, Parrtjima — the nation's first indigenous festival of its kind — will feature six of these luminous displays, gracing both Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct and Alice Springs Todd Mall. As 2019 is the UN's Year of Indigenous Languages, the festival will also have a linguistic edge. With a theme of 'Language Expressions', the program's lineup will feature many artworks, talks and workshops focused on Central Australia's many Indigenous languages. [caption id="attachment_706524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan[/caption] While Alice Spring's CBD will light up with new installations and events, just out of town, tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park will also come alive, awash with light from 6.30–10.30pm each night of the festival. Once again, a huge artwork will transform a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in art and storytelling as part of Grounded, where installations are projected onto the earth accompanied by a striking soundscape. The light installations are backed by a jam-packed program of dance, music, workshops and talks, sharing stories and celebrating First Nations' culture. It's a nice supplement to the area's Field of Light installation, which has been extended until 2020. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 5–14, 2019 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: James Horan.
These days, a free tertiary education is something of a myth — your parents might have got it, you know some other countries offer it, but you've certainly given up all hope of getting any sort of affordable qualifications (particularly with the prospect of fee deregulation). But in May the Victorian Government released its 2018 budget and it included some surprisingly good news: from next year, it will be free to complete selected TAFE courses in Victoria. As announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Facebook and outlined in the Victorian Budget 18/19 papers, the State Government will put $172 million towards covering course fees for 30 'priority' TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses from January 1, 2019. These courses are varied, running from a Diploma of Nursing to an Advanced Diploma in Accounting to a Certificate IV in Mental Health. Some can cost thousands of dollars to complete, so this will make a huge difference to prospective students who can't afford to foot the bill usually associated with studying. To be eligible, you'll have to be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent Australian resident and fit one of the extra criteria. This may be you if you're under 20 years old, if you will be upskilling (that is, enrolling in a higher qualification than you've previously attained), or you're a Victorian who requires additional support — i.e., you're unemployed or have recently been retrenched. If you're looking to change careers, you may also be considered for one of the free places. The full details on eligibility have been published here. If you're interested in enrolling, you can get more details here or call the government's TAFE and Training line on 13 18 23. Updated: July 22, 2018.
