Entertaining things come in small packages in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least where Paul Rudd playing Ant-Man is concerned. The character's two solo big-screen outings have wavered between charming and familiar, but whenever the ageless star himself pops up — and wherever, given that he hasn't just been confined to his own franchise within the franchise — he's always proven a treat. So, of course a third Ant-Man movie is on its way, because who doesn't want to give the world more Paul Rudd more often? The MCU clearly does, and that new film is Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which will buzz into cinemas in February 2023. This time, the MCU's insect-sized superheroes — yes, including both Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Rudd, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Hope van Dyne aka The Wasp (Evangeline Lily, Crisis) — are thrust into a secret universe beneath the one they already know and inhabit, and also face a new enemy. The chaotic space? The quantum realm, hence the Quantumania part of the upcoming movie's title. The adversary? Kang the Conqueror, as played by Lovecraft Country and The Harder They Fall's Jonathan Majors. And yes, both pop up in the just-dropped first trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, as do the return of Hope's parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer, French Exit) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method), plus Scott's now-older daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton, Freaky). Viewers of 2015's Ant-Man and 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp will know that Janet spent decades stuck in the quantum realm, so it's unsurprising that she's a key part of the new glimpse at Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. But, she hasn't told her family and friends everything about the place — as the film is set to explore. The trailer also throws in plenty of goofiness, because that exact vibe helped make the Ant-Man movies stand out in the ever-sprawling MCU. Here, there's an amusing case of mistaken identity to start off this Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania sneak peek. The film marks the 31st film in Marvel's on-screen universe, and the first in its fifth phase — arriving after 2022's already-released Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, plus the upcoming: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Check out the first Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania trailer below: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits cinemas Down Under on February 16, 2023.
When Australians are able to enjoy overseas holidays again, plenty will feel familiar. Booking tickets, planning itineraries, packing suitcases, rushing to the airport because almost no one arrives early — we'll all recognise these steps, and we'll love them. But, more than a few things about hopping on a plane will have changed, too. That'll include wearing masks, using copious amounts of hand sanitiser, social distancing in the airport and verifying our vaccine status. Some airlines, such as Qantas, have already mentioned that they're likely to only allow passengers who've been fully jabbed to take to the air. The Aussie carrier has also announced that it'll be using a digital health pass to check who is vaxxed. And, for everyone coming into the country — Aussies, tourists and other travellers alike — the Australian Government is set to launch a new Digital Passenger Declaration. Remember the physical incoming passenger cards we all filled out pre-pandemic when we were heading back home? (Aka the reason you always needed to have a pen in your bag when you were flying?) They're being ditched, and the new DPD will replace them. So, the new digital pass will capture all the same info, plus your coronavirus jab status. The declaration will also replace the COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration web form that's been in use during the pandemic. When it's up and running — with Accenture winning the tender to create and operate the DPD, and testing now underway — it'll be able to be filled out 72 hours before you hop on your flight Down Under. And, you'll be able to complete it either on a computer or on your phone, the latter of which will obviously be immensely handy while you're travelling. "The DPD will support the safe reopening of Australia's international borders, by providing digitally verified COVID-19 vaccination details," said Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews in a statement. "This will help us to welcome home increasing numbers of Australians, and welcome the tourists, travellers, international students, skilled workers, and overseas friends and family we've all been missing during the pandemic." Wondering when you might get to use the new digital pass? The Federal Government has already announced that international travel is earmarked to return when 80 percent of eligible Australians have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Further details on how that'll work, and where you'll be able to go, haven't yet been revealed — but Qantas has announced plans to resume its international flights to places with high jab rates from December. Eager to keep an eye on Australia's vaccination rates? We've run through how to do just that. For more information about the new Digital Passenger Declaration, head to the Australian Home Affairs website.
Er, um, wow. From surreal director Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python and left-field movie fame, comes The Zero Theorem, the supposed third film in his trilogy of bizarre dystopias that began with 1985's Brazil and 1995's 12 Monkeys. Though its release on Antipodean shores is yet to be confirmed, today's first trailer release for the film has got us all excited (and maybe a little flabbergasted). The Orwellian sci-fi follows Qohen (Christoph Waltz), an eccentric computer hacker with a whole lot of existential angst. Using a mathematical formula, Qohen's working to solve the zero theorem in the hope that he'll crack the meaning (or lack thereof) of life. But Management continually interrupt his work, sending a teen, Bob (Lucas Hedges), and a love interest, Bainsley (Melanie Thierry), to distract him. Funnily enough, desiring Bainsley might just be the key he'd been missing to understand the complexities of life. The trailer makes The Zero Theorem look equal parts bonkers and mind-bogglingly intelligent all at once. Though it's received mixed reviews, a cast that includes David Thewlis, Peter Stormare, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw and Matt Damon — along with the usual sci-fi commentaries on humanity, technology and politics — makes this an interesting one.
New York, Berlin … might Sydney soon be on the list of cultural capitals? If all we do is work and play Facebook, will we explode? Marcus Costello finds out by chatting with a man from the future who happens to be in Australia this week for The Future Laboratory's annual trend briefing. Martin Raymond is the company's co-founder and current strategy and insight director, and he had much to share with us on how trend forecasting works, what shopping centres might look like in the next decade, why you shouldn't make that sea change, and, yes, why Sydney might culturally overtake Melbourne yet. This is certainly a bright and early start for me, but you've just got off a plane, how's it for you? I've just come from Burma, which was part work part play. So I'm in good form. Ah, you're an early adopter of 'The New Sublimity' (The Future Laboratory's term for the impending "digital switch-off, back-to-basics, retreat to nature for emotional reboot" among under 25s). Can you explain the concept to me? [laughs] Sure. In happening cities where stress levels and stimulation are high, the next crop to enter the workforce will start building a buffer between work and free time. They'll realise that work-life balance doesn't work when you can work from anywhere and be contactable 24/7. The nomadic lifestyle that the baby boomers considered romantic when they were in their 20s is actually a practical reality for the upcoming generation thanks to remote computing and other technologies. Kerouac's On the Road was recently made into a film and young progressives are moving to places like Berlin where the bohemian lifestyle is seen as a legitimate way of living. So that's the modus operandi of The Future Laboratory: track what culture is being consumed and make predictions. I'm intrigued because a laboratory suggests a place that makes things. Do you think there's an element of causation in trend forecasting — build it and they will come, sort of thing? Can you really spot things before they happen or is it that you see what's bubbling beneath the surface and foresee its rise? Good question. Our methodology is structured in three branches: Intuition, Observation, and Interrogation. It's the same principle you apply to ethnographic or sociological field studies. With these lines of research you can foresee the rise of organic food a decade before it happens, for example. We also have well-honed observation skills and a solid understanding of mimetics, so it's more than blind predictions. Basically, we identify a pattern then look for the anomalies. These anomalies signal the early adopters and innovators. And there are some cities that better allow for these people to thrive, like Seattle, Seoul, Buenos Aires, Berlin. A place like Munich, on the other hand, is not one of those places. [laughs] My sister is part of a very interesting internet start-up in a town just outside Munich where rent is cheap and good skiing is close-by. Perhaps she's the exception to the rule — or maybe she's an early adopter of The New Sublimity — but it makes me think that the big cultural capitals like Berlin/NYC are nearing saturation with creative professionals, making it prohibitively expensive and competitive. Cities like Detroit, I would have thought, are the ones to watch. Good point. The pendulum does swing, and yes, Detroit has the telltale signs, if you know how to spot them,of a city on the rise: empty warehouses for cheap live-in studios, wide open spaces, young people flocking there. It's the same set of factors that gave rise to East London and so many other cities. The next wave of residents to arrive are those who superficially associate with the core activities but who aren't part of it. They're graphic designers, not artists. They'll buy-in once the aesthetic can be commodified. Hipsters, in a word. NYC is eternally cool but can you tell me about other happening — or about to happen — cultural capitals? I would argue that over the next five years Melbourne will become less of a talking point and Sydney will have its time in the sun. Then again, Sydney will rise because its mimicking Melbourne's laneway culture. Los Angles is on the way up. Vienna is a tired, bourgeois, racist part of Austria, but that makes it rife for a shake-up. It's full of old people about to die, which leaves cheap apartments for students. On the other hand, there's Switzerland, where everything is, well, nice. But I say to people, "Why live in a place where there's nothing to annoy you, to challenge you?" Switzerland will never become fashionable. Canada, likewise, will never become fashionable. Isn't the New Sublimity all about "secular spiritualism as consumers take to the land, sea, beaches and mountains in search of meaning, mindfulness, inattentive learning and an emotional reboot"? Switzerland and Canada both abound in natural wonder. [laughs] Nature doesn't have much to do with cultural revolution. People still want to be in cities, but they'll create mental space to get away, or reinterpret the built environment to make spaces for mindfulness. There's a bunch of guys in NY who have set-up bivouacs on rooftops so people can sleep out and experience the sounds, the smells, the stars of the city. In England it's really trendy to spend time away in monasteries — it's different, it's detached, it's cheap. People don't want a full-blown sea-change because cities are good and, let's be honest, interesting people love the concrete jungle, they're not afraid of it. As soon as you exit the city, you exit life. People who live in the countryside tend to be dull; and worse, they believe that they're living the right way. Well, they're not. They're living their way. As a company who consults to retailers, should retailers be concerned that mindfulness is about to wash over their consumers? One of our clients in the UK, Selfridges, has just produced a festival called No Noise which embraced the concept of the New Sublimity. They created rooms within the department store where shoppers could go to relax. So they can revitalise for more shopping. They could do that. But they also had night walks, and walks with philosophers and all kinds of things. They even persuaded brands to remove logos and graphics from their products. Of course, this actually reinforces brand identity because consumers have to consider product design. Yes, you could say it's a cynical exercise in retail marketing, but it's no more cynical than religion. If there's a trend that questions the nature of consumption and you can turn a profit from that as a retailer, well, I think that's a good thing. I'd rather consumers shop with a sense of why they're shopping than with no sense at all. Consumers are clever, they know what's online, and this is a really problem for retailers. The customer base is nomadic like a hobo and what attracts the hobo is the bright glittering light on the horizon and retailers are failing to offer that. Isn't what attracts the hobo a turning away from commercial consumption? That depends on how you define commercialism. At the moment people are spending their money on experiences: theatre, music, food, conviviality. To me, that's commercial and I'm not inclined to separate commerce and culture. As we continue to shop online we are going to expect more cultural experiences from our stores. Rousseau wrote about 19th-century department stores as places of education and imagination; places where someone could go to see the world brought to them. That's how we think about galleries and museums today and how we might think about department stores tomorrow. The Future Laboratory 2013 Australian Trend Briefings will be held in Melbourne on Thursday, February 14, and in Sydney on Tuesday, February 19. Go here for more details.
In Australia, it's common to think of theatre as a safe diversion for a small elite. Not so in Belarus, where theatre is dangerous, and the political ensemble Belarus Free Theatre is outlawed. Instead of performing for their countrymen, then, they travel the world, doing works like Minsk 2011, a combo critique of and love song to their home city. With a particular focus on underground subcultures and sexual policing under a dictatorship, their work is renowned for being inventive rather than polemic, and of striking a note of hope. This is theatre on the edge. Check out the rest of our picks for the Melbourne Festival here.
Calling all sleuths of Melbourne — and of Brisbane, too. If you haven't fulfilled your murder-mystery fix on the big and small screens over the past few years, then you'd best make a theatre date with the world's longest-running play. Here are three questions for you to solve before you get there: what is it, who wrote it and when is it coming your way? The answers: The Mousetrap, the one and only Agatha Christie, and this November in Brisbane — and next February in Melbourne, after first hitting up Sydney from October. Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, The Mousetrap has been treading the boards in the UK ever since, only pausing during to pandemic venue closures. When theatres reopened in Britain, so did the show. Indeed, when it makes its way to Sydney's Theatre Royal from October, The Mousetrap will do so 70 years to the month that it first debuted. Unsurprisingly, that hefty run means that the show has enjoyed the longest stint for any West End production, and for any play anywhere in the world. So far, there's been more than 28,500 London performances. To answer the other obvious question, yes, it's a whodunnit. The murder-mystery starts with news of a killing in London — and with seven people snowed in at a guest house in the country. They're strangers, which is classic Christie. When a police sergeant arrives on skis, they're told that the murderer is among them (which, again, is vintage Christie). They all have wild pasts, too, and all those details are spilled as they're interrogated, and also try to work out who among them is the killer. Those guests at Monkswell Manor include a pair of newlyweds who run the house, a spinster, an architect who is handy in the kitchen, a retired Army major, a man who says his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist. Naturally, there's another death as they'e all puzzling it over — and a twist conclusion, which audiences have been requested not to reveal after leaving the theatre for seven decades now. Again, it's all Christie all over, which'll be evident if you've seen the recent film versions of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile — or the original cinema adaptations, or read the books, or devoured anything else that Christie ever wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Mousetrap Australia (@themousetrapau) The Mousetrap originated as a short radio play, which was written as a birthday present for Queen Mary. It aired in 1947 under the name Three Blind Mice, after which Christie rewrote it as a short story, then adapted it again for the stage as The Mousetrap. And no, there isn't a movie of it — because Christie stipulated that it can't leap to the screen until at least six months after the West End production closes. Clearly, that hasn't happened yet. In Australia, the play will hit the stage with Robyn Nevin directing and John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia producing. Cast-wise, Anna O'Byrne (My Fair Lady, Love Never Dies) will play Mollie Ralston, who owns Monkswell Manor, and Alex Rathgeber (Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera) will play Giles Ralston, Mollie's husband. Also set to feature: Laurence Boxhall (As You Like It, Jumpy) as Christopher Wren, a young guest; Geraldine Turner (Present Laughter, Don's Party) as Mrs Boyle, a former magistrate; Adam Murphy (Shakespeare in Love, Aladdin), as retired British military officer Major Metcalf; and debutant Charlotte Friels as the aloof Miss Casewell. Gerry Connolly (Cyrano de Bergerac, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) will pop up, too, as unexpected guest Mr Paravicini, and Tom Conroy (Jasper Jones, My Brilliant Career) will play Detective Sergeant Trotter. THE MOUSETRAP AUSTRALIAN 2022–23 SEASON: From Saturday, October 8, 2022 — Theatre Royal Sydney From Thursday, November 3, 2022 — QPAC, Brisbane From Friday, February 17, 2023 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap will play Sydney's Theatre Royal from Saturday, October 8, 2022, then head to QPAC in Brisbane from Thursday, November 3, 2022 and to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from Friday, February 17, 2023. Tickets for the Brisbane shows start pre-sales from Wednesday, August 24 and general sales from Friday, August 26, while tickets for Melbourne start pre-sales from Wednesday, September 7 and general sales from Friday, September 9. For further details, head to the play's website. Top image: Matt Crockett.
Online shopping, like Zoom meetings, trying new cooking projects and watching every single thing you can on every single streaming platform, has been a big part of 2020. But if you've been spending your time at home browsing for and buying clothes, you might've noticed that you couldn't purchase anything from Swedish retail giant H&M — because, although it has had bricks-and-mortar shops in Australia for years, it hadn't yet launched its online store on our shores. The key word in that last sentence is 'yet', because H&M have just this week started selling its fashion items online to Aussie customers. You can now head to the company's website and peruse its range of women's, men's and kids' clothing — whether you're in need of some new threads to lounge around in while the world is still returning to normal, or a fresh outfit for your next trip out of the house. https://twitter.com/hmaustralia/status/1318306696536543232 As part of the launch, H&M is also giving customers 20 percent off one purchase if you join its new, free membership program. You'll score the discount online or, if there's a store near you and it's currently open, you can redeem it in-person as well — with the offer available until Sunday, November 1. Members also receive free shipping for orders over $60, and free returns as well. And if you'd rather do your online browsing from your phone, H&M's Australian online store is also available via its app. To shop H&M's online store in Australia, visit the retailer's website or download its app. Top image: ©2014 Rocket Mattler.
Roslyn Oades has built her theatremaking practice on a distinctive 'headphone verbatim' technique; wearing headphones in performance, actors attempt to replicate Oades’ constructed recordings of interviews with real life figures. While her 2012 work for Belvoir, I’m Your Man stuck closely to its origins, with actors whose physicality at least partially resembled the original characters they portrayed, Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday Oades dislocates these voices to stunning effect. With the text built from Oades’ interviews with 18 and 80-year-olds, the excellent ensemble cast (Matthew Connell, Jim Daly, Evelyn Krape, HaiHa Le, Roger Oakley, Diana Perini) inhabit a performance space that suggests the communal room of a nursing home, or the inside of suburban high school’s demountable. Designed by Christina Hayes, it’s the perfect, amorphous setting for a vivid assembly of rehearsed moments and memories. Although all the actors play different roles throughout the work, the typical set-up is a younger performer representing an older character, or vice versa. The best parts of the show are found in this divergence, especially when an older actor like Jim Daly perfectly captures an 18-year-old girl’s slightly tipsy, improvised birthday speech. Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday never once succumbs to trite sentimentality or didactic exposition of the issues that permeate its text, such as the treatment of the elderly, fears and dreams of death, and the relationship between music and memory. The work is utterly heartwarming, and often hilarious, and in its depiction of a man whose wife has slid into dementia — captured with exceptional sensitivity and skill by Matthew Connell — it harbours the kind of heart-rending depth that’s hard to find on any Melbourne mainstage.
At first it seems upsetting to be away from your family at Christmas. There's a definite lack of presents and no one's around to serve you pavlova or giant ham. Trust us, both of those things are far too depressing to eat on your lonesome. But if you are out on your own this year, there's a definite bright side: Christmas with friends is the best. With all the food and drink, and none of the persistant in-fighting, celebrating December 25 with some buds can be great. And, if you get a little bored chilling on a sharehouse couch and watching Home Alone for the 50th time, Federation Square are hosting a shindig of their own. From 9am you can swing down and score yourself a free buffet breakfast courtesy of the folks at Hopskotch, then you have the choice of settling in for a movie marathon on the big screen or burning off some of those Christmas calories with some games from Pop Up Playground. Of course, all films will be holiday themed with The Nightmare Before Christmas kicking off at 12pm, followed by The Santa Clause, and old classics like It's A Wonderful Life and White Christmas.
Though The Gaso opened all the way back in 2010 — after a much-hyped revamp of a previously dingy Irish-themed pub —you'd be forgiven for forgetting about it from time to time. It took a long leave of absence for further renovations in 2013 and often loses out to old standards like The Tote or hip new ventures like Forester's Beer Hall. But, after an exciting comeback earlier this year with different venue operators and a new 350-capacity band room to enjoy live music seven nights a week, there's never been a better time to discover this local gem. Recently, big bands like Arthur Penn and the Funky Ten have even spilled out across two floors, using the upstairs mezzanine in the reopened space for their overflowing horn section. Now, while you're free from work and have sufficient time each morning to nurse you dance-induced injuries and inevitable hangover, you have no excuse. Cult Aussie favourites Frente kick off the Gasometer’s sizzling season of live music on December 20, bringing a full band for a one-off Christmas show to showcase their distinctive brand of rock and folk-pop. Tully on Tully are playing both a Christmas Eve party and mini summer residency, coming off the back of the launch of their single ‘Two Birds’ (produced by Tony Buchen, who’s previously worked with both Andy Bull and The Preatures). Gasometer favourites Dear Plastic are returning for a stint in Janurary after launching their debut album at the venue back in October. They’ll be joined by artists like Nicholas Lam, guitarist in slick Melbourne disco outfit Vaudeville Smash and frequent Sex on Toast collaborator, playing under his solo moniker DX Heaven. Sex on Toast frontman Angus Leslie will also make a support appearance with Tanzer, his collaboration with chanteuse Hayley Foster. But, perhaps the highlight of the venue’s summer lineup is the latest single release from Mangelwurzel, a hectic, indescribable fusion of rock and punk. Long live The Gaso.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been announced — and its launch has already been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic — in 2021 you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka, with the park revealing this month that it'll open its latest addition early in the new year. Just what Super Nintendo World will entail has been a source of mystery over the past few years, but more and more details are slowly being unveiled. Yes, Mario Kart features as part of a new ride, with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Vice Chairman Universal Parks & Resorts, calling the racing component "a new kind of attraction". Exactly what that means is yet to be revealed; however, it's safe to assume that fans will be able to strap into some kind of moving kart. What else could a Mario Kart ride feature? [caption id="attachment_785957" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Universal Studios Japan[/caption] Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also take over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — and recreate the brand's popular characters and themes, complete with other rides, restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which is actually launching this week, on Friday, October 16, ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons will be surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space will be kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors will be a feature. As for what you'll be snacking on, there'll be Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. Basically, in general around the venue, you can expect Mario and Mario-related characters to pop up often — with Universal Studios confirming that it'll boast a Yoshi ride, a Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle. "Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters," explained Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Universal Creative. "You're not just playing the game; you're living the game, you're living the adventure." With that in mind, the theme park will introduce wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which'll connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCqJ8llKuA While it doesn't give away a whole lot, Universal Studios previously released a new Super Nintendo World song and music video with Charli XCX and Galantis, which they say "showcases the activities based on the real and interactive experiences available at Super Nintendo World". For now, all other specifics remain sparse; however, given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. While no one is travelling far at present, Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore — if you need to add more places to your must-visit list when international tourism starts returning to normal. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka in early 2021 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Top image: Super Nintendo World 'We Are Born to Play' by Galantis ft. Charli XCX.
Renowned Aussie gin distillery Four Pillars is at it again, with a brand-new creation headed soon to our bottle shop shelves. You're familiar with the label's cult favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin, which sells out like fire with each new year's release, right? Well, the team's calling this newcomer their finest creation since that purple-hued icon first launched back in 2016. So, break out some martini glasses and let the excitement begin. The soon-to-launch Olive Leaf Gin has already earned itself some hype, having nabbed a gold medal from the 2020 World Spirits Competition held in San Francisco in March. Now, it's gearing up for a proper Aussie debut, with a fitting early September release date happening just in time for your spring cocktail quaffing sessions. This one's an all-natural savoury gin, crafted using cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and three different varieties of olive leaf, all harvested from the legendary Cobram Estate. There are plenty of classic Australian botanicals in there to round out the fun, too, including lemon myrtle, macadamia, fresh lemon and grapefruit. [caption id="attachment_780046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Benito Martin[/caption] Four Pillars' experts reckon the Olive Leaf Gin goes alright alongside some rosemary and lemon in a Spanish-style gin and tonic. But of course, with all that savoury, olive-infused goodness, this drop's true calling is in a nice, cold martini. Co-Founder and Distiller Cam Mackenzie recommends putting 60 millilitres of it to work in a gibson, stirred down with ten millilitres of both dry vermouth and dry sherry, and garnished with a couple of cocktail onions. Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin will be available across Australia from early September. You can nab a 700-millilitre bottle for $85. Images: Benito Martin
Whilst Splendour may not be an option like last weekend, you can still enjoy the ear candy on offer this week from the likes of HAIM, Dive In and Horroshow. 1. 'The Wire' - HAIM HAIM have perfected the art of teasing. The L.A. sisters have been one of the most deservedly hyped bands of 2013, having delivered last year's treats including 'Falling' and 'Forever'. Everyone is waiting for the (hopefully) imminent announcement of their first full album, and whilst on our shores for Splendour in the Grass last weekend they released 'The Wire', suggesting the time is nigh and that it will be everything we hoped for and more. 'The Wire' begins slowly as all the band's songs generally do, but it builds into a layer of harmonies and strong beats that will have you putting this on repeat for weeks. 2. 'Let Go' - Dive In This UK foursome from Glastonbury are relatively unknown, not even cracking 500 likes on Facebook yet. However, if they keep serving up audio meals like 'Let Go' then they could soon be playing their hometown festival sooner rather than later. With pop hooks plucked straight from the '80s, this is a song for all seasons and occasions. 3. 'Hearts Like Ours' - The Naked & Famous The New Zealand electro-pop band is back. After touring their debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, globally for two years, they sat down and recorded their much-anticipated follow-up In Rolling Waves, due for release September 13. Luckily they have given us 'Hearts Like Ours' to tide us over until then, a sprightly single with a mammoth chorus, a formula now synonymous with the band. Expect to hear this track on every summer-related television commercial later this year. 4. 'All Night' - Icona Pop The emerging Swedish queens of pop anthems are at it again. After their smash hit 'I Love It' received worldwide acclaim, they have now treated all of us to their next production set to take over party playlists, 'All Night'. This song will literally keep anyone and everyone dancing all night long with its simple beat carrying the infectious melody all the way through to the morning where you can look forward to their new album This Is...Icona Pop dropping on September 24. 5. 'Unfair Lottery' - Horrorshow Aussie hip hop heroes Horrorshow have been hard at work the past few years. The boys from Sydney's inner west have been busy touring the country, sometimes by themselves and sometimes alongside their musical brothers in Spit Syndicate and Jackie Onassis, and all of this has meant fans have had to wait almost four years for a new album. However, today saw Kings Amongst Many hit stands and 'Unfair Lottery' is the leading track, giving a lesson in lyricism to all ready to listen.
Over the past few weeks, Victoria's COVID-19 situation has changed rapidly, resulting in the reintroduction of strict stay-at-home orders for all of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. As part of reimplemented lockdown rules currently in place for at least six weeks, residents of both areas can only leave their homes for one of four reasons: for work or school (if you can't do this from home), for care or care giving, for daily exercise, or for food and other essentials. And, if you do venture out for one of these reasons, it's now recommended that you wear a face mask. On Friday, July 10, the Victorian Government advised that Victorians living in metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire should "wear face masks in situations where they are leaving their home and physical distancing is not possible", as recommended by the state's Chief Health Officer. The announcement came as the state recorded 288 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily rise in to-date — and the largest jump in Australia's history of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic — with Victoria's cases numbers now totalling 3379. Specifically, metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents should don facial coverings if it is not possible to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from other people — for example, when visiting crowded areas such as shopping centres, public transport or markets. The recommendation is in place for all adults over the age of 18, with both cloth masks and single-use face masks (aka surgical masks) considered suitable. The advice regarding masks isn't compulsory, and won't be enforced — so you won't be fined if you don't comply — but the government advises that, based on recent studies, "even when factoring in imperfections and human error, wearing face masks can reduce transmission of coronavirus by around 60 per cent". https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1281535898090430464 If you're now wondering which type of face mask is best, where to get them or how to make your own, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website has put together a guide — including step-by-step instructions for putting together your own three-layer face mask at home. You'll also find information about how to wear a mask correctly, how to take it off, and when to wash and replace it. For more information about wearing face masks, and the Victorian Government's advice for metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been announced, by July this year you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka — and it's due to launch before this year's Tokyo Olympics, which run from July 24–August 9. Just what Super Nintendo World will entail has been a source of mystery over the past few years, but details are slowly being unveiled. Yes, Mario Kart features as part of a new ride, with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Vice Chairman Universal Parks & Resorts, calling the racing component "a new kind of attraction". Exactly what that means is yet to be revealed; however it's safe to assume that fans will be able to strap into some kind of moving kart. What else could a Mario Kart ride feature? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCqJ8llKuA Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also take over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — and recreate the brand's popular characters and themes, complete with other rides, restaurants and shops. Expect Mario and Mario-related characters to feature heavily, with Universal Studios confirming that it'll boast a Yoshi ride, a Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle. "Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters," explained Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Universal Creative. "You're not just playing the game; you're living the game, you're living the adventure." With that in mind, the theme park will introduce wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which'll connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. While it doesn't give away a whole lot, Universal Studios has also released a new Super Nintendo World song and music video with Charli XCX and Galantis, which they say "showcases the activities based on the real and interactive experiences available at Super Nintendo World". For now, all other specifics remain sparse; however given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. Can't make it to Japan any time soon? Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. When Super Nintendo World launches at Universal Studios Osaka, it'll join Japan's growing list of pop culture-themed attractions — including the towering Godzilla and Gundam statues, a forthcoming Godzilla attraction that you'll be able to zipline into, the existing Studio Ghibli Museum, the in-progress Studio Ghibli theme park, Tokyo Disney Resort in general and the Japanese park's upcoming Toy Story hotel, to name just a few. On the international theme park scene, it's also a great time to live out your love for your favourite films, shows and games. As well as all of the above, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the US opened Star Wars theme park zones last year, a Star Wars hotel is also coming to Walt Disney World in 2021, and a Marvel hotel is slated for Disneyland Paris. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka in July 2020. Top image: Super Nintendo World 'We Are Born to Play' by Galantis ft. Charli XCX.
The settings vary, and the motley crew of characters involved, too, but many whodunnits share the same premise. Take a ragtag group of folks, pop them all in the same spot, kill one off and then start asking questions — that's it, that's the formula. It works for boardgame Cluedo, it worked for Agatha Christie and her lengthy list of Hercule Poirot novels and stories, and it's also been behind everything from Knives Out and The Translators to Only Murders in the Building in the past few years. So, when Apple TV+'s new murder-mystery series The Afterparty kicks off, it's familiar by design, but this streaming bash is just getting started. Adding a new comic sleuthing series to your queue, and filling that Only Murders-shaped hole in your life, this eight-part show sports a killer cast: Sam Richardson (Detroiters), Ben Schwartz (Space Force), Zoe Chao (Love Life), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Dave Franco (If Beale Street Could Talk), Tiffany Haddish (The Card Counter), Jamie Demetriou (The Great) and John Early (Search Party). It's also home to a savvy spin on its oft-used scenario. Rather than skewering true-crime podcasting, this quickly addictive comedy from writer/director Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) toys with a basic truth. We all know that every tale differs depending on the perspective, so The Afterparty has fun with the idea. Of course, whodunnits always hinge upon this exact fact, as many an interrogation scene has demonstrated. Miller has also clearly seen iconic Japanese film Rashomon, which is famed for baking the notion into its whole story. And, considering that The Afterparty's big murder takes place after a school function, there's a touch of Big Little Lies at play here as well. That said, with his directing partner Phil Lord, Miller has made a career out of getting smart and funny with familiar parts (see also: 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street, plus Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs). That's firmly still the case with his latest venture into TV, following writing for How I Met Your Mother, directing the pilot of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and executive producing The Last Man on Earth. The Afterparty's setup: at the afterparty (obviously) following his 15-year high-school reunion, obnoxious autotune-abusing pop star Xavier (Franco) winds up dead on the rocks beneath his lavish mansion. Everyone is shocked but no one is overly upset, which gives determined Detective Danner (Haddish) plenty of suspects. With her partner Culp (Early), she starts grilling Xavier's former classmates one by one to find out who's responsible, with most of the show's episodes dedicated to a different person. The interrogations begin with the sensible Aniq (the always-great Richardson), who was hoping to finally make a move on his schoolyard crush Zoe (Chao), only for his night to get sidetracked well before anyone got murderous. After Aniq's version of events, Danner hears from Zoe's macho ex Brett (Barinholtz) in The Afterparty's second episode, which takes the show further into the couple's seemingly chalk-and-cheese — and now very much over — marriage. Next comes Aniq's best bud Yasper (Schwartz, riffing on Parks and Recreation's Jean-Ralphio without being quite as ridiculous) and his dreams of leveraging his connection with Xavier, who he used to be in a ska band with, to launch his own music career. The fourth episode focuses on Chelsea (Glazer), who has been the class outcast since a high-school scandal. And, in the fifth, those teenage days get their time in the spotlight. Miller doesn't just switch between perspectives episode by episode, or give most of his well-known cast their moments to shine — a task that Richardson, Barinholtz, Schwartz and Glazer are all up to, and Chao and Haddish in the series' sixth and seventh episodes, too. He also styles each of The Afterparty's chapters after a different genre, so the show filters its sleuthing comedy through rom-com tropes, action-movie conventions and musical flourishes (yes, that's Schwartz's High School Musical-esque focus episode). Psychological thrillers also get a look in, as do teen party flicks. The list goes on. Whodunnits have long played with other genres, but Miller's addition to the fold layers them all together like a murder-mystery onion. The cast is top-notch. The writing is clever. Surprises arrive frequently, and the throwaway gags — including the jokes involving Xavier's film career, cameos from other famous faces and magnificent 80s yacht-rock references included — are simply glorious. If Apple TV+ wasn't dropping episodes weekly following the show's initial three-chapter launch, The Afterparty would be an easy binge, although going the week-to-week route extends the fun. There's also a great time to be had with the series' genre- and viewpoint-bending touches, which help the show twist in its own directions, tell its tale with flair and approach its entire premise with a savvy sense of humour. Bringing is own vibe to the murder-mystery party, this is one streaming shindig well worth attending. Check out the trailer below: The first five episodes of The Afterparty are available to stream via Apple TV+, with new instalments dropping weekly.
Florence Foster Jenkins is a tale of talent and tenderness. The real-life American socialite might've infamously lacked the former, but the movie that shares her name overflows with the latter. Just as her ghastly attempts at singing sprang from her devotion to music, a "profound communion" as she called it, filmmaker Stephen Frears (The Program) is driven by affection and empathy for his eccentric subject. There's a reason that she packed out Carnegie Hall, earned a dedicated following, and inspired four plays, a documentary and now two feature films: Jenkins' passion is just that contagious. Her enthusiasm also explains why people clamoured to her shows, starting with private recitals for pals and graduating to the prestigious gala concert she was determined to stage. When the film first spies Jenkins (Meryl Streep), she's in her element, with an adoring crowd watching on and loving husband St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) waiting in the wings. It's only when she hires pianist Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) to accompany her operatic warbling that the extent of her inability to carry a tune becomes apparent McMoon can barely hide his dismay, let alone keep tickling the ivories as she croons, and viewers are expected to share his reaction. And yet Florence Foster Jenkins isn't actually about the fact that its namesake can't sing. It's about what drives this fascinating woman, and how those who love her help her chase her dreams. Unlike the cruel streak that troubled recent French film Marguerite, which told a fictionalised version of the same scenario, Frears' take on the story couldn't be warmer. Even Jenkins' many eccentricities, as illustrated via the extravagant outfits she wears, her distinctive taste in decor, and her obsession with eating bathtubs full of potato salad, are met with kind-hearted humour. Here, tone is key. There's a difference between laughing with someone as opposed to at them, which Frears understands even when he's highlighting the more farcical aspects of the story. With a critic (Christian McKay) determined to expose Jenkins' flaws, and Bayfield's mistress (Rebecca Ferguson) lurking around, there's certainly ample absurdity and drama on show. In one of his best performances in years, Grant proves the best indicator of how the movie chooses to treat each development, be it silly, serious or sweet. With the ideal balance of gracefulness and glossiness, nothing escapes his gaze — and whether he's being comforting or charming, he hits all the right notes. Of course, Frears' loving approach couldn't have proven as sincere as it does without the committed work of his leading lady, who's in screwball comedy rather than awards-chasing mode. Streep may have demonstrated her vocal talents in Mamma Mia and Ricki and the Flash, but now the applauded actress appears to be enjoying herself doing exactly the opposite. Indeed, while it might threaten to overstay its welcome slightly, and clearly favours broad appeal over intimate details, Florence Foster Jenkins achieves the synergy between its central figure, lead performance and guiding force that all biopics seek. And unlike it's protagonist, it barely misses a beat.
If you firmly believe that you can never have too much Idris Elba, then you have most of the planet for company. Right now, the Hijack-watching world and streaming service Apple TV+ are also firmly in that camp. After the British actor's high-octane thriller series hit the small screen in 2023 and swiftly hooked viewers, the platform has announced that it will return for a second season. And yes, Elba will be back — although what'll be testing his negotiation skills this time is yet to be revealed. In its first season, Hijack featured the Beast, Three Thousand Years of Longing and Luther talent as Sam Nelson, a veteran negotiator who was on his way home to the UK from Dubai when terrorists took over the flight. Accordingly, it was up to the actor that everyone would like to see as 007 tries to try to get everyone to their destination safely, all in a series that took place in real time. Nelson's onboard tasks switched from relaxing in the air to trying to talk his captors down, let authorities on the ground know what was happening and minimising casualties. If you're not only thinking about Bond but also 24, that's the right wheelhouse. And yes, non-stop tension does go down smoother when Elba is looking calm and collected under pressure, a fact that helped make the series one of Apple TV+ most-popular dramas last year. Created by Criminal's George Kay and Jim Field Smith — with Kay also behind Lupin — Hijack's first season also boasted Elba as an executive producer, a role that he'll retain again when it returns for its second season. Field Smith will again be the show's lead director as well. "I was floored by the overwhelming audience response after season one. It's top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam Nelson but I can assure you we will bring the high-octane back!" said Elba, announcing the show's renewal. Alongside the show's storyline for its second season, when Hijack will return hasn't yet been announced, and neither have any co-stars that'll feature opposite the series' The Harder They Fall, Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, The Suicide Squad and Thor: Ragnarok alum leading man. Fingers crossed that whatever the scenario, and whoever else features on-screen, another quickly addictive nail-biter results, even if you'd expect that it won't focus on Idris Elba on a plane again. Check out the trailer for Hijack season one below: Hijack streams via Apple TV+ — and season two doesn't yet have a release date. Read our full review of season one.
Into every few years, reports of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer comeback are born. Five years ago, a Buffy spinoff was in the works, for instance; however, like an undead bloodsucker and making daytime plans, nothing happened. But the just-announced Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is different. In fact, it's due to arrive within weeks, in mid-October. And, it's getting a heap of the show's original cast back together. Audible is behind the new entry in the Buffy realm — which, yes, means that it's arriving as audio only, not a new season of the beloved television show or a movie. But more Buffy is more Buffy. Also, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story has a fangtastic point of focus: bleached-blonde vampire Spike, with James Marsters (Runaways) returning to the role. Dropping on Thursday, October 12, the Audible original is the first ever to be set in the Buffy universe. Yes, everything in pop culture is a universe these days. This will jump into the leather-loving vamp's tale ten years after the events seen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer's final episode. Of course, fans will know that Spike's story also already took him over to TV spinoff Angel, too. Joining Marsters for Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is a who's who of Buffy stars, even if Sarah Michelle Gellar (Wolf Pack) isn't one of them. Nor are Alyson Hannigan (Office Race), David Boreanaz (SEAL Team), Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl) or Alexis Denisof (How I Met Your Father). That said, Charisma Carpenter (Going Home) is back as Cordelia, Anthony Head (Ted Lasso) as Giles, Juliet Landau (Claws) as Drusilla, Emma Caulfield Ford (WandaVision) as Anya and Amber Benson (The Nightmare Gallery) as Tara. Benson also co-wrote and co-directed the Audible original, scripting with Christopher Golden (who has penned a number of Buffy books), and helming with both Golden and Kc Wayland (the We're Alive podcast franchise). Danny Strong (Billions) is back as Jonathan as well, plus James Charles Leary (A Room Full of Nothing) as Clem. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story will also bring Laya DeLeon Hayes (The Equalizer) into the Buffy fold as 16-year-old slayer Indira Nunnally. With their ten-years-later tale, Benson and Golden have penned a story about Spike in Los Angeles, where he's pretending to be evil but it's just a cover. Then Indira blows the ruse, leaving Spike to both mind her and try to find her a watcher. The reason there's no Buffy Summers? Slayers: A Buffyverse Story also brings in parallel realm where Cordelia is the only slayer. And her big bad? That's where Drusilla comes in. "I'm ecstatic to be back with my dear friends for this next chapter in the Buffyverse, as we take listeners on a familiar but unexpected journey chock full of horror, passion and mischief," said Marsters, announcing Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. "I'm excited for old and new fans to experience this beloved world of vampire slaying like never before, brought to life through immersive audio storytelling." The latest Buffy chapter comes after not just the seven-season series that aired from 1997–2003, or spinoff Angel, but also the 1992 movie of the same name before them. There's no trailer for Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, but you can get a blast from the past with the TV series trailers above and below: Slayers: A Buffyverse Story will be available to listen to via Audible on Thursday, October 12.
Grocery shopping with Grandma just got real serious. It has just been announced that infrared shopping trolleys will be introduced at IGA stores in Brisbane in February, following successful trials over the past few months. These trolleys feature LCD screens which can locate items within the store, notify you of current specials, and scan your items so you can keep within your budget. If that wasn't enough, trackers in the supermarket ceilings can locate your trolley and let you know which aisle you're in. Keep your fingers crossed for these super-intelligent trolleys to appear at a store near you. Handling one of these four-wheelers means that choosing your cereal won't be a chore, it will soon become a hobby. [via Gizmodo]
Jamming out in a church might not sound like your standard music festival experience, but for Melbourne Music Week (MMW) — a festival with a reputation for transforming urban spaces into unique live music venues — it seems the perfect fit. And indeed, organisers have today announced the festival hub for this year's MMW will be none other than St Paul's Cathedral. Just as last year's festival shook things up at the State Library of Victoria, the historic space will enjoy a pretty significant change of pace as it plays host to a program of live performances by both local and international artists from November 17 to 25. Kicking off St Paul's festival debut on November 17, the multisensory MMW opening night will feature acts like experimental US artist Juliana Barwick, along with singer-songwriter Kath Bloom and local up-and-comers Wilson Tanner, Kirkis, and Divide and Dissolve. Those lofty cathedral ceilings will also provide some epic acoustics for a futuristic November 18 show headlined by German DJ Helmut Geier, while on November 24, an Aussie artist showcase pulls together sets from the likes of Sampa The Great, Marcus Whale, neo-soul act The Harpoons and R&B duo Fortunes. Once again, two-day industry program Face The Music returns to the MMW lineup, hosting a program of talks, workshops and performances at the cathedral on November 23 and 24. The St Paul's lineup is just one part of the program, with a new all-ages event at Melbourne Town Hall, a performance by Ariel Pink and Ferdydurke and Section 8's ZOO street party announced last month. The full slew of events will be announced on October 17. Melbourne Music Week 2017 will take place across the city from Friday, November 17 to Saturday, November 25. Tickets are on sale now, with the full program set to drop on Tuesday, October 17. For the first announcement, visit mmw.melbourne.vic.gov.au. Image: Donaldytong via Wikimedia Commons.
La Mama might be best known as the epicentre of independent theatre in Melbourne, but come September 18 the venue is shaking things up with Poetica, a night of spoken word and poetry. La Mama is showcasing the talents of writers who are already well established on the scene, as well as some emerging new faces. Nathan Curnow and Kevin Brophy have both collaborated in the past, publishing the joint work RADAR last year. Aside from crafting The Ghost Poetry Project after spending time in some of the country’s eeriest houses, Curnow’s been winning praise far and wide for his fearless performance style. He and Brophy are also both former editors of Going Down Swinging, a literary journal that punches above its weight on the international stage and which has championed the rise of spoken word. On the night they’ll be joined by Lia Incognita, a Shangai-born poet-provocateur, and novelist Lee Kofman.
It's summer, or close enough to it. The temperature is warm, hot or scorching, or somewhere in-between. You can hear the sounds of someone splashing around in a cool, refreshing pool — but those noises aren't coming from your own swimming spot, because you don't have one. Many Australians can relate to this scenario each and every year (and, depending on where you live, maybe even most of the year round). Thankfully, it's a situation that Swimply is designed to counter. Even better: the pool-sharing service is relaunching Down Under at exactly the right time of year. Swimply first debuted locally in 2019, after getting up and running in the US and Canada before that; however, we all know what's happened in the world since then. Now, with Australians facing a summer without restrictions, the service is here to help you out if you don't have a mate with a pool, don't know your neighbours well enough to just pop by for a dip or live too far away from your local waterhole is too far away — and you're stuck trying to chill out in the bath or under the fan in the sweltering heat. Operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Adelaide and select regional areas, Swimply is a fairly typical sharing economy-style platform. One person rents out something they have and don't use all the time, while another person with a short-term need reaps the benefits. In this case, the service lets folks with pools lease out their backyard swimming spots when they're not in use, and helps people without pools find a place for a splash, all via an iOS and Android app. If you fall into the latter category, you can hire a spot by the hour. You can also look for pools with specific facilities and inclusions — such as chairs, lounges, towels, wifi, a changing area, access to a bathroom, a barbecue, a shady spot to sit under, night lighting, pool toys and heated waters. Some allow pets, while others are fine with parties and alcohol. Before booking, you can also scope out just how many guests you can bring (and whether kids are allowed), as well as how private the pool is from the neighbours. That said, it proves most cost-effective if you're splashing around with mates, with the cost set by the owner. Prices start at $25 per hour, but those fees vary. Some hit $100, and there's plenty around the $50–70 mark. Still, if you're keen to hop in a pool — and a private one, rather than your local public spot — Swimply gives you options. Swimply is now available to download on iOS and Android.
Despite recently launching an all-day breakfast menu and ice cream sandwiches, we still think fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. And this Saturday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away free serves of 'em. Free. Fries. The chain is choosing this day to give them away because it's (supposedly) International French Fry Day. While we're not a big fan of 'food days', we are big fans of free food. So, to snag free fries on the day, just head down to any one of the LOTF stores around the nation between 1 and 2pm and you'll be gifted a bucket of deliciousness with a classic sauce of your choice thrown in, too. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. If you're in Melbourne — which we'll assume you are, reading this post — you have 13 LOTF stores to choose from. If you're in the CBD, you can head along to the ones on King, Flinders or Swanston — or, if you're further out in the 'burbs, make tracks to the Hawthorn, Windsor, Fitzroy or Chadstone stores. You can check out the full list here. Lord of the Fries is giving away free fries from 1–2pm on Saturday, July 13 at all of its Vic stores.
It's bands like Bloods that make you proud of the Australian music scene. Their crazy addictive fusion of pop and garage punk are just the kind of tunes for letting loose on the dance floor, with their catchy guitar riffs and gritty vocals calling back to an era of Joan Jett bad-assery. After previously supporting bands like the Dum Dum Girls and DZ Deathrays, it's great seeing Bloods embarking on a nationwide headline tour of their own to promote their debut album. While they've released a steady stream of singles and EPs since first coming onto the scene in 2011 – Golden Fang, We Are Bloods, among others — it was only this year that the trio have finally put together their first full-length, Work It Out. It has everything you'd expect from a Bloods record: hook-filled headbangers spliced with a couple of mellow slow burners (just to catch your breath a little). Bloods are one of the most loved local live acts around right now, and for good reason. Catch 'em in these cosy venues before they get snapped up by the big ones. https://youtube.com/watch?v=9QNxOsDeot8
Whether it's predatory behaviour, racial slurs or people being too pushy in a crowded space, there is always behaviour at music festivals that makes people — generally minorities or females — feel unsafe. Like day-to-day life, it's unfortunately part of the experience. But after five women reported being sexually assaulted at the Marion Bay leg of Falls Festival over the New Year period, Laneway Festival has announced it will instate a hotline that punters can call in real time to report harassment or disrespectful behaviour on its 2017 tour. It's the first time Laneway has provided such a service, but it's an extension of the boss ladies of Melbourne band Camp Cope's #ItTakesOne campaign, which they launched last year to call-out and end harassment at gigs. The idea is that it only takes one dickhead to do something to make someone feel unsafe, but it also only takes one person to call them out and stop it. In a video released this week — which also includes Julia Jacklin and Ella Thompson from GL — Camp Cope said they wanted "to ensure everyone at our shows feels valued and important — our music is for anyone to enjoy, and to feel safe and respected while they're enjoying it". If you've got a ticket to Laneway — which heads to Melbourne this weekend and Sydney the next — jot down the number 1800 LANEWAY (that's 1800 526 3929). If you see any shitty or disrespectful behaviour, give it a call. An on-the-ground operator will be able to help you and sort the situation out. Look after your mates and the people around you to make sure everyone has the opportunity to dance their heart out while feeling safe. Image: Andy Fraser.
Jason Schwartzman as a private detective. That's it — that's the show. In Bored to Death, the Wes Anderson favourite plays Jonathan Ames, a Brooklyn-based writer who moonlights as a sleuth, pals around with a comic book artist played by Zach Galifianakis and sees a literary magazine editor played by Ted Danson as his surrogate father figure. Adding another layer of eccentricity: the fact that Bored to Death was created and written by an author also called Jonathan Ames, who later wrote the novella that excellent hitman thriller You Were Never Really Here was based on. But even without that nifty trivia tidbit, this is a delightfully offbeat three-season gumshoe series that deservedly amassed quite the cult following when it initially aired from 2009–11. Also, everyone from Jenny Slate and Kristen Wiig to Patton Oswalt and Isla Fisher co-star.
UPDATE Monday, September 27: Guns N' Roses Australian and New Zealand tour has been postponed to November and December 2022. You can find all the details at the Guns N' Roses website. "Stadium rock is back!" pronounces the tour poster for the newly announced Guns N' Roses tour of Australia and New Zealand. The tour, scheduled for November 2021, is the first international stadium tour announcement since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The eight-stop tour will hit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth, as well as Wellington and Dunedin, between Saturday, November 6, 2021 and Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The idea of stadium shows doesn't feel too far fetched after the latest State of Origin match was played in front of a full crowd following the rolling back of event restrictions in Queensland. New Zealand stadiums are also back to full capacity and Sydney is hosting a pair COVID-safe stadium gigs on Saturday, November 28 and Saturday, December 5. The biggest challenge to the tour going ahead will be Australian borders, which remain shut with no clear indication of when they may reopen. It's been a while between drinks for Guns N' Roses fans, with the rock band last touring Australia in 2017 on the Not in This Lifetime tour, the first tour to see founding members Axel Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan all take the stage together in over a decade. Following the tour, the band left fans hanging with Slash tweeting that the band would be back Down Under soon. Three years on and fans are waiting for a November Rain singalong in a packed stadium. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE GUNS N' ROSES AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES 2021 Gold Coast – Saturday, November 6, Metricon Stadium Adelaide – Tuesday, November 9, Adelaide Oval Melbourne – Thursday, November 11, Melbourne Cricket Ground Sydney – Sunday, November 14, ANZ Stadium Wellington – Friday, November 19, Sky Stadium Dunedin – Sunday, November 21, Forsyth Barr Stadium Perth – Wednesday, November 24, Optus Stadium Members of Guns N' Roses Nightrain Club will have access to pre-sale tickets on Monday, November 23 from gunsnroses.com. General public tickets are on sale on Thursday, November 26 from Ticketek Australia and New Zealand. Image: Raph_PH via Flickr
Saving water is one of those things that your parents drilled into you as a young kid as you recklessly allowed the tap to run a little longer than you're supposed to. And while water supply has not been under the same scrutiny as global warming of late, it remains a top environmental concern beaten only by climate change and the issue of finding alternative sources of energy. Luckily saving water can be as simple as capturing rainwater in some sort of dispenser to be stored, treated and reused. The Rainbarrel Man Co. builds wood clad, steel banded rain barrels from repurposed material; they use western red cedar wood purchased from local saw mills (usually salvaged lumber). The result is an attractive rain harvesting system that can be paired with a drip irrigation kit or a storm water manager. While the storm water manager allows you to direct the collected water to your bioswale or rain garden, the drip irrigation kit can be used to water your plants at the roots. An added bonus to this is that collecting rain water and reusing it prevents the polluted storm water (which carry pesticides and animal waste) from entering our drains and contaminating natural surroundings. Once your Rainbarrel is installed, you'll need to add a pump system that distributes your stored water around your garden year round. RainPerfect is easy to install, costs just US$139 and converts the sun's rays into sustainable energy. And if you want to take your environmentally habits indoors, Pensar Development's Indulgence concept shower learns your individual shower habits and routines to reduce water usage in the home. Cycles consist of a low-flow initial rinse, followed by warming mist jets before finishing with a second low-flow rinse.
UPDATE, August 23, 2022: Elton John has added extra shows in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne due to demand. This news story has been updated accordingly. Some farewell tours seem to last forever — and, thanks to the pandemic, Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is one of them. Since September 2018, the music star has been saying goodbye all around the globe, including making the trip Down Under already. But what was meant to be his final trip our way resulted in some rescheduled gigs, so he's coming back again. And, because he'll be here anyway, John has added a few extra shows to his schedule. It's been a big few years for the singer, not only with the huge tour — which spans more than 300 concerts across five continents — but with his life story hitting the big screen in biopic Rocketman. He had a massive first round of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Australasia, too, with over 705,000 tickets sold to gigs a three-month period that spanned 34 Australian and six New Zealand dates from November 2019. Missed out then? Keen to go again? Mark January 2023 in your diary. In New Zealand, John will play his two rescheduled gigs at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium, as well as a newly announced show at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. In Australia, he's adding encore gigs in Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his Saturday shows in Brisbane and Auckland. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career — well, never seen before the tour — which'll be displayed throughout the show. When the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes to an end, John will retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. In Australia, he'll wrap up his time onstage in Brisbane, playing his 36th-ever Queensland gig — and 233rd in Australia, which comes third to only the UK and US in hosting the most-ever John concerts. In NZ, he's bowing out in Auckland — with remaining tickets to the city's shows on-sale now, and tickets to the encore gigs in Christchurch, as well as in Australia, up for grabs on Monday, August 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk ELTON JOHN 'FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD' 2023 TOUR DATES: Sunday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 10 — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14 — AAMI Park, Melbourne Tuesday, January 17 and Wednesday, January 18 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney Saturday, January 21 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Tuesday, January 24 — Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Friday, January 27 andSaturday, January 28 — Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour returns to Australia and New Zealand in January 2023. Remaining tickets for the Auckland shows are on-sale now, with tickets to the encore gigs in Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane up for grabs on Monday, August 1. There are also pre-sales from Tuesday, July 26. Fore more information, head to the tour website. Images: Ben Gibson.
It was a groaning, grimacing Timothy Spall who won the Best Actor Award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, for a role in which his face is frequently scrunched, his posture is constantly hunched, and his voice is guttural when heard. His applauded performance leaves a lasting imprint, yet as primal as it proves, it only scratches the surface of a character and a film both called Mr Turner. Beneath the physicality sits a portrayal and a biopic that finds underlying beauty in brutality, while never equating both traits as opposite extremes. Such an approach matches the 19th-century subject, the titular J.M.W. Turner, who made his name painting vistas of land and sea. Some of his oil and watercolour pieces showed pastoral elegance, but for all his praised use of light, increasingly his pictures were tinted with the destruction and violence of nature. His command of technique remained untouched; however, the tone of his canvases evolved over the course of his career. This professional progression, venerated now, wasn’t well received during his lifetime. In Mr Turner, Spall inhabits the hulking figure of a reclusive and eccentric man in what amounts to slices of his existence over his final quarter-century. In his personal affairs, his ailing father (Paul Jesson), his dutiful housekeeper (Dorothy Atkinson), and his secret landlady turned companion and confidant (Marion Bailey) all influence this last difficult chapter, one also marked by the former mistress (Ruth Sheen) and daughters (Sandy Foster and Amy Dawson) he refuses to publicly acknowledge. Writer/director Mike Leigh is known for his fondness for and feeding off of the improvisation of his cast. His films — recently, Happy-Go-Lucky and Another Year – are a cooperative act between the auteur and his actors. Accordingly, his overarching narratives can be driven by the whims of individual scenes, as is strongly the case here. In Mr Turner, Leigh has crafted a pieced-together story that showcases the very best of everyone involved. Spall’s every action may monopolise the frame, but in this feature as in all of the filmmaker’s offerings, there isn’t a bad performance to be found amongst the sprawling yet subtly brushed tale. Indeed, it is with a painter’s touch that Leigh guides his cast, and that his actors enliven their characters, constructing the film layer by layer. The exquisite visuals by Cannes award-winning cinematographer Dick Pope perform the same creative task, further perfecting the feature’s evocation of its central vocation. From sequences following Turner traversing the countryside, to quiet conversations stolen indoors, every image tumbles from artistry – whether glimpsed alone or considered as a whole. As Mr Turner finds the humanity within the harshness of a life of winding down and of an extraordinary talent housed within a complex man, Leigh and his collaborators on-screen and off turn the corresponding account into its own masterly work.
When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows dropped its last terrible three words on us at the close of the book, all was not well. It would never be well without Harry, Ron, Hermione fighting the Dark Lord in a series of fantastical and wholly engrossing scenarios. But, little did we know, this would not be the end of the Age of Harry Potter. Thanks to the internet and the sheer demand for all things HP, Harry has lived on through new books, fan website Pottermore, the Fantastic Beasts film spinoff series and all manner of events dedicated to the franchise. One of the biggest things to come of the post-Harry Potter era has been Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, of course — aka the West End play that's essentially the eighth book in the series. It first arrived in Australia in February 2019, hitting up Melbourne's Princess Theatre, and proved unsurprisingly popular. And while it's about to return after the city's latest lockdown — from Thursday, November 18, in fact — the production has just announced that its shows from May 2022 will be a whole lot different. Muggles, if you want to see The Cursed Child in its current two-part form, you'll need to accio yourself along before March next year. After that, from May, it'll be taking to the stage in a single one-session showing — condensing its story into one part. Basically, this'll be The Cursed Child reimagined — and it'll hit Melbourne after making its world premiere on Broadway this month. San Francisco and Toronto are also getting one-part versions of the show as well; however, Melbourne will beat them to it. So what exactly is The Cursed Child about? Well, it picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Harry is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on both him and his youngest son Albus Severus Potter as they grapple with the past and future. Since debuting in London in July 2016, the production has won a swathe of awards and has proven a repeated sell-out — in the West End, on Broadway and in San Francisco, too. In its Melbourne run so far, it has become the most successful play in Australian history, including attracting 325,000 people in its first year. Melburnians — and other Australian Harry Potter and/or theatre aficionados — can access tickets now for the two-part run of the show, which'll remain onstage until Sunday, March 27, 2022. Tickets for the one-session showings of The Cursed Child will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, November 16. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will return to Melbourne's Princess Theatre on Thursday, November 18 in its two-part form, running until Sunday, March 27, 2022. It'll then switch to a one-session production from May, with tickets for the latter on sale at 9am on Tuesday, November 16. For more information, head to the play's website. Top images: Matt Murphy/Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made.
November. It's the month when it finally starts to feel like summer and we have that glorious extra hour of sunlight to fuel our after-work adventures. So what better time to start splorin' the CBD? Melbourne Music Week is on and taking over the city's soundwaves with events all over the place, there's a bunch of film festivals (showing everything from Russian to Japanese cinema) and that most manic of summer events: the Night Noodle Markets. Get amongst it.
Whether you're in lockdown, working from home or just social distancing in general, your day could always do with a few more cute animals. And, if you didn't realise this before the pandemic, you definitely will have over the past few months: the internet is always happy to oblige. Earlier in the year, Melbourne's zoos started live-streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, while Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong, the Wild Life zoo opted for cuddles with quokkas and Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opted for a non-stop look at one of Australia's cutest native marsupials. The list of animal-focused streams has grown over the course of 2020, including Melbourne Aquarium's own series of meditation and relaxation videos. And now, also from Melbourne, a den of small-clawed otters are getting in on the fun. In the latest webcam setup at Melbourne Zoo, a lens has been trained on the site's four Asian small-clawed otter pups. They were born in February this year to otter parents Paula and Odie, who became the first of their species to breed at the Victorian site since back in 2011. And, whether they're sleeping or playfully fighting — a type of behaviour that helps them bond — these little critters are immensely adorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r14IcXmQMyg&feature=emb_logo The otter webcam joins Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal, where you can also peer at the aforementioned penguins, snow leopard cubs and giraffes — and lions, too. As the otter live-stream runs all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your usual plans — and, on weekdays, your productivity — but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal via its website. Images: Zoos Victoria
Victorians are being urged to stay safe, be prepared and look after each other today, Monday, January 25, with temperatures expected to soar past 40 degrees in parts of the state. Along with the scorching heat and windy conditions comes a total fire ban for six of Victoria's fire weather districts, as Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp warns we're headed for "one of the most challenging 24 hours that we've seen in relation to fire risk for our state". The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast severe fire danger for the districts of Mallee, Northern Country, North Central and North East, with the Country Fire Authority declaring a day of total fire ban for these regions, as well as for East Gippsland and Wimmera. In a press conference yesterday, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan warned that significant winds coupled with heatwave conditions would cause increased fire danger right across the state. Many areas could see gusts of up to 50 or 60 kilometres per hour, increasing bushfire risks rapidly. As a result, the CFA is urging residents to have a bushfire survival plan ready and to download the Vic Emergency App (for iOS and Android) in order to stay informed. https://twitter.com/CFA_Updates/status/1353438333012242432 After scoring minimal relief from last night's temperatures, which hovered in the high twenties, Melbourne is today forecast to creep to around 39 degrees, before an expected gusty cool change hits southwestern Victoria at 5pm. It's anticipated that some of Melbourne's outer suburbs could clock 41 degrees before the day's out, while northern parts of the state are due for temperatures in the low-to-mid forties. Today's steep temperatures have prompted the Chief Health Officer to issue heat health alerts for the whole of Victoria, except for South West and Wimmera. Residents are being urged to pay attention to the heat levels, wear light-coloured lightweight clothing, keep out of the heat at the peak of the day and stay hydrated. For more details on today's forecasts and weather warnings, see the BOM website, and for health advice on hot weather, head to the Victorian Government's Better Health Channel.
If you've seen Hannah Gadsby's two Netflix comedy specials so far — smash-hit Nanette and follow-up Douglas — then you'll know that the acclaimed Australian comedian's sets and "feel-good romantic comedy" don't usually go hand in hand. But comedy, like life, changes. Indeed, Gadsby has been embracing exactly that on- and off-stage. And after getting married to their producer Jenney Shamash, new special Something Special is all about warm vibes. Well, mostly. "Just for the next hour, we're going to feel good together, and then we can head back out there and be the mass-extinction event that we are," Gadsby tells the audience in Something Special's just-dropped trailer. "I didn't say who it's a feel-good show for," the comedian continues, as they also noted when the special's streaming date was revealed by Netflix. Come Tuesday, May 9, Gadsby has a wedding to talk about, plus the politics around nuptials, homophobic bakers, queer domesticity and bunnies. Announced in 2022 and filmed at the Sydney Opera House that same year, Something Special is based on their recent stand-up show Body of Work. Even with the feel-good rom-com tone, expect Gadsby's usual wit, insights and sense of humour. It's been a huge few years for the Tasmanian-born talent, and they keep going from strength to strength onstage — and on-screen. In fact, when the time came for Gadsby to initially follow up international smash-hit show Nanette, that seemed a rather difficult task. After all, the one-performer stand-up set copped serious praise on its 18-month travels across Australia and the UK, even scooping the top honours at both the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe — and, of course, spawning its very own Netflix special. But, then Douglas was born, with Gadsby returning to the stage with a performance named after a pet pooch. While Nanette pulled apart the concept of comedy itself, dishing up an insight into Gadsby's past, Douglas took comedy fans on a "tour from the dog park to the renaissance and back". It made its way across stages around Australia and New Zealand in late 2019 and early 2020, and then hit Netflix in 2020 as well. After that came Body of Work — first as a live show again, and now as Netflix special Something Special, too. It's the first release in Gadsby's new a multi-title deal with the streaming platform that is also set to span a new multi-comic special featuring gender-diverse performers. Check out the trailer for Something Special below: Hannah Gadsby's Something Special Netflix special will be available to stream from Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Images: Jess Gleeson/Netflix © 2023.
This global pandemic might have us cooped up at home, but it sure hasn't dulled our penchant for online shopping. Without the bottomless brunches, bar hopping adventures and retail therapy sessions of regular life, many of us have a little extra in the savings fund and a whole lot more time for scrolling. And of course, those package deliveries are all the more thrilling when your social life is taking an enforced hiatus. An offshoot of Bendigo and Adelaide Banks that's built for the digital world, Up is one of the new kids on the banking block. Its focus is on offering a primo mobile banking experience — the kind that fits into your real life with minimal hassle, leaving you more time to worry about the important stuff (like which of the 19 items in your basket will be making it to the checkout). As an online shopping companion, Up's ticking plenty of boxes, thanks to a suite of features designed to keep things simple. For example, it'll show actual business names, locations and company logos in your spending history, so you're not left doing mental gymnastics trying to guess the story behind that $45.50 you dropped at 3am last Saturday. It's also got an automatic transaction categorisation function, to help keep your balances and budgeting in tip-top shape, without too much effort. https://www.instagram.com/p/Btw0EVqn2fE/ Shopping on international sites can normally be a bit fraught, what with the extra charges and conversion dramas. But Up is being a mate and passing on zero fees on all overseas purchases, both online and IRL. It displays both the local and foreign currency on your receipt and app, and will even send you an immediate purchase notification in Aussie dollars. Throw in a bunch of nifty savings functions — like the ability to instantly round up your spare cents — plus upcoming bill predictions and a 1.85-percent interest rate, and you've got yourself one nice, breezy banking situation. For more information about Up and to sign up for an account, jump over to the Up website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. General advice only. Please consider your personal circumstances before making a decision to join Up. Conditions https://up.com.au/hook_up_a_mate/. Product issuer Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.
It's been a busy first five months for Footscray's new temple to craft booze, Mr West. Since opening its doors in August, the venue's taps have poured over 250 different independent craft brews from across the globe, winning the affections of discerning drinkers the city over. The bar, lounge and pool room have become one of the west's best-loved new additions. And their offering has just got even greater, thanks to the launch of Mr West's next phase: an impressive new onsite bottle shop. This, my friends, is not a place for indecisive drinkers. Alongside a considered rotation of over 300 cold-stored craft beers, there's a solid selection of over 300 wines, with a focus on natural and minimal intervention drops. Also gracing the shelves, you'll find more than 150 spirits, including a good representation of homegrown sips and plenty of rare iterations from around the world. There'll be even more new tastes to sample by the end of the month, as the Mr West bar unveils its new seasonal cocktail list. Get ready for a mix of revamped classics and Aussie-inspired creations, shining the spotlight on native ingredients like rainforest cherries, blood limes, coastal rosemary, anise myrtle and cinnamon myrtle, as well as local spirits. Find Mr West Bar & Bottleshop at 106 Nicholson St, Footscray.
What do you do with a slab of unused space in the middle of the CBD? You plant a barley crop and open a brewery, of course. As part of Street Works, a landscape design competition hosted by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the Beerline project will see Quay Street transformed into Haymarket's very own self-sustained brewery. Following its installation amongst traffic lights and tram tracks, the public harvesting of the barley crop last week marked the first step in the three-month process that takes the crop from barley to bottle. Throughout December, the barley will undergo the process of malting, brewing, and fermenting, ready to be bottled and served to the public in the January Beer Festival. Brewing will take place on site from start to finish, aiming to promote awareness and appreciation of the value of our food, more than just a 'vacuum sealed container on a supermarket shelf'. But the social initiative doesn't stop there. The crop will produce around 500 beers, all available for online 'adoption' through a pledged donation to Oz Harvest. Once you've adopted a beer, you can attend regular brewing events to keep an eye on your little tike as it grows up from grass, to make its social debut as an icy cold bevvy. The visionaries behind Beerline are a pair of bright young architects who go by the name of the Bean Factory. The Beerline is the first in a series of small ideas they intend to release into our city, in the hope that they grow (quite literally, in this case) into something bigger. The four other projects featured in the Street Works initiative will grace our city streets until the end of January. Check them out at www.streetworks.org.au
We've all been racking up some serious at-home time of late, while that social life takes a backseat to social distancing and our favourite venues take an enforced hiatus. So it's safe to say we're itching to get back out and soak up the best of Melbourne's legendary, creatively charged nightlife scene. The only tough bit will be figuring out which spot to hit first. So, we've teamed up with Miller Genuine Draft to round up five nighttime activities that should be top of your hit list after lockdown. In celebration of Miller Design Lab — the home of creativity and self-expression built by Australia's leading minds in design, art, technology and fashion — we want to help you celebrate and support the businesses and experiences that make Melbourne great. From DJ-fuelled dance parties to intimate basement gigs, these are the late-night favourites we've been missing the most. They're set to get one heck of a workout as soon as 2020 allows it, so read on and start plotting your return to reality. CATCHING A LIVE GIG AT HOWLER If you're feeling a Howler-shaped hole in your heart these days, you sure aren't alone. The Brunswick bar and live music venue has been a go-to for memorable northside nights out since launching way back in 2013. Punters flock to the artfully repurposed wool store for burgers, beers and a jam-packed, diverse calendar of performances and live tunes. It includes, of course, the odd cheeky surprise show — who could forget The Killers' 2017 visit? Lock in a live gig here as soon as those doors reopen, whether it's a big-name music act, dance-friendly sounds from a local legend, or a stand-up show delivering some much-deserved chuckles. ENJOYING AUDIO-VISUAL DELIGHTS AT LOOP PROJECT SPACE & BAR A fixture of Melbourne's arts and music scene for close to two decades, Loop Project Space & Bar is one venue that's been sorely missed from a whole lot of weekend plans right now. And, while its new COVID-friendly live-stream program is helping to fill the void, fans are hanging out for the return of Loop IRL. Here, no two nights out are the same, thanks to a broad rotation of immersive performances, projections, screenings, DJ sets and more. Get set to sink your teeth into some fresh local tunes, alternative club nights, or audiovisual delights when this one makes its grand post-lockdown debut. CHECKING OUT A BASEMENT DANCE PARTY AT SUB CLUB Below street level in the heart of the CBD, this much-loved spot rocks all the attitude you'd expect from an underground club, fused with a healthy appreciation for subcultures. A music venue, art space and bar rolled into one, the ultra-inclusive Sub Club is a favourite after-dark playground for alternative-minded partygoers. Its 10,000-watt sound system and progressive programming make for some big, escapist nights spent celebrating a diverse melting pot of art forms and music genres. Strap yourself in for a techno gig, hard-hitting resident DJ set, or immersive art installation as soon as nightlife normality returns. GETTING YOUR ART FIX AT WHITEHART A double-decker shipping container laneway bar dishing up a program of visual treats, DJ tunes and food truck eats, Whitehart is one of those nightlife experiences that's unmistakably Melbourne. It's an all-weather, any-mood kind of haunt, with big energy that'll see you kicking well into the night. Thankfully, the CBD favourite is gearing up to return as vibrant as ever — pay a visit if you fancy letting down your hair to some lush DJ sounds, scoping some fine local street art and performance work, and generally soaking up some urban magic from within its art-covered walls. A juicy calendar of gigs, dance parties and creative events awaits. [caption id="attachment_771632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Duncographic[/caption] HAVING A BOOGIE AT A COMMON ROOMS DANCE PARTY An ongoing Melbourne Fringe project that delivers the goods year-round, Common Rooms is an inclusive party and performance space celebrating culture, community and creativity. Its main focus is on supporting our local, independent artists, but it sure has a good time doing so. The events calendar is typically stacked with just about every flavour of gig, performance and workshop imaginable — not to mention, dance parties for days. And you can bank on Common Rooms coming back with a bang after lockdown, with a loaded lineup already in the works. Get yourself amped to break a sweat at the return of beloved monthly dance fiesta, Mr McClelland's Finishing School. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way.
We're going to take a shot in the dark and say that this news will probably be relevant to your interests: the Westin Melbourne and cheesemonger Maker & Monger are pairing up to offer a tiered cheese experience this winter. A more dairy-fied version of a high tea, the High Cheese will feature both sweet and savoury cheese dishes, created and sourced by the Westin chef Michael Greenlaw and Anthony Femia of Maker & Monger. The whole shebang will set you back $70, which includes all the food as well as as many cups of coffee and tea as you want. There will still be scones, but they'll be served with creamed Reggiano — and there will also be a cheesy tiramisu, cannoli filled with cream cheese, and matched wines too. The possible pièce de résistance is an entire baked Normandy camembert served with mini baguettes to dip in it (if you don't resort to your fingers, that is). Many other cheese and cheese-themed dishes are on the menu (for example Carles Roquefort, the last of the handmade Roquefort in the world), but simply too many to list before dinner: we're already hungry. You can satisfy yours from 4–10pm every day between June 11 and August 31.
Warhol, Chagall, de Kooning, Gauguin, Matisse, Rembrandt, Renoir — what a bunch of big fat fakes. You'll need to look a little closer at the latest exhibition in New York City's Center Gallery, because every last work is 100% sham. Until this August, the FBI had these frauds locked away, never to see the light of day again. In a rare moment of public awesomeness from the Feds, Fordham University's Center Gallery plays host to a collection of seized forgeries from the evidence stores of the FBI Art Crimes department. From a Warhol Brillo Box to De Kooning's seminal work Woman, I, each work in the aptly named Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) exhibition has been certified by the FBI as a genuine forgery. Many have been classified and reclassified over the years, with the FBI fine-tuning their art crime detection techniques and nailing some big-time fraudsters. Art forgery has been around for thousands of years, from ancient Roman copies of Greek marbles to Michelangelo allegedly “borrowing” master works, copying them and returning the imitations to their owners (so Vasari says). Forgeries still plague the FBI today; this exhibition is running at a rather testy time for New York's art world, with the recent accusations against an NYC art dealer who allegedly scammed two big-time Manhattan galleries out of up to US$33 million with counterfeit Rothkos, Pollocks and De Koonings. So how do you tell a genuine fake? Luckily for this forgery noob, an NYC conservator casually inhabiting the gallery noted the tell-tale subtleties in the works, tiny details you really have to be looking for to notice. Warhol's 1972 Mao for instance, can be dethroned by the painted staples (Warhol mass-produced his works, stapling the dried canvases afterward). Boom! Fake. The forged Matisse work sports an identical style to the French master; however, the lifeless colour palette may have pricked the suspicion of the buyers. Voila! Faux. So, not dissimilar to RSVPing to a tacky nightclub launch, why would you knowingly head along to a room full of fakes? Caveat Emptor inevitably makes you question the value of a 'real' work of art, as the works on the walls are technically not works at all; they're all evidence in art crime, as damning as a fingerprint-mottled pistol or balaclava left at the bank. It's a staggering thought that an unknown artist could have the gumption to recreate Rembrandt or photocopy Gauguin. With a few minuscule muck-ups, the works are almost carbon copies of the original masterpieces. It's hard to tell whether the exhibition is a celebration of the brilliance of the FBI, the works sitting like mounted trophies, or the genuine skill of the 'artists' themselves. The works are even faux-signed by the forgers, with as much attention paid to a spot-on signature as the work itself. For legal reasons, we can't meet all the makers of these bonafide recreations. Unfortunately, that's often classified. One of the greatest art forger's in history, Ken Perenyi, wrote his own salacious story in a book not so coincidentally called Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger. Luckily enough, one of Perenyi's favourite masters to copy was English maritime painter James E. Buttersworth, a fraudulent copy of whose is included in the exhibition. Though the novelty of sort-of-seeing Warhol's Mao next to a tiny Renoir study is undeniably fun, there's something about the hand of the master artist that's missing. That being said, these phonies sure can paint. Images by Shannon Connellan.
There are a few theories floating around about alt-pop Sydney singer-songwriter Andy Bull. The first (now proven) is that the shorter his hair gets, the more attractive he becomes. The man truly is a sort of mythical anti-Samson. The second is this: the reason Andy Bull hasn't become a household name in Australia has less to do with Andy Bull and more to do with the inhabitants of Australian households. You see, we don't quite know what to do with him. He's not shiny enough for our pop tastes; he's not weird enough for our alternative tastes. He's a little Regina Spektor/Ben Folds, but he's also just a little Justin Timberlake. The man refuses to be pigeonholed. But international superstars have ridden the Bull and concluded that it is an experience to be had. Music critics have done the same. He's been invited on the road with the likes of Joss Stone, Tim Finn and Duffy. When he wasn't busy touring with international superstars, he was releasing killer singles like 'Small Town Girl' and 'Young Man'. Then, upon dropping his debut album, We're Too Young, in 2009, Bull was showered with a Cyclone Zane of critical acclaim — including a 4-star review from Rolling Stone. Your chance comes on May 31. After 18 months off the road, Andy Bull is returning to this fine city to promote his newest Triple-J-dominating single, 'Keep on Running'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JSGUxRWR_r8
With international borders reopening, it's time to start dreaming of your next overseas getaway. If you're looking for some next-level inspiration for a place to stay, Airbnb's Instagram has it in spades. Showcasing some of the most picturesque stays you can book through the platform, Airbnb's Instagram feed is full of awe-inspiring accommodation that'll see you checking out flights to the other side of the globe. If you don't have time to scroll through the account's thousands of posts, Airbnb has put together a list of the most liked images from its Instagram from 2021. Coming in at number one is a blissful wooden A-frame cabin smack-bang in the middle of the Zion National Park in Utah. The US accommodation boasts stunning views of the Zion Mountains, however it seems to be booked out for the foreseeable future. Plenty of other homes on the list have dates open if you're looking to head overseas for a trip that'll make all your friends envious. Coming in as the second most-liked post of last year, the Raven Rock Treehouse is perched high up on a 40-acre wilderness preserve in Fletcher, North Carolina. The idyllic treehouse stay is also reasonably priced, with one night setting you back $179. Further south in Mexico you'll find the Villa Amalfi. This five-bedroom spot can house up to ten people for a luxurious trip to Tulum. For $986 a night, you can enjoy this villa's unique outdoor pool, solar-powered in-room jacuzzi, garden swing and gourmet kitchen. And, over in Serbia you'll find the Mariner Boathouse, a floating home docked at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers in the country's capital Belgrade. You can check out the full list over at Airbnb's website, and if you're not ready to book a trip out of Australia just yet, Airbnb has plenty of places to stay in Australia's backyard. If you're looking for the most beautiful and interesting homes you can rent in Australia, browse through our bucket list of hundreds of lush getaways, from secluded cabins oozing with romance to enchanting stays scattered around Tasmania. [caption id="attachment_840722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mariner Boathouse[/caption] All images courtesy of Airbnb. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
When it comes to kicking back and relaxing, some people swear by a nice warm bath. Others prefer tapping their toes to their favourite tunes, having a boozy beverage or just switching off from their always-vibrating phone. And, for another group, there's nothing that induces bliss better than listening to the one and only Keanu Reeves. Actually, that last category should really apply to everyone. If you're someone who finds the actor behind John Wick, Neo, Johnny Utah and Ted "Theodore" Logan particularly soothing, then you'll want to make a date with A World of Calm. Announced earlier this year, made by HBO and now heading to Australia via SBS over the Christmas break, it's giving the world exactly what we want: Keanu's voice reading a narrative that has been scientifically-engineered to induce a feeling of tranquility, as paired with music and footage that's also designed to do the same. Ideally he'll say "whoa!" more than once. In HBO's first leap into health and wellness-style content, the ten-episode series is based on the popular Calm sleep, meditation and relaxation app, with the US TV network pairing up with the folks behind the latter. The two companies have really just found a way to bring Calm's Sleep Stories to the screen — which have been called "bedtime stories for grown ups", have notched up more than 250 million listens, and are all about calming and soothing listeners. Keanu only does the honours on one of A World of Calm's half-hour episodes, which is about a master woodworker carving a canoe. That said, the rest of the series definitely doesn't slouch in the star-power stakes. Joining him is a cast that'd do any movie proud, spanning not only Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Kate Winslet, Lucy Liu, Cillian Murphy and Priyanka Chopra, but also two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Kidman kicks off the series via an episode about bird migration, Chopra narrates an instalment about chocolate in Central America, and Winslet takes viewers into the world of horses. Also on offer: Isaac narrating an episode about making noodles, Murphy focusing on snow, Ali waxing lyrical about water, Kravitz focusing on glassmaking, Liu exploring coral and Elba heading into space. As for what you'll be looking at while your ears soak in the dulcet tones of all of the above A-list stars — who are basically guiding you through a televised relaxation session — HBO advises that the series serves up "mesmeric imagery". Created with Nutopia, the folks behind National Geographic's One Strange Rock and Disney+'s The World According to Jeff Goldblum, that includes visuals from the company's global network of cinematographers and filmmakers. Intrigued? Need to destress after 2020's challenges? Eager for whatever new slow TV event SBS serves up, after previously delivering extended train documentaries and tours of the Cadbury chocolate factory? The Australian network is dropping new episodes of A World of Calm daily from Friday, December 25–Sunday, January 3, airing at 7.30pm — and you'll find them on SBS On Demand afterwards. Check out the trailer below: A World of Calm airs on SBS daily at 7.30pm from Friday, December 25–Sunday, January 3, with each episode hitting SBS On Demand afterwards. Images: HBO Max.
Prepare to see some very fashionable pups strolling the streets of Australia, because instantly recognisable fashion label Gorman has launched its latest line of limited edition dog coats. What's more — as part of a second collaboration with Guide Dogs Australia — those new threads will have their wearers looking good for a very good cause. All profits will go towards providing extra support and boost awareness for the life-changing organisation. The quilted dog jackets are available in three different exclusive Gorman prints — named Emoji, River of Love, and Camo — and four sizes, ensuring pups big and small can look the goods. Each features a polyester shell, cotton lining and adjustable velcro straps for the perfect fit. And in excellent news for humans who want a piece of the action, the line also includes matching water-resistant raincoats for the lesser species. Just imagine how many looks you and your fluffball will get down at the dog park. Gorman's latest Guide Dogs Australia range is available online and at Gorman stores nationwide. Prices start at $39. Image: @spencerthechow and @frankiethelilsausage via Instagram.
UK department store Debenhams set up five virtual pop-up stores last month, whereby shoppers could try on dresses without even removing their clothes. The company set up five of these 'stores' around English tourist attractions. Users download an app, then use their smartphone camera to impose garments on photos of their friends. The images can then be shared via social media sites, and users can enter a code for a handy 20% discount from the online store. What resulted was a chance for users to shop in an innovative manner, and see some hypothetical images of themselves in new clothes at historical sites. This is a great example of social media and technology changing the way in which companies are communicating with consumers.
Mother nature wants us to stop using plastic bags. They aren't good for the environment, particularly when disposed of incorrectly and become fatal turtle food due to their uncanny jellyfish-like appearance in the ocean. Consequently, she has teamed up with Mother Nature, a fellow attendee of her weekly mother's club, to create a brand-new range of uncarriable carrier bags that will tempt us into changing our plastic bag usage and recycling habits. Building on their first series of uncarriable carrier bags in 2005 that featured bags emblazoned with 'sperm clinic drop in centre' and 'Phil Collins unofficial fan club', the creative company has released four new yellow bags with overlaid x-ray machine like designs that suggest you are carrying items that you would not want your closest friends to uncover, let alone the wider general public. The designs include drug paraphernalia, sex toys and weapons and beg the question of how desperate your plastic bag need is if you are willing to be seen carrying these items. Showing that reverse psychology works a treat though, they may prove to be on everyone's want list as they are so covetable and novelty. But even then, that should slow plastic bag consumption, as these can carry all of your shopping and other plastic bag needs. Just don't take them on a plane, except maybe the sex toys one; that one probably won't get you stopped, just stared at a lot. Via It's Nice That
Since it first lit up Flinders Street back in 2013, White Night has quickly become one of the biggest events on the Melbourne cultural calendar. Last year, more than half a million people flocked into the CBD for a night of music, projections, installations and performances, from the spectacular to the downright strange. For Melburnians, the after-dark arts event represents a chance to see their city — quite literally — in a whole new light. But a single night of live art requires months of behind the scenes planning. There are sites to secure, routes to plot and transport to wrangle. Managing all that — while also recruiting hundreds of artists and performers and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the night — is no easy feat. "There's a mountain of things that are taking place," Artistic Director David Atkins tells Concrete Playground, less than two weeks out from the main event. "The works that are being created for the program are all in various stages of being delivered. We're attending rehearsals and looking at digital content and looking at projection materials. We're looking at screens, fine-tuning some of the bands and the musicians, and looking at all of the risk and safety stuff." It's Atkins' first year at the helm of the festival; he previously worked on major events including the ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the New Zealand World Cup. Still, from the sounds of things, he seems to be more or less on top of things. "Frantic isn't the world I'd use," he laughs. "But it's busy." [caption id="attachment_609855" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Amanda Parer: Intrude[/caption] DESIGNING THE PROGRAM "With something like White Night you are inheriting expectations," says Atkins of the way he approached this year's lineup. "[You have] an audience that has an understanding of what they're coming to see, and an expectation around that. So we're not going to dramatically depart from that, but then we also want to give them new things to look at, and some installations and activities that they might not have experienced before." This year, says Atkins, there's a bit more performance and interaction than there might have been in previous years. Punters can also expect a slightly more political bent to some of the installations. "I think when you've got an audience of half a million people, it's really behoven on you to actually use that to bring some issues to attention," he says. "Not to make judgments, but to at least make people aware." Asked for specifics, Atkins points to Home Less, a projection on the exterior of St Paul's Cathedral inspired by "the dreams of homeless people", as well as Rebel Elders in Rainbow Alley which explores "ageism and perception". [caption id="attachment_609854" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tilt: Peony[/caption] PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER Of course, it's one thing to commission the art. It's another thing to deliver it all simultaneously on the night. "As we get closer to [White Night] the focus changes and we get into the real detail," says Atkins. "We run a whole series of tabletop exercises and 'what ifs' in terms of running the control centre…we're [also] working with all the various stakeholders as we get closer in terms of event messaging for public transport, emergency services and how we interface with them." "It's about managing a whole range of different things on the night, and being sure that we're prepared for them," he says. "You work on the basis that you want everything to run smoothly, but you need to be really well prepared, and have everyone else well prepared in case something goes awry on the night." They even have a plan in case of bad weather. "There are lots of things that are still happening indoors, and we have safety measures to deal with inclement weather," says Atkins. "We're still in a really good part of the year, so it's not cold. And I think if you live in Melbourne and you're not prepared for the rain, then you've not lived in Melbourne very long." [caption id="attachment_603012" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eness: Sonic Light Bubble[/caption] WHAT NOT TO MISS Alright, so now we have an idea of how the whole thing comes together. But the question remains: what are we actually going to get? Atkins was keen to share his recommendations for the evening, starting in the Carlton Gardens. "On the Royal Exhibition Building you've got a piece called Rhythms of the Night, which I think is going to be a really popular projection this year — the guys have gone to a lot of trouble mapping that building and I think it's going to be one of the highlights," he says. "In that same area, you've got Sonic Light Bubble which is an interactive dome, and then you've got Pixel Fruit which is an LED installation. So there's a lot up there to enjoy." Moving through the city, Atkins spotlights Swing City on Collins Street, a never ending dance marathon featuring a 13-piece big band, ballroom dancers, vintage cars and more. "Then you look at the southern end of the city where you've got Alexandra Gardens, and the White Knight Messenger, which is an automated puppet which involves projection, sound and performance," Atkins continues. "So that's a fantastic piece that's going to be down there, along with The Medusa, which is a huge jellyfish suspended from the trees." Still, of all Atkins' recommendations, we reckon his best one isn't about what to see, but when. "If you haven't got kids and you can come after midnight, then that's the time to come," he says. "If you go later, you can avoid the crowds, [and] if you can spend Sunday in bed, that'd be my advice. I'd make a night of it."
Whether you studied it in high school or just obsessed over Baz Luhrmann's glorious 90s movie, everyone knows how Romeo and Juliet ends — and it doesn't conclude happily for either of its eponymous star-crossed lovers. But what if it didn't wrap up that way? What if Juliet lived to love again? And what if her experiences from there, after thwarting theatre's greatest tragedy, involved a whole heap of pop tunes from the last couple of decades? There's no need to ponder how all of that might turn out because the answer already exists, all thanks to Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical & Juliet. A hit in London's West End since 2019, it remixes the iconic love story in multiple ways — tinkering with its narrative and throwing in all that toe-tapping music. Even better: in only its second stop outside of the UK, following Toronto, & Juliet has locked in a trip to Australia. Come February 2023, with exact dates to still be confirmed, it'll hit Melbourne's Regent Theatre. Whether it'll then head to other Aussie cities — as most big productions tend to do after their premiere seasons — is also yet to be announced. If you're now thinking "wherefore art thou?" about & Juliet's setup, it picks up after the ending we all know doesn't eventuate. And, it muses on what might happen if Juliet could choose her own fate instead. That scenario involves Anne Hathaway — no, not that one — and her husband William Shakespeare, and features songs by Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Robyn, Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Kelly Clarkson and more. Tunes that get a spin: 'Larger Than Life', 'I Want It That Way', '... Baby One More Time', 'Show Me Love', 'Oops!... I Did It Again', 'As Long As You Love Me', 'Stronger', 'I Kissed a Girl', 'Since You Been Gone', 'It's My Life', 'It's Gonna Be Me' and a whole heap more. The common factor between them all is Swedish songwriter Max Martin, who penned or co-penned every track on the musical's soundtrack. As well as Martin's involvement — including as one of & Juliet's co-creators — the musical features a book by the Emmy-winning Schitt's Creek writer David West Read. And if you're wondering about the show's shiny Olivier Awards, it was nominated for nine for its West End debut season, and nabbed three: for Best Actress in a Musical, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. An Australian trailer hasn't dropped for & Juliet yet, but here's a clip from its London run: & Juliet will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from February 2023. For more information or to sign up for the ticket waitlist — before tickets go on sale in October — head to the musical's website. Images: Johan Persson.
