Normal life can wait, there's movies to watch: in Sydney each June, that's the mantra. 2024's Sydney Film Festival has been unveiling its packed lineup since early April, including a Midnight Oil documentary to open this year's fest, a Bondi Icebergs doco, Hellraiser with a new live score and a retrospective that pays tribute to Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène. Now arrives the full program, from Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things follow-up Kinds of Kindness playing straight from Cannes in SFF's official competition — and yes, it stars Emma Stone (The Curse) — through to the usual latest and greatest in Australian and world cinema. "Usual" is never quite the word for a major film fest like Sydney's winter showcase, of course. As SFF will demonstrate from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16, every year's festival looks and feels different because variety is at the heart of its choices. And with a couple of hundred flicks always on the bill — 197 films is 2024's tally, hailing from 69 countries, with 92 narrative features and 54 documentaries, and also 28 world premieres and 133 Australian premieres — Sydney Film Festival's titles can boast a heap of well-known talents and still never resemble past fests. As he has every year that he's been at the helm since 2012, Festival Director Nashen Moodley has stuffed the event's 71st iteration with everything from Hunter Schafer (Euphoria)-starring thriller Cuckoo and Sundance hit I Saw the TV Glow from We're All Going to the World's Fair's Jane Schoenbrun — which is about two teens grappling with their favourite television show getting cancelled — through to Indigenous Aussie horror via The Moogai, which makes the leap from SFF-winning short to feature vying for the new $35,000 First Nations Award. Or, there's also Dahomey, which won this year's Berlinale Golden Bear; The Bikeriders, starring Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two), Tom Hardy (Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and Mike Faist (Challengers); and Grand Tour, as directed by 2015 Sydney Film Prize-winner Miguel Gomes (Arabian Nights). Kinds of Kindness, an anthology effort from Lanthimos, is joined in SFF's official competition by not only Grand Tour and opening night's Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line, but also by titles from India, Germany, Ireland, France, Argentina, Mexico, Italy and Vietnam. They include All We Imagine as Light, the first Indian film playing in Cannes' competition in three decades; three IRL Belfast rappers starring as themselves — and co-starring with Michael Fassbender (Next Goal Wins) — in comedy Kneecap; a tribute to Italian acting great Marcello Mastroianni; Sujo, the cartel drama that won 2024's Sundance Grand Jury Prize; and September Says, the directorial debut of actor Ariane Labed (which means that she's competing against her Alps and The Lobster director Lanthimos). The highlights keep coming across the rest of the program. Aussie boxing drama Kid Snow with Phoebe Tonkin (Boy Swallows Universe), the Kate Winslet (The Regime)- and Alexander Skarsgård (Mr & Mrs Smith)-led Lee about WWII reporter Lee Miller, Armand starring The Worst Person in the World's Renate Reinsve, Saoirse Ronan (Foe) as a recovering addict in page-to-screen adaptation The Outrun, Australian surfing culture documentary You Should Have Been Here Yesterday: they're all on the list. Or, get excited about Aubrey Plaza's (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) new comedy My Old Ass, which Margot Robbie (Barbie) produced; The Convert, which features Guy Pearce (The Clearing) and is directed by Once Were Warriors' Lee Tamahori; and Japan's My Sunshine, which follows a boy who learns to figure skate solely to get his crush's attention. Problemista, directed by and starring Los Espookys' Julio Torres opposite Tilda Swinton (The Killer), is one of the standout indies on the bill. So is Stress Positions, as led by John Early (The Afterparty) and set in New York City during lockdown. Also boasting familiar faces, The Dead Don't Hurt is a feminist western helmed by and starring Viggo Mortensen (Crimes of the Future), and also featuring Vicky Krieps (Corsage) — and A Different Man features Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money), Ghostlight has Triangle of Sadness' Dolly De Leon, and Peter Sarsgaard (The Batman) and Jessica Chastain (George & Tammy) are in Memory. Sasquatch Sunset, directed by the Zellner brothers (Damsel), also sees Riley Keough (Daisy Jones & the Six) and Jesse Eisenberg (Fleishman Is in Trouble) in front of the camera, but playing a sasquatch family. From acclaimed filmmakers, Radu Jude follows up Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn with Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World, Lav Diaz (When the Waves Are Gone) is in police-procedural mode with Essential Truths of the Lake (which clocks in at almost four hours, which is short for the Filipino director), and About Dry Grasses is the newest drama from Winter Sleep and The Wild Pear Tree's Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Fancy two films from Korean action great Choi Dong-hoon (Assassination)? There's an Alienoid and Alienoid: The Return of the Future double. For feline fans, doco The Cats of Gokogu Shrine is about Japanese street cats. Still on documentaries, Untitled Blur Documentary goes to the British band's 2023 Wembley Stadium shows, Federer: Last Twelve Days hails from Asif Kapadia (Senna, Amy and Diego Maradona), Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story pays tribute to its namesake and Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger steps through the titular pair's films with Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon). The Bones digs into the fossil trade, while Occupied City marks the return of Steve McQueen's (Small Axe) work to SFF after he won the first-ever Sydney Film Prize with Hunger. Also, if you're keen for Skywalkers: A Love Story, catch it in IMAX — it's about a couple of daredevils climbing the planet's tallest structures. And in the Box Set box seat — aka the part of the fest that serves up a TV binge — is six episodes of mystery series Exposure, as led by Alice Englert (Bad Behaviour) and executive produced by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Nitram). Screening at The State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Newtown, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, IMAX Sydney, the Art Gallery of NSW and the State Library of NSW, SFF's 2024 must-sees keep going — because if you've got enough holiday leave for it, dedicating the full 12 days to movies, movies and more movies is one of the ultimate cinephile experiences. "The 71st Sydney Film Festival unfurls a canvas of bold narratives and remarkable visions, mirroring the evolving dynamics of our world," said Moodley about the 2024 lineup. "This year, we are proud to present films that challenge, entertain, and provoke dialogue, from the sweeping landscapes of Australian dramas to the complex human stories from global cinema. The 2024 selection reinforces our commitment to fostering a diverse cinematic experience, spotlighting works that engage with pressing social issues, personal stories and transformative historical moments." "These films invite the audience to journey through myriad cultures and experiences, reflecting the rich complexity of the human condition." [caption id="attachment_954171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Dare Parker[/caption] Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information — and for tickets from Wednesday, May 8, 2024 — head to the festival's website.
Brisbane's premier destination for all things art, the Gallery of Modern Art is showcasing the 30-year trajectory of a culture that knows a thing or two about unique fashion design. Now showing, Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion will chart the transformation of Japanese fashion design from the 1980s until today. We're talking the weird and the wonderful, from street wear to haute couture. These are the cutting-edge Japanese fashion designers who experimented with genres and influences to create a sartorial scene quite unlike any other. Thanks to Brisbane's Airtrain, we are offering one lucky entrant two free return flights to Brisbane from either Sydney or Melbourne. Included is return travel with Brisbane's Airtrain, the premier rail link connecting Brisbane Airport to the city; two nights of accommodation; and two guest passes to see the one-of-a-kind exhibition at GOMA. Airtrain is the fastest, most efficient and affordable way to get from Brisbane Airport to the heart of the Brisbane CBD, and it takes you there in 20 minutes flat. Hard to beat in terms of simplicity, comfort and punctuality, Airtrain runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak periods. To ensure bookings runs smoothly, Brisbane's Airtrain has introduced an iPhone app for travellers on the go offering easy access to mobile tickets when entering and exiting an Airtrain station. To sweeten what is already a pretty sweet deal, there is a 10 percent discount for all advance online bookings, as well as great web group fares offering substantial discounts for groups of two or more. Your accommodation for this trip is a one-bedroom apartment at sleek, four-star Mantra on Edward, located only 200 metres from Central Station, where you'll hop off the Airtrain in Brisbane's CBD. You will be on the doorstep of some of Brisbane's best cafes, restaurants and bars and a short walk from the Brisbane River at Eagle Street Pier as well as the shopping district Queen Street Mall. Or you can just stay in your hotel and enjoy the pool and sauna. Future Beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion will be running from November 1, 2014, until February 15, 2015 at the Gallery of Modern Art. Thanks to Brisbane's Airtrain, Mantra Hotels and GOMA, one winner will get to go on this holiday with a friend, enjoying: A double pass to the Future Beauty exhibition or Future Beauty Up Late at the Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane Return flights to Brisbane per person from either Melbourne or Sydney Two-nights' accommodation in a one- bedroom apartment at Mantra on Edward Return travel with Airtrain so you can fast-track your trip to and from the airport To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and address. Entry to the competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Image: Broken Doll, performing at Future Beauty Up Late.
With the threat of increasing noise complaints hanging over Melbourne’s live music scene, campaigners, venue owners, musicians and councils have been taking action. In early September, the implementation of Agent of Change laws put the responsibility for soundproofing firmly on the shoulders of residential developers. And now, the City of Yarra is offering financial assistance to venues, to help them with acoustic-related works. All in all, the Council has plans to serve up $25,000 worth of funding under the banner ‘Live Music Venues Grants’. Each successful venue will receive an independent grant of $2,000 or a matching grant of $5,000. Of the 500 licensed premises in the City of Yarra, about 50 host live music regularly. “Of concern to all has been the increasing tension between residents living in dense housing close to major activity centres, and licensed venues disturbing the peace with loud music and noisy patron behaviour,” states the Council’s website. “There is also a growing appreciation of the Live Music Industry and the contributions it makes to the economy and to the cultural fabric of the community.” To be eligible for grants, venues must be situated in the City of Yarra and must adopt the Best Practice Guidelines for Live Music Venues, which were created by the Live Music Roundtable in collaboration with the Victorian Government. Applications are open now. Via Music Feeds.
It's been a tough year for music festivals down under. With plummeting ticket sales, cancellations and postponements, a growing number of festival favourites have bitten the dust. Peats Ridge, Harvest, Homebake and Pyramid Rock have all collapsed under economic strain. Not to mention, the mother of Australian festivals, the Big Day Out, was in hot water for quite awhile after Blur's cancellation. We might ask, is this just a slump, or the start of a steady decline in the demand for large-scale festivals? Are we seeing a necessary weeding out of the gimmicky blockbusters that have passed their use by date? Some 'boutique festivals' are still on the rise. Event organisers are innovating and reshaping the festival experience, rather than falling back on the well-worn formula of hooking ever-bigger 'white whales'. A trend towards restricting crowd numbers and progressive culture-making has illuminated a handful of remaining festivals, the unassuming gems with a loyal following. This summer has already produced some fantastic festivals in the shape of Paradise, Inca Roads, QMF and Meredith. Once your stomach has settled from all that Christmas ham, it will be time again to jump on the festival bandwagon, find some new festivals and return to the rituals of your old favourites. Here, we've got you sorted with the best picks from New Years Eve through to Easter weekend. Falls Festival One festival that certainly hasn't taken a hit in the popularity stakes is Falls Festival. This year the Falls team is also bringing the party closer to home, debuting in Byron Bay. One of the longest running, boutique music events in Australia, the three-day festival boasts camping, music and arts acts from all over the globe. This year's headliners include (the greatest house band in the world) The Roots, festival favourites The Wombats and the always-interesting Grizzly Bear, as well as some killer local acts such as Hermitude, Big Scary, Chet Faker and Horrorshow. December 28 to January 3; Byron Bay, Lorne and Marion Bay. NYE on the Hill If Falls seems a little too large for your liking, but you’re still looking for a sweet escape from the city, then NYE on the Hill might be just what you need. Brought to you by the legends behind the equally awesome The Hills Are Alive festival, this boutique NYE experience is small on scale but big on good vibes. 48 hours of freedom never looked so blissful, with the likes of Loon Lake, Wagons, Money for Rope, Playwrite and many more dropping in to help you welcome 2014. December 30 to January 1; 'The Farm' (95 min from Melbourne) Let Them Eat Cake Straight up: this is not your average electro festival. Let Them Eat Cake has three distinct elements working in their favour which include an exceptional line up of musical talent, visual and performance artists who will bend your mind (and bodies), and last but not least the Food Rave. Melbourne’s finest food and drink establishments such as Ladro, Storm in a Teacup, Captain Melville and Phat Brats will be providing the much needed sustenance to help you recover from the night before, and to keep you going all day long. Get excited for the likes of Julio Bashmore, James Holden, Soul Clap and Bicep as they kick off the first day of 2014 on the right foot. January 1; Werribee Park Midsumma Get ready for some incredible parties and cracking cabaret at this year’s Midsumma festival. Celebrating queer culture for two solid weeks, Midsumma will entertain and amaze with live music, performing and visual arts, community events and sport. Opening night party Confetti, featuring The Presets and World’s End Press, looks to be a smashing start to the festivities. Whether you’re heading to the larger events like Carnival or Miss Gay and Miss Transexual Australia, or checking out individual shows like The Vaudevillians starring Jinkx Monsoon, you’re bound to witness some stellar performances. January 12 to February 2; various Melbourne venues. Sugar Mountain Festival While the details are still a little thin on the ground at the moment (such as the date, venue and line up) we can happily confirm that Sugar Mountain will be back for another festival of sensory assault in 2014. The Sugar Mountain team have joined forces with the Mushroom Group to take this festival up a notch. It has also been confirmed that Sugar Mountain will not be held at The Forum in 2014, where it has been since it’s humble beginnings in 2011. Watch this space, we’ll let you know more the second we find out. 2014; Somewhere! St Jerome's Laneway Festival As we watch many other festivals fall by the wayside, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival just keeps on keeping on. In fact Laneway is going from strength to strength, with dates now being added in New Zealand and Singapore, as well as all the usual places. Organisers have also been said to have been adding in an impressive bunch of tweaks to individual venues, so that you can get from the mosh to a gozleme in record time, or grab a cider on the way back from the toilets without missing half the festival. Laneway 2014 will feature the likes of Chvrches, Cloud Control, Danny Brown, Jagwar Ma, The Jezabels,Haim and the Girl of the Moment, Lorde. February 1; Footscray Community Arts Centre St Kilda Festival Melbourne’s largest free street festival, which has been running for over 30 years, is back once more to celebrate all over the St Kilda precinct. While it is certainly worth checking out the festival over the nine days, the highlight is undisputedly Festival Sunday, where 5 stages will be set up and the streets will be closed down so punters can freely wander between venues. Some of the first acts to be announced include Tully on Tully, The Dandens, House of Laurence, and Lester the Fierce. The full line up will be announced on January 6. February 1-9; St Kilda Port Fairy Folk Festival Eandearingly known by those who love it as the Folkie, this is a great festival for the whole family in a relaxed coastal location. These guys have been putting on wonderful festival after festival since 1977, and all the kinks are well and truly ironed out to give you the best time imaginable. Local legends playing include The Stray Sisters (of The Waifs), Mama Kin, Ash Grunwald, Archie Roach, as well as a strong collection of international acts. If you want to chill out over the Labour Day Weekend, we reckon this is the festival for you. March 7-10; Port Fairy Golden Plains If Port Fairy Folkie is the festival to chill out to over the Labour Day Weekend, then Golden Plains is where you go for major party times. Golden Plains 8 is Meredith Music Festival’s little sister, so expect a similar no dickheads policy, pink flamingos, and excellent vibes radiating from every corner of the Supernatural Amphitheatre. The line up is once again the ultimate kaleidoscope of genres, with acts including You Am I, Public Enemy, Cut Copy, Flying Lotus and truckloads more. We’d raise a boot to that any day. March 8 – 10; Supernatural Amphitheatre, Meredith. Boogie Easter weekend will from this moment on be known as Boogie Weekend due to the outrageously good times this festival provides. Musical acts to look forward to at Boogie 8 include Gary Clark Jr, Pond, The Frowning Clouds, Bad//Dreems, the Day Ravies to name a few. But the fun doesn’t end when the bands stop playing. The Boxwars is sure to be an event of total destruction worth watching, and shaking yo ass at the Hillbilly Clubhouse will be going off like a frog in a sock as per usual. April 18 – 20; Bruzzy’s farm, Tallarook Written by Hannah Valmadre and Mairead Armstrong
The weather is getting warmer, and we all know what that means: the outdoor cinema season is here. Movie lovers in Melbourne are spoiled for choice when it comes to open-air screens — and from the looks of things that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Located at the Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park, this year's Sunset Cinema kicks off on Wednesday, December 27, and will run until Saturday, January 13. The program skews towards more recent films including Murder on the Orient Express, Justice League, Thor: Ragnarok and Bad Moms 2. They've also put together a top-notch food and beverage offering, in order to keep your stomach from grumbling during the film. Dinner will be taken care of by the folks from the La Revolucion food truck. As for liquid refreshment, the site will have a fully licensed bar, serving 4 Pines craft beers and MadFish wines.
Melbourne's western suburbs are set to get lusher and leafier as we roll through spring, with the Victorian Government announcing it'll spend $5 million on planting new trees across the region. The project will see the west score over 30,000 new plantings, with works kicking off this month. Under the first phase of the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West initiative, an assortment of saplings and mature trees will be planted across six local council areas in a bid to create more green canopies and drive down pollution. Spots like Altona's Skeleton Creek Trail, Organ Pipes National Park, Brimbank Park, Maribyrnong Valley Parklands and the City of Hobsons Bay are among those set to score a green infusion. [caption id="attachment_794627" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maribyrnong River Trail, Visit Victoria[/caption] The project will also aim to lessen some of the impacts of climate change by creating cooler outdoor spaces for the west, which has the lowest tree canopy cover in Melbourne. Based on 2018 stats, this metro region had just 5.5 percent canopy cover in its urban areas compared to the 25.9 percent of Melbourne's eastern suburbs. The abundance of leafy newcomers will also help support the state government's targets of halving emissions by 2030, with each tree absorbing harmful greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide as it grows. For optimal success, most of the new trees will be planted through the current spring season and next autumn. The program's second phase will then begin next year. The new plantings will complement the government's $154 million Suburban Parks Program announced last May, which is already set to deliver 22 new and upgraded parks for Melbourne's west. The More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West initiative will commence this spring. For more details on specific planting projects included in the program, see the initiative's website. Top Image: Maribyrnong Valley Parklands, Parks Victoria
When each year comes to an end, celebrating ace movies and TV shows from the past 12 months has become a tradition, especially if you worship screens big and small. Another ritual: looking forward to a new calendar filled with standout things to watch. Based on Disney+'s just dropped trailer for the year ahead, for example, Mouse House fans have plenty to get excited about. Chief among them is the second season of Loki, following on from its first back in 2021.When that initial run of episodes came to an end, the credits for its final instalment included a stamp that said "Loki will return in season two" — and that follow-up will hit sometime in 2023. The God of Mischief — well, Tom Hiddleston (The Essex Serpent) — narrates the brief Disney+ 2023 trailer, which includes multiple glimpses at his Marvel Cinematic Universe alter-ego. Viewers not only looking forward to Loki's return, but also eager to see Owen Wilson (Marry Me) back as Mobius M Mobius, can catch a look at both. Banter results, naturally, and clone trickery. Loki's second season will hit in another busy year for the MCU, which is also set to include the Nick Fury-focused Secret Invasion; Hawkeye spinoff Echo; Ironheart, which Black Panther: Wakanda Forever helped set up; and maybe even WandaVision spinoff Agatha: Coven of Chaos — all on streaming. In cinemas, the sprawling comic book-inspired realm will also welcome Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Marvels. Exactly what Loki's season two plot will follow is yet to be revealed, just like when it'll arrive; however, it isn't the only Disney+ series highlighted in the 2023 glimpse. Also included: that aforementioned Secret Invasion, the third season of The Mandalorian, fellow Star Wars series Ahsoka, Pixar's Win or Lose and Up-related Dug Days: Carl's Date, and the live-action Peter Pan & Wendy. If you're a fan of all, some or any of the Mouse House's big brands, prepare to spend plenty of time on your couch in 2023. Check out Disney+'s 2023 trailer below: The first season of Loki is available to stream via Disney+ now. Exactly when in 2023 the second season will arrive is yet to be announced — we'll update you with more details when they come to hand. To keep an eye on Disney+ catalogue, head to the streaming service's website. Top image: ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Do you like Italian food? Then let us introduce you to the happiest place on earth. Your stomach has probably been craving pasta, pizza and gelato since news of Eataly World first started circulating — and those rumbles are only going to get louder now that the world's first Italian food theme park has opened. Located in Bologna, Italy, and calling itself an agro-food park, the site takse patrons on a trip from the field to the fork. That involves six interactive experiences, more than 40 places to eat, over 100 stalls and shops, and a dedicated parmesan cheese bar. In fact, over nearly 20 acres, Eataly World features restaurants, kitchens, grocery stores, classrooms, farms, laboratories and more, showcasing everything from livestock, dairy products and the cereals that become pasta, to preserves, Italian desserts and the best in both boozy and non-alcoholic beverages. As well as boasting free entry — aka making a good thing even better — Eataly World offers ticketed daily classes on pizza, pasta, gelato sorbet, truffles, wine, olive oil and more as part of its schedule, ensuring visitors don't just wander through this Italian food-focused realm, but can pick up a few new skills as well. To get around the massive area, bikes are also available. Eating, drinking and cycling in Italy: it sounds like a culinary holiday dream. The park is the latest venture from Oscar Farinetti, the founder of Italian food and grocery chain Eataly, which has locations in New York, Boston and Dubai. And while it has taken some time to come to fruition — it was first announced a few years back, and then set for a 2015 opening that didn't happen — it looks like it has been worth the wait. Speaking to Eater last year, Eataly vice-president and Eataly World CEO Tiziana Primori said the park would mix entertainment with education. "We call it from the farm to the fork because you can see all the steps of the chain, from the animals to the raw materials and workshops and restaurants." The hope is that the park will attract as many as 10 million visitors each year, providing a boost to Bologna tourism in the process. The city already boasts a number of gastronomic attractions, including a medieval marketplace and the world's only gelato university. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou5uPuVBub4 Via Eater. Images: Eataly World By Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
Thanks to the Biennale, Sydney is about to get a brand new public art work. It's Agatha Gothe-Snape's Here, an Echo — aka the latest piece from the newly minted Archibald Prize-winning subject — and the Biennale has commissioned it for the City Art Collection. If you made it to the 20th Biennale, which explored the theme "The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed", you might have encountered the piece before. Gothe-Snape worked on it with choreographer Brooke Stamp, with the two walking through the city — along a specific route from Speaker's Corner in The Domain to Wemyss Lane, Surry Hills — 60 times. Along the way, they looked for stories and engaged in conversations. Their ideas and research were then transformed into a series of performances and artworks. For its permanent incarnation from August 10, Here, an Echo will be concentrated in one area, manifesting as a series of 14 phrases sprawled across Wemyss Lane. All can be linked to specific origins, yet remain open to interpretation. "Here, an Echo will cast a new light on this inner-city location, using language to question our relationships to one another, to art, and to the contexts and histories in which all these are situated," Stephanie Rosenthal, the Biennale's artistic director, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Put down your So Fresh CD. Crack open your teenage piggy bank. Keep practicing your Usher slide glide. It's time to bust out your R&B love — not only at mammoth shows around the country, but at jam-packed after party. A full-blown R&B frenzy is set to sweep the nation this November thanks to RnB Fridays, which will descend on stadiums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide between November 9 and 17 (not all on Fridays, mind you). The event has managed to pull a pretty serious lineup of international music legends straight from the 90s and early 2000s. And, because you can't get too much of a good thing, plenty of them will be keeping the fun going after the main show. The official RnB Fridays after parties won't boast tour headliner Usher; however it's not short on names otherwise. Lil Jon, Estelle, Fatman Scoop and Ginuwine will all do double duty, as will DJ Spinderella and Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, plus DJ Kay Gee and Vin Rock from Naughty By Nature. Joining them in Sydney and Melbourne is singer and rapper Trey Songz, while YO! MAFIA and Aussie R&B DJ Horizon will also be hitting the decks. You'll need a separate ticket for the after parties, which are held in separate venues — with tickets costing $49.90 for Melbourne's shindig on Level 3 of the Crown Casino on Saturday, November 10, the same amount at The Tivoli in Brisbane on Friday, November 16 and $96.30 to hit up The Marquee at The Star Sydney on Saturday, November 17. RnB Fridays Live at will hit Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on November 10, Brisbane Showgrounds on November 16 and Spotless Stadium in Sydney on November 17 — with the after parties taking place on the same dates at Level 3 of the Crown Casino, The Tivoli and The Marquee at The Star Sydney. Tickets for the after parties are now on sale. Image: Mushroom Creative House.
In a wonderful flashback for stoners and film fanatics, Matthew McConaughey has reclaimed his trademark role as Wooderson from the cult film Dazed and Confused. In the music video for Butch Walker and the Black Widows' Synthesizers, McConaughey returns to the trademark Bob Marley shirt and pink pants that kickstarted his career and made the film one of the all-time greats. Walker is a huge fan of the film and summarised McConaughey's role beautifully when he stated that "when it comes to classic characters, Matthew McConaughey's Wooderson took the cake… and the high school girls with him." In the film clip, McConaughey's slow-motion strut and deep gaze are further evidence that he will forever be a definitive, if infinitely cheesy, ladies man. https://youtube.com/watch?v=94b3gMZGorc
What a difference two years can make. For all the reasons we all know and have lived through, that's been the theme during since March 2020. Jump back to January that year and no one would've even dreamed that Australia's international borders would close for almost two years, for instance — or that getting swabbed for a respiratory virus would become a requirement for entering the country. The nation reopened its international borders to double-vaccinated travellers back in February 2022, so that's one step back to normality. Come Sunday, April 17, the COVID-19 testing requirement will be scrapped, too. At a press conference today, Friday, March 25, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that the Commonwealth Government would no longer be renewing its biosecurity emergency determination — aka the legal implement that allows a number of our recent pandemic rules and restrictions to be put in place — which means that pre-departure testing for international travellers will cease. "The country is ready to move on from the emergency declaration made two years and one month ago. I will not be renewing the biosecurity emergency determination," said Hunt. "That's on strong advice from Professor Kelly [Professor Paul Kelly, Australia's Chief Medical Officer] and our other medical advisers; the unanimous advice that was given to me and discussed with the national security committee of cabinet," he advised. So, whether you're jetting off on an overseas getaway — perhaps to a spot like Bali that no longer has quarantine requirements for holidaying Aussies — or you've got friends and family who've been putting off visiting, it's all about to get easier. At the very least, it won't involved getting swabbed before you hop on a flight Down Under. Also, the prohibition on cruise lines operating out of Australia will lift as well — if that's the kind of trip you've been dreaming of. That said, testing requirements for other countries are obviously still up to them. As a result, wherever you're heading to — if international vacations now look much more enticing — may still have its own testing requirements. Proof of double-vaccination will still be required to enter Australia, and masks will remain mandatory on domestic and international flights. Australia will drop its pre-departure testing requirement for entering the country from overseas on Sunday, April 17. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Melbourne's stunning Acne Studios store opened its doors back in 2014. Since then, it has been slinging coveted Scandi-minimalist garments, and maxing out Melburnian credit cards on the reg. Now, over in Collingwood, it's hosting a six-day pop-up with a heap of standout sales. Here, you'll be able to snaffle clothes, shoes and accessories — with discounts of up to 80 percent. While the label is being appropriately vague about what will be on offer, it is saying that there'll be pieces from Fall/Winter 2014 through to current stock. Who knows, maybe that pink silk jacket — or those leather white sneakers — you had your eye on a couple of years ago will be back (and actually affordable). We do suggest, however, heading in earlier rather than later, as the best bargains will be snapped up early. Acne Studios Pop-Up Sale will be open from 8am–8pm on Tuesday, 10am–8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 10am–6pm on Friday and Saturday, and 11am–5pm on Sunday.
Melbourne's CBD and surrounds could become a little more difficult to navigate in a car, but much safer for tram users, if a significant Yarra Trams upgrade plan is given the green light. The tram operator has proposed a $42.7 million project that would see concrete and bluestone kerbs installed along 38 kilometres of Melbourne's tram tracks, similar to what's already in place along sections of Nicholson and Lygon Streets. With 75 percent of the tram network shared with other road users, the move is hoped to help decrease the 1000 vehicle-to-tram collisions that currently occur each year. That's an average of three a day. As well as having the potential to injure passengers and drivers, these collisions cause delays and cancellations, and result in less trams on the tracks while the damaged carriages undergo repairs. According to to Yarra Trams, around ten trams are out for repair each day because of motor vehicle incidents. While the concrete kerbs would help limit collisions, they could also block motorists from crossing key city streets, which is sure to cause more than a few driver headaches. As part of Yarra Trams' plan, it wants to add the safety kerbs along some of the CBD's busiest stretches, including Flinders, Collins, Elizabeth and Bourke streets. Sections of St Kilda Road and Richmond's Bridge Road would also score kerbs, along with 'high risk' areas like Racecourse Road and Commercial Road. These are the proposed routes where kerbs would be implemented. Tram crashes decreased by 25 per cent when hard kerbing was installed on Docklands tram routes. The tram operator's proposed upgrades were submitted to a Victorian Parliament in response to an inquiry looking into ways of reducing road fatalities. Submissions will remain open until April 30, so it could be a while before we hear if the Government's takes any of Yarra Trams' proposals on board. If it is approved, though, Yarra Trams expects it'll take approximately 18 months to construct and install the kerbs. Of course, with Melbourne's Metro Tunnel project — and the road closures its construction has brought with it — not expected to reach completion until 2025, now isn't the best time to be driving a car anyway. Perhaps stick with the public transport slog, or just hang out for the launch of Uber's much-hyped air taxis, which are set to start testing in Melbourne later this year. You can check out Yarra Trams' full submission here.
As autumn deepens, it's hard not to think about ramen. Luckily, Melbourne has loads on offer – from the creamy tonkotsu number at Ippudo QV in the CBD to the eight-hour cooked chicken broth at Yoku Ono Ramen and Sake in Prahran, or the cult favourite at Shop Ramen in Fitzroy. Now, Suupaa, Cremorne's Japanese convenience-inspired eatery, is tempting you to try a new one, with the the introduction of a wagyu beef miso ramen to the evening menu. This steaming dish comes crowded with wagyu beef short rib, chargrilled wombok, egg, garlic and fermented chilli oil, for $26. Plus, to make a real night of it, you can order it as part of Suupaa's Salaryman Special. This gets you the ramen plus 400mls of Orion beer on tap for 38 bucks. That's not bad for a mid-week feast to get you through to the weekend. Both the ramen and the special are available every Thursday and Friday night from 5pm. There's no end date, so hopefully you'll have at least a few months to make the most of it.
Every year, Japan comes to Australia — or, as far as movies are concerned, it does the next best thing. Since starting with three free film screenings back in 1997, the Japanese Film Festival has kept bringing the nation's many cinematic delights down under. Of course, they're going to do so again for their 20th birthday. Travelling around the country with a hefty lineup of movies so new, many are coming straight from the Tokyo International Film Festival this month, JFF embraces the vast array of big screen treats Japan's filmmakers have to offer. Sometimes, that means a poignant drama about a family banding together as a typhoon bears down. Sometimes, live-action adaptations of popular manga series are part of the equation. In fact, the 2016 lineup has both — and so does our list of the five must-see movies in the program. AFTER THE STORM Get the tissues out, Hirokazu Koreeda's new film is here. As previous efforts such as I Wish and Like Father, Like Son have proven, his dramas are tear-jerkers in the best kind of way, unpacking the ties that bind (or sometimes break) families, and understanding that the notions of love, loss, loyalty, sacrifice and struggling he depicts are absolutely universal. After the Storm promises all of the above as a separated husband and wife are thrown together during a typhoon. And yes, the filmmaker proves gifted at directing kids once again. Quite simply, he's in his own classic territory. CREEPY Everyone thinks of themselves as a good neighbour, however given the number of horror and thriller flicks that pop up on the subject, perhaps that's not quite accurate. There's something about exploring the very relatable scenario of trouble with the folks next door that keeps fascinating filmmakers and audiences alike, with Creepy the latest effort on the topic. Here, a just-quit detective moves to a new area after a traumatic incident, only to face a different kind of tension. As well as demonstrating society's collective obsession with neighbours, the film also plays with another staple: sometimes the quietest things can be the most unnerving. THE MAGNIFICENT NINE Not to one-up a certain iconic western that was only literally just remade with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt, but a magnificent posse of nine folks is better than one with two fewer. Don't worry, there's not really already another take on the tale that actually first started with Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Instead, The Magnificent Nine goes comedic in feudal samurai times as a group of merchants hatch a secret plan to outwit their lord's harsh tax regime, as based on historical accounts. KAMPAI! FOR THE LOVE OF SAKE Sit down for a meal in almost any restaurant in Japan, and you'll find sake on the menu. The traditional rice wine is the nation's favourite alcoholic beverage, and Kampai! For the Love of Sake attempts to explain why. No, the documentary doesn't just throw a title card saying "Hey, it's just really, really tasty," onto the screen and then roll the credits. Rather, it takes the personal approach by focusing on three specific people and their link to the drink. It's guaranteed to make you want to sip the stuff while you're watching. TERRAFORMARS You've gotta love Takashi Miike, who ranks as possibly the most prolific and eclectic of contemporary Japanese filmmakers. First, consider a few of his most recent directorial credits: a violent, unhinged yakuza vampire flick, a drama about a doctor volunteering to help child soldiers, a high school-set, game-playing horror/thriller, and an adaptation of a manga about cockroaches evolving on Mars later this century. It's the latter that's his latest, and like almost everything Miike makes, it's probably destined for cult status. Talk about not making the same thing twice, even when you've got 100 directorial credits on your resume across less than three decades. The Japanese Film Festival tours the country, screening at Brisbane's Event Cinemas Myer Centre from October 26 to 30, Sydney's Event Cinemas George Street Sydney and Art Gallery of New South Wales from November 17 to 27, and Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image and Hoyts Melbourne Central from November 24 to December4. For more information, visit the festival website.
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the Vegan Day Out. Come March 10 and 11, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. For Saturday and Sunday, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Johnston Street, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or two) of it. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool vegan or just curious to give it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on some of its 3000+ products.
This June, Freedom Time promises to keep things nice and toasty as it returns to the Coburg Velodrome for its second winter edition, dishing up yet another piping hot serve of dance tunes and visual delights. Those winter blues stand little chance against this cracking selection of aural treats, curated by three international musical heavyweights. Descending on the Wax'o Dystopio stage for a rave amongst the gum trees, expect Detroit-based electronic act Dopplereffekt, minimal wave queen Veronica Vasicka and local legends Pjenné, Millú and Ricci. The Butters Sessions selectors are pulling together an equally covetable lineup featuring the likes of Melbourne duo Sleep D, Sydney's Lauren Hansom, international heavyweight Kuniyuki, and New Yorker Joe Claussell in his Aussie debut. And Amsterdam's Music From Memory delivers yet more goodness in the form of pop duo Dip in the Pool, Swiss artist Michal Turtle, and the lady behind PBS' Lullabies for Insomniacs, Izabel. The tunes are set to be teamed with some mind-blowing visual wonderment from the likes of John Fish (Strawberry Fields, Beyond The Valley), while eats and drinks from favourites like Alley Tunes and La Paloma promise to keep you dancing well into the night. Image credit: Duncographic.
Open the cinema doors, HAL, because a new film festival is heading to Australian screens. You won't need someone to strap you to a chair and force your eyes open with a specula to get you to watch this fantastic movie lineup — and you won't have to wander around a maze-like haunted hotel to get there either. Hot on the heels of the Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival, Melbourne's Cinema Nova are turning their attention to celebrating another movie master. This time, the one and only Stanley Kubrick is in the spotlight. From October 6-19, the two cinemas will unleash all 13 of the British filmmaker's full-length features upon eager cinephiles. That means everything from his under-seen anti-war debut Fear and Desire to the controversial Lolita to his final completed effort, the Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise-starring erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut. Discover why "I am Spartacus!" became such a famous cinema phrase, find out how Dr Strangelove learned to stop worrying and love the bomb, and plunge into the horrors of the Vietnam War with Full Metal Jacket — and even catch special screenings of A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, which Kubrick started developing in the '70s before handing the project over to Steven Spielberg in the '90s. Sure, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange and The Shining pop up in retrospective programs around the country quite often, but there's never a bad time to see these classics the way they were meant to be seen. Plus, catching every one of Kubrick's features in one lineup is quite rare. So rare, in fact, that the fest is calling itself a world premiere.
When Disney isn't turning its beloved movie franchises into new theme park zones, as it's currently doing with both Star Wars and Marvel, the enormous entertainment company has been known to take the opposite approach. Plenty of its rides and attractions have inspired films, such as the entire Pirates of the Caribbean series, as well as Tomorrowland, The Haunted Mansion, The Country Bears and Mission to Mars. Now — and after a pandemic-inspired year-long delay — Jungle Cruise is the latest to join the fold. As the Mouse House did with Pirates, it has enlisted some serious star power, with Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place Part II) and Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji: The Next Level) taking the watery journey in the first movie based on Disney's popular river boat ride. She plays an explorer and scientist on a mission, while he captains the vessel she hires to transport her along the Amazon River. From there, as seen in both the original trailer back in 2019 — yes, that long ago — and the just-dropped new trailer, it seems that typical action-adventure hijinks ensue. The film's two sneak peeks so far set up a vibe that's part The Mummy, part Indiana Jones, part every other flick about someone scrambling through vast landscapes searching for something precious — in this case, a tree in the Amazon that possesses unparalleled healing powers. And that's not the only way that the flick will be following in other footsteps. Adjusting to the times, Disney has started releasing its big titles in cinemas and on its Disney+ streaming platform simultaneously, with Jungle Cruise set to follow Raya and the Last Dragon, Cruella and the upcoming Black Widow in giving viewers the option of either hitting up the silver screen or settling in to watch it at home. When Jungle Cruise both floats into cinemas and heads online this July — the latter via Disney+'s Premier Access, which involves an extra pay-per-view fee — it'll also feature Edgar Ramirez (The Undoing), Jack Whitehall (Good Omens), Jesse Plemons (Judas and the Black Messiah) and Paul Giamatti (Billions). Behind the camera, Jaume Collet-Serra is in the director's chair, marking a change of pace after the Liam Neeson-starring Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night and The Commuter (and Blake Lively shark flick The Shallows, too). Script-wise, the film is penned by Bad Santa writers (and Crazy, Stupid, Love filmmakers) Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, as well as Logan, Alien: Covenant, Blade Runner 2049 and Murder on the Orient Express' Michael Green. Check out the trailer latest below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SphvQORjXjQ After being delayed from its original release date of July 23, 2020, Jungle Cruise will now open in Australian cinemas on July 29, 2021 — and be available to stream via Disney+ with Premier Access from Friday, July 30. Top image: © 2020 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In the grand tradition of doing whimsical things to raise awareness about conservation and sustainability, New York City is set to be transformed next year as a part of The Water Tank Project. Carefully selected rooftop water tanks across New York will be wrapped in temporary artworks which all address the subject of water, as part of a public awareness campaign being organised by Word Above The Street. Working under the assumption that there's no art quite so powerful and affecting as public art, The Water Tank Project aims to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation. You may recall before the country started flooding that most of Australia was in drought for some time, remembered by most city folk for the dreary water restrictions put in place. And we had to do that because water, one of the things people take most for granted, can so easily and disastrously run out. The issue of simply finding water safe enough to drink is a global problem, with just 1% of the world's fresh water adequate for human consumption. Those who can't witness in person the changing New York city skyline will be able to keep tabs on the project through apps and web-based media. However, after the project's stint in New York, Word Above The Street plans to move the project to cities like Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City...and Sydney. In the meantime, supporters can donate to the project online. [Via Cool Hunting]
Consider yourself a budding sleuth? Here are three questions for you to solve. What's the world's longest-running play? Who wrote it? Where's it heading this year? The answers: The Mousetrap, the one and only Agatha Christie, and Australia — Sydney to be exact. Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, it's 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, with the exact premiere date yet to be revealed, 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 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. Whether it'll head to other cities as well hasn't yet been revealed — but cross your fingers. Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap will play Sydney's Theatre Royal from October, with tickets on-sale from Monday, June 27. For further details or to sign up for the wait list, head to the play's website. Top image: Matt Crockett.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and as 2022 comes to a close, it's also the perfect time to celebrate everyone's favourite wizarding franchise. 2022 marks 21 years since all things Harry Potter first brought their magic to the big screen, so recognising the occasion while getting festive is the ideal way to serve up some extra cheer. You can obviously accio up your own commemorations whenever and however you like — or you can head along to the returning Christmas in the Wizarding World in Federation Square. Taking place from 4pm on Friday, December 16, it'll combine a whole heap of ways to celebrate HP in Melbourne, including a virtual wand combat workshop and competing at Harry Potter trivia. From 7pm, there'll also be a big-screen showing of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Wand combat choreographer Paul Harris is overseeing all that stick waving, complete with a prize for the best moves. Plus, there'll also be gongs for dressing up to attend the event — for Best Dressed Individual, Best Dressed Couple and Best Group Effort. Like getting a Harry Potter fix in Lego form? You can get building while you're there, and purchase some brick sets to take home. And, for snaps, there'll be Platform 9 and 3/4, Hogwarts Express and quidditch-themed photo opportunities. Entry is free, including hitting up the Wizarding World Reading Corner if your favourite Harry Potter experience will always be on the page. Just remember that Christmas in the Wizarding World is open to wannabe witches and wizards of all ages, so you'll have pint-sized company.
Melbourne comes alive during the summer, but especially in the period between Christmas and New Years. When there's no work to think about and the silly season commitments are done, this is the time of the year to enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer. Whether you want to venture off the beaten path, keep it local or discover a new nook, here's our guide to turning holiday mode on in Melbourne — and making it a summer to revel in. Get Lost in Nature Without Leaving Inner Melbourne If you know where to look, you can feel like you've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city without needing to wander very far at all. Yarra Bend Park offers a nature escape situated entirely in inner Melbourne. It's the city's largest natural bushland reserve, spanning over 220 hectares of parkland as it follows the Yarra for 12 kilometres. The park's vastness makes it ideal for uncrowded picnics where you can commandeer a solid patch of grass with space to spare. Pack a basket with easy finger foods such as crackers and dips and pre-prepare a selection of sandwiches made with Abbott's Bakery bread. If you prefer active relaxation, there are plenty of options too for bushwalking, boating, golf and even fishing. Dive Into a Refreshing Body of Water It's not a stretch to say the heat of the peak of a Melbourne summer can be oppressive. When the thermostat climbs, it's time to immerse yourself in a cool body of water — be it chlorinated or otherwise. Once you've worked up an appetite, tuck into a post-swim sandwich and any Christmas leftovers that are simply too good to waste. For a salty swim, Brighton Baths on Brighton Beach are a tried and true option. In fact, the enclosed baths are such a classic that the health club has been operating since 1881. It's hard to argue with 143 years of history. If you prefer cooling off with a few laps sans sand, Prahan Aquatic Centre is the spot. Surrounded by lush greenery with views of the South Melbourne skyline, the grounds also include lawns and a deck where you can easily while away the day. Discover a New Roastery Melbourne's reputation as a haven for espresso precedes itself. So much so, whether it's a seasonal blend or a trending drink, there's always something new brewing at one of the city's many roasteries and cafes. Make good use of any slow days and start them by savouring the day's first dose of caffeine. Drop in on a New Exhibition or Museum The period between Christmas and New Years is the perfect time to finally visit any exhibitions that have been languishing on your must-visit list. Better yet, maximise your time at NGV's dazzling Yayoi Kusama retrospective — it's the largest one Australia has ever seen — or take in the newly opened National Communication Museum. Barely three months old, get ahead of the curve and immerse yourself in all that this museum has to offer. Go on a Little Jaunt Out of the City to Cranbourne Botanical Gardens Head out of town and make a day of it at Cranbourne Botanical Gardens. Set over an impressive 15 hectares, it's not a stretch to say the award-winning Melbourne landmark is one you simply can't cover in a single day. No matter where you find yourself in the expansive park, the gardens cater to a wide range of interests with over 10 kilometres of walking tracks, six kilometres of cycling tracks and countless spots that were practically built to be picnicked upon. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy the parklands, make the day a delicious one by packing your favourite sandwich using Abbott's Bakery's bread. Hop Between Breweries During the rest of the year, a low-key Sunday arvo is primetime for a brewery visit, but during the long stretch between Christmas and New Years, any day is well-suited to a jaunt down to one (or more) of the city's many breweries. Many of them house on-site taprooms and pubs, making it possible to sip a beer that's mere metres from where it was brewed. Plus, you won't be far from those most in the know about whatever brew you've opted for. Stop by a couple to create your own bespoke brewery hopping itinerary. Discover the full range of Abbott's Bakery bread and create your ideal sandwich.
Continuing their love affair with all things German, Adidas' latest limited-edition sneaker pays tribute to a part of Berlin life every local and tourist is familiar with. After making beer-proof shoes for Oktoberfest, the next cab off the rank is a pair of trainers inspired by the city's subway system — or next train out of the station, if you prefer. The newest release in the brand's Originals series, the BVG x adidas EQT Support 93 / Berlin footwear have been created in conjunction with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Berlin's public transport network. Available until sold out from January 16 from the Adidas flagship store and retailer Overkill, the shoes take their fabric from the subway's seat pattern, while also styling their shoelaces after its bright yellow external appearance. It's all in celebration of the BVG's 90th birthday. Donning kicks that match one of Berlin's iconic features is one thing. Walking around in shoes that also double as your train fare for a year — now that's even better. All 500 pairs include a season ticket made of fabric and attached to the tongue. And yes, you really can use it to hop onboard, with anyone wearing the sneakers entitled to free BVG use until December 31, 2018. Sure, anyone lucky enough to nab themselves a pair will pay €180 (approximately AU$280), but that's not bad for new shoes and a year's worth of travel. Via i-D. Image: Overkill.
Heads up Australia, Aldous Harding is one of those Kiwi musical talents we'll casually be calling our own in a few years. You may not have heard much from her yet, but this Christchurch folk queen is just about to drop her debut album and head out on her first tour of Australia. Be sure to check her out — by all accounts, she's killin' it across the Tasman. Starting her career from the ground up, Harding has dominated the pub scene of Lyttelton — a port town just south of the Christchurch CBD. Full of rural charm and enchanting melodies, her acoustic folk is definitely telling of her roots. Like New Zealand's answer to Julia Stone, her music is rich in character and story. Her self-titled debut so far has just the one single, 'Hunter', with the rest to be released on July 25. And she's making her way to our shores just one week later, so you better get acquainted with it quickly. Touring Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne alongside fellow Kiwis Tiny Ruins the shows are sure to be a very chilled affair — perfect for red wine, big jumpers and melodious swaying. Better yet, she's throwing in a couple of free gigs for punters in Sydney and Melbourne. Staying true to her pub roots, Harding will be hitting up Midnight Special and Public Bar on her lonesome. Cruise by, pick up a pint and take a chance on the new girl. It'll pay off in a few months when she's the next Lorde. Tour dates: Tuesday, July 1 – Black Bear, Brisbane Wednesday, July 2 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney Thursday, July 3 – Midnight Special, Sydney Sunday, July 6 – Public Bar, Melbourne Tuesday, July 8 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Walking and Facebooking saves you time but severely angers fellow strutters you've meandered into with your nose in your status update. In a bold attempt to make the city's infrastructure suit the times (and save some pedestrian lives), the Chinese city of Chongqing has opened a dedicated lane for smartphone walkers, separate from their regular walking path. Inspired by Washington D.C. — the smartphone-heavy capital worked with National Geographic's Mind Over Masses show to open the first version of the footpath in July — the design sees with one lane for smartphone using pedestrians (or 'phubbers', the technical term made for 'phone snubbers') and the other for people actually paying attention on their walk. Installed as another safety experiment for NatGeo, the 'Foreigner Street' lane is drawing attention to the high risk texting pedestrians pose to themselves and their fellow commuters. Australian cities could benefit from this not-so-ridiculous-sounding idea, with smartphones and tablets increasingly discovered as causing a significant number of pedestrian injuries and deaths around the country. After the Pedestrian Council of Australia conducted spot tests in specific Sydney areas, they found one in ten pedestrians were using their mobile while wandering — sometimes not even looking up. You've done it. We've done it. This woman did it. Via Gizmodo and Tencent. Images: Tencent.
People dream of finding someone who looks at them they way that Michael Fassbender looks at Alicia Vikander in The Light Between Oceans. A World War I soldier turned lighthouse keeper, Tom Sherbourne (Fassbender) has swapped the horrors of combat for the routine and simplicity of his new life — and he never glances anything less than adoringly at Isabel Graysmark (Vikander), the woman who'll become his wife. In a film that is unashamedly a weepie, his stare tells a sometimes heart-swelling, sometimes heartbreaking story, and silently speaks of the ups and downs of life that everyone wants to weather with someone by their side. An intimate tale working with big, sweeping feelings as well as notions of guilt and forgiveness, The Light Between Oceans is a melodrama through and through. Not that that's a bad thing, necessarily. This adaptation of Australian author M. L. Stedman's 2012 novel is not what might derisively be labelled merely a chick flick. Yes, it may tug at the heartstrings, and focus its plot around marital life and motherhood, but the sentiments this period-set romantic drama stirs up remain unflinchingly real. The aforementioned couple meet, wed and forge a life together in and around Janus Rock off the coast of Western Australia. They're the only inhabitants living off the mainland, though it seems they'll be joined by the pitter-patter of tiny feet until tragedy strikes on multiple occasions. Then, a lifeboat — or a rowboat, to be exact — brings them a lost baby girl. Keeping her will help them become a family. But unbeknownst to them, it will also tear the child's real mother (Rachel Weisz) apart. After exploring the complications of romance in the raw and resonant Blue Valentine, and pondering the ties between parents and children in The Place Beyond the Pines, writer-director Derek Cianfrance combines the two in The Light Between Oceans, as though he's been building up to this all along. It may not be the strongest of the three features, but it's as astute in matters of the heart as it is picturesque. Indeed, as far as the latter is concerned, Australian cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, who gave the recent version of Macbeth such an icy, compelling gleam, will have you gazing at the soft, glowing, frequently pink-lit images in the same way that the film's characters gaze at each other. Cianfrance provides ample space for Fassbender and Vikander to flesh out their loving but troubled characters. There's no mistaking the actors' chemistry, or the hard-earned range of emotions they cultivate, often in no more than their expressions. He conveys Tom's doting affection as well as the war-inspired melancholy he can't quite hide, while she paints Isabel as vibrant and determined, both in happiness and in pain. Even when the film's efforts to evoke tears are a little too evident, Fassbender and Vikander ensure that everything feels, and looks, utterly genuine. [competition]598626[/competition]
When an actor adds new movies to their resume quickly — popping up in new flicks every couple of months or so — there's a chance they might run out of worthy on-screen opportunities. The one actor that'll never apply to: Nicolas Cage. He's prolific, he stars in far too many terrible films, and yet he always has something interesting around the corner. Across his now four-decade on-screen career, the inimitable actor has made many a must-see. Sometimes his films are simply excellent all round, or he's flat-out fantastic in them. Sometimes his movies are pure cinematic chaos, and his performances as well, but they nonetheless demand to be seen. But one of the next flicks on his slate really does promise to plunge him into new territory — because he'll be playing and parodying himself. By now, we've seen Cage break out of Alcatraz, sing Elvis songs, run around the streets convinced that he's a vampire and let his long hair flap in the wind. We've watched him voice a version of Spider-Man, drive fast cars, swap faces, fight space ninjas steal babies, too. In just the past six months, he's shouted expletives from Netflix, battled demonic animatronics and teamed up with one of Japan's most out-there filmmakers. Sometime in the near future, viewers will learn what happens when he dons Joe Exotic's blonde mullet. Staying in his own shoes stands out, though. The film in question: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Due to hit the cinemas in America on April 22, 2022 — with release details Down Under yet to be confirmed — the movie will follow the on-screen, fictionalised Cage as he accepts an offer to attend a super fan's birthday. He needs the money, but he's also recruited by the CIA along the way. Yep, that sounds about right. As well as Cage playing Cage — not to be confused with his work in Adaptation, where he played two characters — The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent will feature Pedro Pascal (Wonder Woman 1984) as the aforementioned Cage devotee, Tiffany Haddish (Like a Boss) as the CIA operative, and also Sharon Horgan (This Way Up) and Neil Patrick Harris (It's a Sin). Are We Officially Dating? filmmaker Tom Gormican sits in the director's chair, because if there's anything this story needs, it's the director of a Zac Efron and Michael B Jordan-starring rom-com pivoting to total Cage worship. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent doesn't have a trailer as yet but, in the interim, here's the Adaptation trailer if you'd like to see twice as much Cage as usual in one frame: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to release in the US on April 22, 2022. Australian release details haven't yet been revealed — we'll update you when they are. Via: Deadline. Top image: Wild At Heart
If "toastie" and "festival" are two words you've never really managed to unite, think again: Welcome to Thornbury is hosting a cheese toastie festival this weekend, combining your unrequited love for hot cheese and carbs with a little splash of fine dining (but mostly the hot cheese thing). While the event's main feature is the humble cheese toastie and its many variations (including cheeseburger toasties, vegetarian toasties, dessert toasties – the list goes on), the apple of your dairy-loving eye might be the cheese toastie degustation. It features four different toasties, including a dessert toastie, paired with either Goose Island beers or local natural wines. And it comes in at the very reasonably price of $30 — you can snag tickets here. During the festival you'll also be able to snag oozy toasted sangas from the likes of Belles Hot Chicken, Mr Burger, Dr Sous and dessert versions from Jamm'd and Tiramisu' Lift Me Up.
To quote David Suzuki, "Some of the ingredients in beauty products ain't that pretty". In fact, of the 82,000 or so ingredients commonly used, about one in eight is nasty. As in, a proven pesticide, carcinogen, reproductive toxin or hormone disruptor — or a combo of the above. It's not uncommon to toss a surfactant, degreaser or plasticiser into the mix. Consequently, more and more consumers are opting for organic and chemical-free products. DIY's on the rise, too, but doing anything more complex than sticking cucumber slices over your eyes and kicking back can get pretty messy pretty quickly. The good news is, a Milan-based company has come up with a system to make the process much smoother — more like the science lesson you wish you'd had at school than a cooking class gone horribly wrong. The Teardrop DIY kit is a "phytocosmetic lab" made up of beakers, burners, measurers and jars. Fundamentally, it's a distillation system via which you can extract the beneficial qualities of plants and create a 100 percent natural herbal water, which can be transformed into safe cosmetics. The kit comes with a bunch of recipes and info regarding the properties of various herbs and flowers. So you can work it successfully without a PhD in chemistry. Via PSFK.
After spooking participants in Federation Square last November, then in Sydney in December, the unnerving Séance installation is returning to Melbourne. The big, white container — with dark curtains and black letters splashed across its side — is popping up at the Queen Victoria Market this July. If you're not familiar with the installation, and didn't have the chance to visit last year, a word of warning: its aim is to mess with your senses. Participants take a seat inside the tiny space, put on a headset and are told to place both hands on the table. The lights go out leaving the container in absolute darkness and, for 15 uneasy minutes, participants are taken on an immersive journey led only by touch and sounds. Expect to feel confused, repulsed and struck with temporary claustrophobia. According to organisers, numerous participants bailed halfway through sittings during the recent Melbourne sessions. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser assures us that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. Did we mention that the velvet seats date back to 1913 and were pulled from an abandoned theatre? And so Séance is a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of both sensory deprivation and the dynamics of a group sitting together. It's a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, disorientation and information overload to affect our judgment. Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath of Darkfield (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. We're serious when we say it's not recommended for the claustrophobic, the easily frightened or those afraid of the dark. Séance is open at Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday July 11, 18 and 25 (as part of the Winter Night Market) and Saturday July 14, 21 and 28. Tickets cost $20 each and you can purchase them through the website.
Australia's border rules are changing, allowing Aussies to embark upon international travel again. So, you've probably stopped dreaming about all the overseas destinations you'd like to visit — because you've already started planning your next global getaway. But there's one destination closer to home you still might want to consider, with the Scenic Rim region in southeast Queensland just named one of the best places to visit in 2022 by travel publication Lonely Planet. The only Aussie spot to make the list — which is broken down into the countries, regions and cities — the Scenic Rim placed eighth among the top ten areas to head to in the Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2022 guide. Back in 2020, Lord Howe Island ranked fifth on the same list, but this time it's an Australian destination without beaches that caught the publication's eye. The Scenic Rim was named for its "diversity of attractions" — with the guide pointing out its rainforest adventures, "the misty slopes of Mount Tamborine town packed with cafes, cellar doors and galleries" and "hatted restaurant Homage, which specialises in creative paddock-to-plate fare". It also called attention to Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm, Summer Land Camels, and the area's "epic landscapes and charming country towns offering a tasty slice of rural life, with cracking Queensland hospitality in plentiful supply too". [caption id="attachment_830275" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] On the top regions list, the southeast Queensland spot is in impressive company. Westfjords in Iceland took out first place, West Virginia in the US came second and China's Xishuangbanna placed third. Next came Kent's Heritage Coast in the UK, Puerto Rico, Shikoku in Japan and Chile's Atacama Desert — while Canada's Vancouver Island and Burgundy in France closed out the rundown. While the Scenic Rim is the only Australian location to make the 2022 guide, Auckland in New Zealand topped the list of the ten best cities for 2022 — with Lonely Planet noting that [NZ's] "biggest and most diverse city has always been beautiful, but one unpredicted consequence of COVID-19 has been the blossoming of Auckland's cultural scene, putting a fresh spotlight on exciting local creativity". Other cities named include Taipei in Taiwan, Freiburg in Germany, Atlanta in the US and Lagos in Nigeria — as well as Nicosia/Lefkosia in Cyprus, Dublin in Ireland, Merida in Mexico, Florence in Italy and Gyeongju in South Korea. On the list of best countries, Cook Islands took out the number one spot, followed by Norway, Mauritius, Belize, Slovenia, Anguilla, Oman, Nepal, Malawi and Egypt. So, there's 30 places all up to add to your must-visit list. For more information about Lonely Planet's full Best in Travel 2022 lists, visit its website.
There's the naturalism you know, and then there's the immersive, mythic, sensorial and heady naturalism of Abdellatif Kechiche's Blue Is the Warmest Colour (known in its native France as Adele: Chapters 1 & 2). The director boldly sticks his camera in the face of actor Adele Exarchopoulos and lets it linger there for three hours, watching intensely as the ingenue lives and loses her first love, while several years roll by. It's an extreme viewing experience that garnered high praise in Europe and won the most prestigious independent film award on the planet, the Palme d'Or. Since winning, the film has encountered controversy, but nothing can dampen the phenomenal performances of leads Exarchopoulos as Adele and Lea Seydoux as her worldlier girlfriend, Emma. Adele is from a plain, working-class household, and her world opens up when she meets art student Emma, who floors her from across the street with her blue-streaked hair and white-hot insouciance. Their love is explosive, total and immensely physical. But first loves don't often last, and that's probably a good thing. Captured in extreme close-up, Blue Is the Warmest Colour lets you feel the beauty and the pain of it, really feel it, for a few blessed minutes. Blue Is the Warmest Colour is in cinemas on February 13, and thanks to Transmission Films, we have five double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au. Read our full review of Blue Is the Warmest Colour here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OLRrocn3s
Everyone has at least one piece of IKEA furniture in their house. Let's be honest: we all have more than that. And, when deciding which items to buy from the giant Swedish retailer, we've all consulted its thick printed catalogues that come out every year and give us all a big list of things that we suddenly want — and convince ourselves that we need — to purchase. From 2021, however, flicking through the weighty tome will no longer be a part of browsing through and buying the company's flatpack wares. After a whopping 70 years in circulation, the publication is being retired. The reason? IKEA says that both customer behaviour and media consumption have changed, its online sales increased by 45 percent worldwide in 2020 and its website received more than four billion visits over the same period. Given that the world spent more time at home last year — likely browsing the chain's website to look for ways to liven up our homes in the process — that's hardly surprising. Seven decades is a hefty run, and that only captures part of the IKEA catalogue's history. When it was first printed in 1951, there were 285,000 copies — all made available only in the southern part of Sweden — and the publication had just 68 pages. Jump to 2016, the biggest year in the tome's lifespan, and 200 million copies of the much thicker text were distributed — in 69 different versions, 32 languages and to more than 50 markets. The company will still be releasing a book in-stores in 2021 that'll allow customers to get ideas for furniture purchases and interior decoration choices — and to celebrate the old catalogue's history, too — but it won't be the printed guide that everyone currently knows. If you're not quite ready to farewell the publication, the chain's US branch has actually released its 2021 catalogue as a podcast, which you can listen to below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foNEPnmUAdU&list=PLk5L7f7HqQ7HAvWFx_Zd-h-iIkwc9p7QM IKEA will stop printing and distributing its catalogues from 2021. For more information, head to the Swedish retailer's website.
Not that you need any extra incentive to do your bit for the environment, but here's a fun one anyway: your mates at Victoria Bitter have just started a new program that lets Aussies swap their excess solar energy for beer. Under the VB Solar Exchange initiative, locals can turn the power bill credit earned by their home's solar panels into a few icy cold brews, rather than simply selling it back to the grid. Specifically, VB is offering participants in its program a slab of beer for every $30 worth of energy credits they rack up. And, those brews will be delivered straight to your door, too. Of course, not just any old beer lover can get involved — and there are a few tight eligibility requirements to meet. First, you'll need to already have solar panels and be connected to the grid as a residential customer in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria or South Australia. You'll also have to switch over to VB's chosen energy retailer, Diamond Energy. And you'll obviously need to be over the age of 18, so you can properly enjoy the spoils of your solar swapping. If you do tick all the boxes, you can register your interest over at the website and then sit back and wait to hear if you've been accepted into the program. Once in, you'll earn yourself a VB for every $1.25 of credit generated — and a slab once you've clocked up enough for 24 beers. Participants can track their progress as they go, with beers delivered to your door quarterly. That said, VB's producer CUB is only accepting 500 people into the program. It's also only handing out a maximum of 30 slabs per person each year, with debit cards sent out to cover the remaining credits. So if you're keen, don't wait too long to sign up. CUB is set to reinvest the solar credits back into the Solar Exchange program, as well as using a portion to hit the company's broader sustainability targets. The program is the latest in a suite of initiatives by CUB's parent company Asahi Beverages, as part of an ambitious sustainability program. It's committed to being powered by 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025. Registrations for the VB Solar Exchange are open now. Head to the website to check if you're eligible and to sign up.
Melbourne's avocado aficionados are either in for a serious treat, or are the butt of an elaborate breakfast joke (or both), with this week's revelation that a smashed avo and music 'festival' is coming to town. The event, announced via Facebook, looks set to take over a secret location in Docklands on Saturday, May 19. Apparently, festival-goers will get to revel in a bunch of 'amazing avocado-based activities' — like avocado and spoon races, and smashed avo masterclasses — while enjoying 'avocado and activated almond cocktails', and the unique works of some 'brunch-based' performance artists. Those last two points had us thinking this was an elaborate brunch-based hoax, but organisers have confirmed the legitimacy of the event and tickets are very much on sale. If you fancy heading along to indulge your smooshy green desires, the first round of tickets can be bought for for $20. Sales for 'ripe' tickets begin on April 23. And it's not just about the green stuff, either. To help you dance it all off, there'll be a locally focused music program headed up by Melbourne DJ legend Spacey Space — a diehard avo fan himself, they say. Smashed Avo will take place at a yet-to-be-disclosed location in Docklands from 2pm on Saturday, May 19. You can buy tickets here.
It's the kind of coastal getaway everyone dreams of: ocean views as far as the eye can see, decadent suites climbing 48 storeys into the sky, and five on-site restaurants manned by world-class chefs. Throw in an Asian street-style food market, a rooftop open-air cinema, more than a couple of bars and even karaoke, and it's shaping up to become Australia's new must-visit place to stay. Meet the Gold Coast's next drawcard, and Australia's first six-star beachfront hotel. The as-yet-unnamed site is slated to join the Queensland tourist spot's abundance of accommodation options, with Aquis Australia lodging a development application with the local council for the $440 million project. If approved, construction is slated to start in 2018. Taking over the space at 3464 to 3466 Main Beach Parade, Surfers Paradise, and designed by architects Woods Bagot, the new hotel will also include 580 rooms, an atrium lobby spread over three levels, and a $2.5 million custom art installation. And, if swimming somewhere other than the adjacent seaside takes your fancy, it'll boast a glass bottom pool that can be viewed from within the hotel. Plus, it's the only new, large-scale south-east Queensland hotel that isn't linked to an integrated resort or casino. And yes, we know what you're wondering — just what makes a six-star hotel so special? It's a fair question, particularly given that anything above five isn't officially recognised; however the key is the level of indulgence on offer. "Our goal was to create a hotel that would become a destination in itself, something that is instantly recognisable and synonymous with luxury," says Aquis Australia chairman Tony Fung. "We will be targeting travellers that want to experience the best restaurants, the best beaches, the best accommodation away from the hustle and bustle".
One of the most strenuous undertakings of summer is deciding how best to allocate your funds to Sydney's music festival calendar. This year doing so has proved especially draining to both brain and bank balance what with all the excellent new boutique festivals cropping up alongside the mainstays, but hopefully you've remembered that the best lineup is often painstakingly kept on the d-low until well into spring. After weeks of teasing Twitter followers with inscrutable clues St Jerome's Laneway Festival has finally released its lineup and, duh, it's an indie-dense doozy. Headliners Bat for Lashes, Yeasayer and Nicolas Jaar help comprise the exciting international contingent, alongside plenty of budding artists you'll be hearing a lot more of before 2013. In alphabetical order, the St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2013 Lineup: ALPINE ALT-J# BAT FOR LASHES CHET FAKER CLOUD NOTHINGS DIVINE FITS EL-P FLUME HENRY WAGONS & THE UNWELCOME COMPANY HIGH HIGHS* HOLY OTHER JAPANDROIDS# JESSIE WARE JULIA HOLTER KINGS OF CONVENIENCE THE MEN MS MR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD NICOLAS JAAR## NITE JEWEL* OF MONSTERS AND MEN* PERFUME GENIUS POLICA POND REAL ESTATE# THE RUBENS SHLOHMO SNAKADAKTAL TWERPS YEASAYER St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2013 dates: Brisbane RNA Showgrounds Friday 1st February Sydney Sydney College of the Arts (Subject to Council approval) Saturday 2nd February Melbourne Footscray Community Arts Centre (Subject to Council approval) Sunday 3rd February Adelaide Fowler's Live and UniSA West Courtyards Friday 8th February Perth Perth Cultural Centre Saturday 9th February 2013 Presale tickets start 9AM, Wednesday 3 October. See full details on the Laneway website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=iqkLWlZx7A4
Think that Uber has completely transformed the idea of getting a ride from A to B? Actually, that's just the beginning. Airbus has just announced plans to start building a new kind of short-distance transportation that'll really make catching a cab completely different. Given that the company specialises in building aircraft, the fact that they're taking taxis into the sky shouldn't be that surprising. Yep, where their proposed helicopter-like vehicles are going they don't need roads — or, in a turn of events that might thrill or frighten you depending on how adventurous you are, they don't need drivers either. Their battery-powered CityAirbus will be designed to ferry about both passengers and small parcels without anyone at the helm, and will be booked and ordered via smartphone apps. The project is aimed towards easing urban congestion, particularly in some of the world's largest, most crowded cities. Of course, given that everyone is just getting used to concepts such as driverless cabs on the ground and slurpees delivered by drone, Airbus will have plenty of hurdles to scale before their futuristic technology becomes available to the masses, legal issues included. That hasn't deterred the industrious company, however, who continue to look onwards and upwards. Work started in February this year, test flights of the first protoype are slated to take place in 2017, and Airbus has stated the end product might be zooming about in as little as ten years, so watch this space — or the skies, more accurately. It seems that the world of flying cars that science fiction efforts like Back to the Future, The Fifth Element and even The Jetsons have been promising us for years might soon be a reality. Image: via Airbus.
Giving music lovers Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk and Harvest Rock is a massive task and achievement, but that's not all that's on Secret Sounds' festival calendar. This summer, the team is also bringing a lineup led by Flume, Foals and The Avalanches to three Australian cities as part of the returning Heaps Good. To get 2023 started in style, Adelaide scored a brand-new music fest in January, with Heaps Good starting as a one-day, one-city event with Arctic Monkeys headlining. It clearly went well, because Secret Sounds announced back in August that the festival will triple its footprint to see out this year and begin 2024. Now, it has unveiled who'll be taking to the stage in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_918622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zac Bayly[/caption] Having Flume and The Avalanches on the same bill is quite the homegrown feat, with Britain's Foals joining the two at all three stops. Also playing every city: Griff, Holly Humberstone, MAY-A, Sycco and Logan. Melbourne will score a Basement Jaxx DJ set as well, while SBTRKT is playing everywhere but Adelaide — and Declan McKenna will hit Adelaide and Brisbane but skip Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_918623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rashidi Noah[/caption] Adelaide Showground is still hosting Heaps Good's SA stop, this time on Saturday, January 6, 2024 — but the fest will first hit up Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, then Sandstone Point in Brisbane. Need something to do for New Year's Eve, Melburnians? That's now sorted, because that's when the event is coming to town. Sandstone Point in Brisbane gets the nod to usher in 2024, taking place on Tuesday, January 2. Yes, that's all the reason you need to extend your Christmas and New Year break. [caption id="attachment_912808" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Minchenberg[/caption] HEAPS GOOD 2023–24 DATES: Sunday, December 31, 2023 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Tuesday, January 2, 2024 — Sandstone Point, Brisbane Saturday, January 6, 2024 — Adelaide Showground, Adelaide HEAPS GOOD 2023–24 LINEUP: Flume Foals The Avalanches Griff Holly Humberstone MAY-A Sycco Logan MELBOURNE ONLY: Basement Jaxx MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE ONLY: SBTRKT ADELAIDE AND BRISBANE ONLY: Declan McKenna ADELAIDE SOUND ARCHIVE: Mall Grab KETTAMA salute Logic1000 RONA. Denim Heaps Good will hit Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide across December 2023–January 2024, with ticket pre sales from 4pm AEST on Tuesday, September 19 and general sales from 4pm on Wednesday, September 20 — head to the festival's website for further information. Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
Fans of smoked meats, solid harmonica solos and all things Americana will love this; Melbourne just landed its very own specialised twang-fuelled shindig. Dubbed 'a celebration of Americana music, great food and fine booze' at Seaworks, Williamstown, brand new event Out On the Weekend promises to be one laidback folky affair by the water. A shiny new project developed from Love Police founder Brian 'BT' Taranto's fond country music memories and unfaltering love for Neil Young, the all-day, family-friendly October event hinges around a penchant for the dark desert highways of the US. "Ever since my first concert at the Wandong Country Music Festival in the mid '70s, I have had a fascination with the country sounds, the roots of it all, let's just call it Americana music," says BT. "I've lately wondered at staging an event that celebrates these sounds. One that offers great food with alcoholic drops of liquid gold at a cool space. Not a huge festival, just somewhere to get into it for a day with friends and likeminded folks." Just a few months ago, BT found a space for the event on the Williamstown shore and named the whole thing after his number one guy, Neil Young (quietly nicking his Harvest cover for the event logo). "Hey, I'm a giant Neil Young fan, and I reckon the one thing that will connect everyone at this event will be that they have all heard Harvest in it's entirety, and probably own that 1972 classic from which we take the name of track one." A hearty combination of music, food and top notch booze, Out On the Weekend fronts up a solid lineup of country, folk and roots (all undeniably tainted b a love for 'Muuurica. Right at the top sits acclaimed American singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle (son of the legendary Steve Earle), who's just announced his brand new album White Gardenias set for release in September. Melbourne's own Henry Wagons and Friends are a natural addition to the Americana-inspired lineup, with Wagons having spent the majority of his time of late touring across the desert-dwelling watering holes of the States. Californian-based Texan Ryan Bingham, Bon Iver-meets-Jackson Browne singer Robert Ellis, smoky-voiced alt-country Canadian Lindi Ortega, Wanda Jackson-like wunderkind Nikki Lane, dreamy, gravelly duo The Delines, formerly-known-as-Johnny-Corndawg funster Johnny Fritz, Sydney folk darling Emma Swift, SA-raised multi-instrumentalist Chris Altmann, Melbourne alt-country foursome Raised By Eagles and raucous six-piece bluegrass band The Morrisons are also set to take things porchside on the day. But we promised food. With Melbourne's love for American cuisine in no danger of faltering any time soon, OOTW's nom lineup is quite the star-spangled menu. Sydney's leading renegade chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz of Porteño/Bodega fame will be setting up a pop-up version of their acclaimed establishment, serving up all the smoked meats and potato salads you can fit in y'gob. Melburnians won't be outdone by a sizzling Sydneysider though, with street food legends Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck and All Day Donuts driving on in to satisfy every last taste bud. Further nosh and bevvy announcements are yet to come for OOTW, stay tuned for more lip-smacking, exclamation point-inducing news. Out On the Weekend will take place Saturday, October 18 at Seaworks, Williamstown from 11:30am — 10:30pm. Early bird tickets are $79 (inc. all fees) and on sale Friday 25th July from outontheweekend.com.au or phone 1300 724 867. Free entry for kids under 12 years old. Very limited Cripple Creek Ferry Packages available for $199 (inc. all fees) including return ferry transfer from Dockland to the event with live entertainment aboard, entry to Out on the Weekend, 2 x meal vouchers (for main dishes), 4 x beverage vouchers, limited edition 'Cripple Creek Ferry Package' screen printed poster (distributed to you on the return ferry ride after the event). https://youtube.com/watch?v=UCElUItrLZc
Well done Melbourne, on surviving you coldest July in 20 years. You did good. So good in fact that we think you deserve a reward for your efforts – and what better way to treat yo self than with a festival dedicated to the comforts of chocolate? Indulge in an entire weekend of chocoholic activities from Masterclasses, tours, and plenty of samples to fill your tummy with happiness. One thing we're particularly excited for are the Chocoholic Tours. You'll learn about the raw cacao bean, go on a mini plantation journey and discover how we eventually get the delectable products we all know and adore. As well as sampling the wares of five chocolatiers, you'll be given a ‘tasting bag’ and rewarded with a chocolate inspired-beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at the conclusion of the tour. For those who do like to pair their chocolate with a bit of booze, be sure to check out the Tasting Bars, where you can combine your sweet treats with everything from Belgian beers to Nant whisky.
Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby was, as we all knew it would be, better as a trailer than a movie. It's hard to forget the first time I saw that beautifully designed gold art deco logo in the first ad, the dark beat of Jay-Z and Kanye's 'No Church in the Wild' and the shimmying of African-American flappers drinking champagne in a convertible. Gatsby's mansion looks every bit like the epic party hub described in the book, and though the film fails on the level of emotional depth and pace, visually it's spectacular. As becomes clear in this before-and-after video, by Gatsby's VFX supervisor Chris Godfrey, that mansion, in fact, never existed: green screen computer-generated effects make up even more of the set than you might expect. Let Lana Del Rey's irresistibly transfixing 'Young and Beautiful' take you through the digital construction of Gatsby's opulent world.
Whatever holiday plans you had for 2023, they're changing. Apologies to whichever island trips or European jaunts you'd been dreaming about — you're now going to Japan. That's the only way to react to Jetstar's latest flight sale, which is solely focused on visits to two cities and two cities only: Tokyo and Osaka. Even better — whichever you decide to fly into, the Australian carrier's new special will bring you home without bothering your bank balance. Yes, Jetstar is doing one of its big 'return for free' sales. In fact, it's the first time in four years that the airline has launched a Japan edition of this popular excuse to buy airfares and lock in getaways, and you've got just three days to snap up tickets. Running for 72 hours from 12am AEDT on Tuesday, February 28–11.59pm AEDT on Friday, March 3 — or until sold out — it really is as straightforward as it sounds. Whatever flights you opt for as part of the sale, covering direct flights from Cairns or Gold Coast, plus connecting flights out of Sydney, Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Brisbane, you'll get the return fare for nothing. You do need to nab one of Jetstar's starter fares, and you'll then get a free return starter fare for zilch. Also, you'll have to fly in and out of the same arrival and departure port — either Narita in Tokyo or Kansai in Osaka. Plus, as is usually the case with Jetstar, checked baggage is not included. Still, expect the flights to get snapped up quickly when they go on sale. If you're a Club Jetstar member, you'll get the jump on the special via access from 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 28 until midnight. Wondering when you'll be travelling? Dates vary per route, but there are a few windows, including from late April through to late June, and again from early October to mid-December — all in 2023. Jetstar's Japan 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEDT on Tuesday, February 28–11.59pm AEDT on Friday, March 3 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
When autumn arrives, it doesn't just bring a reprieve from summer's sweltering weather. The change of season also kicks a new round of holiday pangs into gear. Been craving a cosy getaway, a break from the nine-to-five grind or just a chance to relax? Feel like your Christmas break was ages ago? We hear you — and, if you're eager to make a trip to South Australia before winter hits, the SA Government hears you as well. As it's done a few times already, the South Australian Government is giving away travel vouchers to make your next trip to SA even more enticing — and cheaper. Up for grabs are 60,000 $100 and $200 vouchers that can be used on experiences and tours. So, you'll still need to pay for travel and accommodation (or get comfy in a friend or family member's spare room), but you'll get something fun to do while you're there. As part of SA's Great State Vouchers scheme, the vouchers are available to Aussies nationwide, but they're only on offer until 5pm ACDT — so 5.30pm AEDT and 4.30pm AEST — on Wednesday, March 9. You'll need to enter a ballot to win one, and you can only apply for either a $100 or $200 voucher, not both, but that's still some free travel money coming your way if you're successful. Wondering about the different values? The 57,500 $100 vouchers are for half-day and one-day activities, while the 2500 $200 vouchers are for multi-day tours and experiences that also include at least a one-night stay. And if you're curious about what you can use them for, options include yoga and wine retreats, a session at gin school in the Barossa, kayaking and meditation classes, wine-tasting, a trip to an oyster farm, and a brewery tour and lunch. There's also a Handorf walking tour, heli-camping, farm stays, outback tours and an e-cycling wine safari. If you get lucky in the ballot, you'll be allocated your preferred voucher at random, and informed via text message and email on Thursday, March 10. After that, you can then use them book between Thursday, March 10–Thursday, March 31 for visits between Friday, March 11–Sunday, May 31. There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly. As well as only being able to enter the ballot for one voucher, you might have to also spend some of your own money to use it — to make up the shortfall in price for your chosen tour or experience, if there is one — as well. But, if you received a voucher in prior rounds, you can definitely still enter. And, again, accommodation isn't covered, either. The idea is that folks heading to SA from interstate will then pump some cash into the economy by paying for hotels — and flights, food and drinks — while they're there. For further details about South Australia's Great State Vouchers scheme — or to enter the ballot for one before 5pm ACDT / 5.30pm AEDT / 4.30pm AEST on Wednesday, March 9 — head to the voucher scheme website.
It's a time-travelling romantic dramedy shot in the desert on the cheap, but what The Infinite Man lacks in size it makes up for in brains and heart. In that way, the film is a lot like its protagonist, the jumpy, obsessive, hopelessly romantic Dean (Josh McConville). A scientist of non-specific genius, Dean wants desperately to give his girlfriend, Lana (Hannah Marshall), the perfect anniversary weekend. Instead, his controlling behaviour ends up driving her back to her ex (Alex Dimitriades). Not to worry though. Dean can just casually invent a time machine and give the holiday another go. And another. And another. And another. Supported by the same South Australian funding initiative that helped pay for 52 Tuesdays, The Infinite Man is the rare sort of film that feels invigorated, rather than hamstrung, by its obvious financial constraints. Limited to just three cast members and a single, isolated location — an abandoned desert motel — first-time writer-director Hugh Sullivan has very few crutches to fall back on, and is instead forced to draw on a deep well of creativity to ensure his movie is a success. And what a success it is. Sullivan's script pulls from all manner of time-travel scenarios, including The Terminator, Back to the Future and a healthy dose of Primer. Each time our hero travels back in time, the situation grows steadily worse, as he finds himself interacting, and them competing, with different iterations of himself. It's not always easy to keep track of which Dean is which, but to be honest that's part of the fun. Sci-fi fans will delight in piecing the puzzle together — and after multiple viewings, we can confirm that the layers line up. Similarly sharp are the film's comedic sensibilities, riffing not just on the paradoxes of time travel but also sex, jealousy and love. McConville is brilliant as Dean, a perpetually insecure 'nice guy' who goes from endearing to pathetic to just plain creepy. At the opposite end of the alpha-male spectrum is Dimitriades, hilarious as Dean's dim-witted, javelin-throwing rival, who can't seem to acknowledge his relationship with Lana is over. Marshall is also great as the movies' perpetual straight-woman, although it's shame she's not given a bit more comedic stuff to do. But what really cements The Infinite Man as special is how it captures what it feels like as a relationship falls apart. To Dean in particular, the intricacies of time travel are nothing compared to the mysteries of the heart. His overwhelming need to recreate what has been lost is a compulsion that nearly everyone can understand. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-P7bQ9fUw7A
If it's a feast of weird, wild and wonderful movies that you're after, then one Australian film festival has been delivering for 16 years now: the Sydney Underground Film Festival. Dedicated to strange and surreal cinema, it screens the kinds of flicks that don't usually turn up at your local multiplex — although, this year, the event itself is making the move to one such venue. 2022 marks a huge milestone for SUFF in two ways. Firstly, it's the fest's return to a physical event for the first time since 2019, thanks to a couple of pandemic-affected years. Secondly, SUFF is shifting to a new location. Accordingly, come Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, Sydneysiders will want to flock to Event Cinemas George Street to watch everything from hilarious Pete Davidson-featuring horror satires through to the latest and greatest genre shorts. And if you're not in Sydney, the fest's online program will return from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25 as well. For those keen on an in-person experience, I Love My Dad will open the fest, telling a tale about an estranged father (played by Patton Oswalt, Gaslit) who catfishes his own son in an effort to reconnect. From there, highlights include new releases by a few mighty impressive filmmakers: closing night's Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, the latest from A Girl Walks Home at Night's Ana Lily Amirpour, and Something in the Dirt, by The Endless and Synchronic's Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. And, of course, there's the aforementioned Bodies Bodies Bodies — which not only features The King of Staten Island's Davidson, but also Dear Evan Hansen's Amandla Stenberg and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Oscar-nominee Maria Bakalova. They star in a film that turns a party game into a slasher onslaught, and tears into not only its characters, but Gen Z and today's always-online world. Also on the in-cinema bill: Dual, the Aaron Paul (Westworld) and Karen Gillan (Avengers: Endgame)-starring new deadpan comedy by The Art of Self-Defense's Riley Stearns; On the Count of Three, Jerrod Carmichael's (Rothaniel) feature film debut as a director; and documentary I Get Knocked Down, about Chumbawamba singer Dunstan Bruce. Or, you can see the world premiere of horror flick Pig Killer, which is inspired by a true story; catch Norway's Sick of Myself, which also screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival; and check out a charity screening of Rhino by Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. For those watching at home around the country, SUFF's online program includes queer Canadian drama Compulsus, horror/sci-fi film LandLocked, and an impressive range of documentaries — such as F@k This Job, about Russian TV channel Dozhd and its founder Natasha Sindeeva; Girl Gang, which follows a 14-year-old London influencer; the self-explanatory Nightclubbing: The Birth of Punk Rock in NYC; Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters, about the Hellboy creator; and Circus of the Scars, about sideshow performers. Plus, SUFF's dedication to the most out-there shorts the fest can compile will also hit screens in-person at Event Cinemas George Street and via the virtual lineup. Sydney Underground Film Festival will screen at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, then head online from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25. For further information, or to buy tickets, head to SUFF's website.
One won't stop cracking wise. The other prefers to say as little as possible. Naturally, they're about to become the Marvel Cinematic Universe's favourite big-screen odd couple. The former: Deadpool, as played by Ryan Reynolds since 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The latter: Wolverine, the X-Men hero that's been synonymous with Hugh Jackman for almost a quarter-century. The movie: Deadpool 3, which'll hit cinemas in 2024. Jackman has already busted out the adamantium claws in nine movies, starting with 2000's X-Men and running through to 2017's Logan, which was poised as his swan song in the role. But when you've been playing a part for that long, in that many flicks, what's one more go-around? After a non-Wolverine gap spent starring in The Greatest Showman, The Front Runner, Bad Education and Reminiscence, Jackman is clearly ready to get hairy again. [caption id="attachment_611846" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Logan[/caption] The news came via a social media video hosted by Reynolds, who notes that Deadpool 3 has been in the works for a while now. "I've had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special," said Reynolds. "We need to stay true to the character, find new depth, motivation, meaning. Every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart. It's been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside. And I... I have nothing. Yeah, just completely empty up here. And terrifying. But we did have one idea," he continues. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) "Hey, Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?" Reynolds then asks, with Jackman strolling past in the background. "Yeah, sure, Ryan," Jackman replies. (And to answer a question you really should have instantly: yes, this announcement came with a throwback soundtrack, because that's the Deadpool way.) [caption id="attachment_611105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Deadpool[/caption] The other huge news is that Deadpool 3 will form part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing both Deadpool and Wolverine into the ever-sprawling comic-to-screen realm that's been going since the first Iron Man flick and will likely never ever end. The two characters have always been Marvel characters, but because of rights issues behind the scenes, they've stayed in their own on-screen sagas. But when Disney (which owns Marvel) bought 20th Century Fox (which brought the X-Men and Deadpool movies to cinemas so far), those business issues disappeared. Deadpool 3 will arrive six years after 2018's Deadpool 2. It'll also mark a reunion in another way. Behind the lens: director Shawn Levy, reteaming with Reynolds after Free Guy and The Adam Project. It's clearly far too early for a trailer for Deadpool 3, but you can check out the Deadpool 2 and Logan trailers below in the interim: Deadpool 3 will release in cinemas Down Under on September 5, 2024.
