The Ryan vs Seth debate incited gang wars (it's all Seth, all the time, people — come on). Marissa made our eye twitch with stiff acting and then tore our hearts out in season three (no spoilers, hey). Summer retrospectively became our life and style guru. And still, no true O.C. fan can hear Imogen Heap's 'Hide and Seek' without tearing up just a little bit. For everyone whose teenage expectations of life and love were shaped by The O.C. and Peter Gallagher's eyebrows, listen up: The Bait Shop (aka Supersmall at Good Things in South Yarra) is throwing a huge O.C.-themed party this weekend. Cue Youth Group, Death Cab for Cutie, Eels, Jem, The Futureheads, Spoon et al playing on repeat. They're offering a bar tab for the winner of 'Most Early 2000s Inspired Outfit' (a complex but honourable title) and a range of O.C.-inspired cocktails including White Wasps as a tribute to Kristen's subtle alcoholism. Entry is free, there'll be life-sized cutouts and a themed photobooth, so cancel all existing plans and start fashioning an outfit with maximum spaghetti straps and low-waist jeans that are neither skinny nor flared.
Hamer Hall's culinary offering has scored a major boost with the arrival of Pawa Cafe and Bar, a new all-day eatery heroing sustainably produced indigenous ingredients. Named for a Gunditjmara word meaning 'to cook', it's the brainchild of a husband and wife duo: Gunditjmara and Yuin culinary entrepreneur Niyoka Bundle, plus Head Chef Vincent Manning. A permanent home for the pair's Pawa Catering brand, the venue is serving up a fresh take on modern Australian cuisine — not only celebrating native ingredients, but working closely with farmers and foragers that are dedicated to ethical and sustainable practices. Bundle's inspiration comes both from the classic Aussie comfort food of her youth, and childhood camping trips spent hunting animals like emu and kangaroo. Expect Indigenous flavours with a twist of nostalgia and a good whack of creativity. By day, Pawa plates up a cafe-style offering featuring Seven Seeds coffee alongside the likes of strawberry gum brownies, lilly pilly croissants and roo meat pies. Drop by later for grazing platters loaded with native additions like red wine kangaroo salami, paired with Victorian vino and cocktails made on Pawa's own Taka Gin — a drop infused with native lemongrass and lemon scented gum leaf. There's plenty of innovation on show along the way, from the use of lilly pilly as a tart sweetener to the substitution of saltbush or warrigal greens for salt. And you'll find scores of local suppliers championed throughout the menu, with offerings from the likes of Cobb Lane, Home Grown Cocktails and The Everleigh Bottling Co. Find Pawa Cafe and Bar at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne — open from 8.30am–3pm Tuesday, and from 8.30am–10pm Wednesday to Sunday. Images: Jake Roden.
We probably don't need to tell the locals about this one, as Acorn Nursery is a bit of an institution in the eastern suburbs. It's been around since 1985, and is now a go-to plant and garden centre complete with a gift shop and cafe. Alongside everything you need to make your garden pop (including seedlings, soil and fertilisers, pots, garden furniture and ornaments), the gift shop has such a wide range that it's probably possible to knock off your entire Christmas present shopping list in one go. There's clothing, homewares, jewellery, bags, lotions, raw honey, toys, books, candles and gift cards to top it off. Celebrate your purchases with a cuppa or a cheeky glass of wine at The Oaks Cafe. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
If you fancy celebrating World Whisky Day with something a little more exciting than a dram at your local, look no further. The monochromatic hues and striking curved ceiling of Archer's promise a suitably sleek backdrop for an evening spent sipping fine booze — especially given the restaurant is marking the occasion with a big whisky dinner on Saturday, May 20. Located within the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, Archer's is teaming up with award-winning local distillery Bakery Hill for an expertly curated feast full of complex flavours and belly-warming sips. As mainland Australia's first craft whisky distillery, Bakery Hill has more than a little street cred, and this is your chance to score a comprehensive taste of what they're doing right. Each of the night's four courses will be paired with a different signature whisky expression from the range, either on its own or in cocktail form. As for the food, you'll be tucking into a technique-driven lineup of plates by Executive Chef Ryan Flaherty — think chicken liver parfait married with cocoa and candied beetroot; koji-marinated beef short rib served with a marrow jus; and medjool date pudding finished with a whisky-spiked caramel sauce. Tickets for this one come in at $130, including four courses with matched drinks.
The silver-screen experience is always worth celebrating. A darkened haven dedicated to watching movie magic? Films projected big enough to span entire walls? Ideally no phones or other distractions? No matter how many times you've seen a flick in a picture palace, it's pure bliss. And, like everything, there's a day to mark it: National Cinema Day. In 2024, make that two days at Reading Cinemas, with the chain expanding the celebrations across an entire weekend. Of course, every single day is a great day to hit up your favourite theatre, but Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 come with a bonus at Reading sites across Australia: $5 tickets. That's all you'll pay for a standard session all day for two days only. Fancy a premium, Titan Luxe or Titan XC movie instead? That'll only set you back $10. Keen for the chain's Gold Lounge theatres instead? That's $15. Reading operates nine cinemas across Victoria, including Burwood, Dandenong, Epping and Melton, if you're wondering where to go to see a cheap flick. And your viewing options? They vary per cinema, but include Deadpool & Wolverine, It Ends with Us, Alien: Romulus and Blink Twice. Two caveats: the deals aren't available for event screenings, and there's still a booking fee if you're getting your tickets online.
Sydney burger institution Mary's might be wrapping up its two-month stint at Fancy Free, but it's making sure to go out with a bang. The team will be farewelling its temporary home in the CBD cocktail bar's kitchen with a boozy, food-filled fiesta to remember. On Thursday, April 18, Mary's is getting free rein of the entire venue, taking over everything from the playlist to the fryer. There'll be a stack of its signature fried chicken, plus gravy backs galore — a shot of Jack Daniel's followed by a shot of gravy — with freebies flying fast throughout the night. And true to form, expect Mary's-style heavy tunes on the speakers and JD aplenty from the bar. Once the Mary's crew has left the building, Fancy Free will be heading up its own kitchen offering, with a rotating daytime menu of salads and sandwiches, including New Orleans-signature cult hit muffalettaa — a layered sambo packed with cured meats and cheeses — served by the pound. By night, things will be a little more substantial, and the guys are currently working on a brand-new wine and cocktail list, too. Fancy Free will be open from midday–11pm.
If you like your fashion and homewares to be eco-friendly and handcrafted, well then do we have the market place for you. The Royal Exhibition Building will host The Wild Collective’s latest event displaying gorgeous artwork, acoustic music, a woodland environment to wander in and a pop-up pub for when it’s time to wind down. Whether you’re after some delightful soy candles, some pretty illustrations to adorn your walls, or a sick skateboard for your daily commute, this market will provide you with the goods. There are also quite a lot of stalls selling some adorable childrens garb, so if you or those nearest and dearest have little tackers this could be a sweet spot to pick up a prezzie or two. The Wild Collective's foodie offerings are pretty splendid too; hit up Boho Blends and Trailer Food for a spot of lunch, or if you’re a little bit more 'on the go' swing buy Luxbite for something sweet and Those Girls for a damn good iced tea.
It's the festive season, which means good food, good times and presents — giving and receiving. If you're struggling to think about what to gift your loved ones this season, we've made things easier with a shopping guide to Chadstone — The Fashion Capital. Whether you're shopping for the wellness warrior, beauty buff, fashion fanatic, fitness fiend, flavour-seeking foodie, or even shopping for kids, we have got you covered with this guide. WELLNESS WARRIOR Suppose you have a wellness enthusiast in your life who loves relaxing, meditation, and multi-step skincare routines. In that case, you can't go wrong with a luxe at-home spa set from Endota Spa or brand-new yoga tights (Lorna Jane has you covered) — yogis can be particular about their mats, so you can't go wrong with a trip to Lululemon. Wellness doesn't just cover yoga and meditation. In this fast-paced world, we all need a little space from our computers and phones. What better way than with a good book from Dymocks, a good bath and luxe new bedsheets or bathrobes from Bed Bath N' Table, add a festive candle scent from Peter Alexander and a new notebook for journalling from Kikki K, and you've gifted the ultimate at-home wellness session. BEAUTY BUFF Do you have a mate who could legit be the next big beauty influencer? Do they rarely leave the house without the perfect skincare, lip liner, nails and contour? For beauty enthusiasts who adore experimenting with new looks and beauty products, there's so much choice out there that it can be overwhelming. However, come the gifting season, and it all becomes so much easier. Jurlique and Kiehls are your go-to for skincare gifting this Christmas. The biggest celebrity names in make-up will likely drop a holiday-themed gift set or palette that your makeup-loving mate will adore. Stop by Mecca to check out its advent calendars and Sephora for its holiday gift sets. FITNESS FIEND If you're buying for someone who spends their mornings in the gym and the weekends trekking up hills, you know what they genuinely might love? Socks. Grippy socks for pilates, hiking socks for their bushwalks and quality ankle socks for running. Check out any number of fitness stores like Nike, Rebel, LSKD or Adidas to stock up on what your fitness fiend bestie needs. And don't forget recovery. Your mate is probably in the market for equipment like foam rollers, massagers and exercise bands for stretching so they can keep their fitness going through the holiday season. FLAVOUR-SEEKING FOODIE For those who have a refined palate and love to explore delicious flavours, the best gift during the holiday season is a chocolate truffle box from Koko Black or pastries and cakes galore from Black Star Pastry. For your coffee-loving loved ones, look no further than new coffee machinery and fresh coffee beans from Industry Beans. Thinking of taking your bestie/mum/sister for a Christmas date? Visit UA Brewing Co. FASHION FANATIC Australia is home to some of the best fashion designers and stylists in the world. If you know your mate has a good eye, go window-shopping with them and take note of what they like and then race back and snag a quality piece that they will adore you for when they open their gift. Furla is a great choice for a timeless bag, and Oroton's new jewellery collection is a gift any fashionista will love. Myer and David Jones are your go-to for variety. You can't go wrong with high-quality, timeless pieces like leather RM Williams boots (if you know their size). GADGET GO-GETTER For the gadget go-getter in your life, consider wireless headphones for top-tier sound from Bang & Olufsen (and a polite way for them to let people know they do not want to talk), a Samsung smartwatch for multifunctional convenience (gotta reach those step goals), or a gaming console or VR headset for immersive entertainment from JB Hi-Fi (if you want to absolutely bust your budget). For practical gifts that provide the gadget go-getter with some convenience, why not go for an external storage device for securing all their selfies or a portable power bank so they stay charged on the go? KIDS (BIG AND SMALL) We haven't forgotten about the little ones on your list. The holidays are always a fun time with little ones running around. For the young bubs, stock up on adorable, breathable, cosy clothing that is suitable for summer at Purebaby. For the not-so-young, kick it old school with board games and games like ring toss so you can have fun no matter the weather from Gamesworld. For the older kiddies, pick up art supplies, books and stocking stuffers to make the holiday season extra special. If you're on the hunt for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, look no further than the largest shopping hub in Melbourne (and Australia): Chadstone – The Fashion Capital. Discover extended hours, real-time parking info and shopping guides on the Chadstone website.
Moby, whether the name references the great white literary whale or the American DJ from the early nineties known for his veganism and support of animal rights, is making a name for itself down on the corner of High Street, Armadale. Run by childhood friends Christina Higgins and Stephen Svensen, Moby's collective menu expertise reflects Christina's time working for Yotam Ottolenghi's catering company in London and Stephen's successful dishes from Melbourne cafes Pillar of Salt and Barry. They're doing innovative food with an emphasis on vegetables and grains and a Middle Eastern flourish. At peak times you might encounter a short wait, but never long enough to make you think about all the other things you could be doing with your day. And the staff are just so darned friendly, you don't mind the interlude. They smile apologetically and tell you it won't be long — and, usually, it isn't. There are a couple of blue-tiled communal tables — one downstairs and one on the mezzanine floor — and a window-hugging ledge if you're not ordering anything too huge. When it's warm, there is even a 'rooftop' deck that beats any wobbly-table sidewalk situation, although they have those too and Moby's tables seemed pretty stable. And the food? It's good. The menu announces breakfast, more breakfast and lunch, with plenty of options depending on your appetite and time of the day. Crowd favourites from the breakfast section appear to be the smashing pumpkins (pumpkin with whipped avocado on sourdough; $17.50) or the braised wild mushroom omelette, Frenchified just a little by Comté cheese and truffle roasted hazelnuts ($18.50). Assail the senses with the citrus-cured ocean trout; light and delicate, the trout is offset by the potato and leek croquettes and poached egg and the swathe of bright pink beetroot labne is a well-executed Ottolenghian flourish. Every element of this dish is eye-closingly delicious and together they buzz with flavour harmony. One of the only real complaints about Moby is the tempura prawn dish. It's a nice idea — crispy tempura prawns, yuzu mayo, shaved iceberg and mini milk buns — but three prawns (that's one per bun) do not a preponderance make. The prawns themselves are fine, but the abundance of bread, as nice as it may be, make the dish less than a standout and for $21. The southern fried chicken sub might be more satisfying. Judging by the crowds, the neighbourhood is glad to have Moby, and the ocean trout and the upper deck alone make it worth a visit.
Big pop-culture titles, big stunts: from a Stranger Things rift and Squid Game's creepy Red Light, Green Light doll to an Everything Everywhere All At Once-style multidimensional laundromat and a massive Timothée Chalamet mural for Dune, new TV shows and movies sure do love launching with a pop-up in Australia. The latest doing just that: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to 2018's Aquaman. For four days, the film is making its presence known in Sydney with a huge seven-metre gold trident. To see the towering, gleaming object, you'll need to head to Watermans Cove in Barangaroo from Thursday, December 14–Sunday, December 17. On display: the Trident of Neptune that gives Aquaman's namesake the power to rule the sea. It's being used to break ground of the boardwalk, and will be paired with a giant wall of water measuring nine metres high and 12 metres wide on the Friday night only. Seeing the trident is free, and you can just head along whenever suits you across the four days. If you want to catch a glimpse of the wall of water as well — which will have footage from the film projected onto it — you'll need to drop by from 7.45–10pm on Friday, December 15. As for the movie itself, it features Jason Momoa swapping the Fast and Furious franchise's roads for the ocean in that other big-budget saga he's been known to glisten through: DC's flicks. It's been five years since the first solo cinema swim for Arthur Curry arrived, with Aquaman marking just the sixth entry in the DC Extended Universe. Now the series hits 15 instalments with sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, bringing back DC's wettest superhero — plus Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Ambulance) as Black Manta as well. Hitting cinemas on Boxing Day as the fourth DC feature of 2023 after Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash and Blue Beetle, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also hails from Australian director James Wan (Malignant), as the first film did — and sees Patrick Wilson (Insidious: The Red Door), Amber Heard (The Stand), Nicole Kidman (Special Ops: Lioness) and Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett) return alongside Momoa and Abdul-Mateen II. Dolph Lundgren (Minions: The Rise of Gru) and Randall Park (Strays) are back as well, all in another movie that dives into the sea, heads down to Atlantis and paddles about trying to save the world. The story this time: Black Manta is still after vengeance, but now has the Black Trident and its powers to help. So, as well as being a father and the new King of Atlantis, Aquaman has to seek his own assistance. That's how Wilson's Orm, Curry's half brother, ends up fighting by his side instead of being his imprisoned enemy. Check out the trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom below: The Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trident will be on display at Watermans Cove, Barangaroo, Sydney from Thursday, December 14–Sunday, December 17. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opens in Australian cinemas on Tuesday, December 26.
Melbourne, we don't mean to alarm you, but right now at this very instant, there is tram roaming around the CBD packed to the brim with PUPPIES!!! A 60th birthday initiative of Guide Dogs Victoria in partnership with Public Transport Victoria, the Puppy Tram is currently trundling along Swanston Street and St Kilda Road with a number of cuddly ambassador dogs on board. You can track it using the tramTRACKER app – tram number #3536 – or just keep your eyes peeled for the tram covered in photos of offensively adorable doggos. The pups will be on board until 1pm along with volunteers handing out cookies. If that isn't a reason to skive off work for an hour, then we just don't know what is. Best of all, your puppy fix doesn't necessarily have to finish when you hit the end of the line. Guide Dogs Victoria is currently looking for 30 new volunteers to help raise potential guide dogs. For more information about how you can help, go here.
Australia loves its big things. We're home to oversized pineapples, bananas and watermelons, plus lobsters and prawns as well. If you don't pass some kind of giant sculpture while you're road tripping around the country — and stopped to take your picture next to it, of course — your drive just isn't the same. Ever wondered why we're so obsessed with huge items? It seems that we have quite the massive past, too. In fact, the country's largest ever dinosaur has just been officially identified. Meet Australotitan cooperensis, whose bones where first unearthed in 2007 in Cooper Creek in outback Queensland, but were given an official scientific description and name by palaeontologists from the Eromanga Natural History Museum and Queensland Museum on Monday, June 7. When this huge dino roamed the earth around 95–98 million years ago, it was as long as a basketball court and as tall as a two-storey building. In numbers, that equates to 25–30 metres long, and between five and six-and-a-half metres tall. Nothing that size or bigger has ever been found on our shores. 'Cooper', as the dino has been nicknamed, is also one of the largest ever discovered worldwide — with dinosaurs of comparable or bigger size only found in South America so far. So, if Jurassic Park or Jurassic World ever happened to become a reality in Queensland, recreating local dinos, we'd all come face to face with quite the mammoth creatures. [caption id="attachment_814992" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Steve Young[/caption] "This new titanosaurian is the largest dinosaur from Australia represented by osteological remains," explains Eromanga Natural History Museum and field palaeontologist Robyn Mackenzie. "These are the largest dinosaurs that ever walked on earth and based on the preserved limb size comparisons, this new titnaosaur is estimated to be in the top five largest in the world." To identify Cooper — and, crucially, to ensure that it was a new species — 3D scans were taken of each bone, which were then compared to those of its closest relatives. That involved cross-referencing with both local species and others worldwide. While Cooper is closely related to three other Australian sauropods that lived during the Cretaceous Period (so, around 92–96 million years ago), this exact dino species hadn't been found before. If you'd like to see Cooper's fossilised remains, they're on display in the Eromanga Natural History Museum's fossil collection, which is around a 12-hour drive west from Brisbane. The museum has its own onsite place to stay, called Cooper's Country Lodge, should you need somewhere to bunk down for the night. Further north in Winton, Queensland is already home to a dinosaur-focused museum — because that's where other dinosaur fossils were found back in 1999. So yes, your next road trip can involve trekking across the outback to check out these fascinating remnants of the earth's past. Life finds a way, obviously. Find the Eromanga Natural History Museum at 1 Dinosaur Drive, Eromanga — open from 9am–5pm daily. Top image: Eromanga Natural History Museum.
After years selling their delicious delights at Night Noodle Markets all over the country, the geniuses behind Hoy Pinoy’s much-loved Filipino BBQ are setting up a permanent restaurant and bar. It's called Frankie Says and you'll find it tucked behind an apartment building complex in an obscure part of Richmond. The hidden-away location has some cracking advantages. First up, it's right on the Yarra River, so you get serene water views and bush vibes with your feast. Secondly, it's just over the road from IKEA. And it's way less crowded and frenetic than most other spots in the city — at least for now. Founders Megan Phillis and James Meehan designed the eatery to make diners feel like they're walking into a private kitchen. "Opening Frankie Says is like inviting people into our home," Megan says. "This is how we love to eat, with flavour, sharing and laughter turned up high." "We want Frankie Says to be somewhere people can feel totally relaxed as they enjoy a champagne brunch, catch up with friends over an afternoon antipasto, or simply take a moment to themselves in the leafy surrounds with a cup of coffee." The cheery, light-filled, high-ceilinged venue features solid timber pillars and glass walls, which open onto a vast, sunny, outdoor area overlooking the river. Inside, the feel is chic but informal, with hardwood floors, rendered concrete walls, mosaic tiles and pendant lighting. Meanwhile, the menu is designed to encourage repeat visits. Its ever-changing selection of yumminess include antipasto boards, house-made stone-oven pizzas and tasty breakfasts, like a deep dish pancake and truffle eggs with artichoke paste. They also have their own table wines: a 2013 sauvignon blanc and a 2012 cab sav, both from South Australia. You'll find Frankie Says at 15 Acacia Place, Abbotsford. It’s open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, from 7am - 4pm on weekdays and 8am - 5pm on weekends. Keep an eye out for dinner, which is set to happen soon.
Since Australian cinemas started reopening more than 12 months ago, following the country's first nationwide lockdown, new films have been hitting the big screen each and every week. But, depending on whether another round of stay-at-home conditions happen to be in place, or even just restrictions, heading to the flicks hasn't been as straightforward a pastime as it was before we'd all ever heard of COVID-19. Even if you're the biggest movie buff there is, that means that you probably haven't been to the cinema as much as you normally would've. If you're the kind of film-goer who is happy to just head along every now and then, you might've been more selective with your viewing choices. Or, juggling your schedule to fit in a trip to the pictures mightn't have been your biggest priority. Thankfully, a heap of the past year's cinema gems have now made their way to various streaming platforms, so you can catch up on plenty of great movies at home. Here's 12 that'll keep you busy right this moment — whether you're in lockdown, the weather is average or you just feel like some extended couch time. AMERICAN UTOPIA There may be no catchier lyric in music history than "same as it ever was", the five words repeated in Talking Heads' 1981 single 'Once in a Lifetime'. As uttered again and again by the band's inimitable frontman David Byrne, it's a looping phrase that burrows into your skull and never leaves. So when American Utopia opens with the musician sat at a table holding a brain and talking about what its various parts do, it feels as if Byrne is acknowledging what everyone already knows in the deepest recesses of their consciousness: that Byrne long ago got cosy in our craniums and has been nattering away to us ever since. As he stares at grey matter while wearing a grey suit — a perfectly fitting one, unlike the famed big number he wore in iconic 1984 Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense — he has something else on his mind, however. American Utopia starts with the part of our bodies where we all mentally reside, but slowly and smartly evolves from the cerebral to the communal. It segues from one man alone on a stage lost in his own thoughts to 12 people singing, dancing, playing instruments and connecting, and also pondering the state of the world and how to better it in the process. And it takes its titular concept seriously along the way, confronting America's political and social divisions in Byrne's witty, wise and impassioned between-song chats, but never satirising the idea that the US could be improved to the benefit of everyone. American Utopia is a concert film like its predecessor but, as that masterpiece proved, the whole notion means more to Byrne than merely standing in front of a camera and busting out well-known hits.From the sublimely soothing 'This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)' to the punchier 'Burning Down the House', plenty of Byrne's best-known songs do grace American Utopia. 'Once in a Lifetime' is among them, of course, as are 'Road to Nowhere' and 'Everybody's Coming to My House', with the film's playlist spanning his career with Talking Heads and solo. Across a range of styles and tempos, each track is a wonder, and not just in the way that fans already know. As should be obvious from the way in which Byrne has conceptualised this stage performance — which he toured in 2018, then adapted for Broadway in 2019, and has now turned into this standout movie directed by Spike Lee — this is a meticulously crafted work. Basking in the glory of Byrne and his band is inevitable and would happen regardless, but soaking in everything that American Utopia does is another marvel entirely. Before the film forces you to do so, you probably won't have realised how enlivening, wondrous and cathartic it is to see the act of connecting so firmly thrust to the fore. It takes an incredible amount of work to make something so tightly constructed seem so loose and natural, and that's just one of the reasons that American Utopia is yet another of the star's masterpieces. American Utopia is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video and Binge. Read our full review. BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC When it comes to goofy and sweet movie concepts handled with sincerity, the Bill & Ted franchise has always proven most triumphant. In 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the big-screen comedy series introduced the world to Californian high schoolers Bill S Preston, Esq (Alex Winter) and Ted 'Theodore' Logan (Keanu Reeves), who are apparently destined to write the rock song that unites the universe — if they can first pass their history exam by travelling back in time in a phone booth to recruit famed past figures like Beethoven and Socrates to help, that is. The idea that Bill & Ted's affable, air guitar-playing slackers would become the world's salvation was a joke that the film itself was in on, and the movie struck the right balance of silliness, earnestness and affection as a result. So, the end product was joyous. And, it inspired two follow-ups: 1991's even loopier but still entertaining Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and now Bill & Ted Face the Music's affectionate dose of warm-hearted lunacy almost three decades later. Bill (Winter) and Ted (Reeves) are back, obviously. They're older, definitely not wiser, and yet again take a few leaps through time. The fate of life as everyone knows it is still at stake. And, as always, the loveable pair's motto — "be excellent to each other" — is pivotal. Combine all of the above with marital malaise, chip-off-the-old-block daughters Theadora (Ready or Not's Samara Weaving) and Wilhelmina (Atypical's Brigette Lundy-Paine), multiple Bills and Teds, and a 77-minute deadline to write the tune the changes the future, and Face the Music saunters casually forward with a purposeful sense of familiarity. Thankfully, though, this film isn't merely trying to relive past glories. In fact, the very notion that some dreams don't come true sits at the core of this tender and loving movie. Naturally, it's a delight to see Winter and Reeves reprise their roles. They step back into Bill and Ted's shoes with ease, expertly conveying the characters' lingering immaturity, middle-aged malaise and ever-present kindness. They're also clearly having a blast as different versions of the duo, and their enthusiasm is infectious. But when Face the Music finds a plethora of ways to illustrate the merits of their characters' optimistic and warm mindset, it's at its best. Far from bogus, the heartfelt happiness it brings is 100-percent excellent. Bill & Ted Face the Music is available to stream via Stan. Read our full review. KAJILLIONAIRE When Evan Rachel Wood played a troubled teen in 2003's Thirteen, the then 16-year-old received a Golden Globe nomination. For her work in Westworld since 2016, she has nabbed multiple Emmy nods. So when we say that the actor puts in her best performance yet in Kajillionaire — the type of portrayal that deserves several shiny trophies — that observation isn't made lightly. Playing a 26-year-old con artist called Old Dolio Dyne, Wood is anxious but yearning, closed-off yet vulnerable, and forceful as well as unsure all at once. Her character has spent her entire life being schooled in pulling off quick scams by her eccentric parents Robert (Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water) and Theresa (Debra Winger, The Lovers), who she still lives with, and she's stuck navigating her own street-wise brand of arrested development. Old Dolio knows how to blend in, with her baggy clothes, curtain of long hair and low-toned voice. She also knows how to avoid security cameras in physical feats that wouldn't look out of place in a slapstick comedy, and how to charm kindly folks out of reward money. But she has never been allowed to truly be her own person — and, from the moment that Wood is seen on-screen, that mournful truth is immediately evident. Kajillionaire introduces Old Dolio, Robert and Theresa as they're falling back on one of their most reliable swindles: stealing packages from post office boxes. But two developments drive its narrative, and make Old Dolio realise that she's far more than just the third part of a trio. Firstly, to make a quick $20 to help cover overdue rent, she agrees to attend a parenting class for someone she meets on the street, and is struck by how far removed its teachings are from her own experiences. Secondly, on a return flight back to Los Angeles from New York as part of a travel insurance grift, her parents meet and befriend outgoing optometrist's assistant Melanie (Gina Rodriguez, Annihilation). So accustomed to playing the role dictated to her by Robert and Theresa, and never deviating from it, Old Dolio isn't prepared for the emotions stirred up by both changes to her status quo. But July's poignant and perceptive movie — a film that's a quirky heist flick, a playful but shrewd exploration of family bonds, and a sweet love story — is perfectly, mesmerisingly equipped to navigate her protagonist's efforts to reach beyond the only loved ones and the only type of life she has ever known. In fact, the result is one of the most distinctive, empathetic and engaging movies of the year. Kajillionaire is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video and Binge. Read our full review. THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF Asked why he broke into Oslo's Gallery Nobel in 2015 and stole two large oil paintings in broad daylight, Karl-Bertil Nordland gives perhaps the most honest answer anyone could: "because they were beautiful". He isn't responding to the police or providing an excuse during his court appearance, but speaking to Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova, who wanted answers about the theft of her work. Captured on camera, the pilfering of Kysilkova's Swan Song and Chloe & Emma initially appeared to be a professional job. As the two pieces were removed from their frames in such an exacting manner, it was presumed that experts were behind the crime. But Nordland and his accomplice didn't plan their brazen heist, or have a background in purloining art. Thanks to the effect of illicit substances, Nordland can't even remember much about it, let alone recall what happened to the stolen works that Kysilkova desperately wants back. That said, as the thief tells the painter when she first talks with him, he does know that he walked past Gallery Nobel often. He's aware that he saw her photorealistic pieces — the first of a dead swan lying in reeds, the second of two girls sat side by side on a couch — many times, too. And, he's candid about the fact that he marvelled at and was moved by the two canvases long before he absconded with them. As a result, he doesn't seem surprised that his life led him to that juncture, and to snatching Kysilkova's creations. A victim confronts a perpetrator: that's The Painter and the Thief's five-word summary, and it's 100-percent accurate. But such a brief description can't convey how fascinating, thoughtful, moving and astonishing this documentary is as it unfurls a tale so layered and wild that it can only be true — a story that stretches far beyond what anyone could feasibly anticipate of such an altercation and its aftermath, in fact. Nordland was arrested and charged for his crime, with Kysilkova initially making contact with him at his trial. From there, the skilled carpenter and heavily tattooed addict unexpectedly gained a friend in the woman whose works he took. Kysilkova first asked to paint Nordland as part of her attempts to understand him, and he then became her muse. As all relationships do, especially ones forged under such unusual circumstances, their connection evolved, adapted and changed from there. As Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree (Magnus) pointed a camera in their direction for three years, the duo weathered their own ups, downs, twists and turns, as did their friendship. If Nordland's reply to Kysilkova feels disarmingly frank and unguarded, that's because it is. The same tone remains throughout The Painter and the Thief's entire duration. Absent the usual tropes and stylistic markers that true-crime documentaries are known for, the film eschews the standard mix of talking heads, re-enactments and explanatory narration in favour of truly observing and stepping inside its subjects' unique bond. The Painter and the Thief is available to stream via Docplay. Read our full review. BABY DONE A relic of a time when women were considered wives, mothers and little else, the public need to comment on whether someone has a baby or is planning to have a baby is flat-out garbage behaviour. In your twenties or thirties, and in a couple? Yet to procreate? If so, the world at large apparently thinks that it's completely acceptable to ask questions, make its judgement known and demand answers. Baby Done offers a great take on this kind of situation. Surrounded by proud new parents and parents-to-be at a baby shower, Zoe (Rose Matafeo) refuses to smile and nod along with all the polite cooing over infants — existing and yet to make their way into the world — and smug discussions about the joys of creating life. An arborist more interested in scaling trees at both the national and world championships than starting a family, she simply refuses to temper who she is to fit society's cookie-cutter expectations. Her partner Tim (the Harry Potter franchise's Matthew Lewis, worlds away from his time as Neville Longbottom) is on the same wavelength, and they visibly have more fun than everyone else at the party. With a title such as Baby Done, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise when this New Zealand comedy soon upsets Zoe and Tim's status quo. She discovers that she's expecting and, while he starts dutifully preparing to an almost unnervingly sensible extent, she also struggles to face the change that's coming their way. Comedies about the trials and tribulations of parenthood, and of the journey to become parents, are almost as common as people asking "when are you two having kids?" without prompting at parties. But this addition to the genre from director Curtis Vowell and screenwriter Sophie Henderson (both veterans of 2013 film Fantail) approaches a well-worn topic from a savvy angle. Zoe clearly isn't a stereotypical mother-to-be, and doesn't experience the stereotypical feelings women have been told they're supposed to feel about having children — and Baby Done leans into that fact. Also pivotal in her first big-screen lead role is comedian Matafeo. Indeed, it's easy to wonder whether the movie would've worked so engagingly and thoughtfully with someone else as its star. Brightly shot and breezily toned, there's still much about Baby Done that's familiar; however, charting one woman's pregnancy experience, and her backlash to the widely accepted notion that motherhood is the be all and end all of a woman's life, proves poignant and charming more often than not here. Baby Done is available to stream via Stan. Read our full review. COLLECTIVE We can only hope that one day, likely in a far distant future, documentaries will stop doubling as horror films. That time hasn't arrived yet — and as Collective demonstrates, cinema's factual genre can chill viewers to the bone more effectively than most jump- and bump-based fare. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature at the 2021 Academy Awards (only the second time that's ever happened, after last year's Honeyland), this gripping and gut-wrenching Romanian doco starts with a terrible tragedy. On October 30, 2015, a fire broke out at a metal gig in Bucharest, at a club called Colectiv. Twenty-seven people died in the blaze, and 180 people were injured as they tried to escape via the site's lone exit; however, that's just the beginning of the movie's tale. In the four months afterwards, as burn victims were treated in the country's public hospitals, 37 more passed away. When journalist Cătălin Tolontan and his team at The Sports Gazette started investigating the fire's aftermath and the mounting casualty list, they uncovered not only widespread failures throughout Romania's health system, but also engrained corruption as well. This truly is nightmare fuel; if people can't trust hospitals to act in their patients' best interest after such a sizeable disaster, one of the fundamental tenets of modern society completely collapses. Early in Collective, director, writer, cinematographer and editor Alexander Nanau (Toto and His Sisters) shows the flames, as seen from inside the club. When the blaze sparks from the show's pyrotechnics, hardcore band Goodbye to Gravity has just finished singing about corruption. "Fuck all your wicked corruption! It's been there since our inception but we couldn't see," the group's singer growls — and no, you can't make this up. It's a difficult moment to watch, but this is a film filled with unflinching sights, and with a viscerally unsettling story that demands attention. Nanau occasionally spends time with the bereaved and angry parents of victims of the fire, even bookending the documentary with one man's distress over the "communication error" that contributed to his son's death. The filmmaker charts a photo shoot with Tedy Ursuleanu, a survivor visibly scarred by her ordeal, too. And yet, taking an observational approach free from narration and interviews, and with only the scantest use of text on-screen, Collective's filmmaker lets much of what's said rustle up the majority of the movie's ghastliest inclusions. Collective available to stream via Docplay. Read our full review. NOMADLAND Frances McDormand is a gift of an actor. Point a camera her way, and a performance so rich that it feels not just believable but tangible floats across the screen. That's true whether she's playing overt or understated characters, or balancing those two extremes. In Fargo, the first film that earned her an Oscar, McDormand is distinctive but grounded, spouting midwestern phrases like "you betcha" but inhabiting her part with texture and sincerity. In Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, her next Academy Award-winning role, she's an impassioned mother crusading for justice and vengeance, and she ripples with deep-seated sorrow mixed with anger so fiery that it may as well be burning away her insides. Now, in Nomadland, McDormand feels stripped bare and still a commanding force to be reckoned with. She's tasked with a plucky but struggling part — defiant and determined, too; knocked around by life's ups and downs, noticeably; and, crucially, cognisant that valuing the small pleasures is the hardest but most rewarding feat. It'll earned her another shiny Oscar just three years after her last, in fact. Along with the attention the movie received at the Golden Globes as well, this is highly deserved outcome, because hers is an exceptional performance and this was easily 2020's best film. Here, leading a cast that also includes real people experiencing the existence that's fictionalised within the narrative, she plays the widowed, van-dwelling Fern — a woman who takes to the road, and to the nomad life, after the small middle-America spot where she spent her married years turns into a ghost town when the local mine is shuttered due to the global financial crisis. A slab of on-screen text explains her predicament, with the film then jumping into the aftermath. Following her travels over the course of more than a year, this humanist drama serves up an observational portrait of those that society happily overlooks. It's both deeply intimate and almost disarmingly empathetic in the process, as every movie made by Chloe Zhao is. This is only the writer/director's third, slotting in after 2015's Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017's The Rider but before 2021's Marvel flick Eternals, but it's a feature of contemplative and authentic insights into the concepts of home, identity and community. Meticulously crafted, shot and performed, it truly sees everyone in its frames, be they fictional or real. Nomandland understands their plights, and ensures its audience understands them as well. It's exquisitely layered, because its protagonist, those around her and their lives earn the same term — and Zhao never forgets that, or lets her viewers either. Nomadland is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. FIRESTARTER — THE STORY OF BANGARRA More than three decades since it was first formed, Bangarra Dance Theatre is still going strong. In just the last ten years alone, the Sydney-based organisation has unleashed the beauty and potency of works such as Blak, Patyegarang, Lore, OUR land people stories, Bennelong and Dark Emu across Australia's stages, and repeatedly confronted the nation's colonial history head-on in the process. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts outfit, it can't avoid it. It similarly can't ignore the impact that the country's past has had upon Indigenous culture, and the trauma that's rippled across generations as a result. And so, as excellent new documentary Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra tells the company's tale, these struggles are firmly part of the narrative. Co-directors Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Top End Wedding) and Nel Minchin (Matilda & Me, Making Muriel) know their power. Indeed, the two filmmakers are well aware that they can't step through Bangarra's history without placing the acclaimed dance theatre in its rightful social, political and cultural context. What audiences have seen on stage over the years is stunning, astonishing and important, of course, but all of those exceptional performances haven't ever existed in a vacuum. For those unacquainted with the details of Bangarra's origins, evolution, aims and achievements, Firestarter recounts them, starting with its leap out of the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association and the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre. Actually, it jumps back further, not only stepping through Bangarra's predecessors, but also charting how Stephen, David and Russell Page became its most famous names. Just as it's impossible to examine the dance company's accomplishments and influence without also interrogating and chronicling Australia's history, it's simply unthinkable to do so without focusing as heavily on the Page brothers as Blair and Minchin choose to. Stephen would become Bangarra's artistic director, a role he still holds. David was its music director, while Russell was one of its best dancers — and their path from growing up in Brisbane in the 60s, 70s and 80s to helping shape and guide an Aussie arts powerhouse is a pivotal component of Bangarra's overall journey thus far. If it sounds as if Firestarter has been set a hefty task — doing triple duty as a celebration, a record of Australia's past and a portrait of three siblings with dreams as big as their talents — that's because it has. But this dense and yet also deft documentary is up to the immense feat, and dances through its massive array of material, topics and themes as skilfully as any of Bangarra's performers ever have. Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra is available to stream via ABC iView. Read our full review. WAVES The sight of streaming sunlight, South Florida's scenery and a blissful young couple shouldn't hit like a gut punch, but in Waves, it does. When this magnificently moving film opens, it does so with high-schooler Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison Jr) and his girlfriend Alexis Lopez (Alexa Demie). They sing and drive with carefree exuberance — buoyed by both youth and first love — with their happiness not only captured by fluid, enticing camerawork that circles around and around, but mirrored by the use of Animal Collective's upbeat, energetic 'FloriDada' on the soundtrack. Waves continues its sinuous cinematography and alluring tunes as it follows Tyler through a snapshot of his teenage existence, too. Viewers meet his upper middle-class family, who dote on his every word. We witness his prowess on the school wrestling team, where he's a star. We see how infatuated he is with Alexis, and vice versa. But, as intoxicatingly sensory as all of this is — and as expertly calibrated by writer/director Trey Edward Shults to convey exactly how Tyler is feeling — its glow fades quickly when the agonised glimmer in Tyler's eye becomes evident. It's only there when he's alone, looking in the mirror, but it's a picture of heartbreak. As played with a complicated mix of charm, arrogance, sadness, anger and vulnerability by the excellent Harrison, Tyler navigates his seemingly content life with an outward smile, while balancing on a knife's edge. He doesn't completely know it, though, although he can clearly feel the pressure mounting. Forceful in reminding him that African Americans are "not afforded the luxury of being average", his father Ronald (Sterling K Brown) is well-intentioned, but also stern and domineering. He pushes Tyler to be better at every turn and, when they train together for the teen's wrestling matches, even gets competitive. Stepmother Catherine (Hamilton's Renée Elise Goldsberry) is far more gentle; however the focus placed on Tyler compared to his younger sister Emily (Taylor Russell) is always obvious in her household. And so, when an injury threatens to undo his sporting future and his romance with Alexis breaks down, Tyler makes a series of self-sabotaging decisions. One leads to tragedy — and the fact that this isn't a joyful movie becomes devastatingly apparent. Waves is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video and Binge. Read our full review. ASSASSINS On February 13, 2017, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a man was assassinated in broad daylight. While standing by the self check-in kiosks at around 9am, he was approached from behind by two women. After they each rubbed their hands across his face, he was dead within the hour. For a plethora of reasons, the attack garnered global news headlines. Such a brazen murder, carried out not only in public but also in full view of the Malaysian airport's security cameras, was always going to receive worldwide attention. The use of extremely deadly chemical weapon VX obviously demanded scrutiny — and so did the fact that the victim was Kim Jong-nam, the estranged elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. But, despite the onslaught of newsprint, pixels and airtime devoted to the incident when it happened, the full details behind it took time to unfurl. As Assassins explores, those facts are fascinating, gripping and distressing in equal measure. Indeed, if a Hollywood screenwriter had cooked up the story at the centre of Ryan White's (The Keepers) meticulously documentary, they would've been told that it's too far-fetched. Not that the world needs any additional reminders, but real life really is far stranger than fiction here. Across 104 minutes that relay an unmistakably and inescapably wild tale in an edge-of-the-seat yet never sensationalistic fashion, White asks the question that was on everyone's lips four years ago: why? That query has many layers. It starts with wondering why two women in their 20s — one from Indonesia, the other from Vietnam — with no clear political affiliations would kill an exiled North Korean who was once expected to lead his nation. From there, it expands to contemplate why Malaysian law enforcement officers and prosecutors were so content to believe that culprits Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong acted without any involvement from North Korea, and why a number of the latter country's citizens were interviewed, but then released and allowed to return home without facing any legal repercussions. Aisyah and Huong certainly weren't afforded the same treatment. Charged with Kim Jong-nam's murder, they were put through a long trial, and faced the death penalty if convicted. The pair, who didn't know each other beforehand, pled their innocence from the outset. Both women were adamant that they had each been hired to make prank videos for a YouTube show and, as far as they knew, their efforts in Kuala Lumpur were part of their latest production. Assassins is available to stream via Docplay. Read our full review. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Featuring a vibrant animated spectacle that heroes vivid green and blue hues, a rousing central figure who is never a stock-standard Disney princess and lively voice work from an all-star cast, Raya and the Last Dragon boasts plenty of highlights. Directed by Don Hall (Big Hero 6) and Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting), co-directed by Paul Briggs and John Ripa (both Disney art and animation department veterans), and penned by Qui Nguyen (Dispatches From Elsewhere) and Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians), the Mouse House's new all-ages-friendly release also embraces southeast Asian culture with the same warm hug that Moana gave Polynesia and Pixar's Coco sent Mexico's way — and it's always detailed, organic, inclusive and thoughtful, and never tokenistic. But perhaps its biggest strength, other than the pitch-perfect vocal stylings of Awkwafina as the playful, mystical half of the film's title, is its timing. Disney first announced the feature back in August 2019, so the company can't have known what the world would suffer through from early 2020 onwards, of course. But a hopeful movie about a planet ravaged by a destructive plague and blighted by tribalism — and a feature that champions the importance of banding together to make things right, too — really couldn't arrive at a more opportune moment. COVID-19 has no place in Raya and the Last Dragon; however, as the picture's introductory preamble explains, a virus-like wave of critters called the Druun has wreaked havoc. Five hundred years earlier, the world of Kumandra was filled with humans and dragons living together in harmony, until the sinister force hit. Now, only the realm's two-legged inhabitants remain — after their furry friends used their magic to create the dragon gem, which saved everyone except themselves. That's the only status quo that Raya (voiced by Star Wars' Kelly Marie Tran) has ever known. Her entire existence has also been lived out in a divided Kumandra, with different groups staking a claim to various areas. With her father Benja (Daniel Dae Kim, Always Be My Maybe), she hails from the most prosperous region, Heart, and the duo hold out hope that they can reunite the warring lands. Alas, when they bring together their fellow leaders for a peaceful summit, Raya's eagerness to trust Namaari (Gemma Chan, Captain Marvel), the daughter of a rival chief, ends with the Druun on the rampage once again. A movie about believing not just in yourself, but in others, Raya and the Last Dragon doesn't shy away from the reality that putting faith in anyone comes with the chance of peril and pain — especially in fraught times where the world has taken on an every-person-for-themselves mentality and folks are dying (or being turned to stone, which is the Druun's modus operandi). If the narrative hadn't been willing to make this plain again and again, including when it picks up six years later as Raya tries to reverse the devastation caused by Namaari's actions, Raya and the Last Dragon wouldn't feel as genuinely affecting Raya and the Last Dragon is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. MAX RICHTER'S SLEEP Since first opening its doors back in 1973, the Sydney Opera House has played host to a wealth of performances, spanning far further in genre than just the art form that gives the venue its name. But it was only during Vivid Live 2016 that the iconic locale serenaded visitors into an evening-long slumber, all as part of Max Richter's live recital of his eight-and-a-half hour work Sleep. Across 31 tracks comprised of 204 movements, the German-born British composer's concept album unfurls music based on the neuroscience of getting some shuteye. In its intonation, the ambitious yet soothing piece favours the range that can be heard in the womb for much of its duration. When performed for an audience, it is played overnight, with beds set up — and doing as the work's title suggests is highly encouraged. Attendees recline, listen and let Richter's blend of strings, synthesisers and soprano vocals lull them into the land of nod. If they'd prefer to stay awake, that's fine as well, but soaking in Sleep's ambient sounds while you're snatching 40 winks is all very much part of the experience. In its live version, Sleep has echoed through spaces in London, Berlin and Paris, too; however, it's the first openair performance in Los Angeles' Grand Park in 2018 that takes pride of place in the documentary Max Richter's Sleep. A filmmaker was always bound to be so fascinated with the concept that they'd turn their lens Richter's way, and that director is Natalie Johns (an Emmy nominee for Annie Lennox: Nostalgia Live in Concert), who endeavours to capture the experience for those who haven't had the pleasure themselves. The resulting film doesn't run for more than eight hours, or anywhere close — but those watching and listening will quickly wish that it did. As a feature, Max Richter's Sleep isn't designed to advertise its namesake. Rather, it documents, explores and tries to understand it. Still, the movie so easily draws viewers into the music, and so deeply, that making its audience want to snooze in public while Richter and his band plays is a guaranteed side effect. Max Richter's Sleep is available to stream via Docplay. Read our full review.
The minimalist Japanese retailer famed for its low-waste ethos and no-logo policy has just opened its largest ever Aussie store. Ditching its old Chadstone Shopping Centre digs, the label has moved into an expanded 1700-square-metre space, located on the Lower Ground Level near the precinct's newly revamped Food Atrium. But this new 'concept' store has a whole lot more to offer than just a whopping huge floor plan. Shoppers are also able to get their hands on an extended offering of Muji's signature bedding, clothing (men's, women's and kid's), skincare, storage bits and bobs, stationery (there's a lot) and travel goods, as well as a line of household furniture not available in any other local store. There's also an on-site embroidery service for jazzing up your just-bought threads and a self-serve coffee facility to fuel those lengthier shopping adventures (although no Muji Cafe, unfortunately). A 'Melbourne to Go' concept showcases various things to do around town, which are chosen by staff but suggestions from shoppers are also encouraged. The store also stocks Muji's book range and new non-gendered garment capsule line, Muji Labo. And as if that wasn't enough to keep you busy for a while, the new space also plays host to a dynamic workshop and exhibition space, dubbed Open Muji. Stay tuned for a program featuring everything from artist talks to craft sessions. The Japanese brand kicked off its foray into Australia when it opened the original Chadstone store back in 2013. It now boasts five locations across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. But this is its biggest one yet. Find Muji at Shop B151, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Malvern East. It's open from Monday–Wednesday 9am–5.30pm, Thursday–Saturday 9am–9pm, and Sunday 10am–7pm.
Feeling flush? For the first time ever, cashed-up travellers can now book out an entire hotel through Airbnb, for the tidy sum of $15,000. That hotel being the newly opened Little Albion Guest House — a luxurious 35-room operation in the heart of Surry Hills. Launching officially this week, the one-of-a-kind guest house is out to shake-up the luxury travel game, pitched as a fusion of hotel and home. The idea here is to team the comfort of a hotel, with the familiarity and laidback nature of an Airbnb stay. It's the first hotel in the world that can be booked out in its entirety via the app. If you don't have the expendable cash to book out the whole thing, you can also rent out individual rooms in the hotel, which start at around $150 per night. The Little Albion Guest House is the work of boutique accommodation group 8Hotels and talented designer Connie Alessi, and it has designer interiors, a covetable art collection, a rooftop garden complete with an outdoor shower and panoramic city views, and an honour-system bar, where guests can help themselves to high-end nibbles and drinks. There'll also be a team of hosts — headed by Surry Hills local Wendy Morris — on hand at all hours to help out with everything from charging cables to local gym recommendations. It's the latest boutique hotel to join Surry Hills' ever-growing collection, which also includes the newly open Paramount House Hotel. Find Little Albion Guest House at 21 Little Albion Street, Surry Hills
At Sydney's Don't Tell Aunty and Melbourne's Daughter in Law, chef Jessi Singh serves up Indian cuisine his way. He isn't flouting tradition; rather, he doesn't think there's any such thing as 'authentic' Indian food. "There are no recipes, and everything is passed on through the generations in the kitchen verbally," he explains about his rule-breaking dishes — which'll also be available in Byron Bay in mid-June. Singh is expanding the Daughter in Law brand to the beachside town, with the new 65-seat eatery setting up shop on Fletcher Street. Both locals and visitors to the scenic spot can expect to tuck into a seafood-heavy menu, which'll also place an emphasis on both vegan and gluten free fare. Ingredients from the Northern Rivers region will feature, too, with Singh calling his dishes "global food with an Indian twist". In Melbourne, the culinary lineup spans Indian fried chicken, tandoori tikka sliders and papadum platters — if you're wondering what kind of meals Singh classes as 'unauthentic'. The food menu will be paired with an extensive wine list curated by sommelier Bhatia Dheeraj, self-serve fridges full of beer and cider, and a range of cocktails. Sip the Indian spiced sangria, and you'll be tasting red wine, sweet vermouth and orange. Opt for the restaurant's namesake tipple, and you'll be enjoying Brookie's gin, a tandoori-fired pineapple and cardamom lime. Vibe-wise, the new Daughter in Law will take its cues from its location — think playful, vibrant and also relaxed. Patrons will get comfortable on green and blue velvet seating, drink from handmade glasses covered in rainbow peacocks, and sit amidst gold flourishes and under a pink neon sign. Scenes from Bollywood films will brighten up the walls, while DJs will spin 80s and 90s tracks daily. Daughter in Law's Byron Bay restaurant will mark the chain's third, after setting up shop in Adelaide earlier in 2021. Before launching Don't Tell Aunty in Sydney in 2018 — and going on to start its growing no-frills Australian-Indian bar and grill sibling — Singh spent a lengthy stint in the US running his two Babu Ji outposts. Daughter in Law will open at 22 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, in mid-June — trading from 5pm–late seven days a week.
It's no secret that Jerome Borazio is an ideas man, and a pretty good one at that. Not only is he the mind behind the 18-year-old Laneway Festival, he sold us all on the concept of camping in the CBD with his award-winning rooftop glamping set-up. The latter closed in April this year, but, come October, that same sky-high space above Melbourne Central will be activated again — this time as a rooftop pool, bar and leisure club dubbed The Reunion Island Pool Club. The project plays to Melbourne's love of the outdoors and will be kitted out with palm trees and design elements of a public pool. While it won't be the CBD's only rooftop pool bar (see: The Adelphi), it will be the only one to offer classes and spa offerings. The oasis will kick off each day at 7am as a leisure club, tempting early morning punters with a holistic offering of rooftop yoga, pilates and massages. Later in the day and evening, you'll be able to stop by for a splash, or just some poolside socialising and a well-earned after-work rooftop tipple right up until 11pm. The food and drink offerings are yet to be announced, but, judging by Laneway's annual nosh lineup, you can expect only the best. We also don't know if there will be an entry fee or how much classes will cost, but we can anticipate spending many a steamy Melbourne evening up here. It's set to launch this October and run through to April 2019. The Reunion Island Pool Club will open at Level 3/271 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne from October 2018.
The holiday blues are probably coming in strong right about now. Summer has come and gone and dreams of a lazy mid-year escape feel like a lifetime away. Throw in the fact that you're probably out of annual leave and have even less cash than usual to splash on a luxe resort (#costofliving, amirite?), and any ideas about sipping a margarita on a sunny island are slipping away. So, would you believe us if we told you we've found a single solution that will solve every one of your 'I need to find a way to make money without eating into my holiday allowance while also enjoying a fresh cocktail' dilemmas at once? Unofficial title: Operation Working Holiday in Thailand. Start by doing the hard yards and figure out how that digital nomad thing works (note: we're using the term 'hard' loosely here, because it's actually pretty easy). Then, the only thing you need to decide on is where you want to base yourself for that first bowl of Pad Thai. Whether you dream of urban style or beachy chic, we chatted to Tourism Authority of Thailand and got their suggestions for the best accommodation options for those considering a remote working holiday. BANGKOK According to the classic 80s banger, "One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster". So imagine if you had a couple of months up your sleeve! Basing yourself in Bangkok is a brilliant option for those digital nomads who just aren't quite ready to quit their big-city creature comforts. With both bustling bars and traditional temples in touchable proximity, the two hotels below offer excellent remote work accommodation options in the city known by locals as Krung Thep (or the City of Angels). Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River This standout hotel is Four Seasons by name and four seasons by nature. The Bangkok branch of this iconic international five-star hotel chain gives digital nomads plenty of reasons to visit, all year round. The amenities are extensive and include fast wifi, fitness studios, two riverfront infinity pools, 24-hour room service and a dry cleaning service for all those times you need to Zoom in your best suit and tie. We also love the location. It's right next to the Chao Phraya River, just over a 30-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and even closer (5.8 kilometres, to be exact) to Siam Paragon Mall — extremely useful for those times when you need an emergency laptop charger replacement! 137 Pillars Suites & Residences, Bangkok These serviced apartments in Bangkok's Prom Phong/Thonglor area are committed to the digital nomad cause, offering a range of packages specifically designed to cater to long-term stays. Think complimentary high-speed wifi, a daily maid service, a Thai SIM card available for purchase and weekly yoga, meditation and Muay Thai classes. You also get access to the Daily Baan Borneo Club for all-day breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowner drinks, plus level-27 infinity pool access and regular aromatherapy massages at Nitra Serenity Centre — for those times when deadlines are kicking your butt. CHIANG MAI Charming Chiang Mai is proof that there's no shame in second place. Capital of the north and the second largest city in the country, Chiang Mai offers a unique brand of laidback luxe. The landscapes are lush (all rugged mountains and green farmlands), the food scene is fabulous and the culture game is strong — with traditional Thai arts and crafts workshops among the mix. If your work from home style is cool, calm and collected — with a preference for having excellent coffee close by — then these two Chiang Mai hotels are our recs. Akyra Chiang Mai Fun fact: Chiang Mai is rated as the cheapest place in Thailand to live and work on a digital nomad budget, making it the ideal option for those bent on a working holiday but bound by a tight budget. And at the heart of it is the Akyra Chiang Mai hotel — a luxurious home away from home that has been transformed into a hub for aspiring entrepreneurs from all types of online businesses. The impressive downtown location, amazing rooftop infinity pool (perfect for a couple of quick laps between Skype calls), excellent wifi and abundant upskilling opportunities (including a number of in-house classes) draw many digital nomads in. But it is the chance to connect and network with other like-minded humans that generally keeps them at Akyra a little longer than anticipated. Kantari Hills Chiang Mai A quick squiz of Kantari Hills' online reviews reveals a ton of satisfied guests who have used the hotel for long-term stays. It could have something to do with the brilliant work facilities — like a business centre with secretarial service, fax, email, computer and photocopying — and an executive lounge with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks and ice. There's also round-the-clock security and concierge services, and of course, free wifi. Call it a hunch, but a fancy whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms probably don't hurt either. KO PHA-NGAN If Ko Pha-Ngan's white sands, turquoise waters and lush coconut trees aren't enough to entice you to swap your desk for the digital nomad life in Thailand, then perhaps the idea of a Full Moon Party celebrated every single month will do the trick? That's right, instead of end-of-quarter drinks, every 30-ish days (it's based on the lunar calendar, so it varies) Ko Pha-Ngan celebrates the new full moon with a big bash on the beach. Expect booze, music blasting out of the bungalows and neon-painted backpackers lighting up lanterns at dusk, just as the moon starts to show up and illuminate the shores. Want in? These hotels are our recommendations when it comes to setting yourself up with a remote work situation in Ko Pha-Ngan. Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas Team bonding but make it tropical. Yes, it's pretty fun watching your boss make a fool of himself in a group laser tag session, but for the ultimate team building exercise, consider a stay at Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas. Kick things off with meetings in a boardroom by the beach, lock in an evening of sunset canapés and cocktails aboard a luxury yacht, and challenge every staff member to find their strengths and weaknesses with a host of recreational activities on land and sea. With 64 pool suites and villas, every single one of them set among towering palms and crystal sea waters, this is the ideal accommodation option for those who want to do the digital nomadic life a little decadently. Panviman Resort Koh Phangan We're going to be up front and flag our concerns with the Panviman immediately. Just so you know what you're dealing with before you book your stay. Our main issues relate to its location (in the mesmerising Gulf of Thailand), stunning landscapes (it's surrounded by cerulean seas that gently lap golden beaches fringed with coconut palm trees), onsite restaurants (that focus on organic produce and fresh seafood direct from local fishermen) and VIP lounge (the one with a breathtaking sea-view infinity pool replete with Jacuzzis and sun loungers). So it's going to take a fair bit of dedication and discipline not to spend your nine-to-five completely distracted by all of the above. However, if you're confident in your ability to stay on target, then the Panviman Resort Koh Phangan offers one of the best digital nomad accomodation options in all of Thailand. PHUKET If we had to entrust Thailand's status as the Land of Smiles to a single region, we'd pick Phuket. After all, it's almost impossible not to settle in to the island on the country's western shore and grin once you realise you are in the company of some of Southeast Asia's best resorts, restaurants and shops. The two hotels below are our picks for the best place to base yourself if you're leaning towards Phuket for your remote-work vibe. Twinpalms Phuket The first thing you need to do, to convince your boss that you're taking your digital nomad job seriously, is check out Twinpalms Phuket's library. Here, you can explore literature, magazines and movies while using its free high-speed internet and computers. Then, when the coast is clear (or better yet, after hours, to minimise the risk of being fired!), book in a spa treatment, arrange a snorkelling excursion or step directly into the hotel's large lagoon pool, and log it in your time sheet as office admin. Cape Panwa Hotel If you're a C-Suite exec — or just dream of CEO status — then Cape Panwa is the place for you. Its former guests include kings, queens and big-screen stars, so it's definitely a great base for those who want to manifest a promotion or pay rise. A dedicated business centre will help you keep the process professional; however, we also strongly suggest taking advantage of the hotel's fun facilities too. Think the beachside bamboo bar, access to the state-of-the-art Panwa Princess yacht and two onsite palm-fringed pools. After all, if you've got your sights set on CFO (but you're working with an intern budget), you'll need to work hard, but nobody said you can't work hard from paradise with a tropical drink in hand, right? Tourism Authority Thailand has plenty more suggestions for the top places to work remotely in the Land of Smiles, so for more options, head to the website. Images: Tourism Authority of Thailand
UPDATE, July 9: Due to Sydney's lockdown, Lord of the Fries won't be celebrating National Fry Day at its Newtown store. For Sydney only, the free chip giveaway will take place on a different, yet-to-be-advised date. This article has been updated to reflect that change — and we'll provide you with more details for Sydney when they're announced. Despite also serving up everything from all-day breakfast to ice cream sandwiches, we still think that fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. It's right there in the name, after all. The chain's chips are particularly tasty — as made with Australian potatoes and cooked in a cottonseed sunflower oil blend. There is one thing better than Lord of the Fries' titular dish, however. That'd be free fries from the chip-loving establishment. And on Tuesday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away just that. Free. Fries. Yes, really. To snag free fries on Tuesday, you'll need to head to your chosen store in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia between 1–2pm — and you'll be gifted a serving of shoestring deliciousness. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. There is a limit of one freebie per person, though, so take that into consideration if you're feeling particularly peckish. You'll get your choice of classic sauces, too. This is great news for, Melburnians, Brisbanites and Adelaideans who like fries — aka everyone. Folks in in Melbourne can choose between 14 different stores, Brisbanites can flock to Fortitude Valley (or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast) and people in Adelaide can hit up Hindley Street and Glenelg. And if you're wondering why, that's because it's National Fry Day. Of course it is. Lord of the Fries also has a store in Newtown in Sydney; however, it will celebrate National Fry Day with a free fries giveaway on a different, yet-to-be-advised date. We'll provide you with more details for Sydney when they're announced. Lord of the Fries is giving away free fries from 1–2pm on Tuesday, July 13 at all of its Australian stores outside of Sydney. To find your closest store, head to the chain's website.
He's a hip-hop and fashion trailblazer. His latest album Chromakopia dropped in 2024. He's also heading to Australia again in 2025. That'd be Tyler, The Creator — and he's coming with friends, with the genre-bending rapper boasting Lil Yachty and Paris Texas in support. Tyler, The Creator last headed this way on a headline tour in 2022, and played Splendour in the Grass as well. On his latest trip, he has a four-night date with Melbourne, playing Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, August 20, then each night across Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24. Luis 'Panch' PerezThe Chromakopia tour follows his 2024 Coachella headlining set, on a bill that also included Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, No Doubt and plenty more. Before 2022 — which marked Tyler's first set of headline shows down under in over eight years — the last time that the star graced Australian shores was for a series of festival appearances over New Years 2020–21, hitting up the likes of Beyond the Valley and Field Day. [caption id="attachment_823369" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Demxx via Flickr[/caption] Top images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
An Australian classic is about to be reborn: the good ol' milkbar. Matt Wilkinson and Ben Foster, the duo behind Melbourne brunch fixture, Pope Joan, are determined to reinvent the beloved Australian after-school haunt, according to Good Food. As per tradition, the milk bar — fittingly dubbed Jack Horner — will sell a variety of household essentials, such as pantry goods, toilet paper and pet food, as well as having a deli counter, canteen and a small bottle-o. But like Pope Joan, Wilkinson's plans for the milk bar are not quite as orthodox as they first appear. Wilkinson and Foster plan to blend the best bits of the English corner shop, the Australian milk bar and the NYC deli into their newest venture — renovating the former Brunswick Tip-Top factory. Jack Horner will also operate as a modern tuckshop of sorts, where visitors can sample head chef Travis Welch's plates of seasonal pickles and housemade cheese, breakfast food, sandwiches, salad and hot dishes, to either eat in or take home. The Jack Horner milk bar will be opening in mid-April. And for non-Brunswick residents disappointed on missing out on a new local, patience; Wilkinson and Foster are planning to expand to the CBD and southside in the future. Via Good Food.
As the city continues to wake from its lockdown-induced slumber, we've got a brand-new laneway market experience to add to the calendar. Kicking off November 19 and running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until January 30, Postal Lane Markets is set to deliver a weekly curation of locally-made wares, tasty eats, live tunes and summery sips. Making its home in the iconic Postal Lane adjacent to the GPO building, the market aims to bring a touch of buzz back to the CBD, while celebrating some great local talent. Friday evening sessions (4–8pm) will be all about the food, with stalls slinging a tasty array of cheese, pastries, bread and gourmet pantry goodies, alongside a bar offering. And an extended footprint on Saturdays and Sundays (10am–6pm) will host a shopper's oasis, slinging fashion, skincare, accessories, jewellery, art, plants and more. Some of the stallholders already on the roster include leisurewear label Jasmine Alexa, Japanese kitchen Nama, IRock Jewellery and Long Paddock Cheese, with plenty more set to join the mix. Top Image: Kit Edwards
If you're of a certain age and went to school in or around Melbourne, you're probably all too familiar with Sovereign Hill — the gold rush-museum-meets-miniature-town that was the excursion spot of choice in the 90s and early 2000s. Well, fast-forward to the current day and the precinct is set to show off a much cooler, foodier side when it hosts the Heritage Harvest Weekend from Saturday, May 25–Sunday, May 26. The food festival will take you on a time-tripping celebration of sustainable cooking practices like fermenting, pickling and curing through a program of events headlined by some legendary Aussie chefs. Free interactive cooking demos will be run by Masterchef's Julie Goodwin and Tim Bone as well as Bake Off's Darren Purchese. A handful of cooking and craft sessions will also be hosted by the legendary Country Women's Association. Food producers and local artisans will set up stalls within the old-timey town where kids can also learn traditional crafts and join a bunch of activities. Visitors who purchase a standard Sovereign Hill ticket will get access to all of the Heritage Festival events, so you can do a spot of shopping, listen to some live music, have a good feed and then go pan for gold at the river. How wholesome?
We're lucky to have access to Clarice Beckett's work today. Beckett painted hundreds of paintings during the 1920s and 30s, before passing away in 1935 at the age of 48. Following her death, her artworks disappeared for decades before being rescued by Dr Rosalind Hollinrake, who salvaged 369 of Beckett's paintings from a shed in rural Victoria. From Saturday, February 27 until Sunday, May 16, the Art Gallery of South Australia is presenting the most comprehensive Clarice Beckett retrospective ever, exhibiting nearly 130 of the artist's works, including pieces from the private collections of Russell Crowe and Ben Quilty. Beckett's work focuses on capturing the everyday world through muted and pastel tones and with a focus on natural light. In The Present Moment, these works are thematically displayed to chart the chronology of one single day — starting with sunrise and ending with nightfall. Accompanying the exhibition is an workshop for those wanting to learn about Beckett on Saturday, March 27 and a series of mindfulness workshops offering tai chi, yoga and relaxation classes while surrounded by artworks every Wednesday in April. Tickets to the exhibition run from $20, while the workshops will set you back $35. Images: Installation view: Clarice Beckett: The present moment, Art Gallery of SouthAustralia, Adelaide, 2021. Photo: Saul Steed.
Acclaimed Aussie artist Callum Preston has shown off plenty of his nostalgic side, having delighted audiences when he recreated a 70s-style milk bar — complete with painted timber chocolate bars, magazines and soft drink cans — back in 2017. Before that, he was responsible for a life-sized replica of a DeLorean for 2015 artwork Bootleg to the Future. But now, fresh from helping to bring to life Rone's acclaimed Empire work last year — which saw a deserted art deco mansion transformed into a multifaceted, immersive art experience — Preston is switching up the pace for his latest solo exhibition, titled Everything Is Borrowed. The exhibition is part of a five-week residency at the Rialto's KSR Art Bar. The space has also become Preston's studio — and while the show doesn't officially open until Thursday, November 21, from today, you can drop by the bar to see him working on pieces for the show. These pieces will be a hand-crafted collection of mixed-media works, canvases and Preston's signature painted timber panel piece — and everything will be made on-site. The diverse collection — which will be constantly updated — will be a homage to the multitude of items we humans accumulate throughout our lives. [caption id="attachment_746105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Callum Preston.[/caption] Everything Is Borrowed is a reference to The Streets' song of the same name, and, taking inspiration from it, Preston will capture the changing value we place on those everyday treasures and trinkets. "We live in a material world, but most of the time it's about what an item means to a person, more than its monetary value," explains Preston. The studio itself is made entirely from recycled materials, with an eclectic assembly of notes, sketches, offcuts, photos, tools, and other bits and pieces gracing its walls. It's worth taking a stickybeak at over a drink one night after work — then head back between Novembre 21 and December 21 to see the exhibition in its entirety. Callum Preston's 'Everything Is Borrowed' will run from Thursday, November 21, to Saturday, December 7 — but you can drop by and see him at work from today. It's happening at the KSR Art Bar, ground floor, Rialto Piazza, entry via 525 Collins Street, Melbourne, and will be open from 4–11pm Monday to Friday.
One of Sydney Festival 2017's most Instagrammed events was The Beach, an enormous ball pit inside a human-made cave, as created by Brooklyn-based design studio Snarkitecture. Tonnes of the city's residents spent at least some part of January diving, cannonballing and floating about in a sea of plastic bliss. Understandably. If you've been fretting about whether this kind of fun would ever come to Melbourne, here's your answer. Another ball pit is on its way around the country. It was first slated for Sydney, but now Melbourne has been added to the agenda. Like The Beach, it'll be a behemoth, made up of one million balls. Rather than filling up just a single space, they'll be arranged across several, creating a kind of playground. There'll also be an on-site cocktail bar, to let you rest and refuel in between dips and dives. After a sold-out March run, the ball pit will pop up in North Melbourne on Friday, April 27 from 6pm till midnight and Saturday, April 28 from midday till midnight. Entry will be via ticket, which will entitle you to two hours of playtime. UPDATE, MARCH 10: Anyone keen to attend between 10am and 2pm can add some extra fun to their ball pit experience: an hour-long bottomless Champagne and brunch session. Tickets including food and drinks cost $55 + booking free, with only 200 available. A tip: you might want to go easy on the jumping around after getting your fill of eats and bubbles. Image: The Beach, Sydney Festival 2017 by Shannon Connellan.
First, Australia got a Harry Potter-themed brunch and dinner. Now, we're getting a wizarding beer festival. If the boy who lived's flicks were still gracing cinemas, exploring his adult life, we're certain he'd be keen on this magical festival. Whether you're still not over Harry or you just wish you'd had the chance to attend Hogwarts because you know you're destined to be in Gryffindor (and to be seeker on the quidditch team, obviously), you'll want to make a date with this event. You'll sip brews in a wizarding wonderland, while making your way between wand-making classes, DJs and tarot card readers. There's no word yet on exactly what beers you'll be drinking — local numbers? international favourites? alcoholic butterbeer? — but your ticket does include a 12-ounce (355-millilitre) brew on entry, and five tokens you can use on beers and the aforementioned activities. The Wizard's Beer Festival is set to hit Sydney at a soon-to-be announced location on March 1, 2020, then do the same in Melbourne on March 8, 2020, before heading to Brisbane on March 15, 2020. Folks in costumes pretending to be Hermione, Dumbledore and others isn't really our idea of a magical HP experience, but perhaps a few boozy butterbeers will get you in the right mood. And if not, you can organise a trip to see the Cursed Child stage show in Melbourne, if you haven't already. The Wizard's Beer Festival will hit Sydney on March 1, 2020, then Melbourne on March 8, 2020 and finally Brisbane on March 15, 2020. You can sign-up via the website to be notified when tickets go on sale. Top image: Wizard's Brunch UPDATE, NOVEMBER 16: This article was updated to include details of The Wizard's Beer Festival's planned events in Melbourne and Brisbane.
When Disney+ made its way into the world back in 2019, it gave viewers — including folks in Australia and New Zealand — access to a huge range of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic movies and shows. What it didn't do is bring Hulu, which the Mouse House owns the majority stake in, to audiences Down Under. And, with Disney+ focused on family-friendly fare, it didn't deliver the kinds of series and films that Hulu screens, either. Hulu still isn't heading our way. But, come early 2021, Disney+ is expanding to include a new section that's basically an international equivalent of Hulu. It's called Star, it'll launch on Tuesday, February 23, and it'll screen "an additional 1000 unique titles under the new Star brand in the first year", according to the announcement at Disney's big 2020 Investor Day on Friday, December 11. It's also set to premiere 35 brand new series in 2021, too. Disney hasn't listed exactly what Australia and New Zealand audiences will be able to watch via Star — but it did reveal that Star will feature "a robust collection of general entertainment movies, television, documentaries, and more, along with Star-branded new exclusive originals and local productions being created for the service". It'll be drawing upon Disney's studios, such as Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television and Touchstone, and will also feature local programming specific to each region. https://twitter.com/Disney/status/1337155471422189569 Star won't feature everything that Hulu does, because plenty of Hulu's series and films pop up elsewhere Down Under — like The Handmaid's Tale, for instance. That said, it's safe to presume that some of the rights deals that deliver Hulu content to other networks and streaming platforms in Australia and New Zealand might change when Star hits, moving where you can catch certain flicks and programs in the process. When Star launches, it'll also become available in Europe and Canada, both of which already have access to Disney+. The Mouse House will also launch Disney+ including Star in Singapore on the same date, then look to roll out in Eastern Europe, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong across the rest of 2021. And, as you might've already guessed, Disney+'s expansion to include Star will come with a price increase. Australian subscriptions will go up to AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year, while New Zealand's will cost NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year. Star will join Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday, February 23, with Disney+ subscriptions costing AU$11.99 per month or AU$119.99 per year in Australia, and NZ$12.99 per month or AU$129.99 per year in New Zealand, from that date.
Like a wardrobe in need of a good KonMari work over, RetroStar's warehouse has reached bursting point, with its ever-growing collection of vintage threads at maximum capacity. Which is excellent news for all of us, because it means a bargain-packed warehouse sale is on the horizon. Yep, the vintage clothing superstar is this weekend holding one of its famed clean-outs, slashing the price of everything in its huge warehouse collection to under $10. Venture down to Retrostar's Brunswick headquarters on February 23 and 24 to unearth a whole swag of old-school wardrobe gems. Word is, there'll be over 20,000 retro pieces on the racks, from dresses and tees, to denim, hats and bags — all of it going extra cheap. The Retrostar Warehouse Sale runs from 8–5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Always wanted to soar though the air, but never felt the need to jump out of a plane? That's where iFLY comes in. Open on the Gold Coast since 2016 and in Brisbane from last month, the indoor skydiving chain has officially opened the doors to its first Melbourne outpost The $15 million centre is located in a warehouse in Essendon Fields, just off the Calder near DFO. It's hoping to cater to daredevils who like their thrills a little closer to home (and closer to the ground) with a purpose-built vertical wind tunnel that gives you the sensation of free-falling from the sky. (You can also pretend you're reliving whichever skydiving-based movie scene takes your fancy — finding your inner Keanu, Point Break–style, is our pick.) iFLY BrisbaneHere's how it works: the vertical wind tunnel whips up wind from above, which is then pushed down the sides of the structure. Next, the air is channelled up out of the floor, into the enclosed glass chamber. Eager adrenaline junkies then float on the kind of cushion that no one can see — while supervised by a certified skydiving instructor, because safety still matters. You'll be fully briefed on what to do beforehand — and you'll end up riding the wind for around a minute, which is approximately one-and-a-half times the usual tandem skydive length according to iFLY. For two flights (and all the training and gear), you'll be paying $79 off-peak — or $99 on weekends between 9.30am and 5.30pm. For four flights, it's $119 (or $139 on weekends) and family packages start at $365. iFly is open every day of the week from 9am until 10am, so you can fly after work, too. Find iFLY Melbourne at 2 Burns Street, Essendon Fields. Top image: iFLY Brisbane.
When one door closes, another one opens. And, in the case of Melbourne institution Brunetti, that door is bigger and better than ever before. Forced out of its longstanding Collins Street cafe due to works on Melbourne's new Metro Tunnel, the Italian cafe has landed itself new and improved digs, this week opening the doors to a sprawling venue connecting Flinders Lane and Collins Street. It's a fresh look for an old favourite, the 300-seater boasting a smart, contemporary fit-out, as imagined by the team at Technē Architecture + Interior Design. Think, brass accents, sleek marble and a 15.5-metre-high mural of an Italian town square. The food offering has entered a new era too, with executive chef Simon Moss (ex-Entrecote) plating up full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus to complement Brunetti's mind-blowing array of signature cakes and pastries. Dishes like spaghetti carbonara with cured egg yolk, and vitello tonnato bruschetta are served up on tableware crafted by local artist Glen Tebble, while pizzas get the proper Italian treatment, wood-fired in a Marana Forni oven suspended from the ceiling. There's also a Campari bar, dedicated to the classic Italian Spritz, sections for deli goods and takeaway wines, and an espresso bar where waistcoated baristas are working with an exclusive Lavazza coffee blend. Find this latest addition to the Brunetti family at 250 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. For more info, visit brunetti.com. Images: Gareth Sobey (food) and Earl Carter (interior).
While the NSW Government attempts to improve music festival safety by introducing a tough new licensing regime and jacking up costs for event organisers, its ACT counterpart is throwing its support behind pill testing. As reported by the ABC, the ACT Government has given the green light for a pill-testing trial to go ahead at the Canberra leg of this year's Groovin' The Moo festival, held at Exhibition Park in April. It'll be only the second time Australia has seen a trial like this, allowing festivalgoers to have their illicit substances tested for dangerous ingredients. The first took place at the same festival last year, when 85 substances were tested and some potentially deadly components were found, as well as plenty of hidden extras like toothpaste, paint and lactose. Now, the government's on board for round two, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr Tweeting after the decision, "Governments have a responsibility to not only try and prevent drug use but also to support initiatives that reduce the harms associated with drug use." https://twitter.com/ABarrMLA/status/1097411427709509634 The upcoming trial will be headed up by harm reduction advocates Pill Testing Australia. In its ACT Drug Strategy Action Plan released last year, the ACT Government stated it would continue to support pill testing and be "examining further opportunities to expand pill testing at events in the ACT". In the wake of a spate of festival deaths from suspected drug overdoses, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her government have remained staunchly opposed to the idea of pill-testing, despite international research and the success of last year's local pill-testing venture. Let's see if Canberra's controversial move to host a second trial makes them any more likely to change their minds. Via: abc.net.au Image: Jack Toohey.
Apart from the fact that health is seriously on trend right now, it's also becoming really damn delicious. If we can eat a piece of raw vegan nut butter chocolate everyday and not have to feel bad for it, well, go right ahead and sign us up. And raw chocolate is just the beginning. Now, cafes all around our fair city are dicing, blending and cooking up a healthy storm — and we love them for it. Here are some of our favourites. LITTLE BIG SUGAR SALT These guys are all about good (yummy) food that's good for you. We see absolutely nothing wrong with this. Tucked into a corner building on Victoria Street in Abbotsford, LBSS has always been about doing things a little differently. Whether that's a raw chocolate coconut treat with your almond milk or the artwork that lines the walls. And speaking of the stuff, their coffees (cold or hot) are made just that little bit better by their almond milk that's made in-house. When it comes to the menu, for a healthy bite, go for the acai bowl topped with quinoa muesli, coconut yoghurt, and fruit, or the gluten free almond berry pancakes. Or you could even go the freekeh cakes served with cashew cream, chilli jam, kale and eggs. All the good things, basically. 385 Victoria Street, Abbotsford, (03) 9427 8818, lbsscafe.com ADMIRAL CHENG HO Another Abbotsford local, Admiral Cheng Ho is the little sister to Monk Bodhi Dharma and churns out a lot of the same dishes — much to northsiders' delight. No more crossing the river. Coffee is serious here folks, and with six simultaneous grinders on each day, you can expect to be spoilt for choice. When it comes to the food, they've got all the dietary concerns front of mind. For a sweet start to the day go for Cheng's Granola: a house-made organic spiced raw granola with fruit and house made organic hazelnut milk. Or if savoury is more you, their Avoca Ho is a smashed avo dish worth the trip, as is their umami mushrooms served on polenta bread with feta, thyme, and red chilli oil. 325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford, admiralchengho.com.au SHOKUIKU You know a venue is serious when they are entirely raw. Shokuiku on High Street in Northcote know a thing or two about the natural side of foods. The drinks list alone is health craziness. In a good way, of course. You can go for the Ultimate Smoothie ($25) if you're feeling rich: it includes coconut water, coconut meat, berries, hemp, cacao nibs, goji berry, ashwagandha, astragalus, MSM, camu camu, fulvic acid, reishi, maca, marine phytoplankton, mega hydrate, vanilla, and lakanto. Phew. The dinner menus change monthly and feature things like coconut cream and lime soup with zucchini noodles for entree, layered vegetable bake with vegetable mince and marinara sauce for main, and a banana cream tart with cacao truffle slice for dessert. They also offer custom-made raw cakes, a range of granolas and supplements to take home with you to continue your raw journey. It honestly feels like an adventure. Give it a try. 120 High Street, Northcote, 0403 569 019, shokuikuaustralia.com COMBI Combi is all about health. Sitting in a small shopfront in Elwood, these guys have lines out the door on the weekends, so go mid-week if you can swing it. The menu reads like a health nut's dream with cold pressed juices, smoothies, kombucha on tap, acai bowls, sprouted breads, house-made nut milks, raw cakes and treats to die for. If you like your indulgences in liquid form go for the Velvet Cacao smoothie, made with raw cacao, cacao nibs, berries, coconut flesh, cinnamon, banana, raw chocolate fermented protein powder and house made nut milk. For something on the savoury side, you can grab a raw pizza made of dehydrated almond, sunflower and flaxseed topped with raw kale pesto, shredded vegetables and raw cashew cheese. And don't forget to take home a slice of the raw caramel slice. Seriously. Do it. Shop 1/140 Ormond Road, Elwood, (03) 9531 0084, wearecombi.com.au PANA CHOCOLATE Pana Chocolate has been stocking our health food stores for a while now with their 45g chocolate bars, but their shopfront in Richmond is whipping up some serious raw desserts that are sure to change your mind about what raw food tastes like. A raw lemon cheesecake is a decedent and rich version of its namesake, while the Holy Fudge — a mix of raw chocolate, raw fudge, and raw nut butters — will most likely leave you grinning and speechless. At least until you ask for more. You can stock up on raw cacao, coconut, and other sweet staples while you're there as well. We dare you to leave with just one thing. 491 Church Street, Richmond, 1300 717 488, panachocolate.com VEGIE BAR Oh the Vegie Bar, a trusted pit stop for those who steer clear of meat, or are just looking for some hearty nosh. The Vegie Bar caters to most tastes with anything from raw pad Thai to a Mexican burrito filled with cheese, sour cream and beans. Hey, it's still vegetarian right? But with a rep for always being ahead of the curve, it's a given that these guys brought in raw dishes — like the raw tacos — before Melbourne was even excited about it. Kudos to you Vegie Bar. And your desserts are off the charts. 380 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, (03) 9417 6935, vegiebar.com.au YONG GREEN FOOD Yong's is the quiet achiever of the health food scene. They don't say much, but they've got a healthy fan base — pardon the pun — that does the talking for them. You can go down the raw path here with a 'rawsagne' of layered zucchini with mushrooms, avocado, cashew cream, and raw walnut bolognese, or perhaps you're after a raw cheese platter? Yep, it exists here: herbed garlic cashew cheese, nut bread, tamari almonds, olives and balsamic figs await. If you like your food cooked you can go for the chickpea korma served with brown rice and mango chutney, or the tofu katsu: a fried tofu patty made with shitake, arame and vegetables battered with quinoa, served with brown rice, coleslaw and a house-made katsu sauce. Finish with a raw dessert like the chocolate cheesecake. They are a perfect treat. 421 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, (03) 9417 3338, yonggreenfood.com.au PATCH CAFE Patch in Richmond is championing the Paleo way of eating. No dairy, grains or refined sugars — you get the picture. They do it here, and they do it well too. They're making their own Paleo bread, which makes your morning bacon and eggs feel almost normal. For a real meaty experience go for the Cave Man: eggs, bacon, tomato, wagyu beef, sweet potato fritters, silverbeet, kale and relish. If you're more of a Bircher and latte kinda Paleo, don't worry, they've got you covered as well with their Patch Bircher. Theirs includes activated hazelnuts and almonds, goji berries, apricots, pumpkin seeds, coconut, chia seeds, honey, vanilla bean and orange with coconut yoghurt and blueberries. Oh and an almond or coconut milk latte. 32 Bendigo Street, Richmond, (03) 9029 0328, facebook.com/patchrichmond NUTRITION BAR Nutrition Bar is all about clean ingredients, and protein. Gym goers rejoice. Their smoothies are the main attraction here, followed by the acai bowls and the raw treats. Go for a superfood smoothie with coconut water, raw cacao, acai powder, chia gel, agave, vanilla protein powder, LSA, raspberries and ice. It's very very tasty. Their protein acai bowl is again a good protein hit with crushed nuts served on top. Raw treats range from protein balls made by Health Lab, to raw snickers and bounty bars. All the treats. 121 Swan Street, Richmond, VIC, (03) 9995 4329, nutritionbar.com.au BARRY Barry in Northcote is one of those cafes that really caters to everyone. From the team originally behind Pillar of Salt, Barry is one of those cafes that knows how to do things well. The space on the corner of Barry and High Streets is one of those that draws a wait list on the weekends. But, even so, they always deliver. The menu ranges from coconut chia puddings with banana, caramelised buckinis, sour cherries and coyo, to a burnt onion, buffalo mozzarella and basil omelette in the morning, to a crisp prawn sub with kewpie mayo, pickled cucumber and carrots and raw falafels with beetroot relish, tahini, and pickled cauliflower in the afternoons. 85 High Street, Northcote, (03) 9481 7623, barrycoffeeandfood.com Yong Green food courtesy of shelleysgoodeats and Barry images courtesy of flepsycola and lidiaferreira__ via Instragram. View all Melbourne Cafes.
Beloved Swanston Street nightclub Lounge might have abruptly called last drinks earlier this year, but you can rest easy knowing that some of the minds behind its long-running greatness have a shiny new 24-hour music venue up their sleeves. Liam Alexander and Benny Rausa — who also have hands in music collective 6am at the Garage, one-day festival Something Unlimited and popular Lounge club night Lucid — are just weeks away from gifting Melbourne with their latest venture, Colours. Making its home in the two-storey, 300-capacity Queensberry Street space once home to Yours & Mine, the nightclub and music venue is set to open its doors on Thursday, October 3. The guys are out to unearth some of the vibrancy of Melbourne's glory days, at a time when live music spots and late-night haunts are dwindling. And, from the looks of it, they've got all the right tools to make good on those promises. The space will have a state-of-the-art sound system, downstairs and upstairs, while a first-floor band room boasts space for up to six-piece acts. The venue has also been jazzed up with new furniture, fresh lighting and a healthy splash of colour. [caption id="attachment_701736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The now-closed Lounge[/caption] It's all being put to good use right from the get-go, too, with events from the likes of natural wine launches, club nights and parties by the name of Neurotiq Erotiq and Club D'erange just some of what's been locked in for the starting lineup. It's an offering that's only set to blossom when teamed with Colour's 24-hour licence, which it can tap weeklong — except for between 7 and 10am Sundays. The venue's set to operate as a bar and band room from 5pm Tuesday to Thursday, kicking into club mode on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm. A fittingly grand launch party on October 3 will feature sounds from András, Noise In My Head, Sui Zhen, Interstellar Fugitives and Lori. Find Colour at 229 Queensberry Street, Carlton, from October 3.
When Dr Jane Goodall volunteered to live among chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, newspaper headlines were dismissive. Nearly 60 years later, the pioneering primatologist is world-renowned for her groundbreaking research — highlighting how closely connected humans are to our closest living relatives. Having dedicated the past six decades to her ongoing study, animal welfare in general and conservation, Goodall has lived a vastly fascinating life, which she'll be chatting about when she comes to Australia in May 2019. Goodall will appear at Jane Goodall: Rewind The Future event, which heads to the Sydney ICC on Thursday, May 8 and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, May 11. The session will feature a 40-minute lecture by Goodall about her work, followed by a conversation between Goodall and a host for the same duration. Topics certain to get a mention include just how revolutionary her findings were at the time — and the impact they still have now — as well as her connection with the resident primates of Gombe. You can also expect Goodall to discuss her subsequent efforts to fight against threats to African chimpanzee populations, such as deforestation, illegal trade and unethical mining operations. Indeed, wildlife and environmental conservation is the main aim of the Jane Goodall Institute, which she founded in 1977. The Jane Goodall Institute Australia and Think Inc. are behind her 2019 Aussie trip. Catch Jane Goodall: Rewind The Future at the Sydney ICC on Thursday, May 8 and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, May 11, with tickets on sale now.
One of the northside's best-loved beer gardens has been transformed into a beach-inspired oasis primed for the scorching temperatures hitting Melbourne left, right and centre. The Fitzroy Beer Garden's sprawling courtyard now boasts an extra ten cubic metres of sand, vibrant tiki styling and a pop-up beach bar, to help you keep your keep cool right through until the end of summer. To match its snazzy new looks and Mikey XXI wall art, the bar's also whipping up a fresh range of summery cocktail creations. Snag a spot on one of the daybeds or kick back in a beach booth and enjoy sips like the Summerside — a blend of gin, strawberry puree, lemon and balsamic — or the share-friendly Princess Peach jug, featuring vodka, Chambord, peach schnapps, apple juice and mint. Of course, the Gertrude Street bar's weekly lineup of specials and parties continues, too, only now with a blissed-out beachy backdrop. Catch taco night every Tuesday, DJs and $10 burgers every Friday and $5 tinnies from the new beach bar from 6–7pm daily. You can check out all the daily specials over here. The Fitzroy Beach Garden is open from midday–1am daily. Images: The Fitzroy Beer Garden
This just in: AFLOAT bar and restaurant has, after much anticipation, finally launched its floating tennis club, which will operate from January 16 to February 1, 2026. The on-water venue will be the ultimate spot for drinking, dining, and playing during the Australian tennis season. The iconic French brand Lacoste, with a rich tennis heritage, has introduced its renowned Le Club Lacoste experience to Australia for the first time, transforming one of the city's most beloved bars into a tennis club for two weeks. AFLOAT, from the HQ Group behind Melbourne institutions Arbory Bar & Eatery and HER, is an ever-evolving venue that transforms into a new concept each summer. Over eight seasons, AFLOAT has undergone complete transformations, transporting guests from Palm Springs to the Isle of Capri, and from Italy's Amalfi Coast to, most recently, the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. Patrons can now find a 20-plus metre-long Lacoste Court extension, a pop-up store selling Melbourne-exclusive apparel, and a French-inspired food and drinks menu, all set against the stunning city skyline and offering uninterrupted views of the Yarra River. Le Club Lacoste Melbourne kicked off with a who's who launch party on January 16, with DJs Edd Fisher (Waxo Paradiso) and JNETT getting the party started. Bookings are now open to lock in a time slot for a rally, or if you're more here for the vibes, you'll be able to lounge, dine, and drink all while watching the Australian Open on large dedicated screens. Images: Supplied.
Give your pantry a fancy makeover as Breadcetera moves into Malvern East. Guided by the team behind much-loved joints like Riserva, Baia Di Vino and Lucia, this community-minded spot might just be the corner store of your dreams. As the name suggests, stepping inside presents a myriad of high-quality staples, fresh bread, flowers and deli items, not to mention great coffee and probably more than a few things you didn't know existed. Co-owners Frank Ciorciari and Anthony Silvestre have long been embedded in the Malvern East scene, with Riserva's European-style dishes and thoughtful wine-focused retail offering making it a go-to spot for well-heeled locals. Noticing a gap in the market for a similarly sophisticated store with carefully curated provisions, Ciorciari and Silvestre have elevated Breadcetera with an expansive network of local producers, suppliers and friends. Jam-packed with upscale bites and boutique liqueurs, budding epicureans will recognise the names. For instance, Breadcetera stocks bread by Blanc Bakery — the supplier of Hector's Deli, Ruben's Deli and the duo's restaurants — alongside the artisanal loaves of Heathmont's Our Place and sweet treats from North Melbourne's Austro Bakery. Then, you've got Allpress coffee, homewares by Maison Balzac and a selection of Robert Gordon-designed pottery, with much more to discover. Yet this market is more than just a place to refill your cupboards or snag a last-minute gift. Each day offers grab-and-go cuisine, starting with breakfast staples like bircher muesli, granola and egg-and-bacon English muffins. For lunch, expect a rotating menu of toasties, including tuna with green chilli, dill, pickles and American cheddar, and roast beef with horseradish mayo and pickles. Fresh sandwiches, focaccias, salads, pastries and take-home meals present even more options. "Breadcetera is basically a collection of the things we use and love most. It's personal, but we've always believed the personal can be universal," says Ciorciari. "We didn't want to overcomplicate it — somewhere to grab good bread, a coffee, something for dinner, or even just a great pantry item you didn't know you needed. It's not a supermarket and it's not a café — it's something in between." Of course, this considered concept needs the design to match. Ciorciari and Silvestre recruited Melbourne-based architecture and design studio Mitchell & Eades to bring the Wattletree Road store to life. Inspired by European market culture, microcement walls, custom timber joinery and soft-toned terrazzo flooring are elevated through bronze accents, fluted glass and mosaic tiling. Spanning a gift-wrapping station, a leaner for takeaway coffee and stool seating in the window, this mindful aesthetic reflects the gourmet goods that fill the space. Breadcetera is open daily from 8am–4pm at 399 Wattletree Road, Malvern. Head to Instagram for more information. Images: Michael Pham.
Amar Singh, the legend behind some of Sydney and Melbourne's most forward-thinking Indian restaurants, has just opened his new eatery Bibi Ji on the Carlton end of Lygon Street. Much like Daughter-in-Law in Chinatown, Bibi Ji is home to Singh's much-loved brand of 'inauthentic' Indian food. Inspired by street food snacks in India, but reimagined for a contemporary Australian audience, Singh's dishes are all about big flavours served up in an easy-to-share manner. To start, for example, you'll find the likes of a vegan chutney platter, spicy chicken bites, zingy dahi puri among a heap of other snacks. You could easily treat Bibi Ji like an alternative sip-and-snack bar, stopping by for a few drinks paired with reimagined street eats. But it would be a shame to miss out on the extensive list of curries. On the menu, you'll find Aussie staples like butter chicken and tikka masala, plus plenty of lesser-known options, most of which are vegetarian. Beyond the curries, tandoori chicken cooked on the bone, lamb seekh kebab, achari prawns and paneer tikka are streaming out of the in-house tandoor oven. A healthy selection of classic and Indian-inspired cocktails and mocktails is available, as well as a long list of beers, whiskies and wines. When it comes to vinos, you can expect an entirely Victorian selection that covers your usual suspects as well as a few natty options. Design-wise, Bibi Ji could not be more different than the space's previous occupant, Cafe Notturno, which was there for an impressive 45 years. Now, the 80-seat Indian diner is fully embracing the more-is-more aesthetic. The ceilings are covered in a kaleidoscope of draped fabrics, the walls are either tiled, mirrored, or covered in bright paintings, a few big birds of paradise plants are dotted around the restaurant, and the bar is a symphony of colourful tiles, marble, and shimmering plastic garlands. It's hard not to crack a smile when first walking into Bibi Ji. And we don't expect you'll lose that grin at any point during the dining experience. You'll find Bibi Ji at 179 Lygon Street, Carlton, open 5pm–late Wednesday–Sunday, and 12–4pm Friday–Sunday. For more information, visit the venue's website. Images: Jana Langhorst
A free and confronting exhibition that explores the merging of human and animal. In part celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, My Monster: The Human Animal Hybrid will illuminate how we as a society still fear, yet are fascinated, by human-animal hybrids. Through the work of over thirty artists, the exhibition will ask the question of what a hybrid future might look like for animals and humans, given recent biotechnological developments. Just like the monster in Shelley's book, the hybrid is unnatural, an outsider — a monster that blurs the lines between the human and animal realms. The exhibition's aim is also to remind us that we are all, really, still animals, so get ready to feel a sense of disquiet upon seeing the exhibition. And a word of warning: some parts are considered confronting, so beware. Top image: Kate Clark, 'And She Meant It'
O captain, my captain. There are few actors that can make your heart break and your sides hurt in one feel-fuelled moment. Perpetually twinkly-eyed, Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams had done just that for many of us, becoming a sort of surrogate dad for many of our childhoods with his high-pitched Doubtfires, high-fiveable genies and Sesame Street how-tos. "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets," remarked President Barack Obama this morning. With the tragic news of the 63-year-old comic genius's passing this morning, we took time to delve into the impact Williams has made on audiences young and old, opening minds through unrivalled slapstick comedy, Academy Award-worthy drama and that loud, lively, unforgettable voice. While an entire, kickass career can't be summed up in a list of ten (special mention to his unbreakable role as Aladdin's genie, the heartbreaking Patch Adams, everyone's favourite Jumanji and the terrifying One Hour Photo), here's a modest snippet of ten ways Robin Williams opened minds, hearts and lamps with his extraordinary talent. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vdXhWS7lLvs Dead Poet's Society The quintessential lesson in seizing the day, 1989's Dead Poets Society saw Williams take on unforgettable English teacher John Keating (and nab an Oscar nomination for it). Kicking his students into gear with a love of poetry and a fierce ability to tackle life head on, Williams' Keating is one of those captivating, To Sir With Love-like teacher characters who kicks your own butt into gear along with the characters. And then there's that table-topped scene. We're all standing tall with an "O Captain, My Captain," today. Williams Gold: "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse." https://youtube.com/watch?v=mXkApy0gkjM The Birdcage Making plain the ridiculousness of right-wing conservative homophobia, The Birdcage saw Williams delve into the world of gay cabaret to expose widely shared prejudice and bullshit. Playing South Beach drag club owner Armand Goldman in this remake of the hugely popular French musical farce La Cage aux Folles, Williams and his drag queen partner (Nathan Lane) have to put up a 'straight front' in front of a his son's fiance's narrow-minded parents. Damn good comedic timing from Williams and Lane makes a mockery of disdain and small-minded attitudes, with the subtlety of Williams balanced by the high pitched screams of Lane. Williams Gold: "Yes, I wear foundation. Yes, I live with a man. Yes, I'm a middle-aged 'fag'. But I know who I am, Val. It took me twenty years to get here and I'm not gonna let some idiot senator destroy that. Fuck the senator, I don't give a damn what he thinks." https://youtube.com/watch?v=qM-gZintWDc Good Will Hunting The role that earned Williams his Oscar (and rightly so). Teaming up with Matt Damon for a genuinely kickass onscreen partnership, Williams channelled all previous dramatic experience into his role as Sean Maguire, counselling Damon's troubled mathematical genius. Nailing a particularly rousing, almost one-take monologue in the park, Williams' performance cuts to the core of knowledge versus experience, knowing about something as opposed to feeling it. Then there's his delving into "superphilosophy" and Dead Poet's Society-like Take Control speeches. Williams Gold: "You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally, I don't give a shit about all that, because you know what, I can't learn anything from you, I can't read in some fuckin' book. Unless you want to talk about you, who you are. Then I'm fascinated." https://youtube.com/watch?v=MAp8j4c2LGs Mrs Doubtfire Tackling divorce in an accessible way for your inevitably young viewers is a masterful skill for any film team — and Chris Columbus's Mrs Doubtfire nailed it. Dragging up in order to secretly spend time with his kids, Williams' wild and wonderful lead role as Daniel Hillard was deliberately appealing to a broad audience, dissolving the stigma attached to divorce at the time by making the simple facts plain (not to mention the Tootsie-like gender role adventure). Groundbreaking for the time, Sally Field (Miranda Hillard) and Williams didn't get back together in the end. So while audiences were chortling over Williams' fiery breasts or whipped cream face mask, the comedic master was giving a lesson in attitude change. High-freakin-five. Williams Gold: "Sink the sub. Hide the weasel. Park the porpoise. A bit of the old Humpty Dumpty, Little Jack Horny, the Horizontal Mambo, hmm? The Bone Dancer, Rumpleforeskin, Baloney Bop, a bit of the old Cunning Linguistics?" https://youtube.com/watch?v=W4fmVJ3nPs0 FernGully: The Last Rainforest Soaring through the rainforest canopy and throwing down a mean rap, Williams' Batty Koda taught us one important environmental lesson: humans truly suck. Teaching us to respect the natural environment, stop being tossers and Damn the Loggers, FernGully saw the fairy community and the recently-freed-from-animal-testing Batty take on a freakin' terrifying Tim Curry-voiced, human-released menace called Hexxus. Rapping out his terrifying past and constantly 'changing channels' through his human-installed aerial, Batty was one of Williams' most underrated performances — voiced the very same year as his kickass Aladdin genie (every inch worth a spot in our ten, we ran out of room for Williams chockers resume). Williams Gold: (Best rapped out loud) "I've been brain-fried, electrified, infected, and injectified, vivisectified and fed pesticides. My face is all cut up 'cause my radar's all shut up. Nurse, I need a check-up from the neck up. I'm Batt-ay." https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gl3e-OUnavQ Sesame Street A constant friend to the imaginary, education-addicted New York City street, Williams opened our minds to many a truth nugget as youngsters. While it's actually quite sad to watch his tutorial on how to tell whether something is alive, his clip unpacking conflict (above) is just adorable. Then there was that time he gave Elmo a stick. For years, Williams trained our silly young'un minds about things that matter, now Sesame Street mourns their lost, loveable friend. Williams Gold: "You can be playing baseball in the World Series, hit it over the fence and realise "I'M THE ONE." Or maybe you can be playing hockey... or you can be at the Olympics, throwing the javelin... Or you can be doing incredible things like riding a horse through the pass, leading all the wagons through. Or you can have a cane and you're dancing around with Tommy Tune, or it can be a conductor's baton... You can be at the head of the parade, or you can be AN ENGLISH OFFICER MARCHING FOR NO REASON, AROUND, BACK AND FORTH, or you can be playing pool..." (Williams on the uses of a stick.) https://youtube.com/watch?v=JsJxIoFu2wo Hook Growing up is overrrated. We all knew this was the main Peter Pan soapbox, until Williams took us through imaginary food fights, insult-slinging and Dustin Hoffman showdowns while keeping his grown-up life (read: family) together. The film that pretty much embodied Williams' anti-growing up lifelong persona, Hook saw Williams lend a new street cred to Pan, one absent in Jeremy Sumpter's poor 2003 effort. Williams opened our minds to the art of insults at the dinner table, a true artform. So if growing up comes with being a fusty, fun-hating adult and losing your ability to silence a regular Rufio, sign us up for a ticket to Williams' Neverland. Williams Gold: "Rufio, if I'm a maggot burger why don't you eat me! You two-toned zebra-headed, slime-coated, pimple-farmin' paramecium brain, munchin' on your own mucus, suffering from Peter Pan envy! I'll tell you what a paramecium is. That's the paramecium. It's a one-celled critter with no brain, that can't fly. Don't mess with me man, I'm a lawyer!" https://youtube.com/watch?v=wuk8AOjGURE Good Morning Vietnam Shaking things up on breakfast radio is one thing, doing it on a US Armed Services Radio station during the Vietnam War is another. Playing the highly unorthodox DJ , Williams nabbed another Oscar nomination for giving a finger to the system as Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning Vietnam. Diverting from his dull, monotonous radio predecessors, Cronauer's dynamite, wacky morning broadcasts turn real when he experiences first-hand the horrors of war — a broadcast truth that sees him replaced and facing another battle to get back on the air. Williams balances wacky outlandishness with dramatic poignancy, channelling all the Damn the Man finesse with high-fiveable conviction. And if we could wake up every day to Williams respect for microphone technique instead of certain bullshit shock jocks, we'd be outstandingly happy campers. Williams Gold: "GOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAAAAAAAAAAAAM." https://youtube.com/watch?v=PXeSgVk5aH4 Stand-Up Outspoken on everything from porn to the Vatican (and often blending the two), Williams made no compromises for his stand-up gold. Exposing hypocrisy in the Bible, taking digs at the Pope and slamming homophobia, Williams countless stand-up tours opened minds to prejudice, stupidity and the questionable nature of religious doctrine — made immortal through the biggest catalogue of vocal impressions you've ever seen in one sitting. Williams Gold: "In the beginning, Genesis, 'let there be light.' Could that be a metaphor for the Big Bang? 'No. God just went click.'" https://youtube.com/watch?v=v9g1yRXF8I8 Mork and Mindy "Nanu-Nanu." Less WTF than Bowie's The Man Who Fell to Earth and significantly less heartbreaking than ET, Mork and Mindy made a rambunctious ride out of alien-human relations. One of Williams' first real lead roles, Mork was a spin-off show from his bit character on Happy Days — Williams had impressed producer Gerry Marshall who cast him on the spot, later quipping that Williams was the only alien who auditioned for M&M. A bonafide archive of Williams' comic voices, slapstick and twinkly humour, Mork made us question the weird, wonderful and (most often) trivia parts of human life and the things we take for granted. Williams Gold: "If my knees knock any louder, I'm gonna look inside my pants and see who's there." Vale, Robin Williams. You freakin' ruled. Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can contact Lifeline. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation their trained volunteers are ready to listen, provide support and referrals. Lifeline answer around 1800 calls every day from Australians needing crisis support and suicide prevention services. Lifeline provide all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to online, phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14 for 24hr telephone crisis support or visit their website here.
Melbourne's Crown complex is working hard to reinvent itself right now. It's removed some of its old drinking and dining hotspots, and is replacing them with more contemporary venues intended to attract a younger and more diverse crowd. Basically, Crown is trying to be cool. And one damn good way to achieve this is by enlisting the help of the hugely popular Mischa Tropp (Toddy Shop) to create a huge new venue. And it looks like Tropp is delivering that much-needed cool factor — in spades — with his new venue Kolkata Cricket Club, which is slated to open on Saturday, December 7. The new 150-seat venue is inspired by Bengali cricket clubs and members' bars, which the Indian community reclaimed following independence. You can either drop by The Sports Bar — pairing beers with snacks and thalis while watching a cricket match — or settle in for a long feed at the adjoining KCC Dining Room. Food throughout the Kolkata Cricket Club has strong pan-Indian and Bengali influences but is executed with Tropp's signature contemporary twists. Highlights have got to be Tropp's famed butter chicken, anything from the tandoor oven, and the long list of bar snacks — look no further than the samosas, beer-battered fries with curry sauce and kulchas (bread stuffed with either saffron-braised duck, or peas and stracciatella). Tropp shared, "This year has been a fantastic year for Indian cuisine and cooking and I'm thrilled to be sharing my take on these flavours to a larger audience into 2025. "Some might think you need to be an expert at Indian cuisine to really enjoy it but with Kolkata Cricket Club, I've created a variety of dishes and flavours that will cater to every tastebud". Crown's Kolkata Cricket Club is set to open on Saturday, December 7, and will operate from 5pm–late, Wednesday–Sunday. For more details, you can check out the venue's website. Images: Chege Mbuthi.
Books for Cooks has been open in Melbourne since 1983. It's moved around over the years before moving to the Queen Victoria Market in 2018. An independent, specialist bookstore, Books for Cook has more than 40,000 cookery and food and wine titles in stock. The store is run by passionate cooks and lovers of good food, and the team can help you search for any hard-to-find titles. If you've done a Marie Kondo recently and have some old books to clear away, Books for Cooks also buys good-condition secondhand food and wine books. Images: Parker Blain.
For a lot of us, 2020 so far has involved a whole heap less travel than we'd usually like. With devastating bushfires raging across the country, many had to forego our annual summer trips and stay at home. Then, COVID-19 hit Australia, resulting in nationwide restrictions on travel. To say we have a bit of wanderlust would be an understatement. Last week, on. Friday, May 8, the Australian Government announced its three-step roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown, with talks of interstate and possibly trans-Tasman travel happening before the end of July. Finally, we can start thinking about leaving our four walls and dreaming of our next trip away. While we can't jet off to Europe or make our way through Southeast Asia yet, we'll soon be able to explore our own backyard — from its pristine coastline, lush bushland, snowy mountains and expansive plains. And, to help inspire your post-iso plans, Tourism Australia is launching an online program of virtual travel experiences and entertainment. Best of all, it's completely free. Dubbed Live from Aus, the program will run from Saturday, May 16 to Sunday, May 17 via its YouTube channel and Facebook page. It'll feature everything from Phillip Island's penguins to underwater reef tours at the Great Barrier Reef, music by First Nations artists with Uluru as its backdrop, Mona's Spectra light show, an Australian wine tour with Adelaide Hills' Unico Zelo, a cheesemaking session with Jo Barrett and Matt Stone, and sunrise yoga at Byron Bay. All up, expect a taste for Australia's natural beauty, food, music, wildlife and culture. [caption id="attachment_769947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sunrise Yoga with Elements of Byron Bay, courtesy of Tourism Australia[/caption] Other highlights include a disco party with The Wiggles, an exploration of Indigenous Australian ingredients with famed chef and MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, tours of Australia's greatest golf greens, pub trivia, a coffee making tutorial with Ona Coffee, a tour of Kangaroo Island, a night at the Opera House and Dreamtime stories with Darren 'Capes' Capewell. You can check out the full program and times here. Live from Aus will kick off at 7am AEST on Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17. You can tune in for free via Facebook or its website. Images: Underwater Reef Tour at the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru Sunset Session with First Nations music curated by Sounds Australia, Penguin Parade Bedtime Stories from Phillip Island and Kangaroo Island Tour with Craig Wickham — all courtesy of Tourism Australia.
To celebrate the passion and artistry of Italian cinema, we're giving ten lucky Playgrounders (and their mates) free tickets to one of the most anticipated films of this year's Lavazza Italian Film Festival: the Australian premiere of Bangla. And, not only will you be watching this fresh and witty rom-com on the big screen, but you'll also be treated to dinner and drinks beforehand — on us. It's called Culture Club. We've teamed up with Palace Cinemas to curate a (free) evening of food, drinks, film and conversation — and the next club meeting will take place next month, on Saturday, October 12. From 6pm, you'll be treated to dinner at Albert Park's well-loved pizza joint Italian Artisans. Expect a drink on arrival (spritz, beer or vino) followed by antipasto platters, mains (expect lots of pizza) and endless pours of wine. Geeky film chat with your fellow VIPs is encouraged. Once you've finished wining and dining, you'll be picked up and whisked away to Chapel Street's much-loved hidden speakeasy, Promise Bar, for a pre-film tipple at 8pm. Then, you'll be taking a (very) short stroll down to the plush Palace Cinema Como to watch the movie at 8.50pm. Movie snacks (a drink and a popcorn) will be there for you to enjoy — if you're not too full from dinner, that is. For a little taste of what to expect from Bangla, check out the trailer below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69O1G1ZRAM If you're keen to nab free tickets to Culture Club, enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]741009[/competition]
Melbourne, prepare to up your dining game to new and glorious heights – First Table has launched across the city. You'd be forgiven if you've never heard of it, though. First Table may be a new concept, but it's life-changing one at the same time. After launching in New Zealand two years ago, Sydney has enjoyed it for the last twelve months and now it's our turn. The premise is simple: get 50% off your bill when you book an early table. Restaurants often struggle to get diners into the early slot, so First Table have the solution. Each eatery decides how many tables get the deal and what time patrons have to dine, and then you secure your half-price table (for 2 to 4 guests) online beforehand. Everyone wins, and there's no surprises at bill time. Just to be clear, this isn't an early-bird special as you know them. There's no set menu, no watery promo cocktail to disappoint you and no corner of the menu that's off limits (apart from booze – that one you still have to pay for). "You want [new clients] to experience the restaurant how it really is," says First Table founder Mat Weir. "Then you've got a reason to get entrees, mains and desserts which they may not have ordered otherwise, and then you get to actually experience the restaurant how the chef would like, a full experience". And, making great news even better, more restaurants are being signed up in Melbourne every week. After a year of First Table fun, Sydney boasts some prestigious dining experiences on their list, as well as local eateries. As Weir says, a big drawcard for both customers and restaurants is allowing people to try new places and dishes they might not be able to afford otherwise. Half-priced dinners at fancy restaurants AND an early bed time? It's like Christmas come early. For more information about First Table, visit their website.
If you've got the itch for a bit of outdoor adventure, you're in for a treat. Last year, we reached out to you, dear readers, to share your favourite camping spots, and after a year of exploring, we were due for some fresh ideas. So, in partnership with The Bottle-O, we've pulled together a whole new list of standout camping spots that were submitted by Concrete Playground readers. Whether you're into beachfront bliss, rainforest retreats, or bushland beauty, there's something for everyone. Grab your mates, pack up the car, stock up on good-value booze from The Bottle-O and get set for your next adventure in the great outdoors. [caption id="attachment_943842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Millstream Chichester National Park, Canva[/caption] Miliyanha Campground, Millstream Chichester National Park, WA Our first suggestion takes us to the wild west, where the red dirt meets clear blue skies. Miliyanha Campground in Millstream Chichester National Park is an absolute gem. Reader Bruce reckons it's the ideal spot for some 'twitching' aka bird-watching. "Miliyanha is a perfect spot for a bit of twitching. There are lots of raptors, rainbow bee-eaters, blue-winged kookaburras, and the local hills kangaroos, and if you're lucky, you might spot a quoll!" It's a fairly remote campsite so don't check in without swinging by The Bottle-O first. Because what's a camping trip without a well-stocked cooler and some primo local vino? Closest The Bottle-O: Karratha [caption id="attachment_943841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freycinet Beach Landscape, Chris Putnam[/caption] Friendly Beaches, Freycinet National Park, TAS Let's head south to the Apple Isle where the beaches are as pristine as they come. Freycinet National Park boasts not one, not two, but several top-notch camping spots. From Friendly Beaches (Isaacs Point) and Richardsons Beach to Honeymoon Bay and Ranger Creek, you're well and truly spoilt for choice. Reader Sarah swears by the beachfront camping experience: "Nothing beats falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore at Friendly Beaches. It's my go-to campground all year round." Swing by The Bottle-O on your way to grab a bottle of Tasmanian-made whisky for a special seaside nightcap. Closest The Bottle-O: St Helens [caption id="attachment_943836" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cape Tribulation, Emil Rasmussen[/caption] Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation QLD Head north to the tropics where the world's oldest rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. The Daintree Rainforest is the largest in Australia and is home to flora and fauna you can't find anywhere else on earth. Tucked beneath the canopy of Daintree National Park, it provides the ultimate escape from the rat race of city life. Our reader Gavan recommends Noah Beach camping area in Cape Tribulations as the best spot for a digital detox: "Just you, the wildlife, and the sounds of the rainforest". How good. For all your beverage-in-paradise needs, The Bottle-O has you covered so stop into the Mossman store before you head into the Daintree National Park. Closest The Bottle-O: Mossman [caption id="attachment_943840" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jervis-Bay, Cyril Cayssalie[/caption] Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay, NSW In New South Wales, about three hours south of Sydney, we find ourselves in stunning Jervis Bay. With crystal-clear waters and famous white sands, it's a cracking location for swimming, snorkelling or just lazing about in the sun. The choice is yours, and they're all good. Our Instagram follower Kylie is a sucker for Honeymoon Bay campground: "All of the beaches around Jervis Bay are fab, but Honeymoon is my favourite. Cheap, cheerful and ideal for snorkelling." You'll need to bring everything with you (and take it all when you go to keep this spot so awesome), and that includes all your drinking water and cooking supplies. Hit up The Bottle-O to fill your esky with ice and all your go-to drinks for evenings around the campfire as the sun sets across the beach. Closest The Bottle-O: Oak Flats [caption id="attachment_943839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Grampians, Halls Gal Drive, David Burke[/caption] Smith's Mill Campground, The Grampians, VIC Last but not least, we head to the heart of Victoria's Grampians National Park. Smith's Mill Campground near Halls Gap is the perfect base for exploring everything that this amazing Aussie destination offers — just be mindful of the local emus. Our reader Mike places this campground above all others: "Smith's Mill is right around the corner from Mackenzie Falls, an ideal spot for a splash on a hot day after trekking up Pinnacle Walk for the epic views. There's a bush shower at the campground if you miss out." Again, make sure your esky is fully loaded by making a pit stop at The Bottle-O for all your beverage needs as this is a remote spot. Closest The Bottle-O: Sebastopol Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Canva
