It wasn't that long ago that sleeping somewhere other than your own home meant two things: camping in a flimsy tent, or cosying up in a hotel. Thanks to glamping, the lines between the two are blurring — and the list of places you can stay is expanding in tandem. The latest? A helicopter. First things first: no, the aircraft won't take flight while you're sleeping in it. I'm sure we can all agree that's actually for the best. Instead, the decommissioned Royal Navy ZA127 Sea King has been converted into luxury accommodation on Mains Farm in Thornhill, Stirling in Scotland, ready to sleep five. While Helicopter Glamping's vessel looks exactly as you'd expect on the outside, the inside features sleeping areas, a kitchenette and a lounge in what used to be the cockpit. You'll also find a sun dome, glazed patio doors that lead out onto a deck, and a bathroom where the sonar station used to be. And, if you can stay there without exclaiming "get to the chopper" over and over, well done. Via Travel + Leisure. Image: Helicopter Glamping.
Melbourne may not have many phwoar views, but you wouldn't know it perched on the terrace of Transit's Cocktail Lounge. The cool breeze off the Yarra below fans the view of the Arts Center precinct, sweeping down to the towers of Southgate. The crowd is usually a healthy mix of Southbank's after-work set with G&T's the refreshment of choice. Check out our full list of the ten best rooftop bars in Melbourne. Images: Giulia Morlando.
Thanks to the expert curators behind 'Bourne Local, you've now got another top-notch artisan market to put on rotation. On the last Sunday of each month, the crew takes over a former car showroom on Hoddle Street to host its latest offering — the 'Bourne Local Collingwood Artisan Market. Running 11am–4.30pm, each instalment is brimming with locally-made fashion, homewares, crafts and produce, and backed by a range of seasonal delights. While you shop, you can tuck into bites from the day's food truck rotation (maybe vegan Mexican eats by Cha Chas), and soak up live sounds from a lineup of local artists. Unlike other markets, however, this one also features a roller rink disco and table tennis hall, for a spot of extra entertainment. For its September 25 edition, you'll also catch a BMX and car display put together by Street Car Culture, and a pop-up barbershop from the hair legends at Kings Domain Academy. More goodies are in store for the rest of the series, happening on October 30 and November 27, with a special twilight market following on December 11 (3–9pm). Entry to the markets is free, though you can reserve a spot online. Images: Simon Fazio
Eat, shop, dance and be merry down by Merri Creek, at 2016's CERES Harvest Festival. Held each year at the beloved community centre and urban farm in Brunswick East, the Harvest Festival helps raise money for the centre, while bringing the neighbourhood together to celebrate the natural world. This year's festival will feature a number of terrific local music acts, including 8Foot Felix, Rachel by the Stream, Tailor Birds and The Jills. There'll also be stalls selling craft products and other handmade items, as well as workshops, animal displays and the annual cake baking competition. And don't forget the community feast, after which you may have trouble standing. The whole event runs from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, March 19.
Adulting is a real struggle lately, with not much relief in sight. Go back to a time when your weekends weren't all grocery shopping, never-ending loads of laundry and trying to afford a cocktail and reconnect with your inner (or actual) child at The Funderdome. Rediscover your sense of fun at a place where there's absolutely no pressure to be the best (or even remotely good) at it all — with activities such as mini golf, karaoke and arcade games, the home of unprofessional sport is about letting loose and embarrassing yourself in front of family and friends while you're at it. Whether you're there with the little ones or there to throw down with your mates, there are a range of affordable individual and group packages for kids and adults alike. You can even get $150 worth of games for only $49 with the All-Access Pass for your kids these school holidays, which includes all 18 holes of mini golf, 30 minutes of karaoke and a children's meal. Delight the whole family and ditch the responsibilities for an afternoon with a few (if not all) of the unprofessional sports below. PLAYAS CRAZY GOLF The star of the show at The Funderdome — you actually have to walk through a series of illuminated stars to get there — is Playas Crazy Golf. Spread across two levels, the mini-golf course was designed in collaboration with leading London-based architectural designer Zachary Pulman. Choose to start off tame with nine holes or go big with the full 18. Putt-putt novices and pros alike will be challenged by holes like 'I'm Stumped,' 'The Punisher' and 'Loop-the-Loop.' Keeping in line with the retro Coney Island theme, some of the trickier holes require manoeuvring around props such as a carousel horse, foosball table and even a rotating ferris wheel. BOOM BOX KARAOKE If you'd rather challenge your vocal range than your hand-eye coordination, jump into one of the two karaoke rooms. Each 70s-themed room is spacious enough for a large group and equipped with lounge seats, a sizable screen, a small stage area and even disco balls twinkling overhead, so you'll truly feel like the star of the show. Don't worry; both rooms are private, so no one will overhear you belting out your best ABBA or Beyoncé. And with food and drinks available in your room, there's really no excuse not to hit that high note. ARCADE GAMES Go from gaming OGs to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences at The Funderdome's two arcades. Relive your childhood and introduce your kids to pre-Mario Brothers gaming heroes like PacMan, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders. Then, you can test your reflexes with classic arcade games, including claw machines, pinball and Ice Ball. If you'd rather ditch the joystick, the New School Arcade boasts all the latest in gaming. Joining VR experiences like King Kong and Jurassic Park, the newest arrival is The XD Dark Ride — a 4D virtual reality game for up to eight people with motion seats, wind, immersive sound and 3D visuals on a curved screen. You won't want to go back to a Nintendo after this. THE CLUBHOUSE Need a break to tally wins? The Clubhouse is the heart of The Funderdome. Huddle up in a booth for a drink and much-needed bite, catch your breath by the fireplace, get inspired by real athletes on the big screen or keep up your winning streak at activities such as giant Jenga and Connect Four, Atari pong, shuffleboard, foosball or air hockey. Make the next round of games a little more interesting — and that kid's birthday party more tolerable — with a wine, beer or cocktail at the fully licensed venue. The kitchen serves diner favourites such as corn dogs, mac and cheese balls, buffalo chicken tenders and onion rings. More substantial offerings include clubhouse sandwiches, woodfired pizzas and hot dogs. There are chicken tenders, fish and chips, toasties or cheese pizza for the little ones. And in case you need a sugar high to get through another round of mini golf, there are churros, a warm cookie skillet or chocolate brownie for dessert. After 8pm, The Funderdome becomes an 18+ venue. The Clubhouse slings drinks with a DJ spinning until midnight on Fridays. Find out more and book your spot at The Funderdome's website. The All-Access Pass can only be purchased in-venue from Saturday, September 16, to Sunday, October 1.
It's that time of year again. Temperatures are rising and we're planning our summer getaways, but when you don't want to follow the crowds to the beach — and the idea of lounging around isn't your kind of holiday — perhaps it's time to rethink mountain adventures. Once the snow melts away, New South Wales' Snowy Mountains transform into an adventurer's haven. There are peaks for conquering, trails for cycling, rivers for kayaking, long plains for horse riding and swimming holes for cooling off after all that adrenaline-boosting action. Plus, you'll be surrounded by incredible views, fields of wildflowers and incredible wildlife. In partnership with Destination NSW, here are five reasons to make your great escape to the Snowy Mountains in the summer months. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_742018" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo[/caption] GO MOUNTAIN BIKING Whether you're a newbie or veteran on two wheels, there are tracks and trails to suit your skills in the Snowies. A good place to start is Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, where there are 50 kilometres to explore — from skill parks to cross country routes. For a longer adventure, cycle to Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa along the Thredbo Valley Track — the 35-kilometre trail follows Thredbo River, taking in a few suspension bridges and plenty of pretty scenery. Note that it's closed until December 19 for track maintenance. Perisher's easier-going trails, which come with epic views, are also worth a spin. And, if you're looking for some local company, book a guided mountain biking tour. [caption id="attachment_745605" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] TREK INTO THE WILD Explore the legend that Banjo Paterson made famous on a pony of your own. At Thredbo Valley Horse Riding, you can choose from a range of trail rides, be it a one-hour taster, a 1.5-hour saunter or a two-hour adventure. All of them pass through magical, sub-alpine wilderness, and begin with a 15-minute lesson, so you learn the basics before jumping into the saddle. Ride at a level that suits you, whether you prefer a slow walk or a fast-paced gallop. Ready for something more epic? Plunge into a multi-day saga, with either Cochran Horse Treks or Reynella Rides. [caption id="attachment_742071" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Snowy Mountains[/caption] TAKE A HIKE You could spend months hiking in the Snowy Mountains without running out of terrain. The Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk is the best-known trail in the area, but there are loads of other routes to try. If you're into waterfalls, take a stroll along the Waterfall Walking Track, which passes through six kilometres of wildflowers, forests and granite boulders. For panoramic views, go for Dead Horse Gap Walking Track, a five-kilometre hike that passes beneath the Ramshead Range, 600 metres above Thredbo Valley. Or, to combine a walk with a swim, add Illawong Walk to your itinerary. It's an easy, five-kilometre return trail that follows Thredbo River from Guthega Village. [caption id="attachment_745602" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] SWIM IN SCENIC POOLS AND ALPINE LAKES The water isn't exactly tropical in the Snowy Mountains, but it's definitely an adventure. At Thredbo, you'll find a couple of swimming holes that are popular with locals, including Merritts Pond and Friday Flat Pond. Another super-peaceful spot is Lake Jindabyne, where there are various bays suitable for dipping, one of the prettiest being Rushes Bay. Then there's Thredbo River, home to a bunch of swimming holes. But, if you really can't hack the chill, make tracks to Yarrangobilly Caves Pool, a thermal, spring-fed pool, right near Yarrangobilly Caves, which is 27 degrees all year round. [caption id="attachment_742081" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thredbo[/caption] SCALE THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS Need to clear your head? There are stacks of places in the Snowies where you can climb your way to greater heights — whether you're a novice who's never left the ground before or a hard-corer who's summited Mount Everest. K7 Adventures offers a variety of tours, from half-day escapades in Charlotte Pass suitable for beginners to full-day experiences at Blue Lake designed for advanced climbers. Another popular operator is Snowy Mountains Climbing School, which runs trips among Thredbo's granite tours for climbers of all skill levels, including newbies. Once you've scaled great heights it's time to put your trust in the ropes and abseil back down again. To find more things to do in the Snowy Mountains or to start planning your trip, go to Visit NSW. Top image: Tourism Snowy Mountains
Sydney Film Festival is swapping indie films for an Indy film for one big night to close out its 2023 event. Heading to the Harbour City straight from premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, and featuring Harrison Ford back in the hat, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will officially wrap up the New South Wales capital's annual cinema tribute when this year's festival wraps up on Sunday, June 18. SFF is no stranger to big Hollywood flicks, of course — Pixar's Elemental is one such title already in the 2023 lineup — but it's going the action blockbuster route with its closing-night slot. The latest and fifth Indiana Jones entry will enjoy its Australian premiere at the fest, ahead of opening in Aussie cinemas on Wednesday, June 28. "Indiana Jones has held a special place in the hearts of audiences around the world for over 40 years," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley, announcing the fest's closer for 2023 two weeks after the event's full program was unveiled. "We are thrilled to close on such a high note and offer Australian audiences the first chance to experience this incredible sequel to a cinematic classic." Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny arrives 42 years after Raiders of the Lost Ark made archaeologist Indiana Jones one of the most famous big-screen characters there is, 39 years since Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom gave it a sequel, 34 years after Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade initially seemed to wrap things up and 15 years since Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull got things going again. As well as bringing back its legendary star fresh from proving a cantankerous delight in streaming comedy Shrinking, in what's been dubbed his final appearance as Indy, the new film also makes a few fresh stellar casting moves. Getting Fleabag favourite Phoebe Waller-Bridge onboard is clearly one of them. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny heads back to the 60s, and uses the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union as a backdrop. Story-wise, the also supremely well-cast Mads Mikkelsen (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) leads a group of Nazis trying to use the movie's titular trinket to change the past and claim power — a gadget that Helena (Waller-Bridge), Indy's goddaughter, has her own plans for in the name of capitalism. The archaeologist's latest outing brings in a few changes to the series, with Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans) out of the director's chair for the first time ever, handing over the reins to Logan and Ford v Ferrari's James Mangold. And, George Lucas doesn't have a part in the script, either, with Mangold co-scripting with Ford v Ferrari's Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth. That said, the famous John Williams-composed theme will soundtrack the action again — and echo through Sydney's State Theatre. Check out the full trailer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny below: Sydney Film Festival 2023 runs from Wednesday, June 7–Sunday, June 18 at various Sydney cinemas — head to the festival website for further information and tickets. After closing the Sydney Film Festival, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny releases in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Images: © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
When Moonlight Cinema returns for its 2019–20 season, the annual feast of outdoor movies will give film fans exactly what we all want. Sure, we're all keen to roll out our picnic blankets, sit under the stars and stare up at the big screen — but, given that this openair cinema launches at the end of each and every year, we also want Christmas movies. In the week leading up to the big festive day, Moonlight will screen Last Christmas, Die Hard, Home Alone, Love Actually and Elf. Yep, all the basics are covered. They're not the only highlights from the just-dropped November, December and January program, but they sure do twinkle brightly among a heap of other movie standouts. If you're wondering what else will tempt your inner cinephile from November 28 in Sydney and Melbourne, November 30 in Perth and December 14 in Brisbane, it's a lengthy list. With recently or newly released movies a big part of Moonlight's lineup, expect to watch Rocketman, Hustlers, Joker, Ford v Ferrari, Knives Out, Cats, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker and Charlie's Angels — and, in some cities, to see Brad Pitt twice thanks to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Ad Astra. Moonlight also showcases advanced screenings of upcoming films, so add the Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie-starring Bombshell and Tom Hanks in It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood to your must-see pile. Going retro, the outdoor cinema will mark 20 years since Bring It On first waved its pom poms, step back into The Matrix in some cities, and revisit last year's A Star Is Born — as well as Bohemian Rhapsody in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Dirty Dancing is also on the bill, like every year — it wouldn't be a Moonlight without it. The February and March lineup will be announced on January 15, so there are even more movies to come. As always, Moonlight will also boast its usual food truck and licensed bar offering, and its reserved bean beds. You can also BYO booze everywhere except Brisbane — and bring your dog everywhere but Perth. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2019 DATES Sydney: Nov 28–Mar 29 (Centennial Park) Melbourne: Nov 28–Mar 29 (Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens) Perth: Nov 30–Mar 29 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Adelaide: Dec 13–Feb 16 (Botanic Park) Brisbane: Dec 14–March 29 (Roma Street Parkland) The Moonlight Cinema kicks off on November 28. For more information and bookings, visit the website. Top image: Moonlight Cinema Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Named for Shanghai's ancient narrow streets and alleys, the popular Hutong Group first set up shop in the CBD. The Prahran branch — specialising in peking duck and dumplings — has been around since the end of 2009 and is often as busy as its sibling. The addition of peking duck in its name supposedly indicates their specialty with the dish, however the boast that they are "the original one to make the Peking Duck since 1978 in China" is confusing as a statement and one that is not necessarily fulfilled. As in their other venues, Hutong Peking Duck & Dumpling offers Shanghainese food from eastern China, where dishes are traditionally small and designed for sharing. Their xiao long bao (also known as XLB or soup dumplings) command a rather large and dedicated following. Thin — but not too thin — dumpling skins expertly envelop the fragrant, soupy crab and pork filling ($13.50 for eight). Challenging to eat perhaps, but, having been advised by a dumpling maker that this is what you're after in a dumpling, juices running down the chin is not a problem you should worry about with these morsels. You can have the aforementioned peking duck in dumpling form, or their signature half or whole peking duck with steamed pancakes ($36.90-68.90). This is a build it yourself deal, with the menu instructing you to take a pancake, fill it with roasted and sliced duck meat, swathe this with special duck sauce, some cucumber strips and spring onions, roll it up and put it in your mouth before it all falls apart. It's a pretty dish and rather ceremonially presented with its flower adornment and bamboo steamer full of pancakes. As far as flavour is concerned though, there's just something missing. The gloriousness of the first bite of hot, crispy skin giving way to a melting mouthful of sweet, savoury, smoky duck fat and meat experienced with our previous peking duck endeavours was absent here. While the service was fast and efficient, there is little interest in conversation — or time for explanation or recommendation. You'll want to take a dumpling savvy friend and allow them to order up a storm. Otherwise you may feel a little overwhelmed by the vast menu and lack of navigation assistance. Disinterested service is often part of the deal in dumpling venues — as is a flask of complimentary Chinese tea, lots of dumplings for your dollar and laminated tables. But don't expect any of the latter at Hutong. A lot of care has been put into the décor here with its of mixture of wood, tiling, glass, contemporary art and ornaments. It's very much about the look. All of the surfaces are hard ones, which makes for some tricky acoustics once people start competing for their voices to be heard. If you're after a cheap and cheerful dinner — or a lot of dumpling bang for your buck — Prahran's Hutong isn't for you. But if you feel like mulling over a few xiao long bao and a glass of wine in a refined environment, this is the place to do it.
Pucker up, Melburnians — we're about to get a brand-new festival dedicated to acid-driven sour beers and dance-friendly tunes. The aptly named Electric Kool-Aid makes its tart, fizzy debut over three days this January at Bodriggy Brewing's Abbotsford HQ. It's pulling together a lineup of 20 sour beers from over ten different craft breweries, including Footscray's Site Fermentation Project, Tasmania's Two Metre Tall, Garage Project out of New Zealand, Molly Rose Brewing in Collingwood, Thornbury's 3 Ravens and even Bodriggy itself. All the brews are being created especially for the event, with a huge variety of fruity concoctions, kettle- and barrel-aged sours battling it out for your vote in the day's prized People's Choice Award. [caption id="attachment_735952" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] To balance out the sour sips, expect a super smooth program of live tunes and DJ sets across the weekend, with sounds from the likes of Sui Zhen, Chiara Kickdrum, Rings Around Saturn, Alex Albrecht-Melquiades, AcidSlop and more. There'll also be funky wines by Lucy Margaux and snacks from Bodriggy's South American-inflected menu. More workshops and breweries are expected to be announced closer to the date, too. Entry will cost you just $10 each day of the festival. Electric Kool-Aid runs from 4–10pm Friday, 11.30am–10pm Saturday and 11.30am–10pm Sunday. Images: Kate Shanasy.
UPDATE 29 July 2021: The Melbourne podcast festival has been postponed until Friday, September 17–Sunday, September 19. The article has been updated to reflect this. If you're looking for some fresh Aussie-made material to add to your podcast library, you and your earholes are in for a treat this winter. From Friday, September 17–Sunday, September 19, Village Cinemas Jam Factory is set to play host to the inaugural Melbourne Podcast Festival. Across three days, the festival will dish up live-recorded content from over 25 of the country's hottest podcasts, spanning genres from true crime to comedy. Sink your teeth into some classic sports banter, devour some tasty food podcasts, or geek out listening to science-fun facts. The festival's live podcast program will feature a cast of familiar favourites including The Chaser Report with Dom Knight and Charles Firth, leading news podcast 7AM, the sports-obsessed AFL Exchange, Australian True Crime with Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb, and science-meets-comedy show The Pop Test. Expect chuckles aplenty sitting in on the likes of The Junkees and Somehow Related, bust some LGBTQI stereotypes with Triple Bi-Pass and join Abbie Chatfield for some real talk on her podcast It's A Lot. Tickets for live sessions vary, though most clock in around $30. Top image: It's A Lot, Abbie Chatfield.
The most electrifying new movies from Spain and Latin America will heat up Palace Cinemas around the country once again this autumn. The much-loved Spanish Film Festival will celebrate its eighteenth birthday in 2015, with the festival's most diverse and exciting lineup yet. From smash-hit romantic comedies to Oscar-nominated tales of revenge, there’s a film in this year’s program to suit every conceivable cinematic taste. The festival begins with Spain’s biggest ever box-office success, the upbeat rom-com Spanish Affair. From there, audiences can choose between more than three dozen titles, including Goya Award-winning crime film Marshlands, Cannes-selected indie drama Beautiful Youth and the darkly comedic horror flick Shrew’s Nest. Further highlights include a documentary about soccer superstar Lionel Messi, and a movie that brings Bollywood dance numbers to the streets of Barcelona. Closing night film Wild Tales is another major standout, combing six outrageous short stories about people who are driven to the edge — each one funnier and more twisted than the last. For the full Spanish Film Festival lineup, visit the festival website.
Already dreaming of warmer days? The annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival is set to feature close to one million tulips planted across five acres of farmland, offering the perfect excuse to wander through endless fields of flowers to celebrate the start of spring. The tulip farm will come alive for its famous festivities from Saturday, September 14–Sunday, October 13, with a calendar of themed weekends promising something for all. Running September 14–15, Turkish Weekend will dish up a program of art, music and food in honour of the country that played host to the first tulip festival over 400 years ago. Then, Dutch Weekend (September 21–22) will transport you straight to Holland, homeland of the festival's founders Cees and Johanna Tesselaar. Get set for clog dancing, sjoekbak (Dutch shuffleboard) and, in a recreation of Amsterdam's famed Alkmaar Cheese Market, a host of traditional eats — previous years included oliebollen (Dutch dumplings), bitterballen (meatballs), poffertjes and Tesselaar's signature Double Dutch ice cream. More great eating awaits at Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 27–29), where you'll enjoy local drinks and gastronomical delights among the tulips. Also on the bill: a couple of Children's Weeks, a weekend devoted to retro rock 'n' roll, and an Irish Weekend filled with craic. And as always, the month-long series of flower-filled events are dog-friendly.
When summer arrives in Australia, everywhere becomes a cinema — or so it can seem. After spending winter watching movies indoors, including when festival season is in full swing, film lovers get their pick of outdoor spots to catch a flick. No one should go throwing stones at random but, if you did, it wouldn't be hard to hit an outside picture palace in Sydney and Melbourne when the weather warms up. One such movie-adoring mainstay is Sunset Cinema, which has locked in its return for the summer of 2024–25 (and for the end of spring and beginning of autumn in some locations). This time around, it'll set up its big screen in six places. Bondi Beach is the first — but seasons in Canberra, North Sydney, Wollongong and Abbotsford in Melbourne will also start before the year is out. Then, come January, it's St Kilda's turn. For Sydneysiders keen to watch a film with a beachy backdrop, you'll be heading to Dolphin Court at Bondi Pavilion again between Thursday, November 14–Saturday, December 21. The six-week season is fittingly opening with The Pool, the new documentary about Bondi Icebergs, before screening a mix of new, recent and classic titles Tuesday–Sunday weekly. On the list: Smile 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Gladiator II, Saturday Night and Wicked among 2024 releases; the retro likes of The Princess Diaries, Lords of Dogtown, the OG Freaky Friday, Finding Nemo, 500 Days of Summer, Dirty Dancing and Shrek; and Christmas viewing via Elf, The Holiday, Love Actually and Home Alone. Canberra's run stretches across Thursday, November 21–Saturday, February 22 at Australian National Botanic Gardens, with The Wild Robot, Memoir of a Snail, Paddington in Peru, Moana 2, Better Man and Kraven the Hunter on its lineup, plus festive fare and plenty of the same flicks as Bondi. There's no lineup out yet for Sunset Cinema's return to North Sydney Oval from Thursday, December 5–Saturday, March 15 — or for its Wollongong Botanic Garden stop across Thursday, December 12–Saturday, March 22. Also, there's no program or set location for Abbotsford's Thursday, December 5–Saturday, January 4 season or St Kilda's Thursday, January 9–Saturday, March 8 counterpart. Accordingly, watch this space. Whatever gets the projectors whirring at each site around the country, BYO picnics are encouraged, but the event is fully licensed, so alcohol can only be purchased onsite. Didn't pack enough snacks? There's hot food options, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn. Sunset Cinema 2024–25 Dates Bondi Beach, NSW: Thursday, November 14–Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Dolphin Court Canberra, ACT: Thursday, November 21, 2024–Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Australian National Botanic Gardens North Sydney, NSW: Thursday, December 5, 2024–Saturday, March 15, 2025 at North Sydney Oval Wollongong, NSW: Thursday, December 12, 2024–Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Wollongong Botanic Garden Abbotsford, VIC: Thursday, December 5, 2024–Saturday, January 4, 2025, venue TBC St Kilda, VIC: Thursday, January 9–Saturday, March 8, 2025, venue TBC Sunset Cinema's 2024–25 season runs at various venues in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory from November–March. Head to the Sunset Cinema website for further details.
Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby was, as we all knew it would be, better as a trailer than a movie. It's hard to forget the first time I saw that beautifully designed gold art deco logo in the first ad, the dark beat of Jay-Z and Kanye's 'No Church in the Wild' and the shimmying of African-American flappers drinking champagne in a convertible. Gatsby's mansion looks every bit like the epic party hub described in the book, and though the film fails on the level of emotional depth and pace, visually it's spectacular. As becomes clear in this before-and-after video, by Gatsby's VFX supervisor Chris Godfrey, that mansion, in fact, never existed: green screen computer-generated effects make up even more of the set than you might expect. Let Lana Del Rey's irresistibly transfixing 'Young and Beautiful' take you through the digital construction of Gatsby's opulent world.
First, Lune perfected croissants, so much so that the Australian bakery chain is renowned for its flaky pastries all round the world. Then came giving cruffins, aka croissant-muffin hybrids, a spin. For Easter, the obvious next step followed: hot cross cruffins, for when you want a hot cross bun, but you're also hankering for a croissant and a muffin — and you don't want to have to choose. Lune's hot cross cruffins have been popping up annually for years, but 2025's batch is different. This time, they're made using the acclaimed bakery's signature croissant dough. You can also pick between two varieties this year, too: the OG and chocolate. Can't decide which one, after being unable to select between hot cross buns, croissants and muffins to start with? You can get mixed packs featuring both. The hot cross cruffins hit Lune's shelves at all stores on Monday, April 7 — so at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney. You've only got until Easter Monday to enjoy them, however. Lune is open every day across the Easter long weekend from 8am, and will either close at each store's regular time or earlier if everything is sold out prior. Single hot cross cruffins cost $10.50 each — or, you can also order pre-order those aforementioned six packs for $63, but you can only do so until Friday, April 18, and only for collection at Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Rosebery. If you're a fruit hot cross bun fan all the way, Lune's hot cross cruffins feature dried fruit, candied peel, mixed spice and brown butter mousseline. For chocolate lovers, you're getting hot cross cruffins made with cocoa choc-chip croissant pastry and chocolate mousseline. Each features a cross on top, of course, but only the chocolate version boasts a cocoa cross. Also worth noting: that Lune has just launched an ongoing loyalty program for pastry fiends. Lune's Easter specials are available until Monday, April 21. Head to the brand's website — or to its stores at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney — for more details. Images: Peter Dillon.
Sex, money and an endangered marsupial form the spine of a new stage play from acclaimed writer Hannie Rayson (Hotel Sorrento). On stage at the Melbourne Arts Centre from August 9 to 13, Extinction takes place on a stormy night in the Victorian Otways, and follows an unlikely group of characters brought together in an effort to save the life of an injured tiger quoll. But high tensions and hidden agendas soon cloud any clear path, as those on stage — and those in the audience — are confronted with a situation in which nothing is black and white. Co-presented by Red Stitch Actors Theatre and the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, this limited season stars Colin Lane (of Lano and Woodley fame), alongside veteran performer Natasha Herbert and Red Stitch regulars Brett Cousins and Ngaire Dawn Fair.
In the last couple of years there has been a noticeable rise in businesses starting up that are looking to help more than just themselves. In fact, it’s estimated that there are 20,000 social enterprise organisations currently running in Australia. An important thing to note with social enterprise is that these are not charity organisations; they often work with charities to distribute their profits but are not one themselves. What they offer is a product, something that consumers actually want and can use, and they reinvest the profits from said product in ways that create a social impact. Some social enterprises are also interested in giving opportunities to those who need it most, in the form of employment or skills building. If you’re keen on helping others and receiving a great product at the same time, may we suggest you direct your dollars towards these guys. One Night Stand Sleepwear In 2011 Jamie Green was having a little trouble with a cafe he owned, which led to some uncertainty about his next move and where he was going to sleep at night. From that experience One Night Stand sleepwear, a social enterprise business directed to help youth homelessness, was born. “I knew that I wanted my next venture to address social issues, and my experiences with being young and having unstable living arrangements made me super passionate about issues surrounding youth homelessness, so it just made sense!” says Green. Their products include everything from oversized boyfriend T-shirts to sleep in to socks covered in cute prints and pillowcases with ‘I’m Cactus’ scrawled over them. One Night Stand works with charity partners such as Open Family's Chatterbox bus service to distribute meals to youth sleeping rough. One Night Stand has attracted a young following, which is exactly who Jamie wants to engage, “I'm excited about the unique opportunity One Night Stand has in shifting consumer mindsets for young people,” says Green. Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper Toilet paper is a totally obvious necessity that we don’t think twice about, except when we need to pick up a few rolls from the supermarket. But when Simon Griffiths, Jehan Ratnatunga and Danny Alexander learned that 2.5 billion people don’t have access to a toilet, they took matter into their own hands. Who Gives a Crap sells eco-friendly, 100 percent recycled toilet paper online, and they donate 50 percent of their profits to WaterAid to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world. “On average, every roll sold provides someone in need with access to a toilet for one week,” explains chief operating officer James Castles. “We've turned a mundane, everyday product into a powerful force for social good that is changing lives, one crappy pun at a time!” Dear Gladys Vintage Clothing Located in Melbourne, Dear Gladys is a vintage clothing and accessory shop owned and operated by the good people behind Fitted for Work, a not-for-profit organisation that raises money for disadvantaged women and helps them re-enter the workforce. “We help transform the lives of women experiencing disadvantage by providing them with the skills and confidence to get work and keep it through our various client programs,” says retail manager of Dear Gladys Mel Westwood. Fitted For Work also works with The Conscious Closet Sale, on at the end of every month in Melbourne’s CBD. Dear Gladys sells a range of vintage clothing and accessories from '50s formal dresses to more modern pieces. All proceeds from Dear Gladys go to Fitted For Work. “Guilt free shopping for a great cause! What more could a girl want!” says Westwood. Also Check Out: The Social Studio is a fashion school, a designer clothing label, a cafe, and a community space. It is also a social enterprise that provides support to new migrant and refugee communities in the form of clothing production, retail and hospitality, and encourages young people to follow their aspirations. Great clothes, great coffee — get down to Collingwood sharpish. Thankyou Water, Food and Body Care When a grotesque amount of the world’s population does not have access to clean water, and Australia alone spends $600 billion on the bottled water industry, it’s pretty clear something isn’t adding up. “We set out to start a bottled water company that would exist solely to give all profits to safe water access projects in developing nations,” says managing director and cofounder Daniel Flynn. “There were already so many fantastic charities doing great work, so we thought that instead of starting another charity, we’d start a social enterprise and partner with those charities to implement high quality projects.” Thankyou has also launched a food range and body care range to tackle the issues around food aid and hygiene in disadvantaged areas. To date, Thankyou has funded safe water access for 90,368 people, health and hygiene training for 87,765 people and short-term food aid and long-term food solutions for 15,216 people (and it no longer funds the evangelical group that landed it in trouble last year). "It's about educating and empowering consumers that they can make a difference, one product at a time," explains Flynn. Also check out: Free Is Better water may not strictly be a social enterprise, but giving bottled water away for free benefits anyone and everyone. On top of that, the bottles are oxo-biodegradable, 100 percent recyclable and made from recycled materials. Free Is Better water is also about to be distributed internationally. Huzza! Shebeen Shebeen is more than just a banging bar/cafe with an excellent band room to boot; it’s also a non-profit business. They focus on selling exotic wines and beers from developing countries, with 100 percent of the profits being donated to seven different beneficiary partners located in these areas. For example, drinking an Ethiopian beer at Shebeen supports farmers in rural Ethiopia, and buying a glass of South African wine supports education projects in KwaZulu-Natal. “We wanted to show that it is possible to run a business focussed on doing something good instead of just creating profit for the business owners," explains Shebeen’s director Simon Griffiths. Yes, that's the same guy involved with Who Gives a Crap. “Our hope was that Shebeen would challenge consumers to think a little bit deeper about what it means to be both buying things and engaging in philanthropy, and challenge business owners to think about different ways to run their business.” That’s one way to guarantee feeling great after a night out. Also check ut: STREAT cafes in Melbourne are doing great work with youth homelessness and disadvantage. They assist young people who have been living on the street or are at risk of being on the street and offer a supported pathway to long-term employment. Put this one on your list of places to pop into on your lunch break.
Immersive and Instagrammable art has been all the rage in Australia for a few years now. Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Room has taken up permanent residence in Canberra, Sugar Republic's "dessert museum" keeps popping up, both multi-sensory playground Imaginaria and Van Gogh Alive have been touring the country in 2021, and Melbourne now has its own permanent digital art museum. And, after first hitting our shores in Sydney in 2020, Happy Place is about to jump back on the must-photograph list. Dubbed the "world's most Instagrammable exhibit", the multi-room installation had already travelled across the US and Canada before its first Aussie stop, and now it's heading to Crown Melbourne from Thursday, December 2–Sunday, January 30. Once inside the exhibition, you'll find many OTT rooms to explore, including a rubber ducky bathtub room, a cookie room that actually smells like freshly baked cookies, a room filled with 40,000 golden handmade flowers and a giant rainbow with a golden ball pit (no leprechauns though, sorry). If that doesn't have you reaching for your smartphone, there's also a mind-bending upside-down room and the "world's largest indoor confetti dome". Happy Place will be operating under COVID-safe guidelines in Melbourne, which means that all patrons over the age of 16 will need to be double-vaccinated — and there'll be contact tracing in effect, as well as increased sanitisation measures. A visit will cost adults $24.99 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between Thursday, December 2–Wednesday, December 15; $29.99 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between the same dates; and still $29.99 from Tuesday–Sunday between Thursday, December 16–Sunday, January 30. Hours-wise, midweek sessions will run from 10am–7.30pm until Wednesday, December 8, and from 9am–7.30pm afterwards. Friday and Saturday sessions run from 9am–9pm, and the pop-up is open from 9am–6pm on Sundays.
Maybe your house needs the kind of colour and flair that only art can bring. Perhaps you're keen on supporting artists. If the first applies, the second should as well. Whichever fits, one event has you covered without requiring you to bust your budget to enjoy art on your walls. Even better: Affordable Art Fair is doing the rounds of Australia's east coast again in 2025, including popping up for a four-day run in Melbourne in winter. Everyone should be able to fill their home with art no matter their bank balance. That's the idea behind this event, and has been since 1999. Back in the 20th century, Affordable Art Fair initially popped up in London to share eye-catching pieces with the world at manageable prices, and then started spreading its art-for-all ethos around the world. Clearly Melburnians are fans, given that it's returning again in 2025. This year, you'll be heading to the Royal Exhibition Building from Thursday, August 28–Sunday, August 31. On offer: original artworks by the thousands, with prices starting from $100. If you do happen to be flush with cash, however, costs will max out at $10,000 per piece. Alongside London and its three Down Under host cities, Affordable Art Fair has brought its budget-friendly wares to Brussels, Hamburg, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Berlin in Europe; Singapore and Hong Kong in Asia; and New York and Austin in the US. Unsurprisingly, democratising art has been proving the hit as Affordable Art Fair notches up the years. Up to 2024 across its stops worldwide since 1999, the event had sold 568,000 artworks at a value of over AU$820 million.
As it is with porn films, the attraction of musicals is rarely 'plot'; instead, it's the music that appeals most (another thing that is, very rarely, a high point in porn). In the musical world there are the dramas (Les Mis), the comedies (Avenue Q, Book of Mormon), the rock operas (Jesus Christ Superstar), the classics (West Side Story, Oklahoma) and whatever the hell Urinetown is. More recently, though, we've seen another type of musical: 'the jukebox', in which the vast majority of songs (if not all) are taken from pre-existing catalogues (i.e. Mamma Mia). In a genre already light on the plot, these 'jukeboxers' tend to be the worst offenders because whichever 'story' is presented is usually just a threadbare device to get you from one toe-tapper to the next. Jersey Boys is something of an exception to that rule, because while it does contain a catalogue of amazing old songs, its plot is based on the true story of 1960s all-boy band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It's a familiar enough tale: a fledgling group struggles to establish itself in the notoriously fickle music industry, when suddenly - just as all hope seems lost - the perfect combination of singer, songwriter and song ('Sherry') come together to launch the group into stardom. With success comes fame, and with fame, its many pitfalls: affairs, debts and artistic differences, to name but a few. Jersey Boys is based on the enormously successful Broadway show of the same name, and all but one of its leading men come straight from the stage version (the exception being Vincent Piazza of Boardwalk Empire). It was originally slated to be directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), but in the end the role fell to Clint Eastwood, though to watch to film, you'd scarcely know it. The shots are largely static, the colours heavily desaturated and the drama almost non-existent. Somehow, the genuinely interesting story feels decidedly the opposite thanks to the lacklustre direction, and were it not for the songs, there'd be little reason to watch. Thankfully, the cavalcade of hits in Jersey Boys transforms what would otherwise be a subpar film into one that's a pleasant enough trip down musical memory lane. https://youtube.com/watch?v=DbURfiUWVtg
There's less than a month left of winter. If that's reason enough to get you planning your next holiday, Virgin Australia understands. The airline is starting August 2024 with everyone's favourite excuse to book a getaway — yes, that'd be a flight sale — but you've only got three days to nab the 500,000 discounted fares. This new 72-hour sale runs until midnight AEST on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, unless sold out earlier, and focuses on domestic flights. You'll be travelling between Tuesday, September 3, 2024–Wednesday, April 30, 2025, so you'll be taking a spring, summer or autumn vacation, with prices starting cheap at $45. Where can you head? To Byron Bay, Launceston, Hamilton Island and Uluru, for starters. By now, everyone knows that the Sydney–Byron Bay route always has the lowest cost, which is $45 one-way this time around. From there, other discounts include Melbourne–Launceston from $59, Sydney to the Gold Coast from $65, Sydney to the Sunshine Coast from $69, Melbourne–Hobart from $75, Brisbane to Cairns from $89 and Melbourne to Hamilton Island from $129. Among your other options, Sydneysiders can take a trip to Cairns from $115, Melburnians to Uluru for the same price, Brisbanites to Uluru from $119 and also to Darwin from $169. This sale kicked off on Monday, August 5, 2024 — and the cheap fares, which cover both directions between each point in the discounted route, start with Virgin's Economy Lite option. With the travel periods available, all dates vary per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to spend some, part or even most of September–April anywhere but home. Virgin's '72-hour Flight Frenzy Sale' sale runs until midnight AEST on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
In the 'so bad it's good' genre of movies, one stands out, and that's Machete. The 2010 film — famously based on one of the fake trailers in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse — was really, bang-on good, going beyond pastiche or send-up to create a modern Mexploitation film that was bags of fun. And since it's all so knowingly B-grade, it's completely fine — excellent, really — for it to spiral out to a sequel, Machete Kills. A further sequel is in the works, too: Machete Kills Again... In Space. Bless you, absurdist self-referential geeks of Hollywood. Machete Kills returns to the story of our laconic, near-immortal ex-federale Machete as he crusades for justice along the Mexico-US border. Lifelong character actor Danny Trejo is again backed up by a WTF cast of celebrities, including Charlie Sheen (or Carlos Estevez, as the credits introduce him) as the president of the United States, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga. Expect one, two or all of them to die in comic and elaborate ways. Machete Kills is in cinemas on October 24, and thanks to Icon Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Much has happened in the Melbourne International Film Festival's 70-year history. A vast array of movies have flickered across big screens and, via its online program during the past few years, through Australian homes as well. Famous names aplenty have graced the fest on-screen and in-person. Films have brought their glow to the planetarium, dedicated cinephiles have sat through 13-hour rare gems, and plenty of heated discussions about what's great — and isn't — have livened up cinema foyers. But only in 2022 has MIFF awarded a $140,000 to the winner of its very own film prize. That lucky flick: Afrofuturist musical Neptune Frost, which has just been named the Bright Horizons Award-recipient at the fest's closing night. Back in February, MIFF announced that it was launching its own competition — to commemorate the longest-running film fest in the southern hemisphere's huge milestone year, and join the Cannes, Venice and Berlin film festivals, as well as Sydney, in giving out a prestigious gong. Eleven movies were chosen to compete as part of the full 2022 fest program, with the winner receiving the Best Film Award — and, thanks to that $140,000 sum, the southern hemisphere's richest feature film prize. Hailing from poet and musician Saul Williams and playwright Anisia Uzeyman, who co-direct, Neptune Frost is a bold and inventive Rwanda-set sci-fi musical that firmly stands out among the Bright Horizons contenders — which also included Australian films Petrol and The Stranger, the Paul Mescal (Normal People)-starring Aftersun, wild Filipino genre-bender Leonor Will Never Die, weighty American drama Mass and Mexican drug trade drama Robe of Gems. Its MIFF win comes after proving a critical hit at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, and also after boasting Lin-Manuel Miranda's seal of approval, with the Hamilton creator and star one of the movie's executive producers. Picking the winner: actor and director Shareena Clanton (Fires, Wentworth), the jury president, plus filmmaker and artist Lynette Wallworth (Tender), cinematographer Adam Arkapaw (Animal Kingdom, True Detective) and director/screenwriter Mouly Surya (Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts). Announcing their selection, Clanton said that "Neptune Frost was like nothing we have ever seen before. By disrupting the colonial gaze and connecting the rising influence of technology in all our lives, this film penetrates deeply into your heart and soul to say that you are not too far disconnected from me. It felt at once absolutely specific, and entirely global." The MIFF jury also highlighted one other film from the fest's 2022 lineup for another gong: the $70,000 Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award. Also new, it recognises an outstanding Australian creative from one of the festival's movies, and can span span a large number of roles, including the winning flick's director, technical or creative lead, or other craft positions. This year's recipient was indeed a filmmaker, Nyul Nyul/Yawuru director Jub Clerc (The Turning), who emerged victorious for coming-of-age road movie Sweet As — starring Tasma Walton (How to Please a Woman), Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin), Carlos Sanson Jr (Bump) and Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Firebite). And, similarly announced at MIFF's 2022 closing night: this year's MIFF Audience Award Winner, which went to Bruce Permezel and Rhian Skirving's Greenhouse by Joost. As the name makes plain, it follows zero-waste activist Joost Bakker and his Future Food System, which resulted in a farm-to-table restaurant in Melbourne's Federation Square. The 2022 Melbourne International Film Festival runs until Sunday, August 21 in-person, and until Sunday, August 28 via MIFF Play, the fest's online platform.
When it comes to ticket lotteries to score you budget-friendly seats to smash-hit stage musicals in Melbourne, it really is beginning to feel like a tale as old as time. Mary Poppins had one. Hamilton did as well, plus Moulin Rouge!, too. The next on the list: Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Musical, which wants you to be its guest for cheap. How cheap? For just $24 a seat via TodayTix, which has been behind past Melbourne lotteries. The first chance to head along at a significant discount opened on Friday, June 14, and will close at 1pm on Friday, June 21 — with winners advised each Friday for the coming week's performances. After the first round, the lottery will open on Saturdays at 12.01am weekly. For every single Melbourne show, there'll be 24 of the $24 tickets available. Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical is headed to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from Thursday, June 27, on its latest stop Down Under as a newly reimagined and redesigned production. Playing until November at least, this Beauty and the Beast first made its way to the stage in the UK in 2021, and reworks the original show that premiered in the US in the 90s — adapting Disney's hit 1991 animated movie musical, of course. Fans can expect the same Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, including all the beloved tunes such as 'Be Our Guest' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It also comes with new dance arrangements by David Chase, and with original choreographer Matt West revisiting his work. And yes, that $24 price is accurate. Yes, this is your chance to see the acclaimed production for less than the price of a dinner (and, at some places, breakfast and lunch). To take part in the lottery, you will need to download the TodayTix app, which is available for iOS and Android. And if your name is selected, you'll have an hour to claim your tickets from when you receive the good news. If you need a reminder, you can also sign up for lottery alerts via TodayTix, too. Check out the trailer for Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Musical below: Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Musical plays Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from Thursday, June 27, 2024. To enter the Today Tix $24 lottery, download the company's iOS or Android app, and head to the company's website for more information — and to set up an alert. Images: Daniel Boud.
When trouble strikes, tragedy gets a catchphrase: "life goes on." You might hear it from well-meaning acquaintances, or even loved ones. As accurate as those words may be, however, the reality is far less simple. In the case of Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) in Manchester by the Sea, pain and heartbreak become like a second skin, numbing him to the outside world. As he goes about his job as a Boston janitor he encounters complaints, advice and even awkward romantic advances, and yet he can barely bring himself to react. "You're rude, you're unfriendly, you don't say good morning," his boss tells him after a complaint is lodged. Lee remains unfazed. Manchester by the Sea tackles heavy subject matter as Lee is forced to return to his hometown and take custody of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges) after the death of the boy's father (Kyle Chandler). From this relatively simple dramatic premise, writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret) masterfully pieces together fragments of past trauma, present malaise and future uncertainty, delivering a complex portrait of a haunting but rarely acknowledged reality. Whether we've charted the same journey as Lee or endured ordeals of our own, most of us are broken in our own way. Surviving that pain, rather than fixing it, is perhaps all we can really ever hope to manage. Lonergan stresses this idea in a number of different ways. Stellar performances from Hedges and Michelle Williams (as Lee's ex-wife) seethe with inner turmoil. The snowy Massachusetts setting, meanwhile, provides further obstacles. And then there's the filmmaker's approach to filling in Lee's backstory, via flashbacks that slip into the main storyline so seamlessly that it takes a moment to realise that the timeline has changed. Of course, that's how everyday pain manifests itself. It coats life with an extra layer, even when things otherwise appear fine. It intrudes seemingly at random, even when you're not expecting bad memories and heartache to rear their ugly head. In an Oscar-nominated performance, Affleck broods, frowns and furrows his brow. Don't think he's just serving up his own version of Sad Affleck though. Here, despair runs much deeper than a bad interview about a superhero flick. Conveying the deep-seeded misery that can only come from years of suffering and regret, Affleck plays Lee with naturalistic agony of the festering variety, while also providing a glimpse at something more. An exploration of grief and loss, Manchester by the Sea is undeniably bleak. But don't be surprised by the movie's sense of humour, either. Laughter is a necessary cathartic device even in the darkest of situations, and here it makes the drama feel that much more real. Combined with the movie's commitment to laying bare inescapable inner struggles, and Lonergan's latest proves both devastatingly relatable and sincerely affecting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVoD0pTge0
Death & Co, founded in New York City in 2006, is a modern craft cocktail bar that has been instrumental in shaping the industry. Now, the brand has chosen Australia for its first major move outside the United States. Death & Co is set to open in Melbourne in November at 87 Flinders Lane. The brand will also establish a venue in Brisbane beneath the Regatta Hotel, with a launch date to be announced soon. When Death & Co emerged in the New York bar scene two decades ago, it quickly became a major player in reviving interest in the art of cocktail making. With growing popularity, outposts were established in Los Angeles, Denver and Washington DC. The bars are a must-visit destination for those who take their drinks seriously, and have won many industry awards, including America's Best Cocktail Bar and World's Best Cocktail Menu at the Tales of the Cocktail Convention. Perhaps they heard Aussies take their drinks rather seriously, too, because they chose Melbourne as the brand's first international location. However, because they are so committed to their craft and ensuring the proper Death & Co experience is translated across borders, the Australian venue and bar managers have undergone extensive training in the United States. Death & Co will launch in Melbourne with several of its classic cocktails, including the Naked and Famous, with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chartreuse, Aperol and lime, and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, which blends El Jimador Reposado, mezcal, agave syrup, and bitters. Images: Shelby Moore. Death & Co is slated to open on Flinders Lane in November. If you're looking for some great cocktails in the meantime, check out the best bars in Melbourne.
When you get cosy on the couch with Netflix for entertainment in 2025, you'll be getting sleuthing and tap, tap, tapping; returning to the Upside Down and Nevermore Academy; seeing Oscar Isaac bring Jacob Elordi to life; and discovering which new twisted visions of humanity's use of technology that Charlie Brooker has dreamed up now. They're just some of the movies and TV shows that are set to join your streaming queue this year, with the platform unveiling its annual overview (see also: 2022, 2023 and 2024) of what's hitting its catalogue. 2025's slate also boasts Squid Game's final season, a sequel to The Old Guard, a new Fear Street flick and more Nobody Wants This. From the above, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery marks the third film in the Benoit Blanc franchise, this time with Daniel Craig (Queer) joined by Josh O'Connor (Challengers), Glenn Close (Back in Action), Josh Brolin (Outer Range), Mila Kunis (Goodrich), Jeremy Renner (Mayor of Kingstown), Kerry Washington (The Six Triple Eight), Andrew Scott (Ripley), Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) and Thomas Haden Church (Twisted Metal). Adam Sandler (Spaceman) is back on the green in Happy Gilmore 2, which arrives almost three decades after the franchise's first golfing comedy. And, after riffing on Frankenstein in various ways for much of his career, Guillermo del Toro (Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio) has finally officially adapted Mary Shelley's novel — with Isaac (Moon Knight) as its namesake and Elordi (Priscilla) as his creature. As well as more of Charlize Theron (Fast X) in action mode and more RL Stine-based horror, Netflix's list of upcoming movies also sports more Sandler — this time with George Clooney (Wolfs) and Laura Dern (Lonely Planet) in Noah Baumbach's (White Noise) comedy Jay Kelly. Netflix's roster also features Conclave director Edward Berger's The Ballad of a Small Player, a gambling drama with Colin Farrell (The Penguin) and Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door); Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon)-led page-to-screen thriller Night Always Comes; and Matt Damon (The Instigators) and Ben Affleck (The Flash) sharing the screen again in the Miami-set RIP, which co-stars Steven Yeun (Beef). Or, there's Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) portraying a fraying teacher in Steve — and Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow making her first film since 2017's Detroit, with Idris Elba (Sonic the Hedgehog 3), Rebecca Ferguson (Silo), Anthony Ramos (Twisters) and Greta Lee (Past Lives) among the cast. Australian filmmaker Simon Stone (The Dig) adapts The Woman in Cabin 10 into a movie, starring Keira Knightley (Black Doves), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) and Hannah Waddingham (The Fall Guy). Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club is hitting the screen with Helen Mirren (1923), Pierce Brosnan (Four Letters of Love) and Ben Kingsley (The Killer's Game); Roald Dahl's The Twits is getting the animated treatment; and documentaries on Eddie Murphy, the Manson murders and the Titan submersible are on the way. Even just among the movie options, the lineup goes on. So, a reboot of 1975 Japanese thriller The Bullet Train, this time called Bullet Train Explosion, sits alongside the Omar Sy (The Killer)-led French Lover, South Korean missing-person flick Revelations and Troll sequel Troll 2 — and plenty more. TV fans can get excited about the returns of Stranger Things and Wednesday, with the former saying farewell — but the Duffer brothers have advised that they're executive producing two new shows, The Boroughs and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, that'll debut in 2026. Back on 2025, the television comebacks also span Black Mirror, A Man on the Inside, The Vince Staples Show, Alice in Borderland, The Sandman, The Witcher, Cobra Kai, You, Big Mouth, Emily in Paris, The Diplomat and MONSTER. There's much to look forward to among Netflix's new TV shows for the year as well, such as heading back to 1850s Oregon with Lena Headey (Beacon 23) and Gillian Anderson (Scoop) in The Abandons, Claire Danes (Full Circle) playing a writer facing grief in The Beast in Me, Jude Law (Skeleton Crew) and Jason Bateman (Carry-On) starring in Black Rabbit, and the Danish Department Q novels receiving an English-language adaptation led by Matthew Goode (Abigail). Tina Fey (Mean Girls), Steve Carell (Despicable Me 4), Will Forte (Bodkin) and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) team up for The Four Seasons, playing friends going away for a weekend; The Residence sets a whodunnit in the White House; Last Samurai Standing journeys back to 19th-century Japan; and Italian historical drama The Leopard, which already jumped from a novel to cinemas in the 60s, is now headed to television. Plus, you can also make a date with Agatha Christie adaptation The Seven Dials Mystery, with Helena Bonham Carter (One Life) and Martin Freeman (The Responder) featuring — plus Sirens with Julianne Moore (May December), Meghann Fahy (The Perfect Couple), Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon), Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine), Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Josh Segarra (The Big Door Prize). Conspiracy thriller Zero Day boasts Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon), Angela Bassett (9-1-1), Lizzy Caplan (Fatal Attraction) and Jesse Plemons (Kinds of Kindness) among its stars; Victoria Beckham gets her own documentary to match her husband's; Eric Bana (Force of Nature: The Dry 2) plays a special agent for the National Parks Service in Untamed; and Hacks' Megan Stalter leads Lena Dunham's Too Much. Apple Cider Vinegar and The Survivors are among the new shows made in Australia, the first ripped from the headlines and led by Kaitlyn Dever (Good Grief), and the second adapting The Dry author Jane Harper's Tasmania-set novel. Check out Netflix's ads and teasers for its 2025 slate below: New movies and TV shows will hit Netflix throughout 2025 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue. Images: Netflix.
Yarraville's Sun Theatre is as much a piece of Melbourne's history as it is a great place to catch a film. It originally opened in 1938 as a single-screen cinema with just 1050 seats and was considered at the time to be the most opulent picture house in the region. In the 60s, The Sun pivoted to become a Greek cinema, owing to the area's large Hellenic community, but that iteration closed the following decade and the site fell into disrepair. It wasn't until 1995 that it was revamped to its current glory: that original single theatre has now been expanded to eight smaller ones, and the bustling foyer and cinemas still regularly pack out with crowds. The interiors have been redesigned to celebrate The Sun's art deco history, while the movie program features Hollywood blockbusters, homegrown gems and acclaimed art films from across the globe. Images: Julia Sansone
The folks over at Gelato Messina know how to whip lovers of all things sweet and frozen into a frenzy, and they've done it again, moving their Sydney degustation bar south to Melbourne — this time for the whole month of November. After a five-night stint in August, the Messina Creative Department will once again be setting up shop for 14 nights in a secret room at their Windsor store from November 4-23. An offshoot of the famed gelato parlour, the Messina Creative Department offers an epic seven-course degustation, complete with non-alcoholic drink pairing. Since opening next door to their OG Darlinghurst venue in April to rapturous response, the tiny eight-seater space has proved to be immensely popular, with places booking out almost as soon as they're released. So it's no surprise that their first visit to Melbourne was met with a massive response; Melburnians booked out those $130-per-head spots at the ice cream sorcery table in record time. This time, they'll be here for 14 nights all-up, with three sittings available each night, at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. So there's a much higher chance you'll actually be able to nab a seat this time. And judging by their previous creations, you'll want to. Their Sydney dessert dinners have seen the likes of garlic gelato, a sugar egg filled with delights and an amazing matcha and pistachio cake concoction. One of their recent offerings included a lemon-like globe filled with liquorice gelato, yuzu curd and olive oil pastry accompanied by a muscatel grape, dill and black pepper oil cold pressed juice. It's dessert meets art meets one helluva tastebud adventure. To nab a seat, head to the Messina Creative Department page. We suggest booking stat.
Pairing movies with music is no longer new news, but the latest event that's serving up that combo is hoping for two things. Firstly, it's betting on a whole lot of love for Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a classic 1987 romantic drama. Secondly, when it comes to getting excited about seeing that now 35-year-old flick on a big screen with its soundtrack performed live, it's hoping that you've never felt like this before. Obviously, Dirty Dancing in Concert wants to give you the time of your life as well — and to not only let you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most charming film roles, but to immerse you in the movie from the moment you take your seat. No one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, but the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, and a live band and singers will perform its iconic songs as it plays. Just as swoon-worthy: the fact that those musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. This blast-from-the-past affair is touring Australia from June, with dates locked in for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane so far — and more to come for Perth and Adelaide. And yes, because Dirty Dancing in Concert is certain to be popular, it's bringing its 80s-themed fun to sizeable venues (Hamer Hall, Darling Harbour Theatre and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre), so you'll be having the time of your Dirty Dancing-loving life with plenty of people. DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Friday, June 10 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Saturday, June 18 — Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney Saturday, June 25 — Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane TBC — Perth TBC — Adelaide Dirty Dancing in Concert will start touring Australia in June 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale at 11am on Tuesday, April 5, with general sales starting at 11am on Friday, April 8.
When two legends from either side of the border join forces for a music-fuelled culinary collaboration, great things can happen. This is exactly what we're in for this month when Sydney's beloved US-style diner Valentina's drops by Abbotsford's Lulie Tavern for a weekend of live tunes and all-day breakfast eats. From Saturday, February 18–Sunday, February 19, the rock 'n roll bar will be extending its opening hours and maximising the good times, opening from 10am to offer locals a taste of Valentina's beloved brekkie classics. Highlights include giant pancakes, patty melts and English muffin breakfast sangas, plus the signature Tina Classic — a plate of scrambled egg, bacon and crispy home fries with either pancakes or a muffin. [caption id="attachment_887687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Valentina's[/caption] Brekkie will be available all day long and you'll find a stack of great drink options to match. Think, coffee by Supreme, a couple of different brews from Valentina's Marrickville neighbour Grifter Brewing Co, vino courtesy of Fin Wines and boozy treats by Jameson. As always, Lulie will be dishing up a rocking soundtrack from open to close, complete with a Saturday night set from DJ Ginger Taylor and a live gig by Hana & Jessie-Lee's Bad Habits wrapping things up on the Sunday. [caption id="attachment_868486" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jake Roden[/caption] Top images: courtesy of Valentina's
Though one of the smallest, Brother Baba Budan has to be one of the most frequented coffee shops in the CBD. The Little Bourke Street cafe has just 15 seats inside, so if you're heading in at coffee peak hour, you'll have to be lucky to snag a spot. Even getting a take away cup tends to be a cosy experience. But it's worth it for an expertly made Seven Seeds brew, either as an espresso, filter or nitro brew. A small selection of pastries and cakes are available on the counter as well. Appears in: The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne's CBD
While most people think of a concept before a title is given to the project, graffiti artist and satire king Banksy does the opposite. The reclusive English artist and activist ventured into the world of TV last Saturday with his show The Antics Roadshow, a title he claims was born before the show's concept. In a statement Banksy said that "Basically I just thought it was a good name for a TV programme and I've been working back from there." Banksy's foray into TV takes a look at a topic he is most familiar with: public pranks. But his approach is tongue-in-cheek; from the 2010 politically motivated prank by Russian performance art group Voina to the pie-in-face pranks of Noel Godin, The Antics Roadshow (a pun on the iconic British TV show Antiques Roadshow) celebrates the humorous side and, at times, poignant statements of recent pranks and pranksters. The hour-long TV show is currently being aired on UK's Channel 4 and is narrated by English actress Kathy Burke and produced by Jamie D'cruz (who also produced Banksy's 2010 film offering Exit Through The Gift Shop). https://youtube.com/watch?v=NdpVVgMRbKg
You don't have to go to Tokyo to have an immersive Japanese experience. You can when borders reopen, and everyone should at some point — because there's really nowhere else in the world quite like it. But if you're eager to eat like you're already there, watch performances and browse market stalls, you can save yourself the airfare at the Yokoso Collingwood Fitzroy Japan Festival. A one-day celebration at Peel Street Park from 12.30–7pm on Sunday, January 17, it's Melbourne's own ode to the country that brought us sushi, katsu, yakitori, sake, matcha lattes and more. Expect to find more than a few things from that list on offer, and plenty to see and do as well — with admission free. In the park, live music will feature everything from harps and Japanese drums to rap and hip hop. Both in Peel Street and at the Chotto Motto Vintage Market, you'll be able to shop for new and retro goods either from Japan or made using traditional Japanese materials. But the big highlight is the Taste of Japan passport, which costs $36.50 and serves up six mini dishes from six restaurants in the area. You'll mosey to Aka Shiro for battered vegetable and octopus puffs, head to Chotto Motto for gyoza, and hit up Wabi Sabi Salon for smoked tofu katsu curry. And, you'll stop by Shimbashi Soba for chilled soba noodles, tuck into Neko Neko's tofu with spring onions, ginger, daikon and nori, and enjoy a tasting of sake or some yuzu soda at Tamura Sake Bar. Top image: Chotto Motto
No longer just the realms of year three excursions where your mum came as chaperone, Melbourne Zoo Twilights — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps one of the best summer nights out, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven they've got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. This summer, they're back with a brand new lineup playing spesh live sets every weekend from Friday, January 27 through Saturday, March 11. Considering it includes the likes of Kurt Vile and Tegan and Sara and then Killing Heidi and george, it's probably their most diverse yet. Aussie rock band The Rubens are making their Melbourne Zoo Twilights debut this year, and they've already sold out their first show. As a result, they've announced a second show on February 5. They'll be supported by Aussie pop punk legend (newbie) Bec Sandridge. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be handy gourmet hampers available for pre-order, as well as a slew of food trucks to choose nosh from. Either way, it's actually the one of the best dates in Melbourne — lock those tickets down. All proceeds from Zoo Twilights go back into Zoo Victoria's ongoing conservation work to help fight the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. PLUS, your ticket includes exclusive entry to the zoo from 5.30pm. That's a big deal. Ball Park Music and The Jungle Giants co-headline show has also sold out, and the rest are going quick. Get your tickets now. View the full Melbourne Zoo Twilights line up here (featuring Warpaint, The Living End, Kurt Vile, Tegan and Sara and more) and get your tickets to The Rubens, here.
This August, Melbourne's iconic Fed Square is shaking up its usual offering to deliver a dazzling program packed full of installations, activities and one-off events as part of its first Anything But Square Festival. One of these will see guests embark on a futuristic bunker feasting adventure, dubbed Sensory Underground. This mysterious dinner is being hosted by modern Japanese favourite Tokyo Tina across a series of 90-minute sittings from July 31 to August 11. And it will be anything but normal. First, you'll enter the space through Platform 13 at Flinders Street Station and make your way through to an unforgettable subterranean space deep below Fed Square. There, you'll be served up a four-course dinner, with each future-leaning dish inspired by current food forecasts for the year 2045, crafted around sustainable food practices, minimal energy use and seasonal, local produce. Think casual dining crossed with Blade Runner. While you're tucking into your innovative feast, you'll also be treated to a program of multisensory experiences, from some of Melbourne's hottest creative talent no less. There'll be lighting installations by artist Kit Webster, virtual reality elements from PHORIA Studio's Trent Clews-de Castella and Joseph Purdam, and visual delights from the team at Studio SPGD. Tickets to the dinners clock in at $120, including food, a welcome drink and all that sensory fun. Sessions will run at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and at 6pm, pm and 9.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
In a normal year, the five movies that comprise Small Axe would've likely screened in cinemas, and would be in the running for a heap of the film industry's shiniest trophies as a result. The entire quintet is directed by Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave and Widows filmmaker Steve McQueen, and every entry is as phenomenal as anything he has ever made. Given his resume, that isn't a statement we make lightly. The focus: the treatment of London's West Indian population from the 60s through until the 80s, with the series of films exploring the racist behaviour directed their way and the methods in which the community waged their resistance. The powerful Mangrove gets the series started, bringing a potent true tale to the screen with a cast that includes Black Panther's Letitia Wright — and, although it is excellent, so is the dance party-set Lovers Rock, the John Boyega-starring Red, White and Blue, biopic Alex Wheatle and the school-focused Education.
In a bid to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the government has implemented a ban on non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 people and then mandating that everyone arriving from overseas self-isolate for 14 days. On a more local level, cafes, bars and restaurants across the country are taking their own precautionary measures. As well as encouraging customers and staff to stay home if they feel unwell, increasing cleaning of their venues and providing hand sanitisers, a slew of popular coffee pit-stops are temporarily refusing to accept reusable coffee cups . Melbourne's Market Lane Coffee has revealed it's switching entirely to paper cups for all coffees served across all of its stores, saying "we want to do what we can to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19". It's also requesting customers use contactless card payment instead of cash, and has rolled out more stringent cross-contamination protocols in-store. Other popular Melbourne cafes to implement similar changes include Mayday Coffee & Food in Richmond, Carlton-born coffee roastery Seven Seeds and Beaumaris' Saska Cafe. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sJhsTAVRA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Meanwhile, Bonnie Coffee has rolled out similar changes across both its Sydney and Melbourne stores, saying it wants to minimise transmission as well as to avoid contamination of its own equipment. Other Sydney venues that are taking a break from reusable cups include Mecca Coffee, Sonoma, The Carpenter, Surry Hills' Artificer, Sample Coffee and Cherry Moon. Plenty of Brisbane spots are following suit, too, including the CBD's John Mills Himself, which is scrapping cash payments and pausing the use of both dine-in cups and reusable takeaway cups. "As a business where being environmentally best practice is a core value this is no easy decision," the team explained. "For now our community safety must come first." Other caffeine haunts like Pourboy and Coffee Anthology have also put a pause on reusable cups and are encouraging contactless payment instead of cash. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9vtkRugLlK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Kitti Gould
Perhaps you enjoyed Netflix's Heartbreak High revival and can't wait for its second season. Maybe you're fond of Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun instead. Or, via Stan, Bump, Black Snow, True History of the Kelly Gang and Nitram might've sat among your homegrown highlights. When you're getting cosy on the couch streaming something filled with Australian faces, accents and places, these titles likely stood out, too, because they're a rarity. Aussie content comprises a tiny portion of digital platforms' catalogues, which has been the case since Netflix officially launched in Australia back in 2015; however, that's about to change thanks to Australia's new streaming content quotas. First, some background: for Aussie commercial free-to-air television and pay TV stations, programming is subject to quotas requiring a certain contingent of each channel's content to hail from Australia. Such rules haven't applied to streaming services so far, though, even as more and more have popped up Down Under. So, for years, there's been a hefty to push to change the situation, placing the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and more under similar content rules. A green paper on the topic was published in late 2020, and a heap of well-known Aussie talents helped raise attention to the cause back in 2021. Now, the Australian Federal Government has confirmed that streaming content quotas are coming as part of its just-announced National Cultural Policy. "It's been ten years since the last National Cultural Policy. During that time, online streaming platforms have taken off, but our Australian content obligations haven't. I know we can do better," said Minister for the Arts Tony Burke on social media. Accordingly, the new $286-million National Cultural Policy locks in streaming content obligations, which it deems pivotal given there is "an increasing consumer trend away from broadcast and subscription television services to online subscription content". "In 2020–21, for the first time, Australians were more likely to have watched an online subscription service than live or recorded free‑to‑air television," the policy continues — saying what plenty of us already know from our own viewing habits. As a result, the Federal Government has committed to introducing "requirements for Australian screen content on streaming platforms to ensure continued access to local stories and content", and will do so by July 1, 2024. Beforehand, Burke will consult further with the industry, which'll be the focus for the first half of 2023, before legislation implementing the Aussie content quota for streaming platforms is put in place. What the quota might look like in terms of hours of Australian shows and movies required, or percentages of streaming services' roster of content, hasn't yet been revealed. Still, the aim is clear: more Aussie series and films on all of those platforms constantly competing for your eyeballs, and in the near future. Past proposals, including the Make It Australian campaign with backing from Blaze's Simon Baker, Hungry Ghosts' Bryan Brown and Justine Clarke, and Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt)'s Marta Dusseldorp — and more — have lobbied for all streaming services operating in Australia that have at least 500,000 subscribers to spend 20 percent of their local revenue on new Aussie dramas, documentaries and content for children. Some streamers have put more cash into developing original local stories already, doing so voluntarily, but now they'll all be required to — and to boost an overall buffet of movies and TV shows that has noticeably lacked new Aussie content from the get-go in the process. Indeed, it took more than two years for Netflix to finally announce that it was making its first Australian series, Tidelands, after it launched on our shores. For more information about Australia's new National Cultural Policy, head to the Australian Government's website. Top image: Heartbreak High, Netflix.
While going outdoors at the moment is mostly restricted to exercise, work and grabbing essentials, you'll need to throw on an extra jumper and bring an umbrella to do just that for the rest of this week, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting rain, wind, snow and thunderstorms across Australia for the last week of April. And some places are even expected to see their coldest April day in 50 or 60 years. BOM Meteorologist Dr Adam Morgan said that a strong and widespread cold outbreak is bringing wet and wild weather to Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and some parts of Queensland from Wednesday, April 29. Temperatures are expected to dip to 8–14 degrees below average for this time of year in some places, with the cold weather set to stick around until at least mid-next week. The average maximum temperature for April is 22.5 in Sydney, 20.3 in Melbourne and 26.1 in Brisbane. But, Melbourne is meant to hit a high of just 13 on Thursday, which would be its coldest April day since 1996. Sydney will be the coldest on Saturday with a high of 16 expected, while, after a warm 29 on Thursday, Brisbane is expected to drop back down to the low 20s for the rest of the week. https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1255015809149100032 Elsewhere in the country, some parts of northern South Australia, northwest NSW and southwest Queensland are expected to experience their coldest April day since the 1960s and 1970s on Thursday, and Canberra is meant to hit a hit of just 7 on Friday, which will be its earliest sub-10 degree day this side of winter since 1952. With rain, winds and thunderstorms expected to hit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on Wednesday and Thursday, the BOM is recommending you keep an eye out for flood watches and severe weather warnings. For latest weather predictions and warnings, head to the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Anyone who's been on a tram when some entitled hungry arsehole thinks they're hungry and entitled enough to get on board with a bag of dim sims can agree that hot food on trams is a big fat red no symbol. But if its burgers? Well, maybe we can come around. And if it's a whole tram dedicated to Mr Burger burgers? Yep, we can definitely, 100 percent get on board with that. Literally. But unfortunately that's not going to happen anytime soon. Although Mr Burger seriously entertained the idea in an April Fool's announcement on their Facebook page earlier this morning. Branching out from food trucks and into the realm of food trams, the Mr Burger Tram was to take over one of Yarra Trams' B-class trams on the number 8 line from April to September. This tram of dreams would serve burgers, sides and drinks from a kitchen "specially fitted in the rear of the tram" — and you wouldn't need to tap on, you'd just need to buy a burger. If only. The jig was given up a few hours later through some comments on their Facebook page. We've got to give it to them — the Mr Burger team are about as good at pulling our legs as they are at flipping delicious burgs. Just look at these images: Along with some pretty great PhotoShop skills, they also tapped into something that Melburnians obviously — from the euphoric responses — want so bad. And it isn't actually so unbelievable. We do have a burger joint in a train carriage on a rooftop, after all. If your dreams of eating unabashedly on public transport are crushed, never fear. You can just grab one to go and hop on any tram you like to dig in. Just be prepared to cop daggers from other passengers.
It seems that everywhere you look nowadays there's somewhere selling frozen yoghurt. This is excellent news for summer, because frogurt is delicious. Exceptionally tasty, however, is new kid on the block Gojé, who are doling out the treats in Yarraville with their 100% natural yoghurt take on the fro-yo trend. Gojé owners saw a big gap in the market for authentic and naturally-made frozen yoghurt after driving around Melbourne and finding that all was not exactly as it should be. Because while many stores claim to sell all-natural frozen yoghurt, many major retailers are actually making their frozen yoghurt by using powders, derivatives or blends. The process of diluting does not result a ratio of yoghurt above 60%, due to the mixture needing to be liquid to process through the machine. And for Gojé, this short-cut method wasn't enough, so they went back to basics: 100% natural cultured yoghurt. This is small batch yoghurt, made from scratch and cultured for up to 17 hours. Luckily for you — and after much experimentation — they've come up with a whole range of flavours using all-natural sugars like panela and agave, and only a handful of natural ingredients. Some of their yoghurts are even up to 99.8% fat free (and in case you were wondering, they're currently experimenting with stevia for a low-calorie version). Priced at a very reasonable $3 per 100g, their current offerings include green tea, cacao and mango, two vegan options – vanilla and cinnamon (made using cold-pressed almond milk) and coconut, which is made with coconut cream — as well as the original recipe. Then, you can choose from some awesome toppings like pear and rhubarb compote, house-made oat crumble, banana bread, house-made organic raspberry coulis and chocolate brownie from Spotswood's Candied Bakery. Frogurt is enjoying some time in the sun thanks to it being touted as a healthy treat — so why not get some that's actually just nothing but real yoghurt? A tub from Gojé is full of cultures and all the good stuff, so you can feel virtuous and healthy while you treat yourself this summer. But then again, if you want to load your cup with a whole heap of chocolate brownie and slather it in chocolate syrup, that's fine too. Gojé aren’t judging.
This month sees Spring Street's stately Windsor Hotel play host to yet another must-try food residency; this time plating up an innovative celebration of Indian flavours that simultaneously nods to Australia, Europe and Asia. And the trio of chefs at its helm have quite the collective resume. Taking over the hotel's Canberra Room from Thursday, March 9–Saturday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 15–Saturday, March 18, AANYA is a collaborative dinner series sprung from the minds of three Society alumni — Janos Roman (also Nobu London, The Fat Duck, Dinner by Heston), Jo Ward (Om Nom Dessert Bar) and Nishant Arora (Sweden's Michelin-starred Frantzen, Cutler & Co). Here, the chefs are taking diners on a globe-trotting exploration of spice and technique that's guaranteed to leave an impression. Expect creative bites like delicate waffles crafted from chicken skin, crispy smoked eel vada, a riff on the classic rogan josh that's topped with anchovy and smoked hay gel, and a dessert assembly of puffed potato, curry-smoked chocolate and pistachio miso. Featuring four courses plus snacks, AANYA's set menu comes in at $195, with drinks available to add on. Try a drop from the high-flying wine list, or go for one of the signature cocktails, including a plum- and carob-infused boulevardier. Images: Kurieto Tableware
Immersive and Instagrammable art has been all the rage in Australia for a few years now. Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Room has taken up permanent residence in Canberra, Sugar Republic's "dessert museum" keeps popping up, both multi-sensory playground Imaginaria and Van Gogh Alive have been touring the country in 2021, and Melbourne now has its own permanent digital art museum. And, after first hitting our shores in Sydney in 2020, Happy Place is about to jump back on the must-photograph list. Dubbed the "world's most Instagrammable exhibit", the multi-room installation had already travelled across the US and Canada before its first Aussie stop, and now it's heading to Crown Melbourne from Thursday, December 2–Sunday, January 30. Once inside the exhibition, you'll find many OTT rooms to explore, including a rubber ducky bathtub room, a cookie room that actually smells like freshly baked cookies, a room filled with 40,000 golden handmade flowers and a giant rainbow with a golden ball pit (no leprechauns though, sorry). If that doesn't have you reaching for your smartphone, there's also a mind-bending upside-down room and the "world's largest indoor confetti dome". When it was on display in the northern hemisphere, more than one million snap-happy folks visited Happy Place — including, supposedly, celebs such as Adele, Hilary Duff, Kerry Washington, Olivia Wilde and Sarah Michelle Gellar — and we're guessing it's going to be equally popular during its return Down Under. While the exhibition is "on a mission to spread happiness around the world", thankfully it isn't actually like The Good Place. Obviously, it's likely to sell out — and fast. Happy Place will be operating under COVID-safe guidelines in Melbourne, which means that all patrons over the age of 16 will need to be double-vaccinated — and there'll be contact tracing in effect, as well as increased sanitisation measures. Find Happy Place at Crown Melbourne, Level 1 Metropol Precinct, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank from Thursday, December 2–Sunday, January 30. Adult tickets start at $24.99 and are on sale now.
They're the stories we all lapped up as kids, telling us about enchanted creatures, magic and more. They're behind plenty of movies that still grace our screens, too. And, they're the focus of a huge Australian-exclusive exhibition coming to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in the summer of 2023–24. Yes, we're talking about fairy tales. The just-announced showcase is indeed called Fairy Tales and, taking over GOMA's entire ground floor, it'll explore how these folklore-, myth- and legend-related narratives have fascinated audiences through art and culture over not just years and decades, but centuries. If creepy woods have influenced sculptures, or tales of princes and princesses have inspired painters, expect to see it here, in a blockbuster showcase that'll run from December 2, 2023–April 28, 2024. [caption id="attachment_758872" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama[/caption] Also included: everything from drawings and installations through to fashion, as well as films and filmic elements, such as props, and costumes. GOMA hasn't unveiled an accompanying movie program in its Australian Cinematheque just yet, but you likely don't need to wish for that to happen — just wait for further details late next year. Wicked witches, magic animals (fierce and friendly alike), coming-of-age tales, shifting gender roles, bravery, loyalty, castles, coaches, pumpkins — they'll all feature in some way. Artists involved include GOMA favourites Yayoi Kusama and Patricia Piccinini, plus Jana Sterbak, Kiki Smith, Abdul Abdullah, Ron Mueck and Charles Blackman. The list goes on, like breadcrumb trails. And, if you like huge site-specific installations, the South Brisbane gallery has commissioned something special from Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira. He'll transform the building's architecture into a sure-to-be-stunning gnarled and twisted woodland (a sure-to-be-snapped piece, too, naturally). [caption id="attachment_845376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] H Walker[/caption] GOMA and the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), its sibling venue at South Bank, have also dropped their full 2023 lineups, with Fairy Tales among a feast of art that Brisbanites — and culture-loving, gallery-attending visitors to Brisbane — can look forward to. The already-announced Air exhibition kicks off at GOMA in November 2022 and runs through till April 2023, and follows on from Water back in 2019 and 2020. Or, there's Michael Zavros: The Favourite, showcasing 90-plus paintings, sculptures, videos, photos and performances by the Queensland artist — and eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness, an extensive retrospective (the most extensive to date) about the Canberra-based artist. They'll both head to GOMA as well. And, Gone Fishing will draw pieces from the gallery's Indigenous Australian Art collection, including fibre sculptures, paintings, prints and installation, to ponder traditional sea rights, plus freshwater and saltwater fishing practices. [caption id="attachment_874638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Zavros / Australia b.1974 / V12/Narcissus 2009 / Oil painting on board / 20 x 29.5 x 2cm / Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gift of the artist 2013. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Image courtesy: Michael Zavros / © Michael Zavros.[/caption] Over at QAG, Living Patterns will examine contemporary abstraction, forming one of the venue's major exhibitions. The list of artists contributing new and recent works there is also impressive; think: Paul Bai, Helen Johnson, Lindy Lee, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Reko Rennie, Hossein Valamanesh, Jemima Wyman and more. QAG will also survey landscape and marine paintings by 19th-century artist Isaac Walter Jenner; explore Indigenous Australian artistic practice from the north to north-west of southeast Queensland to the top end of Western Australia; showcase the exchange enjoyed between Australian and Filipino artists in the 90s and 00s; and serve up a big focus on self-portraiture, including musing on selfie culture. Prepare to spend most of 2023 in Brisbane's two major art galleries, clearly. [caption id="attachment_874639" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Griggs / Australia/The Philippines b.1975 / Frog boy's dissertation into a new karaoke cult 2008 / Synthetic polymer paint on sewn canvas with aluminium frame, wood and medium density fibreboard, rope and projected DVD: 34.54 minutes, colour, silent, 730 x 860 x 620cm (installed); tent wall: 286 x 2520cm / Purchased 2008 with funds from the Queensland Government's Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund and with the assistance of the Melbourne Art Fair Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © David Griggs.[/caption] QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY AND GALLERY OF MODERN ART 2023 PROGRAM: Air at GOMA — November 26, 2022–April 23, 2023 North by North-West at QAG — February 11, 2023—March 2, 2025 Lies, Magicians and Blind Faith at QAG — March 4–July 30, 2023 Looking Out, Looking In: Exploring the Self-Portrait at QAG — March 11–August 6, 2023 Gone Fishing at GOMA — May 20, 2023—January 21, 2024 Michael Zavros: The Favourite at GOMA — June 24–October 2, 2023 eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness at GOMA — June 24–October 2, 2023 Isaac Walter Jenner at QAG — September 2, 2023—January 28, 2024 Living Patterns: Abstraction at QAG — September 23, 2023–February 4, 2024 Fairy Tales at GOMA — December 2, 2023–April 28, 2024 Fairy Tales displays at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from December 2, 2023–April 28, 2024. For further details — or to find out more about the gallery's full 2023 slate — visit its website. Top image: Henrique Oliveira / Brazil b.1973 / Baitogogo 2013 / Palais de Tokyo, Paris / Plywood and tree branches / 6740 x 1179 x 2076cm / Courtesy SAM Art Projects, Galerie GP&N Vallois, Galeria Millan / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: André Morin / This work is indicative of a new commission by Henrique Oliveira for the exhibition 'Fairy Tales' at QAGOMA.
The sights and sounds of Italy are heading our way once again, for the latest edition of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. Hosted in select Palace Cinema locations around the country, this year's festival of more than 30 films will be bookended by two special gala events. Smash-hit comedy God Willing screens on opening night, while a special restoration of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1970 masterwork The Conformist will bring the festival to a close. In between you'll find comedies, dramas and eye-opening documentaries, as well as a number of high-profile titles making their Australian debuts. Heading up our list of must-sees are a pair of films that caused a stir at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Matteo Garrone directs Selma Hayek and John C. Reilly in the surreal fantasy Tale of Tales, while John Turturro stars opposite Italian actress Margherita Buy in the madcap comedy Mia Madre. We're also intrigued by Venice-set comedy Pizza and Dates, about the city's Muslim population searching for a place to build a new mosque, as well as compilation documentary Italy in a Day, made up of hundreds of short videos submitted by people from all around the country. For the full Lavazza Italian Film Festival program, visit their website.
Dine-in cafe service sure didn't get much of a run in 2020. But while those doors were closed, Melbourne-born Only Hospitality Group came up with a winning formula for its next new venture — a COVID-friendly cafe concept heroing takeaway baked goods, loaves of fresh bread and coffee to-go. And so, Juliette Coffee & Bread was born, taking over a former jewellery shop in the heart of Malvern. New sibling to the group's many other cafe hits (including Fitzroy's Bentwood, Glovers Station in Elsternwick and Camberwell's My Other Brother), Juliette opened its doors in July, fast becoming a neighbourhood favourite for it's lockdown-friendly grab-and-go offering. Here, behind a cheery salmon-hued facade, you'll find a simple, yet considered lineup of house-made sourdough breads, pastries and baguette sandwiches, available to takeaway or to enjoy at one of the curbside tables. Signature treats including fruit danishes, almond croissants and Portuguese tarts fill the cabinets, along with the likes of Nutella-stuffed doughnuts and chunky chocolate peanut butter cookies. Drop by for a bacon and egg muffin, or maybe the pork, fennel and black sesame sausage roll. Or, try a sambo made on Juliette bread — popular options include a saucy eggplant parma baguette, and another teaming shaved pastrami with sauerkraut, cheese and Russian mayo. Only Hospitality's own Inglewood Coffee Roasters are taking care of the caffeinated side of things, with state-of-the-art Modbar machines gracing the counter. You can match your pain au chocolate with an espresso coffee from the Sunset BLVD house blend, a filter option, or something from the rotation of single origins. The concept has proved such a hit, that two more Juliette Coffee & Bread outposts have joined the original in recent months, launching in Hawthorn East and Ringwood East. And the family's set to expand even more, with Armadale and Camberwell slated to welcome their own iterations next week.
If anyone knows a thing or two about hosting events, it's the good folk of Melbourne — a city where not a week goes by without some sort of festival, street party, or public celebration. Just this week, we're gearing up for a glorious all-nighter, as White Night Melbourne returns. And it looks like that events calendar is about to get even more chockers, with the City of Melbourne announcing it'll be throwing $2.6 million in funding behind three events sponsorship programs this year. The programs have been running for a few years now, with the Business Events Sponsorship Program covering business events and conferences, an Event Partnership Program focusing on boosting local free events, and the Triennial Sponsorship Program going towards delivering those major, hot-ticket events and festivals. Aimed at beefing up the diversity and accessibility of Melbourne's various events, this support ensures there remains free and budget-friendly ways to get involved in all the major happenings — including events like the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. "The number of events and festivals in our city is constantly growing and we are always open to new suggestions and ideas," Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood explained. "We encourage applications for funding of events that reflect creativity, inclusion, sustainability, knowledge and economic prosperity." If you've got a ripper idea for an event and fancy applying for the Event Partnership Program or Business Events Sponsorship Program, the submission deadline is Tuesday, March 14. Applications for the Triennial Sponsorship Program close on Tuesday, March 20. Image: White Night.
