If you're fond of staring at the heavens with your own two eyes to see a stunning sight, you'll want to spend Wednesday, September 18, 2024 looking up. A supermoon is upon us, with the best time to see it arriving just after sunset Down Under — so if you train your peepers upwards this evening, you'll be in for a glowing show. While super full moons aren't particularly rare — several usually happen each year, and one occurred just last month — there is a good reason to peer upwards this time around. If you're wondering why, we've run through the details below. [caption id="attachment_769713" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA/Joel Kowsky[/caption] What Is It? If you're more familiar with The Mighty Boosh's take on the moon than actual lunar terms, here's what you need to know. As we all learned back in November 2016, a supermoon is a new moon or full moon that occurs when the moon reaches the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it particularly bright. They're not all that uncommon — and because September 2024's supermoon is a full moon (and not a new moon), it's called a super full moon. It's also a harvest moon, too, which refers to the time of year in the northern hemisphere, because this is when the autumn harvest tends to begin in the other half of the world. Of course, that doesn't apply in the southern hemisphere, but the name still sticks. When Can I See It? As mentioned above, your best time to look at the harvest supermoon is from sunset on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The moon always appears full for a few days, however, so if you already thought that the night sky looked a little brighter this week, that's why. To catch a glimpse, you'll want to peek outside when it gets dark to feast your eyes on a luminous lunar sight. Head over to timeanddate.com for the relevant moonrise and moonset times for your area. In Sydney, the moon rises at 6pm on Wednesday and sets at 6.19am on Thursday. Those times for Melbourne are 6.26pm Wednesday and 6.43am Thursday, while Brisbane's are 5.53pm Wednesday and at 6.13am Thursday. In Perth, it's 6.26pm Wednesday and 6.44am Thursday, while Adelaide's are 6.23pm Wednesday and 6.40am Thursday. Where Can I See It? You can take a gander from your backyard or balcony, but the standard advice regarding looking into the night sky always applies — so city-dwellers will want to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the absolute best view. Also, if you've heard about the supermoon partial lunar eclipse, sadly that's not visible from Australia — but you can watch it online from 11am AEST Down Under. Via NASA / timeanddate.com. Top image: Andrew C.
If you managed to nab a ticket to Paul Kelly's Making Gravy tour last year, then you were one of the lucky ones. If you weren't and have been lamenting ever since, you can stop. The songwriting legend has just announced that he'll be performing the show all over again this December, in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (on Gravy Day itself, December 21). Like the song, the tour — now in its third year — is becoming a bit of an Aussie Christmas tradition. Time to start thinking about getting the tinsel and ugly jumpers out of storage. As in 2018, you can expect to hear a stack of songs from Kelly's four-decade long career. Listen out for all the hits, from 'Dumb Things', from the album Live, May 1992, to 'Love Never Runs On Time' from Wanted Man (1994). The Christmas classic 'How To Make Gravy', first released in 1996 on an eponymous EP, is on the menu, too. The tour will coincide with the release of Kelly's new greatest hits album Songs From The South (1985–2019), his collaborative avian-inspired album 13 Ways To Look At Birds and a book of poetry he's curated, called Love Is Strong As Death. Kelly won't be hitting the road alone, either — he's inviting a bunch of special guests. He'll be joined by ARIA Award-winning rocker Courtney Barnett, Aussie Eurovison finalist Kate Miller-Heidke, NZ singer Marlon Williams and Gamilaraay songstress Thelma Plum (in Sydney only). [caption id="attachment_737416" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mia Mala McDonald[/caption] MAKING GRAVY DATES 2019 Perth — Optus Stadium, Saturday, December 7 Melbourne — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Thursday, December 12 Sydney — The Domain, Saturday, December 14 Brisbane — Riverstage, Saturday, December 21 Paul Kelly Making Gravy pre-sale tickets will be available from midday on Tuesday, August 20 with general sales from midday on Friday, August 23. Perth, Sydney and Brisbane tickets will be available via Ticketmaster with Melbourne's via Ticketek. Top image: Cybele Malinowski
International travel hasn't returned to normal as yet, but the airline industry has still kicked off the new year the way it always does: by announcing the safest carriers to fly with over the next 12 months. If heading to or from New Zealand is on your to-do list for 2022 — depending upon border restrictions, of course — then this year's rankings come bearing great news, with Air New Zealand earning the top spot. As decided by AirlineRatings.com, the carrier nabbed the number-one positions for a number of reasons, including flying in difficult conditions — "from windy Wellington to the Southern Alps", the publication noted — and having a young fleet of planes. "The last two years have been extremely difficult for airlines with COVID-19 slashing travel and Airline Ratings editors have particularly focused on the lengths airlines are undertaking to re-train pilots ahead of a return to service. Air New Zealand is a leader in this field with comprehensive retraining," said Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas. Air NZ's victory came at the cost of another airline from Down Under — and the winner of the safest airline for the past eight years in a row. That'd be Qantas. Since 2014, the Australian carrier has begun each year by being named the safest airline to travel on for that upcoming year, but that streak has now ended. It still placed in the highly sought-after accolade's top 20, however, from a pool of 385 carriers from around the world. Virgin Australia also made the cut — and, in order, the full rundown of 20 airlines includes Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TAP Portugal, SAS, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia/Atlantic, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, Finnair, Air France/KLM Group, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Emirates. [caption id="attachment_823330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brent Winstone[/caption] If you're a budget-conscious flyer, the website also outlined the ten safest low-cost airlines. Jetstar made the list — which it also did back in 2019 and 2021 — with Allegiant, easyjet, Frontier, Jetblue, Ryanair, Vietjet, Volaris, Westjet, and Wizz also featuring. Factors that influence a carrier's placement on the two lists include crash and incident records, safety initiatives, fleet age, profitability, and audits by aviation governing bodies, industry bodies and governments. No one needs any extra encouragement to dream about overseas holidays at the moment, but this just might be it. For the full AirlineRatings.com list, visit the airline safety and product rating review outfit's website.
Musicals are without a doubt one of the most divisive types of performance out there. When it comes down to it, you're either all for for spectacle and jazz hands or you ain't. But, where most musicals deal in nostalgia or novelty (think Jersey Boys or Wicked), Once is set in working-class Dublin with a modern, original soundtrack. With a Grammy and a whole swag of Tony Awards to its name, this unlikely Broadway hit makes its mark on audiences through the humble means of folk music. Based on John Carney's 2006 indie flick of the same name, Once follows the short and complicated near-romance of an unnamed man (Tom Parsons) and woman (Madeleine Jones). After hearing the man busking, the mysterious Czech girl — whose accent is frequently hammed up for comedic effect — takes an interest in his music and provides him with the support and inspiration he needs to get his life together. She's basically the closest the stage has seen to a manic pixie dream girl. With both characters conflicted by previous heartaches, the story is definitely one for romantics. But, without the intimacy and lo-fi realism that was offered in the film, Once comes off a little corny on stage. Emotions run very high very quickly, and if you're the least bit cynical your eyes are going to roll back in your head at least once. Luckily, the show isn't defined by its finer plot points but by its music. Packed with violins, guitars, a piano and accordion, the stage is constantly alive with likeable folk, and each of the actors effortlessly double as extremely talented musicians. Decked out as a fully-functioning Irish pub (open to the audience at interval), the set is truly a world unto itself and each member of the cast give incredibly high-energy, loveable performances that constantly impress. Seriously, at one point someone does a jig while playing the freakin' cello. It's impressive. Occupying a bittersweet ground with its upbeat tempo and downtrodden lyrics, the soundtrack of the performance is the real drawcard. Pocketing a Grammy from its run on Broadway, it came as no surprise to see copies of the CD being snapped up outside the theatre doors. Even those not familiar with the story would know the tune of its standout hit 'Falling Slowly'. Though it falls well within the bounds of your average romantic comedy, Once is somehow still enjoyable even if you don't like musicals. Give yourself over to the sentimentality of the story or mentally check out and concentrate on swaying your Guinness in time with the frenetic fiddling of the violin — either way, you'll leave with a smile on your face.
First launched back in 2006, TarraWarra Museum of Art's Biennial returns this autumn for its 2023 edition — this time centred on the relationship between Australia and its neighbouring societies, exploring everything from celestial navigation practices to intercultural connections. Running at the stunning Yarra Valley gallery (a perennial inclusion on our guide to Healesville and the Yarra Valley) from Saturday, April 1–Sunday, July 16, TarraWarra Biennial 2023: ua usiusi faʻavaʻasavili is set to showcase works by 15 contemporary artists and groups, all newly commissioned in response to this year's theme. [caption id="attachment_894739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Speak the Wind', 2015–2021, Hoda Afshar. Image courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane.[/caption] Taking its name from a Samoan proverb translating to 'the canoe obeys the wind', the exhibition zeroes in on the ancestral ties binding us to the lands and people of Asia and the Great Ocean. It poses complex questions about past issues, while also looking towards hopeful futures. Visitors can expect to find themselves transported to other cultures, histories and traditions, via a lineup of compelling works curated by Indigenous critical theory expert Dr Léuli Eshrāghi. You'll find pieces by Australian First Nations artists like Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Vicki West, The Unbound Collective, Sonja Carmichael and Elisa Jane Carmichael, along with others from further afield, such as Hoda Afshar, Elyas Alavi, Dr Kirsten Lyttle, Phuong Ngo and David Sequeira. [caption id="attachment_894740" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Tanpa Sempadan', 2023, Abdul-Rahman Abdullah. Image courtesy of the artist and Moore Contemporary.[/caption] Top image: 'Ngumpi (Home)', 2022–23, Sonja Carmichael and Elisa Jane Carmichael (Quandamooka). Image courtesy of the artists and Onespace Gallery, Brisbane. Photo by Louis Lim.
The bourbon maestros at Woodford Reserve are inviting Aussies to raise their glass to a cocktail classic as Old Fashioned Week returns with a generous twist this November (and we're not talking about the garnish). Extending the celebrations from seven days to an entire month, Woodford Reserve is offering complimentary cocktails at its participating bars nationwide so lovers of Kentucky's finest dram can enjoy an expertly crafted drink without worrying about their wallet. Melburnians should head to Whisky & Alement or White Oaks Saloon in Prahran, where they can enjoy their first round of Old Fashioneds on the house, courtesy of Woodford Reserve. The celebrations don't stop with a quick cocktail. Woodford Reserve will be bringing in international expertise in the form of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. During her visit, she will lead a series of bourbon masterclasses, offering bartenders and enthusiasts alike the chance to learn from her insights on the art of distilling and how Woodford Reserve has been crafted to be the perfect bourbon for an Old Fashioned. To add to the international flair of this year's Old Fashioned Week, the bourbon maker is also bringing back its Global Bar Exchange program. Florence's Locale Firenze — one of The World's 50 Best Bars — has put its own unique spin on drink service at Melbourne's Society. From Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, November 14, Locale's world-class bartenders will collaborate with Society's award-winning team to bring visitors a cocktail-making experience that combines the best of Australian and Italian techniques. "We're thrilled to be bringing Old Fashioned Week back to Australia once again this year," says Richard Dredge, Woodford Reserve Senior Brand Manager at Brown-Forman. "And this time, we're making it even bigger and better than ever."
Melbourne's arts calendar never fails to keep us busy, however, it's always had a bit of a lull in winter before Melbourne International Arts Festival and Melbourne Music Week take over the city in spring. But, from next year, that's all set change. The Victorian Government has this morning announced that it will launch a huge new citywide arts festival in the winter of 2020. It's a big shake-up to the Melbourne arts calendar as the new festival will merge the aforementioned Melbourne Festival and arts all-nighter White Night and move them into a winter timeslot. Since its inception, White Night has been held on a hot February night — however, in September last year, it was announced that it would move to August for 2019. Melbourne Fest, which was established in 1986, is usually held in October. [caption id="attachment_650235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] White Night Melbourne[/caption] Exact timings and details are yet to be revealed, but the new "global" festival — as it's being billed by the Andrews Government — will take over the city for several weeks, much like Melbourne Festival usually does in October. While it will no doubt combine the best bits of the two existing festivals, a new creative team will come on to develop a new program and vision. We're told the the 2020 program will feature a "diverse program of visual and performing arts" coupled with with "large-scale takeovers of precincts" after-dark. Hopefully that means more immersive installations like last year's Fire Garden at Melbourne Festival. The inaugural festival — which is yet to be named — will kick off with a 'transitional' year in the winter of 2020. It's set to support Melbourne's tourism and hospitality industries in the quieter months and, no doubt, provide a Melbourne equivalent to Sydney's popular Vivid festival, which kicks off this month. Both White Night and the Melbourne International Arts Festival will go ahead as planned this year, on the weekend of August 22–24 and October 2–20, respectively. The new winter festival will hit Melbourne in winter 2020. We'll keep you updated when new details or dates are announced. Image: Fire Garden from Melbourne International Arts Festival 2018, by Vincent Muteau.
For the fifth year running, Fitzroy's Builders Arms Hotel will play host to the celebration of wine, food and associated good times that is Handmade. Held this year on Sunday, June 3, the annual wine party not only showcases some incredible drops and talented winemakers from across the globe, but it does so with the aim of making the whole experience fun and approachable for all. 2018's event will take over the entire venue and feature a lineup of 40–50 top producers and importers, who will be on hand for tastings, chats and general brain-picking throughout the day. Of course, the food situation will be equally impressive, with chef Chris Watson from neighbouring Cutler & Co. firing up the barbecue in the pub's courtyard and Hector's Deli supplying the sangas. All this while DJ Iron HandmadeN works magic on the decks in the public bar. Tickets to Handmade are $35 per person, and include wine tastings, some accompanying snacks and a beer on arrival. Images: Harvard Wang.
Just a couple of months ago Brisbane was turned into a Marvel movie set for the filming of Thor: Ragnarok. Well, comic book and film fans — there's more where that came from. Come next year, you'll be able to grab your Mjölnir, your best Tom Hiddleston wig, an Infinity Stone and anything else that ties into the now 14-strong Marvel Cinematic Universe, and head to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art for a massive exhibition dedicated to all things superhero. Talk about great timing. To be precise (and to state the obvious), Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe — which was announced by the Queensland Government yesterday — will showcase all things Marvel when it takes over GOMA from May 27 to September 3, 2017. Consider it a great lead up to Ragnarok's release in cinemas next October. It'll be the largest ever Marvel presentation in an art museum worldwide, and will feature original artworks, film props, costumes and more from the likes of Iron Man, Ant-Man, Captain America and Guardians of the Galaxy. We'd keep listing movies, but their box office success proves that you already know what we're talking about. And yes, you read that correctly — this isn't just a retrospective screening series featuring all the flicks you've been watching since Robert Downey Jr put on a robotic suit and wisecracked his way into starting the franchise back in 2008. Instead, it's a gallery-wide, government-championed, tourist-courting, super huge event. Of course, checking out all of the relevant movies on GOMA's big screen will be part of the program. After you've seen hundreds of MCU pieces drawn from Marvel Studios, Marvel Entertainment and private collections, you'll probably want to rewatch the films. If you've been to GOMA, you're probably used to seeing curated art and movie choices rather than such a pop culture blockbuster showcase. This will certainly be their most mainstream (and possibly most popular) event of either art or cinema to date. That said, their Australian Cinematheque typically dallies with bigger movie selections featuring better-known, broader titles at least once a year (the recent Monsters, Fairytales and Fables, and Myths and Legends programs, for example), albeit not quite on this mammoth level. However, if you've already donned your costume and possibly booked a trip to Brisbane, you'd better get your tickets — they're on sale now. Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe will show at GOMA from May 27 to September 3, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at qagoma.qld.gov.au.
When a band is just starting out, with just one album to its name, you're treated to most — if not all — of it live in the early days. To get the full-record experience again, though, you normally have to wait for big anniversaries. Bloc Party are celebrating two on their 2025 tour of Australia: two decades of the group and the same since their debut album Silent Alarm. Hitting up Melbourne's John Cain Arena on Sunday, August 3, Bloc Party will play Silent Alarm from start to finish. 'Banquet', 'Helicopter', 'This Modern Love', 'Like Eating Glass': yes, they'll all be on the setlist on this seven-city trip. The band aren't leaving their other tunes out, though, with the tour featuring not just Silent Alarm's tracks but the group's greatest hits. They do have five other albums to their name, after all: 2007's A Weekend in the City, 2008's Intimacy, 2012's Four, 2016's Hymns and 2022's Alpha Games. If you're a fan, you'll know that it has been more than 20 years since the band first formed, and since the British group scored some hefty approval in 2003 via Franz Ferdinand's lead singer Alex Kaprano — but 20 is a nice round number to commemorate. This makes two Aussie tours in a row now with a point of difference for Bloc Party, after 2023 trip with Interpol. Before that, they last rocked Aussie stages in 2018. Supporting Kele Okereke and company this time are Young The Giant, who'll be playing Australia for the first time in 14 years. Live images: Bruce Baker via Flickr.
SXSW Sydney is back for 2024 in a big way — and even if you're only planning to hit up its Screen Festival across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20, a stacked program awaits. When the event kicks off for this year, it's doing so with a movie that bowed at its Austin counterpart, heads back to the 90s, sports a Saturday Night Live alum behind the lens and boasts plenty of well-known faces on-screen, including the Harbour City event's music keynote speaker for 2024. The film: A24's Y2K, the directorial debut of Kyle Mooney (No Hard Feelings), with Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), Julian Dennison (Uproar), Jaeden Martell (Arcadian) and The Kid LAROI starring. The storyline: it's New Year's Eve in 1999, a heap of folks are at a high-school party and the Y2K bug strikes. The fest's small-screen highlights span debuting and returning fare, as well as a new show that's the latest version of a popular hit that just keeps being remade. Plum, which stars Brendan Cowell (The Twelve) as a footballer who learns that his concussions have led to a brain disorder, and also features Asher Keddie (Fake) and Jemaine Clement (Time Bandits), is premiering at SXSW Sydney before airing on ABC. Apple TV+ delight Shrinking with Jason Segel (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) is showing a sneak peek of its second season, and the new Australian take on The Office joins the program via a panel discussion featuring lead Felicity Ward (Time Bandits) with executive producers and writers Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) and Julie De Fina (Aftertaste). Back on movies, Matt Damon (The Instigators)- and Ben Affleck (The Flash)-produced sports drama Unstoppable will enjoy its Australian premiere. Telling Anthony Robles' true tale, it stars Jharrel Jerome (I'm a Virgo) as the wrestler born with one leg — plus Bobby Cannavale (MaXXXine), Michael Peña (A Million Miles Away), Don Cheadle (Fight Night) and Jennifer Lopez (Atlas). Also on the film list: the world premiere of the Chicago-set Pools, which features Odessa A'zion (Ghosts) as a college sophomore at summer school; Messy, another summer-set flick, this time featuring Alexi Wasser (Poker Face), Ione Skye (Beef) Adam Goldberg (The Exorcism); First Nations coming-of-age tale Jazzy, with Lily Gladstone (Fancy Dance) as a star and executive producer; and They're Here, a documentary about UFO fanatics. Or, from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Before We Vanish) comes both Cloud and Serpent's Path — the first of which is Japan's submission for 2025's Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, with the second remaking the director's own 1998 revenge film in French. There's also headliners Saturday Night, Smile 2, Nightbitch, The Front Room and Pavements — and everything from cults, cat-loving animation and Christmas carnage thanks to Azrael, Ghost Cat Anzu and Carnage for Christmas. Movie buffs can also look forward to Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty)-led mom-com Babes; the maximum-security prison-set Sing Sing with Colman Domingo (Drive-Away Dolls); and Inside, which features Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders). Documentary Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird spends time with At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala; Teaches of Peaches goes on tour with its namesake; the Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder)-directed doco Never Look Away is about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth; Peter Dinklage (Unfrosted) and Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) lead western-thriller The Thicket; and Aussie doco Like My Brother is about four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands. The list goes on, with The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons, That Sugar Film and 2040 filmmaker Damon Gameau's Future Council, and Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker also screening.
Spring, the season when anything feels possible, has arrived. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are warming up and getaway vibes are buzzing — big get-out-of-the-house energy, too. So, your mind has probably turned to your next holiday. Of course, there's never a bad time to plan a vacation, but knowing that the cold is behind us for another year is mighty great motivation. Here's one way to proceed: making a date with anywhere from the Gold Coast up to Cairns, because this is a glorious time to be in the Sunshine State. Yes, Virgin Australia has just dropped a huge Queensland flight sale, teaming up with the Queensland Government on a big tourism push, and covering trips from October 2023–June 2024. Running now, from Monday, September 4 until 11.59AEST on Sunday, September 10 — or sold out, whichever arrives first — this is another of the airline's sales that's completely dedicated to hitting up everything north of Coolangatta. And, it's slinging a heap of fares: 300,000 of them, in fact. It might be focused on one part of the country, but you still have options in terms of departure points and destinations. Within Queensland, you can leave or arrive in Brisbane, Hamilton Island, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Mt Isa and Proserpine. And, around the rest of the nation, flights to and from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney are all covered. One-way fares start at $49, which'll get you from Sydney to the Gold Coast and vice versa. Other sale flights include Sydney–Sunshine Coast from $55, Brisbane–Proserpine from $59, Newcastle–Brisbane and Canberra–Gold Coast from $65, and Melbourne–Gold Coast and Brisbane–Cairns from $69. Also, Hamilton Island fares start at $79 from Brisbane, $95 from Sydney and $99 from Melbourne. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel within that October–June period, the exact dates depend on the leg. Only select fares cover seat choice and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in 2021 that it now splits its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. Virgin's latest Queensland Is Calling sale runs from Monday, September 4–Sunday, September 10 (ending at 11.59AEST) — or until sold out. Top image: Internet2014 via Wikimedia Commons. 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.
Spend your Saturday celebrating Chinese art and culture when the NGV rings in the Chinese New Year with a full day program of workshops, tours, performances, music and food. It'll all go down on Saturday, January 25 from 12–4pm — and it's absolutely free. Start off with a guided tour of the gallery's Asian art collections at either midday or 3.30pm. The collection spans a whopping four millennia of culture and history through artist mediums such as sculpture, ceramics, jade, calligraphy and prints. A curator's tour of the Japanese Design collection will also be running at 3pm. Traditional Chinese knot making workshops will run throughout the afternoon, and you can also have a go at Tījiànzi in the Grollo Equiset Garden — a game where you have to keep an elaborate shuttlecock off the ground for as long as you can without using your hands. DJ Silky Jazz will also be spinning tunes all afternoon, too. Dumplings, noodles and steamed buns will be on offer in the Great Hall throughout the day. For the full list of events, check out the NGV International website.
If you've ever been caught at a tram stop without a way to top-up your Myki, just wait until the Victorian Government launches its impending 'Mobile Myki' trial. If introduced, it might mean you can ditch your card altogether and — instead of walking an inconvenient distance to a ticketing machine or just risking the fine — use an app to manage your Myki. So how will it work? The technology will use a custom-built app that integrates seamlessly with existing Myki card readers and ticket barriers, for travel on trams, trains and buses across the state. If it gets the tick of approval, passengers will soon be able to check their Myki balance and top up their account on the go, using their phone instead of a physical card. When testing kicks off in the coming months, it'll see Victoria become one of the first spots in the world to trial mobile ticketing technology across multiple transport modes on an entire public transport network, without incorporating any new infrastructure or equipment. The announcement comes just a couple of months after Transport for NSW enabled contactless card payments on Sydney's Opal system for the first time. A group of industry-based testers will put the new Myki technology through its paces first, before a wider public trial launches later in the year. Testing will continue until early 2019, with physical Myki cards to remain in use both during the trial and afterwards.
In self-portrait after self-portrait, Frida Kahlo was no stranger to giving the world a window into what made the artist tick. The Mexican painter didn't just create art — she bared her soul, especially in pieces where she stares back at audiences. Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image has a similar intimate aim in mind, as aided by some of the icon's depictions of herself, as well as a treasure trove of her personal belongings. When it arrives Down Under in 2025, this will be Australia's latest celebration of Kahlo after the Art Gallery of South Australia's 150-work Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution showcase of Mexican modernism in 2023, and also Sydney Festival's multi-sensory Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon the same year. That's quite the spread of places around the country that've been dedicating walls and halls to the artist, with Bendigo now joining them. Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image will display at the Bendigo Art Gallery from Saturday, March 15–Sunday, July 13. [caption id="attachment_966475" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frida Kahlo in blue satin blouse, 1939, photograph by Nickolas Muray © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives.[/caption] Many of the artworks and items that'll feature have never been seen in Australia before. In fact, some were sealed for 50 years in her family home when Diego Rivera ensured that the site would become a museum after Kahlo passed away in 1954, and that her most-personal items were stored in the bathrooms away from public eyes. Objects such as clothes and makeup will make the trip to regional Victoria, as will mementoes and photographs. Accordingly, attendees will be peering at traditional Mexican garments, including a headdress from the Oaxaca region, that were worn by Kahlo; Revlon cosmetics, such as lipstick, nail polish and an eyebrow pencil; and hand-painted medical corsets that she donned following spinal surgeries. Appearances Can Be Deceiving, a self-portrait drawing that provides a view through her clothing to her corset x-ray style, is also a highlight. [caption id="attachment_966474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] La Casa Azul. Photograph by Sebastián Monsalve. © Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Archives. Bank of Mexico, Fiduciary in the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museum Trust.[/caption] Arriving direct from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico, Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image is exclusive to the Bendigo institution, so you'll need to make the trip if you're keen to explore what the artist's belongings and style says about her art. "This remarkable collection rarely travels outside Mexico, and has never before been seen in Australia. Kahlo's much-loved home, Casa Azul, now the Museo Frida Kahlo, was the embodiment of her art, philosophies and design influences," explains Jessica Bridgfoot, Director of Bendigo Art Gallery. "Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image will shed a light on Kahlo's carefully crafted appearance in the world, and how her vibrant clothing, poetic use of makeup and adornment constructed her captivating public image, and also addressed global political issues, cultural identity and how her physical disabilities both defied and defined her." [caption id="attachment_966476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cotton blouse embroidered with glass beads; satin skirt with chain stitch and floral motif embroidery; holán (ruffle) and guatemalan waist-sash. Photo: © Museo Frida Kahlo - Casa Azul Collection - Javier Hinojosa, 2017.[/caption] "Frida Kahlo: In her own image originates from the extensive investigation of Frida Kahlo's personal objects, found in trunks, wardrobes, drawers, bathrooms and cellars of the Casa Azul," adds Perla Labarthe Alvarez, Museo Frida Kahlo's Director. "The exhibition is a unique opportunity to learn about the Kahlo's life in a classical Mexican house which encompassed not only her personal world but so much of Mexican life and culture. These endearing objects help us understand the story of this complex artist with all her humanity, resilience and creative power." [caption id="attachment_966477" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frida Kahlo, by Guillermo Kahlo, 1932 © Frida Kahlo Museum[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Revlon compact and powderpuff with blusher in 'Clear Red'; Seal-fast nail varnish top coat; Lastron nail varnishes in 'Frosted Snow Pink' and 'Frosted Pink Lightening'; lipstick in 'Everything's Rosy'. Before 1954. Photo: © Museo Frida Kahlo - Casa Azul Collection - Javier Hinojosa, 2017.[/caption] Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image will display at Bendigo Art Gallery, 42 View Street, Bendigo from Saturday, March 15–Sunday, July 13, 2025. Head to the gallery's website for further details. Top image: Frida Kahlo in blue satin blouse, 1939, photograph by Nickolas Muray © NickolasMuray Photo Archives.
Get set for chuckles galore, as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns to kick off its 33rd edition. From March 27 until April 21, a cast of side-splitting comedic talent will take over theatres, bars and clubs for the annual citywide festival. This year's program delivers an impressive mix of local and international names, with the likes of big names Michelle Wolf (USA), the Stephen K Amos (UK) and David O'Doherty (Ireland) joining homegrown heroes including Hannah Gadsby, Judith Lucy, Ronny Chieng, Urzila Carlson and Tommy Little. Over 100 venues across the city will host a smorgasbord of stand-up, improv, musical numbers, mime and more. As always, you'll have the chance to catch the latest solo shows from acclaimed acts like Becky Lucas, Joel Creasey, Demi Lardner, Charlie Pickering, Rhys Nicholson and Nazeem Hussain. The festival's Comedy Zone Asia and Indian All-Star Comedy Showcase will shine a spotlight on some of the hottest emerging comedians from across Asia, while yet more comedic gold will be served up at special events like the annual Gala, which raises much-needed funds for Oxfam. Throw in the return of famed open mic competition RAW Comedy, the youth-focused Class Clowns program, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander showcase Deadly Funny, and you're set for a serious boost of dopamine over the next few weeks.
Australians, it's finally time to drop it like it's hot again — because Snoop Dogg is coming back to our shores. For the first time since 2014, the rapper is hitting stages Down Under as part of this new 'I Wanna Thank Me' tour, which'll be playing arenas in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in February and March 2023. If this sounds familiar, that's because this tour was initially due to happen in 2022, only to be postponed. Now, Snoop Dogg has locked in the rescheduled dates, complete with extra shows in both Sydney and Melbourne — and adding Adelaide to his tour itinerary. Clearly, fans of the musician/actor/cook book author/wrestling MC/wine brand owner will be breaking out the gin and juice as he raps his way through the RAC Arena, Qudos Bank Arena, Rod Laver Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Snoop will also be inspiring hip hop aficionados to be the life of the party and, if you can remember his time as Snoop Doggy Dog and Snoop Lion across his career, to ask about his name as well. Yes, you can expect to hear singles such as 'What's My Name?', 'Gin and Juice', 'Drop It Like It's Hot' and 'Snoop's Upside Ya Head', as well as tracks from his last few albums — with his 17th record from 2019, I Wanna Thank Me, sharing its moniker with the tour. Since then, he's also dropped two more albums: From tha Streets 2 tha Suites in 2021 and BODR in 2022, with another, Missionary, also in the works. SNOOP DOGG 'I WANNA THANK ME' 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES Monday, February 27 — RAC Arena, Perth Wednesday, March 1–Thursday, March 2 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Saturday, March 4–Sunday, March 5 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, March 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Wednesday, March 8 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Snoop Dogg is touring Australia in February and March 2023 — visit the tour website for tickets and further details.
When the cinema powers-that-be finally decided to turn long-running and immensely popular stage musical Cats into a movie, they probably felt like the cat who got the cream. But once the film actually came into existence — once its first trailer hit, really — they likely felt more like they'd made a huge mess in the litter box. Thanks to awful CGI, terrible performances and a completely silly concept that was never going to work going to work on the big screen, Cats doesn't equate to movie magic. It certainly doesn't ascend to cinema's Heaviside Layer, either. And now the Tom Hooper-directed flick has the industry's least-wanted gong to show for it, plus a few extra not-so-shiny trophies. From its nine nominations at this year's Golden Raspberry Awards — the event's 40th ceremony — the musical picked up six prizes, including Worst Picture of the past 12 months. The Razzies also coughed awards Cats' way for Rebel Wilson for Worst Supporting Actress, James Corden for Worst Supporting Actor, Tom Hooper for Worst Director, and both Hooper his co-writer Lee Hall for Worst Screenplay. As for the singing moggy-focused movie's sixth gong, it was given for Worst Screen Combo for "any two half-feline/half-human hairballs/cats". Also recognised were John Travolta for Worst Actor for both Trading Paint and the Fred Durst (yes, that one)-directed The Fanatic; plus Hilary Duff for Worst Actress for The Haunting of Sharon Tate — none of which hit cinemas Down Under. Rambo: Last Blood picked up the award for Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel, as well as another in the new category for 2019: Worst Regard Disregard for Human Life and Public Property. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws1YIKsuTjQ The Razzies doesn't just point out everything terrible in cinema from the past year — it also gives a Redeemer Award, too. Someone who once won a Golden Raspberry gets a prize for turning things around, and this year that that someone is Eddie Murphy. He's a Razzie favourite, winning Worst Screenplay in 1990 for Harlem Nights; Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Supporting Actor for Norbit; and Worst Actor of the Decade in 2010 for The Adventures of Pluto Nash, I Spy, Imagine That, Meet Dave, Norbit and Showtime. Now, he has the Redeemer Award for his excellent performance in Dolemite Is My Name as well. Check out the full list of nominees and winners below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2019: WORST PICTURE Cats The Fanatic The Haunting of Sharon Tate A Madea Family Funeral Rambo: Last Blood WORST ACTOR James Franco, Zeroville David Harbour, Hellboy (2019) Matthew McConaughey, Serenity Sylvester Stallone, Rambo: Last Blood John Travolta, The Fanatic and Trading Paint WORST ACTRESS Hilary Duff, The Haunting of Sharon Tate Anne Hathaway, The Hustle and Serenity Francesca Hayward, Cats Tyler Perry (as Medea), A Madea Family Funeral Rebel Wilson, The Hustle WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR James Corden, Cats Tyler Perry (as Joe), A Madea Family Funeral Tyler Perry (as Uncle Heathrow), A Madea Family Funeral Seth Rogan, Zeroville Bruce Willis, Glass WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Jessica Chastain, X-Men: Dark Phoenix Cassi Davis, A Madea Family Funeral Judi Dench, Cats Fenessa Pineda, Rambo: First Blood Rebel Wilson, Cats WORST SCREEN COMBO Any two half-feline/half-human hairballs in Cats Jason Derulo and his CGI-neutered "bulge" in Cats Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry (or Tyler Perry) in A Madea Family Funeral Sylvester Stallone and his impotent rage in Rambo: First Blood John Travolta and any screenplay he accepts WORST DIRECTOR Fred Durst, The Fanatic James Franco, Zeroville Adrian Grunberg, Rambo: First Blood Tom Hooper, Cats Neil Marshall, Hellboy (2019) WORST PREQUEL, REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL X-Men: Dark Phoenix Godzilla: King of the Monsters Hellboy (2019) A Madea Family Funeral Rambo: First Blood WORST SCREENPLAY Cats, screenplay by Lee Hall and Tom Hooper The Haunting of Sharon Tate, written by Daniel Farrands Hellboy (2019), screenplay by Andrew Cosby A Madea Family Funeral, written by Tyler Perry Rambo: First Blood, screenplay by Matthew Cirulnick and Sylvester Stallone WORST RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY Dragged Across Concrete The Haunting of Sharon Tate Hellboy (2019) Joker Rambo: First Blood RAZZIE REDEEMER AWARD Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name Keanu Reeves, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum and Toy Story 4 Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers Will Smith, Aladdin
Do you guys ever think about watching the biggest movie of 2023 in the comfort of your own home? Barbie is a pink-hued dream on the big screen, where everyone should see it once — and it'll beam just as brightly via streaming from Tuesday, September 12. That's when the highest-grossing box-office hit of the year will hit digital, arriving on premium video on demand to rent and buy in Australia and New Zealand. By now, thanks to the pandemic, we all know the fast-tracked drill: these days, films make their way to home entertainment far faster than they used to before 2020. In Barbie's case, like everything from Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and Everything Everywhere All At Once to Elvis, Nope and Don't Worry Darling before it, it'll be both screening in cinemas and shining Kenergy onto your TV at the same time. You'll find Barbie available to stream via all the usual platforms — think: Google Play, YouTube Movies, Apple TV, Prime Video, Fetch, Foxtel Store, Microsoft and Telstra TV Box Office — in Australia and New Zealand. And, of course, you'll find a Greta Gerwig-helmed, Margot-Robbie-starring smash that sports rosy colours, does indeed bring the popular doll to screens, but couldn't be more smart and meaningful about it. Marking actor-turned-director Gerwig's third solo stint behind the camera after Lady Bird and Little Women, Barbie gets its namesake (Robbie, Babylon) struggling with life's big questions — and, when the film's key Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling, The Gray Man) drive through Barbie Land's gates to discover what's on the other side, struggling with Los Angeles as well. Splashing as much humour as pastel tones throughout its frames, Barbie is scripted by Gerwig and fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach — her helmer on Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise, and real-life partner — and boasts a cast that's a gleaming toy chest of talent. All those on-screen stars help fill the feature with Barbies, including Issa Rae (Insecure) as president Barbie, Dua Lipa (making her movie debut) as a mermaid Barbie, Emma Mackey (Emily) as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist Barbie, Alexandra Schipp (tick, tick... BOOM!) as an author Barbie and Ana Cruz Kayne (Jerry and Marge Go Large) as a supreme court justice Barbie — plus Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as diplomat Barbie, Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) as a Barbie who is always doing the splits, Hari Nef (Meet Cute) as doctor Barbie, Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy) as a Pulitzer-winning Barbie and Sharon Rooney (Jerk) as lawyer Barbie. There's also a whole heap of Kens, including Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Ncuti Gatwa (the incoming Doctor Who) and Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie). And, Michael Cera (Arrested Development) plays Alan, Emerald Fennell (The Crown) plays Midge, Helen Mirren (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) is the narrator, America Ferrera (Superstore) and Ariana Greenblatt (65) are humans, Jamie Demetriou (Catherine Called Birdy) is a suit, Will Ferrell (Spirited) wears a suit as Mattel's CEO and Connor Swindells (also Sex Education) is an intern. We expect that you know all of the above already given how well Barbie has been doing in cinemas, where it has also cracked the top 15 of all time — and become the first movie by a solo female director to make $1 billion at the global box office. And yes, we expect that you'll now get 'I'm Just Ken' stuck in your head again (and again and again). Check out the Barbie trailer below: Barbie will be available to stream from Tuesday, September 12 via platforms such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Apple TV, Prime Video, Fetch, Foxtel Store, Microsoft and Telstra TV Box Office in Australia and New Zealand. It's also still showing in cinemas Down Under. Read our review.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same few days as possible. Last year, more than 400,000 Aussies took part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, holding more than 14,000 sales. Will this year's Garage Sale Trail top those hefty numbers? It'll certainly try via a huge array of events that will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions of items across two big spring weekends: between Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10, and then again from Saturday, November 16–Sunday, November 17. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Melbourne, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Originally, Scarlett Johansson (Asteroid City) and Chris Evans (Pain Hustlers) were set to reteam for Fly Me to the Moon, sans Marvel heroes but with championing America — the country rather than the Captain — still on the itinerary. Every movie can play the "what if?" casting game, whether through attached stars that left for various reasons (scheduling conflicts after the director changed here) or via audiences simply offering their own picks, yet this one isn't helped by the shadow of what might've been. On paper, Johansson and Channing Tatum (Magic Mike's Last Dance), who are also reuniting after the Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar!, are a winning pair. One succeeds more than the other in this 60s-set space-race screwball rom-com that's also about selling US exceptionalism, and joins Operation Avalanche and Capricorn One among cinema's fake missions into the heavens, too. The picture's entertaining-enough fate runs in parallel to its plot: there, for the shadowy government operative who pushes Johansson and Tatum's characters into each other's orbits, a good-enough approximation of the moon landing over the real thing will do. A delight as ever in comic mode with depth, Johansson turns in the type of charming performance that Hollywood could build a series around, on screens either big or small. She's Kelly Jones, a Manhattan advertising executive with the gift of knowing how to pitch whatever she needs to get the client, and then to also get the masses to consume. Director Greg Berlanti (Love, Simon) and first-time screenwriter Rose Gilroy, working with a story by Bill Kirstein (Mean Girls circa 2024's cinematographer) and Keenan Flynn (a producer on Beyoncé's Lemonade), introduce her putting on the whole show. Kelly has dismissive and misogynistic automotive executives in her sights, who think that she's present for refreshments. Aided by a baby bump that augments the act, she has soon convinced them on the merits of spruiking seat belts in sports cars. With backing from the very top of the country, aka Nixon, Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson, Suncoast) has other plans for Kelly: serving her nation by gifting NASA her spin. Fondness for the fat stacks of cash being spent on all things astronomical are falling out of favour with politicians and the public alike, hence the request — a demand that she can't refuse, really — for Kelly's services. Johansson gleams in Fly Me to the Moon, nailing the boldness that keeps driving her character forward and the banter no matter who she's talking to, while also ensuring that impact of Kelly's shady backstory feels genuine. With Party Down, Hacks and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia alum Anna Garcia as supportive assistant Ruby Martin, she scores her best double act of the movie. But even when he's not breaking into the tune that everyone has stuck in their head just from reading this feature's title, Harrelson is having a ball, far more so than Tatum. As Cole Davis, the straight-arrow hero war pilot-turned-mission commander at Cape Kennedy as the Apollo 11 launch nears, Tatum is instantly in a more-serious register than his co-stars. The job on-screen is literally rocket science — and Cole too has baggage, the details of which crib from actuality with a near-flippancy that borders on tasteless. Sincerity shimmers when Cole initially crosses paths with Kelly at a diner, telling her that she's the most-beautiful woman he's ever seen, and also that she's on fire (again, literally), but there's little room for it when they start butting heads as new colleagues with different agendas. Tatum plays his part like he'd be far happier in a romance without the comic battle. In contrast, Johansson relishes channelling Doris Day against Rock Hudson in the repartee. If this was a TV series, there'd be time for Cole to warm up and settle in; however, the film doesn't boast it even clocking in at a lengthy-and-feels-it 132 minutes. Thankfully, there's still an inherent spark just by getting Johansson and Tatum in the same frame, which keeps Fly Me to the Moon rolling although never soaring. If the idea by Berlanti, Gilroy and company was to make the plot busy to compensate for anything that doesn't fully ignite, they've committed to the concept with thruster-level gusto as the narrative unfurls. Kelly doesn't just have to weave her PR wonders with Cole zipping between glowering and flirting — a gig that's filled with faux engineers and astronauts stepping in for interviews (Henry Smalls, played by Bupkis' Ray Romano, is one scientist who's replaced) and product placement galore — or merely help schmooze naysayers who might scrap the space agency's budget. In secret, in a ploy that she's told to keep that way from Cole, she's also tasked by Moe with the stuff that conspiracy theorists' fantasies have been made of for 55 years: going all Tinseltown, complete with the egomaniacal "Kubrick of commercials" Lance Vespertine (Jim Rash, Loot), to stage the events of July 20–21, 1969 in case history doesn't happen the way it's meant to. It's clear why the movie has magicked up a movie-magic angle, and not only because cinema loves paying tribute to itself. Without it, there's no tension in a will-it-won't-it riff on Apollo 11. Viewers know how the attempt to make one giant leap for mankind eventuated, so whether or not Kelly can retain NASA's funding isn't a suspenseful section of the story. With its showbiz farce, Fly Me to the Moon does more than add drama beyond Kelly and Cole's own will-they-won't-they, though — it has a blast executing the chaos that springs. That said, Berlanti also cements the sensation that he's smashing together competing tones, and also making huge jumps between them. It's easy to see how Fly Me to the Moon would've fared solely with an inside-filmmaking spoof vibe, as 2024's Down with Love or just following opposites-attracting affairs of the heart against a shooting-for-the-moon backdrop, for instance, but its array of elements are haphazardly duct-taped to each other. There's a dream at the heart of the film, of course, which Kelly knows that she's slinging and the feature's dialogue isn't afraid to utter with frequency: the dream of hope, of aiming high and even of dreaming itself, given the realities of the era's wars and political situation. Half a century later, in a world just as uncertain, these notions aren't relics of the past. To those watching, Fly Me to the Moon tries a similar feat as it peers upwards with plenty of Dariusz Wolski's (Napoleon) glossy cinematography — and as Johansson's outfits prove a sight to behold, and also her Saturday Night Live-star husband Colin Jost pops up briefly — by asking audiences to buy into the dream of being affably swept away. While saying that something is so isn't the same as making it so, as the narrative is well-aware, Johansson's efforts come closest to securing liftoff.
Hunting for the most obscure bar in Melbourne is a sport. Those who can climb the most stairs, brave the most alleyways or withstand the longest queues are glorified gurus of cool amongst their circle of friends. Dansk Bar, tucked away high up on Little Bourke, should therefore be the most discreet jewel in any punters black book. Located within the little known Denmark House, Dansk Bar is the most delightful surprise ever to be found at the top of an elevator. The interior design is, not surprisingly, very Danish with exposed beams in the ceiling, well-considered chairs (Borge Mogensen designed the sofas) and light fixtures that create an atmosphere of cool intelligence. It's a rare find that couples enormous loft-style windows overlooking the city with reindeer fur rugs on the floorboards, whilst still remaining extremely underrated by the after work crowd. The drink selection is similarly discerning. Danish brews such as Tuborg, Carlsberg and Somersby Cider are imported in, while Scandinavian themed cocktails are a top choice at $16 each — try the Copenhagen or the Danish Mary. Dansk even holds happy hour from 5-6pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with $5 beer and cider, proving not everything about Scandinavia is elusive and expensive. Adjoining Dansk Bar, through the passage of portraits of Crown Prince Frederik (essential to any bar's decor, quite frankly) is Denmark House's restaurant. Serving traditional Danish smørrebrød, offerings include curry herring ($17), gravlax (cured salmon with dill served with a classic mustard sauce; $16) and a prawn salad ($15). It's a taste worth acquiring. No longer restricted only to members, Dansk Bar is the most refined perch to enjoy an evening tipple — serving a taste of Copenhagen cool without the twenty-five hour flight.
What's better than an annual ice hotel that lets frost-loving travellers stay in snowy surrounds every winter? A chilly accommodation provider that offers all of the above all year round. After falling into the former category since 1989, Sweden's Icehotel has made the leap to the latter. Yes, that means that you can now head to the village of Jukkasjärvi, check into rooms moulded from snow and ice, and enjoy keeping cool — in several senses of the word — every day of the year. Unsurprisingly, it's the world's first permanent place to stay of its kind, and there's more in store for anyone visiting the not-so-humble abode on the banks of the Torne River 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. The new venture covers 2,100 square metres and features 20 ice suites, a champagne ice bar and an ice art gallery. Among the sights you'll see within the appropriately named Icehotel 365's frosty -5°C walls: private saunas and spas for an added touch of warmth in such cold surroundings, and artist, architect and designer-fashioned rooms inspired by everything from fairy tales to dancing — and featuring ice chandeliers and winding ice staircases, too. Plus, the gallery also boasts the largest permanent art exhibition north of Stockholm. Stopping the year-round attraction from turning to slush is when summer comes and near-constant daylight hits is a solar-powered undulating roof that achieves a particularly impressive feat: harnessing the warmth from above to maintain the requisite cold state below. That makes the venue sustainable as well as icily spectacular, in case it needed any more drawcards. Icehotel's seasonal section will continue as normal, with the non-permanent part of the site built when the weather starts to cool each year and then melts when the sun comes out. And with good reason: in previous years, artists have crafted rooms that riff on Tron: Legacy, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, 1920s cult horror film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, UFOs and giant sea monsters, to name a few previous themes. For more information about Icehotel, visit www.icehotel.com. Images: Asaf Kliger.
Imaginary friends should be seen, but people trying to survive an alien invasion should not be heard. So goes John Krasinski's recent flicks as a filmmaker. While IF, The Office star's fifth feature behind the lens, has nothing to do with 2018 horror hit A Quiet Place or its 2020 sequel A Quiet Place Part II, the three movies share a focus on the senses and their importance in forming bonds. When Krasinski's two post-apocalyptic hits forced humanity into silence for survival, they contemplated what it meant to be perceived — or not — as a basic element of human connection amid the bumps, jumps and tale of a family attempting to endure. With IF, the writer/director also ponders existence and absence. It skews younger, though, and also more whimsical, for a family-friendly story about a girl assisting made-up mates that are yearning Toy Story-style to have flesh-and-blood pals again. The horror genre still lingers over IF, however. It doesn't haunt in tone, because this isn't 2024's fellow release Imaginary; rather, it's a sentimental fantasy-adventure film, enthusiastically so. But from the moment that the movie's narrative introduces its IFs, as the picture dubs imaginary friends, it's easy to spot Krasinski's inspiration. In New York staying with her grandmother Margaret (Fiona Shaw, True Detective: Night Country) while her dad (Krasinski, Jack Ryan) is having heart surgery, 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming, The Walking Dead) starts seeing pretend creatures. She then has a task: reuniting critters such as Blue (Steve Carell, Asteroid City), the purple-hued furry monster that, alongside Minnie Mouse-meets-butterfly Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), is one of the first IFs that she spots, with the now-adults that conjured them up as children. Only Cal (Ryan Reynolds, Ghosted), who lives upstairs from Bea's nan, can also glimpse Blue, Blossom and the like. And although his past plans to aid the IFs in finding new kid buddies to get over their old ones haven't been successful, he's still along for the ride — somewhat reluctantly and crankily — as Bea spends the days that her dad is in hospital distracting herself with her new job. Krasinski mightn't have yet directed a film that hails from existing material, not here, in either A Quiet Place entry, his 2009 debut Brief Interviews with Hideous Men or in 2016's The Hollars, but he slips IF into familiar all-ages terrain. Take a kid or kids, whisk them off into a fanciful space either away from or that reframes their own world, then surround them with anything but the ordinary and everyday: everything from Mary Poppins and Labyrinth to Jumanji and also Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away has imagined it as well. A giant heart beats and a waterfall of sincerity flows in IF's exploration of how loneliness, pain, uncertainty and anxiety can dance away through companionship, and also through truly seeing someone and being seen. That's what it means to spot imaginary friends, after all, with children conjuring themselves up a pal that's always by their side unconditionally no matter what life throws their way at a young age. We might grow out of playing make believe to enjoy the company of a BFF, but no one moves past needing to be recognised and appreciated, and hurting if they aren't. Someone who certainly hasn't: a pre-teen who insists to her happy-go-lucky father that she's too old now for goofy pranks and spinning stories, and to her grandma that colouring in and painting aren't age-appropriate hobbies, as she grapples with her remaining parent's health after losing her mother (Catharine Daddario, The Tomorrow Job) in the movie's opening montage. Sweet almost to the point of corniness, patently unafraid of symbolism and giving all of the effort that it can, IF isn't a subtle film, including in deploying a glow from cinematographer Janusz Kamiński (The Fabelmans, and also Steven Spielberg's go-to since Schindler's List) in its retro aesthetic and heartstring-tugging melodies from composer Michael Giacchino (Next Goal Wins, and also Pixar's Inside Out, Coco and Lightyear) in its score as it takes its audience along with Bea's emotional journey. (Also obvious, and not just from Kamiński and Giacchino's involvement: the Spielberg and Pixar influences). But it's all so eagerly and unashamedly earnest, and so carefully constructed, that the movie itself resembles a kid with an imaginary friend — making viewers believe in it because it believes with such unwavering and wholehearted dedication. It helps that the various IFs bounding through the picture's frames look not only imaginative, but like the product of real imaginations, spanning bears, marshmallows, unicorns, spacemen, cubes of ice in glasses of water and more. Blue, all plush and tactile (and, yes, likely destined for the merchandise treatment), isn't the only imaginary friend that could've stepped out of a toy box. On voice duties, the cast is a look-who-I-can-call roster on Krasinski's part — see: Emily Blunt (The Fall Guy), George Clooney (Ticket to Paradise), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), Matt Damon (Drive-Away Dolls), Awkwafina (Kung Fu Panda 4), Bill Hader (Barry), Keegan-Michael Key (Wonka), Blake Lively (The Rhythm Section), Sam Rockwell (Argylle) and Maya Rudolph (Loot), for starters — yet IF doesn't enlist such a starry list of names for just-showing-up turns, getting both depth and laughs from the who's who lineup. With the impressive Fleming at its centre, a playful showpiece sequence arrives midway through the movie, with Bea guided to the IF retirement home beneath Coney Island. Here, imaginary friends endeavour to cope with life without their tykes, but Bea reshapes their space using (what else?) the power of imagination. Flourishes such as singing with the late, great Tina Turner and plunging into a painting only to come out all splattered with its hues are splendid touches (endearing as well), each alive with the spirit of childlike wonder that Krasinski so keenly wants to capture. One harking back to tunes with and cherished moments of significance to Bea, the other making the act of diving into creativity literal, they're sensory touches, too — because Krasinski knows that if we're not open to experiencing as much as we truly can, and connecting through it, we're not truly living.
Whether or not you believe that time is a flat circle — and everything we've ever done or will do, we're gonna do over and over and over and over again, too — watching new True Detective episodes is about to become a reality again. January 2024 will mark ten years since the HBO series first started, and five years since it dropped its third season. So, there's clearly no better point for True Detective: Night Country to arrive. This six-episode fourth season will focus on a new cop duo: detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster, The Mauritanian) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis, Catch the Fair One). In the show's two trailers so far, this pair isn't happy to be working together; however, they've got an icy mystery to solve. Set in Alaska, True Detective: Night Country follows the aftermath when eight men working at the Tsalal Arctic Research Station in Ennis disappear. Cue calling in the police, and also ample complications, with Danvers and Navarro endeavouring to ascertain what has happened and why. When it hits Down Under on Monday, January 15 — via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — True Detective: Night Country will also feature Finn Bennett (Hope Gap), Fiona Shaw (Andor), Christopher Eccleston (Dodger), Isabella Star LaBlanc (Long Slow Exhale) and John Hawkes (Too Old to Die Young) in front of the camera. Behind the lens, every one of the series' six new episodes is written and directed by Tigers Are Not Afraid filmmaker Issa López, with Moonlight's Barry Jenkins an executive producer. Each season of True Detective tells its own tale, so there's no need to catch up on past chapters if you watched the Matthew McConaughey (The Gentlemen)- and Woody Harrelson (White House Plumbers)-led first season in 2014 — as everyone did — but didn't keep up from there. Taylor Kitsch (Painkiller), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) starred in season two, while Mahershala Ali (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Stephen Dorff (The Righteous Gemstones) took over in season three. Check out the two teaser trailers so far for True Detective: Night Country below: True Detective: Night Country will stream in Australia Monday, January 15, 2024 via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
Recharge your batteries at the latest biennial exhibition commissioned by Australia's leading media arts group, Experimenta. Housed in the RMIT Gallery on Swanston Street, Experimenta Recharge brings together the work of experimental practitioners from all around the world in order to explore notions of knowledge and technology across every artistic medium imaginable. Intent, as always, on pushing creative and technological boundaries, Experimenta's new show includes everything from painting and sculpture to photography and video, to 3D printing, sound art and robotics. Le Societe Anonyme, an anonymous European art collective, have produced a history book written in code, while local artist Maree Clarke chronicles the rituals and practices of her Indigenous ancestors via a multidisciplinary installation. On top of the main exhibition, the Recharge program also features a number of special events, including talks, panel discussions and film screenings. For more information about what's on, visit their website.
If there's one food group Melburnians take seriously, it's pizza. Most of us already know exactly what we like — we've got our go-to pizza joints sussed, and we rarely budge on either count. Until now. Northsiders, prepare to make some changes to those all-time top five lists, because Primo has arrived in Northcote to steal your heart. The brainchild of Loren and husband Jamie McBride (both of Mammoth and nearby Barry), and former Shawcross owners Iza Dawkins and Jemma Richards, this baby's got some serious foodie street cred and it's living up to all of the hype. With an offering that sits neatly in the middle of classic and creative, Primo's plating up the best of two worlds. The space is fresh and modern, without being too over the top; picture comfy booths and leather banquettes in front of an open kitchen. Out front, a neon hand spinning pizza dough beckons you inside. The menu's strong from beginning to end and, even if you've got pizza on the brain, the starters are well worth a look. Kick things off with some fried baby mozzarella ($3), or the zingy arrangement of balsamic-crusted calamari and mint ($18). A tight but balanced drinks list offers a handful of local craft brews and a solid assembly of Aussie and Italian wines, including an on-trend orange number from the Murray-Darling ($50 bottle). But it's the Italian-leaning pizzas that steal the spotlight. The bases are chewy, charry and crisp, made with all-organic flour and loaded with just the right quota of quality, local ingredients. Some lean to the traditional, some are more contemporary — all are photogenic and completely droolworthy. The Homer is equal parts hearty and fresh, topped with slab bacon, mozzarella, yellow tomato, and onion, then scattered with radicchio and shavings of Grana Padano ($22.50). Meanwhile, the plant-based Tutto Bene ($20) proves as much a hit with the carnivores as it is with vegans. This beaut features three kinds of mushroom — in various forms — with lush potato cream doing a stand-up job of replacing the usual cheese. In the lineup, you'll also spy a couple of creations inspired by some overseas pizza-spinning legends. The Roberta ($22), topped with rooftop honey, cream, and chilli, pays homage to the cult Brooklyn pizza joint of the same name, while the Jon & Vinny's ($22) riffs on a Hawaiian-style combo the owners spied in L.A. And to top it off — as if having that level of pizza goodness on your doorstep wasn't enough — Primo treats its locals to free pizza and booze delivery. Yup, if you're rocking the right postcode, they can hook you up with pizza, vino, and even a cheeky bottled Negroni, without you ever leaving your couch. If that's not a way to win over even the most loyal of pizza-loving locals, we don't know what is.
If it wasn't for composer and theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, the world of musicals would've looked mighty different over the past half-century. His songs and compositions echo through everything from the Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar to Evita and Cats. (Yes, he's one of the folks who helped the word "jellicle" become lodged in everyone's brains for nearly four decades now.) In short, Lloyd Webber boasts quite the resume — and, while his musicals aren't treading any boards in the present circumstances, they are coming to a brand new YouTube channel called The Shows Must Go On. Starting from April 4, it'll release a different high-profile production each week, with the chosen show playing for 48 hours from 5am AEST each Saturday. And, unlike tickets to Broadway or the West End, these streams are free. It all starts with the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins. The following week, over the weekend of Easter, the 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar will be available to watch — complete with Aussie comedian Tim Minchin as Judas and Spice Girl Mel C as Mary Magdalene. And, from April 18, The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stream, courtesy of the 25th anniversary staging of the famous musical. On the channel's penultimate weekend, By Jeeves will be available to watch from Saturday, May 9 till Sunday, May 10. Closing out the shows is Andrew Lloyd Webber's one and only Cats — let's hope this one is less of a catastrophe than last year's nightmarish film adaptation. Starring Elaine Paige and Sir John Mills and an eighty-piece orchestra, Cats will be available to stream from 4am AEST, Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17. Plus, if you're eager to peek behind the scenes, you'll be able to take a gander at backstage footage and clips of famous performances as well. [caption id="attachment_766768" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] A scene from Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice @ O2 Arena, London. (Opening 20-09-12) ©Tristram Kenton.[/caption] The Shows Must Go On will release a different production each week for six weeks, with future shows yet to be announced. Top images: Cats; By Jeeves; Jesus Christ Superstar, Tristram Kenton; and The Phantom of the Opera. Updated May 11.
In 2023, Australia's east coast joined New York, Hawaii, Mexico and Croatia as a host of Palm Tree Music Festival, the fest filled with folks hitting the decks that was co-founded by Kygo. With one of the event's guiding forces himself leading the lineup — and Tiësto also on the bill — the Down Under debut went down well, so much so that a second spin is on its way. Mark your calendars for December 2024, then, because the festival is returning for round two. 'Stole the Show', 'Here for You', 'Stay' and 'It Ain't Me' talent Kygo isn't on the lineup this time, but The Chainsmokers happily lead the charge instead, ready to bust out 'Closer', 'Something Just Like This' and more. The Grammy-winners' spot on the bill marks Drew Taggart and Alex Pall's first trip to Australia in five years — and get excited about the festival's rendition of 'Don't Let Me Down' because Daya is also on the Palm Tree Music Festival roster. For company so far, Swedish DJ and producer Alesso, the San Francisco-born Gryffin and Harlem's Austin Millz round out the first announcement of acts. Accordingly, everything from 'Words', 'Remedy' and 'If I Lose Myself' to 'Woke Up in Love', 'You Were Loved' and 'Cry' — and also 'Lovely Day', 'Inside Out' and 'Bad Behaviour' — could echo through Palm Tree Music Festival's three 2024 Aussie stops. Just as with its premiere run in Australia, the festival will roll into Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, heading to Sydney Showgrounds, Brisbane's Sandstone Point Hotel and Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl. With its holiday-friendly name, it should come as no surprise that Palm Tree Music Festival takes inspiration from Kygo's stints touring the world. Expect a cruisy vibe set to EDM's greatest and latest, too — this time with the bonus of a summer berth. More names will be announced for the fest's 2024 return Down Under at a later date. Palm Tree Music Festival 2024 Australian Lineup: The Chainsmokers Alesso Gryffin Austin Millz Daya Palm Tree Music Festival 2024 Australian Dates: Friday, December 6 — Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Saturday, December 7 — Sandstone Point Hotel, Brisbane Sunday, December 8 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Palm Tree Music Festival returns to Australia in December 2024. Tickets presales start at 12pm local time on Monday, July 8, with general sales from 3pm local time on Friday, July 12. For more information, head to the festival promoter's website. Images: Jared Leibowitz.
When a business celebrates a birthday in a big way, its customers might be lucky enough to receive a present themselves. That's the case with cinema chain Hoyts, which is hitting 115 years old with two days — an entire weekend, in fact — of cheap movie tickets. Book in a big-screen date across Saturday, October 12–Sunday, October 13 to score $8 general-admission tickets. The special is open to everyone and you don't need to sign up for a membership; however, as there always is with these kinds of deals, there are a few caveats. If you reserve your $8 ticket are online, there'll also be a booking fee. And again, the deal applies just to standard sessions, not Hoyts LUX and special events — but you can pay extra to sit in a D-BOX motion recliner, for a lounge or daybed, or to get the Xtremescreen experience. If you want to head to Hoyts LUX, that'll cost you $25. Movie-wise, your viewing options include supervillain sequel Joker: Folie à Deux, more comic book-inspired antics with Hellboy: The Crooked Man, Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money)-starring Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, gore aplenty thanks to Terrifier 3, and all-ages-friendly animation with The Wild Robot and Transformers One.
You know that Summer has arrived in Melbourne when the Night Market becomes your priority destination on Wednesday evenings. Now in its 16th year, the festivities will be kicking off on November 6 with all the usual goodies. The Night Market is all about the food and the sangria. This year there will be over 60 food stalls you can sink your teeth into, including crab burgers, peking duck, Jamaican, and Spanish cuisine. For those who can fit in some dessert, check out the macarons and gelati stalls. For those that are just into the sangria, see how many cups you can enjoy before the sun goes down. We promise it won't disappoint. If shopping is more your thing, the markets are bringing back all of your favourite stalls, and adding plenty of new ones to the lot. Whether you’re after locally designed jewellery and housewares, or treasure hunting for a vintage bargain, you're bound to find something to your tastes. This year the Night Market is also teaming up with Multicultural Arts Victoria to provide live music across three stages. This is a great way to check out Melbourne’s up and coming musical talent, and have a bit of relaxation in the summer sun while you're at it. The Night Market will be running every Wednesday from 5-10pm until February 26.
Reese Witherspoon. Nicole Kidman. Laura Dern. Shailene Woodley. Zoë Kravitz. Meryl Streep. Put any one of these actors on screen and viewers will follow. Stick them all in the same TV program, and it's set to become one of the biggest shows of the year. Picking up where the first season left off when it returns on Monday, June 10, Australian time, Big Little Lies is back with another dose of murky mysteries, tested friendships and life-altering events — and more lies, obviously. If you missed the huge Emmy and Golden Globe-winning first series back in 2017, it follows a group of women in Monterey, California, whose children all go to the same school. Oh, and who all got caught up in a murder tale, naturally. Based on the book by Australian author Liane Moriarty, it was originally planned a single-season run, but its enormous popularity (and swag of awards) have helped bring the drama back for another series. While Witherspoon, Kidman, Dern, Woodley and Kravitz were all among the cast the initial time around, Streep is a Big Little Lies newcomer. She's playing Mary Louise, the visiting mother-in-law to Kidman's Celeste. And, like everyone else, she doesn't quite expect she'll hear the truth when she starts asking questions about the previous season's developments. Also joining the fold is director Andrea Arnold, of Fish Tank, Wuthering Heights and American Honey fame, who is helming all seven episodes in the season season. She takes over from C.R.A.Z.Y., Dallas Buyers Club and Wild filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, who did the same for the first season. Check out the first trailer below: Big Little Lies airs on Foxtel Showcase weekly from Monday, June 10. Image: Jennifer Clasen/HBO.
Brunetti Classico is a proper Melbourne institution, having served Italian biscotti, cakes and coffee up in Carlton for decades. It's one of the best cake spots in the city. And even though the CBD outpost Brunetti Oro split from the original back in 2021, it is still a standout spot to head for a sweet treat in the city. And this year, it is going all out for Cannoli Day. Not only have the pastry chefs created a selection of limited-edition flavours, but Brunetti Oro will also be giving away 100 free mini cannoli each day during the week leading up to Cannoli Day — Monday, June 10–Sunday, June 16. It's a first come, first served situation — only the first 100 punters will get a free cannolo — so make sure you get there as close as you can to its 10am opening time. The flavours available include classic Sicilian ricotta, cioccolato and vaniglia. An additional three sweet flavours will also be up for grabs, either individually or as a part of the tasting box. Plus, those wanting to go down the savoury route can opt for their shells to be pumped full of either mushroom cream, ragu bolognese or salmon mousse filling. You're totally spoilt for choice. And if you're left wanting more, but still don't want to pay, Brunetti Oro has set up a competition that could see you winning a whole host of cannoli prizes. For the entire week, visitors can check out the giant cannoli tower and guess how many cannoli were used in its construction. The closest to the actual number, wins. But, in fact, we're all winning with this cannoli-filled week of specials and giveaway.
Melbourne's skyline is looking up, with the city set to gain another huge tower that'll become both the Victorian capital's and Australia's tallest building. Proposed by the Royal Society of Victoria and designed by Decibel Architecture, the structure is planned for the corner of La Trobe and Victoria streets in the CBD where the RSV is currently based — and as well as reaching high into the sky, it'll also catch the eye with its super skinny appearance. Named Magic, the building will feature 60 storeys soaring more than 330 metres high, with one document listing the skyscraper as 362 metres tall. While it'll primarily feature apartments, the site will also enable the RSV to upgrade its heritage-listed home, add a science engagement centre and cafe, and create a science precinct. The organisation has described its plans as "dedicated to science and the spirit of the Royal Exhibition Buildings World Heritage Precinct". Indeed, celebrating Melbourne's science prowess is at the heart of the project, which architect Dylan Brady states "will demonstrate ingenuity, cutting edge sustainable technologies and be an iconic marker to Melbourne". Magic's lofty status will join eclipse the city's current tallest building, the 297.3-metre tall Eureka Tower, as well as the in-progress 319-metre Australia 108 residential tower at Southbank and the 323-metre-tall One Queensbridge tower slated for the Crown precinct. Around the rest of the country, the Gold Coast's Q1 presently reaches 332.5 metres, with the new 328m Orion Towers in Surfers Paradise in development.
If a mid-year holiday is on your upcoming agenda, you might want to make a date with one of the regions of Australia that usually depend heavily on overseas tourists. To encourage Aussies to enjoy a getaway at home, and to support areas of the country that have taken a huge tourism hit while the nation's international border is closed, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today, Thursday, March 11, announced that the Federal Government is halving the cost of 800,000 flights to 13 spots over the next few months as part of a $1.2 billion package. Australians will be able to nab discounted fares to a range of scenic places. In Queensland, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, the Whitsundays and Cairns are all on the list; in the Northern Territory, the package focuses on the Lasseter region which includes Uluru, and Alice Springs; and in Tasmania, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie all feature. You can also head off to Broome in Western Australia, Avalon in Victoria, Merimbula in southern New South Wales and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Exactly which routes will be included is still being decided, as is the number of tickets on each, but they'll be available from Thursday, April 1 through until July. It's expected that around 46,000 half-price flights will be on offer each week during that period, and that you'll be travelling with Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar. The tickets will go on sale via the respective airline websites and, if the demand is there, the Federal Government may add to the scheme later in the year — in terms of locations and routes. "I think we'll see more opportunities for this program," said the Prime Minister in today's press conference, when asked about future plans. As well as helping support the tourism industry in regions that usually rely upon international visitors — not just by getting folks there at a discounted price, but by leaving them more money in their budgets to spend on tours, attractions, venues, places to stay and hospitality, too — the plan will also provide an incentivised excuse for Aussies to take a local getaway while international travel is still off the cards. The cut in price will be delivered via a subsidy to the participating airlines, which'll receive government funds to cover the difference in fare. That's just one part of the overall package, with funding to keep 8600 of Qantas and Virgin's international flight employees in their jobs, extended financial support for zoos and aquariums, and loans for small- and medium-sized businesses also included. The 800,000 half-price flights will be available in weekly batches from Thursday, April 1. For further details, keep an eye on the Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar websites.
Australian summers aren't known for their mild temperatures, but the past three months have been especially toasty. Sydney experienced a record-tying hot spell to kick off 2018. Melbourne endured its hottest day in five years, and then went and almost immediately smashed that top temperature by surviving its hottest day in ten years. A mid-January heatwave rolled across the country, hitting scorching maximums, while the entire first month of the year was deemed Australia's hottest ever. If you've been feeling particularly hot and steamy, there's a good reason — all of the above instances of sweltering weather helped lead to the nation's warmest summer on record. The period from December to February also earned that label in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, while Tasmania and South Australia persisted through their second-hottest summers ever. In Queensland, it was the state's fourth-warmest summer. Both mean and maximum temperatures for the season were exceeded by significant margins, with each reaching nearly one degree higher than the past record, which was set over the summer of 2012–13. Even minimum temperatures soared, with New South Wales hitting its highest on record for summer away from the northeast and far west — and parts of southern inland Queensland, and central northern and eastern Victoria, doing so as well. Here's how maximums looked across the country: [caption id="attachment_710118" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Bureau of Meteorology[/caption] The findings were announced in the Bureau of Meteorology's official summer summary, which also notes that Greater Sydney's daytime temperatures were generally one to three degrees warmer than normal, that Greater Melbourne's maximums were between 1.5–2.5 degrees warmer than the long-term summer average, and that Brisbane experienced a record run of 46 days at or above 30 degrees, spanning from 10 January to 24 February. In short, your three months of seeking solace in beaches, pools and air-conditioning were completely justified. According to Bureau climatologist Dr Lynette Bettio, "the heat we saw this summer was unprecedented". And as for reprieves from above, "rainfall was also well below average for many places, apart from areas in northern Queensland". Summer might now be over; however that doesn't mean that it's time to pull out your jumpers — most of Australia is forecast to score a hotter-than-average autumn. How hot? For mainland Australian residents, there's an 80 percent chance you'll experience autumn temperatures that are a whole lot warmer than the median. Don't go packing away your pedestal fan just yet either. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Well, it's finally happened. Google has gone and ruined Pictionary forever. The internet giant has just unveiled a new web-based tool for computer, mobile and tablet that helps translate your incomprehensible scribbling into legible images. And while it's certainly got lots of useful applications, one thing is crystal clear: family game night will never be the same again. AutoDraw uses "machine learning" to deduce what users are trying to draw, and then presents them with a number of simple artist drawn sketches to choose from. Basically it's like autocorrect for art. Google released an explainer video, which you can check out below. You can have a play around with the tool over here. And no, for the record, it doesn't spit out dirty pictures, no matter how much you might want it to (full disclosure: we tried, a lot). That said, Google is accepting artist submissions, so maybe someone can sneak one through. And look, if nothing else, at least it'll help people avoid situations like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-NH6TGZTcc
How best to celebrate the impending arrival of gin season? With the launch of what might just be the most fashionable gin going around, of course. Developed by famed UK bartender Tony Conigliaro (London's Colebrooke Row, Bar Termini and Untitled Bar), the new Goldy Gin is being launched this week in collaboration with two very familiar local names — Icebergs restaurateur and designer Maurice Terzini, and influencer, friend and fellow fashion heavyweight Justin O'Shea. "The Goldy Gin brand is concerned with a few things; authenticity, value, taste and fun," O'Shea explained. "So all of the partners in this project have to stand for these attributes." Primed for gin and tonics or classic cocktails, it's a no-fuss creation that's straight to the point, clocking in at 44% alcohol by volume. With big-name bars like Lou Lou's and Soho House in London, and Paris' Hemingway Bar and Caviar Kaspia already fans, the gin is gearing up for a huge global launch, right here in Australia this week. Terzini and O'Shea will be hosting Goldy tastings at bars across Sydney and Melbourne over the coming days, with a launch party set to take over The Dolphin in Sydney this Thursday, November 16. Image: Zackery Michael.
It's the film that first made the world fall in love with Hugh Grant, screenwriter Richard Curtis and their brand of British rom-coms — and, just like everything else with a well-known name in the entertainment game, Four Weddings and a Funeral has made a return. This time around, the hit flick has been remade as an American TV miniseries. If you're unsurprisingly a little skeptical, the news that Mindy Kaling is one of the show's creators and writers should change that. Kaling's six-season sitcom The Mindy Project was basically a long-running ode to the romantic comedy genre, complete with plenty of references to plenty of classic flicks. As a result, reworking one of the huge rom-com successes of the past quarter-century really does feel like the logical next step. Across a ten-episode series made for US streaming service Hulu, the latest version of Four Weddings and a Funeral follows four American friends who meet up in London for a wedding. Clearly, given the title, three more ceremonies are in their future, as is a tearful farewell to someone they know. The show tracks a year in their lives, their romantic escapades and even political scandals — all with a cast that includes Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel as Maya, plus Rebecca Rittenhouse (The Mindy Project), Brandon Mychal Smith (You're the Worst) and John Reynolds (Search Party) as her best buddies. Nikesh Patel (Doctor Who) also features as Maya's potential love interest, who she first encounters in an airport meet cute, naturally. And while Hugh Grant doesn't show up — sorry, 90s obsessives — original Four Weddings star Andie MacDowell does. Because Kaling isn't averse to nodding to other rom-com favourites of the era, My Best Friend's Wedding's Dermot Mulroney also makes an appearance. The series actually dropped in America in 2019, but it's now making its way to Australian viewers via streaming platform Stan. If you're looking for something to watch over your summer break, it'll be available in full from Friday, December 18. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe8trFdvJPU Four Weddings and a Funeral drops on Stan on Friday, December 18.
For the past two decades, flying between Sydney and Melbourne — or any major Australian cities — has meant picking between Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and, for a period, Tiger Airways. After a particularly rough year for the airline industry, however, 2021 will see Aussies get another flight option. Regional carrier Rex is expanding its routes, and will start covering the country's capitals from March. First up, it'll travel between Sydney and Melbourne, kicking off on March 1, 2021. Three of the airline's Boeing 737-800s will fly back and forth from the two cities, doing nine services a day. And, while Rex's expansion was actually already flagged earlier this year, the airline has just launched tickets between the New South Wales and Victorian capitals today, Wednesday, December 2. Those keen to book a trip with the airline can now nab tickets for $79 each way as part of Rex's launch sale. There are 100,000 tickets currently available — although, given how popular flight sales have proven in 2020, getting in quickly is recommended. Rex, which has been hitting the skies for almost seven decades, is selling fares that include checked baggage, food, pre-assigned seating and online check-in. Economy passengers can also pay extra to access onboard wi-fi — or, if you opt for one of each plane's eight business class seats, you'll get internet access thrown in for free. The Sydney–Melbourne route is just the beginning, too. Flights to and from Brisbane are due to start taking off by Easter 2021 — and to other capitals as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rex Airlines (@rex.airlines) Rex will start flying between Sydney and Melbourne from March 1, 2021. For further information, or to book a flight as part of its $79 sale, head to the airline's website. Top image: Rex.
It marked the filmmaking debut of Orson Welles, took inspiration from the life of US media tycoon William Randolph Hearst and received nine Academy Award nominations — and, since first hitting screens back in 1941, has long been regarded the greatest movie ever made. That feature, of course, is Citizen Kane. And while David Fincher isn't daring to remake it, his new film will take audiences behind the scenes of the famed production. Called Mank, Fincher's 11th directorial effort is named after screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz — a drama critic for The New York Times and The New Yorker who is co-credited with writing Citizen Kane with Welles. As shot in inky, evocative black and white, Mank spends time with its titular figure as he's trying to finish penning the iconic script, and follows not only his clashes with Welles over the material, but the general ups and downs of 1930s Hollywood. Gary Oldman plays Mankiewicz, while the rest of the star-studded cast includes Amanda Seyfried as actor and Hearst mistress Marion Davies, Lily Collins as Mank's secretary Rita Alexander, Game of Thrones' alum Charles Dance as Hearst himself and The Souvenir's Tom Burke as Welles. Also adding to the movie's high-profile names, Fincher has recruited The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl's Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor (yes, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor) to compose the score. As the just-dropped first full trailer for Mank shows, Fincher has set himself quite the task; "you cannot capture a man's entire life in two hours — all you can hope is to leave the impression of one," the clip itself tells viewers. But this is clearly a passion project for the acclaimed Fight Club and Zodiac filmmaker, as it's based on a script by his late father, Jack Fincher. In fact, the younger Fincher was originally slated to make the film back in the 90s, but it didn't come to fruition until now. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSfX-nrg-lI&feature=youtu.be Mank will release in select cinemas from November 19, before hitting Netflix on December 4.
Is this the real life? Yes, Queen — the legendary rock band behind hits Bohemian Rhapsody, Don't Stop Me Now and We Will Rock You — is coming to Australia. And, they are hoping to rock you. Two of the original band members Brian May (lead guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums) will be heading Down Under, along with long-time collaborator and frontman Adam Lambert — a Grammy nominated American singer who has been touring with the group since 2011 — keyboardist Spike Edney (who's been performing with the band since the 80s), Neil Fairclough on bass and Tyler Warren on percussion. Lambert will be performing Queen hits — made famous by iconic moustached frontman Freddie Mercury, who passed away in the early 90s — from across the band's 15 albums. John Deacon, the band's original bass player, retired in the late 90s will also not be part of the Australian tour. [caption id="attachment_696706" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody[/caption] Queen rose to prominence in the 70s and 80s, with their famed Live Aid performance — oft referred to as one of the greatest concerts in rock history — happening at Wembley Stadium in 1985. But, the band has once again been in the spotlight with the release of the Rami Malek-starring film Bohemian Rhapsody. After the biopic was released, the song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' reentered the US top 100 — for the third time. While the Aussie Rhapsody Tour — hitting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast in February 2020 — won't star Mercury (or Deacon), it's set to be one rockin' show. With tickets most likely to sell out, put the below dates in your calendar ASAP. QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT 'THE RHAPSODY TOUR' 2020 DATES Brisbane — Suncorp Stadium, Thursday, February 13 Sydney — ANZ Stadium, Saturday, February 15 Melbourne — AAMI Park, Wednesday, February 19 Perth — Optus Stadium, Sunday, February 23 Adelaide — Adelaide Oval, Wednesday, February 26 Gold Coast — Metricon Stadium, Saturday, February 29 Queen + Adam Lambert The Rhapsody Tour pre-sales start on Wednesday, April 10 with general sale from Monday, April 15. For all sale times, head to the Ticketek website. Image: Queen + Adam Lambert, 2014. Photo: Diana Kat, Wiki Commons.
Eco-warrior Joost Bakker (Greenhouse by Joost, Brothl) is at it again, acting as creative consultant for what may become the world's most sustainable shopping centre. Teaming up with Frasers Property Australia, Bakker will design a 2000-square-metre rooftop farm and restaurant at the heart of the new Burwood Brickworks development — set to begin construction in mid 2018, just 15 kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD. The rooftop's massive agricultural hub will sit within the complex's 12,700-square-metres of retail and hospitality space, with the urban farm split between greenhouse, external planter box and landscaped growing areas. Some of the sustainable elements Bakker plans to implement include a closed-loop water system, composting capability, and minimal transportation of food and waste. It has yet to be decided which restaurateur will run the space, with Frasers currently seeking expression of interest from established food and drink providores. The rooftop is already sounding like an inner-city gem and we are eager to see which tenant takes this massive project on. "There is such a hunger for this kind of development throughout the world," says Bakker. It really fills a gap in the market to feed and nurture conscious consumers... [that] want to shop, eat and relax in environments that truly support a sustainable world." The design of the wider mixed-use development will also focus on sustainability, using a large solar PV system and an embedded electricity network to target a minimum five-star green rating, with the aim of becoming Australia's first six-star Green Star Design — and to achieve Living Building Challenge accreditation. This accreditation is seriously hard to obtain and means the building must have a net zero carbon footprint, produce more electricity than it consumes, grow agriculture on 20 percent of the site, and prove net water and waste positive. It must also be constructed using non-toxic and recycled materials, and have other social benefits like access to natural daylight and indoor air quality. Once completed in October 2019, the Burwood Brickworks development will join the challenge to determine if they meet the criteria to be considered the world's most sustainable shopping centre. Here's hoping Frasers puts their money where their mouth is.
The more time that anyone spends in the kitchen, the easier that whipping up their chosen dish gets. The Bear season two is that concept in TV form, even if the team at The Original Beef of Chicagoland don't always live it as they leap from running a beloved neighbourhood sandwich joint to opening a fine-diner, and fast. The hospitality crew that was first introduced in the best new show of 2022 isn't lacking in culinary skills or passion. But when chaos surrounds you constantly, as bubbled and boiled through The Bear's Golden Globe-winning, Emmy-nominated season-one frames, not everything always goes to plan. That was only accurate for Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, Shameless) and his colleagues on-screen, however; for viewers, the series' debut run was as perfect a piece of television as anyone can hope for. Excellent news: season two is better. Streaming via Disney+ Down Under from Wednesday, July 19 — arriving a month after it hit the US, making Australian and New Zealand audiences wait for a repeat reservation just like last year — The Bear season two serves up another sublime course of comedy, drama and "yes chef!"-exclaiming antics across its sizzling stretch. Actually make that ten more courses, one per episode, with each new instalment its own more-ish meal. A menu, a loan, desperately needed additional help, oh-so-much restaurant mayhem: that's how this second visit begins, as Carmy and sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) endeavour to make their dreams for their own patch of Chicago's food scene come true. So far, so familiar, but The Bear isn't just plating up the same dishes this time around. At every moment, this new feast feels richer, deeper and more seasoned, including when it's as intense as ever, when it's filling the screen with tastebud-tempting food shots that relish culinary artistry, and also when it gets meditative. For Carmy, Syd, the former's sister Natalie aka Sugar (Abby Elliott, Indebted), and lifelong pal Richie aka Cousin (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, No Hard Feelings) — plus The Beef and now The Bear's baker-turned-pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Hap and Leonard), veteran line cooks Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, In Treatment) and Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Fargo), and resident Mr Fixit Neil Fak (IRL chef Matty Matheson) — it's all systems go from the instant that the show's second season starts. With his James Beard Award and experience at the world's top restaurants, Carmy has never been one to take things slowly or calmly. Relaunching the space that he inherited after his brother Mikey's (Jon Bernthal, We Own This City) death is no different, even after Carmy found $300,000 in cash sealed tins of tomatoes to close out season one. In cooking, money just buys ingredients and equipment. Here, while The Beef team has scored itself a hefty stash, those funds can't quite purchase enough. Swiftly, Carmy and Syd enlist Sugar as their project manager so that they can focus on conjuring up the new restaurant's customer-courting spread — and they're asking the Berzattos' uncle Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med), their main investor, for extra aid just as promptly. Creator Christopher Storer (Ramy, Dickinson and Bo Burnham: Make Happy), also the dramedy's frequent writer and director, brings the heat and the bedlam early. He tests and stresses his kitchen-obsessed characters in their favourite surroundings, where they spent the opening season just surviving. Season two pushes them towards thriving by growing and learning, though, complete with new insights into Carmy and company, plus new ways to drizzle out their hopes, wants, fears and hungers. The Bear's smorgasbord of havoc continues, then, but paired with savouring what quieter moments everyone can manage to stick on their forks. When Carmy runs into his old friend Claire (Shiva Baby and Booksmart's Molly Gordon), who is now a doctor, he finds something to enjoy beyond being a chef for the first time in far too long (certainly the first time in the show's narrative). Their relationship blossoms, taking the workaholic's focus away from his about-to-open restaurant. That causes struggles, too, but The Bear has always appreciated life's unexpected alchemies. When Carmy ditches plans to hop around town with Syd to glean culinary inspiration for the menu, for instance, she's initially peeved. Then her tasting tour of the Windy City, which is also a visual tour of some of its famous places and names for viewers, proves both revelatory and rewarding. The clock keeps ticking, with Cicero's extra cash speeding up the opening date. The deadline: 12 weeks. Whenever The Bear is at The Bear, the non-stop pressure-cooker energy blisters like grabbing a steel-handled saucepan off the stove with your bare hands. Season one was exceptional at thrusting its audience into the hustle and bustle of working in hospitality as if they were really there, warts, woes and all. Season two doesn't falter on that front. But when The Bear isn't at The Bear, it lets its usually frantic figures make themselves over, including by sending Marcus to a Noma-esque venue in Copenhagen under the tutelage of Luca (Will Poulter, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and getting Richie to spend a week learning the upscale ropes at one of the city's best restaurants. This season's performances as a result: exquisite. Marcus' trip to Denmark spans an entire episode, the only chapter in the show's 18 across both seasons to-date that isn't directed by either Storer or executive producer Joanna Calo. Instead, Ramy Youssef steps in, invests the lived-in feel that's so much a part of his own impressive series, and revels in the eye-opening minutiae of being a visitor in a new place learning fresh skills. Storer is back at the helm of Richie's dedicated instalment, but it too benefits from broadening its horizons and getting out of its comfort zone. So does Cousin. In his typically abrasive way, he isn't happy about being sent away, taking it as punishment. In one of The Bear's finest exchanges yet, however, he has his entire perception altered in a touching conversation that adds Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion) to the season's guest stars. Well-known names must've been lining up to join The Bear: fellow Academy Award-recipient Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween Ends) also features, likely nabbing herself a 2024 Best Guest Actress Emmy, alongside Bob Odenkirk (Lucky Hank), Sarah Paulson (Ratched) and John Mulaney (Bupkis). That smattering of talent appears in a double-lengthy episode that jumps back to the past, demonstrates how chaos would've been in Carmy's blood regardless of if he became a chef — including when food is involved — and is as nerve-shredding and brilliantly acted as the series gets. You can't just taste the same bites over and over again, season two's detours advise. You're chomping into history whenever you sink your teeth into anything, this particular episode also conveys. The Bear burns brighter thanks to both trains of thought and, even with season one stetting such a high bar, couldn't be more appetising and satisfying. Long may it keep spending time in streaming's kitchen, bettering something that's already proven perfect. Check out the trailer for The Bear season two below: The Bear season two streams via Disney+ Down Under from Wednesday, July 19. Read our full review of season one. Images: Chuck Hodes/FX.
If December approaches and a new festive film isn't hitting cinemas, is it really Christmas? In 2020, as in pretty much every year before it, we won't find out the answer to that question. Heading to the big screen just in time for the merriest portion of this year's calendar is rom-com Happiest Season — the newest addition to the hefty lineup of holiday-themed movies competing for your eyeballs whenever the tinsel, trees and twinkling lights come out. Following in the footsteps of 2019's Last Christmas, 2018's The Grinch, 2017's A Bad Moms Christmas and 2016's Bad Santa 2 and Office Christmas Party — just to name a few recent festive flicks — Happiest Season plunges viewers into one couple's seasonal experience when they decide to meet the parents over the holidays. Abby (Kristen Stewart) heads home with Harper (Mackenzie Davis, Irresistible) to meet the latter's mother (Mary Steenburgen, The Book Club), father (Victor Garber, Dark Waters) and other relatives. The catch: Harper's folks don't know that she's gay, or about her relationship with Abby. Also, Abby was actually planning to propose at Christmas dinner. While Happiest Season is heading to streaming in the US, it'll hit cinemas in Down Under on Thursday, November 26. That's when audiences are in for some heartfelt and amusing holiday antics as Harper and Abby try to navigate their tricky situation — if the film's just-dropped trailer is any indication, that is. Happiest Season's star-studded cast also includes GLOW's Alison Brie, Parks and Recreation's Aubrey Plaza, Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Burl Moseley. It's directed and co-written by a familiar face, too: actor-turned-filmmaker Clea DuVall, who has appeared on-screen in everything from The Faculty and Girl, Interrupted to Veep and The Handmaid's Tale. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_jjELPpKkk&feature=youtu.be Happiest Season opens in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 26.
Melbourne has had a warm start to the new year, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s for the past week; however, a blast of extra sizzling warmth awaits today. Indeed, finding some frosty air-con or a shaded pool is recommended, with the city predicted to swelter through a day-long spell of 38-degree heat. The Bureau of Meteorology expects the mercury to soar across Victoria on Monday, January 11, hitting 38 in Melbourne and up to 40 in the state's north. While that's a about ten degrees above Melbourne's average January temperature, it's still lower than the city's highest recorded January maximum of 45.6 degrees back in 1939. It is the city's hottest day since January 31, 2020, though, when the mercury hit 42.9. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1348161575539122177 With today's hot weather, comes very high and severe levels of fire danger across parts of Victoria. A total fire ban has also been declared for the day in Mallee, Wimmera and the Northern Country districts. If you were hoping to escape the heat by heading to a swimming hole or beach, keep in mind that the state's public transport has also been impacted by the heat. V/Line has implemented its Extreme Heat Timetable for several lines, including Bendigo, Swan Hill, Geelong and Warrnambool, which means journey times will be extended and some services will be replaced by air-conditioned coaches. Yarra Trams is also expecting service changes across the network today. Thankfully, the scorching summer blast will be short-lived, with the BOM predicting a cool change to come through late in the evening. After an expected high of 34 on Wednesday, the city will return to the low-20s for the rest of the week. You can stay up to date with public transport changes at the PTV website and fire danger levels and bans at Country Fire Authority. Image: udeyismail via Flickr.
Playing fictional movie star Vincent Chase in eight seasons of Entourage — and in the forgettable Entourage movie, too — Adrian Grenier got pretty comfortable playing someone who was constantly in front of the camera. That trait remains in his latest project, twisty new Netflix thriller series Clickbait. This time, Grenier steps into the shoes of a man who disappears suddenly, leaving his loved ones distraught. Then, when he pops up afterwards, it's in an online video that makes a shocking claim. In the clip, Nick Brewer (Grenier, Stage Mother) holds a card that says "I abuse women. At 5 million views, I die." His sister (Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick) and wife (Betty Gabriel, Get Out) are already distressed, but their nightmare only worsens once the video starts doing the rounds — unsurprisingly. Across eight episodes, the show then follows their efforts to find and save him, as well as the information they uncover along the way about the man they thought they knew. Swapping between different perspectives throughout its run, and stepping up the stakes in the process as well, Clickbait ponders the big, broad, important and constantly relevant intersection between our identities and our increasing use of social media. Just how our online and real-life selves can differ — and what types of behaviours we might indulge virtually that we wouldn't IRL — is only going to continue to garner the world's attention, which this Melbourne-shot series clearly attempts to tap into. Yes, if you spot any familiar sights while you're binging Clickbait from Wednesday, August 25 — or while you're watching the suitably tense just-dropped first trailer for the series — that's because it was filmed in the Victorian capital. It's a big month for high-profile shows that were made in Australia and are now hitting streaming, actually, with Amazon Prime Video dropping the Byron Bay-shot, Nicole Kidman-starring Nine Perfect Strangers as well. Check out the trailer below: Clickbait will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, August 25. Top image: Ben King/Netflix.
Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens are set to score a crisp, white new addition, when this year's MPavilion winner is erected come November. A minimalist design by celebrated architect Glenn Murcutt AO has been chosen as the annual commission's 2019 champion. It marks the sixth MPavilion in the design series, which sees a new temporary structure erected in the inner-city garden each spring. As Australia's only Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, Murcutt boasts some serious design skills, with a special knack for creating buildings that make efficient use of their site and climatic conditions. Some buildings of his you may be familiar with include Newport's modern Australian Islamic Centre, the Berowra Waters Inn in NSW and the Bowali Visitor Information Centre in Kakadu National Park. [caption id="attachment_730860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Australian Islamic Centre by Anthony Browell[/caption] For his MPavilion, Murcott designed a rectangular structure with a translucent roof fabric stretched across wing-like trusses. Its curved top is lit from within like a lantern, while two open sides offer views of the city skyline and the Yarra. According to Murcutt, the understated MPavilion was inspired by a sleek aircraft wing he once sheltered himself under on a trip to Mexico, and plays to his own well-known motto of 'touch the earth lightly'. The structure will make its home in Queen Victoria Gardens across summer. During its residency, it'll be used as a 'design and cultural laboratory', playing host to a diverse program of workshops, talks, performances and installations. We'll let you know when they're announced. Murcutt's MPavilion will be open to the public between November 14, 2019, and March 22, 2020 inside Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens. For more info, visit mpavilion.org.
The party is set to restart in Collingwood this week with iconic club venue New Guernica reopening in a brand new location — and it's putting on free bevvies to celebrate. The original New Guernica held the hearts and livers of many a Melbourne raver for over 12 years in its original CBD location, before shutting its doors in September thanks to lockdown pressures and a proposed area redevelopment. Owners Steve Costa, Dominic Lococo, Jaff Tzaferis and Kyle Bush hunted for a new location in the following weeks, and just last month announced they had found the perfect address in a historic venue on the corner of Smith and Langridge Streets. The storied site was the previous home to much-loved Foresters Beer and Music Hall, but its history dates back to 1868. View this post on Instagram A post shared by New Guernica (@newguernica) This week is set to hold the opening night festivities, and it's fair to say if you've missed a boogie with music pulsing under your feet this year — this will be the place to re-enter the fold. Seven-metre high ceilings, a balcony high above the dance floor to both see and be seen, and a world class lighting setup are all promised in the new locale. The best part? The chance for free drinks for excited partiers on Thursday. Those keen on a few Guerns Ales and Moon Dog Fizzer Seltzers — as well as being the first to party in the new space — just need to sign up on the official website. In coming weeks, the club's 12-year-running regular rave will continue on Thursday nights, with Friday night parties being hosted by independent organisers. Basically, it will be the place to be all weekend. "We can't wait to welcome Melbourne to our new home and to bring back the parties we've become known for, as well as to launch our new events," said co-owner Kyle Bush in a statement. "It's been a long, difficult 18 months, but the future is bright at New Guernica once more!" For more information about the newly reopened New Guernica, including how to win the chance of free drinks on Thursday night, visit the club's website.
