Melbourne has certainly seen its fair share of frosty mornings and rainy days. And it's not quite the show-off that Sydney is when it comes to sheer volume of sunny days. But, don't despair — they do come around occasionally. And while the sun usually visits between nine-to-five, while most of us are at work, sometimes it even pokes its head out on the weekends. You need to strike while the iron — or sun — is hot and make full use of any rare sunny days. Cancel the rest of your weekend plans immediately, and head out to one of these beer gardens or rooftop bars. Pump class can wait — the sun is equally as good for you. Have a beer or two now, and worry about the gym on the next rainy day.
Brunetti Oro is teaming up with coffee heavyweights Lavazza for a four-day Festival of Coffee from Thursday, September 28– Sunday, October 1 (International Coffee Day). Here's the part you'll want to add to your calendar: there'll be 100 free coffees on offer every day from 8–10am. So don't sleep in, as the early bird gets the cortado. It's not just free coffee. Brunetti is going all in for the Festival of Coffee. Expect limited-edition desserts like the espresso martini tart made with vodka-infused espresso martini ganache, as well as coffee cocktails including Long Island iced coffee and coffee negroni. For those who like their coffee with a side of knowledge, Lavazza's roastmasters are hosting coffee-roasting masterclasses. And if you're just there for the vibe, the Summer Jazz Sessions have you covered, with the outdoor terrazza playing host on Friday and Saturday from 5–7pm. Smooth jazz and smooth coffee (or coffee cocktails): perfetto. So if you're looking to add a little extra buzz to the grand final weekend, head down to Brunetti Oro. Go on, life's too short for bad coffee.
A free coffee is rarely a bad thing but a free coffee made by the Australian International Coffee Awards' reigning Champion Australian Coffee Roaster? Now that's a very good thing indeed. That's exactly what's up for grabs this month as Campos Coffee celebrates its new Chapel Street flagship with a week of caffeinated giveaways. From Saturday, January 28–Saturday, February 4, the South Yarra cafe is handing out a stack of complimentary coffees with guests entitled to two free coffees at once. Perfect if you've got a coffee-loving mate in tow, or are simply in desperate need of a back-to-back caffeine infusion. You don't have to purchase anything to score your freebie, but if you're after a bite to eat while you're there, you will find cabinets laden with sandwiches and sweet treats courtesy of AM Bakehouse, plus plant-based goodies from Mahadeva's Kitchen. Best of all, your freebie can be any size and style you like — even if you're in a double oat milk latte kind of mood. The free coffees are available during opening hours each day from 7am weekdays and 8am on weekends. Images: Jana Langhorst
Let's call it the sitcom effect: when you watch enough episodes of a TV comedy and suddenly get inspiration to change your life. Maybe you binged Friends and started hanging out in coffee shops more often. Perhaps you saw Parks and Recreation and became obsessed with breakfast foods, working for the parks department, whisky and tiny horses. Or, Schitt's Creek might've had you wanting to open your own motel or apothecary, or star in a horror movie about attacking crows (or just saying "eww" a lot). Whichever fits, we've all been there. Taking a few cues from upcoming sitcom Killing It mightn't be the best idea, though — unless you want to start hunting snakes. That's exactly what the series is about, because TV comedies really can be about anything. And if you're wondering why it should pique your interest beyond its concept, we're sure its off- and on-screen talent will do just that. The last time that Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici made television together, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was the end result — with Goor one of its co-creators and Del Tredici an executive producer. If that's not enticing enough, their new reptile-focused show also stars The Office's Craig Robinson (another B99 alum, too), as well as Aussie comedian Claudia O'Doherty (Love, Sarah's Channel, Our Flag Means Death). Robinson keeps his first name on-screen here, playing a man with a dream — chasing the American dream, in fact — but very little luck. Then he gets in a rideshare driven by O'Doherty's Jillian, and is quite shocked when she stops mid-trip to casually swing a hammer at a python, as you do. It's a lucrative business, she informs him in her Aussie accent, and he's soon as intrigued as you likely will be while watching the series' first trailer. Killing It isn't just about snake hunting, though. Like most shows and movies that ponder the American dream, it's also about class and capitalism. And yes, it's just the kind of series that was always likely to land in this post-Tiger King world — because the combination of critters, cash and entrepreneurship is rife with possibilities, and also has plenty to say about the US today. Stan subscribers will be able to watch the results from Friday, April 15, which is when Killing It starts streaming — arriving at the same time locally as it does in the US. Also, whatever premise it had, any series that teamed up Robinson and O'Doherty was always going to be a must-see — slaying snakes or not. Check out the trailer for Killing It below: Killing It will start streaming in Australia via Stan on Friday, April 15. Images: Skip Bolen/Peacock.
Our city is constantly changing and evolving, with elevated train lines being erected, airports being overhauled and even plans for sky-high flying taxi ports being thrown around. And amongst all these big infrastructure changes, small, carefully designed spaces popping up. In the backstreets of South Melbourne, a dilapidated mill has been transformed into a dining and wining destination; in St Kilda, the streets have been decorated with a colourful celebration of the local LBGTQI+ community; and in the CBD, a 162-year-old building has received an $88 million makeover. These are the spaces that are really catching our attention, the ones that are quietly evolving the community — through innovation and sustainability — and are accessible to you. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Melbourne to be a better, braver city. And so, these six new spaces were nominated for Best New Space in Concrete Playground's Best of 2018 Awards.
Asteroid City isn't 2023's only new Wes Anderson film. Wonka, if it does hit cinemas and isn't delayed to 2024 due to Hollywood's current strikes like the also Timothée Chalamet-starring Dune: Part Two, won't be the year's sole Roald Dahl adaptation, either. Adding a second title to both piles is The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which sees filmmaking's foremost fan of symmetry and pastels take on a tale by the author who has defined many a childhood. Instantly excited? The end result arrives in September. Netflix is bringing this 40-minute film to streaming, via a world-premiere slot out of competition at the Venice Film Festival first. Viewers at home will get to see the flick mere weeks after it plays the prestigious event, with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar landing on the small screen on Wednesday, September 27. The story? It's one of seven in Dahl's 1977 book The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, telling of a wealthy man who is so fond of wagering that he comes up with a crafty plan. After discovering a guru who can see without using his eyes, he decides to learn to the same to cheat while having a bet. Playing the gambler for Anderson is Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), as part of a cast that also includes Dev Patel (The Green Knight), Ben Kingsley (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Richard Ayoade (The Souvenir: Part II). In glorious news for The Grand Budapest Hotel fans, Ralph Fiennes (The Menu) also reteams with the director. Fingers crossed for more line readings that are so completely perfect that they're unforgettable. [caption id="attachment_914800" align="alignnone" width="1281"] The Grand Budapest Hotel[/caption] In fact, Fiennes is stepping into Dahl's own shoes in the film, as well as playing a policeman. All five announced high-profile cast members are doing double duty, which sounds wonderfully Andersonesque. Anderson directs, writes and produces, while the filmmaker's regular cinematographer Robert D Yeoman and composer Alexandre Desplat also notch up their second of his projects this year — so it'll definitely look and sound like an Anderson film. There's no trailer yet for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, but you can enjoy the Asteroid City and The Grand Budapest Hotel clips instead in the interim: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, September 27. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar images: courtesy of Netflix.
UPDATE, October 8, 2021: Supernova is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth aren't lazy, bad or bland actors. The former has an Oscar nomination for The Lovely Bones, the latter won for The King's Speech, and neither can be accused of merely playing the same character again and again. And yet, whenever either pops up on-screen, they bring a set of expectations with them — or, perhaps more accurately, they each instantly remind viewers of the traits that have served them so well over their respective four-decade careers. In features as diverse as The Devil Wears Prada and the Hunger Games films, Tucci has given a distinctive sense of flair and presence to his many parts, as well as his innate ability to appear bemused and sarcastic about life in general. Whether as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice or as Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones movies, Firth has enjoyed immense success playing reserved, introverted, dry-witted men who are more likely to ruminate stoically than to outwardly show much emotion. Teaming up in Supernova, both talents draw upon these characteristics once more, as writer/director Harry Macqueen (Hinterland) wants them to. But here's the thing about this pair of stars, who shine particularly bright in this affecting drama: far from ever settling into their own comfortable niches, they're frequently delving deeper, twisting in different directions and offering up untold surprises. A famed novelist less interested in putting pen to paper than in peering up at the stars, Tucci's Tusker knows how to defuse any scenario with his charm in Supernova, but it's apparent that he often uses that canny ability to avoid facing a number of difficulties. An acclaimed musician with an eagerly anticipated concert in the works, Firth's Sam often says little; however, the fact that he's grappling internally with feelings he can't quite do justice to in words always remains evident. Travelling around England's Lakes District, they're not just on an ordinary campervan holiday. Neither man has simply been whiling away their time before their long-awaited returns to performing and writing, either. With stops to see Sam's sister (Pippa Haywood, Four Kids and It) and her family, and to reunite with old friends, the couple are making the most of what time they have left together. Tusker is unwell, with early-onset dementia increasingly having an impact on not only his everyday life, but upon the shared existence they've treasured for decades. Tucci and Firth serve up big performances in Supernova, but never overt ones. Actors can command the screen and the audience's attention while delivering disarmingly intimate, delicate and intricately drawn portrayals, which is what this stellar pair manage here repeatedly. Indeed, viewers can feel the force behind their heartbreaking efforts — as is to be expected in a film about life, love, loss, mortality, ageing and illness — but these aren't forceful turns. Rather, they're so detailed, textured and lived-in that they fill every frame and scene, and every room and wide-open space that Tusker and Sam find themselves in. Both Tucci and Firth are in career-best form here, and continually referring to them together comes naturally. Their rapport is as lively, thorough and authentic as anything in the movie, with Tusker and Sam's relationship always in Macqueen's view. This isn't just a feature about one man's experiences as his mind starts to fail him, he faces the end that awaits as all and he tries to claim what control he can over a situation that keeps stripping any sense of agency away; it's a devastating portrait of a couple confronting the waning of their life together far sooner than either had ever wanted or imagined. From its early scenes of Tusker and Sam beneath the sheets to the tough moments and conversations that arrive later, when dementia proves a topic that can no longer be ignored on their otherwise cosy road trip, Supernova is a thoughtful and tender love story through and through. Given the subject matter, that really isn't a standard feat. Unlike some films about sickness — too many, in fact — Supernova doesn't render its unwell figure a supporting player in his healthy partner's story. Similarly and welcomely, it doesn't posit that Sam's ordeal at Tusker's side is the true tragedy. In his warm, intuitive and compassionate screenplay and in his graceful direction as well, Macqueen has time for both men, their circumstances and their expectedly complicated emotions. But, in repeatedly showing how Tusker feels when he can't remember words and starts to forget where he is, conveying how his uncertain future is already taking a heavy toll upon his lucid moments and expressing the weight he feels in being acutely aware that he's losing his sense of self, the film never even dreams of sidelining its ailing point of focus. Awards and nominations typically follow dramas that wade through comparable terrain; for Michael Haneke's shattering Amour, Julianne Moore's superb performance in Still Alice and this year's Anthony Hopkins-starring standout The Father, they have in the past decade alone, for example. A plethora of shiny trophies and nods haven't yet come Supernova 's way, though — it is sometimes a little too neat and literal in its story, and in its stylistic choices as well — however, this is always a beautifully conceived, observed, performed, shot and executed film. Its leading men make the last flourishes of Tusker and Sam's romance, and of Tusker's mind, feel as explosive as the astronomical event that gives the movie its name. Cinematographer Dick Pope (Peterloo, Mr Turner) ensures that starry skies, green fields and cramped caravans alike all hover between the commonplace and the otherworldly. That contrast of the everyday and the ethereal sums up Supernova perfectly, and encapsulates every grand romance, too. Falling in love and spending your life with someone feels like entering into another universe, after all — and when that threatens to turn to stardust, it does so with a bang. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SEoi8r1Z4Y
Two-hatted gourmet restaurant Navi plans to help ease the winter blues with a series of Winter Warmer events. From May to July, local drinks producers will set up camp in the restaurant's neighbouring bar, Navi Lounge, mixing custom cocktails and designing pairing experiences. Each month will feature a distinct partnership. The series launches in May with a collaboration with Western Australian distillery Republic of Fremantle. Navi's Bar Manager Miriam Wahlhütter will create a specialty cocktail featuring Republic of Fremantle's gin, paired with a house-made sweet persimmon vermouth, daikon brine and lemon juice. On Wednesday and Thursday nights in May, Navi Lounge will also be hosting a 'sips and snacks' menu of mini martinis and small bites for $25, including a dill and daikon martini, a sake and rose martini, and a green strawberry and winter citrus martini. Walk-ins are welcome, or reservations are available at the website.
Capitalism sucks. Most of us are overworked and underpaid. And burnout is coming for us all. This is what four performers seek to explore in Burnout Paradise, running as part of RISING 2024 from Thursday, June 13–Saturday, June 15. During the one-hour show, each of the artists is given a series of tasks to complete — some pleasurable, some painfully difficult, some requested by the directors of RISING themselves — all while running on treadmills. They take you from the joys of success through to the physical and emotional effects of burnout, all the while having a proper workout. For many, this is comedy. For those who find the metaphor too real, it might just incite more anxiety. But no matter where you sit on the spectrum, we could all benefit from watching a long-form mockery of our attempts to establish boundaries in life and work — for better or for worse. [caption id="attachment_950611" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Damien Raggat[/caption]
Most of Australia might've spent the bulk of 2020 at home, but that doesn't mean that we didn't notice the temperature. And if you were feeling rather toasty across the 12 months, there's a reason for that — with the Bureau of Meteorology revealing in its just-released Annual Climate Statement 2020 that we just lived through one of country's warmest years since records started being kept. Only three years on record were hotter than 2020, with the past 12 months ranking fourth. Australia's warmest year on record came the year prior, in 2019, while 2013 ranks second. If you're wondering what that means for temperatures in 2020, the overall averaged mean temperature for the entire country across the year sat 1.15 degree above average. In all states in 2020, as well as the Northern Territory, both the mean maximum and minimum temperatures were also higher than average. BOM reports that days were especially warm in Sydney, Hobart and Darwin, and nights were toasty in the same three cities, plus Canberra and Brisbane. Yes, we know that Australia is a sunny place, and has sweltering summers. But that warmth was also spread across the year, with January, February, April, June, August, September and November sitting in the ten warmest on record when it comes to a variety of markers — such as the mean, maximum and minimum temperatures for those months. November 2020 was also the warmest November on record, before summer even hit, while the entirety of spring earned that status as well. If you noticed that the three of the top four warmest years listed above all fell in the last decade, there's a reason for that as well. "The mean temperature for the ten years from 2011 to 2020 was the highest on record, at 0.94 degrees above average and 0.33 degrees warmer than the previous ten years," said Senior Climatologist Dr Lynette Bettio. Dr Bettio also notes that increasing temperatures is a worldwide trend. "Globally, every year from 2013 onwards has been among the ten warmest on record, with 2016 and 2019 being the hottest," she says. "2020 was among the top three" on a global scale, she advises, which happened "despite the onset of La Niña, which has a suppressing effect on global temperatures". In Australia, La Niña usually means more rainfall, cooler daytime temperatures south of the tropics and warmer overnight temperatures in the north. In terms of rain, 2020 was actually close to average, BOM says; however, the western parts of Western Australia, southeastern Queensland and western Tasmania all received below average rainfall. For more information about the Bureau of Meteorology's Annual Climate Statement 2020, head to BOM's website.
It was a sad day for Melbourne brunch fans when beloved Brunswick East cafe Pope Joan announced its closure last May, shutting its doors to make way for a new apartment development. Happier news came when the legend fleetingly reentered our lives this January, hosting a summer pop-up in The Mayfair's former Collins Street digs. Now, it's back for good, returning to the CBD space as a permanent venture. Again helmed by founder and chef Matt Wilkinson, Pope Joan 2.0 is an evolution of the original, but one that should keep original fans happy all the same. Expect an offering that celebrates old favourites alongside contemporary creations, with the doors (and kitchen) open weekdays from 7am all the way through till 9pm. On offer until 11am daily, a modern breakfast menu features classics like the rice pudding and signature baked beans, joined by the likes of devilled eggs on sourdough with bacon, and sardines teamed with wild greens and fennel. [caption id="attachment_726364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Annika Kafcaloudis[/caption] Across lunch and dinner, the kitchen is plating up a both snacks and heartier dishes. Find creations like the assembly of whipped cheese curds, pickled kohlrabi and grilled bread; croquettes stuffed with corn, cheddar and jalapeño; and a riff on the humble salt and vinegar crisps starring Four Pillars Gin. Larger plates might include a Milawa chicken schnitzel matched with garlic and mustard butter and a cheesy parsnip and Jerusalem artichoke gnocchi. Or you can forego the decision-making altogether and settle in with the $55 'feed me' menu. Of course, Pope Joan's legendary sandwiches are also making a comeback, with combinations such as the pastrami, smoked mozzarella and red kraut reuben (and the bacon and egg roll with brown sauce) available until 4pm daily. The pop-up cake trolley will also make its return, while a 4–7pm happy hour offers specials on oysters and bubbly. You'll also find a strong selection of cocktails, spritzes, craft beer and wine to round out the fun. Find Pope Joan at 45 Collins Street, Melbourne (in the Sofitel driveway). It's open from Monday–Friday, 7am–9pm. Image one: The Mayfair by Kristoffer Paulsen. Food images: Annika Kafcaloudis
Over the past week, we've been hurtled into the throes of winter. While Australia sweltered through a warmer-than-average autumn, it's now appropriately windy and rainy. The gloves and beanies are out of storage and it's time to start loading up on sweets and carbs. To help us do this, Krispy Kreme has announced it's giving away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. How many? 100,000, to be exact. The giveaway is running in conjunction with 'World Doughnut Day', and while we're not a big fan of food 'days' we are big fans of free food. Especially free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie (Original Glazed doughnuts are being given out) head to your closest store in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Sydneysiders have ten stores — stretching from Penrith to the CBD — to choose from, while Victorians have eight, including a Collins Street store. Queenslanders can pick from five different doughnut shops, with the most central in the CBD Myer Centre, and Perthians can head to one of three Krispy Kreme stores or some Jesters. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across all Aussies stores, which means there'll be about 3000 free 'uns available at each. So, you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Most stores open around 7am and there's a limit of one glazed doughnut per person. The free doughnuts are not available at BPs or 7-Elevens. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening nationwide on Friday, June 7. To find your closest store and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
Australia's hospitality scene continues to kick big goals when it comes to wining and dining; but of course, it's about much more than the food and the drink. Those venues have to look the part, too — and thanks to some talented local designers, stunning bars, eateries and hotels keep popping up on the regular. In fact, the cream of that crop has just been highlighted once again at the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards. This year's pick of Australia's most stylish haunts were announced at a ceremony in North Melbourne, identifying a cast of beautiful spaces located right across the country. That said, Victoria reigned supreme among the list of finalists, with the state home to five out of the eight main award-winners. [caption id="attachment_877798" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Music Room by Earl Carter[/caption] Melbourne's latest certified stunners include Di Stasio's new Carlton outpost — a slick laneway venue by Hassell, which took out the title of Best Restaurant Design for its "flawless" fusion of the old and the new. Meanwhile, Dion Hall's vision for Music Room, located within HER, won the intimate space the award for Best Bar Design, applauded for its interactivity and considered detailing. Also in Melbourne, the work of Congrats Agency nabbed Rocco's Bologna Discoteca the title of Best Identity Design, while Baker Bleu Hawksburn (IF Architecture) and Pronto by Via Porta (Studio Esteta) shared the award for Best Retail Design. And, with 68 years under its belt, the legendary Pellegrini's — designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock — was inducted into the Eat Drink Design Awards Hall of Fame. [caption id="attachment_854324" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ace Hotel[/caption] Best Cafe Design went to Brisbane Airport newcomer The Common, for its genre-bending Sullivan Skinner fitout; while Sydney's impressive new Ace Hotel — the first southern hemisphere outpost for the brand — was named Best Hotel Design courtesy of Flack Studio's minimalist yet warm interiors. Further afield, CO-AP's Adelaide Festival Pavilion commission The Summerhouse scored the title of Best Installation Design. The judging panel determining this year's awards was made up of some very familiar names in the hospitality and design space, including chef-restaurateur Shannon Bennett, March Studio Director Rodney Eggleston, Masterchef Australia's Melissa Leong, Fiona Lynch (founder of design studio Fiona Lynch Office) and Artichoke editor Cassie Hansen. [caption id="attachment_877794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Common by David Chatfield[/caption] 2022 EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARD WINNERS: Best Bar Design: Music Room by Dion Hall (Melbourne, VIC) Best Restaurant Design: Di Stasio Carlton by Hassell (Carlton, VIC) Best Cafe Design: The Common by Sullivan Skinner (Brisbane Airport, QLD) Best Hotel Design: Ace Hotel Sydney by Flack Studio (Sydney, NSW) Best Installation Design: Adelaide Festival Pavilion — The Summerhouse by CO-AP (Adelaide, SA) Best Retail Design: Baker Bleu Hawksburn by IF Architecture (Prahran, VIC) and Pronto by Via Porta by Studio Esteta (Kew, VIC) Best Identity Design: Rocco's Bologna Discoteca by Congrats Agency (Fitzroy, VIC) Hall of Fame: Pellegrini's Espresso Bar (1954) by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock (Melbourne VIC) [caption id="attachment_877801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baker Bleu by Sharyn Cairns[/caption] For the full list of winners and commendations at the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards, head to the Eat Drink Design website. Top image: Di Stasio Carlton by Peter Bennetts.
Winter is well and truly upon us, but that doesn't mean you need to lock yourself away. Melbourne's cultural calendar is as jam-packed as ever, with endless activities to coax you out into the cold. From ice skating in the CBD to getting dressed up and watching the ballet to hearty long lunches, there's no shortage of fun to be had in this city, which has a way of looking especially beautiful in the rain. And the best part is, you can do all of these very weather-appropriate activities with a drink in hand. So you don't miss out on any of these winter happenings, we've partnered with Tanqueray to bring you some top activities to tackle this season. HIT THE ICE AT FED SQUARE'S WINTER VILLAGE Nothing says winter quite like strapping on your skates, and there's no better place to do it than at Federation Square's Winter Village. This seasonal pop-up in the very heart of the Melbourne CBD includes an ice rink and a charming igloo village, as well as hot chocolate and dessert stations. After carving it up out on the ice, treat yourself to a late-night martini at nearby Juniper haven Gin Palace on Russell Place. Alternatively, 1806 on Exhibition Street boasts a killer cocktail selection. The gin-based options range from the classics (negronis and dry martinis) to something a little more special like the Red Snapper — a gin-based take on a bloody mary with sherry. SIP PRE-SHOW COCKTAILS BEFORE CATCHING A MUSICAL Hamilton won't arrive on our shores until 2021, but you can still get your Lin-Manuel Miranda fix this winter with Bring It On: The Musical. On stage at the Athenaeum Theatre from Thursday, July 11–Sunday, July 28, the Tony-nominated production will have you cartwheeling in the aisles as you relive your younger self's favourite movie. If you want to bring a little high-brow to this decidedly low-brow night of fun, stop by Melbourne institution Eau de Vie on Malthouse Lane for a pre-show cocktail. The Opera-inspired Carmen 23, made with Tanqueray No.10, fino sherry, rosemary and rosewater sounds fitting, don't you think? [caption id="attachment_722852" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] HAVE AN ARTY AFTERNOON THEN GO FOR A LAVISH LUNCH They're often described as the eighth wonder of the world. And, for the next few months at the National Gallery of Victoria, you can see them with your own two eyes. In town as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, the ancient Terracotta Warriors are presented here alongside new works by celebrated contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang — a powerful contrast of Chinese art old and new. When you're finished, why not grab a tipple and a bite to eat at The Barre next door at the Arts Centre? The food is seriously moreish — think squid ink linguine, tuna loin tataki and charcuterie boards — and it's all perfectly suited to enjoy with a Tanqueray No.10 and tonic. TUCK INTO A LUNCH DEGUSTATION THEN HEAD TO THE BALLET Enjoy a feast fit for a king, or maybe a hare and Mad Hatter, at fine dining establishment Lûmé in South Melbourne. Its recently relaunched long lunch degustation is the perfect thing for a chilly Saturday afternoon, with barbecue pork glazed in black banana, pumpkin molé tart and calamari with coconut, cucumber and chrysanthemum as just some of the options on offer. To drink, you can't go past the Negroni Fizz made with Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, mandarin orange and vermouth. Keep the whimsy going by taking in the Australian Ballet's magical production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, running at Arts Centre Melbourne from June 8–22. CELEBRATE WORLD GIN DAY What better way to kick off winter (aka gin season) than with a whole day dedicated to your favourite spirit? World Gin Day falls on Saturday, June 8 this year — the start to the Queen's birthday long weekend. So, in honour of this spirit and Australia's undying love for it, hit the streets and head to a Melbourne bar or restaurant for tastiest gin cocktail you can find. For an inventive tipple that can be enjoyed with some equally inventive bites, head to Saké on Flinders Street for the Berri Kawaii — this vibrant mix features spicy yuzu kosho shaken with sake and house-made berry jam. Or, if you'd like your gin served with a killer view on the side, head to Arbory Bar to sip a gin bramble, with creme de mure, lemon, blackberries and lemonade — you can order this as an individual drink or in a jug if the whole gin-loving crew has tagged along. But, if you'd rather keep things simple, make tracks to Garden State Hotel for a classic Negroni. Top Image: Gin Palace.
The last time that Alien and Ghostbusters legend Sigourney Weaver appeared on-screen, she played a 14-year-old Na'vi girl in Avatar: The Way of Water. The next time that the iconic actor pops up, she'll be in Australia, in a seven-part streaming drama. That series: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, which sees Holly Ringland's 2018 novel get the miniseries treatment, and casts Weaver as the grandmother to the titular nine-year-old, who has just lost her parents in mysterious circumstances. On the page and on Prime Video — where The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will debut on Friday, August 4 — Alice moves to Thornfield flower farm after the life-changing tragedy, and starts to find solace among its wildflower blooms. But her new home is also the place where secrets about her family and their past start to blossom. The just-dropped first teaser trailer for the series emphasises that it hails from the producers of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers, if you're wondering about the show's mood. Lambs of God's Sarah Lambert, Mustang FC's Kirsty Fisher and A League of Their Own's Kim Wilson penned the scripts, while Penguin Bloom's Glendyn Ivin directs every instalment. As well as Weaver as Alice's grandmother, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart stars Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead) as its namesake, plus Ayla Browne (Nine Perfect Strangers) as the younger version. The cast from there is a who's who of homegrown talent, including fellow Nine Perfect Strangers alum Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Hotel Mumbai), Xavier Samuel (The Clearing) and Alexander England (Black Snow). Frankie Adams (The Expanse), Charlie Vickers (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Sebastián Zurita (How to Survive Being Single) also feature, and the first glimpse at the show unsurprisingly highlights the Aussie backdrop, all the swirling lies and its big-name stars. When it hits Prime Video, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will join the streaming platform's growing Australian-made lineup, which keeps dropping local fare in 2023. Already in queues: Class of '07, about the mayhem that follows when an apocalyptic tidal wave hits during an all-girls college's ten-year reunion; and the exceptional Deadloch, a Tasmania-set murder-mystery comedy from The Kates. Check out the first teaser trailer for The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart below: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will start streaming via Prime Video from Friday, August 4.
If you're in or around Collingwood from now until mid-December, you are in prime position to completely submerge into a world of theatrical delight. On Johnston Street, The Austral sets the stage for Love Lust Lost, the latest production from the convention-shattering creative collective Broad Encounters (A Midnight Visit and Maho Magic Bar). Courtesy of the team's sky-high production limits (and creative prowess), you will explore more than 40 spaces across three floors and 1900 square metres during your visit — so you might want to come more than once to discover every nook. You'll set sail into a tumultuous ocean of heartbreak and desire, bravery and passion, led by your captain Hans Christian Andersen. The fairytale great's story is imagined alongside those of Jules Verne and Joseph Conrad, with their intimate worlds brought to life with soundscapes, spoken word, ballet, dance, circus, aerial acrobatics, improv comedy and taste. The true joys of your literary-fuelled adventure exists in the delightfully unknown aspects. Let your curiosity take over as you follow your captain into the storm, chasing each clue and yearning as the mystery unfurls. Now extended thanks to popular demand, you've got until Saturday, December 16 to dive in — and, because immersive theatre is never the same twice, every attendee gets a different experience. Images: Graham Denholm / Jeff Busby.
Night owls of Melbourne, rejoice — you're about to have a whole heap of new things to do when the sun goes down. As part of its efforts to revitalise the Victorian capital after the past few COVID-impacted years, the City of Melbourne has announced $2 million in grant funding for after-dark activities, all to give the night-time economy a hefty boost. Dubbed the Dusk til' Dawn Activation Grants program and part of the $200-million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund in partnership with the Victorian Government, this scheme opened for applications on Monday, October 31, and is all about supporting twilight and evening fun. Events covered include pop-up music and theatrical performances that take over Melbourne's outdoor spaces; public exhibitions and installations, including art, lighting and interactive showcases; and outdoor food festivals. So, expect more than a few ace nights out in your future. To fit the bill and qualify to apply for grants of up to $100,000, activations have to "bring energy and vibrancy to city precincts from 6pm to 6am" as per the City of Melbourne. And, they have to get Melburnians heading into the city at night to increase economic activity — yes, to splash some cash at the area's businesses. Also, the funding is for temporary events and activations only, can't alter or permanently change any of Melbourne's existing infrastructure, and isn't open to businesses that primarily focus on fundraising or marketing their own business. Melburnians can look forward to enjoying the funded events between May 1–October 31, 2023, adding to the city's nightlife during its frostiest months. "Melbourne is a 24/7 city which sparkles at night — with an array of world-class restaurants, bars and late-night venues, live entertainment, innovative art and cultural experiences, and unique retail offerings," said Lord Mayor Sally Capp, announcing the D2D funding. "The Dusk till Dawn Activation Grants program will allow us to take our night-time economy to the next level, giving visitors and locals alike yet another reason to enjoy and experience the city after dark." "This program will further build on our work to enhance the city's night-time economy post-COVID – from our Night-Time Economy Advisory Committee to the hugely popular Melbourne Money dining scheme, it's clear our efforts are having a significant impact during Melbourne's sustained bounce back." For more information about the City of Melbourne's Dusk till Dawn (D2D) Activation Grants program, head to the council's website.
Sydneysiders have always liked writing obscurely profound things on the walls of the city. Sydney's the kind of city that breeds people like Arthur Stace, a reformed illiterate alcoholic who spent thirty-five years writing the word 'Eternity' in chalk all over the streets of Sydney in copperplate script, which can still be seen inside the bell of the GPO clock tower. And you still see street writing everywhere, from the scrawled messages on bus stops and railway underpasses, to the 'I have a dream' mural on King Street and heartfelt declarations like 'hands held violently onto words that meant nothing' on the back of St Stephen's Church in Camperdown Memorial Park. Now we can add to this list the moss poetry which has recently popped up in Sydney's own version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Paddington Reservoir Gardens. The walls of the reservoir are currently covered in growing poetry, as part of a typographic installation entitled ''Modern Day Mossages. Created from locally sourced mud and moss, the words and phrases have been contributed by emerging Sydney poets paying tribute to John Thompson, founder of the resident action group The Paddington Society, after whom one of the Reservoir's gardens is named after. The moss poem is the product of a collaboration by members of Popperbox, a collective of Sydney-based artists, designers, illustrators and software engineers, who have been making experimental and accessible pieces since their formation in 2007. The installation aims to make you think about growth, nourishment, rejuvenation and the future, and was attached to the sandstone walls of the historic reservoir using a pungent mixture of heavy clay soil, beer and yoghurt. The artists are monitoring the growth of the moss daily in the hopes that it will continue to grow, although that shouldn't be a problem given the deluge which appears to be sticking around for the rest of the month. Modern Day Mossages is a short-term installation, one of three projects commissioned by the City of Sydney for the Paddington Reservoir Gardens in 2012. [Via D*Hub]
Christian McCabe and Dave Verheul's Russell Street wine bar Embla scored a sibling and neighbour when the team opened Lesa right upstairs in 2018. Now, the family has welcomed another new addition, this one making its home in the sunny openair space atop the Melbourne Theosophical Society next door. Embla Rooftop Bar & Cinema is the city's new destination for wining, dining and big screen movie magic, aiming to level up your usual dinner-and-a-show scenario. Up here, yellow-striped deck chairs, picnic tables and a vibrant aquamarine paint job set something of a breezy Mediterranean tone to match the food offering of seasonal share plates and snacks. While the enormous five-metre screen fires up as the sun goes down, both the kitchen and bar are open from 3pm (5pm on weekends) right through, for anyone wanting to sate their appetite and kick back with a tipple or two. Get ready to tuck into bites like raw kingfish with cucumber, cumquat and a pumpkin seed miso; snapper rillettes with fennel toast; or perhaps the veal rump tartare finished. Meanwhile, the bar's got that summer thirst quenched with a 50-strong lineup of wines, a range of cocktails — such as negronis and margaritas — and tinnies from Bodriggy. [caption id="attachment_800522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kelly Thompson[/caption] While the bar operates on a walk-in basis, you can snap up cinema tickets in advance over on the website. Once each evening's flick starts rolling after sunset, guests can settle in and enjoy candy bar treats like cultured butter and sea salt popcorn, house-made pineapple lumps and Piccolina Gelateria gelato pops delivered straight to their chair. The folks from events company District Agency (Gourmet Cinema) are taking care of the film programming, with weekly themes running from high school-themed flicks to classic Euro titles and classics such as Pulp Fiction and The Big Lebowski. Coming up, you've got favourites like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Pretty in Pink, Whiplash and more. Unfortunately, Embla Rooftop Bar & Cinema is here for a good time, but not a long time. The pop-up will run temporarily until the site is shut and developed into a boutique hotel. Embla Rooftop Bar & Cinema is open for drinks and snacks from 5pm-7pm Mon-Thu & Sun and 3pm-7pm Fri-Sat Images: Kelly Thompson
Do you often find yourself neglecting your morning run in favour of the snooze button? Or do you define a 'gym session' as the walk between your fridge and couch? If fitness just isn't your forte and workouts feel more like work then these ten awesome fitness apps could be the perfect starting block for refreshing and renewing your fitness regime. Whether you're a budding Olympian or just hoping to slash a couple of excess pounds, this list offers something for just about everyone, with apps ranging from running trackers to fitness games to workout incentives to yoga on-the-go. And to celebrate the release of the new adidas adistar Boost running shoes, where you receive extra energy from the shoe’s boost technology to keep you running longer, we've compiled a list of our top ten apps to help out. So check out The Athlete's Foot, don those fluoro shorts, pump up the Jay-Z and check out the list, because these apps have the potential to transform even those with the most avid of workout aversions into fully fledged gym junkies. 1. Zombies, Run! Oh yes, this is exactly what you think it is. It's your real-life version of 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead, transforming the stress and strain of your next gym sesh into a post-apocalypic zombie chase. The story itself is pretty simple: civilisation has fallen into zombie-infested ruin and it is up to you to rebuild society. As you run you automatically collect medicine, food, ammo and other critical supplies to replenish your base, but in order to evade those pesky zombie hordes you have to keep up with your customised zombie speeds. Choose from over 30 different missions, crank up your favourite playlist and the twists and turns of the zombie saga will be revealed to you between tracks. 2. Fitocracy Fitocracy does what many a gym, PT and exercise playlist have often tried and failed to do: taken the 'work' out of 'workout'. By applying the addictive quality of video games — of having to reach the next level and beat your own and your friends' top scores — Fitocracy actually manages to make fitness into the physical equivalent of Call of Duty: fun and strangely addictive. Starting at level one, you are awarded points for completing increasingly difficult workouts, which can then be shared on the Fitocracy social network. 3. Jefit Jefit isn't designed for your casual jogger or backyard footballer, but for the most hardcore and dedicated of fitness freaks: bodybuilders and gym junkies. The app allows you to track your body statistics with everything from fitness graphs to progress photographs, create custom workout routines and discover new exercises and workout techniques with Jefit's massive exercise database. The app's two-way sync technology allows you to sync all this information with an online profile and store all your fitness data on the Jefit server, making this the perfect companion for any trip to the gym. 4. Pocket Yoga Perhaps the most common excuse for giving up on a gym membership or even on the whole concept of staying fit is the simple reason of time poorness. If you are someone who prefers the downward facing dog and the crane pose to chin-ups and dumbbells, then time poorness is no longer a viable excuse, thanks to this super-handy app that allows you to practice yoga anytime, anywhere. The Pocket Yoga app includes on-the-go yoga classes and a comprehensive pose dictionary that shows proper positioning and the benefits of each contortion. 5. Cardiio The Cardiio app allows users to become their own personal GP with the world's most easy-to-use stethoscope. There are no straps, no finger clips and no scary add-ons; simply look into your iPhone camera and the app will tell you your heart rate. From this simple piece of information Cardiio can then provide you with a wealth of information about your health, from raw fitness level to life expectancy to how you compare to the general population — or, if you felt so inclined, how you compare with Tiger Woods or even a horse. Use this app everyday after your daily workout and Cardiio will tabulate your results to show you just how fit you are actually getting. 6. RunKeeper While the purpose and function of RunKeeper is fairly clear from its name, what is less clear is just how awesome this app is. Not only does the RunKeeper app track the distance, speed and times of your morning run, walk or bike ride, but it also provides users with a detailed and interactive picture of their exercise regime and fitness levels. RunKeeper allows you to set and measure goals, keep track of milestones and PBs, get on-the-go coaching and collate and share all this data on runkeeper.com. So make sure you cross off the checklist before you go for your next run: a pair of perfectly fitted trainers from The Athlete's Foot and a copy of the RunKeeper app. 7. Charity Miles If shedding those few excess pounds or tightening up those abs isn't sufficient motivation to get you up and exercising, then perhaps Charity Miles can help you out. This free app encourages you to get off the couch by rewarding every mile you run, walk or ride with a donation of 10c for bikers or 25c for runners and walkers to a charity of your choosing. What's awesome about this app is just how easy it is to make a tangible difference to a worthwhile cause. Charity Miles as well helps you to push through the pain of exercise, with regular updates as to what sort of difference each mile you travel will have for your chosen charity. 8. Obstacles XRT By combining the Obstacles XRT (Extreme Reality Training) app with a little bit of imagination you can transform your living room into a virtual obstacle course complete with tires to skip through, quicksand to hop over and fences to dive under. The Obstacles XRT app is basically a workout video for the iPhone era, replacing Richard Simmons and gratuitous quantities of spandex with army commander voiceovers and high intensity obstacle courses. Every command of "jump as high as you can" and "jab to the left" is specifically designed to workout your major muscle groups, and with the app's Calorie Burn Dashboard, you can watch in real time as you burn off the calories. 9. Endomondo While the app store is rife with sports trackers that can measure the duration, distance, speed and even calorie burn of your morning jog, few of them offer the sort of versatility and all-purposeness of the Endomondo Sports Tracker. Of particular note, the Endomondo app is able to not only track running and cycling but just about any distance-based sport — from skiing to kayaking to rollerblading. The app includes an incredible range of features from heart monitors to audio coaching to route generators, but perhaps most unique to the Endomondo app is its capacity to pit you against your friends by competing with their best times and even sending them pep talks. 10. GymPact GymPact are upping the stakes for those of us who have been known to miss the occasional gym session. Petty excuses are no longer good enough because if you fail to meet your weekly workout targets you have to pay up. And if you meet your targets then GymPact will pay you. All you have to do is make a pact of how many times you'll work out in a week and set yourself a price. If you you fall short of your target, then your wager helps pay everyone else in the GymPact community that had a successful week. Don't think you can cheat the system either, as with GPS tracking and the RunKeeper app, GymPact makes sure you stick to your weekly pact. Get onto GymPact, and thanks to this brilliant little incentive, missed workouts may soon become a thing of the past. Once you've downloaded your favourite app, make sure you get yourself a double boost with a pair of awesome new runners. Check out the adidas adistar Boost available now at The Athlete’s Foot (limited release only).
El Camino Cantina's approach to margaritas is like Gelato Messina's to frozen desserts, taking inspiration far and wide from other beloved foodstuffs. In the past, the lively Tex-Mex chain has served up candy-flavoured margs, Long Island iced tea-flavoured ritas and soft drink-influenced tipples. Next on the list: Vodka Cruiser versions. On offer at the chain's Fitzroy venue: nine flavours of its beloved ritas that pay tribute to the ready-to-drink staple. You'll be able to knock them back until Saturday, September 30 — in 15-ounce ($21) and 24-ounce ($25) glasses topped with a Grand Marnier float, and as happy-hour specials from 4–6pm Monday–Friday (costing $12.50 and $15). Flavours on offer include Summer Peach, Lush Guava, Pure Pineapple and Wild Raspberry — and also Ripe Strawberry, Sunny Orange Passionfruit and Bold Berry. Or, you can sip Juicy Watermelon and get some tang with Zesty Lemon Lime. If you're a fan of its margs, you'll probably have noticed that El Camino mixes up its menu regularly with specials like these — which gives you more excuses to try more flavours.
An entire month of winter-friendly activities is set to take over East Gippsland in June, when the fifth annual Winter Festival comes around. Whether you head to the shores of Gippsland Lakes for a day trip, or drive all the way to the High Country for a night, you'll find tasty bites, mulled wine, surprising art and live music. A bunch of festival favourites are making a return. Swing by Bruthen on Saturday, June 21, for the Medieval Winter Fire Festival, which will transport you back in time with sword fights, bonfires, medieval costumes and fireside feasting. Then, on Saturday, July 5, visit Metung for Fire & Ice, a spectacular of live ice sculpting and fire displays on Bancroft Bay. You can also look forward to a host of brand-new events. Cann River is inviting you to don your best-ever op shop outfit for the Op Shop Ball, an evening of food, music and dancing in the mud-brick Monaro Centre. Meanwhile, Lakes Entrance will host an epic après-ski party, featuring mulled wine, hot toddies, loads of comfort food, a roaring fire and DJs — all brought to you by Eight Acres in collaboration with Albert & Co. The East Winter Gippsland Festival will take place all over the region between Friday, June 20–Sunday, July 20. Check out the rest of the program over here.
Even before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic visiting an Australia supermarket to buy groceries had become a rather fraught affair. First came panic-buying of household staples. Then, limits on everyday items were put in place. Even after that, shelves normally stacked with toilet paper, paper towel, tissues, hand sanitiser, pasta and rice can still be found empty in plenty of stores around the country. To help — and to help you stay home if you're social distancing or self-isolating — Deliveroo has announced that it has added kitchen and household products to its delivery range. As well as restaurants and other takeaway eateries, you can now order from local stores and supermarkets to get basic supplies dispatched to your door via the service. The range varies depending on your area, as is always the case with Deliveroo; however, for those keen on staying home, it's a handy option. Deliveroo has also implemented a 'no-contact' drop-off service, which lets you request that your rider leaves the food on your doorstep — so that you can still place an order if you are feeling unwell, have just returned from overseas or you're being cautious about coming into contact with other people. To order via Deliveroo, visit the service's app or website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
This article is part of our series profiling the perfect Brisbane weekends of the city's creative personalities. Brisbane is a place that embodies exactly what Queensland is about: the sun, the outdoors and wearing flip flops all year round. It's the kind of city that has so much on offer but, a lot of time, the best finds are passed along through word of mouth. So where do you hear about the best of Brisbane? From a local, of course. Over the next few weeks, we're speaking to some of the most switched-on Brisbane creatives we could find for the low-down on the secret haunts where they spend their weekends. First up, it's architect and event organiser Morgan Jenkins (below left). "I love living in Brisbane because it’s got a sense of humour as a city," he says. "I don't think it could ever take itself too seriously in the climate that we live in. We live outside for the majority of the year and the ocean and the ranges are just a short drive away. There's a lot of great stuff starting to happen because instead of complaining about things, interesting people are investing their time into doing interesting things." This enterprising spirit is shared by Morgan, who created The End of the Line festival, which celebrates the eclectic area of Woolloongabba. "It’s a really different area to anywhere else in Brisbane — it is a real mishmash of a neighbourhood which has always been a convergence point for a huge number of different urban networks," he says. Planning is currently underway for the next End of the Line Festival, which will be held on October 24. Outside of going to that, here are Morgan's five steps to the perfect Brisbane weekend. To experience them for yourself, head to the Visit Brisbane website and get booking. SURF AT NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND I’d start with a surf at North Stradbroke Island. The ferry is only a 30-minute drive from my house in Woolloongabba. This is one of my favourite spots on the planet. Leaving the mainland, even for a couple of hours, is often much needed after the week of work. BREAKFAST AT PEARL CAFE Pearl Cafe is a pearler of a cafe in Woolloongabba. The little Logan Road cul-de-sac is just a short stroll from where I live and it's my go-to for an easy weekend outing. The food is hearty but contemporary, so you might end up having duck eggs and bacon for breakfast. BEERS AT THE BOWLS CLUB Warm afternoons definitely call for beers and a spot of bowls at Merthyr Bowls Club on the river. This is the perfect place to enjoy living in our city as it's outside in the sun, right on the river and it has an incredible relaxed atmosphere (at 1970s prices). DINNER AT CROSSTOWN EATING HOUSE Do dinner at Crosstown Eating House in Woolloongabba. This place has always been my go-to dinner destination locally. Relaxed dining but really unpretentious, great service and food quality, good tunes and a good atmosphere. SEE A LIVE GIG A weekend isn't complete without live music somewhere: a small gig at The End in West End, something mellow at The Tivoli or The Triffid, or something a bit heavier at The Zoo. These places are all golden venues for live music and a good time. Book your own Queensland weekender at the Visit Brisbane website or follow them through the Visit Brisbane Facebook page or Twitter at @VisitBrisbane and hashtag #brisbaneanyday. Top image: Pearl Cafe by night.
Before the pandemic, compiling a travel bucket list was limited only to your imagination. Now, after years of international border closures, and also the shutting down of overseas travel into and out of many countries, it's also guided by COVID-19 rules, requirements, restrictions and entry procedures. But if you've been keen to add Bali to your itinerary, the Indonesian island has good news: it's now open to double-vaccinated Australian and New Zealand tourist without quarantine. Back in February, Bali started welcoming back select tourists — including folks from Down Under — but with a shortened isolation period, requiring arrivals to quarantine for five days once they hit the island. Now, since Monday, March 7, that rule has been scrapped. There's still mandatory testing, as well as a few other procedures to abide by, but you no longer have to factor in a lengthy stint confined to your hotel before your getaway genuinely kicks into gear. Firstly, the new rules only apply to travellers who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine — and, in the 48 hours before you get to Bali, you also need to get a PCR test (and, obviously, it needs to return a negative result). Then, thanks to Bali's newly implemented Visa on Arrival program, you'll fill out the paperwork and pay the fee (around AU$50) when you hop off the plane, and also take another PCR test. You will need to isolate until you get a negative result from that one, but that's clearly better than spending five days in quarantine. Upon arrival, you'll also need to show proof of a paid hotel booking for four days/three nights, as well as health insurance that covers COVID-19 up to at least US$25,000. And, you'll have to download the Bali COVID app as well. Then, three days after you get there, you're required to take another PCR test as well — but there's no isolation requirement attached. Countries covered under Bali's Visa on Arrival program since Monday, March 7 include Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Italy, Turkey and UEA, with the scheme expanding to 42 nations on Monday, March 21. Indonesia has also just dropped its quarantine requirement nationwide, effective from the same date. That yearning you now feel? It's the need to pull out your dusty suitcase, get packing and book yourself a beachy Bali holiday. For more information about the requirements for travelling to Bali, head to the Indonesian Government's website.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we hop aboard PS Emmylou on the Murray River. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? According to the PS Emmylou team, this is the world's only accommodated woodfire paddle steamer. You'll slowly float along the Murray River in this newly kitted-out boat, stopping off at small towns and natural sites to do some light exploring. It has to be one of the very best ways to see this part of Australia. THE ROOMS There are just eight luxe cabins on board the PS Emmylou — it's a proper small-group cruise. You can either opt for the twin cabins with two single beds or one of the double or queen cabins. Each of these is above deck and comes with its own ensuite bathroom, wifi, aircon and windows to let the fresh country air right into your room. There's also one larger suite (that you can book on the Concrete Playground Trips website) with double doors opening directly onto the verandah, where you can relax with a drink in hand and take in the ambience as you cruise the Murray River. This is for those wanting the full luxury experience. FOOD AND DRINK At the back of the paddle steamer, you'll find a covered deck that's set up for meals every day. Whenever you dine, stunning views will surround you. And there are stacks of great meals included. In the morning, you can fill up on a full English Breakfast or go continental — tucking into pastries, cereals and fresh fruit. Your caffeine fix is also sorted with barista-made coffee included. The onboard chef also makes a daily morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for all the guests, ensuring your belly won't grumble at any part of the trip. Then there are the special multi-course dinners celebrating local produce (with house wine and beers also included). And depending on the itinerary you choose, you can experience gourmet picnics and riverside barbeque dinners under the stars — with live entertainment. [caption id="attachment_894062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park. DNSW.[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA There are two itinerary options available to those who jump aboard the PS Emmylou, taking you to the same parts of the Murray River region but spending more or less time at each. The three-day cruise starts at Echuca and stops off at Layfield Lane, Deep Creek Marina and Torrumbarry Weir. You'll be taken for tastings at Morrisons Riverside Winery and get a tour of the lush Pericoota Station gardens. Plenty of nature hikes are also available. There's also the seven-day cruise. This begins and ends at Torrumbarry Weir. It hits the same spots as the shorter cruise but takes more time to explore each part — that means you can go deeper into the remote areas on guided tours and hikes (and sneak in a few more cultural experiences and winery visits). THE EXTRAS This is an all-inclusive cruise. Return V/Line train fares to Echuca and local transfers to and from the boat are included as well as all your meals, coffee, alcohol and local guided tours. You'll also save about $500 when you book the three-day cruise through Concrete Playground Trips in the spacious Queen Suite. This deal gives you a pretty great reason to jump on board PS Emmylou and explore the mighty Murray River region in total comfort. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: DNSW
If you're someone who loves indulging in a few G&Ts on a summer evening but doesn't love waking up to dehydrated, hungover skin, Four Pillars Gin and Go-To Skincare have you covered. The beloved Aussie brands are bringing back their extremely limited-edition Go-To Gin — a spirit that sent fans of Go-To founder ZFB (that's Zoë Foster-Blake for the uninitiated) into a frenzy upon its initial release in 2021, and again in 2022. When we say frenzy we mean it. The first two batches of My New Go-To Gin sold out in mere hours. So, it's time to start preparing your gin-buying fingers for 2023, with the second release dropping on Wednesday, November 22. Ready for cocktail mixing and shaking, the flavours in this coveted drop include quandong, aka native Aussie peach, plus yuzu, lime, coriander seeds and lemon myrtle. We hope you like particularly peachy sips, because this year's gin goes heavier on the quandong. And yes, the familiar peach-pink Go-To label means that you could probably add a bottle to your bathroom counter's lineup and nobody would notice anything out of the ordinary. Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cam Mackenzie said in a statement he was aware gin and skin are an "unlikely duo". "But we knew we were onto a good thing with Go-To when we sold out faster than Taylor Swift tickets (almost). This year we've amped up quandong, freshness and a bit of peachiness to to add an extra layer of complexity," Mackenzie continued. To celebrate the launch, the skincare brand is also expanding where My New Go-To Gin will be available. For folks in Melbourne, you can hit up the Four Pillars pop-up store inside the Bourke Street Myer, and also to Lotte Duty-Free at Melbourne Airport for the first time. For everyone else, you're still headed to the Four Pillars' Sydney Laboratory and Healesville Distillery, and online. If you pick up some My New Go-To Gin from Bourke Street or Melbourne Airport, then sip a few too many drinks the night before another event (hello, festive season) you're in luck: every bottle from those two locations comes with a Go-To 'Transformazing' sheet mask to soak your skin in much-needed moisture. If last year is anything to go by, we imagine this gin is going to sell out pretty quickly, so signing up for the 2023 waitlist is highly recommended. While you're there, you'll also find a few cocktail recipes. And if you miss out, or peach isn't really your gin infusion of choice, you've got options however you choose to imbibe — Four Pillars has brought back its annual cult-favourites Bloody Shiraz Gin and Christmas gin for your festive cocktail needs. The 2023 Four Pillars Go-To Gin will go on sale online and in-store on Wednesday, November 22. Head to the Four Pillars website to sign up to the waitlist.
Whether you're an architecture and design nerd, or just super nosey, Open House Bendigo will be right up your alley. More than 20 public projects, buildings and spaces within the historic city of Bendigo will open their doors to the public for one weekend. From October 22–23, locals and tourists (who can make the easy two-hour drive from Melbourne) will get to explore some of Bendigo's finest historical and contemporary buildings, some of which are often closed off to the public. A boom town during the gold rush period, Bendigo is home to a rich architectural heritage that has been met with rapid development in recent years. The Open House weekend is a chance for guests to engage with their city and discuss Bendigo's design future. Highlights include Emporium Creative Hub, a coworking and events space for local creatives; former Eaglehawk Town Hall (now operating as the Star Cinema Boutique); and La Trobe University Library Bendigo which was redesigned during Covid-19 lockdowns. As part of the special program, tours of the Garden of the Future will also run at Bendigo Botanic Gardens. Alongside the lineup of open spaces will be a series of talks, films screenings and a public workshop. Each will touch on a particular aspect of design and architecture that's important for the Bendigo community — from sustainability to social housing. For more information or to pre-book tours, head to the Open House Bendigo website. [caption id="attachment_873911" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Garden of the Future, Bendigo Botanic Gardens.[/caption] Top Image: Bendigo Town Hall.
Australia's largest photography biennale festival is back in Melbourne with PHOTO 2022 International Festival of Photography, this time with a new theme: Being Human. After the success of PHOTO 2021, the PHOTO festival returns to Melbourne and regional Victoria with various exhibits and events from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 22. The festival will encompass 90 exhibitions from 123 local and international artists, with 50 world premieres including 24 specially commissioned projects. The festival will feature work from a diverse group of local and international photographers — spanning from Vasantha Yogananthan's After Life, which depicts the millenia-old story of the Ramayana through contemporary bodies, to Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu's specially commissioned study of culture, identity and self love in her reinterpretation of contemporary African portraiture. Exhibitions featured in the festival will be focused in Five Festival precincts: Town Hall Precinct, Parliament Precinct, River Precinct, State Library Precinct, and Fitzroy/Collingwood as well as other galleries and venues around Victoria. Exhibitions will explore themes including mortality, self, history, society and nature. In addition to contemporary artists, two photography icons — Helmut Newton and Cindy Sherman — will be honoured with exhibitions across the duration of the festival. Helmut Newton: In Focus, presented by the Jewish Museum of Australia: Gandel Centre of Judaica and the Helmut Newton foundation, will focus on the life of the world-famous fashion photographer. A photograph by American photographer Cindy Sherman will be celebrated with the festival's largest individual work to date. Entry to the festival is free, with the exception of the Helmut Newton: In Focus exhibit which is $20 per adult. Tours are $10, and collector tours are $65. Photo: Helmut Newton, Elsa Peretti, New York, 1975, Copyright Helmut Newton Estate, Courtesy Helmut Newton Foundation. Banner Photo: Thandiwe Muriu, Camo 34, 2022. Commissioned by Photo Australia and MetroTunnel Creative Program for PHOTO 2022 International Festival of Photography. Courtesy of the artist and 193 Gallery.
The classic Greek dish of saganaki, featuring ingredients fried up in a small pan, is a hard one not to love. Especially in its most popular form: hot, salty, fried cheese. So we're forecasting plenty of visitors to Windsor's contemporary Greek spot Rebel Blue this month, when it celebrates the good stuff with a limited-edition month-long saganaki menu. Launching on Tuesday, February 12, and on offer for exactly one month, the 'Saganaki 9' lineup showcases a whole assortment of variations on the classic. And seven of the nine dishes hero cheese. We're talking crushed slow-roasted tomatoes fried with capsicum, prawns and feta, kefalograviera fried with fresh and candied figs, or the same firm Greek cheese cooked simply with a classic combination of lemon and oregano. Meanwhile, sweet-toothed diners are sure to be won over by the version teaming kefalograviera with fairy floss and quince, or matched with a decadent combo of salted caramel, sesame and popcorn. Best of all, your wallet will love this feast as much as your tastebuds, with all dishes priced between $14 and $16. Feast your eyes on these three fried cheeses: With less than 12 months under its belt, Rebel Blue has earned itself quite the following for its innovative, yet thoughtful spin on modern Greek fare. Big flavours star throughout both the food menu and cocktail lineups, while the bright, blue-washed interiors nod to the eatery's namesake characters — a group of Greek troublemakers and toughs that called Melbourne home in the 1930s. We bet they'd be all over this month's saganaki menu. Get your saganaki fix at Rebel Blue, 127 Chapel St, Windsor. The new menu is available from February 12 until March 12.
Today, Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the twos clearly have it — on your calendar and, thanks to Jetstar, in your wallet as well. To celebrate 22.02.2022 like only a low-cost airline would, the Australian carrier has dropped 22,000 $22 flights. You shouldn't need to be told twice that that's a bargain. The Twosday sale is a one-day-only affair, running until 11.59pm AEDT today — so, obviously, getting in quick is a must. In fact, by the time you're reading this, you might find a number of routes already sold out. Thankfully, Jetstar is slinging cheap tickets across a hefty range of flights, so you you should find a cheap holiday option on offer. Destinations include everywhere from Cairns and Hamilton Island to Hobart and Uluru, depending where you're departing from. You can head from Sydney to Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne to Hamilton Island and Launceston, and Brisbane to Mackay and Adelaide, for instance. Other spots covered span Townsville, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and Darwin. And if this is the inspiration you need for a weekend somewhere you wouldn't have planned a getaway to otherwise, consider that a bonus. Tickets in the sale are for trips this coming spring, between various dates in October and November, with exact days varying in each region. And there are a few caveats, as is always the case. The discounted flights are one way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. Jetstar's Twosday sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 22, or until sold out.
As Sydney-based hip hop artist, DJ and singer-songwriter Joyride will tell you, creativity isn't always something you can switch on and off. "For me, there's no set routine to get my head into a certain space, but I think that's just because I'm always kind of there," he muses. "It's not like you make a decision and go, 'okay, I will now create'." "But that's not to say it's easy. It's still quite difficult, all the time," Joyride's quick to concede."You're always thinking about it, always thinking about ways to present things to other people to make it palatable and to get an idea across. You don't just stop doing that. You don't stop seeing inspiration in things." We sit down with the artist to talk creating for the opinions you respect, 'f---ing' with people's perceptions and wearing trusted clothing. On paper, this artist's own creative space sounds pretty near perfect — a comfy studio in Sydney's colourful, creatively charged inner west, sitting above a mate's pub. But for Joyride, the best creative stuff is less a product of time and physical space, than of the people in his life — both familiar friends and those imagined audiences. "A big part of my inspiration comes from who I intend the thing I'm making to be for," he explains. "I've found recently that if I tailor what I'm making to people whose opinions I respect, people that are close to me, people that I work with, then everything else kind of falls into place. It's kind of reverse engineering inspiration. And it has made making shit a lot easier." "People have different ideas about why we create, but at the end of the day it's a realistic look at having this as a profession, and your number one goal has to be to stir something in enough other people," he says. "I love entertaining, I love making things so that other people get something from it, you know?" It's a similar end-focused attitude that informs Joyride's sense of style and influences his wardrobe picks on the daily. "I consider fashion as a fun and interesting way to say who you are without saying a word," he says. "That's the purpose, right?" "If we're going to cover ourselves with something, why not do it with something that says who we are?" Joyride asks. "And why can't we then subvert that and play with it, so that we can f--- with people's perceptions of who we are? Have fun with it and control that a little bit." For this artist, denim's a wardrobe staple for its staying power. "I've got a few pairs of knock-about jeans and one pair goes back to 2011 — I've still got them and I still wear them," he admits. "I feel like jeans are the kind of garment that just sticks with you. In a world of planned obsolescence, denim is a stayer." "Those old mateys are my favourites," confesses Joyride. "You probably clean out your closets maybe once, twice a year, and these have made it through. They're for, like, when I'm spending time with trusted friends. I want to wear trusted clothing." Check out Joyride's work here, and find the denim that brings out the creative, innovator and gamechanger in you at The Iconic. Images: Letícia Almeida.
After a little something to brighten your mood? How does a vibrant bouquet of bright yellow blooms sound? This year, Cancer Council Victoria's Daffodil Day celebrations will spreading lots more of that brightly-hued cheer as they once again transform the Rialto Melbourne's Piazza into a sea of 20,000 flowers. For its 37th annual edition, the famed fundraising appeal is set to sell thousands of daffodils at this CBD pop-up across Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31. To jump aboard an excellent cause and buy a bouquet for yourself or someone else in need of some bright blooms, head along from 8am. Both small jars and large bunches are available, with prices starting from $10. "Cancer takes so much — from all of us. It takes from our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and our family. By giving this Daffodil Day, we can help stop cancer from taking so much. Consider giving for all the people who've been affected by a cancer diagnosis, whether that's you, or someone close to you. Giving money, a bunch of daffodils, your time, a hug, giving hope, that's what Daffodil Day is all about," Cancer Council Victoria's Head of Fundraising, Lyrian Fleming-Parsley says. Proceeds from all flowers sold will go to support Cancer Council Victoria's life-saving work in the field of cancer research. Images: supplied.
One of the reasons that it's so easy to lose yourself at teamLab Borderless, the acclaimed and hugely popular Tokyo digital art gallery that should be at the top of every visitor to Japan's must-visit list, is the way that its stunning sights keep moving around you. No one just looks at art here — they're truly immersed in it. At RISING 2025, expect that same sensation. When Melbourne's annual winter arts festival returns, expect to step into a field of red beams, too. Whether you're a local or hitting up the Victorian capital just for the fest, expect to never see The Capitol the same way again as well. After first announcing that it'd be getting swinging in 2025 — at mini golf, that is, courtesy of an art exhibition that's also a nine-hole mini-golf course that's taking over Flinders Street Station Ballroom — RISING has unveiled its full program. Hailing from teamLab alum Shohei Fujimoto, intangible #form is a massive highlight. The Japanese artist's free installation will take over The Capitol each evening complete with all of that crimson lighting, which'll respond to your movement. Sparking the feeling losing yourself in its beams and hues is 100-percent the piece's aim. With 65 events featuring 327 artists on RISING's 2025 lineup between Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15, intangible #form is just one of the fest's standouts this year. Another comes courtesy of Suki Waterhouse playing her first-ever Aussie shows, which you can only see in Melbourne at the fest. After proving a drawcard in 2024, Yasiin Bey is returning to RISING in 2025, this time joined by Talib Kweli. Still on tunes, Portishead's Beth Gibbons, Aotearoa favourite Marlon Williams, septuagenarian grime stars Peter Bowditch and Basil Bellgrave, Black Star, RONA, Soccer Mommy and Japanese Breakfast are also on the bill — as is the return of eight-hour music fest-meets-block party Day Tripper, with DIIV, Mount Kimbie, Annie and the Caldwells, Bktherula, Paul St Hilaire and Bad Vacation taking to the stage. If you haven't seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch before, this is your chance to redress that gap in your theatregoing, with this new Australian production of the rock musical starring Filipino Australian singer Seann Miley Moore. And if you've ever wondered if you could manage to sit still — completely — for 90 minutes, Woopsyang's "do nothing" challenge is part of RISING, and asking festival attendees to participate. Or, catch the Australian premiere of Olivier-winning hip-hop dance work BLKDOG by Botis Seva — and then grab a seat for The Wrong Gods, a new piece by S Shakthidharan, the playwright behind RISING 2024's Counting and Cracking. Celebrating Divinyls legend Chrissy Amphlett via cabaret, hearing sound artist Sara Retallick dive deep into The City Baths as a composition space, dancing again at the return of SHOUSE's Communitas, spotting Melbourne Art Trams' latest iteration rolling around town, embracing a playful stage musing on heartbreak with the appropriate soundtrack: that's all on offer, too. Also on the agenda: peering at large-scale projections that champion Yorta Yorta ancestral connections as they flicker across Hamer Hall, all thanks to Moorina Bonini; discovering what happens when time and sound bend in the void beneath Federation Square; watching six performers work through 36 Shakespeare plays using household objects; and another date with the Bard, with Hamlet staged by a neurodiverse cast. BLOCKBUSTER, also at Fed Square, looks set to live up to its name, giving RISING a free ode to South Asian culture. Think: street food, Pakistani R&B, Punjabi rap, art trucks, workshops and more. To similarly feel spoiled for choice while hitting up just one part of the festival's program, head to Night Trade, which is again part of the program, bringing street, karaoke and microbars to a late-night art market between Capitol Arcade and Howey Place. The list goes on — including Soda Jerk switching from bringing TERROR NULLIUS and Hello Dankness to the big screen to designing a mini-golf hole for the aforementioned Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf. [caption id="attachment_994700" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Woopsyang[/caption] Top images: Mandy Wu, Mathieu Bitton, Eugene Hyland, Katsuyuki Seki, Steven Marr, Ryan Cara, Netti Habel and Remi Chauvin.
A faultless degustation-only restaurant in the middle of a 50-acre winery and sculpture park. A no-rules barbecue joint with neon-lit stairs in the CBD. A tiny 25-seater eatery in Yarraville that's already booked out months in advance. These are just three of the boundary-pushing restaurants that have opened their doors this year. Melbourne's restaurant scene has had an impressive year with both big-name chefs opening new outposts, and smaller, but equally talented, chefs opening their first eateries. And the restaurants that have opened are as diverse in their cuisines as they are in their decors — Korean, American, Malaysian and Australian; neon signs, leather banquettes, communal benches and former car parks. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Melbourne to be a better, braver city. And so, these six new restaurants, opened in 2018, were nominated for Best New Restaurant in Concrete Playground's Best of 2018 Awards.
Abbotsford Convent has welcomed a new member to its culinary family. Introducing Julie, a seasonal garden restaurant that seamlessly blends elevated bistro vibes with the rustic charm of its historic surroundings. Run by the minds behind Cam's Kiosk, and led by chef and namesake Julieanne Blum, Julie is well worth adding to your must-try list on vibe alone. With six years as Head Chef at Cam's Kiosk under her belt, Blum brings her passion for quality ingredients and simple yet delicious food to the ever-changing menu. The atmosphere at Julie is a relaxing blend of a dinner party buzz and a cosy country pub. With seating for 50 indoors and an additional 30 outdoors, it's intimate without feeling cramped. Anna Clifford, a familiar face from Cam's Kiosk and Public Wine Shop, takes the lead in front of house, while the kitchen sees new Head Chef Stephannie Liu bringing her international expertise from stints in Copenhagen and Paris. Let's talk wine. Curated by Claudelle Savannah, the list is an ode to the team's favourite producers, both local and international — from easy-drinking options for the wine novice to rare finds for the aficionado. A big part of Julie's charm is its commitment to seasonality and sustainability, showcased by its vegetable garden within the Convent, as well as its relationship with the nearby Collingwood Children's Farm, from which it also sources ingredients. A sip of orange wine, a plate of octopus ragu and the idyllic setting of Abbotsford Convent — it's the simple things. See you at Julie. Julie is open Thursday–Saturday from 12pm–10pm and Sunday from 12pm–6pm. Find it at 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford.
Nine months after Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's passing, the Indigenous musician has posthumously achieved a historic feat with his final album. Released this week, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) now sits at the top of the Australian charts, becoming the first record in an Indigenous language to do so. A project that took over four years to come to fruition — and was completed only weeks before Yunupingu's death — Djarimirri presents 12 traditional Yolngu songs and harmonised chants with orchestral arrangements, with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra providing the latter. "This album is a testament to this great Australian and his family, all Yolngu and the greater Aboriginal population," said Skinnyfish Music's Michael Hohnen, Yunupingu's friend, collaborator and producer. "The history he has made taking a true Australian language and heritage to number one proves the strength of the underlying cultural identity of this nation." Born blind on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land, Yunupingu was already Australia's highest-selling Indigenous artist before Djarimirri's release. His three previous studio albums — 2008's Gurrumul, 2011's Rrakala and 2015's The Gospel Album — all peaked at third position on the ARIA album charts, with Gurrumul earning triple-platinum status and Rrakala also going platinum. A documentary about Yunupingu's life, which premiered at last year's Melbourne International Film Festival and also screened at this year's Berlinale, opens in Australian cinemas on April 25. Image: 6 Seasons Productions.
First, it was a popular 80s comedy starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Then, it became a five-season television sitcom led by Parton's real-life younger sister. In 2009, 9 to 5 made the leap to the stage too, because you just can't stop a good story about female empowerment in the workplace. Revived in the West End back in 2019, it's still a huge hit — and now, the stage production will head to Melbourne from July this year. Just by reading the show's title, we know that you already have Parton's catchy song of the same name stuck in your head. Pour yourself a cup of ambition, because that tune isn't going away anytime soon. Indeed, you'd best get ready to exclaim "what a way to make a living" more than once when 9 to 5 The Musical hits the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from July 10. Ahead of its time when it first reached cinemas, this tale of three women who take on their sexist, egotistical and all-round despicable male boss is obviously still highly relevant today. Before #TimesUp and #MeToo, workmates Doralee, Violet and Judy decided to turn the tables by kidnapping their supervisor and reforming their office. Expect the same story in 9 to 5 The Musical, as penned by the original film's screenwriter Patricia Resnick — just with more songs. The Australian version stars Caroline O'Connor (a veteran of the movie version of Moulin Rouge!), Marina Prior (The Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera), Casey Donovan (Chicago, We Will Rock You) and Erin Clare (Heathers the Musical, American Idiot), as well as Eddie Perfect as the workplace's controlling boss. With Parton herself writing the score — and earning Tony and Grammy nominations for her efforts — expect plenty of feel-good music as well. Although she doesn't appear on stage, the famous country star is still involved with the show, and with bringing it to Australia. 9 to 5 The Musical was initially meant to premiere in Australia in 2020, hitting up Sydney first and then heading to Melbourne, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Now, it's still debuting in Sydney before playing Brisbane, then finally making its long-awaited arrival in Melbourne. Still singing 9 to 5 to yourself? Of course you are. And you can also check out Parton's Sydney announcement video below: 9 to 5 The Musical will hit the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from July 10. For more information, to join the waitlist or to nab seats — with pre-sales from Monday, February 7 and general ticket sales from Friday, February 11 — visit the musical's website. Images: Pamela Raith Photography.
Congratulations! Hurray! Mazel tov! You got a new job, you've graduated, you've turned a significant age, you've broken up with your deadbeat partner. It's time to celebrate new beginnings and old chapters ending, and what better time of day to do it than morning time? Well, the best bit about a celebratory brunch is that it doesn't actually have to be morning time. Roll out of bed whenever you feel like it on the weekend and you can probably still technically say its brunch time. If new exciting things are on the horizon for you, just remember that life is short and when else are you going to have an excuse to cheers a glass of bubbly and eat your weight in eggs? It's good to commemorate these things when they happen mostly because a) morning Champagne and b) we should all spend more time celebrating ourselves, if you ask us. We've teamed up with American Express to put together this list of particularly good venues for treating yourself. So, grab your brunch buddies and your trusty American Express® Card and get ready for a Champagne-fuelled brunch. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Back in 1988, when John Waters wrote and directed Hairspray, he couldn't have known what'd follow. The cult filmmaker's flick was a modest hit to begin with, but really became a sensation on home video in the early 90s. The film's star Ricki Lake, who made her big-screen debut playing 60s teen Tracy Turnblad, also became one of the decade's big talkshow hosts. That's a wild path for any movie to take, but Hairspray's story doesn't end there. A theatre adaptation followed in 2002, as did eight Tony Awards. Then came a new 2007 movie based on that stage musical. Yes, Hairspray has lived many lives — and in its latest, it's heading to Melbourne. In its on-stage, all-singing, all-dancing guise, it'll spin the dance-loving Turnblad's tale of teen dreams and making a difference at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from August. Turnblad has one specific fantasy, actually: to dance on The Corny Collins Show. And when she makes it, it changes her life — but she has more change to fight for, too. The story unfolds in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, where racial discrimination is an everyday part of life. So, Turnblad uses her newfound fame to advocate for a different future for everyone. When Hairspray plays Melbourne — with its exact August premiere date yet to be revealed — it'll do so with a local staging of the original Broadway production, and with director Jack O'Brien (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots) guiding show. Only one cast member has been announced so far: Shane Jacobson. He'll swap Kenny's overalls, his numerous TV hosting gigs and appearing in seemingly every Australian movie made over the past decade for the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy's mother, which was played by the inimitable Divine in Waters' movie, Harvey Fierstein on Broadway and John Travolta in the 2007 film. When tickets will go on sale hasn't been announced yet either, but you can check out a clip from the US tour below in the interim: Hairspray will open at the Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, in August — we'll update you with exact dates when they're announced. In the interim, you can join the show's ticket waitlist by heading to its website. Top image: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic via Getty Images.
A new Italian pop-up has appeared in Brunswick East at Lygon Street establishment Bouvier Bar. Dubbed Pasta Bambino, the takeover is led by chef Adrian Richardson, who is known for his inventive cuisine at La Luna Bistro. "Some of my fondest food memories are helping my Italian grandparents in the kitchen and making pasta from scratch. That's how I first got my feeling for food," shares Richardson. "We're going back to basics with good food at an honest price — and what is more comforting than a bowl of pasta at this time of the year? The menu is rooted in Richardson's Italian background, with mains such as rigatoni beef ragout, pappardelle with mushroom cream sauce and casarecce bolognese. For a light prelude to the main course, choose from appetisers like fried mozzarella, bruschetta with tomato, anchovies and baslamic, or stuffed arancini. Classic Italian desserts like cannoli and tiramisu complete the menu, served with a carefully chosen cocktail list that includes house favourites like the amaretto espresso martini and limoncello spritz. You can find Pasta Bambino this autumn and winter at 159 Lygon Street, open from 4pm–12am Wednesday–Thursday and 4pm–2am Friday–Saturday.
Diaries out: if you want to see out 2025 and ring in 2026 at Lost Paradise, the annual end-of-year music festival in Glenworth Valley on the New South Wales Central Coast, you now have dates for your calendar. From Sunday, December 28, 2025–Thursday, January 1, 2026, the fest will return. Lost Paradise has confirmed its 2025 fest — and that's all that's been announced for now. It's worth noting, however, that the roster of acts taking to the stage in both 2023 and 2024 was revealed in August each year. Some people love last-minute New Year's Eve plans, going wherever the mood takes them. Others can't start planning early enough. If you fall into the latter category, this end-of-year staple is for you. For Lost Paradise newcomers, the multi-day event turns a slice of its setting — which is located an hour out of Sydney — into one helluva shindig, complete with live music and DJ sets spanning both international and Australian talents. This year, organisers are promising newly reimagined versions of the festival's Arcadia, Lost Disco and Paradise Club stages. Tunes are just one part of the Lost Paradise experience, though. Here, art, culture, wellness, and food and drink also get a look in — although how that'll be the case in 2025 also hasn't yet been unveiled. Lineups from recent years will give you an idea of the usual mix of musicians, with 2024's fest featuring Fisher, Tinashe, Royel Otis and Flight Facilities, as well as Marlon Hoffstadt, Sammy Virji, SG Lewis, Confidence Man, DJ Boring, Kita Alexander and more. 2023 ended with help from headliners Flume, Dom Dolla and Foals, alongside Basement Jaxx, Bicep and Carl Cox on the decks, among other acts. Since first unleashing its specific flavour of festival fun back in 2014, Lost Paradise has become a go-to way to wrap up one year and welcome in the next — including if you're keen to camp for its duration. [caption id="attachment_965687" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] [caption id="attachment_965686" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Amar Gera[/caption] [caption id="attachment_965688" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Byravyna[/caption] [caption id="attachment_965685" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Jordan K Munns[/caption] Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley, New South Wales from Sunday, December 28, 2025–Thursday, January 1, 2026. To sign up for presale tickets, head to the festival's website. We'll update you when the lineup is announced. Images: Jess Bowen, Jordan K Munns, Byravyna and Amar Gera.
Turning a movie into a TV show can be a tricky prospect, but add What We Do in the Shadows to the list of series that completely nail the task. Crucially, it doesn't remake Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's hilarious New Zealand mockumentary. Instead, it expands upon it — peering inside a different share house, this time in Staten Island in New York, that's filled with completely different vampires. The television sitcom is set in the same universe as its predecessor, too, so keeping your eyes peeled for links and familiar faces is 100-percent recommended. And yes, both Waititi and Clement have been involved behind the scenes, so it all has their stamp of approval. Also, and we cannot stress this enough, getting the great Matt Berry to play a pompous bloodsucker ranks among the best TV casting moves ever made.
Each month, Netflix adds a whole heap of new movies, shows and specials to its lineup. It's impossible to watch all of them, and if you tend to gravitate towards its big series and films — Stranger Things and The Witcher, plus features such as Marriage Story and The Trial of the Chicago 7 , for instance — that's understandable. But don't scroll your way past the service's comedy offerings. As with everything on every streaming platform, the selection can be a bit hit and miss; however, Netflix was responsible for the best sketch comedy of 2019,I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. It has also now claimed that title again in 2020 with the just-released Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun. If you're familiar with Australian comedy troupe Aunty Donna, then you'll know what to expect. Writers and performers Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, director and writer Sam Lingham, filmmaker Max Miller and composer Tom Armstrong have been treating audiences to absurdist gags, satire, wordplay and songs since forming in 2011. Over that time, Aunty Donna has played gigs everywhere from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, toured the country several times, made a number of web series and released an ARIA-nominated album — but now the group has channelled all of its silliness and surreal gags, and its astute ability to make fun of daily life in a smart yet ridiculous way, into a six-part Netflix series that's the funniest thing you'll watch in 2020. Now available to stream, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun stars Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane as themselves — and housemates. Each episode revolves around a theme, starting with the search for a fourth member of their household when they decide to turf their annoying talking dishwasher (voiced by Flight of the Conchords' Kristen Schaal). The second episode, focused around treasure, also features an out-there recreation of Ellen DeGeneres' talk show, while other instalments serve up everything from a pitch-perfect takedown of trendy barber shops to a parody of male posturing when the guys turn their house into a bar. 'Weird Al' Yankovich also pops up, as does executive producer and The Office star Ed Helms (claiming that his name is actually Egg), and a tea party with the Queen of England features as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1gwkJP64xU While it's showing on Netflix worldwide, there's no doubting that this is an Aussie sketch comedy. Viewers will spot the references to Crazy John's, Four'n Twenty pies, Eagle Boys Pizza, the Hoodoo Gurus and Grant Denyer — and there's an instance of name-dropping about a well-known TV and AFL figure that's brief but sublime. Skewing more broadly, the series' parody of Family Feud is both clever and bonkers, and the show manages to touch upon the 2000 Sydney Olympics, silly wi-fi names, table manners, sports injuries, pirates and today's dating scene, too. There's nothing too over-the-top for Aunty Donna, or too trivial. The series opens with the group's existing song 'Everything a Drum' — which really is self-explanatory — after all. And, it nears its end with a tense trip to see a stylist that's a descent into chaos and madness, and yet also 100-percent relatable. Understandably, binging the 20-minute episodes in one go is very easy to do. So is starting the whole show over again once you've already watched it through. At the beginning of 2020, no one could've picked how this year would turn out. And while longtime Aunty Donna fans already knew what the group is capable of, few folks would've tipped that Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun would be just the dose of side-splitting absurdity this hectic year needs. Or, that it'd get the most preposterous and catchy song about caffeine there is well and truly lodged in everyone's heads until 2021 hits. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun is available to stream via Netflix.
UPDATE, October 27, 2021: Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is available to stream via Disney+, and is also screening in Melbourne cinemas when they reopen on Friday, October 29. Much of Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) involves stunning archival footage, as recorded more than five decades ago, capturing live performances by an astonishing lineup of musicians. At the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a free series of gigs that rolled out across six weekend and saw around 300,000 people head along, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, BB King, Sly and the Family Stone, the Staples Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Gladys Knight & the Pips all took to the stage — among others — and the newly unearthed reels that immortalised their efforts are truly the stuff that music documentary dreams are made of. For his filmmaking debut, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson could've simply stitched together different songs from various sets across the festival, and let those music superstars lead the show. He could've taken the immersive, observational approach as Amazing Grace did with Aretha Franklin and her famed gospel gigs, and jettisoned context. But The Roots frontman and drummer doesn't make that choice, and he ensures that two words echo strongly throughout the film as a result: "Black Woodstock". Also in New York — upstate in the town of Bethel, 100 miles north of Harlem — Woodstock itself took place in the summer of 1969 as well. The Harlem Cultural Festival kicked off before and kept playing after its better-known counterpart ended, but comparing the two events makes quite the statement. Why has one endured in public consciousness and proven pervasive in popular culture, but not the other? Why did footage of one quickly get turned into a film, with the Woodstock documentary first reaching cinemas in 1970, but recordings of the other largely sat in a basement for half a century? Why did television veteran Hal Tulchin, who shot the entire Harlem Cultural Festival from start to finish on four cameras loaded up with two-inch videotape, get told that there was little interest in releasing much from a "Black Woodstock"? (One New York TV station aired two hour-long specials at the time, but that's all that eventuated until now.) These questions and the US' historical treatment of people in colour go hand in hand, and whenever the words "Black Woodstock" are uttered, that truth flutters through Summer of Soul. Here's another query that belongs with the others: why was such an important event left to fade in memories, and in broader awareness, to the point that many watching Questlove's exceptional doco won't have heard of it until now? Consider Summer of Soul an act of unearthing, reclamation and celebration, then. It's a gift, too. The archival materials that are so critical to the film are glorious, whether a 19-year-old Wonder is tickling the ivories; a young Staples is singing with Jackson, her idol; The 5th Dimension are breaking out matching outfits while crooning their 'Aquarius' and 'Let the Sunshine In' medley; or Simone is delivering her anthem 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' with fierce passion. Powerful moments featuring immense talents like these keep popping up, including The Temptations' David Ruffin singing 'My Girl', and Reverend Jesse Jackson introducing Jackson and Staples' rendition of 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand' by giving a eulogy for Martin Luther King Jr. These are slices in time that everyone — every music lover, every fan of every single artist featured and everyone in general — needs to see, and now can. Savvily, Questlove also weaves through an exploration of the whys and hows not just behind the Harlem Cultural Festival, but also surrounding its lack of attention since. Where he can, he chats to the musicians, canvassing their recollections and reactions. Just as crucial: his interviews with attendees, many of whom were kids that were taken along by their parents. These festival-goers reflect upon how strong the event remains in their childhood memories; how it shaped them, their music tastes and their personalities afterwards; and the sense of togetherness that floated through the shows with the summer breeze. Their reminiscences tie into the broader discussion into New York City at the time, America's political climate — MLK was assassinated a year earlier, and Black Panthers acted as the festival's security — and the determination within the Black community to champion itself at every turn. Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault even shares her fight to get The New York Times to print the term 'Black' as pride around it grew. Also covered: the moon landing, and the conflicting sentiment about whether it was a giant leap for humankind or a wasteful step that spent money that could've been better put to use on earth (and specifically in Harlem). Indeed, this is a portrait of an era, a neighbourhood and its people as much as it's a window into one essential and historic festival. As its subtitle notes, it's also a snapshot of a revolutionary mood. If there's one misstep here, and it's just one, it comes from a few contemporary snippets of commentary that don't add anything beyond the obvious. Most movies can be improved by getting Lin-Manuel Miranda involved, but the Hamilton and In the Heights visionary's insights into the potency of music aren't needed here — because the footage, and the tales from the people who went to the Harlem Cultural Festival, say it all anyway. Questlove finds plenty of time for shots of the crowd, showing their response to the sets playing onstage, and all those jubilant faces and swaying bodies paint the strongest picture there is. Unsurprisingly, Summer of Soul captures their joy with an impassioned rhythm. Its director is also a DJ and music director, after all (including at the 2021 Oscars), and he knows where to bob in and out of tracks, vibes and refrains. When the film ends with one festival attendee watching footage from the event and exclaiming "I'm not crazy!" because he now has proof that this oft-overlooked "Black Woodstock" was real, it's the ultimate mic drop. Wanting to devour every second of material that Tulchin shot all those years ago is a clear side effect, though.
What does a group of pink guards do when they hit an Australian beach? That isn't likely to be a storyline in Squid Game when it returns for its second season on Boxing Day 2024, but we have been given the answer in the lead up to the show's much-anticipated comeback anyway. In Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, St Kilda Beach welcomed 200 visitors, all kicking back on the sand — on towels, reading, sitting under umbrellas, throwing balls, flying kites and more — in eye-catching Squid Game attire. As announced on Monday, December 9, Netflix sent a continent of pink guards to the seaside patch of the Victorian capital to remind everyone that the show's second season is on the way — and soon — in an eerie fashion. There wasn't a green tracksuit in sight, but there were plenty of jumpsuit- and mask-wearing folks enjoying a morning out. This isn't the first time that the streaming platform has brought the South Korean sensation Down Under. When season one proved a massive success, the creepy Red Light, Green Light doll from the show towered over Sydney Harbour. Up at Sydney's Luna Park, you'll have another chance to get some IRL Squid Game action — without any murder, of course — when an immersive experience hits the tourist attraction to get you playing Red Light, Green Light from Monday, December 16, 2024. Three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix sensation — for viewers and, in the show itself when new episodes drop, for Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) as well. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns, although only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and it finished off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. As the show's protagonist dons his green threads once more for the new season, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. Squid Game's pink guards took over St Kilda Beach in Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Head to Netflix's social media for more details. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced.
Why drink a regular beer when you can enjoy a beverage that glows in the dark? And why scour the shops for bottled varieties when you can make your own bright bioluminescent tipples? They're the questions former NASA biologist Josiah Zayner will get you pondering when you discover his latest illuminating product. After leaving the American space agency to start his own company, The Odin, he has created a fluorescent yeast kit that will add a glow to your home brewing endeavours — or perhaps inspire you to start. The key ingredient is called the Green Fluorescent Protein, or GFP, that actually originally comes from a jellyfish. With the Engineer Any Yeast to Fluoresce kit, you'll actually make your own yeast that contains the protein, which will then glow when exposed to a black light. Technically, thanks to some concerns by the US Food and Drug Administration, it's being sold for educational purposes — but Zayner does intend for it to be used for brewing beer. The Odin has a full statement about any safety concerns on the company's website. The good news is that the kit ships internationally, so you really can make your glow-in-the-dark beer dreams a reality. The not-so-good news — if you're low on cash and time, that is — is that it costs US$199 and requires ten hours of effort over the course of two days to get to the ready-to-brew stage. Luminous beer might light up your next drinking session, but it isn't something you can make lightly, it seems. For more information about the Engineer Any Yeast to Fluoresce kit, visit The Odin's website. Via Eater. Image via The Odin.
Now is the time to start planning your big adventures for 2020. After all, you have early bird flight specials to nab, spare hours to spend browsing and plenty of time to give your boss leave notice — before everyone else does. To save you time, we've scoured the globe to find the best destinations of 2020. There's something for every adventurer on this list — whether you're looking to visit the most sustainable destination in the world or keen to try out a brand new, multi-country hiking trail. KOCHI, INDIA Kochi's claim to fame is its massive, beautiful estuary — perched on India's southwest coast on the Arabian Sea. Traders, fishers, sailors and merchants have been travelling here for more than 600 years. And, more recently, it's become a mecca for artists. Spend your holiday wandering among 16th-century Portuguese architecture, bohemian cafes and thousand-year-old mosques, including the oldest one in India. In 2020, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will fill the city with art, including the likes of site-specific installations in heritage buildings, live performance in disused spaces and exhibitions in traditional galleries. For an extra local experience, consider booking a homestay. ARMENIA Keen hiker? Make Armenia your 2020 destination. The new Transcaucasian Trail, which travels through some of the most remote countryside in Armenia and Georgia, gives you 3000 kilometres to conquer. One of the best sections is the 80-kilometre walk through Dilijan National Park, a five-day adventure among tenth-century monasteries, magical villages and enchanting forests. There's also Lake Sevan, which, at 1900 metres above sea level, is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. You can camp in the wild or book into local guesthouses. If you're looking for some company, book a spot on a guided group treks, run by the creators of the Transcaucasian Trail. ETHIOPIA In 2018, tourism in Ethiopia went through the roof, increasing by 48.6 percent in just 12 months. If you have your heart set on visiting, it could be a good idea to go soon — before it gets even busier. You'll most likely begin your journey in Addis Ababa, the capital, where you'll meet Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton of a human ancestor, in the National Museum. Other sights to add to your itinerary include the castles of Gondar, the World Heritage-listed ruins of ancient Aksum, the medieval stone churches of Lalibela and the Menz-Guassa Conservation Area, a community-managed wilderness that's home to Ethiopian wolves, geladas (baboons) and bearded vultures. TOKYO, JAPAN If Tokyo is on your bucket list, this could be the year to tick it off. The city's gearing up to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics — from July 24–August 9 and August 25–September 9, respectively — so it's be even more dazzling than usual. Get started with the newest developments, including Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa, where the underwater world meets immersive digital art; Shibuya Scramble Square, a 230-metre tower with views all the way to Mount Fuji; and the Kengo Kuma-designed Meiji Jingu Museum, where history blends with nature. You'll need to relax in between sights, so be sure to take five in an ashiyu (footbath) cafe, dine in a Buddhist temple and sample some quality drops in Tokyo's many wineries. Travelling on a budget? Check out our shoestring guide to Tokyo over here. GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN For followers of 16-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg, Gothenburg should be on the bucket list. Located on Sweden's west coast, half way between Oslo, Norway, and Copenhagen, Denmark, it's the most sustainable destination in the world, according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index. Among its eco-friendly delights are a public sauna made out of 12,000 recycled bottles, a theme park powered entirely by wind, ethical cafes galore, 274 square metres of green space per resident and a 1200-room hotel with more than 150,000 bees living on its rooftop. GALWAY, IRELAND Galway is always one big music festival — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And, this year, things will go next level, as the city embraces its status as a 2020 European Capital of Culture. The action will begin on Saturday, February 8, with an epic opening party in Galway Square, which will unleash a four-part year-long programme, inspired by the seasons. Prepare for touring theatre, lively concerts in the city's surrounding villages, audio installations, poetry readings on beaches, floating light shows and loads more. Check out the full programme over here. PAPUA NEW GUINEA If you're not into crowds, Papua New Guinea might the place to go. Its tourism density is just 2.75 percent, according to Intrepid Travel's 2019 Tourism Density Index. This means that, for every 100 residents, just three tourists visit per year. And yet PNG is just four hours' flight from Sydney. Begin with a deep dive into culture and history at the National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby, before checking out the white-sanded beaches of Yuo Island, the cassowaries and endangered Matschie's tree kangaroos in Lae's Rainforest Habitat and the brightly coloured haus tambarans of Maprik. Getting around Papua New Guinea isn't always easy or safe, so be sure to plan before you go. NEW YORK STATE New York City is worth a visit anytime. But there's a compelling new reason to explore the rest of New York State: The Empire State Trail. Due to be finished by the end of 2020, this mammoth achievement is a 750-mile (1200-kilometre) path that travels from Manhattan to Lake Champlain on the Canadian border, as well as from Buffalo, the second biggest city in New York State, to Albany. You'll be able to walk or cycle every section — and link to several famous trails and areas along the way, like the Appalachian Trail, Catskill Park and the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. AMAZON RAINFOREST During the past decade, a whopping 62,000 square kilometres of the Amazon Rainforest has been deforested — mainly due to beef farming, logging and palm oil production. That's equal to 8.4 million soccer fields. The good news is that, according to the World Wildlife Fund, one way to help the Amazon is ecotourism, which provides income to local communities, while sustaining the environment. Consider a stay on the floating Amazon Eco Lodge, a trip with a responsible operator like Gondwana Ecotours or supporting the work of the Amazon Conservation Association. RWANDA Rwanda's Akagera National Park is a environmental success story. Nearly destroyed by war and hunters, it's now a thriving wilderness, where lions, warthogs, impala, hipos and zebra roam — thanks to a decade-long conservation program. It's reason enough to visit Rwanda in 2020, but, while you're there, you should also check out the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park and the pretty beaches of Lake Kivu. For a spot of city life, head to Huye, where you'll find the rich collections of the Ethnographic Museum, the National University of Rwanda and, most importantly on steaming hot days, Inzozi Nziza ice cream shop, run by an all-female collective.
It's hot, it's sizzling, and it's happening in East Brunswick Village. That's right, it's a Great Aussie BBQ – and it'll be bringing a whole lot more than the humble sausage to the table this Sunday, March 30. In fact, you'll be feasting on all kinds of grilled, smoked and tomato-sauced dishes with an array of international influences. We're talking lamb shawarma from Rumi, cooked a rotisserie and couched in a Lebanese pita alongside pickled onions and garlic sauce, as well as Bellboy Cafe's barbecued prawn roll, stacked with king prawns, coleslaw, chilli and lemon. But if for you a barbecue isn't a barbecue without sausage, you won't be disappointed. Hagen's will be sizzling up organic pork sausages lathered in its house tomato sauce and topped with organic grilled onions from Day's Walk Farm — and it'll be encased inside Dench white bread smeared with Schultz organic butter. The butcher will also be serving up its next-level pork rissoles, which are given a lift with butternut pumpkin, grana padano, sourdough crumb and bacon trimmings. If that's not enough to knock your grill-loving socks off, you can also treat your good self to an afternoon wine tasting at Blackhearts and Sparrows (that showcases local winemakers as well as no-alc pours), before hitting the chocolate-themed makers market where you'll be able to sample the handmade goods of 30 local artisans. Want in on the action? It's happening between 11am and 4pm this Sunday — and right by the 96 tram stop, too.
