New year, new murder in the building — in the fictional Arconia in New York, that is. That's what's in store for fans of Only Murders in the Building, the true-crime comedy that proved one of 2021's surprises and delights. Knowing they're onto a good thing, Hulu in the US quickly renewed the hit series, and now it's coming back in June with another killing to solve. If you missed the first season in 2021, it takes a great idea and turns it into an amusing murder-mystery gem. If you've ever listened to a true-crime podcast, decided that you'd make a great Serial host yourself and started wondering how you'd ever follow in Sarah Koenig's footsteps, then Only Murders in the Building is definitely the series for you. The show focuses three New Yorkers who basically follow that same process. Here, actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) are all obsessed with a podcast hosted by the fictional Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). They find themselves unexpectedly bonding over it, in fact. And, when someone turns up dead in their building, they decide that they can sleuth their way through the case by getting talking themselves. [caption id="attachment_824354" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu[/caption] That's how the first season panned out. Think Knives Out, but a sitcom and also a little goofier. Now, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show's second season shows, Charles-Haden, Oliver and Mabel are weathering the fallout from the last batch of episodes — namely, season one's big finale — and they have another murder to investigate (and another podcast season to chat about it on, obviously). Complicating their efforts this time around are a trio of factors: their public implication in the death in question; the fact that there's now a competing podcast about them and this new murder; the suspicions of their neighbours, who think they're guilty. Exactly how that'll play out won't be known until Tuesday, June 28, when Only Murders in the Building returns — but, whatever happens, both Cara Delevingne and Amy Schumer will be involved, with the pair joining the cast as guest stars. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season will start streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28. Read our full review of the show's first season. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
Summer might have returned with a vengeance, but so has the Adelphi Hotel's newly revamped pool deck and you'll be hard-pressed to find a more worthy rooftop haunt for the balmy days to come. Fresh from an extensive winter reno, the Flinders Lane space is bigger and better than ever. That famed pool has been amped up to a length of 13.5 metres — and yes, one end still extends impressively over the laneway below. With space for about 70 guests, the new-look deck's been styled by the team at Gloss Creative, with chic al fresco furnishings from the likes of Grazia & Co. chosen to complement those sweeping city views. Visitors can now order eats and drinks from Adelphi's new poolside menus, and have them delivered right to their deck chair, so as not to miss a second of quality lounging time. The best part? You don't even need to be staying at the hotel to enjoy this little slice of poolside paradise. Non-guests can access the pool outside of events for a tidy $35, including towel hire. Which is really not that huge of a price to pay when the world is burning at street level. Keep it in mind for Melbourne's next 40-plus-degree day. Find the pool deck on the top level of The Adelphi Hotel, 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. It's open from 6am until 10pm daily.
Melbourne's latest lockdown ended more than a month ago, but the pandemic obviously isn't going away just yet. At present, new cases linked to Sydney's current cluster and lockdown have popped up in the Victorian capital — and that means that the city's exposure sites list is growing. Yes, again. At the time of writing on Wednesday, July 14, the list on the Victorian Department of Health website has 15 entries. The big one: the MCG. These days, going to the footy does mean that you might end up needing to get tested afterwards, and that's exactly what's happening regarding the Carlton versus Geelong match on Saturday, July 10. If you were at the game at all between 4–8pm, you need to monitor for symptoms. If you specifically spent some time on level two of the MCC members' reserve section during the same window of time, you need to now get tested urgently and self-isolate until you get a negative result. Also on the list: Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre, including the Coles in the centre, all between 5.28–6.28pm on Saturday, July 10. If you were at Coles at that time, you need to get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result. Not yet on the website, but named by Jeroen Weimar, Victoria's COVID-19 Commander, in the press conference today, Wednesday, July 14: Highpoint Shopping Centre. Anyone there on Friday, July 9 between 10am–2pm needs to get tested at present. The new exposure sites follow the news that seven more COVID-19 cases have been identified so far today — as part of two separate chains of transmission, Weimar advised. They're in addition to the one local case included in today's official numbers. As always, Melburnians can keep an eye on the local list of exposure sites at the Department of Health website — it will keep being updated if and when more sites are identified. For those looking to get tested, you can find a list of testing sites including regularly updated waiting times also on the Department of Health website. And, has remained the case throughout the pandemic, Melburnians should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste, symptoms-wise. For further details on the latest exposure sites and updated public health advice, see the Department of Health website.
Horror franchises like their doors to stay open: years may pass, stars and filmmakers may come and go, but every popular series eventually waltzes back onto screens. That's been true of Halloween, Scream, Candyman, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Friday the 13th and more. It's also accurate of Insidious, which is up to five features in 12 years and returns after its longest gap to-date. For viewers, half a decade has elapsed since this supernatural saga last hit cinemas in 2018's underwhelming Insidious: The Last Key, one of two prequels alongside Insidious: Chapter 3 (because that was the only way to keep bringing back MVP Lin Shaye). For Insidious' characters, though, Insidious: The Red Door takes place nine years after the events of Insidious: Chapter 2. That flick was the last until now to focus on Josh (Patrick Wilson, Moonfall) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne, Platonic), plus their haunted son Dalton (Ty Simpkins, The Whale) — and it's their tale the franchise leaps back into. Not only starring but debuting as a director, Wilson makes Insidious: The Red Door an answer to the question that no one, not even the most dedicated horror fans, has likely asked: how are the Lamberts doing after their demonic dalliances? The portrait painted when the movie begins is far from rosy, with Josh and Renai divorced, Dalton resenting his dad, and something niggling at both father and son about their past. Neither the Lambert patriarch nor his now college-bound boy can remember their experiences with unpleasant entities in the astral plane, however, thanks to a penchant for handy hypnotism. So, Insidious: The Red Door poses and responds to another query: what happens when that memory-wiping mesmerism stops working? Seasoned Insidious viewers already know what's in store: ghosts and evil spirits jump-scaring their way back into Josh and Dalton's minds and lives, and also into Insidious: The Red Door's frames. In the saga's mythology, such beings hail from a form of purgatory known as The Further and can't easily be suppressed. Accordingly, when Dalton's university art professor (Hiam Abbass, Succession) encourages him to dive into his subconscious, then splash what he sees onto a canvas, it's obvious where Scott Teems' (Firestarter) script is going. When the snappy Josh tries to glean why his brain is so foggy and his mood so peevish, he too has an unpleasant awakening. For the elder and younger Lambert men alike, first comes snippets of creepy visions, then unshakeable sights, then astral projection to get the Lipstick-Face Demon and The Bride in Black to stop. "If only this portal had remained shut" isn't only something that Josh and Dalton are thinking in Insidious: The Red Door. Early, often, and until the weary and creaky film comes to an end, audiences share that wish. The picture keeps its central pair largely apart, one navigating his cursed chaos in his otherwise empty home, then endeavouring to reconcile with Renai (although Byrne is still woefully underused), and the other at school with new pal Chris (Sinclair Daniel, Bull). Splitting them up just plays like a quest to lengthen the movie's duration — extra running time that isn't put to good use. This isn't a meaningful exploration of trauma's lingering impact, the current genre go-to, as much as it wants to be. Similarly, it doesn't cause Wilson or Simpkins to turn in anything but workmanlike performances, either. Plenty of horror franchises are resurrected with by-the-numbers instalments — that's become as much of a horror convention as constantly reviving spooky series again and again — but this is dispiritingly routine and repetitive, and also rarely even barely scary. It doesn't help that the better Insidious fare, aka the first two that sported Aquaman and Malignant's James Wan behind the camera, weren't ever exceptional. What they boasted was effectiveness in executing their bumps, capitalising upon their uneasy sights, slowly building their suspense and tension, and ramping up the unsettling atmosphere. Wan did start both the Insidious and Saw sagas with The Invisible Man's Leigh Whannell, and The Conjuring Universe solo. Whannell has penned every Insidious screenplay until now, and helmed 2015's Insidious: Chapter 3. The duo produces this time around, while Whannell came up with the story behind Teems' script. As a filmmaker, Wilson is happy to go through the motions rather than try much new. He's also fond of closeups, which might stem from spending the bulk of his career in front of the lens. As a horror veteran — on-screen, he's a mainstay of The Conjuring movies as well, as last seen in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It; he popped up in Annabelle Comes Home, the third feature in that series' spinoff series, too — he's reluctant to attempt to put a new stamp on one of his franchises. He knows where and how to sprinkle in unnerving figures and faces in the peripheries, and to elicit jumps, but only by sticking to the Insidious template. His best fright? It plays with and preys on medical anxiety, because anyone that's ever had an MRI has harboured fears about getting stuck in the claustrophobic machine — no forces from The Further needed. Although it also doesn't work, the biggest and most interesting swing that Wilson takes comes over the closing credits, when Insidious: The Red Door busts out a version of late-80s track 'Stay' by Shakespears Sister. Swedish metal band Ghost are behind the cover, and Wilson himself sings on it. That truly is something that no other Insidious chapter has offered. Wan and Whannell genuinely couldn't have foreseen inspiring it, unlike sparking a wave of post-Saw torture porn, or the many movies about sinister kids, jinxed items and paranormal investigations that the Insidious films have influenced. Still, that isn't what any Insidious chapter should be best known for, let alone justify keeping the franchise's hatch open — but sixth flick Thread: An Insidious Tale, which'll broaden out the Insidious Universe with Mandy Moore (This Is Us) and Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome to Chippendales) starring, plus Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight) writing and directing, is already in the works.
Fancy grabbing a drink and hitting a hole-in-one at the same time? How about working your way around two different nine-hole mini-golf courses in a venue that was once a church? If you answered yes to either of these questions and you're in Brisbane, you're in luck. Thanks to Holey Moley Golf Club, come September 29 you can do all of the above. Taking over the Fortitude Valley site that has hosted many a bar, club, gig and dance party in recent years — and many a religious ceremony before that — Holey Moley aims to get eager punters exclaiming its name several times over. That's an understandable reaction given that the leisure entertainment complex will include mini-golf, a cocktail bar and an all-round hangout hub rolled into one. Those keen on teeing off will be pleased to know that each of the 18 holes will have their own theme, with the venue hinting that a mashup of Alice in Wonderland, iconic surfing culture, puppeteers, arguably the best retro video game ever, Nirvana, Snoop Dog, Pharrell Williams and Chubby Checker, Game of Thrones and more is on the cards. And anyone eager to sample the space's other treats can look forward to cocktails such as the Tee Quila Mocking Birdie, Teeyonce Holes, Long Island Iced Tee and G & Tee, plus a food truck menu. If it all sounds like one of the most novel ideas for a new inner-city hotspot you've heard in some time, that's because it is — but hey, people probably thought that when Strike Bowling combined knocking down pins and knocking back beverages. In fact, the folks behind Holey Moley would know a thing or two about that, because they also started Strike. We can only assume that a frisbee-themed nightclub is going to be their next venture. Holey Moley Golf Club opens on September 29 at 25 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information, keep an eye on their website and Facebook page.
Each year the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art offers up some of the country's brightest emerging talent on a platter, commissioning a series of original work that captures the diversity of contemporary practice. Now that ACCA have given such an enormous amount of support to these young artists we get to swoop in and reap all the benefits with a fantastic free showing of all their work. Danae Valenza and Kenny Pittock are just two of the artists presenting work in NEW14. Valenza works primarily in music, often collaborating with artists across other forms to explore a notion of “visual musicality”, while Pittock has won numerous awards for his self-aware brand of painting. Even more impressively, Pittock claims to have once used his left foot to kick an apple through a basketball ring from half court. For the exhibition, Valenza is creating a colour organ out of a grand piano and coloured lights, with accompanying photographic “portraits” of the performances played on it; Pittock will showcase a large number of drawings and videos of Melbourne passengers in transit. Get along and spot yourself looking bored on the 112 tram! NEW14 will be overseen by veteran independent curator Kyla McFarlane from the Centre for Contemporary Photography, and other artists on show include Taree Mackenzie, Charles Dennington, Daniel McKewen, Andrew Hazewinkel and Jelena Telecki. Image credit: Taree Mackenzie, White Light Shadows: Circles (detail) 2014. Courtesy of the artist.
Love the great outdoors but not the sleeping in a tent bit? Parks Victoria hears you, so it's piloting a new accommodation option across the state's most iconic parks. Introducing Canopy eco sleeper pods. Despite the name, the structures look much more like tiny houses than like the Japanese-style capsule hotels the name evokes. The 'eco' part is spot on, though — each pod has been designed with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly, low impact materials with a focus on energy efficiency and minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. The pilot program will run from April through July, starting off in Point Nepean National Park. Four pods will be tested during the pilot, two from JAWS Architects and Pod Matrix and two from Oscar Building and Troppo Architects. Of course, this means the pods will come in a variety of styles — with and without kitchen and bathroom facilities, along with 'off-grid' models which are fully self-sufficient with electricity and running water. While still in pilot phase, people are encouraged to stop by to view and provide feedback on the pods, specifically on aspects of design, amenity, accessibility, visual impact and visitor experience. You are also able to register interest for an overnight test stay in one of the Point Nepean pods. If the pilot is successful, you can expect Canopy to pop-up in national parks across the state. For more information on the project or to provide feedback, visit the website here.
Add another huge festival to your calendar, and thank Norwegian DJ Kygo in the process. Not only is the 'Stole the Show', 'Here for You', 'Stay' and 'It Ain't Me' talent one of the headliners at Palm Tree Music Festival when it makes its Australian debut in 2023 — the former bedroom producer is also behind the whole shindig, creating it with his manager Myles Shear. Until now, the fest has played The Hamptons, New York, Cabo, Mexico and Croatia, and proven a hit in the process. Next year, it'll add a trip Down Under to its itinerary for the first time ever, rolling into Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in mid-March. While Kygo brings the fest some sizeable star power, he's not its only high-profile DJ doing the honours for the event's maiden Aussie run. Also hitting the decks is Tiësto, aka one of the biggest names in electronic music in the world for the past couple of decades. From initially getting mainstream attention back in 2000 with his remix of Delerium's 'Silence' through to his 2020 hit 'The Business' and 2022's Charlie XCX collaboration 'Hot In It' — and plenty in-between — the Dutch DJ will have quite the back catalogue of tracks to mix into his set. With its holiday-friendly name, it should come as no surprise that Palm Tree Music Festival takes inspiration from Kygo's stints touring the world. Expect a cruisy vibe set to EDM's greatest and latest, too. Also joining the bill so far, heading to Showgrounds Dome in Sydney, Brisbane's Riverstage and Melbourne Showgrounds: Lost Frequencies, Sam Feldt and Frank Walker. A lineup of local talent will be announced at a later date. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Palm Tree Music Festival (@palmtreefestival) PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 AUSTRALIAN LINEUP: Tiësto Kygo Lost Frequencies Sam Feldt Frank Walker PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Friday, March 10 — Showgrounds Dome, Sydney Saturday, March 11 — Riverstage, Brisbane Sunday, March 12 — Melbourne Showgrounds Palm Tree Music Festival heads to Australia in March 2023. Tickets presales start at 11am AEDT on Friday, October 14, with general sales from 10am AEDT on Thursday, October 20. For more information, head to the festival promoter's website. Top image: Ss279 via Wikimedia Commons.
The 80s were a booming time for teen movies, but one film from the era will always stand out from the crowd. Like protagonist, like picture, clearly. Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) might be the most popular student at his suburban Chicago high school, but he's not one for blending in — even when he's skipping school with his anxiety-riddled best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and laidback girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), all while their principal is on their tail. Almost 35 years since it first reached cinemas, Ferris Bueller's Day Off has become not just a classic but an iconic flick — and, no matter how many times you rewatch it, it's easy to see why. Written and directed by the great John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club), it's as amusing as it is entertaining. And yes, it'll have you wanting to sing 'Twist and Shout' in a parade.
2023 marks eight years since one of the greatest living American directors last released a film. While he did direct an episode of Tokyo Vice's first season in 2022, Michael Mann hasn't had a movie flicker across the big screen since 2015's Blackhat. Thankfully, that's changing with a picture that also gives the world Adam Driver as a race car driver-turned-sports car entrepreneur: Ferrari. Mann adds Ferrari to a resume that also includes 80s masterpiece Thief, The Last of the Mohicans and Heat in the 90s, plus Collateral, Miami Vice and more. For Driver, the film proves another case of living up to his name on-screen. He's played a bus driver in Paterson, and piloted a spaceship in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as well as 65. So, zipping through the Italian streets here fits easily. As both Ferrari's first teaser trailer and just-dropped new full sneak peek show, Driver is behind the wheel in a film that focuses on its namesake when he's an ex-racer. As adapted from Brock Yates' book Enzo Ferrari: The Man, The Cars, The Races, The Machine, Mann's movie hones in on specific chapter of Enzo Ferrari's life: 1957, as potential bankruptcy looms over his factory, his marriage is struggling after a heartbreaking loss and his drivers approach the Mille Miglia race. Accordingly, Ferrari promises to peer behind the Formula 1 facade, into Enzo's relationship with his wife Laura (Penélope Cruz, Official Competition), the death of their boy Dino, and the son Piero with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley, Robots) that he doesn't want to acknowledge. If you know your racing history, you'll also know that 1957's Mille Miglia — which spanned 1000 miles across Italy — was its last due to multiple deaths during the event. So, that race won't be an insignificant part of the film. Set to release at Christmas in the US and on January 4, 2024 Down Under, Ferrari also stars Patrick Dempsey (Disenchanted), Jack O'Connell (Lady Chatterley's Lover), Sarah Gadon (Black Bear) and Gabriel Leone (Dom). Check out the trailer for Ferrari below: Ferrari releases in cinemas Down Under on January 4, 2024. Images: Lorenzo Sisti / Eros Hoagland.
Prepare to cancel all your Wednesday night plans (laundry and Netflix) because we’ve got something much, much better. The Queen Victoria Markets are back for their 18th season of Summer Night Market tomfoolery. This means that after a day of toiling in the diamond mines or hosiery department (whatever your poison) you can cool off with a free evening of international street food, vintage fashion and handcrafted homewares. And don’t even think about eating at home because they’ve got food vendors to suit every whim including a barbecue pit captained by Burn City Smokers and Bluebonnet. And if a face full of brisket isn’t enough to take the edge off, check out the Little Creatures beer garden for a pot (or jug) of craft beer and some live tunes. There has never been a more appropriate time to exclaim ‘’Yassss Queeeeenn (Victoria)”. QVM Summer Night Market starts on Wednesday, November 4 from 5-10pm and runs every night until March 30, 2016 (excluding December 23 and 30).
If you've ever listened to a true-crime podcast, decided that you'd make a great Serial host yourself and started wondering how you'd ever follow in Sarah Koenig's footsteps, then you should be watching Only Murders in the Building. The Disney+ series follows three New Yorkers who basically follow that same process. Here, actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) are all obsessed with a podcast hosted by the fictional Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). They find themselves bonding over it, in fact. And, when someone turns up dead in their building, they decide that they can sleuth their way through the case by getting talking themselves. First hitting streaming last month, and now dropping new episodes week-by-week, the series has been unfurling its first season in a very entertaining fashion. It's exceptionally well-cast, and makes makes the most of its main trio's mismatched vibe. It's filled with hearty affection for everything it jokes about, resulting in an upbeat satire of true-crime obsessions, podcasting's pervasiveness and the intersection of the two. It adores its single-setting Agatha Christie-lite setup, it's always empathetic, and it also loves peppering in highly recognisable co-stars and guest stars such as Fey, Nathan Lane (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels), Amy Ryan (Late Night) and even Sting. With the latter, it isn't above making puns about not standing so close to him, or just serving up jokes on that level in general. Yes, it's a delight. And, although it's only five episodes in so far, Only Murders in the Building has just been renewed for a second season. So, if you'd like more of a show that's basically Knives Out, but a sitcom and also a little goofier, you're in luck. Expect another round of murder and podcasting. Expect another suspicious death in the show's Arconia building, too, given the series' title. That's great news for viewers, but probably not for the apartment block's residents — other than Martin, Short and Gomez's characters, that is. Exactly what the next season will cover and when it'll arrive hasn't yet been revealed; however, co-creator and executive producer John Hoffman said that "to carry on our show's wild ride of mystery-comedy-empathy is too exciting for words." Streaming as part of Disney+'s new Star expansion, which launched in Australia back in February this year, Only Murders in the Building enjoyed Star's most-watched premiere among its original series. So, it clearly already (and deservedly) has plenty of fans, all ready not just for the next five episodes of season one, but for another season afterwards. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building below: The first five episodes of Only Murders in the Building's first season are available to stream now via Star on Disney+, with new episodes dropping weekly. Read our full review. The show will return for a second season, but exactly when that'll be hasn't yet been announced. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
If spending more time indoors this winter has you craving all things sweet and comforting, that's understandable. As the world keeps reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year later, pining for sugar and whatever makes your tastebuds happy is a completely natural response. Enter San Churro's new range of winter snack packs, which are all about pairing its eponymous dish with other dessert favourites. Last year, the nationwide chain has launched a retro-influenced range of churro snack packs. This year, it's adapting the concept to include tried-and-tested sweet treats. So, each kit combines churros — aka long, thin, fried-dough pastries — with something else that'll get your mouth watering. Think: apple pies and s'mores. Each pack comes with mini churros, whichever other dessert is in the spotlight, and your choice of drizzled white, dark or milk chocolate. The apple pie version also includes vanilla ice cream, while the s'mores kit has both cookie butter s'mores and toasted marshmallows. There's a third variety, focusing on jam doughnuts, too — but, given their similarity to churros, they come solo, in balls, then topped with strawberry coulis, vanilla custard and strawberries. The new packs are available in-store now, including for takeaway; however, they're just part of the chain's new winter menu. It's also serving up hot chocolate bombs, but you have to consume them onsite — so, for now, Sydneysiders and Melburnians can't enjoy them during lockdown. What's a hot chocolate bomb? It's a ball of chocolate that comes filled with marshmallows, mini Oreos, or cocoa cereal and Milo. Again, you can choose between white, dark or milk chocolate — and then you pour hot milk over the top and get sipping. San Churro operates 13 stores in New South Wales, nine in Victoria and ten in Queensland, as well as 14 in Western Australia and three in South Australia. San Churro's new winter snack packs are available now. For further information, visit the chain's website.
Rarely in Australia does a business pop-up that is truly unique. Welcome Merchant is one of them. Founded by Marjorie Tenchavez, Welcome Merchant was initially launched on Instagram to support and celebrate innovative Australian entrepreneurs — who also happen to come from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds. The not-for-profit has since expanded its critical role in elevating the voices of refugee and asylum seekers in the community — and offers one-of-a-kind dining experiences in collaboration with refugee chefs. The Sydney-based company is heading to Melbourne for its next event, popping up at The Foreigner Brewing in Brunswick on Saturday, April 29. Serving up a Sri Lankan feast in partnership with chef Niro Vithyasekar, the menu includes kothu roti, a delectable stir fry of roti, egg, onions and chilli, chopped together on a hot griddle. Vadai (dal fritters), masala dosa (thin pancakes made from rice and lentils), and a range of addictive chutneys and sambals will also be on the menu. Meanwhile, the Foreigner Brewing's regular rotation of craft beer will be on offer to quench any thirst, and entry is free. "We love doing events in Melbourne, the community there is so supportive of the refugee chefs we work with. Niro's dream is to expand his market stall business, hopefully to buy a deep fryer. The Foreigner Brewing enabling Niro to host his market stall there again will bring his dream closer to becoming a reality." says Welcome Merchant Founder and Director Marjorie Tenchavez. Images: supplied.
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in November at the Arts Centre Melbourne, with the venue set to play host to The Phantom of the Opera. Yes, the music of the night will soon be crooning its way into the venue's State Theatre, thanks to a new season of the acclaimed Tony-winner. It's being staged by Opera Australia, who is bringing Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit to the city after it first plays in Sydney. If you're fond of big anniversaries, the show arrives around the time the popular musical will mark 35 years since it first opened in London's West End back in 1986. The current production of The Phantom of the Opera comes to Melbourne after breaking records in the UK and touring the US for seven years, with Australia becoming just the third country to witness its take on the tale. Obviously, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number. You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different. When the musical takes to the Arts Centre Melbourne's stage from Sunday, May 14, Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman will be playing the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by a cast and orchestra of 65 people, which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia. If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpaw9dft2Y The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stage at Art Centre Melbourne's State Theatre from Sunday, November 14. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, July 6 — and to keep an eye out for further details, or to join the waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top image: Earl Carpenter as The Phantom and Katie Hall as Christine. Photo by Alastair Muir.
UPDATE: MARCH 13, 2020 — Due to fears surrounding COVID-19, Meatstock has been postponed from March 14 and 15 until August 15 and 16. All tickets will be automatically transferred to those dates. We'll let you know when more information is announced. If you're the sort of person who likes to eat meat until you start shaking with the meat sweats and can (m)eat no more, then a festival very relevant to your interests is coming to town. Meatstock Festival, a two-day celebration of all things animal, is setting up its smoky self in the Melbourne Showgrounds. Not just your regular food festival, bands on the Meatstock lineup include Jebediah, Cookin' on 3 Burners, Freya Josephine Hollick, Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys, The Soul Movers and Jim Lawrie, with more to be announced. Sure, there'll be less music than there is at Woodstock, but there will be 200 percent more tasty meat-related foods. The food stars of the show are Burn City Smokers, Limp Brisket, Black Barrel BBQ, Hoy Pinoy and more. Try some of each, or make your way through all of the food stalls and then fall into a sweaty, cholesterol-heavy heap — don't say we didn't warn you. Finally, for a little old-fashioned rivalry, the festival will be running its Butcher Wars, which will basically be a bunch of hopefully unbloodied people running around competing and wielding various knives. There's also Barbecue Wars too, heating up the grill in more ways than one. What a weekend.
Australia's theatre scene hasn't had much to smile about in 2020; however, before the year is out, some venues around the country will kick back into gear with a little help from their friends. Well, with Friends! The Musical Parody to be specific — with the comedic, song-filled satire of everyone's favourite 90s sitcom touring the country in November and December. Scheduled to kick off in Melbourne before being there for audiences in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, Friends! The Musical Parody will spend time with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe, of course. Here, they're hanging out at their beloved Central Perk — and sitting on an orange couch, no doubt — when a runaway bride shakes up their day. Call it 'The One with the Loving, Laugh-Filled Lampoon', or 'The One That Both Makes Good-Natured Fun of and Celebrates an Iconic Sitcom'. Yes, no one told you that being obsessed with the Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer-starring show about six New Yorkers would turn out this way — with on-stage skits and gags, recreations of some of the series' best-known moments, and songs with titles such as 'How you Doin?' and 'We'll Always Be There For You'. That said, no one told us that being a Friends aficionado would continue to serve up so many chances to indulge our fandom 16 years after it finished airing, including via an upcoming reunion special that'll gather the TV series' main cast back together. A hit in New York and Los Vegas, Friends! The Musical Parody was actually due to make its way around the nation from August–September, but then came the COVID-19 pandemic. If you already had a ticket for an earlier date, you'll be, contacted about the rescheduled dates. FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne: Wednesday, November 4–Saturday, November 7 Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane: Thursday, November 19–Saturday, November 21 Regal Theatre, Perth: Saturday, November 28 Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide: Friday, December 4 Riverside Theatres, Parramatta: Thursday, December 17–Saturday, December 19 https://www.facebook.com/friendsthemusicalau/photos/a.1094246727578341/1225756067760739/?type=3&theater Friends! The Musical Parody tours the country from Wednesday, November 4–Saturday, December 19. For further details, and to buy tickets, visit the production's website.
Okay, you've planned a date with your special someone or a potential new flame, but you only have a $50 in your wallet. You can't go over budget — you're trying this new thing called 'being an adult and paying rent on time' — but you do want to foot the bill and seem generous, tasteful and fun. Fear not, Melbourne has many amazing date options that will make you appear to be discerning, cultured and very in-the-know. To show that you don't have to spend big to make a big impression, we've pulled together a list of spring date ideas that'll cost you just a pineapple or less, while our friends at CommBank have rounded up some top tips for living 'money smart' while you're dating or coupled up. That $50 can go a long way if you know how to spend it. So, plan one of the below and stick to your budget — your landlord will thank you for it. Split the bill easily on your next date in under a minute using a PayID (which uses the Osko payment service). Find out more here. CREATE AN EPICUREAN PICNIC Pack a picnic rug and head to Carlton, the land of culinary delights. Just off Lygon Street, you'll find Market Lane — a hole-in-the-wall iteration of the restaurant chain that serves extraordinary coffee. Order two cups of joe, then duck next door to Baker D. Chirico; it's an overwhelming experience — the smells, the treats, the stunning interior design — but keep calm and order some goodies. We recommend the almond croissants, cheese scones, bombolone and prosciutto ficelle. If you're feeling a little cheeky and have some leftover change, head around the corner to Brunetti and grab a few eclairs to complement your spread. Once your arms are laden with treats, head towards Carlton Gardens and find a nice shady patch to lay your blanket, spread out your treats and let the magic happen. [caption id="attachment_622464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] SEE A MOVIE AT THE COBURG DRIVE-IN Nestled out in Coburg, there's a retro relic from times gone by. No, it's not a Blockbuster video shop (RIP), it's a drive-in movie theatre. Load up your car with blankets and head out north for a nice old-fashioned date night. The Coburg Drive-In occasionally shows foreign films, but the main output is blockbuster new releases, shown on a 33-metre screen. In this setting, a slapstick comedy is perfectly acceptable as it gives you a chance to chat and show off your commentary skills. Actually, Johnny English Strikes Again is surprisingly funny and a 33-metre-tall Mr Bean is sure to impress your date —or at least make 'em giggle. Two tickets will set you back $39 — make sure you book ahead of time to avoid looking silly in front of your date — which leaves just enough change for popcorn and ice cream. INDULGE THE KIDULT IN YOU AT SCIENCEWORKS If an afternoon spent at Scienceworks was your idea of heaven as a kid, why not revisit it as an adult and take a nostalgic trip back in time? Scienceworks in Spotswood is the perfect place for an afternoon of child-like anarchy, learning and wonder. Pack a picnic and head there during the week to avoid the hordes of kids, and make a beeline for the lightning sphere where you can feel like Thor for a hot sec. And, when you come to the 'Are you faster than Cathy Freeman' sprint challenge, let your date win — trust us on this one. Tickets cost $15 each, and we recommend throwing in the planetarium addition for something a bit special — but more so you can show off your cheesy space-themed compliments, "Do you live on Mars? 'Cause you look out of this world". There's also a 16-metre-high dome on which you can watch immersive and spectacular projections. HAVE A PIZZA PARTY FOR TWO Look, we know that all anyone wants on a date is a good pizza — right? So, if you're tired of trying to impress, do away with the over-the-top nonsense and just head to Lazerpig in Collingwood. You'll find the best, juiciest, most flavoursome pizza this side of the Yarra, which'll surely melt away any first date jitters (or any iciness leftover from that mini tiff you had over who took out the bins last). We recommend ordering the holy trinity: a large Italian Stallion, a euro salad and a side of house-made pickles. Or if you simply must get more bang for your buck, suggest a lunch date — between 12–3pm from Monday to Friday, you can grab a large pizza and a beer for only $15. LAZE THE DAY AWAY AT THE HEIDE Make sure the weather is favourable, and head out to the Heide Museum in Bulleen for a day of art, sculpture and lazing in the grass. Depending on your predilections, you have a few options for how to spend your time and money. If you're a fan of the art scene, pack some sandwiches and save your moolah for passes to the show. Grab two tickets at $20 a pop and treat your date to a coffee before you stroll through the museum. If you're more of a lie-in-the-grass-and-eat kinda person, save your dosh for a luxurious picnic and spend the day wandering the grounds. Entry is free and you can roam through the sculpture park at your leisure, so you still get to look like an art buff even if you don't step foot into the gallery. What's even better than paying $50 or less on a date? Getting us to pick up the bill. Enter our comp for a chance to win $250 so you can try every idea on the list. Top image: Heide Museum of Art by Jeremy Weihrauch.
Can you get much more rock 'n' roll than your band having its own signature Harley Davidson? The members of Dutch outfit DeWolff might have the answer: they received the honour last year. Like The Black Keys, with whom they've been invited to perform, DeWolff plays music that hearkens to another era — that of 1970s psychedelic rock. They're loud, highly energised and passionate about playing like they mean to be heard. "We put everything we have into our shows, so it's one hell of a psychedelic rock 'n' roll trip," vocalist Pablo Van De Poe has explained. It seems to be working: Rolling Stone named them European 'Must See Live Band' of 2012. To mark their 2013 Antipodean tour, DeWolff is releasing three albums: their new blues-rock project, DeWolff IV, and a double CD that includes Strange Fruits and Undiscovered Plants and Orchards/Lupine, to be released in Australia only. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gh-8lQbTUoY
The 21st-century has not been kind to the vampire. Between Stephenie Meyer's sparkling high schoolers, the leather-clad killers of the Underworld series and whatever the hell those things in I Am Legend were meant to be, the once noble creatures of the night have been reduced by pop-culture to cringeworthy caricatures. Bela Lugosi must be turning in his grave. Enter Jim Jarmusch, director of Dead Man, Ghost Dog and Broken Flowers, to name just a few. One of the enduring figures of the American indie film movement, Jarmusch has made a career out of minimally plotted, post-modern genre subversions, and his latest work is no exception. Mixing traditional vampire mythology with the director's distinctively aloof brand of cool, Only Lovers Left Alive is a handsome, compelling, meditative take on the lives of the eternal undead. An appropriately gaunt and pasty Tom Hiddleston plays Adam, a centuries-old bloodsucker living on the outskirts of Detroit. A reclusive figure, Adam's only human contacts are a crooked hospital doctor (Jeffrey Wright) who provides him with fresh batches of O-negative, and a wide-eyed rock 'n' roll fan (Anton Yelchin) from whom the vampire buys vintage guitars. Aside from his music, the one thing Adam cares about is his wife, Eve (Tilda Swinton), with whom he is reunited not long after the movie begins. For a while, the immortal lovers live in peace, but their solitary existence is shattered by the arrival of Eve's impulsive younger sister (Mia Wasikowska). Read our full review of Only Lovers Left Alive here. Only Lovers Left Alive is in cinemas on Thursday, April 17, and thanks to Madman, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=ycOKvWrwYFo
Digital Outlawed is a new media exhibition presenting an imagined future of a world without computers. By removing digital media from the work itself the exhibition forces the visitor to face an uncomfortable question: is using this kind of media a necessary part of contemporary art? In a piece curated and produced by Arie Rain Glorie, the artists set out to prove that new art doesn't have to be made in new ways. Read the rest of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival here.
After reintroducing stay-at-home orders for ten Melbourne postcodes last week and another two on the weekend — as well as hard lockdowns for nine public housing towers — the Victorian Government has today, Tuesday, July 7, announced that lockdowns will come into place (again) for the whole of metropolitan Melbourne, as well as Mitchell Shire, from tomorrow. The decision comes as Victoria records its highest ever new case totals for two consecutive days: 127 yesterday and 191 today. Coming into place at 11.59pm tomorrow, Wednesday, July 8 for six weeks, the new rules are very familiar. They're very similar to what were in place at stage three of the state's COVID-19 restrictions in late March. So, if you're in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, you'll only be able to leave your home for one of four reasons: for work or school (if you can't do this from home), for care or care giving, for daily exercise or for food and other essentials. Making the announcement today, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the one difference to the last lockdown relates to daily exercise. There weren't strict limits on how far you could travel for exercise last time, but this time, you cannot leave metropolitan Melbourne. "You can't leave metropolitan Melbourne to get your daily exercise," Andrews said. "You can't be going on a four-hour bushwalk hundreds of kilometres away from Melbourne. You can't be going fishing outside the metropolitan area, down into regional Victoria." Andrews says the reason for this is that regional Victoria has "very, very few cases" and they hope to keep it this way. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1280372803363991552?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet Like last time, businesses in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shires will need to revert back to stage three rules, too. Which means, restaurants and cafes must offer takeaway only, and gyms, galleries, beauty parlours, swimming pools, libraries and theatres will all need to close. As Andrews acknowledges, this has the potential to further cripple many industries — including hospitality, music and the arts — that were hit hard by the first lockdown. "No one wanted to be in this position," Andrews said. "I know there will be enormous amounts of damage that will be done because of this. It will be very challenging. The alternative is to pretend it's over... But we can't pretend it's over. It is not over in so many parts of the world and it is not over in metropolitan Melbourne and to a certain extent right across Victoria." Melburnians and those in Mitchell Shire are now only allowed to leave their homes for one of the four aforementioned reasons and risk an on-the-spot fine in Victoria for going out for anything else. This means, non-essential travel outside of your homes, let alone across the border, is off the cards, but many states and territories, including Queensland, NSW and the ACT, have also recently introduced travel bans for Victorians. If you head into NSW, for example, you risk an $11,000 fine and six months in jail. Stay-at-home orders for all of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will come into place at 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 8 for at least six weeks. For more information, head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Australia will soon get to see The Wind Rises (Kaze tachinu), the supposedly final work from Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro), who based the film on his own manga comic of the same name. Set in Japan pre-WWII, the critically acclaimed animated drama follows the life of a young flight-obsessed engineer who designs Japanese fighter planes, a plot inspired by the real-life creator of the Mitsubishi A5M and A6M Zero, Jiro Horikoshi. As the highest grossing Japanese film of 2013, The Wind Rises also took out the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It sounds like a must-see for Studio Ghibli fans and aviation nerds, plus those keen to experience what sounds like the last film from a truly legendary animator. The film will play in Japanese and English, with respective subtitles. Its English language cast includes Joseph Gordon Levitt, Elijah Wood and Emily Blunt. The Wind Rises is in cinemas on Thursday, February 27, and thanks to Madman Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Just ten short months ago, seeing a new high-profile movie was a rather straightforward affair. When a big-screen release date was announced for a film, that's generally when it would hit theatres, perhaps with a few minor shifts here and there. But then, as we all know, the pandemic hit. Film release dates started being postponed and have kept up that trend, with big-name flicks pushing their openings back by around a year in some cases. And, recognising that the cinema industry mightn't return to normal worldwide while COVID-19 is still spreading, a few of those eagerly anticipated movies have been making the jump to streaming instead. Add Soul, Pixar's latest film, to the latter category. Instead of releasing in cinemas, it'll now head straight to Disney+ in December. If your Christmas plans usually involve lots of food and then some couch time, you'll be able to feast your eyeballs on the animation studio's new all-ages effort, as it'll hit the Mouse House's streaming platform on Friday, December 25. This isn't the first time that Disney, or even the Disney-owned Pixar, have taken this leap. Earlier in 2020, Pixar's Onward was moved to Disney+ once cinemas started closing down worldwide. Disney also sent terrible fantasy flick Artemis Fowl straight to streaming mid-year, as well as the phenomenal live recording of hit musical Hamilton. The same happened with its big-budget live-action version of Mulan, too, albeit with an added cost involved on top of the normal Disney+ subscription price. With Soul, viewers won't have to fork out anything extra, with the film available as a regular part of the streaming platform's catalogue. And if you're a big fan of Pixar's fondness for layering eye-catching imagery over a shared existential question — what it means to be alive and to feel, regardless of whether you're a toy, bug, monster, fish, superhero, car, rat, robot, dinosaur or emotion — this is clearly great news. As viewers can't help noticing, the animation powerhouse has been leaning into its favourite idea with plenty of force of late. Inside Out focused its attention on the emotions warring inside the heart and mind of a young girl, guiding her every thought, feeling and decision, while Coco drew upon the Mexican Day of the Dead, following a young boy as he wandered through the world beyond the mortal coil. Now, with Soul, Pixar looks to be borrowing from and combining parts of those two movies. It hones in on a school teacher who dreams of becoming a jazz musician, then falls down an open manhole and into a dark realm that looks rather like the afterlife. His titular essence is detached from his body, comes across a far more cynical counterpart and, in the process, starts wondering what it really means to have a soul. Jamie Foxx voices jazz-lover Joe Gardner, who is already musing on life's important questions — why is he here, what is he meant to be doing and what existence is all about — before his accident. Once he has tumbled down the manhole, he spends his time bantering with 22, voiced by Tina Fey. As well as whipping out a nifty cowboy dance, 22 doesn't think that life on earth is all that great. Audiences can expect to tag along on Joe's metaphysical journey, and to enjoy Foxx and Fey's comedic double act. The film also features the vocal talents of Questlove, Phylicia Rashad and Hamilton's Daveed Diggs, and boasts a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. And if you're wondering where the movie's central idea comes from (other than Pixar's back catalogue), writer/director Pete Docter started thinking about the origin of our personalities when his son was born more than two decades ago. Docter also helmed two of Pixar's big hits — and big emotional heavy hitters — in Up and Inside Out, nabbing Oscars for Best Animated Feature for both. Check out the trailer for Soul below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOsLIiBStEs Soul will start streaming on Disney+ on Friday, December 25, as part of the streaming service's regular subscription offering.
Billboards are traditionally known for their advertising, but in a world first, Peruvians prove they can offer an alternative function: producing water out of thin air. The University of Engineering and Technology in Lima, the second largest capital city in the world set on a desert, has developed this incredible billboard, which could improve the health of hundreds of citizens. The contraption contains generators that capture the air's humidity, which due to the lack of rain in the region is usually at 98 percent. This is then treated through air and carbon filters, condensed into purified water, and stored in tanks to be accessed by taps at the base of the billboard. Because so many people in the area source their (often polluted) water from wells, this potable water is a real help to the millions of residents of the city. The billboard produces 9450L water over a period of three months, which is enough clean water to cover the consumption of hundreds of families each month. The multifunction billboard does also advertise for the University that developed it — but then, this innovative, life-saving creation does warrant the right to brag just a little bit. Take a look at this video to find out more about how the billboard works and the effects it's had on the people of Lima. Via PSFK.
This review was written following the show's Sydney performance at Spiegeltent. Spiegelworld's EMPIRE premiered in New York in 2012 in Times Square, and it's certainly an all-American circus, beginning with Miss A in a Bubble (Lucia Carbines) clad in stars and stripes doing illicit contortions within a treacherously split Perspex dome. If, like me, your nerves are about as steely as a feather duster, you'll be squirming with joyful terror from the start. Odd-pair hosts Fanny (Anne Goldmann) and Oscar (Jonathan Taylor) interrupt the string of terrifying acts with gauche antics that are mostly shocking and sometimes funny. They haul a lovely man up on stage and do things to him. If you have a meek, amiable face, either sit up the back or change it — unless, of course, you think you'll enjoy salacious entreaties from a pair of strangers in front of other strangers. The pair squabble throughout and reach their artistic pinnacle in an episode involving an unholy exchange of masticated banana. A trio of Gorilla Girls (Kateryna Rudenko, Alona Stekolnikova and Alina Reutska) transport acrobatics to the strip club, making Olympic rhythmic gymnasts look like a bunch of squares. A pair of rollerblading daredevils, Polka Dot Woman and Blue Tarpoleon (Mariia Beseimbetova and Denis Petaov) proves that it is in fact possible for a man to roller-skate at lightning speed in a small circle whilst a woman swings from him by the neck without anyone dying. Who knew? Accompanying the action on stage is the voluptuous Miss Purple (Casey Jamerson), who belts out pop ballad after pop ballad, all attended by her trusty Brooklyn hipster on guitar, Moondog (John Shannon). Her rendition of Leonard Cohen’s First we Take Manhattan is great. EMPIRE will be running until April 20 at the Crown rooftop. Book a ticket and brace yourself.
Here's a reality check: your career will likely span upwards of 40 years of your life. That's a long time spent at work. Given that empirical fact, ideally, you want to be in a position where you can actually get the most out of your job in terms of satisfaction, pay and its alignment with your personal goals. We have one word for you: upskill. Your working life is rarely one continuous upwards trajectory. Yes, there are successes — but, equally, there are slumps. One way to avoid these and pivot your way out of job stagnation is through targeted education. Taking a course related to your career goals helps you expand your realm of knowledge beyond your original training, keep up to date with the latest research and methodologies in your field, and show your present (and prospective) employers your ambition and drive for self-improvement. To help you do this, we've picked five university subjects with no prerequisites that you can take as one-off courses to help you get ahead in your job. PROGRAMMING: LEARN HOW TO CODE Digital skills! These are in increasing demand across a broad range of industries, from media and advertising to design and technology. Retraining is essential in today's world — technological changes are constantly challenging the basic skillsets required in the workforce, and there is always something new to learn. Keep up and adapt with RMIT's introductory programming course. You'll learn the basics of coding and sequencing as well as ethical considerations in programming. So when someone in the office needs someone to go in and tweak the website's code, you'll be able to smugly run to their aid. What's the subject? Introduction to Programming at RMIT. Enrol here. UX DESIGN: KNOW HOW TO CREATE A USER-FRIENDLY PRODUCT Demand for good UX (that is, user experience) designers is most definitely on the rise — it's something we use every single day. That's because UX designers create frontend designs for users that are attractive and functional — it's what makes apps like Instagram or Airbnb intuitive and useable. In this course, you'll learn the basics of UX design. Then, from there, you can experiment on your own or even opt to take on further study. Because this is a relatively new occupation, doing this course will give you the ability to differentiate yourself in an emerging area of expertise. Salaries depend on experience, but on the whole they're way above the national average, with senior UX designers earning up to $120,000 per annum. Not bad. But even if you don't become a UX designer per se, knowing the basics helps facilitate communication with any UX designers you hire or work with. Knowing what you're talking about cuts out unnecessary back and forth communication thanks to a shared language and will allow you to get the project done much quicker, saving you time and patience and your company money. What's the subject? User Interface and Experience Design at Curtin University. Enrol here. BUSINESS INNOVATION: GET THE KNOW-HOW TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL This course is a perfect booster if you work in an existing business, or if you're thinking of starting one on your own. You'll learn how to tackle business issues in a creative, innovative and — most importantly — practical way. Across the course you'll scrutinise real-world examples of innovation in the workplace that you can then apply to your own practice. You'll also learn how to pitch a concept (which we're going to say might be more useful than listening to episodes of StartUp). What's the subject? Innovative Business Practice with Swinburne University. Enrol here. PEOPLE MANAGEMENT: LEARN HOW TO FOSTER A THRIVING (AND DIVERSE) WORKPLACE If you work in HR or you lead a team or company, this one's for you. Equity and diversity are important principles getting a lot of airtime right now — and for good reason. The workplace only stands to benefit from diverse perspectives and bigger companies are constantly looking at how to create a more consciously egalitarian environment. If you know this is true but don't quite know how to put it into practice in an ethical and balanced way, this course should put you in a position to do so. It looks at the founding principles of HR management that will allow you to recruit, foster and maintain a happy, healthy, diverse and productive crew of colleagues. Anyone involved in recruiting and people management — and the companies they work for — only stand to gain from this training. What's the subject? Human Resource Management Principles with Griffith University. Enrol here. LEADERSHIP: BECOME A BOSS PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKE If you want to increase your existing skills as a manager or are looking to be promoted through the ranks of corporate leadership, this course is a strong option. You'll learn about different team management styles and assess the varying ways that project teams can be structured. Relationship management and team development is absolutely vital in proving yourself as an effective team leader, and this course can help complement your at-work practical leadership experience. Essential stuff. Plus, if a promotion comes up, you'll be a prime candidate for the role. What's the subject? Project Leadership & Teams with University of South Australia. Enrol here. Start looking at all the subjects on offer online from leading Australian unis through Open Universities Australia and you could have a new skill by the end of the year. Hop to it.
It's no secret that staying active — and comfortable — while pregnant can be a bit of a struggle. Lifestyle brand Active Truth knows this all too well — it's run by two Brisbane mums, Stevie Angel and Nadia Tucker, after all. They've created award-winning maternity activewear that you can wear all day, every day throughout your pregnancy. Supporting women of all shapes, sizes and pregnancy stages, these leggings come in sizes small through 3XL and can be worn through every trimester, as well as post-natal. The duo created a compression fabric that provides secure support and is especially designed to help ease some of the pains and strains experienced during pregnancy. The tights will stay in place throughout your workout, too, and the compression fit assists in reducing leg swelling and soreness to boot. Available in black, dark navy and leopard print, the leggings range in four lengths, from bike shorts to full leg. Plus Active Truth products even come with pockets, so you can leave the house with nothing but your phone. The waistband can be worn up as high rise or as hip huggers and is flexible to fit all mums. If you're pregnant — or hoping to be in the near future — you can jump online now and grab a pair with the brand currently running a 20 percent discount on all orders (just enter ATMAMA20 at checkout). Active Truth also offers free express shipping worldwide — and uses compostable packaging, no less. Active Truth is currently offering 20 percent off all orders (enter ATMAMA20 at checkout) and free express shipping. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Why settle for a tree-house when you can have a tree-in-the-house? We're not talking about your average Christmas decoration, but four storeys of architecture wrapped around a living, adult-sized fir tree. This one may well call for a revision of our top ten tree-houses for grown-ups. A. Masow Design Studio have installed the invention in the Almaty Mountains, Kazakhstan. Cylindrical in shape, the tree-in-the-house features hardwood floors, a spiral staircase and glass walls and ceiling. A hole through the middle provides room for the trunk and branches, as well as a neat method for the disposal of organic waste. According to the designer, Almasov Aibek, the creation offers an immersive natural experience, encouraging us to "feel more fusion with nature and give up some unnecessary conditions and things", and to cultivate "spiritual and creative development ... It was to be a place where you could sit with a friend and discuss ideas and philosophise". A. Masow Design Studio's other visionary works include the isolated, solar-powered ImagineHouse; a minimalist loft in New York City; an energy-efficient art gallery on Manhattan; and a design centre for Astana, Kazakhstan. Via PSFK.
How great is this party? If you've watched the first season of Apple TV+'s The Afterparty, you'll know that that statement applies in multiple ways. It's part of a song within the sleuthing series. Also, one of its on-screen figures believes the phrase sums up an entire genre of tunes, aka party bangers. And, it's also a great way to describe the whole show so far, which is indeed ace. The team at Apple's streaming platform clearly agree with the latter, too — because they've just renewed the star-studded murder-mystery program for a second season. And if your inner investigator is wondering how that'll work given that The Afterparty's first run of episodes, which just wrapped up on Friday, March 4, felt self-contained, we have two words for you: Detective Danner. That's the character played by Tiffany Haddish (The Card Counter), and she'll be back for season two. While she had top-notch company the first time around — a killer cast that also included Sam Richardson (Detroiters), Ben Schwartz (Space Force), Zoe Chao (Love Life), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Dave Franco (If Beale Street Could Talk), Jamie Demetriou (The Great) and John Early (Search Party) — this time she'll be poking into a new case, so you can likely expect a whole new roster of names to join her. Presumably, some sort of afterparty will still remain part of the concept — unless there'll be a change of name. If you haven't yet watched the first season, it's set at an afterparty (obviously) at obnoxious autotune-abusing pop star Xavier's (Franco) lavish mansion following his 15-year high-school reunion. When he winds up dead, everyone is shocked but no one is overly upset, which gives the determined Danner plenty of suspects. Of course, while the settings change, and the motley crew of characters involved as well, plenty of whodunnits share the same premise. Take a ragtag group of folks, pop them all in the same spot, kill one off and then start asking questions — that's it, that's the formula. It works for boardgame Cluedo, it worked for Agatha Christie and her lengthy list of Hercule Poirot novels and stories, and it's also been behind everything from Knives Out and The Translators to Only Murders in the Building in the past few years. So, letting The Afterparty have another run at it should be easy for writer/director Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie). Exactly when The Afterparty's second season will arrive, who'll be getting killed and which other recognisable faces will star haven't yet been revealed. For now, keep your fingers crossed for another batch of episodes that twist in its their own directions, tell their tale with flair and approach the show's overall idea with a savvy sense of humour. Check out the trailer for The Afterparty below: The first season of The Afterparty is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. We'll update you with details about the second season's release date when it's announced.
Today marks the last day of Dark Mofo and, for those of us on the mainland, this means today is the last day our social media news feeds are bombarded with Tasmanian whimsy. Over the past few days you may have asked yourself what this congregation of lights and bearded men actually is. You may have wondered what kind of wizardry has conjured all this neon and Hogwarts-esque feasting, and how you can become a part of it. Well, we've scoured our Instagram feeds and compiled a handy outsiders' guide for you. Organisers may declare the festival a celebration of "large-scale art, food, music, light and noise," but we feel it's best summed up by the following. Here's what went down at Dark Mofo 2014: People spent their time washing ice This was probably the most confusing thing that's popped up in your feed over the past few days. In an act of — let's face it — supreme futility, Mofo-goers have been caught this year scrubbing a large tower of ice (although we guarantee they didn't keep it up for long once the photo had been uploaded). Watching this ice slowly, slowly erode into separate smaller blocks has been like a deeply unsatisfying game of Tetris played in reverse. Explanation: It's actually an artwork by Chinese artist Yin Xiuzhen. After freezing water from the Derwent River, Xiuzhen asked festival patrons to scrub the dirty water clean. It's a symbolic act that she terms an artist's solution to pollution. This radioactive bunny made its way down from Sydney Tasmania has stolen Sydney's giant neon bunny rabbit! How rude. You probably recognise this critter from your jaunts down to Vivid Sydney earlier this month. It's the kind of thing that definitely sticks in your mind (and your Instagram feed, for that matter). Because of this, Sydney-siders really can't be too jealous of its presence at Dark Mofo. But, for everyone else across the country, this is the holy grail of public art and the number one cause of jealousy. I maintain that if I got one hug from this amazing bringer of joy, at least half the problems in my life would be solved. Explanation: The bunny is the work of Tassie artist (and Sydney expat) Amanda Parer. We can neither confirm nor deny that it's radioactive, but we can say that it's maybe the greatest thing we've seen for awhile. There was a cat shooting laser beams from its eyes We can't even. This needs all of the explanations. Explanation: Disappointingly, we can't find out much about this little treasure. From the almighty power of hashtags we can deduct it has something to do with Dj Kiti playing at the festival club Faux Mo on Saturday night. We don't know how big the cat was. We don't know how strong its powers are. We don't know what it wants from us. We do however know that it's maybe the most mesmerising thing we've seen since Hypnotoad and we feel strangely compelled to obey it. If you know more, please get in touch! It's a good place to be if you like to feast From all the photos of mood-lit dining halls and opulent dinners, we can only reasonably deduct that Dumbledore and/or representatives from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have made their way to Tasmania. Sure, there are no ghosts flying around, but the twigs cascading from the ceiling do look suspiciously like broomsticks and the feast speaks for itself. Explanation: This is more or less right. The Winter Feast is one of the hallmarks of the festival and consists of a "three-night Bacchanalian banquet of feasting and fire, drinking and celebration, music and performance". Apparently there were some problems with capacity this year, but with the amazing spread on offer it's easy to understand why. Everyone got naked for some reason It's a strange thing to wake up to as you check your phone, but this morning we were treated to the sight of hundreds of bums along a beautiful beach at sunrise. Accompanying them (on what looked like a freezing morning) were a couple of old men in beanies shooting orange smoke into the air because, hell, why not? Explanation: This nude run into the water was in fact to commemorate the winter solstice. It's an annual event at Dark Mofo that's now in its second year. And, despite the unpleasant temperature, this year saw 700 people get on board! We're going next year Confusing art, giant animals, laser beams, opulent feasts, and reckless nudity — why is it that we don't live in Hobart, again? Photo credits in order of appearance: jackjesta, melfiddles, angela__g, katesaunders002, chdaku, rosiehastie.
While working with one of the first female master gin distillers in the world, Joanne Moore of Greenall's Gin, to develop a bluffer's guide to the botanical drop and to get the lowdown on some top gin drinks to make at home, we were inspired by Joanne's story. She's helped pave the way for female distillers and within a heritage company like Greenall's. So, we thought we'd have a look at some other ladies who are also shaking things up, making things happen and pioneering some pretty excellent projects. We've sourced the creme de la femme from a wide range of careers and corners of the globe and asked them, well, pretty much everything from where French mademoiselles hide their croissant crumbs (though, spoiler alert, we still don't know) to how to actually master the barbecue to what it takes to go head-to-head with Tommy Shelby of Peaky Blinders. Here we present some inspiring women to put on your radars — if they're not there already, that is. JOANNE MOORE — MASTER DISTILLER, GREENALL'S GIN Joanne Moore is one of the world's first female master gin distillers, and seventh master distiller for Greenall's, which has been in operation since 1761 — making it Britain's oldest gin distillery. Knowing that she wanted to work with one of the oldest and most revered gin distilleries in the world, Joanne started her way in quality control, where she learned about the production process. Raw ingredients, distilling and bottling eventually led her into the wonderful world of botanicals and creating gins. Around the same time as the Peaky Blinders were creating their fictional gins, Greenall's was creating a single powerful enterprise: they were distillers, rectifiers, wine and spirit merchants, importers, brewers, maltsters and ale, beer and porter merchants. And as much as we'd like to believe it's all sipping and nattering for a master distiller — though, we're not necessarily saying it's not, either — it does take years of expertise. A typical day for Joanne can involve approving samples on the Greenall's tasting panel (raw ingredients or finished products), taking customer visits, doing house tours or hosting masterclasses. Joanne's advice for anyone getting into distilling is "do it for the right reasons…You won't be an expert immediately, but have fun, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how we evolve and learn." [caption id="attachment_668102" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Tarasiuk.[/caption] KATE REID — FOUNDER, LUNE CROISSANTERIE Kate Reid can't remember her first ever croissant, but estimates that "it sure as hell wouldn't exactly have been an artisan one!" She's come a long way since to prove what one innovative woman unbound to traditional methods can truly achieve. Slung in the back streets of Fitzroy, Lune is notorious for selling out of its creations (think cruffins with lemon curd and twice-baked black forest beauties) plus it's been said with authority that the croissanterie is serving up quite probably the best croissants in the world. Yet, when Kate started Lune, she realised her stint in France (where she trained at top Parisian boulangerie Du Pain et des Idees) saw her learning only 15 to 20 percent of the entire artisan craft. "My background in engineering played a big part in the development of techniques. I would change one variable at a time and analyse the differences it made to the final baked product. If it was an improvement, it would become the new baseline technique. "This has the bonus knock-on effect of not being tied to a century-old classic French technique; all of our processes are always up for improvement and development," she says. And when it comes to any advice for us antipodeans oneating a pastry like a French mademoiselle, the whole 'no crumb left behind' sort of deal is still a mystery to her, too. But if anyone were to work it out, it'll surely be Kate. [caption id="attachment_668103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Izzy Gramp.[/caption] LISY KANE — CO-FOUNDER, GIRL GEEK ACADEMY AND LEAGUE OF GEEKS To those thinking the only roles for women in STEM involve being the social bridge (here's looking at you IT Crowd's Jen Barber), then think again. In a global movement aimed at encouraging women to learn technology and build more of the internet, the Girl Geek Academy (GGA) squad has more arms and intelligence than an octopus. Co-founder Lisy Kane has also curated the first ever Australian all-female game-making day #SheMakesGames and was recognised by Forbes in the prestigious top 30 list, Forbes 30 Under 30 2017: Games. "Whether directly or indirectly, I'm now on the map and I get invited to provide keynotes at really prestigious industry events in Australia, the US and the UK. Through these opportunities, I get to hold myself up as a young woman in the game dev industry and show other young women that it's normal to be a girl in games. That's exactly the image we need to project out there to help bridge the gender gap in the industry." [caption id="attachment_668101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Madeline Kate Photography.[/caption] JESS PRYLES — PITMASTER AND CO-FOUNDER, AUSTRALASIAN BBQ ALLIANCE Having co-founded the Australasian BBQ Alliance, Jess Pryles is an internationally respected authority on live fire cooking and barbecue and has been breaking the outdated barbecue code (see: male-dominated) for the past ten years. She explains how there's so much more to the title of pitmaster than one may realise. "Generally, the term is bandied about and there's no regulation for it. But there's a consensus that it should be reserved for someone who has reached the top of their art and not just somebody who happens to be a barbecuer," says Jess. Jess was lured into the craft when she had her first taste of intensely smoked meat in Texas. "It's such a different experience for the palate that it became this 'aha' moment." She's now whipping up everything from beef tongue that perfectly falls apart for tacos to whole deer neck that she makes into smoked venison stock. Her advice on smoking meats and firing through to the top? "You've got to have a tremendous amount of patience. It's expensive and laborious, and the reality is, you [need to] cook and fail, and do it again and again and understand how to troubleshoot. That's what it takes." [caption id="attachment_668104" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greg Holland.[/caption] SIOBHAN MCGINNITY — MUSICIAN AND AUDIOLOGIST, MUSICIANS FOR HEARING The most sensory gigs happening in Australia right now could rightly be the Musicians for Hearing events. Established by Siobhan McGinnity, the company presents live music translated into Auslan and performed in tandem by interpreters. Her quest involves helping raise awareness and creating connections — plus, bridging an ironically unheard of gap in healthcare: hearing. Siobhan found her way into audiology by stumbling into a clinic and quizzing the doctor. She's now on the path to specialise in rehabilitating hearing loss and balance disorders. "I want to work in a niche area: protecting musicians and their hearing," she says. And with one in six Australians being affected by some sort of hearing loss — 74 percent of musicians with a form of hearing injury — it makes sense we should care about how we appreciate music. The gigs according to Siobhan are "a music fruit salad" — rock, pop, contemporary, hip hop, you name it — and funds raised from events being donated overseas toward hearing care in countries like Cambodia. "It's the most beautiful thing seeing people who are deaf and hearing standing side-by-side and being able to communicate through music," says Siobhan.
'Wonderwall' and 'Gold Lion' sing-alongs are coming to North Byron Bay Parklands next winter, when Splendour in the Grass finally — yes, finally — hosts its 20th-anniversary festival. Delayed for the past two years due to the pandemic, the event's milestone celebration had already locked in its July 2022 dates and its headliners — that'd be Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator — and has now unveiled its full and characteristically jam-packed lineup. Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liam Gallagher help lead the complete roster of acts for 2022, alongside Glass Animals, Kacey Musgraves, Violent Soho, DMA's, Tim Minchin and The Jungle Giants. As usual, it's a stacked and eclectic list. And yes, with international tours starting to ramp up again since Australia's border rules changed, the bill features plenty of overseas names. If you're looking for your gumboots already, your next stint of muddy dancing in a field will take place from Friday, July 22–Sunday, July 24 — and can include soaking in lightscapes and psychedelic art at the fest's Tipi Forest, listening to talks and debates at The Forum, witnessing experiments and taking part in workshops at The Science Tent, and giggling your way through Splendour Comedy Club sets. You can also hit up the Global Village, which'll host the The World Stage, Village Green, bohemian Lounge, Healing Sanctuary and a silent disco, as well as craft markets and culinary options. Plus, the North Byron Parklands setup will welcome a few new bars — including the Rainbow Bar, which'll be big on glitter and host programming by LGBTQI community party markers, and the booze-free Temperance Bar. If you have already purchased a ticket for SITG 2020 or 2021, you'll be happy to know that they're still valid for the 2022 edition. So, that's you sorted. If you don't have a ticket yet, there'll be limited pre-loved tickets on sale from 9am on Monday, December 6. Enough chatter — here's that full lineup you've been literally waiting years for: SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2022 LINEUP: Gorillaz The Strokes Tyler, The Creator Yeah Yeah Yeahs Glass Animals Liam Gallagher Kacey Musgraves Duke Dumont Live Violent Soho DMA's Yungblud Jack Harlow Dillon Francis Tim Minchin The Jungle Giants Mura Masa Amyl & The Sniffers Aitch G Flip Ruel Oliver Tree Jungle Tom Misch Grinspoon Orville Peck Parquet Courts Tierra Whack Cub Sport Jpegmafia Ruby Fields Sofi Tukker Methyl Ethel Julia Stone Baker Boy Stella Donnelly Genesis Owusu Surfaces Hooligan Hefs The Chats Confidence Man Biig Piig Holly Humberstone Chillinit Alex The Astronaut Maxo Kream Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Triple One Still Woozy Bad//Dreems Myd Northeast Party House Joy Crookes Wet Leg Mo'ju Pup Miiesha Mildlife Jarreau Vandal Brame & Hamo Shannon & The Clams Babe Rainbow Tai Verdes The Snuts Sycco Tom Cardy Sly Withers Hinds Dayglow Starcrawler Alice Ivy Budjerah JK-47 Jeff The Brotherhood Fazerdaze King Stingray Mako Road Renforshort May-A The Lazy Eyes Adrian Eagle Banoffee Flowerkid The Buoys Moktar Stevan The Soul Movers George Alice 1300 Mickey Kojak Dro Carey & DJ Scorpion Pricie Mylee Grace Andy Golledge Charlie Collins Pink Matter Memphis Lk (DJ) Triple J Unearthed winners Mix-Up DJ's Dena Amy Jordan Brando Shantan Wantan Ichiban Luen Honey Point AK Sports Aywy Carolina Gasolina Munasib Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 22–Sunday, July 24, 2022. All 2020 and 2021 tickets are valid for the new dates, with limited pre-loved tickets on sale from 9am on Monday, December 6. Images: Charlie Hardy.
From writer and director Luc Besson (of The Professional and The Fifth Element fame), comes Lucy, a highly anticipated sci-fi thriller starring cinema legends Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. Johansson plays Lucy, who unwillingly becomes the centrepiece of an international drug trafficking scheme after a brutal kidnapping. After some drug residue leaks into her stomach, she is able to exploit the full potential of her brain capacity — surpassing the limited 10 percent urban legend tells us we usually have available to us. Suddenly, she has some pretty enviable superpowers: she can absorb information instantaneously, move objects with her mind and choose not to feel pain, among other handy skills. Lucy brings up ideas of cognitive enhancement, while exploring paradigms of mind versus body. The film is the epitome of an action thriller, complete with some pretty nifty special effects and a cargo pants-clad Johansson kicking some serious arse. Lucy (© 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved) is in cinemas on July 31, and thanks to Universal Pictures Australia, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au Follow Lucy at facebook.com/universalpicturesau and www.lucymovie.com.au.
Japanese photographer Shinichi Maruyama has captured nude dancers from an unsual viewpoint, representing their motion in a series of complex whirls and swirls. The result is an elaborate yet beautiful depiction illustrating some of the amazing movements the human body is capable of. Maruyama has gracefully encapsulated the swaying of legs, swinging of hips and twirling of arms and combined the movements to create a single, intertwined image of motion patterns that enthralls and amazes. Take a look at these shots from Maruyama's remarkable series of blurred nude dancers.
Love Leunig? Chances are if you’re a Melburnian, the anwer’s a warm-hearted yes. Our city’s Cartoonist Laureate - to coin a title for the special role Michael Leunig and his curly-headed creations plays in our city consciousness - is this weekend doing live shows at the Melbourne Recital Centre. He will, naturally, be cartooning, his live drawing projected onto a screen, accompanied by melodies from former pop starlet turned soulful songstress Gyan. Gyan - one of Australia’s original reality TV stars (having gained notice on Star Search in the '80s) recorded a whole album using Leunig’s poetry for lyrics, titled Billy the Rabbit, in 2006. She and Leunig have performed it together as a song-plus-cartoon cabaret several times since its launch at the Melbourne Writers Festival that year and they won a Sydney Theatre Award for it in 2007. It’s back for two shows only, so catch this rabbit while you can.
Thanks to Guy Sebastian, Dami Im, Isaiah, Jessica Mauboy, Montaigne, Sheldon Riley, Voyager and Electric Fields, Australia is no stranger to heading to Eurovision. In November 2024, the iconic song contest is coming to us instead. For the first time ever since beginning in 1956, Eurovision is touring, with an Aussie show now locked in for Melbourne before spring is out. London, Paris, Stockholm, Madrid, Warsaw and Amsterdam are also on the itinerary before and after Eurovision on Tour's Down Under gigs, but its visit to Australia is different. This is the only country receiving multiple concerts, spreading Europop across the nation's east coast — in Sydney and Brisbane as well. The concept dates back to 2019, but the pandemic initially got in the way. After that, it took two years of negotiating to lock in the setup. Now that Eurovision on Tour is officially happening, it'll play The Palais in Melbourne on Friday, November 15 with 18 performers. On the lineup: Australia's own Im and Silia Kapsis, with the latter competing for Cyprus this year. Attendees can also look forward to 1991 winner Carola from Sweden, 2013 winner Emmelie de Forest from Denmark, and everyone from the UK's Nicki French, Portugal's Suzy and Malta's Destiny to Efendi from Azerbaijan, Ovi & Ilinca Bacila from Romania, and both Rosa López and Soraya from Spain — plus Italian African pop star Senhit. Eurovision on Tour Australian Lineup 2024 Senhit (San Marino) Dami Im (Australia) Carola (Sweden) Destiny (Malta) Efendi (Azerbaijan) Emmelie de Forest (Denmark) Esther Hart (Netherlands) Jalisse (Italy) Linda Martin (Ireland) Nicki French (United Kingdom) Ovi & Ilinca Bacila (Romania) Rosa López (Spain) Silia Kapsis (Cyprus) Soraya (Spain) Sunstroke Project (Moldova) Suzy (Portugal) The Roop (Lithuania) Theo Evan (Cyprus)
It's one of the most famous lines in cinema history, and it just keeps proving true. When Arnold Schwarzenegger said "I'll be back" in 1984's The Terminator, he clearly meant it — and so did James Cameron's franchise. Like Skynet-controlled robot killing machines trying to exterminate humanity and take over the world, this series just keeps coming, with 1991's Terminator 2: Judgement Day, 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, 2009's Terminator Salvation, 2015's Terminator Genisys, TV's short-lived Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and animated show Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series to its name. The saga's fortunes have been varied, to say the least, with the last few films hardly leaving anyone clamouring for more. But, no matter how Terminator: Dark Fate turns out, it does have one big trick up its sleeves. While Arnie has been a part of every Terminator movie except Salvation, which was made while he was the Governor of California, Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor hasn't had a significant part in the franchise since T2. The character has still popped up on-screen, played by everyone's favourite duelling Game of Thrones queens — that is, by Lena Headey in The Sarah Connor Chronicles and by Emilia Clarke in Genisys — but now the kick-ass Hamilton is making a proper comeback. Timeline-wise, Dark Fate actually takes place after T2, ignoring all of the other sequels. If it's a success, it'll start a new trilogy, although the same was expected of Salvation and Genisys, too. As well as the return of Hamilton as Connor — and Arnie as the T-800, of course — the movie stars Halt and Catch Fire's Mackenzie Davis as a new terminator-human hybrid sent from the future. She's charged with protecting Birds of Passage's Natalia Reyes from the deadly ways of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Gabriel Luna, who plays their not-so-kindly cyborg assassin foe. After writing and directing the series' first two flicks, Cameron returns as a producer, while Deadpool's Tim Miller is in the director's chair. Catch the trailer below — yes, the saga is back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCyEX6u-Yhs Terminator: Dark Fate releases in Australian cinemas on October 31, 2019.
If you're a fan of Mariah Carey, then this is a vision of love and also a sweet, sweet fantasy come true, baby: 11 years after she last toured Australia, the iconic singer is returning in 2025 to headline Fridayz Live. For its big comeback this year, the festival boasts a lineup led by the music megastar. If all you wanted for an early Christmas is this, it's quite the gift. Mariah is celebrating 20 years since her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi released — and based on recent set lists, get ready to hear everything from 'Emotions', 'Dreamlover' and 'Hero' to 'Without You', 'Always Be My Baby', 'Honey' and 'Heartbreaker'. She'll have company on the Fridayz Live bill, because this event's blend of R&B, hip hop and nostalgia always brings a heap of big names our way. For 2025, Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Jon, Eve, Tinie Tempah and Jordin Sparks are also on the lineup. 'Give Me Everything', 'Timber', 'Fireball', 'Black and Yellow', 'See You Again', 'Young, Wild and Free', 'Get Low', 'Turn Down for What', 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind', 'Who's That Girl', 'Girls Like', 'Miami 2 Ibiza', 'No Air', 'One Step at a Time': expect to hear them all too, then. In Melbourne, Fridayz Live has a date with Marvel Stadium on Saturday, October 25. Fridayz Live 2025 Lineup Mariah Carey Pitbull Wiz Khalifa Lil Jon Eve Tinie Tempah Jordin Sparks Mariah Carey images: Raph_PH via Flickr. Wiz Khalifa image: Daniel Kelly.
Following new financial support programs from the Federal Government announced on Thursday, 15 July, as well as the announcement that the Victorian lockdown has been extended until Tuesday, July 27, the Victorian Government has finally unveiled its own financial support packages for individuals and businesses struggling during this time. The packages include assistance for individuals, small businesses and sole traders who have lost income. While the financial support on offer is quite far-reaching, it can feel a little daunting when you're trying to decipher if (and where) you fit into it all. So, here's an easy-to-read overview of all the support on offer across Victoria if you've been financially impacted by the latest lockdown. EMPLOYEES Individuals can apply for COVID-19 Disaster Payments through the Services Australia website from Friday, July 23. The joint plan between the federal and state government means that individuals who have lost between eight and 20 hours of work due to stay-at-home orders can access recurring payments of $375 a week. Those who have lost more than 20 hours can access payments of up to $600. There are a few eligibility rules; for example, you must be an Australian resident or on an eligible work visa, over the age of 17 and not on an income support payment like JobSeeker or Youth Allowance. Head to Services Australia for more information. [caption id="attachment_737834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] SMALL BUSINESSES Any businesses that are registered for GST and have experienced a downturn in revenue due to the lockdown are eligible for assistance through either the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund or the Business Costs Assistance Program. The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund assists businesses that operate as a "licensed bar, restaurant, pub, club, hotel, cafe or reception centre" with a current liquor and food service license, and you can read the full eligibility criteria online. The Business Costs Assistance Program covers both employer and non-employer businesses that have "incurred direct cost" from the lockdown. Both programs are offering top ups to previous grants provided during the May/June lockdown, or full grants for businesses that didn't apply for support during the previous lockdown. The Victorian Government suggests microbusinesses not registered for GST apply for the aforementioned COVID-19 Disaster Payment of between $375–600 a week. REGIONAL BUISNESSES Regional businesses are eligible to apply for both the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program; however, there are two specific relief programs that are designed to assist regional businesses. Hospitality, retail, accommodation and experience-based businesses in alpine regions are now eligible for a new Alpine Support Payment which will grant them access to up to $5000 of funding for off-mountain businesses, and up to $15,000 in funding for those in alpine resorts and the Dinner Plain. Similarly, a regional Business Costs Assistance Program Tourism Supplement will provide accommodation, attractions and tourism operators access to up to $4500 in support. THE ARTS INDUSTRY The Victorian Government is topping up both the Impacted Public Events Support Program and the Live Performance Support programs. Eligible public events suppliers will be invited to apply for the Impacted Public Events program, while the Live Performance Support is available to suppliers and presenters of live performances, with grants of up to $500 per live performance available for suppliers and grants of up to $7000 on offer for presenters. Eligibility information for suppliers is available online, as are details for presenters. For artists and crew workers who have lost work due to the lockdown, not-for-profit Support Act is also offering a helping hand. Support Act is offering one-off grants of $2000, or $2700 to families with dependant children, to musicians and crew members that have been financially impacted by the lockdown in order to help soften the blow of lost gigs and shifts. The organisation also offers financial relief to members of the music and arts community that are unable to work due to injury or illness, and a Mental Health First Aid program to assist those struggling with their mental health. If you're still confused, we recommend heading to the Businesses Victoria website — or you can read more in Premier Dan Andrews's funding announcement on the Victorian Government website. Top image: Armelle Habib
If Game of Thrones has taught us anything, it's that no one is ever happy. After all, this is a world where weddings end in slaughter, kings are poisoned mid-feast, queens casually mention that they wiped out your entire family, killing a zombie leader still can't save a girl from dragon fire, and finally finding love usually comes with betrayal — and the discovery of new relatives. But if every fictional Stark, Lannister and Targaryen has seemed less than chipper across the hugely popular HBO show's eight seasons, they've got nothing on a group of disgruntled fans who absolutely hate the last batch of episodes. These GoT watchers don't just dislike the five episodes of season eight so far. Rather, these folks despise them so much that they're demanding for all of them to be remade. The idea of agreeing to disagree, realising that wrapping up nearly ten years of storytelling was never going to please everyone, recognising that endings are always tricky or just accepting that a few disappointing episodes of your favourite show won't spark a white walker-filled apocalypse is clearly lost on some. The uproar spiked after GoT's latest instalment, the carnage- and dragon-heavy The Bells, which is also the series' second-last episode ever. Plenty of viewers have plenty of opinions about the show's narrative arc, its soaring body count, character development and how the expected showdown between Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) turned out, sparking a Change.org petition to "remake Game of Thrones season eight with competent writers". The petition was actually launched after the preceding episode, but took off in the past week. Thanks to darkly lit battle sequences and a quick glimpse of a modern-day takeaway coffee cup, GoT gripes have been coming in thick and fast this year. At the time of writing, more than 900,000 people have signed up — because "there is so much awful crap going on in the world, people like me need to escape into things like Star Wars and Game of Thrones," explains the petition's originator, Dylan. The main source of misdirected ire are showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were tasked with conjuring up the show's storylines when it overtook George RR Martin's books. And if you're wondering about the Star Wars reference, that's the pair's next gig, overseeing a new trilogy that'll launch after this year's Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker. There's even a second petition now, directed towards Disney, asking for Benioff and Weiss to be pre-emptively removed from the space opera franchise. Online tantrums and outlandish fan service demands like this aren't new, as the backlash to the female-led Ghostbusters and to most women characters in big-name series have shown. Unsurprisingly, both Game of Thrones and Star Wars have specifically been plagued by the latter kind of ridiculous complaints. DC Comics fans also tried to shut down Rotten Tomatoes when they didn't like Suicide Squad reviews, too — before said fans had even seen the film themselves. There are countless more examples, but just because these entitlement-fuelled hissy fits are popping up regularly, doesn't mean they should be considered normal behaviour. Unless Game of Thrones ends with a dragon on the throne, it's never going to make everyone happy. Okay, that idea won't thrill a lot of people either. But not only whining loudly and incessantly because a movie or TV show doesn't meet your specific personal hopes, dreams and expectations, but insisting that it be remade to suit you, is as silly as GoT wrapping up with a resurrected Ned Stark (Sean Bean) as king or everyone learning that they're just a figment of the Three-Eyed Raven's imagination. Game of Thrones' final episode arrives on Monday, May 20, Australian and New Zealand time. Images: Helen Sloan/HBO.
Come summer in Melbourne, you won't just see stars on cinema screens — you'll sit beneath them while you're watching a movie. That's what Rooftop Cinema promises each and every year, and the first part of its 2019–20 program certainly delivers. First stop: Joaquin Phoenix in Joker. Kicking off on the first day of summer (conveniently a Sunday) and running through until March 2019 (with the second half of the program still to be announced), there's plenty more movie fun where that came from. Haven't had a chance to see Bill Murray and Adam Driver hunt zombies in The Dead Don't Die? Keen to check out Renee Zellweger's exceptional performance in Judy? Want pretend you're watching an 80s Elton John in Rocketman? You'll find them all on the lineup. Don't forget that checking out classics on the big screen is all part of the Rooftop Cinema experience as well, though. This year's retro contingent includes tributes (Good Fellas, The Shawshank Redemption, Spirited Away, Raising Arizona, Clueless) and all manner of Christmas hijinks (Love Actually, Home Alone and Die Hard) If there's ever been a reason to spend your evenings outdoors for the next few months, this is it. Rooftop Cinema takes place in the Melbourne CBD, on top of Curtin House, Swanston Street (between Little Bourke and Lonsdale Streets). The bar opens daily between 11am and 1am, with films starting at 9.30pm in December and January. The February and March program will be announced in late January.
Maybe you love checking out live bands, especially today's up and comers that'll become tomorrow's huge stars. Perhaps you like hearing the inside word from folks in the music business who've been there, done that and seen everything. For 22 years, BIGSOUND has offered both, operating as both a music festival and a conference — and its 2023 run just nabbed a few more impressive speakers. Back in April, the Brisbane event revealed the first folks that'd be chatting this year, with its initial speaker lineup headlined by ROC Nation's Omar Grant — who was once the road manager for Destiny's Child and now shares the President role at Jay-Z's entertainment agency. Now, the fest has added talents with experience managing Wham! and composing the score for Avatar: The Way of Water. Meet BIGSOUND 2023's two Simons: Simon Napier-Bell and Simon Franglen. The first also managed George Michael and Boney M, wrote music alongside Dusty Springfield, and made a documentary about Michael — and also one about Frank Sinatra. The second is a Grammy-winning composer with experience working with Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Madonna and Barbra Streisand. Plus, among Franglen's screen credits also sits music roles on Titanic, Moulin Rouge!, Skyfall, SPECTRE, Space Jam, Cool Runnings and Se7en. Both will discuss their hefty careers on a conference bill that's just added Clockenflap Festival promoter Cora Chan and South by Southwest's Senior Music Programmer Dev Sherlock, among others, as well. Over the past two-plus decades, BIGSOUND has highlighted Australia's music industry, getting power players sharing their experience and advice, championing emerging talents, fostering crucial connections, and celebrating live tunes and the folks that make them happen in general. In 2023, it'll do so across four days, at 18 venues, with 141 artists getting behind the microphone and via 300-plus showcases, all from Tuesday, September 5–Friday, September 8. The music lineup was announced in early July, as chosen from more than 1300 applications. Among those making the bill: Brisbane's own Full Flower Moon Band, Zheani, Felivand and Baby Prince; Sydney's Moss and Little Green; Melbourne's PANIA, Moaning Lisa and The Slingers; Perth's DICE and Siobhan Cotchin; and Adelaide's Aleksiah and The Empty Threats. From New Zealand comes Reb Fountain and SWIDT, while Casey Mowry and MF Tomlinson are heading to Queensland from the UK. [caption id="attachment_907796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] BIGSOUND 2023 SPEAKER LINEUP: First conference announcement: Ash Stahl (Flightless) Cabrea Casey (Downtown Music) Hazel Savage (Soundcloud) Michele Ronzon (Interscope) Omar Grant (ROC Nation) Scott Cohen (JKBX) Vanessa Palmer (Paramount) Second conference announcement: Chloe Pean (AEG Presents) Chris Brearley (Greyline Touring / School Night) Chris Duncan (The Orchard) Christiaan Kröner (FUGA / Downtown) Cora Chan (Clockenflap Festival) David Telfer (DMT Law Firm) Dev Sherlock (SXSW) Ed Lilo (Festival Republic) Eli Gelernter (Wasserman) Hallie Anderson (Rareform) Hannah Sklonick (Secretly Group) Jackie Palazzolo (Riot Games) Jaclyn Ulman (Grandstand Media) Jacob Daneman (Pitch Perfect PR) Jamie Shaughnessy (CAA) Jule Konrad (FMLY) Kate English (Parallel Lines) Louisa Robinson (Form Presents) Matt Hanner (Runaway Artists) Patrick Daniel (Reeperbahn) Seth Hubbard (Polyvinyl) Seth Kallen (This Faction) Silke Westera (FKP Scorpio) Simon Franglen (Composer/Producer) Simon Napier-Bell (Manager) Steve Zapp (ITB) Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop) BIGSOUND 2023 will take place between Tuesday, September 5–Friday, September 8 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information, visit bigsound.org.au. Check out BIGSOUND's 2023 artist lineup. Top image: courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios.
Here's the headlines: Drake is coming to Australia in 2025; it's his first trip this way since 2017; and you're now going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head again. The Canadian artist is bringing his Anita Max Win tour Down Under, including to Melbourne in February. The five-time Grammy-winner is hitting the Victorian capital for four shows. Drake will play Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10, as well as Wednesday, February 12–Thursday, February 13. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star last took to the stage in this neck of the woods on his Boy Meets World tour, which means that eight years have passed between those gigs and his 2025 visit. The platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. On that prior trip, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
There are two words that seem an almost permanent fixture in a film’s opening credits these days: “Based On” (though we’d also have accepted “Tom Hardy”). Ours is the era of adaptation and reboot, where the benchmark for originality has been whittled down to just retelling someone else’s story in an original way. Be it Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, The Avengers based on the Marvel Comics or Karate Kid based on the earlier Karate Kid, Hollywood increasingly feels like the dodgy used-car lot simply polishing its stolen wares and reselling them as new. And nothing sells better than those wares stolen from life itself under the golden banner of “based on a true story”. It’s the bewitching phrase that somehow makes the film seem more important and convinces us to not just suspend our disbelief but cast it aside completely. So for a film like Lawless, one that routinely pushes plausibility to the very extreme, you can’t help but wonder just how true the ‘true story’ is upon which it’s based. That story is 2008’s "The Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bondurant, whose grandfather and great uncles became one of the prohibition-era’s most infamous bootleggers. Inevitably for a film set in that time, Lawless (which was adapted for the screen by Nick Cave) is full of the ruthless violence and corruption that defined one America’s darkest periods, however it departs from the norm by steering clear of Chicago and Atlantic City, focussing instead on the backwater hills of Franklin County, Virginia. There, the Bondurant boys ran a simple but effective operation distilling and distributing moonshine to both lawbreakers and lawmen alike, until the arrival of a corrupt federal officer (Guy Pearce) threatened to mire the entire region in a devastating territorial war. Leading the gang, Tom Hardy puts in another impressive and imposing performance as the taciturn-yet-brutal brother Forrest. He grunts more than he speaks, but combined with the actor’s sheer physical presence we need nothing more to believe he’s the born leader with unwavering mettle. Aussie actor Jason Clarke plays his enforcer brother Howard, while Shia LeBeouf rounds out the trio as Jack – the weak but smarter kid trying to prove his worth to the gang. They’re supported by an amazing ensemble cast including Jessica Chastain (Tree of Life), Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre) and Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight), however it’s Guy Pearce that commands most of the remaining screen time. His portrayal of the sadistic and effete federal marshal Charlie Rakes offers a performance as creepy as it is overblown, but with motivations that are never properly made clear to the audience, it’s difficult to regard him as anything but annoying. Directed by Aussie John Hillcoat (The Proposition), Lawless largely crawls along between sporadic moments of extreme violence thanks to its less-than-perfect script, however its fine performances, impressive cinematography and – yes – ‘real life backstory’ make it still worth a look.
When a music star drops news that they're heading Down Under on their very own podcast, believe them. Jessie Ware did just that back in May, advising that she'd be playing Australian music festival Summer Camp later this year — and now the fest has confirmed that she'll be headlining. Ware will play the event's two stops in December 2023, with Summer Camp kicking off on in Melbourne on Saturday, December 2, then heading north to Sydney on Sunday, December 3 — with inner-city venues for each city still to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_899478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] It's been a long time between Australian visits for the UK disco-pop queen. The last time she graced our shores was for Laneway Festival all the way back in 2013. In the period since, she's released four albums, including the immensely critically acclaimed What's You Pleasure in 2020 and its equally vibrant recent follow-up That! Feels Good!. But now Ware's drought of Aussie appearances is officially coming to an end. Ware initially let the news slip on an episode of her podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware, when the singer and her mother Lennie were joined by a fellow pop icon: Australia's very-own Dannii Minogue. While the episode traverses the dynamics of the Minogue family and the delights of panna cotta, one eagle-eared Twitter user noticed that Ware dropped the unannounced goss that she'd be heading Down Under. "I'm actually going to Australia in November for this festival called Summer Camp," Ware said while discussing travel plans, and the possibility of doing a Table Manners series here in Oz. [caption id="attachment_911167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jack Grange[/caption] Summer Camp hosted its inaugural festivals in Sydney and Melbourne in 2022, combining top-notch tunes and LGBTQIA+ pride through a stacked lineup featuring Years & Years, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Big Freedia, Cub Sport and The Veronicas. 2023's full plans haven't yet been revealed, other than Ware doing the honours. Who'll be joining her is among the details still to come. Ware has also just dropped her latest single, a new duet version of 'Freak Me Now' with Róisín Murphy, which you can check out below: SUMMER CAMP FESTIVAL 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Saturday, December 2 — Melbourne, venue TBC Sunday, December 3 — Sydney, venue TBC Summer Camp will play Sydney and Melbourne in December 2023. For further details or to nab tickets, head to the festival's website.
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants. Who stars in a movie that’s as much fun for the young-at-heart as it is for the young-in-years? And perhaps even more so? SpongeBob SquarePants. Yes, that absorbent, yellow and porous fellow is back for his second big-screen outing, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. And yes, it really is entertainment for all ages. Here, the titular Bikini Bottom dweller and fast food fry cook (voiced by Tom Kenny) faces a familiar situation oft-seen in the TV series: stopping villainous rival restaurant owner, the pint-sized Plankton (Doug Lawrence), from stealing the secret formula behind the Krusty Krab's krabby patties everyone can't get enough of. Alas, more sinister shenanigans are also afoot thanks to the scheming of pirate Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas), who has his own plans for the recipe, as well as a magical, future-changing book. In its nine television seasons to date, SpongeBob has always tread that fine line between bright and bizarre, silly and surreal, innocent and absurd, and engaging audiences young and old. The first film based on the series, 2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, did the same; however, the latest feature hoists the happy zaniness up another level. Perhaps it is the pedigree of the folks behind the scenes, sharing stints on Rocko's Modern Life and The Ren & Stimpy Show on their resumes. Perhaps it’s the combination of a big heart, an overwhelming sense of openness and a truly offbeat sense of humour. Perhaps, in this instance, it's also the inclusion of a rapping, time-travelling dolphin overlord called Bubbles, voiced by Matt Berry from Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd and Toast of London. If it sounds so out-there that it just might be hilarious, you'll probably find it in the film, including a town turning apocalyptic in the absence of their favourite snack, a war waged with condiments dressed up as a tribute to Mad Max and a superhero whose special skill manifests in controlling ice cream. Think stoner comedy with no mind-altering substances required. Expect 3D antics of the most cheerful kind, interweaving joyful slapstick gags — often based around Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), SpongeBob's starfish best friend — with pop culture references to The Shining and Sergio Leone that are certain to go over kids' heads. And, unlike most similar offerings, such meta musings feel genuine — and genuinely aimed at adults — amid the madcap mania. Living up to the Sponge Out of Water part of its name later in the game, a foray above ground and into live action doesn't fare anywhere near as well as the animated material, coming off unsurprisingly constrained in contrast to the freewheeling underwater revelry — but that's a minor complaint. For fans, spending more time with SpongeBob is always a treat. For the uninitiated, prepare for a cartoon trip that's the very definition of enjoyable, all-ages nautical nonsense.
After nearly a year without being able to head to theatres, it now feels like a proper treat to catch a movie on the big screen. Making sure we get extra cultural bang for our buck, short film festival Flickerfest returns to The Kino this April to showcase the best of Melbourne-made shorts. The internationally acclaimed Flickerfest is celebrating its 30th year and, following the festival's ten-day stint in Sydney, it's making its way to Melbourne on Wednesday, April 14. The annual film festival is Australia's only Academy-qualifying and BAFTA-recognised short film festival, too. Highlights this year include feel-good film Dog Date Afternoon, which tells the story of a germophobe trying to win the girl of his dreams and her dog; hilarious crime comedy Pugs Before Drugs; and The Wake, which sees a recent widow struggling to navigate her husband's frenzied funeral. [caption id="attachment_803926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Pugs Before Drugs'[/caption] For your $25 ticket, you'll get to watch the hand-picked shorts and festival award-winners in one evening. You can also enjoy a complimentary Gage Roads beer, Rosnay Organic wine or PS organic soft drink and popcorn on arrival and have the chance to hear from the featured filmmakers before the screening. To see the full program and grab tickets, head here. Top images (in order): The Wake by Eddie Diamandi, and Dog Date Afternoon by Lachlan Ryan.
The Singapore Grand Prix, the world's very first Formula 1 night street race, is one of the biggest events on the calendar in the Asia-Pacific region. And in recent years, the event has turned into a wider celebration of the very best of the Lion City. After a two-year hiatus, it's back and bigger than ever this September, bringing live performances from bona fide global superstars, like The Kid LAROI, Marshmello, Westlife, Green Day, Suede, TLC and the Black Eyed Peas. Want to be part of the action? Zoom down to Fortress Melbourne at Emporium for Grand Prix Season Singapore happening from August 5–7, where you can live out your F1 racing dreams and zip through a virtual lap of Singapore's Marina Bay Street Circuit on state-of-the-art racing rigs. [caption id="attachment_862680" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] There'll be more than just bragging rights on the line at this virtual racing competition — the driver who sets the fastest lap time around the circuit will score a trip to the Singapore Grand Prix. The prize includes two return economy tickets from Australia to Singapore, as well as four nights' accommodation, a guided half-day tour with one of Singapore's most beloved TikTok stars and, of course, two tickets to the Singapore Grand Prix. There are also a heap of daily prizes up for grabs, like the limited-edition Tanglin Honey Bean Coffee Gin Liqueur and more. Entry is free — all you need to do is walk in, register and drive. Want to live out your F1 racing dreams and win a trip to Singapore? Head down to Fortress Melbourne at Emporium from August 5–7 for your shot at glory. For more information, head to the website. Top images: Singapore GP.
