Bush doofs don't come much bigger, or more colourful, than the annual Rainbow Serpent Festival. Launched in 1998 in the dusty fields surrounding Lexton, this hedonistic playground presents a global showcase of electronic music, ranging from psytrance to minimal techno. With the pandemic and bushfires quashing recent years, a return is on the cards for Easter 2023. Alongside the mind-melting tunes and sparkling outfits, the festival invites you to explore your spiritual side through immersive art installations, workshops and otherworldly experiences. If that sounds up your alley, get your pals together for a metaphysical reawakening. Just be sure to take a few days off to guarantee your recovery. If you can't wait til then for a trippy dose of fun, Rainbox Reunion is the event for you. The lively spirit of the Rainbow Serpent Festival is heading to Melbourne Pavilion on the Sunday, April 17, for one day of music, dance, markets and glitter. Keep an eye on the website for 2023 tickets to be released, or nab a ticket to Rainbow Reunion and get ready for the good times to roll. Images: Francesco Vicenzi, Flickr
Google unwrapped a gift for all Internet music fans in the form of their new streaming platform Google Play Music All Access. The new service is Google’s attempt to stake a claim on the music streaming market, which now has a customer base in the hundreds of millions, and steal some of the users of already popular apps Spotify and Grooveshark. The product not only offers the streaming of music and radio online but also allows users to merge their existing music libraries with the millions of tracks available on Google Play (minus The Beatles of course who are digitally exclusive to iTunes), with new tracks suggested based on their similarity to your own music. Users can then create playlists from their amalgamated music log that can also be accessed offline. Whilst these features are very similar to platforms like Spotify, it is their unique radio features that Google is hoping will prove the difference. The primary selling point is that you can reorder and skip tracks at will. That’s right, you can organise the radio that you are listening to. Unlike many other products that offer a free version, the service is subscription-only with a fee of $10 a month. However, Google are offering a 30-day free trial to sweeten the deal. You can also purchase tracks to keep forever if you want to. It can all be popped into your cloud as well, meaning you can access it anywhere, anytime, even on your Android. Google have tried to cover all needs of the online music user here and whilst the service is only available State side at the moment, it will be soon be accessible to all World Wide Webbers. The announcement wasn’t the only reward offered by the Internet moguls at Google I/O, every tech developer’s favourite annual conference. The giants are also upgrading their maps, removing the sidebar from the platform to concentrate activity on the map itself. Maps are also set to be personalized, with your favourite restaurants and hangouts appearing so that you can find you way there quickly no matter where you are. Public transport directions are also improved, meaning all we bus users can finally find out exactly where to hop off, instead of being left with an unplanned walk resembling a marathon. Plus it just looks cooler — you can even go underwater. Having a verbal conversation with Google is about to get a whole lot easier too, with the new Conversational Search feature employing data about you to create a more relevant search result. Other announcements include a new API that will sync your notifications so that if you dismiss one on your tablet, it won’t annoyingly set your phone off too; Google Now Cards to remind you about appointments and Game of Thrones episode releases; as well as other more minor developments and upgrades. Like Google Play Music All Access, these features may not be immediately accessible in Australia and New Zealand but they should be on their way soon. [Via Gizmodo]
Heading to the cinema has never just been about staring at a big screen. That's one key — and glorious — part of the equation, but discovering new things while being transported to different corners of the globe is just as important. It's pivotal at Melbourne's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, in fact, with the long-running event taking the medium's eye-opening potential as seriously as it can. On the fest's lineup each year: flicks that engage with human rights issues, alongside a lineup of art, music and talks that does the same thing. From Thursday, April 28–Saturday, May 7, HRAFF will start unfurling its 2022 program — and, spanning 21 events across seven venues during its ten-day run, it's quite the lineup. It all kicks off with opening-night pick Dear Future Children, a documentary focused on activists from Hong Kong, Uganda and Chile who are fighting to improve — and save — their futures. From there, highlights include Oscar nominees, New Zealand standouts, simmering Aussie docos and much more. Among those must-sees sits Writing with Fire, a contender for Best Documentary Feature at this year's Academy Awards, which hones in on the journalists behind India's all-female news network Khabar Lahariya; three-time Oscar nominee Flee, a stunning animated documentary about an Afghan refugee's life story; Eva Orner's searing 2021 doco Burning, which doesn't hold back in its scorching examination of Australia's 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires; and fellow homegrown effort River, a lyrical look at the planet's sprawling waterways as narrated by Willem Dafoe. There's also: NZ duo Cousins and Night Raiders, the former about the nation's history of removing Indigenous people from their land and culture, and the latter a dystopian sci-fi executive produced by Taika Waititi; the Bronx-set Queen of Glory, about a Ghanian American academic dealing with the fallout from her mother's passing; and the first Tunisian film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature, wild art-world satire The Man Who Sold His Skin. And, closing out the film program is Fanny: The Right To Rock, about one of the first all-female bands to release an album in the US. Other key parts of the festival include interactive storytelling and cooking sessions, several lineups of shorts — homegrown, feminist and flicks about interconnection — and a photography event that links in with international photography festival PHOTO 2022. Everything on the bill ties in with four themes — bodies, environment, ancestors and distance — as curated by HRAFF's new Program Director Ayesha Mehta and Festival Director Sophie Parr. The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival runs from Thursday, April 28–Saturday, May 7 at various venues around Melbourne. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
Being a teenager is universally difficult, especially when it comes to confronting the grieving process for the first time. Playwright Kit Brookman's Heaven, winner of the 2012 Philip Parson’s Young Playwright’s Award, explores this innately depressing subject matter in an unexpected, comedic format. After his school friend Angela Farsworth is killed in a freak accident, Max must deal with the scary and confusing thing that is death. How does he go about it? Unable to accept what has happened, he decides to get a group of his teenage friends together to bring her back from the other side. Spend some time contemplating loss and the age old question of whether some things are best left undiscovered, all while having a laugh or two – what else can you do in the face of adversity, after all? Image via La Mama Theatre.
Since 11.59pm on Tuesday, September 28, Melburnians under the state's sixth lockdown have been able to venture a little further from home. That's when a new travel radius came into effect, allowing you to head 15 kilometres away to shop for essentials, exercise and enjoy outdoor social interaction with your mates. So, you now have more room to play with. And, you'll want to get quickly acquainted with that 15-kilometre bubble — and your friends' bubbles, too. Because hanging out with your pals outdoors is permitted as long as it's just you and one other person, or up to five adults from two households (plus their dependents) if you and your friends are fully vaxxed with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you'll need to work out where these bigger bubbles overlap as well. Thankfully, there's an easy way to calculate exactly where you can partake in those government-approved picnics, thanks to the familiar COVID five-kilometre overlap finder website. Just change the radius to 15 kilometres, and it'll remain a saviour, as it has during past lockdowns — and under the five-kilometre and ten-kilometre rules during this one. The website remains simple but effective, promising pain-free planning of those meet-ups. Simply plug in your home address and that of your mate, and it'll display each of your 15-kilometre radiuses highlighted on the map. And, the all-important crossover zone shows all the places where you're allowed to meet up. Just don't forget to abide by all the other rules in effect. To work out where you and your mate can exercise together, head to the COVID overlap finder website. For more information about the rules currently in place in Melbourne, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
New movies always come out on Thursday. Except for one special week of the year, where they come out on Boxing Day, whatever day that might be. It's just another one of those baffling Christmas traditions of which we're terribly fond. In 2012 distributors will be releasing some of their biggest titles — as well as some oddball underdogs — to duke it out on Australia's mass movie-going day. We've seen them all and can report back that some will ease your festive hangover, indigestion, and sunstroke more pleasantly than others. https://youtube.com/watch?v=87E6N7ToCxs Wreck-It Ralph For when you're with: Anybody It scores: Five (Christmas) stars This new Disney film may as well be a Pixar film. It's like when Disney swallowed Pixar six years ago, it absorbed all of Pixar's smarts, humour, anthropomorphic ingenuity, and knack for making kids' films that adults love. Gone (or sidelined) are the princesses; here to stay are the outsiders. Ralph is the 'bad guy' of his arcade game, forever unloved while Fix-It Felix basks in adoration. In hopes of finally being accepted by his fellow gamespeople, he leaves to seek valour in the psycho first-person shooter Hero's Duty and then gets caught in Sugar Rush, a lolly-themed kart-racing game that's achingly sweet. But Wreck-It Ralph is so much more than a sustained pop culture reference; it has warmth and heart in levels it seems impossible a little story about video games could contain. The voice work of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) is perfect, too. https://youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc The Hobbit For when you're with: FX junkies and Tolkien heads It scores: Four stars At almost three hours long, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit is the perfect film for those who find the cracking pace of the Boxing Day test a little too hectic. Taking place some 60 years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it chronicles the adventures of the young Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a meek hobbit recruited by the wizard Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) to help a gang of rowdy dwarves reclaim their mountain home. The whole film has a much lighter feel to it than the trilogy, with the first 45 minutes in particular veering awfully close to 'kids movie', and no matter how stunning the visuals (they really are breathtaking), it's difficult to escape the sense that we've all 'been here, done that' before. One notable distinction, however, is the way it was filmed. At 48 frames per second, it's twice the rate of conventional cinema, adding remarkable definition to every detail, especially in 3D. The innovation certainly won't be to everyone's taste, and nor will the film, but Tolkien's (and Jackson's) ability to enrapture one's imagination and tell compelling human tales in a most-inhuman world cannot be overstated. Les Miserables For when you're with: Blockbuster lovers It scores: Three-and-a-half stars If you fancy a good ole cry on Boxing Day, just think about the socks you got for Christmas. If that doesn't work, check out Les Miserables, a guaranteed tear-jerker about a jerk named Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who becomes a teary hero. Directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), it brings to the screen one of musical theatre's most famous stories, along with all its rousing, beautiful music. It also boasts an impressive cast, with Jackman ably supported by Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen. The songs were recorded live on set to give the film a greater sense of realism, and while Hooper succeeded on that front, it regrettably comes at the expense of clarity, with lyrics often drowned out by crashing waves and dazzling explosions. Still, the music triumphs overall, and Les Miserables is one for the whole family (so long as the family is prepared to discuss prostitution, murder and revolutionary war). https://youtube.com/watch?v=hhvPWi1cdS4 Sightseers For when you're with: People who hate Christmas It scores: Two stars Sightseers is one of those comedies that is not funny. Belonging to the British genre exemplified by shows like Little Britain and The League of Gentlemen, it finds humour in the grotesque, especially where that grotesquery is an expression of some true, dark part of ourselves. The film follows shut-in Tina (Alice Lowe) as she goes on her first holiday, caravanning with new boyfriend Chris (Steve Oram). The kicker is that when the quiet, working-class couple meet individuals who ridicule or offend them, Chris kills the transgressing party. Like Dexter, for the really petty. Tina is surprisingly amenable to this, and the two continue their own twisted brand of romantic adventure, not knowing if their crimes will catch up with them. Sightseers has been critically well received in England, but it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bjMkguY1OcE Samsara For when you're with: People who hate narrative It scores: Three stars Samsara provides a great counterpoint to the usual Boxing Day fare at cinemas. For those who are overfed on the sugar and fat of blockbusters, prepare to cleanse your mind and heart with another kind of richness. This latest film by director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson (previously partnered in 1992's Baraka) is a non-verbal meditation on our planet and the billions who share it with us, and while only 99 minutes long, Samsara stares you in the eye for longer than most find comfortable. It flows from one luscious image to the next, carried by intuitive editing rather than plot, and is supported by an original score. https://youtube.com/watch?v=F5FcDIPjv_M Quartet For when you're with: Your mum. And her mum It scores: Three stars Rather oddly, Quartet is the directorial debut from Dustin Hoffman. No ostentatious Oscar bait from this celeb, however; Quartet is a quiet, sweet film about the goings-on at a bucolic retirement home in the English countryside catering to elderly musicians. It beautifully deals with the subject of how we might treat our passions once our talent for them has faded and includes an adorable romantic subplot among adorable olds. Quartet stars Dame Maggie Smith, naturally, as well as Billy Connelly. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ce73cyzp0gA Parental Guidance For when you're with: People who feel the Meet the Parents films ended too soon It scores: ?? We were too 'busy' to see this movie for ourselves. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler play grandparents who have to look after their grandchildren. It sounds like they're not very good at it. By Rima Sabina Aouf, Tom Glasson, and Jimmy Dalton.
What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind ABC TV show Spicks and Specks, which took a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pit Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. A weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011, it just keeps coming back — including its current series of new specials. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it returned with a new host and team captains. This time, it's back with its original lineup. That means that Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough have all stepped back into the quiz show realm yet again. When the trio did just that back in 2018, for a one-off reunion special, it became the ABC's most-watched show of the year. Unsurprisingly, that huge response played more than a small part in inspiring this new comeback. If you're already eager to show your own music trivia knowledge and play along — we all know that's as much a part of the Spicks and Specks fun as seeing the on-screen stars unleash their own skills (or lack thereof) — then you probably lapped up the show's Ausmusic Month special last year. And, in the first half of 2020, you probably enjoyed its 90s episode and episode dedicated to 00s tunes as well. Next up, it's tackling past decade, focusing on all the tracks, bangers, one hit wonders and more that released between 2010–2019. When it airs at 7.40pm AEST on Sunday, December 20, viewers can expect questions about the best and the worst songs the last ten years had to offer — and expect not just Adam, Myf and Alan, but musicians Kate Miller Heidke and Vance Joy and comedians Claire Hooper and Luke McGregor as well. The 10s-focused episode marks the fourth of Spicks and Specks' specials, wrapping up its four-show comeback over the past year. And, if you need a refresher in the interim, this comedic chat about a Star Wars Christmas album will do the trick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KNMtDu7TAY Spicks and Specks: 10s Special will air on ABC TV on Sunday, December 20 at 7.40pm. The show's Ausmusic Special, 90s Special and 00s Special are all currently available to stream via ABC iView.
When 2019 began, Qantas was named the safest airline to travel on in 2019. Now that the year has almost reached its midway point, the Australian carrier has also been named one of the best airlines in the world. While it was pipped for the top seven spots, Qantas came in eighth at Skytrax's World Airline Awards — after placing 11th in 2018, 15th in 2017, ninth in 2016, tenth in 2015, 11th in 2014, tenth in 2013 and 15th in 2012. Emerging victorious was Qatar Airlines, followed by Singapore Airlines in second place. While that's a reversal of last year's results, the carriers placed in the same positions back in 2017. For those planning overseas trips sometime soon, this year's top ten is rounded out by a cross-section of international companies, with Japan's ANA All Nippon Airlines coming in third, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific taking out fourth spot, Dubai-based Emirates at fifth, Taiwan's EVA Air sitting in sixth, China's Hainan Airlines placing seventh, Germany's Lufthansa at ninth and Thai Airways coming tenth. Among other local airlines, Virgin Australia nabbed 25th spot, Jetstar sits at 53rd and Air New Zealand pops up at 16th. Jetstar also placed sixth on the best low-cost airline list, behind winner AirAsia — with other gongs awarded for best cabin staff (Singapore Airlines), cleanest airline (EVA Air), best business class (Qatar), best economy (Japan Airlines) and most improved (Philippines Airlines). Now in their 19th year, the Skytrax World Airline Awards are based on an online survey, which ran from September 2018 to May 2019. Participants from more than 100 nationalities took part, with over 21 million entries received — because if there's one thing that's synonymous with air travel, it's telling everyone how you feel about your trip afterwards.
One of 2024's cinema trends has a very specific number in mind: 45. It was four-and-a-half decades ago that the Mad Max franchise first rolled onto the big screen, with creator/writer/director George Miller bringing it back this year for its fifth instalment via Furiosa: A Mad Max Story. It was also 45 years ago that no one could hear you scream in space, as Ridley Scott's OG Alien advised — and it too has a new movie reaching silver screens in 2024. The latter: Alien: Romulus. While watching both the initial teaser and just-dropped full trailer for the latest entry in the franchise, can anyone hear your shouts? The answer to that question depends on where you are and who you're with, of course — we're presuming that you're not in space — but the sneak peeks themselves firmly aim to unsettle. Across the two glimpses, there's an eerie derelict space station, dark hallways aplenty, screaming and a heap of blood. There's also plenty of facehuggers, chestbursters and xenomorphs. Behind the lens, albeit producing rather than directing, Scott (Napoleon) remains involved. The seventh Alien film, and the ninth including the Alien vs Predator movies, Alien: Romulus arrives in August seven years since Alien: Covenant gave the seriesf its last entry. While Scott originated the space-thriller saga back in 1979, then returned to it with 2012's Prometheus and 2017's Alien: Covenant, now Evil Dead, Don't Breathe and The Girl in the Spider's Web filmmaker Fede Álvarez is on helming duties — clearly taking his cues from Scott's work, though, right down to specific mirrored shots. The setup: when space colonisers go a-scavenging through an abandoned space station, they get more than they bargained for. Given Álvarez's background in horror, it comes as no surprise that he's tapping into the genre for his Alien effort, just as Scott did with his. Álvarez also wrote the screenplay, reteaming with Rodo Sayagues, who he worked with on Evil Dead and Don't Breathe — and who directed Don't Breathe 2. Priscilla and Civil War's Cailee Spaeny leads the group of folks doing battle with vicious extra-terrestrials, starring alongside David Jonsson (Rye Lane), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (Madame Web), Spike Fearn (Aftersun) and feature first-timer Aileen Wu. Separate to Alien: Romulus, the Alien franchise is also expanding to TV, with a new series from Fargo's Noah Hawley in the works, as set three decades before the events of the first film. Featuring Sydney Chandler (Don't Worry Darling), Alex Lawther (Andor), Essie Davis (One Day) and Timothy Olyphant (Justified: City Primeval), it isn't expected until 2025. With all things Alien set to stalk across both the big and small screens over the next couple of years, staying away from this saga isn't in anyone's futures. Check out the full trailer for Alien: Romulus below: Alien: Romulus releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Images: courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
UPDATE Monday, October 3: The Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program's $25 million cash back fund has now been exhausted, meaning you can no longer claim any bills. See the website for more details. As a helping hand during the pandemic, you'll remember there were a few times the Victorian Government gave the state's residents free money, in the form of vouchers and spending rebates. Well now, it's brought back one of these popular initiatives, with a fresh round of cashback offers now up for grabs as part of the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program. First launched in March and returning from today, Monday, September 19, the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program is once again saving punters money on things like meals out, live gigs, performances and gallery visits. Victorians can claim up to 25 percent cash back when they spend $40 or more on dining or entertainment across the state — including purchases at cafes and restaurants; bars and pubs (but only if you buy food); registered clubs; breweries, distilleries and wineries (again, food has to be purchased); and fast food and takeaway outlets. [caption id="attachment_867979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Fringe, by Duncan Jacob[/caption] Also covered: movies, theatre shows, live music gigs, festivals and exhibitions. That means you can make your way to cinemas, exhibitions, conferences, museums, galleries and zoos — and live performances such as theatre, music, comedy, literary events and fashion shows, plus theme parks, water parks and amusement parks. The cashback program is available to redeem on venues and events anywhere in the state, and there's no restrictions as to which days of the week you can take advantage of the offer. You can claim a total of $125, and you're allowed to spread that over multiple claims, rather than just one big bill. That said, you'll want to get in quick to avoid missing out on your free money. $25 million has been earmarked for this latest round of the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program, but if funds are exhausted early, it'll finish before the proposed claim cut-off date of December 16. [caption id="attachment_857197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NGV's 'The Picasso Century', installation view by Peter Bennetts[/caption] The Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program kicks off on Monday, September 19. For more information, head to the Victorian Government website. Top image: Hazel, by Kate Shanasy.
Melbourne's winter gets a particularly bad rap, but it doesn't have to be all gloom, doom and nights spent hibernating on the couch. Between new, free illuminated festivals and after-dark celebrations of fire, mid-week food festivals and bars with fireplaces, there are plenty of ways to embrace the chilly season in style. Adding to Melbourne's cosy winter calendar is this collection of bookable private igloos, popping up once again at bars and pubs across town until the end of winter. Making their home at three Australian Venue Co haunts across the cooler months, the Winter Igloo Gardens feature a series of translucent domes, with each pod decked out like a dreamy winter wonderland. With space for up to eight diners (depending on igloo sizing), they're kitted out with snuggly furnishings and twinkling fairy lights, offering a cosy private space for a romantic winter date or that group catch-up over dinner and drinks. Menus and packages vary between the three Igloo Gardens, though whichever you choose, all food and drink orders can be pre-paid at the time of booking, so you can avoid pesky trips to the bar and stay happily ensconced in your private winter cocoon. So where can you find these winter oases, you ask? A batch of igloos has already landed in Footscray at the Station Hotel, where they're available to book for two hours at a time for groups of two to six. Here, you can settle in over a $80 three-course feed — think, wagyu tartare with truffle and black garlic mayo, and a porterhouse with lashings of bearnaise — matched with a welcome drink on arrival and sticky date pudding for dessert. Over in the CBD, Wharf Hotel is joining the igloo party, with its pods for two to eight guests boasting views across the river. This one's ideal for snackers and grazers — you can order a loaded grazing board platter, one main and team it with the likes of mulled wine or a couple of espresso martinis, for $79 per person. Finally, for the first time ever, a garden of winter igloos will land in Sunbury, in a date-friendly, snow-coated courtyard at the Ball Court Hotel. Serving a three-course, shared-style menu, $39 will get you a range of entrees including beef sliders, mac and cheese croquettes and calamari. Mains include loaded fries and a pizza of choice, with petit fours to finish. Find the Winter Igloo Gardens at the Station Hotel in Footscray, the Wharf Hotel in the CBD, and the Ball Court Hotel in Sunbury. For further details and to book, see individual venue websites.
With its aqua waters, vibrant underwater world, remote white sand beaches and wild jungles, the Philippines is a globetrotter's dream. But given its unscathed and rugged terrain — a mix between Jurassic Park and The Beach — this is not a holiday for lounging by the pool. It's a time for exploring the great outdoors. And, since there are more than 7000 islands to choose from, you're truly spoiled for choice on holiday here. To ensure you stretch your legs someplace fantastic, we've teamed up with Cebu Pacific Air to round up the top five outdoor adventures to plan on your next trip to this Southeast Asian wonderland. It's easy as to hop from island-to-island with the airline, which flies to 36 airports around the Philippines, including Cebu, Manila, Coron, Bohol (Tagbilaran) and Siargao. What's more, it offers affordable international flights from Sydney and Melbourne to get you there, so all you really have to think about is what's on the cards when you land. Go canyoning through a waterfall, hike an active volcano, wreck dive into World War II battleships, zipline over ancient karsts and surf a world-famous wave, all on one trip. While many of these activities require a guide, you'll find that Filipinos are some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable locals. So get your hiking boots on, the Philippines is calling. HIKE AN ACTIVE VOLCANO IN THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINES Though Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, many western travellers never make it past Manila. But outside of the country's city, the island is also home to some of the best attractions in the Philippines, including the rare opportunity to hike an active volcano like Bulkang Taal, located around 1.5 hours south of Manila. The second most active volcano in the Philippines, it's an easy day tour from Manila, costs around 1500 pesos ($40) per person and offers one of the most incredible views in the country. As the volcano is surrounded by a lake, you'll first take a 30-minute outrigger ride to the volcano's base. Once on the two-kilometre trek, expect sand-filled trails, volcanic steam vents and views of the nearby lakes and mountains. After reaching the summit, descend into the sulfuric crater lake, where you can swim in its natural hot springs. DIVE THE WRECKAGE OF WWII BATTLESHIPS IN CORON From Manila, hop a flight to Coron to explore some turquoise-tinted history. Coron Bay in Palawan is known for its iridescent blue-green lagoons, lime karsts, pristine islands and — for some brave adventurers — its wreck diving. The bay is considered to be the best wreck diving in Southeast Asia and some of the best in the world. Coron Bay is also the site where a series of Japanese supply fleets were sunk during WWII — namely the Akitsushima, Okikawa Maru, Olympia Maru, Kogyo Maru and The Iraku. The majority of the battleships sunk in close vicinity to Apo Reef and have been well preserved — we're talking 170-metre-long ships with passageways, lower levels and engine rooms to explore. Most of the accommodation options on Coron Island will organise a dive trip for you, and the dive shops also run certification courses for those who are new to the sport. ZIPLINE OVER THE CHOCOLATE HILLS IN BOHOL Jump on a flight to Bohol to catch one of the Philippines most mysterious attractions: the Chocolate Hills, a cluster of over 1000 hills in the centre of the island. Despite the name, this formation is not made of chocolate, but of limestone that holds an array of marine fossils like coral, molluscs and algae — meaning these puppies formed underwater and were pushed above the sea by tectonic activity. Nature, hey. While the hills are impressive on foot, a more extreme option is to view them from above, specifically, while suspended from a 200-metre-high zipline. For just 350 pesos (around $9) per person at The Danao Adventure Park, you'll be strapped into the cable harness horizontally so you're in a flying position and left to glide along the 480-metre long zipline, gazing at the massive gorge below. As you whizz past, take in the vast hills, mountains and jungle all around you. The ticket takes you there and back, so if you're too scared to open your eyes the first time, you'll get a second chance to catch it all. And, if you're adrenaline is still buzzing afterwards, you can also rent ATVs and traverse the hills on four wheels. Oh, and the name? It comes from the grass covering the hills that turns brown during the dry season. GO CANYONING THROUGH A WATERFALL IN CEBU The Philippines is replete with unbelievably picturesque waterfalls, but a straightforward hike isn't the only way to get to them. Instead, head to Cebu via its namesake airline and have a go at canyoning through the Kawasan Falls in Badian. Travellers can reach the falls via the towns of Moalboal or Alegria, where local guides will be waiting for you. A local tour costs around 1500 pesos (around $40) per person and includes lunch. If you prefer a pre-booked tour, Planet Action offers an international alternative at 2190 pesos (around $58) per person. During the four-to-five hour trek to Kawasan, you'll wade through impossibly turquoise waters and a series of crystal-clear pools at the canyon's base. Be prepared for multiple high water jumps (20 metres or more) and natural waterslides along the way, as well as a tree swing that dangles high above the Kawasan falls at the peak of your trek. If you're after a more difficult experience, opt for a tour of nearby Montaneza or Tison Falls, which requires abseiling, rappelling and climbing, too. SURF A WORLD-FAMOUS WAVE IN SIARGAO Siargao Island is the most sought-after surf spot in the Philippines and is famous around the globe, with its 'Cloud 9' wave ranked as one of the top ten in the world. Plus, the Siargao City airport is a cheap and quick 40-minute flight from Cebu on Cebu Pacific. With 27 kilometres of coastline exposed to swell, these islands are considered the 'surfing capital of the Philippines' for good reason. While some waves at Stimpy's and Tuason Point are for experts only, Siargao can also be a place for first-timers. Lanuza in Surigao del Sur is specifically known for its numerous surf camps that cater to beginners, so even newbies can hang ten. International surfing competitions also take place on Siargao Island throughout the year — with the most popular being the Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup that takes place at the end of September each year. Ready for an adventure to the Philippines? Book with Cebu Pacific Air to get you there with affordable international flights from Melbourne and Sydney. Plus, Cebu is the largest airline in the country, offering the best inter-island connectivity in the Philippines, so you can easily fly to more fun.
Co-Studio is a contemporary space located in Collingwood, its aim is to break from the mould of traditional salons and foster a supportive working environment. Ellen opened the studio in October 2020 as one of the first co-working salons in Melbourne, creating a safe space for hairdressers to work independently while still having the support of a team. The interiors are light and warm with a central communal table for colouring which allows guests to relax during their treatment and work from the salon. Co-Studio currently hosts three hairdressers with a range of specialties and a newly opened beauty room upstairs.
Across ten extremely amusing initial episodes in 2022, Loot had a message: billionaires shouldn't exist. So declared the show's resident cashed-up character, with Molly Wells (Maya Rudolph, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) receiving $87 billion in her divorce from tech guru John Novak (Adam Scott, Madame Web), then spending most of the Apple TV+ sitcom's first season working out what to do with it (and also how to handle her newly single life in general). That she had a foundation to her name was virtually news to her. So was much about everything beyond the ultra-rich. And, she was hardly equipped for being on her own. But Loot's debut run came to an entertaining end with the big statement that it was always uttering not so quietly anyway. So what happens next, after one of the richest people in the world decides to give away all of her money? Cue season two of this ace workplace-set comedy from Wednesday, April 3. Created by former Parks and Recreation writers Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard, in their second Rudolph-starring delight — 2018's Forever was the first — Loot splices together three popular on-screen realms as it loosely draws parallels with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his philanthropist ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. At her charity, as Molly's staff become the kind of friends that feel like family while doing their jobs, shows such as 30 Rock and Superstore (which Hubbard also has on his resume) score an obvious sibling. As its protagonist endeavours to do good, be better and discover what makes a meaningful life, The Good Place (which Yang also wrote for) and Forever get company. And in enjoying its eat-the-rich mode as well, it sits alongside Succession and The White Lotus, albeit while being far sillier. Nothing was broken about this mix and setup in season one, so there's no fixing required the second time around — just leaning in further and letting Loot's talented cast make the most of it. Co-starring alongside Rudolph: Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (American Horror Story) as foundation head Sofia, Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island) as Molly's assistant Nicholas, Ron Funches (Good Burger 2) as her cousin Howard and Nat Faxon (Our Flag Means Death) as company accountant Arthur, plus Stephanie Styles (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Meagen Fay (9-1-1) as the cheery Ainsley and hippie-ish Rhonda to round out the office gang. As motley crews dictate, everyone has a personality archetype. Sofia is dedicated and determined. Nicholas chases clout. Howard and Arthur both bring sweetness, the latter as a daggy dad who also becomes Molly's everyman love interest, for instance. Loot has a clear lead, but it also patently adores its ensemble; with this group, there's plenty to love. After Molly's huge announcement, she has downsized mansions in season two, while also grappling with John's rekindled romantic interest and trying to make good on her word — and to get her homelessness-tackling project Space for Everyone off the ground. Loot knows that the path back from such an extravagant existence isn't straightforward, though. Plenty of its humour comes from Molly attempting to do what she thinks is right, but being the type of out-of-touch that money literally buys. Still, she has a caring heart and noble intentions, which Loot always sees. This is a series that's teeming with designer attire, jet-setting, lavish spiritual retreats and opulent dream homes, and watches them gleam, yet is keenly aware that nothing sparkles as brightly as truly being yourself, learning what makes you feel fulfilled, real connection and genuine benevolence, all of which are priceless. It's hard to imagine anyone but Rudolph selling Loot as wholeheartedly, or ensuring that the concept hits its mark. It isn't a simple task, parodying the ridiculously affluent while humanising a lead character who can't remember anything but rolling in dosh — and also showing her well-to-do trappings without undercutting the show's eat-the-rich mantra by making her life, or even just the materialism, freedom and security of a an abundant bank balance, seem aspirational. By now, however, almost three decades since she made her screen debut and nearing a quarter century since her first Saturday Night Live days, it's been proven several times over that Rudolph can do everything. Playing Molly requires that flexibility, as honed so expertly in sketch comedy. It also hinges on Rudolph committing to being the joke again and again, while digging past satirising Molly to unearth the person beneath the billions. Put Loot's lead in any show or movie and it's worth watching (see also: everything from Away We Go, Bridesmaids, The Way Way Back and Sisters to Up All Night and Maya & Marty). That said, also harking back to her SNL stint, she's a spectacular team player even when giving a star turn, which this recognises. Yang and Hubbard have filled Loot's cast perfectly with actors who bounce off of Rudolph flawlessly, including in guest roles in season two. When Ana Gasteyer (American Auto), Rudolph's SNL co-star, pops up as another obscenely well-off ex-wife, audiences can be forgiven for wanting a spinoff that pushes them both to the fore. And when Benjamin Bratt (Poker Face) joins the series briefly, it's a sublime inclusion. For the show's regular ensemble, season two delivers more subplots and supporting-character arcs. Sofia gets a boyfriend (O-T Fagbenle, Secret Invasion), plus more time away from the job that she's devoted to. Nicholas dives into his cultural heritage, adopted upbringing and dating behaviour. Howard follows an opposing route to Molly, endeavouring to free himself from debt rather than giving away money, while also embracing a passion as a side hustle. Chemistry still lingers between Molly and Arnold, but no workplace sitcom lets romance come easily — and no series about a person bettering themselves, and also unearthing themselves in a midlife crisis, allows new love to blossom quickly, either. From Molly doing Vogue's 73 Questions and Taylor Swift obsessions becoming a plot point to runway appearances and weaving in a hilarious nod to a movie masterpiece, Loot isn't short on other reasons to get giggling — or other ways to flesh out Molly and the gang. Another pivotal element that it boasts in abundance: the potential to keep growing, especially as Molly's bank balance dwindles. Skewering levels of wealth that no one should have, and that only the one percent of the one percent can grasp, will never stop proving rich and necessary comic material. Loot has bite, laughs, thematic capital to keep building upon and a roster of talent making it one of Apple TV+'s comedy standouts. It was true in its first season and remains the case in its second: this is a series to invest in. Check out the trailer for Loot season two below: Loot streams via Apple TV+, with season two starting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
BeerFest has become permanent fixture on Australia's summer events calendar — and, while it's not coming to Melbourne in 2019, it is returning in February 2020. The festival is set to descend on St Kilda's Catani Gardens on Saturday, February 29, in a heady blaze of music, comedy, food and, of course, beer. For this year's Melbourne event, BeerFest will round up over 40 artisanal breweries and deliver hundreds of craft drops, all alongside a stack of great ciders, cocktails and wines. You'll kick off the season with tastings, food and beer matchings, and free, brewer-led masterclasses showcasing one-off creations. While the brewer list is yet to be announced, last year's event featured Melbourne's Henry Street Brewhouse and Urban Alley Brewing, Sydney's Young Henrys and Sauce Brewing Co, and the ACT's BentSpoke. What's more, this little shindig also packs a serious punch in the entertainment department — and while it's yet to drop the full bill there as well, Art vs Science will be headlining the whole thing. They'll also team up with Burnley Brewing and CryerMalt to create their own one-off beer, which you'll obviously be able to drink at the festival. There'll be plenty of laughs to be had, too, with the BeerFest Melbourne comedy stage also set to return. The on-sale date for tickets is yet to be announced; however expect entry to the festival to range between $20–50.
Lady Gaga doesn't shy away from innovation. Ridiculous costumes and outrageous hairstyles aside, the 25-year old artist has harnessed the power of the interwebs to reach over 10 million Twitter followers, 35 million Facebook fans and 1 billion YouTube views. Teaming up with Google, Gaga and her little monsters have created a 90-second ad for Google's Chrome browser. The underlying message? The web is what you make of it. Gaga's not the first musician to endorse Google Chrome. Late last year Arcade Fire released an interactive video clip which made use of the brower's extensive capabilities. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sDPJ-o1leAw [Via Engadget]
Not quite ready for summer to be over? Well, you can't do much about stopping time in its tracks, but you can keep those balmy vibes kicking on just a little longer. And here to help you do just that, is the Rooftop at QT, which has teamed up with craft brewery and ginger beer masters Matso's to extend your summer experience. Happening daily up until Friday, March 25, Sunset Sessions at the Rooftop see the skyhigh space transformed into a holiday-worthy oasis, all palm fronds, tropical prints and sun-drenched lounges. In keeping with those lush aesthetics, the bar is slinging vibrant summer sips in abundance, while the kitchen has you sorted with a menu of tropical-inspired snacks. And DJs are bringing the tunes every Sunday arvo from 2pm. To quench your endless summer thirst, expect a couple of frozen cocktail varieties, signature sips like the Sharks Tale — Four Pillars Chaos Gin with white cacao, pineapple, coconut and Matso's Hard Lemon — and a range of Matso's bevs on tap and in tins. Team it with some satay coconut prawns or the crispy wings with pineapple salsa, and summer's yours for the taking. [caption id="attachment_844228" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Piers Fitton[/caption] Images: Piers Fitton
This article is sponsored by our partners, Rekorderlig. If there’s one good way to rest your over-worked ski muscles, it’s hanging out in a hot pool. The good news is that Rekordelig is bringing theirs back to Thredbo this year. And, once again, it’s not just an apres swim that’ll be on the cards, but a complete music, food and beverage indulgence. All you’ll need are your swimmers. The famous Swedish cider brand will provide everything else — from towels and umbrellas to blankets and illuminated trees. Even if you’re not too keen on taking the plunge, you’ll be welcome to while away the time poolside. Think kicking back in deckchairs and beanbags, losing yourself in alpine sunsets and contemplating which black runs you’re going to conquer in the morning. On the drinks menu are a couple of special, piping hot drops — warm winter cider and warm orange-ginger cider — as well as Rekorderlig staples passionfruit, pear and strawberry-lime. Both sampler platters and regular bottles will be served up. For tasty, energy-packed invigorating treats, there’ll be meatballs with Rekorderlig Winter Cider sauce and apple cinnamon donuts. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night during the 12-week-long ski season, live entertainment will soundtrack the hot pool experience. The Rekorderlig Hot Pool is at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, every weekend until September.
Among all of the dream jobs that everyone wishes they had, picking the globe's top stretches of sun, surf and sand sits up there with taste-testing new gins and trying out every bar and eatery in Tokyo. That particularly proves true whenever a new list of the world's best beaches is revealed — although, Australians can always pretend by heading to one of the high-ranking spots on our own shores. In FlightNetwork's just-announced lineup of the planet's best beaches, which ranks 50 idyllic locations, four Aussie spots made the cut. And, in news that will come as no surprise to anyone, the Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach came in at number two. It's the latest accolade for the picturesque Queensland favourite, after it was named TripAdvisor's best Aussie beach earlier this year. Hyams Beach in New South Wales' Jervis Bay also made the top ten, placing eighth, while Western Australia was responsible for the country's other two top spots — with Lucky Bay at 18th and Turquoise Bay at 29th. If you're wondering which coastal oasis beat them all to first place, that'd be Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos. A British Overseas Territory situated around 1,000 kilometres from Miami in the North Atlantic Ocean, it boasts warm Atlantic waters, its own barrier reef and sunny weather approximately 319 days of the year. The picks were made by more than 600 travel journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies, aka folks who work in the travel and beach trade, and therefore know their stuff. Among their other selections, Anse Lazio in Seychelles, Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas, Navagio Beach in Greece, Baia Dos Porcos in Brazil, Playa Paraiso and Hidden Beach in Mexico, and Trunk Bay in the United States Virgin Islands all rounded out the top ten. Thinking about taking your own trip to Whitehaven Beach? Check out our Outside Guide to the Whitsundays. Via: FlightNetwork. Image: Damien Dempsey via Wikicommons.
Jump on the #19 tram and head up to Sydney Road as the Brunswick Music Festival returns for its 31st year. This year's lineup is an absolute cracker, with more than 40 shows across two incredible weeks, featuring artists from all across the city, the country and the world. The needle drops on Sunday, March 3, with the Sydney Road Street Party, a massive event with more than 200 artists performing across seven stages, plus market stalls, food and more. Other standout events on this year's program include the inaugural Masquerade Ball at the Moreland Hotel on Saturday, March 16 and the return of the High Tide Pool Party on Saturday, March 9 — when djs, live performers and synchronised swimmers will take over the Brunswick Baths for a day of tunes and dance. There'll also be a a Dolly Parton tribute night, a day of wine tastings, food, art and music at Siteworks and a pumping festival hub — dubbed Mechanica — at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute, where there'll be panels, exhibitions, workshops, performances and parties. For the full Brunswick Music Festival program, head here.
The chance to watch a comedian do stand-up in front of a dimly lit brick wall in Brooklyn is a dream out of reach for most of us. But which American is about to make that all change? It's Rick James, bitch. No wait, It's Dave Chappelle. Most known for his television series Chapelle's Show, the comedian, screenwriter, actor and television and film producer will be hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for his very first tour outside of North America. Now 40 years old, Chappelle's been performing since he was 14 and was tossed under the spotlight for his parodies of American culture, racial stereotyping and politics. Chappelle's most recent tour sold out venues all over the U.S. and Canada. So don't leave tickets to the last minute; shows like these don't often come knocking on Australian doors. Tickets for all shows go on sale 9am this Tuesday, January 28, with presale options released on Friday 24 via Live Nation. Dave Chappelle Tour Dates Thursday, 20 February QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Saturday, 22 February Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide Tuesday, 25 February Riverside Theatre, Perth Friday, 28 February Palais Theatre, Melbourne Tuesday, 4 March Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wednesday, 5 March State Theatre, Sydney
If winter has left you unimpressed by the current state of your wardrobe — or if, y'know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is back. Usually, it's a physical affair that takes place in Sydney and Melbourne; however like plenty of other events at the moment, the shopping extravaganza has hopped online — and gone national — for its current outing. The name pretty much says it all. Happening from Monday, August 31, this thing is big. You'll find a hefty array of lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from a huge lineup of cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging — including Romance Was Born, Alexander McQueen, Isabel Marant, Max Mara, Kenzo, Ellery and more. With discounts of up to 80 percent off, and more than 700 items on offer, this is one way to up your count of designer threads while leaving your bank balance sitting pretty, too — whether you're keen on clothes, shoes, swimwear or accessories. The Big Fashion Sale's latest online sale kicks off on Monday, August 31 on the event's website.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Bombay Sapphire. It's not unusual to be a little lazy in the summertime. Work is slow, the sun is out, and everything seems to take a lot more effort — who needs gourmet entertaining when there's the ever-so-tasty option of fish and chips on the beach? And, though we're big fans of the humble potato cake and all, it can be nice to occasionally kick things up a notch. There are summer parties to host; friends to impress! Don't stress. This year, we've got you sorted. From November 19 until December 6, Bombay Sapphire are opening a dedicated gin bar in North Melbourne. Pioneering the art of 'ginstronomy' Project Botanicals will be offering 10 gin cocktails from Raj Nagra paired with 10 summery dishes from Masterchef's Gary Mehigan. And, though it's going to be well worth the evening out, they've been kind enough to offer some take home advice. If you can't make it along (or just want to impress your friends with your secret Masterchef know-how), here's a cheeky guide to ramping up that G&T into a full-blown cocktail and adding a little pizazz to a basic chicken roll. Summer sesh: sorted. Crunchy Chicken Sliders Don't let the Australian cricket team fool you: KFC is not cool. We guarantee you can make something much more delicious from the comfort of your own home that won't send you into a vicious shame spiral. In fact, it will do just the opposite — once you master these crunchy chicken sliders from Gary Mehigan you'll be able to hold your head up high with pride. This is fried chicken done right. What you'll need: 12 soft slider or torpedo buns 500g boneless chicken thighs 1 tbsp cinnamon powder 1 cup buttermilk 1 pinch sea salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper 3/4 cup panko crumbs 3/4 cup cornflakes 3/4 cup poha flakes (rice flakes) 1/3 cup of rice flour 1/4 white cabbage, finely shredded 2 golden delicious apples 1 lemon juice and zest 3 tbsp lemon mayo 1 b/c watercress washed 2 litres vegetable oil for frying 1 handful lavender flowers How to: Cut the chicken into small cubes (around 2cm) and chuck them into a bowl. Pour over the buttermilk, add the cinnamon powder — trust us, it will be delicious — and a pinch of flaked salt and pepper. Mix it all up, cover in cling film and place in the fridge for a minimum of two hours (if you're patient enough, overnight would be better). Pour the vegetable oil into a heavy-based deep saucepan and heat to 180 degrees. Mix the rice flour, poha, cornflakes and panko crumbs together and season with a little salt and pepper. Drain the chicken from the buttermilk goodness and press the dry mix firmly onto all sides of the chicken making sure all the pieces are well coated. Set aside. Shred the apple into thin strips and drench in lemon juice and zest. Add the finely shredded cabbage, season with salt and pepper and add a few dollops of lemon mayo (see below) to make a slaw. Working in batches, lower 6-8 pieces into the hot oil for about 4 minutes or until golden, crisp and cooked through, then drain onto a tea towel. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Cut into the sliders and load them up with a spoonful of apple slaw, a few sprigs of watercress and 3-4 pieces of the crispy chicken — or more, we won't judge. Finally add a sprinkle of lavender flowers to thoroughly impress everyone. DIY lemon mayo: Mix 1 free-range egg with a pinch of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and the juice and zest of 1 lemon in a blender until light and frothy. Add 1/3 cup of olive oil and blend until creamy. Add another 1/3 cup and blend until pale and creamy. Chuck in the last 1/3 of that cup and blend until thick and smooth. This will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. Cubeb Berry Fizz When you're making chicken rolls garnished with lavender, you'd better hope your drinks game is up to scratch. Do you think Gary's plating up his Masterchef best next to a cold tinnie? Doubtful. Project Botanicals is all about matching dishes like this to equally delicious gin creations, but there's no reason you can't recreate the magic at home. Go beyond the classic G&T and pair your slider with this fancy slice of ginny bliss. What you'll need: 45ml Bombay Sapphire 15ml lavender syrup 10ml vanilla syrup 30ml lemon juice 2 dashes lavender bitters 15ml egg white 30ml soda water How to: Add the non-carbonated ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake hard — seriously, unless you feel like getting drenched, keep the soda water out. Add some ice cubes and shake again, then strain into a small highball glass. Finish with a splash of soda water and garnish with a lavender stem. Easy! If this seems like too much trouble, Project Botanicals will be open every Wednesday-Sunday evening to do the work for you. For just $35 per person, you'll be treated to two cocktails and matching tapas style dishes. Book your tickets here.
Virtual reality is no longer just something found in science fiction films, as anyone who has experienced a VR concert or tour, attended a festival of VR flicks or bought their own VR headset is more than aware. That's just the beginning. The next step in this brave new world — well, maybe that's where everything the likes of The Matrix, TRON, eXistenZ and Strange Days told us starts to come into play. In Vienna, a world-first bar lets patrons combine the real and virtual worlds in a new fashion: by heading out for a few beverages, donning the requisite gear and hanging out in an intangible space rather than just soaking in the bricks and mortar surroundings. Who needs to chat to the people around you when you can plug in, play and interact in the VR space, right? Equipped with an array of VR gear, Vrei Lounge encourages both, with Playstation VR, HTC Vive, Samsung GearVR and more all on the menu alongside the usual selection of booze, coffee, pizzas and muffins. While you're sipping and snacking, you can play mini-golf, train to be a space pirate, repair robots, plunge into the underwater deep or race cars — virtually, of course. It might be the first of its kind, but with arcade and pinball bars popping up with frequency these days, expect more alcohol-fuelled VR haunts to follow around the world. It does indulge humanity's now-engrained love for always being glued to a screen, after all. Whether putting on a headset and having a tipple is better than lounging around and chatting to your mates — that's up to you. Via AWOL. Image: Vrei.
If you're partial to a big, cheesy serving of gnocchi, you'll by happy to know that Mamma's Boy Trattoria is dedicating the month of September to bottomless bowls of it. The Brunswick restaurant is dishing up endless gnocchi feasts until the end of the month. Head in for lunch between Friday–Sunday or dinner from Tuesday–Saturday, and you can tuck into unlimited helpings of the classic pasta dish for a tidy $30. With the gnocchi lineup, all palates are covered. There are traditional bolognese and napoli numbers, a four-cheese version (with fior di latte, gorgonzola, taleggio and grana padano) and a buttery mushroom and spinach bowl. With a two-hour time limit up your sleeve, you should be able to sample them all, no problems. If you'd like to finish on a high note, Mamma's cannoli will be available, too, for extra. Bottomless gnocchi is available from Tuesday–Saturday 5.30–7.30pm and Friday–Sunday midday–1pm
Gracing the intimate space next door to Peter Gunn's Collingwood fine diner IDES, is the star chef's genre-bending wining and dining venture, March. Embracing various elements of a wine bar, a pub and an izakaya, it's not about to be locked into just one box — just know that it's moving in a very different direction than its sibling. The 26-seater is your go-to for clever small bites with contemporary flair, matched to a broad-ranging curation of sake, wine and cocktails. Expect a moody space rocking deep charcoal tones throughout, and with a low, marble-topped statement counter allowing plenty of interaction between those with front-row seats and staff behind the bar. As you'd expect given Gunn's culinary street cred, the drinking snack game here is strong. While the two venues share a kitchen and a flair for creativity, March's menu walks its own path with a concise, oft-changing lineup rooted in Japanese flavours and technique. Venture in for plates like edamame coated in some kind of umami magic ($9), green chilli pickled mussels with crispy garlic ($15), sake-steamed pippies finished in a yuzu parsley butter ($25) and braised pork belly with a spicy nori glaze ($25). Plus, a crispy sweet and sour quail ($28) that'll have you making fast use of the supplied hot towel. IDES sommelier Hayley McCarthy heads up the drinks offering, with Victorian and South Australian drops ruling the by-the-glass lineup, and next door's wine list and cellar selection delivering even more gems. Expect interesting pours that'll shake a few preconceptions (perhaps a Dilworth & Allain pinot noir blend, or the Konpira Maru Pan Opticon riesling out of the King Valley) alongside signature cocktails and a solid crop of sake.
Indoor plants brighten up just about any space. That's precisely why the founders of Pop Wilder decided to start the business in the first place — they discovered how much happier they were with a bit more greenery in their lives. Featuring seasonal plants that are robust against Australia's climate — and your forgetfulness — its range includes plenty of popular choices, plus a few that can be tough to come by on your own. The store is something of an airy jungle, so pop in and see what inspires you. And if you can't, Pop Wilder is more than happy to come directly to your home if you 's prefer. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
Australian singer and actor Troye Sivan has just launched a new line of luxury homewares and fragrances, dubbed TSU LANGE YOR (pronounced tsoo-lang-yor). The brand's first collection will be displayed as an exclusive early preview in Fitzroy's At The Above space from Friday, August 18 to Thursday, August 24. Boasting collaborations with local creative talent including Fitzroy's antique furnishing favourites Castorina and contemporary Richmond creators Halcyon Lake, the new collection emphasises the use of native and natural materials. "I had been reflecting on a lot while travelling and living overseas; to me, what makes a home? Expression, art, heritage, friends, objects, family, light, scent. This initial collection is a direct reflection of all of that," Sivan says. If you're a little far from Gertrude Street, never fear, all fragrances and homewares will be available to purchase online in late August. Images: Joe Brennan
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to Pan Pacific Singapore. [caption id="attachment_892011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This five-star hotel is right in the heart of Singapore, boasting views across Marina Bay, the South China Sea and surrounding city skyline. It also boasts a heap of extra luxe features, including three pools and an in-house spa. THE ROOMS This is a mighty big hotel, with 790 lavish rooms and suites available to guests. You can go for the more modest Deluxe Room — which is still an impressive 38 square metres in size and has sweeping views across either the city or bay. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the more luxurious suites or studios that have separate living and dining rooms, additional bedrooms and little kitchenettes. There's even the Urban Jungle suite which is made for families. It has a super fun jungle-themed room with an inflatable rocking hippo, a tepee and a treehouse bunk bed that sleeps two kids. FOOD AND DRINK As you'd expect in a city known for its food, this opulent hotel boasts a series of spectacular restaurants and bars. There is the fine-dining Cantonese restaurant Hai Tien Lo and the Keyaki Japanese Restaurant which has its own Japanese rooftop garden. But one of our favourites has to be Edge. Here, you get to feast on a high-end buffet that includes fresh oysters and lobster, roast meats with all the trimmings and a massive selection of local dishes. Quantity and quality combine at this spot. [caption id="attachment_864958" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Pan Pacific Singapore is close to most of the city's best bits. Head to the adjoining Marina Market for boutique stores, walk along the nearby Singapore River for more entertaining and dining options or take a quick cab ride to any of the city's other great sites. Be sure to check out Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street as well as the famous island of Sentosa, if you seek beach clubs and water activities. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world.
For almost a quarter-century, Jamie Oliver has been sharing his culinary tips with audiences worldwide. This November, he'll dish up a chat about all that time spent in and around kitchens — on-screen, by releasing recipe books and thanks to his stint in the restaurant business — at Sydney Opera House. The Naked Chef, Oliver's Twist, Jamie's Kitchen and Jamie's Comfort Food star is heading back Down Under for an Aussie-exclusive discussion, returning to the Harbour City after selling out a talk at the same venue in 2015. Back then, Oliver brought his Food Revolution with him, and cooked up a storm live while making his Opera House debut. This time, he's in conversation with Melissa Leong about the 24 years since The Naked Chef first hit television — and all the pukka cuisine he's whipped up since. "Every time I visit Australia it feels like a big old hug — it's a real home away from home for me and I'm so excited to be back this year for this event." said Oliver, announcing the chat. "I can't wait to sit down with you all for good chats about good food and good times, have a laugh, and take some questions from the audience. And, it is such a privilege to be at the Sydney Opera House, what a setting. I hope to see you there." While there's clearly no shortage of topics for Oliver to touch on when Saturday, November 11 hits, when he takes to the stage in the famed venue's Concert Hall — the British chef has those two-plus decades of TV shows, those 70-plus eateries in 22 countries, and oh-so-many recipes to mention, for starters — this once-off event is timed around two specific things. Firstly, he's launching a campaign about creating "a happier, healthier world through the joy of food". And secondly, he's just released his new cookbook 5 Ingredients: Mediterranean. Attendees at this Sydney-only talk will also learn what keeps Oliver inspired and motivated, why he loves cooking so much and about his passion for getting in the kitchen. He's the latest big-name chef discussing his career onstage in Australia this year, following on from Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Oliver's fellow Brits Marco Pierre White and Nigella Lawson, and viral recipe queen Alison Roman. Jamie Oliver in conversation with Melissa Leong will take place in Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall on Saturday, November 11, 2023 — with ticket pre-sales fro 9am on Wednesday, August 23, and general sales from 9am on Thursday, August 24. Images: Jamie Oliver Enterprises / Paul Stuart.
Architecture aficionados are in for a huge weekend this July if the just-launched Open House Melbourne Weekend lineup is anything to go by. Running from July 28–29, the weekend is the crowning glory of Open House Melbourne's annual, month-long celebration of local architecture — and this year's program, unveiled this morning, is its biggest yet. It sees a total of 220 buildings open their doors to the public across the weekend, including 70 new participants, 24 residential buildings and 81 City of Melbourne structures. Among the architectural delights you'll have the chance to get up close and personal is St Kilda's stunning new Stokehouse Precinct — the first five-star green-star building of its type in the country. More exciting still is that eco activist and artist Joost Bakker will be leading the guided walking tour. Explore the yet-to-be-completed 85th floor of the iconic Eureka Tower and marvel at its sweeping, 360-degree views, as part of an exclusive tour by architects Fender Katsalidas — or go back to school, with a close-up look at 37 significant sites across four of Monash University's campuses, including the striking, orange-accented biology building. One of the stunning buildings included in the residential section is Molecule Studio's five-person, small-footprint home, Triangle House. While most of the open house tours are free, a few require pre-booking and incur a small fee. To check out the full list and book tours, head to the website.
You could say that humans and space got fairly chummy in 2012 as they reconnected in many new and exciting ways. It was a fantastic year for NASA. As many new discoveries and advancements were made with the planet Mars, we have extended our view of space and said goodbye to a space legend. Through highs and lows, Earth has become but a dot in our ever-increasing knowledge of the universe, and these moments have significantly increased potential for space exploration in the future. Perhaps the worlds of Futurama, Star Trek, or Total Recall are really not that far away after all. Here are 10 of the most remarkable space moments from BBC News that occurred in 2012. 10. The Supermoon Once a year, a cosmic event occurs in which the full moon appears 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than in other months. 2012's 'Supermoon' occurred in May and produced some truly spectacular photographs. 9. First Triathlon in Space NASA astronaut Sunita Williams became the first person to run, bike, and swim her way through a triathlon - in space. The US commander of the Expedition 33 crew on the space station 386km from Earth completed the Nautica Malibu Triathlon held in California along with her fellow athletes. She completed the course using exercise equipment: a stationary bike, a treadmill, and a strength-training machine specially formulated for weightlessness. 8. 26 New Alien Planets in 11 Solar Systems In January 2012, NASA announced that its Kepler telescope discovered 11 previously unknown solar systems, within which there were 26 alien planets, known as exoplanets. The size of these planets ranges from 1.5 times larger than Earth to even bigger than Jupiter, with their orbital periods ranging from 6 to 143 days and all of them located closer to their stars than Venus. This find almost doubled the quantity of planets discovered by Kepler in its two-year history and reinforces the exponential number of planets, particularly exoplanets, that exist in our universe. 7. The Earth Sings The Earth really gained a voice as NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission managed to capture radio waves emitted by energetic particles of the Van Allen belts in the magnetosphere and rendered them into an audio recording. This 'chorus' apparently sounds similar to a whale's song. 6. Space Shuttle Endeavour's LA Trek Endeavor was the fifth and final spaceworthy shuttle to be used in NASA's space shuttle program. The retired orbiter conducted 25 space missions during its 19-year career from 1992 to 2011. In October, the 155,000 pound Endeavor made its final mission, trekking the 12-mile journey from the Los Angeles International Airport to the Californian Science Centre, avoiding trees, utility poles, and the mass of stunned onlookers. 5. SpaceX Dragon attaches to the ISS The Dragon is a reusable spacecraft developed by SpaceX, a private American space transportation company, that in May became the first commercial spacecraft to be successfully attached to the International Space Station. The Dragon delivered a series of cargo shipments, which brought 20 metric tons of supplies into space. This advancement brings the possibility of private space flight significantly closer to reality. 4. Space Jump Breaking the world record for not only the highest jump from a platform (128,100 feet), the longest distance freefall (119,846 feet), and the maximum vertical velocity (833.9 mph), stuntman Felix Baumgartner also broke the YouTube record for the most concurrent views ever on livestream (8 million viewers). This Austrian daredevil really took record-breaking to new heights. 3. Farthest Ever View into the Universe This view captured by the Hubble Space Telescope depicts thousands of galaxies within the constellation Formax, billion of light years away. The composite image from 10 years of telescopic views shows planets so far away that they don't even exist anymore. The title eXtreme Deep Field feels highly appropriate here. 2. Goodbye to a Space Pioneer and Legend The end of an era arrived when the world bid farewell to Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon in 1969. The world renowned astronaut passed away at 82 after complications from a heart bypass surgery but will forever be remembered for his incredible feat. 1. Curiosity Rover Makes History on Mars The most impressive advancement to occur in the space arena in 2012 was the Curiosity Rover's incredible experiences on the red planet. Since making her landing on August 5 — an event so tense it was deemed 'the seven minutes of terror' — the rover has discovered an ancient streambed where water once flowed, analysed soil, rock and atmospheric samples on the planet, been the first machine to 'check in' on Mars, and snapped an incredible self-portrait that would leave even MySpace users flabbergasted. And her trip has only just begun, with 20 more months to go before her return.
The films of one of the most influential directors in motion picture history will be the subject of a special retrospective coming to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra this year. Curated by beloved film critic and former Sydney Film Festival director David Stratton, the Essential Kurosawa lineup will showcase ten iconic films from Japan's legendary Akira Kurosawa, including several efforts that could contest the title of greatest film of all time. The retrospective — which is a collaboration between Sydney Film Festival, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne, and the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra — will span almost the full length of Kurosawa's incredible career, from his groundbreaking Rashomon (1950) to his sweeping feudal war epic Ran (1985). Further highlights include Seven Samurai (1954), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961) and Kagemusha (1980). A number of titles will screen on specially imported 35mm film prints courtesy of The Japan Foundation and Toho Co. "The best of Kurosawa's films possess a grandeur combined with a common touch," said Stratton in a statement accompanying the announcement. "No-one filmed action scenes like he did – his use of multiple cameras, long lenses and intricate editing combined to make these sequences unforgettable." The films in Essential Kurosawa will screen at ACMI in Melbourne from May 26 to June 8 (ticket here), Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of Sydney Film Festival from June 7–18 (tickets here), and the NSFA in Canberra from June 14-30 (tickets here).
FBi Social, the Sydney radio station's first ever pop-up live music venue, opened its doors last week. Housed on the second level of the refurbished Kings Cross Hotel, in stumbling distance of the Coca Cola sign, FBi is hoping to use the space to further their ever evolving mission of helping emerging local bands break through to larger audiences. With a 200-person capacity and a 24/7 license, and the aim of taking Kings Cross back to it's live music/dive bar roots, it's sure to be a very exciting couple of months. Rarely can you make me go to Kings Cross. The place evokes memories of dangerously high heels, bogan's blaring bad music from their souped up cars and being hit on by drug dealers. But FBi Social will be enough to get me, and many like me, to venture to the end of William Street. And perhaps the biggest perk is that no longer will you have to catch two buses and a train to a shoddy warehouse at the back of Marrickville to see emerging live music. It all kicks off this weekend, with Friday night's Socially Acceptable bringing you FBi's favourite emerging DJ's to assist you in all manner of hand-clapping, toe-tapping and hip-thrusting. The lineup of bands kick off on Saturday night with Dance To The Radio, featuring The Preachers, Underlights and Sister Jane. Gigs over the next two months include Ernest Ellis, Pikelet and Guineafowl, and will sit side by side with nights devoted to genres such as folk, hip hip and experimental music.
Saint Dreux, a Japanese-inspired coffee and katsu sando bar that opened in Melbourne's CBD last month, exudes Japanese minimalism. With a concise menu of five sandwiches, castella cakes, pastries and Tokyo's Onibus coffee served in a modern monochromatic fit-out, it's the kind of place that could even spark joy for Marie Kondo. The sandos are cut with laser precision, as are the varying castella (Japanese sponge cakes), packaging is simple and even the ceramics are polished to perfection. Inspired by the vending machines and convenience stores of Japan, the Saint Dreux team, who is also behind Slater Street Bench and 580 Bench, wanted to make the humble katsu sandwich a hero here in Melbourne. "You could get them from vending machines, trains and restaurants. They're absolutely everywhere [and] we became obsessed…" said co-owner Joshua Crasti, who owns Saint Dreux and Bench along with Nick Chen, Frankie Tan and Claye Tobin. While, traditionally, katsu sandos are made with soft (crustless) white bread, cabbage, sweet tonkatsu sauce, kewpie mayo and panko-crumbed pork, the Saint Dreux team has widened the range to include wagyu beef, ebi (prawn), tori (chicken), tamago (egg) and the classic tonkatsu with Kurobuta Berkshire pork. Think white bread sandwiches must equal cheap? Think again. While most of the sandos sit around the $15 mark, the wagyu version will set you back a whole $28 — which might just make it Melbourne's most expensive sandwich. Despite this — or because of it — the sandwiches are selling out pretty early most days, so we suggest swinging by early if you want to snag one. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuvJoKxhXfw/ Housemade castella cakes are also available in original, black sesame, matcha and hōjicha (Japanese green tea) flavours, as well as croissants and an assortment of pastries by local Bakemono Bakers. Saint Dreux is the latest vendor to join St Collins Lane's contemporary food hub and sits neatly amongst a range of pan-Asian fare including Sushi Boto (where sushi is delivered to you via boat instead of train), Poke Workshop and Think Asia as well as a couple of espresso bars. Saint Dreux is now open in St Collins Lane Food Hall, Level Two, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne. It's open from 8am–5pm daily. Top image: Bekon Media.
Every year the Fringe Festival gives Melbourne the chance to show itself off with exhibitions, performances and live art filling up the city’s humming laneways, theatres, and unconventional spaces. The upside of an uncurated festival is access to the unlimited scope, diversity, and imagination of the independent scene, but the sheer number of artworks on offer can make it tricky to navigate. To give you a taste, we’ve rounded up ten events taking place during the Fringe, which runs from September 18 to October 6. Now that it’s become a Melbourne institution, it would be easy for the festival to rest on its laurels, but the artists from these pieces stand out for their sense of risk. Shows like Kids Killing Kids and Viet Kieu are testament to the increasing value Melbourne audiences are finding in cross-cultural performance, while Digital Outlawed, Momentum: Live and the Fringe’s own Digital Gardens show us a tantalising glimpse of the possibilities on the next frontier for contemporary art. Kids Killing Kids In late 2011, four young Australian writers travelled to Manila to collaborate with local artists from the Sipat Lawin Ensemble on an adaptation of the famous novel Battle Royale. When audiences began to grow night after night, baying for blood, the production attracted massive international media coverage, and forced the playwrights to ask themselves questions about the nature of collaboration across cultures, onstage violence, and contemporary Filipino culture. One of three offerings in the Festival from Melbourne theatre company MKA, Kids Killing Kids is equal parts narrative and documentary reflecting on these events. September 20 – 29, October 1 – 3; Fringe Hub - The Warehouse, 521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne Digital Outlawed 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. September 19 – 30; Raglan Street Gallery, 14 Raglan St, North Melbourne Yarn Devised in residence at The Australian Tapestry Workshop, Yarn is an evocative, site-specific piece of theatre that combines physical performance with poetic language. The work was created by Lily Fish (Inside A Mime's Compact, Alone, Isobel and Installation A), a member of the award-winning Fringe favourites The Dig Collective, who tease apart the mythology of the past to ground old stories in the here and now. September 25 – 28, October 2 – 5; Australian Tapestry Workshop, 262/266 Park St, South Melbourne Digital Gardens On the surface, Digital Gardens looks like the now 31-year-old Fringe trying to prove it’s still got the new age tech savvy of a pimply teenager. But don’t be put off by your first impressions — the program on offer doesn’t just use digital media as a gimmick but actually engages with its possibilities for audience interaction and storytelling. One of the ways the project will work is by collaborating with artists who are presenting in the Hub so that audiences from those shows can recreate their live experiences of that work in a digital format. Melbourne’s a city that punches above its weight in the world of independent game development, and the Fringe are inviting some of the city’s talented digital designers to dream up some immersive, multiplayer experiences for visitors. September 19 – 21, City Square, Melbourne CBD; September 28 – 29 and October 5 – 6, Prahran Town Hall, City of Stonnington Live Acts On Stage When acclaimed Australian playwright Michael Gow was approached by Four Letter Word Theatre about the rights to his already-debauched Live Acts on Stage, he insisted on rewriting the script; dialing up the filth to the level demanded by the company’s established fondness for provocation. The play’s a roller-coaster ride through Greek mythology, with the actors from a company on the rise juggling 45 characters in Gow’s savagely funny text. September 26 – 29, October 1- 5; fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane Simon Taylor Young Melbourne funnyman Simon Taylor was whisked away from the city’s comedy circuit after a chance run in with Jay Leno led to a regular gig writing for The Tonight Show. When he’s not coming up with gags for Jay he keeps busy with his original webseries Make It Gourmet — somehow he’s found time for a set of homecoming shows that stretches out over the course of the whole festival. September 18 – October 6; The Imperial Hotel, Cnr Bourke and Spring St, Melbourne CBD Mandek Penha “Mandek Penha is my father / Mandek Penha is my mother...” After ensnaring audiences across Melbourne over the past few years with his not-sure-if-serious cult of live music, comedy and multimedia, the Current Earthly Embodiment of Mandek Penha will be taking over upstairs at The Toff in Town in September. In the past he’s promoted his shows by hitting the streets of Melbourne, where reviews ranged from “I didn’t just get out of jail for this” to outright bafflement. Watching a packed-out audience of drunken punters be completely hypnotised by his live show’s suspiciously high production values is an experience in itself. September 23, 30; The Toff in Town, Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne Viet Kieu Viet Kieu is a spicy cabaret, provoking questions of Asian-Australian identity as it seduces with its dark comedy. While there’s a massive audience for multilingual performance in Melbourne, Diana Nguyen’s piece is one of only a few shows within the festival that not only try and fill that gap, but also show that this kind of diverse work deserves pride of place in the independent scene. It’s also a chance to catch the work of the director, emerging dynamo Felix Ching Ho, before she explodes next year. September 18 – 29, October 2 – 6; The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Pl., Melbourne Momentum: Live Coming straight from the Sydney Frigne, Nat Grant is bringing her durational online composition project, Momentum: Live, to Melbourne. By integrating electronic processing and sampling with acoustic sound recordings, Nat creates cumulative sound worlds that link human, digital and natural environments. With consecutive showings in Melbourne and Sydney, Nat will be taking sounds from Newtown to Fitzroy and sculpting them into eight unique live performances across both festivals. September 19 – 22; Conduit Arts, 83 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Bushpig Reviewers called the breakout premiere of Bushpig “the most intriguing show at this year’s Adelaide Fringe” — after taking the City of Churches by storm, Bagabus Inc. are touring their first show to Melbourne and Sydney. With an array of elements across live music, illusion, and insanity, it seems like the show could easily burst at the seams — but if word of mouth’s anything to go by, the creators Hannah Malarski and Jack Richardson have crafted a piece that sears through confusion. September 19 – 28; The Owl and the Pussycat, 34 Swan St, Richmond
Meet your mates under the palm trees at this year's instalment of the St Kilda Twilight Market. Returning to the picturesque O'Donnell Gardens this summer, you'll find the very best in locally-made arts, crafts, clothing and accessories — as well as gourmet food and live music at this weekly evening market in the shadow of Luna Park. Running every Thursday from 5pm to 10pm through to the end of February, the market features dozens of stalls selling everything from vintage wear to hand crafted jewellery. They'll also welcome some of Melbourne's favourite food vendors, including Hoy Pinoy, Senor BBQ and Jerry's Vegiburgers, plus sweet French praline from Chooh La La. Whether you're looking for a bargain or just want to chill out by the sea, this is the southside summer spot for you.
If a luxury getaway is on the cards this summer, NSW has a stunning new outback accommodation option to add to your wish-list. Set on a 9000-acre family-run, third generation beef and sheep property near Warialda in the state's north (about seven hours from Sydney and five from Brisbane), the newly launched Faraway Domes promises a luxury secluded escape, with the added bonus of a minimal carbon footprint thanks to an off-grid power supply. Designed to be able to create its own natural heating and cooling, the self-contained geodesic dome structure fits two and is kitted out in style. You're sure to feel right at home with the luxury four-poster king size bed, a proper bathroom, open-plan living area with TV and, if you choose, a full kitchen stocked with your choice of gourmet eats and ingredients. Meanwhile, a surrounding elevated deck (complete with an outdoor bath) takes full advantage of those sweeping rural views, ideal for nights spent sipping wine under the stars. When you're not living it up in your gorgeous temporary home, you'll find plenty nearby to keep you entertained — Macintyre Falls, Copeton Dam, Cranky Rock Nature Reserve and the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park are located all within an hour's drive of the dome. Faraway Domes currently just has one dome on the property, with plans to construct more in the future. Faraway Domes opens for bookings today with a one-night stay priced at $372. You'll find it at 405 Munsies Road, Warialda, NSW.
Beauty pageants can be a tired business. More and more, the women end up looking eerily similar, everyone seems to be an expert at baton twirling, and then eventually someone mentions world peace and the audience's eyes roll out of their heads with boredom. Miss Gay and Miss Transexual Australia is exactly the alternative we might need. Now in its fourth year, this show is providing a fresh take on the medium featuring the most beautiful and stylish gay men, cross-dressers, drag queens and transexuals from across Australia. This year's theme, 'Dreams and Fantasy', may sound familiar, but with this new take the average show may be in for a much-needed shot of diversity. This show was one of our top picks for Midsumma 2014, see our full list here.
When it comes to street art exhibitions, it really doesn't get any bigger than this. A retrospective of Banksy's work is making its way to Australia, featuring more than 80 of the artist's off-street masterpieces. From October 7 to January 22, The Paddock in Melbourne's Federation Square will play host to The Art of Banksy, a massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon. Endeavouring to take audiences on a journey through Banksy's output and mindset, the exhibition will include the well-known Girl with Balloon, Flag Wall and Laugh Now pieces, as well as three efforts that have never before been displayed to the public. If it sounds epic, that's because it is. The art featured has been sourced from over 40 different private collectors around the world, and comprises the largest showcase of Banksy pieces to ever make its way to our shores. As curated by the artist's former manager Steve Lazarides, the exhibition is also a little controversial. While every piece is original, unique and authentic, The Art of Banksy proudly boasts that the entire show is 100% unauthorised. No, Banksy hasn't signed off on the event. As well as displaying Banksy's work in a custom-built enclosure, The Art of Banksy will also shine a light on a range of pieces by well-known and emerging local street artists. Expect to find them on the surrounding external surfaces and the inside walls of the exhibition's own Circle Bar, which will serve craft beers and cocktails. Outside, the Welcome to Thornbury team will corral a heap of food trucks into an area called 'The Railyard'. Plus, on Friday nights and Saturday arvos, DJs will also provide appropriate tunes to suit the occasion. Of course, Melbournites will know that this isn't the mysterious figure's first dalliance with the city. The artist's stencils have popped up around the city previously courtesy of a visit in 2003, though many have been destroyed and damaged in the years since. The Art of Banksy will run from October 7 to January 22 at The Paddock in Federation Square, Melbourne. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the exhibition website.
For four decades, The Shining has been responsible for many a nightmare — not only due to Stephen King's 1977 bestseller, which helped cement him as a horror maestro, but courtesy of Stanley Kubrick's unnerving and acclaimed 1980 film. If you've ever been spooked by twins, garish hexagonal hotel carpet designs, sprawling hedge mazes, elevators filled with blood, someone shouting "here's Johnny!" or just Jack Nicholson in general, you have this macabre masterpiece to thank. From parodies to homages to overt recreations, The Shining is also the unsettling gift that keeps giving. Everything from The Simpsons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Ready Player One has nodded the movie's way — as has documentary Room 237, which attempted to delve into its many secrets, meanings, theories and interpretations, too. But they've got nothing on the actual sequel to the eerie story. It picks up decades later, following the now-adult Danny Torrance as he tries to cope with the fallout from his supernatural gift. (Oh, and the memory of being terrorised by his axe-wielding dad as well.) In the first trailer for Doctor Sleep — which is based on Stephen King's 2013 novel of the same name — all work and no play made Danny (Ewan McGregor) something something. Perturbed, mainly, as he grappled with the trauma he experienced in The Shining. Then he met a mysterious teenager (Kyliegh Curran) who also has the gift, and things got creepier than a ghastly woman peering out of a bath or the word 'redrum' written on a mirror. The teaser was filled with references to the film's predecessor, naturally; however the just-dropped new sneak peak ramps up the nods even further. This time, Danny heads back to the Overlook Hotel to confront his past, and things get even more ominous. Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood and Room's Jacob Tremblay also star, with The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan in the director's chair. While King was famously unhappy with Kubrick's take on The Shining — even writing the script for a three-part TV mini-series version in the 90s — here's hoping that he approves of Flanagan's vision. This is actually the filmmaker's second King adaptation, after Netflix flick Gerald's Game. Check out the latest Doctor Sleep trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oCTK2U5lpc Doctor Sleep releases in Australian cinemas on November 7, 2019.
A giant gumball machine that you can climb inside. An igloo made of doughnuts. An adult-sized ball pit in bubblegum-pink hues. A mini-cinema dedicated to sweet-themed movies. Throw in a free ice cream, sweets and snacks; a dedicated fairy floss room with its own swing; and the ability to jump out of a giant birthday cake — and Melbourne's new pop-up dessert museum sounds like the kind of place Willy Wonka might own. Called Sugar Republic, it's actually a short-term exhibition on Smith Street in Fitzroy, bringing eight weeks of sugary delights to folks with a sweet tooth. Running until August 17, the pop-up features 14 spaces designed to immerse the senses in all things chocolate, confectionery and dessert-oriented. When you're not making yourself a soft serve and showering it in sprinkles, you'll be spinning a wheel o' treats. Other highlights include a sherbet-filled rainbow bridge, a forest of giant bananas, an interactive sprinkles wall, a neon art wall and other dessert-centric art, including a giant Bubble O' Bill sculpture. And it wouldn't be a celebration of all things sweet without a huge lolly store, of course. As for the location, Sugar Republic's site was once the MacRobertson's confectionery factory — aka the brand originally behind the Freddo frog and Cherry Ripe. The last room in the space pays tribute to the company's founder, Sir Macpherson Robertson, adding a dose of history to the sugar rush. Basically, if you missed out on visiting New York's Museum of Ice Cream back in 2016, this is Australia's equivalent. Typically these kind of places are designed to be as photogenic as possible, so expect plenty of pics to clog your Instagram feed. If you're keen to take some of your own, tickets cost $35 for adults, which includes free lollies, treats and ice cream over your 90-minute stay. The exhibition is open from 10am every day except Wednesday. Last entry is at 4pm all days except Thursday and Friday, when it's 7pm.
A Noel Coward play, a series of Haydn string quartets, a concert by Clannad — wait, is this Melbourne Festival? It is, but it's the new-look Melbourne Festival, now in its first year under new artistic director Josephine Ridge. Ridge's goal with her first program has been to broaden the festival's appeal. While there will as always be a range of offerings on the weirder side of wonderful, from an epic dramatisation of a verbatim phone conversation (Nature Theater of Oklahoma's Life and Times), to an artist who makes playable musical instruments out of disarmed assault weapons (Pedro Reyes), the 2013 program is also aiming to draw in audiences who may normally have seen Melbourne Festival as not their thing. An expanded music program is a big part of that, bringing an eclectic range of acts from pop bands such as British India and Polyphonic Spree to a celebration of ska, a classical program put together with the help of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Richard Tognetti and a concert in the dark by blind artists Amadou and Mariam. This year also sees a greater focus on commissioned works, both from local artists such as Eddie Perfect and Daniel Schlusser and from big international names such as British choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Other guests of note include much-loved Indigenous singer Archie Roach, who will be playing in a grand welcome to country to kick the festival off, Hollywood legend John Landis and celebrated French ballerina Sylvie Guillem. There’s plenty for free and even if you can’t get yourself to a single film screening, gallery exhibit, concert or performance, the art will be coming to you anyway, via a series of decorative 'art trams'. Ridge has just come from nine years working on the Sydney Festival, an event which she says seems to draw more emotional engagement from its audience, compared to the intellectualised response typical of Melbourne. She’s hoping this year to bring a bit of that passion south, with a program that truly gets into Melbourne's heart. Tickets for the Melbourne Festival are on sale on Friday, 16 August. For tickets and the full program, see the festival website.
Melbourne's love affair with food trucks continues. Get down to Queen Vic Market after work on Friday and immerse yourself in the smells of sizzling Asian street food. Every Friday night throughout October and November, QVM will welcome Melbourne's favourite Asian food trucks to park along Therry Street and fire up their grills. Our recommendation: don't even bother with lunch. Vendors on site will include Let's Do Yum Cha, Hoy Pinoy Filipino BBQ, Nem N' Nem Vietnamese Hawker Kitchen, White Guy Cooks Thai and The Korean Fried Chicken Truck. Basically, whatever your preferred Asian cuisine, Stir Fridays have got you covered. Should go quite nicely with a few after-work drinks. QVM are also promising an array of live entertainment, including the team from Gyoza Records spinning the decks.
A wool shirt that you can wear for 100 days straight. No washing. No dry cleaning. No wrinkles. No odour. That is the promise from new male fashion manufacturers Wool&Prince, who are transforming the button-down into a woollen wardrobe staple. They have created a wool shirt that they claim is incredibly soft, comfortable, does not need an iron or dry clean and, best of all, will still not smell or need a wash until after at least 100 consecutive days of wear. They know, because that's how long this guy wore his. You can feel good whilst looking good, saving money on your wardrobe and saving water for the world. This is all made possible by their development of CottonSoft wool fabric, which is anti-wrinkle by nature and far more durable. The lightness and breathability of the material is what enables the wearer to smell fresh (but remember, just because the shirt does not need a wash, does not mean that you can get away without one, too). Wool&Prince have already soared past their initial Kickstarter goal of US$30,000, raising more than US$265,000 so far, and after extensive testing around the world, the project is almost ready to go and one can be yours for only US$98. If you buy six, it should set you up for a wash-free year. Via Esquire.
What do Franz Kafka and a misspelt offensive YouTube comment have in common? Usually nothing. But in the magical world of theatre — and more specifically, Malthouse Theatre's 2014 Helium program — the realms of high and low culture are coming into proper alignment. Like the recently-ogled red moon, this five-show program is casting an exciting glow on Melbourne; unlike the scarlet lunar moment, it's sticking around until early November. Now in its third year, Helium is a celebration of independent theatre-makers and original ideas. Partnering up with Next Wave and the Melbourne Fringe for certain productions, this year's initiative from the highly respected Malthouse Theatre is quickly building momentum and looks to be a major player in this year's already bustling cultural program. First cab off the rank is SEETHrough. Run in collaboration with Next Wave, this multimedia production from Sean Jorvn and the Ilbijerri Theatre Company tells a story of a friendship between a 'blackfella' and a 'whitefella', and the differing journeys they take on the path from childhood to adulthood. However the real innovation is to be seen in its audiovisual work. Containing hypnotic videography and soundscapes, Next Wave artistic director Emily Sexton describes the piece as both "menacing and fantastical". Helium's second production, Intimacy, will continue this contemplative style. Telling the story of Michelle Ryan, a dancer diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 30, the show will be a fictionalised version of real life events and performed by Ryan herself. Devised by Torque Show, the piece will feature a live score by Lavender vs. Rose and will no doubt continue the hybridity of the Helium program with some inclusion of dance. After these two, the program gets a little weird (in a good way, of course). In what's been described as a "multimedia This is Spinal Tap", Applespiel Make A Band and Take On the Recording Industry is a live-action rockumentary from Sydney performance group Applespiel. The show follows a fictional eight-piece indie band who crave success, complicated riders and "truckloads of cocaine". Needless to say, things don't work out for them, but an insight into their downfall will prove to be amusing nonetheless. In September, the Fringe brings with it some trademark strangeness; this time in the form of The YouTube Comment Orchestra. Presented by The Last Tuesday Society, this show represents months of sifting through the dark underbelly of YouTube for lyrical gold. Like a real-time, musical Google Poetics this stage spectacular will no doubt provide some srs lolz (and if you don't like it, I'm sure there's some kind of video platform you can anonymously criticise them on). Last but not least, Kafka gets an appropriate reimagining in The Second Cousins' META. Dragging the classic surrealist tale of Metamorphosis into the modern day, Samara Hersch and co. tell the story of Gregor Samsa — a family man whose mundane world unravels into a "multi-sensory nightmare". Spoiler (because you've now had 99 years to read the original): he might turn into a giant cockroach. Malthouse Theatre's 2014 Helium program: April 30 - May, 11 — SEETHrough August 13 – 23 — Intimacy September 3 -13 — Applespiel Make A Band and Take on the Recording Industry September 17 – 27 — YouTube Comment Orchestra October 22 - November 1 — META For more information including ticketing see the Malthouse website.
Playing ice hockey isn't a regular part of growing up Down Under, but watching a ragtag team of underdogs try their best on the ice has been a childhood staple since the 90s. The reason: the Mighty Ducks franchise. The three Emilio Estevez and Joshua Jackson-starring films hit screens between 1992–6, and have remained nostalgic favourites ever since. The trio of movies also spanned an animated show back in 1996; however, that's not the franchise's only leap into television. Because everything old is new again — including making that observation, because it just keeps proving relevant — Disney+ is bringing Mighty Ducks back courtesy of new series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. If Karate Kid can live on via the small screen, then so can this other beloved sports-focused saga, it seems. And like Cobra Kai, Game Changers is bringing back a familiar face when it debuts its ten-episode first season on Friday, March 26. That'd be Estevez, who reprises his role as Coach Gordon Bombay. Sadly, Jackson isn't involved this time around — but Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham will feature as the mother of a hockey-loving boy who helps him create his own team. Aimed at all ages — so at kids just discovering Mighty Ducks for the first time, and adults with fond memories — the show looks set to follow the underdog formula established in the films, as the first teaser trailer illustrates. It's set in Minnesota, where the Mighty Ducks are now a big deal, 12-year-old Evan Morrow (Brady Noon) gets cut from the team, and he and his mom (Graham) bring together their own crew in response — with the help of Bombay, of course. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zryz5mHXtw&feature=youtu.be The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers starts airing on Disney+ from Friday, March 26. Top image: Disney+.
The Game of Streaming Services has a new, long-awaited and undeniably powerful player vying for the throne. Apple have unleashed their streaming champion, Apple Music, announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at San Francisco's Moscone Centre today. Apple Music is set to launch on June 30, locked in for $10 a month (or $15 for the family plan, designed for up to six people). For this monthly fee, you'll get access to the full Apple Music library, 'expert recommendations', Apple's own curated lists of new music, and unlimited skips on Apple's radio stations. Will it work? Can Apple successfully sweep Beats Music under the rug? We're keen to try it out. So where's all this music coming from? Apple Music is linked directly to iTunes, iTunes on-demand and the cloud — we're talking 30 million songs. The streaming service combines music you've bought with music you haven't bought. The new Apple Music interface will show you music videos and artist pages, as well as 'For You' recommendations (one of Spotify, Pandora, Tidal's biggest opportunities for sweet, sweet business). All playlists will be user or DJ generated; a big bird-flip from Apple over algorithm-generated playlisting. Recommendations will also come from the social network element of Apple Music, Connect. Made particularly for artists, the service allows artists to make their own pages (or their labels, managers etc.), allowing artists to share new music and users access to behind the scenes content, photos, interviews, B-sides (yep, all the extra bits Tidal is offering). There's no word yet on the royalties artists will receive (Spotify and Pandora, for example, don't have the most ethical fees around), so watch this space. Radio plays a big role in Apple Music too, with the Beats 1 service (the one BBC's Zane Lowe left his top radio host spot for this year) announced by Apple's Jimmy Iovine today. Apple is calling this the world's first truly global radio station, one which will broadcast 24 hours a day to over a hundred countries worldwide from bases in New York, London and LA. In case you're wondering whether Siri will have her say in Apple Music, you're bang on the money. You can ask Siri to play her favourite song, bring up playlists, or use the service like Shazam with questions like, "Siri, play the LL Cool J song from the end of Deep Blue Sea." Boom. Streamed. Apple Music will be available on Mac, iOS, Apple TV on June 30 and (wait for it) PC and Android later this year. Apple are offering three-month trial membership so you can test it out for yourself. Via Apple and Wired.
