"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free," goes the old song by Ray Henderson, and while Henderson touched on little beauties like flowers that spring and robins that sing, a few more free things have come around since the 1920s, including free food from Chargrill Charlie's. In this case, little did Henderson know that far in the future, you'd be able to grab a free chicken schnitzel roll from Chargrill Charlie's Richmond for one day only. It's all to celebrate the grand opening of the charcoal chook-slinging storefront's fourth Melbourne location, hence the time-limited nature. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chargrill Charlie's (@chargrillcharlies) As such, you'll have to plan ahead to be able to head in-store between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday, November 29. And timeliness is key here, since the store only has 300 of the rolls that it's handing out without price tags. The early bird gets the free lunch, as they probably say. Chargrill Charlie's can be found at 171-173 Swan Street, Richmond. For more information, visit the website.
If your favourite natural element is of the water-based variety, you'll be very happy to dip your toes into a captivating exhibition taking over the Monash University Museum of Art from Saturday, February 4–Saturday, April 1. Assembling select works from the 23rd Biennale of Sydney showcase rīvus, new exhibition Rivermouth explores the deep connection water has with the land and the sky. It does so while spotlighting six local and international artists and participants — including the mighty Birrarung or Yarra River. [caption id="attachment_891307" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Waterbirds: Migratory Sound Flow', 2022, Tania Candiani. Installation view, 'Rivermouth' at MUMA, 2023. Photo: Christian Capurro[/caption] Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Dave Wandin explores the latter with a work that demonstrates the importance of caring for Country, while an intricate piece by Tania Candiani features field recordings of migratory Australian birds. Elsewhere, First Peoples' approach to celestial navigation is captured via a bamboo star-mapping work by Meriam artist Gail Mabo, Diana Scherer's woven grass-based creation literally grows in front of your eyes, Jessie French uses algae to make bioplastics, and you can see how Paula de Solminihac uses natural elements to completely transform fabric into masterpieces. [caption id="attachment_891304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Humus', 2019, Paula de Solminihac, 'Propeller', 2023, Jessie French, 'Entanglement', 2021–23, Diana Scherer and 'Old Gold', 2023, Jessie French. Installation view, 'Rivermouth' at MUMA, 2023. Photo: Christian Capurro[/caption] Top image: Foreground: Jessie French, 'The Myth of Nature–aga G1', 2021-2022. Courtesy of the artist & Anaïs Lellouche. Background: Cave Urban, 'Flow', 2022. Courtesy of the artists. 'Water ecosystem', 2019-2022. Courtesy of the artists & Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima. Installation view, 23rd Biennale of Sydney, 'rīvus', 2022. Photo: Document Photography.
Once again, the Chinatown Precinct is going all out for Lunar New Year, closing off Little Bourke Street (between Swanston Street and Exhibition Street) on Sunday, February 2 for a massive street party. During the day, you can expect to find plenty of food stalls, local restaurant dining deals, cultural performances, a dragon parade, blessings, live music, a kids' area (with face-painting and craft classes) and a big pop-up beer garden. The official party lasts from 10am–8pm, but the street will be closed to cars until 2am — letting folks carry on at nearby late-night bars and BYO restaurants. But the festivities aren't only taking place on Sunday, February 2. The Museum of Chinese Australian History is also running a couple of different exhibitions from Saturday, January 25, and hosting a series of Shaolin kung fu performances on Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2. Simply rock up to the museum's Shaolin Temple from 7.30-9pm on these days to find the monks putting on a show. The museum has even teamed up with nearby restaurants to run a couple of cultural tours and dinners. On Thursday, February, 6, punters can pay an easy $88 for a culinary talk paired with an 11-course feed at Chine on Paramount. And the following day, on Friday, February 7, museum staff will take visitors on a guided tour of Chinatown, which ends at Longrain — where guests can enjoy a big Lunar New Year set menu ($148 per person). [caption id="attachment_787188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Longrain by Eugene Hyland[/caption] Lord Mayor Nick Reece shared, "There is only one place to ring in the Chinese Lunar New Year and that's at our historic Chinatown Precinct." "Last year, more than 200,000 people flocked to Chinatown to celebrate and with new activations galore I can't wait to see what's in store as we make new memories and transition from the dragon to the snake." The Melbourne Chinatown Precinct's 2025 Lunar New Year block party is running on Sunday, February 2. For more details on this event and other LNY celebrations, you can visit the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association's website.
The silly season is upon us. Time to let go of those inhibitions and indulge in the excess of the season. Whether you're hosting Chrissie lunch, heading to a summer barbie or organising the office drinks, you'll want to make sure you're dining and sipping well. So, to help you sort out the menu, we've teamed up with our friends at Pernod Ricard, purveyors of festive tipples like Mumm, Chivas, St Hugo and Jacob's Creek, to bring you some top-notch food and beverage pairings for the festive season. Whether you're after a traditional roast, barbecued seafood or some tasty little canapés, we've tracked down a tip-top tipple to complement your Christmas fare. OYSTERS AND CHAMPAGNE It's a classic pairing; there's just something about the smooth, tannic saltiness of an oyster paired with a fizzy, dry Champagne that makes for a perfect (and rather lush) starter. Mumm's signature Cordon Rouge is a key drop to pair with your raw bar this Christmas. The nose offers hints of white and yellow peach with some delicate notes of lychee and pineapple, and on the palate, you can expect a complex yet well-balanced mouthfeel with lots of fresh fruity notes and the tiniest hint of caramel to balance. Pop and pour some Mumm as you shuck oysters with the family. And make sure everyone gets a go at opening their own oyster. SALMON AND A SPRITZ Fresh, bubbly and fun, the prosecco spritz is like that friend you invite to everything because you know they'll be the life of the party. And Jacob's Creek's version is no different — plus it makes hosting a breeze with the aromatic, orangey spritz flavours already bottled up. All you've gotta do is pour over ice and garnish with a slice of orange. As for the food, we recommend pairing those bitter orange notes and herbaceous aromas with the salty, oily flavours of smoked salmon blinis with cucumber, creme fraiche and salmon roe. It's elegant, sophisticated and dead easy to prep and serve. GRILLED PRAWNS AND ROSÉ With the heat, sunshine and general summer vibes, Australian Christmas typically favours seafood —what's more Australian than chucking a few shrimp on the barbie? Well, should you live in an apartment sans barbecue or just can't be bothered with the whole 'uh oh the prawn has fallen through the grate', this grilled alternative is quick, easy, flavourful and pairs quite well with a glass of rosé or two. Marinate the prawns in butter, lemon juice, garlic and herbs, and then place under your oven grill for two to three minutes. Plate up the prawns and get some chilled Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé on the pour. And with this pairing falling in line with the pinky orange Pantone colour of 2019, you'll not only eat like a king but a stylish, on-trend one at that. CHRISTMAS ROAST AND CAB SAV Even though it's likely to hit 30-plus degrees this Christmas, it's still hard to beat a traditional Christmas roast lunch on the big day. If you're going for a roast turkey, goose or chicken, complete with all the trimmings, you'll need a wine that can hold its own against the mammoth meal. St Hugo cabernet sauvignon pours an inky red-purple and offers a spicy bouquet of cherries, blackberries and a touch of star anise. On the palate expect a full body with roasted chestnut flavour and oaky vanilla, that finishes with an acidity that brings it all home. CHOCOLATE AND WHISKY Chocolate and whisky — it's got decadence written all over it. To achieve maximum opulence, you'll want to find a drop that'll be enriched by a chocolate pairing. The Chivas Regal 18 is a blended scotch whisky aged to bring out a smooth, spicy and slightly sweet flavour profile. The buttery toffee and caramel notes are complemented by dried fruit and a hint of spice and dark chocolate. Pour a nip over a single ice cube to pull out the flavours, and pair it with a square (or block) of rich, dark chocolate — or, even more decadent, a fudgy chocolate cake. Start planning your festive menus — Christmas will be here before you know it. Purchase any two eligible Pernod products from a Cellarbrations, The Bottle O, IGA Liquor or Big Bargain Bottleshop, and go in the draw to win a $500 travel voucher. There's one voucher to win every day till Christmas. And really, what could be better for the holiday spirit than winning an actual holiday?
Taking to the skies soon? The food might be a little more delicious than you remember. That's because Virgin Australia has just launched new winter menus in both its economy and business classes, so you can embark on a culinary journey at 35,000 feet. Made fresh daily, those in the cheap seats can now tuck into Italian and Aussie dishes crafted by St. Food Co., with options ranging from creamy spinach and ricotta tortellini to savoury sausage rolls. Plus, you can now pair these satisfying flavours with an Archie Rose Gin & Peach Soda. As for business class travellers, a new globally inspired menu is being served from Wednesday, May 28. Think Japanese-style soba noodles with grilled chicken, a three-bean Mexican quesadilla with sour cream and salsa, and an Indian-inspired chickpea masala with herbed jasmine rice. Whether you're flying first thing in the morning or catching the red-eye, the business class menu also features fancy rotating options for breakfast and dessert. Start the day with a blueberry pancake stack topped with mascarpone and boysenberry, blackcurrant and apple compote, or round things out with strawberry cheesecake or sticky date cake. "At Virgin Australia, we believe flying should be as enjoyable as the destination, right down to what's served onboard. Our new winter menu embodies our passion for bringing personality to the skies, featuring fresh, flavour-packed options designed to add value and delight at every bite," says Kyler Chong, Virgin Australia's General Manager Product & Customer Strategy. That's good news if you're a white-knuckled flyer looking to distract yourself, or just someone keen to pass the time with food that doesn't make you regret your life choices. Featuring a thoughtful balance of variety, value and flavour, these winter menus mean your next departure date just got better. Virgin Australia's new winter menu is now being served in economy class, while the business class menu launches on Wednesday, May 28. Head to the website for more information.
Before Stranger Things returns for its fifth and final season sometime in 2025, Finn Wolfhard has some slasher things to deal with. Movie lovers in Sydney can see how that pans out at Fantastic Film Festival Australia's 2025 run. With Hell of a Summer, the actor also turns co-director and co-writer with his Ghostbusters: Afterlife, When You Finish Saving the World and Saturday Night co-star Billy Bryk, with the pair giving the summer-camp masked-killer horror subgenre their own spin. Helping out on-screen: Gladiator II and The White Lotus' Fred Hechinger, plus Reservation Dogs' D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. That's how Fantastic Film Festival Australia is opening this year, with a meta horror-comedy. From there, this celebration of boundary-pushing pictures has 26 more features on its lineup, 16 of the rest brand-new and then ten others must-see classics. Melburnians can get their fix at Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn across Thursday, April 24–Thursday, May 15, plus at Thornbury Picture House from Tuesday, April 29–Monday, May 5. If you haven't been to FFFA before, the event is marking its fifth iteration in 2025 — and one of its hallmarks, the nude screening, is back for the occasion. Get ready to say "yeah, baby" to watching a movie sans clothes, with Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery this year's flick to watch while wearing nix (following on from past sessions of nudist camp-set comedy Patrick, The Full Monty, Zoolander and The Naked Gun). Another highlight of 2025's program: the retrospective dedicated to Scottish writer/director Lynne Ramsay. Her filmography might only span four features since 1999, all of which are showing at FFFA, but it's a resume that any fellow helmer should envy. For audiences, getting the chance to see Ratcatcher, Morvern Callar, We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here on the big screen — whether for the first time or as a revisit — is a cinephile's dream. Among the fest's new fare, The Second Act hits the lineup after opening the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, with Rubber and Deerskin's Quentin Dupieux enlisting Léa Seydoux (Dune: Part Two), Louis Garrel (Saint-Exupéry) and Vincent Lindon (The Quiet Son) for his latest absurdist satire. Or, catch Tár's Noémie Merlant in The Balconettes, which she co-wrote with her Portrait of a Lady on Fire director Céline Sciamma; see what happens when The Wild Boys and After Blue's Bertrand Mandico combines two film essays in one split-screen presentation in Dragon Dilatation; and head back to 1999 while journeying into teen antics 3000 light years away in Escape From the 21st Century. Viewers can get a dose of eerie puppetry via Monkey's Magic Merry Go Round, too, then watch Crispin Glover (Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities) as a magician in Mr. K and undergo a unique animated musical-comedy experience with Spermageddon. Back with FFFA's 2025 blasts from the past, John Woo's (The Killer) gun-fu great Hard Boiled is the festival's closing-night pick, including screening in 35mm in Sydney. If you're keen on a movie marathon, Umbrella-Palooza will get you watching three films about technological nightmares, all courtesy of Australian distributor Umbrella Entertainment — starting with 2002's Cypher, then heading back to 1990's vision of cyberpunk in Hardware, before the OG Japanese Pulse unleashes its presence. Supporting homegrown efforts, the fest has 1977 psychological thriller Summerfield among its retro component, alongside four newcomers: the Super 8-shot A Grand Mockery; the Pedro Almodóvar (The Room Next Door)-inspired Salt Along the Tongue; Pure Scum, which is set amid Melbourne's private-school culture; and Sword of Silence, as shot completely under a full moon. Aussie talents are also in focus in the Melbourne Shorts screening.
Movie buffs in Melbourne's west are getting a new cinema to call their own, with a 12-screen complex on its way to Moonee Ponds. Due to open on busy Puckle Street in 2019, the theatre will be owned and operated by arthouse chain Palace Cinemas. The space will include three 'platinum' screens as well as an outdoor cinema space, and will presumably feature the same extensive bar offerings as other Palace locations. The cinema will be just one aspect of a new retail, leisure, hospitality and residential development from Giancorp Property Group, which will also boast a 50-room residential hotel and a rock-climbing wall. "We have longed for a home in Melbourne's west for a while now," said Palace CEO Benjamin Zeccola in a statement announcing the new venture. "Our audiences had expressed that there was a real market gap in cinemas delivering a premium experience and offering quality film in that area, so when the opportunity arose to be part of a stylish new development in Puckle Street, it was perfect." The Moonee Ponds site is one of two new Melbourne locations currently in the works for Palace, with the company also set to open a 15-screen complex inside Coburg's former Pentridge Prison, also in 2019. Footscray, meanwhile, is getting an eight-screen cinema courtesy of the team behind Yarraville's iconic Sun Theatre.
Bringing the outdoors in, greening up tiny city apartments, eating farm-fresh food, growing your own edible morsels: noble aims, all of them, but they're not always easy to achieve. A lack of room and a need for ongoing effort can hinder even the best laid inside gardening plans; however O Garden aims to make cultivating your own indoor veggie garden as simple as buying a new — and eye-catching — piece of furniture. Designed and manufactured in Canada, O Garden is a round, rotating cylinder specially designed for growing organic goodies in small spaces, and with as little need for human intervention as possible. Seeds are planted in soil placed on top of coconut matting, then automatically fed with organic liquid fertiliser while the wheel slowly spins around a central light source. All you need to do is water them once a week, then wait 30 to 40 days until harvesting time. Overall, the O Garden can produce around 100 plants in about half a square metre of space, making it quite the compact indoor greenhouse. As for just what you can grow within its circular confines, expect to munch on herbs like basil, rosemary, mint and parsley; greens such as spinach, lettuce and chives; and even celery, cherry tomatoes and strawberries. Alas, homegrown fresh food fans, the O Garden doesn't come cheap — though its US$1397 price tag doesn't factor in what you'll save if you put it to good veggie-growing use. At present, it only currently ships to the US and Europe, but here's hoping that changes soon. Via inhabitat.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato, Weet-Bix and fairy bread varieties, hot cross bun gelato and even gelato for dogs. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from an extremely popular drink: bubble tea. Yes, bubble tea is now a thing you can eat, not just drink, thanks to Gelatissimo. Launching this Friday, July 24, the brown sugar bubble milk tea flavour is made from a combination of organic assam tea and black tea, which are infused in creamy gelato and mixed with a swirl of brown sugar syrup. As it wouldn't really be a bubble tea without pearls, each cup or cone comes topped with chewy brown sugar tapioca pearls. If you order a takeaway tub, pearls come packed separately. Prefer sipping on your bubble tea rather than scooping it? Gelatissimo is also whizzing the limited-edition flavour into gelato shakes. As Victoria is in lockdown and NSW residents have been advised against non-essential travel, Gelatissimo is bringing the gelato to you and offering delivery through UberEats, DoorDash and Deliveroo. Gelatissimo's brown sugar bubble milk gelato flavour is available from all 43 stores nationwide for a limited time.
Feeling peeved about the rising cost of your morning latte? Give your bank account a break without quitting the caffeine when ALDI opens the doors to its new corner store concept in the CBD today. Melbourne's first ALDI Corner Store hits Swanston Street from Thursday, September 8 and, to kick things off, it's welcoming punters with cups of barista-brewed Lazzio coffee for just 37 cents each — the same price it'd cost if you bought the beans and made it at home yourself. You can nab your blisteringly cheap cuppa from the store's pop-up coffee cart, only on September 8 and 9, with all profits donated to Camp Quality. While the coffee cart is temporary, the Corner Store will be sticking around for the foreseeable future, stocked with a range of grab-and-go meals, artisan baked goods and even the odd ALDI Special Buy. City workers — you're about to get a whole lot more bang for your buck when it comes to that weekly lunchbreak budget. On the shelves, you'll find bites ranging from wraps and sandwiches (maybe cheese and tomato chutney or a chicken BLT), to rice paper rolls and sushi (think, tuna avocado maki rolls and mixed seafood nigiri). There are danishes both sweet and savoury, plus goodies like almond croissants, cinnamon buns and pain au chocolat. The in-store bakery will also be slinging an exclusive, locally-baked Grain + Stone artisan sourdough bread, along with loaves ranging from olive and basil to a seedy wholewheat. The store itself has been designed with time-poor lunchbreak shoppers in mind, boasting easy navigation and self-serve checkouts. It's even decked out with a commissioned mural by local artist George Rose for an extra splash of Melbourne flavour. ALDI has had a few new tricks up its sleeve of late — in July, Sydney scored an ALDI pop-up bar with budget-friendly wine and cheese, while the supermarket brand's pop-up dumpling truck was slinging hot gyoza to the people of Bankstown just last month. Find the ALDI Corner Store at 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD, from September 8. It's open from 8.30am on weekdays and from 8am on weekends. The Lazzio coffee cart will be slinging 37-cent coffees on September 8 and 9, with proceeds donated to Camp Quality. BYO reusable cup and Aldi will double the donation.
During this last week of April there's been a bit of good news about Australia's battle to contain coronavirus. Queensland and NSW both announced the easing of some restrictions from this Friday, May 1, South Australia has had seven days in a row of no new cases and the ACT, as of today, has zero active cases. Also unveiled today was the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal, which includes the reopening of restaurants, bars and cafes — in just two weeks. Announced today by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, the roadmap is broken into three parts. From midday tomorrow, May 1, some "simple and safe" outdoor activities are allowed — including weddings and funerals, outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained (so tennis is OK, but not basketball) and fishing, boating and sailing with other people — and public swimming pools, water parks, playgrounds and campgrounds (outside biosecurity areas) can open. Stage two, set to start from midday on Friday, May 15, allows "safer" indoor activities for "less than two hours". Places of worship, public libraries, gyms, beauty therapy salons (for non-facial services), shopping centre food courts and restaurants, cafes and bars can all have customers for short bursts. So, you can go and have a couple of pints at a bar or a bowl of pasta and a wine, but not sit down for an eight-course degustation. The venues wanting to reopen as part of this second round of eased restrictions must submit a "simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist" to prove they're operating within physical distancing and hygiene guidelines, but these do not need to be approved. At present, the Chief Minister has not outlined exactly what these physical distancing guidelines are, but the checklist will be made public on May 5. [caption id="attachment_714483" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney's Cantina OK is currently closed. Image by Kimberley Low.[/caption] If the guidelines include the Federal Government's previous one person-per-four-square-metre limit, it's possible it won't be viable for all hospitality venues to reopen. When this restriction was first introduced back in March 20, many hospitality spots — including tiny Sydney mezcal bar Cantina OK — chose to close. Some closed even earlier, when the government introduced a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Part three of the NT government's plan is set to be rolled out on June 5, and includes the removal of the two-hour limit and the commencement of more indoor and outdoor activities, such as going to a football game and the opening of cinemas, theatres, concert halls, nightclubs and entertainment venues (in an "approved configuration"). The territory's 14-day forced quarantine rules for all non-essential interstate travellers does not have an end date as part of the plan — so, no, don't expect to go on a holiday to the Top End anytime soon. The NT has had significantly less cases compared to other states and territories, with a total of 27 — as of 6am on April 30 — compared with 1034 in Queensland, 1354 in Victoria and 3016 in New South Wales. But the two-month plan could be an example of what the road out might look like for the rest of the country, albeit a little later on. You can find out more about the Northern Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal here.
Before getting a glimpse into everyone else's lives was as simple as logging into your social-media platform of choice, a game arrived that let its players do something similar with computerised characters. A spinoff from SimCity and its city-building follow-ups, The Sims allows whoever is mashing buttons to create and control virtual people, then step through their existence. First hitting in February 2000, it has spawned three sequels, plus a whole heap of expansion and compilation packs for each — and online, console and mobile versions as well. A quarter of a century since its debut, The Sims still keeps dropping new releases. To mark its 25th birthday, there's now The Sims: Birthday Bundle. That's one way to celebrate the game's latest anniversary. Here's another: stepping inside a three-day Australian pop-up dedicated to the beloved life simulator, which is heading to Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from Friday, February 21–Sunday, February 23, 2025. Despite The Sims' more-recent titles, thinking about the game usually means thinking about the 2000s. So, this pop-up is taking that truth to heart by celebrating the Y2K era, too. Going along involves entering inside a 2000s-era pre-teen bedroom that's been decked out by Josh & Matt Design with all of the appropriate touches. Yes, it'll be nostalgic. Yes, there'll be CD towers and blow-up couches, just to name a few decor choices. The pop-up will also feature free stations where you can play The Sims: Birthday Bundle, if the best way for you to commeroate the occasion is by diving into the franchise virtually. In addition, there'll also be a free panel about the game on the Saturday, with speakers including Josh & Matt Design's Josh Jessup and Matt Moss — who are big The Sims fans — and EA/Firemonkeys' Simulation Division General Manager Mavis Chan.
Want to get your long weekend off to a cracking start? This should do the trick: a night spent dancing up a storm to DJ tunes in a huge brewery while sipping on a few boozy slushies. That's the situation that awaits you at Moon Dog World's free Good Friday Eve party, which kicks off from 5pm on Thursday, April 6. The giant Preston brewpub is serving up a big dose of long-weekend musical goodness — not only is legendary duo Confidence Man hitting the decks to headline the evening's soundtrack, but they'll be backed by local favourites MzRizk and DJ Be Kind To Other People. The tunes start from 7pm and it'll all be spinning until 1am. As always, Moon Dog's 72-tap bar will have a host of good stuff to quench your thirst and fuel your best dance moves, including cocktails, craft brews and slushies made on their signature Fizzer seltzers. What's more, if you're there between 5–7pm, you'll find Razzlers — the brewery's new range of fruity RTD cans — going for $8 a pop. Entry is free and you can RSVP online. But as always, the sprawling venue will have lots of space for walk-ins, too.
What features a bruised and bloody Man of Steel (David Corenswet, Lady in the Lake), plus his dog Krypto dragging him home? The first teaser trailer for Superman did when it dropped in December 2024. What builds upon that scene, showing how the superhero canine first wants to play, then takes his human companion back to the Fortress of Solitude? The new almost five-minute sneak peek at the film that initially premiered at CinemaCon 2025, and has now been released online by writer/director James Gunn. Gunn hasn't just penned, helmed and produced Superman. He's also overseeing the new DC Universe in his role as co-CEO and co-Chairman of DC Studios. His take on Krypton's most-famous figure is the debut film in the new franchise, and it has a date with cinemas in July 2025 — but you can now see a bit more of it in advance, before much of what was in the first teaser follows. Alongside Corenswet as the flick's eponymous character, Superman boasts Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) as Lex Luthor, plus Gunn regular Nathan Fillion (Deadpool & Wolverine) as Green Lantern and Anthony Carrigan (Barry) as Metamorpho. Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) also co-stars Supergirl, as part of a cast that spans Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus), Frank Grillo (Tulsa King), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) and Wendell Pierce (Elsbeth), too. As always in the Super, The Suicide Squad, and three-time Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker's work, Gunn's brother Sean (Creature Commandos) is among the ensemble as well. If it feels like Superman has been missing for cinemas for a while — well, in these superhero movie-heavy days, that is — that's because it's been eight years, since Justice League. That's when Zack Snyder's film initially arrived in its theatrical version (Zack Snyder's Justice League, aka the Snyder Cut, debuted on streaming in 2021). In the DC Universe, Superman will be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026, as directed by Dumb Money's Craig Gillespie. Clayface will also release in the same year, working with a script from Doctor Sleep and The Fall of the House of Usher's Mike Flanagan. As for Superman's story, the trailers aren't big on narrative detail, but Gunn's take on the character is set to be a superhero who believes in humanity's goodness — even if presumably Lex Luthor tests that idea. Check out the latest sneak peek at Superman below: Superman releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
There are many delightful tidbits and details about Sparks, aka "your favourite band's favourite band" as they're often described, including in Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver filmmaker Edgar Wright's exceptional documentary The Sparks Brothers. One of the latest: that siblings Russell and Ron Mael currently begin their live sets with 'So May We Start'. The song kicked off Annette first, the second of the two films that had everyone talking about the duo in 2021. In the Adam Driver (65)- and Marion Cotillard (Extrapolations)-starring movie, it ushers in as distinctive a big-screen musical as you'll ever see, marionette children and all, as helmed by Holy Motors' Leos Carax and penned by Sparks with the director. At the band's gigs since, it commences an onstage dance through more than 50 years of bouncily, giddily, deeply influential tunes, each one of them gloriously infectious classics. "All pop music is rearranged Sparks," offers Jack Antonoff in Wright's doco. He isn't wrong. Australian concertgoers can experience the truth behind that statement live this spring, when 'So May We Start' no doubt begins Sparks' first visit to Australia in more than two decades. As part of their biggest world tour ever — a feat aided by The Sparks Brothers and Annette introducing them to new fans — they're playing four Aussie dates: solo shows at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne's Palais Theatre and Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane; and as part of the packed roster at Adelaide's Harvest Rock II festival alongside Beck, Jamiroquai, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and more. Beck was another of Wright's gushing interviewees, because the list of people singing Sparks' praises is as huge as their back catalogue. The Maels didn't write 'So May We Start' with that prestigious spot on their setlist in mind. "It just seemed like a really cool touch for the story to have something that was outside of the actual story that was about to happen, but with all the cast and characters, but not yet in their roles that they're going to assume," Russell tells Concrete Playground ahead of Sparks' arrival in Australia. "They were just mere actors assembling before the production starts. So we really like that as a conceit." "We like starting a set — I mean, it just seems perfect, obviously, lyrically — but also starting with a song that isn't even from a Sparks album, in a certain way, that it is from an outside source," adds Ron. "Even though it's a film that we wrote — and so it's really fun for us to do it." [caption id="attachment_818979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Focus Features[/caption] Fun has always been an apt term for Sparks' genre-hopping songs and vibe from their late-60s beginnings through to their latest release, with 2023's The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte their 26th studio album. This is the art-pop duo with an album named Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, an earworm of a song called 'Dick Around' and another track that largely repeats the words "my baby's taking me home", after all — and a band that once staged a 21-night spectacular to play their then 21-album discography in full as well. It's also the group that has worked with everyone from Giorgio Moroder to Faith No More and Franz Ferdinand. And, Sparks now have Cate Blanchett starring in the video for their newest record's eponymous single, fresh from earning her eighth Oscar nomination for Tár. How did that latest collaboration come about? After half a century of ace tunes, what has the renewed attention of the last few years, including their tunes soundtracking everything from Yellowjackets to Justified: City Primeval, been like? Where do they keep finding inspiration for such smart, witty tracks that are both ace as songs and cleverly amusing? Are more movies in their future? Who would they most like to collaborate with? Russell and Ron chatted with us about all of the above and more. [caption id="attachment_923022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shot for Dive In Magazine.[/caption] ON GAINING NEW FANS THANKS TO THE SPARKS BROTHERS AND ANNETTE — AND PLAYING BIGGER SHOWS AS A RESULT Russell: "In a certain way, it's just really pretty unique that a band with 26-album-long history is now finding this kind of new and diverse kind of audience after this long of a career. It's not the typical career path for someone to take, where a band that's had a long history now finds itself in the position where things are more on the upswing, and we're playing the bigger audiences. Australia will be the last stop on world tour that we've done through Europe and North America and Japan, and now Australia. And the shows have been bigger and bigger. We've played the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. We did a couple of nights at the Royal Albert Hall in in London, and Glastonbury. And now to be able to come to Australia and play places like the Sydney Opera House, for us it's really special, but it's also really kind of mind-boggling that, at this late stage in a career, to have this kind of acceptance and re-examination of what Sparks is." Ron: "Even the movie thing is strange because we've tried for decades to get a film musical made. Then to have two films, and they both, just by happenstance, came out around the same time — the Edgar Wright documentary, but also Annette, the musical. So it became a concentrated thing even with the films that we were involved in." ON AGREEING TO A SPARKS DOCUMENTARY Ron: "We were really thrilled because he isn't the first director that's approached us, it's happened from time to time earlier, but we were always really hesitant to do a documentary. We always felt that what we were doing as a band really spoke for how we wanted ourselves to be represented in a biographical way, and we felt that it was needless to have a documentary. But then Edgar came along, and part of it was just his enthusiasm, but also our respect for him as a director — and then the fact that within the documentary, he said that he felt personally that all of our different eras were equal in a creative sense, if not necessarily, obviously, in a commercial way. But it wasn't like there was a golden age. So we immediately said yes. We were hoping that the documentary wouldn't just be a dry 'and then this happened' kind of documentary. We wanted it to be like an Edgar Wright film, even though he had never really done a documentary before — and we were thrilled at how it turned out." [caption id="attachment_923021" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin Ross[/caption] ON SPARKS SONGS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE ON-SCREEN SINCE THE SPARKS BROTHERS AND ANNETTE Russell: "I think it has opened up the perception of the band, especially for people in television and in the film world — maybe they've been there all along, but now they've been given more permission to speak out and actually take a stance by putting a Sparks song in their TV series or films. It is really something that's opened up a lot more avenues for us, and even to the point that we're working on another movie musical now because we had such a great experience with Annette. For us, that's something that's really special, showing that Sparks songs aren't just for a certain niche audience — that they can be utilised in ways that are accessible if you want them to be accessible. Just by exposing them to more people, they become accessible. I think that's what Edgar helped to do with the documentary. He just said, 'well, what Sparks is doing needs to be heard by a bigger audience'. And he said, 'if no one else is going to do it, I'm going to be the one that's going to do that for the band'." ON MAKING ANNETTE WITH HOLY MOTORS DIRECTOR LEOS CARAX Ron: "We originally had thought of it as being our next album, and we were going to present it live on stage with just Russell and myself, and then a soprano — just the three of us on stage, and that would be the next Sparks project, and it would be an album. Then just by circumstance, we were at the Cannes Film Festival a little over ten years ago for other reasons, and we were introduced to Leos Carax. We were just chatting with him, and we got along with him really, really well, just in a general sort of way. So we got back to LA and Russell thought, 'why don't we just send Leos the Annette project?' — never having thought that this was a film. And so he read it and listened to all the music and all that was done. He said, 'let me think about this, I really think I might want to direct this'. We were stunned, because we have really great respect for him as a director, but we had never considered this to be a film project. Then couple weeks later, he said 'I would like to direct this'. So it did take eight years from that point to have the film made, but we were more than willing to go through that process because we felt so strongly about it. And to Leos' credit, he was totally committed to making that film. Hollywood directors always have ten, 20 other projects going along at the same time, but he doesn't work that way. It's only one thing, and so for him to focus on, and put just everything that he had, just taking a chance on that one project, it meant so much to us." ON MAKING ANOTHER MOVIE MUSICAL Russell: "Well, we can't really talk too much about the content of it. But the distribution company Focus Features, that released the documentary, approached us and asked if we had anything new that we were working on because they liked Annette a lot. So we told them we did have a new project, and they told to go away and do the screenplay, do all the music for it, and they'd be excited. It's not giving you too much of a clue, but they said that it's an epic musical. Whatever that elicits in in your mind, that's what they're saying it is. We're just really excited to have another project, because we think that the perception of the band, like we just talked about, is seen differently when Sparks music, for whatever reasons, we've had periods that have been commercially successful and less commercially successful. But then we found out that having these other ways of exposing what Sparks does, that it's really helped then to reflect back on Sparks music itself. Doing a movie musical, people that saw it that didn't know the band, then they were curious to examine what Sparks is. And the same with the documentary, the people that weren't aware of the band to that degree, then they went back and rediscovered our back catalogue of music. So it's a way for us to channel what we're doing musically, but in other ways — and then in turn, it helps to also put Sparks in a bigger picture." ON FINDING SONGWRITING INSPIRATION ACROSS HALF A CENTURY OF MAKING MUSIC Ron: "At the beginning, you get some inspiration from outside sources — not so much in a general way, but from musical outside sources. We were influenced by British bands that were the more flashy ones, like The Who and The Kinks, and The Move and all. That was really the source of the inspiration for us, even when we were in Los Angeles before moving to London in the middle 70s. But since that time, the inspiration is just hard to pinpoint where that comes from. I think we're just inspired knowing that we're doing things that we want to hear, and so we haven't kind of reached the point where we run out of those ideas. Things don't just come to us. You have to pursue them. So there has to be just that motivation to do things where there might not be a payoff that particular day, but that you have the faith that at some point it will." ON MAKING MUSIC THAT YOU CAN DANCE TO, AND ALSO LAUGH WITH Russell: "Obviously it's always a challenge, and the more the more albums you have, it becomes more of a challenge to come up with stuff that both excites you and that you think isn't kind of rehashing what you've done in the past. To have humour in a song, but where it's not the sole element of the lyrical slant, that it's just funny — we like to think that things can have humour, but also have a balance to them where there's another side to it that might be deeper or more emotional, too. Things don't have to be black or white, or 'ohh it's funny' or 'it's serious'. There could be some other shade to it. That for us is really exciting — to be able to come up with stuff that that is in that grey area." ON GETTING CATE BLANCHETT TO STAR IN VIDEO FOR 'THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE' Russell: "We met her at the César Awards in Paris two years ago. We were there performing and nominated for a bunch of awards for Annette, and we performed 'So May We Start' at the César Awards as well. We were the only act doing a live song performance at the Césars, which was really exciting on its own. And then it turned out we also won for best music, and the film won a whole bunch of awards as well. Cate had come to our dressing room and introduced herself, and were floored that Cate Blanchett would even know who Sparks was, let alone say that she was a fan of the band since she was growing up in Australia. And we remained in touch, and we've become friends. So it came time to do the first video for this album, and so we thought 'let's call Cate' and 'surely Cate will have an idea' where we didn't know exactly where we wanted the video to be heading. Then she heard the song. She really responded to the song — really, really loved it, and said 'yes, I would like to be in the video'. We didn't even discuss what she would be doing. We just said just 'do what you want to do and we're sure it'll be great.' That's open-ended, but she came up with that dance that she does, and the thing of it, her just being immobile for a lot of it, and then all of a sudden kicking into her dance during the chorus parts of the song — that was all 100-percent Cate." [caption id="attachment_923020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin Ross[/caption] ON THE DREAM COLLABORATION THAT SPARKS WOULD LOVE TO DO NEXT Ron: "We played a festival in Spain probably about eight years ago, and Public Enemy were playing there. We were bold enough to go up to Chuck D and then shyly drop the idea, 'you know, if you ever wanted to collaborate on anything, we're definitely open to it'. I'm not sure whether he was just being polite, but he seemed to show some interest and gave me the telephone sign. So we're hoping at some point that could happen. It might not be obvious from our music, but we're both huge fans of Public Enemy, and just their live show is in incredible, just the sound of their music and the intensity of it. So we're hoping at some point — I mean, that would be a dream collaboration for us." Sparks tour Australia in October and November 2023, playing solo shows at Melbourne's Palais Theatre (on Thursday, October 26), the Sydney Opera House (Tuesday, October 31), and Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane (Thursday, November 2) — and as part of the packed lineup at Adelaide's Harvest Rock II festival (on Sunday, October 29). For more information and tickets, visit the Harvest Rock website and the Secret Sounds website. Top image: Munachi Osegbu.
I know what you're probably thinking. At Concrete Playground, we're very transparent about the awesome work we do with brands. So it might be reasonable to conclude that I'm going to fill the next 600 words or so with unadulterated praise about Milklab's new oat milk. But you'd be wrong. The first time I, a stubbornly exclusive drinker of full-fat dairy milk, tried oat milk, I made a face that made my walking buddy think I'd stepped in a big pile of dog shit. My next thought: immediate regret. You see, I'd challenged myself to make the switch to oat milk. I discovered while reading up about it, of the various plant-based milks that are now widely available in cafes, oat is supposed to be the closest in taste and creaminess to dairy. So, I thought, why not give it a go? I decided to commit to the oat for a whole week and document my experiences. But, after my first sip, I was immediately overcome with regret. A whole week on this was all of a sudden starting to look like it could be a long one. Was I going to make it? Was I going to cave? Or was I — perhaps unthinkably — actually going to enjoy it? Here's what happened. THE TASTE My first sip of an oat milk coffee was definitely a bit of a shock. For the uninitiated (as I was just a couple of weeks ago), there's a sweet, nutty, almost malty taste — as well as an undeniably oat-y one — that I knew was going to take a bit of getting used to. I don't take any sugar in my coffee, either, so I realised from that first sip that some adjustment (mainly of my own expectations) was going to be required. One almost immediate effect the sweetness did have was that it forced me to slow down, and to savour every sip. There was also a surprising richness to the milk that meant each sip just went that little bit further. I also tried different types of oat milk coffee: hot and cold, frothy and flat. I was surprised by the full flavour and roundness in the latte — especially an oat cap (more on that below). Meanwhile, the iced oat lattes I had were also very, very drinkable. Not only did these not leave me feeling bloated like a dairy version would, but it seems that not heating the milk neutralised some of the immediate nuttiness and sweetness. And while I could tell it wasn't dairy, it tasted pretty close to it. THE MOUTHFEEL This was, to be honest, the part that I was probably the most nervous about. One of the main reasons that I have stubbornly insisted on full-fat dairy milk is because I've found the alternatives either too watery for my liking, or far too overpowering in taste. The warm internal hug that a perfectly made latte with full-fat dairy milk provides is hard to replicate with the alternatives. One drink, though, changed my mind from the first sip: the oat cappuccino. While I am firmly of the belief that cappuccinos should remain in the 90s alongside sundried tomatoes and focaccia, the full velvety goodness of an oat cap was, to quote Jessica Simpson, irresistible. This is likely because oat milk stretches similarly to dairy, effectively resulting in a smaller margin of error on the part of the espresso puller and also creating that fuller mouthfeel. Another thing it took drinking oat to realise — especially on days I drank both oat and dairy to compare a little more directly — is the film that dairy can leave around the mouth, which is honestly... not okay. There was no such residue with oat, hot or cold. THE EFFECT Remember that warm internal hug I mentioned earlier? As pretty much any drinker of dairy milk can vouch for, it's not uncommon for your stomach to start to play dubstep after, or even during, that milk-induced inside-out embrace. Mercifully, no such beats were created after an oat beverage. Another thing I found interesting was that the post-caffeine crash I would usually experience — especially following my afternoon brew — did not come when I'd had my oat drink. This is surprising given that oat has less protein and more sugar than full-fat dairy, but what is undeniable is that an oatey boy seemed to keep me going for longer. The same can be said for the fullness factor. While its bloat factor means that dairy usually fills me more quickly, the fullness seems to be both more subtle and more sustained with oat. [caption id="attachment_824628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rachel McDermott (Unsplash)[/caption] THE VERDICT Full disclosure: I'm writing this while drinking a full-fat dairy latte. But I'm not enjoying it as much as what I might have done a couple of weeks ago. I actually came to not only enjoy the taste of oat milk, but also crave it. Am I converted? Truth be told, I'll still be ordering dairy when the mood hits. But what I have discovered is that there is another option that does the job just as well — and, in some cases, even better. For more information on Milklab's new oat range, head to the website.
Melburnians, it's time to step away from your streaming queue (and from that groove you've made in your couch) and start watching movies on the big screen instead. When the city's sixth lockdown ends and the next stage of eased restrictions kicks in at 11.59pm on Thursday, October 21, outdoor cinemas can restart their projectors — and a number of openair, rooftop and drive-in cinemas around town have announced when they're kicking into gear again. The Lido and Cameo's outdoor cinemas had already slated a Tuesday, October 26 reopening date, but now that stay-at-home conditions are coming to an end earlier than expected, both sites will welcome in patrons at the earliest moment they can. So, from Friday, October 22, you can head to Lido on the Roof to see wild tweet-to-screen flick Zola, or to Cameo to go the Marvel route with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Between them, the two sites will also be showing the Ryan Reynolds-starring Free Guy, where he plays a non-playable video game character who becomes self-aware; and Australian drama Nitram, the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor-winner that depicts the days leading up to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. There's also Adam Driver, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon-led medieval drama The Last Duel, too — and the excellent new Candyman movie, which'll screen on Halloween (obviously). Wondering about the third openair cinema run by the team behind these two venues, aka Classic Cinema's Rooftop Cinema? It's set to reopen again a little later, as its screen needs to undergo some maintenance first. It'll relaunch its rooftop bar on Friday, October 22 for drinks, so you'll be able to stop by from 4–8pm on weeknights and 2–8pm on weekends. And, movie-wise, it'll give that revamped screen a workout from Thursday, November 11 — from 12.07am on that date, in fact — to show new Bond flick No Time to Die as soon as it possibly can. Over at the beloved Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In, movies will begin gracing its under-the-stars setup again from Friday, October 22 — and it has quite a few films on the bill. As well as the aforementioned Candyman, Free Guy and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, that's where you'll be able to see The Suicide Squad, Space Jam: A New Legacy and new James Wan-directed horror flick Malignant. Capacity-wise, Victoria's roadmap allows outdoor entertainment venues to reopen with a cap of 50 people at the 70-percent fully vaxxed mark, which is where the state will be when lockdown ends on Thursday night. That number will increase when the state hits the 80-percent double-jabbed threshold, which is expected around Tuesday, November 2. For more information about Melbourne's reopening openair, rooftop and drive-in cinemas, or to buy tickets, head to the Lido, Cameo, Classic and Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In cinemas websites. Top image: Brook James.
It helped kick-start Carlton's culinary new age, made veggies sexy with its regularly Instagrammed roast cauliflower dish and scooped up a swag of accolades for its efforts. But now, it's time for Carlton's The Town Mouse to stage its final performance, with the owners announcing that, after almost five years, they're selling their Drummond Street eatery and shutting the doors for the final time this March. Of course, this internationally acclaimed restaurant isn't going out without a proper send-off. As a last hurrah, the kitchen's putting its regular food offering to bed and plating up a special four-course set menu to see out the final six weeks. Available from February 1, alongside a limited a la carte offering, this final menu's a celebration of Dave Verheul's signature Town Mouse flair, featuring a mix of old favourites and clever new creations. It'll be on offer (with or without a sweet course) for dinners Thursday through Monday, while Sunday lunches will feature a separate $50 three-course menu, including dessert. As the Town Mouse cellar is given a final clear-out, diners can choose to match those eats to some great wines at very tidy prices, though BYO will also be available at all sittings. Keep an eye out too, for cameo appearances from a lineup of past team members and guest chefs. We're sad to see the restaurant go — especially as Nora, also in Carlton, has just closed its doors permanently. If you don't want to part with Dave Verheul's food, you don't have to — the team's CBD bar Embla is still operating as usual on Russell Street. The Town Mouse's send-off menu will be on offer from February 1 until the first or second week of March. It's priced at $68 (without dessert) or $75 (with dessert) per person for dinner, and $50 per person for Sunday lunch. Find the restaurant at 312 Drummond Street, Carlton and book at thetownmouse.com.au.
When you love spending your spare time staring at a big screen in a darkened room, new cinemas opening is just like Christmas. When Melbourne's next picture palace starts its projectors and begins welcoming in film lovers, it really will be the festive season. Make a movie date, cinephiles: Palace Penny Lane Cinema is launching on Thursday, December 21. The new Moonee Ponds venue was first announced in June, and was then targeting a spring opening. Now, it'll give Melburnians a cool place to escape the heat come summer. It's also launching just in time for the biggest moviegoing day of the year, aka Boxing Day, and will screen the Emma Stone (Cruella)-starring Poor Things, DC's latest Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the Anthony Hopkins (The Son)-led One Life, and animated fare Wish and Migration from Tuesday, December 26. Palace Penny Lane will join the independent cinema chain's existing range of places to worship the silver screen around Melbourne, including the historic wonder that is The Astor and Pentridge's picture palace in an old prison. At the brand's latest addition, movie buffs can look forward to 11 traditional screens indoors, all boasting the usual Palace experience. Think: leather recliners, 4K projection and, for fans of wine with their flicks, double pours. Fancy seeing a movie under the stars, too? Palace Penny Lane will also double as a rooftop cinema. Film buffs will find their next must-visit haunt on Puckle Street in the Penny Lane development, hence the name, which sits 6.5 kilometres out from Melbourne's city centre. "As we unveil Palace Penny Lane Cinema in Moonee Ponds, we're not just opening a cinema; we're inviting the audience to engage in the shared community experience of storytelling that we're so passionate about," said Palace Cinemas CEO Benjamin Zeccola. "At Palace Cinemas, Italian hospitality is in our DNA, and with the launch of this new location we're thrilled to share warmth, luxury and quality entertainment in vibrant Puckle Street." Other films on the venue's roster include Ferrari, Priscilla and Next Goal Wins — so, an Adam Driver (65)-starring and Michael Mann (Blackhat)-directed biopic, a different take on the Presleys from Sofia Coppola (On the Rocks) and Taika Waititi's (Thor: Love and Thunder) based-on-a-true-story soccer comedy. Palace's Movie Club will also make the jump to the new venue, of course, if you like cheaper seats, free entry on your birthday and access to special events. Palace Penny Lane Cinema will open on Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds on Thursday, December 21. Head to the Palace website for further details.
Every year, runners from all over Victoria limber up for the Bendigo Bank Fun Run, a fundraiser for Bendigo Hospital. The event is split into a five-kilometre walk or run, or a ten-kilometre, 15-kilometre or half-marathon run. So, whether you're a pro who barely breaks a sweat or you can't stand running and would prefer to stroll at a leisurely pace, there's an event for you. There will also be dedicated colour stations positioned along the track to add a little more excitement to the festivities. All you have to do is register online — as either an individual or team — and then start training. All entrants who make it across the finish line will score a medallion and a free brekkie loaded with healthy goodness courtesy of The Spotless.
It is shocking to think that there is only one holiday a year that truly cries out for a French-themed party. Why don't we have Croissant Day? Or Baguette Day? Romance and Cheese Day could easily be a thing. Still, we do have Bastille Day, and that isn't going anywhere, despite Russell Crowe proving that he absolutely cannot sing. Bastille Day is important because it celebrates the beginning of the French Revolution — that bloodthirsty struggle for freedom, equality and fraternity. When "the people" stormed the Bastille and seized the military stores, an entire decade of idealism, savagery and carnage started. So why celebrate such a heady (and often headless) period? Because it's about seizing control and brandishing baguettes and bringing about the end of feudalism. Being independent and being proud and well, being French, basically. Along with the start of a new nation, the revolution also saw the explosion of French culture — a culture that Sydney has continually adapted and played with. Compiled here is a list of Sydney's best and most fun French. Carpe diem at one of them this weekend. 1. Claude's Claude's, Woollahra's fine dining stalwart, has ditched the whole grown up thing. When it comes to the space, that is. This Oxford Street veteran has been reborn as a chic, vibrant and airy restaurant; an almost unrecognisable transformation from the proper white table-clothed eatery it once was. Downstairs you'll find a compact bar offering a finely tuned wine list and a selection of smaller dishes such as the souffle a la suissesse, hot and sour mussels and a black fungus relish sandwich. Upstairs is where the serious degustation is at. French culture bonus: Stop in at Palace Verona for the Dans la Maison (In the House), the latest darkly comic French drama from high-profile director Francois Ozon (8 Women, Swimming Pool) 2. Felix If Felix was in a Paris arrondissement rather than the Sydney CBD, no one would blink a perfectly curled eyelash. From the (sometimes) French waiters bustling around the tiled floors to the decadent crustacean bar and elaborate murals on the ceiling, Felix is the bistro the city deserved. It’s a humming, buzzing, people-watchers delight: all beautiful wooden finishes, crisp white table cloths and intricate tiling. All the classic French cues are here: the ever-changing ‘Plat du Jour’, the rotisserie section and that incredible oyster bar. Bastille Day: Felix is celebrating La Fete Nationale by offering three courses with a glass of Ruinart champagne for $100pp for lunch or dinner. They'll also host live entertainment. Bookings call (02) 9240 3000. 3. Ananas An interesting mix of old-school French cuisine and new-world glamour, this sultry restaurant will wow even the most apprehensive amongst us. Contrary to the area's out-of-date pubs populated by tourists, Ananas is a cocktail, champagne and oyster bar extravaganza with an art deco-inspired restaurant and late-night supper club. It's time to join us in indulging what's on offer here, because it's all just brilliantly joie de vivre. Bastille Day: Ananas is celebrating the Bastille Day weekend with a party on Saturday, 13 July, from 6pm until late with free entry. Held at Bar Ananas, guests can enjoy all things French, including canapes, special champagne offers, DJs and live entertainment. Then on Sunday there's a Bastille Day lunch, where a special a la carte menu created by new head chef Paul McGrath will be served. To make a reservation for either call (02) 9259 5668 or email reservations@ananas.com.au. French culture bonus: It's just a hop and a skip over The Rocks to Sydney Theatre for The Maids, the famous French play by Jean Genet about two maids (Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert) dreaming of killing their mistress (Elizabeth Debicki). 4. Absinthesalon Absinthesalon has been around for a while now, and it doesn't really get old. It's still like stepping into another world. This is not only because of the absinthe itself, as we hear that this bohemian drink-of-choice doesn't quite possess the hallucinogenic qualities that it once did. Tucked away in an unassuming corner building in Surry Hills, the interior is dressed to a T as an authentic 'Parisien' cafe. In the middle of each table sits a fountain, surrounded by the various accoutrements of the spirit — silver spoons and cubes of fine French sugar. Absinthe, clearly, is more than just an aperitif, and this salon is its Utopian home. Bastille Day: The Absinthesalon is going all-out with an Off with Their Heads Bastille Day Soiree on Saturday, July 12. Bookings advisable. 5. Le Petite Creme No revolution before breakfast. The French have a reputation for being, how do you say, outrageous? Le Petit Creme fits the genre perfectly: it has a reputation and it is most certainly outrageous. If it's service you're after, this tiny cafe might not be your first pick — the waitstaff tend to be casual at best. However, if you're searching for an absurdly luxurious breakfast feast, you've found the right place. The Eggs Benedict is the star attraction — deliciously runny eggs, rich hollandaise and your choice of ham or salmon on freshly toasted brioche. 6. Le Pelican On Bourke Street sits this quaint French restaurant. A stone's throw from Taylor Square and the flurry of hipsters hanging at Lo-Fi, Johnny Wong's, or nearby Beresford, it's hard to believe that one could experience something so removed from the familiar. Le Pelican offers a unique experience marked by authentic French cuisine in only the most delightful of settings. Ditch the Hills' common haunts for a night and try the road less trodden. The Coorong Angus onglet with potato mille-feuille (layered pastry) and sauce vierge (olive oil, lemon, tomato, and basil) was almost like the stuff of our dreams. Bastille Day: Le Pelican is offering a special Bastille Day menu for lunch or dinner, for $75pp or $105 with matching wines. 7. Le Pub Le Pub is one of those confused places that's somehow just right for Bastille Day. Le Pub still has "le pokies room" and the appearance of a traditional basement pub: no windows and darkly lit. But then there's the pleasant tiled back area, with Scrabble-like words connected to the French theme, and a gastro menu. There's not a huge indicator that the theme of the bar is anything Gallic related outside of the menu, really, which may explain the simplicity of the name, as almost to say to customers, "look, it's slightly Frenchie but you can get a pint here too." Bastille Day: Le Pub is throwing a soiree on Friday, July 12, and will have meal specials all weekend long. They also promise can-can dancers and a Parisien discotheque. 8. La Banette If you just want a slice of France rather than a whole feast, stop by La Banette. The Glebe patisserie-cafe oozes with French charm right from the baked goods to the delightful 'petit miams' in the glass cabinets. Even the provincial-like striped awning out front is indicative of a boulangerie and the wooden furnishings and baskets holding baguettes add a rustic touch. But it's not the decor that you're here for. No, no. It's the flaky pastries and intense chocolate slices of opera sitting alongside the chocolate eclairs that are filled with the creamiest of custards. It's the almond croissants and pain au chocolats that have been handcrafted with passion. 9. La Croix Given that the walk down Greenknowe Avenue into Elizabeth Bay looks faintly Parisian, it's a suprise there aren't more French establishments in the area. La Croix is a goodie, though. There is a strong adherence to classical decor, with white marble Hellenic sculptures and tables, and you can pick up a croissant, an artwork, and a large clay pot for your olive tree in one fell swoop, as they're also a gift shop. Their specialty is the 'tartine', which literally means 'a slice of bread' but it is more like an open sandwich with a sweet or savoury topping. Many kinds are available, from smoked trout to roast beef. Bastille Day: A special menu awaits, as well as a free glass of champagne upon arrival. Look out for French toast and beef bourguignon and tarte tatin. 10. La Grillade Tucked away in a quiet corner of Crows Nest is a cheap alternative to a holiday in Provence. An unassuming cottage on the outside, inside La Grillade is both Gallic hominess and sober modernity. From the same people who brought you the new Vicinity Dining in Alexandria, La Grillade is the North Shore equivalent to Ananas, if less show-offy in appearance. By the Concrete Playground team.
Australian brothers Mike and Scott Norrie are onto a winner. While traveling through Africa, they were inspired to create a way to share music sustainably, and came up with Tembo Trunks. These silicone speakers integrate with your earphones, amplifying the sound to 80 decibels. Foldable, stackable, washable and virtually indestructible, they are the ultimate in sustainable speakers as they require no power, are made up of one material and are designed to last. The speakers are meant for use in a casual setting. "Don't expect to bust an eardrum or feel the ground shake when you're playing your music," say the Norrie brothers, "that's kinda the point." They're a great addition to any traveller's suitcase, and will soon be available in a range of bright colours. As a clever way of raising seed funding, the team allow you to pre-order a set of speakers by backing Tembo Trunks on Kickstarter. For a lazy ten grand you can even become the 'Chief of Colour' and the brothers will fly you to Sydney and cook you a beach-side BBQ. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IU2NVxN6zck [Via PSFK]
With the cost-of-living crisis still hitting Melburnians, places that offer unlimited food and bottomless booze experiences are gaining popularity. People still want to go out with mates, but they don't want to leave hungry after splashing a decent amount of cash. Jumping on this trend is W Melbourne's Culprit. But it's not just offering one kind of booze- and food-filled experience like you find at most Melbourne bottomless brunch spots. It's got three, running every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5–7pm. Tuesdays are the most luxe, with the team serving up unlimited oysters and sparkling wine for just $50 per person. This is a pretty epic deal, as you can get through quite a lot of oysters within two hours. And if you are feeling a little fancy, there's an option to upgrade to premium Aussie bubbles for an additional $39 a head or to French champagne for an extra $79. Come Wednesdays, it's all about bottomless margaritas and margheritas. For $50 per person, you can down as many pizzas and margs as you can. And on Thursdays, Culprit patrons get access to a huge cheese buffet and bottomless wine for $69. Park yourself right up at the cheese station, snacking the two hours away while drinking sparkling, rose, red or white vino. These have got to some of the best after-work food and drink deals in Melbourne right now. If you're in the area, seriously consider getting around to W Melbourne's Culprit for a proper feed.
Whatever holiday plans you already have for 2023, you might want to change them — or add another getaway to your itinerary. As part of its efforts to kickstart its pandemic-era tourism industry, Hong Kong has announced a massive airfare giveaway to entice visitors to make the trip. You know what to do: clear your calendar, check your annual leave balance and dust off your suitcase. From March–May, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Airport Authority Hong Kong will team up with three local airlines — Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines — to hand out 500,000 free airline tickets. While many of the specifics are still to be revealed, the giveaway is being called 'World of Winners' and will focus on tickets from southeast Asia in March, then from mainland China in April, and finally from northeast Asia and the rest of the world in May. That's when the fares will be up for grabs. When you'll need to travel is still to be confirmed. To nab tickets, you'll need to hop over to either the World of Winners website or each airline's designated page — and each carrier might do their giveaways differently. So, some free tickets might be available via a lucky draw and others on a first-come-first-served basis, or a buy-one-get-one-free arrangement could apply. [caption id="attachment_887782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hong Kong Tourism Board[/caption] Free flights are just one aspect of an overall global promotional campaign named 'Hello Hong Kong'. Another: free drink, dining, shopping and transport vouchers, with at least a million up for grabs from 16,000-plus outlets. Dubbed 'Hong Kong Goodies', these freebies will be available to folks visiting Hong Kong for 90 days or less — and you'll have to pick just one offer. So, you can choose between a welcome drink valued at more than HK$100 at one of more than 100 bars, restaurants and hotels; a HK$100 cash voucher to use at 140-plus restaurants, shops or attractions; or a gift worth more than HK$100 at a heap of Hong Kong attractions and museums. With the current exchange rate, whichever of these three goodies you pick equates to around AU$18 / NZ$20 — but it's still a freebie. [caption id="attachment_887783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hong Kong Tourism Board[/caption] There are caveats for these vouchers, of course. First, you have have to have a non-Hong Kong mobile number to obtain them — and, at the moment, they have to be collected from a Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre once you're there. That said, more redemption methods are set to be added. Visitors to Hong Kong have until December 31, 2023 to collect their goodies — and once you have chosen your coupon, you can't swap it. "Hong Kong is back on the map for global travellers, with more excitement to offer than ever before. We are extending a biggest welcome to the world through the 'Hello Hong Kong' campaign, inviting friends from everywhere as they return to one of the world's greatest tourism destinations," said Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Dr Pang Yiu-ka. "I am confident that Hong Kong's vibrant east-meets-west culture, together with our iconic and brand-new attractions and immersive experiences will attract travellers back for an epic, unforgettable journey." For folks living in Hong Kong, the Tourism Board's new promo scheme will also include additional free flights to locals holidaying outside of the country, but not until July. In total, more than 700,000 airfares will be handed out to overseas visitors and Hong Kong residents. For more information about Hong Kong's World of Winners flights giveaway, head to the initiative's website. For more information about the 'Hong Kong Goodies' vouchers, head to that scheme's website. Top image: Hong Kong Tourism Board. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
The Heide Museum of Modern Art is one of Melbourne's most significant cultural institutions — with a history that dates back to 1934 and an exhibition program that often plays host to some of the biggest names in Australian art. Boasting 15 stunning acres in Bulleen, it's a prime spot for laidback weekend adventures. We suggest you spend a blissful Saturday out here, browsing the architecturally stunning galleries, exploring the mid-century Heide house, and cruising through the sculpture park while moseying among the lush green grounds. When lunchtime rolls around, be sure to hit Shannon Bennet's on-site Café Heide for some top-notch coffee and seasonal fare courtesy of the nearby kitchen garden.
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef sits on every Australian's bucket list, especially given that the thriving underwater expanse is under threat from climate change. And while most of us have been content to simply swim, snorkel or sail through it — or stay in the Whitsundays and gaze out at it from a sandy beach — visitors to Queensland's far north can now spend a night underwater. Get ready to sleep under the sea at Reefsuites, the Great Barrier Reef's very own underwater hotel. It's not the first space of its type around the world — a resort in the Maldives, submerged villas in Dubai and a room at an African hotel all boast similar experiences — but it is the first at this Aussie natural wonder, and in Australia in general. Launching on Sunday, December 1 as part of a new floating pontoon called Reefword — which is moored at Hardy Reef, around 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach — Reefsuites features two underwater rooms that can sleep four in total. Guests can choose betweeen king double or twin single options, and each room comes with floor-to-ceiling views of the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life. Those underwater vistas are a highlight not only in the bedrooms, but in the attached private ensuites A stay onsite includes all meals, most beverages (beer and wine are part of the package, but cocktails will cost you extra), a night dining experience under the stars, a guided snorkelling tour and a semi-submarine tour, and access to the underwater observatory. Naturally, it doesn't come cheap. Enjoying all of the above will start from $799 per night per person for a double booking (two people in a room), or $1199 for a single — and that covers a stay from 4.30pm on the day of arrival until 2.30pm the next day. As for the $8 million Reefworld pontoon itself, it's a partnership between Cruise Whitsundays and the Queensland Government, and has the capacity to host 300 visitors per day. Measuring 12 metres by 45 metres, it's designed as a hub for diving and snorkelling — as well as a place to stay — and also offers guests access semi-submersible vessels. Announcing the project back in August, Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones noted that Reefworld and Reefsuites will add something new and unique to the popular tourist hotspot. "This will give more people the chance to see the Great Barrier Reef and will allow tourists to experience this natural wonder in new ways." The aim, of course, is to ramp up tourism, with an extra 60,000 visitors per year expected thanks to the new attraction. For more information about Reefsuites, or to book a stay, visit the Cruise Whitsundays website. Images: Cruise Whitsundays.
Forged over six decades so far, Robert De Niro's resume contains multitudes. 2025 marks exactly 60 years since his uncredited on-screen debut in Three Rooms in Manhattan — and if a New York-shot French drama seems an unlikely pick for his first-ever movie, it's a case of De Niro starting to build his wide-ranging filmography from the outset. Comedies, thrillers, musicals, horror, dramas and action fare all have a place among his work. His name instantly brings a particular genre to mind, though: gangster flicks. For one, The Godfather Part II, he earned his first Oscar. For Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon), he made a helluva early impression in Mean Streets, then was spectacular in 90s masterpieces Goodfellas and Casino, plus in 2019's The Irishman. With Barry Levinson, another director that he's collaborated with again and again, De Niro one-ups his past organised-crime movies in a specific way, however, including Once Upon a Time in America and The Untouchables. The Alto Knights is a tale of two IRL mob bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Neither figures are new to the screen. They're not even new to Levinson's pictures, after both popped up in Bugsy back in 1991. But here, the Academy Award-winning Rain Man filmmaker and directing veteran — helmer of Diner, The Natural, Good Morning, Vietnam, the first episode of iconic police procedural series Homicide: Life on the Street and two instalments of Dopesick, too, and more — focuses on the pair's relationship as the two childhood pals become fierce rivals. And to stress the connection between Frank and Vito, and draw attention to the parallels between the duo, he has his Sleepers, Wag the Dog, What Just Happened and The Wizard of Lies star play both men. De Niro doing double duty for one of his go-to filmmakers. De Niro leading a gangster picture with a script by Nicholas Pileggi, the crime reporter who wrote the non-fiction books Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family and Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, then co-penned the screenplays for their movie adaptations Goodfellas and Casino with Scorsese. De Niro in a mobster flick produced by Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Irishman's Irvin Winkler. That's the recipe behind The Alto Knights. It was Winkler who had the idea for De Niro to portray both Frank and Vito, Levinson tells Concrete Playground — and the choice is one of the feature's best moves, especially when the actor is literally facing off against himself. When he's in Frank's shoes, De Niro is all about attempted respectability, as someone who sees diplomacy as the best way to rule the Big Apple's criminal underworld. Switching to Vito, he's the hot head who'll do anything, and bring down anyone, to regain the top job. Costuming, hair and makeup help, but De Niro makes both roles distinctive as the two men, who both grew up as Italians in NYC hanging out together around the titular social club, find themselves battling it out after Vito takes control of the Luciano crime family, then flees to Italy following a run-in with the law, then returns for the throne Frank is now perched on. As has proven true across many of Levinson's movies, since the chatter-heavy Diner with Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine), Mickey Rourke (The Wheels of Heaven), Steve Guttenberg (High Potential), Daniel Stern (For All Mankind), Paul Reiser (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Tim Daly (Life & Beth) and Ellen Barkin (Poker Face) gave him his directorial debut, there's a storytelling element to The Alto Knights. With the film structured around Frank telling this tale to viewers, add another familiar component to the picture's setup. The narrative shared is one not just about friends turned foes, or about power struggles between mob bosses both vying to sit at the top of the mafia ladder, including the impact upon those around them — Debra Messing (Bros) plays Frank's wife Bobbie, Kathrine Narducci (Godfather of Harlem, and De Niro's past co-star in both The Irishman and A Bronx Tale) is Vito's counterpart Anna and Cosmo Jarvis (Inside) portrays Vito's righthand man Vincent Gigante — but of a moment that changed America and organised crime within it forever. That's one of the reasons that Levinson was so interested in hopping onboard, he advises. And of getting De Niro acting opposite himself as the film's two lead characters, it helped that the two-time Oscar-winner (for Raging Bull as well) and seven-time nominee beyond his two victories (for Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Awakenings, Cape Fear, Silver Linings Playbook, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon) is "one of the great actors in the history of cinema" and "has great instincts as an actor", he notes. Speaking with Levinson, we dived into the decision-making behind that pivotal casting, digging into Frank and Vito's connection, and the organic nature of De Niro's performance. On Casting De Niro as Both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese This is a film with history, not only because it heads back to the 50s — and to the decades around it. But if The Alto Knights had made it to the screen before now, those twin De Niro performances mightn't have been at its centre. "Well, it came about — originally this goes back, I guess people have been trying to do a movie about Frank Costello for years," Levinson explains. "And Nick Pileggi got involved and was working on something, and I came onto the project. And somehow we were talking about Vito, and he was a character in it, but the idea was 'well, why don't we just follow what took place?'." "That they were best friends as kids, they hung around The Alto Knights place, and as they grew older, best friends, they started to grow apart. One was much more ruthless and spontaneous in doing things. The other one was much more deliberate, almost a corporate sensibility about how to run the mafia. And then the clash of the two," he continues. "And so when we began to really get that together, Nick's writing, and we had a draft of it, we gave it to Irwin Winkler. And Irwin Winkler liked the draft and he said 'what about Bob playing both roles?'." "And I was thinking for a second, and I went 'well, that's s an interesting way to — we are talking about one of the great actors in the history of cinema, so it's not like this is impossible for him to do. Let's see what he thinks'." "And he responded well, and then that's how that all came about." On What Appealed to Levinson About Digging Into Costello and Genovese's Connection in The Alto Knights, Especially After Featuring Both Figures as Characters in 1991's Bugsy When Frank and Vito last played a part in a Levinson movie more than four decades ago, they weren't the focus. Bugsy hones on its namesake, with Warren Beatty (Rules Don't Apply) as Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. But because Bugsy had his own key childhood link to Charles "Lucky" Luciano, they're all in the same slice of the mob world. Before Vito and Frank's stints at the apex of the Luciano crime family, Lucky was in the job first. (In a film that also flashes backwards, NCIS and Mayor of Kingstown alum Amadeo Fusca plays him in The Alto Knights.) A Frank- and Vito-centric film interested Levinson "because we were watching the mafia as Vito took over, and then because of having to leave the country and turning it over to Frank, it began to change," he says. "And that change led to a feud between the two of them, basically because of Vito wanting control again. You go 'well, that's a great conflict. That's a story to explore'." "And then: 'what happened because of that?'. It wasn't like it was just two guys and one killed the other or whatever, maybe. It changed the whole, in the sense it brought the hearings on organised crime, that all came about because of the incident that takes place in the film." "And you'd say 'well, this is an interesting arc of the mafia and what happened. That's a story that's interesting'. That was basically 'can we tell that story?'." On the Direction That You Give Someone When They're Playing Two Different Characters in the Same Film How do you guide someone as a director, if you even need to in the case of an actor of De Niro's calibre and experience, when they're tasked with portraying two completely different characters and giving two completely different performances in the one movie? And how does the process of building the two parts work? "He has great instincts as an actor," Levinson calls out to begin with. "And as we would go along in the process leading up to the filming of it, you're talking about one character, you're talking about the other character, this piece of information, that piece of information — you just start adding that. Bob absorbs it." "Then you're going through the whole process of makeup. 'What does this one look like? What does that one look like? How do we do this? How do we handle that?'. And then that starts coming in — and then 'what is the rhythm of the way they talk to one another?'. One is slow, much more deliberate. The other one is faster, quicker, more sort of dangerous in the way that he throws ideas around. And then you start putting these pieces together," Levinson adds. "And then, of course, in the process of the shooting, we would sit down in Bob's trailer and go over the scene and tweak it a little bit and tweak it a little bit. And 'hey, what about this?'. And then you add to it and you keep building for it. And at the end of the day, after you build all that, you want to create the spontaneity. And that's what Bob can do — he's not mechanically going through one character or another." "There's a spontaneity about them that it feels like these two guys are talking to one another, and they're making up things as they go along, rather than 'I say my line, now you say your line'. It just feels more organic." The Alto Knights opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
You might only eat birthday cake when it's your own big day, or if someone you know is celebrating. In October, commemorating 11 years of Lune Croissanterie also counts. As it did in 2022, the cult-favourite bakery is marking its latest occasion with one of its Frankenstein's monster-style sweet treats: a twice-baked birthday cake croissant. Each month, Lune Croissanterie whips up a new batch of limited-time specials, giving you something tasty to look forward to when you flip over your calendar. Iced Vovo cruffins, twice-baked finger bun croissants, pumpkin pie cruffins, lasagne pastries, lamington cruffins, its own take on baklava: they've all been on the list so far in 2023, just for a month. Now comes the return of its sprinkles-topped birthday treat, alongside other bites such as Snickers cruffins, choc-chip cookie pastries and an everything croissant. As also seen in Lune's very own cookbook by founder Kate Reid, the birthday cake croissant is exactly what it sounds like. Lune has taken a traditional croissant, filled it with birthday cake frangipane, then topped it with a sprinkle crumble, buttercream icing and then even more sprinkles. What's a birthday without sprinkles, after all? A bad one. The birthday cake croissant is available everywhere except the Melbourne CBD store right through the month until Tuesday, October 31, and you can order it online from Armadale in Melbourne, plus South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. The rest of the list pops up here and there — but always at at least one spot in Melbourne and Brisbane, where Lune currently operates until it launches in Sydney in 2024. If you're excited about the Snickers cruffins, it takes a Lune cruffin, pipes in peanut crème pâtissière and salted caramel, then adds chocolate ganache and sundae peanuts on top. The bakery describes it as "like a chocolate-chip cookie, a muffin, croissant and a Snickers bar all rolled into one delicious package". The twice-baked choc-chip cookie pastries are filled with milk choc chips and a Marie biscuit frangipane, then score melted dulce chocolate ganache and choc-chip cookie chunks drizzled over them. As for the everything croissant, it's a take on the everything bagel featuring herb paste and chive cream cheese. There's also a hazelnut pudding that's made with Frangelico caramel hazelnut financier and praline cream, if you still need something to tempt your tastebuds. Lune's October specials menu runs until Tuesday, October 31, with different specials on offer at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane stores, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
A controlled explosion took place in a Williamstown warehouse this week — in the name of art, of course. The sound of gunfire was simply part of Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang's massive new work. Transience II (Peony) is a 31-metre artwork created from gunpowder, fire and silk. It's the largest piece in Cai's latest exhibition The Transient Landscape, which will be presented as part of NGV International's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces from May 24 through October 13. To create Transience II (Peony), Cai layered 11 sections of silk and drew colourful patterns in gunpowder throughout each. He then ignited the design, with the explosions meant to depict a blooming peony. This type of work is not new for the artist, who has used gunpowder in his art for over 30 years. Cai regularly draws inspiration from ancient Chinese culture and philosophy, using Chinese inventions like gunpowder, porcelain, silk and paper to show how history can inform contemporary art. Transience II (Peony) is just one of three brand new works that Cai has created for the exhibition, which will also feature porcelain peony sculptures and an immersive installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds. The Transient Landscape will be presented in tandem with Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality, one of China's most important ancient artworks — crafted between 221–206 BCE. This exhibition includes eight warrior figures and two life-size horses from the Imperial Army, plus two half-size replica bronze chariots, each drawn by four horses. 'Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape' and 'Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality' will exhibit as part of the NGV International's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces presentation, running from May 24 to October 13, 2019. For further details or to buy tickets, visit the NGV website. Images 1-3: Cai Guo-Qiang, Murmuration (Landscape) 2019 by Tobias Titz. Image 4: Sean Fennessy. Image 5: Cai Guo-Qiang, Pulse (Mountain) 2019 by Tobias Titz. Images: Scott Barbour, Jason Edwards, Tom Ross.
Phillip Island undoubtedly offers some incredible gastronomic options, but the scenery is just as good. From striking clifftop hikes to astounding whale watching spots, there are plenty of things to see and do to keep your weekend away lively. One of the island's most popular adventures is the Cape Woolamai Circuit. Starting from the island's southern point and travelling up to its highest peak, this trek combines three separate walks that range in length from four to almost seven kilometres long. Each section is a rather easygoing walk with no prior hiking experience required. You'll probably want to rug up — you'll be battling the elements, after all. But you'll be rewarded with moody ocean vistas and stunning rock formations, including the Pinnacles Lookout and the Old Granite Quarry, which highlights a bit of local history — much of Melbourne's building materials came from here in the late 19th century. Image: Robert Blackburn/Visit Victoria
It took more than 25 years for Twin Peaks to revisit its moody, otherworldly and all-round odd small-town mysteries — and if you're not done diving into the television show's wonderful and strange world just yet, don't stress. Whether there'll be any more episodes is anyone's guess, but you can spend an evening with the show's stars in the interim, with five of the series cast members heading to Australia later this year. Although David Lynch famously refuses to talk in-depth about any of his work, including Twin Peaks' three seasons to date and the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, expect Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer), Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran), Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk), Al Strobel (Philip Gerard) and Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs) to be much more forthcoming as they chat about their experiences both on- and off-screen. In fact, maybe Lynch will be too — while he won't be there in person, he'll be Skyping in to answer questions live. On Saturday, August 25 at Melbourne's Palais Theatre, Lee, Robertson, Horse, Strobel, Ashbrook and the via-video Lynch will be joining forces with Twin Peaks producer Sabrina S. Sutherland for a 'Conversation with the Stars' discussions. If you've ever wondered what it was like to be wrapped in plastic, or to line up piles and piles of doughnuts, or to play the other half of the series' evil entity, here's your chance to find out. While Twin Peaks' lead Kyle MacLachlan won't be making the trip, the lineup is still a Peaks-lover's dream come true. Lee played Laura Palmer, the teen sweetheart whose murder sparked the whole series, while Ashbrook swaggered through highs-chool hallways as her boyfriend Bobby Briggs, and then turned unlikely cop in the latest season. Robertson is best known as bubbly police station receptionist Lucy, and Horse played the enigmatic Deputy Hawk — and had one of the most recent series' most moving scenes. As for Strobel's Phil Gerard, he was pals with Bob before becoming a resident of the Black Lodge. If all of the above gets you thinking about damn fine coffee and the Double R Diner's cherry pie, then you'll be keen to nab tickets to the intimate chat, which is in town for one night only. No word yet if the cast members will be sitting in front of red curtains or being interviewed by someone called Diane, but we can only hope. And if you're an absolute die-hard Peaks fan with some spare cash (around $500 in spare cash), meet-and-greet tickets are also available. Updated August 5.
The Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley have just about reached wine region superstardom, and rightly so. But Gippsland — located east of the aforementioned areas — is on its way to attaining the same title, especially if the opening of Hogget Kitchen in Warragul has anything to do with it. Head chef and owner Trevor Perkins wants Hogget to become a "destination restaurant", and the easy drive down the M1 (and the undulating hills that accompany it) definitely doesn't hinder his pursuit. Neither does the setting. The modern Australian restaurant is located on the grounds of Wild Dog Winery, and the tables overlook the grand drop of the winery's vineyards out to the Strzelecki Hills, a stunning sector of the Great Dividing Range (particularly with a glass of wine in hand). The setting is incredible to say the least and, on a beautiful day, you'll want to spend hours there. Like most regional restaurants in Victoria (two of which have just been crowned amongst the best in the world), Hogget sets out to showcase the best of its surrounds. Local wines proudly dominate the wine list, while seafood makes its way from Lakes Entrance and a substantial amount of vegetables come from Perkins' mum Jennie's (clearly thriving) garden. That's alongside berries, veggies and herbs that are cultivated at the on-site native garden, which leads to a bush walk if you're up for a post-meal adventure. As you would expect from such a localised operation, the menu changes daily depending on season and weather. On our visit, luscious Lakes Entrance Balmain bugs — a slightly wider version of Morton Bay bugs — grace the menu, complemented perfectly by homemade lemon mayonnaise and a barley salad ($24). We also applaud the quality, flavour and succulence of meat used at Hogget, which is ethically farmed and butchered by Perkins' father. Meats are used in a variety of ways, making up dishes such a potato gnocchi with lamb navarin ($24) as well as capocollo and bresaola, which are cured on-site to form charcuterie boards. However, if you like your meat fresh, try the smoked lamb — it's cooked in a smoker Perkins built himself ($32). After feasting on meat, dessert can be a push, particularly if you visit for lunch. But when the baked lemon tart is on the menu, do not leave without ordering it. The princely slice is topped with lemon myrtle granita, perfectly fusing sweet, sour and a touch of bitterness. The lemon myrtle is grown in Hogget's garden, meaning its flavour can be enjoyed in full glory instead of being compromised by travel or preservatives. The wine list is the construct of Patrick Sullivan and William Downie's selections; here, the two local winemakers have truly championed wines from Baw Baw and Gippsland. The Ada River Pinot Gris complements will any vegetables or meat you choose to order. On a weekend, waitstaff are usually setting up for a wedding or birthday function. We can understand why people want to spend some of the most important days in their lives here — to indulge in comforting, home-style cooking, taken to the next level via experienced chefs and techniques, with incredible views to match. When it comes to a weekend lunch, dinner or even brunch, we couldn't ask for much more. Images: Tim Grey.
Beloved by budget-conscious shoppers, German-born discount supermarket chain Aldi has been slinging its groceries across Australia for over two decades. But for its next big Aussie move, it's setting up shop for just two nights — which'll be filled with ridiculously affordable gin, wine and cheese. As Aldi's devoted customers well and truly know, you can get plenty of things at the company's stores for cheap — not only food, but everything from beds and kettles to games and snow gear as well. On the culinary side of things, that includes dairy products and, in some states, vino, too. So to show them off, Aldi is launching a two-evening-only Sydney bar. Called The Trophy Room, it'll nestle into 111 Elizabeth Street and host just four seatings, with sessions from 5–6.30pm and 7.30–9pm on both Friday, July 15–Saturday, July 16. You'll need to nab a ticket to get in, with bookings opening at 9am on Friday, July 8. Expect plenty of competition for a spot, though — the fact that your entire visit will only cost you $4.41 is certain to attract a crowd. Yes, you read that price correctly. No, there's no missing numeral, and the decimal point isn't in the wrong place either. For less than a fiver per person, you'll get a gin cocktail upon arrival, then a tasting selection from Aldi's wine range, plus a cheese platter featuring Aldi cheeses to line your stomach. The reason for the pop-up, and the super-cheap price? To showcase Aldi's affordable and acclaimed wines, and its just-as-reasonably priced award-winning cheeses, all at a time when inflation is seeing supermarket prices rocket. The Trophy Bar is also designed to be replicated at home — the menu, that is — given that Aldi's vinos would start from $0.83 a glass if they were priced individually, and max out at $2.49 a glass. As for its cheeses, the chain advises that its triple-cream brie would cost $0.56 for a single serve, while a smooth blue cheese would be priced at $0.62. Aldi's Trophy Room will pop up at 111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney from Friday, July 15–Saturday, July 16. Bookings are limited, and open at 9am on Friday, July 8.
Spoiler warning: this interview incudes spoilers for Yellowjackets season three if you're not up to date with the series at the time of publication. It was meant to be a simple sports trip, with a high school girls' soccer team travelling from New Jersey to Seattle to compete in a tournament. That's where the plot of Yellowjackets begins in a linear sense — with American teenagers, their coaches and one of the latter's two children all flying across the US in 1996, and with the promise of on-field glory awaiting. But after the plane carrying the titular team is diverted over Canada, it plunges to the ground en route. What immediately happens next for young women who should be living normal teen lives, not doing whatever it takes to survive, is one half of the series. What's occurring a quarter of a century afterwards also fills Yellowjackets' frames, as the hit survivalist thriller has spent three must-see seasons so far exploring the impact of a wild dance with the wilderness, and with the trauma such an experience sparks, plus the vulnerability of being stranded then scarred by it. New Jersey, Seattle, Canada: that trio of locations is pivotal to Yellowjackets, even if no one has yet made it to the middle spot on the list. In the show's third season, New York proves crucial as well, but New Zealand and Australia have also long left their own imprint. The series began with Aotearoa's Melanie Lynskey (The Tattooist of Auschwitz's) leading the present-day cast as the adult Shauna, nee Shipman and now Sadecki, one of the team members to make it back from the plane crash alive. Also since the first season, Australians Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Liv Hewson (Party Down) have helped dig into what enduring in the forest really entails, the first as Charlotte "Lottie" Matthews and the second as Vanessa "Van" Palmer. In season two, New Zealander Simone Kessell (Muru) joined Lynskey among the survivors — and joined Eaton in portraying Lottie. Alongside a killer premise, an unflinching embrace of the darkness and devastation that was always going to spring from such an ordeal, a glorious array of 90s nods and a spectacular cast — Christina Ricci (Wednesday), Juliette Lewis (I'm a Virgo), Tawny Cypress (Law & Order) and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) also play the 2020s-era crew; Sophie Thatcher (Companion), Sophie Nélisse (No Return), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream VI) and Samantha Hanratty (Atlas) are among the talents bringing the squad's younger guises to life — characterisation has always been one of Yellowjackets' strengths. There's no doubting that these are complex women, both as teens and decades later. Its cast may portray a team, but the show sees its main figures as individuals, surveying their respective wants, needs, desires and fears. In Lottie's case, Yellowjackets spies someone yearning to be loved and accepted, so much so that she tries to grasp it in her faith in her new surroundings. No high schooler is prepared for suddenly living in the wilderness for months and months awaiting rescue, but Lottie's moneyed upbringing — her dad financed the fateful private plane to Seattle — leaves her seesawing between confidence and fragility. She's so assured in her beliefs in the forest that her fellow survivors start following her lead. She's also troubled, including from her family life, and despite how she projects herself to the world. The adult Lottie is introduced as a wellness guru-slash-cult leader, complete with purple-wearing disciples, but she's still weathering the same internal struggles. Following a stint staying at Shauna's and bonding with the teenage Callie Sadecki (Sarah Desjardins, The Night Agent), season three takes Lottie's story to an end that the character avoids in the woods, as the world discovered at the end of the latest run's fourth episode. How is Kessell feeling now that the character's fate is out there in the world? "I've got to say the fans of Yellowjackets are everything," she tells Concrete Playground. When the episode aired, an influx of messages came her way. "It's so lovely and so kind and generous, and I think I'll read them all," she advises. "I didn't quite expect such an outpouring of love and support." "And also because season two starts on Netflix soon, I was cautious not to — and for people who haven't watched that episode yet — put a spoiler on social media and things like that. But I'm overwhelmed. And it's amazing that you can play these characters that touch so many people." [caption id="attachment_995131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Grant[/caption] Kessell came to Yellowjackets more than three decades into her career. Like her compatriot Lynskey, she was starting out as an actor when she was a 90s teen herself. NZ TV series Homeward Bound gave Kessell her first role — and from there, her resume has spanned everything from Xena: Warrior Princess, the OG Heartbreak High, CSI: Miami, Underbelly and Terra Nova through to 1%, Pine Gap, Our Flag Means Death, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Wellmania, Critical Incident and plenty of others. Next, she'll be seen in The Last Frontier, a new American thriller series that also sees her keep a Down Under connection courtesy of Aussie Jason Clarke (Oppenheimer). Kessell is coy about whether Lottie could possibly return to Yellowjackets in some form, spirit or otherwise, in the future. "Oh my goodness, how would I play ghost Lottie? My god, I don't even know," she laughs. But she's deeply grateful for the chance to have stepped into her shoes, she also shares, in a chat that covers the balancing act that is portraying such a complicated character, plus how she approached taking on a figure that'd already been established in a younger guise, the Australian and NZ-heavy roster of talent, why the show has earned such a devoted following and more. On Saying Goodbye to Lottie — and What It Has Meant to Play Her "I've had so many people say 'is Lottie really dead? Please come back. Diva down. I miss you mother. I'm an orphan'" — all these great social media comments, which crack me up. But I think when I found out that Lottie was going to die in the season, of course I was disappointed because I just loved playing her. If I'm really honest, I just love playing Lottie. So unpredictable. And she's so vital. And you don't know whether she's going to analyse you or laugh at you — or laugh with you. And I think that getting the opportunity as an actress in my late 40s, playing those characters, they don't come along very often. So when you get them, you grab them with both hands. And I got to really, really play in the world of Lottie, which was incredible. So, when they told me she was no longer, I just went 'okay'. It's that kind of show, right? It's Yellowjackets. So it's the kind of show, if you're going to die — and let me just say, I'm not the only main character that dies this season — so, I went with it. And it was just so great to film, and it was such amazing cast — and I just had the time of my life working on the show." On Juggling Lottie's Confidence and Her Vulnerabilities — Her Faith in the Wilderness, Too, and Her Desperate Need to Be Loved and Accepted "The first season was a lot tougher, because she was really unravelling — and we saw that through the flashbacks. Also, you don't know what's happened in the wilderness till you read the script or watch the episode for the younger characters. So you've got to really go with your gut instinct, because you get these new scripts and you're like 'oh my god, I did that?. Huh. Maybe I would have played that other scene differently had I known I did that'. I think as an actress, you have to have a well where you can tap, or a part of me that I can tap and go there, and there was some really vulnerable, fragile scenes this season — but mostly last season, too, where she was just haunted by her past and I really had to go there emotionally. I was away from my family — living in Vancouver, and hadn't seen my family for a long time. My two boys, because they're at school here, and my husband and everything. So I was able to really tap into the loneliness in myself. And the unknown. As an actress, you find the things that really resonate truthfully for yourself and then put it through the character's words, and that's where I go. And then you have to take it off. You go for a run, or you go and do a hot pilates class, or you drink some white wine. You just throw it at the wall and see what sticks. And she was vulnerable. Thank you for saying that, because that was something I really wanted to find in her this season — just lost, a bit out at sea." [caption id="attachment_995127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Grant[/caption] On How Kessell Approached Stepping Into Lottie's Shoes When Courtney Eaton Had Already Established the Character as a Teen "First of all, Courtney's a lot taller than me — so literally stepping into shoes that were a lot higher. And also I wanted to do Courtney justice as a young actress on the verge of her career, and a character that she had done such a beautiful job with setting up. I wanted to make sure I did it well out of respect for her craft and her work. But those are high stakes, and there's a lot of pressure. I mirrored a few of her mannerisms, and then I decided that 25 years ago — I don't know about you, but 25 years ago, I was very different to who I am today, so that gives you a lot of room to play. And Lottie was the queen of reinventing herself. In this season, yet again she reinvents herself. Yet another mask is put on Lottie. She's gone from spiritual guru cult leader to now sort of like a bit of a vagabond, a bit of a lost soul, finding shelter at Shauna's house, at the Sadeckis', when really she has a penthouse in New York. She's shoplifting even though she's probably worth $100 million. Things like that. So you just roll with it on the show, and you never know what the writers are going to throw at you, so you have to be open to all of those storylines. But yeah, it was big shoes — literally high shoes — to fill." [caption id="attachment_995129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Grant[/caption] On the Down Under Origins of Plenty of the Cast "Unfortunately I never got to work with Liv and Courtney, because they're in the different timeline. So it was often Melanie and I. And Melanie, even though she's been out of New Zealand maybe 25 years, has got a stronger accent than ever. And, because I'm me, I still fall on the ground — even though I when I get drunk, I speak like that. So she's got a great Kiwi accent and the two of us just chat, chat, chat, chat, chat away — and I can tell that the American and Canadian crew are like 'what are they saying? What are they talking about?'. And often, Melanie and I, I'd be like 'babe, how do I say this word?'. She's like 'oh, well, I think you say it like this'. And I was like 'okay, great, great, great'. And then occasionally our accents would drop and we'd laugh. But it's just lovely having someone, when you're so far away and you're working with such heightened characters, to have a confidant and have a best friend like I had with Melanie. She's not only an incredible actress, extraordinary talent, she's actually a really beautiful person. And that was that was a joy." On Why Kessell Thinks Yellowjackets Has Earned Such a Dedicated Following "I think the two timeframes make it — if you're not into the older timeline, then you've got the younger timeline. I think the fact that it twists and turns the way it does. I think the fact that it's set in the 90s, so for older audiences, they're like 'oh my god, I remember this song, I remember this time, I remember this'. So you can reminisce. And then it's also, I think, there's the part that you go 'oh my god, how would I be if my plane had crashed?'. And what we did to survive — that's kind of intriguing, because it could have happened to any one of us, right? And then it goes to a whole different level. So I think there is a part of us that's intrigued with the actual storyline and what happens to these girls, and do they get rescued or do they all go fucking crazy? And I guess the answer is the latter, and then we get to see it as older versions. I think the casting on the show is brilliant. I think everyone is like their younger selves, and I think there's a part of it that makes you go 'that really could have happened to me and what would I have done?' And 'if you're that hungry, what would you have done?'." [caption id="attachment_995130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Grant[/caption] On What Gets Kessell Excited About a New Role More Than Three Decades Into Her Career "I think the writing. And I think speaking to you, a journalist, you get that — when you read something that pops off the page and you can't stop reading it, as an actress that's everything to me. And then my mind starts going. I love picking up bits of people in my life, like a characteristic or a way someone tilts their head or eats their food or walks, all of those wonderful things that we instinctively do as human beings. So if I feel I can paint that into a character, then I get really excited. Then I'm like 'ooooh, this is a challenge. Oh my god, what's her voice? Where's she from? What's happened to her? Why is she doing what she's doing? Why is she behaving badly or why is she behaving this way?'. That's what gets me going. [caption id="attachment_894498" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lorenzo Agius/SHOWTIME.[/caption] And that's, I think, why I'm so sad to see the end of Lottie in Yellowjackets, because I got to do that — I got to play in that world for a long time. And there were no restrictions on me as an actress. I got to really dive deep and nothing was a no. When I asked them, I was like 'what if I tried this?'. And it's like 'yeah, go for it'. I think that's why that show is so successful, because we were given so much rope to play with and then, I guess, eventually, she hung himself with it, right? She didn't. That's not a spoiler." Yellowjackets season three streams via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one and review of season two, plus our interview with Melanie Lynskey. Yellowjackets stills: Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
Few things in life are better than a long weekend getaway with your mates accompanied by excellent views and quality brews. So, where are the best road trip stops for stocking your picnic along the route? We asked, and you answered. There's no better recommendation than a recommendation from a mate, and we consider you all to be the sharpest mates out there, dear readers. So here are choice spots to stop along your route for tasty grub — and a bev from your local The Bottle-O — as recommended by you. As a side note and a hint of things to come, we're pleased to see that sausage rolls will never go out of fashion. The Baker's Duck, Toowoomba QLD Are you keen on a trip out to the lovely Darling Downs region for a long weekend? Home to great beef farming, famous gardens, top produce and epic escarpment views, if you're out that way, you won't have to go far to pack your picnic bag or stock your esky. Head to Toowoomba, Queensland's 'Garden City', which boasts the best of the Darling Downs. While you're there, don't miss out on the quality pastries and pies at The Baker's Duck, as recommended by Concrete Playground reader Steve: "Top choices for a road trip feed are definitely the chunky beef and mushroom pies or the pork and apple sausage rolls." Once you've stocked up on bakery classics, hit Picnic Point to take in those great views over a bottle of regional plonk or some cider. Closest The Bottle-O: Toowoomba Les Nôtres, Riddells Creek VIC This long weekend, Melburnians up for a hit of fresh country air should head to the Macedon Ranges. Village vibes, a booming local arts scene and farmers' markets stocked with local goodies are all on the cards. Don't miss a visit to Les Nôtres (which is French for 'ours', but once you see the food, you'll be thinking 'mine'), recommended by our Vic-based reader Sarah: "They have the best croissants and these excellent lemon curd cruffins and hazelnut praline eclairs that I can never say no to." We're sold. You can find Les Nôtres at a bunch of markets or the pop-up in Riddells Creek. Stock up and pair them with a lager or chilled white wine from Romsey's The Bottle-O once you hit your campsite or accommodation. Hot tip: While you're in the area, if you're up for an adventure, go explore Lerderderg State Park for a good chance of spotting koalas. Closest The Bottle-O: Romsey Bred Co, Albany WA If you're in Perth, Pemberton or Margaret River and keen on a coastal drive over the long weekend, Albany is a cracking weekend getaway spot boasting spotless white sand beaches and 'gram-worthy granite cliffs. Stock up on local brews and wines at Centennial Park's The Bottle-O, then swing by Bred Co, a hyperlocal bakery with a particularly loose menu item that comes recommended by our IG follower Blake: "You should go there for the beef sausage roll with béchamel cheese, life-changing!'' Once you're set for drinks and eats, all you need to worry about is enjoying those stunning coastal vistas around Albany. Closest The Bottle-O: Centennial Park Uprising Bakery, Newcastle NSW Sydneysiders, are you heading north this long weekend? Myall Lakes National Park is popular for its views, cheap campsites, epic sand dune beaches and kayaking on the lakes — even better when enjoyed with baked goodies from Uprising Bakery in Newcastle as recommended by reader Kate: "Pork and lemon preserve sausage roll — it doesn't get better than that. Maybe the brownie slab." Maybe? How about definitely. Check Lambton's local The Bottle-O to pick up some drinks to enjoy as the sun sets across the sand dunes after you arrive. Bliss. Closest The Bottle-O: Lambton Bruny Island Cheese Co, TAS Tasmanians or the Tasmania-bound, grab your mates and hop a barge to Bruny Island to enjoy the rugged coasts, wild nature and secret coves. Bruny is wonderfully untouched, which means you're definitely not getting any local sparkling delivered via UberEats, so before you leave the Tassie mainland, make sure you stock up at The Bottle-O in Margate. When you arrive at Bruny, check out the famous Bruny Island Cheese Co., as recommended by reader Tom (and every member of Concrete Playground's team who've done a stint in Tassie): "The best cheese in all of Australia, you can't change my mind." There are plenty of accommodation options on the island, but you can embrace the elements by staying at one of the park's campgrounds at Cloudy Bay or Jetty Beach so you can toast with your mates and scoff cheese as the sun sets over the water. Closest The Bottle-O: Margate Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Bred Co.
When Lamaro's first announced they were swapping their gastropub schtick for something much more Spanish, South Melbourne locals weren't too happy about it. You see, the pub has been the suburb's go-to schnitzel joint for 10 years, and now there's not a piece of crumbed veal in sight. The restaurant's focus has shifted to ethical dining. The menu honours Victorian produce from Cape Schanck and Greenvale farms, which are both owned by Lamaro's parent company, Colonial Leisure Group. Upon entering the bar, a giant meat fridge filled with the farm's spoils now welcomes patrons. It's a pleasant form of compensation. The team running Lamaro's is impressive. Leading the revitalised kitchen is Louis Naepels, who previously headed the CBD's Grossi Florentino. Sworn in as floor manager is Marvin Holder, a Vue de Monde veteran who managed the restaurant for five years. Naepels has crafted a menu that sings the Spanish food language: tapas. The menu options come in forms hot, cold, sweet, spicy, sultry, crunchy and smooth. Whatever taste or texture you can think of, it's in there. Start off with some wood-fired octopus, served with broad beans, potato and squid ink ($22). The Greenvale Farm acorn-fed ham with stracciatella (shredded burrata) on country bread is a non-negotiable ($33). That schnitzel the locals were so accustomed to has been replaced by the suckling pig drizzled with pork gravy ($43). It's topped with a crackling hard to put down, regardless of how full your stomach is from overeating. Although a glance at the dessert options will make you revaluate your stomach capacity. Seal off your meal with a sweet potato ice cream sandwich drizzled with dulce de leche ($10). It's surprisingly light for something that sounds so hefty. The space has been revived by Techne Architecture, the minds behind Lee Ho Fook, Fonda and Botherambo. The interiors have been altered to create a sense of warmth, made up of tan leather seats, timber tables, and a marble fireplace that exudes an earthy vibe. Above Lamaro's communal table is a giant mural of Cape Schanck's rolling hills, giving diners a sense of the where their food has come from. At Lamaro's you can either grab a quick bite, or partake in the full tapas experience. It's one that's packed with love, community and passion for produce.
For most of us, getting festive involves trees, lights, wreaths, tinsel and other assorted decorations. For the folks behind pop-up dessert museum Sugar Republic, nothing says Christmas like a ten-room pop-up absolutely brimming with end-of-year cheer. Think marshmallow-themed pools, human-sized snow globes, a lane filled with candy canes and a giant peppermint ball pit — plus a a gingerbread cottage and plenty of ugly sweaters, naturally. That's what Melburnians will find at Christmasland, which takes over the old MacRobertson's Confectionery Factory from Sunday, November 10. Basically, the Sugar Republic crew is swapping out sweet treats for all things jolly and merry, then decking the Fitzroy spot's halls and walls in the same over-the-top manner as its previous dessert-heavy installation. And, we do mean over the top. That marshmallow pool? You'll be able to slide into it. The snow globe? You'll be able to stand inside and try to catch falling snow. One space will be called Tinseltown, so you know what you'll find there. There'll also be life-sized toys, the requisite Christmas carols and even seasonal smells. Because these kinds of installations are all about the photos, Christmasland will feature a heap of merry backdrops for your snaps and selfies — such as a giant Christmas card, a sleigh, a huge advent calendar and a forest of pink trees. And, because festive season isn't complete without indulgent snacks, you'll also be able to sample lots of chocolates and lollies from the likes of Darrell Lea, Mars, Skittles and Wizz Fizz. This should go without saying, but if you're a known Grinch who has recurrent Christmas-themed nightmares, this probably isn't for you. Tickets will set you back $35 — or less for littlies — which includes an hour in Christmasland and four sugary snacks. You can, of course, buy more, too. Images: Kate Shanasy
There's nothing like a splash of gin to make your day feel a little fancier, summer or otherwise. But if you're after something a little less boozy than a mid-arvo martini, clear some space in your fridge for this nifty line of alcohol-infused condiments. The Amsterdam-born Gin Mayo — and its recently released sibling Gin Chup — are here to help liven up your lunch. Starting life in 2017 as a house-made condiment on the menu at Amsterdam seafood restaurant Mossel & Gin, the boozy mayo quickly became a cult pantry staple, with the brand taking on a life of its own. Packaged in a squeeze-friendly tube, the gluten free sauce is crafted on creamy Zaanse mayonnaise, which is made to a recipe from the 1950s. It's then elevated with a hit of Bobby's Gin, which is distilled in the Dutch city of Schiedam and boasts a base of eight different botanicals. Clocking in at two percent alcohol per tube, the Gin Mayo supposedly is a solid match to some seafood or fried chicken, but also brings a little something extra to that sandwich or burger. Recently, the brand has added to its line of products with a zesty gin-infused ketchup, or Gin Chup, which creators say works a treat when accompanying the likes of a triple-cheese toastie. Like its mayonnaise sibling, it also boasts two percent alcohol per tube — though you can expect that to translate to a festive flavour punch, rather than any overpowering boozy aftertaste. Steadily growing in popularity here on Aussie shores, the gin condiments are now available online and at select specialty food retailers across the country. That includes Sydney's Darlo General and Sorry Thanks I Love You, and Melbourne's St Ali, Blackhearts & Sparrows and Meatsmith. To find out all the spots stocking Gin Mayo and Gin Chup locally, or to buy them online, head to the St Ali website. You can grab a 170-millilitre tube for RRP $15.
Replace a Friday knock-off at your local, with an evening of live music and haute couture at the NGV. There's a rotating lineup of musicians and DJs performing and after-hours entry to The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture. The exhibition is made up of 140 garments designed by Christian Dior Couture between 1947 and 2017. Throw in killer food and beverage options into the mix and your Friday night looks a lot more exciting.
If you're a well-off manchild who's ever defiantly moved out of home all grown up-like, stole all your mum's tupperware and turned your old room into a storage space because you're great and responsible and have your own Medicare card, Bondi Hipsters' new Old Spice ad will strike a few chords. The Australian follow-up to the bang-up hilarious viral 'Mom Song' brought out by the deodorant branding geniuses in January this year, 'Old Spice Man Song' (or Mahn Song) has been crafted by Bondi Hipsters for our own market. Both focused on the fact that Old Spice apparently makes you an immediate Man, the 333-riders have put less focus on freaky couch-dwelling, son-clingy mums and more on dudes who move out of home and think they're big ol' grown ups. Bondi Hipsters Dom and Adrian play two dudes breaking the news to Dom's possibly North Shore-looking mum that he's moving because he's a mahn with a cool leather wallet and a Swiss-made watch, whose beard grows quicker and chest hair grows thicker because of Old Spice. Of course it does, you've seen what happened to this guy. Watch the Bondi Hipsters' Old Spice ad here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TuiKdWz6IKo Then revisit the US-version 'Mom Song', just for kicks. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JEbpbNTkIdk Via Junkee.
When BrewDog created its own craft brew for dogs back in 2018, it was one of those moments that really just had to happen. If you're going to give your brewery a canine-centric name, you're going to have to come good on it at some point. So, by whipping up an IPA solely for woofers, the Scottish beer brand did just that. Again, it was inevitable — BrewDog was started by a couple of friends and a dog, after all. That's not all that the company has in store for pupper-loving craft brew fans and their four-legged best friends, though. Now, during a period when every pet owner has been enjoying more quality time with their furry companions — and really needing the company, let's be honest — BrewDog is launching new Dogkeeper packages. In fact, it's doing more than that. It's also giving 50 of the Dogkeeper packages away for free, too. The brewery is calling the giveaway a 'scheme'; however, it's really just a chance to win one of the packs. You just need to upload a photo of you and your doggo to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag in #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your cute pooch has been oh-so helpful during this chaotic year. That last part shouldn't be difficult at all. On offer — and also available to buy via BrewDog's freshly minted Australian online store from Monday, August 31 — is the full selection of the company's Aussie-brewed beers. Each Dogkeeper package is $25 and includes the brand's Punk IPA, Hazy Jane New England IPA, Elvis Juice grapefruit-infused IPA and West Coast-style pale ale, which are all for humans, as well as the Subwoofer IPA that's especially for your canine. As Brisbanites all know — and beer aficionados across the rest of Australia have been envious about as well — BrewDog set up its first Aussie brewery in Brisbane in 2019. That's where it's making its brews locally and, via its new online store, will be sending them around the country. Delivery costs $15, no matter the size of your order or your location. BrewDog's Dogkeeper packs will be available to purchase for $25 via the Aussie online store from Monday, August 31. To go in the running to win one of 50 free packs, upload a photo of you and your dog to Instagram by Wednesday, September 2, tag #BrewDogKeeper and @brewdogau, and explain why your pooch has been especially helpful in 2020.
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ has been accumulating some serious buzz around the world and in Australia and New Zealand, we are set to host it for the very first time. Meaning, with Sydney hosting some exciting games, the city will be bustling with football fever. The event will run from July 20 to August 20, adding some much-needed winter excitement to our lives — especially with the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Tumbalong Park. So if you are planning a trip to Sydney, let's not forget a key ingredient in the making of an unforgettable holiday: range. Make sure you balance out all that sporting fun with some art and culture to create a perfectly rounded getaway and keep all your travel buddies happy. We've tracked down some excellent cultural activities that prove Sydney isn't just sunshine and beaches. While the footy will undoubtedly captivate your attention, this guide will ensure you make the most of your stay by immersing yourself in the city's vibrant cultural scene. So beyond your dose of World Cup action, Sydney offers an array of experiences to satisfy any culture vulture. [caption id="attachment_884303" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Hamish McIntosh[/caption] ALL ABOUT ART Sydney's art gallery scene is one to impress traveller and connoisseur alike. From iconic institutions to small, independent galleries, there is a lot to explore when you aren't in the stadium. Don't miss Australia's iconic Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes for this year, showing at the newly expanded Art Gallery of NSW from now until early September. While you're there, be sure to check out the Brett Whiteley Studio, a museum in the former home of the legendary avant-garde artist. If contemporary art is more up your alley, you can't go past the impressive works in the MCA, located right on Sydney's idyllic harbour. Or, explore a world-class collection of Chinese contemporary art at the White Rabbit Gallery. And after you finish browsing, you can enjoy tea and dumplings at their tranquil teahouse. [caption id="attachment_813468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Daniel Boud[/caption] SPOTLIGHT ON THE STAGE With the Opera House and Sydney Theatre Company in its stable, Sydney is leading the way in global theatre. So once you are done with the international football stage, you can shift your focus to a different stage. Be sure to pay a visit to the harbourside icons and check out a classical music performance at the Opera House, or a production at Sydney Theatre Company's Roslyn Packer Theatre. Or roam the charming streets of Surry Hills and catch a play at the innovative Belvoir Street Theatre. For something further afield, you can check out Riverside Theatres and the Seymour Centre. There's no shortage of culture during your Sydney stay. [caption id="attachment_846614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Destination NSW[/caption] THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC When it's time to take off the football boots and whack on your dancing shoes, head to a gig at one of Sydney's live music venues. Looking to hit the dance floor with a live DJ set? Then check out what's on at Oxford Art Factory. Or, if seeing local live talent and bands is more your thing, enjoy new music alongside beer and burgers at Mary's Underground or The Lansdowne Hotel. For something on a bigger scale, the Enmore Theatre is host to some of the top international acts in the game. Sydney is sure to provide you with plenty of options to dance the night away after a big football win. ON YOUR MARK(ETS), GET SET, GO You can't come to Sydney without doing a bit of shopping. So if you're in town for World Cup season, be sure to make time for some market and boutique-hopping when you aren't cheering in the stadium. The charming suburb of Paddington, lined with designer boutiques in Victorian terrace homes, is a must-visit destination. After enjoying a coffee at one of the leafy cafes in Five Ways, take a stroll up Glenmore Road, where you'll find a range of high-end boutiques from renowned Australian fashion houses such as Lee Mathews, Dion Lee, Venroy and more. Don't forget to explore Paddington Markets, held every Saturday on Oxford Street. Here you can immerse yourself in a wholesome community atmosphere with bustling stalls filled with artisanal goods from local businesses. Sydney boasts many more vibrant markets waiting for your perusal. For a unique and eclectic shopping experience, head to The Rocks, Bondi, or Glebe, where you'll discover a treasure trove of handmade goods, vintage clothing and gourmet food. Uncover hidden gems that reflect Sydney's creative spirit. [caption id="attachment_833493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sharon Hickey[/caption] DIVE DEEP INTO FIRST NATIONS CULTURES Sydney will be bursting with international visitors, both on the field and in the stands, this World Cup season. We have a lot to celebrate in terms of our multicultural landscape, but it is also important to discover and celebrate Sydney's Indigenous origins and continuing cultures. If you are the type to crave a bit of time out in nature, then be sure to include time to explore the Jibbon Loop Track in the Royal National Park. Embark on a journey through ancient landscapes and sacred sites, walk in the footsteps of the Dharawal people and discover some Aboriginal carvings. The track is about an hour's drive out of Sydney, and takes about an hour and 45 minutes to complete the circuit. It's a perfect interlude to your Sydney getaway when you need a break from city-slicking. For those who prefer to stay city-side, then embark on a compelling Dreamtime Southern X Rocks tour. Led by knowledgeable Indigenous guides, this 90-minute tour takes you around the historic Rocks area to uncover the history of the Aboriginal people's saltwater heritage in Sydney Harbour. After your tour, you can head to Leichardt and immerse yourself in contemporary Indigenous art at the Boomalli Aboriginal Art Co-op. This space showcases the works of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in a diverse range of mediums. Curated exhibitions are held regularly. If visiting Sydney for the FIFA Women's World Cup, be sure to check out the FIFA Fan Festival™ Sydney, taking place from Thursday, July 20 till Sunday, August 20 at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. Check out the website for the full schedule of events.
An all-day diner and a Melbourne institution, the European has been welcoming patrons for just on fifteen years. If you can't physically get to the continent of its attribution, then this is your next best bet. No questions asked. There's only a few hours of the day when the venue isn't bustling. It's a good thing when an icon cannot rest. Situated opposite Parliament House at the top of Spring Street, every visit to the European will transport you to the old-world romanticism of Europe. It's a place of instant pleasure, where the scuffed floors, chipped wooden panelling and dim lighting are all a part of the charm. Be sure to make it your mission to get there even on a glum Melbourne afternoon, when its appeal suddenly becomes all the more glamourous. Regardless of the time of day, the menu brings the traditions of France, Italy and Spain to the table in an articulate, thoughtful and proud selection of dishes. It's honest fare without the presence of trends or fads. From 7.30am until very late, take your pick: a continental breakfast ($18.50), seasonal mushroom risotto with truffle oil ($21.50) or lamb saddle, braised belly, sweetbreads and gnocchi ($39.50) are all at your calling. Legend has it that the European's tiramisu ($12) posits a cult following so strong that it will be never, ever be removed from the menu due to the fear of the backlash that might ensue. Be sure to wash this one down with a strong, bold coffee ($3.50). If you can resist, the chocolate salty caramel, peanuts and sour cream ice-cream ($14.50) is indulgence executed with absolute perfection. The European's calling is clearly in its longevity. Alongside other city favourites it resonates in its ability to welcome and to remain authentic in its offering. It's a cultural institution that is worth as many visits as a lifetime can suffice.
The festive season is well under way: we're hurrying off to end-of-year catch ups every weekend, (hopefully) pouring sensational vinos and merrily sipping away our days. So, if you're like us, the pressure of trying to find the perfect gift can cast a dark shadow on the season. Sure, picking out the perfect gift for a special someone can be fun, but let's face it, it's pretty tricky to nail it year after year. The trick? Ditch the generic gifts and find something straight up your giftee's alley. And it's fair to assume we probably all know someone who is passionate about wine. The fine people at Handpicked Wines certainly are. With vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula, Barossa, Yarra Valley and down in Tassie, the biz makes region-specific drops with a sustainability-focused mindset. Beyond growing, prepping, juicing and fermenting the fruit, Handpicked Wines also have two urban cellar doors — one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. Together with Handpicked Wines, we've put our noses to the ground and found some brownie-point-scoring pressies especially for wine lovers (yourself included). Whether you're shopping for an office Kris Kringle or want to impress the in-laws this silly season, we've got options aplenty. HANDPICKED WINES CURATED WINE PACK, Prices vary Serious wine connoisseurs can be picky about their bottles. But fear not, Handpicked Wines is here to help you impress any sommelier (professional or wannabe) on your Christmas list. As a start, for the eighth year in a row, the winery has received a 5-red-star rating from the Halliday Wine Companion, the bestselling and definitive guide to Australian wine. Where to start? It's hard to go past the Summer Pack ($87), featuring three wines classified as "outstanding" in the 2023 edition of the guide. If you're going all out, plump for the Top Scorer pack ($200), which features six of Handpicked Wines' highest-rated drops from the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion. Whichever you choose, you know you'll be gifting some A-grade wine. For something a little different, gift your loved one the Sam Studd Pack. Along with their vinos, they'll receive three stand-out fromages curated by curd connoisseur Sam Studd — and quince paste and lavosh crackers, too. HANDPICKED WINES CELLAR DOOR EXPERIENCE, $72 If you'd prefer a more experiential gift for your vino-obsessed, opt for a gift voucher to the Handpicked Wines Cellar Door on Collins Street. They'll be table to take a special friend (aka you, the glorious gifter) and immerse themselves in an urban cellar door experience. For $72, the pair of you can each enjoy two delicious glasses from the Handpicked Wines Regional Selections range alongside two exceptional cheeses. It's the perfect gift for city slickers who enjoy a holiday to wine country — from this sleek central location, you'll discover (or taste, more like it) premium drops from the winery's vineyards across the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Barossa and Tassie. [caption id="attachment_880772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samantha Payne[/caption] FULL GLASSES McLAREN VALE CANDLE, $45 If you're looking to get a little more creative, think wine-adjacent. Maybe your wine-loving friend already has an extensive collection of bottles and has travelled to all the hot spots for a drop? If so, gift them the scent of that special vineyard. Sydney-based sommelier Samantha Payne, of Full Glasses, has created her own line of wine-centric candles focused on her memories and experiences in different wine regions. Her recommendation? The McLaren Vale ($45), which blends fresh figs and eucalyptus trees for a sweet take on the Aussie bush. But there's also Pinot Noir ($65), which marries the scents of grape skins, strawberries, cloves and cinnamon bark, Chardonnay ($65), for a hit of lemon, apple and oak, and more. Each candle is hand-poured and decorated — an extra special gift. CORAVIN TIMELESS THREE SL, $299.95 One for the wine lover with an extensive collection (and sure to put you firmly in the good books): the Coravin Timeless Three SL ($299.95). With this sleek, handy gadget — which is the easy-to-use preservation system working in tandem with Coravin's argon capsules — still wines will stay perfectly primed for weeks (or months or years, even). That friend of yours will be pouring their favourite drops without pulling the cork, so a glass of that extra special drop can be enjoyed without committing to the whole bottle. MAISON BALZAC WINE GLASSES, $129 This is perhaps for the wine-lover in your life that can't help but be persuaded by a beautiful label on their bottle. If they're into natural, fruity drops or can't look past a pet-nat, Maison Balzac's Pom Pom Wine Glasses ($129) are the ideal gift. This handblown pair is adorned with adorable cherry-red "earrings", but there are three other colourways to choose from. It's an extra-special gift for the new-age wine lover that doesn't take themselves too seriously. FESTIVE TABLEWARE, Prices vary Artful, style-heavy and deliciously unique tableware is a gift that will be eagerly received by the wine lovers in your life — chances are, if they like a good vino, they'll like to curate a vibe-heavy setting to sip it in. They'll kick their 2023 entertaining off with a bang with these hyperrealistic Heirloom Tomato Candles ($85) from Nonna's Grocer, sure to spruce up any and every tablescape; and a set of the brightly hued Cecilia Coasters ($29) from Sage and Clare for an aesthetically pleasing place to pop that drink. Or, stick with decor masquerading as food, and pick up this sweeter-than-sweet canelé from Corey Ashford, the candle holder ($125) sure to keep it moody. WANDERING FOLK LOVERS PICNIC BASKET, $195 For a gift that's perhaps a little more romantic, opt for a basket (with dedicated spots for wine) to bring on picnic dates. The picnic experts at Wandering Folk have you covered with the Lovers Picnic Basket ($195). Designed in Australia and woven by women in Vietnam, it's a stand-out gift that's been crafted consciously and creatively. Plus, if you're feeling generous, you can even stock up your gift with a couple of their favourite bottles and some picnic essentials. GIGI & TOM SEA SNAIL ICE BUCKET, $49.95 With a sea snail keeping a celebratory bottle of sparkling cool, this one's for the ocean-loving oenophile in your life. Unique, summery and chic, Gigi & Tom have you sorted with its Resin Sea Snail Centrepiece ($49.95). Practical? Tick. Fun? Tick. Meets the criteria for a winning gift. Watch them swoon. For the wine lover in your life, your best spot to start is with Handpicked Wines. Head to the website to get your gifting sorted.
He made movies that no one else could've. He changed what the world, viewers and fellow filmmakers alike, thought was possible in cinematic storytelling. The greatest television show ever created sits on his resume, a label that would've applied even if it had only received a two-season run in the 90s, but was proven all-the-more accurate when he revisited it two and a half decades later to gift audiences an unforgettable 18-episode achievement. There has never been an artist like David Lynch, and won't be again. Anyone who has had the chance to explore his paintings, drawings and sculptures, too — which made a spectacular Australian showing at a dedicated exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art in 2015, with the man himself in attendance — can't shake them from their mind. Movies, TV, acting, animation, art, music, books, furniture, photography, advertising, music videos, transcendental meditation, comic strips, coffee, weather reports, cooking quinoa, gravity-defying hair: before his death on January 15, 2025, Lynch made an impact upon all of them. "He was in touch with something the rest of us wish we could get to," shared Kyle MacLachlan, Lynch's Special Agent Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks, Paul Atreides in 1984's Dune and Jeffrey Beaumont in Blue Velvet. "David was in tune with the universe and his own imagination on a level that seemed to be the best version of human," he continued. "Every moment together felt charged with a presence I've rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in an altered world, one that I feel beyond lucky to have been a small part of. And David invited all to glimpse into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which elevated cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers across the globe," said his Mulholland Drive lead Naomi Watts. For Wild at Heart's Nicolas Cage, Lynch "was a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time," he told Deadline. "He was brave, brilliant and a maverick with a joyful sense of humour. I never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold." "The world is going to miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time and they always will," noted Steven Spielberg, who gave Lynch one of his last role sas an actor, casting his fellow helmer as another Hollywood great, John Ford, in the autobiographical The Fabelmans. For another filmmaking icon adoring a filmmaking icon, Martin Scorsese also provided his ode in a statement: "I hear and read the word 'visionary' a lot these days — it's become a kind of catch-all description, another piece of promotional language. But David Lynch really was a visionary — in fact, the word could have been invented to describe the man and the films, the series, the images and the sounds he left behind. He created forms that seemed like they were right on the edge of falling apart but somehow never did. He put images on the screen unlike anything that I or anybody else had ever seen — he made everything strange, uncanny, revelatory and new. And he was absolutely uncompromising, from start to finish." When Lynch committed his journey to paper with 2018's must-read Room to Dream, the talent that crafted the most-stunning debut feature there is with Eraserhead, earned a Best Director Oscar nomination for his second film The Elephant Man (and later for Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive), and has nine Emmy nods to his name for the first and third seasons of Twin Peaks, couldn't have chosen a better moniker for his memoir. When Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me advises that "we live inside a dream", it also couldn't have felt more apt. To watch Lynch's work is to fall into his dreams — surrealist visions filled with clashes and contrasts, such as his career-long fascination with the sublime and the terrifying sides of suburbia and domesticity — then be inspired to have your own, whichever places both wonderful and strange that they might take you. [caption id="attachment_987090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzanne Tenner/SHOWTIME[/caption] For Lynch, where his output transports fans to has always been personal, including to them. Famously, he eschewed explanations, letting his creations speak for themselves, and giving everyone watching, viewing, listening and appreciating the room to draw their own interpretations. "It's the ideas that come. And many of the ideas that come are conjured by our world. And we all know that there's many mysteries. I always say that human beings are like detectives: we want to know what's going on and what the truth of a thing is, and we see our world, we feel it, we feel there's things going on," he said to David Stratton at a public in-conversation event during his trip to Brisbane. "I always say that the filmmaker has to understand the thing for himself or herself. But when things get abstract, or a little bit abstract, there's room for many interpretations, and each person should be able to make up his or her mind to feel what the things mean." To pay tribute to Lynch, damn fine cherry pie should be on the menu. So should a damn fine lineup of viewing, because there's no better way to honour a filmmaker like no other than to relish his on-screen dreams. When his family announced his passing at the age of 78, they noted that he'd remind everyone to "keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole". Take that advice by enjoying everything that's available to stream right now — and Lynch's version of a small-town-set TV murder-mystery, its big-screen prequel, a documentary about him, several acting roles and a monkey interrogation are just the beginning. (Sadly, Eraserhead, The Straight Story and Inland Empire aren't available at the time of writing, but they'd be on the list otherwise.) The Elephant Man David Lynch has never been shy about how unlikely it was for the director of Eraserhead to score a job making a Victorian era-set period drama in England with John Hurt (Jackie), Anne Bancroft (Keeping the Faith), John Gielgud (Elizabeth) and Anthony Hopkins (Those About to Die) — or how he thought that once Mel Brooks (Only Murders in the Building), who executive produced the film, saw his debut feature that he wouldn't get the gig. Thankfully Brooks was wowed, and so cinema gained an affecting movie from Lynch that's restrained compared to much of his other output, but also deeply compassionate and unflinching. With Hurt astonishing as its lead, the eight-time Oscar-nominated The Elephant Man tells of the IRL life of Joseph Merrick, whose physical deformities saw the movie's moniker slung his way. The Elephant Man streams via iTunes and Prime Video. Dune Before Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) became cinema's ultimate spice boy — Paul Atreides, as he plays in 2021's Dune and 2024's Dune: Part Two for Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) — Kyle MacLachlan (Blink Twice) walked without rhythm first, in his debut collaboration with David Lynch. The latter disowned his adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel, his third feature, his only attempt at a blockbuster and a movie that wasn't met warmly when it released in the mid-80s; however, there's no mistaking the visual ambition that the director attempts to bring to the page-to-screen space opera. Everyone knows the film's narrative due to the two Chalamet-starring flicks, but those versions didn't also star Sting (playing Feyd-Rautha before The Bikeriders' Austin Butler) or Patrick Stewart (as Gurney before Outer Range's Josh Brolin). Dune streams via Netflix and Stan. Blue Velvet What lurks behind seeming perfection is a lifetime-long on-screen obsession for David Lynch, beginning with parenthood in Eraserhead and applying to white picket-fence life in every iteration of Twin Peaks, plus Blue Velvet. Returning home to Lumberton, North Carolina from college, Kyle MacLachlan's Jeffrey Beaumont is soon drawn into the nightmare lived by lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini, Conclave) at the hands of gangster Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper, Crash) — all after he finds a severed human ear in a field near his house. The film's exploration of darkness lingering within also applies to its protagonist, with MacLachlan stellar in a movie that also marks Lynch's first collaboration with Laura Dern (Lonely Planet), features a haunting performance by Hopper and ensures that you'll never hear Roy Orbison the same way again. Blue Velvet streams via iTunes. Twin Peaks It's the mind-bending small-town mystery-drama that comes with its own menu — and with plenty of thrills, laughs and weirdness. Whether you're watching Twin Peaks for the first or 131st time, you'll want to do so with plenty of damn fine coffee, fresh-made cherry pie and cinnamon-covered doughnuts to fuel your journey. David Lynch and Mark Frost's seminal TV series doesn't just serve up 90s-era oddness with backwards talk, log-carrying ladies, couch-jumping monsters and fish in percolators, as centred around the murder of high-schooler Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee, Limetown), though. It returned for an astonishing third season in 2017 as well that's the finest thing to reach the small screen in the 21st century. There's never been anything on television like Twin Peaks. No one can play a kind and quirky FBI boss like Lynch either, or a dedicated agent like Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper. Twin Peaks streams via Paramount+. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a prequel to Twin Peaks, as well as the exceptional TV show's leap to cinemas. The film is also a masterpiece in tragedy, and the same in empathy. Before she's "dead, wrapped in plastic" in the program's debut instalment, David Lynch truly sees Laura Palmer and everything that she goes through. Set in the lead-up to her demise, the flick burrows deep into the menacing forces at play. It's a movie of sheer dread, even though viewers know what's going to happen. As only he can, Lynch steeps every frame in the brutal pain, terror and suffering of his doomed protagonist, ensuring that his audience walk in her shoes, feel what she's going through and see how ravenously that the world tears into her, all while baking in his adored surrealist touches. He also works David Bowie into the Twin Peaks cast, magnificently so. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me streams via YouTube Movies. Wild at Heart David Lynch directing Nicolas Cage: of course it had to happen, and thankfully did. That's one helluva filmmaker-actor combination — and when the unrivalled helmer had the incomparable star in front of his lens, the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival came his way. The movie that Lynch made between Twin Peaks' initial run and the series' big-screen prequel Fire Walk with Me, it features one of Cage's greatest performances. Cage playing one half of a couple on the run (opposite Laura Dern), singing Elvis tunes like he was born to and navigating a Lynchian crime-romance flick truly is what dreams are made of. Adapting the 1990 novel of the same name — by author Barry Gifford, who went on to co-write Lost Highway with Lynch — Wild at Heart is also as distinctive as crime road movies get. Wild at Heart streams via iTunes and Prime Video. Lost Highway It's thanks to Lost Highway that Nine Inch Nails' 'The Perfect Drug' exists; before he was composing Oscar-winning The Social Network and Golden Globe-winning Challengers scores, Trent Reznor also produced this 1997 film's soundtrack for David Lynch. Tunes by NIN, David Bowie, The Smashing Pumpkins and Lou Reed are just one of movie's highlights, however. Initially with Bill Pullman (Murdaugh Murders: The Movie) as a saxophonist, then with Balthazar Getty (Megalopolis) playing an auto mechanic — and with Patricia Arquette (Severance) acting opposite each, featuring in both of the flick's two parts — Lost Highway embraces its sinister tone from the get-go, with its guiding force strapping in for an eerie and audacious ride filled with mysterious VHS tapes, murder convictions and sudden swaps, and refusing to pump the brakes for a moment. Lost Highway streams via Stan. Mulholland Drive In dreams, Mulholland Drive lingers. In reality, the Los Angeles-set masterpiece has as well since 2001. Although the term naturally applies to his entire filmography, movies don't get much more Lynchian than this shimmering neo-noir and tribute to Tinseltown that started as a TV project, and stars Naomi Watts (Feud) as eager aspiring actor Betty Elms and struggling thespian Diane Selwyn. One is fresh from Deep River, Ontario and chasing her dreams. The other no longer has stars in her eyes. Reflections and doppelgängers, fantasies and alternate realities, accidents and surprises, hopes and failures, how Hollywood demands reinvention, the roles that people play for and without the cameras: they're all part of a mesmerising picture (as are Father of the Bride's Laura Harring and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's Justin Theroux among the cast). Mulholland Drive streams via Binge, Stan and ABC iView. Duran Duran: Unstaged Inland Empire will always be David Lynch's last narrative feature, but it wasn't his last full-length film. Five years after the movie that he wanted Laura Dern to win an Oscar for so badly that he took to Sunset Boulevard with a cow by his side, he helmed Duran Duran: Unstaged. Before making his one and only concert flick, he'd directed music videos for Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' and Moby's 'Shot in the Back of the Head', among others. Afterwards, he'd do the same on Nine Inch Nails' 'Came Back Haunted' and several of his own tunes with Chrystabell, too. But just once, for two hours, he brought an entire live gig to the screen — as shot in Los Angeles on the British band's The All You Need Is Now tour, complete with 'Hungry Like the Wolf', 'Girls on Film', 'Notorious', 'Rio', 'A View to a Kill', 'Come Undone', 'Planet Earth', 'Ordinary World' and more on the setlist. Duran Duran: Unstaged streams via Docplay David Lynch: The Art Life Even when a David Lynch-directed project is diving into nightmares, which is often, the filmmaker's movies and TV shows get audiences yearning to spend time in their company, lapping up his unequalled vision of the world. That's the reason that documentary Lynch/Oz, about his obsession with The Wizard of Oz in his work, exists. Watch doco David Lynch: The Art Life and viewers can spend time in Lynch's company as well. For helmers Rick Barnes, Olivia Neergaard-Holm and Jon Nguyen — all directing their only feature so far — Lynch takes everyone on a tour of his upbringing, efforts to make Eraserhead in the 70s, and artistic and musical output. Of course, don't expect any answers. Again, Lynch wants to let his work speak for itself, rather than him speak about it. But do expect to spend an enjoyable time with the unparalleled master auteur. David Lynch: The Art Life streams via Docplay. What Did Jack Do? In a dimly lit room in a grimy train station, a capuchin monkey sits at a table. In walks a detective, who then starts smoking a cigarette and interrogating the animal in front of him. They chat, bantering back and forth as the cop asks questions and the primate answers. At one point, the monkey even sings. Queries range from "do you know anything about birds?" to "you ever ride the rodeo?", all in a quest to solve a murder. A chicken also pops up, and a waitress. If the above scenario sounds more than a little surreal, that's because it is — especially given that it's part of David Lynch's 17-minute short film What Did Jack Do?. The black-and-white piece also stars the inimitable Lynch as the detective. It's a unique, delightful and characteristically eccentric work by one of the most distinctive folks to ever stand behind a camera. What Did Jack Do? streams via Netflix. Lucky Six times throughout their careers, David Lynch directed Harry Dean Stanton. In the year that delivered their last collaboration in one of Lynch's projects — the third season of Twin Peaks, which followed Wild at Heart, miniseries Hotel Room, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, The Straight Story and Inland Empire — and sadly saw Stanton pass away at the age of 91 after 200-plus acting credits, they teamed up as fellow performers in the delightful Lucky. In the directorial debut of actor John Carroll Lynch (Babes), the veterans are thrust to the fore as Stanton plays a 90-year-old small-town loner who is forced to face his mortality. The landscape of his face pairs perfectly with the arid dessert surroundings, while his specific brand of cantankerous charm finds its match in Lynch as his monologue-spouting, tortoise-loving pal. Lucky streams via Brollie. Read our full review. The Fabelmans With The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg pays tribute to cinema in as many ways as he can fit into a single feature, all while relaying how he grew up as a movie-loving kid — and sharing the affection with his family, too, as he explores the complicated dynamics that shaped his childhood. The director behind everything from Jaws and Indiana Jones to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park and West Side Story also tips his hat to two other filmmaking forces in his coming-of-age affair: four-time Best Director Oscar-winner John Ford, who Spielberg met when he was starting out, and David Lynch. The latter fellow helmer plays the former, in an inspired stroke of casting. Although any acting performance by Lynch is a treat, this one, as he makes a point about interesting filmmaking using the horizon to Gabriel LaBelle (Saturday Night) as Spielberg's surrogate, couldn't be more perfect. The Fabelmans streams via Netflix and ABC iView. Read our full review.
It begins with a ghost story, then a chilling diversion away from its main characters that's heartbreakingly ripped from the headlines. It ends with the most OTT yet incisive Amelie parody — and reckoning with restlessness, too — that's ever likely to grace screens, complete with baguettes wielded as weapons. In-between, it may or may not attend Tupac's date with death in Amsterdam, literally takes to history with a chainsaw and calls out Karens who are quick to snipe at others with their "I want to speak to the manager" sense of entitlement. Also, Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman) pops up and masturbates furiously, and cannibalism plays a part. The show in question: Atlanta. It took four years for the Donald Glover-created and -starring (and often -written and -directed) series to return for its third season, but the deservingly acclaimed program sashays through its latest batch of ten episodes like no time has passed. That said, when its latest stint first arrived back in March, launching with two episodes at once before reverting to weekly single-instalment drops, it made its comeback with two pieces of fantastic news and one inevitable but not-so-welcome reality. Wonderfully, this is one of two seasons of Atlanta that'll air this year. Surreal, insightful and exceptional, it's also as great as the show has ever been since it initially debuted in 2016. But when season four does appear later in 2022, that'll be the end. Knowing that Atlanta's time is numbered makes revelling in what it has for viewers now all the more special, although this series has long earned that description anyway. That quick list of season-three highlights above demonstrates that anything and everything can happen in Atlanta — and frequently does. But there's always an underlying point to stress, and one that'll never get old. Just as Jordan Peele has on the big screen with Get Out and Us after building upon his excellent sketch comedy show Key & Peele, Glover lays bare what it's like to be Black in America today with brutally smart and honest precision, and also makes it blisteringly apparent that both horror and so-wild-and-terrifying-that-you-can-only-laugh comedy remains the default. Atlanta's third season goes big on white bullshit, and also on the way that the white-centric world will forever be haunted by how it still treats and has historically treated people of colour. And, in the episodes that focus on Glover's Earnest 'Earn' Marks, his cousin and rapper Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles (Brian Tyree Henry, Eternals), their Nigerian American pal Darius (Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah) and Earn's ex Vanessa (Zazie Beetz, The Harder They Fall), the lived experience of being a Black American anywhere is thrust into the spotlight. Atlanta has now evolved to the point where it can be Atlanta anywhere, including well beyond its titular city. A lesser show might feel as Van visibly does from the moment that she meets Darius at the Amsterdam airport — careening, unmoored, uncertain of where to fit — but Atlanta is never anything but its ambitious and incredible self. Now all wrapped up and ready to binge — if waiting week to week isn't your style of viewing — the series' current spin has Al on tour in Europe, after his fame has rocketed since viewers last saw him. One of season three's bold moves: jumping into a stratospheric phase in the rapper's career, with money and success now just a given for the talent that the show saw strive, struggle and hustle through seasons one and two. When he's jailed in The Netherlands, he's treated like royalty. He's chased in the street, too, and recognised wherever he goes. And when Earn has to rustle up a fat stack of cash to get him out of prison, it's as easy as demanding an advance on that night's gig. Al's new luxury-dripping status quo, and Atlanta's drastic change of scenery, results in an on-the-road onslaught of antics that repeatedly put the program's key foursome at the mercy of white bullshit. Racist traditions, money-hungry rich folks looking to cash in on someone else's culture, scheming hangers-on, brands using Black artists for politically correct PR stunts, culinary gentrification, not just literal commodification but also voracious consumption — they're all included, and unpacked scathingly and exactingly. Also covered, particularly in the season's sublimely ridiculous final episode: the way that navigating this constant swirl of white-fuelled chaos isn't just exhausting, but dispiriting to the point that joining can seem like the safest move. Closing out with the only Van-focused entry from the new batch, season three's closer is as farcical and funny as Atlanta gets, and also deeply steeped in the everyday exasperation of battling to exist. When Glover, Henry, Stanfield and Beetz are on-screen — albeit never together as much as audiences hope — Atlanta is as comfortable as it gets while also always throwing up a non-stop array of surprises. Then there's the season's standalone stories, all of which would fuel excellent movies. Proving astute, incisive, sometimes-absurd, always-stellar and relentlessly inventive, here Atlanta examines the welfare system and its inequalities, reparations for slavery, the emotional and physical labour outsourced to Black workers, and how the world enforces all things white as the default — and preferred — option. Sometimes the takeaway points are obvious, but that doesn't mean they're any less searing. The cast, as always, are a powerhouse. Few actors can convey wearingly resigned yet still determined like Glover, or make Darius' ethereal vibe run deep as Stanfield does. Henry fleshes out Al's growing dissatisfaction with the trappings and expectations of fame, while Beetz steals every scene she's in — even when, for most of the season, she's flitting around the edges as Van free falls from the crew's most sensible member to its most erratic. Some of season three's stunt casting doesn't pay off, though, with obviousness rearing its head again and less successfully, but Atlanta still boasts the best core quartet currently on television. It's still the best among at almost everything it does, in fact, including sliding onto Glover's always busy resume. Obviously, season four now can't come quickly enough. Check out the full trailer for Atlanta's third season below: The third season of Atlanta is available to stream via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
By the time winter's over and Melbourne's temperatures have finally lost their frosty edge, we'll have a brand-new ice cream joint to call our own. And this one's set to be delightfully unconventional. Landing in Thornbury this spring, Kenny Lover is the nostalgia-fuelled new project from Tom Peasnell (Peaches, Dexter, Cheek), and Henry Sugar's Mike Baker and Daniel Mason, with styling and design by Maria Angelico. It'll be dishing up 70s Australiana vibes, alongside an offering of unusual ice cream and sorbet flavours, sure to stir up some good old-fashioned childlike excitement. The largely vegan menu features plenty of native flavours like wattleseed and malt, and ginger with Davidson's plum. Even more creativity flows through quirky, yet considered combinations including white chocolate and kalamata olive, watermelon with olive oil, and even an ode to soy sauce. Tried-and-true classics will sit alongside these contemporary hits – Starward whisky ice cream, anyone? – all freshly churned on the daily. And your inner kid is sure to be stoked about the offer of hot chips for dipping. Of course, an offering like that deserves a brilliantly bold setting, and Kenny Lover's fit-out doesn't disappoint. After all, this is the work of the same minds behind the pastel oasis that is Peaches. Here, get set for a vision of burnt orange, complete with imported tiles by India Mahdavi and – wait for it – shag pile ceilings. Bring on ice cream season. Kenny Lover is set to open on Thornbury's High Street from early September.
Martin Scorsese has given the world many things. He made Robert De Niro's film career, and also made sure Leonardo DiCaprio isn't just that guy from Growing Pains, Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. He's crafted some of the most influential movies of the last five decades, chronicled music over the same timespan and championed the history of cinema, too. There's a reason that you only need to refer to him by his last name. He's a creative force to be reckoned with — and, though many have tried, there's no one quite like him. In addition to all of the above — or, more accurately, because of it — he's the focus of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's latest showcase, SCORSESE. For four months, ACMI will be decking its halls with a celebration of his cinematic impact, lining its shelves with hundreds of Scorsese trinkets, and filling its screens with his tales of wolves, bulls, butchers and taxi drivers. Of course, that's not all there is to the Scorsese experience — and no, we're not just talking about watching his movies. Before you visit the SCORSESE exhibition, we have a few pieces of Scorsese homework to get you well and truly prepared. Visiting New York and becoming besties with De Niro and DiCaprio isn't on our list, but if you want to try and make that happen, we're not going to stop you. LISTEN TO A SCORSESE PLAYLIST Scorsese has been quote as saying: "Music and film are inseparable. They always have been and always will be." And his career is a testament to that statement. From the moment 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' starts playing in Mean Streets to the way 'I'm Shipping Up to Boston' is used in The Departed, the soundtracks to Scorsese's movies have always proven as important as the narratives. The list goes on — and that's not even including references to his films in songs, as heard in the Arctic Monkeys' 'Knee Socks', for example. If you don't know where to start, try working through the back catalogues of The Band, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and George Harrison, all of whom have featured in Scorsese-directed documentaries and concert films. You'll also find more than one Scorsese playlist on Spotify. DISCOVER THE MOVIES THAT SHAPED HIS TASTES Filmmakers don't just make films — they watch them, too. They've grown up watching them, as Scorsese did, starting as an asthma-afflicted child who would go to the cinema because he couldn't take part in more active pursuits. That could be why he has always been so eager to rattle off his favourite flicks, with the internet overflowing with lists of his horror, must-see and all-time picks. Working your way through his selections is a good way to brush up on your movie history in general, but why not take it a step further? Scorsese has also directed and hosted two documentaries — A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies and My Voyage to Italy — that step through his thoughts and feelings about the cinema both hailing from his US homeland and linked to his Italian heritage. COOK HIS MOTHER'S RECIPES Back in 1974, Scorsese made a 49-minute documentary called Italianamerican. His parents, Charles and Catherine, feature heavily, chatting about their experiences as Italian migrants living in New York as they eat dinner. Catherine — who also pops up in Mean Streets, The King of Comedy, After Hours, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence and Casino — also talks through her meatballs recipe, which Scorsese then listed in the credits of the film. If you can't track down a copy of the movie, you can buy Italiamerican: The Scorsese Family Cookbook and then make it and 250 other Scorsese family dishes for yourself. Back in 1990, Catherine also shared the recipe for the pasta she cooks up in Goodfellas, where she played the mother of Joe Pesci's character. BINGE-WATCH HIS TELEVISION SHOWS Maybe Boardwalk Empire was your favourite TV show during its five-season run. Or perhaps you were counting down the days until Vinyl premiered back in February 2016, and then proceeded to devour every second of its '70s-set sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll fun, gratuitous name-checking and sometimes badly-cast nods to icons of the period. Whether you're an existing fan of either show, or you've been meaning to catch up with both, here's your chance to enjoy every single minute of each. Scorsese not only executive produced both series, but directed their first episodes (which explains why the Boardwalk Empire pilot reportedly cost $18 million). Yep, that's two extra pieces of Scorsese-made fare you mightn't have realised that you needed to watch. CHECK OUT HIS FILM CRITICISM Scorsese doesn't just make films, set up organisations to restore them and make lengthy programs dedicated to classics of years gone by, though he's done plenty of that. Once, back in 2000, he also guest hosted Roger Ebert & the Movies, the review television show Ebert made after the death of his former on-air partner Gene Siskel. The topic of conversation was the best movies of the '90s — and while we won't spoil Scorsese's picks, we will mention that Ebert chose Goodfellas as his number three film of the decade. Of course, Ebert and Scorsese weren't just linked on screen, with the film critic also writing Scorsese by Ebert, a book filled with essays about and interviews with the director. SCORSESE runs from May 28 to September 18 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. See the full program of exhibition-related events at the ACMI website.
