Girl Asleep, by director Rosemary Myers, has been touted as an Australian version of Napoleon Dynamite. It's an obvious comparison, but while there are many similarities, Girl Asleep will leave you feeling something much deeper than mild amusement and confusion (sorry Napoleon, but it's true). For a start, it's a coming of age film starring actual teenagers, and that awkwardness translates beautifully to the screen. Greta (Bethany Whitmore) is 14, very shy and starting life at a new school. On her first day there she meets the geeky Elliot (Harrison Feldman) and they develop an unlikely friendship. Her life and all its inherent confusion stays private until her parents (played so very well by Amber McMahon and screenwriter Matthew Whittet) throw her a massive 15th birthday party and all her internal chaos spills over. The narrative is well-paced and comfortingly predictable, until the third act when Greta is plunged into a surreal, sexy world of Abject Men, Frozen Women, vaguely sinister forest creatures and lessons about sisterhood. It's a brusque transition but not unexpected, since the whole film has a touch of the surreal about it. There's an air of awkwardness that at times that goes beyond the script, although thankfully the two young leads are supported by a fluid and confident supporting cast, who lend the whole production a professional veneer that keeps your faith intact. Myers originally developed and executed the story as a stage play, and you can see fragments of the stage in the two-dimensional composition and the all-singing, all-dancing dramatics that give the film its signature look. And what a look! Girl Asleep is worth the ticket price alone just for the attention to detail in the props, costumes and sets. It's all so glamorous, so coordinated, so excessive and so 70s – a visual smorgasbord of big hair, tight shorts, flares and loud patterned wallpaper. And yet, behind the glamour and theatrics, viewers will find a remarkably relatable protagonist. Greta deals with her questions of identity, gender, sexuality and feminism in a way that will catch you by surprise, right in the feels. The writing hits a subtle emotional frequency that offsets and works well with the zany visual antics, helping to set Girl Asleep apart from the pack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lJSjVbTvDs
If hearing Placebo's 'Every You Every Me' and The Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony' gets you thinking about Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair, then you're clearly a Cruel Intentions fan. And you if were a 90s or 00s teen who watched and rewatched the 1999 classic over and over again — soaking in all those dangerous liaisons, the scheming that went with them, Joshua Jackson's blonde locks and Gellar in a decidedly non-Buffy role — then you'll probably be first in line to see Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical. The film-to-theatre production has been unleashing its teen tumult and throwback soundtrack in America since 2015, and now it's finally heading to our shores. And yes, those aforementioned Placebo and The Verve songs get a spin, because of course they do. Because it's a jukebox musical, the show is also filled with a heap other tunes from that late 90s, early 00s era, too; think: *NYSNC's 'Bye Bye Bye', Britney Spears' 'Sometimes', No Doubt's 'Just A Girl', Jewel's 'Foolish Games', Christina Aguilera's 'Genie In A Bottle' and Sixpence None the Richer's 'Kiss Me', for starters. If you've seen the movie — the original, not the direct-to-video 2001 and 2004 sequels, one of which starred a very young Amy Adams (The Woman in the Window) taking over Gellar's role — then you'll know the story. Based on 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, which was also been adapted in the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons with Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman, Cruel Intentions follows step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Manipulating each other's love lives is their main hobby, a pastime that levels up a few notches when Kathryn places a bet on whether Sebastian can sleep with Annette Hargrove, the headmaster's daughter at their exclusive prep school. On-screen, Phillippe played Sebastian, Gellar vamped up the film as Kathryn and Witherspoon stepped into Annette's shoes. Exactly who'll be following in their footsteps when Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical hits Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from May 25, 2022 and then Sydney's State Theatre from June 29 — with further cities to be announced — hasn't yet been revealed. Cruel Intentions' writer/director Roger Kumble co-created the musical, so expect it comes with quite the screen-to-stage pedigree. Also, it's coming to Australia via David Venn Enterprises, who also brought The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy and Bring It On: The Musical our way. Check out the trailer for the US production of Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical below: Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical will play Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from May 25, 2022, and then Sydney's State Theatre from June 29 — with further cities to be announced. For more information and to join the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website.
World Vegan Day is rocking around again on November 1, and CBD Korean eatery Paik's Bibim wants you to celebrate by digging into a big, vibrant bowl of goodness. And a free bowl, at that. From Saturday, October 29–Tuesday, November 1, the Spencer Street restaurant will be handing out hundreds of signature plant-based bibimbap bowls for free, celebrating veganism while also giving diners a sneak peek at its newly expanded menu. Head in once the doors open at 11.30am and choose from three different vegan bibimbaps — one featuring marinated tofu, another teaming soy-seasoned plant-based protein with mushrooms, and a spicy 'bokkeum' bibimbap with stir-fried kimchi for an added hit. There'll be around 300 vegan bowls up for grabs across the weekend, on offer until stocks last each day. Launched earlier this year, Paik's Bibim is the Melbourne outpost from South Korean celebrity chef Baek Jong-won.
Regarded as one of Camberwell's longest-running shops, Sainsburys Books has been a constant presence in the area for the last 30 years. While owner John Sainsbury originally set up shop at the famous Camberwell Market so that he could sell on some books from his sprawling collection, he soon realised that his passion for all things paperback would better serve fellow readers if he opened up his own shopfront. While Sainsbury has a keen eye for secondhand books that span art, design, photography and history, the latest novels creating a buzz among voracious readers are also available. Images: Lee Riches.
As a food writer and critic based in Western Australia, Max Brearley lives a life of truffle hunting, native-food foraging and long, wine-led lunches across Margaret River's rolling estates. The southwest lifestyle is what lured him over from the UK, and his work is now regularly published in The Australian, delicious., The Guardian and Halliday. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Margaret River, we've called in Max, whose favourite spots range from the region's best winery restaurant to a burger truck run by a street-food doyen he's followed around the world. A stay at Pullman Bunker Bay in the Margaret River region will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you rest and digest in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Max's top food hot spots in his own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. CULLEN WINES A founding winery of the region, Cullen has an international reputation for their wines and the manner in which they're produced. Chief winemaker Vanya Cullen has a commitment to the land, seeing herself and her team as custodians. It shows in the wine, which is certified both organic and biodynamic, and it's always a stop when I'm introducing people to the region. A taste of the Kevin John (Chardonnay) and the Diana Madeline (predominantly Cabernet) — both named after Vanya's parents, the winery's founders — is non-negotiable at cellar door. Also high on the must-taste list is the Amber, a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc that is an expression of low-intervention technique. The grapes are fermented in different vessels, including amphora and open fermenters, with extended skin contact. Some describe it as a white, made like a red. MIKI'S OPEN KITCHEN Mikihito Nagai's handle on tempura is masterful. While it may not seem like an obvious dining destination to showcase the region, Miki's Open Kitchen is the essence of what makes the Margaret River region so dynamic; it is a place where winemakers, chefs, artists, photographers, writers and other creative souls are drawn by the ocean, the land, the wine, food and lifestyle. Miki is no exception, and in a matter of years has built a fervent local following for his skill, use of the region's best produce and, well, just being Miki. A seat at the counter for the second sitting ensures plenty of time to watch the master at work. It's fully licensed, though you can also BYO wine, and they serve two sittings an evening. BURGER BONES I first met cook come raconteur Cooper in a south London pub. Then, he was at the forefront of the street food movement and known for making the city's best loaded dogs, with an eye on raising the quality of his ingredients. I didn't think that conversation would lead to a friendship on the other side of the world. Returning home to the southwest after twenty years, he flipped to burgers but is no less fastidious about the meat, the grind, the bread and his technique. Made to order in his customised food truck, Burger Bones isn't fast food, so expect a short wait as he shapes the patty and steams each bun. I favour the Filthy Dirty Burger — a double patty with black cherry barbecue sauce, onions and cheese — but I'm always open to off-menu suggestions. EAGLE BAY BREWING CO The beer community is strong between the capes, and for those with an interest in grain as well as grape, Eagle Bay Brewing Co is a must-try. It's available at bars and bottle shops throughout the region, but there's no better place to drink it than at the source. The d'Espeissis family have been on their Eagle Bay property since 1950, and while the previous generations were more concerned with farming than brewing, it was the younger d'Espeissises who built the brewery and restaurant back in 2010. I'm a fan of their robust Pale Ale, but look out for the Brewer's or Single Series drops. A solid food offering makes it a popular lunch spot, with an atmosphere that is pure southwest; you could be sat next to a mining magnate, a pro-surfer or a jobbing food writer. VASSE FELIX It's a difficult call to name just one winery restaurant, but Vasse Felix never disappoints. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the wares of chief winemaker Virginia Willcock and her team, with an elevated view over some of the estate's original vines. Chef Brendan Pratt took the reins in September 2017 from local legend Aaron Carr (to be found at Yarri, in Dunsborough from early 2018) and he's immediately proven his talent. Asian and European techniques meet, with Pratt celebrating the best of each season. If you've time in the region, Will's Domain in Yallingup) and Knee Deep in Wilyabrup are also home to two of the regions youngest, and most accomplished chefs. YALLINGUP WOODFIRED BREAD Gotthard Bauer, the German baker behind the region's best bread, is modest in a world of hyperbole. He takes an all together slower approach to his craft, using certified biodynamic flour, proper fermentation and resting, and woodfired ovens — a process that is the antithesis of the factory-scale bakeries many have become used to. As well as baking your daily bread, the Bauers also have the Gugelhupf, a candy-striped shack at 18 Yallingup Beach Road, selling the sweet and savoury cake of the same name. I've bought many of these savarin baked treats as intended presents over the years, but strangely they never quite make it to their intended recipient. There is now a Woodfired Bread outpost in Margaret River (Unit 2/2 Boodjidup Road) and at the weekly Margaret River Farmers Market. WHITE ELEPHANT CAFE This is the place to come to understand what Margaret River life is all about, with an Indian Ocean view over Gnarabup Beach. Take a coffee from the kiosk and have a walk on the boardwalk or down on the sand, or sit up on the deck and take breakfast or lunch. White Elephant is a year-round haunt for locals. Beyond just a standard beach cafe, it has great hospitality pedigree, alongside sister venues Morries (Margaret River) and The Common (minutes away, at Gnarabup). While it seems blasé to ignore the view, I'm partial to a spot by the fire in cooler months with a newspaper and the pick of the menu. I've been known to file copy from here. THE COLOURPATCH CAFE At the southern end of the capes, Augusta has no shortage of spectacular views and places to find fish and chips (at least five at last count). The Colourpatch Cafe has in recent years been slowly refurbished, retaining its coastal town charm, with river views from the cafe and terrace. Local fish is chalked up, with Augusta whiting from the Blackwood River a sustainable favourite. While eating in is always an option, my ritual is finding a spot down towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with a view over the Southern Ocean and the possibility, in season, of a whale sighting. SETTLERS TAVERN A Margaret River institution, Settlers Tavern has one of the best wine cellars in Australia. While on the surface it is a traditional pub, owners Karen and Rob Gough have a passion for wine built through years in the industry; Rob was a one-time San Francisco sommelier and Karen worked to import Australian wines to the States. With many labels not having a cellar door presence, this is the perfect place to discover the region's smaller and often most interesting producers. Added to this, the Goughs aren't parochial in their outlook, and you'll find a good representation of premium Aussie wine from across the country. That's why this is a hub for winemakers, both resident and visiting. RIVERSMITH One-time winemaker Lachlan MacDonald is a familiar face at Riversmith, his cafe and retail space. The whitewashed walls, art deco frontage and sleek design give little hint to its former life as a garage and petrol station. At one time I'd fill the tank here, but I'm much happier filling up on coffee and diving into their menu, which has a focus on good local produce. Licensed, they've got a small selection of local wine and beer available. Homewares, books and design items are available in the rear retail area — a lifesaver on a number of occasions for forgotten birthdays and the odd Christmas present. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
What boasts a hefty lineup of First Nations talent, is all about celebrating Blak excellence in music and culture, and will take over Hanging Rock for one spring Sunday? Australia's newest music festival. What features a jam-packed lineup hand-picked by Briggs (with a thank you to Paul Kelly), and includes Baker Boy, Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum, Christine Anu and more on the bill? That same must-attend event, aka First & Forever. The day-long, picnic-style fest will make its debut on Sunday, November 27 in the Macedon Ranges spot, and sport a clear focus: showcasing and highlighting First Nations artists and performers. Indeed, the 20-plus acts announced so far spans an impressive range of names, featuring everyone from Budjerah, King Stingray and Sycco through to Alice Skye, Busby Marou, Electric Fields, Ziggy Ramo and Barkaa. [caption id="attachment_872292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Georgia Wallace[/caption] The specific Hanging Rock venue has been named The Gathering Place for the event, acknowledging the people of the Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung who have long met there, and also the power of Country. First & Forever is also paying tribute to the late Archie Roach by dubbing its stage the 'Uncle Archie Stage'. If this seems like the kind of festival that Australia should've always had, that's because it is — and it came about via a chance meeting between Briggs and late Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski AM. "For years I'd had an idea for a First Nations-led contemporary music festival, something cool and boutique that was really about the music and culture," said Briggs. "When Gudinski called me about a similar idea he'd had, we found this really collaborative working relationship. We both had a passionate approach to Melbourne, Victorian music, and amplifying Blakfellas' stories. MG got the ball rolling. After he passed, the ball was in my court. I had to take it home." Adds Kelly: "My last conversation with Michael just over a week before he died was backstage at Archie [Roach's] concert. [MG] was bubbling with ideas for a new project, a big concert with headlining First Nations artists... he urged me to get involved. I said no to Michael many times over the years and I said yes lots. I'm glad I said yes this last time." [caption id="attachment_862591" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morgan Sette[/caption] FIRST & FOREVER 2022 LINEUP: Baker Boy Budjerah Jessica Mauboy King Stingray Sycco Thelma Plum Alice Skye Busby Marou Christine Anu Dan Sultan Electric Fields Emma Donovan Tasman Keith Ziggy Ramo Barkaa Birdz Dameeeela Jess Hitchcock Jk-47 Kardajala Kirridarra Kobie Dee and more First & Forever takes place on Sunday, November 27 at The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock, in Victoria's Macedon Ranges. Ticket pre-sales start at 11am AEDT on Tuesday, October 11, with general sales from 11am AEDT on Friday, October 14. For more information, head to the festival website.
The team behind one of South Melbourne's most decadent cafes is heading to the CBD. Opening mid-October on Little Collins Street, Crux & Co Patisserie will focus on the sweeter things in life, serving up macaroons, éclairs, cakes and assorted other pastries that'll make your teeth rot just by looking at them. Might be time to preemptively punch another hole in your belt buckle, huh? The 40-seat patisserie will be open 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday, making it the perfect place to satisfy your hankering for a pre-work coffee and salted caramel éclair. Or maybe you'd prefer double vanilla? Or passionfruit? Or bitter chocolate, or raspberry, or lemon meringue? Best get one of each, just to be safe. Alternatively, you'll be able to grab a box of meringues, which come in flavours such as lychee, oreo and wasabi. The sweet treats will all be crafted by Crux's head pastry chef MK Lee, and transported from South Melbourne to Little Collins Street each day. Your caffeine fix, meanwhile, will come courtesy of local roasters, including Five Senses Coffee. Crux & Co Patisserie is set to open on October 10 at 25 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. In the meantime, you can find their original cafe at 35 Albert Road, South Melbourne, and perv on pastry photos via their Facebook page.
Huge birthday, huge program, huge list of reasons to spend an entire year at the Sydney Opera House. Come October 2023, the iconic Australian venue will reach its 50th birthday, and it's doing what everyone does when it hits a massive milestone: celebrating for as long as possible. In fact, the Opera House is dedicating 12 whole months to its 50th-anniversary shenanigans, starting a year in advance. From October 2022, the acclaimed Sydney Harbour venue will kick off the festivities in the most fitting way — with From the Sails: Light Years, a nightly projection series featuring new art by Sam Doust and Art Processors, which'll adorn the structure's famous sails from Wednesday, October 19–Sunday, 30. Obviously, that's just the beginning of a hefty program, with the already-announced Amadeus starring Michael Sheen taking over the site's newly revamped Concert Hall from Tuesday, December 27, 2022–Saturday, January 21, 2023, too. Also on the bill: a full lineup that spans 230-plus performances, events and experiences, covering outdoor concerts, community events, First Nations storytelling, tours, public art, exhibitions and more, and happening in the venue's theatres, on its forecourt and online. From Thursday, October 20–Sunday, 30, that includes From the Steps: Voices at Dusk, which'll see local community choirs — as curated by resident company Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Artistic Director Brett Weymark OAM — sing free open-air choral performances on the Opera House steps. Also outdoors, this time running from Thursday, November 10–Saturday, November 19, is a concert series at the Opera House's forecourt featuring Tim Minchin, New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop and two shows by Vance Joy. There'll be two free gigs, too — one dedicated to Yolŋu music and culture with Djakapurra Munyarryun, Dhapanbal Yunupingu, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and more on the lineup, and another that'll see Ngaiire and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra join forces. [caption id="attachment_871449" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ngaiire[/caption] While Sydney Opera House hasn't unveiled the full program yet, with further events set to be announced in the coming months, the rest of the lineup so far features two big festivals: Inside/Out at the House and Open House Festival. The first will arrive at the beginning of May 2023, heroing performances by the London Symphony Orchestra, Australian Ballet, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Australian Chamber Orchestra. Each show will take place inside either the Concert Hall or the Joan Sutherland Theatre, but you'll also be able to watch in the forecourt, where they'll be broadcast to an openair cinema setup. At the second, Open House Festival will live up to its name across the entire month of October 2023. That means hosting performances, events and activities in every part of the Opera House, and also holding an open day where attendees can go exploring. [caption id="attachment_871446" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ken Leanfore[/caption] Plus, Bangarra Dance Theatre will unveil the world premiere of a new production in June 2023, under incoming Artistic Director Frances Rings. Sydney Theatre Award-winning play The Visitors will receive a new staging, directed by Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch — and the Opera House will present Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert in conjunction with Sydney WorldPride 2023. Also, the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir (CAAWC) — which hails from six remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory — will unleash their vocals in the Concert Hall, German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann and an international cast will perform La Gioconda, and Mad Scenes by Jessica Pratt will showcase the Australian talent. [caption id="attachment_871445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Marking a full-circle moment given that it was part of the Opera House's opening in 1973, Sydney Dance Company will stage three works. And, there'll be a revamped Opera House tour that highlights past performances and historic moments. Clearly, this year-long party is going to be massive — it's supported by the NSW Government's Blockbuster Funding initiative, and 'blockbuster' is the right word for it. [caption id="attachment_871453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] Sydney Opera House's 50th anniversary program kicks off in October 2022 and runs for a year. For more information, head to the Sydney Opera House website. Top images: Prudence Upton / Keith Saunders / Anna Kacera.
With Mystery Road, True Colours and now High Country, Australia's screen industry has been increasing its Indigenous detective tales of late. It's a welcome shift, and one that Leah Purcell chalks up to the strength of the genre. "I think a cop show is a great drama. You've got everything in it, and we do cop shows very well in this country," she tells Concrete Playground about her stint as Andie Whitford, the character that was written for her — in the series that was also penned for her — by Wentworth duo Marcia Gardner and John Ridley. "Then when you've got a mystery-thriller, it's an opportunity to get audiences together, sitting on the lounge at home with their family — and actually, it brings about discussion," Purcell continues. "That's when you know that you've got a good show. We did a screening, and people got around and were wanting to work out who'd done it, and they saw that opportunity with only one episode," Purcell continues. Debuting its eight-episode first season in March — which is now available to watch in full via Binge — High Country gives viewers much to talk about and sleuth along with. In the Mystery Road and The Dry mould, it's about a city detective digging into a rural case and cracking the secrets of close-knit communities. It's also about the landscapes that shape not only small towns but also the people in them, and reflect their strengths and struggles in the terrain. And, High Country follows a personal journey. Andie didn't grow up in the town of Broken Ridge, only to return now, as the protagonists of Mystery Road and The Dry did with their respective settings; however, she's trying to embrace the place as home after making a tree change with her artist partner Helen Hartley (Sara Wiseman, Under the Vines) and high-schooler daughter Kirra (Pez Warner, making her TV debut). The setup: Andie and her family move to Victoria at its most mountainous (where Force of Nature: The Dry 2 also traversed earlier in 2024) just as a spate of missing-person cases pile up. Sam Dryson (Ian McElhinney, The Boys in the Boat), the retiring police chief that she's replacing, has an older disappearance that he's determined to solve — a missing boy that he's insistent that former teacher Damien Stark (Henry Nixon, The PM's Daughter) abducted — but also notes that deaths and vanishings aren't uncommon in the region. He's still a helpful mentor, though, as Andie endeavours to stop people going AWOL or worse from being a local fact of the life. But even before she begins asking questions, the rest of the town isn't always as accommodating, nor are all of her new colleagues. [caption id="attachment_953804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Narelle Portainer[/caption] Purcell's acting career spans three decades now, and everything from 90s dramas such as GP and Police Rescue, then Lantana and The Proposition on the big screen, through to the likes of Redfern Now, Black Comedy, Wentworth, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Shayda recently. It wasn't just the whodunnit Aussie-noir angle that appealed to her about High Country, but also Andie's complexity, the challenge of being first on the call sheet on a major series and co-stars that also include a first-time dramatic collaboration with Aaron Pedersen (High Ground). As she did with The Drover's Wife — which she made as a play, a book and then a movie — showcasing a part of the country that she fell in love with while filming Somersault and Jindabyne in the 2000s was a big factor. That passion on Purcell's part is evident in every scene that she's in throughout High Country, as it always has been whenever she's in front of the camera — or, with The Drover's Wife, also behind it. What gets her excited about a role, the series and the part of Andie being specifically penned for her, championing more than just the stereotypical vision of Australia's landscape, digging into Andie's backstory and the response to her arrival beyond the dialogue, working with the rest of the show's cast: we chatted with Purcell about all of the above. [caption id="attachment_953802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Philbey[/caption] On Both High Country and the Part of Andie Being Written for Purcell "The project was written for me, so that was pretty awesome and humbling. Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, who were the creators behind Wentworth — when we were wrapping up that series, Marcia said 'we'd love to work with you again, Leah. And guess what? I've written something for you and a show around you'. And she said 'would you be interested in being in it?'. And I said 'mate, if you get it up, give me a call'. So six months later, she rings me and says 'I've got it up'. But what was also appealing is the beautiful high country. I'd just finished, a couple of years before, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, my first feature — that was done in the high country, the Snowy Mountains on New South Wales side. So to come across to Victoria to film in that location was amazing. The stories were really interesting. Who doesn't love a good cop show and a mystery-thriller whodunnit? To be a part of it and being in the rural area — I'm a country girl from country Queensland in Murgon, so to go back and portray that sort of setting on our TV was important to me as well." On Championing More Than Just the Stereotypical Vision of Australia's Landscape "Normally it's the reds and the brown and the heat. I fell in love with the high country when I did Jindabyne and Somersault in that area. And I just went 'gee, we don't utilise this landscape enough'. Then when I got the idea to pursue The Drover's Wife, I said 'we've got to do it in the high country and have that beautiful big sky, and the blues and the greens that we don't see'. Even when I was selling the project overseas, people said 'what, there's snow and green in Australia?'. And I thought 'yes, there is'. [caption id="attachment_815948" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson[/caption] As I said, it was one of the drawcards to High Country for me. And also because that landscape is so alive, it is a character within this show as well. It's also important to Andie on a couple of levels. One, yes, as the detective, the sergeant trying to solve the mysteries — because is it just that these people took a wrong step on a trail in the bush? Or is there more behind it? And also for her and her journey, the land really speaks to her and makes her look at herself. You want a character with many story threads to it, so you've got depth to play in emotionally. So that was another drawcard. But the location, your eyes will be stimulated — the beauty in the landscape is just phenomenal." On Purcell's First Read on Andie — and What She Knew That She Could Bring to the Part "She's a fearless woman, but also there's a vulnerability to her, which is nice. She's a great detective — and it was something that I had done before, but the challenge was to find what I could bring to her that was new to me as a performer. It was different from the other roles that I had done, so that's where the challenge was for me. And what I liked is that she's quieter, she's an observer. And I guess that's what makes her a great cop. She observes things, takes things in — and a deep, a deep thinker. But I really wanted to show her vulnerability as well as the brilliance in her detective work — and that she's a strong, strong woman in the face of what she has to do for her job." On Conveying the Tough Journey That Andie Has Had in an Unspoken Way "We're women. We've lived it. It wasn't anything too difficult. We've all had those sort things thrown at us — and it was just great to have an opportunity to play with that on-screen. And then Andie finding the power, and showing that she's worthy of the position that she's in, and that she's good at what she does, and the respect comes. But it's a great place to start in a series, so you've got a place to go — and she works hard to do it, but she does it." [caption id="attachment_910859" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shayda[/caption] On What Gets Purcell Excited About a Role Three Decades Into Her Acting Career "Getting a lead role is something that's important to having a look, because you want the challenge. And I think that I've earned my stripes. So that was appealing, of course. And I just want to be able to connect. To be challenged, I think, is important, so that you stay engaged and you want to be there, and work hard." [caption id="attachment_953803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Philbey[/caption] On What Purcell Learns From a Part Like Andie and a Show Such as High Country "Be careful what you ask for in being number one on the call sheet. There's a lot of hard work, that's what I've learned. But I love that. Thirty-three years [in], I want to be engaged. I want to be challenged. That's what was appealing that for me in taking on the role of Andie." On Working with the Rest of High Country's Impressive Cast "Believe it or not, this is the first time that Aaron [Pedersen] and I have actually shared work together in a drama. It was awesome. Our chemistry is really, really great. And he was a pleasure to work with. Then you've got Ian McElhinney from Belfast in Ireland. Mate, what a legend — just what he brought. We all challenge one another. There's some really awesome people that are doing awesome acting, and it's a challenge in a friendly way. But it's like 'ohh, so you're going to do that — right, can I top you on this?'. So that made the project fun, and it was a joy to go to work every day. We had an awesome cast that worked so hard and tirelessly. That was pretty demanding. There were really cold days and rain, and there was snow, and there was minus-zero days where I had to stand there with no jumper on, and I had too many clothes on to put the thermals underneath. But it was just a pleasure to be on, and I'm so excited and I just want our Australian audiences to really support Australian stories — to tune in, and hopefully the ratings will be there and we'll be able to go again on a second season." High Country streams via Binge. Read our review. High Country images: Sarah Enticknap / Narelle Portanier.
If you, like us, spent most of last year ordering take out and binge watching Ted Lasso in your undies, there's a good chance your adrenal glands are in need of a proper work out. And, with the warmer weather slowly fading, there's no better time to line up a holiday in the tropics to stretch out your summer. One place that's filled with truly incredible activities for the thrill-seekers among us is Tropical North Queensland. From hiking through World Heritage-listed rainforest to abseiling down flowing waterfalls and camping on tropical islands, there's something for every type of adventure lover in this spectacular natural playground. So, if you're keen for a holiday that's adventure-filled, and want to support operators who are committed to sustainable tourism practices, hit this list of unmissable things to do in the region to ensure your extended summer is a slam dunk. [caption id="attachment_828484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland.[/caption] ABSEIL DOWN WATERFALLS WITH CAIRNS CANYONING If Cairns Canyoning existed in 1994, we're convinced that TLC would have actually sung: "do go chasing waterfalls". With the help of expert guides, here you'll have the truly thrilling opportunity to abseil down waterfalls, hurl yourself from towering boulders into crystal-clear water and zipline through World Heritage-listed rainforest all in one trip. You can choose between the half-day adventures through Behana Gorge or Crystal Cascades or, if you're feeling a little more hardcore, sign up for the full-day Spillway Canyon trip. [caption id="attachment_829726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raging Thunder[/caption] GET WET AND WILD ON A WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP Imagine sitting on the edge of an inflatable raft as you float down a river through a spectacular gorge surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest. Sounds pretty incredible, right? Now, picture taking that same boat down steep ravines and raging rapids and you've got the wet and wild adventure that is white water rafting. In Tropical North Queensland, you can choose to conquer a number of courses on the region's world-class rafting rivers. For a full day of adventure filled with thrills and spills on 45 rapids, book a trip on the Tully River with eco-certified rafting company Raging Thunder. Or, if you'd prefer to, quite literally, test the waters on a shorter course, try the half-day trip on The Barron River. [caption id="attachment_829728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AT AUSTRALIA'S ONLY BUNGEE JUMP If you consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie, then visiting SkyPark is a must on your trip to Tropical North Queensland. Not only is it the one place in Australia where you can bungee, but you'll get to do so while being cradled by lush tropical rainforest. Located 15 kilometres north of Cairns, here you can leap from the 50-metre bungee that teeters over a stunning natural lagoon. Or, strap into the giant swing to reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour in just three seconds with up to two mates side by side. If you're not quite ready to take the bungee plunge, try the 140-metre-high walk-the-plank obstacle instead. Whether you're a seasoned jumper or are ready to take your very first leap, the 16 different styles on the jump menu will accomodate for all levels of thrill seeking and ensure you experience a rush like never before. [caption id="attachment_829729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SAIL OVER TREETOPS IN AN OPEN-AIR GONDOLA If you want to get up close and personal with the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, make tracks to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway located 15 minutes north of Cairns. Aboard the cableway, you'll glide over the pristine jungle canopies between Smithfield and Kuranda, soaking in panoramic views of the rainforest and beyond before ending your trip near the banks of the heaving Barron River. You can also opt for the open-air Canopy Glider to sail top-down over the treetops with the expert guidance of a Skyrail Ranger or upgrade to the diamond view to experience a gondola with a glass floor. To maximise your adventure, combine your treetop adventure with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to see the sights from a different perspective on your round trip. Plus, if you want to help maintain the tropical rainforest, you can donate to the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation which distributes funds to research and education projects that help protect and conserve this natural wonder. [caption id="attachment_828482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] PUT YOUR STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING SKILLS TO THE TEST ON THE MOSSMAN RIVER Feel like you're pretty familiar with stand-up paddleboarding by now? Well, if you've managed to tackle the task atop local lakes and seas, it might be time to level up your balancing bravado with a paddleboarding trip on the Mossman River. The team at Wind Swell will take you on a three-hour trip upstream to soak in the sights and sounds of the buzzing tropical rainforest. Along the way, you'll learn about the local habitat, have a chance to try out some paddleboard yoga, taste exotic flavours of local tropical fruit and cool off in the freshwater swimming hole before floating back to base. And, if that's not enough adventure, check out the company's other tours in wing surfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and more. [caption id="attachment_828487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GO KAYAKING WITH TURTLES IN PALM COVE Ever wanted to set off kayaking from balmy tropical beaches lined with palm trees? Well, at picturesque Palm Cove, approximately 25 minutes drive north of Cairns, you can. The Kayak Turtle Tour, run by Pacific Water Sports, is an unmissable half-day ocean adventure in Tropical North Queensland. Departing at 7am, you'll kayak across The Coral Sea to nearby Double Island and Haycock Island to spot green and hawksbill turtles basking in the coral reefs below. Then, you'll paddle further afield to sight rays and shovelnosed guitarfish (sometimes called shovelnose sharks) before making your way back to the shore at Palm Cove. [caption id="attachment_828491" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] FLOAT ABOVE THE HILLS IN A HOT AIR BALLOON To experience a truly exceptional adventure, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little sleep to make it happen. And, after returning from a trip with Hot Air Balloon, you'll be more than glad you got out of bed before the sun to see it rise over the magical Atherton Tablelands. Departing from Cairns's northern beaches and Port Douglas, this tour will take you approximately one hour west to Mareeba for your ballooning take off. Once afloat, you'll experience the soft colours of dawn as you glide high over the Atherton Tablelands, soaking in panoramic views of the region. You'll arrive back in Cairns between 9-9.30am, just in time for breakfast at one of the city's excellent cafes. [caption id="attachment_828494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SEE A SMILE FROM A CROCODILE AT HARTLEY'S CROCODILE ADVENTURES If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a close encounter with a real-life dinosaur, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is about as close as you can get. Located between Cairns and Port Douglas at Wangetti, this eco-certified tourism operator has plenty of thrilling crocodile action that'll get your heart racing. For $43, your park pass includes a cruise with crocs at the on-site lagoon, access to the daily wildlife presentations such as crocodile feedings, snake shows and the nail-biting crocodile attack show. Plus, if one dinosaur-like creature isn't enough, you can also check out the cassowary feeding. Or, if you want keep things cuddly, make sure you stop by the koala talk. [caption id="attachment_828495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET OFF THE MAINLAND WITH CAMPING AT DUNK ISLAND Camping on a tropical island might seem like it's reserved for films and fantasies. But, in Tropical North Queensland, you can make it your reality at Dunk Island in the Family Islands National Park. Drive two hours south of Cairns to the idyllic coastal town of Mission Beach. Then, take a ten-minute ride across the glittering Coral Sea with Mission Beach Charters to Dunk Island where you can pitch a tent at one of only eight sites on the island. The campground comes with all the essentials — picnic tables, barbecue facilities, hot showers, drinking water and a loo — but, you'll need to take everything else with you. Pack snorkelling gear to catch the marine life in action at Muggy Muggy Beach, a good pair of walking shoes to complete the 11-kilometre Island Circuit hike, and plenty of food to refuel and enjoy on the sands of this tropical paradise. [caption id="attachment_828496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] HIKE THROUGH RAINFOREST TO THE SPECTACULAR NANDROYA FALLS If you consider yourself a bit of a hiking fanatic, taking the 6.6-kilometre trek through the spectacular Wooroonooran National Park to Nandroya Falls is essential while in Tropical North Queensland. Not only will you get to walk through the incredible Wet Tropics World Heritage-listed rainforest, you'll get to wash off under a thriving waterfall, too. Start from the Henrietta Creek campground where you'll venture 700 metres into the rainforest to the start of the circuit fork. Take the right-hand track to take in smaller waterfalls, rock pools and rapid streams before reaching the immense Nandroya Falls. Cool off with a swim and enjoy a picnic lunch by the falls before completing the circuit and heading back to camp. Ready to book your tropical escape? For more information and to discover more about a holiday in Tropical North Queensland, visit the website. Image: Nandroya Falls, Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Architecture aficionados are in for a huge weekend this July if the just-launched Open House Melbourne Weekend lineup is anything to go by. Running from July 28–29, the weekend is the crowning glory of Open House Melbourne's annual, month-long celebration of local architecture — and this year's program, unveiled this morning, is its biggest yet. It sees a total of 220 buildings open their doors to the public across the weekend, including 70 new participants, 24 residential buildings and 81 City of Melbourne structures. Among the architectural delights you'll have the chance to get up close and personal is St Kilda's stunning new Stokehouse Precinct — the first five-star green-star building of its type in the country. More exciting still is that eco activist and artist Joost Bakker will be leading the guided walking tour. Explore the yet-to-be-completed 85th floor of the iconic Eureka Tower and marvel at its sweeping, 360-degree views, as part of an exclusive tour by architects Fender Katsalidas — or go back to school, with a close-up look at 37 significant sites across four of Monash University's campuses, including the striking, orange-accented biology building. One of the stunning buildings included in the residential section is Molecule Studio's five-person, small-footprint home, Triangle House. While most of the open house tours are free, a few require pre-booking and incur a small fee. To check out the full list and book tours, head to the website.
A staple of Melbourne's cultural calendar for 80 years and counting, the Sidney Myer Free Concerts are back for another year. Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the latest of this longstanding favourite will, as always, feature a trio of performances from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a classical music buff or just want to stretch out with a picnic on the grass, there's a damn good reason these concerts have become a summertime tradition. The first concert will take place on Wednesday, February 17, with US conductor Joshua Weilerstein leading the orchestra in performances of John Adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine, George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, and Antonin Dvorák's Symphony No. 7. On Saturday, February 20 Melburnians can begin their White Night early, with Dvorák's Carnival, Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. Finally on Saturday, February 27, the MSO will perform a Latin-inspired medley, featuring tangos by Astor Piazzolla and works by Gershwin, Falla and Ginastera.
Odd Culture Fitzroy has created an event for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival specifically for all those who love wild and unusual fermented flavours — the funkier, the better. So if you would proudly describe your palate as dank 'Fizz: A Festival of Fermentation' is one to ink in your calendar. From 12–4pm on Sunday, March 17, the Odd Culture crew will take guests on a journey through the world of fermented drinks, from beer and wine to sake and gin, while serving up Mediterranean and Middle Eastern eats courtesy of the legend Chef Tom Sarafian who has curated a grill-heavy selection of bites. The $78 ticket will include one main meal per person, but you can always order and pay for more on the day. The Odd Culture crew has teamed up with Four Pillars to offer all punters a complimentary fermented dirty gin martini on arrival. For the occasion, Four Pillars' Creative Director of Gin Drinks Nick Tesar has also come up with a small list of other gin-based bevs that can bought at the bar. The venue's beer garden will then be filled with a series of stalls slinging tasters of fermented drinks. Either sip your way around the stalls or buy a few bottles to take home. For extra vibes, and to keep you entertained in between tastings, there'll also be live bands and DJs playing all day long.
Hanging out on Melbourne's rooftops could seem a little chilly this winter. But the team at Good Heavens have put together an attention-grabbing experience set to get you off the couch. Giving the city's largest rooftop bar a winter makeover, Heavens Above is the venue's cold-weather twist, featuring boundless fun in the clouds with the launch of a new-age curling rink. Offering a fast-paced, team-friendly spin on traditional curling, Good Heavens is primed for late-night thrills, as groups gather to chase bragging rights over a few drinks. Though not the full-scale affair, this easygoing game blends the likes of shuffleboard and lawn bowls for a satisfying sliding experience that puts your skills to the test. With the venue bringing a fresh look for winter, Good Heavens hasn't said goodbye to its Palm Springs-inspired vibe. Curated by local artist Georgia Harvey, she's lent her eye for openair spaces to the venue, decking out Heavens Above with warm tones, bold flourishes and a draped ceiling installation crafted by Melbourne textile artist, Oscar Lake. As for the drinks, the winter menu doesn't miss a beat. Bartender Matt Linklater (Black Pearl) has conceived an exclusive cocktail list, marrying creative combinations with winter warmth. The Frosé Tips features rosé, strawberry and coconut, while the Black Diamond Fizz blends Ardbeg Wee Beastie, Dubonnet rouge, blackberry and soda. Feeling extra indulgent? The S'mores Espresso Martini combines Belvedere, Kahlua, salted caramel and toasted marshmallow. Plus, winter's chill will quickly evaporate with a cosy glass of mulled cider in hand, with its mix of Mountain Goat cider, Hennessy, spices, honey and sage primed for the season. Heavens Above also features a seasonal food menu, with Head Chef Jarrod Di Blasi bringing a host of playful twists. Think devilled eggs topped with sturgeon Oscietra caviar; wood-grilled oysters brushed with smoked brisket fat and cayenne-watermelon hot sauce; and soft chocolate mousse with cold-pressed yuzu oil and fleur de sel. So, work up an appetite on the curling court, then slide into a comfy spot for drinks and nibbles at Good Heavens this winter. Good Heavens is open Thursday–Saturday from 12pm–1am and Sunday–Wednesday from 12pm–11pm at Level 2/79 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
If you've been hanging out for an openair clubbing sesh ever since news dropped about the arrival of Melbourne's new floating club ATET, we're happy to tell you the wait is over. The Melbourne-first venue is finally set to open its doors this weekend and you can be one of the first aboard when it throws its huge launch party. From 1pm on Saturday, October 22, the ATET fun officially kicks off with a tune-filled fiesta to remember. And yes — they promised an electronic music haven and it seems they're keeping good on their word right from the get go. Gracing the decks for this all-important opening party will be a lineup of dance-floor favourites, including Walter Juan, Petra, Olivas, Cane Trott and Clare Choveaux, plus Donald's House, PDC and Very Jerry. And it's all set to kick on until 1am. If you're keen to help christen this floating club oasis, you'll have to be ready to jet to Docklands and hope for the best — tickets to the launch party are only available on the door, from 1pm on the day. If you prefer a safer bet, you can jump online to nab $35 tickets to the following day's event — it's being presented in conjunction with the folks from Novel and will be headlined by Late Nite Tuff Guy.
If pastel wasn't already part of your gig-going wardrobe, it will be at Australia's newest music festival, with Client Liaison launching their own curated touring event. Called Expo Liaison, the seven-hour fest will tour Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane across the last two weekends in August, with the yet-to-be-announced lineup selected by the band. There's no word yet on whether they'll be performing themselves, but you'd think that's a highly likely possibility. Just what else is in store is also yet to be revealed too, although the festival bas been badged "a multimedia, multi-city, multiversal experience" in its promotional material, as well as a "once-in-a-lifetime event". They're the kind of descriptions that plenty of gigs and fests throw around, but Client Liaison have a track record of delivering more than just the usual shows — or fashion lines or music videos, for that matter. First release tickets are currently on sale across all four cities, and if you're keen to hear the duo's own thoughts on the festival, check out the Expo Liaison trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSsrdVHnh0&feature=youtu.be Expo Liaison heads to Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse on August 18, Sydney's Parramatta Park on August 25 and Brisbane's Victoria Park on August 26. Head to Client Liaison's website for further details and to buy tickets.
Looking for an excuse to get out of the city this weekend? The Great Australian Beer Festival might be it. The fest is returning to the Geelong Racecourse for its seventh year this Saturday, February 16 with over 200 Australian beers and ciders in tow. Craft producers from across the country will set up stalls, including the Gold Coast's Balter Brewing Company — which just won top spot on the GABS Hottest 100 list — Melbourne's Stomping Ground and Two Birds, Sydney's Young Henrys and Adelaide's Pirate Life and Prancing Pony. This year, in addition to tasting tokens, the festival is also offering middies and craft tinnies for purchase. The beer cocktail stall will return as well, and table reservations are up for grabs, too. Apart from the brews, there'll be over 20 live acts performing across three stages — one of which is a dedicated piano bar. Headliners include Great Gable, The Settlement, Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission, The Grand Wazoo and Skyscraper Stan. Otherwise, there's a keg rolling competition, themed races, a beer cabaret and carnival DJs to boot. And, for eats, expect a range of food trucks, with a focus on barbecued, slow-cooked meats. General admission tickets are $39 in advance, or $45 on the day. Tasting tokens can be purchased at the venue or a ten-pack can be purchased with your ticket. The whole thing kicks off at 1pm, and a shuttle will run to the event from South Geelong Station, so no one in your crew has to be designated driver.
If you thought intellectual discussions were best enjoyed alongside stuffy, hifalutin food, here's an event that's sure to change your tune. Across a series of talks at temporary arts and ideas space Testing Grounds, you'll get those mind cogs whirring over the best kind of lo-fi comfort food – hot, cheesy jaffles. The Jaffle Symposium has returned to the Southbank site for its 2019 edition, with three more sessions to run before it all wraps up on August 17. Each of the free events features a thought-provoking discussion with a couple of interesting experts, enjoyed while tucking into some themed sandwiches. On Saturday, July 27, The Seaweed Appreciation Society International's Lichen Kelp and Danni Zuvela will open your mind to some unconventional uses for seaweed, while sharing 'ocean bread' jaffles around the fire. Saturday, August 3 will be dedicated to fat, steered by artists Mike Thompson and Arne Hendricks, the minds behind the world's first floating island of fat — the Fatberg in Amsterdam, Netherlands — with that session featuring a fittingly decadent three-cheese jaffle. And on Saturday, August 17, you'll explore the ideas of mythologies and rituals in urban landscapes with dramaturg Mark Pritchard and playwright Sibyl Kempson, matched to an oozy marshmallow jaffle. While Jaffle Symposium events are free, you'll need to RSVP to reserve your spot.
It's happening again: in response to a new community case of COVID-19 in Brisbane, other states are changing their health advice and border requirements. So, if you're a Brisbanite planning to head south soon, you're located elsewhere and you'll soon be travelling to the Sunshine State, or you've recently journeyed from the latter to another state, you might have some new rules to adhere to. New South Wales has issued two pieces of health advice. The first from NSW Health says that anyone who is in the state and has been in Brisbane or the Moreton Bay area since Saturday, March 20 should abide by the requirements outlined by Queensland Health regarding venues visited. It also advises that anyone who falls into that category and went to Mamma's Italian Restaurant in Redcliffe from 12.30–3.10pm on Sunday, March 21 must get tested immediately and go into isolation for 14 days. As noted in the second alert, NSW Health now requires anyone who has been in Brisbane City Council or Moreton Bay Regional Council areas in the past fortnight and enters NSW from 12.01 am today, Saturday, March 27, to fill out a passenger declaration form — which includes confirmation of whether you've visited any venues of high concern. And if you have been in a venue of high concern as listed by Queensland Health, you should not enter NSW at all. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1375392223844429825 Victoria has mandated that anyone who has entered the state from Brisbane and Moreton Bay since Friday, March 12 needs to immediately self-isolate, get tested within 72 hours and stay isolated until they receive a negative result. It's imposing this rule strictly, with Brisbanites who'd travelled to Geelong for the Brisbane Lions versus Geelong AFL match on Friday, March 26 asked to leave the ground when the new requirement came into effect. Brisbane and Moreton Bay have also been designated an orange zone under Victoria's traffic light travel permit system. That means that if you're entering Victoria from the area, you have to apply for the appropriate permit. And you won't be given one if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Upon arrival in Victoria, you'll also have to self-isolate immediately, get a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arriving and stay in isolation until you return a negative result. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1375358820634013696 How long these new border requirements will apply hasn't been revealed. Other states have similar rules in place, with Western Australia mandating that anyone who has arrived in WA from Queensland since Saturday, March 20 and visited any of the affected locations during the relevant times must get tested immediately for COVID-19 and self-quarantine. The ACT requires 14-days of quarantine for arrivals from Greater Brisbane since Saturday, March 20 who visited any of the close contact exposure sites, and testing and self-isolating until receiving a negative result if you've arrived in the same period but haven't been to any of the places listed. Tasmania won't allow entry from folks who've been to sites in Brisbane now deemed high risk, and everyone else who has arrived from Brisbane and Moreton Bay since Monday, March 8 is asked to monitor for symptoms. The Northern Territory requires anyone who has been to a high-risk venue to get tested within 72 hours and isolate until receiving a negative result, while South Australia is yet to update its travel advice. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
We're not sure whether Kings Domain's late trading hours are because it's so popular or vice versa. But we appreciate it either way. Where many other businesses close up shop when the sun goes down — or may just have one late-night trading — this Toorak Road joint stays open until 8pm on weekdays to give you a better chance of snagging an after-work spot and leaving your weekend free for fun times. Kings Domain is quite the small business success story in Melbourne. Celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo and his former apprentice Aaron Chan opened this store in South Yarra opened in 2013 right as the trend for vintage barbershops was on the rise. Now, the duo (who have picked up a few other business partners along the way) can boast five outposts across Melbourne — and sixth in Sydney. Here, hot towel shaves and haircuts will set you back $55 each, or you can get creative with a fade for $35. Plus, if you book via the website, you can snag 25-percent off your first service.
If your ultimate Saturday morning is a leisurely Bunnings shopping session followed by a saucy snag in bread, why let the fun end there? Soon, you'll be able to make a proper weekend of it with a new Mercure Melbourne Doncaster hotel set to open smack bang on top of a Bunnings Warehouse. The work of global hotel group Accor and developer Accord Property Group, the unlikely pair are slated to be up and running by late 2021. Located in the heart of the bustling Doncaster Hill precinct, together they'll provide the prime spot for a snag-based staycation. Along with a couple of levels dedicated to retail offerings, the mid-range hotel will boast 183 rooms across six floors with interiors that reference parts of the area's history, including the southern hemisphere's first electric tramway: the short-lived Box Hill to Doncaster tram. It'll have all the usual trimmings you need for an overnight stay, too: a dining terrace, restaurant and bar, rooftop pool, fitness centre and sundeck — as well as a full-size, sparkly new Bunnings Warehouse, of course. And if tools, paint and plants don't offer quite enough retail therapy for you, Mercure Melbourne Doncaster also sits handily adjacent to the huge retail precinct that is Westfield Doncaster shopping centre. Mercure Melbourne Doncaster is set to open at 659 Doncaster Road, Doncaster in late 2021.
For the past two years, Prahran's Toko has ranked among Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants. And with good reason — the Melbourne offshoot of the top Sydney and Dubai fine dining establishment, it served up everything from fairy floss cocktails to sashimi matched with pork crackling. Alas, the Greville Street favourite has now closed its doors, but for a quick rest rather than a certain goodbye, with a new venture in the works. Come September, Toko will be reborn as tokosan. The new iteration of the venue will favour a more casual food menu and a focus on beverages in a space that will boast neon lighting, art installations and DJs spinning tunes. A highlight of the move will be a new karaoke room, which will also be bookable for functions — so prepare to give your lungs a workout (as well as your stomach). Scheduled to open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, as well as hosting weekly Sunday sessions from 11am, tokosan will keep things cosy with its 100-person inside capacity. Outside, what was once a courtyard will be converted into a lounge garden, catering for up to 60 people — with heating in winter, of course. And fans of the OG Toko need not despair as it will relocate to the CBD in the near future. The exact details have yet to be confirmed, but we'll keep you updated on this one. tokosan will open 142 Greville Street, Prahran in September. For more information, keep an eye on their website.
Handpicking some of the globe's best new artists for yet another glorious year (their sixth, to be exact), Sugar Mountain hasone heck of a 2017 lineup, with Dev Hynes/Blood Orange, homegrown duo Big Scary and British boss Little Simz headlining. Returning to Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts on Saturday, January 21, Sugar Mountain has again balanced international drawcards with local talent this year, from Perth avant-electronic bedroom producer KUČKA to German producer Pantha Du Prince. Other Aussies converging on Mebourne for the fest include Methyl Ethel, Dro Carey and The Belligerents. The Boiler Room stage will also return, live streaming around the world with a yet-to-be-announced lineup. As always though, music isn't the only thing on the menu for Sugar Mountain. There'll also be a load artists on the bill, including Chairlift vocalist Caroline Polacheck, Melbourne-based, Novocastrian sculptor Caleb Shea and New Orleans-based public space artist MOMO. Nosh-wise, don't just expect your regular festival fare — Sugar Mountain's immersive on-site restaurant Sensory will be back. Last year, it was a collaboration between Bomba, Tin & Ed and Cut Copy, so we can't wait to see what they put together this year. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. SUGAR MOUNTAIN 2017 LINEUP: ALTA Baba Stiltz (Sweden) Beppe Loda (Italy) Big Scary Black Cab Blood Orange (UK) CC:DISCO! Daydreams Dro Carey Jaala Jack River Jessy Lanza (Canada) Kelsey Lu (USA) Kornel Kovacs (Sweden) KUČKA Little Simz (UK) Methyl Ethel Mood II Swing (USA) Moses Sumney (USA) My Disco Palms Trax (UK) Pantha Du Prince (Germany) Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Slum Sociable Sui Zhen Suzanne Ciani x Kaityn Aurelia Smith (USA) The Belligerents Tornado Wallace Weyes Blood (USA) ARTISTS Caleb Shea Elliot Routledge Karan Singh (Japan) March Studio MOMO (USA) Myriam Bleau (Canada) Robyn Moody x Caroline Polacheck (USA) Supergroup London - Morag Myerscough x Luke Morgan (UK) By Shannon Connellan and Lauren Vadnjal.
It's time to splash out on a new collar and tell that fur baby of yours to kiss their FOMO goodbye — Chapel Street is now the first permanently pet-friendly shopping precinct in Australia. The busy area is now officially a haven for four-legged friends, with a huge selection of its stores, cafes, bars, gyms and even health clinics welcoming pets with open arms. At the moment, over 300 Chapel Street venues boast pet-friendly status and they're now even easier to spot following the introduction of special 'paw-on-the-door' window decals. The stickers will be displayed by any venue where pets are welcomed, making it a breeze to head out for a day of shopping, wining and dining, all with your best mate in tow. They'll get to indulge in some fashionable strutting and, who knows, with a few #DogsOfChapelStreet tags — or #CatsofChapelStreet, if you want to kick that off — under their belt a career as a fur-shionable style icon could be in the works. [caption id="attachment_738199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leo's by the Slice by Kate Shanasy.[/caption] If you want to plan your stops before you head out, the Chapel Street Precinct website also lists all of the pet-friendly businesses. It's a diverse lineup that includes the likes of fashion boutique Tibbs & Bones, beauty salon Bat Your Lash, eyewear store Oscar Wylee, hot dog joint Massive Wieners, St Edmonds cafe and NY-inspired all-day diner Gramercy Social. There's even a dog-friendly hotel, the Quest Prahran, in case you're planning a getaway or staycation with your bestie. As Australia's health regulations prevent pets from entering supermarkets or being within ten metres of food consumption or prep areas, a heap of food spots have created specific dog-friendly areas (many of them outside), including Leo's by the Slice, Leonard's House of Love, Hawker Hall, Tokyo Tina and Betty's Burgers. With research showing Aussies have one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, with a hefty 62 percent of households owning a fur-baby, we're pretty sure Chapel Street is about to get a whole lot busier. To check out the full list of pet-friendly spots on Chapel Street, head to the website. Top image: St Edmonds
Melbourne is on a roll when it comes to craft beers and the fine establishments tailor-made for enjoying them. Whether it's bars that specialise in small batch beers or a cosy local breweries serving their own concoctions, craft beers are slowly taking over taps and winning hearts throughout the city. To aid you in your mission to find the perfect brew, here are our picks of the best watering holes catering to craft beer aficionados. Prepare to get crafty. The Alehouse Project Beer geekery is at its finest at this East Brunswick gem. Their 12 taps constantly rotate microbrewery beers, so if you plan on becoming a regular (or are one already), there's always a fresh selection for you to sample. They're currently pouring the likes of Das Unterseeboot Imperial India Pale Lager from Brookes Beer and the Mornington Peninsula Brewery's Brown Ale to name just a few. It's not just the local stuff you'll find here either; The Alehouse Project also seeks out international craft beers and ciders. Bring friends, share some tasty bar snacks and sip on a whole collection. 98-100 Lygon Street, Brunswick East; (03) 9387 1218; www.thealehouseproject.com.au The Terminus Hotel This is a favourite among craft beer experts, and really, who are we to argue? The folks at the beautifully renovated Terminus Hotel love craft beer so much, they even have a craft bar and beer garden, which is perfect for the warmer months. With 16 tap beers and fridges full of bottled varieties, you're spoiled for choice here, including limited release stock and brewery showcases. Grab a pint of Two Birds Brewing's NZ Hopped Pilsner and call us in the morning. On second thought don't call us, we'll meet you there. 492 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North; (03) 9481 3182; www.terminus.com.au Forester's Beer and Music Hall Beer and music: it's a winning combo. From the good folks who run the Terminus and Royston Hotels comes this little beauty, which is located where A Bar Called Barry once stood on Smith Street. If we're talking quantity, it's hard to beat Forester's and their 50 taps — 32 of which contain craft beers. Overwhelmed? Let the friendly bar staff help you make the all-important decision, just tell them what you're into and they're sure to sort you out. Maybe you're looking for something specific or rare? If they don't have it (although they usually do), there's a beer request form on their website so you can get your hands on your favourite imported brew. Now that's service. 64 Smith Street, Collingwood, (03) 8415 1464, www.forestershall.com.au. Matilda Bay Brewery It's known as Australia's original craft brewery, so it would be rude not to include Matilda Bay. While it currently resides in Port Melbourne, Matilda Bay Brewery was first located on the west coast, and they haven't looked back since. Their popular drops — like Beez Neez, Fat Yak and Dirty Granny cider — can all be found here, but the best thing to do is sample their small batch brews. You could be sampling a limited edition run or even try out the next big thing in Australian craft beer, so hops to it. 89 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne; (03) 9673 4545; www.matildabay.com.au The Local Taphouse The Local Taphouse legends go through 400 different beers every year, and 20 of those are on tap at any given time. This European-inspired neighbourhood tavern is equally excited about imported drops as they are about supporting home-grown craft heroes. They recently showcased nine incredible beers from the Modus Operandi Brewing Co from Sydney's northern beaches, which went off like a frog in a sock. The Local Taphouse also delivers on the entertainment front. They have an indoor bocce pitch and comedy nights with rotating lineups for those who like a laugh with their libation. In other excellent news, there's also a Local Taphouse in Sydney, so you're never far from a good brew. 184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East; (03) 9537 2633; www.thelocal.com.au. Moon Dog Brewery We like our beers the same way we like our Tinder matches: with a good sense of humour. And with how great Moon Dog tastes, we'd consider straight-up dating it. Moon Dog's Love Tap Double Lager and Jukebox Hero IPA in particular are truly great, and they're even popping up at other craft beer establishments around the city. As always, the brewery is the best place to go though. And with beer on tap such as Henry Ford's Girthsome Fjord — self-described as "the ideal post-coitus celebratory (or commiseratory) drink" — there's clearly a lot to love. They also have the likes of Pizza Wagon and Mutter Kraus dropping in to deliver the food goods, so don't forget to snack while sipping. 17 Duke Street, Abbotsford; (03) 9428 2307; www.moondogbrewing.com.au Markov Carlton is no longer only famous for its Italian vino and Aperol spritzes; you can get a darn good beer there too. Markov's rear bar was originally created for fine dining, but boy were we glad when they decided to swap that for ten taps of craft beer and some smashing bar food to boot. Serving the likes of Kooinda, Stone & Wood, 4 Pines, and 2 Brothers, they boast some of he best local craft beer action around. Pair a Coburg Lager with fried school prawns, lime and spiced salt and you're onto a winner. 350-352 Drummond Street, Carlton; (03) 9347 7113; www.markov.com.au Temple Bar and Brewery There's something pretty special about drinking a beer where it was actually made, and Temple Bar and Brewery is certainly a lovely place to drop into. Here they use traditional brewing techniques and their systems are as environmentally friendly as possible, so you can an enjoy a sustainably produced beer. Temple has two beers in particular that are served all year round: the thirst-quenching Bicycle Beer and the Anytime IPA. For something dark and heavier, give the American stout New World Order a go. We know you're here for the beer, but the food is the business — try the Midnight Burger and beer fries. 122 Weston Street, Brunswick East; (03) 9380 8999; www.templebrewing.com.au East of Everything Located above Camberwell's Bar None, East of Everything is unpretentious by nature, but the team there know their craft beer like the back of their hands. They rock out on six taps and their bottled beer list is ever expanding, so keep your eyes on the fridges for the latest updates. Some of the local legends rotating on tap include Red Duck, Mountain Goat, Hargreaves Hill and Holgate Brewery. They also make a concerted effort to pour American craft beer from at least one of their taps. 72 Auburn Parade, Camberwell; (03) 9882 4216; www.eastofeverything.com.au Cookie It's easy to forget that Cookie is a beer hall, considering their stellar range of Asian cuisine and killer cocktails. And though its wine menu is the same size as a large novel, Cookie also stocks over 200 beers, and 24 of those are on tap. While their international selection is impressive to say the least, they do make an effort to feature Australian craft beers, such as Bridge Road Brewers from Beechworth, Brunswick's Thunder Road Brewery and Sydney stalwart James Squire. Their menu is so extensive, it's arranged first by types of beer and then they have an alphabetised beer index at the back. We're not complaining; any assistance is always appreciated. 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne; (03) 9663 7660; www.cookie.net.au Want to brush up on a few craft beer basics before buying? Check out our Bluffer's Guide to Craft Beer. View all Melbourne Bars.
Bouvier Bar brings a little ritz to the north end of Lygon Street otherwise, peppered by Thai restaurants and burger joints, with its cocktail touting self, shmick black walls and dim lighting. Step inside for a deceptively long space, European-vibe tapas (duck liver parfait on lavoche, Spanish tinned sardines, house-made gnocchi) and a wine list with plenty of options from Australia and across the seas. The cocktail list is broad, with odes to distant lands championing Japanese and Mediterranean flavours. Give a 'Thyme Bomb' cocktail a whirl: vodka, St Germain elderflower liqueur, thyme syrup and lemon ($17). This zesty baby will freshen up the start of your weekend.
Oversized slices of American-style pizza. Whole 12-inch rounds available to-go. Popcorn-topped bourbon cocktails. A neat selection of natural wine. Preston's new late-night bar Takeaway Pizza has all its food and drink-bases covered. The bar-cum-pizza joint, located in a refurbished embroidery warehouse, is one of the restaurants featured in our New in Town series, where we uncover the newest and most anticipated restaurant openings around Melbourne in partnership with Zantac. To celebrate the launch of the new inner north hotspot, we threw a pizza party to end all pizza parties. It featured savoury meat doughnuts, cheese pizza and a whole heap of NYC-inspired cocktails to pair with each snack. It got rowdy. Here are the photos. Keen to check out more newbies? Have a sift through the newest crop of Melbourne openings. To find out more about Zantac, visit the website. Zantac relieves heartburn. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your health professional.
To find perfection in one single, suburban cafe, nestled snugly at the end of the 96 tram line seems so scandalous you'd find it only on Today Tonight (RIP). So when Milkwood provided all this with one visit, a single lamington, a take-home baguette and a perfectly frothed latte, I felt a little stunned in my strangely satisfied stomach. Milkwood is one of those rare cafe's that builds precedent for visitors to prance around Melbourne with an upturned nose and unrealistic standards for meals that can sometimes be matched, but never exceeded. The coffee was beyond spot on, the chicken baguette was lashed with so much mayo I could have happily drowned in it, and the lamington was deserving of a paragraph all to itself. Here is said paragraph. Lamingtons are begging to be messed up. They combine three components, each as difficult as the next to perfect, with the ratio of each being just as susceptible to failure. Milkwood's lamington got it all right to a tee. The sponge could have stood solo as a cake, the chocolate covering was sweet, smooth and anything but sickly, and the coconut was the thick, soft kind that doesn't come in a black and gold packet. And, the jam – an addition usually added to a baked good to compensate for lack of thrill — just added to an already sold spectacle. I ate one that day. And then close to a dozen in the weeks that followed. Lamingtons aside, there's something remarkably humble about Milkwood that is striking from first step up and in to the cafe. It's cosy, without being claustrophobic, pretty without being tacky, and smells like grandma, but not the one in the nursing home. All of their baked goods are made in store, the selection of which is anything but constrained. From carrot cake to muffins, baguettes to a perfect eggs Benedict, they've got enough meals and treats to fill a Margaret Fulton cook book, and cement it as a best seller. All it takes is the simple perusal of some photos and the realisation that Milkwood is affordable, cosy and delicious to catch on to the questions that its customers tend to ask — why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast food?
Between the inaugural So Pop festival, drawing names like Vengaboys, Aqua and Lou Bega, and RNB Vine Days, headlined by the likes of Nelly and Craig David, the list of international music heroes hitting Aussie stages this summer is already huge. But it's about to get even heftier, with news that the world's biggest hip hop festival Rolling Loud is set to make its southern hemisphere debut next January. The independently owned one-day event hits Sydney Showgrounds on Sunday, January 27, and while the lineup won't be released until later this week, it's set to be seriously buzz-worthy, if previous years' offerings are anything to go by. Since its first outing in Miami back in 2015, Rolling Loud has expanded to Los Angeles and San Francisco, pulling crowds of up to 135,000 earlier this year. Past sell-out events have seen names like Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Future, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Post Malone, Migos and Lil Uzi Vert all grace the festival's stage. For Rolling Loud's first Australian foray, young founders Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif are teaming up with local production and events company HSU Events, who has previously brought us big international headliners for the likes of Midnight Mafia and Knockout Circuz. If you're keen to catch Rolling Loud's Aussie debut, you can sign up now for exclusive pre-sale access. The festival will take over Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park, on January 27. We'll fill you in on who's headlining as soon as they're announced later this week. Images: Beth Saravo and Sebastian Rodriguez
New year, new vaccination campaign, new chance to see life return to pre-pandemic normality: when 2020 ticked over to 2021, that's what was on the horizon. But the year hasn't turned out as planned so far thanks to ongoing lockdowns and restrictions — and the slow pace of Australian's vax rollout. For many Aussies under 40, it's been quite a wait to get the jab. Across most of this year, getting vaccinated if you're aged 39 and under — and getting the Pfizer vax, which is the preferred jab for that age group — has only been possible if you've fallen into a specific high-risk category. But, thankfully, that's no longer the case. So, it's time to roll up your sleeves, get your two jabs and protect yourself against COVID-19. In the process, you'll also help the country increase its vaccination rate, with more restrictions likely to ease for fully vaxxed Aussies once the nation hits both the 70-percent and 80-percent vaccination thresholds. That said, when it comes to the process of actually booking in for your vaccination, you might have a few questions. It isn't always as straightforward as it perhaps should be, in fact. So, we've run through the basics — and the queries you might have bubbling away in your head at the moment. Obviously, if you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 jab, you should seek advice from your GP or a healthcare professional. How do I find out if I'm eligible to get vaccinated? Melburnians, your first point of call is the Victorian Department of Health website, which runs through exactly who is eligible for both the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca jabs. All Aussie adults have been able to actively opt to get the AZ vax since late June, including under 40s. But, due to rare side effects with the AZ jab, Pfizer is the recommended COVID-19 vaccination for under 60s — and it's now available to any person aged 16–59 years in Victoria. That's been the case since Wednesday, August 25 (ahead of the nationwide vaccination rollout, in fact, which only opened up the Pfizer vaccine to under 40s on Monday, August 30). To get the Pfizer jab if you're aged 39 and under, you do need to book into a state-run vaccination hub, though — more on that below. Where can I get vaccinated? The Victorian Government has set up state-run vaccination centres across the state, including at places such as the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Some even do drive-thru jabs. Whether you're driving or walking to your appointment, if you're under the age of 40 and you're getting the Pfizer vax, that's where you'll need to head. That means that you can't currently get the Pfizer jab from your GP or from a pharmacy. The Victorian Department of Health website has its own vaccination location map, which outlines all of the relevant sites. Or, in a nifty spin on another handy online map that's gotten quite a workout during the pandemic, COVID-19 Near Me now has a vaccination function — so you can use it to find your nearest location as well. How do I book in my vaccination appointments? There are two pathways for people under 40 to book in their Pfizer jabs: via the Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination eligibility checker, and via the Victorian Department of Health. The first path will actually lead you to the second, though. So, you can either hit up the Vic DoH website straight away, create an account, enter your relevant details, then follow the necessary instructions to book. Or, if you want to triple check that you're eligible first, you can head to the eligibility checker, then follow the prompts through to the Vic DoH site afterwards. If you need assistance from there, Vic DoH has put together a how-to guide, too. Once you've had your first jab, you'll follow the same steps to book in your second dose. I've had my jabs. How do I find proof? Allowing people who've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 more leeway — to go to venues and to travel, for instance — is part of Australia's National COVID Response that was announced in July. So, once you've had both of your jabs, you'll likely be looking for the documentation to prove it. The easiest way at the time of writing: via Medicare, either through the Australian Government's My Gov website and app, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. The Services Australia website will step you through accessing your digital certificate using both methods. For further information about Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, head to the Australian Government Department of Health website.
It's all well and good to lock in a destination and start booking your itinerary, but when was the last time you thought about the devices and accessories that'll keep your trip running smoothly? Travelling is stressful enough, so make the journey as easy as possible with practical tech gadgets that'll help you deal with the noise of fellow passengers, having to re-wear dishevelled clothes or running out of charge at the worst possible time. From odour-reducing clothing steamers to powerful portable chargers, we partnered with Philips to put together a list of handy tools that'll take some of the hassle out of your next adventure. Philips Handheld Garment Steamer This portable tool will keep you looking (and smelling) your best throughout your holiday, so you can pack light and have plenty of room in your suitcase for shopping and souvenirs. At an affordable $79.95, the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series is compact enough to throw in your luggage and safe to use on all types of iron-safe fabrics, including delicates like silk. As well as getting rid of wrinkles, the nifty gadget also removes odours and eliminates bacteria, which is ideal when you don't have easy access to a washing machine on your travels. Noise-Cancelling Headphones Ditch the tinny audio and discomfort of those complimentary airline headphones and upgrade to a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your next flight. You might not think it makes a difference, but eliminating the background roar of the plane means that you don't have to crank up the volume and overstimulate your ears, and it also helps your chances of getting some sleep. There are a wide variety of options available, from the fancy Apple AirPods Max ($899) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($645.95) or the more affordable Space One by Soundcore ($135.99). And with the incredibly handy Airfly device ($54.99), you can connect to the in-flight entertainment using your own Bluetooth headphones. Portable Power Bank Imagine trying to navigate an unfamiliar city with only a 2% charge. Or arriving at a spectacular view but not having enough battery to take a photo. Don't let your phone add stress to your trip — throw a portable power bank in your bag so you can be out and about for the whole day. With wireless charging, two built-in cables, interchangeable power adaptors and additional cable outlets, the 5-in-1 Universal Travel Power Bank by Snap is worth the splurge ($169.95). You can also go for a cheaper option, like this power bank by Charmast ($47.99). It offers built-in cables and outputs to charge up to five devices at once and can charge your phone multiple times. E-Reader You don't want to waste precious suitcase space by packing multiple books for your holiday, but that doesn't mean your reading goals need to be put on hold. Both the Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo are able to store more than 10,000 books and last over a month with a single charge. You can take notes, highlight important passages, adjust the font size and brightness, and even rent certain titles. At less than 170 grams, you won't even notice you're carrying it around, but it'll be on hand for those quiet moments when you're sipping coffee in a local cafe, lounging in a park or stuck in a long queue. Portable Fan If you're chasing summer in the northern hemisphere, you'll need an easy way to keep the temperature (and tempers) as cool as possible. Keep a handheld fan in your pocket for long days in the sun, like this water-spraying fan from Big W ($29.99) for a chilly boost or this multi-functional gadget from Amazon ($23.99), which includes a flashlight and power bank. There are also wearable options that keep your hands free, like this rechargeable neck fan ($50.99). The convenient tool disguises as a pair of headphones while circulating cool air across your face and back. With no danger of spinning blades, it is a great option for kids. Shop the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series and other products on the website.
East Brunswick Village has a new arrival, with a second To Be Frank location adding to the community's ethical and sustainable options. With its Collingwood location generating a cult following for its "respectus panis" — meaning minimal yeast and an extended fermentation process that's good for your gut — bread and pastry lovers exploring the new outpost can look forward to the same uncompromising quality and communal passion. Founded by Franco Villalva and Lauren Parsons in 2019, To Be Frank's East Brunswick Village location will maintain its focus on honest bread, pastries and sandwiches, featuring a daily selection that honours traditional baking methods. Of course, that means another store to get your hands on their popular baguette, fruit loaf and focaccia, but you'll also be able to take home To Be Frank's two-kilogram wholemeal sourdough 'miche', available in quarter, half or full-sized portions. "East Brunswick Village already feels like home. We've been welcomed so warmly by the community, and we can't wait to return that warmth — in the form of good bread, coffee, and connection," said Villalva and Parsons. Just like Collingwood, To Be Frank's new digs will be well-stocked with sweet and savoury pastries, including the debut of its chocolatine: a decadent croissant made with Melbourne-based Cuvèe Chocolate's Amphora 65% dark chocolate. The coconut and dulce de leche bomb pays tribute to Franco's Argentinian heritage, while the savoury sausage croissant features top-notch ingredients from neighbouring butcher, Hagen's Organics. Sandwich-lovers will have even more reason to visit, as Villalva and Parsons extend their selection at the East Brunswick locale. Drop by year-round for a ham, cheddar and Emmental toastie, catch a hot honey stracciatella open focaccia through periodic bakes, or discover new seasonal creations as they land in the cabinet. While there, order a stellar coffee with beans roasted by Blackburn's Symmetry Coffee Roasters. As for the new bakery's design, Corso Interior Architecture conceived the space as an open, purpose-built pastry kitchen, where customers get an up-close look at the action. "We've designed East Brunswick Village to be a place for people to enjoy at any time of the day – whether it be for a grab-and-go loaf in the morning for breakfast, a mid-morning coffee and pastry, or a dine-in sandwich or savoury pastry for lunch – the choice is yours," explained Villalva and Parsons. To Be Frank EBV is open Wednesday–Saturday from 7.30am–3pm and Sunday from 8am–3pm at 3 Village Avenue, East Brunswick. Head to the website for more information.
Dumplings are great any time of the year. Whether it's a rainy wintry day, a summer scorcher or smack bang in the middle of spring. Corresponding with the latter is World Dumpling Day, a food celebration we're happy to get behind when dumpling degustations are involved. Yes, South Yarra's Oriental Teahouse is celebrating this fun food day, on Thursday, September 26, with a one-off dumpling degustation. Kicking off at 7pm, the dinner features six courses of dumplings — including laksa-filled dumplings, braised duck leg dumplings, prawn shumai and sweet dumplings served with ice cream — all for $65. During the dumplings feast you'll get to try an impressive 15 different types of dumplings. We suggest you pull out and pull on your stretchy pants. If you'd like to pair your buns with six matched beers, wines and umeshu, it'll set you back an extra $20.
Some of us are happy just snacking on the final product, but if you're keen to learn the chocolate trade, Pidapipo has the perfect session for you. Running from 10am–12pm on Saturday, July 5, in the Fitzroy Laboratorio, the famed gelateria is bringing back its bustling chocolate-making class. Held over two hours, this hands-on session invites guests to join Pidapipo's Master Chocolatier, Arno Backes. A sweet-treat savant, he'll deepen your understanding of chocolate-making fundamentals, then teach you tempering techniques used by the pros. Snacking on Pidapipo's single-origin chocolate along the way, your task involves hand-crafting a selection of decadent chocolate pieces. Moulding, filling and shaping as you go, it won't take long to nail the skills needed to level up your next dinner party. Once the session comes to an end, you'll head home with a Pidapipo chocolate bar, a copy of co-founder Lisa Valmorbida's cookbook, Gelato Eight Days a Week, and your own handmade chocolates bound to impress your pals.
Chart-topping UK grime MC Stormzy is finally set to return to Australian and New Zealand before the end of 2022, with a slew of previously postponed tour dates being given new dates. Originally scheduled for 2020 before being pushed back multiple times for obvious reasons, the H.IT.H World Tour will make its long-awaited arrival across Australian and New Zealand from Wednesday, November 23. That's when the tour will begin at Perth's HBF Stadium, before continuing on to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Wellington — and concluding in Auckland on Sunday, December 11. Folks that purchased tickets to the original tour and held onto them for the past two years need not worry, as their purchase is still valid, while limited extra tickets are on sale now. Stormzy last graced our shores for Splendour in the Grass 2018. In the following half a decade, the rapper has released his second UK #1 album Heavy Is The Head, which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize; made history by becoming the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury; and set up multiple social enterprises including the #Merky Foundation and the Storzmy Scholarship at the University of Cambridge. The tour will mark the first time audiences down under will have the opportunity to catch Heavy Is The Head hits like 'Vossi Bop', 'Own It' and 'Crown', alongside favourites from Stormzy's back catalogue. With many of the tickets already snatched up back in 2020, the remaining spots are sure to fill up fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ClYy0MxsU0 STORMZY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES 2022 Perth — Wednesday, November 23, HBF Stadium Sydney — Sunday, November 27, Hordern Pavilion Sydney — Monday, November 28, Hordern Pavilion Brisbane — Wednesday, November 30, Riverstage Melbourne — Friday, December 2, John Cain Arena Adelaide — Thursday, December 8, AEC Theatre Wellington — Saturday, December 10, TBS Arena Auckland — Sunday, December 11, Trusts Arena Stormzy will tour Australia and New Zealand in November and December 2022. For further information and to buy tickets, head to Handsome Tour's website. Top image: Raph_PH.
It's cold, it's dark, you're hungry and all you want is Mum's leg of lamb with roast potatoes. It's winter and — aside from maybe a hot bowl of soup — a roast dinner is perhaps the most comforting of all the hot, home cooked foods. Unfortunately, slow roasting something is, well, slow — and, we're guessing, not a process you're going to embark on on a Wednesday night. Luckily, there are many an establishment who will do the roasting of the meats and veggies for you. And thanks to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival's winter Roast Collection, even more restaurants, pubs and bars are doing roasts throughout June. Whether you're after a traditional British-style roast or are keen to try one that's a bit left of field, you'll be able to find one that doesn't include a trip back to your parents place. You can see the full program of roast events here, but we've picked out five that we think you should try first. THE CLASSIC ROAST: NEIGHBOURHOOD WINE Neighbourhood Wine is a treat any night of the week, but it's on Sunday that they really turn it on. The fire is lit, the room becomes light and cosy, and the oven is roasting relentlessly. Their roast is a classic — it changes weekly, but last week it was a juicy piece of beef rump paired with crunchy potatoes, Brussels sprouts and red wine jus. It comes as part of their three course Sunday roast lunch special which, with an entree and dessert, is great value at $35. And although part of the Roast Collection, this baby is available each and every week. Available every Sunday 12-5pm or until sold out. View the details here. THE RIVERSIDE ROAST: ARBORY BAR & EATERY Roast dinners have never been given much of a glamorous setting. But during the month of June you can eat your roast right along the river at Arbory, which overlooks the Yarra right along Flinders Street Station. Chef Nick Bennett (ex Fatto) has created a killer roast pork menu that goes down just as nicely as the view — all the pigs used will be ethical and free range, and all produce will come from Victoria. Plus, it will be paird with a glass of TarraWarra pinot — all for $25. Available every day until June 30 from 12-9.30pm. View the details here. THE ARMENIAN ROAST: SEZAR Don't have a clue what Armenian food actually is? Don't worry, no one did before before Sezar. Thankfully, they've schooled us on the deliciousness of Armenian cuisine — and now they're even adapting it to our British Sunday roast sensibilities. Theirs centres around a slow-roasted lamb shoulder (their signature), with a selection of Armenian mezze and sweets (think walnut sujuk and baklava) on either side. Enjoy three courses for $50. Available every day until June 30 from 12-3pm and 6-10pm. View the details here. THE MIDWEEK ROAST: POPE JOAN Let's face it: after work on a Wednesday night, you will not be going home to cook a roast. But if you're still craving that warm, fuzzy full feeling that only hearty, home-cooked food can give you, head to Pope Joan for one of their midweek feasts. Their Brunswick East space is super cosy at night, and they sure sure know how to put on a spread. Each roast dinner will include three courses — a soup, roast and dessert — and will cost $60. The meat will rotate between low-cooked dorper lamb shoulder, roasted Milawa chicken, glazed Western Plains pork neck and a roasted Warialda Belted Galloway brisket, so choose your night wisely. Available weeknights until June 26 from 6-8.30pm. View the details here. THE GREEK ROAST: ELYROS Being big fans of Epocha's weekly Sunday roast — in which the animal is spit roasted out the front of their Carlton restaurant — we knew that this would translate well over to Camberwell, where owners Angie and Guy have opened up Elyros. Similarly Greek (but a bit more Cretan), Elyros is putting on a killer Sunday lunch using local Victorian meats and veggies. They'll be slow roasting lamb, chicken, pork or beef, and serving it as part of a four-course meal for just $45. Available Sundays until June 28 form 12-3pm. View the details here.
It was true in 2023 and it's set to prove the case again in 2024: if you can't find something on the SXSW Sydney lineup for you, you aren't looking hard enough. Want to enjoy the massive tech, innovation, screen, music, games and culture festival, but saving your pennies? That's where its free Tumbalong Park hub comes in — and it too is returning for another year. When SXSW Sydney runs its second fest across Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20, it'll also host its second public program at Darling Harbour. Here, it doesn't matter if you're also heading to the music festival or the screen festival, trying to catch as much of the entire event as possible or aren't paying for any SXSW tickets at all. Whichever fits, you can check out more than 60 hours of free entertainment, including tunes, talks and movies. [caption id="attachment_953722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] Just-announced highlights include Silverchair's Ben Gillies teaming up with songwriter Tushar Apte and futurist Johannes Saam, which ticks both the music and tech boxes; a 60th-anniversary screening of iconic surfing film The Endless Summer, hailing from the screen portion of the program and including an after party; and a day-long showcase of Indian creativity to wrap up the fest, with +91 Calling! featuring an array of different music genres. Attendees can also catch Bush Shorts, a selection of short films by Australia's First Nations and Indigenous talents; conference talents getting chatting at Meet the Speaker sessions; an innovation showcase that's all about rockets, robotics and more; and a Fortnite competition for high schools. On top of all of this, there will also be food trucks, plus pop-up activations from a range of brands — and yes, the Suntory -196 Extreme Vending Machine will be back. [caption id="attachment_953715" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] SXSW Sydney's lineup drops are in full swing, after a first batch came in May, then a second round in June. In July, the fest revealed not one, not two, but three rounds of additions to its 2024 program. Also on the bill across the rest of the fest beyond the free Tumbalong Park hub: Australian The New Boy filmmaker Warwick Thornton, The Babadook composer Jed Kurzel, the UK's Jorja Smith on the 'Be Honest' musician's Australian tour, human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, pianist Chad Lawson, Westworld's Luke Hemsworth hosting a session about the Tasmanian tiger and Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg. Or, get excited about Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, cricketer David Warner, Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid, TikTok marketing head Sofia Hernandez and documentary Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, about the new uses of former Pizza Hut buildings across America. There's still more where they came from, plus more to come. [caption id="attachment_953724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_953717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues, including Tumbalong Park, 11 Harbour Street, Sydney. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. Top image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney.
Fancy wrapping up this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations on the dance floor, moving to sounds from an all-Indigenous lineup of artists and performers? Electronic music collective Tongberang'i Ngarrga Inc. is dishing up that exact scenario, when it takes over Abbots Yard on Saturday, July 9, for its next NAIDOC Week Dance Party. Across nine hours, the openair precinct will come alive for a bumper showcase of techno, visual art, dance, comedy and storytelling, all from First Nations talent. [caption id="attachment_860142" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DJ Dameeeela[/caption] On the 14-strong bill, you'll catch DJ and Boiler Room regular Dameeeela, along with minimal house star Yarra, comedian and Deadly Funny finalist Ben Moodie, music festival favourite Harley James, the Dhungala Dancers, techno legend DJ Kiti and Kulin storyteller Uncle Larry Walsh. Plus, see visual artist Fred Leone creating live graffiti works. You'll dance, laugh and be inspired as this curation of First Nations creatives pays homage to this year's NAIDOC theme, 'Get up! Stand up! Show up!'. The event is designed to be family-friendly, pet-friendly and inclusive, so bring the whole gang along. [caption id="attachment_860143" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Uncle Larry Walsh[/caption] Top Image: Abbots Yard
As we move into spring, the days become longer, the warmth begins to return to the evenings, and we dare to bare arms. And so, "Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives... and to the 'good life', whatever it is and wherever it happens to be." So says Hunter S. Thompson, the author of The Rum Diary, after which this Fitzroy watering hole is named. In the spirit typical of Thompson's writing — fast paced, first person, participatory and energetic — The Rum Diary pays a delightfully appropriate homage to its namesake's author, seven nights a week. Walking through the wooden doors (pull, don't push) you'll clock the shelves behind the bar, which are absolutely heaving with rum. One hundred and seventy different varieties of rum, to be precise. The guys behind the bar will doubtless be muddling, shaking or concocting a delicious something or other, so take a seat and peruse their cocktail list while you try to decide whether you want rum, rum, or rum. Or perhaps something with rum. If you don't want rum, of course they do have a veritable plethora of other varieties to choose from, so don't fret. The team at the Rum Diary, headed up by owner Hamish Goonetilleke, "create excitement around rum, bringing together the best people, atmosphere and experience in which to share it". So share we shall. And in the spirit of inclusiveness, The Rum Diary have cordially opened their specs book and given you five of their best cocktails for you to try at home. Of course, if the idea of creating all of this yourself is too much for you to bear, just head in and have the experts make it for you. Guatemala Soup First up: The Guatemala Soup. Perfect for sipping while you're contemplating the mysteries of life, arguing with a mate about Carsei Lannister's fundamental character flaws, or when you just want to enjoy the affable atmosphere. 30ml Zacapa 23 10ml Amaro Montenegro 10ml Pedro Ximénez 1 dash Cacao Blanc 2 dashes of old time aromatic bitters 10ml water Top with sour cherry foam. Stir down in a rocks glass and garnish with orange zest. Hibiscus Knickerbocker The devilishly tasty Hibiscus Knickerbocker is a rum-heavy bevvy with just a hint of hibiscus, which really drives home the deliciousness of the Angostura. Angostura is rich, mellow smooth rum with chocolate, spice and vanilla flavours. Highly recommended for when you want to look suave. 60ml Angostura 5 year old 25ml lime juice 20ml hibiscus syrup 4 dashes Angostura bitters Shake and strain into a martini glass with lime twist. Foxy Bingo The perfect spring beverage, the Foxy Bingo will be the one you choose when you want to sit on the outside tables and watch the world go by on Brunswick Street. Lightly sparkling and just slightly bitter, it's the drink you drink when you don't want to think. Fabulous, darling. 45ml Plantation 3 Star White Rum 15ml Aperol 25ml lime juice 20ml Pommery Rose 2 dashes peach bitters Build in champagne flute and top with sparkling. Dark 'n' Stormy Okay. Showstopper time. The Dark 'n' Stormy is the tart friend you wish you had by your side when you were trying to get the courage to quit your job. You just know that this drink is going to sass you — plus it has the added benefit of making you feel virtuous, 'cos it's got ginger in it, and ginger is good for you, okay? Ginger is an anti-nausea aid as well, so maybe you won't have a hangover tomorrow. Maybe. 45ml Gosling's Black Seal Rum 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters 1 glug lemon juice Top with homemade ginger beer and coriander. Build in glass and garnish with lime wheel. Rum Negroni The classic Negroni, rummified. Delightful and definitely a sipping drink, the mellow vanilla of the rums mixed with the Campari and Aperol has the power to make you feel like you could be somewhere canal-side in Venice if you squint a fair bit (and if you could just stop your friend from talking about Dancing With The Stars). 10ml Angostura 5 year old 10ml Plantation Original Dark Rum 20ml Antica Formula 10ml Campari 10ml Aperol Stir down in rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist. Well, that’s it: five of the best from the Rum Diary to add to your spring cocktail arsenal. But remember, it's always easier for someone to make it for you, and then all you have to do is raise hand to mouth. Ugh, isn’t life HARD sometimes? The Rum Diary, 334 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, (03) 9939 0616, rumdiarybar.com.au Negroni image thanks to Geoff Peters, Dark 'n' Stormy image thanks to michelle.schrank.
If you're a lover of contemporary art, there are two things you've probably found yourself in repeated fights over. Firstly, why a canvas with naught but a single monotone colour deserves to hang in a gallery and, secondly, why live art is more than just 'crazy for the sake of crazy'. So, the artist nailed his arm to a wall? It's about politics. She had all her clothes cut off by strangers? Gender. It's an artist's job to test the bounds of acceptance and cover unchartered ground, but some artists are notorious for taking that extra step into the unknown. We thought we'd take a look into the extreme history of the artform — the highs, the lows, and all the wilfully mutilated body parts. (TW: self harm and sexual content.) Pyotr Pavlensky nailed his testicles to some cobblestones November last year saw millions of men sympathetically shift in their seats as Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky drove a decent-sized nail through his scrotum and into Red Square. After receiving worldwide attention (that headline is clickbait in any language), Pavlensky stated his actions were a form of political protest against Russia's ever-increasing "police state". "The performance can be seen as a metaphor for the apathy, political indifference and fatalism of contemporary Russian society," he said. Such tactics were not new to this ballsy artist either as 2012 saw him sew his mouth shut in support of the recently imprisoned Pussy Riot. It's one way to get people talking, but at what cost? Vito Acconci hid under gallery floorboards while masturbating While we're on the topic of male genitals, it's definitely worth bringing up American artist Vito Acconci and his seminal work 'Seed Bed' (pun entirely intended). First performed in 1972 at New York's Sonnabend Gallery, this controversial and generally well-regarded work involved the artist hiding under a makeshift ramp in the gallery space and masturbating for eight hours a day. While it outwardly seems like the engineered scheme of a sexual deviant, the work is famous for being enormously effective on its audience members. While standing in the desolate gallery space, gallery-goers could hear Acconci murmuring explicit sexual thoughts via a loudspeaker, and were uncomfortably conscious of his presence under their feet. 'Seed Bed' has since been re-performed by Marina Abramovic in a very welcome inversion of the original work's testosterone overload. Marina Abramovic stared at thousands of strangers in silence until they cried This woman is the queen of all things performance art. Aside from taking on 'Seed Bed', she has a wealth of her own legendary artworks including 'The Artist is Present', a piece that inspired a documentary in its own name. For 736 hours and 30 minutes, Abramovic sat in silence at the Museum of Modern Art staring at whoever sat opposite her. The piece proved so cathartic for audience members it has spawned not only a film, but a fan blog called Marina Abramovic Made Me Cry — the artwork had this effect on the artist herself too when her ex-lover came to visit. Don't be fooled though; Abramovic is tough as guts. In her work 'Rhythm 0' she had audiences inflict pleasure and pain on her body with objects including honey, a scalpel, a rose, and a loaded gun; and in 'Rhythm 10' she played a Russian knife game dodging her fingers with 20 knives in quick succession. There are a lot of men in live art, but this woman may be the most hardcore there is. Tehching Hsieh punched a time clock every hour, on the hour, for a year Abramovic has described Hsieh as a "master" of the form. He's done the dirty stuff — he lived alone in a wooden cage unable to read, write, or listen to radio or TV for an entire year. He then went the other way — wilfully living outside for another whole year. But in the time in-between, he undertook 'Time Clock Piece'. From 1980-1981, Hsieh punched a factory-style time clock every hour, on the hour. After shaving his head at the outset, the artist took a photo of himself each hour and the subsequent documentary evidence, as the hair grows and grows, shows a passing of time equal parts beautiful and woefully depressing. Santiago Sierra tattooed these women's backs in exchange for heroin It's impossible to be indifferent to the kind of work that Sierra does. With most pieces including people from disadvantaged backgrounds in less than desirable positions, to many the art looks a lot like exploitation. In '160cm Line Tattooed on 4 People', Sierra found four heroin-addicted sex workers who were willing to have their backs tattooed in exchange for a single shot of heroin. While on the surface this seems outright despicable, the self-aware nature of the act did serve as a counter-point for many. After all, structures of power can never change if they aren't first exposed. Taras Polataiko had women contractually obliged to marry strangers In the live art piece 'Sleeping Beauties', Ukrainian artist Taras Polataiko found five female volunteers to feign sleep in an art gallery and endure the kisses of thousands of strangers. And here's the kicker: if they ever opened their eyes after a smooch, they were contractually obliged to marry the kisser. The agreement stood for gallery-goers too — in order to gain kissing privileges you had to present a valid ID and sign a legal document promising you to marriage. The performance ended on a meaningful note however, as the beauty opened her eyes to find a woman's lips. As Ukraine still hasn't legalised same-sex marriage, the work raised important questions about the issue and thankfully gave the participants a loophole to wriggle out of . Chris Burden was crucified to a Volkswagen There's nothing artists love more than a good crucifixion to dredge religion up in their work. If you thought Madonna jumping on a cross for a music video was out there, in his 1974 work 'Trans-fixed', American artist Chris Burden actually crucified himself to a Volkswagen Beetle. For no immediately apparent reason, either. The car came out of a garage for two minutes, revved a little, then returned inside. Obviously he was never one to shy away from pain. In 1973's 'Through the Night Softly' he got down to his underwear and crawled through glass, and in his aptly-titled 1971 work, 'Shoot', he was shot point blank in the arm with a rifle. More power to him. Joseph Beuys spent three days in a small room with a coyote The creeper to inspire all creepers, Joseph Beuys was an influential German artist whose 1974 work 'I Like America and America Likes Me' consisted of him skulking around a gallery in New York with naught but a coyote, some straw to sleep on, and a disturbing get-up that made him look like a gothic shepherd. He was taken from the airport via ambulance, never having stepped on American soil and stated of the work, "I wanted to isolate myself, insulate myself, see nothing of America other than the coyote." Once his time was up, he shared an awkward hug with the somewhat domesticated creature and boarded a plane home. Mike Parr had his lips, eyes, and ears sewn together The only Australian addition to this list, Parr has made a name for himself in the field of self-mutilation. This six-hour endurance piece, 'Close the Concentration Camps', was done in protest to the prolonged detention of asylum seekers during the Howard era, and has a disquieting resonance to this day. In 2002 there were reports some detainees had sewed their mouths shut in protest, but the trauma felt very distant to many Australians. Parr's act of solidarity at the Monash University Museum of Art brought this violence uncomfortably to the fore. Francis Alys enlisted the help of 500 volunteers to move a sand dune 10cm to the left One of the main arguments people have against modern art is that it's inconsequential, and Francis Alys' work certainly makes a good case for them. In his most-famous piece, 'When Faith Moves Mountains', this Belgian artist took to the outskirts of Lima and recruited 500 people to move a sand dune, one shovel at a time, slightly to the left. In response to intense confusion from everyone in the world, he responded, "Sometimes making something leads to nothing, sometimes making nothing leads to something." Artists are nothing if not riddlers, I guess.
With 24 percent of London's rush-hour traffic now made up of cyclists, the call for infrastructure upgrades is growing louder. Following the deaths of six cyclists within a fortnight last November, more than 1000 concerned riders staged a 'die-in' outside the Transport for London headquarters in mid-December. Now, architect and cycling fan Lord Norman Foster is proposing a solution: the SkyCycle. It's 135 miles (or 217km) of car-free cycle paths that would be built in the air, supported by pylons, at a height of three storeys, above the routes established by London's current railway lines. Fifteen metres of width would handle up to 12,000 cyclists every hour. More than 3 million people would live and work within ten minutes' of one of SkyCycle's 200 access points. "It's a lateral approach to finding space in a congested city," Lord Foster said. "By using the corridors above the suburban railways we could create a world-class network of safe, car-free cycle routes that are ideally located for commuters." SkyCycle is a collaboration between Foster and Partners, Space Syntax and Exterior Architecture. Space Syntax director Anna Rose compared the system's potential to that of previous major infrastructure changes that have "transformed the fortunes" of London. "Bazalgette's sewer system helped remove the threat of cholera to keep London at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution; the Underground strengthened London's core by making long-distance commuting possible," she said. "SkyCycle is conceived in this tradition as a network of strategic connections from the suburban edges to the centre, adding the much needed capacity for hundreds of millions of cycle journeys every year with all the social, economic, environmental and health benefits to London that follow." However, London is not the final stop. Sam Martin of Exterior Architecture told the Guardian that SkyCycle's ambition is, ultimately, international in scope. "The dream is that you could wake up in Paris and cycle to the Gard du Nord. Then get the train to Stratford, and cycle straight to London in minutes, without worrying about trucks and buses." The catch? The usual — time and money. The current projected cost is £220 million and the construction period is up to 20 years. In the meantime, however, Londoners have been taking advantage of their new cycle super highway. Via Inhabitat.
Bourke Street's home of slow-cooked, American-style barbecue fare is getting a little raucous this New Year's Eve. Come Thursday, December 31, Fancy Hank's is farewelling the year that was with a foot-stomping, inner city hoe-down. Guest chef Ross Magnaye (formerly Rice Paper Scissors) will be in the kitchen, lending his signature Filipino twist to a menu of party-style finger food. Meanwhile, the drinks will be flowing from 9pm until midnight, with a range of tap brews, house wines, soft drinks and celebratory bubbly included in your $118 ticket price. As for the entertainment, it'll be taken care of by Melbourne's own Pauly Main and Andee Frost, as they take over the decks to treat your ears to what the venue is describing as "a searing selection of saucy songs to get you moving". Get set for everything from Dolly Parton to Acid Cowboy, kicking on until 3am.
Exercise should be fun. It is a great way to feel fit and fresh and make new friends along the way. Running on that treadmill can be repetitive though, and by now you are probably zoned out of Zumba. So we're all ears to new workout options and technologies that can rejuvenate our routines. Thankfully, creative trainers all across the world have been hard at work creating the next big thing for you and your friends to throw yourselves into. These weird trends are taking over gyms, parks and post-workout coffee discussions everywhere. Want the endless energy to conquer whatever heights a new workout takes you to? We recommend you get fitted in the latest Boost technology found in the Adidas adistar Boost, available in limited release from our friends at the Athlete's Foot. Bokwa Where: Nationwide Dance-inspired fitness classes show no sign of fatiguing any time soon, and Bokwa is the latest craze stepping out onto the floor. Bokwa is cardio with a culture, fusing conditioning with customary African dance to create a full body workout that will leave you craving more. The best part is you can be as uncoordinated as you like and still join in, with the steps all spelling out basic numbers, letters and words. So basically if you have read this far into the article, you can Bokwa. Virtual Reality Cycling Where: Athlete Lab, Sydney and Best Practice Personal Training, Brisbane Virtual Reality cycling takes cyclists on a virtual vacation from inside their own gym. The class utilises a large projector or screen display to simulate scenery and environments from all across the world to crash through the cycling constraints of the four walls surrounding exercisers. Whether you are peddling the pavement in New York or assailing the Alps, you will find yourself working up a serious sweat whilst dodging cars without the danger. TRX Suspension Training Where: Fitness First centres across Australia or your own home TRX Suspension Training is ready to get you navy-fit anywhere, anytime. All you need are suspension bands and your own body weight to perform a rewarding resistance workout that caters to all levels of fitness and gets you fit for whatever life throws your way. You do not even have to pay for a gym membership as the bands can be put up anywhere from your bedroom to the local park. Bingo! Quidditch Where: Across Australia Yes, you read correctly. Quidditch is taking over the world as Harry Potter fans look to keep the magic going. There is no need to have read or seen any of the books or films to take part though, with all equipment, including your very own broomstick, supplied and rules very easy to pick up. Once you embrace looking silly alongside everyone else, you will probably end up having the best time you have ever had with a broomstick between your legs. So lace up those runners, mount up and seek that snitch. Street Workouts Where: Anywhere outdoors Street workouts provide you with the best opportunity to head outdoors for your exercise this winter. This workout emphasises the utilisation of public facilities and your surrounding environment. You could do activities such as pull-ups on the monkey bars, dips on the park bench and jumping over obstacles, parkour style. Plus, it is all for the price of free. Extreme Obstacle Courses Where: Nationwide Whether you want to be a Tough Mudder or a Spartan Racer or both, there is an extreme obstacle race out there waiting for you to conquer it. These gruelling courses stretch up to 20 kilometres and allow you to test all elements of your endurance as you crawl through mud, swing over pools and climb over walls. Then they zap you with live wires, just to make sure your heart is in it. It is all worth it at the end, though, as you are rewarded with that glorious sense of athletic achievement and personal pride. Backwards Running Where: Outside Backwards running is the process of running backwards. See, it is nice and simple. Aside from being a fun way to imagine the world in reverse, it also is said to be good for your fitness, as it can improve your balance and take the strain off muscles used in that boring forward running. This is a good time to pull on a pair of adistar Boosts, as the extra cushioning in the sole provides support for the heel when running backwards. Check out this clip for some motivation. One to try on a track very clear of obstacles. Cycle Karaoke Where: Currently only the US Cycle Karaoke — or Cyclaoke, as we have taken to calling it — finally provides an opportunity to sing your way into shape. It aims to get you exercising at your optimal heart rate, so if your rendition of Queen's 'Bicycle Race' is proliferated with panting, then you should ease off a little. Then again, if you are belting out 'Eye of the Tiger' with ease then you really need to focus on your pedal power rather than your power ballad. Either way, it is exercise at its embarrassing best. Antigravity Yoga Where: Nationwide Ever wondered what it would feel like working whilst airborne? If so, then antigravity yoga is for you. By settling into a supportive silk hammock you can exercise off the ground and remove a significant amount of stress from your body. Combining elements of yoga, dance and the aerial arts, it will help you form a concrete core as you have fun learning to fly. Man Versus Horse Marathon Where: Wales, United Kingdom If none of these are for you, though, and you want the ultimate challenge, then you should race a horse. The annual Man Versus Horse Marathon covers a 35km cross-country course and is the ultimate test of man versus animal. You can take on the horse all by yourself, or you can take two gym buddies with you and claim team glory. With only three human winners in the 32-year history of the race, your name could go down in history forever. Before you head out on these 10 super-charged new workouts, it helps to have the endless energy harnessed by the new Adidas adistar Boost on your side. They're in limited release at the Athlete's Foot now. How do you boost? These four athletes have a few ideas to rival our own. Vote for your favourite to be in the running for your own pair of Adidas adistar Boost running shoes. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nTH4KKY5_5s https://youtube.com/watch?v=RJYVuVV-yC4 https://youtube.com/watch?v=u3-xitE0fy0 https://youtube.com/watch?v=juY_jxiCJms Top image: Tough Mudder contestants in costume.
With gigs and shows popping back onto calendars again over the last six months, bands and concert promoters have been forced to get creative to abide by COVID-19 restrictions. Local favourites have thrown seated gigs in small regional towns, performed to a sea of cars at drive-in concerts and are even set to take to revolving stages as part of NSW's first major music festival of 2021. Although gathering restrictions have begun to roll back and normalcy is beginning to return to the live music scene across the country, these unique opportunities to catch bands in unexpected locations don't seem to be going anywhere. Take Live At Last, for instance. It's the new live music series that will see fan-favourite Australian musicians perform at intimate venues across the country. In Sydney, it'll feature Hockey Dad, the band behind the aforementioned drive-in gigs, who'll perform in beloved bar Frankie's Pizza on Thursday, April 29. The show will be a unique chance enjoy Frankie's new Dan Pepperell-crafted pizza menu while catching the Wollongong surf-rock duo up close, with the CBD bar having a much smaller capacity than the 3000-person Big Top Luna Park the band recently sold out. A venue the size of Frankie's playing host a band of Hockey Dad's popularity could result in chaos, so you'll have to win tickets in order to get access to the gig. To go into the ballot to head along, you just need to hit up the Secret Sounds website and enter your details. Announced after the Hockey Dad show — but happening the day before — is Live At Last's Brisbane stopover. Last Dinosaurs and Dear Seattle will hit the stage at The Triffid on Wednesday, April 28. To head along, you'll also need to try to win tickets via the Secret Sounds website. Then, the series of gigs is set to move to other parts of the country. If you're wondering where else Live At Last will head, that's yet to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_772790" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hockey Dad by Ian Laidlaw[/caption] Live At Last is set to kick off on Wednesday, April 28 with Last Dinosaurs and Dear Seattle at The Triffid in Brisbane — and then head to Frankie's Pizza on Thursday, April 29 with Hockey Dad. To win tickets and to keep an eye out for future events, head to the event's website. Top image: Frankie's Pizza by Katje Ford Updated April 16.
Just as uni students across the country start to finish their last exams for the semester and high five each other as they realise they don't have to step foot on campus for the next few months, the team from Shadow Electric have announced plans to throw a huge two-month summer festival — at uni, of all places. And even though it's the holidays, you're definitely going to want to go back to school for it. The organisers — who are known for their summer outdoor cinema at Abbotsford Convent, among other events — will take over the University of Melbourne's impressive Parkville campus for two whole months of music, film and, of course, food and drink. Dubbed Shimmerlands, the festival will run both day and night throughout January and February. Making the most of the ghost town that is a unversity during summer, they'll turn the campus into a veritable feast of cultural delights. There'll be an outdoor cinema, two performance spaces (an indoor concert hall and outdoor music amphitheatre), multiple bars and a pop-up collection of 16 of Melbourne's best restaurants. The full programming details are yet to be released, but we do know Shimmerlands will be hosting Parquet Courts' Falls sideshow on January 5. We'll keep you updated with any new announcements. Shimmerlands will run throughout January and February 2017 at the University of Melbourne in Parkville. For more info, visit shimmerlands.com.
Sick of playing Scrabble in generic sans serif? Lovers of words and type alike can spell their way to satisfying word play with these designer Scrabble sets by Andrew Capener. Capener wanted to "excite people about typography by giving them the ability to choose what font their scrabble set would come in." Beauty and quality are Capener's design priorities, with solid walnut and birch woods used to create the board, pieces and box. The A-1 Scrabble designer sets come in a single font of choice, or you can always mix and match with the assorted font pack. [Via Flavorwire]
Russian photographer and world traveller Murad Osmann is asking his Twitter fans to #followmeto all the incredible, exotic places he and his girlfriend have been exploring across the globe. And his followers, plus millions of other people across the internet, are certainly having no trouble doing that: Osmann's photographic journey takes viewers on a trip of their own, which is stunning in more ways than one. Osmann's series depicts backgrounds of beautiful scenery from the most distinct and glorious cities, mountains, buildings, and even shopping centres around the world. The feature that sets his photographs apart from other scenic pictures, however, is the subject within each and every image: Osmann's girlfriend appears with her back to the lens in the centre of each frame, clasping her lover's hand and leading him to these various attractions — however, often due to her limited clothing, she herself may easily become the main attraction of the shot. The idea for the image series first began in Barcelona in 2011 when the photographer's girlfriend got fed up with him snapping every sight they saw and consequently tried to pull him away from the lens. Instead, this gave birth to the vast photo series that the loved-up couple have been working together on practically ever since. From his hometown Moscow to his study-town London, holiday spots such as San Sebastian and Disneyland, and even more mundane scenes such as riding an escalator or being pushed in a shopping trolley, take a look at these original and dazzling images that will be sure to make you want to travel the world with your loved one. Via Daily Mail. Rooftop Pool, Singapore Entering the Gates of Disneyland, California The Meadows of Austria The Rice Fields in Bali The Big Ben and House of Parliament, London The Lovebirds Fly High in a Hot Air Balloon San Sebastian, Spain The Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow The Back Streets of Venice Strolling through the Aisles of Ikea 10,000 Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
After playing more than his fair share of stoners, Seth Rogen co-writes and lends his voice to a film that was probably thought up in a pot-toking, munchies-craving state. What if our food was sentient, aware of everything around it, and had feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams? What if each edible item interacted with others, and their exchanges mimicked humanity's issues with sex, religion, race and class? That's the world Sausage Party brings to the cinema, from its opening sing-a-long to its climatic display of a very different kind of food porn. As far as Rogen and co-writers Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir are concerned, talking grocery products just want to get laid. Otherwise, they're generally happy conforming to cultural stereotypes and being kept in their place via a placating ideology. Turns out food isn't so different from the people who eat it. In case it's not clear, this film is for adults only, with directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan — best known for helming Madagascar 3 and episodes of Thomas & Friends, respectively — operating in much ruder, cruder territory than they're used to. A sausage by the name of Frank (Rogen) serves as the film's protagonist, whose primary goal in life is to consummate his relationship with his hot dog bun girlfriend Brenda (Kristen Wiig). As the Fourth of July approaches, they're both eager to leave the Shopwell's store they call home and move into the utopia of The Great Beyond. But things change after a jar of Honey Mustard (Danny McBride) returns from the supposed paradise outside, screaming that everything they thought they knew is a lie. Working his way around a shop also inhabited by a Jewish bagel (Edward Norton), an Arabic flatbread (David Krumholtz), an affectionate taco (Salma Hayek) and more, Frank sets out to discover the truth — all while an obnoxious, juiced-up douche (Nick Kroll) stalks the aisles. In waxing philosophical about the nature of belief systems, Sausage Party's premise proves surprisingly smart and thoughtful, with its characters forced to face the fact that their ultimate fate involves being eaten by the humans they consider gods. Unfortunately, the anti-Pixar flick also feels decidedly over-stuffed, bogged down by everything from endless food puns and hit-and-miss gags propped up by Scorsese-level swearing, to an over-reliance on bodily functions, drug use and pop-culture references to generate a laugh. Thankfully, a stacked cast of Rogen's male regulars, including Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd and James Franco, helps keep Sausage Party bouncing merrily along. Everyone's clearly having fun spouting their inappropriate dialogue, even if their glee isn't always contagious. In that way, the film quickly becomes the movie equivalent of a tripped-out dinner party, one that boasts plenty of quality ingredients, but can't quite deliver a satisfying meal.
There are so many rankings in the culinary world! It was only a couple of months ago we were showering praise on Attica for being the best restaurant in Australia as per the rankings in Restaurant magazine. Then, earlier this week, Gourmet Traveller weighed in on the debate and reaffirmed Ben Shewry's Melbourne restaurant as the best. Now the Weekend Australian and their annual 'Hot 50 Restaurants' ranking have deemed Neil Perry's Rockpool as the greatest in all the land. We don't know what to believe, but we do know that having too much delicious food everywhere can hardly be a bad thing. The poll, self-described as "Australia's most honest snapshot of the national restaurant scene," was released this weekend. Rockpool Sydney took out the top gong and various other awards were divvied up across the nation. The titles of both 'Hottest Regional' and 'Hottest Victorian' restaurant was awarded to Dan Hunter's Brae in Birregurra. Wasabi was named the best in Queensland. Martin Ben from Sydney's Sepia was named 'Hottest Chef'. And Melbourne's Stokehouse, rebuilt this year after a devastating fire, was named 'Hottest Classic' without a hint of irony. Editor of the Weekend Australian Magazine Christine Middap had endless praise for both Sydney, Melbourne and South Australia in her published list, though openly derided the restaurant scene in Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. "An almost obsessive, market-driven surge in informality too often has translated to slackness [in these regions]," she said. Foodie cattiness aside, the list itself proves some interesting reading. While some Melbourne and Sydney favourites — Attica, Chin Chin, Momofuku and Rockpool — are regulars to the yearly ranking, 28 of the 50 restaurants included are new additions from last year. Chances are you'll be able to comb the list and find something new near you. However, all that depends on how much money you're willing to fork out. Though they do award a 'Hottest Value' title — Adelaide's nose-to-tail eatery Daniel O'Connell — the rest of the list is bound to set you back a few clams. Maybe save these ones for a special occasion and stick to Concrete Playground's advice for the rest of your trips out. It is The Australian after all. Via The Australian. See the full published list of restaurants here.
St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel looks like it will finally reopen its doors some two years after the iconic live music venue was shuttered. According to The Age, the 139-year-old venue has been purchased by venue managers Sand Hill Road, who intend to restore the fading landmark to its former glory. "The deal is expected to be finalised this week," reported The Age on Tuesday afternoon. Quoting a "hospitality source", the paper said that The Espy's new owners want to restore the venue's status as one of Melbourne's preeminent live music spot. Apparently they're also planning "a major overhaul" of the space which might include a large beer garden near the entrance. Plans by earlier owners to add a rooftop terrace to the venue were stymied after locals expressed concerns about the noise. The Espy has been closed since May 2015. If Sand Hill Road has indeed bought the venue, we could see it undergo a big facelift — the hospitality group has bought and refurbished a number of prominent Melbourne pubs including the Terminus Hotel in Abbotsford, the Bridge Hotel in Richmond and the newest of the bunch, the Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane. When contacted, co-founder Andy Mullins declined to make any comment at this stage. We'll update this story with more details as it develops. Via The Age. Image: Adam Carr via Wikimedia Commons.
