Cold nights got you down? Couldn't think of anything worse than taking off your ugg boots and heading outside into the chill? What if we told you there was a winter night market happening every Wednesday from now until August 27. Tempted? You should be, your beloved uggs don't even match up to the snuggliness of this hub of merriment. Queen Vic Markets are at it again with their Wednesday night markets. Following the success of last year's season, the winter market is proving to be just as popular as its summer cousin. Kicking off at 5pm every Wednesday, Luna1878 offers up toasty food, warm drinks, silent disco, a sheesha lounge, market stalls, cabaret, roaming performers and enough lively music enough to make you forget it was ever winter in the first place. There'll be open fires going and mulled wine a-flowing, so you can't pull the "it's too cold" excuse. Hidden from the wind within the Queen Victoria Market sheds, Luna1878 is the perfect post-work wind down and mid-week reminder that winter really isn't all that bad. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uEJile-LKoY
Last time you spent a couple of days hanging out in Surfers Paradise, enjoying the beach and bars, and listening to live tunes by the shore, you might've been attending Schoolies. Your next excuse: Springtime, the brand new music fest that's heading to the Gold Coast this year. Obviously, thanks to the name, you know which season will be in bloom. Between Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5, the new event will take over both beachside and streetside spaces around Surfers, with over 40 acts on the bill. There'll be multiple stages, including in outside spots and at sideshow venues. And, in fantastic news for your wallet, entry to all of the outdoor shows is completely free. If you're planning to make a weekend of it, the lack of entry fee means you'll have more cash to splash on a hotel room. With Australia's tourism industry taking a hit over the past year or so, enticing music lovers to the Goldie for a three-day getaway is obviously one of the fest's aims. Some sideshows might be ticketed, though — the details haven't been announced yet, but you might want to factor that into your plans. As for who you'll be seeing, headliners include Ball Park Music on the Friday, Hermitude and Sneaky Sound System on Saturday, and Ruel on Sunday. The Gold Coast Music Awards will be part of the fest as well — as will celebrating spring's arrival just by soaking in the location, obviously. [caption id="attachment_815054" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Derek Henderson[/caption] SPRINGTIME MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 LINEUP: FRIDAY: Ball Park Music Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Ali Barter Radolescent Vices SATURDAY: Hermitude Sneaky Sound System Gold Coast Music Awards JK-47 Ninajiraci Mia Rodriguez Ebony Boadu Mollie Rose Garrett Kato Lili Papas Daste Gratis Minds Akurei Jake Carmody Strex Happy Hour Live with Lucy & Nikki SUNDAY: Ruel Sycco May-A Budjerah Ivey Peach Fur DVNA Saint Lane Pink Matter Kye Pure Milk Tom West Chutney Sh#t Shirt Disco Nina Sinclair Veople Springtime Music Festival will take place across the weekend of Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5. For further information — and to RSVP — head to the festival website.
With its "funny Broadchurch" premise, Deadloch gave murder-mysteries The Kates treatment. In its first season, the Australian hit served up both crime drama and comedy, as well as a whip-smart subversion of the usual tales about detectives investigating a spate of killings, in one of the best new TV shows of 2023. No one familiar with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's past work could've expected anything different — and the pair delivered, so much so that a second season is on its way. Those prior shows? Before the pair got satirical with whodunnits — while also making a stellar whoddunit — McCartney and McLennan gave television cooking programs a spin, then morning TV. The Katering Show and Get Krack!n were the end results, and both remain as hilarious now as they each did when they debuted, as you can now see on The Kates' YouTube channel. Viewers have been able to enjoy The Katering Show online for years, but season one of Get Krack!n has just joined it. If you're still trying to fill the Deadloch-shaped hole in your viewing until more episodes arrive, this is the solution — whether or not you've already seen the hit series, which spoofs breakfast television in sharp and side-splitting fashion. While they didn't appear on-screen in Deadloch, McCartney and McLennan are front and centre in Get Krack!n as the titular show's hosts. For company, everyone from Sam Neill (Apples Never Fall), Hannah Gadsby (Sex Education), Miranda Tapsell (The Artful Dodger), Deborah Mailman (Last Days of the Space Age) and Aunty Donna (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe) to Adam Briggs (Boy Swallows Universe), Celia Pacquola (Utopia), Nakkiah Lui (Preppers), Charlotte Nicdao (Mythic Quest) and Michelle Lim-Davidson (The Newsreader) pop up. "We can't wait to bring our topical, satirical satire Get Krack!n to the world. We think it will be just as relevant to audiences now as it was the day it was filmed ... seven years ago," said The Kates. The Northern Territory-set second season of Deadloch is shooting now, with Kate Box (Boy Swallows Universe), Madeleine Sami (Our Flag Means Death), Nina Oyama (Utopia) and Alicia Gardiner (The Clearing) all returning from season one. New to the series this time around: Luke Hemsworth (Next Goal Wins), Steve Bisley (Human Error), Shari Sebbens (The Moogai) and plenty more. Check out the first season-one episode of Get Krack!n below — and the entire season via The Kates' YouTube channel: Get Krack!n is available to stream via The Kates' YouTube channel.
Do you have a whole shrine filled with gin? A shelf? A decent section of your liquor cabinet? If so, it's likely that many of those bottles hail from Australia's own Four Pillars. And, thanks to the gin-making superstars' next two tipples, you might be about to add to them. The latest additions to the award-winning brand's range both play with its original gin — and one that has quite the following. So, if you've sipped Four Pillars' Rare Dry Gin, you'll want to try its new Rarer Dry Gin and Rarest Dry Gin. The first is made with yuzu, the second features bergamot, and obviously no one stretched themselves too much thinking of these gins' names. Still citrus-heavy like the OG tipple, Rarer Dry Gin and Rarest Dry Gin came about after the Four Pillars' team discovered some locally grown yellow yuzu and green bergamot — and then started tinkering. Where the Rare Dry Gin uses nine botanicals in the pot and oranges in the vapour basket that sits above the pot, these two newbies swap in their different types of citrus. That's it, that's the change. While Four Pillars still recommends that you drink the original in G&Ts, it's suggesting that these two newcomers also suit the cocktail — or you can add the Rarer Dry Gin to a gin and soda highball if you're after something different. Rarer Dry Gin and Rarest Dry Gin will be available from Saturday, September 11 from the distillery's website, costing $75 each per bottle. And, because Four Pillars likes to put the bi-products from the distillation process to good use, this time it has whipped up a Made from Gin Yuzu & Bergamot Shred Marmalade that'll be available for $12 for a 160-gram jar. For more information about Four Pillars' Rarer Dry Gin and Rarest Dry Gin, or to buy them from Saturday, September 11, head to the distillery's website.
One king. Six wives. Centuries of folks being fascinated with the regal story. Throw in pop songs as well, and that's the smash-hit Six the Musical formula, as Australian audiences discovered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — and can again in Melbourne and Sydney in 2024, then in Brisbane in 2025. If you've ever needed proof that some stories never get old, the ongoing obsession with Britain's royal history provides plenty. 2024's inescapable Kate Middleton fixation and photo situation has served up just the latest reminder. On screens and stages, a slice of regal intrigue is regularly awaiting our viewing, too, interpreting and remixing the past in the process. The Crown might take ample artistic license with reality, but it's got nothing on the empowering pop-scored twist on the 16th century that's been wowing audiences in Six the Musical. This theatre sensation takes a few cues from well-known history, adds toe-tapping tunes and makes stage magic. If you think that you know the stories of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr, then you probably do — even those with little interest in Britain's past kings and queens are likely aware that Henry VIII had six wives — but Six the Musical's version isn't about telling the same old tale. Victoria's next dance with the show arrives from Saturday, August 3 at Comedy Theatre. Sydney's will start on Friday, October 25 at Theatre Royal Sydney. And in Brisbane, theatre lovers can start 2025 with Six the Musical at QPAC Playhouse from Thursday, January 2. First premiering back at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then jumping to London's West End — and winning Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, plus a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album, along the way — Six the Musical gleans inspiration from one of the most famous sextets there's ever been. It also finds its own angle despite how popular the Tudor monarch's love life has been in pop culture. So, move over 00s TV series The Tudors and 2008 movie The Other Boleyn Girl — and this one takes the pop part rather seriously. Six the Musical is presented as a pop concert, in fact, with the Catherines, Annes and Jane all taking to the microphone to tell their stories. Each woman's aim: to stake their claim as the wife who suffered the most at the king's hands, and to become the group's lead singer as a result. Expect Six the Musical's comeback tour to be popular. In Sydney, it played a whopping 15-week Sydney Opera House from December 2021, then returned to the Harbour City from August 2021 due to demand. Six the Musical Australian Tour 2024–25: From Saturday, August 3, 2024 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne From Friday, October 25, 2024 — Theatre Royal Sydney, Sydney From Thursday, January 2, 2025 — QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane Six the Musical is touring Australia again in 2024 and 2025. For more information, for pre-sale tickets and for general ticket sales from Wednesday, March 27, 2024, head to the musical's website. Images: James D Morgan, Getty Images.
As the home of Stranger Things, Netflix has been serving up big doses of 80s-themed nostalgia for the past five years. The platform has just found another way to get viewers thinking fondly about the past, however, all thanks to its new acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) — which includes all of the British author's beloved books. If this sounds familiar, that's because the big friendly giant of the streaming world first found itself a similar golden ticket back in 2018, when it announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. That's still happening — including via two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — but this new purchase will significantly expand the amount of Dahl-inspired content hitting the streamer's catalogue. As part of the earlier deal with the RDSC, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits are all slated to get adapted into animated television shows, so get ready for Oompa Loompas, everlasting gobstoppers and everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities. They're already set to be joined by basically every Dahl novel you read and adored as a kid — including The BFG, Esio Trot, George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew. The author's autobiographical efforts Boy – Tales of Childhood and Going Solo had also already been earmarked to hit the platform, with one detailing Dahl's youth and the other delving into his journeys to Africa as well as his service in World War II. For many of these works, including the tales about the author himself, it'll be the first time that they've been adapted for the screen. 🚨 Some very exciting breaking news🚨 https://t.co/uovvO3SYye — Netflix ANZ (@NetflixANZ) September 22, 2021 In its new announcement, Netflix advised that an adaptation of Matilda the Musical is also headed its way, but remained vague about exactly what viewers can expect otherwise. "As we bring these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we're committed to maintaining their unique spirit and their universal themes of surprise and kindness, while also sprinkling some fresh magic into the mix," the service advised in a statement. In other words, expect the tales you know and love, as well as tales that expand upon those tales. And, expect to have plenty of them to watch in years to come. Netflix also hasn't said when all this Dahl-based content will hit the platform, so you can't mark any dates in your calendar as yet. But if you just can't wait, Wes Anderson's delightful stop-motion animation version of Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox is currently streaming on the service, as are a number of other flicks adapted from the writers' works — including both the original and recent versions of The Witches, plus 1996's Matilda. For more information about Netflix's acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company, head to the Netflix website.
It's a series about the squabbling children of a global media baron who, after their father's health takes an unexpected turn, start trying to position themselves as next in line to the empire. It's obviously set among the one percent, in lives of luxury and privilege that most folks will never know, too. But the idea that depiction doesn't equal endorsement is as rich in Succession as its always-bickering characters. Created by Peep Show's Jesse Armstrong — someone who knows more than a thing or two about black comedy — this Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics' Choice, Writers Guild and Directors Guild Award-winner is savagely witty, darkly biting and often laugh-out-loud funny about its chosen milieu. Succession also has one of the best casts currently on TV, and its stars keep picking up accolades and nominations that demonstrate just that. Brian Cox is as formidable as ever as family patriarch Logan Roy, but he's matched at every moment by Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin and Australian actor Sarah Snook as three of the four Roy children.
Does your breakfast involve a slice of toast slathered with Vegemite, plus a serving of baked beans? Have you ever had a cheeky mouthful of both at the same time and found the combination to your liking? Is a tin of Vegemite-flavoured baked beans now your fantasy idea of brekkie heaven? If you've answered yes to these questions, prepare to have your tastebuds well and truly tempted. Because simply scraping Vegemite across bread is boring, it seems, the yeasty Australian staple has worked its way into plenty of other food items — such chocolate, milk shakes, icy poles, ice creams, burgers, popcorn, booze and pizza, just to name a few examples. So, SPC's decision to add Vegemite to baked beans isn't all that surprising. And, like all culinary mashups that call upon the famed spread, you'll either be ridiculously excited or so put off that you may never eat baked beans or Vegemite ever again. Inspired? Gross? Only you know the answer — because the response is different for all of us. And yes, you and your stomach are definitely allowed to feel confused about the whole concept. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPC (@spcgloballtd) Wondering how it tastes? SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite still has a cheesy tomato sauce, but with Vegemite added. So, the whole combo is Vegemite, cheese, tomato and baked beans. For some, that'll make it better. For others, it'll make it worse. If you're nonetheless keen, the new product is being sold in two ways — as single 425-gram tins of SPC Baked Beans & Vegemite in Rich Tomato (RRP$1.70) and in four-packs of 220-gram tins (RRP $5.00). Breakfast, brunch or whatever meal you feel like pairing baked beans and Vegemite for will never look the same. SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite tins are available in supermarkets now.
Australia's reigning gelato kings are back at it. Gelato Messina, which transformed from a single Sydney store in 2002 into a bona fide national empire, has just launched two Woolworths-exclusive flavours — and we are running, not walking, to get out hands on these ones, winter be damned. Landing now in freezers nationwide and online, the brand-new P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline and Super Flan sound exactly like the types of indulgent flavours that has seen Messina become a household name, stacked with in-house sauces and signature mix-ins. Channeling strong 'give the people what they want' energy, each of the new flavours is a riff on a beloved Messina signature. Long-time devotees might find the P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline familiar, and they wouldn't be mistaken — it's a supermarket-ready take on one of the brand's most in-demand scoop-shop specials. Each tub is a flavour bomb of creamy peanut butter gelato swirled with house-made peanut praline and rich peanut fudge. Meanwhile, Super Flan brings one of the brand's biggest fan faves to the masses: a creamy vanilla custard gelato rippled with Messina's in-house dulce de leche, made the proper Argentinian way. Each flavour comes in a 475ml pint, and joins the five Messina tub flavours lining Woolies shelves — namely, Pistachio Praline, Tiramisu, Dulce de Leche, Hazelnut Praline and Dulce de Leche, and Robert Brownie Jr. Since its October 2024 launch, the tub line has become one of the supermarket's best-selling frozen dessert lines, with over 500,000 pints already having flown off the shelves. While you're likely more concerned with what's going on inside the tub, the artwork on the front is worth a second look. The colourful characters that adorn each tub have been designed by Bondi-born, New York-based artist Jeremyville, who was also responsible for the vibrant murals in Messina's original Darlinghurst store. "Gelato Messina has always been about quality, creativity, and making people happy, and pushing the boundaries of flavour and quality," says Gelato Messina founder, Nick Palumbo. "Expanding into Woolworths has allowed us to share our passion with more Australians, while staying true to our roots." Messina's new P.B. Peanut Butter Fudge & Praline and Super Flan flavours are available now and exclusively at Woolworths, in the freezer aisle or online. For more info, head to the Messina website.
It's been a booming season for Preston locals. As well their own gourmet cheese toastie drive-through, a swathe of cute new café and restaurant openings and an enviable local BBQ game, Preston Market has just announced a new market hall expansion that will have everyone flocking to the north: the Preston Fresh Hood Market. The market in Melbourne's north has teamed up with The Space Agency – who were the brains behind last year's Swan Street Chamber of Commerce food precinct activation in Richmond — to transform the old hall that sits between the market and Preston Station into a free-form, open-plan food mecca and arts space. "The whole aim is to be like a food truck park, but indoors and with no food trucks," says The Space Agency's Crag Carrick. "You can walk around, you can grab a beer, grab a bite to eat and sit where you like — everywhere is a seating area." The building — which has been empty for the last few years — was recently given a new lick of paint by 17 street artists, who've coloured the walls with large-scale pieces. Inside, the redesign pays tribute to the original use of the building, which once housed permanent stalls for a fishmonger, butcher, baker and a fruit and veg vendor, amongst others. "We're maintaining a lot of those elements," says Carrick. "For example, the fishmonger will become the central bar, Beermonger, which will serve craft beer and oysters. The beer taps will be where the fish would normally be displayed…[and] we're using the original cabinetry." A lot of the old infrastructure is being retrofitted for similar uses. The old poultry shop will become the second location of Henrietta's Chicken Shop (and will retain the original signage), while the butcher will be taken over by Hoy Pinoy and their pig-on-a-spit Filipino BBQ offering. The bingo hall upstairs will become an event space and band room with a 500 person capacity. Other confirmed vendors include 3 Ravens Brewery and Meet Patty, a new burger venture from St Ali chef Andy Gale. "We want to bring something cool to Preston Market," Carrick says. "It's really old school and hasn't changed much in 45 years, but we think Preston itself has changed a lot over the last three years." The Preston Market, with its 200 vendors and artist market, will stay the same — but the Preston Fresh Hood Market (a tongue-in-cheek title that refers to Preston's status as an up-and-coming place to live) will open on Saturday, July 16. In the meantime keep you peepers peeled for more vendor announcements and details on the launch party. [embed]https://vimeo.com/171854602[/embed] The Preston Fresh Hood Market will open at Preston Market (22-26 Cramer Street, Preston) on Saturday, July 16. It will trade Wednesday to Sunday from 10am til 10pm. For more info, visit their Facebook page.
These days, it's hard to be wowed, or even mildly surprised by a shopping centre. But Melbourne's newest suburban retail precinct is a whole different story. Set to officially open its doors on Friday, December 6, Burwood Brickworks doesn't just have a strong sustainability focus — it's on track to being the most sustainable shopping centre on the planet. Sitting on Middleborough Road in Burwood East, it's been built with the aim of scoring certification under the Living Building Challenge, an international program for sustainable buildings. It requires the building to have a net zero carbon footprint, produce more electricity than it consumes and use non-toxic and recycled materials in its construction, among other things. If successful, Burwood Brickworks will be one of only 25 structures worldwide to stake this claim, and the first-ever retail building to do so. Clocking a total of 13,000 square metres, the precinct boasts a Reading Cinema complex, a new-concept Woolworths store, a large Dan Murphy's and a curation of smaller independent retailers, all within an airy, light-filled space. The crowning glory, however, is the sprawling rooftop space, sporting its own paddock-to-plate restaurant and 2000-square-metre urban farm designed and run by consulting firm Tully Heard. They're the same crew who operate Sydney's farm-to-table Acre Eatery, here joining forces with local eco-warrior Joost Bakker (Greenhouse by Joost, Brothl) in the role of the centre's Creative Consultant. Along with a rooftop greenhouse, the huge variety of fruit, herb and veggie patches will be used in the restaurant, with excess sold to the public. There's even a coop of quails laying eggs for the kitchen. Visitors will be able to wander through the gardens and attend workshops, talks and more hands-on green-thumb experiences to come. The rooftop farm's not big enough to handle all of the kitchen's food supply, though, so Head Chef Brad Simpson (Lamaros, The Smith) has been busy sourcing any remaining ingredients from a crop of top Victorian suppliers. Think Mt Zero for olive oil and grains, and Flinders & Co, Sher Wagyu and Western Plains Pork for meat. In total, 20 percent of the Burwood Brickworks site will be used for growing food, with fruiting trees even planted between each aisle of the centre's car park. But while these urban farm practices might be the obvious, big-ticket sustainability drivers – along with the rooftop solar panel system generating a hefty one megawatt of power – it's the finer details that really set this centre apart. PVC has been scrapped from the build entirely in favour of less toxic alternatives, a swag of reclaimed hardwood has been incorporated throughout the precinct, and the products used by each retailer have had to meet super strict standards. Natural light and air quality are also huge factors here, so expect an abundance of greenery, windows aplenty and in the central space, a soaring, ventilated sawtooth roof decked out with huge skylights. A far cry from most of those other shopping centres we've frequented in our time. Burwood Brickworks is set to open on Friday, December 6, at 78 Middleborough Road, Burwood East.
It's official: silly season is here once again. And while it's always fun to give (and receive) gifts, the amount of people you're buying for can quickly stack up. Particularly if you're partaking in more than a few Kris Kringles and Secret Santas this year. Whether you scored your work bestie in your office pressie pool or got the formidable task of drawing your mum's name in the fam Kris Kringle even though she insists she doesn't want anything, you want to give great gifts. You also have to adhere to strict budgets, which can be both a blessing and a curse. In partnership with Cashrewards, we've tracked down some A-class items that will suit just about everyone on your gift list — and any budget. Better yet, if you're an ANZ cardholder, you could be eligible for even bigger cash back deals and extra benefits* as part of its Cashrewards Max program. All you have to do is sign in to your Cashrewards account (or sign up for one for free) and link your eligible ANZ debit or credit card. Once you've got your Cashrewards Max all set up, you can score a heap of cash back deals, including at all the retailers on this epic list. $20 AND UNDER Desktop Ping Pong Table ($15.75) A great shout for the office KK, this easy-to-assemble table tennis kit is available via Booktopia. It can be set up anywhere and easily tidied away when the boss walks past, too. Or, if you've got the balls (yes, pun intended), set up an office tournament and leave the memory of awkward Friday afternoon Zoom drinks far behind. This is an affordable, fun and easy option for your work bestie (or the office newbie) that offers just the right level of silliness for your end-of-year workplace festivities. Gingerbread Man Dig Toy ($19.99) There's bound to be at least one proud dog parent in your life — or maybe you want to bypass them and celebrate their adorable pooch directly. Either way, this festive chew toy is the perfect option for fur babies and their parents. Grab one from Petbarn for less than a lobster and voila! You're a thoughtful gift giver and bound to score some appreciative snoot-boopin' time with the pup. $50 AND UNDER Night Rescue Skincare Kit ($30) Got a skincare-obsessed friend? Or someone who just appreciates a good beauty regime? Surely after months spent in lockdown, we can all appreciate the relaxing indulgence of some self-care in the form of a face mask and a glass of wine. If you've got someone deserving of some TLC for Secret Santa, then nab this Laneige Night Rescue Skincare kit from Sephora. It includes three different types of nighttime face masks all designed to leave skin looking clean, refreshed and hydrated. Linen Napkins ($50) Chances are if you're in your late 20s or early 30s, you're already obsessed with Bed Threads. So, surely someone on your Christmas list is into it, too. If you're buying for a foodie then look no further than these lovely flax linen napkins. They're delicate, reusable and sustainable, plus they add a lovely touch of rustic elegance to any table setting. They also come in 11 different colours, so you can pick a hue that you think best suits your giftee's style. $80 AND UNDER Thumbs Up Retro Dance Mat ($60) We've all got that one mate who crushes DDR (that's Dance Dance Revolution for the uninitiated). So, you already know they'll be absolutely stoked with this gift. Essentially a light-up floor mat that lights up for you to follow a dance routine, the Thumbs Up Retro Dance Mat is always a hoot — and retro to boot. To make your life as simple as can be, the game is available from ASOS, too, so you can skip the Christmas shopping crowds all while knowing perfect gift is on the way. C&M James Nylon Cap ($80) There are some major normcore vibes going on with this C&M cap from Stylerunner, so if you know someone who loves Aussie-made minimalist designs, look no further. Lightweight, comfortable and stylish, this not-so-basic basic is perfect for beach days, bushwalks and brunches with the crew, making it a brilliant gift idea for pretty well anyone (including you). $100 AND UNDER [caption id="attachment_814550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Smash Splash[/caption] Red Balloon Experiences ($99–100) If you're going all out and dropping a bit of cash for that special someone, then why not give them a gift they're sure to remember — an epic experience. Red Balloon has all sorts of great gift experience ideas lined up for thrill-seekers, or that person in your life who already has everything. Check out this Splash Room experience in Sydney or Melbourne, where they'll be covered in goggles and overalls, put in a room and given free rein to hurl paint balloons at the walls and create some amazing artistic explosions. If you're in Perth or Brisbane, why not check out one of Red Balloon's scenic helicopter tours so they can see some of the most beautiful parts of their city from way up in the clouds. Or, if you've picked out a wine lover, you can get them a Taste Your Birth Year winery tour in the Barossa (plane ticket's on them, naturally). For more information on Cashrewards Max and its current deals, head to the website. *Cashrewards Max is offered by Cashrewards, not ANZ. A Cashrewards account is not an ANZ account. T&Cs apply.
Part of the crew that brought you the much talked about Armadale cafe Mammoth have unveiled their latest hospitality venture. Today they open the doors to Gilson, an all-day diner overlooking the Royal Botanic Gardens on Domain Road. Just as Mammoth pushed the envelope with edgy café fare (like the doughnut lobster burger), Gilson is going about things a little differently to most, with owners Loren and Jamie McBride eschewing modernity and "of the moment" in favour of something much more timeless. The couple are involved in Mammoth and Northcote's Barry, and have most recently opened pizza place Primo. Open from 6am until midnight daily, Gilson is a riff on those deeply engrained, old-world European cafes; it's been built in the hopes of becoming a neighbourhood stalwart, right from the get-go. And, given it'll be slinging fresh flowers on weekends, offering take away pizzas, and hosting aperitivo sessions in the afternoons, there's little doubt Gilson will be winning over its South Yarra locals pretty darn quickly. A classic bistro menu — put together by chefs Emma Jeffrey and Pippa McLeod — has been crafted around local, seasonal produce, and the star of the show, Gilson's custom-built wood oven. This beaut will be working its own magic on the masses, turning out creations like wood-fire pizzas, and peach tarte Tatin. A brunch menu will be available until 3pm before the evening offering kicks in, which includes the aforementioned pizzas as well as a selection of sandwiches, small plates and dishes like spaghetti and meatballs and lamb osso bucco. Meanwhile, the enduring fit-out comes courtesy of Projects of Imagination, who've previously left their stylish mark on such foodie faves as Chin Chin and Supernormal. With their prime location across from the gardens, it looks set to be a prime posi to sit on the sidewalk with a spritz this summer. Gilson opens today, Tuesday, December 6 at 171 Domain Road, South Yarra. They'll be open from 6am until midnight seven days a week. For more info, visit gilsonrestaurant.com.au. Images: Emily Weaving.
Before Snow Machine became everyone's excuse to hit up Queenstown for a stint of music and skiing, the festival launched its mix of tunes in wintry climes in Japan. That was back in 2020 and it hasn't been back there since — until 2024 rolls around. Although Snow Machine Queenstown is still to come for 2023, Snow Machine Japan has locked in its return for Monday, February 26–Saturday, March 2 in Hakuba. On the just-dropped bill: everyone from Diplo and Marc Rebillet to Bob Moses and Todd Terje, plus Japanese talents Risa Taniguchi, Satoshi Tomiie and Shinichi Osawa. Snow Machine Japan might return when summer will be shifting into autumn Down Under, but it's one helluva excuse for a frosty holiday during the northern hemisphere's winter — and Japan's snow season. No matter where it's taking place, this is the hottest festival for the colder months, packed with a snow-filled week of music and adventure. Attendees will be treated to action-packed days on the slopes, après ski events, and a hefty roster of international acts against an idyllic backdrop. And, because this is Japan, onsen trips, sake aplenty and yakitori bites are also on offer. Other than the wintry setting, one of the things that sets Snow Machine apart from other music fests is being able to book your entire getaway with your ticket. Packages span five or seven nights of accommodation, and include a festival ticket across the entire event, plus a four-day lift pass for Goryu & Hakuba 47, Tsugaike, Iwatake and Happo One. A word of warning: unsurprisingly, the packages are popular. Although the Snow Machine Japan 2024 lineup has only just been announced, packages are already 85-percent sold out. If you're keen to take care of your own place to slumber and just nab a festival ticket, that's an option as well. Lift passes, rentals, lessons and activities can be then booked on top at additional cost, and you can opt for VIP access including heating and seating while you party if you're feeling particularly cashed up. SNOW MACHINE JAPAN 2024 LINEUP: Bob Moses (club set) Busy P Claptone Denis Sulta Diplo Ewan McVica George Fitzgerald (DJ set) GG Magree Marc Rebillet Nina Kraviz Risa Taniguchi Satoshi Tomiie Shinichi Osawa Todd Terje (DJ set) Reuben Styles and Danny Clayton present First Base Snow Machine Japan 2024 will be held from Monday, February 26–Saturday, March 2 in Hakuba. Presale tickets go on sale from 12pm AEST on Thursday, August 3, with general tickets available from 12pm AEST on Friday, August 4. For more information, visit the festival's website. Images: Pat Stevenson. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you know only one thing about Singapore, it's most likely its reputation for fantastic food. And it's not just the cuisine that's earned high esteem with foodies around the world. Alongside the world-class eats, the city's bars are making waves on the global cocktail scene. There's no quicker way to unravel the complexities of Singapore's cultural heritage than by eating your way through the city, from Michelin-starred European fine-dining to humble hawker centres selling affordable but delicious dishes. Then there's the drinking, which ranges from quirky speakeasies to opulent cocktail dens. To showcase the depth of Singapore's drinking and dining, we've partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board to present some of the city's can't-miss experiences. From art deco bars and urbane craft breweries to authentic Peranakan restaurants and French fine dining, these are the places to bookmark for your next visit. ATLAS If you try only one cocktail bar in Singapore, make it Atlas — previously featured on the World's 50 Best Bars list. First, you'll be blown away by the grand art deco space with its vaulted (and frescoed) ceilings. Then you'll be awed by the lofty bronzed gin tower that requires bartenders to scale a ladder to access the more than 1,300 gins (though the extensive menu also includes seriously fine wines, champagnes and whiskies). Going beyond the booze, there's a European-inspired food menu, a lavish afternoon tea service, and the must-try #SundaysAtAtlas which includes free-flowing cocktails, champagne and nibbles. Reservations are essential. [caption id="attachment_864471" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] JIGGER & PONY Singapore has speakeasies aplenty but there's no finer example than Jigger & Pony. The proof? It landed on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The buzzy spot, located at the Amara hotel, is swanky yet relaxed but shakes up a serious cocktail. Jigger & Pony's drinks list — cheekily titled "A Decent Menu" — elevates 24 classic cocktails with clever twists. Think yuzu whisky sours, black pepper sazeracs and sakura martinis. Pair your tipple with a next-level bar snack — we're looking at you, black truffle macaroni and cheese — and go home with some of the bar's bottled cocktail selection to enjoy another day. [caption id="attachment_864481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mindy Tan (Singapore Tourism Board)[/caption] KENG ENG KEE Zi char is a term derived from the Chinese Hokkien dialect that translates to 'cook and fry' and refers to casual home-cooked Chinese food meant for sharing. Third-generation zi char restaurant Keng Eng Kee has been firing its woks since the 1970s and has truly perfected its craft. The food here is largely of the Hainanese and Cantonese influence, with popular dishes including the chilli and black pepper crabs, coffee pork ribs and Marmite chicken. The late Anthony Bourdain was a fan, as is feted British chef James Martin, and that's good enough for us. [caption id="attachment_864482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Afur Wong (Singapore Tourism Board)[/caption] LEVEL33 Singapore may be the home of Tiger Beer, but LeVeL33 is the place to go for a brew with a view. Known as the world's highest urban microbrewery, this award-winning concept serves up freshly shucked oysters, lobster bisque, and pasture-fed Australian steaks, while brewmaster Gabriel Garcia whips up everything from lagers and pale ales to stouts and Bavarian-inspired wheats. Order a tasting paddle for the full experience. The beer menu pairs expertly with LeVeL33's views of the Singapore skyline as well as the "contembrewery dining" of elevated pub grub like baby back ribs and Wagyu beef chunks. [caption id="attachment_864485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON France may have Alain Ducasse but Singapore has Violet Oon, the doyenne of authentic Peranakan cuisine. Oon's flagship is an elegant, colonial-inspired space of dark woods and Straits Chinese tiles tucked into the grand National Gallery of Singapore — but it's the authentic plates infused with fine, fresh ingredients that'll thrill. Dig into refined takes on popular local dishes like kueh pie tee, beef rendang and the signature dry laksa, all of which are full of flavour and beautifully presented. There's also a dedicated plant-based menu that features meat-free takes on classics. Round off the experience with a selection of locally inspired cocktails for a sophisticated Singapore meal. [caption id="attachment_864487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Santos (Singapore Tourism Board)[/caption] MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE Hawker centres are a quintessential Singapore experience. And while the well-known Lau Pa Sat and Newton are on every tourist's hit list, insiders head straight for Maxwell. This go-to destination began life in 1929, but its current iteration opened in 1987. Inside you'll find a smorgasbord of popular food stalls so this is very much a choose-your-own foodie adventure. There's rich laksa at Old Nyonya, Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded chicken rice at Tian Tian and traditional sweets at Heng Heng tapioca cake stall. And that's before you get to the rare culinary finds like the alluring Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake and DIY China Street Fritters. [caption id="attachment_864493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] ODETTE Three Michelin stars? Step into Odette and it's easy to see why this is among Singapore's most lauded restaurants. Named after chef Julien Royer's grandmother, Odette delivers dishes inspired by Royer's French farming heritage and Asian culinary experiences, all laced with high-quality luxury ingredients handled with impeccable technique. Expect plates like the signature organic egg with ibérico chorizo, Normandy brown crab with wasabi oil and nashi pear, and kampot pepper-crusted pigeon. All of this is served in a graceful, elegant dining room and paired with polished service and a curated wine list. [caption id="attachment_864497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Singapore Tourism Board[/caption] MANHATTAN It might be located at the Conrad Singapore Orchard but Manhattan isn't your average hotel bar. Drawing on old New York glamour for its art deco-esque interiors and artisanal spirits for elevated cocktails, Manhattan is one of the city's best drinking dens. The onsite rickhouse produces exquisite liquid like solera-aged negronis and barrel-aged spirits, while the menu brings together classic and forgotten cocktails that revive Golden Age drinking. There's even a collection of over 150 rare American whiskies and tipples inspired by New York personalities like Whoopi Goldberg and Andy Warhol. Did we mention it's ranked 21st on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2024? [caption id="attachment_866128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] BURNT ENDS When Aussie chef David Pynt ran his Burnt Enz pop-up in London, he probably didn't know it was going to evolve into Burnt Ends, a modern Australian barbecue restaurant that currently holds one Michelin Star and is on the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. Pynt translates his love of flame cooking (found while working with Victor Arguinzoniz of renowned Spanish restaurant Asador Etxebarri) into a daily menu of grilled delights. You might find items like flatiron steak with burnt onion and bone marrow or grilled leeks with hazelnut and black truffle, all complemented by a convivial, unpretentious atmosphere and boutique wines. For more incredible ways to experience Singapore, head to Singapore Tourism Board's website. Top image: Nauris Pukis (Unsplash)
If you've been itching to get out of the city, you'll find a solid excuse for a weekend adventure around four hours north of Melbourne on the banks of the Murray. From Friday, September 2–Sunday, September 4, the inaugural Go North arts fest descends on Swan Hill with a juicy program of music and visual art — and with some very familiar names in the lineup. The fun kicks off on Friday at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery for the Swan Hill National Print and Drawing Awards, where you'll get to wine, dine and rub shoulders with the artists while enjoying the jazzy sounds of River Boat Quintet. [caption id="attachment_867306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freya Josephine Hollick[/caption] On Saturday afternoon, Riverside Park fires up for the main event — an all-ages fiesta headlined by Clare Bowditch, Benny Walker, Freya Josephine Hollick and The Northern Folk. There'll be a hefty lineup of local food trucks and drink options galore; plus you can brush up your skills at a range of artist-led creative workshops covering everything from screen-printing, to drumming, to Aboriginal learning with Swan Hill artist and Wemba Wemba Wiradjuri Neri Neri Wotjiboluk Boon Wurrung Aboriginal woman Kenita Lee McCartney. Elsewhere in the weekend's program, catch a lithography talk and demo by printmaker and painter Peter Jacobs, a classical guitar recital, and a guided walk-through of the National Print and Drawing Awards Exhibition, with coffee. [caption id="attachment_867324" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Northern Folk[/caption] Top Image: Clare Bowditch
There's something rather cool about being ahead of the curve when it comes to cinema, watching the latest and greatest flicks unfold on the silver screen before the rest of the world gets to see them. Well, at Flickerfest Short Film Festival you can do just that. Yep, break out the popcorn, the internationally acclaimed festival is touring in Melbourne on Wednesday, February 12 — and there's a swag of homegrown talent on the bill. This year, the folks at Flickerfest received a record 3500 entries from more than 100 countries around the world, making the 2020 program a real doozy. More than 200 handpicked creative and inspiring shorts screened at the festival's ten-day stint in Sydney earlier this summer. Now, at The Kino cinema, you'll catch the cream of the crop, with a focus on the best Australian — and more specifically Melbourne-based — shorts. Highlights include Elders, directed by writer director Tony Briggs and recently selected for the Berlin Film Festival; animated short Rebooted about a movie star who also happens to be a skeleton; thrilling drama The Widow; and Blackwood, which won best cinematography at this year's Flickerfest Awards. [caption id="attachment_759070" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Rebooted'[/caption] After seeing a bunch of Melbourne-produced shorts, you can head to the after party. There you'll find Vietnamese snacks — think rice paper rolls, skewers and dumplings — as well as beer, wine and non-alcoholic bevvies. Tickets for the evening cost $25 and include access to the after party. To see the full program and grab tickets, head here. Top images (in order): The Widow by Brendan Young and Catherine McQuade and Elders by Tony Briggs.
As 2025's Sydney Film Festival announced at its closing-night gala, if you caught Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident at this year's fest, then you saw the latest winner of the Sydney Film Prize. If you sat down to Songs Inside, Floodland and Wilfred Buck, you also watched 2025's recipients of the event's Documentary Australia Award, Sustainable Future Award and First Nations Award. There's more accolades where they came from, too — this time decided not by juries, but by festivalgoers. If you voted in SFF's 2025 Audience Awards at the fest's highest-selling year in its history, then you had a hand in selecting the picks for Australian feature, Australian documentary, international feature and international documentary — plus their runners up. Over 23,000 votes were received across the four fields, with the winners showcasing the breadth of flicks on offer at this year's festival. Aussie animation Lesbian Space Princess — which features The Pitt's Shabana Azeez among its voice cast — added the Best Australian Narrative Feature Audience Award to its growing haul, after collecting the Teddy Award at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. Its counterpart in the international field: All That's Left of You, about a Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank. In the documentary categories The Raftsmen and Prime Minister took out the top prizes, the first for chronicling an effort to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1973 and the second for a portrait of Jacinda Ardern. "These four films are powerful examples of the fantastically diverse kinds of storytelling that move, inspire and connect with audiences," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs' Lesbian Space Princess is a singular achievement in animated cinema. This wildly imaginative feature is hilarious, heartfelt and unapologetically out there — and our audiences adored it." "The Raftsmen is a gripping and meditative exploration of adventure and human endurance. Chadden Hunter's evocative storytelling, blending archival 16mm footage with survivor testimony, brings to life one of the great oceanic journeys in modern history." "Cherien Dabis' All That's Left of You is sweeping in scope and deeply personal in its portrayal of love, loss and legacy. Tracing seven decades of Palestinian history through one family's experience, it is an emotionally resonant and beautifully crafted film that left Sydney audiences spellbound," Moodley continued. "Finally, Prime Minister offers a rare and deeply human look behind the scenes of political leadership. With unprecedented access, this nuanced portrait of Jacinda Ardern captures a leader navigating major global and national crises with empathy and resolve — clearly something that resonated with audiences in these times." Dark comedy Birthright, Sundance Audience Award-winner DJ Ahmet, the World Porridge Making Championship-focused The Golden Spurtle and Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize recipient Cutting Through Rocks all claimed the runner-up spots. Sydney Film Festival Audience Award Winners Australian Feature Winner: Lesbian Space Princess Runner up: Birthright Australian Documentary Winner: The Raftsmen Runner up: The Golden Spurtle International Feature Winner: All That's Left of You Runner up: DJ Ahmet International Documentary Winner: Prime Minister Runner up: Cutting Through Rocks Sydney Film Festival 2025 ran from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. The fest is screening via Sydney Film Festival's 2025 Back By Popular Demand bonus screenings at Dendy Newtown, Palace Cinemas Norton Street and Ritz Cinemas Randwick until Friday, June 20. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website.
The summer holidays might be only just over, but chances are, you're already contemplating your big international trip (or trips) for the year. So, we thought we'd do some research for you. Whether you're gearing up to lay down a deposit on a flight or looking for some deskapism to get you through to knock-off, here are ten international destinations to add to your 2017 wish list. We've got magical Indian cities dotted with blue temples, South American wilderness filled with giant-sized glaciers and a World Heritage listed, volcanic island. [caption id="attachment_606508" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dennis Jarvis.[/caption] TULUM, MEXICO The world's biggest natural aquarium, Mayan ruins atop a 13-metre high cliff, wild jungles, white sands on the edge of the Caribbean... Tulum is the kind of place people visit and drive their friends mad talking about when they get home. Stay in a traditional, palm-thatched cabaña just a stone's throw from the beach and linger over cocktails in rustic, waterfront bars. Unlike the touristy areas to its north, Tulum is UNESCO-protected from development, thanks to its limestone foundations and biodiversity. [caption id="attachment_606607" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eva Blue.[/caption] CUBA Fabled land of dancing in the streets, cigars, classic cars and sticking it to the US, Cuba holds mythological status in many a Westerner's imagination. After all, it's been really hard to get to for a really long time. And, now that Fidel Castro has passed away, there's fear that the island will modernise rapidly. Should you make it this year, be sure to wander along Havana's multi-coloured Malecón boulevard meeting poets and philosophers, get lost in the winding alleyways of Camaguey and laze about on Cuba's stunning beaches. [caption id="attachment_606606" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bernd Thaller.[/caption] MONGOLIA If you love wide open spaces, four-legged beasts running free, sleeping in gers and calligraphy, then make Mongolia your destination. It's in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, that you'll come across galleries dedicated to the mighty pen and, while you're there, be sure to catch a spot of throat singing and a contortionist show or two — Mongolia's are among the best in the world. Next up, head into the Gobi Desert's 1.3 million square kilometres, where you can experience daily life with a nomadic family and drink airag, an alcoholic spirit comprised of fermented horse milk. [caption id="attachment_606604" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Norton Ip.[/caption] SOUTH KOREA Your first reason to swing by South Korea is Jeju, a World Heritage-listed volcanic island, where former lava tubes have turned into some of the biggest caves on the planet. There are hiking trails a-plenty and a bunch of pretty, pretty swimming holes. For a startling contrast, spend the other half of your holiday among Seoul's ten million residents, drinking makgeolli (a sweet rice wine), checking out traditional arts and crafts at the Gahoe Museum, strolling around 600-year-old Bukchon Hanok Village and taking five in a tranquil tea house. [caption id="attachment_606611" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Shannon Connellan.[/caption] HONG KONG Foodies, this one's for you. To make the most of your trip, be there between October 26 and 29, 2017, when the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival takes over the city. You'll be sampling your way through more than 300 stalls, offering gustatory delights of all kinds — from single malt whiskeys to handmade cheeses. Take matters further by booking yourself in for a master chef-prepared, multi-course feast, with matching wines. Equally abundant is Hong Kong's contemporary art scene. Make your way to Kowloon to see the best of it, where a massive, new cultural precinct is under construction, or, if you're after something a little unexpected, take a hike on the lush Lamma Island. [caption id="attachment_606601" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Umesh Gopinath.[/caption] RAJASTHAN, INDIA India's biggest state, found in the country's northwest, gives you 342,000 square kilometres of intense sights, sounds and smells. Jaipur, the capital, is an established tourist destination worth dropping by, but we recommend focusing on some of the smaller cities. To meet artists and reminisce over Octopussy, get yourself to Udaipur (also known as the Venice of the East). To see one of the biggest completely preserved fort cities in the world, check out World Heritage-listed Jaisalmer. And to mix with mystics among blue temples and the humming of Hindu prayers, stay in Pushkar. Then, of course, there's the famous blue city of Jodhpur, with its labyrinthine, medieval streets. [caption id="attachment_606509" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Miguel Mansilla.[/caption] PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA Prepare to feel like a character out of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Patagonia's one million square kilometres are filled with titanic landscapes. Make your first stop Glaciar Perito Moreno, a 30-kilometre long, five-kilometre wide, 60-metre high kingdom of ice that moves at a rate of two metres per day, causing colossal icebergs to crash into a nearby channel. After that, head to Parque Nacional Los Alerces, to wander among pristine creeks, sparkling lakes and lush mountainsides, and meet a 4,000-year-old tree species. Meanwhile, along the coastline, you'll be treated to epic whale shows, dolphins, seals and penguins — all year round. [caption id="attachment_606609" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Harshil Shah.[/caption] BRISTOL, UK Keen to experience the UK's vibrant music and arts scene, but not so keen on shoving your way through crowds in London? Skip the capital and go straight to Bristol. Found in England's southwest, on the River Avon, this 500,000-person city punches well above its weight when it comes to all things cultural and maintains a laidback, friendly atmosphere. If you can, time your vacation with the epic Bristol Harbour Festival, which takes over the waterfront from 21-23 July 2017, bringing free music, dance, circus performances, live art, food, drink and more. Any time of year, you'll get excellent coffee at Small Street Espresso and tasty vegetarian food at Roll for the Soul, a not-for-profit, community cafe, bike workshop and event space. [caption id="attachment_534322" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Peter Saw.[/caption] TOULOUSE, FRANCE Another alternative European city to add to your itinerary is Toulouse. Despite being the fourth biggest city in France, it's yet to become a tourist hot spot, so you can walk around art galleries without bumping into people. What's more, it's the nation's festival capital, which means that, during summer, rarely a weekend goes by that public spaces aren't packed with dance, live music or theatre. Be sure to explore Les Abattoirs (an ex-slaughterhouse turned contemporary gallery), the Musee des Augustins (an ex-convent seized by revolutionaries in 1793) and Marché Victor Hugo, the biggest of Toulouse's 13 food markets, crowded with local produce and wine-tasting opportunities. You'll find more Toulouse tips over here. [caption id="attachment_606610" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tim Sackton.[/caption] BOSTON, USA Already visited NYC, LA and San Fran? Looking for a new place to explore in the US? We present, Boston. Found on the east coast of Massachusetts, this 700,000-strong city is legendary for its love of learning, innovation, ideas and the arts, partly because it's where you'll find Harvard Uni. If you're into American history, take the Freedom Trail, which carries you through the leadup to the War of Independence. For cracking Italian restaurants, hit the North End. And, when you're ready to go further afield, set sail for the Boston Harbour islands.
Not everyone is a sports fan, but if you like live tunes, the Australian Open should still be on your radar even if you care little about on-the-court action. Only one music event in the world takes place as part of a Grand Slam, and that's AO Live. On the lineup for 2025's iteration: none other than Kesha, Armand Van Helden, Kaytranada and Benson Boone. Game, set, match, music: that's what's on offer when the Australian Open returns in January 2025 with two jam-packed weeks of tennis, plus a few aces for music lovers in the form of its three-day festival. It was back in 2023 that the annual Melbourne sports event launched the AO Finals Festival, getting a heap of talents taking to the stage. Unsurprisingly proving a hit, the fest returned in 2024, and will now be back again in 2025 under a new name. [caption id="attachment_975223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendan Walter[/caption] The venue: John Cain Arena, where AO Live will run from Thursday, January 23–Saturday, January 25. 2025's version features the event's biggest lineup so far — and while only the headliners have been announced at the moment, there's special guests to come. The fest kicks off with Boone on the Thursday, followed by Kaytranada on the Friday. Both days will span 5–9pm. Come Saturday, coinciding with the women's finals, Kesha will make her first visit to Australia in seven years, joined by Van Helden. Wrapping up AO Live, the day will kick off at 2pm and finish at 7pm. Expect plenty of company, with the 2023 fest selling out, then 2024's moving venues to John Cain Arena to take advantage of its 10,000-person capacity. AO Live ticketholders will also get a ground pass to the Australian Open, so you can watch the tennis as well as catching live tunes. As always, there'll be scores of food and drink pop-ups scattered throughout Melbourne Park, as well as big screens showing all the on-court action. AO Live 2024 Lineup Thursday, January 23: Benson Boone + special guests Friday, January 24: Kaytranada + special guests Saturday, January 25: Kesha Armand Van Helden + special guests AO Live hits John Cain Arena, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne, from Thursday, January 23–Saturday, January 25, 2025. For tickets from Thursday, October 10, 2024 and more information, head to the festival website. AO Finals Festival images: Ashlea Caygill.
As we all well and truly know by this point in the year, 2020 has already delivered plenty of horrors. But, even with a pandemic spreading across the globe, it's still time for the spooky celebration that is Halloween — and the Victorian Government has announced how the state's residents can take part when Saturday, October 31 rolls around. Obviously, there's little that's normal about this year's Halloween. But if you're keen to go trick-or-treating — or you have some littlies that'd like to — the government has advised that you can. It'll need to be a completely contactless affair, though; you can't go knocking on people's doors, for instance, but they can leave candy outside for you to collect. The full Victorian Government Halloween guidelines are available on the Department of Health and Human Services website, but they largely apply the state's existing rules — even reflecting recent changes, including those that've come into effect this week — to the occasion. For example, for those doing the moseying around in costume, you can't gather in an outdoor public space in groups larger than ten. You'll also need to keep at least 1.5 metres between you and anyone you don't live with, and you'll have to wear a mask. Even if your costume has one built in, you'll still need to wear a fitted face mask underneath. For folks keen to leave lollies out for eager trick-or-treaters — because, again, door-knocking isn't permitted — you're advised to place them in bags and leave them on your fence or at your front gate. Communal bowls aren't allowed, as they require everyone to pop their hands in and touch the same food. And before preparing those bags of sweets, the usual hand hygiene rules obviously apply. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1321232751220166657 Melburnians can still only venture 25 kilometres from their homes, too, so if you are currently planning to don something spooky and hit the streets, that's where you'll need to trick-or-treat. The Victorian Government's guidelines do note that "celebrating at home is the safest way to mark Halloween this year". For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Complaining that you don't have anything to watch is impossible in the streaming age. Spending too much time trying to pick something because you're spoiled for choice? That's the current dilemma. With every new online platform, your viewing options expand — especially when Pluto TV has finally hit Australia with more than 50 streaming channels. Up and running in the US for almost a decade, this streaming service is completely free to watch — and, after announcing that it was heading our way, it launched Down Under in late August. To view Pluto TV, all you need to do is head to Network Ten's 10 Play platform, with its new channels built into the existing platform. (Just make sure that you've updated your 10 Play app to access it.) The catch: Pluto TV is a FAST service, aka free ad-supported streaming television. So, just like in the days before anyone had even dreamed up Netflix and the like, or pay TV, you won't pay a cent to watch; however, you will have to see commercials. As well as the cost — or lack thereof — Pluto TV's big drawcard is delivering its smorgasbord of content via channels, rather than just having audiences scroll through hundreds or thousands of shows and movies to decide what to watch. Basically, it replicates the linear TV experience on free-to-air, but via streaming. You'll still need to do some choosing, though, given that there's a lengthy roster of themed channels to pick from. Fancy only viewing South Park? I Love Lucy? Happy Days? Dynasty? MTV's reality shows? Nickelodeon classics? They all now have their own channels. Nickelodeon and MTV fans, you're particularly well-served. If you're keen on the former, you've got six channels to flick between: Nick Classics, Nick Jr, Nick Movies, Nick Rewind, NickTeen and NickToons. For the latter, there's eight: MTV Biggest Pop, MTV Dating, MTV Drama, MTV Entertainment, MTV Love, MTV Reality, MTV Retro and MTV The Shores. Accordingly, tuning into Pluto TV can mean watching non-stop Daria, Pimp My Ride, Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rocko's Modern Life and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Two of the MTV channels — MTV Biggest Pop and MTV Love — are also filled with music videos. Prefer Baywatch all day? The OG Beverly Hills 90210? Getting eerie with The Twilight Zone? There's now a dedicated channel for all of them as well. The list also includes The Brady Bunch, Hawaii Five-O, Merlin, Becker, Matlock, Mission: Impossible (the TV show, not the movies), The Drew Barrymore Show, The Graham Norton Show, America's Next Top Model, Survivor and Survivor US, MasterChef, and classic The Bold & The Beautiful episodes. Also, Moviesphere is your destination for flicks, Haunt TV is on hand for scares, True Stories serves up exactly that, and both Nature Time and Xtreme Adventure are as self-explanatory as they sound. Already up in running in more than 35 markets before it arrived in Australia, Pluto TV draws from the Los Angeles-based company's partnerships with 400-plus international media outfits. This is clearly a great time to be fond of Nickelodeon in particular — Network Ten also recently added a free-to-air channel devoted to the brand, the first in Australia outside of pay TV, separate to Pluto TV's online options. Pluto TV's channels are now available to stream in Australia via 10 Play.
Just about everyone has a friend or relative who would describe themselves as a "struggling artist". For this most beleaguered of professions, the frustrations of the world's most competitive and highly lucrative industry often turns "struggling artists" into "failed artists". Pippin Barr, one such dejected artist, has found a most unusual way of channelling his grievances and disillusionment with the art world: a part-personal, part-satirical, and entirely addictive online video game, Art Game. The monochromatic, 8-bit game takes place in the cutthroat, dog-eat-dog world of the New York City visual art scene. Players choose between three contemporary artists as their avatar: minimalist painter Cicero Sassoon (with his reference-heavy name), Russian sculptor Alexandra Tertanov, and video artists William Edge and Susan Needle. Within a style of gameplay modelled on the classic video games of Snake, Tetris, and Space Invaders, your task is then to create a piece of art worthy of display in an upcoming show at New York's legendary Museum of Modern Art. Your path to artistic glory is a far from smooth one, however, as before you can have your work showcased you must get past the deliciously snooty MoMA curator. The curator's selection of which of your artworks (if any) make the cut seems to be based on a fairly arbitrary and even random set of criteria, in a quite pointed dig at how "good art" is selected and endorsed within the art scene, with decisions handed down in a series of cliche-enriched tirades (another beautiful touch from Barr). The game is filled to the brim with knowing references to the art scene, from the inane chatter of the MoMA visitors to the stereotypical studio apartments of the artists. It is these details that transform the game from not simply being a form of light-hearted procrastination but also a very clever and totally unique piece of satire. The surprisingly heartbreaking experience of being told that your work is not up to scratch provides a fresh understanding of just how brutal and controlled the art scene can be. To see if you have what it takes to be counted amongst New York's artistic elite, click here to play Art Game. Via Hyperallergic.
It's bright, bouncy, witty and fun, but Bob's Burgers isn't a show to just watch casually while you're doing other things. Unless you give it your full attention, you might miss the details — every line of the hit animated sitcom's delightful food-themed songs, and each one of its culinary puns, too. Both help tell the story as much as the ordinary dialogue. Take the latest trailer for The Bob's Burgers Movie, for instance. It serves up another sneak peek at TV's favourite burger-slinging family on their first-ever cinematic jaunt, following the last trailer drop back in January. And, in a moment that has happened in every single small-screen episode or thereabouts, the chalkboard inside the Belcher family's burg joint sports a glorious and fitting gag. On the menu and in the movie, everything is stuck between a broc and a chard place. Set to hit cinemas in May, The Bob's Burgers Movie sees Bob Belcher (H Jon Benjamin, Archer) and his nearest and dearest facing two big dilemmas: financial troubles, and also a ruptured water main that causes a huge sinkhole right in front of the store. But that isn't all that the film promises to dish up, with a mystery that only Belcher kids Tina (Dan Mintz, Veep), Gene (Eugene Mirman, Archer) and Louise (Kristen Schaal, What We Do in the Shadows) can solve also part of the fun. This flick has been a long time coming — and not just because the series it springs from has been on the air for a whopping 12 seasons now. The Bob's Burgers Movie was originally due to reach the big screen back in mid-2020, but the pandemic got in the way. Think of it as the movie version of IRL supermarket shortages. Thankfully, 2022 is here, and The Bob's Burgers Movie is a real thing that we'll all get to feast our eyeballs on soon — before winter hits, in fact. And if your appetite for a movie-length musical comedy-mystery-adventure flick about the Belchers wasn't already ravenous, it will be after watching the latest trailer. Also, The Bob's Burgers Movie does something that no other episode of the show has been able to do so far. That'd be offer a solution to the feeling that every fan has felt more than once: not wanting this colourful, hilarious and engaging animated meal to end when you're binging through it in 20-minute episode blocks. Check out the new trailer for The Bob's Burgers Movie below: The Bob's Burgers Movie will open in cinemas Down Under on May 26, 2022. Images: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Did you miss out on the mid-year trip to Europe? You need not worry, because the team behind vibey Italian restaurant Marameo has announced their plans to bring an Athenian-inspired drinking and dining destination to Melbourne. Mark your calendars, Bar Sophia is set to open on Burke Road in Central Park village this November. Michael Badr of Marameo, who visits Greece often to see his wife Sophia's family, says "Athens has changed so much in the past decade, there's a real vibe to it right now… we're hoping to bring back a little of that energy and flavour, and create the kind of place we'd be proud to call our local." Inspired by an enviable two-month research trip to Greece, Executive Chef Nicholas Deligiannis (of Mid Air) will create seasonal menus using a central woodfire hearth. Baked sheep's curd with spinach and silverbeet might be served alongside charred squid with smoked red pepper , and charry whey flatbread with whipped cod roe. Larger plates are set to include the likes of Cretan-style braised lamb and orzo with saffron and Moreton Bay bugs. The new venue will consist of an intimate dining room, a 12-seat no-bookings bar, and a wine wall where locals can pick up a bottle to go. Badr hopes the space will be "familiar and welcoming—the kind of place you can swing by a few times a week and settle in however you like." Anthology Studio has designed the venue to help achieve this vision, with walnut timber, smoky mirrors, exposed brick, chocolate velvet and burgundy tones creating an inviting and comforting space. Taking the lead on all things wine is Steve Kimonides (the Rocket Society, Il Bacaro), whose extensive knowledge is built on a whopping 13,000kilometres of vineyard-hopping across Greece's mainland. The hefty wine list will feature wine varieties such as Saviatano, Assyrtiko and Xinomavro, and wine-based spirits served over ice or in a cocktail, such as grappa, ouzo and tsipouro. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen. Follow @barsophia.melbourne on Instagram to be the first to hear further details, or join the newsletter today.
In an art gallery next to a river in a nation girt by sea, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art has water on its mind. That's hardly surprising — given the current impact of climate change in Australia, the recent lack of rain, and the widespread drought and bushfires, water should be a constant topic of contemplation for us all — but GOMA is pondering the subject in a distinctive and creative manner. As part of an exhibition simply entitled Water, the South Bank spot has filled its walls, halls and floors with pieces that examine the role of H20 in our lives. Water's importance to both humanity and the planet that we call home can't be underestimated, so this stunning showcase often goes big. It's impossible to ignore the eponymous substance when you're walking up and down a riverbed made out of 100 tonnes of rock, for example — or staring at animals of all shapes, sizes and species as they share a drink around a room-sized water hole. While art-lovers can't splash around in water itself, they can observe and interact with H20 in a variety of forms. A sculpture made out of foam from soapy water ebbs and flows thanks to natural forces, while a real-life snowman earns pride of place — in an industrial freezer to keep it safe from our sweltering climate, of course. Elsewhere, giant bubbles hang from the ceiling, ocean waves rush and crash on a screen, and an enormous blue tarpaulin represents the sea in a disarmingly serene fashion. Also on the bill: one of Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Nets. It's an exhibition designed to wash over you — and whether you live in Brisbane or are planning a trip there soon, it's one to soak in during its five-month run. There's much to see, so we've outlined five huge highlights that you won't want to miss. Let them sweep over you. [caption id="attachment_755179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] RIVERBED — OLAFUR ELIASSON Exhibiting in the southern hemisphere for the first time — and for only the second time ever — Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed is an astonishing work. Recreating an Icelandic stream using more than 100 tonnes of rock seems so simple, but this piece is enormous in several senses of the word. Firstly, it fills a cavernous space at GOMA that has previously hosted entire exhibitions (the recent Quilty showcase, for example). Sloping upwards, and with an actual trickle of water snaking through its centre, it's also monumental in its impact. Treading over all those stones isn't easy, and requires ongoing thought and navigation. That means that you're constantly interacting, contemplating and engaging with the Berlin-based, Danish-Icelandic artist's creation — and its statement on the state of the natural world — both physically and mentally. Wearing flat, comfortable shoes is recommended, obviously. [caption id="attachment_755182" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] THE FACT OF THE MATTER — WILLIAM FORSYTHE The second of Water's big interactive pieces (and the second to require sturdy shoes), The Fact of the Matter treats visitors to a workout. The gymnastic sculpture is made of suspended rings hung at different heights, and encourages patrons to jump on and climb through. A word of warning, though: you'll need considerable co-ordination and core body strength to do so. In fact, GOMA doesn't expect that many people will actually make it all the way across this eye-catching piece by William Forsythe — which is partly its point. When folks attempt the immensely active feat, they move through the artwork with a sense of flow, and are forced to think carefully about each step and pathway. It mightn't have been immediately apparent otherwise, but this installation boasts a plethora of parallels with water — including encouraging everyone to get creative about solutions, and to realise their place in a unified system. [caption id="attachment_755177" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] HERITAGE — CAI GUO-QIANG Displaying at GOMA for the second time after its initial 2013 run, Cai Guo-Qiang's Heritage is another of Water's pieces that isn't done enough justice by a mere description. Inspired by the artist's trip to North Stradbroke Island in 2011, the artwork features animals lined up around a water hole, all sharing a drink, with zebras standing side by side with pandas — and other such unlikely combinations. Although smaller than its previous version, this new iteration still features 45 critters peering into a blue pond, and leaves a firm imprint. Visitors can walk around the perimeter, peer at it from different angles, sit and ruminate, and watch out for the drop of water that falls from the roof periodically, causing small but noticeable ripples in this otherwise peaceful utopian scene. [caption id="attachment_755192" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Peter Fischli. Switzerland, b.1952. David Weiss. Switzerland, 1946-2012. Snowman 1987/2019 (installation view, GOMA). © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Zürich 2019. Courtesy: Sprüth Magers, Berlin/London/Los Angeles; Matthew Marks, New York/Los Angeles; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich. Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.[/caption] SNOWMAN — PETER FISCHLI AND DAVID WEISS Like much in Water, Snowman takes a straightforward concept and turns it into a thoughtful and impactful piece of art. Great creative works have always done that — the Mona Lisa is just a portrait, and Andy Warhol's pop art thrives on repetition, for example — and this playful piece delights and intrigues in a powerful way. Yes, it looks adorable, no matter whether its smile is firm or drooping. When you're looking at a snowman that's clearly out of its element, however, you're made to think about how it's out of place and what it represents. There's no avoiding the fact that, as the planet warms, the humble snowman's habitat is decreasing. Staring at three balls of snow housed in an industrial freezer and set against Brisbane's warm climes — with trees, greenery, the river and plenty of sunlight all visible behind the artwork — will do that. [caption id="attachment_754792" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] David Medalla. Philippines / United Kingdom. b.1942. Cloud Canyons No.25 (installation view) 1963/ 2015. Plexiglass tubing, motor pumps, porous stones, wood, water, detergent / Six tubes: 300 x 20cm (diam.), 250 x 20cm (diam.), 200 x 20cm (diam.), 150 x 20cm (diam.), 100 x 20cm (diam.), 50 x 20cm (diam.); basin: 200cm (diam.). © David Medalla. Pictured: Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia. Purchased 2014. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation.Collection: QAGOMA. Photograph: Natasha Harth.[/caption] CLOUD CANYONS — DAVID MEDALLA There's a hypnotic rhythm to Cloud Canyons, the vibrant sculpture by David Medalla. Inspired by the weather in general and clouds specifically, it flexes and shuffles ever so slightly, but every breath-like movement is still noticeable. Given what the piece is made out of, its shifting form is to be expected. Piping detergent foam through plexiglass tubes will have that effect (and so will setting the white substance against a stark black background). Designed to represent a small part of a huge cycle, the soapy bubbles push up and down, twist around, then puddle and evaporate, with the temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and gravity all influencing their behaviour. Getting entranced by it is only natural, really. Water is on display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, South Bank, until April 26, 2020. For further information, visit the gallery website. Top images: Water. Exhibition no.2019.26. Organisation: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). Start date: 7 December 2019. End date: 26 April 2020. Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Level 1. Installation views.
It's a great time to be a movie buff in Melbourne — and it's going to get even better in the next few years. While the city's weather might be famously unpredictable, new cinema announcements have been proving the opposite. Every few months, another one pops up. This time, Brunswick is in the hot seat thanks to the forthcoming Sparkly Bear Cinemas. Slated to set up shop on Weston Street near the suburb's Barkly Square shopping centre by 2020 — and set to give Melburnians a great example of spoonerisms at play — it'll boast a ten-screen set-up thanks to the folks behind the Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick, Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn and Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave. As well as the usual movie screenings, the site will include a rooftop cinema for sultry summer viewings, as well as a live performance space that'll host gigs, comedy and other performances. A new dining precinct is also part of the complex, which is currently subject to town planning approval, with the foodie part of the project shining a spotlight on local makers. For those counting at home (while waiting for more out-of-home film viewing options), that makes 51 new cinema screens over five sites that'll join Melbourne's cinema landscape in the next three years. Palace is opening a 15-screen site at Coburg's former Pentridge Prison, plus 12 screens at Moonee Ponds. The team behind Yarraville's Sun Theatre are working on a second eight-screen location in Footscray, while Village is building a six-screen cinema in Clayton near Monash University.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear," Buddy (Will Ferrell, The Boys) tells Jovie (Zooey Deschanel, Physical) in end-of-year staple Elf. The musical version of the hit festive flick takes that idea to heart. Debuting on Broadway in 2010, it brings the beloved movie to the stage with a swag of merry songs. Fourteen years later — and 21 years since cinemas first discovered Elf's seasonal fun — Elf: The Musical has finally locked in its Australian premiere. Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall will stand in for both the North Pole and New York City across Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, as Buddy goes on a journey of self-discovery. If you've seen the film, as almost everyone has, you'll know the storyline already; however, unless you've caught Elf: The Musical overseas, including a West End season in 2015–16, you haven't seen it like this before. Buddy isn't an elf, but he was raised by them — and he doesn't realise that he isn't like Santa's other helpers until he grows up. Cue his trip to the Big Apple to discover who he is, and also who he wants to be, as first told in a movie directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau before he helmed Iron Man, The Jungle Book and the photorealistic version of The Lion King. The stage adaptation's Aussie debut comes courtesy of Sydney's most-famous venue and John Frost for Crossroads Live, with the pair serving up the ideal way to get jolly in the Harbour City this festive season (as well as a gift of an excuse to take a festive-season trip to the New South Wales capital if you reside elsewhere across Australia). Elf: The Musical boasts a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (who also helped bring The Producers, Hairspray, Cry-Baby and Young Frankenstein from picture palaces to theatres) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), plus songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (more film-to-stage veterans courtesy of The Wedding Singer). The Australian run is being staged as a concert production, in a presentation designed for Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall. If it's been a while since you watched Elf, the film, check out the trailer for it below: Elf: The Musical plays Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall from Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, with presale tickets from 9am on Tuesday, August 20 and general ticket sales from 9am on Friday, August 23. Head to the Sydney Opera House website for more details.
When a TV show or movie franchise returns years and years after its last instalment, there's no longer any point being surprised. It happens that often these days, with Veronica Mars, Twin Peaks, Star Wars and Jurassic Park just a few recent examples. The latest past pop culture hit set to make a comeback: Sex and the City. Thankfully, as anyone who sat through the terrible 2008 and 2010 movies of the same name will be hoping, the Sarah Jessica Parker-starring series is returning to the small screen this time around. Parker is back, as are her co-stars Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, all starring in a new HBO show called And Just Like That.... The new ten-episode series is a spinoff, rather than an additional season of the existing 1998–2004 program — and there's one big difference. As revealed in the official announcement, the show will follow Carrie (Parker), Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis). That means that the character of Samantha isn't part of the revival, and neither is actor Kim Cattrall, who played her. Parker, Davis and Nixon are also named as producers on And Just Like That..., alongside Michael Patrick King, who worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original (and on the two movies). HBO hasn't released too many other details; however the US network has advised that the series will follow its three main characters "as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s". In America, And Just Like That... is headed to HBO Max, the network's streaming platform. Just when the program will hit and where it'll be available elsewhere (including Down Under) haven't yet been revealed. While you're waiting for the new series, you can check out a clip from the original below — or, in Australia, you can stream Sex and the City's six seasons via Binge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fFNOGU_QRU And Just Like That... doesn't currently have an airdate, either in the US or Down Under, but we'll update you when one is announced.
This could be love: a classic 80s film that's been adored for decades, a new date with the big screen, and a live band and singers bringing its soundtrack to life as you watch. Dirty Dancing in Concert isn't new to Australia, but it keeps returning to tour the country because the movie at its centre is one that audiences can't get enough of. If you're a fan, you'll know which phrase fits: ideally, you'll have the time of your film-watching life. On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey will dance up a storm in the 1987 romantic drama at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. While this event is clearly hoping that you've never felt like this before, that'll only apply if you didn't go to 2022's or 2023's shows. Whether you're a Dirty Dancing in Concert first-timer or returning after seeing it before, you'll not only see the movie — you'll also hit up the party afterwards. Accordingly, as you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most-charming film roles, you'll be immersed in the world of the picture from the moment that you take your seat. Although no one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, its iconic songs will get a workout live, then the musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. Dirty Dancing in Concert images: Zdenko Hanout.
The team behind South Melbourne's Park Street Pasta & Wine have some serious street cred when it comes to crowd-pleasing Italian food. And they're about to expand that fan base even further — now, they've opened the doors to their new restaurant venture Osteria Renata, just a quick hop east in the heart of Prahran. Co-owners Alex Ghaddab and Gus Cadden (Head Chef) have delivered High Street a warm, modern take on the classic osteria and named it in honour of Ghaddab's Polish-Ukrainian grandmother. [caption id="attachment_859742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] There's a sense of generous hospitality throughout, with a comforting, yet imaginative food offering matched by inviting interiors sporting soft olive accents and natural timbers. An onsite pasta lab steers the menu's carb component, as Cadden embraces both the traditional and the innovative. You might find yourself twirling your fork around tagliatelle in a spicy pork shoulder ragu; or vegging out with the porcini, mushroom and caramelised leek quadratti. Give them 48 hours' notice if you fancy trying the statement spaghetti dish, swimming in rich brodetto and topped with half a rock lobster. [caption id="attachment_859747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Snack sessions are well catered, with a strong lineup of antipasti — maybe, decadently crisp gnocco fritto paired with 36-month-aged Iberico jamon, barbecued octopus skewers finished with nduja, and a plump burrata knot sat atop fava puree and drizzled in brown butter vinaigrette. Try an Italian craft brew or a Piedmontese nebbiolo to match. A whole roasted garfish crowns a dish of fregola with pippies and bottarga, and the veal cotoletta features crispy capers and a blanket of pecorino. And the spiced pumpkin semifreddo is as warming a winter dessert as it sounds. [caption id="attachment_859743" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thom Mitchell[/caption] There's a strong Italian lean to the drinks list, where Euro-inspired signature sips rule the cocktail selection, the spritz count is around four, and Italian vino is celebrated alongside drops from Australia, France and Spain. A handful of rotating wine taps will also offer a taste of what's happening with Italian varietals in the local winemaking game. Located out the back, the aforementioned pasta lab won't just be whipping up fresh pasta stocks for the Osteria Renata and Park Street kitchens, but will eventually play host to a program of pasta-making workshops. And come balmier days, the al fresco space between the two buildings will be brought to life as the Prosecco Garden, with room for 25. [caption id="attachment_859748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Find Osteria Renata at 436-438 High Street, Prahran. It's open 12pm–late Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Parker Blain and Thom Mitchell
Shannon Bennett has injected colour and vibrance into the Royal Botanic Gardens' once tired Observatory cafe, reviving the large space as Jardin Tan to create the perfect spot for families, joggers, tourists and Melburnians alike. With prime position overlooking the Shrine of Remembrance, Jardin Tan sets out to please with its multiple dining areas. Grab a snack from the front-of-house kiosk to keep you going as you stroll the gardens, get down to business in the glassed atrium, or sit out the back near the blossoming fig tree on the sun-drenched deck. Any way you decide, it's clear that the space has been designed to maximise the location. It's a stunning space that glistens with colour, glass and a bit of neon — for good measure. With a menu that calls upon a little bit of history and is inspired by the fusion of cuisines created by France's colonisation of Vietnam, Jardin Tan's food offering is just as dynamic. Depending on the time of day, sink your teeth into carefully crafted small and large plates that are bursting with clever combinations. Consider the banana blossom salad, with prawn, papaya, tofu and green mango ($16.50) or the banh cuon, with noodle wrapped pork mince, mint and fish sauce ($14). At breakfast, don't miss the banh xeo (crispy pancake with pork and shrimp; $18) washed down with a Vietnamese iced coffee ($6) for an authentic start to the day. Fresh cakes and croissants litter the main counter, courtesy of Burnham Beeches bakery in the Dandenongs – another of Bennett's newest ventures – as well as a wide variety of daily salads. Recently extended hours also mean that Jardin Tan is now open for dinner seven nights a week, bar menu included. Given summer in Melbourne, it couldn't be better timed. Jardin Tan probably isn’t the cheapest Vietnamese in the city, but it comes close to ticking all the boxes: fresh produce, great location, and decent coffee. If you're after a welcoming space that provides just enough exoticism in its Melbourne roots, this is it.
Since 2019, Netflix's Dead to Me has contemplated endings — starting with a just-widowed woman trying to cope with losing her husband in a hit-and-run incident. Taking a few cues from 2018 film A Simple Favour, the grief-fuelled dark comedy has twisted its way through plenty of chaos from there, including via the unlikely friendship at its centre; however, the fact that everything comes to a conclusion sooner or later has always hung over the show. When it returns for season three on Thursday, November 17, that notion will remain — and Dead to Me itself will wrap up. Back in 2020, after the second season aired, it was revealed that the show would finish after a third and final run. So, get ready for your last swim through its murders, mysteries and cover-ups. The premise, if you missed Dead to Me when it premiered back in 2019: two women meet, become friends despite seemingly having very little in common, and help each other with their daily existence. From there, however, they find themselves immersed in more than a little murky business. Christina Applegate (Bad Moms 2) plays Jen Harding, whose husband has just died, while Linda Cardellini's (Hawkeye) Judy Hale is the positive-thinking free spirit that breezes into her life. They initially cross paths at a grief counselling session, sparking a definite odd-couple situation — which has evolved to feature secrets, lies, complications and cliffhangers galore across the show's two seasons to-date. Season two ended with a big car crash, in fact — and as well as announcing when Dead to Me would return to close out its story, Netflix has just dropped a teaser trailer for season three. Get ready for a glimpse of Jen and Judy in hospital and unhappy about it, as well as a recap of exactly what's brought them to this point. As for where the story will head afterwards, that'll only be revealed when Netflix drops the third season itself. If it's as easy to binge as the first two seasons, you'll know how the show ends quickly. Created by 2 Broke Girls writer Liz Feldman, Dead to Me marked Applegate's first lead TV role since 2011-12 sitcom Up All Night when it debuted. For Cardellini, it saw a return to Netflix after starring on the streaming platform's drama Bloodline — and she also featured in A Simple Favour, too. Check out the first teaser trailer for Dead to Me's third season below: Dead to Me's third season will hit Netflix on Thursday, November 17. Images: Saeed Adyani / Netflix.
Between Saturday, November 24, 2018 and Sunday, April 28, 2019, the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery are bringing the Asia Pacific to Brisbane for the ninth time. Every three years since 1993, the city's major art institutions celebrate the vast creativity brightening up the region as part of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. At the 2018 event — the fifth since GOMA opened, and one that's free as usual — more than 80 individuals, collectives and group projects will grace the walls of the two galleries, representing over 30 countries. Understandably, the highlights are many. View a major site-specific work by leading Chinese artist Qiu Zhijie, see Singapore-based artists Donna Ong andRobert Zhao Renhui turn QAG's Watermall into a new landscape filled with artificial plants, or dive into the water with separate video works by Martha Atienza and Monira Al Qadiri — with the latter not only making the gallery feel like an aquarium, but also being projected onto the William Jolly Bridge for five days. When you enter the exhibition, you'll walk beneath towering sculptures created from nassa shells from Papua New Guinea, while APT9 also features the largest contingent of First Nation artists in its history, including Australian Indigenous art. The massive showcase kicks off with a weekend filled with events across Friday, November 23 and Sunday, November 25, complete with an opening party, talks and performances, with plenty more events scheduled for the exhibition's entire run. Accompanying cinema programs will look at film from the region, and there's also a secret jacaranda garden-like piece called Purple Reign. Sure, the burst of brightness is designed for children, but bigger kids are welcome. Image: Martha Atienza. The Philippines b.1981. Our Islands 11°16'58.4"N 123°45'07.0"E (still). 2017. Single channel HD video (01:12:00 min. loop), no audio. Image courtesy: The artist and Silverlens Galleries, The Philippines.
A former medical centre is the site for Richmond's latest cafe, Jethro Canteen. Sitting on Burnley Street near the Swan Street intersection, owners Billy and Sarah Zarbos have transformed the clinical space with ample use of exposed brick, beautiful hardwood tables softened with cushioned chairs, retro green tiles and lush plants. The pair were keen to create a progressive, yet nostalgic "extension of everyday life and family" in the old, raw, industrial building. This is especially fitting once you know the story behind Jethro Canteen's name. When Sarah was pregnant with their first child, the couple settled on the names Jethro for a boy and Gwenyth for a girl. When Gwenyth arrived the cafe naturally became Jethro — and both keep them equally busy. The whole thing is finished off with some great beats and welcoming waitstaff. Coffee is often the entry point to a café experience and Jethro is (thankfully) a rainbow latte-free zone. It's back to excellent basics here with the Shady Lane house blend and rotating single origin options provided by Wide Open Road. There's also a batch brew, cold drip, a range of specialty teas, and Prana Chai. Also on the menu — without any real fanfare, mind you — is the option of camel's milk in your latte and a roasted cricket Vietnamese salad. Entomophagy, or insect eating, isn't a new trend. It has been a 'thing' in high-end restaurants in North America and grocery stores in the Netherlands for quite some time. Hell, they even grind them up and put them in smoothies just to get that extra kick — we've just taken a little longer to embrace these protein-filled treats here in Australia. Vague recollections of reading a book in primary school called How to Eat Fried Worms abound, but food writers need to be brave — especially as they say bugs are a food of the future. So let's just say the salad is delicious. And the crickets? Well, they give an extra crunch. Head chef Paul Davies is no newcomer to the world of cooking with sustainable and ethical produce. Former co-owner and head chef at Bentleigh East's The Merchant's Guild, Paul was one of only two chefs venues in Australia to work with an urban cultivator and grow and harvest his own micro-greens. Now he's incorporating his penchant for the healthy and the good into his menu at Jethro. But it's not all lean and green — Paul also appreciates treats. There might be a super green salad, a purple kale tossed with pearl barley, roasted pumpkin and cauliflower on hummus toast, and a coconut and almond milk chia pudding, but you can also wrap your chops around dishes like the Louisiana plate with its bacon steak, chilli prawns, guacamole, poached eggs and corn remoulade on toast, and the waffles with burnt cream, roasted pear, Honey Joy crumble and cereal milk panna cotta and sigh in decadent delight at the deliciousness of it all. So whether you're feeling experimental or just want some damn fine food, Jethro Canteen will bring it. Images: Jethro Canteen and Jo Rittey.
Five Points is a beacon of traditional bagel simplicity — it makes the closest thing to a 'real' NY bagel in Australia. Paring down its offering to just bagels and coffee, this minimalist eatery scores full marks in every category. Its rendition of the classic smoked salmon ($11.90) and reuben ($10.90) numbers are dreamlike, and even the slightly non-traditional tuna and sweetcorn ($9.90), and turkey and brie ($11.90) bagels, feel old-school and dependable. Each bready ring is a balanced, chewy and, where necessary, zesty breakfast or brunch. The lovely little cafe floats atop the crest of a hill along Little Collins Street, managing to capture NY deli flavours, while swapping out the hustle and bustle for an air of serenity. Five Points is simply one of the best ways to start your day.
From humble food truck beginnings, Melbourne Greek doughnut-slinger Lukumades opened its first bricks-and-mortar spot in West Melbourne in 2017. Now, it's brought its deliciously chewy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside dessert to Windsor. The second Melbourne outpost will be located on a buzzing section of Chapel Street, dishing up a modern spin on traditional Greek loukoumades. Cult favourites such as the Oreo Balls smothered in white chocolate and served with a scoop of cookies and cream gelato, and the White Nutella Balls — topped with salted caramel sauce and crushed biscuits — will be on the menu, as well as more traditional doughnuts dusted with icing sugar or dipped in honey and cinnamon. New flavours on rotation will include matcha and jaffa, too. Lukumades is not just expanding to Windsor, either. As well as openings in Perth and Sydney, the brand has its sights set globally — thanks to its recent franchising — with stores in the United States and Cyprus anticipated to open by the end of the year.
This is your once-a-year opportunity to show your ma how much she means to you. And there's no better way to do that than with an unexpected adventure. Ditch your usual local on Sunday, May 12 and take Mum somewhere she's never been before — whether that's a boozy brunch in St Kilda, a day exploring the NGV or a ceramics class. All kinds of mums — from artists, foodies and vegans to feminists and fashion lovers — are covered on this list, as is the entire spectrum of budgets. Organising Mother's Day doesn't get any easier. HEAD TO A BOOZY 'SPA DAY' AT THE PUB This year, Mother's Day just happens to fall on Good Beer Week, and the CBD's Whitehart is treating your mum right. It's collaborated with Sydney's Batch Brewing and Poor Toms Gin to bring you Mumosa Day — during which the duo will create boozy concoctions inspired by the mimosa. Each ticket includes a beer, cocktail and woodfired pizza for lunch from Northcote's Primo. Plus, mums will be able to indulge in massages and manicures, and get a goody bag to take home. Live music by local act Let's Vibe will be rocking throughout the day, too. Tickets are $45 a pop, with $5 going toward St Kilda Mums charity, which helps mothers in need. [caption id="attachment_648610" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jared Sluyter[/caption] LEARN TO MAKE CLAY POTTERY TOGETHER If you reckon it's about time your mum started exploring her arty side, then accompany her to this ceramics workshop at the Work-Shop Melbourne on May 11 and 12. The two of you will get an introduction to the basics of ceramic hand building, including the tools and skills to create three pieces from scratch. Leading the class is Tina Thorburn, who owns her own ceramics practice, Clay by Tina. Tickets, at $140 a pop, include three hours of play and all materials, plus added decorating skills like painting underglaze and pattern carving. [caption id="attachment_719907" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey[/caption] SIP COCKTAILS AND LISTEN TO JAZZ IN FITZROY The classiest of mums deserve a jazz-age evening at Fitzroy's The Everleigh. The hidden cocktail den is offering a $49 set menu for Mother's Day that includes three gin cocktails and a special strawberries and mascarpone dessert. There will also be live jazz on throughout the evening, starting from 5pm. Bookings are only required for groups of seven or more, and bigger groups can also reserve the Starling Room. It's a fine evening of cocktail sipping and live music listening that won't break the bank, either. GO OUT FOR A VEGAN DEGUSTATION Lavish mum with health-conscious affection at Serotonin Eatery's Mother's Day degustation dinner. From 6pm on Mother's Day evening, the paleo and vegan Richmond cafe is hosting a mum-inspired feast, including a high-tryptophan menu, free of gluten, sugar and dairy — all designed to boost moods and make diners feel pretty darn good. Each ticket includes drinks, the venue's signature vegan cheese platter, a main meal and dessert. Tickets are around $80 per head, with tables available for up to six people. Book in for a solo evening with just Mum, or bring the whole family. DRINK BOTTOMLESS ESPRESSO MARTINIS AT THIS ST KILDA PUB What says "I love you" and "thanks for putting up with me" better than a boozy brunch session with the family? Show Mum you care and treat her to a hard-earned tipple, at the Mother's Day edition of The Newmarket's weekly martini brunch. For $54 each, you'll enjoy a dish from the brunch menu along with two hours of bottomless frosé, sangria, espresso martinis, mimosas and bellinis, plus beers and wines. Enjoy a feast, spend some quality time with mum and avoid the washing up, all at once. CELEBRATE ALL THINGS FEMALE AT TWO BIRDS' FEMPOCALYPSE We don't doubt that your mum's one of the strongest people you know — so there's no better place to spend Mother's Day than at Fempocalypse. Hailing from Sydney's Wayward Brewing, the female-led event is making its way down to Two Birds Brewing for the second time for this year's Good Beer Week. It celebrates female leaders in industries such as brewing, entertainment, food, artisan goods and music. The day kicks off at noon with brews from Two Birds — Australia's first female owned brewery — along with a full lineup of female and non-binary DJs and live acts, all curated by Footscray's Love Shack Studios. There'll be plenty of food and local makers stalls around too, plus 'brewtoonist' Em Sauter will be in the house. Tickets are only 15 bucks online — a real bang-for-your-buck gift for mum. [caption id="attachment_710223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Ross[/caption] SPEND THE DAY AT THE NGV Chances are your mum has been to the National Gallery of Victoria before, but this is your chance to really make a day of it. If your mum likes fashion, start with the The Krystyna Campbell-Pretty Fashion Gift — it features over 150 haute couture pieces from some of the world's most iconic fashion houses. Think Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Alexander McQueen. Then check out the fresh new collection of contemporary Chinese art from Sydney's White Rabbit Gallery, which features neon, immersive and poignant works from established and emerging artists. When you ned a break, slide yourselves over to the NGV Tea Room for sandwiches and a cuppa. HEAD TO A BOOZY DEVONSHIRE TEA If your mum's the kind that loves a good brew, she'll be pretty stoked to know that she can enjoy one with some scones this Mother's Day. And she's bound to get a kick out of an invite to The Cherry Tree Hotel's Mum-worthy Beer-Vonshire Tea. This one's a beery riff on the classic Devonshire Tea, where the scones are infused with beer and matched to a lineup of Victoria's top ales and lagers. You'll be handed a rose petal brew on arrival before tucking into unlimited scones with locally made condiments. The afternoon event will run from 1–4.30pm and tickets are $30 a pop. Top image: NGV by Eugene Hyland.
If you're of the opinion that the only thing better than a sandwich is a free sandwich, you're in luck. In celebration of National Sandwich Day, Nico's Deli and Toyota Australia have joined forces to give away 200 free sandwiches. Why the collab, you may ask? Because not only is the classic sanga an Aussie staple — it's also the perfect snack to bring on a road trip. But not all sandwiches are made for driving on the road, which is why Nico's has created a limited-edition combo that is packed with flavour and mess-free. Dubbed the Sarni, the sandwich's base is a crusty sourdough that is filled with smoked ham, sweet mustard relish, vine-ripened tomato, butter lettuce, cave-aged cheddar and a soft-boiled egg. And don't worry veggo pals — a meat-free version is available upon request. To claim your Sarni, head over to Nico's Fitzroy location at 10am on Thursday, November 3, where the team will be handing out 100 free sandwiches until they run out. If you miss out, you can quickly make your way to the deli's Brunswick spot at 11.30am, to find the other 100 free sandwiches. If you don't get the chance to get your free Sarni, you can always try the combo throughout the month of November at all three Nico's branches — and nab a cheeky 20 percent off your order by following Toyota Australia on Instagram. Top image: Nico's Deli - Supplied
Australian superhero fans, your must-see movies over the next few years are going to look very familiar. You won't just spot parts of the Gold Coast and Brisbane in Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok, which is due in cinemas in October 2017 — come 2018, DC Comics' Aquaman will also boast plenty of Queensland scenery. What's good for a a hammer-wielding god is good for a water-dwelling hero, it seems (and, given that the Gold Coast has plenty of water parks, it certainly appears to be a great fit). Aquaman will start shooting in early 2017 at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast and on location in south-east Queensland. As well as starring Game of Thrones' star and Port Adelaide AFL supporter Jason Momoa, Amber Heard (who we're guessing won't bring any pet pooches with her), Patrick Wilson and Willem Dafoe, it'll mark the homecoming of Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring and Fast & Furious 7 director James Wan. "This is another huge win for our local industry and testament to the international reputation of our people," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. The Federal Government pledged to provide $22 million in tax breaks to entice the production to come to Australia. Indeed, it's shaping up to be a busy time for the local industry, with the just-renamed Pacific Rim: Uprising also resuming filming early in 2017, and the likes of Kong: Skull Island, The Shallows and San Andreas shooting on the Gold Coast in recent years. It's also a great time to be a comic book movie lover in Queensland. After trying to spot Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston running around Brisbane in 2016, superhero aficionados can explore all things Marvel at the Gallery of Modern Art's upcoming Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe exhibition come April, and then attempt to catch a glimpse of the next effort in the DC realm.
Following iterations in Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo earlier this year, White Night is set to take its after-dark fun to Geelong. The inaugural event is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 and will take over the city's streets, laneways, parks and foreshore. Gheringhap Street will act as the central hub, with a host of art installations, interactive projections and performances spilling out on to the surrounding streets. Many local artists are expected to showcase works, and the festival will also feature 19 original pieces that have not been displayed at any other White Night event this year. The bright and colourful light installations include lanterns, chandeliers and a set of neon angel wings, along with a selfie station that projects your photo booth shoot onto an adjacent building. Musical performances range from jazz trios and opera groups to garage bands and drag queen shows, and the Gordon's courtyard will also host a massive lineup of live acts that'll take the stage throughout the night. And, for the dreamers out there, a wish tree will be installed in Johnstone Park where you can write messages on your phone that will appear on the tree's leaves before disappearing into the ether. If you need a break from all of the outdoors action, Geelong Gallery is hosting the 2018 Archibald Prize paintings and the Geelong Library will be transformed by anime characters. This jam-packed schedule will extend from 7pm to 2am, so be prepared for a full-on night and make sure to book accommodation ahead of time. And don't forget to check out our guide to Geelong's arts and culture to make a weekend of it.
Richmond's much-loved patisserie gem Penny for Pound has officially reopened in expanded digs, just a stone's throw away from its original hole-in-the-wall venue. Known for freshly baked goodies of all sweet and savoury varieties, the new location on Bridge Road boasts a broad takeaway and dine-in menu to suit its newly-acquired space. "We are really excited about our new Richmond store, it's like coming home. Penny for Pound was born with the ethos of supplying people around Melbourne with the best tasting, freshest baked goods, and we are thrilled to be able to continue to do so," says Matilda Smith, Penny for Pound co-founder and trained pastry chef. Penny for Pound's Bridge Road store will bring along all the team's well-known artisanal pastry staples, along with new favourites for Melbourne pastry-lovers to try. Expect rich confit garlic and cream cheese scrolls, twice-baked red velvet croissants and passionfruit doughnuts. The team's infamous salted chocolate chip cookie, ricotta and honey cruffins, plus a range of fruit danishes have also made their way across to the new spot. A rotating selection of toasted sandwiches, a range of salads and hot pies running to the likes of beef bourguignon and a vegetarian Mexican bean are great options for lunch patrons. Images: Supplied. Penny for Pound Richmond is now open at 418 Bridge Rd, Richmond from 7am - 3pm.
"Darling it's better down where it's wetter" isn't just a line that The Little Mermaid fans have had stuck in their head for the last two decades. It's also the first thing likely to pop into the minds of anyone heading to one particular Norwegian restaurant. Now open in the coastal village of Båly in the country's south, Under plunges hungry patrons into watery surroundings, offering more than just the usual scenic vistas. At this eatery, diners tuck into their dishes underwater. As first announced in 2017, patrons feast on seafood under the sea. If you're going to open a space underneath the ocean, you have to serve up the fish, which is just what head chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard is doing. There's just one food option, with a seasonal set menu serving up 18 courses and taking around four hours to get through — with optional wine or juice pairings. Here, however, the surroundings are as much of a drawcard as the cuisine. Visitors descend down three colour-coded levels to sip sparkling tipples in a champagne bar that boasts views of the shoreline, then enjoy dinner in the completely submerged dining room. The latter sits five metres below the water's surface, and is surrounded by panoramic acrylic windows for quite the aquatic view. For those wondering about pressure and safety, metre-thick concrete walls will keep everyone nice and dry, in a structure designed by architecture firm Snøhetta. Describing the space as "a sunken periscope", the building was constructed not only to wow those stepping foot inside, but to fit in with its surroundings. The grey exterior colour scheme is designed to blend in with the rocky coastline, with coarse surfacing that encourages molluscs to cling on. Indeed, over time it's hoped that Under will become an artificial mussel reef. As well as offering quite the place to eat, the project also aims to champion biodiversity, functioning as a research centre for marine life. This includes informational plaques educating visitors about the area, helping to expand not only the list of places you've tucked into a meal, but your knowledge. Bookings are open — start planning your next Scandinavian trip now. Images: Snohetta.
In its very first moments, House of the Dragon's opening episode delivers exactly what its name promises: here be dragons indeed. Within ten minutes, the Iron Throne, that sprawling metal seat that all of Westeros loves fighting about, also makes its initial appearance. By the time the 20-minute mark arrives, bloody violence of the appendage-, limb- and head-lopping kind fills the show's frames as well. And, before the debut instalment of this Game of Thrones prequel about House Targaryen's history even hits its halfway mark, a brothel scene with nudity and sex is sighted, too. Between all of the above, the usual GoT family dramas, squabbles over successors and power struggles pop up. Of course they do. Kicking off on Monday, August 22 Down Under — via Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand — House of the Dragon was always going to check all of the above boxes. None of this can constitute spoilers, either, because none of it can come as a surprise. Game of Thrones' fame and influence have become that pervasive, as have its hallmarks and trademarks. Everyone knows what GoT is known for, even if you've somehow never seen this page-to-screen franchise yet or read the George RR Martin-penned books that it's based on. Also, everyone knows that Game of Thrones was the most-talked about and obsessed-over show on television between 2011–19, and that it didn't exactly go out with a bang when it wrapped up its eighth and final season three years back. Accordingly, trying to recapture past glories was bound to be HBO's main aim in its first step back into this fantasy world, rather than daring to tread new territory. House of the Dragon happily sticks to the saga's basics, so much so that everything you think will happen does — and making a drinking game around it is as easy as spotting feuds, orgies, incest, gore and fraying bonds of blood in the Seven Kingdoms. After green-lighting a different prequel to pilot stage, scrapping it, then picking this one to run with instead — and also making plans to bring novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg to TV, working on an animated GoT show, exploring other potential prequels and forging ahead a Jon Snow-focused sequel series — House of the Dragon is the first Game of Thrones successor to arrive in streaming queues. Its focus: the Targaryen crew 172 years before the birth of Daenerys and her whole dragon-flying, nephew-dating, power-seeking story. Cue silky silver locks aplenty, of course, including cascading from King Viserys I's (Paddy Considine, The Third Day) head as he takes to the Iron Throne over his cousin Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best, Nurse Jackie). She had a better claim to the spiky chair, but is also female. New show, same male-dominated hierarchy and accompanying bullshit. History repeats itself several times over, with Viserys' leap to power just the starting point. House of the Dragon is concerned with the same fights about the throne, but over whether the king's dragon-riding daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Upright's Milly Alcock, then Mothering Sunday's Emma D'Arcy) becomes his heir, or the future son he's desperate to have, or his headstrong younger brother Prince Daemon (Matt Smith, Morbius). No one wants the latter, and everyone around Viserys has an angle. It isn't out of kindness that Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans, The King's Man) tells his own daughter Alicent (The Lost Girls' Emily Carey, then Slow Horses' Olivia Cooke) to cosy up to their ruler at his loneliest. And when Rhaenys' husband Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint, It's a Sin) suggests an option, it's all about tying his Valyrian bloodline with the Targaryens. Even if the word "succession" wasn't uttered every couple of minutes — and it is — it'd be clear that another HBO series has left an imprint on showrunners Miguel Sapochnik (an Emmy-winner for directing Game of Thrones' 'Battle of The Bastards') and Ryan Condal (Colony). If House of the Dragon's key pair had written both GoT's and Succession's main characters and narrative beats on post-its, stuck them on a wall, then rearranged the lot to create a slightly different story, this would easily be the end result. That familiarity and formula is exactly what HBO want, too. Sitting down with House of the Dragon is meant to feel like slipping back into an old favourite like no time has passed, and it does. Seeing recognisable places, spying already-explored character dynamics, revisiting how difficult it is to be a woman in Westeros, hearing names such as Lannister and Baratheon get a mention: that's all part of the comfortable design. Some prequels evoke their predecessors perfectly, while also evolving into their own spaces. One of the absolute best examples, Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul, just finished up its run. From the first six episodes in its ten-chapter debut season, House of the Dragon is content with the initial part of that equation, flapping the same wings and getting the same reaction as GoT — doing what HBO knows will work, and endeavouring to put Game of Thrones' lacklustre ending in its slipstream. Thanks to its visibly hefty budget, as seen in what makes it on-screen (dragons and all), it easily and instantly looks the part; however, House of the Dragon's biggest strength in achieving its main aim springs from its packed cast. New show, similar story, more dragons, thrilling performances: that's also the blueprint — and when it works, it works. Considine, Smith, Alcock, D'Arcy, Carey, Cooke and company navigate been-there-done-that tales, but ensure this prequel do-over never plays like a mere and rote rehash. Considine can bring depth to any part he takes on, including House of the Dragon's Ned Stark equivalent, while Smith ranks alongside Ben Mendelsohn as one of the most compelling actors at playing shady and shifty that's working today. This isn't really Viserys and Daemon's story, though. It's Rhaenyra and Alicent's, and Alcock and D'Arcy, plus Carey and Cooke, are up to that task. Here be dragons, and here be the women forced to deal with more and worse, including their own complicated relationship. Yes, as sure as winter is coming, this is a Game of Thrones spinoff. Check out the full House of the Dragon trailer below: House of the Dragon airs and streams from Monday, August 22 Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Images: Ollie Upton/HBO.
Patient Wolf's name might refer to a cheeky quote from Hollywood screen siren Lana Turner — she famously said "a gentleman is simply a patient wolf" — but it's also fitting given how many of the gin label's fans have been waiting (perhaps not so) patiently for it to open a tasting bar of its own. Having launched the business in 2016, Matt Argus and Dave Irwin have been operating out of a cosy Brunswick distillery, only open to the public on a handful of celebratory occasions. But now, the wait is finally over — and just in time for gin season, no less. The team is just weeks away from opening the doors to its new, much grander, Southbank digs, which comes complete with cellar door, cocktail bar and plenty of room for future growth spurts. In fact, once running on all cylinders, it'll be Victoria's largest independent gin distillery (now that Four Pillars is half-owned by Lion). The distillery's entire operations will be relocated here, with the boys' original 220-litre Müller copper still to be joined next year by another sleek German-made edition with five times the capacity, as output amps up big-time. At the front of the warehouse space, you'll find a warm, contemporary 30-seat tasting bar, where you can camp out, sipping gin with a direct view of where it was crafted. Soft blue tones reference the juniper berry, contrasting with exposed brick walls and a few polished-up industrial elements. Brand ambassador Blake Hall (Jasper's, The Store Room, Fall From Grace) is heading things up front of house. With the bar team, he'll be gently pushing the knowledge side of things, and offering fun workshops and tastings along with top-notch Patient Wolf cocktails. You'll spy an ever-growing selection of vermouth, as well as a rotating showcase of favourite drops from other local craft booze producers. And — off the back of some successful collaborations and barrel-ageing adventures with Cheltenham brewery Wolf of the Willows — you can expect plenty more small-batch experimental stuff to come, much of which will be exclusive to the bar. An oft-changing cocktail list will pay homage to the classics, without being afraid to get a little creative. Settle in with a vibrant snow pea-infused southside, or perhaps a contemporary riff on the clover club. Or, for the ultimate boss move, there's the new martini trolley, wheeled right to your table. Booked by the hour, this one gets you a customised tasting featuring various vermouths and garnishes, a little education, and some tips and tricks to nailing the perfect martini at home. Patient Wolf's new distillery will open at 34–36 Market Street, Southbank in the coming weeks. We'll let you know when the doors are open. Images: Julia Sansone.
The Australian-premiere season of Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show. Trent Dalton's Love Stories making the world-debuting leap from the page to the stage. A serialised live blend of dance and theatre that asks you to binge-watch in person. The return of both Lightscape to make the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens shine and The Art Boat sailing down the Brisbane River. You'll find them all at one place and one place only in 2024: Brisbane Festival, which has just unveiled its full lineup for this year. As fans of the Boy Swallows Universe author will already know, Dalton's Love Stories was announced in advance of the complete program — and now it has excellent company. Securing the only Australian run of Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show, a fashion show-meets-musical revue stage production that features more than 200 original Gaultier couture pieces and celebrates the designer's 50-year career, is an incredible coup for Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina in her fifth year at the helm. Also huge as part of the performance, which is headed to South Bank Piazza: a couture piece by Queensland Indigenous designer Grace Lillian Lee, as chosen by Gaultier, will feature in the Brisbane season. Lee will also unveil her first solo exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace at this year's fest. The overall Brisbane Festival dates for your diary: Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21. For that three-week period, almost every corner of Brissie will play host to the fest, as 1000-plus performances — more than 320 of which will be free, and with 13 enjoying their world debuts — fill the city. Some aspects of the program will get you seated in theatres around town, of course, but Brisbane Festival has always adored taking its roster of performances, gigs, installations and parties well beyond the usual venues. Hailing from Ireland, Volcano might be among the shows popping up in expected digs — at Brisbane Powerhouse — but it's anything but standard. Watching this performance means making a date with four 45-minute episodes, complete with intermissions, in a piece that riffs on a TV sci-fi thriller. Lightscape and The Art Boat are no strangers to Brisbane, with both making a 2024 comeback to dazzle iconic areas of the city with light and colour. On the latter, DJ sets will provide the soundtrack, while Briefs Factory and a range of other artists will be in the hot seat with burlesque, drag and circus performances. Firmly new not just to the Queensland capital or Brisbane Festival but to the world is opera Straight from the Strait, which is about the seven kilometres of railway track put down in a single 1968 day by Torres Strait Islander workers — and yes, it's a true story. Also enjoying its global debut is Lighting the Dark by Dancenorth Australia, in collaboration with Chris Dyke. The latter, a performer and choreographer living with Down Syndrome, has weaved his love of Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury into what promises to be a heartfelt presentation. Kitchen Studio from artist Elizabeth Winning is yet another certain highlight, acting as an installation by day and hosting small guests for a sensory experience by evening. Still getting interactive, Adrift tasks its audience with playing a role in a participatory theatre work — following instructions received via headsets — that's a mix of a mystery and a game. The standouts keep coming, including Big Name, No Blankets, which celebrates Warumpi Band across two nights of concerts, as inspired by founding member Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher's stories; Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent, as featuring 400-plus drones to tell a First Nations story above the city; GRIMM, with Shake & Stir switching from 2023's stage iteration of Frankenstein to a show that weaves in Snow White, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood; and this year's round of Brisbane Serenades, complete with events in Moorooka, Northshore Brisbane, St Lucia, Kuraby and Victoria Park. Or, there's the Queensland premieres of Eucalyptus and Private View and — the first turning Murray Bail's Miles Franklin Award-winning novel into an opera, and the second exploring the intersection of disability and sexual desire across a four-room setup. Riverfire, Sweet Relief!'s return headlined by Kelis, the tradition that is the Common People Dance Eisteddfod, Cirque Bon Bon bring Le Retour back to Brisbane: they're all a part of the festival as well, as is plenty more — so whether you're a Brisbanite keen to hop around your home town or an interstater planning a visit, no one will be short on things to do across Brisbane Festival's 23 days. "Brisbane Festival believes in the transformative power of the arts to unite, inspire and empower and my fifth festival program is a creative celebration of this power on both a global and a local scale," said Bezzina about the 2024 lineup. "I am delighted this year to bring leading international artists as well as creatively significant, profoundly inspiring and wholly entertaining works from across the world to our city." "Brisbane Festival remains a celebration by and for Brisbane so when we bring these global works to our city, we create opportunities to spotlight the extraordinary talents of our local artists on the world stage." Brisbane Festival 2024 runs from Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21 at various venues around Brisbane. Head to the festival's website for tickets and further details.
Two years ago, the site at 300 Smith Street, Collingwood was a thoroughly modern Italian affair, operating as Scott Pickett's new northside diner Lupo. Now, after a COVID-related hiatus, the space is set to be reborn with an unmistakable French accent, as the renowned chef-owner (Estelle, Matilda, Pastore) begins its transformation into Parisian-inspired newcomer Smith St Bistrot. Slated to open this summer, the bistro and bar will celebrate the French chapter of Pickett's own culinary training, as well as that of new right-hand man, Head Chef Daniel Southern (Bar Margaux, Vue Group). It'll open from 11am for those chic lunching, sipping and snacking sessions, with a rotating menu du jour showcased come dinnertime. Expect plenty of classic European flavours, across finely-tuned dishes like tuna tartare matched with pommes gaufrette, a chicken and tarragon fricassee for two, whole flounder with gribiche sauce and the classic creme caramel; here done a la Southern's recipe. You'll be just as happy dropping by for a steak baguette and pommes frites on your lunchbreak, as you will be celebrating with friends over an evening of lobster thermidor and armagnac souffles. [caption id="attachment_828038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Southern and Scott Pickett, by Alex Squadrito[/caption] A matching wine offering promises options for all occasions and budgets, favouring local and international winemakers taking a hands-off approach to their art. That means biodynamic, organic, sustainable and natural drops are in strong supply. There'll be boutique beers and a handful of cocktails, too, revamping familiar favourites with a few new-world twists. The space itself has been reworked under the eye of Anthology Studio's Sarah Townson, with rich green velvet and burgundy leather played against exposed brick in a nod to both gothic and art deco stylings. Expect a heady vision of brass chandeliers, antique mirrors and wrought iron balustrades, complete with a spiral staircase leading to a new mezzanine level and second private dining space. Find Smith St Bistrot at 300 Smith Street, Collingwood, from this summer. We'll share more information as it's available. Images: Alex Squadrito
The buzz of January is over and if you need a little motivation to continue with those NYE resolutions, look no further than this activewear sale. Australian clothing company Active Truth is moving warehouses and, to make the move a little easier, is offering 40 percent off sitewide. Active Truth's swimwear and activewear is accessible to beachgoers and gym junkies of all shapes and sizes, with swimsuits, tights, crops, bike shorts and maternity wear all ranging from XS to 3XL. Check out these summery floral tights or this black one-piece swimsuit. As an added bonus, you'll receive free express shipping, so even though we're already more than a week into February, you'll have your new swimsuit at your doorstep before summer ends. Plus, Active Truth is committed to sustainability, supporting the The Seabin Project and making its swimwear from reconstructed recycled fibres, such as discarded fishing nets. If you're keen to snag some new togs, have a look through the catalogue and order before the sale ends at 11.59pm on Sunday, February 14. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Acclaimed the world over — and named the World's Best Gin Producer for two years running to prove it — Australian's Four Pillars has built up quite the following in boozy circles. Since 2013, the Yarra Valley-based distillery has given Aussie gin lovers plenty of covetable drops to drink, including via famed tipples such as its beloved Rare Dry Gin and bloody great Bloody Shiraz Gin. Even if you don't sip the hard stuff, you've heard of Four Pillars. You've also got a mate with a gin shrine filled with Four Pillars bottles, because everyone does. But now, thanks to the distillery's latest range, folks who don't indulge in alcohol can taste what all the fuss is about — and anyone who is having a break from cocktails for whatever reason can keep knocking back the brand's beverages. Meet Bandwagon, Four Pillars' new booze-free line, which'll arrive for hangover-free drinks at the end of June. Those two popular tipples mentioned above, Rare Dry Gin and Bloody Shiraz Gin, have been given the sans-alcohol treatment — after the distillery spent two years getting everything just right. With Bandwagon Dry, the Four Pillars team started with the same ten botanicals that make up the Rare Dry Gin. Those flavours are extracted in a different way for this boozeless version, though, with the oils and flavours from juniper, lemon myrtle, coriander seed and the like gathered using steam distillation. And, each is distilled separately in order to control the flavour contribution and the quality. They're then mixed together with a water base, and combined with steamed and vacuumed fresh chilli to give the not-quite-gin the heat that comes with alcohol — and with a natural fructose from plants for weight. As for Bloody Bandwagon, it starts with Bandwagon Dry. Bloody Shiraz Gin is made with a base of Rare Dry Gin, too, so that process is replicated — but without alcohol. Then, the clear Bandwagon Dry liquid is mixed with shiraz juice, which is crafted with shiraz grapes that haven't been fermented (so, no booze). Basically, forget soft drinks — you only need to drink these booze-free spirits from now on. When the Bandwagon range hits shelves just in time for Dry July, you'll find it at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Surry Hills Laboratory, as well as from BoozeBud, Coles Local, Dan Murphy's, IGA, Liquorland and Sans Drinks. You'll also be able to pick up just Bandwagon Dry at First Choice Liquor, Vintage Cellars and Woolworths. Wondering how to drink both tipples? Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie recommends using "around 60 millilitres of Bandwagon Dry with 100 millilitres of of your favourite tonic. As ever, use plenty of ice and an orange slice as a garnish." For Bloody Bandwagon, Mackenzie says "this is a unique, purple, and slightly sweet alcohol-free spirit that you can use just as you would your Bloody Shiraz Gin. Combine 60 millilitres of Bloody Bandwagon with 100 millilitres of tonic or soda and you'll have yourself a deliciously grown-up, booze-free drink." It's also advised to use a bit more of the Bandwagon drinks with your mixers to help highlight the flavour. And no, Mackenzie didn't initially think a decade back that this is something that Four Pillars would ever whip up. "When we launched in 2013, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would make a non-alcoholic product. But as we've grown older and wiser, booze is not always your go-to and you a need quality alternative. Enter Bandwagon," he said. Four Pillars' Bandwagon Dry and Bloody Bandwagon will be available to buy from the end of June at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Surry Hills Laboratory, as well as from BoozeBud, Coles Local, Dan Murphy's, IGA, Liquorland and Sans Drinks. You'll also be able to pick up Bandwagon Dry at First Choice Liquor, Vintage Cellars and Woolworths.
Those who've ever worked in hospitality or retail — or any another other casual job — will recognise this scenario: you wake up with a sniffly nose and either go to work and risk getting your coworkers sick or stay home and don't get paid. While working "just a little bit sick" before the pandemic was frowned upon, now it's a huge no-no. At the moment, Melburnians who must isolate because of COVID-19, and aren't entitled to paid sick leave, special pandemic leave or other income support, can receive a one-off $450 test isolation payment or a $1500 worker support payment — but these are temporary. To help support casual workers in the long-term, the Victorian Government has today, Monday, November 23, announced an Australian first: a two-year trial of paid sick and carers leave for those with insecure work. Called Secure Work Pilot Scheme, the State Government-funded trial will provide up to five days of sick and carers leave at the national minimum wage ($19.84 per hour) to workers in industries such as cleaning, hospitality, security, supermarkets and aged care. Those in eligible occupations, which are set to be finalised after consultation with workers and unions, will be able to pre-register for the pilot. It's set to be rolled out in two phases over two years, commencing in late 2021 or early 2022. [caption id="attachment_760171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Announcing the scheme today, Premier Daniel Andrews said: "When people have nothing to fall back on, they make a choice between the safety of their workmates and feeding their family. The ultimate decision they make isn't wrong – what's wrong is they're forced to make it at all." Andrews acknowledged that the trial would not "solve the problem of insecure work overnight" but that it was a start. Earlier on in Melbourne's second wave — when the number of new daily cases rose to 687 — Andrews said that people working instead of isolating was "the biggest driver of transmission" and that insecure work was "the structural weakness in our economy". According to the ABC, Australia has the third highest rate of insecure work among developed countries and 37 per cent of Australian employees did not have access to paid leave entitlements in the lead up to the pandemic Victoria's Secure Work Pilot Scheme is set to be rolled out in late 2021 or early 2022. To find out more, head to the Victorian Government website. Top image: Julia Sansone
