In October 2024, Melbourne's southeast scored a huge Asian-fusion restaurant and bar — Chicki Chan — thanks to Johnny Jong and Kelvyn Yeoh. Jong is running the back of house as Director, leaning on his hefty 28-plus years experience to create this venture — having worked as Executive Chef at both Crown Sydney and Lucas Restaurants. And he has enlisted the help of Yeoh to run the kitchen, who's also worked at Crown and Lucas Restaurants — overseeing venues like Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Yakimono, and Grill Americano. With such impressive credentials, you can't help but have high expectations for the duo's own restaurant. Similar to Lucas Restaurants venues (where the duo previously worked and seem to have gained inspiration), Chiki Chan is big on the vibes, decking out the two-storey space with a long bar backed by wave-like walls (plus another bar in the room out back), neon artwork, polished concrete floors, screens showing futuristic videos, and pumping music. They have clearly learned a few things from the one and only Chris Lucas, making the space ooze cool. When it comes to food, you can expect an eclectic mix of Asian-fusion eats — think Italian-style burrata with Szechuan chili oil, fennel jam and macadamias; crispy barramundi with an Asian remoulade, jalapenos and palm sugar sauce; and a coconut chantilly served with strawberry conssomme, Thai basil oil and raspberry sorbet. Set menus are also on the docket — a necessary addition to any restaurant these days — which cost an easy $55, $65 and $85 per person. As expected, Asian-inspired cocktails make it onto the menu alongside Aussie wines and beers on tap, either found in the restaurant or adjoining Hiki Bar. At the cocktail bar, you can also find a tapas-srtyle food offering to appease the sip and snack crowds and those waiting for a table in the main dining room. Jong and Yeoh are ticking all the right boxes with Chiki Chan, clearly understanding how to stand out (while also fitting in enough as to not scare off customers) within Melbounre's highly competitive hospitality industry.
Near the 24-hour florist and the steeply priced milk bar, North Carlton Canteen is the sort of place everybody wishes they had as their local. The coffee is good, the menu is inviting, and there is a balsa wood moose head on the wall. The staff aren't bored, ironic hipsters and the service is thoughtful without being smarmy. Lounging at the window overlooking Lygon Street, you can watch trams whiffle past as you tap away on your laptop (free wi-fi!) and play footsies with your companion (or someone else's). There's a long communal table, small wooden tables which can be pushed together to accommodate larger groups, and a friendly buzz not just generated by caffeine. Raw sugar resides in old jam jars, fresh flowers and herbs adorn the tables, and a yellow wire rack of magazines and newspapers hangs next to the moose head. The NCC's food ranges from upgraded counter classics — a waygu burger on toasted brioche ($12) — to rejigged brunch staples like banana bread pancakes with whipped cream yoghurt ($13). The tasty, messy egg 'n' bacon roll comes with house-made BBQ sauce, avocado and rocket ($9.50), and the house specials currently include gooey, cheese-stuffed jalapenos. A side order of hand-cut fries and mustardy aioli is practically compulsory ($6.50). For vegans and gluten-free warriors, there are plenty of options to accommodate allergies, preferences and principles. The bacon is free-range, the muesli slice is made with agave nectar, and the walls are made from recycled wood. North Carlton Canteen is relatively new but fast becoming a reason to visit the floral end of Lygon Street. They even offer portable picnics to eat in the parks nearby. You score two paninis, two sweet treats and two bottled drinks of your choice ($30). You can get enough for four people with a wink of your ravenous eye ($56). Gabi, the lovely owner, plans to add wine to these picnic boxes. Voila! Go grab a bunch of carnations from the open-all-hours florist three doors down, and you've got yourself a perfect lunch date. Just don't bump into the customers enjoying homemade Monte Carlo biscuits in the footpath seating area — this isn't a school canteen, after all, and there's no excuse for shoving. No excuse for not supporting your local NCC, either.
Whether or not you've ever splashed in its wave-filled waters or taken a selfie around its edge, where the pool borders the ocean — or even if you've simply seen images of it everywhere, including sometimes featuring Margot Robbie in Barbie mode — feeling the urge to plunge into Bondi Icebergs is a side effect of watching Ian Darling's The Pool. The yearning to take a dip in your nearest body of water also strikes. Equally radiating from the screen as the Sydney landmark receives a cinematic tribute: the sensation that just by viewing the latest documentary from the filmmaker behind The Final Quarter and Paul Kelly — Stories of Me, you've enjoyed the next best thing to hopping in. Everyone knows Bondi Icebergs, thanks to about as many photographs as there are grains of sand on Bondi Beach, or perhaps more. It's the most-snapped pool in the world, in fact, The Pool notes. Darling's film explores its allure beyond its scenic aesthetic, even if the movie is stunningly gorgeous to look at (how could it not be?) and perfectly set to a 60s-inspired soundtrack. This is a doco about community, and about why one has formed around the haven of blue at the southern end of Bondi Beach that's been welcoming in swimmers for almost a century. Some come to Icebergs to relax. Others come to train and compete. Some head along with friends and/or family. Others arrive solo, knowing that their fellow swimmers are their friends and family. Some do indeed fill their Instagram feeds with photos, and The Pool sees them. But the film spends its time largely observing the immense cross-section of folks who frequent Bondi Icebergs, from daily devotees to casual weekenders, newcomers to veterans, young to old, and lifeguards and swimming coaches to baristas as well, as they congregate, revel in the spectacular tidal pool's gifts no matter the weather and discover a place to belong in the process. That's how Darling overcame what might've been a challenge for other filmmakers: diving beneath the surface of a place that is so instantly recognisable, and for good reason. It's also how he's made a movie that is meditative to watch, mirroring what many of its interviewees say about the body of water. And, it's why The Pool has been getting the love flowing from audiences around the country — not just in Sydney, where it fittingly world-premiered at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival; which "was actually quite emotional, because three of the key characters had died in only the month or two beforehand, and this was the first time that a lot of the audience had seen them again," Darling tells Concrete Playground; not only among swimmers as well. "We've been doing a lot of the film festivals, and so just meeting people all over — after launching at Sydney Film Festival, we went over to CinefestOZ in Margaret River, and then Byron, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Film Festival. Then we've been doing a few pre-cinema release screenings up at Noosa when the triathlon was on, and Brisbane and Gold Coast," the director notes when we chat in the lead up to the film's release nationwide. "What I'm especially pleased about is that we weren't sure whether it was such a Sydney-centric film that it wasn't going to speak to other audiences, but it it's been wonderful seeing that there are so many common themes in it that it's speaking to people not only all across Australia, but to swimmers and non-swimmers. Which I was surprised about. Coming out of COVID, people are still hurting and yearning for a community, and really putting a greater value on any community they're a part of. And so it's had a much more emotional response than we than we expected." "I was especially pleased at the screening over at the Orpheum, where a number of people came up — and a couple of ladies who were very emotional said 'we don't swim, but we're part of a book club. And we feel that you've spoken the same language in terms of what we do in our book club. And we value it even more, it's about community and it's about a shared language'," Darling continues. "I was asking them exactly what they mean. She said 'well, we talk about a book and we could see here people were just talking about swimming'. And the penny dropped, and it made me realise that's so much about what we look for in a community — whether it's a film festival where we're all talking the same language, or a book club, or even at a pool. It never ceases to amaze me how long people can talk about swimming. But it is a shared language, and everyone comes from all different walks of life and they have this common link." Where inspiration strikes as a filmmaker, the 'I need to make a movie about this' moment with Bondi Icebergs, his own first experience with the pool, choosing interviewees, finding the doco's ebb and flow, the importance of community, what Bondi Icebergs both says about and means to Sydney: we also spoke with Darling about all of the above. On Darling's First Bondi Icebergs Moment "I came up from Melbourne in the early 90s, and my wife and I were swimming in the middle of winter at the beach, and suddenly realised how many people were swimming — and coming from Melbourne, I'd never swim in winter. And I was thinking 'how long does this happen?'. I saw this building down the end — and I wasn't familiar with the Icebergs. And I always was intrigued by it. I actually thought that it was more of a private club. Actually, for the whole of that decade, I never went to it. When someone told me that it was a public pool in the early 2000s, I remember walking in and it just blew me away. I suddenly actually did feel like I was in a 60s film, and it was one of the most-beautiful places and pools I'd ever swum in. There are so many pools I've swum in and I don't have any recall, but I remember walking in and just feeling like I was in this time warp, and it was a very positive experience." On When the 'I Need to Make a Film About This' Moment Came with The Pool "I think it was post-lockdown, and I think when we have something taken away from us — we're social creatures and we all realised that that we do need a sense of community. Also having come out of The Final Quarter and The Department on child protection, I wanted to give myself permission to actually make a happy film and a feel-good film, and a film where people could just meditate and contemplate their own life. I was sitting down at Icebergs with a friend of mine, Marg Simpson-Lee, who's a swimmer. And I was saying 'I'm really looking for something which is a connected story about a community that is uplifting'. And she said 'well, what about here?'. And so it was right under my nose. The more I thought about it, I thought 'actually, it is going to give me a platform to tell these stories about community and connection'. So it was as simple as that. I wasn't sure what it meant. And it took us a while to get a sense of how to make it and why we, in the end, decided to make the pool the central character, and let all the other characters, almost like 30 sets of arms and legs, give us context of to what was in there. But I think I was ready myself as well — I think we often wear the hair shirt as documentary filmmakers, and I had to give myself permission to say 'actually, it's okay to make a film where we just actually sit back and think and observe and hopefully feel happy at the end of it'. So that was the the intent." On Digging Into What Makes the Most-Photographed Pool in the World Special Beyond Its Aesthetics "It's a good question, because I think with the notion of it being the most-photographed pool in the world, with that comes all the connotations of Instagram and body image, and all of that. And we almost wanted the film to be the antithesis of that. One of the things we weren't sure of was how people would feel when we were down there with cameras, because people are perhaps at their most vulnerable when they're just in their swimmers. And we were very aware and respectful of it. So we had signs up everywhere, and we made sure, our producers went around, that anyone who didn't want to be in the film could come and tell us, and we'd make sure that they weren't and absolutely honour that. On the first morning, about three people came up and I thought 'wow, this is going to be challenging over the course of the year'. And then over the the whole year, I think only one or two other people came up and said that they didn't want to be in it. So we gained the trust, but it also made me realise that the people down there were actually very comfortable in their own skin, and all different body shapes and all different, all different types. I think that is very different from the notion of it being the most-photographed pool in the world. It was a very grounded experience, and the pool jumps out as something very beautiful — but I think whenever we were there on weekends, we'd see people doing selfies and everything, and we wanted to reflect that in the film but also highlight that it wasn't the story we were telling." On the Process of Choosing Interviewees From the Bondi Icebergs Community "On the website, we did 100 full-length interviews — because we never wanted to make the film about the history of the club, but we thought 'well, let's grab a time capsule of history and get the full stories'. And from that, we got a lot of clues. It was almost like an audition. A lot of the characters jumped out, and the stories. We didn't want to make it a character-based film. We said 'let's make the pool the central character, but let's define them by themes'. So what we saw was the characters were around things like friendship and routine — there are a couple of friends that get there at 13 minutes to seven every morning, and that's a very important thing about commitment. And then there are stories around mental health and physical sickness and endurance, and volunteering and perseverance and fear. A number of the characters were fearful of the water and learning to swim. So it was more 'how do we represent all those themes?' rather than characters. And so the two went sort of hand in hand. We had so many people that unfortunately we couldn't fit in, more because they told the same story rather than not having a great story. And I think that was the thing, as I was saying before, very few people didn't want to be in it but we I think we upset a number of people who desperately wanted to be in it but didn't make the final cut." On the Film's Crew Swimming at Bondi Icebergs Themselves for 99 Days of the 100 Day-Shoot "I think it was an important part. So the only day we didn't swim was the one when the huge storms were there. And I think people at the start of any film are wary when these outsiders come in, and we just we started very gently, but right from the start, we got in. And we started in May when the water was getting really cold. I think that helped with the locals, when they saw that we were prepared to get in the cold water and that we actually swam ourselves, and that we could speak the same language. I've never really asked them, but I know we were always observed — and I think just in a quiet sort of way that that enabled us to get even closer to everyone. But also, I thought if we're making a film at a place like this, if we don't actually get in and enjoy ourselves — because when we were at the homeless shelter, that was a three-year film shoot and that was all hours of the night. And when we were there at three o'clock in the morning, I was thinking 'hmm, we're certainly earning our stripes as documentary filmmakers here'. So unashamedly, we thought if we're doing a fun film, let's enjoy it." On Making a Meditative Film to Match the Mindset That Bondi Icebergs Can Inspire "I think we had two intents. One, sometimes we'd jump into a scene of a storm or the word of the coach and everything — it's quite bracing when you jump in the cold water. But also, the meditative nature we thought was really important. I think we've forgotten sometimes just to sit when we're on top of a mountain, just to look out and not look at our phone. And I thought it's really important for us just to have a feeling of what it's like just to sit and look at the waves, and that it's actually okay to sort of — bored is not the word I'd want to use in a film, but it's actually okay to do nothing. So we have an unusually long opening-credit sequence, but we wanted to play the whole of the Cream song 'I Feel Free' and just get people into the rhythm. Sometimes, I certainly know at the theatre when I'm there, sometimes I go 'wow, ten minutes has gone and I haven't been concentrating'. It can take us a while to get into it, so we thought let's just try and set up the rhythm of the film so that audiences give themselves permission just to sit and get into that meditative state. It felt like it was in sync with the intent of when you're swimming, because we wanted to make it immersive. But also I think sometimes it is good to let audiences — and a number of them have said during those meditative sort of scenes, the swimming or a storm or the purple tumble turns scene, that that's where they're actually thinking about their own place in a community. Or they're yearning for it. And so people have been doing a lot of self-reflection during the film as well, and that's really pleasing, because that was the intent as well." On What Darling Learned About the Importance of Community From Making The Pool "I think it really is that sense that we all need to be a part of a community and we all need to find people that share a common language — and, as I say, it means we can talk for hours about swimming or films or whatever. That, as a community, we deeply have this yearning to connect. And when it's taken away from us, we really miss it. If we haven't got it, we're yearning for it. It's such an important part of — at a pool, our physical health, but I think the most important thing is around our mental health. And as time goes on, we've got to ensure that cinemas remain open as a shared experience and that pools remain open. So many pools are closing, and we're going to do a bit of a campaign to try to get every mayor and council to come to watch the film, and actually see the importance that a local pool has on a community. As I say, so much of it is just around that connection, a meeting point, the importance of being with others. And I think that was very much the intent of the film, just to show how we do have to keep working hard at creating these gathering points, because the health of the community is very much dependent on them." On What Bondi Icebergs Means to Sydney — and Says About It "It says 'look at me', which is one of the things that, coming from Melbourne, where there are different seasons and everything, Sydney seems to have one season and it's sort of saying 'look at me' — which can be positive, but also I can be cynical about it. So that's on the surface, but I think it also says 'have a look below the surface and you'll find something that's far more profound and grounded — and if you are looking for a community, you'll find people with a common language there;. At the outset, it's a shining beacon and a tourist destination. The amount of times we've heard people go 'oh, I've had that swim. It's been on my bucket list'. People like to go to Bondi Beach. They'd like to go to the Opera House. In Queensland they love to go to the Gold Coast or the Barrier Reef. As a destination for Australians, but also as tourists, I think it's very much an important part of — unashamedly Australia has a strong beach culture, and I think it reflects that as a piece of beach history." On Where Inspiration Strikes for a Filmmaker with Documentaries About Everything From Bondi Icebergs, Adam Goodes and Paul Kelly to Capitalism and the Welfare of Homeless Youth on His Resume "Because I've had so many films that have fallen over, answering this way, typically the films that have fallen over are ones where I haven't had a strong-enough contact or connection with the subject matter. I'm a pretty slow filmmaker, most of the film shoots have been at least a year, and we take a long time in the edit suite. And I think to go on that long journey, I have to have a real interest in it. So with this one, The Pool, swimming's my main physical activity. I'm not a member of Icebergs, but I like cold-water swimming, so that gave me clues. With Adam Goodes, I'm a huge AFL fan and I go out every week — and we were thinking before he retired, actually, because he was one of my favourite all-time footballers, of making a film on him in his twilight years. So it ended up being a very different one, but having been so aware of it and been in the crowds when he was being booed, and being there when he was celebrated, suddenly he retired and I thought 'wow, are we going to' — I was just confused — 'are we going to let history be rewritten?'. So it took a few years but it just never left me, I think because I'd had such an intimate relationship with watching him as a player. I hadn't met him at all until we spoke about the film, but he was certainly present. [caption id="attachment_715066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 29th September 2012, The Age Sport, Picture by Wayne Taylor[/caption] And then with Paul Kelly, I grew up in Melbourne — and in the 80s, just the Melbourne band scene was just extraordinary, and Paul Kelly spoke to me like no other sort of musician had. And again, I hadn't met him until we sought his approval, but he was my favourite musician — which can be dangerous, making films about your hero, as such. Then with the homeless, I'd spent a lot of time volunteering at this homeless shelter in Sydney and really got to know a number of the street kids, and just saw that homelessness was totally off the agenda, and felt it was really important to bring it back and try and put it into every home. We got a lot of philanthropic funding to present a report to the government. It's those sort of things, where I've had a connection and felt that I was in a place to be able to tell a story." The Pool opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Some TV shows start with a wild and wonderful premise, such as strange things happening in a small town, teenage girls fighting to survive in the wilderness and solving mysteries across America because you're a human lie detector. Others stick with everyday scenarios, which is what Beef has chosen. So, if you've ever been involved in a road-rage incident, or witnessed one — if you've ever held a grudge against a stranger for a petty reason, too — you'll instantly empathise with this newcomer's concept. In the ten-episode Netflix and A24 dramedy — which marks the latest show from A24 after everything from Ramy and Euphoria to Mo and Irma Vep — Danny Cho (Steven Yeun, Nope) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong, Paper Girls) get in a fender bender, and neither handles it well. Cue a feud that they can't shake, infiltrating their lives and relationships. If their quest for revenge each other just fizzled out, there obviously wouldn't be a series. Part of Beef's ongoing beef stems from a comedy staple: putting opposites together and seeing what springs. Danny is struggling as a contractor and isn't happy about it, while Amy lives a seemingly idyllic life thanks to her success as an entrepreneur. They both share a need to get back at each other, though, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show makes clear. The series premiered at this year's SXSW — the OG version in the US, not Sydney's offshoot to come later in 2023 — before plunging streaming viewers into its faceoff on Netflix from Thursday, April 6. Yeun and Wong also executive produce, while Beef hails from creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin (a veteran of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dave and Silicon Valley). On-screen, as well as Minari Oscar-nominee Yeun and Always Be My Maybe's Wong, the series features Joseph Lee (Searching), Young Mazino (Prodigal Son), David Choe (The Mandalorian) and Patti Yasutake (Pretty Little Liars) — plus Maria Bello (NCIS), Ashley Park (Girls5eva), Justin H Min (After Yang), Mia Serafino (iCarly) and Remy Holt (The Afterparty). Check out the trailer for Beef below: Beef streams via Netflix from Thursday, April 6. Images: Netflix.
There's more than beaches and beautiful weather to draw you to Queensland. The Sunshine State's art scene has become one of the most vibrant in Australia, and 2023 is shaping up to be a non-stop calendar of festivals, exhibitions and cultural events that you'll want to lock in ASAP. And it's not just Brisbane: the quintessentially Queensland beachside towns and rural cities come alive all year long as well. You'll find everything from boundary-pushing urban installations that merge art and science to world-first exhibitions of iconic artworks, celebrations of First Nations creators, new interpretations of classic performance pieces and international music acts satisfying all your boot-scootin' and blues-rockin' needs. Together with Queensland, we've rounded up nine stand-out arts and culture events that warrant a trip to the tropics all on their own. Book your flights and pack your sense of artistic appreciation, culture vultures — the north awaits. [caption id="attachment_876729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aerocene 2 and Aerocene 1.2, Studio Tomás Saraceno[/caption] 'AIR' AT GOMA, BRISBANE Until Sunday, April 23, 2023, the entire ground floor of GOMA will be given over to a sprawling exhibition exploring the ethereal element we breathe — aptly titled Air. Through the themes of atmosphere, burn, shared, invisible and change, diverse artworks will explore this vital, intimate and at times dangerous element that is core to our existence. The exhibition features Australian and international artists, including collection pieces from Ron Mueck and Jonathan Jone, plus commissions from Jemima Wyman and Tomás Saraceno. The artworks address weighty issues like climate change and the pandemic, as well as evocations and meditations on the place of wind and breath in the natural world. Encounter Air through a broad range of artistic mediums, from solid light installations to moving sculptures, the release of scents and art made from breath and pigment. 'Air' at GOMA, Saturday, November 26 till Sunday, April 23, 2023 [caption id="attachment_880980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lizzie Himmel, Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985. Artwork ©️ Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.[/caption] 'POP MASTERS: ART FROM THE MUGRABI COLLECTION, NEW YORK' AT HOTA, GOLD COAST For 15 weeks, the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts (HOTA) will play host to an exclusive, world-first exhibition of pop art. Pop Masters will take over the Sunshine State from Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023. What's on show? Renowned works from the icons of the artistic movement that emerged during the late 50s — the likes of Andy Warhol will get cosy alongside the great Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Characterised by playful, incisive creative conversation with popular culture, these pieces have been selected from the private New York collection of Jose Mugrabi. More than 40 works will span the 60 year history of pop art — there will be legacy pieces from the original artists of the 70s and 80s, and those they inspired up until now. Don't miss the rare chance to see these works in person on Australian shores. 'Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York' at HOTA, Saturday, February 18 till Sunday, June 4, 2023 [caption id="attachment_853020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL ft. CURIOCITY BRISBANE, BRISBANE Open your minds and feed your desire for new knowledge, insights and thought-provoking art at the World Science Festival. Presented by the Queensland Museum Network, the program offers a stellar lineup of live events across STEM, education and art, with activities for all ages and curiosities. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, March 26, 2023, the festival will hit locations through the Queensland Museum precinct, South Bank and the city, before it takes a tour of locations in regional Queensland. Curiocity Brisbane is back too. From Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023, the city will transform into a landscape of wonder, strange encounters and eye-opening experiences, where an intersection of science, technology and art come to life in installations throughout the urban playground. World Science Festival ft. Curiocity Brisbane, Wednesday, March 22 till Sunday, April 2, 2023 [caption id="attachment_878012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] CMC ROCKS QLD, IPSWICH Pull out the cowboy boots and grab your Stetson, Australia's biggest international country music festival is boot-scootin' its way back to Ipswich. Over three days (March 17–19, 2023), Rebel and Stampede — the two main stages — will keep up a non-stop musical program of epic shows. Past years have brought big name talents — think The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Troy Cassar-Daley — and 2023 is no different. Next year's fest is hosting the finest country acts from here and abroad. Morgan Wallen and Kip Moore will be joined by the exclusive chance to witness the Zac Brown Band perform Down Under. Expect yeehaws of all kinds: old-school classic country, alt and pop-country. Camp onsite and come join the good country people for a hoedown and/or hootenanny. CMC Rocks QLD, Friday, March 17 till Sunday, March 19, 2023 BLUES ON BROADBEACH, GOLD COAST Now in its 22nd year, Blues on Broadbeach always draws a lineup of big-name artists and the best local talent in blues, rock and soul to its sunny locale. Ever-popular and packed with fans of good tunes, good grooves and good times, this free fest will run from Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023. Those that've been know the fun they're in for. First time? It's massive: gigs take place throughout Broadbeach, from the seaside parklands to favourite venues, with around 20 different spots for you to catch a performance. Make a holiday of it — stay a few nights, explore the area, eat and drink delicious local things. You're free to get up and dance the trip away, or simply sit on the grass with a brew while soaking in the beachy energy of this seaside blues party. Blues on Broadbeach, Thursday, May 18 till Sunday, May 21, 2023 [caption id="attachment_879295" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Click Photography[/caption] CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR, CAIRNS AND GREAT BARRIER REEF The annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is both a leading ethical art market place and a true celebration of First Nations culture. From Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023, the event provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to exhibit, collaborate and connect with each other and wider Australian audiences. Next year's theme, 'Weaving Our Future: Claiming Our Sovereignty', highlights the crucial point of time we're in, on the edge of wide-scale change, bringing the narratives and lived experiences of Queensland's First Peoples into national discourse and uplifting their voices. The festival is comprised of both free and ticketed events, with stages at the Cairns Convention Centre precinct and other venues throughout Gimuy (Cairns) featuring art, music, fashion, comedy, food, crafts, conversations and more. It's an optimal time to book a trip to the tropical north — sun, sea and a showcase of stand-out Australian art. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Thursday, July 13 till Sunday, July 16, 2023 TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS, SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND COUNTRY Toowoomba will burst into bloom again for the much-loved, endlessly photographable, month-long Carnival of Flowers from Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023. Expect citywide floral displays, tours and activities, from a glorious swathe of natural colour taking over 25 hectares of Queens Park, to the floral floats and street performers of the Grand Central Floral Parade and the private gardens of proud Toowoomba residents in the Chronicle Garden Competition. By night, take a twilight tour through the magical grounds of Laurel Bank Park or explore the illuminated Botanic Gardens. It's not all buds and petals: there are foodie experiences, pub tours, and a food and wine mini-fest of Southern Queensland Country producers — plus music, local markets and a ferris wheel. Explore Toowoomba at its most lush with a trip next September. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Friday, September 1 till Saturday, September 30, 2023 BRISBANE FESTIVAL, BRISBANE Brisbane Festival is the vibrant celebration that hits the city annually, bringing bold art, boundary-pushing performances and installations throughout the city. With a focus on challenging, disruptive and bold art, the popular fest spotlights international, local and First Nations creators and collaborators. Although official dates are yet to be released, it's set to run through September 2023. Expect to be able to head to free events, live concerts and interactive hands-on activities — in past years, there's been Naughty Nights Out, magic shows straight from the streets of Tokyo, all-out block parties, blow-out burlesque performances — even rollerskating. The starter? The famous Riverfire display over the waters of the Brisbane River. Brisbane Festival, September 2023 THE RING CYCLE, BRISBANE There's no opera quite like Wagner's Ring Cycle. Totalling 15 hours, you're in for four nights of powerful, operatic wonder. But even if you've seen it before, we're sure you've not seen anything like the upcoming rendition by Opera Australia. Hitting QPAC from Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023, the production comes from Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng, and brings together performers from here and abroad. The version places Wagner's classic interpretation of Germanic mythology into a futuristic, parallel-universe setting, using digital art to create virtual landscapes. Breathtakingly original, the music is led by French conductor Philippe Auguin, who has headed up The Ring Cycle on numerous occasions. If you're an opera buff or just a fan of fantasy, futurism, timeless tales and truly epic theatre, this is an unmissable cultural event. The Ring Cycle, Friday, December 1 till Saturday, December 23, 2023 To explore more arts and culture events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website.
Let's be honest, interstate trips are the perfect budget-friendly breather. You get all your well-deserved downtime, without the fuss of long-distance flying and complicated international travel requirements. These Airbnbs are perfect for just that — with breathtaking views of cities across Australia for the perfect getaway. If you're eagerly planning day trips, weekend getaways and luscious week-long vacations, check out some of the best Airbnbs for the perfect vacation — or staycation — across Australia. Tamarama Panorama, Sydney In keeping with the beachside neighbourhood's "glamarama" reputation, the views from this home's floor-to-ceiling windows are dazzling. You can walk down your outdoor staircase to the beach, or just lay out on the balcony chairs and enjoy the ocean views from up above. From $700 a night, sleeps six. Harbour Hideaway, Sydney The views from this beachfront apartment and its gorgeous porch are hard to beat. If viewing the golden sand and blue water from above wasn't quite enough, the pad also has beach access. From $500 a night, sleeps two. Opera House Views, Sydney Whether you've lived in Sydney your whole life or you're just popping in for the weekend, this condo's jaw-dropping outlook over the city skyline will make you feel like you're seeing it for the first time. From $258 a night, sleeps four. Bondi Beach Ocean View, Sydney Only steps away from Sydney's most famous beach, this condo is close to not only Bondi Beach but also many nearby restaurants, bars and cafes. But its views will probably have you wanting to stay in. From $400 a night, sleeps two. Single-Bedroom Luxury Apartment, Melbourne Perfectly positioned near The Crown in the heart of Melbourne, you can take in pretty much all of the CBD from the floor-to-ceiling windows in this high-rise apartment. From $160 a night, sleeps two. Melbourne Spaceship Penthouse, Melbourne With windows on the walls and ceilings resembling a spaceship cockpit, enjoy an unmatched 270-degree view of Melbourne. From $258 a night, sleeps two. Breathtaking CBD Views, Melbourne Also conveniently located in Melbourne's CBD, the views from this apartment's bedroom are absolutely breathtaking. From $143 a night, sleeps four. Stylish Waterfront Apartment, Melbourne With utilities such as a gym, swimming pool and BBQ area all available, this property is a peaceful waterfront oasis — and only a free tram ride from Melbourne's bustling city centre. From $150 a night, sleeps two. Million Dollar Views, Brisbane Surprisingly, the real selling point of this high-rise apartment isn't its central location or its nice interior finishings, but the view from the apartment complex's rooftop pool. From $221 a night, sleeps four. Stylish One Bedroom, Brisbane Centrally-located and modern, the skyline views from this apartment and its roof will make even Brisbane locals feel like they're on a luxury vacation. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Riverview 29th Floor Apt, Brisbane Located in the heart of South Brisbane, treat yourself to stunning city views from the apartment, balcony, or rooftop infinity pool. From $205 a night, sleeps three. City View, Perth Slide open the glass doors after a long day exploring the city and enjoy the sunset over Perth from your living room. From $200 a night, sleeps two. Cottesloe Beach View, Perch Just steps from one of the most popular beaches in Western Australia, the ocean views are the star of this apartment. From $410 a night, sleeps four. French Farmhouse, Perth Craving a nature immersion? This pad is for the traveller whose ideal vacation involves forgetting about the outside world altogether. With a foliage-covered courtyard outside its windows, this rustic townhouse will help you forget about the existence of the city centre a mere five minutes away. From $200 a night, sleeps four. Glenelg Beachfront Apartment, Adelaide With arguably the best waterfront views on this list, this apartment gets up-close and personal with Glenelg Beach. But, just in case you get tired of the unrestricted views, there is plenty to do nearby in Adelaide's CBD. From $405 a night, sleeps four. Pearl, Adelaide A cosy and bright beachfront cottage, this recently renovated designer property boasts a sea view that can be enjoyed from the open lounge and kitchen or stone patio that leads directly onto the dunes. From $336 a night, sleeps four. Asri Garden Studio, Adelaide For secluded garden views, check out this tranquil studio inspired by Japanese and Balinese design. It's all about nature: nestled into a secluded garden and designed to incorporate natural materials and natural light. From $200 a night, sleeps two. View Studio, Hobart The best way to end an action-packed day in Hobart? Taking in the epic views of the city's lights from the bath in this Airbnb's master suite. From $235 a night, sleeps two. Tiny House Tasmania, Hobart For those looking to experience the tiny home craze, a trip to Hobart may be the perfect opportunity. This home overlooks the Derwent River and notably features an outdoor bathtub perfect for a relaxing evening after a day spent exploring. From $195 a night, sleeps two. Mountain View Retreat, Hobart If you prefer to get your outdoor fix in the mountains, this cosy mountainside retreat is only minutes away from Hobart — but has stunning views. From $140 a night, sleeps two. Marina Views, Darwin Enjoy this property's stellar view of the marina from its all-day shaded balcony, to keep you out of Darwin's heat. From $180 a night, sleeps four. Harbourfront Escape, Darwin This apartment right on Darwin's harbour will give visitors the perfect taste of Darwin's coastal life: explore during the day — or night — and then returning to the complex's outdoor pool and sunset views. From $189 a night, sleeps two. Opulent Ocean View Townhouse, Darwin Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this townhouse boasts waterfront views in a prime location in Darwin's Stuart Park. Suitable for families or for a private getaway, you can switch off in this spacious stay and soak in the gorgeous sunrises — or sunsets — by the pool. From $481 a night, sleeps eight. 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. Images: courtesy of Airbnb
For over a century now, HOYTS has been connecting Aussie audiences with all the big screen hits they've ever needed, and for the cinema chain's 116th birthday, it's giving a little something back to weekend moviegoers. In every HOYTS cinema around Australia this weekend, all day and night, tickets will be going for just $8, or $25 for HOYTS LUX tickets — now's the time to try watching a movie in recliner seating with cocktails, wine and gourmet food delivered straight to your seat. With 49 cinemas across the country, this is a treat we can all make the most of. HOYTS General Manager of Customer Engagement Brad Eaton said "We're extremely proud of our long legacy in cinema and this weekend is all about celebrating with our loyal guests. Whether you're after a new blockbuster or a fun experience with the family, there's something for everyone so all can take advantage of this exceptional offer." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkgMaS5gbaA[/embed] So what's worth watching? New releases include Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman at their dysfunctional best in The Roses, Austin Butler getting caught in a crime caper in Caught Stealing and Liam Neeson saving the world (absurdly) in The Naked Gun. Not one but two small-screen series are getting big-screen finales at the moment, with Downton Abbey: The Final Chapter and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle both screening this weekend. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAtUHeMQ1F8[/embed] Prefer something to get your pulse pounding? Settle in for The Conjuring: Last Rites, The Long Walk or Weapons. If you've got kiddos in tow, they might be keen for Sketch or The Bad Guys 2. And if you missed any of this year's winter blockbusters — Superman, F1 The Movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Jurassic World: Rebirth are all still wrapping up their theatrical runs. Find your nearest HOYTS cinema and get tickets to a screening of your choice here.
As one of 14 butchers in the Bouchier family, Peter Bouchier has earned the title of 'butcher of distinction', and his store is bound to have exactly what you need for your next important dinner or get together. Over the last 30 years, the business has moved to a number of different spots, but today it can be found on a busy stretch of Malvern Road, Toorak (as well as at outposts at Malvern Central and David Jones CBD). Featuring his own signature style of meat, Peter Bouchier has taken a forward-thinking approach to the business, having acquired a dry-aging cabinet that ensures meat matures in the most ideal conditions possible. Do your Sunday roast justice and head down to Peter Bouchier to stock up on premium quality meats, charcuterie, house-made sauces and stocks, wine and more. Images: Parker Blain.
For anyone born after 1978, it's impossible to imagine a world without Jamie Lee Curtis playing Laurie Strode, grappling with the ultimate movie boogeyman and being one of the OG final girls. Forty-four years ago, the then film first-timer slipped into the role and battle of a lifetime, taking on Michael Myers in John Carpenter's initial, iconic and now-highly influential October 31-set slasher Halloween. The picture, and the part, both launched and defined Curtis' career — and she's returned as the Haddonfield, Illinois babysitter-turned-survivor six more times since. Curtis' on-screen resume doesn't lack in other highlights, of course. Reteaming with Carpenter in The Fog, riding the scream queen wave in Prom Night, winning a BAFTA Award for 80s comedy Trading Places and scoring another nomination for A Fish Called Wanda: she'd managed all that before the 90s even hit. Since then, Curtis has tangoed into action-hero territory in True Lies, dispensed motherly advice in the My Girl movies, swapped bodies with Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday, joined Veronica Mars on the big screen, gotten her murder-mystery on in Knives Out and sported hot dog fingers in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Laurie Strode and Laurie Strode only, she definitely isn't. Still, Curtis and Laurie will always be synonymous. When you keep stepping into a character's shoes for four-plus decades — and when that character is one of the most famous there is in horror movie history, too — that's going to happen. Now, however, the unthinkable is also occurring. Curtis will always be Laurie, but she's also saying goodbye to the constant target of Michael Myers' slash-happy rampages. Yes, Halloween Ends has the perfect moniker for that turn of events. The 13th entry in the Halloween franchise, Halloween Ends is also the third in a trilogy that started in 2018, brought Curtis back to the fold after a 16-year gap and has clearly been working towards closure ever since. Indeed, in this iteration — as directed and co-written by David Gordon Green (Stronger, The Righteous Gemstones), and produced by Jason Blum — Laurie has weathered the pain of being Michael Myers' prey, and worn that survivor's PTSD as firmly as her silver hair. She's prepared to face him down again. She's tried and thought she's won, only for the mask-wearing murderer to re-emerge. She's lost friends and family to the monster, and seen how deeply Michael's mayhem has affected her home town. In other words, she's been as fascinating a horror-film final girl as any movie, franchise, actor or audience can hope for, and she's earned her farewell. With Halloween Ends releasing in cinemas Down Under on October 13, we chatted with Curtis about the series, her legendary character, and what it's meant to earn a part as a teenager and leave it half a lifetime later — plus being not just the final girl, but the final woman. ON THE HALLOWEEN FRANCHISE'S MASSIVE SUCCESS — AND HUMBLE BEGINNINGS "No one knew. If anyone knew, we'd be in Vegas today and we'd be betting money on something because we'd have some prescient idea of knowing about the future. No one knew anything about anything. We were young filmmakers. The oldest person was 30. We were a crew of about 15 people. It was made in 17 days, shot fast and furiously, and it turned into something quite magical. But that's the art of the movies. That's what happens once in a while. I did a movie this year called Everything Everywhere All At Once, which was the same thing. A group of people getting together, 38 days in an abandoned office building in Simi Valley, California — and what came out was this phenomenon, this beautiful movie. No, nobody had any idea." ON RETURNING TO LAURIE FOR THIS TRILOGY AFTER A 16-YEAR GAP "Honestly, the last thing I ever thought I'd do was another Halloween movie. And the phone rang, and it was Jake Gyllenhaal. I was in my house up in the mountains, and Jake said 'my friend David Gordon Green would like to talk to you about a Halloween movie'. And I said 'okay'. He called me, and what drew me back was that David had written a script about really what happens to somebody 40 years after that level of violence and trauma happens to them, and I felt it was very realistic. It was everything I'd hoped H20 could've been, and wasn't. For me it just was truth. It felt like it was truthful. It felt like it honoured victims. It gave a truth to really what happens. How many times do we see a disaster happen, all the news cameras, everybody's camping out on people's lawns — coverage, coverage, coverage, coverage — and then they go away? Then what remains are all these people whose lives have been ruined, and we never see a story about what happens to them ever. I felt like that was what David wrote — a story about what really happens to people who suffer that level of violence." ON EVOLVING FROM FINAL GIRL TO FINAL WOMAN "I represent something as Laurie Strode, the survivor of Michael Myers, for all these years. I take it very seriously. I commit to it. It's very important. She's, by the way, not only the final girl, not only the final mother, not only the final grandmother — ultimately, as you said, she's the final woman. This is a woman in full possession of her own life, and facing fear head on in that a way that I think people admire and respect, and people have certainly loved Laurie over the years for that fortitude. And I owe them. The gravity of the way I approach this work is due to them. If I was sitting here joking with you about how fun it was, and how I'm friends with the guy who's in the mask, and it's all light and easy, then what the fuck am I doing? Then why am I here? It has to be with this level of gravity and respect for Laurie Strode, who is a real person to many, many, many, many, many people. And I am Laurie Strode." ON MAKING A NEW HALLOWEEN TRILOGY WITH SOMETHING TO SAY "It wasn't a trilogy to begin with. We didn't start it out a trilogy. That I found out after the fact. But more importantly, I think also what this movie really explores is how we victim-shame, how we start to blame the actual victims of the crime because of the communal experience. The town is without resources to process their grief and who do they turn it against? Laurie Strode. Look at how we do this all day long. Look at how we use social media. Look at Twitter. Look at these portals of hatred and vile antagonism that we use in the spirit of free speech and all of the rest of it. It's terrible. The movie explores that in a very big way." ON FAREWELLING LAURIE — AND WHAT IT'D TAKE TO COME BACK "I think it'd be hard to come back now. I can't imagine a world where a filmmaker is going to come up with a scenario that explores Laurie Strode's journey and her conflict with Michael Myers in any better way than David Gordon Green has done with these three films. But I never say never, because there are great filmmakers today, and who knows? Maybe Guillermo del Toro will come up with a plan for it, or a filmmaker who's brand new will come up with some breathtaking story that can figure out a way to weave a version of Laurie's story. Who knows? But from my practical standpoint — I'm a very practical person — I can't imagine it. It's been a very emotional trip, this tour of talking and meeting fans, and really talking about the import of Laurie Strode on their lives. I have tried to receive it all, and it's a lot. It's just a lot. It's going to be hard. But I also am very joyful. I have a lot of creativity because of Laurie Strode. I now have all sorts of creative stuff I get to do. So it's not that I'm never going to get to act again — quite the opposite, I get to do that more now than I ever got to before. I get to produce things in a way I never did before. I get to direct things in a way I never did before, all because of this 2018 trilogy. So I'm sad to say goodbye to fans, for sure. But I'm happy for the opportunities that Laurie has given me, absolutely." Halloween Ends releases in Australian cinemas on October 13. Read our full review.
Thornbury has scored itself a new locals' haunt which, thankfully, doesn't live up to its name. In fact, Nasty's, the new kid on High Street, is nice as pie. It's the first venture from hospitality veteran Nick Matheson, who found himself choosing the northside suburb for his long-planned watering hole after a raft of friends moved in nearby. Cheerfully low-key with a warm, homespun vibe, Nasty's has been dubbed so in a nod to Matheson's own ironic nickname. Step inside and you'll discover a space that forgoes trendy trimmings for a more personalised haul of upcycled treasures, which are fairly representative of its owner's style. Think knick knacks, potted plants and a fun mix of seating that includes deep Chesterfields and revamped car seats. A lively green and orange mural is splashed along one brick wall, and, through the back room, you'll spy an old-school ironing board enjoying a new life as a table. As with all good neighbourhood haunts, there are cosy corners and nooks aplenty, including a secluded beer garden out back. Though, in a joint like this, you're just as likely to find yourself hanging with new mates in the front bar. The drinks list sticks with the same sweet-and-simple philosophy as the fit-out. Headed up by a six-strong rotation of local tap brews, which currently includes Abbotsford brewery Moon Dog, the drinks menu also features a tight lineup of spirits, a handful of ciders and wines. There's no formal cocktail list, but if you have a chat to Matheson, he'll happily whip you up something, and a food offering is en route soon. Images: Kate Shanasy.
There seems to exist this strange notion that things that are good for you can't be delicious. An extreme extension of this notion is the idea that vegan food is equally as unsatisfying and unfulfilling. Alexandra Pyke, however, disagrees with the perception that food being vegan and delicious are mutually exclusive, showing the greatest skills in culinary diplomacy since Mia asked why we can't have both soft and hard shell tacos in one packet. Pyke, fresh home in Melbourne after a lengthy stint in the US, has partnered in legendary eateries like The Fat Radish, Leadbelly and vego joint The Butcher's Daughter, and is chomping at the bit to bring her expertise to her hometown. The Alley, which will open on St Kilda Road in early March, looks to provide clean, wholesome food made from sustainable and local ingredients that also punches you in the face with bold flavours. The idea is to cross the divide between vegans who won't even look at a picture of a cow and the everyday consumer who can't look at a picture of a cow without finding themselves drawn to a steak restaurant. The menu features playful dishes like the maple bacon burger with smoky paprika, and the gluten free Mac 'n' Cheese with coconut bacon and crispy kale. It goes without saying that a vegan cafe will have salads but, much like meatloaf, it's what you do with them – The Alley, for example, will have a 'fiery' kelp noodle salad, which sounds both extremely dangerous and extremely tempting, like sky diving or downloading all the original Doctor Who serials. Cold craft beers and biodynamic raw wines will also be in abundance. The Alley will cater for 35 bums on seats at any time, but will also maintain a healthy focus on takeaway, given the demand for food on the go in the area. Find The Alley at 417 St Kilda Road from the second week of March.
For the past few years, Netflix has been obsessed with one very particular golden ticket: the beloved works of British author Roald Dahl. Back in 2018, the streaming platform announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. And, it revealed that there'd be two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. In 2021, it also advised that it had snapped up the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) itself. So, plenty of Dahl-penned tales are now getting the Netflix treatment, with the service's library set to expand in a big way. That spans everything from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits, all as animated television shows, plus 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. Yes, it's a long list. Also included: an adaptation of Matilda the Musical, turning the page-to-stage hit into a movie. That one is happening ASAP, with the resulting flick due to arrive in December — and a just-dropped first trailer showing fans of everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities what they're in for. Of course, if you've seen the Tony and Olivier award-winning show in theatres since 2010 — complete with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin — you'll know what's in store. The narrative remains the same, but with songs and tunes that are all supremely on the original 1988 book's wavelength. Once again, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir, Darklands) is a curious, bright, quiet, observant and imaginative girl — and tiny — but has terrible parents (Venom: Let There Be Carnage's Stephen Graham and Possessor's Andrea Riseborough). So, she escapes into novels as they feast on TV and try to stump up cash via dodgy schemes. At school, Matilda finds a source of support and inspiration in Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch, No Time to Die), but Crunchem Hall also gives its star student another foe. That'd be the villainous Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson, Cruella), who is as mean as can be — and needs Matilda to teach her a lesson. Minchin's songs and lyrics make the jump to the movie version, of course, while Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus — who did the honours with Matilda the Musical on the stage — helms. And yes, this'll be the second movie based on Dahl's Matilda, after a 1996 version initially adapted the book for cinema (not as a musical, though), and featured Mara Wilson as the titular character. Check out the trailer for Matilda the Musical below: Matilda the Musical will be available to stream via Netflix sometime in December — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022.
Martin Fella Vintage is a long-standing local fashion boutique just around the corner from North Melbourne's Errol Street shopping strip. The store is run by owner Martin Fella, who carefully selects pieces from auctions in Australia, Asia and the UK. Here you'll find the big names (Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Chanel and YSL) as well as other classy no-name vintage pieces. Fella's passion lies in menswear and locals won't be disappointed by the quality range in store. Women are also well-catered for — some beautiful shoes and bags are often in the window. And don't pass up on his beautiful homewares and design objects; mid-century lamps, German ceramics and Japanese wares are just some of the treasures to be found. Images: Parker Blain.
Batman. Superman. Wonder Woman. Aquaman. Ask someone to name a DC superhero and one of these figures might be their first response. They're the characters that've also been anchoring the big screen's DC Extended Universe for the past decade. Shazam, Harley Quinn, Black Adam and The Flash each scored movies bearing their monikers over that period — some have popped up in Justice League and not one but two Suicide Squad flicks as well — but the franchise's best-recognised players still remain unchanged. Enter Blue Beetle, which brings a lesser-known caped crusader to picture palaces, but one that dates back 84 years on the page to 1939. The DCEU's 14th entry also achieves a feat that no other caped-crusader film has before it, among the company's own flicks or the rival Marvel Cinematic Universe. It shouldn't have taken a decade since this specific franchise began, and 15 years after the MCU initially arrived, for the first live-action superhero movie with a Latino lead to hit. This important achievement shouldn't be forgotten from here on in, either. Blue Beetle's significance isn't lost on filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto, who leaps from 2015 Puerto Rican drama La Granja and 2020 Sundance Film Festival standout Charm City Kings to helming Hollywood history. It isn't the type of feature he ever saw himself making, but it's an opportunity that he's wholeheartedly embraced. As he tells Jaime Reyes' (Xolo Maridueña, Cobra Kai) tale, charting his journey from ordinary Mexican American twenty something to Spider-Man-meets-Venom-meets-Iron Man-style hero, he tells of Latinx culture, of the importance of family, and of everyday experiences and struggles. Indeed, as he explains to Concrete Playground, that's the only way he could ever envisage spinning this story. Accordingly, this is a caped-crusader flick that nods to 90s telenovela María la del Barrio, shoots a crucial scene like an immigration raid and knows how difficult keeping secrets can be in close Latinx families where the bonds of blood are everything. In dialogue around Jaime's name, it references Ángel's own experience having his moniker mispronounced daily. With a scientist played by What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén, it calls out racist tendencies to give everyone from a particular culture the same term. Again and again, Blue Beetle grounds its narrative in authentic details, all as Jaime comes into contact with an alien gadget that turns him into the titular figure. And, it does so with its protagonist's mother Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), father Alberto (Damián Alcázar, Acapulco), sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo, Hocus Pocus 2), Nana (Adriana Barraza, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels) and uncle Rudy (George Lopez, Lopez vs Lopez) always by his side. With Blue Beetle in cinemas Down Under, we chatted to Soto about his journey from adoring cinema to his latest film, his approach to introducing a Latino lead to the superhero genre, building in that crucial authenticity and making a family drama as much as a save-the-world feature. ON THE JOURNEY FROM GROWING UP LOVING MOVIES TO DIRECTING A SUPERHERO FILM "I never saw myself making a movie like this. It's still — I have to pinch myself all the time because after Charm City Kings, I didn't know it was going to cause the impact that it did, and I didn't know it was going to draw that much attention. Because at the end of the day, I try to do everything out of love and and passion, especially for the communities that I represent in my films. Having a movie like this happen was very humbling. Being able to also tell stories that I want to tell within the superhero genre is something that I'm going to be forever grateful for to the guys at DC, because they respected the stories that I wanted to tell. At the same time, it gave me another another stepping stone in in my career to explore this passion that I have for my craft in a genre that's so beloved by many." ON MAKING THE THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION SUPERHERO MOVIE WITH A LATINO LEAD "That that was probably the reason why I accepted to do it — because it was introducing a Latino character to the DC world. It being the first live-action Latino superhero [film], I felt a great responsibility and an opportunity at the same time to be able to tell our stories in a way that is reflected through the lens and the eyes of a Latino as well. It helped a lot to have the writer, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, be from Querétaro in Mexico. And he bringing his own authenticity to the script, and me coming with my experiences from Puerto Rico. And working together to create something that felt authentic to our experiences growing up — and translating that into Jaime Reyes and Blue Beetle, that made it very easy for us. The whole team was onboard, and casting the right talents, and having them be from Mexico as well, was part of the plan. So we wanted to do it the right way. We cannot tell the story of of every Latino in the world, because one, we're not a monolith, and two, we're too many. But being able to tell at least one story of those, our hope is to hear and see and enjoy other stories from all over Latin America as well." [caption id="attachment_918339" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Beetle[/caption] ON BUILDING AUTHENTICITY INTO EVEN THE SMALLEST OF EXCHANGES AND DETAILS "Well, the truth is that the ongoing joke with Jaime is something that I experience daily. My name is Ángel. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it like the spiritual being]. Some people call me 'on-hell'. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it 'angle']. And the whole thing of trying to explain my name and how to pronounce it phonetically, it's a daily thing, so we wanted to to have fun with that and show what we have to deal with all the time. Also, the way Victoria Kord [Blue Beetle's villainous CEO, as played by Maybe I Do's Susan Sarandon] treats Sanchez [her chief scientist, as played by Guillén] is something that as Latinos — and this happens with other communities as well — sometimes they they try to minimise us by calling us one name. You know, like "hey Jose, come here Jose", with a little bit of a racist, biased joke behind them. But we wanted to to really showcase in the case Doctor Sanchez that there is power to our name. And there's an individual power that everybody has, and our name carries that. Because our name comes from, especially in our culture — like, I go through Ángel Manuel Soto Vázquez — we have both our parents names. For us that means a lot because we honour our ancestors, and we try to go as far back as we can and wear that name with pride because we would never be where we are without them. So it was very important to to give Doctor Sanchez that arc, because when he says his name, that's when he gets empowered, and that's when he actually becomes his hero of his story." ON MAKING A FAMILY DRAMA AS MUCH AS A SUPERHERO FILM "It was definitely very important for us to to tell the story of the whole family. We wanted to do a fresh take on the superhero origin story. And the writer and I, we were very keen to treat the first act like Latin cinema, where we spend time with our characters, with their environment, where you get to know bits and pieces of everyone so that before all the action starts to happen you're already invested — not only in in our superhero, not only in our main character Jaime, you're also invested with the family. Because how they relate and everything that they're going to end up giving to the story and to the character of Blue Beetle, it's as important as the hero himself. Another thing that we wanted to flip on its head a little bit is the fact that most superheroes, what happens to them happens in secret. And they keep this secret from their family, you know to protect them — and it does make sense. But both the writer and my experience is that it's very hard to keep a secret from a Latino mother — and my parents and my family, they're very nosy. They still are. It was crazy for us to think that the family wouldn't have any involvement in the creation of the superhero. Like I mentioned before, what our parents and our ancestors have done for us make us who we are, and we wanted to honour that. So we really felt that that was something that we wanted to protect — and not just in terms of like teachings or mentorship; we also wanted them to have an active participation in the success of our hero, giving them all heroic arcs as they end up protecting and saving Jaime. Part of that comes from the fact that we feel that way about our family. They're not just passive bystanders, they're actually active components to who we are and how far we're able to go. But also in this whole family adventure, we wanted every single family member from the youngest sister to the oldest grandfather to see themselves also in a movie that treats them with respect, but also sees them as heroes — so they can see themselves as heroes, too. And to that end, we really focused it on trying to be like 'let's make this into a family adventure that does have these superhero elements'. And as an introduction to the world of Jaime and Blue Beetle, we felt like this is a beautiful first act to what his whole journey is going to be." Blue Beetle opened in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 27. Read our review.
Few kinds of cheese cop quite as much love as the salty Cypriot favourite, haloumi. I mean, here in Melbourne, the brunch classic has even scored its own dedicated festival, which returns for its second edition this Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27. Taking over the Brunswick East HQ of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria, it's set to be a flavour-packed affair, celebrating both a much-loved cheese and the culture and traditions of its homeland. You'll have the chance to sample an array of top-quality haloumi, as well as picking up some tips and inspiration at an haloumi making demonstration. And once your appetite has been sufficiently piqued, you can explore the diverse lineup of food stalls serving up authentic Cypriot fare and haloumi-infused treats – from savoury bourekia pastries, to haloumi fries, to haloumi 'koupes', or cracked wheat pies. The Keo beer will be flowing and, of course, there'll be plenty of loukoumades for dessert. Meanwhile, the day's entertainment leans to the traditional, with a program of classic Greek and Cypriot dancing, live music and more. And what better way to work off all that cheese than kicking up your heels in a syrtaki or rembetika group dance session?
Alert the group chat, your best friend and your nan: Melbourne now has cupcake vending machines. Picture this: it's a typical Melb night (read: freezing), and you just want to curl up and watch a movie. Then, you start to crave cupcakes. Well, now you don't have to wait till opening hours thanks to Katelyn Matheson, the brains and talent behind Cake Creations by Kate. Matheson has launched two vending machines that are filled daily with an array of sweet creations, all of which are baked at her Werribee warehouse. You'll find one machine in CS Square Caroline Springs and another in Craigieburn Central. These ones will stick around at their current spots until the end of the year — and, in even sweeter news, she has grand plans for ten more over the next year. The machines aren't a gimmick, but a necessity to keep up with demand according to Matheson. "We wanted to make things easier for our customers, as some travel over an hour just to visit our stores," she says. "We have hired more bakers and delivery drivers to ensure that people have access to fresh cupcakes on demand, seven days a week. The machines are essentially mini stores." "Whether you want to grab sweets for colleagues on your way to work or bring a box when visiting family and friends, we cater to all needs and budgets," Matheson continued. The towering two-metre machines come straight from Italy, and are stocked daily with an array of cupcakes, macarons, 'Kate's Choccies' and chunky cookies — and it's all just a button away. The cupcakes come in cute little boxes, offering a selection fit for varying appetites and occasions, and you can choose from four, six or a dozen. Planning a surprise party or an impromptu picnic with your favourite person? There's a box size for that. As for the flavours, it's not just your vanilla affair (although vanilla rainbow is available). We're talking deliciously addictive Biscoff, crowd-fave cookies and cream, and zesty lemon, to name a few. Find Cake Creations by Kate's machines at CS Square Caroline Springs, open 7am–11pm daily; and Craigieburn Central, open 8am–10pm on weekdays and 8am–8pm on weekends.
When the crew behind Sydney restaurant NOMAD revealed plans to open their next bar and restaurant within the historic Melbourne Stock Exchange digs, we were understandably excited. It's been nearly two years since NOMAD Group first welcomed Melbourne guests to their first southern spin-off in the former Ezard site on Flinders Lane, and the much-loved Mediterranean restaurant has been attracting crowds ever since. The latest culinary venture, Reine and La Rue, is set to throw open its doors on Tuesday, August 1. And this time around, they'll be treating diners to a taste of modern French cuisine. A broad culinary offering inspired by French classics has been imagined by the group's Executive Chef Jacqui Challinor, alongside venue Head Chef (and NOMAD Melbourne alum) Brendan Katich. It's a choose-your-own-adventure situation, with a menu designed to suit any appetite. "Whether it's walking in for snacks and Champagne at the bar; a cosy booth for a three- course meal; or a table full of plates to share; we would like our guests to create an experience that suits the way they want to eat," Challinor says. Entrees and snacks zeroes in on Victorian seafood, with scallops paired with rich truffle butter, Eastern Rock lobster cocktails served with endive and rouille; and a seafood platter in the form of a fruit de mer. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover hand-picked mud crab brandade and mushroom pithivier pastry with soubise and chestnut. Also central to the kitchen is a wood-fired hearth. The appropriately dedicated grilled section of the menu sees duck paired with sugarloaf cabbage and jus gras, a selection of Victorian beef from Blackmore and O'Connor with a range of sauces and mustards or whole fish served on a bed of sea herbs and sauce verte. Rounding out the offering: a roving cheese trolley, chocolate tarts, and Jersey milk soft serve pumped from the in-house machine, topped with fresh hazelnut and extra virgin olive oil. As for the drinks, the owners are aiming to showcase the best Australian and local Victorian wines, along with a strong spread of American and French vino, of course. American-inspired drops will also rule the classic-leaning cocktail lineup. Granite columns, lofty ceilings and glass floor tiles are the backdrop for Reine's 150-seat dining room, which will also house a ten-metre-long marble bar devoted to cocktails and another slinging seafood. There'll be big banquettes in caramel-hued leather, and furniture by the likes of Grazia & Co and Volker Haug Studio. Adjacent to all that sits a 40-seat terrace, leading through to the tiny speakeasy-style cocoon of La Rue — a walk-in-only joint with its own wine vault and space for just eight punters at a time. Heritage Victoria have helped guide the rejuvenation of the historic Cathedral Room, which has laid derelict for the last couple of decades. Also behind the transformation are RBA Heritage Architects and Sydney-based design and architecture practice Akin Atelier. Both Reine and La Rue are set to showcase the same culinary offering, so you're guaranteed to eat well, no matter the occasion. [caption id="attachment_899949" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samantha Schultz[/caption] Reine and La Rue will open at 380 Collins St, Melbourne on Tuesday, August 1. It'll be open Tuesdays–Saturdays from 12pm, including dinner from 5pm until late. Bookings are open now via the website.
How do you follow up Game of Thrones? So asks one of the biggest questions in pop culture over the past decade. HBO's hit adaptation of George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series ended five years ago, but the network behind it, the TV industry in general, and everyone involved in it on- and off-screen has been grappling with that query since the series became a worldwide smash. For the cable station that made it, more Game of Thrones shows is the answer, aka House of the Dragon, the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight and other floated spinoffs. For Hollywood, leaning in on fantasy franchises has been a solution. And for David Benioff and DB Weiss, the showrunners on the Westeros-set phenomenon, bringing another complex book saga to the small screen is the chosen path. Those novels: Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy, which reaches Netflix named after its debut entry, in another of its similarities with Benioff and Weiss' previous success. So arrives 3 Body Problem, streaming all eight of its first-season episodes from Thursday, March 21, with 2008 book The Three-Body Problem as its basis. Invasions, feuds, jumping timelines, a hefty cast of characters: they're all still in place. So are John Bradley (Marry Me), Liam Cunningham (Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter) and Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses) among the cast, answering the "what comes next?" question for three Game of Thrones actors. Also, that composer Ramin Djawadi (Jack Ryan) is on music duties again isn't difficult to notice. With 3 Body Problem, which sees Benioff and Weiss team up with True Blood and The Terror's Alexander Woo to bring Cixin's text to the screen, sprawling high fantasy gives away to time- and space-hopping hard sci-fi, however. The danger to global stability still springs from a battle for supremacy, but one where countdowns start dancing in front of some people's eyes, particle accelerators stop functioning properly, other folks can't be seen in security footage, scientists seem to be killing themselves and aliens linger. The series begins with a physics professor being beaten to death in front of a crowd containing his daughter during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Then, it flits to London today to watch the entire sky wink, gleaming helmets spirit whoever dons them into a complicated and intricate virtual-reality game, and what lurks beyond the earth — and who — play a significant part. This isn't the only attempt to bring Cixin's novels to the screen, with 2023's 30-part Chinese series Three Body getting there first. 3 Body Problem also isn't concerned with creating as faithful a take on its source material as possible; rather, its main aim is to do for science-fiction mindbenders what Game of Thrones did for epic fantasy. Accordingly, this is a propulsive and addictive drama within its chosen genre — and one where pressing "next episode", since the whole first season drops at once, doesn't feel optional. Given how crucial that advanced maths and physics concepts are to its plot (its moniker is taken from orbital mechanics, after all), sparking a must-binge reaction is far from a simple mission. Structurally, cliffhangers are used liberally. Thematically, all of the scientific minutiae, and sci-fi as well, always comes back to people, families by blood and by choice, and humanity as a species. 3 Body Problem's grim 60s-set opening introduces Ye Wenjie (TV first-timer Zine Tseng), who is also punished by the anti-intellectual movement for being her father's offspring and protege. When she discovers Rachel Carson's Silent Spring at the logging camp where she's forced to toil, prison then awaits — then a secretive mountaintop base, where her work changes not just her life, but the planet's future. In 2024, then, as numbers haunt fields of vision and bright scientific minds commit suicide, old choices made by Ye (who is now played by Rosalind Chao, Sweet Tooth) start having an impact. If it all seems like a mystery, 3 Body Problem purposefully plays out like one, complete with detective Da Shi (Benedict Wong, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) investigating what's happening for shadowy government agency head Thomas Wade (Cunningham). Enter a sextet with ties to Oxford: Vera Ye (Vedette Lim, FBI) and five of her former students. Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo, Babylon) is her research assistant, not that their studies can continue now that technology is failing them; Jin Cheng (Jess Hong, The Brokenwood Mysteries) also remains in science; Auggie Salazar (Eiza González, Mr & Mrs Smith) is trying to revolutionise nanofibres; Jack Rooney (Bradley) has sold out, making a fortune in junk food; and Will Downing (Alex Sharp, One Life) now teaches high schoolers. Trauma brings them back together. Hallucinations, VR, disappearing strangers and odd occurrences in the heavens keep them connected. Also linked to their plight is Mike Evans, who Ye in the earlier timeline (with Y: The Last Man's Ben Schnetzer in the part), but segues from being an eco-activist to living on a tanker (with Pryce taking over the role). Then there's the headsets, which appear randomly and selectively like the present that no one knows that they want (because no one knows about them before they materialise). Popping one on means tussling with the eponymous quandary in a realm so lifelike that everyone who visits is convinced that they're really seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting everything around them. 3 Body Problem proves a spectacle when it slides into VR. Benioff, Weiss, Woo and their directors — Derek Tsang (Better Days), Andrew Stanton (who made WALL-E in his Pixar days), Minkie Spiro (Pieces of Her) and Jeremy Podeswa (Station Eleven, and another Game of Thrones alum) — understand the allure of escaping, of hoping that something better exists beyond our everyday reality and of dreaming big. With the threat of extra-terrestrials taking over looming large, however, their series also recognises the mundanity, brutality and beauty that surrounds humanity daily. One gruesome sequence, arriving just past the halfway mark of the season, won't be forgotten. When a series has such a wealth of narrative to dig through, and so many ideas unearthed in the process, characters can feel like mere pawns. Thankfully, Benioff and Weiss have also been here before. As they did with Game of Thrones, the duo never let the fact that this is a tale about people first and foremost get out of sight. Among the cast, the always-welcome Wong, both Tseng and Chao as Ye, plus Adepo, Hong and Sharp all leave the biggest imprint — and give 3 Body Problem's story several weighty anchors. In no small part due to their efforts, the show's first season inspires another question as it wraps up: how do you now follow that? Check out the trailer for 3 Body Problem: 3 Body Problem streams via Netflix from Thursday, March 21, 2024. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
Feeling bold to start 2023? Brave? Fearless? Ready to take on a new year, embrace life and show your spirit? That's the standard January vibe, but this year has a colour to match: Viva Magenta, aka the hue of the year according to the Pantone Colour Institute. Each year, Pantone's colour experts pick a tone for the 12 months ahead. As announced back in December 2022 but supremely relevant now that 2023 is actually here, its latest selection is Pantone 18-1750. This hue from the red family — a colour that Pantone says "vibrates with vim and vigour" — is meant to both set the trend for and sum up the year ahead. Pantone is never short on words for its picks of the year, and has also dubbed this tone as "a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative". Viva Magenta is meant to be powerful and empowering, too, and a colour that "revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint — an electrifying and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a standout statement". View this post on Instagram A post shared by PANTONE (@pantone) "Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all," Pantone's announcement continues. Explaining the decision, Pantone Colour Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said that the tone has a natural, primordial, galvanising feel to it. "Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known." Expect to see all things Viva Magenta popping up around the place throughout 2023, with Pantone suggesting how it can be used in fashion and accessories, home decor, design and beauty, too. The new shade takes over from 2022's Very Peri, and 2021's Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating before that. In 2020, Pantone went with Classic Blue, while 2019's colour was Living Coral, 2018's was Ultra Violet and 2017's was Greenery. To find out more about Viva Magenta — and to check out all the previous Colours of the Year — head to the Pantone website.
Yarra Valley winery Helen & Joey Estate leapt into the world of dining and accommodation when they established Re'em, within its vast 200-acre property, in 2024. The site takes full advantage of the estate's rolling vineyard and ornamental lake, with the dining spaces and each of the 16 boutique rooms boasting views across the winery and the surrounding region. In the 80-seat restaurant, guests can cosy up in booths by floor-to-ceiling windows or head to the shaded terrace to sample an impressive selection of contemporary Chinese dishes, each of which has been designed to pair with the estate's wines. Helen & Joey's esteemed portfolio of wines spans four brands — Wayward Child, Re'em, Unicorn and Alicorn. The menu at Re'em is the work of Consultant Executive Chef, Mark Ebbels, who has worked at fine diners such as The Fat Duck in the United Kingdom, Bacchanalia in Singapore, and TarraWarra Estate just up the road in the Yarra Valley. Together with Head Chef Abe Yang, the menu is designed to celebrate the owners' Chinese heritage. Refined and reimagined dishes include duck croquettes with Peking sauce and steamed buns with whipped pork fat and chilli. Re'em has introduced Sunday yum cha, giving locals something to look forward to on the weekends, and Melburnians another reason to take a day trip to the Yarra Valley. The carefully designed yum cha menu was developed following a visit to China, where Ebbels and the co-owner of the estate, Helen Xu, travelled through the lively spice markets of Sichuan and visited Xu's ancestral home in Yiwu. The yum cha offering includes eight sharing dishes of your choice, accompanied by a glass of sparkling Unicorn NV Blanc de Blanc upon arrival. Go for bamboo shoot dumplings with mustard greens, scallop shumai with caviar, pork xiao long bao, barbecue kangaroo kung pao and fried rice with pine mushrooms. "I'm so excited to bring a yum cha experience to the Yarra Valley. In China, yum cha is a beautiful social ritual for conversation and community, a chance to connect with loved ones over great food. Growing up, we would have yum cha every Sunday, and it was a chance to come together at the end of a long week, to share stories, unwind, or celebrate the small joys in life," says Xu. The yum cha menu is available from noon to 3pm on Sundays. If you want to make a weekend out of it, you can upgrade to the Sunday Escape Yum Cha Edition offer, which includes an overnight stay, yum cha, welcome drinks and breakfast. Images: Neisha Breen.
So, you're an actor and you want to win an Emmy? Based on the just-announced 2022 nominees, here are a few ways to go about it. First, star or guest star in Succession, the HBO behemoth that just nabbed 25 nods, including 14 for acting. Or, appear in the US cable network's fellow recent hit The White Lotus, which scored 20 noms, eight of which were for its cast. Being on Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso works, too, given that it just picked up 20 nods for the second year in a row — and ten of them went to its on-screen talent. Yes, they're the big three shows that scooped the pool at this year's Emmy nominations. All three are competing in different categories — Succession in the drama field, The White Lotus in the limited series section and Ted Lasso in comedy — so they don't have to battle it out among themselves. That said, plenty of each series' individual actors are nominated against their co-stars, although that's a bit of a trend in 2022. Announced in the early hours of Wednesday, July 13 Australian and New Zealand time, the list of shows notching up the nods also includes Hacks and Only Murders in the Building with 17 each, Euphoria with 16, and Severance, Squid Game, Barry and Dopesick with 14. Squid Game also became the first-ever drama series nominee that isn't in the English language. Ozark collected 13 nominations, as did the fourth season of Stranger Things — but, bucking the trend, none of the latter's nods came for its performances. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel nabbed 12, while Pam & Tommy collected ten. That means it's been a great 12 months for eat-the-rich dramas, wild based-on-true-story miniseries (with The Dropout and Inventing Anna), returning favourites that've been off the air for a few years (including Better Call Saul and Barry) and former Saturday Night Live stars (Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis, specifically). Seeing excellent new thrillers Severance and Yellowjackets earn some attention is also fantastic — and What We Do in the Shadows should just have a standing nomination in the Best Comedy category. Who'll emerge victorious will be announced on Tuesday, September 13 Down Under — and plenty of exceptional shows and actors are in the running. But, you can't have a hefty rundown of nominees without a few glaring gaps. Pandemic series Station Eleven deserved more than just one acting nomination. The wonderful Reservation Dogs was somehow thoroughly overlooked, as was the stellar We Own This City and the second season of Girls5Eva. Plenty of folks were recognised for Only Murders in the Building, but not Selena Gomez. And the astonishing Pachinko only nabbed an Outstanding Main Title Design nomination. The 73rd Emmy Awards will take place on Tuesday, September 13, Australian time. Here's a rundown of the major nominations — and you can check out the full list of nominees on the Emmys' website: EMMY NOMINEES 2022 OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Better Call Saul Euphoria Ozark Severance Squid Game Stranger Things Succession Yellowjackets OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Abbott Elementary Barry Curb Your Enthusiasm Hacks The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Only Murders in the Building Ted Lasso What We Do in the Shadows OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES Dopesick The Dropout Inventing Anna Pam & Tommy The White Lotus OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers Ray Donovan: The Movie Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon The Survivor Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Jason Bateman, Ozark Brian Cox, Succession Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul Adam Scott, Severance Jeremy Strong, Succession OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Jodie Comer, Killing Eve Laura Linney, Ozark Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets Sandra Oh, Killing Eve Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show Zendaya, Euphoria OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Donald Glover, Atlanta Bill Hader, Barry Nicholas Hoult, The Great Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant Elle Fanning, The Great Issa Rae, Insecure Jean Smart, Hacks OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Colin Firth, The Staircase Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven Oscar Isaac, Scenes From a Marriage Michael Keaton, Dopesick Himesh Patel, Station Eleven Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Toni Collette, The Staircase Julia Garner, Inventing Anna Lily James, Pam & Tommy Sarah Paulson, Impeachment: American Crime Story Margaret Qualley, Maid Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Nicholas Braun, Succession Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Kieran Culkin, Succession Park Hae-soo, Squid Game Matthew Macfadyen, Succession John Turturro, Severance Christopher Walken, Severance Oh Yeong-soo, Squid Game OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Patricia Arquette, Severance Julia Garner, Ozark Jung Ho-yeon, Squid Game Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul J. Smith-Cameron, Succession Sarah Snook, Succession Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Anthony Carrigan, Barry Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso Toheeb Jimoh, Ted Lasso Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary Henry Winkler, Barry Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Janelle James, Abbott Elementary Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live Sarah Niles, Ted Lasso Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary Juno Temple, Ted Lasso Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus Jake Lacy, The White Lotus Will Poulter, Dopesick Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy Peter Sarsgaard, Dopesick Michael Stuhlbarg, Dopesick Steve Zahn, The White Lotus OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Connie Britton, The White Lotus Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus Alexandra Daddario, The White Lotus Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus Sydney Sweeney, The White Lotus Mare Winningham, Dopesick OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Hope Davis, Succession Marcia Gay Harden, The Morning Show Martha Kelly, Euphoria Sanaa Lathan, Succession Harriet Walter, Succession Lee You-mi, Squid Game OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Adrien Brody, Succession James Cromwell, Succession Colman Domingo, Euphoria Arian Moayed, Succession Tom Pelphrey, Ozark Alexander Skarsgard, Succession OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Jane Adams, Hacks Harriet Sansom Harris, Hacks Jane Lynch, Only Murders in the Building Laurie Metcalf, Hacks Kaitlin Olson, Hacks Harriet Walter, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Jerrod Carmichael, Saturday Night Live Bill Hader, Curb Your Enthusiasm James Lance, Ted Lasso Nathan Lane, Only Murders in the Building Christopher McDonald, Hacks Sam Richardson, Ted Lasso
When the sun is out, no one wants to be inside. Perhaps it's the tentative terms on which Melbourne has us hanging, but there are certainly no guarantees that those warm, glowing rays of sunshine are going to stick around any longer than it takes to finish a latte. So, with spring upon us and the promise of clear mornings and golden afternoons, we tracked down the ten best cafe courtyards so that you can enjoy every brunch, lunch, coffee or beer in the sun. 1. The Stables of Como Nestled within the exquisite grounds of Prahran's Como House, The Stables of Como is perhaps Melbourne's most idyllic brunch spot. Opened by Melbourne cafe magnate Jason Jones (Porgie + Mr Jones, Friends of Mine) in July, the space is light, white and pastoral, whilst offering up some incredible brunch and lunch options that have been perfected at his other venues. Enjoy bircher muesli, eggs or the famous smashed avocado with thyme buttered mushrooms, marinated feta and torn basil on whole wheat toast ($17.90) under the umbrellas, or take a fresh baguette or Noisette pastry ($4) with you as you wander the grounds. The Stables also offer take away picnic baskets ($45 pp) complete with cutlery, a blanket and cheeseboard, for you to take out on the Como lawns. Cnr Williams Road & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra, (03) 9827 6886, thestablesofcomo.com.au 2. Farm Cafe Come summertime, Abbostford Convent is buzzing with film, art and music, and it's an easy wander past the main entrance to the Collingwood Children's Farm and the adjoining Farm Cafe. The place is a rustic dream — take a seat under the large undercover seating area, or at one of the tables dotted around the garden if you don't mind getting up close and personal with the chickens. Live out your farmyard fairytale with the Ploughman's Lunch (ham off the bone, pickles, cheddar, apple, pork scratchings, bread and butter; $17.50) or try an organic beef sausage roll (served with herbed slaw and house relish; $12.50). The impressive menu, secluded location and cute animals make it perfect for a spring day. Collingwood Childrens' Farm, 18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, (03) 9415 6581, farmcafe.com.au 3. Pope Joan Pope Joan may have been known as the woman who passed as a man, but now she's known as the queen of Nicholson Street. Sharing a sun-drenched courtyard with The Bishop of Ostia next door, it's a Brunswick go-to for outdoor eating, drinking and whiling the afternoon away. As well as breakfast and lunch seven days a week, the venue is now open for dinner weeknights, serving up snacks such as crispy prawn dumplings ($4 each), salads and mains, including the steam-baked Chatham Island cod with fennel and braised white onion ($26). It's perfect for casual mid-week dining any time of the day or night — particularly when it's nice enough to sit outside. 75-79 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East, (03) 9388 8858, popejoan.com.au 4. Trunk Bar and Restaurant Located on Exhibition Street, Trunk boasts perhaps the CBD's largest and leafiest courtyard. With both a formal dining room and outdoor diner, Trunk's courtyard is a haven for hungry workers looking for a chorizo quesadilla ($10) or Cuban baguette ($10.50) for lunch, or an after-work drink come 5pm. And, on a hot night, with a boutique beer, pizza or a few plates of antipasti, there'a a distinct garden party feel that will have you forgetting exactly where you are. 275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, (03) 9663 7994, trunktown.com.au 5. Sebastian's Food & Wine Bayside residents love an excuse to get outdoors, and Sebastian's Food and Wine is no exception. Adjacent from Hampton station, Sebastian's is most recognisable in the summer months from the hubbub emanating from the large, open courtyard. Join the crowds for brunch of corn fritters ($17) or a forest mushroom omelette ($18), or arrive a little later for lunch — available over the counter or from the kitchen. Capitalising on excess space that is only found in the suburbs, the cafe's big umbrellas and leafy trees may well see your Supreme coffee turn into a glass of wine once brunch is over. 303 Hampton Street, Hampton, (03) 9533 4755, sebastianfoodandwine.com.au 6. Kanteen A pit-stop for bike-riders, early-risers and those ambling along the Yarra at any time of day, Kanteen is the oasis in the middle of Abbotsford and the CBD. Due its isolated location, the cafe cuts a solitary figure along that winding body of water that cuts the city in half. Great for a spot of breakfast on your way into the city, the cafe serves up the favourites, and a very tasty bowl of black sticky rice with banana and coconut milk ($9.50). The inside-outside design means that you can sit undercover or exposed to the elements. It's about as riverside as it gets. 150 Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra, (03) 9827 0488, kanteen.net 7. Porgie + Mr Jones If you're looking for brunch, lunch or just somewhere to retreat into reverie, this is the place to do it. Porgie + Mr Jones is bustling regardless of the day of the week, but it's a table in the 'secret garden' that you'll want to get your hands on. The expansive outdoor garden terrace is a haven within a busy pocket of Hawthorn, and the perfect place to enjoy the herb and cheesy toast with eggplant kasundi ($11.90) with a coffee, the weekend paper and some sun. 291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, (03) 9882 2955, porgiemrjones.com.au 8. Howler While not as intimate as a cosy cafe, Brunswick's multi-faceted eating, drinking and cultural space, Howler, does well to reflect the area's grungy past and industrial surroundings. As well as two bar spaces, Howler boasts a huge outdoor area that is open from 11am - 1pm each day, serving drinks along with Asian-style hawker food. Get down to sink your teeth into juicy bao pillows and steamed dumplings ($8) in the afternoon, and stay for the DJ sets when the sun goes down. 14 Dawson Street, Brunswick, (03) 9077 5572, h-w-l-r.com 9. Industry Beans Sitting in Westgarth Street, Industry Beans spills onto the sidewalk. An open warehouse that houses a roastery and cupping lab as well as the cafe, the well-utilised space is welcoming both inside and out. While the clean, high-ceilinged interior is pleasant in its own right, it's the open courtyard that keeps people coming back. Explore their rich house blend and some of their more unique menu items, such as the creamed lemon tofu breakfast brulee ($14) or the deep fried panko crumbed eggs ($15). 70 – 76 Westgarth Street, Fitzroy, (03) 9417 1034, industrybeans.com 10. Chez Dre It would be quite easy to walk down Coventry Street without even noticing Chez Dre. Tucked behind the busy South Melbourne strip, discovering this patisserie and boulangerie is a very pleasant — if not overwhelming — surprise. With the sugar-power to rival Willie Wonka, Chez Dre's cabinets are lined with dozens of decadent cakes, pastries and macarons. While hectic on the weekends, attempt to escape to the tranquility of the courtyard to nibble on your findings. Just be sure to balance it out with something savoury from the menu — either before or after you dive in. Rear 285-287 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, (03) 9690 2655, chezdre.com.au Images courtesy of The Stables of Como, Farm Cafe, Pope Joan, Trunk, Sebastian's Food and Wine, Rexness, Porgie + Mr Jones, Sean Fennessy and Chez Dre.
Chris Lucas is the force behind plenty of vibey Melbourne restaurants worth raving about (Kisume, Yakimono, Society, Grill Americano, Hawker Hall and Baby), but Chin Chin is forever a Melbourne favourite. The spot somehow manages to still have lines snaking around the corner regularly, flummoxing other local eateries that wish they could have the same. Lucas has also seen the power of smartly replicating Chin Chin in Sydney, taking one successful business and turn it into two without too much fuss. And now he is making it three. Come late April this year, a new Chin Chin will land in Geelong's GMHBA Stadium. On game day, this means footy fans can get brilliant South East Asian food right at the oval, either nabbing a speedy set menu or going a la carte. But it's not just for sports fans. The new Chin Chin in Geelong will be open throughout the year, no matter whether there's a game on or not. It might seem strange to dine at an empty sports stadium, but Lucas has a knack for creating a lively atmosphere at each of his restaurants. Those skills might just be tested here, but the veteran hospitality great rarely lets folks down in that department. The new Chin Chin is slated to open in late April this year at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong. For more details, head to the venue's website.
Bluesfest has officially cancelled its 2026 event. In a statement on Friday, organisers attributed the decision to "rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, combined with softer ticket demand and international uncertainties." "For more than three decades, Bluesfest has brought extraordinary artists and audiences together in Byron Bay while also driving significant tourism and economic activity for the Northern Rivers and New South Wales," Festival Director Peter Noble said. "This makes the decision incredibly difficult. After careful consideration, we concluded we could not proceed in a way that would meet the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect." The festival had a stacked lineup planned for 2026. Headliners included Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu, The Wailers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sublime, Counting Crows, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, and more. Bluesfest director Peter Noble announced last year that 2025 would be the final year, however, shortly after, he said that declaration was as much a call to action as a resignation to fate. "Do we have to say it's the last Bluesfest to get people to focus on us?" he asked at the time. Confirmation of Bluesfest 2026 then came on the same day that the Australian Greens unveiled a $20 million-a-year rescue plan to keep the country's festival scene alive and kicking. With 109,000 punters through its gates in 2025, the announcement comes as a major shock to the music community. Head to the website for more information. This article first appeared in Rolling Stone Australia. Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get more stories straight to your inbox.
Gluten isn't always the enemy. Sometimes it's just wheat, a grain that's been modified so much over time that many of our guts now struggle to digest it properly. The team at Farro is well aware of this, opting to replace wheat with 100-percent spelt flour in all of its pizza, pasta and bread. Not only is this ancient grain better for our bellies, but it arguably tastes a whole lot better than wheat and totally gluten-free options. It's also what had made this Italian restaurant group so successful, with the crew having opening its seventh outpost in Moonee Ponds. Here, diners can expect the same stacked menu of classic Italian dishes found at its locations in Fitzroy, Caulfield North, Hawthorn, Thornbury, Windsor and Richmond, from the long list of antipasti to house-made pasta and woodfired pizzas. The extensive vegan menu can also be found the new Moonee Ponds site, offering up a huge amount of completely plant-based eats. Drinks-wise, all the usual contenders are here. Aussie and Italian beers come both on tap and in tinnies, vinos from Victoria and Italy dominate the wine list, and there's a decent selection of cocktails for those feeling a little fancier. And if you're simply looking to order some pizza and pasta to be delivered to your house near in the inner northwest, Farro is available on UberEats.
As we come into the cool winter months, it warms the heart to look forward to one of the flagship events on the Sydney calendar. Vivid Sydney will be back for its twelfth year from May 27 to June 18 — and the 2022 iteration promises to be bigger than ever. The range of attractions on offer are many and varied but, at its core, Vivid Sydney is a light festival that gives colour and glow to the night sky and every conceivable canvas the city can provide. From illuminating some of Sydney's most famous landmarks to immersive exhibitions that seek to alter your perception of reality, here are ten must-see light installations on this year's program. Prepare to be dazzled. [caption id="attachment_853123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Sharing the Same Life Essence', Rhoda Roberts AO and Deon Hastie, Destination NSW[/caption] 'FIRST LIGHT' First Light, the piece which kicks off the 2022 program on Friday, May 27, promises to be a stunning beginning that celebrates our rich Indigenous and First Nations culture. Vivid Sydney takes place on Gadigal land and waters, and as an acknowledgement of this, the Harbour Bridge pylons will be lit up with Sharing the Same Life Essence (Wayne Quilliam), a projection celebrating the Traditional Owners. First Light will also feature a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and performance by NAISDA dancers, culminating in a powerful and poignant opening work. Find out more here. [caption id="attachment_853125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spinifex Group, Destination NSW[/caption] SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE 90TH BIRTHDAY The iconic coathanger has already had its own birthday party this year but, as one of the key landmarks of Vivid Sydney, you just know there had to be something special happening to mark the Sydney Harbour Bridge entering its tenth decade. Suitably, there's a storytelling angle to this year's light extravaganza, with the Historical Archive and Digitisation Team at Transport for NSW looking back into its comprehensive photo archive to tell the tale of one of the world's most famous man-made structures through the people and places it connects. The light show will be brought to life on the bridge's giant pylons by animation experts Spinifex — and it's on repeat every night of the festival. [caption id="attachment_846473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mandylights, Our Connected City[/caption] 'OUR CONNECTED CITY' The bright lights of Sydney are impressive all year round, but it doesn't compare to the illumination of Vivid Sydney. This year, the creative festival will be taking advantage of that already expansive canvas with Our Connected City, an installation from the creative minds at Mandylights. Hundreds of colour-changing lights will pulse through The Rocks, Circular Quay and across the harbour, lighting the CBD in a ribbon of light that spreads from the Opera House all the way to the northern pylon of the Harbour Bridge. There will also be 150 searchlight beams shining into the night sky like a series of beacons connecting the clouds to the people and land below. To add to the effect, all of these lights will be perfectly synchronised — a representation of connection come to life before your eyes. [caption id="attachment_853126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glenn Turner, Oracle-Liquid, Destination NSW[/caption] 'SYDNEY INFINITY' There's no doubt that one of the biggest selling points of Sydney is the incredible harbour, so it's only fitting that it will be celebrated at Vivid Sydney 2022. Glenn Turner, of internationally renowned special-effects company Oracle-Liquid, is putting the waterway front and centre with Sydney Infinity, a site- and festival-specific installation billed as the largest liquid and light show ever seen in Australia. At Darling Harbour, water and light will combine in a spectacular, infinity-shaped floating installation consisting of compressed-air water cannons, robotic fountains and thousands of LEDs (plus, the dazzling display will be synced to a soundtrack from Peewee Ferris). The sheer scale will be something to behold — the cannons will blast water 80 metres into the air and the fountains will disperse nine tonnes of water in the air per second. It's thanks to this pumping power that the exhibition can be viewed from around the city, including Pyrmont Bridge, nearby high-rises, and the harbour's floating walkway. [caption id="attachment_854523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Temple of Joy, Elliot Routledge, Destination NSW[/caption] VIVID HOUSE Taking over Darling Quarter, Vivid House is an immersive experience that combines light and sound to stimulate your senses over three distinct installations. In A Floating World (Stephen Ferris), musicians and visual artists combine to create a sonic painting that evokes imaginary landscapes. With Progressum (aFX Global), subtlety is key as flickers of light permeate the darkness and gradually build to become one with sound. Finally, Temple of Joy (Elliott Routledge) is a tribute to the halcyon days of Sydney's nightlife. Take in all three for the full, unforgettable Vivid House experience. [caption id="attachment_853127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Dive, Destination NSW[/caption] 'BUMP IN THE NIGHT' While Australia isn't quite as full of terrifying, life-threatening creatures as the rest of the world seems to think, you do tend to hear unidentifiable sounds of nature on a regular basis. Was that mad cackling a cockatoo, a kookaburra, or your neighbour watching Kath & Kim reruns again? Bump in the Night (by installation artist James Dive) is an interactive exhibition that looks like a genteel campsite (complete with muffled snores coming from inside the tents) but you get to play the strange creatures in the dark, with any noise you make potentially stirring the campers. This might be one of Vivid Sydney's strangest experiences but it's also one of the most fun. [caption id="attachment_853130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isabel Hudson and Trent Suidgeest, Destination NSW[/caption] 'A MIRRORED CITY' A Mirrored City creates a city within a city at The Goods Line. Conceptualised by artists Isabel Hudson and Trent Suidgeest, the installation brings shimmering surfaces to reflect the rich tapestry of Sydney life. As darkness falls, lights hidden within the surfaces create a larger Sydney, one that goes far beyond the confines of the station. From some of the city's most recognisable urban landscapes to stunning beachside vistas, A Mirrored City will take you on a tour of the city, telling stories about the people and places that make it what it is, all while you stay in one place. [caption id="attachment_853131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michaela Gleave, Destination NSW[/caption] 'ENDLESS LOVE' The concept here — from contemporary artist Michaela Gleave — is pretty simple, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful. The words 'endless love' will be displayed as part of a giant, lit-up arch at Circular Quay. Because who doesn't want endless love — and what could be bigger and better than an enduring promise of never-ending adoration? Endless Love is Vivid Sydney's gift to the city, and it's also a message from our city to the rest of the world. Every morning, the sun rises above Sydney to herald a new day and, throughout Vivid Sydney, this message will be shining too. Oh, and you'll look great standing beneath it on Instagram, which is also important. [caption id="attachment_853132" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atelier Sisu, Destination NSW[/caption] 'EPHEMERAL OCEANIC' For this year's festival, Walsh Bay will be turned into a floating, bubble-laden playground courtesy of Atelier Sisu artists Zara Pasfield and Renzo B Larriviere. A floating boardwalk weaves between 150 giant orbs, lit from the inside and changing colour throughout the night, projecting ever-changing patterns onto the water below. Remember the pure glee you'd get from blowing bubbles as a child? This is the grown-up version of that, but it's also a reminder that you're never too old to have fun and lose yourself in life's simple pleasures. The inherent ephemerality of this piece is also encouragement for you to consider your environment and how easily things can change. [caption id="attachment_853134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sinclair Park, Destination NSW[/caption] 'FRANKLY, MY DEAR...' When Vivid Sydney rolls round, everything is a canvas — iconic buildings and structures offering more surfaces and interesting angles for light to hit. The UTS School of Business is known for the paper bag-like aesthetic given to it by seminal architect Frank Gehry. Sinclair Park, the light artist behind Frankly, My Dear, noted the building is "unique and playful... an irresistible canvas", and created a site-specific work that will allow viewers to see the structure from a whole new perspective. Using lights in changing hues in the building's windows, he accents the exposed brick and unusual shapes, turning one of Sydney's most distinctive buildings into one of its most undeniably beautiful. Vivid Sydney takes place at locations citywide from May 27–June 18. For the full program and to find out more, head to the website. Planned your visit already? Remember to get social and use the hashtag #vividsydney or tag Vivid Sydney in your shots. Top image: Yarrkalpa — Hunting Ground (2021), by the Martu Artists and Curiious with soundtrack by Electric Fields and Martu Artists (inspired by Yarrkalpa — Always Walking Country, 2014), Destination NSW
From big pineapples to big melons to big lobsters, Australia is rather fond of a giant-sized statue. We're also the home of the big banana, big avocado, big bench and big guitar, as well as the big merino, big prawn and big potato. The big list of Big Things not only keeps going on, but has just scored a new addition, too — the Big Lollipop. To answer the obvious question: no, it isn't edible. Sorry to dash your Willy Wonka-style dreams. You will be able to stand beneath the new towering sweet and lick the real thing, however, because it happens to be located outside — where else? — a candy store. Just unveiled on Sunday, September 8 in Ravensthorpe in Western Australia — around 530 kilometres southeast of Perth, if you're planning your next road trip — the Big Lollipop stands next to the pink-hued Yummylicious Candy Shack. Owner Belinda McHarg came up with the idea two years back, as a way to help boost tourism when the local nickel mine closed down for the second time, and now this oversized candy has become a reality. Sure, everyone has seen a hefty edible lollipop before. When you were a kid, you probably convinced your parents to buy you one, couldn't get through it all, hid the rest under the couch and raced around the house in a sugar-fuelled high. We've all been there. This giant version definitely can't be eaten, and it really is giant, standing over seven metres tall (7.4 to be exact) and measuring four metres wide. It's also the world's largest freestanding lollipop, because if you're going to go big, you may as well go all the way. Painted a rainbow of colours, as plenty of smaller-sized lollipops tend to be, the Big Lollipop was launched to mark Yummylicious' third anniversary. The Big Lollipop is located outside the Yummylicious Candy Shack, 89 Morgans Street, Ravensthorpe, Western Australia. The store is open from 10am–5pm daily — for more information, visit the shop's Facebook page. Images: Dana Fairhead.
Standard Issue is one of many hidden boutiques in the Yarraville area. Stocking a constantly updated range of fashion from an eclectic mix of Australian and international brands, the store is bursting with flashy garments and knick knacks that'll make for the perfect gift. Located on the corner of Anderson and Bunyiyong streets, Standard Issue sells east-meets-west designer fashion from Rabens Saloner, Assembly Label's beloved basics, distinctive and whimsical jewellery by Sydney-based Kirstin Ash, longstanding Australian cult label One Teaspoon, Suncoo Paris' chic French designs, and ethical clothing from Kowtow.
A newer addition to Melbourne's live music scene, the Brunswick Ballroom took over the space once home to The Spotted Mallard in early 2021, sporting a freshly revamped concert hall complete with stunning stained glass domes embedded in its soaring ceiling. Despite the venue's youth, it has already attracted an impressive list of well-known musicians to the stage, including the likes of Gareth Liddiard, Renee Geyer, Tim Rogers, Kate Ceberano and Ali Barter. But you can also expect a diverse lineup of emerging Aussie acts in the mix, with a program that flits from surf rock to folk and jazz — and covering just about every genre in between. From the kitchen comes a rotating 'dinner and show' menu, along with snacks like parmesan pretzels ($8), club sandwiches ($16), and both regular and vegan buffalo wings ($18). And don't miss the open-air balcony, boasting primo views of the city skyline. Meanwhile, downstairs, the Brunswick Artists' Bar is your destination for drinks, art exhibitions and acoustic sets by local musicians. Expect lots of intimate DJ shows, a regular Wednesday trivia session complete with drink specials, and the odd vinyl night to really get you grooving. Images: Nicole Cleary
Brunswick East's B.East (get it?) has been feeding hungry northsiders with burgers, fries, sides and shakes since it came to life in 2012. And when it comes to bites, its fried chicken burger is a huge local fav. Sink your teeth into their Clint Beastwood and enjoy a southern fried chicken fillet with Westmont pickles, thousand island sauce, jack cheddar and buttermilk slaw. If you want an extra kick of protein, you can add bacon for $3.50 and there's a gluten-free option for an added $1.50. We recommend grabbing some fries on the side — which will only set you back $4 — and washing it all down with a crushed oreos and whipped cream shake (with the optional shot of booze). Images: Duncographic
Fans of glamping and remote cabins have a new luxurious retreat to look forward to as Cabn opens its first tiny Victorian getaway. Positioned as places to unplug and recharge, the off-grid accommodation launched its first eco-home in the Adelaide Hills back in 2017 and has now opened a new location in Daylesford, a 90-minute drive from the CBD. Despite some of the connotations the term 'off-grid' may have, this cabin is a far cry from roughing it. This solar-powered tiny house sits on secluded private property in the Great Dividing Range. The cleverly designed, timber fit-out includes a loft with queen bed, a bunk bed, an indoor shower, a fully stocked kitchen and an outdoor barbecue and fire pit. Plus glass doors and windows that offer views aplenty. Remember this place is all about 'digital detoxing', though, so expect limited cell service and absolutely no wifi to speak of — this is certainly not a working holiday type of place. The retreat is lovingly tucked away and very secluded, so the only living beings you'll share the space with is the local wildlife. Think koalas, kangaroos and plenty of kookaburras. A second Victorian Cabn location is set to launch later this year, too, along with several other sites around Australia, so keep an eye on this space for future updates. Sadie rates start at $209 per night for two on weekdays and $259 on weekends. The cabin can comfortably sleep two, with room for four. To book, head over here. Looking for more to do around Daylesford? Check out our guide to the region.
Burwood East might not be the first place that comes to mind when talking about the most sustainability-focused and forward-thinking architectural projects in Melbourne. But, the re-opened Acre is looking to change that. After a few COVID-induced opening and capacity hiccups, Acre is now home to a functional, sprawling 2500-square-metre rooftop farm and two eateries, situated at the top of Burwood Brickworks. The crown of the unassuming suburban shopping centre, Acre boasts working bee hives, worm farms, a quail coop, gardens, herbs and vegetables. There are future plans for a sky-high chicken hutch, too. Boasting both the Glasshouse cafe and Farmhouse restaurant, the majority of fresh produce is grown on-site and supplemented with ethically-sourced produce. The evening menu at Farmhouse is focused on showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect a light, house made ricotta with charred zucchini and asparagus; or a local snapper crudo with watermelon three ways to start. Mains tend towards a pesto casarecce with fresh tomatoes and pangrattato, and a tender braised lamb neck served with a summer green salsa. The lineup at Glasshouse cafe ranges from smoked salmon on warm rye, chicken wings and toasted vegetarian paninis. If you're wondering how they're cultivating a flourishing space atop a shopping centre — green thumbs, take notes. The natural soil created from clay, sand, coconut fibre and compost is specially-engineered as a sustainable and lightweight product to accommodate for rooftop weight restrictions. Quite adorably, quails are raised for their eggs only and are fed beans, peas, melon pulp, leafy greens, oats and barley. On particularly sunny days, the birdies are given water misters and ice to keep cool. The Acre team also hosts events, weddings, tours, workshops and cooking classes. You can keep an eye on the latest events and activities coming up via their Instagram. Farmhouse restaurant is open for dinner Thursday–Saturday from 5.30pm–9pm and Sunday from 11.30am–3pm. Glasshouse cafe is open Monday–Sunday from 8.30am–4pm.
For years, Melbourne has proudly worn its culinary credentials. Newcomers queue wide-eyed at cult institutions like Lune Croissanterie and Pellegrini's Espresso Bar, while long-time locals who have already curated their favourites still stumble across surprises tucked away in laneways. From homestyle Palestinian dishes at Beit Siti to three floors of Italian nosh at Il Mercato Centrale, you can eat your way around the world without leaving the tram network. [caption id="attachment_1037185" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sarah Pannell[/caption] Now, Lonely Planet has made it official: the Best in Travel 2026 guide has ranked Melbourne's food scene as one of the world's best 25 travel experiences. Now in its 16th edition, the guide forecasts unmissable destinations and experiences around the world for the year ahead. Australia scored three spots on the list: Victoria's 900km bathing trail from Daylesford to Mornington made the cut, while South Australia's Ikara-Flinders Ranges sits among the best 25 places. The guide shouts out the smorgasbord of dining options in Melbourne — there's something worth eating, no matter where you go. Cruffins from Lune and piccolo lattes from Maker Coffee are the recommended breakfast. Afterwards, head south of the river to South Melbourne Market, where Lonely Planet's food trail will bring you to Juju's Deli for chicken schnitty sangas, Aptus Seafoods Oyster Bar for a shuck stop and Claypots Evening Star for a killer seafood marinara. Venture further southwest for excellent Vietnamese fusion at Hanoi Mee Kitchen and Bar, a lesser-known local gem in Port Melbourne that left a lasting impression on the writer. [caption id="attachment_922464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image supplied[/caption] The city's European influence shines at Italian marketplace Il Mercato Centrale and Italo-Aussie spins at Bottega, plus a wave of Mediterranean-inspired venues. Specialising in Cameroonian dishes, the now-shuttered Vola Foods in Brunswick West was the guide's pick for African cuisine — and you can still catch them at pop-ups, which they announce on Instagram. Over in the neighbouring Coburg, find Palestinian soul food from food truck Beit Siti. If you're in Collingwood, check out Hotel Jesus for some serious tacos. Drinks aren't an afterthought either. Collingwood brewery Molly Rose is a craft beer haven, while Waxflower Bar in Brunswick sets the mood for sipping lo-fi vinos with live vinyl sets. Want to read the full guide? Head to the Lonely Planet website for more.
Eastern Grace Group (St. Cloud Eating House and Young's Wine Rooms) is going through some big changes right now. First, owner James Klapanis brought on Matteo Tine (ex-Grossi Florentino, Bar Carolina, Tetto di Carolina and Pixie) as the restaurant group's Executive Chef and Creative Director. Tine then assembled a new team for Young's Wine Room, seeking to reinvigorate the site. And as of Friday, June 28, the group has opened a huge new venue: Orlo. Set across three floors in Collingwood's historic Dyason Cordial Factory, Orlo is home to a ground-floor dining room, enclosed courtyard with olive trees and vines, private dining mezzanine and basement bar. Each space has its own distinct feel, but the menus are all heavily influenced by Mediterranean dining. In the restaurant, Tine is leaning heavily into his Sicilian roots, plating up contemporary Italian eats influenced by a smattering of other European cuisines. Tine shared: "With my Sicilian background, I primarily and instinctively lean on Italian cuisine, but I can't help but recognise and use techniques and flavours from other countries and cuisines. "My mentor, Guy Grossi, who is basically my second father, told me that everything on the plate has to tell a story and have a reason for being on the plate. This is what creates the connection to the customer. People want a story; they want to know why the chef has put this or that on the plate. And I really want people to hear and enjoy my story." All of this equates to dishes like the southern rock lobster served with a scotch egg and optional caviar; swordfish skewers with orange, miso and olive mollica (sautéed bread crumbs); char siu-style chicken with fermented chilli and pickled rapa; and an 800-gram Black Angus dry-aged rib eye covered in a leek and porcini rub and salmoriglio. Tine is all over the food, but Eastern Grace Group has brought on a couple of hospo heavyweights to create the drinks menus. When it comes to wine, Grossi Group's Carlo Grossi has curated a list of vinos to pair with Tine's Med-inspired dishes. He's been tasked with making these fun, bright and accessible, meaning you don't have to spend the big bucks when ordering a bottle for the table. And for the cocktail menu, Klapanis has enlisted none other than Joe Jones (Purple Pit) to work his magic. We're huge fans of his Purple Pit libations, so can't wait to see what he does at Orlo. Here, he's designed a few signature sips, including seasonal cordials that'll be served in old cordial bottles as a fun nod to the building. We're sure the best place to find these bevs will be in Orlo's underground bar Cordial Club, but the main dining room also has its own marble-topped bar where you can eat and drink. The 1880s red brick factory has been revived by the team at McCluskey Studio, who've kept plenty of its original features — exposed brickwork and beams — while glamming it up a little. They've also worked with Klapanis to use his collection of reclaimed materials and vintage furniture throughout the site. You'll find Orlo at 44 Oxford Street, Collingwood, open from 12pm–late, seven days a week. For more details, head to the venue's website.
These days, you'll find yakitori all over the city. But skewers aren't the only thing Japanese people cook over coals. There's a huge branch of the cuisine, yakiniku, that covers barbecued eats, and the new Yaki Nau is here to show us exactly what that can look like. Chef Hugo Mai (ex-Nobu) is overseeing the food concept here, which is casual, fun and heavy on the DIY barbecuing. Like your usual KBBQ joints, every table has its own gas-powered grill where you'll cook up whatever cuts of wagyu — including a selection of M9-grade cuts from Victorian producer Blackmore — you desire. You can also supplement your wagyu with a selection of flame-kissed eats from the main kitchen — the a la carte menu includes eight different types of yakitori, as well as share plates like a tomahawk pork chop katsu, carbonara somen, and a spicy wagyu fried rice. Classic izakaya bar snacks also feature for those wanting to spend the night grazing while sipping on sake and knocking back beers. You've got chicken karaage, wagyu tartare, donburi bowls, deep-fried garlic wings and soft-shell crab tempura, just to name a few. Pair all this with Japanese whiskies, sake beer and cocktails to get the full izakaya experience. There's a lot going on at Yaki Nau, giving you the chance to choose your own delicious adventure. Yaki Nau is located at 370 Queen Street, Melbourne, open every day for lunch from 11am–3pm, and for dinner from 5–11pm. For more information and to book a table, head to the venue's website. Images by Long Boy Media and Pablo Diaz.
Historically, 'beautiful' is probably not the first word you'd pick to describe your local butcher shop. But then again, Victor Churchill isn't your average meat store. For Sydneysiders, the name is a familiar one, with the butcher's OG Woollahra site an eastern suburbs staple since opening in 2009. Anthony Bourdain famously once called it 'the most beautiful butcher in the world'. And now, it's Melbourne's turn, as the Victor Churchill stable expands to include a new southern flagship on Armadale's High Street. Opened this month in a former bank, the new store will more than 'meat' your expectations of a butcher, boasting a specialty charcuterie counter, wine bar, grocery corner, retail booze offering and lunch counter, along with its premium curation of meat products. It's an undeniably dapper space, too, all warm timber, green marble floors and chic copper accents, with dry-ageing meat hung theatrically as if in a gallery. [caption id="attachment_832900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] The brand is a family affair, founded and run by Anthony Puharich and his fourth-generation butcher father, Victor. And together they've built some serious pedigree, with their wholesale business Vic's Premium Quality Meat a longtime supplier of top Melbourne restaurants including Attica, Flower Drum and Grossi Florentino. Here at the new Armadale outpost, Victor Churchill is continuing its legacy of serving top-quality protein sourced from leading Aussie producers. As with its sibling, the store also does away with the traditional physical butcher's counter, in an effort to make the shopping experience more inviting and personal. The aforementioned wine bar is an intimate, 12-seat space at the back of the venue, where you can settle in for a glass of vino, a cocktail and — from next year — dinner. Here, a Josper charcoal-fuelled rotisserie, charcoal oven and basque grill will guide a menu filled with top-notch meat, charcuterie and seafood. Think, steak tartare, prawn cocktail and lobster pulled fresh from the tank. [caption id="attachment_832905" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Meanwhile, your future picnicking endeavours will be well serviced by the bumper charcuterie counter, which is stocked with an ever-evolving selection of house-made patés, terrines and snags, plus savoury goodies whipped up by the house pastry chefs. While you're there, you can shop a considered retail curation of seasonal produce, pantry staples and wine. And you probably shouldn't leave without grabbing one of the signature lunchtime rolls, loaded with rotisserie chicken or hot roast beef. Find Victor Churchill's new Melbourne flagship at 953 High Street, Armadale. The store is open 9am–6pm weekdays, 8am–6pm Saturdays and 9am–5pm Sundays, while the bar is open 12–6pm Mondays–Saturday and 12–5pm Sundays. Images: Pete Dillon, Paul Gosney (interiors)
At first glance, The Hamptons Bakery looks like your regular, friendly, neighbourhood bakery. But this humble spot on Hampton Street supplies some of Melbourne's top restaurants and cafes with artisan baked goods, including St Kilda's Stokehouse and Lûmé. Grab yourself a taste from the front counter, which is packed with the likes of pain au raisin pastries, almond croissants, Portuguese tarts and cinnamon knots. That's alongside the seven different types of bread on offer, made daily, ranging from pumpkin and soy loaves to milk buns. The Hamptons Bakery also doubles up as a café, which is an excellent spot in the beachside suburb for families (there is plenty of room for prams), groups of friends, or just a chilled Sunday brunch. You'll find classics including soft omelettes ($18.50), corn fritters with free-range bacon and avo ($22) or eggs benedict with a spiced 12-hour slow-cooked pork ($24). Lunch options run to the likes of handmade gnocchi ($25), Ruben sandwiches ($24) and grilled chicken salads ($22.50). Ewert Leaf designed the 100-seat space, which is freshly furnished with light timbers, pastel green finishes and suspended plants.
More than once in Heartstopper, a question drifts from the lips of the Netflix series' British teens, asking something that every adolescent has contemplated. That query: "why are we like this?", pondering why hitting puberty always brings an utter lack of elegance with emotions, identity, relationships and expressing yourself. It can't be answered in any satisfactory way, but in this delightful streaming newcomer — with an eight-part first season that's become a must-see within a week of hitting the platform — what that question isn't referencing is also crucial. The LGBTQIA+-championing show doesn't ever have its gay, trans and bisexual characters pointlessly wonder why they love who they love or feel how they feel, welcomely, refreshingly and heartwarmingly so. That's enough to earn the series its title; for viewers, plenty about this webcomic-to-page-to-screen charmer will cause entranced tickers to miss a beat. Within the story, though, it takes mere minutes for Heartstopper to warrant its name — showing rather than telling, as all great art should. A year ten student at Truham Grammar School for Boys, Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) finds himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe) at the start of a new term. Sparks fly on the former's part, swiftly and overwhelmingly, as a crush and then a life-changing love story is born. It's not the only moment that'll make Charlie pause, his heart all a-flutter and his cheeks a-glow — or any of the show's figures for that matter — but it leaves an imprint that sets Heartstopper's astutely endearing tone. Nodding to the series' graphic-novel origins, Charlie and Nick's first meetings inspire a flurry of hand-drawn animated hearts on-screen, illustrating how we all know that such an experience feels. The cute twinkling imagery is such a small but pivotal touch, used to illuminate small yet essential moments, and couldn't be more perfect. Others that follow, all also flawless: lightning bolts, flowers, stars and rainbows, all whizzing around when the sweetest of emotions run high. Everything isn't all rainbows for Charlie and Nick, narrative-wise, though — although the colour scheme favoured by director Euros Lyn (Dream Horse) goes heavy on pink lighting, blue and yellow school walls, the green grass of sports fields, and violet-hued clothing. In Heartstopper's opening episode, Charlie has a secret boyfriend, Ben Hope (Sebastian Croft, Doom Patrol). Their clandestine rendezvous in empty classrooms aren't his choice, but Ben won't even acknowledge Charlie in public. He's also cruel, rude and demanding without ever caring about Charlie's feelings, and filled with loathing about his sexuality — and fear that he might be found out. Thankfully, Charlie realises that he deserves much, much better, including with Nick's help. Also an issue: Charlie hardly thinks of himself as sporty, even after Nick asks him to join the school rugby team because he's super-fast at running. That train of thought speaks to a lifetime of self-doubt, with Nick telling Charlie to stop apologising for, well, everything — and Charlie's high-drama best friend Tao (fellow debutant William Gao) describing him as having "a tendency to believe him just existing is annoying for other people". Accordingly, while a friendship quickly solidifies between Heartstopper's central duo, Charlie is initially unsure whether anything more can happen. And, after spending a year being bullied by homophobic classmates after coming out — often hiding in the art room at lunch with a kindly teacher (Fisayo Akinade, Atlanta) to escape — he's anxiety-riddled in general. The nervy Charlie and calm-and-collected Nick — a self-described "gay nerd" among "borderline outcasts" and Truham's rugby king — don't simply cycle through an opposites-attract scenario, thankfully. This is an upbeat, soaring and joyful tale, too; yet another take on Romeo and Juliet, it definitely isn't. Heartstopper's focus: all those things that Charlie, Nick, Tao, recently out trans pal Elle (Yasmin Finney), her lesbian school friends Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), and the quietly happy-go-lucky Isaac (Tobie Donovan) navigate as they grapple with their feelings, working out what they want, self-acceptance, and relationships both romantic and platonic. The series isn't afraid of teen tropes or rom-com cliches, such as grand gestures in the pouring rain, blissful montages and the stress of text messages, but it also isn't willing to deliver anything other than a thoughtful and tender account of high schoolers being and finding themselves, even amid unavoidable teen angst and taunting. As well as writing Heartstopper's source material, Alice Oseman pens every episode of this perceptive gem, which bubbles with warmth, care and honey-coated emotions from the outset. Its coming-of-age story and central love story alike prove wholly relatable, aptly awkward but also wonderfully sweet and sensitive; Skins, Euphoria or either version of Gossip Girl it isn't, either. In short, it's a series that plunges so convincingly and inclusively into its characters' experiences that it feels like its heart is constantly bursting with affection for everything they do, want, hope for, dream of, pine over and go through. First crushes, young love, the swirling swell of feelings that comes with both and also figuring out who you are: all of this dances through Heartstopper's frames, and marvellously. Also, when Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) pops up, she's glorious as always — although her teen colleagues are truly the stars of the show. The first season of Heartstopper is available to stream via Netflix. Images: Rob Youngson/Netflix.
Step through the door of comfy Northcote newcomer Oh Loretta and you'll feel like you've just walked into a good mate's place. The space is warm, the vibe is a little retro and the offering is all kinds of comforting. Sporting cherry red banquettes inside and a dog-friendly courtyard out back, the wine bar has all the makings of a much-loved neighbourhood gem. Chef Dan Wayne (Ottolenghi, Etta) is heading up the food side of things, with a daily-changing menu centred around seasonal vegetables and his beloved hibachi grill. Settle in for thoughtful fare such as fried cauliflower teamed with a mustard crème fraîche ($10), baby cos hearts with pecorino and pumpkin seeds ($6) and sugar snap peas with buffalo ricotta ($10). The matching drinks list heroes favourites from Victoria's smaller wine producers, along with craft beers and an oft-changing lineup of revamped classic cocktails (all $18), including the hibiscus collins, mandarin negroni, cherry old fashioned and a giant G&T with cucumber juice. And while you're there, expect a warm, unpretentious musical offering by local DJ and PBS presenter MzRizk. You'll even catch vinyl picks from a rotation of resident guests every Thursday to Sunday, too.
Whether it's been six weeks, six months or six years, there's nothing quite like a romantic getaway to add a sense of excitement to a relationship. And now's the perfect time to explore even more of what our fine country has to offer for your next romantic escape. Canberra definitely fills the brief for a romantic getaway — and it's certainly much closer (and more affordable) than Paris. You and your plus one can enjoy stunning views from both the ground and the sky, plus luxe dinners and unique experiences that you may be able to tell the grandkids about one day. Here are five experiences you can have in and around the city that'll help you woo your boo. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Make some room in your budget for a new streaming service: soon, HBO's lengthy list of must-see TV shows will have their own platform in Australia. The network's dedicated streamer Max debuted in America in 2020, and has been rolling out through Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Europe since — and newly in Japan as well. Now, Aussie viewers will be able to subscribe sometime in the first half of 2025. Earlier in 2024, it was rumoured that Australia was on Max's list in the next 18 months. At the APOS media and entertainment conference in Bali between Tuesday, September 24–Thursday, September 26, Warner Bros Discovery's President for the Asia-Pacific James Gibbons confirmed the Aussie launch, as well as the 2025 timing. Exactly how the rollout will work across the Asia-Pacific region is yet to be revealed, and it won't be the same Max model everywhere. But Australia will have a direct-to-consumer setup, which means signing up directly for Max. "We will be flexible and diverse as to how we go about it. There will be a mixture of direct service and partnership models. Our goal is to reach the fan base," said Gibbons, Variety reports. The great streaming service rush, when new platforms seemed to appear every few weeks or so, might be a few years in the past; however, HBO bringing Max to Australia is huge news. Depending on exactly when in the first six months of 2025 that it hits, that's where you might be watching The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria when they return for their next seasons. At present, the US network's shows largely screen and stream to Aussie viewers via Binge and Foxtel. When the former launched, boasting HBO's catalogue was one of its big selling points. The deal between Binge, Foxtel and Warner Bros Discovery — which owns HBO — was extended in 2023, but it was reported at the time that Max might debut in Australia from 2025. Moving HBO's catalogue away from Binge and Foxtel would impact a hefty number of shows, with the network also behind House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and any other Game of Thrones spinoffs that make it to fruition — and True Detective, And Just Like That..., The Rehearsal, The Penguin, on-the-way IT prequel series Welcome to Derry, soon-to-arrive Dune spinoff Prophecy and much, much more. HBO's past original programming spans everything from The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Oz, Deadwood, Big Love, True Blood, Big Little Lies, Westworld and Succession to The Larry Sanders Show, Sex and the City, Flight of the Conchords, Bored to Death, Girls, Veep, Barry and Enlightened. Max is launching in Australia sometime in the first half of 2025 — we'll update you when more details are announced. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter. Top image: Macall Polay/Max.
Melbourne treasure hunters — there might not be many of you but we know you're out there — how would you like to track down some actual treasure for once? A step up from the usual weekend scavenger hunt, this Saturday, December 6, TMC Fine Jewellers is hosting a citywide scavenger hunt for a very shiny and valuable prize. TMC is opening their first Melbourne showroom and inviting Melburnians to peer 'Through the Looking Glass' and take part in a hunt that hides clues in plain sight. And what better prize to offer up to eager hunters than a bespoke ring studded with lab-grown diamonds and valued at $10,000? The hunt begins at 6am sharp, with the first clue (the showroom's location) posted on TMC's social media pages and sent to registered participants via EDM slightly earlier. The hunt official begins at 8am and from there, you'll have to follow four printed riddle clues within a 5km radius of the store. If you get confused, TMC will be posting hints on its TikTok page. Collect all four, and you'll go into the running to win the prize ring. "Melbourne has always been a city of creativity and curiosity, so it felt only fitting to celebrate our first flagship store with an experience that brings those values to life," said Makayla Donovan, co-founder of TMC Fine Jewellers. TMC Fine Jewellers, founded by young couple Makayla and Tom Donovan, strives to deliver affordable, bespoke and ethically responsible engagement and wedding rings. Part of the growing industry shift away from mined diamonds to lab-grown, TMC has gone from a passion project to an established jeweller in just four years — now we can all get involved with the celebrations and win some jewellery of our own. For more information on TMC Fine Jewellers, visit the website.
The Environmental Film Festival returns this October to celebrate its 15th birthday with a week-long program spanning 23 titles — including 14 premieres — alongside cine-art talks under the theme "Environment is Everywhere." From Thursday, October 16 to Thursday, October 23, cinemas across Melbourne will host feature films, shorts, documentaries and discussions celebrating the intersection of art, activism and the environment. Leading the program is Documerica, Self-Portrait of a Nation on the Brink, a recollection of an American natural photo survey undertaken in the 1970s, The People's Tree, a story of the impacts of environmental legislation on tree trimmers in India and These Sacred Hills, an insight into the culture and history of the Rock Creek Band of the Yakama Nation, who's sacred sites are threatened by a proposed green energy project. [caption id="attachment_1028468" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The World According To My Dad, directed by Marta Kovářová[/caption] Let's not forget The World According To My Dad, a heartwarming documentary about director Marta Kovářová's physicist father, who dreams of putting a stop to climate change with bold ideas — or No More History Without Us, a manifesto documentary by two Amazonian filmmakers on the falsehoods invented by European colonisers about the Amazon rainforest and its many peoples. This is just the tip of the program's iceberg, and you can find the full offering on the website. Beyond the screen, there'll be some in-person events, including the festival's 15th birthday soiree serving plant-based bites, and a community beach clean on Elwood Beach. Freyja Gillard, Co-Director of Environmental Films Australia, said: "This year's program is really unique for us, focusing on the idea that the environment is indeed everywhere; it's not an 'other', separate from us, only available in the 'wild'. The vast majority of humans live in urban spaces and cities and this year's selection really showcases what that looks like in an environmental-sense, exploring the interconnection between people and place, what our environments mean to us, and what we mean to our environments." The Environmental Film Festival will run at cinemas and venues around Melbourne from Thursday, October 16 to Thursday, October 23. For tickets or more information, visit the website. Header: 'No More History Without Us', directed by Priscilla Brasil. Images courtesy of Environmental Film Festival
If you're on the lookout for a summertime adventure, a weekend away at Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain (just a 15-minute drive away) ensures you head home with endless memories. While these alpine peaks are known for their snowy activities, you might be surprised to learn that the warmer months are just as bountiful. With incredible hiking, mountain biking and glamping to be found in every corner of the region, there's also a great collection of restaurants, pubs and lodges that ensure your visit is suitably dreamy. Ready to hit the road? We've partnered with Victoria's High Country to highlight some of the area's must-visit destinations. [caption id="attachment_834174" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] BIKE YOUR WAY THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TRAILS When there's this much alpine beauty to admire, you want to be able to experience as much of it as possible. The Dinner Plain Mountain Bike Park is one of the best places to go on two wheels, thanks to its 24-kilometre stretch of easy, flowing trails that weave their way through the famous snow gum terrain. If you'd prefer to tackle a day-long adventure, the 26-kilometre-long Brabralung Trail passes through mountainous plains and dense woodland to provide visitors with copious vistas. With the lofty JB Hut offering a wonderful camping spot, you can also pitch a tent and explore more of this pristine area when the sun comes up. [caption id="attachment_834178" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] SOAK IN SKY-HIGH VIEWS AT VICTORIA'S SECOND-HIGHEST PEAK There's no shortage of stunning hikes in the Alpine National Park, but the 22-kilometre Razorback Trail is one of the very best. It leads outdoor adventurers from Diamantina Hut to Mount Feathertop — Victoria's second-highest peak, which reaches 1922 metres above sea level. As you follow along the high, tapered ridge, moseying from one striking slope to the next, you'll be presented with mightily impressive views thanks to your position above the treeline. Don't fancy doing the full 22 kilometres? Take your tent and set up camp overlooking one of the many impressive vantage points. [caption id="attachment_834986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] PAIR A GUIDED HIKE WITH A FIRESIDE FEAST Rather than weighing down your daypack with gourmet goods, join up with the Hike 'n' Feast experience instead. As this guided 15-kilometre stroll follows along the Huts Walk, you'll get to admire Mount Hotham's most historic (and famous) cattlemen's huts, as well as panoramic views of the surrounding peaks from the top of Mount Loch. When you reach the end of the trail, you'll wander into a remote eco-camp where you'll relax by the fireside, get to know your fellow hikers and dine on a gastronomic meal. With everything included in the price, this is a stellar way to experience Victoria's High Country. [caption id="attachment_834990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] SLEEP IN ALPINE SURROUNDINGS AT AN ECO-GLAMPING CAMP Get back to basics — sort of — with a summertime stay at Mount Hotham's premier eco-glamping camp. Operated by Alpine Nature Experience, it lets you sleep suspended above the ground in a cosy tree tent, all while soaking up the sparkling night sky and the roaring campfire. Each booking comes with breakfast, and you can get platters and hampers for lunch — and fire-cooked dinners. As well as an array of daytime activities like yoga, guided hikes, paragliding and abseiling, there's also a wood-heated outdoor bath to maximise your relaxation if you book into the premium tree tent. SPEND A NIGHT IN A COSY ALPINE CHALET If you're really looking to get the most out of your alpine experience in Dinner Plain, staying overnight in a luxe highland chalet means that you can jam-pack your schedule even more. There are loads of places to choose from, ranging from charming freestanding chalets to six-bedroom manors with sprawling countryside views. With these chalets all positioned within the tight-knit Dinner Plain township, you'll also be able to stop in at the area's much-loved restaurants and pubs to keep you well and truly fed during your visit. And, thanks to access to nearby hikes, waterfalls and stirring lookout points, booking accommodation for the weekend will take your experience to greater heights in a variety of ways. The best part? You won't have to leave your fur baby at home — Dinner Plain is as dog-friendly as towns get, with most of the accommodation allowing your four-legged bestie to stay with you, too. [caption id="attachment_835410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] ENJOY BURGERS AND CRAFT BREWS IN AN ALPINE BEER GARDEN Keen for a big feed? The Hotel High Plains is one of the top destinations in the region. Open from afternoon onwards, the kitchen serves up burgers, parmas and smokehouse meats. It also slings woodfired pizzas as the sun begins to set on Wednesday nights. Situated in the heart of Dinner Plain, Hotel High Plains also boasts a top-notch selection of craft beers from breweries like Panhead and Wolf of the Willows — plus a wine list that features a variety of local drops. A visit here means not only getting a bite and a beverage, but settling in at the wide-open beer garden to relish the fresh alpine air. [caption id="attachment_834994" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] SAY CHEERS TO AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST ALTITUDE PUB Perched on the slopes of Mount Hotham, The General is a local institution. With a claim to fame as Australia's highest altitude pub — it sits at a dizzying 1750 metres above sea level — it pairs an eye-catching mountain backdrop with a stellar all-day menu. Plus brews, obviously. As you drink in the views from the pub's breezy balcony, The Genny serves classics like chicken parmas and beef burgers, as well as smaller options like corn fritters, pork tacos and chicken karaage. You can't go wrong with a feast at what feels like the top of the world. [caption id="attachment_835415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] RELAX WITH YOGA SESSIONS AND COCKTAIL-MAKING CLASSES After you've spent the day trekking up and down the countryside, The Hub in Dinner Plain invites you to rest and recuperate. As a social enterprise dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing, it hosts soothing in-house yoga sessions and pilates classes, offers e-bike rentals, and also sports a fully stocked gin and whisky bar. Alongside a sumptuous selection of local pastries and barista-quality java provided by Bright's Sixpence Coffee, there are even regular cocktail-making classes. So, you can learn how to master numerous potent concoctions — then impress your mates when you return from your holiday. For more information on things to see and do at Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain this summer, head to the Victoria's High Country website. Images: Victoria's High Country
At the 11th hour on Wednesday, April 17, just before Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray was set to host its launch party, guests were told to turn around and head back home. According to the Moon Dog team, this was because Maribyrnong City Council sent them a last-minute notice indicating that the placement of one of the venue's fire hydrants was no longer suitable. The crew weren't able to make the necessary changes in time, so the event was cancelled. Sadly, the public opening has also been scrapped until the council's needs have been met. That means it's time to put your cowboy boots and Akubras back in the wardrobe — at least for now. Or keep them on to listen to Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album one more time. "We are so sorry to everyone that turned up last night excited to check out our amazing new venue, but instead were turned away. We always knew creating a venue of this size and scale with ambitious timelines was going to have its challenges, but it's bitterly disappointing to have been tripped up at the last hurdle after doing everything by the book," said Moon Dog Co-Founder Karl van Buuren. "We have had amazing support from the council and the Footscray community in the lead up to opening this venue, and we are very sorry to all the bookings, functions and everyone else that was planning to come down tonight," he added. "We're hopeful to have a resolution as soon as possible and, when we do, we look forward to sharing a new opening date with everyone and finally cracking an ice cold beer and jumping on the bucking bull." There's plenty of old-western fun to look forward to beyond riding the mechanical bucking bull once Moon Dog Wild West opens. There'll be a secret little Pianola Bar, an arcade, pool tables, a private dining space, a barrel-ageing room, and a stunner of a dog-friendly rooftop that's littered with cacti and fake dessert rocks. Every part of the ambitious venture has been packed out. Moon Dog Wild West will have bars on each level pouring Moon Dog beers and seltzers from over 100 taps. Three-time Australian Bartender of the Year Chris Hysted-Adams has also been brought in to design the cocktail list and shots menu. This includes an old-school pickleback shot, a regularly changing old fashioned that'll be served in a barrel for four people and a layered tequila sunrise slushie. Then you've got the food, which is all very Tex-Mex-inspired. The team is pumping out sizzling fajitas, buffalo chicken ribs, double-decker tacos, Mexican twists on prawn cocktails and a big ol' one-kilogram t-bone steak. There's so much to look forward to when the crew finally gets the green light to let punters in through the swinging saloon doors. The same can be said for the upcoming Docklands and Frankston bars, which the team plans to open later in 2024. When Moon Dog Wild West opens, you'll find it at 54 Hopkins Street, Footscray, operating from 3pm–late Monday–Tuesday and 11.30am–late Wednesday–Sunday. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Arianna Leggiero.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from May's haul of newbies. NEW SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK OBI-WAN KENOBI More Ewan McGregor in anything is always a good thing, including in returning to a galaxy far, far away (and long ago). But before Disney+'s new Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi gives the space opera franchise's fans that gift as part of the platform's third live-action spinoff from the blockbuster movie saga (following The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett), it has another present to bestow. Across a few minutes in the show's "previously on" prelude prior to its opening episode, it recaps what viewers need to know about the Jedi and his time with Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen, The Last Man) before now. That means that viewing the terrible prequel trilogy is no longer ever necessary, because the main point of the entire three films has been condensed down into this quick montage. Elated, you should be — and may the force be with the time you'll never waste rewatching them again. There's obviously more to Obi-Wan Kenobi than that. Set ten years after Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, it finds Obi-Wan (McGregor, Halston) living as Ben Kenobi on Tatooine, all to keep an eye on a young Luke (Grant Feely, Creepshow) from afar. But the Empire is after the former Jedi master, and all Jedis — with a particularly determined Inquisitor, Third Sister (Moses Ingram, Ambulance), especially vicious in her efforts to hunt him down. That's all as expected; however, the storyline involving the kidnapping of young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair, Waco), who is growing up with the Organas (In the Heights' Jimmy Smits and 11%'s Simon Kessell) as her adoptive parents, is far more of a surprise. Also boasting everyone from Joel Edgerton (The Green Knight) and Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals) to Sung Kang (Fast and Furious 9) and Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza) among its cast, this six-part limited series slots easily into the ongoing sci-fi franchise at its big-screen best — including both looking and feeling the part. Obi-Wan Kenobi streams via Disney+. THE STAIRCASE On December 9, 2021, novelist and aspiring politician Michael Peterson called the North Carolina police to report that his second wife Kathleen had fallen down the stairs. It was late, and he was distraught. She was unconscious but still breathing, he said, and he pleaded for medical help ASAP. While waiting for the ambulance, he rang back to say that Kathleen was no longer breathing. When the paramedics arrived, she was dead. But the scene they found was shockingly bloody, and questions about Michael's story were asked immediately. Protesting his innocence, and originally supported by all five of his biological, adopted and step children, he was arrested and charged with his wife's murder. And yes, if this all sounds familiar — and not just from news headlines two decades back — it's because it was originally chronicled by 2004 French-made true-crime documentary miniseries The Staircase. Now, HBO's eight-part dramatised version — also called The Staircase — is relaying the same story. Whether or not you already know the full tale, the result is still gripping, tensely shot and edited, and also masterfully acted. Colin Firth (Operation Mincemeat) plays Michael, albeit with a far-from-convincing American accent. Aussie actors abound, too, with Toni Collette (Nightmare Alley) as Kathleen, plus Olivia DeJonge (Better Watch Out) and Odessa Young (Shirley) as two of the family's daughters. With Juliette Binoche (How to Be a Good Wife), Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me By Your Name), Parker Posey (Lost in Space), Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), Dane Dehaan (Lisey's Story) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Moxie) all also popping up — and Rosemarie DeWitt as well, playing Collette's sister again after United States of Tara — getting absorbed in this retelling comes quickly and swiftly. The Staircase streams via Binge. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS Peeking into intimate connections and making audiences feeling as though they've been lifted from their own lives, or from emotions they've navigated and weathered, is one of Sally Rooney's key skills as an author. It's true of both Conversations with Friends and Normal People in print, and it's a knack that the same creative team — Rooney as an executive producer, co-screenwriter Alice Birch (Lady Macbeth) and co-director Lenny Abrahamson (Room, Frank) — have brought to TV adaptations of both. In text and flickering across the screen, the two tales step into complicated romances that simmer with intensity. They confront class clashes and the difficulties that spring from them as well. And, they force contemplative women to confront what they want, who they are, how they'll grow as people and the others they might give their hearts to. In the instantly addictive Conversations with Friends, 21-year-old Frances (quietly magnetic newcomer Alison Oliver) is first poised as the other half in a couple that's not a couple, at least anymore; she went to school with and used to date the outspoken and outgoing Bobbi (Sasha Lane, American Honey), but now the two university students are best friends and spoken-word poetry partners. It's during one of their performances that successful writer Melissa (Jemima Kirke, Sex Education) spots the duo's act, compliments them afterwards and invites them over for a swim, then back to her well-appointed house for a drink. Enter Nick (Joe Alwyn, The Souvenir: Part II), Melissa's actor husband, who holds himself like he'd rather be anywhere but there but is too polite to upset the status quo. He's as reserved and introverted as Frances — and they catch each other's eyes, while Bobbi and Melissa gravitate towards each other. Conversations with Friends streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. PREHISTORIC PLANET Five episodes, one comforting voice, and a time-travelling trip back 66 million years: that's the setup behind Prehistoric Planet, an utterly remarkable feels-like-you're-there dive into natural history. Having none other than David Attenborough narrate the daily activities of dinosaurs seems like it should've happened already, of course; however, now that it finally is occurring, it's always both wonderful and stunning. Filled with astonishing footage on par with the visuals that usually accompany Attenborough's nature docos, all thanks to the special effects team behind The Jungle Book and The Lion King, it truly is a wonder to look at. It needs to be: if the Cretaceous-era dinosaurs rampaging across the screen didn't appear like they genuinely could be walking and stalking — and fighting, foraging for food, hunting, flying, swimming and running as well — the magic that typically comes with watching an Attenborough-narrated doco would instantly and disappointingly vanish. Welcome to... your new insight into Tyrannosaurus rex foreplay, your latest reminder that velociraptors really don't look like they do in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World flicks, an entertaining time spent with al kinds of animals, and your next favourite dinosaur project with an Attenborough attached. Each of Prehistoric Planet's five instalments focuses on a different type of terrain — coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice and forests — and chats through the creatures that call it home. Set to a spirited original score by Hans Zimmer, fresh from winning his latest Oscar for Dune, there's a formula at work. That said, it's no more blatant than in any David Attenborough-hosted show. Viewers watch as some dinos look after their young, others try to find a mate, plenty search for something to eat and others attempt not to be eaten. The same kinds of activities are covered in each episode, but the locations and dinosaurs involved all change. Prehistoric Planet streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. STRANGER THINGS Finally back for its fourth season after a three-year wait (yes, finally), Stranger Things ventures beyond its trusty small-town setting of Hawkins, Indiana, and in several directions. It keeps its nods and winks to flicks and shows gone by streaming steadily of course — but expanding is firmly on its mind. Once again overseen by series creators The Duffer Brothers, its latest batch of episodes is bigger and longer, with no instalment clocking in at less than an hour, one in the first drop running for a feature-length 98 minutes, and the final two not set to release until Friday, July 1. Its teenage stars are bigger and taller as well, ageing further and faster than their characters. The show has matured past riffing on early-80s action-adventure movies, too, such as The Goonies; now, it's onto slashers and other horror films, complete with new characters called Fred and Jason. And with that, Stranger Things also gets bloodier and eerier. That said, it's still the show that viewers have loved since 2016, when not even Netflix likely realised what it had unleashed — and no, that doesn't just include the demogorgon escaping from the Upside Down. But everything is growing, as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong), her boyfriend Mike (Finn Wolfhard, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), and their pals Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Max (Sadie Sink, Fear Street) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) all visibly have. Eleven, Will, Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The Souvenir Part II) and Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America) have branched out to California, and Mike comes to visit. Back in Hawkins, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Steve (Joe Keery, Free Guy), Robin (Maya Hawke, Fear Street) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard) have a new evil to face. And, as for Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow), he's stuck in a Russian gulag. The first seven episodes of Stranger Things season four are streaming via Netflix. Read our full review. EMERGENCY The 'one wild night' genre isn't solely comprised of films about high school or college parties — Martin Scorsese's ace After Hours isn't, for example — but it's still filled with them. Emergency is the latest, but it's also a movie with something to say beyond the usual life lessons about valuing your real friends and working out who you genuinely are when you're at that awkward time learning about what being an adult means. It also takes a huge cue from a fairy tale that everyone knows, and adapts it to reflect an inescapable part of America today. How does being a person of colour change your options during a supposedly carefree night of partying? How does it influence your choices when something unexpected happens to someone else and you want to help? And what would happen if Goldilocks and the Three Bears was about a drunk white high schooler who passes out inside a house shared by one Latino and two Black college seniors? These are Emergency's questions. The answers to the above queries come courtesy of filmmaker Carey Williams (R#J) and screenwriter KD Dávila (Salvation), who adapt their short film of the same name. Their focus: pals Sean (RJ Cyler, The Harder They Fall), Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins, The Underground Railroad) and Carlos (Sebastian Chacon, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels), on what's supposed to be a huge night hopping between seven different campus shindigs. Then, they find Emma (Maddie Nichols, The Outsider) passed out on their lounge room floor. The Princeton-bound Kunle wants to call 911, but Sean knows how it'll look to the authorities — even though they're trying to do the right thing, have never met the girl before and don't know how she ended up in their house. Savvier than it is funny, Emergency is an oh-so-topical satire first and foremost, and doesn't hold back for a second. Emergency streams via Prime Video. UNDONE Returning for its second season three years after its first — which was one of the best shows of 2019 — the gorgeously and thoughtfully trippy multiverse series Undone is fixated on one idea: that life's flaws can be fixed. It always has been from the moment its eight-episode initial season appeared with its vivid rotoscoped animation and entrancing leaps into surreal territory; however, in season two it doubles down. Hailing from BoJack Horseman duo Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, it also remains unsurprisingly concerned with mental illness, and still sees its protagonist caught in an existential crisis. (The pair have a type, but Undone isn't BoJack Horseman 2.0). And, it deeply understands that it's spinning a "what if?" story, and also one about deep-seated unhappiness. Indeed, learning to cope with being stuck in an imperfect life, being unable to wish it away and accepting that fate beams brightly away at the heart of the show. During its debut outing, Undone introduced viewers to 28-year-old Alma Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar, Alita: Battle Angel), who found everything she thought she knew pushed askew after a near-fatal car accident. Suddenly, she started experiencing time and her memories differently — including those of her father, Jacob Winograd (Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul), who died over 20 years earlier. In a vision, he tasked her with investigating his death, which became a quest to patch up the past to stop tragedy from striking. Undone didn't necessarily need a second season, but this repeat dive into Alma's story ponders what happens in a timeline where everything seems to glimmer with all that its protagonist has ever wanted, and yet sorrow still lingers. Once again, the end result is deeply rich and resonant, as intelligent and affecting as sci-fi and animation alike get, and dedicated to thinking and feeling big while confronting everyday truths. Undone streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. RETURNING FAVES DROPPING EAGERLY AWAITED NEW EPISODES WEEKLY BARRY Three seasons into the sitcom that bears his name, all that Barry Berkman (Bill Hader, Noelle) wants is to be an actor — and to also no longer kill people for a living. That's what he's yearned for across the bulk of this HBO gem, which has given Saturday Night Live alum Hader his best-ever role; however, segueing from being an assassin to treading the boards or standing in front of the camera is unsurprisingly complicated. One of the smartest elements of the always-fantastic Barry is how determined it is to weather all the chaos, darkness, rough edges and heart-wrenching consequences of its central figure's choices, though. That's true of his actions not only in the past, but in the show's present. Hader and series co-creator Alec Berg (Silicon Valley) know that viewers like Barry. You're meant to. But that doesn't mean ignoring that he's a hitman, or that his time murdering people — and his military career before that — has repercussions, including for those around him. One of the most layered and complex comedies currently airing, Barry's third season is as intricate, thorny, textured and hilarious as the first two. Indeed, it's ridiculously easy to see how cartoonish its premise would be in lesser hands, or how it might've leaned on a simple odd-couple setup given that Anthony Carrigan (Bill & Ted Face the Music) plays Chechen gangster Noho Hank with such delightful flair. But Barry keeps digging into what makes its namesake tick, why, and the ripples he causes. It does the same with his beloved acting teacher Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, The French Dispatch) as well. With visual precision on par with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, it's also as phenomenal at staging action scenes as it is at diving deep into its characters — and, as every smartly penned episode just keeps proving, it's downright stellar at that. Barry streams via Binge. HACKS In 2021, Hacks' first season quickly cemented itself as one of 2021's best new TV shows — one of two knockout newbies starring Jean Smart last year, thanks to Mare of Easttown as well — and it's just as ace the second time around. It's still searingly funny, nailing that often-elusive blend of insight, intelligence and hilarity. It retains its observational, wry tone, and remains devastatingly relatable even if you've never been a woman trying to make it in comedy. And it's happy to linger where it needs to to truly understand its characters, but never simply dwells in the same place as its last batch of episodes. Season two is literally about hitting the road, so covering fresh territory is baked into the story; however, Hacks' trio of key behind-the-scenes creatives — writer Jen Statsky (The Good Place), writer/director Lucia Aniello (Rough Night) and writer/director/co-star Paul W Downs (The Other Two) — aren't content to merely repeat themselves with a different backdrop. Those guiding hands started Hacks after helping to make Broad City a hit. Clearly, they all know a thing or two about moving on from the past. That's the decision both veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her twentysomething writer-turned-assistant Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, North Hollywood) had to make themselves in season one, with the show's second season now charting the fallout. So, Deborah has farewelled her residency and the dependable gags that kept pulling in crowds, opting to test out new and far-more-personal material on a cross-country tour instead. Ava has accepted her role by Deborah's side, and is willing to see it as a valid career move rather than an embarrassing stopgap. But that journey comes a few narrative bumps. Of course, Hacks has always been willing to see that actions have consequences, not only for an industry that repeatedly marginalises women, but for its imperfect leading ladies. Hacks streams via Stan. Read our full review. GIRLS5EVA When it first hit streaming in 2021 with an avalanche of quickfire jokes — as all Tina Fey-executive produced sitcoms do, such as 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News and Mr Mayor — Girls5eva introduced viewers to its eponymous band. One-hit wonders in the late 90s and early 00s, their fame had fizzled. Indeed, reclaiming their stardom wasn't even a blip on their radars — until, unexpectedly, it was. Dawn Solano (Sara Bareilles, Broadway's Waitress), Wickie Roy (Renée Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton), Summer Dutkowsky (Busy Philipps, I Feel Pretty) and Gloria McManus (Paula Pell, AP Bio) had left their days as America's answer to the Spice Girls behind, barely staying in contact since the group split and their fifth member, Ashley Gold (Ashley Park, Emily in Paris), later died in an infinity pool accident. But then rapper Lil Stinker (Jeremiah Craft, Bill & Ted Face the Music) sampled their single 'Famous 5eva', and they were asked to perform backing vocals during his Tonight Show gig. Jumping back into the spotlight reignited dreams that the surviving Girls5eva members thought they'd extinguished long ago — well, other than walking attention-magnet Wickie, who crashed and burned in her attempts to go solo, and was happy to fake it till she made it again. That's the tale the show charts again in its second season, which is back with more rapid-fire pop-culture references and digs; the same knowing, light but still sincere tone; and a new parade of delightful tunes composed by Jeff Richmond, Fey's husband and source of music across every sitcom she's produced. One of the joys of Girls5eva — one of many — is how gleefully absurd it skews, all while fleshing out its central quartet, their hopes and desires, and their experiences navigating an industry that treats them as commodities at best. The show's sophomore run finds much to satirise, of course, but also dives deeper and pushing Wickie, Dawn, Summer and Gloria to grow. Obviously, it's another gem. Girls5eva streams via Stan. Read our full review. RECENT AND CLASSIC FLICKS TO CATCH UP ON — OR REVISIT NO SUDDEN MOVE Any film by prolific director Steven Soderbergh (Unsane, Kimi) is a must-see event, even if it bypasses cinemas — as No Sudden Move sadly did. This crime thriller would've looked dazzling on a big screen, and for a plethora of reasons, but it's as excellent as ever even while watching on your TV. Soderbergh is no stranger to helming capers — he has Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen on his jam-packed resume, plus both Out of Sight and Logan Lucky — and No Sudden Move is as energetic as the rest of his heist fare. Here, he also revels in period details, with this Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted Face the Music)-scripted tale unfurling in the 1950s. As he's known to do, Soderbergh both shot and edited the movie himself, too, and that exceptional craftsmanship is another of this playful neo-noir's many delights. Spinning an engaging story steeped in Detroit's crime scene, No Sudden Move has something to say as well. Don Cheadle (Space Jam: A New Legacy) in is career-best form as Curt Goynes, who gets out of prison, then gets enlisted for a job by a middleman known as Jones (Brendan Fraser, Trust). That gig? With two colleagues (The French Dispatch's Benicio Del Toro and Succession's Kieran Culkin), he's tasked with babysitting the Wertz family (Archenemy's Amy Seimetz, A Quiet Place Part II's Noah Jupe and debutant Lucy Holt), all so the Wertz patriarch (David Harbour, Stranger Things) can steal a document from his work. There's no shortage of plot — No Sudden Move keeps twisting from there — but capitalism's worst consequences also bubble prominently underneath. Soderbergh and Solomon savvily tease out the details, though, keeping their audience guessing as much as their characters. No Sudden Move is available to stream via Netflix and Binge. EVERY JAMES BOND MOVIE Break out the martinis and prepare for a shaken but not stirred couch session: Bond, James Bond, is coming to your lounge room. Just in time for wintry binge-viewing marathons, the famed espionage franchise has hit Prime Video, spanning every flick in the series from the now 60-year-old Dr No through to 2021's No Time to Die. Sean Connery smouldering his way through everything from that first-ever Bond instalment through to Diamonds Are Forever, Roger Moore stepping into 007's shoes between Live and Let Die and A View to A Kill, Timothy Dalton's two-film run in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill — they're all included. So is Pierce Brosnan's stint as the secret agent between GoldenEye and Die Another Day, and Daniel Craig's five contributions from Casino Royale onwards, wrapping up with what might be the best Bond film yet. Aussie actor George Lazenby's one-movie appearance as Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also on the bill. That's all 25 official movies in total covered, but there is also a 26th movie, Never Say Never Again, that you might want to watch. Made in 1983, it stars Connery as the suave spy. But, because it was made by a different company from the rest of the Bond movies, it's not considered part of the franchise itself — however, it is also on Prime Video now. Exceptional Bond flicks, terrible ones, everything in-between: if 007 is involved, it's now in this one spot. For everything other than No Time to Die, this isn't the first time the franchise has all sat on one streaming platform, and we've all seen various flicks hop between different services over the years. That said, the Bond movies aren't likely to move from Prime Video moving forward given that Amazon recently purchased MGM, the nearly century-old film studio that's behind all things 007. The entire Bond franchise streams via Prime Video. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2021, and January, February, March and April 2022 — and our top new TV shows of 2021, best new television series from last year that you might've missed, top 2021 straight-to-streaming films and specials and must-stream 2022 shows so far as well.
Mugen Ramen is something a little different to the quick in-and-out hustly bustly ramen restaurants that line the CBD streets. This one, in true Melbourne style, is down an alley just off Flinders Lane and has a basement vibe (you'll likely be sitting downstairs). There's also a punchy, pop-culture feel to the décor — menus handed over to customers look like comic books and Japanese films project silently onto the walls. Come for the tsukemen ramen ($17 for a regular size), where the noodles and broth are served separately before you lovingly combine them — by dipping the former into the latter. Two become one; you become full. But, a word of warning, this ramen is dangerous for those who wear white. As well as ramen, Mugen serves up a range of snacks and a heap of craft beers — mostly from local or Japanese microbreweries.
There's a moral dilemma involved in writing about a great new place. On one hand, people deserve to know about it — but on the other, this might make it harder to get a seat. Graham Hill and Georgina Russell have turned the former Storm in a Teacup space into an intimate wine bar, and in doing so, have created a little portal between Collingwood and Paris; stepping off Smith Street and into Smithward is like escaping somewhere down Rue de Buci or maybe Rue Mouffetard. Inspired by a memory of a bar the couple loved in London, the space revels in its pared back, mismatched style and 17 seats. Choose between imbibing in the duskiness down the back, at a small marble table along the side wall or channel your inner Parisian and perch on the window ledge stools and watch the world go by. Two details stand out in the decor of Smithward: the blue tile-lined counter and the two large 'portraits' of Edgar and Wilbur, the budgerigars, who also appear on the coasters and wine glasses. Sensing a theme here? Ask Graham about it and he might just roll up his sleeve and show you his budgerigar tattoo, gifted because his wife has a fear of birds and this is as close as he'll get to the real thing. The succinct menu features charcuterie sliced to order and a cheese selection put together by Harper and Blohm and served with crusty house sourdough baguette, which is made by Graham every afternoon with the sourdough starter he created back in April. Think aperitif rather than dinner. Although, if you were to graze your way through the selection of three cheeses and three meats, try the Anchoa Atocha, a combo of salted crisps with white anchovies, or immerse yourself in the cheesiest of all cheesy delights: the raclette. Melted to order and deftly scraped straight from the wheel to then blanket boiled potatoes and little spear-like cornichons, eating raclette is a little like eating a fondue in reverse. As for the wine part of the wine bar, it's slim but quality pickings: three whites, three reds, a rosé and a sparkling. There is one beer on tap, with seasonal varieties from local brewer Wolf of the Willows taking centre stage. For those evenings that require a little more fortifying, there's a Negroni and a Victorian martini, which features Maidenii vermouth and locally produced Four Pillars gin. So, for a little bit of Frenchiness in heartland Collingwood, get along to Smithward. Just don't tell everyone about it. Please.
If it's true that the things that don't kill you only serve to make you stronger, we can all expect Melbourne's Rising festival to come out fighting fit for its long-awaited premiere run this year. After COVID-19 unravelled its planned 2020 debut, then returned to cancel all but opening night of its 2021 program, the blockbuster citywide multi-arts festival will this year, finally, get its moment. As announced today, Rising is set to descend on Melbourne from Wednesday, June 1–Sunday, June 12. Determined to make this third time a charm, the festival is delivering a hefty, carefully-honed program of art, music and performance. "Overall, we're expecting one million people to experience Rising across 225 events, with over 800 artists involved," festival co-director Gideon Obarzanek tells Concrete Playground. Over 12 days and nights, those artists will transform the streets and spaces of Melbourne into their canvases and stages, serving up a diverse, supersized culture fix to kickstart winter. With borders reopened, a stack more international names have been able to join the bill, too. [caption id="attachment_846653" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wilds, 2021[/caption] While the program has evolved and morphed since last year, some of its key experiences are built on return concepts. "The Wilds and Golden Square are the two big pillar pieces," explains co-director Hannah Fox. "But a lot of the content within those projects is new." The Wilds will return to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, this time dishing up a fluorescent-tinged fusion of art, sound and flavour courtesy of renowned New York-based Aussie artists Tin & Ed. It'll play host to performances, quirky large-scale structures, and an ice-skating rink beating to the sound of 80s and 90s bangers. Exceptional eats here include snacks from the likes of 1800 Lasagne and Smith & Daughters, and a 'glowing glasshouse bistro' manned by celebrated chefs David Moyle, Jo Barrett and Matt Stone. [caption id="attachment_846649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Yore's 2018 work 'It's All Wrong But It's Alright'. Credit Rémi Chauvin.[/caption] Golden Square will again transform a multi-storey Chinatown carpark into a vibrant, sensorial art park, featuring parades, rooftop bars and a compelling site-wide exhibition from artists like Paul Yore, Scotty So, Atong Atem and Jason Phu. Patricia Piccinini's otherworldy exhibition A Miracle Constantly Repeated will continue its popular run, gracing the Flinders Street Ballroom until the festival's end on June 12. Leading audio-visual artist Robin Fox is also creating a mesmerising laser and sound work, Monochord, that will beam one kilometre along the Yarra each night. And, thanks to Keith Courtney, one of the folks behind House of Mirrors and 1000 Doors, a 20-metre-long kaleidoscopic labyrinth will invite attendees to immerse themselves in a playground of mazes and light. [caption id="attachment_846648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robin Fox's work MONOCHORD[/caption] Gig-starved music-lovers can expect a smorgasbord of sonic delights throughout the fest, as international names like Moses Sumney, Welsh electro star Kelly Lee Owens and the multi-talented Andy Shauf join homegrown talent including renowned drummer Jim White, Tkay Maidza, Harvey Sutherland and the legendary Sampa the Great. Meanwhile, a diverse program of dance performances will share stories from around the world, with unmissable works from the likes of Stephanie Lake Company, Denmark's Mette Ingvartsen, Indonesian choreographer Rianto and Uruguay's Tamara Cubas. Legendary text-based artist Jenny Holzer will transform a 19th-century building facade with her six-storey projection work I CONJURE, too — and for The Invisible Opera, the constant buzz of Federation Square will be mapped in real-time, creating an immersive multi-disciplinary performance piece. [caption id="attachment_846654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tkay Maidza[/caption] Jurrungu ngan-ga (meaning 'straight talk') explores refugee detention and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody via a captivating, culture-bridging dance performance by the Marrugeku crew. Plus, the return of the famed Melbourne Art Trams will showcase six trams emblazoned with designs by First Peoples artists, alongside a reproduction of the 1991 tram work by acclaimed artist, painter and sculptor Lin Onus. And, nodding to one of the city's greatest sporting loves, there's the work that has Hannah Fox most excited, Still Lives. "It's a performance we commissioned back in 2020, which is now going to take place in the NGV, in the Great Hall," the festival director explains. "It's essentially two artists, Luke George and Daniel Kok, who are working with five retired AFL players to suspend them in rope bondage from the ceiling… in the form of an iconic mark from the AFL's history. Yeah, I'm very excited for that." Rising will run from Wednesday, June 1–Sunday, June 12 at venues and public spaces across Melbourne. Presale tickets are available from 12pm on Monday, March 21, with regular tickets selling from 12pm on Friday, March 25.
