It's no secret that Jerome Borazio is an ideas man, and a pretty good one at that. Not only is he the mind behind the 18-year-old Laneway Festival, he sold us all on the concept of camping in the CBD with his award-winning rooftop glamping set-up. The latter closed in April last year, but, that same sky-high space above Melbourne Central has been activated again — and is now home to a pop-up rooftop pool, bar and leisure club dubbed The Reunion Island Pool Club. Initially launching for private bookings only in October, Reunion Island will now be open to the public from Friday, January 25 — just in time for the long weekend — through till the end of May. It's kitted out with palm trees and design elements of a public pool-meets-Palm Springs resort. And while it's not the CBD's only rooftop pool bar (see: The Adelphi), it is the only one to offer classes, an infrared sauna and spa offerings. Plus, those rooftop parties will take place ten temperature-controlled plunge pools. Yes, ten. [caption id="attachment_705809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] One of the ten plunge pools by Albert Comper.[/caption] Opening from 12pm during the week (for a cheeky lunchtime dip) and 9am on weekends, it's not just the pools that are tempting punters — it's also hosting a lineup of rooftop yoga, pilates and boxing classes. They start from $20 and you can book in for an after-work session online now. If you prefer being relatively sedentary, you can stop by for a splash, or just some poolside socialising and a well-earned after-work rooftop tipple right up until 9.30pm. Prepare to spend many a steamy Melbourne evening up here. Price-wise, your sky-high waterside party will start from $10 for regular entry only. Pools are available for groups of four to 12 people, and start at $100 for an hour. You can extend your stay for $60 per hour, include a sauna session for $5 or nab a Turkish towel, visor or stubby holder. At the moment single-person swim passes aren't available (but we're promised they're coming soon) so you'll need to round up some friends if you'd like to splash around. The food and drink selection includes a five-month pop-up poolside snack kiosk from Collingwood's Easey's, who'll be slinging tacos, burgers and club sandwiches. You can pair them with Melbourne Gin Co G&Ts, cocktails, wine and Champagne and icy cold Kirin beers. The Reunion Island Pool Club will also feature a General Store, showcasing a heap of the venue's fashion partners. Find Reunion Island Pool Club at Level 3/271 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne from Friday, January 25 until the end of May. It's open from midday–9.30pm weekdays and 9am–9.30pm on weekends. Images: Albert Comper.
When you're relaxing around the house with your pet pooch or cute kitten, you want your four-legged friend to be as comfortable as possible. Yes, all dogs and cats are masters at getting cosy in any given space — boxes, old blankets, your seat on the couch and your bed all included — because that just comes with the territory. But your furry little woofer or meowing companion is certain to dial up the snugness with an item from Big W's new spring pet range. Whether your shar pei would love to relax on a soft faux suede bed, your poodle would absolutely make the most of a pillow bed or your mouser could use a three-level space to scratch and sleep, you'll find it on offer in this new line. It's super-affordable, too, with dog beds starting from $15 and cat beds from $12. More than 400 items are currently available (including various sizes and colours), spanning collars, harnesses and leads, as well as pet clothing, toys and tunnels. The chain's pet line adds further items throughout the year, too — see: its winter collection — because even your doggo's wardrobe or kitty's favourite blanket can change with the seasons. As tends to be the case when it comes to accessories for pets, dogs have a broader range of items to choose from than cats. That said, while felines can be notoriously picky, we're sure your tabby won't notice if its getting some shut-eye on a soft, fluffy bed marketed at canines. Big W's 'Petember' collection is currently available to purchase — including online, with contactless home delivery and pick up available.
Maybe you're reading this while wearing your warmest jacket. You could be scanning the page beneath all the blankets you own. Or, you might be perusing while shivering through record-breaking cold temperatures. Whichever fits, winter isn't just coming to Australia for 2023 — in many parts of the country, it feels like it has already arrived. Enter Aldi with perfect timing, announcing that it's bringing back its popular snow gear sale after taking a year off in 2022. Most years — except 2020 due to the pandemic, and then 2022 — Aldi puts a heap of snowfield-ready wardrobe items up for grabs, including everything from jackets and boots to face masks and beanies. Thankfully, 2023 is now one of those year, which is welcome news if you have a ski trip, snowboarding session of a stint building snowmen in your future, or you're simply keen to rug up at home. Mark Saturday, May 20 in your diary, make a date with your nearest Aldi supermarket, and prepare to have ample company. Every time this sale happens, it draws quite a crowd — and 2023's run includes more than 70 products, with prices starting from $4.99. Available at stores across the nation, and made to withstand extreme weather conditions, the latest range of gear includes ski jackets for $59.99, ski pants for $49.99, thermal underwear sets for $29.99, long-sleeved Merino wool tops for $39.99 and anti-fog ski goggles for $15.99. Kids clothing is part of the deal, too, if you'll be travelling with younger skiers — including being able to nab a childrens' jacket, pants, gloves, beanie and socks for a total of $97.95. Once you're all kitted out, you're certain to stay toasty no matter what frosty landscapes you have in your future. Prefer spending winter indoors? This year's selection has cosy attire for that, too, and the whole lineup spans different styles and colours to previous years. The Aldi Snow Gear Special Buys range is available from Aldi stores nationally from Saturday, May 20.
Pull out that old Discman, break out the cargo pants and start practising your smoothest 90s and early 00s dance moves — the pop tour of your wildest teenage dreams is hitting Aussie shores this summer and it's got more stars than a TV Hits sticker collection. Next February, the So Pop festival is set to deliver a huge serve of nostalgia to venues across the country, pulling together a juicy lineup of old-school icons, headlined by none other than Vengaboys — celebrating their 25th anniversary, too. Stages in Auckland, Cairns, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth and will be transported back to the 90s and 00s for one glorious night each, playing host to the pop-drenched soundtrack of your youth. Heading up the show are Vengaboys, with Cowboy Donny, Captain Kim, PartyGirl D'Nice and SailorBoy Robin bringing their party-starting smash hits like 'Boom Boom Boom Boom!!' and 'We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)' from the Netherlands — and yes, you now have both tunes stuck in your head from reading this. They'll be joined by Danish artist and producer Whigfield, who'll break out 'Sexy Eyes'; the UK's N-Trance, which means hearing 'Set You Free', 'Stayin' Alive', 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy' and 'Forever'; and Reel 2 Real teaming up with The Mad Stuntman, which is where 'I Like To Move It' and 'Go On Move' come in. Dutch trance/pop outfit Alice DJ is also on the lineup in Australia only, so Aussies can get ready to hear 'Back in My Life', 'Will I Ever' and 'Better Off Alone'. And in both Australia and New Zealand, Nick Skitz is on DJing duties — after releasing Skitmix 59 (DJ Mix) in 2021. SO POP 2023 LINEUP: Vengaboys Whigfield Alice DJ (not performing in Auckland) N-Trance Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman Nick Skitz SO POP 2023 DATES: Saturday, February 4 — Spark Arena, Auckland Wednesday, February 8 — Gilligan's, Cairns Thursday, February 9 — The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Saturday, February 11 — Night Quarter, Sunshine Coast Sunday, February 12 — Forum Melbourne, Melbourne Thursday, February 16 — Big Top, Sydney Saturday, February 18 — Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide Sunday, February 19 — Metro City, Perth So Pop 2023 tours Australia and New Zealand in February 2023. Frontier Member pre-sale tickets are up for grabs for 24 hours from 12pm local time on Monday, October 31, while the rest are on sale from 12pm local time on Wednesday, November 2.
The winter chill is starting to set in across Melbourne, which means it's time to bust out your warmest winter woolies once again. Happily enough, to coincide with the start of winter, a heap of private igloos are popping up across the city so you can get your winter escape without even having to leave the big smoke. As part of the Winter Igloo Garden, these pop-up winter wonderlands are set to descend this week on The Auburn Hotel's beer garden, Footscray's Station Hotel, Studley Park Boathouse and the banks of the Yarra at The Wharf Hotel. Each see-through structure can fit up to six people and comes decked out with twinkly fairy lights and winter-inspired furnishings. You can hire any igloo out for a two-hour time slot, which includes a different food and drink offering depending on the venue. The Studley Park Boathouse igloo is serving a winter high tea full of sweet and savoury bites with a glass of bubbly for $49 per person, with the option to add on 90 minutes of bottomless drinks for an extra $25. At The Auburn you'll be chilling out in your wintry bubble enjoying a shared three-course feast featuring the likes of mini lobster rolls, charred broccolini with toasted almonds, and a king salmon with saffron-braised fennel for $59. That'll also get you your choice of drink — think mulled wine, local beer, cherry spritz or a hot toddy. At the riverside Winter Igloo Garden at The Wharf Hotel, you'll part with $49 for your choice of wintery beverage, paired with a shared grazing board loaded with bites like southern fried chicken ribs, salt and pepper squid, and triple cheese pumpkin arancini. If you're looking for more soul-warming fare, The Station's igloos come with a meat-heavy set menu with options like short ribs, wagyu tartare and yakitori, teamed with your pick of drink for $69. Espresso martinis, house wines and boozy hot chocolate set the tone here. And while you're hanging out in any of the above igloos, further drinks can also be ordered via an app, so you don't have to leave your wintry lair. Private igloos are available to hire at Studley Park Boathouse from May 18, The Auburn Hotel from May 19, The Station Hotel from May 20 and The Wharf Hotel from May 21.
Imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine more than 100 different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? It isn't just a cheesy fantasy at Australian dairy festival Mould, which started making cheese-loving dreams come true in 2017. In 2024, it's not only returning — it's back for its biggest festivals yet, including adding a fifth city to its stops. As well as hitting up Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, the event is heading to Adelaide as well. If you're a cheese fiend, then you'll know that there's only one suitable way to tuck into the beloved dairy product: all the time, or at least as much as possible. As presented by Revel — who are also the organisers of Pinot Palooza — that's an idea that Mould not only understands but encourages, celebrating the mild, hard and soft bites made by Australia's best cheese wizards. When it does so again this year, it'll serve up its cheese slices and bites from May–August. Running for either two or three days in each city, Mould will kick off in Brisbane in May as it has in past years, then travel to Melbourne in early June, plus Sydney at the end of July. As for Adelaide and Perth, they're both getting a Mould x Pinot Palooza combo — because cheese and wine are a fine pairing — with the fest arriving in South Australia in June and Western Australia in August. There won't just be a few cheeses on the menu at each stop. More than 100 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting, spanning dairy from around 27 producers. In past years, that lineup has included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow, as well as Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — snacking on samples is included in your ticket, but you'll then pay extra to purchase slices and slabs to take home with you — the fest features cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks. Courtesy of 2024's The Grate Cheese Commission, a range of cheeses created solely for the fest will also tempt your tastebuds. This year's events will include more of the foodstuffs that pair extremely well with cheese, too, such as olives, crackers and conserves. It wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake, all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Archie Rose and Hartshorn will be among the tipples featured. Unsurprisingly, Mould is mighty popular. In 2023, attendees tucked into a one million samples across three cities, and also took home over 8.5-tonnes of Aussie dairy products. So, if this the kind of event that your cheese dreams are made of, you'll want to nab an early-bird ticket ASAP. Mould — A Cheese Festival 2024 Dates: Friday, May 24–Sunday, May 26 — Mould Brisbane, John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds Friday, June 7–Saturday, June 8 — Mould x Pinot Palooza Adelaide, Queens Theatre, Adelaide Friday, June 28–Saturday, June 29 — Mould Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Friday, July 26–Sunday, July 28 — Mould Sydney, Carriageworks, Eveleigh Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 11 — Mould x Pinot Palooza Perth, Centenary Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds Mould — A Cheese Festival tours Australia from May 2024. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
One of the OGs of Melbourne's bottomless brunch scene has teamed up with a clever culinary mate, dialling things up for an even more extravagant dining experience than usual. South Yarra's House of Lulu White, along with Ladybird Cakes pastry maestro Gina Tubb (Vue de Monde), has launched a decadent new Sunday series — a generous sweet and savoury high tea spread matched with free-flowing drinks. From 2–4pm each week, you can make a date with a porcelain tea stand brimming with handmade bites. There are finger sandwiches and brioche buns to kick things off, starring fillings like smoked salmon with cucumber and horseradish cream, and poached chicken with pickled celery and yuzu mayo. Expect sweet sensations aplenty, too; perhaps a fluffy G&T-inspired marshmallow (designed to pair with the venue's signature lavender gimlet), fluffy strawberry and champagne cupcakes, Chambord-soaked pineapple sponge and buttery croissants. To wash it down, you've got a choice of bottomless bubbles or cocktails, with 90-minute sittings clocking in at $85.
When Heartbreak High returned in 2022, the Sydney-set series benefited from a fact that's helped Degrassi, Beverly Hills, 90210, Saved by the Bell and Gossip Girl all make comebacks, too: years pass, trends come and go, but teen awkwardness and chaos is eternal. In its second season, Netflix's revival of an Australian favourite that first aired between 1994–99 embraces the same idea. It's a new term at Hartley High, one that'll culminate in the rite of passage that is the Year 11 formal. Amerie (Ayesha Madon, Love Me) might be certain that she can change after the events of season one — doing so is her entire platform for running for school captain — but waiting for adulthood to start never stops being a whirlwind. Streaming from Thursday, April 11 and proving as easy to binge as its predecessor, Heartbreak High 2.0's eight-episode second season reassembles the bulk of the gang that audiences were initially introduced to two years ago. Moving forward, onwards and upwards is everyone's planned path — en route to that dance, which gives the new batch of instalments its flashforward opening. The evening brings fire, literally. Among the regular crew, a few faces are missing in the aftermath. The show then rewinds to two months earlier, to post-holiday reunions, old worries resurfacing, new faces making an appearance and, giving the season a whodunnit spin as well, to a mystery figure taunting and publicly shaming Amerie. The latter begins their reign of terror with a dead animal; Bird Psycho is soon the unknown culprit's nickname. Leaders, creepers, slipping between the sheets: that's Heartbreak High's second streaming go-around in a nutshell. The battle to rule the school is a three-person race, pitting Amerie against Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween) — one as progressive as Hartley, which already earns that label heartily, can get; the other season one's poster boy for jerkiness, toxicity and entitlement. Heightening the electoral showdown is a curriculum clash, with the SLT class introduced by Jojo Obah (Chika Ikogwe, The Tourist) last term as a mandatory response to the grade's behaviour questioned by Head of PE Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson, Bump). A new faculty member for the show, he's anti-everything that he deems a threat to traditional notions of masculinity. In Spider, Ant (Brodie Townsend, Significant Others) and others, he quickly has followers. Their name, even adorning t-shirts: CUMLORDS. Only on Heartbreak High — or on Sex Education, which it continues to resemble — can a faceoff between SLTs (aka sluts) and CUMLORDS fuel a season-long narrative. For Bird Psycho's campaign against Amerie, the warring factions also provide a handy backdrop, as well as a distraction that has most of the school looking the other way. But Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Spooky Files), who is running for vice captain, is determined to work out who's masterminding the vehement vendetta. Almost everyone is a suspect, especially after an attack comes during the grade's annual camp — well, nearly everyone among the dozen-ish Hartley students that earn the series' focus. The season's romantic threads also push Amerie to the fore, rekindling her romance with last term's newcomer Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, RFDS) until Dubbo export Rowan (Sam Rechner, The Fabelmans), the latest arrival, gets a love triangle burning. Darren (James Majoos) and Ca$h's (Will McDonald, Blaze) relationship has roadblocks to overcome, such as jail and libidos at vastly different speeds. Missy (Sherry-Lee Watson), Sasha's ex, finds herself attracted to someone that she'd never expect. Zoe (Kartanya Maynard, Deadloch), another of season two's additions, spearheads a Puriteen movement that advocates celibacy. As she pieces her life back together after grappling with some of the show's heaviest past storylines, Amerie's best friend Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman) now has Ant pining over her. Hartley's principal Woodsy (Rachel House, Our Flag Means Death), plus Ca$h's nan (Maggie Dence, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) and criminal pal Chook (Tom Wilson, Last King of the Cross), round out the season's key players, on a character list that's as jam-packed as the antics filling the series' frames. Heartbreak High is in its lean-in era, where nothing is off the table. Drug-induced declarations, sex in school stairwells, pregnancy and abortion storylines, surprise redemptions, stalkers, childhood traumas, moving out of home, the utter cartoonishness of Voss (who dubs the school a "woke snowflake nightmare", and is the least successful element in the new episodes), busting out the Nutbush: they're all included, as is dancing from OTT to earnest and silly to serious. For creator Hannah Carroll Chapman (The Heights), who is behind the show's 2020s comeback — and also for her writers (Paper Dolls' Marieke Hardy, Sara Khan and Thomas Wilson-White; Safe Home's Jean Tong; Totally Completely Fine's Keir Wilkins; and The Heights' Megan Palinkas) and directors (Seriously Red's Gracie Otto, Mother and Son's Neil Sharma, and Why Are You Like This duo Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet) this time around — there's meaning in the season's tonal rollercoaster. Whether skewing light or heavy, entertainingly riffing on Rage or charting the constant quest to work our who you are that everyone endures in their teen years, or bringing Euphoria or the OG Heartbreak High to mind, all of the series' pinballing around explores a formative time when everything keeps seesawing and swinging by intentionally mirroring it. As was true during its debut Netflix stint to awards, acclaim and worldwide viewership, not to mention three decades back when 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid sparked Heartbreak High to begin with, an excellent cast can ride every up and down that the show throws their characters' ways. Weatherall, Yasbincek and McDonald continue their thoughtful and layered portrayals of Malakai, Harper and Ca$h from 2022. Watson and Chapman Parish benefit from meatier storylines and deeper dives into Missy and Spider. Madon, Majoos and Hayden give Amerie, Darren and Quinni walk-right-off-the-screen energy. Rechner makes a meaningful imprint as Rowan, who is never a one-note enigmatic outsider. Investing in them, just like bingeing Heartbreak High season two, is always something that secondary schooling never is no matter what decade you're hitting the books, then the parties: easy. Check out the trailer for Heartbreak High's second season below: Heartbreak High season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, April 11, 2024. Read our review of season one. Images: Netflix.
After the year we've had, everyone could use a little extra dancefloor time. That's where White Claw Weekend is coming in, with a brand new series of live music sessions hitting coastal venues up and down the eastern seaboard this summer. Local acts like Roland Tings, Bag Raiders and Groove City are part of the stacked events calendar. They'll be taking over venues like Manly's newly refurbished Wharf Bar, Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel, Port Melbourne's Exchange Beach Club and Brisbane's urban playground, X Cargo. Harvey M will kick things off on Monday, December 27 in Port Melbourne before Dugong Jr takes over on Tuesday, December 28. Alice Ivy will wrap things up at the Exchange Beach Club on New Year's Day, before the party heads up to NSW's Wharf Bar with Mickey Kojak on Sunday, January 9. Wharf Bar will also host Chase Zera, Barley Passable and POOLCLVB across January 16, 23 and 30. Roland Tings and Groove City will perform at Watson's Bay Hotel on February 4 and 18, while Close Counters will perform in St Kilda on February 13. Bag Raiders will make their appearance at X Cargo on Sunday, March 27. Along with home-grown live tunes, the White Claw team will be bringing along plenty of alcoholic fizzy drinks to keep you cool through summer. Head to the White Claw website to keep up to date with the lineup and to buy tickets. [caption id="attachment_836974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wharf Bar[/caption] White Claw Weekend Acts Dugong Jr Harvey M Alice Ivy Mickey Kojak Chase Zera Barley Passable Poolclvb Groove City Roland Tings Close Encounters Bag Raiders White Claw Weekend will run from Monday, December 27 to Sunday, March 27 at various locations across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Tickets are available via the White Claw website.
It's a great privilege to experience the homelands of Traditional Owners — and it's even more exceptional when you have a local to guide you along the way. Tropical North Queensland is blessed with many experiences that'll allow you the opportunity to connect and learn from Traditional Custodians as they generously share their art, food, dancing and customs. We've teamed up with Tropical North Queensland to share one-of-a-kind experiences to add to your hit list if you're passionate about travelling consciously. By supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses like those mentioned below, you're helping to preserve sacred practices that have been passed down for thousands of years. SEEK OUT SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL INDIGENOUS ART This year, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will be held from July 6–10. This annual festival attracts thousands of local and international visitors to the city to celebrate Indigenous artists and their latest works. The program includes a visual feast of artwork and performances, alongside fashion shows, workshops and symposiums. While it honours Indigenous culture and traditions, the event also provides economic and personal development opportunities for the artists. Some artworks are acquired by private collectors, while others are purchased for display across the world. Previous years have seen impressive buyers representing the Harvard University Art Museum and the National Gallery of Canada. TAKE A THREE-DAY 4WD TOUR THROUGH THE REGION The team at Culture Connect prides itself on providing visitors with authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences from Cairns to Cooktown. The small tour group sizes allow for an intimate opportunity to explore the region, with local Aboriginal guides who are passionate about their homeland and history. Experiences range in length from half-day nature walks to a full-day scenic flight adventure. There's also a three-day 4WD tour on offer with meals and accommodation included. Guests have the opportunity to explore ancient rock art galleries, learn traditional coastal survival skills or or learn to paint from an acclaimed local Indigenous artist. [caption id="attachment_846219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Island Stars Cultural Experience[/caption] EXPLORE THE REGION WITH THE HELP OF AN INDIGENOUS GUIDE Hundreds of islands make up the Torres Strait region and just 17 are currently inhabited. Touring this area without local knowledge is tricky, which is where Strait Experience steps in to help. This Torres Strait-owned business offers incredible opportunities to explore remote destinations such as Thursday Island and Horn Island. Strait Experience connects visitors with exclusive accommodation options, unique beachside activities and tours focusing on historical sites and ancient traditions on some of the islands in the Torres Strait. And, if you time it just right, you might even be lucky enough to observe turtles nesting on the beach. TAKE A BOAT TOUR TO A TRADITIONAL SMOKING CEREMONY The traditional lands of the Mandingalbay Yidinji People cover an impressive 10,000 hectares, which allowed ancient ancestors to develop an impressive range of survival and conservation skills. Just a short river cruise with Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours will transport you thousands of years back in time. Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina, a 15-minute boat journey will take you from Trinity Inlet to Hills Creek. Once arriving at the destination, guests are welcomed with a traditional cleansing smoking ceremony. Other tour options include eco walks, overnight camping expeditions and dance performances. The famous 'Deadly Dinners' give you the opportunity to sample delicious local ingredients such as kangaroo, crocodile and mud crab. [caption id="attachment_829657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] WANDER THROUGH THE WONDERS OF KUKU YALANJI COUNTRY Did you know that two World Heritage-listed sites meet in Tropical North Queensland? Yep, in Kuku Yalanji Country, you'll see where the epic Daintree Rainforest juts up against the iconic Great Barrier Reef. And you can explore all the wonders of this area on a half- or full-day tour with Walkabout Cultural Adventures. This 100-percent First Nations-owned and operated cultural tour company offers you the opportunity to learn about this unique environment and the foods and medicines that are produced here. You'll get to sample bush tucker, swim in freshwater streams and maybe even try spear and boomerang throwing. Your tour guide takes care of everything — all you need to do is wear comfy shoes. [caption id="attachment_830381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] PLUNGE INTO THE DEEP BLUE Experiencing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef is an irrefutable addition to any TNQ itinerary. But doing so with Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel will leave you with an even greater understanding and appreciation of this natural beauty and the connection that local First Nations people have with it. Across a five-hour tour, you'll get to hear the creation story of the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel or dive in two outer reef sites, sample native bush food and be entertained by a traditional dance. The tours are run by First Nations sea rangers whose passion for reef preservation and sustainable tourism is evident. TAKE A DIP IN AN OUTBACK POOL Update: Talaroo Hot Springs 2022 season will run from April 1-October 31. It may take about 4.5 hours to drive from Cairns to this outback pool in the heart of Ewamian Country. But boy, oh, boy is it worth it. The hot springs here formed millions of years ago with the water seeping from underground and heated by granite rocks along the way. When it reaches the pools, it's a whopping 68 degrees celsius and cools as it flows across the rippled travertine terraces. You can't directly enter the natural hot springs, but you can take a dip in one of the site's private soaking pools which can be accessed via a timber boardwalk on a First Nations-led tour. Talaroo Hot Springs also has an outback caravan park and campground if you'd like to stay a little longer (and we wouldn't blame you if you did). [caption id="attachment_842421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF THE TROPICS Located in Burketown, Yagurli Tours is a First Nations-owned and operated tour company. With local Gangalidda and Garawa guides, these experiences offer a unique opportunity to learn about Gulf Savannah country from the Traditional Custodians of the land. Yagurli Tours offer five different immersive adventures, like Yaliya's Stories (Stargazing) on Australia's largest salt pans and the Gambumanda Sunset Cruise with dinner and drinks. Also on offer is the Marrija 4WD Cultural Tour and Aloft Hot Air Balloon flights showcasing the Albert River, salts pans and the Arafura Sea in the Gulf of Carpentaria. [caption id="attachment_845212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] DISCOVER HISTORY THROUGH MAGNIFICENT ROCK ART Jarramali Rock Art Tours are perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds and experience an intimate and rugged adventure. This authentic Aboriginal cultural experience will commence with either a 4WD drive with a Traditional Owner or a scenic helicopter flight depending on if you want a day trip or would rather embark on an overnight stay. We suggest an overnight stay where you will camp in an exclusive location, only accessible to Jarramali guests. Discover the history of the Kuku Yalanji people through magnificent Quinkan Rock Art. Traditional Owners will guide you through the 20,000 year old art found among sandstone escarpments near Laura in North Queensland. You will gain a deeper understanding of Australia's Indigenous history while soaking in the beauty of the remote wilderness - making this definitely, a once in a lifetime experience. [caption id="attachment_844022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] FLEX YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLES WITH AN INDIGENOUS PAINTING WORKSHOP Owned by renowned First Nations artist Brian 'Binna' Swindley, Janbal Gallery offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture through art and storytelling experiences. Binna is a local Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman and the gallery is lovingly named after his late mother. Binna hosts painting workshops on weekdays, with morning and afternoon sessions available. Choose from either a small boomerang or canvas to paint, with all paints and tools supplied. An impressive range of Aboriginal artwork is on display at the gallery, with items available for purchase, too. Ready to plan a trip to the tropics? For more information visit the Tropical North Queensland website.
Ah, the poignancy of Grand Theft Auto V. We're not even kidding. There's no denying that the naturalistic light effects of GTA 5 are astoundingly realistic, and really quite beautiful to behold. Hazy daylight, golden sunsets and atmospheric nightscapes are equally convincing in the world of the game, which has been the talk of the town since its recent launch. GTA 5's aesthetic appeal has not escaped the notice of 20-year-old Brazilian SVA art student Fernando Pereira Gomes, an avid street photographer and gamer who recognised certain parallels between his two passions. He's been taking artistic stills using a character's in-game camera phone in GTA 5, composing shots just as though he were turning a camera lens on the real world, and the results are both sensitive and pretty dope. In-game photography is not new, as seen here. Gomes, who's one of those hardcore fans that stood in line to grab a copy of the game at midnight when it first launched, got the idea for his ongoing series Street Photography V when he began simply driving around GTA 5's various pixelated Los Santos landscapes and realised how the movement of the characters through digital vistas resembled scenes he'd try to capture IRL every day — not least because of the unpredictability of the scenes unfolding, and their fleeting nature. As he told The Independent, "It was very similar to photographing on actual streets — with me having to run across the road, pulling out my camera in time, framing the shot, and taking it at the right moment.” On his site he says: "The game is so realistic that it felt like being in the streets outside ... anticipating passersby’s movements and reactions. In a way, it was also incredibly frightening that these algorithms could look so real, or is it that we ourselves are becoming ever more algorithmic?" The pictures reveal what attracts Gomes's eye: frequently the images are wide angle shots with an isolated figure turned away from us, a shadow cutting the frame in half or a perfectly flat and symmetrical view of a figure or two against a wall. Be sure to check them out.
How do you take something great and make it even better? Add goats. That probably doesn't apply in every situation, but it certainly seems to with HBO comedy Barry and its long-awaited third season — at least if the just-dropped new trailer is anything to go by. All killer, no filler: when it comes to this Bill Hader-starring gem, that notion firmly applies. The premise is pure TV gold, following an assassin who'd rather be an actor, but finds it hard to cut ties with his murderous gig. Making it even better is the pitch-perfect casting of former Saturday Night Live great Hader, of course, who has never been better than he is playing the eponymous hitman here. The setup: when Hader's Barry Berkman heads from Cleveland to Los Angeles for his job, he discovers a previously unknown passion for acting after he stumbles into a class held by veteran thespian Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, The French Dispatch). The catch? Barry kills people for money, and that isn't a line of work that you can leave easily, especially when you become caught in the Chechen mafia's violent and deadly dramas. As SNL fans will already know, Hader is an on-screen treasure. He's truly something else in this part-comedy, part-tragedy series. Barry's struggle mightn't seem that relatable on paper, but it proves exactly that with Hader in the role. Also excellent is Winkler, expectedly. And, similarly great is Bill & Ted Face the Music's Anthony Carrigan as Chechen gangster Noho Hank — who befriends Barry, isn't that skilled at the whole crime business and quickly becomes one of the most memorable characters to ever grace a TV series. It's no wonder that fans have been hanging out for the third season of this Emmy-winner, which finally arrives in April — on Monday, April 25 in Australia via Binge, in fact — after a three-year gap since season two. Based on both the initial teaser trailer and this new sneak peek, Barry's quest to go on the straight and narrow — and pursue acting — is still as chaotic as ever. In fact, this season will focus on the other factors, including his own psyche, that saw Barry become a killer to begin with. Another big part of the new episodes, according to HBO: fellow characters trying to make the right choices. Also returning are Stephen Root (The Tragedy of Macbeth) as Barry's former handler Monroe, who is in hiding; Sarah Goldberg (The Night House) as Barry's girlfriend Sarah, who is also an actor; D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place) as a fellow acting student; and Sarah Burns (Werewolves Within) as Detective Mae Dunn. And Hader isn't just phenomenally excellent on-screen in Barry — he also co-created it, has directed a heap of episodes, and also co-wrote others. Check out the full trailer for Barry season three below: Barry's third season will start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 25. Images: Peter Iovino and Merrick Morton/HBO.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots because Groovin the Moo is back after a pandemic-enforced break. Things will look a little different for GTM in 2022, however, with the large-scale touring music festival only heading to three of its regular six stops. But for folks in Maitland, Canberra and Bendigo, get excited — in general, and about the just-dropped lineup. GTM won't be making the trip to Western Australia, South Australia or Queensland this year, sadly — but it is bringing a heap of new and established talent to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. On the bill: everyone from Peking Duk, Montaigne, Masked Wolf and Middle Kids through to Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait, and that's just from the local contingent. Also doing the rounds: New Zealanders Broods and Chai, Germany's Milky Chance, and Wolf Alice, Thomas Headon, Riton and Snakehips from the UK. For folks in WA, SA and Queensland, when Groovin the Moo announced in late 2021 that it wouldn't be coming your way this year, it advised that "the whole tour will be back when we can confidently deliver our full quality show". So, cross your fingers for 2023. Enough talk — here's the full 2022 GTM lineup: [caption id="attachment_760714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Sweetnam[/caption] GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 LINEUP: Alice Ivy Broods (NZ) Chaii (NZ) Hilltop Hoods Hockey Dad Hope D HP Boyz Jesswar JK-47 Mashd N Kutcher Masked Wolf Middle Kids Milky Chance (Ger) Montaigne Peking Duk Polaris RedHook Riton (UK) Shouse Snakehips (UK) Spiderbait Sycco Thomas Headon (UK) Wolf Alice (UK) with hosts Dijok and Jawbreakers GROOVIN THE MOO 2022 DATES & VENUES: Saturday, April 23 — Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 24 – Exhibition Park, Canberra, ACT Saturday, April 30 — Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, VIC Tickets for Groovin the Moo will go on sale at 8am AEDT on Thursday, March 3. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Top image: Jack Toohey.
Since 1987, if you've wanted to hit up South by Southwest, then you've needed to visit Austin in Texas. Come October this year, however, that'll no longer be the case. Across eight days, the acclaimed tech, innovation, music, gaming, screen and culture festival and conference will embark on its first-ever non-US event — and more details about its massive four-day music festival have just dropped. Unlike your standard music fest in The Domain or Centennial Park, SXSW will be creating a bustling precinct spanning Ultimo, Darling Harbour, Chippendale and Surry Hills, with over 300 performances popping up across 25 different venues. As with the Austin iteration, the festival is all about discovery and catching the next big thing before they're headlining other festivals, so you'll find a lineup stacked with local and international talent doing interesting, boundary-pushing things. Up until this point, you've only been able to purchase the festival's next-level all-access badges. But now, SXSW has unveiled more financially accessible options with the introduction of the music wristband. These passes start from $280 and grant you access to all 300 performances between Wednesday, October 18–Saturday, October 21. [caption id="attachment_903438" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] You'll also be able to pop into the showcases and parties being presented by brands like Laneway Festival, Dr Martens, Vans and Warner Music. And, you'll be able to hit up the country houses that've become synonymous with the Austin festival, including pop-ups from the British Music Embassy and Korean Spotlight. Some of the notable artist inclusions include frantic Japanese punk group Otoboke Beaver; Denzel Curry and JPEGMAFIA collaborator Redveil; First Nations trailblazers Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Jem Cassar-Daley and Dobby; TikTok sensations Ula and Flyana Boss; Indonesian jazz trio Batavia Collective; plus Dylan Atlantis and Friday*, both of who are members of the Western Sydney music collective Full Circle that were spotlighted in the SBS short film We Just Live Here. If you've been to see the new Australian horror movie that's taking the world by storm, aka Talk to Me, you would have caught the vocals of one of SXSW Sydney's artists IJALE opening the film with his song 'Ducks In a Row'. And, you can also catch a heap of beloved stalwarts of the Sydney and Australian live music scene as well, like Andy Golledge Band, These New South Whales, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys, and The Terrys. Expect more artists to be added to the lineup as the fest gets closer. Over in Austin, musicians big and small will often join the program all the way up until the week of the festival. All of these musicians will be popping up across Sydney venues like The Lansdowne, The Lord Gladstone, Hollywood Hotel, The Civic Underground, The Abercrombie, Phoenix Central Park, The Soda Factory, The Chippo Hotel, the Powerhouse Museum, Sneaky Possum, UTS Underground and Tumbalong Park. Plus, SXSW Sydney has partnered with the festival Someday Soon, which will be popping up at the University of Sydney on Saturday, October 21 with a stacked program featuring Peach PRC, What So Not, 1300, Northeast Party House, Royal Otis and Sly Withers. Platinum and music badgeholders will be able to attend the affiliate event as part of the week's festivities. [caption id="attachment_848402" align="alignnone" width="1916"] Barkaa, Luke Currie Richardson[/caption] Basically, you'll get access to a citywide party, at which established and emerging bands will be filling every stage across four different suburbs for four whole days — all for the price of a standard music festival. Of course, SXSW isn't all about the music. There will also be a film festival featuring the world premiere of the documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles; a gaming strand with a massive esport competition and indie game showcase; and a conference with talks from Queer Eye star Tan France, the CEO of Coachella, Osher Günsberg and Layne Beachley. Each section of the festival has its own wristband system — with the music, screen and games tickets going on sale this Friday, August 25. You can get a full breakdown of the difference between badges and wristbands at the SXSW Sydney website. [caption id="attachment_889033" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maria Boyadgis[/caption] SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues, with the SXSW Sydney Music Festival running from Wednesday, October 18–Saturday, October 21. Music wristbands go on sale this Friday, August 25, with early bird prices starting at $280. Top image: Jordan Munns. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Given Docklands' population of both residents and office workers, great coffee is a necessity. You'll find no shortage of top-notch cafe options calling this area home, from specialty coffee haunts heroing local beans and boutique brew methods, to Italian-style panini bars where fresh ingredients take your lunchtime feed up a level. Whatever your needs, you're bound to find a few new favourites among Docklands' growing collection of cafes. Here, we round up the ten cafes in the area to get your caffeine fix and maybe a spot of brekkie, too. BILLY BARISTA The Docklands venture from Melbourne's Billy Group, Billy Barista is a smart little cafe that shares its siblings' farm-to-table approach. Rocking a homestyle vibe, it's open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon caffeine hits, seven days a week. Alongside expertly crafted espresso, a generous food menu delivers a selection of gourmet flatbread pizzas, loaded sandwiches and quesadillas with fillings running from the pesto-laden Italiano to the signature US-style cheesesteak. Breakfasters on the run will also find a tidy range of egg-and-bacon morning treats to take away. CODE BLACK COFFEE Well-loved, local roasters Code Black Coffee have a dapper little space at 800 Collins Street, where regulars flock to get their mitts on quality caffeinated bevs. Like the store itself, the food offering is petite, geared towards simple breakfasts, cakes and pastries for those necessary mid-afternoon coffee breaks. The true star, though, is that coffee, offered as a versatile house blend, a filter or a rotating single origin. It's all topped off with fast, cheery service and a smile. SALUMINISTI Off the back of a successful North Melbourne pop-up, Saluministi made its way into the hearts of Docklands' diners with a permanent home on Bourke Street. The salumi purveyors are famed equally for their old-school European sense of hospitality and their banging Italian sandwiches. A tidy range of breakfast options works a treat alongside that quick morning espresso, while come lunchtime, the focus is squarely on the generous panini creations, currently stuffed with the likes of grilled pork and fennel sausage in roasted peperonata and crumbed free-range pork cotoletta. Also a winner is the rich Italian-style stovetop coffee, served with house-made biscotti. CAFFE BAMBINO As the name suggests, Caffe Bambino — located on Buckley Walk next to the community garden — is a departure from the contemporary Melbourne specialty coffee house. It takes its cues instead from the cappuccino-slingers of Italy. Espresso beans are sourced from Italian company Costadoro, while a rotating selection of baguettes, sandwiches and piadini (flatbread) are stuffed with classic ingredients like prosciutto and bocconcini. Breakfast is a simple lineup of toasts and house-made bircher muesli, and sweet tooths will find it mighty hard to refuse the freshly baked cakes and muffins beckoning from the front counter. BLENDED BEARD Its name might be a light-hearted play on the coffee-swilling Melbourne hipster stereotype, but Blended Beard still takes its brews and beans seriously. Expect a warm, polished space with plenty of cheeky cultural references, including stools crafted from upcycled bike chains and pedals and portraits of people both bearded and man-bunned. Customers flock here for the specialty coffee, with the OX3 Cumulus from Reservoir-based roasters The Bean Alliance acting as the house blend. On top of that, you'll find single-origin options and rotating guest coffees from across Australia and New Zealand, with brew methods including V60 pour-overs, Vietnamese phin filter and AeroPress. CAFENATICS Like its sibling venues, the Docklands Forte outpost of popular cafe group Cafenatics offers up top-notch espresso and seasonal cafe fare, this time within a smart setting on Bourke Street. Warm timber interiors make for a comfy pit stop, whether you're swooping in for a pre-work caffeine fix, settling in over a lunchbreak bite or grabbing an afternoon treat and matcha latte. There's a range of hearty baguettes to go, single-origin coffee options and fresh juices for when you need a vitamin hit. THE KETTLE BLACK — SOUTH MELBOURNE Located in nearby South Melbourne, The Kettle Black is a considered operation from top to toe. Acclaimed as much for its beautifully designed interiors as for the cafe fare sailing from its kitchen, the cafe certainly plates up some of the area's prettiest breakfast situations. The food offering leans to the refined, with plenty of crafty twists on both breakfast and lunch. Meanwhile, well-made Square One coffee is backed up by breakfast cocktails, fresh juices and boutique beers and wines. THE CRUX & CO — SOUTH MELBOURNE It's the notion of balance that reigns supreme at South Melbourne cafe The Crux & Co, which has its home at the bottom of The Emerald apartments. Punchy Korean flavours are reworked into a lineup of clever savoury plates, while at the same time, a hefty collection of elegant sweet treats comes from the pastry kitchen. Expect the kind of fare that's almost too pretty to eat — vibrant matcha pancakes topped with caramel popcorn, zucchini and sweet potato fritters, flaky croissants, picture-perfect eclairs and dainty macarons. The space itself is every bit as sweet, featuring dreamy interiors by local practice Architects EAT. STATION ST TRADING CO — PORT MELBOURNE A quaint corner cafe overlooking the lush green of Turner Reserve, Station St Trading Co is a little slice of serenity in the heart of Port Melbourne. The homespun decor and cosy vibe invite you to linger longer over your coffee, breakfast or lunch. The food menu offers sweet and savoury options to tempt all palates, though those prone to indecision will find heaven in the brunch platter, decked with boiled eggs, buttered soldiers, pickles, chia pudding and an invigorating shot of green juice. LONG STORY SHORT — PORT MELBOURNE This well-loved Port Melbourne cafe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Sister to the Brunswick cafe of the same name, Long Story Short Port Melbourne has a minimalist aesthetic that allows the eats and drinks to take centre stage. Replete with Insta-famous fare, the menu here runs from vibrant matcha smoothie bowls to cold drip coffee-infused pork ribs, plus some downright decadent burgers and buns. Specialty coffee is available via a range of brew methods, alongside excellent smoothies, fresh juices and even a selection of craft booze. Surround yourself with everything Docklands has to offer at the new 883 Collins Street development. Top restaurants, cafes, bars and activities are just a stone's throw away.
Pandemic times can be a bit of a struggle, with all those necessary lifestyle changes we've had to embrace. But, if you're as mindful as ever of our planet, there are still plenty of ways you can stick to your former eco-friendly habits, even while reality and routine have been chucked out the window. One of them is subscription-style grocery delivery service My Milkman, which is independent, sustainability focused and uses zero plastic packaging. This crew is currently doing plastic-free home drop-offs right across the inner north, delivering locally produced staples to your doorstep without the usual side of eco-guilt. Milk from Barambah Organics arrives in old-school reusable glass bottles, Marrook Farm's yoghurt comes by the jar and your Padre coffee is contained in a nifty refillable tin. Other suppliers currently include the likes of Josh's Rainbow Eggs, Dench Bakers, St David's Dairy and Jam Lady Jam, with more goodies added to the roster by the month. Once you've polished off your products, simply wash the reusable containers and leave them out in your designated drop-off zone for My Milkman's drivers to collect when they swing past with your next delivery. Drop-offs currently run Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays (you can arrange for one, two or three weekly deliveries), with groceries conveniently deposited at your door before 7.30am to avoid any dreaded breakfast delays. Depending on your appetite, you can choose from the Basics Box ($35 a week) or the Deluxe Box ($60 a week), with a suite of add-ons available, priced by item. Delivery clocks in at a $4.99 flat-rate fee. My Milkman currently services a range of inner north suburbs, running three days a week. For more info and to subscribe, head to the website.
You've seen the films, or at least some of them. You know that a whole lot of celebrities worked their famous magic to help get Andrea Riseborough a still-deserved Best Actress nomination. You've heard Austin Butler use his Elvis accent long after the movie wrapped. And you have thoughts — oh-so-many thoughts — about Top Gun: Maverick's beach scene. Whatever applies to you from that above list, that's how prepared you now are for Hollywood's night of nights — because today, Monday, March 13 Down Under, the 95th Oscars are here. Before evening hits, a heap of upcoming movies will be redoing their trailers to include the words "Academy Award-winner" next to their stars or director. Oh, and a bunch of talented folks will get the biggest cinema-industry recognition there is for one of their recent gigs. Your job for a few hours: watching, enjoying the film world's version of whichever sporting event takes your fancy and, if you're partial to a beverage or several, taking part in our Oscars drinking game. Depending on how you feel about the Academy Awards, it'll make a glorious celebration better or an overlong stint of back-patting bearable. Always drink responsibly, of course. If you're keen on perusing the nominees list, checking out who will and should win, and finding out where you can watch this year's nominees in Australia and New Zealand, we've put all of that together for you as well. A SMALL SIP: DRINK LIKE YOU'LL BE FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED TOMORROW A winner gets played off. Austin Butler busts out his Elvis accent. Someone mentions Chris Rock, Will Smith and/or 2022's incident. We're all told that Tom Cruise or Top Gun: Maverick saved cinema. The words "need for speed" are mentioned. The Brenaissance gets a shoutout. Rihanna rubs her baby bump. Someone mentions nepo babies. Jamie Lee Curtis calls herself a nepo baby. Steven Spielberg gets a standing ovation. Someone mentions the multiverse. The words "movie magic" or "magic of the movies" get a mention. Babylon and jazz are mentioned in the same breath. Someone uses their speech — or presenting gig — to angle for their next job. A BIG GULP: DRINK LIKE YOUR BEST FRIEND WON'T TALK TO YOU ANYMORE Jimmy Kimmel pretends to go to sleep like he did at the 2022 Emmys. Someone comments that they forgot that Colin Farrell is Irish. The audience giggles when My Year of Dicks' name is read out among the Best Animated Short nominees. Jimmy Kimmel feuds with Matt Damon. Cate Blanchett tears into awards season. You hear an Australian or New Zealand accent. Paul Mescal leaves someone speechless because he's Paul Mescal. Andrea Riseborough brings one of the celebrities who campaigned for her nomination as her date. Pedro Pascal presents an award with Nicolas Cage. Meryl Streep wins without being nominated. Triangle of Sadness gets compared to Titanic. Someone makes up a new category. A FEW MOUTHFULS: DRINK LIKE YOU'RE CRUISING ON A LUXURY YACHT Someone reads out the wrong winner. Nicole Kidman forgets how to clap again. If you leap up out of your chair at home during the performance of 'Naatu Naatu'. Pedro Pascal presents an award with Grogu. The Daniels announce that their Swiss Army Man star Daniel Radcliffe is joining their directing team as the third Daniel. Triangle of Sadness filmmaker Ruben Östlund brings his two Palme d'Ors. David Byrne wears an oversized suit. Lady Gaga shows up in costume as Harley Quinn. James Cameron calls himself the king of the world again. Whenever there's a donkey. There's a cocaine bear. AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE: DRINK LIKE IT'S JAZZ-AGE HOLLYWOOD An Australian or New Zealander wins an Oscar. Australian Elvis cinematographer Mandy Walker makes history as the first-ever woman to win Best Cinematography. During Ke Huy Quan's Best Supporting Actor speech for Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Academy's terrible track record with nominating female filmmakers is called out — or this year's lack of women in the Best Director category. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway read out the wrong winner. Top Gun: Maverick's beach scene is recreated live. Chris Rock presents an award. Will Smith turns up despite his ten-year ban after 2022's ceremony. Chris Rock and Will Smith take to the stage together. We get through the entire ceremony without anyone mentioning Chris Rock, Will Smith or 2022's incident. Tommy Wiseau shows up. The 95th Academy Awards take place on Monday, March 13, Australian and New Zealand time.
Your home bar game is about to level up a few notches, regardless of wherever your own mixology skills are at. Maybe Sammy —aka the Sydney bar that took out 11th spot in last year's World's 50 Best Bars list — has just dropped a new line of premium signature bottled cocktails that'll basically turn your living room into a world-class drinking destination. Two years in the making, and created by Maybe Sammy's crack team of shakers and stirrers, each of the three new releases comes pre-batched, ready to chill and pour. There's the tequila-based eucalyptus gimlet jazzed up with grapefruit bitters and mango, and a chic take on the negroni that's infused with jasmine. Or, opt for the floral notes — and pepper and cedar, too — of the chamomile martini. Each comes with tailored serving instructions so you can enjoy the drink exactly as the experts intended, whether that's in a frozen martini glass garnished with a lemon twist, or tumbled into a rocks glass with a wedge of orange. The Maybe Sammy crew has taken care of all the hard work for you, experimenting with various plant infusions and testing and fine-tuning its way to some premium top-shelf cocktails. Which, as anyone with a kitchen cupboard full of random, almost-full spirits and liqueurs can agree, is a very handy thing. The new cocktails are all available as 100-millilitre solo serves, as well as by the 500-millilitre bottle. You can also snap up a gift pack featuring small serves of all three drinks. Maybe Sammy's new eucalyptus gimlet, jasmine negroni and chamomile martini cocktails are each available by the single-serve 100-millilitre bottle ($18) or the 500-millilitre share bottle ($69). Head over to the bar's website to order, with home delivery available Australia-wide.
It's been a big year here in Melbourne — and that calls for one heck of a send-off. Whether you're eager to see the back of 2022 with a few champagnes in hand, or looking to launch into 2023 with the help of DJ tunes and a good ol' d-floor session, a slew of Melbourne bars, pubs and restaurants are open and happy to help. From fancy dinners and cocktail soirees to dance parties and rooftop shindigs, we've scouted out a big bunch of New Year's Eve events you can add to your calendar right now. Some are ticketed, some are free — all promise to have you marching out the year that was in style. Round up the crew and lock in one of these New Year's Eve happenings now. CENTRAL [caption id="attachment_883543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yakimono[/caption] Whitehart: A free-entry laneway party with sounds from DJ Ingrid, Taijae, Amin Payne, Inspector Decks and more. Panda Hot Pot: Open as usual for your New Year's Eve hot pot feasting. Yakimono: A flame-driven set-menu feast ($145), with DJs spinning into the night. Book a spot here. Ferdydurke: This laneway bar will be open for DJ-fuelled good times from 5pm–3am. Connie's Italian Diner & Pizza: A terrace party fuelled by Italo-Disco tunes, aperitivo cocktails and pizza. Robata: Open from 4.30pm and serving a set menu of Robata favourites. Book one of two sittings here. HER: A five-level NYE party extravaganza, complete with art, performances, Thai food, cocktails and more. Chancery Lane: This chic New Year's Eve dinner will see you indulging in scallops with caviar, duck a l'orange and more, across multiple courses. Book one of two sittings here. Society: For an indulgent end to the year, hit this stunner to enjoy live entertainment, DJs, bubbly and top-shelf feasting, plus fireworks views from the terrace. The Rooftop at QT: A glam soirée featuring champagne, caviar and oysters, overlooking the city skyline. NORTH [caption id="attachment_744580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Dog World, Kate Shanasy[/caption] Moon Dog World: A huge Mad Hatter's-themed brewery party featuring a five-course beer-matched banquet, plus dance-friendly tunes from the 90s and 00s to ring out the night. Score tickets from $120 here. The B.East: Walk in for burgers, beats and bevs, from 6pm until late. Johnny's Green Room: A laidback rooftop do, soundtracked by tunes curated by Hope St Radio. Maha Bar: Open from 5pm for a special $130 NYE mezze feast — book a table online. Stomping Ground: Get groovy at this Summer of Love-themed shindig, filled with beer and retro tunes. BrewDog Pentridge: Open from 12pm for walk-ins and bookings, with a couple of drink specials on offer. New Guernica: This beloved club is putting on a huge New Year's Eve dance party hosted by Eat the Beat. WEHBBA will headline a solid lineup of DJs and guests will score a free celebration drink at midnight. Nab tickets from $60 here. The Provincial: This Fitzroy pub's throwing a rooftop party with bottomless drinks and snacks (tickets online), as well as a cruisier downstairs celebration with tickets from $25. Grab one here. The Everleigh: You've got two ticketing options to experience this cocktail bar's Old Hollywood-themed NYE soirée — do it stand-up-style with roaming canapes for $99, or with a dedicated table, table service and a charcuterie board for $175. Tickets online. SOUTH [caption id="attachment_883541" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hawker Hall[/caption] Matilda: A decadent five-course feast featuring dishes like kangaroo tartare, baby octopus, and wagyu with caviar. Book one of two sittings here. The Newmarket Hotel: Get the ball rolling early, with this NYE bottomless brunch — sittings are at 12pm, 3pm and 6pm, with tickets from $59 online. Hawker Hall: Book a table and enjoy an a la carte feast or NYE banquet while you soak up DJ sounds into the night. Bang Bang: A rollicking New Year's do complete with three ticketing options — an $85 dinner sitting, a $155 dinner package with drinks and DJ tunes, and a walk-in spot at the bar. Book here. St Kilda Sea Baths: This beachside haven is throwing a 'Better in Colour' NYE party, complete with free-flowing drinks and canapes from 4–6pm. After that, catch DJs like Joe Sofo, Andrej and Lana spinning across all three levels until the wee hours. Grab tickets from $135 here. Mr Miyagi: Open from 5pm for 90-minute bookings — with a booze-matched NYE Feed Me menu on offer. Bar Carolina: Open from 6pm for a three-course feast, paired with jazz, gospel and soul tunes by Carmen Hendricks — bookings here. Firebird: A set-menu modern Asian feast, with the option of bottomless drinks. Book online. The Emerson: This party will see you sending out the year with a night of DJ tunes across three levels — matched with free-flowing drinks if you nab a VIP ticket. Book here. Baby Pizza: This pizza bar is open for both walk-ins and set-menu banquets, with cocktail specials and DJ tunes to round out the fun. Pawn & Co: Farewell 2022 while ripping up the dance floor to sounds from the likes of TBIB, Gaz Kempster and Wunderkind. $59 tickets include a couple of drinks — get yours here. EAST [caption id="attachment_832924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fargo & Co[/caption] Fargo & Co: A buzzing NYE house party featuring four hours of free-flowing drinks, roving canapes and DJs. Book a ticket for $89 here. Starting early? The venue's also hosting bottomless brunch from 12pm. Moon Dog OG: This free brewery shindig is set to feature a bunch of beer, plus Razzler specials, to enjoy while you're belting out karaoke tunes. Book here or just walk in. The Corner: A full-venue NYE party bumping to tunes by Donny Benét, plus local acts Our Carlson and Delivery. Book here. WEST [caption id="attachment_880569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr West[/caption] Mr West: Spend the night sampling top-notch fizz at this pet-nat party, featuring a huge range of vino and a psychedelic 70s soundtrack. General entry's available from 1pm, with $47 party packages also on offer. Book here. Holmes Hall: A free party starring all the usual tap brews and house cocktails, along with an all-day and all-night menu, DJ sounds spinning till late. Walk in or reserve a table. Grazeland: This food precinct is throwing two simultaneous NYE parties — take your pick of the celebrations here. Top Image: Ferdydurke
Yayoi Kusama's dots, obliteration rooms and pumpkins are rarely far Australia's shores, whether via kaleidoscopic solo exhibitions, pieces in other showcases, infinity rooms popping up in multiple places or documentaries about the Japanese artist. Your next way to get your Kusama fix on home soil is going big. Huge, in fact. Towering, even. And it's putting one of her giant pumpkin sculptures in the best place possible: a garden. When this gourd is normally found among the greenery, it doesn't usually measure three metres in length. Pumpkins aren't typically red, either, or covered in black spots. The Kusama Red and Black Pumpkin that's joining Pt Leo Estate is all of those things, however, as well as a massive new drawcard for the Victorian venue. "I am very pleased to showcase my work in such a wonderful place. The magical fusion of nature and my work is something special that can only be seen in each location," said Kusama about one of her pumpkins taking up permanent residence on the Mornington Peninsula. "At three metres wide, the monumental work is much larger than Kusama's iconic Naoshima sculpture and enjoys a spectacular Victorian coastal vista as backdrop," added Pt Leo Sculpture Park Consultant Curator Geoffrey Edwards. The Naoshima pumpkin has attracted a crowd to the Japanese art island since being installed in 1994, but was washed out to sea in a 2021 typhoon. A new piece that keeps with the same yellow and black design joined the site in 2022, and still gets tourists flocking. Or, you can now head to Victoria. Kusama's Red and Black Pumpkin is made out of bronze and stainless steel, and covered with Kusama's beloved dots, a recurring motif across her work. She's been making pumpkins for decades to nod to her childhood experience on a small farm. Art lovers around the world have been feasting their eyes on the results ever since. At Pt Leo Estate, Kusama's giant and colourful work joins more than 50 fellow works across the grounds, including pieces by KAWS, Jaume Plensa, Inge King and Reko Rennie. When you're not peering at art while wandering around the 134-hectare estate, you can enjoy a meal at the Pt Leo Estate Restaurant, fine-diner Laura and the Wine Terrace, plus some vino from the cellar door and wine shop. Find Pt Leo Estate at 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks, with Yayoi Kusama's Red and Black Pumpkin available to see from Saturday, November 25. Head to the venue's website for further information. Images: Chris McConville.
We know there's nothing sweeter than the sound the brown paper bag makes as you whip it off your bottle(s) of grog at a table, and nothing better than the taste of your favourite beer accompanying a delicious meal. But it's not at every restaurant you can do this — and drinking sneakily out of your handbag at non-BYO joints is both illegal and a surefire way to ruin your bag. Let us guide you to the places that allow you to BYO beer in your city to avoid any of that, with the added bonus of being A+ places to eat more than heartily. Winter is for nothing if not overindulging on dumplings or Greek feasts and then waddling home, right? Grab your six-pack and put on your eating pants. SYDNEY: CHINATOWN NOODLE RESTAURANT Before you head to Chinatown Noodle Restaurant in Haymarket, beware: if you're coming for dinner, be prepared to queue for a while and wait for a table — or you can check out the neighbouring Chinese Noodle Restaurant and see if you can grab a seat. Otherwise, set up camp in the line, send a scout out to get beers from a bottle shop (there's one in Market City next door) and wait it out. Once you're in, service is quick, dumplings are countless and spring onion pancakes are hot. Crack open a beer or two to wash down the too-many dumplings that you'll no doubt eat. Haven't you had yourself a night? SYDNEY: THE SULTAN'S TABLE The Sultan's Table in Enmore is the sort of place you want to head to if your feet and nose are numb and you're craving some hot meat. If your hunger has never been greater than consider the banquet option for $38 per head. A very reasonable price delivers plate after plate of dips, pita, kebab, pides, veg stuffed with rice and grilled meats, followed by sweets, tea or coffee. If you're not quite up for such an intense fill, the chargrilled kebabs are obviously where it's at (unless you're a vegetarian and then the ample vego menu is more your vibe). Whether you're in it to win it with the banquet or just grabbing a pide, Sultan's Table serving sizes are good value for money and great fare for cold nights. Sit a while, finish your beers, and don't forget to nab a baklava at the end. MELBOURNE: MAMAK One word: roti. Another three words: get the roti. Mamak is famous for a good reason, and that reason is flaky, buttery, delicious and dipped in curry. The Melbourne branch of the Malaysian restaurant sits in the middle of the CBD on Lonsdale Street, with branches also in Sydney and now, Seminyak in Bali. Obviously, you'll hit up the roti menu (try the roti canai at a breezy $7.50) but don't bypass the satay options — they're just as good. There's also dessert roti FYI, so make sure to try and exercise a minute amount of self-control and leave space. And on top of all that greatness, Mamak is BYO at $2 per person. [caption id="attachment_637824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Leah Hulst.[/caption] MELBOURNE: JIM'S GREEK TAVERN It's not a proper Greek feast unless you're calling an Uber home because you've eaten too much to be able to exist in a public place such as a tram. Wear your loosest pants (a large poncho might be best) and partake in the delicious roulette that is dining at Jim's; there's no menu as such. The staff will ask you what you feel like eating and then bring out dishes for you. Trust them, they've been doing it for years — just shut up and eat the saganaki (as if you really need your arm twisted for that though). Generally, you'll get whatever is fresh and good on the day you go — fish, lamb and calamari will all probably make an appearance, as well as the homemade galaktoboureko (custard cake). The food is traditional, the vibe is bustling, and your stomach will be happy. Best washed down with a lager or two — corkage is cheap, too. BRISBANE: CHOP CHOP CHANG'S Chop Chop Chang's in Brisbane's West End serves up pan-Asian street food fare, reminiscent of what you'd be eating if you were strolling through the markets and street stalls of Asia. With a focus on fresh and locally sourced produce, Chop Chop Chang's do brunch, lunch and dinner, but also four banquet menus with options increasing in decadence and starting at only $38 a head. If you're just picking from the menu, best give the curry section a good look, and don't go past the green curry chicken dumplings ($10). On the subject of dumplings, the dessert menu is hawking spiced apple dumplings ($14), so there are lots to think about while you leisurely sip your beer and mull things over. BRISBANE: VERVE Verve in the CBD is many things: it's a bar, a restaurant, a cider house, is situated in some cool basement digs and has you sorted for your winter pasta needs. Need even more than that? You can bring your own beer in. Check out the venue, originally Brisbane's first basement bar, below ground level at the Metro Arts building. With more pasta options than you can count on all your fingers and toes, you'll be happily carbing it up here — try the homemade gnocchi for a solid feed that'll probably keep you going until dinner the next night. Verve offers ample gluten-free and vegan options too, so you coeliac carb-fiends need not miss out. There's also something called brandy tortellini ($22.90) which, well, yes, please. Gather some mates and head to one of these top-notch eateries with an appetite and a six-pack of Hahn, too.
There's a new spot in town facilitating all-out luxury weekends away and lavish wellness retreats right by some of NSW's best wineries. Zensi Retreat has opened just outside of Mudgee, offering a regional oasis that's perfect for big group getaways (see: sophisticated hens parties or 30ths) and romantic couples trips, while also running one-off all-inclusive wellness weekends. If you've glanced at the photos and you're already daydreaming of a trip to Zensi, there are a few ways the accommodation functions. The first is the curated wellness retreats that the team runs semi-regularly. There are two wellness weekends scheduled over the next month: the Feminine, and the Rest and Slow Down. Both include two days and two nights of nourishing meals, spa treatments, yoga and workshops — with spots available for $660–1300 per person, depending on what section of Zensi you're looking to stay in. Whenever the property isn't being used for a bespoke retreat, it's bookable for both groups and couples across two different spaces. For getaways with the crew you can opt for The House which sleeps up to ten. This four-bedroom space includes a kitchen-dining area, sauna, plunge spa, firepit, barbecue, pool with day beds and an al fresco entertainment area — making it adaptable for both swim-filled summer trips and winter evenings around the fire. As expected, this massive all-inclusive luxury stay doesn't come cheap, but, if you can get a group of ten together, the house starts from just $125 per person for each night you stay. There are also added extras that you can splurge on including a personal chef. There's also a smaller, more intimate accommodation option called The Villa. With room for two, this space is all about secluded couples or solo stays. If you've got an anniversary or birthday coming up and you're looking to escape it all, The Villa offers a one-bedroom house set to the backdrop of the vast fields of central west NSW with a pool, firepit, living and dining room, sauna and al fresco area. All of this is set on a huge 33-acre property, with both spaces designed around natural hues, raw materials and minimal distractions so that you can switch and connect with the environment around you. Founders Ruby Chapman and Ray Tayoun say that the concept behind Zensi was: "To create an experience that immerses the body and mind, where one can find a sense of ease within a meticulously curated environment that caters to your every need." Zensi Retreat is located 173 Lowes Peak Road, St Fillans, 15 minutes from Mudgee. Head to the website to browse its upcoming wellness retreats and to book a stay at either The House or The Villa.
A lighthearted tech agency, Aesthetec, is resurrecting the general concept of Tamagotchi — albeit updated for the 21st century — in the form of Little Robot Friends. That's right, soon the black pit of loneliness and despair occupying the centre of your existence could be filled by an 8-bit 32K Arduino-compatible microcontroller with eyes. The Kickstarter campaign for this magical initiative has been so popular, it's already far overshot its goal and is gaining more pledges as I type. Aesthetec has already created plenty of cute and pretty things, like their glowing, interactive SMILE cubes that have lit up both exhibitions and parties. What's so good about these new miniature robots Aesthetec have been developing for over a year? The little tykes respond to light, sound and touch, and even have programmable personalities, allowing their owners to get some early tech education. The ostensibly simple construction of each robot actually features touch-sensitive hair, RGB LED eyes, a sensor for ambient light, microcontroller, MEMs microphone and lrDA tranceiver. Watch the video below and you'll hear the cute noises they make when spoken to. Apparently their behaviour changes as well, depending on how you treat them — bringing back vivid memories of your plaintive Tamagotchi whining in the next room when you hadn't fed it for a whole day. These guys don't seem to complain, thankfully, but it's likely that with more development (and the inevitable sharing of new programming ideas as they enter the market), all manner of human-like personality traits will emerge, some good, some bad. As Aesthetec say on their website: "We know that most adults are really just kids in a grown up body. Everybody loves to play with blinking lights and musical toys. We create custom projects for events as well as bringing existing projects for temporary installations. Our projects are designed to inspire and bring out the smiles."
Almost every Aussie state has its wine region, with the Hunter Valley in NSW and the Barossa in SA being some of the most popular destinations for wine weekenders on this side of the equator. But the star of the show is down in Victoria, with the Yarra Valley being one of Australia's finest options for a quick getaway. It's less than an hour's drive from Melbourne, and these verdant fields couldn't be a better break from the hustle and bustle of the big smoke. That's why we've teamed up with Visit Yarra Valley to show you how to swap the office desk for a midweek vineyard escape, and to recommend some local wineries for you to hit along the way. Chandon The first entry on our list might not be immediately what you're expecting. Chandon might be a global sparkling wine brand spread across four continents and five countries, but it does indeed have a branch in our very own Yarra Valley. It was during the 1980s when then Chandon bosses visited Victoria to inspect it as an area for a potential expansion into Australia; the cool climate and varied terroir of the Yarra led it to become the winner, a moment that really put the region on the global wine stage. Sparkling wine works best in a cool climate, so Victoria was well-suited for sparkling wine specialists like Chandon. Today, visitors to the property can enjoy guided and à la carte tastings, hands-on winemaking experiences, tipples in the lounge bar, multi-course meals in the restaurant, sparkling brunches, outdoor picnics and more. [caption id="attachment_982897" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anitra Wells[/caption] Oakridge Wines Oakridge set up shop in its current Coldstream property in 1998, but has been growing in the Yarra Valley since the late 70s. Oakridge's attention to detail has taken it to the forefront of Australia's cool-climate wine scene and made it a must-visit location in the Yarra Valley, highlighting everything that makes the area a great destination: city-level luxury with countryside scenery and world class cuisine. The winery looks as good as its wines taste with its panoramic windows and vineyard-to-mountain scenery, and visitors to the cellar door can take part in five tasting experiences, ranging from a tasting of its most awarded wines to luxurious barrel tastings, tours and helicopter flights. Oakridge also boasts two dining experiences: the fine-dining restaurant and, for more casual bites, the Terrace. Both of which use produce sourced from their own kitchen garden or a network of small, ethical producers, all served with a side of vineyard to mountain views. [caption id="attachment_982898" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Bertaccini Photography[/caption] Punt Road Wines Nestled in Coldstream, Punt Road Wines is all about offering good times and great drops with everyone — from seasoned sippers to wine-curious beginners. With 160 years of growing grapes under its belt, the 58-acre vineyard estate produces crowd-favourites like pinot noir, chardonnay, and cabernet sauvignon alongside rarer finds like gamay and the experimental Airlie Bank range of wines. Visitors to the cellar door can enjoy all of them in tasting flights with or without matching charcuterie and cheeses. Either way, you can browse through a mix of local and international nibbles in the Picnic Pantry before you take a seat to enjoy them in the Marquee Bar or — if the weather is cooperating, pick out a grassy slice of the garden grounds for a proper picnic. [caption id="attachment_983538" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sharyn Cairns[/caption] Giant Steps What happens when a massive jazz fan trades the Margaret River for the Yarra Valley in search of his perfect winery? Giant Steps, that's what. The jazz fan in question was Phil Sexton, and his bold new venture was fittingly named after his favourite John Coltrane album. From the first plantings in 1997 to being named the Halliday Winery of the Year for 2025, Giant Steps has garnered a reputation for its standout pinot noir and chardonnay, grown across single sites throughout the valley. The use of single sites ensures that the wine never stays the same, aside from the fact that it stays excellent. Fret not; you don't need to hit multiple wineries to try it all; just head to Healesville and the Giant Steps tasting room. There are four tasting experiences on offer, from a seasonal selection to a deep dive into the single-vineyard wines they do best. As always, walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are best. St Huberts St Huberts is another Yarra Valley mainstay, having been established way back in 1862, but a 162-year-old winery has never looked so damn good. Led by acclaimed winemaker Greg Jarratt since 2006, St Huberts specialises in cabernet sauvignon but takes advantage of the Yarra environment that drew winemakers here all those years ago. Beyond cab sav is a whole host of cold-climate wines that find their way to shelves, cellars and glasses across Australia. St Huberts also boasts a gorgeous cellar door, launched with a contemporary makeover in 2022. Think smooth stone, dark wood panels, leather couches and stags aplenty (in keeping with its seventh century namesake, St Hubert: the patron saint of the hunt). All that makes for a luxe and comfortable environment for tastings and charcuterie. Otherwise, a full dining experience can be found at onsite restaurant Quarters, which serves seasonally selected modern Aussie favourites and European-inspired dishes. Chateau Yering All this drinking wine is bound to really take it out of you, it's a hard life sipping chardonnay and eating cheese in the sun, after all. If you're to do the Yarra justice, you need to make it an overnight adventure. Our advice? Go all out. Go to Chateau Yering. This five-star Victorian-style (era, not state) mansion sits on a spacious 250-hectare property. 32 Luxurious and uniquely appointed suites? Check. Yarra Valley views? Heritage garden? Check. Whether you fancy a leisurely stroll by the flowerbeds, a cup of tea as you watch the sunset on your private balcony, or just collapsing into a plush bed, you can do it here. Get dinner at the lavish Eleonore's Restaurant and breakfast at the conservatory-style Sweetwater Cafe before you head out for another day of tastings and adventures among the rolling green hills of the Yarra Valley. Is your interest piqued? Do you fancy wetting your whistle the Yarra Valley way? We've also teamed up with Visit Yarra Valley to give one lucky reader and a guest the chance to score a two-night stay at Chateau Yering with all sorts of extras — including a $400 voucher to spend at any of the above wineries. To find out more and put your name in the running to win, check out the competition here. For more information on the Yarra Valley and to start planning the rest of your adventure, head to the Visit Yarra Valley website.
Another day, another reason to peer upwards. If it feels like the heavens are putting on a show more often than not at the moment, well, they are. On Thursday, August 11, staring upwards meant looking at the supermoon. Over Friday, August 12–Saturday, August 13, it means catching the Perseids meteor shower at its peak, too. It's been a busy few weeks, with three other meteor showers — the Southern Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids and Piscis Austrinids — also peaking in late July. The entire trio are also still visible right now, in fact. Yes, if you have a telescope at hand, it's clearly a great time to put it to use. Back to the Perseids — aka the spectacular sight brightening up your Friday and Saturday night, and also sticking around until Wednesday, August 24. If you're eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony, here's how. [caption id="attachment_864940" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brocken Inaglory via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHAT IS IT The Perseids meteor shower is actually a stream of debris called the Perseid cloud — and it's found in the orbit of the Swift–Tuttle comet. The latter was discovered in July 1862 by two separate people, spotting it independently from each other, hence the name, and then made a return appearance in 1992. The comet has a 133-year orbital period — but the Perseids are visible every year. So, from July 17–August 24, you might spot it if you are indeed peering up and towards the north. This one is generally best seen in the northern hemisphere, but that doesn't mean you can't spot it in the southern hemisphere. And, it's considered particularly impressive, with up to 100 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_864942" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Flannery via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak overnight between Friday, August 12–Saturday, August 13, but will still be able to be seen until Wednesday, August 24. The best time to catch an eyeful is around 5am AEST, although the end of the supermoon might affect conditions during its peak. Still, you'll be in the running to see meteors moving at about 58 kilometres per second, and shining brightly. NASA has called the Perseids "one of the most vivid annual meteor showers visible in Earth's night sky" — but also notes that this year's full moon will likely reduce the peak "to 10–20 per hour at best". [caption id="attachment_864941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA/Bill Ingalls via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] HOW TO SEE IT Whenever a meteor shower lights up the sky, a trusty piece of advice applies to city-dwellers: get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. If you can't venture out of town, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the shower, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Perseids. It has been updating this daily. The weather might get in the way of your viewing, though, depending on where you live. On Friday, August 12, Sydney is set for rain at times, Melbourne for a few showers, Brisbane for possible showers and Adelaide for showers. In Perth, however, sunny conditions await. Top images: NASA/Bill Ingalls via Wikimedia Commons.
Victoria's High Country is prime for a weekend escape from Melbourne — and Bright is the place to stay. The alpine town is a must-visit for cyclists, nature lovers, anyone who loves a nice glass of vino, and those seeking a relaxing couple of days amid the mountains. Bright and its many nearby villages are normally swelling with visitors, but this year it's been a different story with devastating bushfires in Victoria's northeast followed by park closures in the early months of COVID-19. Though some parts of Mount Buffalo National Park are closed, there is still so much to see, explore, eat and drink in the region. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. While regional holidays within Victoria will be allowed from May 31, some of the places mentioned below may still be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_760554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Rail Trail at Feathertop Winery by Josie Withers via Visit Victoria[/caption] DO There are two gears in Bright and beyond: high and low. It's all about getting out into the mountains by bike or on foot, and then relaxing as the sun sets with a glass of wine in hand. The entire area is connected with walking and cycling tracks, including the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which follows the old Bright railway line, linking Bright to Beechworth, Germantown, Wandiligong and more. We recommend the 24-kilometre stretch between Porepunkah and Myrtleford, which follows the gorgeous Ovens River past vineyards and orchards. Join one of Follow My Wheel's produce bike tours to explore the local wineries, providores and breweries — or hire some wheels from Bright Electric Bikes to do it yourself. Both companies are currently closed due COVID-19 physical distancing measures, but are planning to operate once it's safe to do so. The area is home to winemakers like Feathertop Winery, Ringer Reef and Gapsted Wines, as well as producers of all kinds, including the Nightingale Bros apple orchard and cider house and Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmon Farm (where you can enjoy sustainably minded fishing). On foot, hike to the Apex Lookout for some spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, take a walk around and (if it's warm enough) go for a cheeky dip in Lake Guy in Bogong, or head to nearby Wandiligong to explore former goldfields in Diggings Reserve. The area still reflects the influence of Chinese migration during the gold rush era and it's damn pretty. For the slightly more adventurous, take a horse ride through the Bogong High Plains of Alpine National Park with Spring Spur, or kayak the calm summer waters of the Ovens River valley with Bright Adventure Company. [caption id="attachment_617301" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bright Brewery[/caption] EAT AND DRINK To fuel up for touring the wineries and beautiful scenery of the high country, you'll need to eat something delicious and find some good coffee. Thankfully the area has all this in spades. Bookend your day at 15 Wills Street, a space shared between specialty coffee roasters and coffee bar Sixpence Coffee in the morning and Reed & Co Distillery in the afternoon and evening. You can also stop by the distillery door for tastings or book in for a tour. No matter what you do, be sure to make time for a G&T made with its Remedy Australian dry gin. For a healthy and easy lunch, kick back on the sunny balcony at Dumu Balcony Cafe — the social enterprise cafe trains young people from the Northern Territory's Thamarrurr region in all things hospitality. The team is currently in the NT, but will be operating in Bright again once it's safe to do so following the COVID-19 lockdown. In between strolls of Bright Centenary Park and dips in the Ovens River, a stop at Bright Brewery is essential. There's a gorgeous deck surrounded by trees where you can knock back a couple of pints of beer made on site alongside fresh mountain water and a pizza or burger from the brewery's kitchen. [caption id="attachment_760556" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reed & Co Distillery by Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey[/caption] Pub meals up in these parts come a bit more sophisticated than you'd expect. So head to The Wandi Pub for smoked duck breast with miso and kimchi, honey and rosemary lamb bangers and mash, and 12-hour slow-cooked local pork nachos. Or try Tomahawks for a variety of shareplates and burgers — including a Sevens Creek grass-fed cheeseburger or curried roast pumpkin fritter on a milk bun with eggplant kasundi and mint yoghurt. Finish up with a doughnut ice cream sandwich for dessert, complete with Lindt mousse, milk crumb and salted caramel. If you're after a long, leisurely meal with a few glasses of vino, we recommend Ginger Baker Wine Bar and Cafe for a good brekkie, lunch or dinner with a garden backdrop and live music during the warmer months. Or, discover Templar Lodge, chef-owner Emma Handley's first solo restaurant, set in a historic building among the cattle farms at the foot of Mount Bogong in nearby Tawonga. Much of the fruit and veg on the contemporary Aussie menu comes from Handley's own farm. [caption id="attachment_760559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nine Steps[/caption] STAY For serene mountain views from a hot tub and deck on the edge of the Alpine State Forest, there's Kangaroo Lodge, while Mill Cottage in nearby Wandiligong offers a pool with a stunning forest backdrop. Nine Steps is a classic Aussie shed — it's been given a luxury makeover by a talented architect and is set on 29 acres of bushland at the base of Mount Buffalo. The house sleeps six, and you'll likely spot wombats and wallabies on your visit. Book a getaway weekend with your best friends to Leader Reef House, which has a private pool. And The Kilnhouses are three luxury dwellings on a working angus cattle stud — where all three of the homes available to hire are in their own private section of the farm, with cattle and vineyard vistas. Like the idea of staying on a working property? Indulge in a soaker tub on the private balcony of the Peggy Adelaide Suite at Feathertop Winery; enjoy a quiet weekend away at Lavender Hue Farm B&B and Tea Rooms; or make yourself at home in the Kiewa Valley at Spring Spur Horse Property. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Nightingale Orchard by Emily Godfrey via Visit Victoria
Melbourne chefs Ryan Maher and Ben Reardon launched their ramen drop-off business back in June 2020, delivering handmade, ready-to-heat soup kits to select suburbs each week under the Gomi Boys label. The orders kept flooding in and the fanbase continued to grow — so much so, that the duo this year launched a Pozible campaign in the hopes of funding their first bricks-and-mortar venue. That dream is now a reality, with Gomi Ramen Bar opening its doors on Sydney Road in December 2021. The 60-seat eatery is serving a range of the guys' cult-favourite ramen varieties, heroing their hand-made noodles, house-made ferments, preserves and flavour-packed broths. On the menu, you'll find the likes of a niboshi tonkotsu with pork and chicken ($17.80), a miso tonkotsu ($17.80) and a mushroom miso number ($16.80), alongside snacks like chicken karaage ($12), hot sandos and a chilled silken tofu dish called hiyayakko ($8). Gomi Ramen will open through the rest of 2021 from 11.30am–3pm Wednesday–Sunday (except for public holidays). Updated opening hours for 2022 will be revealed soon. [caption id="attachment_776661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Oulton[/caption] Images: Michael Oulton and Gomi Ramen Shop
When you're a kid, there's little that's more exciting than hopping into an inflatable pool in your backyard on a toasty summer day. When you're an adult, you've realised that filling a children's pool with ice makes a great esky — especially those clamshell setups — and you might think that your days of splashing around in a piece of vinyl are well behind you. No one is ever too old to cool down in a blow-up pool, though, so new Melbourne-based company Pool Buoy has made a range of inflatable numbers that look far more stylish than whatever plastic thing you had when you were a kid. Accordingly, they're designed for all ages — and, because they're made from non-toxic, heavyweight vinyl that's BPA, phthalate and lead-free, they're also environmentally friendly. Five styles currently sit in Pool Buoy's catalogue, so you can choose one that suits your mood, personality or outdoor decor. Or, just one that you'd like to escape the heat in — with a drink in your hand, with your pooch or with your mates. They all look the same in terms of shape and structure, but one comes in a flamingo pink hue with big orange splotches, and two different versions resemble terrazzo. There's also a peach number with a grid print, plus a design that things simple via a black squiggle across a white background. Whichever version takes your fancy, Pool Buoy's cute pools measure 165 centimetres in diameter and 35 centimetres high, and can fit two or three adults. They'll set you back $149 each — and, to inflate them, you can also buy a pump for $39. Because leaks happen, each pool also comes with a complimentary repair kit, and Pool Buoy will provide you with another one if you need to patch things up more than once. For more information about Pool Buoy's range — or to buy one of its pools — head to the company's website.
When it comes to showcasing up-and-coming Australian musical talents, and also celebrating the country's music industry in general, Brisbane's BIGSOUND has never held back. Going big is right there in its name, after all. So, with the event finally making its in-person return after a pandemic-afflicted couple of years — and also marking its 21st birthday — it should come as no surprise that it's set to host its biggest lineup ever. Back in April, BIGSOUND confirmed its comeback details for 2022, including dates and basic numbers — a four-day event including the conference side of things, running from Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9, and popping up in 21 different venues, to be precise. It also promised that more than 150 bands and artists would take to its stages, too. Now that the full bill is here, that figure has gone up to a whopping 182. [caption id="attachment_861893" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jess Gleeson[/caption] That's 38 artists more than the last in-person event, in 2019, boasted — and they'll take to 23 stages at those 21 Fortitude Valley venues over three nights. Leading the charge: Adrian Dzvuke, Budjerah, flowerkid, Dallas Woods, Mia Wray and Teenage Joans, as well as Dulcie, Ghost Care, Ashwarya, Birdz, Jem Cassar-Daley, Concrete Surfers and VOIID. The list goes on, and also includes the event's first BIGSOUND Country lineup, spanning country The Buckleys, Hinterland, DARLINGHURST, Loren Ryan, Melanie Dyer, Taylor Moss and The Wolfe Brothers. A contingent from New Zealand will head over as well, with JessB, Soaked Oats, Troy Kingi, TE KAAHU, Church & AP, MELODOWNZ and Jenny Mitchell making the trip. [caption id="attachment_861894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] Wondering which venues will be doing the honours? The list features everywhere from Black Bear Lodge and both inside and outdoors at The Brightside through to The Wickham and The Zoo. If you're a BIGSOUND regular, you'll know what all of this entails: jumping between as many spaces as possible, all teeming with as many bands, industry folks and music-loving punters as possible, and enjoying the latest and greatest tunes and talent that's on offer. Expect 2022's iteration to be no different to usual — well, the pre-pandemic usual — although the vibe is set to jump up a few notches given that there's so much to celebrate. [caption id="attachment_851420" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bianca Holderness[/caption] Past events have showcased everyone from Gang of Youths, Flume, Tash Sultana and Courtney Barnett to San Cisco, Violent Soho, Methyl Ethel and The Jungle Giants, making the BIGSOUND program a very reliable bellwether of current and up-and-coming musos. This year's fest will also include 300 artist showcases and more than 20 parties, while the conference side of things will welcome in 150-plus speakers over 55 sessions (and more than 1500 delegates as well). Leading the conference bill so far: 'Friday' singer Rebecca Black; activist, author and #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke; Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski; and Jaguar Jonze and Example. BIGSOUND's return to the Valley's streets follows a virtual event in 2020, and comes after 2021's fest was originally slated to go ahead in-person, but had to cancel due to COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_851423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] BIGSOUND 2022 FESTIVAL LINEUP: Adam Newling Adrian Dzvuke AGUNG MANGO Alter Boy Andrew Gurruwiwi Band Andrew Swift Andy Golledge Anesu Aodhan Asha Jefferies Ashwarya Ayesha Madon Baby Cool Banjo Lucia Beckah Amani BIG SKEEZ BIG WETT Birdz BLOODMOON Blusher Bones and Jones BOY SODA Brekky Boy Bud Rokesky Budjerah Bumpy C.O.F.F.I.N Caroline & Claude Chanel Loren Chloe Dadd Church & AP CLOE TERARE Club Angel Cody Jon COLLAR CONCRETE SURFERS cookii Dallas Woods dameeeela Daniel Shaw DARLINGHURST Dean Brady Death by Denim Diimpa Dulcie Eastbound Buzz EGOISM Eilish Gilligan Eliza Hull Eluize Enclave ENOLA Evie Irie Fash Five Island Drive flowerkid FLY BOY JACK Folk Bitch Trio Forest Claudette FOURA Franko Gonzo Full Flower Moon Band Future Static Germein Ghost Care Girl and Girl Gold Fang Grace Cummings and Her Band Grand Pine Great Sage Greatest Hits grentperez Greta Stanley Grievous Bodily Calm Hallie HANNI Hauskey Hinterland Holliday Howe Hope D ISUA JACOTÉNE JELLY OSHEN Jem Cassar-Daley Jenny Mitchell Jerome Farah Jess Day JessB June Jones KANADA THE LOOP Kee'ahn KEYAN Kid Pharaoh Kutcha Edwards LÂLKA Lee Sugar LION Liyah Knight Loren Ryan LOSER MALi JO$E Melaleuca Melanie Dyer MELODOWNZ Memphis LK merci, mercy Mia Wray Mitch Santiago Molly Millington Monnie Moonboy Moss MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT Mr Rhodes Mulalo MUNGMUNG Mvlholland Newport Nick Griffith Nick Ward Noah Dillon OK HOTEL Old Mervs Phoebe Go Pink Matter Platonic Sex Queen P RinRin Romero Roy Bing Ruby Gill Ryan Fennis & Voidhood Saint Ergo Sam Windley San Joseph Sappho Sarah Wolfe SayGrace Selfish Sons Selve Shanae (FKA MADAM3EMPRESS) Shannen James Siobhan Cotchin Skeleten Soaked Oats SOPHIYA South Summit Srirachi Stevan Suzi Talk Heavy Tasman Keith Taylor Moss TE KAAHU Teenage Dads Teenage Joans Teether & Kuya Neil Tentendo The Atomic Beau Project The Buckleys The Last Martyr The Rions THE RIOT The Terrys The Wolfe Brothers To Octavia Toby Hobart Troy Kingi Tulliah VOIID VOLI K Waxflower WIIGZ Wildheart Woodes Yb. Yen Strange yergurl YNG Martyr Zeolite ZPLUTO BIGSOUND 2022 VENUES: Black Bear Lodge Blute's Bar The Brightside The Brightside Outdoors EC Venue Ivory Tusk King Lear's Throne La La Land O'Skulligans The Outpost Press Club The Prince Consort Hotel Prohibition Ric's Bar + Backyard Stranded Bar Summa House Tomcat The Warehouse The Wickham Woolly Mammoth Mane Stage The Zoo BIGSOUND 2022 will take place between Tuesday, September 6–Friday, September 9 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit bigsound.org.au. Top image: Bianca Holderness.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7eZEZHRrVg PENGUIN BLOOM Nature is healing in Penguin Bloom, but not in the way that 2020's most famous meme has taught us all to expect. This Australian drama tells the story of Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts, The Loudest Voice), a nurse who becomes paralysed from the waist down due to a tragic accident during a Thailand vacation. Then, while adjusting to being in a wheelchair upon her return home, she finds solace in the company of an also-injured magpie chick. Her three young sons Noah (Griffin Murray-Johnston), Rueben (Felix Cameron) and Oli (Abe Clifford-Bar) name the bird Penguin. They're keen to look after it until it recovers, something they're unable to do with their mother. But the strongest bond between human and magpie forms between Sam and Penguin, albeit reluctantly at first. Traumatised by her experience, pushing her husband Cameron (Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead) away, subjected to her mother Jan's (Jacki Weaver, Never Too Late) fussing, and struggling with the changes from her old life — so much so that she's barely able to look at photos from the past — Sam is angry, upset and unhappy. She's hurt, and not just physically. As enjoying the presence of and caring for a pet is known to do, however, she finds hope, purpose and perspective via her new feathered friend. Describing Penguin Bloom's plot is bound to make anyone think that it's a piece of fiction conjured up by a screenwriter, but the Glendyn Ivin (Last Ride)-directed movie is based on real-life events — with scribes Harry Cripps (The Dry) and Shaun Grant (True History of the Kelly Gang) adapting the book by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive. Still, overcoming that manufactured, formulaic, sentimental feeling is the movie's chief obstacle, and one that it can't completely manage. In her first homegrown role since 2013's Adore, Watts puts in a film-lifting effort. The several exceptionally trained birds by her side all do too, vying with their high-profile co-star for the feature's best performance. And the rapport between human and magpie is as touching as it should be, ensuring that you don't need to have sat in Sam's exact seat or seen the world through the picture's wheelchair-height cinematography to understand the impact that Penguin has on her emotional and mental wellbeing. But, as most Australian films that that focus on a human-animal connection have been (with 2014's Healing a rare exception), Penguin Bloom is firmly a family-friendly affair. Movies that are suitable for all ages should genuinely earn that term, engaging adults as much as children; here, though, chasing that feat involves sticking to a noticeably easy, straightforward and simplistic template even when the film does strike a chord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Fr1M2fjY0&t=26s ONLY THE ANIMALS Murder-mystery Only the Animals starts with a killer opening image, featuring a live goat being worn like a backpack. The animal is slung over the shoulders of a cyclist as he rides through the streets of the Côte d'Ivoire city of Abidjan, and the unique picture that results instantly grabs attention — for viewers, even if it doesn't appear to interest anyone in the vicinity on-screen. This involving French-language thriller doesn't explain its attention-grabbing sight straight up, though. Instead, it jumps over to the Causse Mejean limestone plateau in southern France, where snow blankets the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and — unrelated to the weather — a number of locals are icily unhappy. Indeed, farmer Michel (Denis Ménochet, Custody), his insurance agent wife Alice (Laure Calamy, Call My Agent!) and Joseph (Damien Bonnard, Dunkirk), one of her clients, are all far from content before word arrives of a shock death in the area. Doing house calls is part of Alice's job in the small, close-knit community, and it sees her embarking upon an affair with the awkward Joseph, who has shut himself off from everything beyond his property after his mother's passing a year prior. The surly Michel barely seems bothered about his marriage, spending all his time in the office attached to his cattle-feeding shed ostensibly working on the farm's accounts. When the grim news spreads, it has implications for all three. Adapting the novel Seules Les Bêtes by Colin Niel, writer/director Dominik Moll (News from Planet Mars) and his frequent co-screenwriter Gilles Marchand switch between Only the Animals' characters and relay the details from their perspectives. First, Alice's take on the situation graces the screen. Next, it's Joseph's turn. Waitress Marion (Nadia Tereszkiewicz, The Dancer) earns the third chapter, which charts her hot-and-heavy rendezvous with Evelyne (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Let the Sunshine In), the woman who'll turn up dead — while the final and longest segment belongs to Armand (debutant Guy Roger 'Bibisse' N'Drin), without the goat, as he tries to catfish his way to riches, success and the girl of his dreams. A whodunnit, Only the Animals tasks its audience members with sleuthing their way through its fractured tale, all to discover who is responsible for Evelyne's demise and why. Thanks to its multiple parts, it also gets viewers guessing about events that initially appear unrelated, and how they'll end up linking into the broader story. But the suitably cool-hued film is filled with other questions, too, ruminating on the primal nature of love and pondering the ways in which pursuing it — or chasing a mere moment, however fleeting, with someone else — can lead down immensely complicated paths. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5xoxzO9bRQ&feature=youtu.be DAWN RAID When Danny 'Brotha D' Leaosavai'i and Andy Murnane set up their own record label in the late 90s, they took its title from a bleak chapter in New Zealand's history. During the 70s and 80s, early-morning round ups were deployed by the government to locate and detain Pacific Islanders who had overstayed their visas — a racially motivated tactic that left a strong imprint in South Auckland, where Leaosavai'i and Murnane grew up. Accordingly, by using Dawn Raid as moniker for a venture that supported Polynesian artists, the duo were reclaiming and repurposing a problematic term. Their clothing line, also under the same name, was filled with slogan-heavy apparel that did the same thing with other words. And, as their business empire grew quickly to also encompass stores, bars and even a barber shop, the pair employed the same irreverent, enthusiastic, passionate but carefree approach at every turn. The local impact was considerable, launching careers, giving aspiring musicians a pathway and inspiring hope throughout the local community as well. But, as the new documentary that's also called Dawn Raid makes clear, Leaosavai'i and Murnane's entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude sent them on a complicated rollercoaster ride. Their rise was meteoric; their struggles, when they came, were just as significant. Filmmaker Oscar Kightley details Dawn Raid's tale, paying tribute to the label's influence and the artists that it brought to the public's attention as well — including hip hop group Deceptikonz; its members Savage, Mareko and Devolo, who have each pursued solo careers; singer Aaradhna; and R&B duo Adeaze. The filmmaker may have already been well-acquainted with Leaosavai'i and Murnane after the pair oversaw the soundtrack to Kightley's big 2006 hit Sione's Wedding, but he still takes a warts-and-all approach to their ups and downs. It'd be impossible to do justice to their story otherwise and, as the movie's main interviewees, Leaosavai'i and Murnane are just as frank and willing to discuss both the good and the bad. They need to be, of course; it's their experiences after meeting in business school, overcoming troubled childhoods, lucking into some of their success and making as many fortunate choices as mistakes that makes the documentary particularly compelling. Indeed, Kightley doesn't need to amass much more than talking heads, archival footage and music videos to unfurl Dawn Raid's history, or to keep viewers interested. Still, he not only skilfully weaves together this engaging and comprehensive chronicle, but also knows when to give particular incidents from the company's past — like Savage's surprise viral hit when his single 'Swing' was used in the movie Knocked Up — the spotlight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_T0F36YEi0&list=PLB5pxwdW-CtP4EVTJe_bHhQ-iBR8mBeBS THE MARKSMAN If film stars are ever able to digitise their likenesses, then let CGI versions of themselves do the acting for them, Liam Neeson could end up with an even longer list of forgettable action flicks on his resume. That idea for that kind of technology stems from the 2013 movie The Congress, which didn't feature Neeson — but, perusing much of his recent output, you can be forgiven for wondering if letting a computer insert him into however many Taken ripoffs that Hollywood seems to need would be any different. For now, Neeson keeps performing the usual way. And, he keeps making movies that call upon his particular set of fist-throwing, villain-dispensing skills more than the talents that saw him receive an Oscar nomination for Schindler's List. The good news with The Marksman is that it's an improvement on 2020's Honest Thief; however, it's also yet another thoroughly by-the-numbers movie that only seems to exist so that it can star Neeson. This time around, he plays a retired marine-turned-Arizona rancher who lives near the Mexico border, has spent his time since his wife died reporting illegal crossings, and earns a drug cartel's bloodthirsty interest after he helps the fleeing Rosa (Teresa Ruiz, Narcos: Mexico) and her 11-year-old son Miguel (feature debutant Jacob Perez). Neeson's character, Jim, isn't the type to let murderous thugs hunt down a boy — or to trust that they won't still get to Miguel in police custody, even with his own stepdaughter Sarah (Katheryn Winnick, Vikings) on the force. So, in an inversion of the role that cemented Neeson as a 21st-century action star, Jim takes the kid on the run in an effort to deliver him safely to relatives in Chicago, all while both assassins and the cops try to hunt them down. Unsurprisingly, The Marksman trades in routine action scenes, but it thankfully does so in an unflashy way. It's far less subtle about its patriotic imagery; when Jim is told that the bank is selling off his house, the cringeworthy scene sees him deliver a speech about serving his country and working hard all of his life while grimacing sternly and wearing an American flag slung over his shoulder. It's the type of dialogue you might expect Clint Eastwood deliver and, in case you weren't thinking about him during the film, writer/director Robert Lorenz even has Jim and Miguel watch a clip from the actor's 1968 western Hang 'Em High. The filmmaker has a history with Eastwood, actually, directing him in 2012's Trouble with the Curve and working on a long list of Eastwood-helmed movies. Lorenz doesn't have ties to John Wick, but that doesn't stop him borrowing a little from that franchise as well — and stranding Neeson in a passable-enough but always derivative movie several times over in the process. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30; August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27; September 3, September 10, September 17 and September 24; October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22 and October 29; and November 5, November 12, November 19 and November 26; and December 3, December 10, December 17, December 26; and January 1, January 7 and January 14. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Craft: Legacy, Radioactive, Brazen Hussies, Freaky, Mank, Monsoon, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), American Utopia, Possessor, Misbehaviour, Happiest Season, The Prom, Sound of Metal, The Witches, The Midnight Sky, The Furnace, Wonder Woman 1984, Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles, Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig and The White Tiger.
This month, one of the former grand dames of Sydney Road is set to make her comeback. The long-running, music-loving party pub The Penny Black shut its doors earlier this year, but is about to embark on a new phase of life under the helm of 100 Burgers Group (Welcome to Thornbury, Mr Burger, Hightail). Reopening in late July under the new moniker Penny's, the pub will take the form of a live music venue and beer garden, complete with late-night hours and rock 'n roll-inspired interiors. Group Creative Director Matt Lane (Mamasita, Hotel Jesus) has reimagined the sticky-floored boozer as an homage to 70s-era Japanese rock culture, all moody tones and glowing red lights. A new-look front bar, dining space and band room leads back through to Penny's legendary beer garden, which has also been revamped, and now rocks a tropical-themed turquoise deck. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Penny's (@pennysbandroom) As for the food offering, you'll find the pizzas and parmas of yesterday have been replaced by a Japanese-leaning menu courtesy of Executive Chef Sandy Melgalvis (formerly Mulberry Group and Head Chef of Three Blue Ducks). Expect a share-friendly lineup starring the likes of cauliflower katsu sandwiches, karaage chicken and hashimaki — a street food dish featuring okonomiyaki rolled around a chopstick. Penny's will aim to carry on the live music legacy of its predecessor, with the band room hosting local acts up to four nights a week and the beer garden to become a DJ-fuelled oasis each weekend. While the refreshed iteration of The Penny Black will keep its former home at 420 Sydney Road, the venue is set to merge with some of its nearest neighbours to create a multi-venue precinct dubbed Welcome to Brunswick. Penny's will join up with rear neighbour 4 Pines Brewery and Beer Garden (previously known as Welcome to Brunswick), fellow Sydney Road haunts Brunswick Mess Hall and Little Mess, and Frith Street burger joint Mr Burger. Punters will eventually able to roam freely between the adjoining venues at Welcome to Brunswick thanks to a central pathway. Find Penny's at 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick, from late July, when it'll become part of the Welcome to Brunswick precinct. In the meantime, you can access 4 Pines Brewery and Beer Garden via 1 Frith Street, Brunswick.
Head down to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in the coming colder months and chances are — short of actually falling down a rabbit hole, because there are health and safety measures in place — you'll spend a couple of hours flitting about in Wonderland. Now on display at ACMI until October 7, the new exhibition celebrates Lewis Carroll's timeless Alice in Wonderland stories. Running as part of the Victorian Government's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, Wonderland casts a wide net over the history and evolution of Alice, both in literature and on our screens. Sailing all the way back into the late 1800s to mark the very first sketches of the character, which led in turn to the first silent, black-and-white film of Alice in 1903, the exhibition leads a strollable path all the way through until Tim Burton's 2010 take. Visitors are handed a 'Lost Map of Wonderland' to navigate their way around: both a physical guide and a digital prop, it unlocks interactive parts of the exhibition — so keep it handy. From getting lost in the Hallway of Doors, perusing old prototypes and ancient scribbles that became Carroll's tangible character, to sitting yourself down at an entirely digitally projected Mad Hatter's Tea Party, there's be something to see here even if you're not an original Alice fan. Here's a list of the best five somethings we stumbled on while walking the wonderland trail — some will make you laugh, some might make children cry, but we think they'll all confirm Alice's role as an adventurous and enduring screen and literary icon of our time. [caption id="attachment_663373" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alice Liddell photographed by Lewis Carroll[/caption] EARLY ALICE SKETCHES THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR WONDERFUL FILMS The first section of the exhibition, Hallway Of Doors, contains — as you can probably imagine — more doors than strictly necessary. The idea here is to open, shut and explore, and you'll find yourself stumbling into rooms containing a plethora of late-1800s preliminary sketches by John Tenniel, who illustrated the original edition. You'll also find photos of the real-life Alice Liddell, who was said to be Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the stories. A couple of things to note: the real Alice had brown hair, so the blonde was a later fictive addition, and don't forget to open the drawers in the walls too — they're also full of interesting nuggets. As part of Alice's development throughout modern times, Tenniel's sketches helped lead to Cecil Hepworth's 1903 silent film Alice in Wonderland. Playing in a movie room you'll find yourself walking into (through, of course, another door), it's a fascinating look back not only at the Alice canon, but at early film as well. [caption id="attachment_663103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phoebe Powell[/caption] THE MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY You're beckoned into a white room and sat down at a white table filled with white cups and saucers. Looks like a bit of a beige tea party, really. But then the projections start: a stunning digital display sets up the walls as lurid forestry, and the table as stuffed full of food and treats. It's all projected — a trail of ants across the settings included — and it'll leave your head spinning, especially when you factor in the plates turning into clocks at the end. There was always going to be a tea party at this exhibitio, but this proves weird, wonderful and very clever. [caption id="attachment_647497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jan Švankmajer's 1988 film Alice[/caption] THE UNSETTLING SIDE OF ALICE Just like some aspects of what Alice has encountered in Wonderland, it's not all sunshine and roses at the exhibition. Next you'll enter the section "The Rabbit Sends in A Little Bill", and any children you're walking through with will probably be hushed. A demonstration of the darker places that filmmakers have taken Alice, the most intriguing pick of the bunch is Jan Švankmajer's take on the tale. The Czech director and his wife Eva collaborated on his Alice in 1988, creating some terrifying imagery including strange skulls, teethy fish in wigs and creepy dolls (nope), as well as giving a whole host of young children with some enduring nightmares. It's fascinating though, and certainly on the darker side of the scale versus the Disney-esque, whimsy laden interpretation of Alice. [caption id="attachment_663372" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phoebe Powell[/caption] YOUR MAP IS PART OF THE EXHIBITION A guide you will definitely want to hang on to, you scan your map at the very start to see which pal will be accompanying you through the exhibition: mine was the Cheshire Cat, and at particular places I got to match my map up to the checkpoints and see the cool cat projected onto the actual map digitally. It's a cleverly used motif — and it's a pretty nice bonus to see your own character dancing around on a piece of paper. For those wishing there was even more interactivity and the chance to have a bit of a craft throwback, when you get to the Queen's Croquet Ground, you can cut out a character from disembodied parts and stick it onto your map, which then gets digitally fed into a projected screen of rose bushes. Next, your created character — with your real head, photographed and stuck on top — dances across the screen painting roses. It's great fun, and kids and adults alike will have a grand old time. MODERN-DAY ALICE AND THE COOL WOMEN THAT BROUGHT HER TO LIFE There's a lot to be said about the 2010 Alice in Wonderland and 2016 Alice Through the Looking Glass (and none of it about Johnny Depp). Mia Wasikowska was a more than fine Alice, giving the character just enough feyness yet pluck for audiences to still follow her willingly down holes and through doors more than 100 years after the character first appeared on screen. But the cool thing here is the fact that — Tim Burton, the first flick's director and both films' producer, aside — a lot of the work was done by some pretty awesome ladies. The exhibition showcases costume designer Colleen Atwood, whose incredibly intricate outfits for the first movie won an Academy Award — and the armour costume Wasikowska wore is a particular highlight. Then there's the contributions of the woman who gave a voice to these incarnations of the character in the first place: Linda Woolverton. Writing the screenplays for both recent Alice films, she was also the first woman to write an animated feature for Disney back with Beauty and the Beast in 1991. And for Alice? Woolverton was the first woman to be credited as a sole writer on a billion-dollar film. Perhaps Alice, all these years later, has now taken a tumble into the realm of girl power.
Floral bursts of sunshine are blooming all across a farm in rural Victoria, and they're ready for you to wander through, take plenty of snaps and pick till your heart's content. We're talking about sunflowers, of course — the undeniably cheeriest of all flowers — which are currently on offer just under 90 minutes drive from Melbourne. Exactly what Pick Your Own Sunflowers entails is rather obvious. You'll make the trip to Laiken and Karl Britt's farm in Dunnstown, pay $5 to get in, then get frolicking — and you'll also receive one sunflower included in the entry price. If you're keen on nabbing more, they'll set you back an extra $2 per additional sunflower. Remember to take cash, too, because there's no EFTPOS onsite. You'll also want to wear boots and bring your own secateurs. You'll be on a farm, so be careful to look out for snakes in the field as well. Other than that, you'll have some eye-catching Instagram photos and at least one flower to take home with you in no time. If you're wondering why this sunflower extravaganza has popped up, it's because the Britts planted 15 acres worth of seeds last November — and now more than 200,000 sunflowers are blossoming. Pick Your Own Sunflower sessions run across the long weekend — from 10am–6pm on Saturday, March 7, 12–6pm on Sunday, March 8 and 10am–6pm on Monday, March 9. Top image: Pick Your Own Sunflowers.
Felt butter. Felt SPAM. Felt condoms. Snuggle up to your groceries in this new, adorable installation from London artist Lisa Sparrow. Taking over a Bethnal Green cornerstore, Sparrow has stitched, stuffed and hand-priced hundreds of Coke cans, milk bottles and Men's Health magazines to stock the shelves with her latest artwork. Partly crowdfunded by Kickstarter, the Cornershop project took eight months to put together, realising the contents of an entire Bethnal Green shop in felt (with a tiny bit of lycra and plastic detailing). Crafting canned goods, confectionery, alcohol, toiletries, frozen food, cigarettes, ice cream, chewing gum, newspapers and magazines, Sparrow posted up the full inventory on her blog. While by no means an entirely never-done-before idea, it's pretty damn cute. The store will stick around for the month of August at 19 Wellington Row, then move to Brighton in October. Channeling artists like Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin and Michael Landy with their embracing of the humble store, Sparrow's obvious penchant for nostalgia shines through felt Extra gum packets and felt Fanta. "[The corner shop] is something that's disappearing with the growth of supermarkets, and the loss of the corner shop has adversely impacted our high streets and communities," said Sparrow. "I hoped that this project would remind people just how much the corner shop cemented life in local communities." But the Cornershop Project isn't merely a vessel for shining a light on consumerism; Sparrow's work often makes a big statement on art audiences (and their undeniable hierarchy). "The Cornershop is a tactile project and I felt it was important to create some art for communities that normally find themselves excluded from mainstream art," Sparrow told Dezeen. Opening doors to all art enthusiasts, the Cornershop Project includes sewing workshops for children and people with neurological disabilities. "I chose felt because it's a naive, almost childlike material that everyone comes into contact with at a young age when first they start to sew," Sparrow explains. "It's a very forgiving fabric that's approachable and is available in a huge range of colours. It was just the right material to give the pieces saturation, stroke-ability and a uniform appearance." Sparrow introduces the often underapplauded realms of craft to the more recognised world of contemporary art. Mainly working with felt and wool to tackle the politics of consumerism, Sparrow has crafted food many times before — a movement she's called 'feltism' and 'craftivism' — crafting everything from felt cigarettes to oversized giant felt burgers. Alongside reams of huge group shows — over 35 including the annual 'Modern Panic' exhibition in London and Nottingham's City Art Institute of Mental Health Exhibition —the London artist was notably shown alongside Banksy in the Victoria and Albert Museum's touring street art exhibition 'Urban Take-Over' in 2013. So whip out that cuddly credit card, let's go shopping. The Felt Cornershop will be open until 31 August in Bethnal Green, London before moving to Brighton in October. Via Dezeen.
A housewarming party complete with ice cold cans, free burgers and snags hot off the barbie. If that sounds like your ideal situation for a Saturday arvo, round up the crew for a trip to South Melbourne. Local pub The Market Hotel is welcoming its new kitchen resident — burger joint The Pickle & The Patty — and together they're throwing a shindig this Saturday, January 25. Hit the pub from noon and you could nab one of 400 free grass-fed beef burgers courtesy of The Pickle & The Patty. You might remember these guys from their recent pop-ups, including that pint-sized carpark store in Ascot Vale. Then from 5pm, the folks from Malvern deli Lewis and Son will be firing up the barbecue for a gourmet sausage sizzle, with all proceeds heading to the CFA. As you'd expect from an Aussie housewarming party, there'll also be a full-sized Hills Hoist set up. It'll be running a Goon of Fortune-style prize wheel with a stack of merch and free beers to be won. And if all that spinning makes you thirsty, you'll find a bathtub stocked with an array of $5 Thunder Road tinnies, a pay-what-you-feel Atomic Beer Project karma keg (with proceeds going to the CFA) along with plenty of drink specials over at the bar. All this while Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown pumps bangers through the speakers, all day long. The Free Burger Party runs from 12–9pm.
A staple of Melbourne's cultural calendar for more than 90 years and counting, the Sidney Myer Free Concerts are back for another year. Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the latest shows in this long-standing favourite series will, as always, feature a trio of performances from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a classical music buff or just want to stretch out with a picnic on the grass, there's a good reason these concerts have become a beloved summertime tradition. The 2023 series kicks off on Wednesday, February 8 with a huge celebration of the one and only Tchaikovsky — including selections from Swan Lake, the Spartacus Suite No.1 and the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture. Then, a week later on Wednesday, February 15, it's time to pay tribute to Melbourne's diversity through music. This show will see Melissa Douglas start her tenure as Cybec Young Composer in Residence, playing a fanfare commissioned for the 2023 Sidney Myer Free Concert Series — and also feature four artists from Melbourne's west, Ag Johnson, ELAURA, Nomad and HVSH, all performing original works. Plus, Sangam Ensemble will present Agam, which tells tales of the Tamil Australians who live and work on the Kulin Nation's lands. [caption id="attachment_875579" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura Manariti[/caption] Finally, on Saturday, February 18, the MSO will welcome Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition winner Hannah Shin to perform Prokofiev's Piano Concerto — and then let Carmina Burana loose. All three performances begin at 7.30pm; however, gates usually open at 4.30pm. And with no tickets required, this is a first-in kind of affair. Arriving early to nab your best spot is highly recommended. [caption id="attachment_875580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura Manariti[/caption] Top image: Mark Gambino.
Take a must-visit Paris art museum, an acclaimed Victorian gallery, an iconic French painter and one of the world's most influential architects, mix them all together, and Australia's latest huge exhibition is the end result. So is something unsurprisingly stunning: the world premiere of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi at the NGV International in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria's revolving door of blockbuster exhibitions shows no sign of slowing, with this exceptional meeting of creative minds announced earlier in 2023, and now gracing its halls from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. When the temperature dips each year, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series kicks in — and, as created in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, home to the world's largest collection of Bonnard works, this ode to Bonnard and Mahdavi is the current centrepiece. On display: more than 100 pieces by the famed French artist, but seen through a fresh lens. Helping provide that new perspective is scenography by internationally renowned architect and designer Mahdavi, in a major showcase that was originally slated to debut in 2020 before the pandemic did its thing. An icon of late 19th- and early 20th-century art, and a good mate of Henri Matisse, Bonnard is known for his colourful, textural depictions of French life, offering stylised yet subtle glimpses of intimate domestic scenes, urban backdrops and natural landscapes. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi includes a hefty collection of the artist's own paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and other decorative objects, alongside works from his contemporaries — including Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Félix Vallotton and cinematic pioneers the Lumière brothers. Attendees can expect to step through Bonnard's early artistic days in the 1890s, highlighting his focus on Parisian street life; his evolution from there, including when he started focusing on more domestic scenes as inspired by his relationship with his companion Marthe Bonnard; and his love of landscape, especially from 1910 onwards, and as influenced by his fellow pal Claude Monet. Numerous pieces are on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, as well as other museums and private collections in Europe, Australia and the USA. The NGV's own collection also includes significant works, however, including Bonnard's 1900 painting La Sieste (Siesta). Considered one of the world's most influential architects, multi-award-winning Mahdavi has been commissioned to help bring the historic pieces to life via her scenography, tasked with creating a setting that complements Bonnard's signature use of colour and light. The results aren't just spectacular — they're dreamy. "Monsieur Bonnard and I share the same passion: colour," Mahdavi explains of the exhibition. "I love his subjective perception of colour — the way he transforms the intimacy of everyday life into something sublime." "Pierre Bonnard is one of the most captivating artists of the post-impressionist movement. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience his work within a vivid scenography designed by India Mahdavi, one of the world's leading designers working today. Both the artist and the designer are celebrated for their ingenious use of colour, which made them a natural and authentic pairing for this NGV-exclusive exhibition," adds Tony Ellwood AM, the NGV's director. Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi runs at the NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Friday, June 9–Sunday, October 8. For more information, see the venue's website. Images: Installation view of Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi, on display from June 9–October 8, 2023 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Lillie Thompson.
El Jannah well and truly has cult-like status in Sydney. There are those who swear by the roasted bird, chippies and the renowned garlic sauce — and there are those who won't hear even a syllable towards the idea that the Lebanese-Australian joint doesn't reign supreme. And with locations now popping up in Melbourne, we're sure this mentality is going to cross state lines, too. But, fans are not only in love with the food, but the people behind the counter and pass, too. "[Our customers] treat us like an extension of their friends and family," Brett Houldin, CEO of El Jannah, shares. "They know people by name, they can tell you a lot about their first experience, and that seems to resonate." Together with Uber Eats, we cruised over to El Jannah's Earlwood venue and fired a few quick, fun questions at Houldin to catch his vibe (and to pursue that garlicky recipe). Have a watch below, and read on for the low down. https://vimeo.com/756998413 STICKING TO YOUR STRENGTHS We're all better placed if we stick to our strengths. Knowing when you're out of your depth is a key life skill — as Houldin learned. When was the last time he donned a hairnet and jumped in the El Jannah kitchen? "I'm only really effective on the chip station," he laughs. "That's all they'll let me do." He leaves the cooking to the pros, who smash out order after order (after order) for customers who are more than willing to stand in a lengthy line (or order via Uber Eats) to chow down. Houldin does still manage to get his fill of charcoal chicken, though. His weekly El Jannah count? Three or four times a week. "There's probably customers out there who eat it just as much, if not more, as I do," he laughs, well aware of the chicken shop's hype. THE BUSINESS OF BUSYNESS Given he's a busy man, you'd be forgiven if you think Houldin's El Jannah count is higher in actuality. So what was the last thing he cooked when he did have time? "Does it count as 'cooked' if I bought lasagne, put it in the oven and fed it to the kids?" he asks. THE SECRET IN THE SAUCE Sadly, Houldin kept mum on El Jannah's lauded garlic sauce recipe. We did press him on the issue — and have the unedited footage to prove it — but, through a big ol' smirk, he said, "I'll have to die with that one. That is only a family-known secret." All this chat put you in the mood for El Jannah chicken? Head to the website to find a location near you, or place your order via Uber Eats. Top image: Jarrad Shaw
It started with everyday awkwardness. It plunged straight into a memorable meet-cute, too. And, it pondered what might happen if a medical student and a microbrewery owner crossed paths in Sydney, ended up with an injured dog between them, then went from strangers to pet co-owners almost instantly. Also, it's the latest collaboration between real-life couple and No Activity stars Harriet Dyer (The Invisible Man) and Patrick Brammall (Evil). From the moment that Colin From Accounts hit screens late in 2022, it clearly wasn't short on highlights. Among last year's best new TV shows, this Aussie gem stood out for its charm, relatability, smarts and fleshed-out characters — plus its ace two- and four-legged cast. Thankfully, there'll be more where all of the above came from, with Australian streaming service Binge confirming that a second season of Colin From Accounts is officially on the way. "We're thrilled that Binge is finally giving in and letting us do another one. Turns out the border terrier community is extremely powerful," said Dyer and Brammall in a statement announcing the homegrown hit's impending return. "Thank you to everybody around the world who has enjoyed the show — we can't wait to bring you all a second season. Stay tuned for more shenanigans." So far, there's no exact timing set for a second date with Dyer as Ashley and Brammall as Gordon; however, the renewal news comes after Colin From Accounts nabbed itself a trio of 2023 Logies. The series picked up Most Outstanding Comedy Program, Most Outstanding Actor and Most Outstanding Actress — all industry voted, rather than by audiences. Story-wise, the first season of Colin From Accounts followed Ashley and Gordon after the latter was distracted by the former one otherwise ordinary morning, then accidentally hit a stray dog with his car. The pair took the pooch to receive veterinary treatment, then committed to look after him — and, yes, named him Colin From Accounts — causing their already-chaotic lives to intertwine. "The funniest couple on TV (and their dog) are coming back. Binge is thrilled to confirm a second season of the award-winning Colin from Accounts," Alison Hurbert-Burns, the streaming service's Executive Director. "We left season one unsure if Ashley and Gordon could get Colin back, so of course we need to see what's next for these loveable characters that audiences in Australia, and the world, have fallen in love with." Check out the trailer for season one of Colin From Accounts below: Colin From Accounts season two doesn't yet have a release date, but will stream via Binge. Read our review of season one. Images: Lisa Tomasetti / Tony Mott.
The time of boring holidays is over. No longer are we locking ourselves inside a three-star resort for two weeks, limiting ourselves to whitewashed itineraries and experiences we could find at home. To really explore the world, we must occasionally check comfort and familiarity at the door. That's what you could do with a guided, small-group tour organised by Intrepid Travel. We've teamed up with the global exploration extraordinaires to showcase just a taste of the experiences on offer. All you need to do is dive right in. [caption id="attachment_970293" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ChanwitOhm via iStock[/caption] Hike up a Volcano in Lombok When it comes to Aussies on holiday, Bali is an all-time classic pick. The neighbouring island of Lombok isn't that far afield either, but there's more to an Indonesian getaway than massages and cocktails by the beach. Instead, you can secure a spot on a 12-day adventure across the islands of Bali, Lombok and Gili. You'll hike, bike and kayak your way through some of the most scenic landscapes Indonesia has to offer. The peak (literally) of the adventure comes on the island of Lombok, where you'll spend two days hiking up an active volcano, camp at its crater (at nearly 2600 metres high) and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the ocean — if the weather is clear. Watch the Sunrise From the Tallest Mountain in Borneo Borneo is one of the last wild nations on Earth, with a hugely diverse ecosystem and a range of iconic native wildlife—orangutans being the most famous among them. This 11-day expedition allows you to get up close and personal with those gentle forest creatures, as well as sea turtles, macaques, bears and maybe even pygmy elephants. During your adventure, you'll also get to scale Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in the country. To see the sunrise from the summit, 4095 metres above sea level, you'll spend the night on the mountain and set off at 2am — but the views will be worth it. When you've descended, you will spend the afternoon unwinding in hot springs. Help Reforest an Island in Cambodia Community service in Cambodia is a highly regarded activity for Aussies abroad, but this eight-day tour of the country will put you in touch with more than just good karma. You'll bike through the Cambodian countryside, explore ancient ruins, meet endangered river dolphins and spend two days on an island in the Mekong River. On the small island of Koh Trong, you'll overnight in a local homestay, giving you ample time to explore the island's shores, rice fields and fruit orchards. Once you've had a good night's sleep and a home-cooked meal, you'll lend a hand to a local reforestation project to put some good back into the earth. Immerse Yourself in the Himalayas Along the Trans-Bhutan Trail There are few secrets on planet Earth as well hidden as Bhutan. Literally and figuratively dwarfed by its neighbours, India and China, this tiny Buddhist kingdom transports you back in time and takes your breath away with its awe-inspiring landscapes. You can spend 11 days exploring this remarkable nation with Intrepid. The altitude might thin out the air, but it's cleaner than anywhere else since Bhutan is the world's first carbon-negative country. Breathe deep as you drive and walk across the country's heart, stopping at high-altitude mountain passes, fortified Buddhist complexes and ancient monasteries built into the sides of rock faces. Kayak Amongst Stunning Limestone Islands in Lan Ha Bay Vietnam's scenery is on another level, with mountains, valleys and fields that create incredible memories (and photographs). It's a quintessential destination for travellers, but the art of balancing its many moving pieces is best left to travel agents and trip organisers. It's a good thing Intrepid offers an 11-day tour that'll see you hiking, biking and kayaking all over the country. First, you'll venture through the busy capital city of Hanoi for an on-the-ground Vietnam experience. Then, you'll stop in regional cities and towns like Sapa, Khau Bau, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh and Cat Ba Island. Those landlocked locales will see you hit the trails and fields on bicycles and your own two feet, but the latter is in Ha Long Bay's World Heritage designation and features the iconic limestone cliffs and white sand beaches by the plenty. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka Sometimes overshadowed by its larger neighbour, India, Sri Lanka has been slept on as a destination by many for far too long. One of the most varied ways to explore it is a fairly physical eight-day exploration of the island, which will take you through mountains, tea fields, thick jungles and fast-flowing rivers. Along the way, you'll get up close and personal with four of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout the country. First, there's the city of Sigirya, built atop a granite rock over 1500 years ago. You'll then head to the jungle-coated Knuckles Mountain Range, the Sacred City of Kandy and finally, the fortified Old Town of Galle. Trek to the Base of the Highest Mountain on Earth When talking adventure tours in Asia, we'd be remiss not to touch on the most famous of all: the two-week journey to the Base Camp of Mount Everest. It's a trip and a destination carved into human history, but the Base Camp trek is easier than the journey up the mountain itself. This tour starts in Kathmandu, but you'll fly to your real starting point in Lukla before setting off on the hiking journey of a lifetime. Take in the snow-crested peaks and green valleys of the Himalayan ranges as you make the journey up to Base Camp before turning around and taking a different route back to Lukla. You'll be spending your nights in teahouses and are likely to meet other hikers along the way since this is one of the most famous hiking routes in the world. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
"Does it always have to end up in a big giant dance battle?" asks the latest Step Up film, Step Up All In. Yes, that's an actual line of dialogue in a movie about trading fancy footwork for supremacy. The feature's Moose (Adam G. Sevani) poses the question to his ragtag gang of friends when yet another squabble sees them settling things on the dance floor. In doing so, he becomes the series' most self-aware expression, as well as the clearest enunciation of its purpose. Dance battles — plus contests, trials, tryouts, auditions, and any other competitive outlets — remain prominent not only to showcase performers' skills and add drama but to allow something to be dreamed about and aspired to, then achieved, attained and overcome. So if you've seen even one dance movie, whether from the Step Up franchise or any other (or even just Zoolander or Guardians of the Galaxy), then you know that yes, it does always have to end up in a big giant dance battle. Of course, there's more to be learned from the many efforts that have shuffled across screens since the days of Busby Berkley, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. What other important knowledge do dance films impart? We trawled through the best and worst to find out. Nobody should stay in the corner If there's one lesson the Step Up franchise preaches again and again, it's that playing by the rules doesn't offer a path to glory. If the first film's hero, played by Channing Tatum, hadn't vandalised a prestigious performing arts school and been burdened with helping clean up as punishment, the entire course of the series may have changed — and Tatum may not have become the cinema superstar he now is today. Indeed, he peddled the same message in the semi-autobiographical Magic Mike, where working a stripping job frowned upon by most offers the titular character his only hope of earning enough money to finance his dream business. Tatum is following in formidable footsteps, with ignoring instructions a dance movie staple across all possible extremes of the subgenre. In family-oriented effort Girls Just Want to Have Fun, a young Sarah Jessica Parker constantly falls afoul of her dad in her efforts to dance, while in Dario Argento's horror film Suspiria, an American ballet student in Munich finds out the truth about her new school when she flouts the rules and sneaks around. Perhaps the best-known instance comes from that perennial favourite, Dirty Dancing. Everyone remembers when Baby (Jennifer Grey) disregarded her father's decree that she stay away from bad boy dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), and when she wouldn't stay in the corner. (No one remembers when Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights unsuccessfully tried to recreate the same scenario.) Stick it (or step up) to the man In the fourth Step Up film (known as Step Up Revolution and Step Up: Miami Heat in differing parts of the world) it's not just a competition the dance crew seeks to win, though that's obviously part of the equation. In an oft-used scenario, they also square off in an against-the-odds battle with a heartless property developer threatening to gentrify their neighbourhood. Filmed flashmob-style performances help them wage both wars, providing contest entries and disrupting their nemeses efforts, but it is the challenge to authority that resonates as the feature's strongest statement. Dancers just don't know how to lie down for the man, so it seems, with putting bodies on the line their favourite form of fight. Step Up 3D, Honey and Centre Stage: Turn It Up also offer variations on rallying against authority, while an attempt to stop a corporation destroying a Brazilian rainforest drives The Forbidden Dance (a barely recalled effort attempting to cash in on the lambada craze, but the one that isn't called Lambada). And if there's one thing Footloose cemented in the consciousness of multiple generations, first in 1984 and again in the 2011 remake, it's that anyone who dares bans dancing must be defied, confronted and trounced. Stop, collaborate and listen Part of the fun of the Step Up series as it has continued is its unashamed amalgam of styles and genres. Never afraid to try something new and different when it comes to the dance scenes, if nothing else, the films themselves offer an inventive array of settings and show a wide range of sources of inspiration. Step Up All In's first breakout sequence ramps up the horror in a striking mad professor's laboratory number, while its climax sees its characters see past their rivalries to embody the same maxim in the story as well as the aesthetic. The movie is in good company, with seminal 1980s feature Breakin' teaming breakdancing with jazz ballet, Save the Last Dance's entire conceit based around the pairing of classical and ballet, and even Australia's own Strictly Ballroom introducing a Spanish influence into the titular type of dancing. Other features have interpreted the concept a little differently, but still with the same result. In Black Swan, a shy but ambitious ballerina must channel her dark side and break free from her prim and proper facade to get the lead in a production. The Full Monty saw middle-aged men get their gear off to make money after becoming casualties of Sheffield's declining steel industry. Mad About Mambo found football skills in samba. Recent release Cuban Fury tasked Nick Frost's uncharacteristic romantic lead with overcoming a childhood fear of salsa dancing to earn respect and pursue love. https://youtube.com/watch?v=j8XGmZ8HDIU There'll never be a crisis you can't dance your way out of The catharsis of getting your groove on has become so embedded in the dance film genre that almost every movie has its own example. Diving into your passion as an escape from your problems is sound advice; if movies have taught us anything, you'll emerge with a clearer head at the very least. The quintessential angry dancing scene from Footloose has become so iconic that Kevin Bacon once again kicked off his Sunday shoes to recreate it — well, with the help of a double — on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary earlier this year. The High School Musical movies gave Zac Efron not one but two opportunities to express his ire, the third film's moving feast of fury far superior to the second film's weak wander around a golf course. Andrea Arnold's excellent social realist effort Fish Tank shows a more serious side as its teen protagonist copes with her ills — including a liaison with Michael Fassbender — through hip-hop dancing. The trope has also been parodied in Hot Rod, where Andy Samberg's wannabe daredevil punch-dances out some anger in the forest, as well as TV's Flight of the Conchords in a number called Bret's Angry Dance. Cult comedy hit The FP took dancing through a crisis to the other extreme, with its characters forced onto their feet — duelling in an arcade game called Beat-Beat Revelation — to survive. Just do it Working as a welder by day and an exotic dancer by night, but dreaming of a more traditional way to tap your toes? Moved to the big city with stars in your eyes, but not sure if you have what it takes to give it a go? Flashdance, Burlesque and the aptly titled Make it Happen each offer a fictional testament to trying instead of wondering, as does almost every film in the subgenre that culminates in a competition: think Battle of the Year, Streetdance, Stomp the Yard, How She Move and even Take the Lead's Antonio Banderas-led ballroom dancing-focused effort, all of which address self-doubt and champion taking a chance. Billy Elliott shows just what can eventuate if, struggling valiantly through all obstacles in your way, you make it to the top of your chosen field. In Silver Linings Playbook, the stakes and the outcome are much more modest, but even securing a sense of achievement is worth the effort.
The National Gallery of Victoria's blockbuster Triennial 2020 exhibition is still in full swing, but, already, the gallery has announced the next fresh dose of artistic goodness heading our way. Today, Monday, March 1, it revealed a jam-packed lineup of exhibitions and programs for 2021. Among them, the international exclusive French Impressionism, featuring more than 100 French impressionist masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts. Yep, overseas trips might still be on hold, but come June 2021, you'll be able to catch iconic works from the likes of Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, when they hit the NGV for this huge showcase, as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. French Impressionism is set to feature 79 works never before shown in Australia, and will wrap up with a groundbreaking presentation of 16 Monet pieces displayed on curved walls — a nod to the oval gallery at Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris that the artist helped design for his famed Water Lilies paintings. [caption id="attachment_801662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Henrot, The Pale Fox (2014) installation view. Copyright courtesy of the artist and kamel mennour, Paris/London; König Galerie, Berlin; Metro Pictures, New York. Photographer: Anders Sune Berg.[/caption] Turning the lens closer to home, large-scale exhibition She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism will feature a huge 270 artworks plucked from major public and private collections across the country. It aims to explore Australia's own position within the impressionist movement, showcasing both recognised and lesser-known works from names like Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Jane Sutherland, Jane Price, Clara Southern and John Russell. Elsewhere in the program, catch an Aussie-first survey of works by celebrated French-born, New York-based contemporary artist Camille Henrot, showcasing a diverse spread of media created across the last decade. NGV Collection exhibition Big Weather shares a new appreciation for our weather systems, as told through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while Bark Ladies features two decades of stunning works on bark by masterful Yolngu women artists from Northeast Arnhem Land. And in groundbreaking show Queer, more than 300 works displayed across five different gallery spaces will mark the most historically expansive thematic presentation of artworks relating to queer stories ever shown in an Australian gallery. For more details about the just-announced NGV 2021 Season, jump over to the website. Image one: Claude Monet, Water Lilies (1905). Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes. Photography copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Image two: Alfred Sisley, Waterworks at Marly (1876). Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Gift of Miss Olive Simes Photography copyright Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Image three: Tom Roberts, Shearing the rams (1890). Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Felton Bequest, 1932.
When you're taking your pet pooch to the park at the end of October, you want your four-legged friend to look as frightening as possible. Halloween is for all creatures, big and small, after all. While puppers are generally pretty adorable — and not in any way scary — that will all change when it dons a terrifying spider or pumpkin (maybe not so much) costume courtesy of Big W's new range of Halloween-themed petwear. This way, your dachshund can go trick-or-treating as a dangerous dinosaur, your jack russell terrier can run around the backyard in a witchie tee or your shih tzu can snooze in a ghoulish sweater. They're all super-affordable, too, with costumes starting from $8 and bandanas from $4. A heap of hair-raising costumes are currently available (including various sizes and colours) for pets and the full Halloween range also includes costumes for humans (big and small) and decorations, such as pumpkins, gravestones, buckets and skulls aplenty. While Big W has dubbed the line its 'petwear', so far it's all for dogs. That said, if you can somehow manage to get your cat into a vest or sweater, then you might just be able to get them into a dinosaur suit. [caption id="attachment_785479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leo the Cavoodle[/caption] Big W's Halloween petwear is currently available to purchase online, with contactless home delivery and pick up available.
Almost synonymous with the proud Aussie spirit, R.M.Williams boots are representative of far more than sturdy footwear. Made on demand in the Adelaide workshop, a pair of RMs delivers quality craftsmanship, trend-surpassing style and excellence in both form and function — all from an Australian owned and operated business. In celebration of R.M.Williams' 90th birthday — a milestone indicative of its long-held icon status — the brand released a limited-edition capsule collection. The release features an exclusive range of boots in the iconic Craftsman and Lady Yearling styles — both renowned for being made from a singular piece of leather and passing through over 80 pairs of hands in their making — which come adorned with commemorative 90th anniversary tugs. Also in the collection is the Jerrawa belt complete with a celebratory plaque (a detail that graces the boots, too). Although the boots and belts are the hero pieces of the range, the exclusive apparel and lifestyle offering from the outback originals are just as worth coveting. Joining the leatherwear is an assortment of tees, made in collaboration with the world's first climate-positive cotton company Good Earth Cotton, and sweatshirts — all of which are emblazoned with the 90th anniversary branding. Plus, if you're keen to try your hand at leatherwork, you can buy the all-new Makers Kit, which is stocked with supplies to handcraft a durable leather cover for The Bushman's Handcrafts, the book authored by RM himself. If you're a legacy fan of the company or you're simply looking to get your first piece, the brand reaching nonagenarian status offers a momentous occasion for your purchase. As the legendary bootmaker Reginald Murray Williams explained, "If you make something good, people will make a track to your door. We made simple things that people wanted and kept them simple." And come the people did. To secure your slice of Australian history, shop online or in store.
When Robert De Niro asked his reflection who it was talking to, Joe Pesci questioned whether he was funny, and Leonardo DiCaprio crawled along the ground under the influence of Quaaludes, one man was responsible. Over a career spanning almost six decades, Martin Scorsese has brought tales of taxi drivers, goodfellas and wolf-like stockbrokers to the screen — and now an exhibition dedicated to his work is coming to Australia. From May 26 to September 18, the Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will pay tribute to one of America's most iconic directors, exploring everything from his early experimental beginnings to the award-winning films that have shaped many a movie buff. If you're already a fan, you'll be in Scorsese heaven. If you've somehow resisted the charms of (or completely missed) the likes of Raging Bull, The Departed and Hugo — or his concert flicks such as The Last Waltz and Shine a Light, or even Boardwalk Empire and Vinyl on TV — then prepare to have your eyes opened. [caption id="attachment_561113" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Exhibition section "New York". Photo: Deutsche Kinemathek / M. Stefanowski, 2013.[/caption] In its only Australian stop after wowing Berlin, Ghent, Turin and Paris, SCORSESE will present a collection of more than 600 objects spanning the filmmaker's entire cinema resume, as curated by the Deutsche Kinemathek, Berlin's Museum of Film and Television. Expect storyboards, hand-annotated film scripts, unpublished production stills, costumes, film clips and more, all drawn from the private collections of De Niro, Taxi Driver writer Paul Schrader, and Scorsese himself. No ACMI exhibition would be complete without a bustling lineup of screenings, talks and other events, so expect plenty of those as well. The complete program is yet to be announced, but we'd advise blocking out a few days to delve into the influence and impact of the guy who hasn't only mastered movies, but directed the music video for Michael Jackson's 'Bad' too. SCORSESE will run from May 26 to September 18 at ACMI in Melbourne. For more information, visit the ACMI website. Top image: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino, Martin Scorsese, Joe Pesci in GOODFELLAS, USA (1990). Source: Sikelia Productions, New York.
For wannabe wizards and witches, the most magical place in Australia right now is located in Victoria. After boasting the country's only run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, then playing host to a natural history exhibition based on the Fantastic Beasts films, the state is now temporarily home to a new Harry Potter-themed experience. This time, you can walk around an illuminated woodland filled with nods to the Wizarding World, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience finally arriving Down Under. Accio joy, clearly. Think: Lightscape, which is returning to Melbourne in 2024, but all about the world that's sprung up around the Boy Who Lived on the page, screen and stage. So, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience taking over The Briars Community Forest in Mount Martha until June, attendees can enjoy a nighttime stroll an hour out of Melbourne. Entering the Forbidden Forest is clearly the big attraction, as lit up with dazzling lights, all while also spying creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies. A hippogriff features, as do nifflers and unicorns. You also have the chance to pose for a photo mid-wand duel, and to summon up a patronus spell as well. Accordingly, visitors here aren't surrounded by all things Wizarding World after dark in a forest; they can be join in like every aspiring Hogwarts student has always wanted to. Sounds and special effects also help bring the experience to life, as aided by award-winning behind-the-scenes folks. Expect to spend around 90 minutes being immersed in the all-ages event — plus however long you need at the onsite shop afterwards buying merchandise. That's part of the village at the end of the trail, where you'll also be able to grab a bite and something to drink. Wands crossed for butterbeer, obviously. Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience has hit Australia after seasons in the UK, Europe, the US and Singapore, with Warner Bros behind it just like the films and upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Also helping conjure up the fun is events platform Fever, adding to a recent Australian slate spanning Banksy and NBA exhibitions, plus the Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience. Find Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience at The Briars Community Forest, Mount Martha, until Sunday, June 9, 2024. Head to the event's website for tickets and further details.
Do you adore greenery, wish your house could be filled with blossoming petals and gorgeous leaves, but don't have the greenest of thumbs? That's a hugely relatable predicament. Now, a second question: do you firmly think that you never grow out of Lego, and also find building with the plastic bricks peaceful? The toy brand's latest range has answers to both queries. At the beginning of 2021, Lego unleashed its new Botanical Collection — part of its growing range for adults, because we're all well past pretending that Lego is just for kids. Back then, it boasted a flower bouquet and a bonsai, letting you add both to your home without worry about care, water, wilting or the expiry date that always comes with cut florals. Or, they made great gifts to your nearest and dearest for all of the same reasons. The two latest items in the range also tick those boxes. If you're terrible with keeping greenery alive, they're ideal for you, too. And no, even you can't kill these succulents or orchids — from under- or overwatering, not enough sun or too much, or the usual long list of things that can go wrong when you become a plant parent. The 771-piece succulent kit features nine different Lego cacti and the like in different shapes, sizes and hues, all in their own separate containers. Connect them together for one striking piece, or keep them apart and place them in different spots — the choice is obviously yours. As for the 608-piece orchid set, it'll see you build a towering bloom with six large flowers and two newly opened flowers, all in a blue fluted vase. And it really isn't small, measuring 39 centimetres in height. Available now in Australia and New Zealand, both kits are customisable, and also based on actual plants — so they look as lifelike as Lego succulents and orchids can. Sure, fake flowers exist, but they're nowhere near as engaging to put together as this build-your-own low-maintenance option. As well as catching the eye and adding some splashes of green to your decor, Lego's newest products are designed to help you destress and get mindful — something that the brand has been promoting for adults for a few years now. Both kits cost $89.99 each in Australia and $99.99 each in New Zealand. And if you're keen on more, the original two sets are still available, as is a bird of paradise in a pot, plus small sunflower, rose and tulip kits. For more information about Lego's new Botanical Collection, including the flower bouquet and bonsai tree kits, head to the company's website.
Montaigne has graced stages worldwide. They've represented Australia at Eurovision. They've won ARIAs, too. Now, they're the subject of an Archibald Prize-winning painting, with the singer-songwriter depicted in a piece called Head in the sky, feet on the ground — an artwork that just nabbed Sydney-based artist Julia Gutman Australia's most prestigious portrait prize in 2023. Gutman's win at the age of 29, scoring the $100,000 award, makes her one of the prize's youngest-ever winners in its 102-year history. And, she's also the 11th woman to win the acclaimed accolade — doing so for her first-ever Archibald Prize entry. [caption id="attachment_899546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman 'Head in the sky, feet on the ground', oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Montaigne.[/caption] "I'm so elated and overwhelmed to have won. Shocked, dumbfounded, but very happy. It's honestly completely surreal. I'm so grateful to be working at a time when young female voices are heard', said Gutman about her win, which was announced at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Friday, May 5. "So much of my practice is devoted to revisiting, critiquing and contending with the histories housed in institutions. It's so affirming for that conversation to be recognised in such a public way." "Montaigne and I have been friends for a few years and there is a lot of alignment in our practices; we are both interested in creating our own forms and approaches rather than strictly adhering to any one tradition. Montaigne's work defies genres, while their mercurial soprano has become an indelible part of the fabric of Australian music," Gutman continued. [caption id="attachment_899549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visitors in the 'Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2023' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, featuring Archibald Prize 2023 finalists (left to right) Marie Mansfield, Yvette Coppersmith, Kim Leutwyler, Matt Adnate and Angela Brennan, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter.[/caption] Her subject was just as stoked, unsurprisingly. "It's such an insane honour to be the Archibald Prize-winning sitter. I sure didn't see it coming, not because I don't believe in Julia's incredible talent and warm heart, but because you just never think this stuff is going to happen to you," said Montaigne. Head in the sky, feet on the ground emerged victorious from a pool of 949 entries and 57 finalists, and in a year that broke a pivotal record: for the first time, more women than men made the final list of contenders for the award. Other portraits up for the gong included plenty similarly showing famous faces, such as Claudia Karvan, Sam Neill, Archie Roach, Noni Hazlehurst and Daniel Johns. [caption id="attachment_899552" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Wynne Prize 2023, Zaachariaha Fielding 'Inma', acrylic on linen, 306.2 x 198.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter.[/caption] AGNSW pairs the Archibald Prize with two other awards: the similarly coveted Wynne and Sulman prizes. The Wynne received 726 entries, with 41 named as finalists, while the Sulman received 673 entries, naming 45 as final contenders. 2023's $50,000 Wynne Prize, which recognises the best landscape painting of Australian scenery, or figure sculpture, has been awarded to interdisciplinary artist and first-time finalist Zaachariaha Fielding. His winning work Inma depicts the sounds of Mimili, his community, which is part of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia. The $40,000 Sir John Sulman Prize is presented to the best mural, subject or genre painting, with Doris Bush Nungarrayi doing the honours in 2023. The Luritja artist was a first-time finalist in both 2023's Sulman and Wynne Prizes, and is now the second Aboriginal artist to win the Sulman. In Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming), she focuses on several Mamus — aka the ominous and malevolent spirits that terrify the Aṉangu people. [caption id="attachment_899553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winner Sulman Prize 2023, Doris Bush Nungarrayi 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)', acrylic on linen, 198 x 273.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter.[/caption] If you'd like to see all of the above, plus the rest of 2023's finalists, they'll all be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney from Saturday, May 6–Sunday, September 3. After that, they'll tour to select venues in NSW and Victoria. Gutman's Archibald Prize win follows Blak Douglas' portrait of artist Karla Dickens in the Lismore floods in 2022, Peter Wegner's portrait of fellow artist Guy Warren in 2021 and Vincent Namatjira's portrait of Adam Goodes in 2020, as well as Tony Costa's 2019 victory with his painting of fellow artist Lindy Lee and five-time Archibald finalist Yvette Coppersmith's first win in 2018. And, Head in the sky, feet on the ground is still in the running for another award, as are all of this year's Archibald Prize finalists. If you don't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice, which will be announced on Wednesday, August 9. [caption id="attachment_899550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the 'Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2023' exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, featuring Archibald Prize 2023 finalists (left to right) Charles Mouyat, Oliver Shepherd, Paul Newton and David Fenoglio, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter.[/caption] ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2023 DATES: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW — May 6–September 3, 2023 Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Victoria — September 15–November 5, 2023 South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Bega, NSW — November 18, 2023—January 7, 2024 Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, NSW — January 19–March 10, 2024 Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW — March 15–April 28, 2024 Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW — May 11–June 23, 2024 Glasshouse Port Macquarie, NSW — July 5–August 18, 2024 If you can't make it to any of the above dates, you can check out the award winners and finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on the Art Gallery of NSW website. Top image: Excerpt of winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman 'Head in the sky, feet on the ground', oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter. Sitter: Montaigne.
After a hefty two-year hiatus, one of the bright sparks of Melbourne's frosty winter has made its way back onto the social calendar. You'd best clear your hump day schedule for the foreseeable future, because Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is set to return next month, running from June 1 to August 31. From 5pm every Wednesday, the QVM will be transformed into the kind of winter wonderland worth getting excited about, tempting you off the couch with a cosy program of street food, pop-up bars, live entertainment and artisan market stalls. What's more, come the middle of the season, the Night Market will be sating all your Euro winter holiday cravings with a special run of Christmas in July-themed nights, complete with festive decorations and gently-falling snow. As always, the Winter Night Market is set to serve up a tantalising assortment of street eats each week, with a huge array of food vendors repping dishes from all corners of the world. You can get excited for bowls of cheesy pasta, piping-hot dumplings, barbecued meat dishes and things grilled on sticks, perfectly paired with warming sips like mulled wine, hot gin toddies and spiced cider. The full culinary lineup will be dropping soon, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, as you're filling your belly with tasty winter fare, you'll be kept entertained with a rotation of live gigs and roving performers. After all, what better way to warm your cockles and work off a big serve of caccio e pepe, than a cheeky dance floor session? If you're a longtime fan, you'll know market stalls are also a big part of the offering here. This year, expect as vast a lineup as ever, with vendors slinging everything from jewellery and art, to skincare, homewares and books. The Winter Night Market will return to the Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne, running Wednesday nights from June 1–August 31. We'll share the full lineup of entertainment and food vendors as it drops.
