Christmas Day is a time of gathering together and celebrating the year with loved ones, but too often we can get bogged down with the stress of preparing an extravagant spread for our guests. Book in for a multi-course feast that's prepared for you this year, so you can ditch the time spent in the kitchen and simply sit back and enjoy a hassle-free Christmas Day with family and friends. The Pass has you covered with a range of festive feasts across their venues in Melbourne, from Italian fare at sunny Tippy-Tay to oysters at the beachy Prince Hotel and Christmas classics at Melbourne's oldest licensed pub. The Prince It wouldn't be a summer Christmas without some fresh seafood, so get your fix at this airy art-deco dining room near the beach in St Kilda. Gather your family at The Prince for share-style plates, including Sydney rock oysters, prawn cocktail and prosciutto with gnocco fritto, before moving on to the main course of corn-fed roast duck and vintage sirloin steak, balanced out with some sides. After lunch, walk it off with a short stroll to the beach for a true-blue Aussie Christmas. Tickets are $130 for adults and $60 for kids, with two seating times. Book your spot at The Prince's website. Tippy-Tay Make this Christmas stand out with a trip to the Amalfi Coast, sans the airport queues and long flights. Vibrant Italian restaurant Tippy-Tay, located in the Garden State Hotel, is serving a four-course menu on Christmas Day, with a cheeky drink on arrival included. Start with some antipasto, such as salmon crudo, squacquerone cheese with tomato and gremolata, and Akoya oysters with a peach and finger lime mignonette, followed by two pastas, a roast flounder and lamb shoulder. If that's not enough, you'll also be treated to a classic Christmas trifle and pavlova before you leave. The set menu is $150 per person and $75 for kids. Book your spot at Tippy-Tay's website. State of Grace For something more low-key, head to CBD bar State of Grace for a casual — but hearty — three-course lunch of modern Australian plates. Expect dishes such as a seafood platter with rainbow trout carpaccio and oysters, stracciatella with pickled mushrooms and crispy fruit loaf, roasted porterhouse with red wine jus, pan-seared barramundi with sauce vierge, and cannoli and Christmas pudding for dessert. A vegetarian menu is also available. Close out the day at the rooftop bar with festive drinks and city skyline views. The set menu is $165 for adults and $55 for children, with two seating times. Book your spot at the State of Grace's website. Village Belle Known for its beloved Sunday roast, you can look forward to standout Christmas classics at this laidback St Kilda pub. The Village Belle's Christmas offering is full of familiar family favourites, including oysters, Queensland prawns, a tomato and mozzarella salad and cold cuts, followed by bourbon and apricot-glazed ham, slow-cooked turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing. For dessert, there's mince pies, cherries, and a loaded strawberry and passionfruit pav. The set menu is $125 for adults and $50 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book your spot at the Village Belle's website. The Smith For al fresco vibes without the risk of getting caught in any unpredictable weather, pull up a seat at The Smith's light-filled atrium with a retractable roof. The menu has a real mix of surf and turf, from prawn cocktail and oysters to pork terrine, honey and mustard-glazed ham, and turkey with sage and onion stuffing. The Smith have swapped out the pavlova for a cosy Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, as well as a tasteful cheese selection. The set menu is $145 for adults and $45 for kids, with two seating times. Book in at The Smith's website. Yarra Botanica Skip the meal prep and cleaning duties, and ring in Christmas with a glass of bubbly overlooking the Yarra River instead at the Yarra Botanica. The pontoon bar is serving their full food and drinks menu all day, but you can also opt out of any decision making with a $95 set menu, which includes a glass of sparkling. The share-style menu includes prawn cocktail, lamb chops with coffee-infused jus and curry leaf cream, cherry-infused meatloaf with cherry jus and burnt onion, and lamingtons and pavlova to finish. Book a table at the Yarra Botanica's website. Imperial Hotel One of the advantages of a summer Christmas is that you can celebrate in the sunshine. Head up to the Imperial Hotel's rooftop for lunch and tipples paired with panoramic views across the city skyline. Downstairs, the Bourke Street pub is serving a range of festive plates with a three-course, share-style feast. If you'd rather pick and choose, the Imperial Hotel will have its usual à la carte offerings available on the rooftop. The set menu is $140 for adults and $40 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book a table at the Imperial Hotel's website. Bridge Hotel Keep Christmas casual this year at the charismatic and eccentric pub that is the Bridge Hotel. The Richmond institution features five themed spaces, a loft area and cobblestone laneway running through the venue. Come for a three-course feast of festive faves — think oysters, prawns, ham, turkey, mince pies and pavlova — and stay for 20 beers on tap and drinks in the laneway. The set menu is $120 for adults, $60 for kids 15 and under, and free for kids under four. Book your spot at the Bridge Hotel's website. The Duke of Wellington Since Christmas is so steeped in tradition, why not celebrate at Melbourne's oldest licensed pub? Don't let the recently renovated fitout fool you — The Duke of Wellington has been slinging drinks on Flinders Street for over 160 years. Enjoy a merry three-course spread at the pub's rustic Public Bar or elegant Dining Room, before closing out the day with drinks out on the rooftop. The set menu is $159 for adults and $49 for kids 12 and under, with two seating times. Book your spot at The Duke of Wellington's website. Tables are filling fast so book in now. Find out more about The Pass at the website.
Here we go again indeed: with the George Clooney- and Julia Roberts-starring Ticket to Paradise, a heavy been-there-done-that air sweeps through, thick with the Queensland-standing-in-for-Bali breeze. The film's big-name stars have bounced off each other in Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Money Monster before now. Director Ol Parker has already sent multiple groups of famous faces to far-flung places — far-flung from the UK or the US, that is — as the writer of the Best Exotic Marigold flicks and helmer of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Enough destination wedding rom-coms exist that one of the undersung better ones, with Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder, is even called Destination Wedding. And, there's plenty of romantic comedies about trying to foil nuptials, too, with My Best Friend's Wedding and Runaway Bride on Roberts' resume since the 90s. Hurriedly throw all of the above into a suitcase — because your twentysomething daughter has suddenly announced she's marrying a seaweed farmer she just met in Indonesia, if you're Clooney and Roberts' long-divorced couple here — and that's firmly Ticket to Paradise. As The Lost City already was earlier in 2022, it too is a star-driven throwback, endeavouring to make the kind of easy, glossy, screwball banter-filled popcorn fare that doesn't reach screens with frequency lately. It isn't as entertaining as that flick, and it certainly isn't winking, nodding and having fun with its formula; sticking dispiritingly to the basics is all that's on Parker's itinerary with his first-timer co-scribe Daniel Pipski. But alongside picturesque vistas, Ticket to Paradise shares something crucial with The Lost City: it gets a whole lot of mileage out of its stars' charisma. A quarter-century back, David (Clooney, The Midnight Sky) and Georgia (Roberts, Gaslit) were the instantly besotted couple impulsively tying the knot (if Ticket to Paradise is successful enough to spawn more movies, a prequel about the pair's younger years will likely be on the list). Alas, when this film begins, they can't stand to be anywhere near each other — room, city or state — after splitting two decades back. With their only child Lily (Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick) graduating from college, they're forced to play faux nice for a few hours, but squabble over the armrest, then get publicly competitive about who loves their daughter more. This wouldn't be a rom-com led by Clooney and Roberts if schoolyard teasing logic didn't apply, though: they fight because sparks still fly deep down. And they keep verbally sparring when Lily announces a month later that she's met Bali local Gede (Maxime Bouttier, Unknown) on a getaway before she's supposed to put her law degree to its intended use, and that she'll be hitched within days. If another template that Ticket to Paradise happily follows is to be believed, parents don't respond well to their kids plunging into matrimony, especially without notice. David and Georgia are no different, desperately wanting to stop Lily from repeating their own mistakes and willing to zip halfway around the world to do so — hence the feature's airfare moniker. They attempt to unite over sabotaging the wedding, but old habits die hard amid tussling with biting dolphins, stealing rings and putting up with Paul (Lucas Bravo, Emily in Paris), Georgia's younger, deeply infatuated boyfriend. Amid drunken beer pong matches and daggy dances to 90s tracks, plus getting stuck in the Balinese jungle overnight as well, older feelings die harder still, of course — and a ticket to surprises or fresh material, this clearly isn't. While Clooney and Roberts' parts were written for them, Ticket to Paradise's creaky script really could've been trotted out with any well-known duo, character-wise. It's a far better film with this pair in it, though, and the sole reason to visit this sunny-enough but hardly paradisiacal slice of cinema. Everything they're both known for works a charm, from his silvery suaveness, reflective finesse and reassuring twinkle in the eye through to her megawatt smile and ability to ground cookie-cutter romantic-comedy contrivances — and their collective way with flinging barbed words back and forth. Ticket to Paradise is really a ticket to watching its leads and they deliver, by-the-numbers roles and all. The fact that Clooney and Roberts have become big-screen rarities somewhat, regardless of whether they're together, helps (his only film since they last combined in 2016's Money Monster is 2020's aforementioned The Midnight Sky, while she just has 2017's Wonder and 2018's Ben Is Back to her name). It's hardly astonishing, then, that the rest of the cast is largely left among the scenery — although Dever and her sparky Booksmart co-star Billie Lourd (American Horror Story), who plays Lily's hard-partying best friend Wren and steals scenes like her mother, Carrie Fisher, also has in the genre, do the best they can with supremely thinly written characters. If filmmakers want to keep popping them in movies together as well, that's always welcome. They fare better than anyone representing Bali is allowed to, including Bouttier. Infuriatingly, Hollywood hasn't grown out of ignoring or oversimplifying those who aren't white and privileged in many vacation-centric affairs, or going the comic-relief route (see: Agung Pindha as Gede's father Wayan), or ramping up the supposed exoticism of other cultures while making jokes about their languages and traditions — Emmy-winning TV series The White Lotus pointedly excluded lately. There's a self-consciousness to Ticket to Paradise's excited postcard-style mentions of how stunning Bali is, too, at least for everyone watching Down Under. Cinematographer Ole Birkeland (Ali & Ava) gives the movie the requisite wanderlust-courting sheen, including traversing beaches and mountains, but not knowing it was filmed in Australia is virtually impossible thanks to wall-to-wall media coverage during the late 2021–early 2022 shoot. That forced feeling doesn't gel with how hard the feature wants to be laidback and jaunty, as Clooney and Roberts' rapport genuinely is — even with David and Georgia's overt friction. This pair have done many things in their careers, jointly and apart, and making Ticket to Paradise anything more than standard isn't one of them. Seeing them team up in their first rom-com together is still worth watching for that alone, but consider this the cinema equivalent of an average package tour with great company.
For a generous, homestyle roast that's well worth leaving the couch and heading east for, you've got to tip your hat to the Beehive Hotel. The heritage Hawthorn pub is dishing up a downright delightful Sunday feed, featuring tender roast meat — usually a classic pork or lamb number — sided with crispy roasted potatoes, greens and a little jar of house gravy. The best part? Clocking in at $24, this is one lunchtime situation that's wallet-friendly enough to hit up on the regular.
For the 28th year, Melbourne's incredibly diverse Buddhist community is throwing a huge three-day festival to celebrate Buddha's Day — aka Buddha's birthday. Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival — taking over Federation Square from Friday, May 3 until Sunday, May 5 — champions multiculturalism through the arts, music, performances, workshops and Buddhist ceremonies. In the spirit of light and celebration, expect a multimedia fireworks show happening on Friday at 7.45pm and Saturday at 8pm. The festival begins on Friday, May 3 for the Light It Up Opening Ceremony, featuring cultural performances from the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne, National Boys Choir, and Taiko Drumming, as well as traditional Buddhist Ceremonies with significant figures in the Australian Buddhist community. Across the weekend festival, visitors can participate in a range of ceremonies, activities and multicultural performances — or just watch on from the sidelines. You'll be able to join guided meditations, including the popular Buddhist Ch'an Meditation in the pop-up Mindfulness Garden. But if that isn't your jam, simply venture into the Lotus Flower Sanctuary to find a little inner calm in Melbourne's inner city. Kids (or adults who wish to let their inner child run free) can learn the art of dragon dancing, get their face painted or play with giant bubbles. Let's be honest: who doesn't love bubbles? Every year, this is one of the largest multicultural festivals in Melbourne, to which everyone is invited, so you have no reason not to check it out. Head to the Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival website to see the full lineup of events running from Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5.
Questions flow freely in She Said, the powerful and methodical All the President's Men and Spotlight-style newspaper drama that tells the story behind the past decade's biggest entertainment story. On-screen, Zoe Kazan (Clickbait) and Carey Mulligan (The Dig) tend to be doing the asking, playing now Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. They query Harvey Weinstein's actions, including his treatment of women. They gently and respectfully press actors and Miramax employees about their traumatic dealings with the Hollywood honcho, and they politely see if some — if any — will go on the record about their experiences. And, they question Weinstein and others at his studio about accusations that'll lead to this famous headline: "Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades". As the entire world read at the time, those nine words were published on October 5, 2017, along with the distressing article that detailed some — but definitely not all — of Weinstein's behaviour. Everyone has witnessed the fallout, too, with Kantor and Twohey's story helping spark the #MeToo movement, electrifying the ongoing fight against sexual assault and gender inequality in the entertainment industry, and shining a spotlight on the gross misuses of authority that have long plagued Tinseltown. The piece also brought about Weinstein's swift downfall. As well as being sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York in 2020, he's currently standing trial for further charges in Los Angeles. Watching She Said, however, more questions spring for the audience. Here's the biggest heartbreaker: how easily could Kantor and Twohey's article never have come to fruition at all, leaving Weinstein free to continue his predatory harassment? In a female-driven movie on- and off-screen — including director Maria Schrader (I'm Your Man), screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Small Axe) and cinematographer Natasha Braier (Honey Boy) — She Said details all the moments where the pivotal piece of reporting could've been forced to take no for an answer, something that Weinstein wasn't known for. At the NYT, assistant managing editor Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects) and executive editor Dean Baquet (Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) are always supportive, starting when Kantor picks up the story, and continuing when she brings in Twohey fresh off an investigative article into Donald Trump's sexual misconduct. But, unsurprisingly, the women made victims by Weinstein are wary. Many also signed non-disclosure agreements. Kantor and Twohey's pitch: by speaking out and ideally going on the record, they can assist in ensuring that what they endured doesn't happen to anyone else. Knowing the end result, and the whole reason that She Said exists, doesn't dampen the film's potency or tension. Instead, it heightens the appreciation for the bravery of those who spoke out — at first and afterwards — and the care with which Kantor and Twohey handled their task. The two reporters knew that they were asking women to revisit their darkest traumas, make their worst ordeals public and take on a man who'd been untouchable for decades (with the spate of NDAs and settlements with many of his targets to prove it). Even Rose McGowan (voiced by The Plot Against America's Keilly McQuail) is hesitant; she's mentioned but not quoted in the final piece. Persevering to bring Weinstein's crimes to attention, Kantor and Twohey keep digging, and keep trying to persuade their potential interviewees — and She Said doubles as a lesson in compassionately and respectfully doing just that. Some of the women approached are household names, with Ashley Judd appearing as herself and Gwyneth Paltrow referenced but not seen. Others worked in less visible roles in Weinstein's orbit — and She Said's moments with Samantha Morton (The Serpent Queen), Jennifer Ehle (Saint Maud) and Angela Yeoh (The Batman) as ex-Miramax employees Zelda Perkins, Laura Madden and Rowena Chiu, helping the feature explore why they agreed to talk, are electrifying and heartbreaking at the same time. In a blistering scene set in a London cafe, Morton plays someone toughened by and determined because of her 90s efforts to stand up for a colleague, her anger radiating from the screen. Ehle is the face of sorrowful regret, with the pain she conveys about being accosted as a young woman — a flashback to which opens the movie — just as palpable. And Chiu is devastating as someone who hasn't even told her husband about what happened, such was is misplaced shame and lingering fear. Great procedurals, of which She Said is one, know the importance of three things: diligently putting pieces together, charting the dedicated efforts making that happen and showing the impact of a job well done. Not all such films get as satisfying an IRL ending — Zodiac is an all-timer and the serial killer it focuses on has never been caught — but conveying why the work matters is one of the genre's key aims. No one needs a movie to stress that fact here, obviously. The results of Kantor and Twohey's efforts have garnered headlines for five years now and will continue to. Still, consider She Said a testament to that hard work, and a film eager to ensure that toiling gets its due. It isn't a self-congratulatory flick, but a solidly compelling, sensitive and astute one. It never even lets Weinstein's face be sighted. And, it tells its tale with naturalistic, lived-in visuals, including in the NYT's offices and cafeteria, always emphasising that its details are real and tangible. Where 2019's chilling and exceptional The Assistant fictionalised a film production company led by a Weinstein type and the culture of sexual harassment it enabled, She Said always dwells in fact. Both movies are gripping, engaging, moving and essential, however, as well as attentively directed and outstandingly cast. For the second time in the past few years, Mulligan confronts the abhorrent treatment of women by men, and strikes back — and while this feature couldn't be more different tonally from Promising Young Woman, she's a firmly committed presence in both. Quiet strength emanates from Mulligan and Kazan alike, while their characters are doing their jobs and as they're balancing home lives. That juggling act is never the point of She Said, which seamlessly works in the pair's respective children, plus Twohey's pregnancy and post-natal depression. Nonetheless, including it helps reinforce the variety of ways that this is a women-centric story — crucially so — and what that means on an array of levels.
Imagine a world where totalitarian forces rule the United States, women are subjugated to the point of being deemed property, protestors rally in response and the authorities try to keep everyone in line. Okay, imagine a fictionalised version of the above dystopian society — or let The Handmaid's Tale help you. Margaret Atwood's book has been doing just that since 1985, but has had a resurgence in popularity since the Elisabeth Moss-starring Hulu series came out last year. Now, the second season is set to air on SBS tonight, and a group of red-clad ladies have been seen on the streets of Sydney to promote it — and it's freaking people out. The handmaids were seen around Park Street and the Sydney CBD and at Sydney University. It's a very similar promo to one that happened at SXSW last year before the first season premiered. As you may know, handmaids walk in pairs, don't say anything, and generally unnerve everyone around them. If you don't, you have some homework to do. If you're up for even more anxiety-inducing tension, cancel your plans — the first two episodes are released on SBS On Demand at 5pm.
It's one of the world's biggest sporting goods retail brands, found in over 30 countries and dubbed by many as 'the ALDI of activewear'. And now, France's famed Decathlon — which launched an online store here in 2016, its first Sydney store in December last year and its second just last week — has physically hit Melbourne, with two stores opening in late 2018. The stores are located in Melbourne's east, on Ferntree Gully Road in Knoxfield and on Middleborough Road in Box Hill South. The new spaces rival Bunnings in size and are stocked with an impressive 7000 products across 70 sports and activities, like running, yoga, cycling, camping and dance. If you've got a sports nut or fitness fiend in your life, best put this one at the very top of your Christmas shopping hit-list. When the first Sydney store opened last year, CEO of Decathlon Australia Mr Olivier Robinet said that the company wants to make sport accessible to all locals. "Australians are some of the most active people in the world, the whole country is like a playground," he explained. "Until now many Australians have had to spend hundreds of dollars to get a quality product. Decathlon has now changed this." So how cheap is it? Well, a pair of yoga pants range will set you back between $12 and $40, while a two-person tent is $30. More than just a standard store, Decathlon also has dedicated active zones, where customers can roadtest certain products, and its own community sporting areas, where local sports clubs can host sign-up days, barbecues and fundraising events.de Decathlon is open at 1464 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield and at 249 Middleborough Road, Box Hill South. For more info, visit decathlon.com.au. Updated: December 23, 2018.
Visit Alice Springs at any time of year and you'll find plenty to see and do in Australia's Red Centre, including making the trip to Uluru, marvelling at Bruce Munro's Field of Light, and checking out the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon. Here's a spectacular reason to head by every April, including from now until Sunday, April 16 in 2023: Parrtjima — A Festival In Light. The region's luminous Indigenous arts festival is back for another year and, set against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, it looks stunning as always. This event celebrates First Nations arts, culture and storytelling, and just might be Australia's most luminous event — with installations in breathtaking surroundings leading the show alongside music, talks, films, workshops and more. [caption id="attachment_896332" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sisters at Watarru by Noreen Dixon, Grounded.[/caption] 2023's focus: 'Listening with Heart'. That's what this year's light-heavy installations, which were announced late in 2022, are focusing on. Parrtjima's theme is inspired by the artwork surrounding the Statement from the Heart, with that piece depicting Uluru-Ku Tjukurrpa, the Uluru story of connection, as created by a group of artists from Multijulu as led by Maruku artist Rene Kulitja. So, Kulitja has worked with other of artists for Parrtjima to turn the Statement from the Heart artwork into a large-scale immersive light and sound installation. Accordingly, Parrtjima attendees are currently getting plunged in the world of the Aṉangu people of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands surrounding Uluru. This year's festival installations feature ancient songlines, plus Indigenous viewpoints on Country, as well as connecting to First Peoples' strong links with the land, water and sky. Two things that are also on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. As for the music program, it is overflowing with First Nations talent, including Docker River Band, Eastern Reggae Band, Emily Wurramara, JK-47, KAIIT, Karnage and Paul Ah Chee. They're joined by Radical Son, Richard J Frankland, Discovering Leerpeen Mara, Rowdy Birds, The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and The Merindas across the ten days — and with a range of dazzling backdrops. The talks lineup features actor Steven Oliver, marathon hero Charlie Maher, media identity Naomi Moran, scientist Corey Tutt, Olympian Nova Peris and more, such as musicians Richard Frankland, KAIIT and Paul Ah Chee — doing double duty on stage and having a chat. Movie-wise, attendees can look forward to Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, Araatika: Rise Up and The Australian Wars. And, the workshops schedule includes dance, art and pottery. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until Sunday, April 16, 2023 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
A few months back, US TV network NBC announced news that definitely wasn't noice, tight or cool cool cool: that Brooklyn Nine-Nine would end after its next (and eighth) season. That revelation sparked plenty of questions, all of varying degrees of importance. How will it all wrap up? What does this last batch of ten episodes have in store for Brooklyn's fictional 99th police precinct? How many more times will Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) say "title of your sex tape"? Will Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti) make a final appearance? And how much more yoghurt can Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) eat? Come August in America, all those queries will be answered. Earlier this month, NBC announced that Brooklyn Nine-Nine's last season would launch following the Tokyo Olympics — and, via a just-dropped first teaser trailer, it has revealed that that'll start happening from August 12. Based on the past few seasons, it's hopeful that viewers Down Under will be able to watch the police-focused comedy come to an end at the same time. In Australia, SBS has fast-tracked recent seasons, so fingers crossed that that happens again. The first sneak peek at the new season doesn't reveal much else, though. It's more of a sizzle reel for the show's last hurrah — but it does remind us that there have been seven Halloween heists and 32 sex tape titles so far, information that every B99 devotee needs to know. Something that it doesn't tell us: how many times Die Hard will get a mention before the series says "yippee-ki-yay" for the last time. Whatever else Peralta, Jeffords (Terry Crews), Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), and Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) get up to, we're guessing that the final season will direct even more love towards the 80s action flick that Peralta so openly adores. As the season seven finale revealed, the show's latest character is named after the Bruce Willis movie, after all. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRFDHqFiYoE&t=3s Brooklyn Nine-Nine's eighth and final season is set to start in the US on August 12. We'll update you when an air date Down Under is confirmed.
Ever since the world initially watched Squid Game in 2021, Netflix has been obsessed with bringing everyone's favourite South Korean streaming series into real life. First came pop-up stunts. Then arrived reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge, obviously without a body count. Experiences that let everyone play the show's games without appearing on TV are also part of the IRL fun. As the show's second season approaches, dropping on Boxing Day 2024, Australia keeps welcoming Squid Game activations — starting in St Kilda, where 200 pink guards relaxed on the Melbourne suburb's beach to kick things off. Three years back, however, Young-hee made its eerie presence known in Sydney. The Red Light, Green Light doll has now returned to the Harbour City, crossing the famous waterway by ferry with 300 pink guards as an escort to get to Luna Park Sydney for Squid Game: The Experience. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, a towering sight joined the harbour alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House — and, as the pictures show, it was quite an image to behold. From Saturday, December 14, you can head to Luna Park to be in the doll's company. Just in time for the Christmas holidays and Squid Game season two's release, Squid Game: The Experience will get everyone playing with Young-hee. Call it Red Light, Green Light. Call it Statues. Call it Grandmother's Footsteps. Whichever name you prefer, how good are you at the game that involves folks a-sneaking, ideally without being caught? Now, how would you fare trying to creep forward while avoiding being spotted when Young-hee is lurking? Squid Game: The Experience lets you find out. Get your green tracksuit ready. Front Man will be there to dare you to take the Squid Game challenges IRL. Busting out your marbles skills and walking over the glass bridge are also on the agenda. Some games are inspired by the Netflix program. Others are brand new. You'll only know if Squid Game: The Experience takes any cues from the thriller's second season, though, if you drop by after Thursday, December 26. Players can take part individually, or in groups of up to 25. As you work through the challenges, which get harder as you go along, you'll earn points. Another difference from the series: if you get eliminated from a game, you'll still be able to take part in the challenges that follow. Squid Game: The Experience arrives at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Saturday, December 14, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more information and to buy tickets. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced.
Maybe you first heard of Peloton when US President Joe Biden took office, with his use of the company's technology-enabled equipment giving rise to questions about its potential White House security risks. Perhaps you've seen the mocking ad created by Ryan Reynolds' Aviation American Gin, or the Saturday Night Live spoof. Or, you could just really like expensive additions to your home gym setup, or getting guided through your workout routine by an instructor without having to leave the house. Whichever fits, Australians will soon be able to get their hands on the brand's indoor bikes — and, as of this week, you can now take part in its streamed classes as well. Back in March, the company announced plans to launch Down Under this year — and it's currently in the process of doing just that. First up: the Peloton app, which Australians can download now. It's where you'll find the company's popular workout content, including via a free trial for the next 90 days. After that, you can pay $16.99 per month to keep accessing its at-home exercise sessions via a digital subscription. On offer: instructor-led classes, motivational tracks and curated playlists, with the latter featuring the likes of Beyoncé and The Beatles. The sessions cover cycling, running, strength training, high-intensity interval training, yoga, barre, pilates, dance cardio, bootcamp and meditation. Time-wise, they span from five to 60 minutes in length and, in terms of skill, range from beginner to advanced. And if you'd like an all-access membership for your entire household — because your partner and/or housemates are keen, too — that'll cost $59 per month. Next, from Wednesday, July 14, Peloton will be roll out its physical equipment in Australia. Presumably, it won't be doing so by using its controversial 2019 TV commercial, which received considerable backlash and gave rise to the aforementioned parodies. Australians will be able to choose from two Peloton bikes to begin with, and neither comes cheap. The Peloton Bike will cost $2895, while the Bike+ will set you back $3695. If you're wondering what the difference is, the latter comes with a bigger screen that can rotate 360 degrees, and with a better sound system — because connecting to the Peloton app and streaming its workouts while you're hitting the pedals is all part of the process. The Peloton app includes material that doesn't require the brand's equipment, so you can give it a try without breaking your budget. Peloton is also setting up physical showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne, should you want to give its bikes a test run in person. The brand also makes treadmills, although when they'll be available in Australia hasn't yet been announced. Now that Peloton has arrived Down Under, it has set up shop in its fifth country worldwide, after the US, the UK, Canada and Germany. The Peloton app is now available in Australia, and the brand's bikes will be available from Wednesday, July 14. For further details, keep an eye on the company's website.
The mighty cheese wheel is making a return to Hawthorn's Vaporetto Bar and Eatery. This month — and just in time for the cooler weather — you can warm up with a giant plate of pasta cooked just right and finished at the table before your eyes. This time, you'll be treated to cacio e pepe fettuccine. It's an Italian classic that's made with just three simple ingredients: pasta, pepper and cheese. When the pasta is ready, the Vaporetto folk will bring it piping hot to your table. Then, they'll place it in a wheel of parmesan, and stir it while scraping the sides so that every strand of pasta on your plate is covered in cheese. Showtimes for this delicious piece of tableside theatre are scheduled seven days a week for lunch and dinner service. Bookings are highly reccommended, but don't leave it too long — the wheel rolls off into the sunset on the last day of April.
The city might be all fun and games, but the concrete jungle can be draining at times. It's well and truly time to get out and get immersed in nature. And, what better way to appreciate our sprawling rainforests and charming bushlands than by perching yourself up in a tree? These stunning treehouse properties will provide you with a secluded wilderness stay, placed high above the surrounding landscape with all the luxuries of a five-star retreat. Book a stay deep in the Blue Mountains, nestled above the Yarra Valley or a stone's throw away from the Great Barrier Reef. Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in Australia The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia The Best Australian Stays with Outdoor Baths The Best Australian Islands to Visit Anytime of the Year Coolgarra Bush House, Queensland This hand-built recycled timber treehouse sits in picturesque Springbrook, less than an hour southwest of the Gold Coast. The three-bedroom stay will provide you with a secluded nature retreat surrounded by towering trees filled with fauna including king parrots. Cook up a feast on the barbecue and sit out on the deck to enjoy the warm Queensland air. From $475 a night, sleeps six. Butchers Creek Treehouse, Queensland Head north towards Cairns and you'll find this secluded stay surrounded by endless flora and fauna. Here you can head out to explore the nine-kilometres of walking trails and discover the rainforest, mountain scenery and waterfalls of the area. The house is fitted out with everything you need to cook a feast after a tough day hiking or plenty of space to kick back and relax if you don't feel like venturing out. From $538 a night, sleeps two. The River Room, New South Wales Designed by architect and Order of Australia recipient Richard LePlastrier, this north-coast NSW treehouse is split into three sections. Here in the River Room you'll wake to the view of a lush rainforest. Wander down to the Never Never creek for summer swims or head out on a hike through the surrounding national parks. When it comes to dinner, local towns like Bellingen have plenty of great eats on offer. From $300 a night, sleeps three. Tarzali Treehouse, Queensland This secluded cabin sits among the canopy of the trees surrounded by 100 acres of rainforest in the Cairns Highlands. The owners aim to make your stay as environmentally sustainable as possible, combining the feel of a luxury retreat and an eco rainforest stay. The two-bedroom home sleeps up to six, making it ideal for a group getaway up north. From $444 a night, sleeps six. Mountain Tiny House, Victoria Combine multiple unique stays into one with this tiny house perched among the trees on a mountain. Wake up to views of the redwood trees and the sounds of the area's wildlife which includes kookaburras, lyrebirds, wallabies and the local wombat if you're lucky. While this house is quaint, it's still fitted out with a full kitchen, a coffee machine, a TV and a fire pit. From $215 a night, sleeps two. Strawbale Cottage, New South Wales This affordable Blue Mountains treehouse is ideal for a short getaway for couples or small families. The open plan design, exposed wooden pillars and surrounding bushland give the property playful treehouse energy. Curl up in front of the fire during the colder months or bask in the sun out on the deck. From $150 a night, sleeps three. Bodhi Treehouse, New South Wales Located just outside Byron Bay, this three-storey treehouse sits on 17 acres of subtropical rainforest and lush gardens. The bedroom is perched above the rainforest, meaning you'll wake to a view of the sprawling green landscape. With multiple balconies, a spacious interior and lounge chairs out front, you can choose a different part of the house to relax every couple of hours and never run out of new serine spots to soak in nature and disconnect from the world. From $275, sleeps two. Rocks and River Glamping Experience, New South Wales Drive north-west of Sydney for a little over an hour and you'll come across this secluded tent hidden in the trees. Nestled among the trees alongside a river, this next-level glamping stay is all about immersing yourself in nature. On the property you'll find a luxe bedroom with an indoor fireplace, a patio with views of the valley and an outdoor bamboo shower. From $190 a night, sleeps two. The Treehouse Denmark, Western Australia If you're looking for a nature-heavy stay near Perth, this treehouse stay at the southmost point of WA is propped between two karri trees and surrounded by wilderness and huge granite boulders. Inside, the furniture plays into the surrounding boulders with a grey and charcoal colour pallet. Climb the ladder to recline in the reading nook/bedroom perched above the living room or soak in the bathtub as you look over the surrounding bushland. From $250 a night, sleeps four. Bombah Point Eco Cottages, New South Wales Get lost in a 100-acre wildlife reserve when you book this property just north of Newcastle. The spacious house lends itself to couples and families looking to stretch out and relax while on holiday with a large living room and kitchen, plus a pool out back. Explore the surrounding land or water with bike and kayak hire available. From $390 a night, sleeps five. Top image: Tarzali Treehouse. All images courtesy of Airbnb. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
When looking for the perfect (or just good enough, depending on how desperate you are) Airbnb it's important to tick off the basics: walls, roof, bed, running water, no undisclosed housemates that will appear halfway through your stay etc. Then you can get to the extras. Perhaps the house comes with gratis Corn Flakes and milk, has a rooftop or has a sweet recycling system in place. While we can't be sure of the cereal situation, this Airbnb on the Brazilian island of Florianópolis certainly ticks off the last criteria. And it doesn't just feature a reclaimed piece of furniture or two — it's made almost entirely of recycled materials. Uruguayan visual artist (and, evidently, handy carpenter) Jaime has built the incredible home — dubbed 'Cabana Floripa' — from scraps he collected from homes demolished in the area. The walls are mostly built from reclaimed glass and bottles, along with other bits of 'garbage' like pieces of wood, ceramics and mirror. And not only does it looks amazing from the outside, the inside is just as (if not more) ridiculously colourful and mismatched. The home is close to the beach, can sleep you and six of your mates and comes with a loft bed, air conditioning, a kitchen, bathroom and all the basics. Jaime, who's lived on the island for 30 years, also lives on the property (although in another house), so he'll no doubt be able to show you 'round and tell you where all the bits and pieces have come from. You can book the Cabana Floripa here for around $80AUD a night. Via Inhabitat.
With a whole swag of urban venues under its belt, MoVida has at last ventured beachside. Acclaimed chef and owner Frank Camorra has chosen the ground floor of the Lorne Hotel as the site of his first coastal Aussie outpost. For Camorra, Geelong native and longtime Lorne regular, the new venture is a fitting addition to MoVida's lively, Spanish-inspired family, and follows a successful five-day pop-up at the same pub last summer. While unmistakably a MoVida operation, filled with familiar elements, the sunny seaside locale has also lent this latest venue plenty of its own identity. Buzzy and casual, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach, it's primed equally for post-swim snack sessions as for those festive, big-ticket feeds. "We want it to be a place you can pop in for lunch or dinner, straight off the beach in shorts and a t-shirt and feel comfortable," Camorra explains. "The food's designed so that you can have a glass of wine and a few little snacks and off you go again. Or, if people want to make a night of it, that's fine as well." To that end, expect a generous menu, heavy on the seafood and showcasing plenty of regional produce. A handful of MoVida fan favourites sit alongside plenty of new coastal-inspired bites. Think, corn and manchego croquettes, hand-filleted Cantabrian anchovy croutons, Otway shiitakes in a Spanish-style omelette, and adobo-spiced gummy shark from the Apollo Bay fish co-op, fried crisp in semolina. There's a lineup of both Spanish wines and local varieties, backed by a tight list of simple, yet interesting cocktail creations. And, just as at MoVida's CBD sibling Bar Tini, this venue also boasts its own providore and bottle shop, stocked with an evolving curation of goodies — artisanal Spanish products from Camorra's import business Alimentaria, alongside ready-to-eat meals, supplies from Fitzroy's Meatsmith, smallgoods, wines, and cheeses from both Spain and Australia. There are also plans in the works to launch a take-home paella service, where you can grab a full paella to go and return the pan the next day. "The idea is that if people come down Friday night with the family and the last thing they want to do is to cook a meal, you can pop-in, buy something and take it home," explains Camorra. Find MoVida Lorne at 176 Mountjoy Parade, Great Ocean Road, Lorne. It's open from 12–3pm and 5.30–10pm daily.
After months of cancelled and delayed get-togethers, we're excited to be able to call up our friends and host a much-needed party. If you're in the same spirit, you may be looking to up your cocktail making game for pre- or post-dinner drinks. In partnership with Hennessy, we've pulled together five cocktail recipes that are an upgrade to the classics — from fruity concoctions that'll make you feel like you're on an overseas getaway to sophisticated takes on sidecars, martinis and champagne cocktails. And, most can be made or prepared in advance to help take the stress out of having everyone over to yours this holiday season. ESPRESSO MARTINI When you want to shake up your favourite caffeinated cocktail to pep everyone up at the end of a big meal, try whipping up this elevated version. The below ingredients serve one, but you can batch make this drink to make offering up a round easier on you. Ingredients 45ml Hennessy VS 10ml Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur 40ml freshly made, chilled espresso or cold drip coffee 10ml sugar syrup Coffee beans (optional) Method Shake all the ingredients together with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and serve with coffee beans (optional). GINGER MULE When you're keeping things as simple as possible for your at-home occasion, there's a refreshing drink you can make with three ingredients and minimal effort, but still looks impressive. Scale up the below ingredients to serve more than one. Ingredients 45ml Hennessy VS Ginger beer Lime juice Mint leaf (optional) Method Add cognac to a tall glass and top up with ice. Squeeze the juice of a quarter of a lime and add to glass. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a mint leaf or wedge of lime (optional). PINA COLADA Few people like getting caught in the rain, but many more enjoy this fruity drink. And you can take the holiday cocktail up a notch with this truly luxury take on a piña colada. Ingredients 45ml Hennessy VS 15ml coconut cream 15ml coconut cordial 45ml pineapple tepache (fermented drink) Squeeze of lime Method Shake cognac, coconut cream, coconut cordial and squeeze of lime together. Pour pineapple tepache into a glass. Strain shaken ingredients into the same glass and top up with ice. FRENCH 75 When you're out to impress, this elegant and easy-to-make cocktail has that je ne sais quoi. The classic drink is usually made with gin and champagne, but this twist uses cognac. Ingredients 40ml Hennessy VS 40ml champagne 30ml lemon juice 20ml sugar syrup Method Shake cognac, lemon juice and sugar syrup together with ice and strain into a glass. Top up with champagne. SIDECAR This party-ready drink will appeal to your sweeter toothed guests. Make this sugar-rimmed cocktail as a welcome drink, or to serve with desserts. Though the egg white gives it a perfect cloud-like top, it's entirely optional. Ingredients 40ml Hennessy VS 20ml Cointreau or triple sec 25ml lemon juice 10ml sugar syrup Egg white (optional) Method Shake all ingredients together. Pour over ice, or serve straight with a sugar rim on glass (not salt). Find more cocktails recipes on the Hennessy website.
Legendary architectural historian and photographer, Richard Nickel, once famously said that "great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men". Private developers, whom are often viewed as the modern equivalent to the Biblical tax collector, seem to sit fairly squarely in this latter category. Derided and debased by society, private developers are seen as men who value profitability above productivity, men who look at an architectural treasure and only see it's potential for money-making and who with one foul swoop of a wrecking ball can reduce cultural icons into rubble and dust. While this characterisation may not be entirely fair, these photographs commemorate the destruction wreaked by private developers. They provide a vision of beautiful buildings being demolished and the modern monstrosities that are often left in their wake. Here are seven stories of stunning theatres transformed into multi-storey carparks, modernist masterpieces replaced with multi-lane highways, and sandstone sanctuaries turned into apartment blocks. Have a closer look at these fascinating photographs and the stories behind them to see how the price of "progress" often appears to be the destruction of a rich and beautiful architectural history. Garrick Theatre - Chicago, Illinois Formerly known as the Schiller Theatre Building, the Garrick Theatre was one of the tallest buildings in Chicago upon its completion in 1892. Despite quickly gaining a reputation for being one of the city's premiere cultural centres, housing everything from German operas to traveling theatre productions to television studios in its 68-year-history, the theatre was demolished in 1960 after a long battle with Chicago residents and preservationists. While Richard Nickel attempted to honour the theatre's legacy by hording and collecting hundreds of artifacts and ornaments that adorned the iconic building, the site now plays home to a car parking facility. The Wabash Terminal - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The demolition of the Wabash Terminal provides a snapshot into the incredible destruction that was Pittsburgh's post-WWII urban development project. 1,500 businesses were forced to relocate, more than 5,000 families were uprooted and more than 3,700 buildings were razed. The Wabash Terminal was one of the centrepieces of robber baron, Jay Gould's elaborate (and ultimately failed) plans to construct a transcontinental railroad empire at the turn of the 20th Century. Its demolition, beginning in late 1953, was a long and brutal process with workmen armed with crowbars and sledgehammers taking down the building brick by brick. Biltmore Hotel - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma These images, taken from a live video broadcast in 1977, played a significant role in sparking public outrage and subsequently bringing to an end the "Urban Renewal program" in post-war America. The 26-story, 300-room Biltmore Hotel was one of the largest buildings to be demolished in this nationwide program to eliminate urban slums. These startling images, for many Americans, brought into sharp focus what terms like "redevelopment" and "restruturing" actually meant: widespread and often indiscriminate destruction of major cities. Before and after shots of the US Post Office - Boston, Massachusetts The majestic US Post Office was located in the heart of Boston and was an architectural centrepiece of the city upon its opening in 1870. Only half a century later, the building fell victim to the wrecking ball with very little explanation given as to why this beautiful building was seen as requiring demolition. Pennsylvania Station - New York, New York On July 14, 1966 Pulitzer Prize-winning architectural critic, Ada Louise Huxtable wrote this "obituary" of New York's iconic Pennsylvania Station in the New York Times: “Pennsylvania Station succumbed to progress this week at the age of 56, after a lingering decline. The building’s one remaining facade was shorn of eagles and ornament yesterday, preparatory to leveling the last wall. It went not with a bang, or a whimper, but to the rustle of real estate stock shares. The passing of Penn Station is more than the end of a landmark. It makes the priority of real estate values over preservation conclusively clear. It confirms the demise of an age of opulent elegance, of conspicuous, magnificent spaces, rich and enduring materials, the monumental civic gesture, and extravagant expenditure for esthetic ends.” Pruitt-Igoe Public Housing Complex – St. Louis, Missouri Depending on who you speak to, the demolition of this massive 33-building public housing complex designed by George Hellmuth and World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki represents either the death knell of Modernist architecture or the rebirth of St Louis as a modern metropolis. Initially built to combat the problem of St Louis' ever-growing slums, the buildings experienced a rapid and dramatic deterioration upon its unveiling in 1956. By the late 1960s the overcrowded complex became a hotbed for gang violence and crime and Pruitt-Igoe, St Louis' shining example of the wonders of urban renewal, was a national embarrassment and a global symbol of American poverty, crime and racial tensions. When it was torn down in the mid-1970s, St Louis may have been able to say goodbye to an embarrassing icon, this was little consolation for the thousands of poor and disadvantaged Americans who woke up one morning to find they were now homeless. Astor House - New York, New York Through much of the 1800s Astor House was considered to be America's most luxurious 5-star hotel, with the likes of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Abraham Lincoln (on his way to his inauguration no-less) frequenting the iconic Broadway hotel. By the early 20th Century however Astor House gained a reputation as an "old-fashioned" establishment and in 1913 the building began its long drawn-out demolition, with subway constructions and a transportation building eventually replacing the decadent hotel.
Is summer really summer if you didn't take a road trip? If you want to make the most of the warmer weather and longer days, there's no better way to do it than by exploring somewhere new — and luckily for us, Victoria is full of spots ripe for a weekend away. Take the Yarra Ranges, for instance — the region less than two hours east of Melbourne might be best known for its world-class wine, but it's also home to countless eateries and pubs that champion local produce, plenty of outdoor spots, top-notch cultural institutions and a wide range of accommodation options that range from cosy and affordable to indulgent and luxe. And summer is as good a time as any to check them out. But where to start? If you're considering a weekend road trip to the Yarra Ranges, we've gathered a couple of noteworthy suggestions to add to your itinerary. From where to eat and drink to fun group activities, here's how to make the most of your weekend away. EAT Quarters at Hubert Estate Under an hour's drive from the Melbourne CBD, Hubert Estate is a picture-perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The expansive property offers an elegant spread of Australian- and European-inspired sharing dishes at its contemporary restaurant, Quarters, which highlights seasonal ingredients from around Australia. Save room for a homemade pastry or even a nostalgia-inducing chocolate-dipped soft serve. After lunch, stick around to check out the estate's art gallery featuring works by First Nations artists from more than 20 Indigenous artistic communities. Round Bird Can't Fly Nothing beats a hearty meal to kickstart a day, and Round Bird Can't Fly definitely hits the spot for your morning needs. The Lilydale spot boasts all-day breakfast and brunch menus, which feature the likes of house-made english muffins, tofu scramble and hearty burgers. Complete your order with a beverage like a single-origin filter or cold brew, or a locally made tea or smoothie. Healesville Hotel For a warm local welcome, head to Healesville Hotel. This classic village watering hole sources local produce to create its modern gastropub fare — whet your palette with oysters served with mignonette dressing and fresh lime or potato and truffle croquettes, before moving on to larger dishes like beer-battered king george whiting or a plant-based burger with homemade pickles. Pair your order with a selection from the wine list that showcases mostly local producers and boasts a handy selection of by-the-glass drops. Citrine Bistro & Bar For innovative and contemporary dishes, Citrine Bistro & Bar is the place to be. Nestled in the heart of Olinda, this sophisticated restaurant features an elevated menu of comfort classics that changes with the seasons, like a chicken cotoletta served with kohlrabi remoulade and mustard sauce, and a cider-roasted pork cheek with poached apple, candied walnuts and a micro herb-flecked apple slaw. Whatever you choose, be sure to enjoy it with a glass from the all-Australian wine list. Killik Indulge in Australia's first hog rum at Killik. The family-run Belgrave distillery utilises a wild fermentation technique to concoct the unique flavours of hogo — a distinctly fruity flavour originally from Jamaica — which, in this case, presents as tropical fruit, over-ripe banana and strawberry. Head to the distillery at the foot of the verdant Sherbrooke Forest to sample this handcrafted rum neat or mixed in a cocktail. Want to hang around a little longer? Killik also offers a four-course, seven-cocktail bottomless brunch on Sundays. Helen & Joey If you go to the Yarra Valley and don't visit a winery, have you really gone to the Yarra Valley? While there are dozens of world-class cellar doors you can visit, one that we love is Helen & Joey. Head to this expansive cellar door in Gruyere to sample the winery's unconventional drops from its large outdoor deck overlooking the vines and the valley beyond. It's more than the views that you'll remember, though — the cellar door is also home to the estate's family of unicorns. [caption id="attachment_711648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackman, Visit Victoria[/caption] PLAY Take on the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail She's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment — it's the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. This much-loved 40-kilometre recreation trail is known for its picturesque landscape views that course through the Yarra Valley. Whether you're trekking on foot or riding a bike, you definitely won't get bored of this historic path. Along the way, don't forget to hit up some of the region's cafes, pubs, wineries and restaurants for the full treatment. Catch a gig Love live music? The Yarra Ranges has you covered thanks to its year-round calendar of live acts. This year, keep an eye out for the likes of Burrinja Cultural Centre's Live on the Lawn mini-festival, legendary Aussie rockers The Black Sorrows at Healesville venue The Memo, as well as the Healesville Music Festival and River Folk Festival. Elsewhere, venues like The Railyard in Tecoma, Micawbers Tavern and Sooki Lounge in Belgrave also host regular gigs by local talents. Burrinja Climate Change Biennale Culture vulture? Immerse yourself in art at the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale. Until February 26, the community cultural organisation is hosting a region-wide program that spotlights diverse narratives and perspectives that explore a reimagined future. The works of 44 artists have been included in the program's exhibitions and events, which shed light on crucial climate crisis issues that are occurring across the globe. Support local We're all about supporting local, and the Yarra Ranges is home to a diverse array of creatives and makers you can check out when you want to do just that. Olinda Collective consists of over 30 local stall-holders showcasing craft, vintage and upcycled products, while Clementine by Design in Kallista offers a range of decorative homeware. For plant lovers, Where the Wild Things Grow in Belgrave welcomes beginners and collectors alike to get a bit more green into their lives. STAY Grasmere Lodge Extend your stay in the Yarra Ranges by booking a cosy night at Grasmere Lodge (pictured above). A short drive away from some of the region's finest wineries, this one-bedroom, one-bath space — previously a 1900s fruit-pickers' cottage — sits on a picturesque 32-acre site that's also home to alpacas, cows, chickens and other flora and fauna. Santosa Cottage Looking for a stay that'll get see you surrounded by nature? Look no further than Santosa Cottage. This bed and breakfast hideaway in Sassafras is just the ticket for when you're looking to really get away from it all while still enjoying the creature comforts. The split-level A-frame cottage is nestled in the verdant forest of the Ranges, so you'll be surrounded by leafy gum trees and birdlife. The cottage is also conveniently located near Sassafras Village and Sherbrooke Forest, making it an ideal spot from which to set off on an adventure. Balgownie Yarra Valley Balgownie Yarra Valley screams luxury. This winery and accommodation destination in Yarra Glen provides an array of rooms — 70 to be precise — including ones with private terraces options and spa baths. Guests can also access the property's indoor heated pool, steam room and gym, as well as ten percent off wine purchases from the property's cellar door. Treat yourself even further by booking a treatment at the on-site Endota Spa or a hot-air balloon ride for breathtaking views of the valley. The Farmhouse at Meletos Another high-end option, The Farmhouse at Meletos houses 23 rooms with tranquil views of vines, apple orchards and the Great Dividing Range. Each of the rooms in this Tuscan-inspired building is unique, and is furnished with rare pieces from around the world. The property also boasts an onsite restaurant and cafe plating up elegant, Italian-inspired dishes that showcase premium local produce, as well as a dedicated massage retreat, a perfect spot for when you're after some me-time. To discover more ways to explore the Yarra Ranges this summer, head to the website. Top image: Pat Whelen (Unsplash)
What do Elvis Presley, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso and Ancient Greece have in common? In the coming months, all four will have items and objects on display across Victoria. Accordingly, if you're looking for an excuse to spend the cooler months in a museum or gallery, you have several — including peering at 44 ancient works dating back to the early bronze age. Those historic pieces will hit Melbourne Museum courtesy of Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections, a new exhibition that's set to open on Saturday, April 23. Co-created and presented with the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Australian-first showcase will feature pieces from the Greek organisation's collection — which happens to be the richest range of artefacts from Greek antiquity worldwide — all of which will be making an appearance Down Under for the first time. In the case of two of the exhibition's big highlights — the gold Theseus ring, which dates back to the 15th century BCE, as well as a 2500-year-old marble sphinx that depicts a female head with the body of a winged lion — they'll make their debut outside of the National Archaeological Museum, too. Also coming our way: a collection of artefacts depicting Greek hero Heracles, as well as pieces that date through to the Roman period. [caption id="attachment_845137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Column krater, clay, Herakles slaying the king of Egypt, Busiris, and his attendants. B. Maenad and Satyrs. By the Cleveland Painter.Unknown provenance.About 470 BC. Credit National Archaeological Museum and Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Photographer Eleytherios Galanopoulos[/caption] Overall, Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections will focus on not just Ancient Greece itself, but how the trade of ideas and goods influenced its culture — and how the Greeks also influenced the rest of the ancient world. "Since antiquity, the Greeks have always followed the open horizons of the sea, constantly travelling to every corner of the world. Extroversion, broad-mindedness and cosmopolitanism, as well as the ability to embrace and utilise foreign influences in a creative and original way have been integral elements of Hellenic culture," explains Minister of Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports Dr Lina Mendoni. Announcing the news, Museums Victoria CEO Lynley Crosswell said "we are excited to be collaborating with the National Archaeological Museum to bring some of the most remarkable artefacts direct from Athens for audiences in Melbourne to enjoy. This captivating exhibition will invite visitors to explore the cross-cultural connections that contributed to the formation of Ancient Greece." Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections opens at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, on Saturday, April 23. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the museum's website. Top image: One of a pair of antefixes Clay Representations of Chimaera and Bellerophon mounting his winged horse, Pegasus. From Thasos. 550-500 BC. Credit National Archaeological Museum and Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Photographer Magoulas.
When the 2025 FORMULA 1® SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX races on the Marina Bay street circuit from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, it's not just the drivers who'll be getting in on the action. For ten days straight from September 26, Grand Prix Season Singapore takes over and the entire city transforms into a hub of parties, dining experiences, concerts and one-off events that orbit the main race. Between the on-track events and the city's best food, culture and nightlife hot spots, there's more than enough to fill a week-long stay. So, if you're making the trip over, here's your ultimate bucket list to check out beyond the track. Singapore Sidecars If you're going to navigate Singapore during race week, you might as well do it in style. Singapore Sidecars runs 60-minute vintage Vespa tours that give you front-row access to the city's hidden laneways and street food stops. For the GPSS, the rides get an F1 twist, guiding you past iconic landmarks and F1 party venues while you ride shotgun in an old-school sidecar. This year, you can even end your ride at Prego's Italian restaurant for a post-track night out. Book it here Eat. Play. Race at Harry's Race week is all about stamina, and that starts with where you refuel. Local favourite bar collective, Harry's, is getting into the spirit with an 'Eat. Play. Race.' challenge for F1 fans. To get involved, you can dine at Harry's Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and South Beach locations, collect a digital stamp card and test your skills on the virtual F1 tracks to earn your place on the leaderboard. With heaps of exclusive gifts and prizes on offer, it's the perfect place to kick off race week. Explore it here Don Diablo at Zouk Singapore's nightlife is always energetic, but it gets even buzzier during the Grand Prix. Zouk is one of the city's longest-standing music institutions and nightclubs, featuring a rotating lineup of international talent. This year, Dutch DJ Don Diablo is on the decks for one night, playing tracks from his futuristic third album, *FORΞVΞR*. The multi-hyphenate artist is known for collaborating with Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. He is sure to keep your adrenaline pumping long after the last lap. Book it here Grand Prix Concert Lineup One of the worst-kept secrets about the Singapore Grand Prix? The concerts are just as big a drawcard as the race itself. Each year, the organisers book international A-listers who turn Marina Bay into a full-blown festival precinct. Previous years have seen everyone from Robbie Williams to Blackpink, and the 2025 lineup is promising another mix of global superstars, including Elton John, Lewis Capaldi and Crowded House. Even if you don't know your pit stops from your paddocks, these gigs are reason enough to buy a ticket. Explore it here Singapore Oceanarium After a few nights of partying, you might want to slow the pace with a visit to the Singapore Oceanarium on Sentosa. Recently reopened after a massive revamp, it's one of the world's largest oceanariums, home to more than 100,000 sea animals and immersive digital exhibitions. Wander past towering tanks, learn about ocean conservation, or book a seat at one of its underwater dining experiences. It's a chance to swap the roar of engines for the quiet hum of the underwater world. Explore it here New Bahru If you're looking to experience a different side of Singapore, make time for New Bahru. This creative hub is a cluster of design studios, galleries, boutiques and food pop-ups, all housed in what used to be a girls' school campus. It's where you'll find emerging fashion labels alongside artisan roasters, art collectives and indie events. While the Grand Prix is about the global stage, New Bahru proudly shows off local talent, brands and creativity. Explore it here PERFORMA at Plaza Singapura This year, a series of premium fitness and lifestyle events are popping up at Plaza Singapura for a first-of-its-kind experience. Across the ten days of GPSS, you can wander around the curated line-up of performance gear, join upcycling workshops that turn reclaimed plastics into racing-themed accessories, and squeeze in short, high-intensity workouts at the Speed Series sessions. There's a Refuel Bar for post-sweat refreshments, a gamified Mystery Garage Locker Wall with hidden prizes, and race-themed photo booths where you can walk away with a personalised driver profile card. Explore it here Whether you're an F1 super fan or just along for the ride, the Singapore Grand Prix gives you a chance to tap into one of Asia's most dynamic cities. Between the ten days of culture and music programming and the ever-growing list of new attractions, there's no excuse not to extend your stay. Can't make it in 2025? The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is on October 9 – October 11. Book your limited release early bird tickets here from 13th October. Regular tickets go on sale from 3rd November
The night owls of the northside have scored an eclectic new drinking den, hidden upstairs behind an unassuming facade on Northcote's Arthurton Road. The newly opened Kepler's Yard is both a cosy cocktail bar and an escapist's delight, taking both its name and inspiration from legendary astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler. Venture on up and you'll find an intimate space featuring cheerfully mismatched thrifted furniture, themed trinkets and walls decorated with an array of astronomy-related paraphernalia. Heavy red drapes and gilded mirrors lend an old-world vibe, while squashy vintage lounges encourage lengthy late-night visits. As a neighbour and sibling to music venue 24 Moons, it's little surprise Kepler's Yard will be championing creativity across a regular program of DJ nights, musical offerings, comedy performances and even live drawing sessions. And, from 5pm every Sunday, local crew Pelican Villa delivers a chilled-out curation of weekend-wrapping sounds for Spin City Sundays. Stay tuned for some regular trivia, too. Otherwise, it's a comfy haunt where you can tuck into vinyl tunes and crafty cocktails well into the wee hours — the bar's open until 3am Tuesday to Thursday, with a 5am close on Fridays and Saturdays. The lineup of planet-themed libations might include the whisky- and ginger-infused Mars Attacks, as well as the Neptune Nip — a rich blend of bourbon, chocolate bitters and vanilla. Alongside those sits an all-Aussie offering of wine, beer and cider. And, while there's no kitchen as such, you can order in a bite from various local eateries to be dropped off straight to your table or couch. Find Kepler's Yard at 2 Arthurton Road, Northcote — open from 6pm–3am Tuesday–Thursday, 6pm–5am Friday–Saturday and 6pm–1am Sunday.
The enticing aromas of a Middle Eastern market are now wafting through the Melbourne CBD. Taking over the laneway space formerly occupied by The Deanery, Souk's menu boasts a mouthwatering mix of Arabic, Anatolian and North African cuisine with a contemporary edge, along with a selection of Middle East-inspired cocktails. Owners Ergun Elmas and Vlad Kovacevic have brought on Mexican-born chef Rogelio Almanza, who, with Elmas, has created a menu that promises to unleash an explosion of flavour. "It's an enjoyable challenge for me because it is gastronomy of the Middle East but I understand the concept very well as it is similar to Mexican gastronomy," he added. With a strong focus on share plates, starters at Souk include prawn falafel served on smoked black tahini, and Kuwaiti fried chicken ribs crumbed with el-hanout spice mix, served with sweet cucumber and garlic sauce. Down the page you'll find heartier dishes, such as charcoal octopus with Muhammara sauce and roasted potato, stewed okra and tomato, apricot chicken koftas served with beetroot hummus, and traditional Turkish meatballs because of course. Dessert-wise, prepare to add slow-cooked tapioca pearls in a sweet Turkish coffee cream to your end-of-meal rotation. Souk's neon-lit yet cosy space is split into two levels: a 130-seat upstairs dining room, and a downstairs bar. It's in the latter space that you'll find a mix of local, European and Middle Eastern wines, plus cocktails including Aladdin's Mistress made with Moroccan green iced tea, crush cardamom pods, white rum, dark rum and mint. Find Souk at 13 Bligh Place, Melbourne. For more information, visit soukmelbourne.com.au. By Tom Clift and Sarah Ward.
The Newmarket Hotel is known for many things — unique architecture, a fairy-light speckled beer garden, great pub meals — but brunch is not one of them. Until now. The loved St Kilda pub has decided to open up a tad earlier for the first time this February. Its inaugural brunch menu, served from 10am on Sundays, features a host of classics, such as eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes (topped with candied bacon and ice cream), mushrooms on toast and, of course, smashed avo. There are a couple of inventive dishes, too — pork belly served with grilled black pudding and a super-healthy breakfast salad. Launching alongside the new brunch menu is a bottomless martini offering. For two hours you get access to endless espresso martinis, mimosas, bellinis and a selection of house beer and wine for just $35. Endless espresso martinis? Talk about ending the weekend on a high. To ensure your stomach is well-lined for the ensuing martinis, the pub is also offering a brekkie special. When you order the bottomless drinks package, you can purchase any item off the brunch menu for only $15. The bottomless martini package is served during three two-hour periods — between 10am–12pm, 11am–1pm and 12–2pm. It's kicking off on February 18, so grab all your mates and head on over for what's bound to be a spectacular Sunday. To book yourself a table at the Bottomless Martini Brunch, head to the pub's website newmarketstkilda.com.au.
Leaping from the screen to the stage in 2018, Mean Girls not only found a second life in the theatre, but did so with singing and dancing. Unsurprisingly, the production was a hit. With the musical's book written by Tina Fey, its tunes composed by her husband Jeff Richmond and its lyrics by Tony-nominee Nell Benjamin, the machinations of high-school cliques struck just as much of a chord with audiences when set to songs — and given that the show's tracks have highly appropriate names such as 'Meet the Plastics', 'World Burn' and 'Here (You Can Sit with Us)', that's to be expected. Also easy to predict: the musical's next leap, with Cady Heron's tale heading back to the cinema. No need to stress if you haven't seen the all-singing, all-dancing Mean Girls on Broadway, because a film version will soon be brightening up a picture palace near you. When the movie adaptation screens on a Wednesday, you'll want to wear pink. And, like the Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams-starring original film, as well as the stage musical that followed, you'll be basking in Fey's talents. She wrote the initial feature's screenplay and, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, she's now producing this new movie musical. So is Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels, although no other creatives — or cast, or a release date — have been announced. The story will stay the same, obviously, charting Cady's rough adjustment to American high-school life after spending the bulk of her childhood living in Africa — and her time spent with the resident popular clique, known as 'the Plastics'. If you're wondering how it all works as a musical, check out a clip from the stage show below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGmgEoOF7Gs Via The Hollywood Reporter.
There's nothing small about Dark Mofo, the wintry music and arts festival hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art. With everything from rainbows to the Chernobyl score played live in an immersive industrial setting on its initial 2022 program — a doll house, The Kid LAROI, tunes from Candyman, Jónsi from Sigur Rós and 100 artists from 30 countries, too — that's definitely the case this year. But its hefty lineup so far just wasn't enough, it seems, so the fest has gone and added a slew of new shows. Among the newly announced additions: an afterparty following the Reclamation Walk on opening night, headlined by Briggs and Emma Donovan & The Putbacks; Japanese quartet Chai, busting out euphoric live tunes neo kawaii-style; queer dance party Club Mince, which'll take over two floors at Hobart's Altar; and three-night dance party Night Garden at the fest's In The Hanging Garden venue. [caption id="attachment_854706" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image courtesy of the artist, and Dark Mofo 2022.[/caption] Or, there's also a special tribute gig focusing on Ukraine — called With Ukraine, in fact — by musician and Mona's resident composer Dean Stevenson with his Arco Set Orchestra. It'll commit commit $10,000 of proceeds from the performance to charity Voices of Children, which assists Ukrainian children and families affected by the Russian invasion. And, the aforementioned Chernobyl score performances will also donate funds to the people of Ukraine, too. Other new highlights on the bill span more Mona Up Late, rapper Birdz sharing the stage with DENNI and her synth-driven hip hop, Shady Nasty with 208L Containers and Threats, and Import Export: The Dark Sessions — a showcase of Tassie talent presented by Ben Salter. [caption id="attachment_800593" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford[/caption] Arriving unexpectedly — think of it as Dark Mofo bonus — this is the third batch of program announcements for the fest, after it dropped the first highlights for this year's fest back in March. Accordingly, all of the above also joins the previously announced Kim Gordon, who'll bust out songs from her 2019 solo release No Home Record; Berlin-based composer and producer Nils Frahm playing Music For Hobart; and Spiritualized, Deafheaven and American multi-instrumentalist Lingua Ignota. And yes, that's just a taste of what awaits at the Tasmanian festival. Dark Mofo will run from Wednesday, June 8–Wednesday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the festival website. Top image: DarkLab/Jesse Hunniford, 2019. Image Courtesy DarkLab, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Since 2016, Bruce Munro's spectacular Field of Light has been illuminating Uluru, giving the already-stunning Northern Territory sight an ocean of colour via 50,000 glass lights spread across a 62,500-square-metre area. The glowing multi-hued installation unsurprisingly proved popular, and instantly, first getting extended until 2020 and then being locked in indefinitely — and now the Red Centre is scoring Light-Towers, another dazzling work by the acclaimed artist. Add Light-Towers to your must-see list, and make a date with Kings Canyon to bathe in its radiance. Up and shining since April 2023, it's part of Discovery Resorts, and turns both light and sound into an immersive piece. Like Field of Light, it's also sticking around permanently. This time, Munro has constructed a heap of two-metre towers that change colour, swapping their tones in response to music that echoes from inside each structure. There's a whopping 69 towers spread across a circular pattern, all with Kings Canyon as a backdrop — giving visitors quite the visual and aural experience. Light-Towers' soundscape hails from Orlando Gough, while the work helps mark 40 years since Munro's first visit to the Red Centre. If you're keen to drop by, you can pick between three different types of sessions spanning sunrise, sunset and evening. The first two feature a local guide hosting your visit, plus a food and beverage package. For those attending by night, the Luritja Lookout will have somewhere for you to eat and drink before and after you peer at Munro's latest luminous expanse. The British-born Munro first came up with the idea for Field of Light while visiting Uluru back in 1992. When that artwork was earmarked to become one of the area's ongoing feature, he said that he is "truly honoured that the Field of Light will remain at Uluru". He continued, "the ancient landscape of the Red Centre continues to inspire my thoughts, feelings and ideas that shape my life and work." Since then, Munro has displayed large-scale installations in Darwin and in Albany in Western Australia, and has two more pieces on their way to the New South Wales–Victorian border from late 2023. Find Light-Towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon, Luritja Road, Petermann, Northern Territory — and head to the resort company's website for bookings and further details. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Forget about kennel stays or pet-sitting — the latest homegrown tourism campaign to hit our small screens is encouraging very good dogs to head off on their own weekend getaways (well, it's encouraging their owners to bring them along for the ride). The latest — and yes, slightly ridiculous — Visit Victoria ad campaign pushes the idea that dogs make the world's best travel buddies, showcasing pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, accomodation, breweries, wineries and activities all across regional Victoria. In an advertising first, it's also "dog-optimised", apparently, featuring a visual set-up designed specifically for dogs' eyeballs, apparently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHbvL1dwVYk Pulling together content from some of the state's favourite four-legged social media influencers, Your Dog's Happy Space expands on the recent human-focused Your Happy Space campaign, and highlights the best out-of-town stuff you can enjoy with your dog in tow. The video ad features pet-friendly destinations like the Yarra Valley's DeBortoli Winery, Pancho Cafe in Daylesford and Toorongo Falls in Noojee, while a supporting website boasts a sprawling directory to yet more spots, organised by region. You can check out the new campaign and all its dog-friendly suggestions at visitvictoria.com/dogs. Currently, around 65 percent of Victorians own a pet, but most think that travelling with them is simply too hard. Let's see if this changes a few human (or dog) minds. Images: Courtesy @tomandcaptain
Take the Fast and Furious franchise's ongoing success and longevity, the current rush to make game-to-movie and -TV show adaptations, and everyone's affection for Stranger Things star David Harbour. Then, throw in the real-life story of a British teen who turned his love of PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo into an IRL racing career. The end result: a movie also called Gran Turismo, which will speed into cinemas this August — taking a Tetris-style approach, too, to bringing a button-mashing favourite to the screen. "Do you really think you're going to take a kid who plays video games in their bedroom, [and] you're going to strap them to a 200-mile-an-hour rocket?" They're Harbour's words, sounding characteristically cranky and unsurprisingly incredulous, in his role as Jann Mardenborough's trainer. Indeed, much of Gran Turismo's just-dropped trailer features Harbour doing his best Hopper schtick while being none too happy about the concept behind GT Academy, which is how the real-life Mardenborough made the leap behind the wheel. For newcomers to the story, and to anything beyond knowing Gran Turismo as a racing game, GT Academy did turn gamers into racers from 2008–16. Players competed through phases, including in real Nissan cars, with each year's winners scoring fast-tracked training to get an international racing license, and usually a competition slot in an international endurance race. In 2011, Mardenborough was one such winner — the youngest, in fact. So, his path from racing virtually to actually hitting the track provides the framework for the Gran Turismo film to offer something more than just speeding cars. They're still a part of the flick, of course, because it wouldn't be a GT movie without them. Alongside Harbour, Gran Turismo features Beau Is Afraid, Voyagers and Midsommar's Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough, plus Djimon Hounsou (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) as his father and Orlando Bloom (Carnival Row) as the marketing executive behind GT Academy. And, although it's a blink-and-you'll-miss-her situation in the trailer, Geri Horner — aka Spice Girl Geri Halliwell — plays Mardenborough's mother. Behind the lens, director Neill Blomkamp adds the high-octane flick to his resume after District 9, Elysium and Chappie. And if you're thinking about past instances of racing video games becoming movies, Need for Speed might've come to mind. Here's hoping that focusing on Mardenborough's story steers Gran Turismo to a better result. Check out the trailer for Gran Turismo below: Gran Turismo releases in cinemas Down Under on August 10.
A big splash of colour has just been added to your daily commute, with six of the city's trams transforming into giant — and literally moving — artworks. Hitting the city's public transport network for the latest edition of Melbourne Art Trams, they're also breaking new ground this year. For the first time, the trams are decked out with designs solely from Victorian First Nations artists. As initially announced earlier in the year, four of 2021's trams feature art from creatives who identify as Traditional Owners of Victoria, while two trams showcase pieces from First Peoples artists who live in the state. The travelling canvases cover a broad range of themes, including environmental ecologies and caring for Country, journeying and family, and the history and cultural heritage of First Peoples in the state. Each decked-out tram will do the rounds for the next 12 months. The first art tram to start rolling around Melbourne features work by Aunty Zeta Thomson (Wurundjeri/Yorta Yorta), an Elder, artist, cultural teacher and advocate. Called Mookies around the watering hole, it can be seen from today, Friday, May 21, on the 5, 6, 16, 58 and 72 tram routes — with 'mookie' meaning spirit in Yorta Yorta. Thomson's design was chosen from more than 60 expressions of interest, alongside pieces by Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung), Thomas Marks (Wotjobaluk/Gunaikurnai), Aunty Rochelle Patten (Dhudhuroa/Wemba Wemba/Yorta Yorta), Jarra Karalinar Steel (Boonwurrung/Wemba Wemba) and Ray Thomas (Brabrawooloong Gunnai). From Monday, May 24, three more art trams will go into circulation, featuring Steel's iilk (eel) on the 48 and 109 routes, Thomas' Djeetgun Dreaming on the 70 and 75 trams, and Patten's March of the Ants on the 58 and 59. Then, come Monday, May 31, Marks' Walking on my Father's Country will hit the 6 and 19 line, and Gilson's Karringalabil Bundjil Murrup, Manna Gum Tree (The Creation Tree of Knowledge) will roll around the 3, 3a, 64 and 67 routes. If you've noticed that the trams are hitting the tracks earlier than usual, their timing coincides with the new Rising festival — the event that's merging Melbourne International Arts Festival and arts all-nighter White Night, and starts on Wednesday, May 26. Melbourne Art Trams is a collaboration between Rising, Creative Victoria, Yarra Trams and Public Transport Victoria, allowing local artists submit their own original tram-inspired designs — and has run as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival in previous years. The first of Melbourne's 2021 art trams hits the tracks from Friday, May 21, with the rest of the fleet joining them on Monday, May 24 and Monday, May 31. For further details, head to the Rising website. Images: Aunty Zeta Thomson and her tram design 'Mookies around the watering hole'.
If there's two things that the end of the year always includes, it's Christmas decorations and plenty of drinks. They're both all well and good separately, but they might be even better combined — in a Christmas tree made out of tinnies, for instance. A real object that now exists ready for the merriest portion of the 2021 calendar, this Christmas tinnie tree isn't fashioned out of old cans. So, it doesn't merely celebrate the remnants of your past beverages. Instead, it gives you a place to stack new cold ones just waiting to quench your thirst. And yes, it comes with beers, as they're obviously essential to the whole concept. Craft Cartel is slinging these mighty jolly centrepieces this festive season, after giving beer lovers Australia's largest case of craft beer back in 2020. If you're keen to add one to your home — and to get sipping — it'll cost you $399, which covers a flat-pack tree that you then put together yourself, 48 brews ready to wet your whistle and delivery to your door. If you're wondering what you'll be drinking, those 48 tinnies span 24 different varieties — so, two of each. And, alongside cans from Ballistic, Slipstream, Sydney Brewing, Gage Roads, Modus Operandi and Brick Lane, there's seven limited releases among them, such as Stockade's The Mountie Maple Imperial Stout, Akasha's Korben Double IPA, Sauce's Caribbean Fogg Hazy Pale Ale and Moon Dog's Splice of Heaven Mango Ice Cream IPA. Design-wise, the tree itself uses sustainable timber, and is crafted to resemble a traditional pine tree — all thanks to Australian designer Ian Tran of Domus Vim. Who doesn't want to place all their presents around a tower of beer? No one, that's who. And if you decide it needs some tinsel as well, that's up to you. For more information about the Christmas tinnie tree, or to buy one, head to the Craft Cartel website.
You're likely going to want to touch everything in Muku and no one would blame you. This humble Ripponlea store stocks all kinds of natural products that look and feel lovely — think soft linen cushions and warm cashmere scarves. Since opening in 2008 with a focus on organic clothing and toys for babies and kids, the boutique expanded to cover women's fashion and homewares, taking over the space next door to create twin stores covering all ages. Where possible, the Muku team aims to champion fair trade and eco-friendly products, handmade by local artists, encouraging its customers to embrace a natural and organic lifestyle. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
If you're curating an exhibition about big names and what gives them that status, here's one that ain't nuthing ta f' wit: Wu-Tang Clan and their Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album. Almost no one has heard the record, but everyone should've heard of it. Only one physical copy was ever created, with the physical masters then deleted. The CD was sold — twice now — under the strict stipulation from RZA and company that it cannot be commercially exploited for 88 years. That condition means that the 2015 release can't be made available to the public en masse in any form until 2103. But trust Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art to do what it can to give fans a Once Upon a Time in Shaolin experience. During its gap year from Dark Mofo, Mona will get its hands on the album for ten days, put it on display for visitors to peer at and hold a select number of listening parties — eight in total, two daily across two four-day weekends — that feature a 30-minute mix from the record. Not only do albums not get much rarer than the hip hop collective's seventh studio record, but chances to get a glimpse of it and hear some of it don't, either. When it hits Namedropping, the site's exhibition about status, perception and trying to look good for others, Mona will become the first museum to receive Once Upon a Time in Shaolin on loan since the album was first sold. While the overall showcase, which spans 200-plus artistic works, will fill Mona for the better part of a year — from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — Wu-Tang Clan's record will only feature from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. To see the two-CD release, you'll need to make a date with the exhibition. To hear that curated half-hour selection, you'll need one of the limited free tickets to listening event Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan, where the mix will play in Mona's Frying Pan recording studio off of a personalised Wu-Tang PlayStation 1. "Every once in a while, an object on this planet possesses mystical properties that transcend its material circumstances. Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is more than just an album, so when I was thinking about status, and what a transcendent namedrop could be, I knew I had to get it into this exhibition," explains Mona Director of Curatorial Affairs Jarrod Rawlins. "Ten years ago, the Wu-Tang Clan had a bold vision to make a single copy album as a work of fine art. To 'put it in an art gallery…make music become a living piece like a Mona Lisa or a sceptre from Egypt'," added digital art collective Pleasr, which now owns the record. "With this single work of art, the Wu-Tang Clan's intention was to redefine the meaning of music ownership and value in a world of digital streaming and commodification of music. Pleasr is honoured to partner with Mona to support RZA's vision for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin". Amid an exhibition that's set to drop names such as Ai Weiwei, Vincent Namatjira, Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Marie Antoinette, J Robert Oppenheimer, Pablo Picasso, Sigmund Freud, Charles Dickens, Andy Warhol and Hello Kitty — and also Victor Hugo, Greg Chappell, Heath Ledger, Jimi Hendrix, Alan Turing, Ned Kelly, Thomas Edison, John Lennon, William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Chopper Read, Alexander the Great, Queen Elizabeth II, Romance Was Born and Vincent van Gogh, among a heap more — another big Namedropping drawcard is the original handwritten lyrics for David Bowie's 'Starman', which Mona owner David Walsh purchased in 2022. 'I like David Bowie. If you like Bowie, it's a pretty good bet you'll like Mona. That's why we namedrop," said Walsh. "So why might this rendition of only the lyrics (after all, it's the performance that made it famous) be worth the £40,000 that the auction house estimated? Well, it makes the point about Namedropping, so it has come in handy for this exhibition." [caption id="attachment_950179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artists and Mona, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Once Upon a Time in Shaolin will be on display at Namedropping at Mona, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan will run twice daily Friday–Monday across the same dates — and free tickets for the listening parties are available from 10am AEDT on Thursday, May 30. Namedropping displays at Mona from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the Mona website for more details. Images: courtesy of the artist, Pleasr and the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).
The best culinary experiences are only partly determined by what's on your plate — the ambience and aesthetic of a dining space can have a major influence on the overall success of a meal. In recognition of this important facet of dining out, the annual Eat Drink Design Awards celebrates the most beautiful and innovative interiors of recently opened hospitality and accommodation venues across Australia, with this year's clutch of winners showcasing a range of concepts from the rustic and culturally rich to the modern and minimalist. Bar Besuto, which opened in Sydney's CBD in January 2024, took home the Best Bar Design Award. Designer Tom Mark Henry's approach to this hidden drinking den and omakase restaurant draws on the history of Japanese Noh Theatre with a space featuring bespoke tapestries, a textural mix of metallic and ceramic finishes and a palette that skews dark yet sophisticated. [caption id="attachment_978241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Besuto, Damian Bennett[/caption] The judging panel praised Besuto for its strength of purpose. "This venue sets itself apart through its courageous and unconventional approach, presenting an environment that is unpredictable and refreshingly different." The Best Restaurant Design gong went to Fortitude Valley's Gerard's Bistro, a stalwart of Brisbane's dining scene that underwent a major renovation in 2023, reopening to the public last November. Created by J.AR Office, the new-look Gerard's is a symphony of earth tones, summoning an otherworldly energy rooted in the counterpoint of different textures, such as the contrast between the rough, stone-clad walls and the polished, metallic surfaces of the open-plan kitchen areas. [caption id="attachment_978242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gerard's Bistro, David Chatfield[/caption] "This design captivates with its three-dimensional and experimental qualities," the judging panel said of J.AR Office's design, adding, "the restaurant excels in creating diverse spatial experiences within a traditionally flat and uniform floor plan. Its distinct character is not reliant on the existing building but is instead defined by its own remarkable elements". Melbourne claimed the Best Cafe Design Award, which went to Top Tea's Clayton outpost, designed by Wall Architects. With a space partly inspired by the retro arcade game Tetris, this futuristic, angular, brutalist yet playful concept pairs crisp white surrounds with hefty metallic elements. [caption id="attachment_978244" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top Tea, Tom Blatchford[/caption] "The design's boldness is exemplified by its striking material palette and the unconventional placement of stainless steel tactile studs on the wall, adding a touch of whimsy and surprise," the judging panel noted of Top Tea's design. Despite its name, it's not only hospitality venues that are honoured by the Eat Drink Design Awards. Victoria continued its winning streak, taking out both the Best Hotel Design Award and the Best Identity Design Award. Melbourne's five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel, designed by BAR Studio, was praised for decor that "steers clear of cliches while balancing high-end luxury with everyday comfort, offering a space that is as inviting as it is elegant". [caption id="attachment_978245" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Peter Bennetts[/caption] The Best Identity Design Award was won by the new branding behind Michelin-starred chefs HyoJu Park and Rong Yao Soh's French-Korean fusion patisserie, Madeleine de Proust. The judging panel recognised the branding's "strikingly simple yet powerful" use of colour and text. Branding agency Principle Design was praised for developing a concept that was bold yet remarkably successful in its minimalism. "The choice to forego excessive touchpoints and focus on a strong, cohesive presentation through packaging and signage underscores the brand's confidence," the jury citation added. The Best Retail Design Award was scooped (pun intended) by Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab in Perth. The vibrant and playful space, conceived by design firm Bosske, stood out "for its engaging personality, blending approachability with a refined elegance" and "a functional layout, combined with modern elements and nostalgic accents infused with a sense of humour", according to the judging panel. [caption id="attachment_978248" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab, Duncan Wright[/caption] This year's Hall of Fame inductee hails from a remote suburb in Greater Sydney's far north, an hour's drive from the CBD. The Berowra Waters Inn, designed by Glenn Murcutt more than four decades ago, has timeless, crisp-white walls that gleam with the dappled light reflecting off the Berowra Creek. A glazed wall along one side of the slender building frames a picture-postcard view of the waters gently flowing by. Reflecting on the simplicity of his design, Glenn said, "It was very much a riverside building, and I did not want to change that character." [caption id="attachment_978255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chicho Gelateria & Production Lab, Duncan Wright[/caption] [caption id="attachment_978256" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Besuto, Damian Bennett[/caption] The Eat Drink Design Awards has been heroing the interiors of Australian hospitality and accommodation venues for twelve years. For the full list of this year's shortlisted venues, please visit the Eat Drink Design Awards website. Top image: David Chatfield
Come on Barbie, let's go party — at Melbourne's one-night-only Barbie-themed shindig. Add this to the pile of events that never want you to grow up; if you've been to an adult Lego night, enjoyed Disney-themed shenanigans or gotten nostalgic with some So Fresh-soundtracked revelry, you'll know the feeling. Here, life in plastic, it's fantastic. So is pink as far as the eye can see. Also on the bill at Ballers Clubhouse from 9pm–3am on Saturday, September 10: 'Barbie Girl' sing-alongs every hour, because what else is going to pump through the speakers? Actually, you can expect pop tunes aplenty. Amid the shape-making across two levels, attendees can also enjoy pink confetti explosions and add some sparkle at the free pink glitter station. Drinks-wise, you'll be sipping Barbie-themed cocktails — think: 'Barbie juice', 'Ken's punch' and 'doll drank'. Free Chupa Chups and fairy floss are on the menu as well. Dressing up in Barbie-style attire, or pink at least, is clearly a must — and yes, you'll get plenty of chances to take snaps as part of your $26.91–32.08 ticket. And if you're wondering why this event even exists, the Barbie Party is getting in early to celebrate the Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie movie. So, channelling your inner Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is on the agenda, too.
Luxury restaurant and food store Calia is bidding farewell to its original Melbourne Emporium digs, though it's not venturing too far. The brand is swapping its Level 3 space for the grand 800-square-metre Lonsdale Street site most recently home to Top Shop. Three years on from its debut and following the success of its younger Chadstone Shopping Centre sibling, Calia is set to take things up a few notches. Not only is its new home giant, spanning over two and a half storeys, it'll be dishing up an extended fancy food offering from breakfast till dinner. Opening in May, it'll have room for over 100 diners, a bigger retail area slinging homewares and gourmet food, an on-site coffee bar and a cafe, all within a sleek space by hospitality design firm Architect Eats. The shopfront will feature a huge retractable glowing curtain that closes at sunset and opens during sunrise, while the rest of the store will be decked out with stacks of lush hanging foliage, a Japanese garden and a soaring six-metre-tall tree in the foyer. Even more special is the addition of an urban cellar door, perfect for when all that shopping gets a bit much. It sees Calia team up with the Yarra Valley's Levantine Hill Estate to offer a similar experience to what you'll find at the winery itself, complete with tastings and an expansive retail selection. Keep an eye out for some exclusive wines not available anywhere else, too. Meanwhile, the kitchen will be delivering a menu filled with Calia signatures, starring ingredients like Japanese sea urchin, A5 Japanese and Robbins Island wagyu, foie gras from southern France and tuna belly flown from Toyosu Fish Market in Japan, alongside sustainably sourced local seafood. And you can get excited to try new dishes including a dry truffle ramen. It's all set to be a pretty high-tech affair, too, with customers able to order and pay for their food via smartphone. Calia Emporium is slated to open at 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne in May 2020. Stay tuned for more details.
Before she was even a teenager, Angourie Rice faced the end of the world. Ever since, she's been living almost everyone's dream. When the Sydney-born Australian actor made her feature film debut, it was in 2013's homegrown apocalyptic thriller These Final Hours, in what was also one of Sarah Snook's (Succession) early movie appearances. Jump to 2024 and Rice has not only a coveted resume to her name spanning everything from Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled to three Spider-Man flicks, but also a role that couldn't be more iconic. Move over Lindsay Lohan, get in Rice as Mean Girls' Cady Heron. Call it fetch, grool, coolness — when you grew up watching a film on repeat and now lead its 20-years-later musical remake, they all fit. The Aussie star of The Nice Guys, Jasper Jones, Black Mirror, Ladies in Black and Mare of Easttown has made it happen. Rice isn't just living the dream in her acting success, however. She also received an email that anyone who has seen 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live or, yes, the OG Mean Girls wishes would land in their inbox: a note from Tina Fey. [caption id="attachment_934705" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures[/caption] That's how Rice was first given the script for the 2024 movie that's also called Mean Girls, remakes the 2004 favourite of the same name, but isn't merely a case of telling the same tale again two decades later with a different cast. After Fey adapted non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes for the initial Mean Girls film, a phenomenon was born. Alongside getting the world forever equating Wednesdays with wearing pink, the Lohan (Falling for Christmas)-, Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret)-, Amanda Seyfried (The Crowded Room)- and Lacey Chabert (A Merry Scottish Christmas)-starring feature inspired both a made-for-TV and a graphic novel sequel, plus a smash-hit musical that premiered in 2017. And, in a full-circle moment, it's the latter that the new Mean Girls adapts, with Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez (Quarter Life Poetry: Poems for the Young, Broke & Hangry) directing. So, a parenting book about the behaviour of girls in high-school cliques became a huge success as a teen comedy, then took to the theatre with songs and dancing, and now returns to the big screen with those tunes intact (not that you could really tell that from Mean Girls circa 2024's first trailer). Fey penned the script again — she wrote the book for the stage version, too — and reprises the role of teacher Ms Norbury as well. The only other cast member making a comeback: Tim Meadows (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) as Principal Duvall. Familiar faces surround North Shore High School's recognisable educators, however. As well as Rice as Cady, The Sex Lives of College Girls' Reneé Rapp plays queen bee Regina George, a part that first had her leading the Plastics on Broadway. Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, features as Janis. Jon Hamm (Fargo) Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together) and Busy Philipps (Girls5eva) are among the adults. Ashley Park (Only Murders in the Building) falls into that category also, after originating the stage's take on Gretchen Wieners and earning a Tony nomination for her efforts. How does as Aussie actor named after a coastal New South Wales town of Angourie become Mean Girls' new Cady? How did she react when Fey appeared in her inbox? How obsessed was she with the original film? And how did she prepare to play such a famous and beloved character? We chatted with Rice about all of the above, as well as why Mean Girls is so relatable, loving musical theatre and what she looks for in a role. [caption id="attachment_934704" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures[/caption] ON GETTING CAST AS CADY HERON — STARTING WITH THAT EMAIL FROM TINA FEY "The journey for me began with, believe it or not, an email from Tina Fey — which I could not believe. When it landed in my inbox, I was like 'what is going on?'. And it was a note from her with the script saying 'we're making this movie — I saw you in this thing, I think you'd be great for Cady'. I was just astonished that she even knew who I was, and that she was taking the time to send me a personal note. That is so rare when you receive scripts, so that meant a lot to me. Also because I just idolise her so much. So that's how it began. I read the script. I worked on the songs, and yeah." ON BEING A LIFELONG MEAN GIRLS FAN STARRING IN MEAN GIRLS "I had Mean Girls on DVD. I watched it over and over again between the ages of like five and nine. It was that and High School Musical 2 and The Sound of Music, I just watched over and over again. That movie is very, very stuck in my childhood brain — and my adult brain as well. I continued to rewatch it all the way up until I got cast in the movie. And then I was like 'I'm not going to watch it' because I need to have a clean mind going into it." [caption id="attachment_934703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures[/caption] ON TAKING ON SUCH A BELOVED PART "There's a huge sense of responsibility to the people who loved the story of Mean Girls in whatever form, and the sense of responsibility to myself as well. So it was daunting, but I realised that I couldn't say no. It just had to be yes because I knew that if I said no and I went to the cinema and watched it, I would feel like I really missed out." ON PREPARING TO STEP INTO CADY'S (AND LINDSAY LOHAN'S) SHOES "I prepared in the same way I do for any role, actually. I go through the script. I annotate it. I also write down questions in certain scenes that I can ask the writer or director. The directors also gave me a character sheet, which is really cool — just a list of questions that you would answer as your character, which was really helpful." [caption id="attachment_934701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mare of Easttown, Michele K Short/HBO[/caption] ON DRAWING UPON RICE'S OWN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCES TO PLAY CADY "What I love about Mean Girls is those feelings of being the new kid, feeling left out, feeling like you're not good enough, those are things are universal and you can feel them at any point in your life — starting a new job, or just when you arrive at a party and you only know one person. I definitely had that experience. I wasn't a new kid in high school, but I would go away and travel and come back, and things in high school move so quickly. So I'd come back and find out that my friendship group dynamic was different, or that someone had had a falling out with someone else and I had to pick a side — those sorts of dynamics. So, coming home and feeling like the new kid again because I'd just been away for three months and everything had changed, I did relate to that a lot with Cady." [caption id="attachment_689818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ladies in Black[/caption] ON WHAT RICE HAS LOOKED FOR IN A PART EVER SINCE THESE FINAL HOURS "I look for stories that are interesting and characters that have a good arc. That's what I love about Cady. She's got this incredible arc from being naive to being top of the world to falling down and having to get back up again. For me, it starts with the script and the story, and I think that's why I've been fortunate enough to have experiences in different genres and in different formats — limited series and movies. Because it's the story that comes first, and then the genre, and then the time period. I feel very fortunate that I have had lots of different opportunities." ON ALWAYS WANTING TO MAKE A MUSICAL "I love musicals. I love musical theatre. So I was just overjoyed. One of the main reasons I took it was simply because I just wanted to be in a musical. I love the feeling that musical theatre gives me, so I just really wanted to be a part of it." Mean Girls opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday, January 11 and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, January 18. Read our review. Mean Girls 2024 images: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo hasn't been humming with crowds over the past three months, given that it's been closed during the city's ongoing lockdown. It'll be roaring a little louder in its lion enclosure from now on, though. Back on Thursday, August 12, the zoo welcomed five African lion cubs — three females and two males — and this quintet of cuteness actually marks the first lion cubs to be born at the venue in more than 18 years. These little balls of fluff were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato, and they've grown from weighing around 1.5 kilograms at birth to hitting the scales at between five and six kilograms now. As they've been growing, Taronga's staff have been keeping an eye on them via the zoo's CCTV cameras. And, if that sounds like a great way to spend your own day, you can now join them via a new 24/7 live-stream. Taronga already lets you fill your time staring at capybaras, seals, meerkats, otters, sumatran tigers, lions and elephants, all without leaving your home, thanks to its online TV channel. All those animals are all well and good. They're great, and they're very easy to spend too much time staring at, actually. But, because we all grew up watching The Lion King, we all have an extra fondness for lion cubs. The zoo's cub cam is doing things a little differently, however. This time, you'll need to make a tax-deductible donation of $7 to access the all-day camera footage. Your cash will then help support Taronga, its ongoing research and conservation programs, and its work to save African lions — and if you're able to, you can donate more if you like. There's your background viewing sorted. Popping the stream on in the background while you work from home suits these kinds of feeds, in fact, because sometimes the critters in the spotlight aren't in view. Or, in this case, those cubs like to sleep between 12–20 hours per day. Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo started their online streams in 2020, and they're back now for obvious reasons. Taronga is also releasing regular videos across its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels, and making keeper talks and other clips available online as well. To subscribe to Taronga Zoo's cub cam, head to the zoo's website. To check out Taronga TV, head to the channel's website — or keep an eye on its videos on its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.
It's time to get the word "Jellicle" stuck in your head once more: to mark 40 years since it first hit the stage in Australia, Cats is prowling through theatres again in 2025. Back in July 1985, Aussie audiences initially experienced Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed production, which turned a tale inspired by poems from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats into an award-winning theatre hit. In Melbourne, your next chance to see Cats starts from Sunday, December 21. Four decades ago, the show pranced through Theatre Royal Sydney to begin with — and after a stop there, the new season is scampering across the boards at Hamer Hall in the Victorian capital, too, to help you make some new Cats memories. If you're new to Cats, it spends its time with the Jellicle cat tribe on the night of the Jellicle Ball. That's the evening each year when their leader Old Deuteronomy picks who'll be reborn into a new Jellicle life by making the Jellicle choice. And yes, "Jellicle" is uttered frequently. Of late, audiences might be more familiar with Cats as a movie. In 2019, the musical made the leap from stage to screen with a star-studded cast including Idris Elba (Hijack), Taylor Swift (Amsterdam), Judi Dench (Belfast), Ian McKellen, (The Critic) James Corden, (Mammals) Jennifer Hudson (Respect), Jason Derulo (Lethal Weapon), Ray Winstone (Damsel) and Rebel Wilson (The Almond and the Seahorse) playing singing, scurrying street mousers. If you ever wanted to see Swift pouring cat nip on a crowd of cats from a suspended gold moon, or were keen to soothe your disappointment over the fact that Elba hasn't yet been James Bond by spotting him with whiskers, fur and a tail, this was your chance. For its efforts, the Tom Hooper (The Danish Girl)-directed film picked up six Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. But while the movie clearly didn't hit the mark, you can see why this feline-fancying musical has been such a huge theatre hit thanks to its Aussie stage comeback. Images: Alessandro Pinna.
If you can't remember the last time you used a payphone, kudos to you. It means you haven't lost your phone, keys and wallet and had to call your mum with 50 cents you wrangled from some guy on the street. There aren't too many around these days, with Telstra either taking them down or (supposedly) converting them into Wi-Fi hotspots. But in Berlin, they've got a better idea — they're turning disused telephone booths into tiny rave caves. It's called Teledisko, and it's probably the smallest party you'll find in Berlin. At one square metre, the booth can only fit two or three people at one time.It's coin operated, but once you've paid your 'entrance fee', you'll be able to select your tunes from the touchscreen in the booth. You may find it a bit hard to throw shapes, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with special effects, including a smoke machine, strobe lights and a disco ball. There's even a photobooth inside that will print your photos or email you a video of your debauchery the next day. At the moment there are only three Telediskos — a pink one at Kater Blau nightclub, a gold one at RAW Flohmarkt (both in the Friedrichshain district) and a silver edition available for hire. However, high demand (and long lines) looks set to see more come into being. Image: Teledisko
For Victorian fans of BrewDog, the wait is finally, almost over. After years of hints and speculation, the Scottish craft beer giant has confirmed its arrival into Melbourne, revealing plans to open a hefty new venue in the historic Pentridge Prison precinct this spring. Following the launch of its first Australian brewery and taproom in Brisbane back in 2019, BrewDog confirmed some lofty ambitions to also expand into other Aussie cities. Now, thanks to a new partnership with Australian Venue Co (AVC) — the group behind spots like Harlow, The Smith, Kewpie and State of Grace — the Melbourne-based part of those plans is finally coming to life. Already the world's largest craft beer bar operator, BrewDog's next Aussie project will feature a two-level pub complete with an indoor dining room and lounge bar, plus a sprawling beer garden sporting its own BrewDog container bar, big screens and dedicated games area. Interiors will pay homage to the Coburg site's heritage, with an upper level playing host to a suite of event spaces. While further details are yet to be revealed, the 1100-square-metre venue is on track to become a go-to craft beer destination. The original Brisbane venue boasts 28 taps pouring both house creations and guest brews, alongside a menu that's known for its burgers, pizza and wings. [caption id="attachment_800310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BrewDog DogTap Brisbane[/caption] The new BrewDog and AVC partnership is also a win for interstate beer fiends, with the duo confirming they'll be opening more of these bars across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and beyond in the coming years. BrewDog currently operates 102 beer bars worldwide, having recently launched outposts in Mumbai and New Albany (USA), and with huge flagship bars coming soon to Las Vegas and Waterloo (London). Find BrewDog Pentridge in the E Division building at Pentridge Prison, 1 Champ Street, Coburg, from spring 2022. We'll share more details as they drop.
Owning your first pair of R.M. Williams is like an Australian coming-of-age moment. The brand, first established in 1932 by Reginald Murray Williams, is a classic through and through. From a modest start in the Adelaide outback learning leatherworking from local bushmen, Williams built a following among the stockmen and women of the heartland, and eventually — over a highly prolific eight decades — gained global notoriety. 85 years later, fans are still wearing R.M.s — from farmers in the outback, to corporate businessmen, to the style set at fashion week. How has the iconic brand managed to stay relevant, and stand the test of time over eight decades? In partnership with R.M. Williams and in celebration of their 85th anniversary, we sat down with head designer Jeremy Hershan to discuss respecting your roots, honouring the craft and innovating from there. Oh, and never, ever forgoing quality. TIMELESS DESIGN NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE Jeremy Hershan earned his stripes in the fashion industry designing for high-end, heritage brands — he's worked with Kris Van Assche of Dior Homme, and set up on London's Savile Row at Gieves & Hawkes. Last year, the Melbourne-born designer landed the lead design role at R.M. Williams, bringing with him a respect for tradition, an appreciation for quality shoes and most importantly, contemporary insight — a necessity for keeping things fresh and captivating at a history-rich design house like R.M. Williams. A treasure trove of beautifully-crafted pieces, the R.M. Williams archive provides a huge source of inspiration. Reworking archival pieces to suit contemporary trends, Hershan explained how he looked to the archives to find relevant styles to reinterpret for the brand's future. Take the R.M. Williams signature Craftsman boot, for example. First created for the working men and women out in the Australian bush, the boots' design has barely changed during the brand's 85 years. Rather than reinvent the boots every season, modern touches and the use of alternative materials and treatments keep the iconic style fresh and contemporary. For the latest collection, R.M. Williams' master craftspeople worked and reworked the leather of the boots over several days, hand-staining with different creams to create a rich, burnished patina. This sort of attention to detail, and the quality of each and every pair has been key to the brand's 85-year survival. Every shoe is made with one single piece of leather and one integral seam, personally created by craftspeople at the brand's Adelaide workshop. KEEPING THINGS FRESH THROUGH INNOVATION Over the years, the Craftsman boot has evolved to incorporate new materials, cuts and fabrications. There are now Classic, Comfort, Signature and Natural styles — each with a different finish, sole style and fit. Originally available only in classic dark brown, the boots are now available in a range of colours including dark tan, chestnut and black, as well as leathers, like French veal calf, crocodile and even kangaroo (if you're feeling patriotic) among many other options. If you are more partial to lighter styles, there's also the women's Adelaide — a slimmer shoe to the Craftsman — and the pointed-toe Millicent, which gained popularity with the fashion crowd after Australian designer Dion Lee collaborated with the brand and dressed his models in custom boots for his runway at fashion week in New York and Sydney in 2014. By responding to trends through colour and material, the brand has managed to evolve, stay relevant and keep their boots fashionable. Small tweaks have made huge differences, and collaborations with high-end designers have opened the brand up to new customers, all while allowing them to keep their loyal customer base. They've even gone as far as expanding their reach into your home. You can now customise your very own bespoke pair of boots — literally creating those perfect, slightly out-of-reach shoes you've been searching for your whole life. THE ANTIDOTE TO DISPOSABLE FASHION With shops overrun by fast, disposable fashion, it's all too easy to buy designer imitations that only last a few months. Hershan urges the need to return to quality and reevaluate our view of fashion. Not mentioning the numerous social and environmental benefits that come from quitting fast fashion, if you invest in a quality pair of boots, they'll last you forever and only get better with time — you know when your boots start to scruff in exactly the right places, that's when they've truly become your boots. Follow Hershan's advice and spend your hard-earned money on a long-term investment, like the Craftsman, that remains stylish and cuts through the noise of ever-changing fast fashion. "It's about buying less, but buying better. A pair of boots is an investment that will last you a lifetime if you take care of them in the right way." Judging by the success of R.M. Williams over the past 85 years, they won't go out of fashion either. R.M. Williams Craftsman, Adelaide and Millicent boots are available online — head to the website to shop the latest collection or create your own bespoke pair. By Quinn Connors and Kelly Pigram.
Love theatre? Desperate to see all the latest and greatest shows that London's West End has to offer, or the British theatre scene in general? Live in Australia, rather than the UK? If you answered yes to all of these questions, and you can't afford to zip over to Britain and back to indulge your stage fix — because who can? — then you're probably a huge fan of National Theatre Live. Since well before the pandemic, this theatre-to-cinema program has beamed live versions of hit London stage productions into Australian picture palaces. If you watched Danny Boyle's phenomenal version of Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, as everyone should've, then this is how you saw it. If you caught Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy in the also-phenomenal Skylight, it was thanks to NT Live, too. (And if you found yourself streaming other British theatre shows during lockdowns, that's because National Theatre set up its own online platform when we were all at home as well.) NT Live's Aussie cinema program has been back up and running as the venues themselves have been doing the same, and it has something massive in store in July: Prima Facie. The one-woman play marks the West End debut of Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, who plays a brilliant young barrister. And it'll be showing in movie theatres Down Under from Saturday, July 23. Penned by Australian British playwright Suzie Miller — and an AWGIE winner in 2020 at home for its Griffin Theatre premiere season — Prima Facie also sees Miller herself make her West End debut. Her play follows legal eagle lead Tessa (Comer, The Last Duel, Free Guy), who has succeeded in her field after working her way up from working-class origins. Then, thanks to an unexpected event, she's forced to examine power dynamics, the patriarchal force of the law, morality and burdens of proof. NT Live's recording of Prima Facie was captured live at the Harold Pinter Theatre — and, as all such stage shows that make the leap to cinemas as filmed versions of the original plays, the visual presentation is designed to make you feel like you're really there. Prima Facie will play in select cinemas around the country — including the Hayden Orpheum, Dendy Newtown, Palace Chauvel and Ritz Cinemas in Sydney; Cinema Nova, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Como, Palace Balwyn, Lido Cinemas, Classic Cinemas, Cameo Cinemas and Yarraville's Sun Theatre in Melbourne; and Palace James Street, Dendy Portside and Dendy Coorparoo in Brisbane. It'll also show in Palace Nova Eastend in Adelaide, as well as Luna Leederville and Luna on SX in Perth. And if you're wondering what else is on NT Live's schedule, it's doing Shakespeare — Henry V starring Game of Thrones and Eternals' Kit Harington, in fact — from Saturday, June 25. Check out the Prima Facie trailer below: Prima Facie will screen in Australian cinemas from Saturday, July 23. Images: Empire Street Productions, Helen Murray.
In a case of common sense prevailing — and, a cinema realising that charging more during peak times wasn't going to lure movie-goers in — Village Cinemas has cancelled their surge pricing trial on movie tickets. The theatre chain issued news.com.au with a statement, advising "we were running pricing variation trials over the summer period which we appreciate may have caused angst and concern to our customers." The company continues, "we can now confirm that all pricing variation trials have been stopped effective immediately... Our goal is to ensure movie going remains as an affordable entertainment choice for our guests." As first reported on Reddit, Village had been increasing ticket costs after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, to the tune of between 50 cents and $1 more per movie — and ramping up candy bar prices by between 30 cents and $1 per item as well. Yes, it's the same concept that Uber users hate during busy periods, on trial at multiplexes including Crown, Fountain Gate, Doncaster, Jam Factory, Southland and Werribee during the summer school holidays. While the idea of variable movie ticket prices isn't new — student discounts, cheap Tuesdays and the like — charging more during peak cinema-going slots was never going to be well-received given that Aussie ticket costs rose 31 percent in the decade to 2016. And though Village Cinemas was ramping up the cost in popular periods, it wasn't decreasing them for slow sessions and times. Via news.com.au
When it comes to planning a rollicking road trip, good snacks, sidekicks and Spotify playlists are non-negotiable. And while we can't control your track list or influence your choice of travel buddies, in collaboration with bp Wild Bean Cafe we've come up with seven tasty suggestions for every snack you need to stock up on to satisfy any kind of road trip craving. CRAVING A CAFFEINE FIX Research shows that a cup of coffee to kick off the day can help people live longer … For some, it can also be an essential requirement for maintaining a cordial mood. If you need a hit of caffeine before you hit the road (or several times throughout to keep you buzzing), you'll find some stellar drips at bp's Wild Bean Cafe. At this omnipresent Aussie servo, you can not only fuel your car's engine but there's also substantial options for fuelling your body. At Wild Bean Cafe's Merrifield Victoria location you can procure barista-made brews featuring 100 percent Rainforest Alliance-certified beans all day, every day. ITCHING FOR A SWEET AND SALTY HIT Whether your buddies are from the sweet, salty or "why not both?" school of thought, the best road trip snacks are those that appeal to a range of tastebuds. For the ultimate sweet and salty combo, take inspiration from the experimental junk food creations of your youth. Try popcorn and Maltesers (à la old-school movie munchies), chips and ice cream inspired by the genius Macca's french fries dipped in soft serve, or combine a Snickers bar with a packet of pretzels for a magnificently textural DIY version of salted caramel. HUNGRY FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE HEALTHIER Alternatively, satisfy your sweet and savoury yearnings AND sustain your appetite for the long road ahead by opting for a more wholesome combo of servo items. You can now find fresh whole fruit, dried nuts, sushi rolls, yoghurt and even pots of hard-boiled eggs at most service stations. Use them to combine your proteins, fats and carbs and create a macro-friendly, healthy road trip snack. WANT A RETRO ROAD TRIP SNACK There's something about a road trip that will make you feel like you're 13 years old again, crammed into the back of a school bus and off to a weekend of camping with your school buds. Embrace the nostalgic vibes by stocking up on the kind of treats your teenage self would have eaten with abandon. Think Bubble O'Bills, Rainbow Paddle Pops, Twisties, Tim Tams and sausage rolls. You're a sophisticated adult making not-entirely-sophisticated snack choices with no risk of a Miss Trunchbull-type teacher confiscating your contraband. HOMESICK FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE, WELL, HOMELY It's all fun and games until the hankering for something homemade hits. In these instances, Wild Bean Cafe comes through with the goods in the form of their cheese toasties. Grilled fresh on site and delivering on both cheesy-pull goodness and carby crunch (care of the grilled sourdough bread), they achieve cafe-style vibes even when you're Ks away from your final stop. They come in three flavours — triple cheese, ham and cheese, and chicken and herb mayo — so you can share them with your friends. DREAMING OF FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS Let's be clear to start. Pairing alcoholic drinks and driving is a non-negotiable. However, it is important to keep yourself hydrated on long trips with lots of h2o. If bottles of water just aren't wowing you anymore, get creative with DIY mocktails that combine a few of your favourite juices, kombuchas or even a slushie. GOT YOUR HEART SET ON SOMETHING MORE SATISFYING If your appetite can't quite keep up with the kilometres you've been clocking it might be time to pull over and set up picnic for something a little more substantial. While snacking can certainly sustain you for short distances, a full meal is encouraged on longer trips where the hunger hits hard. In these cases, Wild Bean Cafe delivers by way of their Chicken & Chips meal. Opt for a quarter or whole chook, and pair it with fries and your choice of three salads (potato, pesto pasta, coleslaw). It makes for a meal that's fast and will keep you fuelled until you land at your final destination. To satisfy every kind of craving you could image, be sure to add a pit stop to bp Wild Bean Cafe to your road trip.
After five years spent winning over the brunch-loving masses of Abbotsford, multi-talented eatery Au79 has spread its wings and added to the family, opening the doors to not one, but three new venues. The team has joined forces with the minds at build-to-rent apartment brand Home, which now plays host to new Au79 cafe outposts at both its Richmond and Southbank locations. And what's more, a wine bar is also on the way. Set on Bridge Road, Home's Richmond Traders precinct is the setting for Au79's second Home cafe, showcasing the brand's signature breads and baked goods, house-roasted coffee and brekkie fare. Roll in here for kimchi scrambled eggs with Sichuan chilli oil, a croque monsieur with black truffle bechamel, or the cranberry chicken sanga with basil and avocado. [caption id="attachment_857889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Au79 Richmond, by Instant Crush[/caption] A more recent addition is its sibling, the Au79 Café and Eatery in the lobby at Home Southbank, which boasts a light-filled space and sleek AA Studio fitout, all-white archways and shimmering metallic accents. Here, an all-day menu features plates like prawn benedict on charcoal brioche, a salmon and pea risotto, and the quinoa salad spiked with turmeric cauliflower and broccolini. Front counters displaying dreamy house-made pastries are a fixture of both sites, laden with buttery danishes, almond croissants, cupcakes and cookies. [caption id="attachment_857885" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Au79 Southbank, by James Geer[/caption] But the new projects don't end there — this winter, Home Southbank will also open the doors to Au79's first-ever wine bar concept, The Green Room. The feel here is set to be modern Australian meets Italian, with the space featuring moody lighting and cosy booth seating. Chef Daniel Cormick (Mulberry Group, Coombe Yarra Valley) has designed a menu of bar bites and larger, dinner-friendly options. You'll be able to breeze in for an after-work vino matched to freshly shucked oysters and the daily arancini special, or settle in over the likes of a black truffle and wild mushroom risotto, and chargrilled whole fish paired with heirloom tomato. Home residents don't even have to venture outside their apartments to get their Au79 fix, either. The cafes run a room-service-style offering, as well as catered private dining options. Find Au79 Cafe at Richmond Traders, 240 Church Street, Richmond. It's open daily from 8am–6pm. Au79 Cafe and Eatery, and The Green Room Wine Bar are located in the lobby of Home Southbank, 260 City Road, Southbank, with the cafe open daily from 7am–2pm.
Australia's local equivalent of NPR's Tiny Desk concerts has arrived. Store Sessions, hosted and released by Melbourne streetwear brand HoMie, are a new series of recorded gigs starring artists performing inside HoMie's flagship store in Fitzroy. The first-ever store session has already been released, and stars Australia's own Tash Sultana. It marks a return to Australian performances for the multi-instrumentalist, who is the first act in a series that is planned to run indefinitely, as part of HoMie's ongoing mission to support youth in Melbourne and combat issues in housing and employment for young people. [embed]https://youtu.be/-wGQKDE7TOU?feature=shared[/embed] It's a cause that comes with a calling. Sultana said: "I've been following HoMie's journey for a while now and I really love what they stand for, so getting to be involved from a music standpoint makes perfect sense. These store sessions are a really cool concept and I'm happy to be a part of it." That sentiment also runs true for the next artists to follow in the series. Soon to be released, in three-week intervals, will be recorded gigs from Bad//Dreems and local band Big Words. Alex Cameron of Bad//Dreems shared: "We've been admirers of the work HoMie have been doing for some time and are super excited to come in and play!" It's a bold initiative for HoMie, with its store presented as part performance venue, part streetwear store and part creative launchpad — all for an excellent cause. [caption id="attachment_1016400" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Melissa Cowan[/caption] HoMie Co-Founder Marcus Crook has plans for Store Sessions to become a staple series, with the store hosting everything from one-off shows to headline artists touring in Australia. Explaining the vision for the initiative, he said, "Store Sessions is about creating a space where artists from emerging talent to global names can get creative and connect with people in a different way. It's live, it's stripped back, and it's all tied back to our mission at HoMie. Every session supports the work we do at HoMie and brings our community closer through music." You can watch Tash Sultana perform their Store Sessions gig on YouTube now. Follow the HoMie Streetwear channels to catch the next gig when it releases.
You can never have too many rooftop bars — especially effortlessly stylish rooftop bars that soar 24 storeys above street level and boast uninterrupted 270-degree views across the city and beyond. Which is good, because that's exactly the kind of sky-high sipping spot that's just arrived on Chapel Street, with Beverly Rooftop gearing up to make its long-awaited debut this April. You might remember back in mid-2021 the talk of a towering new venue set to eventually grace South Yarra's new Goldfields development. The bar and eatery's name was yet to be chosen, as was the operator selected to bring it to life. Now, we know the score: Cameron Northway (founder of LOTI, Rocker Bondi and drinks company Sweet&Chilli) is teaming up with Goldfields' Marco Gattino and Lachlan Thompson to unveil his impressive all-day spot, Beverly Rooftop, in a matter of weeks. [caption id="attachment_891071" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Goldfields[/caption] Taking cues from the cool-kid rooftop haunts of LA, the indoor-outdoor space has been imagined by acclaimed Melbourne studio Mitchell & Eades (Grill Americano, Carlton Wine Room, Rock Sugar). Boasting a retractable glass roof, it's a vision of earthy sunset tones and foliage, set against a backdrop of sweeping panoramas. Seasonality and sustainability drive the menu by chef David Ball's (the UK's Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, The Glass House in Hobart); a lineup that has swagger but that remains approachable. Expect to match after-work vinos with the likes of truffle-infused mac 'n cheese bites with mornay sauce, bluefin tartare tostadas finished with chilli yuzu mayo, and wood-grilled octopus paired with an 'nduja romesco. Deeper in, pasta might hero a pulled pork belly ragu finished with mojo de ají, while a slow-cooked beef rib is served on the bone, sided with onion rings. We're also foreseeing many an afternoon and evening up here, sipping while soaking up the view — and the drinks list is set to offer options for all those occasions. It's packed full of local goodies, including a cocktail lineup that reimagines the classics using Aussie spirits and native botanicals. [caption id="attachment_891069" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cameron, Marco and Lachlan[/caption] Find Beverly Rooftop at Level 24, 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra, from April. It'll open from 4pm–late Tuesday, and from 12pm–late Wednesday to Sunday.
Promising to delight pun-lovers and meat enthusiasts alike, Coal Blooded Griller is the fiery new addition to Brighton's food scene, throwing open its doors this Tuesday, October 1. With a food offering helmed by Josh Monteiro (ex-Changz Canteen and founder of Changz Hot Sauce) and a custom-built smoker and barbecue pit taking pride of place, this one's your new go-to for house-smoked meats, fried chicken and local craft brews. As the name suggests, the Martin Street venue has a soft spot for all things smokey and grilled, so expect the likes of chopped pork shoulder and beef brisket by the gram, glazed pork baby back ribs and a range of hefty burgers sandwiched between locally made milk buns. That custom smoker will be running 24/7 to keep up with demand, the fire manned all through each night and day. The crispy fried chicken burger is one of Monteiro's carefully honed creations, perfected over the years, and an extra spicy Changz-inspired version of this is also set to hit the menu in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, a lineup of classic, share-friendly sides runs to the likes of buffalo or saucy barbecue wings, cheesy jalapeno poppers and flame-grilled corn slathered in coriander butter, pecorino and chipotle. It's far from herbivore-friendly, but we suspect Melbourne's meat-lovers will be lapping it up regardless. From the bar comes a rotating tap-list of limited-edition beers from local breweries, backed by a handful of tinnies and wines. Bad Shepherd Brewing will be taking over the taps for the starting month. Otherwise, those meaty eats are sure to go swimmingly alongside sips like the house Bloody Mary loaded with buffalo sauce and a jalapeno popper, the Peach Gin Fizz made with Macedon Ranges Gin, or of course, a cheeky pickle back shot. Find Coal Blooded Griller at 146 Martin Street, Brighton, open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am.
Aussies love a classic parma — a perfectly crispy but succulent crumbed chicken breast topped with Napoli sauce, ham and melted cheese. It's what pub dreams are made of. But over the years, plenty of Melbourne pubs have tried to reinvent the parma, chucking all kinds of stuff on the chicken. And it seems like the public is all for it. And if you are one of these people, the Skinny Dog Hotel's weekly Mystery Parma night is made for you. Every Thursday night until August 29, the Kew pub is serving a totally new parma special with a pot of beer ($25) that you, dear parma enthusiasts, have dreamed up. All you've got to do is submit your own selection of toppings to the Skinny Dog team via email, DM or phone by the Monday before and hope they pick your combo. So far, the crew has chosen and served a lamb gyros parma, lasagna parma, capricciosa pizza parma, and mac and cheese parma. What's next? That's totally up to you. Plus, if your special parma gets chosen, you'll get to try it for free that coming Thursday. Classic parmas will also continue to be sold on these nights, so if you consider yourself a purist, you're still covered. Let your mates go rogue with the mystery parma while you settle in for a tried-and-tested favourite. Images: Griffin Simm.
