For its 21st birthday, Splendour in the Grass is giving Australia the party we all wish we could've had hitting that milestone: a party headlined by Lizzo. Ahead of announcing its full 2023 lineup, the Byron Bay-based festival has just revealed one of its major acts, with the 'Juice' and 'Truth Hurts' singer set to take to the North Byron Bay Parklands stage this July. In the words of the US rapper herself, it's about damn time. Splendour hasn't revealed any other 2023 talents as yet, so watch this space — but if a fest is going to kick off its announcements with just one name, this is the one to do it with. The songwriter, singer and flautist — and Grammy- and Emmy-winner, too — will add to a whirlwind few years by making her Splendour debut. Yes, it's set to be good as hell. [caption id="attachment_750739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Gilford[/caption] Expect to hear hits from 2019's CUZ I LOVE YOU and 2022's Special — including, of course, Grammy Record of the Year-winning single 'About Damn Time'. Expect a set filled with dance-ready beats as well, in what's certain to make Splendour 2023 a fest to remember. After 2022's Splendour in the Mud — or Splendour in the Pool if you like — the two-decade-old festival could use some good news. Lizzo fans, pop Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23 in your calendar now, and start searching for your gumboots (while crossing your fingers that this year's fest won't be as boggy). Splendour hasn't revealed when the full lineup will drop but, pre-COVID-19, the fest's full roster was always here by April at the latest — so expect further details soon. For now, the festival has also announced that first-release tickets go on sale at 9am AEDT on Thursday, March 23. Head to the Splendour website to sign up for access ASAP. Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023. We'll update you with the full lineup details when they're announced. For more information in the interim — and to sign up for first-release tickets, which go on sale at 9am AEDT on Thursday, March 23, head to the festival website.
Tasmania's food scene is filled with incredible tasting experiences centred around local and seasonal ingredients. If you're the kind of traveller who seeks wild flavours that stray from the norm, the island offers a remarkable collection of makers specialising in unique creations made with the very best produce. No matter which corner of Tasmania you decide to explore, you'll find inventive producers carving out their culinary niche. We've partnered with Tourism Tasmania to highlight the region's most imaginative farmers, fishers and distillers, ranging from Australia's original truffle farmers to small-batch potato vodka pioneers. Let's dig in. [caption id="attachment_866630" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samuel Shelley[/caption] DISCOVER EDIBLE UNDERGROUND MUSHROOMS It's not every day you stumble across a disused 19th century railway tunnel and find incredible gourmet cuisine inside — but that's precisely what visitors discover when they journey to Tunnel Hill Mushrooms in the charming community of Mount Rumney on Hobart's outskirts. With the perfect conditions inside the dark, dank tunnel for growing tasty mushies, this excellent operation specialises in winter strains of oyster mushrooms. Therein you'll find the white, grey and tan oyster varieties alongside shiitake. Head along for a tour of the tunnels to explore this underground farming practice — bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_866631" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Cheese Studio[/caption] TAKE A SALT SOMMELIER TOUR All good foodies worth their salt (bad pun intended) can appreciate the difference between cheapo table salt and the premium flakes you find in specialty stores. You can deepen your appreciation further with the Salt Sommelier Tour — an exploration into how Tasmania's nutrient-rich waters deliver a superior flavour and texture from one of Australia's finest salt producers, Tasmanian Sea Salt. Throughout this in-depth journey into the world of salt, you'll roam the saltworks to see how this celebrated maker combines age-old techniques alongside clean energy to harvest its pure product. Along the way, you'll be served locally produced small bites topped with a sprinkling of the good stuff. EXPLORE LAVENDER AND OLIVE PLANTATIONS Set on 52 stunning acres in the Huon Valley, Campo de Flori (pictured above) is a destination loaded with indulgent experiences. The property is renowned for its lavender, saffron and olive plantations, all of which you're welcome to explore up close with a guided tour from owners David Peck and Lisa Britzman. If you consider yourself an olive connoisseur you can test out the farm's goods via a tasting and learning experience that delves into each of the property's nine cultivars. You can also wander through rows of award-winning lavender on a walking tour which includes a sampling of Campo de Flori's farm-grown lavender tea and sparkling lavender lemonade. [caption id="attachment_867687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stu Gibson[/caption] LEARN THE SECRETS OF TASMANIAN ABALONE Tasmania's brisk southern waters make it home to some of the world's best abalone. The expert crew at Candy Abalone use traditional Japanese drying techniques to produce the luxurious product which you can learn about in detail on an insightful hour-long tour of its impressive facilities. First, you'll receive an overview of the drying and processing rooms before trekking down to the beach to see the oyster lease in action. Punctuated with views of Barilla Bay Oyster Farm and the Coal Valley, the tour concludes with a sampling of organic ginger beer and freshly shucked oysters. [caption id="attachment_866443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] HUNT FOR TRUFFLES Over the years, truffle farming has exploded beyond the borders of Italy and France to eventually arrive on Australian shores. As the first kid on the block, The Truffle Farm in the central northern town of Deloraine launched the national industry by digging gorgeous black truffles out of the dirt in 1999. From there, a booming local movement in produce was born. Join second-generation truffle farmer, Anna, and her chief truffle hunting hound, Doug, for a 75-minute experience that is paradise for truffle aficionados. A selection of tours and experiences will get you familiar with the trufferie, uncover black pearls hidden in the earth and, of course, you can feast on a farm-style lunch platter or gorgeous truffle pizza paired with local wine and beer. [caption id="attachment_866632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samuel Shelley[/caption] SAMPLE SMALL-BATCH POTATO VODKA Perched above Marion Bay, the Hellfire Bluff Distillery didn't start out producing vodka, but it sure has mastered it. With the first potato crop planted over 30 years ago, this place has long supplied Tasmanian supermarkets with a top-notch produce — yet rather than feeding the cows with cast-off spuds, an idea for a vodka distillery was conceived. True Tasmanian ingenuity! Today, the distillery has attracted international acclaim for its small-batch, paddock-to-bottle tipples (it was recently awarded Australia's Best Varietal Vodka at the World Vodka Awards in 2022), and also produces gin, coffee liqueur and limoncello — among other drops. With the distillery door open seven days a week, those cruising Tassie's Turrakuna/Tasman Peninsula with a yen for brilliant spirits can't miss a stop at the farm. SAVOUR WASABI CHEESE Ashgrove Cheese has made exceptional dairy products for over two decades. Set between Launceston and Devonport, the sprawling farm's free-roaming cows produce everything from cheddar and havarti to gloucester and feta. However, no visit is complete without a sample of Ashgrove's extra sharp wasabi cheese. Using Tasmanian-grown wasabi to add delicate but zesty heat, it's perfect on an adventurous cheese platter or melted into a steak. Head to Elizabeth Town in northern Tasmania to enjoy a pasture-to-plate menu across breakfast and lunch. There's even a fancy 'high cheese' selection served with tea, coffee and sparkling wine. Who's hungry? Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Samuel Shelley
If there’s anything that can really make you dance like no one’s watching without actually altering your mind it’s a fancy tie and a mask covered in glitter and feathers. So if you have access to those two things and you like great music, you should put them on and head to Goodgod this Friday for a masked ball of monumental proportions. Monthly dance party Slow Blow is hosting a masquerade to celebrate the release of Softwar’s This Time Around EP. Black tie and masks are essential, so tireless late night party crusaders and spirited early rises should feel extra fancy as they embark upon a sonic journey through filtery deep funk, galactic dance and glittery house music. Coming along for the ride are Slow Blow DJs and Dreamcatcher and Jungle Snake, plus the all-round nice guys who spin under Future Classic. If you start to bust out some great moves and feel an overwhelming desire to reveal your true identity, stash your mask in your pocket rather than throwing it dramatically into the crowd. It may come in handy as you stumble out onto Liverpool Street in the wee hours of the morning.
Write a Brisbane-set book. Score a hit on the page. Then, see your words take to the stage, then the screen. That's how life went for Trent Dalton with Boy Swallows Universe. Next, going as far as treading the boards for now, that's also his path with Love Stories. Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Brisbane Festival have just announced that another of Dalton's books is getting a stage adaptation. As the play version of Boy Swallows Universe did, Love Stories will premiere at Brisbane Festival, with Tim McGarry penning the script and Dalton contributing additional writing. Fiona Franzmann will also contribute, while Sam Strong is directing. If much of this combination sounds familiar, Strong and McGarry also brought Eli Bell's antics to the theatre when it hit QPAC first. Their stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe wasn't just a smash — it's still the venue's bestselling drama ever. [caption id="attachment_944825" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent Dalton, Fiona Franzmann, Sam Strong and Tim McGarry. Image: Lyndon Mechielsen.[/caption] Fans won't have to wait long to see the end result for Love Stories, with the production set to have its world premiere in spring 2024, playing QPAC's Playhouse from Tuesday, September 10–Sunday, September 29. As for who'll be bringing it to life onstage, Jason Klarwein plays a writer and husband, while Michala Banas is his wife. They're both based on married couple Dalton and Franzmann. Also in the cast: Rashidi Edwards as Jean-Benoit, a Belgian busker who is also the show's narrator. Kimie Tsukakoshi, Jeanette Cronin, Mathew Cooper, Bryan Probets and Harry Tseng round out the acting talent from there, as joined by dancers Jacob Watton and Hsin-Ju Ely. The production will set its scene from the corner of Brisbane's Adelaide and Albert streets — and if you've read the book, you'll know why. Dalton wrote the 2022 Indie Book Awards Book of the Year-winner by heading to a corner in Brisbane's CBD, Olivetti typewriter in hand, and asking folks walking by for their tales. His question: "can you please tell me a love story?". Accordingly, this is another love letter to Brisbane, as Boy Swallows Universe is. This time, however, it tells true tales about romance and life. The aim is for it to be joyous but poignant, humorous but dramatic, and to be sentimental about Brisbane while telling a range of diverse love stories. [caption id="attachment_944824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent Dalton and Franzmann. Image: Lyndon Mechielsen.[/caption] "It's a rare and wondrous thrill to see one's words brought to life in the boundless universe of Australian theatre. It's an even greater thrill to see the love stories of so many not-so-ordinary real-life Queenslanders given such reverence and weight," said Dalton. "I've already had the great honour of informing many of the storytellers who so kindly told their stories to me on that corner that their words will now be retold in the most thrilling theatrical way by the most gifted team of creatives. These beautiful people who come from every corner of Queensland are just as excited as I am." [caption id="attachment_935699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent Dalton, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Felix Cameron, Lee Tiger Halley, Bryan Brown and Travis Fimmel at the premiere of Boy Swallows Universe. Image: Jono Searle/Getty Images for Netflix.[/caption] "Love Stories the show will be filled with everything that people adore about the book (and Trent's work) — beautifully specific Brisbane stories that speak universal truths, undeniably unforgettable people, and stories that sometimes break our hearts but always fill them," added Strong. "In translating Love Stories into the theatre, we're also building on the original. Trent and Fiona's own love story, which interweaves through the book, has been expanded by them for the stage show. In addition, we're including some of the incredible love stories that have been shared since the book was published." There's no sneak peek available for Love Stories yet — images, trailer or otherwise — but check out the trailers for both the stage and versions of Boy Swallows Universe in the interim: Love Stories will play the QPAC Playhouse, South Brisbane, from Tuesday, September 10–Sunday, September 29, 2024 as part of Brisbane Festival. Head to the venue's website for tickets and further details. Images: Netflix / Lyndon Mechielsen.
When Frozen the Musical opened in Sydney in December 2020, it was a very big deal. Sydney was not only the first stop on the stage production's international tour, but it was one of the only places in the world where people could see a Broadway show — and it still is today. So, if you've got your hands on one of those hot tickets, you should make the most of it. Luckily, a bunch of local venues have jumped on the bandwagon to celebrate this cultural phenomenon coming to town. If you've found yourself swept up in the magical story of Princesses Anna and Elsa — and you just can't get 'Let It Go' out of your head — make it last with these Frozen-themed treats. TREAT YOURSELF TO A WHIMSICAL BRUNCH Darling Square's Auvers Cafe has pulled out all the stops with its themed menu to celebrate Frozen the Musical. The menu is available throughout the production's Sydney run, giving you the perfect excuse to indulge in a decadent brunch before or after you see the show. For drinks, there's the Ice Palace Mocktail, the Warm Hug white hot chocolate and the Snow Queen cocktail. Sweet tooths can pair their drink with The Coronation Croissant (stuffed with creamy spirulina and blue caracao sugar flakes) or the North Mountain Pancake Stack (vibrant blue spirulina pancakes topped with lychee marscapone, vanilla ice cream and berries). After something savoury? Opt for the Arendelle Fjord (blue-eye cod with risotto, tempura oyster, spirulina fish broth and edamame) instead. [caption id="attachment_803745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jasper Avenue[/caption] GET A BRAIN FREEZE FROM THIS ICY BLUE DESSERT All Frozen fans know ice plays a crucial role in the story, so it should be a big part of your experience seeing the musical, too. Darling Square's Dopa Don and Milk Bar has just the thing. The Frozen Storm is Dopa's spin on kakigōri, a Japanese-style shaved ice dessert. Kakigōri is traditionally sweetened with condensed milk, but this limited-edition version incorporates blue pea flower, blue spirulina syrup and coconut and banana cream. And as you dig into the delightful domed dessert you'll come across purple potato, sago, coconut jelly and another surprise ingredient. ORDER THIS OTT CAKE MADE BY DESSERT ROYALTY When Elsa accidentally sets off an eternal winter in the Kingdom of Arendelle, it's, well, pretty bad. But Masterchef Australia alum Reynold Poernomo has once again proven his dessert king title with this Eternal Winter cake. Available through his popular dessert bar KOI, Eternal Winter features raspberry, vanilla, mint, chocolate brownie and strawberry marshmallow. Given how intricately decorated it is, this cake is only available for click-and-collect, which you can do here. KOI has also just announced a special Frozen-inspired Snowflake Egg, with white chocolate, vanilla and citrus, which will be available for click-and-collect from its Chippendale and Ryde stores between March 18 and April 1. SIP THIS COOL BLUE COSMO Whether you're a Sydney local or you've travelled from afar to see the award-winning show, one way to break the enchanting spell after the show is heading straight home. Instead, book a night at Novotel Sydney Darling Square, which is just around the corner from the Capitol Theatre, and take advantage of its proximity to some of Sydney's best restaurants and bars. One such spot, which is conveniently connected to the hotel, is Pumphouse. The heritage-listed bar is serving this brilliantly blue Frozen Cosmo, garnished with blueberries and mint, for $20 while the show is running. Keen to pair your cocktail with a feed? Pumphouse also runs a pre- and post-theatre dining special. All you have to do is flash your theatre ticket to score a main meal and drink for $25 per person. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively. Top image: 'Frozen the Musical', Lisa Tomasetti
The NSW Blues will do everything in their power to prevent a Queensland Maroons three-peat when the NRL's fiercest rivalry resumes on Wednesday, June 5, at Accor Stadium in Olympic Park. Despite the Maroons leading the way in overall Men's Origin wins, things have been more evenly matched in recent years, with each state winning three of the last six series and no whitewash occurring since Queensland's 2010 demolition of NSW. The last time the teams met in Sydney in Game 3 in 2023, the Blues took the win, but it was a dead rubber with the Maroons' 2-0 lead going into the final game, meaning Sydney hasn't seen a competitive home win since 2020. Michael Maguire takes charge of his first Origin series off the back of five years coaching the New Zealand national team and faces a tough call over whether to drop captain James Tedesco. Origin games are always one of the highlights of the Australian sporting calendar. This year, for the first time, the Women's State of Origin expands to a three-game series, with Game 2 taking place at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday, June 6. Images: Destination NSW
It's the silly season, which means top tipples with your family, friends and work besties. Booze doesn't just make for a good time; it also makes for a great gift idea. If you're struggling to come up with a good grog gift this festive season, we've got you covered. Here's our round-up of drinks that tickled our fancy these holidays, from top-shelf whiskies to alcohol-removed wines. WINE 'Tis the season to cheers to the sun, and what better way than with some natty wines for Friend-mas. If you have a mate who loves their natties or is just dipping their toes into this world of wild ferments, SPON by Odd Culture wine shop and bar has curated the ultimate gift pack dubbed the Natty Wine Primer. It includes a sparkling pét-nat, white, red (one best served chilled) and a couple of skin contact numbers (orange and rosé). If you're looking for more bubbles, it's also slinging a gift pack called The Most Wonderful Time of the Year with a sparkling shiraz perfect for Christmas day, a grand cru champagne for New Year's Eve and an easy-going pét-nat for New Year's Day brunch. If the vinophile on your gift list is all about tradition, a case of wine from one of Australia's first families of wine should be on your shopping list. Brown Family Wines is Aussie through and through and now has five wine brands under its belt: Brown Brothers, Pirie, Devil's Corner, Tamar Ridge, and Innocent Bystander. You can't go wrong with the new Tarrango chilled red wine for something youthful and fresh. For something plush and velvety, Devil's Corner has a range of Tassie pinots that will make for a great vino on the Christmas table. There's also a slew of wine advent calendars on the market, from Good Pair Days to Laithwaite's Wines, if you'd prefer to leave the wine selections up to the somms. Good Pair Days has some of the best merch out there for a wine-lover, and it's no different with the wine advent calendars on offer this year. You can choose from options with a picnic set, a wine chiller set, a beach box — complete with a tote bag, hat and towel — or the standard pack. WHISK(E)Y Is your mum a fan of the dark spirits? Is your bestie a whisky fiend? Here are our top choices for the spirit savants in your lift this silly season. There are so many kinds of whiskies out there, but if you're on the lookout for something that's trying something new, you can't go wrong with Waterford Whisky. It's an Irish tipple that celebrates and advocates for terroir in whisky, and it only uses local Irish-grown grain with organic and biodynamic options on its roster. For something even more uncommon, opt for the peated version; it's the only whisky on the market that uses Irish peat to dry its barley. Plus, the blue glass bottle looks great on the shelf. If you know your whisky-lover is a sucker for scotch, you could go for Waterford Whisky's spiritual cousin, Bruichladdich. Another dram that celebrates terroir (started by the same person, in fact). The unpeated, non-chill-filtered single malt whisky, The Classic Laddie, is a crowd-pleasing option that works for many palates. If you want to surprise them with some top-shelf whiskies, you can always check out The Whisky Ark, which offers premium membership options, and has an excellent selection of scotch like Tamdhu and Glengoyne as well as exclusive Japanese whiskies. If you can't decide on a particular dram, leave the selection to the experts and go for an advent calendar. Liquor Loot puts out a gin and whisky calendar every year, and this year has expressions from Japan, Australia, Ireland, America, Scotland and more. And if you want to gift something that will keep surprising them throughout the year, why not set them up with a Whisky Club membership? Every month, they'll receive a new and often exclusive drop like the festive collab from Westward Whiskey and Rutherglen winery Stanton & Killeen: the Westward Whiskey Vintage Muscat Cask. GIN What's Christmas without cocktails, and what are cocktails without gin? There are literally thousands of versions of gins on the market today. From Australian drops that highlight native botanicals like Hickson House and Green Ant Gin to Japanese takes highlighting unique flora like Roku. Gin is special because it is very malleable, taking on the flavour profiles of whatever botanical is used. Kangaroo Island Gin is a new favourite of ours, and it has just released a special Spiced Pudding Gin that will bring a festive flair to your mate's G&T with cinnamon, clove, dried fruits and spice. If you know your gin-tastic friend isn't into traditional festive flavours, Four Pillars has launched its collab with Go-To skincare, 'My New Go-To Gin' made with quandong (Australia's native peach) to amp up that stone fruit goodness, perfect for summery cocktails over the holidays. TEQUILA Now, this spirit can be a bit of a dark horse, not unlike the person who usually calls for tequila shots at your Christmas holiday party. Why not go for the real deal, something extra special with a blow-the-budget option for your bestie with Herradura Legend? It is a first-of-its-kind Añejo tequila that has only recently launched in Australia. It's made with 100% blue weber agave that is traditionally cooked, naturally fermented, twice distilled, and matured for at least 12 months in heavily charred new American white oak barrels, resulting in soft caramel, toasted vanilla, oak, and lingering hints of agave. You could even convert some staunch whisky-only drinkers with this spirit. FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT Not everyone is reaching for the classic whiskies and bourbons. Some people like to be more adventurous with their palate with grappa, moonshine, ouzo, arak and rakija. Sydney-based DNA Distillery makes the traditional Balkan fruit brandy rakija with Aussie shiraz grapes in classic, gold and pear (made with Aussie pears) expressions, perfect for your friend who has no more space on their wine rack and is over gin. It even has a gift box perfect for the flavour seeker in your life looking for something new. Did you have a mate who finally got to go on their Euro summer and hasn't been quiet about it since? Let them relive that luxe-Euro vibe with Tommy's Booze. The Melbourne-based Italian liquor company has put together a gift set with full-sized bottles of limoncello, mandarino, and lampone, perfect for those who love a refreshing digestif after the Christmas feast. NON-ALCOHOLIC If you have a mate who has opted to be dry, there's no reason not to treat them to the excellent non-alc options out there. Like Edenvale Wines, alcohol-removed wines are mindfully made to recreate the flavour profile of traditional alcoholic wines. We loved the GSM blend that tricked our unofficial drinks expert. For people who love the taste of beer but not the buzz, Heaps Normal is a crowd favourite, but Capital Brewing Co. is also pushing out some quality booze-free brews. And if you want to give them a selection, Beer Cartel has you covered with its cracking alcohol-free craft beer mixed pack. Top Images: Our Whisky Foundation Christina Kernohan, Liquor Loot.
Only one show on TV starts in a haunted house, then jumps to an asylum for the criminally insane, then follows a coven of descendants of the Salem witch trials. And, from there, it also steps inside a travelling freak show, explores the twisted history of an LA hotel, gets caught up in a small-town cult, sees the Antichrist unleash the apocalypse and sets a serial killer upon an 80s-era summer camp as well. That series: American Horror Story. Every season, it tells a different story, anthology-style. The creepy details change, as do the narratives and characters, but the eeriness remains. Also staying the same: many of the faces seen in American Horror Story's tales, including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts and Lady Gaga. The show is the brainchild of writer/producer/director Ryan Murphy (Glee, Pose) and, yes, it definitely takes audiences on a wild ride each and every season.
Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead (Saturday, November 2), is a celebration of long-standing tradition that is, first and foremost, a way for communities to honour family and friends who have passed on and to celebrate life both past and present. But the holiday has also come to represent the very best of Mexican culture — from tasty food to elaborate costumes, motifs and music. So, to celebrate the day, The Argyle has teamed up with the world's oldest operating tequila distillery Jose Cuevo to put on a two-day fiesta. Head down to the Rocks' historic building and you'll be able to get in on the festivities on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. For two nights, performers, UV face-painters and themed decor will fill both storeys of the bar. There'll also be specialty cocktails featuring Jose Cuevo tequila. Better yet, grab a Los Meurtos margarita and you'll get a token you can redeem for a Jose Cuevo-based drink. The Argyle has got some top-notch music acts planned for the occasion, too. On Friday night, you can catch DJ Keyes and R&B acts Mike Champion and DJ Helena Ellis. Or if you go on the Saturday night, you'll be dancing to the tunes of DJ Tigerlily alongside some other local acts. If you arrive before 9pm on the Friday — and are in suitable dress — entry is free. Or you can join the guest list here. Saturday is a ticketed event; to nab yourself a ticket, head here.
At a time when we've all been spending more of our minutes, hours, days and months on home turf, Instagram has just launched a new feature to help you make the most of it — and to help throw some love towards all of the small businesses in your area. Hitting the social media platform from today, Tuesday, September 14, the new 'Map Search' function lets you use Instagram to find restaurants, bars, shops and venues near you. Can't decide where to grab lunch? Looking for a hair salon in your vicinity? This'll assist. How does it work? Map Search uses a map (obviously) that highlights popular tagged locations. You might've seen these spots pop up in your feed anyway, and you could've even tagged some yourself. And, you can access the new function in a few different ways. You'll see an icon in Instagram's Explore feature, which is where you can hit up the map, and even filter locations by fields such as salons and restaurants. You'll also now see maps pop up whenever you search for particular hashtags — the very pandemic-appropriate #takeaway, for instance — which'll then highlight the relevant places that fit the hashtag near you. The aim: to support small businesses, and to help Instagram users do the same. Thinking local has been one of the mantras of the past 18 months or so, due to lockdowns, restrictions and border closures — and we all know that the hospitality industry, and small businesses in general, have been doing it tough during the pandemic. Map Search also helps give small businesses a boost on a platform plenty of them are using, and that many of us are using to find them anyway. So, the proprietors of restaurants, bars and shops get another way to be seen by potential customers, and patrons get another way to discover their local haunts. Fancy looking further afield? While Map Search definitely lets you find places immediately around you, users can also search anywhere they like. Either pinch and drag the map to wherever you're interested in, click on an Instagram geotag — which'll bring up the map, so you can start searching from there — or just type wherever you're looking for into Explore. For more information about Instagram's new Map Search function, head to the social media platform's website.
Sports-mad Macarthur residents have a new spot to take in a game over beers with mates. It's called The Sherwood and it's a pub-meets-sports bar right next door to Campbelltown Stadium, the current home of the Wests Tigers. Formerly a tennis club, the space has been completely transformed and is now a huge, open plan tavern designed to cater to the full swathe of community locals. That includes an expansive courtyard with ample al fresco dining options (and plenty of space for bigger groups), designated family friendly areas, and an enormous four-metre screen for broadcasting live matches for everything from the NRL (of course) to live NBA games and UFC bouts. If you're dining in as well as drinking, The Sherwood's food offering is very much in the realm of something-for-everyone pub fare. A classic schnitty, beef nachos and steak and chips are in the lineup alongside more elevated options like prawn orecchiette, gin-cured kingfish and a fresh poached salmon salad. The menu also has an entire section dedicated to smash burgers, so it's safe to assume that's a kitchen special. There's a lot of members specials including a daily happy hour from 3-5pm where house beers are $5 and 'Wing Night Wednesday' where you get a kilo of wings for $20. Ah, the perks of being a local. Learn more at the full offering at the venue's website.
In the former premises of The Sunshine Inn on Redfern Road, an awesome foursome of Bentley and Love Tilly alumni has managed to find some uncharted territory in Sydney's already-saturated Italian cuisine offering. A buzzy, Euro-leaning, "Italian-ish" pseudo-osteria, ATTENZIONE! Food and Wine is the passion project of Felix Colman, the part-owner and operator of Ragazzi and Fabbrica; former Yellow manager Toby Davis; Toby Stansfield of Lola's in Bondi; and Dexter Kim, an ex-Buffet Digital videographer. Before you jump to conclusions, the choice of name has nothing to do with online memes or pickpockets. It's actually a reference to an in-joke between the four partners regarding an Italian friend's mother, who, while visiting her daughter in Sydney, would cry out "Attenzione!" whenever a handsome—and potentially eligible—fella strolled past. Since then, shouting "Attenzione!" has become a go-to callback between the friends, so it quickly emerged as the obvious name for their first venture together. Italian pastas star on the menu, but the food offering is more of a broad-brush homage to the dining cultures of Continental Europe — with a few Asian riffs thrown in for good measure. "We've had some pretty memorable food and drink experiences in Europe," Colman says of the restaurant's melting pot of influences. "Tiny enotecas in Alba that spill out onto cobblestoned streets, noisy backstreet bistros in Paris and too many sunny aperitivos along the Med coast to count. ATTENZIONE! was created to be the buzz and vibe of all those experiences combined." While the menu will be dynamic and shuffle regularly, there will be a few tried-and-true staples fated to be house favourites, such as the pico XL: "an almost obscenely oversized version of pico pasta", according to Stansfield. These fat, juicy strands will be the vehicle for a range of classic sauces, including cacio e pepe and nduja crema with Kinkawooka mussels. Summoning the flavours of a French brasserie, dry-aged dairy cow steaks, courtesy of Emilio's Butcher in Rozelle, will be served with a house-made chopped green onion condiment, while charcoal-roasted free-range chicken with chicory and horseradish channels a more Teutonic energy. And because dessert should never be taken too seriously (sorry grand patissiers), there will be playful, dig-your-spoon-in, crowd-pleasing sweets to finish such as an apple baked in pastry and served with a rich tonka custard, and a pineapple, espresso cookie and whipped ganache sundae. Snacks will also be a specialty at ATTENZIONE!, with a similarly pan-European mingle of influences, such as locally smoked trout pate served with a chicken-skin crisp and a full loaf of fougasse flatbread spread with wildflower butter. Not to be outdone, the wine offering is as loud and wide-ranging as the food. Colman and Davis have compiled a 150-bottle cellar with plenty of homegrown drops but also an emphasis on the team's favourite Italian varietals, Nebbiolo, as well as pours from Barolo, Barbaresco and Piemonte. Expect a substantial by the glass selection, digestifs including grappas, armagnacs and amaros, a streamlined list of classic cocktails and even some funkier natural drops for those who enjoy low-intervention bottles. "Many of the producers we've chosen for our list have really inspired us over our years of enjoying and working in wine," Colman explains. "We're really proud to hero these great people and their incredible wines, they care for the land and the providence of their craft, looking to leave the earth better than when they found it which is very important to us." The fitout, by new Sydney-based interiors studio Coffeyhallet, boasts a vibrant mustard and aniseed palette as well as tactile leather banquettes, dark-stained Bentwood chairs and large mirrors to create a sense of space. The restaurant's decor is intended to be an extension of the lively, relaxed, welcoming vibes that the four owners hope ATTENZIONE! will be known for.
It might just be Australia's brightest festival: Parrtjima - A Festival In Light, which has just finished its fourth and most expansive annual program in Alice Springs. Shifting from the fest previous spring timeslot to autumn, the 2019 event attracted a record crowd of 25,000 — and, if you're keen to be among them next time around, organisers have announced that the fest will return in 2020. While exact dates haven't been revealed, the nation's first indigenous festival of its kind will light up the Red Centre in April, once again filling the region with dazzling light installations. This year's free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling included seven luminous displays gracing both the Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct and the Alice Springs Todd Mall. Expect a similar lineup — with all-new lighting pieces, of course — to feature next year. [caption id="attachment_715721" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lighting the Ranges, Parrtjima festival, Alice Springs, Australia. 5/4/2019. Images courtesy Parrtjima / NTMEC[/caption] If you're already thinking about blocking out your diary, 2019's highlights might help cement your plans. Alice Spring's CBD was lit up with new installations and events, and just out of town, tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park came alive with the festival's main attraction. Once again, a huge artwork transformed a two-and-a-half-kilometre stretch of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, showering it with light from 6.30–10.30pm each night of the festival — and featuring an audio track voiced by Aussie acting legend Aaron Pedersen. Visitors were also able to immerse themselves in art and storytelling as part of the returning Ahelhe Itethe – Living Sands (Grounded), with installations projected onto the earth and accompanied by a striking soundscape. New additions to this year's lineup included an illuminated tunnel that attendees walked through as they enter the festival space, called Angkentye Anpernirrentye-kerte – The Language of Kin; an array of over-sized sculptures relaying the social history of First Nations station workers and their language of the land, dubbed Angkentye Stockmen Mape-kenhe – The Language of Stockmen; and a series of sculptured large-scale moths, badged The Language of Moths, in Todd Mall. There was also a huge maze for kids and a set-up of three bush taxis displaying works by First Nations artists. [caption id="attachment_715716" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Language of Kin, Parrtjima festival, Alice Springs, Australia. 5/4/2019. Images courtesy Parrtjima / NTMEC[/caption] With the news that Parrtjima will shine again, the Northern Territory will boast two glowing attractions in 2020 once again. The festival it's a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which has been extended all the way through until December 31, 2020. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until April 14, 2019 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: James Horan.
This specialist Japanese grocery store in Crows Nest has a wide range of fresh Asian veggies, Fuji Bakery goods, and frozen foods that provides home comforts to those with connections to Japan. Ume-Ya launched in Sydney in 2002, but it very recently opened a new store next to Woolworths on Alexander Street. It's an eclectic store — you never know what you'll walk out with. It also offers Australia-wide delivery, though check the store's website or Facebook page, as some delivery services are temporarily on hold due to COVID-19.
In the on-screen sea that is the never-ending list of films and television shows constantly vying for eyeballs, Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby have frequently proven gem-dappled treasure islands. When the immensely funny New Zealand talents have collided, their resumes have spanned four of the most endearing comic hits of the big and small screens in the 21st century so far, aka Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows, Wellington Paranormal and Hunt for the Wilderpeople — and now, with HBO Max pirate parody Our Flag Means Death, they've given viewers another gleaming jewel. The brainchild of writer, showrunner and executive producer David Jenkins (People of Earth), this show was always going to swashbuckle its way into streaming must-see lists — and into comedy-lovers' hearts — based on its concept alone. The inimitable Darby stars as Stede Bonnet, a self-styled 'gentleman pirate' and a great approximation of Flight of the Conchords' Murray if he'd existed centuries earlier. Meanwhile, Waititi dons leather, dark hues aplenty, an air of bloodthirsty melancholy and a glorious head of greying hair as Edward Teach, the marauder better known to the world as Blackbeard. While the latter is a household name — pop culture has been inserting him into stories for decades: Ian McShane played him in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Hugh Jackman did the honours in Pan, for instance — Bonnet will be a new discovery to most of Our Flag Means Death's audience. Also a real-life figure, he left his life of wealth, privilege and comfort to rove the oceans. That's a scenario that this ten-episode comedy has plenty of fun with, complete with Bonnet's onboard library decked out with classics and summer linens-filled auxiliary wardrobe. In its first three episodes, Our Flag Means Death establishes its fish-out-of-water situation — or its tale about a ruffled shirt-wearing aristocrat seemingly out of his depths while sailing across treacherous waters, to be more accurate. Bonnet is not one for the usual pirate stereotypes, and that takes some adjusting to by his crew. Among those with him on the Revenge: Lucius (Nathan Foad, Bloods), his righthand man and official scribe; Buttons (Ewen Bremner, First Cow), a seasoned seafarer and source of advice; Black Pete (Matthew Maher, Marriage Story), who constantly claims to have worked with Blackbeard; the fire-obsessed Wee John Feeny (Kristian Nairn, aka Game of Thrones' Hodor); and the initially secretive Oluwande (Samson Kayo, Truth Seekers) and Jim (Vico Ortiz, The Sex Lives of College Girls). Scene-setting and ensemble antics abound in the series' opening instalments, including a run-in with a British navy captain (Rory Kinnear, No Time to Die) with ties to Bonnet's past, and another a fellow pirate captain-turned-bar owner (Leslie Jones, Death to 2020) and one of her husbands (Fred Armisen, Los Espookys). But then Blackbeard arrives, taking over the Revenge with his first mate Izzy (Con O'Neill, The Batman) — and Our Flag Means Death starts becoming a rom-com. From the outset, it's already a gloriously inclusive and emotionally astute comedy. Bonnet wanting his crew to be in touch with their feelings, rather than simply solve everything with swords and violence, is one of the aforementioned ways that he bucks expectations. But that trend deepens and grows as its two key swashbucklers gravitate towards each other, riding the waves from adversaries to co-captains to potentially something more. From its first trailer, Our Flag Means Death delivered answers to questions that no one knew they had, such as "what'd happen if Waititi and Darby played pirates?" and "what if Waititi and Darby played pirates alongside Spud from Trainspotting and Hodor?". Now that the results have played out across an entire season — all of which is available to stream in Australia via Binge and in New Zealand via Neon — it's sweeter than a bottle of rum to a buccaneer (or oranges to fend off scurvy, which definitely get a mention in the show). Smartly, Our Flag Means Death doesn't just satirise pirate archetypes. It isn't content with finding easy laughs at the whole 'gentleman pirate' caper, either. Instead, it's a comedy about plundering one's own depths to find out who you really are, where you truly belong and who should comprise your chosen family — whether you've been set up for a life of luxury, you're the world's most fearsome scourge of the seas or you're simply roving the oceans with them. When Waititi's Blackbeard steps into the story, meet-cute and all, less of its focus resides upon its other supporting characters. When you've got comedic greats such as Waititi and Darby bouncing off of each other — as they do from episode four onwards, and with pitch-perfect comic chemistry — you let them have the spotlight. Still, subplots that flesh out the remainder of the Revenge crew's histories wholeheartedly link in with Our Flag Means Death's focus on reinvention and rediscovery, and its open heart. Relationships are laid bare, and secrets, too. In the process, cliches are dismantled, correct pronouns are used, and everyone helps build a thoughtful and sincere comic caper. Indeed, add Our Flag Means Death to the list of delightful sitcoms that beam with warmth, even when it's soaking cat flags (yes, that's a pirate banner adorned with a feline) with blood. Stellar talent doesn't always equate to a must-see, something special or both, of course; however, Our Flag Means Death ticks all of those boxes — and the who's who that is its guest and supporting cast also includes fellow Conchords alum Kristen Schaal, Big Mouth's Nick Kroll, Arrested Development's Will Arnett, and Aussies Claudia O'Doherty (Sarah's Channel) and Angus Sampson (Bump). With Waititi also helming the pilot and executive producing, his winning ways with TV comedies continue, too, after a top-notch few years that've included the What We Do in the Shadows television spinoff and Reservation Dogs as well. Ahoy, streaming lovers — let Our Flag Means Death sail into your queue right now. Check out the full trailer for Our Flag Means Death below: Our Flag Means Death's first season is available to in Australia via Binge and in New Zealand via Neon. Images: Aaron Epstein/HBO Max.
Life is so busy these days, one can't help but wish some things would just sort themselves out. We have technological advancements and perhaps Google to thank for such laissez-faire attitudes. PumpTire's prototype for a self-inflating tyre appeals to the whinger in us but also proves to be an eco-friendly invention saving time, money and extraneous resources needed to pump a flat bicycle tyre. Components of the PumpTire includes a tyre, a detachable valve and inner tube. It can be used in conjunction with existing rim models and works as the cyclist rides their bike. According to founder of PumpTire Benjamin Krempel, it works "by using the rolling motion of the tyre to draw in air from the atmosphere". A hollow tube attached to the edge of the tire pushes air into the tyre. The tyre is even capable of sensing when the ideal air pressure is reached. PumpTire is currently promoting its invention on Kickstarter to raise funds for further engineering design, testing and purchasing tools and materials. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rMmZnzG9QqI [via PSFK]
Since Sally Rooney's Normal People first hit bookshelves in 2018, big things have followed. As well as becoming a bestseller, the Irish author's second novel was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won 2019's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. The next step: bringing this tale of two teens and their complicated romance to the small screen, all courtesy of a new 12-part drama of the same name. In particularly excellent news for fans of the book, Normal People's TV adaptation is penned by Rooney herself — alongside fellow screenwriters Alice Birch (Succession) and Mark O'Rowe (Boy A). And, it boasts some other significant talent in the director's chair, too, with helming duties shared by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson (Room) and BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald (White Girl, Howard's End). Of course, it's the tale playing out on-screen that's the main attraction, as readers will already be aware — and as the just-dropped first teaser shows. Cold Feet's Daisy Edgar-Jones and newcomer Paul Mescal step into the shoes of the novel's Marianne and Connell, high school classmates in their west Ireland small town who weather all manner of ups and downs as they attend Dublin's Trinity College. At school, she was lonely and aloof, while he was outgoing and popular. At college a year later, their roles have reversed. That sets the scene for an intimate, complex love story — which will unravel in full when Normal People drops on Stan on Monday, April 27. Check out the teaser trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDpWEA2rMB4&feature=youtu.be All 12 episodes of Normal People will be available to stream on Stan on Monday, April 27.
The Aussie love affair with Scandinavian-designed products is a long-running one. A certain megastore may steal the spotlight sometimes, but this sleek store (and its Mosman counterpart) is harbouring some of the best Nordic designs around. With a range that spans furniture, homewares, clothing and accessories, Nordic Fusion is the place to come when your home is crying out for some well-designed and stylish pieces. Expect to find popular labels like Marimekko, Pappelina and Klippan — plus, you'll get a glimpse of some of Scandinavia's top emerging design houses like Muuto and Menu. It also sells a large range of Nordic food and treats which, we're told, can add to the hygge vibe, too. We can just picture it now: snuggling up on the lounge under a cosy new Klippan blanket with a bowl of Ekströms chocolate pudding.
Under normal circumstances, when a new-release movie starts playing in cinemas, audiences can't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the pandemic forcing film industry to make quite a few changes over the past year — widespread movie theatre closures will do that — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you're in lockdown. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here's 12 you can watch right now at home. IN THE HEIGHTS Lin-Manuel Miranda isn't the first lyricist to pen tunes so catchy that they get stuck in your head for years (yes, years), but his rhythmic tracks and thoughtful lines always stand out. Miranda's songs are melodic and snappy, as anyone who has seen Hamilton onstage or via streaming definitely knows. The multi-talented songwriter's lyrics also pinball around your brain because they resonate with such feeling — and because they're usually about something substantial. The musical that made his name before his date with US history, In the Heights echoes with affection for its eponymous Latinx New York neighbourhood. Now that it's reverberating through cinemas, its sentiments about community, culture, facing change and fighting prejudice all seem stronger, too. To watch the film's characters sing about their daily lives and deepest dreams in Washington Heights is to understand what it's like to feel as if you truly belong in your patch of the city, to navigate your everyday routine with high hopes shining in your heart, and to weather every blow that tries to take that turf and those wishes away. That's what great show tunes do, whisking the audience off on both a narrative and an emotional journey. Miranda sets his words to hip hop beats, but make no mistake: he writes barnstorming songs that are just as rousing and moving, and that've earned their place among the very best stage and screen ditties as a result. Watching In the Heights, it's hard not to think about all those stirring tracks that've graced previous musicals. That isn't a sign of derivation here, though. Directing with dazzling flair and a joyous mood, Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon M Chu nods to cinema's lengthy love affair with musicals in all the right ways. His song-and-dance numbers are clearly influenced by fellow filmic fare, and yet they recall their predecessors only because they slide in so seamlessly alongside them. Take his staging of the tune '96000', for instance. It's about winning the lottery, after word filters around that bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos, a Hamilton alum) has sold a lucky ticket. Due to the sweltering summer heat, the whole neighbourhood is at the public pool, which is where Chu captures a colourful sea of performers expressing their feelings through exuberantly shot, staged and choreographed music and movement — and it's as touching and glorious as anything that's ever graced celluloid. Of course, $96,000 won't set anyone up for life, but it'd make an enormous difference to Usnavi, In the Heights' protagonist and narrator. It'd also help absolutely everyone he loves. As he explains long before anyone even hears about the winning ticket, or buys it, every Heights local has their own sueñitos — little dreams they're chasing, such as his determination to relocate to the Dominican Republic. And that's what this intoxicating, invigorating, impassioned and infectious captures with vibrant aplomb. In the Heights is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. A QUIET PLACE PART II When every noise you make could send savage aliens stalking, slashing and slaughtering your way, it's the waiting that gets you. When you're watching a nerve-rattling horror film about that exact scenario, the same sentiment remains relevant. In A Quiet Place, the Abbott family went into survival mode after vicious creatures invaded, hunted down every sound and dispensed with anyone that crossed their path. For the characters in and viewers of the 2018 hit alike, the experience couldn't have screamed louder with anxiety and anticipation. Evelyn and Lee (Wild Mountain Thyme's Emily Blunt and Detroit's John Krasinski) and their children Regan (Millicent Simmonds, Wonderstruck), Marcus (Noah Jupe, The Undoing) and Beau (Cade Woodward, Avengers: Endgame) all silently bided their time simply trying to stay safe and alive, but their continued existence lingered under a gut-wrenching shadow. The critters were still out there, listening for even a whisper. It was a matter of when, not if, they'd discern the slightest of noises and strike again. That type of waiting drips with tension and suspense, and also with the kind of inevitability that hovers over everyone alive. A certain bleak end awaits us all, a truth we routinely attempt to ignore; however, neither the Abbotts nor A Quiet Place's audience were allowed to forget that grim fact for even a moment. Initially slated to arrive in cinemas two years later, then delayed by the pandemic for 14 months, sequel A Quiet Place Part II isn't done with waiting. Written and directed once again by Krasinski, the film doesn't shy away from the stress and existential distress that marking time can bring, but it also tasks its characters with actively confronting life's inevitabilities. After an intense and impressive tone-setting opening flashback to the first day of the alien attack, when the Abbotts' sleepy hometown learns of humanity's new threat in the cruellest fashion, the storyline picks up where its predecessor left off. It's day 474 — the earlier film spent most of its duration around day 472 — and Evelyn, Regan, Marcus and the family's newborn are grappling with their losses. That said, they're also keenly aware that they can't stay in their Appalachian farmhouse any longer. After spotting smoke on the horizon and setting off in that direction, they reconnect with Emmett (Cillian Murphy, Peaky Blinders), an old friend who has been through his own traumas. Evelyn sees safety in numbers, but he's reluctant to help. Then Regan hears a looping radio transmission playing 'Beyond the Sea' and decides to track down its source — and a film that's less thrilling, potent and unsettling than its predecessor eventuates. A Quiet Place Part II is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. BLACK WIDOW Closure is a beautiful thing. It's also not something that a 24-film-and-growing franchise tends to serve up often. Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has operated with the opposite aim — extending and expanding the series at every turn, delivering episodic instalments that keep viewers hanging for the next flick, and endeavouring to ensure that the superhero saga blasts onwards forever. But it's hard to tick those boxes when you're making a movie about a character whose fate is already known. Audiences have seen where Natasha Romanoff's (Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story) story finishes thanks to Avengers: Endgame, so Black Widow doesn't need to lay the groundwork for more films to follow. It's inexcusable that it has taken so long for the assassin-turned-Avenger to get her own solo outing. It's indefensible that this is just the second Marvel feature to solely focus on a female figure, too. But, unlike the missed opportunity that was Captain Marvel, Black Widow gives its namesake a thrilling big-screen outing, in no small part because it needn't waste time setting up a Black Widow sequel. Instead, the pandemic-delayed movie spends its 143 minutes doing what more MCU flicks should: building character, focusing on relationships, fleshing out its chosen world and making every inch of its narrative feel lived-in. The end result feels like a self-contained film, rather than just one chapter in a never-ending tale — which gives it the space to confidently blend family dramas with espionage antics, and to do justice to both parts of that equation. Sporting an impressive cast that also includes Florence Pugh (Little Women), David Harbour (Stranger Things) and Rachel Weisz (The Favourite), Black Widow begins in 1995, in small-town Ohio. Here, Harbour and Weisz play Alexei and Melina, parents to young Natasha (Ever Anderson, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter) and Yelena (Violet McGraw, Doctor Sleep), and the portrait of all-American domesticity — or that's the ruse, at least. The film doesn't revel in small-town life, neighbourhood playtimes, 'American Pie' sing-alongs and an existence that could've been ripped from The Americans for too long, however, with the quartet soon en route back to Russia via Cuba at shady puppetmaster Dreykov's (Ray Winstone, Cats) beckoning. When the action then jumps forward to 2016, and to the aftermath of that year's Captain America: Civil War, Natasha hasn't seen her faux family for decades. On the run from the authorities, she isn't palling around with the Avengers, either, with the superheroes all going their separate ways. Then the adult Yelena (Pugh) reaches out, because she too has fled her own powers-that-be: Dreykov, the fellow all-female hit squad she's been part of for the last 21 years, and the mind-control techniques that've kept her compliant and killing. There's an unmistakable air of Bourne and Bond to Black Widow from there, but this deftly satisfying flick doesn't trade the MCU's blueprints for other franchises' templates. With Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Somersault, Lore and Berlin Syndrome) in the director's chair, this welcome addition to the franchise spins a thoughtfully weighty story about women trapped at the mercy of others and fighting to regain their agency. Black Widow is available to stream via Disney+ with Premium Access. Read our full review. MY NAME IS GULPILIL Lengthy is the list of Australian actors who've started their careers on home soil, then boosted their fame, acclaim and fortunes by heading abroad. Some have won Oscars. Others are global household names. One plays a pigtailed comic book villain in a big film franchise, while another dons a cape and wields a hammer in a competing blockbuster saga. David Gulpilil doesn't earn any of the above descriptions, and he isn't destined to. It wouldn't interest him, anyway. His is the face of Australian cinema, though, and has been for half a century. Since first gracing the silver screen in Nicolas Roeg's Walkabout, the Yolŋu man has gifted his infectious smile and the irrepressible glint in his eye to many of the nation's most important movies. Indeed, to peruse his filmography is to revel in Aussie cinema history. On his resume, 70s classics such as Mad Dog Morgan and The Last Wave sit alongside everything from Crocodile Dundee and Rabbit-Proof Fence to Australia, Goldstone and Cargo — as well as parts in both the first 1976 film adaptation of Storm Boy and its 2019 remake. The latest film to benefit from the Indigenous talent's presence: My Name Is Gulpilil. It might just be the last do to so, however. That sad truth has been baked into the documentary ever since its subject asked director Molly Reynolds and producer Rolf de Heer — two filmmakers that Gulpilil has collaborated with before, including on Another Country, Charlie's Country, Ten Canoes and The Tracker — to make something with him after he was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. That was back in 2017, when he was given just six months to live. Gulpilil has been proving that diagnosis wrong ever since. Cue this heartfelt portrait of an Australian icon like no other, which celebrates a star who'll never be matched, reminds viewers exactly why that's the case, but is never a mere easy, glossy tribute. Anyone could've combined snippets of Gulpilil's movies with talking heads singing his praises. In the future, someone probably will. But Reynolds is interested in truly spending time with Gulpilil, hearing his tale in his own words, and painting as complete a portrait of his life, work, dreams, regrets, spirit, culture and impact as possible. My Name Is Gulpilil is available to stream via ABC iView. Read our full review. VALERIE TAYLOR: PLAYING WITH SHARKS Steven Spielberg directed Jaws, the 1975 horror film that had everyone wondering if it was safe to go back into the water — and the movie that became Hollywood's first blockbuster, too — but he didn't shoot its underwater shark sequences. That task fell to Australian spearfisher and diver-turned-oceanographer and filmmaker Valerie Taylor and her husband Ron, who did so off the coast of Port Lincoln in South Australia. If it weren't for their efforts, the film mightn't have become the popular culture behemoth it is. When one of the animals the Taylors were filming lashed out at a metal cage that had held a stuntman mere moments before, the pair captured one of the picture's most nerve-rattling scenes by accident, in fact. And, before Peter Benchley's novel of the same name was even published, the duo was sent a copy of the book and asked if it would make a good feature (the answer: yes). Helping to make Jaws the phenomenon it is ranks among Valerie's many achievements, alongside surviving polio as a child, her scuba and spearfishing prowess, breaking boundaries by excelling in male-dominated fields in 60s, and the conservation activism that has drawn much of her focus in her later years. Linked to the latter, and also a feat that many can't manage: her willingness to confront her missteps and then do better. The apprehension that many folks feel when they're about to splash in the ocean? The deep-seated fear and even hatred of sharks, too? That's what Valerie regrets. Thanks to Jaws, being afraid of sharks is as natural to most people as breathing, and Valerie has spent decades wishing otherwise. That's the tale that Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks tells as it steps through her life and career. Taking a standard birth-to-now approach, the documentary has ample time for many of the aforementioned highlights, with Valerie herself either offering her memories via narration or popping up to talk viewers through her exploits. But two things linger above all else in this entertaining, engaging and insightful doco. Firstly, filmmaker Sally Aitken (David Stratton: A Cinematic Life) fills her feature with stunning archival footage that makes for astonishing and affecting viewing (Ron Taylor is credited first among the feature's five cinematographers). Secondly, this powerful film dives into the work that Valerie has spearheaded to try to redress the world's fright-driven perception of sharks. Like last year's David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, 2017's Jane Goodall documentary Jane and underwhelming 2021 Oscar-winner My Octopus Teacher, this is a movie about being profoundly changed by the natural world and all of its splendour. Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. CRUELLA A killer dress, a statement jacket, a devastating head-to-toe ensemble: if they truly match their descriptions, they stand the test of time. Set in 70s London as punk takes over the aesthetic, live-action 101 Dalmatians prequel Cruella is full of such outfits — plus a white-and-black fur coat that's suspected of being made from slaughtered dogs. If the film itself was a fashion item, though, it'd be a knockoff. It'd be a piece that appears fabulous from afar, but can't hide its seams. That's hardly surprising given this origin tale stitches together pieces from The Devil Wears Prada, The Favourite, Superman, Star Wars and Dickens, and doesn't give two yaps if anyone notices. The Emmas — Stone, playing the dalmatian-hating future villain; Thompson, doing her best Miranda Priestly impression as a ruthless designer — have a ball. Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road costume designer Jenny Beavan is chief among the movie's MVPs. But for a film placed amid the punk-rock revolution, it's happy to merely look the part, not live and breathe it. And, in aiming to explain away its anti-heroine's wicked ways, it's really not sure what it wants to say about her. Before she becomes the puppy-skinning fashionista that remains among Glenn Close's best-known roles, and before she's both a wannabe designer and the revenge-seeking talk of the town played by Stone (Zombieland: Double Tap), Cruella is actually 12-year-old girl Estella (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland, Game of Thrones). In this intellectual property-extending exercise from I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie, she sports two-toned hair and a cruel that streak her mother (Emily Beecham, Little Joe) tries to tame with kindness — and she's also a target for bullies, but has the gumption to handle them. Then tragedy strikes, an orphan is born, loss haunts her every move and, after falling in with a couple of likeable London thieves, those black-and-white locks get a scarlet dye job. By the time that Estella is in her twenties, she's well-versed in pulling quick heists with Jasper (Joel Fry, Yesterday) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser, Songbird). She loves sewing the costumes required more than anything else, however. After years spent dreaming of knockout gowns, upmarket department stores and threads made by the Baroness (Thompson, Last Christmas), she eventually gets her chance — for fashion domination, as well as vengeance. Cruella is available to stream via Disney+ with Premium Access, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. MARTIN EDEN The last time that one of Jack London's books made the leap to cinema screens — just last year, in fact — it wasn't a pleasant viewing experience. Starring Harrison Ford and a CGI dog, The Call of the Wild forced viewers to watch its flesh-and-blood lead pal around with a needlessly anthropomorphised canine, to groan-inducingly cheesy results. Martin Eden is a much different book, so it could never get the same treatment. With his radiant imagery, masterful casting and bold alterations to the source material, writer/director Pietro Marcello (Lost and Beautiful) makes certain that no one will confuse this new London adaption for the last, however. The Italian filmmaker helms a compelling, complicated, ambitious and unforgettable film, and one that makes smart and even sensuous choices with a novel that first hit shelves 112 years ago. The titular character is still a struggling sailor who falls in love with a woman from a far more comfortable background than his. He still strives to overcome his working-class upbringing by teaching himself to become a writer. And, he still finds both success and scuffles springing from his new profession, with the joy of discovering his calling, reading everything he can and putting his fingers to the typewriter himself soon overshadowed by the trappings of fame, a festering disillusionment with the well-to-do and their snobbery, and a belief that ascribing worth by wealth is at the core of society's many problems. As a book, Martin Eden might've initially reached readers back in 1909, but Marcello sees it as a timeless piece of literature. He bakes that perception into his stylistic choices, weaving in details from various different time periods — so viewers can't help but glean that this tale just keeps proving relevant, no matter the year or the state of the world. Working with cinematographers Alessandro Abate (Born in Casal Di Principe) and Francesco Di Giacomo (Stay Still), he helms an overwhelmingly and inescapably gorgeous-looking film, too. When Martin Eden is at its most heated thematically and ideologically, it almost feels disquieting that such blistering ideas are surrounded by such aesthetic splendour, although that juxtaposition is wholly by design. And, in his best flourish, he enlists the magnetic Luca Marinelli (The Old Guard) as his central character. In a performance that won him the Best Actor award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival, Marinelli shoulders the eponymous figure's hopes, dreams and burdens like he's lived them himself. He lends them his soulful stare as well. That expression bores its way off the screen, and eventually sees right through all of the temptations, treats and treasures that come Eden's way. Any movie would blossom in its presence; Martin Eden positively dazzles, all while sinking daggers into the lifetime of tumult weathered by its titular everyman. Martin Eden is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. I BLAME SOCIETY She's fired by her manager after he finally reads one of her scripts, then deems the topic of Israel "too political". When his assistant wrangles her a meeting with a couple of indie film producers in the aftermath, she's asked to lend her perspective to stories about strong female voices, breastfeeding in public, and either intersexuality or intersectionality — when it comes to the latter two, they aren't quite sure which. So, as I Blame Society gleefully posits in its savage takedown of the film industry today, it's little wonder that Gillian (writer/director Gillian Wallace Horvat) decides to follow up a leftfield idea. Three years earlier, some of her friends told her that she'd make a great murderer, a notion that she took as a compliment and has been fascinated with to an unhealthy degree ever since. Indeed, at the time, she went as far asking her pal Chase (co-writer Chase Williamson) if she could hypothetically walk through the process of killing his girlfriend. The request put a long-lasting pause on their friendship, to no one else's surprise. Now, as she resurrects the project, her editor boyfriend Keith (Keith Poulson, Her Smell) keeps reiterating that it's a terrible idea; however, with no other avenues forward, Gillian is committed to doing whatever she thinks she needs to to kickstart her career. During a mid-film conversation, an increasingly exasperated Keith reminds Gillian that no "there is no movie that is worth hurting someone for". He's endeavouring to get her to agree, but "if it's a very bad person for a very good movie…" is her quick and firm reply. I Blame Society is equally direct. While Horvat plays a fictional character — and, the audience presumes, hasn't ever flirted with or committed murder in real life — she absolutely slaughters her chosen concept. Not every line or moment lands as intended, but this biting satire sticks a knife into every expectation saddled upon women in general and female filmmakers especially, then keeps twisting. The film's recurrent gags about likeability cleave so close to the truth, they virtually draw blood. Its aforementioned parody of supposed allyship among powerbrokers and gatekeepers is similarly cutting and astute. In their canny script, Horvat and Williamson find ample time to poke fun of a plethora of industry cliches and microaggressions, the treatment of marginalised voices both within filmmaking and in broader society, and even the current true-crime obsession, all without ever overloading the 84-minute movie. And, on-screen as well, Horvat is a savvy delight. She wants viewers to both cringe and nod, and everything about her performance and her feature directorial debut earns that response. I Blame Society is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. A FAMILY Just five letters are needed to turn A Family's title into the name of one of popular culture's most famous clans. The Addams crew aren't the subject of this Australian-produced, Ukraine-shot blend of comedy and drama, but it does delve into the creepy, kooky and mysterious anyway. The feature debut of director Jayden Stevens — who co-wrote the script with his cinematographer Tom Swinburn (Free of Thought) — the absurdist gem spends time with the stern-faced Emerson (first-timer Pavlo Lehenkyi). With none of his family around for unexplained reasons, he pays other Kiev locals to play their parts, staging dinners, Christmas parties and everyday occasions. They eat, chat and do normal family things, all for Emerson's camera. His actors (including Maksym Derbenyov as his brother and Larysa Hraminska as his mother) all need to stick to his script, though, or he'll offer them a surly reprimand. Olga (Liudmyla Zamidra), who has been cast as his sister, struggles the most with her role. She's also the member of this little faux family that Emerson is particularly drawn to. Her own home life with her mother Christina (Tetiana Kosianchuk) is far from rosy, with the pair suffering from her dad's absence, so eventually Olga decides that Emerson's role-play game might work there as well. A Family is a film of patient and precise frames, awkwardly amusing moments, and bitingly accurate insights into the ties that bind — whether of blood or otherwise. It's a movie that recognises the transactional and performative nature of many of life's exchanges, too, and ponders how much is real and fake in both big and seemingly inconsequential instances. To perfect all of the above, Stevens walks in Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Favourite), Aki Kaurismäki (Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope) and even the usually inimitable David Lynch's shoes. His feature is austere, deadpan and surreal all at once, and smart, amusing and savage at the same time as well. Indeed, if a bigger-name filmmaker had made this purposefully and probingly off-kilter picture, it would've likely proven a film festival darling around the globe. A Family did start its big-screen run at a fest, at the Melbourne International Film Festival back in 2019. Now reaching Australian cinemas after a year that's seen everyone either spend more time with or feel more physical distance from their nearest and dearest, it feels doubly potent. Every lingering image shot by Swinburn — and all of the pitch-perfect performances that he captures — speak loudly to the cycle of yearning and disconnection that comes with being alive, and that never stops being put under a microscope. A Family is available to stream via iTunes. THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT Starting in 2013 with The Conjuring, expanding with 2014's Annabelle, and also including The Conjuring 2, both terrible and much better sequels to Annabelle, the dismal The Nun and the formulaic The Curse of the Weeping Woman, The Conjuring Universe now spans eight evil-fighting flicks — and they're all as straightforward as it gets when it comes to battling the nefarious. Circling around real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the franchise posits that the supernatural exists, darkness preys upon the innocent and its central couple usually has the tools to combat everything untoward. That template remains firmly in place in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. With director Michael Chaves (The Curse of the Weeping Woman) and screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (Aquaman) doing the honours — taking their cues from James Wan, the Australian Saw and Insidious co-creator who helmed the first two Conjuring flicks — it once again serves up the usual bumps, jumps and scares that have haunted this franchise since day one. That said, the third Conjuring flick within the broader Conjuring realm does attempt a few changes. Rather than getting creeped out by haunted houses, it gets spooked by a kid and then a teenager who are both possessed. True to form, bone-shakingly horrific things can't simply occur without some kind of excuse and entity at play. The Warrens (Patrick Wilson, Aquaman, and Vera Farmiga, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) are first tasked with saving eight-year-old David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard, WandaVision) from a demon after his family moves to stereotypically sleepy Brookfield, Connecticut. Their efforts seem successful, even if Ed has a heart attack mid-exorcism, but the evil force they're fighting has really just jumped ship. Arne Johnson (Ruairi O'Connor, The Spanish Princess), the boyfriend of David's sister Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook, NOS4A2), is quickly besieged by strange occurrences. He's soon also covered in blood after stabbing his landlord to Blondie's 'Call Me'. The death penalty beckons; however, the Warrens convince Arne's lawyer to plead not guilty by reason of demonic possession — the first time that ever happened in the US — and then commit to unearthing whatever paranormal details they can to save his life. The trailer for The Devil Made Me Do It teases legal thrills, but in a bait-and-switch way, because this film is barely concerned with Arne's court case. The true tale, which was previously dramatised in a 1983 TV movie starring Kevin Bacon, merely provides an easy setup for souped-up demonic antics and a routine, happily by-the-numbers, never remotely terrifying threequel. Indeed, the fact that more flicks will undoubtably still follow is the scariest thing about the film. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Read our full review. THE HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD Someone involved with The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard must really love paperwork; that's the only reason anyone could've given its script the go-ahead. Perhaps Australian filmmaker Patrick Hughes, who also directed 2017's The Hitman's Bodyguard, likes nothing more than keeping his documents in order. Maybe returning screenwriter Tom O'Connor (The Courier) falls into that category, or his debuting co-scribes Phillip and Brandon Murphy — they all made the subject the focus of their screenplay, after all. Whoever fits the bill, their attempt to force audiences to care about bodyguard licensing falls flat. So does the misguided idea that the certification someone might need to unleash their inner Kevin Costner would ever fuel an entire movie. Instead, what was already a needless sequel to a terrible action-comedy becomes even more of a dull and pointless slog, with this by-the-numbers follow-up showing zero signs that anyone spent more than a few seconds contemplating the story. A significant plot point here: that Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds, The Croods: A New Age) has lost his official tick of approval. He's no longer triple A-rated after a mishap in the line of duty, and he isn't coping well. To be fair, no one watching The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard will handle that news swimmingly either, but only because they're made to hear about it over and over, all as Bryce rekindles his begrudging association with assassin Darius Kincaid (Samuel L Jackson, Spiral: From the Book of Saw) and the latter's con artist wife Sonia (Salma Hayek, Bliss). When Darius gets snatched up by nefarious folks during his belated honeymoon with Sonia, only Bryce can help — or so says the angry Mrs Kincaid. She interrupts the latter's vacation with swearing, shouting and shootouts, because that's the kind of feisty Mexican wife that Hayek plays. From there, Reynolds primarily complains, Hayek sticks with stereotypes and Jackson attempts to exude his usual brand of couldn't-care-less cool; however, even more than in Spiral: From the Book of Saw, he's on autopilot. As also seen in Jackson's last big-screen appearance, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard insists on reminding its audience about its stars' better movies. You don't cast both Hayek and Antonio Banderas (who plays a European tycoon plotting the world's demise) if you don't want to bring Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico to mind (and Frida and even Spy Kids 3, too). Thinking about the pair's shared past highlights is far more enjoyable than enduring their current collaboration, unsurprisingly. Making fun of accents is considered the height of comedy here, women can only be hot-headed nags and manchild daddy issues get almost as much love as paperwork. The jokes aren't just scattershot; they're non-existent. The messy, incoherent and over-edited action scenes fare just as badly. None of the above is likely to save us from a third movie, though, which'll probably be called The Hitman's Wife's Baby's Bodyguard's Lost Birth Certificate. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. FATALE Only 14 women have ever won more than one Academy Award for Best Actress, and Hilary Swank is one of them. When she earned the Oscars double for 1999's Boys Don't Cry and 2004's Million Dollar Baby, she beat both Meryl Streep and now three-time recipient Frances McDormand to the feat — but her career hasn't brought the coveted accolade her way again since. Fatale isn't going to change that recent trend. It hasn't earned Swank a Razzie either, but she could've easily been in the running. Playing a Los Angeles cop who has a one-night stand in Las Vegas with an ex-college basketball star turned high-profile player manager, then starts stalking her way through his life while also trying to intimidate her politician ex-husband into giving her back access to her young daughter, she has one mode here: stern-faced yet unbalanced. Even when her character, Detective Valerie Quinlan, is first seen flirting, Swank plays her as if something isn't quite right. That's accurate, plot-wise, but it robs Fatale of any semblance of tension it might've possessed. The film is meant to be an adultery-focused thriller in the Fatal Attraction mould — with even its title blatantly nodding that way — but it just ends up recycling tired, simplistic, overused cliches about unhinged women into a monotonous and unnecessarily convoluted package. Valerie and Derrick (Michael Ealy, Westworld) hit it off at a Vegas bar, then get physical; however, the next morning, he heads home to his wife Tracie (Damaris Lewis, BlacKkKlansman), who he actually suspects of being unfaithful herself. Before Derrick can meaningfully process either his infidelity or his fears about his crumbling marriage, his swanky home is broken into one night — and, because director Deon Taylor (Black and Blue) and screenwriter David Loughery (The Intruder) are content to hit every expected beat there is (and because they've seen every 80s and 90s erotic thriller ever made, too), Valerie is the investigating officer. Despite being woefully predictable from the outset, Fatale doesn't dare have fun with its cookie-cutter narrative. It doesn't evoke thrills, bring anything more than surface style or prove particularly sexy, and it never gets its audience invested in its obvious twists, one-note characters or rote dialogue. And, although having its badge-toting stalker use excessive force and exploit her power to target a person of colour could've been a choice that said something about America's current reckoning with law enforcement, race and police brutality, Fatale doesn't even contemplate anything other than clunky formula. Fatale is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Check out our lists of movies fast-tracked from cinemas to streaming back in May and June. You can also take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows.
When Spilt Milk announced that it wasn't taking place in 2024, instead delaying its next festivals until 2025, it looked like fans of the event were in for a hefty wait till they could next hear live tunes echo from its stages. But if you're in Newcastle, the Gold Coast or Perth — or can get there — that's no longer the case. Spilt Milk's regular fests remain postponed until next year; however, it's hitting up those three cities this November for a new gig series. Meet Spilt Milk House Party, aka the shindigs you throw when you're not throwing your regular shindig. If the tactic sounds familiar, that's because Yours and Owls is deploying it in 2024, too, calling it a pre-party instead. The idea is the same, though: get a bunch of acts to play at a smaller event, rather than the usual big festival rollout. For its version, Spilt Milk hasn't skimped on talent. In addition to his already-announced Australian tour, Troye Sivan leads the Spilt Milk House Party lineup. For company, he'll have Glass Animals, G Flip, Artemas and Sycco. The quintet have a date with usual Spilt Milk stops Perth and the Gold Coast, before also taking the event to Newcastle. While the fest proper normally takes place in Canberra — where it first started — and Ballarat as well, they're not getting their own House Party shows. [caption id="attachment_655626" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Smith[/caption] Given the smaller size, there's limited tickets available for the trio of parties, which will pop up at Kings Park Botanic Garden in Perth on Sunday, November 17; head to Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast on Saturday, November 23; and call Newcastle Entertainment Centre home on Sunday, November 24. When Spilt Milk cancelled its full fest experience for 2024, it did so because it "couldn't get you the Spilt Milk you deserve this year," it announced via social media. "Sooo imma dip for a bit and come back when I can make all ur dreams come true. i miss u xx," the statement continued. [caption id="attachment_967435" align="alignnone" width="1917"] F Fawkes via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Spilt Milk House Party Lineup: Troye Sivan Glass Animals G Flip Artemas Sycco Spilt Milk House Party Dates: Sunday, November 17, 2024 — Kings Park Botanic Garden, Perth Saturday, November 23, 2024 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Sunday, November 24, 2024 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Spilt Milk House Party will hit Perth, the Gold Coast and Newcastle in November 2024, with presale tickets available from 10am local time on Wednesday, September 11 and general sales from 10am local time on Friday, September 13. Head to the festival website for more details.
The Biennale of Sydney is known for its expansive displays of public art, from Ai Weiwei's 60-metre inflatable boat to last year's huge mirrored pavilion. When it returns in 2024 it will reach new heights, allowing art lovers to wander through one historic Sydney building for the first time in a century. The Inner West's White Bay Power Station will swing open its doors to Biennale-goers, granting the public its first chance to explore the heritage-listed building in more than 100 years. The power station has been in the lengthy process of being revitalised and transformed into an arts, culture and community hub as part of the Bay West precinct — and the contemporary art showcase will be the first event to utilise the huge Rozelle space. Artists breathing life into the space will be working within the 2024 theme Ten Thousand Suns. Heat, power, light, summer, joy, strength, the changing climate — all notions that spring to mind. This is what artists will be asked to ponder when creating their pieces for the citywide event. "We are thrilled to be hosting the first major event at White Bay Power Station," says Biennale of Sydney CEO Barbara Moore. "Admission is free. We are presenting some of the best contemporary art from around the world and across Australia, with a robust program of music and food, too, and we can't wait for you to experience it... In March, we swing the doors to White Bay Power Station wide open, and we can't wait for you to be part of it." Alongside the changes to the White Bay Power Station, the long-term plan for the Bay West precinct includes new employment spaces, 250 new homes with provisions for affordable housing and a new Metro station. Overall, the planned changes to the area are expected to create over four hectares of new public and open space. [caption id="attachment_804466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bays West precinct render[/caption] Running from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024 across Sydney, and free to attend as always — with the full list of venues yet to be revealed — the Biennale will feature works by artists such as William Yang, Tracey Moffatt, Serwah Attafuah, Kirtika Kain and Kaylene Whiskey among the homegrown contingent, as well as Sachiko Kazama from Japan, Francisco Toledo from Mexico and Malaysia's Anne Samat. In addition to ample art for attendees to experience, the 24th Biennale of Sydney will also feature a contemporary music lineup in partnership with Phoenix Central Park. The venue's curatorial skills will be taken to new locations beyond its stunning Chippendale site, responding to both Ten Thousand Suns as a theme and the works on display. [caption id="attachment_910497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creation of My Metaverse (Between this World and the Next) (2021). Serwah Attafuah. Digital 3D render, 3600 x 6000 px. Support: Sotheby's. Courtesy the artist © Serwah Attafuah.[/caption] The 24th Biennale of Sydney will run from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024 and will include exhibitions at the revitalised White Bay Power Station. Entry will be free, as always. We'll keep you posted on the whole artist lineup and exhibition program when they're announced. Top image: Adam .J.W.C.
If you've binged your way through The Afterparty already this year, and watched Death on the Nile as well, then you might be in the market for a new murder-mystery fix. Here's one puzzle that's easy to sleuth, because the answer is set to arrive via Disney+ — thanks to the return of instant 2021 favourite Only Murders in the Building. One of last year's surprises and delights — one of last year's best new shows, in fact — this gem weaves true-crime podcasting into the mix, too, all via a very funny murder-mystery comedy. And, thanks to the latest sneak peek at its second season, following other teasers and trailers back in March and May, Only Murders in the Building looks set to continue as it left off. We're never too far away from a new murder-mystery in some shape or form, of course, and Only Murders in the Building's new batch of episodes knows it, tasking its central trio of NYC neighbours-turned-sleuths (and true-crime podcasters) with investigating a second killing. This time, though, the three key residents of the fictional Arconia in New York are suspects, as well as subjects of a competing podcast. Only Murders in the Building focuses three New Yorkers: actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die). They're all addicted to a podcast hosted by the fictional Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva), and find themselves unexpectedly bonding over it, in fact. And, when someone turns up dead in their building, they decide that they can sleuth their way through the case by getting talking themselves. That's how the first season panned out. Now, in season two, Charles-Haden, Oliver and Mabel are weathering the fallout. Complicating their efforts are a trio of factors: their public implication in the death in question; that new podcast about them and this murder; and the suspicions of their neighbours, who think they're guilty. Exactly how that'll play out won't be unveiled until Tuesday, June 28, when Only Murders in the Building returns — but you don't need to be an amateur detective to know that it's bound to be both amusing and twisty. Whatever happens, both Cara Delevingne and Amy Schumer are involved, with the pair joining the cast as guest stars. And, as the new sneak peek shows, Fey is back as well. Check out the latest trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season will start streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28. Read our full review of the show's first season. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
Blend in with the fashionable northern beaches locals with cult favourites like Faithfull the Brand and Assembly Label from Deesse Boutique, which is positioned in a prime corner spot on Avalon's main strip. Deesse sells all the stylish brands the Australian coastal suburbs are known for, so it can be hard to stop at just a couple of pieces. As well as beachy linens, you'll find Levi's jeans, Status Anxiety bags and wallets, and Temple of the Sun jewellery — not to mention all the Valley sunnies you'll be craving, and maybe a new bikini or two.
Our antipodean cousin is officially recognised as a foremost composer with a career spanning seminal post-pop-punk band Blam Blam Blam; art experimentalists The Front Lawn; platinum-selling pop-rockers The Mutton Birds; and several film soundtracks.McGlashan was recently a guest musician at Neil Finn’s 7 Worlds Collide project and he had some added Finn-fun opening for Crowded House on their recent American tour. In July his second solo album, Marvellous Year, will be released to coincide with his first solo dates in Australia, including a special one-off concert as part of the Winter Wonderland series at the Opera House Studio.https://youtube.com/watch?v=Px9-fJJzYrI
A new cafe and bakery with a commitment to high-quality artisan goods has just opened in the former home of West Juliett. The longstanding Marrickville favourite closed down without warning in mid-2022 — but when one door closes another opens, with White Rabbit taking over the corner space on Llewellyn Street. This is the fourth outpost for White Rabbit, with its Marrickville iteration joining spots in Drummoyne, Double Bay and Kiaora Lane. The group of cafes looks to bring together top-quality local suppliers, helping to expand their reach. That's exactly what you'll find at the new Marrickville venue, with Sonoma Bakery's bread and baked goods, Goose Bakery's pastries, Pepe Saya butter and The Little Marionette coffee all featured on the menu. "I am a firm believer in using premium ingredients to craft meals from scratch," says Steven Fadda, who you'll find in charge of the four Sydney spots alongside co-owners Andrea Di Mango and Daniel Antouny. Outside of Sonoma's loaves and Goose's dark chocolate and sea salt cookies, there is a menu of hefty cafe classics. Highlights from the all-day breakfast menu include XO chilli scrambled eggs with mushrooms, fried shallots and sourdough; sweet corn and zucchini fritters topped with avocado salsa, halloumi, chickpea hummus and chilli oil; and a classic bangers and beans big brekkie, featuring braised cannellini beans, nduja, pork and fennel sausages, pork belly, potato, fried eggs and toast. Later in the day, you can turn your attention to the lunch menu which is headlined by a fresh tuna ceviche bowl packed with zucchini and carrot noodles, brown rice, avocado, edamame, wakame, oxheart tomato, white miso and ginger; and a loaded parmesan and herb-crumbed chicken sandwich on toasted Sonoma sourdough. The White Rabbit team has made the most of the building, keeping the bright white aesthetic of West Juliett while shaping the space into a takeaway bakery and 100-seat cafe with both indoor and al fresco dining. If you're looking to drop in to pick up a loaf of bread or a pastry, the bakery is open seven days a week, while the cafe is closed on Mondays. White Rabbit Marrickville is located at 30 Llewellyn Street, Marrickville. The bakery is open 7am–1pm Monday–Sunday and the cafe is open 7am–3pm Tuesday–Sunday.
Back in March, which feels like eons ago, the Australian Government announced a ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people — leading to the cancellation of thousands of events across Australia. Everything from Vivid to Bluesfest was scrapped as the country's COVID-19 restrictions got progressively stricter. Thankfully, we're now on the other side, and restrictions everywhere are easing. In New South Wales, this means the state's events calendar is slowly filling up once more. One thousand gigs are happening as part of the State Government-run Great Southern Nights; stadiums can have up to 10,000 fans in the stands; and theatres, concert halls and cinemas have been given the go-ahead to host events of up to 1000 people. In the latest win for the state, the Government has this week announced that regional events of up to 5000 people will be allowed to happen this summer. In a statement released on Wednesday, November 4, Minister for Regional NSW and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said that regional towns can start planning shows for summer 2021, with the newly allowed large-scale events kicking off with the Bowral Show on Saturday, January 9. "This is really exciting news for regional communities because country shows play a vital role in promoting agriculture and injecting money into local economies," Barilaro said in the statement. "I encourage everyone from the city to get out there and immerse yourself in a country show and get a valuable insight into life in the bush." With regional shows given the go-ahead from early next year, you might be wondering about Sydney's version: the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which was one of the many events forced to cancel in 2020. There's no call just yet, but the NSW Government has advised that it is also working with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to explore options for next year. [caption id="attachment_710789" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sydney Royal Easter Show[/caption] Shows will be required to have social-distancing rules, controlled entry point and capacity limit of one person per four square metres. At the moment, the new rules only apply to regional shows and not other types of events, but it's an encouraging sign. Hopefully it's not too long until punters will be able to head along to a (COVID-safe) music festival. With last year's devastating bushfire season leading to the cancellation of many out-of-town festivals, it's been a long time between bush doofs. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW and current restrictions, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Sydney Royal Easter Show, Riley Durkin.
With the sheer number of popular 90s nights happening at the moment, the recent remake of childhood favourites like The Lion King and Aladdin, and the return of artists such as Usher, Janet Jackson, it was only a natural step for the biggest selling boy band — and the target of all your teenage affection — to make a return, too. Backstreet's back, alright. So, unroll your posters and dust-off that secret diary, and get ready to belt out the lyrics to 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)', 'As Long As You Love Me' and 'I Want It That Way', when the famous five — AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson — head to Australia in May 2020 for a very nostalgic arena tour. Hitting up stadiums in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, the Backstreet Boys will also be performing songs off their just-released tenth album, DNA. It (surprisingly?) debuted as number one on the charts when it was released and features Grammy-nominated single 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. But, we know you'll most likely be there for the 90s and early 00s goodness. You've got nine whole months until they're here, so plenty of time to relearn the moves to 'Everybody' and rewatch many retro music videos. Here's one for you to start with: https://youtu.be/6M6samPEMpM BACKSTREET BOYS DNA WORLD TOUR 2020 DATES Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Wednesday, May 20 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena, Friday, May 22 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, Tuesday, May 26 Perth — RAC Arena, Saturday, May 30 Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour pre-sale begins at 3pm on Tuesday, September 17 with general tickets go on sale at midday on Monday, September 23 via Live Nation.
Since opening in 2016, Restaurant Hubert has been a citywide favourite for Sydneysiders looking for a high-quality French meal or a fine dining experience in the CBD. But with everyone stuck in their homes, for the time being, fine dining is often traded for trackies and a Big Mac. Hubert is looking to change that, bringing the Restaurant Hubert experience into your home with its new takeaway menu Hubert À La Maison. Available for delivery across NSW and ACT Thursday–Sunday, the takeaway menu features selections from the Restaurant Hubert menu a la carte and accompanying French wines and beers. There are also two banquet menus. The first Le Petit Banquet for two includes pork terrine wrapped in pastry, roasted snails with XO butter, chicken fricassée, confit mushroom with peppercorn sauce, sautéed greens and creme caramel for dessert. The second vegetarian option swaps out the pork, chicken and snails for gnocchi and shitake in parmesan cream, Gruyere souffle and kimchi gratin. Both banquets require some work to heat them so you can enjoy them warm and fresh, but come with detailed instructions on everything you need to do to recreate the Restaurant Hubert experience. Browse the menu here.
When Repressed Records moved from Penrith to Newtown 16 years ago, they knew they were setting up shop in the right scene. Famous for its vast vinyl collection, the store specialises in independent Australian music and always has an interesting range of music from around the world you won't find in your run-of-the-mill music store. Biggest sellers include names like Royal Headache, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Bed Wettin' and Total Control. Never heard of any of these bands? That's fine — the team behind Repressed are always happy to make recommendations to ease you into one of the most underrated music genres of all time. The store also stocks knick knacks like carry bags and books from local artists — and other niche things.
You've probably noticed times are tough for hospo venues, especially those of the live music variety. However, until the end of June, you can do them a small favour with the help of purpose-driven, non-alc beer brewing legends, Heaps Normal. When the time comes to replenish your non-alcoholic beer stocks at home, online customers have the option to send a free case of Heaps Normal to their favourite venue. No strings attached — your local watering hole just gets a free case of beer to sell at their pleasure. "Aussie hospo venues – particularly live music venues – have been doing it tough lately and we're keen to give back. We figured the best way to do that was to let our community decide where the good karma should flow," says Heaps Normal's Chief Brand Officer Tim Snape. This good deed might just be the right move for you as well. Rather than waking up with a splitting headache after a big night out, the brand's tasty brews won't leave you with a hangover that stretches long into next week. "All you need to do is purchase a case of Heaps Normal for yourself and let us know which local watering hole you want to shower with a little good Karma (Case). We'll even throw a handwritten love letter from you in there, too," says Snape. When you're ready to bank that karma, you're welcome to gift any case from Heaps Normal's core range, from the down-to-earth Another Lager to the newly released Third IPA. Then, it's just a matter of your choice arriving at your go-to venue's door, ready to satiate thirsty customers keen to sidestep tomorrow's agony. Heaps Normal's Karma Cases campaign runs until the end of June. Head to the website for more information.
These days, having actual cash in your wallet is a real rarity. But it's probably not something you'll need to worry about when picking up your next copy of The Big Issue, with many of the charity magazine's street vendors accepting cashless payments from today. This move into the digital economy means customers can now purchase an edition of the magazine using a debit or credit card. Two cashless options are being rolled out by vendors across the country, including regular tap-and-go, and via mobile payment app Beem It, which can receive instant payments. The Big Issue street vendors are able to choose whether they'll offer one or both of the card options, or simply stick with the previous cash system. The fortnightly magazine, which provides work opportunities for homeless or disadvantaged people, without access to mainstream jobs, has been operating in Australia since 1996. It's hoped the new digital payment offering will boost sales of the magazine, reaching more customers and helping those selling it to increase their profits, putting more money back into the pockets of disadvantaged Aussies. As always, each of the fortnightly editions will sell for $7, with half of that kept by the vendor. The newest edition — aptly titled 'Cashless Revolution' — hits the streets today. Vendor images: Nicole Reed.
Fans of Trainspotting will probably want to check out Filth, the new film adaptation of the 1998 Irvine Welsh novel. Jon S. Baird directs James McAvoy as Bruce Robertson, a bipolar, misanthropic junkie detective (role of a lifetime) who, when he's not awash in drugs, alcohol and sex games, spends his time plotting the downfall of his fellow colleagues. In his quest to trump them and secure a coveted promotion, he stops at nothing — stealing their wives, exposing their darkest secrets. Oh, and there's a murder to be solved, too. Things escalate to the point of madness, with plenty of manipulation, hallucination and downright insanity. McAvoy won critical praise for his performance upon the film's UK release and is supported by some stellar UK actors including Jim Broadbent, Jamie Bell and Eddie Marsan (who was so good in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky and Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur). The film will no doubt give a typically Welsh-ian insight into the grim, violent underbelly of Edinburgh — with a few laughs. Filth is in cinemas on November 21, and thanks to Icon Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
From big pineapples to big melons to big lobsters, Australia is rather fond of a giant-sized statue. We're also the home of the big banana, big avocado, big bench and big guitar, as well as the big merino, big prawn and big potato. The big list of Big Things not only keeps going on, but has just scored a new addition, too — the Big Lollipop. To answer the obvious question: no, it isn't edible. Sorry to dash your Willy Wonka-style dreams. You will be able to stand beneath the new towering sweet and lick the real thing, however, because it happens to be located outside — where else? — a candy store. Just unveiled on Sunday, September 8 in Ravensthorpe in Western Australia — around 530 kilometres southeast of Perth, if you're planning your next road trip — the Big Lollipop stands next to the pink-hued Yummylicious Candy Shack. Owner Belinda McHarg came up with the idea two years back, as a way to help boost tourism when the local nickel mine closed down for the second time, and now this oversized candy has become a reality. Sure, everyone has seen a hefty edible lollipop before. When you were a kid, you probably convinced your parents to buy you one, couldn't get through it all, hid the rest under the couch and raced around the house in a sugar-fuelled high. We've all been there. This giant version definitely can't be eaten, and it really is giant, standing over seven metres tall (7.4 to be exact) and measuring four metres wide. It's also the world's largest freestanding lollipop, because if you're going to go big, you may as well go all the way. Painted a rainbow of colours, as plenty of smaller-sized lollipops tend to be, the Big Lollipop was launched to mark Yummylicious' third anniversary. The Big Lollipop is located outside the Yummylicious Candy Shack, 89 Morgans Street, Ravensthorpe, Western Australia. The store is open from 10am–5pm daily — for more information, visit the shop's Facebook page. Images: Dana Fairhead.
It's never too cold to party. At least, that's what the guys behind Snowtunes say. And for its third year, this Snowy Mountains music festival is coming back even bigger — twice the size actually. With the addition of a second night of festivities, the party people have also added a second stage so punters can enjoy live music at one and dance it out at the other, dedicated to EDM. Mark your calendars, snag some tickets and find some snow gear, because September 1 and 2 are fast approaching. Who's expected to take to the stage? There'll be plenty of Aussie-born talent to set your weekend's soundtrack after a day on the slopes, including L D R U, Gang of Youths, Nina Las Vegas, Mashd N Kutcher and Tigerlily. New Zealand-born singer-songwriter Mitch James and French DJ Klingande will bring some tunes from abroad into the mix, too. Really, it's a slam dunk of a lineup. And in between sets you'll be able to grab a drink at this year's Bag Jump Adventure Park, a VIP champagne bar, as Lake Jindabyne gets transformed into the ultimate party snow globe. Stay tuned for any updates and announcements on Snowtunes here.
First, the bad news: as much as fans of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan's excellent Australian mystery series Deadloch want it to (and we do want it to), the first season of that stellar new show doesn't go on forever. Now, some news to help cope with that reality: come August, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will hit streaming to deliver another twisty Aussie affair. This one heads to the screen from the page, with Holly Ringland's 2018 novel getting the miniseries treatment. And, it features one helluva huge name leading the show. Alien and Ghostbusters legend Sigourney Weaver stars as June, the no-nonsense grandmother to the titular nine-year-old, in the seven-part drama — with the story kicking into gear when Alice loses her parents in suspicious circumstances. On the page and on Prime Video — where The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will debut on Friday, August 4 — Alice moves to Thornfield flower farm after the life-changing tragedy, and starts to find solace among its wildflower blooms. But her new home is also the place where secrets about her family and their past start to blossom. Wondering about the show's mood? In both the initial teaser trailer back in June and the just-dropped new full trailer now, the series emphasises that it hails from the producers of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Lambs of God's Sarah Lambert, Mustang FC's Kirsty Fisher and A League of Their Own's Kim Wilson penned the scripts, while Penguin Bloom's Glendyn Ivin directs every instalment. As well as Weaver as Alice's grandmother, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart stars Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead) as its namesake, plus Ayla Browne (Nine Perfect Strangers) as the younger version. The cast from there is a who's who of homegrown talent, including fellow Nine Perfect Strangers alum Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Hotel Mumbai), Xavier Samuel (The Clearing) and Alexander England (Black Snow). In sneak peeks that highlight the complex decades-spanning drama surrounding the titular character, the swirling lies and simmering mistrust, fire, the Aussie backdrop and the big-name stars, Frankie Adams (The Expanse), Charlie Vickers (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Sebastián Zurita (How to Survive Being Single). Check out the full trailer for The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart below: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will start streaming via Prime Video from Friday, August 4.
Comedian Kyle Ayers was enjoying the view from the rooftop of his New York City apartment one day with some neighbours when a couple in the midst of a heated squabble suddenly appeared. So what did Ayers do? Politely look the other way and mind his own business? Of course not. Like any good social (media) Samaritan, he whipped out his smartphone and started tweeting about the whole ordeal. His series of live-tweets of the couple's retorts caused quite a buzz in the Twittersphere and was traceable by the fitting tag, #roofbreakup. He started the sequence on Saturday evening, saying "A couple is breaking up on my roof right now. I was just trying to enjoy the view. Now I will live tweet the breakup." Rapidly reporting the exchange between 'guy' and 'girl' (who we later learnt was named Rachel), Ayers captured their dislikes of friends, questions of moving in together and accusations of infidelity. Highlights include: "Say something else about my fucking wardrobe" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "I'm not looking for marriage, just what's right below marriage" -girl #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "Your roommates are fucking assholes" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "You think I'm immature? Calling people immature is immature!" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "Do you love me?" -girl (OH BOY HERE WE GO, PEOPLE) #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "My roommates are always like 'wheres your boyfriend?' And I'm like 'hmm' and stuff." -girl #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 This guy is four cigs deep right now. #roofbreakup #teamrachel — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "I don't think we need to talk about this up here with some random guy over there." -guy (uh oh, I'm that guy over here) #roofbreak — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 "He's just sitting on his fucking phone he doesn't care (talking about me). Answer my question." -girl (hahahahahahaha) #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 and the royal cherry on top: "Are we getting pizza or what? I don't mean to change the subject but are we?" -guy #roofbreakup — Kyle Ayers (@kyleayers) November 17, 2013 The guy, who was furiously chain-smoking the entire time, finally declared "I'm not talking about love on a roof in Brooklyn." Clearly, this is the 21st century's adaptation of Clark Gable's famous retort, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." How debonair. Read the full #roofbreakup tweets on Storify. Via Huffington Post.
After an epic ticketing hack spoiled everything for hyperventilating punters on release day, Splendour in the Grass has rectified the situation with a fresh batch of tickets. Initially released in early May, Splendour tickets found themselves both the target of more festival-seekers than ever in Splendour history and hackers who charged said ticket buyers thousands in sneaky fees. Attempting to put smiles back on the dials of festivalgoers and shareholders alike, Splendour and North Byron Parklands applied for a capacity increase of 2500 tickets. Prompting high fives Australia-wide, the Department of Planning and Environment have approved the increase. The new load of tickets will go on sale at 9am AEST on Thursday, June 12 via Moshtix. Splendour are releasing a mixture of three-day, single-day and camping tickets. If you miss out on this predictably chaotic bid for tickets, Splendour's Re-sale facility allows ticketholders who bail on Byron plans to offload their ticket to anyone who missed out. The Re-sale will be open through Moshtix from 9am AEST Monday, June 16. Splendour is pleading with punters to avoid buying through online auction sites or dodgy-looking creeps outside the front gate. Your name and DOB will be printed on your ticket. The Splendour in the Grass lineup and more details are over here.
UPDATE, July 6, 2021: Antarctica Flights will also be flying out of Canberra this year, departing on November 7. For further details, head to the Antarctica Flights website. Seeing the South Pole is a bucket-list dream at the best of times, and even more so in these pandemic-afflicted times. But, if you have a bit of spare cash to burn, it's actually achievable — including while Australia's borders remain mostly closed to international travel. Eager to head overseas just for one day? Then you'd best get in quick to score a seat on the upcoming Antarctica flights out of Australia. As it has in previous years, sightseeing group Antarctica Flights is taking bookings for a series of rare, sky-high charter tours. And if you're wondering how the day trips can go ahead during COVID-19, that's because they're classified as domestic flights. You won't even need to take your passport with you. Departing Perth (November 14, 2021), Adelaide (November 21, 2021), Brisbane (November 28, 2021), Melbourne (December 5, 2021 and February 6, 2022) and Sydney (December 31, 2021 and February 13, 2022), these flights will cruise above the dazzling Antarctica Treaty area for around four hours. Each flight path is carefully chosen to maximise viewing from both sides of the plane and to ensure the best views should the weather turn nasty, while some passengers will rotate seats to allow everyone an equal shot at the spectacular scenery below. Travelling on a Qantas 787 Dreamliner, the whole trip clocks in at around 12.5 hours — depending on your departure city — during which you'll hear from expert Antarctic explorers, talking about the polar environment and its fascinating history. All that, while enjoying some better-than-average Qantas plane food, full bar service and, in the lead-up to the views, a spot of in-flight entertainment — classic flick Happy Feet, or some Antarctic docos, of course. As expected, this kind of plane trip doesn't come cheap — you're looking at $1199 to be seated without direct access to a window. Other options, including Standard Economy Class ($2199), Superior Economy Class ($3199) and Premium Economy Class ($3999) involve seat rotations throughout the flight, so passengers can spend time both close to the window and further away. Of course, you and your favourite travel buddy could drop $7999 each on Business Class Deluxe tickets to have a window seat and the one next to it all to yourselves for the entire flight. Regardless of which type of seat you fork out for, COVID-19 safety measures will be in effect — including temperature testing and pre-flight health and safety forms; providing disposable masks, sanitiser and disinfectant wipes; enhanced cleaning procedures; and not selling all seats in Economy Class. Antarctica Flights' 2021–22 season is open for bookings now, with flights out of Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney between November 14, 2021–February 13, 2022. Images: Antarctica Flights
The next level of the global transport economy is fast approaching — even Down Under. First, there was news that Melbourne could be one of the first cities to test Uber's flying cars, then came the announcement of the proposed Hyperloop Transport System, which would get you from Sydney to Melbourne, or Brisbane to Sydney, in just 37 minutes. Sure, these are still a relatively distant dream, but one such technological advance is much closer than you may think — an Uber-like service with driverless electric cars, courtesy of Tesla. At a conference earlier this week, Tesla founder Elon Musk announced that the company is planning to roll out a massive fleet of one million self-driving 'robotaxis' as early as next year. These autonomous vehicles are planned to hit roads in the US by mid-2020 — regulatory approvals pending, of course. If all goes to Musk's plan, here's how it'll work: the app will function much the way all ride-sharing apps do — except the car will drive itself. The existing Tesla app will be fitted with a 'summon' option, where you'll be able to order the closest robotaxi from its stored location, and it'll drive itself over to pick you up. [caption id="attachment_718225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tesla ride-sharing app[/caption] Plus, some Telsa owners will be able to add their own car to the service, with the options to limit sharing to friends, co-workers or social media contacts. In areas where not enough share vehicles are available, Tesla will release a dedicated fleet to ensure short wait times. But what does this mean for Australia? According to the ABC, Australian transport ministers plan to have a regulation for commercial self-driving vehicles in place by next year — a neatly timed goal with Musk's ambitious roll out. So, depending on which way next month's election swings, we could soon be riding in cars with no-one at the wheel. If you're really interested, a four-hour livestream of the Tesla conference, in which Musk discusses the ride-sharing service, is available to watch here. Tesla is aiming to put one million self-driving 'robotaxis' on US roads by mid-next year, depending on regulatory approvals. In Australia, regulations for commercial autonomous vehicles are set to be in place by next year.
Just seven months in, 2021 has already been a big year for Marvel. Not one, not two, but three streaming series have hit Disney+, and Black Widow is currently both streaming and in cinemas. More silver-screen releases are coming before the year is out, too, courtesy of both Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals. Also big news right now, although it won't actually come to fruition in 2021: a second season of Loki. The third of Marvel's Disney+ series for this year to focus on characters from the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, this show about the franchise's favourite trickster instantly stood out from its sibling programs. Having Tom Hiddleston (Avengers: Endgame) step back into the God of Mischief's shoes will do that, of course. With WandaVision, Marvel gave the world a nodding, winking sitcom that morphed into an engaging but still quite standard entry in its ever-growing on-screen realm. With The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it opted for an odd couple action-thriller that hit every mark it needed to, but rarely more. But, across its six-episode first season — which just wrapped up yesterday, Wednesday, July 14 — Loki has proven far more willing to toy with its premise and have fun with its central character. It's now going to do exactly that during a second season as well. News of Loki's second batch of episodes was dropped in the credits for its latest episode, thanks to a stamp that says "Loki will return in season two". That's all the information that's been revealed so far — but if you're a fan of the figure, Hiddleston or both, it's a welcome development. Across its first season, Loki's charms didn't solely radiate from its leading man. He's as charismatically wily as ever (as he's always been in his scene-stealing big-screen appearances in the Thor and Avengers films), but this series has also been helped immensely by its aforementioned playfulness, and also by the great cast surrounding its star. Teaming up duos is obviously currently Marvel's thing, but Loki pairs its eponymous trickster with a time cop played by Owen Wilson (Bliss), gets them palling around in buddy cop-meets-science fiction territory, and also throws in Sophia Di Martino (Yesterday) as a character that's best discovered by watching. The setup: thanks to his previous actions with the Tesseract, Loki finds himself in a bit of trouble. The TVA — that'd be the Time Variance Authority — is on his case, which is where Wilson's Mobius M Mobius comes in. But, that's just where the show starts. Here, viewers came for the usual Hiddleston mischievousness, and stayed for everything this quickly involving series built around him — all while charting what happens when Loki is forced to face the consequences of his past actions. The new season of Loki, whenever it arrives, will join the long list of other upcoming shows that are in the works at Disney+. That includes Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Secret Invasion (about Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury), Iron Heart, Armour Wars, I Am Groot, a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and a series set in Wakanda. Check out the full trailer for Loki's first season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUwwdj6AlBA The first season of Loki is available to stream via Disney+ now. Exactly when the second season will arrive is yet to be announced — we'll update you with more details when they come to hand. Top image: ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
It's no overstatement to describe Neil Perry — the restaurateur, chef and revered doyen of Australian cooking — as an icon. Now, however, it's official. On Thursday, June 6, Perry was announced as the winner of the Woodford Reserve Icon Award at a glitzy ceremony in Las Vegas for The World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2024, one of the culinary scene's most prestigious gongs. The achievement, which is voted for by an international panel of 1080 industry experts, recognises an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry that's deemed worthy of global notice. "Throughout my career, I've been incredibly lucky to work with some of the finest hospitality professionals in the world, doing what I love and creating memorable experiences for people to enjoy," said Perry of his accomplishment. "I hope this award inspires everyone in our industry to keep going and to never give up." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neil Perry (@chefneilperry) For more than four decades, Perry has been a guiding light of Sydney's restaurant scene. Cutting his teeth in some of the city's top kitchens, including Sails in Rose Bay, he first made his mark in 1986 when he launched the Blue Water Grill in Bondi. However, it was his next major venture — and arguably his most famous — that would catapult him to global stardom. Opened in 1989, Rockpool quickly asserted itself as not only one of Sydney's top fine-diners, but also one of the nation's — and in 2002, it was ranked the fourth best place to eat on the planet by The World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards. Today it has grown to be a cherished brand, with sister venues in Perth and Melbourne. Despite Perry stepping down as the group's Culinary Director in 2020, it continues his storied legacy, ranking as the eighth best steak restaurant in the world in May 2024. [caption id="attachment_960466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] One of Perry's defining traits is his ability to project his love and understanding of food through many cultural lenses. From Asian to Italian and even burgers and aeroplane food, Perry's menus are a fusion of top-tier produce and craftsmanship with an accessible attitude and a belief that cooking doesn't need to be gastronomically pretentious to be exceptional. Take, for example, his most recent venture Margaret, a deeply personal "neighbourhood restaurant" named for Perry's deceased mother. Despite its humble billing, the judging panel noted that at Margaret, diners experience "a veteran bringing together his love of super-fresh seafood and Asian flavours to outstanding effect". It also currently ranked as the third best steak restaurant in the world. Since opening Margaret in 2021, Perry has extended his presence on Double Bay's Guilfoyle Avenue to the Baker Bleu bakery next door, and he has two more venues preparing to open in the area in late August: Asian-inspired diner Song Bird and cocktail bar Bobby's. [caption id="attachment_961054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petrina Tinslay[/caption] The only other Australian to be recognised by this year's The 50 Best Restaurants Awards was Josh Niland, whose revolutionary low-to-no waste seafood diner Saint Peter placed 98th on the 100-venue longlist. Perry is one of Australia's most-decorated chefs, having earned more Good Food Chef's Hats (Australia's answer to Michelin stars) than any other individual in the country, as well as numerous other accolades. However, this latest laurel makes the point most definitively: if you're someone with even a glancing interest in eating well, you need to experience a dish crafted by Perry at least once in your life. [caption id="attachment_961135" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petrina Tinslay[/caption] For the full rundown of The World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2024, head to the list's website. Top image: Petrina Tinslay.
For Australian music fans, Triple J's Hottest 100 is the most important event of the calendar year — followed closely by the date Splendour in the Grass tickets go on sale. With so much at stake music-wise, nominating yourself as host for the Hottest 100 party — and deciding what to serve — can be a daunting task. So, we've teamed up with BWS to ensure you snag a sausage that pairs perfectly with your Hottest 100 picks — a banger for your banger, if you will. Plus, if you share a snap of your snags to Instagram (post or story) and tag BWS, the company will donate $1 for every sausage in the picture to GIVIT. How good. So, before you head to the shops to get the supplies, hit this list to make sure you select savoury cylinders that are as tasty as your favourite tunes. 'GET MY OUT' BY KING STINGRAY Fans of this track by King Stingray are likely to have found themselves in one of two circumstances in 2021: a seemingly unending lockdown in one of our major cities or in a garbage job that they were ready to give the middle finger to. In our opinion, lovers of a song called 'Get Me Out' deserve a snag that'll set them free. If that's you, we can't go past the free-range frankfurters from Paddock to Plate. 'HERTZ' BY AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS The high-octane energy of Amyl and the Sniffers requires a snag that'll live up to the band's turbo reputation and gets the job done without too much fuss. And, since we're matching it with a title that measures frequency, we believe quantity is important, too. Our pick for Sniffers fans is a value pack of snags that are a staple at all good sharehouse barbecues and Bunnings sausage sizzles — the 1.8 kilomgram value pack of thin snags from Woolies. These bangers have been proven to satisfy the masses and feel almost as good as fanging down a highway in a Hertz hire car. 'MAREA (WE'VE LOST DANCING)' BY FRED AGAIN.. AND THE BLESSED MADONNA If you voted for 'Marea (We've Lost Dancing)', there's a good chance you're the person at a party who dominates the dancefloor. Considering you'll be spending most of the day hurling your flesh prison all over the backyard, we recommend taking your snags in small doses to avoid tasting them twice. A 16-pack of chicken chipolatas are an ideal bite-size snag that you could probably woof down in one go if you really tried. Plus, given there are so many in the pack, you'll have plenty of fuel to sustain your dancing all the way to number one. 'LIE TO ME AGAIN' BY THE BUOYS If you're someone who wants to be lied to, a pack of the plant-based snags with the adjective 'beefy' in the title seem like the kind of misleading sausage that you'd be into. Unreal Co's six-pack of vegetarian beefy brats are perfect for people who want to feel hoodwinked by a sausage. Go on, gaslight yourself with this irresistible snag. It'll be just like when the person this song reminds you of did it, right? 'KIM' BY TKAY MAIDZA (FEATURING BABY TATE) A track that brings as much heat as 'Kim' by Tkay Maidza and Baby Tate calls for a snag that is as hot and spicy as the song itself. Our solution? The smoked chilli snags from Suzy Spoon's Vegetarian Butcher. These vegan sausages are both super delicious and pack a punch, much like the song in question. Big fan of chilli dogs? These are a quality meat-free alternative with a chorizo-like flavour for an added kick. 'GOLD CHAINS' BY GENESIS OWUSU Fans of Genesis Owusu aren't your run-of-the-mill music lovers. They boast a superior sonic palate and we suspect that this elite taste exists when it comes to the humble snag, too. Lovers of an award-winning artist will want an award-winning snag. And, if Kel Knight has taught us anything, winning sausage competitions is serious business. Our go-to is The Gourmet Sausage Company's award-winning artisanal pork and fennel bangers. 'STAY' BY THE KID LAROI AND JUSTIN BIEBER Voted for a collaboration this huge in the Hottest 100? You'll be needing a snag that has a minimum of three main ingredients in it for the countdown. There are plenty of combination sausages to choose from however we're of the firm belief that it's the chicken, feta and spinach variety that pairs perfectly with this sad banger. It's salty, smooth and surprisingly good — much like the Bieber x Laroi collaboration itself. 'DRIVERS LICENCE' BY OLIVIA RODRIGO So you spent 2021 rinsing Olivia Rodrigo's debut album Sour? Us too. And while we simply adored immersing in the rich teenage angst of the record, a track from an album with a title this tangy needs a sweeter snag to balance things out. We recommend a pack of honey-flavoured beef sausages. And if that's a touch too sugary for you, load them up with onions to ensure you get that all-important cathartic cry while slicing them up and belting out this tune. Want to support a good cause while you enjoy your bangers? Upload a snap of your snags to Instagram (post or story), tag @bws_au and use the hashtag #snagadonation to ensure a $1 for every sausage in the shot is donated to GIVIT. Just make sure your Instagram profile is set to public for your entry to be counted. For more information, visit the website. Images: Elliott Kramer.
Whether it's been six weeks, six months or six years, there's nothing quite like a romantic getaway to add a sense of excitement to a relationship. And now's the perfect time to explore even more of what our fine country has to offer for your next romantic escape. Canberra definitely fills the brief for a romantic getaway — and it's certainly much closer (and more affordable) than Paris. You and your plus one can enjoy stunning views from both the ground and the sky, plus luxe dinners and unique experiences that you may be able to tell the grandkids about one day. Here are five experiences you can have in and around the city that'll help you woo your boo. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Record label Future Classic is turning 20 years in the business, and to celebrate, it's taking over one of Sydney's most prominent venues for one hell of a party. From small beginnings in the club scene to representing huge names in both Australia and the United States, there's plenty the label has to toast to. Spanning three stages at City Recital Hall on Friday, February 27th, the celebration will consist of hours of music, dancing, and discovery, honouring the label's two decades of fostering community, innovation, and creativity. The event is 18+. From its early days of throwing underground club nights, Future Classic has grown into an international powerhouse. Now home to a record label, management, publishing, and events team with headquarters in both Sydney and Los Angeles, they've been instrumental in the careers of acts including Flume, Chet Faker, SOPHIE, G Flip, Flight Facilities, Hayden James, Sycco, Wafia, Ta-ku, and more. They've released hundreds of records, amassed billions of streams, and earned multiple ARIA and Grammy Awards, all while remaining Australian-owned and independently run. The one-night-only show will bring together some of the label's most beloved artists for an unforgettable birthday celebration. ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter Emma Louise will deliver a rare and spellbinding performance, while Brisbane singer-songwriter and producer Sycco will appear with her slew of hits. And Italo-disco maestro Touch Sensitive will recruit his full live band for a career-spanning performance, including his recent album In Paradise. [caption id="attachment_1044374" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cybele Malinowski[/caption] Also taking the stage will be Chilean selector Paula Tape, Atlanta-based DJ and producer Nikki Nair, local hero Panama, the lush creations of Tentendo, and a customary appearance from Future Classic DJs. Plus, expect some very special surprise guests B2B during the night. Future Classic have also launched a special archival website, giving music lovers a chance to take a trip down memory lane, while we await the celebrations in the new year. Check it out here. General tickets are on sale now, get yours here.
If spending more time indoors this winter has you craving all things sweet and comforting, that's understandable. As the world keeps reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year later, pining for sugar and whatever makes your tastebuds happy is a completely natural response. Enter San Churro's new range of winter snack packs, which are all about pairing its eponymous dish with other dessert favourites. Last year, the nationwide chain has launched a retro-influenced range of churro snack packs. This year, it's adapting the concept to include tried-and-tested sweet treats. So, each kit combines churros — aka long, thin, fried-dough pastries — with something else that'll get your mouth watering. Think: apple pies and s'mores. Each pack comes with mini churros, whichever other dessert is in the spotlight, and your choice of drizzled white, dark or milk chocolate. The apple pie version also includes vanilla ice cream, while the s'mores kit has both cookie butter s'mores and toasted marshmallows. There's a third variety, focusing on jam doughnuts, too — but, given their similarity to churros, they come solo, in balls, then topped with strawberry coulis, vanilla custard and strawberries. The new packs are available in-store now, including for takeaway; however, they're just part of the chain's new winter menu. It's also serving up hot chocolate bombs, but you have to consume them onsite — so, for now, Sydneysiders and Melburnians can't enjoy them during lockdown. What's a hot chocolate bomb? It's a ball of chocolate that comes filled with marshmallows, mini Oreos, or cocoa cereal and Milo. Again, you can choose between white, dark or milk chocolate — and then you pour hot milk over the top and get sipping. San Churro operates 13 stores in New South Wales, nine in Victoria and ten in Queensland, as well as 14 in Western Australia and three in South Australia. San Churro's new winter snack packs are available now. For further information, visit the chain's website.
Last year, you ate copious amounts of burgers, and to balance it out, bunches and bunches of kale. Your beer got craftier than ever before. You wanted to know more about where your food came from, so you chatted to farmers and ate locally-sourced produce. Instead of extensive menus overloaded with choice, you opted for simpler, cleaner and more expertly-prepared dishes. You kept food trucks doing the rounds. You learnt more about Korean cuisine. And you decided that food tastes better when you share it. So, what's in store for 2015? We're expecting sustainability and seasonality taken to extremes, with hearty broths and micro-seasonal menus; the decline of kale; the rise of roots; veggie-fuelled desserts; cheaper lobster; more restaurant swaps; and epic, multi-sensory dining experiences, thanks to the wonders of neurogastronomy. Here are eight trends to look out for. VEGETABLES IN DESSERTS If only your mama had thought of this when she was struggling to get those Brussels sprouts down your recalcitrant, pint-sized throat. Pretending that vegetables aren't vegetables at all, but actually dessert, is one surefire way to crank up your five-a-day tally. In countries like Vietnam, where beans, lotus root and the like frequently feature in sweet treats, this isn't a new thing. But we're only just getting on the healthy yet tasty dessert bandwagon. Parsnip's been the main contender in Australia so far, thanks to Three Blue Ducks' chocolate with smoked parsnip and Four in Hand's parsnip ice cream with matching chips. RESTAURANT AND BAR SWAPS It seems that chefs and restaurateurs the world over are growing increasingly restless. Rather than keeping their gastronomical discoveries to their local clientele, they're keen to share them across regions and even hemispheres via swaps. Thousands of Melbournians got lucky (or greedy) when Heston Blumenthal announced he'd be bringing his Fat Duck to town, while Denmark's Noma has just opened its doors in Tokyo for a two-month stint. The trend is picking up at bar level too, with the Rook and Black Pearl doing an exchange in May last year. BROTH The more finite the Earth's resources are starting to look, the less we want to waste. In ancient times, when frugality was a necessity rather than an eco-conscious choice, the humble broth was master. Concocted out of animal bones and veggie scraps, it turned mere leftovers into a comfort food feast. Today, broth is the logical extension of our continual move towards sustainable food production. What's more, only Thai restaurants can compete when it comes to names. A restaurant in Melbourne has already jumped on the inevitable: Brothl, while in New York, there’s Brodo. Bring on the broth in 2015. AFFORDABLE LOBSTER After years of exclusivity, the lobster is at last stepping off its high horse and coming down to the street. Heading up the new egalitarian approach in Sydney is Burger Liquor Lobster, which has popped up for summer in both Paddo and Manly, waving $15 lobster rolls and lobster popcorn in front of our seafood-craving faces. The crustacean is getting affordable in London, too, where new trendy hangout Burger and Lobster is selling 2000 lobsters per day across six shopfronts. HATTED CHEFS OPENING CASUAL DINERS This trend, which comes direct from Paris, represents the latest in the growth of premium dining in a casual atmosphere. Hatted chefs are expanding beyond their illustrious premises into bistros, where they're making high-end gastronomy accessible to a mid-range crowd. In late 2013, the team behind the Bentley and the Monopole opened an eatery in Potts Point’s once-bohemian Yellow House. Then, last year, chef Mark Best of Marque brought his cooking to (more of) the people with the opening of Pei Modern in both Sydney and Melbourne. MICROSEASONAL MENUS 'Seasonal produce' and 'paddock-to-plate philosophy’ are the well-established catch-cries of many an Australian eatery. It looks like they’ll be taken even further in 2015 with a trend towards microseasonal menus. These promise fresher and more interesting cuisine than ever before, with dishes changing not with each shift of the earth's axis, but with every passing day. The alterations are ever-so-slight and subtle, and entirely dependent on available ingredients. Sydney’s Q Dining is getting in early. UGLY ROOT VEGGIES Kale's been more ubiquitous than cuts to the arts over the past year or so. But we’re not sure how much longer it's going to fare, given the rise and rise of ugly root vegetables. We're not talking about the good old potato, but its numerous more exotic-sounding and tasting (if not especially good-looking) cousins. As mentioned, parsnips have been sneaking their way into dessert menus, but then there's the likes of celery root and kohlrabi. Sydney's Yellow is already onto it, with a dish made up of beef tartare, kohlrabi, smoked curd and rye featuring on their tasting menu. The good news is that you, too can get started — pick up your own ugly veggies at Harris Farm for half-price. NEUROGASTRONOMY Did you know that on average, a pink strawberry dessert tastes ten percent less sweet on a black plate than it does on a white one? Or that, if you drink a single malt whisky while surrounded by real grass and birdsong, it tastes more herbaceous? Try it, on the other hand, around red lighting and curved furniture and it'll seem sweeter. Starting to get what 'neurogastronomy' means? We now have scientific proof that all of our senses — rather than our tastebuds alone — influence how we perceive flavour. A professor at Oxford University by the name of Charles Spence is obsessed with studying this phenomenon. Spence and a bunch of fellow experts have been developing an intense multisensory dining experience, which combines textures, colours, aromas and temperatures, having previously worked with the likes of Ferran Adrià and Heston Blumenthal. Image credits: Speed Bump Kitchen, jane boles via photopin cc
If you've done your dash with the dalgona coffee and all those failed attempts at sourdough, here's a little culinary project that might just revive your kitchen-weary soul. The minds over at global sauce company Heinz have released recipes for a series of unconventional ice creams — dubbed Creamz — starring some of the brand's most iconic condiments. Yep, mayo ice cream is a thing and it can be on the menu at your house this weekend. Over on its UK website, Heinz is now selling a range of ice cream-making kits, filled with all the ingredients and equipment needed to whip up a batch of these frozen 'Creamz', crafted on the likes of its salad cream and barbecue sauce. Unfortunately, the DIY packs are only available to UK locals, but the recipes themselves are free to download from anywhere in the world. Basically, all you'll need to do is stock up on milk, double cream and sweetened condensed milk, grab an extra bottle of your favourite Heinz condiment, and jump in the kitchen to give those crafty folk at Messina a run for their money. You can have a crack at variations like the Ketchup Creamz — which apparently works a treat topped with meringue and raspberry coulis — and a mayo-infused edition they reckon pairs well with apple and blackberry compote. Or perhaps the barbecue sauce number is more your speed, garnished with some maple syrup and crispy bacon bits. Wherever your sauce obsession lies, we recommend you clear some space in your freezer — things are about to get a little crazy. You can find all five of Heinz's Creamz recipes over at the website.
So you thought you'd be cool with giving Parklife a miss this time around? Well if FOMO is already kicking in hard with a week or so still to go we've got a solution, and it doesn't involve drowning your sorrows in beer and lying to everyone that you really just want to stay home and relax anyway. That's right, thanks to Grill'd Healthy Burgers we here at Concrete Playground are giving away two VIP double passes to the first chapter of summer's already-way-above-average music festival calendar. In case you missed it when we almost wet ourselves over the first line-up back in June this means you'll be enjoying tunes from the likes of The Presets, Passion Pit, Justice, Tame Impala and breakthrough beatmaker Flume, with plenty more equally exciting acts permeating Centennial Park with musical goodness. It's so fully sick that even the Bondi Hipsters have put their usual weekend plans on hold to join the bill. And since it's not a spring weekend without something chargrilled and delicious, Grill'd will be giving you each a voucher you can swap for a nice fresh burger at their on-site Airstream trailer. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name, postal address and preferred city to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm Wednesday 26th September. What you're getting: 2 double VIP passes to Parklife in the city of your choice ($384 value) 2 Grill'd Burger vouchers ($25 value) Parklife 2012 Dates: Parklife Brisbane | Saturday 29th September at Riverstage and Botanic Gardens Parklife Sydney | Sunday 30th September at Centennial Park Parklife Perth | Monday 1st October at Wellington Square Parklife Melbourne | Saturday 6th October at Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Kings Domain Parklife Adelaide | Sunday 7th October at Botanic Park, Botanic Gardens of Adelaide
In a normal year, Sydney's annual Italian Film Festival gives cinephiles a chance to venture to Europe from the comfort of their cinema seats. In 2020, it's doing the same — but for everyone desperate to soak in some scenic sights well beyond their own four walls, that mission feels especially resonant. Cue an impressive array of films that'll whisk you off to the other side of the planet, as screening at Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas and Palace Central from Tuesday, September 29–Sunday, October 18. With Bad Tales, viewers will head to a southern suburb of Rome during a tense summer. Via psychological drama Feel Your Memories, a trip to 90s-era Naples is in order. And thanks to the latest live-action version of Pinocchio — IFF's opening night film, and the latest feature by Gomorrah and Dogman's Matteo Garrone — seeing the country through the eyes of a sentient wooden puppet is also on the agenda. The festival's other highlights include Martin Eden, which nabbed The Old Guard's Luca Marinelli the Best Actor prize at the 2019 Venice Film Festival; crime drama The Traitor, which won big at Italy's version of the Oscars this year; and a 20th anniversary screening of Giuseppe Tornatore's romantic tragedy Malèna, starring Monica Bellucci. Or, you can opt for a rom-com with 7 Hours to Win Your Heart, jump into a holiday comedy via I Hate Summer and get immersed in a legal drama with Ordinary Justice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66f3BFtAmZA The 2020 Italian Film Festival screens at Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinemas and Palace Central from Tuesday, September 29–Sunday, October 18.
Kick start your day at this bright and breezy coffee and smoothie purveyor, located inside Kiaora Place. The menu here extends far beyond a plain latte, offering your standard coffees made with Allpress coffee beans alongside bulletproof coffees (a long black with grass-fed butter and XCT oil) and matcha lattes. You'll also find a heap of cold-pressed juices and an extensive smoothie menu, where fruits and greens are blended up with nutrient-dense superfoods like ashwagandha, blue spirulina, astragalus root, maca and lion's mane mushrooms. If you're hungry, you can also grab a sandwich, toastie, acai bowl or a burrito bowl.
