Genre doesn't sit comfortably for Die! Die! Die! One moment their pop and punk roots are showing, the next they're pure experimental thrash, the next they sound like an all-girl nineties band doing the Arctic Monkeys. Which is to say that they have range. They made their second album in a broken barn, and since their third — FORM — they've been recording in an Auckland bookshop. On Wednesday March 30, they'll be getting their kit out on stage at the equally accessible Beach Road Hotel in Bondi. The New Zealand trio formed and reformed a few times before settling on their current line-up. Having started out unemployed, with the humble ambition of just making a bit of money off their shows, the group moved on to near-perpetual touring and playing support for Wolfmother and Marylin Manson. They can command some pretty big shows, and have done the Big Day Out and the arena thing as well. In Bondi, by contrast, they're playing free and relatively low-key. So if you want your music strange, thoughtful and at speed, you know where you'll need to be. Image by DB Blas. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hUxuE0urvUo
American singer-songwriter Tom Krell (aka How to Dress Well) once described his sound as a convergence of Mariah Carey and Elliott Smith. It's that juncture of emo-acoustic and twinkly sentimental balladry that's led to Krell's music being labelled as 'lo-fi R&B'. Certainly in his older records, that came through. But with 2014 album "What is This Heart?" Krell's moving away from those early roots, towards something more musically diverse. (That said, the chorus of 'Precious Love' is decisively reminiscent of an early '00s R&B ballad, and it's great.) Krell picked his stage name semi-randomly from the spine of an old book he bought from a used bookstore ten years ago — justifying it by pointing out that we don't generally choose our names. True. That preoccupation with the uber real is reflected in his music. His lyrics are at times so personal they're almost uncomfortable, but then he turns it all weirdly in on itself with alien synth sounds and a falsetto that's painfully otherworldly — like, as one YouTube commenter put it so aptly, the ghosts of dead R&B singers come back to sing in empty bathroom stalls. Take this cover of Janet Jackson's 'Again'. Without a ukulele in sight, it's a refreshing antidote to the tired trend of white singers doing twee covers of the work of black musicians. We caught up with the super well-articulated, notoriously candid Krell ahead of his appearance at Sydney Festival. Read the results here.
You probably haven't heard of Lorde yet, but that won't be the case for long. Ella Yelich-O'Connor is an incredibly talented 16-year-old Kiwi girl who somehow manages to combine the acrobatic, multi-octave voice of a Regina Spektor with the inward-looking, outwardly-hedonistic R&B of The Weeknd, Drake or Miguel. She's only released one five-track EP (which you can listen to here) but has already been praised by the likes of Grimes and Diplo, and you just know she's going to be one of the Artists to Watch in 2013. (Maybe if she gets enough love on this Australian tour, we can adopt/claim her as Australian once she's a superstar and running the game?)
Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are Eric Lomax and Patti Lomax, lovers at the centre of a world torn apart by Eric's repressed memories as a prisoner of war in The Railway Man. Marcus Costello spoke with the film's Australian director Jonathan Teplitzky, who also made a big impression with 2011's Burning Man. The life of Eric Lomax, a quintessentially British man from another generation, set between Scotland and South-East Asia. How does an Australian director's perspective lend itself to this story? Going into this production, I thought the code of silence thing was a distinctly English POW character trait. I soon realised that it doesn't matter where you're from, if you were part of WWII, you come home with stories you will never share. Is that still the case for soldiers today? Yeah, sadly, I think it is. The irony is that we send young, impressionable people to war under morally dubious reasons, morally bankrupt, even, and we hold them to account for every moral decision they make when they're out there. If you think about how young these guys actually are, it's almost a 'Lord of the Flies' situation. No wonder they come home confused and reluctant to talk about it. I was talking with journalists at the Dubai Film Festival the other week and they were saying how important this film is for that part of the world as it struggles to deal with the warfare surrounding it. To that end, did you think about how your film would be received by present-day soldiers? Absolutely. In so many the face of warfare has changed beyond recognition since WWII, and yet, completely ineffective techniques like water-boarding are still used today. We live in a tell-all age of social media. Presented with an intensely private character, Eric Lomax, how do you expect/hope young people to respond? That's a really interesting question. The core audience we had front-of-mind when we were making the film was men above 35. In the test screenings we've noticed that younger people are genuinely interested in it. For all the negative press that the social media generation gets, I actually think it's a very inquisitive, socially aware group. The film looks beautiful. But war isn't beautiful. Can you talk me through your aesthetic choices? Sure. As a 20-year-old, going to War — to Thailand no less! — was a big adventure for Eric, so mixed up in fear and anxiety was a genuine sense of excitement. Of course we know the story of WWII — it was no exotic holiday — but to portray it like that wouldn't have been an accurate view of the world through his eyes. The heat, the incredible lushness of South-East Asia's forests was unlike anything this young Scot had ever experienced or really known about. To convey that wonder we heightened the contrasts between the countries: we sought out blues and greens when we where in Scotland, and hot colours when we where in Thailand, for example. I ask because there were a couple of moments during the film where I was in there with Eric then he'd see something like an explosion framed by silhouetted palm trees, and all of a sudden I was made aware that I'm looking at a representation. Did you ever feel a need to hold back because Thailand is just so photogenic? But I relish those moments! I try to do it as much as I can in the films I make! For me, the visual irony is key. It brings into question the absurdity of what's happening. Naturalism isn't always the only or the best way to give an authentic impression, as strange as that may sound. Given that taste for flourish, where there times when you felt constrained by having to tell a true-to-history story We were very lucky to have such a good relationship with Eric and Patti who were both so open but even still, I never felt obliged to tell something a certain way. I honestly never felt constrained. I can say that because I don't think getting every factual detail perfect is the aim of this kind of story. I think it's about capturing an essence and finding a way of expressing that. The Railway Man is in cinemas now. Read our review here.
If you haven't done it before, flying solo can be a little daunting — especially to something like the opera. But, hey, you shouldn't have to miss out on indulging your operatic passions just because your mates aren't huge Puccini fans. That's presumably why Opera Australia has come up with a nifty solution for its solo guests. The new initiative, named Opera for One, offers a a special package for those going it alone at select Sydney and Melbourne shows. No more standing awkwardly in the foyer before the performance or during interval, wishing you had someone to dissect the show with. Under the new scheme, solo punters will get access to a discounted B Reserve ticket (at a tidy 10 percent off), then kick off their evening at a complimentary pre-show drinks and nibbles session. An expert from Opera Australia's creative team will give a casual talk about the show and you'll have the chance to mingle with other solo opera fans, before heading in to take your seats together. To help take some of the edge off, guests will also score a handy guide before the show, packed with conversation starters, information about your chosen opera and insights into what you can expect on the night. If you're keen to give it a whirl, Opera for One is currently taking bookings for a handful of Sydney and Melbourne shows. NSW fans can see the likes of the compelling Salome or Puccini's Turandot, while Melburnians can access Il Viaggio a Reims, Mozart's Così fan tutte, and beloved classic Rigoletto.
The Big Green Idea is an initiative of the British Council, and it's all about treasuring Australia's creative people and and people who want to make the world a better place. The project is aiming to attract and encourage local entrepreneurs to develop new sustainable projects which will help people adapt to the effects of climate change in cities. It's all a part of a region-wide initiative begun by the British Council to encourage environmental sustainability across East Asia and the Pacific. And they have some very attractive grants up for grabs. This year up to six grants will be awarded to environmentally conscious kids which have the potential to make a dramatic impact on the country's environmental future. You can apply for either a $10, 000 or $20, 000 cash grant. The successful applicants will also get project mentoring by business and sustainability leaders, as well as the British Council, to help the projects have the greatest and widest positive impact they can. Applications are open now. They can address issues such as resource efficiency, travel, water, sustainable design, communications campaigns and the effects of climate change on disadvantaged communities. So if you've been inspired by the upcoming Earth Hour, get your idea submitted for a chance to make a real change.
Sweet-toothed Sydneysiders, rejoice — Sugar Republic, Australia's dessert-themed installation experience, is back for another serving this November. And if you think you've seen it all before, here's some extra-great news for all you candy lovers: the 2021 season will be bigger, and will also mix familiar attractions with new rooms and installations. Sugar Republic's previous Aussie iterations included a giant gumball machine that you can climb inside, and that's returning this time. But you'll also be able to jump out of a life-sized birthday cake, check out a huge lolly jar and see a rather big jelly — if super-sized sweets are your thing, that is. Still on that topic, the new Sydney setup will include a game of giant doughnut Connect Four, too, when it heads to The Rocks from Sunday, November 6. Also on the lineup: a prize claw machine you can crawl into, a pool of marshmallows that you can swim through, a sprinkles ball pit, chocolate and popcorn swings, and a wild west saloon dedicated to Bubble-O Bills. Yes, it sounds like the kind of place that Willy Wonka might own, complete with a scratch 'n' sniff wall where you'll guess the lollies, a living room dedicated to iconic Australian biscuits, art devoted to milk bars by Frida Las Vegas and a party zone to celebrate the 130th birthday of sweets brand Allen's. Each time that Sugar Republic pops up, it's always OTT. Basically, if you missed out on visiting New York's Museum of Ice Cream back in 2016, this is Australia's equivalent. Typically these kind of places are designed to be as photogenic and Instagram-friendly as possible, so expect plenty of pics to clog your Instagram feed. Exactly how long Sugar Republic will hit up Sydney this time hasn't been revealed; however, tickets are currently on sale until Thursday, December 23. And yes, free lollies and ice cream are part of the $38 admission price. Also, you can use Dine and Discover vouchers at the door. Sugar Republic will pop up at 47 George Street, Sydney, from Sunday, November 6 for a limited time. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event website.
Plans, pathways, roadmaps, rollouts: no matter which state you live in, Australians have heard these terms more than a few times over the past year and a half. As the country has grappled with COVID-19, our state and federal leaders have unveiled all types of outlines that run through what we can do, what we can't do whenever restrictions are in place, how we're getting vaccinated, where we can travel and how life might someday return to normal. Following the latest National Cabinet meeting between state and territory leaders and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which was held today, Friday, July 2, the latter has just announced a new plan — 'a National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response', to be precise. It steps through four phases that Australia will now work through to get life back to normal in this pandemic-affected world. Timeframes haven't been noted, so really it's just a list of things that should happen at some point; however, it's a plan nonetheless. Now 16 months since the country first introduced lockdowns and border restrictions due to the pandemic, Australia is currently in the first phase. Here, the aim is to suppress the virus to minimise community transmission, and much of it either sounds familiar or plans to tweak existing arrangements. Lockdowns will be used as a last resort, caps on incoming passenger arrivals will be cut in half to help stop the possible spread of the Delta variant, and the Commonwealth will run more repatriation flights to Howard Springs. Hotel quarantine is set to be reviewed, too, and alternative options — such as home quarantine for returning vaccinated travellers — will be trialled. In this first stage, everyone will be offered their chance to get vaccinated — which, given how slow the rollout has been progressing so far, might explain why no hard dates have been attached to this overall roadmap. Also in the initial phase, the Medicare Vaccination Certificate will be rolled out, Australia will work out how to authenticate digital vaccination status at our international borders and the vaccine booster program will be prepared. Whenever that's all achieved, the nation will move into phase two. That's when restrictions will be eased on folks who've had the jab — including around lockdowns and border controls. It's aimed that, by then, lockdowns will only happen "in extreme circumstances" if needed to prevent increasing hospitalisation rates and deaths. Also in phase two, inbound passenger cabs for unvaccinated returnees will go up, and more vaccinated returning travellers will be allowed to come home. If you're a vaccinated Aussie and you're coming back into the country, there'll be reduced quarantine arrangements. And, this is when the vaccine booster program should be rolled out, too. Up next: a third phase that has absolutely no lockdowns, and frees vaccinated Aussies from all domestic restrictions — and allows them to travel internationally as well. At this point in the plan, there'd be no caps on returning vaccinated travellers at all, and more travel bubbles, like the one floated with Singapore, would open. Also, vaccine boosters would keep being delivered. Finally, phase four sees COVID-19 just treated like other infectious diseases. It'd still be around, but it'd get the same kind of response as the flu. So, there'd be no lockdowns or domestic restrictions ever, vaccinated folks could come and go as they like, and non-vaccinated travellers would just have to get tested before they depart and when they arrive. Again, there are no timeframes attached to any of these phases as yet. That's dependent upon setting vaccination targets for each phase of the plan, based on modelling. And, if Australia's pandemic response so far is any guide, this could all change, take forever or simply not happen — but, if nothing else, it's the stated plan at the time of writing. For further details about the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response, head to the Prime Minister's website.
There's a pop-up HAB in Sydney. Queue nerding out. The habitat is going to be home to Josh Richards for five days while he recreates Ridley Scott blockbuster, The Martian. Richards has worn a lot of hats over the years including physicist, explosives expert, soldier and stand-up comedian. Now he’s a Mars One candidate aiming to add ‘astronaut’ to his resume. He’ll be in solitary for five days but you can observe him 24 hours a day through the glass exterior, like a goldfish, or from a live feed. Each day, he’ll complete survival challenges that will test his skills in a simulated Martian base. It’s almost a real-life 'if you solve enough problems, you get to come home' deal. Throughout the week, there will also be things like virtual reality demos and a competition for the best space playlist. Remember, "disco sucks."
When Toto unleashed their single 'Africa' upon the world back in 1982, the drums echoed. Given the song's enduring success, it seems that everyone heard them. Now one particular patch of the Namib desert will hear the percussive reverberation for eternity, with a new art and sound installation playing the track on a never-ending loop. Toto Forever isn't just something screamed by die-hard fans of the American band. It's not merely the thinking behind one-night events that play the beloved tune over and over, such as an annual party in Brisbane. It's now the title of Max Siedentopf's new project, which the artist has set up as a "tribute to probably the most popular song of the last four decades". As seen on Siedentopf's site for the artwork, Toto Forever consists of seven plinths, arranged in a circle with one sat in the middle. Speakers sit atop the six boxes on the outside, with an MP3 player on the seventh. There's only one song loaded onto the device, so that's all that it can play. And if you're wondering about power, it's all attached to solar batteries. While Siedentopf has revealed the installation's general location — in the desert that stretches for 2000 kilometres along the Namib coastline — he's keeping the exact spot to himself. Whether he succeeds in gifting future generation some old forgotten words and ancient melodies will likely depend on the weather and environment, given that, as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti, electronic equipment isn't designed to be left in a sandy expanse until the end of time — whether or not they're blessed by the rains. Image: Toto Forever by Max Siedentopf.
Men, Women and Children is no glossy Hollywood rom-com. There are no vacuous high school dramas, nor are there any cheesy family clichés. It's a film that looks at the paradox of connecting in the digital age: the persistent preoccupation with being active online, contrasted with difficulty remaining present in person. Directed by Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno and Labor Day), the film features a pretty impressive cast including Ansel Elgort, Jennifer Garner, Adam Sandler and Rosmarie DeWitt. Throughout the interweaving story lines of the eleven main characters, the film dissects the impact that technology has on our relationships — dealing with pertinent issues such as video game culture, anorexia and infidelity. Men, Women and Children is in cinemas November 27. Thanks to Paramount Pictures, we have ten double 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
Beer is much more than just cheap swill these days, and Rev-ale-ation. A Symphony of the Senses is going the extra mile to prove this with an elegant evening of delicious beers, fine cheeses and local and internationally renowned opera singers. After a successful Melbourne production, Rev-ale-ation is heading to Sydney on Sunday, August 5 for one special night as world-class Australian opera singers — led by the acclaimed Liane Keegan — present a performance paired with some exceptional ales. Taking place beneath the soaring stained glass windows of Mosman Art Gallery's Grand Hall, the performance will see each aria musically matched with an ale and selection of handcrafted cheeses from Milawa Cheese Company. Hosted by Beer Diva, aka Kirrily Waldhorn, Rev-ale-Ation hopes to make opera more accessible, while also continuing to alter the perception of beer. Rev-ale-ation. A Symphony of the Senses will run from 5.30–8pm.
From Monday, February 21, Australia will say goodbye to its remaining international border ban on double-vaccinated travellers and hello to plenty of overseas tourists. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the country will allow all visa holders to head our way — including folks simply coming out for holidays, and business travellers — as long as they've had two COVID-19 vaccine jabs. When the border fully reopens to all double-vaxxed visitors in two weeks, it'll do so just a month shy of the two-year anniversary of Australia's indefinite international border closure back in March 2020. Plenty has changed since then, and the nation — and the world — has seen various lockdowns and other restrictions come and go, and faced multiple new variants. Since November 2021, Australia has been slowly reopening its borders, too, but this new change will allow back anyone that's double-vaccinated, including tourists and business travellers, from all countries. Announcing the news, the Prime Minister said that "the condition is: you must be double-vaccinated to come to Australia. That's the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it. And it's very important that people understand that requirement if they're seeking to come to Australia." He continued: "but if you're double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia — and I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that. And over the next two weeks they'll get the opportunity both for visitors to be coming and for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia." Exactly how many tourists and business travellers will be able to fly into Australia will still depend upon state-based caps — and on state-specific rules as well. Western Australia's border is still set to remain closed to not just international travellers but the rest of the country and, after delaying its last plan to reopen this past weekend, it hasn't yet set its new reopening date. Unjabbed travellers — which includes anyone who has only had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination — will still need to apply for permission to enter Australia, unless they can "provide proof that there is a medical reason that they cannot be vaccinated", said Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews. They'll also need to go into hotel quarantine if they are permitted to enter. If you have pals or colleagues eager to make the trip Down Under, this'll be fantastic news. Whether airlines will increase their flights to Australia as a result hasn't yet been revealed, but it wouldn't come as a surprise. Australia will reopen its international borders to all double-vaccinated travellers from Monday, February 21. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
This spring, Sydney's Night Noodle Markets will return for a month of tasty things on sticks, bowls of noodles, bao and extravagant desserts. But, like many events in 2020, it's going to run a little differently to usual. Instead of bumping elbows with hundreds of others in Hyde Park, you'll be able to enjoy the festival's usual lineup of tasty treats at home, in your local park or on a beach. Yes, Night Noodle Markets 2020 is coming to you via delivery. This year, the delivery-only menu showcases eight food stalls — instead of the usual 30-plus — which have created special menus for the occasion. Thankfully, many of the festival favourites have made the cut. Sydney's go-to for inventive, Asian-inspired doughnut creations, Donut Papi is back with a wild new creation: a prawn toast doughnut. If savoury doughnuts aren't really your shtick, the Redfern favourite is also bringing back its super-popular leche flan doughnut burger for the occasion. It features a slab of lush, sticky Filipino-style crème caramel stuffed between halves of a sugar-crusted doughnut bun, ready and waiting to ooze upon that first bite. Just take a look: Another favourite making an exciting return, Puffle is a cheesy riff on the egg waffles you'll find at street stalls in Hong Kong. This month, Puffle is out to win you over with three different decadent versions of its dish, including the cheeseburger — an assembly of chopped bulgogi-style beef and extra melted cheese, finished with lashings of sweet and spicy ketchup, mustard and Japanese mayo — and a KFC option with spicy Korean-style fried chicken. But, whichever filling you opt for, you're in for a crunchy, oozy and delightfully messy ride. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find four types of bao from Bao Brothers; skewers, curries and paella from Span Thai; Teppanyaki Noodles' bowls of yakisoba, udon and ramen; sweet loaded waffles from Waffleland; and Wok Master's prawn wontons, spring rolls and steamed Chinese buns. A new addition to this year's lineup: Toastie Smith. The Chatswood newcomer is offering five of its giant Korean-style sangas to-go, including a wagyu number, a taro and pork floss toastie and a shrimp and egg version. A notable omission from this year's lineup is Gelato Messina, which usually creates a wild and wonderful menu for the occasion. Last year, we were treated to twists on Thai sweets, such as a Thai milk tea cheesecake sandwich and a Phuket Bucket, which came with banana fritters, caramelised banana gelato and peanut crumble. Fingers crossed we see these frozen treats again in the not-too-distant future. The Night Noodle Markets at Home dishes will be available to order exclusively through Doordash, with three banquets on the docket, too. You can choose from Broc 'n' Roll ($69.50), Date Night ($89) and The Bougie Banquet ($233), each coming with a selection of dishes from across the stalls. If you're lucky, you might even receive a free gift with your delivery, with the NNM saying Maggi noodles and Weis treats will be snuck into some orders. The Night Noodle Markets at Home menus are available via Doordash from Wednesday, October 7 to Friday, November 6 as part of Good Food Month. Top image: Night Noodle Markets by Bec Taylor
Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh will reunite on stage next year in a very Sydney Theatre Company production, The Present, a Chekhov work as adapted by artistic director Andrew Upton. Echoing back to the trio's last outing together, 2010's acclaimed Uncle Vanya, this project draws on Anton Chekhov's first drama — a five-hour, unwieldy and untitled beast discovered after his death. Whipped into shape by Upton and directed by Irishman John Crowley, it's a centrepiece of the company's newly announced 2015 season, which is packed with big plays, big ideas and big names. Among the season's other highlights is the Irish import Riverrun (particularly for everyone still in the thrall of performer Olwen Fouéré since Terminus), Geoffrey Rush as King Lear directed by Neil Armfield (there's 30+ years of collaboration there that never gets old), and Susie Porter in the lead for Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden, where she plays a woman confronting the man who tortured her under a despotic regime 20 years prior (it's directed by Leticia Cáceres, Melburnian master of creepiness). "Some of our greatest theatre artists are returning to the wonderful, fertile, creative ground to be found inside the canon for reinterpretation and reinvention," said Upton. At the same time, the artistic director saw "an opportunity to set up a great juxtaposition between works of the canon that comprise half the program (nearly) and newer works with a particular emphasis on female voices that constitute the other half (almost)." On the canon side, you'll also find delightfully '80s Australian comedy After Dinner by Andrew Bovell, Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer with Robyn Nevin in the intense lead role, Hugo Weaving picking up more Beckett for Endgame, a new adaptation of Virginia Woolf's iconic novel Orlando by The Vibrator Play writer Sarah Ruhl and period rom-com Arms and the Man. Repping the new Australian writing talent is razor-sharp Melissa Bubnic, whose last play was a satire about our obsession with reality TV and whose new play, Boys Will Be Boys, homes in on a particularly intriguing woman working in the very male-dominated world of currency trading. Directed by Paige Rattray of eccentric indie theatre company Arthur, this should be a fun one. There's also Kylie Coolwell's Battle of Waterloo, set in the local suburb and developed from its early stages by the STC and director Sarah Goodes. Of the new international writing, there's the very exciting Australian premiere of the latest work from Caryl Churchill ("arguably the world's foremost living playwright," the program fairly says). Called Love and Information, it's a more experimental but attention-demanding work that gives the audience a glimpse into the lives of more than 100 different characters through a series of "tantalising" vignettes. Starring Kath & Kim's Jane Turner, Jumpy by April de Angelis is another new international work, exploring mother-daughter tensions. While the 2015 season seems to lack some of the experimental impulse of this year's, it certainly has the gravitas and impressiveness befitting a state theatre company. This season trailer has all the goodies in it, including one of our favourite parts of any STC eve: drinks on that wharf. https://youtube.com/watch?v=cJZerIhEUXo 2015 season tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 9, at 9am. For more information and to book, head to the STC website. Images by James Green.
With all this time indoors, we're sure you've had your fair share of at-home raves by now. You've got to let your hair down after a week of WFH, after all. And, now that you can have five friends around with sensible social distancing in place, you can make it a real party, too. Luckily, if you're looking for your next excuse to cut some serious shapes, look no further because there's a new one-off party with pumping tunes and bad fashion is hitting screens across the country on Saturday, May 23. Canadian Club's annual Bad Sweater Party is going virtual. So, cancel whatever non-event plans you had, push your furniture aside and start a makeshift dance floor with five of your nearest and dearest. Bringing the dance-inducing tunes in spades will be Hot Dub Time Machine. For about a decade, he's been ripping up stages the world over with his rolling crossfades of pop music from the last six decades. And during lockdown he's been bringing the good times to your living room. Expect everything from 50s rock 'n' roll tunes to disco hits like ABBA's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September'. Once you hit the more recent decades, there's often glam rock, a bit of 90s grunge, Darude's epic 'Sandstorm' and 'Toxic' by Britney. You get the idea — it's nonstop bangers all night long. Hang on, a Bad Sweater Party? The major point of difference for this party is that you've got a dress code. Don an ugly jumper — it's OK, you're partying at home. And, yes, you'll get pretty sweaty with all those killer moves you'll be busting. Kicking off at 7pm, the event will be live streamed via Hot Dub's Twitch account, with a live chat going so you can socialise with other partygoers. You may want to dust off that disco ball and find that old lava lamp, too. As you'll working up a sweat as you dance your way through the decades (in a sweater, remember), you'll want some cold ones on hand. To really get in the spirit of things, mix up some CC 'n' drys. Or save yourself the trouble and grab a case of the stuff. Canadian Club's Bad Sweater Party is going down on Saturday, May 23, from 7–9pm. You can tune in here — just don't forget your ugly jumper.
You would think that having access to all of humanity's collective knowledge — from our darkest failures to our wildest successes — would make us, generally, smarter. Instead, we've just become overwhelmed — collectively. We've essentially somehow failed upwards, in that uniquely human way we have of doing things. But, who can blame us? Nearly half of us feel stressed all or most of the time (nice to know it's not just me), and we've all felt the deep financial, physical and emotional impact of living in a pandemic for more than 18 months. Most days, that uncertainty makes a lot of things scary. Slightly nerdy fun fact (stay with me here): A common term for the press and journalism is the Fourth Estate. It harks back to days in early modern France, just before the French Revolution, when there were three broad social hierarchies. The three estates were known as the First Estate (the clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility) and the Third Estate (commoners and bourgeoisie). The Fourth Estate is a term that recognises the not-insignificant power the media holds in influencing conversation, opinion and action in society. That power has even more weight in today's world. That's why Concrete Playground has committed to bringing you news and information about COVID-19 and vaccinations that is relevant, accurate, useful and actionable. And, without the doomsday spin. We've even teamed up with a group of other publishers on this — BuzzFeed, Junkee, The Latch, Man of Many, Urban List and Zee Feed. Together, we've committed to keeping harmful headlines and messages off our pages and to only publish COVID-related stories and information that will help inform Aussies and open up Australia. The industries, businesses and individuals that are essential to Australia's culture and lifestyle and all the things you like reading about on this website — the arts, events, live music and hospitality — are among those most impacted by the ongoing effects of the pandemic. We want those industries to get back to thriving and for the rest of us to be able to enjoy them again. Our part is to help young Australians feel informed in a way that makes them comfortable and confident in taking the steps to get vaccinated — but also alleviate some of the anxiety caused by alarmist headlines. So, expect everything from the latest information on mask-wearing rules to expert commentary on vaccines; couch potato recommendations and being a cheerleader for the little guys. This is your spot for feel-good stories, COVID-safe recommendations and informative news. We're thrilled to have you here. Concrete Playground is part of an Australian Publishers Partnership in a joint COVID mission and coverage pledge which includes: putting science first, standing for healthy headlines, considering image choices, avoiding triggering imagery and not partaking in alarmist headlines. The joint mission will be in effect until Australia gets 50% of the under 40s population vaccinated.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level, each Aussie state has navigated the situation in its own way when it comes to letting non-residents visit. At the moment, residents from Queensland, Tasmania, WA, NT and the ACT are allowed to enter SA without restriction — and, from 12.01am on Thursday, September 24, NSW will also join that list. In a press conference held today, Tuesday, September 22, Premier Steven Marshall revealed that SA will allow travellers from Sydney in from Thursday without having to quarantine for 14 days first — if there are no new cases of community transmission identified in NSW before midnight tonight. "This will be a massive, massive relief for people who have been dislocated from friends, from family, from business opportunities," Marshall said at the press conference. https://twitter.com/marshall_steven/status/1308217140831334403 In the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Monday, September 21, NSW recorded two new cases of COVID-19, both returned travellers in hotel quarantine. There has been some concern regarding a Sydney taxi driver who worked for a number of days while potentially infections, but, so far, no more cases have been connected to this. SA was initially meant to reopen its border for all interstate travel back in July, before a spike of cases put this on ice. If you're now eager to start planning an SA getaway, we have suggestions — whether you're eager to hit up Adelaide, or sip and sightsee your way around the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Limestone Coast or the Clare Valley. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in South Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: d'Arenberg Cube
Ellen took a temporary break from her hosting duties to take and tweet a (slightly blurred) selfie Hollywood would be proud of, roping in a big bunch of willing A-listers including JLaw, Bradley Cooper, Brad and Angie, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. After a bit of contention about who was going to actually take the photo (Meryl was the first choice but she seemed a little uncertain and admitted that she'd never tweeted before) and a sneaky late entry to the group (Jared Leto jumped in out of nowhere, apparently still riding a high from his best supporting actor win), it was Bradley Cooper who took the matter in hand and snapped the shot. The result was slightly surreal, with the Guardian's live Oscar coverage commenting on the spookiness of seeing "the most photographed people photographing themselves, live on camera, watched by millions". The pic was retweeted over 500,000 times in less than 30 minutes. Then temporarily crashed Twitter. Woah. After what was arguably an expectedly tame opening monologue, Ellen also wins big points for stirring things up a bit by ordering pizza and then distributing slices to the first few rows of smartly dressed stars, who she assumed must be pretty hungry after weeks of dieting to fit into their gowns and suits. Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Martin Scorsese were among those getting in on the action, with a bemused Leonardo DiCaprio firmly declining. Perhaps the best part was when, pizza devoured, Ellen announced she had no money for a tip and suggested that Sandra Bullock cover the costs. Keep up the good work, Ellen.
As you can probably guess from the name, this Lake Jindabyne Easter weekend festival is dedicated to the kinds of rock behemoths — think U2, Queen, Oasis and more. The stars of the show will no doubt be the Australian Rock Collective playing the hits of The Beatles. This isn't your normal tribute band — members of iconic Aussie bands Powderfinger, Jet, You Am I and Spiderbait have joined forces to bring the songs of The Fab Four to life. A tribute band with 33 ARIAs between them? That's 33 more than The Beatles themselves ever managed. Head to the website to check out the lineup and nab yourself tickets. Image: Destination NSW
Dance floors may currently feel like a distant memory for Sydneysiders, with clubs and bars being restricted to seated patrons since reopening in May. When it's time for us to meet again on the dance floor once again, however, changes to NSW liquor laws are set to make live music and dancing easier for venues to facilitate. The new amendment, which passed through NSW Parliament on Tuesday, November 17, is called the Liquor Amendment (24-Hour Economy) Bill 2020 — and it will remove several outdated restrictions, allowing venues to host live music with fewer overbearing limitations. Some of the outmoded restrictions named in the bill include limits on what genre music can be played, which venues can host a dance floor or what kind of decorations a venue can have. This means we'll hopefully see a lot more disco balls and thriving dance floors post-COVID-19. A 2018 parliamentary inquiry into the state's music and nightlife industry found that 669 NSW venues were subject to these "archaic" conditions — which have seen Surry Hills venue Goros being forced to remove its mirror ball as it would encourage dancing, the Terrigal Hotel being barred from having "rock music" performances and the South Dubbo Tavern being restricted to booking only cover bands. These examples were given by the Shadow Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy John Graham when he introduced a similar bill — called Liquor Amendment (Right to Play Music) Bill 2020 — in late September. [caption id="attachment_697914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Goros[/caption] The bill is expected to make it easier for venues to apply for licences, and to reward those with clean records with ongoing discounted fees. Laws surrounding small bars, alcohol delivery services and outdoor venues have also been eased as part of the amendment, including temporary powers given to local councils to encourage the use of outdoor spaces for dining and performances. The government is hoping this bill will help revitalise the live music and night-time economy following a year in which venues have struggled and some have closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Speaking on the bill, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said "the economy doesn't go to sleep after dark and we need laws that cater for a 21st-century economy. The hospitality sector has been brought to its knees this year and the new laws will give the sector greater certainty and flexibility." The Liquor Amendment (24-Economy) Bill 2020 passed NSW Parliament on Tuesday, November 17, and is predicted to come into effect from Tuesday, December 1. Top image: Frankies by Katje Ford.
At some point or another, it's likely you've found yourself sitting in front of a screen as it resolutely remains frozen — perhaps there was even a spinning wheel of death thrown in there for good measure. Life can feel a little same, same sometimes; everything gets a bit beige and starts to feel like your, well, frozen, stuck in your same old same routine. You might be — just like your computer — in need of a refresh. That's where we come in. To help you out, we've teamed up with our friends at Coopers to bring you a list of 'easy wins' — small things that'll make your day better and leave you feeling revitalised. MONDAY: DANCE IT OUT While it's tempting to become a bit of a vegetable after you drag yourself home on a Monday night, getting out and being active can be just what you need to take the edge off your 9-to-5 routine. Don an old leotard, do a couple of stretches and head along to a dance class that'll have you energised, sweaty and raring for your dinner. Try The Space in Melbourne, Dance Central in Sydney or Groove Therapy in Brisbane. TUESDAY: COOK DINNER FOR YOUR LOVED ONES It might have been a while since your mum fed you on the reg — care packages sent home with you after a visit don't count — but don't underestimate how difficult cooking for a family every single night can be. Props to all the mums, dads and others, who manage it week by week — it's certainly not easy, so it might be time to thank yours. Make your loved one sit down, pop on their favourite Joni Mitchell/Pink Floyd album and cook up a storm. Aim for the stars and go for a three-course feast, but even a one-course fish fingers effort might go a little way to saying "thanks for feeding me even when you were tired, sick and/or sick and tired of my teenage angst". It's a good way of getting you back in touch with what's really important in life, parents (and also fish fingers). WEDNESDAY: BUY YOURSELF A BUNCH OF FLOWERS There's a reason that your mood lifts as soon as spring rears its fragrant head — yes, the vitamin D and warmer temperatures have something to do with it, but it's the beautiful blooms that really get you smiling. And, being gifted flowers is one of the greatest things ever — it makes you feel like a spoiled, whimsical nymph — but why wait around for someone to do it for you? Buy yourself a bunch to brighten up your home or freshen up your stale office environment, the air and the feng shui will thank you for it. Plus, your co-workers will assume you've got a super romantic partner and will be extremely jealous. THURSDAY: CREATE A HOME CINEMA Going to the movies can be an expensive outing — once you factor in parking, tickets and, of course, the popcorn and Malteasers combo. Also, you have to contend with crowds, queues and people who ask stupid questions all the way through Iron Man 3. An alternative? Invest in purchasing a home projector (or hire one) and invite a couple of friends around for a private Marvel marathon where you can ogle Mr Hemsworth in the privacy of your own home. If that's a bit too pricey, get the sick set up going, cook some popcorn in the microwave and charge your mates a $5 cover fee — it's still cheaper than what they'd pay at the cinema. Plus, you can all don your favourite comfy trackies and BYO blankets, winning. [caption id="attachment_628248" align="alignnone" width="1800"] Kimberley Low.[/caption] FRIDAY: BUY A COFFEE FOR A STRANGER It's likely nobody has ever done this for you, but how good would it be if the legend standing in front of you comped you your first soy flatty of the day? Pretty good. And for it to happen on a Friday? What a way to kick off the weekend. Start a circle of caffeine giving by sparing $4 to buy whoever is behind you in line their drink of choice. It's more than likely that it'll make their day. Caffeine is the lifeblood of a productive person (them) and being generous for no reason is the lifeblood of someone feeling good about themselves and their lives (you). SATURDAY: BETTER STILL, SHOUT A STRANGER A BEER Yes, this one requires more than a $5 note, but stretch yourself and buy someone a pint. It might end up being closer to the $10 mark, but chances are if you're out buying yourself beers at a pub you can afford to shout one beer. Reclaim the old "buy ya a drink?" trope — prove it's not just the terrain of flush men trying to pick up women at the bar — and make someone's night. SUNDAY: SOAK IN A BUBBLE BATH Baths are your greatest weapon when it comes to making aches and pains disappear. They're also a pretty good way of making your body and brain feel calm and nourished. You can even add to the experience more by picking up one of those bath bombs from Lush, too. The company produces handmade vegetarian products, doesn't test on animals and stays away from plastic packaging, so you can rest assured that you're doing a bit of good while you soak. Hot tip: get one with sparkles to really indulge your over the top inklings and feel like a shiny mermaid or -man. You'll feel on top of the world and ready to conquer the week ahead. Kick off your 'easy wins' by enjoying a Coopers Dry, or two, with your mates. Top image: Katje Ford.
You might want to tone down some of the long and critical rants contained on your blog, as a case in Oregon has just see a woman fined $2.5 million for defamatory comments. Crystal Cox runs several blogs, and posted comments in one such blog which criticised the Obsidian Finance Group. The Group responded by commencing litigation against Cox for defamation. Cox represented herself in these proceedings. Cox said she had information from an inside source, whom she refused to name. As a result, it was impossible for her to prove that her comments were true. As she was a blogger and not affliated with any official media outlet, she was not provided the same protection as journalists in Oregon. Therefore, Judge Marco A. Hernandez slapped Cox with a $2.5 million fine. Heavy. Aside from the obvious legal questions in such a case, is this really an appropriate punishment for not being part of a media establishment? Blogs are now becoming pivotal points for topical discussion. News programs are using images and videos captured by ordinary citizens on iPhones as exclusive content to be broadcast on television. Television shows are increasingly conversing with audiences through social media websites. It seems nowadays that these lines between contemporary and traditional media are undergoing a rapid integration. Furthermore, you get the feeling that Cox probably should have hired a lawyer. [via Mashable]
Concrete Playground's Summer Guide was released back in December when the prospect of a long, hot summer was one we were all relishing. January has come and gone, and the total number of sunny summer days we've had here is still a single digit. But rest assured that as soon as the rainclouds disappear, we will be making a very quick transition from the cosy indoor pubs, theatres and cinemas we've been holed up in to the beaches, rooftop bars and outdoor restaurants that make this city so great. Now, the Summer Guide is available as a special iPad book through the Apple Store, so that anyone with an iTunes account and an iPad can pick up a copy. To check it out, head to Sydney: The Summer Guide on iTunes. In case you missed it the first time, The Summer Guide is a comprehensive shortlist of the best this city has to offer over the warmer months, from rooftop bars to beaches to picnic spots to outdoor dining and much more. With different formats — iPhone and softcover book — of the Summer Guide on offer, you’ll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre. Buy iPad book on iTunes for $4.99
Advanced Style is a fashion documentary with a twist. Based on a blog by the same name, it is a movement away from thin models on catwalks and glossy magazine trends. The documentary focuses on the lives of older New York women who dress with flair and refuse to succumb to expectations of how older women should present themselves. The camera follows these women as they go about their daily lives, explaining how individual style and dressing up makes them feel. These characters were captured by street photographer Ari Seth Cohen, who wanted to gain an insight into the lives of women who he perceived as the caretakers of style. All the women spiritedly challenge established ideas about beauty and ageing in Western culture — one says dressing up is an "an exercise in creativity". Advanced Style is in cinemas on October 2. Thanks to Madman Entertainment we have ten double in-season passes to give away. One major prize winner will also get copies of The September Issue on DVD and the CR Fashion Book Issue 1. 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 https://youtube.com/watch?v=ccai-E36BfI
Today's workplace isn't what it used to be. While there are plenty of reasons for this, technology is a big factor as is a shift in what most people consider important in regard to job satisfaction. In order to keep pace with such societal changes, workplaces are constantly adapting the type of skills they look for in new hires. Don't be too concerned though. Open Universities Australia (OUA) and its university partners are well aware of what it takes to succeed. That's why we've teamed up with OUA to outline five of the core skills you need to thrive in every work situation. The best part? There's a fantastic range of relevant courses through university partners across Australia. Regardless of your previous education, you can enrol instantly in a number of uni subjects that will help you upskill quickly and excel in the workforce. LEARN TO NAVIGATE THE CHANGING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE We live in a time of rapid change, particularly when it comes to technology. In the modern workplace, you don't necessarily need to be the one pumping out code or building expertly designed websites, but it is important to have an understanding of how technology intersects with your work. Studying subjects like Digital Culture and Everyday Life with Curtin University through OUA allows you to get acquainted with the basics. You'll learn how the internet became a part of everyday life and its general impact on society and culture. If you're keen to get more in-depth, you can also take a look at more focused subjects such as Writing for Digital Media or Cyber Crime, which both offer very specific skillsets. LEARN TO SET BOUNDARIES AND MANAGE YOUR TIME Knowing how to set boundaries is a crucial skill in every aspect of your life. However, striking the right balance between work and play isn't always a simple task. When the lines blur (as they often can), it's common for anxiety and stress to arise, so knowing how to separate the two is a valuable skill to have. And when your student life is full-time online, meaning your university exists wherever your computer does, you'll quickly learn that those essential clear and concise limits are the only way to properly manage your time. While it may not be fun at the time, it'll definitely stand you in good stead later down the line. LEARN HOW TO LEAD AND MANAGE PEOPLE Leadership skills. We all know we're supposed to have them but how do you actually hone them? The answer is simpler than you think. Just by taking online university courses you'll learn how to keep up with deadlines and work autonomously — skills which many places look for in leaders. Or, if you want to take it a step further, you can study the 14-week Project Leadership and Teams course with the University of South Australia via OUA. You'll learn all about managing teams effectively, critical problem solving and understanding and harnessing different people's strengths and weaknesses. Plus, you'll gain some great interpersonal skills. LEARN TO MAKE AND KEEP A SAFE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT It should come as no surprise that workplace safety is critical. After all, everyone wants and deserves to work in a secure and protected environment. But what may come as a shock is that plenty of people don't even know their own workplace rights, let alone what to do if they suspect those rights are being violated. Enrolling in Griffith University's Work Health and Safety through OUA will have you up to speed with the 2011 Work Health and Safety Act in no time. Plus, you'll get a clear understanding of the main types of hazards at work — be it in the office or out in the field. LEARN HOW TO BE APPROPRIATELY CULTURALLY AWARE People from all sorts of cultural backgrounds are represented in the workplace. Aside from the fact that cultural respect and an understanding of one's own privilege should be an inherent part of life anyway, having that sort of awareness and the ability to lead by example can be extremely beneficial in a work setting. From working in teams and avoiding miscommunication to scheduling mishaps during religious holidays, studying something like Curtin University's Human Rights History Across Cultures and Religions via OUA is a great first step to building your knowledge of a diverse range of cultures beyond the western viewpoint. Because everyone deserves to be treated equally both in and outside of the workplace. Start looking at all the subjects on offer online from leading Australian unis through Open Universities Australia and you could have a new skill by the end of the year. Hop to it.
Take a seat. Please, I insist, just so that you can jump out of it and celebrate in true headbanging style at the news that Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age are heading Down Under in 2014 for a co-headline tour. Okay, now take a seat again and continue to read on. Two of the biggest acts in alternative rock are set to arrive on our shores in March next year. This is glorious news to Oceania fans who haven't seen Nine Inch Nails since 2009 and Queens of the Stone Age since 2011. Both bands have teased since May about heading this way, when Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme told triple j's Tom and Alex, "Everybody who knows me knows that Australia is my home away from home. I also think it's time that we come and tell our own stories, so we're gonna skip the round of festivals and see you in your fall." Nine Inch Nails lead Trent Reznor then revealed his band's intentions to head down under when they turned down Soundwave in favour of a "better scenario" for fans. Well, there is no better scenario than seeing them combine with QOTSA for a tour that is sure to go down in legend. Australia: we love you and we're coming. Didn't feel Soundwave was the right vibe for us or our fans - working on a better scenario.— Trent Reznor (@trent_reznor) August 23, 2013 The tour comes on the back of Nine Inch Nails' and QOTSA's recent respective releases, the much-heralded Hesitation Marks and ...Like Clockwork, and they will be joined on stage by Australian-born Brody Dalle, Mrs Josh Homme, of The Distillers and Spinnerette fame. Which one of the two bands will play first each night? That will be left to a flip of the coin. Seriously. The full list of tour dates and venues are below. Tickets start from $105 and will be available through a Frontier Members pre-sale from noon on Tuesday, October 22, and available to the general public from 9am on Thursday, November 24. Nine Inch Nails Queens Of The Stone Age Co-Headline Tour Dates Thursday March 6, 2014 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney – All Ages Saturday March 8, 2014 Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle – All Ages Tuesday March 11, 2014 Perth Arena, Perth – All Ages Thursday March 13, 2014 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide – All Ages Friday March 14, 2014 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – All Ages Monday March 17, 2014 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – All Ages Wednesday March 19, 2014 Vector Arena, Auckland - All Ages Saturday March 22, 2014 CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch - All Ages
Maurice Terzini's Bondi and Parramatta favourite Ciccia Bella has launched a new range of takeaway options available for pickup from its Bondi outpost, local delivery via Deliveroo and finish-at-home delivery throughout NSW and ACT via Providoor. The star of the show is the weekly set menu which is delivered almost ready, but requires a little preparation on your end. The set menu changes every Monday, featuring a selection of classics and inventive dishes from the restaurant's menu. If you have little ones, you can keep them happy with the Bambini Dinner Pack, which comes with salami, rigatoni bolognese, bomboloni doughnuts and a colouring set. Plus, there's a picnic pack ready for your next trip to your closest patch of grass with your friends. You can also order directly from the a la carte menu which features a host of Ciccia Bella favourites including tomato sugo mussels, pork cotoletta and eggplant parmigiana. The pickup and Providoor menu differs a little so head to the Ciccia Bella website and explore whichever menu you prefer. [caption id="attachment_825432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bambini[/caption]
The Kings Cross Hotel is about to be transformed into an immersive wonderland as part of this year's Vivid Sydney festival. As part of the truly epic Vivid Music program (which includes the world premiere of Björk's digital project), the hotel will be in full swing with a slew of live music, theatre and cabaret throughout the three weeks of the festival from May 27 until June 18. And in true Kings Cross Hotel style, they're throwing a huge party to kick things off. Relive the glory days of Sydney's late-night culture with the Welcome to Kings Cross party on Saturday, May 28. Bad Deep, Le Fruit and The Takeover will join some of the city's best DJs across the pub's five floors, meaning there'll be ample dancefloor action to satisfy your dancing feet. Not only that, but the party will also bring the legendary '90s Sydney party night Sounds of Seduction back to the Kings Cross Hotel. In other words, it's set to be one hell of a night. The Kings Cross Hotel's Vivid takeover will run for the length of the festival, from May 27 until June 18. For more information on what's happening at the Hotel, visit their website.
Though not everyone thinks of James Bond's drink as a heavy-duty cocktail, the martini has been a symbol of suave operators since Bond started giving meticulous instructions on their ingredients in Fleming's novels and Connery's films. Its clear charm has inspired Sydney cabaret night Arthaus Lounge to style itself Shaken & Stirred after the icy beverage. At Parramatta's Riverside Theatre, this regular festivity by Arthaus is getting ready to break down the martini drinker's appeal into its constituent elements of glamour and sex-appeal. Shaken & Stirred promises to give you a smooth night of jazz, burlesque and R&B. The evening runs under the direction of dancer and choreographer Paul Cordeiro, who has worked with Opera Australia and William Yang. He offers up burlesque act Jazmin Baret and Monsieur P, bringing their internationally toured act back from Paris. The Palumbo Ensemble do jazz, sharing the stage with Tango de Fausto and Bollywood Fire. If you still have the stamina after all the movement on show, DJ A.S.K will arrange the R&B for you to do some dancing yourself. No matter how you mix it — shaken or stirred — it's a potent brew.
If your new year's resolution involved dancing and singing at gigs and festivals as often as possible, the pandemic has once again delivered bad news. With New South Wales' COVID-19 case numbers continuing to rise in the new year, the state's government banned making shapes and belting out a tune in indoor hospitality and entertainment venues last week — and it's now added doing both at all music festivals, both indoors and outdoors, to the list. The tightened restriction stems from an updated Public Health Order issued on Tuesday, January 11, and came into effect the same day. So, that means that no one in NSW can now sing or dance at music festivals, unless you're a performer — and then, only while you're performing or rehearsing on the premises. If you're wondering what counts as a music fest, the NSW Government website handily lists the requirements, noting that it doesn't include events with a single stage that run for less than two hours, and that have a maximum of two headliners and four performers in total. That definition still covers a huge array of events, however, so you can expect to see festival cancellations popping up — such as Grapevine Gathering, which was meant to take place on Saturday, January 15, but has scrapped the event due to the new restrictions. The aforementioned singing and dancing ban in indoor hospitality and entertainment venues is still effect as well, and the mask rules and density limits that were announced before Christmas. That said, crooning tunes and hitting the dance floor is still allowed in public at wedding services and receptions — if you're getting hitched or heading to a ceremony in the near future. NSW reported 34,759 new COVID-19 cases today, Wednesday, January 12. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the NSW Health website. Top image: Grapevine Gathering.
A weekend getaway is always sweeter when it's a prize. This one should particularly appeal to lovers of both bourbon and honeybees. We've teamed up with the champions over at Maker's Mark and Beechworth Honey to create an exclusive Beechworth getaway. It's all in celebration of Maker's Mark's new Gold Rush cocktail: a symphony of Australian honey, fresh citrus and the bold flavours of bourbon. At first glance, one might think that there's not much in common between an American bourbon brand and an Australian beekeeping family. Scratch under the surface and you'll find they aren't so different. Two multi-generational family-run businesses with links to gold on both sides of the planet, both work with a natural product, champion craftsmanship and have a shared commitment to sustainable practices. Lucky winners of the competition will receive a two-night stay at the historic Hive Apartment located in the heart of Beechworth — the ideal hub for discovering the town's unique dining, retail and historical streetscape. The building that houses the apartment was originally built in 1865, making it one of the oldest bank buildings in Victoria. It once operated as the 'Gold Office' and stored bars of gold for the bank. Now it is a homage to a liquid gold: honey. Not only will winners stay at the Hive, but they will also take part in a unique one-on-one honey-tasting experience at the Beechworth Honey Shop where they will learn all about honey and the importance of honeybees from the staff. Plus, they will be greeted with a bespoke Gold Rush gift basket with all the ingredients they need to make the cocktail yourself: a bottle of Maker's Mark bourbon, a jar of Beechworth Honey, and a cocktail shaker. You don't even need to worry about travel costs — the prize includes travel (either flights or car hire) up to the value of $1000). [competition]898062[/competition]
Albert Tucker Slow Coffee is selling itself as the bubble bath of caffeinated experiences: clean, luxurious and not meant to be hurried. The joint venture of coffee expert Kate Britton and cultural entrepreneur Angela Bennetts, the pop-up shop will be making its debut at Redfern's 107 Projects between May 9 and 30. "We are unique, in that unlike most coffee vendors, we are serving filter coffee only," says Bennetts. “Basically, because it's a better way to taste coffee." Whereas an espresso machine tends to condense a bean's rich and varied flavours, a filter means the preservation of complexity. It is a type of pour-over coffee, entirely undeserving of the reputation American diners have given it. "In judging the quality of beans at cupping competitions, tasters will always try a filter,” says Bennetts. Having shopped around, the two coffee lovers have decided to launch their project with an exclusive blend from Engadine's Jack of Harts & Jude. "[It] is locally-sourced, organic and air-roasted," explains Bennetts. "The raw beans are sourced from the Byron hills region and are blended together with a new small-crop bean from just outside Nimbin to create the perfect filter drop." Apart from spreading the love of their filtered favourite, Bennetts and Britton are also seeking to create a "casual and communal environment". A selection of (mostly) locally and sustainably produced snacks, including artisan breads and spreads, will be on the pop-up shop menu. Plus, as the business names suggests, a distinctively Australian feel will inform the interior. "It's both a nod to our Australiana leanings and a not-too-imaginative pun on 'tuckshop'," explains Bennetts. "You could say that Tucker's renowned Antipodean Head is our unofficial mascot — he certainly looks like he chugs a lot of coffee."
There's a certain NSW coastal town that's caught the attention of travel-deprived Aussies this spring. Maybe it's the primo surf beaches and plethora of restaurants and bars. Maybe it's the fact that both NSW and Queensland residents can currently visit without quarantining. Or maybe it's the Zac Efron sightings. Whatever the reason, Byron Bay is, more than even, the place to be. You can join the fun and visit the celebrated beachside spot for zero dollars. Yep, fashion retailer Surf Stitch and Aussie seltzer brand Delvi are giving away a luxury holiday to Byron Bay. And to enter, you just need to sling 'em your deets over here. No 25-words-or-less-answers, just your name and contact info. Pretty darn easy. If you're chosen, you'll get two return flights from anywhere in Australia, two nights of luxury accommodation, a fridge full of Delvi seltzer — because, it's set to be the summer of seltzers, after all — two $1000 Surf Stitch vouchers and an ultimate beach pack for two. A runner up prize of a 'summer worth of seltzers' will also be given out. Nothing to sniff at. Don't win and still want to visit? We've rounded up 20 of our favourite Byron Bay getaways for couples and groups. Enter the Surf Stitch x Delvi competition to win a free trip to Byron Bay here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Czech designer Kristyna Pojerova's latest creation ticks all the boxes - it's convenient, portable, aesthetically appealing, and it's green, too. Harmoniously combining simplicity with beauty, practicality with ethicality, her portable glasshouse is the dream of any inner-city or spatially-challenged dweller with a green thumb, finely tuned tastebuds and no backyard. It is a glass structure with four small holes for air as well as a large hole in the middle for easy access that is mounted onto a lightbulb and uses the excess heat to create a fertile and natural microclimate within it for growing herbs. Not only is it practical and eco-friendly, but it lends a homely atmosphere to your kitchen - a modern version of flowers-in-a-jam-jar-on-the-window-sill, if you will. Going to a dinner party and panicking about what to take? Why not take your portable herb garden. It's a culinary novelty and a segue into discussions regarding Eastern European design and innovation all in one. Do you often worry that your kitchen does not exude an ethos? These hanging herbs will add an element of environmental consciousness in a creative and thoughtful manner. Enraged about the recent passing of the Carbon Tax? Ensure that your electricity bills at least contribute towards your garden as well as your cravings for coriander. Utility aside, the glasshouse reminds me of designs such as these Icelandic moss rings and similar micro gardening products, which are quite beautiful, albeit ironic, in the way they try to bring us back to nature by bringing an instrumentalised microcosm of nature to us. This glasshouse has the same aroma of sweetness and nostalgia as does making your own strawberry jam from scratch, or knitting a scarf for winter. And while Pojerova states "all this is basically about making use of the otherwise useless waste heat of the (light) bulb", for all its practically and ecological benefits, this grandma element seems to me to be its true allure.
January 2014 will see Sarah Blasko embark on a short but surely sweet Heavenly Sounds tour, with the singer-songwriter choosing a restrained program of just four shows in four churches across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The tour will be the final round of performances celebrating her ARIA-nominated fourth studio album, I Awake. Loyal fans might have already witnessed the ideal pairing of the singer's ethereal tones and cathedral acoustics back in 2011, when her collaborative side project Seeker Lover Keeper (with Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby) launched Heavenly Sounds. Now’s your chance to settle back amongst the stained glass and enjoy a night of pure Blasko. "These will be my last shows for I Awake, and really, what better place is there to sing (apart from the shower of course) than a beautiful church?" says Blasko. "I'll be playing songs from all four albums and it's likely to be the most intimate show of mine you'll see for some time." Tour dates: SYDNEY: Wednesday 15 January, St Stephen’s Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street BRISBANE: Thursday 16 January, St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann Street MELBOURNE: Wednesday 22 January, St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street ADELAIDE: Friday 24 January, Flinders St Baptist Church, 65 Flinders Street Tickets are $62.50 plus transaction fees and go on sale at www.ticketek.com.au at noon on Monday, 25 November. Or you can sign up for the Wednesday, 20 November, pre-sale by joining the mailing list at www.heavenlysounds.com
When you're a fan of a particular band, there are plenty of ways to show your love. Listening to their tunes, seeing them live, buying and wearing their merchandise: they're all old favourites. If you're keen on Dune Rats, you can also add drinking Dunies Lager to your list. The Brisbane musos are fond of a collaboration — already this year, they teamed up with Volley on their own line of kicks — and now they're bringing back their boozy team-up with Young Henrys. It all started back in 2017, when the brewery and the band initially joined forces on a range of cold ones. The beer in question actually arose from a pub bet about whether the group's second album, The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit, could top the ARIA charts. "We hung out with our mates Young Henrys one arvo, and it came up that we were gunning for number one when our new album dropped," the band said at the time. "The fellas said 'if you get the top spot, we'll brew you your own beer'." Now, Dune Rats are about to release their fourth album, Real Rare Whale, on Friday, July 29 — and make the rounds of the country's stages, taking their new tracks on tour. That's clearly as good a time as any to bring back Dunies Lager, with Young Henrys now selling the brew via its website, and also pouring it at the band's upcoming gigs. That means that you'll be able to knock back a few in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide between Friday, July 29–Thursday, August 4 — or whenever you like if you nab a case online. For the brew's return outing, it's still a limited-edition tipple. It's around for a good time, not a long time, basically. Dunies Lager still sports a Dune Rats-yellow design by artist Lee McConnell, of course. And as for the brew itself, it's described as a "slightly hazy, year-round smasher" that "gives a feisty first impression" but mellows "into an easy going friend that drinks for days". "After the first batch of Dunies Lager finished, there was a gaping hole left in our stomachs. We weren't sure what happened but something was missing... until now. We are so fucking stoked to announce the return of Dunies Lager," the band said. DUNE RATS 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Friday, July 29 — Soundmerch, Melbourne Saturday, July 30 — White Horse Hotel, Sydney Sunday, July 31 — Coorparoo Bowls, Brisbane Thursday, August 4 — Lions Art Factory, Adelaide Dunies Lager is available to buy at Dune Rats' 2022 gigs, and via the Young Henrys website.
Instead of shooting tequila and fighting back the tears while biting on a lemon, you might be better off using it as an alternative fuel. Originally seen as a potential saviour, crop-based biofuels are now criticised for competing for arable land, driving up grain prices and being grown in conditions that damage the environment. Agave, the plant used to make tequila, might just provide a solution. Since it grows in arid conditions, it doesn't compete for arable land and water supplies, and can adapt to future changes in the climate. Research into the energy and greenhouse cost of producing agave-derived bioethanol shows that it would be preferable to current biofuel crops, and one Australian company Ausagave is already giving it a try. So, the next time someone tries to force a tequila shot on you, you can refuse on the grounds that you'll need it for the drive home. Just don't put the salt or lemon in the tank... [via PSFK]
If you can't get enough of The Grounds of Alexandria, you can now do a workout surrounded by the venue's gardens and fairy lights. The lush eatery is hosting a series of hour-long vinyasa yoga classes throughout spring and summer. Flow through your sun salutations surrounded by lush greenery in The Grounds' garden, then end with a relaxing ten-minute meditation. After the class, you're invited to hang around (and maybe explore the Garden's immersive Nutcracker installation) and enjoy some post-flow tea. Plus, the money you spend on your ticket will not only better only your own mind, body and soul, but also go toward helping others do the same. All of the profits from the evening will go towards upcoming community programs run by Lovesweats. Yoga mats will be provided, too, so you just need to bring yourself.
The Good Food & Wine Show is set to return to Sydney in June this year, promising a stacked schedule of shows with notable chefs and the chance to discover artisanal goods from over 300 producers and brands. The celeb chefs that will take the stage include Ready Steady Cook's Miguel Maestre and pastry queen Kirsten Tibballs, along with MasterChef Australia alumni Emelia Jackson, Khanh Ong and Steph de Sousa, TV personality Alastair McLeod, and Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats. Between demos and talks on the Cooking Main Stage, attendees can expand their gastronomic horizons at various other events. Explore the world of tea with tea-infused bites and cocktails at The Art of Luxury Tea with Dilmah 85 Reserve, sample elegant wines at the RIEDEL Drinks Lab and Wine Selectors Tasting Room, or visit the Singapore Airlines VIP Lounge for your choice of three meals and five wines or beers. The Good Food & Wine Show will take place from Friday, June 21–Sunday, June 23 at the ICC Sydney. General admission tickets start from $39 and are available to purchase at the website.
We all live in the moment. That's not to say we're spontaneous — few of us are that — but we don't see the many iterations of ourselves that have been and will be when we're so thoroughly immersed in the present. We can't see the loves that come and go, the failures that dissolve to nothing, the great pains that, tarnished, become part of the furniture in our cluttered personal hallways. That's what we tend to experience in the theatre, too: a single point on the chart, surveyed, studied, and mined for meaning. But perspective comes with its own truth. To have the whole of a life slapped down before us can be an innately powerful, piercing thing, and it's this that Belvoir's Strange Interlude harnesses so well. Constantly heartbreaking, relentlessly funny, and goddamn beautiful, it covers some 25 years in the life of Nina Leeds (Emily Barclay) and those close to her, starting with her bereavement, at 19, for fiance Gordon (Akos Armont), killed in war. It takes a long time for things to look up for Nina, and she begins to think happiness is just something not meant for her. She blames herself and her professorial father (Anthony Phelan) for her pointless sexual abstinence, wishing she had a baby whose face would remind her of Gordon's. Taking up a nursing position, she instead sees his visage and suffering in those of wounded soldiers and tries to give them everything she'd previously withheld. Her plummet to rock bottom is diverted by Sam (Toby Truslove), an ingenuous schmo who is utterly devoted to her, while her friends Ned (Toby Schmitz) and 'Uncle' Charles (Mitchell Butel), both in love with her in their own fashion, support the union. It's a match that, tragically, can never give Nina what she really needs and will saddle the group with devastating secrets. So far, so soap opera. But Strange Interlude has a few heavy weapons in its arsenal. The divisive classic, written by American Eugene O'Neill and first staged in 1928, has been massively reworked by writer/director Simon Stone (Thyestes, The Wild Duck) into a modern, crisply unsentimental vernacular that's believable and charming. The play is famous for its use of asides, where the characters convey their innermost thoughts to the audience, and those that have been kept in as the play was whittled down to less than two hours (the original is five — five!) are welcome intrusions that either deepen the stakes of the drama or gratifyingly flip the meaning of actions and words spoken. It's great spending any amount of time with Nina Leeds — strange, flawed, ordinary, special Nina Leeds — when she's brought to life by one of the country's best young actors. Barclay doesn't just act, she reacts, and it's mesmerising to watch. You empathise with her no matter whether she's breaking down with her whole body, betraying a strong facade with a glistening eye, or being bratty because sometimes there's those moods, too, okay? She steals every scene she's in, as she should. Thoughtful touches to the staging and costume complete the piece. Two contrasting shower scenes stand out as revealing so much about the emotional world of the people in them, while the costumes easily communicate ageing in character as university prep evolves into unironic captains' blazers and op-shop tea dresses and flats become flowing silk blouses with a sensible heel. Likely to move you to tears of several different kinds, Strange Interlude is a must-see. It's a play that says, "Don't be ridiculous; you've got years of love and heartbreak ahead of you still," and it says it both in its words and in its heart.
After headlining Splendour in the Grass earlier this year, The National are bringing their moody, Nick Cave-esque brand of indie rock back to Australia in February 2014. The tour kicks off in Adelaide before heading to Sydney (where they'll be performing on the Opera House forecourt), Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Given we're an island on the other side of the world, it took the New York-based band a while to make their way Down Under, but better late than never right? We've loved them doubly ever since. The National first came to Australia in 2008 to promote their fourth album, Boxer, before coming back in 2010 and 2011 for the Falls Festival and Harvest. They took a break for a few years before returning with their sixth album, Trouble Will Find Me, which is being hailed as their best to date. After appearances at several major festivals like Reading and Leeds and Lollapalooza, The National are fast building a reputation as a must-see live act. Fans can expect to hear some of their older songs, like 'Demons', 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Fake Empire' (which was controversially used in a Mitt Romney election video without their knowledge) as well as newer stuff from Trouble Will Find Me. https://youtube.com/watch?v=N527oBKIPMc
It's about to get a whole lot harder for any New South Wales driver to get away with using their mobile phone while driving — and it's thanks to a world-first move by the NSW Government, which is adopting speed camera-style technology to detect the illegal behaviour. After trialling the high-definition cameras during October — and spying more than 11,000 drivers using their phones, according to the ABC — the government has announced that a further test will take place from January. If proven foolproof, the technology will be implemented on a permanent basis. As first reported earlier this year, the legislation giving the tech the go-ahead was passed in NSW parliament back in May. And while the technology didn't actually exist at the time, the government put the call-out to companies who were interested in providing the technology. Three outfits took part in the first trial, with Australian company Acusensus selected for the January test run. Acusensus' cameras, which use artificial intelligence, will be placed on the M4 and Anzac Parade. They can operate in all conditions — day and night, and regardless of the weather — to detect folks using their phones while they're behind the wheel. It's hoped that using the cameras will have a huge positive impact on the number of road fatalities, much like when breath testing was introduced back in 1982 and slashed fatal accidents by almost 50 percent. While most drivers will probably see this as a cash grab, fines won't be issued during the January trial. If the cameras come into effect permanently afterwards, fully licensed drivers will be looking at a $330 fine and four demerit points if caught; however NSW Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey told The Sydney Morning Herald that money raised from the camera fines will go back into a Community Road Safety Fund. Via the ABC.
Operational in New South Wales since 2017 and Queensland since 2018, container refund schemes are the waste reduction tactic that helps everyone. You get to exchange your used drink containers for shiny ten-cent pieces, and Australia in general benefits by removing bottles and cans from landfill — which is a small but worthy step towards a greener planet. Until August 23, 2020, swapping your empty drink vessels for loose change will also help another important party: Australia's bushfire-affected wildlife. In eligible states across the country — New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory — TOMRA Collection Solutions has launched Cans for Koalas, which'll direct your refund to WWF's Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund. Donating your refund to a good cause has always been an option; however, for the duration of the Cans for Koalas campaign, you can specifically direct your funds to the WWF. To do so, you'll need to head to a TOMRA recycling point, with more than 320 Return and Earn machines scattered across New South Wales and ten TOMRA recycling centres located around southeast Queensland. While Cans for Koalas' name singles out one particularly fluffy, adorable type of Aussie animal, they're not the only critters that'll benefit, with kangaroos, kookaburras, wallabies, wombats and a whole heap of other species all impacted by this summer's blazes. WWF will use your donation to provide food and water to affected animals in bushfire-impacted regions, help restore animal habitats via tree-planting projects, and support the veterinarians caring for and providing medical treatment to injured wildlife. The aim is to raise $250,000 by the end of May — a target that was not just met but more than doubled in the last big donation push, Bottles for the Bush. TOMRA Collection Solutions' Cans for Koalas campaign is running now until August 23, 2020. You can donate your empty drink containers via a TOMRA recycling machine in Sydney and Brisbane — for further information, visit the Cans for Koalas website.
Dance choreographer Rennie McDougall starts off with the jazz ballet moves of the '90s, but by the end of these 45 minutes, you won't be able to look at a grapevine the same way again. Here, the Chunky Move and Conversation Piece performer presents a dance routine that goes past the aesthetic beauty of dance to explore the human body and its capacity for individuality, impulse and error within a choreography. He has performed many times in Sydney, but yes dance is McDougall's much-anticipated choreographic debut. Yes Dance is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Fringe. Check out the other nine.
If you've ever worn a little black dress, then you owe Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel a big thank you. Depending on your choice of suit, bag and perfume, you might owe her some gratitude there as well. The French designer's influence upon 20th-century fashion extends far and wide — and, even though she passed away in 1971, her imprint can be felt in the 21st century as well. So, when the NGV International sends some love her way at its next blockbuster exhibition, it'll have plenty to cover. Displaying at the St Kilda Road gallery from Sunday, December 5, 2021–Monday, April 25, 2022, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will arrive fresh from its current stint at Paris' Palais Galliera. Its stop in Melbourne is its first international jaunt, in fact. On show will be pieces from the French venue, as well as from the Patrimoine de Chanel, the fashion house's heritage department. More than 100 garments will grace the NGV's walls and halls, with the exhibition charting her career. You'll also be able to see what Chanel achieved with perfume, jewellery and accessory design, too. Some pieces will date back more than a century, given that the fashion icon opened her first boutique in Deauville in 1912, before making the leap to her own Parisian couture house in 1918. Expect to check out everything from black threads — obviously — to lace gowns, wool jersey and tailored tweed suits, and an array of beaded garments. As you peer at Chanel's designs, you'll see how womenswear developed, and both how and why she's left a mark that still lingers today. [caption id="attachment_819495" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Gabrielle Chanel (designer). Dress, spring–summer 1925, silk guipure lace, silk organza flower. Patrimoine de Chanel, Paris. Photo © Julien T. Hamon.[/caption] The NGV is also adding its own Chanel pieces to the exhibition, such as a white lace Evening dress that dates back to 1933, and a shirred red silk velvet and marabou-lined evening cape from around 1924–26. They'll form part of a showcase that's split into themed sections, with different parts devoted to her early work, the way her design language evolved in the 1920s and 1930s, the iconic scent that is Chanel No 5, and how the brand's pieces have favoured a look best described as "austere luxury". Also getting their own themed strands: suits, accessories and jewellery. To launch Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, which will be ticketed — and will be the first-ever exhibition in Australia that'll solely focus on Chanel's contributions to fashion and culture — the NGV is bringing back its black-tie NGV Gala, which'll take place on Saturday, December 4. [caption id="attachment_819496" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Gabrielle Chanel, c. 1930s, photograph by André Kertész. Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine. Photo © Ministère de la Culture–Médiathèque del'architecture et du patrimoine, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais /André Kertész. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria.[/caption] Announcing the exhibition, NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM said that "there is no bigger name in 20th-century fashion design than Gabrielle Chanel. Her originality, timelessness and elegance forged a radically modern vision of fashion and a singular style. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will be expansive, visually sumptuous and will reveal the achievements and enduring legacy of the extraordinary French fashion designer." If you decide to wear a little black dress while you're checking out all things Chanel this summer, you'll likely have plenty of company. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will display at the NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 5, 2021–Monday, April 25, 2022. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the gallery's website. Top image: Anne Sainte-Marie in a Chanel suit, photograph by Henry Clarke, published in Vogue US, 1955, retouched by ARCP. ParisMusées. © Henry Clarke, ParisMusées /PalaisGalliera/ADAGP. Copyright Agency, 2021.
Step into your local arthouse theatre these days and you'd be hard pressed not to find a regional film festival going on. From established cinematic powerhouses like France, Germany and Japan, to less spotlighted industries such as Poland, Indonesia and Serbia, the sheer amount of world cinema on the cultural calendar means there's almost always an alternative to the latest blockbuster out of Hollywood. As long as you don't mind reading subtitles, that is. In 2014, the line-up is getting that little bit more crowded, with the inaugural edition of a brand new festival highlighting the films from Europe's frozen north. Covering Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, the first annual Scandinavian Film Festival is set to put the kvikmynd in kvikmyndahátíð. One area where contemporary Scandinavian cinema really seems to excel is the crime genre. Case in point, the Easy Money trilogy, starring Joel 'RoboCop' Kinnaman as a uni student turned drug runner. All three films will screen at the festival — see them before the scheduled US reboot featuring Zac Efron. From across the bridge in Denmark, meanwhile, comes police thriller The Keeper of Lost Causes, one the highest grossing films at the Danish box office last year. Continuing the dramatic thread, Metalhead, out of Iceland, tells the story of a pre-teen girl who copes with her brother's accidental death by taking on his identity. Sounds a little strange, sure, but the film has drawn rave reviews on the international festival circuit and scored a record-breaking 16 nominations at Iceland's prestigious Edda Awards. Thankfully, despite the region's chilly climate, not everything on the program is so severe. Finland's August Fools is a rom-com set against a Cold War era backdrop, while opening night features the informatively titled Swedish comedy The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. For more information about the Scandinavian Film Festival, visit their website.
Following the controversial Callinan Review into the bandaid solution that is the NSW lockout laws, the State Government announced in January that selected venues would be allowed to extend their trading hours for half an hour. Tonight, that promise comes good as legendary leisure spot, The World Bar, opens for that little bit longer. Although the half-hour extension in trading hours can be seen as measly, it's a small step towards restoring Sydney's nightlife economy. Venues approved for later trading hours will have their lockout moved from 1.30am to 2am, and last drinks will be pushed back to 3.30am, instead of 3am. The relaxation of the laws is part of a two-year trial period, with The World Bar being the first venue approved to enact the new trading hours. Stonewall, The Palace Hotel, ArtHouse Hotel, and the Observer Hotel have also been approved, with no word on when they'll take the option of opening for longer, though one would imagine it would be as swiftly as humanly possible. 15 other venues are also having their applications for longer trading hours assessed at the moment. While the laws have been relaxed to a certain degree, strong efforts are still pushing for further reviews and relaxations of the controversial legislation. On Saturday, Keep Sydney Open have organised another rally in Martin Place from 12pm to protest against the unpopular and economically damaging lockout laws, after their most recent peaceful assembly was shut down by police before it even started. Image: The World Bar.
It's been less than a year since Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog made its much-anticipated Australian debut, opening the doors to its hefty Brisbane brewery DogTap last November. But already the team's looking to ramp up that local presence, announcing ambitious plans to open more flagship venues across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by the end of 2021. While the company's keeping hush for now on exactly where these new bars will be located, it has confirmed it's already started searching for sites between 300 and 1000 square metres, in each of the three above cities. It seems the choice to kickstart Aussie operations in the Queensland capital has proved a smart move for the brewery, especially given the extra COVID-19 fallout some other states have had to endure. "The continued success of our DogTap taproom has convinced us that the time is right to start the search and find exciting locations to join the fold," said BrewDog's Head of Australian Operations Calvin McDonald in a statement. Already operating in over 80 countries, the company plans on snapping up 25 more sites worldwide before the year's out. [caption id="attachment_751726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] BrewDog's ambitious expansion plans come off the back of a few news-filled months for the brewing company. Just recently, it claimed the distinction of becoming the first carbon negative international beer brand in the world, removing twice as much carbon from the air than it emits. BrewDog plans to open more sites in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in the coming 12 months. We'll share more details as they're confirmed. Images: DogTap Brisbane by Pandora Photography
As everyone who has ever sipped an espresso martini knows, combining coffee and alcohol is a stroke of both boozy and caffeinated genius. Love a cuppa? Fond of a tipple? Then of course you like them paired together. What's not to adore? Fans of the beloved combination now have another boozy beverage to try, too, thanks to Sydney distillery Archie Rose and Melbourne coffee roasters St Ali. The duo have joined forces on a new and enticing concoction that, like its fellow blends of the caffeinated stuff and the hard stuff, is bound to give you a buzz. It's likely to earn its own obsessives as well. The end result: Blasphemy coffee whisky. It's actually a coffee whisky spirit, to be precise, and it's made from Archie Rose's single malt whisky and St Ali's Orthodox and Wide Awake coffees. Yes, as the name makes plain, the folks behind it know that it might be seen as sacrilegious by some diehard whisky and coffee aficionados. "Although strict whisky and coffee purists might consider it an abuse of both liquids, it's a pairing that when you taste it, and understand the production processes, actually makes perfect sense," says Archie Rose founder Will Edwards. Whether you're drinking it neat or in a boulevardier — as the two brands recommend — you'll also be able to taste amaretto, dark chocolate, creme caramel, roasted hazelnuts, stewed apples, plum jam and fresh berries. And no, unlike St Ali's cold brew, it isn't available in goon sacks. Instead, you'll find it in 700-millilitre bottles — which is perfect for adding it to your whisky shrine. Archie Rose and St Ali's Blasphemy coffee whisky will be available to order from Wednesday, July 28 via the Archie Rose and St Ali websites, for RRP $89.99 — and you'll be able to find it at the Archie Rose Cellar Bar, and at selected bottle shops. Images: Nikki To.
