Is there anything more popular in the world at the moment than Game of Thrones? The fantasy juggernaut transcends boundaries, enabling readers and viewers of all preferences to immerse themselves in arguably the most dense fantasy offering in literary history and be enthralled by its scope, unable to stop reading and watching. It's wonderfully rewarding but also immensely frustrating, as your favourite character(s) can suddenly be taken out of the game without a word of notice. Well, thankfully you now have the chance to ask why, oh why the Red Wedding happened and gain a unique insight into the wonderful world of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond, as writer George R.R. Martin makes his way to Sydney. He'll be joined by Peter Dinklage, the actor who brilliantly portrays Tyrion Lannister, Martin's favourite character. The man who has sold more than 20 million books worldwide will be providing a window into his incredibly innovative imagination and aspirations for the future of the series, as well as entertaining your questions at the Sydney Opera House on November 11, 2013. Dinklage, meanwhile, has mastered the witty love-him-or-hate-him nature of Tyrion, deservedly winning Emmys and Golden Globes along the way, and is ready to share the intricacies behind translating the page to the screen as well as plenty of on-set secrets. Game of Thrones: In Conversation with George R.R. Martin and Peter Dinklage has been made possible by Supanova Pop Culture Expo and the Opera House's ongoing Ideas at the House program and is a must-see for any fans of the epic saga — finally, the chance to ask Martin your most pertinent questions. Just don't ask him when the next book will be released. Also, don't worry, it will all be in English, despite what the impressive teaser video suggests, and you can register your interest here.
Calling all nomads and avid campers: a Japanese company called DCW has designed a mobile pod home that will fit in a mini van and can be assembled on any terrain. The pod allows you to choose your own style of living while still being at one with nature, and can be placed on flat ground, steep hills or even turned into a kit houseboat if you feel like taking to the sea. The manufacturer has said it can be easily built "by two women" in half a day but may take a little longer to pull it down, possibly a whole day. Don't let its size fool you; this mobile house may look extremely tiny but it can sleep up to 3 people when you manoeuvre the sofa bed in the right way. The Mobile House Kit has yet to be given a price tag, but surely if you love the outdoors and want to experience nature in style then it will be worth breaking the budget for.
MONA's summer festival Mona Foma is returning to Launceston this summer — and so is its airline, Air Mofo. After its debut last year, the 'private airline' will once again be on standby to usher guests from the mainland to Tasmania for the 2020 event in serious style — for free. The catch? You don't just get a seat on the purple and yellow Boeing 737 — you get the whole plane. So you'll have 149 seats to fill with your nearest and dearest, and basically anyone else who's free on the main festival weekend of January 17–19. The plane will leave from either Melbourne or Sydney, and everyone on board will be get free return airfares and a three-day festival pass. It goes without saying, you can expect more than just your average in-flight entertainment on-board. Your flight down south will be filled with all sorts of performances and is promising to be 'suitably lit'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmcAp570GRs&feature=youtu.be To enter, you'll have to do some detective work and pinpoint the Air Mofo plane on this map of Tassie. While clues will start going up on the Mona Foma website from today, you'll have to wait until next Thursday, October 10 to enter. First person to find it wins the trip. Then, they'll have just a month to organise their 149 guests. Air Mofo is once again a collaboration between Mona Foma and Tourism Tasmania, and the prize is valued at a whopping $99,000. The summer arts and music fest will take over Launceston from January 11–19. At the moment, the lineup has DJ and producer Flying Lotus coming in to Launnie from LA and a performance from classical musician Ludovico Einaudi — but the full thing will be announced on Friday, October 18. Three-day festival passes are also on sale now — this year priced at $129 for the weekend. And, if you're looking for other ways to enjoy the festival's new surrounds, check out our weekender's guide to Launceston during Mona Foma. Mona Foma 2020 will take over Launceston, Tasmania from January 11–19. Enter the competition over here.
Vivid Ideas festival director Jess Scully knows how to get psyched about winter (it ain't all wet feet and friendless Call of Duty marathons). From pickling workshops to no-holds-barred pampering sessions, DIY crafternoons to steamy hot chocolate-Robert Pattinson combos, Scully knows how to embrace winter with a big ol' hug. So throw on your favourite chunky knits and welcome the chilly season with Jess's tried and tested gear-ups. To take advantage of these and even more great Sydney winter experiences, go to lastminute.com.au and line up your fun-filled days and even cooler nights. Get pickled That used to mean something different in my twenties... how times have changed. This year my friends and I are taking a winter pickling workshop at Cornersmith in Marrickville; we're going to learn to do it ourselves, in the hopes of constructing the perfect Ploughman's Lunch down the line. Get pampered I tend to take better care of my skin and hair in winter; in summer I let the sun and sea take over, and I feel healthier just by virtue of being outdoors. But in winter, I go to the experts. My go-to place is Brad Ngata at The Ivy, where I will get a pro-keratin treatment to hydrate my hair (winter actually dries it out) and a gloss to cheat a little and get some all-over shine. Get cosy At the end of Vivid there is nothing I like better than getting a big hot chocolate, getting cosy in a cinema chair and soaking up beautiful images at Sydney Film Festival. This year I'm particularly excited about seeing The Rover — not least because I'll also be able to sit in on a chat with director David Michod and actors Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, on Sunday June 8... Get hearty For breakfast I'll be trying out every one of the Top Five Porridges in Sydney (as selected by Concrete Playground: expect my rankings shortly!) and then I'll be hunting down the best pub roasts for lunch and dinner. I've also been dreaming of a giant schnitzel and beer from the amazing Concordia Club in Tempe; 'tis the season for mash and gravy! Get crafty After a few months of exhausting mental work, crafting and presenting the Vivid Ideas program, I always feel like doing something with my hands. So I love the workshops at Koskela, giving me a chance to get messy and tactile and hands-on. I took Gemma Patford's rope basket workshop last year, and this year I've got my eyes on a Shibori indigo dyeing workshop. Vivid Ideas runs until June 9. Check out the events still to come over here.
While face masks were first mandated in Melbourne back in mid-July, the NSW Government has only ever 'strongly recommended' its citizens to cover up. From midnight tonight, Saturday, January 2, however, that's all changing. In a bid to contain the current COVID-19 outbreak, which now encompasses clusters on the northern beaches, in Croydon and in western Sydney's Berala, the NSW Government is mandating the wearing of masks for some indoor settings across Greater Sydney. Sydneysiders, including those who live in Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains, must don a mask when they are shopping (at supermarkets, shopping centres and other retail stores); on public and shared transport; at indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and theatres; at places of worship; at hair and beauty salons; and using gaming services. They'll also be mandatory for all staff in hospitality venues and casinos. Children under 12 are exempt, but are encouraged to wear one where they can. If you refuse to do so, you'll risk being slapped with a $200 on-the-spot fine. While the public health order commences today, police won't start issuing fines until Monday, January 4. NSW recorded seven locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with an additional 12 cases in... Posted by NSW Health on Friday, January 1, 2021 Compulsory mask wearing is not the only new restriction announced today for Greater Sydney, either. Gym classes will be reduced to 30 people; places of worship, weddings and funerals will be limited to 100 people, with one person per four square metres; outdoor performances and protests capped at 500; seated, ticketed and enclosed outdoor gatherings reduced to 2000; and nightclubs will not be permitted. These restrictions will come into effect at midnight tonight for all of Greater Sydney, including the southern half of the northern beaches, which has been under stay-at-home orders since Saturday, December 19. While the stay-at-home orders are ending tonight for the southern zone — south of Narrabeen Bridge and the Baha'i Temple — which will then have the same restrictions as the rest of Sydney, they will remain for the northern zone until Saturday, January 9. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
For many of us, the festival season's been plagued by cancellations and hot chips that are actually cold. Thankfully, the clever Simon Beckingham and Wade Cawood are lifting the game with their new boutique festival. Appropriately named Lost Picnic, the Centennial Park event will begin a new festival tradition of gourmet eating this Sunday, March 23. While you graze on the hampers on offer, local musos — including singer-songwriter Megan Washington, alt-rockers The Rubens, Emma Louise, Dustin Tebbutt and Sons of the East — will make for a more bohemian alternative to the festival season. Big Day Out it ain't. The gourmet hampers are put together by renowned chefs Martin Boetz from The Keystone Group and Maurice Terzini from Icebergs and the Cherry Kitchen. Boetz's hamper includes goodies from Rushcutters and his Cooks Co-Op, including smoked meats with remulade and dill pickles, sweet onion tart with smoked speck and paprika, potato salad, pretzel loaf and chocolate torte. Terzini's hamper is based around Icebergs' catering arm, on which they collaborate with Cherry Kitchen. It's Italian to the max, packing Buffalo mozzarella with two Sicilian salads, bresola involtini with goats cheese and caramelised onions, porchetta paninis with Italian coleslaw and tiramisu. The hampers serve up to three people (gather a group of six and you could order one of each) and cost $69 in addition to your ticket, which is $89 at first release. Tickets are on sale now through the festival website.
There's money to be made in the business of curing hangovers. At the moment, the bakery around the corner bears the brunt of my need for three-cheese toasties on sorry-for-myself mornings, but others have had a good crack at trying to strategically break into the market. This Nashi pear juice claimed to help prevent hangovers, and late last year Sydney got its first hangover clinic (although it was soon closed after it landed a patient in hospital). The idea of hooking yourself up to a drip not all that appealing? Luckily for you, my poor, fragile hungover friend, a South Korean convenience store chain has created a much more appealing hangover cure — and it comes in ice cream form. Reuters reports that convenience store chain Withme FS has just launched the Gyeondyo-bar, which roughly translates to "hang in there". As well as providing a much appreciated motivational message, the grapefruit-flavoured ice cream bar is meant to soothe the effects of a hard night on the booze. The magic ingredient is raisin tree fruit juice, which is apparently a traditional 17th century Korean hangover remedy. If you need reassurance from more recent medical research, a 2012 article in the Journal of Neuroscience found that it reduced symptoms of intoxication in rats. This isn't South Korea's first foray into the world of miracle hangover cures. Their vast array of hangover drinks, tablets and even soups amounts to about $175 million in sales each year. This is obviously linked to the city's big drinking culture. According to a 2014 report from the World Health Organization, South Koreans drink 12.3 litres of alcohol per capita each year — that's more than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. So if you're a fan of the morning-after Icy Pole, then this hangover cure would be a (literal) treat. Can someone get Messina onto this? Via Reuters. Image: Alex Jones.
Back bigger and better than ever, the Korean Film Festival returns to Australia for the third time, celebrating this vibrant culture on the silver screen. The festival will have something for everyone, with feature films, short films, documentaries and animations covering almost every genre, from war epics and gangster flicks to tales of romance and erotica. The program includes the iconic Old Boy (set to be remade for 2012 by Spike Lee), which you can see back-to-back in a 'Korean Cult Cinema' double with the dark new animation The King of Pigs, returning to screens after screening in competition at the Sydney Film Festival. Away from the big screen, a number of cultural events will further explore Korean cinema and culture. There are also short film competitions, Q&A sessions and special guest appearances. A chat with Kang Hyeong-Cheol, writer and director of the blockbuster comedy Scandal Makers, about a radio DJ who learns in his 30s that he may be a grandfather, and Russell Edwards, a critic from Variety and SBS Film, will inject entertainment into the program of cinematic enlightenment.
For art-loving Sydneysiders, March is one of the busiest times of the year — especially if it's a Biennale year (and it bloody well is). With Art Month already in full swing and the 20th Biennale of Sydney ready and raring to take over the city, our art calendars are chockers already. So we picked out a few of our must-sees for the month, from the larger blockbusters to the smaller, quirkier shows. By the end of this month, you'll be royally gallery-ed out (as if that were ever a problem). By Jasmine Crittenden, Shannon Connellan and Imogen Baker.
After the apocalypse arrived from above in the form of extra-terrestrials that leap upon any and every sound, audiences have already seen what happened on day 89 and day 471–7. We've also caught a glimpse of the day that started it all. But A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II prequel A Quiet Place: Day One is going right back to the beginning properly, and not just via flashbacks. The third effort in the now-franchise is also headed to New York. On the way since 2021, and just dropping its first trailer ahead of its June 2024 release, the latest A Quiet Place film steps into the alien invasion's initial impact in the Big Apple with 12 Years a Slave Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) at its centre. As the initial sneak peek shows, she's walking happily with a cat in her arms when the sky starts falling — and she soon realises that noise is what sets off earth's unwanted new visitors. When A Quiet Place hit cinemas in 2018, did stellar things with its mostly dialogue-free premise and gave films about otherworldly attackers a creative spin, it quickly proved a big box office hit. That's hardly surprising; Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer) added another formidable role to her resume, John Krasinski (Jack Ryan) did great work both in front of and behind the camera, both Millicent Simmonds (Wonderstruck) and Noah Jupe (The Undoing) turned in excellent performances, and the entire movie made the absolute most of its silence-heavy approach and its niche in the horror genre. So, not only was a sequel always likely, but more in the saga after that, with Day One giving viewers more time in the franchise's eerie dystopian world. The trailer for the new film shows snippets of the first two movies' Abbott family for context, but it's Djimon Hounsou (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story) who returns from A Quiet Place Part II among the cast. In the sneak peek, he pops up late to help stress why surviving requires keeping your lips zipped as tightly as possible. A Quiet Place: Day One also features Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn, who leaves Vecna behind for different monsters. Behind the lens, instead of Krasinski sitting in the director's chair, fellow filmmaker Michael Sarnoski helms — swapping Nicolas Cage on a vengeance mission over his beloved pet in Pig for tackling invading aliens. He wrote the screenplay, too, after coming up with the story with Krasinski. Originally Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving's Jeff Nichols was set to direct, but left due to creative differences. Check out the trailer for A Quiet Place: Day One below: A Quiet Place: Day One releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Read our reviews of A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II.
Last last year beach expert (actual title) Brad Farmer released the first edition of his book 101 Best Beaches, in which he and coastal geomorphologist Professor Andy Short visited all 11,761 of Australia's beaches. Together they named Cossies Beach as their top spot of coastline in the country. However, given the fact that it's located on a secluded island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and is about a four-hour flight from Perth, it's not exactly an easy (or affordable) trip for the average traveller. But in more accessible beach travel news, TripAdvisor has just released their best Australian beaches to travel to in 2017. At the top of the list is Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island — its seven-kilometres of pure white sand and clear blue waters giving it ten palm trees out of ten on the paradise scale. Others on the list include tourist-heavy spots Surfers Paradise, Noosa and Sydney's Manly Beach. Turquoise Bay in Western Australia also gets a look-in, as does Broome's Cable Beach and Emily Bay on Norfolk Island. The list has been pulled together from traveller reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor over the last year, and takes into consideration the quantity and quality of feedback. Obviously the list is determined by the users of TripAdvisor — but even if you don't use it, millions of people do, so it definitely has some sway. The travel site also ranked the world's best beaches, where Whitehaven was the only Australian beach to get a place at number 17. The number one spot went to Brazil's Baia do Sancho. See the full list of beaches below. TRIPADVISOR'S TRAVELLERS' CHOICE BEST BEACHES IN AUSTRALIA 1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, QLD 2. Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast, QLD 3. Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast QLD 4. Manly Beach, Sydney, NSW 5. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, WA 6. Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QLD 7. Cable Beach, Broome, WA 8. Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast, QLD 9. The Strand, Townsville, QLD 10. Emily Bay, Norfolk Island
Master of surreal everything (movies, TV shows, music, coffee), David Lynch has released a new track titled 'Crazy Clown Time' through his Facebook page. The experimental track is as weird as you would expect (see Twin Peaks soundtrack and Lynch's 'Good Day Today') and is part of Lynch's debut album of the same name, due to be released in November. It sounds like anything he'd include in his cooky cinematic or television work - a touch of weird appearing in the non-descript auto-tune vocals provided by Lynch himself. Of the album the song is on, Lynch thinks it's full of accidents and "should be in hospital." Is there anything the man can't do? https://youtube.com/watch?v=2GXGc4EobS8 [via Stereogum]
With plenty of IKEA furniture ending up deep in the Gumtree 'For Sale' ads or left on the side of the road, the Swedish retailer came up with a pretty clever plan to give those unwanted flat-pack ensembles a second lease on life: a buy-back service. In good news for those moving house or faced with an accumulative collection of Malm blond wood pieces, the chain allows Australians to return their retired IKEA pieces to their nearest store, ready to be sold on to a new home — and score a voucher for their efforts. For ten days between Tuesday, November 24–Thursday, December 3, IKEA is going a step further — because Black Friday falls within that period, and because it's keen to make the annual buying frenzy more sustainable. Return an unwanted IKEA piece between those two dates, and the retailer will double your refund. So yes, you'll receive twice as much as you would if you brought in a few bookshelves either now or once the special is over. And, you'll be able to use that refund for a year after its issued. So how does it work? If you've got some furniture you want to get out of your life, you'll need to get an estimated quote online. Between the aforementioned dates, that web calculator will automatically double the value of your returned item, compared to normal. Then, you'll need to take the quote and your furniture — still fully assembled, mind you — to your closest IKEA location. Once there, your furniture will be assessed by an IKEA staff member, and they'll confirm the a value and give you a buy-back refund card to use in-store. The one big caveat: to score double the refund, you'll need to be an IKEA Family member (otherwise, you'll just receive the normal amount). It's free to join, though, and you can sign up online. Even with twice as much credit on offer, the buy-back scheme still works in the same general way. So, it's only for IKEA furniture, and not for other products like lighting, mattresses, textiles, kitchen components or appliances. That's because the bought-back pieces need to be in good enough condition to be sold on to other customers in the As-Is store. It does, however, have separate recycling schemes for mattresses, batteries and light bulbs. The by-back program was rolled out nationally in 2019 after a year-long trial at Sydney's Tempe store, which saw 1600 pieces bought back from customers. Initially, the initiative was spurred by findings from the company's latest People & Planet Positive Report, which suggested Aussies threw away up to 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused or repaired. If your Malm bed frame or chest of drawers isn't in quite good enough condition for the As-Is store, you might need to consider donating it to charity or finding another way to recycle it. And if you are buying new furniture, consider buying something secondhand from the As-Is store, or at least investing in something that you plan to keep long-term. As part of the Black Friday promotion, items returned and sold at the As-Is store will be renamed after their previous owners. If your name is already Billy and you're bringing back bookcases of the same name, though, obviously nothing will change. For more information about IKEA's buy-back scheme — and its Black Friday deal — head to the retailer's website. Between Tuesday, November 24–Thursday, December 3, IKEA Family members will get double the refund amount on returned IKEA furniture, as calculated via an online quote, and then confirmed when you take your goods to the brand's stores to collect and redeem the voucher.
Bundaberg Rum might be best known for its polar bear logo and accompanying ad campaign (as well as its combo with coke), but they're no longer the Queensland distillery's only claims to fame. In fact, the Aussie brand can now add the title of World's Best Rum to its credentials, after emerging victorious at the World Drinks Awards in London. Not only was their MDC Blenders Edition 2015 crowned the globe's number one dark rum, but it was named the world's best rum overall too. Given the number of varieties that line bottle shop shelves, that's quite the triumph. It's also the first time ever that an Australian spirit has achieved the feat. Best served neat or over ice — i.e. without mixers, and definitely not as part of a rum and coke combo — it was the Blenders Edition's delicate hints of raisins, spice and tobacco coupled with a long and exceptionally smooth finish that won the judges over. It wasn't the only Bundy beverage to get a gong, with Bundaberg Small Batch anointed the world's top golden rum as well. Yes, it seems Australians aren't just great at knocking back a few drinks — we're great at making them, too. Anyone after a taste of the finest rum on the planet had best get in quick though. The award-winning tipple is so limited that it comes in numbered bottles, and is certain to fly off the shelves now that it has such a prestigious stamp of approval. Via Executive Style. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
When Great Southern Nights is set to take to the stage, you should expect big things to happen. This statewide music festival is all about heroing local musical talent and is doing so with hundreds of gigs in regional hubs of NSW — including the Central Coast — between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6. From Erina to Doyalson and beyond, some of the festival's headline acts will be sprinkled all throughout the area. The main venues joining in on the fun are The Sunken Monkey in Erina, Wyong's The Art House, Warners Bay Theatre, Doyalson RSL and Drifter's Wharf in Gosford. As to the lineup — there are legends of the Aussie music industry like Baby Animals, Troy Cassar-Daley and Marcia Hines, plus plenty of newer faces like The Rions, Ngaiire, Telenova and more. Events range from free entry to ticketed, so you'd best visit the Great Southern Nights website to start planning or check out our guide for tips on how to enjoy your time on the Central Coast.
It's been a couple of big weeks in Sydney with all the Splendour in the Grass sideshows. If you're like me, you're probably reduced to funding your nights out with the spare change down the back of the couch. If that's the case, then a free show will be music to your ears — and Oxford Art Factory have your Saturday nights in August covered thanks to a residency from Sydney band She Rex. She Rex sounds just like their name suggests — big, swaggering rock and roll with some classic riffs and some serious attitude. But there's more to them than just big, dumb fun. Tracks like 'P.O.W.E.R.' demonstrate some distinctly 'Millennial' influences, metal guitars grinding over the top of M.I.A./Santigold-esque genre-blending hop hop. The band describe their music as "the kind of sound that makes rocks roll", and if you're smart you'll go see them for free — I get the feeling you'll need to shell out the big bucks to get in the door before too long. And did I mention they are an all-female ensemble? Riot, grrrrrrls.
Going out is great: whether it's a rowdy birthday dinner with mates, a dance party that went until sunrise or a hot date where a few too many drinks were had, we love a big night out as much as the next person. Not so great? That next morning, where pounding headaches and parched throats put a vicious end to all the good vibes of the night before. Thankfully, after a few too many Sundays spent hiding under our doonas in sweatpants, we discovered an infinitely more pleasant way to recover from a big night out. Yep, there's nothing quite like a big brekkie or lazy lunch that's all about comfort food and guilty pleasures. In collaboration with American Express, we've found the best places in Sydney to take your hungover self after a massive night on the town. Each of these spots has a menu featuring tried-and-tested hangover cures (think juicy burgers, massive bowls of pasta or dim sum), and an excellent coffee to perk you right back up, plus they're just casual enough for you to show up looking a little less put-together than usual. And they also all accept Amex (so you can stock up on points). You'll be feeling human again in no time. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Whether you're a yogi wanting to properly celebrate International Yoga Day or just looking for an excuse to escape the fluorescent lights of the office, you can fulfil your namaste needs in North Sydney this Thursday, June 21. The North Sydney Council will host a free lunchtime hip hop yoga class on the Greenwood Plaza rooftop. The 45-minute session will be taught by Nikki Ayers while DJ Sasha Moon soundtracks the class with hits from Drake, Kanye and more. The class will kick off at 12.15pm but get there a bit early as the centre is giving away 100 free mats from noon. It's a nice little (free!) way to get moving on your lunch break. To register, email your contact info commsevents@northsydney.nsw.gov.au before Wednesday, June 20 at 5pm.
Looking for a top-notch tipple to sip? Plenty of prizes, nods and gongs have you covered. Looking for a great wine bar to drink them in, when and where it is safe to do so? That's the domain of the Wineslinger Awards, which has just announced its top 50 venues for 2020. As voted on by more than 100 industry experts — think sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists — the Wineslinger Awards were created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards. Where the latter prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, the former is all about excellent and innovative places where vino lovers can enjoy an ace drop. In this year's list, Wineslinger has shared the love around the country. Fifteen bars are located in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, 12 in Victoria, eight in Western Australia, and five each in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. Even better — almost half of the 2020 top 50 have been named for the first time, with 20 venues earning that honour. For folks looking for your next drinking spot, that means you have plenty of places to add to your must-visit list. Some are located in wine regions, others have been plying their trades for decades, and others still have only just opened — yes, during the pandemic. From the top 50, Wineslinger will single out a number of venues for trophies, which'll be awarded at a virtual presentation on Monday, October 19. The top gong is simply called 'Wineslinger', naturally, while other prizes span the self-explanatory 'Best New Haunt', as well as the 'Maverick' award for a venue that pushes the limits. And, for vino aficionados at home, there's also the 'People's Choice' prize — which is open for online votes right now, closing at midday on the day of the ceremony. As part of the public vote, Wineslinger is also supporting hospitality relief fund Tip Jar, via a $1 donation for every vote received. You can win prizes for having your say, too — including a heap of wine, obviously — but knowing that simply nominating your pick will help raise money for the industry is pretty great motivation. [caption id="attachment_781186" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Love, Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst via Nikki To[/caption] WINESLINGER AWARDS 2020 TOP 50 NSW/ACT 10 William Street, Paddington Alberto's Lounge, Sydney Bar Rochford, Canberra Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Sydney Bibo Wine Bar, Double Bay Dear Sainte Eloise, Potts Point Ester, Chippendale Fix Wine, Sydney Fleet, Brunswick Heads Love, Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst Ode Bar, Bondi Poly, Surry Hills Ragazzi, Sydney Where's Nick, Marrickville WyNo x Bodega, Surry Hills QLD Cru Bar + Cellar, Fortitude Valley La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane La Lupa, West End Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane Snack Man, Fortitude Valley SA Hellbound, Adelaide Leigh Street Wine Room, Adelaide Mother Vine, Adelaide The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale The Summertown Aristologist, Summertown TAS Havilah, Launceston Lucinda, Hobart Sonny, Hobart Stillwater, Launceston Tom McHugo's Hobart Hotel, Hobart VIC Bar Liberty, Fitzroy Carlton Wine Room, Carlton City Wine Shop, Melbourne Embla, Melbourne Etta, Brunswick East France-Soir, South Yarra Geralds Bar, Carlton North Marion, Fitzroy Napier Quarter, Fitzroy Old Palm Liquor, Brunswick East Union Street Wine, Geelong Winespeake, Daylesford WA Lalla Rookh, Perth Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley Liberté, Albany Lulu La Delizia, Subiaco Madalena's Bar, South Fremantle Petition Wine Merchant, Perth Settlers Tavern, Margaret River Wines of While, Perth To vote in Wineslinger's People's Choice Award before midday on Monday, October 19, visit the awards' website. Top images: Snack Man, Fortitude Valley; Ode Bar, Bondi; Marion, Fitzroy; Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley; Hellbound, Adelaide.
Two-year-old Melbourne-based label Búl has brought its sharp tailoring to the Strand Arcade in the form of a pop-up that will be open til September. Greeting you with pine wood panels, tree stumps and white, mottled-marble counters, the space has a feel that's directly on target for those coveting the cleanly organic. The design (by architect Michael Macleod) plays perfect host to the AW13 collection, which is muted and classic in silk, leather and knit, from the gorgeous two-tone Kabli jacket to the Haldjas boot. Designer Virginia Martin cut her teeth at Proenza Schouler, Cynthia Rowley, Heatherette and Trovata before going solo at age 25 and consciously integrates a serene coastal influence into every season of Bul. Want 15 percent off all full-priced items at the Búl pop-up at The Strand? Just mention you're using the Concrete Playground reader discount (valid until Sunday, June 9).
When you've been screening movies under the stars for 25 years, it's worth celebrating that fact. And when you're hosting your newest season of outdoor flicks in a year of significant worldwide change, giving viewers something comfortable and reliable to watch is a mighty sensible approach. Moonlight Cinema is doing both when it returns for the summer of 2020–21, all by packing its program with a heap of film favourites — so get ready to kick back on the grass and watch Moulin Rouge!, Black Panther, When Harry Met Sally, Bohemian Rhapsody and, depending on your city, either Pulp Fiction or Dirty Dancing. Indeed, there's a definite retro air to Moonlight's lineup this year — which arrives after the outdoor cinema first announced that it was definitely returning in this chaotic period, and then revealed its exact dates. Between November 2020 and April 2021, the event will head to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne with a heap of old-school flicks. You'll also be able to see some recent releases, in case you haven't had the chance since cinemas started reopening (mid-year in most of the country, and this week in Melbourne). In the classic camp, a week of Christmas films will help you feel merry, with Die Hard, Love Actually, Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch and The Nightmare Before Christmas on the bill. Or, if you'd like to revisit non-festive faves from the past few years, you can check out The Greatest Showman, Frozen II, Thor: Ragnarok, Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: Civil War. From this year's releases, there's a little bit of everything. Christopher Nolan's Tenet will screen in the evening air, this year's new version of The Secret Garden will play surrounded by plenty of grass, and Australian comedy Rams — about feuding sheep-farmer brothers — will do the same. There's also Russell Crowe getting angry over the phone and in his car in thriller Unhinged, the cringe-worthy teen romance of After We Collided and the delightful Dickens adaptation that is The Personal History of David Copperfield. The program does vary slightly from city to city, so it's worth checking exactly what's playing on your patch of turf. And, because Melbourne's season doesn't start until January, it hasn't actually announced its lineup as yet. It's also worth remembering that every city is BYO except Brisbane — but, wherever you're settling in for an outdoor cinema session, there'll be food trucks, a bar, snacks and (if you'd like to pay for them) bean bags as well. And, in great news for movie-loving pooches, you can bring them along, too. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2020–21 DATES Sydney: Thursday, November 26–Sunday, April 4 (Centennial Park) Brisbane: Friday, November 27–Sunday, February 21 (Roma Street Parkland) Adelaide: Friday, December 11–Sunday, February 14 (Botanic Park) Perth: Thursday, December 3–Sunday, April 4 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Melbourne: Thursday, January 7–Sunday, April 25 (Royal Botanic Gardens) Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2020, running through until April 2021. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website.
To ring in the year of the ox, dumpling master Din Tai Fung created cute masked ox buns, continuing its annual tradition of welcoming the Lunar New Year with an adorable addition to its menu (see also: its monkey buns from 2016 and pig bao from 2019). But creative dishes aren't just a once-a-year thing here. Now that Easter is almost upon us, the chain is serving up something else to tempt your tastebuds: hot cross bao. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like — and the bao is only available for a limited time. On the outside, each one looks like a hot cross bun, but they're made with steamed bread. And, you won't find any raisins inside. Instead, they're filled with molten chocolate. The hot cross bao is available at all Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets in Sydney, so you'll want to hit up its World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, Westfield Sydney, Broadway Shopping Centre, Gateway Sydney, The Star, Greenwood Plaza and MLC Centre venues. In Melbourne, you have one spot to head to, with the bao on offer at Emporium Melbourne. If you'd rather have them brought to your door, they're also available for delivery in frozen form. If you'd like to stock your freezer and enjoy them once Easter passes, that's an option as well. The only problem we can foresee with this latest hybrid dish? Wanting to devour as many as possible. They'll cost you $5.80 for two in-store, and $8 for three in frozen packs. Hot cross bun bao are available for $5.80 for two at all Din Tai Fung stores. They're also available for delivery, for $8 — plus a $10–20 delivery fee.
It'll look like an Asian hawker market, smell like one, and definitely be as packed as one. Old favourites will be back with all the dumplings, noodles and barbecue you can think of. You'll see a few new faces among the stalls this year, including Toko, Bang and Ramen Zundo. Black Star Pastry and N2 Gelato will also be making their first appearance at the markets, armed with what we know will be delicious desserts. Be prepared to queue. Times: Mon–Tue 5pm–9pm, Wed–Thur 5pm–10pm, Fri 5pm–11pm, Sat 4pm–10pm, Sun 4pm–9pm. This event is one of our top ten picks of Good Food Month 2015. Check out the other nine.
With the New South Wales State Budget set to be announced on Tuesday, June 22, some details on where funding will land have begun to trickle through. One such tidbit should see more blockbuster art and cultural exhibitions arrive on Australian shores, with $40 million being invested in the state's cultural institutions to help fund major exhibitions throughout NSW. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding will aim to "establish Sydney as the nation's cultural capital by securing world-class exhibitions that will attract tens of thousands of people through the doors of our iconic museums and galleries." Perrottet also said that he hoped the funding would help attract interstate visitors — and eventually entice international travellers to Sydney when borders reopen. [caption id="attachment_789425" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the 'Streeton' exhibition at Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. Photo: Jenni Carter, AGNSW[/caption] Alongside this $40 million investment, an additional $220 million will be invested in Sydney's cultural institutions so that they can undertake necessary upgrades and other capital works, with total operational funding to cultural institutions set to come in at $361.6 million. Two venues that will receive a significant portion of the funding: the Art Gallery of NSW and Australian Museum. Both are currently undergoing upgrades, and will nab receive government funding to help expand their operations. Thanks in part to the new funding over the next four years, Sydneysiders can look forward to new Egyptian exhibition Ramses The Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs, as well as a huge showcase that'll focus on sharks — both at the Australian Museum. Ramses will premiere in the summer of 2023 with more than 180 rare artefacts, while Sharks will debut at the museum from winter 2022 until summer 2023, before touring across the globe. Minister for the Arts Don Harwin also said we can expect the funding to help "bring Alexander McQueen's designs to NSW and take Catherine Martin's collections around the world". The final element of the government's arts funding is financial support to provide free general admission to galleries and cultural institutions in and around Macquarie Street such as the Australian Museum, Sydney Living Museums and Hyde Park Barracks. That's set to kick in for the next 12 months, although the exact dates haven't yet been revealed. [caption id="attachment_800817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] For more information about NSW's newly announced cultural funding, head to the NSW Treasury website. The NSW State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, June 22. Top images: Jenni Carter, AGNSW; Anna Kucera, MCA; Australian Museum.
Across four seasons and 36 episodes of Rick and Morty to date, Rick Sanchez has taken many forms. That's one of the joys of the animated show's multiverse. New universe, new Rick — and new Morty, Beth, Jerry and Summer as well. But while the labcoat-wearing, booze-guzzling mad scientist has been tiny, sported an afro and even been a wasp, one Rick stands out from the crowd. Regular Rick is great, of course; however, Pickle Rick has been an instant favourite since he was first sighted in a trailer for the series' third season. Now, Pickle Rick is taking a new journey — into doughnuts. This isn't the setup for one of the show's new episodes, but a menu item now on offer at Krispy Kreme. Taking inspiration from all things Rick and Morty, the bakery chain has launched a new R&M-themed lineup, including a Pickle Rick doughnut. It's green, obviously. It's filled with green-hued lemon creme and covered with green-coloured white chocolate. And yes, it features a picture of Pickle Rick on top. Because this is the way the news goes, Krispy Kreme's R&M doughnut range also spans Strawberry Smiggles and Simple Rick's Wafer Cookie varieties. Hope you like strawberry — the former is filled with strawberry filling, then covered with mini marshmallows, meringue pieces and confetti, while the latter is dipped in strawberry truffle and topped with a white chocolate wafer disc. There's a Fleeb Juice shake, too, which combines raspberry and vanilla, and tastes nothing like alien excretion (we hope). If you're keen to eat your Rick and Morty-loving feelings in doughnut form, you can find the new range in Krispy Kreme stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia and Auckland until March 16 — and available via UberEats as well. You won't find them at 7-Elevens or BPs, though. Clearly, a szechuan sauce doughnut was too difficult to make. Also, let's admit it — it probably would've tasted awful. If you need something to watch while you're gorging on doughnuts, Pickle Rick has that taken care of below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSqi5s3rfqk Krispy Kreme's Rick and Morty range is available until March 16.
Grammy-nominated New York duo Sofi Tukker have announced they'll be bringing their genre-blurring tunes to Aussie shores, set to take the stage in Sydney and Melbourne next month. Since releasing their debut EP, Soft Animals, early last year, Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern have garnered fans worldwide, snapping up chart spots in more than 20 countries and landing festivals across Europe and North America. The pair's dance-worthy beats draw inspiration from all corners of the globe, resulting in a layering of sound unlike any you've heard before. And the Sofi Tukker live show promises to be every bit as spectacular, starring the duo's own unique instrument, called 'The Book Tree'. Expect a six-foot-tall 'creature', decked out in foliage and hardcover books, each tome engineered to create a different sound when drummed, to compliment that blissful melange of guitar, bass, and bongos. Sofi Tukker plays at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on February 17 and Melbourne's Howler on February 18. Tickets are available from Moshtix from January 12.
The buzz of January is over and if you need a little motivation to continue with those NYE resolutions, look no further than this activewear sale. Australian clothing company Active Truth is moving warehouses and, to make the move a little easier, is offering 40 percent off sitewide. Active Truth's swimwear and activewear is accessible to beachgoers and gym junkies of all shapes and sizes, with swimsuits, tights, crops, bike shorts and maternity wear all ranging from XS to 3XL. Check out these summery floral tights or this black one-piece swimsuit. As an added bonus, you'll receive free express shipping, so even though we're already more than a week into February, you'll have your new swimsuit at your doorstep before summer ends. Plus, Active Truth is committed to sustainability, supporting the The Seabin Project and making its swimwear from reconstructed recycled fibres, such as discarded fishing nets. If you're keen to snag some new togs, have a look through the catalogue and order before the sale ends at 11.59pm on Sunday, February 14. 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.
Kurt Vile ain't vile in the slightest; his music is mesmerising, with lo-fi sounds that are equal parts psych, folk and garage. April 2013 release Wakin on a Pretty Daze is the ultimate soundtrack to your balmy summer evenings, and thanks to the Sydney Festival he can score your summer evenings in person. Set to play the Circus Ronaldo Tent at Hyde Park's Festival Village, the former War on Drugs musician has stumbled upon a growing cult following. So catch him at midnight on January 23 for his solo show to get seriously blissed out, and wake the next morning in a pretty daze. Image by by Shawn Brackbill.
One Friday night at a club, two people hook up. The next morning, they want to prolong their stay in each other's company just a little. By the following day, they realise their casual encounter is based on a real connection. This could be something special. They're happy and they're scared. This may be romance as we know it, yet it's rarely the romance we sit down to watch on screen. When a movie does come along that cuts through the usual syrupyness, drama and meet-cutes to tell a relatable story, it's refreshing. In the case of Weekend, the love-struck are Londoners Russell (Tom Cullen) and Glen (Chris New), and an extra hurdle stands in front of their future happiness: Glen is leaving on Sunday night to start a two-year art course in Oregon. His dreams and sense of self are invested in the move, and he's shaken to be reminded that there may be reasons to stay. This is a quaint, intimate, indie love story in the vein of Before Sunrise. In practice, that means there's a lot of inane dialogue of the "Catherine, can I get another plate? Oh, you need one as well? Okay, get two" variety, but when this chatter stumbles into those everyday, non-flowery moments of unpretentious insight, it's touching in a way extraordinary poetry can't be. Writer/director Andrew Haigh might seem to but doesn't quite let the gender of the couple become the whole story. His characters' lives, are, of course, affected by their sexuality — Russell is insecure with his; Glenn's exhibitionism covers up his real dissatisfaction with his life — but their sexuality is not all that shapes their characters or their journey. Weekend has something to say about how love fits into our messy, complicated lives and a Hollywood trope (the last-minute airport declaration of love, ugh) it wants to play off. The one thing that makes Weekend unbelievable is timing: There's no way two people could fit in this many activities in one 48-hour period, even with stimulants and excellent time management skills. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6cdnGHU5gZg
If you're always on the lookout for a reason to escape to Byron Bay, here's the latest: a brand-new festival that'll have you eating, drinking, checking out art, listening to tunes and being merry, all in the seaside New South Wales spot. That's what's on the agenda at Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival, which has just announced the dates for its inaugural event — and given potential attendees a glimpse at what's in store. First, block out the four days between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 in your calendar, which is when Revel will make its debut. As for what's on the program, the precise details haven't been revealed as yet, but it'll cover cuisine, drinks, music, art and culture. Think: long lunches, twilight soirees and moseying around public art installations, plus hitting up performances, taking health and wellness classes, shopping around a produce market and enjoying tours. The fest will also include panel discussions and workshops, and not only take place in Byron but across the Northern Rivers region. Chef David Moyle, who has been Chief of Food at Harvest Newrybar since 2020, is Revel's Festival Food Curator — and explains that the fest aims to "bring people back together to enjoy the company of friends and family with good food and good vibes in a beautiful setting". That'll come courtesy of the Revel Festival Village, aka a massive food, beverage, music and art precinct that's set to sprawl across the whole North Byron Hotel in the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate, and thanks to events at plenty of other spots around the area. On the list: Harvest, of course, as well as Raes on Wategos, Three Blue Ducks, Belongil Beach Italian Food, Bang Bang Byron Bay, Barrio, Capiche, The Hut, The Roadhouse, Treehouse on Belongil, and Mosey on Inn group's Ciao Mate!, The Eltham and You Beauty. Given the location, there'll be a beachside program within the larger program with views of Byron Bay Main Beach — including the fest's opening event — on the Thursday and Friday, as well as a secret Revel garden precinct operating on the Saturday and Sunday. And, while exactly what the arts and cultural side of the lineup will entail hasn't been unveiled, helping advise on that part of proceedings are Arakwal Bundjalung woman Delta Kay, plus artists Paul McNeil and Karlee Mackie. "As we all know, the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic along with tourism, arts and music, and these are all industries that Byron Shire support in a large way for a regional place," said Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival Founder and Director Alex Taylor, announcing the fest's dates. "Byron Bay is an incredible hub of creative talent and entrepreneurs, and we wanted to create something that would support all these industries as well as the wider community that has struggled to connect over the last couple of years," added Revel co-Festival Director Jonny Ruddy. Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival will run from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 at various locations around Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers region. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Jess Kearney.
It's time to get schwifty, Rick and Morty fans. Yes, everyone's favourite interdimensional adventurers are finally back. It's been way too long since a certain eccentric scientist and his anxious grandson caused chaos across the multiverse, with the animated sitcom's third season releasing in 2017 — and if you've been feeling the duo's absence over the past two years, you're not alone. Even the recent trailer for the series' fourth season recognised the elephant in the room — or the lack of Mr Meeseeks and Mr Poopybutthole on our screens, to be specific. Those beloved characters are back, too, alongside not only Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland), but also Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke), father Jerry (Chris Parnell) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer), as well as all the world-hopping craziness that anyone could ever hope for. Oh, and Taika Waititi, Sam Neill, Matthew Broderick, Game of Thrones' Liam Cunningham and Elon Musk are among the guest voice cast. The new batch of episodes rejoins the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe, and keeps doing what it does — not just aping a concept straight out of Back to the Future (aka a lab coat-wearing old man, his teenage sidekick, and their time- and space-jumping antics), but filtering that idea through the inventive minds of Roiland and Community's Dan Harmon. If you've been counting down the days since the last episode hit back in October 2017, then mark Sunday, December 22 in your calendar. While the fourth season has been airing week-to-week in the US since November, the first five episodes will hit Netflix in Australia and New Zealand in one bundle, just in time for some festive binging. After proving such a huge hit across its first three seasons, there's plenty more Rick and Morty to come, with the show renewed for a huge 70 episodes by US network Adult Swim last year (which is more than double the 31 that the comedy aired before season four started). Of course, all that animated insanity takes time to put together, hence the overall delay in bringing the latest episodes to fruition. And that's the wayyyyyy the news goes — check out the fourth season's trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw6BrzB1drs The first five episodes of Rick and Morty's fourth season will hit Netflix in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, December 22.
The pinnacle of Christmas lunch is the delicious dessert, so Work-Shop and Maria Mayhew of Black Star Pastry are giving Sydneysiders the chance to make the perfect pudding this festive season. This particular sweet treat can be tricky and fiddly to get just right, so the workshop covers everything from prepping the calico to serving suggestions. It’s everything you need to know to create a family of happy Christmas campers. Mayhew discovered her passion for pastry later in life, and has made a name for herself with unique twists on classic cakes, including vegan beetroot and marmalade cake, and pumpkin loaf. She completed her apprenticeship at Black Star Pastry in Newtown, one of Sydney's best patisseries. For owner-operator Christopher Thé, baking is all about creating the perfect edible moment to share with others, and their famous Christmas pudding is the perfect example of this. Work-Shop are all about proving fun and affordable short courses in everything arts, crafts and life skills. The class in Christmas cheer will go down at their Chippendale base on Wednesday, December 11, at 6.30pm, so buy up tickets at Eventbrite to learn how to cook up the ultimate pudding on the ultimate holiday.
9 to 5 and Working Girl hail from the genre. Everything from Office Space to The Assistant do, too. But films about working in offices, TPS reports and navigating the desk-based daily grind might eventually become a dying breed or a nostalgic retro curiosity. Because art always mirrors life, the gig economy may swoop in and draw the silver screen's focus instead. Sorry We Missed You already has in a resonant warts-and-all manner, and Lapsis now endeavours to do the same via a smart and searing sci-fi satire. There's much to ponder, probe and dissect about the mode of employment that's becoming the status quo, after all, and that isn't bound to change as it spreads and grows. Corporations don't just dictate workers' behaviour during office hours now, supplying a reliable wage and perks such as holiday and sick leave in return. Attempting to monopolise entire fields such as food and package delivery, transportation and caregiving, big companies (you know the ones) hire independent contractors, scrap the benefits, and keep them toiling on-demand or on-call just to earn the bare minimum. This new kind of technology-driven rat race has been normalised, and quickly — and what it means for the labour force, employment, capitalism, corporate greed, class structures and basic human rights demands to be interrogated in thousands of movies as sharp and scathing as this one. In Lapsis and its alternative vision of New York, quantum computing is the next big thing. It requires a network of giant metallic cubes connected via thick black wires, with stringing them together the gig economy's new growth area. It's such an in-demand field and so lucrative for workers, in fact, that cablers can earn thousands of dollars just for a weekend's work. They can also pay off their mortgages within months — if the advertisements spruiking the supposed new employment dream can be trusted, that is. Technology-phobic delivery driver Ray Tincelli (first-timer Dean Imperial) is sceptical, so much so that he won't even use a quantum computer himself, even though they're essential to viewing up-to-date websites and just generally existing in Lapsis' parallel world. But his unwell brother Jamie (fellow debutant Babe Howard) suffers from a pervasive form of exhaustion called omnia, and requires expensive medical treatment. After finding a way into the cabling industry via acquaintance Felix (James McDaniel, The Deuce), Ray's need to make a quick stash of hefty cash quickly overrides his misgivings. Ray doesn't drop his distrust of quantum computing and everything associated with it, of course. But, in trying to pay for medical care and just generally make enough money to get by, he's willing to compromise his ideals out of necessity — or he's forced to, really, given that he doesn't have any other options to take care of his brother and boost his finances. In choosing these motivations to drive his protagonist, writer/director Noah Hutton quickly taps into, caricatures and scratches away at the US today. Helming his first fictional feature after a decade of documentaries, including two about the oil industry, he keeps digging his claws into a society that treats health care as an optional extra for anyone who isn't wealthy, and thinks that basically working yourself to death is just how life should be if you haven't been successful enough in chasing the so-called American Dream. All of this pointed commentary exists in Lapsis' premise, and the deeper it dives into the cabling world, the more biting the film becomes. Hutton is playful, parodying the reality he's drawing upon, but he still sinks his teeth in — and hard. As Ray quickly learns, his new form of employment involves hiking through gorgeously leafy surroundings to get from cube to cube, all while wheeling a cart between his magnetic start and end points. While the terrain is bumpy, the job sounds straightforward and even leisurely and enjoyable, but it definitely isn't. Different routes pay more than others, getting lucrative gigs isn't easy unless you've been at it for years, and competition is fierce between cablers. Also complicating matters: robotic carts that scurry along day and night, and can steal routes from humans by overtaking them. By design, they push flesh-and-blood cablers to work harder — or risk expending all that effort for absolutely nothing. Then there's the fact that when Ray checks in on the trail, using the medallion he's been given, it flashes up the name 'Lapsis Beeftech'. That moniker instantly inspires scorn from his fellow workers, with only acerbic experienced cabler Anna (Madeline Wise, Crashing) willing to explain why. She also talks Ray through exactly what he's gotten himself into, how the companies behind the job treat their contractors, the pushback during past attempts at unionisation and the small ways that cablers can get the upper hand over their mechanical adversaries. Savaging both expensive and quack medical treatments as well — and the fact that they're the types that largely garner attention — Lapsis is undeniably dense in ideas. That said, it's never overstuffed or overcomplicated, and it doesn't spread its many insights and statements too thin. Indeed, as both a screenwriter and a visual storyteller, Hutton keeps striking a perfect balance. He layers his film with reflections upon much about work in the 21st century. He spins an involving dystopian tale, too. And, he doesn't let either the feature's loaded commentary or its involving world-building feel like it's dragging the other along with it, or dragging it down for that matter. Stepping into a high-tech world with a low-fi (and low-budget) approach, Lapsis' analogies might be clearcut, but they're meant to be. Like Sorry to Bother You, one of the other excellent movies of the past few years that tore strips off of so much that we've come to accept as standard, this is a shrewd film that's direct about its targets at every turn. It's also savvily crafted, stems from clear anger and overflows with surprises. The engaging cast, including the wily Imperial, is one such unexpected gem — and so is this astute, complex and compelling delight itself, including in its memorable final stretch.
In news that'll come as little surprise to any Melburnian, given Melbourne's status as Australia's coffee heartland (and the predilection for complete coffee snobbery, too) — a barista from the Victorian capital has taken out top honours at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. For the second year in a row, Axil Coffee Roasters has nabbed the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2023. Melbourne barista Jack Simpson beat out scores of other Aussie hopefuls in the annual competition. His winning caffinated offering consisted of an espresso, a milk-based coffee and his own coffee-based signature drink — a concoction featuring fermented raspberries, cold vacuum bergamot tea and clarified milk. [caption id="attachment_888451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Axil coffee, James Butler[/caption] "I wanted my routine to reflect the constantly evolving nature of the coffee world and the need for baristas to always be thinking creatively in order to keep up with trends in tastes and technology," Simpson says. The newly crowned coffee king will now go on to represent Australia at the World Barista Championship, held in Athens this year between June 22–24. Last year, Melbourne's Anthony Douglas of Axil Coffee Roasters did Melbourne's notoriously coffee-obsessed city proud, taking out the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2022 at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. Douglas went on to nab first place at the World Barista Championship in 2022. [caption id="attachment_888453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Axil, Melbourne Central[/caption] Axil has a swag of cafe locations across Melbourne — find your local by jumping onto the website.
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 — and case numbers in each state varying — different parts of the country have navigated the situation in different ways when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Western Australia, that has meant a hard border and strict quarantine requirements. For folks who don't normally reside in WA, you can only currently visit the state if you're classified as an exempt traveller, apply for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then self-isolate for 14 days. If you don't have somewhere appropriate to do the latter, you have to go into a mandatory state quarantine facility for 14 days, too. As announced on Friday, October 30, Premier Mark McGowan revealed that WA will start to relax its border restrictions, with changes set to come into effect from 12.01am on Saturday, November 14. Moving to a system it's calling a 'controlled interstate border', it'll allow travellers from very low-risk states and territories to enter under eased conditions — people from places that haven't had any community transmission of COVID-19 for 28 days, who'll then be able to head to WA without isolating. At present, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory fall into that category. So, come mid-November, residents from those states and territories can venture west. You do still have to complete a G2G Pass declaration, and you'll undergo a temperature test and health screening upon arrival — and you're advised to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if necessary as well. If you live in New South Wales or Victoria, you're in a state that WA deems low risk. Stats-wise, that means there have been less than five community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average. For travellers, it means still self-quarantining for 14 days, and taking a COVID-19 test on the 11th day. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1322044199399690241 The above plan is contingent upon every state and territory in Australia continuing to record a 14-day rolling average of less than five community cases of COVID-19 — or even fewer, of course, as already seen in Queensland, Tasmania, SA, NT and ACT. Announcing the border change, Premier McGowan noted that "we will be closely monitoring the situation over east, and if we need to delay this introduction of the controlled border, then we will". He also noted that he "will also have no hesitation to reintroduce our hard border in the future if that's what's needed". To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Tourism WA
If you're after a wintry escape from the city, Victoria's High Country should be high on your hit list of destinations. When winter starts, the snow-cloaked mountains become a wonderland of cold weather experiences. From dogsledding to wintery cheese adventures to world-class alpine resorts, the snow-based activities are virtually limitless. Since 1973, Macpac has been kitting out adventurers with the latest technical clothing to protect you from whatever harsh conditions you encounter. So, together, we've picked out five of the best experiences you can organise right now for a winter getaway in Victoria this year. We've also included some packing tips — because when sweeping backcountry trails, you need to make sure you have the right gear. [caption id="attachment_669834" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SNOWSHOE YOUR WAY TO CHEESE FONDUE This isn't quite your average wine and cheese night. The Snowshoe to Cheese Fondue adventure leads you through the snow gums, concluding with some high-quality French cheese and a delightful three-course dinner. After departing at sunset, you'll follow your dedicated guide through a 30-minute snowshoe tour before arriving at a remote eco-village. Find a warm spot inside the central tipi and indulge in a spectacular meal. Up in the ice peaks, you'll also learn the culinary secrets behind making traditional fondue while sipping a glass of Scandinavian-style spiced wine by the outdoor fire. For adventurers who want to take their wintertime journey to the next level, you can also opt to spend the night in a plush alpine dome. Pack this: Macpac Men's & Women's Quest Hoody, $199.99 [caption id="attachment_669851" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] LET HUSKIES GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ALPS Among the unique activities on offer in Australia's winter wonderland, one of the best ways to experience the alpine region is going dogsledding with a pack of huskies. The Howling Huskies is one of Australia's most prominent dogsledding services. Take your pick from seven incredible tours, ranging from rapid 30-minute trips to epic four-hour ventures that include traipsing through the snowy countryside along the nation's longest commercial dogsled trail. This great alpine adventure is possible at both Mount Baw Baw (two and a half hours from Melbourne) and Mount Hotham (four and a half hours from Melbourne), and each offers its own maze of backcountry trails and special panoramic views. The husky squad is made up of 58 dogs altogether, with 47 of those rescued over the last few years. The temperature may be icy, but these doggos will give you all the warm and fuzzy feels. Pack this: Macpac Piste Gloves Unisex, $59.99 SNOWBOARD WITH AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION Falls Creek is quite possibly Victoria's most picturesque snowcapped location, featuring striking rolling hills, towering snow gums and a variety of charming stays. This section of the Alpine National Park boasts 450 hectares of skiable terrain and 90 awesome runs for snowboarders to test out. The Backcountry Tours with Steve Lee will whisk you away with the three-time Winter Olympian and legendary free-rider to visit the mountain's remote open bowls and vertigo-inducing steeps and chutes for an action-packed day. You don't have to be a pro — Falls Creek has some great runs for beginners such as the Wombat's Ramble, which is Australia's longest at just over two kilometres. Pack this: Macpac Powder Ski Jacket Men's & Women's, $349.99 [caption id="attachment_717523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] CROSS-COUNTRY SKI THROUGH SNOWY MEADOWS When it comes to cross-country skiing, Lake Mountain is the third most visited destination in the world for this gut-busting activity. The rugged landscape hosts a sprawling network of ski trails spread across the mountain, which both beginners and expert skiers are more than welcome to come and explore. As the closest snow resort to Melbourne, Lake Mountain is home to 30 kilometres of groomed trails. Meanwhile, a further 7 kilometres of ungroomed tracks present more of a challenge for the well-versed skier. After a morning of activity, warm up and share a relaxing glass of wine at Lake Mountain Resort cafe. Pack this: Macpac Tech Ski Socks, $34.99 [caption id="attachment_628046" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Andrew Railton[/caption] SKI AND SPA AT MOUNT BULLER Mount Buller is undoubtedly one of Victoria's (and Australia's, for that matter) most popular winter destinations. It presents snow lovers with a variety of slopes and terrains that stretch across the enormous mountainside. Whether you're just starting out or have grown up attached to a pair of skis, Mount Buller is bound to have a run that suits your skill level. Particularly popular amongst skiers, Mount Buller features 300 hectares of snowy scenery for you to explore. Once you've had enough action for the day, warm yourself up with dinner and drinks at one of 30 bars or restaurants situated nearby. More than just a snow sports destination, Mount Buller also offers a luxe spa resort, a cinema, a museum and even a sculpture park for when your body needs a break from the slopes. Pack this: Macpac Merino 220 Merino Baselayers, $109.99
Friday summer nights have never looked so colourful, nor cobblestoned — The Rocks Village Bizarre is here. Kicking off on November 7 and continuing every Friday night until December 19, the Bizarre is treating us to a bunch of installations, performances, and fractured fairytale makeovers bound to help you forget that you once thought of this area as the domain of tourists and primary school excursions. Berlin-based performance artist, dancer and DJ (and Village Bizarre's artist in residence) Peter Baecker will work his euphoric '80s magic in an interactive art installation in an empty shopfront. Join Big One Little One as they invite five audience members at a time into a room at The Old Sydney Holiday Inn for an intimate, mini-bar fuelled performance experience (that's not as suss as you suspect). Then stumble back onto the streets, where you might perchance bump into the resident choir doing Lorde covers or K-Pop dance troupe Crossover. Hands up who harbours fond, nostalgic thoughts for those luminous giant white VIVID bunnies that dotted our city streets in June? The Village Bizarre is bringing them back! They'll be hidden in new spots every Friday night for you to track down, and then inevitably add to your Instagram feed. And, for those that want more to take home than a few Instagram likes, there will also be a regrets-free Etsy market on site. Once you're finished with your proactive Christmas shopping, kick back and relax with a drink at 1920s juke joint Gin Mill Social. The Bizarre has proven to be a refreshing shake-up for The Rocks in previous years — and it looks like this one's set to keep that tradition alive. See the full program of events at the Village Bizarre website.
Following its highly successful tour on the international film festival circuit, including swiping a Golden Lion in Venice, critically acclaimed Roma from Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men) is hitting Australian shores this month. The film is set to have a limited run in selected Australian cinemas before its release on Netflix on Friday, December 14. The cinematic release of the stunning black and white film also marks the first Netflix-acquired production to be given the traditional release treatment. The film focuses on the daily life of housemaid Cleo, who works for a wealthy family with four children in Mexico City. While portraying scenes of domestic life and social hierarchy, the film also conveys a striking look at the political unrest and violence in 1970s Mexico. Given all of the rave reviews from critics and Oscar buzz surrounding Roma, it seems a waste to watch it on your TV or phone. Rather, the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, which boasts a 81-year history as an independent, art deco cinema, seems a more fitting setting. The Ritz will be hosting multiple screenings a day of Roma from Friday, December 7 to Wednesday, December 12, and, in more good news, we've secured five double passes. For the chance to win, enter your details below. If you don't want to leave it to fate, you can book tickets to see the film at The Ritz via the website. [competition]700368[/competition]
China sometimes feels a lot further away than geography implies — which makes visiting the White Rabbit a voyage of discovery and viewing its artworks a decoding of foreign communiques. Gallery owners Kerr and Judith Nielson, billionaires who believe art is for sharing, collect Chinese art post-2000 — an era of renaissance without contemporary peer. The Beijing they showcase is full of creatives with immaculate technical training, abundant resources and plenty to say. The Nielsons' handpicked treasures have broad appeal. From the grit and clarity of Wang Jiuliang's Beijing Besieged By Waste photo series, depicting landfills whose effects aren't buried, to the bright neosurrealism of Chen Fei's Beyond Satisfaction 2006 No.2, a stab at the consumer revolution, and He Jia's party of Happy Balloon Men (much like what they sound), the works represent an extraordinary range. They share no one theme, besides their having once called out to their collector, but you'll be struck again and again by the reflections on daily life and identity, the pop culture imagery, the sense of play and the purpose behind even the most abstracted forms. It's art that grabs you and that makes you want to grab it, art that makes you understand the omnipresence of the 'no touching' signs. (Although hover inquisitively and the nice attendant may offer you a feel of a sample of one of Ai Weiwei's individually handcrafted porcelain Sunflower Seeds from a pot beside the 500-kilogram installation.) The third of White Rabbit's six-month-long exhibitions, Big Bang goes to show that its owners' collection, and the creative engine that feeds it, will not idle anytime soon. The art isn't the only attraction, either; this is a slick converted warehouse space that makes the most of its four storeys, whether through the whirlwind of plastic refuse that reaches to the third landing (Wang Zhiyuan's Thrown to the Wind) or the musky, ethereal parchment man that, stretched out, snakes through the roof (Li Hongbo's Paper). The space also boasts a tearoom, a theatrette, some inspired events and generous staff who'll contextualise the work you're viewing without being pesky.
There are few topics more polarising than contemporary art, and so the fiery debate rages on. For the Love of God: Is Contemporary Art a Joke? provides the perfect forum for experts to sound off about competing scales of value when it comes to judging the creative work of our peers and contemporaries. The relevance of the ready-made, Damien Hirst, and the fundamental question of whether any of it has any meaning are all fair game, and even hecklers will be indulged. This illuminating ideas throwdown will be adjudicated by artist Frances Barrett, and the well-appointed debaters include arts writer and curator Chrisoula Lionis, writer and performer Eddie Sharp, art critic Andrew Frost, artist and Firstdraft Depot co-founder Connie Anthes, COFA lecturer Dr David McNeill, and performance artist Matte Rochford. 'For the Love of God: Is Contemporary Art a Joke?' is part of Art Month 2013. Check out our guide to the festival's ten best events here.
Each year we anticipate the arrival of December 25. Because of the day off, the promise of an afternoon spent dozing in a hammock — and the arrival of Messina's annual Christmas cake. And while the gelato gods last year went for a huge edible Christmas bauble-shaped creation, they've decided to make 2016's cake slightly more political. Enter The Lockout Claus. This epic ice cream cake — shaped like a round Santa Clause trying to fit down a chimney, if you didn't completely see it the first time — is Messina's delicious festive response to Sydney's lockout laws. The Sydney-founded gelato chain have been vocal supporters of the Keep Sydney Open campaign this year, and even though slight changes to the laws were announced last week, they evidently still think Santa's at risk of getting locked out on Christmas Eve. So what's in the cake? Well, cutting open Santa's jolly belly will reveal layers of salted caramel gelato with cherry sorbet, chewy caramel, chocolate mousse and chocolate sponge. Plus, it comes with a jug of vanilla brandy custard to pour over the hefty slice of cake you'll serve yourself up. The cake, which serves 12-14 (or less if you really commit), costs $90 and can be ordered for pickup between December 21 and Christmas Eve. In Sydney you can pick one up from their Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Bondi, Miranda and Parramatta stores. If you're in Melbourne you can get one from their Fitzroy or Windsor outposts — and, sweeter still, you can eat it knowing you can still go out and party all night too. The Lockout Claus is available to order at gelatomessina.com.
If sport is escapism in its simplest form — the 2020 Summer Olympics couldn't have come at a better time. For all of us following along from the pub or the couch (sorry Sydney), the ultimate demonstration of human accomplishment delivers a much-needed sense of belonging and shared experience. In between staggering feats of athleticism, competitors from every corner of the world have given us countless inspiring tales all delivered with neverending grace. So, our writers' have recapped eight of the most heartwarming, unmissable moments of the Tokyo Olympic Games so far. SUZ TUCKER: Editorial Director Moment: Oksana Chusovitina, representing Uzbekistan in gymnastics. I write this from an at-home standing desk — because I've somehow injured my back doing nothing. Meanwhile, Oksana Chusovitina is a 46 year old woman who, this week, competed in her EIGHTH consecutive Olympic Games (the first was Barcelona in '92) in a sport where the majority of participants are under the age of 20. This veritable sporting icon competed in vault before announcing her retirement from the sport. I pulled a hammy just watching her. A legend. MELANIE COLWELL: Branded Content Editor Moment: Jian Fang Lay, representing Australia in table tennis. If you've read or watched the news at all this past week, you'd be aware of the major Aussie success stories at the games so far. We're dominating in swimming and Jess Fox finally got her hands on the gold medal that had eluded her for many years. They're dubbed champions. Legends. Heroes. And rightly so — they've earned it. But there is another athlete that should be getting just as much praise and recognition: Jian Fang Lay. The 48-year-old table tennis player may not have won any medals (yet) but she is competing in her sixth consecutive Olympic Games — one of only two Australian women to do so. Talk about grit and determination. As someone whose experience with table tennis begins and ends with a few successful games of beer pong (the more you drink, the better you play and you can't convince me otherwise), Jian's speed, coordination and instinct is a marvel to witness. She is an underrated QUEEN. ELLEN SEAH: National News & Features Editor Moment: Thomas Daley, representing Great Britain in diving. Very occasionally, the democratic nature of sport fosters moments that stretch far beyond a league, a game, or a medal. Tom Daley's post-dive media interview was one such moment. Sporting a plain black mask, with adrenaline still pumping from his first Olympic gold medal win, Daley told media reporters about the struggle and pressures he's faced as an LGBTIQ+ athlete, with the grace and confidence that would put most to shame. "I came out in 2013 and when I was younger I always felt like the one that was alone and different and didn't fit in. There was something about me that was always never going to be as good as what society wanted me to be," Daley said, in response to a reporter's question about there being more openly out LGBTIQ+ athletes than any other Olympic Games before. "I hope that any young LGBTI person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now, you are not alone. You can achieve anything." Daley and his synchronised diving partner, Matty Lee, sat between silver medal Chinese athletes Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen and bronze medal Russian divers Alexander Bondar and Viktor Minibaev. Gay marriage is not legal in either Russia or China. LIBBY CURAN: Staff Writer Moment: Ariarne Titmus, representing Australia in 400m freestyle (and Dean Boxall's reaction). Life can start to feel a little light on excitement when you've been churning through lockdowns like it's an Olympic sport. Heck, some days, putting proper pants on seems deserving of a hearty pat on the back. So, imagine the pure motivation that would come from having a personal cheerleader that gets as wildly ecstatic about your triumphs as Ariarne Titmus' coach was following her women's 400m freestyle win. Dean Boxall's joyfully OTT reaction to his charge's gold medal moment has become an instant meme and for good reason — we're talking buckets of unbridled enthusiasm and some very passionate hip thrusts. Ok, so you might not be in the running to take home any gold medals for Australia yourself. But whatever little thing you need to muster up motivation for this week, chuck Boxhall's now-famous cheer routine a watch and I reckon you'll feel ready to take on the world. SARAH WARD: Associate Editor Moment: All the new sports. The only sport I'm obsessively passionate about will never reach the Olympics, even when Brisbane hosts them in 2032. Australia would obviously win gold if Aussie Rules did ever make the cut, though. If there was a way for us to win silver and bronze at the same time, we probably would as well. Still, there's something inherently joyous about new sports being introduced to the Olympics, even if it's not my beloved form of football. All those athletes who've just had their dreams come true merely by even being able to compete at that level, and all those kids who might now turn their childhood passions into a medal-winning profession — it's nothing short of inspiring. Surfing and skateboarding obviously fall into that category this year, and the fact that many of the winners so far have such moving stories behind them, or happen to be 13-year-old girls kick-flipping their way to glory, is flat-out excellent. Also a delight: seeing baseball join the fold in Tokyo. Having witnessed first-hand just how beloved baseball is in Japan — complete with the souvenirs to prove it — it's clear how meaningful an inclusion this is. CORDELIA WILLIAMSON: Branded Content Manager Moment: Bronte Campbell, Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, representing Australia in the 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay. Despite my current opinion of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and really feeling for Japan right now, I am (somewhat selfishly) loving watching the Olympics. I listened to journalist Kieran Pender on a recent 7am episode, 'Front row seats to the world's biggest experiment', and he describes the Tokyo Games as a paradox. On the one hand, it is "deeply problematic" that the IOC has forged ahead, and it is reasonable for us to say 'who cares' when we look at the broader context. But also, as Pender states: "Sport is powerful, sport is important…[and] these games will bring joy, particularly to those in lockdown". This pretty much sums up how I feel as a veg out on the couch watching these superhumans dive, sprint, jump and backflip on the screen. One moment where all my neg energy dissipated, however, was while watching Bronte Campbell, Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris absolutely slay in the pool in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay final. Beating your own world record by three seconds is bloody great. But for me, someone who doesn't really watch sport nor have much (if any) national pride, it was seeing these incredible women celebrate the team's efforts, not just themselves, and present each other with their gold medals that got me like a punch in the guts. Heartwarming stuff right there. Seriously looking forward to catching more pool action, particularly diving and artistic swimming. And the pentathlon — it blows my mind that individuals can be skilled in so many (and some random) sports. BEN HANSEN: Staff Writer Moment: Hidilyn Diaz, representing the Philippines in weightlifting. While I've been yelling at my screen consistently over the last week as the Ollyroos upset Argentina, the Boomers continue their winning streak and we dominate in the pool. The moment that brought the biggest smile to my face was weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the Philippines its first first-ever Olympic gold with an Olympic Record lift. Weightlifting is already a wildly impressive sport, but Diaz's face of relief when she lifts her first place-winning weight turning to overwhelming joy was so touching. NIK ADDAMS: Branded Content Manager Moment: Owen Wright, representing Australia in surfing. I know absolutely nothing about surfing. I don't even understand what one is supposed to do when one surfs. And while I was initially drawn in by the handsome Brazilian men (whatever gets you tuned in, right?) what I do know is that — after quickly Googling the rules to try and make some sense of what I was watching — I felt like I was riding every single wave with Owen Wright, Australia's first surfing medallist. The word 'inspirational' is thrown about quite a bit in sporting discourse, but his story is one that truly merits that term — having to relearn how to walk and surf after a horror brain injury just six years ago. The post-surf interview with his beautiful family showed just how much this one meant — and I hope his son Vali got an extra scoop of ice cream to celebrate, too. Top image: IOC, supplied.
Back in May, when Australia started to look past social distancing and public gathering rules to a less-restricted future, Falls Festival announced it was powering ahead with plans for its New Year's festival. But a couple of months is a long time in 2020 — and today, Wednesday, August 26, the event has announced that it will not longer be taking place this year. In a statement released via Facebook, festival organisers advised that "given the current status of things and border restrictions in place, it won't be possible to hold Falls Festival in our regular New Year's timeframe". It's worth noting that the post doesn't say that the next iteration of Falls is completely cancelled, however. "Consider this a raincheck, and please know we will be back with more information as it comes to hand," the statement notes. As for what that entails, Falls will "work with government stakeholders and key agencies to get Falls Festival back in the calendar". Clearly, given the way the past few months have shaped up — including with Victoria's reimplemented restrictions — there are a hefty range of factors to navigate. https://www.facebook.com/fallsfestival/photos/a.103842988679/10158800587688680/?type=3&theater If it had gone ahead in its usual December/January slot in 2020/2021, the summer festival had planned to implement some big changes. Usually taking place at Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, North Byron and Fremantle, it was set to feature an all-Aussie lineup this year — which, with Australia's borders currently closed and even travel between just Australia and New Zealand "still some time away", seemed the smart choice. It also had the added bonus of helping Aussie musicians, many of which have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. When the festival does go ahead, it's still fair to expect that it might look a little different — at least in terms of punters numbers. Falls Byron usually has around 25,000 attendees, while Falls Lorne has 9000, for example, figures that seem particularly large in today's social-distancing world. Last year, the music festival was impacted by the bushfires, with the Lorne leg cancelled one day in because of extreme and hazardous weather. Falls Festival will no longer go ahead in December 2020/January 2021. We'll let you know if and when more details are announced.
We've all heard of paying more for a single origin or manual brew but how about for a good cause? Similar to CafeSmart, buy a Change Coffee on Friday, December 4 from a participating cafe and put your caffeine addiction to good use. Cafes all over Sydney are participating in #ChangeCoffee this year, from Hemingway's in Manly to Harry's in Bondi. Head out to your closest coffee shop and make your morning brew count. Basically, you pay for two coffees, but take away one. So it'll cost you twice as much as your regular cup but the extra half will go to the Eniwe Children's Fund. Since forming in 2010, the Fund has raised over $300,000 to help run community projects in South Africa's Western Cape — an area particularly affected by HIV and AIDS. We're all well aware of the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. To put it in perspective, in 2014 there were an estimated 1.2 million AIDS-related deaths across the globe. The number of orphans due to AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa alone is staggering and nearly 90 percent of newly infected kids live in the region. Change Coffee initiative is all about doing what you can to help those kids. To put it in perspective, can you guess what the world's second most traded commodity is? It's coffee and there's no denying that us Sydneysiders consume a lot of it. That extra cup could go a long way in helping improving the lives of kids who have been affected by AIDS in the area. If you've sworn off caffeine (not for long) or can't handle more than one cup a day but still want to contribute, you can donate online. Here's the list of participating cafes for #ChangeCoffee.
When it makes its debut this June, Sydney's huge new arts and food festival will help kickstart winter in a big way. Live music paired with stargazing, country tunes in Newtown and moonlit kayaking from Darling Harbour are just some of the highlights among the just-revealed Sydney Solstice program, with the previously announced event slotting into Vivid's usual early-winter berth between Tuesday, June 8–Sunday, June 20. Aiming to reinvigorate the city's hospitality, music, arts and culture sectors after a tough 12 months, the new event will take place across four city precincts. Spaces across the CBD, Darling Harbour, Newtown and Oxford Street will host more than 200 events — in restaurants, bars, galleries, museums, music venues and outdoor areas. In the CBD, highlights include music, dance and theatre events in the YCK Laneways precinct; dancing and late-night dim sum at Mr Wong; International Pride Month events at Metro Theatre; and art installations and dance pop-ups in Chinatown. There'll also be after-dark parties at Sea Life Aquarium, where more than just the aquatic creatures will glow; a world-premiere work by celebrated composer and producer William Barton, which will soundtrack an evening of stargazing at Sydney Observatory; and Queen's Feast, Heaps Gay's multi-sensory dining and art experience at Sydney Town Hall. The latter will feature an all-female chef lineup, including Masterchef alum Sarah Tiong, pastry maven Anna Polyviou, Southside Charmers' Georgia Woodyard and Claire Van Vuuren of Newtown fave Bloodwood. The Sydney Opera House forecourt will become a hub of live music, talks and poetry readings for each night of Sydney Solstice. Head along at sunset, and you'll see this year's Badu Gili, too — a six-minute projection on the structure's eastern Bennelong sails. Or, for two food-filled days, make a date with Opera Kitchen and its Italian- and Japanese-focused festival. Nearby, Darling Harbour will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating rink and German-themed chalets. If you'd prefer to hop onto the water, you'll be able to kayak by moonlight as well. Also making great use of the waterfront location: Harbour Garden, an installation of inflatables that's designed for attendees of all ages. Just outside of the CBD, Newtown will host the inaugural (and adorably named) Country and Inner Western Festival, which'll pop up in small bars, pubs and other venues to showcase emerging and established country, alternative country, bluegrass, folk, Americana and blues musicians. And, over at South Eveleigh, a big (and free) street festival will celebrate the growing food precinct — just as Kylie Kwong launches her new restaurant onsite. Meanwhile, fermentation will be in the spotlight on Oxford Street, with Bitter Phew celebrating brewers, winemakers, bakers and cheesemakers for the duration of Sydney Solstice. Plus, Hotel Harry's Altar Danceteria will throw a series of genre-hopping parties — so fingers crossed that dancing is back again by June. And, no, you won't be bored across the festival's 13-day run. Sydney Solstice will take place from Tuesday, June 8–Sunday, June 20. We'll update you with further details when they're announced — and you can keep an eye on the festival's website, too. Images: Destination NSW
Never in history has the topic of sustainability been a more popular or important topic of conversation. Saving the environment is on the immediate to-do list of individuals and organisations across the world, but will governments go as far as to grant legal rights to Mother Nature herself? The answer is shockingly, but quite possibly, yes. Today, the United Nations will propose Bolivia's Law of Mother Earth, based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, in an attempt to lead the world into a new age of conservation of natural resources and a strict reduction of pollution. The treaty includes four articles and, if passed, would grant the environment 11 legal rights, including the right to life and to exist, the right to continue processes free from human disturbance, the right to pure water and clean air, the right to balance, the right not to be polluted, the right to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that negatively affect ecosystems and the local inhabitants and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered. Does this mean no cutting down trees? It's hard to determine whether the proposal is silly or a solution. Although it is highly unlikely that the UN will approve the treaty any time soon, the truth is that especially in the suffering environment of Bolivia, Mother Nature isn't in the best shape right now. It remains to be seen whether granting a bill of rights to flora and fauna is the best way to restore her to her former glory. [Via The Guardian]
When the COVID-19 pandemic first started spreading across Australia and the country went into lockdown, New South Wales did not close its borders to domestic travellers. But when cases started rising again in Victoria, it first banned Melburnians from hot zone" suburbs, and then closed its border to the entire southern state — for the first time in more than 100 years, since 1919 during the Spanish Flu. With both Victoria in general and the metropolitan Melbourne area specifically now easing out of the most recent stay-at-home restrictions, and with case numbers low throughout the state, NSW has announced today, Wednesday November 4, that it'll be reopening its border to its southern neighbour. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised that "we need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe". https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1323777523293933568 The change will come into effect at 12.01am on Monday, November 23, meaning that Victorians can enter NSW and vice versa from that point onwards (and just in time for both summer holidays and Christmas, too). NSW residents were already permitted to visit Victoria, as Victoria didn't shut its border during its lockdowns; however, NSW's border rules meant that residents were then required to quarantine upon their return — unless they had a special permit, or lived in the strict border zone that also required permits. Announcing the border reopening, Premier Berejiklian said that the move was based on NSW Health advice — and noted that Victoria "may have, because of the lockdown, actually gone down a path of having eliminated it [COVID-19] at this point in time". Victoria has reported zero new coronavirus cases for the past five days, while NSW has reported 27 over the same period. Also today, Premier Berejiklian announced that all NSW hospitality venues will be required to use QR codes to track patrons from November 23. "We believe the dual strategy — of opening up our borders to all Australian citizens, all New Zealand citizens, in addition to making use of QR codes compulsory for hospitality businesses — is an important step forward," she advised. You can find out more about the status of COVID-19 at the NSW Health and Victorian Department of Health and Human Services websites. Top image: Mulwala Bridge by Yun Huang Yong via Flickr.
Start hunting around for your dusty gumboots and stash your tinnies, the Meredith Music Festival ballot is officially open. The 24th annual Meredith Music Festival will be held from December 12-14 and as per usual, Aunty let slip the act she’s most excited about this year: War On Drugs. The Philadelphian foursome released their third studio album, Lost In The Dream in March this year to great critical acclaim — a whopping 8.8 from the Pitchfork crew is pretty solid by anyone's ranty standards. The Secretly Canadian-signed Pennsylvanians have snagged the prime time slot of Friday night; perfectly dreamy to suit your one-two step festival needs. The ballot is open from now until 9:47pm Monday, August 11. As always, there'll be two rounds of the ballot so if you’re even remotely interested in having a cracking weekend make sure you sign up. The physical size of the festival will remain the same as last year, but the team are making things a little roomier — with 500 less capacity than previous years. Tickets are $318.80 + $10 booking fee, which covers three days and two nights of music in the Supernatural Amphitheatre. Enter the Meredith ballot over here and keep those fingers and toes crossed.
If nothing says Christmas to you like catching a festive film under the stars, ideally while kicking back on bean beds and eating a picnic, then Moonlight Cinema's November and December 2022 program has you firmly in its sights. The beloved Australian outdoor movie-viewing setup is back for another summer, and it's kicking off with a heap of recent big-name flicks — plus a couple of weeks of the merriest pictures that it can find. Fresh from revealing its dates for the summer 2022–23, Moonlight Cinema has now locked in its first titles, with the openair picture palace heading to Sydney's Centennial Park, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, Brisbane's Roma Street Parkland, Adelaide's Botanic Park, and Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden in a matter of mere weeks. The lineup varies per city as usual, but most spots get the same movies eventually. And yes, everywhere is getting festive. Firstly, the non-Christmas lineup — which starts with Baz Luhrmann's Elvis in Brisbane on Thursday, November 24, 50s-coveting thriller Don't Worry Darling in Sydney on the same date, page-to-screen adaptation Where the Crawdads Sing in Perth on Friday, November 25, and Billy Eichner's gay rom-com Bros in Adelaide and Melbourne on Thursday, December 1. Also on the bill across all five locations: Top Gun: Maverick, Smile and Ticket to Paradise, while the likes of Bullet Train, Thor: Love and Thunder, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Black Adam screening in some cities. Everywhere is hosting a throwback session of Grease – because retro flicks are always a big part of this program — and then the festive fun begins. Yes, Elf, Home Alone, The Holiday and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are on the lineup. So is Die Hard twice and Love Actually a whopping three times. To wrap up December, there's also a preview session of Steven Spielberg's new release The Fabelmans, culinary thrills with The Menu and a preview of Australian drama Blueback — plus the family-friendly Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody. The rest of the Moonlight lineup will drop month by month. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can also enjoy a plethora of bites to eat from food trucks — perfect, messy treats made for reclining on bean beds. There'll be a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, a beauty cart handing out samples, and dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — and there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2022–23 DATES Brisbane: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, February 19 in Roma Street Parkland Sydney: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, March 26 in Centennial Park Perth: Friday, November 25–Sunday, March 26 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, February 19 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, March 26 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2022, running through until March 2023. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
The first rule of fight club is you do not talk about fight club. The second rule about fight club... Hang on a minute – does the “fight club of the art scene” have the same rules? The later kinda wants you to tell you friends about it and spread the word on social media... This global, live art battle goes by the name of Secret Walls (formerly Secret Wars), and, at the end, there can be only one winner. How does it work? Something a little along the lines of this: 2 Illustrators (or 2 teams of), armed only with black markers and acrylic paint go head to head for 90 minutes. They don’t get pencils, and they aren’t assisted by sketches. The stage: a giant white wall. They must stay within their allocated space. Apart from that, there are no rules. This is proper freestyle drawin’ that would make the purists proud. The grand final will be held Wednesday, December 12 at Oxford Art Factory. Markers at the ready.
