Head down to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in the coming colder months and chances are — short of actually falling down a rabbit hole, because there are health and safety measures in place — you'll spend a couple of hours flitting about in Wonderland. Now on display at ACMI until October 7, the new exhibition celebrates Lewis Carroll's timeless Alice in Wonderland stories. Running as part of the Victorian Government's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, Wonderland casts a wide net over the history and evolution of Alice, both in literature and on our screens. Sailing all the way back into the late 1800s to mark the very first sketches of the character, which led in turn to the first silent, black-and-white film of Alice in 1903, the exhibition leads a strollable path all the way through until Tim Burton's 2010 take. Visitors are handed a 'Lost Map of Wonderland' to navigate their way around: both a physical guide and a digital prop, it unlocks interactive parts of the exhibition — so keep it handy. From getting lost in the Hallway of Doors, perusing old prototypes and ancient scribbles that became Carroll's tangible character, to sitting yourself down at an entirely digitally projected Mad Hatter's Tea Party, there's be something to see here even if you're not an original Alice fan. Here's a list of the best five somethings we stumbled on while walking the wonderland trail — some will make you laugh, some might make children cry, but we think they'll all confirm Alice's role as an adventurous and enduring screen and literary icon of our time. [caption id="attachment_663373" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alice Liddell photographed by Lewis Carroll[/caption] EARLY ALICE SKETCHES THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR WONDERFUL FILMS The first section of the exhibition, Hallway Of Doors, contains — as you can probably imagine — more doors than strictly necessary. The idea here is to open, shut and explore, and you'll find yourself stumbling into rooms containing a plethora of late-1800s preliminary sketches by John Tenniel, who illustrated the original edition. You'll also find photos of the real-life Alice Liddell, who was said to be Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the stories. A couple of things to note: the real Alice had brown hair, so the blonde was a later fictive addition, and don't forget to open the drawers in the walls too — they're also full of interesting nuggets. As part of Alice's development throughout modern times, Tenniel's sketches helped lead to Cecil Hepworth's 1903 silent film Alice in Wonderland. Playing in a movie room you'll find yourself walking into (through, of course, another door), it's a fascinating look back not only at the Alice canon, but at early film as well. [caption id="attachment_663103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phoebe Powell[/caption] THE MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY You're beckoned into a white room and sat down at a white table filled with white cups and saucers. Looks like a bit of a beige tea party, really. But then the projections start: a stunning digital display sets up the walls as lurid forestry, and the table as stuffed full of food and treats. It's all projected — a trail of ants across the settings included — and it'll leave your head spinning, especially when you factor in the plates turning into clocks at the end. There was always going to be a tea party at this exhibitio, but this proves weird, wonderful and very clever. [caption id="attachment_647497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jan Švankmajer's 1988 film Alice[/caption] THE UNSETTLING SIDE OF ALICE Just like some aspects of what Alice has encountered in Wonderland, it's not all sunshine and roses at the exhibition. Next you'll enter the section "The Rabbit Sends in A Little Bill", and any children you're walking through with will probably be hushed. A demonstration of the darker places that filmmakers have taken Alice, the most intriguing pick of the bunch is Jan Švankmajer's take on the tale. The Czech director and his wife Eva collaborated on his Alice in 1988, creating some terrifying imagery including strange skulls, teethy fish in wigs and creepy dolls (nope), as well as giving a whole host of young children with some enduring nightmares. It's fascinating though, and certainly on the darker side of the scale versus the Disney-esque, whimsy laden interpretation of Alice. [caption id="attachment_663372" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Phoebe Powell[/caption] YOUR MAP IS PART OF THE EXHIBITION A guide you will definitely want to hang on to, you scan your map at the very start to see which pal will be accompanying you through the exhibition: mine was the Cheshire Cat, and at particular places I got to match my map up to the checkpoints and see the cool cat projected onto the actual map digitally. It's a cleverly used motif — and it's a pretty nice bonus to see your own character dancing around on a piece of paper. For those wishing there was even more interactivity and the chance to have a bit of a craft throwback, when you get to the Queen's Croquet Ground, you can cut out a character from disembodied parts and stick it onto your map, which then gets digitally fed into a projected screen of rose bushes. Next, your created character — with your real head, photographed and stuck on top — dances across the screen painting roses. It's great fun, and kids and adults alike will have a grand old time. MODERN-DAY ALICE AND THE COOL WOMEN THAT BROUGHT HER TO LIFE There's a lot to be said about the 2010 Alice in Wonderland and 2016 Alice Through the Looking Glass (and none of it about Johnny Depp). Mia Wasikowska was a more than fine Alice, giving the character just enough feyness yet pluck for audiences to still follow her willingly down holes and through doors more than 100 years after the character first appeared on screen. But the cool thing here is the fact that — Tim Burton, the first flick's director and both films' producer, aside — a lot of the work was done by some pretty awesome ladies. The exhibition showcases costume designer Colleen Atwood, whose incredibly intricate outfits for the first movie won an Academy Award — and the armour costume Wasikowska wore is a particular highlight. Then there's the contributions of the woman who gave a voice to these incarnations of the character in the first place: Linda Woolverton. Writing the screenplays for both recent Alice films, she was also the first woman to write an animated feature for Disney back with Beauty and the Beast in 1991. And for Alice? Woolverton was the first woman to be credited as a sole writer on a billion-dollar film. Perhaps Alice, all these years later, has now taken a tumble into the realm of girl power.
Three Malaysian architecture students have won the 2010 Skyscraper Competition for their revolutionary and ambitious design of a prison in the sky. Chow Khoon Toong, Ong Tien Yee and Beh Ssi Cze proposed the Vertical Prison System, a prison that would be suspended above a city with the prisoners living in a 'free' community that contributes to the host city below, with the only access via elevator pods that run from the prison down to the ground. The reasoning behind the design is that studies have shown that rates of re-offending are so high because prisoners are not given the opportunity to rehabilitate in a desirable community. As well as avoiding the need for prison bars, the design includes farms, factories and recycling plants to produce goods for the wider community and serve to rehabilitate the inmates. The Vertical Prison System would revolutionalise the penitentiary system in a sustainable and ecological friendly design. The design also makes potential escape from the prison more difficult or at the very least more exciting, there would be no scaling walls, no Shawshank Redemption tunneling, however there would be plenty of opportunities for Hollywood blockbuster escape plans involving helicopters, jetpacks or ridiculous parachute designs.
With 2014's Maleficent, Disney turned Sleeping Beauty into a dark fantasy, filled with magical forests, twisted fairies, and complicated battles between good and evil. When sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil hits cinemas this October, the Mouse House will do the same all over again — but the film's wicked delights won't just be confined to the big screen. In the huge entertainment company's latest collaboration with The Grounds of Alexandria (following The Nutcracker, Mary Poppins Returns and Aladdin-themed pop-ups), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is taking over the Huntley Street spot until Sunday, November 3. This time around, the cafe's already-gorgeous garden is getting a misty, brooding and enchanting makeover, complete with black roses, gnarled branches, plenty of greenery, a smattering of feathers and an entry archway as striking as Angelina Jolie's eyebrows. The menu is also scoring a new short-term addition for the occasion — a dish The Grounds is calling 'The Dark Fairy'. Glazed milk chocolate mousse and passionfruit jelly on a bed of chocolate charcoal sable is topped with vanilla buttercream to create quite the decadent treat. It comes with edible glitter, rocks and horns, too, and costs $9. 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' at The Grounds is open from 7am–9pm daily until Sunday, November 3.
Staring contest? Hard. Marathons? Difficult. Being Tilda Swinton in a gallery? Effortless, apparently. Some things just seem naturally difficult. Some things seem like they would take a decent chunk of hard work. And some just feel like they belong another world of people with finer muscle control. To the latter belongs the latest effort of artist Frances Barrett. Her ambition is revolutionary, literally. Over the course of 12 hours she plans to make a glacier-speed revolution of Sydney Guild in the Twelve Hour Revolution. Simple? Yes. But given Barrett’s pedigree as a founder of local performance art star the Brown Council, you’d have to expect her slow turn around the art space will be worth some patient examination. Frances' performance runs from 8am — 8pm. Celebratory, closing drinks cover the final two, agonising hours from 6-8pm.
Two decades ago, the live-action Scooby-Doo movie was one of the Gold Coast's big claims to fame. While it was shooting, it was also the reason that plenty of Queenslanders tried to spot Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr and Linda Cardellini IRL, too. And if it also made you wish that you could drive around in a multi-coloured van with your mates — and dog — while solving crimes, you definitely weren't alone. In great news for meddling kids everywhere — well, former meddling kids who are now nostalgic meddling adults — hitting the road in the iconic Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine is actually a real thing that you can currently do. You'll need to swap Australia for a vanning holiday in Southern California, though, and you'll even be hosted by Lillard. In its latest pop culture-themed experience after the Bluey house and the Moulin Rouge! windmill already this year, Airbnb has listed the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine for stays, all to mark the movie's 20th anniversary. The word you're looking for is zoinks, obviously. Having a talking pooch to bunker down with you is optional. Like all of Airbnb's themed stays, this one is only available for a limited time — and by booking in a specific way. It'll be open for three three individual one-night reservations, for two guests per night, from June 24–26. And it'll only cost you AU$28 (US$20), but only if you're lucky enough to score a booking by hopping online from 3am AEST on Friday, June 17. Basically, you'll probably already want to be in the US over those dates anyway — or you'll need to be able to drop everything and make plans faster than Shaggy can pull off some scheming criminal's mask (because there's always a mask). If you do nab a booking, you'll be living like Shaggy and Scooby for a night, including listening to Sugar Ray on a portable CD player, lighting up the van with a lava lamp, soaking in plenty of 70s-style decor and wearing a puka shell necklace. Also included: a virtual greeting from Lillard upon your arrival, all-you-can-eat snacks, a dinner of Shaggy and Scooby faves such as hot dogs and eggplant burgers, and an outdoor lounge hangout area with a hammock. And yes, watching Scooby-Doo is also on the agenda, complete with popcorn, candy and bottomless Scooby Snacks. You'll also play mystery games, of course, because it wouldn't really me a night in the Mystery Machine without a bit of whodunnit action. "I've been channelling Shaggy since the live-action adaptation in 2002, and he's been a part of me ever since," said Lillard. "I can't wait to welcome guests into the world of the Mystery Inc gang as their Airbnb host and give them a summer vacation they'll never forget... monsters not included!" That AU$28 (US$20) price doesn't include getting to and from Southern California, so you'll also need to stump up for flights. While Airbnb has Lillard on the books, if it wanted to get him to host a Scream-themed stay, too — scary movies and all — we'd sign up for that as well. For more information about the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine listing on Airbnb, or to apply to book at 3am AEST on Friday, June 17, head to the Airbnb website. 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. Images: Hogwash Studios/Ja Tescon.
Underground CBD favourite Burrow Bar moved from its original home in De Mestre Place to 96 Clarence Street with big plans to expand into two levels and open a restaurant above the bar. Those plans are now a reality with the opening of Cash Only Diner, a Vietnamese eatery serving up dishes with roots in owner Chau Tran's family heritage and the dishes of Hue, Vietnam. Tran has taken dishes she learned from her mother — a classically trained chef who studied at a French finishing school in Hue — and with the help of co-owner Bryce McDonough and the Burrow Bar team, has put together a menu that bursts with flavour and showcases the cuisine of the coastal Vietnamese city, which takes culinary elements from both north and south Vietnam. "Our team has worked for months to create contemporary versions of dishes that have decades of tradition behind them," says Tran. "We want this to be a place where people who love authentic Vietnamese food [will] come to, but we also want to share these new flavours with all Sydney foodies." Highlights of the menu include the cá kho tộ, caramelised and braised salmon served in a clay pot and dripping in marinade; the giò thủ, a pork and mushroom terrine; and C.O spring rolls filled with prawn and minced pork. Cash Only Diner sits above Burrow Bar, meaning you can bet the drinks are just as exciting as the food. Pair your Vietnamese feast with a selection from the cocktail menu that includes a green mango negroni, a pineapple and gin creation called Napoleon's 2nd Vice, and a boozy Vietnamese iced coffee, a creative twist on the espresso martini. The award-winning Burrow Bar team includes Rockpool, Spice Temple and Quay alumni, with the bar being named in the finalists of Australian Bartender Magazine's Bar of the Year, Bar Team of the Year and Small Bar of the Year. Tran has also claimed her fair share of accolades, winning Host of the Year at this year's Bartender Magazine Awards and being listed in the Top 25 Bartenders by DrinksWorld. Cash Only Diner is located at 1 Barrack Street, Sydney. It's open midday–11pm, Wednesday–Saturday.
Every winter, the streets and laneways of Circular Quay and The Rocks are filled with food, wine and art for the annual Bastille Festival. This year, the festival has been postponed — with the hope of going ahead in October — but you don't have to forego the French celebration entirely. The organisers of the Bastille-inspired celebration have launched Revolution Boxes, filled with wine, cheese and cured meats, which will bring some of the festival fun to you. Out of the four boxes on offer, two in particular piqued our interest. 'Why?', you ask — two words: melted cheese. With nights getting longer and days cooler, we're switching our focus from refreshing spritzes to warmer winter comforts. Revolution Boxes is helping in that department with its DIY raclette and fondue. The French Raclette Feast Box ($95) comes with a whopping 500-gram wedge of cheese, a bottle of Alsace white wine and all the edible accoutrements: 300 grams of charcuterie — salami, ham and prosciutto — potatoes, pickles and baguette. Supposedly, that's enough to feed three-to-four adults, but we think it's really the perfect amount for two. Also on offer is the Fondue Feast Box ($105), which is filled with everything you need to make fondue savoyarde, including not one but three French cheeses, two bottles of wine (one for 'cooking'), baguettes, garlic and a small bottle of Kirsch (cherry liquor). Both boxes come with tasting notes and cooking instructions, thankfully. Revolution Boxes are available to order now, with delivery across Sydney for $10. We'll let you know when dates for Bastille Festival in October are announced.
You don't need to spend big to fill your wardrobe with quality clothing. Instead, it can be just as simple as heading along to Round She Goes — Sydney's leading indoor market for women's preloved and vintage fashion. Returning to PCYC Marrickville on Saturday, July 19, this carefully curated one-day-only event features over 70 stalls dedicated to stylish second-hand designer labels, chic vintage finds and quality handmade accessories. With the doors swinging open at 10am, getting down early is your best chance to uncover the best finds. Along with coveted brands like Prada, Phillip Lim, Gorman and Zimmerman up for grabs, there's also 70s denim, unique jewellery and decades-old statement pieces to discover. Of course, Round She Goes is primed for savvy shoppers and fashion lovers. Yet it's also a sustainable way to shop, as these reclaimed garments still have lots to give. Entry is $5, with pre-booked tickets available online for those keen to skip the queue.
Nearly 100 years after the Titanic plunged into the freezing waters of the Atlantic, artist and inspirationalist Dodo Newman will commemorate the legendary journey and lives lost with the Titanic Project, a tribute that will combine the sorrowful history with the newest marvels of design. The project will erect a monument of the Titanic designed with luxury that the regal ship itself would not match. Newman's vision for the monument has a diamond and Swarovski crystal surface, 300 kg of jewelry and LED lighting all on a pyramid-shaped aquarium base structure. To add to the designer detail, over 50 luxury brands will be incorporated into the monument, the displays intertwined with sea life in the underwater enclosing. Newman has always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic, and has been hoping to finish the plan for the commemorative installation for the past several years. The project is intended to be finally completed by 2012, just in time to honour the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking in 1912. [via Extra Vaganzi]
Looking to brighten up your Monday? Mt Lewis Pizzeria in Bankstown and Hurstville is serving $1 za'atar manoush pizzas every Monday from Monday, June 30. The much-loved Middle Eastern pizza joint has become Sydney's go-to destination for authentic manoush, serving tasty pizzas from recipes passed down through generations. Combining traditional flavours with a cosy, modern setting, the pizzeria brings the spirit of Lebanon to Sydney. Usually enjoyed for breakfast, manoush is an authentic Lebanese flatbread-style pizza made combining za'atar spice and olive oil. The za'atar topping is a delicious blend of herbs including thyme and oregano. On top, toasted sesame seeds and sumac add the perfect subtle crunch. Enjoy it on its own or topped with fresh vegetables, labneh yogurt or melted cheese. Already salivating? We don't blame you. All you have to do is find $1 lying around and head into Mt Lewis Pizzeria in Bankstown or South Hurstville. Grab a manoush for a cheeky breakfast, lunch or snack anytime between opening and closing, which is 5am–4pm at Bankstown and 6am–6pm at Hurstville. $1 manoush is limited to three per customer. For the full menu, visit the Mt Lewis Pizzeria website. Images: Supplied.
Sydneysiders get short-changed when it comes to winter. Sure, its perfectly pleasant, but we miss out on actual winter, when temperatures plummet into the minuses. Waking up to a blanket of fresh white snow outside your window. Strolling around quaint European Christmas markets, clutching a comforting mug of gluhwein to your chest as you try to absorb all the heat that you can get. There's something special about feeling so cold that you're not entirely sure if your toes are still attached to your feet. Now we can have the best of both worlds with the Sydney Winter Festival at Darling Harbour. As of June 13, we can appreciate all that is winter without having to worry about the potential frostbitten feet that accompany it. Options are numerous. The event is a smidge bigger than winter festivals past — there's an ice-skating rink, food stalls from the likes of Eat Art Truck, an après skate lounge and beer garden, a giant inflatable 'Thredbo snow' slide and floating Lindt zorb balls. Finally, a way to eat all the Lindt chocolate you can handle and then float around in a giant plastic bubble in Darling Harbour. So, fellow winter enthusiasts, don your warmest beanie, down a gluhwein (or three) and go wrest Darling Harbour back from the tourists.
Australia's arts calendar is always world-class, but this year it is particularly jam-packed — not just with recurring festivals and events, but lots of things that will hit the city for the first time ever. Us lucky Australians will be the first people in the world to see Patricia Piccinini's Skywhalepapa take to the sky and, down in Melbourne, the works of 20th century French artist Pierre Bonnard reimagined by architect and designer India Mahdavi. Plus, we've got multiple big-name exhibitions and not one, but two new galleries. While more events, installations and and exhibitions will inevitably be announced as the year progresses, these are the ones you should get more excited about right now. THE RETURN OF PATRICIA PICCININI'S OTHERWORLDLY SKYWHALE At 34 metres long, more than twice as big as a regular hot air balloon and ripped straight from Patricia Piccinini's inimitable mind, Skywhale might just be one of Australia's most recognisable recent pieces of art. It's a sight to see, and the largest-scale example of the artist's fascination with the thin line that separates nature and technology — and it's about to meet its match. In 2020, the National Gallery of Australia will unveil Piccinini's new Skywhalepapa, which is designed to form a family with Skywhale. They'll both float through the Canberra skies from April, with the second bulbous sculpture commissioned as part of the gallery's Balnaves Contemporary Series. In total, the pair will take flight from a site near the NGA eight times during the nearly three-month Skywhales: Every Heart Sings exhibition, with the exact launch dates yet to be revealed. Just how big Skywhalepapa will be is also yet to be announced, but given the impressive size of its companion, expect it to be hefty. If you can't make it to Canberra to see the growing Skywhale clan, they will also tour the country for an NGA touring exhibition, with locations and dates to be confirmed at a later date. Skywhales: Every Heart Sings will run Canberra's National Gallery of Australia in April 2020. A BRAND NEW MULTI-SENSORY DIGITAL ART GALLERY If you prefer an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall, prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new immersive digital art gallery. Set to open sometime in autumn, The Lume will take the form of a $15 million 2000-square-metre gallery, decked out with 150 state-of-the-art projectors. Projections of some of the world's most celebrated works will be splashed across various surfaces, backed by powerful musical soundtracks and complemented by aromas. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 14 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. Known for celebrating art world greats like Vincent van Gogh and da Vinci through modern, multi-sensory technology, Grande Exhibitions will use a similar formula at The Lume. Instead of showcasing original works, the gallery will rely on a curation of music and moving image to create a tapestry of instantly recognisable artworks. The Lume will open in an unconfirmed Melbourne location in autumn 2020. We'll let you know when more details are announced. [caption id="attachment_750699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top image: Chiharu Shiota b.1972, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In Silence (2002/2019). Production support: Alcantara S.p.A. Installation view: Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2019. Courtesy: Kenji Taki Gallery, Nagoya/Tokyo. Image courtesy: Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Photograph: Sunhi Mang.[/caption] A MAZE OF RED AND BLACK WOOL AT GOMA It's been home to David Lynch's eerie filmscapes, Yayoi Kusama's infinity rooms, a snowman and Patricia Piccinini's forest of flowers. Yes, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art loves an immersive installation — and it has more in store for 2020. Fancy wandering through a labyrinth of red and black wool? That's on next year's agenda. As part of its just-announced 2020 lineup, GOMA revealed it'll host Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles, a showcase focusing on the Berlin-based Japanese artist and her work over the past quarter-century. In an Australian exclusive, the exhibition comes to Brisbane after recently premiering in Tokyo — and while it won't sit 53 storeys up or come with panoramic views of the city, like it did in Japan, Shiota's string-heavy installations are certain to garner more than a little attention. Fashioned from millions of strands, they resemble weaved, maze-like webs and take up entire rooms. The Soul Trembles is the largest-ever solo exhibition by the artist — and although GOMA hasn't revealed just how much of the Tokyo lineup is coming to Brisbane, art lovers can expect an array of sprawling installations, sculptures and video footage of Shiota's performances, as well as photographs and drawings. Highlighting her fascination with intangible concepts, such as memory, anxiety, dreams and silence, the ticketed display will run from June 27–October 5, 2020. Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles will run at Brisbane's GOMA from June 27–October 5, 2020. THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE'S FIRST MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ART There are plenty of ways to soak in the Great Barrier Reef's natural underwater delights — and the Museum of Underwater Art is the newest one. The attraction – created by marine sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor — has been a long time in the works, but just recently installed its first two artworks just off the shore at Townsville. The first artwork, Ocean Siren, can be found 30 metres from The Strand jetty — and while it actually towers above the water, it interacts with live water temperature data. Designed to resemble Takoda Johnson, one of the area's Wulgurukaba traditional owners, it receives information from the Davies Reef weather station on the Great Barrier Reef, then changes colour in response to variations as they happen. This one can be visited now Coral Greenhouse, on the other hand, sits 18 metres beneath the ocean's surface on the John Brewer Reef. It's an underwater building filled with coral garden beds and more than 20 sculptures, many resembling local school children — and has been made to both stand up to wave pressures and cyclones, and remain visible to divers and snorkellers. While this one is installed, it won't be open for viewing until April 1, 2020. Four pieces are planned in total — another one at Palm Island is expected to be installed by the end of the year, and another at Magnetic Island will open once funding is sourced. MoUA's first artwork can be seen now just off The Strand jetty at Townsville, and the second one will be able to view from April 2020. [caption id="attachment_759712" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Reihana 'Tai Whetuki - House of Death Redux' (2016) at The Walters Prize, Auckland Art Gallery.[/caption] SYDNEY'S BIANNUAL EXHIBITION THAT TAKES OVER THE CITY FOR 12 WEEKS The centrepiece of the 2018 Biennale of Sydney was Ai Weiwei's 60-metre inflatable boat, a critique and exploration of the global refugee crisis. This year, when the Biennale returns to art galleries across Sydney, the lineup of 100-plus artists will be examining another poignant issue close to the heart of Australia: First Nations sovereignty and intergenerational trauma. Running from Saturday, March 14 until Monday, June 8, the 2020 Biennale is entitled Nirin, which means 'edge' in the language of western NSW's Wiradjuri people. This year's theme is timely, for two reasons: the 2020 blockbuster falls on the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia — and it will be helmed by a new First Nations artistic director: famed Sydney-born, Melbourne-based interdisciplinary artist Brook Andrew. Andrew has selected an impressive lineup of artists and creatives — many of them First Nations — from around the world to exhibit at the Art Gallery of NSW, Woolloomooloo's Artspace, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Cockatoo Island, MCA and the National Art School for the exhibition's 12 weeks. On the just-announced program, you'll find the Southern Hemisphere premiere of Arthur Jafa's Golden Lion-awarded work The White Album, Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens's immersive work symbolising the disproportionate number of incarcerated Indigenous Australian women and a large-scale political protest piece by Pitjantjatjara artist Kunmanara Mumu Mike Williams (who passed away last year). Cockatoo Island will be home to a wide range of works, too, including Ghanaian-born artist Ibrahim Mahama's sprawling installation of coal sacks; Tony Albert's interactive greenhouse, where you'll be invited to write and plant messages; and Tlingit/Unangax̂ artist Nicholas Galanin's excavation work that'll 'dig up' the land beneath the shadow of Hyde Park's Captain Cook statue. The 22nd Biennale of Sydney runs from March 14–June 8 2020. [caption id="attachment_747305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gallery at sketch designed by India Mahdavi, London, 2014, photo by Thomas Humery.[/caption] A WORLD-FIRST EXHIBITION BY PIERRE BONNARD AND INDIA MAHDAVI Heading the National Gallery of Victoria's autumn/winter program this year is a world-premiere exhibition Pierre Bonnard, created in collaboration with famed Parisian museum the Musée d'Orsay. It offers a glimpse into the life and work of acclaimed 20th-century French artist Bonnard through a sprawling collection of pieces on loan from the likes of London's Tate and The Museum of Modern Art in New York, along with other renowned French museums. A close friend of the legendary Henri Matisse, the artist is best known for his stylised decorative works evoking scenes of everyday domestic life. The Melbourne exhibition will see Bonnard's recognisable designs brought to life even further, with the help of famed Iranian-Egyptian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi. Mahdavi — who has designed eye-catching spaces like London's Red Valentino store and the famous all-pink Gallery at sketch — will use her signature colour palettes and love of textures to create an immersive, life-size version of one of Bonnard's domestic scenes. The exhibition will run at NGV International from June 5–October 4, 2020. [caption id="attachment_737971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] White Night Melbourne by Gerard Dubois[/caption] A BRAND NEW MAJOR WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL Melbourne's arts calendar never fails to keep us busy, however, it's always had a bit of a lull in winter before Melbourne International Arts Festival and Melbourne Music Week take over the city in spring. But, this year, that's all set to change. In May last year the Victorian Government announced that it will launch a huge new citywide arts festival in the winter of 2020. It's set to shake up the Melbourne arts calendar as the new festival will merge the aforementioned Melbourne Festival and arts all-nighter White Night and move them into a winter timeslot. While White Night was originally held on a hot February night, in 2019 it was moved to August. Melbourne Fest, which was established in 1986, is usually held in October. Exact timings and details are yet to be revealed, but the new "global" festival — as it's being billed by the Andrews Government — will take over the city for several weeks, much like Melbourne Festival usually does in October. While it will no doubt combine the best bits of the two existing festivals, a new creative team will come on to develop a new program and vision. We're told the the 2020 program will feature a "diverse program of visual and performing arts" coupled with with "large-scale takeovers of precincts" after-dark. The inaugural festival — which is yet to be named — will kick off with a 'transitional' year in the winter of 2020. The new winter festival will hit Melbourne in winter 2020. We'll keep you updated when new details or dates are announced. Top image: Skywhale, 2013, Patricia Piccinini. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Gift of anonymous donor 2019, Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
Feeling spiritual this winter? The Paddo Inn is embracing all things divine and otherworldly this July, serving up a special Tarot & Tannins experience. Blending bold wines, Italian bites and an interactive tarot card workshop, the boutique pub's candlelit ambience is the ideal venue for this intimate affair. Held from 7pm on Monday, July 14, professional tarot card reader Ginny Shearer will use all 25 years of her experience to intuitively interpret the possible paths that lie ahead. She'll also delve into the basics of tarot, revealing how the cards offer insight and reflection for everyday life. You won't need to predict the future to know the accompanying cuisine will hit the spot. Feast on canapés by Il Baretto, like rigatoni alla norma, fennel salami with seasonal fruit compote, and homemade focaccia al rosmarino. These pair with a flight of three Alphabox & Dice wines, spanning prosecco, pinot grigio and grenache. Between the feel-good flavours and tarot insights, this session is bound to bring guests closer together. With tickets priced at $55, the Paddo Inn's latest happening is the ideal way to launch into the week, thanks to its holy combination of sips, snacks and stories.
If you think you don't know who Cody ChesnuTT is, then you will be pleased to learn that you are wrong. He is the soulful singer of the incredibly catchy 'Look Good In Leather', one of many brilliant songs from his debut album, The Headphone Masterpiece. The Roots (you will know them) also reworked ChesnuTT's song 'The Seed' for their famous album Phrenology. Since then it has been a long time between drinks — Australia last saw ChesnuTT in 2006. Thankfully, though, he is back with his second studio album and an Australian tour. Landing on a Hundred was released late last year and is well worth seeing performed live. In fact, anyone compared to music legends Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Jimmy Hendrix and Prince is worth seeing, especially for under $50. So hand over a gold note, get your change and enjoy an evening of musical artistry at The Metro Theatre. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8iTRRkOXIoI
I love a good rom-com as much as the next person. Austenland is not a good rom-com. The film tells the tale of Jane Austen-obsessed, 30-something singleton Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), who spends her life savings on visiting an Austen 'theme park' in England in her quest to find her own Mr Darcy. The foundations for a predictable and enjoyable rom-com are set. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride as she battles obstacles before eventually learning that the fantasy exists in real life. Right? Right on all accounts except the most crucial: this film is not enjoyable. Actually, my apologies, there was one laugh, only it was so fleeting and unmemorable that I have already forgotten what induced it was. Likely it came from the repeatedly cumbersome attempts at a regal English accent by Miss Elizabeth Charming (played by Jennifer Coolidge in the same vein as every character ever played by Jennifer Coolidge). At least Austenland will not force you to think too much. It is predictable, which is a staple of most films of the genre — the protagonist will always find love. However, that is where we would like the predictability to cease. Unfortunately, the film's events and 'twists' are so glaringly foreseeable that you could sit at home and write the script in the time it takes you to watch it. In fact, just buy a Jane Austen novel with the money you would spend on seeing this. Perhaps the most frustrating element of this film is how unvisitable and inhospitable the actual resort it. From the instant Jane arrives she is treated horribly, due to purchasing the basic package. However, this unfathomable business plan destroys any realism in this resort, for me at least. It would have been better if this theme park had roller-coasters and fairy floss throughout. I will say that Russell is lovely to watch, and that JJ Feild will have ladies swooning as the film's resident Mr Darcy. However, that is it for the positives in this film. So use your sense and sensibility and give Austenland a miss, or at least wait until it ends up in JB Hi-Fi's bargain bin. Even then, save your $4.95.
Shakespearean enthusiasts Sport for Jove are at it again, this time returning with an encore production of their critically acclaimed production of Hamlet. The company has come a long way since it was founded in 2009 with the aim of establishing an original, compelling and energetic new theatrical voice in Australia. This has been achieved in only four years, but as Hamlet thankfully shows, there are no signs that the company will be resting on its laurels anytime soon. Director Damien Ryan, synonymous with Shakespeare in Australia, transposes the timeless tragedy to the modern stage through an inclusion of technology, creating a challenging and captivating production that rejuvinates the revenge tale, enthralling the audience to the point where you could hear a pin drop. Lindsay Farris leads an ensemble cast as the dark Hamlet and his support cast includes Sport for Jove favourites Christopher Stalley and Christopher Tomkinson seamlessly sliding between dual roles across the 110-minute staging. The production is running for a limited period only, and when a play is described as "one of the best productions of anything I have ever seen" it definitely warrants your attention. Weekdays offer a matinee alongside the evening show and both offer a Q&A post-performance where you can gain further insight into the show's commended production.
Take a seat. Please, I insist, just so that you can jump out of it and celebrate in true headbanging style at the news that Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age are heading Down Under in 2014 for a co-headline tour. Okay, now take a seat again and continue to read on. Two of the biggest acts in alternative rock are set to arrive on our shores in March next year. This is glorious news to Oceania fans who haven't seen Nine Inch Nails since 2009 and Queens of the Stone Age since 2011. Both bands have teased since May about heading this way, when Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme told triple j's Tom and Alex, "Everybody who knows me knows that Australia is my home away from home. I also think it's time that we come and tell our own stories, so we're gonna skip the round of festivals and see you in your fall." Nine Inch Nails lead Trent Reznor then revealed his band's intentions to head down under when they turned down Soundwave in favour of a "better scenario" for fans. Well, there is no better scenario than seeing them combine with QOTSA for a tour that is sure to go down in legend. The tour comes on the back of Nine Inch Nails' and QOTSA's recent respective releases, the much-heralded Hesitation Marks and ...Like Clockwork, and they will be joined on stage by Australian-born Brody Dalle, Mrs Josh Homme, of The Distillers and Spinnerette fame. Which one of the two bands will play first each night? That will be left to a flip of the coin. Seriously.
There's nothing like lacing up your hiking boots and discovering a new trail. To help shave down the Googling time for our next adventure, we've asked Concrete Playground readers to share their favourite trails. So, if you are planning to take advantage of the long weekend and stretch your legs, here are your tips for the best hikes to check out — plus suggestions for neighbouring campgrounds, as well as the nearest The Bottle-O so you can stock up on bevs for a winner weekend. Cape to Cape Walk Track, Gnarabup, WA Starting off with the big one, Cape to Cape in WA. This multi-day track is on every hike lover's hitlist, and for good reason, according to John, who submitted this tip: "The best views you will ever get in WA. You don't have to do the entire 130 kilometres from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin — unless you have up to ten days to spare. You can break it up and do a smaller section, easy." So pack your gear, pick up your mates and head down from Perth to the starting point in Cape Naturaliste. Stop in Brunswick for hiking snacks, easy meals to enjoy and bevs from Brunswick's The Bottle-O to enjoy as the sun sets across the ocean as you camp at one of the many campsites along the trail. Closest The Bottle-O: Brunswick Forts Walk, Magnetic Island National Park QLD Are you keen on koala spotting, historical tours, and epic views? Find all three at the Magnetic Island National Park, just an easy car ferry from the mainland. The island is a frequent getaway for our reader Karen who says: "There's always rock wallabies hanging around the beaches and headlands in Arcadia. The best walk is the Forts Walk, hands down." Explore the rest of the island's rainforest, rocky coastline and local wildlife before stocking up on supplies including local Queensland craft beers from The Bottle-O in Arcadia. Then all that's left to do is chill at the campsite with your mates. Closest The Bottle-O: Arcadia Middle Brother National Park, NSW The biggest of the 'Brothers' parks, Middle Brother, is found on the mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Reader Alex recommends the Middle Brother Circuit: "It's a hard hike that covers most of the park, so you will see a lot. There's little signal and signage, so it's best to come prepared for this one. Or do the shorter Peak Loop — great for a trail run." After a long day on the trail, pack up your car and head to North Haven to stock up on supplies at the servo and drinks at The Bottle-O before kicking back at one of the caravan parks and enjoy the bush and the beach over the long weekend. Closest The Bottle-O: North Haven Nelson Falls, TAS Keen to chase waterfalls in the wild western side of Tasmania over the long weekend? According to our Instagram follower Natalie, the best track is Nelson Falls in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. She says: "It's not a long trek, but it's worth the scenery and a perfect sidetrack if you're road-tripping from Cradle Mountain to Queenstown or vice versa. The best time to visit the falls is after heavy rain — the waterfall will be raging!". There's a free campground nearby, Lake Burbury, where you can relax with your mates and a few cold ones from The Bottle-O in Queenstown. Closest The Bottle-O: Queenstown Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk, VIC Melburnians who want to get out of the city for the long weekend are so spoiled for choice. You could go north to wine country or west to the Great Ocean Road, but reader Steve says you should head south along the Bass Coast to Phillip Island: "The best spot for an epic walk is the Cape Woolamai Circuit — it's the highest point on the island, so it's perfect for sunset snaps." The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it's super easy to get to, and everything you need is there. Plus, there are plenty of accommodation options, from farm stays and campgrounds to resorts and hotels — and The Bottle-O for all your beverage needs. So, whatever kind of adventure you want to take with your mates this long weekend, you are sorted. Closest The Bottle-O: Phillip Island Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website. Top image: Canva Stock
Treat yo'self to something sweet, help save one of Australia's most beloved animals: that's what's on the menu right now thanks to Lindt. The brand has just launched a limited-edition item that not only looks adorable, but also assists a great cause — with its new koala-shaped chocolates raising funds for the Australian Koala Foundation. Everyone knows Lindt's gold Easter bunnies, so consider this the suitably silver and thoroughly Aussie version, all to support the AKF's work to ensure the Aussie marsupial's survival. Beneath that shimmering foil and its cute red ribbon with a heart-shaped pendant, the 100-gram chocolate is shaped like a koala, obviously. It's hollow inside, but you'll taste notes of both caramel and honey within the milk chocolate itself. For each koala purchased — with the new choccies only available via Lindt's retail stores and its website — the brand is donating $1 to the AKF. And, for every dollar that Lindt donates, AKF is matching it. Those funds are specifically earmarked for the foundation's 'Koala Kiss Project', which is all about finding where the species' fragmented habitat comes close to joining up, then regenerating the landscape to create a koala conservation corridor — with the first stage of the project focusing on developing software and collaborating with scientists to plot out all those 'kiss points' over a 1.5-million-square-kilometres patch between Cairns and Melbourne. "The Lindt koala is more than just chocolate. We want our Lindt koala to raise awareness and educate the community of the important role the Australian Koala Foundation plays in the long-term survival of our beloved native animal," said Lindt Australia CEO Michael Schai. "If we achieve contiguous habitat across the entire stretch of the koala range, then all creatures great and small could traverse through the bush unthreatened. With over 30 years of research behind the Koala Habitat Map, AKF's next grand vision could redirect the fate of the koala," added Deborah Tabart OAM, Chair of Australian Koala Foundation. "Lindt's support will help kickstart those efforts, with an ultimate vision to save the koala with 'kisses' through chocolate." Lindt's chocolate koalas are available to purchase for $6.25 at Lindt stores and via the Lindt website for a limited time.
With every new year comes new ambitions, goals and hopes for the next 12 months. Despite not quite ticking off everything from last year's resolutions list, there's something about a new year that restores your faith in your own ability to achieve your dreams this time around. And, if the world has shown us anything these past few years, it's to lean into fun while you can. While trying new things can be somewhat daunting, we hear that getting out of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. Whether you've been promising yourself to sign up to an acting class for years or you feel like trying a different sport, there are loads of ways you can get involved in a new activity this year. We've teamed up with Just Play to give you some inspiration for your extracurricular activities in 2022. PLAY A TEAM SPORT After so much time in solitude and indoors over the past few years, there's never been a better time to get involved in a team sport. Although this may sound very intimidating to some — especially if your high school dabbled in dodge ball — being part of a team sport can be a completely supportive and enjoyable experience. If you're ready to play but haven't got enough mates who are as keen you, Just Play is here to help find you a team. Simply sign up to one of the sports on offer — basketball, netball, futsal, soccer, touch footy, cricket, volleyball and more — as an individual or with a mate and you'll be added to a team in your area. How good. Once you've registered, Just Play will then send you a playing top and you'll be off and away with your new teammates. LEARN A NEW CREATIVE SKILL There's something super satisfying about getting your hands dirty to learn a new skill or to make something. And Work-Shop offer plenty of courses that will leave you feeling creatively fulfilled. You can try your hand at workshops across various art forms including ceramics, jewellery making, pot painting or simply sip on some wine as you paint a watercolour masterpiece. It even offers Kintsugi classes — the art of repairing broken pottery. By the end of each workshop, you'll leave with a beautiful piece of art and a story to tell your mates at dinner. Plus, classes fall on a range of different days and timeslots, making it easy to fit in around your busy weekly schedule. VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE YOU CARE ABOUT Volunteering is a top-tier way to get involved in your community and potentially discover new areas of interest. In Sydney, Story Factory has ongoing volunteer opportunities, both online and in person, focusing around greater western Sydney schools. If helping under-resourced communities through creative writing sounds like something for you, this will be right up your alley. There are heaps of other places you can volunteer, too. Consider yourself an animal lover? You could volunteer at an animal shelter. Love to read? Libraries could use your help. Or, if you like life on the more dramatic side, your local theatre is likely to love your creative input. Go Volunteer can help you get started with opportunities and organisations listed or Volunteer Match can help you find something that aligns with your interests. HIT YOUR MARK IN AN ACTING CLASS Ever think you could be the next Cate Blanchett or Eric Bana but just haven't been discovered yet? Well, it might be time to enrol in a NIDA Open course to help you discover your true acting ability or to simply have a bit of fun centre stage. There are intensive part-time courses and shorter weekend and evening classes available in stage acting, screen acting, stand up comedy, design, writing and more. Some courses require an audition to enter but many are available to anyone ready to take on a creative challenge. The best bit? NIDA Open offers regular classes in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. ELEVATE YOUR CULINARY SKILLS You can never stop learning when it comes to cooking. Some of us simply want to master the art of slicing things up a little more intricately. Others might want to figure out which spices should go with what dishes while some might want to perfect a pad thai recipe. Whatever skill you want to refine, a cooking class could be your answer. You can find a range of classes on Red Balloon to suit a range of palate preferences. Want to finally learn how to make some proper Italian pasta? How about delicious Japanese or Middle Eastern food? Either way, Red Balloon has you covered. You can even take a cocktail masterclass and impress all your mates next time they come over for drinks. ENROL IN A LANGUAGE COURSE Learning a new language is one of those things that perpetually seem to be on the 'I should get around to finally doing that' list. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to answer 'Parlez-vous Francais?' with more than 'Oui'? Well, this could be the year. There are plenty of courses to help. The Vocational Language Learning Centre offers courses in Arabic, French, Italian, Greek, German, Japanese, Indonesian, Russian and Spanish at centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. EXPLORE YOUR CITY ON SKATES Time to limber up those legs and get on some skates to see your city in a whole new way. Rollerskating is an excellent way to keep active and try something new and still maintaining an element of social distance (ideal in 2022). There are plenty of routes for you to roll around in our major cities. Hit up the St Kilda Beach Promenade in Melbourne, let loose on the long and scenic Brisbane River run or lap it up at Centennial Park in Sydney. In terms of purchasing the gear, Impala Roller Skates online store has plenty of good stuff. Or, there's Bayside Blades in Melbourne, Extreme Skates in Brisbane and Skater HQ in Sydney. Ready to try something new in your city this year? For more information on Just Play, visit the website.
Winter is coming, as Game of Thrones has been telling us for years — but the show's final season is coming first. Before the weather turns cold again in the southern hemisphere, fans of the epic HBO series will be able to discover how the popular series wraps up, so mark your calendars accordingly. After leaving everyone hanging for the entirety of 2018, HBO has announced that Game of Thrones' eighth and final season will hit the small screen on April 14, 2019, US time — so Monday, April 15 in Australia — nearly two years after season seven premiered in July 2017. If you're eager to get your fix of the series' staples — that is, battles, bloodshed, betrayal, bare chests, family bickering, Jon Snow knowing nothing (including about his long-lost aunt) and plenty of dragons — then you can start counting down the days: there are 90 to go. HBO revealed the launch date this morning at the end of slightly creepy new teaser, featuring Jon Snow and Sansa and Arya Stark in the crypts of Winterfell. They're faced with the talking statues of Lyanna, Catelyn and Ned Stark, and look set to battle White Walkers, but you can watch it all below. You can check out the other season eight teasers here. Of course, we all know that this isn't really the end of the world created by author George RR Martin — and no, we're not talking about the now seven-year wait for his next book in the literary franchise, The Winds of Winter. A prequel TV series to Game of Thrones is in the works, set thousands of years before the events we've all be watching since 2011, with Naomi Watts set to star. Come next year, you'll also be able to tour original GoT filming locations in Northern Ireland. https://youtu.be/wA38GCX4Tb0
From clowns to furry critters to dolls, 80s and 90s pop culture drew plenty of scares from childhood staples. Decades later, Hollywood is conjuring up plenty more by bringing it all back again. With the IT remake not only working a charm back in 2017, but releasing a star-studded sequel later this year, the folks behind it are reviving another old favourite: Child's Play. While the horror franchise released its last instalment, Cult of Chucky, as recently as 2017, the new Child's Play is starting all over again. Remaking the original 1989 movie, it'll re-introduce the world to the psychopathic flame-haired plaything with a lust for murder. This time, the toy will terrorise Aubrey Plaza, who plays a young mother to a son who comes into possession of the knife-wielding doll. Whether you've seen any of the seven other Chucky flicks or are too creeped out by the idea to watch, you can probably guess where the story goes — this time, however, the murderous plastic moppet has been updated for the 21st century. And if you're excited about the character's comeback, then you'll be just as excited to know that even more is in store, with a Child's Play TV series also in the works. Check out the unsettling first trailer for the new Child's Play movie below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFy8ZgLd574 Child's Play releases in Australian cinemas on June 20, 2019.
How long has Charles Boyle been dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's twins, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for Titus Jones's latest trivia night. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know and love. You know, the one that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night. The big night in question is free (huzzah) with B99-themed cocktails available to purchase on the night and a heap of prizes up for grabs. It all kicks off at 4pm on Sunday, January 13. Book a table for you and your mates and it may be your night to shine (and that can be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). To book, call (02) 8068 4955 or email mez@titusjones.com.au.
Put your laughing pants on Sydney, because the Sydney Comedy Festival is back and it's too much for non-laughing pants to handle (so don't say we didn't warn you). This year marks the festival's tenth birthday, and yet the festival is giving you all the gifts. There's gifts for those who want to rip through the paper and find a stand-up comic, and gifts for those who want to gently unwrap the surprise of an offbeat and hard-to-describe show. Gifts for all comedic persuasions. This year includes a spelling bee with dubious consequences for the English language, the funniest PowerPoint lecture around and a supremely entertaining Eastern-European (impersonator) improv team. Here are our top ten picks and remember: laughing pants.
We picked Steen in our top ten last year and he thoroughly deserves his spot on our list again. In the past year he has gained international fame, having been nominated for the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer award before returning home with his brand new show and getting nominated for MICF’s Barry Award. He’s likely to take out another Sydney Comedy Festival award to go with his 2013 Best Newcomer trophy, so make sure you catch him before he’s crushed by silverware. This is one of our top picks of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Check out our full top ten.
The annual reason to not entirely obliterate yourself on New Year's Eve, Field Day, has announced announced one of its most all-round thumbs-up inducing lineups yet, with one big name at the top: Tyler, The Creator. The chart-topping American rapper will be heading to Australia for the first time since releasing his highly lauded album IGOR. He'll be joined on stage by fellow American and trap master RL Grime, gold masked German DJ duo Claptone, British rapper Skepta, dancefloor starters Disclosure and electro duo Snakehips, among one heck of a killer lineup. Local legends aren't scarce this year, either, with the likes of Hatchie, Pnau, Hayden James and more locked in for NYD sets. Returning to The Domain on New Year's Day, January 1, 2020, Field Day proves once again that some lineups are worth skipping the last NYE UDL for. [caption id="attachment_735766" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyler, The Creator by Sam Rock[/caption] Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. FIELD DAY 2020 LINEUP Tyler, The Creator Antony & Cleopatra Chris Lake Claptone Dena Amy Disclosure Dom Dolla Eves Karydas Glades Green Velvet Gunna Hatchie Hayden James IAMDDB Jauz Lastlings Nyxen Pnau RL Grime Running Touch Skepta Snakehips The Japanese House Tokimonsta Ybn Cordae Field Day returns to The Domain on January 1, 2020. Tickets on sale at midday on Tuesday, August 27 via Field Day's website. Image: Field Day/AP Photography.
The duo behind Bourke Street's Japanese-inspired burger haven have just opened a new chapter, with a second Ume Burger opening at Barangaroo at the end of October. Owners Kerby Craig and Regina Jose have taken up residence on Wulugul Walk, the waterfront suburb's new dining precinct, and the simple, sustainably-focused menu itself bears a fraternal twin-like resemblance to the original Bar Ume's, but with one notable exception. With Japanese-inspired street food and burgers the cornerstone of Ume, the Bacon Cheeseburger has been tossed aside, and replaced with the younger, sexier Menchi Burger, made with handmade pork katsu, tonkatsu sauce and cabbage. They have, of course, retained the Kakiage Burger for plant-loving burger aficionados. Aside from the main attraction, Ume Burger has a whole lot on offer. The drinks list has a sweet spread of wines, beers, Japanese spirits, as well as intriguing house-made sodas like yuzu brown sugar or strawberry vanilla. Plus, and I mean plus, there's a soft serve station, in all its glory. The flavours rotate with regularity so expect a lucky dip, from lavender and white chocolate to sweet potato. The whole joint is rounded out by some pretty slick décor, with the kooky creations of Sydney paper engineer Benja Harney dotted about the place. With burger restaurants multiplying like a year three maths class, Craig and Jose stand out from the crowd with their bold flavours and unique take on Japanese cuisine, so there's no doubt they'll be right at home in Sydney's new home of high-end interpretations of street food — just take a wander past neighbours like Anason, Zushi, Belle's Hot Chicken and Lotus Dumpling Bar. Find Ume Burger at Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo and 478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. Open Monday to Saturday 11am–10pm and Sunday 11am–9pm.
International Margarita Day may fall on Wednesday, February 22, but why settle for only one day of citrusy, salty, tequila-y celebration? Solotel is spreading the love with a week-long tribute to all things margarita, taking place from Monday, February 20 until Sunday, February 26. For the whole week, eight of Solotel's venues are serving up watermelon and raspberry margaritas — with Patrón on the pour — for just $12 (plus $15 margies at The Golden Sheaf). It's the ideal bev to sip while you farewell the last few weeks of summer sun. Perhaps you'll choose the sunny courtyard of The Courthouse in Newtown, or the locally loved Public House in Petersham. Or, maybe level up your after-work drinks with margaritas at Barangaroo House's House Bar. Though, you're sorted at any of the other participating spots: The Erko, Edinburgh Castle, Sackville Hotel, Regent Hotel and Bridgeview Hotel. If you're into the Mexican cocktail, now's the time to enjoy it all over Sydney. If you know what's good for you, you'll pick a spot and get ready to raise a glass and celebrate the ultimate cocktail for a full seven days. Solotel's Margy Week hits a standout lineup of venues from Monday, February 20 till Sunday, February 26, with Patrón Tequila watermelon and raspberry margaritas for $12 ($15 at The Golden Sheaf). For all the details, head to the website.
If movies are anything to go by, then the 1980s represented the golden age of comically inept kidnappings. Ruthless People (starring Bette Midler) set the standard in 1986, and the following year Joel and Ethan Coen released their own kidnap farce – Raising Arizona – starring Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter. While successful in its day, Arizona has since acquired cult status amongst movie fans, both as a fine example of the Coen Brother’s unique vision and quirkiness, and as one of cinema’s all-time classic ‘crims-on-the-run’ road movies. Cage plays the recidivist petty crook Hi, whose regular encounters with police photographer Ed (Hunter) eventually lead to the most unlikely of romances and marriage. The clucky couple soon discovers, however, that they’re unable to have children, and thanks to Hi’s criminal record – adoption is similarly unavailable as a recourse. As Hi puts it: “Biology and the prejudices of others conspired to keep us childless”. All that’s left, they reason, is to kidnap someone else’s baby and raise it as their own, choosing one from a local businessman’s newborn quintuplets as the target. Cage is the standout of the cast, displaying all the qualities that made him, at least for a time, one of Hollywood’s most bankable and fearless actors. His performance is hilarious and his facial ticks somehow wildly expressive despite their utter impassiveness, yet it’s his florid narration throughout the film that’s its most charming feature. Hunter is similarly excellent, along with John Goodman as an escaped convict possessed of his own designs on the souvenired child. The film lacks some of the polish that the Coen Brothers would come to display in their later films, however it still retains all of their trademark dark comedy, crackling dialogue and extraordinary empathy for characters both good and bad. The team behind the much-anticipated event Downtown Drive-In has announced Carriageworks in Sydney’s Eveleigh, just three kilometres from the Sydney CBD, as the location for its three-night season, which will run from November 29 to December 1, 2012. A seldom-used section of the 120-year-old heritage listed building will form the perfect backdrop for the Back Roads USA season of films. The films to be screened include On The Road, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Raising Arizona, Stand By Me and Vanishing Point. Downtown Drive-In will also feature a custom menu with individual items designed by The Dip, Sydney’s favourite American-style diner, playfully paying tribute to the films and shared Americana settings and atmosphere. Major sponsor Audi will supply a range of luxury cars for the ultimate drive-in experience. The cars will also feature razor-sharp sound from audio partner Bang & Olufsen. Entry into Downtown Drive-In will cost $50 for vehicles of up to four people. Walk-in deck chair seating is also available near the screen, at $25 per person. For more information on the film schedule, drive-in experience and participating partners, visit www.downtowndrive.in Concrete Playground has five double deckchair passes to giveaway to see Raising Arizona at Downtown Drive-In on Friday, November 30 at 9.30. To enter, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
To make a proper weekend escape from the city, head to Lady Carrington Drive in the world's first national park after Yosemite in the USA. The Royal National Park south of Sydney has 10km of track starting at Audley in the north, following the Hacking River upstream, and ending at Sir Bertram Stevens Drive in the south. In the late 19th century the track functioned as a carriage route, but these days it's only open to walkers and cyclists. As you make your way through the Nasho, keep a look out for some pure Australiana in the form of lyrebirds, lace monitors, echidnas and sugar gliders. Post bike ride, make sure you leave time for a picnic at one of three dedicated areas, and stop at Palona Brook for an extra detour to explore one of the nearby caves. Image: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services.
Having helped stimulate something of a Redfern renaissance, it's with a heavy heart that Damien Minton Gallery will soon close its doors. Although Sydney's creative scene is thriving, it's the ease and international scope of the online marketplace that has seen less buyers step inside commercial galleries. One of the last exhibitions to be shown at this space is a two-part show by Australian painter Peter Gardiner. Currently on display is a ten-year survey of his work, and opening on July 22 is a selection of new work, titled Prima Facie. Hailing from Newcastle, Gardiner digs into his local roots, producing dramatic oil paintings of this industrial city. However, there's not a hint of homeliness to these monochrome works. Full of shadowy streets and silhouetted buildings, they seem to obscure rather than reveal urban details. One of the most distinctive features of his painterly style is a kind of blurring effect. Blending angry clouds with rising smoke, his streaky brushwork creates an electric atmosphere. Switching dense and dark for something full of fine detail and white space, Gardiner’s Padoga series takes its cue from the traditional tiered towers commonly found in East Asia. He populates these structures with all sorts of symbols and characters. It feels like part travelogue and part folklore. There are wandering elephants and half butchered animals, grim reapers and gargoyles. Again, there’s a blurring of natural phenomena — a rain cloud dissolves into a treetop, and a smoking explosion becomes a cascading waterfall. Another interesting work is Parliament. This grid of floating heads looks like a collection of political forefathers. With protruding lumps and jagged teeth some are quite ghoulish, while others are barely discernible. Evidently, Gardiner has an affinity with the 18th- and 19th-century painters, skimming over modernism and post-modernism. These are Goya-style grotesqueries, while his moody landscapes look like something a contemporary William Blake might paint. His latest offering goes back a bit further, inspired by the 16th-century mannerist Arcimboldo. Cited as an early influence on the Surrealists, his whimsical portrait heads are loaded with colour and cheekiness. Gardiner's take is a curious fusion of object, fauna and flesh. Bursting with different elements and seasons, they form an incoherent sensuality. Throughout his practice, there's a fascination with the elements, particularly conflicting ones like fire and water. It’s not only Gardiner’s technical finesse that is quite compelling, but also the fluidity with which he manages to combine eclectic subject matter. It's as if he is standing with one foot in reality and another in mythology.
Walk any street of Balmain and you're sure to be met by adorable puppies, always pamper-fresh and ready for a pat. As dogs are somewhat of a inner west-lifestyle must-have, so too is a trusted groomer. Head to Darling Street to find Dogue — a distinctly luxe puppy pampering palace. It offers grooming services plus signature spa treatments like mud baths and massages and aromatherapy salt mineral bath, so the crew knows how to treat pets like royalty. The store also offers puppy training and daycare facilities, plus an array of pet-related accessories — think collars, bedding and more toys than your puppy pal could ever need.
If you've noticed a shortage of high-cut, neon leotards around the vintage shops of Sydney of late, here's your answer: Retrosweat — an aerobic workout taking the music, moves and fashion of the '80s as its inspiration — has been rising up the ranks of the city's most popular niche exercise sessions, and its fans have been hogging the best lycra. Like something of an antidote to all that CrossFit, Retrosweat encourages laughter, levity, your flailing attempts at co-ordination and a fat-burning, bun-firming workout. Founder Shannon Dooley studied at the Fitness Institute Australia but also NIDA (where she learnt from, among others, Baz Luhrmann's official choreographer, John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell), so she knows how to wield a bit of drama in her hour of power. Taking Jane Fonda as her spirit animal, she started Retrosweat three years ago in the rustic mirrored dance hall of Redfern PCYC, where the class still runs — only now it's bigger and twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays). It also makes appearances around town at institutions such as Work-Shop and the Bondi Feast festival, where it includes a special cocktails-and-canapes post-sweat package. We asked Dooley for her favourite places in Sydney that provide her with inspiration both retro and sweaty, and learnt about some surprising new spots. "I love theatrical places, places that let you feel like you're on a little holiday," she says. "Even if only for an hour!" Waverley Cemetery As morbid as this may seem, it's so beautiful to see the angels casting their shadows in the late afternoon, and the waves below crashing on the headland. It's so peaceful. I go there to get some perspective. I love the ocean and am pretty happy to stay living in Clovelly until the end of my days — for eternity if I can get a plot at the cemetery! Yeah Hair Baby on Illawarra Road, Marrickville Not enough people know that the greatest hairdresser in Sydney is Teri Richards. As the name suggests, the interior of her salon looks like a tangerine 1970s acid trip. You enter Yeah Hair Baby and just feel happy. She's an amazing colourist and boy does she cut a rad mullet! Bus Stop Cafe on Clovelly Road, Randwick I live at this cafe. The coffee is so good, so are the smoothies. I'm gluten intolerant and they are one of the gluten-free friendliest places in Sydney! Jose, Gus and the rest of the crew know every customer's name and it almost feels like you're in an episode of Cheers when you're in there. The same friendly faces are always in there having a laugh. It doesn't get much local than at the Bus Stop. The Lord Dudley Pub, Paddington I only found this place a month ago! I've lived in Sydney for ten years, that's how hidden it is. It's the cosiest place in winter, it feels like you are suddenly in England in the 1800s. There's a big fireplace, and the menu is all about simple comfort food — chicken pies, eton mess, steak frites. They have board games, too. You can really settle in here for hours. There's an elderly man who loves to sing Barbara Streisand songs at you if you're lucky enough to run into him at the bar. I love a good serenade. The Seagull Room at the Bondi Pavilion With its arched windows, it looks like a set from one of Jane Fonda's VHS workouts. I walk in the room and can feel the ghosts of freestyle aerobics past. There's nothing like walking into an empty space and just feeling the possibilities. This one is definitely magical. If I'm ever alone in there I just leap from wall to wall and corner to corner like a four year old. Retrosweat is on at the Seagull Room during Bondi Feast on Saturday, July 11.
It has been three months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. And, while other restrictions across the nation are starting to ease as part of Australia's overall roadmap out of lockdown, jetting overseas won't be on the agenda any time soon. This isn't surprising news. In fact, back in April, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy advised that international travel wouldn't be back for at least three-to-four months. But now Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has confirmed that opening our border to the rest of the world is still some way off. Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, June 17, the Minister said that "international border restrictions are likely to be there for some time to come" — and that "keeping those border restrictions largely in place is a price we're going to have to pay to keep COVID under control". Given that the status of COVID-19 in Australia is vastly different to most other countries around the globe, again, that's hardly an unexpected revelation. Expanding on the subject, Senator Birmingham explained that "in terms of open tourist-related travel in or out of Australia, that remains quite some distance off, just because of the practicalities of the volumes that are involved and the need for us to first and foremost keep putting health first". And, when specifically asked if it was more likely to happen next year rather than this year, he said, "I think that is more likely the case". [caption id="attachment_769188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A trip to Sicily might not be possible till next year.[/caption] There are exceptions to Australia's border stance, however. The Minister noted that "international students and other categories of visitors to Australia who stay here for a longer period of time can more easily be accommodated, because we can simply work through the 14-day quarantine periods that have worked so well in terms of returning Australians to this country safely to date". Indeed, in the Australian Capital Territory, plans for a pilot scheme allowing around 35o students to enter the country are progressing. Senator Birmingham also advised that the government is trying to "find safe pathways to deal with essential business travel that helps to contribute to jobs across our economies". And, as has come up frequently over the past few months, implementing a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — aka reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide — is still under consideration. "We will progressively and carefully step through what we can do to reopen," the Minister noted. "That's what talks with New Zealand are about, and I hope we can see that advance." He also touched upon opening up the travel bubble to other short-term visitors from countries with low COVID-19 rates. "That becomes much more challenging once you move beyond New Zealand. But not impossible and I hope that we can look eventually at some of those countries who have similar successes in suppressing the spread of COVID to Australia and New Zealand." It's worth noting, of course, that many of Australia's state borders are still closed, too. Queensland is working towards reopening to visitors from other states on July 10, although that hasn't been officially confirmed as yet, while the Northern Territory just today, Thursday, June 18, announced it'll reopen on July 17 — and South Australia is slated to do the same on July 20. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
It's only been in the country for a matter of months but, following a series of complaints about the product, Duff beer has been found to be in breach of Australia's alcohol advertising code. The official Duff product, which was sold exclusively by Woolworths owned liquor stores such as Dan Murphy's and BWS, will be discontinued immediately. The stock currently left on shelves will be the last smooooth, creamy Duff you'll be able to get your hands on. The complaints voiced about the product's advertising were to do with its effects on underage drinkers, and those making the decision at the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code felt those concerns were valid. "The association of The Simpsons with the product name and packaging is so strongly entrenched in Australian popular culture that the name and packaging will draw the attention of under 18 year olds," said the panel. And you can't really blame them. There's no doubt that the Duff product has strong ties to the much-loved cartoon. Millions of children grew up singing 'Duff beer for me. Duff beer for you. I'll have a Duff. You have one too' and it now serves a dual function as the perfect drinking song. There's also the understandable concern that these younger people would use the product to drink to excess. But for all of us responsible adult drinkers who sometimes like to indulge in some light-hearted Simpsons sessions, this news comes as quite a blow. All we can hope now is that you snag one of the last few bottles. $17 per six-pack or $45 a carton is a nice price to pay for an official collector's item. Via Daily Mail and International Business Times.
New Matter is a collection of AGNSW's most abstract and illusory photographs by Australian and international artists. Viewed together, they challenge the viewer to examine photography in a new way – as art itself, rather than a tool for representing other objects realistically. The artists' experimentation with form forces this radical reinterpretation as it obscures what we would initially view as the 'true' subject of the photo. Some of the artists featured include Walead Beshty, whose practice emphasises not concealing his artistic process, Danica Chappell, whose abstraction arises in the darkroom, where she plays with markers of time and space, and Zoë Croggon, whose photography of bodies explores our relationship with external environments. The exhibition also includes Jacqueline Ball, Matthew Brandt, Christopher Day, Charles Dennington, Cherine Fahd, Deb Mansfield, Todd McMillan, Luke Parker, Kate Robertson, James Tylor and Justine Varga. Image: Zoë Croggon, Dive #3 (2013), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Viktoria Marinov Bequest Fund 2014 © Zoe Croggon.
When you've already announced Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay as one of your keynote speakers, what comes next? At the 2024 Festival of Dangerous Ideas, the conversation will flow from being a serial dissenter to the smartphone backlash, propaganda and censorship, giving kids the right to vote and taking on the one percent, then also cover tackling inequality, the myths surrounding women's health and humanity's need to find meaning through god-like figures. The just-dropped program for the Sydney fest, which will take over Carriageworks for two days from Saturday, August 24–Sunday, August 25, is filled with exactly what an event dedicated to crucial and complex topics demands: a wide-ranging lineup of boundary-pushing talks where hopping from one session from the next means jumping between a vast array of subject matter. [caption id="attachment_962706" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reginald Cunningham[/caption] Under Festival Director Danielle Harvey, FODI has curated its 2024 roster around the theme of 'sanctuary'. For Harvey, this also means giving attendees a place to dig into sometimes-weighty, sometimes-provocative matters. "At a time when we are surrounded by bad ideas and bad faith, where information is cheap and shallow, we need a place people can come and be curious together and be inspired. A space safe from hype. Safe to listen and ask questions. A space with real experts from all disciplines," Harvey said, announcing the event's 2024 program. "Festival of Dangerous Ideas is here to be that space. The lineup won't please everybody (it never does!) and nor does it aim to. But it will be good for everyone. What FODI offers is a precious moment in real time with 87 thought leaders and creatives who will bring you next-level discussion, likely some disagreement and definitely some hope. Learning more about the world we are making and unmaking is a thrill, and I can't wait for you to discover new ideas and thinkers over one massive weekend of danger." [caption id="attachment_963054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Damon Winter/ The New York Times[/caption] Joining Gay among the 16 international guests presenting keynotes are US psychologist Jean Twenge, which is where diving into the impact of handheld devices comes in; journalist and writer Masha Gessen, who'll explore the ways that narratives about conflicts are controlled; and David Runciman to give the Christopher Hitchens Oration on the topic "votes for six-year-olds". Plus, Megan Phelps-Roper of Unfollow fame will team up with Andy Mills from The New York Times' The Daily and Rabbit Hole to dig into the impact of their podcast The Witch Trials of JK Rowling — and Jen Gunter has her sights set on the poor medical care women can be subjected to. Elsewhere, academic Saree Makdis will examine the west's response to the conflict in the Middle East, economists John N Friedman and Richard Holden will chat through ideas for increasing upward social mobility, The Next Frontier academic Todd Fernando will hone in on Indigenous excellence and The End of Race Politics' Coleman Hughes will be a guest on Josh Szeps' Uncomfortable Conversations. Attendees can also hear sustainability professor Jem Bendell step through how civilisation is already collapsing, philosopher David Benatar dive into the ethics of having children and comedian David Baddiel deliver the first John Caldon Provocation on how the need for god to give life substance disproves the deity's existence. [caption id="attachment_963055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sandy Huffaker for The New York Times[/caption] The lineup goes on, whether you're keen for a session featuring Jordan van den Berg, aka renter advocate Purple Pingers, on why the one percent should be afraid — or chats about the new breed of world leaders, the price of democracy, public forgiveness, artificial and transplanted wombs, positive masculinity, peer pressure making us sick or individualism. If you can't attend or won't be in Sydney, some sessions will be livestreamed. For those heading along in person, perhaps you'd like to hear from Talk to Me's Danny Philippou about his favourite horror film and why we're all fascinated with fear, then crawl through a tape installation by Austrian and Croatian artists and designers Numen / For Use, then watch a jailbreak experiment by performance collective re:group, too? Yes, across what promises to be a busy weekend, they're all also on the program as well. The 2024 Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs from Saturday, August 24–Sunday, August 25 at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, with select sessions livestreamed. To peruse the full program, and to buy in-person festival tickets from 7am on Wednesday, June 26 — with livestream tickets available in August — visit the festival website. Festival of Dangerous Ideas images: Jodie Barker, Ken Leanfore and Yaya Stempler.
What happens when AFC Richmond's assistant coach Nathan 'Nate' Shelley (Nick Mohammed, Intelligence) walks out on the club, and on his perennially optimistic American senior coach and mentor Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis, Saturday Night Live), for a rival team? Apple TV+ viewers, you're about to find out. After a year gap, sitting on the bench in 2022, award-winning hit soccer sitcom Ted Lasso is finally set to return in 2023 — and it now has a March release date and a first trailer. Get ready for a hefty rivalry, given that the Ted-versus-Nate clash is set to be quite the focus for the show's long-awaited third season. This 12-episode run, which will start streaming from Wednesday, March 15, will explore AFC Richmond's promotion to the Premier League — and the predictions that it'll come last as a result — plus Nate's move over to West Ham United. Also, Ted has both work and personal struggles to deal with, Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein, Uncle) leans into his assistant coach role, his partner Keeley Jones (Juno Temple, The Offer) is managing her own PR firm, and AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham, Hocus Pocus 2) is all about defeating West Ham United (and her ex Rupert Mannion, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head, who owns it). While Ted Lasso has felt like streaming's biggest warm hug across its first and second seasons, it wasn't afraid to skew darker in the latter, including as Nate felt pushed aside, ignored and unloved by Ted. Viewers will know that the last batch of episodes culminated with Nate's defection — but as seen in the first teaser trailer for season three, the rest of the AFC Richmond crew still has plenty to believe in, taking one of Ted's favourite words to heart. Also part of the team, whether on or off the field: recent hotshot player Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster, The Devil's Hour), his teammates Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh, The French Dispatch) and Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernandez, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Ted's laconic second-in-charge and long-time friend Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt, Bless This Mess), and AFC Richmond Director of Football Operations Leslie Higgins (Jeffrey Swift, Housebound). As the sitcom's first two seasons have shown, viewers definitely don't need to love soccer or even sport to fall for this series' ongoing charms — although if you obsessed over the 2022 World Cup, it might help fill the gap until the 2026 version arrives. Kind-hearted in the way that Parks and Recreation, Wellington Paranormal, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Abbott Elementary have also proven, Ted Lasso will be in for a significant obstacle in 2023, thanks to Ted and Nate's battle. Usually, this series celebrates people who support each other, are always there for each other and form close bonds as a result. Indeed, that's what has made it so instantly likeable. But with Nate now working for the competition, change is afoot — don't expect to see the show mess too much with its winning formula, though. Check out the trailer for Ted Lasso's third season below: Season three of Ted Lasso will stream via Apple TV+ from Wednesday, March 15. Read our full review of season two.
While everybody is pretty damn exited about the announcements made this morning for the musical and lighting parts of this year's Vivid Live festival, there were also some amazing announcements made regarding what's in store for Vivid Ideas. Vivid Ideas is the third integral part of the entire Vivid ethos, hosting a program of public and industry events focused on discussion and creative collaboration. Over the 18-day program the newly made-over Museum of Contemporary Arts will become home to the creative hub of Vivid, connecting industry with emerging talent and global leaders in over 100 events, double the creative industry events of the previous three years. This year's program will see the CEOs of Etsy, Threadless and VICE giving keynote talks, as well as appearances from Cory Doctorow, author and co-founder of weblog Boing Boing, and Henry Holland, from the UK fashion label House of Holland. The talks will run alongside major industry events such as Song Summit, X Media Lab, Mumbrella 360 and SPARC Design. Other highlights include a partnership with the Sydney Film Festival, an Etsy microbusiness conference and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ABC's Rage at CarriageWorks. The public program includes free and ticketed events and goes on sale on Thursday, March 22. Vivid is unique amongst Australia's festivals, and a major celebration of creative industries. This year's instalment of Vivid Ideas looks to reinforce just how vibrant and innovative this city is becoming. Check out the full program here.
Many an Aussie kid has spent a Saturday night hyped up on lime cordial spinning around their lounge room to Kylie Minogue. So, prep the cordial, and get ready to party like it's 2000 'cause the Aussie pop icon is heading back to home turf. While your inner child might be more familiar with her hits 'Spinning Around', 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' and that duo with Robbie Williams 'Kids', next year, Minogue is returning to Australia to perform songs off her just-released album Golden. Minogue was last here four years ago, in 2014, for her Kiss Me Once Tour, and now she's back, taking her Golden Tour for a spin around the country in March, 2019. As well as performing headline shows in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, she'll also be performing at A Day on the Green in Perth, the Hunter Valley and Mount Cotton, Queensland. She'll be singing hits off her latest — and fourteenth — album Golden, which debuted at number one on the ARIA charts just this year. Featuring hits like 'Dancing' and 'Stop Me from Falling', the album has more of a country music-feel than her others, which is fitting, seeing it was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. On stage, Minogue will be joined by former Scissor Sisters frontman (now solo artist) Jake Sears at all shows and Brisbane artist Hatchie at A Day on the Green. Another special guest is expected to be announced soon, too. KYLIE MINOGUE 2019 'GOLDEN' TOUR DATES Sydney — ICC, March 5 Perth — A Day on the Green, Sir James Mitchell Park, March 9 Melbourne — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, March 13 Hunter Valley — A Day on the Green, Bimbadgen, March 16 Mount Cotton — A Day on the Green, Sirromet Wines, March 17 Tickets for capital city shows are available through Frontier Touring and A Day on the Green tickets are available through its website. Both go on sale at midday on Monday, November 19.
Fee-fi-fo-fum, Hollywood's sure giving our childhood a run. In the last two years alone we've had Mirror Mirror, Snow White & the Huntsman, Oz the Great and Powerful, Alice in Wonderland and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Now it's Jack and the Beanstalk's turn, with Valkyrie director Bryan Singer giving the beloved English folktale the full-blown 3D treatment in Jack the Giant Slayer (not to be confused with 'Jack the giant SLAYER', telling the story of an aspiring thrash guitarist from the '80s). The plot here is much as you'd remember it: Jack (Nicholas Hoult) is a kind but naive farm boy who sells his horse in exchange for some magic beans. Those beans rapidly pullulate and explode towards the heavens with tremendous force, launching both Jack's house and its precious royal inhabitant high into the sky where the fabled giants reside. A rescue mission ensues under the leadership of the fearless Elmont (Ewan McGregor), during which Jack must conquer his fear of heights and overcome the giants in order to save his earthly kingdom and its beautiful princess (Eleanor Tomlinson). Hoult makes a likeable Jack, and Tomlinson is sufficiently Brave-esque in her portrayal of the rebellious and reluctant royal prone to assertions like "a princess is such a useless thing". Ian McShane makes for an endearing king, whereas Stanley Tucci rather phones in his performance as the machiavellian Lord Roderick and Bill Nighy is entirely unrecognisable as Fallon, the leader of the giants. The clear standout performance belongs to McGregor, whose valorous royal guardsman is as engaging as he is disappointingly underused. One scene in particular, during which he's trapped inside a giant pastry fold, captures all the magic, drama and tension we've come to expect from an entire Pixar movie but that here merely represents the best of a precious few moments. Overall it's far more 'kids movie' than either adult or hybrid, although several of the giants' scenes will doubtless leave more than a few children diving for cover behind their hands. It's fun enough throughout to maintain at least some level of interest, and the third act certainly provides some excellent action pieces; however, an excessive reliance upon CGI and not enough time spent on the script leaves Jack the Giant Slayer something of a charmless picture. Suffice to say, the book was most certainly better.
The sartorial needs of Sydney will be met this Sunday at the third annual Tweed Ride. A metro bicycle ride with a bit of stiff-upper style, the Tweed Ride is a leisurely jaunt through the streets of Sydney and a jolly good excuse to overuse the words 'tally forth', 'ol’ sport', and 'Michael Caine'. The ride will sally off at Town Hall and finish in an undisclosed location with a picnic, plenty of fun competitions (like the "most elegant tea and saucer race"), and prizes for the best dressed, best cucumber sandwiches, and best couples' promenade. Classic vintage bicycles are encouraged, Ascot scarves are desirable, and gentlemen, if you have a hirsute appendage of the upper lip with graspable extremities, remember that nothing becomes a cyclist better than a well-styled handlebar and goatee. If you are unhappily unable to dig out adequate amounts of tweed by Sunday, the pop-up tweed outfitters store will be replete with second-hand tweed goods, and Susan from Rocket Fuel Custom Vintage will play hoity-toity stylist. So practise your plummy accent, don your flat cap and riding britches, and allow your mind to boggle with the sartorial splendour of traditional British cycling attire at the Tweed Ride.
When you work in the most iconic building in the country, you need an eye-catching uniform to match. That'll soon be the case for the folks making sure that Sydney Opera House runs smoothly, with one of Australia's top designers given the task of coming up with their new threads. In Sydney to open Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia, Lee was named as the fashion figure responsible for Opera House's next uniforms, which will be worn by more than 600 staff. Working closely with the venue's employees over the next 12 months, he'll come up with a fresh look for their tour guides, box office and front-of-house attendants. Given his acclaimed architectural and sculptural aesthetic, he couldn't be a better fit for the job. Indeed, Lee has long admired — and been inspired by — the famous structure. "I first visited the Opera House as a child to see theatre and contemporary dance and I have been a regular ever since," he said. "Meeting the needs of the Opera House's very diverse workforce and making sure the clothes combine elegance and utility, inspiration and practicality is critical. It is important that a cultural icon such as the Opera House projects an image that parallels the architecture of the building." Since 2010, Lee has displayed his wares at the Opera House on four occasions, starting in 2010 when he became the first designer to show in the Concert Hall Northern Foyer, and including this year's headlining Fashion Week show. Long pegged as one of the country's hottest young design talents, over the past seven years he has won the Woolmark Designer Award at Melbourne Fashion Week, the Qantas Spirit of Youth Award, and Best Designer awards for GQ and Marie Claire magazines, as well as designing a range for Target. Images: Dion Lee's 2010 Fashion Week show / Bowen Arico.
Kraken Rum is giving UK bartenders the chance to mix drinks at the mother of all pop-up bars. The Black Ink Society will be hosting a bar at the Red Sand Sea Forts, a lonely 14km off the coast of Kent, for one day only on October 14. Hopeful bartenders will compete in the Think Ink competition for the chance to strut their stuff in the creepy abandoned pillboxes. The Red Sand Sea Forts were built during World War II as anti-aircraft defences and fell into disuse after the war. They were occupied by various pirate radio stations during the 1960s, but have since been abandoned and fallen into the depths of dilapidation. But Kraken Rum wants to change that. They want to restore the forts to their former glory — then throw a huge party in them. The competition itself carries only one proviso — in order to be considered a cocktail "as dark as the Kraken’s ink", bartenders must use at least 35ml of Kraken Black Spiced Rum. Otherwise, competitors are free to go for broke by mixing their own concoction in order to secure their place at this "unique, if terrifying" shindig. The finals are to be held on October 8. Via www.psfk.com. Picture by Russ Garrett.
What happens when New Zealand's own Rose Matafeo (Baby Done) takes on British romantic comedies? In 2021, the answer was Starstruck. It's the rom-com sitcom that doesn't just fit the genre, but also loves it, unpacks it, and knows how to adapt its tropes in a smart and hilarious way. In fact, it was a delight in its first season, and then again in its second run in 2022. Here's hoping that when September rolls around, it'll prove the same once more in season three. One of the best of new shows of its debut year and best returning series of its second year, Starstruck was renewed for a third shot of love in London last year — and now the latest season arrives when romance is usually in the air, aka spring Down Under. This time, Matafeo's Jessie is single after breaking up with famous actor Tom (Nikesh Patel, Four Weddings and a Funeral), and now navigating what that all means. No matter who's starring in them, when and where they're set, and whether they're showing on the big or small screen, romantic comedies do adore telling tales about trying to hold onto a good thing. Two people meet, fall for each other — whether immediately or eventually — and work through whatever it takes to enjoy their romantic bliss: that's it, that's the genre's familiar formula. It's a setup that TV series Starstruck has been both adhering to and interrogating over its run so far, too, but the show is branching out narrative-wise when it returns in Australia via ABC iView from 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 6 and in New Zealand via TVNZ+ from 8.30pm on Saturday, September 2. If you're new to the series, New Zealander Jessie didn't realise that Tom was so well-known when they met. Once she was aware, that fact was inescapable as they tried to make their fairy tale relationship work. And yes, before the show entered its post-Tom era (although he still pops up) as its just-dropped season-three trailer notes, Matafeo — who stars, writes and created the series — well and truly knew that Notting Hill got there first. To-date, the series has proven a wonderful showcase for Matafeo, and also a savvily smart exploration of rom-com tropes as well, embracing and subverting them as needed. Nodding to romantic comedies such as The Graduate, Love Actually and Bridget Jones' Diary has also come with the territory, amusingly, affectionately and astutely so. Matafeo co-writes Starstruck with fellow comedians Alice Snedden and Nic Sampson, with Matafeo and Snedden also directing the third season. Check out the trailer for Starstruck season three below: Starstruck season three will stream in Australia via ABC iView from 9.30pm on Wednesday, September 6 and in New Zealand via TVNZ+ from 8.30pm on Saturday, September 2. Starstruck's first and second seasons are available to stream in Australia via ABC iView and in New Zealand via TVNZ+. Read our full review of Starstruck's first season — and our full review of its second season, too. Images: Mark Johnson/HBO Max.
Impromptu Dining is done with and in its place stands et.al, a sleek new Potts Point restaurant co-owned by chef Daniel Backhouse and manager Stephen Craig. As the name suggests, sharing a meal with friends, family, lovers et al is at the heart the restaurant's ethos and every element of the place has been designed with this in mind. Backhouse, a former chef at Bathers Pavilion and Berowra Waters Inn, and Craig, a former colleague of Colin Fassnidge at the Four in Hand Dining Room, have put a great deal of passion into the venue — and it shows. The food is an inventive take on modern classics born from the imagination and expertise of Backhouse's culinary genius. For lunch, there'll be a maple chili bacon butty, and a burrata with shaved zucchini, tempura flowers and hazelnuts. For dinner, an impressive 600g scotch fillet served with black garlic butter and fried potatoes catches our eye, although the vodka cured salmon with zesty grapefruit, avocado and fennel makes us think we might need to order both. The dishes are designed to be crisp, carefully balanced and showcase the eloquence of simplicity whilst Craig's short, sharp and worldly wine list complements the food's clear flavours. The new space has been fitted out by Chris Wilks of Giant Design, so expect chic wooden furniture, vibrant textiles and an open plan kitchen of tiles, concrete, stainless steel and light that looks out into the courtyard dining space. Everything — from the water carafes to the saucepans — has been granted it's own place. At the risk of making a bit of a generalisation, this place oozes 'Sydney' right down to the weight of the cutlery and the shape of the wine glasses. Find et.al at 7/24-30 Sprinfield Avenue, Potts Point.
Sometimes eye-opening, sometimes distracting, sometimes just 'meh', cameras have become a common sight on the Australian stage. Recently, Belvoir’s production of The Glass Menagerie used them to great effect, exploring the limitations of personal memory. At key points, the cameras captured and cropped the events onstage. When this footage was projected onto two large screens above the set, the feed the audience saw was completely distorted; it was decontextualised, romanticised and bore only the slightest relation to the scene we were witnessing. This was both innovative storytelling and a means of reconciling a work which writer Tennessee Williams, through the protagonist, had claimed was simultaneously truth and sentiment. In STC’s production of Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer (directed by an unrelated Williams, Kip), a similar fusion is attempted, albeit for different reasons. Unfortunately, a more hamfisted approach means that despite strong performances, the events unfolding on stage feel like a sideshow, collateral damage of the true spectacle — a struggle between cinema and theatre. The play takes place in the lavish New Orleans estate of Violet Venable (Robyn Nevin), a wealthy older woman struggling to come to terms with the loss of her son Sebastian, who died overseas in mysterious circumstances. Mrs Venable has long contended that the account of his travelling companion and the last person to see him alive, Catharine Holly (Eryn Jean Norvill), is not only false but slanderous. Summoning a number of people, including a young psychosurgeon (Mark Leonard Winter) and Holly herself to the estate, she sets about extracting the truth. The extended and very dramatic nature of the explanation, coupled with the roomful of shocked onlookers, means that this occasionally feels like Murder on the Orient Express, but the script is unsettling and the cast emanate a tangible sense of dread. Nevin, though confined to a chair for much of the play, is simultaneously wolfish and austere as Mrs Venable. Norvill is wonderful as Catharine, a woman who can’t be certain of anything except the terrible event she witnessed, and Melita Jurisic adds to the almost Lovecraftian nature of the piece with her weird, bewildered turn as Venable’s maid, Miss Foxhill. The shortcomings of Suddenly Last Summer lie in Williams’ decision to film the play live with a camera crew who move freely about the stage, walking in and out of each scene. The text is relatively naturalistic and places a high priority on creating an unsettling, anxious atmosphere. This is achieved in the first scene, which is filmed entirely out of view. Sebastian’s overgrown greenhouse, referred to as a "well-groomed jungle", is made chaotic and threatening by the cameras. Talk of lobotomies and Mrs Venable’s remembrance that her son equated the face of God with baby turtles shredded by gulls on the Galapagos Islands establishes a creeping horror. Then the wall shifts. Where before there had only been glimpses of the camera crew, they are now in full view and the shroud of terror falls. Our reality and the reality of the play begin to butt heads and the plight of Catharine Holly fades in importance. Putting technicians next to performers is like putting live animals on stage. With no investment in the constructed reality of the stage, their honesty is inherently more interesting to watch than the assumed characters of the performers. Their presence does allow for an exploration of the cinematic nature of Williams’ work, but in doing so, they become the piece. The production is no longer a Tennessee Williams play but a play about the making of a film of a Tennessee Williams play. In this context, the fate of the characters becomes rather arbitrary and a strange new dynamic is created, whereby half of the people onstage wail and rage at each other while the other half remain uninvolved and unmoved, content to witness these events through the lens of a camera. Although the concluding scenes are an impressive marriage of cinematography and staging which work to give the ending real punch, Suddenly Last Summer’s cinematic and theatrical elements spend so much time straining against each other that by the time the ending is reached, this struggle has already done irreparable damage to the whole.
Driftwood Cafe & Homeware is a bright and bustling place to start your day in Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches. The all day breakfast menu has got something for everyone. Try the surfer's brekkie with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs and toast, the mushroom and feta omelette, or the corn fritters with avocado and chilli. There's also fresh juices and smoothie bowls — our pick is the tropical sunrise with mango, banana, strawberries and chia. If you're heading out for a picnic, you can order a grazing platters to-go that comes with bread, dips, cheese, fresh fruit and more. Inside, the décor is warm and colourful and the staff are welcoming. Visit Driftwood for breakfast after a morning walk or before going to the local markets. Images: Mel Koutchavlis
You don't have to be a Francophile to love the Bastille Festival. Since 2012, the event has taken over Sydney with joie de vivre, brimming with outstanding food and wine, live music and street-side entertainment. In 2025, the festival brings even more warmth to this wintertime showcase, featuring over 120 exhibitors and 80 dishes, from classic regional flavours to inventive fusions. So, if great cuisine is your raison d'être, planning your visit is the right move. Running from Thursday, July 17–Sunday, July 20, food remains an unmissable highlight for the festival's 12th edition. Presented alongside exclusive chef collaborations and international flavours reimagined with a French twist, expect a culinary offering bursting with raclette, escargots, crêpes, macarons and so much more. Whether you've journeyed to France or just love the nation's cuisine, tasting your way across the country is made easy. Of course, wine is intrinsically linked to French cuisine, and the Bastille Festival's program doesn't disappoint. Eight iconic wine regions are represented in this year's event, with curated vino selected from boutique and prestigious makers based in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence and beyond. "Our wine experiences aren't just about tasting — they're about storytelling," says Bastille Festival Founder and Director Vincent Hernandez. "Each glass is a journey through a region, its traditions and its people." Champagne is a notable focus, with pop-up stations spread throughout the festival and two distinctive wine bars offering champagne paired with oysters and seafood. Meanwhile, 18 bars across Circular Quay and The Rocks will also serve mulled wine, spiced hot cider, craft beer and cocktails for your sipping pleasure. "This 12th edition is all about going bigger, bolder, and more immersive — offering Sydneysiders and visitors a true 'Tour de France' of flavours, sights, and sounds," adds Hernandez. Besides virtually endless French cuisine, the Bastille Festival also presents four jam-packed days of live entertainment. Featuring over a hundred free shows riffing on the country's cultural traditions, two main stages and a dozen busking spots will come to life with live concerts, street theatre, dance lessons, acrobatic displays and more. Plus, old favourites return, with French Cabaret Night and the French DJ Party transforming First Fleet Park throughout the weekend. "At its core, Bastille Festival is about connection — to food, to culture, and to each other," says Hernandez. "We're creating moments where Sydney can come together, celebrate, dance, and rediscover a little bit of magic in the middle of winter." Bastille Festival runs from Thursday, July 17–Saturday, July 20 at across various locations in Circular Quay and The Rocks. Head to the website for more information.
Over Easter, KFC spread some paschal cheer — and some of its finger lickin' good fried chicken — with free delivery. This weekend mightn't be a special occasion or include any public holidays, but now it's McDonald's turn to share the fast food love. If you're craving a Quarter Pounder or a box of chicken McNuggets and you don't fancy leaving the house, Maccas is offering free home delivery on orders over $25 via UberEats. The limited-time offer is available nationwide and runs until Sunday, April 19. To get your hands on a burg, some fries, a Happy Meal, McFlurry or a hot fudge sundae — or anything else on the chain's regular menu — with no extra delivery cost, head to UberEats' website or use the UberEats app and enter the code MACCASWEEKEND. The entire transaction will be contact-free, including when it hits your doorstep. And, if you're after a few household staples, Maccas is also delivering milk, plus six-packs of English muffins and its gourmet buns. Or, of course, you can ignore whatever time of day it is and go straight for a McMuffin, hash brown and some hot cakes. McDonalds is offering free delivery across Australia on orders over $25 made via UberEats, with the special available until Sunday, April 19. To order, head here and use the code MACCASWEEKEND. Images: McDonalds.
