Grammy-nominated New York duo Sofi Tukker have announced they'll be bringing their genre-blurring tunes to Aussie shores, set to take the stage in Sydney and Melbourne next month. Since releasing their debut EP, Soft Animals, early last year, Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern have garnered fans worldwide, snapping up chart spots in more than 20 countries and landing festivals across Europe and North America. The pair's dance-worthy beats draw inspiration from all corners of the globe, resulting in a layering of sound unlike any you've heard before. And the Sofi Tukker live show promises to be every bit as spectacular, starring the duo's own unique instrument, called 'The Book Tree'. Expect a six-foot-tall 'creature', decked out in foliage and hardcover books, each tome engineered to create a different sound when drummed, to compliment that blissful melange of guitar, bass, and bongos. Sofi Tukker plays at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on February 17 and Melbourne's Howler on February 18. Tickets are available from Moshtix from January 12.
The buzz of January is over and if you need a little motivation to continue with those NYE resolutions, look no further than this activewear sale. Australian clothing company Active Truth is moving warehouses and, to make the move a little easier, is offering 40 percent off sitewide. Active Truth's swimwear and activewear is accessible to beachgoers and gym junkies of all shapes and sizes, with swimsuits, tights, crops, bike shorts and maternity wear all ranging from XS to 3XL. Check out these summery floral tights or this black one-piece swimsuit. As an added bonus, you'll receive free express shipping, so even though we're already more than a week into February, you'll have your new swimsuit at your doorstep before summer ends. Plus, Active Truth is committed to sustainability, supporting the The Seabin Project and making its swimwear from reconstructed recycled fibres, such as discarded fishing nets. If you're keen to snag some new togs, have a look through the catalogue and order before the sale ends at 11.59pm on Sunday, February 14. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Kurt Vile ain't vile in the slightest; his music is mesmerising, with lo-fi sounds that are equal parts psych, folk and garage. April 2013 release Wakin on a Pretty Daze is the ultimate soundtrack to your balmy summer evenings, and thanks to the Sydney Festival he can score your summer evenings in person. Set to play the Circus Ronaldo Tent at Hyde Park's Festival Village, the former War on Drugs musician has stumbled upon a growing cult following. So catch him at midnight on January 23 for his solo show to get seriously blissed out, and wake the next morning in a pretty daze. Image by by Shawn Brackbill.
One Friday night at a club, two people hook up. The next morning, they want to prolong their stay in each other's company just a little. By the following day, they realise their casual encounter is based on a real connection. This could be something special. They're happy and they're scared. This may be romance as we know it, yet it's rarely the romance we sit down to watch on screen. When a movie does come along that cuts through the usual syrupyness, drama and meet-cutes to tell a relatable story, it's refreshing. In the case of Weekend, the love-struck are Londoners Russell (Tom Cullen) and Glen (Chris New), and an extra hurdle stands in front of their future happiness: Glen is leaving on Sunday night to start a two-year art course in Oregon. His dreams and sense of self are invested in the move, and he's shaken to be reminded that there may be reasons to stay. This is a quaint, intimate, indie love story in the vein of Before Sunrise. In practice, that means there's a lot of inane dialogue of the "Catherine, can I get another plate? Oh, you need one as well? Okay, get two" variety, but when this chatter stumbles into those everyday, non-flowery moments of unpretentious insight, it's touching in a way extraordinary poetry can't be. Writer/director Andrew Haigh might seem to but doesn't quite let the gender of the couple become the whole story. His characters' lives, are, of course, affected by their sexuality — Russell is insecure with his; Glenn's exhibitionism covers up his real dissatisfaction with his life — but their sexuality is not all that shapes their characters or their journey. Weekend has something to say about how love fits into our messy, complicated lives and a Hollywood trope (the last-minute airport declaration of love, ugh) it wants to play off. The one thing that makes Weekend unbelievable is timing: There's no way two people could fit in this many activities in one 48-hour period, even with stimulants and excellent time management skills. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6cdnGHU5gZg
If you're always on the lookout for a reason to escape to Byron Bay, here's the latest: a brand-new festival that'll have you eating, drinking, checking out art, listening to tunes and being merry, all in the seaside New South Wales spot. That's what's on the agenda at Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival, which has just announced the dates for its inaugural event — and given potential attendees a glimpse at what's in store. First, block out the four days between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 in your calendar, which is when Revel will make its debut. As for what's on the program, the precise details haven't been revealed as yet, but it'll cover cuisine, drinks, music, art and culture. Think: long lunches, twilight soirees and moseying around public art installations, plus hitting up performances, taking health and wellness classes, shopping around a produce market and enjoying tours. The fest will also include panel discussions and workshops, and not only take place in Byron but across the Northern Rivers region. Chef David Moyle, who has been Chief of Food at Harvest Newrybar since 2020, is Revel's Festival Food Curator — and explains that the fest aims to "bring people back together to enjoy the company of friends and family with good food and good vibes in a beautiful setting". That'll come courtesy of the Revel Festival Village, aka a massive food, beverage, music and art precinct that's set to sprawl across the whole North Byron Hotel in the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate, and thanks to events at plenty of other spots around the area. On the list: Harvest, of course, as well as Raes on Wategos, Three Blue Ducks, Belongil Beach Italian Food, Bang Bang Byron Bay, Barrio, Capiche, The Hut, The Roadhouse, Treehouse on Belongil, and Mosey on Inn group's Ciao Mate!, The Eltham and You Beauty. Given the location, there'll be a beachside program within the larger program with views of Byron Bay Main Beach — including the fest's opening event — on the Thursday and Friday, as well as a secret Revel garden precinct operating on the Saturday and Sunday. And, while exactly what the arts and cultural side of the lineup will entail hasn't been unveiled, helping advise on that part of proceedings are Arakwal Bundjalung woman Delta Kay, plus artists Paul McNeil and Karlee Mackie. "As we all know, the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic along with tourism, arts and music, and these are all industries that Byron Shire support in a large way for a regional place," said Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival Founder and Director Alex Taylor, announcing the fest's dates. "Byron Bay is an incredible hub of creative talent and entrepreneurs, and we wanted to create something that would support all these industries as well as the wider community that has struggled to connect over the last couple of years," added Revel co-Festival Director Jonny Ruddy. Revel Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival will run from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 13 at various locations around Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers region. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Jess Kearney.
It's time to get schwifty, Rick and Morty fans. Yes, everyone's favourite interdimensional adventurers are finally back. It's been way too long since a certain eccentric scientist and his anxious grandson caused chaos across the multiverse, with the animated sitcom's third season releasing in 2017 — and if you've been feeling the duo's absence over the past two years, you're not alone. Even the recent trailer for the series' fourth season recognised the elephant in the room — or the lack of Mr Meeseeks and Mr Poopybutthole on our screens, to be specific. Those beloved characters are back, too, alongside not only Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland), but also Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke), father Jerry (Chris Parnell) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer), as well as all the world-hopping craziness that anyone could ever hope for. Oh, and Taika Waititi, Sam Neill, Matthew Broderick, Game of Thrones' Liam Cunningham and Elon Musk are among the guest voice cast. The new batch of episodes rejoins the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe, and keeps doing what it does — not just aping a concept straight out of Back to the Future (aka a lab coat-wearing old man, his teenage sidekick, and their time- and space-jumping antics), but filtering that idea through the inventive minds of Roiland and Community's Dan Harmon. If you've been counting down the days since the last episode hit back in October 2017, then mark Sunday, December 22 in your calendar. While the fourth season has been airing week-to-week in the US since November, the first five episodes will hit Netflix in Australia and New Zealand in one bundle, just in time for some festive binging. After proving such a huge hit across its first three seasons, there's plenty more Rick and Morty to come, with the show renewed for a huge 70 episodes by US network Adult Swim last year (which is more than double the 31 that the comedy aired before season four started). Of course, all that animated insanity takes time to put together, hence the overall delay in bringing the latest episodes to fruition. And that's the wayyyyyy the news goes — check out the fourth season's trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw6BrzB1drs The first five episodes of Rick and Morty's fourth season will hit Netflix in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, December 22.
The pinnacle of Christmas lunch is the delicious dessert, so Work-Shop and Maria Mayhew of Black Star Pastry are giving Sydneysiders the chance to make the perfect pudding this festive season. This particular sweet treat can be tricky and fiddly to get just right, so the workshop covers everything from prepping the calico to serving suggestions. It’s everything you need to know to create a family of happy Christmas campers. Mayhew discovered her passion for pastry later in life, and has made a name for herself with unique twists on classic cakes, including vegan beetroot and marmalade cake, and pumpkin loaf. She completed her apprenticeship at Black Star Pastry in Newtown, one of Sydney's best patisseries. For owner-operator Christopher Thé, baking is all about creating the perfect edible moment to share with others, and their famous Christmas pudding is the perfect example of this. Work-Shop are all about proving fun and affordable short courses in everything arts, crafts and life skills. The class in Christmas cheer will go down at their Chippendale base on Wednesday, December 11, at 6.30pm, so buy up tickets at Eventbrite to learn how to cook up the ultimate pudding on the ultimate holiday.
9 to 5 and Working Girl hail from the genre. Everything from Office Space to The Assistant do, too. But films about working in offices, TPS reports and navigating the desk-based daily grind might eventually become a dying breed or a nostalgic retro curiosity. Because art always mirrors life, the gig economy may swoop in and draw the silver screen's focus instead. Sorry We Missed You already has in a resonant warts-and-all manner, and Lapsis now endeavours to do the same via a smart and searing sci-fi satire. There's much to ponder, probe and dissect about the mode of employment that's becoming the status quo, after all, and that isn't bound to change as it spreads and grows. Corporations don't just dictate workers' behaviour during office hours now, supplying a reliable wage and perks such as holiday and sick leave in return. Attempting to monopolise entire fields such as food and package delivery, transportation and caregiving, big companies (you know the ones) hire independent contractors, scrap the benefits, and keep them toiling on-demand or on-call just to earn the bare minimum. This new kind of technology-driven rat race has been normalised, and quickly — and what it means for the labour force, employment, capitalism, corporate greed, class structures and basic human rights demands to be interrogated in thousands of movies as sharp and scathing as this one. In Lapsis and its alternative vision of New York, quantum computing is the next big thing. It requires a network of giant metallic cubes connected via thick black wires, with stringing them together the gig economy's new growth area. It's such an in-demand field and so lucrative for workers, in fact, that cablers can earn thousands of dollars just for a weekend's work. They can also pay off their mortgages within months — if the advertisements spruiking the supposed new employment dream can be trusted, that is. Technology-phobic delivery driver Ray Tincelli (first-timer Dean Imperial) is sceptical, so much so that he won't even use a quantum computer himself, even though they're essential to viewing up-to-date websites and just generally existing in Lapsis' parallel world. But his unwell brother Jamie (fellow debutant Babe Howard) suffers from a pervasive form of exhaustion called omnia, and requires expensive medical treatment. After finding a way into the cabling industry via acquaintance Felix (James McDaniel, The Deuce), Ray's need to make a quick stash of hefty cash quickly overrides his misgivings. Ray doesn't drop his distrust of quantum computing and everything associated with it, of course. But, in trying to pay for medical care and just generally make enough money to get by, he's willing to compromise his ideals out of necessity — or he's forced to, really, given that he doesn't have any other options to take care of his brother and boost his finances. In choosing these motivations to drive his protagonist, writer/director Noah Hutton quickly taps into, caricatures and scratches away at the US today. Helming his first fictional feature after a decade of documentaries, including two about the oil industry, he keeps digging his claws into a society that treats health care as an optional extra for anyone who isn't wealthy, and thinks that basically working yourself to death is just how life should be if you haven't been successful enough in chasing the so-called American Dream. All of this pointed commentary exists in Lapsis' premise, and the deeper it dives into the cabling world, the more biting the film becomes. Hutton is playful, parodying the reality he's drawing upon, but he still sinks his teeth in — and hard. As Ray quickly learns, his new form of employment involves hiking through gorgeously leafy surroundings to get from cube to cube, all while wheeling a cart between his magnetic start and end points. While the terrain is bumpy, the job sounds straightforward and even leisurely and enjoyable, but it definitely isn't. Different routes pay more than others, getting lucrative gigs isn't easy unless you've been at it for years, and competition is fierce between cablers. Also complicating matters: robotic carts that scurry along day and night, and can steal routes from humans by overtaking them. By design, they push flesh-and-blood cablers to work harder — or risk expending all that effort for absolutely nothing. Then there's the fact that when Ray checks in on the trail, using the medallion he's been given, it flashes up the name 'Lapsis Beeftech'. That moniker instantly inspires scorn from his fellow workers, with only acerbic experienced cabler Anna (Madeline Wise, Crashing) willing to explain why. She also talks Ray through exactly what he's gotten himself into, how the companies behind the job treat their contractors, the pushback during past attempts at unionisation and the small ways that cablers can get the upper hand over their mechanical adversaries. Savaging both expensive and quack medical treatments as well — and the fact that they're the types that largely garner attention — Lapsis is undeniably dense in ideas. That said, it's never overstuffed or overcomplicated, and it doesn't spread its many insights and statements too thin. Indeed, as both a screenwriter and a visual storyteller, Hutton keeps striking a perfect balance. He layers his film with reflections upon much about work in the 21st century. He spins an involving dystopian tale, too. And, he doesn't let either the feature's loaded commentary or its involving world-building feel like it's dragging the other along with it, or dragging it down for that matter. Stepping into a high-tech world with a low-fi (and low-budget) approach, Lapsis' analogies might be clearcut, but they're meant to be. Like Sorry to Bother You, one of the other excellent movies of the past few years that tore strips off of so much that we've come to accept as standard, this is a shrewd film that's direct about its targets at every turn. It's also savvily crafted, stems from clear anger and overflows with surprises. The engaging cast, including the wily Imperial, is one such unexpected gem — and so is this astute, complex and compelling delight itself, including in its memorable final stretch.
In news that'll come as little surprise to any Melburnian, given Melbourne's status as Australia's coffee heartland (and the predilection for complete coffee snobbery, too) — a barista from the Victorian capital has taken out top honours at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. For the second year in a row, Axil Coffee Roasters has nabbed the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2023. Melbourne barista Jack Simpson beat out scores of other Aussie hopefuls in the annual competition. His winning caffinated offering consisted of an espresso, a milk-based coffee and his own coffee-based signature drink — a concoction featuring fermented raspberries, cold vacuum bergamot tea and clarified milk. [caption id="attachment_888451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Axil coffee, James Butler[/caption] "I wanted my routine to reflect the constantly evolving nature of the coffee world and the need for baristas to always be thinking creatively in order to keep up with trends in tastes and technology," Simpson says. The newly crowned coffee king will now go on to represent Australia at the World Barista Championship, held in Athens this year between June 22–24. Last year, Melbourne's Anthony Douglas of Axil Coffee Roasters did Melbourne's notoriously coffee-obsessed city proud, taking out the title of Australia's National Barista Champion for 2022 at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) National Coffee Championships. Douglas went on to nab first place at the World Barista Championship in 2022. [caption id="attachment_888453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Axil, Melbourne Central[/caption] Axil has a swag of cafe locations across Melbourne — find your local by jumping onto the website.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level — and case numbers in each state varying — different parts of the country have navigated the situation in different ways when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Western Australia, that has meant a hard border and strict quarantine requirements. For folks who don't normally reside in WA, you can only currently visit the state if you're classified as an exempt traveller, apply for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then self-isolate for 14 days. If you don't have somewhere appropriate to do the latter, you have to go into a mandatory state quarantine facility for 14 days, too. As announced on Friday, October 30, Premier Mark McGowan revealed that WA will start to relax its border restrictions, with changes set to come into effect from 12.01am on Saturday, November 14. Moving to a system it's calling a 'controlled interstate border', it'll allow travellers from very low-risk states and territories to enter under eased conditions — people from places that haven't had any community transmission of COVID-19 for 28 days, who'll then be able to head to WA without isolating. At present, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory fall into that category. So, come mid-November, residents from those states and territories can venture west. You do still have to complete a G2G Pass declaration, and you'll undergo a temperature test and health screening upon arrival — and you're advised to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if necessary as well. If you live in New South Wales or Victoria, you're in a state that WA deems low risk. Stats-wise, that means there have been less than five community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average. For travellers, it means still self-quarantining for 14 days, and taking a COVID-19 test on the 11th day. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1322044199399690241 The above plan is contingent upon every state and territory in Australia continuing to record a 14-day rolling average of less than five community cases of COVID-19 — or even fewer, of course, as already seen in Queensland, Tasmania, SA, NT and ACT. Announcing the border change, Premier McGowan noted that "we will be closely monitoring the situation over east, and if we need to delay this introduction of the controlled border, then we will". He also noted that he "will also have no hesitation to reintroduce our hard border in the future if that's what's needed". To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Tourism WA
If you're after a wintry escape from the city, Victoria's High Country should be high on your hit list of destinations. When winter starts, the snow-cloaked mountains become a wonderland of cold weather experiences. From dogsledding to wintery cheese adventures to world-class alpine resorts, the snow-based activities are virtually limitless. Since 1973, Macpac has been kitting out adventurers with the latest technical clothing to protect you from whatever harsh conditions you encounter. So, together, we've picked out five of the best experiences you can organise right now for a winter getaway in Victoria this year. We've also included some packing tips — because when sweeping backcountry trails, you need to make sure you have the right gear. [caption id="attachment_669834" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SNOWSHOE YOUR WAY TO CHEESE FONDUE This isn't quite your average wine and cheese night. The Snowshoe to Cheese Fondue adventure leads you through the snow gums, concluding with some high-quality French cheese and a delightful three-course dinner. After departing at sunset, you'll follow your dedicated guide through a 30-minute snowshoe tour before arriving at a remote eco-village. Find a warm spot inside the central tipi and indulge in a spectacular meal. Up in the ice peaks, you'll also learn the culinary secrets behind making traditional fondue while sipping a glass of Scandinavian-style spiced wine by the outdoor fire. For adventurers who want to take their wintertime journey to the next level, you can also opt to spend the night in a plush alpine dome. Pack this: Macpac Men's & Women's Quest Hoody, $199.99 [caption id="attachment_669851" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] LET HUSKIES GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ALPS Among the unique activities on offer in Australia's winter wonderland, one of the best ways to experience the alpine region is going dogsledding with a pack of huskies. The Howling Huskies is one of Australia's most prominent dogsledding services. Take your pick from seven incredible tours, ranging from rapid 30-minute trips to epic four-hour ventures that include traipsing through the snowy countryside along the nation's longest commercial dogsled trail. This great alpine adventure is possible at both Mount Baw Baw (two and a half hours from Melbourne) and Mount Hotham (four and a half hours from Melbourne), and each offers its own maze of backcountry trails and special panoramic views. The husky squad is made up of 58 dogs altogether, with 47 of those rescued over the last few years. The temperature may be icy, but these doggos will give you all the warm and fuzzy feels. Pack this: Macpac Piste Gloves Unisex, $59.99 SNOWBOARD WITH AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION Falls Creek is quite possibly Victoria's most picturesque snowcapped location, featuring striking rolling hills, towering snow gums and a variety of charming stays. This section of the Alpine National Park boasts 450 hectares of skiable terrain and 90 awesome runs for snowboarders to test out. The Backcountry Tours with Steve Lee will whisk you away with the three-time Winter Olympian and legendary free-rider to visit the mountain's remote open bowls and vertigo-inducing steeps and chutes for an action-packed day. You don't have to be a pro — Falls Creek has some great runs for beginners such as the Wombat's Ramble, which is Australia's longest at just over two kilometres. Pack this: Macpac Powder Ski Jacket Men's & Women's, $349.99 [caption id="attachment_717523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] CROSS-COUNTRY SKI THROUGH SNOWY MEADOWS When it comes to cross-country skiing, Lake Mountain is the third most visited destination in the world for this gut-busting activity. The rugged landscape hosts a sprawling network of ski trails spread across the mountain, which both beginners and expert skiers are more than welcome to come and explore. As the closest snow resort to Melbourne, Lake Mountain is home to 30 kilometres of groomed trails. Meanwhile, a further 7 kilometres of ungroomed tracks present more of a challenge for the well-versed skier. After a morning of activity, warm up and share a relaxing glass of wine at Lake Mountain Resort cafe. Pack this: Macpac Tech Ski Socks, $34.99 [caption id="attachment_628046" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Andrew Railton[/caption] SKI AND SPA AT MOUNT BULLER Mount Buller is undoubtedly one of Victoria's (and Australia's, for that matter) most popular winter destinations. It presents snow lovers with a variety of slopes and terrains that stretch across the enormous mountainside. Whether you're just starting out or have grown up attached to a pair of skis, Mount Buller is bound to have a run that suits your skill level. Particularly popular amongst skiers, Mount Buller features 300 hectares of snowy scenery for you to explore. Once you've had enough action for the day, warm yourself up with dinner and drinks at one of 30 bars or restaurants situated nearby. More than just a snow sports destination, Mount Buller also offers a luxe spa resort, a cinema, a museum and even a sculpture park for when your body needs a break from the slopes. Pack this: Macpac Merino 220 Merino Baselayers, $109.99
Friday summer nights have never looked so colourful, nor cobblestoned — The Rocks Village Bizarre is here. Kicking off on November 7 and continuing every Friday night until December 19, the Bizarre is treating us to a bunch of installations, performances, and fractured fairytale makeovers bound to help you forget that you once thought of this area as the domain of tourists and primary school excursions. Berlin-based performance artist, dancer and DJ (and Village Bizarre's artist in residence) Peter Baecker will work his euphoric '80s magic in an interactive art installation in an empty shopfront. Join Big One Little One as they invite five audience members at a time into a room at The Old Sydney Holiday Inn for an intimate, mini-bar fuelled performance experience (that's not as suss as you suspect). Then stumble back onto the streets, where you might perchance bump into the resident choir doing Lorde covers or K-Pop dance troupe Crossover. Hands up who harbours fond, nostalgic thoughts for those luminous giant white VIVID bunnies that dotted our city streets in June? The Village Bizarre is bringing them back! They'll be hidden in new spots every Friday night for you to track down, and then inevitably add to your Instagram feed. And, for those that want more to take home than a few Instagram likes, there will also be a regrets-free Etsy market on site. Once you're finished with your proactive Christmas shopping, kick back and relax with a drink at 1920s juke joint Gin Mill Social. The Bizarre has proven to be a refreshing shake-up for The Rocks in previous years — and it looks like this one's set to keep that tradition alive. See the full program of events at the Village Bizarre website.
Following its highly successful tour on the international film festival circuit, including swiping a Golden Lion in Venice, critically acclaimed Roma from Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men) is hitting Australian shores this month. The film is set to have a limited run in selected Australian cinemas before its release on Netflix on Friday, December 14. The cinematic release of the stunning black and white film also marks the first Netflix-acquired production to be given the traditional release treatment. The film focuses on the daily life of housemaid Cleo, who works for a wealthy family with four children in Mexico City. While portraying scenes of domestic life and social hierarchy, the film also conveys a striking look at the political unrest and violence in 1970s Mexico. Given all of the rave reviews from critics and Oscar buzz surrounding Roma, it seems a waste to watch it on your TV or phone. Rather, the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, which boasts a 81-year history as an independent, art deco cinema, seems a more fitting setting. The Ritz will be hosting multiple screenings a day of Roma from Friday, December 7 to Wednesday, December 12, and, in more good news, we've secured five double passes. For the chance to win, enter your details below. If you don't want to leave it to fate, you can book tickets to see the film at The Ritz via the website. [competition]700368[/competition]
China sometimes feels a lot further away than geography implies — which makes visiting the White Rabbit a voyage of discovery and viewing its artworks a decoding of foreign communiques. Gallery owners Kerr and Judith Nielson, billionaires who believe art is for sharing, collect Chinese art post-2000 — an era of renaissance without contemporary peer. The Beijing they showcase is full of creatives with immaculate technical training, abundant resources and plenty to say. The Nielsons' handpicked treasures have broad appeal. From the grit and clarity of Wang Jiuliang's Beijing Besieged By Waste photo series, depicting landfills whose effects aren't buried, to the bright neosurrealism of Chen Fei's Beyond Satisfaction 2006 No.2, a stab at the consumer revolution, and He Jia's party of Happy Balloon Men (much like what they sound), the works represent an extraordinary range. They share no one theme, besides their having once called out to their collector, but you'll be struck again and again by the reflections on daily life and identity, the pop culture imagery, the sense of play and the purpose behind even the most abstracted forms. It's art that grabs you and that makes you want to grab it, art that makes you understand the omnipresence of the 'no touching' signs. (Although hover inquisitively and the nice attendant may offer you a feel of a sample of one of Ai Weiwei's individually handcrafted porcelain Sunflower Seeds from a pot beside the 500-kilogram installation.) The third of White Rabbit's six-month-long exhibitions, Big Bang goes to show that its owners' collection, and the creative engine that feeds it, will not idle anytime soon. The art isn't the only attraction, either; this is a slick converted warehouse space that makes the most of its four storeys, whether through the whirlwind of plastic refuse that reaches to the third landing (Wang Zhiyuan's Thrown to the Wind) or the musky, ethereal parchment man that, stretched out, snakes through the roof (Li Hongbo's Paper). The space also boasts a tearoom, a theatrette, some inspired events and generous staff who'll contextualise the work you're viewing without being pesky.
There are few topics more polarising than contemporary art, and so the fiery debate rages on. For the Love of God: Is Contemporary Art a Joke? provides the perfect forum for experts to sound off about competing scales of value when it comes to judging the creative work of our peers and contemporaries. The relevance of the ready-made, Damien Hirst, and the fundamental question of whether any of it has any meaning are all fair game, and even hecklers will be indulged. This illuminating ideas throwdown will be adjudicated by artist Frances Barrett, and the well-appointed debaters include arts writer and curator Chrisoula Lionis, writer and performer Eddie Sharp, art critic Andrew Frost, artist and Firstdraft Depot co-founder Connie Anthes, COFA lecturer Dr David McNeill, and performance artist Matte Rochford. 'For the Love of God: Is Contemporary Art a Joke?' is part of Art Month 2013. Check out our guide to the festival's ten best events here.
Each year we anticipate the arrival of December 25. Because of the day off, the promise of an afternoon spent dozing in a hammock — and the arrival of Messina's annual Christmas cake. And while the gelato gods last year went for a huge edible Christmas bauble-shaped creation, they've decided to make 2016's cake slightly more political. Enter The Lockout Claus. This epic ice cream cake — shaped like a round Santa Clause trying to fit down a chimney, if you didn't completely see it the first time — is Messina's delicious festive response to Sydney's lockout laws. The Sydney-founded gelato chain have been vocal supporters of the Keep Sydney Open campaign this year, and even though slight changes to the laws were announced last week, they evidently still think Santa's at risk of getting locked out on Christmas Eve. So what's in the cake? Well, cutting open Santa's jolly belly will reveal layers of salted caramel gelato with cherry sorbet, chewy caramel, chocolate mousse and chocolate sponge. Plus, it comes with a jug of vanilla brandy custard to pour over the hefty slice of cake you'll serve yourself up. The cake, which serves 12-14 (or less if you really commit), costs $90 and can be ordered for pickup between December 21 and Christmas Eve. In Sydney you can pick one up from their Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Bondi, Miranda and Parramatta stores. If you're in Melbourne you can get one from their Fitzroy or Windsor outposts — and, sweeter still, you can eat it knowing you can still go out and party all night too. The Lockout Claus is available to order at gelatomessina.com.
If sport is escapism in its simplest form — the 2020 Summer Olympics couldn't have come at a better time. For all of us following along from the pub or the couch (sorry Sydney), the ultimate demonstration of human accomplishment delivers a much-needed sense of belonging and shared experience. In between staggering feats of athleticism, competitors from every corner of the world have given us countless inspiring tales all delivered with neverending grace. So, our writers' have recapped eight of the most heartwarming, unmissable moments of the Tokyo Olympic Games so far. SUZ TUCKER: Editorial Director Moment: Oksana Chusovitina, representing Uzbekistan in gymnastics. I write this from an at-home standing desk — because I've somehow injured my back doing nothing. Meanwhile, Oksana Chusovitina is a 46 year old woman who, this week, competed in her EIGHTH consecutive Olympic Games (the first was Barcelona in '92) in a sport where the majority of participants are under the age of 20. This veritable sporting icon competed in vault before announcing her retirement from the sport. I pulled a hammy just watching her. A legend. MELANIE COLWELL: Branded Content Editor Moment: Jian Fang Lay, representing Australia in table tennis. If you've read or watched the news at all this past week, you'd be aware of the major Aussie success stories at the games so far. We're dominating in swimming and Jess Fox finally got her hands on the gold medal that had eluded her for many years. They're dubbed champions. Legends. Heroes. And rightly so — they've earned it. But there is another athlete that should be getting just as much praise and recognition: Jian Fang Lay. The 48-year-old table tennis player may not have won any medals (yet) but she is competing in her sixth consecutive Olympic Games — one of only two Australian women to do so. Talk about grit and determination. As someone whose experience with table tennis begins and ends with a few successful games of beer pong (the more you drink, the better you play and you can't convince me otherwise), Jian's speed, coordination and instinct is a marvel to witness. She is an underrated QUEEN. ELLEN SEAH: National News & Features Editor Moment: Thomas Daley, representing Great Britain in diving. Very occasionally, the democratic nature of sport fosters moments that stretch far beyond a league, a game, or a medal. Tom Daley's post-dive media interview was one such moment. Sporting a plain black mask, with adrenaline still pumping from his first Olympic gold medal win, Daley told media reporters about the struggle and pressures he's faced as an LGBTIQ+ athlete, with the grace and confidence that would put most to shame. "I came out in 2013 and when I was younger I always felt like the one that was alone and different and didn't fit in. There was something about me that was always never going to be as good as what society wanted me to be," Daley said, in response to a reporter's question about there being more openly out LGBTIQ+ athletes than any other Olympic Games before. "I hope that any young LGBTI person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now, you are not alone. You can achieve anything." Daley and his synchronised diving partner, Matty Lee, sat between silver medal Chinese athletes Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen and bronze medal Russian divers Alexander Bondar and Viktor Minibaev. Gay marriage is not legal in either Russia or China. LIBBY CURAN: Staff Writer Moment: Ariarne Titmus, representing Australia in 400m freestyle (and Dean Boxall's reaction). Life can start to feel a little light on excitement when you've been churning through lockdowns like it's an Olympic sport. Heck, some days, putting proper pants on seems deserving of a hearty pat on the back. So, imagine the pure motivation that would come from having a personal cheerleader that gets as wildly ecstatic about your triumphs as Ariarne Titmus' coach was following her women's 400m freestyle win. Dean Boxall's joyfully OTT reaction to his charge's gold medal moment has become an instant meme and for good reason — we're talking buckets of unbridled enthusiasm and some very passionate hip thrusts. Ok, so you might not be in the running to take home any gold medals for Australia yourself. But whatever little thing you need to muster up motivation for this week, chuck Boxhall's now-famous cheer routine a watch and I reckon you'll feel ready to take on the world. SARAH WARD: Associate Editor Moment: All the new sports. The only sport I'm obsessively passionate about will never reach the Olympics, even when Brisbane hosts them in 2032. Australia would obviously win gold if Aussie Rules did ever make the cut, though. If there was a way for us to win silver and bronze at the same time, we probably would as well. Still, there's something inherently joyous about new sports being introduced to the Olympics, even if it's not my beloved form of football. All those athletes who've just had their dreams come true merely by even being able to compete at that level, and all those kids who might now turn their childhood passions into a medal-winning profession — it's nothing short of inspiring. Surfing and skateboarding obviously fall into that category this year, and the fact that many of the winners so far have such moving stories behind them, or happen to be 13-year-old girls kick-flipping their way to glory, is flat-out excellent. Also a delight: seeing baseball join the fold in Tokyo. Having witnessed first-hand just how beloved baseball is in Japan — complete with the souvenirs to prove it — it's clear how meaningful an inclusion this is. CORDELIA WILLIAMSON: Branded Content Manager Moment: Bronte Campbell, Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris, representing Australia in the 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay. Despite my current opinion of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and really feeling for Japan right now, I am (somewhat selfishly) loving watching the Olympics. I listened to journalist Kieran Pender on a recent 7am episode, 'Front row seats to the world's biggest experiment', and he describes the Tokyo Games as a paradox. On the one hand, it is "deeply problematic" that the IOC has forged ahead, and it is reasonable for us to say 'who cares' when we look at the broader context. But also, as Pender states: "Sport is powerful, sport is important…[and] these games will bring joy, particularly to those in lockdown". This pretty much sums up how I feel as a veg out on the couch watching these superhumans dive, sprint, jump and backflip on the screen. One moment where all my neg energy dissipated, however, was while watching Bronte Campbell, Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris absolutely slay in the pool in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay final. Beating your own world record by three seconds is bloody great. But for me, someone who doesn't really watch sport nor have much (if any) national pride, it was seeing these incredible women celebrate the team's efforts, not just themselves, and present each other with their gold medals that got me like a punch in the guts. Heartwarming stuff right there. Seriously looking forward to catching more pool action, particularly diving and artistic swimming. And the pentathlon — it blows my mind that individuals can be skilled in so many (and some random) sports. BEN HANSEN: Staff Writer Moment: Hidilyn Diaz, representing the Philippines in weightlifting. While I've been yelling at my screen consistently over the last week as the Ollyroos upset Argentina, the Boomers continue their winning streak and we dominate in the pool. The moment that brought the biggest smile to my face was weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the Philippines its first first-ever Olympic gold with an Olympic Record lift. Weightlifting is already a wildly impressive sport, but Diaz's face of relief when she lifts her first place-winning weight turning to overwhelming joy was so touching. NIK ADDAMS: Branded Content Manager Moment: Owen Wright, representing Australia in surfing. I know absolutely nothing about surfing. I don't even understand what one is supposed to do when one surfs. And while I was initially drawn in by the handsome Brazilian men (whatever gets you tuned in, right?) what I do know is that — after quickly Googling the rules to try and make some sense of what I was watching — I felt like I was riding every single wave with Owen Wright, Australia's first surfing medallist. The word 'inspirational' is thrown about quite a bit in sporting discourse, but his story is one that truly merits that term — having to relearn how to walk and surf after a horror brain injury just six years ago. The post-surf interview with his beautiful family showed just how much this one meant — and I hope his son Vali got an extra scoop of ice cream to celebrate, too. Top image: IOC, supplied.
Back in May, when Australia started to look past social distancing and public gathering rules to a less-restricted future, Falls Festival announced it was powering ahead with plans for its New Year's festival. But a couple of months is a long time in 2020 — and today, Wednesday, August 26, the event has announced that it will not longer be taking place this year. In a statement released via Facebook, festival organisers advised that "given the current status of things and border restrictions in place, it won't be possible to hold Falls Festival in our regular New Year's timeframe". It's worth noting that the post doesn't say that the next iteration of Falls is completely cancelled, however. "Consider this a raincheck, and please know we will be back with more information as it comes to hand," the statement notes. As for what that entails, Falls will "work with government stakeholders and key agencies to get Falls Festival back in the calendar". Clearly, given the way the past few months have shaped up — including with Victoria's reimplemented restrictions — there are a hefty range of factors to navigate. https://www.facebook.com/fallsfestival/photos/a.103842988679/10158800587688680/?type=3&theater If it had gone ahead in its usual December/January slot in 2020/2021, the summer festival had planned to implement some big changes. Usually taking place at Tassie's Marion Bay, Lorne in Victoria, North Byron and Fremantle, it was set to feature an all-Aussie lineup this year — which, with Australia's borders currently closed and even travel between just Australia and New Zealand "still some time away", seemed the smart choice. It also had the added bonus of helping Aussie musicians, many of which have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. When the festival does go ahead, it's still fair to expect that it might look a little different — at least in terms of punters numbers. Falls Byron usually has around 25,000 attendees, while Falls Lorne has 9000, for example, figures that seem particularly large in today's social-distancing world. Last year, the music festival was impacted by the bushfires, with the Lorne leg cancelled one day in because of extreme and hazardous weather. Falls Festival will no longer go ahead in December 2020/January 2021. We'll let you know if and when more details are announced.
We've all heard of paying more for a single origin or manual brew but how about for a good cause? Similar to CafeSmart, buy a Change Coffee on Friday, December 4 from a participating cafe and put your caffeine addiction to good use. Cafes all over Sydney are participating in #ChangeCoffee this year, from Hemingway's in Manly to Harry's in Bondi. Head out to your closest coffee shop and make your morning brew count. Basically, you pay for two coffees, but take away one. So it'll cost you twice as much as your regular cup but the extra half will go to the Eniwe Children's Fund. Since forming in 2010, the Fund has raised over $300,000 to help run community projects in South Africa's Western Cape — an area particularly affected by HIV and AIDS. We're all well aware of the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. To put it in perspective, in 2014 there were an estimated 1.2 million AIDS-related deaths across the globe. The number of orphans due to AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa alone is staggering and nearly 90 percent of newly infected kids live in the region. Change Coffee initiative is all about doing what you can to help those kids. To put it in perspective, can you guess what the world's second most traded commodity is? It's coffee and there's no denying that us Sydneysiders consume a lot of it. That extra cup could go a long way in helping improving the lives of kids who have been affected by AIDS in the area. If you've sworn off caffeine (not for long) or can't handle more than one cup a day but still want to contribute, you can donate online. Here's the list of participating cafes for #ChangeCoffee.
When it makes its debut this June, Sydney's huge new arts and food festival will help kickstart winter in a big way. Live music paired with stargazing, country tunes in Newtown and moonlit kayaking from Darling Harbour are just some of the highlights among the just-revealed Sydney Solstice program, with the previously announced event slotting into Vivid's usual early-winter berth between Tuesday, June 8–Sunday, June 20. Aiming to reinvigorate the city's hospitality, music, arts and culture sectors after a tough 12 months, the new event will take place across four city precincts. Spaces across the CBD, Darling Harbour, Newtown and Oxford Street will host more than 200 events — in restaurants, bars, galleries, museums, music venues and outdoor areas. In the CBD, highlights include music, dance and theatre events in the YCK Laneways precinct; dancing and late-night dim sum at Mr Wong; International Pride Month events at Metro Theatre; and art installations and dance pop-ups in Chinatown. There'll also be after-dark parties at Sea Life Aquarium, where more than just the aquatic creatures will glow; a world-premiere work by celebrated composer and producer William Barton, which will soundtrack an evening of stargazing at Sydney Observatory; and Queen's Feast, Heaps Gay's multi-sensory dining and art experience at Sydney Town Hall. The latter will feature an all-female chef lineup, including Masterchef alum Sarah Tiong, pastry maven Anna Polyviou, Southside Charmers' Georgia Woodyard and Claire Van Vuuren of Newtown fave Bloodwood. The Sydney Opera House forecourt will become a hub of live music, talks and poetry readings for each night of Sydney Solstice. Head along at sunset, and you'll see this year's Badu Gili, too — a six-minute projection on the structure's eastern Bennelong sails. Or, for two food-filled days, make a date with Opera Kitchen and its Italian- and Japanese-focused festival. Nearby, Darling Harbour will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating rink and German-themed chalets. If you'd prefer to hop onto the water, you'll be able to kayak by moonlight as well. Also making great use of the waterfront location: Harbour Garden, an installation of inflatables that's designed for attendees of all ages. Just outside of the CBD, Newtown will host the inaugural (and adorably named) Country and Inner Western Festival, which'll pop up in small bars, pubs and other venues to showcase emerging and established country, alternative country, bluegrass, folk, Americana and blues musicians. And, over at South Eveleigh, a big (and free) street festival will celebrate the growing food precinct — just as Kylie Kwong launches her new restaurant onsite. Meanwhile, fermentation will be in the spotlight on Oxford Street, with Bitter Phew celebrating brewers, winemakers, bakers and cheesemakers for the duration of Sydney Solstice. Plus, Hotel Harry's Altar Danceteria will throw a series of genre-hopping parties — so fingers crossed that dancing is back again by June. And, no, you won't be bored across the festival's 13-day run. Sydney Solstice will take place from Tuesday, June 8–Sunday, June 20. We'll update you with further details when they're announced — and you can keep an eye on the festival's website, too. Images: Destination NSW
Never in history has the topic of sustainability been a more popular or important topic of conversation. Saving the environment is on the immediate to-do list of individuals and organisations across the world, but will governments go as far as to grant legal rights to Mother Nature herself? The answer is shockingly, but quite possibly, yes. Today, the United Nations will propose Bolivia's Law of Mother Earth, based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, in an attempt to lead the world into a new age of conservation of natural resources and a strict reduction of pollution. The treaty includes four articles and, if passed, would grant the environment 11 legal rights, including the right to life and to exist, the right to continue processes free from human disturbance, the right to pure water and clean air, the right to balance, the right not to be polluted, the right to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that negatively affect ecosystems and the local inhabitants and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered. Does this mean no cutting down trees? It's hard to determine whether the proposal is silly or a solution. Although it is highly unlikely that the UN will approve the treaty any time soon, the truth is that especially in the suffering environment of Bolivia, Mother Nature isn't in the best shape right now. It remains to be seen whether granting a bill of rights to flora and fauna is the best way to restore her to her former glory. [Via The Guardian]
When the COVID-19 pandemic first started spreading across Australia and the country went into lockdown, New South Wales did not close its borders to domestic travellers. But when cases started rising again in Victoria, it first banned Melburnians from hot zone" suburbs, and then closed its border to the entire southern state — for the first time in more than 100 years, since 1919 during the Spanish Flu. With both Victoria in general and the metropolitan Melbourne area specifically now easing out of the most recent stay-at-home restrictions, and with case numbers low throughout the state, NSW has announced today, Wednesday November 4, that it'll be reopening its border to its southern neighbour. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised that "we need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe". https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1323777523293933568 The change will come into effect at 12.01am on Monday, November 23, meaning that Victorians can enter NSW and vice versa from that point onwards (and just in time for both summer holidays and Christmas, too). NSW residents were already permitted to visit Victoria, as Victoria didn't shut its border during its lockdowns; however, NSW's border rules meant that residents were then required to quarantine upon their return — unless they had a special permit, or lived in the strict border zone that also required permits. Announcing the border reopening, Premier Berejiklian said that the move was based on NSW Health advice — and noted that Victoria "may have, because of the lockdown, actually gone down a path of having eliminated it [COVID-19] at this point in time". Victoria has reported zero new coronavirus cases for the past five days, while NSW has reported 27 over the same period. Also today, Premier Berejiklian announced that all NSW hospitality venues will be required to use QR codes to track patrons from November 23. "We believe the dual strategy — of opening up our borders to all Australian citizens, all New Zealand citizens, in addition to making use of QR codes compulsory for hospitality businesses — is an important step forward," she advised. You can find out more about the status of COVID-19 at the NSW Health and Victorian Department of Health and Human Services websites. Top image: Mulwala Bridge by Yun Huang Yong via Flickr.
Start hunting around for your dusty gumboots and stash your tinnies, the Meredith Music Festival ballot is officially open. The 24th annual Meredith Music Festival will be held from December 12-14 and as per usual, Aunty let slip the act she’s most excited about this year: War On Drugs. The Philadelphian foursome released their third studio album, Lost In The Dream in March this year to great critical acclaim — a whopping 8.8 from the Pitchfork crew is pretty solid by anyone's ranty standards. The Secretly Canadian-signed Pennsylvanians have snagged the prime time slot of Friday night; perfectly dreamy to suit your one-two step festival needs. The ballot is open from now until 9:47pm Monday, August 11. As always, there'll be two rounds of the ballot so if you’re even remotely interested in having a cracking weekend make sure you sign up. The physical size of the festival will remain the same as last year, but the team are making things a little roomier — with 500 less capacity than previous years. Tickets are $318.80 + $10 booking fee, which covers three days and two nights of music in the Supernatural Amphitheatre. Enter the Meredith ballot over here and keep those fingers and toes crossed.
If nothing says Christmas to you like catching a festive film under the stars, ideally while kicking back on bean beds and eating a picnic, then Moonlight Cinema's November and December 2022 program has you firmly in its sights. The beloved Australian outdoor movie-viewing setup is back for another summer, and it's kicking off with a heap of recent big-name flicks — plus a couple of weeks of the merriest pictures that it can find. Fresh from revealing its dates for the summer 2022–23, Moonlight Cinema has now locked in its first titles, with the openair picture palace heading to Sydney's Centennial Park, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, Brisbane's Roma Street Parkland, Adelaide's Botanic Park, and Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden in a matter of mere weeks. The lineup varies per city as usual, but most spots get the same movies eventually. And yes, everywhere is getting festive. Firstly, the non-Christmas lineup — which starts with Baz Luhrmann's Elvis in Brisbane on Thursday, November 24, 50s-coveting thriller Don't Worry Darling in Sydney on the same date, page-to-screen adaptation Where the Crawdads Sing in Perth on Friday, November 25, and Billy Eichner's gay rom-com Bros in Adelaide and Melbourne on Thursday, December 1. Also on the bill across all five locations: Top Gun: Maverick, Smile and Ticket to Paradise, while the likes of Bullet Train, Thor: Love and Thunder, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Black Adam screening in some cities. Everywhere is hosting a throwback session of Grease – because retro flicks are always a big part of this program — and then the festive fun begins. Yes, Elf, Home Alone, The Holiday and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are on the lineup. So is Die Hard twice and Love Actually a whopping three times. To wrap up December, there's also a preview session of Steven Spielberg's new release The Fabelmans, culinary thrills with The Menu and a preview of Australian drama Blueback — plus the family-friendly Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody. The rest of the Moonlight lineup will drop month by month. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can also enjoy a plethora of bites to eat from food trucks — perfect, messy treats made for reclining on bean beds. There'll be a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, a beauty cart handing out samples, and dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — and there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2022–23 DATES Brisbane: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, February 19 in Roma Street Parkland Sydney: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, March 26 in Centennial Park Perth: Friday, November 25–Sunday, March 26 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, February 19 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, March 26 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2022, running through until March 2023. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
The first rule of fight club is you do not talk about fight club. The second rule about fight club... Hang on a minute – does the “fight club of the art scene” have the same rules? The later kinda wants you to tell you friends about it and spread the word on social media... This global, live art battle goes by the name of Secret Walls (formerly Secret Wars), and, at the end, there can be only one winner. How does it work? Something a little along the lines of this: 2 Illustrators (or 2 teams of), armed only with black markers and acrylic paint go head to head for 90 minutes. They don’t get pencils, and they aren’t assisted by sketches. The stage: a giant white wall. They must stay within their allocated space. Apart from that, there are no rules. This is proper freestyle drawin’ that would make the purists proud. The grand final will be held Wednesday, December 12 at Oxford Art Factory. Markers at the ready.
In this day and age where Apple reigns supreme, there are a few major companies testing the water against the Cupertino company's monopoly over hand held devices. With the release of Amazon's Kindle Fire though, there may just be another serious player in the growing tablet market. The manner in which Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon) introduced Kindle Fire to the world led many to draw comparisons between him and Steve Jobs. At a flashy presentation in New York, he appeared composed and ready to take on the challenges that the hand-held tablet market could throw at him. As Amazon's CEO from day one, he's been through it all, transforming Amazon from a digital retail bookstore into a multi-faceted enterprise focusing on online sales as its priority revenue stream. This isn't just a bratty little upstart crashing Apple's party. Due to Apple's domination in this arena many believe that the Kindle Fire won't even come close. But with its relatively low price (retailing from US$199) garnering attention, the Kindle Fire is looking like quite a viable alternative. It does make some sacrifices though, possessing neither a camera nor microphone, but this makes the tablet look more streamlined and all those bells and whistles feel almost childish in comparison. Running on the Android operating system, it has the added benefits of being able to access the multitude of apps available on that market, allowing for greater flexibility and choice versus the Apple app store. https://youtube.com/watch?v=jUtmOApIslE
They say sex sells, but according to Sony Pictures, death is where the real money's at. Sony has just forked out a hefty sum rumoured in the multimillions for the feature rights to the unpublished biography, Steve Jobs. The release date of the biography, penned by Time Magazine editor Walter Isaacson, has been bumped forward following Job's death, and is now set to hit stands on October 24. The biography's flirtation with Amazon's bestseller list before Isaacson had even finished writing offers an unwarranted indication of the hype that is guaranteed to surround the film adaptation. Steve Job's story is about as inspirational as it gets; the quest of one man with a dream, who transformed his garage start-up into a billion dollar company that revolutionised modern life, all the while battling his own personal demons. And as if the story wasn't sufficiently romantic, then comes Job's tragic untimely death. Sony's expenditure in acquiring the rights will easily be accounted for in the money it saves on marketing. With the hugely successful The Social Network under its belt, another business book-turned-feature by Sony Pictures, Steve Job's story is in good hands. Isaacson wrote the bestselling biographies of Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger and Benjamin Franklin, and was given complete access to Jobs. Mark Gordon, the man behind Saving Private Ryan and Source Code, will produce the film version for Sony. Let's just hope they stick with the book's revised title; the original 'iSteve' sounds more like a cheesy comedy than an epic tale of a modern day visionary. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Hd_ptbiPoXM
If you've been looking for an excuse to hit the slopes this winter, the annual Transfer Banked Slalom is returning to Thredbo on Friday, August 12. Now in its eighth year, the event invites snowboarders of all ages and skill levels to compete in the race located at Thredbo's Playground Area below the chairlift. Entrants can compete in a range of categories from 12 years and under through to the open men's and women's races. Or, if you're not quite confident enough to compete yourself, you can head along on the day to watch from the YETI chill zone. There will be drinks and plenty of talent displayed on the day with some big names competing in the open categories including Olympians Tess Coady, Scotty James, Valentino Guseli, Jarryd Hughes and Josie Baff. As with all good days at Thredbo, there will also be an afterparty at the Merritts Mountain House Deck. All competitors are invited to celebrate after their ride down the mountain with Adelaide brewery Pirate Life adding to the festivities with beers and live music. Passes to compete in the event are $89 and must be accompanied by a lift pass which competitors can get a discount on.
Flying interstate can be frustrating at the best of times — especially during peak periods — but there could be major cancellations and delays ahead as some Jetstar employees prepare for a strike. Both the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) have voted to proceed with industrial action — with 94 percent of members of the latter in favour of the strike — in response to ongoing failed negotiations with the airline. If you've got flights booked over Christmas, you may face a delay or two. If it goes ahead, the strike could see pilots, as well as 250 Jetstar baggage handlers and ground crew, taking industrial action. There's no word yet on what exactly this action would be or when this would happen, though the TWU has said that it'd likely take place over "the coming weeks and months" — i.e., the busy festive season. It's likely to cause delays to multiple air services across Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. https://twitter.com/TWUAus/status/1202747636492582913 The TWU is at loggerheads with Jetstar after failed negotiations with the airline that sought to secure a number of demands for employees – like more rest breaks, annual wage increases of four percent and a guaranteed 30 hours of work a week. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said that "disappointingly, Jetstar have rejected the vast majority of the workers' demands outright". Jetstar, however, says the impact of the TWU action is likely to be "minimal" as it would involve "less than half" of its regular ground staff. In a statement released today, Jetstar's Group CEO Gareth Evans said that the company has offered a three percent annual wage increase to the union. Perhaps more disruptive will be the AFAP strike, which could leave planes without anyone to actually fly them. Evans has said that Jetstar will "do everything [it] can" to minimise disruptions to passengers — but noting that "customers may face delays and cancelled flights if the union choose to take industrial action". Of course, this news doesn't mean that the strikes will necessarily happen — if the unions are able to reach an agreement with Jetstar in the meantime, it could be called off. No dates have been set yet, be'll let you know as soon as there is.
Looking for new threads? Sure, you can head to plenty of markets around town and trawl through food, homeware and other objects, or you can mosey along to Sydney's dedicated ladies fashion get-together. Round She Goes does one thing, and it does it well. If it's clothing, accessories and jewellery you're after, you'll find it here. Filled with preloved designer and vintage fare, the one-day happening will take over Marrickville Town Hall from 10am on May 19, August 18 and October 20. These editions will boast 60 stalls, all specially curated by organisers to deliver reasonably priced, high-quality bits and pieces, and ranging from beloved brands to handmade items to fashion clear-outs. Entry costs $2, and when you're finding that shiny gold coin to get you in the door, make sure you did up some other cash as well. Cold, hard currency is preferred here, and parting with it will be worth it. Your wardrobe will thank you for it.
One thing that's very helpful (and it could be argued, entirely necessary) to a successful creative career is the support of a creative community. This 28 September, the Australian Centre for Photography is hosting an excellent opportunity for photographers of all stripes to tap into such a community: a free Open Day. What's on offer for both the budding and experienced photographer? If you've scoped out the Centre's many technical courses and are considering enrolling in a class to master new photo skills (lighting, filmmaking, Lightroom and many other topics are on offer), this is your chance to learn more in person, get to know the tutors, see the facilities available to you and also peep at the current Spring Season exhibition featuring work by Emmanuel Angelicas, Rowan Conroy and Robert Besanko. After visiting the Funbooth, there's a lot of other thrilling stuff to sample. Included on the Open Day sched are a Blurb table to help you create your own fancypants photo books, a photo retouch demonstration, fun with pinhole cameras, talks by the currently exhibiting artists and, one of the best things you can do to advance your photography career, a portfolio review. A review requires booking and costs $120, giving you access to the expert eye and opinion of a seasoned professional photographer who can help identify the strengths and weaknesses in your work. Between them, press photographer Dean Lewins, artist Tim Silver, artist/academic David Haines and ACP curator Tony Nolan have plenty of wisdom and experience to go around, so take advantage and book a review. Image by Fiona Wolf.
People have been saying that Amaya Laucirica is amayazing. Well, she was named one of the ten exciting new female voices in Australian music by Rolling Stone magazine in 2011. And she was nominated as female artist of the year at The Age EG Awards. That's pretty amazing. In the lead-up to the release of the singer-songwriter's third studio album, Sway, Amaya will be launching its first single, 'Found Some Secret' (available on iTunes and at her online store). Known for her intriguing blend of country, folk, rock, pop and psychedelia, Amaya will be playing King Street's The Vanguard on Friday, November 8. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4Q-Pd78Ajmw
Not all street festivals are held in the inner west. Sure, it's got Marrickville Festival and Leichhardt's Italian Festa, but the lower north shore has Crown Nest Fest. And it's no small affair — each year, the one-day festival brings in over 50,000 punters. This year — its big 3-0 — will see Willoughby Road lined with over 200 stallholders hawking food, drinks and other goodies. You'll find pasta in a cheese wheel from Fratelli Fresh, gelato from Bravo Trattoria and Filipino street food from Pasalubongs. You can expect local haunts like The Hayberry, Johnny Bird and Double Cross to get involved, too. Bands will play throughout the day across two stages, there'll be dancing on another and a cooking stage will see local chefs hosting demonstrations and workshops. Crows Nest Festival runs from 10am–5pm.
We're never going to suggest that you completely cancel your Netflix subscription, god forbid. But there's something special about live music that a night in simply cannot compete with. In a new one-off performance by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra you can combine your love of blockbusters and the live concert experience in Gala — Heroes of Hollywood. Head to Chatswood's Concert Hall at The Concourse on Saturday, February 18 or Sunday, February 19, and you'll be glad you did. Because for these performances you can relive the magic of your favourite movies with tunes you know and love from bona fide cinema classics like Jurassic Park, Jaws, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Forrest Gump, Rocky and Gladiator. Chief conductor and artistic director, Dr Nicholas Milton AM, has supported some of the most iconic orchestras in the world — including concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Hungary, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Asia — so your senses will be in the hands of experts. While some of these films might be more familiar to millennials, Gen Z audience members can take advantage of much cheaper tickets ($26 for under 26, $15.30 for under 16). Willoughby Symphony Orchestra's performance of Gala — Heroes of Hollywood will run for one weekend only, so be sure to grab your tickets before they sell out.
After more than two years of severe drought — including Australia's driest year on record — the recent thunderstorms have added much needed liquid to our dams. February's heavy rainfall has seen Greater Sydney's water supply levels increase to 81.5 percent up from 41.7 percent on February 6. As a result, Sydney Water has this week announced the current level two water restrictions will likely drop back to level one on March 1. The NSW Government introduced level one water restrictions in June, before increasing those restrictions to level two in December due to a "rapid rate of decline" in dam levels throughout 2019. https://twitter.com/SydneyWaterNews/status/1229936726853869568 The last time level two water restrictions were enforced in Sydney was in 2004 (with restrictions lasting till 2009) during the Millennium Drought. At one point during the 2000s drought, Sydney's total water supply dropped to a historic low of 33.9 percent. So what does this mean for Sydneysiders day-to-day? At the level one restriction level, you'll once again be able to use a hose to water your garden before 10am or after 4pm, just make sure you use a trigger nozzle. You'll also be able to use that same trigger nozzle hose to clean your car or garbage bins. Sprinklers, leaving a hose unattended and using a hose to clean pathways, driveways or other paved areas (unless it's an emergency) are still off limits. But, remember, level two restrictions are still in place at the moment. Here's the full list of what you can and can't do. Fines for not following restrictions (including current restrictions) range from $220–550. While Sydney sees an easing of conditions, some areas in regional NSW are still experiencing the worst of the drought. One of these is Orange, where level five water restrictions have been in place since October. For Orange residents, this means showering for a maximum of three minutes and watering gardens for one hour, once a week. Level two water restrictions are still in place for Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra, though are expected to be dropped to level one on March 1, 2020. To find out more about what you can and can't do, head to the Sydney Water website. To stay up-to-date with the state's dam levels and the ongoing drought, keep an eye on WaterNSW website and Twitter.
Packing the car and heading out on a road trip to a regional festival is a joy that's been missing from our lives for far too long. Whether it's Groovin the Moo, Bluesfest or Splendour in the Grass, the out-of-town festival is always a stellar excuse for a weekend away and a banging road trip playlist. Luckily, a new festival has appeared on the 2021 events calendar, promising all this and a line-up of buzzed-about local talent across four regional NSW cities. Next Exit Festival will take place across two weekends in May, popping up in Tamworth, Gosford, Batemans Bay and Mudgee. Heading out on the state-wide tour is Triple J favourites Ocean Alley and Spacey Jane, pop-punk four-piece Dear Seattle, local pop gem Merci, Mercy and indie duo Clews. The festival was originally conceived to help bushfire-affected towns by bringing a tourism boost to the area and hiring local suppliers. Although these plans were pushed back due to the pandemic, the four-date festival run will no doubt be a boost for the regional towns involved. The event has been designed around current gathering restrictions on events and will go ahead thanks to a Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) grant. RISE is a Federal Government initiative that has helped fund other COVID-safe music events including Fresh Produce and Summer Sounds. Tickets for the festival will go on sale at midday on Tuesday, March 9 via touring company MJR Presents' website. You can find the full list of dates below. [caption id="attachment_801821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spacey Jane by Daniel Hilderbrand[/caption] NEXT EXIT FESTIVAL 2021 DATES Friday, May 21 – Bicentennial Park, Tamworth Sunday, May 23 – Entertainment Grounds, Gosford Friday, May 28 – Mackay Park, Batemans Bay Saturday, May 29 – Mudgee Showground, Mudgee Next Exit Festival will take place across two weekends between Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 29. Tickets for the festival are available from 12pm on Tuesday, March 9 via MJR Presents. Top image: Ocean Alley by Neegzistuoja via Wikimedia Commons
Ikea have posted an interactive app on YouTube which takes all your personal information from Facebook, should you allow it to, to create a personalised 3D mock-up of your new bedroom kitted out entirely in durable and inexpensive Swedish design. Starting off like an everyday advertisement for Ikea, the video gets taken over by the app which accesses information about your life and tailors it to the smallest details, including photos from your Facebook albums hanging in the picture frames. As a nice touch they build the walls out of your wall posts, before they paint them over in solid colour and a solemn British voice accounces that the products are the definitive ones which will help you go 'happy to bed.' The app is part of Ikea's UK campaign, but it's open to anybody with a Facebook account, and is designed specifically to reflect the person's personality, lifestyle and interests. Now, having recently invested in a new bed, bedside table and bookshelf from Ikea, I was particularly intrigued to find out whether it would all match up with the predictive magic of the internet. But, sadly no. They chucked in the bed I decided against, rather than the one I bought, a narrow desk which doesn't account for the amount of junk I frequently have lying around, and they framed pictures which are nearly all of me pulling my 'I am unhappy about being photographed face.' And they forgot a bookshelf, which comprises a full wall of my room at the moment. But my complaining aside, if you always wanted confirmation that your chest of drawers were perfectly aligned to your personality, you now have an easy way to find out. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hQYe7OMoJNA [Via PSFK]
From family classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to hard-hitting documentaries in the league of Camp 14 – Total Control Zone to black comedies such as Invasion, this year's Audi Festival of German Film promises the bravest, brashest and most bizarre in German film. All in all, the event will include 45 movies (presented via 234 screenings) and 54 events. There'll be panel discussions, Q&As, special cultural programs and parties. The selection for opening night, Georg Maas' Two Lives, makes it clear the festival is seeking the cutting edge, new generation of German filmmaking. It's a 2012 post-Berlin wall spy thriller about the exercise of state control over individual identities. With over 20,000 people expected to attend, representing a 37 percent growth in popularity over the past six years, this year's festival is set to be the biggest on record. Here are our picks of the top five films to see at te festival. 1. Camp 14 - Total Control Zone Described as "one of the most confronting documentaries you'll ever see", Camp 14 - Total Control Zone focuses on Shin Dong-Hyuk, who was born in a North Korean concentration camp. Until escaping at the age of 23, he knew nothing else of life apart from unimaginable deprivation and cruelty. This is his story, recorded on camera for the first time by Marc Wiese. 2. This Ain't California Winner of Best Documentary at Cannes 2012, This Ain't California explores the development of skateboard culture in East Germany during the 1970s and 1980s. 3. Invasion In this thriller, director Dito Tsintsadze brilliantly blends character-driven drama and black comedy with bouts of paranoia. It's definitely one for film connoisseurs who like to be kept on the edge of their seats. When widower Josef Mendel receives a surprise visit from his wife's cousin (who he never knew existed) and her rather peculiar relations, his life takes a bizarre series of twists and turns. 4. Forgotten This psychological horror flick, director Alex Schmidt's debut feature, is one of the only genre films on the festival program. Upon reuniting after 25 years, childhood friends Hanna and Clarissa decide to visit a holiday house where they spent time as children, unleashing a host of forgotten memories and terrifying spectres. Not recommended for the faint-hearted. 5. Two Lives A contemplative spy thriller set in the dying days of the Berlin Wall. What's not to dig?
It's the ethos of the Urban Theatre Projects to breathe a new and unique life into Australian stories, and Home Country promises to be no different. Director Rosie Dennis presents this story of identity and place in a triptych, spread out across three levels of a car park in Blacktown. The play is a collaborative effort between Urban Theatre Projects and Blacktown Arts Centre, bringing the issues of home faced in a multicultural society to fore, all set against the sunset over the Blue Mountains. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list.
David O. Russell clearly knows when he's onto a good thing. Over the last few years, the writer/director has found a formula that works and it seems like he's sticking with it. He casts actors Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, tells stories of ordinary folks trying to escape dysfunction and chase better lives; and adopts a tone that shifts between harsh reality and fairytale. First Silver Linings Playbook. Then American Hustle. Now, his latest effort, Joy. This time around, Russell offers up a fictionalised account of the rise of a real-life home shopping network star. In the early 1990s, Joy Mangano (Lawrence) was a Long Island divorcee coping with caring for her two young children while living in a house with her daytime TV-loving mother (Virginia Madsen), ailing grandmother (Diane Ladd), singer ex-husband (Edgar Ramirez) and thrice-married father (De Niro). Then, while cleaning up spilled wine, she came up with the idea for the first-ever self-wringing mop. Enter an Italian investor (Isabella Rossellini), and, eventually, a television executive (Cooper). Yes, Joy is a rags-to-riches tale of a battler trying to improve herself and her situation; however it's also something more. It wrestles Russell's current patterns and preferences into a canny character study, watching on as a woman fights for agency and control, despite constantly being told that she should take care of others and reign in her go-getting ways. Weaving in surreal soap opera segments — and at its best when it's following its protagonist on the small screen or in the studio — the film becomes an astute and engaging dissection of the power of selling a fantasy. Of course, the latter works so well because that's exactly what the movie does, with Joy's success never in doubt (the film notes at the outset that it's inspired by stories of brave women, including one in particular). Indeed, Joy sells its namesake's journey from domestic unhappiness to business domination by making everything seem equally authentic and fanciful. The movie casts a dream-like sheen over crumbling interiors, proceeds at a lively pace through tough moments, and favours an upbeat soundtrack, all to create a purposefully wavering mood. In doing so, it manages to remain sincere, not satirical. That's where Lawrence proves pivotal too. When the going gets tough, she's determined rather than defeated; when everything appears to be coming together, she never patches over Joy's struggles. Her co-stars mightn't all fare as well, particularly De Niro's disapproving dad. Still, Madsen and Rossellini have their comic moments, and Ramirez and Cooper benefit from less chaotic roles. Besides, such a mix of performances feels fitting. Joy pairs a filmmaker's usual tricks and tendencies with a mostly-true tale of tenacity, serving up amusement and insight in the process.
Uber, you sly geniuses. In a bold marketing move, Uber have launched UberKITTENS, a service with actually brings kittens to your office for 15 minutes of cuddles. Launching today around Australia in six locations (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane included), you'll be able to front up $40 and Uber will drive a rescue kitten to your home or office as part of an Australia-wide fundraiser. GET GOING. NOW. Uber posted on their blog today: "Following the huge success of UberKITTENS in the US, we were inundated with requests from riders and some amazing local shelters to bring it to our shores so we could share the kitten love and spread the word about the importance of finding much needed homes for our furry friends." How can has kitten? 1. Download the Uber app. 2. Request the 'KITTENS' option in the app TODAY between 12pm and 4pm within the Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane CBD and surrounding suburbs. 3. If kittens are available, you will get to enjoy 15 minutes of furry cuteness delivered to your office, your sweetheart, or even your favourite cat lady. 4. Pro Tip: Demand for #UberKITTENS will be off the charts so please be patient in your quest for kitten playtime. All the funds go to the participating shelter and you can even adopt the little guy. Looks like cat lovers have a lot to celebrate after yesterday's announcement for Sydney's very first cat cafe. Via Mumbrella.
After the craziness of the festive season, your calendar is probably looking fairly clear now. But the Art Gallery of NSW is determined to fill it, for the next week at least, with a slew of Lunar New Year-related events. Head there after work on Wednesday, February 6 to catch a traditional lion dance at 6pm before writer-raconteur Benjamin Law chews the fat with foodie Adam Liaw about art, travel and cuisine for an in-conversation event at 6.30pm. Later in the evening, kick back with a drink while you listen to singer-songwriter Sophie Koh's jazzy pop tunes inspired by Chinese poetry. There'll also be calligraphy demonstrations (make sure to pick up an auspicious phrase to take home for good luck), and you can catch gallery's new blockbuster exhibition Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei. But that's definitely not all. You can also celebrate the Year of the Pig with a special dinner on Friday, February 8 ($220 per person), take in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony on Saturday, February 9 or dress in your brightest duds and go on an auspicious symbols tour — where you'll learn about the words and symbols that will bring good fortune, prosperity, happiness and longevity — on Sunday, February 17. And, if you're there on Sunday morning, keep an eye out for Caishen, the god of prosperity, who'll be roaming around and giving out red packets filled with auspcious messages for the year ahead. We're guessing that calendar is looking a little busier now, right? For more information on the Art Gallery of NSW's Lunar New Year program, visit the website.
If all you wanted for an early Christmas gift this year was for the Matildas to put on a spectacular show at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Australia's national women's soccer team didn't disappoint. If all you're now hoping for this actual festive season is to hear three of the squad's stars chat about their experiences — and their careers in general, as well as what's brought them to this point — then the first-ever Open Air Live event is going to deliver there, too. Taking place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, Open Air Live will feature Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, forward Mary Fowler and defender Alanna Kennedy, who'll be back in Australia to get talking. All three impressed on the pitch in July and August, and cemented their place as Aussie sporting heroes, even if the semi-final loss to England meant that the Matildas didn't end up with the ultimate prize. On offer as well: a live masterclass where Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will show off their skills; and a match-day vibe thanks to four stages and ample use of the stadium screens. "I'm excited to be part of the Open Air Live event in Sydney this December. Mackenzie, Alanna and I will be taking the field at CommBank stadium for a huge night of entertainment; you won't want to miss this!" said Fowler. "I can't wait to join Mackenzie and Mary on the pitch for an incredible night of entertainment. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to putting on a great show," added Kennedy. "Bring your families along and join Alanna, Mary and I in sharing our stories. It will be a great night of entertainment. We can't wait to see you there," advised Arnold. There's obviously plenty for the three Matildas players to discuss. Their Women's World Cup efforts enraptured the entire nation, including breaking viewing records to become the most-watched program on Aussie TV since 2001 when current records began, and likely ever. They had Nikki Webster sing to them in Brisbane afterwards, and are getting a team statue in the Queensland capital. And, of course, the campaign was the result of years of hard work both as a squad and on the individual level to get the Tillies to this point. Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will be back in Australia for the event from the UK, where all the trio play in the Women's Super League. Arnold is West Ham United's captain, while Fowler and Kennedy remain on the same team at Manchester City. The full Matildas squad will also return to home turf for three games at the end of October and beginning of November, for Olympic qualifying matches in Perth. They play Iran on Thursday, October 26; The Philippines on Sunday, October 29; and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, November 1. Open Air Live with Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy will take place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, 11–13 O'Connell St, Parramatta — head to the ticketing website for more details and tickets.
It was a year of gun-toting racoons, talking Lego and trying desperately to catch a glimpse of Ben Affleck’s junk in the shower. Yes, the last 12 months saw the release of some truly terrific movies, from Hollywood hits that dominated the box-office to startling foreign and indie films that only a handful of people bothered to see. But enough about the past. January is already well underway, and a whole crop of new releases are on the horizon. This promises to be another huge year for cinema, with the latest instalments in blockbuster franchises including The Fast and the Furious 7, Mission: Impossible 5 and The Hunger Games Part 3B, not to mention perhaps the most hotly anticipated sequel of them all: Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. Of course the above titles only scratch the surface. Presented in the order they’re due to be released, here’s our list of the 12 motion pictures we’re most looking forward to in 2015. You’ll be pleased to note that there isn’t a single Hobbit movie to be found. FOXCATCHER The latest film from Moneyball director Bennett Miller tells the unsettling true story of reclusive millionaire John DuPont, whose sponsorship of the US Olympic wrestling team coincided with a spiral into madness. A cast that includes Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo is enough to pique our interest, but it’s comedian Steve Carell who has been kicking up Oscar buzz for his against-type dramatic performance as DuPont. Out January 29 ROSEWATER Comedian Jon Stewart took time out from hosting The Daily Show in order to shoot this film about Maziar Bahari, a Canadian-Iranian journalist imprisoned by the Iranian regime. Not exactly the barrel of laughs you might expect from Stewart’s directorial debut. Then again, it’s only fitting that he be the one to tell the story, given that the “evidence” the Iranians used to justify Bahari’s detention included an interview he gave on Stewart’s show. Out February 19 TOP FIVE Speaking of comedians in the director’s chair, Chris Rock’s Top Five sees the funny-man working three jobs as writer, director and star. In a foul-mouthed takedown of the media and entertainment industries, Rock plays Andre Allen, a popular movie comedian who wants to be taken seriously. The film looks hilarious, and has a seriously stacked cast — including Rosario Dawson, Tracey Morgan and Kevin Hart — as well as cameos from Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler and Jerry Seinfeld. Out March 5 INHERENT VICE Joaquin Phoenix heads a host of enviable Hollywood talent in Paul Thomas Anderson’s strange adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel. A stoner crime thriller, Inherent Vice looks like the spiritual cousin to The Big Lebowski, and not at all like Anderson’s previous films, which include The Master and There Will Be Blood. Reviews out of the States have been divided, which really only makes us want to see it more. Out March 12 MOMMY The best film of last year’s festival circuit, this masterpiece of melodrama from Quebecois wunderkind Xavier Dolan is a movie you can’t afford to miss. An emotional roller coaster presented in 1:1 aspect ratio, the story follows a brassy single mother whose teenage son suffers from violent mood swings as well as ADHD. Seriously, if this film doesn’t make you cry buckets, you flat out haven’t got a heart. Out March 26 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Avengers assemble! The red-hot sequel to Marvel’s superhero phenomenon reunites all your favourite costumed heroes, including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. The most important returnee, however, is writer-director Joss Whedon, whose witty dialogue and knack for ensemble character dynamics was a huge part of why the first film was so great. Out April 23 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Australia’s most iconic action hero is back for round four. Tom Hardy replaces Mel Gibson as Road Warrior Max Rockatansky in this sequel-cum-reboot 30-odd years in the making. From the insane visuals in the trailer, it would appear that original director George Miller hasn’t lost his touch. Hard to believe this is the same guy who made Happy Feet. Out May 14 INSIDE OUT The latest film from the geniuses at Disney Pixar looks like one of their most original yet. Directed by Pete Docter of Up and Monsters Inc. fame, Inside Out takes place inside the mind of young girl, as Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear and Sadness steer her through life as best they can. Out June 18 SPECTRE Daniel Craig returns as Britain’s most deadly secret agent, with a supporting cast that includes Monica Belluci, Dave Bautista and Christoph Waltz. If the title is anything to go by, the latest Bond film will see 007 go up against his most notorious enemy, the international crime syndicate SPECTRE. We’re calling it now: Waltz is playing Blofeld. Out November 19 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Yes, we’ve been burnt with new Star Wars films before. But come on, how can you not be excited, or at least curious, by the prospect of returning to a galaxy far, far away? And without the influence of George Lucas, we’re hopeful that The Force Awakens might actually be good, or at least not bogged down by the politics of trade negations. Now excuse us while we re-watch the trailer for the 5000th time. Out December 18 THE HATEFUL EIGHT Two words: Quentin Tarantino. The script for his latest Western leaked online last year, leading to fears that he’d scrap the project altogether. Thankfully QT got over his little temper tantrum and is moving ahead with production. The Hateful Eight is being shot on glorious 70mm film with a cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern. Release Date TBA MACBETH Australian director Justin Kurzel made serious waves with his debut film Snowtown. For his follow-up, he’s put together a lavish adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic play, with Michael Fassbender starring as the ambitious Scottish soldier and Marion Cotillard as his conniving lady wife. Release Date TBA
Same-day succulent delivery service Little Succers is bringing back its build-your-own terrarium bar in Chippendale for a the Queen's Birthday long weekend. Book in for a morning, afternoon or night session between Friday, June 8 and Monday, June 11 and you'll be given the tools to build the terrarium of your dreams. The pop-up will stock a variety of succulents and plants of all shapes and sizes ready for you to take home. With custom-made pots and soil, crystals and other decorations, you'll have everything you need to create a masterpiece — and, aside from the $20 booking fee (which goes towards your materials), you'll be charged only for what you use. This time round there will be night sessions from 6–9pm on the Friday and Saturday, which will include an added bonus of free drinks (for you, not your green baby).
Small businesses are doing it tough in Sydney right now. As the city's latest COVID-19 lockdown rolls on, many businesses have been forced to close and sole traders have lost work. Last week, the NSW Government rolled out support for small businesses that have experienced a decline in revenue by 30 percent or more as a result of the current lockdown. But, COVID grants are only available to businesses with a turnover of more than $75,000 per financial year. This has left some of the city's smallest businesses and sole traders without support. In response, a petition started by Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully has been submitted to the NSW Government to lower the threshold for these grants and to include businesses that have been operating for less than 12 months. The petition states that many businesses in the creative sector and sole traders including musicians, lighting and sound technicians, fitness instructors, caterers and photographers, "live from gig-to-gig on freelance contracts or earn client-to-client, and many commonly earn below the $75,000 threshold, but they are essential contributors to the NSW economy" often with no paid leave entitlements and without an ability to work from home. It also states that, "in the City of Sydney local government area alone there are around 20,000 businesses with a turnover of $50,000 per annum or less". We talked to two Sydney creatives who have lost work due to the lockdown but are unable to access government grants. Huck Hastings is a self-funded musician who supports himself and his art mainly through touring. Hastings has had to cancel a series of headline shows, his first tour of Melbourne and his band Hacky Sack's debut show due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent restrictions and lockdown. "I've felt the lockdown pretty significantly, but it feels a bit like just the latest in a series of blows," says Hastings. "You see a lot of artists and musicians giving up at the moment. It's a really tough environment for everybody, but I think often pursuing a career in the arts is seen as a frivolous endeavour and as a result it isn't given the same support as a lot of other industries." "I have spent so much time and money on my small business and since Jobkeeper ended it's a scary feeling trying to navigate how I might be able to keep it afloat," he says. [caption id="attachment_818451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Huck Hastings and Sachin Burns of Hacky Sack[/caption] Zoe Hyland is a photographer and videographer who doesn't qualify for the grant but has lost the majority of her work because of lockdown. "I've had cancellations up to November," Hyland says. "The threshold should be lowered to include the smallest businesses, and definitely an industry that has taken the biggest hit — the events industry." Hyland, who qualified for her permanent residency last September, also believes support should be offered to Sydneysiders on temporary visas. "I was one of the lucky ones," she says, "[there are] lots of people now heavily in debt as they were trapped in Australia with visas that did not qualify them for help". While Concrete Playground isn't known for taking sides (unless it's about the west vs. east), this is an issue that involves the industries, businesses and individuals that are crucial to the culture of our cities. They inspire the stories, events and venues that we cover every day. So, we're encouraging you to take a second to sign the petition and get the state government to help these industries hang on during what continues to be a time of uncertainty. Head to the Parliament of New South Wales website to find the 'Lower the threshold for the Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant' petition. Top image: The Buoys by April Josie.
Fall in love with movies Italian style, at the latest glamorous edition of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. Hosted once again in Palace Cinemas around the country, this year's festival features more than 30 features and docos, plus a breathtaking restoration of one of Italy's all-time classics. The 2014 festival opens with Marina, a light biopic about singer, songwriter and world-famous accordion player Rocco Granata, produced by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne. Other exciting titles include impressionistic Cannes Jury Prize winner The Wonders and Asia Argento's semi-autobiographical new film Incompresa. But the best of the fest will be saved until last. This year's closing night film is none other Marriage Italian Style, beautifully restored in time for its 50th anniversary. Sophia Loren is dazzling as the mistress of a wealthy Italian businessman determined to lock down a marriage proposal. A quintessential comedy about the battle of the sexes, it puts most modern-day rom-coms to shame. The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is on in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in September and October, and thanks to the festival, we have ten double passes to give away (valid at any festival session of your choice) in each city. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.auMelbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=IeD7rBVAQQo
Move over Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Come From Away, Jagged Little Pill the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and Girl From the North Country — another huge hit musical has just announced an Australian run. This time, it's Broadway and West End smash An American in Paris that's heading our way, with the four-time Tony-winner kicking off its Aussie shows in Brisbane in January 2022. From there, An American in Paris will sing and dance its way to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing its vibrant adaptation of the 1951 film of the same name to Australian stages. Yes, if you're a fan of classic movies — and classic big-screen musicals starring none other than the inimitable Gene Kelly at that — then that's why the show's name sounds familiar. Story-wise, the musical follows an American soldier in Paris — because its moniker is that straightforward. Set at the end of the Second World War, it charts US GI's Jerry Mulligan's exploits as he falls for a French woman. Well, he is celebrating the end of the combat in the notably romantic city, after all. Bringing the Oscar-winning 70-year-old film to the stage, this version of An American in Paris is directed by acclaimed contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon — and adapted for theatre and choreographed by him, too. The Aussie run is also being staged in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, so expect to see some of their dancers helping to bring the musical to life. George and Ira Gershwin's songs make the leap to the theatre as well, including 'I Got Rhythm', 'S Wonderful', 'But Not For Me' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Initially, An American in Paris debuted in Paris — where else? — in 2014, before hitting Broadway, Boston and West End. [caption id="attachment_828888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Johan Persson[/caption] 'AN AMERICAN IN PARIS' AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022: January 8–30 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From February, dates TBC — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide From February, dates TBC — Crown Theatre, Perth From March, dates TBC — State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From April, dates TBC — Theatre Royal, Sydney An American in Paris will tour Australia from January 8, 2022. For more information or to register for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top images: Tristram Kenton.
The only two things I love in this world more than my iPhone are Post-it Notes and nice watches. Doriane Favre has taken these two separately awesome things and created the Post-It Watch. The Post-It Watch is shaped like a watch and can quickly be written on at the drop of a hat, thought or idea, then strapped around your wrist for easy reminding later on. It is a wonderful solution and much more adult alternative to writing notes on your hand - something not everyone can fully grow out of. The Post-It Watch comes in pads of 100 sheets and can be purchased online from the Parisien boutique, PA Design. [via PSFK]
Over the past decade, Sydney Film Festival's opening-night movies have included Goldstone, The New Boy and We Don't Need a Map, all Australian titles from Indigenous directors. It's too early to say what 2024's fest will launch with to mark the cinema celebration's 71st year; however, First Nations filmmaking will firmly be in the spotlight via a brand-new cash prize that joins the event's slate of awards. SFF will now be home to the world's largest cash accolade for Indigenous cinema: the $35,000 First Nations Award. Set to debut at the 2024 festival, which runs from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16, the prize will be handed out in Sydney but is open to films from around the world — shorts as well — as long as it is featured in Sydney Film Festival's annual First Nations program strand. "The First Nations Award is more than a celebration of unique storytelling; it's a crucial investment in the future of Indigenous cinema. By offering this level of support, we hope to encourage more First Nations filmmakers to share their stories, enriching the film industry with diverse perspectives and voices," said SFF's long-running Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "This award aligns seamlessly with Sydney Film Festival's long-standing commitment to fostering cultural diversity and amplifying Indigenous narratives." "It is entirely fitting that the Sydney Film Festival, which for so long has been a champion of First Nations stories and storytellers from around the world, now offers the largest single cash prize for First Nations film globally," added SFF Chair Darren Dale. "This prize will inspire, motivate and reward established and emerging First Nations filmmakers with the promise that their art is important, is valued and will be seen." The First Nations Award is supported by Australian production company Truant Pictures, and joins SFF's annual gongs alongside the annual $60,000 Sydney Film Prize, the $40,000 Sustainable Future Award, the $20,000 Documentary Australia Award and the range of Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films. If you're a First Nations filmmaker with a movie that you'd love to be considered to screen at this year's SFF, and to go in the running for the new award, you have until Friday, March 1 to submit. Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Tim Levy / Luke Latty.
