Whilst Splendour may not be an option like last weekend, you can still enjoy the ear candy on offer this week from the likes of HAIM, Dive In and Horroshow. 1. 'The Wire' - HAIM HAIM have perfected the art of teasing. The L.A. sisters have been one of the most deservedly hyped bands of 2013, having delivered last year's treats including 'Falling' and 'Forever'. Everyone is waiting for the (hopefully) imminent announcement of their first full album, and whilst on our shores for Splendour in the Grass last weekend they released 'The Wire', suggesting the time is nigh and that it will be everything we hoped for and more. 'The Wire' begins slowly as all the band's songs generally do, but it builds into a layer of harmonies and strong beats that will have you putting this on repeat for weeks. 2. 'Let Go' - Dive In This UK foursome from Glastonbury are relatively unknown, not even cracking 500 likes on Facebook yet. However, if they keep serving up audio meals like 'Let Go' then they could soon be playing their hometown festival sooner rather than later. With pop hooks plucked straight from the '80s, this is a song for all seasons and occasions. 3. 'Hearts Like Ours' - The Naked & Famous The New Zealand electro-pop band is back. After touring their debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, globally for two years, they sat down and recorded their much-anticipated follow-up In Rolling Waves, due for release September 13. Luckily they have given us 'Hearts Like Ours' to tide us over until then, a sprightly single with a mammoth chorus, a formula now synonymous with the band. Expect to hear this track on every summer-related television commercial later this year. 4. 'All Night' - Icona Pop The emerging Swedish queens of pop anthems are at it again. After their smash hit 'I Love It' received worldwide acclaim, they have now treated all of us to their next production set to take over party playlists, 'All Night'. This song will literally keep anyone and everyone dancing all night long with its simple beat carrying the infectious melody all the way through to the morning where you can look forward to their new album This Is...Icona Pop dropping on September 24. 5. 'Unfair Lottery' - Horrorshow Aussie hip hop heroes Horrorshow have been hard at work the past few years. The boys from Sydney's inner west have been busy touring the country, sometimes by themselves and sometimes alongside their musical brothers in Spit Syndicate and Jackie Onassis, and all of this has meant fans have had to wait almost four years for a new album. However, today saw Kings Amongst Many hit stands and 'Unfair Lottery' is the leading track, giving a lesson in lyricism to all ready to listen.
Second-hand shopping can be a total pain in the glutes sometimes, especially if you’re searching for designer gold. It’s a process – you have to size up the kilometres of clothing racks or, if you’re not so lucky, dive into mountains of material, 99.99% of which is overpriced crapola. It makes finding that rusted, falling apart Yves Saint Laurent belt buckle feel like the biggest triumph in the world, but hey - it’s going to fall apart within a couple of hours, which is only half the time it took you to find it in the first place. Wow, I’m bitter. But really, is there no hope…? Wait, what? There is light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, there is hope/light, and it comes in the form of The Diva’s Wardrobe. It’s a genius concept really – a one-day sale where ALL of the clothing, shoes and accessories on sale are sourced by Brisbane’s top fashion insiders – this means stylists, boutique owners and the like will be pelting their vintage and designer wares on the day. Actual vintage, actual designer! There’s an entry fee, but I think ten bucks is a light price to pay for a day of shopping that doesn’t involve you getting in a fight with the clothing rack.
After a two-year COVID-related hiatus, the Eden Whale Festival is back with three huge days of animal conservation talks, educational workshops, delicious eats and live music. Festivities will kick off on Friday, October 7, with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, before guests hear from two speakers. First off is Lyn Hughes, author of the novel Mr Carver's Whale. Then wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta will discuss her work — she's a whale enthusiast well-known for her research using drones to collect whale snot (because, yes that's apparently a thing). Complimentary afternoon tea is provided before some abalone tasting begins. Locally harvested blacklip abalone will be served in eight different ways during the appropriately named 'A Taste of Abalone', prepared by renowned local chef David Ahren. Grand Matriarch Distilling, a local Sapphire Coast micro-distillery will be operating the bar for the evening, while live music is provided by local crooner Lochie Marson. This abalone tasting event is ticketed, costing $99 per person. Day two is a little different. They'll have a seafood paella demonstration by celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, as well as plenty of market stalls where you will find a great mix of food vendors, local artisans and local produce. Entertainment comes in the form of a chainsaw wood carver, fire throwers and sky-high kite displays. Wildlife stalls will be scattered about the space for those wanting to learn a little bit, too. And a series of musicians will be playing live music throughout the day. The final day of the festival, on Sunday, October 9, will be offering a whole lot of educational fun: you can attend an ORRCA Whale Rescue Training Workshop, the Wolf Peak Community Sand Sculpture Workshop, SKIFF boat trials and a Cultural Whale Experience. And don't miss the art exhibition, held in the new creative space connected to the Eden Library. You can check out photography, woodwork and mixed media from artists around the community. If you can't make it in during the festival, no worries — the works will remain on display during library opening hours until 5pm on Thursday, October 13.
You've probably already heard of WeWork, the international coworking movement. They have 230 coworking spaces around the world. In 2016, they opened their first coworking venture in Sydney and they've just thrown the doors on their first massive Melbourne space in the London Stores building. Located on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Street, the WeWork office is a little bit fancy with some distinct Melbourne flair. And when we say massive, we mean massive. With six floors and space for more than 700 creatives to shack up and compete for funniest coffee mug, it's set to become the hippest place to work in Melbourne. But don't expect a cookie-cutter corporate office that will put you to sleep. The interior was designed, interestingly, by graphic designer Sui Yao, and has been decorated by Australia artists Georgia Hill, Mik Shida and FunSkull. With an open-air terrace, and an endless supply of kombucha, nitro cold drip coffee and fruit-infused water, you won't mind staying late at work. So, what kind of perks can you expect from a coworking space? The best part of coworking (apart from meeting likeminded folk and working in a beautiful office) is the events. You can schmooze at ample networking dos, lunch and learn sessions, happy hours, and even yoga and massage events. The WeWork system also gives members access to each other at locations across the globe, like your own in-real-life LinkedIn. The Elizabeth Street location is taking enquiries now and WeWork have already announced a second venue, opening 2018, on Collins Street. WeWork Melbourne, located at 152 Elizabeth Street in the CBD, is open now.
When 2023 sweeps in, it will have been two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. When next year arrives, it'll also mark Australian musical theatre fans' latest chance to see that very show right here at home — because Wicked is flying into Sydney next August. Even if you haven't seen the blockbuster show before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the world since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to Sydney Lyric for its latest Aussie run, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5 million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Wicked is being brought to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and will also take to the stage again before the in-the-works two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas in 2024. Back to the stage show, it's too early for cast announcements — and so far, only a Sydney season has been locked in. Pop on your ruby slippers and click your heels three times in hope that Wicked will tour the country — and defy gravity in Melbourne, Brisbane and more — afterwards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WICKED in Australia & NZ (@wickedinoz) Wicked will play Sydney Lyric from August 2023, with exact dates yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they're revealed. For more information or to join the ticket waitlist ahead of sales starting sometime in November, head to the production's website. Images: Joan Marcus.
In 2019, a horrible goose wandered around a quiet village, then chaos ensued — and instigating it became one of the most-entertaining ways to mash buttons. Untitled Goose Game first released in September that year. By the time 2020 hit, more than a million copies had been sold, getting folks controlling a pesky waterfowl with a penchant for trouble. That's honking phenomenal for an indie game out of Melbourne, and it's a feat that the city's Australian Centre for the Moving Image keeps celebrating. After giving Untitled Goose Game the live orchestral treatment back in 2022, the Aussie screen museum is now hosting a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to the title. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition features different versions of the game from its various development stages that you can play, plus sketches, concept art and design material for attendees to check out. It's going to be a lovely five months in Federation Square from Tuesday, September 17, 2024–Sunday, February 16, 2025, and you'll be an adoring Untitled Goose Game fan. Sorry Mario Kart. Move over Tetris. Forget Wii Sports, Pokémon Go, Street Fighter or whatever other title first springs to mind whenever you think about video games. They're all well and good, but they aren't taking over ACMI like this homegrown hit from House House. If you're new to Untitled Goose Game, it's a puzzle game — and, yes, it's about a goose. You play as the bird, and your aim is to move objects and other characters, and just generally cause mayhem in a small village. No description can really do it justice, though; you just need to play it. While the game has filled oh-so-many hours over the past few years, and gotten its ARIA-nominated original soundtrack by Dan Golding stuck in everyone's heads, Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition isn't just for diehard gamers. No matter if you know every inch of the game or you're only hearing about it now, you'll be plunged into its world in an interactive showcase that's designed to get you playing. How slapstick factors in, plus the form of comedy's history, is also a big feature. We don't expect that running off with keys, socks, glasses, radios and the like will be a part of it, however.
While Italian flavours steal the show at Darlinghurst's Sagra, the owners' latest venture Ortzi promises, instead, a trip through the Basque region. The warm, rustic eatery from Michael Otto, Jared Lanzua and Edward Saxton is set to open its doors this week, taking over a cheery split-level space on Surry Hills' Hunt Street. The trio has stuck with a simple, rustic theme, from the food, through to the fitout — if you're not one of the lucky ducks stealing away for a 2018 European summer, this joint might just help fill the void. From the kitchen, expect a share-friendly offering that'll get regular shake-ups throughout each week, championing locality, seasonality and a nose-to-tail approach. Many of the meats will come from whole beasts butchered on site, and as many elements as possible are being made in-house, from bread and butter through to the cheese. There'll be a strong lineup of pintxos, both authentic and more innovative, including roasted oysters with root vegetable consommé, croquettes stuffed with jamon and idiazabal cheese, and a decadent lobster and celeriac roll. Just be sure to leave some room for the larger dishes, like cider-cooked pork shoulder with wood-roasted apples; a woodfired rib-eye with charred onions and romesco; and a charred leek, saffron and curd tart. And dessert — where you'll find Pedro Ximénez-soaked pears and an olive oil and pine nut torte, among others. Also flying the flag for the Basque region is the drinks list, starring the area's beloved 'cidre' (flat cider), alongside wines sourced from across Northern Spain and Southern France. Find Ortzi at 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills, from Thursday, June 7. Images: Alana Dimou
From hotels t0 karaoke bars to surfing carnivals, Australia's dogs can spend their time at a considerable array of welcoming places. And, they can head to their own bakeries and food trucks, eat their own gelato and don their own raincoats, too. Add concerts to the list — and while dog-friendly music festivals are hardly unique, Concert for Dogs doesn't just let humans bring their four-legged friends along. Rather, the show's melodies, frequencies and riffs have been composed specifically for pooches. Eight years after premiering her Music for Dogs piece at the Sydney Opera House, artist and musician Laurie Anderson is heading back to Australia to stage another Concert for Dogs. Taking place on Sunday, June 24 at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts, the 20-minute show combines low-decibel violin, vocals, keyboards and electronic sounds into a symphony certain to get puppers' tails wagging. Only held a handful of times before — including in Sydney, in New York's Times Square and in Brighton, England — the free event is open to all doggos, although they must play nicely with others and be kept on a leash. For both hounds and humans alike, the concert will be followed by Anderson's Heart of a Dog, her astonishing documentary tribute to her own furry BFF — and to all of dog kind. Anderson is in the country for a number of shows, including a virtual reality experience and a sonic installation at Dark Mofo. On the Gold Coast, she'll become HOTA's artist-in-residence from June 20–24, premiering new music pieces (including Songs from the Bardo, which uses texts from the Tibetan Book of the Dead), presenting multimedia work The Language of the Future, and chatting about stories and language in All the Things I Lost in the Flood. Concert for Dogs takes place at 9am on Sunday, June 24 at the Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, while Laurie Anderson's week-long residency spans June 20–24. For more information, visit the Home of the Arts website.
Classic cocktails are called classics for a reason. They've stood the test of time, they're easy to whip up anywhere and — perhaps most importantly — they're almost impossible to mess up. But what if the recipes were a little more…nutty? Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is here to throw a curveball into your bar cart staples. There's no shortage of novelty spirits on the shelf, but this one has done it right. Created by husband-and-wife team Steve Yeng and Brittany Merrill Yeng in California, this flavoured liqueur blends American whiskey with natural peanut butter flavour, resulting in a spirit that's sweet, smooth and nutty. When used right, it can unlock a completely different kind of cocktail. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or just partial to a decent drink after work, swapping in this whiskey gives old favourites an edge that's unexpected, yet weirdly spot-on. Don't believe us? Here are seven classic cocktails that get even better with a peanut butter twist. Old Fashioned The old fashioned is simple: whiskey, sugar, bitters, ice. No garnish, unless you really feel like showing off. Swap in Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and you're still staying true to that formula, just with a bit more flavour. The roasted peanuts round out the sweetness and soften the citrus in the bitters. So, you get a richer, smoother version of the drink you already know. Serve it with a big ice cube and a twist of orange peel for a fresh take on the old school, without losing any of the ritual. Get the recipe here. Manhattan This one's a little wild, but it works. Strong, slightly sweet and built for sipping, the manhattan is a go-to for good reason. A hint of peanut butter doesn't mess with its DNA, but it does add to it. This recipe keeps the bones of the original but trades out sweet vermouth for Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and a splash of amaro. The result is a silky, peanutty drink you can garnish with a cherry and orange twist. Get the recipe here. [caption id="attachment_1014576" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Mudslide A classic mudslide should taste like a milkshake with an extra kick. And this one doesn't disappoint. The Skrewball version blends peanut butter whiskey with equal parts Irish cream liqueur and coffee liqueur, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and served with a chocolate syrup drizzle. You could sip this slowly, but let's be honest — it'll be gone in minutes. Get the recipe here. Irish Coffee Peanut butter and coffee are a match made in heaven, which makes the classic Irish Coffee another cocktail worth reinventing. This cold-weather go-to gets an upgrade by swapping out traditional Irish whiskey for a hit of peanut butter and hot black coffee. Enjoy it as is, or top with whipped cream and dust it with chocolate powder for a little sweetness. Get the recipe here. Espresso Martini While we're on the coffee bandwagon, here's another classic twist: the espresso martini. Strong, bitter and full of peanut flavour, this espresso martini remix skips vodka in favour of the richer and smoother, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. Shake it with coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso and ice, then strain into a martini glass with a couple of espresso beans to garnish. Yum. Get the recipe here. Paloma The Paloma is usually a tequila-heavy spritz, but this version dials up the fun with a peanut butter backbone and a splash of grapefruit juice. It's still refreshing and citrusy with tequila and Aperol, but that nutty flavour turns it into something you'll start to crave when the sun's out. To make, simply pour Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, tequila, sour mix and pineapple juice over ice and garnish with lemon. Get the recipe here. Margarita This one sounds wrong on paper, until you try it. An extreme riff on the classic margarita, here tequila and lime take a backseat to Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and pineapple juice. It's fruity but not sugary, and sharp but not tart. If you're the kind of person who likes to experiment with strange flavour combos, this is your moment. Get the recipe here. Adding peanut butter whiskey to your favourite classic cocktails may not be the obvious choice — but once you've tried it in one, you'll want to remake them all. Explore more Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey cocktail recipes on the website.
With less than a month till New Year's, it's time to start planning for a memorable way to end 2014. But if this year has ended too soon for you, be transported back in time at The Roosevelt. Taking inspiration from the '50s and '60s, yet with a modern twist, the Roosevelt is the place to be for New Year's if you've ever fancied yourself a contemporary incarnation of a cashed-up mid-century eccentric. Buying a ticket to this New Year's Eve party is sure to set you on your way to sophisticated, toe-tapping, thirst-quenching fun — they're offering bottomless champagne, unlimited martinis, canapes, as well as entertainment for the evening, including a jazz band, burlesque dancers and one very cheeky magician. Think this is your year to class it up for NYE? For more info and bookings contact Jamie-Lee on 0423 203 119 or at jamie-lee@theroosevelt.com.au.
Alone is a performance art installation. No, scratch that — it's a psychological experiment. Created by Los Angeles-based artist Devon Paulson and film producer Lawrence T. Lewis, it hurls participants into a city-wide, 'haunted house'-style scenario. And, it's coming to Australia. Aided by a crowd of actors, the hour-long walkthrough will see participants transported around Melbourne, into inexplicable, scary or hilarious situations that are designed to mess with their sanity. Participants must sign a waiver beforehand and be in good physical and mental health, which just might says something about what the night will involve. They're then taken to a secret location to begin their terrifying abduction. No mobile phones are allowed and it's likely that your clothes will get dirty. "Alone explores the complex folds of the human psyche and the human condition, from the inside out," says Paulson. "The truth is that one needs to experience Alone to understand it." According to the website, "your body may be aggressively touched and moved or tenderly embraced or utterly left displaced and alone." Despite having organised the event 18 times over the last six years, the creators refuse to reveal details of previous stints. "What I can say is that the situations will cause participants to traverse the spectrum of human emotion," says Paulson. "But the crucial goal is to dislocate you, from the world, from others, from comfort, from self." And yes, it begins on Valentine's Day — but it's a completely solitary journey, so don't think about bringing your date. "Some experiences you may find yourself in a group situation, but as in life, you will eventually find yourself to be alone," reads a hard-hitting FAQ on the Alone website. Alone runs from February 14–27. Head to the website for tickets and more details.
Let's call it the year of comebacks. Based on huge pop-culture behemoths hitting streaming queues, 2022 is certainly panning out that way. First, Stranger Things finally dropped its long-awaited fourth season. Next, eagerly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon arrived three years after the HBO hit wrapped up. And, come Friday, September 2, The Lord of the Rings is getting the TV treatment — taking the elves, dwarves and harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors) to Prime Video. Eight years after the last of The Hobbit movie adaptations hit cinemas, and 19 years since the Lord of the Rings film did the same, the fantasy realm conjured by up JRR Tolkien will start unfurling across the small screen in an all-new series set in Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been in the works for five years, but it's finally becoming a reality. And as the array of trailers keep showing — including the initial sneak peek, then not one, not two, but three new trailers in July, and now a just-dropped final glimpse before the series actually arrives — the first season is all looking suitably epic. Get ready to jump back to Middle-earth's Second Age, with The Rings of Power bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the first time. A young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) has a mission to hunt the enemy, after her brother gave his life doing the same — and she sees fighting for fate and destiny as the work as something greater. "Each of us, every one, must decide who we shall be," Galadriel declares — with the new trailer focusing on folks choosing to go into battle for what's right. The big bad they're trying to stave off? The rise of Sauron, with the show charting how that gave rise to the rings and the impact across Middle-earth. Gorgeous settings, elves, dwarves, harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors), stormy seas, strange skies, cave trolls, orcs, raging fires, a balrog — they're all set to show up across The Rings of Power's first season. So will a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man), as well as New Zealand's natural splendours standing in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set its premiere date back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, as per the show's official synopsis, it follows "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. The series will "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness," the synopsis continues. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. That's a massive tale to tell and, this latest The Rings of Power trailer stresses, more than a few figures are involved. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the new The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
The famous Archibald Prize is going on a regional tour of Australia this year, taking up residence at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang from April 8–May 21. To celebrate this, Lake Macquarie City Council is offering an epic set of prizes to one lucky person. The winner will receive two complimentary general admission tickets to the Archibald Prize 2022 regional tour at MAC, yapang that can be redeemed at any time up until May 21. To make the most of your visit and help you enjoy the best of Lake Macquarie, the prize also includes a $250 voucher for two people to stay in a Lake View room at the Esplanade Motel in Warners Bay and a $100 dining voucher for the Three Bears Cafe. [caption id="attachment_894628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Bears Café at MAC yapang.[/caption] Two tickets to experience Coast XP's Lake Cruise and Nature Walk tour are also included. During this, you'll ride around Lake Macquarie in a custom-built adventure boat, go on a guided nature walk and eat some lunch by the waters. And to make sure you have something to take home with you, the winner will also receive a prize pack from Shop MAC valued at $150. It includes an Archibald Prize 2022 catalogue and the book Let's Face It, The History of the Archibald Prize. Submit an entry now for your chance to go an unforgettable art and nature-filled weekend in the picturesque coastal city of Lake Macquarie. Not a winner? Worry not. You can still book tickets to see the Archibald Prize 2022 regional tour via the MAC, yapang website. Top image: Coast XP [competition]894616[/competition]
Get ready to boogie, Sydney — the arrival of Cancun Boat Club is your newest excuse for a night on the town. This new spot doubles as a margarita bar and Mexican diner, and draws stylistic inspiration from the beach resorts, music and interiors of the 1980s Mexico. Joining the slew of beloved venues that have found a home in Quay Quarter Lanes, Cancun Boat Club is swinging open the doors to its lively venue from Tuesday, May 21. This collaborative partnership between Milpa Collective (Bar Lucia, Carbon) and The WXT Group (La Farmacia, Mrs Palmer Sandwich) will reside among crowd favourites such as Grana, Besuto, Marrickville Pork Roll and Lana, as well one of Sydney's best French restaurants, Bouillon L'Entrecôte. Anthony MacFarlane, WTX Group Co-Founder, said that he's personally "most excited about being part of Sydney's re-emerging nightlife, and being able to turn dinner and drinks into a full-blown night out with cracking tunes and good vibes till late." Cancun Boat Club's fitout is best described as retro-leaning, with neon signs, vintage surfboards, Ferrari memorabilia and a lit-up wall reminiscent of a Cancun sunset that changes colours throughout the night all adorning the space. Paired with a selection of Mexican-American-inspired dishes taking centre stage on the menu and a margarita-forward drinks list, it's set up to be a joint for dinner, drinks and the afterparty. "The food is inspired by the legendary lively, and super fun all-day-party Mexican diners that populated the Mex-Caribbean areas in the 80s. Cancun Boat Club brings back Mexican comfort food at it best," said Pablo Galindo, Milpa Collective's co-founder. The bites span from hefty birria pizzas, fajita plates and Mexican-style hot dogs and tacos, to beef nachos topped with 500 grams of angus rib eye and flame-grilled corn on the cob seasoned with Flamin' Hot Cheetos dust. But the one you can expect to flood your Insta feed is the signature DoriLocos. This choose-your-own-adventure dish consists of a bag of Doritos dressed with hot sauce, spice mix and a lime juice, which you can then finish with your choice of up to 16 toppings like pork crackling and chilli gummies, all served from a roaming trolley. For sips, you can grab a marg on your way in from the mini margarita bar in the downstairs lobby, before heading upstairs to sample cocktails with top-notch Mexican spirits such as the Captains Margarita, a gold-plated drink that serves three and is served in a treasure chest. Cancun Boat Club has ambitions to become another beloved venue for Sydneysiders to enjoy on a night out, so entertainment is a huge focus here — the space is home to a booming sound system which'll play 80s tunes and accompany live DJs as they play gigs until 2am every Thursday to Saturday. You'll find Cancun Boat Club at 8 Loftus Street in Quay Quarter Lanes, open from 12:00pm–12:00am Tuesday–Wednesday and 12:00pm–2:00am Thursday–Saturday. Image credit: Jason Loucas.
When you've been in the movie-slinging game for a whopping 85 years and you're eager to celebrate that huge milestone, how do you go about it? By screening films, naturally. But Ritz Cinemas isn't just commemorating the occasion with a couple of flicks. It isn't even content with a handful, or a week or so's worth. No, this grand Randwick picture house is truly living up to its age with a three-month program spanning 85 different titles. Starting on Sunday, July 24 and running through till Sunday, October 16, the Ritz's 85 Films in 85 Days lineup does indeed feature a little bit of everything, with one movie showing each day. This huge retrospective covers the cross-section of features that've graced the cinema's screens over the years, and is unsurprisingly the venue's biggest retro offering ever. It all starts with the 1937 version of A Star Is Born, harking right back to the Ritz's first year. From there, a different year is covered each night, all in chronological order. There are too many highlights to mention them all — all 85 films are standouts — but The Wizard of Oz helps round out the 30s selection, Fantasia and Citizen Kane kickstart the 40s, and the 50s lineup includes Rashomon, Singin' in the Rain and Rebel Without a Cause. From the 60s, you can check out the OG West Side Story, Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, while the 70s spread boasts Pink Flamingos, Young Frankenstein, Dawn of the Dead and Alien. 80s cinema fans can look forward to Blade Runner, Stop Making Sense, Back to the Future and Blue Velvet; 90s aficionados can make dates with Strictly Ballroom, Clueless, Trainspotting and Fight Club; and 00s devotees have In the Mood for Love, Lost in Translation, Brokeback Mountain and Inglourious Basterds among their choices. From the 2010s, there's also Drive, Frances Ha, Get Out and Parasite — and, obviously, the list goes on. Wrapping things up: the first Aussie big-screen session of The Green Knight, which is worth waiting 85 days for. The Ritz's 85 85 Films in 85 Days program runs from Sunday, July 24–Sunday, October 16. For more information or to book tickets, head to the cinema's website.
General tickets for the Australian leg of Kylie Minogue's 2025 Tension world tour haven't yet gone on sale, but fans have been spinning around over presales, so much so that more gigs have already been announced. When 'Padam Padam' summer happens all over again, it'll do so with an extra show in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on what'll be the singer's biggest global tour in 14 years. Of course Kylie is starting her latest live performances Down Under. And of course the reaction has been huge. Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but there's plenty of demand to see the Aussie pop superstar on home soil and to catch this tour before anyone else on the planet. [caption id="attachment_973694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Melvin[/caption] Minogue is kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, still beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has a single date locked in for Adelaide. She's now doing two concerts in Brisbane, however, plus three shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. So far, the Tension tour also spans stops in Bangkok, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Manila in Asia after her Aussie concerts, and then hits up Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham and Birmingham in the UK. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Kylie Minogue Tension Tour 2025 Australian Dates Saturday, February 15 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, February 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, February 20–Saturday, February 22 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 26–Thursday, February 27 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 1–Monday, March 3 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kylie Minogue's Tension tour kicks off in Australia in February and March 2025. Ticket presales for the new Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows start from Thursday, September 26, with general sales from Wednesday, October 2 — both at staggered times. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Darenoted Ltd.
Once again, German DJ legend Claptone is preparing to hit Aussie shores, returning to deliver the latest edition of his international smash-hit soirée, The Masquerade. Popping up in Melbourne for the third time, and returning Sydney for round two, the mysterious, multi-sensory event is being presented in collaboration with Untitled Group — the creative minds behind the likes of Ability Fest, Pitch Music & Arts and Beyond the Valley. Having toured a selection of cities worldwide over the past few years, The Masquerade's next stop is The Warehouse Collective in Sydney's Australian Technology Park on Saturday, April 6, followed by the Burnley Circus Park in Melbourne on Saturday, April 13. It's set to transform each space into a den of revelry for one afternoon, featuring a heady mix of performances, acrobats, sounds and quirky characters you won't forget in a hurry. Promising to ramp up the intensity levels, all guests will be given masquerade face wear as they enter the event — a reference to Claptone's own signature golden mask. The Masquerade is heading to Sydney's The Warehouse Collective on Saturday, April 6 and to Melbourne's Burnley Circus Park on Saturday, April 13. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, January 24, at 12pm AEDT. Melburnians can sign-up for pre-sale access here, and Sydneysiders here. CORRECTION: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 — This article previously stated that Claptone's The Masquerade would be debuting in Sydney in 2019. It actually debuted in Sydney last year. The article has been updated to reflect.
The lengthy summer has finally come to an end. And while we may be entering the cosiest seasons of the year, that doesn't mean taking shelter in Oodies with cups of tea in hand. There's still so much to enjoy in this city of ours, even as the chill starts to set in. So we've gathered some of the most exciting events on offer in Sydney this Autumn — from immersive historical exhibitions to elaborate stage shows and community events for good causes. Add these to your to-do list. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs Where else in Sydney can you learn about the life and legacy of one of Egypt's greatest-ever pharaohs than the Australian Museum? It's there you'll find Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs — an exclusive multi-sensory, immersive experience for all ages, and it's ending soon. The exhibition explores the life and reign of the late Ramses the Great, Egypt's second longest-reigning Pharaoh, and showcases more than 180 objects, each dating back approximately 3000 years to Egypt's Nineteenth Dynasty. Ramses II lived well into his 90s (extremely uncommon for his day) and each object in this exhibition captures important details of the era of his rule. These include jewellery, ceramics, small mummified animals, royal masks, as well as the immaculately preserved sarcophagus where Ramses was entombed. For an additional fee when booking, there's an optional multi-sensory VR experience that transports you to two of the era's most iconic monuments: Queen Nefertari's tomb and the Abu Simbel's temples. The exhibition is entering its final weeks before it leaves on Sunday, May 19, so get your tickets booked ASAP (tip — it's open over the full Easter weekend). The Greatest Showman Brunch Another significant historical figure (although maybe not quite as significant as Ramses II) is famous showman and con-man PT Barnum. Though a real historical figure, his story was made famous in the 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman in the title role. The box office hit proved as popular for the soundtrack of bangers as it did for the story itself. Now the PT Barnum circus experience is coming to life for a special Greatest Showman Brunch event at the Potts Point Hotel on Sunday, April 28. Sing, dance or just smile your way through the biggest musical numbers as live performers take to the stage in front of you for a two-hour show. Your ticket includes entry, a welcome drink and a themed brunch to pair with the show. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour — West Side Story There are musicals, and then there are the musicals that will live forever. West Side Story is one such production and one of the most popular musicals ever to grace the stage since its original run in 1957. It's a classic star-crossed lovers tale inspired by Romeo & Juliet and is one of the seminal popular works by composer Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by musical theatre great Stephen Sondheim, with iconic choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins. And it's returning to Sydney's most spectacular stage from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, April 21. If you've never had the pleasure, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour hosts productions of some of the biggest musicals worldwide on a floating stage with the stunning cityscape as its backdrop. The show is just part of the experience. First enjoy the sunset with a drink and dinner from the on-site pop-up eateries, then enjoy a spectacular show with a drink in hand under the stars. Ramadan Nights Lakemba One of the biggest, most beloved events of the season is Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Running every Thursday to Sunday from March 9 to April 8, this free-entry event is one of the most vibrant multicultural events in the entire city. If you've never been, more than 75 local businesses take part in a massive food market from dusk to 3am on Lakemba's Haldon Street. The event is to celebrate the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, and with steady year-on-year growth in popularity, it is expected to draw in over a million visitors from the local area across Sydney, Australia, and even from overseas. Wandering the busy street, you'll find cuisine from Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and many more international communities. Expect everything from shawarma and kaak to Syrian ice cream, knafeh and Lebanese coffee. Our tip? Arrive close to dusk to beat the crowds. The Rocky Horror Show The Rocky Horror Show is a classic tale of sex, rock 'n' roll and mad science. Since its debut in 1973 from maestro Richard O'Brien (and the beloved film adaptation in 1975), the raunchy musical has had a meteoric rise from cult to icon status. Now, it's touring Australia for the ongoing 50th anniversary tour, visiting Theatre Royal Sydney from Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, May 12. In case you're among those who haven't had the pleasure of viewing this wild rock masterpiece, it follows a squeaky-clean young couple who experience car troubles while driving on a remote highway and walk to a nearby castle to find help. Waiting in the castle is a mad scientist, his mad staff and an even madder creation. What follows is a night of song, dance and debauchery like no other. [caption id="attachment_945318" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Wild Women On Top[/caption] Coastrek 2024 Coastrek is a massive fitness event that encourages everyday Aussies to strap on some walking shoes and stroll along our stunning coastal walkways on Friday, May 3. The Sydney route stretches along the Northern Beaches from Palm Beach to Balgowlah Heights covering 50km of track. You don't have to walk the full 50km though; registrations are open for 20km or 30km courses too, starting from Long Reef and Mona Vale respectively. Either way, you'll be walking some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Most importantly, it's all for a good cause, with each registered team tasked to raise $2000 for the Heart Foundation. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs is ending soon on Sunday, May 19. For more information or to book tickets visit the website. For more to do in Sydney, keep exploring here on Concrete Playground.
Lamingtons. Vegemite. Barbecued Sausages. Listening to the nation's biggest song countdown. Maybe one or some of these are part of your yearly Australia Day tradition — or maybe you just go wherever the occasion takes you. Either way, Sydney will be buzzing with options, ensuring that your public holiday certainly won't be boring. Here's our pick of the best ways to spend the day, featuring rooftop pools, dogs on paddleboards, beer countdowns and an entire island festival. Of course, it's a day of great contention in Australia, often called ‘Invasion Day’, ‘Day of Mourning’, ‘Survival Day’ or ‘Aboriginal Sovereignty Day’ (since 2006). Be mindful on Tuesday. Top image: The Old Clare Hotel, Nikki To.
The legacy of the legendary blues musician Muddy Waters runs deep, from influences on Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love and ACDC's You Shook Me All Night Long, and even to Westmont Pickles—an Australian picklery named after the town where Muddy died. His deepest influence, however, can be seen in his son, Mud Morganfield, and his career that carries the blues-rock torch that Muddy held aloft for over three decades. Although Morganfield was raised away from his father, he's been following in his footsteps for his whole adult life. Morganfield started out in life hauling trucks across the USA, just like his old man did before he found his music. When his father passed in 1983, Morganfield picked up the old familiar instruments and took to creating his own soulful blues ballads, and has been at it ever since. Despite the soulful style and rich vocal timbre Morganfield shares with his father, Mud's sound contributes to the intersection of Chicago Blues and Delta Rock in his own right. With the benefit of intervening decades of musical progression since Muddy Waters left the blues, Mud's sound incorporates modern styles into his oeuvre, but never strays too far from the track his old man beat before him. Catch Morganfield at Bluesfest 2017 in Byron Bay or at his Sydney sideshow at The Basement on Saturday April 8.
So far this year, Qantas has committed to phase out 100 million disposable items from 2020 onwards — and it's not done with the war on waste yet. This week, it took to the Aussie skies to notch up another milestone: the first zero-waste plane journey. On Wednesday, May 8, the carrier flew from Sydney to Adelaide. That's hardly news, but this flight removed or replaced around one thousand single-use plastic items. Sustainable alternatives were found where possible, and if an eco-friendly version couldn't be sourced, the relevant objects simply weren't included as part of the journey. Teaming up with packaging company BioPak, the airline used fully cups made from plant matter, food containers made from leftover sugar cane pulp, cutlery made from starch sourced from non-genetically modified crops and compostable napkins. It also ditched individually-packaged servings of milk and Vegemite — and collected all packaging for reuse, recycling or composting. At the airport, travellers boarding the flight also used digital boarding passes and electronic bag tags. If that wasn't possible, staff were on hand to ensure that any paper passes and tags were disposed of sustainably. To eliminate the journey's carbon footprint as well, the flight was 100 percent carbon offset. In total, 34 kilograms of waste were saved — with Qantas noting that the route usually creates around 150 tonnes of waste each year. The move comes as part of a widespread push to drastically reduce waste across the air travel industry, which has been gathering significant steam over the past year. In addition to Qantas' efforts, Portuguese charter carrier Hi Fly is aiming to become the world's first no-plastics carrier within the next 12 months, and Etihad flew the world's first long-haul flight free of the pesky products into Australia last month.
James Bond has never really been comrades with Russia. In fact 007 novels and films were officially banned in the USSR for decades due to their perceived anti-Soviet rhetoric, so the last thing to expect would be the Russian Army Choir covering Adele's sultry Oscar-winning eponymous track to Skyfall but that is exactly what has been delivered to us — and it is fantastic. The singing military septet performed the song in full on Russian breakfast television dressed complete in military garb, supplying a tidal wave of intensity to a song already drowning in it. Singing entirely in English — with a little clipboard help and some minor slip-ups that can be forgiven by their commitment — the youthful soloist beautifully introduces the song before his stern choristers join in to roar the chorus and have the hosts of the show (dressed in their favourite Wiggles block colours) swaying along. The singing sensations have now been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube. Amidst the (deserved) uproar over Russia's anti-gay laws, brought to light in particular by Stephen Fry's impassioned plea to boycott the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, hopefully this love ballad can melt the hearts of the Russian administration behind this legislature. Whilst incredibly unlikely, at least we can still enjoy this tingling rendition. Also, check out those hats. Via Huffington Post.
The newest, latest show at Roslyn Oxley9 sees Isaac Julien’s film, Ten Thousand Waves repackaged, from filmic to photographic form. The film, which is being shown (for the first time world-wide) at Cockatoo Island as part of the Biennale was inspired by the Morecambe Bay Tragedy of 2004, in which over 20 Chinese cockle-pickers died. Investigations revealed that all of the workers who drowned were illegal immigrants. The ground revealed in this work by Julien is fertile, especially in Australia. Ours is a country which has not fully come to terms with the multitude of cultures living within its borders and, more significantly, the motivations behind many emigrants’ desire to abandon their nation of origin. This show holds a number of resonances for me; I remember seeing Julien’s film Derek at the Sydney Film Festival two years ago. The director’s sense of narrative was commendable, but what stuck in my mind was his clinical stylisation and, once again, this is the highlight of the series. The other point of resonance resides in the fact that a few years ago, I spent four months living in Guangxi, the province where much of Julien’s film is set. His ability to capture exotic landscapes and interiors I recognise, in a Western visual format, is profound. These images effectively trace the movement of people and the transitioning state of the Chinese populace. A lot of my friends have been discussing sideshows of late: the benefits and drawbacks of these smaller, more intimate performances in comparison to the larger music festivals they may accompany. It seems that in the context of art, and especially Isaac Julien’s multidisciplinary practice, this show at Roslyn Oxley9 is the art-world answer to the 'sideshow'. In this case, Julien’s photographic series is the sideshow to his nine-channel video installation being shown at the Biennale. Neither is better nor more valid than the other, but together a deeper understanding and appreciation of the overall achievement and scope of the work can be reached.
If you're a vegetarian, keen home cook or worshipper of eggplant, chances are Yotam Ottolenghi has had some impact on your life. Now, it's time to meet him in the flesh. On January 29, the cult Israeli chef will appear at the Sydney Opera House for a long chat about food. Happening as part of the Opera House's Talks and Ideas programme, the date marks the release of Ottolenghi's latest book Simple filled with 130 easy-to-make yet super-tasty dishes. But, he'll be talking about much more than that. Firstly, there are all his other books, like the Middle Eastern-inspired Jerusalem, the vegetarian-friendly Plenty and the dessert bible Sweet, a collaboration with Melbourne pastry chef Helen Goh. Then, there are his documentaries and his regular writing gigs: a weekly column in Feast magazine and a monthly column in The New York Times. Before becoming a world-famous chef, Ottolenghi worked as a journo in Amsterdam. On deciding to delve into food, he trained at the Cordon Bleu, as well as a bunch of Michelin-starred restaurants in London, before taking on the role of Head Pastry Chef at Baker and Spice, where he befriended Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi. The two teamed up to found the Ottolenghi deli in Notting Hill — the first of many, many projects. An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Wednesday, December 19, with general tickets on sale from 9am Friday, December 21. Image: Prudence Upton
Vivid Ideas brings interesting speakers from Sydney and across the world to talk about how they do what they do in their creative field. Previous years have brought speakers like (now) McSweeney's Lucky Peach editor Chris Ying, author Cory Doctorow and local star, Red Rattler's Penelope Benton. One thing every year has in common (bridging the name shift from Creative Sydney to Vivid Ideas) is a dense program threaded with interesting creative speakers. To help you unpick those threads, Concrete Playground has picked out these 10 best ideas that this year's Vivid has to offer. 1. Digital City Cutting up our city creatively is one of the points of Vivid Ideas. For their two Digital City sessions they've pulled together a bunch of speakers who have atomised Sydney with their cameras and keyboards. We Blog the City pairs dissector of Sydney and the world, 52 Suburbs' Louise Hawson with the library-cataloguing, city-parsing Vanessa Berry. The Digital Layer of the City, brings together geo game-maker Richard Fox, unseen artist Warren Armstrong and Nicole Gardener, who will talk about getting a good layer of digital nous laid alongside the city's physical footprint. 2. FEEDBACK Been meaning to get down to the FBi Music Open Day? Working the next step in your musical career? Rueing the last one? FEEDBACK is a youth-aimed (read 18-25 year old) music conference aimed at connecting aspiring musicians with advice from the musical establishment. And if that seems like some creative advice that's too basic for your needs, step up to advanced lessons in the Making of … a Hit Song and hear a YouTube insiders' guide to Biebering yourself to stardom. 3. The Incredibly Short Film Festival With Twitter jumping on the micro film band-wagon and launching Vine, the short, looped motion-making of the animated GIF is having a pretty good year. The Incredibly Short Film Festival collects looping GIF films from around the world for an evening's celebration of this cyclical art. After its MCA screening, the festival moves on to the World Bar to see it all again, this time laid out in oversized projection on the buildings around World Bar. If you fancy your hand at making your own GIFs, the Apple Store will also be running courses in the build-up to the festival. 4. Evenings in the Lounge If your version of creativity runs in more of the relaxing and drink-mulling variety, Evenings in the Lounge is a (mostly) free series of evening hangouts and conversations (mostly) on the MCA balconies. The evenings cover green themes, printed chocolate, creativity at work, creative advice, passion, graffiti, a bit of mixing, co-working and some brainstorming, too. 5. Reportage Photography Festival Australia’s leading documentary photography festival, Reportage, have joined forces with Vivid Sydney this year. Developed from impromptu snapshot exchanges in a Bondi apartment, Reportage is now gaining exposure as a national and global photography event worthy of focus. In a flash, it seems, the depth of the photographers fielded at the festival has zoomed to dizzying heights. Shutterbugs such as distinguished Magnum photographer Alex Webb (USA), Contact Press co-founder David Burnett (USA) and Italian camera-king Franceso Zizola (co-founder of NOOR Agency in Amsterdam and 10B Photography in Rome) will grace Sydney with their pictorial prestige for the duration of the snapfest around Sydney from May 25 to June 13. 6. Women on Screen Sydney has been satisfyingly packed with female focuses events these last couple months. All About Women isn't long past, and a World of Women recently put women's contributions to the silver screen under the spotlight as well. Vivid takes its own look at where women stand in the film biz with Somersault-directing Cate Shortland and Buffy (the movie)-supervising Susan Cartsonis on stage at Let's Talk About the F-Word — Female Storytellers. Forward Thinking: Screen Trends also takes a closer look at women on the silver screen, this time inviting Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour on stage as part of a panel discussing the change afoot in film across the world. 7. Indie Magazines: High End Content, Low End Budgets Chris Ying was a highlight of the second year of Creative Sydney, and he returns this year at Indie Magazines: High End Content, Low End Budgets to talk about how he puts together McSweeney's food magazine, Lucky Peach, on a staff of four. He's joined on stage by photo editor of the image-heavy Colors magazine, Mauro Bedoni. It was a magazine originally set up in the '90s as a Benetton-backed concern. And, while Benetton continues to fund the publication, it's gone through any number of incarnations in since then in its ongoing mission "to show the world to the world." Both men will talk about how they make publishing work around their webs of international contributors. 8. The Ten Creative Commandments There are actually 613 commandments, but most of the time the more religious among us get by remembering just ten. Vivid Idea's website, similarly, lists only eight sessions of Ten Creative Commandments. But even eight seem like plenty when your being mandated to check out changing cities, commercial collaboration, science communication, better living through design, social networking, open sourcing, government policy makers and the internet of things. In every day life, even religious people can find they need to pick and choose. So, one or eight, you're sure to find the creative direction that works for you. 9. The Heart of Redfern Redfern's getting ready to play host to another mix of light, performance and drama as the suburb gears up to film another series of Redfern Now. Around the same time that the shooting gets going, the Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance — the union that bravely mixes entertainers and journalists — throws open the doors to its Redfern digs for the Heart of Redfern. It's a night light, dance and music focused on the history of the suburb. It's a rare chance to see inside the building without joining up and an excuse for another night out around this already-these-days bustling suburb. The night is free, but you'll need to RSVP first. 10. Making of … Vivid Ideas is a festival that likes to take you behind the scenes. And the Making of… series is its strongest foray into the world behind the creative curtain. Six evenings explains the ins and outs of things we take for granted as consumers, but which complicate the head when they move from something to consume to a thing needing to be made. See behind the scenes of putting together some animation, a little song production, both mobile and blockbuster games, a bit of transformative theatre and even futuristic sensor-based performance. And then try to make it all yourself after. Reportage festival section by Nishan David. Digital City image by Warren Armstrong. Guitar image by Feliciano Guimaraes. Reportage image by David Burnett (Contact Press Images), from his work, ‘44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World'.
The stunning beaches of New South Wales get more distinct as you get to know them better. While Bondi is buzzy and Manly is family-friendly, Coogee Beach is known for its laidback and local feel. From morning snorkels or swims in serene water to coastal walks dotted with effortlessly stylish spots, there's an easygoing charm to the seaside suburb. In December, InterContinental Coogee Beach will land right on the oceanfront. Decked out in soft whites and gentle textures, the hotel invites the surf and sand of Coogee into the interior with floor-to-ceiling windows, open-plan spaces and wavy joinery that trace the shoreline. There are 198 minimalist guestrooms with boucle furnishings for guests to settle into, or take a cheeky upgrade to one of the 22 premium suites with extensions like outdoor baths and spacious lounges. One of the best feelings on vacation is when you're fresh out of the shower, sun-kissed and ravenous for dinner. At InterContinental Coogee Beach, swanky coastal dining is a given. British chef Rick Stein is opening his third and flagship venue at Coogee Beach (his other two Aussie outposts are Bannisters Port Stephens and Bannisters Mollymook, alongside various locations around England), where local produce pairs with the freshest catches. InterContinental is also bringing Shutters back to the shoreline. Formerly in Crowne Plaza, Coogee Beach regulars might be familiar with the restaurant's playful Mediterranean-inspired Australian menu. For the uninitiated, expect dishes like spiced Black Angus beef kofta, tomatoey trottole loaded with Moreton Bay bugs and a boozy tiramisu that swaps espresso for espresso martinis. In March 2026, InterContinental will unveil the second phase of its opening: an amenities-packed leisure deck. They include an infinity pool with a poolside bar, a breezy day spa and the members-only Club InterContinental lounge where breakfast, afternoon tea, snacky suppers and premium wine service are all on the house. For now, you can start your days with sunrise yoga, a pickleball sesh. or a slow breakfast in bed overlooking at the ocean. Images supplied
As fans of whodunnits on the page, stage and screen know, anything can and often does go wrong in sleuthing tales. Usually, however, the antics remain in the story. That's not the case in The Play That Goes Wrong, as its title indicates — and as theatre audiences have enjoyed for over a decade, watching what happens when The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society endeavours to put on a murder-mystery, then chaos ensues. When the production premiered in 2012 in London, it not only proved a hit but won Best New Comedy at the Laurence Olivier Awards. It's also still treading the boards in the UK, making it West End's current longest-running comedy. For its first Broadway season, it also nabbed a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play. The Play That Goes Wrong has made its way Down Under before, too, but audiences will have another chance to catch it locally when it tours Australia again in 2025. Sydney Opera House is hosting the show's first — and longest — Aussie stop from Thursday, June 19–Sunday, August 3. The plot: when The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society give the whodunnit genre a spin, telling the tale of a murder at a country manor and the quest to find the perpetrator, making it through the show becomes an accident-filled challenge. Since its debut over a decade ago, The Play That Goes Wrong has been seen by more than 4.2-million people worldwide — in 49 countries — and given 3500-plus performances at West End's Duchess Theatre alone. Another tidbit: also in West End, members of The Drama Society have been hit more than 125,545 times, sometimes by objects and sometimes by each other. Images: original West End cast, Robert Day.
Did you know that over 1300 native plants are threatened or at risk of extinction? 1800 Tequila is highlighting this trend at The Greenhouse Bar by 1800 Tequila – The Bar Devoted to Biodiversity. The part bar, greenhouse and art installation is popping up in Sydney for one weekend only — from Friday, October 20, until Sunday, October 22. Guests will enjoy bespoke cocktails made with Aussie botanicals, a cheese platter and a small gift. This is a celebration of Australian botanicals — their diversity and fragility, as well as their place in cocktails. It is the latest conservation-focused event from the tequila brand after The Bar Saved From Landfill in 2022. Botanicals are integral to crafting distinctive flavours and aromas. Without them, many of the cocktails we know and love would not exist. We are fortunate to have access to some of the world's most unique botanicals in our native plants. Research from 1800 Tequila says that three in five Aussies are unaware Australia is facing a significant biodiversity decline. It's up to us to educate ourselves on how to conserve these precious native plants. Guests will receive four cocktails made with native botanicals — sip on a margarita spritz with lemon myrtle, garnished with saltbush air (sounds mysterious!). There's also an iced vovo punch with strawberry gum, an 1800 negroni with wattleseed bitter and lilly pilly vermouth, garnished with yellow kangaroo paw; and smoked bee pollen old fashioned, smoked with paper bark. Tickets to each session cost $25. 1800 Tequila will donate 100% of bar ticket sales to its charity partner, Botanic Gardens of Sydney and its Rainforest Seed Conservation Project. The Greenhouse Bar is taking place at The Elston Room, Carriageworks, from 20–22 October, with pre-booked sessions from 2.30pm until the last seating of the day at 7pm. Tickets are available to book now via the website.
Liam Neeson is back, along with a very particular set of skills that he'll use to separate film-goers from their money. The third film in the Luc Besson-produced action series, Taken 3 once again sees ex-special forces operative Bryan Mills wreak havoc on a group of Eastern European gangsters, all in the name of protecting his wife and daughter. To their minimal credit, screenwriters Besson and Robert Mark Kamen at least try to break the mould a little, inasmuch as Taken 3 doesn't feel like a carbon copy of the original as the second movie did. Even so, there's no forgiving their tin-eared dialogue and wafer-thin storyline, not to mention the fact that director Olivier Megaton still doesn't know how to frame or edit an action scene. Not that that last point necessarily matters as much as you'd think, given that, for what is supposedly an action movie, Taken 3 contains very little action. Most of the first act is instead dedicated to Mills bumbling through a series of family problems, first botching a birthday gift to his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) and then providing marriage counselling to his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Jensen), whose marriage to rich dickhead Stuart (Dougray Scott) is on the rocks. Say what you will about his skull-shattering prowess; as an actual father and husband, this guy kind of blows. Luckily, he doesn't have to worry about that for long, because before you can say "cheap plot device", someone comes along and cuts Lenore's throat. Even worse, they frame poor old Bryan for the murder. The rest of film sees him running around Los Angeles in pursuit of the actual killers, while at the same time avoiding capture by LAPD Detective Franck Dotzler (Forest Whitaker) — a cop whose habit of constantly fiddling with a chess piece is meant to paint him as some kind of eccentric investigative genius, despite the fact that he basically spends the whole movie at least three steps behind his suspect. Of course stupid and/or lazy writing wouldn't be so much of a problem if the film supplied us with decent action — after all, just look at John Wick. Yet despite this being Megaton's fifth time behind the wheel of a shoot-'em-up actioner, his execution of the film's chase and shootout sequences can only be described as incompetent. Flailing handheld camerawork, frantic over-editing and claustrophobic close-ups make it basically impossible to distinguish Miles from his enemies, or to decipher the geography of a given scene. It's ugly, frustrating and totally lacking in tension, and makes the film’s scant 93-minute runtime feel a good fifteen minutes too long.
Praise be to science, the invisible threads that make sense of our nonsensical existence. From the cosmic majesty of astronomy to the life-saving arts of medicine, we owe a great deal to science. And, while we all spend our lives surrounded by it, let's not take it for granted. Science and the experts who champion it deserve to be celebrated — and that's exactly what happens at events like the World Science Festival Brisbane. This annual event series, taking place between Friday, March 15 and Sunday, March 24, puts the top experts from every field front and centre to talk about the wonders and mysteries of science, both the fun and important kinds. With the 2024 iteration of the World Science Festival just around the corner, here are eight events we are not going to miss. 'An Afternoon of Science' with Leigh Sales, Annabel Crabb and guests — Saturday, March 23 If there are two hosts suited to lead a discussion about the all-encompassing joys and wonders of all things scientific, it's these two entertaining, intelligent women. Leigh Sales needs no introduction; anyone who has paid attention to the news in Australia in the past ten years will recognise her and that oh-so-familiar ABC anchor voice. Joining her is an equally influential name in media, commentary and creativity: Annabel Crabb. Together, the two of them host a much-loved podcast and have recently co-authored a book, but for WSFB they'll lead a conversation with some yet-to-be-announced special guests about everything exciting happening in science. Buy tickets now. 'ADA' by Karina Smigla-Bobinski — Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 24 For something interactive, it's worth considering Curiocity Brisbane and its range of artworks running alongside WSFB 2024. Chief among them is an interactive piece titled ADA at the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank. On the surface, it's a white room containing a floating plastic orb, an orb that bears several charcoal sticks and an open encouragement for visitors to push it around as they please. The idea of the piece is more nuanced. In giving it a nudge, you contribute to the growing web of markings on the walls, ceiling and floor as the orb moves around the room. It's a lovely callback to the earliest form of human communication: drawing on the walls. It's also a tribute by German artist Karina Smigla-Bobinski to Ada Lovelace, a visionary figure in early computing. Buy tickets now. 'Cultivating the Future of Food' with Rhianna Patrick and guests — Thursday, March 22 As entertaining as a floating orb of charcoal pencils is, it's not exactly something that the future of humanity depends on. A much more significant subject in that realm of interest is the issue of food; rather, the increasing risk of food shortages in a future shaped by climate change. That's the issue on hand for this panel of experts, led by Torres Strait Islander journalist and broadcaster Rhianna Patrick. The First Nations people of Australia (and the world) have championed sustainable food practices since the dawn of civilisation so what can we take from that knowledge and apply to the future? Patrick and her guests, Suzanne Thompson and Madonna Thompson, will lead an insightful discussion to address that question. Buy tickets now. 'The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's History' — March 15 to March 24 One of the most popular destinations during WSFB is the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, famous for its immersive dome cinema. This year, the starring show is a movie-length visual presentation on the huge dome screen, one that charts 140,000 years of Australian natural and cultural history. To explore that history, audiences will be transported to four locations across the country: Girraween Lagoon on Larrakia and Wulna Country near Darwin; Cloggs Cave on GunaiKurnai Country in Victoria's Gippsland region; Lake Mungo in NSW on the land of the Barkandji/Paakantyi, Ngiyampaa and Mutthi Mutthi people; and Jiigurru (Lizard Island) on the Great Barrier Reef, which is sacred to many, including the Dingaal people. Buy tickets now. 'Night of the Nerds' — Saturday, March 23 'Night of the Nerds' is a WSFB tradition, regularly adding a splash of hilarity to the festival program. In essence, it's a quiz show starring Aussie comedians and scientists putting their combined knowledge to the test. Hosted by whip-smart comedian Mark Humphries, two teams will enter but only one can be crowned nerds supreme. The games will star Chaser comedian Craig Reucassel, broadcaster Nate Byrne and astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, Professor Paul Young, Dr Naomi Koh Belic and more. The night will also feature a band comprised of Brisbane music luminaries like The Grates' Patience Hodgson, Velociraptor's Georgie Browning, Ball Park Music's Jen Boyce and Paul Furness, and Simi Lacroix. Buy tickets now. 'Social Science' — Friday, March 22 Another WSFB favourite, 'Social Science', is an after-dark transformation of the Queensland Museum into a space of celebration where art and science become one. Grab a science-themed cocktail from the bar and explore the museum to find one of the many free workshops and activities scattered across level two of the museum. Explore and you'll find a fashion show, live podcast recording, a drag show, live painting, an insect-pinning workshop, multiple dancefloors and after-dark entry to two of the museum's most popular exhibits: The Hatchery and Jurassic World by Brickman®. Buy tickets now. 'Life on Mars' with Graham Phillips and guests — Friday, March 22 For as long as humans have existed, we've been fascinated by the night sky. How could we not be? That beautiful mosaic has enchanted and inspired us, and as technology has taken us higher, we've started to explore it more and more. In this expert-led panel, astrophysicist and science journalist Graham Phillips will lead a conversation about the mysteries of the universe as we know them in 2024. Joining him will be Professor Tamara Davis, an accomplished astrophysicist who will share her knowledge on dark energy and the continuing expansion of the universe; Professor Kathleen Campbell, a leading expert on astrobiology who can offer insights on the ongoing search for alien life — and finally Professor Martin Van Kranendonk, an expert in early Earth research and how that can help us explore our solar system. Buy tickets now. 'Space Rocks to Moon Rocks: Paths to Life in the Solar System' — Saturday, March 23 If the solar system and the mysteries of the universe is exactly your kind of jam, then this is the unmissable event for you. Over the past few years, NASA has been set on answering fundamental questions like how our solar system came to be, how life on earth was sparked, and more. To do so, three famous missions were launched: Osiris Rex, Artemis and Perseverance Rover. What samples of the universe have these expeditions sent home? What can we learn? Discussing these questions and what this means for our many questions will be a panel made up of Professor Brian Greene, astrobiologist David Flannery and planetary researcher Phil Bland, three experts who together will do their best to chart the story of our planetary neighbourhood. Buy tickets now. World Science Festival Brisbane runs from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 24. For more information or to book tickets to one of the events, visit the website.
An artist turned filmmaker, Julian Schnabel largely specialises in films about visionary artists, however he can't be accused of settling into a comfortable niche. Whether he's focusing on American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat in Basquiat, exploring the life of Cuban poet and playwright Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls, or examining the experiences of French writer Jean-Dominique Bauby in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Schnabel does more than present straightforward biographical dramas. Rather, his pictures are dedicated to channelling their subject's mindsets with every stylistic touch — to steeping viewers in each real-life figure's perspective as deeply and immersively as possible. There's no formula at play, just an unflinching dedication to capturing each artist's essence. And with the writer-director turning his attention to Vincent van Gogh, At Eternity's Gate hits the mark perfectly. To many, van Gogh's name inspires three well-known details: his Sunflowers still-life paintings, the moody blue swirls of The Starry Night and the liberation of his ear from his head by his own hand. All three rate a mention in At Eternity's Gate, though they're hardly the most crucial aspects of the film. With Willem Dafoe plays the artist with urgent, revelatory intensity (and earning a much-deserved Academy Award nomination for his troubles), Schnabel seeks to understand rather than faithfully chronicle. As written with Jean-Claude Carrière and co-editor Louise Kugelberg, his movie happily draws upon not only van Gogh's personal letters, but on fiction, myths and speculation, including about the artist's death. A suitably post-impressionist portrait of the iconic Dutch post-impressionist, At Eternity's Gate recounts van Gogh's final years — a period of challenge, pain and immense productivity. Feeling adrift in the Parisian art scene, where galleries remain uninterested and his art-dealer brother Theo (Rupert Friend) can't sell his work, van Gogh decamps to the French town of Arles upon the advice of fellow artist Paul Gauguin (Oscar Isaac). But if van Gogh hovered on the fringes of his chosen community in the city, he's an outright pariah in his new small-town setting, with his drinking, temper-driven outbursts and psychological unravelling grating against the locals. While Theo arranges for Gaugin to join his sibling's sojourn, the solace of good company proves merely a temporary fix to van Gogh's inner woes. It would've been a revolutionary move, but Schnabel could've trained the camera solely at Dafoe for At Eternity's Gate's entire running time, and he still would've crafted an exceptional film. There's such power to the actor's performance — the power that springs not from force, or from seeing every ounce of effort, but from so convincingly stepping into someone else's shoes. van Gogh's work has always seethed with both passion and fragility. In every stroke, even in his most striking compositions, it seems as if he's feverishly exorcising the visions that are haunting his mind. In the movie's finest accomplishment, its commanding leading man gives flesh, heart and soul to that sensation. Although Isaac is memorable as Gauguin, and both Mathieu Amalric and Mads Mikkelsen make an impression as a doctor and a priest, respectively, Dafoe conveys both the emotional delicacy and the damning turmoil that made van Gogh who he was — and made his art so astonishing. Of course, Schnabel doesn't just train the camera at his star, and his film is all the better for it. How the filmmaker composes At Eternity's Gate's frames is as important as what's within them, with cinematographer Benoît Delhomme wielding the lens almost as if it's a paintbrush. There's rarely a still moment, with the image swirling, roaming and playing with focus in the same way that van Gogh's artwork does. The movie also borrows the artist's use of colour, particularly when gazing upon the French landscapes that he frequently committed to canvas. And yet, Schnabel never forgets that film is an audio-visual medium. His potent visuals say plenty about his complicated subject, but so does his layered soundscape. Staring into Dafoe's penetrating blue eyes, peering at every fleck of dirt and grass that marked van Gogh's life, and marvelling at the painter's pieces only feels complete when the artist's words float like the wind — and when the wind itself conjures up his deep-seated struggle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcPLAz1LG1U
Commuters heading into work by train this morning should prepare for their trip to take a bit longer than usual, with a train derailment at Circular Quay causing major delays across the network. The maintenance train derailed around 5.30am on Tuesday, March 3, between Circular Quay and Wynyard stations, and repair crews are currently on site. The three main lines impacted are the T2 Inner West and Leppington, T3 Bankstown, and T8 Airport and South Lines, which are all battling major delays. Services are only running one way on the City Circle, first stop Town Hall, and a limited number of buses are supplementing trains between Circular Quay and Central. The T8 Line also starts and terminates at Central and will not run around the City Circle. Commuters are being advised to allow plenty of extra travel time, especially if they're travelling to the airport, and to consider using local buses and the light rail as alternatives. https://twitter.com/T3SydneyTrains/status/1234570448228081664 The T1 North Shore is also experiencing delays because of a trespasser at Central Station earlier. https://twitter.com/T1SydneyTrains/status/1234566332659560448 Due to the flow-on effects of the derailment, the rest of the train network is also experiencing delays, with all passengers told to allow for extra travel time and to check their real-time apps as some services have altered their stopping patterns. To stay up-to-date with delays, check the Transport for NSW website and real-time apps.
We've spent heaps of time curating exclusive holiday packages for Concrete Playground Trips, but we're especially proud of this one. We teamed up with some of Auckland's biggest players in the food, music and culture scenes to bring you one epic luxury holiday experience in November. Guests will get VIP tickets to Spring City Music Festival headlined by Groove Armada, a one-of-a-kind private sommelier and chef lunch at Ahi Restaurant and a spectacular helicopter ride to Waiheke Island where you'll choose to do some gin or wine tastings. You have all these unique experiences organised for you as well as three nights at the five-star The Hotel Britomart on Auckland's harbour. 'Epic' only begins to describe this trip — and that's why numbers for this package are extremely limited. Read on to see why you should make your way to Auckland on November 26. SPRING CITY VIP ZONE Spring City Music Festival hits Auckland on Saturday, November 26. If you book our exclusive package on Concrete Playground Trips, you'll get express lane access into the festival, entry into the Spring City VIP tent, prime viewing to make the most of the festival, as well as access to the VIP bar. No lines, no portaloos and no crowds to navigate. This is a festival done differently. This year, for the festival's return, legendary dance music duo Groove Armada are headlining. You'll have the best reserved standing room to hear fan favourites like "Superstylin" and "At The River" and "Easy". There'll be plenty of other artists at Spring City too, with key performers still to be announced. CHARTERED HELICOPTER WINE OR GIN TASTING After a day of dancing, you'll head off on a helicopter ride across the scenic Hauraki Gulf. Once you've taken in these stunning surrounds, you'll touch down and be taken to your choice of locations – either a winery or gin distillery (choose your own adventure). Those who choose vino will be guided through the olive grove, down to the grape vines, for a unique tasting experience of the finest cabernet blends with the winemaker at Stonyridge Vineyard. You'll then dig into a delicious two-course lunch paired with wine at the restaurant overlooking the vines. Gin lovers are in for a real treat, too. You'll head to Waiheke Distilling Company to enjoy a bespoke distillery tour where you'll have the opportunity to learn, taste and explore Waiheke's hand-crafted spirits. Sample a range of internationally award-winning gins and vodkas, from the classic to the contemporary, with fresh botanicals being paramount. Top it all off with a delectable two-course lunch paired with wine at the cellar door. Both options are fab. Just choose your booze. AHI PRIVATE SOMMELIER AND CHEF LUNCH But wait, there's more. When creating this trip, we could think of no better restaurant to send you to than the famous Ahi. If you've seen A New Zealand Food Story then you'll already know the backstory behind the new downtown eatery. The eight-part online series follows acclaimed chef Ben Bayly and his team as they set out to discover what local cuisine is all about and where our produce comes from – the end goal being to create a truly unique New Zealand restaurant. And he did just that. The team serves up creative dishes with a strong sustainability ethos each and every day. And you are lucky enough to get a table for lunch. But it ain't just any table – we've reserved the best seats in the house. Expect a kitchen counter experience, with high stools perched right over the chefs working their magic. Indulge in a premium lunch tasting menu alongside world-class matched wines — all carefully selected and created to showcase the best of New Zealand's gourmet offerings. New Zealand's incredible gastronomy will be on full display. ACCOMMODATION We are also putting you up in The Hotel Britomart for three nights. This five-star hotel is one of New Zealand's finest accommodations, with the added bonus of being incredibly sustainable (it is New Zealand's only 5-Green Star hotel). Each of the 99 rooms is designed for tranquil escapism. Think of The Hotel Britomart like an opulent city retreat, lined in natural and sustainably sourced timber. Guest rooms all come with in-built sofas, hand-made ceramics and minibars full of locally sourced treats. Attention to detail is on point. It's the perfect place to return to, following day after day of extraordinary holiday experiences. Book your tickets now, by visiting Concrete Playground Trips.
Maybe G&Ts are your favourite tipple and, if you're sipping drinks at your favourite bar, you always have one within reach. Perhaps you've never found a vodka cocktail that you haven't loved, or you've made it your life's mission to try all the whiskies (yes, spanning both whisky and whiskey) that you can find. Or, you could simply like broadening your horizons when it comes to knocking back the good stuff, and supporting independent producers while you're at it. Since 2015, the boozing sipping party that is Indie Spirits Tasting has covered all of the above — and it's back in 2022 after a couple of pandemic-affected years. Move over, craft beer — at this east coast event, which'll return to Melbourne in May, Brisbane in July and Sydney in September, it's craft spirits' time to shine. Everyone has been to plenty of days dedicated to brews, brews and more brews, but this touring shindig is solely about all the whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, vermouth and mezcal you could ever want. More than 30 exhibitors and master distillers are on the bill, showcasing over 200 craft spirits. Clearly, your booze-loving tastebuds will be in heaven. As well as tasting away, attendees will also be able to chat to the folks behind the craft and independent tipples on offer, listen to talks on booze-related topics — Melbourne options include learning what it takes to start your own alcohol brand, celebrating Aussie whiskies and understanding all the different styles of gins — and buy bottles to take home with you. "We started the Indie Spirits Tasting events back in 2015 as a way for a few smaller distilleries and brands to be able to showcase their products to the trade," explains founder David Spanton. "Thanks to the enthusiasm of curious consumers who want to know about the latest bar and drinking trends and who are passionate about local and truly handmade craft products, the event has expanded to include both thirsty drinks enthusiasts and the bartenders that serve them." This year's events will feature brands such as Never Never Distilling Co, Poor Toms, Boat Rocker, Wolf Lane and Archie Rose, some of which will be pouring limited-edition tipples. And while the big focus is on homegrown spirits, a few international names will be on the bill as well — taking your tastebuds on a trip, including through French cognacs and American gins. INDIE SPIRITS TASTING 2022: Sunday, May 8 — The Craft & Co, Collingwood, Melbourne Sunday, July 17 — Lefty's Music Hall, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane Sunday, September 4 — Potts Point Hotel, Kings Cross, Sydney Indie Spirits Tasting starts its 2022 events in Melbourne in May, before heading to Brisbane in July and Sydney in September. For further information or to buy tickets, head to the Indie Spirits Tasting website.
In their stories and themes, Pixar often play in the same territory over and over. Generally, they take an object, animal or concept – say a toy, a fish or a car – and instill it with consciousness and emotion. And yet when it comes to visuals, they rarely do the same thing twice. Each new Pixar movie might feel somewhat similar, but they always look different. The Good Dinosaur, the animation studio's latest effort, demonstrates both extremes. "What if lumbering prehistoric creatures had feelings?" is the question the feature asks, then attempts to answer in heart-warming, lesson-learning fashion. A green, long-necked apatosaurus by the name of Arlo certainly has plenty, mostly of the melancholy variety. As a child (voiced by Jack McGraw), he's worried about his lack of size, strength and skill around the family farm, particularly in comparison to his bigger siblings. A few years later (now voiced by Raymond Ochoa), those self-doubts are put to the test when he wanders far from home and has to find his way back again. Director Peter Sohn (short film Partly Cloudy) and writer Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) take Arlo through well-worn territory — and not just for Pixar, but for many other animated movies about talking animals. Arlo is forced to face his fears, come of age and survive in the wild, with only a scampering, growling, primitive human boy, who he names Spot (Jack Bright), for company. They forge a connection despite having some initial troubles, and help each other through episodic encounters with other dinosaurs and creatures. Yes, it's a routine narrative, and it's mostly told as such, hitting all the expected beats. In fact, The Good Dinosaur is the kind of film that will cause your eyes to wander away from the main action — although given the artistry on display around the primary characters, that's a good thing. It's not often that the background proves more engaging than the figures at the centre of the frame, or that the direction makes sure you're noticing that peripheral beauty. Yet that's frequently the case here. The photorealistic details evident in images of fields, mountains, waterfalls, trees and other natural features are the real stars of the show, and provide the picture with a distinctive, eye-catching appearance. Of course, the film isn't without its other modest pleasures. For starters, there's its alternate timeline, one that sees dinosaurs not only roaming the planet long after an asteroid should've hit, but living an agrarian lifestyle. There are nods to the western genre, a brief but inventive hallucinatory sequence, and enjoyable voice-acting by Frances McDormand, Sam Elliott and Steve Zahn in smaller parts. Like the familiar story though, they simply pale in comparison to the splendour that surrounds them. Sure, the movie might be about a good dinosaur, but what it best serves up is great, gorgeous visuals.
Film fans — pack your picnics, pillows and insect repellent, and prepare to spend your summer evenings watching the big screen under the stars. From December 1, Moonlight Cinema returns for another season of great viewing, great weather (hopefully) and great food. Yep — here, all three go hand-in-hand. Kicking off in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide at the very start of the month, then heading to Perth from December 2 and Brisbane from December 7, the first part of this year's program — covering December and January — features 21 advanced screenings of movies yet to hit cinemas, 25 new releases and a heap of old favourites. The February and March lineup will be revealed early next year, but rest assured, there's something for all tastes on the current bill. If you're after an early glimpse at an exciting upcoming flick, then Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous monster romance The Shape of Water, the Greta Gerwig-directed Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the latest movie by In Bruges filmmaker Martin McDonagh, should all do nicely. Those who'd like to catch an openair session of efforts already screening in cinemas can pick from the likes of Justice League, Murder on the Orient Express, Detroit, Thor: Ragnarok, The Mountain Between Us and Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (once it's released on December 14). And, if you've got the urge for something retro, make a date with Love Actually, Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club or Back to the Future. Also featured are sneak peeks of everything from Pitch Perfect 3, to new Pixar animation Coco, to Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's The Post. Or, if you're a fan of Australian cinema, check out Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce reuniting post-Neighbours for Swinging Safari; the absolutely stunning new outback western Sweet Country; and what sounds like an Aussie-as comedy, The BBQ. Pairing your movie choice with something to eat and drink is all part of the fun, so BYO supplies (although bringing your own booze isn't allowed in Brisbane) or grab something tasty onsite. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2017-18 DATES: Sydney: December 1 – April 1 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: December 1 – April 1 (Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: December 7 – March 4 (New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse) Adelaide: December 1 – February 18 (Botanic Park) Perth: December 2 – April 1 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Moonlight Cinema's 2017-18 season starts screening around the country from December 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit moonlight.com.au.
An ideal summer arvo of sipping should be two things: refreshing and aesthetically pleasing. Whether it's a grassy backyard or sunshine-soaked dining room, lo-fi picnic or no-expense-spared soirée, there are more than a few ways to elevate your summer cocktail hour, be it for yourself or if you're inviting all your faves. Well versed in adding fizz and flavour to a party is CAPI, the family-owned and -run Victoria-based bev company that works creatively and passionately to deliver liquids that hit the mark on flavour with all natural ingredients and locally sourced water. Its latest release? Three summery cocktail mixers, bottled beautifully and only awaiting a few shots of your preferred liquor. With a ready-to-go cocktails in the fridge, your friends on the way (or the next chapter of your book at the ready) and some of these aesthetically pleasing recs locked down, your at-home cocktail hour will be a true summer delight. START WITH THE SIPS Your afternoon drinks menu is looking persuasive thanks to CAPI's new cocktail mixers. A charred pineapple daiquiri, perhaps? With the tropical sweetness balanced with slightly charred caramel notes and the cocktail's signature squeeze of lime, all there's room for is ice, rum and summer thirst. Can't go past a marg? We get it. But when you're leaning into an arvo with good company, you don't want to be hitting pause on the fun to shake your libation. This margarita mix is almost certainly lower in sugar than your local's pour, and combines Aussie limes, a lick of orange and the sweet kick of agave. Like it hot? The best people do. The spicy watermelon margarita mix beckons for your bottle of tequila, slices of the melon alongside and a chilli-salted rim. Each eight-serve bottle is a fully recyclable (like each and every item in CAPI's lineup of more than 20), but that's just the start of the brand's sustainability specs: bottles are freighted aboard mostly electric vehicles, are made from a minimum of 40% recycled glass (and are then 100% recyclable) and the company partners exclusively with freight providers who are committed to reducing carbon emissions — we're into it. SERVE UP WITH A SIDE OF COLOUR Don't think properly plating up changes the flavour of your food? Well, it certainly doesn't hurt. This is something the glassware gurus at Fazeek can attest to. Its range is bright, bold, architectural and a treat to look at (and dine off). For a lo-fi touch, pre-prepare your cocktail of choice and house it in the Vice Versa Carafe, then nab the Pearl Platter and pile it high with pickled veggies, a hunk of hard cheese and some rough-cut focaccia. Serve a salad in style and grab some of the delightfully different vessels — think rippled coupes or highballs — in differing shades. Expecting to host well into the night? Keep it bright with these striped candles and structured holders, and lean back to enjoy the golden glow of a balmy summer evening. [caption id="attachment_878061" align="alignnone" width="1918"] Javi Trapero[/caption] SNACK SENSIBLY We're calling it, it's going to be the summer of snacks: the salty and delicious gilda (pictured above) is finding its way onto many a menu, we're looking to long share-style meals that allow us to try it all and our tendency to finish a weekend with a pot-luck picnic is a nice tag-along to daylight savings. If you've got guests, ensure you're all fuelled by requesting they bring a plate of bite-sized morsels. Suggest the aforementioned gildas, a briny pintxo classic that sees an olive meet the salty hit of an anchovy and a pickled pepper. Or take the reins and grab your jarred goods, skewers and a funky plate, and lean in to the Mediterranean art of grazing away the daylight hours. Crusty bread alongside is a non-negotiable. [caption id="attachment_877977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @handsshopau[/caption] ADORN YOUR TABLE Flirty and fruity — everything you want your cocktail arvo to be. After you get one of your five-a-day from your cocktail, get another from your table accessories. This woven pear placemat is an attention-demanding balance of on-trend and kitsch. Grab enough for all and set your table, or nab just one and use it at centrepiece. There are crabs and cakes, yellow pears and apples — all available from the cuter-than-cute Hands Shop, which brings the wares of local and international makers to Newtown's Australia Street. [caption id="attachment_878038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @kane_lehanneur[/caption] CREATE SHADE No one has the time (or desire) for burnt skin, so ensure you've got pockets of shade while you while away your arvo. If you're outside, opt for an expertly, sturdily crafted — and delightfully artful — umbrella. This one sees Basil Bangs join forces with Kane Lehanneur, the Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist known for his fluid, large-scale floral works. Lehanneur created the print exclusively for the shade-slinging Northern Beaches brand, delivering an aesthetically pleasing way to dodge the rays with a cocktail in hand. CURATE SOME BOPS Last yet absolutely not least, you'll want to elevate the vibes of your summer sipping with a playlist chock-full of bouncy beats. If you're looking for a goodie, wrap your ears around funk-lords Groove Therapy's Mood Booster playlist. Or if you're after something slightly more ambient (with some dancy undertones), chuck on Spotify's Pollen playlist for guaranteed good vibes. Take your summer sips to the next level with CAPI cocktail mixers. Head to the website to have your bottles delivered, or find them in your nearest Dan Murphy's or Coles.
Often, the best summer getaways are the ones you don't spend months planning. It's when you spot a cheap airfare and simply go ahead and book flights, or you say yes to joining your mates on a last-minute road trip — free of all the back and forth on Whatsapp. Whatever the case, there's nothing quite like an impromptu adventure. But, one of the key things you shouldn't rush is what to pack. Arriving at that out-of-town cabin without a bottle of wine, or a set of headphones, can really put a dampener on things. We've teamed up with Sunglass Hut to bring you an essential list of what to chuck in your bag before you hit the road. We've covered all bases, from keeping you safe in the sun, to maximising your fun times. Keep one of these six goodies in your bag or car and you'll be half way to a cracking getaway. PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS Summer isn't summer without a super-relaxing soundtrack. Whether you're hanging in your hotel room or hitting a private beach, you don't want to have to hide the party in your headphones. So, throw a portable bluetooth speaker in your bag and you'll be ready to rock out wherever you go. And, if you're planning lots of sand, surf and swimming, make sure it's water resistant. Ticking all these boxes – while providing top-notch sound and weighing just 540 grams – is the Bose SoundLink Color II. It's also pretty tough because of its silicone covering, which comes in a range of colours. LIGHTWEIGHT, SAND-PROOF TOWEL Gone are the days when your travel pack has to weighed down by a wet, sandy towel. Thanks to advancements in materials technology and ambitious entrepreneurs, there's now a bunch of lightweight, yet effective, alternatives. Chances are your Instagram feed is already flooded with turkish towels, famous for their social media-friendly colours and prints. Also worth considering is the sand-proof towel. Our pick is Tesalate. The full-sized beach towels start from $79 and they can absorb over one litre of water, but still fit neatly into your bag. But the truly impressive part is that it repels sand, so you don't have to worry about taking half the beach home with you when you leave. GIANT (OR TRAVEL-SIZED) JENGA With a lot of laying in bed and even more lounging around by the pool to do, you'll need some inspiration to get moving. So, why not include a pack of giant jenga on your list? If you're travelling by vehicle, and have plenty of space, this Giant Jumbling Tower from Sunnylife ($69.95) will do the trick. If you're flying, and running out of kilos, go for the nifty travel version ($19.95). Jenga not your thing? How about pick up sticks ($9.95 — also available in a backpack-friendly edition) or an old-fashioned four-in-one ($19.95), which includes cards, dominoes and dice? PARASOL Want to avoid sunburn, but don't want to cover up your beautiful face with a hat? Shelter from the sun with a parasol — an umbrella, but for the sun. In fact, parasols are much, much older than the umbrella; the earliest known parasols date all the way back to ancient Egypt and ancient China. And, in the 18th and 19th centuries, they were a crucial element of any serious fashionista's get-up. But, if you're looking for a more modern version, you might consider Sunbella, a parasol developed by Australian mother and daughter duo Jillian and Casey. The Coast Sun Parasol, pictured, is $54.95. SUNNIES Of course, you want to look good while you're on your holidays, and you can't go wrong with a pair of designer sunnies. If you want to try on a stack without having to travel from store to store, then Sunglass Hut is the place to go. Look out for Persol, which takes its name from "per il sole", which means "for the sun". Pictured above are the Persol polarised lenses for $390. Also winning a lot of love this summer is Versace, with its classic and elegant unisex designs. For a bold look, with just the right amount of bling in the form of Versace's medusa, check out the VE4376B ($379.95). WATERMELON KEGGING KIT Can't fit an entire keg into your break bag? Fret not. Invest in a kegging kit instead, and, when you get to your destination, pick up a watermelon (or similar fruit). Slice said fruit, so it can stand up on a flat surface, remove the flesh so you have a hollow cavity, fit the tap, then fill with your beverage of choice — may we suggest the Watermelon Smash Sour Beer by Stomping Ground or Serpents Kiss Watermelon Pilsner by Grifter Brewing Comany. And voila! You're ready to drink in style. The watermelon kegging kit is available at Peter's of Kensington stores for $16, and it comes with everything you need — except watermelon and booze. Face your summer head on with new shades from Sunglass Hut. Top image: Cristofer Jeschke.
Adding to the wave of exciting new venues that seem to just keep popping up in Potts Point, a lavish wine bar and tapas restaurant has just arrived on Kellett Street from accomplished hospitality group Milpa Collective. The team behind crowd-pleasing Mexican restaurants like Carbon and Calita and more lavish spots like Londres 126 has ventured away from its usual Mexican fare with Bar Lucia, shifting its focus to Spanish eats and female-led wineries. Opening just in time for Valentine's Day, the space has been given a sleek, romantic fit-out featuring candelabras and a cluster of moody oil paintings across the wall. "It will be the next 'pop in for a glass of wine' hot spot, the perfect date location, dinner with friends, long ladies lunch or 'settle in the for the evening' cosy wine bar," Milpa Collective co-founders Pablo Galindo and Liber Osorio say. Bar Lucia's Head Sommelier Kasia Sobiesiak is a wine educator and has a Master's in environmental engineering. Through this wealth of knowledge, she's pulled together a considered and varied wine program featuring more than 50 drops ranging from classic varietals to innovative winemakers. The equally varied by-the-glass list features vino almost exclusively made by women and has a strong local focus. "Promoting female winemakers and supporting local wine regions is a priority for me," Sobiesiak says. "I like to foster a balance between fine, modern classics and artisan and low-intervention leads." Head Chef Alberto Palacios has created a menu inspired by the tapas bars of Spain executed with top local Australian produce and is designed to pair with whatever wine your heart desires. Bar Lucia has 'bar' in its name, so while you can pop in just for drinks don't be surprised if you're convinced to grab a bite of roast scallops with saffron butter, jamon serrano croqueta or Catalan-style cannelloni. The indoor courtyard boasts a glass roof and atrium-style design, making it a crowd-pleasing, weather-proof spot for your next get-together. And rounding out the space is a sun-soaked private dining room for any special occasions you might have on the horizon. Bar Lucia is located at 5 Kellett Street, Potts Point. It's open 5pm–midnight Tuesday–Thursday, midday–1am Friday–Saturday and midday–10pm Sunday. Images: Kitti Gould
Leaping from the screen to the stage in 2018, Mean Girls not only found a second life in the theatre, but did so with singing and dancing. Unsurprisingly, the production was a hit. With the musical's book written by Tina Fey, its tunes composed by her husband Jeff Richmond and its lyrics by Tony-nominee Nell Benjamin, the machinations of high-school cliques struck just as much of a chord with audiences when set to songs — and given that the show's tracks have highly appropriate names such as 'Meet the Plastics', 'World Burn' and 'Here (You Can Sit with Us)', that's to be expected. Also easy to predict: the musical's next leap, with Cady Heron's tale heading back to the cinema. No need to stress if you haven't seen the all-singing, all-dancing Mean Girls on Broadway, because a film version will soon be brightening up a picture palace near you. When the movie adaptation screens on a Wednesday, you'll want to wear pink. And, like the Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams-starring original film, as well as the stage musical that followed, you'll be basking in Fey's talents. She wrote the initial feature's screenplay and, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, she's now producing this new movie musical. So is Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels, although no other creatives — or cast, or a release date — have been announced. The story will stay the same, obviously, charting Cady's rough adjustment to American high-school life after spending the bulk of her childhood living in Africa — and her time spent with the resident popular clique, known as 'the Plastics'. If you're wondering how it all works as a musical, check out a clip from the stage show below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGmgEoOF7Gs Via The Hollywood Reporter.
This year has seen Sydney's beaches closed for a multitude of reasons. Bondi temporarily shut when beachgoers flouted gathering restrictions back in March. Then beaches across the city closed as restrictions tightened. In May, an overboard shipping container saw Randwick City Council's beaches flooded with face masks and plastic containers. Now, on the Labour Day long weekend, another Sydney beach has closed — but it's got nothing to do with COVID-19. On Saturday, October 3, Murray Rose Pool (FKA Redleaf) was evacuated due to concerns about contaminated water. In a statement on social media, Woollahra Council said the beach would be closed for the rest of the long weekend "due to a sewage issue". Sydney Water expanded on the specifics of the issue in a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald, saying "A blockage in a public toilet wastewater line operated by Woollahra Municipal Council caused a wastewater overflow this morning in Double Bay." https://www.facebook.com/WhatsOnWaverley/photos/a.110321562354040/3596156633770498 Further east in Bronte, The Bogey Hole at the southern end of the beach was also closed on Saturday due to a sewage issue and will remain closed for the entire long weekend, according to a statement from Waverley Council. With the mercury hovering in the high 20s across the long weekend, some sandy spots across the city have reached capacity, too. NSW National Parks and Services started turning around cars at 9.33am when Wattamolla hit peak vehicle capacity and Camp Cove was full at 11.50am on Monday, October 5. When you do head to a beach, remember to follow NSW gathering limits and to practise social-distancing when possible. You can check out all the current COVID-19 restrictions over here. Murray Rose Pool (Redleaf) and The Bogey Hole at Bronte Beach will remain closed for the rest of the long weekend. Image: Flickr
Like much of Sydney, RSPCA NSW's shelters closed to the public during lockdown. Instead, the animal-rescue centres launched a completely online adoption process. But now that the Sydney has reopened, RSPCA NSW is doing the same — in excellent news for anyone who'd like to help a furry or feathered creature find a home. From today, Tuesday, October 26, centres across the state are reopening to the public — as long as you've been double-vaccinated. While more of us are still working from home and practising social distancing (and increasingly wanting a four-legged friend as a comforting companion), the RSPCA is encouraging Australians to adopt. So, if you've been thinking about adding a pet to your fam (and have considered it thoroughly), now might just be the time. The online adoption form is still a part of the process, however, and it's recommended that you search the RSPCA NSW website for available animals as your first step. From there, you're asked to still fill out the online form, and then wait to be contacted by RSPCA staff, who'll book in a meet-and-greet appointment for you and your possible bundle of fluff at the shelter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RSPCA NSW (@rspcansw) Across NSW, there are hundreds of animals that need a new home full of love and pats. There's more to pet adoption — and to foster care, if that's the route that'll best work for you — than overdosing on cuteness, of course. Making the commitment to care for an animal is serious business. For further information, read RSPCA's FAQs. For details about adopting animals, head to the RSPCA NSW website.
The historic Abercrombie Hotel has suffered "sufficient damage" as the result of a suspicious fire early this morning. Emergency services were called to the pub around 2.40am to find the ground floor of the building engulfed in flames. Firefighters successfully doused the fire, but not before it could wreak havoc on the ground floor; the upper levels were also left with smoke and water damage, according to police. Police established a crime scene at the corner of Broadway and Abercrombie Streets and are reportedly treating the fire as suspicious. Gas bottles, fuel containers, and a sledgehammer were recovered from inside the pub. Despite this morning's reports from the SMH, part-owner Jaime Wirth told Concrete Playground that his pub maintains no connections to nightclub boss John Ibrahim. "The only details I have about the fire are from the SMH at this stage. I'm in Bali and have just woken up to it," said Wirth. "The Abercrombie has no links to John Ibrahim, and we have asked these false reports be removed." The Abercrombie was once a popular live music venue, until it closed its doors in January 2010 in order to make room for commercial construction. In July, it was announced that the pub would reopen. Now a popular uni student hangout, the Abercrombie was originally established to serve local Carlton United Brewery labourers in the once-industrial neighbourhood.
“We must rediscover”, wrote Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich, “the distinction between hope and expectation”. Jurassic World may now offer us that opportunity. Back in April, hopes were high that this would finally be the film to return the franchise to greatness, however — to paraphrase The Dark Knight — this is not the film we’d hoped for, but the one we should have expected. Why is it a giant disappointasaurus? Let us count the ways. IT’S ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATED So, there’s a revolutionary dinosaur preserve on an island off Costa Rica. Two young children, relatives of the park’s chief administrator, visit and receive a VIP tour, only for an enormous dinosaur to escape its pen, trash the kids’ glass-roofed transport and begin killing park employees. The park’s innovators, InGen, only make matters worse, but, thankfully, there’s an old-school expert on hand to keep the kids alive, even when they're circled by three ravenous raptors in the climatic finale that sees a T-Rex come to the rescue right in the heart of the Visitor Centre. Don’t know which Jurassic film we're talking about? Exactly. SAFETY FIRST, PEOPLE In 1992 John Hammond tried to open Jurassic Park, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. His son tried again a few years later, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. Couple of years after that, Sam Neil went back to the islands and again, people died. It was very unfortunate. Point is: if you're somehow convinced that 'fourth time's a charm', you begin by ensuring that every single design aspect of your dinosaur theme park is grounded in the knowledge that things could go wrong and people might die. Now, I'm no structural engineer, but for me that at least means having: a. A bunker capable of securing every person on the island within minutes; and b. enough transportation off the island for every person who's on it. 'Lifeboats on the Titanic', and all that. Unfortunately, in Jurassic World, the definitive emergency protocol involves: keeping things quiet (because, money), having inexperienced teenagers herd everyone into an open-air Visitor Complex alongside the two largest dinosaurs on the island and then calling for a moderate-sized ferry to crawl back over from Costa Rica to pick up some of the people. SHE’LL BE RIGHT Early on in Jurassic World we hear the park’s operations manager, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), complain that “this is the second time this month” that a dinosaur has breached its security perimeter, before dispatching a team to quietly fix it up. The second time. In a month. The fact that it was a herbivore is entirely irrelevant. Even if it had been nothing more than a prehistoric butterfly or an aggressively-growing shrub, you'd shut that entire park down in a heartbeat until there were no security breaches. Ever. The logic failings of Jurassic World are so glaring from so early on that you basically want everyone to die just to punish them for unbelievable stupidity. RECEPTION! RECEPTION! MY KINGDOM FOR RECEPTION! You know what would be a great twist in a movie? Someone whipping out their mobile phone and it having perfectly good reception. Sadly, though, for both the visitors and staff of Jurassic World, despite being in a state-of-the-art theme park that literally lets you ride glass orbs through herds of genetically engineered dinosaurs one full decade into the scientific era of ‘de-extinction’, nobody's yet figured out how to put a cell tower on top of a tall hill. WHO? 1993’s Jurassic Park was full of wonderfully crafted, three-dimensional characters whose names we still recall more than two decades later. John Hammond, Doctors Grant and Sattler, Ian Malcolm, Dennis Nedry, Timmy and Lex — heck, we even remember the names of the dinosaurs (did someone say dilophosaurus?). They’re all still memorable because of their distinct personalities and carefully selected attributes, both human and reptile. Lex knew UNIX. She knew UNIX. Jurassic World, by contrast, is more like the Star Wars prequels in that you refer to characters like you were giving police a vague description of the gang that mugged you. “Well, um, there’s the uptight redhead who never takes her heels off, her assistant (she’s British, I remember that she was British), the rich guy who was semi-charismatic, but then just died, those two kids (the younger one seemed to know some stuff about DNA but it never amounted to anything, so...), oh, and the hero! He was kinda cool, but we never really got to know what he wanted or desired, so he just sort of... stayed cool and did cool things”. Sorry folks, the only character you’re going to feel anything for in this film is a dying Apatosaurus. That indistinct gang stole your $20 and you’re never getting it back. KNOW YOUR STARS The stars of Jurassic Park were the dinosaurs, specifically the T-Rex and the velociraptors. All those memorable humans listed above — their excellent performances notwithstanding — were in supporting roles and that suited everyone just fine. In Jurassic World, there are at least loads of dinosaurs, including two fantastic new editions: the mosasaurus (a giant shark-eating sea creature) and the terrifying hybrid known as the ‘Indominus Rex’. The problem is, we see the Mosa the leasta, and the Indominus, despite sporting some amazing features like camouflage, scarcely uses them. In a movie full of branding, it almost seems incomprehensible that a dinosaur capable of going full chameleon doesn’t at some point blend into the park’s background with its skin adopting the Jurassic logo (or, you know, those of IBM and McDonalds). "IMAGINE IF WE’D HAD THESE IN TORA BORA" Vincent D’Onofrio’s character wants to weaponise raptors for the US military to use in the place of drones. It sounds pretty insane, but to be fair, the US Navy has already trained dolphins to protect its ships, recover gear and detect mines. Still, D’Onofrio's line was so terrifically stupid that the audience laughed. The mere mention of freedom-loving velociraptors hunting down bin Laden in Afghanistan like some sort of Squeal Team Six ought to have had his character institutionalised, but instead he somehow ended up Head of InGen security and given full licence to test out his theory. Also, his constant allusions to "65 millions years of instinct” fundamentally misunderstand the concept of ‘time', in that if something lived 65 million years ago, died and is then brought back to life today, it has not accrued aeons of life experience in the downtime. $700 MILLION ON DAY 1 Yes, it’s a blockbuster. In fact, it’s the blockbuster, breaking all opening day records in the US. Why? Because, dammit, we want to see dinosaurs and Jurassic World has dinosaurs. Big ones, cute ones, scary ones and familiar ones. It ultimately gives us exactly what we want, which is why — in the absence of a good story — it’s such a shame it couldn’t also give us what we’d hoped for. View all Sydney Events.
When the Australian Government announced its 2020–21 Federal Budget in October last year — later than usual due to the pandemic — it looked more than a little bare for half of the population. But in the newly arrived 2021–22 Budget (which was announced last night, on Tuesday, May 11), $3.4 billion has been committed to supporting women. This time around, Aussie ladies aren't being told that they can just take advantage of new roads and infrastructure. The new Budget does obviously include funding for roads, rail and infrastructure projects — $15.2 billion, in fact — but the money allocated to women's health, safety and financial security isn't insignificant. And, it's being directed towards key areas, including cervical and breast cancer screening programs, endometriosis support, services for women and children who are experiencing violence, and childcare. In the health and wellbeing space, $351.6 million will be spent on maternal, sexual and reproductive health, as well as ageing, chronic conditions, preventative health and mental health. Of that, $100 million will go to cervical and breast cancer screening programs, and $47 million to perinatal and postnatal anxiety and depression services. Endometriosis, which effects at least one in nine Aussie women, will be covered as part of a four-year $5 million package for education and pain management programs targeting the condition. Women's safety is also a big, important and well-deserving focus, with $1.1 billion allocated to initiatives to support victims of domestic violence, and to tackle workplace harassment and online abuse. That includes general support for women and children leaving violent situations, emergency accommodation, and legal assistance services. $20.5 million has been committed to preventing and addressing address sexual harassment in the workplace, $6 million to boost the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, and $26.2 million to online safety — the latter of which covers awareness campaigns, support for children being bullied online, and software that will investigate intimate images that are shared without consent. And, because women in the workplace and childcare are interconnected topics, an extra $1.7 billion will be put towards the latter. It'll cover an increase childcare subsidies for families with more than one child, to become effective from July 2022. Obviously, childcare really shouldn't be badged as just a women's issue — it's a matter for all parents, regardless of gender — but the aim of the funding is to increase women's participation in the workforce. For more information about the 2021–22 Federal Budget, head to the government's website.
Pairing movies with music is no longer new news, but the latest returning event that's serving up that combo is hoping for two things. Firstly, it's betting on a whole lot of love for Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a classic 1987 romantic drama. Secondly, when it comes to getting excited about seeing that now 36-year-old flick on a big screen with its soundtrack performed live, it's hoping that you've never felt like this before. Obviously, Dirty Dancing in Concert wants to give you the time of your life as well — and to not only let you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most charming film roles, but to immerse you in the movie from the moment you take your seat. No one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, but the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, and a live band and singers will perform its iconic songs as it plays. Just as swoon-worthy: the fact that those musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. This blast-from-the-past affair is touring Australia this winter, hitting the Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney on Saturday, September 2.
Lighten your run with Mizuno, then lighten your spirits at the Blackmores Recovery Village. The Sydney Running Festival is a celebration of one of the most scenic urban running routes in the world. It's also one of Australia's most comprehensive long-distance running events. A 42.195 kilometre full marathon is the headliner, with a $10,000 cash prize on offer for the first runner across the line, and $2500 going to the winner of the wheelchair division. If you think you're ready for the big one, you'd best be at the starting point (Bradfield Park, Milsons Point) when the gun goes off at 7.15am. If a half-marathon is more your speed, you need to be up even earlier, as it's scheduled to start at 6.15am. Male and female champions will be taking home $1000 each. Then there's the 9 kilometre Bridge Run, and last on the list is the three-and-a-half kilometre Sunday Telegraph Family Fun Run, which kicks off at 7.50am. Depending on how energetic you are, you'll find yourself jogging past one, or all, of Sydney's iconic landmarks, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Entry fees vary, from $40 for Early Bird adult entry into the Fun Run to $155 for standard entry into the marathon. The event is run by not-for-profit organisation Athletics Australia, so all proceeds go towards supporting and promoting the practice of athletics across the nation. Over $10 million dollars have been raised since the festival was inaugurated in 2001.
If you haven't heard, Manly's Wharf Bar got a fresh facelift just in time for summer. Better yet, in January it's joined forces with seltzer giant White Claw for a lineup of events packed with live music and the go-to drink of summer. You deserve a bit of VIP treatment after the past year, so we've got a plan for you. We're inviting you and five mates to the White Claw Weekend x Manly Wharf Bar party on Sunday, January 30. For starters, you'll make your way to the event in style. A 28-foot Italian-style timber charter boat will pick your crew up at Circular Quay for a two-hour cruise around the harbour, before dropping you to the Wharf Bar's front door. On board, you can expect a luxe vibe with cosy cushions, a White Claw-themed playlist, a cheese platter and buckets of White Claw. Once you arrive at Wharf Bar, the afternoon will be soundtracked by local electronic music producer Poolclvb, who'll be playing silky beats as you kick back by the water. We'll cover the cost of a water taxi back to Circular Quay once the shindig things wrap up at Wharf Bar, too. Keen to kick it with your crew this summer? Enter details below to go in the running. [competition]836848[/competition] Top image: Katje Ford
In her fourth feature film, Polish director Malgoska Szumowska attempts to interrogate our traditional sexual mores: Is prostitution only ever an act of female exploitation or can it empower women, financially and socially? Do the sacrifices and compromises involved in maintaining a "respectable" bourgeois marriage actually constitute a form of whoredom? Of course, these uneasy questions have been asked before. On this occasion, Szumowska seeks to unpack them in the context of contemporary French society. The problem is that her exploration tends to simmer on the surface, rather than probe the depths necessary to penetrating such complicated issues. This may well be the consequence of trying to do too much in 99 minutes. Juliette Binoche is Anne, an obsessive, middle-aged journalist, struggling to meet the demands of her job, as well as play mother to two disconnected teenage sons and wife to a dispassionate husband. When asked to research the phenomenon of prostitution among Parisian students, Anne finds herself drawn to a risky yet seductive existence, leading her to question her own. The narrative hangs on Anne's interviews with two call girls: Charlotte (Anais Demoustier), a diminutive brunette who prefers to make quick money through the provision of sexual favours than to work long hours in a casual job, and Alicja (Joanna Kulig), a voluptuous blonde Pole who enjoys living in a spacious apartment and buying fancy clothes. Flashbacks convey their gamut of carnal experiences, which for the most part are portrayed as erotic and thrilling, the exception being a couple of incidents in which clients insist on humiliating and sadistic acts. This potential risk of aggression and its emotional consequences is one of many issues that are touched upon, rather than thoroughly explored, in Elles. The focus is on a plethora of graphic scenes, at the price of the development of the script's philosophical and psychological complexity. Binoche certainly delivers a powerful, poignant, and nuanced performance, even if her character's reactions are simplistic and predictable: the more time Anne spends talking with Charlotte and Alicja, the more she comes to resent the apparent mundane domesticity of her passionless marriage. Her awakening sensuality is represented by some rather obvious symbolism: in one scene, she fondles shellfish while preparing dinner. The (questionable) suggestion seems to be that Anne's life choices represent more of a sell-out than prostitution. Elles features plenty of sex, some intimate camera work, and undoubtedly compelling acting. However, its fragmented, unsettled heart ultimately limits its capacity to resonate.
CBDs all over the world are battlefields where vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians collide. In response, cities like Copenhagen and Vienna have long prided themselves on the creation of central car-free areas. In Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been barracking for a sizeable pedestrian zone in George Street, where trees and promenades would replace traffic lights and road rage. You might remember being treated to an all-too-brief taste of the concept back in October 2012, when Art and About’s closing night manifested as a Moveable Feast. A totally tranquil Sydney CBD isn’t happening quite yet, but NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has announced a pedestrian-friendly move. As of the end of 2014, a significant section of the CBD will receive a decreased speed limit of 40km/h — a 10km/h reduction on the current 50km/h. The limit will apply to the area bordered by Castlereagh, Pitt, Kent and Hay Streets. You can think of it as a major extension of the 40km/h section that already applies in The Rocks. The main motivation for the legislation is increasing pedestrian deaths. Seven have been killed in the CBD since 2008 — three of those in the past year and six of those in the area outlined here. "More than 90 per cent of trips made every day in the Sydney CBD are made on foot," Minister Gay announced. "We know that speed is a critical factor for the safety of pedestrians. A vehicle that hits a pedestrian at 50km/h is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle travelling 10km/h slower." However, he also acknowledged pedestrian misbehaviour as a factor. "Pedestrians also need to play their part to reduce the number of crashes," he said. "The Sydney CBD Motorcycle Response Team will continue to monitor poor pedestrian behaviour... Pedestrians should always cross at the lights, obey traffic signals, look both ways before they cross and stay alert by not getting distracted by phones or music." Via SMH.
