Regional art galleries can sometimes get a bad wrap. Images of lacklustre landscapes kept too long in storage and mystifying sculptures might come to mind. But, with its impressive permanent collection, and as host to high-calibre touring exhibitions, Wollongong Art Gallery puts these preconceptions to bed. It's one of the largest regional galleries in Australia and has been a feature of Wollongong since opening in 1978. The gallery is home to a collection of First Nations artworks from the 1950s onwards as well as contemporary and Asian art collections. Images: Jasmine Low
Despite taking its name from a raucous, rundown pub in the Patrick Swayze-starring 80s flick Road House, Double Deuce Lounge isn't a dive bar. Instead, the newest CBD drinking hole from the Ramblin' Rascal team is a refined cocktail lounge with a touch of '70s porn chic'. "What is 70s porn chic?", we hear you say. Well, don't expect to find Ron Jeremy lounging in one of the burgundy leather booths — but do expect loud geometric 70s wallpaper, a two-person booth with a furry wall and a cocktail list that arrives in a Deep Throat-esque VHS cover. You'll also find the bar's owners, Charlie Lehmann, Sebastian Soto and Dardan Shervashidze, suitably on theme, decked out in safari suits and furry vests. [caption id="attachment_730465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] For the trio's latest venture, the team is shaking and stirring ten signature cocktails (all $20), which travel from the tangy and refreshing yuzu margarita and minty Stinger (with lots of Fernet and Cognac) to the cold brew-spiked Discretionary, the Jungle Boogie — with cacao, rhubarb and Campari — and a super-fancy take on a gin and soda dubbed Trouble Man. As you may've noticed, these cocktail names reference a heap of 70s films and soundtracks, which are also reflected in the posters on the walls — Jackie Brown, Coffy, Prince and Mick Jagger — and the music. Expect to hear the likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield and Bobby Womack on heavy rotation. [caption id="attachment_730473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] While the cocktails are proverbially stuck in the 70s, the wines and beers are very much 2019. Co-owner of Newtown's P&V Wine and Liquor Mike Bennie has pulled together an extended list of fun and funky drops. You can throw back a couple of Garage Project's Salted White Peach Sour numbers (they're only 2.9 percent ABV and super tasty), order a bottle of Blind Unicorn pét-nat for a very reasonable $60 or go big with a milk stout from Marrickville's Batch and a shot of 'Deuce Juice' (Jim Beam). At the moment, food is mostly limited to complimentary bowls of Goldfish (fish-shaped cheese crackers), but the lease on the two-storey Bridge Street venue has been split, leaving space for a full restaurant upstairs. No one's locked in yet, but we'll let you know when they are. Find Double Deuce Lounge at 6 Bridge Street, Sydney. It's open from Monday–Wednesday 4pm–midnight and Thursday–Saturday 4pm–2am. Images: Kimberley Low
Sydney Festival is back from Thursday, January 5–Sunday, January 29 with a massive 2023 lineup, so clear your diaries because summer is going to be very, very busy. The huge citywide fest's second year under Artistic Director Olivia Ansell boasts 748 performances across 54 venues, including more than 100 unique events — 26 of which won't cost attendees a thing. And, there's 18 world premieres and 14 Australian exclusives. If you're looking to get your dose of art, theatre and live music without breaking the bank, we've rounded up eight of the festival's best events that you can nab tickets for less than $50. There's highly anticipated immersive art exhibitions, colourful takeovers of Carriageworks, hidden gig series and a free moonlight symphony to discover across the next few weeks.
If you have a case of herpetophobia, this mightn't be for you. If you're fascinated by crocodiles, however, an array of Australian museums have snapped up a showcase that'll pique your interest. Making its world premiere in Brisbane, Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends is the next exhibition that's headed to Queensland Museum Kurilpa, celebrating one toothy creature. It also has three other stops around the country locked in. Exact dates for Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends' debut run in the Queensland capital haven't yet been announced, but it will pop up before 2025 is out. After that, with timing also still to come, the exhibition will chomp its way into the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, plus the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin. Townsville will also welcome the showcase in the future, too. And if you're wondering why news of Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends has arrived right now without dates to go with it, the announcement has dropped to mark World Croc Day on Tuesday, June 17. Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Australian National Maritime Museum, and Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory are behind this ode to a critter that some famously love and many deeply fear — and an apex predator that Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson dubs "the ultimate survivors". They're "older than the dinosaurs, feared across cultures and still inspiring awe today," Thompson continues, also describing Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends as a "tale of evolution, culture, conservation and curiosity." "This groundbreaking exhibition showcases the incredible story of crocodiles — from prehistoric superpredators to cultural icons — through cutting-edge science, rich cultural knowledge and captivating interactive experiences. Crocodiles have long fascinated and challenged us, and this exhibition offers visitors of all ages the chance to see these remarkable creatures in a whole new light." The history of crocodiles, how they've outlived dinosaurs and survived mass extinctions, their evolution, the critters today, Egyptian god Sobek, their standing in First Nations knowledge, conservation efforts: expect this all to be covered. How crocodiles have sunk their teeth into pop culture, including movies and music, will also be in focus — if you don't already Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock' stuck in your head. Visitors will peer at specimens and life-sized models, as well as immersive visuals — and getting hands-on is also part of the family-friendly exhibition. "Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends plunges visitors into the astonishing world of crocodiles — ancient survivors, apex predators and masters of adaptation," adds Australian National Maritime Museum Director and CEO Daryl Karp. "This exhibition not only celebrates the science and natural history of crocodiles but also shines a light on the deep and enduring connections First Nations communities have with these animals. Prepare to meet the crocodile as you've never seen it — powerful, mysterious and more relevant to our world than ever." 'Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends' is set to premiere at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane, before 2025 is out — and also has dates with Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, plus Townsville in its future. We'll update you when more details are announced. Keep an eye on the Queensland Museum website for more details in the interim. Images: Gary Cranitch / Queensland Museum.
A person walking into a bar. The words "sent from my iPhone". A comedian pouring their experiences into a one-performer play. A twisty true-crime tale making the leap to the screen. All four either feature in, inspired or describe Baby Reindeer. All four are inescapably familiar, too, but the same can't be said about this seven-part Netflix series. Streaming since Thursday, April 11, written by and starring Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, and also based on his real-life experiences, this is a gripping, bleak, brave, revelatory, devastating and unforgettable psychological thriller. It does indeed begin with someone stepping inside a pub — and while Gadd plays a comedian on-screen as well, don't go waiting for a punchline. When Martha (Jessica Gunning, The Outlaws) enters The Heart in Camden, London in 2015, Donny Dunn (Gadd, Wedding Season) is behind the counter. "I felt sorry for her. That's the first feeling I felt. It's a patronising, arrogant feeling, feeling sorry for someone you've only just laid eyes on, but I did," the latter explains via voiceover. Perched awkwardly on a stool at the bar, her teary eyes downcast, Martha is whimpering to herself. She says that she can't afford to buy a drink, even a cup of tea. Donny takes pity, offering her one for free — and her face instantly lights up. That's the fateful moment, one of sorrow met with kindness, that ignites Baby Reindeer's narrative and changes Donny's life. After that warm beverage, The Heart instantly has a new regular. Sipping Diet Cokes from then on (still on the house), Martha is full of stories about all of the high-profile people that she knows and her high-flying lawyer job. But despite insisting that she's constantly busy, she's also always at the bar when Donny is at work, sticking around for his whole shifts. She chats incessantly about herself, folks that he doesn't know and while directing compliments Donny's way. He's in his twenties, she's in her early forties — and he can see that she's smitten, letting her flirt. He notices her laugh. He likes the attention, not to mention getting his ego stroked. While he doesn't reciprocate her feelings, he's friendly. She isn't just an infatuated fantasist, however; she's chillingly obsessed to an unstable degree. She finds his email address, then starts messaging him non-stop when she's not nattering at his workplace. (IRL, Gadd received more than 40,000 emails.) Two early details in Baby Reindeer speak to the level of revealing specificity that Gadd has layered into the script; names are changed, clearly, but there's no doubting that this is a personal work that's adapted carefully and probingly from reality. Firstly, Donny spies that "sent from my iPhone" text at the bottom of Martha's endless array of emails, which'd be innocuous in almost every other situation — but he also knows that she doesn't have an iPhone. Secondly, he still accepts her Facebook friend request as his inbox overflows with her often-incoherent thoughts sporting that fake iPhone claim (which is sometimes misspelled, too), Martha's behaviour towards him can't be mistaken for anything but that of a stalker and he finally types her name into Google to discover that she has a history. Martha's harassment spans years, expanding to impact Donny's ex-girlfriend Keeley (Shalom Brune-Franklin, Love Me); her mother Liz (Nina Sosanya, Good Omens), who Donny lives with; therapist and trans woman Teri (Nava Mau, Generation), who he's been dating; and his parents (The Way's Mark Lewis Jones and The Sixth Commandment's Amanda Root) in Fife. About six months in, when he initially reports it to the police in an anxious state — the scene that opens the Netflix show — he hardly receives a helpful response, as part of Baby Reindeer's digging into expectations around masculinity. Donny's own actions, his missteps included, are as much under the microscope as Martha's. So is trauma, dating back long before the show's title was constantly uttered and emailed his way as his unwanted admirer's pet name for him. It was in 2019 that Gadd premiered the stage version of Baby Reindeer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a setting that's also pivotal to the TV iteration. Six years prior, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) did the same with Fleabag, which wrapped up its television run mere months before Baby Reindeer's stage debut. Gleaning that shared path can't prepare audiences for Gadd's tale, though, which reaches further than the mental illness of his indefatigable pursuer, and into abuse, shame and self-loathing. Accordingly, it's worth recalling that I May Destroy You also charted the path from Edinburgh to television, as inspired by a lecture that Michaela Coel (Mr & Mrs Smith) gave at the city's television festival that touched upon her own experiences. Also telling: the fact that Baby Reindeer is shot like it's a horror film (and paced as such). From off-kilter angles and vantages to unnerving closeness, directors Weronika Tofilska (His Dark Materials, and also the co-writer of Love Lies Bleeding) and Josephine Bornebusch (Bad Sisters), plus cinematographers Krzysztof Trojnar (Foresight) and Annika Summerson (Censor), don't let viewers get comfortable for a second. Watching is compelling — compulsive, in fact — but never easy, as befits the story that's being relayed. Unlike most scary movies, this isn't a clearcut tale of an attacker and a victim, at least when it comes to Martha and Donny. Gadd is unsparing in unpacking what motivates Donny's reactions, heart-wrenchingly so, and his regrets. When he asks "why did I freeze?" and "why did I just let it happen?" about a specific incident with Martha, he's also posing questions that beat at the heart of the entire miniseries. As he reckons with himself, doing so with vulnerability and nuance but never holding back, Gadd turns in a remarkably raw performance that feels as emotionally uncomfortable for him, understandably, as it is for the audience to witness. Baby Reindeer's candour extends in all directions, Donny's flailing early comedy shows — anti-humour and props are his thing — and the shattering time spent with an older mentor (Tom Goodman-Hill, Anne) among them, with Gadd brilliant at every turn. Gunning is equally outstanding. The sheer depth of the intricacies to Martha, some sparking terror, others sympathy and more still eliciting everything in-between, are stunningly drawn both in the writing and in Gunning's portrayal. Pressing play on Baby Reindeer means not being able to stop thinking about Gadd, Gunning, Donny and Martha from that second onwards, or about this profoundly and piercingly honest show. Check out the trailer for Baby Reindeer below: Baby Reindeer streams via Netflix.
Journey to where the sugar-white sand is oh-so-sweet on the feet and there are more shades of blue than you can count. The Maldives will have you dozing off while fish glide by at Huvafen Fushi’s underwater spa, or diving off your private deck into a crystal clear lagoon to join them at Cocoa Island by Como. Each atoll is an idyllic natural wonder and Mr & Mrs Smith has some sensational sunseeker offers that will have you barefoot and blissful in no time. One&Only Reethi Rah A PADI National Geographic dive centre, 12 beaches and eight dining destinations make up One&Only Reethi Rah, a lush, sprawling Maldivian island retreat. From huevos rancheros in the morning to lobster gyoza at Tapasake in the evening, your palate will take an international trip each day. Hint: the island’s boutique, Neo, stocks Louboutin espadrille wedges designed especially for the resort, just in case you tire of flip-flops. Action-hungry travellers can zip from the Grand or Duplex Villas to the resort’s climbing wall in a golf buggy, dice with danger on a shark safari, then watch the sunset while swaying in a hammock between the palms on a private sandy stretch. Lazy landlubbers might find the hammock too hard to leave from dawn til dusk. Cocoa Island by Como An exquisite blue lagoon is the true champion at Cocoa Island by Como, although the villas are nothing to scoff at either. From outside, the overwater villas resemble tradtional dhoni boats resting atop the lagoon. Understated bright white interiors paired with timber furnishings make the turquoise waters the statement – even more so from your private sun-deck. Bend like the palms at yoga every morning then feast on the daily catch at Ufaa, where a combination of Mediterranean- and Thai-inspired dishes use only the best seasonal produce and local seafood. Como Shambhala Spa has world-class treatments and guided meditation to ease lingering tensions. Anantara Kihavah Villas Enjoy nature’s best at Anantara Kihavah Villas, where sandy beaches and island isolation are just the beginning. There’s an underwater wine cellar and an overwater spa with views into the azure lagoon in each treatment room – you’ll also find yoga mats, sun hats and beach bags at the ready in every villa. Sway in the ocean breeze on the Overwater Pool Villa’s hammock-strung terrace or sink your toes into your own stretch of sand in a Beach Pool Villa (wine-coolers included). Take a dip at night in the 49-metre pool where LED lights in the tiled floor mimic the stars above to create the perfect stage for romance. Naladhu Reef-fringed Veligandu Huraa is where you’ll find the boutique resort Naladhu and its 19 villas nestled between a sheltered lagoon and the Indian Ocean. Enjoy sea breezes from bedroom to bathroom – a glass panel is all that separates the soaking tub from your private pool and the horizon beyond. Dive, snorkel and swim until your heart’s content in this romantic water-bound paradise. Under a thatched roof overlooking the lagoon is the Living Room, where torches light up the night sky and you can feast on grilled tiger prawns, spicy lemongrass red snapper and more internationally inspired dishes that draw from fresh market ingredients. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa An eco-friendly oasis on one of the largest Maldivian atolls, North Huvadhoo, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa instils immediate holiday calm. Floor-to-ceiling windows in minimalist villas ensure constant island views from verdant tropical fronds to azure waters. Fancy learning something new? Tackle the mojito mixology class, where you’ll have to try your concoctions so you know you’re getting it just right. There’s an intricate mosaic of marine life just steps (or strokes) away at the in-house reef, which you can explore with the resident marine biologist. Laidback foodies will love the Island Grill with its sandy floor and locally inspired dishes such as plantain ragout or Wagyu tenderloin with spicy papaya. Baros Baros is a boutique on the North Malé Atoll that’s sure to fulfil your castaway island dreams (with added luxury, natch). Hide yourself away in one of the secluded Water Pool Villas on the end of the winding jetty. Each has a private pool, canopied day-bed and personal Villa Host at your beck and call. Beach Villas are nestled among palm trees and tropical fronds and have an extra portion of privacy. Travel across the lagoon to a strip of sand for morning yoga practise, then explore the reef and learn about the resort’s coral planting programme that helps sustain the local marine habitat. Huvafen Fushi Everywhere you look you’ll discover a different shade of blue at Huvafen Fushi. The toughest decision you’ll have to make here is whether you want sand shores within reach in a Beach Villa or direct ocean dips from the overwater bungalows, which come with a private plunge pool. Visit the world’s first underwater spa, Lime, where you’ll float on a bed of relaxation while watching stingrays, clownfish and co. glide by. Enjoy fine dining paired with perfect wines at Vinum, but not before sampling something from the extensive cocktail list at UMbar — the Crouching Tiger (lemongrass, lychee, gin sake, ginger liqueur and jasmine tea) is delectable. Niyama On the deserted Dhaalu Atoll, Niyama’s hovering overwater bungalows will make you swoon with their reclaimed wood exteriors, luxurious marble bathrooms and lavish rain showers. Brilliant azure waters, shimmering sands and lush palm fronds are standard here; Subsix, the world’s first underwater club, is anything but standard, with its aquarium-like feel creating definite wow-factor as you sip cocktails among vivid corals and flirty fish. Opt for a Beach Studio with Private Pool on the sunset side of the island for its prime people-watching potential — Number 14 is right in the thick of the action. Viceroy Maldives The sparkling Shaviyani Atoll has water-a-plenty, especially when you consider that all the villas at Viceroy Maldives have private plunge pools to boot. Beach Villas boast monochromatic elegance; the Water Villas’ cool greys, blues and timber furnishings allow no loud, colourful distractions from the sounds of the ocean. Wander up to Treehouse for spectacular views and delicious mezze platters at sunset and cross wooden platforms to find your own secluded dining spot. Be your own bartender in a private beach cabana for two and mix favourite tipples or tropical concoctions into the early hours. Constance Moofushi Picture this: a crystal clear lagoon with vivid corals, swaying palms and tunes from the in-house DJ drifting on the sea breeze. Welcome to laidback luxury at Constance Moofushi. For a break from the party scene at Manta Bar, take your Moofushi Nasta Lemonade (home-made lemon and ginger marmalade with bourbon, fresh mint and cucumber) back to your Water Villa. Numbers 30–35 are perfect for counting stars on your private terrace and have the best of both worlds — sandy beach on one side; the Indian Ocean on the other. Browse more hotels in the Maldives, discover the Mr & Mrs Smith collection and exclusive offers online, or contact Smith’s expert Travel Team.
A trio of Sydney institutions are coming together to launch an inclusive community festival that celebrates three cornerstones of Sydney's cultural landscape: footy, food and music. The inaugural Welcome Day will arrive at Henson Park courtesy of the Newtown Jets, Heaps Gay and The Music & Booze Co, the team behind King Street Carnival, The Beer, Footy and Food Festival and The House of Music and Booze. One of the NRL's foundation clubs back in 1908 and a thriving force in the Inner West for over a century, the Newtown Jets pride themselves as a football club for all. As part of this push to make rugby league welcoming and inclusive, the club has teamed up with LGBTQIA+ party collective Heaps Gay and its founder Kat Dopper, plus longtime collaborators The Music & Booze Co, to celebrate Sydney's diversity and ensure everyone feels at home on the hill of Henson Park. Hitting the Marrickville oval on Saturday, June 24, Welcome Day will bring together a stellar lineup of local restaurants, food trucks, distillers, seltzer brands, winemakers and DJs in support of a jam-packed day of rugby league. The day's on-field action will be headlined by a NSW Cup clash between the Newtown Jets and the Parramatta Eels. The Jets are forgoing their cross-code differences with the Petersham Rugby Union Club for the day, and hosting two union games — one men's and one women's — as curtain-raisers. On the food lineup, you can expect eats from Rolling Penny, Pepitos, Baba's Place, Titos Tacos, Over Embers, Slick Ricks Pizza, Sparky's Jerk BBQ and Condimental. And what would a day at Henson Park be without a couple of choice beverages? Poor Toms, Archie Rose, Young Henrys (slinging gin and ginger beer), Lilyfields Gin, Este Spirits, Brix Distillery, Mobius Distillery, Kraken Spiced Rum and DNA Distillery will all be on hand to sample their expertly crafted spirits. You can also expect beers from the Jets and Henson Park's number-one supporter Philter Brewing, wines from Doom Juice and P&V, seltzers from Cantina OK! and Fellr, and cocktails courtesy of The House of Music & Booze in collaboration with Curatif Cocktails. Music-wise, FBi Radio will be supplying the DJs, so you can expect plenty of local Sydney dance floor-fillers to be represented, plus the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir will be singing the house down. You can nab tickets for $20 or $10 for kids under 12 via Oztix. Top image: Tom Wilkinson.
After chronicling the day-to-day chaos at a company that sells paper, what comes next for The Office — in the US, that is? Documenting the daily reality of life working at a newspaper. As announced in 2024, the beloved American version of the hit sitcom is getting a spinoff. In The Paper, which is led by Domhnall Gleeson (Echo Valley) and Sabrina Impacciatore (G20 and also The White Lotus season two), a midwestern newspaper publisher is in the spotlight. The series debuts on Thursday, September 4, 2025 in the US and in Australia, streaming in the latter via Binge. If you're keen for a sneak peek, The Paper has also just dropped its first trailer. A new boss arriving to shake things up, staff ranging from apathetic to overenthusiastic, office-set awkwardness aplenty, a familiar face: they're all featured in the initial glimpse at the show. As its predecessor was, this is a mockumentary series. The setup: the same documentary crew that turned their cameras towards Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch have found a new workplace to explore. Their time pointing their lens the Toledo Truth Teller's way coincides with Ned Sampson (Gleeson) joining the publication as editor-in-chief, with the paper's newest employee underwhelmed with the status quo and brimming with ideas about how to change things. Chelsea Frei (The Life List), Melvin Gregg (Fight Night), Gbemisola Ikumelo (Black Ops), Alex Edelman (Unfrosted), Ramona Young (You're Cordially Invited) and Tim Key (Mickey 17) also star in The Paper, as does Oscar Nuñez (The School Duel), reprising his role as Oscar Martinez. Accordingly, the new series is set in the same universe as the Steve Carell (Mountainhead)-led hit dwelled in from 2005–13 and sports multiple ties to it, but definitely isn't simply walking back into Dunder Mifflin with new staff. Also, Gleeson starred with Carell on 2022's The Patient, giving the two series another connection. Greg Daniels — who created the US version of The Office to begin with, and has also been behind Space Force and Upload — is steering The Paper behind the camera with Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman. And yes, the franchise that initially kicked off in the UK version in 2001 just keeps expanding, after the Australian version dropped in 2024. Cringeworthy bosses, annoying co-workers and soul-crushing office jobs show no signs of fading away, of course, which all things The Office has understood for nearly a quarter of a century now. Check out the trailer for The Paper below: The Paper debuts in Australia on Thursday, September 4, 2025, streaming via Binge. Images: Aaron Epstein and John P Fleenor/PEACOCK.
Located down Darling Square's Steam Mill Lane, this barbershop is a Haymarket go-to. At Men's Culture Barber, you'll find professional, down-to-earth stylists that offer impressive haircuts at very reasonable prices. Think hair and beard trims from $68, cut and shampoo from $43 and a hot towel shave from $38. If you really want to treat yourself, go for the ultimate hair and face treatment for $95 all up. Here, you'll find barbers with over 20 years of experience in the industry. And the shop's location has the added benefit of proximity to heaps of bars and restaurants, so you can show off your new hairdo post cut.
You wouldn't expect to find a cocktail bar and dining haven hidden away between a supermarket and a library, but that's exactly where you'll find Little Jean. From the elegant, ever-changing fresh flower arrangements on entry to the denim-overall-apron sporting waitstaff, this Double Bay hot spot excels in both design and service. Book in for leisurely lunch and dine on wagyu skirt steak with smoked truffle butter; or snapper belly with bacon dashi, pearl barley and a soft egg. Afterwards, order a chocolate fondant, or go for a peppy liquid dessert, and order a Little Jean Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.
Coding...it sounds scarier than learning hieroglyphics, right? And even though you know it would be a sweet addition to your skill-set, you can't quite commit to a coding class. After all, why would you sit yourself at a keyboard, deciphering the difference between Java and Type Script, when you could be painting, strumming your guitar or watching this week's episode of Game of Thrones for the fourth time? Well, the thing is, if you want to take your creative exploits anywhere, a little bit of code goes a long way — whether you're looking to transform your website into a traffic magnet or design a world-conquering app. And that's why General Assembly and Yahoo7 are getting together to teach you a thing or two in what sounds like the funnest coding class ever. As part of Vivid Ideas, they're holding a gloriously free cracking day of talks, workshops, interactive demos and installations called Code in the Park at aMBUSH in Central Park on the afternoon of Saturday, June 18. Running the show will be a ten-strong team of code pros. You'll be hanging out with none other than General Assembly lead instructor and web developer extraordinaire Joel Turnbull, digital artist Lukasz Karluk, Yahoo7's tech director Paul Russell, Girl Geek Academy co-founder Sarah Moran, and artist and all-round computer whiz Andrew Sorensen, among others. Between them, these guys could re-write software history — so you'll be in good hands.
Kick off your New Year's resolution to see more art with a visit to this massive Margaret Olley exhibition. Being held at S.H. Ervin Gallery from until March 26, it's a celebration of her 60-plus-year career, with a focus on her influences, inspirations and legacy. Guest curator Renee Porter has selected more than 80 works. You'll get to see Olley's paintings alongside those of her mentors Caroline Barker and Jean Bellette, and those of her closest friends, including Mitty Lee-Brown, Margaret Cilento, William Dobell, Russell Drysdale, Moya Dyring, Donald Friend, Jeffrey Smart, David Strachan and Anne Weinholt. There's also a bunch of pieces by younger artists to whom Olley gave her passionate support. Among them are Robert Barnes, Criss Canning, Cressida Campbell, Nicholas Harding and Ben Quilty. "Margaret was a frequent visitor and supporter of the Gallery and in this show we wanted to present the spirit and vigour of this grand woman in Australian art," said Jane Watters, director at S.H. Ervin. "In many ways the show completes the circle of her championing the talents of her peers and friends which she undertook with such vivacity throughout her life." Margaret Olley: painter, peer, mentor, muse is the first exhibition in the three-show Margaret Olley Series, supported by the Margaret Olley Art Trust. Image: Margaret Olley, Portrait in the mirror (1948), oil on canvas, AGNSW.
There's no need to look overseas, or even interstate, when so much incredible wine is produced on your doorstep. Held from 11am–5pm on Sunday, August 17 at Carriageworks, the Winter Cellar Door sees NSW Wine bring together 20 of the state's best winemakers from seven diverse regions for a one-day tasting experience. With over 120 labels to sip and discuss, this jam-packed event is a stellar opportunity to meet the minds behind the wine and learn what techniques and styles are capturing attention in 2025. Best of all, you won't have to travel to distant cellar doors to experience choice vino produced by little-known wineries and acclaimed estates. As for the wineries heading to the big smoke, there's no shortage of respected names. Highlights include Margan, a lauded vineyard from Broke Fordwich, a wine-growing subregion in the Hunter Valley. Meanwhile, Phillip Shaw Wines offers a taste of his Koomooloo Vineyard in Orange, which has helped pioneer the region's high-altitude, cool-climate wines since 1989. Perfect for seasoned wine-lovers and the wine-curious alike, entry to the Winter Cellar Door is free, with tastings available from $5. Of course, you're welcome to drink by the glass and purchase your favourite bottles to enjoy at home. For those keen to skip the queue, buy a tasting glass ahead of time for $10 — you'll also go in the running to win a case of wine.
Laura Marling soars with her latest work of staggering genius, a couple of Sydney's best-kept secrets wow with new material, and Perth producer Sid Pattni wants to get you pregnant. Don't be one of those people who stumbles exhausted into the weekend — these five tracks will put a spring in your step and a boogie in your groove. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KCnK3FMuMAs 1. 'When Brave Bird Saved' - Laura Marling Okay, I'm cheating slightly with the five songs thing, as this video is built around the first four songs of Marling's fourth album, Once I Was an Eagle (out May 27). With this album Marling confirms her incredible talent, her songs full of dense symbolism and metaphor while at the same time being utterly human and relateable. Marling could well be the finest songwriter of her generation, and there are plenty of people who agree with me. <a href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing" mce_href="http://oscarkeysung.bandcamp.com/album/its-coming-sure-thing">It&amp;amp;amp;#39;s Coming//Sure Thing by Oscar Key Sung</a> 2. 'It's Coming' / 'Sure Thing' - Oscar Key Sung Oscar Key Sung is the new project from Oscar Slorach-Thorn, who's half of spare, sugary R&B duo Oscar + Martin. (He's Oscar.) Both tracks up so far are killer, but it's especially worth checking out 'Sure Thing', a cover of a track by R&B's best kept secret: Miguel. 3. 'Canker' / 'If It Works' - Cull Canker is what happens when Tame Impala and Jeff Buckley and some wolves all take acid together and everything goes horribly right; 'If It Works' is a looser, heavier, longer beast. This Sydney act have been around all of about three months but their strike rate's already kinda undeniable. 4. 'Mr. Alpha' - Sid Pattni featuring Whisky Winter This week's Shut Up and Take My Money award goes to this immaculate conception of a jam from Perth producer Sid Pattni. It feels warm and elemental, all glassy shimmers and lazy claps, as the vocals (by guesting duo Whisky Winter) fade between treated and natural tones, distant and intimate at once. If this is what Flume hath wrought, bring it the fuck on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rNNygktmQB4 5. 'Contact' - Daft Punk No matter what you think of the new Daft Punk album, there's no doubt it was a departure from the French duo's usual crunching riffs and apocalyptic beats — except for 'Contact'. The last song on the album is an absolute monster, and uniquely Daft Punk, and this video (recorded at the Wee Waa Agricultural show by our friends at Castle Awesome) shows just what impact it has on an audience. It starts with a recording of astronauts from Apollo 17 talking about what the earth looks like from space; the anticipation builds as the Phantom of the Opera organs do, and by the time the beat finally drops the whole crowd is at fever pitch, leaping up and down in rapture.
Stuck indoors and feeling blue? We don't blame you. So let us remind you of one of the best shortcuts to lifting your mood: music. Sure, it's not a particularly groundbreaking cure, but in these strange times, we've gotta grasp onto whatever small things will bring us joy (if only temporarily). We could launch into a lofty explanation as to why music is so important to us, relationships and culture, but that's probably not what you're here for. You're here because you're stuck at home and missing live music — the excitement when you find out a new artist you just discovered is playing at a local bar or the giddy anticipation as you walk into a huge concert arena or festival. Those times will come again. In the meantime, we're making do with gigs that are a bit more casual — so low-key in fact that you don't even need to wear shoes. Or even pants (just remember to shut the blinds). This year, we've teamed up with Miller Design Lab to showcase visionary musicians, designers and artists and celebrate our nightlife and its impact on culture to provide a safe space for creativity and self-expression. Grab a beer or make yourself a quarantini and get ready to boogie to some quarantunes (sorry). ARTISTS SUPPORTING ARTISTS Musician Milan Ring is one of the innovative artists to collaborate with Miller Design Lab this year. She's been making waves in the Aussie music industry for some time, having performed alongside names like Sampa the Great, Hermitude and The Rubens, and is currently working on her debut album. As a rapper, lyricist, guitarist and mastering engineer, her dynamic sound is best described as multifaceted — think elements of R&B, soul, electro and even reggae. So, it's safe to say that Milan's influences are pretty varied — and she certainly has her finger on the pulse when it comes to fresh sounds. Giving us a taste of what she's into right now, Milan recently created an extensive playlist that is jam-packed with the musical talent you should be listening to (if you don't already). Simply titled Friends, the playlist swings from the soulful sounds of Ngaiire and Silentjay to Arnhem Land rapper (and former Young Australian of the Year) Baker Boy, and is ideal for one of those lazy afternoons that ramp up to full-blown house party mode. CHALLENGE YOUR MATES TO A DANCE-OFF ON HOUSEPARTY Just because nights out are off the cards for a while doesn't mean your social life needs to go on hold, too. Hopefully, by now, you and your mates have video conference hangouts down pat and you've probably had some surprisingly fun nights indoors shooting the breeze and playing trivia. Next time, kick that competitive spirit up a notch with a good ol' fashioned dance-off. Turn your respective living rooms into your very own dance floors, stream the same playlist and show off your best moves — you'll think you're all at your favourite inner city bar together in no time. When it comes to picking the beats, everyone knows the best dance battle beats are those from your youth. This playlist, curated by British author, journalist and co-host of the pop culture podcast The High Low Dolly Alderton, delivers the goods. Aptly dubbed Pandemic at the Disco, it features a bunch of mostly 90s and 00s bangers, including 'Jump Around', 'No Diggity' and 'Work It'. Alternatively, check out Miller Genuine Draft's playlist, It's Miller Time, which features tunes from Mark Ronson, Lizzo and Bastille. LISTEN TO WHAT WE'RE LOVING Our mission at Concrete Playground is to guide you through the best cultural happenings across Australia. Usually, that includes outdoor adventures, electrifying gigs, epic art exhibitions and the latest restaurant and bar openings. Right now, we're focused on finding ways to bring those experiences to you, so your nights (and days) spent at home are anything but dull. And that includes new music. We can't point you in the direction of a local gig to check out, so we've created a playlist of what we're listening to during lockdown instead. This carefully curated list features some of our favourite Aussie musicians and it includes plenty of up-and-coming artists to fall in lyrical love with. Support them now by giving them a listen and perhaps donating to Spotify's COVID-19 Music Relief Project. Then, when lockdown's over you can get out and support them in person. PRETEND YOU'RE IN A EUROPEAN NIGHTCLUB Whether you've had to cancel a big trip to Europe this year or you're reminiscing a past vacation, a night spent imagining that you're tearing up a dance floor in a dark and sweaty European club will help you momentarily forget that it may be a while till you're actually able to travel again. To help create the vibes, crack out your disco ball or strobe machine, pop on the boating hat from that time you sailed around Croatia and head over to Boiler Room's Youtube channel. The platform has launched the Streaming From Isolation series, featuring sets from the likes of Berlin-based house and techno DJ Dixon and English electronic duo Disclosure. Most of the sets go for around an hour, but if you're in it for the long haul, check out DJ EZ's epic set that went for a whopping 24 hours. This is the second time the UK garage legend has done a marathon set (the first was back in 2016 for Cancer Research UK). He also recently pledged his fees for the festival gigs he did in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland earlier this year to bushfire relief — what a guy. IMAGINE YOU'RE AT A REAL-LIFE GIG We get it. Going to a gig is about much more than just the very good music. The lights, the graphics, the on-stage dancers and the crowds of people singing and dancing alongside you are all part of what makes a concert such an amazing (and addictive) experience. And, by the sounds of things, large-scale concerts are likely to be one of the last things to return as we transition out of lockdown life. While you wait, you can stream some epic productions online — and they don't get much more epic than the shows at the Sydney Opera House. While the institution is closed to the public, it's continuing to deliver its stable of quality cultural content via a free digital program, which includes full-length performances, talks, podcasts and behind-the-scenes content. You can witness (or relive) the magic of The Flaming Lips' technicolour Concert Hall performance for the 20th anniversary of The Soft Bulletin, Solange's 2018 Vivid Live gig, Bon Iver's 2016 Vivid Live gig or Missy Higgin's full 2019 Live from the Forecourt concert. For something a little different, there is also Sydney Symphony Orchestra's performance of Mahler's Das klagende Lied and the Sydney International Orchestra's stellar collaboration concert with singer Sarah Blasko. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way.
The last six months or so have been huge in the streaming world, with Disney joining the fold, Apple making the leap as well, Britbox announcing its impending arrival in Australia, FanForce TV kicking off this week and short-form, mobile-only platform Quibi launching just days ago. That means there's certainly no shortage of things to watch while we're all staying indoors. But, although most offer free trials, you'll still need to fork out some cash if you want to commit to a particular service — or several. From 7am on Saturday, April 11, Apple TV+ is bucking that trend — temporarily, at least. The platform is making a number of its original TV shows and movies available for anyone to watch for free without a subscription. You'll need an Apple ID to access the service, but binging your way through seven of Apple TV+'s series and one of its movies won't cost you a cent. Titles on offer include M. Night Shyamalan-executive produced thriller Servant, which follows the eerie aftermath of a family tragedy; feel-good anthology series Little America, featuring dramatisations of real-life tales about US immigrants; astronaut drama For All Mankind, as set in an alternative history where the USSR beats the US to the moon; and feature-length wildlife documentary The Elephant Queen, which is narrated by Chiwetel Eljiofor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCke0hXoCf8 Or, you can check out the Hailee Steinfeld-starring comedy Dickinson, get nostalgic with a new version of Ghostwriter and watch the Peanuts crew in Snoopy In Space. For younger viewers, pre-school series Helpsters comes from the folks behind Sesame Street. To access the Apple TV+ app, you'll need an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac — or you can do so via select Samsung and LG smart TVs, plus Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices. Apple hasn't revealed how long the free content will be available, other than noting that it's for a limited time. To watch Apple TV+'s free content, or to find out more, visit the service's website.
Enjoy your very own luxury country escape in the heart of downtown Orange at The Art Studio. A stylish and newly renovated property is within walking distance of the city's bars, cafes, and restaurants. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the local cafe culture or take a short drive out to the renowned wine region for a fun afternoon, The Art Studio is the perfect base for your country getaway. Once you've had your fill of Orange's delights, come home to The Art Studio's luxury country retreat, where you'll enjoy all the amenities of home. Step inside and be greeted with a well-equipped kitchen, a lounge room featuring a cosy gas fireplace and comfortable sectional sofa, a flat-screen TV for those lazy days, and a spacious bedroom with a plush king-size bed and an adjacent ensuite bathroom. You can also take advantage of the free on-street parking and the short stroll (just two blocks) to the Orange CBD. Guests at The Art Studio have exclusive private access via a walkway to the entire studio, including the private patio with outdoor furniture where you can sit and take in the tranquillity of your surroundings.
Boasting scenic sights at great heights and snowy peaks aplenty, the Swiss Alps are well covered when it comes to adventure. Making this bucket-list tourist destination even more thrilling is its newest addition, a half-a-kilometre suspension bridge casually slung between two towering mountains. Opening for pedestrians on July 29, the Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke literally bridges the gap between Grächen and Zermatt — all 494 metres of it. For those keen on some more stomach-churning figures, the 65-metre pathway reaches 85 metres above the ground at its highest point, and 2200 metres above sea level as well. It's part of a six to seven hour hike from either direction, and replaces a previous bridge that closed in 2010 due to unstable terrain. Needless to say, the world-record breaking crossing isn't recommended for those suffering from acrophobia; however those eager to climb high will always have either the Matterhorn or the Bernese Alps in view, depending on which way they're trekking. As well as soaring into the sky and offering astonishing vistas, the suspension bridge also proves a feat of speedy engineering, with the entire thing erected in just 10 weeks. Via Zermatt Tourism. Image: Europaweg / Valentin Flauraud via Zermatt Tourism.
In January 2023, the Elton John farewell tour to apparently end all Elton John farewell tours will return to Australia and New Zealand, playing its last round of shows Down Under before the singer says farewell to live concerts. Haven't nabbed a ticket? Can't go? Went last time he came our way, in what was then meant to be John's goodbye gigs? Whichever fits — or if you are heading along to see the music star next year — you can always stream his final-ever North American performance live on Monday, November 21. Make plans to knock off early: Disney+ is livestreaming the concert at 2pm AEST / 3pm AEST / 5pm New Zealand time. The show has been badged Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, and will run for a hefty three hours, complete with Dua Lipa, Kiki Dee and Brandi Carlile as guests. Yes, that means that John and Lipa's hit single 'Cold Heart' is guaranteed to get a spin, as is 'Simple Things' by John and Carlile — both of which featured on John's 2021 album The Lockdown Sessions. And, yes, you can expect to hear John and Dee's 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' from 1976, with the concert's lineup of guests showcasing John's enormous longevity and range. Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium forms part of the musician's global Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which has been taking him around the world since September 2018, and spans more than 300 concerts across five continents. In Australasia, his first stops here during the tour saw over 705,000 tickets sold to gigs across a three-month period that spanned 34 Australian and six New Zealand dates from November 2019. During the livestreamed performance, fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — even though it's happening on a Monday Down Under. John's tour also features never-before-seen images and videos show from his 50-year career — well, never seen before the tour — which are displayed throughout each gig. And, on Disney+, the Dodger Stadium concert will be paired with Countdown to Elton Live, a special featuring John's famous friends wishing him well, and also including interviews with John and David Furnish. When the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour does indeed come to an end, John will retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's the star's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across in his time, sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. The singer has clearly enjoyed a huge past few years, too, with his life story hitting the big screen in biopic Rocketman. Check out the trailer for Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium below: Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium will stream via Disney+ at 2pm AEST / 3pm AEST / 5pm New Zealand time on Monday, November 21. Images: Ben Gibson.
What happens when a touring showcase of music throughout Queensland joins forces with an annual citywide celebration of arts and culture in Brisbane? Sweet Relief!, the latest event from both Qld Music Trails and Brisbane Festival. A collaboration between both fests, but taking place in Brissie in September, this one-day-only excuse to get dancing will make its debut in 2023 with a helluva electronic-focused lineup, starting with Groove Armada, The Avalanches and Ladyhawke. Sweet Relief! also involves the folks at Untitled Group, the team behind festivals such as Beyond The Valley, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands — and they've helped bring in quite the names. Groove Armada and The Avalanches will both play Australian-exclusive gigs, in fact, with the former doing a DJ set and the latter performing live. [caption id="attachment_907867" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grant Spanier[/caption] We see you, festival-loving babies. The day to block out in your diary: Saturday, September 16. The place to head: the Maritime Green at Northshore Brisbane. As well as New Zealander Ladyhawke, the bill also spans Cut Copy doing a DJ set, plus Nina Las Vegas, Latifa Tee and YO! Mafia. Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi the Kween is on the lineup as well, and additional Brisbane acts are still to be announced. [caption id="attachment_907869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kath Gould[/caption] "We're so excited to be heading up to Brisbane to play at Maritime Green at Northshore Brisbane. It's such a cool looking spot — we've got a feeling it's gonna be a very special one," said The Avalanches. "Brisbane's history is littered with iconic festival moments such as Livid, Boundary Street Festival and Valley Fiesta that gave the Brisbane community an opportunity to bring their weirdest and wildest selves out to create an electric atmosphere of togetherness, diversity and inclusion," added Joel Edmondson, CEO of Qld Music Trails, announcing Sweet Relief!. "We hope that Sweet Relief! can establish itself as a place where people travel from around the country to experience Brisbane's local flavour and global appeal." SWEET RELIEF! 2023 LINEUP: Groove Armada (DJ set) The Avalanches (live) Ladyhawke Cut Copy (DJ set) Nina Las Vegas Latifa Tee YO! Mafia Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi the Kween + more Brisbane acts to be announced Sweet Relief! will take over the Maritime Green, Northshore Brisbane, on Saturday, September 16. For more information and images — and to register for ticket presales from 6pm on Wednesday, July 5, with general sales from 12pm on Thursday, July 6 — head to the event website.
Need some encouragement to do something other than destroy brain cells this weekend? Take a look at this handy infographic, which suggests that Facebook's Ultimate IQ Test might have been lying to us all along. Unbelievable, I know! Apparently only 2.5% of the people really do fall into the "very superior intelligence" bracket, possessing an IQ of 130 or more, while only 0.5% of the population are sitting comfortably within the "genius" category with IQs of 140 or over. There's still plenty of room for the argument that it's accomplishments rather than IQ that make one smart. Take for instance theoretical physicist and decoder of the universe Steven Hawking who, as it turns out, has an IQ of only 160. Ha! That puts him 20 whole smart points behind James Woods, who dropped out of college to appear in Family Guy and voice Mike Toreno in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (though granted he also won three Emmy Awards and gained two Academy Award nominations). One of the even more genius geniuses is television writer Rick Rosner, who changed his name to stay in high school into his 20s. Rosner has an IQ of 192. Some dudes you may or may not have heard of have IQs well over the 200 mark, though I will leave the job of revealing details up to the chart because it's actually scary to talk about. Tthough not as scary as this list of 10 Supersmart Musicians put together by Time Entertainment, which reveals that Dexter Holland from The Offspring used to be a molecular biologist who went by the name of Brian Keith Holland. via Buzzpatrol
Brightening up winter has always been Vivid Sydney's mission. Turning as much of the city as possible into a glowing sight has also been the festival's remit since its beginnings. Announcing its return for 2024, Dark Spectrum isn't the only example of how those aims come to fruition, but it's still a dazzling case in point. The luminous event heads into the Harbour City's depths, unleashes lasers and lights, adds electronic dance music as a soundtrack and gets attendees exploring a lit-up subterranean labyrinth. Dark Spectrum debuted in 2023, as a world-premiere installation in Wynyard's unused railway tunnels, which was the first time ever that the spot had been opened to the public. The light show beneath the streets has now joined the 2024 program, again in the same location, but this time as Dark Spectrum: A New Journey. Just like last year, we hope that you like lasers, secret passageways and bright colours, which will all be on offer from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15. As the name makes plain, this is an all-new version of Dark Spectrum, but the basic setup, of course, remains the same. A collaboration between Vivid Sydney, Sony Music, Mandylights and Culture Creative, this underground spectacle will again feature eight rooms, all heroing a different hue, with the entire concept initially inspired by raves and their dance floors. Across a one-kilometre trail — up from 2023's 900 metres — 300 lasers and strobe lights, 500 lanterns, 250 search lights and 700 illuminated arrows will make a shining impression. Wondering which tunes accompany this maze-like experience, which tasks everyone that enters with wandering through its expanse from start to finish as lights flash and flicker, and smoke and haze effects add to the mood? Dark Spectrum: A New Journey will draw upon club-favourite tracks from the past 30 years. And yes, if you want to dance your way through the chambers and tunnels, that's allowed (and understandable). "Vivid Sydney 2024 is exploring what makes us uniquely human, with a diverse program designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. We are so excited to welcome back Dark Spectrum: A New Journey to Vivid Sydney 2024 to bring the festival theme to life with a brand-new wholly immersive experience," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Also adding gleaming sights to the fest's lineup: the return of Lightscape, again at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; 40-kilometre-long laser beams shooting out of Sydney Tower; artwork by Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman on the Sydney Opera House's sails; projected pieces on a range of buildings in the CBD; 4000 solar-powered LED candles glowing amid the sandstone blocks at Barangaroo Reserve; and Barangaroo's Stargazer Lawn welcoming a circular projection of the brolga's mating dance. Dark Spectrum: A New Journey will run from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15, 2024, during Vivid Sydney 2024. For further information and tickets, head to the event's website. Top image: Dark Spectrum 2023, Destination NSW.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you aboard the new luxury superyacht Scenic Eclipse II as it travels all over the world. We've also teamed up with Scenic Eclipse to offer a totally exclusive travel deal that takes guests from Darwin to Broome in 11 days. It includes a free room upgrade, unlimited alcohol, meals at any of the ten dining areas and a heap of unique excursions — plus, we got 20% off the whole experience. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This ultra-luxurious superyacht only finished construction this year, meaning it has stacks of the latest lavish features. Every guest will enjoy relaxing on their own verandah, on-shore excursions, unlimited food and drinks at any of the ten restaurants and bars, use of the spa and pools and a special butler service. Of course, this doesn't come cheap — but if you can afford it, boy is it worth it. THE ROOMS There are 114 suites on this massive yacht, each with separate bedrooms and lounge areas as well as a large private deck. And the bathrooms are next-level luxe. Expect white marble counters and showers with mist settings and colour light therapy. Because why not? Every guest also has access to the on-board butlers. Order a bottle of champagne and a dozen oysters to your deck and get ready for an epic journey. FOOD AND DRINK We know that when joining a trip like this — with all your excursions included — you shouldn't spend every moment of your time on the boat. But, we'll admit, with ten unique dining experiences on board, we could easily spend the entire holiday eating and drinking atop the yacht. Try out a few of the main restaurants or book one of the really special dining experiences. Our favourites? Night Market at Kokos is an eight-person teppanyaki grill inspired by the food markets of Asia, India and the Middle East. And the indulgent chef's table offers guests an alway-changing 11-course degustation. Drinks are also included in the price of your trip — even the top-shelf tipples. Get around aged whiskies, champagne (not simply sparkling wine), award-winning vinos from the regions you are visiting and all the cocktails your boozy heart desires. Every suite even comes with a coffee machine, specialty teas and a fully stocked minibar (that will be quickly refilled should you call the butler). It is all so over the top, and we love it. THE LOCAL AREA There is no single local area for Scenic Eclipse II. It sails all over the world — with tours to Australia's Top End, Antarctica, the Pacific Islands, Scandinavia, The Med and Buenos Aires as a start. But, our exclusive deal takes travellers from Darwin to Broome, stopping off at sites that include King George River, Ashmore Reef, Collier Bay and the Kimberley region. It has got to be the most luxurious way to explore this pristine part of Western Australia. THE EXTRAS You have every extra under the sun when travelling aboard Scenic Eclipse II. After seamless transfers to the vessel, you can head to the lounge and bar for live entertainment or hit up the theatre for its dedicated musical nights. Head to the spa for separate men's and women's spaces — each with steam rooms and saunas. Take a class at the yoga or pilates studio or simply swim in one of the pools located on the deck. Then, jump on the superyacht's own helicopter to discover the area you're in — or go on one of the complimentary tours that are just as luxurious as the boat you're sailing on. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
The producers of Serial and This American Life are teaming up on a brand new true crime podcast hitting the digital airwaves next month. Better yet, they're taking a page out of Netflix's book and dropping every single episode at the exact same time. According to a report by Rolling Stone, the non-fiction S-Town is set in rural Alabama and will investigate "the son of a wealthy man who allegedly boasted about getting away with murder." "This story takes so many unexpected turns," said This American Life presenter Ira Glass in a statement. "Every episode is a new surprise. And the story has this feeling and mood that's different from anything else we've done. I don't think people have heard a show like this." S-Town is one of three new podcasts being launched under the 'Serial Productions' banner. It will be hosted by long-time This American Life producer Brian Reed, and is due to be released sometime in March. Image: Peabody Awards, CC.
Victoria's seemingly endless supply of incredible walking trails offers everything from waterfalls to coastal landscapes and rugged terrain covered in glistening rainforest. But best of all, you don't actually need a car to get to and enjoy these wonderful adventures. Many are well within reach of Melbourne's sprawling public transport network. And even when you're not trekking into the far-flung hills, it's a great idea to have some high-quality hiking gear to keep you warm and prepared for anything. That's why we've teamed up with Macpac to do something different the next time you're in Melbourne and venture to some of the region's most convenient hiking destinations. Don't stress about hiring a car or mapping out your route. Instead, head to the train station or tram stop and climb aboard, because these five hikes are all accessible via public transport and will have you surrounded by incredible scenery in no time at all. [caption id="attachment_711648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Robert Blackman.[/caption] LILYDALE TO WARBURTON RAIL TRAIL Opened in 1901, the Warburton railway line once ferried farm produce back and forth from Melbourne. But nowadays, it's been transformed into a charming pathway through scenic sights of the Yarra Valley that can be leisurely walked or cycled. With trips through historic vineyards and views of the Yarra Ranges towering in the distance, this trail is without a doubt one of the most satisfying that can be easily reached from Melbourne. Conveniently beginning at Lilydale Station, the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail sticks close to the original railway path as its 38-kilometre route winds its way through active farms and across 17 restored bridges. You don't need to complete the entire journey within a day; many of the individual sections are worthy of the trip all on their own. For example, the six-kilometre stretch between Mount Evelyn and Wandin (an hour's walk from Lilydale Station or a 20-minute bus ride) is particularly special, as you head downhill flanked by ferns and forestry and find yourself surrounded by native birdlife and wildflowers. Pack this: Rapaki 26L Daypack ($109.99) FRENCH ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Getting to French Island by public transport may require a few changeovers, but once you arrive, your efforts will be instantly rewarded by perhaps one of Melbourne's best-kept secrets. Take the train to Frankston Station, change to a Stony Point V/Line service and then make the short trip by ferry to Tankerton Pier. Much of the island is covered by French Island National Park, which offers visitors a myriad of hiking and cycling trails surrounded by some wonderfully diverse landscapes. There are mangrove marshes, wild woodlands and native bushland that are all worth delving into. Plus French Island is also home to one of Australia's largest populations of koalas, so keep your eyes peeled. And when you need a break, make tracks to the French Island Vineyard, which is open every Sunday for wine tastings and wood-fired pizzas. Pack this: Graphic Organic Cotton T-Shirt in women's and men's styles ($39.99) GOLDFIELDS TRACK A slightly more serious undertaking than some of the other walks on this list, the Goldfields Track is a journey through one of Victoria's most prominent gold-rush era regions. The full length of this trail measures out to be a remarkable 210-kilometres, so unless you're prepared to take on a multi-day excursion up some challenging mountains, we recommend the much friendlier 20-kilometre route from Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road to Castlemaine. This section remains a tough hike at times, but you won't regret taking it on after soaking up the astounding views and the fascinating historical landmarks that dot the way. If you're coming from Melbourne, it's a good idea to make an early getaway on the V/Line, which departs the city toward Bendigo or Castlemaine about every hour. Pack this: Fiord 1.1 40L Pack ($189.99) SHERBROOKE FALLS WALK This lush forest is an oasis that's found within touching distance of the city. Catch the train to Upper Fern Tree Gully or Croydon stations and hop aboard the 688 bus to immerse yourself deep within this outer suburban pocket of greenery. There are a lot of hikes you can follow around here, but the Sherbrooke Falls Walk is an easy-going wander through the gullies and grasslands that has a spectacular end. Completed in around 45 minutes, the tranquil journey through the hills features towering mountain ash trees and a peaceful soundtrack from the suburb lyrebirds. Arriving at Sherbrooke Falls, you'll be met with some of the most impressive sights that can be discovered anywhere this close to the city. Pack this: Trekker Pertex Equilibrium Softshell Shorts in women's and men's styles ($89.99) [caption id="attachment_718793" align="alignnone" width="1920"] AmelieAuPont via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] PLENTY GORGE WALK Ride the 86 tram to the second to last stop, and you'll come upon one of Melbourne's best tucked away spots. For those in the know, Plenty Gorge Park and its picturesque Blue Lake always take up a spot on the summertime calendar once the temperature cranks up and the city's pools become overloaded. But this sprawling parkland offers a lot more than just a deep blue place to swim — and the Plenty Gorge Walk undoubtedly covers much of it. Making for a top-notch trek any time of year, the trail ventures through native bushland that's home to everything from kangaroos to echidnas to swans. Complete the loop around the former mineral quarry and admire the bushland views across the lake. At less than 20-kilometres from the city, this place is a top-notch half-day escape, perfect for a weekend trek. Pack this: Tui Fleece Pullover in women's and men's styles ($129.99)
A small grey moon passes silently through the dark, desolate vacuum of space. No wait, not a moon, a space station. Suddenly from within that manmade menace, a thunderous blast of brilliant green light tears forth, obliterating the planet of Alderaan. Elsewhere, a frail Obi Wan Kenobi shudders and fretfully remarks: “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened”. Fast forward a long, long time to Tuesday April 7, 2015, and once again, one senses a great disturbance has come to pass, only this time, Harrison Ford and the gang are playing for the other team. In a landmark decision by Australia’s Federal Court, iiNet and several other internet service providers (or ISPs) have been ordered to disclose the names and contact details of almost 5000 of their Australian customers accused of illegally sharing the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club. If you’re currently sitting there with BitTorrent open in the background, chances are you’re one of the millions suddenly crying out in terror. But just how afraid should you be? ISPs, WHERE SIZE DOES MATTER The first question to ask is: which ISP do you use? Telstra, TPG and Optus were all ignored by the rights holders (at least for now), meaning yesterday's ruling only applies to customers of iiNet, Dodo, Internode, Amnet and Adam Internet. If you’re not with them, you’re not in the firing line. TORRENTING: A SEEDY PRACTICE Note the absence of the word ‘downloaded’ above. This case drew a critical distinction between those who downloaded the film and those who seeded the torrent (i.e., those who made it available for others to download). Since it’s impossible to identify downloaders, the names to be provided by iiNet and the other ISPs will only be of those who “made the film available online to other persons; electronically transmitted the film to other persons; and made copies of the whole or a substantial part of the film”. Put another way, if you downloaded Dallas Buyers Club but never shared it, you’re probably in the clear. But if you did seed it (and that does happen automatically through some torrenting software), what happens next? ROUND 1 TO HOLLYWOOD Nothing for the next 28 days at least, which is how long those ISPs have to appeal the decision. The chance of them doing that, however, seems unlikely given the comments by iiNet’s CEO David Buckingham that: "We're very happy with Justice Perram's judgment and his balanced approach to both the studio's and consumers' rights.” In all likelihood, then, four weeks or so from now there are going to be around 5000 letters sent out across Australia courtesy of the film’s rights holder — Dallas Buyers Club LLC. ON A SCALE OF ZERO TO ALDERAAN, HOW SCREWED ARE YOU? Three years ago, a Minnesota woman was famously ordered to pay $1.5 million in damages for illegally downloading just 24 songs from the internet. The plaintiff in that case, the Recording Industry Association of America, never had any real expectation of recovering the money from her because, of course, money wasn’t the point. Sending a message was why they’d pushed so hard, and the same may be said of Dallas Buyers Club here. With this ruling, both they and the court have sought to declare an end to the age of anonymous copyright infringement in Australia. BUT IT WASN'T ME, IT WAS THE ONE-ARMED MAN! Just because you receive a letter from Dallas Buyers Club doesn't mean you're actually guilty of copyright infringement. All it means is your name and contact details are attached to the IP address that was identified in the sharing of the file. Who was doing that sharing is an entirely different matter: your flatmate, a sibling, a child or even an unscrupulous neighbour who cracked your Wi-Fi password (seriously, was it 'password'?). Proving actual guilt will be an additional hurdle that Dallas Buyers Club will still have to jump for each and every case it pursues. OKAY, I AM THE ONE-ARMED MAN So let’s say, for argument’s sake, you’re one of the names about to be provided to Dallas Buyers Club. The ‘balance’ in the decision that David Buckingham was referring above to centres on two key points: 1. Your names won’t be made public; and 2. Every single letter that Dallas Buyers Club intends to send out must first be shown to, and approved by, Justice Nye Perram. That second point is more significant than it may sound, because it seriously limits the ability of Dallas Buyers Club to use those letters as a means of intimidation, otherwise known as ‘speculative invoicing’. Recently in America, Dallas Buyers Club sent similar letters to US-based infringers claiming they were liable for damages of up to US$150,000, but noted they’d be prepared to settle out of court for US$7000. It’s unlikely they’ll be permitted to do the same thing here, though they will almost certainly seek some level of remuneration for the infringement. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FUTURE Does this ruling mean Australians will immediately stop torrenting? Of course not. Australia is Olympic-level bad when it comes to copyright infringement, with BitTorrent accounting for more than 25% of all internet use in the region, and Australians responsible for a full 11.6% of the worldwide illegal downloads of Game of Thrones season four. Crucially, nobody ever disputes that it’s wrong, but everyone finds their own little way of justifying it. For most, that justification sits squarely in what’s termed 'The Australia Tax' — a consistently unreasonable price disparity of up to 400% between here and the rest of the world on everything from automobiles and electronics to music, software, games and films (here’s lookin' at you, Adobe). Coupled with inexplicable delayed releases (something that proved a financial disaster for The LEGO Movie), Australians justifiably feel they shouldn’t have to pay extra for something they want, only to then unjustifiably download the whole thing without paying a single cent. ARISE A KNIGHT The game changer in all of this will be Netflix, which finally launched here last week. In the United States, it's almost singlehandedly credited with reducing torrenting from 31% of all internet traffic to just 5.65% in a mere six years, and there’s no reason to doubt a similar trend in Australia. Cinemas have also wised up, with Village Roadshow CEO Graham Burke declaring last year that in Australia, “movies will [now] be released day and date with the US. Movies will come out at the same time.” Of course, yesterday’s decision may yet be overturned, but it’s a sure sign of the changing times and it would indeed seem the days of torrenting with anonymous impunity are numbered. That's not to say technology hasn't proven remarkably adept at circumventing any measures to control it, just as this author isn't blind to the fact that the Rebels ultimately prevailed over the Empire. Still, this a war neither side is prepared to back away from, so next time you’re thinking about downloading something, perhaps just ask yourself: what if I'm Alderaan? Formerly an intellectual property lawyer with the global firm Allens Linklaters, Tom Glasson is a writer, film critic and TV presenter best known for his work as host of Australia's daily satirical news show The Roast on the ABC.
Tucked away down Scott Street, Yuzu is an understated sushi joint that stands out from the crop of Pyrmont eateries. It's a cosy, affordable restaurant that locals love. The menu favours light and fresh plates, perfect for pre-theatre dining. The quality of food and attention to detail is consistently above and beyond expectation — the nigiri plates look like works of art. The Yuzu team has a strong commitment to sustainable, seasonal produce, too. Its menu changes constantly, so the sharable plates are always fresh and innovative.
He's directed a mockumentary about sharehouse-dwelling vampires in Wellington, one of the most offbeat and adorable fugitive films there is, and the best big-budget blockbuster about a certain cape-wearing, hammer-wielding Norse god- turned-superhero that's reached screens so far. Now, after winning hearts and laughs with not only What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok, but New Zealand comedies Eagle vs Shark and Boy too, Taika Waititi has turned his attention to making fun of Hitler. His latest movie is called Jojo Rabbit, with the beloved filmmaker not only writing and directing, but starring as the Nazi. It's a satire, obviously, following a bullied but nationalistic young German boy called Jojo (newcomer Roman Griffin Davis) who discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie, Leave No Trace) in their attic. He doesn't quite know what to do, so he asks the obvious person for help: his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler. World War II-set films are a very common sight on the big screen, so if you feel like you've seen every possible take on that period of history, Jojo Rabbit is here to change your mind. As the just-released first teaser for the movie shows, this isn't your usual grim, serious war flick. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens, it's being badged as an "anti-hate" comedy, should you need more of an idea of the tone that Waititi is going for. As well as the writer/director himself, the film co-stars the high-profile likes of Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant and Alfie Allen. It's not the only project that Waititi has in the works — it was just announced last week that he'll be directing the next Thor film, Thor: Love and Thunder — but it is the only one where he gets Hitler to call himself a lunatic and a psycho. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqd4yNFuSw Jojo Rabbit releases in the US on October 18 and it doesn't yet have an Australian release date — we'll update you when that changes.
When a clown ponders its final farewell, what does it see? Cirque du Soleil's Corteo has the answer. When this production first hit the stage in Montreal in 2005, it won over audiences by setting its acrobatic feats within a funeral procession imagined by a jester — a carnival-like parade that muses on humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities — in a space between heaven and earth. Two decades later, it's one of the troupe's most-beloved shows. Celebrating that milestone, Corteo is heading Down Under for a six-city tour in the second half of 2025. In Australia, the hit production will debut at Perth Arena from Friday, August 8, before playing at Melbourne's John Cain Arena the same month, then Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Brisbane Entertainment Centre in September. Come October, Adelaide Entertainment Centre will host the spectacle, as will Spark Arena in Auckland. One of the tricks that's helped make Corteo such a success, with over 12-million audience members in 30 countries on four continents seeing it so far, is its unique stage setup. Watching this show means also watching your fellow viewers, because the action takes place in the middle of the arena, splitting it in half and causing patrons to face each other. This is Cirque du Soleil's first production with this layout. As its clown protagonist conjures up the festive parade that ushers him from this world, attendees will witness a poetic yet playful performance — one where the acrobatics are unique, too, and where angels watch over. "Corteo was the first Cirque du Soleil show created by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the same director who brought us LUZIA. Corteo is a real celebration of life that blends comedy and never-seen-before acrobatics into a unique staging arrangement," said Mike Newquist, Chief Revenue Officer of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, announcing the show's Australian and New Zealand tour. "Australians who fell in love with the breathtaking artistry and storytelling of LUZIA will be equally captivated by Corteo." LUZIA was the last Cirque du Soleil production that bounded this way, kicking off in 2024 — and notching up another first as the Montreal-based company company's debut touring show to feature rain in its acrobatic and artistic scenes. Before that, 2023 saw Cirque du Soleil bring CRYSTAL, its first-ever ice production on ice, Down Under. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo — Australia and New Zealand Tour 2025 Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 10 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, September 18–Sunday, September 21 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, October 2–Sunday, October 5 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, October 30–Sunday, November 2 — Spark Arena, Auckland Cirque du Soleil's Corteo tours Australia and New Zealand from August 2025. For more information, or to buy tickets — with presales from 11am on Tuesday, February 18 and general sales from 12pm on Monday, February 14 — head to the show's website. Images: Maja Prgomet, Johan Persson and Aldo Arguello.
When Timothy Conigrave wrote Holding the Man, it was clearly a work of great personal significance. The year was 1994, he was 34, and his memory was fading as a result of HIV-related complications. The narrative he committed to paper wasn't just his own memoir, but his way of recalling his life-long lover, John Caleo. Alas, Conigrave would succumb to his condition before his book was published, but his words, their romance and their plight have persevered to touch the hearts of many. In fact, after more than two decades of reader devotion plus several stagings of theatre productions based on the text, Holding the Man comes to cinemas with the weight of considerable history. Others, including Walking on Water director and Conigrave's friend Tony Ayres, have previously tried and failed to bring the tale to the screen. That filmmaker Neil Armfield and writer Tommy Murphy — who also wrote the play — succeed is no mean feat. That they do the story and their subjects justice in a tender and touching film isn't, either. Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and Caleo (Craig Stott) first met as Melbourne schoolboys in the late '70s, the former an aspiring actor treading the boards in a class version of Romeo and Juliet, the latter running around football fields as an emerging Aussie Rules star, and both raising more than a few eyebrows for pursuing their relationship. Weathering the many storms wrought by the disapproval of their respective parents (played by Guy Pearce and Kerry Fox, and Anthony LaPaglia and Camilla Ah Kin), Australian society's intolerant attitudes, and the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, theirs was not an easy romance, but until health issues cut short their time together, it was an enduring one. Making his first film since 2006's Candy, Armfield doesn't take the linear approach to Conigrave and Caleo's love as he flits from their early to later years. He jumps between important moments with the affectionate recollection of someone assembling their thoughts — which is how Conigrave's experience is framed. Sometimes the feature is clumsy and clunky as a result, particularly in trying to relate teenage antics and in spouting dialogue that sounds a little too theatrical. Sometimes, it hits the mark perfectly; just witness the hospital-set scenes, and try to keep your eyes from misting over. Of course, much of the emotion springs not from the warm colours the movie is painted in or from the period-appropriate rock soundtrack — both often overdone — but from the two lead performances. Even though they struggle with selling the characters' younger guises, Corr and Stott shine in conveying their opposites-attract pairing, as well as in showing the necessary growth and change as they traverse the trials, tribulations and troubles of being gay men in the 1980s. Indeed, the central duo's efforts in embodying the real-life figures they play with authenticity and intimacy is what makes the film linger long after viewing. Holding the Man's outcome might be known, but its lasting impact in telling one of Australia's great tragedies still offers many a surprise, perhaps none more so than its heartbreaking combination of the sweet and the sorrowful.
If you've ever seen Nick Cave play live, you'll know he's not just a musician — he's a storyteller. And a powerful one. His shows have always given fans a glimpse into the highs and lows of his life — including the suffering that came with 2016 album The Skeleton Tree — with performances that are moving, intense and masterful. So it's not hard to see how the Aussie music legend created his newest show: Conversations with Nick Cave. Performing without his band the Bad Seeds (with which he's produced 16 albums), Cave will take the stage for an intimate show of conversation and pared-back solos of his most prolific songs on the piano. Ever wanted to ask him a question? These shows will give you the chance. Cave says that the conversational nature of the shows enables people to open up easily. "The audience tends to ask more challenging, revealing, playful and ultimately serious questions," he says. "You never know what you are going to get. They can be fearless and they can go deep." It's already toured the US and Ireland and will make its way around smallish venues in Australian and New Zealand throughout January next year. The show will start in rural Victoria before making its way down to Hobart, up to the Sydney Opera House (for his first show there since 2013) and then the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It'll then finish off the national tour with stops in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. CONVERSATIONS WITH NICK CAVE 2019 TOUR DATES Saturday, January 5 — Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta Sunday, January 6 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Tuesday, January 8 — Sydney Opera House, Sydney Friday, January 11 — HOTA, Gold Coast Saturday, January 12 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane Saturday, January 19 — Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Tuesday, January 11 — Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Wednesday, January 23 — Perth Concert Hall, Perth Conversations with Nick Cave will tour Australia in January 2019. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, October 18 (Sydney here and everywhere else here). Image: Christie Goodwin.
It's now easy to get your hands on Berkelo's crowd-pleasing breads and baked goods thanks to the beloved bakery's newer sites in Mosman, Mona Vale and Manly. Having clocked up two years in its original Brookvale space, owners Tom Eadie and Matt Durrant have taken an even bigger bite out of Sydney's northern beaches. The Mosman store is on bustling Military Road and is open daily. The space is built around that same passion for simple, healthy fare that's made its sibling such a hit. It's slinging a range of revamped breakfast classics and seasonal lunch dishes, most of them starring Berkelo's legendary, long-fermented sourdough breads. Think, smashed avo with fermented vegetables, and duck served with mushrooms, onion jam and potato focaccia. You'll also find freshly baked croissants, a daily-changing lineup of generous sandwiches, and coffee made using Single Origin beans. And of course, there's plenty of that beloved Berkelo bread available to go, all naturally leavened and crafted with all-Aussie, unbleached stone-ground flours.
Victoria cleaned up at the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), with the state's breweries taking out an impressive 12 trophies at the annual awards ceremony. The beer competition saw a swag of southern labels emerge victorious, competing with a 400-strong line-up of brewers from across the globe. Ballarat-based Dollar Bill Brewing took out the top slot of Champion Australian Beer for its Gold Teeth peach wild ale, with the tipple also named as the AIBA's Best Fruit Beer. Meanwhile, Footscray's Hop Nation snapped up the title of Champion Medium Australian Brewery, as well as claiming awards for Champion Victorian Brewery, Best Pilsner (for its recently released Rattenhund) and Best Amber/Dark Ale. Valhalla Brewing, Two Birds Brewing Co. and Fixation were also among the Victorian breweries to win big on the night. Sydney's 4 Pines was named Champion Large Australian Brewery, with Western Australia's Cheeky Monkey taking out the small brewery division. Other Aussie favourites in the awardee mix included Foghorn, Sunday Road, Six String, the ACT's Bentspoke Brewing Co, Western Australian brewery King Road, and Queensland's Burleigh Brewing Company. Of the more than 2500 beer entries, plenty came from overseas, with South Korea's Goose Island Brewhouse, China's Nbeer Craft Brewing Co and Taiwanese label Zhang Men among the international names that scooped awards. Across the ditch, Auckland's Deep Creek Brewing Company was named Champion International Beer for its Sauvage farmhouse ale, also collecting the title of Champion Large International Brewery. Each year, the AIBA recognises excellence in brewing, beer packaging design and beer media. This year's victors were picked earlier this month by a team of 67 expert judges, including Ben Kraus (Bridge Road Brewers), Jayne Lewis (Two Birds), Justin Fox (Hawke's Brewing Co), Tina Panoutsos (Carlton & United Breweries) and Warren Pawsey (Little Creatures). For the full lineup of this year's AIBA awardees, jump over to the website.
Coca-Cola Amatil, one of the largest manufacturers of beverages and food products in the Asia-Pacific, is the latest company to make a big-ticket move in the fight against plastic waste, announcing it'll phase out all single-use plastic straws and stirrers from its Aussie operations. The company is now switching to fully recyclable and biodegradable paper straws sourced from BioPak and Austraw, for its distribution services to around 115,000 venues across the country, which include everything from grocery stores to petrol stations, bars and cafes. Stocks of the current single-use products will be run out over the next two months, with the more eco-friendly alternatives available from February. While it's a great move for the environment, as highlighted by the ABC, it also has potential to marginalise disabled members of the community. A number of Aussies with disabilities rely on straws to eat and drink, and reusable versions aren't always an alternative. And it seems this is just the start for Coca-Cola Amatil's sustainability shake-up, as the group moves towards its goal to have 100 percent of its Australian packaging fully recyclable by 2025, including bottles, cans, plastic wrap, cardboard and glass. With over 700,000 customers across its brands, ditching the plastic will have a big positive impact. The company says it's currently working with suppliers on a range of sustainable solutions for products like plastic spoons and frozen drink scoops. Last year, it also announced a range of environmental targets it hoped to achieve by 2020, including using at least 60 percent renewable or low-carbon energy in its operations, and significantly reducing the overall carbon footprint of its drinks. The straw phase-out follows similar recent moves by the likes of IKEA, McDonald's and Melbourne's Crown Casino, and comes as South Australia reveals it's looking at implementing its own state-wide ban on single-use plastic items.
When it comes to baked goods, everyone has a preference: hot, cold, sweet, savoury, traditional recipes or experimental flavours. Thankfully, Miss Lilly's Kitchen has you covered on all fronts. Located at the south end of King Street, Newtown — a section of the strip somewhat lacking in decent daytime fare — Miss Lilly's is a bakery that aims to please. And it's doing so via hearty, wholesome pastries. Following a few successful years as a market stall and wholesale business, Miss Lilly's has expanded into a permanent retail space. Owner and master baker Stuart Masters is treating this new venture as a "cellar door for pies". After building a career in fine dining, Masters became disenchanted by the culinary shift towards intricacy ("chefs swapping knives for tweezers") and long hours away from family. He wanted to get back to basics. Or, as the bakery's tagline on the window states, "no nonsense cookery". This ethos was inherited from his grandmother, whom Miss Lilly's is named after. "I kind of grew up on her kitchen bench," Masters says. When he was setting up the business, he thought about who he wanted to be like. "She was my food hero," he explains. This no-nonsense approach is evident in the menu. It's a simple affair of sweet and savoury pies, sausage rolls, toasties and cakes. Flavours rotate regularly and feature a blend of old and new. Masters uses his gran's pastry method but relies on spelt flour — a personal preference — and dabbles in sugar-free and vegan recipes. The kale and feta sausage roll is by far the biggest savoury seller. Customers can pair house-made kombucha with a classic chicken and leek pie (a refined version of gran's recipe) or a sour cherry pie. The store's design builds on this old-meets-new approach. Faded vintage tiles (a legacy from the space's former life as a grocery), partially-exposed brick walls and a bookshelf filled with well-loved cookbooks merge with modern splashes of yellow paint, retro globe lighting and pale wood. During our visit, there was a steady flow of customers, lured inside by the intoxicating buttery scent. Some sat in and some took their treats away. One man comes in simply to thank Masters for the "incredible chocolate caramel tart" he had purchased that morning. "That's what I want," Masters admits afterwards. "I want people coming in to say hi even if they don't buy anything. I want people coming in twice a day…. For me, it's all about community." An inner west local for over two decades, Masters uses produce from the local community in his creations. Fresh produce comes from a Marrickville grocer, soft drinks and juices are by Parker's in Alexandria and the coffee is by Enmore's Black Market Roasters. And for the old favourite beef, ale and mushroom pie, Masters looks to Young Henrys. The end result is a welcoming local bakery filled with reliably tasty treats. Images: Trent van der Jagt
The future is coming and Jason Silva is excited. Very excited. Silva is an American filmaker and self-proclaimed "wonder junkie, ideas DJ, performance philosopher", and he's coming to an Opera House near you this weekend for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Concrete Playground spoke with him about his provocatively titled festival lecture 'We Are the Gods Now'. We are the Gods is quite the title for a talk. What can we expect to hear from you at the Opera House? In his book about the exponential growth curve of technology, Raymond Kurzweil says, "There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen." In 40 years we've seen computers contract in size from half a building to something 1000 times more powerful that fits in your pocket: the smartphone. If we continue along this exponential trajectory, we can expect computing power to enhance while the physical unit shrinks from pocket-size to the size of a blood cell. Speaking of blood cells, the thing I'm really excited about is the way that biology [the field of study] is fast becoming information technology. If you think growth in computing power is impressive, the rate that we are sequencing genomes is outpacing Moore's Law. Freeman Dyson, the physicist, says we are going to compose genomes the way we compose verse. I know, I know, it sounds like we're tripping, but history tells us this is what we should expect! Artistry is going to spill off the canvas and into the biology lab, and I think we should be excited — and not fearful — of what we're going to create in there. What it means to be human is to transcend our limits, to rebel, to be "cosmic revolutionaries", in Aaron Harrington's words. So, yeah, that's the crux of what I'll be talking about. Really, you think we're fearful of new technology? Apple has people frothing at the mouth about the launch of the iPhone 5 this week. I think the success of the iPhone attests to our love of these tools — we are living in a techno-utopian society — and yet the alarmist media bang on about the demise of interpersonal connections because people are supposedly texting more than they're talking, so on and so forth. I like to remind people that around the advent of the telegraph there was a moral panic that it would hurt our brains, that it wasn't natural. In fact, even Socrates railed against writing! He claimed that the act of transcribing something would atrophy our brains. But there is some truth to what Socrates said, at least in sentiment. I read Nicholas Carr's piece for the Atlantic Is Google Making Us Stupid?, wherein he discusses the netizen's diminishing capacity to "deep read", which he claims is a direct consequence of the way we engage with screen texts, constantly drifting and never really focusing. I totally agree with the concept of bandwidth anxiety — I personally experience it! But you have to think of bandwidth anxiety as analogous to downloading an HD film via a 56k modem connection rather than a fibre-optic cable. In our case, the human biological brain is fixed, but our technology is infinitely upgradeable. We're like a drooling dog looking at a lineup of 50 dogs on heat and we can't possibly mate them all! We have so many options to connect with the world around us, but we have to be disciplined and disconnect. I mean, I turn off my cell phone when I go see a movie or when I read a book. I think Carr's case is that the damage is done, that our brains are capable of rewiring to optimise our experience of digital culture. The damage isn't beyond repair; the brain is plastic, but I can say from personal experience that I now struggle to engage with longer novels where I used to devour them, and I think it's because I'm increasingly feasting on the easy-to-digest, pretty, shiny things — things like your short videos, the so-called "shots of philosophical espresso". Fair enough. I started producing short videos because I felt there was a gap in the market for them. There's no end of intelligent, philosophical discourse in the blogosphere, but there's a real paucity of engaging, short-format video content on the web. I wanted to capture that feeling of two in the morning, in your college dorm with a beautiful girl, discussing the meaning of life — and amplify it to the scale of a cinematic experience. Sure, these short-form bursts of inspiration trigger the release of dopamine and that's an addictive chemical so we have to self-monitor how much we take in. So when you talk about losing the capacity to "deep read" or appreciate silence, I think it's just a matter of growing pains, because we aren't yet equipped physiologically to handle the kind of content we're creating. Once we upgrade our own brains using biotechnology and genetic engineering, we'll be like a computer you can add RAM to — this issue of not being able to multitask will be a thing of the past! This is the Singularity! I can see how these videos might inspire organisations to foster creative culture or even spark cross-industry collaboration, but how to you hope these videos will affect people's day-to-day lives? Art and media are mediums for preparing us for the future. I'm trying to present intelligent content in a cool and sexy format — which, in turn, means the act of engaging with it is cool and sexy. I want there to be an alternative to the overwhelming share of media space given to the likes of Jersey Shore, something that has pop culture cred but doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence. At the end of the day, if you want someone to really care about your product, you need to make them feel something; you need to induce a feeling of wonder, of awe. Once you achieve this, you've set in motion a lust for learning. At a consumer level we have access to an incredible array of tools [high-speed internet, mobile devices, etc.] for engaging with the world of ideas, but most people don't know or don't care for what's out there. What's lacking is a viral outbreak of wonder. The phenomenon of trolling is on the rise and just recently a local TV personality who came under a torrent of online abuse was admitted to a psych ward. And last weekend here in Sydney there was a protest that turned into a riot sparked by the indie film released on YouTube, The Innocence of Muslims. I just wonder how culpable social media is in this sequence of events, given that it's so easy to be offensive when speaking from a disembodied perspective. Dude! The right to offend is a hallmark of a free society! I mean, I don't want to say that riot was an act of cultural or religious immaturity, but violence, no, violence is never justified because someone offended you. Okay, but I'm quoting you from earlier this year when I say, "As we increasingly become sophisticated, cosmopolitan people, the religious impulse is less relevant." Well, look, I sort of abide by the opinions of Ernest Becker, who wrote the book The Denial of Death. He says that the 'religious impulse' is one solution to the problem we face when we contemplate our own mortality. The second, alternative, way we deal with death is the 'romantic impulse', where we turn our lovers into our gods, and the third, and this one I think is the healthiest, is the 'creative impulse', which is to create great work. I think religion had a time and place and was effective at teaching people to be kind to each other as part of a moral system, but time and again we see it corrupted. So you see yourself as your own god? [laughs] Let's just say I think there will come a day when it will be possible with the aid of technology to transcend our biological limitations and manifest a Being that is extraordinarily smart, ultra-powerful, and immortal. But if there comes a day when saying "you only live once" has no motivational power because we've engineered eternal existence, I wonder if we'll just be crippled by chronic procrastination? Ha! You know, man, that's very possible. But if the universe is infinite, with creative possibilities, then so should we be. Sure, some people will just play Grand Theft Auto for all of eternity if that's what they want to do with their existence, but others will amass a phenomenal bank of knowledge and break new frontiers in science. You know, I hate the way we ennoble death. It's a brute biological horror that kills everyone we care about, and yet we say things like 'death gives life meaning'. I say, you know what gives meaning to life? Life! Death was necessary for the evolutionary process, but now that we're switching from genes to memes, death has become obsolete. We don't need to keep dying in order to create new things. But the creation of most new things only comes about because there's a viable commercial application for it, and if technology is replacing itself at an ever-increasing rate, perhaps the threat of rapid supersedence in the marketplace will slow the generation of new technologies? Hmm. I guess I'd have to agree that, yeah, that's very possible. I mean, already we're seeing college graduates emerge into the workforce only to find that their skillset is already obsolete. Interesting. Thanks so much for chatting with me today. Absolutely, man! It's been a mind-meld! Catch Jason Silva at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Sunday, September 30, at 3pm.
Art galleries don't just showcase great works by renowned talents on their own walls. They also loan out their collections, touring them to other sites around the globe. That's great news for Australians, who've been able to check out pieces from London's Tate Britain and New York's Museum of Modern Art in recent years, all without leaving the country. In 2021, you'll also be able to feast your eyes on two big collections of European masterpieces from two different overseas institutions: from New York's The Met, which is heading to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art, and from London's National Gallery, which'll take over the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. The latter, called Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, will hit the Australian Capital Territory from March 5–June 14, 2021. If you were looking for a reason to take a local holiday interstate this year, the NGA has not just one but 60, because that's how many works this huge exhibition will feature. The gallery isn't joking about the showcase's title, either. When you'll be exhibiting Van Gogh's Sunflowers, you can throw around the word 'masterpiece' as much as you like. Other high-profile works include Rembrandt's Self Portrait at the Age of 34, plus Vermeer's A Young Woman seated at a Virginal. And, artist-wise, Titian, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Renoir, Cézanne, Botticelli, El Greco, Constable, Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Gauguin are all also on the bill. [caption id="attachment_792837" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers 1888, National Gallery, London, Image courtesy the National Gallery, London[/caption] When peering at the exhibition's pieces, art aficionados will be taken through seven important periods in Western European art history, from a range that spans 450 years. That means exploring work from the Italian Renaissance, checking out the Dutch painting of the Golden Age, and feasting your eyes on British portraiture — as well as scoping out pieces from the 17th- and 18th-century Grand Tour, Spanish art from the 17th century, works that focus on landscape and the picturesque, and examining the birth of modern art. When Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London hits our shores, it'll mark a big milestone, too — as the largest batch of works to venture beyond the United Kingdom in National Gallery's 192-year history. Announcing the exhibition, National Gallery of Australia Director Nick Mitzevich mentioned exactly what you're probably now thinking — that is, that the showcase is a nifty way to see the world in a period when we can't venture far physically. "At a time when Australian audiences are unable to travel overseas, we are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors to Canberra to see this exclusive showcase of world-class art," he said. Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from March 5–June 14, 2021, with tickets on sale now. Top images: Installation view, Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Anthony van Dyck, Lady Elizabeth Thimbelby and Dorothy, Viscountess, The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London; installation view, Giovanni Giralomo Savoldo, Mary Magdalene (far left), The National Gallery, London © The National Gallery, London.
Ashfield Park is a picture-perfect example of Aussie outdoor culture; the park has centuries-old trees, there's a strong community that tends to the park's veggie garden, and there's a thriving bowlo, as well as free barbecues and sheltered picnic areas. The best part is the old palm trees that give the inner west suburb a taste of the tropics, providing heaps of shade for you to nurse a couple of cold drinks and stuff your face with pumpkin loaf and whipped ricotta, a specialty sweet-savoury snack from the close-by cafe Outfield. You're permitted to drink booze in the day in Ashfield Park, however, make sure you're all packed up by 9pm. Image: The Outfield, Kimberley Low
The Art Gallery of New South Wales has reopened its 20th-century gallery with revitalised displays and a commitment to championing works by female artists, Aboriginal artists and works hailing from Asia and the Pacific. The gallery space has been given a major refurbishment and is now open, showcasing an array of significant works from local and international artists. Situated in the 1972 wing of AGNSW, the space has been refreshed in order to facilitate these fan-favourite artworks while revealing the gallery's original heritage architecture. The refurbishments include the reopening of the internal balconies that overlook the eight-meter-high atrium. At the core of this new gallery is the idea that Australian artists play a significant role on the world cultural stage and should be appreciated in the context of the global artistic movements. [caption id="attachment_867009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of the 20th - century galleries at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, featuring (left to right): Frank Stella Khurasan Gate variation II 1970, Sydney Ball Transoxiana 9 1968 and James Doolin Artificial landscape 6 1969, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christopher Snee[/caption] "In a shift from traditional museum practice, we are showing Australian artists alongside international artists," AGNSW director Michael Brand said. "Such a display allows us to not only explore the connections between local artists and global art movements, it asserts that Australian artists have always been international artists, and that many international artists continue to work in Australia in many different ways." Gallery highlights include a radical bark painting by Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, a seminal painting by Papunya artist Kaapa Tjampitjinpa, Martin Creed's immersive Work no. 2821 installation made of hundreds of yellow balloons and the historic moving image work The story of the Kelly Gang. Visitors will catch works from local favourites Brett Whiteley and Grace Cossington-Smith alongside international names like Francis Bacon and Pierre Bonnard. The gallery is now open seven days a week across two levels of the Art Gallery of NSW. The ground floor displays works from the first half of the 20th century, while the second level is prominently dedicated to works from the 1960s onwards. This newly revealed space forms part of the wider Sydney Modern Project transformation, which will open to the public on 3 December. [caption id="attachment_867010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Creed Work no 2821 2017, yellow 11-inch balloons, installation dimensions variable, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased with funds provided by the Mollie and Jim Gowing Bequest and Atelier 2017 © Martin Creed[/caption] The Art Gallery of NSW is located at Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney and is open daily 10am–5pm, with extended opening hours until 10pm on Wednesdays. Top image: Installation view of the 20th-century galleries at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo ©Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christopher Snee
It's the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history. It's the longest-running production now currently playing Broadway, too. It's been seen by over 34-million people worldwide in 38 countries, and played more than 33,500 performances in 525-plus cities. And, it's won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy. The show: Chicago. It has also made a return to Australia, including splashing a healthy dose of 1920s razzle dazzle in Sydney from Sunday, June 9, 2024 in the musical's big Aussie comeback. Come on babes, why don't we paint the town? With all that jazz, the record-breaking smash is shimmying back onto the Capitol Theatre stage to put on one helluva show. Get ready to see Zoë Ventoura (Home and Away) as Velma Kelly and Lucy Maunder (Mary Poppins) as Roxie Hart, plus Aussie theatre star Anthony Warlow (The Phantom of the Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) as Billy Flynn. [caption id="attachment_714916" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jeremy Daniel[/caption] Also featuring: Peter Rowsthorn (Kath & Kim) as Roxie's husband Amos, Asabi Goodman (Hairspray) as prison warden Mama Morton and S. Valeri as crime reporter Mary Sunshine. Inspiring 2002's Renée Zellweger (Judy)- and Catherine Zeta Jones (Wednesday)-starring Academy Award-winning film of the same name, Chicago tells the tale of housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart. In the decadent 1920s, she twirls through a whirlwind of murdered lovers, jail time, fierce rivalries and tabloid sensationalism — all set to a toe-tapping soundtrack. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the production showcases music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and choreography by Tony Award-winner Ann Reinking. [caption id="attachment_714915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Kolnik[/caption] Top image: Jeff Busby. Updated Monday, June 17, 2024.
Teenagers are savage in The Boogeyman, specifically to Yellowjackets standout Sophie Thatcher, but none of them literally take a bite. Grief helps usher a stalking dark force to a distraught family's door; however, that malevolent presence obviously doesn't share The Babadook's moniker. What can and can't be seen haunts this dimly lit film, and yet this isn't Bird Box, which co-star Vivien Lyra Blair also appeared in. And a distressed man visits a psychiatrist to talk about his own losses, especially the otherworldly monster who he claims preyed upon his children, just as in Stephen King's 1973 short story also called The Boogeyman — but while this The Boogeyman is based on that The Boogeyman, which then made it into the author's 1978 Night Shift collection that gave rise to a packed closet full of fellow movie adaptations including Children of the Corn, Graveyard Shift and The Lawnmower Man, this flick uses the horror maestro's words as a mere beginning. On the page and the screen alike, Lester Billings (David Dastmalchian, Boston Strangler) seeks therapist Will Harper's (Chris Messina, Air) assistance, reclining on his couch to relay a tragic tale. As the new patient talks, he isn't just shaken and shellshocked — he's a shadow of a person. He's perturbed by what loiters where light doesn't reach, in fact, and by what he's certain has been lurking in his own home. Here, he couldn't be more adamant that "the thing that comes for your kids when you're not paying attention" did come for his. And, the film Lester has chosen his audience carefully, because Will's wife recently died in a car accident, leaving his daughters Sadie (Thatcher) and Sawyer (Blair) still struggling to cope. On the day of this fateful session, the two girls have just returned to school for the first time, only for Sadie to sneak back when her so-called friends cruelly can't manage any sympathy. Whether you call it the boogeyman, boogie monster or bogeyman IRL, the titular creature doesn't need naming; everyone knows the concept. Movie buffs definitely do, thanks to 1980's The Boogeyman, and its sequels in 1983 and 1994 — plus the unrelated 2005 release Boogeyman, as well as its own 2007 and 2008 follow-ups. None of those past pictures have anything to do with King, making this one, which arrives 50 years after his unnerving prose first hit print, the only one to do the honours. Its main figures are just as familiar with the mythic entity with a penchant for petrifying young souls in the black of night from beneath their beds and in their cupboards, but purely as fiction, with ten-year-old Sawyer unable to sleep without lights on, her wardrobe checked and under her mattress given a thorough once-over. Indeed, early in The Boogeyman, Will asks Sawyer how she manages to slumber each night beneath such a glow. While her answer is standard for any precocious kid, the question itself hangs heavily in the air. Her bedroom twinkles from several sources of light — one of which is a giant lit-up globe that she sleeps with, and can also handily roll along bright corridors when the need arises, which it will — but the scene is noticeably far from radiant. It's a sight that says plenty about The Boogeyman, albeit unintentionally. The studio debut of Host and Dashcam director Rob Savage, the film is so concerned with evoking an unsettling mood in its look, tone and emotions first and foremost that it doesn't flinch for a second when what a character is saying contrasts so glaringly with what's being shown. Scary movies are about feeling, of course. At the core of the horror genre is the need to work through the things that go bump and jump in the evening, usually in our hearts and minds, and springing from existential woes about mortality — plus the chilling sensation that can't be shaken when what gets our hairs standing on end isn't at all logical. Accordingly, while the way that The Boogeyman handles Sawyer's bedroom doesn't prove so bright in multiple senses, Savage is a convincingly atmospheric filmmaker here (a trait he also demonstrated with his 2020 breakout Host, only for it to vanish without a trace in 2021's awful and obnoxious Dashcam). With cinematographer Eli Born (Hellraiser) consistently infusing every room with bleakness, Savage knows how to let dread and terror permeate. That's what navigating mourning is like, after all, as sits at the core of the emotionally astute script by A Quiet Place and 65's Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, alongside Black Swan and The Skeleton Twins' Mark Heyman. A feature can be as layered as strings upon strings of fairy lights and equally as conventional as a regular incandescent bulb, though. The Boogeyman, with its generic title, swings between both extremes. It understands how unshakeable the pain of losing someone is, and how bereavement seeps into every space it can. As Smile did in 2022, it also appreciates hurt and torment as a contagion as it spills from one household to the next. The Boogeyman is well-versed in the mechanics of jump scares, but those jolts also become routine quickly. Its high school bullies can't hold a candle to Carrie, it haunted houses aren't on The Shining's level and there's a touch of Stranger Things to its glimpses of its long-limbed, sharp-clawed namesake. And, yes, Thatcher brings Yellowjackets to mind, the whole premise gets The Babadook bubbling up, and the family-in-peril setup brings up Bird Box alongside Beck and Woods' A Quiet Place. Whether The Boogeyman is resonating with earned and earnest emotion or leaning overtly into genre tropes, it's a smartly hushed affair with expert sound design; in life's worst moments, sometimes only whispers echo no matter how loudly you want to scream. Savage's intriguing- and involving-enough mixed bag is also a better film thanks to its three key cast members, even working with thinly written characters. As her breakout TV role has already demonstrated, Thatcher is a talent on the rise. She's particularly skilled at portraying complicated teens forced to weather unspeakable horrors, then find a way to persevere. Although her panicked face fills the screen often, Blair's Sawyer is never just an alarmed avatar for the audience or a reminder of their own childhood fears, while the always-watchable Messina makes a shrink dad with trouble processing his own trauma feel believable.
The high priestess of dark rock is coming to Australia for Sydney Festival 2016. Locked in to play an exclusive performance at Sydney's shiny new International Convention Centre on Sunday, January 22, Harvey will be backed by her ten-piece band for a career-spanning set. It's been a while between drinks — Harvey hasn't performed in Australia since her 2012 Sydney Festival concert. It's a new live show for the UK indie rock legend, one that's already toured Europe and the US and features all your favourite early classics and newer material. It's also one of the first concerts announced for Sydney's epic $1.5 billion ICC. Image: Maria Mochnacz.
The summer backyard barbie is a much-loved Aussie tradition. So, if you're looking to extend barbecue season into the colder months of the year, sans the freezing backyard, we've got the perfect solution for you. The family share-style menu of Korean barbecue is best enjoyed surrounded by enthusiastic mates and equally enthusiastic appetites. Wander into any of Sydney's best Korean barbecue restaurants and expect to be presented with dazzling cuts of marinated and non-marinated meat, a bountiful array of banchan (aka side dishes) and a variety of hot soups in heated clay pots. For some of the best soul-warming winter dining experiences in Sydney, head to one of these ten Korean barbecue restaurants or some of our our other favourite styles of barbecue joints. 678 KOREAN BBQ, EASTWOOD 678 Korean BBQ is part of Korean celebrity Kang Ho-dong's chain of BBQ restaurants around the world. It's easy to see why they're so popular with a no-fuss menu that focuses on delivery quality cuts in spades. The kitchen dishes and banchan aren't as extensive in comparison to other Korean BBQ joints, but the Eastwood venue features a small in-house butcher for diners to watch their cuts being sliced and prepared. You'll find glorious cuts of pork, beef and for good measure — a separate premium list of wagyu. Don't miss out on the soy-marinated pork short rib or if you're feeling adventurous, try the marinated beef intestines. Combined with attentive service, 678 is one of the top spots for diners seeking a casual spot with top-tier ingredients. Where? 14 Glen Street, Eastwood. 678 Korean BBQ is also at Level 1, 396 Pitt Street. O BAL, HAYMARKET It's easy to pass right by this Korean barbeque restaurant, which is hidden down a seedy CBD alley. Luckily for O Bal, its reputation precedes it — and for good reason. The bustling, DIY Korean style barbecue is popular among all nationalities. At the centre of each table sits a charcoal barbecue pit, perfect for cooking the selection of meats, seafood and offal that can be found on the menu. Believe it or not, the thinly sliced wagyu and the marinated king prawns go particularly well together. Expect a bit of a wait — but you'll be seated and eating way before your counterpart at the neighbouring Madang. Where? 363A Pitt Street, Haymarket. [caption id="attachment_814222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kogi's Korean BBQ, Haymarket.[/caption] BORNGA, HAYMARKET Searching for Korean barbecue with a dazzling venue filled with spacious booths and lovely décor? Look no further than Bornga, one of the fancier Korean barbecue restaurants in Sydney. Another international chain, this time by celebrity Korean chef Baek Jong-won, Bornga features an extensive menu with high-quality meat and traditional Korean dishes. Expect steaming stews, traditional dishes like japchae (a Korean stir-fried glass noodle dish) and marinated samgyeopsal (pork belly). Grab their signature woosamgyup (thinly-sliced beef loin) which comes with a lovely ratio of fat. Leave the beef loin longer on the barbecue until the fat crisps up the meat into a bacon-like consistency — and you'll never look at thin beef strips the same way. Trust us. Where? Level 1, 78 Harbour Street, Haymarket. HANABI, LIDCOMBE Unpretentious and no-frills are the words that best describe Hanabi. Located in Lidcombe, this humble Korean restaurant is a local favourite and it's not hard to see why. One of their main attractions is the 'cheese-pong' dish that either comes with spicy chicken or pork belly and baby octopus. The dish comprises of hot a plate with spicy marinated pork belly and octopus at its centre, while the edges are made of slots of grilled cheese, corn or egg so diners can dip the spicy proteins into melted stringy goodness. The result is all the cheese-pulling antics your social media heart desires. Their menu also includes a comprehensive list of wagyu and pork cuts for a more traditional Korean barbecue experience in Sydney. Plates of fried chicken fingers and chips is another secret favourite among locals. Where? 33 Joseph Street, Lidcombe. JANG TA BAL, STRATHFIELD A buzzing atmosphere, beer towers and sizzling mayhem are what you'll find at Jang Ta Bal, particularly if you're at their Strathfield location. A favourite amongst the livelier patrons of Korean barbecue, Jang Ta Bal's menu here is first class with premium cuts of wagyu and extensive beef and pork menus. Order a whole wagyu scotch fillet for only $35 and sit back as their brilliant staff take care of the rest — cooking your meat to perfection. Their fresh crab marinated in chilli paste is one to try if you're there on the weekend, along with the fluffy egg soup, often touted as one of the best in Sydney. Where? 48A The Boulevarde, Strathfield. Jang Ta Bal is also at Level 1, 73 Liverpool Street. YANG SAN PARK, SYDNEY Another favourite go-to location for rowdier patrons, Yang San Park is a place suited for any occasion whether you're after a fun date spot, a casual lunch with friends or a reliable dinner location before a big night out. You'll be delighted to find your favourite pork and beef cuts at much cheaper prices here with no sacrifice on the quality. The staff here are friendly, efficient and attentively cook your food for you. With great value on the menu, exceptional staff and a bustling atmosphere, this Dixon Street Korean barbeque joint is the whole package for your next group hang. Where? Shop 21, 1 Dixon Street. SE JONG KOREAN BBQ BUFFET, CAMPSIE Who doesn't love a good buffet? If you're the type that can feast on unlimited cuts of meat, Se Jong will offer you just that. You'll find all the usual suspects for protein here in abundance. The restaurant also services other delights like japchae, Korean fried chicken and Korean dumplings. The homey decor allows you to relax as you eat and no-frills service will ensure that you have all your needs met. At $42 per head, it's a reasonably priced buffet for the great variety you get in return. Where? 8 London Street, Campsie or 270 Castlereagh Street. You'll also find Se Jong Korean BBQ Buffet at 821 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford. [caption id="attachment_814224" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Kogi's Korean BBQ, Haymarket.[/caption] KOGI, HAYMARKET Kogi is run by General Manager David Bae who has a long family history of Korean barbecue venues in Australia. His father, Donald Bae, is credited with bringing the popular Korean dining concept to Australia in 1992 meaning Kogi is in very safe hands with this family. With attentive staff making sure that different grills are used for different proteins, diners can sleep soundly knowing they're getting the absolute best out of their barbecued proteins – over charcoal too for the traditionalists out there. Their menu features a series of fresh and marinated proteins, plus veggies to share. If you're feeling cold this winter, choose from an extensive range of hot pots to warm you up. Kogi has been one of the best places to get Korean barbecue in Sydney for many years now, and it is showing no sign of slowing down. Where? Level 3 Market City, 9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket. DANJEE, SYDNEY If you're looking for something a little classier then you won't put a foot wrong with heading over to Madang's sister restaurant, Danjee. The self-proclaimed fine-dining restaurant focuses primarily on high-quality food, eye-catching presentation and elevated table service. If you open its menu, you'll find a beautiful array of delectable meats, stews, seafood and noodles. If you're feeling fancy, order the wagyu top blade or wagyu short ribs. The beverage list also offers slightly more refined options compared to other Korean barbecue spots in Sydney, like premium-distilled soju, red and white wines. If you're in the mood for something more progressive, Danjee also offers some fusion dishes like bulgogi burgers. Where? 1/7 Albion Place, Sydney. WAGYU HOUSE, CROYDON Another buffet venue to add to your list, Wagyu House enters in as one of the best in terms of quality and value. its Croydon location is split into two sections; an indoor dining area on one side and a butcher department on the other which acts as the buffet spread. Featuring a variety of fresh and marinated proteins — expect seafood, pork, chicken, beef and wagyu beef slices. Wagyu House also features a buffet spread of Korean and non-Korean dishes such as pancakes, fried rice and sushi nigiri. At $36.60 (including wagyu) per head, Wagyu House is one of the most affordable Korean barbecue all-you-can-eat places available in Sydney. Where? 668-670 Parramatta Road, Croydon. Top image: Supplied by Kogi.
Everyone's definition of what makes a good pastry is different. For us, any type of dough doused in sugar, glazed in butter and served fresh out of the oven will do just fine. For some, however, pastry perfection means a whole lot more. Indulgent macarons, the perfectly iced cupcake, lemon tarts and chocolate mousse cakes are probably the tickets to making bona fide sweet tooths froth at the mouth in pastry ecstasy. So in celebration of all things pastry, here are our top 10 picks of Sydney's best patisseries. 1. Black Star Pastry Just off King Street in Newtown, this hole-in-the-wall patisserie is unlike anything you've ever seen. With rebels in the kitchen and hipsters on the floor, Black Star is one of a kind. What sets them apart from the rest? The creativity tablespooned into every single mixing bowl. And the end result? An eclectic combo of offerings, sure to wow all of one's senses. For beginners, we recommend the strawberry watermelon cake with rose cream (four potions for $24). Then, try the lemon meringue tart with basil jelly, a genius concoction that will have you ordering a dozen at a time. For the kids, there's Ginger Ninjas ($4), which have replaced the somewhat jaded gingerbread man at this happening hotspot. 277 Australia St, Newtown; 02 9557 8656; www.blackstarpastry.com.au 2. La Renaissance Patisserie Step through the baroque-style doors of this Sydney institution and you're half way to the heart of the city of light. Macarons, flans and cakes abundantly adorn the interior of this humble, Parisian-inspired patisserie in the Rocks. This patisserie's focus lies in the light, buttery batters of their cakes. From classic to contemporary, La Renaissance offers some of the best cakes around town. Each one is unique yet all are beautiful. We suggest the Passion de Pierre ($52 for the large) for anyone who loves passionfruit. For the chocoholics, the list is large and decadent. We'd opt for the heavenly chocolate mousse cake, made of traditional creamy Valrhona chocolate mousse, encased in a patterned joconde ($49 for the large). 47 Argyle Street, the Rocks; 02 9241 4878; www.larenaissance.com.au 3. Bourke Street Bakery Opening in 2004, Bourke Street Bakery was Sydney's answer to San Francisco's Tartine Bakery. Pioneering the artisan bakery movement in the inner city, their products are respected as some of the best. They are the originals and their authenticity shines through in all their offerings, from their rustic sourdoughs, flaky pastry tarts, and seasonal fruit muffins to their warm sausage rolls and pies, decadent cakes, gourmet sandwiches and even homemade lemonade. Known for their long lines on Saturday mornings, we suggest making the quest on a quieter weekday afternoon. You avoid the rush and you can completely appreciate the full range available in store. We suggest trying the middle-eastern inspired lamb, almond and harissa sausage roll ($4), followed by their signature ginger crème brulee tart ($4.40). 633 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; 02 9699 1011; www.bourkestreetbakery.com.au 4. Sweetness the Patisserie Sweetness' specialty is their confectionery marshmallows, their go-to product. Spectacularly light and fluffy, they are available in every possible flavour and even covered in chocolate. We suggest a mixed nine pack ($8); you’ll find it impossible to just stop at one. It's hard to resist everything this patisserie produces. From caramels, biscuits, tarts and jellies, to cakes and truffles, this is a utopia for anyone with a sweet tooth. With its perfectly packaged products finding their way onto the shelves of Sydney's best delis, grocers and gourmet food markets too, there is no question quality is first class, as is the friendly service. 38 Oxford Street, Epping; 02 9869 3800; www.sweetness.com.au 5. Adriano Zumbo Adriano Zumbo is a household name for taking an unconventional approach to the art of patisserie. Take his macaron menu for example: pancake and maple syrup, malted milkshake and salted butter popcorn are but a few of the flavours available. There's nothing that compares, however, to his wacky Willy Wonka-style creations. He's a true creative force who's found a niche and is exploiting it. And if you're feeling adventurous, we suggest heading over to the Star because we hear his new dessert train is a sweet ride. Shop 1, Cafe Court, the Star, Pyrmont; www.adrianozumbo.com/the-star-pyrmont/ 6. Victoire Bakery You are spoilt for choice at this inner west favourite. Specialising in rustic sourdough breads, the olive baguette is one of the best on the market, they also produce a range of classic Parisian-style pastries, tarts and cakes. Each carefully constructed and perfectly decorated, Victoire bakery is the go to when you're time poor and need something to 'wow' dinner guests with. Victoire doesn't over complicate things either. There is no desiccated coconut, no fluro-coloured icing, and no garish chocolate work. Simple, elegant and refined patisserie classics made from quality ingredients. 660 Darling Street, Rozelle; 02 9818 552 7. Baroque Patisserie From the family that brought you La Renaissance Patisserie comes their latest and most impressive venture, Baroque. Think bistro meets bar meets patisserie, and everything is on show in their exhibition-style kitchen set up. We suggest trying their famous macarons, available in a variety of flavours: dark chocolate, salted caramel, rose and jasmine to name but a few. Don't fret if macarons aren't your choice, though. There's an extensive dessert menu on offer too, which we're certain will delight. Unfortunately, they don't have a retail outlet, so the only way to sample their scrumptious sweet offerings is to dine in. 88 George Street, Sydney; 02 9241 4811; www.baroquebistro.com.au 8. Sweet Infinity Located in the historic Strand Arcade, this pokey patisserie, founded by ex-Infinity Sourdough chef Leanne Beck, is one of Sydney's top patisseries. With delectable, decadent chocolate brownies and light-as-air lemon meringue tartlets, this place quickly rose to fame. Not surprising, considering their dazzling window display is enough to startle even the more savory inclined amongst use. Our picks are either a lemon meringue tartlet ($2.50) or a chocolate brownie ($3.50). The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney; 02 9231 0472 9. Flour and Stone Flour and Stone is the brainchild of ex-MG Garage pastry chef, Nadine Ingram. And Ingram is no ordinary Patissier. She has learnt from some of the best in the industry and now offers her own simple, honest and wholesome creations, such as a lemon drizzle cake and fine apple tart. Ingram also offers some more interesting, inventive options, such as the beetroot and seed cake, as well as the lamington pannacotta at $5.50. The contrasting textures, the crisp coconut coating against the smooth creamy pannacotta centre, create the perfect pop and crunch. 53 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo; 02 8068 8818; www.flourandstone.com.au 10. La Banette Located next to Glebe favourite, Clipper Cafe, is this humble patisserie called La Bannette. Since it's arrival in the big smoke from the sunny Northern Beaches, this place has got everyone talking with it's sweet aromas of caremelised sugar, melted butter and golden, baked pastries. Irresistible displays showcase their freshly baked collection of tarts, cakes, pastries and biscuits, all of which exude rustic, artisanal charm. We suggest trying the chocolate fig tarts with a rich chocolate ganache filling adorned with a darkly caramelised fig and raspberries. It's heaven in a bite. 18 Glebe Point Road, Glebe; 02 8095 9688
After announcing they'll be playing sets at six European festivals this summer — their first live shows since 2012 — Radiohead have added a string of headline shows to their year, carving out a very neat 2016 world tour. So neat in fact, that's it's a little on the sparse side. That is to say that there are no Australian or New Zealand dates listed on their 2016 schedule as of yet (even after we checked and refreshed the page nine times). Instead, the band will do a series of May dates in Amsterdam, Paris and London, before heading to Barcelona's Primavera Sound, Iceland's Secret Solstice, Switzerland's Openair St Gallen and Lisbon's Nos Alive festivals. They'll then move onto New York, LA, Japan, Berlin for Lollapalooza and Mexico City. And although their website says these are "all the headline shows that the band will play in 2016", we're not taking that as an absolute, and will continue to cross our hopeful little fingers that a Australasian date or two gets added to the list. Not to be too forthcoming, but November would be perfect. No pressure. Radiohead have yet to announce a new album, but you can view all their 2016 tour dates at their website, W.A.S.T.E.
Digital art is taking over the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in a huge way in 2024. The Melbourne venue might be known for its cinemas, as well as past exhibitions about Martin Scorsese, David Bowie, Disney animation and women in Hollywood, but it doesn't just celebrate movies and television. If it can grace screens, it can feature here — including at the Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature showcase that displayed until April, and then at fellow world-premiere Beings from Wednesday, May 22–Sunday, September 29. Interactive pieces using innovative technology firmly fit ACMI's remit, which is exactly what its big winter exhibition is about. The playful event explores the work of art and design collective Universal Everything, featuring 13 pieces from its 20-year career. And the experience that you have while walking through Beings won't be the same as anyone else's. This new reason to head to ACMI wants attendees to not merely look at, but also move and dance in front of its large-scale screens and projected artworks. Beings' pieces respond differently to each visitor, using evolving algorithms and generative technology. That makes you part of the art as well. [caption id="attachment_944198" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Into the Sun' by Universal Everything, installation view, Lifeforms exhibition, 180 Studios, photo by Jack Hems.[/caption] Founded in 2004, Universal Everything began in a garden studio in Sheffield, England, which is where Creative Director Matt Pyke initially set up shop. Now, the collective — which includes animators, architects, cinematographers, designers, developers, engineers and musicians — works globally. Its creations display around the world, too, with stints in London, Seoul, Paris, Istanbul and New York before its upcoming Melbourne exhibition. Beings' pieces — four of which will be brand-new world-premiere artworks themselves — frequently use the kind of tech that Hollywood studios and video-game makers deploy. Expect to peer at and play with an assortment of characters, and to feel like you've stepped into a movie or a game as well. The exhibition unravels Universal Everything's creative process, including via hand-drawn sketches that'll be seen by the public for the first time. Top image: Future You' by Universal Everything, installation view, Digital Impact, Barcelona, Spain, photo by Eva Caraso.
Between the missed birthdays and array of postponed parties, chances are you've got a lot of catching up to do on the celebrations front. And the folks at renowned accomodation brand QT are here to help you do so in style. Five of their plush hotels and resorts are now hosting an indulgent new experience called Floor'd, which allows guests to book out an entire floor for one wild night in with their nearest and dearest. Available at QT's Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Gold Coast and Perth sites, Floor'd is on offer to groups of between 16 and 41 punters keen for an exclusive rockstar-style soiree. And it's pretty much only limited by your own imagination, with three packages and a multitude of luxe add-ons to choose from. Starting from $620 per couple, the experience includes exclusive use of a whole hotel floor for the evening, with a dedicated team of hosts on hand to cater to your every whim. You and your mates will sit down to a special hallway dinner of seasonal dishes matched with brand-new signature cocktails like the Floor'd negroni and the Summer Affair. Then, after your chosen post-dinner kick-ons, you'll all spend the night sleeping like kings in your luxury hotel rooms, before waking to breakfast in bed. Of course, after the year that's been, you've got a solid excuse to splurge on a few extra additions. Mix and match your ultimate soiree with the likes of VIP drinks, pop-up bars, private DJ sets, pamper packages, late-checkout and maybe even a live performance from your favourite artist. Floor'd is available now at QT Sydney, QT Melbourne, QT Auckland, QT Gold Coast and QT Perth, running until the end of 2021. Learn more and make a booking over at the website.
After opening several colourful Mexican cantinas around the city in 2019, Rockpool Dining Group has expanded its Sydney footprint again — this time, with a European and American-inspired joint that specialises in wings. Inside Circular Quay's Gateway Centre, Winghaüs by Bavarian has room for 145 people across a range of high-top tables, benches, bar stools and leather booths. It's the second Bavarian offshoot of its type to open in the country, with the inaugural Brisbane outpost launching last September. Chicken is the main culinary attraction — buffalo wings specifically — although you'll also be able to tuck into fried wings dusted in either chipotle or habanero powder, or opt for boneless chicken tenders. They're all available in servings of ten, 15, 20, 50 or 100 pieces, with eight hot sauces on offer — ranging from mild Texas barbecue to super-hot habanero — and five dips. For folks hankering for other US diner-style bites, chicken burgers, sides such as onion rings, potato gems and deep-fried pickles, plus New York-style cheesecake ($9) are all available. And if you like your desserts both sweet and warm, a selection of deep-fried chocolate bars ($8) are likely to prove a highlight, with hot, gooey Mars, Snickers and Picnics all on offer. While the menu skews American, European influences come through in the drinks and decor. Like The Bavarian, Winghaüs features a stein chandelier made from 500 one-litre glasses, and serves German brews such as Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Franziskaner, Spaten and Hofbräu. US tipples like Budweiser, Stella Artois and Goose Island also feature, plus Aussie beers like 4 Pines and Pirate Life. And, cocktail-wise, the bar's taps pump out margaritas, old fashioneds, spritzes, negronis and espresso martinis. The best time to head in is undoubtedly after work — the 5–7pm weekday happy hour includes 50-cent wings, $6 pints, $11 steins and $7.50 espresso martinis and negronis. Sydneysiders can also expect plenty to keep them entertained at the diner-style spot, whether you're settling in at the long bar or getting cosy in a leather booth beneath neon signs. Given that sports memorabilia line the walls, it should come as no surprise that big-screen TVs also play up to 20 live sports at a time.
