Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, The Mighty Boosh, Frida Kahlo: they're just some of the faces that've graced exhibitions around Australia in 2023. The next to join them is Amy Winehouse, in a showcase that's doing what documentary Amy also dedicated some of its frames to: stepping back a couple of decades to the beginning of the 'Back to Black' and 'Rehab' singer's career. When Winehouse was 19, photographer Charles Moriarty was requested by a friend to take some snaps of the then-unknown talent. They're the images that Amy, Before Frank will display. More than 30 will feature — and if you're wondering where the exhibition's name comes from, it references Winehouse's debut album Frank, with the photos covered hailing from before that record dropped. When Winehouse was in front of his lens, Irish photographer Moriarty didn't know what'd follow for the performer — the fame and success, nor her passing in 2011. The session clearly worked out well because Moriarty also shot the cover art for Frank, and became friends with the singer. "It's time for people to know the girl I knew; Amy before the fame, Amy before Frank" said Moriarty about his exhibition, which heads to Australia for a two-city tour this spring. To check out Amy, Before Frank, fans will need to head to Sydney's M2 Gallery from Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 or Melbourne's @14 Gallery from Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5. That timing couldn't be more perfect, given that Frank — which includes the singles 'Stronger Than Me', 'Take the Box' and 'In My Bed' — released two decades ago in October. Moriarty is coming to Australia with the exhibition, chatting in both Sydney (on Saturday, October 21) and Melbourne (on Saturday, November 4) about his work and Winehouse. AMY, BEFORE FRANK AUSTRALIAN DATES: Wednesday, October 18–Sunday, October 22 — M2 Gallery, 4/450 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5 — @14 Gallery, 14 Langridge Street, Collingwood, Melbourne Amy, Before Frank will display in Sydney in October 2023 and Melbourne in November 2023 — head to the exhibition website for further details. Images: Charles Moriarty.
Though technically taking its inspiration from The Hamptons, The Pines in Cronulla, with its chic, neutral palette, pops of greenery and meat-heavy menu (though it's got a vegan one, too) would fit right in in the south of France. The beachfront eatery, which opened November 2020, has James Metcalfe as its exec chef and former Rockpool and Merivale sommelier Chris Hoy heading its beverage list. The menu is extensive and features everything from four-week dry-aged steaks ($38) and koji cured-flank ($38) to smoked ham and pineapple pizza ($29). For a real treat, order the seafood bouillabaisse ($110), which feeds two and comes with a whole baguette. Images: Rachel Kara
Back in 2017, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham of Mary's fame resurrected Chippendale's historic Lansdowne Hotel. They gave it a facelift — complete with pin-up girl covered bathroom ceilings — and brought back live gigs on both levels. But, they didn't stop there. A year later, the duo opened a mini-pizzeria on its ground floor — and now, they're transforming the rooftop. Mary's On Top — sung to the tune of Beyoncé's 'Love On Top', obviously — was originally slated to open in spring, but was brought forward because Smyth and Graham had out-of-work staff during the COVID lockdown and The Lansdowne has been unable to host live gigs. Now launching this Thursday, June 4, the rooftop spot will be serving up classic Mary's fare: burgers, beers and natural wine. As well as the signature Mary's burger, mash 'n' gravy and fried chook, the food lineup will feature a dedicated vegan menu with animal-product free versions of the aforementioned dishes, including a fried chook-style cauliflower. The boys said they'd always hoped to bring the venue's rooftop to life, but it was the pandemic that kicked them into gear. "Its always been sitting there, taunting us with its proximity and promise," Smyth said in a statement. "Now with the world gone crazy, we figured we would match that craziness by opening a fucking venue in the midst of the COVID mess." It's not the only action they're doing in response to COVID-19, either. The pair knows that lots of Aussies have had their salaries reduced during the crisis, so they're temporarily reducing the price of food at five Mary's venues. From Thursday, June 4 till Wednesday, June 10, you can get 30 percent off burgers, chook and mash at Mary's outposts in Newtown, Circular Quay, Castlereagh Street, Mary's On Top and Melbourne, with the deal valid for sit-in meals as well as via Deliveroo. You won't be able to dance the night away at The Lansdowne just yet, as the venue will remain closed for now, so to get to Mary's On Top you'll need enter via the stairwell on Knox Street. The opening of the venue will be weather dependent — so check its Instagram before heading in — but if all goes well, it's hoping to open from Thursdays to Sundays. Mary's On Top opens above The Lansdowne Hotel, 2–6 City Road, Chippendale on Thursday, June 4 from midday. Mary's On Top, Newtown, Circular Quay and Castlereagh Street venues will be offering a 30 percent discount on food from June 4–10. Top image: Jake Steel
Whenever a movie milestone rolls around, it sparks two things: a reminder about how much time has passed since the flick in the spotlight first hit screens, and a yearning to watch whichever classic is worthy of such celebrations right now. When a Studio Ghibli film hits a big anniversary, it also sparks a sense of urgency — although we all just feel like watching the beloved Japanese animation house's flicks right this minute all the time, don't we? 2022 marks a huge 25 years since one of Studio Ghibli's absolute best movies first graced picture palaces, which means that it's time to revel in all things Princess Mononoke. And if you're now desperate to revisit the Hayao Miyazaki-directed masterpiece, Australia and New Zealand's cinemas have great news for you: they're playing the historical fantasy gem again from Thursday, July 14. Two versions of the movie will hit a selection of Aussie and NZ venues as part of a 25th-anniversary season: the original Japanese version, which is the one that every Ghibli fan should be flocking to, and the English-dubbed version as well. And, whichever you choose, participating cinemas will also be offering a free commemorative pin featuring San's mask. It's available when you buy a ticket — although, given it's a collector's item, it's only on offer while stocks last. If you're a newcomer to this delight by the one and only Miyazaki — a film that only ranks behind Spirited Away and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind among the director's greats — get ready for a picture that makes a clear ecological statement. The iconic filmmaker has never shied away from doing just that; however, Princess Mononoke might just send his most forceful message about humanity's impact upon the earth. As set in Japan's Muromachi period (from the 14th to 16th centuries), the involving fantasy takes place among humans, animals and gods, all of which have been living in harmony until the movie starts. From there, the film charts the paths of a young prince with a curse and a young woman raised by wolves, as well as the conflict between a modernising town and the forest it's destroying. Every Studio Ghibli film is worth seeing — the animation house hasn't ever made a bad one, even if a few sit below the rest — but Princess Mononoke is a stone-cold classic. The highest-grossing Japanese feature of 1997, it's also the picture that helped bring the company's wonderful flicks to western audiences. Check out the trailer for Princess Mononoke below: Princess Mononoke returns to Australian and New Zealand cinemas from Thursday, July 14. For more information, and to find cinema locations, head to the Madman Films website.
A more traditional-style Taiwanese bubble tea shop, Yifang hails from Taiwan and is now popular worldwide, with shops in Sydney's Burwood, Eastwood and the CBD. It sources its tea from local farmers across 140 hectares in Mingjian, Lugu and Sun Moon Lake. Yifang also sources its fruits seasonally from Taiwan, whether its pineapples from Guanmiao, kumquat from Ilangreen or green plums from Xinyi Township. And its fresh milk comes from Tainan dairy farms — they never use milk powder or creamers here. Some of the summery flavours on the menu at the moment include kiwi, lemon grapefruit and pineapple.
It's a truth universally acknowledged that every household has a list of dinner dishes that run on a regular rotation. Some menus may be more adventurous or diverse than others, but, Italian heritage or not, spaghetti bolognese is a staple on a lot of them. And while nobody makes it as good as nonna, it's still a dish that you occasionally opt for in a restaurant — it's a dependable classic of cheesy, meaty, carb-y goodness that reminds you of your childhood. Big Poppa's is banking on that nostalgia and turning Mondays into spaghetti bolognese night. Like many others, owner Lewis Jaffrey remembers spag bol dinners being the highlight of his week growing up, and believes that people haven't lost touch with old favourites. And, despite recent claims that Sydneysiders' fickle tastes are causing restaurants to drop it off their menus, Jaffrey says there's a high demand for the classic dish. "My best mates have been begging me to put it on the menu since we opened 18 months ago," says Jaffrey. "People have an emotional connection to it". Starting from Monday, 19 February, Big Poppa's will be churning out $23 bowls of bolognese every Monday — made with its much-loved house-made pasta. "We figured out recently that we have made over two tonnes of handmade pasta since we opened," Jaffrey says. The homestyle sauce is courtesy of chef Cam Smith, and it's a mix of pork and veal mince with a vegetable ragu. If you're thinking "that sounds pretty simple", Jaffrey insists Smith's sauce is pretty special. "Whenever he makes it for staff dinner, the entire team turns up — even if they weren't working." We think Nonna may have some competition. You can reserve your spot at Spaghetti Bolognese Mondays by making a reservation through the website, or just rock up at 6pm and order a bowl before it sells out.
When you think of the Big Apple, you can't help the image of a yellow taxi springing to mind. That's even if, like me, you've never been there. It's the brightest of American icons and it's about to get a Japanese makeover. Automaker Nissan has won the exclusive 10-year, US$1 billion contract to produce the city's fleet of 13,200 yellow taxis. Nissan's North American take on the NV200, a model already in use in Europe and Asia, won over finalist manufacturers Ford and Karsan, from Turkey. Previously, the taxis of New York City have been produced by Ford: Crown Victorias and hybrid Ford Escapes. These models will be phased out over a 3 to 5 year period to make way for Nissan's new model. [Via Jalopnik]
UPDATE, December 14, 2020: Marriage Story is available to stream via Netflix. Talk about a bait-and-switch. Marriage Story opens with Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) penning tender, generous prose about each other, explaining why they fell in love and built a life together. As they speak, writer/director Noah Baumbauch pairs their praise with glimpses of the New York-based couple's romantic highlights. But these aren't love letters. Rather, as viewers disconcertingly discover, they're part of a pre-divorce therapy exercise. And while Marriage Story does indeed tell the tale of the pair's marriage, this devastatingly astute and empathetic drama does so within a portrait of their relationship's dying days and its rocky aftermath, particularly focusing on the custody battle over their young son Henry (Azhy Robertson). 'Talk' is a keyword here. It's not by accident that Baumbach starts his 12th film with two hearty, revelatory monologues — the first of many. Chatter has often played a large part in the acclaimed filmmaker's movies, with his characters exposing their woes and shortcomings with a sea of words — and his actors, including the astonishing Johansson and Driver here, benefit from meaty, multifaceted roles as a result. Greenberg's titular grump, Frances Ha's buoyant but directionless twenty-something and The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)'s feuding family members all fit the above description. Everyone in While We're Young and Mistress America, too. In his ever-perceptive way, Baumbach hones in on figures whose lives are a shambles, then watches as they natter their way forward — revealing their fragile core while revelling in the minutiae of their existence. Nicole moves back to Los Angeles and tells her new lawyer (Laura Dern) about frustrations she hasn't dared voice in years: about being a rising Hollywood commodity who married an experimental theatre wunderkind, putting her wants and needs on hold, and feeling like Charlie was always directing their lives. And, as she does so, we don't just hear her story — we also learn about who she is, what she holds dear and where her path might lead, all while we listen and watch. When Charlie tries to juggle making the leap to Broadway for the first time and jetting back-and-forth to LA to see Henry, we go through the same process with him as gets annoyed with Nicole's decisions, pinballs around town, yet hardly makes the most of his time with his son. Marriage Story overflows with these kinds of scenes. The movie's duelling monologues basically continue from the outset, even when Nicole and Charlie are talking to others, or singing (which they both do) — and even when they're not saying a word. Taking the audience through these moments, and through the couple's clearly tumultuous times, Johansson and Driver are exceptional. It's through their achingly realistic work, and their way with Baumbach's witty and incisive script (and, yes, its words) that Marriage Story comes alive. Between this, his excellent performance in The Report, and standout turns in The Dead Don't Die and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Driver is having a fantastic year (and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker isn't even out yet). Meanwhile, demonstrating that she's acting's successor to the great Annette Bening, Johansson makes her biggest on-screen impact since the trio of Lucy, Her and Under the Skin. The two aren't just impressive — they make you feel Nicole and Charlie's ups and downs and, especially, the raw uncertainty about their new futures. And, they'll likely earn a string of well-deserved nominations and awards for their efforts, as should Dern as one of the uncompromising figures caught in the middle. (Ray Liotta and Alan Alda are also memorable as the legal eagles in Charlie's corner.) These are all sharp, layered performances that fill a big screen — perhaps a contentious point given that Marriage Story was funded by Netflix, and plays in cinemas before hitting the streaming platform in a few weeks. It might seem counterintuitive, but Baumbach's intimate, dialogue-heavy films and their accompanying portrayals soak up the light and room that a larger canvas provides, as if the director is putting his scenarios and characters under a magnifying glass. (He is, of course; that's what movies do.) His naturalistic imagery, lensed here by the visually talented Robbie Ryan (I, Daniel Blake, American Honey, The Favourite), also relishes the heftier format, laying bare the everyday interiors that fill the feature's frames, as well as the space that frequently blankets its protagonists. Indeed, in the movie's biggest confrontation, to watch Driver and Johansson go head-to-head against the beige walls of the west coast apartment Charlie doesn't even want to be renting is to witness the heart and soul of Marriage Story. Two people, ordinary surroundings, relatable circumstances, a whole lot of talk and a mess of whirling emotions — that's this shattering but phenomenal drama in a nutshell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHi-a1n8t7M
Are you still, still recovering from The Red Viper versus The Mountain? Are you feeling a little nostalgic for the days when Tyrion could lay around boozing on vino? Perhaps you should be drinking your sorrows away with some like-minded Thrones fanatics. Confused? We’ll lay it down for you. Game of Rhones is a wine-tasting event that's been touring Australia since 2014. Featuring over 40 producers and 100 wines, it's a one-day, all-out trial by combat to determine the best offering of the grape varieties from the Rhone Valley in France — Shiraz, Grenache, and Viognier among others. But this isn't just a run-of-the-mill wine tasting set-up. To keep that theme solid, the Rhone Bar is where you can taste wines from ‘Beyond the Wall’ (ie: the Rhone Valley). Then, you can sign up for a blindfolded tasting in the 'torture chamber' (a highlight of previous Game of Rhones events). Suffice to say, after a few of these Rhone Valley wines, we'd probably confess to a secret or two. Of course, it wouldn't be Thrones-worthy if there weren't a few extra kickers. To accompany your wine, there will be a selection of feast-able treats available such as suckling pig and venison pie — if you’re a vego or a vegan, you've probably already guessed this is a highly meaty affair.
What has Jedi, Wookiees, a spate of deaths, and a new villain swinging around a red lightsaber and wearing a zipper-faced black mask? According to the first trailer from back in March and the new sneak peek that's just dropped for May the fourth, The Acolyte does. Star Wars, but make it a murder-mystery thriller? If that's your dream for a galaxy far, far away, it's looks like it's coming true in the sixth live-action series in the George Lucas-started sprawling saga to hit Disney+. This eight-episode effort will plunge into a grim spree — someone is killing Jedi — when it joins your streaming queue this winter, debuting its first two instalments on Tuesday, June 4. The Acolyte follows a Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game) who is forced to face a mysterious warrior (Amandla Stenberg, Bodies Bodies Bodies) from his past when bodies start piling up. Also in the stacked cast: Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers), Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll), Jodie Turner-Smith (Sex Education) and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Resurrections). Rebecca Henderson (You Hurt My Feelings), Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and Joonas Suotamo (who played Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) also co-star. It was true in the first trailer and it remains that way now: the vibe in these two first glimpses is deeply moody, leaning into the dark side and filled with confrontation. Visually, there's a gloomier look to much of the trailers as well, with creator Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) adding something distinctive to the ever-expanding space-opera franchise. Also different is the fact that The Acolyte takes place during High Republic era, which means that its events precede Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace by a century. Don't go expecting a heap of familiar faces popping up, then, whether Stenberg's assassin is attempting to slay Moss' Jedi, lightsabers are being swung, or a Wookiee or a never-bef0re-seen Sith are making an appearance. On the small screen, The Acolyte slips into the Star Wars realm after The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor and Ahsoka, all of which have arrived since 2019. Both Andor and Ahsoka also have second seasons on the way. Only one film in the saga has been released in that period, with The Rise of Skywalker closing out the third big-screen trilogy in the franchise just a month after The Mandalorian premiered. The next movie expected: The Mandalorian spinoff The Mandalorian & Grogu. Check out the new trailer for The Acolyte below: The Acolyte will stream via Disney+ from Tuesday, June 4, 2o24. Images: ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
When you're sitting in a dark, hushed theatre, it's magic when you get properly lost in a show. There can be razzle-dazzle costumes and a flawless set, a riveting plot line or standout acting. But, it is most impressive when it's a winning combination of all of the above — and & Juliet is a musical that does just that, delivering two-and-a-half hours of Shakespeare-meets-pop bangers fun. So, what happens behind the scenes of a musical that's so brilliantly executed? We sat down and had a chat with two of the show's stars — one who's had an extensive (and flourishing) on-stage career and another who made their musical theatre debut in the show — to ask these very questions. First, some context. Amy Lehpamer wows as Anne, Shakespeare's wife, who's excitedly suggesting edits to the ending of his play Romeo & Juliet. Yashith Fernando is debuting as Francois, who plays a pivotal role in Juliet's (Lorinda May Merrypor) quest for self-discovery. Read on to gain an inside look at the all-out stage show, then book tickets and make a date with the Sydney Lyric Theatre to experience it for yourself. ON AUDITIONING Yash, how was your audition process? YASHITH: It was really, really, really cool. I'd previously worked with the casting director, and they asked me to come in. My early audition was the first where I'd felt comfortable. In my previous experience, I was trying so hard to give what I thought [the casting directors] wanted. But there was so little of & Juliet online so I had no choice but to give myself. It just felt really comfortable and really smooth. And then I got the amazing phone call that said I was gonna be in it. Did you feel confident that you had it in the bag? YASHITH: There were definitely moments where I felt I did a really good job with the scene and gave them a really good version of Francois. I felt confident in my work and interpretation, but I never allowed myself to think I got it cos it's too sad when you don't! What about you, Amy? How did you find your way in? AMY: I was 39 or 40 weeks pregnant when the video submission was due. And I was like… probably not gonna do a video right this second, my baby's due *laughs*. So I kind of put it to bed. A few weeks later I got a call from my agent saying they're coming to Brisbane, where I was living, and asking how I felt about auditioning. I went, 'sure, but please tell them that I'll be [reading from] the paper in my hands'. Personally, I always learn the material, but I'd just had a baby — I had no brain. [The audition] was literally the first time I'd been away from my baby. He was four weeks old and my partner had him in the car, driving him around the block to keep him calm. I went to Sydney [for a second audition]. My baby peed through three outfits before we even got to Sydney! At that point, I was so proud of myself for making it happen that I was like, whatever happens I feel very grateful to my body for letting me do it, for my partner, for my baby, for this whole thing. I was also meeting my character at a really good point in my life, the words on the page weirdly felt correct in my life — no acting required. ON THE VIBES ON-STAGE AND BEHIND IT Amy, how has it felt getting on stage with the cast of & Juliet so far? AMY: It's really joyous. Every new audience seems to be really getting on board and going with us on the story, which is really exciting. Every night has this fantastic little journey — we're all very ecstatic at the end. It's a really lovely feeling. While the show's on, what are some of the key things that are happening behind the scenes? AMY: That's a good question — because there are quick changes, you take for granted where to move backstage because it can be incredibly busy. You'll have these moments in the show where there might be six ensemble members running off stage, and they'll each have a dresser on them — the costume changes and then they're back on. Then you've got your crew, paging curtains, moving bits of set. YASHITH: When the show starts, Hayden [Tee, who plays Lance] and I don't come in for 30 minutes, so we just sit and chat *laughs*. If it's the first show of the week, we might do a scene together to get our accents going. We can always hear the music happening upstairs — 'Hit Me Baby', 'Domino', 'Show Me Love' — and I just find it so hilarious that I'm down here in my costume while there are 1700 people watching upstairs. It's like seeing the ballet, where there's another kind of dance happening behind the scenes that you just can't see. Like a duck — just gliding along the water, and there are little feet underneath paddling really fast. AMY: Exactly! It's like the quill that Shakespeare [played by Robert Mills] and I exchange throughout the show. There are a couple of moments on stage when it happens, but there are moments off stage as well. Rob and I have quite specific points where we meet up backstage, touch base, have a little chat and swap the quill over. It's a lovely thing because it's necessary to the plot, but it also has meant that we've created these little moments where we check in with each other about how the show's going, what the audience is like, how we're both feeling — it's a nice little wellbeing check that's part of our routine now. ON THEIR CHARACTERS Could you both give me a snapshot of your characters? YASHITH: I am obsessed with Francois — or Frankie. When I read his lines and about him, our similarities were so apparent. He's a male who is soft-spoken, nervous, shy, scared — who isn't a leading man. In this day and age, it's so nice to see a character who has those qualities that are celebrated and are still shown to be the masculine qualities that make him who he is. He's open, honest, kind, warm. He's just a nice person, and that's seen as a strength. We don't celebrate it in men or male-presenting people enough. AMY: In a way, Anne is every woman, but she feels incredibly specific to me, too, which is lovely. She wants to be heard, but she's going about it in a really clever and heart-driven way. She's enthusiastic, and she's dorky. She's unapologetic about the place that she wants to take up. But in saying that, there's a sense that she hasn't had that opportunity until this point where we meet her in the show — she's making up for lost time. I love playing that because I think there's an element to all of us where we feel like we haven't shown our full selves. I love the fact that, as a character, she represents heart, humour and reconciliation. She gets to make so many jokes and address the audience, and it's often a male role that's driving the story, making the decisions. She's not one-sided: 'I need to fix my marriage' or 'I need Juliet to live the life that I never lived'. You know, there's so much more nuance to her — she's a little dynamo. ON PERFORMING AS AN ENDURANCE SPORT Hearing you two talk and thinking about eight shows per week, it's evident there's a huge amount of stamina involved in your work. AMY: I have a weird love of the need for stamina. I'm not a runner, but I imagine that if you were someone who knew you had a marathon in you, there'd be pride in that. Like, at any point in time, you'd be like, 'Yeah, I can run forty-two kilometres'. My thing is doing eight shows a week. As this is your debut, Yash, are you finding that too? YASHITH: I knew I was gonna learn so much on the job, but I wasn't ready for what I was going to be learning. I can actually see [the rest of the cast] doing their thing and using their tools to get through an eight-show week. They're responding to their bodies, responding to the audience, responding to each other — which is all part of what makes it possible to keep it going and keep it consistent. Casey [Donovan, who plays Angélique], told us an analogy she uses: she lights a candle on Friday night in her head — that's her five-show-weekend candle. And then she speaks with, 'How's your candle going?' Or, 'oh we need a new candle, we're gonna need to find a tea light for the fun show that's on the weekend.' And just hearing Casey talk like that about the candle makes me ask myself: 'am I burning my candle too much? No. Ok, cool. Oh, I have burnt it a lot. I guess tonight we'll have to figure out how to burn as much as possible but still be alive and respond and react.' What are some of the things that you're learning? YASHITH: I'm learning how to take care of myself. At drama school, you learn that your body is your instrument. You know, your big brain is your body, and your small brain's up here. *taps head* We do movement classes, and I really learned respect for my body. When you're working, you only have yourself to rely on in every way, and there's no way out of that. And when you're working alongside people who are able to give and be consistent and do all those things at such a great level, you don't wanna fall short in any way. And also just learning how there are so many different people out there — the way that they appreciate art or find joy or appreciate theatre, I just find it so interesting. The passion this pair has for their craft, the show and their audiences is clear, and it's something that shines through on the stage. If you're after a spectacular night out, the exuberant '& Juliet' is the show you're seeking —now playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. To nab your tickets, head to the website.
If you're all about that low-key life, then look away now, because you're not going to find it at Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection, New York. Instead, the art exhibition — which will be residing in the Gold Coast's HOTA (Home of the Arts) until Sunday, June 4, 2023 — is a vibe of everything bold, beautiful and even a little brash, making it a perfect addition to the locale literally known as The Glitter Strip. The show, which takes its name from the private collection of art collector Jose Mugrabi, will bring Big Apple cool to Queensland's coastal capital. On display in this world-exclusive, first-time-in-Australia exhibition are pieces by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat (pictured below), as well as a crew of contemporaries like Katherine Bernhardt, Kwesi Botchway, George Condo, Damien Hirst, Kaws, Joel Mesler, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Julian Schnabel, Mickalene Thomas and Tom Wesselmann. [caption id="attachment_880980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985 ©️ Lizzie Himmel. Artwork ©️ Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.[/caption] Does this add a mustn't-miss arty vibe to the state of sunshine, shopping strips and soaring roller coasters? Absolutely. However, if you're concerned about wasting precious beach time, you'll be happy to hear that HOTA is also offering an after-hours event. Held on Friday May 19, from 6.30–10pm, Up Late will give guests the chance to enjoy the exhibition in a whole new light (well, technically dark). Completing the concrete jungle experience, expect an evening of DJs spinning old-school Brooklyn-influenced hip hop, pop-up performances and delish food and drinks — specifically, hot dogs, pretzels, standout cocktails and even a five-course dinner, all inspired by the Empire State. Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection, New York is on at HOTA until Sunday, June 4. For further details and to book tickets, head to the website.
Crocodile spring rolls, boab nut ginger beer, cooking demos and live performances are all on the menu at the Twilight Blak Markets this month. Having appeared at Barangaroo, Circular Quay and Bare Island during the past few years, this mighty event is now gearing up to take over the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern. Starting at 5pm on Thursday November 28, the Twilight Blak Markets promises a cornucopia of bush foods — from herbs and game meat to health bars and desserts. Plus, you can grab some hot food at the NCIE Kitchen. There'll also be plenty of makers stalls, offering handcrafted jewellery, one-of-a-kind crafts and artworks. Whatever you buy, rest assured that 100 percent of profits are going to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. You'll be treated to an epic live program, too. Head down at 5.15pm for a welcoming Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Graham King, followed by a dance performance by the Jannawi Dance Clan. Next up, you can catch a cooking demo with Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo and Dale Chapman, featuring loads of native ingredients. Then, to round out the festivities, you'll hear from legendary jazz vocalist Johnny Nicol, who'll be hitting the stage at sunset.
It's easy to forget all about the Parramatta wing of the program when there's so much other Sydney Festival stuff going on. But you'll want to head west to check out the musical offerings of their Festival Garden in the Salon Perdu Spiegeltent. What's on? First up is nine-piece Melbourne Afro-inspired band Saskwatch (January 18, 7pm). Think Aretha Franklin and James Brown combined with a dash of contemporary New York-style soul. This one's standing tickets only — but we don’t think you'll be wanting to sit down. A few days later (January 20, 7pm) is something completely different with Leah Flanagan's Midnight Muses. It'll be a collection of songs, music, and stories arranged by Flanagan, backed by a five-piece band and inspired by poet Sam Wagan Watson. If that’s not your thing, then British singer and multi-instrumentalist Lianne La Havas (January 22-23, 7pm) might be more up your alley with her neo-soul and scuffed folk-pop. Then there’s New York’s indie, contemporary, and classical sextet yMusic (January 24,25 7pm). You might have heard some of their members performing with Björk, Jay Z, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Peter Gabriel, Vampire Weekend, or other groups. To finish up, there’s two-man show Norman Blake and Joe Pernice (January 26, 7pm; 27, 5pm), performing both their new material as well as stuff from as far back as their first show in a tavern in Toronto. You can fuel your adventure through one of the nearby Fast Festival Feast partners. Courtney's Brasserie and El-Phoenician are both offering two tailored courses for $55. Time to go west.
Three Blue Ducks has expanded its collection of ever-popular farm-to-table eateries with a new road trip-worthy regional restaurant. Following the opening of a Snowy Mountains outpost in 2020 (and closures of its Brisbane restaurant and original Bronte cafe), the hospitality group has now turned its attention to the New South Wales mid-north coast to showcase the area's renowned produce at a venue in Bellingen. The new addition to the Three Blue Ducks family is located at scenic Bellingen hotel The Lodge, expanding the group's current slate of locations to five alongside Rosebery, Byron Bay, Melbourne and Nimbo. Located on the hotel's 16-acre gardens surrounded by Dorrigo National Park, the 180-seat restaurant (80 indoors and 100 outside) offers all of the hallmarks of Three Blue Ducks with a menu that favours bold, spice-packed dishes. The Three Blue Ducks crew has been working with a range of local suppliers including Levenvale Farms, The Patch Organics, Nautical Wholesale Seafood, Coffs Coast Mushrooms, Promised Land Organics, Jilly Wines and Woolgoolga Brewing to pull together a menu that places the spotlight on the best beef, seafood, chicken, vegetables and drinks that the region has to offer. The all-day restaurant will kick things off early on Saturdays and Sundays with Single O coffee, plus brekkie favourites like the restaurant group's beloved granola, bacon and egg rolls, avocado and roasted mushroom toast, and cocktails like lychee mimosas and cherry blossom spritzes. From there, Bellingen locals, hotel guests and tourists alike can settle in for a flavour-packed lunch or dinner, with a hefty a la carte selection available alongside a series of set menus. There's a prominent Asian influence throughout the menu, with dumplings and bao on offer as starters, salt and Szechuan pepper squid, and prawn toast available on the smaller plates; cauliflower curry on the mains; and a chocolate yuzu eclair ready to round out your meal. Other highlights diners can expect at Three Blue Ducks Bellingen include beef tartare with chilli oil and togarashi; lemon, lime and sour plum duck; ponzu-topped oysters; flank steak with citrus butter and curry leaf; and miso caramel cheesecake. "The inspiration behind the menu came from ingredients growing around the area," says co-owner Darren Robertson. "We've always loved working with spice, lemongrass, ginger, chilli, makrut, etc — and after working closely with the local producers and farmers, we've created a menu for the Bello restaurant that showcases these flavours." There's also a separate functions menu, with the Three Blue Ducks team working with The Lodge to offer private events and catering for weddings. The Lodge boasts 30 individual rooms, luxury glamping options, a pool with day beds and a bar, and five alpacas that wander the gardens. Reservations for the restaurant are open now. Find Three Blue Ducks Bellingen at The Lodge, 1381 Waterfall Way, Bellingen — open for dinner Monday–Sunday, lunch Friday–Sunday and breakfast Saturday–Sunday. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Surry Hill's stunning fitness space Paramount Recreation Club is offering Sydneysiders a new way to stay warm this winter. The wellness centre has teamed up with Bondi health brand Nimbus and Co to bring you an infrared sauna on its rooftop — and it'll be open to the public for three full months. The glass-walled sauna studio is located in the middle of a cacti garden and overlooks the city skyline. It features linen robes by In Bed, bespoke furnishings and greenery aplenty from the Plant Society. If you like to enjoy some tunes while you sweat it out, the sauna also includes built-in speakers, which you can pair your own devices to. Complimentary refreshments round out this luxe offering. And the sauna experience isn't just about perspiration, either, with this infrared version having additional detoxifying benefits. Supposedly, it has been found to improve skin and immune system health, increase metabolism, help de-stress, aid in better sleep and relieve pain. Even if you're sceptical of these benefits, it's certainly a fun way to warm up during the chillier winter days. A solo hour session in the sauna will set you back $60, $80 if you take a friend and $90 if you bring two. The Winter Sauna is open from Monday–Friday, 7am–8pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–2.30pm.
The Slackers are a Sydney-based collective of artists. They formed in 1997 and were active until 2002. Using a rundown residential dwelling in Surry Hills, the group developed a collection of studios and social spaces – building a bubbling hub of interdisciplinary activity. Imperial Slacks had a big impact on Australia’s cultural landscape. Some of the group members include big guns like Shaun Gladwell, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, Wade Marynowsky, Chris Fox, Angelica Mesiti and The Kingpins. This month will see a double venue retrospective of their work along with a few new commissions. Spread across Sydney College of the Arts and Campbelltown Arts Centre, Cosmic Love Wonder Lust will be something of a reunion. Curated by Nicholas Tsoutas, the show will feature a suite of mixed media works, examining the collaborative dialogue between artists as well as revisiting the role of the artist run space. You can head along to the opening at SCA on August 14, which will be opened by Mike Parr, or the opening at Campbelltown Arts Centre on August 15.
Sometimes one pizza isn't enough. Sometimes your stomach is a ravenous bottomless pit. Sometimes you need all-you-can-eat. Luckily, Sydney is not lacking in this department — there are restaurants offering all-you-can-eat sushi, pizza and pasta every day of the week. And we've wrapped up our favourites, so you can satisfy your insatiable cravings, no matter what day it is.
After a stack of time spent cooped up in your house this year, there are likely few creative outlets you're yet to have a crack at. At-home ceramics? Paint-by-numbers? Banana bread? Done, done and done. But the dessert slingers over at Doughnut Time might just have a new one for you, involving some crafty flair and a much-needed sugar rush. Roll up those sleeves and get ready, because it's time to try your hand at doughnut decorating. Having made a comeback under new owners, relaunching stores in Queensland and Victoria, the doughnut company has just unveiled its latest creation — a series of DIY doughnut kits. Each comes with four plain doughnuts and all the trappings needed to whip up some mini edible masterpieces, allowing you to recreate Doughnut Time signatures with the help of colourful glazes, sprinkles and other toppings. You can have a go at making your own version of the Caramilk Baskin, or perhaps attempt the chocolate-caramel fusion that is Life On Mars. There is even a vegan kit, if you prefer your doughnuts and decorations cruelty-free. Each DIY kit clocks in at $34, with shipping currently available to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. Folks in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra, stay tuned — you'll be able to order kits to your cities in the coming days.
The crew at Beyond Cinema are at again, bringing yet another of their immersive, movie-themed experiences to both Sydney and Melbourne. In the same vein as previous hits like that Mad Hatter-esque Botanic Gardens tea party and last year's Moulin Rouge! cabaret-style sing-along, it's set to be an indulgent, multi-sensory affair — this time dedicated to the Hugh Jackman-led smash-hit musical The Greatest Showman. While we know the event's happening this July at a couple of secret Sydney and Melbourne locations, most other details are been kept under wraps for now, in true Beyond Cinema form. But if past events are anything to go by, you can bank on a wildly imaginative evening, that blurs the lines between cinema and reality while giving those vocal chords a serious workout. This one promises to have you singing along to all the films award-winning hits, while witnessing impressive moves from acrobats, aerialists and more — just like PT Barnum would've orchestrated in the late 1800s. Circus-inspired dress-ups are, of course, encouraged, so you'd best start rewatching the flick for some costume ideas and song practice. [caption id="attachment_711479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beyond Cinema's Great Gatsby event.[/caption] Beyond Cinema's The Greatest Showman event will at a yet-to-be-revealed Sydney location on Saturday, July 13 and Melbourne spot on Saturday, July 27. You can sign up for more details at here.
Unlike a certain lab coat-wearing grandfather and his nervous grandson, we can't all exclaim "wubba lubba dub dub" and zap our way to a different part of the multiverse when things aren't going our way. But, we can get schwifty, kick back and watch a couple of animated interdimensional adventurers unleash their specific style of chaos, with Rick and Morty set to return in 2021 for its fifth season. Once again, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland) will do what they do best: not just aping a concept straight out of Back to the Future, but wreaking havoc in as many universes as they can stumble across. Also back are Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane), father Jerry (Chris Parnell, Archer) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer, Tell Me a Story) — and, as the just-released first trailer for season five shows, they're playing a big part in Rick and Morty's dimension-hopping antics this time around. Sneak peeks at Rick and Morty's upcoming episodes are more about the mood, look and feel than the storylines. The show's trailers tease glimpses of all of the out-there situations that its characters will find themselves in, and leave the specifics for the new season itself. That's the case here, naturally — with nods to everything from Voltron to Blade bundled into the trailer, because that's the way the news goes. As for when you'll be able to watch the next batch of Rick and Morty anarchy — and rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe, of course — the fifth season will start airing week-to-week in the US from mid-June. Hopefully Netflix Down Under will follow suit shortly afterwards. That's what happened with season four, which released its long-awaited episodes in two batches in 2019 and 2020. Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Zy_mLgSNQ Rick and Morty's fifth season will start airing weekly from June 20 in the US. Down Under, the show airs on Netflix — and we'll update you with a release date for the new season when one is announced.
Possibly the world's most beautifully located bookstore, can now be found in the form of Buenos Aires' El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a shop housed inside what was once one of Argentina's premier theatres. The theatre was originally built in 1919 by an Italian architect and used as a theatre for tango concerts and the like, before being converted into a cinema. Things began to get a bit tough, but instead of letting the beautiful building languish into disrepair, it was leased in 2000 by a publishing house and found new life in the form of a bookstore. Now over a million people come through it's doors every year. The private, velvet-upholstered boxes are now the reading rooms, the stage is an in-store cafe, and the shelves cleave perfectly to the theatre's original shape. Plus you have to admire a building that's calling itself both grand and splendid. I mean, what's not to like? In the wake of bookstores like Borders and Angus & Robertson going bust, and the threats to independent bookshops across the country from cheaper online books and other recession-related woes, places like the Ateneo might point towards a more sustainable future for the industry. By repurposing something beautiful and creating a space people actively seek out and genuinely want to be in, instead of somewhere beige, plastic and muzak-filtered, you can save not just books but the architecture that might otherwise go to waste.
If you've spent any part of the past two decades dreaming about being a fabulously dressed New York writer who seems to do very little work but can still afford a fantasy wardrobe — or if you've just spent it drinking a lot of cosmos — then Christmas is coming early for you in 2022. Seventeen years after Sex and the City wrapped up its HBO run, the hit series is getting a spinoff, which'll start airing in mid-December. As an early present, it's just dropped a full trailer. That show is And Just Like That..., which was first announced back at the beginning of 2021, and is set to start streaming Down Under next week. The ten-part series reunites Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon more than a decade since they last shared a screen in the terrible 2008 and 2010 Sex and the City movies. And, if you're wondering what's in store, the new trailer expands upon the first glimpses seen when the show's release window was announced, and in the first teaser trailer a few weeks back. Once again, Parker's Carrie Bradshaw narrates the sneak peek. And yes, she's still waxing lyrical about life, love, friends, family, sex, New York and all her favourite topics. The famed fictional New Yorker also spends time looking at her shoes, because, as Manolo Blahnik devotees know, it really wouldn't be a Sex and the City-related series otherwise. Also featuring: glimpses of Carrie, Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis) going about their lives — and of plenty of other familiar Sex and the City faces as well. The series' main trio don't have Kim Cattrall's Samantha for company this time, but Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and the late Willie Garson all return. Yes, that's Big, Anthony, Steve, Harry and Stanford all accounted for. If you're already planning what you'll be wearing while you watch — we know what you'll be drinking — you'll be able to stream the first two episodes on Thursday, December 9 via Binge in Australia, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays afterwards. In New Zealand, it'll air on Neon and Sky Go from Friday, December 10, with new episodes dropping at 1pm each week. It'll also head to SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20. Due to Cattrall's absence, And Just Like That... is being badged as a "new chapter' in the Sex and the City story, rather than an additional season of the existing 1998–2004 program. Parker, Davis and Nixon are also named as producers on And Just Like That..., alongside Michael Patrick King, who worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original (and on the two movies). Check out the full trailer below: And Just Like That... will start streaming in Australia via Binge from Thursday, December 9. In New Zealand, it'll air via Neon and Sky Go in New Zealand from Friday, December 10, and also on SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20.
With all of us madly trying to figure out whether Siri will have learned how to do our jobs in five years, Katherine Thomson's Diving for Pearls is a darkly comic reminder that this has all happened before. It wasn't pretty then and there's precious little reason to believe this time will be any better. Set in the 1980s, when economic rationalism was gutting small towns right across Australia, Diving for Pearls follows Barbara and Den, two residents of Port Kembla. Until recently, the town revolved around its steelworks. But with those jobs heading overseas, it's all starting to get a bit desperate. Barbara's got her sights on a job in one of the town's new resorts. Den, a now-redundant steelworker, has little time and less experience to manage the tricky transition to a new job. Amongst the dull horror of it all lands Verge, Barbara's daughter, back for a visit. Perfect timing. The devastation of recession in the 80s may have faded from memory, but the good folk at Griffin Theatre have felt it coming round again. Perhaps check your super and join a union before heading into this one. It's that bleak.
If you want a trip to remember full of endless sunshine, tuk tuk rides and temples (but you don't fancy the idea of going within sniffing distance of Denpasar) then Cambodia might be the place for you. The Kingdom of Cambodia is home to a generous and open people, incredible and fragrant food, staggering temples, and a truly incredibly history. When you combine all of this with 24-hour action, scooters piled high with chooks and kids, and a country still in recovery from recent turmoil, you get a formidable destination for the fearless. Cambodia has been steadily building a reputation as both a place to immerse yourself in history and culture — and, more recently, as a place to party. It's a place of highs and lows. Your first glimpse of the formidable Angkor Wat will leave you in no doubt as to its status as one of the most incredible feats of ancient architecture on the face of the Earth; your last glimpse of the party beaches of Koh Rong Island will remind you of why your liver is hurting. But when you've had your fill of temples and you're sick of the endless party scene in Sihanoukville, you should make for the peaceful riverside town of Kampot. Steeped in French Colonial history — but without the big-names of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh — this beautiful and fascinating spot in southwest Cambodia is well worth a stay, especially when some R&R from constant travel is required. Need some help on how to fill your days? Here's ten things to do while kicking it in Kampot. [caption id="attachment_578323" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Aram Visser via Flickr.[/caption] VISIT AN ABANDONED LUXURY RESORT This remote and once-grandiose luxury resort was dreamed up by colonial French settlers in 1922. Now abandoned, Bokor Hill Station's buildings are still standing (no mean feat, given that this spot was one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge in the 1990s) and make for an eerie day trip. The best way to get out there is to jump on a scooter and ride out yourself — but if you're not confident on a bike, there will be a tour or ten being spruiked in town. Cap your visit off with a drink in the creepy and almost completely patronless, brand spanking new casino which has been curiously constructed on a very out-of-the-way hilltop. Not weirded out enough? Check out the abandoned Catholic church, which is complete with a still-standing altar. WATCH A FILM AT A ROOM SERVICE BED CINEMA So we know you can do this anywhere in the world, but sometimes you just want to take five and watch a film in a foreign country. Watching a film on your laptop will suffice — but watching one in a private bed cinema is approximately one million times better. At Ecran Movie House, you get to splay out over a massive bed in your own private viewing room with air-conditioning, room service drinks and on-demand dumplings from the adjoining noodle joint. Can Hoyts take cues from this? EAT VEGO NOSH BY THE RIVER AT BANTEAY SREY SPA Travelling around Cambodia is tough. Reward yourself with a soothing oil massage or a facial. Banteay Srey Spa is women-only — with the exception of yoga in the morning — and is a great place to enjoy a spa treatment, as well as a swim in the river and some vegetarian and vegan food afterwards. Didn't bring your swimmers? No problem. The spa provides traditional Khmer wraps, which perfect for taking a dip. [caption id="attachment_578321" align="alignnone" width="1280"] James Antrobus via Flickr.[/caption] VISIT THE GIANT DURIAN Surely this one needs no more explanation. The giant fruit sits in the middle of a roundabout in the centre of town and is something of a spiky statue sister to our own Big Pineapple. Plus, there's no smell. [caption id="attachment_578349" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Blake Wheeler.[/caption] ROPE SWING INTO THE RIVER Like swinging off ropes into the river? Great. Get thee to Arcadia Backpackers for the highest of rope swings, the best tower jumps and one of the busiest backpackers in Kampot. If you're looking for a travel buddy as well as a bit of adrenalin, you'll find one here. [caption id="attachment_578333" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Oliver Townend via Flickr.[/caption] EAT PEPPER CRAB AT KEP Unless you're on a secluded romantic vacation (or don't mind everything being a bit of a drive away), don't bother staying in Kep. Head there on a day trip instead. You'll be able to feast on the famous pepper crab, which is local Kep crab served with Kampot green pepper. It's only forty-five minutes away by tuk tuk, so you can be back at your riverside bungalow in Kampot by sundown. EXPLORE KAMPOT'S CAVES Craving caving? Visit the guys at Climbodia. They'll lead you into a dark abyss of limestone caves, and then lead you back out again into the light. No experience needed — just a willingness to explore Kampot and enter dark spaces. [caption id="attachment_578337" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marie via Flickr.[/caption] TASTE THE BEST PEPPER IN THE WORLD Fun fact: Kampot is the pepper capital of the world. Khmer people have been cultivating the spice in the area from as early as the 13th century — and up until the Khmer Rouge occupation from 1975, there wasn't a hatted restaurant in Paris worth their salt that wasn't using this piquant spice. If you want to try the best pepper in the world, straight from the source, head to one of Kampot's pepper farms for an insight into the industry. [caption id="attachment_578339" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marie via Flickr.[/caption] WATCH THE FISHING BOATS ON KAMPOT RIVER This massive gulf of water is home to an abundance of fish, and is basically life for the Khmer people in Kampot. Sit by the river at sunset and watch the stream of green fishing boats puttering out to sea for the night. [caption id="attachment_578340" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ruben I via Flickr.[/caption] HAGGLE AT THE NIGHT MARKETS These markets start from about 4pm down near the durian roundabout and are worth a look — although, be warned, they're super dense and truly packed. Haggle hard, people. Top image: P W via Flickr.
Prepare to say "accio remote!" and get comfier than Hermione Granger in a library. In the latest news that'll keep you glued to your couch this summer — and your latest fodder for an at-home movie marathon — everyone's favourite boy wizard will soon be working his magic on Netflix. You won't need the Marauder's Map to find these enchanting flicks. Come Tuesday, January 15, all eight movies in the Harry Potter series will hit the streaming platform, bringing their Hogwarts-set adventures to both Australian and New Zealand audiences. If you've watched your DVD copies from the 2000s so many times that they're showing a little wear and tear — or your laptop no longer has a disc drive — this is butterbeer-worthy news. Yes, everything from Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) first visit to Platform 9 and 3/4, the Yule Ball, the Triwizard Tournament, many a fluttering snitch and He Who Must Not Be Named will be at your fingertips. Prime viewing for wizards, witches and muggles alike — all 19 hours and 39 minutes of it. The Fantastic Beasts films won't be joining them, with this journey through JK Rowling's wizarding world keeping its focus on the original franchise. The news comes hot on the heels of Stan's announcement that it's now home to a hefty batch of Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and Disney movies and TV shows. If you're thinking that a time-turner might come in handy over the next few months, we completely understand. Find Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 on Netflix from Tuesday, January 15.
No one ever likes saying goodbye to their favourite TV show. Thankfully, due to the non-stop array of revivals, spinoffs and movie adaptations that just keep reaching our screens, those farewells are often only temporary. And, if you're lucky, you get multiple new chances to step back into the on-screen world you've already spent so much time watching and obsessing over — which is exactly what's happening with Downton Abbey: A New Era. It's been more than a decade since Downton Abbey, the Yorkshire-set television drama, first made its debut — and creator Julian Fellowes isn't done with it yet. After the show spun its tale of aristocratic life during the 1910s and 1920s across six seasons, finishing up in 2015, the 2019 movie that's also called Downton Abbey then brought the Crawley family and their loyal staff to cinemas. It played out like a last hurrah, but it unsurprisingly proved a hit, so that's where this new movie sequel comes in. To answer the most important question: yes, Maggie Smith is back. She's a key part of the new film's just-dropped teaser trailer, in fact, because of course she is. This time, she's telling her loved ones about a villa in the south of France that she's just come into possession of, which is where this follow-up is headed — in Downton Abbey's usual lavish style, obviously. Narrative-wise, the feature — which is once again written by Fellowes, but has filmmaker Simon Curtis (Goodbye Christopher Robin) in the director's chair — will chart the Crawley's summer trip, all as Hollywood comes to the Abbey. And yes, to answer the other burning question, there's familiar faces aplenty in the trailer, with the returning cast spanning Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppence Middleton, Lesley Nicol, Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton. If you're a fan of the series and the first movie, you don't need any further explanation. That said, a few new actors join the Downton Abbey world in A New Era, too, including Hugh Dancy (Late Night), Laura Haddock (Transformers: The Last Knight), Nathalie Baye (The Guardians), Dominic West (The Pursuit of Love) and Jonathan Zaccaï (The White Crow). Check out the teaser trailer below: Downton Abbey: A New Era releases in Australian cinemas on March 17, 2022. Top image: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC.
UPDATE, Friday, February 7, 2025: Blur: To the End and Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium are both available to stream via DocPlay. In Blur: To the End, headlining London's famous Wembley Stadium is the pinnacle of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree's careers so far. For two nights in July 2023, the Britpop band played their biggest-ever gigs to a crowd of 150,000 — shows that had been a dream not just since the group initially formed in 1988, but when high-school friends Albarn and Coxon watched 1985's iconic Live Aid concert on TV. Blur enjoyed no shortage of highlights in 35 years beforehand, of course; thinking about British music in the 90s means thinking about the foursome instantly. Still, in the latest documentary to turn the camera their way, which is playing big screens in Australia thanks to the 2024 British Film Festival, there's no doubting what standing on Wembley's stage at this point in their journeys, after reinventions, hiatuses, reunions, solo projects and more, means to the band. If the feeling that's written across Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree's faces when To the End finishes could be summed up by a snippet from one of their songs, the "woo hoo!" chorus from 1997 hit 'Song 2' would actually work nicely. That sensation — that immense emotional reaction, too — is evident not only in the intimate doco from Transgressive record label co-founder, filmmaker and lifelong Blur fan Toby L, however. It's also clear in accompanying concert film Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium, which captures the first night's show in like-you're-there detail (including largely sticking close to the band, so that viewers can truly witness what the gig means to them as they work through a two-hour set filled with everything from 'Popscene', 'Girls & Boys', 'Parklife' and 'Country House' to 'This Is a Low', 'To the End', 'Tender', 'The Universal' and 'The Narcissist'). Asked about what that pure joy was like to witness — Albarn comments in the film that the moment was as good as it gets — Toby L stresses how it genuinely did feel like the pinnacle for the band. "I can honestly say yes. And I know that if all four of them were asked that question, they would all agree. Which is amazing, because what must be it like to be at this point in your lives where you feel you've done one of your best albums, and you've done your best and biggest gigs?" he tells Concrete Playground. "I think just on a completely subconscious level for any performer, even if they pretend they don't want to get to that level, I think there's that sense of attainment and achievement that is the zenith of possibility. To not only play it, but to headline it and sell it out, I think it is the bucket list for every artist, potentially, that wants to get to a certain level." "And the feeling in the stadium both nights was so electric. I've been through a lot of big gigs and a lot of stadiums and a lot of festival shows, and they're always fun but, truthfully, sometimes the scale is just hard to make it feel personal and intimate. But somehow those gigs were. And anyone that was there — people that work in the music industry, everyone has recounted how something happened that was next-level in terms of the emotional connection," Toby L continues. "So yeah, it really was what the film portrays, that sense of it being a bit magic, and Damon being quite rarely open about the fact it's kind of the pinnacle, that was the truth. And I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of that in a small way." [caption id="attachment_980200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reuben Bastienne-Lewis[/caption] Toby L's own Blur journey also began decades back, as a fan since he was a kid. He has an early tie to Wembley, too, but at the indoor Wembley Arena, which sits next to the stadium. In the 90s, he saw his first-ever live gig at the venue — and yes, at that show when he was at age of ten, he was watching Blur. From his mid-teens, a career linked to music beckoned. He's blogged, founded music sites, organised live events, hosted TV, started his label 20 years back, and directed Olivia Rodrigo's Sour Prom, Rihanna's 777, Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22 and more. Collaborations Albarn and Coxon first came through Transgressive, before he heard word about Blur's Wembley Stadium shows. That connection didn't mean that Toby L was a sure thing behind the camera when the idea of immortalising the gigs arose. His plan was always exactly what audiences can experience now, though: the full concert experience in one film — plus the path to it, through Blur reuniting in Albarn's country house in Devon to make their first album in eight years, then doing warm-up gigs, playing other festival sets and finally hitting Wembley, in another. The latter eschews the biodoc treatment for the here and now, for four men musing on their twists and turns together and apart, and for diving into friendship and mortality as well. Live From Wembley Stadium and To the End make a helluva pair, which Melburnians can see in a double feature at The Astor Theatre for one night only. How did the band respond to the two-movie plan? How did Toby L carve out a space for To the End when past documentaries such as No Distance Left to Run and Blur: New World Towers exist? How open were Albarn and company to such a close-up approach? We also chatted with the filmmaker about the above — as well as how being a fan shaped his role as a director, ensuring that the concert film felt equally intimate, and the longevity of both Blur and Oasis. ("Let's put it this way: I think Blur were my first band, and working with Liam was also a completely wonderful experience. Totally different. But a wonderful thing," he advises.) On the Pitch to Make Two Films About Blur's Wembley Gigs — and the Band's Reaction "It all stemmed back from me discovering about the gigs on the d-low, as it were. I was with Damon talking about a completely different project, and Wembley came up in discussion. I think he might have cheekily brought it up with that cheeky glint in his eye and his shining gold tooth, probably he was quite excited about the surprise element of it about to hit the newswires. I'd already done some filming with Damon around his second solo album, so he knew that I was in that world slightly. I think I probably quite embarrassingly and tritely said 'I'd love to throw my hat in', quite literally that basic. And I remember him just saying cryptically, both supportively but then also very vaguely, 'I would like that, too'. Then that was it. It wasn't spoken about for with him probably for another six months, during which time I felt that that was enough latitude for me to put a treatment together of what I would do with the documentary and the concert film. The original treatment and proposal that I put together, which was the written treatment, it was quite extensive, it was quite specific, and it stipulated that I felt there were two films. I felt that people would want to see a concert film, almost eternally as an evergreen Blur piece of memorabilia or document of that moment. But then I felt there was an opportunity for a wider story, hence the documentary, which was about getting older and growing up, and reconciling friendship, and mortality, and I guess some deeper human themes. And I just thought that'd be interesting to transpose into the situation Blur were finding themselves in, where they were getting back together for the first time in almost a decade, and they were that much older and about to undertake their biggest challenge yet, which was their biggest-ever gig. So it felt like to me there was a really cool story there that wasn't necessarily predicated on 'and then this album came out in this year, and then they had this fight with Oasis' and all the shit that most people can find on a Wikipedia page. So that was the premise of it, really. It was that — and then me waiting for months and hearing nothing. I thought I might have disgraced myself or embarrassed myself. Then suddenly, quite out of nowhere, I had a breakfast with the band's manager. I thought she was going to let me down because I hadn't heard anything. We're talking about other things and other projects, and then about an hour and a half into two-and-a-half hour breakfast, that's when she dropped the bombshell that they'd gone through the treatments and they thought mine was the strongest, regardless of relationships, which was really flattering. Then I had to have a meeting with all four of them the following week or so to convince them I could do it. Ten days later, we were filming in Devon." On Making To the End to Complement, Not Repeat, Past Documentaries About Blur "In a weird way, there was a relief that No Distance Left to Run had come out. Because that film did the job of 'if you don't know who Blur are or even if you do, here's their story'. It was the legacy story, if you will. It talks the viewer beautifully through how they came to be, and some career highs and lows, and key eras in their career, and the initial downfall. I thought that film did that job, so it was a relief that I didn't have to retread that old ground. But the one thing I felt that was completely up for opportunity was 'where are Blur at now?'. They're mid-to-late 50s, they're about to do, again, genuinely their biggest-ever gigs. There's nothing bigger than doing Wembley Stadium, in a way. So it just felt like this was a pivotal moment to reflect on their present state of being rather than reflecting on their career as a whole. Inevitably there are moments and flashbacks to their career, but really it's all in the context of the here and now. And I guess I wanted to do a bit more of a philosophical, emotional character portrait of the four of them, which I felt hadn't necessarily been done in the other documentaries. The other documentaries, even though this has a specific journey of sorts, they had more of a clear function than an emotional character study. Ultimately, I was lucky that the band were up for going there. Because I could have had this in my head and then, understandably, they might have been like 'fuck off, that's a bit personal'. Thankfully, they didn't respond that way. They understood what the essence of the project was — that my intent wasn't to expose them or show them up, it was to unveil a perspective that many people don't often see in a stadium band, which is the vulnerability and the drive and the motivation behind what it takes to be that kind of individual. And also what it takes to maintain a relationship after such a long time, which isn't easy. A lot of people have this entitlement that bands can and should live forever but, I don't know about you, how would you like it if you were stuffed in a tour bus for years on end even with your closest friends or family, and being forced to smile for the media and perform on no sleep? I think it's going to drive anyone a bit bananas. So I think that's kind of where I was coming from with the project. I was wanting to show something that could create a real bridge between the viewer and the subject, and hopefully a totem of empathy in this fractured age of ours." On the Band's Openness to To the End's Intimate Approach "We all agreed that was the way it was going to be best. That was the way I portrayed it in my treatment, and that was the way they were comfortable with it being captured. I think they had maybe moments before where they've been filmed for other projects and television, where they were just a bit — they're at this point in their career where they don't need to do this, right. It's like they don't need to do any of it. Their career is set. They don't necessarily need to reunite at all. They don't necessarily need to come back with a great album. They don't even necessarily need to make a documentary of any of that activity. But the reason they're doing it is because they want to, and they feel that there's a purpose to it. So equally the filmmaking had to have that element to it. It needed to not be interruptive to the point that the band couldn't do what they needed to do. And it needed to be an honest portrayal and a mirror to their activities. I actually think that's way more interesting than 'let's get the lighting up, let's sit them down, let's ask them the same questions — oh, retake that answer because we didn't get audio'. I just think it's so much more exciting to be in the present. It's technically quite a hard thing to do as a documentary crew because on the one hand, you're trying to be invisible and fly-on-the-wall — but then on the other, you need to also make sure you're guiding the viewer at points so it doesn't just feel like complete empty, vapid voyeurism with no purpose. So it's this tightrope you're walking between being sensitive to what's going on, but then also making sure that you're getting the insights that will contextualise the moment in real time. It's a tough thing to get right, and there are many famous examples of filmmakers being barked out by artists to 'get the eff out of the dressing room'. And that's always the risk, that you go too far or, equally the other way, you don't go far enough and then you haven't really got much to work with. Thankfully, the band were open to that way of working, and I think it's hopefully to the film's credit that the viewer gets that level of intimacy and access that is probably increasingly uncommon in these sorts of projects." On How Seeing Blur at Age Ten and Being a Fan Since Childhood Shaped Directing Two Films About the Band "I think being a fan is really useful, actually, because you just got that knowledge. It's quite an embarrassing, hilarious thing to say, but occasionally there'd be moments where they're trying to recount a song title from 1992 that was the B-side to a single — and being a massive nerd, you can go 'oh, was it this one?'. And then they all look at you and go 'yes, that's what it was'. And the irony is, apart from being vaguely helpful in moments like that, there's also just that sense of trust. You're not there to do a hatchet job. You're not there to trip them up. You're not there to be secretly a dissenting voice that's trying to throw them down. You are a fan. So you're coming at it from a pure place. So then the challenge becomes, in terms of credible filmmaking and documentary-making, how do you straddle that fandom with telling the truth and making sure you're being as objective as any one person can be objective? So that then is probably the other tightrope to walk, ensuring that your enthusiasm and your passion and your love for your subjects doesn't contaminate the need to extract truth, and to make sure that there's an honesty to the whole thing. Because otherwise it could just fall into being sycophancy or just a PR puff piece. And that was another thing we said when we all got together, that we hated documentaries that were too clean and too 'and isn't life perfect'. To that end, I think I really made sure that the enthusiasm of being a fan of the band didn't cloud my judgment. And hopefully anyone that watches it will agree that it's rare to see a band this vulnerable on-camera of their level, and so hopefully people will appreciate the fact that this is definitely a real account of who they are." On Finding Intimacy in Live From Wembley Stadium, Too, to Convey the Experience of Being There to Cinema Audiences "I love the way that you picked up on that approach because that was definitely, again, conscious. I just thought that the worst way to capture this gig was going to make it just be 'look, it's the Wembley Stadium gig, let's have fucking loads of wides and let's make it just look big, and yeah!'. It just felt naff. I also just feel that the art of Blur live is the emotion and the chaos, and then countered by the beauty and the ballads, so the only way to really portray that for me is to have cameras quite close to them. The idea of just dotting the cameras at some distance — obviously we've got lots of dynamic shots at various ranges in the stadium, but most of the cameras, over 50 percent of them, are just in and around the stage, and all on the audience, really close-up on the audience. Because I just thought the story is going to be on stage and the story's going to be in the moshpit. That's going to be where this magic happens. And yeah, we're going to have some big shots at the stadium, yada yada yada, but that stuff's fairly generic to me. You could put those in any concert film of any stadium shoot and it could just apply to stock footage for any artist. But the bit that was special for me was going to be the reactions of the band playing this environment and the excitement of it all — and, again, the audience and their adulation for the moment." On Where You Land on What Gives a Band Longevity When You've Made Films About Both Blur and Oasis "I think obviously it's the songs. I think songs have to permeate not just in the era in which they're conceived, but most truthfully resonate with periods beyond that. A great folk song that was written probably in the 1700s or whatever travels around the hills and finds its way to become a traditional song all around the world, and then eventually becomes blues music. Good songs travel and they last, and I think songwriting is at the core. I think then beyond that, obviously the performance of the song, the recording and the way in which it becomes indelibly linked to people's lives. If you capture the zeitgeist, which both Blur and Oasis did, as examples, it brings people back that were there first time round — or even people that weren't there, they feel that essence of connectivity and culture just resonate in the chords and in the performances and in the vocals. And that's what is effectively bottling magic. That's what music is, it's trying to find magic and it's bottling it, really, either in performance or in recording. Both bands just had that essence of reality. They came at writing and culture in completely different ways, but totally valid respective ways. And they just endured. I know for a fact that you could play most Blur songs to a small child and they're going to enjoy them because the melodies are good. And then most adults are going to connect to them because the themes lyrically still resonate to this day. The album Modern Life Is Rubbish by Blur, that could have been released last week, sadly. And that's ultimately what makes great art: stumbling across something that in the moment feels real, but then for decades onwards still manages to resonate. That's the art of it all, really: trying to find something eternal in the moment. " On What You Learn About Blur When You're Making Not Just One But Two Documentaries About Them "I think you learn that everyone, even if we've all got our own personalities, our own characteristics, we're all kind of the same person really. We all have our own needs and vulnerabilities, and strengths and weaknesses, and really that's what binds us all as a human race. And that's why I think it's so harrowing, the state of the world that we find ourselves in right now. Because I think that there are forces that are trying to falsely attribute disparity to our state of being, when actually we're all fucking similar and that's what we should be focusing on, our common ground, not our points of distinction. I think what I learned was that the fallibility and the brilliance in them is eminently what unites us all. It's kind of in all of us and in all of them. So in that way, it was very grounding. As the ten-year-old fan, what did I learn? I just learned that my favourite band were a great band to get behind. They were really complex in many ways, in terms of their unique quirks and things. They were very, very entertaining and very funny. They were very sweet and emotional people. And, ultimately, there's no other band like them to go on the stage. They really tear it up in a way that I don't think anyone before or since them has been able to do. And so for me, what I learned was, yeah, it was a great band to fall in love with at the age of eight years old or whatever it was." The 2024 British Film Festival tours Australia in November and December, wrapping up on Sunday, December 8. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website. Both Blur: To the End and Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium are playing at the festival's stops across the country, with the Blur double feature showing at Melbourne's Astor Theatre on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Images: Altitude.
Le1f, Bec Sandridge and Alex the Astronaut will headline the lineup of artists at this year's Gaytimes music festival. Set to take place over three days and two nights at the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort an hour and a half outside of Melbourne (where Paradise is held), the LGBTIQ-friendly event will feature more than 30 local and international music acts, as well as art shows, film screenings, speed dating and more. As the organisers put it: it's the camping festival "of your big gay dreams". The 18+ festival runs from February 16 to 18. Other standout acts who'll take the stage include Chicago DJ Chrissy, Paul Mac and Johnny Seymour's Stereogamous and Triple J Unearthed's Miss Blanks. In addition to the tunes, the festival will feature an array of additional action, from performance art and life drawing workshops to yoga and a drag race. Perhaps the most exciting thing will be a pop-up wedding chapel where same-sex couples will be able to get hitched (for real — it's legal now!) on the mountain. Shoot hello@gaytimes.com.au an email for more info on that one. The site will boast a cocktail bar, a coffee cart and food trucks, and you can even shell out for glamping if you're feeling extra. In keeping with their inclusive approach, Gaytimes will, as always, enforce a no tolerance policy for anti-social, homophobic, transphobic or racist behaviour. So don't be a jerk, and you should be A-okay.
The World's End is the final film in Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy — named for the Cornettos that make an appearance in each film. The film stars Pegg and Nick Frost as childhood best friends Gary and Andrew, both unhappy with their adult lives, trying to recapture their youth in one epic pub crawl, ending at The World's End. But if you've seen Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, you'll know that this isn't going to be just any pub crawl — along the way, they uncover a group of aliens plotting to invade Earth and have to stop them from turning the entire human race into robots. It's been getting some pretty good reviews overseas, with the Guardian calling it "a double-whammy of funny and clever" and a "good-natured sci-fi comedy of male mid-life discontent". The World's End is in cinemas on August 1, and thanks to Universal Pictures, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running all you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Movie World might've badged itself as Hollywood on the Gold Coast, but it's no longer the only big tourist attraction giving visitors to southeast Queensland — and locals as well — a chance to explore their on-screen favourites IRL. Come November 2024, Brisbane will welcome Bluey's World. Get ready to hear "wackadoo!" constantly, and "for real life", too, at this immersive installation that lets you step inside one of the River City's and Australia's biggest hits of the past six years. Yes, that'd be the award-winning animated favourite that is Bluey. Missed out on staying in a replica of the Bluey house when it was temporarily up for rent in the Queensland capital in 2022? The home of the family-friendly animated phenomenon is now getting a Bluey attraction so that you have another chance to experience the global sensation beyond the TV. Announced in 2023, originally to open this August, but now launching on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Bluey's World will get you walking around life-sized sets that recreate the beloved series. The Heeler house and yard are part of the setup — and as seen in just-released images of the new attraction, they look the part perfectly. Maybe you'll be taking your little ones along, or your nieces and nephews. Perhaps you know that appreciating the adorable Aussie show about a family of blue heelers isn't just for kids. Either way, this is big — including literally. Opening at Northshore Pavilion in Northshore Brisbane, the space itself is sizeable, spanning across 4000 square metres. When Airbnb listed its Bluey abode in 2022, the response was massive. Expect the reaction to Bluey's World to be the same. Already, it has extended its season, sticking around until September 2025. Once you take the stairs up to the family's porch and enter through the front door, the Heeler home awaits, including the living room. So do recreations of recognisable scenes, characters and even games from the show. And yes, as seen in the series, you can arrive via CityCat. Visitors can expect to spend 70 minutes bounding through the experience — and will also find a playground and a cafe onsite, with interactive play a focus, taking cues from Bluey episodes in the process. There's a soundscape to match, plus a gift shop, all in a purpose-built venue. And, for big Bluey birthday celebrations, the site is hosting parties as well. Bluey's World is exclusive to Brisbane, making it a tourist attraction to fans not only locally and nationally but worldwide. Unsurprisingly, that's a big part of the push from both the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, who are supporting the BBC Studios- and HVK Productions-produced experience. Bluey's World opens at Northshore Pavilion, 281 MacArthur Avenue, Northshore Brisbane on Thursday, November 7, 2024 — head to the attraction's website for more information and tickets.
If you loved Shakespeare in Love, this play from the celebrated theatre company, Sport for Jove, is your perfect dramatic affair. Venus and Adonis is making its theatrical debut at the Seymour Centre's Reginald Theatre from Friday, September 29, until Saturday, October 21, 2023. The play centres on a trailblazing poet almost completely lost to history, Aemilia Lanyer (also known as Emilia Lanier). She was one of the first women in England to publish her own work and the first to have her full name on the title page of her own book. Many literary scholars believe that Lanyer is the famous "Dark Lady" referred to in Shakespeare's sonnets 127–152. These sonnets express Shakespeare's complex and passionate love affair with a woman described as having dark hair, skin and eyes. However, in the plot of this original Australian drama, written and directed by notable playwright and Sport for Jove's Artistic Director Damien Ryan, Aemilia is a rival poet to the celebrated bard, who borrows her life and words on the path to becoming the most famous playwright of all time. Ryan's previous adaptions, Cyrano de Bergerac and Antigone, both won Sydney Theatre Awards for best production, so you can be assured of a dazzling spectacle. The play is titled after one of Shakespeare's most famous narrative poems, which tells the tragic love story of the Roman goddess of love as she tries and fails to seduce the Greek figure, Adonis. The poem explores the dynamics of their passionate but ultimately tragic relationship. You can expect the play to bring some of those elements from the narrative poem to its storyline. Tickets to Sport for Jove's theatrical production Venus and Adonis are available to book on the Seymour Centre website from $39 now. Images: Andre Vasquez, Kate Williams (rehearsal image)
Melbourne's cultural tapestry weaves some of its most dynamic colours in South Melbourne where the pulse of the city's south beats with a rhythm that promises something truly stunning for every hour. About 12,000 people call South Melbourne home and lucky them, they get to experience the joys of an Albert Park lake stroll and a South Melbourne dim sim every day. But as for the rest of us, we'll have to settle for just visiting. But what if you only had one day? How would you make the most of your time? Well, let's find out. MORNING If the early bird gets the worm and the second mouse gets the cheese, the South Melbourne visitor needn't worry about any of that, because chances are if you're reading this, you're a human. However, no matter your species, it is recommended to rise just before the sun so you can be at Albert Park Lake as that giant fireball in the sky says good morning to the planet. Yes, waking that early sucks, but if you can do it, the reward will be immense. The lake and its surrounds are stunning at all times of day but with a dynamic pastel backdrop of orange sky and brightening light it is particularly special. Next, we need coffee. A morning is only as good as the coffee that accompanies it — cue The Kettle Black, where baristas craft seriously decent coffee. Stick around for a while and take in the vibe, the airy sun-drenched space is worth lingering over. [caption id="attachment_925199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oven-fresh croissants at Chez Dre[/caption] Next, head to the Austro Bakery and nab yourself a giant pretzel, loaf of sourdough or anything else your heart desires. You really can't go wrong here as the bakery effortlessly blends tradition of centuries-old European baking inspiration with a modern twist. Speaking of baked goods, you might also want to swing by Chez Dre, a French-inspired cafe serving cakes and brunch that will transport you to Paris with every flaky bite of its chocolate croissants. Finally, round off the morning with a visit to See Yup Temple, built originally in 1856 then rebuilt and expanded a decade later. The oldest Chinese temple in Australia is a real historical treat right here in Melbourne and the perfect place to take a quiet moment before things start ramping up for the rest of the day. AFTERNOON By afternoon, South Melbourne Market beckons with the siren call of a South Melbourne dim sim — it would be a crime and an affront to all things good and holy not to. This is a sacred place for dim sim lovers the world over, a place of deep historical and spiritual significance. To taste the South Melbourne dim sim is to experience a little piece of delicious Australian history. So go on, grab one, or grab a few, and let's get going. Next up? Get in loser, we're going shopping. Check out Clarendon, Coventry, Cecil and Park streets for a little bit of retail therapy at some of Melbourne's coolest boutiques. If you're into good design, cute homewares and anything even remotely fashion-related, this is your time to shine as you hunt for a hidden gem in South Melbourne's leafy shopping streets. To keep the artisanal vibe going, pop into the Australian Tapestry Workshop on Park Street. It's been spinning some of Australia's most stunning tapestries since 1976 and is the only one of its kind in Australia, as well as among just a handful around the world. Guests can check out its two galleries, which showcase exhibitions of tapestries and modern art on a rotating basis. It also runs tapestry classes and workshops regularly. And finally, for a laidback interlude, pop into Westside Ale Works — a cosy laneway brewpub hidden on Alfred Street just begging you to stay for a while and enjoy a nice afternoon pint (or several). EVENING As the sun dips and evening colours the sky, a stroll along Port Melbourne Beach offers the perfect canvas for a sunset walk — bonus points if you're with that special someone, this is seriously romantic. And if you don't have that special someone, you'll find someone one day, or maybe you won't! Either way, a sunset stroll on the beach is lovely. Next, follow the scent of a woodfired grill to Half Acre, a once dilapidated mill that's been transformed into a fine spot to enjoy a hearty feast of great, simple food with Middle Eastern and Euro influences amid an instantly warm atmosphere that feels like elevated dining at a friend's place. Afterwards, head to Bellota Wine Bar and enjoy a glass of red, or white, or orange — given it is home to literally thousands of wine bottles. Whether you're sitting at the bar, the tables, or in the courtyard, the vibe is sure to be immaculate. LATE-NIGHT FUN The night is still young; it's only natural we go bar hopping. Head to gorgeous Hatted bistro James for a European wine bar feeling with hints of Japanese inspiration on its fantastic degustation menu. Or for something more casual venture up to The Albion Rooftop to enjoy the spectacular cityscape vista, or pop by The Montague in the leafy backstreets for a nice cocktail in the inviting outdoor seating. Obviously, we suggest all three, as well as any more you might encounter on your journey. South Melbourne is your oyster, and all its bars lead to a good time. And now for the best part of the night. Head to Dessertopia for some of the most visually pleasing desserts you'll ever see. Seriously, they look so good you'll almost feel bad eating them (almost). Don't take our word for it, check out its Insta. Yes, that's right, glow-in-the-dark cupcakes. What a time to be alive. Enjoy and bask in the sweet glow, you had the ultimate day (and night) in South Melbourne. Now go get some rest, you must be exhausted. Looking to make the most of your next city break? Explore more of your city this summer with the City of Port Phillip.
Visiting Europe sadly isn't on Australians' agendas in the near future. Heading to New York to wander through The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't at the moment either. But, for four months in 2021, a heap of European art masterpieces from The Met will be making the journey to our shores — so you'll be able to feast your eyes on some of the greatest paintings ever committed to canvas at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. From June 12–October 17, 2021, 65 works that almost never leave The Met's galleries will grace GOMA's walls, in what'll be the Brissie venue's biggest ever survey of the history of European art. And if you're wondering why these paintings are so treasured, well, that's because they're by everyone from Monet, van Gogh and Vermeer to Renoir, Rembrandt and Degas. The list of artists featuring in the exhibition, which covers a whopping 500 years of European art and is fittingly called European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, just keeps going — with Rubens, Poussin, Gauguin, Raphael, Boucher and Velazquez all included as well. Also impressive: the different types of artworks that'll be on display, spanning everything from portraits and still-life pieces to landscape paintings and figure studies. From the full lineup, the earliest work will date back to 1445, courtesy of an altarpiece panel depicting the Crucifixion of Christ by the Florentine artist Fra Angelico. Also among the centuries-old highlights are Titian's Venus and Adonis from the 1550s, Caravaggio's The Musicians from 1597, Rembrandt's Flora from around 1654, and Vermeer's Allegory of the Catholic Faith. And, for works from the 19th-century impressionist and post-impressionist period, the likes of Monet, Renoir and van Gogh have things wrapped up — complete with Monet's 1919 piece Water Lilies. [caption id="attachment_781830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The Flowering Orchard' (1888) by Vincent van Gogh. The Mr and Mrs Henry Ittleson jr Purchase Fund 1956/56.13. Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.[/caption] GOMA's program will also feature hands-on digital and analogue activities to accompany the masterworks, plus — as is always the case with its major exhibitions — a lineup of yet-to-be-announced Up Late events that'll let you check out these art wonders after dark and over a few drinks. European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York is a Brisbane exclusive, too. So, if you're an art lover in New South Wales or Victoria, cross your fingers that Queensland's borders have well and truly reopened to your states by June 2021. European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York will display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art from June 12–October 17, 2021. For more information — or to buy tickets — visit the GOMA website. Top images: Water Lilies (1916-19) by Claude Monet. Gift of Louise Reinhardt Smith 1983/1983.532.; Still Life with Apples and Pears (1891-92) Bequest of Stephen C Clark 1960/61.101.3. Both collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It's a tale as old as time, again — but in an escape room-meets-scavenger hunt way. An interactive IRL game based on Beauty and the Beast will have fans running around the streets of Sydney in 2023. This new pastime hails from CluedUpp, which has already busted out CSI, Jack the Ripper, and witchcraft and wizarding-themed activities around Australia — plus Alice in Wonderland games, too. Here, the company wants you to be its guest to get sleuthing. Its Beauty and the Beast game involves roaming around outdoors on an adventure that takes its cues from the classic 18th-century fairy tale that's earned such a following, as combined with a whodunnit-style mystery. Beloved story? Tick. Inserting fans into said narrative? Tick again. Working in the ever-popular genre that is the whodunnit? Tick once more. Throw in the whole escape room and scavenger hunt elements, and it does sound like something that an algorithm would come up with — and a lot of fun. Hitting Sydney on three Saturdays — July 8, August 5 and September 2 — this spin on Beauty and the Beast starts with the latter getting cursed again. Forget love — this time, there's challenges to complete, clues to crack and fairy tale characters for you and your mates to interrogate. Participants get involved in teams of up to six, roaming around outdoors with their phones to help. And yes, if you want to dress up to fit the theme, you can.
When you lick a scoop of gelato, do you take a moment to let the flavour settle onto your tastebuds? Do you stop to contemplate the creaminess, and ponder how it feels on your tongue? Perhaps you spend too long thinking not only about how your dessert tastes, but how it smells — or maybe you're obsessed with how it looks, because a good ice cream is a truly glorious sight. If we've just described your usual thought processes every time you step inside a gelato joint, then you might want to throw your name in the ring for Gelatissimo's newest gig. As part of a four-hour, once-off deal, the dessert chain will pay one ice cream-loving person $500 to taste-test its newest gelato flavours. Over the past year, Gelatissimo has been responsible for frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato and even a gelato for dogs, so you won't be tasting your way through plain ol' vanilla or the usual mint choc-chip combination (not that there's anything wrong with those two stone cold classics). Just what flavours you'll be munching on hasn't yet been revealed, but you'll play a crucial part in evaluating them. As well as being delicious, this is serious business, requiring the utmost focus on the task at hand. That means first assessing the gelato's appearance, then enjoying a couple of scoops to get a feel for the flavour and texture. Then, after cleansing your palate with water, you'll do it all over again (and then again). If you're keen, as most people with tastebuds will be, just head to Airtasker to explain why you're the ideal candidate for the job. While the competition is open nationally, the winner will be required to get themselves to Gelatissimo's Sydney office in Rydalmere on Friday, September 27. For more information, or to apply for the Gelatissimo gelato-tasting gig, visit the Airtasker listing.
Due to its location, Tasmania stands apart from the bulk of Australia. It's an island at the bottom of the continent, so of course it's separate from the rest of the country. But, for much of 2020, the Apple Isle has been shut off from the nation in another way — with Tassie enacting strict border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, just as many other states on the mainland did as well. Thankfully, while most Aussies couldn't head to the country's southern-most state for much of this year without seeking permission and then going into quarantine, border restrictions don't have any dominion over our tastebuds. You mightn't have been able to spend time in Tassie for big stretches of 2020, but drinking beverages by Tasmanian producers has always remained on the menu. Obviously, it still does — letting everyone nationwide do what Tassie residents have always done and show their love for the Apple Isle's top drops. Whether you prefer a refreshing cider, a hearty vodka or gin, or a nice vino, that's great news. Tasmania has all of the above covered. Indeed, when BWS asked the state's drinkers to name their favourite local picks as part of the bottle retailer's Local Luvvas initiative, those aforementioned beverages from Plenty Cider, Hellfire Bluff Distillery and Pepik Wines topped the poll. All three brands will now receive an extra helping hand with getting their products stocked in more BWS stores — and we spoke with the teams at each about loving their jobs, showcasing homegrown produce, garnering local support and making it through 2020. APPLE CIDER FROM THE APPLE ISLE Of course Tasmania makes great apple cider. When tasked with picking their favourite brewed beverage, including beer, of course Tassie residents went with apple cider, too. That kind of local support no longer comes as a surprise to Plenty Cider co-owner Grace D'Arcy, but it is always heartily and eagerly appreciated. "People really resonate with where we are from, and love the fact they know where it is — and they understand the quality of the produce that comes from the area," she says. "Without local support, Plenty wouldn't exist, so we can't thank Tasmanians enough for what they have done for us and for many small businesses across the state throughout COVID-19". Plenty Cider is not only a celebrated homegrown brand, but is also beloved for its use of 100-percent southern Tasmanian-grown apples. And yet, the company's journey actually started with a different kind of alcohol and type of fruit. It wasn't hard to make the switch, though, D'Arcy explains. "The transition from wine to cider ten years ago was an easy choice to make, as cider was an emerging sector with so much hope and potential." Cider is also an easy field to be passionate about. That might sound self-evident — who wouldn't want to spend their days turning fruit into a sweet and delicious drink? — but D'Arcy's enthusiasm shines through. "There is also plenty of room for innovation and creativity. This is what keeps me passionate, along with striving to continuously improve and craft delicious ciders," she says. "When a cider is fruit-driven and you get that fresh full flavour on the palate, nothing is better." GIN AND VODKA MADE ABOVE A ROCKY COASTAL OUTCROP Potatoes might not be as synonymous with Tasmania as apples, but they're the reason that one of the state's other much-loved drinks producers exists. The site that Hellfire Bluff Distillery calls home is actually a potato farm on a cliff above Marion Bay that dates back more than 30 years. "We were looking for a way to value-add to the potatoes we grow," advises marketing coordinator Kyla Flanagan. "We wanted to bring something unique to the well-respected Tasmanian spirits market and, after investing a significant amount of time and research, in 2017 we launched Hellfire Bluff Distillery with our premium potato vodka." Clearly, local fresh produce is crucial here. "The distillery was built out of our love for premium Tasmanian ingredients, driven by our passion for farming sustainably, and influenced by our beautiful wild and remote region," Flanagan says. Hellfire now not only makes vodka, but also three styles of gin, a selection of small-batch liqueurs, and other limited-edition releases — using rainwater sourced from the farm, locally sourced lemons in its limoncello, and other "quintessentially Tasmanian ingredients," she explains. "When we say our products are handcrafted, we really mean it." Given how pivotal all things local are to Hellfire, it's hardly surprising that the distillery has proven a big hit in the community. "Product provenance has always been important to our customers, and local support has been integral to our brand from the very beginning," says Flanagan. And that homegrown love is a source of inspiration, too. "It's important to us that people feel connected to where their purchase comes from, and gain an understanding and insight into the business they are supporting," she notes. TURNING 61-HECTARES OF LAUNCESTON-GROWN GRAPES INTO VINO It was back in 2004 that Josef Chromy launched the wine brand that bears his name, setting up shop just south of Launceston on a scenic and sprawling 61-hectare vineyard. Pepik is one of its labels, and its moniker also has a close connection to its founder — because 'Pepik' is Josef's nickname, as given to him by his mother. Chromy handpicked Tasmanian winemaker Jeremy Dineen to lead the business, a role that the latter still holds today. As Pepik sales and export manager David Milne explains, making wine isn't just a job here — it's a passion, an obsession and a puzzle all in one. "It's the challenge of crafting the best wines from whatever the vintage throws at you that keeps things interesting," he says, with Pepik favouring "a minimal intervention style of winemaking to allow beautiful, aromatic Tasmanian fruit to achieve full expression in the glass". The resulting tipples, especially Pepik's pinot noir, have proven popular locally. But in 2020, the true level of community support has actually surprised Milne. "As a small wine producer in Tasmania, we probably didn't realise just how strong our following was until this year," he says. "People have made a concerted effort to support the local brands that they love and want to see come out the other side of this pandemic… In a year like no other, we've never been so honoured to be carried on the shoulders of our tribe." To find these or other Tasmanian drinks as part of the BWS Local Luvva initiative, head to your nearest BWS store.
If you're looking for more things to do while you're stuck at home that's not online puzzles and another cooking lesson, you're in luck. The Australian Ballet is one of the latest cultural institutions around Australia and the world to launch an online platform. The company's 2020 digital season features high-quality footage of full-length performances for you to watch at home — and it's free. Each performance is available to watch for a two-week run. The program kicked off with David McAllister's The Sleeping Beauty, set to Tchaikovsky's famed score, then Cinderella, followed by Romeo & Juliet. On offer from now until Thursday, August 6, you can watch Spartacus, inspired by the 1951 novel by Howard Fast. In all, you can expect dazzling footwork and an overall vivid spectacle on your screens until August 3. To watch, head here. On the digital platform, you'll also find behind-the-curtain content, talks and panel discussions, and a video about the company's collaboration with Nursewatch: a series of ballet workshops for seniors. For those wanting to put on their dancing shoes, there are mini-dance lessons where you can learn how to plié, jump and do a graceful port de bras, plus free at-home sample sessions for beginner, intermediate and pro dancers. The At Home With Studio classes are about 30–40 minutes long and all designed to be done in your home with a makeshift ballet barre (a kitchen bench or table should do the job). Top image: Spartacus and Sleeping Beauty Updated August 3, 2020.
Toastiesmith is the most recent addition to the Maker's Dozen food court within The Exchange building. It's a sanga-themed cafe offering up 12 different varieties, including roast beef, pork katsu and grilled fish, all topped with an egg omelette. Drinks include coffees, smoothies and house-made sodas. [caption id="attachment_782079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kera Wong[/caption] Images: Kera Wong
Almost synonymous with the proud Aussie spirit, R.M.Williams boots are representative of far more than sturdy footwear. Made on demand in the Adelaide workshop, a pair of RMs delivers quality craftsmanship, trend-surpassing style and excellence in both form and function — all from an Australian owned and operated business. In celebration of R.M.Williams' 90th birthday — a milestone indicative of its long-held icon status — the brand released a limited-edition capsule collection. The release features an exclusive range of boots in the iconic Craftsman and Lady Yearling styles — both renowned for being made from a singular piece of leather and passing through over 80 pairs of hands in their making — which come adorned with commemorative 90th anniversary tugs. Also in the collection is the Jerrawa belt complete with a celebratory plaque (a detail that graces the boots, too). Although the boots and belts are the hero pieces of the range, the exclusive apparel and lifestyle offering from the outback originals are just as worth coveting. Joining the leatherwear is an assortment of tees, made in collaboration with the world's first climate-positive cotton company Good Earth Cotton, and sweatshirts — all of which are emblazoned with the 90th anniversary branding. Plus, if you're keen to try your hand at leatherwork, you can buy the all-new Makers Kit, which is stocked with supplies to handcraft a durable leather cover for The Bushman's Handcrafts, the book authored by RM himself. If you're a legacy fan of the company or you're simply looking to get your first piece, the brand reaching nonagenarian status offers a momentous occasion for your purchase. As the legendary bootmaker Reginald Murray Williams explained, "If you make something good, people will make a track to your door. We made simple things that people wanted and kept them simple." And come the people did. To secure your slice of Australian history, shop online or in store.
Since launching late last month, Sydney's billion-dollar Metro North West railway has already seen over one million passengers pass through its train station doors. To help even more commuters travel the 36-kilometre journey, linking Rouse Hill and Chatswood, Transport for NSW has launched a new on-demand bus that'll pick you up and drop you right by a new railway station. Cooee Busways works a little bit like UberPool, combining both fixed route and on-demand transit. To book a trip, jump on the smartphone app — which you can download for free for IOS and Android — input your pick-up location and your destination station, and a booking confirmation will be sent through with a nearby pick-up spot and estimated drop-off time. You'll also be sent a SMS notification two minutes before the bus is due to arrive, with its corresponding bus number. It'll then drop you at the station, possibly picking up a few other passengers along the way. The on-demand buses operate between 5am and 9pm on weekdays (including public holidays) and run to the Tallawong and Rouse Hill Metro stations, as well as to the Schofields Train Station. The area they service, at the moment, includes Schofields, The Ponds and Kellyville Ridge, and is outlined in the map below. As the on-demand bus service is currently only serving a fraction of the Metro's surrounding suburbs, we're hoping there are plans to expand it in the near future. Fares cost between $2.20 and $3.66 (depending on how far you're travelling), and concession card holders pay between $1.10 and $1.83. You can pay either through the app or by tapping your credit or debit card on board the bus. You, unfortunately, can't use your Opal card on the service. While the idea of on-demand public transport may seem novel, it's not new for Sydney. As well as an on-demand ferry, the city already has on-demand buses running in the inner west and eastern suburbs. Cooee Busways are now running from 5am–9pm, Monday to Friday in the Schofields, The Ponds and Kellyville Ridge areas. You can download the app for free via the Apple or Google stores.
For 20 years, Cafe Lounge has been a beloved go-to for many a Sydneysider — whether you were a regular at its Monday comedy nights, swung by for an occasional 'sundae' session or were a dedicated fan of its $10 pizzas. But, the Surry Hills favourite has now called it quits, citing rising costs, lockout laws and the COVID-19 lockdown as reasons for its closure. In a statement posted to its social media accounts yesterday, Sunday, May 10, Cafe Lounge said, "today, we handed back the keys from what's been an incredible run. Cafe Lounge was a business passed on between friends who shared a passion for creating a space where people came together to meet, eat, drink, laugh, kiss, dance, love and live life." The Surry Hills venue, which opened back in 2000, started out as a cafe, then evolved into a live music favourite — open seven days a week — with regular comedy sessions, live bands, DJs and daily food specials, including those pizzas. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAVmgrAvpI/ While the institution survived Sydney's lockout laws, which were wound back in January this year, it didn't make it through unscathed. In the statement, the venue said, "with recent lockout laws [and] rising operating costs in a rapidly changing neighbourhood, we knew quickly this pandemic was going to be our end. We hope other venues receive the ongoing support required to get through this time and hopefully we all come back stronger with a government who recognises our value." It's not the first Sydney arts organisation to take a hit during the pandemic, either, with Carriageworks entering voluntary administration just last week. Cafe Lounge is closed for now, but the owners said they "look forward to doing it all again some day in another place and another time". We'll let you know when more news on that front is announced. Cafe Lounge has now closed its doors for good.
Fashion zombies of the '90s, your favourite mood readers have had a big ol' 2014 update. Mood rings have become the latest focus of a new startup out of Finland, who've taken your shitty piece of faux emotion-reading tin and turned it into a piece of wearable tech that can actually tell you how you're feeling. Finnish techheads Moodmetric unveiled a brand new smart ring at the Slush startup conference in Helsinki, Finland last week, one that can apparently actually use a biometric sensor to report on those pesky feelings of yours — rather than waiting for your $2 Reject Shop toy to turn blue. Always blue. Proposed to launch commercially in 2015 after an upcoming crowdfunding campaign, Moodmetric's ring is the smallest wearable technology in the world for measuring emotions. Apparently the device works using a biometric sensor to measure the small changes in your skin generated by your nervous system, which can measure your "emotional voltage". Then, your little wearable buddy sends the data to your smartphone app and diarises your moods for the day. International Business Times compared the Moodmetric ring to current developments like the Smarty Ring, Ringly or MOTA, but noted this new ring isn't just a notification extension of your smartphone inbox — it reads you. "It's possible for people to analyse their emotional levels throughout the day and learn when they're the most stressed, what makes them calm down and what times of the day are significant in terms if emotional intensity," Moodmetric COO Niina Venho told the IBT. "By naming those feelings Moodmetric allows people to get to know themselves better." One step further than the ol' teenage jewellery box edition, the Moodmetric ring has teamed up with your 'Dear Diary' time to help you track your emotional ups and downs and to calm your mind at certain "emotional load peaks" of the day. A ring that helps us de-stress? Proposal accepted. Via IBT and Dazed.
This winter, Tim Burton's cult classic film Beetlejuice is coming to life on stage at Melbourne's Regent Theatre for Beetlejuice The Musical. Starring Australia's own Eddie Perfect in both the lead role and composer of the original score, the show is as bold, fun and camp as you'd expect. Playing at the Regent Theatre, within the city's unofficial 'East End Theatre District', you'll be at the grand entry point to Melbourne itself with laneways, late-night bars and must-try dining experiences just steps away from the show. Whether you're heading in early for a pre-show drink or looking for some late night flavour and fun, you'll find it all within walking distance. All you have to say is Melbourne, Melbourne, Melbourne. Pellegrini's Espresso Bar If you want to start your evening with a little old-school charm, step into Pellegrini's. This Melbourne institution has been slinging short blacks and lasagne since the '50s, and walking through its doors feels like entering a time warp (in the best way). Just a few minutes' walk from the Regent, it's perfect for a quick espresso or a pre-show bowl of gnocchi. Arlechin Hidden down a laneway just a couple of blocks from the Regent Theatre, Arlechin feels like the kind of bar Beetlejuice himself might have slipped into for a negroni. Open until 1am, at the helm of Melbourne restaurateur and chef, Guy Grossi, this moody late-night Italian bar has a low cork ceiling, dim lighting and impressive wine list. Self-identifying as the meeting place of food, drink and mischief, Arlechin is where you'll want to settle in and debrief the chaos you just witnessed on stage. Kafeneion Over on Spring Street, inside the Melbourne Supper Club building, Kafeneion is a hearty restaurant that oozes character. With its vintage fit-out, simple white table clothes and homemade-style Greek menu, it's the kind of cosy, warm place that wants you to settle in for late night hangouts. Perfect for a long lunch before a matinee or a feast after an evening show. Flinders Lane If you'd rather play things by ear, wander down Flinders Lane (aka Melbourne's unofficial eat street) and you'll quickly see why it's a pre and post-show favourite. From cult fine diners like Cumulus Inc. and Supernormal to classic Melbourne-style cocktail bars in laneway basements, this entire street is packed with options. It's the kind of place where one drink turns into dinner, then dessert, then a nightcap. Curious If you're craving something theatrical on the other side of town, Curious at W Melbourne is your next stop. Located inside an architectural wooden tunnel, the bar itself is a work of art, but it's the drinks that really get you excited. Order something from their 'Elemental Playground' cocktail menu like the 'Honey, I Burnt the Beets' or the 'Checkerboard', each inspired by the elements of earth, water, air, and fire. Experimental, bold and very photo-worthy, it matches Beetlejuice's vibe perfectly. Yaowarat Open until midnight every night with nothing over $16, Yaowarat brings the flavours and energy of Thailand and China to Melbourne's CBD. This spot is great for a no-fuss, high-flavour meal after seeing Beetlejuice The Musical, especially if you're hungry for something spicy and shareable. Order your favourite noodles, grab a cold beer, and soak up the buzzing, neon-lit atmosphere. Siglo Want to get some late-night fresh air? Head to Siglo, the rooftop bar perched above Spring Street. Classic white tablecloths are paired with skyline view and a solid drinks list, making this a great wind-down spot once you've had your fill of the city's non-stop energy. Order a dirty martini and look out over Parliament House as the streets buzz below. Melbourne was made for unforgettable nights. If you're heading to Beetlejuice The Musical, continue the fun beyond the theatre doors. There's no better place to go out and get a little spooky in. Head to visitmelbourne.com.au to discover more of what makes Melbourne. Every bit different. By Jacque Kennedy.
UPDATE, APRIL 4: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that Jungle Cruise will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, July 23, 2020, with the film now hitting cinemas on July 29, 2021. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. When Disney isn't turning its beloved movie franchises into new theme park zones, as it's currently doing with both Star Wars and Marvel, the enormous entertainment company has been known to take the opposite approach. Plenty of its rides and attractions have inspired films, such as the entire Pirates of the Caribbean series, as well as Tomorrowland, The Haunted Mansion, The Country Bears and Mission to Mars. Now, Jungle Cruise is the latest to join the fold. As the Mouse House did with Pirates, it has enlisted some serious star power, with Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson taking the watery journey in the first movie based on Disney's popular river boat ride. She plays an explorer and scientist on a mission, while he captains the vessel she hires to transport her along the Amazon River. From there, as seen in the just-dropped first trailer, it seems that typical action-adventure hijinks ensue. The film's initial sneak peek also sets up a vibe that's part The Mummy, part Indiana Jones, part every other flick about someone scrambling through vast landscapes searching for something precious — in this case, a tree in the Amazon that possesses unparalleled healing powers. When Jungle Cruise floats into cinemas, it'll also feature Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons and Paul Giamatti. Behind the camera, Jaume Collet-Serra is in the director's chair, marking a change of pace after the Liam Neeson-starring Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night and The Commuter (and Blake Lively shark flick The Shallows, too). Script-wise, the film is penned by Bad Santa writers (and Crazy, Stupid, Love. filmmakers) Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, as well as Logan, Alien: Covenant, Blade Runner 2049 and Murder on the Orient Express' Michael Green. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydnzilTiBcY After being delayed from its original release date of July 23, 2020, Jungle Cruise will now open in Australian cinemas on July 29, 2021.
Greek street food fans have reason to throw down a solid jig in the inner west today, with the opening of Drummoyne's Zeus Street Greek. Founded by a patriotic team of first generation Hellenic Australians (a formidable collaboration between the team behind Crust Gourmet Pizza and Pony Dining Group), Zeus is modernising souvlaki for the contemporary Greek food lover. Armed with traditional recipes and cooking methods passed down through five generations, Zeus are set to serve up Mirool Creek lamb cooked ‘kontosouvli' — a traditional skewer-grilled Cypriot method resulting geared for a little tenderness. "The inspiration for Zeus was to give Sydneysiders an innovative food experience that incorporates the founders’ passion for Hellenic food, culture and tradition," say the Zeus team, who plan to open more instalments in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. "Zeus pays homage to the 'God of hospitality' and the Greek custom of filoxenia or 'showing hospitality to all'. Renowned in Greek culture filoxenia translates to everyone being welcome in a Hellenic house where there is always food and wine to be shared whether it’s with old friends or new." Savoury street-style splendour at Zeus comes dine-in, takeaway or delivered to your Drummoyne doorstep. The eponymous house specialty, The Zeus, is set to be a Greek street food staple worth crossing the city for — slow-cooked lamb with Aegean slaw, smoked eggplant, onion and parsley in fresh pita. Theres the Uncle 'Tzimmy' Classic, with chargrilled lamb, pork or chicken with tomato, tzatziki, onion, paprika in pita (with the all-important chips) and ancient grain salads and mezze dishes for vegetarians (think marinated olives, spanakopita and the salty, salty monarch of Greek food — halloumi). Then for dessert, smoosh your face into Zeus' fig and cinnamon rizogalo. Going hungry isn't an option at Zeus. "When a Greek family hosts you, you’re treated like a guest of honour whether they’ve known you your whole life or you’ve just met that day," says the Zeus team. "Greeks welcome everyone with open arms and make sure that you don’t go hungry while you’re a guest of theirs. It’s this feeling of being welcomed in to the extended family that is brought to life when people drop in to Zeus." So what's this about free food? To celebrate the cutting of the red ribbon, Zeus will be giving away free souvla this Saturday 14 June between 12 and 3pm to everyone who drops in. Free. Souvla. Plus, they'll donate $2 from every souvla given away to Father Chris O’Riley’s Youth Off The Streets charity. That's some feelgood free food we can get behind. Opa! Zeus Street Greek can be found at 189 Lyons Road, Drummoyne. 'I Love Souvla Saturdays' start Saturday 14 June from 12-3pm (every customer nabs themself a free souvla).
Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on Urbnsurf Sydney's massive man-made surf park is currently underway, and the finished site now has a brand-new opening date: autumn 2024. The $50-million development will hit a 3.2-hectare site in Sydney Olympic Park next year from the team behind Australia's first surf park, featuring perfect waves year-round, plus a slate of freshly announced food and beverage offerings. Sydney surfers can expect a diamond-shaped lagoon pumping out waves up to two metres in height. Thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors will also have the option of an evening swim. The lagoon will be capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch between ten and 12 waves per hour. When surfers are done riding waves, Urbnsurf Sydney will also feature a wellness studio, skate park, hot tubs, beach cabanas and a surf academy for those looking to take their surfing to the next level. On top of all that, one of Sydney's premier hospitality groups, Applejack, has been put in charge of the culinary offerings at the park. Applejack owns and operates eight venues across Sydney, including Forrester's, The Butler, RAFI and Bopp & Tone. The team will be bringing the same produce- and service-driven approach found at its venues to Urbnsurf Sydney's premium restaurant with a rooftop terrace, waterfront cafe and takeaway kiosk. Applejack joins the Urbnsurf family alongside farm-to-table favourites Three Blue Ducks, who provide the food and drink offerings down in Melbourne. Urbnsurf CEO Damon Tudor said he was excited to use what the company had learned in Melbourne to bring a new inclusive way to surf to Sydney. "Growing up in the west and as a Sydneysider, we are blessed with a stunning coastline of surf beaches, but access to those beaches and crowding in the lineup is becoming an increasing issue." [caption id="attachment_871263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RAFI North Sydney[/caption] Urbnsurf Sydney is excepted to open in Sydney Olympic Park in autumn 2024.
When you think of Bathurst, you might think of rally cars and farms, and while yes, there is that, it has evolved in recent years to become a region of fine artisan producers. A destination in its own right, this corner of NSW is also an epic stopover for a trip to Orange, Mudgee or even Warrumbungles if you're feeling ambitious. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, pack up your car, head two hours west and spend a weekend recharging your batteries in the fresh country air. Friday: Arrive and Settle in Just outside the main town of Bathurst is the luxury and eco-friendly cabin retreat Rest at Boxgrove. It is set on a picturesque 170-acre working family farm and vineyard that blends rural serenity and modern luxury. Flick on the turntable, relax on the bed or grab the bottle of vino or mini bottle of local gin from Boxgrove's welcome basket, fill up the twin outdoor tubs, and take a dip in the warm water as the sun starts to dip behind the hills. If you'd prefer to head out for a bite and a tipple, make your way into Bathurst proper. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at Dogwood, BX, a saloon-style bar, before heading around the block to Vine & Tap on Keppel Street for dinner. This charming restaurant, set in a leafy cobblestone courtyard, offers a menu of contemporary Italian dishes like house-made gnocchi, woodfired pizzas and arancini. Decompress as you sip on some local vino under the canopy of vines and fairy lights. [caption id="attachment_807252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Renzaglia Wines[/caption] Saturday: Explore Central West Region's Produce Wake up to stunning views of the surrounding countryside at Rest at Boxgrove. Fire up the outdoor barbecue and make yourself breakfast with all the fixings from the welcome basket: bacon, freshly baked bread, fresh veggies and eggs. Once you've had your fill, it's time to explore the area's offerings. The first stop on your itinerary must be the local farmer's markets, held on the fourth Saturday of each month from January to November. Check out what the Central West region has to offer. Stop by to meet the farmers and stock up on local honey, sweet treats and organic veg. If the dates don't line up, you could make your way down to Berry Park to the Riverside Markets on the first Saturday of the month. Browse through stalls selling plants, jewellery, clothes, and handmade trinkets. If you love your artisan spirits, you'd best pay a visit to the family-run, sustainability-minded, award-winning Bathurst Grange Distillery, set on a heritage estate and working farm. Book a tour to learn about its whisky and gin made with botanicals grown on site. Settle in for a tasting and pair with a cheeseboard loaded with local cheese. The Blue Mountain Gin, inspired by the view from the distillery and infused with mint and rosemary grown on-site and native Australian pepperberry, is an eye-catching must-try. You shouldn't leave before sampling the luscious Bourbon Cask Release Single Malt Whisky distilled with locally sourced heirloom malt barley, which won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2023. If you're a vinophile, head to Renzaglia Wines, overlooking the O'Connell Valley. Make an appointment for a tasting and discover why it was named Dark Horse Winery of the Year in the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion. The spot is headed up by the award-winning winemaker and viticulturist Mark Renzaglia, who emigrated from Illinois in the 1980s. Known for its small-batch wines that always bring something new and special to the table, the winery is now a family affair with Mark's son Sam on board crafting lighter-style reds, field blends and funkier drops. Return to your cabin and enjoy a quiet evening with a barbecue dinner on the covered deck, enjoying the serene countryside views. Elevate your evening more by lighting the private firepit, tucking into the goodies from the markets and cheers the stars and neighbouring cows with wine or a G&T. Sunday: Bathurst's Artistic and Historical Treasures Before you say goodbye to Rest at Boxgrove, take a peaceful early morning stroll around the 170-acre property and through the burgeoning vineyard. Breathe in the fresh country air before heading into the town for some grub. The Hub is a popular brunch spot slinging locally roasted coffee from Fish River Roasters and generous breakfast portions. For something savoury, opt for the shakshuka, but if you love a sweet breakfast, you shouldn't go past the buttermilk pancakes with caramel creme patisserie and gingerbread crumble — it's basically dessert for breakfast. A short stroll away is the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, or BRAG for short, where you can check out the latest exciting exhibitions for free. Artworks don't just reside inside its doors. BRAG hosts public art projects and works that can be found throughout Bathurst. When you're exploring the town, be sure to keep a look out for sculptures, posters and more. Your next stop should be to step back into history at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. It is home to the Somerville Collection of over 5000 fossils, minerals, and dinosaurs. The museum is housed in the 19th-century Bathurst Public School House and offers a fascinating glimpse into the development of life on Earth and a disconcerting insight into the impacts of climate change. Take a load off with a pit stop at Reckless Brewing Co., co-founded by award-winning brewer Grace Fowler. This project started as a travelling brewery until the trio founded their permanent digs in a heritage-listed flour mill that formally housed Two Heads Brewing. Take a seat on the leather Chesterfield sofa in front of the roaring fireplace and enjoy a tasting paddle (or two). Be sure to sample some of the limited-release beers, which have included collabs with Renzaglia Wines (a zesty chardonnay sour) or the Matilda XPA, inspired by the Australian women's national soccer team. If you're hungry for lunch, Reckless has an on-site restaurant, Roadhouse by Reckless, slinging share plates, cheeseboards and burgers galore. Alternatively, head to Church Bar, tucked down an alleyway in an old Anglican Church Schoolhouse. This unassuming spot offers woodfired pizzas with inventive toppings, great cocktails and a considered wine list with drops from NSW and beyond. Recharge with a slice of pizza out in the leafy courtyard before heading back on the road to reality. Concrete Playground was a guest of Rest at Boxgrove. Top Image: Rest at Boxgrove
Come 2021, you'll have one very convincing reason to book a trip to Sydney (or a Sydney staycation) — the city will be home to the first very Australian outpost of trendy US chain Ace Hotel. Founded in 1999, the boutique chain currently has its signature luxe-vintage hotels in Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Pittsburgh, Portland and Seattle. Its first international location opened in London in 2013, and its next is slated to open in Kyoto in spring next year. Known for their great bars, pools, cool branding and merch, and quirky locations — such as a converted Denny's and a historic YMCA building — each Ace Hotel is individually designed to reflect its surroundings. The Ace Hotel in Downtown LA is in a 13-storey 1920s former movie theatre, and has art deco furnishings, a rooftop pool and three bars, while the Palm Springs outpost is swathed in white, and has swim club and an attached diner. For the local outpost, Ace's in-house design team — Atelier Ace — will be working alongside an Australian firm to design the hyper-local hotel. While exactly what that will look like both inside and out is still under wraps, it'll take inspiration from the food, art, architecture, design and culture of Surry Hills when it opens in an 18-storey building (formerly Tyne House) on Wentworth Avenue. [caption id="attachment_745633" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Render of Ace Hotel's proposed Surry Hills facade.[/caption] The Ace Hotel site was purchased two years ago by Australian property development group, Golden Age Group, who will also have a hand in the hotel. As well as 264 rooms, guests can look forward to a ground-floor lobby bar, a gym, restaurant, cafe, and rooftop bar and eatery. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a potential rooftop pool, too. It's just the latest boutique hotel to open in Surry Hills, which has seen the hyper-local Paramount House Hotel — complete with rooftop wellness centre — launch in March last year, and the 35-room Little Albion House (which you can book through Airbnb) follow in July. Real estate developer Cienna Group also has plans in the works to open a 12-storey laneway hotel on the corner of Riley and Campbell Streets. The Ace Hotel Sydney is slated to open at 49–53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney in 2021. We'll update you with a specific launch date when one is announced. Top images: Ace Hotel London / Ace Hotel Downtown LA.
